AGP Executive Report

Food Safety Watch: The CDC says cyclosporiasis cases have surged to 4,173+ across 41 states, with Kentucky tied to the outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce sold by Taylor Farms; the FDA also says it’s investigating additional cases and previously flagged tests as false positives, while local health officials urge people to monitor recall info and seek care for persistent watery diarrhea. Wildlife & Development: In Hancock County, residents are raising alarms about bald eagles near a proposed large data center, prompting Kentucky Fish and Wildlife staff to explain how raptors could be affected and what protections apply. Clean Energy in Kentucky: Gov. Beshear announced $2.5 million from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust to expand publicly accessible DC fast-charging EV stations statewide, with applications opening Aug. 1. Water Infrastructure: House and Senate committees advanced the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, including funding and policy touching flood and storm risk management and environmental projects. Local Land & Grazing: UK researchers highlight winter bale grazing as a way to cut tractor hours while returning nutrients to pastures and keeping cattle cleaner. Hazmat Cleanup: Demolition work continues at the Blue Grass Army Depot after chemical weapons were neutralized, with the project expected to run through 2027.

Heat & Health: Southern Indiana and western Kentucky baked under extreme humidity, with heat indexes topping 120°F in spots like Murray (124°F), raising fresh concerns for outdoor safety. Food Safety: The CDC says 2026 is now the worst year on record for cyclosporiasis, with 4,173 domestic cases across 41 states since May 1; investigators are still sorting multiple sources, but a major outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Data Centers & Land Use: Letcher County voters and officials moved to slow hyperscale growth, approving a two-year data center moratorium and requiring environmental impact studies amid worries about water, noise, pollution, wildlife and tourism. Local Zoning: Bell County is looking at countywide planning and zoning rules after a two-year data center moratorium, aiming to classify land and set up oversight before new projects move forward. Coal Jobs: Kentucky coal production and employment keep sliding, with statewide coal employment down nearly 13% and about 500 fewer jobs than early 2025. Wildlife & Community: A Kentucky reptile education event at a Lebanon library brought kids face-to-face with species like box turtles and a baby alligator, focusing on safety and conservation curiosity.

Food safety & public health: The FDA-linked cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell locations continues to expand, with Kentucky included among affected states and investigations still sorting out how contamination happened and whether other foods are involved. Extreme weather & resilience: A new wave of flash flooding and severe storms is battering parts of the U.S., raising alarms about “disaster fatigue” as communities face repeated rebuilds in a warming world. Local governance & water quality: Bowling Green is moving stormwater upgrades forward with a fee-in-lieu-of-construction program that’s already generating deposits and is expected to fund water quality projects. Data centers & land impacts: Bullitt County approved a one-year moratorium on new data center development, citing concerns about air, water, noise, traffic, and public health. Kentucky environment education: A Marion County library hosted a “Kentucky Reptile Zoo Visit,” bringing hands-on wildlife learning to kids and families. Wildlife & conservation: Researchers are expanding river navigation messaging using mobile trailers to reduce hazards on inland waterways—aimed at safer transport with minimal environmental disruption.

Wildlife & Public Health: Kentucky health officials reported a bat in Clark County testing positive for rabies, urging people to avoid wild animals and contact the health department or animal control if exposure happens. Air Quality: A Canadian wildfire smoke air quality alert covered parts of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, with officials telling sensitive groups to limit time outdoors. Food Safety: The multi-state cyclospora outbreak tied to Taco Bell shredded iceberg lettuce remains in flux as FDA traceback work and lab results have shifted, leaving consumers confused while cases climb across dozens of states including Kentucky. Climate & Health Equity: A new study links severe floods in rural Appalachia to higher opioid overdose deaths for years afterward, pointing to long-term disruptions in treatment and recovery. Energy & Land Use: A report warns that when landowners refuse data-center transmission line access, utilities may still be able to force easements through eminent domain. Local Conservation: Kentucky DNR hosted a prairie species identification and management walk in Caledonia, highlighting controlled burns and invasive control to restore native habitat. Community & Sustainability: Boone County Public Library Foundation received a $5,000 grant for 3D-printing filament recycling units in its Boone Innovation Labs.

Food Safety & Public Health: Kentucky is still tangled in the national cyclospora outbreak. The FDA says a lettuce sample tied to Taylor Farms was a “false positive,” but the agency insists the voluntary recall of shredded iceberg lettuce to 27 states remains in place and the investigation continues. Climate-Linked Health Impacts: A new study in PNAS links severe floods in rural Appalachia to higher opioid overdose deaths for years after the disaster, pointing to disrupted care, trauma, and stigma. Air Quality: Canadian wildfire smoke triggered an air quality alert for parts of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, urging kids, seniors, and people with asthma or heart/lung conditions to limit time outdoors. Wildlife Health: A bat found in Clark County tested positive for rabies, the second rabid bat in Central Kentucky in a month—health officials urge residents to avoid handling bats and to seek help after bites or scratches. Conservation on the Ground: Kentucky DNR hosted a prairie species walk and management talk in Caledonia, highlighting restoration work like controlled burns and invasive suppression. Outdoor Education: The Hopkins County Sportsmen and Sportswomen Club unveiled an educational trailer focused on wildlife conservation and hunter education, with plans to bring it to local fairs and events.

Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality: Louisville-area monitors are showing haze from wildfire smoke, with an Air Quality Alert issued as some readings top 100—especially for people with asthma or other breathing issues. Solar on Farmland: Lexington planners voted to block intermediate- and large-scale solar projects on agricultural land, putting farmland preservation ahead of faster renewable buildout. Endangered Species Effort: Kentucky and Appalachian researchers are pushing to save the eastern hellbender, with conservation groups urging stronger federal protections after missed deadlines. Dark-Sky Education: Mammoth Cave National Park hosted a free astrophotography workshop, highlighting the park’s low-light conditions and growing interest in dark-sky tourism. Public Health Watch: The multi-state Cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell continues to evolve, with federal agencies and state health departments updating guidance for consumers. Kentucky Research & Stewardship: UK’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment announced 2026 Bill Gatton Foundation Professorships, backing new work in environmental stewardship and community well-being.

Food Safety Fallout (Kentucky): Federal health officials say shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell is tied to the multi-state cyclospora outbreak, with Kentucky among the affected states; CDC/FDA traceback points to a Mexico-linked supplier, and Taylor Farms has issued a recall expanding from 5 states to 27, urging consumers to discard implicated products. Public Health & Access: The outbreak is unfolding as states report strain from funding cuts and staffing gaps, raising concerns that case counts may be undercounted and response slower. Extreme Heat Watch: National Weather Service heat advisories include Kentucky, with “feels like” temperatures pushing into the 100s to near 112 in parts of the region—plus storm threats for the week ahead. Community Resilience: A Lexington music festival set for July 25 will raise money for Madison County flood survivors through the Kentucky Natural Disaster Fund. Local Water Alert: Hopkinsville reported a downtown water main break and issued a boil-water advisory for nearby addresses. Land-Use Pressure (Data Centers): Opposition to large data centers continues to grow, with Kentucky residents rallying over impacts to farmland, utilities, and quality of life.

Extreme Heat & Storms: A Heat Advisory and First Alert Weather Days cover Kentucky and nearby areas, with “feels like” temps around 100–110°F and a severe storm risk Tuesday night. Wildfire Smoke for Pets: With hazardous smoke blanketing parts of the U.S., one inventor is pushing dog-focused respirators so pets can be protected during outdoor air-quality emergencies. Food Safety—Cyclospora in Kentucky: Federal health officials linked a multi-state cyclospora outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell, including Kentucky; Taylor Farms expanded its recall list to 27 states and urged consumers to discard affected products. Local Governance & Data Centers: A Kentucky zoning fight over data centers is moving toward targeted zoning reforms instead of a moratorium, as communities weigh power, water, noise, and environmental impacts. Community Resilience: A disaster-tracking app called Watch Duty is booming as climate-driven hazards grow, helping residents and responders plan around fast-moving wildfire and flood threats. Nutrition Cuts Hit Kids: Federal changes reducing SNAP and school food funding are already cutting participation in southcentral Kentucky, with knock-on effects for school meal reimbursements. Energy Transition: Microgrids are gaining attention as a way to keep power running during outages and as AI data centers strain grids.

Food Safety & Public Health: Federal health officials say shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia is tied to the cyclospora outbreak, and Taylor Farms has now expanded its recall to a 27-state list that includes Kentucky—urging people to discard affected products and watch for severe, prolonged diarrhea. Local Food Systems: The recall’s ripple effect is hitting local shoppers and restaurants, while health agencies continue urging careful handwashing and thorough cleaning of raw produce. Energy & Climate Resilience: A new explainer looks at microgrids—self-contained power systems that can run independently—highlighting why they’re gaining attention as AI data centers strain grids. Community & Environment: Frankfort Kiwanis’ “Christmas in July” food drive (July 25) will collect non-perishables for the Emergency Community Food Pantry, with about a third of recipients being children. Local Governance: Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear appointed Rocky Adkins to the State Fair Board, a reminder of how state leadership reshuffles can affect public-facing institutions. Land Use & Pollution Risk: A Burgin, Kentucky data center annexation vote has intensified local opposition over potential impacts to ecosystems and the historic Shaker Village area.

Public Health Alert: Federal health officials say shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia is linked to the ongoing cyclospora outbreak, with the CDC warning people not to eat it while the FDA works with the supplier to check whether contaminated product remains on shelves. Local Land-Use Fight: In Mercer County, Burgin’s initial approval of annexation tied to a proposed data center near Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill has drawn renewed opposition over potential impacts to ecosystems and the area’s historic character. Wildlife & Conservation: West Virginia elk calving is underway at the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area, with biologists using GPS collars and telemetry to track hidden births across 27,000 acres. Community Support: Frankfort Kiwanis’ “Khristmas in July” food drive is set for July 25 at two Kroger stores to stock the Emergency Community Food Pantry, which serves many children. Food & Farming Arts: KJ’s Garden Arts is debuting at the Owensboro Regional Farmers Market, sharing handcrafted prints inspired by Kentucky outdoor scenery.

Food Safety Alert: Federal health officials say shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations is linked to a cyclospora outbreak in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, with illnesses reported in 30+ states; the FDA is tracing the supplier and Taco Bell has agreed to stop using lettuce from the identified source while testing continues. Kentucky Health Update: Kentucky is among the states named in CDC warnings, as local providers urge people to watch for watery diarrhea and seek care if symptoms persist. Local Industry & Environment: Eastern Kentucky is seeing fresh debate over a proposed data center at Letcher County’s Gateway Business Park, with officials saying the project is still early and feasibility work includes on-site power planning. Climate Data Gap: The National Weather Service retired Frankfort’s long-running climate station after a prolonged outage, shifting reliance to other Kentucky observations until a planned upgrade in 2027.

Food Safety in the Bluegrass: Federal CDC and FDA officials say shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations is linked to the multistate cyclospora outbreak, with Kentucky among the five states flagged (IN, KY, MI, OH, WV). Public Health Update: The outbreak has now sickened thousands across 34 states, with officials warning the real number may be higher because many cases aren’t tested and reporting lags. What to Do Now: Health agencies urge Kentuckians to avoid the specific shredded lettuce at Taco Bell in the listed states while investigations continue and to follow basic hygiene and produce-safety steps. Air Quality Watch: Separately, IDEM is forecasting Air Quality Action Days in Indiana through Monday as Canadian wildfire smoke boosts PM2.5 and ozone levels, with “Very Unhealthy” readings expected in parts of the state.

Foodborne Parasite Alert: Federal and state investigators are zeroing in on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms as a likely source in the fast-growing Cyclospora outbreak tied to Taco Bell, with Kentucky included among the hardest-hit states (alongside Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia). Public Health Guidance: Officials say cases are still rising and that people should watch for severe watery “explosive” diarrhea and other symptoms, while following CDC food-safety steps like washing produce and cutting away damaged spots. Kentucky Infrastructure & Environment: The I-69 Ohio River Crossing project is updating designs for the Henderson interchange, including new roundabouts and an environmental re-evaluation tied to floodplain conditions. Local Resilience & Community: Kentucky’s new laws took effect July 15, including measures aimed at consumer protection and cracking down on predatory disaster contractors. Campus Growth: UK is pressing ahead with nearly $450 million in construction, including a major cancer building expected to open in 2028.

Flood Recovery Fatigue: A new analysis warns that repeated flash flooding is turning disaster recovery into a long-term way of life, with communities from Texas to Kentucky struggling to bounce back. Mosquitoes & West Nile Risk: Louisiana is ranked among the worst for mosquitoes, with year-round breeding driven by rainfall, humidity, and mild winters. Kentucky Storm-Proofing: A new Kentucky law makes contractor fraud a felony after disaster damage, including a post-disaster business registry and limits on door-to-door sales during emergencies. Ticks on the Move: Kentucky health and vet officials urge tick protection for people, pets, and livestock as Asian longhorned ticks expand and tick-borne diseases remain a concern. Air Quality & Wildfire Smoke: Canadian wildfire smoke is expected to push air quality alerts into parts of Kentucky, including Boone, Campbell, and Kenton. Cyclospora Outbreak: The “explosive diarrhea” parasite outbreak is surging nationwide, with Kentucky among states in a likely linked cluster; officials are still investigating produce sources while CDC case counts climb and guidance focuses on safer food handling. Local Conservation Spotlight: Boone County’s Earl and Hazel Jones Center for Conservation highlights habitat protection and education on a growing local conservation legacy.

Public Health Alert: Kentucky is in the middle of a fast-growing cyclosporiasis outbreak, with federal officials confirming 1,645 cases nationwide and flagging more than 5,100 suspected cases across 34 states; CDC says a linked cluster is likely involving Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky, and experts warn the true number is probably higher because many cases go untested or unreported. Food Safety Guidance: Health officials still haven’t pinned down a single source, but Michigan investigators are pointing to lettuce or salad greens, urging people to avoid bagged lettuce and pre-mixed salad kits and to wash produce carefully; Taco Bell also temporarily pulled limited ingredients at select locations as a precaution while investigators look at possible links. Local Impact in Kentucky: Kentucky health officials report a sharp jump—100 reported cases and 61 confirmed—nearly doubling the state’s usual yearly total, with University of Kentucky experts linking risk to produce like salad mixes, basil, and cilantro. Local Governance & Environment: Calloway County’s Fiscal Court advanced a 12-month data center moratorium in unincorporated areas to study impacts like power demand, groundwater use, cooling water, noise, and stormwater management. Data Center Oversight: The Kentucky PSC is set to hold a public hearing on a proposed electric service agreement for the TeraWulf data center in Hancock County, focusing on whether the contract serves the public interest. Agriculture & Land Use: A Mercer County equestrian business owner is raising concerns about a proposed data center on prime farmland, warning noise could disrupt horse training and reduce property values.

Food Safety Crisis: The CDC says cyclosporiasis—an “explosive diarrhea” parasite—has surged to 1,645 confirmed cases in 34 states, with 5,100 more under investigation, and Kentucky is in a linked cluster with Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Local Response: Michigan health officials are pointing to lettuce or salad greens as a common item and urged shoppers to buy whole heads, toss outer layers, and avoid bagged greens and salad kits. Corporate Action: Taco Bell says it “voluntarily and temporarily” removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precaution, while noting officials haven’t confirmed a link to the chain or any specific ingredient. Climate & Community: Northern Kentucky’s Green Umbrella Regional Climate Collaborative is hosting a July 23 meetup for queer residents to connect on climate action and local environmental work. Kentucky Policy: New Kentucky laws take effect Wednesday, including changes to housing, diplomas for some students, and other statewide rules.