AGP Executive Report

Fancy Farm Politics: Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams ended speculation about a 2027 governor run by endorsing Rep. James Comer instead, urging Republicans to avoid a divisive primary. Gov. Andy Beshear vs. GOP Leaders: Beshear fired back after skipping the picnic for his son’s baseball game, trading barbs with Sen. Rand Paul and Rep. Andy Barr. Local Transit: Louisville riders are adjusting to TARC’s new route network, with fewer stops but more frequent service and a new downtown timed-transfer hub. Historic Preservation: The Claudia Sanders Dinner House and Blackwood Hall in Shelbyville are off the auction block and will keep operating. Public Safety: A Kentucky driver was identified in a deadly Nashville crosswalk crash; police say the driver ran a red light. Community Support: Blessings in a Backpack is returning to Green County to feed students on weekends. Weather: More rain is expected Sunday for Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, with a lower severe-storm risk.

Traffic Safety: Police say the investigation is ongoing after an 87-year-old Bowling Green man ran a red light at 4th Avenue and Broadway in Nashville, killing one pedestrian and sending three others to the hospital; the driver showed no signs of impairment, and his wife and caregiver were also injured. Politics: At Kentucky’s Fancy Farm Picnic, Democrats and Republicans traded sharp jabs while the absence of Gov. Andy Beshear and Sen. Mitch McConnell stayed a central storyline ahead of key deadlines. Public Safety Law: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a missing-persons bill that speeds up when dental records are added to state and federal databases, aiming to help identify victims sooner. Sports (Kentucky): La Familia, the Kentucky alumni team, is set to face Davis Steel for the $2 million TBT championship Sunday in Lexington on FOX. Health Workforce: An Eastern Kentucky program is expanding career pathways to address healthcare staffing shortages, building homegrown training pipelines for roles from medical assistants to nurse practitioners. Weather: A few showers linger Sunday, with more rain chances Monday and a drier, warmer stretch later in the week.

Fancy Farm Politics: Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams ended speculation about a 2027 governor run, endorsing U.S. Rep. James Comer at the 146th Fancy Farm Picnic, where Gov. Andy Beshear skipped the event but still traded barbs online. Mitch McConnell Health Scrutiny: The weekend also kept attention on Sen. Mitch McConnell’s ongoing absence, with Beshear publicly pressing for proof he can serve or resign. College Sports Eligibility Fight: A Colorado judge cleared a fifth-year eligibility path for the class of 2022, but the NCAA says it will appeal, warning the ruling could spark chaos. Kentucky Sports Recruiting: Kentucky is reportedly eyeing former Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler as it looks to add another piece to the 2026-27 roster. Public Safety: A Kentucky driver in Nashville hit four pedestrians on Broadway, killing one and sending three to the hospital; police are investigating. Community Help: Louisville groups handed out 1,000+ backpacks at a back-to-school giveaway. Hunting Update: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife opens applications Monday for dove quota hunts starting Sept. 1.

Fancy Farm Picnic Coverage: WLKY will stream every speech Saturday starting at 2 p.m. CT/3 p.m. ET, with 15 speakers including Gov. Beshear’s political rivals like Sen. Rand Paul and KY AG Russell Coleman; McConnell and Beshear are listed as not appearing. Severe Weather Watch: Kentucky is bracing for a stormy Saturday with strong to severe thunderstorms possible later in the day, including damaging winds and localized flash flooding. Road Update: KY 453/Dover Road in Livingston County has reopened after an injury crash near mile points 3.5 to 3.6, with motorists urged to watch for lingering impacts. Traffic Enforcement: Kentucky State Police are running periodic traffic safety checkpoints across nearly 20 central and south-central counties, focusing on impaired driving, licensing, equipment, and child restraints. Politics & Health Scrutiny: Fresh controversy surrounds Mitch McConnell’s “proof of life” photo, with critics pointing to missing metadata amid his continued Senate absence. Local Media Business: E.W. Scripps completed its $15.8 million acquisition of WTVQ in Lexington, creating a duopoly with WLEX. Public Safety/Immigration: A woman detained by ICE at the Louisville airport has been released after a judge ordered it, with her family citing inadequate medical care.

McConnell Health Pressure: Gov. Andy Beshear renewed his push for Sen. Mitch McConnell to “prove” he can serve or resign, saying McConnell is “ruining” his legacy by staying opaque while hospitalized. Local Economy & Jobs: Beshear announced $5.2M in state funding for site and building development across eight Kentucky counties, aiming to prepare land for new investment. Paducah Data Center Debate: Kentucky officials and lawmakers continue to question how a major Paducah AI/data center project moves forward and what it means for residents. College Sports Eligibility: A federal judge in Colorado ordered the NCAA to grant a fifth year to athletes from the high school class of 2022, potentially reshaping Kentucky and national rosters and transfer plans. Severe Weather Recovery: In Grayson County, a retired couple is still displaced after an EF2 tornado damaged their home and they fight insurance for losses. Community & Safety: Louisville’s Main Street is shifting to two-way traffic as part of a downtown safety project, and Kentucky police departments prepare to enforce the new school bus safety law. Fancy Farm Politics: The 146th Fancy Farm Picnic is set for Saturday with major candidates taking the stage ahead of the next election cycle.

Data Centers & Energy Costs: The U.S. Department of Energy announced a $100B-plus plan to redevelop Kentucky’s former Paducah uranium site into a hyperscale AI data center campus, but the biggest question remains: no anchor tenant is named yet, and the project still needs power-service approvals. Utility Pushback: Kentucky utilities signed onto the White House “Ratepayer Protection Pledge,” arguing they’ll shield customers from data-center cost hikes, while critics say pledges aren’t enough without clear studies. Statehouse Politics: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear renewed pressure on Sen. Mitch McConnell to prove he can serve or resign amid ongoing health transparency demands. Public Health: Publix expanded its recall of frozen GreenWise blueberries and mixed berries tied to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 12 people, including shipments to Kentucky. Education & Law: A new Kentucky law changes how drivers must stop for school buses, and the state’s attorney general continues pushing to uphold convictions in the Crystal Rogers case. National Ranking: US News ranked Kentucky No. 41 overall, with low marks in healthcare and economy. Crime & Courts: Federal prosecutors issued indictments against three Floyd County, Kentucky men tied to separate child sexual abuse and exploitation material cases. Sports & Local Culture: Churchill Downs announced it’s exploring options that could include selling off assets to secure horse racing’s future.

Church-State Clash: The Freedom From Religion Foundation is demanding Fayette County Public Schools stop allowing pastors from Southern Heights Baptist Church to “proselytize” students through school-sponsored Fellowship of Christian Athletes activities at Jessie Clark Middle School. Public Safety & Health: Publix expanded its recall of GreenWise frozen whole blueberries and mixed berries sold in eight states, including Kentucky, after links to an E. coli O145 outbreak. Federal Charges: Three Eastern Kentucky men were indicted in a federal “Operation Safe Harbor” case involving alleged crimes against children, including child pornography and online enticement. Politics in the Spotlight: Gov. Andy Beshear again pressed Sen. Mitch McConnell to prove he can serve or resign, after McConnell’s office refused to provide additional proof beyond photos. Local Roads: KYTC reported KY 120 reopened after a crash in Crittenden County and announced a daytime lane restriction on KY 453 Canal Bridge for an inspection. Sports: UK football GM Pat Biondo resigned less than a year after taking the job. Lottery: A second $50,000 Powerball ticket was sold in Kentucky this week.

Food Safety Fallout: Taco Bell sales took a hit as customers reacted to the multistate cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce, with Yum Brands saying “elevated uncertainty” weighed on demand even as sales started to recover after the chain removed the implicated lettuce. Public Health Scrutiny: Federal health officials are also tracking a separate Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs from Midwest Poultry Services, adding fresh pressure on the nation’s food-safety system. Kentucky Education: Marshall County educator Bridget Powell was selected for the Kentucky Innovative Teacher Fellowship, joining 24 other teachers statewide to build classroom projects focused on learner-centered instruction. Politics & Transparency: Gov. Andy Beshear renewed demands that Sen. Mitch McConnell provide more than a photo to prove he’s alive and well, as questions about his health continue. Local Roads: KYTC reported a steel-hauling semi crash blocking KY 120 in Crittenden County, and Louisville rolled out a two-way Main Street traffic pattern between Wenzel and Second with temporary all-way stops. Sports: Kentucky’s new football head coach Will Stein drew SEC Media Days attention as the Wildcats prepare for a tougher 2026 season.

Medical Cannabis Rollout: Murray’s first medical cannabis dispensary, NatureMed, opened Wednesday and served its first registered patients, with a formal ribbon-cutting set for Aug. 12. COVID Fallout in Frankfort’s Orbit: Dr. Anthony Fauci faced a Republican-led Senate hearing and repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) pushing for contempt votes next week. Big Energy + Big Tech in Paducah: NextEra and Brookfield announced plans for a $100 billion data center campus and power complex at the DOE’s Paducah site, with major generation and storage components aimed at AI demand. Courts and Civil Rights: Former Rowan County clerk Kim Davis is back in federal court as a contempt motion alleges she hid assets to avoid paying a same-sex marriage civil rights judgment. Public Health Watch: A first cyclosporiasis case was confirmed in North Carolina’s Rowan County, prompting continued source-tracing and symptom alerts across the region. Local Roads: KYTC scheduled a KY 1940 culvert replacement closure in Harrison County from Aug. 3 through Aug. 17. Sports & Community: Kentucky alumni’s La Familia beat JHX Hoops 78-65 in TBT; and the Kentucky Open at Indian Hills is underway with Joey Mayo sharing the lead after a record 62 in round two.

Data Centers in Kentucky: NextEra and Brookfield are teaming up on a $100B-plus data center campus in Kentucky, repurposing a shuttered Cold War uranium-enrichment site and adding a generating plant. State Politics: Gov. Andy Beshear escalated pressure on Sen. Mitch McConnell, demanding “proof of your capacity to serve” or resignation after McConnell’s rehab stay and limited health updates. Federal Hearing: Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to answer questions at a Senate hearing led by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul over COVID-19 origins and his past testimony; Paul also removed Fauci’s lawyer after disruptions. Public Safety: A $167M Kentucky Powerball winner, James Farthing of Georgetown, was arrested again—his fourth since the win—on domestic violence allegations including strangulation. Health & Courts: DOJ announced prison sentences tied to a Medicaid fraud scheme at Kentucky addiction treatment clinics, totaling nearly $5M in false billing. Local Education: LaRue County schools will use a streamlined superintendent evaluation model, shifting to a five-standard framework.

Kentucky Politics: Gov. Andy Beshear renewed pressure on Sen. Mitch McConnell to prove he can serve, saying a 17-minute call isn’t enough and demanding clearer health updates. Federal Oversight: Rep. Morgan McGarvey raised concerns after visiting the Campbell County ICE detention center, citing problems with medical care, medication access and food. Disaster Aid: Kentucky’s congressional delegation asked President Trump for a major disaster declaration tied to June flooding, tornadoes and storms, seeking public and individual assistance plus hazard mitigation. Public Safety & Courts: The Kentucky Powerball winner who claimed a $167M jackpot was arrested again on domestic violence-related charges, the fourth time since winning. Local Infrastructure: I-65 in Louisville is reopening ahead of schedule, with two lanes in both directions set to open late July 29. Education & Workforce: Abound officer Jake Darabos was selected for the KCTCS Foundation Board. Culture & Community: A Kentucky auction is putting Colonel Sanders’ bow tie, planner and other personal items—and his former home and dinner house—on the block in Shelbyville.

McConnell Health Clash: Gov. Andy Beshear escalated pressure on U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, demanding he “directly and verbally” prove he can serve or resign, after weeks of limited updates and questions about recent “proof of life” photos. Senate Seat Math: As speculation grows over whether McConnell returns in time, Kentucky’s path for a possible special election to fill a vacancy is back in focus. Wrongful Death UPS Crash: A federal judge sent a Louisville UPS crash wrongful-death lawsuit back to Kentucky state court, ruling UPS’s “headquarters” argument doesn’t control jurisdiction. Local Safety: Two people were arrested in Scottsville after a 1-year-old died, with police citing extreme neglect and hazardous living conditions. Public Safety Tech: Newport investigators say Flock LPR helped track suspects across state lines in a shooting case that ended with all arrests. Powerball Update: Kentucky Powerball winner James Farthing was arrested again in Scott County on domestic violence-related charges. Frankfort Planning: Frankfort kicked off work on a new comprehensive plan, gathering public input during the Hot Dog Festival. IKEA Florence: IKEA’s smaller “plan and order point with pick-up” store in Florence is moving toward a new opening date, with details expected soon. Weather: Tuesday starts warm and muggy with storms possible, then turns drier and more comfortable later.

McConnell Health Update: Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell is still not medically cleared to leave rehab, according to the Capitol physician’s office, meaning he’ll miss Saturday’s Fancy Farm Picnic as he continues intensive physical therapy after a June fall and pneumonia. Gov. Beshear Pushes for Answers: Beshear sent McConnell a letter demanding proof he can serve or resign, arguing the public hasn’t received clear updates during his absence. Local Planning & Data Centers: Hopkinsville’s planning commission held a public hearing on proposed zoning rules for future data centers, including standards for size, electrical demand, setbacks, noise, lighting, landscaping, and water use. Kentucky Sports: Kentucky men’s basketball released its 2026-27 SEC schedule, starting league play Jan. 2 at Oklahoma and closing at Florida, with the first home SEC game set for Jan. 5/6 vs. Ole Miss. Public Safety: The Dorena-Hickman Ferry reopened July 27 after a mechanical closure, running on its summer schedule with cash-only fares. Crime Update: A man pleaded guilty in federal court to the 1996 kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Morgan Violi from Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Politics & Power: Fancy Farm updates the speaker lineup: Gov. Andy Beshear declines, while Sen. Mitch McConnell remains “pending” amid ongoing health questions. Elections & Voting Rights: Kentucky’s legal fight over voter data continues as courts reject DOJ attempts to obtain sensitive voter registration records. Public Safety: Kentucky State Police report a Belfry man facing a felony assault charge after an alleged car strike during a property dispute. Courts & Civil Rights: Kim Davis faces a new lawsuit claiming she hid inheritance to avoid paying a civil rights judgment tied to refusing marriage licenses. Health & Food Safety: The cyclosporiasis outbreak story keeps widening, with federal funding and enforcement decisions tied to how quickly contaminated food is tracked and removed. Sports (SEC): Kentucky’s 2027 men’s basketball SEC schedule is out, with the Wildcats opening conference play at Oklahoma and closing at Florida. Local Culture: LEX News celebrates multiple Ohio Valley Regional Emmy wins in Louisville. Lottery: A $50,000 Powerball ticket was sold in Kentucky.

PGA Tour Spotlight: Jackson Koivun, a Sterling-area Auburn standout, won the 3M Open in his third pro start, beating Scottie Scheffler by three strokes with a tournament-record 25-under total at TPC Twin Cities. Public Utilities: The Kentucky Public Service Commission approved Black Mountain Utility District’s sale to Kentucky American Water, with KAW pledging $20.9 million for infrastructure over five years. Local Housing/Development: Construction started on Ann Street Limited in Newport’s Westside—11 infill homes, expected to start in the upper $500,000s, with EV chargers included. Public Safety/Traffic: A 47-year-old man died after being ejected in a Boone County motorcycle crash; U.S. 61 in Lyon County is blocked by downed trees. Storm Aftermath: Power outages hit parts of western Kentucky and the Tri-State after storms, with thousands without electricity in several counties. Animal Welfare: Kentucky Humane Society ended adoptions at its East Campus as it prepares to open a new Animal & Community Campus off Preston Highway.

McConnell Health & Senate Math: Progressives are pressing Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to declare Sen. Mitch McConnell dead and trigger a special election, arguing it would help Democrats—while Beshear’s critics say he’s not doing enough despite aides offering no fresh public update. Election Security: Voter ID and citizenship verification measures are headed to ballots across the U.S., with California and Arizona among the states weighing new rules this November. Food Safety Crisis: The FDA and CDC say the Cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce has expanded to nine states, with 1,947 lab-confirmed illnesses and at least 98 hospitalizations, and Kentucky included among affected states. Kentucky Sports & College Hoops: SEC media days preseason voting has Georgia picked to win the league, while Kentucky is projected in the lower half; separately, college basketball spending is surging, with some programs budgeting around $10 million-plus for rosters. Local Community: Dry Ridge honored a housing leader at a city council meeting, recognizing her work strengthening affordable housing. Weather: Extreme heat advisories and warnings are in effect for parts of the region, with triple-digit heat indices expected.