CCHD REPORTS 73 NEW COVID-19 CASES
The Calloway County Health Department reported 73 new cases of COVID-19 from Friday through Monday with 57 of those cases under 60 years of age. The county currently has 180 cases isolated at home and 5 are hospitalized. Calloway County’s current positivity rate is 8.46% which is lower than the state rate of 12.87%. Monday, the state reported 2,124 confirmed new cases and 17 new deaths. There were 1,893 hospitalized as of Monday, which is 365 more than last Monday, including 529 in ICU, which is 100 higher than a week ago.
GOVERNOR CANCELS SCHOOL MASK MANDATE
Governor Andy Beshear is canceling his executive order regarding students wearing masks in school. The governor’s action yesterday comes after the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled over the weekend that new laws to limit the Democratic governor’s powers in health emergencies can stand. There is still a state board of education emergency regulation in place requiring masks in schools, and that remains in effect. Despite that mask mandate for schools, students in Leslie County have the week off. Officials have canceled classes through August 27th because of an increase in COVID cases as well as quarantines.
GOVERNOR ASKS FOR FEDERAL AID FOR HOSPITALS
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is requesting federal aid to help hospitals that are overstretched by COVID-19 patients. Beshear said yesterday that the state has reached a critical stage regarding medical resources available in the commonwealth. The National Guard has been deployed to help overtaxed hospitals, but the governor says the demand is too overwhelming. The governor says another disaster could totally deplete all medical resources.
BARKLEY AIRPORT GETS ADDITIONAL FUNDS
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell and First District Congressman James Comer have announced that Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah will receive a full, second installment of $10 million to construct a new airport terminal. These federal funds build upon the first $10 million installment secured last year as part of a larger award for the airport. Airport Executive Director, Dennis Rouleau said the project is just the beginning of transforming Barkley Regional Airport into the economic powerhouse it can be.
AREA GAS PRICES FALL
Gas prices in West Central Kentucky are nine cents lower this week at $2.81 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. Crude oil prices saw not only a dramatic drop on the week, but the price per barrel is at the cheapest in three months. If this downward trend continues and less expensive prices are sustained, Americans can expect to see relief at the pump in the near future. At $3.16 a gallon, the national average is two cents cheaper than last week, but 98 cents more than a year ago. and 56 cents more than two years ago. All eyes are now on gasoline demand, which has declined for three straight weeks.
KHC TO LAUNCH STATE WIDE EQUINE SURVEY
The Kentucky Horse Council has partnered with the University of Kentucky to launch a state-wide survey, which will allow the organization to better serve and protect horses and the horse industry in the Commonwealth. This information will be beneficial for local and state policymakers, nonprofit organizations and local government officials, among others. Once complete, results will be available in county-level fact sheets as well as in a statewide report. All materials will be downloadable from the KHC website, free of charge.
KCTC SYSTEM AWARDED OVER 39,000 CREDENTIALS IN 20-21
Despite the significant disruption to the 2020-21 academic year, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System awarded a record number of credentials to a record number of graduates. The 16 KCTCS colleges awarded 39,458 credentials, which included degrees, diplomas and certificates. KCTCS saw a nearly 5 percent year-over-year increase in Associate in Applied Science degrees, designed to prepare graduates to directly enter the workforce. There also was an increase in Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees for students who want to transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT—Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says the FDA approval of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine is a testament to the genius of science and the success of Operation Warp Speed. Operation Warp Speed was President Trump’s program to accelerate the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. McConnell says the FDA approval is a big milestone and says multiple vaccines have proven safe and effective so if you haven’t been vaccinated yet, do it today. Governor Andy Beshear is also urging Kentuckians to get vaccinated.
OWENSBORO—Kentucky is looking at a possible half billion dollar boost for infrastructure projects. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell visited Owensboro yesterday and shared the numbers related to an infrastructure bill recently passed by the Senate. The Kentucky Republican says improving transportation could give a shot in the arm to the commonwealth’s economy because of its central location. The bill still must pass the House, but McConnell believes that if it does, President Biden will sign it into law.
GRAYSON COUNTY—The Grayson County coroner says former Pulaski County constable Gary Baldock was pronounced dead at the Detention Center. Baldock was found unresponsive in his cell yesterday morning, and the coroner says it appears he died of natural causes. He was in an isolation cell after a visit to the emergency room last week. Baldock was convicted along with another constable in June for violating federal search and seizure laws, and he entered a guilty plea in August for attempted murder of a federal agent.
HENDERSON—Horses rescued from a burning Ellis Park barn are recovering. All of the horses housed in the barn early Sunday morning made it out of the blaze alive thanks to coordinated efforts by crews at the Park. The animals are back home with their owners recovering. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but authorities believe it may have been electrical.
FRANKFORT—The governor’s office says a State Supreme Court decision limiting the governor’s emergency powers will have a widespread impact. They say it potentially impacts a variety of issues beyond mask mandates, including health care capacity, meals for children and families, protection at long term care facilities, compensation for front-line workers and price gouging. Republicans say the decision will force Governor Andy Beshear to work with the General Assembly moving forward on some issues where they can find agreement. They say there won’t be any more lockdowns or shutdowns.
LOUISVILLE—Kentuckians can take care of some business while at the state fair. They can renew their standard driver’s license or upgrade to a REAL ID while at the state fair, which runs through August 29th. A pair of popup stations will be open daily from 2 o’clock in the afternoon until 6 in the evening in the Main Street Kentucky area at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. Kentuckians with a license set to expire within the next six months can get them renewed while those who want a REAL ID will need to provide additional information.
BULLITT COUNTY—Illness is causing transportation problems for Bullitt County Schools. The district announced last week buses will be running late. The district has about 100 bus drivers. District officials said yesterday more than 20 drivers were out with “medical issues.” They say many of them were out due to COVID-19 and quarantining.
TENNESSEE—Governor Bill Lee is asking President Biden for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for four Middle Tennessee counties. The request covers Humphreys, Dickson, Hickman, and Houston counties following Saturday’s deadly flooding. At least 22 people were killed in Humphreys County and 12 others are believed to be missing. The Tennessee Valley Authority’s rain gauge registered over 17 inches on Saturday.
TENNESSEE—There are over 41-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 997-thousand-500. An additional 25 COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at over 13-thousand-200. There are nearly 27-hundred COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
TENNESSEE—The state’s largest county is reporting nearly 960 new coronavirus cases. The Shelby County Health Department reported the new cases yesterday, bringing the number of cases in the county since the outbreak began to over 120-thousand. There have been nearly one-thousand-830 COVID-19-related deaths in Shelby County since the outbreak began. The county is averaging about 790 cases over the last seven days.
TENNESSEE—A state representative from Memphis is getting vaccinated against COVID-19. After months of being hesitant, Representative Antonio Parkinson said last week there’s no reason to be afraid of getting the vaccine. Parkinson is the Chairman of the Tennessee Black Caucus. He said many African Americans are reluctant to get the vaccine because they don’t trust the United States government.
TENNESSEE—Knoxville is closing in on a grim record. The city has seen 31 deadly shootings so far this year. The record is 33, set just last year. The city recorded two deadly shootings over the weekend. Earlier this month Mayor Indya Kincannon said that gun violence is the biggest issue facing Knoxville.
ILLINOIS—Over 50 Illinois schools are on probation. Illinois State Board of Education says the schools aren’t complying with Governor J.B. Pritzker’s mask mandate. The total is up by 20 since last Thursday. Schools that don’t submit correction plans and change masking policies risk losing state funding and recognition.
