Medicaid Relief in Frankfort: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky will use a $255 million budget surplus to stop a planned 4% cut to Medicaid reimbursement rates through fiscal year 2027, after hundreds of residents packed the Capitol to protest impacts on waivers and senior meal funding. Data Center Rules, Again: Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet is taking applications for illegal dump and litter abatement grants, while local governments keep moving on data-center limits—Marion County approved a two-year data center moratorium, and Pikeville extended a data-center MOU for 60 more days. Food Safety Hits Kentucky Shelves: Whole Foods recalled jalapeño-containing salsas, guacamole, pico de gallo and prepared foods across 12 states, including Kentucky, tied to a salmonella risk linked to Coast Citrus Distributors and earlier jalapeño recalls. Auto Manufacturing Shift: Ford plans to move some Lincoln production from China to the U.S. starting in 2030, citing steep tariffs on China imports. Community & Workforce: United Community Bank added board leadership, including a new CFO to the board, and Kentucky’s EEC opened funding for local cleanup of illegal dumps and litter.