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First pediatric flu death in Kentucky reported

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The Kentucky Department for Public Health on Friday announced the first pediatric death from influenza in the current respiratory virus season. The death comes a month after the first pediatric death from COVID-19 of the season. 

The KDPH says most influenza and COVID-19 infections result in mild illnesses, but hospitalizations and emergency department visits related to flu have been increasing across the state. Serious symptoms such as difficult or fast breathing, seizures, bluish lips or face, fever above 104 degrees, fever or cough that improves but then returns or gets worse, or the worsening of other medical conditions require medical attention.

The KDPH says influenza vaccination rates in the state have been declining, with less than 17 percent of Kentucky children receiving a flu shot this season and 2 percent receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Lincoln Trail District Health Department Public Relations Officer Melissa Philips said last week when talking about the impact respiratory virus season has had on area school districts that vaccination is one of the main defenses against illness.

“If you haven’t gotten your COVID vaccination or your flu vaccination, it’s not too late to do that,” Phillips said. “If you are somebody who qualifies for RSV, that is also a disease that’s spread through respiratory means, so all of those vaccinations are a good means of prevention.”

Health officials also encourage good health habits to help prevent the spread of illness, including staying home when sick and proper and frequent hand washing.

“I know you hear that a lot, but it is the number one way to prevent illness, so if you are ill or someone else is in the home is ill, it’s that frequent hand washing anytime you blow your nose or sneeze or use the bathroom or prepare food, any of those ways that germs are spread,” Phillips said.

Contact your healthcare provider or your local health department office for vaccination information. The most current data on respiratory virus activity in Kentucky can be found on the Cabinet for Health and Family Services website.

Governor’s office launches Facts and Fiscal Notes web page for 2025 General Assembly session

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Kentuckians have a new tool to help them follow along with the 2025 General Assembly session.

“It’s important for everyone to know how much any bill cuts or impacts the state budget, so in our commitment to transparency and making sure you know how much legislation costs, today we’re announcing a new website where we will post fiscal notes on proposed legislation to make sure that the public can stay aware of what proposed changes could cost you,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear during last Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update.

The 2025 Facts and Fiscal Notes web page includes a breakdown of each bill with a financial impact on Kentuckians, along with estimates based on information from the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission.

“Visit governor.ky.gov to see each fiscal note produced, and we will update it regularly,” Beshear said. “Stay involved, stay informed, and let’s keep moving our commonwealth forward.”

The governor discussed the web page when discussing his signing of House Bill One, which reduces the state’s income tax next year to 3.5 percent.

Beshear signs income tax reduction bill

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Kentuckians will see a reduction in their income tax rate next year after Governor Andy Beshear on Thursday signed House Bill One into law.

“The bill lowers the income tax to 3.5 percent next January without cutting any of the state programs that Kentuckians are dependent on,” said Kentucky House District 25 Representative Steve Bratcher. “Economists estimate the cut will leave $718 million in paychecks and pocketbooks in the first year alone. We’ve seen previous tax cuts translate into more spending in our local communities, investments, and helping Kentuckians deal with national inflation.”

During his Team Kentucky Update Thursday, Governor Beshear said he supported the bill because it saves Kentuckians money at a time where prices are high.

“This is a bill that’s been supported by Republicans,” Beshear said. “It’s been supported by Democrats. In the end, I support it because it’s going to help you, and that’s where the analysis should always focus.”

Beshear said he believed growth across the state will offset the loss of tax revenue, and noted that Kentuckians can view information on the financial impact of such bills on the 2025 Facts and Fiscal Notes webpage on the governor’s website. The text of House Bill One can be found on the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission website.

Hardin County Quick Response Team hosting training event

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Hardin County Chief Deputy Coroner and Quick Response Team Supervisor Shana Norton says with the area seeing a spike in overdoses, now is a good time for a reminder of the resources the QRT can connect community members with.

“Whether it’s housing, or you need to get your driver’s license, or maybe you need to try to find a job, or you need a car, or you need tattoo removal, or you need an outfit to go to court in, or you need clothes, or a job resume to try to get a job, or something as simple as a food bank, and the list can go on and on and on,” Norton said.

With the QRT established, the team is seeking community members to help serve on the team and connect with those struggling with substance abuse. The QRT is hosting an upcoming training event for those interested in serving.

“We’re hoping to get some people that are in the community, whether they just have a heart for people with substance abuse disorder or maybe they are living a sober life right now and maybe they’re peer support and they have lived experience,” Norton said. “We’re hoping that the community can come out if this is something they want to do and get some training.”

The training event will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11 at the Goodwill training office in downtown Elizabethtown for anybody interested in participating.

“This is obviously a new thing for all of us, and we want to just be able to have those that want to be a part of it kind of prepared, so that way when we do call our team and we have to go out and knock on doors, people that are wanting to join the team will be able to know what to expect,” Norton said.

Contact QRT Rapid Response Officer Justin Blair to register for the training event, and if you are in need of resources visit the Quick Response Team – Hardin County Facebook page to connect with the QRT.

KSP hosting annual teddy bear Valentine’s Day sale

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If you are still looking for something for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day, the Kentucky State Police has a “beary” special gift available.

The KSP is hosting a special sale of their Trooper Teddy Bears now through February 16, with bears available for $20.

The KSP says every purchase of a Trooper Teddy Bear “gives KSP troopers and officers a unique tool that helps children facing challenging situations, such as a car crash, cases of abuse, or serious illness.” 100 percent of profits from the Trooper Teddy Bear program goes towards purchasing additional bears for children in need.

Bears are available at any KSP post or online. Online orders may be shipped or may be picked up at a KSP post.

The Trooper Teddy Bear program was initiated by Kentucky First Lady Martha Wilkinson in 1989, and relies solely on bear sales and donations. Learn more about the program on the KSP website.