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Kentucky picks Deloitte for new unemployment system | StateScoop

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Kentucky picks Deloitte for new unemployment system | StateScoop


Kentucky’s Education and Labor Cabinet on Friday awarded a contract to Deloitte Consulting to implement an unemployment insurance system to replace one that’s about 40 years old, the Associated Press reported. 

The new system replaces an unemployment insurance system that was scrutinized due to “external pressure” during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in employees overriding system controls and paying claimants erroneously, according to a 2021 state audit.

“This new system will help us better meet the needs of Kentuckians by improving accessibility and claims processing times, as well as safeguarding against potential unemployment insurance fraud,” Gov. Andy Beshear told the AP. 

The Education and Labor Cabinet awarded a six-year contract to create the replacement system for $55.5 million. The cost of the new system’s operations and maintenance expenses will be supported by $85 million in funding approved by lawmakers, the AP reported. Officials anticipated the new system will be completed by 2028. 

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Kentucky, like other states, was overwhelmed by record numbers of unemployment insurance claims following business shutdowns during the public health crisis. In April 2021, Kentucky State Auditor Mike Harmon, a Republican who last year fell out of the gubernatorial race during the primary, reported that human-led errors caused some claimants to receive too much or too little assistance. Harmon’s audit found that the state’s unemployment office had more than 400,000 unread emails between March 19 and April 19 of 2020.

A second state audit in 2021 found that at least 10 unemployment office staff improperly filed for benefits and accessed their own unemployment accounts using their state credentials.

Harmon’s office published another report in 2022 on the shortcomings of the state’s unemployment insurance system that highlighted nine examples of how the unemployment office had failed to implement measures that might have prevented millions of dollars in fraudulent payments.

Written by Skylar Rispens

Skylar Rispens is a reporter for StateScoop and EdScoop. She previously worked as a reporter specializing in education coverage for daily and weekly newspapers across Montana, where she currently resides.

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Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience

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Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience


LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.

Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.

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Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.

“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.

After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.

Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.

“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.

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No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.

Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.

“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.

Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.

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3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County

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3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County


GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.

“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.

According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.

NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.

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Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.





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Missing Kentucky girl found in Montgomery County after 2 month search – WTOP News

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Missing Kentucky girl found in Montgomery County after 2 month search – WTOP News


A 13-year-old Kentucky girl who had been missing since October was found in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Saturday.

13-year-old Wynter Wagoner disappeared from her foster home bedroom on Oct. 14, and her family is doing everything they can to bring her home.(Credit WLEX via CNN)

A 13-year-old Kentucky girl who had been missing since October was found in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Saturday.

Montgomery County police said in a release Saturday afternoon that Wynter Wagoner, 13, was located in a Silver Spring home in the 12000 block of Dalewood Drive.

The Rockcastle Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post that Wagoner was last seen in Orlando, Kentucky, on Oct. 14.

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Her father, Dusty Wagoner, had pleaded for her to reach out in the weeks leading up to her discovery. The family offered a $5,000 reward for any information that would lead to her safe return.

At an Oct. 22 news conference, officials said Wagoner was picked up early from school by her foster parents and when her parents went to check on her, they discovered she was gone.

Police and U.S. Marshals arrested 37-year-old Christian Alexander Delgado in connection with the case. The Rockcastle Sheriff’s Office is charging Delgado with kidnapping.

He’s awaiting extradition to Kentucky.

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