FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 6, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on economic development, online predator arrests, funding to increase public safety, the third winner of the New Kentucky Home giveaway, storm recovery, the great work by Kentucky swift water rescue teams, Disabilities Awareness Day and upcoming events in March and April.
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, joined the Governor to provide an update on Our Healthy Kentucky Home initiative. In honor of the fifth anniversary since the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in the commonwealth, the Governor also named health care workers and all those who helped Kentucky get through the pandemic as this week’s Team Kentucky All Stars.
Economic Development
Gov. Beshear announced Kentucky has once again placed in the top five for economic development projects per capita as Site Selection magazine posted its 2024 Governor’s Cup rankings, a placement the state has held during all five years of this administration.
Online Predator Arrests
The Governor announced that since 2019, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) has arrested 309 online child predators. This reaffirms the administration’s commitment to protecting Kentucky children from cybercrimes. Lt. Mike Bowling, commander of the KSP Electronic Crime Branch, and Jill Seyfred, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, joined the news conference to highlight the tools available to help parents protect their kids online and create a safer online environment. To report a suspected internet crime against a child, please contact the KSP Electronic Crime Branch at 502-782-9769 or any KSP local post.
Funding to Increase Public Safety
Gov. Beshear awarded more than $2.1 million to seven organizations to increase public safety through mental health treatment, crisis response, suicide prevention, gun safety initiatives and public awareness.
New Kentucky Home Giveaway
The Governor announced the latest winner of the #NewKYHome giveaway, which is providing a free, two-night stay at a Kentucky state park for sharing positive photos about the commonwealth. Today’s winner was Erica Bivens, who took a picture while shopping local at The Persnickety Pig in Cadiz.
Those wishing for a chance at the giveaway can post positive photos to social media along with the #NewKYHome hashtag. One winner will be drawn monthly through April.
Our Healthy Kentucky Home
Dr. Stack provided an update on Our Healthy Kentucky Home, a one-year initiative to promote simple, positive and attainable goals to inspire and motivate Kentuckians on a journey to health and wellness. For March, the initiative is highlighting cancer prevention, and Dr. Stack encouraged Kentuckians to keep up with routine cancer screenings, as well as maintain a healthy diet and exercise to reduce risk of cancer.
Storm Recovery
The Governor reported that the number of fatalities tied to the flooding and freezing temperatures has increased to 24 Kentuckians. The latest confirmed fatality was a man in Floyd County whose death was floodwater related.
Kentucky’s Expedited Major Disaster Declaration now includes 14 counties, as three more were added: Estill, Simpson and Johnson counties. There are now eight Disaster Recovery Centers open, with two more opening this afternoon at the Breathitt County Public Library and the Clay County Health Department. There is currently one Business Recovery Center open at Hazard Community and Technical College in the Jolly Classroom, with more centers on the way.
State highway closures have decreased to 22, which includes 8 from mudslides and rockslides. High water is still affecting travel, primarily in Western Kentucky. Engineering teams continue to respond and assess damage, committed to restoring roads to full service as quickly as possible. Federal assistance for debris removal is now active for Knott, Martin, Perry and Pike counties.
The Governor announced that the state will accept applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance from individuals in 11 counties who are out of work as a result of the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred in Kentucky beginning on Feb. 14.
Kentucky state parks are sheltering 257 people at five state resort parks, and 23 people in travel trailers. Click here and navigate to the “Emergency Shelters” tab for an up-to-date list of shelter locations. Flood survivors are encouraged to go to HousingCantWait.org to fill out an interest form for help with housing.
Kentucky Swift Water Rescue Teams
This week, Gov. Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear met with swift water rescue teams from across the commonwealth. In total, Kentucky swift water teams rescued more than 1,000 Kentuckians during last month’s storms. The Governor thanked them for their work.
“These brave men and women travelled far from home for days on end, pulling through sleepless nights to keep working so they could save that next person who needed them,” said Gov. Beshear. “Because of the sacrifices they made, so many Kentuckians got to come home safe to their families. Thank you.”
Disabilities Awareness Day
The Governor signed a proclamation recognizing Tuesday, March 11 as Disabilities Awareness Day in the commonwealth.
“Let’s take this time to recognize the over 847,000 Kentuckians living with disabilities and commit ourselves to continue working to build an accessible and inclusive Kentucky for all our people,” said Gov. Beshear.
Upcoming Events
Gov. Beshear gave an update on upcoming events. First, the Governor reminded Kentuckians that the 57th annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast will take place on Tuesday, March 11, at 7:30 a.m., at the William Exum Center at Kentucky State University. Doors open at 7 a.m. This annual celebration recognizes Kentuckians living their faith through service to others. The breakfast will include music from soprano Grace Jang and the Franklin County High School Choristers as well as a conversation with former University of Kentucky Wildcat and current New York Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. Reserve a table or RSVP at governor.ky.gov/prayerbreakfast. Individual tickets are only available at the door, but attendees are encouraged to RSVP.
Next, the Governor invited Kentuckians to celebrate Easter at the Capitol on Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m. on the South Lawn of the Capitol – the outdoor space between the Capitol and the Capitol Annex. The event will include family activities such as an Easter egg hunt, games, crafts, food trucks and a visit with the Easter Bunny.
Finally, Gov. Beshear announced that this year’s Derby Week Kick-off will be held Saturday, April 26, from noon to 5 p.m. on the South Lawn of the Capitol. The event will have live musical performances, food trucks, games, crafts and Commonfest for the adults, where attendees can purchase beer and spirits from dozens of Kentucky breweries, wineries and craft distillers.
Team Kentucky All-Stars
Today, at 3 p.m. in the Kentucky State Capitol Rotunda, Gov. Beshear and Dr. Stack will join state and local officials, along with several Kentucky families to mark the fifth anniversary since the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in the commonwealth. In honor of this anniversary, the Governor named health care workers and all those who helped Kentucky get through the pandemic as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
“While we were going through the darkest times, we also saw the brightest lights: Our health care heroes, doctors, nurses and everybody who kept our hospitals and clinics running showed more courage than most of us could have imagined possible,” said Gov. Beshear. “Today as we mark this 5th anniversary, let us honor the lives lost and forever changed as we also recommit ourselves to caring for our fellow Kentuckians.”
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