Source: Lane Report (KY Business)

Senate President Robert Stivers was named a recipient of the 2026 Motion Picture Association Industry Champion Award for his leadership in advancing film and television legislation that has helped position Kentucky as an attractive destination for productions.

Lexington activated Phase 1 of its Heat Plan on June 10 as heat index forecasts reach 95 degrees, offering free LexTran rides to cooling centers and opening multiple facilities to help vulnerable residents beat the heat.

Lexington-based Gray Construction climbed to #15 among the nation’s top telecommunications contractors, fueled by explosive growth in data center construction across the U.S., according to Engineering News-Record’s 2026 rankings.

Western Kentucky University and Elizabethtown Community & Technical College have launched a new Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management, allowing students to begin at ECTC and complete their bachelor’s degree at WKU in Elizabethtown. Registration for Fall 2026 is open.

University of Kentucky women’s basketball signed Florida transfer Me’Arah O’Neal, a 6-4 forward and daughter of Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, as a junior. O’Neal averaged 13.6 points and 6.4 rebounds last season for the Gators.

The University of Louisville has selected Jessica Vodden, the former vice president for marketing and communications at East Tennessee State University, as its new vice president for communications and marketing, effective Aug. 17. Vodden brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education marketing and brand strategy.

UK HealthCare’s Transplant Center performed Kentucky’s first robotic-assisted kidney transplant using the Da Vinci Xi Surgical System, offering patients smaller incisions, less pain and faster recovery than traditional open surgery.

Lexington’s Urban County Council approved the $546 million FY27 budget with over $2 million in added investments for infrastructure, public safety, parks and social services.

New rules would change how federal research dollars are awarded.

Keeneland Library in Lexington has received the prestigious Thomas D. Clark Award of Excellence from the Kentucky Historical Society for its work preserving and promoting Thoroughbred racing heritage. The award recognizes the library’s record-setting outreach that reached nearly 200,000 people from around the world.