WQXE News

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says Kentuckians are facing serious new challenges, but the state of the commonwealth remains strong, and that comes from leaders focusing on moving the state “not right, not left, but forward for everyone.”

“We’ve done this by recognizing the most important things to our people,” Beshear said. “They’re not partisan. They’re not even bipartisan. They are nonpartisan. A good job, affordable health care, safe roads and bridges, good schools, safe communities. These aren’t red or blue issues. They’re just what every Kentucky family wants, what every Kentucky family deserves, and what our American families demand.”

The governor delivered the annual speech and budget address at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort Wednesday night.

Beshear touted more than $45 million in new investment over the past six years and “68,000 new jobs at the highest three-year average for new wages” in the state’s history. Beshear said the state secured another top five ranking for economic development last year.

“That’s now five straight years of being in the top five in the country, and we’ve been congratulated by the toughest of critics as we secured three credit upgrades which say Kentucky is on the upswing,” Beshear said. “The products we make are being sold all over the world as we have broken back-to-back our record on exports.”

The governor discussed infrastructure improvements, increased hiring for the Kentucky State Police, efforts to improve access to healthcare, and the state’s Pre-K for All Initiative.

The full text of the governor’s address can be found on the state website, and the speech can be viewed on the governor’s YouTube channel.

A Nelson County woman will serve 20 years in federal prison after her conviction on charges related to the sexual exploitation of children.

Kathlen Flener was found guilty of two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child and one count of Distribution of Child Pornography. The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Kentucky says Flener used an online social media app “to distribute two sexually-explicit images of the minor victims to an adult male living in Australia.”

Flener was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by a term of 30 years of supervised release. Flener was also ordered to pay $3,000 to each victim in restitution.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations Nashville with assistance from the Kentucky State Police. The case was brought forth as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative that aims to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The U.S. Attorney’s office says there is no parole in the federal system.

McDonald’s restaurants are recognizing the crew members who have played a role in building the “Mcdonald’s Experience” in local communities with their inaugural One in Eight Day.

“Across the U.S., one in eight Americans have had work experience at McDonald’s in their lifetime, so McDonald’s corporate is pushing out January 8, 1/8/26, just to show appreciation to current career members and management teams, and then former employees that worked at McDonald’s,” said Kristi Wright, the community and school engagement liaison for Burrell Family McDonald’s, which owns 16 area McDonald’s restaurants. 

The celebration highlights the impact the Golden Arches has had in shaping career paths, developing leaders, and providing opportunities across generations.

Mayene Towns is a crew trainer at the West Dixie Avenue McDonald’s. She says the job has a good atmosphere with good people, and she appreciates the support of the Burrell company.

“They have stuff for scholarships,” Towns said. “If you want to go to school, they help pay for you to go to school. If you have any type of emergency that comes up, a personal emergency, they will help you with that as well, so they do focus a lot on the employees. They have good benefits as far as bonuses.”

Wright says the local company has played a major role in her life, beginning when she got a job at Mcdonald’s when she was 16.

“I learned so much about teamwork, about dealing with customers, interacting with customers, service, my teammates at work, and it carried me through college, through my career in education for 29 years, and I am so happy and fortunate to be back with the Burrell family,” Wright said.

Check out other stories at www.mcdonalds1in8.com.