Menu Close

WQXE News

Your source for local community news, weekdays at 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 9 and Noon.

Kentucky annual unemployment average for 2025 comes in at 4.6 percent

WQXE News 0 Comments

The annual unemployment rate for Kentucky in 2025 came in higher than 39 other states.

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says the state’s annual unemployment average for 2025 was 4.6 percent. That comes in higher than the U.S. annual unemployment rate of 4.3 percent. Kentucky, along with Illinois and Ohio, tied for the highest annual unemployment rate among surrounding states. California posted the highest rate at 5.5 percent while South Dakota had the lowest at 2.1 percent.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Kentucky’s total civilian labor force in 2025 was 2,115,589. The BLS noted that estimates are not comparable to previous years due to no data being collected in October because of the government shutdown.

Data shows expansion was seen in the Private Educational and Health Services, Government, and Financial Activities sectors in 2025. Declines were seen in the Other Services, Leisure and Hospitality, Information, Professional and Business Services, Mining and Logging, Construction, Manufacturing, and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sectors.

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says unemployment statistics are based on estimates and measure trends rather than actually tracking the number of people working, and the numbers do not include unemployed Kentuckians who are not actively looking for work. Learn more about labor market information at kystats.ky.gov.

National Public Health Week a chance to celebrate the broad work of public health

WQXE News 0 Comments

April 6 through 12 is National Public Health Week, an opportunity to celebrate the power of public health and the impact it has on keeping families safe, healthy, and thriving.

The week is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of multiple workers and organizations, including your local health department.

“We like to say that public health touches people from birth to the grave,” said Lincoln Trail District Health Department Public Relations Officer Melissa Phillips. “We are kind of in the background, making sure that people have healthy communities, healthy facilities, and just access to health in general.”

The health department operates three arms of service.

“We have our clinical services, and that’s things like our adult vaccination program and our WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program,” Phillips said. “We have our environmental services, and that’s your restaurant inspections, your inspections of public facilities. Then we have our early childhood services, so that’s our maternal child health coordinators and our HANDS program, which is a program for new parents.”

The week is an opportunity to say thank you to area public health workers.

“Our public health system is very broad,” Phillips said. “It’s your doctors, it’s your hospital, it’s law enforcement, it’s your schools, so anybody who works in that public health system, give them an extra little shout-out this week because it is National Public Health Week.”

Contact the health department for more information on services.

PAWS United Pet Expo coming up Saturday

WQXE News 0 Comments

Area pet owners and community members are invited to come out to the 12th annual PAWS United Pet Expo, to be held this Saturday at 2855 Centennial Avenue in Radcliff.

“The official time is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” said event organizer Charles Hinckley. “There’s going to be some great stuff that’s taking place. We’ve got a lot of vendors that are coming in. We have a shot clinic. The animal shelter is coming. Mike (McNutt) and those guys are going to be bringing it and they’re going to have a reduced cost for some of the shots.”

In addition to the clinic and vendors, the Mid-Kentucky Kennel Club will be performing demonstrations, and you can enter your pet in the spring fashion show.

“The great thing is, what is the cost?” Hinckley said. “It’s real simple: bring a donation. Bring us some dog food, bring some cat food. Make a monetary donation, that’s fine too. There’s not a set price. Just come in, make a donation, walk through, and see all the things that are going to be happening.”

The expo is also an opportunity for multiple rescue organizations to share about their operations and connect with people looking to bring home a new furry friend.

“PAWS United Pet Expo is going to be the Facebook page you can go to, and also you can call 270-801-5224,” Hinckley said.

Pets are welcome to attend but must be on a leash.

More lane closures for I-65 closure prep work this weekend

WQXE News 0 Comments

More prep work ahead of the summer closure of Interstate 65 in Louisville is scheduled for this weekend.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District Five says single lane closures are scheduled for I-65 North between Grade Lane and the Interstate 264 interchange. Contract crews will be completing shoulder strengthening to prepare for the summer closure. Work is expected to begin around 7 p.m. Friday and end by 6 a.m. Monday.

Five miles of I-65 between I-264 and Jefferson Street are scheduled to close on June 1 to accommodate the replacement of three bridges. Traffic during the closure will be detoured via I-264 on the western side of Louisville. Learn more about the project at www.i65centralcorridor.com.

Meanwhile, KYTC District Five is also alerting drivers to alternating lane closures on Interstate 265 for routine tunnel washing between Sunday and Wednesday nights. The work will take place from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. between mile markers 35.1 and 37.7. The right lane of I-265 South will be closed Sunday and the left lane will be closed Monday. The right lane of I-265 North will be closed Tuesday and the left lane will be closed Wednesday. Additional closures to complete the work may be necessary Thursday.

Work on both projects is weather permitting. Drivers should stay alert, watch for signage, and slow down in work zones. Follow KYTC District Five on social media for updates.

Public requested for burial of Army veteran

WQXE News 0 Comments

The Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central – Radcliff is asking available members of the public to attend the funeral of a United States Army veteran.

The cemetery says SPC Daniel R. Towner of Radcliff died on January 21, 2026. Originally from Concord, California, he was honorably discharged in February of 1999.

The cemetery says SPC Towner will not have any family members for his committal service, which will be held Thursday at 2:30 p.m. They are extending an invitation to the community to attend in order to lay SPC Towner to rest with dignity and respect.

Contact the cemetery for more information.