🎬 THE TOAST OF HOLLYWOOD 🎬 Kentucky’s film industry continues to gain national attention, and so does the people and the work that helped make it happen. @KET’s ‘Kentucky Edition’ on Friday highlighted the @motionpictures’ decision to honor @kysenatepres Robert Stivers with its 2026 Industry Champion Award, recognizing his leadership in advancing policies that have helped strengthen Kentucky’s growing film and entertainment sector. The recognition reflects years of work to position Kentucky as a destination for film and television production, supporting jobs, small businesses and economic development across the commonwealth. Check out the segment from KET below.

It’s Senator Julie Raque Adams’ birthday today! Please help us celebrate her today by sending her birthday wishes 🥳🎂

STIVERS TO RECEIVE MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION INDUSTRY CHAMPION AWARD Kentucky Senate president recognized for leadership advancing the commonwealth's film and entertainment industry FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 10, 2026) - Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Motion Picture Association (MPA) Industry Champion Award, recognizing his leadership in strengthening Kentucky's growing film and entertainment sector. MPA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin announced the honor, noting that the MPA Awards recognize leaders whose contributions strengthen the creative community and support policies that encourage growth and innovation. “Our industry is strongest when stories catch fire, policies spur growth and creators can produce quality content for audiences to enjoy,” said Rivkin. “President Stivers plays a starring role behind the scenes in making Kentucky an attractive place for casts and crews to bring their magic to our screens–knowing that more production means more jobs and investment for local businesses and workers across the Bluegrass State.” The award honors policymakers whose efforts have helped promote and protect the creative community while fostering economic growth through film and television production. The MPA cited Stivers's leadership in advancing legislation designed to attract larger-scale film and television productions to Kentucky, including recently enacted measures that modernized the commonwealth's film incentive program and enhanced Kentucky's competitiveness as a destination for filmmakers. "Kentucky has become an increasingly attractive place for filmmakers, producers and creative professionals, and this recognition reflects the collaborative work of many partners who have helped grow our entertainment industry," Stivers said. "Our investments in television and film production are creating opportunities for talented Kentuckians, supporting small businesses and generating economic activity in communities across the commonwealth. I am honored to receive this award and remain committed to ensuring Kentucky continues to be a place where creativity and innovation can thrive." Under Stivers's leadership, the Kentucky General Assembly has prioritized policies aimed at expanding economic opportunities through the creative industries, recognizing the significant impact film and television production can have on local economies through job creation, tourism and business development. "Kentucky's film and entertainment industry has tremendous potential, and President Stivers has been instrumental in helping position our state for future growth," said Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, primary sponsor of SB 1 in 2025 that created the Kentucky Film Office. "His leadership has helped create an environment where Kentucky can compete for major productions while showcasing our communities, workforce and unique landscapes to audiences around the world." Stivers will receive the award later this year during the MPA Awards Ceremony at the organization's global headquarters in Washington, D.C. “It’s an honor to receive a 2026 MPA Industry Champion Award,” said Stivers. “During my tenure as Senate president, our economy has made immense strides and put Kentucky on the map as a destination for production. We want to keep building a welcoming ecosystem for filmmakers whose projects benefit our talented crews, small business owners, and overall economic development.” The MPA represents the world's leading producers and distributors of film, television and streaming content and advocates for policies that support the creative economy and intellectual property protections. They will make the actual award to Stivers later this fall. The MPA serves as the leading voice and advocate of the motion picture, home video and television industries. It works in every corner of the globe to advance the creative industry, protect its members’ content across all screens, defend the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers and support innovative distribution models that bring an expansion of viewing choices to audiences around the world. Its member studios are Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery. ###

With the interim session officially in full swing for over a week now, lawmakers have begun hearing from executive branch officials and stakeholders on a number of public policy topics. Yesterday, during a meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary, we were grateful to hear from Attorney General Russell Coleman. He updated the committee on his office's work, including efforts to address violent crime. The Attorney General is Kentucky's highest-ranking law enforcement officer. As such, it's important that the office is equipped with the resources it needs to support the brave men and women in the law enforcement community. The Kentucky General Assembly was glad to include $20 million in the two-year state budget for the office's body armor grant program, which was established by the legislature. The program has and continues to help law enforcement and first responders purchase body armor and much more to ensure they are equipped to do their job as safely as possible. We appreciate all of our first responders, and were happy to received and update from Attorney General Russell Coleman. You can find archived video of his testimony from yesterday's meeting, co-chaired by Sen. Brandon Storm, linked in the thread below, along with links to more details about this important grant program. Make sure to follow committee meetings throughout the interim by visiting the Legislative Research Commission website, tuning in on the LRC YouTube channel, and subscribing to receive updates from our office. The legislative calendar, which is updated weekly, is a great resource for learning about upcoming meetings and topics to be covered.

Today, lawmakers, sportsmen, conservation leaders, and animal advocates gathered at the Salato Wildlife Education Center for the ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 37, sponsored by Sen. Webb The legislation recognizes the Treeing Walker Coonhound as Kentucky’s official state dog while promoting shelter pet adoption and awareness of Kentucky’s native species and outdoor heritage. Thanks to everyone who helped make today possible — especially our four-legged guest of honor Nate representing Kentucky’s official state breed!

The following is a statement from Senate Majority Leadership on behalf of the Senate Majority Caucus in light of the passing of former state Senator Dennis Parrett.

The Kentucky Senate mourns the passing of former Sen. Dennis Parrett. Sen. Parrett was a dedicated public servant, a respected colleague and a man who never allowed differences to be bigger than relationships. He served with humility, treated others with respect and remained deeply committed to the people he represented. One of his lasting legacies is the creation of the Sunny Page program, a special initiative that allows children with disabilities to participate in the legislative process. Beyond the Senate, Sen. Parrett was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, farmer and community leader who cared deeply about Hardin County and the people who called it home. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Parrett family, his friends and all those mourning his loss. Rest in peace, Sen. Parrett.

The young father in this photograph had no way of knowing how history would one day remember the morning that awaited him. He wasn’t a veteran, a headline or a chapter in a history book. He was a Kentucky father holding his daughter. Yet less than three years after this image was captured, Allied forces would launch the largest amphibious invasion ever attempted. On June 6, 1944, thousands of Americans crossed the English Channel toward the beaches of Normandy. Among those serving in Normandy were sons of Kentucky, some of whom, unlike the young father pictured here, survived to tell the story. His story and theirs. Mercer County native Dr. Willis McKee, a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Medicine, served with the 101st Airborne Division during the Normandy campaign. Captain McKee continued his service after D-Day and lived until 1994. Garrard County native Jesse Beazley was among the men who landed on Omaha Beach. Decades later, he shared his memories through an oral history interview preserved by the University of Kentucky’s Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, ensuring future generations could hear a firsthand Kentucky account of one of the most consequential mornings in modern history. For others, the ordeal continued long after June 6. Alvin Perry, born in Lawrenceburg and later a longtime resident of Wilmore, fought through the Normandy campaign, was wounded, captured by German forces, and spent months as a prisoner of war before finally returning home to Kentucky. Some gave everything that day, and one was the young father pictured here. Daviess County’s Private First Class Martin B. Murphy served with the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division and was killed during the Normandy invasion. Back home, he left behind a wife and an infant daughter whose memories of her father would come not from experience, but from photographs and stories passed down through generations. Murphy was recognized, remembered and honored with a Memorial Mass at Saint Alphonsus Church in Owensboro in 2021. History often remembers D-Day through its casualty figures and military strategy. We recognize the images seared into our consciences of that fateful day. Families and communities of these brave young men remember it more potently. Through names carved into memorials, stories preserved by families and photographs like this one. A father holding his daughter on the eve of an uncertain future. Eighty-two years later, the beaches of Normandy remain a world away from us, just as they were from the farms, towns and cities these men called home. Yet their courage, sacrifice and service remain woven into the story of the Commonwealth itself. Today, we remember what they did. More importantly, we remember who they were, what they meant to those who loved them, and what they continue to mean to Kentucky and America. —— "The eyes of the world are upon you. The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you." - Dwight D. Eisenhower.

.@kysenatepres reflected on the impact of the @universityofky as an NIH-designated research university driving economic growth, creating jobs, expanding healthcare access, and bringing hope to communities across Kentucky. Watch for this conversation on a future episode of #BehindTheBlue. #kyga26

Sen. @AmandaMBledsoe joined families yesterday at UK HealthCare to read The Little Engine That Could, the first book children receive through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. “There’s something special about a child getting a book in the mail with their name on it,” Bledsoe said. “For many families, those books become part of bedtime routines, conversations and memories that last long after the last page is turned. “I’m so happy the General Assembly continued supporting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and I’m excited to see this partnership with UK HealthCare help connect even more Kentucky families with books from the very start,” she added. “Sometimes the simplest ideas make the biggest difference, and giving children access to books gives them access to their imagination, and that is something that can take them anywhere.” During the 2026 legislative session, Bledsoe, Sen. @JRAforKY and legislative leaders worked to maintain funding for the Imagination Library. Every child deserves the chance to dream, learn and imagine what's possible. Sometimes it all starts with turning a page. #KYGA26