Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 12, 2026) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on economic development, a request of the President around leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, medical cannabis, Family and Community Engagement Week, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the Kentucky Historic Dining Guide, funding for riverports and railroads, funding for Eastern and Western Kentucky, Community Development Block Grants, the Team Kentucky Food Drive and Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Following historic voter turnout in last week's midterm elections, the Governor named Kentucky voters this week's Team Kentucky All-Stars.

Economic Development
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced nearly 1,400 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $55 billion in announced investments and creating more than 72,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth's history and $34 billion more than the next highest total.

Under Gov. Beshear's leadership, 47 counties have seen their largest economic development investment on record. This includes transformative investments in smaller communities, such as Allen, Barren, Henderson, Owsley and Whitley counties.

"We're ensuring that economic opportunity reaches every corner of the commonwealth, including communities that have been overlooked for too long," said Gov. Beshear. "What that means is hardworking Kentuckians across our commonwealth can secure these new opportunities and better provide for their families. That's really important at any time, but especially now, as federal decisions have caused prices to rise. Despite the national headwinds, we're staying strong here in Kentucky. And we're going to continue to build on this progress together."

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Today, Gov. Beshear sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging the President to immediately remove Robert F. Kennedy "RFK" Jr. as Secretary for Health and Human Services. Under RFK Jr., the United States has experienced a series of dangerous and preventable foodborne illnesses, the worst measles outbreak in decades, an increased risk for whooping cough and the highest levels of Tetanus in nearly two decades.

"America is better than this. Our people deserve so much more. And they made that clear during the midterms when they voted for change," said Gov. Beshear. "Kentuckians - and Americans - deserve to know their food is safe. They deserve to know the safe and effective options they have in vaccines for protecting themselves. And they deserve to have confidence in their government, that if something like the pandemic ever happens again, we will be prepared and focused on saving lives. The first step in doing that is removing this dangerous person, and I hope the President steps up and takes action."

Medical Cannabis
This week, Gov. Beshear, along with 15 other governors from across the United States, sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging them to advance the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act, or SAFE Banking Act. This legislation would provide state-sanctioned cannabis businesses access to the regulated banking system. Currently, medical cannabis businesses are cash-based operations. Without access to regulated banking, there are difficulties with depositing tax payments, processing licensing fees and more, because cannabis proceeds are not yet legal at the federal level. The SAFE Banking Act would increase public safety, increase revenues, help Kentucky's economy, and improve transparency.

"We're making great progress to ensure medical cannabis is available for eligible Kentuckians in need," said Gov. Beshear. "The SAFE Banking Act is necessary. It will keep dollars within the medical cannabis industry safe and in line with federal regulations, protecting against financial crime and more."

Family and Community Engagement Week
The Governor recognized Nov. 16-20 as Family and Community Engagement in Education Week in Kentucky. The Governor was joined by members of the Prichard Committee, an education nonprofit organization.

"As governor and as a dad, I know that parents are our kids' first teachers - and as they grow, Kentucky's kids benefit from families that are active and engaged in their education," said Gov. Beshear. "We've supported this by expanding Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Kentucky statewide, launching the Team Kentucky Pre-K Pilot Program, and expanding access to high-speed internet. Together, we are building a brighter future for every single Kentucky child."

Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Gov. Beshear recognized November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Nov. 14 as Lung Cancer Screening Day. In 2022, the Governor signed legislation establishing a statewide lung cancer screening program. Following increased lung cancer screening, Kentucky's early diagnosis rate has increased by 12% in five years. Lung cancer screening has been shown to reduce deaths by 20%. Find a health care facility near you that's participating and offering free lung cancer screenings this Saturday.

Guests from the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Kentucky Lung Cancer Screening Program Advisory Committee, including lung cancer survivor and advocate Teresa Daniels, joined the Governor.

"I believe that healthcare is a basic human right, and everyone should have access to affordable care close to home. That includes access to cancer screenings - which we know can save lives through early detection," said Gov. Beshear. "If you can't get screened this weekend, talk to your doctor about scheduling an appointment soon."

Kentucky Historic Dining Guide
Gov. Beshear announced that five new restaurants have been added to the Kentucky Historic Dining Guide, a resource that helps Kentuckians and travelers explore local restaurants and historic destinations across the commonwealth.

Funding for Riverports and Railroads
Gov. Beshear announced a $15.1 million investment to enhance capacity for new business, support economic activity, and keep freight flowing safely through Kentucky's waterways. Awards from the Kentucky Public Riverport Construction and Maintenance program will fund 15 projects, including equipment upgrades and replacement, warehouse and storage expansion, increased capacity for barge staging, safety improvements, and more.

The Governor also announced a $7.3 million investment for six projects that will improve railroads and freight movement. The grants are awarded through the Kentucky Short Line Infrastructure Preservation program and help fund upgrades like constructing new rail lines, preserving existing lines, and improving drainage to modernize and maintain the state's railway network.

Funding for Eastern and Western Kentucky
The Governor announced that he has recommended 12 projects to the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) that would bring over $18 million to Eastern Kentucky. These recommendations will be reviewed at the federal level. Team Kentucky has a nearly 100% approval rate with the ARC. Last fiscal year, Kentucky received record funding from the federal-state partnership, totaling almost $80 million.

Gov. Beshear provided an update on the single largest housing announcement in Kentucky's history, over $223 million to build more than 900 rental units throughout Western Kentucky. The Governor announced that all 11 developments are under construction. Team Kentucky expects each of them to be leasing units by spring of next year. At one of the developments, Commonwealth Court in Mayfield, two of three buildings are complete and the third is expected to be finished by the end of November. This will be a 66-unit development providing affordable housing.

"A few months ago, we marked four years since historic flooding in the east, and next month, we'll mark five years since devastating tornadoes in the west," said Gov. Beshear. "From water improvements to healthcare, economic investments and housing, we are keeping our promise of rebuilding every structure, every home and every life. And we're not just building back; we're building back stronger."

Community Development Block Grants
The Governor announced five projects totaling $4.3 million through the Community Development Block Grant program that will deliver clean water, protect against flooding, and make improvements to affordable housing for seniors.

• Augusta, in Bracken County, will receive $1.5 million to upgrade the city's water treatment plant, ensuring clean water for citizens.
• Jamestown, in Russell County, will receive $1.5 million to upgrade the city's water treatment plant intake, ensuring clean water for citizens.
• Flemingsburg, in Fleming County, will receive $900,000 to upgrade 12 affordable rental units on East Water Street for seniors.
• Adairville, in Logan County, will receive $323,328 for a new water tower. This will replace an old tower that cannot be used.
• Pineville, in Bell County, will receive $137,000 to help the city design a storm sewer along Park Avenue, keeping citizens safe from flooding.

Team Kentucky Food Drive
The Governor reminded Kentuckians that the second annual Team Kentucky Food Drive is accepting public donations on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, now through Nov. 18. Donations of non-perishable food items will be distributed through Feeding Kentucky, which serves all 120 counties through 900 partner food pantries, as well as the Christian Appalachian Project and the Capital City Activity Center.

Prescription Drug Take Back Day
The Governor provided an update on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a nationwide initiative encouraging Americans to take their old prescription drugs to a location near them to have them properly disposed of. Through the two take back days the commonwealth hosted in 2026 - in April and October - Kentuckians disposed of 31,674 pounds of prescription drugs. This is the most Kentucky has collected in a year since the commonwealth started the Drug Take Back Day Initiative in 2011.

"To everyone who participated, thank you for doing your part," said Gov. Beshear. "This effort helps make sure that old prescription drugs don't fall into the hands of a child or someone struggling with addiction. You're helping us fight addiction and make our communities safer. Efforts like this one have helped Team Kentucky decrease the number of overdose deaths in our state for four straight years."

Team Kentucky All-Stars
Following historic voter turnout in last week's midterm elections, the Governor named Kentucky voters this week's Team Kentucky All-Stars. A total of 1,447,030 Kentuckians cast ballots in the 2026 general election, an increase from the 2022 midterms.

"This is incredible progress we plan to build on, and I want to thank everyone who made it possible," said Gov. Beshear. "The real folks we need to celebrate are Kentucky voters, and this week, I'm recognizing them as our Team Kentucky All-Stars."

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