AGP Executive Report

Immersive Art: BLINK returns to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky with more than 80 public light and art installations across 30 city blocks, plus NKU students’ “Beyond the Bridge” TANK bus project in Covington. Local Arts & Education: EKU men’s basketball coach A.W. Hamilton launched his children’s book “Dream Big with coach A.W. Hamilton,” aiming to get copies into Madison County schools and all Kentucky elementary libraries. Music in Kentucky: Five students were selected for the Kentucky Music Teachers Association All-State Piano Ensemble at Campbellsville University. Horse-Themed Musical: “Dancer (A Musical in Ten Furlongs)”—about Northern Dancer—heads to a nearly month-long run in Toronto after workshops and Fringe success. Sports & Culture: Kentucky slipped out of the AP Top 25 despite an overtime win over South Carolina, while the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland will again be sponsored by Cygames. Community Events: Historic Candlelight Tour returns to Oak Dale Cemetery, and North Oldham students host an art sale to support Kentucky sexual violence programs.

Motorsports & Community: Will Ford, great-great-grandson of Henry Ford, talked about Ford’s inaugural “Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic,” tying the automaker’s WWII-era service to a new veterans-focused race. Food Safety: PepsiCo recalled 122,000+ cases of 28-oz Gatorade in 37 states, including Kentucky, because of undeclared Yellow No. 5/6 dyes (Class II; no illnesses reported). Arts & Events: BLINK Cincinnati returns across 30+ blocks in Cincinnati and NKY with new installations, a bigger opening celebration, and nightly drone shows. Local Sports Spotlight: Warren East golf coach Justin Spears won the 2026 Stewart Gregory Award, recognizing coaching that builds community and family leaders. Kentucky Football Moment: Will Stein’s Kentucky Wildcats stunned South Carolina 35-34 in overtime, a comeback that made UK history with two straight SEC road wins. Public Service: A Bowling Green restaurant will donate half of Monday dine-in sales to support Trooper Hayden Phillips’ family.

College Sports Shake-Up: Missouri’s rout of Florida sent the Tigers surging to No. 14 in the AP Top 25, while Florida fell to No. 16 and LSU moved into the top 10. Kentucky Volleyball: No. 7 Florida snapped Kentucky’s 28-game SEC streak with a 5-set win, using a late surge to close 15-8 in the deciding set. Kentucky Basketball Buzz: UK’s Big Blue Madness sold out Rupp Arena in 22 minutes, even as one recap questioned whether this year’s spectacle lived up to past mania. Music & Community: Louder Than Life drew 200,000+ to Louisville’s KEC for four days of rock and metal. Local Calendar: Bowling Green’s Love Your Parks Day is set for Oct. 14, with volunteers urged to bring gloves and a trash bag. Arts Spotlight: Monarch Artist Feature: Blakeley Burger is keeping Kentucky traditional fiddle music alive while pushing it forward through new collaborations. Film Casting Call: A feature film filming in Northern Kentucky (Nov. 2–Dec. 12) is seeking paid extras and stand-ins.

College Football (Kentucky angle): Missouri’s 45-17 rout of Florida sent the Tigers surging to No. 14 in the AP Top 25, while Alabama jumped to No. 6 after a 56-23 win over Mississippi State and Indiana slipped to No. 7 despite a 47-15 victory over Rutgers. Kentucky, which had been No. 24, dropped out after its overtime loss to South Carolina. Frankfort & Arts/Community: Frankfort will celebrate Tree Week Oct. 9-18 with events like a twilight hike and stargazing, an all-ages “tree art” club at Josephine Sculpture Park, and a Tree Trivia Night at Mortimer Bibb’s Pub. Music & Youth Performance: Johnson Central High School’s Honor Choir was selected to sing at the 2026 White House Holiday Open House, bringing two hours of Christmas music to the national stage. Public Space Design: Lexington’s StreetFest highlighted the city’s Complete Streets push, including “asphalt art” that helps slow traffic and make streets safer for everyone. Kentuckiana Underground Railroad: Kentuckiana Underground Railroad Project received Lilly Endowment Arts and Culture funding, with local leaders hoping it can grow into a regional learning and tourism destination.

Food Safety: Walmart and Trader Joe’s recalled frozen organic berries (Great Value blueberries and Triple Berry Blend; Trader Joe’s Mixed Berry Blend) due to possible E. coli contamination, with affected lots and “best if used by” dates spanning 2028; Kentucky is among the impacted states. Kentucky Sports: No. 24 Kentucky rallied from a 17-0 deficit to beat South Carolina 35-34 in overtime, with Kenny Minchey throwing for three TDs and hitting the winning two-point conversion to Willie Rodriguez; the win keeps the Wildcats rolling after a big road comeback. Local Community Policing: Owensboro Police is hosting “Cops & Bobbers” Tuesday, Oct. 6 (5-7 p.m.) at Jack C. Fisher Park, offering free fishing gear loaners, bait, and door prizes to help families connect with officers. Arts & Culture (Kentucky): Frankfort will kick off the American Discovery 250 Relay’s Southland leg on Oct. 13 with a send-off ceremony featuring music and family-friendly activities. Fashion & Crime (National): Bay Area clothing designer Bryan and Michelle Walker (Bryn Walker) were found dead after a shooting in Oakland Hills, according to reports.

Arts & Community Calendar: The Paul Sawyier Public Library’s Oct. 4–10 lineup spotlights family programming at Josephine Sculpture Park, an adult poetry night with Broadstone Books, and a Kentucky Chautauqua performance featuring “Loretta Lynn – Mem’ries of a Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Local Arts & Craft: Bardstown’s 45th annual Arts and Crafts Festival returns Oct. 10–11 with 250+ vendors, a kids’ area, and live music. Education/Workforce: Nelson County’s UP Center officially opened after renovations, bringing career and technical education programs (like automotive, welding, IT, and carpentry) to students and the community. Horse Racing: Roy H, the two-time Eclipse Award champion sprinter who retired at Kentucky Horse Park, died at 14. Public Safety: A gas station robbery suspect was arrested in Boyd County. Arts Journalism: Investigative reporter Marisa Kwiatkowski spoke at UK’s Joe Creason Lecture on reporting with vulnerable sources. Weather/Weekend Sports: Kentucky heads to South Carolina in SEC football with rain and storms possible around kickoff.

Music & Arts Calendar: Keeneland opened its fall 2026 season Friday, with guests in formalwear and a big fashion moment—plus plenty of non-bettors just there for the food and atmosphere. Local Music Spotlight: Hunter Jordan returns to Pike County this weekend for Beaver Oktoberfest (Oct. 3), after headlining the Pike County Fair earlier this summer. Arts & Entertainment Events: In Miamisburg, “Ghostbustin’ in the Burg” brings Ghostbusters movie screenings, slime, ghost tours, and an Ecto-1-style car show to the Plaza Theatre Oct. 10–11. Community & Culture: Kentucky Opera and other arts groups keep building momentum across the region, while BLINK’s massive entertainment expansion in Covington is gearing up for 2026. Sports (for the arts crowd): Highlands’ football dominance over Covington Catholic and Kentucky volleyball’s SEC win streak are driving weekend buzz. Food & Community: Publix opens its first Owensboro store Saturday at Gateway Commons, with a big community donation to Tri-State Food Bank.

Kentucky Arts & Film: Kentucky Film Office exec director Meg Fister returns home with a mission to make the Commonwealth a bigger destination for filmmakers and Kentucky stories. Local Music: Grant County singer-songwriter Taylor Henry talks about his new album “the first one that is truly mine,” “Evergreen,” and the influences that shaped it. Theater & Culture: UK Opera Theatre launches a Civil War-era song cycle, “Rappahannock County,” kicking off its new season. Community Arts: The Route 66 Centennial Celebration ART Quilt Project lands at the History Museum on the Square (Oct. 7–Nov. 8), using fiber art to tell road-trip stories. Sports-Adjacent Entertainment: “Twilight of the Dead,” billed as George A. Romero’s final zombie chapter, wrapped filming in Kentucky and is led by Kate Beckinsale. Sports Spotlight: Kentucky’s SEC road game at South Carolina (Oct. 4) is set for 4:15 p.m. on SEC Network.

Public Safety Tech: Lexington and partners, with Gov. Andy Beshear’s backing, are launching “Restart a Heart: Lexington” to map 1,000+ AEDs across Lexington/Fayette on the PulsePoint system so devices show up to 911 dispatchers during sudden cardiac arrest. Local Politics & Community: Daviess County Farm Bureau hosted candidate forums for the 8th District Senate seat and judge-executive race, while McCracken County BOE voted to join a multi-district social media lawsuit tied to student harm claims. Arts & Culture: BLINK 2026 is set to light up Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky next week, with new light installations, murals, and big kickoff events. Music Spotlight: Wynonna Judd’s upcoming album The Hard Truth is framed as her most personal work yet, co-written with husband Cactus Moser. Sports (Kentucky ties): Murray High marked Jared Rosa’s 200th coaching win as the Tigers handled business at home, and Kentucky’s No. 1 Frankfort chased a local win streak record.

Arts & Museums: Louisville’s Speed Art Museum welcomes Kathleen V. Jameson as its new director, returning a longtime art leader to guide the museum toward its 2027 centennial. Live Performance: Kentucky Opera’s Ben Robinson is back at the helm as general director and CEO, talking about what live opera can do in a world of “human on a phone” experiences. Sports (Kentucky ties): A judge cleared Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen for a fifth year after a long NCAA fight, a decision that could reshape the Gators’ season expectations. Community & Culture: Lexington’s data center moratorium is framed as a temporary pause—not a ban—aimed at updating local rules. Volleyball in Louisville: Nebraska is set to join Kentucky and other top programs at the inaugural AVCA Match Point in Louisville in April 2027. Local travel & fun: A “Red Hobbit” earth-sheltered stay in Campton is drawing attention as a whimsical Red River Gorge getaway. Business/Tech: Lexington managed IT provider Hensley/Elam says it completed its AI-enabled platform transition.

Kentucky Kids Advocacy: Paducah youth advocates are gearing up for the 2027 legislative session, pushing Frankfort to focus on evictions, literacy, and parent concerns tied to social media, with local groups pointing to needs they see every day. Breast Cancer Community Events: Calvert City’s annual Pink Walk on Oct. 10 expands with “Think Pink” trivia, plus “In Honor” and “In Memory” sign options to raise funds. Arts & Entertainment in the Bluegrass: Houston artist Daniel Yisa brings “Art Therapy” to life with an immersive, identity-and-healing exhibition that blends painting, sound, and live installation. Local Film & Theater: A workplace comedy pilot is filming in Owensboro in October, and Kentucky Sound Stage is recruiting local extras—especially for an Oct. 9 shoot at Trunnell’s Farm Market. Music & Live Performances: Kentucky Heritage Jazz Festival is set for four days of music in Harrodsburg, and ACL Fest’s weekend lineup highlights major acts and must-see performances. Sports Spotlight: Kentucky basketball faces fresh injury news with Jerone Morton hurt in practice, while a workplace comedy pilot and veterans events add more community energy beyond the courts.

Public Safety & Community: Kentucky State Police trooper Hayden Phillips, beloved in Adair and Russell counties, was killed Monday; a candlelight vigil is set for 6:30 p.m. tonight at KSP Post 15 in Columbia, with visitation Saturday at Living Hope Baptist Church in Bowling Green and a Sunday funeral at WKU’s E.A. Diddle Arena. Arts & Entertainment: Harrodsburg’s Kentucky Heritage Jazz Festival returns Oct. 1–4, with events at Beaumont Inn, downtown and Old Fort Harrod State Park, including a New Orleans-themed Main Street kickoff Oct. 2. Film & Local Stories: Locally filmed Christian drama “Broken” follows a veteran’s PTSD and path to healing, with cast and crew discussing the Kentucky experience. Music & Tourism: Louisville’s Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond drew more than 410,000 fans and generated an estimated $40 million for the state. Sports & Culture: Madisonville’s Kentucky Sports Factory is now “Connected by TEC” in a 20-year partnership, aiming to boost community sports access and connectivity. Local Business & Law: A Lexington brewery owner’s email about an in-kind fundraiser tied to Rep. Jason Petrie has raised questions about Kentucky campaign donation rules.

Arts & Community: Create Princeton is bringing a new wildflower mural to downtown Princeton, starting on the side of Dr. Oliver’s building near Big Springs Park, with a $9,000 nonprofit budget and local artists Debbie French, Al Curry, Amy Millspaugh and Richard Veselik. Public Art on the Move: NKU students are teaming with TANK for BLINK’s “Beyond the Bridge,” a bus-based light and projection installation with 35,000 LEDs and interactive live camera feeds, running Oct. 8-11. Local Entertainment: SKyPAC’s Broadway series brings “Beetlejuice” to the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center tonight (Sept. 30) at 7:30 p.m. Tourism & Events: Lake Barkley Tourism is gearing up for the first “Beast Fest” Nov. 13-14 at the Lyon County Convention Center in Eddyville, leaning into cryptid culture to boost year-round travel. Sports (KY): Kentucky’s No. 24 ranking is back after wins over Texas A&M and South Alabama, setting up a key SEC test at South Carolina on Saturday. Civic/Service: The Robert E. Spiller Bowling Green Veterans Center opens after a decades-long push, adding an 80,000-square-foot facility with 60 beds and new jobs.

Public Safety & Community Remembrance: Kentucky State Police Foundation launched the official Trooper Hayden Phillips Fund to support his family after the I-65 shooting near Smiths Grove; KSP says other donation efforts are scams. Local Roads & Procession: Glasgow’s Happy Valley Road closure (Cave City to Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home) begins Tuesday around 10 a.m. to allow a safe return procession. Arts & Education (Kentucky State): KSU brought pawpaw expertise to growers and festival audiences across Kentucky and Ohio, then hosted its fourth annual Ag Roundup for about 1,600 students across seven counties. HBCU Tech for Events: KSU alumni built YardTixx, a ticketing platform designed for the culture and logistics of HBCU and Divine Nine gatherings. Music Policy in Frankfort: Gov. Beshear created a new office to preserve Kentucky’s music legacy and grow the festival economy. Culture & History: A Clark County Public Library talk in Winchester explored Mary Todd Lincoln’s séances through a mix of history and paranormal storytelling.

Kentucky Arts & Culture: Gov. Andy Beshear announced the new Governor’s Office of Music, aiming to spotlight Kentucky’s music legacy and support artists, venues, festivals, and music businesses through a new kymusic.ky.gov directory. Local Arts Events: Glema Mahr Center for the Arts hosts Marilyn Kington’s Homecoming Concert Friday, bringing the Louisville vocalist back to her Mortons Gap roots. Art & Community: Gallery 104 in La Grange opened its third annual Women of Abstraction show, running through Oct. 17. Film & Entertainment: Kentucky’s film incentives are drawing fresh criticism as productions keep rolling in. Sports With Kentucky Ties: UK’s Malachi Moreno returns after the NBA draft process, and Kentucky’s running backs delivered a big redemption-style performance vs. South Alabama. Public Safety: Kentucky State Police trooper Hayden Phillips was killed on I-65; suspect Emonnie Branch was arrested in Louisville.

Kentucky Arts & Community: The 55th Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art in Madison drew big crowds in great weather, with Louisville mixed-media artist Sheila Fox winning Best of Show. Education & Access: Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education approved pursuing Common App statewide to meet the My Kentucky Future Act, aiming to simplify college applications for students. Music Policy: Gov. Andy Beshear created a Governor’s Office of Music to connect artists and grow Kentucky’s music economy. Local Nonprofits: Kosair for Kids announced $225,000+ in Shelby County grants supporting seven children’s organizations. Arts/Entertainment Spotlight: Country songwriter Nicholas Jamerson talks about documenting life through music on the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast. Arts & Culture in Schools: Boone County’s only public middle school mariachi program is drawing students and attention. Sports & Culture: Kentucky’s Office of Music and the state’s broader arts push land alongside a busy week of college sports coverage, including Kentucky’s SEC momentum and local school athletics.