Jan. 16, 2026

Driver’s licensing takes the wheel in early days of 2026 session

Access to driver’s licensing services has emerged as one of the first major policy debates to gain traction in Frankfort during the opening days of the 2026 session, with multiple bills filed and one measuring advancing quickly through the Senate.

By the numbers: Kentucky’s 2026 county primary candidates

With the close of the candidate filing period on Jan. 9, a clearer picture has emerged of the county-level electoral landscape heading into Kentucky’s 2026 primary election.

As of Jan. 13, 2026, there were a total of 2,994 active candidates for county-elected offices, according to the Secretary of State’s searchable database.

Join us for the 2026 County Officials Legislative Reception

County officials and legislators are invited to join us as we honor members of the 2026 General Assembly at KACo headquarters in Frankfort on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 4:30-7 p.m. EST.

Use the link below for more information and the registration form.

Moore inducted into transportation hall of fame

Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore is a 2026 inductee into the Kentucky Transportation Center Hall of Fame. Former state Rep. Sal Santoro presented the honor Thursday during the Kentuckians For Better Transportation Conference.

Moore is a past president of KACo and the National Association of Counties.

NACo advocacy update: New federal law affects jails inmates and Medicaid

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, federal law requires states to suspend, rather than terminate, Medicaid coverage when an individual is incarcerated.

This policy change was enacted as part of the FY 2024 Appropriations Act and reflects a key win from NACo’s advocacy on reforming the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy.

State releases county unemployment data for November 2025

Unemployment rates fell in 119 counties and rose in Pike County between November 2024 and November 2025, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.

Is your company's OSHA 300A summary posted?

Good recordkeeping raises awareness of workplace hazards so they can be corrected. It also helps OSHA keep track of national trends.

And it’s the law in many cases.



Kentucky OSHA rules require employers to post the OSHA 300A summary form (of 2025 occupational injuries and illnesses) no later than Feb. 1, and keep it posted through April 30.

Counties in the news: The latest headlines from across Kentucky

• NACo President Clark: State of America’s counties is strong
• Kentucky counties push for regional jails, fairer inmate reimbursement
• Hart County students get hands-on look at local government 
• Return to ‘local control’ of driver’s license renewals is a priority for KY Senate GOP
• Committee seeks inclusive park
• Squishable, invasive pest confirmed in 8 more KY counties
• Federal funding for county sanitary sewer service clears U.S. House
• County officials consider replacing emergency alert system after cyberattack
• Boyd County adjusts employee raises
• Republicans push for Kentucky constitutional amendment to limit homestead tax

Training Opportunities

Active Shooter Response Preparedness Training

Workplace violence is a growing concern, and this webinar is designed to support a culture of safety and readiness.

KACo Insurance members are invited to attend a critical training session focused on empowering individuals with knowledge and skills to respond effectively during an active shooter event.

Date: Feb. 10, 2026

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

2026 Opioid Solutions: February Webinar

KACo's Opioid Solutions Monthly Webinar Series is back for 2026

Each month, we'll discuss programs and services that are making a real-world impact on substance use recovery that county officials and partners can model in their own communities.

Date: Feb. 12, 2026

Time: 11 a.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Social Media: Best Practices and Legal Risks

County officials and staff increasingly rely on social media to communicate with residents, but it also comes with legal and operational responsibilities. This webinar provides practical guidance on how counties can use social media strategically and responsibly.

Date: March 3, 2026

Time: 2 p.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

How Counties are Using Data to Prioritize Road and Bridge Repairs

Looking for a smarter, more consistent way to evaluate and prioritize county road projects? Join this webinar to learn how the Lincoln Trail Area Development District is using ESRI’s Field Maps and ArcGIS tools to collect real-time pavement data, assign standardized condition scores. Presenters will show how GIS-based dashboards help county officials visualize needs, plan resurfacing and bridge projects, and support long-term infrastructure investments.

Date: March 10, 2026

Time: 10 a.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

This Week in Photos

Hopkins County officials cut the ribbon on a new facility for the sheriff's department.

KACo President Adam O'Nan and Executive Director Jim Henderson visited Washington, D.C. this week for meetings with leaders from other county associations, NACo and the White House.

Officials in Montgomery County and Mt. Sterling are making plans for a large event to celebrate America's 250th birthday this year.

Graves County Jailer Kelli Elliott and McCracken County Jailer Stephen Carter have joined forces and contracted with West Kentucky Community and Technical College to facilitate welding classes for Class D inmates from their facilities.

Powell County Judge/Executive Eddie Barnes and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman celebrated the opening of a new Head Start building.

KACo Opioid Settlement Adviser Lauren Carr met with the local advisory group in Christian County.

Construction is moving forward on the Scott County Hall of Justice. Members of the Scott County Project Development Board and construction team representatives recently toured the site to view the project’s progress.

Shelby County Judge/Executive Dan Ison helped celebrate the grand opening of Next Step Cafe in Simpsonville.

Boyle County Judge/Executive Trille Bottom and the fiscal court reappointed Agnes Bartleson to the Board of Health.