AGP Executive Report

Kentucky Tech & Research: UofL launched a $10M Kentucky Center for Digital Innovation to help local industries solve tech problems and build a student-to-workforce pipeline. Medical Tech in Kentucky: Med Center Health in Bowling Green showcased Intuitive Surgical’s robotic systems for lung cancer care, aiming for smaller incisions, faster recovery, and earlier tumor detection. Education & Health Access: Scott County Schools recognized partners behind school-based health clinics at two elementary campuses, adding nurse practitioner support to reduce missed days. STEM in Motion: UK and other college teams competed in the Electrek American Solar Challenge, driving solar cars across Route 66. Policy Watch (Tariffs): Kentucky joined a 25-state lawsuit challenging Trump’s new tariffs as an unlawful attempt to raise costs after prior court defeats. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Paducah leaders highlighted a former uranium plant site as a major data center location, citing existing power and water infrastructure. Business & Growth: Creative Colors International opened a new franchise in Northern KY and Southeastern IN.

Tariff Fight: A coalition of 25 states, including Kentucky, sued the Trump administration over new sweeping tariffs, arguing they’re a legal workaround after the Supreme Court struck down earlier tariff authority—states say the costs will hit families and businesses through higher prices. State Tech & Privacy: California lawmakers renewed debate over automated license plate reader limits, as privacy advocates warn about long-term data retention and misuse while police argue the tools help solve crimes. Kentucky Health & Food Safety: Publix expanded a frozen blueberry recall to include Kentucky after reports of E. coli-linked illnesses, urging customers to discard or return affected products. Drugs & Competition: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman joined a multistate $400M settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic-drug price inflation and reduced competition, with trial expected in 2027. Education Tech in KY: Perry County schools are rolling out updated virtual health care tech for student checkups via telehealth tools. STEM Leadership in KY: University of Kentucky named faculty fellows for the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program, aiming to grow future higher-ed leaders. Local Industry: ADM announced a $16M Boone County expansion to boost natural color production for food and beverage makers. Health Care Spotlight: Pikeville Medical Center received an American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline regional recognition for coordinated severe heart-attack care.

AI + Energy in Kentucky: The U.S. Department of Energy is moving to turn the Paducah uranium site into a $100B AI data center complex, backed by Brookfield, with new natural gas and battery storage power—aimed at boosting rural western Kentucky jobs and infrastructure. Local Data Center Rules: Louisville Climate Action Network is urging residents to show up to hearings over draft data center regulations, arguing the rules have loopholes that could raise utility bills and limit neighborhood input. Public Health Watch: Kentucky is among states reporting rising cyclosporiasis cases tied to a broader outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce, with officials still working to pin down the source and scope. Medicaid Accountability: Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) and affiliates agreed to a $16.2M civil judgment over alleged Kentucky Medicaid billing fraud, resolving False Claims Act allegations tied to behavioral health services. Tech + Rural Jobs: A Kentucky-focused career-training story highlights how data-center work is pulling people into tech roles through employer-supported programs. STEM in the Commonwealth: Kentucky graduate student wins a $15,000 award for an AI forestry tool, pointing to growing research momentum in applied AI.

DOE & Kentucky Industry: The U.S. Department of Energy is moving ahead with a $100B AI data center plan at the Paducah uranium site, pairing it with new natural gas and battery power to support the next wave of computing. Rural Tech Pressure: A separate report says data centers are increasingly displacing residents and straining local water supplies, raising new fights over land and utilities. Health & Accountability: Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) and affiliates agreed to a $16.2M civil judgment tied to alleged Kentucky Medicaid billing fraud. STEM & Learning: A study finds children born during the first COVID lockdown in the UK had higher rates of reduced executive function by age 4. Home Fitness Tech: Speediance showcased AI-powered training gear at HomeGymCon 2026 in Louisville. Food Safety: Cyclosporiasis linked to lettuce continues to spread, with Kentucky among the affected states. Policy Watch: Kentucky lawmakers are pushing hemp regulation changes as a federal ban deadline approaches. Arts & Community: The Kentucky Museum hosted an artist talk tied to its “Celebrating the Black Experience” exhibit tour.

AI Fitness & Home Training: Speediance is bringing AI-powered, personalized workout gear to HomeGymCon 2026 at the Kentucky International Convention Center, highlighting its Gym Monster line and new Gym Nano. Data Centers vs. Communities: A new report says data centers are pushing into everyday life, with residents facing forced moves or pressure to sell—raising fresh concerns about land use and disruption in places like Kentucky. Public Health & Food Safety: The cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to lettuce has expanded, with Kentucky among affected states as officials urge careful washing and trimming of produce. Kentucky Medicaid Oversight: Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) and affiliates reached a $16.2M civil settlement over alleged Kentucky Medicaid fraud, tied to claims for behavioral health services. STEM & Aviation Innovation: CVG partnered with Germany’s GATE Alliance to test airport technologies and speed up supplier innovation through a transatlantic collaboration. Local Tech/Science Education: Thomas More University spotlights hands-on science facilities and new innovation spaces, while Morehead State highlights tech-enabled learning tied to its Space Science Center.

Medicaid Fraud: Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) and affiliates agreed to a $16.2M civil judgment with the U.S. over alleged Kentucky Medicaid fraud, following a qui tam complaint tied to behavioral health claims. Public Health: Michigan’s cyclosporiasis outbreak has surged past 10,700 cases, with officials pointing to lettuce or salad greens as a likely source while urging careful produce prep. AI & Safety Policy: The U.S. and China are tightening AI chatbot rules after teen deaths tied to emotionally bonding with bots, including a wrongful-death suit involving Character.AI. Tech & Aviation: CVG inked a partnership with Germany’s GATE Alliance to test airport technologies and speed supplier innovation. Online Safety Law: Kentucky Rep. Brett Guthrie backed the KIDS Act, pushing new guardrails like chatbot human disclosure and age checks for porn sites. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Kentucky approved tax refunds for a $307M Fleming County solar project, part of a broader push for clean energy investment. Health Coverage: Medicaid work requirements took effect nationwide, raising concerns among doctors about access and “medically frail” exemptions. Education & STEM Access: Yes Arts’ Pick Plus Bow program is giving kids free instrument learning, including Kentucky bluegrass and dulcimer exposure. Space Science: NASA is preparing for Europe’s first total solar eclipse in 27 years with upgraded cameras to better capture the solar corona.

Aviation Innovation: CVG signed a deal with Germany’s GATE Alliance to speed airport tech testing and supplier innovation, creating a transatlantic pathway for new aviation products. AI in Kentucky Education: UK launched its first full AI major class (33 students) as demand for tech careers grows, with a curriculum focused on programming, machine learning, stats, and ethics. Solar Incentives: Kentucky approved state tax refunds for a $307M Fleming County solar project, including sales/use tax relief tied to R&D and equipment. Food Safety: FDA expanded a frozen blueberry recall after E. coli illnesses, with Kentucky included among affected states. Public Health: Kentucky and Indiana health departments report rising cyclosporiasis cases, with thousands sick nationwide and no deaths reported. School Safety: Hardin County Schools banned metal and glass water bottles after students allegedly used them as weapons. Domestic Violence Tech & Training: AG Russell Coleman released an updated 2026 Domestic Violence Prosecution Manual, adding guidance for stalking and technology-facilitated abuse. AI Regulation Pressure: The U.S. and China move to tighten AI chatbot rules after teen tragedies tied to emotionally bonding with chatbots.

AI & Energy Infrastructure: The U.S. DOE and partners unveiled a $100B AI data center power complex at Kentucky’s former uranium enrichment site in Paducah, aiming for up to 1.8 GW of compute capacity by 2032, with Brookfield operating and NextEra building gas generation plus battery storage. Tech Jobs & Manufacturing: Gov. Beshear highlighted ADM’s $16M Boone County expansion to boost natural color production, adding 40-plus full-time jobs and more manufacturing space by early 2027. Weather Tech: Kentucky-based Climavision is partnering on a new radar installation in Florida to fill low-level coverage gaps—an example of how Kentucky radar know-how is spreading. Digital Access: AT&T and Human-IT delivered 50 refurbished laptops to the Boys and Girls Club of Frankfort as part of a push to get 1,000 devices to students and families. Public Safety Tech & Privacy: A Kentucky former trooper urged limits on automated license plate reader surveillance until clear rules exist, after Newport removed its Flock systems. STEM in Healthcare: A Kentucky oncology podcast episode spotlights precision medicine advances in NSCLC, including practice-changing results for RET fusion–positive patients. Community & Learning: AMPED and partners host a West Louisville back-to-school backpack giveaway with STEM activities and health screenings. Local Planning: Hopkinsville residents heard early plans for a West Seventh Street corridor makeover, including wider sidewalks, traffic calming, and a possible roundabout. Science & Nature: A guide explains why porcupines are rare but possible in Kentucky and where sightings are most likely.

AI & Energy in Kentucky: The DOE Paducah site is set to attract a $100B AI data center investment, and Kentucky lawmakers are publicly touting the jobs and reindustrialization potential while also fielding local concerns. Public Safety Tech: Georgetown-Scott County 911 is upgrading dispatch with new phones, logging recorders, and CAD software, including a cloud-based records system. School Safety Policy: New Kentucky laws take effect on stop-arm enforcement for passing stopped school buses and on serious assault protections, with districts saying many practices are already in place. Health & Research Watch: Kentucky health officials say the CDC is investigating an unusual rise in DIPG cases in Eastern Kentucky. Foodborne Outbreak Impact: A Cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded lettuce continues to rattle restaurants and sales, with Kentucky among affected states. Higher Ed Workforce: Midway University launches an online MSN Forensics program aimed at addressing nursing shortages and preparing nurses for trauma-informed roles. Local Community Building: A Sadieville school demolition grant was not awarded, leaving a condemned, fire-damaged building’s cleanup and redevelopment uncertain.

AI & Energy Buildout in Western Kentucky: The DOE is moving ahead with a $100B AI data center campus at the Paducah site, pairing Brookfield and NextEra with Big Rivers and Jackson Purchase, plus on-site natural gas and battery storage; officials project thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent roles. Rural Tech Access: Cornerstone Connectivity is expanding fiber broadband across parts of Carlisle County with USDA support, aiming to close the digital divide. Kentucky Education Policy: Kentucky schools must phase out the “three-cueing” reading method, with full removal required by 2029 under new literacy rules. Public Health & Food Supply: A cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded lettuce continues to ripple through restaurant sales, including Taco Bell, after lettuce was pulled and recalled. Workforce Re-entry Training: Hazard Community and Technical College celebrated re-entry training graduates, earning construction credentials through a jail-and-county partnership. Local Infrastructure: Franklin is partnering with KYTC to widen Robey Street and relocate major water and sewer lines. Health Tech Access: Publix pharmacies are joining the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program to help eligible patients fill weight-management prescriptions.

COVID Hearing Fallout: Former U.S. infectious disease chief Anthony Fauci again invoked the Fifth Amendment, refusing to answer more than 100 questions in a Senate showdown led by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who is now pushing a contempt vote. White House Lab-Leak Fight: The White House reignited COVID-19 origin debate, accusing Fauci of steering a “preferred narrative” toward natural spread. Kentucky Health Policy: Kentucky’s Beshear-era push to expand Medicaid access for addiction treatment is now facing fraud-and-abuse scrutiny as billing concerns mount. AI & Power in Paducah: The DOE announced a $100B AI data center campus at the Paducah site, with Brookfield and NextEra among partners, targeting thousands of construction jobs and dedicated energy infrastructure. Rural Broadband: Cornerstone Connectivity highlighted new fiber buildout in western Kentucky, citing state and federal support to close the digital divide. STEM & Schools: Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman won a STEM Spark Award, while Taylor County High School’s ag program earned top state recognition for hands-on learning. Tech, Law, and Teens: Meta faces a Tennessee trial over claims Instagram’s design drives youth mental-health harm. Food Safety: A cyclospora-linked lettuce outbreak continues to hit restaurants, with Taco Bell among the hardest affected. EV Battery Waste: China’s EV boom is now creating a looming wave of end-of-life battery disposal and recycling challenges.

Paducah Data Center Push: The DOE says it will redevelop the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant into a $100B+ AI and computing campus, paired with new power generation and up to 2.6 GW of battery storage—promising about 8,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent roles, while Gov. Andy Beshear’s office says it wasn’t briefed and wants answers on power, environmental impact, and taxes. Electric Flight Training in Kentucky: Madisonville Community College unveiled its first owned, all-electric Pipistrel Velis Electro training aircraft, highlighting lower noise and zero emissions as Kentucky expands hands-on aviation STEM. COVID Hearing Fallout: Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during a Senate hearing led by Kentucky’s Rand Paul, as Paul released diary pages that fuel renewed debate over COVID origins and the pandemic response. Churchill Downs Business Moves: Churchill Downs reported strong Q2 results and announced a deal to acquire 49% of United Tote, plus updates to 2027–2028 track projects.

COVID Origins Showdown (Kentucky ties): Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has subpoenaed Dr. Anthony Fauci for a Senate hearing on whether COVID-19 began as a “lab leak,” while Paul released more than 1,000 pages of Fauci diary material ahead of testimony. Public Health: The CDC says the Cyclospora outbreak has grown to 6,707 confirmed cases, with thousands more under investigation, and a separate investigation remains tied to shredded iceberg lettuce linked to multiple states including Kentucky. Local Tech & Cyber/AI: The University of Louisville launched the Kentucky Center for Digital Innovation with $10 million in state funding to push cybersecurity and AI research, workforce training, and industry partnerships. Law Enforcement Tech Debate: Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie says he’ll introduce a bill to cut funding for agencies using flock license plate cameras, as Kentucky sheriffs defend the tools and privacy critics push back. Health Care Fraud (Kentucky): Three Kentucky Addiction Centers executives were sentenced in a $4.8M Medicare/Medicaid fraud case involving alleged billing for services not provided. Weather Data: The National Weather Service retired a Frankfort reporting station amid budget-driven downgrades, shifting to Kentucky Mesonet data. Energy & Industry: U.S. EPA air rules were delayed for two Kentucky chemical facilities, extending compliance timelines for cancer-linked emissions monitoring.

COVID Origins & Politics: Sen. Rand Paul released more than 1,100 pages of Dr. Anthony Fauci’s diary ahead of Fauci’s Senate hearing, fueling fresh claims about COVID-19 origins and Fauci’s conduct, while Rep. James Comer says Biden’s pardon won’t shield Fauci from sworn testimony. Kentucky Workforce Tech: A new Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education brief warns the state is training tech talent but losing computer science and information systems grads to higher-paying out-of-state jobs, urging stronger retention partnerships. AI Infrastructure & Data Centers: Louisville residents and officials are clashing over proposed data center zoning rules as protesters push back on noise, pollution, and energy costs. Public Health—Foodborne Illness: Kentucky readers get a practical guide to telling cyclospora and salmonella symptoms apart as the cyclospora outbreak expands nationwide. Local Tech/Engineering in Motion: Todd County is changing traffic flow at the U.S. 41/KY 104/KY 848 intersection to an all-way stop to improve safety. Business & Tech Infrastructure: Core Scientific and AMD announced an AI infrastructure partnership, targeting up to 2.5 gigawatts of data center capacity.

Alzheimer’s Sleep Breakthrough (UK): UK researchers say microglia drive sleep loss in Alzheimer’s—and targeting them restored about two hours of sleep in study subjects, pointing to sleep as a possible early biomarker. Healthcare Governance & AI (KNA/Datavant): Kentucky nurses are pushing back on AI replacing utilization review nurses, raising privacy and patient-safety concerns about Datavant’s role in Kentucky-linked systems. Education Tech & Security (InstructureCon): In Louisville, InstructureCon 2026 highlighted AI in education and new Canvas security steps after the April 2026 breach. Data Center Rules (Hopkinsville): Hopkinsville’s planning commission drew heavy public comment on proposed zoning standards for future data centers, including noise, water use, and infrastructure requirements. Local Tech Policy (Flock cameras): Kentucky’s debate over automated license plate readers continues as lawmakers push limits and funding restrictions amid privacy and surveillance concerns. Workforce Pipeline (Paducah radiological training): A new radiological control technician program is set to launch in Paducah with WorkKeys testing and limited seats. Public Health Parasite Watch (Cyclospora): The national Cyclospora outbreak continues to expand across states, keeping food-safety and monitoring in focus. STEM Recognition (UK professor): Rachel Hogg-Graham earned a 2026-27 University Research Professor honor for cross-sector population health research. UPS Crash Court Fight: Families suing UPS over a Louisville-area plane crash face a federal jurisdiction fight tied to whether UPS is Kentucky-based.

Stroke Care Upgrade: Eastern Kentucky Neuroscience Center at Pikeville Medical Center earned two American Heart Association “Get With The Guidelines” awards for stroke treatment aligned with research-based protocols. Local STEM & Health Training: Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership and West Kentucky Community and Technical College will launch a Radiological Control Technician program in Paducah, with WorkKeys testing and limited seats. Workforce Pipeline: Franklin County Career and Technical Center announced an EMT program for the upcoming school year, funded by a Kentucky Rural Health Transformation Grant and built around simulation and clinical experiences. Tech, Jobs & Data Centers: Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers argues data center costs should be paid by developers, not ratepayers, as the state weighs how to attract tech without burdening communities. Privacy Tech Pushback: Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie and others are backing federal limits on Flock Safety-style automated license plate reader cameras amid mass-surveillance privacy concerns. Community Tech Reporting: Courier Journal reporters won a national SPJ Green Eyeshade award for business and technology reporting on safety issues at the BlueOval SK plant in Glendale. Agriculture & Education: Kentucky State University Extension educator Kimberly Harriford received a national award for family and consumer sciences work.