Samantha Valentino
Reporter

Samantha Valentino joined the WKYT team in April 2022.
She grew up in Connecticut where she fell in love with journalism at a young age. Samantha moved to Lexington in 2018 to study broadcast journalism and criminology at the University of Kentucky.
While at UK, she helped create the University of Kentucky's podcast "Bowman's Friends," hosted WRFL 88.1 F.M.'s news program "Campus Voices," and worked as an anchor, reporter, and producer for the UK Student News Network.
Samantha came to WKYT part-time just before graduating from UK and switched to full-time the day after crossing the graduation stage.
Updated: Oct. 11, 2023 at 5:19 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
A Somerset man, Alan Dodson, has spent the past several days trying to make it out of Israel. He finally touched down on American soil Wednesday morning.
Updated: Oct. 5, 2023 at 9:23 AM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
Family who lost child collecting toys for Kentucky Children’s Hospital patients
Updated: Sep. 26, 2023 at 9:20 AM EDT
|By WKYT News Staff and Samantha Valentino
Remains were found in Rowan County on Sunday.
Updated: Sep. 23, 2023 at 1:03 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
Ky. Fish & Wildlife celebrates National Hunting and Fishing Day
Updated: Aug. 22, 2023 at 4:42 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
Kentuckians are now one step closer to being able to place bets on sporting events in Kentucky.
Updated: Aug. 21, 2023 at 3:45 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
The Kentucky Board of Education is starting the process to search for a new education commissioner.
Updated: Aug. 6, 2023 at 12:27 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
Child psychologist weighs in on back to school anxiety
Updated: Jul. 9, 2023 at 12:46 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
He proposed at a Taylor Swift concern and she ‘just said yes.’
Updated: Jun. 18, 2023 at 12:50 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
Tips for parents to keep their children safe in and around water.
Updated: Jun. 13, 2023 at 11:47 AM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino and Gray News staff
Neighborhoods in Kentucky reported they've received flyers filled with KKK propaganda in their front yards.
Updated: Jun. 11, 2023 at 1:22 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
The Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts class of 2023 moved in Saturday.
Updated: May. 28, 2023 at 3:17 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
A group of Scott County veterans spent their Sunday visiting cemeteries.
Updated: May. 8, 2023 at 4:27 PM EDT
|By WKYT News Staff, Samantha Valentino and Andrew McMunn
Officials said the classmate was injured in the shoulder.
Updated: Apr. 24, 2023 at 4:49 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
Researchers are examining opioid prescriptions for adolescents and young adults after major dental procedures. They are working to revise the way doctors prescribe pain medication.
Updated: Apr. 20, 2023 at 10:13 PM EDT
|By Chad Hedrick and Samantha Valentino
For the first time since 2018, drug overdose rates in Kentucky are down from the year before.
Updated: Apr. 18, 2023 at 3:45 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino and Grason Passmore
The Kentucky Department of Education is issuing new guidance to schools over the recently passed Senate Bill 150.
Updated: Apr. 16, 2023 at 3:38 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
Ky. boy receives more than 13 thousand birthday cards
Updated: Mar. 25, 2023 at 12:41 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
While they might be pretty to look at, the trees are known to cause not so pretty damage.
Updated: Mar. 19, 2023 at 2:19 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
Those against the bill have concerns about its potential mental health impacts on the LGBTQ+ community.
Updated: Mar. 18, 2023 at 5:52 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
Parents planning surprise for their 6-year-old-son with cancer
Updated: Feb. 13, 2023 at 8:59 PM EST
|By Samantha Valentino and Andrew McMunn
Valentine’s Day, a holiday for celebrating love, is especially significant for one Kentucky couple.
Updated: Feb. 12, 2023 at 11:56 AM EST
|By Samantha Valentino
Lexington Police asking drivers to stay safe on Super Bowl Sunday
Updated: Feb. 5, 2023 at 3:14 PM EST
|By Samantha Valentino
Gas prices continue to fluctuate in Kentucky
Updated: Jan. 22, 2023 at 2:30 PM EST
|By Samantha Valentino
UK researcher hopes study can help combat food insecurity
Updated: Jan. 15, 2023 at 1:45 PM EST
|By Samantha Valentino
After a failed campaign for the US Senate against Senator Rand Paul, former State Representative Charles Booker said that his work isn’t over.
Updated: Jan. 14, 2023 at 3:14 PM EST
|By Samantha Valentino
After picking up their groceries, customers can check in on their health with free glucose, cholesterol, BMI, and blood pressure screenings at Walmart stores across the country.
Updated: Jan. 8, 2023 at 12:53 PM EST
|By Samantha Valentino
We’re taking a closer look at several of the issues that will be back on the table when they return in February
Updated: Dec. 25, 2022 at 1:09 PM EST
|By Samantha Valentino
Lexington FD working influx of water pipe-related calls
Updated: Dec. 24, 2022 at 1:57 PM EST
|By Samantha Valentino
Governor Beshear says the National Guard, Kentucky State Police, and local first responders have assisted road crews in trying to clear the interstate and conducting wellness checks on those stuck on I-71.
Updated: Nov. 7, 2022 at 8:26 AM EST
|By WKYT News Staff, Samantha Valentino and Gray News staff
The student's charges include alcohol intoxication in a public place, disorderly conduct, fourth degree assault and third degree assault (of a police officer). Her bond was set at $10,000.
Updated: Nov. 6, 2022 at 11:26 AM EST
|By WKYT News Staff and Samantha Valentino
A student at the University of Kentucky has been arrested in connection to a physical and verbal assault against another UK student.
Updated: Oct. 30, 2022 at 6:12 AM EDT
|By WKYT News Staff and Samantha Valentino
As a result of the collision, Officer Medlock suffered life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene by the Laurel County Coroner.
Updated: Aug. 27, 2022 at 7:41 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino
The Burl and Landline Presents: A Concert for EKY Flood Relief
Updated: Aug. 4, 2022 at 10:29 PM EDT
|By Samantha Valentino and Jordan Gartner
A woman in Kentucky is sharing her harrowing story of how she escaped rising floodwaters last week with her grandmother.