Federal Judge Blocks Beshear’s Executive Order Mandating Masks
A federal judge is blocking Governor Andy Beshear’s ability to mandate school masking using an executive order. Parents from Catholic schools in Covington sued Beshear over his statewide school masking order. The judge’s ruling affects the Diocese of Covington. The Kentucky Department of Education’s school masking requirement remains in place.
Over 48-Hundred New COVID-19 Cases In Kentucky
(Frankfort, KY) — Kentucky is reporting over 48-hundred new COVID-19 cases. Governor Andy Beshear announced the new cases of the virus yesterday, along with nine additional deaths. More than 17-hundred people in the commonwealth are hospitalized for COVID-19-related illnesses, with more than 240 on ventilators. Over 530-thousand Kentuckians have tested positive for the virus and more than 74-hundred have died since the pandemic began.
Calloway County Health Department Announces 12 New Cases of COVID19
As of 8/19/21, the Calloway County Health Department has received notification of 12 new cases of COVID19. The case count is now at 4,129 with 3,913 recovered, 155 isolated at home, 7 hospitalized, and 54 deaths. For today’s cases, 11 of 12 were unvaccinated. Here is a breakdown of the cases by age category: 5 cases under age 18. 3 cases age 18 to 39, 1 case age 40-60, and 3 cases over 60.
Six UK Football Players Arrested On Burglary Charges
Six University of Kentucky football players are facing first-degree burglary charges. The players involved are Reuben “RJ” Adams, Robert “Jutahn” McClain, Andru Phillips, Earnest Sanders the Fourth, Vito Tisdale, and Joel Williams. They are due in court today. Police say the players forced their way into a residence on March 6th where a private party was being held.
Eastbound Traffic Shift Planned at I-24 EXIT 4 Work Zone at Approximately 3 p.m., Today
A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) plans a traffic shift for eastbound traffic on Interstate 24 in the Paducah Exit 4 work zone at approximately 3 p.m., CDT, today. This is part of preparations for the reopening of the eastbound Exit 4 entry ramp anticipated sometime Friday afternoon.
The traffic shift is to facilitate a final round of work on the Perkins Creek Bridge- part of work to lengthen the eastbound acceleration lane at Exit 4.
Eastbound motorists on I-24 should be alert for construction personnel changing the traffic configuration in the work zone. All I-24 eastbound traffic will be shifted to the right-hand or driving lane
KY Unemployment Down 1.2% from 2020
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary July 2021 unemployment rate was 4.4%, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet (EWDC).
The preliminary July 2021 jobless rate was unchanged from June 2021 and down 1.2 percentage points from the 5.6% recorded for the state one year ago.
Kentucky’s civilian labor force had an increase of 550 individuals from June 2021. The number of people employed in July increased by 1,866 while the number unemployed decreased by 1,316.
“While total employment declined in July, Kentucky’s private sector firms added 6,000 jobs in July as they rebuild their workforces to meet growing demand,” said University of Kentucky’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) Director Mike Clark, Ph.D. “Employment gains were widespread with growth in nine of the 11 major industrial sectors. However, these private sector gains were offset by significant declines in local government employment.”
The Murray Bank recently made a donation to the Laker and Tiger Bands to help with their upcoming marching seasons.
“We are truly blessed with two deserving programs in our community, and they work really hard and do a great job,” said Bob Hargrove, President and CEO of The Murray Bank. “The band program is always working to collect money and gain donations, so this is a great community reinvestment for The Murray Bank back into the schools and back to the students in good programs.”
Kentucky State News Brief
Beshear Asks Biden For Major Disaster Declaration In Nicholas County
(Frankfort, KY) — Governor Andy Beshear is requesting that President Biden issue a Major Disaster Declaration in Nicholas County. The declaration would enable victims of recent flash flooding in the county to get federal help. FEMA will have to complete its survey of the damage before a decision can be made. Nicholas County residents currently have access to resources from the County Emergency Management and the City of Carlisle Emergency Management.
Deputies Find Missing Henderson Man After Multi-Agency Search
(Henderson CO, KY) — A Henderson County man is recovering after spending three days trapped in a utility vehicle. Deputies say 90-year-old Jackie Leeg was found yesterday after he was last seen at his home Monday. Multiple agencies participated in the search, and a drone was used to find Leeg in the vehicle stuck in some brush in the woods on his property. Authorities say Leeg was conscious and talking when he was flown by helicopter to the hospital.
Owensboro Hosting Hydro Racing National Championship
(Owensboro, KY) — Owensboro’s HydroFair gets underway this weekend. The city is hosting more than 60 hydroplane racing teams from across the continent as they compete in the American Powerboat Association’s North American Championships. City leaders are expecting around 20-thousand people to attend. Hydroplane racing is returning to the city for the first time since 1979.
KY Latest State To Report Hospitals Reaching Capacity
Kentucky is joining the list of states seeing hospitals on the brink of reaching capacity. In a video yesterday, Governor Andy Beshear said the Commonwealth is “running out of beds” at hospitals as COVID cases are going “through the roof.” Governor Beshear reported over 48-hundred new coronavirus cases yesterday. It comes on the same day Alabama reported the entire state has no ICU beds left.
State’s Largest School District Among Those Without SROs
(Louisville, KY) — There are seven school districts in the state without school resource officers. SROs are required by Kentucky state law. The School Safety and Resiliency Act passed in March of this year. Among the districts without SRO is Jefferson County Public Schools, which removed officers from its facilities in 2019.
Owensboro’s Annual Multicultural Festival Scheduled For Tomorrow
(Owensboro, KY) — Owensboro’s Multicultural Festival is set for tomorrow. The event is returning to the lawn of First Presbyterian Church after being held online last year over coronavirus concerns. Organizers say the festival is meant to celebrate Owensboro’s diversity. It starts at 10 o’clock in the morning and will run until 4 in the afternoon.
GRDHD Updates Coronavirus Numbers
(Owensboro, KY) — The Green River District Health Department is expected to update its coronavirus numbers today. On Tuesday, the GRDHD reported nearly 550 additional confirmed cases with 224 in Daviess County, 130 in Henderson County, 58 in Ohio County, 56 in Union County, 39 in Webster County and 20 each in McLean and Hancock counties. There have been over 26-thousand-530 cases in the seven-county District since the outbreak began. Over one-thousand have required hospitalization.
COVID Cases Growing Among JCPS Students, Teachers
(Louisville, KY) — The number of Jefferson County Public Schools students positive for COVID-19 is growing. There were less than 100 cases within JCPS on August 13th. However, as of yesterday, there were more than 350. During the same time period, the number of cases among teachers went from less than 30 to over 60.
FBI Sending More Agents To Louisville To Focus On Violent Crime
(Louisville, KY) — Federal authorities are stepping up their efforts to crack down on rising violent crime in Louisville. The FBI is sending more agents to Louisville. The federal agents will partner with LMPD to target gangs and violent criminal groups as part of the Safe Streets Task Force. The FBI says targeting those groups will slow Louisville’s crime rate.
City Plans To Clear Homeless Camp
(Louisville, KY) — Louisville is planning to clear a homeless camp. City officials say there are health and safety concerns at the encampment at South Second Street and West Florence Avenue. A 21-day notice for removing the camp was posted yesterday. Those living there must be gone by the 22nd day.
Racing Louisville To Play In Women’s Cup Final
(Louisville, KY) — Racing Louisville FC will play in the final of the inaugural Women’s International Champions Cup. Racing will face FC Bayern Munich in the final at 6 o’clock tomorrow evening at Lynn Family Stadium. Racing beat the Chicago Red Stars on Wednesday to reach the final. The match was played before a franchise record of more than 73-hundred fans.
Women’s Cup Day At Kentucky State Fair
(Louisville, KY) — It’s Women’s Cup Day at the Kentucky State Fair. Fairgoers are asked to wear lavender and violet to support the Racing Louisville Football Club. Visitors to the North Wing can learn more about Louisville’s professional soccer teams and find information about getting tickets to the Women’s Cup game tomorrow at Lynn Family Stadium. The state fair opened yesterday and runs through Sunday, August 29th.
Tennessee State News Brief
TDH Updates State Coronavirus Cases
(Nashville, TN) — There are over 63-hundred new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported the new cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to nearly 970-thousand. Over 50 additional COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at over 13-thousand. There are over 25-hundred COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
New Mask Mandate In Effect In Shelby Co.
(Memphis, TN) — A new mask mandate is going into effect this morning in the state’s largest county. The mandate issued on Wednesday by the Shelby County Health Department requires masks in all indoor public spaces. It says everyone aged two and over is required to wear a mask while indoors in public settings regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status. It will last for 30 days.
Tennessee Native To Fight Boxing Legend
(Las Vegas, NV) — A championship fighter from Middle Tennessee will fight a boxing superstar to become the first undisputed super middleweight world champion. Canelo Alvarez posted to social media yesterday that he and Caleb Plant will fight in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 6th. Canelo holds the WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight titles while Plant is the IBF champion at 168 pounds. Plant is an Ashland City native now living in Nevada.
High School Administrator, Teacher Investigated For Alleged Antisemitic Post
(Germantown, TN) — A West Tennessee school district is investigating an assistant principal and a history teacher. Germantown Municipal School District assistant principal Janna Matykiewicz [[ Matah-cav-ich ]] posted to social media questioning the difference between vaccination papers and the yellow Star of David Jewish people were forced to wear during the Holocaust. Houston High School history teacher Tony Benzing defended the post. GMSD says it doesn’t support the misuse of the trauma of the Holocaust or any part of the Jewish past for political purposes.
Tennessean Killed In Pearl Harbor Attack To Be Laid To Rest
(Johnson City, TN) — An East Tennessee sailor who died nearly 80 years ago is being laid to rest. Navy Fireman 1st Class Paul E. Saylor was killed while aboard the USS Oklahoma during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Saylor’s remains weren’t identified until November of last year. Saylor will be buried in his hometown of Johnson City today.
Bluebird Cafe Requiring Proof Of COVID-19 Vaccine, Negative Test
(Nashville, TN) — New COVID-19 precautions go into effect at the Bluebird Cafe today. Anyone planning to enter the legendary music venue will need proof of being vaccinated or a negative test within the previous 48 hours. The vaccination record must show that the final shot was taken at least 14 days prior and the records shown have to match government issued IDs. The Bluebird Cafe says it’s making the health and safety of its staff, songwriters and customers its highest priority.
Mid-State Native To Fight Boxing Legend
(Las Vegas, NV) — A championship fighter from Middle Tennessee will fight a boxing superstar to become the first undisputed super middleweight world champion. Canelo Alvarez posted to social media yesterday that he and Caleb Plant will fight in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 6th. Canelo holds the WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight titles while Plant is the IBF champion at 168 pounds. Plant is an Ashland City native now living in Nevada.
PBR Featured At Bridgestone This Weekend
(Nashville, TN) — Bridgestone Arena is hosting Professional Bull Riding this weekend. The Music City Knockout event is part of the PBR Unleash the Beast tour. The event will feature the world’s top bull riders tomorrow and Sunday. Sunday’s action will be shown on CBS.
Nashville Airport Hosting BNA BK On The Runway
(Nashville, TN) — Runners, walkes and those who just like to stroll have a chance to do it on Nashville International Airport’s runway. The airport will host the BNA 5K on the Runway tomorrow. Money raised will benefit the Urban League of Middle Tennessee and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The Tunnels to Towers Foundation builds mortgage-free homes for first responders, military veterans and their families.
PossumStock Music Festival Set For This Weekend In Ashland City
(Ashland City, TN) — The PossumStock music festival is being held in Ashland City this weekend. After postponing last year’s event because of COVID-19, the music festival will be held at Pope Farms tomorrow and Sunday. This is the seventh year for the festival, which features musicians and artists from Clarksville and surrounding communities. In addition to music there will be a wiffle ball tournament and video game tournaments.
