AGP Executive Report

War Powers Clash: The U.S. House voted 215-208 to block President Trump from continuing the Iran war without Congress, with four Republicans joining Democrats—another rare GOP break as Trump calls the move “unpatriotic.” Election Integrity Fight: In the Senate, GOP efforts to revive the SAVE America Act (photo ID and proof of citizenship) stalled again after a 48-50 vote, with Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell, Thom Tillis, and others joining Democrats to block it. Kentucky Courts & Accountability: Former Gov. Matt Bevin faces a new deadline to turn over financial records or face arrest and 60 days in jail in a family court dispute. Immigration Pressure in KY: Mayfield residents are demanding answers after reports of ICE activity, with legal residents saying the presence of agents is still causing fear. State Policy & Budgets: Gov. Beshear defended lowering Kentucky’s gas tax amid GOP warnings it could cut about $27 million from the road fund. Public Safety & Justice: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman joined a 16-state push to speed federal death-penalty reviews, citing long delays in cases like Vincent Stopher. Local Government: Oldham County approved a $67.9M budget, while DuBois hired a new city manager, Joe Fleming.

War Powers Clash: The U.S. House voted 215-208 to end Iran war involvement and require Congress for further military action, with Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie among four Republicans joining Democrats; Trump immediately blasted the defectors as “bad” and “unpatriotic.” Kentucky Transportation: Frankfort lawmakers got an update on Kentucky’s work-zone speed camera pilot, where automated cameras flag speeding but a nearby officer still pulls drivers over to cite them. Medical Cannabis: Gov. Andy Beshear expanded medical cannabis eligibility via executive action, adding 15 qualifying conditions. Public Safety & Courts: Kentucky State Police arrested Nicholas “Nick” Houck, brother of Brooks Houck, on perjury charges tied to testimony from 2015-2023. Community & Health Abroad: Kentucky nonprofit WaterStep is helping plan for Ebola response in Congo, where no approved vaccines exist. Local Economy/Jobs: Union Coating & Chemical Industries will open a Barren County operation with about $11.9M investment and 60 jobs. Opioid Response: Trigg County approved a new opioid abatement advisory committee to manage local abatement funds. Infrastructure Condition: A new analysis says 5.9% of Kentucky’s major roadways are in poor condition.

War Powers Showdown: The U.S. House voted 215-208 to force President Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the Iran conflict or get fresh congressional approval, with four Republicans joining Democrats—Kentucky’s Thomas Massie among them—marking a rare GOP break and a clear rebuke even as the measure is largely symbolic. Kentucky Opioid Response: RiverValley Behavioral Health won $253,169 over two years to expand services for children and families affected by substance use in Western Kentucky, funded through the state’s opioid abatement effort. Medical Cannabis Expansion: Gov. Andy Beshear issued an executive order clarifying and expanding Kentucky’s medical marijuana eligibility, adding new qualifying conditions and widening access. Election Integrity: Adair County was randomly selected for Kentucky’s post-primary election inquiry, part of the AG’s election oversight process with reviews of records and procedures. Local Government Watch: Mount Washington moved to re-bid trash collection after complaints tied to a Republic Services takeover, while Frankfort-area infrastructure funding highlighted major road and water/wastewater projects in Bullitt County. Public Safety & Community: Trooper Island’s summer camp program continues pairing youth with law enforcement through outdoor activities and mentoring.

Education Governance Fight: Fayette County Board of Education chair Tyler Murphy sued to block Senate Bill 4, arguing the law unlawfully reshapes the Fayette board, cuts seats, ends current terms early, and targets him by disqualifying school employees from serving. Public Safety & Alcohol Enforcement: Louisville Metro ABC issued an emergency liquor license suspension for Veronica’s Mexican Restaurant after a May 14 fatal DUI crash tied to patrons; the city says the action follows toxicology and eyewitness accounts and is part of its Safe Louisville plan. Disaster Recovery: FEMA approved public assistance for 18 Kentucky counties hit by January’s Winter Storm Fern, clearing the way for recovery grants. State Policy—Medical Cannabis: Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order expanding Kentucky’s medical cannabis qualifying conditions by 15, adding conditions ranging from terminal illness and ALS to Crohn’s, fibromyalgia, and glaucoma. Elections Integrity: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman randomly selected 12 counties for post-primary election integrity inquiries, with DCI to investigate possible irregularities. Local Government Watch: Highland Heights councilmember Jesse Hockenbury’s arrest has prompted fellow members to seek his removal from future meetings over alleged conflict-of-interest concerns. Transportation Politics: Republicans criticized Beshear’s gas tax moves as political, warning reduced revenue could slow road projects. Federal/Legal: Kentucky’s “sore loser” law is cited in coverage of Rep. Thomas Massie’s inability to run again after losing a GOP primary.

Medical Cannabis Expansion: Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order and emergency regulation adding 15 qualifying conditions to Kentucky’s medical cannabis program, aiming to clarify access for patients who were previously blocked by uncertainty. Data Centers and Grid Costs: A Kentucky policy push argues data centers must “pay their own way,” warning that rapid growth could strain electricity, water, and utility planning—raising costs for Kentucky families and businesses. Bowling Green Regulation Fight: Bowling Green city commissioners rejected a six-month data center moratorium but advanced new regulations, reflecting the tension between growth and ratepayer impacts. Gas Tax Politics: Kentucky Republicans criticized Beshear’s gas tax reduction and emergency actions as political, while transportation officials warned the revenue loss could hinder road projects. Election Integrity: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman announced 12 counties were randomly selected for post-primary election integrity inquiries, with investigations handled by DCI and findings headed to local grand juries. Public Safety & Courts: In Murray, KDPA’s Murray trial office filed bond reduction motions tied to charges against former Murray detective Justin Swope, whose cases are now moving through district and circuit court. International/Local Appointments: Trump nominated Lexington businessman Nate Morris as ambassador to Colombia, after he exited Kentucky’s U.S. Senate race and backed Andy Barr.

Election Integrity: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman randomly selected 12 counties—Rowan, Oldham, Franklin, Daviess, Laurel, Adair, Scott, Union, Fulton, Carroll, Floyd and Pike—for post-primary election integrity inquiries, with investigations by the AG’s Criminal Investigations unit and findings headed to county grand juries. Energy & Data Centers: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky won’t approve data center deals that shift energy costs to residents, requiring projects to cover 100% of their own power and meet environmental rules. Death Penalty Litigation: Coleman joined a 16-state push to speed federal review of death penalty cases, pointing to long delays in Kentucky matters like Vincent Stopher. Immigration: A Sheboygan Falls mother was released from ICE custody after more than two months in Kentucky detention, with her case still tied up in federal appeals. Courts & Business: Lawsuits allege a Versailles-area distillery project tied to Kentucky Castle failed to pay more than $1.5 million in fees. Local Government: Henry County’s planning board approved zoning for two large warehouses on a 217-acre farm, with traffic and stormwater conditions attached.

Immigration Enforcement: Federal agents arrested 13 people in the Paducah area, with eight indicted for allegedly using other people’s Social Security numbers on job forms. Education Governance: JCPS is rewriting nearly 100 policies to comply with Senate Bill 1, which expands Superintendent Brian Yearwood’s authority over spending, staffing, and day-to-day operations. Public Safety & Courts: Graves County leaders are weighing whether a post-tornado jailing plan is sustainable as costs shift and rebuilding remains expensive. State Policy & Economy: A guest column warns Kentucky’s temporary gas-tax relief could cost local governments roughly $27 million a month if extended. Health Care: Frankfort Regional Medical Center unveiled a dedicated transport ambulance to speed interfacility transfers. Tech & Law: Florida sued OpenAI and Sam Altman over alleged risks to children, alleging deceptive practices around ChatGPT. Sports & Recruiting: Milan Momcilovic committed to Kentucky for 2026-27, a major transfer-portal win for Mark Pope. Local Government: Covington revoked Hat Tricks Sports Bar’s liquor license after a May shooting, citing violations and nuisance activity. Agriculture: Kentucky’s fertilizer-cost pressure remains a focus as lawmakers and farm groups debate policy responses.

Executive Power Fight: Gov. Andy Beshear is back in court, suing to block GOP-backed House Bill 10 that would shift oversight of certain executive actions to the AG and treasurer and add new confirmation leverage for the Senate. University Politics: Beshear’s criticism of “undue outside influence” at UK clashes with reporting that UK trustees he appointed have donated heavily to his political causes. LGBTQ+ Rights: Beshear signed a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month and highlighted prior vetoes and an order banning conversion therapy for minors. Death Penalty Push: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman joined a 16-state coalition urging federal changes to speed up death-penalty reviews, citing long delays in cases like Vincent Stopher. Estate Law Update: Beshear signed Senate Bill 50 modernizing Kentucky inheritance and probate rules, including expanded spousal rights and allowing electronic wills. Tech & Schools: New court records show Meta is paying about $27 million to settle a Kentucky school district lawsuit over social media harms. Economy Watch: Kentucky property tax collections fell sharply in Q2 2025, down 51.9% from the prior quarter.

Social Media Settlement: Meta, TikTok’s parent ByteDance, and other big platforms agreed to pay millions to settle a Kentucky school district lawsuit alleging student mental-health harm from addictive design—Breathitt County’s case is being treated as a bellwether. State Politics: Gov. Andy Beshear again left the door open to a 2028 presidential run while telling NBC’s “Meet the Press” his focus is winning in 2026, pushing Democrats’ message around trust and everyday economic relief. Higher Education: Kentucky State University’s Board of Regents approved the academic plan required under Senate Bill 185, moving the school closer to a polytechnic transition and delivery to the Council on Postsecondary Education. Public Safety & Courts: A federal grand jury indicted two Kentucky men—one from Johnson County and one from Pike County—for being felons in possession of firearms, with prosecutors seeking up to 15 years each. Local Government Calendar: North Kentucky cities and counties posted a packed June schedule of fiscal court, city council, planning, zoning, and airport noise meetings. Health & Community: Hardin County’s first licensed medical cannabis dispensary is set to open in Elizabethtown, with Green Releaf offering seven-day access for registered patients.

Beshear 2028 & redistricting push: Gov. Andy Beshear told NBC’s “Meet the Press” he’s focused on 2026 but won’t rule out a presidential run, backing a ban on partisan redistricting and even a “fix the darn country” constitutional amendment, plus term limits for Supreme Court justices and overturning Citizens United. Texas in play for Democrats: Beshear also argued the Texas Senate race is “in play” after Ken Paxton’s GOP primary win, calling Paxton corrupt and contrasting it with Democrats’ chance to run against him. Kentucky education funding pressure: A new report highlights Warren County’s 2024-25 enrollment (2,006 seniors) while underscoring statewide funding gaps—state support still below 2008 levels after inflation and teacher pay/transportation shortfalls. Social media settlement hits Kentucky schools: Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube agreed to pay $27 million to settle a Kentucky school district lawsuit over alleged social media harms, with teacher training promised from YouTube. Public safety & courts: Federal prosecutors indicted a Johnson County man and a Pike County man for felon-in-possession of firearms in separate cases. Local governance: Louisville’s Zoo and Orchestra announced ROARchestra returns July 11 at the Zoo, a reminder of how city institutions keep community programming moving.

Congressional Turnover: More than a dozen lawmakers have already confirmed they won’t return for the 120th Congress, with Kentucky’s own Mitch McConnell among the headline retirements. Epstein Files Fallout: House lawmakers kept pressing former AG Pam Bondi over the Jeffrey Epstein file release, as she insisted key decisions were handled by Todd Blanche—while Massie and others argue the GOP paid a political price for pushing disclosure. Kentucky Education & Social Media: A Kentucky school district settlement with major platforms totals about $27 million, spotlighting claims that social media harms students’ mental health. Data Centers vs. Kentucky Families: A new Kentucky-focused opinion piece argues data-center tax breaks shouldn’t shift grid and water upgrade costs onto ratepayers. Public Safety: Kentucky readers also get a reminder of the stakes on the road as national coverage highlights deadly crashes involving law enforcement. Local Culture: Kentucky’s political calendar also intersects with community life, from Crittenden County’s mineral museum to weekend events that keep civic energy moving.

Epstein Probe Fallout in Washington: Former Kentucky AG Pam Bondi again refused to answer lawmakers’ questions about President Trump’s role in the release of Jeffrey Epstein case files, while Democrats and survivors pressed for accountability after “redaction errors” exposed victims’ personal information. Voting Rights Fight: The U.S. Justice Department urged the Supreme Court to let states purge voter rolls for alleged noncitizens close to elections, a move critics say could disenfranchise eligible Kentuckians and others. Kentucky Data Center Push: Kentucky utilities say dozens of hyperscale data centers are in the pipeline, raising major power-demand concerns; Logan County is now weighing regulatory options to slow or restrict them. Local Government Watch: Frankfort Independent approved a 2% raise for staff; Paducah finance leaders outlined the city’s budgeting process; and Henry County approved industrial warehouses on a 217-acre farm after traffic and stormwater studies. Courts & Compliance: Former Gov. Matt Bevin faces another arrest warrant in his family-court dispute after failing to appear in person. Education & Policy: JCPS board shake-ups are coming under a new state law shrinking the board size, with all seats up in November. Social Media Settlements: A Kentucky district reached about $27 million in settlements with Meta and others over claims platforms worsened student mental health.

Epstein Files Oversight: Former U.S. AG Pam Bondi refused to answer lawmakers’ questions about whether President Trump knew about Jeffrey Epstein’s activities and whether Trump directed redactions, while also saying DOJ made “redaction errors” and that Todd Blanche handled the document release. Kentucky Local Government: Campbellsburg began a first reading to annex about 210 acres tied to an industrial warehouse project after zoning shifted from agricultural to light industrial. Health Care Access: Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted Kentucky’s mental health push as Mental Health Awareness Month ends, citing expanded 988 Lifeline use and more licensed providers. Obamacare Fallout: New data shows Americans are dropping Obamacare coverage for nonpayment and cost reasons, with Kentucky seeing a sharp spike in cancellations. Immigration in Kentucky: A teen released from ICE detention after time in Kentucky returned to Chicago to receive his high school diploma, underscoring the disruption of detention. Courts & Culture: The U.S. Supreme Court’s conversion therapy ruling raises constitutional pressure on bans aimed at protecting minors. Public Safety/Infrastructure: National Dam Safety Awareness Day spotlighted Kentucky’s role in Cumberland River Basin dam preparedness.

Abortion Access Fight: Louisiana’s move to classify abortion drugs as controlled substances is part of a broader state effort to disrupt medication abortion and telehealth, even as the U.S. Supreme Court keeps mifepristone telehealth dispensing in place for now. Kentucky Politics: The AP reports President Trump’s primary win over Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky, underscoring how little room GOP lawmakers have to break with Trump. Gubernatorial Watch: Rep. James Comer tells WHAS11 he’s “very likely” to run for Kentucky governor, while other contenders test the waters. Public Safety & Courts: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman announced a life sentence for Shannon Gilday in the Jordan Morgan murder case, with parole eligibility after 25 years. Campus Safety: Kentucky State University briefly closed its main campus and farm after a “potential threat,” then issued an all-clear. Local Government: Covington’s ABC board revoked a bar’s liquor license after a shooting tied to the establishment. Health Spending (Medicaid): New local Medicaid billing snapshots show big category shifts, including Whitley City’s sharp rise in alcohol and drug abuse treatment spending. Community Life: Frankfort opened renovated pickleball and tennis courts funded by a $250,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant.

KSU Safety Alert: Kentucky State University shut down its main Frankfort campus and Benson Farm after a “potential threat” tied to a suspicious message mentioning a gun and a bomb; students were moved to secure locations and operations later resumed with work virtual for the day. State Policy: Senate President Robert Stivers toured eastern Kentucky’s historic swinging bridges to spotlight preservation after passage of SB 261, which boosts local tools and liability protections for maintaining the structures. Public Safety & Accountability: Paintsville officials said Officer Michael Bell is no longer employed after controversy over prior arrests raised civil-rights allegations; the city said it wasn’t fully informed during the hiring process. Federal/Legal Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled for a Black Mississippi death-row inmate, Terry Pitchford, reviving challenges tied to alleged racial bias in jury selection. Elections & Trust: Mercer County completed a post-primary hand-to-eye audit of ballots at a single polling machine, with volunteers checking stacks under recorded procedures. Kentucky Economy: A major data center project is moving forward in northeastern Kentucky near Ashland, with local leaders preparing for community pushback. National Politics: Reports say Trump Treasury officials are exploring a commemorative $250 bill featuring Trump’s image for the nation’s 250th anniversary.

KSU Mission Fight: Kentucky State University students and officials are now facing a second lawsuit over Senate Bill 185, with students arguing the new polytechnic focus would violate the Kentucky Constitution and force major program cuts. Bourbon’s “White Oak” Mystery: A UK researcher is leading work to solve why young white oaks keep disappearing in Eastern Kentucky—an issue with big stakes for forests, wildlife, and bourbon barrel supply. Education & Community: Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Math held its Class of 2026 graduation, while Murray Middle School and Murray High named Trevor Cardwell to lead band programs. Public Safety & Courts: A Murray man was found not guilty in a first-degree rape trial involving a victim under 12, and Justin Swope waived a preliminary hearing in Calloway District Court. Statewide Health: Kentucky overdose deaths fell again in 2025, marking the fourth straight year of declines, according to the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. Local Governance: A new Kentucky law aims to help counties maintain pedestrian swinging bridges and offers liability protections for landowners. Public Safety Fundraising: The KSP Foundation launched its “250 for $250” campaign to support Kentucky State Police and their families.