[♪♪] >> WE'RE SAYING PEOPLE COME HERE THAT'S NEVER BEEN TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

AND THEY ARE ENTHUSIASTIC.

>> Renee: THE NATION'S DRUG PROBLEM GET TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT WHAT'S WORKING AND WHAT COULD BE WORKING BETTER.

>> WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES.

>> Renee: HOW DOES LOUISVILLE LOOK ONE WEEK AFTER THE WORST FLOODS IN MORE THAN 25 YEARS?

>> THE DIFFERENCE THAT THREE OR FOUR YEARS CAN MAKE ON YOUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO.

>> Renee: AND A WORKSHOP THAT HELPS TEENS LEARN DOLLARS AND SENSE.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING.

AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR THIS TUESDAY, APRIL THE 22nd.

I'M RENEE SHAW COMING TO YOU FROM THE GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

THIS IS THE SITE OF THE ANNUAL PRESCRIPTION AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT THE NATION'S LARGEST COLLABORATION OF STAKEHOLDERS DEDICATED TO COMBATING DRUG ADDICTION.

NOW IN ITS 14TH YEAR THE CONFERENCE DRAWS THOUSANDS FROM ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, RECOVERY AND TREATMENT PROVIDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FAMILIES OF INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT BATTLING ADDICTION FROM PREVENTION TO INTERVENTIONS AND TREATMENT MODELS.

CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS OF KENTUCKY'S FIFTH CONGRESS AT DISTRICT LAUNCHED THE SUMMIT BORN FROM A PROGRAM HE STARTED CALLED OPERATION UNITE THAT USES AN APPROACH TO BATTLING SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

NARCOTICS INVESTIGATIONS, TREATMENT AND EDUCATION.

THIS MORNING I HAD THE CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH CONGRESSMAN ROGERS HERE IN NASHVILLE TO GET HIS 1240E9S HOW THE CONFERENCE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.

CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS IT IS A PLEASURE TO SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE SUCCESS 14 YEARS OF THIS SUMMIT.

DID YOU EVER THINK IT WOULD BE THE SIZE, THE ATTENDANCE AND THE QUALITY CONVERSATIONS THAT YOU'RE HAVING LIKE WE'RE SEEING NOW?

>> NO.

I DID NOT ANTICIPATE THE EXPLOSION THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE.

BUT WHEN YOU CONSIDER WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE, THEY ARE MOTIVATED BY LOVE OF A FAMILY MEMBER WHO DIED FROM AN OVERDOSE PERHAPS.

A CHILD, A PARENT, WE'VE SEEN SO MUCH SUFFERING.

IN FACT, IN ONE OF MY SURVEYS, WE FOUND THAT OVER HALF OF KIDS ARE LIVING WITH A GRANDPARENT OR A PERSON OTHER THAN THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS.

WHICH TELLS YOU THAT WE'VE GOT A REAL PROBLEM.

>> Renee: THAT IS SOMETHING, RIGHT, THAT GRANDPARENTS ARE RAISING THEIR GRANDCHILDREN AND LARGE MEASURE DUE TO THIS.

I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT GOOD NEWS ANNOUNCED ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE CONFERENCE ABOUT THE C.D.C.

LATEST REPORT AND I WON'T BLOW THE LEAD AND LET YOU TAKE IT WHAT WAS THE GOOD NEWS THAT YOU LEARNED?

>> THIS WAS GOOD NEWS FROM SOURCES, TO THESE PEOPLE AT THIS CONVENTION AND AROUND THE WORLD.

IN THE 24 NUMBERS, WE DECREASED THE NUMBER OF DEATHS OVERDOSES BY 30%.

SO THAT SAYS TO ME, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH.

AND I THINK WE ARE.

WE'RE SEEING PEOPLE COME HERE THAT'S NEVER BEEN TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

AND THEY ARE ENTHUSIASTIC.

AND THE SESSION WE JUST ENDED THEY WERE CHEERING VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESS THAT WERE HERE.

SO THERE'S ENTHUSIASM, THERE'S LOVE OF LIFE AND THERE ARE PEOPLE READY TO GO TO WORK.

>> Renee: DO YOU KNOW TO WHAT THAT IS ATTRIBUTABLE?

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THAT DECLINE?

AND HOW DO YOU SUSTAIN THAT AND ACCELERATE THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE'S A GREAT NUMBER OF REASONS WHY IT TOOK PLACE.

ONE, I LIKE TO THINK THAT THIS SUMMIT THAT WE'VE NOW HELD 14 STRAIGHT YEARS, GIVES PEOPLE THE CONFIDENCE TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP.

SO I THINK THIS WILLING WORKER SIGN UP PLACE THAT WE HAVE HERE HELPS.

WITH THE HOLISTIC APPROACH.

UNITED NARCOTICS INVESTIGATIONS, TREATMENT AND EDUCATION.

SO AND OF COURSE THE BORDER.

I THINK THE BETTER SECURING OF THE BORDER IS KEEPING A LOT OF MEDICINE OUT OF HERE THANK GOD.

BUT DEDICATED WORKERS AND PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF WITH THE MEDIA THAT BROADCASTS GOOD NEWS EVEN BAD NEWS.

SO THANKS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, SIR.

THANK YOU.

WE ALSO CAUGHT UP WITH ANOTHER MEMBER OF KENTUCKY'S FEDERAL DELEGATION THIS MORNING IN NASHVILLE CONGRESSMAN BRETT GUTHRIE REPRESENTS KENTUCKY'S SECOND DISTRICT HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE THAT IS TASKED WITH MAKING 880 BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL SPENDING KUTDS FROM THE PROGRAMS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION WHICH INCLUDE THE MEDICAID THAT SERVES LOW INCOME AMERICANS.

HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

>> WE KNOW THERE ARE LOTS OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FEDERAL SPENDING RIGHT NOW AND WHETHER OR NOT MEDICAID COULD BE ROLLED BACK AND DIALED BACK AND THERE ARE SOME CONCERN IN THE ADDICTION RECOVERY COMMUNITY THAT ANY KIND OF ROLLBACKS TO MEDICAID AND THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID WOULD DIRECTLY IMPACT THOSE RECOVERY EFFORTS AND GAINS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE TO GET THE TREATMENT THAT THEY NEED.

SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT.

>> THAT IS A FAIR QUESTION BECAUSE YOU HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT MEDICAID.

WE'RE GOING TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON MEDICAID THE BUDGET IS A 10-YEAR BUDGET.

WE'RE GOING TO SPEND MORE MONEY EVERY YEAR THAN WE SPEND TODAY EACH YEAR.

WHAT MEDICAID IS PROJECTED TO GROW TOTAL $800 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

IT'S ALMOST 700 BILLION PROGRAM NOW.

800 BILLION MOREOVER ABOVE INFLATION.

SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS HOW DO WE MANAGE THE GROWTH OF MEDICAID.

I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED BUT STATES ARE USING RECOVERY MONEY FOR RECOVERY NOW AND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING IS CAPPING THE GROWTH.

AND SO IF THEY ARE DOING IT NOW PEOPLE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO TURN BACK ON PROGRAMS AND WE DON'T EXPECT THEM TO.

BUT WE HAVE 1.8 TRILLION BUDGET DEFICIT IT'S ALL IMPORTANT BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE SAVINGS IN HEALTHCARE WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO -- IT'S GOING TO COLLAPSE EVENTUALLY.

WE WANT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM THEN IT IS A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.

BUT WE BELIEVE STATES WILL HAVE AMPLE MONEY TO DO WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW.

>> Renee: JUST TO CITE A REPORT THAT CAME OUT RECENTLY RELEASED BY DEMOCRATS, TO THE CONGRESSIONAL JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE THEY WARNED THAT MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE IN THE U.S. NOW RECEIVING TREATMENT FOR OPIOID ADDICTION INCLUDING FENTANYL COULD BE AFFECTED AND COULD BE AT RISK.

YOU SAY THERE'S NO WORRY?

>> THERE'S NOT WORRY.

YOU SAY, IF YOU SAY WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS A BUDGET DEFICIT YOU CAN PICK ANYTHING AND IT WILL CAUSE THIS PROBLEM.

WE UNDERSTAND WE'RE GOING TO ASK STATES TO MANAGE THEIR MONEY AND STATES WILL MAKE DECISIONS SO THE IMPLICATION IS IF STATES ARE LIMITED ON HOW MUCH THEIR MEDICAID BUDGET CAN GROW WHAT DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING IS STATE GOVERNMENTS WILL START KICKING PEOPLE OUT OF ASSISTED TREATMENT PROGRAMS.

I DON'T BELIEVE OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN KENTUCKY WOULD DO THAT.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

PTD THAT IS NOT AN APPROACH THAT YOU WOULD ENDORSE?

>> NO, THE PROBLEM IS MEDICAID IS A STATE PROGRAM RUN BY STATE GOVERNMENT THAT MAKE DECISIONS WHAT THEY SPEND THAT IS UP TO THE STATES.

BUT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAYS FOR A LARGE PART OF IT.

AND IN THE EXPANSION POPULATION AFTER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT THE GOVERNMENT PAYS 90% OF IT.

IT'S BALLOONED AND GROWN AS STROH NO, MA'AMICLY.

WE WANT TO GET A HANDLE ON THE GROWTH.

IF STATES ARE SPENDING MONEY TODAY ON THOSE PROGRAMS AND THEY CAN LET THE PROGRAMS GROW AT INFLATION, THEY CAN STILL RUN THE PROGRAMS.

IF THEY WANT TO BE INEFFICIENT OR SAY WELL IF YOU ARE GOING TO HOLD US TO INFLATION WE WILL TAKE THE MONEY AND SPEND IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.

I HAVE MORE FAITH IN OUR STATE GOVERNMENT THAN DEMOCRATS DO.

>> Renee: ACCORDING TO THE D.E.A., THE FEDERAL DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY CHINA IS THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF FEN THAT THAT IS TRAFFICKED INTO THE U.S.

THE OPIOID IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF OVERDOSE DEATHS BOTH IN THE COUNTRY AND IN KENTUCKY.

TODAY MY COLLEAGUE "KENTUCKY EDITION"'S LAURA ROGERS CAUGHT UP WITH JAMES COMER OF KENTUCKY'S FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

HE SAYS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S TARIFF POLICIES COULD FORCE CHINA TO CRACKDOWN ON DRUGS.

>> WELL, I'VE HAD A PRIVATE CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT.

I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF TARIFFS.

HOWEVER, WE'VE BEEN PUT IN A BAD SITUATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE A HUGE TRADE DEFICIT IN THE UNITED STATES.

NOW, THERE ARE SOME INDUSTRIES THAT ARE WINNERS IN TRADE, AGRICULTURE IS A OWE WINNER.

WE EXPORT MORE THAN WE IMPORT THAT IS THE ONLY INDUSTRY THAT CAN SAY THAT IN AMERICA.

BUT WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT PHARMACEUTICALS, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SEMICONDUCTORS AND THINGS WE NEED IN TECHNOLOGY, WE DON'T MAKE HARDLY ANY OF THAT IN THE UNITED STATES.

SO WHAT THE PRESIDENT IS TRYING TO DO IS MULTIFACETED.

HE WANTS TO HAVE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.

HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT OTHER COUNTRIES AREN'T CHARGING US TARIFFS AND WE WANT A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.

OTHER COUNTRIES DO NOT ABIDE BY THE SAME LABOR LAWS AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS WHICH WE DO THAT PUTS OUR MANUFACTURERS AT A DISADVANTAGE.

CHINA MANIPULATES CURRENCY WHICH GIVES THEM AN UNFAIR TRADE ADVANTAGE.

WHAT HE IS TRYING TO DO IS FIX THAT.

ON TOP OF THAT, WE'RE HERE TALKING ABOUT DRUGS.

HE IS TRYING TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR CHINA.

BECAUSE CHINA PRODUCES THE FENTANYL AND THEY SHIP IT TO MEXICO.

IN CARGO SHIPS.

CHINA COULD CUT DOWN ON THAT.

THEY KNOW BRETT GUTHRIE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN HIS COMMENTS SKHIN A COMMUNIST COUNTRY THEY KNOW WHAT IS BEING MADE IN EVERY BUILDING IN THEIR COUNTRY.

THEY KNOW WHERE THE FENTANYL IS COMING FROM.

YET THEY CONTINUE TO ALLOW IT TO COME INTO OUR COUNTRY.

THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNT AN FOR IT.

MEXICO COULD DO A BETTER JOB WITH THEIR MILITARY COMBATING THE MEXICAN DRUG CARTEL.

PART OF THE REASON AND THE RATIONAL BEHIND THE TARIFFS IN MEXICO AND CHINA HAS TO DO WITH DRUGS IN ADDITION TO UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES.

NOBODY LIKES THE TARIFF SITUATION I DON'T LIKE WILL BEING AT THE STOCK MARKET GOING DOWN AND MY C.E.O.S TELLING ME WE'RE NOT WE'RE GOING TO START LAYING PEOPLE OFF BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, WE'VE KICKED THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD FOR TOO MANY YEARS ON ALLOWING THE UNITED STATES TO OUTSOURCE EVERYTHING.

I THINK IF CHINA CAN MAKE NIKE TENNIS SHOES CHEAPER THAT IS GOOD FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

HOWEVER I DON'T WANT CHINA MAKING ANYTHING RELATED TO PHARMACEUTICALS OR FOOD BECAUSE THAT IS AN ISSUE OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

>> Renee: THERE ARE OTHER KENTUCKIANS WHO PLAY A LEADING ROLE IN THE RX SUMMIT AS SPEAKER, MODERATORS AND ADVISERS.

LAURA ROGERS CAUGHT UP WITH A FREQUENT CONTRIBUTOR TO KET WHO ADVOCACY EXTENDS TO THIS SPACE AS WELL.

>> THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT TAKING PLACE OVER FOUR DAYS HERE IN NASHVILLE MORE THAN 3,000 PEOPLE ARE PARTICIPATING IN THIS SUMMIT ALL 50 STATES ARE REPRESENTED AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER COUNTRIES.

THERE ARE NUMEROUS WORKSHOPS, SESSIONS AND NETWORKING EVENTS ALL FOCUSED ON EDUCATION SURROUNDING THE LATEST STRATEGIES AND PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND RECOVERY.

AND HOW THE COUNTRY IS COMING TOGETHER TO COMBAT THIS OPIOID CRISIS.

AND WE DID CATCH UP WITH SHERMAN BROWN, HE IS A POLITICAL COMMENTATOR THAT YOU OFTEN SEE HERE ON KET HE IS MODERATING SOME OF THE PANELS AND WE TALKED TO HIM WHY THIS IS BOTH PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTEREST FOR HIM.

>> FIRST OF ALL I'M IN RECOVERY MYSELF FOR ALCOHOL.

SECONDLY, PERSONALLY, LOST FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS THROUGH THIS PROCESS, THROUGH THE EPIDEMIC.

IT IS A VERY TOUGH ROAD FOR ANYBODY THAT IS INVOLVED.

FOR ME, IT'S SOMETHING THAT I FEEL LIKE IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TOUCHED YET YOU ARE VERY LUCKY BECAUSE IT'S COMING AND IT'S GOING TO HIT YOUR FAMILY.

EVERYBODY WE TALK TO HAS BEEN HIT VERY HARD WITH IT.

PROFESSIONALLY, IT IS SOMETHING THAT I FIND REWARDING.

IT'S BIPARTISAN.

IT'S NONPARTISAN IN A LOT OF WAYS BECAUSE PEOPLE JUMP IN AND TRY TO IF THEY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED, ESPECIALLY OR DO THE WORK, WE SEE IT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE IT IS NOT AN URBAN OR RURAL THING AND YOU ARE SEEING THAT HERE WITH THE SUMMIT IT'S NOT JUST IN EVERY STATE IT'S INTERNATIONAL.

WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> ON MONDAY, CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS PRESENTED THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE WITH THE BEACON OF HOPE AWARD RECOGNIZING HER FOR HER ADVOCACY ON THIS ISSUE SHE IS ONE OF SEVERAL HIGH PROFILE GUESTS SCHEDULED TO BE AT THE RX SUMMIT AND ATTORNEY GENERAL PAMELA BONDI AND ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. ARE SCHEDULED TO SPEAK.

KET IS HERE AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO BRING YOU COVERAGE OF THE INFORMATION SHARED HERE AT THE SUMMIT.

REPORTING FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" FROM THE GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER IN NASHVILLE I'M LAURA ROGERS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU SO MUCH, LAURA.

OUR TEAM HAS INTRODUCED PLANS WITH OTHER OFFICIALS AS WELL AS PEOPLE SHARING THEIR STORIES.

SO STAY TUNED.

[♪♪] >> Renee: LOUISVILLE WILL BE READY FOR DERBY ACTIVITIES AFTER ITS WORST FLOODING SINCE 1997.

THAT WAS THE MESSAGE TODAY FROM MAYOR CRAIG GREENBERG.

AS HE TALKED ABOUT LOUISVILLE'S CLEAN UP PROGRESS FROM WATERFRONT PARK.

>> WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES.

THERE'S STILL DEFINITELY WORK AHEAD.

THERE'S TURF TO REPAIR.

THERE'S MULCH THAT NEEDS TO BE IN PLACE.

MOTHER NATURE NEEDS A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME FOR THE NORTH PART OF THE GREAT LAWN HERE.

WE ALSO NEED TO GET POWER RESTORED IN A COUPLE OF SMALL AREAS.

BUT WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE THAT THIS PARK THAT PARKS ALONG THE RIVER THAT OUR ROADWAYS FACED JUST OVER A WEEK AGO, IT IS AMAZING WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

>> Renee: MAYOR GREENBERG SAYS THE LAST TIME LOUISVILLE HAD A FLOOD OF THIS MAGNITUDE IT TOOK SIX WEEKS TO CLEAN UP.

HE SAYS LOUISVILLE DID THE SAME AMOUNT OF CLEAN UP WORK IN ONE WEEK.

MORE WORK COULD BE ON THE WAY TO GEORGETOWN'S TOYOTA PLANT.

THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER POSTED A STORY FROM ROYSTER AND REPORTS BECAUSE OF THE 25% TARIFFS ON FOREIGN VEHICLES, TOITD WOULD MOVE -- TOYOTA COULD MOVE THE RAV-4 TO KENTUCKY IT IS A SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE MADE IN GEORGETOWN, CANADA AND JAPAN BY MOVING MORE OF THE PRODUCTION TO GEORGETOWN TOYOTA CAN AVOID THE TARIFF.

TOYOTA IS NOT COMMENTING ON THE POSSIBLE MOVE WHICH WOULD TAKE YEARS TO IMPLEMENT.

>>> SOME PEOPLE IN OLDHAM COUNTY DON'T LIKE THE PLANNED LOCATION OF A NEW DATA CENTER AND A KENTUCKY SCHOOL GETS A STATE-OF-THE-ART WELDING FACILITY.

OUR TOBY GIBBS EXPLAINS IN THIS LOOK AT HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.

>> A PROPOSED OC DATA CENTER HAS STRONG OPPOSITION IN OLDHAM COUNTY ACCORDING TO THE OLDHAM ERA.

BECAUSE OF THAT OPPOSITION, DEVELOPERS WANT TO HOLD A SERIES OF MEETINGS TO ANSWER THE PUBLIC'S QUESTIONS.

DEVELOPERS WANT TO PUT THE DATA CENTER IN A RURAL AREA ALONG HIGHWAY 53.

THE COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE SAYS IT WOULD BE BETTER IN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA.

>>> THE PUBLIC IS URGED TO OFFER FEEDBACK ON THE KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET'S REBUILD MAYFIELD PLANS AN THE TORNADO.

THE CABINET REVEALED PLANS TO REPLACE TWO-AND-A-HALF MILES OF ROAD AS AN EFFORT TO RESTORE DOWNTOWN.

THE WEST KENTUCKY STAR SAYS THE CABINET HELD A PUBLIC MEETING LAST THURSDAY AND ANOTHER IS PLANNED FOR THE FALL.

>>> THE OHIO COUNTY MONITOR REPORTS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DECLARED BRECKINRIDGE COUNTY A DISASTER AREA AFTER RAIN AND HIGH WINDS FROM LAST SUMMER.

THE DISASTER DECLARATION ALLOWS THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO GIVE EMERGENCY LOANS TO FARMERS AFFECTED BY THE WEATHER.

>>> BIG SANDY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE OPENED A NEW WELDING FACILITY.

THE LASERS SAYS THE FACILITY OFFERS CUTTING END TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS TO GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY.

THE SCHOOL SAYS STUDENTS LEARNING AT THE FACILITY WILL BE ABLE TO WORK FOR ANY COMPANY.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN PUBLIC HEALTH GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY AND DISCUSS THEIR RESEARCH AT A SHOWCASE PUT ON BY THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY.

THE SHOWCASE GIVES STUDENTS THE CHANCE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SPEAKING AND NETWORKING SKILLS AND DEVELOP THEIR RESEARCH.

>> PUBLIC HEALTH IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST ONE THING IT'S TEACHING, IT'S RESEARCH, IT'S PRACTICE.

SO SHOWCASE WAS THE BEST WORD IN TERMS OF SHOWING WHAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS ACTUALLY DOING IN REAL-LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS AND IN THE LIVES OF COMMUNITIES.

THE SHOWCASE WAS AN IDEA THAT STUDENTS HAD COMING OUT OF COVID.

THEY HAD BLANK RESUMES AND WANTED AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE TO TALK ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH.

ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAD THE PROGRAM IS THEY WEREN'T EXPERIENCED IN TALKING THINGS THEY WERE PASSIONATE ABOUT.

GIVING THEM THIS FORUM IS A GREAT PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY.

IT IS SCARY FOR EVERYONE TO COME AND TALK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT, THEIR SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND THEIR PRACTICE.

THIS IS REALLY A LOW KEY ENVIRONMENT TO GIVE THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE.

SO THAT WHEN THEY GO ON TO COLLEGE AND OTHER PROGRAMS, THEY'VE DONE IT BEFORE.

ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS IT'S NOT JUST RESEARCH.

IT'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO TALK ABOUT JUST AN IDEA.

IT'S NOT COMPLETED PROJECTS.

IT'S IDEAS THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE AND HOW TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON A TOPIC LIKE OPIOID OVERDOSE PREVENTION.

WE HAVE TALKING ABOUT PHOTO VOICE IN DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET THE COMMUNITY ENGAGED AND PUBLIC HEALTH IS A TEAM BASED APPROACH.

IT REQUIRES COLLABORATION.

AND SO THIS NETWORKING OF PEOPLE THE SHARING OF IDEAS IS REALLY THE BEST PART.

>> THE RESEARCH AND THE METHODOLOGY AND THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO ANSWER OR EXPLORE, THEY DON'T JUST COME OUT OF A VACUUM.

IT IS THE PRODUCT OF A LOT OF HANDS ON TIME BETWEEN OUR STUDENTS, OUR FACULTY, OUR STAFF, OUR COMMUNITY PRACTITIONERS, EXPLORING WHAT ARE THE REAL CONCERNS AND CHALLENGES THAT PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH TODAY.

AND WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT THE INFLUENCE THOSE CHALLENGES.

>> PUBLIC HEALTH IS SO BROAD HAD THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE NARROW IN THE WAY THEY THINK ABOUT HEALTH.

IT WILL COVER WHATEVER TOONICS THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

PUBLIC HEALTH IS EVERYTHING FROM THE TEMPERATURE ON YOUR CHICKEN TO WHAT WE DO IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO HAVE SAFE SIDEWALKS, TO TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, TO WHAT WE VACCINES AND EVEN HAND WASHING THOSE ARE ALL PUBLIC HEALTH PIECES.

>> GENERALLY PUBLIC HEALTH IS NOT A PROFESSION THAT ATTRACTS PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN BEING IN A HIGHLY COMPENSATED ROLE.

YOU COME INTO THIS WORK BECAUSE YOU ARE A SERVANT YOU WANT TO BE ENGAGED WITH PEOPLE AND PROVIDE SERVICE TO PEOPLE.

AGAIN, TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.

YOU STAY IN IT BECAUSE OF THE SOLIDARITY THAT COMES WITH OTHERS COMMITTED TO THE WORK.

>> I HOPE STUDENTS COME AWAY WITH DEVELOPING THAT COMMUNITY, DEVELOPING THAT NETWORK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

YOU DON'T DO PUBLIC HEALTH ALONE.

YOU DO PUBLIC HEALTH WITH OTHERS.

BEING ABLE TO BE BRAVE AND PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE AND MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS IS REALLY THE START TO A REALLY GREAT CAREER IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> Renee: CLOSE TO 100 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THIS YEAR'S SHOWCASE.

[♪♪] SOMETIMES JUDGE PEOPLE CAN MAKE POOR FINANCIAL DECISIONS.

FOUNDATION 47 A LITERACY EDUCATION COMPANY AND THE FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION ARE HOPING TO CHANGE THAT WITH A FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOP COMING TO LEXINGTON THIS SATURDAY.

DETAILS IN TONIGHT'S EDUCATION MATTERS REPORT.

>> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR TEENS TO LEARN THIS EARLY ON I REFLECT BACK TO MY TEENAGE YEARS AND I WAS NEVER TAUGHT NONE OF THESE THINGS WHEN I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL I GOT OUT AND MADE FINANCIAL MISTAKES.

I FEEL LIKE IF I HAD EVEN BEEN EXPOSED TO SOME OF THE FINANCIAL LITERACY CONCEPTS I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER EQUIPPED TO THE SOLUTIONS THE ISSUES I WAS GOING TO WALK INTO.

WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE KIDS ABOUT EVERYTHING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MONEY BEFORE THE AGE OF 20.

BUDGETING, CREDIT, AND ALSO MINDSET BUT ALSO WHAT I LIKE A LOT ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP IS THAT IT WILL TALK ABOUT FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CAREER PLANNING.

BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS GET IN TROUBLE BECAUSE THE JOB THEY HAVE DOESN'T SUPPORT THE LIFESTYLE THEY WANT TO LIVE.

EQUIPPING YOU WITH THE PROPER SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE RIGHT FINANCIAL DECISIONS, THE PROCESS OF BUYING A HOME, THE PROCESS OF BUYING A CAR, BUDGETING, BEING ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHEN TO TAKE ON DEBT AND WHEN TO NOT TAKE ON DEBT.

GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THE CHOICES YOU MAKE IN REGARDS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES CAN AFFECT YOU LATER ON IN LIFE.

ONE OF THE REASONS I'M PUTTING ON THE EVENT PEOPLE WERE ASKING ME WHEN I WAS GOING TO HAVE AN EVENT THE COMMUNITY IS EXCITED ABOUT IT.

I HOPE WE DO IT ON A REGULAR BASIS I BELIEVE THAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD BENEFIT FROM IT.

AND ALSO WHEN KIDS ARE INDIVIDUALS FINANCIALLY FIT, IT ALSO ADDS AN ASPECT OF IMPROVEMENT TO OUR ECONOMY AS WELL.

IF YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FINANCIAL SAVVY AND MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS WITH THEIR MONEY THERE ARE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SMALL BUSINESS IDEALS BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING TO SAY START THOSE BUSINESSES.

IF THEY BECOME FINANCIALLY SAVVY IT INCREASES THE CREDIT SCORE AND BUSINESS ACUMEN AND WILL HELP THEM TO BE ABLE TO GET MORE FUNDING IN A MORE EASY WAY.

ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS THAT I TELL PEOPLE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BUILDING GENERATIONAL WEALTH FOR OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES AFTER TODAY IT WILL BE THE START OF INDIVIDUALS BEING ABLE TO HELP TRIPLE BOTTOM WHAT I CALL THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE.

IT MEANS THEIR SELF THEIR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS I'M EXCITED ABOUT IS THE INFORMATION THAT WILL BE DISSEMINATED TO THE INDIVIDUALS ABOUT STOCKS AND BONDS IN THE TIME VALUE OF MONEY.

IF WE CAN GET THE INDIVIDUALS TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF STARTING TO INVEST MONEY EARLY, AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE A LOT OF US AT THAT AGE WE THINK RETIREMENT IS SO FAR OFF I HAVE PLENTY OF TIME FOR THAT INVESTING EARLY AND UNDERSTANDING THE TIME VALUE OF MONEY AND THE DIFFERENCE THREE OR FOUR YEARS CAN MAKE ON YOUR PORTFOLIO IS ASTRONOMICAL.

>> Renee: THE FINANCIAL LITERACY EVENT IS THIS SATURDAY FROM 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. AT MEMBERS HERITAGE CREDIT UNION IN LEXINGTON.

TOMORROW ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" MORE FROM THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT HERE IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTININGING INTERVIEWS WITH KENTUCKY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN.

PLUS CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR HAS ANNOUNCED HIS POLITICAL PLANS FOR 2026 OUR CREW IS THERE AND GETTING ANSWERS TONIGHT.

IS HE RUNNING FOR U.S. SENATE?

BY NOW YOU KNOW THE ANSWER AND YOU WILL HEAR FROM HIM WHY.

THAT IS WEDNESDAY TOMORROW NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHICH WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US TOMORROW AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" NEWSLETTERS AND WATCH FULL EPISODES AND CLIPS AT KET.ORG.

LOOK FOR US IN THE PBS VIDEO APP AND MOBILE DEVICE AND SMART TV AND SEND US A STORY IDEA BY E-MAIL TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG.

I'M RENEE SHAW I WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE FROM NASHVILLE AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT.

UNTIL THEN TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.

SO LONG.

[♪♪]