AGP Executive Report

Triple Crown Shakeup: Preakness is moving to three weeks after the Kentucky Derby starting in 2027, after Maryland shifted the race to Sunday May 23 and extended NBC media rights—sparking fresh debate inside racing over whether the sport is modernizing or fracturing. Kentucky Politics: GOP leaders rallied behind U.S. Rep. James Comer for Kentucky governor at Fancy Farm, while Democrats weigh Beshear allies as the party lines sharpen. Nuclear Jobs Push: Gov. Andy Beshear joined Paducah officials and investor Jake Paul to celebrate progress on a $1.5B uranium enrichment facility expected to bring 140+ jobs. Sports Honors: Louisville native Rajon Rondo was named to the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Health & Safety: Kentucky Medicaid changes could leave eligible people losing coverage under new work/volunteer rules and paperwork burdens starting in 2027. Homelessness Funding Fight: A federal court order blocks new HUD conditions on Continuum of Care funds, protecting permanent supportive housing dollars. Public Health Watch: Cyclospora is spreading nationally, with Kentucky among states monitoring cases.

Data Centers in Kentucky: Gov. Andy Beshear signed a new executive order setting criteria for future data centers, requiring developers to show they’ll be “good neighbors,” including plans to protect Kentuckians from higher utility bills and limits on rate hikes tied to data-center costs. Local Housing Concerns: The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights heard complaints in Paducah about the Housing Authority of Paducah, including residents citing mold, health impacts, and long waits on transfer lists. Education Policy: Kentucky’s new education laws are rolling out with classroom-focused changes, including timelines to reduce “three-cueing” and strengthen phonics-based literacy practices. Politics & Health Transparency: Sen. Mitch McConnell was discharged from rehab and will continue recovery at home, but his office still hasn’t set a return date. National Politics: A Senate committee voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt after he refused to answer COVID questions, sending the matter to the Justice Department. Rural Land Fight: A Northern Kentucky family turned down a $26 million offer to convert farmland into an AI data center, saying the money doesn’t outweigh their ties to the land.

Organ Donation: The Trump administration is moving to decertify Kentucky’s Network for Hope, citing alleged safety failures in organ recovery; the group says it follows federal rules and plans to appeal. COVID Politics: A Senate committee voted 8-7 to hold former top infectious-disease official Anthony Fauci in contempt after he refused to answer COVID questions, and Trump said he’s open to DOJ prosecution. McConnell Health: Sen. Mitch McConnell says he’s been discharged from rehab and will continue intensive physical therapy at home, with no set return date. Data Centers: Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order requiring data-center developers to prove they won’t raise utility costs for Kentuckians and to engage with communities. Local Government: A Marshall County fiscal court discussed rules to curb camping and abandoned vehicles at day-use parks. Public Safety: Louisville Ladder recalled about 1.77 million attic stairway ladders due to bolt failures that can cause deadly falls. Health Alert: The cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce has spread to 47 states, with Ohio and Michigan reporting the most cases.

Triple Crown Shake-Up: Preakness is moving to three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby and will be run on a Sunday for the first time, a bid to boost participation and reshape the race calendar. Louisville Safety & Design: A University of Louisville analysis of KSP crash data highlights the city’s most collision-prone intersections, pointing to street design choices—not just driver behavior. Daylight Saving Debate: A bill to make daylight saving time permanent is advancing to the Senate, which could mean later winter sunrises and sunsets for Kentuckians. Public Health Watch: The CDC says the cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce now involves 15 states, including Kentucky, with thousands of cases reported nationwide. Organ Donation Policy: HHS decertified Kentucky’s organ procurement group over safety concerns, adding to a fast-moving national fight over transplant oversight. Sports & Local Interest: Former Preakness-winning jockey Robby Albarado died at 52; and Kentucky’s volleyball schedule includes 11 nationally televised matches in 2026. Lottery: Powerball’s estimated jackpot is $794 million.

Triple Crown Shake-Up: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland Jockey Club announced the Preakness will move to the fourth Sunday in May—three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby—and be run on a Sunday for the first time, with NBC Sports extending through 2032. Thoroughbred Championship Series: Churchill Downs and NYRA also unveiled a new season-long Thoroughbred Championship Series for 3-year-olds starting in 2027, featuring a six-race points format that includes the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes but not the Preakness. Organ Donation Crackdown: The federal government is moving to shut down Kentucky-based Network for Hope, citing serious safety deficiencies after allegations involving organ retrieval from patients who showed signs of life; the group says it will appeal. Public Health: The CDC says the lettuce-linked cyclospora outbreak has expanded to 15 states, with investigators focused on Taylor Farms as the source. Local Watch: Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton pressed Kentucky American Water over a delayed Fontaine Road water main project after the utility declined a public forum. Community & Jobs: Amazon Air Hub in Hebron marked five years, touting major regional economic impact, while Trilogy Health Services plans a $30 million senior living campus in Crestwood. Weather: Thursday’s forecast calls for warm, humid conditions with a few isolated showers possible.

Attorney General Nomination: Acting AG Todd Blanche cleared a key Senate Judiciary hurdle as the panel advanced his nomination for a floor vote after a deal with GOP holdouts over a Trump IRS settlement, with the “no Fund” order central to the compromise. Tariff Lawsuit Wave: A coalition of 25 states, including Kentucky, sued the Trump administration over new Section 301 tariffs tied to forced-labor claims, arguing the move unlawfully raises costs for families and businesses. Kentucky Politics & Services: Gov. Andy Beshear announced $2.2 million to help domestic violence survivors, while Kentucky also joined a lawsuit seeking to block federal access to TANF recipient data. School & Health Watch: Kentucky schools’ Medicaid fix may only delay a bigger funding crunch, and JCPS teachers at 17 schools reportedly lost thousands in stipends before classes start. Local Public Safety: A man wanted on attempted murder and kidnapping charges was arrested in Louisville after U.S. Marshals tracked him. Cyclospora Impact: The multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak continues to expand, with Kentucky outbreak updates and related closures hitting consumer confidence. Data Centers & Jobs: Kentucky’s push into AI and data centers remains in the spotlight, including new partnerships and ongoing debates over land use and power needs.

Innovation & Workforce: Campbellsville University created a new vice president for innovation and workforce role and named CU alum Andy Woods to lead efforts on institutional growth, workforce-ready programs, and employer partnerships. Food Insecurity: Feeding America data shows Kentucky’s hunger is rising, with 18.2% of residents food insecure in 2024 (up from 16.6% in 2023), driven largely by affordability pressures like rent, utilities, childcare, and medical costs. Public Safety: Kentucky State Police report two arrests after an alleged Johnson County pursuit; troopers say they found suspected stolen AT&T communication line and tools in the vehicle. Health Alert: The CDC expanded the cyclosporiasis outbreak to 15 states, with Michigan reporting the first U.S. deaths tied to the parasite. Local Sports & Schools: JCPS and KHSAA sanctioned Atherton and Central High football programs for an unauthorized July scrimmage that violated heat acclimatization rules. Racing: Hall of Fame jockey Robby Albarado, a two-time Preakness winner, died at 52. Tech & Industry: GE Appliances says its new Louisville laundry plant will use U.S.-made Texas Instruments chips starting in 2027.

Kentucky Politics: Gov. Andy Beshear is arguing he could appoint a U.S. senator if a vacancy happens, but a legal challenge points to the 17th Amendment’s requirement for a special election unless the legislature explicitly authorizes temporary appointments. School Safety: Franklin County is ramping up for the new school year with bus-driver training, stricter enforcement of stop-arm rules, and more patrols as classes start Aug. 12. Education Health: Scott County Schools is highlighting school-based health clinics that add nurse practitioner coverage at campuses to cut missed days and expand basic care. Local Government: Georgetown says it overpaid a contractor about $24,000 tied to missing documentation for nuisance abatement work, and has agreed to a repayment plan. Tech & Economy: Kentucky’s data-center push is back in the spotlight as lawmakers debate how to protect regular utility customers while attracting major power-hungry projects. Sports: Kentucky football has made Martels Carter Jr.’s move to running back permanent after spring injuries, and UK says it’s now a full-time offensive role.

Tariff Fight in Court: Kentucky and 24 other states sued the Trump administration over new 10%–12.5% tariffs, arguing they’re a “pretext” to replace taxes the Supreme Court struck down—Kentucky’s leaders say the move will raise costs for families and businesses. TANF Privacy Push: Gov. Andy Beshear joined a coalition challenging federal plans to expand access to sensitive TANF recipient data, including Social Security numbers and addresses, saying the policy would unlawfully expose Kentuckians. Kentucky LIHEAP Help: LIHEAP cooling assistance applications are open statewide for eligible households to get a one-time payment toward electric bills, with funding limited and deadlines set for Sept. 11. Schools & Local Tax Vote: Logan County school officials approved ballot language for a proposed Nickel Tax to fund safe, up-to-date school buildings, sending the question to voters in November. Horse Racing Shake-Up: Churchill Downs and NYRA unveiled a new six-race Thoroughbred Championship Series that includes the Derby and Belmont but not the Preakness, raising fresh questions about the Triple Crown’s future. Domestic Violence Funding: Kentucky opened applications for a $2.2 million VAWA STOP grant to support services for domestic violence survivors, with applications due Sept. 11.

Kentucky Politics & Courts: Mitch McConnell’s prolonged absence and health scrutiny kept dominating Kentucky political talk, with Gov. Andy Beshear pressing for more proof of fitness while GOP senators urged patience and privacy. Local Media: The E.W. Scripps Company has completed its $15.8 million purchase of WTVQ in Lexington, creating a duopoly with WLEX and expanding its Central Kentucky presence. Public Safety & Privacy: A growing backlash against police license plate reader surveillance is spreading beyond Florida, with lawmakers and residents pushing for limits or contract pauses. Immigration: A Wisconsin woman detained by ICE after accidentally driving to Canada described a nearly yearlong ordeal in federal custody, highlighting ongoing concerns about detention conditions and bureaucratic errors. Business & Jobs: Kentucky’s economic development continues with $255,000 in state funding for Monroe County to turn a newly acquired property into a job-ready industrial site. Weather: Sunny and pleasant to start the week, with rain chances returning later midweek into the weekend.

Mitch McConnell mystery: Kentucky voters and politicians are still fixated on Sen. McConnell’s prolonged absence, with “Where’s Mitch?” chants erupting at the Fancy Farm picnic and fresh scrutiny after another proof-of-life photo raised more questions. Local politics: Gov. Andy Beshear fired back at Republicans who criticized him for missing Fancy Farm, arguing their outrage doesn’t match their silence over McConnell’s disappearance. Historic preservation: The Claudia Sanders Dinner House and Blackwood Hall in Shelbyville will not be sold after owners called off an auction, saying they’ll keep operating and preserving the landmark tied to KFC’s early history. Northern Kentucky jobs: KOI Superior Walls opened a new Boone County facility near CVG, creating 73 full-time jobs. Sports (Kentucky ties): Davis Steel beat Kentucky alumni La Familia 67-59 to win TBT’s $2 million prize, while WKU professor Patti Minter was appointed to the Kentucky Board of Education. Business & tech: The federal government is moving Kentucky’s uranium plant toward an AI data center and gas complex.

Fancy Farm Politics: The 146th Fancy Farm Picnic turned into a Senate-race showdown as U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and Democrat Charles Booker traded jabs, while Gov. Andy Beshear stayed away and later responded online after Rand Paul’s comments. Public Safety & Schools: Hardin County Schools banned metal “emotional support” water bottles after reports they were used as weapons, with injuries cited. Justice System: Ronald Exantus, convicted in the 2015 stabbing death of 6-year-old Logan Tipton, was released after serving his sentence, drawing outrage from the victim’s father. Food Safety: A Salmonella-linked egg recall expanded to millions of eggs, while health officials also track a separate Cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce. Kentucky Sports: Kentucky goalkeeper Khadijah Cissé signed with FC Barcelona Femení B after a standout first season; in local giving, Louisville’s back-to-school backpack giveaway topped 1,000. Weather & Recovery: Flash flooding continues to disrupt communities across the U.S., with Kentucky among areas seeing storm impacts.

Fancy Farm 2026: Kentucky’s annual political roast drew thousands to St. Jerome Parish with major moments and sharp jabs from candidates including Sen. Rand Paul. Community Back-to-School: The YMCA of Central Kentucky handed out free backpacks and supplies at rallies across Fayette and Franklin counties. Public Safety: KSP and multiple agencies used a helicopter hoist to rescue an injured 18-year-old hiker near Laurel River Dam. Health & Politics: New reporting keeps spotlight on Mitch McConnell’s prolonged absence, with fresh questions swirling around “proof of life” details. Local Crime: Corbin police say a traffic stop led to drug charges and discovery of a homemade incendiary device. Weather: Another round of strong to severe storms and flash-flood risk is in the forecast for the weekend. Sports: Kentucky volleyball landed four players on the AVCA Player of the Year watch list.

Paducah Data Center Watch: Gov. Andy Beshear says he wasn’t briefed on the DOE’s plan to redevelop the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant into a Brookfield data center campus, raising questions about power, environmental impact, jobs and taxes. School Safety: Hardin County Schools will ban metal and glass water bottles on campuses and buses, allowing only plastic bottles with plastic lids after concerns about bottles being used as weapons. Local Sports & Community: Kentucky’s Kam Williams is back on campus but still in a boot after reparative surgery, while La Familia is one win from the $2 million TBT title after beating JHX Sports. Public Safety: A 6-month-old abducted in Indiana was safely recovered in Kentucky after a multistate search, with the suspect facing federal kidnapping charges. Health Alerts: Publix expanded a frozen blueberry recall tied to E. coli hospitalizations, including Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky Jobs: Gov. Andy Beshear announced ADM will invest more than $16 million to expand its Boone County facility, adding 40-plus full-time jobs and boosting production of liquid and dry-blended color solutions. Downtown Makeover: Hopkinsville residents heard early plans for a West Seventh Street Corridor Master Plan, aiming for wider sidewalks, landscaping, gateway features and traffic calming. School Bus Safety: Kentucky’s new law requires drivers to stop when school or church bus stop-arms are out on most roadways; Louisville police say officers will enforce it as the school year starts. Public Health Alert: The FDA updated a Publix frozen berry recall tied to E. coli, with illnesses reported across multiple states including Kentucky. Fancy Farm Politics: The St. Jerome Parish Fancy Farm Picnic in Graves County draws thousands, with U.S. Sen. Rand Paul expected to speak and national attention focused on Mitch McConnell’s absence. Local Crime/Justice: A Madisonville man faces 16 charges after a high-speed police chase and alleged impairment. Community Events: BG Freedom Walkers hosts its Back-to-School Block Party Aug. 8 with 600+ backpacks and free family activities.

Paducah AI Data Center: Kentucky lawmakers are weighing a $100B DOE-backed AI data center at the Paducah site, with supporters calling it a “generational” jobs and reindustrialization boost while Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman says she wasn’t briefed and wants more transparency with local communities. Local Public Safety Tech: Georgetown-Scott County’s 911 center is set to receive $580K+ in upgrades, including new phones, logging recorders, and dispatch software. Kentucky Education & Accountability: A Floyd County chief safety officer sued over alleged wrongful termination after he says he reported a child sex abuse case to state police. Health Watch: Publix expanded an E. coli recall of GreenWise frozen berries sold in Kentucky, urging shoppers to check freezers and discard or return products. Local Culture & Business: Louisville’s KFC Yum Center opened the Jackson Purchase Bourbon Lounge, and a new bourbon lounge and restaurant expansion stories round out the weekend buzz. Foodborne Outbreaks: Cyclospora cases continue to rise nationwide, with Kentucky among states affected by lettuce-linked concerns.