FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on economic development, the Kentucky Lottery, Recovery Ready Communities and Veterans Day. Dr. Steven Stack, secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, provided an update on the Our Healthy Kentucky Home initiative. Lt. Gov. Jacquleine Coleman gave an update on medical cannabis, congratulated Kentucky students named U.S. Presidential Scholars, and reminded Kentuckians about the Team Kentucky Food Drive. The Governor named Louisville mixologist and United States Cocktail Champion SC Baker this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star.
Economic Development
Gov. Beshear highlighted exciting new momentum within the state’s manufacturing industry as ClearFlow Metalworks announced plans to locate a new $28 million aluminum manufacturing facility in Logan County, a project that will create 50 new full-time jobs.
Kentucky Lottery
The Governor announced that, in fiscal year 2026, the Kentucky Lottery broke its all-time sales record with $2.38 billion in sales. The Lottery’s impact in the commonwealth totaled $419 million, which is used to fund college scholarships and grant programs for Kentucky students and families. This is the 15th record-breaking year in a row for the Kentucky Lottery.
“As the Governor of an education-first administration, it makes me proud that we have partners like the Lottery helping us build a brighter future,” said Gov. Beshear. “Because this funding helps create more educational opportunities for students, which can create generational cycles of change for hardworking Kentuckians.”
“We are proud to wrap up an unbelievable record fiscal year, thanks to our hardworking team,” said Maggie Garrison, Kentucky Lottery president and CEO. “Like the Governor, we are focused on funding education to create an educated workforce. We know that the scholarship and grant programs we fund support Kentuckians in their career journeys. We’re so honored to be part of Kentucky’s history and very excited to be part of Kentucky’s future and help it move forward.”
Recovery Ready Communities
Gov. Beshear announced that Carroll, Franklin and Jefferson counties have been certified as Recovery Ready Communities. The announcement builds on the recent progress that Team Kentucky has made in combatting addiction and improving public safety, which includes securing four straight years of decreases in overdose deaths, two consecutive years of recidivism rate decreases and two years in a row of falling serious crime rates. Kentucky now has 45 counties certified as Recovery Ready Communities, serving nearly 3.1 million Kentuckians, including in the state’s largest county, Jefferson.
Charles Kendell, coordinator for the Franklin County Agency for Substance Abuse Policy; J. Scott Nab, District 3 Magistrate for Carroll County; and Billy O’Bryan, Kentucky Program Director for Young People in Recovery in Jefferson County joined the Governor to accept the Recovery Ready Community certificates on behalf of their respective counties and to speak about how they are fighting addiction in their communities.
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 November, the initiative is focusing on aging adults and their caregivers. Dr. Stack highlighted resources such as the Department for Aging and Independent Living, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and kynect. Open enrollment for kynect is now through Jan. 15, 2027.
Medical Cannabis
Lt. Gov. Coleman announced that more than 30,000 Kentuckians have been approved for medical cannabis cards. The Lieutenant Governor also announced that yesterday, Speakeasy Dispensary celebrated its ribbon cutting in Maysville. To date, Kentucky has 47 medical cannabis businesses up and running, including 27 dispensary facilities operating in all 11 of Kentucky’s dispensary licensing regions. Team Kentucky is more than halfway finished in its build-out of approved businesses.
“Kentuckians suffering from PTSD, cancer, terminal illnesses, sickle cell anemia and more deserve a safe, non-addictive option for relief, and medical cannabis provides that,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “I’m proud that Team Kentucky has approved more than 30,000 Kentuckians for medical cannabis cards, and that we are more than halfway finished in our build-out of approved medical cannabis businesses – just two years after legalization. Every step of this process has put patients first.”
2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars
The Lieutenant Governor congratulated five Kentucky high school seniors that have been selected as 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars: Hosamulhaq Brula, from South Warren High School; Samuel Busse, from Owensboro High School; Alexavier Colton Garrott, from Madisonville North Hopkins High School; Deepika Koripelli, from duPont Manual High School; and Avneesh Mahesh Kudrimoti, from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. This honor recognizes achievements in academics, arts, and career and technical education. Only 161 American students were selected out of more than 3.9 million graduating high school seniors.
Team Kentucky Food Drive
Lt. Gov. Coleman reminded Kentuckians that the second annual Team Kentucky Food Drive is accepting public donations now through Wednesday, 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.
Veterans Day
Gov. Beshear recognized and honored Nov. 11 as Veterans Day in the commonwealth. In September, Team Kentucky opened the state-of-the-art Robert E. Spiller Bowling Green Veterans Center, and the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs has been recognized with the VA Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award for customer service for six straight years.
“Our veterans and their families sacrifice so much to protect us – and it is our sacred duty to make sure they are cared for here at home. We take that responsibility seriously in the commonwealth,” said Gov. Beshear. “As we celebrate Veterans Day this coming Wednesday, let’s all thank the heroes that fought to protect our country. God bless our veterans and those who continue to keep us safe.”
Team Kentucky All-Star
The Governor named Kentucky mixologist, SC Baker, this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star. Baker, the lead bartender at Epiphany in Louisville, won the inaugural United States Cocktail Championship this year, and she recently travelled to the International Bartenders Association World Cocktail Championship in Macau, China, representing Kentucky on the world stage.
“Thank you for representing our New Kentucky Home on the international stage, SC – and congratulations on being this week’s Team Kentucky All Star,” said Gov. Beshear. “Whether you’re looking for the best bourbon on the planet or the best cocktail you’ve ever had, Kentucky is the place to find it.
