April 4, 2025

Counties grappling with multiple inclement weather issues

As we pass the halfway point of a historic four days of tumultuous weather including heavy rain, hail, high winds, tornadoes and flooding, counties are working around the clock to overcome damage to infrastructure, homes and more.

Officials, first responders and emergency management personnel are continuing to monitor situations as they develop, and we are thankful for these efforts.

National County Government Month

Counties work hard every day to keep their communities safe and thriving. From maintaining roads and bridges to public safety, economic development, record-keeping, recreational programs and more, counties have a direct impact on the daily lives of residents.

Celebrate National County Government Month this April by highlighting the important work happening in your county and learn more about the crucial roles of county officials in KACo's What Counties Do page! 

Special purpose vehicles will soon be street legal in parts of Kentucky

Local governments are considering whether to opt-in for a new state law that allows special purpose vehicles to be operated on a highway.

The Kentucky General Assembly passed SB 63, sponsored by Sen. Brandon Storm (R-Laurel), during the 2025 legislative session. It takes effect June 27.

Kentucky county unemployment rates for Feb. 2025 released

Unemployment rates rose in 83 counties, fell in 33 counties and stayed the same in Grant, Graves, Knox and Pulaski counties between February 2024 and February 2025, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics.

Collaboration and accountability guide use of opioid settlement funds in Kentucky

As counties across Kentucky continue to explore ways to address the opioid epidemic using funds from national settlement agreements, the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission is emphasizing transparency, collaboration and clear connections to opioid-related outcomes in its grant-making process.

During a recent webinar hosted in conjunction with KACo, Commission Deputy Director Jessie Halladay shared insight into how the state evaluated opioid grant applications.

NACo Achievement Awards submission deadline extended

The deadline to submit applications for National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards has been extended to Friday, April 11, at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Your county can earn local and national recognition for work in 18 categories covering a wide spectrum of county responsibilities.

This year application fees are waived for counties with a population of less than 50,000.

Check out the latest headlines from across Kentucky

Two counties have retirements among their elected leadership, the Warren County Regional Jail seeks an increase in fiscal court funding, Spencer County approves the purchase of a drug disposal incinerator, Laurel County will see new businesses open, and more.

This week's roundup of local news includes stories from Adair, Barren, Boone, Laurel, McLean, Oldham, Spencer and Warren counties.

Training Opportunities

KACo Member Briefing: 2025 Legislative Session in Review

Date: April 29, 2025

Time: 11 a.m. - noon ET

Location: Virtual

Join us for a review of the 2025 legislative session, focusing on key legislation that will impact Kentucky counties. KACo’s advocacy team will break down what passed, what didn’t, and what it all means for counties moving forward. Members will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with the team.

Emergency Preparedness Series: Telecommunications Emergency Response Teams

Date: April 24, 2025

Time: 11 a.m. - noon ET

Location: Virtual

Emergency action plans often overlook a critical component: mutual aid for 9-1-1 dispatch centers. All emergency communications flow through the 9-1-1 Center—but what happens when those very centers are overwhelmed or in crisis themselves? That’s where the Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT) comes in.

Opioid Solutions Monthly Webinar Series

Throughout 2025, KACo is hosting a series of monthly webinars about the use of opioid settlement funds, including examples of innovative county programs and best practices.

This week in pictures

It was all hands on deck as the Calloway County Road Department prepared sandbags ahead of the storms.

Inmates from the Marshall County jail teamed up with road department personnel to fill sandbags.

Students from the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Academy helped distribute sandbags in Union County.

A flooded roadway in Mercer County.

Flooding in Woodford County.

A highway is flooded in Morgan County.

Steve Coulter and Scott Cecil are sworn in as court security deputies who will be tasked with maintaining safety and security in the Spencer County courthouse.

Shelby County Judge/Executive Dan Ison visited Treasurer Sheila McGee to wish her well on her 10th anniversary as county treasurer.

Bullitt County Emergency Management blocked a flooded roadway.