AGP Executive Report

Water & Drought Watch: Kentucky’s drought reality hits home as residents rethink thirsty lawns and water use amid low aquifer replenishment and repeated drought emergencies. Medicaid Modernization: A Kentucky lawmaker argues Medicaid is losing its role as a safety net and needs reforms that match today’s costs and complexity. Emergency Tech Upgrade: Mission Critical Partners was selected to help Kentucky’s 911 Services Board push Next Generation 911 statewide, adding oversight, GIS support, and cybersecurity help. Disaster Preparedness: A Senate committee advanced President Trump’s FEMA nominee, Cameron Hamilton, as Louisiana braces for storm impacts. Kentucky Science for Safety: UK researchers are leading a landslide prediction effort with a new slope monitoring network aimed at real-time hill stability insights. State Policy Update: More than 100 Kentucky laws took effect July 15, spanning schools, criminal justice, concealed carry, consumer protection, and first responders. Local Tech in Action: Louisville police say the federal NIBIN ballistic database is helping solve more murders faster. Kentucky STEM & Learning: Kentucky educators gathered for an AI summit on safe classroom use, while Kentucky State students earned a spot in the national “Thrilling 32” academic challenge. Food & Research Spotlight: Ale-8-One is bringing back Pawpaw Ale-8, tying the limited flavor to Kentucky State pawpaw research.

Kentucky State University Outreach: Sheep and goat producers are getting hands-on breeding training at the Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm, including artificial insemination clinics and guidance on making better genetics decisions. Public Health: Kentucky is still tied to the fast-growing cyclospora outbreak, with national counts climbing and federal scrutiny focused on lettuce supply chains after disputed lab findings. EV Charging Expansion: Gov. Beshear announced $2.5 million to add fast-charging EV stations statewide, funded through Kentucky’s Volkswagen settlement. School Leadership Development: Frankfort High School Principal Joe Rogers was selected for the Truist Leadership Institute for School Principals. STEM Pathways for Students: CPE expanded Futuriti.org with a Program & Pathway Finder to help students connect CTE courses to careers and next steps. Rural EMS Training Grant: Adair County Ambulance Service received a $438,418 grant to build a regional emergency training program using high-tech simulation equipment. Local Tech & Safety: Covington approved upgrades to its new city hall, including security and surveillance tech, plus intersection improvements funded through federal and local sources.

Adult Education Catch-Up: A new Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education report says thousands of adults who left public colleges early may be closer to a degree or credential than they think, and colleges are urged to use targeted outreach. Child Care Capacity Boost: Rep. Samara Heavrin secured a $1.1M earmark for the Lincoln Trail Area Development District to expand child care programs across eight rural counties. Kentucky Workforce Health: Doctors in Kentucky and beyond say Medicaid work requirements could force clinicians to judge who is “medically frail,” adding paperwork and tough new assessments. Cyclospora Outbreak Watch: The CDC reports 4,173 domestic cyclosporiasis cases across 41 states, with thousands more suspected; Kentucky is among the affected states tied to shredded iceberg lettuce linked to Taylor Farms, even as tracing remains disputed. Solar Innovation: Perovskite solar tech is pushing toward see-through “solar windows,” aiming to turn building glass into power. AI Data Center Backlash: Kentucky-area local governments are weighing data center moratoriums as concerns grow over electricity, water use, and costs. Legislative Tech & Policy: Kentucky lawmakers also let dozens of new laws take effect, including measures touching schools, consumer rules, and public safety.

Food Safety & Public Health: Kentucky is caught in the middle of the U.S. cyclospora surge as the FDA keeps pointing to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in central Mexico, even after a “false positive” test reversal; CDC counts are near 7,000 cases nationwide, with Michigan alone topping 6,000. Local Tech & Infrastructure: Bardstown and Nelson County approved a one-year data center moratorium while they study impacts on power and water before zoning changes. Kentucky Innovation: Sofab Inks, a UofL spinout, raised $6M seed funding to advance perovskite solar manufacturing, pitching a new approach to improve module stability. STEM in Kentucky Culture: Pawpaw Ale-8 returns for a limited second summer run, spotlighting Kentucky State University’s decades of pawpaw research. Health Policy: Doctors warn Kentucky could feel ripple effects from Medicaid work requirements that may force “medically frail” documentation. Media & Tech Regulation: The FCC approved the license transfer of Lexington’s WTVQ-DT to Scripps, setting up a duopoly with WLEX.

Cyclospora Update: The FDA reversed a prior lab finding, calling a Taylor Farms lettuce test a false positive, but still says the outbreak is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in Mexico—leaving thousands sickened while investigators keep chasing the source. Kentucky Public Health: Kentucky is among states tied to the multi-state outbreak, and Alabama reported 28 cases as federal scrutiny continues. Opioid Care Research: A Louisville-led trial found individualized treatment for babies born with opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) can speed recovery and shorten hospital stays, including with the Eat, Sleep, Console approach. Genetic Data Security: Kentucky will receive $259,375 from a $150 million multistate settlement tied to the 2023 23andMe breach, with an $18 million immediate payout due to bankruptcy. STEM & Sustainability: Boone County Public Library Foundation won a $5,000 grant to install 3D-printing filament recycling units in its Boone Innovation Labs. Local Governance: A Simpson County magistrate residency dispute is headed to court, with proceedings set to determine eligibility. Healthcare Workforce: Maysville Community and Technical College’s Medicaid Nurse Aide program ranks #1 in Kentucky for 2026. AI in Medicine: Heartflow launched a new AI staging tool for coronary plaque assessments at SCCT2026.

Cyclospora Update: The FDA says a lab test that previously appeared to detect Cyclospora in shredded iceberg lettuce was a false positive, but the agency still points to Taylor Farms’ Mexico-supplied lettuce as the likely source of the multistate outbreak affecting Kentucky and other states. Food Safety How-It-Works: A UMaine food safety expert notes that Cyclospora spreads through contamination tied to human fecal matter, and that prevention steps that help stop common foodborne germs also reduce parasite risk. Public Health Reality Check: Investigators often rely on patient interviews and outbreak patterns because Cyclospora can be hard to trace in labs, which is why the source hunt keeps shifting. Kentucky Data Breach: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced the state will receive more than $259,000 from a multistate settlement over the 2023 23andMe genetic data breach. Local Tech/Industry: Glasgow and Midmark celebrated completion of a facility renovation, highlighting updated technology and expanded manufacturing capacity. STEM & Education: Kentucky State University student Mikaila Bell earned three degrees before age 25 while serving in the active-duty Army. Media: KET public affairs journalist Renee Shaw announced she’ll retire at the end of July.

Defense & Logistics: Lockheed Martin won a $10.5B, 12-year USSOCOM contract for next-gen special operations logistics support, managed from Lexington’s Bluegrass Station. Spacewatch: Kentucky’s “Andy’s Astronomy” flags the Perseids as the summer’s best meteor shower, with peak viewing forecast for Aug. 12–13 pre-dawn. Public Health: The FDA says a Taylor Farms cyclospora test was a false positive after a re-review, while the company continues working to remove implicated product. State Tech & Policy: A new Kentucky law expands when drivers must stop for school buses, and allows camera enforcement of stop-arm violations. Biotech in NKY: LifeSciKY and New Riff are teaming up again for a bourbon fundraiser that backs lab bench grants, and LifeSciKY’s Aug. 7 Innovation Showcase will open lab tours and networking. Energy Tech: A Kentucky-linked explainer breaks down what microgrids are and why they’re gaining traction near AI data centers and on critical campuses. STEM & Learning: Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education reports many adults who left college without finishing may be closer to credentials than they think.

Biotech & Business in NKY: LifeSciKY will host an Aug. 7 Innovation Showcase at the OneNKY Center, with lab tours, 25+ vendors, and biotech partners—plus a New Riff bourbon fundraiser to support bench grants for startups. AI & Education in Kentucky: A new report highlights how Kentucky adults who left college may still be close to earning credentials, while another story looks at how universities are teaching AI with more practical, human-guided use. Energy Tech Explained: A guide to microgrids explains how these self-contained power systems can island during outages—an approach increasingly relevant as AI data centers strain grids. Public Health Tech & Food Safety: The U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak keeps widening, with Taylor Farms and Sysco pulling Mexico-sourced iceberg lettuce tied to cases. Privacy & Wearables: A new EFF investigation says many consumer health trackers lack strong protections when law enforcement asks for data. Local STEM & Community: UK researchers’ work on healthier tomatoes and a UT Martin student recognition point to Kentucky’s growing STEM pipeline.

Public Safety & Community Weather: In Nashville, volunteer-run “Nashville Severe Weather” is winning attention by giving calm, real-time storm guidance—an example of how people are turning to phone-first local help when TV news feels too slow. Capitol Hill Watch: With Sen. Mitch McConnell still absent, Kentucky-linked agriculture and defense policy could face extra friction as Republicans manage a slimmer Senate margin. Food Safety: A major cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell is driving recalls and warnings across Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia; Taylor Farms and Sysco are removing Mexico-sourced lettuce while health agencies keep investigating. Energy & Tech in Schools: Paducah Public Schools is moving forward on a solar field and culinary lab upgrades, using the project for hands-on learning tied to electricity and power efficiency. STEM on Campus: WKU’s concrete canoe team won first place at an ASCE civil engineering student championship, showing off Kentucky engineering talent. Local Infrastructure: Clarksville Gas and Water scheduled multiple water valve replacement outages with lane closures, including Stone Mountain Road and Wilma Rudolph Boulevard.

Food Safety & Public Health: Federal health officials say shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia is linked to a major cyclospora outbreak, with cases reported across 34 states; Taylor Farms says it’s voluntarily removing Mexico-sourced lettuce tied to the investigation. Education & Tech Use: Kentucky lawmakers heard testimony on whether classroom screen time and generative AI are replacing learning, with researchers and educators urging more hands-on, human interaction. Local STEM & Energy: Paducah Public Schools is moving ahead on a solar field project and culinary lab upgrades, using the site for hands-on electricity learning. Community Learning: Marshall County elementary schools won $1.35M for after-school and summer programs over three years. STEM in Action: WKU’s concrete canoe team won first place at the ASCE Civil Engineering Student Championships. Governance & Data Centers: A proposed off-grid data center is being explored for Letcher County’s Gateway Business Park, with early work focused on on-site power feasibility. Science & Society: A new study links neighborhood conditions to dementia risk, suggesting prevention may start at the block level. Tech & Courts: Kentucky is among states seeking up to $1.4T from Meta over claims Facebook/Instagram were designed to addict children.

Food Safety Alert: Federal health officials say shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia is tied to the Cyclospora outbreak, with 1,644+ lab-confirmed cases and 94 hospitalizations reported so far; Taylor Farms says it’s voluntarily removing the implicated product after FDA traceback. Local Schools & Workforce Skills: Paducah Public Schools is moving ahead on a solar field at the old Forest Hills School site and starting culinary lab renovations, while Marshall County elementary schools received $1.35M for after-school and summer learning. Community Learning & Recognition: The Marshall County grants and the Murray-Calloway Chamber’s 2026 Citizen of the Year honor for MSU athletics leader Nico Yantko highlight ongoing STEM and community investment. Tech & Infrastructure Planning: Eastern Kentucky groups are exploring an off-grid data center concept near Letcher County’s Gateway Business Park, including on-site power feasibility. Policy & Public Tech: Kentucky’s new school bus stop camera law (HB 7) takes effect July 15, expanding enforcement with bus-mounted cameras.

Food Safety Alert: Federal health officials say shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia is linked to the growing cyclospora outbreak, with cases now reported in 34 states and thousands sickened; the FDA traced the ingredient to a Mexico supplier, widely reported as Taylor Farms, and Taco Bell says it’s removing the implicated lettuce from its supply chain. Public Health Guidance: Officials stress cyclospora can cause prolonged, sometimes severe diarrhea and vomiting, and they’re still investigating whether other outbreaks are connected. State Policy: A new Kentucky law (HB 7) lets school districts use cameras on buses to enforce stop-arm rules, raising fines for drivers who pass stopped school buses. Infrastructure Watch: Louisville’s I-65 construction remains on track for an Aug. 1 reopening, with crews focusing on remaining work near Kentucky Street and Hill Street. Agriculture Funding: The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $1.74M for diversification and rural development projects statewide. Tech & Business: TekSynap named Richard Leino vice president of solutions architecture.

AI in Health Care: New state rules are pushing human oversight into AI-driven coverage and clinical decisions, but many providers and payers say they’re not ready to comply. Food Safety in Kentucky: Cyclosporiasis linked to shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell is now tied to a single supplier, Taylor Farms, with Kentucky among the affected states as health officials urge people to avoid the chain’s shredded lettuce while tracing the source. Kentucky Tech & Privacy: Kentucky’s new law on automated license plate readers limits data storage to 90 days and tightens rules on sharing, as local concerns grow over camera systems like Flock. Courts & Science: A new opinion piece argues “junk science” still slips into courtrooms, spotlighting shaken baby syndrome and the harm caused by unreliable forensic claims. Education & Research: UK’s major campus construction push—nearly $450 million—includes a new cancer and ambulatory building expected to open in 2028. STEM Outreach: UK’s Enviropods summer camp brings drones and real weather data to middle schoolers in Hazard.

Big Tech Accountability: Kentucky is among states seeking up to $1.4 trillion from Meta over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to addict children, with the figure disclosed in a court filing as states push consumer-protection lawsuits. Public Health Watch: Investigators say a Taco Bell-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak may trace back to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, as CDC reports thousands of cases across multiple states and officials urge caution around produce. Drug Pricing & Antitrust: Kentucky AGs are part of multistate actions settling allegations that generic-drug maker Glenmark conspired to inflate prices and limit competition, with $29.6 million announced in coalition settlements. Education & Workforce: Kentucky’s postsecondary board says many adults who left college early may be closer to credentials than they think, using a new framework to target re-engagement. Local Infrastructure: Franklin is moving ahead with water engineering upgrades to improve pressure and reliability, while KYTC plans a brief KY 295 closure July 20 for oversized materials tied to a water interconnect project.

Meta Youth Addiction Lawsuit: Four states, including Kentucky, say Meta’s Facebook/Instagram were built to hook kids, seeking up to $1.4T in penalties in a major consumer-protection fight. Genetic Data Breach Fallout: Kentucky and other attorneys general announced multistate 23andMe settlements tied to the 2023 breach, with limited recovery from bankruptcy but direct relief for consumers. Public Health Watch: Cyclosporiasis is surging nationwide; Kentucky health officials report new cases as restaurants and families track symptoms and food safety steps. Education Policy: Gov. Beshear expands Pre-K for All pilots to more districts, aiming to boost early learning and workforce participation. Tech + Land Use: Shelby County moves toward a data center moratorium while it drafts rules for large-scale AI and cloud infrastructure impacts. Kentucky Research & Training: UK launches its sixth Military Family Readiness Academy to help communities support service members and their families. Local Crime Tech Debate: Kentucky’s neighbors weigh whether to keep or restrict license plate reader systems as privacy and public safety collide.

Meta Legal Pushback: Four states including Kentucky say Meta’s Facebook/Instagram were built to hook kids, seeking up to $1.4T in penalties—Meta disputes the methodology as more states join the fight. Food Safety: Cyclosporiasis cases tied to a lettuce/salad-linked outbreak keep climbing; Kentucky reported 100 cases (55 confirmed) as the CDC expects numbers to rise through August. AG Accountability: Kentucky AG Liz Murrill joined a coalition settling 23andMe genetic-data breach claims, with limited recovery capped at $18M from bankruptcy funds. Drug Pricing Antitrust: Kentucky’s AG is also part of a $29.6M multistate Glenmark settlement over alleged generic-drug price-fixing, with a first trial slated for late 2026. Kentucky Policy Watch: New state laws take effect Wednesday (July 15), including an organ-donation safety “pause-in-procedure” rule and other broad updates. STEM in Kentucky: Kentucky State valedictorian Zhakeya Hawkins lands a climate-research post-baccalaureate role at UC Merced, studying aerosols, air quality, and regional climate impacts.