WQXE NEWS

Unemployment rates in several Lincoln Trail District counties saw improvements in June compared to the year prior. 

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says unemployment rates decreased in 115 counties, increased in four counties, and stayed the same in one county when comparing June 2025 with June 2024.

The state unemployment average for June was 4.9 percent. That is up from the 4.4 percent rate reported in May but is down from the 5.4 percent average reported in June 2024. Four of the eight Lincoln trail counties were at or below the state unemployment average in June.

Hardin County’s unemployment rate for June was just above the state average at 5.1 percent. That is up from the 4.7 percent rate that was reported in May but is down from the 5.5 percent rate reported in June 2024.

Grayson County posted the highest June unemployment rate in the district at 6 percent, followed by Breckinridge County at 5.6 percent. Washington County had the lowest rate in the district, and tied for the sixth-lowest rate in the state, at 4.2 percent.

Learn more about how the unemployment rate is calculated and find more labor market information by visiting kystats.ky.gov.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced on Wednesday that the White House has approved Public Assistance for 64 counties affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides on April 2 and for 36 counties affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes May 16 and 17.

According to a release from the governor’s office, counties designated for Public Assistance for the April flooding include Breckinridge, Grayson, Hart, LaRue, Meade, and Nelson. LaRue County was also designated for Public Assistance for the May tornadoes. Additional counties are expected to be approved in the coming days.

Beshear said in the release: “We never gave up hope and are excited that these counties and communities are going to see the support they need and deserve.”

According to FEMA’s website, the Public Assistance Program “provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.”

Kentuckians looking to support survivors of the April and May severe weather may still donate to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. Learn more or make a donation at kentucky.gov.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court met for their second meeting of the month Tuesday.

West Point Mayor Richard Ciresi provided an update on the Kentucky Ohio River Regional Recreational Authority, which is aimed at developing and maintaining land and water trails in Kentucky counties along the river as a way of promoting economic development, tourism, and outdoor recreation. Hardin County is part of the authority by way of the 2.9 miles of Ohio River shoreline located in West Point, and Ciresi says being part of the authority gives Hardin County and West Point a “larger voice in the legislature for state funding and for recreational assets that increase tourism while conserving local resources.”

“I have to speak for West Point: we don’t have any local resources,” Ciresi said. “We have very, very little money to do this, and to be able to be a part of this larger group, thanks to you guys, is going to give us an opportunity to increase our tourism base, probably add some trails, etc., so it’s a big deal for West Point and it’s also a big deal, I think, for Hardin County. It puts us back on the map.”

The council approved a resolution approving of the renaming of a stretch of U.S. 31W to honor Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The resolution recommends the Kentucky General Assembly pursue changing the name of the roadway from the Hardin County line north of Fort Knox south to Veterans Way.

In other meeting news, Hardin County EMS Director Mark Peterson reported that Hardin County EMS made 16,683 total runs and brought in more than $7,063,000 in collections in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The number of calls are down from 18,045 in the previous fiscal year, but collections are up from about $6,282,000.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet August 12. The fiscal court’s next town hall forum will be held in the fiscal courtroom at 5:30 p.m. on July 29.