Good morning, Frankfort.

A new report from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap shows hunger reached record levels in central and eastern Kentucky with nearly 20 percent of people in God’s Pantry Food Bank’s 50-county service area facing food insecurity.

The study said over 280,000 Kentuckians missed meals because of inflation, natural disasters, and reduced federal aid — and officials are urged to strengthen food assistance programs.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Cole McWilliams, a 5’9, 130-pound juvenile last seen Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. in Silverlake wearing black joggers, dark crocs, and no shirt—he is known to visit Lakeview Park and officials urge anyone with information to contact the Frankfort Police Department.

The Kentucky Center for Statistics reported that the seasonally adjusted preliminary April unemployment rate was 5.2 percent, unchanged from March but 0.3 percent higher than April last year.

Overall, the labor force grew by 752 as 2,550 more Kentuckians found work and 1,798 fewer were unemployed — a federal survey also noted a 400-job increase in nonfarm employment amid mixed gains and losses by sector.

Gov. Andy Beshear announced that FEMA approved Individual Assistance for 24 more counties affected by last month's flooding, which now brings the total to 37 counties—residents and business owners can apply online or by calling FEMA.

Daniel Cameron's ethics complaint from his failed run for governor resurfaced as he campaigns for U.S. Senate+ the Ethics Commission initiated a review of allegations that he used his former role as attorney general to solicit campaign donations.

Cameron said he recused himself from the review and vowed to fight the charges.

Officials from the Medicaid Department said a subcontractor error led to some children’s HCBS waiver services being wrongly denied and that every case denied since the start of the year is now under review — the department will restore services once the new checks are in place for families currently appealing.

An ethics complaint from Daniel Cameron’s failed run for governor has resurfaced as he campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat, with the Executive Branch Ethics Commission reopening its investigation into allegations that he solicited a $30,000 minimum donation from a business owner—Cameron denies any wrongdoing and calls it a politically motivated attack.

Downtown Frankfort Bourbon Week

10 AM – 10 PM — Downtown Frankfort Inc — Various costs — Celebrate the spirit of Frankfort with bourbon tours, local products, and a kickoff concert under the summer sky.