Good morning, this is Lexington Local Pulse for December 25, 2024. We're starting off with some breaking news from the past few days. The University of Kentucky hosted its December commencements at Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington, marking a significant milestone for many graduates and their families. Meanwhile, officials with One Lexington are planning a series of open forums to address gun violence across the city, a critical issue that affects us all.

In job market news, the Lexington Fayette cybersecurity job market is rapidly expanding, with a projected 33% increase in analyst positions for 2024 and over 3,500 current openings. Major employers like Lexmark, Link-Belt, and Valvoline are actively recruiting, offering competitive salaries averaging around $92,000, which is 6.7% above the national average. This is a prime time for entering the field, especially with the University of Kentucky's cybersecurity programs stepping up to meet this demand.

Moving on to real estate, the Lexington housing market is somewhat competitive, with homes receiving 2 offers on average and selling in around 36 days. The median sale price of a home in Lexington was $335,000 last month, up 5.1% since last year. The median sale price per square foot in Lexington is $191, up 7.9% since last year. This indicates a steady growth in the housing market.

From city hall, we have updates on decisions that affect our daily life. The city has announced that there will be no trash collection on Christmas Eve, so if your trash is usually collected on Tuesdays, you'll have to wait until your next scheduled pickup date.

Weather-wise, it's a cold start to the day, but temperatures will be improving by the afternoon. This means that outdoor activities and events should go smoothly today. Looking ahead, we're expecting a mix of sun and clouds with a high in the mid-40s.

In new business activity, we have some exciting openings and changes. Santa Claus made his annual stop in the Bluegrass before Christmas night, bringing joy to many families. Additionally, Toyota Kentucky has unveiled plans for a new $922 million investment to build a state-of-the-art advanced paint facility at its Georgetown plant, which will enhance operational efficiency and create new jobs.

Upcoming community events include the continuation of holiday festivities around the city. The Jannings family in Winchester has taken the holidays very seriously, with their impressive light displays becoming a local attraction.

In local school achievements, we have some notable sports results. Morehead State football had a successful season, leading to Head Coach Jason Woodman inking a deal to keep him coaching the Eagles through 2028.

For a feel-good community story, we have the rescue of three horses involved in a severe neglect case in Franklin County, thanks to the efforts of the Kentucky Humane Society.

In today's crime report, we have a few significant incidents to share. A Laurel County man is facing multiple charges after suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl were allegedly found in his vehicle during a traffic stop. Additionally, the Lexington Police Department has issued an alert for a missing child, 10-year-old Nemas Vasquez, who was last seen around 7:30 p.m. We urge everyone to be vigilant and report any information to the authorities.

This has been Lexington Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI