Kentucky
Kentucky reports record year of tourism; state leaders tout bourbon as one key driver
NEWPORT, Ky. — Last year marked a record year for Kentucky tourism, drawing in nearly $14 billion in spending statewide according to the state’s Department of Tourism. The state said tourism led to more than 95,000 jobs.
Most of the tourism spending in Kentucky went toward food and beverage ($2.54 billion). State officials tout the state’s bourbon infrastructure as a major driver.
“It’s been in our great state for over several hundreds of years,” said Mollie Lewis, president of New Riff Distilling.
While some might think of “bourbon country” as being farther south, Northern Kentucky has a rich history in the business. The region served as a hub for production, along with Cincinnati, before prohibition.
“During prohibition, it all fell apart,” Lewis said. “Northern Kentucky was basically forgotten as far as bourbon tourism and bourbon production for the latter half of the past 50 years.”
That’s since changed. Now, the region serves as a gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
“Northern Kentucky is still a great secret,” she said. “But the secret is leaking out.”
Tourism brought in more than $2 billion to Kenton, Boone and Campbell counties last year.
“We need these millions of visitors coming in to keep our bars or restaurants full and provide base visitation for all these attractions,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, President and CEO of meetNKY.
Kirkpatrick said those visitors put new eyes on the region.
“New people thinking about moving here and new people thinking about investing here,” she said.
In Independence, Boone County Distilling Co. is reaping the reward. The business sees tourists from Australia, China and Japan, to name a few.
“I would say it’s 80% out-of-town visitors and 20% from Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties,” said Boone County Distilling Co-Founder Josh Quinn.
Quinn said the industry in Northern Kentucky is a “hidden gem.”
Northern Kentucky tourism officials, like Kirkpatrick, say bourbon is only the tip of the iceberg. She points to other major attractions (like the Ark Encounter and Newport Aquarium) and events (Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest and the Taylor Swift concert) as drivers too.
“There’s more and more stuff to do here every day,” said Lewis.
A wide receiver from Belle Glade, Florida, Gilmore totaled 28 receptions for 313 yards and one touchdown for the Wildcats during the 2025 season. The 6-foot-1 sophomore has had a very interesting offseason as he entered the portal, flipped a commitment, and is now back in Lexington.
After the 2025 season, Gilmore committed to Louisville when he entered the transfer portal, then flipped his commitment to Baylor, and ultimately signed with the Bears. To end Gilmore’s portal saga, he’s now back in a familiar place with the Wildcats.
When the 2026 season begins, Gilmore will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Gilmore had a solid sophomore campaign with the Wildcats, appearing in all 12 games. His best game of the season came in the late-season loss against Vanderbilt. He tallied six catches for 55 yards in the game.
With Kentucky losing most of its wide receiver production from last season, this is a significant pickup, and it won’t be surprising if Gilmore is back in the starting lineup this fall.
As for the Aggies, the only name on the report is Mackenzie Mgbako, a one-time Kentucky target who remains out for the season after undergoing foot surgery. Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMilan said today that Mgbako will return next season, which would be a big boost for the Aggies before the offseason begins.
Kentucky vs. Texas A&M Injury Report
COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – The Licking River Bridge was demolished Monday morning in a controlled blast, clearing the way for a replacement structure.
Authorities established a 1,000-foot safety perimeter, closed nearby roads and asked residents to shelter in place before the demolition. The bridge collapsed within seconds of the blast.
“Today we say goodbye to a bridge that has served Kentuckians for nearly a century and we make room for something new. A signature bridge that is safer, stronger and we make room for something new,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This region, like the rest of the commonwealth, is evolving, it is booming, it’s economy growing every day. What we’re doing together is building our new Kentucky home.”
The Licking River Bridge is now history after crews brought it down with a controlled demolition Monday morning. (WKRC)
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Crews will begin construction on the new bridge after debris removal is complete. The replacement bridge is expected to open in the summer of 2028.
On the brink of death, a woman is saved by a stranger and his family
MacBook Neo versus an old MacBook Air: good luck
Israel hammers Iranian internal security command centers to open door to uprising
US submarine sinks Iranian warship by torpedo in a first since World War II
Aging process could accelerate due to ‘forever chemicals’ exposure, study finds
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
US submarine sinks Iranian warship by torpedo in a first since World War II
Which oil and gas facilities in the Gulf have been attacked?
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of former supreme leader, tipped to become Iran’s next head of state
Video: Senators Question Kristi Noem on ICE Immigration Tactics
Combustible Republican Senate primary in Texas heading into overtime
-
World7 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts7 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Denver, CO7 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana1 week agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Oregon5 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling
-
Florida3 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Maryland3 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Wisconsin2 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin