WQXE News

Unemployment rates across the Lincoln Trail District in November are down from where they were the year prior.

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says unemployment rates decreased in 119 counties and increased in one when comparing November 2025 with November 2024.

The state unemployment average for November was 4.5 percent. That’s down from the 5 percent average reported in November 2024 and equal to the September 2025 state average.

Hardin County’s unemployment rate for November came in above the state average at 5 percent. That is an increase from the September rate of 4.7 percent but is down from November 2024 when the rate was reported at 5.3 percent.

Grayson County posted the highest November unemployment rate in the district at 5.6 percent, followed by Breckinridge and Marion counties at 5.2 percent. Washington County posted the lowest unemployment rate in the district, and tied for the fifth-lowest rate in the state, for November at 3.8 percent, followed by Nelson County at 4.2 percent.

Learn more about how the unemployment rate is calculated and find more labor market information by visiting kystats.ky.gov.

The Hardin County Board of Elections met for their first meeting of the year Thursday.

The board approved the county’s election contingency and security plans, which concern the proper storing of election equipment and the tracking of paper ballots. The board also approved the county elections calendar, including training dates for poll workers.

Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith said he is keeping an eye on Senate Bill 7, which would return drivers licensing to counties rather than the regional offices. 

“I will tell you that if you speak to any of the legislators, Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Northern Kentucky, anywhere, they will all tell you that for the last two years, the number one complaint they have received has been about the drivers licensing offices,” Smith said. “Whatever number two is, it’s a distant number two. We get constant complaints about it here.”

Smith said the bill as written does not concern Hardin County because a regional licensing office is located in Elizabethtown. Smith said a house bill similar to Senate Bill 7 has been written, and a house bill that would return licensing to the circuit court clerk’s offices has also been proposed.

Smith also said he is waiting to see more clarifications from the state on the new Mobile IDs now available through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. While the main promoted use from the Transportation Cabinet is for air travel, Smith said he is anticipating possible confusion if somebody attempts to use a Mobile ID to vote.

“Right now, we are seeking legal opinion on how this is going to impact our role,” Smith said. “What I have instructed my staff downstairs is we need a hard copy of the driver’s license because even the Transportation Cabinet that is promoting this says you still must carry your hard copy driver’s license with you.”

Following the meeting, the Board of Elections conducted the ballot position draw for candidates running in the May primary election. The updated ballot can be found on the Hardin County Clerk’s Office’s website, and more election information is available at govote.ky.gov.

Twin Lakes Skatepark Project Chairman Casey Keown says the nonprofit took major steps towards their goal of a new permanent skatepark facility in Grayson County, including a partnership with Indiana-based design firm Hunger Skateparks.

“We’ve completed our geotechnical survey, and next week we’ll be completing our topographical survey, so we are hoping to have our preliminary design in the near future, and you know, all these things take time and money, so we’re just going to keep pushing,” Keown said.

The skatepark project promotes “Unity Through Community” and as they get closer to the goal they are seeking community partners to sponsor their upcoming Casino Night. 

“Our theme this year is Art in Motion,” Keown said. “It’s a night of celebrating skateboarding as an art form. Obviously, skateboarding is not like your conventional sport, and a lot of times skateboarders get a bad rep because they’re misunderstood.”

The sponsorship is not only a way to support the organization and be featured at the event, but also to be featured on the organization’s social media, which Keown says has seen great growth.

“Just over the last 28 days, we’ve had over 20,000 views,” Keown said. “Our engagement’s up 455 percent, and our follower growth is up 3,000 percent. This is before running any paid ads. This is just organic growth. We’re quickly becoming one of the top pages here in Grayson County.”

Businesses or organizations interested in sponsorship should email Dani Saltsman at dani@twinlakesskatepark.org. Visit the organization’s website or Facebook page for more information including tickets.