Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on economic development, Pre-K for All, housing in Eastern Kentucky, the Kentucky Parole Board, and a new Kentucky State Parks app. The Governor named the Georgetown-Scott County Parks and Recreation Department this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
Economic Development
The Governor announced that he, First Lady Britainy Beshear and other members of Team Kentucky will travel next week to the United Kingdom, France and Ireland to meet with business leaders and trade officials to further Kentucky’s presence in the region and spur job growth for Kentuckians. The delegation from Team Kentucky will meet with more than 45 companies during the weeklong trip.
Pre-K for All
The Governor provided an update on the Pre-K for All initiative, which aims to advance the commonwealth’s public education system and job growth. As part of the initiative, Team Kentucky hosted town halls across the commonwealth and learned that nearly 90% of town hall participants support more funding for preschool and expanding preschool access. Since the initiative launch in May, over 60,000 Kentuckians have written to their state legislators asking them to support expanding preschool access.
In addition to the town halls, Team Kentucky held 40 outreach events where parents, educators, business owners, child-care providers, legislators and local elected officials expressed support for Pre-K for All. Today, 63 of Kentucky’s county judge/executives sent a letter to the members of the General Assembly encouraging them to support expanding pre-K. Thirty-one Mayors representing cities in every region of the commonwealth wrote a similar letter to the General Assembly.
The Governor also shared that the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents has officially endorsed Team Kentucky’s Pre-K for All initiative. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman; Alvin Garrison, superintendent of Covington Independent Schools; Billy Parker, superintendent for Scott County Schools; Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory; and Anderson County Judge/Executive Obrey Gritton III joined the Team Kentucky Update to share why they think Kentucky needs Pre-K For All.
Housing in Eastern Kentucky
Gov. Beshear provided an update on progress being made on housing in Eastern Kentucky for flood survivors, including at the eight high-ground sites that will eventually provide over 500 homes out of the flood plain. These are in addition to other projects supporting apartments, smaller-scale neighborhoods and rental units.
Today, the Governor announced $14.8 million to develop 74 rental units at the Chestnut Ridge high-ground site in Knott County. The awards include:
- $5.6 million to Family Scholar House to build 28 rental units;
- $4 million to HOMES Inc. to build 20 units;
- $3.2 million to Frontier Housing to build 16 units; and
- $2 million to the Housing Development Alliance to build 10 units.
Kentucky Parole Board
The Governor provided an update on steps being taken by the Kentucky State Police (KSP) to investigate every threat made to Kentucky Parole Board members following inaccurate information being shared on the release of Ronald Exantus. The Governor shared that the FBI is now also involved in this investigation. KSP Sgt. Matt Sudduth also joined the Governor to provide the update.
The Parole Board did not release Ronald Exantus on parole. Every time the board had an opportunity, it recommended that Exantus stay in prison. Exantus was last reviewed for parole on Sept. 30, 2025, as required by state law. The Parole Board issued a decision that Exantus stay in prison for the remainder of his sentence.
Despite this decision, Kentucky law required the Department of Corrections to release the inmate on Mandatory Reentry Supervision (KRS 439.3406). The parole board did not make this decision, as it does not have the authority to release anyone on Mandatory Reentry Supervision. This process is governed strictly by state law. Per KRS 439.561, Exantus requested and was accepted by the state of Florida to serve his Mandatory Reentry Supervision there, in accordance with the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision. For more information, visit the Parole Board’s website. To provide information on related threats, visit kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/tip.
“Despite repeatedly voting for Ronald Exantus to remain in prison, Parole Board members have faced significant threats over the last several days,” said Gov. Beshear. “Remember, sharing accurate information is so important. We are urging everyone to only share the facts around this case. At a time of increased political violence around our country, these types of threats are taken incredibly seriously. And we are grateful to KSP and our law enforcement for their work.”
New Kentucky State Parks App
The Governor announced that the Kentucky Department of Parks has implemented a new mobile app designed to enhance state parks’ outdoor recreation experiences. The free mobile app provides up-to-date information and resources on outdoor recreational opportunities and events, curated experiences and hiking trail maps.
Team Kentucky All-Stars
The Governor named the Georgetown-Scott County Parks and Recreation Department this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars. This year, they were one of just 11 departments across the country to receive accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, part of the National Recreation and Park Association. Nationwide, the department is one of only 2% of parks departments with this accreditation. The department achieved this by teaching kids cooking skills, offering swim lessons, bringing food and live music to the community at events like their annual Fall Harvest Festival, and more.
“Congrats to Georgetown and Scott County,” said Gov. Beshear. “Take your kids out to Pavilion Park or stop by the Fall Harvest Festival this weekend. You’re supporting a world-class park in our backyard.”
###
|
