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Political turmoil in London, Kentucky: How ousted mayor is back in office again

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

These curated articles follow the political turbulence surrounding Mayor Randall Weddle in London, Kentucky. Weddle faced impeachment and removal after the city council charged him with misconduct, including misusing city resources and signing an unauthorized mortgage. In the aftermath, Tracie Handley became the acting mayor.

Weddle quickly challenged the impeachment, leading to a judicial review that reversed the council's decision and reinstated him. Despite his reinstatement, the council has appealed the judge's decision.

London Mayor Randall Weddle provides updates during a press conference held at the London Community Center, on day 11 of the search for mass shooter, 32-year-old Joseph Couch on September 17, 2024, in London, Ky. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 1: LONDON CITY COUNCIL SEEKS TO OUST MAYOR RANDALL WEDDLE AMID MISCONDUCT CLAIMS

The London city council is seeking to oust Mayor Randall Weddle amid claims he’s guilty of misconduct and willful neglect. | Published August 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Christopher Leach

London Mayor Randall Weddle

NO. 2: A KENTUCKY MAYOR IS UNDER FIRE. HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENED DURING HIS TENURE

The London City Council on Monday night levied several allegations against Mayor Randall Weddle as it sought to remove him from office. | Published August 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor Six

London Mayor Randall Weddle provides updates during a press conference held at the London Community Center, on day 11 of the search for mass shooter, 32-year-old Joseph Couch on September 17, 2024, in London, Ky. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 3: LONDON MAYOR RANDALL WEDDLE IMPEACHED ON MISCONDUCT CHARGES, REMOVED FROM OFFICE

The London City Council voted Friday to impeach and remove Mayor Randall Weddle from office. | Published September 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Christopher Leach

Signs of life are slowly returning to normal as law enforcement officials enter day four of the search for Joseph Couch, after Saturday’s mass shooting on I-75 on September 2, 2024, in London, Ky. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 4: ACTING MAYOR OF LONDON WANTS TO DO BEST JOB POSSIBLE FOR HOMETOWN

It was about a week ago when Tracie Handley was first approached about the possibility of becoming mayor of London. | Published September 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Christopher Leach

London Mayor Randall Weddle provides updates during a press conference held at the London Community Center, on day 11 of the search for mass shooter, 32-year-old Joseph Couch on September 17, 2024, in London, Ky. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 5: FORMER LONDON MAYOR RANDALL WEDDLE: I WILL APPEAL CITY COUNCIL’S IMPEACHMENT VOTE

Randall Weddle plans to appeal the London City Council’s impeachment vote against him, the former mayor of London said in a statement Monday. | Published September 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Christopher Leach

Signs of life are slowly returning to normal as law enforcement officials enter day four of the search for Joseph Couch, after Saturday’s mass shooting on I-75 on September 2, 2024, in London, Ky. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 6: KENTUCKY CITY FACES STATE AUDIT AFTER FORMER MAYOR’S IMPEACHMENT, REMOVAL

The tenure of a recently impeached mayor in London is being audited by the Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts. | Published September 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Christopher Leach

London Mayor Randall Weddle provides updates during a press conference held at the London Community Center, on day 11 of the search for mass shooter, 32-year-old Joseph Couch on September 17, 2024, in London, Ky. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 7: FORMER LONDON MAYOR RANDALL WEDDLE FILES APPEAL TO HAVE IMPEACHMENT VOTE REVERSED

Former London Mayor Randall Weddle has filed an appeal seeking to reverse the London City Council’s impeachment vote against him. | Published September 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Christopher Leach

Signs of life are slowly returning to normal as law enforcement officials enter day four of the search for Joseph Couch, after Saturday’s mass shooting on I-75 on September 2, 2024, in London, Ky. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 8: FORMER LONDON CITY ATTORNEY TALKS RECENT FIRING, EXPECTS MORE TERMINATIONS

The former city attorney for London, recently fired by acting Mayor Tracie Handley, called his dismissal unjust and said he expects more city employees to be terminated. | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Christopher Leach

London Mayor Randall Weddle provides updates during a press conference held at the London Community Center, on day 11 of the search for mass shooter, 32-year-old Joseph Couch on September 17, 2024, in London, Ky. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 9: WHAT’S NEXT IN FORMER LONDON MAYOR’S IMPEACHMENT? APPEAL PROCESS IS ONGOING

Former London Mayor Randall Weddle is awaiting a ruling from a judge in his appeal against the London City Council after he was removed from office this month. | Published September 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Christopher Leach

NO. 10: LONDON MAYOR RANDALL WEDDLE TO BE REINSTATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER JUDGE’S RULING

A judge ruled Monday that Randall Weddle, the recently impeached mayor of London, should return to office immediately because the city council had insufficient grounds to remove him. | Published September 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor Six, Christopher Leach

London Mayor Randall Weddle provides updates during a press conference held at the London Community Center, on day 11 of the search for mass shooter, 32-year-old Joseph Couch on September 17, 2024, in London, Ky. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 11: LONDON CITY COUNCIL APPEALS JUDGE’S DECISION TO REINSTATE IMPEACHED MAYOR

The London City Council has appealed a judge’s ruling to reinstate Randall Weddle as mayor of London, according to court documents. | Published September 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Christopher Leach

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.