[♪♪] >> SOMETHING IS WORKING HERE.

WHAT IS IT?

CAN WE DO MORE OF IT?

>> Renee: IS AMERICA MAKING PROGRESS FIGHTING DRUG ADDICTION A VETERAN REPORTER'S TAKE FROM THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT.

>> THE TRADE WAR IS ULTIMATELY PAID FOR BY TAXPAYERS, THE COSTS IMPACT EVERYTHING.

>> Renee: U.S.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL IS SPEAKING OUT WITH HIS TAKE ON TARIFFS.

>> SOMETIMES PEOPLE SAY THAT WE'RE MADE OF STARDUST AND I LIKE TO SAY WE'RE MADE OF STORIES.

>> Renee: AND KENTUCKY'S NEW POET LAUREATE WANTS TO HELP YOU GET CREATIVE.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING.

AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THIS FRIDAY, APRIL THE 25TH.

WE ARE READY FOR THE WEEKEND AND YOU PROBABLY ARE TOO.

I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE THANK YOU FOR SPENDING SOME OF YOUR FRIDAY NIGHT WITH US.

THIS WEEK WE BROUGHT YOU STORIES FROM THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS, ADDICTION RESEARCHERS AND ADVOCATES JOINED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER WHEN IT COMES TO DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT, RECOVERY AND PREVENTION.

THE EVENT WAS STARTED 14 YEARS AGO BY CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS OF KENTUCKY'S FIFTH DISTRICT.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SUMMIT WE CAUGHT UP WITH DOUG EDWARDS SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF HMP GLOBAL WHICH HOSTS THE EVENT.

>> THE RX SUMMIT IS A GATHERING OF STAKEHOLDERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO DISCUSS WHAT IS WORKING IN PREVENTION, TREATMENT, DEFLECTION AND RECOVERY.

AND WE GET ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE.

WE GET PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WORKING TO DEVELOP PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

WE GET TREATMENT OPERATORS AND CLINICAL PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING TO HELP HEAL PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM DRUG USE AND OTHER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.

WE GET LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT ARE LOOKING TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

WE RECEIVE WE HAVE LAWMAKERS THAT COME THAT SHARE WHAT THEY ARE WORKING ON FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE AND WE GET FAMILIES AND ADVOCATES ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS DRUG USE IN OUR COUNTRY.

WE ASK OUR SPEAKERS TO IDENTIFY WHAT IS WORKING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES WHAT EVIDENCE THEY HAVE THAT IT'S WORKING AND HOW CAN THE EFFORTS BE REPLICATED SO ATTENDEES CAN TAKE BACK WHAT THEY LEARNED AND IMPLEMENT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

SOME OF THE HOT TOPICS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS YEAR ARE RELATED TO PREVENTION BEST PRACTICES.

DEVELOPING CAMPAIGNS TO HELP YOUTH LIVE DRUG FREE LIVES.

AND WE ALSO COVER TOPICS RELATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, BORDER SECURITY, THE LATEST TREATMENT BEST PRACTICES, POLICY CHANGES, THESE ARE THE HOT FOPPICS THAT PEOPLE ARE COMING TO HEAR ABOUT.

KENTUCKY HAS A SPECIAL PLACE AT THE SUMMIT.

IT WAS FOUNDED BY CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS IN 2012 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OPERATION UNITE WHICH SERVES MULTIPLE COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND WHAT WE ARE SO HONORED TO BE WORKING ALONGSIDE THEM TO ADDRESS THE COUNTRY'S OPIOID CRISIS.

USUALLY, THE TOP STATE WITH ATTENDEES OR THE NUMBER TWO STATE IS KENTUCKY OR TENNESSEE.

SO THERE IS A REAL HEART HERE OF PEOPLE FROM THE APPALACHIAN REGION WHO ARE SHARING WHAT THEY'VE LEARNED WHAT THEY HAVE FOUND SUCCESSFUL TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT ARE ALSO GRAPPLING WITH THE OPIOID AND ADDICTION CRISIS.

>> Renee: JULIE WERNAU A REPORTER FOR THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" HAS BEEN ATTENDING THE SUMMIT FOR FOUR YEARS COVERING THE CRISIS AND HAS A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE HOW THE SUMMIT HAS CHANGED OVER TIME AND HOW THE CURRENT PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION IS SHAPING THE CONVERSATION AROUND DRUGS.

>> IT'S INCREDIBLE HOW MUCH THE DRUG CRISIS CHANGES IN FOUR YEARS.

WHEN I FIRST STARTED COMING TO THIS THEY HAD JUST STARTED TALKING ABOUT IT AS THE ILLICIT DRUG CONFERENCE IT USED TO BE THE HEROIN CONFERENCE AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA FEW PEOPLE ARE USING REAL HEROIN AND THEY RECOGNIZE THAT AND CHANGED THE TITLE OF THE CONFERENCE.

TODAY YOU ARE HEARING ABOUT POLY SUBSTANCE USE.

HOW FENTANYL IS SORT OF NOW BEING USED IN TANDEM WITH THINGS LIKE METHAMPHETAMINE AND TRINK.

WHICH IS JUST A TOTALLY DIFFERENT WORLD THAN IT WAS JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.

WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE, THE OVERDOSES WERE CONTINUING TO CLIMB.

OVERDOSE DEATHS NOW ARE ON THE DECLINE HAD A DRAMATIC DECLINE.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE AT THIS CONFERENCE TALKING ABOUT THE REASONS THEY THINK THAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING.

IT IS A REALLY INTERESTING KIND OF INTELLECTUAL EXERCISE TO PARS THE DATA AND FIGURE OUT SOMETHING IS WORKING HERE WHAT IS IT?

CAN WE DO MORE OF IT?

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SEEN PEOPLE COME AND GO AND THINGS THAT DIDN'T WORK.

AND THERE IS A LOT OF HOPE RIGHT NOW, RIGHT, THAT A NEW ADMINISTRATION MIGHT HAVE NEW IDEAS.

AND SOME OF WHAT THE QUESTIONS ARE THAT I'M HEARING FROM PEOPLE ARE WHAT HAPPENS IF HE MANAGES TO STOP DRUGS AT THE BORDER, WILL THEY COME FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE?

THAT COMES UP QUITE A LOT.

AND HOW DO WE QUICKLY IDENTIFY WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM AND HOW TO STOP THEM.

IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT TO GET INFORMATION IN REALTIME.

A BIG THING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TALKED ABOUT IS CHANGING THAT MAKING DATA AND INFORMATION MUCH MORE READILY AVAILABLE SO WE CAN SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN A MUCH MORE REALTIME MANNER.

RIGHT?

INFORMATION IS SPREADING IN SOME WAYS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH.

AND SOME OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS START HERE.

THERE'S PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WHO ARE -- THEY'VE SEEN SOMETHING IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND MAYBE THEY ARE TRYING TO GET FENTANYL TEST STRIPS OR MAYBE THEY WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO STOP THIS CYCLE OF RECIDIVISM INSIDE THEIR JAIL AND THEY LEARN SOMETHING HERE.

AND THEN TAKE THAT BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

IT IS A VERY, YOU KNOW, ANALOGUE WAY IN SOME WAYS OF SPREADING INFORMATION THAT STILL WORKS ACTUALLY.

PEOPLE I'VE MET HERE BEFORE HELPED LATER USHER ME INTO THE PRISON SYSTEM WHERE THEY ARE USING MEDICATIONS FOR OPIOID TREATMENT INSIDE PRISONS AND JAILS.

I HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHANGING DRUG SUPPLY AS WELL.

AND HAD A LOT OF STORIES THAT KIND OF THE GERM OF THE IDEA SHOWED UP FROM THIS CONFERENCE WHERE I MET WITH PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THINGS I NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE.

AND THAT LED ME TO GO AND INVESTIGATE THAT ON THE GROUND IN THE REAL WORLD OUTSIDE OF THIS CONFERENCE.

>> Renee: ON MONDAY NIGHT'S "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" HERE ON KET WE WILL HAVE MORE FROM NASHVILLE INCLUDING MEMBERS OF KENTUCKY'S FEDERAL DELEGATION IN WASHINGTON AND TRUMP CABINET OFFICIALS HIGH LEVEL ABOUT THE NATIONAL RESPONSE TO DRUG ADDICTION DISCUSSED AT THIS WEEK'S RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT THAT SPECIAL EDITION OF "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" MONDAY EVENING AT 8:00 P.M. EASTERN 7 CENTRAL HERE ON KET.

>>> KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

BUILDING UPON THE GROUND WORK LAID LAST YEAR BY THE AVMENT TASK FORCE.

SPEAKING TO THE UNIVERSITY KENTUCKY BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE OF LEXINGTON WHO CO-CHAIRS THE TASK FORCE SAYS THE GROUP HAS ONLY BEGUN TO SCRATCH THE SURFACE.

>> AND WE DECIDED TO STAY ONLY ON THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

WE DID NOT LET ANY REGULATIONS FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR WE STAYED WITH WHAT IS KENTUCKY GOING TO DO AND CABINET AND DEPARTMENTS HOW ARE WE GOING TO THINK OF PRIVACY, PROTECTION OF CITIZENS' RIGHTS SO WE'RE LEANING IN WHEN IT MAKE THE MOST SENSE FOR CONSTITUENT SERVICES AND GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCIES.

TAKING MORE RISK PULLING BACK WHEN WE THINK IT MIGHT BE MORE THAN WE WANT GOVERNMENT TO HAVE OR A.I.

TO HAVE MORE RULES FOR AND THE GOAL IS MOVING FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND INTO PLACES LIKE ENERGY, EDUCATION, LAND USE, DATA CONSUMPTION THOSE ARE REALLY BIG ISSUES THAT WILL BE PROBABLY COMING THIS YEAR.

>> KENTUCKY HAS STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE YOU KNOW WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF CHEAP ENERGY.

AS YOU LOOK ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THERE'S REALLY A SHORTAGE IN ENERGY.

AND THESE DATA CENTERS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO OPERATE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ARE NECESSARY TO PROGRESS AT ANY TIME, THEY USE A LOT MORE ENERGY THAN REALLY ANY OTHER SECTOR OR EMERGING INDUSTRY.

BUT THERE'S NOT A TON OF JOBS TIED TO IT TO THE DATA CENTER ITSELF.

SO THERE IS A LARGE POLICY DISCUSSION AND DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE AROUND THAT.

>> Renee: STATE LAWMAKERS ALSO HIGHLIGHTED WAYS A.I.

COULD BE USED TO ADVANCE EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE.

I AM I'M GREATLY EXCITED ABOUT THE CONVERSATION.

U.K. AND LEXINGTON ARE CENTRALLY LOCATED AND BRING UNIQUE RESOURCES TO THE TABLE BETWEEN ACCESS TO RESEARCH AND INNOVATION AND HEALTHCARE, TECHNOLOGY WE ARE IN A GREAT PLACE TO DO COOL THINGS FOR KENTUCKY IF WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND REDUCE COSTS THAT WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: STATE LAWMAKERS PASSED SENATE BILL 4 WHICH SETS UP A FRAMEWORK FOR THE USE OF A.I.

IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

THE BIPARTISAN BILL WAS SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR IN MARCH.

>>> TARIFFS REMAIN A HOT TOPIC IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

U.S.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL VISITED NORTHERN KENTUCKY YESTERDAY TO DISCUSS HIS TAKE ON TARIFFS AND HOW THEY IMPACT THE STATE.

OUR EMILY SISK WAS THERE AND HAS THE DETAILS.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP IMPOSED A 10% TARIFF ON ALL IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED STATES EARLIER THIS MONTH WITH HIGHER RATES IN SOME COUNTRIES.

U.S.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL DOESN'T AGREE WITH TRUMP'S STRATEGY.

THE LONGEST SERVING SENATOR VOICED HIS OPINION DURING A VISIT TO THE KVG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND THAT A TRADE WAR IS ULTIMATELY PAID FOR BY TAXPAYERS.

BY REGULAR VOTERS.

THE COSTS IMPACT EVERYTHING.

OUR STATE IS THE MOST DEPENDENT UPON TRADE OF ALL THE 50 STATES.

AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE GDP ON EXPORTS.

ON IMPORTS, WE'RE THIRD.

>> ONE OF KENTUCKY'S BIGGEST INDUSTRIES, BOURBON IS AT HIGH-RISK OF BEING IMPACTED BY THE TARIFFS.

McCONNELL TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE INDUSTRY ALIVE AND STRONG.

>> WE'VE HAD BOURBON WARS IN THE PAST.

AND IT'S VERY EASY FOR A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO HAVE A BOURBON WAR, BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE IT AND WE DO.

95% OF IT IS MADE IN KENTUCKY.

>> KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT ASHLI WATTS WAS ALSO PRESENT ON THURSDAY SHE DISCUSSED THE AFFECT OF TARIFFS ON ANOTHER KENTUCKY BUSINESS.

>> I HEARD JUST TODAY OUR CHURCHILL DOWNS THE WEEK BEFORE THE DERBY IS HALTING EXPANSIONS BECAUSE OF THESE TARIFFS.

AND WE ARE HEARING STORIES FROM KENTUCKIANS ALL OVER OF ALL SIZES OF BUSINESS.

WE HAVE HEARD THERE COULD BE SHORT-TERM PAIN FOR LONGER TERM RESULTS.

BUT FOR KENTUCKY'S SMALL BUSINESSES AND FOR KENTUCKY FARMERS THEY CANNOT SURVIVE SHORT-TERM PAIN.

>> BUSINESS OWNERS WERE ALSO A PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

RICK ROSS WHO FOUNDED ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST CANDY COMPANIES, VOICED HIS REQUEST TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> PERHAPS WE HOPE THAT DC IS LISTENING TO PUT ON EXEMPTIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES UNDER $150 MILLION.

GIVE THEM A 12-MONTH BREAK TO FIND SOLUTIONS AND LET THEM FILL THE ORDERS THEY HAVE TO GET MONEY TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE AND DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> ULTIMATELY McCONNELL SAYS TARIFFS ARE WITHIN THE PRESIDENT'S POWER.

THE U.S.

SENATOR WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE HIS OPINION EVEN IF IT GOES AGAINST THE MAJORITY OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THE CONGRESS CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT, BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT CERTAINLY HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DO THIS.

AND I KNOW HE BELIEVES STRONGLY THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.

>> I THINK MANY OF THE PEOPLE IN THE ADMINISTRATION IN MY JUDGMENT HAVE NOT EVEN HIM THE OTHER POINT OF VIEW.

>> FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M EMILY SISK.

>> Renee: THANK YOU FOR THAT.

SENATOR McCONNELL HOPES TO EDUCATE VOTERS HOW TARIFFS WILL IMPACT THEIR DAILY LIVES.

[♪♪] I'M LAURA ROGERS CHECKING IN WITH NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO'S RYLAND BARTON.

AND LET'S BEGIN WITH THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT AGREEING TO REHEAR A CASE INVOLVING THE JCPS SCHOOL BOARD AND IT GOES BACK TO STATE LEGISLATION SENATE BILL 1.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS CASE AND WHAT IS TO BE DECIDED.

>> YES, SO THAT BILL PASSED BACK IN 2022 AND IT WAS A BIG BILL THAT CHANGED A LOT OF THE KENTUCKY'S EDUCATION SYSTEM IT LIMITED SPECIFICALLY THE POWER OF JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOL BOARD THERE ARE THINGS A COUPLE HIGHLIGHTS THEY COULD HAVE ONE MEETING EVERY FOUR WEEKS AND SHIFTED POWERS TO THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT.

INCREASED THE THRESHOLD FOR WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR THE BOARD TO OVERRULE ANY SUPERINTENDENT ACTIONS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT IS, OF COURSE, AN EMPLOYEE OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.

THE SCHOOL BOARD HIRES AND HAS THE ABILITY TO FIRE THE SCHOOL BOARD.

A LOWER COURT STRUCK THAT DOWN SAYING IT WAS SPECIAL LEGISLATION BECAUSE IT SINGLED OUT JCPS.

LAST YEAR, THE LAWSUIT MADE IT TO THE SUPREME COURT AND THEY ENDED UP UPHOLDING THE LAW.

A NEW JUSTICE HAS COME ON-LINE, PAMELA GOODWINE AND REPLACED LARRY.

THE VERSION OF THE COURT GRANTED A REHEARING OVER THIS LAWSUIT AND THERE WILL BE ORAL ARGUMENTS IN AUGUST.

THIS IS REALLY RARE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN FOR THE SUPREME COURT TO GRANT A REHEARING.

HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE IS CRITICIZING THE DECISION SAYING IT'S SHOWING THERE'S POLITICS IN THE JUDICIARY THAT BECAUSE OF THIS ELECTION THE MEMBERSHIP CHANGED IT'S BEST TO KEEP POLITICS OUT OF THE COURT.

AND PAMELA GOODWINE WAS SUPPORTED BY EDUCATION ADVOCATES ESPECIALLY THE JEFFERSON COUNTY TEACHERS' UNION PAC IN HER ELECTION.

WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES IF THAT REHEARING THAT DECISION TO REHEAR THE CASE SIGNALS THAT THEY WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT DECISION ON IT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THERE WILL BE THAT.

THEY WILL BE ARGUING OVER IT AGAIN LATER THIS YEAR.

>> AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THE RACE TO FILL SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL'S SEAT.

THIS WILL BE HIS LAST TERM SERVING IN THE U.S. SENATE.

AND AGREEMENT ANDY BARR HAS OFFICIALLY THROWN THIS NAME IN THE RING.

IT HAD BEEN HINTED HE WOULD RUN AND THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

AND THEN THIS ALSO MEANS HIS SEAT WILL POTENTIALLY BE OPEN IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> YES.

ANDY BARR WHO HAS BEEN THE CONGRESSMAN SINCE 2012, I BELIEVE, SIXTH DISTRICT LEXINGTON AREA HE IS GOING TO RUN FOR THE SEAT.

DANIEL CAMERON HAS ALREADY SAID HE IS GOING TO RUN FOR THAT SEAT.

SO NOW WE HAVE A BIT OF A COMPETITIVE RACE HERE.

I THINK ONE THING THAT IS NOTABLE ABOUT THIS RACE SO FAR AND THERE COULD BE OTHER PEOPLE TO TOSS HER HATS IN THE RING, IS HOW QUICKLY IT'S BECOME A RACE TO SHOW WHO IS THE BIGGEST SUPPORTER FOR DONALD TRUMP AND MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN MOVEMENT TOWARDS THE END OF MITCH McCONNELL'S CAREER WAS NOT REALLY WHAT HE IS ALL ABOUT.

HE HAS BECOME A TRUMP CRITIC.

IN HIS CAMPAIGN BARR SAID THE WOKE LEFT WANTS TO NEUTER AMERICA LITERALLY.

NOW THAT BARR IS VACATING HIS CONGRESSALITY SEAT.

RYAN DOTSON SAYS HE IS GOING TO RUN FOR THAT SEAT.

THERE ARE OTHER REPUBLICANS THAT MIGHT RUN BUT HE IS THE FIRST TO TOSS HIS HAT IN THE RING HE IS A BUSINESS EXECUTIVE AND PASTOR.

A NEWCOMER TO THE LEGISLATURE AND WANTS TO SECURE FUNDING TO THE DISTRICT AND STAND WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

HE SPONSORED THE LAW THAT RESTRICTED GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FOR TRANS KIDS AND CREATED RESTRICTIONS FOR BATHROOMS FOR TRANS KIDS.

THERE'S OTHER REPUBLICANS FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE CONSIDERING A RUN FOR THIS FORMER STATE SENATE FLOOR LEADER DAMON THAYER WAS MENTIONED.

DEMOCRATS NOBODY DECIDED TO RUN BUT A COUPLE MENTIONED INCLUDING CHERLYNN STEVENSON AND ROCKY ADKINS.

WHICH WOULD BE INTERESTING ALTHOUGH HE HAS ALSO BEEN CONSIDERED FOR A POSSIBLE SENATE RUNDOWN THE ROAD AS WELL.

>> AND IS IT THOUGHT THAT A DEMOCRAT COULD TAKE THAT SEAT THAT SEEMS TO BE OFTEN INDICATED THAT THAT AREA IS MORE BLUE THAN PERHAPS THE REST OF RURAL KENTUCKY.

>> IT USED TO BE.

THE BIG EXPENSIVE RACE IN 2018 WHEN AMY McGRAPH WAS RUNNING BUT DEMOCRATS SAY THEY WILL BE TARGETING THIS DISTRICT BECAUSE IT WILL BE AN OPEN SEAT WITHOUT AT LEAST A VERY HIGH PROFILE CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR THAT DISTRICT.

DEMOCRATS THINK THEY HAVE A CHANCE.

AND THEY ARE HOPING THAT DONALD TRUMP PROVES TO BE UNPOPULAR WITH THIS CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS AROUND GOVERNMENT LAYOFFS, AROUND THE TRADE WAR MIGHT BE POLITICAL BENEFIT TO THEM AND A DEMOCRAT MIGHT WIN.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL HAS BEEN MAKING APPEARANCES ACROSS KENTUCKY HE SPOKE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY YESTERDAY AND OUR REPORTER EMILY SISK WAS THERE AND WE SAW SOME OF HER REPORTING EARLIER IN OUR PROGRAM.

LET'S TALK ABOUT HIS MESSAGING ON THE TRADE WAR AND PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TARIFF POLICY AND CRISTCISMS SURROUNDING THAT.

>> AS WE MENTIONED MITCH McCONNELL HAS NOT BEEN THE BIGGEST FAN OF DONALD TRUMP AND NOW AT THAT TIME HE'S RETIRED FROM REPUBLICAN SENATE LEADERSHIP HE HAS MORE ROOM TO CRITICIZE THE ADMINISTRATION.

ON THIS POINT, HE'S CRITICIZING TRUMP ON TARIFF POLICIES AND THE TRADE WAR STARTING TO LOOM BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA.

HE SAID HE IS YET TO BE CONVINCED THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO GO.

HE POINTS OUT THAT KENTUCKY IS VULNERABLE TO A TRADE WAR AND FOREIGN TARIFFS ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS STUDY ABOUT 16% OF KENTUCKY'S GDP IS DEPENDENT ON EXPORTS THE THIRD HIGHEST IN THE NATION AND IMPORTS IT'S UP TO 32% THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION.

KENTUCKY'S EXPOSED TO FOREIGN TRADE.

McCONNELL HAS BEEN SINGLING OUT THE BOURBON INDUSTRY KENTUCKY MAKES 95% OF BOURBON IN THE WORLD.

AND SMALL BUSINESSES WILL BE DAMAGED IN THAT TRADE WAR.

WE SAW A PAUSE ON TARIFFS SO FAR.

BUT I THINK EVERYBODY IS WORRIED THAT THEY COULD COME AGAIN BECAUSE A LOT OF DECISIONS SEEM TO GET MADE QUICKLY WITHOUT A LOT OF WARNING.

>> SOMETHING WE WILL BE FOLLOWING FOR SURE.

AND RYLAND BARTON WITH NPR ALWAYS AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION WITH YOU.

AND WE APPRECIATE IT AND WISH YOU A GOOD WEEKEND.

>> THANKS, YOU, TOO.

[♪♪] >> Renee: YESTERDAY WAS KENTUCKY WRITERS DAY AN APPROPRIATE DAY TO INSTALL KENTUCKY'S NEW POET LAUREATE KATHLEEN DRISKELL.

POETRY LOVERS AND FORMER LAUREATES GATHERED TO HEAR HER TALK ABOUT MAKING KENTUCKY MORE CREATIVE.

>> THE 1990 WHEN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY ESTABLISHED KENTUCKY WRITERS DAY TO HONOR OUR STRONG LITERARY TRADITION AND CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF ROBERT PENN WARREN, TODD COUNTY NATIVE HE WAS THE NATION'S FIRST POET LAUREATE.

TODAY IS THE 120TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH.

>> THE COUNCIL FACILITATES THE NOMINATION PROCESS AND REVIEWED BY EXPERTS AND WE MAKE THE DECISION ULTIMATELY BY PROVIDING A WONDERFUL LIST OF NAMES AND THE APPOINTMENT IS MADE BY ANDY BESHEAR.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: KENTUCKY IS HOME TO SO MANY TALENTED WRITERS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME NOT JUST AS A GOVERNOR BUT AS A DAD TO TWO TEENAGERS.

I RECOGNIZE WATCHING THEM THAT THAT CREATIVE THAT IS FOSTERED THROUGH THE ARTS HELP US TACKLE PROBLEMS IN ALL PARTS OF SOCIETY AND HELP US LOOK AT THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

AND HELP US THINK IN A WAY MAYBE WE CAN COME UP WITH THE NEXT SOLUTION THAT SPARKS CONVERSATIONS.

THAT CAN CROSS ALL THE DIVIDES WE'RE SEEING IN OUR NATION.

IT CAN BRING PEOPLE TO THE TABLE.

AND WE NEED A LOT MORE PEOPLE AT THE SAME TABLE.

LAST WEEK DURING THE TEAM KENTUCKY UPDATE, I HAD THE HONOR OF ANNOUNCING THAT Dr. KATHLEEN DRISKELL WILL BE OUR KENTUCKY POET LAUREATE FOR 2025 AND 2026.

[APPLAUSE] SHE IS AN AWARD-WINNING POET, ESSAYIST AND TEACHER WHO HAS WRITTEN SIX COLLECTIONS.

>> KATHLEEN VALIDATED ME AS A WRITER SHE INVITED ME TO DO MY FIRST PUBLIC READING.

ALMOST 26 YEARS AGO.

IN THE TIME SINCE, I HAVE WITNESSED HER BEING A CONSTANT STALWART FOR THE KENTUCKY WRITING COMMUNITY.

OFFERING HER TIME AND KNOWLEDGE AS A MENTOR TO SO MANY OF US.

AND I KNOW THAT SHE'S GOING TO ENLARGE AND ENRICH OUR LITERARY WORLD HERE IN KENTUCKY DURING HER TENURE AS POET LAUREATE.

>> WE HAVE A RICH HERITAGE AND WE HAVE SO MANY WRITERS COMING UP AND SO I JUST WANT TO HELP I AM A BORN TEACHER.

SO I JUST WANT TO HELP PEOPLE FIND THEIR WRITING LIVES OR DEEPEN THEIR WRITING LIVES.

I WANT TO WORK WITH TEACHERS BECAUSE THAT TEACHER WAS SO IMPORTANT TO ME IN THIRD GRADE AND SOMETHING SHE HELPED ME WRITE MY FIRST POEM.

IT WOVEN RICHED MY LIVE.

I WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH SCHOOLS, I WANT TO MEET WITH TEACHERS I WANT TO READ WITH OTHER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS.

WE COME FROM A VERY RICH STORYTELLING CONNECTION.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE SAY THAT WE'RE MADE OF STARDUST AND I LIKE TO SAY WE'RE MADE OF STORIES.

LONG AFTER DARK HAD FALLEN AND THE TRAIL LEFT BEHIND, LONG AFTER THE DOG I HAD CHASED TO THE UNFAMILIAR WOODS DISAPPEARED SHE LONG GONE INTO OAKS AND HICKORY AND BRUSH AND LIKELY BACK ASLEEP ON THE PORCH OF MY NEW BOYFRIEND'S CABIN.

I SAW IN THE DISTANCE A FIRE AND WALKED TOWARD IT.

>> Renee: SCHOOLS INTERESTED IN HAVING THE NEW POET LAUREATE AS A GUEST CAN GO TO THE KENTUCKY ARTS COUNCIL WEBSITE AND CONTACT KATHLEEN DRISKELL BY E-MAIL.

>>> FLY A KITE AND ENJOY DIFFERENT KINDS OF MUSIC.

OUR TOBY GIBBS TELLS US MORE IN THIS LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH.

[♪♪] >> CHECK OUT AN APPALACHIAN SPRING IN COLD SPRING KENTUCKY TOMORROW.

THIS CONCERT IS INSPIRED BY THE MUSIC OF THE BLUEGRASS AND APPALACHIAN REGIONS AND WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE FOUR CHOIRS THAT MAKEUP VIVA VOICES.

KICKOFF SPRING WITH THE MUSIC OF THE MOUNTAINS.

>>> TOMORROW IN DOWNTOWN BOWLING GREEN IS THE WHITE SQUIRREL ARTS FEST.

THIS FESTIVAL IS A CELEBRATION OF SOUTHERN KENTUCKY'S CREATIVITY AND LOTS OF PERFORMANCES, FOOD AND ART TO ENJOY.

DON'T MISS THIS GREAT SPRING EVENT.

>>> WHETHER YOU HAVE A GREEN THUMB OR LOOKING TO GET STARTED IN GARDENING DON'T MISS THE NATIVE AND HEIRLOOM PLANT FEST IN SOMERSET THERE WILL BE EDUCATIONAL BOOTHS, SPEAKERS AND FOOD TRUCKS AND LOTS OF PLANTS FOR SALE.

>>> THE CHICK SAW NATION WILL BE AT THE HISTORIC SITE FOR CULTURE DAY.

EXPLORE THE MYRIAD OF INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE FUN AND CONNECT WITH ONE OF THE NATIVE CULTURES OF KENTUCKY.

>>> KITE FEST IS BACK IN LEXINGTON TOMORROW.

BRING YOUR OWN KITE OR BUY ONE AT THE FESTIVAL.

THERE WILL BE GAMES INFLATABLES FOOD AND MUSIC.

THE PERFECT BACKDROP FOR AN AFTERNOON OF KITE FLYING.

DON'T MISS OUT.

>>> THE LOCAL ORCHESTRAS FREE IN HARMONY TOUR WILL BE IN ASHLAND BRING OUT THE FAMILY TO EXPERIENCE THRILLING CLASSICAL MUSIC AS WELL AS GRAMMY WINNING BLUEGRASS JAMS.

IF YOU'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED A LIVE ORCHESTRA THIS IS THE PERFECT EVENT FOR YOU TO CHECK IT OUT.

AND THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH I'M TOBY GIBBS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, TOBY GIBBS.

A LOT OF GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

MAKE IT A GOOD ONE.

BUT MAKE SURE YOU TUNE IN AT 8:00 P.M. EASTERN FOR "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" AS BILL BRYANT AND A PANEL OF WORKING JOURNALISTS TALK ABOUT THE WEEK'S NEWS RIGHT HERE AT 8:00 P.M. CENTRAL CENTRAL ON KET.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND SEE US AT 6:30 EASTERN FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION."

YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE TO E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS AND WATCH FULL EPISODES AND CLIPS AT KET.ORG AND FIND US ON THE PBS VIDEO APP ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE AND SMART TV AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEND US A STORY IDEA WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU BY E-MAIL TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG.

AND FOLLOW KET ON FACEBOOK, X, AND INSTAGRAM TO STAY IN THE LOOP.

I'M RENEE SHAW THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ALL THIS WEEK.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND TO COME.

AND WE WILL SEE YOU MONDAY NIGHT.

UNTIL THEN, TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.

SO LONG.

[♪♪]