>> Hopefully everything that we've been through different parts of the state will pay dividends here as the recovery continues.

Another severe weather event hitting Western Kentucky causing damage to one city's downtown area.

So simply bring yourself your passion, your experiences.

>> Todd, a couple piece of paper work and we'll just take you directly to hiring managers that are downstairs ready to interview.

>> A domestic violence center in Louisville is looking to hire.

That really was the core of that.

But not that I didn't expect that was so valuable team.

We'll introduce you to a program that's given small business owners.

The power to prosper.

We lost the eastern Kentucky native who is receiving one of country music's highest honors.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Endowment for Kentucky Productions.

The owner Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the KET Millennium Fund.

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

April 3rd, I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for starting off your work week with us.

Cleanup is underway in Christian County after Friday night's storms.

>> Straight line winds left behind destruction, including in downtown Hopkinsville as our Laura Rogers explains, the Lieutenant Governor was among those getting a closer look at the damage.

Sweeping.

>> And salvaging debris.

We see this sort of damage just is heart breaking after storms hit Hopkinsville late Friday night.

>> Wade Davis right now between 85 and 95 mile an hour winds that come can too.

>> I heard this huge.

>> Buying how McCoy owns the building that houses the mixer restaurant.

>> While the break got blown off during the storm, the building more than a century old sustaining the worst of the damage.

>> The mixer restaurant on 6th Street which opened in late 2019.

>> become a real I think her for downtown Hopkinsville.

Rubble from the mixer causing more damage.

Hopkinsville Brewing Company one block away.

>> All the debris that's alongside a road and it up alongside our It ultimately smash out a garage door and all the glass.

And, you know, I with it.

>> I've seen a lot of wood embedded in brick, which is really interesting.

This latest severe weather event, another and what has alarmingly become an ongoing trend in Kentucky with every disaster that happens, we learn more.

We get recovery.

We had a really devastating tornado in 2006 and we've had more severe storms since them.

Some people are starting to for 2 western Kentucky is tornado alley, even.

The National Weather Service confirming this time it was straight-line winds and a not a tornado that hit Hopkinsville.

>> You can see damage all over the place all over town, their trees and limbs down.

Lot of replaces.

They were to entire streets that were blocked.

Westerfield says initially 6,000 people lost power.

>> Also in downtown Hopkinsville damage to the clock tower on 9th Street.

It was really important to the governor myself to be here in person today to survey the damage to meet people who have been affected and hear their stories.

Residents say it's especially hard to see the mix are facing this latest hurdle who opened a mere 3 months before the COVID-19 pandemic.

>> They have weathered so many storms literally and to KET the doors open.

>> Other historic buildings also affected, though, not as drastically.

We're very fortunate.

The only damage that we've seen so far is there's a brick live at the top of the building and that the some of the bricks were knocked off their neighbor across the street already planning to We've got really good engineers and really good people.

I worked with over the last 30 years.

We're going to say that we're going to restore and will be open again.

>> We have a lot of damage that we will work through.

The U.S. in Hopkinsville will be stronger than ever when we get done with it here.

>> Business owners also feeling optimistic and encouraged by the support they've received something that I thought was really cool was yesterday.

The number of people that just rolled up their shirt sleeves and stop buying helped us.

I mean, one of our county judges helped me for like 5 hours yesterday, just, you know, moving debris and making piles and sweeping the street to get nails out of it.

>> Like most small communities we come together, we rally around each other when we need the support.

And I think that's what we'll do it again for Kentucky Edition and we'll do it again and again.

I'm Laura Rogers.

>> Thank you, Laura.

The mixer is located in the former Young's hardware store that was in Hopkinsville for 120 years.

Thousands still remain without power after this weekend's strong winds.

Here are the latest numbers.

Kentucky Powers reporting close to 3,000 of its customers remain without power.

The majority are in Pike County were almost 1200 are without power.

And Floyd County, which has about 550 without power.

Kentucky utilities says it has more than 1000 customers without power.

Most are in Jefferson County.

Another outage.

This one impacting Kentucky drivers according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, a statewide outage forced it to close all driver licensing regional offices and cancel appointments today.

No word on what caused the outage or how long offices will be closed.

The cabinet said it will be contacting those who had appointments to reschedule.

On Friday.

Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 5 past mere hours before the Kentucky General Assembly adjourned last Thursday.

It's a bill to phase out.

Kentucky's bourbon barrel tax, which is a property tax on whiskey aging and Rick Houses distillers are tax per barrel year over year on average customers pay about $200 per barrel.

It's a tax that benefits local governments and many were worried about the eventual loss of money for emergency and fire departments under a compromise.

The tax will be gradually phased out over 20 years.

Supporters say that will give local governments time to adapt to the change.

In a statement, the Kentucky Distillers Association praised the bill signing Kentucky distillers will finally receive equal treatment with every other manufacturer whose goods are not taxed during the production process and our state and signature industry are on the pathway to a more competitive tax code and quote, House Bill 5 will take effect in January 2026.

With phase out of the tax complete by 2043, the final of the version of the bill included provisions to help make impact of school districts and local governments hold tiff to shifting the financial burden from the state to the bourbon industry to fill revenue gaps.

For lawmakers will join us to look back at the 2023, Kentucky General Assembly.

What happened and what didn't on Kentucky tonight.

We want to hear your questions and comments.

So join us for that tonight at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET.

Governor Andy Beshear's war chest is growing.

His campaign released new numbers today saying he has raised more than 1 million dollars in the first 3 months of 2023. for his reelection bid.

Beshear announced in October of 2021.

He was seeking a second term as Kentucky's governor.

His campaign says he's raised more than 6 million since making that announcement.

As drug addiction tightens its grip on thousands of Kentucky ends.

The opioid abatement Commission is in the process of evaluating applications for groups and individuals committed to helping turn the tide after a statewide tour with 11 town halls from Pike will to Paducah, the Kentucky opioid Abatement Commission is now tasked with issuing grand dollars to organizations committed to addiction recovery with and prevention strategies, especially among youth.

The commission is charged with distributing more than 800 million dollars from settlements reached with opioid companies.

Last Friday I talked with Brian Hubbard who heads the commission about the work ahead.

>> Thus far, we have received 65 completed applications from individuals and organizations that are looking to fight the opioid epidemic.

We have about 260 in the pipeline.

We have 30 million dollars to award this year and thus far, the total ask is 130 million dollars.

There is a tremendous made tremendous demand and we're going to have to be very thoughtful and strategic with how we get dollars added to the state.

Yes.

So what are the criteria that's been established to determine who are eligible are should be given an award?

Those grants?

>> We want to make sure that individuals and organizations plat have the necessary credentials experience and financial integrity to be a credible administrator out whichever project is proposed.

We are looking at areas that target prevention, specifically child base programs that try to head off even remote fascination with substance use at an early age.

We also want to try to fortify our state's recovery infrastructure, which needs as much resource and as we can deliver every person who is trying to put their lives back together faces significant challenges when doing so.

One of the things that we have discovered and I believe the executive director of the Office of Drug Control Policy.

Mister Van Ingram would agree with this.

We've got tremendous coverage when it comes to acute treatment options, whether it is impatient, treatment or intensive outpatient treatment.

What we don't have much of our recovery services that assistant individual with all the practicalities of rebuilding.

A laugh tonight is to be built from the ground that we don't have a tremendous amount of child based convention activity.

That is a current in 80 organized fashion across the state.

There are some anecdotally within the come within communities, but nothing that is statewide and that thing that is happening in an organized fashion that's got to begin there are stories regularly of young children who inadvertently ingest what appears to be just a peel that's been errantly left.

And I have bad because of the degree to which that peel has been purchased from a street economy and the street economy now has been infiltrated by fentanyl, which is lethal.

>> So let's now shift.

If we can talk about some legislation that was passed and is waiting for the governor's review and action that deals with fentanyl strips a harm reduction approach that would take that off the drug paraphernalia list and laws tell me your thoughts about the effectiveness of that approach.

Do you agree with that and and what needs to happen after that to make sure that it's not further exacerbating drug addiction.

For those who are set suffering from substance abuse disorder, recognizing that substance use is a significant reality in Kentucky.

>> To mitigate the most lethal outcome from that substance use, of course, which that up can be in death.

Fentanyl test strips when a viable allow not just individuals who are struggling with substance use, but first responders who are interacting with individuals, whether they are there to rescue or whether they are there to interdict to ascertain the presence of this poison and to take whatever mitigation measures are necessary to protect their labs.

This is a civil defense measure every bit as much as what a gas mask put a band during World War 2 and it is >> absolutely.

I must say, yeah, if we're going to save as many lives as possible, again, recognizing that substance use is a significant reality within this state.

That's not to endorse it.

But it is to say it.

It's it's a reality.

>> That measure that were removed.

Fentanyl strips from the drug paraphernalia, drug laws was signed by the governor on Friday.

Kentucky is receiving 842 million dollars over the next 18 years.

Half of that goes to the commission and the other half ago to the individual cities, counties and towns to help tackle the opioid crisis.

The commission hopes to announce the first round of awards later in the spring.

The Bluegrass State is all green.

This is the latest COVID community level map.

It now shows all 120 counties and the low category for COVID activity back.

Some good news.

Tensions remain between Louisville City leaders and members of the community last week.

The mayor, the interim police chief and others took part in a panel to discuss how to move the city forward following a damning report by the Department of Justice which found several civil rights violations by the Louisville Police Department.

Some said moving forward must include name in the officers involved in the DOJ report.

I think as far as trust and transparency, the only way the people that are even going to begin to try to give you gather cheese.

And I think this whole warmly is those 9 got to be released.

>> That's where it starts.

>> Mayor Craig Remeber said he's asked the DOJ to provide his office with the information used to make the report and he says he's committed to making that information public.

Linden prior with the Louisville Urban League said he wants community members to give input in future Affo P contract negotiations.

Mayor Greenberg says that's not possible under current state law.

>> There also is a state law that unique and governs how a collective bargaining agreement between a police organization and the city government is government.

And so that long-term, we believe we are following and just like the issue of subpoena power, we believe this is a state law issue.

>> And so that is something for us to look at before the next General Assembly line.

>> Moderators of last week's town hall said more discussions are being planned about the DOJ report tomorrow.

Simmons College, one of 2 historically black colleges in Kentucky plans to issue a public response to the DOJ findings into the Louisville Metro Police Department.

The college will also hold a commemorative service to observe the 55th anniversary.

The assassination of Doctor Martin Luther King Junior.

We'll bring you more on the college's response Wednesday on Kentucky Edition.

The U.S. Army says a special military investigation team is in Kentucky looking into last week's deadly crash at Fort Campbell involving 2 Black Hawk helicopters.

The helicopters crashed Wednesday night during a training exercise, killing all 9 soldiers aboard the aircraft.

The military has released the names of the soldiers who were killed.

They were from 7 states.

Non were from Kentucky.

They ranged in age from 23 to 36.

Army officials say the helicopters were flying together during a training exercise at night and the pilots were using night vision goggles.

We continue to follow the bark situation on the Ohio River.

10 barges broke loose from a tugboat last Tuesday near Louisville.

One barge carrying 1400 tons of methanol ended up partially submerged under a dam air quality samples continue to show no signs of methanol in the air.

Louisville Emergency Management says that after more than 1000 samples taken since the accident.

Kenton County in northern Kentucky is getting more than 22 and a half million dollars for police, tourism and water projects.

>> Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman announced the money today.

That includes money for police departments in Ellesmere Park Hills and Taylor Mill more than ago for tourism funding.

Another 10 million will go for water projects including new water lines and help for 126 households.

Kentucky is home to a national basketball champion.

The Transylvania women won the NCAA Division 3 women's basketball title on Saturday in Dallas beating Christopher Newport.

57 to 52.

That win capped off the pioneers on defeated season was 33 head coach delay Fall said, quote, I am so incredibly proud of the work they have put in this season and grateful to be part of trans his first national championship.

The community support has been amazing all season.

And our last victory was propelled forward.

But the fantastic crowd and exciting atmosphere, unquote.

Want to go pioneers.

♪ ♪ According to a recent report published by the Kentucky Attorney General's office, nearly one in 3 women will experience domestic violence in the Commonwealth.

Nearly one in 5 men will experience sexual violence.

One organization in Louisville is fighting to change that, but it needs more help to do it.

>> To the center for women and Families is the primary provider of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking services in the area.

So we serve Jefferson County and the surrounding 5 counties as well as 2 counties over in Indiana.

So our services kind of cover everything.

It court advocacy so supporting people with a file protective orders.

It's counseling for sexual assault victims, its emergency shelter.

It's taking crisis calls from people that are in the middle of leaving, have left or want to process the journey that they that on our services.

We're 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days year.

We don't close for holidays in our shelters, constantly running.

So with those numbers, I mean, for our call center alone, we took over 83,000 phone calls last year and again, that could range from people seeking help.

The people processing their experiences up in shelter.

We housed over 400 adults and children that are leaving no life-threatening situations.

So the job fair today at the will be offering on the spot job interviews as well as follow up within 24 hours to simply bring yourself your passion, your experiences.

SOT a couple pieces of paper work and we'll just take you directly to the hiring managers that are downstairs ready to interview.

One of the main things people deal with when dealing with abusive situations is lack of resources.

And one of the main resources is job, which you those social connections, its financial access, its being caught up because it's very common to, you know, be cut off from those resources.

You're trapped at home for 20 years.

You come back out and people may not want to hire you because you haven't worked for 20 years.

So giving people that access in the community helps build their social and financial capital, which empowers them to make decisions.

They want to end their lives.

You don't have to have the answers before you reach out to us.

Simply call.

We're here to listen.

We're here to help you who are here to walk with you.

As you discover, you know what's in your best interest?

>> The center for women and families provide support for anyone affected by interpersonal violence.

Regardless of gender.

♪ >> Owning a small business isn't easy and growing on can be even more difficult.

Louisville Metro Chamber of Commerce is helping minority small business owners take their business to the next level for free.

Our Kelsey Starks explains.

>> Greater Louisville Inc is calling this program power to prosper Minority Business Accelerator.

It not only teaches business development strategies, but also helps connect to the suppliers with companies in need of services in the community.

Angela, half men is the owner of a local company called, quote, Enjoy.

She's a master quilter teaches quilting and then also sells quilting supplies and also a recent graduate of the minority Business Accelerator program.

So tell us how to find out about the program and what have you gotten out of it?

>> I got a simple e-mail, encouraging applications.

So I thought I would try because of the time I was kind of drowning.

I didn't know really what direction to take.

It was the end of the pandemic.

And there's a lot of pivoting involved in the business world.

And this came at just the right time.

So it's you know, I like many others who may have taken all those helpful classes over the years.

I have not been exposed to traditional business classes and kind of fell into entrepreneurship.

And this program really gave me the tools and the insight they needed to grow my business.

>> So what kind of things can people expect when they get involved or in a small group?

Really, right?

Yeah.

And there's a lot of education's.

There's modules about finance and marketing in leadership and all those things and patients don't get me wrong was fabulous.

But the part I didn't expect was the community.

And what you get from your interaction with other business owners, those who don't like the next great about their team or their worry about the next an initiative.

So that whole community of of of getting to know another business owner and that person's hopes and worries and dreams.

And maybe I have something that worked for me that could help them and vice versa.

That truly was the core.

The the not that I didn't expect that was so valuable team and how you can really not only help each other with them, that mindset, but even just making those connections.

Yeah, I took out those before.

So now I have kind of my business besties and we go out and talk and chat and share, you know, problems and joys and pains and and opportunities and challenges.

And it's been wonderful.

Yes, so So what's your advice for small business owners?

There's a lot of them out there who are really just trying to get take it to that next level.

I think it you when you own a small business, it can be challenging because you feel like every day you're kind of running and fast be done.

You don't get a luncheon.

You've got, you know, 6 people who need you at that moment and to stop and think no, I need to break in education and take a pause and learn just seems overwhelming.

It's there's already so much to do.

But really, if you can find a way to just take that moment, invest in yourself and your education, it will help you grow your business.

Yeah, this is a perfect way to do that.

Well, the 3rd round of this program launches this week.

They're going to take applications again later this fall for the next round.

This is valued at $15,000 per to us.

Participant but is free to participate.

And because of a generous investment from the local business community.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> An >> eastern Kentucky native is one of the newest members of the country Music Hall of Fame.

It was announced today that Patty Loveless who grew up in Pike County is one of the 2023 inductees into the country Music Hall of Fame Loveless has won the Academy of Country Music's female vocalist of the Year award multiple times.

She's also won Grammys, including Best Bluegrass album in 2011.

Also being inducted along with a loveless singer Tanya Tucker and songwriter, Bob MacDill, the country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place in the fall.

The beginning of the University of Louisville, Charles Dickens visit to Kentuckyian the first football game ever in the Bluegrass State.

So begins has that and more in tonight's look at this week in Kentucky, history.

♪ >> April 3rd, 17, 98 8 man announced their plans to establish the Jefferson Seminary in Louisville.

They asked for support from the public to raise money and hire teachers.

The Jefferson Seminary is better known today as the University of Louisville.

Happy birthday, Isaac Scott Hathaway on April.

4th, 18 72 at the way was an artist and teacher who created Basques and bust some black leaders and designed the first 2 coins honoring black Americans.

>> The space shuttle Challenger blasted off on its maiden flight on April 4th, 1983 with like sing Tony.

And Story Musgrave on board is the only astronaut to fly on all 5 space shuttles.

The great English writer Charles Dickens arrived in Louisville by Steamboat on April 6th 18.

42 and state of the Galt House, all part of decades.

5 month trip to North America that took it as far west of St. Louis.

And as far north as Quebec.

John Randolph insulted Kentucky's Henry Clay during a speech in the U.S. Senate leading to a dual between the 2 on April 8th 18.

26 in Northern Virginia.

They both fired shots but missed and then shook hands.

Kentucky University now known as Transylvania Beach Center College 13 3 fourths to nothing in a cow pasture on April.

Nineth 18, 80.

It's believed to be the first organized football game ever played in Kentucky.

And that's what was happening this week in Kentucky.

History.

>> I'm Toby Gibbs.

>> Thank you.

To be Gibbs.

It's been over a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, one, Kentuckyian he's made multiple trips to the country since the war began.

>> It was it was an incredible experience and just to be able to share in their I don't feel like I've ever lived life so deeply.

Then I have with the people.

I was sharing these experiences with and life changing.

And I feel like I have received so much more than a given.

>> Hear more about how this retired Lexington police officer ended up supporting refugees.

That's tomorrow night on Kentucky edition, which we hope will see you.

4, 6, 30's from 5.30, central where we inform connect and inspire subscribe to our e-mail edition newsletter.

>> And watch full episodes and clips of KET Dot Org.

And you can find us on the PBS video app on your mobile Smart TV.

Thank you so much for watching tonight.

I'm Renee Shaw.

See you real soon on Kentucky tonight at 8 Eastern right here