WQXE News

April unemployment in Kentucky is down slightly from where it was the previous year.

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says the state unemployment average for April was 4.3 percent. While that is slightly above the average reported in March of 4.2 percent, it is down .4 percent from the April 2025 average of 4.7 percent.

Kentucky’s unemployment average for April came in even with the national unemployment rate, which the U.S. Department of Labor says at 4.3 percent is up from the 4.2 percent rate reported in April 2025.

The Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet says the state’s civilian labor force, which includes people currently employed and people actively searching for work, saw a decrease of 7,569 people from March to April, bringing the total civilian labor force to 2,097,526 people.

The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, Other Services, Educational and Health Services, Construction, Government, Leisure and Hospitality, Financial Activities, Information Services, and Mining and Logging sectors saw increases from March to April. Decreases were seen in the Manufacturing and Professional and Business Services sectors.

Visit the Kentucky Center for Statistics website, kystats.ky.gov, for more about unemployment figures and labor market information.

Suicidal Motorsports LLC invites the community to their first ever Bluegrass Biker Bash, to be held this Saturday at American Legion Hardin Post 113 in Elizabethtown.

“It started as an idea from my son wanting to have something to do for everybody that loves riding since Hardin County had stopped theirs or E-Town, whatever the case may be, so it started as an idea from him and we’ve done one sort of like this in our backyard,” said event organizer Jessica Kaminski. “We definitely wanted to go larger, and knew we couldn’t fit it in the yard so we got with the American Legion and they were happy to join. Of course, they have a riders club there, too.”

The event will include a bike show with multiple prizes, a slow drag competition, live music, vendors, food and drinks, and more. All are welcome to attend this family-friendly event whether or not you are a motorcycle rider.

“There’s kids activities,” Kaminski said. “We’re even including the kids in the bike show with a kids choice winner. There’s going to be face painting. We’ve even got Legacy Tattoo there doing on-spot tattoos that day, and we’ve got food trucks galore. It’s going to be fun.”

Find more information on the Bluegrass Biker Bash Facebook page or contact Suicidal Motorsports LLC for more information.

UPDATE: Friday’s performance has been moved to the State Theater due to rain.
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“Oh, brave new world!” 

Kentucky Shakespeare’s touring production of The Tempest will be making a stop in Elizabethtown Friday evening.

Kentucky Shakespeare says the 2026 Shakespeare in the parks tour is visiting a record 46 locations this season as they present The Bard’s final play. The organization says the tragicomedy is “a testament to the redeeming power of love and forgiveness – featuring fools, spirits, monsters, shipwrecks, and magical spells.”

The company will be performing at Freeman Lake Park Friday night beginning at 6:30 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the performance will be moved to the State Theater.

All performances of The Tempest are free, with no tickets or reservations required. The show runs approximately 75 minutes with no intermission. Attendees should bring their own chairs or blankets to the performance.

Find more information at www.kyshakespeare.com.