I Love My KY County KACo Art Contest now open | |
It's back! Now through Oct. 3, 2025, Kentucky students in grades kindergarten through 8 can share what they love about their community by entering the I Love My KY County KACo Art Contest. Here's how to get involved:
- County officials should reach out to local schools and provide the art contest flyer.
- Encourage students to think about local landmarks, natural spaces, industries, events and other sources of community pride as inspiration for their artwork.
- Submissions must be submitted online by Oct. 3, 2025.
| | | | How Kentucky counties fund elections | Secure, fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy. Whether the ballot includes constitutional amendments, presidential candidates or local school board races, running an election comes with a hefty price tag that falls largely on county governments. | | | | 'Other' party registration continues to lead new voter registrations | Secretary of State Michael Adams announced that Kentuckians registering under “Other” political affiliations have led new voter registration for the fifth month in a row, outpacing Republicans and Democrats. | | | | Kentucky Office of Homeland Security hosting cyber trainings | |
Cybersecurity is essential to safeguarding the integrity of county government operations and protecting sensitive information. A single breach can disrupt essential public services and lower public trust.
In today's digital landscape, cybersecurity is a critical infrastructure.
| | | | Registration for the 2025 Opioid Symposium is now open | The 2025 Kentucky Opioid Symposium, hosted by the Attorney General's Office, will bring together people from across the Commonwealth for two days of learning, collaboration, strategizing and networking to strengthen efforts to combat opioid use. The symposium will take place Oct. 13 -14, at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville. | | | |
- County judge releases annual ‘State of Nelson County’ message
- Some Kentucky lawmakers calling for legislation to address driver license issues
- Jefferson County prosecutor to KY: Pass parental responsibility law for youth gun crimes
- “911 must go on” - Fiscal Court looks to placing fees on water meters
- Henderson County approves ordinance allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles on roadways
- Glasgow-Barren tourism approves sports complex study contribution
- RV, boat storage clears hurdle in Kenton County after two years of debate
- Carroll County OKs syringe exchange program
- Russell County takes step toward transitioning sheriff’s office to fee pool system and hazardous duty retirement
- Ohio County will be home to Kentucky's first medical cannabis dispensary
- Major road expansion on I-75 starts in Laurel and Whitley counties
| | | | KACo Cybersecurity Series for County Officials | This three-part webinar series is designed to empower county leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to address cybersecurity concerns. Designed for people without a technical background, the series will review the core concepts of cybersecurity, highlight real-world threats, offer practical guidance and provide a roadmap for implementing a long-term defense strategy for your county. | |
Foundations of Cybersecurity: Understanding the Threat
We’ll explore why cybersecurity is a critical issue for counties, who the threat actors are, and how real-world breaches have impacted local governments.
Date: Aug. 26, 2025
Time: 2 - 3 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
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What Every County Leader Should Be Asking About Cybersecurity
You’ll learn how to evaluate whether your county is making smart investments, who is accountable for cybersecurity, and how to ensure your team is leveraging available state and federal grant programs.
Date: Sept. 18, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
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Leading the Way: Building a Mature Cybersecurity Program
As your county’s cybersecurity program matures, leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping its future. This session focuses on what strong cybersecurity looks like from the top down—how to move from reactive to resilient.
Date: Oct. 21, 2025
Time: 2 - 3 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
| | | | 2025 Planning and Zoning in Kentucky | |
Date: Aug. 28, 2025
Time: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET
Location: Gateway ADD, 110 Lake Park Drive, Morehead
Cost: $80.00 member/$120 non-member
Are you getting the most out of planning and zoning in your community? Explore some best practices that will enhance planning in your community and create an open, transparent environment ready to promote sound development. This interactive session will also discuss current planning news and topics from around the state (and beyond), how your community may be affected and possible solutions on how to deal with some of today's most pressing land use matters. Eligible for 8 hours of training credit.
| | | | Opioid Solutions Webinar Series: Sustainable Recovery Ecosystems | |
Date: Aug. 21, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
This one-hour webinar will explore innovative programs that remove barriers and support long-term recovery from substance use disorder. Tailored for county officials, treatment providers, and community partners, the session will showcase real-world examples of how legal and social support services are helping individuals build sustainable recovery ecosystems.
| | | | Ethics, open records and open meetings for county officials | |
Date: Sept. 23, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT
Location: Green River Area Development District, Owensboro
Cost: $30 member/$45 non-member
Join KACo staff attorney Rich Ornstein for a practical and informative half-day training focused on the ethical and legal responsibilities of county officials. This session will cover the core principles of local government ethics codes, compliance with Kentucky’s Open Records and Open Meetings Acts, and best practices for maintaining transparency and accountability in local government.
| | Bracken County Magistrate Craig Miller accepts the Peggy Satterly Spirit of Kentucky Award on behalf of the Buffalo Trace Area Development District at the Governor's Local Issues Conference in Louisville. | | KACo Opioid Settlement Advisor Lauren Carr talks to attendees about best practices during the Governor's Local Issues Conference in Louisville. | | Cumberland County Judge/Executive Luke King introduces students who comprise officers in a county civics club at the Governor's Local Issues Conference in Louisville. | | KACo Staff Attorney Rich Ornstein was one of five attorneys who participated in an Ask the Attorneys breakout session at the conference. | | Pike County Judge/Executive Ray Jones talks with a panel discussing communities that suffer the effects of copper theft at the Governor's Local Issues Conference. | | Clay County Attorney Joe White, left, and Sen. Brandon Storm discuss copper theft and its impact on local infrastructure at the Governor's Local Issues Conference. | | KACo President and Harlan County Judge/Executive Dan Mosley, NACo Legislative Director for Telecommunications and Technology Seamus Dowdall, KACo's Shellie Hampton and Jim Henderson at the Governor's Local Issues Conference. | | Judge/Executive Doug Gorman swore in Bill Rector as the first-ever Warren County Fire Chief and Michael Alden as the first Deputy Fire Chief of the new unified Warren County Fire Department. | | Rep. James Comer and Attorney General Russell Coleman held a roundtable discussion with several sheriffs this week. | | Madison County Judge/Executive Reagan Taylor and members of the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter celebrated the 100th birthday of resident Katy Moss. | | Woodford County Judge/Executive James Kay (center) and school personnel welcomed students back to school. | | State and local leaders from Laurel and Whitley counties celebrated the next phase of widening Interstate 75, which will span 5.6 miles. | | Stronger Counties. Stronger Kentucky. | | | | |
