Latest news with #TeamKentucky
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Beshear announces children's hospital plans, storm recovery and more
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Governor Andy Beshear provided an update on economic development, steps taken to fight federal cuts to AmeriCorps and SNAP, severe weather recovery and more. Officials note Gov. Beshear acknowledged Women Veterans Recognition Day and named women veterans as this week's Team Kentucky All-Stars. Economic development Gov. Beshear joined Norton Healthcare in Louisville to announce its plans to build a new pediatric care campus that will include a full-service hospital for children with complex medical needs, research facilities and expanded specialty services. The project marks a major expansion for the Louisville-based health care system and will feature its second free-standing, dedicated children's hospital. The new hospital is expected to employ more than 1,000 people. On June 13, Gov. Beshear says he plans to join local officials and company leadership from BE&E, which is a material handling equipment supplier, to break ground on the company's new $16.2 million facility. The Muhlenberg County operation, which will be located in the Paradise Regional Industrial Park, will create 250 new Kentucky jobs. FEMA continues sending aid to Kentuckians impacted by April storms Juneteenth Gov. Beshear said there will be no Team Kentucky update on June 19, as the commonwealth will be recognizing Juneteenth as an executive branch holiday. Following the Governor's executive order last year, Kentucky is officially marking Juneteenth as an executive branch holiday for the second time. 'This is an important day in our history as Americans. A day where we stand united in acknowledging our past, and our nation's greatest injustice. A day where we honor the collective courage of African Americans who paved the way for real, meaningful change. And a day where we give thanks that the moral arc – at long last – bent toward justice,' said Gov. Beshear. 'I hope everyone will join me in spending Juneteenth as a day of reflection, remembering how far we've come and acknowledging that the fight for progress marches on.' Pritzker defends Illinois' sanctuary laws, blasts Trump administration 'abuses of power' Text message scam alert Gov. Beshear warned Kentuckians of a popular scam consisting of fraudulent text messages impersonating state agencies. The scam messages warn customers of unpaid traffic tickets and say that a 'DMV violation' will be reported and 'driving privileges' will be suspended if payment is not sent immediately. Officials say if anyone receives one of these texts, they should not not click the link. Even if the web address looks like it belongs to a government agency, the text is a scam. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet does not collect traffic ticket fees or notify customers of violations, and Team Kentucky is taking steps to have the fraudulent websites taken down. FEMA assistance extended for Kentuckians affected by April storms Driver Licensing Gov. Beshear shared that currently, over 39% of Kentuckians have REAL IDs, compared to 33% at the end of last year. TSA reports that 93% of those going through checkpoints at Kentucky-based airports are REAL ID compliant. To learn more about getting a REAL ID, please go here. Remember, a passport, passport card, global entry card, military ID and Veteran Health Identification Card are among the several forms of REAL ID compliant identification. Officials say since House Bill 15 went into effect, which lowered the age at which Kentuckians can obtain a drivers permit from 16 to 15 years old, 15,403 15-year-olds have successfully passed the written test and obtained their driving permit. AmeriCorps and SNAP Gov. Beshear updated Kentuckians on steps his administration is taking to fight cuts from the federal government. Last week, Gov. Beshear, along with several state attorneys general and another governor, secured a preliminary injunction in a legal challenge against President Trump's attempt to dismantle AmeriCorps, the nation's public service agency. This means the federal government must restore funding for AmeriCorps programs. Officials say this week, Gov. Beshear sent a letter to Kentucky's Congressional delegation outlining his concerns with proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). More than 600,000 Kentuckians rely on SNAP to supplement their food budgets every month. This represents 13% of the commonwealth's population, or roughly 1 in every 8 Kentuckians. Gov. Beshear said cuts to the program would leave Kentuckians hungry. He urged Kentucky's federal delegation to consider the impact cuts would have on Kentucky's children, seniors, individuals with medical conditions, disabilities and those still recovering from disasters. Webster County dispatch centers officially consolidate Severe Weather Recovery Gov. Beshear provided an update on severe weather recovery in the commonwealth. Since the commonwealth received approval, FEMA has disbursed over $1.4 million in assistance. The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is July 23. Officials say for the May event, there currently are still five injured people at the University of Kentucky Hospital: one in critical condition, one in serious condition and three in good condition. At Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park, 93 households are being housed in travel trailers. In terms of the Tri-State, Gov. Beshear says for residents in Union County who were affected by severe weather on May 16, June 12 is the last day they can apply for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits. If anyone from Union County has yet to apply, they should call 1-855-306-8959 before 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. As of June 10, 186 households had been approved for benefits totaling over $131,000. Officials say for the April floods, so far, more than $22 million in Individual and Households Assistance has been disbursed. The deadline to apply has been extended to July 25. For February severe weather, more than $47 million in federal assistance has been disbursed. The deadline to apply was May 25. Gov. Beshear reminded Kentuckians and anyone else who would like to help that the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund is open for monetary donations. Funds will help to support recovery including paying for funeral expenses for those lost in disasters. To donate, go here. So far, the fund has raised more than $1.9 million in donations from 7,128 donors, including a generous $150,000 donation from Shop Local Kentucky. FOS has beds available for women needing substance abuse help Team Kentucky All-Stars Gov. Beshear acknowledged Women Veterans Recognition Day and named women veterans as this week's Team Kentucky All-Stars. 'We recognize and celebrate the incredible women who sacrificed their time and their health, and often faced danger to protect us,' said Gov. Beshear. 'Women have proudly served this country for generations. But it was not until after World War II that women were able to serve as permanent members of the armed forces and officially be recognized as veterans. We are committed to telling their stories and ensuring they are never forgotten.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Beshear builds on pre-K promise, Kentucky Republicans still have questions
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Governor Andy Beshear is launching a new effort to bring universal pre-K to Kentucky. 'I don't ever want to lose a company to another state that's able to look at that company and say, well, we have pre-K for all of our four-year-olds, meaning you're going to have a larger workforce, meaning your employees are going to have fewer costs,' Beshear said at Thursday's Team Kentucky briefing. RELATED l Gov. Beshear's Pre-K for All initiative aims to close achievement gap, boost workforce It's an issue Beshear has brought to lawmakers in his past two budgets, most recently at a projected cost of $172 million in his 2024 proposal. However, universal pre-k is not an issue that's gained traction among Kentucky Republicans, who have proceeded with their own budget proposal in recent years. 'That's a school-year, school-based type of resolution. It doesn't take care of the second shift or the weekend person who has that shift where there isn't daycare,' Senate President Robert Stivers told FOX 56 in an interview following the 2024 budget session. On Wednesday, Beshear announced he had signed an executive order to form a 28-person advisory committee that's going to be hosting five town halls across the state this summer, getting input on the issue. They will be held in: Frankfort, June 25th Northern Kentucky, July 8th Bowling Green, July 23rd Morehead, August 5th The Kentucky State Fair, TBD Interested individuals can find more information about the town halls and fill out a lawmaker contact form on a newly launched website accompanying the initiative: 'Right now. Childcare, especially for all of those years, is just too expensive. And that's if you can find it, because 79 of 120 of Kentucky's counties, nearly two-thirds, don't have enough child care options,' Beshear said. Trapped sewer worker rescued by Louisville crews after nearly 25-foot fall New parents share the spotlight at Railbird with help from Wyatt Flores Beshear: May tornado claims 20th victim from McCracken County Republican lawmakers still have some questions. Senate Education Chair Steve West told FOX 56 in a statement: Supporting Kentucky's youngest learners has been a top priority for the General Assembly. Over the last two budget cycles, we've increased education funding by more than $1 billion, including full-day kindergarten, early literacy and numeracy initiatives, and other foundational supports to help students succeed from the start. We understand the Governor has appointed a group of stakeholders to explore early childhood education initiatives and the potential expansion of pre-K, and we recognize the value of gathering input from a broad range of perspectives. That said, many details remain unclear. As chair of the Senate Education Committee, I look forward to continued conversations about how best to expand access while ensuring any future proposals are effective, sustainable, and responsible for families, schools, and Kentucky taxpayers. Senate Education Chair Steve West Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Beshear says special session likely to respond to recent natural disasters
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — After back-to-back natural disasters, Gov. Andy Beshear said on Thursday that there is a strong possibility he will call a special session of the General Assembly but added that there is still a conversation that needs to be had with legislative leaders. 'We just need firm numbers. Our budget office is working on those now,' Gov. Beshear said at a Team Kentucky briefing on Thursday, May 29. The decision is not set in stone, but the costs associated with storm cleanup from the deadly tornadoes this month and even possibly April's flooding could require lawmakers to return to Frankfort to create a 'SAFE fund.' Deputies investigating deadly 3-vehicle Scott County crash on I-64 West Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park a refuge for London tornado victims working towards rebuilding Gov. Beshear says special session likely to respond to recent natural disasters 'What the SAFE fund does is help those counties. Help them with the dollars they have to put out until they get the FEMA reimbursement, whichever level it's going to be, because counties hit by major natural disasters simply can't afford it,' Beshear said. The governor said it's still going to be a few weeks before his office has hard numbers to present to lawmakers of the overall ask for a SAFE fund, and he said he's also likely to request access to more money in emergency funding, something the legislature increased to $100 million in the most recent session after Beshear voiced concern. 'Those dollars can't be used to help counties with their fiscal liquidity issues,' Beshear explained. Beshear said he expects to reach that funding cap. Senate President Robert Stivers shared this statement with FOX 56 on the governor's possible request. 'When the executive and legislative branches work together in good faith, state government is better equipped to serve our constituents. During the last session, we doubled the Governor's emergency funding authority to $100 million and made it immediately accessible. If additional funding is needed, the General Assembly stands ready to act when appropriately engaged, whether during the upcoming session on January 6 or sooner through a constitutionally called special session. FDA reports rodent infestation at Louisville food distributor The legislature has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to act quickly when there is a legitimate and urgent need. A targeted relief package could be passed in as little as three days if that need is demonstrated and communicated.' 'I don't have any set date. And certainly, before we would set any date, we'd talk to the General Assembly. I'm not going to call a special session unless leadership is for it. I want to make sure that if we do it, it's successful. And that they feel like they have enough information to be confident in it,' Beshear said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First medical cannabis safety compliance facility breaks ground in KY
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Team Kentucky announced it broke ground on the first medical cannabis safety compliance facility in the state. Officials say State38 LLC, with a roughly $1 million investment, will employ around a dozen Kentuckians. The new safety compliance facility will be one of seven in the state dedicated to ensuring the safety and quality of medical cannabis products. Owensboro Health commits $200K to community projects 'Team Kentucky is dedicated to ensuring every Kentuckian with a qualifying condition has safe access to quality medical cannabis,' said Gov. Andy Beshear. 'I'm excited to see this new industry take root here in Graves County, because I believe health care is a basic human right.' Officials say on April 17, 2024, Gov. Beshear signed House Bill 829 into law, which moved up the timeline for medical cannabis licensing in Kentucky by six months. The Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis began accepting applications from prospective businesses on July 1, 2024. Officials with Gov. Beshear's office say last month, Team Kentucky broke ground on the first medical cannabis business in the state, Centaurus Farms KY LLC, a Tier II cultivator in Wayne County. A ribbon-cutting was also held for a Tier III cultivator facility in Clark County managed by Cresco Labs. Two arrested after Hopkins County chase 'I'm proud to see the progress that's been made so far, and I look forward to the day when we say that all our safety compliance facilities, cultivators and dispensaries are open for business,' added Gov. Beshear. Gov. Beshear says on March 31, 2023, Gov. Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 into law, legalizing medical cannabis for Kentuckians beginning January 1, 2025. To date, more than 15,000 Kentuckians have received a written certification, and over 10,000 have successfully applied for and received a medical cannabis card. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Gov. Beshear provides tornado recovery update: ‘We will rebuild'
KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — In Thursday's regular Team Kentucky update, Gov. Andy Beshear addressed the ongoing tornado recovery efforts in Laurel, Russell, and Pulaski Counties. 'To those affected by this weekend's severe weather, our promise to you is the same one we've made to each and every family impacted by natural disasters these past few years,' Beshear said. 'We will rebuild every home and every life. We will keep showing up over and over. We will walk this road of recovery together.' Fallen Scott County sheriff's deputy remembered on second anniversary of passing Mt. Vernon, London music organizations band together to support grieving musicians Gov. Beshear provides tornado recovery update: 'We will rebuild' In a May 20 letter to President Donald Trump, Beshear requested a major disaster declaration and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) individual and public assistance. Upon approval, individual assistance would be available for eight counties and public assistance in 22. The governor's office said it's likely that additional counties will be added. As of May 22, the president has not yet approved the disaster declaration request. The death toll in connection with the southeastern Kentucky tornadoes remains at 19, including 17 in Laurel County, a Pulaski County woman, and an Indiana woman killed in Russell County. Eight people injured in the deadly storms are still at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. The governor's office reported that three remain in critical condition, one serious, and four are expected to recover. Beshear said that no one is considered missing at this time in relation to the severe weather. Read more of the latest Kentucky news At the time of the governor's briefing, about 1,201 customers were without power, down from peak outages at 172,711. Hundreds of Kentuckians have been displaced. Beshear said that 31 people are taking shelter at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, 14 by the Red Cross, 40 at Airbnbs, and 65 households by Praxel. However, many are taking shelter, funded by volunteer organizations or on their own. Team Kentucky is reportedly working to obtain 100 travel trailers at Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park. U.S. Highway 27 has also reopened following extensive cleanup and emergency repairs. However, crews remain at work, and the Parkers Mill Road intersection is still blocked for signal repairs. Barricades and detours will be fluid as crews work to clean and repair roadways and power sources across the southeast region affected. Who are the 19 southeastern Kentucky tornado victims? 'Visit before traveling to make sure your route is not affected by road closures,' the governor's office emphasized. Beshear also urged Kentuckians who are willing and able to give to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. The fund supports survivors and hopes to assist with funeral expenses for those lost in the May storms. So far, Kentuckians have raised $1.3 million in donations from 5,735 donors, per Beshear's office. Click here for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
