Menu Close

WQXE NEWS

Lincoln Trail District unemployment trending higher than state average in February

WQXE News 0 Comments

Unemployment rates across the Lincoln Trail District were up in February from where they were the year prior.

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says unemployment rates increased in 83 of the state’s counties in February. The rates were the same in four counties and decreased in 33.

The state unemployment average for February was reported at 5.5 percent. That is a slight increase from the average seen in February 2024 when it was reported at 5.4 percent, but it is the same average reported in January 2025. Seven counties in the Lincoln Trail District had February unemployment rates higher than the state average, with one county below the state average.

Hardin County’s unemployment rate for February was slightly above the state average at 5.9 percent. That’s an increase from the 5.8 percent rate reported in January and from the 5.1 percent rate reported in February 2024.

Grayson County posted the highest unemployment rate in the Lincoln Trail District for February at 6.7 percent. Washington County had the lowest rate in the district, and tied for the tenth-lowest rate in the state, at 4.8 percent. Grayson County’s rate did come down from the 7.3 percent rate reported in January.

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

More storms means more chances for flooding around the area

WQXE News 0 Comments

After the first wave of storms worked its way through the area Wednesday evening and overnight, more chances for severe weather remain in the forecast the rest of the week.

“We’re just going to have wave after wave of showers and storms, and some could come down pretty heavily at times,” said Meteorologist Ron Steve with the National Weather Service in Louisville. “Really, the first wave was Wednesday evening and you could be looking at multiple waves going all the way through Saturday or even Sunday.”

Although the current forecast shows the chances of severe storm damage are reduced, continuous heavy rainfall means an enhanced risk for flash flooding.

“We’re looking at historical amounts of rain, not just a major rain event, but historical amounts of rain that I would say if we were comparing something it’d be back to 1997 when we had so much rain at one time, but this is going be over a duration of three or four days-span of rain coming in and out of the area,” said Hardin County Emergency Management Director Joey Scott.

Make sure your phone is subscribed to emergency messages, and stay tuned to media such as Quicksie and The Wolf for alerts. Never attempt to cross a flooded roadway. “Turn around, don’t drown.”

Keep a safe distance when burning or grilling

WQXE News 0 Comments

The weather this week may not be friendly to outdoor activity, but as the weather gets warmer and you get ready for summer fun be sure you are mindful of fire safety.

Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane says make sure grills, especially gas ones, are properly cleaned ahead of use, and use them at a safe distance.

“We recommend if you have a grill at a private residence keep it at least 10 feet away from your buildings, overhangs, anything that if there is a flare-up, if it was on fire, it wouldn’t catch something else on fire,” Crane said.

Similar distancing guidelines are recommended if you are using a fire pit.

“We try to tell people to keep them at least 15 feet away from your buildings and your patio area,” Crane said. “Try to keep at least 15 feet away because it is an open flame.”

If you are doing any outdoor burning, be mindful of regulations in place for Spring Forest Fire Hazard Season, which restricts burning within 150 feet of woodland or brush to between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. now through April 30. Crane also says be mindful of what you are burning.

“Regardless of where you are, the state law prohibits burning garbage, tires, buildings, and stuff like that, so you have to remember what you’re burning,” Crane said. “Basically, branches, brush, and stuff like that is about all that you can burn.”

Contact your local fire jurisdiction ahead of major outdoor burning, and never leave an active fire unattended.

Program to introduce credit for life experiences rolling out at select Kentucky colleges

WQXE News 0 Comments

State education officials are encouraging colleges and universities to recognize prior learning experiences.

The Council on Postsecondary Education says the Kentucky Student Success Collaborative has launched a year-long initiative aimed at encouraging Kentucky colleges and universities to award academic credit for knowledge gained through work, military, or life experiences. 

The CPE says practices like credit for prior learning signal that higher education is for everyone and not just recent high school graduates. Research from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning shows credit for prior learning boosts college enrollment, retention, and completion among nontraditional college students. 

The CPE will be working with a select group of colleges and universities to work on introducing CPL practices. The participating campuses will receive coaching from national experts that contributed to a CPL model introduced at Jefferson Community and Technical College. 

Expanding CPL is one of several strategies that have been identified in Kentucky’s Adult Learner Action Plan which is aimed at increasing post-traditional adult enrollment. The state has set a goal of increasing the number of working-age Kentuckians with a postsecondary credential to 60 percent by 2030.

Multiple days of severe weather with possible storms and flooding projected

WQXE News 0 Comments

The National Weather Service in Louisville says storm surveys show multiple EF-1 tornadoes touched down around the area Sunday.

“The longest track one actually touched down in Meade County over near the community of Midway and passed near Brandenburg and Otter Creek, came across part of Fort Knox, and went on into Bullitt County,” said NWS Louisville Meteorologist Ron Steve. “We’ve also confirmed another one near Flaherty that went into the Radcliff area, and then one over in Breckinridge County.”

The forecast shows the chance for severe weather and heavy rainfall over the next several days. Steve says gusty conditions during the day Wednesday will give way to thunderstorms, with the first wave hitting around Breckinridge County at around 5 p.m. Central.

“During the evening, we’ll be looking at a line of storms coming through initially, and those storms could be strong or severe with all severe weather hazards in play,” Steve said. “We’re talking about the potential for tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail, so you want to make sure that you have multiple ways to get severe thunderstorm warnings. or tornado warnings, especially with these storms coming through at night time.”

Additional waves of storms are possible Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and with heavy rainfall coming in, Steve says significant flash flooding is possible.

“If it has rained heavily and you don’t have to be out, don’t go out,” Steve said. “If you’re on low ground, think about where you could be on higher ground, and then if you’re out driving don’t drive through flooded roadways because you don’t know how deep the water is.”

Follow the National Weather Service in Louisville for forecast updates and stay tuned to media, including Quicksie and The Wolf, for alerts.