AGP Executive Report

Murray State Athletics: The Racers are betting on a fast-rising NCAA emerging sport, STUNT—an all-caps, high-intensity cheer-and-gymnastics hybrid—after the Board of Regents approved it under Racer Athletics. Local Faith & Community: Churches are rallying for Steeples United for Trinity, an Aug. 2 offering to help rebuild Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison, Indiana, after a May fire. High School Sports: Anderson County archers capped a busy spring with strong showings at Eastern National tournaments, including a 12th-place finish in 3-D. Kentucky Sports Buzz: The Wildcats are eyeing a Black Friday showdown, with reports of negotiations for a fall ball game against West Virginia. Public Accountability: Kentucky launched a public dashboard to track opioid settlement spending county by county. Tech & Youth Safety: Kentucky is among four states seeking about $1.4 trillion in penalties from Meta over claims Instagram and Facebook were designed to addict young users. Arts & Entertainment: Bardstown’s Stephen Foster Music Club is hosting a free John Denver/Emmylou Harris tribute concert series, with entries also now open for the Kentucky State Fair’s America250-themed competitions. Louisville Growth: New hotels are planned near Outer Loop and the airport, including a Residence Inn and Holiday Inn Express. Public Safety Tech Debate: Newport residents and police sparred with Flock Safety over proposed license plate reader cameras and data-sharing concerns.

Mitch McConnell Health Transparency: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear sent Sen. Mitch McConnell a formal letter asking for a direct public update on his health after weeks of limited information and mounting speculation following his June 14 hospitalization. Local Arts & Community Fundraising: In Paducah, the Paducah Photography Club teamed up with Columbia Art House for a photo gallery fundraiser aimed at restoring the historic theater. Film & Tourism Push: Paducah’s CVB partnered with the West Kentucky Film Commission to attract more productions, betting on media projects to boost tourism and local business. Sports Spotlight: Former UK guard Rhyne Howard earned her fourth WNBA All-Star nod with the Atlanta Dream. Outdoor Entertainment: The World Chicken Festival in London unveiled its 2026 entertainment lineup, with FireHouse and the Kentucky Headhunters headlining. Sports Outdoors: Major League Fishing announced Kentucky and Barkley Lakes will host the MLF Heavy Hitters in May 2027, bringing national attention to the region.

Local Business Legacy: Hardin’s Jewelry in Springfield is preparing to pass the downtown shop to the next generation, with 17-year-old designer-in-training Kloie Hutchins set to lead the family’s creative future. Community Life in the Heat: A personal reflection captures how Kentuckians cope during brutal summer weather, from battery fans to family memories of staying comfortable together. Kentucky Economy & Tech: Kentucky is in the spotlight for a major AI data center push, with Anthropic signing a 20-year lease tied to a Hawesville campus expected to bring about $19B in contracted revenue. Arts & Culture on the Ground: Louisville’s Please & Thank You bakery and coffee shop is getting operational help from local business owners while it works through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Kennedy Bridge work in Louisville is nearing completion, with only final markings and a short southbound closure expected after I-65 reopens Aug. 1. Sports & Local Talent: Cave Run Lake is getting habitat help as wildlife officials deploy reef balls to boost fish structure and improve angling. Big Legal News (National, Kentucky-involved): Kentucky is among states seeking up to $1.4T from Meta over claims Facebook/Instagram were designed to be addictive to teens.

Arts & Culture: Frankfort Community Public Library hosts Brinton Farrand’s new solo exhibition, “Evolutions,” exploring transformation through music and technology (July 6–31). Film: Louisville Film Society’s Flyover Film Festival expands to two weekends, with Kentucky-focused documentaries and filmmaker Q&As (Speed Cinema July 22–26; Brown Theatre and Kentucky Science Center July 31–Aug. 1). Automotive Fun: NSRA 57th Annual Street Rod Nationals returns to the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville (Aug. 6–9), with 10,000+ vintage cars, trade shows, swap meet, and live entertainment. Local Events: Frankfort Hot Dog Festival gears up for two days of family activities and live music (July 24–25). Transportation: CSX emergency repairs will close a KY 3 railroad crossing near Jefferson Street in Lawrence County (July 8, 7 a.m. start; detours required). Community & Safety: Gov. Andy Beshear confirms two more flood deaths in Hardin and Jefferson counties, bringing Kentucky’s total to six. Sports & Spotlight: Former Kentucky guard Kerr Kriisa faces federal wire-fraud allegations tied to a $2.2M scheme; separate Kentucky State Trapshooting Championships highlight Conger and Dorman’s big title runs.

Sports & Community: Murray State’s men’s tennis program is back after years of dormancy, with the Racers’ history and the return of a long-running campus heartbeat taking center stage. Local Arts & Entertainment: Liberty Hall-er brought free America 250 music and history to Riverview Park in Frankfort, with performances by Hancock and Shouse, The Local Honeys, and Cole Chaney. Music Festival: Norrofest announced its 2026 lineup, headlined by The Kentucky Headhunters, plus Jonell Mosser and Woodbox Heroes, set for Oct. 17 in Scottsville. Arts Infrastructure: Oldham County Schools is moving ahead with plans for a New Creative and Performing Arts Center in Crestwood, including a proposed 450-seat theatre and dedicated arts suites. Statewide Culture Project: Kentucky’s Secretary of State launched a Kentucky Time Capsule Project using a modified bourbon barrel that will travel statewide and be opened in 2051. Tech & Local Economy: Anthropic is leasing a TeraWulf data center campus in Hawesville, Kentucky, tying global AI infrastructure to the Commonwealth’s growth. Public Safety & Health: Meta is facing a major youth-safety penalties fight tied to Kentucky’s inclusion in an August trial.

World Cup Watch in Lexington: Lexington Sporting Club is hosting a free Team USA watch party at the historic Kentucky Theatre, with photo ops and trophy merchandise available. Local Sports & Youth: Louisville-area cricket is gaining momentum, with multiple teams playing summer matches at Sunil Gavaskar Field in Prospect. Community & Public Safety: Kentucky State Police wrapped up its 3rd annual Youth Academy with 36 teen graduates focused on leadership, fitness, and law-enforcement careers. Arts & Culture Spotlight: A feature on Julia Perry’s enduring musical legacy highlights the Lexington-born composer’s growing recognition. Whiskey & Industry: ASW Distillery and John Deere unveiled “Soil to Still” releases—Fiddler Combine Bourbon and Fiddler Steel Plow Rye—tying Kentucky/US heritage to a new label. Health & Safety Tech: CriticalArc and UK leaders are pushing a safer, more connected Kentucky through SafeZone. Athletics Staff Moves: WKU announced multiple athletics leadership promotions and role adjustments.

FBI & Fraud: Former UK and Cincinnati guard Kerr Kriisa was arrested in Lexington and is expected to be extradited to West Virginia for a court hearing tied to an alleged multimillion-dollar fraud scheme connected to his 2023-24 WVU stint; details on charges remain unclear and LaFamilia says he won’t play in TBT. Sports & Recruiting: Beechwood two-sport standout Tyler Fryman flipped from Louisville baseball to commit to Kentucky for both football and baseball. World Cup (Kentucky tie-in via fans): Kylian Mbappé scored a penalty as France beat Paraguay 1-0 in sweltering conditions to reach the quarterfinals. Arts & Community: Kentucky Historical Society hosted a free America 250 celebration with live music, remarks, and a fireworks finale featuring the Louisville Orchestra. Local Arts/Events: WHAS Crusade for Children awarded a grant to the Family Enrichment Center to expand therapy services for young kids at its Wee Care Child Care Center. Power & Safety: Campton in Wolfe County reported a transformer-related outage with restoration timing still unknown. Boating Safety: A joint Ohio River river patrol is running weekends this summer, emphasizing “presence is prevention” and warning that boating under the influence carries DUI-level penalties.

World Cup Spotlight: Kylian Mbappé scored again as France beat Paraguay 1-0 in sweltering conditions, turning a penalty in the 70th minute into a quarterfinal berth against Morocco. Lexington Sports Shock: Former UK guard Kerr Kriisa was arrested by the FBI in Lexington and is being held at the Fayette County Detention Center while extradition to West Virginia is arranged; officials haven’t released the exact fraud allegations yet, but reports tie the case to his time at WVU. Central Kentucky Safety Alert: Mercer County and Boyle County authorities are investigating a boating collision on Herrington Lake that left four injured and one person missing. Local Arts & Community: Fort Knox hosted Freedom Fest 250 with a kids’ zone, live music, a K-9 demonstration, and a fireworks finale. Food & Culture: A Kentucky man visiting Japan learned sushi-making at a Tokyo school—proof that the “decades-long training” myth is fading.

World Cup Spotlight: Kylian Mbappé kept his cool and scored the winner as France beat Paraguay 1-0 in sweltering conditions, sending the team into the quarterfinals vs. Morocco. Local Community & Patriotism: Fort Knox’s Freedom Fest 250 brought families to Brooks Field for a big Independence Day lineup, including a kids’ zone, K-9 demo, and a Salute to the Nation with 51 artillery rounds. Kentucky Sports Off the Field: Former Kentucky guard Kerr Kriisa was arrested by the FBI in a fraud scheme tied to his time at West Virginia, with extradition to WV reported. Arts & History in the Bluegrass: A 1975 time capsule was opened in Bardstown as part of America’s 250th celebrations, with newspapers and documents pulled from Pioneer Cemetery. Family-Friendly Weekend Fun: Bowling Green’s Hot Rods hosted a Fourth of July bash at the ballpark with games, live music, and a hot dog eating contest won by Larry Castro. Safety Note: Boone County deputies shot and killed an off-duty Florence officer after a domestic call, according to Kentucky State Police.

Independence Day in Kentucky: Louisville’s Waterfront Park celebration (5–10 p.m.) blends family activities, live music, and ends with the A250 Fireworks Show over the Ohio River. Community & culture: The FotoFocus Biennial 2026 (Sept. 30–Oct. 3 in Cincinnati, plus venues across the region including Northern Kentucky) returns with 74 exhibitions and a “The Long View” theme. Music in the spotlight: Jacob Thomson won the Bluegrass 10,000 for a second straight year in Lexington, while a new endowment fund supports the DeKalb Festival Chorus. Local arts on the move: A new mural is set to bring two downtown Hopkinsville businesses back into view. Outdoor holiday vibe: “Porch season” is making its return—an easy reminder to slow down, connect, and enjoy Kentucky evenings. Sports & summer fun: A roundup of summer theater shows and a list of NKY sports teams keep the calendar busy.

America 250 Spotlight: In Brussels, a Belgian diamond group presented U.S. Ambassador Bill White with a diamond-encrusted “Freedom 250” ring for President Donald Trump—321 diamonds and a “250 YEARS USA” theme, a flashy symbol of global trade and celebration. Independence Day Culture: A Kentucky teen is crowned Miss Kentucky Teen USA, while local communities across the region gear up for July 4 with parades, fireworks, and themed events. Power & Safety: A major heat wave is already stressing the grid and causing outages, with officials urging people to plan fast if the power goes out. Arts & Style: A new look at “American style” traces how Hollywood and the camera shaped what people think the country wears. Kentucky Outdoors & Sports: Kentucky State Parks tout major economic impact, and Meade County takes local ownership of the Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area. Local News: Police respond to a Boone County domestic incident where a person barricaded inside a home after shots were reported.

Arts & History: The Kentucky Historical Society is debuting “Revolution to Statehood: Kentucky’s Founding in History and Memory” at the Thomas D. Clark Center, tying America250 to a Kentucky-focused look at settlement, revolution, and statehood. Museum News: The Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn plans “50 for 50,” lending more than 200 modern works to institutions across all 50 states plus Puerto Rico, with first loans expected to go on view by late 2026. Performing Arts: Louisville Ballet is gearing up for its 75th anniversary season with major growth plans, including its Ballet Bound audition tour and new access and scholarship opportunities for young dancers. Sports & Culture: Frankfort’s baseball run is being celebrated as it repeats as area champion, while Kentucky’s JB Holmes is named to the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Community Events: The Wayne County Fair kicks off with a full week of livestock, grandstand entertainment, and family contests, and Colonial Downs is set for a record summer racing schedule. Missing Person Alert: Kentucky State Police issued an IAN alert for missing 15-year-old Aiden Hill from Breckinridge County.

Independence Day & America250: Hopkins County is gearing up for a full summer of free and family-friendly events, starting with Madisonville’s 4th Fest and Praise in the Park (July 3-5), plus the Bluegrass Foodtruck Festival (July 11), Dawson Springs BBQ Festival (July 24-25), and the Hopkins County Fair (starting July 31). Local Arts & Culture: The Frazier Museum opens “I Too Am a Kentuckian” on July 4, asking what it means to belong in Kentucky through portraits of presidents, artists, and trailblazers. Music for the milestone: SKYPAC marks America’s 250th with a patriotic concert featuring Orchestra Kentucky and the Chorale in Bowling Green. Sports & Community Spirit: SKYPAC’s celebration and other local events are pairing performances with tributes to service members, while a World Cup watch party in Searcy drew a packed crowd for Team USA. Heat & Safety in Kentucky Sports: Ellis Park racing was paused due to dangerous heat, with officials citing rules aimed at keeping horses safe. Infrastructure & Civic Life: Gov. Beshear announced $480,000 for a Wrather Road bridge replacement in Calloway County.

Kentucky Arts & Community: Woodlawn Preschool Academy is opening registration for fall and school-year arts programs (including “Madagascar Kids” musical theater and dance signups) with financial assistance available on a sliding scale. Public Media: Friends of KET honored Benton volunteer Elizabeth G. Mudd with the O. Leonard Press Award for years of advocacy connecting viewers to KET services. Music & Culture: A Kentucky WWII veteran, Glenn Fisher of Bedford, received his Purple Heart 81 years after being wounded—presented at the Frazier Kentucky History Museum in Louisville. Arts + Climate Activism: Louisville Visual Art will host the free “Human Nature” art show on July 11, launching a new partnership between Artists for Climate Awareness and Uniting Artists and Scientists for Climate Action. Heat & Events: Ellis Park rescheduled racing due to dangerous heat, a reminder that summer plans across the region may need to shift fast. Local History: A Kentucky 250th-themed piece spotlights Seventy Six, Ky., and a weekend “Spirit of ’76” celebration in Clinton County.

Kentucky State Fair shakeup: The Kentucky State Fair Board ousted CEO David Beck of Kentucky Venues, naming former Kentucky Derby Festival leader Mike Berry as interim president/CEO, with details still murky after a recent court fight over fair board appointment power. Sports & community spotlight: Bullitt East edged Bullitt Central by one point in a 3-D archery showdown at NASP Eastern Nationals, while Bowling Green’s Kiwanis hosted Thunderfest sponsor recognition ahead of the July 3 fireworks festival. College athletics moves: St. John’s will miss transfer Donnie Freeman for the 2026-27 season after an Achilles injury, and UK added three international swimmers—Valeria Tarin (Mexico), Gabrielle Idle-Beavers (England), and Yasmin Silva (Peru). Privacy & tech: Louisville’s Flock license-plate reader camera locations remain undisclosed, as DeFlock activists push for a transparency map and challenge deployments. Arts & history: A spotlight on John Dickinson’s legacy—especially his “forgotten” role around the Declaration—marks the 250th anniversary conversation. Local government: Marion County Fiscal Court approved a $30.491 million budget for 2026-27, including funding for roads, jail, EMS, and arts support.

Public Art: Georgetown unveiled the “Our Place, Our Story” mural on the Elkhorn Pottery building, a community-backed project celebrating bluegrass landscapes, agriculture, and downtown identity. Arts & Healing: The Bridge to Recovery brought the documentary Time Can’t Be Wasted to Bowling Green’s Capitol Theatre, pairing a filmmaker Q&A with a live performance by musician Trevor Bahnson. Music Calendar: The Stephen Foster Drama Association announced the 2026 Budweiser Live at the Park lineup at My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown, kicking off with Johnny Folsom 4 on July 13. Mental Health Access: WHAS Crusade for Children awarded OneQuest Health a three-year, $23,000 grant to expand rural teen therapy and telehealth in Carroll, Grant, and Owen counties. Local Sports Leadership: UK athletics named Jason “J” Batt as its new athletics director/CEO of Champions Blue, with early plans to meet donors and fans across the commonwealth. Kentucky Craft Spotlight: A bourbon finished on a Big Green Egg earned a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.