AGP Executive Report

Meta Settlement: Kentucky is set to receive $358 million from a landmark multistate deal with Meta over alleged harm from Facebook and Instagram to children and teens, with the company agreeing to new safety steps like daily time limits and nighttime blocks; Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman says the changes are meant to protect kids, and Florida is not part of the agreement. Local Tech & Policing: A Kentucky officer was arrested after authorities said he used Flock Safety cameras to track an ex-girlfriend more than 2,000 times, while Covington postponed a vote on cruiser license plate readers to get more public input. Transportation Disruption: Louisville’s I-65 Muhammad Ali Boulevard underpass closure is causing major traffic backups near UofL and Norton Hospitals, with detours also gridlocked. Public Safety & Courts: A federal program revived by the DOJ could let some Kentucky felons regain gun rights if they meet strict requirements. Sports & Community: Survivor 51 cast includes Richmond OBGYN Sharonda Cox; and Kentucky’s high-profile youth-safety case is also driving local parent reaction.

Kentucky Agriculture & Food: The state agriculture commissioner says his office is looking into data center impacts, especially uncertainty over ownership and concerns about prime farmland and electricity-rate strain. Beef & Farm Economy: Kentucky cattle farmers are reacting to Trump’s plan to allow large, tariff-reduced beef imports, warning it could hit cattle prices and slow herd rebuilding. Elections: Kentucky election officials issued a new rule to match voter registration with out-of-state records after a lawsuit, with the case later withdrawn. Tech & Youth Safety: Kentucky is among states pursuing Meta in a child-safety trial, where Bloomberg reports the company and attorneys general have discussed a possible mid-trial settlement. Sports (UK): Mark Mitchell has committed to Kentucky after a court win cleared his fifth season, and UK is working to build depth heading into the 2026 season opener. Local Spotlight: Powell County’s search and rescue chief says he helped build Kentucky’s first air rescue program in partnership with state agencies. Community/Arts: Kentucky State Fair quilt entries are drawing attention as the fair continues.

Dolly Parton: Kentucky and beyond are reacting to the death of the country icon at 80, with Gov. Andy Beshear ordering flags lowered statewide and highlighting her Imagination Library impact across all 120 Kentucky counties. Local Impact: A Louisville road closure tied to the I-65 Central Corridor project was delayed, pushing back a Broadway under-I-65 shutdown while other nearby closures remain in place. Health & Access: Down Syndrome of Louisville warns Medicaid cuts could disrupt services for thousands, even as Kentucky has used surplus funds to temporarily ease a Medicaid waiver reimbursement gap. Public Safety: A Christian County woman faces multiple charges after allegedly assaulting a sheriff’s deputy during a DUI arrest. Courts & Accountability: In Nick Houck’s perjury case, his attorneys are asking the court for specifics on the alleged false statements ahead of a November trial. Tech & Kids: Instagram head Adam Mosseri testified in Meta’s child-safety trial, defending a “Take a Break” feature after states pointed to low teen usage. Community & Second Chances: An Allen County expungement clinic helped residents clear certain past charges to improve job and housing prospects. Education & STEM: Lexington’s solar zoning amendment would allow limited large-scale solar with agrivoltaic requirements, and the Lincoln Birthplace is hosting a free youth “Building America” challenge.

College Basketball/Eligibility: Mark Mitchell’s Kentucky commitment is back in the spotlight after a judge granted a temporary restraining order allowing him and other former athletes to seek a fifth year, though the NCAA could appeal. Local Housing: Georgetown and Scott County officials are weighing a proposed $17 million, 60-unit affordable workforce housing project, with developers asking for loan help and fee reductions tied to Kentucky Housing Corporation tax credits. AI in Schools: A new national poll finds most Americans want stronger federal rules on AI use in K-12 classrooms, with broad concern across party lines. Public Safety/Crime: Five men from Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois were arrested in an undercover child predator sting operation. Kentucky State Police Oversight: A new investigative documentary series alleges a pattern of excessive force and misconduct by Kentucky State Troopers. Community & Events: Alexandria Community Park is hosting National Dog Day festivities Wednesday, and Vent Haven Museum in Fort Mitchell is hiring a new curator. Sports (Kentucky): Kentucky football and volleyball coverage continues, including early-season results and season-opening storylines.

Local Government: Georgetown’s renovated City Hall reopened for public tours Monday, with services set to begin in late September, preserving historic features like the 1899 firehouse tower and jail bars. Public Safety: A school bus overturned in Bullitt County Monday afternoon, injuring 30 children with minor injuries; officials say parents should pick up students at the crash site. Health & Community: Kentucky’s “Food Is Medicine” push expands prescription-style pantries, with Dare to Care reporting improved food and nutrition security for screened patients. Crime & Courts: Laken Snelling, the former UK student accused in her newborn’s death, pleaded guilty Friday, telling the judge, “Instead of helping him, I ended his life.” Agriculture & Economy: Kentucky cattle producers are reacting to Trump’s plan to lower beef prices via increased imports, saying it could hurt sales and long-term stability. Sports: Kentucky volleyball opened the season with a sweep of Wisconsin at AVCA First Serve. Statewide News: KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett announced retirement after four decades.

Northern Kentucky Business: ADM is investing $16 million to expand its Boone County “Colours from Nature” natural color solutions site, adding 14,000 square feet and more capacity by early 2027. Kentucky Courts & Infrastructure: A Boone County naturalist’s fight against Sanitation District 1’s sewer project over eminent domain could reach the Kentucky Supreme Court. Education & Health: Kentucky’s measles situation is back in focus as reporting highlights low MMR rates among Jefferson County kindergartners and the risk to children. Local Government & Public Safety: Daviess County moves forward on a nearly $9.8 million state-funded Public Safety Facility near WKU Owensboro, aimed at consolidating 911, emergency management, fire, and sheriff operations. Community & Culture: SUITS THAT ROCK returns Sept. 19 with “Suits Night Live,” a fundraiser for The Carnegie’s youth arts programs. Campus Life: UK and Lextran are highlighting free on-campus bus routes and real-time tracking for students. Weather: Louisville-area forecasts call for sunny, lower-humidity conditions with highs in the low 80s.

Mark Mitchell to Kentucky: Kentucky’s latest big swing is Missouri transfer Mark Mitchell, with reports saying his fifth-year eligibility court path helped clear the way for the Wildcats. NCAA eligibility shakeup: The NCAA’s court fight took another turn as a federal appeals court paused a Colorado ruling, tightening eligibility for some athletes and leaving players like Denzel Aberdeen in limbo. Kentucky football roster watch: Former UK linebacker Alex Afari is trying to return after another legal setback, while fall camp notes highlight defensive standouts like Cyrus Reyes and Grant Grayton. Volleyball results: No. 3 Kentucky volleyball bounced back after a sweep loss, but fell to No. 4 Pitt 3-1, with Olivia Babcock leading the Panthers. State Fair + Kentucky politics: Kentucky voters picked finalists for the “I Voted” sticker at the State Fair, and Kentucky Newsmakers featured Senate President Robert Stivers and retail federation director Steve McClain. Public health + pets: Fromm and Oma’s Pride dog foods were recalled over metal contamination and other risks—owners are urged to check lot codes.

Kentucky Sports: Mark Mitchell is officially headed to Kentucky after a judge cleared him for a fifth season, and he committed Saturday—adding another high-impact piece to the Wildcats’ 2026-27 roster. Volleyball: Kentucky opened the season by sweeping Wisconsin, and now turns to Pitt in a marquee matchup; meanwhile Wisconsin rebounded to sweep Louisville after losing to UK. Public Safety & Health: Kentucky received $1.5 million in DOJ grants to hire prosecutors targeting fraud and trafficking, and the state also has a limited-time LIHEAP cooling help option for residents facing high electric bills. Community & Local Life: Owensboro-Daviess County’s new Senior Community Center is on track for an October opening, and Louisville’s Highlands Festival returned to Baxter Avenue after a seven-year break. Consumer Alerts: Two dog food recalls were issued over Salmonella and metal contamination risks, including products distributed in Kentucky.

Kentucky State Fair: Grayson County grower Josh Monin set a new Kentucky State Fair record in the annual Largest Pumpkin and Watermelon Contest with a 1,882.4-pound pumpkin, while Hancock County’s Nick McCaslin won the watermelon title with a 245.7-pound fruit; both champions will be on display through Aug. 30. Humana Leadership: Humana named Shantanu Nundy its new chief medical officer, effective Aug. 31, tasking him with clinical leadership and shaping products, platforms and AI strategy. College Sports Eligibility: A major update in the ongoing “Class of 2022” eligibility fight: the 10th Circuit granted the NCAA a stay, keeping rosters in limbo as lawsuits and temporary orders continue. UK Athletics Legal News: Former Kentucky head swim coach Lars Jorgensen settled a lawsuit brought by two former swimmers alleging sexual harassment and assault; the case was dismissed with prejudice, while claims against UK and Mitch Barnhart remain. Weather: A cold front is moving into northwestern Kentucky with a few storms possible, then drier, cooler conditions and mid-80s highs into the weekend.

Kentucky Bourbon: Sazerac is reviving the shuttered Garrard County Distilling Co. in Lancaster after a $20 million acquisition, aiming to boost Kentucky bourbon capacity and expand its local team. Local Business & Retail: Nike has quietly closed its “Nike Live” neighborhood stores nationwide, including locations in Kentucky, as the company streamlines its physical footprint. Public Safety: Kentucky’s Office of Highway Safety is urging drivers to plan ahead for the Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, citing impaired-driving crash spikes over holiday weekends. Health Watch: The FDA upgraded a Publix frozen blueberry recall to the highest risk level after reported illnesses, with products distributed to stores including Kentucky. Sports (High School): Sayre High School stunned Kentucky Country Day 22-19 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket, while Kentucky volleyball opened strong with a sweep of Wisconsin. Community: Lloyd Memorial High School and local partners will pilot a supply-chain pre-apprenticeship program for seniors starting in October.

Property Taxes: Henry County school and fiscal leaders are weighing property tax changes—Henry County Fiscal Court voted to cut its rate by just under 1%, while the Henry County Board of Education is set to consider a 2.65% increase at a Sept. 9 special meeting. Public Safety & Schools: Bath County is expanding stop-arm camera use as reports of illegal school bus passing continue, with officials stressing the biggest danger points are when kids board or exit. Health Watch: Kentucky’s measles outbreak has climbed to 24 cases across seven counties, with officials urging vaccination since all confirmed patients were unvaccinated. State Politics: Gov. Andy Beshear weighed in on DNC convention decisions, saying Kentucky has “scraped our way back” to a seat at the table. Business & Growth: Sazerac bought Garrard County Distilling Co. for $20 million after a bankruptcy case, adding production capacity in Kentucky. Tech & Courts: A landmark Meta youth-addiction trial is underway, with Kentucky included among states seeking major penalties. Community & Culture: The Kentucky State Fair is gearing up to serve about 600,000 visitors over 11 days.

Meta Child-Safety Trial: A landmark federal case in California puts Meta’s Facebook and Instagram design and youth-safety practices on trial, with 29 states—including Kentucky—seeking massive penalties and changes over claims the platforms harm children. Kentucky Courts: The Kentucky Supreme Court denied an AG bid to halt death-penalty litigation, keeping execution-related challenges moving. Public Health: Ohio’s cyclosporiasis outbreak is still high but new cases are dropping, with health officials urging careful produce washing and safe food handling. Education Policy: Kentucky has enrolled in the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, letting donors redirect part of their federal taxes to scholarship-granting organizations starting in 2027. Local Infrastructure: KYTC says western Kentucky is set to add about 18 roundabouts over the next 5–6 years, including major work along U.S. 68 near I-24. Weather & Safety: Storms brought damage across parts of Kentucky, and forecasts warn of continued heat and periodic rain.

Kentucky State Fair: The 122nd Kentucky State Fair opened Thursday at the Kentucky Exposition Center with 11 days of rides, food and competitions, including a new water ride, “Swamp Splash,” as families packed the grounds ahead of the Aug. 30 wrap. Local Sports: Kentucky Country Day School aims to repeat as state champions with a “we never change the goal” mindset as it rebuilds after losing 19 seniors from last year’s title run. Politics & Campaigns: The DCCC added Zach Dembo to its “Red to Blue” program, boosting Democrats’ push to flip Kentucky’s 6th District, where Dembo argues voters focus on jobs, safety and health care more than party labels. Public Safety: Louisville police are investigating reports of cars blowing through JCPS bus stop signs in southeast Louisville, after a mother posted videos; Kentucky’s new bus stop passing laws took effect this year. Weather: Severe storms are expected to hit the Northeast with a flash-flood threat for more than 32 million people along the I-95 corridor, after storms earlier battered parts of Kentucky and the region.

Meta Child-Safety Trial: A former Meta safety leader testified in Oakland that Zuckerberg’s top-down culture put growth and engagement ahead of kids’ well-being, as 29 states—including Kentucky—seek up to $1.4 trillion and major changes to Facebook and Instagram. Data Center Moratoriums: Mount Washington is weighing a 24-month data-center moratorium after residents raised concerns about power and water strain, property values, traffic, and pollution. Measles in Kentucky: Jefferson County Public Schools reported a nearly 30% jump in kindergarten MMR vaccination rates, tied to better record matching in the state immunization registry, as health officials warn of the state’s highest measles case levels in decades. Public Safety Campaign: Kentucky is launching “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” for Labor Day, citing impaired-driving crash patterns over holiday weekends. Politics & Elections: The DCCC added Zach Dembo to its “Red to Blue” list for Kentucky’s open 6th District, signaling more House battleground investment. Sports: Kentucky football begins a new era under Will Stein, while TVA announced $700,000 in robotics awards for 11 Kentucky schools.

Measles Alert: Kentucky health officials say a measles outbreak is growing, with 19 confirmed cases in 2026—the most since 1991—across Christian, Owen, Todd, Trigg and Washington counties, and all cases tied to people unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status. Public Health Guidance: Officials are urging parents to check MMR vaccination, noting two hospitalizations so far and that measles spreads through the air. Meta Trial Watch: In a landmark U.S. case over alleged child social media harms, a former Meta safety worker testified that executives knew about “significant harms” but didn’t act fast enough; states are seeking penalties that could reach $1.4 trillion. Local Safety & Tech: Northern Kentucky cities are moving to regulate e-bikes after safety concerns, while law enforcement in Hardin County says Flock cameras helped recover stolen vehicles. Community & Events: The Highlands Festival returns to Louisville after a seven-year break, and the Kentucky State Fair opens Thursday with major facility upgrades.

Meta Trial in Kentucky’s Orbit: A landmark federal case in California opened with 29 states—including Kentucky—accusing Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to hook children, hiding internal findings, and improperly collecting data from kids under 13; prosecutors say the stakes could reach $1.4 trillion, while Meta denies the claims and argues it protects teens. Data Centers & Ratepayer Impact: EPIC discussed a new Kentucky data center report and how electricity adequacy planning could affect demand, reliability, and whether costs are ultimately passed to residential customers. Local Governance: Hodgenville’s city council meeting turned chaotic after public comments over allegations of sewage dumping near parks, tied to social media posts and Mayor Jim Phelps’ response. Education & Policy: Gov. Andy Beshear appointed Michelle Snodgrass to NKU’s Board of Regents. Public Health: Kentucky health officials confirmed a measles outbreak, the highest in decades, with cases reported across multiple counties. Housing: Mainstrasse Flats added 12 apartments in Covington’s historic Mainstrasse Village, marking a major infill project. Sports: Louisville and No. 24 Louisville’s football outlook, plus Kentucky-linked college sports updates, dominated local sports coverage.