Counties in the News highlights stories and developments about Kentucky's counties. From county government initiatives to economic progress and community events, here's a roundup of counties making headlines this week.
Week of Jan. 12, 2026
Kentucky counties push for regional jails, fairer inmate reimbursement
KACo is proposing a three-part plan to overhaul state-county responsibilities for incarceration amid soaring financial burdens on local governments.
Hart County students get hands-on look at local government
Hart County students got a front-row seat to local government Tuesday morning as the Hart County Fiscal Court held its meeting at Hart County High School.
Read more from WBKO
Return to ‘local control’ of driver’s license renewals is a priority for KY Senate GOP
Local officials such as sheriffs and county clerks could renew driver’s licenses in counties without regional offices under legislation that was filed Tuesday and is a priority in the Kentucky Senate.
Read more from Link NKY
Committee seeks inclusive park
A recently formed committee to discuss and plan parks in Casey County held an informal meeting at the Casey County Public Library.
Read more from The Tribune Courier
Squishable, invasive pest confirmed in 8 more KY counties
Originally from East Asia, the spotted lanternfly was first found in the U.S. in 2014. It was first reported in Kentucky in 2023 and has gradually spread to at least 16 counties throughout Northern and Central Kentucky
Read more from the Herald-Leader
Federal funding for county sanitary sewer service clears U.S. House
Federal funding to provide safe, reliable sanitary sewer service to Franklin County was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and now advances to the Senate.
Read more from the State Journal
County officials consider replacing emergency alert system after cyberattack
Pulaski County officials are considering replacing the county's emergency warning system following a cyberattack that disrupted service for weeks and raised concerns about public safety heading into storm season.
Read more from the Commonwealth Journal
Boyd County adjusts employee raises
Boyd County Judge-Executive Eric Chaney warned fiscal court meeting attendees he was about to "rant" for a few minutes.
Read more from the Daily Independent
Republicans push for Kentucky constitutional amendment to limit homestead tax
A half dozen bills have already been filed in the Kentucky General Assembly this session to lower property taxes on homeowners through a constitutional amendment, with one clearing a Senate committee Wednesday.
Read more from Kentucky Public Radio
Week of Jan. 5, 2026
Simpson County passes ordinance placing greater restrictions on data centers
A proposed data center in Simpson County remains in limbo after local government passed an ordinance that regulates advanced technology centers and integrated energy systems within the county.
McCracken County Fiscal Court advances salary ordinance with sheriff's support
The McCracken County Fiscal Court passed a first reading of a proposed updated ordinance Monday to enact cost of living adjustments for county employee salaries.
Read more from the Paducah Sun
Immigrant citizens would be barred from local, state offices in Kentucky under proposed bills
Kentucky Rep. Shane Baker wants to ban naturalized citizens and people with dual citizenship from holding local or state office.
Read more from Louisville Public Media
Community pushes back against talks of public hospital's sale
Originally opened in March of 1964 as Benton Municipal Hospital, the Marshall County Hospital has seen a variety of changes over the years, but the biggest change yet may be taking shape.
Read more from The Tribune Courier
CASA of the Heartland announces 2025 impact and expansion into Hart County
CASA of the Heartland recently announced its regional growth of 2025, including the expansion of services that now formally reach Hart County, effective January 1.
Read more from The Lane Report
Louisville Metro Government taps AI to speed up permits, keeps humans in control
Louisville Metro hires a new AI chief to streamline permitting and city processes, but officials say humans remain in charge.
Read more from WHAS11
Campbell County to buy specialized equipment for AJ Jolly Lake project
Campbell County approved seeking bids for two large pieces of equipment that will help the AJ Jolly Lake dredging project.
Read more from Link NKY
Cable thefts amid rising copper prices having wide impact in Kentucky communities
Rising copper prices are a contributor to cable thefts across the nation. Stolen cables in Laurel County on Monday contributed to outages in central Kentucky.
Read more from LEX18
Week of Dec. 29, 2025
Bullitt County sheriff's budget wins fiscal court funding, approval
In what turned out to be a much more discussed matter than in years past, Bullitt Fiscal Court did finally agree to the 2026 calendar budget proposed by sheriff Walt Sholar.
Scott County pursues action against Bluegrass Water rate hikes
Scott County Fiscal Court unanimously elected to move forward with Louisville law firm Strobo Barkley on a motion to intervene regarding Bluegrass Water’s recent rate adjustment application to the Public Service Commission.
Read more from the News-Graphic
‘Could have been catastrophic’: Kentucky town relieved after train derailment
Clean-up is underway in Todd County after an early morning train derailment. At least 31 cars went off the railroad, sparking a fire after toxic chemicals were released.
Read more from WSMV
Butler County buys 40 acres of city property; trash pick-up contract awarded
The Industrial Development Authority Board gave a presentation proposing the county purchase 40 acres inside the Morgantown city limits for $315,000.
Read more from Beech Tree News
Counties in the News Archive Page
Week of Jan. 12, 2026
NACo President Clark: State of America’s counties is strong
Leaders of state associations of counties across the country came together Jan. 14 to discuss the county role in transportation, energy, artificial intelligence development and disaster response and reform amid shifts in federal policy and funding at the NACo National Council of County Association Executives meeting in Washington, D.C.
Kentucky counties push for regional jails, fairer inmate reimbursement
KACo is proposing a three-part plan to overhaul state-county responsibilities for incarceration amid soaring financial burdens on local governments.
Read more from the News-Democrat & Leader
Hart County students get hands-on look at local government
Hart County students got a front-row seat to local government Tuesday morning as the Hart County Fiscal Court held its meeting at Hart County High School.
Read more from WBKO
Return to ‘local control’ of driver’s license renewals is a priority for KY Senate GOP
Local officials such as sheriffs and county clerks could renew driver’s licenses in counties without regional offices under legislation that was filed Tuesday and is a priority in the Kentucky Senate.
Read more from Link NKY
Committee seeks inclusive park
A recently formed committee to discuss and plan parks in Casey County held an informal meeting at the Casey County Public Library.
Read more from The Tribune Courier
Squishable, invasive pest confirmed in 8 more KY counties
Originally from East Asia, the spotted lanternfly was first found in the U.S. in 2014. It was first reported in Kentucky in 2023 and has gradually spread to at least 16 counties throughout Northern and Central Kentucky
Read more from the Herald-Leader
Federal funding for county sanitary sewer service clears U.S. House
Federal funding to provide safe, reliable sanitary sewer service to Franklin County was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and now advances to the Senate.
Read more from the State Journal
County officials consider replacing emergency alert system after cyberattack
Pulaski County officials are considering replacing the county's emergency warning system following a cyberattack that disrupted service for weeks and raised concerns about public safety heading into storm season.
Read more from the Commonwealth Journal
Boyd County adjusts employee raises
Boyd County Judge-Executive Eric Chaney warned fiscal court meeting attendees he was about to "rant" for a few minutes.
Read more from the Daily Independent
Republicans push for Kentucky constitutional amendment to limit homestead tax
A half dozen bills have already been filed in the Kentucky General Assembly this session to lower property taxes on homeowners through a constitutional amendment, with one clearing a Senate committee Wednesday.
Read more from Kentucky Public Radio
Week of Jan. 5, 2026
Woodford County launches project to plant 30,000 trees by 2030
Woodford County Judge Executive James Kay is asking residents to help plant 30,000 trees across the county by 2030 as development and infrastructure projects reduce the area’s tree coverage.
Simpson County passes ordinance placing greater restrictions on data centers
A proposed data center in Simpson County remains in limbo after local government passed an ordinance that regulates advanced technology centers and integrated energy systems within the county.
McCracken County Fiscal Court advances salary ordinance with sheriff's support
The McCracken County Fiscal Court passed a first reading of a proposed updated ordinance Monday to enact cost of living adjustments for county employee salaries.
Read more from the Paducah Sun
Immigrant citizens would be barred from local, state offices in Kentucky under proposed bills
Kentucky Rep. Shane Baker wants to ban naturalized citizens and people with dual citizenship from holding local or state office.
Read more from Louisville Public Media
Community pushes back against talks of public hospital's sale
Originally opened in March of 1964 as Benton Municipal Hospital, the Marshall County Hospital has seen a variety of changes over the years, but the biggest change yet may be taking shape.
Read more from The Tribune Courier
CASA of the Heartland announces 2025 impact and expansion into Hart County
CASA of the Heartland recently announced its regional growth of 2025, including the expansion of services that now formally reach Hart County, effective January 1.
Read more from The Lane Report
Louisville Metro Government taps AI to speed up permits, keeps humans in control
Louisville Metro hires a new AI chief to streamline permitting and city processes, but officials say humans remain in charge.
Read more from WHAS11
Campbell County to buy specialized equipment for AJ Jolly Lake project
Campbell County approved seeking bids for two large pieces of equipment that will help the AJ Jolly Lake dredging project.
Read more from Link NKY
Cable thefts amid rising copper prices having wide impact in Kentucky communities
Rising copper prices are a contributor to cable thefts across the nation. Stolen cables in Laurel County on Monday contributed to outages in central Kentucky.
Read more from LEX18
Week of Dec. 29, 2025
Perry County Fiscal Court partners with Appalachian Horse Project for new horse center
A new horse center in Perry County is aiming to address the ongoing controversy surrounding free-roaming horses in Eastern Kentucky, while also bringing tourism to the area.
Bullitt County sheriff's budget wins fiscal court funding, approval
In what turned out to be a much more discussed matter than in years past, Bullitt Fiscal Court did finally agree to the 2026 calendar budget proposed by sheriff Walt Sholar.
Read more from The Pioneer News
Scott County pursues action against Bluegrass Water rate hikes
Scott County Fiscal Court unanimously elected to move forward with Louisville law firm Strobo Barkley on a motion to intervene regarding Bluegrass Water’s recent rate adjustment application to the Public Service Commission.
Read more from the News-Graphic
‘Could have been catastrophic’: Kentucky town relieved after train derailment
Clean-up is underway in Todd County after an early morning train derailment. At least 31 cars went off the railroad, sparking a fire after toxic chemicals were released.
Read more from WSMV
Butler County buys 40 acres of city property; trash pick-up contract awarded
The Industrial Development Authority Board gave a presentation proposing the county purchase 40 acres inside the Morgantown city limits for $315,000.
Read more from Beech Tree News
Counties in the News Archive Page
