[♪♪] >> AND THEY ARE THINKING THOSE FUNDS THE 40,000 IS SOMETHING THAT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

>> Kelsey: WHAT FEMA WILL DO AND WON'T DO FOR KENTUCKY FLOOD VICTIMS.

>> MOST PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY GRATEFUL IN THIS SITUATION, THE WHOLE COMMUNITY DOES HAVE TO COME TOGETHER IN ORDER FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HELP EACH OTHER.

>> Kelsey: IT'S NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR CLEAN UP AFTER FLOODING IN FRANKFORT.

>> ONE OF MY FAFTD PARTS TO SEE THE SEEDLINGS POP OUT OF THE SOIL.

>> >> Kelsey: AND MEET YOUNG KENTUCKIANS WHO LOVE LIFE ON THE FARM.

PRODUCTION OF "KENTUCKY EDITION" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE KET MILLENNIUM FUND.

[♪♪] >> Kelsey: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR THIS TUESDAY, APRIL 15TH I'M KELSEY STARKS IN OUR LOUISVILLE STUDIO FILLING IN TONIGHT FOR RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

AS FLOOD CLEAN UP CONTINUES AROUND THE STATE AFTER STORMS AND FLOODS THAT BEGAN APRIL SECOND, KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SAYS IT BACKS GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR'S CALL FOR A FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION.

BOTH OF KENTUCKY'S U.S.

SENATORS AND SIX MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE SENT A LETTER TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ASKING FOR FEDERAL HELP IT NOTES DAMAGE TO HUNDREDS OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES, THE INFRASTRUCTURE THE WATER RESCUES AND THE NEED FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL.

WE HEARD PRACTICAL ADVICE ABOUT HANDLING FLOOD DAMAGE AND DEALING WITH FEMA LAST NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT".

OUR PANEL INCLUDED THE NATIONAL GUARD, STATE POLICE AND LAWMAKERS FROM THE AREAS HIT HARDEST BY THE FLOODS.

THEY HAD THOUGHTS WHAT FLOOD VICTIMS NEED TO DO AS THEY BEGIN THE CLEANUP PROCESS.

>> MY BEST PIECE OF ADVICE TAKE A LOT OF PICTURES.

ANYTIME YOU DEAL WITH FEMA OR INSURANCE COMPANIES, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING YOU CAN.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I'VE DONE THIS IN THE PAST I FELT MORE LIKE A PHOTOGRAPHER THAN ANYTHING BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DOCUMENT EVERYTHING SO EXTENSIVELY YOU HAVE TO JUSTIFY EVERYTHING EVENING SENSITIVELY THAT IS MY BEST PIECE OF ADVICE.

REACH OUT TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE ON IT.

Mr. GIBSON AND HIS TEAM THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH FROM A LOCAL LEVEL.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SMALL CITIES, SMALLER COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE THAT HAVE BEEN HIT HARD WITH THIS.

JUDGE EXECUTIVES MAYORS, REACH OUT.

BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE THEY DO THIS PROFESSIONALLY THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

>> THE PICTURES ARE GOOD WHAT WE USUALLY RECOMMEND FROM THE INSURANCE STAND POINT IS GO ROOM BY ROOM AND GET AN INVENTORY SEVERAL DOCUMENTS OUT THERE THAT ARE INVENTORY LISTS AND JUST SIT DOWN AND OR HAVE SOMEBODY DO IT FOR YOU.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE CAN'T PHYSICALLY GO PULL DRYWALL OUT OR RIP CARPET OUT THEY CAN LOOK AT THE PICTURES THEY HAVE AND WRITE DOWN EACH INDIVIDUAL ITEM THEY HAD AND GIVE AN ESTIMATE AND DO THOSE THINGS.

IT'S TEDIOUS PAPERWORK BUT IT'S NECESSARY.

WE DO THE SAME THING IN A FIRE OR SAME THING IN A TORNADO.

THAT YOU HAVE TO DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.

SO GO AHEAD AND GET ALL THE PICTURES AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE AFFECTED CAN DEAL WITH THE CLEANUP AND SOME FOLKS CAN COME IN AND HELP FILL OUT THE INVENTORY FORMS THROUGH THE PICTURES THAT WERE TAKEN.

GET SERIAL NUMBERS ON APPLIANCES BECAUSE GET TO GO OUT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

GETTING THE MUD OUT AND CLEANING UP AND THE DRYWALL BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT MOLD ISSUES TO START HAPPENING AND FURTHER DAMAGE THAT WILL MAKE THE HOUSE LONGER TO BE NOT BEING ABLE TO LIVE IN.

WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE'S ELECTRIC BACK ON.

THAT WAS SOMETHING WE HAD TO PULL METERS AND PEOPLE WERE GETTING SHOCKED FROM THE WATER BECAUSE THE ELECTRIC WASN'T TURNED OFF.

MAKE SURE THE ELECTRIC IS TURNED OFF AND INSPECTED BEFORE.

>> Kelsey: YOU HEARD FROM ERIKA HANCOCK OF FRANKFORT WHO IS ALSO IN THE INSURANCE BUSINESS AND ALSO LAST NIGHT WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT FLOOD VICTIMS SHOULD EXPECT FROM FEMA.

OUR PANEL SAID DON'T EXPECT FEMA TO COVER EVERYTHING.

>> INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE THERE IS A MAX GRANT ABOVE 43,000 SOME DOLLARS THAT IS ALL THAT ANY ONE INDIVIDUAL APPLICANT WILL RECEIVE AT MAX BENEFIT.

>> Renee: SAY THAT NUMBER AGAIN.

>> 43500.

>> Renee: PEOPLE MAYBE EXPECTING TO BE MADE WHOLE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT AND IT'S JUST NOT THERE.

THE PROGRAMS ARE NOT THAT WAY.

THERE'S THE INITIAL DOLLARS BUT THERE IS A MAX AWARD FROM FEMA AND THAT'S IT.

WE TALK ABOUT THAT AND PEOPLE INSURED, YOU KNOW, THEY MAY HAVE LOSSES AS WELL.

AND JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE INSURED DOESN'T MEAN THEY ARE INELIGIBLE FOR OTHER THINGS BECAUSE THEY MAY HAVE ITEMS UNCOVERED BY THE INSURANCE POLICY THAT COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEMA INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE.

WE ENCOURAGE THOSE TO APPLY AND IF THEY HAVE THINGS FALL THROUGH THE GAPS ON INSURANCE COVERAGE THERE COULD BE COVERAGE.

THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A FEMA PROCESS THAT HELPS DETERMINE THAT NOT MY PROCESS BUT THE PROCESS ITSELF.

>> I'VE EXPLAINED THIS TO MY INSUREDS WE ARE GOING TO WORK SEVERITY ONES FIRST THE SAME WAY FEMA WORKS IN THIS CASE.

AND SEVERITY ONES IS DISPLACED FAMILIES.

WE CAN'T KICK PEOPLE ON THE STREET.

I WOULD ASSUME THOSE FUNDS COMING, AS DISHEARTENING AS IT IS IT'S NOT GOING TO REPLACE A BICK, IT'S NOT GOING TO REPLACE THE CONTENTS THAT ARE SAD THAT WE'VE LOST THEM BUT WE HAVE TO GO ON TAKE CARE OF HOUSING FIRST.

SO I DO WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THAT THOSE FIRST SET OF CHECKS, PEOPLE GET FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THEY ARE BETWEEN $100 AND $500 THINKING THE 40,000 IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO ACTUALLY HAPPEN.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

WE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT.

I THINK THAT'S WHY WE SETUP THE COMMUNITY FUNDS, DO BENEFIT CONCERTS THE TEAM KENTUCKY FUND THAT'S HELPED IN THE PAST WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT FEMA IT'S PRIORITY ONES WHICH IS YOUR HOUSING.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BECOME HOMELESS.

>> Kelsey: IT WAS ANION SIGHTFUL DISCUSSION AND YOU CAN WATCH "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" ON KET.ORG.

DEBRIS REMOVAL IS 75% COMPLETE AT BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY IN FRANKFORT.

LAST WEEK, THE RISING KENTUCKY RIVER COVERED MOST OF THAT FACILITY FORCE TO GO TO CLOSE DOWN FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.

BOURBON BARREL INSPECTIONS BEGAN LAST THURSDAY.

SHIPMENTS ARE UNDERWAY AND WLKYTV REPORTS THE DISTILLERY REOPENED TO VISITORS MONDAY.

TOURS AND WALK UP VISITS HAVE NOT RESUMED YET.

FOR NOW PEOPLE NEED TO MAKE ON-LINE RESERVATIONS WHICH WILL BE OFFERED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVE BASIS.

HISTORIC FLOODING IN LOUISVILLE WILL NOT STOP THE KENTUCKY DERBY OR THE FESTIVITIES.

FLOODING DID FORCE THE CITY TO CANCEL THE FIREWORKS SHOW THAT KICKS OFF DERBY SEASON BUT LOUISVILLE'S MAYOR SAYS THE KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL IS NOW BACK ON TRACK.

>> WE HAVE SOME MAJOR EVENTS COMING UP WITH THE KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL AT WATERFRONT PARK STARTING THIS WEEK WITH THE PERFORM NC AN AMAZING BIKE RACE AND I'M THRILLED TO REPORT THAT THAT EVENT ALONG WITH THE OTHER KENTUCKY GEARBY FESTIVAL EVENTS WILL BE GOING ON AS PLANNED AS SCHEDULED.

THANKS TO THIS AMAZING RECOVERY EFFORT.

ON FRIDAY, I COMMITTED TO THE CITY THAT WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE LOUISVILLE IS AS CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL AS EVER IN TIME FOR THE KENTUCKY DERBY.

AND I'M PROUD TO REPORT THAT WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS THAT GOAL.

THAT OUR CITY IS GOING TO BE AS CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL AS EVER FOR THE KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL EVENTS AND THE 151ST RUNNING OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY.

LAST TIME OUR CITY EXPERIENCED A FLOODING OF THIS MAGNITUDE IT TOOK SIX WEEKS FOR THE CLEANUP TO HAPPEN.

WE ARE GOING TO BREAK THAT TIME BY A SIGNIFICANT MARGIN.

THANKS TO THE INCREDIBLE WORK BY SO MANY PEOPLE.

WE ARE WELL AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

OVER THE PAST THREE DAYS, OUR CREWS HAVE WORKED ALONG RIVER ROAD FROM DOWNTOWN EAST OF DOWNTOWN AND IN THE FAR SOUTHWEST CORNER OF OUR CITY.

I'M PROUD TO REPORT THAT RIVER ROAD IS NOW REOPENED FROM WITHERSPOON DOWNTOWN ALL THE WAY EAST TO ZORN AVENUE.

WE'VE ALSO REOPENED ALL OF THE RAMPS FOR ZORN AVENUE FROM I71.

>> I'M JUST HERE TO THANK THE MAYOR AND HIS WHOLE TEAM AND ALL THE VOLUNTEERS THAT HAVE BEEN SHOWING UP THAT GAVE ME A GOOD BRIEFING BEFORE COMING OUT HERE.

IT'S BEEN A REMARKABLE TEAM EFFORT TO GET KENTUCKY READY FOR THE DERBY.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE VOLUNTEERS AND ALL THE OUTSTANDING WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE.

>> WE ALSO WANT TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON IMPACTED RESIDENTS.

THIS FLOOD DID MORE THAN JUST DAMAGE PROPERTY AND ROADS AND PARKS THAT WE'RE CLEANING UP FROM.

IT IMPACTED PEOPLE'S LIVES, BUSINESSES AND HOMES.

WE BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ABOUT 1200 HOMES AND BUSINESSES ACROSS THE CITY THAT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THIS COMBINATION OF STORMS THAT WE SUFFERED.

WE'RE VERY FOCUSED RIGHT NOW ON HOMES ON HERROD'S CREEK, THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY EROSION ALONG HERROD'S CREEK IN THE PROSPECT AREA.

OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WHO HAVE BEEN NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE STORMS AND THE FLOOD.

WE'RE THANKFUL THAT NO ONE SUFFERED A SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE AS A RESULT OF THIS SEVERE WEATHER.

AND WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN THEIR RECOVERY.

>> Kelsey: MAYOR GREENBERG SAYS DEPLOYING CREWS AND FUNDS BEFORE FLOODING STARTED WILL HELP LEAD TO A SPEEDY RECOVERY.

HE EXPECTS FEMA TO COME THROUGH TO REIMBURSE MUCH OF THAT CITY'S SPENDING.

FRANKFORT WAS ANOTHER CITY DEVASTATED BY THE FLOODING AS THE KENTUCKY RIVER CRESTED TO NEAR HISTORIC HEIGHTS COVERING HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN WATER, MUD AND DEBRIS.

SOME HOMEOWNERS ARE BEGINNING THE CLEANUP PROCESS WITH HELP FROM A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE ROLLING UP THEIR SLEEVES TO CLEAR OUT THE MESS THAT FLOOD LEFT BEHIND.

>> THE GLOBE PROJECT WAS SETUP TO HONOR MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN LEXINGTON IN DECEMBER OF 2022.

OUR WHOLE GOAL IS TO BRING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT INVOLVES OUR YOUTH AND A LOT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOMES AROUND HERE HAVE CHILDREN IN THEM.

AND OUR GOAL IS TO HELP SOLIDIFY AND PUT A COMMUNITY AROUND OUR YOUTH IN PARTICULAR.

GLOW AND GROW IS A FAMILY OWNED ORGANIZATION REMOVAL COMPANY THEY ARE PARTNERING WITH THE GLOBE PROJECT IN THIS SITUATION TO REACH THE COMMUNITY.

>> AS SOON AS WE GOT WORD OF THE FLOODING AND ALL OF THE DAMAGE, WE MADE IT A POINT TO PARTNER WITH THE GLOBE PROJECT AND START DOING VOLUNTEER SERVICES AND CLEAN OUT AND TAKE DONATIONS AT OUR MAIN STREET OFFICE LOCATION BASICALLY AS SOON AS WE COULD.

>> WE'RE BRINGING IN VOLUNTEERS AND THEN GLOW AND GROW IS DONATING SOME OF OUR HOURS TO HELP THE COMMUNITY WITH CLEAN UP EFFORTS.

>> IT'S BEEN AN ALL HANDS ON DECK.

WE ALL CALLED EVERYONE WE KNEW WE GOT THIS GOING ON CAN YOU STOP YOUR OTHER JOBS AND HELP US HERE.

AND WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL GROUP OF GUYS AND GALS ARE GIVING THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO COME DOWN AND PUT EVERYTHING ELSE ON HOLD.

>> SO MANY PEOPLE ON THIS ROAD ARE EXPERIENCING MUCH WORSE THAN I AM.

I RECOGNIZE THAT IMMEDIATELY.

AND I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT SOME OF MY NEIGHBORS ARE GOING THROUGH.

I WAS 10 FEET UNDER AS WELL.

>> CARROLL AND I HAVE BEEN FRIENDS FOR YEARS AND THIS IS GOING TO BE OUR SECOND MAJOR FLOOD THAT WE'VE HELPED HER WITH CLEANING UP AND GETTING EVERYTHING DONE.

I WILL TELL YOU THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST CATASTROPHIC ONE I HAVE SEEN SINCE I'VE LIVED HERE.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE HOUSES GO THIS FAR UNDER WATERED.

ALMOST EVERYONE AHOMES THE METERS WERE CONDEMNED.

WE'RE WORKING HARD TO GET POWER BACK WE HAVE ELECTRICAL COMPANIES GET POLES SO EVERYBODY CAN RUN FANS AND WE HAVE THE GUYS FROM THE HVAC COMPANIES BLEEDING DOWN THE SYSTEM.

>> WE'VE HELPED PEOPLE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD HERE LIKE FOUR OTHER PLACES BESIDES OUR HOME HERE.

AND WE HAVE TWO CREWS OUT ALREADY TODAY, ONE IN THE DIFFERENT AREA OF TOWN AND ONE UP THE STREET.

>> WE SAW IT COMING BECAUSE OF WEATHER FORECASTS AND RIVER LEVEL FORECASTS.

SO WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE OUT AS MUCH AS WE CAO.

AND THEN WHEN IT KEPT GETTING HIGHER AND HIGHER WE DECIDED TO EVACUATE.

MOST EVERYONE DID EVACUATE.

THERE ARE SOME WHO TRIED NOT TO AND REALIZED THEY HAD TO GET OUT.

SO, AGAIN, THE NEIGHBORS GOT TOGETHER THE ONES WHO WERE HERE WITH BOATS AND MADE RESCUES AS DID THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

WHEN THE WATER GOT EVEN HIGHER THAN PREDICTED WE WERE AS WELL PREPARED AS WE COULD HAVE BEEN.

MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS HAVE IT MUCH WORSE THAN I HAD.

I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING.

MOST PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY GRATEFUL IN THIS SITUATION, THE WHOLE COMMUNITY DOES HAVE TO GATHER IN ORDER FOR US TO HELP EACH OTHER.

I THINK EVERYBODY SO DEVASTATED RIGHT NOW THAT GIVEN SOMEONE A BOTTLE OF WATER WHEN THEY ARE HOT IS ENOUGH TO SHOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE.

SO I MEAN, I THINK THE COMMUNITY HAS COME TOGETHER GREAT.

>> WE'VE BUILT TOGETHER AND GONE THROUGH A NUMBER OF FLOODS TOGETHER.

MOST PEOPLE ARE PLANNING TO CONTINUE TO REBUILD.

>> Kelsey: THE CLEANUP PROCESS IS EXPECTED TO GO ON FOR MORE THAN A MONTH.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES YOU CAN GO TO GO LIGHT OUR WORLD PROJECT.ORG.

LAST WEEK, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SIGNED SEVERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS HE SAYS WILL HELP THE COAL INDUSTRY INCLUDING ORDERS TO SAVE COAL PLANTS ON THE VERGE OF RETIREMENT.

KENTUCKY'S SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS WAS THERE FOR THE SIGNING AND TALKED ABOUT IT THIS MORNING.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID AT THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNING WAS THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO EXTEND THIS WELL BEYOND HIS ADMINISTRATION.

SO YOU DON'T GET INTO THIS WHIPSAW TYPE OF BACK AND FORTH DEPENDING WHO IS THERE AND WHO'S NOT.

FOR THE PURPOSE OF HAVING CONTINUITY AND KNOWING THE LAND SCAPE OF THE ENERGY INDUSTRY FOR 10 AND 12 AND 15 YEARS.

THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE IN THIS NATION SOME OF OUR THOUGHT PROCESS ABOUT ENERGY, PRODUCTION AND DISPATCHABILITY AND RELITY.

THIS IS THE CHEAPEST MOST RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE DISPATCHABLE ENERGY SOURCE WE HAVE ALONG WITH DEVELOPING RESOURCES AND ASSETS IN THE NUCLEAR REALM.

I THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE SKILLS AND TRADES THAT THEY WILL OBTAIN, AND KNOWING THAT THERE IS STABILITY IN THE INDUSTRY, HOPEFULLY NOR 10, 15 AND 20 YEARS AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THE PRESIDENT MADE CLEAR.

HE WANTS TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

I THINK WHEN PEOPLE SEE THAT AS A CAREER PATH THEY WILL TAKE IT.

I'LL SAY FROM MY PERSPECTIVE I THOUGHT TARIFFS ON MEXICO AND CANADA, BUT HE USED THE TARIFF AS A TOOL TO GET MORE BORDER CONTROL ON OUR TWO NORTH AND SOUTH BORDERS.

WHICH SHUT DOWN THE PIPELINE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND WHAT I WOULD CALL BOOTLEG PRODUCTS.

BOTH OF THESE, I THINK, ARE VERY GOOD RESULTS FOR THE UNITED STATES.

SO AM I A LITTLE LEARY WITHOUT A DOUBT.

BUT IS HE CONVENTIONAL?

NO.

BUT HE HAS GOTTEN SOME RESULTS THAT NOBODY THOUGHT ABOUT IF YOU ARE NOT BUYING A FOREIGN PRODUCT, THEN YOU ARE NOT BEING IMPACTED BY THE TARIFFS.

SO IF IT'S DOMESTICALLY DONE, WITH DOMESTICALLY PRODUCED ENERGY, THEN IT COULD LEAD TO A CIRCUMSTANCE OF THE 20s, 30s, 40s AND THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION BECOMING A NEW INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.

>> Kelsey: THE ENERGY INFORMATION INFORMATION COAL BURNING POWER PLANTS GENERATE LESS THAN 20% OF THE ELECTRICITY IN THE U.S.

SENATOR STIVERS IS PRAISING KENTUCKY AND REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS THE NEW RICH STATES POOR STATES REPORT SHOWS KENTUCKY RANKED 27TH IN ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG THE 50 STATES.

KENTUCKY WAS 44TH IN 2008.

IN A STATEMENT SENATOR STIVERS SAID QUOTE LET'S BE CLEAR THIS IS NOT THE RUT OF FEDERAL HAND OUTS OR TEMPORARY TRENDS.

THIS IS A DIRECT OUTCOME OF THE POLICIES WE'VE CHAMPIONED AND THE PRIORITIES WE'VE CODIFIED IN LAW.

WE'VE MADE KENTUCKY A PLACE WHERE BUSINESSES WANT TO GROW AND FAMILIES WANT TO STAY UNQUOTE.

>>> SENATOR STIVERS ALSO SPOKE TODAY DURING THE CEREMONIAL SWEARING IN OF THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT'S NEW CHIEF JUSTICE.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR WAS ALSO ON HAND TO MARK THE HISTORIC OCCASION.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR, CHIEF JUSTICE ELECT LAMBERT WAS CHOSEN TO LEAD THIS INSTITUTION AND TODAY WE ARE WITNESS TO HISTORY AS SHE IS TO BE INSTALLED AS THE FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD OUR COMMONWEALTH'S HIGHEST COURT.

>> Kelsey: CHIEF JUSTICE DEBRA HEMBREE LAMBERT WAS ELECTED IN 2018 THE FIRST CHAIR OF THE KENTUCKY JUDICIAL COMMISSION ON MENTAL HEALTH FOCUSED ON IMPROVING JUDICIAL RESPONSE TO CASES INVOLVING MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.

DURING THE CEREMONY SHE SHARED A BIT ABOUT HER UP COMING AND INCLUDING HER CHILDHOOD IN BELL COUNTY.

>> WHEN YOU GROW UP MODESTLY YOU DEVELOP A STRONG SINCE FOR THE NEED OF A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AND FOR EVERYONE TO BE HEARD.

THOSE CONCEPTS ARE FOUNDATIONAL IN MY VIEW AND I HOPE YOU WILL BE SATISFIED WITH MY WORK AS CHIEF JUSTICE.

YOU ARE MY PEOPLE.

AND FOLLOWING THE RULE OF LAW DOES GIVE ME JOY AND MAKES ME FEARLESS ABOUT WHAT LIES AHEAD.

I HOPE TO SERVE YOU WELL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONFIDENCE IN MY HUMBLE SERVICE.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> Kelsey: ANOTHER NEW FACE ON THE COURT IS JUSTICE PAMELA GOODWINE, THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO SERVE ON THE SUPREME COURT.

HER SWEARING IN IS LATER THIS WEEK.

[♪♪] A STATE LAWMAKER HAS ANOTHER PRIMARY OPPONENT IN 2026 AND KENTUCKY IS GETTING A NEW DIRECTOR FOR THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS.

OUR TOBY GIBBS TELLS US MORE IN OR TUESDAY LOOK AT HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.

[♪♪] STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL GROSS BERG A DEMOCRAT FROM LOUISVILLE'S 30TH DISTRICT HAS ANOTHER CHALLENGER.

THE KENTUCKY LANTERN SAYS HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER CASSY LYLES PLANS TO RUN HAD IN 2026.

MAX MORLEY A FORMER TEACHER AND DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL ADVISER IS ALSO RUNNING.

GROSS BURLING IS ACCUSED OF INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR TOWARD WOMEN HE DENIES THE ALLEGATIONS.

>>> GOVERNOR BESHEAR APPOINTED CANNON ARMSTRONG AS THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS.

ARMSTRONG WILL REPLACE FLYNN.

THE CLINTON COUNTY NEWS REPORTS ARMSTRONG AN ALBANY NATIVE IS AN ATTORNEY WITH PAST EXPERIENCE AS KENTUCKY COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHARITABLE GAMING.

HE IS ALSO WORKED IN THE PUBLIC PROTECTION CABINET, THE LABOR CABINET, THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKERS CLAIMS AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

>>> DANVILLE IS WINNING PRAISE FOR THE DOWNTOWN STREETS SCAPE PROJECT.

THE ADVOCATE MESSENGER SAYS DANVILLE AND THE DESIGN FIRM GRESHAM SMITH WERE RECOGNIZED DURING THE ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AWARDS ON MARCH 27 FOR THE PROJECT'S DESIGN.

STARTING IN 2023, DANVILLE AND GRESHAM SMITH WORKED ON LIGHTING, WIDER SIDEWALKS AND SHORTER CROSSWALKS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA ALL TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND SOCIAL EVENTS.

>>> WITH HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY, I'M TOBY GIBBS.

[♪♪] >> Kelsey: THE AVERAGE AGE OF THE AMERICAN FARMER HAS BEEN GOING UP SINCE THE 1970s.

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S 2022 FARM CENSUS PUTS THAT AGE NORTH OF 58 YEARS OLD.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FOLKS WHO DECIDED TO STAY ON THE FARM?

WHAT ABOUT THE YOUNG FARMERS WHO ARE BUCKING THIS TREND?

OUR FRIENDS AT KENTUCKY LIFE CAUGHT UP WITH TWO OF THEM AND THEIR STORIES OFFER FRESH INSIGHTS INTO THE FUTURE OF FARMING.

>> WHATEVER IS IN THE TEENS IN JANUARY AND YOU ARE FEEDING CATTLE OR IF IT'S MAY AND YOU HAVE 100 ACRES OF HAY AND IT'S FIXING TO RAIN THE MOST PRESSURE AND THE MOST TOUGH I THRIVE AND I LOVE IT THE BEST.

>> I REALLY ENJOY WATCHING PLANTS SPROUT FROM SEED.

SO THE SEEDING PROCESS IS TEDIOUS AND SOMETIMES MONTH NOT NEWS BUT I LOVE TO SEE THE SEEDLINGS POP OUT OF THE SOIL.

>> A LOT OF OUR YOUNGER FARMERS THEY ARE ABLE TO FARM BECAUSE THEY HAVE A WAY IN.

THEIR FATHER OR UNCLE OR GRANDFATHER HAS FARMED AND THEY ARE ABLE TO BUY INTO THAT FARM.

>> MY FATHER WAS A COAL MINER.

MY GRANDFATHER WAS A COAL MINER AND I'M THE FIRST ONE NOT TO BE.

MY FATHER ALWAYS HAD CATTLE, WE HAD A LARGE DEAL OF HOGS AT ONE TIME.

THIS IS HOW I GREW UP.

THIS IS HOME TO ME.

>> FOR ME, FARMING RUNS IN MY BLOOD.

SO I COME FROM A LONG HISTORY OF FARMERS.

I'M ACTUALLY THE SIXTH GENERATION TO CALL THIS PLACE HOME.

IT'S MANTS A LOT TO ME.

IT'S SHAPED ME INTO THE PERSON I AM TODAY.

>> WHEN I WAS SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS OLD I BOUGHT WITH MY OWN MONEY, TWO LITTLE FEEDER PIGS I THINK I PAID $40 FOR BOTH OF THEM.

FROM A YOUNG AGE I LEARNED HOW TO NOT ONLY CARE FOR THE ANIMALS AND WATCH THEM AND SEE WHAT THINGS THEY NEED AND WHAT IT TOOK TO MAKE THEM GROW AND TURN INTO MONEY.

>> I FIRST STARTED WITH THE GREENHOUSING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I TOOK A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN HOME GARDENING AND RAISING VEGETABLE SLIPS AND IT WAS ABOUT THAT TIME I BUILT MY FIRST GREENHOUSE AND IT WAS A SMALL SIX FOOT BY EIGHT FOOT PVC FRAME.

I FOUND SUCCESS FROM THAT AND I LOOKED AT THIS AS MORE OF A BUSINESS VENTURE.

I THOUGHT I MIGHT COULD MAKE MONEY AT THIS KIND OF THING.

>> IN THE PAST, TOBACCO WAS THE ENTRANCE FOR YOUNG FARMERS TO GET INTO FARMING OR AGRICULTURE.

THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE AND WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THAT ANYMORE.

>> I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE FARMS DIVERSIFY AND GROW, BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND TO BRING ANOTHER GENERATION INTO THAT.

>> WE WERE JUST LOOKING FOR ANOTHER AVENUE TO PRODUCE A LITTLE INCOME.

NOT EVERYBODY CAN AFFORD OR HAS THE FREEZER SPACE OR WHAT HAVE YOU TO BUY A WHOLE BEEF.

SOMEBODY MAY WANT TO COME BY FIVE POUNDS OF GROUND BEEF FROM YOU AND KNOW WHERE THEIR FOOD IS COMING FROM.

>> IN ADDITION TO SELLING FREEZER BEEF RUSS OWL TEAMED UP WITH THE COOPERATIVE AGENT TO MAKE HIS OPERATION AS EFFICIENT AND PROFITABLE AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE HAVE RESEARCHED BASED INFORMATION THAT WE CAN SHARE WITH THEM AND HELP THEM BE ABLE TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS.

>> THE PROGRAM WE HAVE BEEN DOING WITH U.K. AG IS BACK TO BASICS WE'RE COMING BACK TO THE BASIC FUNDAMENTALS HOW TO MAKE A CATTLE OPERATION BE SUCCESSFUL.

SOMETIMES YOU GET INTO THE HABIT OF DOING THINGS BECAUSE GRANDDAD DID THEM OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

SO YOU HAVE TO BE OPEN TO NEW IDEAS THEN YOU HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE BASIC FORMULA WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE THIS KEEP GOING.

[♪♪] >> YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT FORMULA AND SEE THE ENTIRE EPISODE AT KET.ORG/KENTUCKY LIFE.

MORE AMERICANS NEED HELP PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE.

>> MARCH OF THIS YEAR, IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THE PRIOR 12 MONTHS, WE DISTRIBUTED 42 MILLION MEALS.

>> Kelsey: WITH THAT BIGGER DEMAND GOD'S PANTRY FOOD BANK EXPANDED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HUNGRY KENTUCKIANS WE WILL TAKE YOU TO THE NEW FACILITY IN LEXINGTON TOMORROW HERE ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

WE DO HOPE YOU WILL JOIN YOU TOMORROW NIGHT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS AND WATCH FULL EPISODES AND CLIPS AT KET.ORG AND YOU CAN FIND "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THE PBS VIDEO APP AND YOU CAN SEND A STORY IDEA AT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG.

AND YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, X AND INSTAGRAM TO STAY IN THE LOOP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.