WQXE News
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced during Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update that additional approvals for Public Assistance were made by the White House for counties impacted by severe weather in April, meaning all 90 counties requested have been approved.
“The support is essential for the communities to rebuild, that we don’t see counties or city governments bankrupted by a natural disaster that just inflicts so much damage, so I’m grateful to the President and Secretary Noem,” Beshear said. “I also told the President that the FEMA team members on the ground after each of these natural disasters are doing great work for Kentuckians.”
Included in the second round of approvals were Bullitt and Hardin counties. Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul said Public Assistance is very important to the county’s recovery efforts.
“It’s a high expense for us, and as you know, and many people know, Hardin County Government’s budget is really, really tight, and this financial assistance is critical for us,” Taul said.
Taul said Public Assistance will help offset the cost of services related to responding to the severe weather such as additional ambulances as well as cleanup services such as dumpsters.
“You just start to add up all those costs, and then we on top of that have some significant damage to several county roads that when you add it all up, I haven’t got the exact number yet, but it’s probably going to push upward to maybe $1 million just for the county roads,” Taul said.
Friday is the deadline for homeowners and renters in the approved counties to apply for Individual Assistance. Visit FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center at Kentucky State Police Post Four in Elizabethtown, go online to www.disasterassistance.gov, or call 1-800-621-3362 to apply.
Unemployment rates in several Lincoln Trail District counties saw improvements in June compared to the year prior.
The Kentucky Center for Statistics says unemployment rates decreased in 115 counties, increased in four counties, and stayed the same in one county when comparing June 2025 with June 2024.
The state unemployment average for June was 4.9 percent. That is up from the 4.4 percent rate reported in May but is down from the 5.4 percent average reported in June 2024. Four of the eight Lincoln trail counties were at or below the state unemployment average in June.
Hardin County’s unemployment rate for June was just above the state average at 5.1 percent. That is up from the 4.7 percent rate that was reported in May but is down from the 5.5 percent rate reported in June 2024.
Grayson County posted the highest June unemployment rate in the district at 6 percent, followed by Breckinridge County at 5.6 percent. Washington County had the lowest rate in the district, and tied for the sixth-lowest rate in the state, at 4.2 percent.
Learn more about how the unemployment rate is calculated and find more labor market information by visiting kystats.ky.gov.
As the cars roll in for the annual Cruisin’ the Heartland Festival Friday and Saturday, the Elizabethtown Police Department is reminding drivers to take to the roadways responsibly.
“As always, the Elizabethtown Police Department is concerned about safety first,” said EPD Public Information Officer John Thomas. “To that end, our FLEX Team is going to be on patrol to help keep the event safe and fun for everyone.”
Drivers should obey all traffic laws and remember that dangerous behavior will not be tolerated.
“Burnouts, racing, reckless driving, and street takeovers of any kind will not be tolerated,” Thomas said. “We’re just asking those who attend, let’s all do our part to keep things safe, respectful, and enjoyable, and we can’t wait to see you there.”
The Cruisin’ car show begins at Freeman Lake Park Friday at 2 p.m. Downtown streets will begin closing for Saturday activities at 6 a.m. Visit www.etownevents.com for a full schedule and more information.