Opioid overdose death numbers were down last year in Kentucky for first time since 2018

For the first time since 2018, Kentucky last year experienced a decrease in the number of drug overdose deaths.

Governor Andy Beshear said during his Team Kentucky Update that while the number of Kentuckians dying from overdose is still far too high, the lower number is promising that there’s hope that progress is being made against the opioid addiction crisis.

A poll released this week shows Governor Beshear as the fifth-most popular governor in the nation and the most popular Democratic governor. He says he’s grateful for those who have shown confidence in him.

Multiple state and local agencies have been battling a wildfire at Natural Bridge State Park and the governor says the lodge and diner there should remain open this weekend, though the cottages have been closed for now and those visitors were moved to the lodge.

Governor Beshear says construction of a memorial to Kentuckians lost to the pandemic is ongoing and they hope to unveil it later this spring.