Good morning, Frankfort.

Team Kentucky kicked off Derby Week on Saturday with Commonfest at the Old Capitol lawn and featured live music, local vendors, food trucks, and activities for families — energizing the community for upcoming festivities.

Franklin County Farmers Market opened its season on Saturday at its new location (203 Holmes St) with fresh produce, local meats and artisan crafts available.

In-person markets are held every Tuesday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and curbside pickup and workplace delivery are available later in the season.

Entries for the Funnel Cake 3K are open for runners + virtual participants; the race is scheduled for June 6 at Hancock Pavilion in Lakeview Park with a 9 a.m. start to benefit We Wanna Play, Inc. An entry fee of $25 applies until mid-May, after which fees will increase.

A report from the National Institute for Early Education Research shows that during the 2024-25 school year only 26% of Kentucky's four-year-olds attended preschool—trailing the national average as local lawmakers and advocates continue to explore plans to boost access.

Kentucky's Department of Community Based Services has launched an online tool with Binti to connect foster children with family members.

The platform has already created over 150,000 kinship links, with caseworkers averaging 17 searches daily (a vital step in supporting family connections).

Kentucky’s citizen foster care review boards now need volunteers to help review cases across 54 counties and support fast child permanency.

Residents can apply via kycourts.gov or email [email protected] (no family services experience needed).

Governor Beshear mourned state rep Jesse Crenshaw, a trailblazer known for breaking racial barriers who served from 1993 (to 2015) and was a veteran, lawyer, teacher, and father.

He and his wife Britainy prayed for his family as the community honors his lasting legacy.

Jesse Crenshaw, the first Black person elected to the Kentucky House from Fayette County, died Sunday after battling illness at 79; he served 22 years and was a Vietnam veteran and the first Black assistant federal prosecutor in eastern Kentucky.

Franklin County Health Department secured a $750K grant from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission to launch the Franklin County 2039 initiative, which will invest in local substance use prevention programs from July 1 to June 30, 2028.

Painted Clay Pot Mushrooms

11 a.m. — Paul Sawyier Public Library — Free entry — Get creative and add a whimsical touch to your garden with handmade clay pot mushrooms for all ages.

2026 River Rat Run 3K

6-8 p.m. — River View Park — Registration fees apply — Enjoy an evening of fitness and community at the River Rat Run 3K race.