AGP Executive Report

Cycling & Local Economy: Lindsey Wilson University’s MTB Showdown in Green County drew 158 college cyclists from 13 schools to Bluff Boom Trails, with hotels and restaurants benefiting in Adair, Green, and Taylor counties. Politics & Civic Life: Kentucky’s open U.S. Senate race stays in focus as polling shows Charles Booker trailing Andy Barr while Mitch McConnell remains absent, and Republicans head to Dallas for a “Trump-a-Palooza” midterm convention. Education & AI: Kentucky’s postsecondary leaders are pushing AI literacy as a top priority, while the state Supreme Court will hold September oral arguments at Campbellsville University to make court access easier for students. Community Support: The Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund awarded 26 scholarships for 2026-27, backing education and equine training for children of central Kentucky horse farm workers. Arts & Learning: Morehead State’s downtown Community Concert (Sept. 18) brings student music groups together for an America 250-themed performance. Agriculture Safety: All in for Ag Education Week (Sept. 21-25) will deliver “Farm Adventures with Willie B.” to 700+ elementary schools statewide.

Education & Access: ProCare’s 2026 State of School Lunch report ranks Vermont No. 1 for school meal reach, with Kentucky schools facing the broader national push to expand breakfast/lunch access and reduce barriers for families. Healthcare & Careers: Charlotte Ipsan, a Louisville-area nursing leader, credits community support and IU Southeast training, now helping shape care as a Norton Healthcare executive. Local Learning Partnerships: Campbellsville University’s School of Nursing is partnering with Spring View Hospital to offer discounted RN-to-BSN and MSN coursework for nurses and their families. Community Support: A Liberty-area power plant project team donated clothing and shoes to Liberty Elementary students, with distribution coordinated through Casey County’s youth and family services network. Public Service & Leadership: Lyon County Judge-Executive Jaime Green-Smith completed the TVA Leadership Academy, focused on government-community relations and public power. Immigration & Courts: New Kentucky data shows ICE arrests rising sharply as more local agencies sign agreements with ICE, raising concerns about delays and impacts on families. Sports & Youth: LaRue County cross country is rebuilding with new faces for the Hawks and Lady Hawks, while Calloway County’s jail reports expanded inmate programming and completions. Culture & Memory: A Sept. 11 remembrance piece spotlights a Kentucky Navy aerographer’s mate’s personal story and how younger generations experience the day through others’ accounts.

Kentucky Pawpaw Research: Kentucky State University released five new peer-reviewed studies that tackle pawpaw’s commercial hurdles, from flowering and disease management to postharvest storage and seedling establishment. WKU Community Safety: About 500 Warren County fourth-graders will head to Western Kentucky University for the 31st annual Progressive Agriculture Safety Days, with hands-on sessions on everything from helmets and CPR to sun and hearing protection. Education & Access: Bellevue and Southgate school districts are applying for state grants to expand Family Resource and Youth Services Centers staffing, aiming to better support students and families with referrals and basic needs. Arts & Culture: The Earl Scruggs Music Festival returned to Tryon International with a big bluegrass/Americana lineup, including Béla Fleck, Greensky Bluegrass, and The Avett Brothers. Local Business & Heritage: Blackfish Bison Ranch is partnering with Hall’s on the River and Fort Boonesborough State Park to sell buffalo meat, tying the venture to the region’s historic landscape. Legal & Ethics: Pikeville’s former athletic director and librarian, Lukas Burchett, has had his teaching certificate permanently revoked by the Education Professional Standards Board. Music News: Grammy-winning singer Ray LaMontagne collapsed onstage at Nashville’s Ryman, later reported as heat-related dehydration; he was set to perform in Louisville the next day.

Fall road trip: Louisville and Bardstown are leaning into “spirits” season with bourbon history and haunted stops, turning a weekend into a culture-and-mystery itinerary. Literary legacy: Kentucky writer-farmer Wendell Berry’s environmental ethics—rooted in Christian faith and “keep it” stewardship—are being revisited as tributes continue after his Aug. 31 death. AI in higher ed: Eastern Kentucky University is helping lead a statewide push for AI literacy, focusing on how students make decisions with AI and reflect on results. Local governance & tech: Burgin is restarting a controversial annexation process tied to a hyperscale data center, with residents and activists pressing for guardrails and more face-to-face input. Labor Day in Lexington: The Bluegrass Central Labor Council’s picnic celebrated workers and union impact, with Gov. Andy Beshear and union leaders highlighting wages, safety, and the middle class. Arts & exhibitions: A September guide spotlights shows across the region, including Haitian metalwork and nature-and-spirit themed work with a Louisville stop. Community giving: “Give for Good Louisville” on Sept. 10 will support a South Sudanese group building the first library in Magwi County.

Kentucky Arts & Culture: Lexington joins cities nationwide in marking 25 September as ‘Dolly Parton Appreciation Day’, with official celebrations tied to her “9 to 5” legacy and her philanthropy. Literary & Community Life: Kentucky writer and farmer Wendell Berry is being remembered across the state and beyond, including local reflections on his influence on rural life, faith, and community. Local Education Data: New federal reporting highlights University of Louisville’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Asian students (76.1% for the 2018 cohort), adding to a broader look at Kentucky’s graduation outcomes by race and county. Public Safety & Travel: For Labor Day, AAA reports higher travel costs and gas prices, while Kentucky State Police run Operation CARE with extra patrols. Media & Representation: BET’s video-first website overhaul removes years of Black journalism from public view, raising concerns about access to cultural history. Sports & Entertainment: HBO’s Band of Brothers: Legacy returns the cast for a 25-year look at the WWII series, with a stop at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Labor Day & Faith: Louisville Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre urged Kentuckians to “build communion” as Labor Day spotlights workers’ dignity amid AI-driven change and uneven hiring. Community Safety: Gov. Andy Beshear condemned rhetoric after an armed man pushed through a crowd at Ohio’s fair toward Amy Acton, injuring people, and called for candidates to “knock it off.” Heat & Transit: More than 100 JCPS bus drivers called out as temperatures topped 99 degrees inside buses without air conditioning, raising pressure for safer transport. Public Health Recall: Walmart added Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend to an E. coli O145 recall tied to a broader outbreak; the affected product could still be in freezers through Feb. 2028. Kentucky Culture & Food: WorldFest returns to Louisville celebrating global flavors, while Kentucky author-farmer Wendell Berry’s legacy continues to be marked after his death at 92. Local Arts: Yes Arts in Frankfort hosts a Sept. 18 gallery reception for Don Blue’s “Opalescence” and the Central Kentucky Homemakers’ Quilt Guild. Sports & Local Talent: Western Kentucky’s soccer and volleyball rosters add former Independence High School athletes for the Sept. 6 week.

Education & Equity: Rowan County’s only public four-year institution, Morehead State, reports a 57.7% six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Hispanic or Latino students (cohort entering in 2018, measured through 2024), slightly up from 57.1% for the 2017 cohort and above the statewide 53.9% rate. Education & Equity: Eastern Kentucky University’s Madison County shows a 56.3% six-year completion rate for white students, while Fayette County’s Black or African American completion rate is reported at 54.7% (all measured through 2024). Immigration & Community Life: The U.S. State Department released DV-2026 Diversity Visa eligibility details, with Nigeria listed as the only African country barred from participating, while the Kentucky Consular Center in Williamsburg handled about 129,516 prospective applicants. Arts & Culture in Louisville: WorldFest returns for its 24th year, spotlighting global food and culture across Louisville, with vendors describing it as more than a festival—it’s a chance to share identity. Public Safety & Privacy: Bowling Green’s Flock license plate readers face renewed scrutiny as privacy advocates raise concerns about government overreach and misuse. Health & Local Support: Daviess County will launch a peer-support team for deputy jailers using a state grant under the attorney general’s “Stand by the Badge” program.

Education & Equity: New Kentucky data highlights uneven six-year bachelor’s completion rates for Black students—Fayette County/UK at 54.7% and Morehead State in Rowan County at 40.5%—as districts also report staffing shortages. Public Safety & Community Life: Kentucky’s DOCJT graduated 36 law enforcement officers, including Hazard’s Skylar Wyrick, with training that explicitly covers cultural awareness and bias-related crimes. Arts & Culture Spotlight: Kentucky-born George Clooney was honored at the Venice Film Festival with a lifetime achievement award, underscoring his growing role as a political and humanitarian voice. Local Bourbon Culture: Kentucky ABC is auctioning 70 confiscated bottles, with proceeds funding alcohol-responsibility programs at high schools and college campuses. Sports & Kentucky Turf: Kentucky Downs featured major turf wins, including Tiffany’s Kentucky Turf Cup victory and Monique En Vol’s debut win for Flightline’s freshman sire. Civic Debate: A Monroe council moved to limit Flock license-plate cameras to 23, with residents calling them an invasion of privacy.

Education & Community Safety: Danville Independent Schools is joining Kentucky’s Safe Schools Week (Sept. 14-18) with a “Strong Roots. Safe Schools.” pledge focused on kindness, mental health, and safer school culture. Public Safety & Training: Gov. Andy Beshear announced 36 officers statewide graduated from the Department of Criminal Justice Training basic academy, including Hazard Police Officer Skylar Wyrick, after more than 800 hours of instruction. Local Governance & Privacy: Monroe City Council voted to limit Flock automatic license plate cameras to 23 and requires council approval of related invoices, with critics calling the system an “invasion of our privacy.” Higher Ed Outcomes: New data highlights uneven six-year bachelor’s completion rates for Black students at Kentucky public universities, including UK in Fayette County (54.7%) and Morehead State in Rowan County (40.5%). Arts & Culture: Kentucky native George Clooney received a Venice Film Festival lifetime achievement award, praised for both his screen work and political activism. Literary Legacy: Wendell Berry, the farmer-poet who shaped modern small-farm and local-food thinking, died at 92.

Local Arts & Community: Lexington Public Library will host a free “celebration of life” for Wendell Berry on Saturday, with readings from local writers and an open stage for remembrances. Literary & Cultural Legacy: Berry’s death at 92 is prompting fresh look at his agrarian, spiritual, and community-focused work, including how his ideas on education and faith continue to be taught. Politics & Reproductive Rights: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman sued Mayday Health over abortion-pill advertising in Kentucky, alleging violations of the state Consumer Protection Act, including ads at gas stations and at the Kentucky State Fair. Public Life & Belonging: A “Good Question” segment explores how long someone must live in Kentucky to be considered a “Kentuckian,” noting residency rules that vary by office. Sports & Culture: Kentucky Downs’ Labor Day weekend highlights include Irish hopefuls chasing prize money in the Nashville Derby and Turf Cup, with Ethical Diamond among the entries. Education & Tech: Russellville Independent Schools voted to join Dataseam, bringing IT training and a statewide computing network tied to research at UofL. Health & Caregiving: A national feature spotlights how caregivers—like a Frankfort-area mother caring for a child with a rare disorder—are stretched thin and need more support.

Roblox Under Fire: The European Commission has designated Roblox a “Very Large Online Platform,” triggering stricter rules on how it protects minors—after Florida’s attorney general subpoenaed the company over age checks, moderation, and marketing to children. Gun Violence in Louisville: A new Louisville opinion argues teen brain development and family support—not just punishment—must drive solutions after three young women were killed in late August. Kentucky Education & Equity: Data show Warren County’s Asian students and Kentucky State University’s Black students lag in six-year bachelor completion rates, while University of Louisville reports a 55.5% completion rate for Hispanic/Latino students. Local Recycling Push: A Pikeville student pitched a bill request to expand school recycling beyond paper and cardboard to items like aluminum cans and Styrofoam trays. AG Targets Abortion Pill Ads: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman sued Mayday Health over alleged illegal abortion-pill advertising in Kentucky, including a banner flown at the state fair. Arts & Community: Louisville Orchestra CEO Jude Vaclavik discusses music’s role in community connection, and Kentucky mourns author Wendell Berry, a lifelong champion of agrarian life. Civic Safety Tech: Kentucky lawmakers continue debating Flock camera rules amid concerns about privacy and misuse.

Data Center Jobs & Taxes: TeraWulf’s planned $4B–$4.5B Hancock County data center would start operating in late 2027, fully online in 2028, creating hundreds of jobs and projecting $1.5B in local and state revenue over 15 years, as residents keep pressing concerns at Owensboro meetings. Community Safety & Health: Bowling Green police hosted a scam-prevention seminar with FBI and a credit union partner, while The Medical Center at Scottsville rolled out $49 cardiac scoring scans to help residents assess heart risk. Mental Health Focus: September’s Suicide Awareness Month spotlighted Kentucky’s ongoing mental health strain and the push for better support for young adults. Public Safety Tech Debate: Louisville’s Flock automated plate reader program faces renewed scrutiny after allegations of misuse and a second investigation, with lawmakers in Frankfort weighing warrant rules and public audits. Local Culture & Leadership: VIP Bowling Green revealed its 2026 40 Under 40 class, celebrating young leaders across health care, education, media, manufacturing, and more. Remembering Wendell Berry: Kentucky writer and agrarian advocate Wendell Berry died at 92, leaving a legacy of defending working landscapes and rural communities.

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.