Chad Hedrick
Reporter
Lexington, Ky.
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/gray/52195811-afa0-4e19-8f10-8188d47d0ce3.png)
Chad Hedrick joined WKYT in February 2021.
Before coming to central Kentucky, he spent six years at WKYT’s sister station, WSAZ in Huntington, WV where he climbed the ranks from part-time weekend photographer to reporter and weekend anchor.
While at WSAZ, Chad’s primary focus was on eastern Kentucky, including his hometown in Boyd County.
Chad has enjoyed being able to cover his home state these last several years, seeing it as a way of giving back to his community. He is passionate about meeting people, telling their stories, and doing what he can to help them.
He is a Morehead State grad, and an avid Kentucky Wildcat fan.
Chad loves connecting with viewers on social media. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/GUFV47OI3FEIJBMTD7ACK55ORU.jpg)
The bourbon industry in Kentucky was hit hard in 2020, especially tourism. However, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association said almost every economic measure was up in 2021.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/G3NAENSSA5FU5JSO7X5D2GHGSE.png)
In Richmond, a march Monday afternoon embraced Dr. King’s legacy of giving back by highlighting a critical need for many people in Madison County—housing.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/6DKD6FPB2VBOFFZTZ5NPOGD26I.jpg)
In his address, titled “Our Future is Now,” the governor focused on education, economic investments, healthcare, and public safety.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/V6CHK2XIMBAIRBNWIHPLRDTTFE.jpg)
As cases of COVID-19 overwhelm hospitals again, Governor Andy Beshear is putting a focus on Kentucky’s nursing shortage, a crisis he declared a state of emergency for last month.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MIOAPSF53ZAWVC2AKRNSHRPLOA.jpg)
We’ve now learned crews had difficulty fighting a fire because a nearby hydrant was not working—and it’s not the first time.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UPZPT3WI35C4TMQUVSDHZDVGGU.jpg)
Coroner John Northcutt says Edward "Eddie" Ison, 65, from Morehead lost control on a snow-covered road, hit a tree, and went over an embankment.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MBPOMEDU4VG6HGM3NQ3AZOFFWA.png)
Governor Andy Beshear gave his State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night before a joint session of the Kentucky House and Senate.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MGAOYMEYZVE5NK6ILT3B63ZOFU.jpg)
Senator Thomas said he’s encouraging everyone in the House and Senate to get tested regularly.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SGBZNIFAMRC3LKTSO7YX76XEFY.jpg)
This year, while many celebrations are looking to return to normal, this surge of cases from the omicron variant has health officials pleading that people take caution.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ON54A5LS4ZBQLCEBEMPZNSMCN4.jpg)
Governor Andy Beshear said Kentucky is in a surge of COVID-19 because of the omicron variant, calling it the most contagious variant we have seen.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TBSF6S6WVRFOVGT5LEQL262FT4.jpg)
This Christmas will be the first Hazelwood family will spend without their son, Lofton.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FSZ3MLER2ZHOPDOAAPGGHPH2MM.jpg)
Following deadly tornadoes, one man has come all the way from California to help families reunite with their cats and dogs by using a drone with infrared technology.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/AI5Q6PW47VGC5MPRVXKKRTE3QQ.JPG)
Donations, volunteers, and support have flooded these areas in the aftermath. Tuesday, a toy drive organized by Kentucky First Lady Britainy Beshear will begin delivering toys to children.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/E2A4M4UWINAVXF5UJQKZGN3Z44.jpg)
We have lost 76 fellow Kentuckians from last week’s tornadoes. Their families and communities are devastated, but one man is making sure they’re not forgotten.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NCYUA4CPYFC7DOLQVOOYOJOA5E.jpg)
The Mayfield High School gym has turned into a makeshift supermarket, offering families many of the needs they have right now.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JWIYBJZ4PJGC3OD46XS6I2HB7Y.png)
A picture believed to be from a community hit by tornadoes was found in a horse farm in central Kentucky. Now they’re trying to find who it belongs to.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RLVETOWAQFCTXJZ5EI2RHHN2N4.jpg)
Many in Mayfield are still trying to process what happened in their community. Some said they are lucky to be alive.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/AQG5ISALXNCU7IJSXWOK5X2U2A.jpg)
The town of Mayfield took a direct hit from the tornadoes, which leveled the town.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/GQREH3VULNF3ZLJMT75BQBJLSA.jpg)
Melody Price and her neighbors are left to hold onto memories of what used to be before December 10.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/GPKW6X25U5H6NA6TKKCKHIODKQ.jpg)
The crash happened in a wooded area off Highway 643 about four miles outside Crab Orchard.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TYMX3BNA3NHZ5MDXIO3O4ZX444.jpg)
A Kentucky lawmaker is hoping the upcoming legislative session will be the year Kentucky finally passes sports betting in the commonwealth.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SDKWBMLZNFCK5E5ZJGRYOSRB5Q.PNG)
For six months, Betty Dixon has been anxiously waiting for a phone call where her daughter Kandi Gonzalez is on the other end of the line.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ELX653PCO5GXJG6SYV3KDZFFHM.jpg)
Drug treatment advocates and school officials in Kentucky are warning about the early signs of a dangerous and potentially deadly trend among teens.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/XCWAQJVFGRESDLMMJ2UVM4NH6A.jpg)
Known as “Drinksgiving” or Blackout Wednesday,” the day before Thanksgiving has become associated with binge drinking.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/K3KA5WHQTVFSJDRXTXYCIUTUCQ.jpg)
Just days before many families have long awaited reunions over Thanksgiving, cases of COVID-19 are creeping up after several weeks of a decline.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4N3GYX2QM5CXRHUBJWIX774P4Y.jpg)
At 94, Juanita Coffey proudly bleeds blue. After missing out on the experience of being at a game, she and her granddaughter returned to Rupp Arena Friday.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/67P2CYKVQRDJXHY2HZSHIRFW7Y.jpg)
Gov. Beshear says the system is getting a complete overhaul, including implementing a new ID process to help eliminate fraudulent claims and seeking funding to support sufficient staff.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SHGPDLXKABACFNQDPWGMRCQH6U.jpg)
Families are calling on the Rowan County School District to combat racism.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Z24FE5NSNRCFRHJJ7ZPC5DKEG4.jpg)
Law enforcement officers across Kentucky are planning to be out in force to make sure everyone safely gets to those long-awaited family holiday celebrations.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JANP72UIKFCDFMCFL3WBUKZ6FI.jpg)
It’s a crisis spreading across Kentucky that’s putting police and recovery activists on high alert. One mom is opening up to WKYT’s Chad Hedrick about her family’s loss from this life-threatening trend.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/A3CW6M4BKRABZOUUEBIMQHCJSE.png)
As cases are slowing down, leaders in Kentucky are still pushing people to get the COVID-19 vaccine to better protect ourselves.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/H2HSDYUE3JDJTBTEGSRKRRXXOE.jpg)
The Canadian Women’s Foundation launched “the Signal for Help” campaign in April of last year amid a spike in cases of domestic violence.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YBYPHDPKRVA2FIQGC74VV76ZQ4.png)
A judge has dismissed the lawsuit filed by people who were displaced from the North Fork Mobile Home Park in Rowan County.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/B4CBN55UABEF5LLKBF5LYHRTAE.jpg)
Researchers at the University of Kentucky are exploring the effects of gun violence among teens and young adults, and are asking them, and parents to participate in the study.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ETGLVD7ANBDHTI4KM2DOWK7NUU.jpg)
A young man is using the power of music to make a difference in his eastern Kentucky community.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/J5MJBNJL4VHSFIP4LVXCHXHBWE.jpg)
Governor Beshear’s hero pay plan for essential workers is facing a roadblock.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/IGZGNGNCH5BL3LNNLUDJU2AW34.jpg)
Two years ago, Donna Parker was taking trash to a dumpster at her work when she came across something inside she knew just didn’t belong.
Thursday, students at the University of Kentucky came together for a prayer service and memorial for Lofton Hazelwood.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OKDPLOOJLBBYVEOSU2PTQ2VTYE.jpg)
Restaurants have faced a menu of challenges during the pandemic, and now they’re dealing with a new setback with shortages from the supply chain.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FTRM56EUNJFWTEB2PGLYJAPOPI.png)
Teachers hope the policies stay in place a while longer, while some parents said it’s time to lift the requirement.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/EOZ7X6GQUNPPLMAEKP37HQ7BMU.jpg)
21-year-old Jacob Heil was charged with reckless homicide in 2018 following a crash that killed 4-year-old Marco Shemwell.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/EHQ3MH6UNFB3LPBVDOJVUKL77Y.bmp)
The staff at St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead is breathing a sigh of relief as the hospital is finally seeing a noticeable slow down in COVID-19 hospitalizations.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VP6Y6MFHKFBDJJWI47IN6ZLAFY.png)
Tuesday we heard emotional testimony from Ben Shemwell as he recalled the day his son, 4-year-old Marco, was hit by a car and later died.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BRKOH3DNWJHNVEYZ3YC3KUOUFU.png)
It was the first day of trial for the man accused of driving drunk and hitting Marco Shemwell.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HJTRCXP7GZHGRLAUQ3ZNE5I3PQ.jfif)
Before kicking off Friday night, the Bath County football team and community came together for a simple showing of patriotism.
A Lexington woman, who has been trying to raise money to return a soldier’s uniform to his family, has now raised what she needs to get to Texas, all thanks to a generous donation.
Two years ago, Donna Parker was taking trash to a dumpster at her work when she came across something inside she knew just didn’t belong.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/PD5XZSL5FBB3ZKSHCKEWMHVF4E.jpg)
On Wednesday, U.S. Army Private Gordon Lee Hardy’s brother was surprised with military medals to honor the 18-year-old who died serving our country.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/N5G43JOM2NEQPNYOSCYBL47AHE.jpg)
Monday Governor Andy Beshear announced plans to reward those on the frontlines.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SMDOLXOHV5CDBGSZFYVEUGX7LQ.jpg)
The fire happened Thursday morning at an apartment building on Leawood Drive.