WQXE News

Flags at state office buildings in Kentucky are at half-staff today in observance of Overdose Awareness Day.

“Addiction has devastated communities across our nation, and in Kentucky we probably got hit hardest,” said Governor Andy Beshear during Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update. “We’ve lost a lot of mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, friends, even sons and daughters, all children of God taken far too soon.”

According to the Governor’s Office, Overdose Awareness Day is an acknowledgment of the grief of family and friends impacted by losses from overdose while also serving as an effort to reduce the stigma for people currently struggling with addiction.

Beshear highlighted efforts in Kentucky aimed at reducing overdose deaths including Recovery Ready Communities, increased access to naloxone, and increased law enforcement efforts to get drugs off the street. He said those efforts have led to four straight years of decreases in overdose deaths.

“In 2025, we saw a 22.9 percent decrease as compared to previous years,” Beshear said. “That means that last year we saw the lowest number of overdose deaths since we started compiling this information, I believe in 2014, and we’re committed to continuing this progress until that number gets to zero.”

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, visit www.findhelpnowky.org, call the Crisis Lifeline at 988, or call 1-833-8KY-HELP(4357).

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Dr. Steven Stack says despite the state seeing more confirmed cases of measles in any year since 1991, the message from health officials remains a simple one.

“We urge everyone to get vaccinated,” Stack said. “These vaccines are safe, they are proven, and in fact they led to the United States in the year 2000 being declared as a measles elimination country.”

Stack provided an update on the ongoing measles outbreak in the commonwealth during Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update. 25 cases have been confirmed, including five in Washington County. All cases in the outbreak have been in individuals who were not vaccinated against measles.

Stack said vaccination not only protects you, it protects others around you.

“The disease is incredibly contagious, as we’ve said before,” Stack said. “One person in an unvaccinated community would spread it to about 18 other people.”

If you believe you are infected with measles, avoid others to protect them from exposure and contact your medical provider. Find more information on the outbreak at CHFS.ky.gov.

A Kentucky State Police Post Four trooper was recognized by Governor Andy Beshear for his life-saving efforts after a traffic collision near Elizabethtown.

Beshear named Trooper Blaine Miller this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star during Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update.

On August 14, Miller responded to the scene of a two-vehicle collision near the 87-mile marker on Interstate 65 South. Upon arrival, he found an overturned vehicle that was beginning to catch fire with four siblings (Samantha, Joshua, Sarah, and Savannah Bloom of Louisville) trapped inside.

“Thinking quickly, Trooper Miller broke the vehicle’s front windshield and pulled them all to safety,” Beshear said. “Thankfully, they had only minor injuries. Once the Blooms were removed from the vehicle, Trooper Miller and a good Samaritan at the scene used a fire extinguisher to put out smoke coming from the vehicle’s engine.”

Beshear thanked Miller for stepping in.

“His actions are an example to all of us, and he represents the selflessness of Kentucky law enforcement officers,” Beshear said. “These heroes will do whatever it takes to save a life and make sure their neighbors are safe.”

Beshear said Miller and the Blooms both credited the fact that all four siblings were wearing seat belts with preventing more serious injury, and reminded all Kentuckians to always buckle up.