AGP Executive Report

Medicaid Relief in Frankfort: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky will use a $255 million budget surplus to stop a planned 4% cut to Medicaid reimbursement through the end of fiscal year 2027, and to fund senior meals and Michelle P. Waiver slots after hundreds rallied against the changes. Meta in the Spotlight: Kentucky is among states taking Meta to federal court over alleged child-safety harms, seeking up to $1.4 trillion in penalties and major product changes. McConnell Pressure: Beshear says he’s heard “absolutely nothing” from Sen. Mitch McConnell amid health concerns, keeping the political standoff in the news. School Tax Process: A Harrison County school board special meeting drew online backlash, but officials say it was required under House Bill 757’s new two-meeting tax-rate schedule. Local Business & Community: Allegiant announced nine new nonstop routes for spring travel, while the Bob Perks Fund’s Kentucky Derby-themed “Night at the Races” fundraiser returns Oct. 3 to support local cancer patients.

Medicaid Relief: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky will use a $255 million budget surplus to stop a planned 4% Medicaid reimbursement cut, and to fund senior meal programs and Michelle P. Waiver slots; providers were told in June to expect the cut starting Aug. 1, and new notices are coming. McConnell Pressure: Beshear again demanded Sen. Mitch McConnell provide a public health update, saying he’s received “absolutely nothing” after repeated requests, as McConnell remains out of the Senate following a June fall. Public Safety—ATM Theft: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman joined a coalition backing the Safe Access to Cash Act, which would expand federal penalties for ATM robberies beyond banks and financial institutions. Courts & Crime: A Shelbyville man, Luis Garcia, was sentenced to five years for a firearms conspiracy and related charges, including dealing without a license and attempted smuggling. Local Nonprofits: New grant-share rankings highlighted Jeffersontown, Louisville, and other Kentucky cities’ nonprofit reliance on government funding in 2024. Scam Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data showed multiple Kentucky-area scam reports, with phishing and online purchase scams among the most common.

Medicaid Relief in Frankfort: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky will use a $255 million budget surplus to stop a planned 4% cut to Medicaid reimbursement rates, delaying any reductions through the fiscal year ending June 2027, and also funding the senior meal program and Michelle P. Waiver slots after hundreds rallied at the Capitol. Health Policy Clash: Kentucky Health and Family Services Sec. Steven Stack’s office says there’s “no evidence” behind a Trump vaccine order that would split combo shots like MMR into separate injections, urging families to keep following state recommendations. Immigration Enforcement Locally: Louisville asylum seeker Armelle Bondonga was taken into ICE custody after a marriage-based immigration interview, according to her attorney, who says she complied with the process and has no criminal history. Local Economy & Services: Med Center Health dedicated its $119 million High Street Tower for Women’s and Children’s services, including labor and delivery, postpartum care, and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit. Education & Taxes: Kentucky school districts must follow a new two-meeting process for setting tax rates under HB 757, with deadlines now tighter for districts. Food Safety: Walmart-linked Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits were recalled over possible listeria contamination, affecting 29 states.

Medicaid Relief in Kentucky: Gov. Andy Beshear says a $255 million budget surplus will stop a planned 4% cut to Medicaid reimbursement through June 2027, and will also fund senior meals and new Michelle P. Waiver slots after hundreds rallied in Frankfort. Local Health Care Expansion: Med Center Health dedicated its $119 million High Street Tower, a five-story Women’s and Children’s facility with labor and delivery, postpartum care, C-section suites, and the region’s only Level III neonatal ICU. Education Glitch in Louisville: Jefferson County Public Schools sent middle-school agendas that turned Kentucky into “Venecky” and included other garbled material, with teachers warned to remove pages before students took them home. State Budget Rules for Schools: Kentucky districts must now follow a two-meeting process to set tax rates under HB 757, with required newspaper publication and a 45-day deadline. Public Safety Fees: Johnson County Fiscal Court advanced a fire department subscriber fee ordinance keeping the rate at $23 per property tax bill for 2026, with opt-out rules. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Kentucky cities including Frankfort and others reporting scam complaints in July, underscoring ongoing online and home-improvement fraud risks. Community Help: Altona Baptist Church in Calvert City held its annual giveaway with record donations, aiming to meet families’ needs year-round.

Medicaid Relief in Frankfort: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky will use a $255 million budget surplus to stop a planned 4% cut to Medicaid reimbursement through June 2027, and to fund senior meal programs and Michelle P. Waiver slots after hundreds rallied against the Aug. 1 reductions. Meta Trial Hits Kentucky Ties: A coalition of states, including Kentucky, is seeking about $200B in damages against Meta over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to be addictive for children, with a trial set to begin Aug. 18 in Oakland. Immigration Detainers Surge in Louisville: An ACLU-KY report says ICE detainer requests jumped nearly 300% after Louisville reinstated a 48-hour hold policy, averaging 49.1 requests per month in a recent seven-month period. Public Safety & Courts: A former police lodge leader in Kentucky was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for wire fraud, and a Pike County manslaughter case has a trial date set for April 19, 2027. Health & Education: U of L received NIH funding and a new designation for its physician-scientist training program, and a statewide special education teacher from Estes Elementary was named a 2027 Teacher Achievement Award recipient. Local Economy: Congressman Hal Rogers announced $30M+ for Eastern Kentucky infrastructure projects across nine counties.

Medicaid Relief in Kentucky: Gov. Andy Beshear says the state will use a $255 million budget surplus to stop a planned 4% cut to Medicaid reimbursement rates, after hundreds rallied in Frankfort over reductions that would have hit Medicaid waivers and senior meal funding. Health & Food Safety: FDA and CDC have started onsite inspections at Taylor Farms’ Mexican plant tied to a growing cyclosporiasis outbreak, now reported in 17 states including Kentucky. Frankfort Watch: Kentucky’s auditor Allison Ball warned Beshear that the state could lose federal funding if taxpayer fraud isn’t curbed. Public Safety & Courts: A court move is pushing toward officially shutting down a tire shredder in Grant County, while a former Floyd County Conservation District official faces an abuse-of-public-trust indictment tied to nearly $200,000. Local Economy & Community: Crittenden’s tax-rate process is running behind as county reports are still pending, and a Bowling Green philanthropist’s $2.8 million estate gift will support multiple WKU areas. National Politics: Beshear also criticized Mitch McConnell’s lack of transparency about his health as Congress remains in turmoil. Consumer Alerts: A dog food recall includes Kentucky, after FDA testing found salmonella in a product sold across multiple states.

Medicaid Relief in Frankfort: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky will use a $255 million budget surplus to stop a planned 4% Medicaid reimbursement cut through the end of fiscal year 2027, and to fund senior meal support and Michelle P. Waiver slots after hundreds of residents rallied against the change. Road Funding Dispute: Simpson County Fiscal Court tabled a KYTC resolution for a KY 100 realignment after officials questioned why county crews would have to maintain an isolated leftover road segment. Data Center Rules in Murray: Murray City Council approved new data center regulations after a monthlong study group review, adding requirements on security, noise, landscaping, and utilities. Local Jobs Boost in Louisville: eBay reopened a remodeled Louisville facility to authenticate sneakers and trading cards, creating 140 jobs by end of August (200 total commitment). Public Safety and Costs: A report says Kentucky counties are absorbing rising jail costs as state funding shrinks, with Barren County citing a $600,000 state jail funding loss. Tech Trial Watch: Meta pushed back in its youth social media addiction case, calling state AG claims “unsubstantiated” ahead of trial in California. Community Support: Frankfort Elks Lodge donated $5,800 to help 29 first-year teachers in Franklin County Schools buy needed materials.

Medicaid Relief in Frankfort: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky will use a $255 million budget surplus to stop a planned 4% cut to Medicaid reimbursement rates, plus fund senior meals and Michelle P. Waiver slots, after providers were told the cuts would start Aug. 1. Data Center Tension: Beshear also says he wasn’t briefed by the White House before a major $100 billion Kentucky data center campus was announced, raising concerns about power, design, and environmental impacts. White House Shake-Up: With Karoline Leavitt set to leave at month’s end, reports say CNN pundit Scott Jennings is among names being floated to replace her as press secretary. Public Safety Tech Debate: Flock Safety says it’s rolling out privacy reforms, including cutting default license-plate data retention from 30 to 7 days, but critics say officers can still search without warrants. Local Fraud Watch: Frankfort saw two scam reports for the week ending Aug. 8, while Glasgow police arrested a man accused of an organized scam targeting a woman out of more than $150,000. Kentucky Business & Community: NatureMed opened its third medical cannabis dispensary in Murray; CREATE named Kelly Glasser Wright its new programs director for a 12-county tech entrepreneurship hub.

Medicaid Relief in Frankfort: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky will use a $255 million budget surplus to stop a planned 4% cut to Medicaid reimbursement rates, delay any reductions through the fiscal year ending June 2027, and fund senior meals plus Michelle P. Waiver slots after hundreds of residents rallied against the Aug. 1 changes. Social Media Trial Hits Kentucky: Jury selection begins in Meta’s youth harms case in Oakland, with Kentucky among the states suing over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to be addictive and illegally collected children’s data. Local Public Safety Debate: In Northern Kentucky, residents are pushing back hard against AI surveillance cameras, including Flock Safety license plate readers, arguing they don’t make communities safer and go too far. Health Education Push: Kentucky medical schools are joining a federal nutrition education initiative, adding at least 40 hours of nutrition training across all four years starting this fall. Bank Leadership: United Community Bank announced new board members and leadership updates, including adding CFO Jim Peak to the board. Food Recall Watch: Whole Foods recalled select jalapeño-containing prepared foods and salsas sold in Kentucky due to possible salmonella contamination.

AI in Rural Healthcare: Health officials say AI could help close the rural care gap, but patients and leaders worry about a new “AI haves and have-nots” problem as states spend Rural Health Transformation funds without clear outcome tracking. Public Safety/Banking: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman joined a coalition backing the Safe Access to Cash Act to modernize federal ATM robbery penalties for ATMs at convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery locations. Kentucky Business & Jobs: Prysmian North America announced an $80 million Lexington County expansion expected to create about 135 jobs, with optical fiber and cable production starting in 2028. Healthcare Tech Trial in Elizabethtown: Calidar said its first-in-human study of the Eidos Prism 4D mammography add-on at Baptist Health Hardin in Elizabethtown has closed out and is moving toward a pivotal multi-site study. Immigration Fraud Crackdown: DOJ charged 11 people in a decadelong sham marriage scheme tied to more than 1,000 green cards, with alleged activity reaching Kentucky. Weather & Power: Northern Kentucky and the Midwest face ongoing storm impacts, including flooding concerns and widespread outages. Local Schools Cybersecurity: Somerset schools are rolling out a statewide connected-user system as part of Kentucky’s cybersecurity push, with phishing flagged as a top risk. Sports: Taylor County is ranked No. 3 in the KVCA Region 5 preseason volleyball poll, behind Elizabethtown and Adair County. Community/Arts: Pennyroyal Arts Council announced its Jazz on Stage lineup for the Alhambra Theatre in Hopkinsville.

Central Ky. Politics: A new Lexington Herald-Leader poll finds the 6th Congressional District race dead even, with Ralph Alvarado and Zach Dembo tied at 47% and 6% undecided, as the campaign heads toward Nov. 3. Farm Bill & Rural Economy: Kentucky ag leaders are pushing for a Farm Bill after the Senate Agriculture Committee stalled progress, warning farmers face uncertainty and rising costs. Data Centers & Power Costs: Residents in Hancock County are fighting a proposed TeraWulf data center, saying electricity bills could top $1,000 a month, while the company touts jobs and tax revenue. Energy Policy: Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration and state energy planning efforts keep moving, including appointments to EPIC’s executive committee with deep coal ties. Local Government: Caldwell County’s judicial center project is advancing after the PDB selected a construction manager, while Nelson County faces delays setting its tax rate due to slow property assessments. Education: JCPS is updating more than 200 policies to comply with new Kentucky laws affecting superintendent authority, staff misconduct rules, and classroom requirements. Courts & Tech: Meta is set for a major trial tied to claims it made Facebook and Instagram addictive for children, with Kentucky among the states leading the case.

Kentucky Politics & Policy: Kentucky’s data-center fight keeps heating up as Gov. Andy Beshear pushes a new executive order aimed at protecting the state from “harmful impacts,” while lawmakers and local officials weigh how much regulation is enough. Local Economy & Health: In eastern Kentucky, TeraWulf says its Muskie Data Campus near Ashland could double in size to 2 gigawatts, a major jobs-and-power bet tied to a $4 billion buildout. Education: Kentucky is pointing to strong NAEP gains, ranking fifth for reading growth and eighth for math growth among states in the latest recovery data. Public Safety & Consumer Watch: Frankfort logged two BBB scam reports in July, tying it for 84th among Ohio cities; nationwide fraud losses topped $12.5 billion in 2024, per the FTC. Community & Culture: Thorn Hill Education Center’s Spellapalooza in Frankfort crowned the “GE BEES” with back-to-back wins, raising money through adult spelling competition. Weather: A derecho and severe storms knocked out power across the Midwest and threatened parts of eastern Kentucky with damaging winds and flooding risk.

Data Center Debate in Kentucky: McCracken County officials discussed DOE data center plans, courthouse perimeter safety, and the lack of a designated county morgue, with leaders saying Kentucky wants “responsible” investment and already has oversight through the PSC. Local Zoning Push: Owensboro and Daviess County are considering allowing accessory dwelling units across residential zones, aiming to expand housing options while adding restrictions. Frankfort Community: Relay for Life returned to the Capital City Airport, raising nearly $40,000 toward a $50,000 goal for the American Cancer Society. Kentucky State University Turmoil: KSU’s alumni association voted “no confidence” in President Koffi Akakpo, citing accreditation, finances, and campus safety, while the Board of Regents renewed his contract. Farm Bill Uncertainty: Kentucky ag leaders are urging action as the Farm Bill stalls in the Senate Agriculture Committee, leaving farmers facing planning gaps. Public Safety Notes: Frankfort police and fire/EMS responded to a weekend mix of crashes, fraud reports, and assaults.

Data Centers in Kentucky: Louisville’s final public hearing on proposed data center regulations is set for Monday night, with residents getting a last chance to comment and the draft revised to address environmental, resident, and telecom concerns, including a cap on future projects over 500,000 sq. ft. Homelessness Funding Fight: A federal judge again blocked the Trump administration from diverting $4 billion in Housing First grants, a move Attorney General Tong says would have pushed thousands back onto the streets. Voting Rights Standoff: Senators ended a predawn standoff over Trump’s proof-of-citizenship voting push, with SAVE America Act stalled and GOP leaders signaling a new try through a broader budget package. Immigration & Tuition Lawsuits: The DOJ sued New York, Connecticut, and Vermont over in-state tuition and aid for undocumented students, arguing it violates federal law. Local Business & Community: A new independent bookstore opened in Pikeville, while Sinclair and CVG announced a partnership to advance drone and automated air mobility tech. Health & Recovery: Addiction Recovery Care in Louisa named a new CEO after its founder’s indictment, and a Louisville bicycle safety program is helping refugee teens build confidence on city roads.

Meta Trial Watch: Kentucky is named in a new federal case accusing Meta of making Instagram and Facebook addictive for children; jury selection starts Wednesday in Oakland, with opening statements expected Aug. 18 and a verdict targeted for early October. Health & Research: University of Kentucky researchers say microglia may drive Alzheimer’s-related sleep loss in mice, and blocking them restored lost sleep even as plaques remained. Organ Donation Fallout: The federal government has decertified Kentucky’s Network for Hope organ procurement organization after concerns raised about patient safety and neurological assessments. Public Safety/Local Tech: A letter urges removal of Flock cameras, arguing warrantless surveillance can become dangerous when “wrong” is redefined. State Transportation: KYTC is seeking public input on Highway 146 improvements in Oldham and surrounding areas, with a planning study expected to finish by year’s end. Business/Community: A Kentucky attorney spotlighted by the Owensboro chamber highlights a broad “full-service” practice model.

Highway Planning: The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is asking for public input on Highway 146 improvements between Veterans Memorial Parkway in Crestwood and Highway 393 in Buckner, with a study expected to finish by year’s end and possible multi-phase work later. Alzheimer’s Research: UK researchers say brain immune cells called microglia may help explain sleep loss in Alzheimer’s, shifting focus beyond amyloid plaques. Local Education & Scholarships: NKU is partnering with The Center for Rural Development to expand the Rogers Scholars housing scholarship for students entering in spring 2027. Data Centers & Power Costs: Residents spoke at a Kentucky Public Service Commission meeting in Hawesville about a proposed data center, raising concerns about electricity bills and long-term affordability. Politics & Elections: A new poll shows Dembo and Alvarado tied at 47% in Kentucky’s 6th District race, with 6% undecided. Public Safety & Courts: A Clarksville woman was sentenced to two years in prison for embezzling more than $238,000 from a Christian County business.