Nov. 21, 2025

KACo presents major jail proposal for 2026 legislative session

The Kentucky Association of Counties outlined its 2026 legislative priorities Thursday before the Interim Joint Committee on Local Government, warning lawmakers that county jails are at a crisis point due to continually rising costs and proposing a three-part plan to reshape how the state and counties share responsibility for incarceration.

“This will be the issue you'll hear county officials talk about frequently going into the [legislative] session,” KACo Executive Director Jim Henderson said, noting that judge/executives, magistrates and other officials from more than a dozen counties traveled to Frankfort for the committee meeting. “The stage has been set for us to really talk about solutions.”

Four more counties certified as Recovery Ready Communities

The Recovery Ready Communities program is growing with the addition of Estill, Henderson, Lewis and Warren counties. By designating these counties as Recovery Ready, Team Kentucky is expanding access to assistance for drug and alcohol addiction for an additional 219,000 Kentuckians.

Ten counties awarded fair grants

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture awarded a record number of county fair grants this year for new construction and renovations projects. Ten county fairs across the state were awarded grants totaling $748,793.13, Commissioner Jonathan Shell has announced.

The latest headlines from across Kentucky

• Johnson County, Paintsville cover funding gap after federal program paused
• Marshall County Fiscal Court recognizes golf team, approves sheriff's vehicles
• Publix announces new Pulaski County store, creating 150 jobs
• Legislator introduces proposal to require Kentucky police agencies to have ICE agreements
• Boyle County holds public meeting on proposed zoning text amendment
• Hopkins County Government to donate $1K to random non-profit
• RV park ordinance moves forward in Scott County
• Trigg County dispatch finishes critical $40K overhaul
• Jessamine County deputies warn drivers as deer collisions spike during mating season
• Boyd 911 urges participation in Take Me Home program
• Jefferson County Clerk prepares for special election