AGP Executive Report

Data Center Fight in Court: A new wave of lawsuits is pushing the data center battle from city halls into courtrooms, including a Nashville case tied to a project near the Nashville Zoo and a Kentucky fight over a Mammoth Cave-area moratorium. ICE Shock Gloves Pushback: Lawmakers are calling on DHS to cancel ICE’s $16.7 million contract for electric shock gloves, arguing the devices escalate enforcement and raise human-rights concerns. Kentucky Homelessness Enforcement: Newly released data says citations for unlawful camping rose under the “Safer KY” law, with 460 charges across 41 counties between July 2025 and July 2026. Cybersecurity at Kentucky Courts: Kentucky’s court filing system was hit by a cybersecurity incident tied to Thomson Reuters’ C-Track, with Kentucky appellate records among those accessed. Midterms Backdrop: A new national polling map shows Trump underwater in every major battleground state two months before the Nov. 3 midterms. State Government & Public Safety: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife opened fall quota hunt applications; Kentucky State Police announced Post 2 traffic checkpoints. Agriculture Leadership: Kentucky Soy names Niki Ellis as its next executive director starting Jan. 1, 2027. Local Governance: Marshall County Fiscal Court set tax rates and discussed local funding decisions. In Memoriam: Kentucky author Wendell Berry died at 92.

Kentucky Public Safety & Courts: A Lyndon mother, Desiree Nicole Pohlmann, faces charges after police say five children (ages 7 months to 9 years) were found in deplorable conditions in a one-bedroom apartment, with officers reporting mold, urine smell, and inadequate food and water. Violent Crime: A Morehead man with a long assault record, Frederick Helton, was charged after an Aug. 29 stabbing on Ecton Road left an acquaintance seriously injured; he’s held on a $50,000 bond. Flood Recovery: FEMA approved public assistance for 20 Kentucky counties hit by June flooding, with Gov. Beshear saying the help will support repairs to public property and recovery efforts. Federal Oversight: A House VA panel voted unanimously to subpoena Oracle executives over a major Electronic Health Record modernization contract ceiling increase, after lawmakers said they learned of the jump through news reports. Military: Fort Knox identified Staff Sgt. Deonte Lamar Davis as the soldier who died after equipment fell on him; the Army says the incident is under investigation. Energy & Cost of Living: GasBuddy reports Kentucky premium prices averaging about $4.70 statewide, with pockets of lower prices in counties like Wolfe ($3.76 regular) and Estill ($4.72 premium). Local Governance: Prestonsburg City Council reversed course and approved a first reading of a Kentucky Power franchise agreement after questions about pole issues and accessibility.

Data Center Policy Flip: State Rep. Mitch Whitaker says he’s reversing course on large-scale AI data center tax incentives, after backing the credits last year—while Letcher County debates enforceability of a moratorium tied to zoning gaps. Utilities Affordability Probe: The Kentucky Public Service Commission opened a statewide investigation into whether electric and natural gas service is becoming unaffordable, citing a sharp rise in residential power prices since 2020. Flood Protection Push: Letcher County officials are asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to focus debris removal on a targeted stretch of the North Fork as part of a long-term basin study that could shape flood control for years. Federal Hemp Delay: Congress included a temporary postponement of the federal hemp ban until Dec. 11, 2026, with Kentucky’s Rand Paul and Sen. Amy Klobuchar among those backing the extension. Meta Settlement & Kids Online: Kentucky is set to receive $358M from a landmark Meta settlement tied to child safety claims, following a multi-state agreement after a trial that ended early. Food Insecurity Watch: Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland reports food insecurity rising in Graves County, with child rates climbing to 26%. Public Safety & Courts: Rep. Thomas Massie renewed pressure on the Epstein files, while a Jenkins man re-pleaded guilty to the same 10-year sex offense term after an appeal. Local Government: Louisville-area officials struck a deal to keep voters where they are after precinct boundary changes.

Data Centers & Local Politics: Kentucky lawmakers pushed back after Trump said communities opposing data centers are “backwards and poor,” arguing the fight is about impacts like energy use and jobs, not prosperity. Rural Health: Gov. Beshear fired back at Rep. Andy Barr over claims rural hospitals face a funding crisis tied to H.R. 1, saying Medicaid cuts make his Rural Health Transformation Program necessary. School Safety & AI Scares: Kentucky districts responded to the viral “Cat in the Hat” AI trend; Big Spring officials said it wasn’t a credible threat but still pulled in named students and coordinated with police. Immigration Detention: A Louisville woman, Armelle Bondonga, remains jailed after an immigration judge ruled DHS has jurisdiction and mandatory detention applies, with her team pursuing other release options. Federal Power & Military Energy: The U.S. Army selected five companies to build nuclear microreactors at five bases, including Fort Campbell in Kentucky, aiming to strengthen energy resilience. Public Safety & Courts: Nelson County indictments set for arraignment include multiple drug and evading charges, while Kentucky also saw an AG announcement on guilty pleas in loitering cases. Local Government: Barren County kept its property tax rate at 12.2 cents per $100 and approved motor vehicle/watercraft rates. Community & Veterans: The American Legion’s national convention drew nearly 7,000 members to Louisville, with major local economic and service activity.

Kentucky Politics & Federal Power: Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) escalated his push for full release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, reading alleged “co-conspirators” on the House floor and collecting signatures for a discharge petition to force a vote on Epstein Files Transparency Act II. Local Government & Growth Planning: McCracken County Judge-Executive Craig Clymer outlined a Growth and Opportunity Plan built around nine working groups, aiming to update the county’s 10-year plan for major industrial expansion, including the Paducah American Energy Hub AI data center. Courts & Immigration: A Kentucky Center for Investigative review finds that even after a Sixth Circuit ruling requiring more bond hearings for ICE detainees, many immigrants remain stuck in jail due to high bonds or denials. Big Tech & Consumer Protection: Colorado AG Phil Weiser joined a lawsuit alleging Amazon manipulated ad auctions to inflate prices, with claims of billions in overcharges—part of a broader FTC-led push involving multiple states. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Daviess County’s planned public safety facility bids came in below estimates, and the county is moving forward with state funding while also expanding the detention center. State Policy & Family Support: Kentucky’s kinship care rollout is back on track after a long funding fight over SB 151, easing eligibility for foster-care style payments to relatives raising children. Culture & Kentucky Identity: Wendell Berry, the Kentucky agrarian writer and environmentalist, died at 92.

School Safety & Disruption: Louisville-area schools are responding to a viral “Cat in the Hat” TikTok/Snapchat trend that names real students and uses threatening language; Assumption High School shifted to online classes and canceled activities while police review reports, and officials say there’s no credible threat tied to the posts. Alcohol Enforcement: Louisville Metro ABC emergency-suspended the liquor license for Coconut Beach Taco & Cerveza near UofL after investigators found 14 under-21 people drinking. Big Tech & Consumer Protection: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman announced the state’s $358M share of a multistate Meta settlement over child-safety claims, while the FTC and 22 states sued Amazon over alleged “hidden surcharges” and misleading ad pricing. Privacy & Surveillance: Lexington residents renewed pressure on city leaders to end Flock license-plate reader use, and Florida revoked approvals for license plate readers on state roads amid nationwide backlash. Hemp Regulation: A McConnell-led federal change would cap THC in hemp-derived products, but a House funding bill is set to delay it until Dec. 11. Kentucky Politics: Kentucky’s November Senate race is shaping up after McConnell’s retirement, with Andy Barr facing Charles Booker.

Kentucky Elections Watch: The Courier Journal’s politics team lays out what to track in the 2026 midterms, including the race to replace Mitch McConnell and the 6th District contest, plus questions about Gov. Andy Beshear’s pardon power. Campaign Strategy & Trump’s Shadow: A report says a GOP Senate candidate quietly scrubbed Trump references from his website as polling shows the president’s approval is underwater in Kentucky—raising stakes for how candidates message in the final stretch. Data Center Tax Incentives: House Speaker David Osborne says Kentucky should evaluate whether data center incentives deliver a return for taxpayers, pushing back on “apples to apples” comparisons and reigniting the debate over tax breaks. Kinship Care Gets Moving: After two years of limbo, Kentucky’s kinship care law is finally being implemented, easing the path for relatives raising children to qualify for foster care payments. Immigration & Schools: Dayton Independent Schools voted to join a multi-district lawsuit against major social media companies over youth mental health impacts, following Kentucky’s Breathitt County settlement. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Louisville faces surging vandalism and theft of Flock license-plate cameras, with documents showing dozens of incidents and growing national anger over surveillance. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reports the lowest E15 price in Simpson County at $3.23 for the week ending Aug. 22, alongside other county-level fuel price snapshots.

Supreme Court Fight in Frankfort: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a Biden-era EPA air quality rule, arguing it would raise costs for manufacturers, utilities, and farmers and could slow new projects and jobs. School Safety: Harrison County High School officials said Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement are investigating an online threat aimed at a classroom and students. Public Health Watch: Kentucky health officials flagged a potential measles exposure in Madison County, listing public locations in Richmond and nearby Olive Hill, as the state reports 29 confirmed cases this year. Local Government: Franklin County’s fiscal court approved a 6.2% public health tax rate and OK’d opioid abatement funds for nine local groups. Higher Ed/Legal: A Jefferson Circuit judge is set to hold a Monday hearing on Alex Afari Jr.’s bid to join a fifth-year eligibility lawsuit, with the NCAA arguing his pro football tryout affects eligibility. State Economy: Kentucky’s unemployment rate fell in 87 counties from July 2025 to July 2026, with Martin County still highest at 10.1%. Campus Transit: UK students can now use Wildcab Vouchers for up to ten $10 Uber rides per semester late nights in Fayette County. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reported the lowest regular gas in Hopkins County at $3.39 for the week ending Aug. 22.

Higher Ed Policy: Western Kentucky University froze the Ed Bohlander Scholarship Fund after compliance with Kentucky’s DEI ban under House Bill 4, drawing criticism from the family that created the memorial scholarship. Health Care Spending: Medicaid bills for “medicine services and procedures” jumped sharply in small Kentucky communities, including Kevil ($6,747; +145.2%) and Pine Knot ($44,722; +16.4%), while Lexington’s durable medical equipment claims rose to $958,528 (+32.3%). Public Health & Worker Safety: Coal miner advocates are pressing federal regulators after new black lung rates tied to silica dust exposure, saying the Mine Safety and Health Administration won’t respond to a key 2024 regulation. Criminal Justice: A Kentucky woman was convicted in Hart County of criminal abuse of a child under 12 and sentenced to 10 years, following allegations of torture and burns. Federal Immigration Enforcement: The U.S. released names and photos of 10 Nigerians added to ICE’s “Worst of the Worst” register, including one listed in Louisville, Kentucky. Community & Civic Life: A Frankfort fitness owner returned to the Capitol after a 450-mile charity run to support underprivileged youth through the And Still Foundation.

Federal Courts & Immigration: The Trump administration sued Arizona (and is already targeting other states) over voter-approved in-state tuition and aid for students without lawful immigration status, arguing the laws violate federal supremacy. Kentucky Law & Environment: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review an EPA rule tightening the yearly soot pollution limit, saying the agency lacked authority and ignored costs. Surveillance & Public Safety: ICE awarded a $16.7 million no-bid contract to buy electric shock gloves from Kentucky-based Compliant Technologies, while Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley launched an investigation into Flock Safety cameras and their data practices. Local Governance: Elkhorn City Council swore in Mitch Whitaker as city attorney, and Beaver Dam announced $1.75M in grants for an inclusive playground and splash pad. Kentucky Community & Health: Feeding America’s latest data shows food insecurity rising across Kentucky’s Heartland, with Nelson County hit hard. Sports & College Athletics: Kentucky’s Wayne Martin is remembered across the state after his death; meanwhile, NCAA eligibility fights continue to roil programs like LSU as courts weigh rules on former pros. National Spotlight: A woman accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., says she did it to “get the nation’s attention,” tying the protest to a dispute involving her former Kentucky employer and a union.

Dolly Parton Airport Push: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is backing a plan to rename Nashville International Airport for Parton, after a petition surged to nearly 160,000 signatures following her death. Federal Criminal Justice: A Kentucky woman, Melissa Farris of Elizabethtown, was indicted on two federal felonies for allegedly vandalizing the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., including spray-painting and soap-in-the-fountain livestream footage. Meta Settlement With Kentucky in the Mix: Meta agreed to pay states up to about $18B and add child-safety limits and parental controls, ending a case that included Kentucky among plaintiffs. Kentucky Courts & College Sports: The SEC eligibility fight over Mark Mitchell’s transfer status is still escalating, with Kentucky facing the possibility of a roster shake-up. Public Safety & Local Government: Kentucky school-bus stop enforcement remains a flashpoint, with authorities seeking a driver who nearly hit a child while the bus stop-arm was out. Opioid Response: Kentucky’s Opioid Symposium is set for Oct. 5-6 in Owensboro, aiming to connect prevention, treatment, recovery, and public safety across the state. Energy & Industry: The Army’s nuclear microreactor plan puts Fort Campbell in the initial set of bases, while Kentucky’s data-center debate continues over rates and local impacts.

Fair Housing Verdict: A Kentucky jury awarded a Louisville-area affordable housing developer $36.3 million, finding officials in a wealthy suburb conspired to block a senior-and-disability housing project over race. College Sports Eligibility: More athletes are piling into NCAA eligibility lawsuits in Kentucky, with a Clark County hearing set for a Purdue player seeking a fifth year and Jefferson County proceedings expanding after earlier grants. Data Center Tax Fight: Gov. Andy Beshear urged lawmakers to roll back Kentucky’s data center tax incentives, warning the state could lose billions in sales tax revenue. Prediction Markets Clash: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman sued Kalshi, arguing its sports prediction contracts are unlicensed wagering under state law. Federal Court: WWII Memorial Case: A Kentucky woman, Melissa Farris of Elizabethtown, was indicted for allegedly spray-painting and damaging the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. ICE Electric-Glove Contract: ICE moved ahead with a $16.7 million deal to buy 6,000 electric-shock gloves, despite backlash from Democrats and critics. Trade & Jobs: U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick toured a Corning plant in Harrodsburg as Beshear warned Canada tariffs are threatening Kentucky jobs and raising costs. Local Public Safety: Kentucky State Police added a new patrol boat for waterway emergencies, funded through a FEMA port-security grant.

Nuclear Power for Bases: The U.S. Army awarded $2.2 billion to five vendors to build and operate small nuclear reactors at five military installations, including Fort Campbell in Kentucky, as part of the Janus program. Reproductive Health Funding Fight: Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined a multistate lawsuit challenging new Title X grant conditions that would punish states and providers over ideological requirements tied to family planning and preventive care. Meta Settlement Pressure on Kids: Kentucky is among states in a major Meta child-safety settlement that would impose automatic teen limits and other platform changes, with court approval still required. Local Housing Decision: Georgetown City Council paused action on a proposed $17 million, 60-unit affordable housing project, including a request for $300,000, ahead of a Sept. 11 state tax-credit deadline. Public Health Watch: The FDA upgraded the cyclospora-linked lettuce recall to the highest risk level and said the outbreak now spans 20 states, including Kentucky. School Governance: Kentucky’s Office of Education Accountability found an Oldham County school board member violated a rule by serving as PTO president, though it found no financial wrongdoing.

Meta Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1B to 47 states (plus DC/territories) over claims it designed Facebook/Instagram to be addictive and harmful to kids, with new teen limits and “productive pauses” tied to enforcement. Kentucky Tech Policy: Gov. Andy Beshear said he’d support rolling back Kentucky’s long-running data center tax breaks, arguing the incentives go to “wealthiest companies” that don’t need help. School Safety: A Jefferson County Public Schools bus-stop shooting left a student critically injured, while Louisville-area incidents since Aug. 13 also included a student arrested after a reported gun brought to school. College Sports Eligibility: Kentucky’s Mark Mitchell eligibility fight escalated as attorneys asked a judge to expand an order affecting SEC/NCAA transfer rules. Law Enforcement Tech: In Shively, a police officer faces charges after alleged misuse of Flock plate-reader searches more than 2,000 times. Animal Cruelty Case: A Metcalfe County rescue update says many of the 200+ dogs removed are recovering after KSP charged the owners with cruelty. Federal Courts/Health Policy: Maine and other states sued over new Title X family-planning funding conditions; DOJ also challenged in-state tuition rules for illegal immigrants in multiple states.

Meta Settlement & Kentucky Stakes: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1B to states over claims it designed Facebook/Instagram to addict children, with Kentucky among the co-led cases; the deal also pushes major teen-safety changes like default two-hour daily limits, nighttime blocks, reduced notifications, and hiding like counts, with implementation over months and independent monitoring. Flock Surveillance Backlash in Kentucky: A Shively officer was arrested after alleged use of Flock Safety license-plate cameras to track an ex-girlfriend more than 2,000 times, as scrutiny grows nationwide and some cities cancel or review contracts. Data Center Fight in Cave City: Kentucky Industrial Alliance’s lawsuits over Cave City’s data-center moratorium and annexation decision are set to be consolidated, teeing up a fast-moving local governance and zoning showdown. Public Comment Clash at Paducah Site: McCracken County officials removed public comment from planning meetings, prompting criticism from a group tied to the Department of Energy Paducah AI data center push. U.S. Army Nuclear Microreactors: The Army awarded up to $2.2B for microreactors at five bases, including Fort Campbell in Kentucky, aiming for first deployment by 2028. SNAP Error-Rate Penalties: States face tougher SNAP payment-error cost-sharing rules starting in 2027, with Kentucky listed among the few under the 6% threshold. Local Courts & Accountability: An Oldham County bookkeeper sued the district under the whistleblower act, alleging retaliation after cooperating with a state investigation. Sports Eligibility Legal Chaos: The SEC moved to tighten eligibility rules after a Kentucky-linked court fight over fifth-year status, setting up more litigation risk for coaches and programs.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Kentucky will receive $358 million as part of a landmark $16.68B multistate deal with Meta over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to addict kids; the agreement also requires new teen protections like daily time limits and overnight blocks, with terms still subject to court approval. Flock License-Reader Fallout: A Shively officer was arrested after allegedly using Flock Safety to track his ex-girlfriend’s vehicles more than 2,000 times, while Covington postponed a vote on cruiser-mounted license plate readers to hold more public discussion. Gun Rights Restoration: A revived federal program could restore firearm rights for some Kentucky felons, with an application window opening Sept. 21 and decisions left to the attorney general. UK Free-Speech Case: A federal appeals court told a lower court to revisit its handling of a lawsuit by a University of Kentucky professor barred from teaching over anti-Israel speech. Army Nuclear Microreactors: The U.S. Army selected five contractors for Project Janus, including BWXT Advanced Technologies at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, aiming to deploy modular microreactors for backup power. Local Traffic Disruption: Louisville’s I-65 Muhammad Ali Boulevard underpass closure for bridge repairs is causing major delays near major hospitals, with reopening pushed to October.