Kentucky
Gov. Beshear sits down for end of year interview with LEX 18
FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — As 2024 wraps up, Gov. Andy Beshear is highlighting Kentucky’s successes and speaking about the issues that he believes should be addressed in the new year.
In a sit-down interview at the Capitol on Wednesday, the Governor and First Lady Britainy Beshear touted Kentucky’s economic success.
“I certainly think our economy is our high from this year,” said Beshear. “[2024] is going to be our fourth best year ever in terms of private sector investment.”
Beshear said Kentucky saw more than $6.9 billion in new investments and more than 9,400 new full-time jobs.
He said in 2025, the state should keep focus on issues that matter to Kentucky families, like good jobs, good infrastructure like roads, high-quality education and healthcare, and safety.
The Beshears, who are parents to two teenagers, often speak about building a better Kentucky for the younger and future generations. What kind of Kentucky are they envisioning?
“We want every Kentucky child to have opportunity in Kentucky – if this is where they choose to build their adult lives,” said First Lady Britainy Beshear. “I think we’ve come so far. Our economy is on fire. Jobs are added every day. We have amazing colleges and universities.”
“I hope that those things not only remain in place, but also grow and strengthen, so our children have every opportunity here that they can dream of,” she added.
“I hope that we are creating a state that is an economic powerhouse where kids can chase any dream they want and never have to leave, if they don’t want to,” added Governor Beshear. “But also, one where we’re taking care of each other. We’re putting those structures in place to where if you’re having that day that you’re not okay, there’s no stigma in reaching out and saying ‘I need a little bit of help.’”
One thing that Kentucky must get done in 2025 is universal pre-K, according to Beshear.
“I think the biggest need that we have is universal pre-K,” said Beshear. “That’s both the education and childcare piece that then creates a workforce issue. We have a lot of parents of young children who are out of the workforce because childcare costs so much. And for some of them, they don’t qualify for Head Start, but don’t make enough to send their kids to pre-K. So, the result is we have over 50% of Kentucky’s kids who aren’t Kindergarten ready. Some don’t ever catch up so that means we are failing them before they ever start school.”
Republican legislative leaders have indicated that their big priority is to continue with further tax cuts. Beshear said he supports another cut to the personal income tax rate, but he emphasized that the state cannot lose too much revenue.
“I believe in balance,” said Beshear. “The best way that we can provide services and stimulate our economy is the right balance. That means we can lower the personal income tax right now, but if the legislature races to bring it to zero, then, either they are going to raise sales taxes – which will make things cost more and things already cost too much – or they will try to raise property taxes.”
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKRC) – A measure that includes naming a highway in Northern Kentucky after conservative activist Charlie Kirk is awaiting action from the governor.
Senate Joint Resolution 139, an omnibus bill designating honorary names for roads and bridges across the state, was delivered to the governor Thursday after clearing both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Among its provisions is the designation of a portion of Kentucky Route 18 in Boone County as the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.”
The resolution passed the Senate 36-0 in March and later cleared the House 86-4 on April 1 before final concurrence in the Senate.
Lawmakers considered removing the Kirk designation during debate. A House floor amendment that would have deleted the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway” provision was defeated.
The measure includes several other highway and bridge designations statewide, including memorials for fallen service members and local leaders.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (2)
If signed, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet would be directed to install signage marking the honorary highway names.
CLARKSVILLE, In. (WKYT) — The remains of a Kentucky veteran who was the subject of a Green Alert were found in a park.
The remains of Jyronna Dione Parker, 54, were found March 22 by officers from the Clarksville Police Department. His body was found in Ashland Park on the river’s shoreline.
In late 2025, a Green Alert was issued for Parker. This alert was cancelled by the Lexington Police department after they determined he was not at risk.
Despite the cancellation of the alert, Parker had been reported missing from Lexington since Oct 17.
What is a Green Alert?
Under Kentucky law, a Green Alert is issued when a veteran at risk goes missing. It’s designed to help first responders and the public locate missing veterans who may be in danger by quickly notifying emergency management agencies, search and rescue teams, and local media outlets.
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Facts About the Kentucky General Assembly
Discover key facts about the Kentucky General Assembly, including its history, structure, and state government functions.
FRANKFORT, Ky. — A revamped bill unveiled late on the final day to pass legislation in the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly with the ability to later override a veto would significantly alter the makeup of Louisville’s public school board.
The new Senate Bill 4 would cut the number of seats on the Jefferson County Board of Education from seven to five. It includes an emergency clause, meaning it would go into effect immediately if passed — Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, who introduced the new bill in the House, said the legislation includes new district maps to be used when voters head to the ballot box this year but added JCPS would be able to redraw its own maps after that.
The bill passed in the House on a 72-21 vote mostly along party lines, with three Republicans (Rep. Vanessa Grossl, R-Georgetown, Rep. Patrick Flannery, R-Olive Hill, and Rep. Kim Holloway, R-Mayfield) joining Democrats in opposition.
It quickly passed 25-7 in the Senate a few minutes later, with Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, and Sen. Robin Webb, R-Grayson, joining Democrats in voting no.
A copy of the bill was not immediately available.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Stephen West, R-Paris, originally aimed to create a principal leadership and mentorship program. But after changes in the House, new provisions were added that would affect the makeup of boards for large school districts, including Jefferson County Public Schools and Fayette County Public Schools.
SB 4 is one of many education bills introduced this session, several of which have specifically targeted JCPS. Senate Bill 1, also passed on April 1, gives more power to JCPS’s superintendent while requiring the board to focus on long-term strategies.
The bills come as JCPS navigates an ongoing financial crisis, with a $188 million shortfall expected in the next budget. Prior to the revisions, the SB 4 would have required two new members with “expertise in finance” to be appointed by the state treasurer, Republican Mark Metcalf. That provision was removed during deliberations between the House and Senate.
In an interview after the votes, board Vice-Chair James Craig told The Courier Journal a five-member board “has made sense to me for a number of reasons.” It’s in line with every other district in the state, he said, and it can be difficult to find qualified candidates who have the bandwidth in their lives to devote enough effort to do the job right.
“I think given the realities of what the legislature could have done, how other districts are governed and the challenges that we’ve faced, Senate Bill 4 reflects a compromise that should be workable,” Craig said. “… But I have significant concerns about Senate Bill 1 and the way it interacts with Senate Bill 4.”
Lawmakers have listened to concerns he and other education advocates have raised, he said, removing some of the “problematic provisions” that had been floated as ones that could be included in SB 1. But the bill takes power from the elected board, he noted, and gives it to an unelected superintendent — in Louisville’s case, he added, someone who is “new to the city of Louisville in the last year.” JCPS Superintendent Brian Yearwood testified against SB 1 earlier this session in Frankfort.
“In my opinion, voters in the city of Louisville do not want a super-empowered superintendent. They want a democratically elected Board of Education that is accountable to them,” Craig added.
Board members will have a discussion with their attorney about potentially challenging SB 1 in court, he said. A similar bill passed in 2022 was struck down late last year by the state Supreme Court after previously being upheld by the high court.
JCPS leaders and board members have raised concerns about the earlier iteration of SB 4 and the removal of two board positions. Three members of JCPS board — Craig, Chair Corrie Shull and Linda Duncan — are scheduled to be up for reelection in November.
Craig does not plan to run again this year, he added.
“Eight years of intense, uncompensated public service have been fulfilling,” he wrote in a text message. “It is time for me to return to the full time practice of law.”
This story will be updated.
Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com. Reach reporter Keely Doll at kdoll@courierjournal.com or follow her on X at @keely_doll.
‘You’re a liar.’ Why the world’s biggest building boom has run into a wall in California
Gucci Mane was kidnapped, robbed by rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big30, prosecutors say
Stop and smell the native plants at the L.A. Times Plants booth at Festival of Books
Trump speech on Iran war, recent remarks on oil, NATO, daycare costs land with a thud
Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant gets final go-ahead to run through 2030
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Podcast: Hungary elects: what is at stake and who is likely to win?
ICE detention deaths are on a record pace. One Texas facility bears the brunt
GOP rails against ‘s— sandwich’ deal as all eyes turn to House to end DHS shutdown
Planning commission approves Trump’s White House ballroom plans
Trump does not have to turn over presidential records, Justice Department says
-
South-Carolina5 days agoSouth Carolina vs TCU predictions for Elite Eight game in March Madness
-
Culture1 week agoWil Wheaton Discusses ‘Stand By Me’ and Narrating ‘The Body’ Audiobook
-
Miami, FL1 week agoJannik Sinner’s Girlfriend Laila Hasanovic Stuns in Ab-Revealing Post Amid Miami Open
-
Culture1 week agoWhat Happens When We Die? This Wallace Stevens Poem Has Thoughts.
-
Minneapolis, MN1 week agoBoy who shielded classmate during school shooting receives Medal of Honor
-
Vermont5 days agoSkier dies after fall at Sugarbush Resort
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Transgender Athletes Barred From Women’s Olympic Events
-
Politics5 days agoTrump’s Ballroom Design Has Barely Been Scrutinized