Volunteers at the Kentucky History Center in Frankfort help preserve the state’s history by organizing genealogy files, cataloging books and microfilm, processing archives and maintaining exhibits. They include retired teachers Lonnie Lewis, 78, and Anne Robbins, 83, and former healthcare worker Olivia Isaac, 52. Many say volunteering keeps them active and engaged; the center also created a gallery technician position for recent graduate Ryan Johnson through a program supporting people with disabilities.
The Kentucky History Center in downtown Frankfort has about 80 volunteers who help welcome visitors, support events and educational programs, and scan or catalog collections. Volunteer coordinator Kristen Wheatley interviews applicants to learn their interests and match them with roles; opportunities are open to people 13 and older. Volunteers must complete state-required steps, including background checks, before joining the program.
Kentucky is 3-1 as it prepares for conference play, and its upcoming opponents had mixed results in Week 4. South Carolina lost 49-18 to Alabama and suspended defensive end Dylan Stewart after he threw a punch. LSU beat Texas A&M 35-6, while Oklahoma fell 41-13 to Georgia. Florida defeated Ole Miss 52-28; Tennessee and Missouri also lost, and Louisville was upset by Wake Forest.
No. 24 Kentucky (3-1, 1-1 SEC) visits South Carolina (2-2, 0-2) Saturday, Oct. 4, at 4:15 p.m. EDT at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. The Wildcats, coached by Will Stein, beat then-No. 9 Texas A&M 31-21, while Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks have lost seven straight SEC games, including a 49-18 defeat at Alabama. South Carolina leads the series 22-14-1 and won 35-13 at home last season; Saturday’s game airs on SEC Network.
The Chicago Bears have ruled out quarterback Caleb Williams for their game against the New York Jets. The team has not announced who will start at quarterback.
An internal GQR poll for Democrat Zach Dembo’s campaign shows him leading Republican Ralph Alvarado 42% to 37% in Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District; 11% back third-party or independent candidates, and 9% are undecided. GQR surveyed 401 likely voters Sept. 25-30, with a 4.9-point margin of error. University of Kentucky political scientist Stephen Voss cautioned that campaigns may selectively release internal polls. The seat is open as Republican Rep. Andy Barr runs for Senate.
Developers proposing new student apartments for University of Kentucky students are facing strong opposition in Lexington. The available report does not identify the opponents or detail their objections.
The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to part ways with interim manager Don Mattingly, according to a report. The report described the separation as “graceful.”
More than 70 Kentucky sawmills have closed in recent years amid rising costs, according to James Wells, co-owner of Greentree Forest Products in Fleming County. Wells said tariffs, trade disputes and fuel prices have strained the fourth-generation family business, which spends about $11,000 a week on diesel; some loggers supplying the mill have parked their equipment. Lumber prices remain near levels from 15 to 20 years ago, he said, as the company works to keep its 80 employees on the job.
Advocates will hold an annual walk in downtown Lexington this weekend to promote suicide prevention and mental health advocacy. The event aims to remind community members that their lives matter and support suicide prevention resources.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear urged Arkansas Democrats at a fundraising dinner in North Little Rock to focus on voters’ needs, speak plainly and explain their reasons for policies. He cited his 2023 reelection victory in Republican-leaning Kentucky as proof Democrats can win across the South. Republicans have held every statewide and federal office in Arkansas since 2014, though Democrats hope to make gains in November.
Jeff Van Note, a University of Kentucky Hall of Famer and longtime Atlanta Falcons center, died at 80 on Friday, Oct. 2, the Falcons announced. The cause of death was not provided. A Wildcat from 1965 to 1968, Van Note played all 18 of his NFL seasons with Atlanta, earned six Pro Bowl selections and later worked as a broadcaster for the Falcons and Kentucky football.