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Kentucky unemployment still trending above national average

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Unemployment in Kentucky in October came in just above the state average for September.

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says the state unemployment average for October was 5 percent. That is a slight increase from the 4.9 percent average reported in September as well as from October 2023 when the average was reported at 4.3 percent.

Kentucky’s unemployment average also came in higher in October than the national unemployment rate, which the U.S Department of Labor reported at 4.1 percent for the second straight month.

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 an increase of about 6,000 people from September into October, bringing the civilian labor force to about 2,075,000. It is the eighth month in a row the state labor force has seen an increase.

The manufacturing, educational and health services, and construction sectors saw increases, while the leisure and hospitality sector, the trade, transportation, and utilities sector, and the professional and business services sectors saw decreases.

Visit the Kentucky Center for Statistics to learn more about labor market information.

Tour of BlueOval SK facilities has Beshear excited for Kentucky’s future

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said he has been at announcements, groundbreakings, and ribbon cuttings for the BlueOval SK Battery Park as well as the ECTC BlueOval SK Training Center, so getting to see those facilities starting operations is a testament to the commonwealth’s commitment to the future.

“It is really exciting to know that the batteries of the future are going to be produced right here in Kentucky and, as I got to tour the training facility today, to see people whose lives are being changed, to see how excited they are to be a part of this industry, and knowing that this is going to be an industry in operation for decades to come,” Beshear said.

The governor toured the training facility and the battery park during a visit to the site Wednesday with company officials. Beshear said BlueOval remains the catalyst for Kentucky’s bid to be a leader in the EV industry, and the facilities are evidence of what collaboration between industry, government, and education can look like.

“The training is technical, it’s new, it takes a lot of work, so it’s exciting to see both the teachers that are helping to provide the training as well as everybody working to pick it up so they can do their jobs safely and, we hope, better than anywhere else in the United States,” Beshear said.

BlueOval SK CEO Michael Adams said the governor’s visit comes on the heels of an important milestone as employees began moving into the Kentucky One plant on Tuesday.

“We were able to do it successfully, bring our employees in, and now we’re just getting ready to start building those samples in our plant and then validate those samples so that we can be prepared for that launch and the start of production in 2025,” Adams said.

About 750 of the expected 5,000 employees that will call the battery park home are now on the job.

Law enforcement warns of increase in break-in attempts

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Area law enforcement is warning residents to take precautions as they see an uptick in break-in attempts.

The Radcliff Police Department says they responded to multiple car break-ins and one theft Tuesday morning among reports from other jurisdictions of similar crimes.

“We would like to remind everyone to lock your vehicles, make sure that you don’t leave valuables in the vehicle, including but not limited to firearms or gifts or anything like that,” said Captain Willie Wells with the Radcliff Police Department. “This is a crime that doesn’t have to happen. You don’t have to be a victim. This is something that you can do, precautions that you could take to make sure that you are not a victim of a theft simply by locking your vehicle and not leaving valuables in it.”

Contact area law enforcement if you see suspicious activity.

Meanwhile, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest following a Monday morning home robbery. 

The sheriff’s office says a woman living on Shrewsbury Road in Caneyville told 911 dispatchers a male subject entered her home, threatened her with a gun, and demanded money before fleeing the scene with her purse.

Tips received led to the development of Richard L. Price of Caneyville as a suspect. Multiple law enforcement agencies coordinated to take Price into custody at a Grayson County apartment complex.

In addition to first degree charges of Robbery, Wanton Endangerment, and Identity Theft, Price was found to have active warrants out of Marion County for Assault, Robbery, and failure to pay child support. Price was lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center.

Cadet Command general says organizational structure may change but mission remains the same

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Brigadier General Maurice Barnett told members of the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce during the November Chamber Luncheon that as the Cadet Command prepares to become a subordinate unit under the new three-star command that will be created out of the expansion of the Army Recruiting Command, the neighboring community continues to play a part in Fort Knox’s success.

“We’ve been here for over 100 years, and that longevity and continued strength, because ‘Strength Starts Here,’ comes from your community support, and these incredible partnerships,” Barnett said. “We’re grateful and blessed to be able to rely on each one of you.”

The commanding general of the Cadet Command said the community can support recruitment on the local level by helping to tell the Army’s story.

“There’s a wealth of talent and leadership opportunities surrounding this great community, and you as stakeholders, we need your support to spread the word about what service in the Army can do for someone’s life,” Barnett said.

Barnett said the Cadet Command remains engaged as an organization by partnering with more than 900 colleges and universities to produce more than 5,000 second lieutenants for the total army every year. More than 10,000 cadets come to Fort Knox each summer for training.