AGP Executive Report

Space & STEM: NASA tapped University of Tennessee alum Randy Bresnik to command the 2027 Artemis III test flight, adding another UT graduate to the growing list of Kentuckians-and-Tennessee-linked space travelers. Medical Tech: Airiver Medical reported the first patient treated in its RESTORE-2 drug-coated balloon trial for chronic rhinosinusitis in Louisville, aiming for an FDA path and future commercialization. Healthcare Expansion: Norton Children is moving forward with a new pediatric campus in Jeffersontown after collecting 10,000+ family and clinician survey responses across 31 states. Local Tech Policy: SOKY Indivisible pressed Warren County residents to oppose data centers, pointing to Bowling Green’s rejected moratorium and concerns about utility strain and rate hikes. Environment & Infrastructure: Cave City development records suggest a proposed data center entered formal planning review before a moratorium, fueling questions about process and timing. Education: A Talent Middle School science teacher was named a National STEM Scholar, joining WKU-based training for advanced classroom project support. Public Health: Kentucky clinicians urged earlier attention to pancreatic cancer symptoms, highlighting high death rates and limited screening options.

World Cup Turf Science: Michigan State and University of Tennessee researchers helped perfect the grass for all 16 FIFA World Cup stadiums across North America, using Bermuda for warm venues and Kentucky bluegrass/rye blends for cooler sites. Medicaid Policy: CMS rolled out Medicaid work requirements under HR-1, setting an 80-hour-per-month engagement rule for many adults, with health-based exemptions and a Jan. 1 implementation deadline. Stroke Awareness in Paducah: Baptist Health Paducah’s 15th annual Spokes for Strokes bike tour is set for July 11, raising funds for stroke education and expanded stroke care. Local Gas Tax Decision: Hillview declined to extend Gov. Andy Beshear’s motor fuels tax order, warning it could reduce municipal road aid funding. Energy & Data Centers: Murray State alum Eric King was appointed to the National Petroleum Council, while EPIC released analysis on cost allocation for large-load data centers. Cave City Data Center Push: Kentucky Industrial Alliance says a proposed Cave Point Commerce Center could generate major local property tax revenue, as the debate over data centers continues. STEM for Eastern Kentucky: Rural Up launched free 2026 STEM Explorer Camps across seven locations, building robots and rockets with middle schoolers. Business Leadership: Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce named Jim Page its next president/CEO, starting July 20. Education Recognition: Morehead State earned a College of Distinction for 2026-27, highlighting hands-on learning and student outcomes.

Artemis III Moon Program: NASA named Randy Bresnik (born in Fort Knox, Kentucky) to command the 2027 Artemis III crew, a key docking test mission aimed at enabling a return to the lunar surface by 2028. Data Center Pushback in Kentucky: Allen County approved a two-year moratorium on new data centers and similar high-intensity computing sites, while Edmonson County enacted a one-year pause covering data centers, AI facilities, and crypto mining as officials study impacts on power, water, roads, and quality of life. Kentucky Food Tech & Water Systems: FoodChain opened a Neighborhood Green Grocery in Lexington next to its aquaponics farm, highlighting Kentucky State University’s long-running aquaponics and Extension work. Public Health & Safety Policy: Kentucky’s optometry board will let some graduates keep practicing while licensure gaps are addressed, drawing criticism over patient-care standards. STEM Education Access: A new national analysis finds many students reach Algebra I by eighth grade, but access is uneven—often shaped by local placement practices and advocacy. AI in Industry: Ford rolled out IBM’s AI-powered visual inspection across 17 plants to catch assembly defects earlier.

Coal & Energy Policy: DOE picked Kentucky’s Mt. Storm for up to $350M in coal modernization, aiming to extend plant life and add reliable capacity, while Senate President Robert Stivers framed it as an all-of-the-above reliability strategy. Mine Waste Tech: Fulcrum Metals’ subsidiary will build and run a cyanide-free mine-waste gold recovery pilot plant in Ontario, using data to support future commercial work. Engineering & Computing Education: Elon University named John Walz inaugural dean for a new School of Engineering and Computing, set to launch in fall 2026. Health IT for Veterans: VA expanded its electronic health record rollout to four more Ohio/Kentucky sites, including Cincinnati VA Medical Center–Fort Thomas. Animal Science Research: UK researchers won a $650,000 USDA grant to study how uterine crowding affects modern sow reproduction. Local Tech & Business: Kroger rolled out electronic shelf labels, drawing “surge pricing” worries that the company says it doesn’t do. Public Safety Training: Hope Harbor offers free Green Dot bystander intervention training in Bowling Green. Space: NASA named Artemis III commander Randy Bresnik, a Citadel alumnus. Data Center Fight: A lawsuit challenges Cave City’s 12-month data center moratorium. Weather Watch: Flood watch issued for heavy rain threats around Cincinnati.

VA Health IT: The Department of Veterans Affairs expanded its electronic health record rollout to four new Ohio and Kentucky sites, bringing more than 107,000 veterans and about 7,200 clinicians onto the upgraded system. Drinking Water: Kentucky’s 2025 Safe Drinking Water Act compliance report says public systems kept high standards, with routine testing and monitoring driving results. Public Safety Training: Hope Harbor in Bowling Green is hosting free Green Dot bystander intervention training to help residents spot and interrupt power-based personal violence. Healthcare Robotics: UK HealthCare performed Kentucky’s first robot-assisted kidney transplant, touting smaller incisions and easier recovery. Energy Efficiency in Industry: Toyota Kentucky won a 2026 DOE Better Project Award for cutting paint-operations energy use at its Georgetown plant. Workforce Pipeline: The DeRocco Fellows Program named an 11-woman 2026 cohort for hands-on manufacturing and engineering roles. Data Centers Clash: A Barren County developer sued Cave City over a 12-month data center application moratorium, arguing it’s unlawful. Agriculture Research: Kentucky-area livestock feed research highlights non-bloating legumes like sainfoin as alternatives to alfalfa’s bloat risk. Community History Project: Ohio University Southern is documenting African American stories across the Ohio River corridor in a new documentary.

Data Centers in the Spotlight: Lexington’s DartPoints bought a former Lexmark property for $29M, but Mayor Linda Gorton says the city won’t offer public incentives, while other Kentucky counties are weighing moratoriums and tighter rules as projects grow. Local Plans, Local Pushback: Pikeville officials are exploring a proposed $250M data center at the Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park, with community concerns about jobs, power use, and what “AI expansion” could mean locally. State Tech & Services: Kentucky driver licensing branches reopened under the myDrive system, but walk-in customers reported long waits and technology glitches after a statewide records move. Health IT Rollout: The VA continues its electronic health record rollout, deploying to four more sites in Ohio and Kentucky and moving thousands of employees and veterans onto the new system. Rural Health Workforce: A University of Kentucky-led study finds rural areas have far fewer health care workers than metro areas, especially in highly trained roles. Agriculture Research: Kentucky State University research suggests supplemental nitrogen may not pay off for drought-prone, low- to moderate-yield soybean conditions. Public Safety & Fraud: A Together Frankfort forum will focus on elder fraud and abuse prevention.

Kentucky Broadband Expansion: Kinetic says it has passed 2 million fiber premises, with the milestone reached in the greater Lexington area as the company pushes fiber deeper into rural and suburban markets. Local Tech & Infrastructure Politics: A new Kentucky-focused look at data center fights finds the issue driving local primary results, with residents citing transparency, pollution worries, and higher utility bills. Public Safety Engineering: USACE Louisville District trained construction personnel on rock blasting quality and safety for the Rough River Dam Safety Modification project, highlighting the site’s karst geology and the need for careful blasting controls. STEM in Kentucky Healthcare: UK HealthCare performed Kentucky’s first robot-assisted kidney transplant, a sign of how advanced surgical tech is moving into more routine care. Nature & Applied Science: The Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves shared how prescribed burns are planned with detailed safety barriers and weather controls to protect fire-adapted ecosystems. Cyber/Defense Policy: A U.S.-Israel defense technology cooperation initiative is headed for a House vote after clearing the Armed Services Committee, aiming to expand joint work across areas like AI, cyber security, and counter-drone tech.

Kentucky Public Safety Tech: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky is rolling out Next Generation 911 statewide, letting residents send voice, text, photos and video to call centers for faster, more accurate dispatch; 19 centers are already live, with full coverage expected by end of 2027. Health Equity in Frankfort: The City of Frankfort and UK partnered for the Dr. Rosby Glover Unity in the Community event, offering free screenings and ongoing monthly meetings to tackle Alzheimer’s disparities. EV Charging Buildout: Beshear’s latest request for proposals seeks private developers to expand Kentucky’s fast-charging network in underserved rural and urban areas; responses are due July 13. Education & Workforce: Logan County Schools begins a $10.4M Career and Technical Center expansion adding diesel and plumbing programs for fall 2027. Data Center Policy Watch: Murray planners move toward local “guardrails” for data centers, with a public hearing set for June 9. STEM in Sports Turf: FIFA’s World Cup pitches rely on years of turf engineering for consistent natural grass performance across 16 venues.

EV Charging Expansion: Gov. Andy Beshear’s office is seeking proposals to expand Kentucky’s fast-charging network, with responses due July 13 and new sites aimed at both rural gaps and underserved urban routes. Public Safety Tech: Kentucky is rolling out Next Generation 911 statewide, upgrading call centers to handle voice, text, photos, and video for faster, more accurate emergency response by end of 2027. Workforce & Career Training: Construction is starting on Logan County Schools’ Career and Technical Center expansion, adding new diesel and plumbing programs for fall 2027. Education Outcomes: Kentucky lawmakers heard an update on statewide literacy progress, including gains tied to early literacy investments after the pandemic. STEM in Schools: Floyd County School of Innovation students LilyAnna Thompson and Ava Mays qualified for the HOSA National Competition in Indianapolis. World Cup Science (Kentucky angle): Turf experts behind the 2026 World Cup pitches say the goal is consistent, mostly natural grass performance across 16 stadiums—research that could influence everyday lawn care. Agriculture Watch: A new report highlights the U.S. cattle herd shrinking to its smallest level since 1951, with Kentucky producers weighing risk amid higher costs and uncertainty.

Public Safety Tech Upgrade: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky is rolling out Next Generation 911 statewide, letting residents send voice, text, photos and video to dispatchers with more precise location routing; 19 call centers are already live, with full coverage expected by end of 2027. Local History & Community: A new historical marker honoring Louisville civil rights leader Dr. P.O. Sweeney was unveiled at Cherokee Golf Course after years of research by his son Maurice Sweeney and retired professor Robert Stagg. STEM in the Spotlight: University of Tennessee and Michigan State turf researchers spent years engineering FIFA World Cup 2026 pitches for consistent, safer play across 16 stadiums. Agriculture Innovation: Alltech launched Olerix, a phytogenic feed blend aimed at improving pig growth and feed efficiency while supporting gut health and immune function. Weather Watch: Storm chances are rising in the region as humidity climbs, with a slight risk for strong to severe storms near parts of Kentucky and Ohio Valley areas.

World Cup Turf Science: A University of Tennessee professor says 16 FIFA World Cup venues across North America are being tuned for consistent, mostly natural hybrid grass so players get predictable footing—years of research aimed at making the pitches “beautiful” but invisible to fans. Agriculture Tech in Kentucky: Alltech (Lexington) launched Olerix, a phytogenic feed blend for pigs designed to support gut health, feed efficiency, immune function, and growth, backed by modern production trials. Animal Health & Research: Kentucky’s saddleback caterpillar is back in the spotlight for its painful sting, with University of Kentucky guidance on what it looks like and how to handle contact safely. Inclusive Museum Build: Louisville’s American Printing House for the Blind is preparing to open The Dot Experience, a major new inclusive museum space focused on disability access and human-centered storytelling. Storm Watch: Forecasters flagged strong-to-severe storm chances near the I-70 corridor and parts of Northern Kentucky as humidity climbs. Medical Cannabis Expansion: Kentucky’s executive order expanded qualifying conditions for medical cannabis from 6 to 21, with clinicians pointing to potential benefits for chronic pain and PTSD.

PFAS Watch in Frankfort: Kentucky lawmakers are weighing options to tackle “forever chemicals,” with a bill aimed at forming a working group and setting cabinet-level drinking-water limits and monitoring. Medical Cannabis Expansion: Gov. Andy Beshear’s executive order nearly quadruples qualifying conditions for Kentucky medical cannabis cards, moving from 6 to 21. Enrollment & Funding Pressure: New state figures show kindergarten enrollment dips in Pulaski County (795) and Fayette County (3,281), while a separate report highlights Kentucky’s ongoing school funding gaps. I-65 Safety Tech: After multiple truck hits at Louisville’s low “can opener” bridge during the summer shutdown, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is adding more warnings, while safety-tech firms push in-cab alerts to prevent crashes. Data Centers, Energy, and Policy: Kentucky’s PFAS debate lands in the same week as broader data-center fights elsewhere, including Illinois pausing new incentives over energy and water concerns. Inclusive Tech & Culture: Louisville’s American Printing House for the Blind is preparing to open The Dot Experience, billed as a highly inclusive museum for blind and low-vision visitors.

PFAS Watch: Kentucky lawmakers are weighing a proposal that would require PFAS-related reporting and push companies to disclose “forever chemical” dumping, with supporters citing health clusters and opponents warning about business conflict. Medical Cannabis Expansion: Gov. Andy Beshear’s executive order expands Kentucky’s medical cannabis qualifying conditions from 6 to 21, aiming to broaden access for chronic pain and certain mental health needs. Data Centers & Energy: A major policy fight over data-center tax incentives is heating up, with Illinois pausing new incentives and citing pressure on energy affordability and water resources—an issue Kentucky communities are also watching. Coal Funding Boost: The Trump administration is directing $700M to modernize or restart coal plants, including projects tied to Kentucky, framing it as power support for AI data centers. Workforce & Innovation: Launch Blue and BADC announced the Summer 2026 UAccel: AgTech I-Corps cohort, a six-week program to help ag innovators validate markets and commercialization paths. Local Tech Training: Highway District 12 held its annual safety “roadeo” to train equipment operators and roll out new methods and technology. Education Numbers: Pulaski County and Fayette County both reported kindergarten enrollment declines in 2024-25, underscoring ongoing funding and staffing pressures.

Medical Cannabis Expansion: Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order expanding Kentucky’s medical cannabis qualifying conditions from 6 to 21, with advocates saying it will broaden access for chronic pain and mental health needs. Public Safety Tech Upgrade: Kentucky is moving to Next Generation 911 across all 117 call centers, adding faster, more accurate routing and allowing voice, text, photos, and video from compatible devices. Driver Licensing Modernization: All 35 regional driver licensing offices are closed during a transition to a new KINDL licensing platform, with limited walk-in hours after reopening. Data Centers & Local Concerns: Louisville University launched a community webinar series on data centers after a temporary moratorium, weighing jobs and tax benefits against water, power, pollution, and space impacts. EV Charging Buildout: Kentucky issued a new request for proposals to expand fast-charging access statewide, aiming to fill gaps in both rural and urban areas. Work Zones Speed Cameras: Kentucky’s pilot camera-assisted speed enforcement in highway work zones is showing promising results, using solar-powered cameras and on-site officers for citations. Rural Tech & Health Abroad: Kentucky nonprofit WaterStep is supporting Ebola response efforts in Congo, focusing on safe water and sanitation where vaccines aren’t available. Policy & Lobbying Watch: New state records show nearly $13.77 million spent lobbying during the 2026 session, including major attention on child care and data centers.

Transportation Tech & Safety: Kentucky lawmakers got an update on a Camera Assisted Speed Enforcement pilot using solar work-zone cameras; the system flags drivers 10+ mph over limits and requires an officer to pull them over on scene. Public Health & Water Tech: Kentucky nonprofit WaterStep is supporting Congo’s Ebola response with safe-water sanitation tools and training as the outbreak spreads without approved vaccines for the strain. Workforce Development: Gov. Beshear announced $1.8M for workforce training through Bluegrass State Skills Corp for nearly 2,300 Kentuckians. EV Infrastructure: Kentucky issued another RFP to expand fast-charging beyond existing corridor sites, targeting underserved urban and rural routes. Data Center Tensions: Boyd County residents questioned proposed data center plans, including NDAs and protections for ratepayers and the environment. Energy & Grid Planning: A Kentucky report says data centers could bring billions, but warns customers could absorb costly upgrades without clear rules. STEM & Research: UK’s BIRCWH program is taking applications for women’s health research scholars and associates, with NIH-backed support.

Data Privacy Push in Congress: A House subcommittee hearing on the SECURE Data Act split sharply along party lines, with Republicans backing a single federal privacy standard and Democrats warning it could weaken stronger state protections. Local Tech & Jobs: Lexington’s New Circle Road Lexmark data center sold for $29M, with DartPoints planning expansion aimed at AI and hyperscale demand. Work-Zone Safety Tech: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet cameras in active construction zones are showing early results, with officials citing about a 20% drop in speeding drivers and plans to add more statewide. Space Tech in Kentucky: UK researchers helped NASA fix a heat-shield issue tied to Artemis I, a concern that resurfaced during Artemis II’s splashdown wait. Healthcare & Policy: Kentucky’s “conscience protection” trend is growing, with multiple states considering laws that let healthcare workers opt out of certain services on moral or religious grounds. Agriculture Research: Kentucky State University studies examine when supplemental nitrogen helps soybean—and when it’s just extra cost—especially under rainfed, drought-prone conditions. Public Health in Appalachia: UK research finds sleep problems like insomnia may be more widespread across Appalachia than earlier studies suggested.