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Delayed September employment report shows small decrease in Kentucky unemployment

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After a delay due to the government shutdown, the Kentucky Center for Statistics has released the state’s September employment report.

The center says the state unemployment average for September was 4.7 percent. That is unchanged from the month of August, and is down .6 percent from the September 2024 average of 5.3 percent.

Kentucky’s unemployment average for September came in higher than the national unemployment rate, which the U.S. Department of Labor reported at 4.4 percent.

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 20 people from August to September, bringing the total civilian labor force to 2,114,917 people.

The Education and Labor Cabinet says the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, Educational and Health Services, Government, Other Services, Professional and Business Services, and Construction sectors saw increases from August to September. Numbers in the Mining and Logging Sector were unchanged, while decreases were seen in the Manufacturing, Information Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Financial Activities sectors.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics will not publish an October unemployment report. Visit the Kentucky Center for Statistics website for more about unemployment figures and labor market information.

HCS launches transportation app for parents and guardians

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Parents and guardians of Hardin County Schools middle and high school students have a new tool at their disposal.

HCS on Thursday launched the Stopfinder app, which allows users to accurately track their child’s school bus in real time. The district got the app up and running for preschool parents at the beginning of the school year and has now expanded it to other schools.

“We are grateful to offer this service,” said HCS Community Relations Specialist John Wright. “Parents can see their child’s bus location in real time, so this tool helps our student transportation team become even more efficient and responsive because Stopfinder will answer the question,’ where is my child’s bus?’.”

The app is free and allows users to customize when they receive alerts about their child’s bus location. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play, but it requires an invite and registration through the district before users can access the transportation schedule. The district’s transportation department sent emails regarding the app to parents and guardians Thursday morning.

SK On announces dissolution of partnership with Ford on battery plants

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News broke Thursday morning that SK On has announced it will be ending its joint venture with Ford for battery factories, with the Korean company reportedly keeping possession of the Tennessee battery plant and the Detroit automaker retaining the Glendale-based Kentucky One and Kentucky Two facilities.

BlueOval SK External Affairs Director Keli McAlister said in a statement: “BlueOval SK is aware of SK On’s disclosure and announcement. We are working with both of our parent companies to determine what this means for BlueOval SK.”

Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul said in a statement: “Kentucky has enjoyed a long-standing and productive relationship with Ford, and we remain committed to fostering our continued partnership with them moving forward.”

Governor Andy Beshear discussed the news during his Team Kentucky Update Thursday. He said Ford maintaining the Glendale plants is “at least good news for Kentucky.”

“Ford has been committed to Kentucky since the first Model T rolled off the line in Louisville, and their commitment to our state and our workforce remains strong,” Beshear said. “In fact, the company just this summer announced the third-largest investment in state history with the nearly $2 billion investment in the Louisville assembly plant for a whole new production line.”

Ford has yet to comment on the announcement. Beshear said his office expected the company to provide more information on its next steps early next week. Quicksie and The Wolf will report more information as it becomes available.

Wreaths Across America hosting ceremony at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central on Saturday

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Wreaths Across America at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central in Radcliff will “remember those who served, honor those who have passed, and teach the next generation” during their annual wreath-laying ceremony on Saturday, December 13 beginning at 10 a.m.

“We start out with a small ceremony,” said Area Coordinator Donna Betson. “We have a guest speaker. It will be one of the generals from Fort Knox. We have quick instructions on what to do with the wreaths after we have the prayer and the short speech, and we have everyone wait to allow enough time for the family members to lay a wreath at their loved one’s headstone, and then the rest of the group is allowed after that.”

Free parking and transportation will be available for those planning to attend.

“The DAV Chapter 3, VFW Post 10281, and Willow Creek have joined together to provide transportation, and it starts at 8:30 a.m. from the Powers Paper parking lot located at 630 Knox Boulevard,” Betson said.

Those looking to support the local chapter can take advantage of a matching program. From December 13 through December 31, every wreath purchased for the local chapter will be matched by a purchase by the national Wreaths Across America organization. Make your donation through the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central Radcliff page on www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Celebrate the season during Christmas at the Holt Home

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The Judge Joseph Holt Home in Hardinsburg invites the community to celebrate the holiday season with their Christmas at the Holt Home event happening Sunday, December 14.

“We hope that people come out if they haven’t had a chance to see the home decorated,” said Friends of the Holt Home President Susan Dyer. “It just puts you really in the mood, and you smell the homemade goodies and hear a beautiful carol being sung. It’s a different time of the year where you can just relax and get in the mood for Christmas.”

Visitors can enjoy hot drinks and homemade cookies prepared by board members and members of the Breckinridge County Homemakers. Tours will be available and live music will be performed.

“Kathy Tabor will be there, the former music teacher at Breckinridge County High School, and she will be directing a 4-H group of singers,” Dyer said. “They’ll be doing Christmas music, and then it’s Paul Joseph O’Donoghue and his daughter Alison, so as people come in and see the beautiful decorations, they’ll be able to hear carols and Christmas music filling the home.”

The home will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. CST Sunday. The event is free but donations are appreciated. Visit the Friends of the Holt Home Facebook page for more information.