KENTUCKY — School districts consider their mask policies, work continues on the Sherman Minton Bridge and a popular festival returns in the Louisville area. Those are just some of the things happening this week in Kentucky.

Districts now have to set their mask policies before the end of the week. 

The Kentucky General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1, which eliminates the statewide school mask mandate. That means school districts have five business days to set their mask policies before that statewide mandate officially ends.

Fayette County Schools board members will be asked to consider universal masking at a meeting Monday evening. Board chair Tyler Murphy said, if passed, it would provide for the continuation of the existing requirement.

Some school districts, such as Jefferson County Public Schools, Estill County Schools, Boyle County Schools and Lincoln County schools, have already announced mask requirements will continue there. The Kentucky School Boards Association reported at least 25% of Kentucky school districts have already announced masks will continue to be required there.

The second full weekend directional closure of the Sherman Minton Bridge is scheduled for this weekend. 

Eastbound I-64 will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17 to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20. Project organizers say the full directional closures will allow crews to set a barrier wall, install temporary lane striping and construct the temporary pavement and crossovers for Phase 1 activities. 

During the eastbound I-64 closures, the I-64 eastbound entrance ramp from West Spring Street will be closed along with the I-64 eastbound to I-264 eastbound ramp. Drivers in Indiana on eastbound I-64 will be diverted to I-265. Local traffic will have access to the New Albany exit (5th Street/Spring Street). No traffic will be permitted east of the New Albany exit. 

While the directional closures are in place, the suggested alternate route will be I-265 to I-65. The ramp improvements constructed in recent weeks at the I-65/I-265 interchange and the I-64/I-265 interchange will provide additional lanes to accommodate increased traffic. 

As part of the maintenance of traffic approach for construction, the design-build contractor team is allowed three full weekend closures of the bridge per year in each direction and must provide a 28-day notice for the public to plan accordingly.

The Louisville Pride Festival and NuLu Fest were both scheduled to take place this weekend in Louisville. However, organizers of both canceled the events due to COVID-19 concerns. 

This marks the second year in a row that the Louisville Pride Festival was canceled. 

"At the Louisville Pride Foundation, pride in our community is at the heart of everything we do, and this includes concern for the health, welfare and safety of our Louisville family," the organization said on Twitter.

According to the foundation, roughly 20,000 people attended 2019's gathering.

NULU Fest is canceled for 2021, organizers announced last week. The street festival plans to return in September of 2022, however.

The event, which takes place in the 600, 700 and 800 blocks of East Market Street in downtown Louisville, typically features a children's activity area, booths, local food vendors and more.

NULU Business Association President Rick Murphy said, "Our festival is free and it typically draws a lot of families with children. We have no way to check for vaccination or COVID testing status."

“We hope everyone will continue to support our local businesses if it is safe for you to do so,” added Murphy. “They are an important part of our neighborhood and a vital part of our economy.”

The Gaslight Festival in Jeffersontown is running this weekend as planned. 

The festival already started, but some of the more notable events are still to come. 

There will be a 5K run/walk on Tuesday, a parade Thursday and the Balloon Glow is Friday.

You can find a full list of events on the Gaslight Festival website.