[♪♪] >> I WENT THROUGH THE '97 FLOOD BUT BEING IN THIS POSITION HERE IS A LOT DIFFERENT.

>> Renee: WHAT FRANKFORT FACES AFTER THE WORST FLOODING IN DECADES.

>> IT WILL GIVE US THE CAPACITY TO ANTICIPATE THE NEXT 10 MILLION MEALS THAT ARE GOING TO BE NEEDED.

>> Renee: GOD'S PANTRY EXPANDS AND THAT MEANS MORE MEALS FOR HUNGRY KENTUCKIANS.

>> PEOPLE WHO ARE ON DEATH ROW ARE VERY MUCH INVISIBLE.

>> Renee: BUT THEIR WORK IS BEING SEEN.

SEE ART MADE BEHIND BARS.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THIS WEDNESDAY, APRIL THE 16TH, I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE THANK YOU FOR WINDING DOWN YOUR WEDNESDAY WITH US.

>>> THE STATE IS TRANSITIONING FROM RESCUE TO RECOVERY EFFORTS IN THE WAKE OF DAMAGING FLOODS.

THE OHIO RIVER AND OWENSBORO CRESTED AT 47.5 FEET THE HIGHEST SINCE MARCH OF 1997.

OUR LAURA ROGERS BRINGS US MORE FROM WESTERN KENTUCKY.

>> WE EXPECTED A BIG FLOOD.

>> THOSE EXPECTATIONS CAME TRUE.

HERE IN THE STANLEY COMMUNITY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.

>> WE STARTED TO SANDBAG AND PUT A DIKE AROUND OUR SHOPS.

>> HE NOW FARMS 2500 ACRES OF CORN AND SOYBEANS.

>> THE GREEN AND OHIO MEET HERE ON THE HIGHWAY.

>> HE SAYS IT'S BEEN CLOSE TO THREE DECADES SINCE HE HAS SEEN THE RIVERS THIS HIGH.

>> IN '97 IT WAS ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME THIS WAS FOUR INCHES HIGHER.

>> NEIGHBORING McCLAIN COUNTY GOT IT WORSE.

SO WE WENT TO SEE FOR OURSELVES.

>> WE ARE SADLY HAVE EXPERIENCING SOMETHING WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE LIKES OF SINCE NOON 50.

>> OCCURSTIES DAY ESTIMATES HALF HIS COUNTY IS UNDERWATER.

>> WE ALWAYS KNEW WE COULD SURVIVE A HEAVY DOWNPOUR WE HAD THE CAPACITY BUT WHEN OUR NEIGHBORS UPSTREAM WERE TO RECEIVE HEAVY RAINFALL EVENTS THAT SPELLS SAD SITUATIONS FOR McCLAIN COUNTY.

>> THEY'VE ENLISTED THE HELP LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES WHO ASSISTED IN WATER RESCUES AND DELIVERING FOOD AND MEDICINE TO PEOPLE SHELTERING IN PLACE.

>> THE LOGISTICS OF EMERGENCY SERVICES BECOMES A CHALLENGE WHEN YOUR COUNTY IS CUT IN HALF.

>> WITH 75% OF COUNTY ROADS UNDERWATER, THE KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD HAS BEEN A CRUCIAL RESOURCE.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN A GOD SEND AND WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME THROUGH THIS WITHOUT FATALITIES WITHOUT THEIR HELP.

>> 200-400 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED A SHELTER IS SETUP AT A CHURCH IN THE CENTER OF TOWN.

>> WE WANTED TO HELP THE PEOPLE WHO NEEDED FOOD AND WATER.

>> ALEXIS AND HER BROTHER OPERATE A FOOD TRUCK THIS WEEK THEY ARE GIVING FREE MEALS TO FIRST-RESPONDERS, VOLUNTEERS AND PEOPLE IN NEED.

>> PORK CHOPS, CHICKEN, HAM BUSKERRERS AND HOT DOGS.

>> THEY LIVE IN HOPKINS COUNTY.

>> NORMALLY IT IS A 20-MINUTE DRIVE NOW IT IS AN HOUR DRIVE TO GET PAST THE WATER.

>> IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM RIGHT NOW.

>> YOU ARE NOT IMPACTED BY THE FLOODWATERS YOU ARE ECONOMICALLY IMPACTED BECAUSE IT'S ADDED TIME TO THE COMMUTE.

>> HE SAYS THE COUNTY CONNECTS THE WESTERN AND NORTH WRN PARTS OF THE STATE.

THE ROUTES CURRENTLY CLOSED.

>> IT'S HAVING A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR BUSINESSES WE WERE USED TO THE 5700 CARS COMING THROUGH CALHOUN.

>> THE RIVER WILL TAKE A WHILE TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE AND IMPACT.

>> WE'VE LOST A LOT OF PROPERTY.

WE'LL FIX THAT.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE HAPPY AND HEALTHY, YOU COULD SAY BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT LOST ANYBODY.

>> AS OF RIGHT NOW WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALMOST HALF DONE WITH CORN AND BEANS.

>> FOR FARMS LIKE DENNY GRANT THE WATER AND STANDING WATER DELAYED SPRING PLANTING, CONCERNS HE HAS WEATHERED BEFORE.

>> YOU TAKE STRESS THROUGH THE YEARS AND YOU LEARN TO LIVE AND DEAL WITH IT IT DEPENDS ON GOD AND THE WEATHER.

>> FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M LAURA ROGERS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU SO MUCH, LAURA.

FRANKFORT WAS HIT HARD BY THE FLOODS AS THE KENTUCKY RIVER ROSE TO 45 FEET BEFORE IT BEGAN TO RECEDE.

AND A CHILD IN FRANKLIN COUNTY DIED AFTER BEING SWEPT AWAY BY HIGH WATER.

MONDAY NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" FRANKLIN COUNTY JUDGE-EXECUTIVE MICHAEL MUELLER TALKED ABOUT HOW THE FLOOD AFFECTED KENTUCKY'S CAPITAL CITY.

>> IT'S BEEN A LONG, LONG HARD ROAD.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE OVER 514 HOMES TOUCHED WITH DAMAGES.

SOME MINOR, SOME TOTAL LOSSES.

WE DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBERS QUITE YET.

SO WE ARE IN THE PHASE NOW I'M VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT FRANKFORT HAS COME TOGETHER CITY AND COUNTY WORKED AMAZINGLY.

I WANT TO THANK THE GOVERNOR AND ALL HIS RESOURCES HE HAS GIVEN TO US.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN THE CLEANUP PROCESS AND A LOT OF SHOCK.

WE HAVE PEOPLE IN HOTELS AND THINGS IN PLACE.

EVERYBODY HAS A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD.

CAN'T THANK THE STATE FOR REACHING OUT.

WE'VE HAD FOOD VENDORS AND EVERYONE'S BEING TAKEN CARE OF EVEN OUR FIRST-RESPONDERS AND OUR ROAD CREWS.

RIGHT NOW PEOPLE ARE BACK TO THEIR HOMES.

THEY ARE STARTING TO DIG OUT.

THEY ARE FIGURING OUT WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.

THERE'S SOME IN THE COUNTY THAT WE'VE CONDEMNED SIX HOUSES.

AND I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THAT MEANS TO THOSE PEOPLE.

WHERE WE'VE HAD LANDSLIDES INTO THE RIVER.

DOWNTOWN, THERE'S AREAS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN HIT AND PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ONE OF THE GENTLEMAN SAID, IF YOU LIVE IN A FLOOD PLAIN YOU CAN'T HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE.

PEOPLE PAID THEIR HOMES OFF AND NOW THEY ARE DESTROYED.

>> Renee: YOU CAN SEE MORE OF THAT HOUR LONG PROGRAM INCLUDING ADVICE DEALING WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES AND FEMA THAT PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE ON-LINE, ON DEMAND AT KET.ORG/KY TONIGHT.

>> IN OTHER NEWS LOUISVILLE HAS A NEW PLAN TO REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME IN THE CITY.

TODAY, MAYOR CRAIG GREENBERG ANNOUNCED SAFE LOUISVILLE, A PLAN HE SAYS WILL ADDRESS COMMUNITY SAFETY THROUGH PREVENTION, INTERVENTION AND ENFORCEMENT.

THE GOALS: IMPROVE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF SAFETY, CREATE SAFER CONDITIONS IN EVERY COMMUNITY AND REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME IN THE CITY BY 15% EACH YEAR OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

SAFE LOUISVILLE IS DESIGNED TO COMPLIMENT THE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT'S CRIME REDUCTION STRATEGIC PLAN RELEASEDDERRER THIS YEAR -- EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> THIS GIVES US A PLAN ON PAPER THAT SUPPLEMENTS THE PLAN THAT LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE PUT OUT.

WE ARE PART OF THIS.

IT IS GREAT FOR OFFICERS TO UNDERSTAND THE ENTIRE GOVERNMENT BODY IS DEDICATED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY IN BEING SAFE.

THAT THIS IS NOT A POLICE MISSION ALONE.

POLICE CANNOT BE THE ONLY ONES THAT ARE OUT HERE KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE AND HELPING PEOPLE THRIVE.

THIS IS ABOUT EMBRACING THE HOLISTIC PERSON, ABOUT EMBRACING COMMUNITY, THIS IS ABOUT EMBRACING PARTNERSHIP.

THIS PLAN IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO EXPLAIN TO YOU, THE COMMUNITY, HOW WE CAN SERVE YOU AND GIVE YOU OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE US FEEDBACK HOW TO DO THAT BETTER AND THEN EXPLAIN TO YOU WHAT WE'RE ACCOMPLISHING ALONG THE WAY.

SO THAT YOU CAN HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE TO THE MISSION THAT WE'VE SET FORTH OF KEEPING YOU SAFE, AND MAKING LOUISVILLE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.

>> Renee: IT WAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE OFFICE FOR SAFE AND HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS WILL NOW BECOME THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

ITS MISSION WILL BE TO SUPPORT THE NEW SAFE LOUISVILLE PLAN.

>>> LEXINGTON MAYOR LINDA GORTON IS PROPOSING A HALF BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET FOR KENTUCKY'S SECOND LARGEST CITY.

YESTERDAY, SHE UNVEILED A PLAN TO SPEND $539 MILLION DURING THE 2025-26 FISCAL YEAR.

IT INCLUDES A 3% PAY INCREASE FOR NONUNION CITY EMPLOYEES MORE THAN $3 MILLION FOR NEW POLICE VEHICLES AND ALMOST $5 MILLION ON REPLACEMENT VEHICLES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

IT DOES NOT CALL FOR ANY NEW TAXES.

THE LEXINGTON URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL HAS TO APPROVE THE BUDGET PLAN.

THE NEW FISCAL YEAR STARTS JULY FIRST.

>>> THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAYS IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE NEW FEDERAL ORDER BANNING DIVERSITY, EQUITY OR INCLUSION OR D.E.I.

PRACTICES.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SENT A LETTER TO STATE EDUCATION LEADERS EARLIER THIS MONTH AND GAVE THEM 10 DAYS TO CERTIFY THEIR K-12 SCHOOLS WERE IN COMPLIANCE.

THE LETTER SAYS FAILURE TO COMPLY COULD MEAN LOSING FEDERAL FUNDING.

IN AN E-MAIL TO SUPERINTENDENTS THIS WEEKEND, KENTUCKY'S COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, ROBBIE FLETCHER, SAID THE REQUEST WAS NOT WITHOUT PROBLEMS.

QUOTE NEVERTHELESS I'M CONFIDENT THAT THROUGHOUT OUR STATE-WIDE COMMITMENT PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS FOR EVERY STUDENT WE CAN ADVANCE MEETING THE GOALS, AND NEEDS AND ENSURING THE SUCCESS OF EACH STUDENT IN KENTUCKY'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE BEING ASKED TO SIGN A LETTER SHOWING THEIR COMPLIANCE, COMMISSIONER FLETCHER SAID IF A SCHOOL DISTRICT CHOOSES NOT TO, KDE WILL NOT TAKE ACTION AGAINST THEM.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE FOR FURTHER COMMENT TODAY.

IN A STATEMENT, COMMISSIONER FLETCHER SAID IN PART QUOTE I AM COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT EVERY STUDENT REGARDLESS OF RACE, BACKGROUND, LANGUAGE, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS OR ZIP CODE HAS ACCESS TO A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION AND VIBRANT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED.

OUR SCHOOLS MUST BE PLACES WHERE EVERY CHILD FEELS SUPPORTED AND CHALLENGED TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

UNQUOTE.

>>> KENTUCKY'S PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ARE ALSO REVIEWING HOW TO IMPLEMENT AND TIE D.E.I.

LAWS OUR LAURA ROGERS DISCUSSES THAT AND MORE WITH NPR'S RYLAND BARTON.

>> GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR LAUNCHING A NEW PODCAST AND THE PILOT HE WILL BE ADDRESSES NOT JUST POLITICS BUT PARENTING, AND ENTERTAINMENT.

THIS IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION AND INTEREST THE FACT THAT THAT GOVERNOR IS GOING THIS ROUTE.

>> PART OF WHY IT'S INTERESTING IS THAT ANDY BESHEAR IS CONSIDERED TO BE A 2028 PRESIDENTIAL OR SOMETHING FEDERAL EXECUTIVE HOPEFUL AND ANOTHER HOPEFUL CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN KNEW SOME RELEASED A PODCAST AS WELL.

AND THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST LISTENED TO IN AMERICA.

NEWSOM'S PODCAST CREATED BUZZ AND CONTROVERSY BECAUSE HE FEATURED DONALD TRUMP ALIGNED ACTIVISTS LIKE CHARLIE KIRK AND STEVE BANNON BUT BESHEAR IS NOT THAT.

HIS FIRST EPISODE FEATURED KENTUCKY NATIVE JOHN MORGAN OF THE MORGAN AND MORGAN LAW FIRM AND BESHEAR'S SON, WILL.

A LOT WAS FAMILIAR TO WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM BESHEAR IN RECENT YEARS TRYING TO PAINTED HIMSELF AS A NONPOLITICAL POLITICIAN.

HE IS CONCERNED MORE WITH KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES THAN PETTY POLITICS AND SILLY MOMENTS.

THERE IS A POINT WHERE WILL BESHEAR TEACHES HIS DAD MODERN SLANG.

HE'S ALSO TOUCHING ON NEW STORIES TALKED ABOUT SIGNAL GATE WHERE MILITARY OFFICIALS WERE TEXTING ABOUT WAR PLANS.

THE LARGER LOOK IS THAT THIS IS REALLY AN EFFORT BY BESHEAR AND ALSO OTHER DEMOCRATS TO TRY AND FIND MORE OF THESE REALLY EXPAND THEIR NORMAL CHANNELS OF REACHING THE PUBLIC.

SOMETHING THAT WE SAW WITH DPAF VIN NEWSOM A LOT OF HIS POLITICAL MESSAGE SOMETHING GOING OUT THROUGH THIS AND WE'VE SEEN IT WITH BESHEAR, TOO.

WITH THE TWITTER PRESENCE HE IS DOING MORE SELFIE VIDEOS REACHING TO THE PUBLIC WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE FILTER OF THE MEDIA, WHICH PROVIDES IMPORTANT CONTEXT TO WHAT THESE OFFICIALS ARE SAYING I WILL ADD TO THAT.

WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES MANY HE HAS ONE EPISODE OUT.

AND ANOTHER ONE THIS WEEK.

WE'LL SEE WHAT GUESTS HE HAS ON.

>> SOMETHING ELSE WE'RE HEARING ABOUT IN THE NEWS IS DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS IN EFFORTS TO DISMANTLE THOSE PROGRAMS PARTICULARLY IN OUR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

AND WE ARE SEEING SOME KENTUCKY FAMILIES JOIN A FEDERAL LAWSUIT CONCERNING BOOK PURCHASE AT THEIR SCHOOL IN FORT CAMPBELL.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS AND WHY THE FAMILIES SAY IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> RIGHT.

AND FORT CAMPBELL BEING A MILITARY BASE THAT STRADDLES KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE.

THE SCHOOLS ARE RUN BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO THEY ARE RESPONDING TO A DIRECTIVE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE THAT THEY GET RID OF MATERIALS THAT SUPPOSEDLY PROMOTE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN SOME REPORTING BY THE KENTUCKY LANTERN AND AN OUTLET IN CLARKSVILLE.

THERE IS A LOT HAPPENING.

SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN REMOVING BULLETIN BOARDS THAT REFERENCE BLACK LEADERS LIKE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SCRUBBING BOOKS THAT INCLUDES REFERENCES TO SLAVERY AND CIVIL RIGHTS.

THE STUDENTS JOINED THE A.C.L.U.

OF KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE AND OTHER OUTFITS AROUND THE COUNTRY IN SUING THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYING THIS IS NOT HELPFUL TO THEIR EDUCATION AND THAT REALLY SCHOOLS SHOULD BE TEACHING A MORE WELL ROUNDED VERSION OF HISTORY, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT ADDRESSES CIVIL RIGHTS.

THIS FEDERAL LAWSUIT IS TAKING PLACE IN VIRGINIA.

BUT WILL BE ONGOING AND ONE OF MANY LEGAL CHALLENGES AGAINST POLICIES LIKE THIS THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN PUTTING INTO PLACE.

JUST TO PROVIDE CONTEXT, THESE SCHOOLS AFFECT ABOUT 67,000 STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AT MILITARY BASES AND RUN BY THE NATIONAL DEFENSE.

THIS IS A BIG NATIONAL THINGS THAT THESE KENTUCKY STUDENTS ARE JOINING IN ON IT.

>> WE ARE ALSO SEEING EFFORTS IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO DISMANTLE D.E.I.

AND THERE MIGHT BE CONFUSION AROUND HOW TO STILL TEACH PERTINENT CONTENT AND NOT VIOLATE THOSE FEDERAL STANDARDS WHAT ARE WE LEARNING ABOUT THESE EFFORTS?

>> RIGHT.

AND WHAT PROGRAMS THE UNIVERSITIES CAN HAVE IN PLACE THAT EITHER PROMOTE OR SUPPORT OR ENCOURAGE DIVERSITY ON THEIR CAMPUSES.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BECOME QUITE IMPORTANT ENGRAINED WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES OVER THE LAST DECADES.

AND NOW, BECAUSE OF THIS LAW PASSED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE THESE PROGRAMS AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY HOW TO IMPLEMENT THIS.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE A COUPLE UNIVERSITIES HAVE ALREADY GONE OUT AHEAD OF THIS.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY AND UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY LAST YEAR AFTER THE SUPREME COURT RULING DID TO AFFIRMATIVE ACTION DECIDED TO SCRAP THEIR D.E.I.

OFFICES.

AND NOW OTHER UNIVERSITIES ARE STARTING TO FOLLOW SUIT AND STUDYING AT THIS POINT WHAT EXACTLY IT MEANS.

SO THIS COULD INCLUDE AND SOMETHING WE'VE SEEN IN OTHER STATES SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO STUDENTS BASED ON THEIR RACE OR ETHNICITY.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SEEMS TO BE IN QUESTION WHETHER IT BE ALLOWED.

SOMETHING LAST YEAR THEY STARTED SCRAPPING FROM THE OHIO UNIVERSITY STARTED SCRAPPING FROM THEIR PROGRAMS.

AN ARTICLE IN THE KENTUCKY LANTERN REPORTED HOW STUDENTS OF COLOR ARE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THEM.

AND THEY ARE GOING TO UNIVERSITY THAT WAS PROMOTING CERTAIN POLICIES AND NOW THEY ARE NOT SO SURE THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO.

THE UNIVERSITY LEADERS ARE TRYING TO WALK THE LINE A LITTLE BIT TRYING TO STILL SHOW TO STUDENTS THAT THEY ARE CAN CREATE A DIVERSE ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYBODY CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE AND WORRIED BEING CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIRS BOTH FROM THE LEGISLATURE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS WE'VE SEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GOING OFF UNIVERSITIES FOR ALLOWING CERTAIN POLICIES.

THIS IS A REALLY WAIT-AND-SEE THING.

JULY FIRST IS WHEN UNIVERSITIES WILL START HAVING TO REPORT WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO SHOW THAT THEY DON'T HAVE D.E.I.

PROGRAMS ON THEIR CAMPUSES.

BUT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MUCH THOSE PROGRAMS CAN BE SUBSUMED WITHIN PARTS OF THE UNIVERSITIES.

>> RYLAND BARTON WITH NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS, LAURA.

[♪♪] >> Renee: OWNING A BUSINESS IS HARD WORK.

AND ACCORDING TO THE DISABLED AMERICAN VET RANGES OR DAV, VETERAN ENTREPRENEURS OFTEN FACE THEIR OWN SET OF UNIQUE CHALLENGES.

AT THE PATRIOT BOOTCAMP HOSTED BY THE DAV, VETERAN ENTREPRENEURS RECEIVE HANDS ON MENTORSHIP FROM PROFESSIONALS TO MAKE THEIR BUSINESS DREAMS A REALITY.

>> WE SEE THAT VETERANS HAVE GIVEN UP A LOT OF THE TIME THAT THEY USUALLY WOULD HAVE SPENT STARTING A BUSINESS FOR TRADITIONAL ENTREPRENEUR.

SO THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE THE FOUNDATION IN ALL AREAS TO SUCCEED WITH A BUSINESS.

SO WE'RE HELPING THEM WITH THE BUILDING BLOCKS STUFF.

>> THERE'S NO RULES IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

THERE ARE NO CLEAR PATH WAYS TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN WHEN YOU OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

IT IS A BIG SHIFT FOR ENTREPRENEURS THAT ARE VETERANS TO GO FROM A STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOU'RE GETTING PROMOTED ON A SCHEDULE AND TESTING AND DA, DA, DA AND TO CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE WHEN YOU START YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

YOU GET FOUR HOURS OF MENTORSHIP WHICH IS VERY INTENSE PERIOD OF INSTRUCTION OF BACK AND FORTHWITH SOMEBODY CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR NEEDS.

AND YOU ARE GOING TO LEAVE WITH A NETWORK A COMMUNITY THAT IS THERE TO SUPPORT YOU.

>> THE BEAUTIFUL PART IS THAT IT'S NOT JUST FROM A THEORETICAL PLACE THE MENTORS THAT DONATE SO MUCH OF THEIR TIME AND MONEY ARE PEOPLE RUNNING BUSINESSES ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS THEY CAN GIVE YOU PRACTICAL ADVICE WHICH IS UNIQUE TO THIS AND IT'S SO COOL TO BE AROUND FORMER MILITARY PEOPLE THAT SOMETHING A LOT OF US LOSE WHEN OUR TIME IN THE SERVICE LEAVES.

NOW WE HAVE TWO THINGS IN COMMON.

MILITARY SERVICE AND AN ENTREPRENEURIAL GENE AND YOU COMBINE THOSE TOGETHER THAT IS WHAT MAKES THAT EVENT SO FUN.

>> THE PEOPLE GOING THROUGH OFTEN DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH THESE MENTORS THAT LAST BEYOND THE EVENT.

AND THOSE ARE PRICELESS RELATIONSHIPS FOR SOMEONE.

YOU COULDN'T HIRE A CONSULTANT WHO IS A C.E.O.

NECESSARILY, BUT WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS GIVING THEIR TIME AND HELPING THESE VETERANS WAY BEYOND THE CONFINES OF THE TWO-AND-A-HALF DAYS THEY SPEND IN BOOTCAMP.

VETERANS ARE EXTREMELY RESILIENT AND CREATIVE.

WE THINK THEY ARE RIGID PEOPLE BUT PEOPLE THAT ARE ADAPTABLE AND ALWAYS TEAR IN CHALLENGING SITUATIONS.

>> THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SEEN THE WORST OF THE WORST A LOT OF TIMES WITH THEIR SERVICE.

A SMALL ACCOUNTING ERROR IS THIS BIG OF A PROBLEM IN A WORLD WHERE THEY'VE SEEN THIS BIG OF A PROBLEM.

THAT IS A HUGE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE OR BREAK SOMEBODY IS DO THEY HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO NOT GIVE UP AND TO STAY IN THE GAME.

>> OUR COUNTRY NEEDS MORE SMALL BUSINESSES WE NEED TO START MORE COMPANIES WE NEED MORE EMPLOYERS AND VETERANS ARE A SOLUTION TO THAT.

AND THEY PROVED WHEN THEY GET INVOLVED IN A VENTURE THEY ARE RELENTEDLESS ABOUT SUCCEEDING.

>> Renee: THE NEXT PATRIOT BOOTCAMP IS MAY 14-16 AND THERE WILL BE ANOTHER IN THE FALL WITH THOSE DATES TO BE DETERMINED.

[♪♪] >>> ONE OUT OF EVERY SIX KENTUCKIANS DOESN'T KNOW WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM BUT MORE HELP IS AVAILABLE TO HELP THE FOOD INSECURE.

GOD'S PANTRY FOOD BANK IN LEXINGTON DEDICATED A NEW FACILITY YESTERDAY.

THAT MEANS MORE MEALS FOR HUNGRY KENTUCKY FAMILIES.

>> WELCOME TO GOD'S PANTRY FOOD BANK.

[APPLAUSE] >> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE KNEW IS THAT WE WERE GOING TO RUN OUT OF CAPACITY IN OUR CURRENT FACILITIES.

AND WE KNEW THAT TIME WAS COMING PRETTY QUICKLY.

AT THE END OF 2020 INTO EARLY 21, WE RECEIVED AN ANONYMOUS GIFT THAT GIFT LED TO THE PURCHASE OF THIS BUILDING IN '22.

WHAT IT ALLOWS US TO DO IS INCREASE OUR CAPACITY, BY SOME 50% TO 60 MILLION POUNDS.

I'M SORRY 60 MILLION MEALS.

DEMAND TODAY IS 50.

IF IT WAS NOT FOR THIS FACILITY, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MEET THAT DEMAND.

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

THAT EXCEED WHAT IS OUR PREVIOUS CAPACITY WAS.

>> THIS NEW FACILITY IS SO IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE WHILE THERE IS A GAP THERE BETWEEN THE 50 MILLION MEALS NEEDED AND THE 40 THAT WE'VE BEEN DELIVERING THIS FACILITY WILL HELP US COME TOGETHER AND FILL THAT GAP.

AND NOT ONLY WILL IT FILL THAT GAP, BUT IT WILL GIVE US THE CAPACITY TO ANTICIPATE THE NEXT 10 MILLION MEALS THAT ARE GOING TO BE NEEDED.

>> THE INVENTORY BEHIND ME IS ABOUT THREE-AND-A-HALF TO FOUR WEEKS WORTH OF INVENTORY THAT'S T THE GOAL OF THIS FACILITY IS NOT TO STORE MORE FOOD.

THE GOAL OF THIS FACILITY IS TO MOVE MORE FOOD THROUGH OUR SYSTEM MORE QUICKLY SO THAT IT CAN GET ON SOMEBODY'S TABLE TONIGHT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE SITTING IN A WAREHOUSE.

WE DO NOT PUSH INVENTORY TO OUR PARTNERS.

WE ALLOW THEM TO ORDER FROM US.

ALL OF THIS INVENTORY YOU SEE BEHIND ME, IS ON AN INTRANET AND THOSE MEAL PROGRAMS CAN SEE THE PRODUCT THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE, THEY ORDER WHAT THEY NEED.

BECAUSE MAGOFFIN COUNTY IS DIFFERENT THAN OWSLEY THAN HARLAN AND HARLAN IS DIFFERENT THAN PULASKI.

>> OUT OF THE 25 MOST FOOD INSECURE COUNTIES IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES, 10 OF THEM, 10 OF THEM, ARE IN KENTUCKY.

WE HIT A GREAT MILESTONE THIS LAST YEAR, MIKE, IN THAT WE DELIVERED 50 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE 70-YEAR HISTORY OF GOD'S PANTRY.

A THIRD OF THAT 50 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD COMES THROUGH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT'S BEING TALKED ABOUT RIGHT NOW?

CUTTING SOME OF THOSE PROGRAMS.

AND WE'VE GOT TO COME TOGETHER AS KENTUCKIANS AND AS AMERICANS, AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS STAND UP AND KEEP THAT MONEY AND THAT FOOD FLOWING.

BECAUSE WE SEE THE RESULTS OF IT EVERYDAY.

>> Renee: GOD'S PANTRY IS STARTING A NEW $40 MILLION CAMPAIGN CALLED BUILDING THE FUTURE NOURISHING COMMUNITIES.

28 MILLION OF THAT WILL GO TO THE FACILITY.

AND FURTHER EXPANSION IF NEEDED.

THE OTHER 12 MILLION IS FOR BUYING FOOD AND HELPING PARTNER PANTRIES AND THE FOOD RESCUE PROGRAM.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RECENTLY CUT $500 MILLION FROM THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHICH REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF FOOD GOD'S PANTRY WILL BE RECEIVING FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

[♪♪] THE LATEST EXHIBIT AT THE MOSAIC GALLERY IN LOUISVILLE SHOWCASES ART THAT IS NOT FOR SALE AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO VISIT THE ARTIST STUDIOS.

BECAUSE THE THREE ARTISTS ARE SERVING LIFE SENTENCES IN PRISON.

THEY CREATED THEIR PAINTINGS WHILE IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT ON DEATH ROW BEFORE THEIR SENTENCES WERE COMMUTED.

WE LOOK AT THE ART OF LIVING ON DEATH ROW AND THIS WEEK'S ARTS AND CULTURE SEGMENT WE CALL TAPESTRY.

>> THE INSTITUTE DOES A LOT OF SOCIAL JUSTICE WORK AND THEY HAD WORKED WITH THE LAWYERS OF THESE CERTAIN INMATES WHO WHILE THEY ARE IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT ON DEATH ROW HAD TAKEN UP ART TO PASS THEIR TIME.

SO I JUST THOUGHT I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE PIECES THEMSELVES AND JUST THOUGHT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT ESPECIALLY AS A THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION WITH LOUISVILLE SEMINARY I FEEL IT WOULD BE APROPOS FOR THE WORK WE ARE DOING AND WE STARTED LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERS FROM THERE.

>> PART OF OUR MISSION IN MOSAIC IS TO SHED LIGHT ON PEOPLE WHOSE VOICES OFTEN PUSHED TO THE MARGINS.

WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE WHO ARE VULNERABLE, ECONOMICALLY, VULNERABLE POLITICALLY OR SOCIALLY.

AND PEOPLE WHO ARE ON DEATH ROW ARE VERY MUCH INVISIBLE.

I FELT.

BECAUSE DEBUTING THEIR ARTWORK WAS IN LINE WITH OUR MISSION.

>> SOMETHING THAT I FOUND TO AT LEAST BE DELIGHTFUL AND I DIDN'T -- I DID NOT EXPECT IT, WAS THE MIXED MEDIA OF SOME OF THIS ARTWORK.

YOU CAN GET UP CLOSE TO THIS ARTWORK AND LOOK AT EVERY DETAIL AND SEE JUST ITS PANEL.

AND THAT IS REALLY COOL.

>> THEY HAVE CANVASS AND PAINT BUT THERE IS A LOT OF SAND USED AND THINGS THAT THEY FIND WITHIN THE CELLS IN ORDER TO USE AS A MATERIAL.

>> THEY TALK ABOUT SOLITARY CONFINEMENT.

AND THE KINDS OF PLACES THEIR MIND GOES WHILE THEY ARE IN THIS PARTICULAR SPACE WHILE THEY ARE DREAMING OF FREEDOM AND DREAMING OF MORE HUMANE SPACES.

AND I THINK THAT PROBABLY IS THE LARGER THING AND WHAT COMES UP IS FAMILY AND THIS NOTION OF SURVIVE BUT ALSO FIGURING OUT HOW TO SEE BEYOND THE PARTICULAR ENVIRONMENT THAT THEY ARE IN.

>> Renee: THE EXHIBIT IS ON DISPLAY THROUGH JUNE 13TH.

THE MOSAIC GALLERY IS DOING A PARALLEL EXHIBITION BY LOCAL ARTISTS ON THINGS OF ADVOCACY AND WORLD JUSTICE.

>> Renee: THAT WILL DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND I INSPIRE.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR "KENTUCKY EDITION" E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS AND WATCH EPISODES AND CLIPS ON-LINE AT KET.ORG.

YOU CAN FIND US ON THE PBS VAP ON YOUR MOBILE DIVIDE AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEND US A STORY IDEA AT KET.ORG AND FOLLOW KET ON ALL THE PLATFORMS YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

I'M RENEE SHAW THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING.

TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.

SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT.