radioNOVO News for Bowling Green: May 21, 2026

RNN BOWLING GREEN 05/21/26          ALL FOUR INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN JUDGE-EXECUTIVES IN THE REGION CRUISED TO REELECTION DURING TUESDAY'S PRIMARY, ESSENTIALLY SECURING THEIR SEATS FOR ANOTHER TERM SINCE NO DEMOCRATS FILED FOR THE OFFICES.           DENNIS HARPER WON IN ALLEN COUNTY, JAMIE BEWLEY BYRD SECURED A SECOND TERM IN BARREN COUNTY, AND TIM FLENER DOMINATED IN BUTLER COUNTY WITH 76-SEVENTY-SIX PERCENT OF THE VOTE. MEANWHILE, MASON BARNES SURVIVED THE NIGHT'S CLOSEST RACE IN SIMPSON COUNTY, HOLDING OFF A PRIMARY CHALLENGER BY JUST OVER TWO HUNDRED VOTES.          THE BOWLING GREEN COMMUNITY GATHERED WEDNESDAY TO OFFICIALLY DEDICATE THE BARREN RIVER BRIDGE IN HONOR OF LATE LOCAL DEVELOPER AND CIVIC PHILANTHROPIST, MIKE MURPHY. FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND CITY OFFICIALS SHARED STORIES OF THE CONSTRUCTION EXECUTIVE'S IMMENSE COMMUNITY IMPACT FOLLOWING HIS PASSING LAST DECEMBER. THE TOUCHING DEDICATION EVEN FEATURED A LIGHTHEARTED MOMENT OF LAUGHTER WHEN THE MEMORIAL SIGN WAS ACCIDENTALLY UNVEILED UPSIDE DOWN—A MISHAP HIS DAUGHTER JOKINGLY CALLED "MURPHY’S LAW."