Good morning, Frankfort.

Lee Carter, Carla Mack and Lori Barnett hosted the 250LEX celebration — featuring back-to-school events and a Big 250 Birthday Cake celebration — on July 30, drawing local community members to the festivities.

A Richmond man, 37-year-old Derek Hahn, was sentenced to 27 and a half years in prison on July 28 for producing child pornography after investigators linked his home IP address to a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children—he must serve 85 percent of his sentence and pay $50,000 in restitution.

The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education in partnership with the Department for Community-Based Services and a group of universities launched the Community Learning Network training program in Frankfort Tuesday to update workforce skills for over 5,000 human services workers, foster parents, kinship caregivers, and community partners statewide. The program replaces a single vendor at Eastern Kentucky University with teams at Brescia University, Morehead State University, and Northern Kentucky University — a move aimed at improving local training access — and is part of a push to better serve children and families.

Today, the Kentucky State Board on Electric Generation and Transmission Siting conditionally approved Lost City Renewables LLC’s plan to build a 250‐megawatt solar plant on 1,413 acres in Muhlenberg County with about 400,000 solar panels and a new 10.8‐mile transmission line connecting to a TVA substation. The commission set rules such as a 100‐foot gap from homes and a 150‐foot gap for panels near schools and churches — guidelines that must be met before construction begins — to ensure safety and compliance.

Rep. Steven Doan from Erlanger proposed House Bill 806 to stop local governments from banning up to six backyard chickens on a home property—he noted that residents have faced issues with local rules when chickens serve as emotional support or are kept for eggs, and the bill will be considered in the new legislative session starting Jan. 6.

The Kentucky Hospital Association warns that Medicaid cuts will force hospitals to reduce services, lay off staff, and close up to 35 facilities if state and federal intervention does not occur—putting about 20,000 healthcare jobs at risk.

The group said hospitals in rural areas are already reviewing which services they may need to cut.

2025 Downtown Summer Concert Series

6:30 p.m. — Downtown Frankfort Inc — Free entry — Get ready for an unforgettable summer filled with fantastic music and family fun in the heart of downtown Frankfort!

Edible Art for Kids

4:30-5:30 p.m. — Paul Sawyier Public Library — Free entry — Create a masterpiece that looks almost too good to eat in this fun art program for young kids.

PokéClub Gathering

4:30-5:30 p.m. — Paul Sawyier Public Library — Free entry — Trade cards, battle, and socialize with fellow Pokémon enthusiasts.

Gathering of Authors 2025

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Paul Sawyier Public Library — Free entry — Connect with local authors, explore new releases, and enjoy a literary gathering in a cozy atmosphere.

Frankfort Fall Festival

All Day — Frankfort Chamber Of Commerce — Admission details TBA — Celebrate fall with local crafts, food vendors, and family-friendly activities in Frankfort.