Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 7, 2026) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on economic development, the Head Start program, voter identification, maternal healthcare, funding for Eastern Kentucky, a leadership change at the Office of Drug Control Policy, and the new Governor's Office of Music. Dr. Steven Stack, secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, provided an update on an upcoming change to Medicaid and the Our Healthy Kentucky Home initiative. After Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips was killed in the line of duty, the Governor named law enforcement officers who assisted in apprehending the suspect in Trooper Phillips' death as this week's Team Kentucky All-Stars.

Economic Development
Gov. Beshear announced that Kentucky has yet again earned a strong ranking in Area Development magazine's Top States for Doing Business. This year, Kentucky took 13th place nationally, and the state has ranked in the top 20 every year of this administration.

The Governor highlighted that October is Manufacturing Month in Kentucky, as the industry continues to be a driving factor in the commonwealth's record economic growth and job creation, employing over 260,000 Kentuckians.

Gov. Beshear highlighted further growth in the commonwealth's manufacturing industry as Speed Kentucky LLC, a producer and distributor of utility task vehicles, announced plans to invest $1.47 million into a new facility in Owsley County, creating 60 new, full-time jobs. The project marks the largest investment and job creation announcement on record for Owsley County.

The Governor announced exciting new momentum within the state's distribution and logistics sector as Arvato, a leader in supply chain management and e-commerce, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new distribution and fulfillment center in Louisville, a project creating 150 quality, Kentucky jobs.

Gov. Beshear highlighted continued growth in the state's site development efforts as a project in Lyon County was approved for over $560,000 to help attract new investment and jobs. The project moved through the Kentucky Product Development Initiative approval process and was approved in the latest Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority meeting.

Defending Head Start
On Tuesday, during Head Start Awareness Month, Gov. Beshear sent a personal letter and signed on to a letter with 24 attorneys general to urge President Donald Trump to reconsider proposed changes to the federal Head Start program that serves 750,000 children across the United States, including 15,000 in Kentucky. The unlawful and harmful changes would cut funding, increase class sizes, weaken curricula, increase hunger and make children less safe. For more, see the full release.

Voter ID Cards at Driver Licensing Offices
Ahead of the Nov. 3 elections in Kentucky, Gov. Beshear reminded Kentuckians that eligible registered voters without an acceptable form of identification, like a driver's license, can get a Voter ID card at no cost at Driver Licensing Regional Offices. Voter ID cards are available year-round and can help eligible Kentuckians meet voting identification requirements for upcoming elections if they do not have another accepted form of ID.

Maternal Healthcare
Last week, Gov. Beshear joined Olivia Walton, founder of Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America (HMHBA), at the Heartland Summit to celebrate the commonwealth being awarded $10 million to support maternal care. HMHBA announced a total of $20 million going to Kentucky and Arkansas, marking the organization's first state-level investment toward a goal of cutting the U.S. maternal death rate in half in five years.

Funding for Eastern Kentucky
Gov. Beshear announced that Kentucky received a record $78.8 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission in fiscal year 2026. The money will go toward 67 projects across Eastern Kentucky and support the everyday needs of Kentuckians by helping establish a healthcare training center, improving and replacing outdated water and wastewater treatment equipment, and supporting Team Kentucky's high-ground initiative, which is moving flood survivors out of the floodplain.

In more good news for Eastern Kentucky, the Governor also announced that Team Kentucky is investing over $500,000 to install 50 solar streetlights at the Chestnut Ridge high-ground community, where there will be a planned 167 lots out of the floodplain. As the streetlights will be solar-powered, they won't suffer from outages, there will be no operating costs and no maintenance will be required for an estimated 10 years. Gov. Beshear shared a Good News update on this announcement.

Upcoming Change to Medicaid
Dr. Stack advised Kentucky Medicaid members that due to new federal requirements, there is a new Medicaid work or community engagement requirement for adults who are part of the Medicaid expansion group. This change applies to new Medicaid applicants beginning January 1, 2027, and to the first renewals in February 2027. Some adults may need to meet the requirement by working, going to school, volunteering, or caring for a dependent while others may be exempt due to certain circumstances or medical conditions. Dr. Stack announced that Team Kentucky is launching a dedicated website that will serve as a central source for official information, guidance and future updates. If Kentuckians need guidance, they should reach out to the Department for Community Based Services at 855-306-8959 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

Our Healthy Kentucky Home
Dr. Stack provided an update on Our Healthy Kentucky Home, an initiative to promote simple, positive and attainable goals to inspire and motivate Kentuckians on a journey to health and wellness. For October, the initiative is focusing on healthcare for aging adults. Dr. Stack highlighted resources such as the Department for Aging and Independent Living, Kentucky's Nutrition Program for the Elderly and the Prescription Assistance Program.

Office of Drug Control Policy Leadership Change
Gov. Beshear announced today that Van Ingram, executive director of the Office of Drug Control Policy, will retire from his position at the end of the year. Ingram, who has served with the office since November 2004 and has been director since September 2009, has led addiction treatment, education and prevention efforts for the commonwealth for two decades.

The Governor said that Ingram's decades of service to the commonwealth have directly contributed to the four straight years of declines in overdose deaths in Kentucky and that Ingram's work has helped save countless lives.

"Van has helped us fight addiction in every corner of our state, and we've made important progress in that fight thanks to him," Gov. Beshear said. "Kentucky is better because of his contributions, and I know that progress will continue for years to come because of the foundation he has laid."

"Serving as executive director of the Office of Drug Control Policy has been an honor, and I know Kentucky's recovery community will continue to move forward and continue to help Kentucky's families," Ingram said. "I'm proud of the work my team and I have done together, and I look forward to seeing the continued good they will do."

The Governor announced that Tara Moseley Hyde has been named the office's next executive director. Hyde, former CEO of People Advocating Recovery, began her new role at the beginning of October and will be learning from Ingram through the end of the year.

"Addiction is a disease that is hard to overcome, but here in Kentucky, thanks to the work of leaders like Gov. Beshear and Van, as well as stakeholders across the commonwealth who provide support directly to Kentuckians, recovery is possible," Hyde said. "I look forward to stepping into this role to support my fellow Kentuckians in the fight against addiction by supporting treatment service providers as well as law enforcement who are getting dangerous drugs off our streets."

Governor's Office of Music
On Sept. 25, Gov. Beshear joined state officials and music industry leaders onstage at Bourbon & Beyond to announce the Governor's Office of Music, a new office dedicated to highlighting Kentucky's storied music legacy and to supporting Kentucky artists, venues, festivals and music businesses. Prior to the announcement, the Governor signed an executive order creating the office to continue the commonwealth's leadership in music for generations to come. Gov. Beshear shared a Good News update on this announcement.

Team Kentucky All-Stars
On Sept. 28, Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips was killed in the line of duty in Bowling Green. Immediately after the fatal traffic stop, the Kentucky State Police, Louisville Metro Police Department, Bowling Green Police Department, agencies in Elizabethtown and agencies all along Interstate Highway 65 jumped into action, looking for the suspect. Shortly thereafter, the Louisville Metro Police Department apprehended the suspect, and the Kentucky State Police made the arrest. Today, the Governor named all law enforcement officers who assisted in apprehending the suspect in Trooper Phillips' death as this week's Team Kentucky All-Stars.

"By capturing this suspect, we are able to begin the process of securing the justice Trooper Phillips and his family deserve," said Gov. Beshear. "Thank you to all of Kentucky's law enforcement heroes. Last week was a stark reminder of the sacrifices you make and the danger you face every day. Thank you for protecting us. And know that we pray for your safety daily."

Donations to the Kentucky State Police Foundation for the benefit of the Phillips family can be made at kspfoundation.org/donations.

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