AGP Executive Report

School Bus Safety: Kentucky’s new stop-law (HB 7) now requires drivers to stop when a school or church bus has its signal lights on and stop-arm out, with cameras allowed to catch violators. Public Safety Enforcement: A statewide “Move Over” push is set for Monday, with extra patrols aimed at protecting emergency responders when drivers slow down and move over. Health & Food Safety: The cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to Taylor Farms lettuce is driving recalls and removals, including in Kentucky, as officials warn people not to eat affected products. Medicaid Work Requirements: Doctors in Kentucky worry new Medicaid rules that may require many adults to document work or qualify for exemptions could force clinicians into subjective “medically frail” determinations. Higher Ed Governance: A national debate over no-confidence votes in universities highlights how shared governance is breaking down amid tense budget and program fights. Local Law Enforcement: Murray State University Police received a state homeland security grant to keep campus services running. Crime: Louisville twin sisters were arrested for alleged stalking and harassment of corrections officers. Military Contract: Lockheed won a $10.5B USSOCOM logistics contract managed from Bluegrass Station in Lexington.

Kentucky School Safety: A new Kentucky law that took effect Wednesday requires drivers to stop for any school or church bus with red lights flashing and the stop arm extended on all roadways, with limited exceptions for certain divided highways. Louisville Criminal Justice: Louisville Metro Police arrested twin sisters Shavonne and Kevonne Gore on stalking and harassment charges, alleging they tailed and threatened corrections officers for weeks. State Government & Appointments: Gov. Andy Beshear appointed Rocky Adkins to the Kentucky State Fair Board, replacing Michael Berry, with additional new board members named as well. Higher Ed & Workforce: A new Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education report finds many adults who left college without finishing may be closer to earning a credential than they think, and calls for more targeted re-engagement. National Politics With Kentucky Ties: AIPAC stopped accepting donations for 15 House Democrats after their vote supporting an amendment to cut $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel, including Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie’s lone GOP backing. Public Health Watch: The FDA-linked Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce recall tied to cyclospora has expanded across multiple states, including Kentucky.

Senate Health Transparency Fight: Sen. Josh Hawley renewed pressure on Mitch McConnell, saying the Kentucky Republican has an “obligation” to tell constituents what’s going on as McConnell’s prolonged absence complicates GOP votes on defense and farm policy. State Fair Board: Gov. Andy Beshear tapped Rocky Adkins to the Kentucky State Fair Board, replacing Michael Berry and extending Adkins’ term through 2029. Israel Aid Backlash in Congress: AIPAC stopped taking donations for 15 House Democrats after they backed a Massie amendment cutting U.S. military aid to Israel, underscoring a widening party split. Food Safety With Kentucky Impact: Taylor Farms expanded its cyclospora-linked iceberg lettuce recall to 27 states, including Kentucky, while federal guidance initially covered only five states tied to the Taco Bell cluster. Energy & Growth Watch: Waaree Energies secured another 212 MW solar module order, and a Kentucky reformatory history project is set to document the State Reformatory’s complex past before demolition.

Food Safety & Public Health: The CDC and FDA say shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia is the likely source of a fast-growing cyclospora outbreak, with at least 1,644 illnesses reported across 34 states and dozens of hospitalizations; Taylor Farms says it’s removing the Mexico-sourced lettuce tied to the investigation. Kentucky Politics & Governance: Gov. Andy Beshear says he received calls from two non-state agencies suggesting Sen. Mitch McConnell had “passed,” adding to the pressure for clearer health updates as speculation continues. Elections & Law: Kentucky’s concealed carry changes for younger adults are taking effect this week, with gun-safety advocates urging training as the rules expand. Corrections & History: As the Kentucky State Reformatory prepares to close, former staff are writing a book to preserve the prison’s complicated history. Local Community: Frankfort Kiwanis’ “Christmas in July” food drive is set for July 25 at Kroger stores to support the Emergency Community Food Pantry. Energy Costs: A new analysis projects steep electricity rate increases for Kentucky households this year.

Food Safety Crisis: CDC and FDA say shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell is the source of a cyclospora outbreak hitting Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, with officials warning Kentuckians not to eat the product and noting Taco Bell has stopped using the implicated supplier. Local Governance: A narrow Kentucky vote in Burgin advanced a data center annex tied to land near Shaker Village, drawing renewed Mercer County backlash over environmental and tourism impacts. Courts & Elections: A federal court rejected Trump Justice Department demands for access to state voter rolls, with judges saying states—not Washington—run elections. Kentucky Politics: Gov. Andy Beshear appointed former senior adviser Rocky Adkins to the Kentucky State Fair Board, as the fair board’s control fight continues after a Kentucky Supreme Court ruling. Health Policy: Kentucky lawmakers are sounding receptive to “Ryan’s Law” style changes to ensure hospitals grant medical cannabis access for eligible end-of-life and chronic pain patients. Public Safety: Kentucky’s concealed carry age change to 18 and related enforcement/training efforts are rolling out as new state laws take effect.

Food Safety & Litigation: Federal health officials tied Kentucky’s “explosive diarrhea” outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, prompting Taco Bell to pull the ingredient and lawsuits to target Taco Bell franchisees and supplier Taylor Farms. Public Health: Kentucky’s optometry exam rules are snapping back to the national standard, but questions remain about how the state handled alternative exams during COVID. State Government & Elections: Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams pushed back on Trump’s election-security claims, defending the commonwealth’s improvements since 2020. Health Care & Disability Services: Kentuckians with disabilities warned lawmakers that a looming 4% Medicaid cut could destabilize waiver-funded services. Local Governance: Murray City Council held a data center ordinance hearing with limited turnout, leaving the proposal under review. Transportation Policy: A new Kentucky law lets school districts use bus cameras to enforce stop-arm violations, raising the stakes for drivers. Budget Politics: House GOP leaders left out offsets in a reconciliation package while the national debt nears $40T, drawing criticism from within their own party.

Halo Act / First-Responder Safety: Kentucky’s new “Halo Act” (SB 104) took effect Wednesday, creating a 25-foot safety zone around police, firefighters, EMTs and other responders, with escalating penalties if people refuse to move back after a verbal warning. School Safety Tech: House Bill 7 also kicked in, letting districts install cameras on school buses to catch drivers who ignore stop arms. New Laws in Effect: A broader batch of more than 100 Kentucky laws took effect July 15, including measures tied to housing, criminal justice, veterans’ care, and consumer protections. Cyclosporiasis / Taco Bell: Kentucky health officials are investigating nearly 200 cyclosporiasis cases (108 confirmed) and say shredded iceberg lettuce linked to Taco Bell is the likely culprit as the nationwide outbreak continues. Gun Litigation: A Louisville jury ordered Husky Armory to pay $104.2 million in the death of a Kentucky teen who bought a “build kit” online. Elections & Transparency: Judicial Watch says newly released ODNI records allege intelligence officials identified election-system vulnerabilities but withheld them from the public. Israel Aid Split: More than half of House Democrats voted to strip $3.3 billion in U.S. aid to Israel, underscoring a growing rift inside the party.

Public Safety: Michigan State Police and partners plan a one-day “Move Over” enforcement push July 20, targeting drivers who fail to slow and change lanes for emergency vehicles. Health Watch: Investigators say shredded lettuce from Taylor Farms is a likely source in the expanding cyclosporiasis outbreak, with Ohio case counts surging again and Kentucky among affected states. Gun Policy & Courts: A Louisville jury ordered ghost-gun seller Husky Armory to pay $104.2M after a Kentucky teen used a pistol-building kit to die by suicide; the case centers on sales without required checks. Death Penalty: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman filed suit to resume executions, arguing updated protocols and delays should be resolved. Tax Relief: Gov. Andy Beshear announced Kentucky’s property tax rate drops for the sixth straight year to 10.3 cents per $100. Education Governance: JCPS board sued over a new law shifting more day-to-day power to the superintendent. Federal Politics: House Democrats split sharply over cutting $3.3B in Israel aid, with more than half voting to strip funds even as the amendment failed. Local Development: Cincinnati’s new Marriott headquarters hotel is set to break ground July 21, aiming to boost convention competitiveness. Crime: A teen has been charged in the 2025 Louisville DMV shooting that killed three people, with another shooter still at large.

McConnell Health Transparency: Kentucky’s Sen. Mitch McConnell remains at the center of a national fitness-and-transparency debate after his hospitalization and “proof of life” photo reignited questions about his condition and ability to serve. Israel Aid Split in Congress: A Massie-backed House amendment to cut $3.3 billion in Israel military aid failed, but more than half of House Democrats voted to end it—showing a widening rift inside the party. Beshear Pre-K Expansion: Gov. Andy Beshear expanded his Pre-K for All pilot to Franklin County Schools and Glasgow Independent Schools, using WIOA funds to enroll about 3,000 kids statewide. Public Health—Cyclosporiasis: CDC-linked cases of cyclosporiasis continue to surge across 34 states, with Michigan pointing to lettuce/salad greens as a likely source while Kentucky and others report rising counts. Campaign Finance Changes: New Kentucky campaign finance rules took effect Wednesday, including allowing reasonable security costs and raising individual contribution limits. Local Government & Courts: A Louisville judge heard arguments in a challenge to Kentucky’s sales tax on period products, while Hillview residents aired drainage grievances after June flooding. Data Centers: Calloway County advanced a 12-month data center moratorium as officials weigh power, water, noise, and reliability impacts.

Israel Aid Rift in Congress: House Democrats split sharply over a Massie-backed amendment to cut $3.3 billion in annual U.S. military assistance to Israel, with 103 Democrats voting yes but the measure failing 314-104—showing a widening party divide over Gaza. Kentucky Gun Policy: Kentucky’s new law lowers the concealed-carry license age to 18-20 via a provisional permit starting July 14, with advocates stressing training and knowing out-of-state rules. Domestic Violence Data: Kentucky’s 2025 domestic violence report estimates at least 25 intimate-partner homicide deaths, while noting the state lacks a way to track domestic violence homicides statewide. AG Consumer Settlements: Kentucky’s AG Griffin announced a $45 million multistate settlement with Block/Cash App over fraud and misleading safety claims. 23andMe Data Breach: Kentucky AG Murrill joined multistate action tied to the 23andMe genetic data breach, with limited recovery from the bankruptcy estate. State Courts & Appointments: Kentucky constitutional officers ask the Supreme Court to rehear cases on governor appointment powers affecting the State Fair Board and ethics rules. Public Safety Law: A new Kentucky requirement forces railroads to clear brush near crossings to improve sightlines, after a fatal Hardin County crash. Public Health Watch: Cyclosporiasis “explosive diarrhea” cases keep rising nationwide, including Kentucky, as health agencies track a growing outbreak.

McConnell Health Transparency: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says he still hasn’t heard back directly from Sen. Mitch McConnell after requesting a public health update, after McConnell’s team released a hospital “proof-of-life” photo and a statement citing a fall and mild pneumonia. New Kentucky Laws: New rules take effect statewide, including changes to public school discipline and safety, limits and privacy rules for license-plate readers, and a concealed-carry age shift that lowers the permit pathway to 18–20. Public Safety & Crime: Kentucky and Indiana authorities warn residents about summer car break-ins along the Ohio River. Attorney General Action: AG Russell Coleman joins a 48-state push to crack down on scam calls and texts by urging stronger FCC rules. Schools & Data Security: Marion County BOE updates parents on defenses against data breaches and student-data handling requirements. Public Health: The CDC reports a major cyclosporiasis outbreak across 34 states, with Kentucky included in a likely multistate cluster tied to produce. Politics on the Ground: Loretto Motherhouse hosts a public forum for Kentucky’s 1st District congressional candidates July 18. Law Enforcement Outreach: Kentucky State Police launches the “Trooper Talk” podcast. Local Governance: A local board discusses solar regulation impacts, with attention on how state courts shape land-use rules.

McConnell Health Transparency: As Sen. Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized and absent, Kentucky and national lawmakers are renewing demands for clear public updates, with critics arguing the lack of detail is fueling speculation and raising questions about fitness to serve. Graham Death, Aging Debate: The sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham is also reigniting scrutiny of Washington’s older lawmakers and the push for more openness about health. Kentucky Courts—Domestic Violence Case: In Oldham County, a former La Grange officer and his son were indicted in a domestic violence case; the son faces strangulation and witness-tampering charges, while the father is accused of failing to report incidents while on the police force. Public Health—Cyclosporiasis: The CDC says cyclosporiasis is sickening people across 34 states, including cases linked to Kentucky, as officials urge prevention steps for the parasite. Kentucky Law Changes: More than 190 new Kentucky laws are taking effect this week, including updates tied to schools, criminal justice, gaming, first responders, and concealed carry. Tech & Privacy—23andMe Settlements: Kentucky AGs are part of multistate actions securing money and new protections after the 23andMe genetic data breach. Workforce & Immigration: A New American Workforce Summit in Bowling Green brought employers together to prepare for hiring and serving immigrant jobseekers.

U.S. Senate Health & Age Debate: Sen. Lindsey Graham died at 71 after a “brief and sudden illness,” renewing scrutiny of how much lawmakers share about health and whether age limits should exist in Congress. Kentucky Gun Policy: Kentucky’s new law lowers the concealed-carry permit age to 18, with HB 312 taking effect July 15 and gun trainers preparing for a younger wave of applicants. Louisville Police Discipline: The Louisville Metro Police Merit Board explained why it cut Lt. Caleb Stewart’s 20-day suspension to 10 days over a banned “choking technique” incident. Frankfort Law Changes: More than 100 new Kentucky laws take effect Wednesday, including updates tied to schools, criminal justice, first responders, gaming, and consumer protection. Education Governance: JCPS is proposing major policy shifts as new state law moves more daily authority to the superintendent. College System Restructure: KCTCS leadership changes continue, with HCC’s Young becoming chancellor under statewide restructuring. Local Politics Calendar: Fancy Farm Picnic organizers released a confirmed speaker lineup, with a closely watched U.S. Senate race expected to dominate. Public Safety/Crime: Kentucky law enforcement sought a suspect after a vehicle pursuit in McCracken County, citing reckless driving and alleged drug evidence.

U.S. Senate Power Shake-Up: Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell broke weeks of health silence, saying a fall led to hospitalization and mild pneumonia, but he can’t return “quite yet,” while the sudden death of South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham (aortic dissection) leaves Republicans scrambling for votes and succession plans as Congress returns with an uncertain agenda. Kentucky Gun Policy: House Bill 312 takes effect Tuesday, creating a provisional concealed-carry pathway for ages 18–20 with required training and a background check, valid until age 21. Kentucky Local Governance: A La Grange resident challenged the city finance director’s CPA qualifications during a council meeting, escalating questions about audit capacity and professional licensing. Courts & Public Safety: Families of victims in Louisville’s Old National Bank mass shooting continue their lawsuit against River City Firearms, pressing for access to mental health records and limits on what can be used in court. National Legal Fight With Kentucky in the Mix: Kentucky is among states seeking major penalties against Meta over claims the platforms were designed to addict children. Public Health Watch: A measles exposure alert went out for Philadelphia International Airport terminals A–C on July 4, as cases remain elevated nationwide.

Senate Health & Transparency: Kentucky’s Sen. Mitch McConnell finally broke weeks of silence, saying a fall left him briefly unconscious and led to a mild pneumonia; he says he’s not ready to return to the Senate floor yet, while Gov. Andy Beshear has been pressing for more disclosure. Graham’s Death & GOP Fallout: The sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) after an aortic dissection is reshaping the Senate’s near-term agenda and succession math, with South Carolina set for a temporary appointment and a special primary. Meta Lawsuit Hits Kentucky: Kentucky is among states seeking up to $1.4 trillion from Meta over claims its platforms were designed to addict children, adding another major state-led legal fight with national policy implications. LGBTQ+ Kentucky Community: In Corbin and beyond, LGBTQ+ Kentuckians are pushing for visibility and safety while describing intimidation and the need for stronger protections. Black Lung Benefits Push: Local leaders in Kentucky are backing higher black lung disability benefits, but say Congress hasn’t matched the urgency. Historic Preservation: Owensboro’s Ken-Rad Lamp Plant cleared a key state board step toward National Register status.

McConnell Health Transparency Fight: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear renewed pressure for answers as Sen. Mitch McConnell broke weeks of silence, saying his hospitalization followed a fall tied to his post-polio condition and that he also developed pneumonia; his physician said he had no fractures, stroke, tumors, or hemorrhage and that he’s medically cleared for intensive rehab. Graham’s Death and Senate Fallout: Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime Trump ally and foreign-policy hawk, died at 71 after a “brief and sudden illness”; preliminary findings point to an aortic dissection, and his death immediately reshuffles committee work and intensifies GOP succession talk for his seat. Kentucky Reactions: Kentucky lawmakers including Rep. Andy Barr and Sen. Rand Paul offered condolences, while McConnell remained hospitalized and largely absent from early public comments. Kentucky Policy Watch: A new Kentucky concealed carry law starts Tuesday, and the state also faces an impact weather flood watch for parts of the commonwealth. Tech and Privacy: Kentucky is among states seeking massive penalties against Meta over claims its platforms were designed to addict children.