AGP Executive Report

Kentucky State University 140th: KSU unveiled a new commemorative logo for its 140-year anniversary, highlighting its role as the Commonwealth’s only public HBCU and an 1890 land-grant institution, with the yearlong celebration kicking off this fall. Public safety & privacy: Frankfort lawmakers are weighing whether to require warrants before police can search Flock automatic license plate reader cameras, amid past misuse concerns in Kentucky and beyond. Voting rights in flux: A court order temporarily halts county voter reassignments tied to new GIS mapping guidance, letting affected voters return to their original home county “for now.” Community culture & local pride: Wayland’s Heritage Festival and homecoming on Sept. 5 will spotlight the town’s coal-camp history with a parade, car/bike show, and fireworks. Education & support: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman launched “Stand by the Badge,” a peer-support program for law enforcement mental health, with grants to local agencies. Arts & books: A “Boozy Book Fair” fundraiser in Bellevue on Sept. 19 pairs Kentucky author readings with an open mic and drink proceeds supporting social justice work. Health & jobs: TeraWulf’s Hancock County AI data center plan projects about 300 jobs and $536.8M in local tax impact over 20 years.

Education & Environment: A Pikeville High School student, Anikaa Sharma, urged Kentucky lawmakers to modernize school recycling rules beyond paper and cardboard, expand materials like aluminum, and divert food waste to local composting—plus phase out expanded polystyrene trays by July 2028. Public Safety & Training: Gov. Andy Beshear announced 36 law enforcement officers graduated from the Department of Criminal Justice Training’s basic academy in Richmond, with training that included cultural awareness and bias-related crimes. Health & Community: Bullitt County Health Department hosted “Alpha Gal Pals” to discuss Alpha-Gal Syndrome—an allergic reaction tied to tick bites and triggered by red meat or milk. Local Culture & Sports: Kentucky All “A” Classic is returning to Owensboro for 2026-27, bringing statewide championships for smaller schools, including volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, and a new tennis event. Arts & Community Memory: Kentucky mourns author Wendell Berry, 92, whose work celebrated rural life and challenged industrial excess. Tech & School Safety: Kentucky schools are watching the spread of the viral “Cat in the Hat” AI trend, which has prompted law enforcement warnings and class cancellations elsewhere.

Kentucky Arts & Community: Cumberland Falls State Park is hosting “Art in the Park” on Sept. 12 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.), with local artists, Chinese dance, storytelling (“Oh Cumberland!”), and live music from Acoustic Breakaways—free with regular park access. LGBTQ+ Health: A new 2025 Community Health Survey from Queer Kentucky finds major gaps for LGBTQ+ residents in western Kentucky, including lack of a regular provider, big HIV-testing shortfalls, and high provider refusal rates. Education & Workforce: Legislators heard a proposal to create a Kentucky Center for Science Education, aiming to close the state’s science-training gap for students and STEM-ready workers. Local Culture & Events: Georgetown’s Best of the Bluegrass—Festival of the Horse returns Sept. 11–13 with parades, live music, craft vendors, and a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony for 9/11. Agrarian Legacy: Kentucky mourns Wendell Berry, the writer-farmer whose work shaped modern sustainable farming and community-minded life. Public Safety: Kentucky lawmakers and communities push back on data centers as Trump doubles down on the “backwards and poor” framing.

Internet Access & Rural Equity: Lyon County Judge-Executive Jaime Green-Smith shared updates on Spectrum’s fiber build, saying the project is about 68% complete and aiming to finish by year’s end, with remaining work possibly spilling into early 2027. Road Safety: Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement is launching Operation SafeDRIVE (Sep. 1–3) ahead of Labor Day, targeting distracted, reckless, impaired, and visibility-related driving around commercial vehicles. Public Health & Second Chances: Marion County’s Heartland Coalition held Overdose Awareness Day with community booths, elected officials, and legal help for expungements—highlighting how records can affect jobs and housing. Education Pipeline: Warren County Public Schools and WKU expanded the “Grow Your Own” educator program, signing new participants to help address teacher shortages. Labor & Learning: JCPS long-term substitutes protested pay cuts and tougher requirements, arguing the changes could push educators out of classrooms. Community Safety Tech: Big Spring ISD responded to a viral “Cat in the Hat” TikTok scare, saying the post wasn’t a credible threat but still investigated and followed up with students and families. Culture Spotlight: Kentucky Public Media KET will air programs celebrating Wendell Berry’s life and legacy, including “Look and See: Wendell Berry’s Kentucky,” plus “The Burley Tobacco Program.” Arts & Community: A county museum is helping preserve Black history, keeping local stories and heritage in view.

Literary Kentucky: Wendell Berry, the Kentucky-born novelist, poet, and environmental activist who championed small farms and criticized industrial agriculture, died at 92 at his home in Port Royal, leaving a legacy that shaped rural life, conservation, and American food culture. Labor & Faith: Louisville Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre marked Labor Day by urging “builders of communion,” warning that AI and a slowing job market—especially for young people and Black workers—threaten workers’ dignity. Education & Community Safety: Kentucky schools responded to the viral “Cat in the Hat” trend after threats and hoax fears spread online, with extra security steps taken in some districts. Youth & Environment: A Pikeville student urged lawmakers to modernize school recycling rules and divert food waste to composting, aiming to cut waste and build lifelong habits. Arts & Public Life: PEN America says public libraries are hitting a “breaking point” as book bans and censorship efforts expand beyond schools, targeting library staff and programming. Local Transit: Northern Kentucky’s TANK will end the Southbank Shuttle as routes are reshaped amid shifting county funding priorities. Horse & Track Culture: Kentucky Downs adjusted its Thursday racing schedule due to heat, moving key races to safer days. Bourbon Traditions: Kentucky’s Alcoholic Beverage Control is auctioning 70 confiscated bourbon bottles online, with proceeds tied to youth alcohol education. Equine Career Pipeline: UK secured USDA grants to attract more students into large-animal vet and animal science careers using “horses as a hook.” LGBTQ+ Organizing: Louisville hosted early planning for the 2027 Creating Change conference, highlighting Kentucky’s organizing history and local arts and drag performances.

Literary Kentucky: Wendell Berry, the Port Royal poet, farmer, and conservationist who challenged industrial agriculture and modern technology, died at 92, leaving a legacy of essays and novels that helped shape the farm-to-table and rural life conversation. Community & Culture: Oldham County’s Corn Island Storytelling Festival returned with two nights of poetry and stories spanning Mexican, Korean, African American, Native, and European perspectives, hosted at 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens. Local Arts Calendar: Fort Madison’s FMAAA Art Center is set for a September double feature—“Night and Day” landscape paintings plus “RawHide” horse tack and riding gear—opening Sept. 3. Fall on the Farm: Trunnell’s Market & Farm Experience in Utica kicked off its fall season with its “Fall Farm Experience,” including a Fall Flower Festival running through Sept. 18. Education & Civic Life: Boone County school board votes on tax levies amid public pushback over higher bills despite rate changes, while Covington welcomes back district graduates as new teachers. Public Safety: Louisville leaders and activists renewed calls for safer school bus stop planning after a teen was fatally shot at a JCPS bus stop.

Ag Tag Fundraising: Kentucky drivers raised nearly $1M for the Ag Tag Program, with $941,630 donated this year and $2.8M total since 2024; proceeds split between Kentucky 4-H and FFA (with half returning to local chapters) and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Immigration & Community Safety: A new interactive map, “Who is Profiting from ICE,” is drawing protests nationwide after federal officials labeled it a threat—fueling fresh debate in Kentucky about accountability and public pressure. Organ Donation Story: A Kentucky love story traces back to organ donation, as Brooklyn Dotson and Noah Waters plan to marry in the Bluegrass after their families connected through a donor’s gift. Family Planning Legal Fight: Delaware AG Kathy Jennings joined a multistate lawsuit challenging new federal Title X conditions tied to family planning funding. Public Health in Eastern Kentucky: Mountain Comprehensive Care Center’s Opioid Quick Response Team continues harm-reduction outreach, including Narcan and fentanyl/xylazine test strips, across five counties. Arts & Heritage: Eastern Kentucky quilters will unveil a community-made “pursuit of liberty” quilt honoring America’s 250th and Black history, while Louisville’s Rosewood Arts Center marks 20 years with a boundary-pushing sculpture show. Education & Community Impact: Frankfort High School closed after a weekend fire, and Frankfort schools plan next steps for students and devices. Tech & Privacy: As Louisville weighs flock camera reviews, other cities are pulling the plug on automated license plate readers over privacy concerns.

Campus Governance: A faculty-led response is urged after the Education Department’s call for colleges to explain admissions transparency, free expression, and intellectual pluralism—warning that sidelining faculty would hollow out academic responsibility. Immigration & Education: The DOJ sued four more states over in-state tuition for undocumented students, adding to a broader legal push that frames the policy as unfair to U.S. citizens. ICE Detention Protests: Indiana activists held a statewide “Weekend of Public Witness” demanding an end to ICE detention at the Miami Correctional Facility. Deportation Crackdown: New reporting highlights ICE expanding deportation flights to “third countries,” plus fresh DHS lists naming Nigerians facing removal. School Safety: Kentucky districts, including Harrison County, said they’re working with law enforcement after threatening messages circulated online. Local Schools & Learning: Jenkins enrollment dipped to 483 in 2024-25, while Russell County preschools earned top STARS Level Five ratings. Community & Culture: Downtown Bowling Green and Warren County returned to the Kentucky State Fair after 25 years, with local tourism partners and a “Best in Show” ice cream win. Sports & Arts: Saratoga’s Travers saw Kentucky’s Leading Change upset Golden Tempo; Kentucky Downs also hosted notable racing and local arts/events coverage.

Preschool Spotlight: Russell County’s preschools at Jamestown Elementary, Russell Springs Elementary, and Salem Elementary earned the Kentucky DOE’s top STARS Level Five rating, with leaders crediting teaching quality, learning environments, and health standards. Kentucky Schools by the Numbers: Todd County School District reported 2,040 students in 2024-25, while Fairview ISD had 520 white students (90.6% of its enrollment) and Leslie County ISD enrolled 1,719 students, 98.7% white—data that underscores ongoing staffing and enrollment pressures. Sports & Community Loss: Former Morehead State basketball coach and Kentucky TV executive Wayne Martin died at 79, remembered for two OVC Coach of the Year honors and long service to the university. Horse Racing Culture: At Kentucky Downs, Quibbler won her debut; at Saratoga, Kentucky’s Leading Change upset in the Travers while Golden Tempo rallied to third. Local Entertainment: Two sisters from western Kentucky—Katie and Charlotte Schultz of Murray—are set to race worldwide on CBS’ “The Amazing Race.” Public Health & Labor: Coal miner black lung rates are projected at their highest since the 1970s, and advocates are pressing MSHA to lift its hold on a silica dust rule. Immigration & Family Life: A Louisville-area family story highlights detention after a green-card interview, fueling debate over enforcement and due process. Tech, Politics, and Daily Life: Americans show strong opposition to new data centers, with concerns centered on water, air, and community impacts.

Film & NASCAR Culture: Tom Cruise announced “Days of Thunder 2” at Daytona, jumping onto the stage at a drivers meeting and pitching the sequel as “about the community” as much as racing; Anne Hathaway will co-star, with Paramount targeting a June 2, 2028 release. Local Festivals & Business: Paducah’s 11th Annual Dragon Boat Festival drew bigger crowds than last year, with riverfront teams and spectators boosting sales for nearby businesses. Kentucky Sports Spotlight: Brad Cox’s lightly raced “Leading Change” upset in the Travers Stakes, while Golden Tempo rallied for third—another big weekend for Kentucky-bred talent. Education & Community Leadership: Paducah Tilghman principal Deatrik Kinney was elected to the Kentucky Association of School Administrators board, and Kentucky school enrollment data continues to show staffing and funding pressures. Online Safety & Policy: A landmark Meta settlement in the U.S. is pushing new teen protections—daily limits, night blocks, and default hiding of likes—sparking renewed calls for stronger safeguards. Immigration & Human Stories: The U.S. released names of 10 Nigerians facing deportation, while a Louisville family’s detention case highlights how immigration enforcement can upend everyday life.

Surveillance & Civil Liberties: Sen. Bernie Sanders says he’ll push legislation to “STOP FLOCK” after ICE-linked backlash over AI camera tracking and mass surveillance fears. Public Safety Tech: ICE awarded a $16.7 million no-bid contract for 6,000 electric-shock gloves, raising fresh questions about enforcement tools and accountability. Community & Culture: The Muhammad Ali Center named Colin Kaepernick its Humanitarian of the Year, spotlighting a decade of racial justice work in Louisville this fall. Arts & Local Events: Watercolor exhibition news and a season update for Festival Ballet add to Kentucky’s arts calendar, while Shakespeare in the Park invites audiences to Hopkinsville. Education & Workforce: Centre College students gained Mayo Clinic experience across clinical research and forensic pathology; meanwhile, multiple Kentucky districts reported enrollment shifts, underscoring ongoing staffing and student-demand pressures. Kentucky Sports & Heritage: Tributes and coverage continue around Dolly Parton’s legacy, including her reading philanthropy and cultural impact. Local Life: Kentucky State Police seek a suspect after a fatal I-65 crash in Bullitt County. Opioid Response: The Kentucky Opioid Symposium heads to Owensboro in October with prevention, treatment, and recovery resources for the public.

Education & Community: Rosenwald-Smith Multicultural Center in Madisonville secured a $100,000 roof-replacement donation from state leaders to keep the 1932 former segregated school serving as a hub for local businesses and events. Public Health & Prevention: Kentucky Opioid Symposium is coming to Owensboro Oct. 5–6, bringing statewide prevention, treatment, recovery, and public-safety voices together for a two-day, public event. Local Economy & Work: Kentucky Career Center will hold a Paducah job fair Sept. 1 (10 a.m.–1 p.m.) with employers hiring across trades, healthcare, and logistics. Tech & Policy: A Murray State expert explains how today’s data centers differ from earlier server-room setups, as Kentucky debates new data center rules and impacts. Sports & Culture: Breeders’ Cup week energy builds with Lexington-area Breeders’ Cup festival plans, while local fans also get a taste of international sports culture through events and athletes. Civic Life: A “bike bus” program in Murray is getting kids riding together monthly, blending community health with youth engagement.

Local Health & Community Recognition: The NKY Chamber honored St. Elizabeth Healthcare with its Northern Kentucky Community Award, praising the system’s regional impact and community programs. Youth Workforce Leadership: Learning Grove named Patricia “Patty” Nagelkirk vice president of youth workforce and executive director of NaviGo, aiming to strengthen pathways to opportunity for young people. Faith & Anti-Semitism: A Jewish scholar, Amy-Jill Levine, was elected president of the Catholic Biblical Association—then faced antisemitic backlash online. Public Safety Leadership: Kentucky State University appointed Barron M. Morgan as chief of police and director of public safety, starting Aug. 17. Immigration Enforcement Controversy: ICE awarded a $16.7 million no-bid contract for 6,000 electric shock gloves, drawing criticism over oversight and use of force. Local Government & Liquor Stores: Louisville Metro Council passed zoning rules to limit liquor-store clustering, including 1,000-foot separation requirements. Sports & Culture: Lexington is planning a city-wide Breeders’ Cup week celebration, while Masai Russell set a women’s 100m hurdles world record at Zurich. River Recreation: The Great Ohio River Swim was postponed due to unsafe current speeds. Thoroughbred Spotlight: Golden Tempo is the Travers Stakes favorite as Saratoga’s big weekend gets underway.

College & Career Access: Maine’s public universities will start awarding up to eight college credits for high school microcredentials, aiming to make degree paths feel more reachable. Immigration & Education: The Justice Department sued Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington over in-state tuition for immigrants without legal status, adding to a growing federal push against state policies. Public Safety & Civil Rights: ICE approved a $16.7 million, no-bid purchase of 6,000 electric shock gloves from a Kentucky-based firm, drawing fresh backlash from civil rights groups and lawmakers. Local Culture & Community: Paducah’s second annual Oscar Devereaux Micheaux Black Film, Art, and Books Festival kicks off Aug. 28 at Maiden Alley Cinema. Arts in the Bluegrass: Kentucky Shakespeare returns to Hopkinsville for “Much Ado About Nothing” on Sept. 28 at the Greenway Amphitheatre, with picnic-and-costume friendly pre-show plans. Health & Equity: UofL Health opened the $25 million Brown Cancer Center at South Hospital in Bullitt County to bring rural Kentuckians closer to treatment. Parenting & Everyday Savings: The Kentucky Kids Consignment Sale is running in Paducah Aug. 27–29, helping families stretch budgets with discounted kids’ items.

College Sports, Kentucky: Kentucky’s SEC showdown is heating up off the court as Missouri transfer Mark Mitchell’s eligibility is challenged after a temporary restraining order—setting up a potential fight between UK and the league. Food & Culture: A global roundup of food superstitions looks at traditions like eating grapes at midnight and other kitchen rituals tied to luck. Community & Regional Growth: Shaping Our Appalachian Region shared Eastern Kentucky’s collaborative economic development model at the Governor’s Local Issues Conference in Louisville. Campus Life: UK Police arrested a suspect in electric scooter thefts reported on campus, urging students to lock scooters properly. Education & Safety: Kentucky released its 2025-2026 School Safety Risk Assessment Report, highlighting compliance with access control and threat-assessment requirements and nearly 100 more school resource officers. Public Health Policy: Kentucky’s Attorney General joined multistate legal action challenging new Title X funding conditions tied to political demands. Arts & Heritage: Kentucky State University professor Dr. David L. Shabazz won a national NABJ book award for research on Pro Wrestling’s Black World Champions. Local Notes: UK Hospitality revamped Champions Kitchen with five new food stations tied to campus and state pride.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1B in a landmark teen social media case, including Kentucky, with new child-safety changes for Instagram and Facebook. Local Governance & Education: Kentucky districts keep weighing property-tax rates as enrollment shifts continue, with multiple school districts reporting year-to-year declines. Higher Ed Leadership: Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services bids farewell to Dean David Whaley after 14 years, marking a major transition for educator training statewide. Arts & Culture in Kentucky: WKU hosts a Japanese art exhibition with hands-on workshops, while Nervous Verbs (Mike Montgomery) announces a new album, “Moments of Riot,” for Sept. 25. Community & Heritage: The Kentucky Historical Society recognized Red Bird Mission with a permanent historical marker, spotlighting the site’s long-running education and faith legacy. Sports & Community Life: North Bullitt boys’ soccer starts strong with two wins, and local volleyball action highlights early-season momentum for teams like Murray High and Calloway County. Public Safety: Kentucky State Police shared bodycam footage of a trooper rescuing four siblings from a rollover crash on I-65 near Elizabethtown.