Florence Turns Idle City Reserves into $2.6 Million a Year
City leaders announced a new financial strategy that shifts idle municipal funds into U.S. Treasury securities, projected to generate $2.6 million annually. Mayor Julie Aubuchon, who launched the effort, put it simply: "Our residents expect us to be just as careful with their money as they are with their own." The extra revenue is earmarked for property tax reductions, park improvements, and redevelopment opportunities — including the Florence Mall. Read more → https://nkytribune.com/2026/08/city-of-florence-announces-new-investment-strategy-expected-to-generate-2-6-million-annually/

Kentucky Road Projects Drop 90% This Summer
A steep decline in state road construction — from 161 projects advertised last summer to just 16 this year — could mean delays in repaving and safety improvements across Boone County. A $45 million drop in motor fuel tax revenues, partly from an earlier gas tax holiday, is the primary culprit. Transportation officials say they're prioritizing existing contracts first, but highway contractors warn the slowdown is straining their ability to keep crews employed across the state. Read more → https://linknky.com/news/2026/08/25/kentucky-road-projects-drop-transportation-funding/

Kentucky Leads Historic $17.1 Billion Settlement Against Meta Over Child Safety
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced that Meta has agreed to a $17.1 billion settlement over child safety concerns on Facebook and Instagram, calling it the "largest consumer protection lawsuit in American history." Kentucky led the case alongside California, Colorado, and New Jersey, with 25 additional states joining. The state will receive $358 million, pending court approval. As part of the deal, Meta must enforce a two-hour daily screen time limit, block access from midnight to 6 a.m., disable push notifications during school hours, strengthen age verification, and add tougher protections against bullying and harmful content. The changes will remain in place for a decade and be monitored by independent auditors. Kentucky also separately secured $7.5 million from Meta over the Cambridge Analytica data-sharing scandal. Read more → https://linknky.com/news/2026/08/27/meta-17-billion-settlement-kentucky-child-safety-facebook-instagram/

Gateway Community and Technical College Marks 10 Years Under Chancellor Dr. Fernando Figueroa
Gateway Community and Technical College is celebrating a decade of leadership under Chancellor Dr. Fernando Figueroa, who took the helm in 2016. During his tenure, Gateway achieved consecutive years of record enrollment growth, expanded programs in advanced manufacturing, IT, logistics, and healthcare, and cut higher education costs in half for transfer-bound students. His guiding philosophy is straightforward: "Career readiness is our athletics. That's our sport, and Gateway gets people hired." The Gateway Board of Directors recognized his impact with an "Exceeds Expectations" rating for 2025-26. Gateway operates campuses in Covington, Edgewood, and Florence. Read more → https://nkytribune.com/2026/08/gateway-community-and-technical-college-celebrates-10-years-under-dr-fernando-figueroa/

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☀ Friday — 83° / 62° · Sunny
☀ Saturday — 85° / 66° · Sunny
☀ Sunday — 90° / 71° · Sunny
📍 Source: weather.gov — Florence, KY 41042

📍First of Fall Fest
Considered the largest handmade craft show in the county, this beloved annual event brings together local vendors, food trucks, and the whole community for a classic end-of-summer celebration.

📍 Where: Boone County Fairgrounds — 5819 Idlewild Rd, Burlington, KY 41005

🎟 Admission: FREE | Parking: $5/car ($3 early bird on Friday)

www.firstoffallfestival.com

📍 Mini Golf Tournament
4:30–7:00 p.m. | Saturday, August 29
World of Golf, 7400 Woodspoint Drive, Florence
For more information, call 859-371-8255.

📍 Summer Concert Series - Forever Diamond
Neil Diamond Tribute Band
7:00 - 8:30p.m. | Saturday, August 29
Boone Woods Park, 6000 Veterans Way, Burlington, KY
For more information: https://boone.libnet.info/event/16030281

📍 Cirque Du Luxe
Sept 3-6 | Times Varie
Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Rd, Burlington, KY 41005 · Purchase tickets here

📍Movie Night - Inside Out 2
September 11 | 5:00 pm
South Fork Park, 9200 S. Fork Park Dr.
For more information, contact the Administration Department at
859-647-8177

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Florence Y’alls…4
Lake Erie Crushers…6 Final

Boone County High School Rebels Football
8/28/26 @ St. Henry

LWS Open Disc Golf Pro Tour Comes to Burlington
The LWS Open Disc Golf Pro Tour lands at England Idlewild Park's disc golf course in Burlington, Friday, Sept. 4 through Sunday, Sept. 6. Top professional disc golfers from around the world will compete in one of the sport's premier events. Tickets are required — grab yours online before heading out. https://www.dgpt.com/event/2026-lws-open-at-idlewild/

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In 1975, Florence's water tower was supposed to say "Florence Mall." Mayor Hop Ewing had used it to advertise a shopping center that hadn't opened yet, and the Kentucky State Transportation Cabinet came calling with a warning: advertising a non-existent business was illegal, and fines were coming. Florence didn't have the money to pay up or repaint the whole tower. So Ewing grabbed a napkin, sketched out a fix, and a local painter did the rest for $500. Two vertical strokes of the "M" got painted over, an apostrophe went in, and "Florence Mall" became "Florence Y'all." His colleagues thought it was hokey. It became one of the most recognizable landmarks in Northern Kentucky, and eventually inspired the name of the city's own baseball team.