♪ ♪ >> Kentucky's new education commissioner takes the stage and shares his vision.

>> Go Louisville, Kentucky, and go cards.

>> Top state lawmakers top financial winds for the Derby city.

>> I actually really think Kentucky has a special connection with the periodical cicadas.

>> And what you need to know about the coming of cicada >> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KU Team Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Monday.

April, the TWENTY-NINTH, I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for kicking off your week night with us.

Kentucky's new education commissioner met with reporters today sharing his vision for the state of education moving forward.

>> Doctor Robbie Fletcher says he wants to chirs parents and students to join him and being quote all in on public education.

But this November, Kentucky voters will see constitutional amendment number 2 on the ballot, which if passed would pave the way for public dollars to go toward private education in the Commonwealth.

Fletcher previously said he supports school choice between public school districts.

But today he made it clear where he stands on funneling public money to privately run schools.

>> When I walk into vote against the amendment.

They are very clear about that.

But on the other hand, to a public servant, if the people the for this, it will be my job as commissioner to help the state legislature to help school systems to help kde to implement that in the best way possible.

Again, personally, I will vote against it because I do not believe that public funds should go to private organizations.

>> Diversity, equity and inclusion policies were also intensely debated this past legislative session as lawmakers deliberate deliberated, restricting or Banning dei programs on public college campuses.

So we asked Fletcher about what he felt about D I policies and the role they should play in Kentucky's K through 12 public schools.

>> As far as how I approach Dei is a little of all students.

Students when when they come in the door, regardless of the decisions that they make, we want to make sure we serve all students that we treat all students equally.

We treat all students fairly and we give all students the same top of opportunities.

So my approach as far you diversity, equity inclusion will be more along the lines of a little of every student and we make decisions that loves all students will be a much better organization.

And I think we do a great job of that so far.

>> Fletcher is currently serving as superintendent of Lawrence County Public Schools but will assume the post of education chief on July.

1st, we'll hear more from him tomorrow night right here on Kentucky EDITION.

Today, Louisville, Younes celebrated the future of their city.

Thanks to investments made in the state budget this year as Kentucky additions June Leffler reports.

State legislators say when Louisville prospers so does the rest of the state.

>> United we stand divided.

We fall.

Go Louisville, go Kentucky and go cards.

>> Kentucky Senate president says Louisville's economic and cultural reach extends far beyond Jefferson County state lawmakers earmarked nearly 1.2 billion dollars for one-time investments in Louisville and its outskirts to KET global's downtown bus lane for residents and visitors.

>> Over 100 million dollars to transform downtown to make our city safer.

We're going to make downtown a more thriving, vibrant, clean and green space.

Starting with right in front of us here.

Transforming concrete in grass of the belvedere overlooking the Ohio River right in the heart of our Central Business district.

>> And to KET Louisville Younes experiencing homelessness afloat.

>> To make the community care campus or reality in partnership with Volunteer of America to help provide more services and shelter for those individuals in our community that are most in need.

>> Money is also set aside for Jefferson Memorial, forced thousands of acres of green space just south of Louisville.

We have a gym right here in my district about 15 minutes away.

And we want to make sure that all 6500 acres are appreciated and enjoyed while maintaining Louisville's largest nature preserve another role of the forest.

Even modest investments in smaller organizations are game change.

The Kentucky College of Art and Design says state dollars will help them gain accredidation and grow their student body.

>> It's a small started 14 years ago in the basement of 21 see hotel.

Went on to partner with Spalding University.

Where was incubated for a period of time them broke away and became an independent college of art and design was licensed and he's known for accreditation and moving towards full membership.

Hopefully by December.

>> Kentucky, speaker of the House as countless Kentucky ends came to him to get a slice of the pie ahead of budget negotiations.

>> We had a 5 billion dollar budget serve our budget reserve and I can add about 500 billion dollars from at least 5 million people in request.

>> Every state University had their wish list.

One of the biggest ticket request came from U of L asking for a new space and technology to train the state's future nurses and doctors and U of L got it.

>> This year's budget supports almost 300 million dollars in investment to build a new health sciences center.

Simulation and collaboration hub right here in downtown in the Luna District.

This is the largest funding of a single project in U of l's history.

And I cannot tell you how very much it is needed to support our health sciences, faculty, staff and students as they address a growing shortage of nurses and health professionals in our communities as well as advance cutting edge research to develop treatments and cures for cancer cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

The legislative session was rough for some Louisville lawmakers.

The Republican super majority passed sweeping laws that Democrats did not support.

>> And the General Assembly overhauled ways Louisville governs itself.

But the state's minority floor leader says he is bringing home the bacon to his district.

>> It takes a list of willingness.

Based on relationships and interests that all from bring about good results.

Louisville in district.

33 and by the way, welcome everyone to Senate district.

33 tomorrow.

>> Haha.

>> Said district.

33 has benefited from that dynamic.

I encourage with respect to the budget that this continues because as those standing with me here today, no.

There's much more to be done.

>> For Kentucky edition of John Leffler.

>> Thank you.

June.

Last week, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg unveiled his budget for the Derby city.

It focuses on public safety affordable housing and city employee raises.

New numbers are helping put the issue of homelessness into sharper focus.

Lex count is a night of survey conducted by Lexington's Office of Homelessness, Prevention and Intervention each year the manager of the program says although the number of people experiencing homelessness in the city has increased, he says the data also offers some good news.

>> Of this year's lax county, which would have been conducted on the January 31st.

Found that there were 825 persons that are experiencing homelessness.

That would be persons that were residing in an emergency shelter, transitional housing unsheltered locations.

If we look at 23 resolve to make a direct comparison to this year, we're going to see an increase of 10% or just over one Given that many communities are saying and larger increases, what's positive.

And that is that our numbers are relatively stable.

We also see that when we elect over time.

So if we look back to 2019 just prior to the pandemic, we would have 787 persons experiencing homelessness on the evening of back hound.

So we really haven't seen that increase.

>> A new law passed by the Kentucky General Assembly this year could impact those numbers in years to come.

House Bill 5 commonly referred to as the Safer Kentucky Act.

Ban's outdoor camping in public spaces.

Critics of the bill say it criminalizes homelessness.

Many want to know what the relationship between cities, their police and their homeless population.

It's going to look like moving forward.

>> To be honest for we're still kind of exploring what that would mean for us.

We are working with our law department to review the standard operating procedures that we use to address homeless encampments that are on public control property.

And so we should know more in the near future about what that means.

I'm presently what our process focuses on is making sure that services their street outreach are offered to persons who are found to be resigning and the public controlled space.

we also have certain notices that are get them to avoid people losing belong games or risking unnecessary law enforcement contact.

So it's going to really have to look at what kinds of steps in our process might need to be modified and what kinds of additional resources might need to be added.

So that folks have a quick turn.

It is to resign on the streets.

>> This year's LAX county also found that fewer single adults are experiencing homelessness while there has been an increase in the number of unhoused families, which is the inverse of last year's trend.

Now join us tonight on Kentucky tonight.

As we discuss housing issues and homelessness.

And we'll talk about the safer Kentucky at and the new law affecting renters use of federal housing vouchers.

That's tonight at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET News, Kentucky.

Tonight.

Now turning to national politics, U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky made the rounds on the Sunday morning news shows he was asked about his support for Ukraine and increasing the National Defense budget.

He also addressed those same issues on Friday during a visit to the center that bears his name at the University of Louisville, referring to the foreign aid package that was eventually signed into law last week, which included more than 60 billion dollars for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Senator McConnell said supporting Ukraine is the right thing to do.

>> We just experienced very frustrating.

Huge.

Effort here.

Largely in my party.

To get the funding to cry.

No good argument to oppose Personnel are being killed.

More than half the money being spent is being spent in this country.

Including an okay.

And 38 change.

Europeans.

We're actually doing on the domestic side more than we are.

And almost half of the NATO countries are spending more.

As a percentage of their gross domestic product.

On that ranch.

Now, as we are.

>> Leader McConnell also took the opportunity to side with Israel and against chaotic campus protests which have led to more than 900 arrests at campuses across the country.

>> I have been disturbing.

I hope this is not.

One of the campuses that I'm talking about, the level of Anti-Semitism among younger people.

>> And the cabbage.

The university president, some of them have resigned.

You can get serious about.

On the campus.

>> There have yet to be similar demonstrations at colleges in Kentucky.

The first such protests started more than a week ago at Columbia University in New York City.

Work on a new training facility for law enforcement in Kentucky is well underway.

The Department of Criminal Justice Training posted these pictures on social media noting the construction has passed the halfway mark, the Jody Cash Multi-Purpose Training facility in Richmond is named in honor of a Calloway County Sheriff's deputy who died in the line of duty in 2022, it will support training for nearly all of Kentucky's law enforcement agencies.

Construction is expected to be complete next year.

♪ ♪ A highly contagious virus is once again impacting Kentucky schools on Friday.

Lexington's Health Department said 2 cases of pertussis or whooping cough were confirmed one at Lexington, Catholic High School in one of Bryan Station.

High School.

This is the first time the illnesses have been reported in school, age children in Lexington and more than 2 years.

Kevin Hall with the Lexington, Fayette County Health Department.

Details what caregivers should be looking for.

And today's medical news.

>> A lot of people think sis or equipping cause has been identified by that aggressive cost.

And while that usually comes 2 to 3 weeks and 2 and a little later into the symptoms.

It initially shows itself must be very much like typical cold symptoms.

>> So if you're a caregiver or your child has a cold, it is headed and will go away and particularly a nagging cough.

So you're into a cough.

It's reached that 2 week point.

That's a good time to start making plans to cut cut primary care provider because this could be something that is more serious, like pertussis.

There is a for pertussis is part of the regular childhood immunization schedule.

Now he just because you are vaccinated doesn't mean that you still can't get pertussis.

But what has been shown time and again is that the symptoms will be milder.

And so if you if you go online, do a Google search for a video of pertussis that So barlett anything they can be done to reduce the effects of that is important to do.

You hear stories all the time and people who cough so violently for Pertussis Topeka, great to read.

So think about kids.

Think about your elderly members of your family.

You want to make sure people aren't getting this.

If your caregiver and you don't know if your child has received the vaccine, reach out to your health department weather here in Lexington or wherever you may be watching those to find out about that immunization schedule.

If you need the vaccine, give us a call here at the health department by Sunday appointment Monday through Thursday.

We'd be happy to help you qualify.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> A large part of the U.S. will soon be hearing the on must a couple chirping of the cicadas.

Setting aside your personal feelings about the strange and sex.

There is something special.

Half putting this year.

Kentucky Edition paid a visit to an end and entomologist to say what the commonwealth can expect from an upcoming cicada invasion.

>> We're having a rare source of my rare double bird emergence this year in 2024. to brood of cicadas a 17 year brood up in the Illinois area.

And then a 13 year brute spread across a lot of the southern United States.

They're going to come out together at the same time, this particular pairing hasn't occurred since 18 0, 3, If you live out and the purchaser payroll region, you might be able to find some 13 year cicadas this year area is part of the great Southern brood.

But central and eastern Kentucky, probably not going to see a lot of action with this brood that's in the state.

We're supposed to have a huge emergence next year for brood, 14, which will cover most of the state east of the Pennyrile and purchase region.

The other weird thing with cicadas and sometimes they lose count so we could have some early risers that come out a year early here and this part of Kentucky church.

>> We've already seen them in South Carolina and Georgia.

There already was hard and fast emergencias.

>> It tends to coincided with the blooming of viruses, the full bloom of viruses.

And you're kind of local area that tends to match up really well with the temperature needs that they have in the soil to start emerging.

So should be any time, here and the sort of latter part of April or the early part of May.

That's what we should start to see some of these adults from a start flying around in there.

They don't feed very much as adults.

The periodical cicadas.

So they're not going to tack Koran or your tomatoes in your They're not going to go out damage our fields.

It's usually newly transplanted or young sort of ornamental trees or fruit trees.

People who grow apples and some of these other fruits that we have in the state, they do get worried about this and we put netting on those trees to try and protect them.

There are some spring guys, if you really have to protect a bigger treats.

But by and large these things, they just kind of come and go.

They don't leave a lasting impact on humans.

In terms of being actual plan us.

I actually really think Kentucky has a special connection with the periodical cicadas.

We have so many broods that live in this state.

It's just.

>> It's this huge.

>> The party has that kind of alluded to.

I mean, it's all it's a symbol of rebirth.

>> Of renewal.

We kind of call the cicadas the Guardians of time.

These particular species because they have this exaggerated life cycle.

It's just this every 17 or every 13 year-old binders asked major has tower gets to come out and kind of do whatever it was.

We don't have any control over it.

To me, it is a very beautiful experience.

Such.

>> That's one way to describe it.

The collective song produced by Cicadas the Guardians of Time can be as loud as a jet engine.

Last week, the noise was loud enough.

And one South Carolina town.

But some people were reporting it to the sheriff's office thinking they were sirens.

♪ ♪ ♪ It's Derby weekend.

There are lots of events leading up to the fastest 2 minutes in sports.

When all eyes will be on Kentucky today.

The guest list was announced for one of the hottest parties of the year.

The annual Barnstable Brown Gala is Friday night in Louisville celebrities this year include comedian Tracy Morgan Broadway's Sheryl Lee, Ralph Singer, Kid Rock and Louisville rapper Jack Harlow.

The gala puts the fun and fundraiser with proceeds benefiting UK Health Care's Barnstable, Brown Diabetes Center, the director of the Center Doctor Simon Fisher says it's a party with a purpose.

>> It's a fantastic opportunity for the battle ground family raise awareness of diabetes.

Andres funds for supporting diabetes care and research at the University of Kentucky.

We're incredibly grateful for the family for.

Hosting this party and incredibly grateful for the the proceeds which goes to support a diabetes care, Kentucky.

I think last year when my wife and I were on the dance floor listening my.

>> The sun by Smokey Robinson especially memorable period.

And we're looking forward having him saying to us again this year >> the iconic called to The Post will kick off the Kentucky Derby once again this year has to the same as it has for the last 149 years.

And for the past 29 years, the same man has been behind the bugle.

We caught up with Steve Bartleman for his unique perspective of the Kentucky Derby.

♪ ♪ >> My title as the official bugler Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.

I mean, I always get nervous before the Derby because I mean, you can't help.

But, you know, realize that this is the biggest race of the whole year.

So what I usually do is take a walk down the turf and then when I turn around and see all of this and the twin Spires and everybody having a great time, I just think.

God, what did I do to deserve to be the guy?

And I just say thank you, God.

And please help me not screw up.

Haha.

And that usually helps with the nerves.

♪ My favorite is after I play the call, the post when they play my old Kentucky home and 160,000 people saying my old Kentucky home, it gives me goose bumps every time.

I just love it.

It's been fantastic.

I've been very blessed to be here.

I love getting to share the Derby with people.

And it's so much fun to see everybody having a great time and to be part of this tradition is a great honor.

>> He is a legend, indeed.

And since it's Derby week, we look back at a few important derby milestones and more as our Toby gives reviews this week in Kentucky history.

♪ >> Louisville Seelbach Hotel opened on May first 19.

0, 5, 25,000 people turned out for the opening future.

Guests included 8 presidents and gangster Al Capone.

He'll Gayle one.

The 73rd Kentucky Derby on May.

3rd 1952.

The race aired on was the first Derby broadcast on national television.

Some worried TV coverage would cut down on attendance at Beecher Derbies.

But instead the broadcast caused the Derby's popularity to grow.

Wedge in Derry, singer and actress Judy Garland.

Same aisle, Kentucky home during a Derby Parents at the Bluegrass Festival show in Lexington on April.

29 1953.

One year later on April.

29 1954, and comedian Bob Hope perform at the Bluegrass Festival show and like symptoms, Memorial Coliseum.

>> Derby Week tradition began on April 30 of 1963, as the Belle of Louisville and the Delta Queen competed in their first a boat race on the Ohio River.

The Delta Queen won.

Dianne crop became the first woman jockey to win the Kentucky Derby on May.

Second 1970, she wrote Dust commander.

The not running of the Kentucky Derby was news on May second 2020 because of COVID.

The race was postponed the first time in 75 years.

The Kentucky Derby was on top of the first Saturday in May.

Those are some of the highlights this week in Kentucky history.

I'm told he gives.

>> Thank youto be Gibbs.

3 weeks ago today we were in Paducah along with about 3,000 of our closest friends for the total solar eclipse.

The city has once again welcome thousands of people to celebrate a tradition dating back centuries >> it is a moon to the city of Paducah and all of Western Kentucky.

Really?

I've always thought that.

So that's all you know.

>> Hundreds of quilts were on display for Quilt week festivities will show you some of the craftsmanship and talent tomorrow night on Kentucky edition.

And we hope we'll see you then at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky edition where we inform connect and inspire subscribe to our Kentucky Edition email newsletters and watch full episodes and clips and KET and T Dot Org.

>> You can also find us on the PBS video app on your mobile device and smart TV.

And we always welcome you to send us a story idea to public affairs at KET and T Dot Org and follow KET on Facebook X formally known as Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop.

You want to hang in there with us all evening because after the news out, we've got a great program on Kentucky tonight about homelessness.

You part us talk about that earlier in the newscast.

We'll break down a case before the U.S. Supreme Court that could have implications for the recently passed say for Kentucky Act.

House bill 5, all of that and more coming your way this evening.

KET it locked right here on KET.

Thanks for watching.

And until I see in a bit, take good care.

♪ ♪ ♪