AGP Executive Report

Preakness Shake-Up: Churchill Downs and NYRA unveiled a new season-long Thoroughbred Championship Series for 3-year-olds starting in 2027, but the bigger headline is the Preakness moving to a Sunday in 2027—pushing the race eight days later and reshaping the Triple Crown calendar. Music & Live Shows: Rock legend Joan Jett canceled two September stops, including Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville, after surgery for a fractured vertebra. Local Arts/Community: Nashville Pride returned to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park with standout sets from Carmen Dianne and Kyleigh. Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak tied to fresh jalapeños has sickened hundreds across 27 states, with Chipotle and Qdoba removing the implicated peppers. Kentucky Policy: Gov. Beshear signed an executive order restricting the impact of data centers on Kentucky communities. Education: Kentucky enacted HB 562 creating an alternative modified diploma for students with disabilities, replacing “certificate of completion” starting 2027-28.

Kentucky Arts & Culture: The Homestead resort in Glen Arbor, Michigan is opening a new art gallery in partnership with the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts, with rotating regional work and a kickoff reception Aug. 12 featuring painter Adam Van Houten. Local Events: Mercer County’s 127 Yard Sale runs Aug. 6-9, with Friday Night On Main and Pioneer Days returning Aug. 13-15 at Old Fort Harrod State Park. Outdoor & Family Fun: Hidden Lake Farm near Leesburg made Hipcamp’s national “50 Favorite Places to Camp” list—Kentucky’s only entry—highlighting the state’s camping draw. Sports & Community: Paducah Sports Park construction is nearing completion, with major work on the Stuart Nelson and Bluegrass Downs sides progressing toward a six-week finish. Music: Rock icon Joan Jett cancels two shows, including Louisville on Sept. 24, after orthopedic surgery for a fractured vertebra. Public Health: HHS decertified Louisville-based Network for Hope, Kentucky’s organ procurement organization, after patient safety concerns tied to donation cases.

Youth Rodeo Update: The Western Kentucky Little Britches Rodeo says Murray State’s Expo Center won’t host its fall season, forcing organizers to find a new venue. College Golf Storylines: Murray High’s Bailee Lucas locks in a spot at the Kentucky 2A Championships, while Murray’s boys program keeps momentum under new leadership. Music & Live Venues: Frankfort’s Grand Theatre reopens with upgraded sound and lighting, kicking off with Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, while Kentucky fans also watch for last-minute concert shakeups after Barry Manilow postponed a Lexington show. Horse Racing Calendar Shake-Up: Preakness is moving to a Sunday in 2027 (22 days after the Derby) as Churchill Downs and NYRA launch a new $5 million Thoroughbred Championship Series that notably excludes the Preakness. UK Football Focus: Kentucky’s fall camp begins with Will Stein emphasizing details and competition for starting roles. Local Arts & Community Events: Oak Grove’s Butterfly Festival returns in September, and Hopkinsville’s Eighth of August weekend brings food, music, and family programming downtown. Media Business Note: Forcht Broadcasting rebrands as Forcht Media, expanding beyond radio into broader marketing services.

UK Football: Will Stein confirmed Martels Carter Jr. is now a permanent running back after spring standout work, with the move cemented at media day. Horse Racing (Triple Crown): The Preakness Stakes is getting a historic makeover for 2027—shifted to Sunday, May 23 (fourth Sunday of May), with Preakness Eve moved to Saturday, and a renewed NBC/NBC Peacock deal through 2032. Local Events (Cars): Louisville’s 57th Street Rod Nationals rolls into downtown for the parade before the four-day Kentucky Exposition Center event kicks off Thursday. Local Water Watch: Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton says Kentucky American Water declined a public meeting request for residents affected by the delayed Fontaine Road project. Music & Pop Culture: Barry Manilow canceled his Lexington show 45 minutes before start amid ongoing lung cancer recovery. Family Fun: Five Star Parks & Attractions launched an August “Arcade Party” at Malibu Jack’s with two hours of unlimited play and ticket bundles. Arts/Community: Nolin Lake State Park is set to reopen Aug. 7 after flood damage.

Arts & Community: Pennyroyal Arts Council named Bri Smith its new education coordinator, aiming to expand school matinees and outreach in Hopkinsville. Arts & Education: NKU launched a first-of-its-kind graduate course on school safety, training leaders to handle everything from bullying and mental health crises to active shooter scenarios. Local Arts Scene: Columbia State’s Pryor Art Gallery is hosting “We Contain Multitudes,” an abstract exhibit by Nashville-based Contemporary Collective artists running through Sept. 2. Performing Arts: Barry Manilow’s Lexington Rupp Arena show was postponed at the last minute, with tickets set to be honored for a new date. Horse Racing: Churchill Downs and NYRA unveiled a 2027 Thoroughbred Championship Series for 3-year-olds, a six-race, season-long points chase starting with the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Sports Culture: Robby Albarado, a two-time Preakness winner and longtime Churchill Downs rider, died at 52. Public Health: Calloway County still reports no confirmed cyclospora cases as Kentucky’s outbreak grows statewide. Civic Life: CASA Gateway is moving into a larger Morehead office as it expands to 11 eastern Kentucky counties and seeks more volunteers.

Kentucky Arts & Entertainment: Louisville’s Kentucky Center is set to host the Tony-winning musical “The Outsiders” later this month, bringing the book-to-stage story (and that famous rumble fight) to life with rain-soaked, full-contact choreography. Thoroughbred Racing: Churchill Downs and NYRA unveiled a new six-race “Thoroughbred Championship Series” for 3-year-olds starting with the Kentucky Derby and running through a September championship at Churchill—while the Preakness is left out, raising big questions about the future of the Triple Crown. Local Sports & Community: Med Center Health is expanding sports medicine coverage in South Central Kentucky, partnering with Greenwood High School and Warren East High School. Food & Culture: Chef Andrew Zimmern is bringing his sobriety story and emotional sobriety focus to the 2026 Song Summit in Park City. Sports Business: Ford issued a recall affecting nearly 48,000 trucks, including some built at Kentucky’s Louisville plant, tied to a rearview camera software issue.

Kentucky Football: Will Stein’s first fall camp is officially underway, with UK media day focused on details, competition, and getting the Wildcats playing fast early in the season. Horse Racing: Churchill Downs and NYRA unveiled a new six-race Thoroughbred Championship Series for 3-year-olds starting in 2027—Derby and Belmont included, but the Preakness left out—shifting the Triple Crown conversation. Local Sports (NKY/Indiana): The Battle of the Bridges All-Star Classic highlighted top talent from Kentucky and the Louisville area, with standout performances from rising stars. Public Safety & Health: A bat in Knott County tested positive for rabies, and health officials urged residents to avoid handling wild animals and keep pets vaccinated. Community & Arts/Entertainment: A “Feast for Hope” fundraiser brings 10 local chefs together for an Aug. 15 outdoor event supporting New Hope Children’s Advocacy Center. Education: Barren County Schools’ preschool programs earned top 5-Star ratings under Kentucky All STARS. Business/Local Life: 80 Acres, the Florence vertical farming company, shut down after exhausting capital.

Thoroughbred Spotlight: Churchill Downs and NYRA just unveiled a new six-race “Thoroughbred Championship Series” for 3-year-olds starting in 2027, tying together the Kentucky Derby (May 1), Belmont (June 5), and Saratoga races, with a $5 million bonus pool and a new championship race at Churchill in September—while the Preakness is notably left out. Local Sports Buzz: Kentucky football fall camp kicks off Aug. 6 under first-year coach Will Stein, with several transfers on deck but a few key players still rehabbing. Racing Weekend Guide: Louisville’s 57th Annual Street Rod Nationals return Aug. 6-9 at the Kentucky Exposition Center, expected to draw nearly 70,000 participants and 10,000 classic cars, plus seminars, live music, and family activities. Community & Arts: Frankfort’s Police Department hosted a kids-friendly National Night Out with DJs, food trucks, and activities in partnership with Yes Arts and local departments. Music Moment: Make-A-Wish helped Adalee Davis meet Christian singer Anne Wilson in Ohio, including a concert experience built around her story and her hospital music therapy. Food Fun: Penn Station Sandwiches rolled out limited-time blue raspberry and strawberry flavored lemonades through early September.

Bernheim Forest & Arboretum: August is packed with outdoor learning and night events, including the illuminated CONNECT night on Aug. 15, plus guided fire tower tours and nature hikes. Louisville Transit: TARC’s new route network starts Sunday with fewer stops, more frequent service, and a downtown timed-transfer hub—good news for some riders, tough for others adjusting to the changes. Swimming Spotlight: Mary T. Meagher Plant is back in the pool decades after Olympic glory, telling a story about reinventing herself beyond medals. Local Arts & Culture: The Kentucky Museum hosts an artist talk tied to the “Celebrating the Black Experience” exhibit, bringing Kentucky artists Kim Dixon and Ken Burney into the conversation. Historic Preservation: Shelbyville’s Claudia Sanders Dinner House and Blackwood Hall are staying open after owners called off plans to sell. Community Fun: Greene County Thrives’ Prevention Pool Party mixes music, food, and school-start resources for families. Sports & Entertainment: Kentucky basketball is reportedly in contact with Auburn forward Keyshawn Hall as eligibility rules keep shifting, while Fancy Farm remains the big Western Kentucky political stage.

Kentucky Derby business: Churchill Downs reported record Kentucky Derby Week 2026 results, including 24.4 million peak viewers and all-time record $980M net revenue, plus plans for new 2027 infield amenities. Fancy Farm politics: The 146th Fancy Farm Picnic kept the barbs flying as Lt. Gov. candidates Jacqueline Coleman and Rocky Adkins traded jabs while focusing on the Beshear legacy and the looming U.S. Senate race. TBT hoops in Lexington: La Familia (Kentucky alumni) is set to host Davis Steel in the Basketball Tournament championship Sunday at 2 p.m. on FOX, after beating JHX Hoops 78-65 with Archie Goodwin leading the charge. Community safety: Ohio County is hosting an Aug. 6 forum on online child exploitation with Sheriff Adam Wright and state officials. Arts & books: Albuquerque author Caroline Starr Rose is bringing “Books Up the Mountain: A Packhorse Librarian Story” to Kentucky events, spotlighting the Depression-era “book women” who delivered reading to rural families. Local culture: Churchill Downs’ Derby momentum and Kentucky’s summer events keep rolling, from regional entertainment listings to community happenings.

Homegrown Arts & Community: Yes Arts is rolling out “Pick Plus Bow,” a free summer program that introduces kids to bluegrass history and Kentucky instruments like the dulcimer—aimed at building confidence through hands-on learning. Music & Nightlife: Knocked Loose and Denzel Curry brought “Hive Mind” to life at a surprise Brooklyn skatepark pop-up, with the Louisville-shot video adding Kentucky flair to the collab. Local Culture Fundraiser: The Frazier Summer Beer Fest returned to downtown Louisville with 250+ specialty beers, live music, and proceeds supporting museum education and exhibits. Back-to-School Support: The YMCA of Central Kentucky hosted multiple backpack rallies across Fayette and Franklin counties, giving away free supplies to families in need. Education & Safety: Hardin County Schools banned metal water bottles after reports of students using them as weapons, citing injuries and hospital visits. Politics (Fancy Farm): Gov. Andy Beshear skipped the 146th Fancy Farm Picnic but still got roasted—then fired back online—while the day’s biggest zingers centered on the U.S. Senate race and Kentucky’s next governor. Sports & College: Kentucky basketball is reportedly eyeing Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler for a possible fifth year as NCAA eligibility rules keep shifting. Wildlife: A Kentucky State Police trooper helped rescue and release a bald eagle back into the wild near Laurel Lake.

Fancy Farm Picnic: The 146th St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic returns Aug. 1 in Western Kentucky with speeches starting at 2 p.m. Central/3 p.m. Eastern, emceed by WKYT’s Dave Baker—featuring Rand Paul, Andy Barr, Charles Booker, James Comer and more, while Gov. Andy Beshear and Sen. Mitch McConnell both decline to attend. Local Arts & Community: Latonia’s The Point/Arc spotlights graphic designer Aaron Broughton, whose printmaking background and training program help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities build skills through apparel production. NKY Food Scene: Sanctuary Social in Villa Hills earns a Readers’ Choice spotlight as a “hidden gem” restaurant built on word-of-mouth and online buzz. Sports & Culture on TV: The 2026 Little League Softball World Series kicks off Aug. 2-9 in Greenville, N.C., with Kentucky’s Daviess County Little League among the 12 teams and ESPN/ABC coverage. Media Business: E.W. Scripps completes its WTVQ acquisition in Lexington, creating a duopoly with WLEX and expanding local TV reach. College Sports Shakeup: A court ruling could open a chaotic transfer window by granting extra eligibility for certain athletes tied to the NCAA’s five-year rule.

College Sports Legal Shake-Up: A Colorado judge granted a class-wide preliminary injunction letting NCAA athletes from the 2022 high school class regain a fifth year, potentially triggering major transfer portal chaos nationwide. Big Ten vs. SEC: Conference leaders traded barbs at media days, with the Big Ten pushing back on claims it’s “top-heavy” while the SEC argues its depth proves itself on the field. Kentucky Basketball Global Brand: Ousmane N’Diaye told reporters he knew Kentucky as a basketball “global brand,” not just a state—highlighting the Wildcats’ reach beyond the U.S. TBT Basketball Spotlight: JHX Hoops’ run ended in the alumni finals, and Kansas coach Bill Self weighed in on what made the team’s effort worth watching. Local Resilience: A retired Grayson County couple is rebuilding after an EF2 tornado shifted their home off its foundation, now battling insurance while neighbors step in. Downtown Louisville Safety Upgrade: Main Street’s shift to two-way traffic is underway as part of the “Main Remade” project, adding bike lanes and pedestrian islands. Arts & Craftsmanship: A Pennsburg exhibit runs through Oct. 18 showcasing early longrifle craftsmanship as functional art. Community Arts Education: Kentucky students completed Governor’s School for the Arts programs, adding more young talent to the state’s creative pipeline.

Louisville News: Louisville Metro EMS marked a major milestone, administering its 100th blood transfusion through a new ambulance blood program launched in 2025—88% of patients left the hospital after transfusion, and the service is now partnering with UofL Health to rotate near-expiration units so nothing goes to waste. Public Safety: West Lafayette police say a child abduction case that led investigators to Kentucky ended with the child found safely near Louisville, after a citizen recognized the post and alerted authorities. Arts & Entertainment (Live): Frankfort’s “Metal at the Marina” returns as a free, family-friendly heavy metal and hardcore day on Aug. 1 at the Harbor Marina/Park, with gates opening at noon and bands running 1–4 p.m. Sports Spotlight: Louisville basketball coach Pat Kelsey’s 2026-27 schedule is getting clearer, including a Thanksgiving-week Players Era Tournament trip and a Dec. 1 SEC/ACC Challenge vs. Texas. Kentucky Politics & Culture: Kentucky’s Rand Paul is again at the center of the national Dr. Fauci debate after the Senate hearing where Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment repeatedly.

Kentucky Sports & Culture: La Familia, the Kentucky alumni squad, is set for the TBT Championship Sunday in Lexington after beating JHX Hoops 78-65, with Davis Steel waiting in the final. Arts & Community Events: The Clayton Center for the Arts brings J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band) to its stage Sept. 15, promising high-energy acoustic roots music. Equine Spotlight: Russellville’s inaugural Melmsgard Equine Expo lands Sept. 19 at the Ag Arena with demos, vendors, kids’ activities, and industry networking. Local Governance & Growth: Gov. Andy Beshear announced $5.2M in Kentucky Product Development Initiative funding for site and building upgrades across eight counties. Education & Public Life: A Freedom From Religion Foundation complaint alleges a Lexington middle school let pastors “proselytize” students via a school-linked FCA chapter. Health & Care: Baptist Health Corbin marked five years of its radiation therapy department, expanding advanced cancer care locally.

Churchill Downs & Derby Focus: Louisville’s Churchill Downs says it plans to sell Presque Isle Downs & Casino plus eight other gaming properties, using proceeds to cut debt and pour money back into its Churchill Downs Racetrack and Kentucky Derby plans. Louisville Hospitality Meets Thoroughbred Lore: The Galt House Hotel unveiled “The Legendary Collection,” immersive luxury suites themed around University of Louisville athletics and Kentucky’s thoroughbred traditions. Local Sports Spotlight: The 2026 Little League Softball World Series kicks off Aug. 2–9 with Kentucky’s Daviess County Little League among the 12-team field, airing on ESPN networks and streaming on ESPN+. Arts & Culture on Stage: KET’s SummerPledge 2026 (Aug. 8–16) returns with concerts, documentaries, and PBS favorites, including a Downton Abbey marathon and Josh Groban’s Union Chapel special. Community & Conversation: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear will discuss his new book at Philadelphia’s Free Library with Michael Smerconish on Sept. 23.