Beshear committed to asking the legislature to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday through legislation. The legislature would have to pass the measure during the next general assembly.
Two National guardsmen were involved in the shooting death of Louisville barbecue chef David McAtee, and police and state officials have said McActee fired first. The incident has sparked outrage from people across the city, state and country already protesting police violence.
The governor noted that more deaths have been reported recently among people in their 50s and 60s, which he said should remind people in at-risk categories (over 60 or with underlying medical conditions) that “just because things are open doesn’t mean you should be going to them.”
Despite a decidedly upward two-week trend, Gov. Andy Beshear said on Tuesday it will take more time to see if the increase is related to testing in long-term care facilities, where the state is seeing a bump in cases.
Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack urged all Kentuckians to wear a mask and encouraged those with divergent views to be respectful of each other, asking those who choose to not wear a mask to not ridicule those who do. Those who do wear one to protect themselves should give a wide berth to those who don't, he said.
The governor said the group is attempting to bully everyone else into doing what “they want us to do.” He said the group “didn’t get there alone” and were “embraced and emboldened by elected leaders that rallied with them weeks before.”
Kentucky is bracing for budget cuts after the official estimate for how much money the state is going to bring in by the end of June was revised downward by $457 million, and state officials predict revenue will drop another 10 to 17 percent over the six months after that.
All retail stores can open Wednesday, and restaurants can have limited openings Friday. Also Friday, gatherings of up to 10 people will also be allowed.
