Kentucky
Kentucky lawmakers discuss funding for school safety amid recent threats
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT)—School safety and the increased costs of funding it were discussed at the State Capitol on Wednesday.
Kentucky’s Center for School Safety director told lawmakers in an interim budget education committee how spending increased from $2 million in 1999 to more than $15 million.
It’s expected to increase even more next year.
The testimony follows recent headlines, including threats in Montgomery County.
“I think something has to be done to make it very unpleasant for anyone who wants to spread false rumors,” Rep. Steve Riley, R-Glasgow, said in the committee meeting Wednesday morning.
Some Montgomery County parents kept their children home, schools were closed, and for a time, backpacks were banned. School leaders say a student even brought a loaded gun to school.
“I couldn’t talk about motive or intent, but I can tell you that it happened. Because it happened, it is important to shift from the other priorities we have as a school district,” said Chief Chris Barrier, who heads up law enforcement for the Montgomery County School District.
In the weeks since then, Barrier says they’ve had time to address their safety initiatives.
“So I think it is important to understand school safety is not a destination. You don’t ever get to a point where you have reached the end goal. School safety is fluid,” Barrier said.
“This is just a snapshot of your Senate Bill 91, which allocated $15 million for school safety,” said Center for School Safety Director Jon Akers.
Funding for school safety has increased substantially since the Heath High School shooting in 1999. Now, money for mental health is in the mix.
Barrier says relationship building is also key.
“It is the cornerstone for what we do and what we train our SROs in our schools to do,” said Barrier.
Akers also says their tip line receives 100 calls daily, and 40 percent deal with mental health issues.
Lawmakers say next year’s allocation will increase school safety funding by $18 million.
Copyright 2024 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky
June unemployment rate shows slight increase in Kentucky Center for Statistics latest report
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Recent heavy rainfall has left soil across the state completely soaked, contributing to localized flooding in some areas.
When rain falls, some water soaks into the ground through a process called percolation.
Soil can only hold a limited amount of water. Once the small air spaces within the soil fill with water, the ground becomes saturated and additional rainfall has nowhere to go.
Soil type plays a role in how quickly water drains.
Much of Kentucky has clay-heavy soil, which is made up of very small, flat particles packed tightly together.
That composition makes it harder for water to move through. In clay soil, water may drain at a rate of only 0.02 to 0.17 inches per hour.
When rainfall comes down faster than the ground can absorb it and water cannot drain into a stream or storm drain quickly enough, it begins to build up.
That buildup is what leads to localized flooding.
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – Cyclosporiasis is a microscopic parasite that can contaminate food and water — is making people sick across several states, including Kentucky.
Dr. Patricia Tellez-Watson said, the illness is caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis and spreads when someone ingests contaminated food or water. “It is an intestinal infection caused by this water-borne, food-borne microscopic parasite,” she said.
Symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Tellez-Watson said, cases are often sporadic, but outbreaks can happen — especially during hot, wet months, when the parasite can survive in the environment long enough to become infectious.
Health experts recommend taking extra precautions with food and water. Washing hands and thoroughly rinsing produce before eating or cooking can reduce risk.
Watson also urged people to be cautious with fresh produce, particularly pre-packaged items, and to consider using bottled water.
Officials have confirmed cases in Bowling Green, though it’s unclear how many.
Copyright 2026 WBKO. All rights reserved.
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