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ICYMI: 12 of the most-read Lexington Herald-Leader stories from October

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

Here are some of the most-read stories from the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com that were published in October 2025.

Demetrus Liggins, Fayette County Public Schools superintendent, speaks during the district’s Budget Solutions Work Group first meeting at the Hill in Lexington, Ky., on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 1: FCPS SUPERINTENDENT’S EXPENSES: 29 TRIPS, $28K ON FOOD, NEARLY $152K TOTAL BILL

As questions continue to swirl about how Fayette County Public Schools officials are spending taxpayers’ dollars, a Herald-Leader analysis revealed Superintendent Demetrus Liggins charged nearly $152,000 in expenses from January 2023 to May 2025. | Published October 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Valarie Honeycutt Spears, Beth Musgrave

The Grotto near Tobermory in Ontario on Lake Huron By Kim Edwards

NO. 2: THIS KENTUCKIAN’S TRIP TO CANADA WAS MET WITH CURIOSITY, SADNESS, AND PITY | OPINION

For several years, my husband and I have dreamed of taking a trip to the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, Canada, which arcs into Lake Huron north of Detroit. | Published September 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kim Edwards

A dumpster sits in front of a Phoenix woman’s home in February 2023. Dumpster diving happens across the country, but the laws are not the same everywhere. By Megan Mendoza/The Republic

NO. 3: WHEN KENTUCKY STORES THROW AWAY NEW ITEMS, IS IT LEGAL TO DUMPSTER DIVE?

Dumpster diving social media influencers have been known to attract millions of followers and establish lucrative resale businesses by recovering valuable discarded goods, even luxury items. | Published October 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

The Nearest Green Distillery in Tennessee will be placed in the hands of a receiver after a federal judge ruled in favor of Farm Credit’s petition to remove Fawn and Keith Weaver from operating it for now.

NO. 4: INSIDE TROUBLED WHISKEY BRAND’S FINANCIALS: UNPAID BILLS, LIENS, FROZEN CREDIT

Distressed spirits company Uncle Nearest Whiskey and Nearest Green Distillery could be sold sometime in the next six months, according to a status report filed by the receiver now in control of the company. | Published October 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

A rendering of the Kentucky Owl Park designs released by Stoli Group from Shigeru Ban Architects, who have been chosen to create the new bourbon distillery and tourist destination in Bardstown. By Rendering from Shigeru Ban Architects/Stoli Group

NO. 5: BANKRUPTCY JUDGE SINKS KY DISTILLER’S PLAN TO PAY OFF DEBT WITH BARRELS OF WHISKEY

A federal bankruptcy judge in Texas has tossed Kentucky Owl and Stoli’s plan to pay off its bankruptcy debt with bourbon. | Published October 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

The Luca Mariano Distillery is set to open June 13 in Danville. The new Kentucky distiller is facing multiple liens and a lawsuit over unpaid debts.

NO. 6: TROUBLED KY BOURBON COMPANY ACCUSED OF USING BANKRUPTCY TO DELAY DISTILLERY SALE

A troubled Kentucky bourbon company is accused of stalling on plans to sell the distillery to pay off millions in debts. | Published October 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

Serafini at 243 West Broadway St., Frankfort, Ky., on Wednesday, March 4, 2020.Meatloaf with a barbecue blackberry sauce and mashed potatoes and green beans at Serafini at 243 West Broadway St., Frankfort, Ky., on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 7: SECOND LOCATION OF POPULAR CENTRAL KENTUCKY RESTAURANT CLOSES AFTER JUST MONTHS

A new Central Kentucky location of a popular Frankfort restaurant appears to have closed permanently after being open less than five months. | Published October 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

Tuk Tuk Snack Shop’s lunch menu features sandwiches including The Webster made with fried chicken or jackfruit, shredded coconut, coco sauch, housemade Hawaiian roll and fries. By Janet Patton

NO. 8: ACCLAIMED LEXINGTON CHEF ANNOUNCES HER FIRST RESTAURANT IS CLOSING. HERE’S WHY

A high-profile Lexington restaurant that opened with a splash in 2023 is closing. | Published October 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

Puccini’s Pizza & Pasta announced that the Boston Road location is closing on Oct. 17. The last location in Chevy Chase Place remains open.

NO. 9: LONGTIME PIZZA CHAIN CLOSING A LEXINGTON LOCATION. THERE’S ONLY ONE LEFT IN TOWN

One location of a family-friendly pizza and pasta chain that’s been part of Lexington’s dining scene for decades is closing. | Published October 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines appeared Monday afternoon in a Whitesburg courtroom. He is charged with killing late District Court Judge Kevin Mullins. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 10: DAUGHTER OF EX-KY SHERIFF CHARGED WITH KILLING JUDGE SPEAKS OUT ABOUT CASE

The daughter of a former county sheriff charged with killing a judge last year took to social media this week to deny rumors the judge had an inappropriate relationship with her. | Published October 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Christopher Leach

Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg. Nov. 29, 2010. The building is 100 years old. Vicky Broadus/staffFour Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg. Nov. 29, 2010. The building is 100 years old. Vicky Broadus/staff

NO. 11: REPORTS: HISTORIC KENTUCKY BOURBON DISTILLER FOUR ROSES FOR SALE FOR $1B

One of Kentucky’s biggest bourbons is for sale. | Published October 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

Groceries are photographed at the Lexington Herald-Leader newsroom in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, May 24, 2025. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 12: NO SNAP BENEFITS TO BE ISSUED NOV. 1, TRUMP ADMINISTRATION NOTICE SAYS

The U.S. | Published October 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Piper Hansen

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.