Kentucky

Kentucky's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains unchanged for June; stands at 4.6% – NKyTribune

Published

2 years ago

July 19, 2024

Kentucky's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains unchanged for June; stands at 4.6% – NKyTribune

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary June 2024 unemployment rate was 4.6%, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS).

The preliminary June 2024 jobless rate was unchanged from May 2024 and up 0.5 percentage points from one year ago.

The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate for June 2024 was 4.1%, which was up from the 4% recorded for May 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, are based upon estimates from the Current Population Survey of households. The survey is designed to measure trends in the number of people working and includes jobs in agriculture and individuals who are self-employed.

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Kentucky’s civilian labor force was 2,047,682 in June 2024, an increase of 6,945 individuals from May 2024. The number of people employed in June increased by 6,868 to 1,952,975 while the number unemployed increased by 77 to 94,707.

“Kentucky labor force continued to grow in June,” said University of Kentucky’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) Director Mike Clark, Ph.D. “While more people entering the labor force might be expected to push the unemployment rate up as more workers compete for jobs, the commonwealth’s unemployment rate has held steady at 4.6% for the third month. This occurred because people are finding work at roughly the same rate as they are entering the workforce.”

In a separate federal survey of business establishments that excludes jobs in agriculture and people who are self-employed, Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 2,100 jobs to 2,044,900 in June 2024 compared to May 2024. Kentucky’s nonfarm employment was up 25,700 jobs or 1.3% compared to June 2023.

“Kentucky’s employers continued adding workers to their payrolls in June,” said Clark. “While the rate of job growth did slow from recent months, month-to-month employment changes are fairly volatile. So, this does not necessarily reflect a change in the trend.”

Nonfarm data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Employment Statistics program. According to the survey, employment increased for five of Kentucky’s major nonfarm North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) job sectors in June 2024, decreased for five, and was unchanged for one.

The educational and health services sector rose by 2,000 positions in June 2024. Employment in the health care and social assistance subsector increased by 1,600 jobs from May to June. The educational services subsector gained 400 jobs. Since last June, this sector has grown by 17,000 jobs or 5.6%.

Employment in the trade, transportation and utilities sector increased by 1,600 positions from May to June but was down 1,100 jobs or 0.3% compared to a year ago. In June, the wholesale trade subsector added 500 jobs; transportation, warehousing and utilities subsector added 600 jobs; and the retail trade subsector added 500 jobs.

The other services sector was up by 400 jobs from May to June. This sector had 1,500 more positions in June 2024 compared to June 2023. This sector includes repairs and maintenance, personal care services and religious organizations.

Kentucky’s manufacturing sector increased by 200 jobs from May 2024 to June 2024. The durable goods manufacturing subsector lost 100 positions, but these loses were more than offset by a gain of 300 jobs in the non-durable goods subsector. Kentucky’s manufacturing employment was down 1,100 positions or 0.4% compared to June 2023.

Jobs in the financial activities sector rose by 100 positions from May 2024 to June 2024 and was down 1,200 jobs from June 2023. All these gains occurred in the real estate, rental and leasing subsector. Employment in the finance and insurance subsector was unchanged.

Employment in Kentucky’s information services sector did not change from May to June. The industries in this sector include traditional publishing as well as software publishing; motion pictures and broadcasting; and telecommunications. The number of jobs in this sector was down 1,000 from one year ago.

The number of jobs in the state’s mining and logging sector was down 100 from May to June. This sector had 600 more jobs in June 2024 compared to June 2023.

Employment in Kentucky’s professional and business services sector fell by 200 jobs or 0.1% in June 2024. From May to June, employment rose by 600 jobs in the professional, scientific and technical services subsector; fell by 100 jobs in the management of companies subsector; and fell by 700 jobs in the administrative, support and waste management subsector. The sector was up 1,100 positions compared to June 2023.

Construction employment was down 300 jobs or 0.3% from May 2024 to June 2024 and up 3,700 positions or 4.1% from one year ago.

Employment in the government sector dropped by 500 jobs from May 2024 to June 2024. The number of jobs decreased by 100 in federal government; increased by 200 in state government; and decreased by 600 in local government. The total number of government jobs rose by 4,600 positions or 1.5% compared to June 2023.

The leisure and hospitality sector lost 1,100 positions in June, a decline of 0.5%. This sector reported 1,600 more jobs in June than one year ago. The accommodations and food services subsector was down by 800 positions in June. The arts, entertainment and recreation subsector decreased by 300 jobs from May to June.

Civilian labor force statistics include nonmilitary workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.

Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are seasonally adjusted. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events, such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends. However, due to the small sample size, county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.

To learn more about Kentucky labor market information, visit kystats.ky.gov.

Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet

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Kentucky

Louisville officials stress safety precautions for Derby festivities

Published

10 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Press Room

Louisville officials stress safety precautions for Derby festivities

Louisville residents and tourists are encouraged to take safety precautions while celebrating the 152nd Kentucky Derby May 2.

During an April 28 news conference, Mayor Craig Greenberg, joined by multiple city officials and Churchill Downs leadership, discussed safety, security, traffic planning and parking ahead of the event. First responding agencies, including Louisville Metro Police and the Louisville Fire Department, will be at the track.

“We have partners from local, state and federal agencies that come together to make the greatest two minutes in sports possible,” Churchill Downs Senior Director of Safety, Security and First Aid Dustin Clem said. “We want everyone to have a safe time while they’re at the track.”

Ahead of the event, Clem encouraged people to look at the Kentucky Derby website for information on parking and routes and download the Churchill Downs app to receive updates throughout the day.

LMPD Assistant Chief Bryan Edelen said officers will be “high visible” as they work across the city to ensure safety and keep traffic moving. Though the department wants residents to have fun, Edelen also emphasized the necessity of following the law and warned against street racing.

“While Churchill Downs is certainly the centerpiece, Derby is in every single neighborhood across this community. So are we,” he said. “If you choose to be reckless, the consequences will be real.”

Following reports of fighting at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville, Greenberg said the city has “zero-tolerance” for teenagers looking to disrupt the event, and law enforcement is “prepared.”

“All of the Kentucky Derby Festival events [and] all of the events at Churchill Downs are intended to be safe, fun, family-friendly events, and we will not tolerate this type of behavior,” he said. “You will continue to see this, whether it’s a Kentucky Derby Festival event or otherwise. Our entire city deserves to be able to celebrate to enjoy these wonderful events safely.”

LFD will also have first responders throughout the city as well as during Thurby, the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby. Firefighters are tasked with responding to fire alarms and fires, assisting with crowd control and medical emergencies, and identifying hazardous materials.

Fire Chief Brian O’Neill said that the number of responders at the track represents the third largest fire department in Kentucky on those days.

“If you think about 150,000 plus people in one place, if there is an event that happens, we’re not going to be able to get resources in, so we pre-stage everything,” he said.

Louisville Metro Emergency Services Deputy Director Kelly Jones encouraged residents to sign up for LENSAlert to receive emergency notifications. Visitors from out of town can text “Derby” to 67283 to receive notifications during Derby week.

Jones also suggested residents write down where they park their car, understand the prohibited items at the track and bring an extra phone charger.

Though Jones said crime at the track is “very minimal,” he encouraged people to take precautions, including keeping bags zipped to prevent theft. He also said people should “look for things that look out of place” to help prevent human trafficking.

“A young girl that could be inappropriately dressed for her age, someone who looks like they’re being led around by an older person, [or] someone who can’t speak for themselves in a conversation,” Jones said. “If it doesn’t look right to you, there’s a good chance that maybe it’s just not right, so find a first responder.”

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Kentucky

Motorcyclist killed in early morning crash in Southern Kentucky

Published

22 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Press Room

Motorcyclist killed in early morning crash in Southern Kentucky

SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. (WZTV) — A 26-year-old man died early Sunday after a motorcycle crash in Allen County.

Investigators say Remington James Matlock, of Scottsville, was riding a 2017 Harley-Davidson north on Macedonia Road just after 1 a.m. when he drove off the road and hit a fence post.

Matlock was pronounced dead at the scene.

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The crash remains under investigation.

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Kentucky

2026 Kentucky Derby expert picks and predictions for Triple Crown race

Published

1 day ago

April 27, 2026

Press Room

2026 Kentucky Derby expert picks and predictions for Triple Crown race

The post positions are set for the 2026 Kentucky Derby and the draw presented this year’s favorite another obstacle to overcome. Renegade, the horse who will enter the 152nd Run for the Roses with the best odds to win, will start from the No. 1 post along the rail, a spot no horse has won the Kentucky Derby from since Ferdinand in 1986.

The curveball only adds to the wide-open feeling entering the first Triple Crown race of 2026 at Churchill Downs, with some experts believing as many as eight of the 20 horses in the field have a legitimate shot at winning the Kentucky Derby this year. The picks and predictions have varied accordingly during the lead-up to Derby week, though Renegade remains the pre-race favorite following the post position draw.

Here’s a breakdown of the latest odds, picks and predictions ahead of the 2026 Kentucky Derby, as well as how to watch the opening Triple Crown race of the year:

When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

The 2026 Kentucky Derby is set to be held on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET and post time is scheduled for 6:57 p.m. ET.

Kentucky Derby 2026 odds

Odds courtesy of kentuckyderby.com as of 2 p.m. ET on April 27

Renegade (4-1)
Further Ado (6-1)
Commandment (6-1)
Chief Wallabee (8-1)
The Puma (10-1)
So Happy (15-1)
Emerging Market (20-1)
Potente (20-1)
Fulleffort (20-1)
Incredibolt (20-1)
Silent Tactic (20-1)
Danon Bourbon (20-1)
Wonder Dean (30-1)
Golden Tempo (30-1)
Pavlovian (30-1)
Albus (30-1)
Right to Party (30-1)
Litmus Test (30-1)
Six Speed (50-1)
Intrepido (50-1)

2026 Kentucky Derby picks, predictions

Louisville Courier Journal: Commandment is No. 1 pick

The USA TODAY Network outlet’s final ranking of the horses leading into Kentucky Derby week placed Commandment in the No. 1 spot, followed by Renegade, The Puma, Further Ado and Emerging Market

KentuckyDerby.com: Commandment leads pack

Of the seven handicappers and experts listed at the Kentucky Derby’s official website, four had Commandment ranked as the No. 1 horse in this year’s field. Two experts picked Renegade as their top pick and The Puma also received one No. 1 ranking.

Horse Racing Nation: Watch out for Chief Wallabee

“(Chief Wallabee) adds blinkers for this race, which should focus him enough to put it all together. It is true that the addition of blinkers is rare and often unsuccessful in the (Kentucky) Derby, but if anyone knows what they are doing it is (trainer) Bill Mott. … (Chief Wallabee) has the perfect tracking style to get first run on the deep closers and offers a square price in a wide-open Kentucky Derby.”

Odds Shark: Further Ado is best bet

“He has a stakes win at Churchill Downs already. Plus, he crushed all his prep races – winning the Blue Grass Stakes Grade 1 race in April by 11 lengths. He also has fantastic lineage, having been sired by Gun Runner, who placed third in the 2016 (Kentucky) Derby and won the Breeders Cup Classic the following year. Further Ado is trained by Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Brad Cox and will be ridden by experienced jockey Johnny Velasquez.”

Kevin Kerstein, Churchill Downs: Further Ado

“The way that Further Ado has trained for Brad Cox … he’s just really impressed me … He just sort of has to repeat that last race (Blue Grass Stakes). There’s a lot of horses in this race that might have to improve to beat Further Ado in this start.”

Watch the Kentucky Derby on Peacock

How to watch 2026 Kentucky Derby: TV, live stream

The 2026 Kentucky Derby undercard races will be broadcast by NBC Sports Network and Peacock (Noon-2:30 p.m. ET) on Saturday, May 2.

Coverage of the 2026 Kentucky Derby will then shift to NBC and Peacock from 2:30-7:30 p.m. ET, with post time for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby scheduled for 6:57 p.m. ET.

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