WQXE News

The state of Kentucky is observing Adult Education and Family Literacy Week now through September 19, with a spotlight on making learning more accessible for Kentuckians of all ages.

“The most recent state data shows that the Office of Adult Education saw an incredible increase of 19 percent in total enrollment and services,” said Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman during Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update. “That success is due to the hard work of the Kentucky Office of Adult Education and our statewide network of providers in addition to our investment in adult education.”

Coleman said as the state continues to see success in economic development, the focus on workforce development must remain strong, and that begins with creating opportunities in education.

“We’re creating world-class educational and training opportunities by embracing a culture of lifelong learning,” Coleman said. “This will help workers acquire the skills that they need to remain relevant in a rapidly-evolving workplace. We’re working to expand apprenticeship opportunities throughout our commonwealth where our citizens can earn as they learn on the job.”

September 16 is also National GED Day. Coleman said since the GED testing fee was waived in Kentucky in 2020, nearly 27,000 Kentuckians have taken advantage of the state’s GED initiatives, with the state posting a 79 percent pass rate.

Learn more about adult education opportunities at kyae.ky.gov.

Governor Andy Beshear recognized September as Hunger Action Month during his Team Kentucky Update Thursday, noting that at least 710,000 Kentuckians are facing food insecurity.

“That’s one in six people across our state, and it includes one in five children, and the Commonwealth continues to have the nation’s highest rate of hunger among older adults,” Beshear said. “These aren’t just statistics. They’re our neighbors, our family, and our friends.”

The governor noted actions taken by the state to help address hunger issues along with challenges such as cuts to SNAP benefits. He said your local food bank needs help “now more than ever,” and encouraged Kentuckians to reach out and support their neighbors in need.

“If you’ve been waiting to find that cause that you can jump into, this is one that’s worth it,” Beshear said. “When you do it, you’re helping everybody, and you’re helping them solely based on need.”

Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland Marketing and Communications Manager Manda Barger says 21.1 percent of children in the region struggle with food insecurity, with numbers for the region and Hardin County both trending higher than national averages.

FAKH has multiple opportunities to donate or volunteer.

“A lot of people can also just advocate, get this information out there,” Barger said. “We don’t want this to be a hidden issue in our community. We want to make sure that people who need help are getting it, but also that we are aware of the problems that members of our community are facing.”

Visit www.feedingamericaky.org for more information.

The Leitchfield Animal Shelter is hosting a “Paw-ty” in the Park this Saturday full of free services and fun for dogs and their human friends alike.

The adoption extravaganza will run at the James D. Beville City Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT on September 13. Adoptable dogs from the shelter will be on hand as they look for their forever homes.

Human visitors can enjoy free hot dogs and water, while four-legged visitors will be able to get free nail trims and blowouts as well as free obedience training. Microchipping will be available for purchase, and the shelter is also selling t-shirts at the event.

The shelter itself will be closed the day of the event. Visit the Leitchfield Animal Shelter Facebook page for more information.