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BBB warns of increasing number of employment scams

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The Better Business Bureau of the Greater Kentucky Region says record numbers were seen for an employment scam in 2025.

The BBB says over the last three years nearly 50,000 people contacted the BBB Scam Tracker to report a scam in which jobseekers were tricked into sending over thousands of dollars after being offered high pay to “like” and “subscribe” to videos online. The number of scam reports doubled from 2024 into 2025 with task-based scams involving fraudsters impersonating popular companies.

A BBB International Investigations Initiative study examined reports from people caught up in the scams to help other consumers avoid them. The BBB says the study found job scams conducted over text message saw a dramatic increase in 2025, representing half of all scam reports. Employment scam reports continue to rise, and the median loss from the scams remains more than $1,000.

The BBB says red flags that alert to an employment scam include unprompted job offers that are made without an interview, interviewers refusing to turn on their camera, too-good-to-be-true salaries, high-pressure offers to take the job, and upfront costs to begin work. Consumers can help avoid these scams by doing research on companies offering jobs, never paying money to get a paycheck, and asking the interviewer to use video.

Learn more about this scam and other reports at www.bbb.org/scamstudies.

Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke as summer temperatures increase

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As summer temperatures continue to climb, make sure you are taking steps to stay cool.

You should also know the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

“With heat exhaustion, the things you’re going to notice are heavy sweating, you’re going to have cool, pale, clammy skin, a fast, weak pulse, maybe even nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, tiredness or weakness, dizziness, headache, even fainting,” said Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane. 

Crane says the symptoms of heatstroke are different, with body temperature reaching 103 degrees or higher.

“You’ve got hot, red, dry skin, a fast and strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, even confusion, and even loss of consciousness there,” Crane said.

For heat exhaustion, get the person to someplace cool, start getting them fluids, and use cold compresses to bring their temperature down. For heatstroke, the person requires immediate medical attention.

“Immediately call 911, move the person to a cooler location, cool them using cool cloths,” Crane said. “Don’t try to give them anything to drink at that point because what will happen is when the ambulance gets there they’re probably going to do an IV and they’re probably going to put some fluids in them that way.”

If you are working outside, try to work during the cooler hours earlier in the morning or later in the evening. Drink plenty of fluids, and take breaks in shaded areas.

Clark steps down as executive director of E-Town Tourism

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The Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau will soon be under new leadership.

The ETCB board has announced the resignation of Executive Director Janna Clark, who departs the organization after 17 years of service.

ETCB Board Chair Rene Sullivan said in a release: “Janna’s 17 years of service represent an extraordinary commitment to Elizabethtown and its tourism industry. We are grateful for her leadership, her vision, and the lasting impact she has made on the bureau and the community.”

Elizabethtown Tourism said in the release that during her tenure Clark played a leading role in several major tourism initiatives. Highlights of those achievements include the development and launch of the Elizabethtown Sports Park, the relocating of the tourism office to the David May House in Downtown E-Town, and the beginning of work on the city’s outdoor music venue.

ETCB Marketing Director Krysta Souleyrette will serve as interim executive director while the board begins the search for Clark’s replacement. The board says additional details on the hiring process will be released soon.

Beshear extends gas tax reduction in communities that requested it

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says his executive order creating a state of emergency and reducing the state’s gas tax ten cents was aimed at helping Kentucky families amid rising costs following military action in Iran, and he felt the state was in a position to do so.

“I think government is here to help our people, and this was a choice between further hitting the budget of a family that doesn’t have any savings anymore and is wondering if they can pay the bills, versus hitting the budget of a state that has almost $3 billion in a rainy day fund and can absolutely make up for it,” Beshear said. “This is a rainy day for our families, and I want to make sure that we are there for them.”

Beshear discussed the executive order during his Team Kentucky Update Thursday. He said the order was expected to save Kentuckians $26.8 million over a one month period.

Beshear said state laws that came after the COVID-19 pandemic prevent him from extending a state of emergency more than a month without the request of a mayor or a county judge/executive. The governor announced that effective Thursday the order was extended in communities that requested it.

“33 communities had submitted their request, and I extended the order in those areas,” Beshear said. “In those areas, gas will or should be less expensive than in other areas. The extension will last through June 30.”

Communities that requested an extension include the City of Muldraugh, the City of West Point, and Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government. More information on the executive order can be found on the governor’s website.

Beshear says 2025 was fourth straight record year for state tourism industry

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is touting another successful year for the tourism industry in the commonwealth.

The Governor joined state tourism officials at the Ashbrook Hotel in Frankfort Wednesday to discuss the economic impact the tourism industry had across Kentucky last year, with Beshear stating that 2025 is officially “the best year ever” for Kentucky tourism. 2025 was the fourth straight record year for the industry.

“Last year, tourism generated more than $14.6 billion in economic impact, setting a brand new record while supporting nearly 97,000 Kentucky jobs,” Beshear said. “That means tourism puts food on the table for almost 100,000 of our families while bringing in a ton of money from out of state.”

Beshear’s office says more than 81.1 million travelers visited Kentucky in 2025, spending $10.4 billion across the state, including $2.7 billion in food and beverages and $2.4 billion in lodging.

Kentucky Tourism Commissioner Mike Mangeot said capital investment in tourism helped the industry shift towards domestic visitation after challenges were seen with international travel in 2025.

“When we invest in tourism, we’re supporting jobs, small businesses, and community growth,” Mangeot said. “Every dollar spent by a visitor helps support local shops, restaurants, attractions, and lodging, and those dollars ripple through our economy. Tourism is building pride within our communities. It helps preserve our heritage, fuels innovation, and shines a spotlight on the diverse stories and destinations that make Kentucky truly unique.”

Find more information and view the full tourism economic impact report at www.kentuckytourism.com.