WKU Breaks Ground on the Southern Gateway, Launching Elevate WKU Housing Initiative

Western Kentucky University broke ground today on The Southern Gateway, the first phase of Elevate WKU, a multi-year initiative to transform student housing and create modern, student-centered living environments across the Hill.

The roughly 1,000-bed residential complex replaces Hugh Poland and Douglas Keen Halls, two of WKU’s oldest residence halls, on the same site. Demolition of Poland and Keen Halls began during the summer and concluded earlier in the fall semester. The university expects to open the new facility in fall 2028.

-WKU News

-Photo: WKU News

Gen Z Workers Face Tougher Entry-Level Job Market

Gen Z workers are entering a tougher job market as hiring slows in industries that have traditionally offered entry-level opportunities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 8% of people ages 20 to 24 were unemployed in September, compared with 3% of workers ages 25 to 54. Gen Z, defined as people born between 1997 and 2012, is facing challenges tied to artificial intelligence, a cooling economy and uncertainty about federal policy.

In Louisville, some young adults said the search for entry-level work feels limited.

“It’s pretty vacant right now,” said Lucas Butler, a University of Louisville student. “There’s just not much opportunity out there.”

-Julia Narvaez Munguia, Spectrum News One

Goodwill Kentucky Planning Announcement for Another Way Program

Goodwill Kentucky is planning an event to announce support for its Another Way program here in Bowling Green.

The support plans to help expand opportunities for unhoused individuals facing barriers to employment to earn immediate income, gain work experience and connect with resources that promote long-term stability.

Additional funding from the Warren County Government, as well as a donated 15-passenger van will also be discussed at the event.

-Lily Pollack, WBKO News

BG Seeks Grant Funding for Riverfront Phase Four

Riverfront Park received renewed attention from Bowling Green city commissioners Tuesday night as officials approved a grant application that, if awarded, will help fund major amenities for phase four of the park.

Phase four, known as Riverfront Park East, is between River Street and Barren River, situated to the east of the main Riverfront Park area. Encompassing a 56-acre area, the land is currently empty save for some biking and walking paths.

-Jack Dobbs, Daily News

-Photo: Daily News File

Op-Ed: Trust, Once Verified - Protecting Yourself and Your Business from Fraud

For the most part, I’m a person who rolls with the punches, although some things do bother me more than others. Two of the things that make my blood boil: people who intentionally take advantage of hard-working people, and people who take something intended for good and turn it into a weapon against others. Fraudsters manage to do both.

Fraud is the intentional use of deception to gain something of value for yourself while someone else suffers the loss. Fraud certainly didn't begin with email, the internet, or Artificial Intelligence. People have been deceiving other people for thousands of years. Technology has simply given fraudsters faster, cheaper, and more convincing ways to reach us.

-Robbie Wilson, Regional Technology Council

This op-ed was written exclusively for SOKY Economic Development & Business News. Robbie Wilson is President & CEO of the Regional Technology Council, a regional organization working to advance the use of emerging technologies across South Central Kentucky. Learn more at regionaltechcouncil.org.

The DeCesare Group Podcast: Kyle Bumgarner, U.S. Attorney, Western District of KY

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with the top federal prosecutor for the Western District of Kentucky. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdky

Kyle Bumgarner has served as U.S. Attorney since June of 2025. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes and representing the United States in federal criminal and civil cases across 53 Kentucky counties, including Bowling Green, Louisville, Owensboro and Paducah.

After taking office, Bumgarner said his priorities would include fighting the drug epidemic and violent crime, combating fraud, and protecting vulnerable victims.

His office has been involved in several major cases over the past year — including the investigation into the 1996 abduction and murder of 7-year-old Morgan Violi. That case finally resulted in a guilty plea this summer, three decades after Morgan disappeared.

Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC.

If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

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