AGP Executive Report

Kentucky Arts & Film: Kentucky Film Office exec director Meg Fister returns home with a mission to make the Commonwealth a bigger destination for filmmakers and Kentucky stories. Local Music: Grant County singer-songwriter Taylor Henry talks about his new album “the first one that is truly mine,” “Evergreen,” and the influences that shaped it. Theater & Culture: UK Opera Theatre launches a Civil War-era song cycle, “Rappahannock County,” kicking off its new season. Community Arts: The Route 66 Centennial Celebration ART Quilt Project lands at the History Museum on the Square (Oct. 7–Nov. 8), using fiber art to tell road-trip stories. Sports-Adjacent Entertainment: “Twilight of the Dead,” billed as George A. Romero’s final zombie chapter, wrapped filming in Kentucky and is led by Kate Beckinsale. Sports Spotlight: Kentucky’s SEC road game at South Carolina (Oct. 4) is set for 4:15 p.m. on SEC Network.

Public Safety Tech: Lexington and partners, with Gov. Andy Beshear’s backing, are launching “Restart a Heart: Lexington” to map 1,000+ AEDs across Lexington/Fayette on the PulsePoint system so devices show up to 911 dispatchers during sudden cardiac arrest. Local Politics & Community: Daviess County Farm Bureau hosted candidate forums for the 8th District Senate seat and judge-executive race, while McCracken County BOE voted to join a multi-district social media lawsuit tied to student harm claims. Arts & Culture: BLINK 2026 is set to light up Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky next week, with new light installations, murals, and big kickoff events. Music Spotlight: Wynonna Judd’s upcoming album The Hard Truth is framed as her most personal work yet, co-written with husband Cactus Moser. Sports (Kentucky ties): Murray High marked Jared Rosa’s 200th coaching win as the Tigers handled business at home, and Kentucky’s No. 1 Frankfort chased a local win streak record.

Arts & Museums: Louisville’s Speed Art Museum welcomes Kathleen V. Jameson as its new director, returning a longtime art leader to guide the museum toward its 2027 centennial. Live Performance: Kentucky Opera’s Ben Robinson is back at the helm as general director and CEO, talking about what live opera can do in a world of “human on a phone” experiences. Sports (Kentucky ties): A judge cleared Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen for a fifth year after a long NCAA fight, a decision that could reshape the Gators’ season expectations. Community & Culture: Lexington’s data center moratorium is framed as a temporary pause—not a ban—aimed at updating local rules. Volleyball in Louisville: Nebraska is set to join Kentucky and other top programs at the inaugural AVCA Match Point in Louisville in April 2027. Local travel & fun: A “Red Hobbit” earth-sheltered stay in Campton is drawing attention as a whimsical Red River Gorge getaway. Business/Tech: Lexington managed IT provider Hensley/Elam says it completed its AI-enabled platform transition.

Kentucky Kids Advocacy: Paducah youth advocates are gearing up for the 2027 legislative session, pushing Frankfort to focus on evictions, literacy, and parent concerns tied to social media, with local groups pointing to needs they see every day. Breast Cancer Community Events: Calvert City’s annual Pink Walk on Oct. 10 expands with “Think Pink” trivia, plus “In Honor” and “In Memory” sign options to raise funds. Arts & Entertainment in the Bluegrass: Houston artist Daniel Yisa brings “Art Therapy” to life with an immersive, identity-and-healing exhibition that blends painting, sound, and live installation. Local Film & Theater: A workplace comedy pilot is filming in Owensboro in October, and Kentucky Sound Stage is recruiting local extras—especially for an Oct. 9 shoot at Trunnell’s Farm Market. Music & Live Performances: Kentucky Heritage Jazz Festival is set for four days of music in Harrodsburg, and ACL Fest’s weekend lineup highlights major acts and must-see performances. Sports Spotlight: Kentucky basketball faces fresh injury news with Jerone Morton hurt in practice, while a workplace comedy pilot and veterans events add more community energy beyond the courts.

Public Safety & Community: Kentucky State Police trooper Hayden Phillips, beloved in Adair and Russell counties, was killed Monday; a candlelight vigil is set for 6:30 p.m. tonight at KSP Post 15 in Columbia, with visitation Saturday at Living Hope Baptist Church in Bowling Green and a Sunday funeral at WKU’s E.A. Diddle Arena. Arts & Entertainment: Harrodsburg’s Kentucky Heritage Jazz Festival returns Oct. 1–4, with events at Beaumont Inn, downtown and Old Fort Harrod State Park, including a New Orleans-themed Main Street kickoff Oct. 2. Film & Local Stories: Locally filmed Christian drama “Broken” follows a veteran’s PTSD and path to healing, with cast and crew discussing the Kentucky experience. Music & Tourism: Louisville’s Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond drew more than 410,000 fans and generated an estimated $40 million for the state. Sports & Culture: Madisonville’s Kentucky Sports Factory is now “Connected by TEC” in a 20-year partnership, aiming to boost community sports access and connectivity. Local Business & Law: A Lexington brewery owner’s email about an in-kind fundraiser tied to Rep. Jason Petrie has raised questions about Kentucky campaign donation rules.

Arts & Community: Create Princeton is bringing a new wildflower mural to downtown Princeton, starting on the side of Dr. Oliver’s building near Big Springs Park, with a $9,000 nonprofit budget and local artists Debbie French, Al Curry, Amy Millspaugh and Richard Veselik. Public Art on the Move: NKU students are teaming with TANK for BLINK’s “Beyond the Bridge,” a bus-based light and projection installation with 35,000 LEDs and interactive live camera feeds, running Oct. 8-11. Local Entertainment: SKyPAC’s Broadway series brings “Beetlejuice” to the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center tonight (Sept. 30) at 7:30 p.m. Tourism & Events: Lake Barkley Tourism is gearing up for the first “Beast Fest” Nov. 13-14 at the Lyon County Convention Center in Eddyville, leaning into cryptid culture to boost year-round travel. Sports (KY): Kentucky’s No. 24 ranking is back after wins over Texas A&M and South Alabama, setting up a key SEC test at South Carolina on Saturday. Civic/Service: The Robert E. Spiller Bowling Green Veterans Center opens after a decades-long push, adding an 80,000-square-foot facility with 60 beds and new jobs.

Public Safety & Community Remembrance: Kentucky State Police Foundation launched the official Trooper Hayden Phillips Fund to support his family after the I-65 shooting near Smiths Grove; KSP says other donation efforts are scams. Local Roads & Procession: Glasgow’s Happy Valley Road closure (Cave City to Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home) begins Tuesday around 10 a.m. to allow a safe return procession. Arts & Education (Kentucky State): KSU brought pawpaw expertise to growers and festival audiences across Kentucky and Ohio, then hosted its fourth annual Ag Roundup for about 1,600 students across seven counties. HBCU Tech for Events: KSU alumni built YardTixx, a ticketing platform designed for the culture and logistics of HBCU and Divine Nine gatherings. Music Policy in Frankfort: Gov. Beshear created a new office to preserve Kentucky’s music legacy and grow the festival economy. Culture & History: A Clark County Public Library talk in Winchester explored Mary Todd Lincoln’s séances through a mix of history and paranormal storytelling.

Kentucky Arts & Culture: Gov. Andy Beshear announced the new Governor’s Office of Music, aiming to spotlight Kentucky’s music legacy and support artists, venues, festivals, and music businesses through a new kymusic.ky.gov directory. Local Arts Events: Glema Mahr Center for the Arts hosts Marilyn Kington’s Homecoming Concert Friday, bringing the Louisville vocalist back to her Mortons Gap roots. Art & Community: Gallery 104 in La Grange opened its third annual Women of Abstraction show, running through Oct. 17. Film & Entertainment: Kentucky’s film incentives are drawing fresh criticism as productions keep rolling in. Sports With Kentucky Ties: UK’s Malachi Moreno returns after the NBA draft process, and Kentucky’s running backs delivered a big redemption-style performance vs. South Alabama. Public Safety: Kentucky State Police trooper Hayden Phillips was killed on I-65; suspect Emonnie Branch was arrested in Louisville.

Kentucky Arts & Community: The 55th Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art in Madison drew big crowds in great weather, with Louisville mixed-media artist Sheila Fox winning Best of Show. Education & Access: Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education approved pursuing Common App statewide to meet the My Kentucky Future Act, aiming to simplify college applications for students. Music Policy: Gov. Andy Beshear created a Governor’s Office of Music to connect artists and grow Kentucky’s music economy. Local Nonprofits: Kosair for Kids announced $225,000+ in Shelby County grants supporting seven children’s organizations. Arts/Entertainment Spotlight: Country songwriter Nicholas Jamerson talks about documenting life through music on the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast. Arts & Culture in Schools: Boone County’s only public middle school mariachi program is drawing students and attention. Sports & Culture: Kentucky’s Office of Music and the state’s broader arts push land alongside a busy week of college sports coverage, including Kentucky’s SEC momentum and local school athletics.

Film & TV in Kentucky: Louisville is hosting production of the psychological crime thriller “The Spiral Down,” with Charlotte Kirk starring as Mary Doyle and Costas Mandylor as an FBI agent; the shoot is using multiple Bluegrass locations. Local Arts & Community: Bowling Green’s Community Farmers Market held a nighttime market to support food equity programs like Kentucky Double Dollars and Fresh RX. Music in the spotlight: The UK Symphony Orchestra opened its 108th season at Singletary Center with a varied program from Bizet to Elgar, including audience call-and-response moments. Dance & culture: Lexington’s Harvest Moon celebration brought together flamenco fusion, Haitian dance, Chinese dance, belly dance, and more at Moondance Amphitheater. Sports with an arts angle: Kentucky volleyball kept rolling—sweeping Texas 3-0—while Kentucky’s offense and rankings buzz continued nationwide. Sports discipline: South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart was suspended indefinitely after a punch during a loss to Alabama, putting Kentucky’s next matchup in focus.

Kentucky Arts & Culture: Gov. Andy Beshear announced the creation of the Kentucky Office of Music, a new state agency meant to back musicians, venues, and festivals, with a new directory at kymusic.ky.gov and a “Kentucky: Sounds Like Home” specialty license plate. Local Events: Frankfort’s Frankfort Latino Fest returned at Lakeview Park for Hispanic Heritage Month, spotlighting Latin American music, food, and local vendors. Sports & Community (Kentucky): Louisville Roller Derby’s Halloween doubleheader, “Camp Crystal Skate,” is set for Oct. 3 at Triple Crown Pavilion, with junior bouts and costume-friendly fun. Entertainment: Kacey Musgraves brought a George Strait cover (“All My Ex’s Live in Texas”) to Bourbon & Beyond 2026, adding her own spin to the Louisville crowd. Immigration (Kentucky): USCIS reported 2,268 H-2B worker approvals tied to Kentucky worksites in fiscal 2026 through June 30, 2026.

SEC Spotlight: No. 10 LSU bounced back in a big way, throttling No. 23 Texas A&M 35-6 in Baton Rouge as Sam Leavitt threw for 312 yards and two TDs while the Tigers’ defense bottled up Marcel Reed. Kentucky Arts & Culture: The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra opened its season in Lexington at the Singletary Center, and Lexington Parks & Recreation hosted Dolly Day at Moon Dance Amphitheater to benefit the Imagination Library. Music Scene: Kentucky native Ian Noe released Canyon Falls Trailer Band, and “Kickin’ It In Nashville” takes sharp shots at country music’s biggest names. Community & Craft: Cynthiana’s “Witches Day Out” drew crowds with vendors, live music, and downtown business support. Local Sports Notes: Austin Peay women’s golf heads to the Battle of the Border vs. Murray State, and Western Kentucky pulled off a rare reverse sweep over New Mexico State. Public Life & Privacy: U.S. senators raised constitutional questions about Flock Safety’s expanding surveillance camera network.

Music & Policy: Kentucky is creating a new Governor’s Office of Music to back musicians, venues, festivals, and music businesses statewide, with a focus on keeping Kentucky a live-music destination and boosting the industry’s $6.9B impact. Arts & Community: Frankfort artist Mark Crowdus hosts an art reception Oct. 11 (noon–2 p.m.) at First United Methodist Church, with the exhibit running through Oct. 31. Live Music Festival: The Underwater Moonshine Festival returns Oct. 9–10 at Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. in Frankfort, featuring acts including Town Meeting, Watson Twins, Red Wanting Blue, and more. Broadcast Honors: Frankfort’s Charlie Baglan is named an inductee for the 2026 Kentucky Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Family-Friendly Theater: The Paul Sawyier Public Library’s week includes “Twinderella” (Bluegrass Theatre Guild) and Dungeons & Dragons for teens. Sports & Culture: Boone County KY Pride Festival is set for Oct. 4 (noon–4 p.m.) at Y’Alls Stadium in Florence, with free tickets, vendors, and entertainment. Safety Watch: A Henderson juvenile faces charges after police say AI-generated sexually explicit images of classmates were created and shared—part of a national pattern of similar cases.

UK Hall of Fame: Former Kentucky star Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame, spotlighting his stuttering journey and the speech pathologist who helped him at UK. Local Schools: Frankfort High freshman Jaloneé Cleveland earned Student of the Week honors for leadership and strong academics, while the Panthers’ boys soccer team celebrated Senior Night with a 5-0 win over Frankfort Christian Academy. Arts & Community: Frankfort’s College Park neighborhood gets a closer look in a new historic context report, and BBQ on the River in Paducah leans into its arts-and-vendor lineup as it expands festival changes. Public Safety & Health: The CDC and FDA are investigating an E. coli outbreak tied to raw milk cheese, with Kentucky among the affected states. Digital Safety: TikTok reached a settlement with Alabama over teen safety, including time limits and stronger age checks. Sports on TV: Saturday’s listings include Kentucky vs. South Alabama on SEC channels.

Kentucky Arts & Education: Kentucky Performing Arts announced the high schools joining the 2027 KPA Bradley Awards, sending student theatre work toward the national Jimmy Awards stage. Music & Community: Dolly Parton Day is being marked Friday nationwide (9/25 for “9 to 5”), with tributes ranging from screenings and proclamations to pink-lit buildings and fundraisers; in Kentucky, fans are also planning events. Local Culture: Lexington’s new entertainment district is taking shape at a former industrial site, with Country Boy Brewing’s next location and a major 2,000-seat venue, The Rail, slated to open soon. Arts in the Park: Standing Stone State Park’s 43rd National Rolley Hole Championship Marbles and Music Festival kept a folk tradition alive—marbles in the dirt, plus live music and community history. Sports & Entertainment (watch): The college football TV slate highlights Big Ten openers and top matchups, including Indiana vs. Northwestern on FOX and Ohio State’s Illibuck game vs. Illinois.

Music & Community Impact: Kentucky metalcore band Knocked Loose donated $8,000 to Jamie Ulshoffer, left paralyzed after an incident during their Louder Than Life set in Louisville—another reminder that big shows can have real-world consequences. Arts & Entertainment: Lizzy McAlpine’s new album “Angel” leans into Appalachian sounds, drawing inspiration from her Broadway run in “Floyd Collins.” Local Arts Calendar: The Kentucky Comedy Festival brings Trey Kennedy to Murray State’s Lovett Auditorium on Oct. 3. Film & Local Economy: Three feature films shot around Glasgow this summer, with the Southern Kentucky Film Commission highlighting the boost to lodging, local hires, and business purchases. Dolly Parton 9 to 5 Day (Kentucky): WKYT rounds up Central Kentucky events for Sept. 25, from Dolly-themed drinks and trivia to music tributes and giveaways. Sports Tech for Fans: A Bowling Green man launched kyhssports.com to make Kentucky high school scores and stats easier to track.