Hardin County Daily Brief: July 30, 2026

I-65 reopens early, a new sheriff's unit debuts, and Hardin County gears up for back to school.

Top of the morning

I-65 reopens early. Gov. Beshear announced the interstate stretch will reopen ahead of schedule, easing what has been a rough stretch for Hardin County commuters. (WDRB)

Sheriff Ward introduces new Special Response Team. Hardin County Sheriff John Ward unveiled the new team to Fiscal Court this week, a fresh investment in local public safety. (The News-Enterprise)

Around the county

No more metal or glass water bottles at school. Hardin County Schools is banning metal and glass water bottles for the new school year. (WDRB)

New law tightens school bus safety. A new state law adds protections for students boarding and exiting school buses as the new year starts. (The News-Enterprise)

ECTC opens Express Enrollment. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is hosting Express Enrollment ahead of classes starting Aug. 6. (The News-Enterprise)

Kentucky lets police keep camera locations secret. A new state open-records amendment allows police to conceal the locations of automated license-plate cameras. (Lexington Herald Leader)

Lions Club honors graduating scholars. The Elizabethtown Lions Club awarded scholarships to three graduating seniors from the county's high schools. (The News-Enterprise)

One more thing

Pancakes for a good cause. The Kiwanis Club's Saturday pancake breakfast will raise money for special bikes for kids with disabilities. (The News-Enterprise)

14 items held for editorial review.

The Daily Brief is curated links to reporting by local and regional outlets, credited on every item. Spot an error? Email [email protected].

Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson answering questions across a conference table from Hardin Local's Phil Taul

The Cameras Already Know Your Car. So We Asked the People Watching Them.

At least 67 license plate cameras are watching Hardin County roads. We sat down on camera with the police chiefs running them and asked every uncomfortable question, including what happens when one of their own abuses it.

The Elizabethtown Planning Commission seated at the dais during the July 28, 2026 public hearing on data center zoning rules

'We're Naked Right Now': E'town Advances Data Center Rules

Two weeks after saying it had no applications, Elizabethtown's Planning Commission voted 3-0 to send data center limits to City Council. Here is what the rules actually say, in their own words.

The Hardin Local Weekly crew covers license plate cameras, Cruisin’ the Heartland, and the week in Hardin County

This Week on Hardin Local: Plate Cameras & Cruisin' Weekend

The cameras already know your car, so Phil asked the people watching them. Plus 2,000 classic cars downtown, Wawa's vanished grand opening, steady housing inventory, and 2B Thai.

Phil Taul interviews Elizabethtown and Radcliff police chiefs about license plate reader cameras in Hardin County

License Plate Cameras in Hardin County: What the Chiefs Said

Around 67 license plate reader cameras are on Hardin County roads. Phil sat down with the police chiefs of Elizabethtown and Radcliff to ask how they're used, audited, and kept honest.