Good morning, Frankfort.

Western Hills' girls volleyball team hosted Pink Night in Frankfort and raised more than $540 for the Kentucky Employees Charitable Campaign—an organization that helps Kentuckians affected by cancer.

Coach Kelcie Turner said the event highlighted the true meaning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and that donations will support future efforts.

The Kentucky Public Service Commission approved Duke Energy's request to raise rates, which will increase residential energy charges from $0.111639 to $0.122399 per kWh and add about $12.51 to typical monthly bills.

Duke Energy’s new rate, requested in December, is expected to boost annual revenue by roughly 9.61%—around $43.7 million.

Amy McGrath, a retired Marine Colonel, announced her bid for the U.S. Senate seat as Mitch McConnell will not run for reelection and a crowded field forms.

She said Kentuckians need change—more candidates are expected to file papers by the deadline.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation launched the KY Deer & Elk app yesterday to give hunters real-time data, offline maps and planning tools.

The free app also provides county hunt planning, license access and local resource details to help hunters prepare for outings.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has been awarded $345,544 from USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to fund projects that improve specialty crop production and marketing.

It will support six projects including partners such as the Kentucky Horticulture Council—leading a regional greenhouse alliance—and the Southern Kentucky Floral Exchange to boost local crop sales.

Over the weekend, 63 Vietnam veterans took an Honor Flight from Kentucky to Washington, D.C. where two veterans, Deborah Conrad (a Navy Hospital Corpsman) and Deborah Dye (a Vietnam veteran), were honored at the Military Women's Memorial in Arlington for their service and contributions.

Forty-eight Kentucky hemp farmers wrote a letter to Sen. McConnell saying they planted hemp this season under the legal framework of the 2018 Farm Bill and secured contracts.

They urged him to oppose proposed rules that would criminalize hemp-derived cannabinoids—warning that such changes would immediately harm their investments, crops and local economy.

The FDA and local agencies are investigating an outbreak of Listeria linked to pasta salads sold at Kroger deli, and Kroger has issued a voluntary recall for bowtie and penne pasta salads across multiple states.

Twenty people have been infected—with hospitalizations and deaths reported in 15 states (no cases reported in Kentucky)—and symptoms may appear within two weeks after consumption.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and Fahe are expanding their Rise Up Program into Kentucky by offering $25,000 homebuyer grants to qualifying first-time, first-generation buyers.

The program will provide up to $3 million toward down payment, closing costs, or principal reduction—requirements include completing a HUD-approved education and meeting income limits.

Frankfort’s football team lost to Covington Holy Cross 39—0 on Friday in Covington and now has a 0—6 record.

The team will open district play at home Friday against Eminence.

Kentucky State beat Miles 38—17 on Saturday in a football game where the Thorobreds made three interceptions and strong plays on offense.

Quarterback Torrence Bardell threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns while wide receiver Jon McCall caught eight passes for 84 yards.

Franklin County played Spencer County Friday night at Benny Watkins Field— the Flyers won 34-33 in a close finish.

Western Hills’ football team beat Grant County 36-0 for its first district win on Friday at WHHS — Cameron Flynn rushed for 135 yards, scored three touchdowns, and caught a 27-yard pass while Micah Cleveland scored another touchdown; Ashton Lewis was perfect on extra points and J.T. Jackson added 129 rushing yards with a two-point conversion. The team is 2-5 overall and 1-1 in the district and will play its next game on October 17 at Franklin County.

Haunting on the Hill

7-10:30 p.m. — Sullivan House Visitor Center at Leslie Morris Park at Fort Hill — Free entry — Experience a hauntingly good time at the Spooky Trail this October.