AGP Executive Report

Local Sports: Marshall County QB Neyland Jezik is headed to Murray State, continuing a family legacy and chasing his Division I goal. High School Sports: Kentucky’s KHSAA tennis semifinals set up the state finals, with standout performances from teams including Covington Catholic and St. Xavier. Education & Community: WKU’s teacher-education program awarded its first scholarships through the Forsythe Scholars Endowment, and two Owen County students were named Kentucky Governor’s Scholars. Aviation & STEM: The Aviation Museum of Kentucky opened a new Kentucky Women in Aviation exhibit at the Kentucky Aerospace Education Center. Public Safety & Immigration: A Chicago teen held in ICE custody in Kentucky was released on bond in time for graduation, while another woman detained in Kentucky ICE custody was freed after posting bond. Infrastructure: KYTC warned drivers to prepare for the June 1 start of the I-65 Louisville closure for overpass repairs. Politics: Texas’ GOP Senate runoff ended with Ken Paxton defeating John Cornyn, a win tied to Trump’s endorsement momentum.

Texas Politics: President Trump’s late endorsement helped Ken Paxton crush Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP Senate runoff, setting up a November matchup with Democrat James Talarico. Health Watch: Trump also spent more than three hours at Walter Reed for a preventive exam, saying afterward that “Everything checked out PERFECTLY,” as critics press for more transparency. Local Energy: McCracken County is hosting nuclear-energy community meetings June 11-12 as part of its “Nuclear-Ready Community” push. Public Safety: Kentucky State Police added a specialized “Rook” armored vehicle to its fleet, bought with asset-forfeiture funds. Law Enforcement Oversight: Louisville’s police union is demanding the city stop investigations by the Office of Inspector General, arguing it’s overstepping its authority. Sports: Kentucky Region 1 baseball and softball tournaments kept rolling, with Calloway’s boys earning medals at state track and softball ending with Hickman again knocking out Calloway. Arts & Community: Randy Travis will wrap his “More Life Tour” with new fall 2026 dates, while a sports-card fundraiser in Cincinnati raised $10K+ for Down syndrome services.

NCAA Spotlight: Southeastern Louisiana is sending four track-and-field qualifiers to the NCAA Division I East First Round in Lexington, with Onyah Favour (women) and Josh-Ty Brown, Donald Butler and Gerrit Visser (men) set to compete at UK’s outdoor facility starting Wednesday. Courtroom Update: A Massac County judge denied pretrial release for 77-year-old George Bradfield, charged with killing Lisa Ann Carnes in 1984; his jury trial is scheduled for July 14. Health & Politics: President Donald Trump says his latest Walter Reed checkup “Everything checked out PERFECTLY,” after more than three hours for preventive medical and dental exams, as scrutiny over his age continues. Tech & Industry: TeraWulf expanded its Kentucky AI/HPC footprint by acquiring the Muskie Data Campus, adding over 1 GW of planned capacity and boosting its pipeline by about 36%. Public Safety: Kentucky State Police report a Pike County traffic stop led to meth and fentanyl trafficking charges against Jennifer Little.

Kentucky Basketball: Malachi Moreno made his return official, posting “BBN, I’m home” and saying “Job isn’t finished,” ending weeks of NBA draft uncertainty and giving UK a key inside piece for 2026-27. High School Sports: Manny Burrus nearly won a state title in the 200 at KHSAA Class 3A, finishing third by 0.05 seconds, while Calloway’s Lady Lakers capped a long chase by dethroning Lexington Catholic for their first-ever state team track-and-field title. Public Safety: Gov. Andy Beshear announced Kentucky State Police added a specialized “Rook” armored vehicle, bought with asset forfeiture funds, to boost protection in high-risk operations. Health & Families: A teacher’s letter urges parents to build stronger early skills and routines before kindergarten, warning that gaps can snowball after COVID. Other Kentucky Notes: Kentucky’s Bat Cats earned a fourth straight NCAA baseball bid, and the state’s extreme drought picture remains grim in Calloway County despite recent rain.

NCAA Baseball Bracket: UCLA earned the No. 1 overall seed for the 2026 tournament, with Georgia Tech, Georgia, Auburn, North Carolina, Texas, Alabama and Florida rounding out the top eight as regionals begin Friday. Kentucky Sports: Kentucky is back for a school-record fourth straight NCAA run, seeded No. 3 in the Morgantown Regional and set to open Friday at noon against Wake Forest, hosted by West Virginia. Local Tragedy: A head-on crash in Hopkins County left one dead and several others seriously injured, with deputies investigating how one vehicle crossed into the other’s lane. Politics: Outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie filed paperwork to campaign again for his U.S. House seat in 2028 after losing his primary, saying he’ll stay engaged in some way. Community/Events: Louisville’s Bats are launching “Purr at the Park” Tuesday at Slugger Field, a cat-friendly night benefiting the Kentucky Humane Society.

Kentucky Basketball: Malachi Moreno is withdrawing from the NBA Draft and returning to UK for his sophomore season, after averaging 7.8 points and 6.3 rebounds as a freshman—an immediate boost for Mark Pope’s frontcourt. Northern Kentucky Tragedy: NKU student Murry Foust, 22, missing since late April, was found dead in Wilder; police say there’s no indication of foul play, and the coroner will determine the cause. Memorial Day at Fort Campbell: Fort Campbell hosted an event ahead of the D-Day film “Pressure,” giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at modern Army life and training. Public Safety Reminder: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is urging boaters to stay off waterways this Memorial Day weekend as rain and rising water raise drowning risk. Local Government Calendar: Bullitt County has multiple upcoming meetings, including city council and fiscal court sessions starting June 1–2.

Weather Disruption: The Reds-Cardinals series finale was postponed as scattered storms roll through the region, with rain pushing in around late morning and a foggy start likely for Memorial Day. College Basketball: Former UCF forward Jordan Burks is transferring to Oklahoma State, joining the Cowboys as Steve Lutz works with one remaining roster spot. Housing & Veterans: Kentucky ranked 40th for average VA home loan amounts in Q1 2026, while Connecticut and Wisconsin also landed in the lower half of the national list. Health Funding: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky secured more than $105 million in FEMA reimbursements for six hospitals and Kentucky Emergency Management tied to COVID-19 costs. Politics: After losing his GOP primary, Rep. Thomas Massie said he won’t rule out a 2028 presidential run, while continuing to argue Trump’s influence is reshaping the party. Local Life: Louisville’s first “Purr at the Park” cat night is set for Tuesday at Louisville Slugger Field, with proceeds benefiting the Kentucky Humane Society.

NCAA Softball: The tournament is in the super regional round, with 13 of the top 16 seeds advancing and winners earning spots in the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City starting May 28; Saturday’s action included Tennessee’s Lady Vols beating Georgia 2-1 to punch their ticket, while Oklahoma survived a scare from unseeded Mississippi State, winning 7-1 to force a Sunday deciding game. Kentucky Sports Recruiting: Two big offensive line commitments are set for Monday on CBS Sports—Top247 interior OL Kaden Buchanan (Kentucky, NC State, Virginia Tech) and three-star OT Rance Brown (Auburn vs. Kentucky). Local Business Impact: Ninth Street construction continues to squeeze downtown sales—two restaurants have closed and others report drops as the project shuts down blocks for months. Weather: Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms are expected Sunday, with the best rain chances late morning into the afternoon. Lottery: Kentucky Lottery Cash Ball and Pick 3 evening numbers for May 23 were reported.

NCAA Softball Super Regionals: The road to the Women’s College World Series is underway, with 13 of the top 16 seeds moving on. Mississippi State stunned Oklahoma 11-9 after a late surge, Texas Tech knocked off Florida 10-8 and is one win from OKC, and Tennessee grabbed the first ticket with a 2-1 win over Georgia—its 10th WCWS trip. Kentucky Derby Buzz: Golden Tempo, the Derby winner, breezed five furlongs at Keeneland in 1:00.20 as he keeps building toward the Belmont Stakes June 6 at Saratoga. Louisville Museums: The Frazier Kentucky History Museum and three other Louisville spots are rolling out fresh exhibits tied to America250, including a hands-on “Pursuit of Happiness” experience. Public Safety: Kentucky State Police arrested an Alabama man after an I-24 road-rage incident that allegedly involved a passenger waving a handgun; charges include wanton endangerment and menacing. Health & Community: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is leaning on full-time facility dogs to help kids during stressful care.

Corrections Scandal: Kentucky State Police say an Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex officer, Joe A. Cress, was fired and charged after officials found alleged narcotics inside the prison; troopers charged him with promoting contraband and trafficking. Federal Court: A Berea bank robbery suspect, Brailen Weaver, was indicted by a federal grand jury, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty if convicted. Public Health Funding: Gov. Andy Beshear announced more than $105 million in FEMA COVID-19 reimbursements for six Kentucky hospitals and Kentucky Emergency Management. Environment: Kentucky could feel impacts as the EPA proposes weakening wastewater limits tied to coal-ash sites. Mental Health Court: Hopkins County celebrated the first graduates of its new Mental Health Court program, marking a shift toward treatment over incarceration. Online Safety Lawsuits: Meta settled a major youth mental health case with Breathitt County School District, with details kept confidential. Weather/Travel: Memorial Day weekend brings a Flood Watch for Greater Cincinnati as heavy rain lingers, with conditions improving later.

Meta Settles Kentucky School Suit: Meta, along with TikTok, Snap and YouTube, has reached settlements in a landmark case accusing platforms of fueling “addiction” harms to students; in Kentucky, Breathitt County School District’s bellwether case was set for trial next month, but the deal now ends that fight while other districts’ lawsuits continue. Politics in the Spotlight: In Washington, Trump is defending a $1.8B “anti-weaponization” fund as Senate Republicans push back over legality and who could benefit, while Kentucky’s own Thomas Massie has already lost his GOP primary to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein. Public Safety & Accountability: Kentucky State Police charged an Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex officer with bringing narcotics into the prison; the Department of Corrections fired him. Disaster Relief: Gov. Andy Beshear announced $105M in FEMA reimbursements for Kentucky hospitals and emergency management tied to COVID-19 costs. Local Life: Louisville Slugger Field is hosting “Purr at the Park” for cat lovers May 26, with proceeds benefiting the Kentucky Humane Society.

Softball Heartbreaker: Franklin-Simpson’s Lady Cats dropped a 7-6, 10-inning decision to Warren East on May 14, pushing the game to an international tiebreaker before falling short. Scholarship Spotlight: Murray State named Franklin-Simpson senior Arabella Robertson a 2026 Presidential Fellowship winner, covering full tuition, housing and meals. Local Crime Case: A Franklin County man is charged after police say a bad check was used to buy a nearly $160,000 boat in Kentucky—leading to a multi-state chase and recovery in Illinois. Business & Jobs: Ford idled its Dearborn F-150 plant for repairs tied to a nearby stamping issue, with workers potentially back as early as Sunday. Community Focus: United Way of Western Kentucky launched a McCracken County Impact Opportunity Task Force to map barriers and set an action plan for 2027. Health & Safety: Norton experts kicked off summer injury warnings ahead of the “100 deadliest days of summer.” Politics & Israel: A new flare-up over Israel politics followed Massie’s “Tel Aviv” remark, keeping the midterm fight hot. Youth Mental Health Lawsuits: Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube agreed to settle a Kentucky school district’s mental health claims, avoiding a looming California trial.

Kentucky Politics: The GOP’s Trump-led purge keeps reshaping Kentucky’s map: Rep. Thomas Massie is out after losing his primary to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein, a race that drew record spending and national attention. U.S. Politics: Trump also escalated his Cuba posture, saying it “looks like I’ll be the one” to intervene after federal charges against Raúl Castro. Health & Policy: Planned Parenthood is rolling out “Just In Case” advance abortion pills in two states, while a new study finds only about 1 in 4 eligible adults are up to date on lung cancer screening. Economy & Daily Life: A doxo report shows household bill costs vary wildly by state, with the priciest places hitting far higher monthly totals than the most affordable. Sports & Local Interest: UK athletics is searching for a CEO-style athletics director role as Mitch Barnhart nears the end of his tenure, and Louisville’s Zoo is celebrating a new colobus monkey birth. Public Safety: Two people face charges in a 1994 Boyle County cold case tied to Anna Manning’s disappearance.

Invasive Species Alert: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife confirmed Alabama bass/spotted bass hybrids in Lake Linville for the first time in the state, and biologists are now expanding genetic testing to figure out how far the hybrids have spread and whether they could squeeze out native smallmouth and spotted bass. Politics—Trump’s Primary Sweep: In Kentucky’s most-watched GOP fight, President Donald Trump-backed former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein defeated Rep. Thomas Massie in the 4th District, a loss that capped Massie’s long, independent streak and further underscored Trump’s grip on the party. Local Government: Mayfield’s mayoral primary narrowed to two nonpartisan finalists—city councilman Derrick Parrott and civil engineer Tim Choate—after incumbent Kathy O’Nan fell behind. Sports: Kentucky and Gonzaga agreed to end their men’s basketball series early, canceling the final two games; and Auburn baseball beat LSU 3-1 in the SEC Tournament to end LSU’s season.

Kentucky Politics: President Trump’s endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein has been projected to defeat longtime Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky’s 4th District GOP primary, a blow that’s already reshaping the party’s internal power struggle and setting up fresh attention on who could try to replace Massie’s anti-Trump streak. College Basketball: Gonzaga and Kentucky say they’re ending their six-game men’s series early, freeing both programs to reshuffle future nonconference schedules. Public Health: Sugar Foods is recalling specific Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons in multiple states, including Kentucky, after salmonella concerns tied to a milk-powder ingredient. Sports: Mississippi State rolled past Missouri 12-2 in the SEC Tournament, while college baseball tournament action continues across the Power 4. Community & Safety: An expungement fair is set for June 11 in Madisonville, offering eligible Kentuckians free help with record-expungement paperwork and related second-chance resources. Weather/Ag: Drought and higher fuel and fertilizer costs are squeezing Plains farmers, with some wheat crops near total loss.

Kentucky GOP Shakeup: U.S. Rep. Andy Barr won Kentucky’s Republican Senate primary to succeed retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell, beating Daniel Cameron and setting up a November matchup with Democrat Charles Booker. Trump’s Purge Continues: In the biggest local upset, Rep. Thomas Massie lost his GOP House primary to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL, in what multiple reports call one of the most expensive House primaries ever—another sign Trump’s endorsement is still a deciding force in GOP contests. Statehouse Fallout: Louisville Democrats saw Rep. Daniel Grossberg fall in his primary amid allegations, while other Kentucky legislative races also shifted as voters picked new nominees. National Politics Watch: In Washington, the Senate advanced a measure aimed at forcing Trump to end the Iran war—after Sen. Bill Cassidy flipped following his own primary loss. Food Safety: Kroger recalled certain seasoned croutons sold in multiple states, including Kentucky, due to possible Salmonella contamination.