AGP Executive Report

Flood Relief Push: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky’s FEMA flood-aid request is a “slam dunk” after Cumberland and Madison County damage, including three deaths, as officials prepare for public and individual assistance. Education Accountability: Kentucky education leaders are moving forward on a new school accountability system under House Bill 257, aiming for more student growth, less testing, and locally set performance measures. Opioid Funds Watch: A new Kentucky Center for Economic Policy report finds most local opioid settlement money remains unspent, with some spending flagged as questionable. Utility Oversight: The Public Service Commission opened a management-audit case into Kentucky Power, citing “troubling” planning and decision-making concerns. Local Government & Budgets: Frankfort’s city commission approved its 2026-27 budget, while Franklin-Simpson schools earned national recognition for school culture and engagement. Public Safety & Health: Kentucky State Police is boosting pay and revamping training for new troopers, and a Northern Kentucky family reports delays getting AC repairs during a heat wave. Business & Community: WKRECC set its annual members meeting for July 10, and a Bowling Green winery/distro expansion held a grand opening. Sports & UK: Mitch Barnhart’s UK athletics era ends after 24 years, and Kentucky’s new accountability plan lands as UK transitions leadership.

Data Centers vs. Local Control: Butler County joined the growing list of Kentucky-area communities putting a moratorium on new data center projects, following similar pauses in Edmonson and Allen counties and amid legal fights in Cave City and Franklin. Grid Strain From Heat: Federal officials ordered data centers to switch to backup power as a heat dome pushes the regional electric grid toward record demand across states including Kentucky. State Parks Economic Boost: Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted a new report saying Kentucky State Parks generated $1.1B in economic impact in 2024, supporting about 8,600 jobs. Kentucky Health Watch: New CDC research estimates about 24% of adults in Kentucky and other lone-star-tick states show signs of alpha-gal exposure, raising red-meat allergy risk. Politics and Accountability: Democratic nominee Charles Booker renewed calls for transparency about Sen. Mitch McConnell’s health after conflicting reports tied to his hospitalization. Workforce and Community Grants: Kentucky State University won a $1M mentoring expansion award for Lexington-Fayette and a $2M Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grant for land restoration and workforce training in Eastern Kentucky. Frankfort Downtown Alcohol Plan: Frankfort launched a Main Street Social District allowing outdoor carry-and-consume alcohol in designated areas under specific rules.

Unspent Opioid Funds: A new Kentucky analysis says most local governments are sitting on opioid settlement money, with only about 10% spent from Dec. 2022 to June 30, 2025—and some spending flagged as ineffective. Local Government & Public Safety: Calloway County received a KACo Insurance Grant for emergency eyewash station upgrades, while Mount Washington approved a new Rumpke trash contract with updated cart and rate details. Frankfort/State Politics: Rep. Thomas Huff attended the interim transportation committee meeting, and a Fayette superintendent dispute is headed to the attorney general after claims of open-meeting law violations. Higher Ed Budget: UK trustees approved a $9.6B budget for 2026-27, driven by UK HealthCare growth and employee raises. Business & Jobs: Endries International is buying Blue Chip Engineered Products, and Space Tango plans a $7.4M Lexington HQ expansion with 25 new jobs. Health/EMS: Hebron Fire District launched Blood 43, a prehospital blood transfusion unit for critical bleeding. Sports: LaRue County Hawks won the 5th Region baseball title for the third time in four years.

Kentucky Politics & Elections: Secretary of State Michael Adams says Kentucky added 9,839 new voters ahead of the May 19 primary, the biggest surge since 2024, with Republicans holding 48% of the electorate and Democrats 41%. Frankfort & State Government: The Kentucky Department of Education is moving forward with a six-year review of social studies standards after nearly 400 public responses, aiming to boost student critical thinking and civic participation. Education Governance: The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees voted to shift authority to appoint deans to the board, after controversy over a law dean appointment. Public Safety & Health Workforce: HCTC and ARH marked progress on the Allied Health Training Academy, building career pathways for southeastern Kentucky. Domestic Violence Services: After SpringHaven’s closure threat, a transition plan and new partnerships are keeping shelter and crisis support available in central Kentucky, while BRASS unveiled a mobile advocacy unit to reach survivors farther from offices. Local Economy & Community: Hopkinsville launched a budget dashboard for transparency, and Kentucky’s spring turkey harvest hit a record 36,439 birds.

Airport-to-industry talks: Liberty-Casey County’s Economic Development Authority is exploring taking over land once planned for a Casey County airport, after state aviation officials suggested the original site may not work; the EDA says preliminary plans could support about 150 new jobs. Conservation expansion: The Nature Conservancy bought 1,732 acres in Whitley County along the Cumberland-Pine Mountain corridor, adding to a growing protected-land network aimed at reducing habitat fragmentation. Higher ed affordability: New federal graduate loan limits are set to hit University of Kentucky programs tied to nursing, education and other graduate study, with a coalition of states including Kentucky challenging the narrow “professional degree” definition. Education leadership: Marion County principal Jennifer Russell graduated from the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Institute for School Principals. Local school governance dispute: A judge kept a superintendent suspension in place in a case tied to alleged Open Meetings Act violations. Data center debate: U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie urged residents to push for smart zoning while warning that a blanket data-center moratorium could hurt Kentucky’s AI competitiveness. Health costs: Kentucky ranked 21st for health care spending burden, with costs at 7.46% of median monthly household income. Community events: Liberty plans July 4 festivities for America’s 250th, with drought-driven tweaks to some water-based activities.

JCPS Audit Fallout: Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball released a special examination of Jefferson County Public Schools, saying the district lacked a cohesive plan, ran budget shortfalls for years, and fostered a “culture of fear” with retaliation concerns—sparking calls for clearer goals, stronger teaching support, and better oversight. Medicaid Work Requirements Fight: Kentucky Attorney General Charity Clark joined a coalition suing the Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements for the medically frail, arguing the rule unlawfully tightens exemptions and could cut off coverage for vulnerable Kentuckians. Opioid Settlement Spending: A new report finds most Kentucky opioid settlement money is still unspent, with only about 10% of funds allocated between Dec. 2022 and June 30, 2025 actually spent, raising questions about local planning and follow-through. Economic Development & Jobs: The state’s chief recruiter urged local leaders to align on job growth, while the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board won a three-year grant to help nearly 300 laid-off workers retrain and get back to work. Frankfort Business & Community: Coca Craft Coffee Roasters opened downtown with a ribbon cutting, adding a shared small-business space in Frankfort. Local Notes: Erlanger’s 41018 was named Kentucky’s most stressful zip code for parents, and Frankfort’s Bluegrass Festival returns July 11-12 with free, multi-stage performances.

Flood Recovery in Kentucky: Madison County coroner identified two weekend flood deaths—John Powell, 57, drowned after his basement flooded, and Garnett Isbell, 73, died after his car was swept off Page Creek Road; a third victim remains unidentified, and Gov. Andy Beshear says teams are still searching while damage assessments begin, with requests for federal Public and Individual Assistance. Renewable Energy in the Bluegrass: Waaree Solar Americas secured a 236.22 MW utility-scale solar module supply contract for a project in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, with modules manufactured in Texas—another sign of growing demand for domestically made solar gear. Health Policy Fight: The DOJ sued Massachusetts over its in-state tuition and aid for unauthorized non-citizens, arguing it conflicts with federal law; the case adds to a broader wave of Medicaid work-requirement lawsuits involving multiple states. Elections Update: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled states may count mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day even if they arrive later, leaving Kentucky’s current absentee deadline unchanged. Local Spotlight: Frankfort-area listeners get a UK “Summer Survival Guide” on travel clinic prep, vaccines, and staying safe through the season.

Kentucky Courts: The KY Supreme Court backed Gov. Andy Beshear, ruling GOP lawmakers can’t strip executive power from boards and commissions—an effort that left the governor with “without meaningful authority” over key functions. Food Assistance: Kentucky’s SNAP hit hard after House Resolution 1, with about 42,000 people losing benefits recently, raising pressure on food banks and churches and potentially affecting school nutrition funding. Flood Recovery: Gov. Beshear confirmed four deaths tied to flash flooding, with search-and-rescue and damage assessments underway and a request planned for federal assistance. Local Business & Growth: Skyline Chili opened a new Covington location with a drive-thru, and Boone County is weighing proposals for a new Kroger and fuel center. Community & Culture: 502 Film is taking applications for its 10-day Front Porch Film Lab in Louisville, offering stipends and mentorship for Kentucky filmmakers. Politics Watch: Sen. Mitch McConnell’s condition remains unclear two weeks after hospitalization, and he won’t vote this week.

Flooding Update: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky is still in search-and-rescue after deadly flash flooding, with at least four deaths reported and more rain expected; he declared a statewide emergency and urged people to avoid driving after dark. America250 in Frankfort: Beshear is inviting Kentuckians to “Kentucky Celebrates America250” July 4 at the Kentucky Historical Society campus in downtown Frankfort, with tours, live music, kids’ activities, and fireworks. Soot Pollution Ruling: A federal appeals court rejected the Trump EPA’s bid to abandon a Biden-era rule tightening limits on deadly soot pollution from power plants and other sources. Federal Repairs Backlog: A new report highlights long maintenance delays in federal buildings—leaks, broken elevators, and other hazards—made worse by slow approval processes and the push to bring workers back to offices. Ham Radio Readiness: Murray State’s Amateur Radio Club held an ARRL Field Day-style demo to show how ham operators can set up emergency communications without relying on internet service. Kentucky Retirement Finance: GFOA awarded top financial reporting marks to Kentucky’s CERS and KRS for their FY2025 annual reports.

Flood Emergency in Kentucky: Heavy rains have killed at least four people across the state, with Gov. Andy Beshear declaring a state of emergency and warning drivers to avoid travel after dark as more dangerous weather moves in. Louisiana GOP Senate Race: Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow won Louisiana’s GOP Senate nomination in a runoff, setting up a November matchup and underscoring Trump’s continued influence in Republican primaries. DOJ vs. Kansas Tuition Policy: The Justice Department sued Kansas over in-state college tuition for undocumented immigrants, with Gov. Laura Kelly saying the state will fight back. AI Breakthrough for Ancient Texts: Researchers using the Vesuvius Challenge say they’ve virtually unrolled and read a badly charred Herculaneum scroll, revealing about 1.5 meters of text and new work attributed to Philodemus. Local Transportation Funding: Kentucky and Illinois agreed to keep state support flowing for the Cave-in-Rock Ferry, with a new two-year deal set to be signed before July 1. Crypto Security Watch: Polymarket reported losses rising to about $3.1 million after a frontend phishing attack tied to a compromised vendor.

Flooding Emergency: Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency after flash flooding and heavy rain hit Kentucky, with reports of multiple deaths and rescues in places like Madison County; Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest closed and local emergencies were issued in several counties. Medicaid Cuts Impact: The Marshall County Exceptional Center says Kentucky Medicaid reimbursement rates will drop 4% Aug. 1, squeezing budgets as donations fall and waivers cover only part of its clients. Politics & Kids: A new critique of Beshear’s record argues he put politics before foster children, pointing to vetoed “orphan tax” changes and the broader push for foster youth savings initiatives. Local Business & Culture: Kentucky Craft Bash returned to Louisville’s Waterfront Park, bringing more than 50 breweries and a major fundraiser for the Kentucky Guild of Brewers. Tech & Education: UK researchers helped fully read a charred 2,000-year-old Vesuvius scroll (PHerc. 1667) using AI, without unrolling it. Sports/Community: Up There rooftop lounge is set to open in Covington, continuing downtown revitalization.

Kentucky Jobs & Growth: Space Tango is expanding in Lexington with a $7.4 million project expected to create 25 jobs, with KEDFA preliminarily approving a 10-year, performance-based incentive deal. Eastern Kentucky Water Funding: Knott, Perry and Wolfe counties are set to receive more than $6 million in federal Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization grants for water and wastewater upgrades, including treatment plant expansion and extending drinking water to the Red River Gorge area. Local Government Budgeting: Pike County’s Fiscal Court held a special meeting June 24, adopting the 2026-2027 budget of $113.1 million and approving agreements tied to power transmission access and a Wolfpit Industrial and Technology Park match grant. Public Health & Safety: Jefferson County Health Department released weekly food inspection results for the week of June 14, with scores ranging from 74 to 100. Business & Consumer Watch: Gas prices continue to fall, with AAA reporting lower weekly averages in the region. Health & Science: New research suggests the Oropouche virus has infected far more people across Latin America and the Caribbean than official counts show.

Kentucky Politics: Kentucky Supreme Court struck down 2021 and 2022 laws that shifted appointment power away from Gov. Andy Beshear, saying the changes broke the state Constitution’s chain of accountability. Attorney General Race: Russell Coleman announced he’ll seek another term as Kentucky attorney general, highlighting child-safety lawsuits and ending Kentucky’s death-penalty ban. Public Safety: Covington police say a missing Northern Kentucky man found dead in Paris was under investigation for child pornography, with reports citing alleged uploads tied to his apartment. Local Courts/Nonprofits: Winchester Youth Soccer League board members Ashley Ritchie-Rowland and Ben Dorsey were arrested after a months-long KSP probe into suspicious nonprofit banking activity. Agriculture & Economy: UK’s Corn, Soybean and Tobacco Field Day is set for July 21 in Princeton, while farmers report rising input costs and higher farm-bankruptcy pressure. Education Funding: A Postsecondary Education Working Group begins reviewing Kentucky’s performance funding model for colleges and universities. Health & Immigration: A Supreme Court decision unwinds Temporary Protected Status protections for Haitians and Syrians, raising deportation fears for hundreds of thousands.

Tourism push in the mountains: Elkhorn City officials say they’re ready to revive local history after sorting out financial issues, including plans to preserve a 1912 Champion Bridge built bridge as part of a broader tourism effort. Frankfort bridge funding: Frankfort city leaders approved steps to pursue grants for replacing the Singing Bridge, with the project pegged at about $37 million and a request for $29.6 million through the federal Bridge Investment Program. Eastern Kentucky water upgrades: Gov. Andy Beshear and Rep. Hal Rogers announced $6.6 million in Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization funds for water and wastewater improvements in Knott and Wolfe counties. Local science spotlight: Kentucky researchers using AI and imaging tools helped virtually decode parts of the carbonized Herculaneum scrolls, including philosophical texts. Sports community loss: Louisville athletics mourns longtime sports information director Kenny Klein, who died at 66. Business/real estate: Garrard County Distilling property sold at a court-ordered auction for $20 million, continuing fallout from the distillery’s collapse.

Kentucky Politics & Courts: Kentucky’s school turmoil keeps escalating as Fayette County Superintendent Demetrus Liggins files whistleblower complaints, including claims of retaliation and open-meeting law violations, with legal costs now expected to balloon. Public Health & State Budget: Gov. Andy Beshear moved to restore full funding for Louisville’s Lee Specialty Clinic after supporters packed Frankfort, but advocates say it’s still not a permanent fix. Rural Health Funding: Murray-Calloway County Hospital CEO Reba Celsor criticized how Kentucky directed federal rural health dollars, arguing rural hospitals are left with less direct help. SNAP & Food Assistance: USDA data shows South Dakota leading the nation in accurate SNAP payments, while Kentucky lands mid-pack; the report also highlights billions in improper payments nationwide. U.S. Supreme Court: The Court sided with Bayer to block thousands of Roundup failure-to-warn lawsuits, a ruling that could shape similar pesticide claims. Local Louisville & Infrastructure: Louisville Metro Council approved the amended 2026-2027 budget, including major investments in housing, parks, roads, and public safety tracking. Safety & Crime: A Louisville teen’s death underscores how illegal gun pipelines can funnel weapons to felons and juveniles, with ATF pointing to theft and straw purchasing. Business & Growth: Kentucky’s rainy-day fund and drought pressures show up in local stories, from water restrictions in Casey County to new state-backed projects and grants.

Kentucky Courts: The Kentucky Supreme Court reinstated a $3.5 million jury verdict for Dr. John M. Farmer in his contract dispute against Baptist Health Madisonville, rejecting claims tied to impairment and restoring the original award. State Health Funding: Gov. Andy Beshear moved $4.5 million to keep Louisville’s Lee Specialty Clinic funded through the next fiscal year, calling it a temporary “bandaid” while families and lawmakers press for a long-term fix. Local Crime & Courts: Clark County Superintendent Dustin Howard said two Clark County school board members were arrested after a months-long probe into Winchester Youth Soccer League finances, with allegations of more than $70,000 in unauthorized transactions. Jobs & Growth: Space Tango will expand its Lexington operation with a $7.4 million investment and 25 new jobs, adding lab and mission operations space at Greyline Station. Infrastructure & Travel: KYTC scheduled a southbound lane restriction on Old Mayfield Road in Paducah for an emergency sewer repair. Business & Policy: A House bill advanced that would require data center developers to pay full incremental power-grid upgrade costs, aiming to keep communities from footing the bill. National Food Aid: USDA says most states will have to cover part of SNAP costs tied to payment error rates, with Kentucky among those affected.