
April 7, 2025
Season 3 Episode 223 | 27m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
Conditions still dangerous in Frankfort even as floodwaters start receding.
Officials say even though the floodwaters in Frankfort are starting to go down, conditions in the city remain dangerous, Versailles Municipal Utilities shuts down intake from the Kentucky River due to flooding and safety concerns, and a USDA program that helped get fresh, local food into Kentucky school cafeterias will soon come to an end.
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Kentucky Edition is a local public television program presented by KET

April 7, 2025
Season 3 Episode 223 | 27m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
Officials say even though the floodwaters in Frankfort are starting to go down, conditions in the city remain dangerous, Versailles Municipal Utilities shuts down intake from the Kentucky River due to flooding and safety concerns, and a USDA program that helped get fresh, local food into Kentucky school cafeterias will soon come to an end.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[♪♪] >> WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS RESCUE AFTER RESCUE AFTER RESCUE.
>> Christie: THE RAIN HAS STOPPED.
THE PROBLEMS HAVEN'T.
>> THE COMMON PEOPLE WANT TO BE THE GOOD GUYS BUT WE HAVE LEADERS WHO ARE FAILING US.
>> Christie: PRESIDENT TRUMP'S KRITD PARTICULARS RALLY ACROSS THE NATION AND KENTUCKY.
>> IT'S STRAIGHT OUT OF OUR DIRT AND COMING RIGHT TO YOU.
>> Christie: BUT A PROGRAM BUTTING KENTUCKY FOOD IN KENTUCKY SCHOOLS IS NOW ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK.
>> PRODUCTION OF "KENTUCKY EDITION" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE KET MILLENNIUM FUND.
[♪♪] >> Christie: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR MONDAY APRIL 7TH I'M CHRISTIE DUTTON IN OUR LOUISVILLE STUDIOS FILLING IN TONIGHT FOR RENEE SHAW.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
THE DEATH TOLL IS NOW TWO AFTER FOUR DAYS OF RAIN, STORMS AND FLOODING.
WE TOLD YOU LAST WEEK ABOUT A CHILD SWEPT AWAY BY FLOOD WATERS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY.
NOW A WOMAN DIED IN WILSON COUNTY.
AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS WARNING PEOPLE THIS ISN'T OVER.
>> Gov.
Andy Beshear: I JUST WANT TO STRESS THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO LOSE ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL.
AND WHETHER OR NOT WE DO, IS GOING TO DEPEND ON THE DECISIONS THAT PEOPLE MAKE HERE UNTIL THE EVENT IS OVER.
REMEMBER, THIS EVENTS IS NOT OVER UNTIL THE WATERS HAVE RECEDED.
UNTIL THE AREAS THAT ARE FLOODED ARE FULLY DRY, UNTIL WE DON'T HAVE SATURATED GROUND THAT COULD CREATE MUDSLIDES OVER ROADS AND BRIDGINGS.
SO I'M ASKING EVERYBODY, JUST BE CAREFUL.
WE ARE NOW JUST LOOKING AT A PERIOD OF DAYS MAYBE THE REST OF THIS WEEK.
REMEMBER, IF THOSE WATEREDS ARE RECEDING IT'S STILL DANGEROUS TO DRIVE YOUR CAR THROUGH THEM N FEBRUARY STORMS WE LOST 24 KENTUCKIANS.
MANY OF THOSE COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.
SO TO EVERYBODY OUT THERE, REMEMBER, BEING THERE TOMORROW OR NEXT WEEK WITH YOUR FAMILY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TRY TO GET TO WHERE YOU'RE GOING.
DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH WATER.
DO NOT MOVE BARRICADES YOU ARE NOT MAKING A BAD DECISION FOR YOURSELF, YOU CAN CAUSE HARM OR DEATH TO THE NEXT PERSON THAT COMES ALONG.
>> Christie: TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY JIM GRAY SAYS THERE WERE 538 STATE ROADS CLOSED AS OF THIS MORNING BECAUSE OF FLOODING.
THAT IS JUST STATE ROADS IT DOES NOT INCLUDE CITY AND COUNTY ROADS.
KENTUCKY IS GETTING HELP FROM OTHER STATES, VERMONT, GEORGIA, NORTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND SENT TEAMS TO KENTUCKY.
>> IN FRANKFORT PEOPLE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON THE KENTUCKY LIVER HAS APPROACHED ALMOST RECORD HEIGHTS.
DRONE FOOTAGE SHOW MUCH OF THE CITY BURIED AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF HEAVY RAINFALL.
THE RIVER CRESTED AT A NEAR REPORT LEVEL FORCING PEOPLE FROM THEIR HOMENESS THE CLOSURE OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES.
AS THE WATERS START TO GO DOWN, CONDITIONS REMAIN DANGEROUS.
>> FRANKFORT IS A RIVER TOWN PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THE RIVER DOES AT WHAT LEVELS.
SO THE THINGS WE DEAL WITH ARE THE ELK HORN CREEK THIS TIME THE RAIN DID NOT COME FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY WHERE THE CREEK GETS IN TROUBLE.
WHEN THEY CHANGE THE PREDICTION FROM 47 TO 49-AND-A-HALF, A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT IN THE COUNTY GOT IN TROUBLE.
THEY WENT TO BED THAT NIGHT AND TAKEN THE TIME BECAUSE THEY LIVE ALONG THE RIVER THEY KNOW WHAT THE RIVER DOES.
THEY HAD TAKEN THE TIME TO MOVE EVERYTHING FROM THE FIRST LEVELS TO THE SECOND LEVELS.
BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL 5:30 THE NEXT MORNING WE GOT THE NOTIFICATION THE RIVER CAME UP SO FAST AND THE ROADS WERE CLOSED QUICKLY, THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE LOST A LOT OF THINGS.
>> THIS IS A CONTINUALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION, PARTICULARLY ON THE WATERS EDGES AND IT'S IMPACTING A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS, THEIR HOMES, BUSINESSES, AND WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO GET THROUGH THESE NEXT FEW DAYS.
BECAUSE THE HARD WORK'S ABOUT TO BEGIN.
FIRST THING IS TO GET, WELL, GET PEOPLE BACK INTO THEIR HOMES.
TODAY, WE'RE STUDYING THE FLOOD WALL THAT WE HAVE WHICH PROTECTS MOST OF THE FRANKFORT BUILT IN THE EARLY 90s AND THAT HELPED US OUT HERE IN THE CITY.
WE'RE TESTING THAT AND MAKING SURE THERE'S NOTHING WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THERE.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY REASON TO THINK THERE WILL BE ISSUES WITH THE FLOOD WALL ONCE WE KNOW AND FEEL CONFIDENT THAT IS OKAY, WE CAN MOVE PEOPLE BACK INTO THEIR HOMES.
>> Christie: UTILITIES WERE TURNED OFF IN PARTS OF CITY SUNDAY IN ANTICIPATION OF THE FLOODING.
THE CITY OF FRANKFORT ISSUED A CURFEW THAT WAS LIFTED EARLY THIS MORNING.
>>> FLOODWATERS FORCED SEVERAL FAMILIES FROM THEIR HOMES IN WOODFORD COUNTY OVER THE WEEKEND.
OFFICIALS SAY FLOODING DESTROYED OR DAMAGING 250 HOMES IN THE COUNTY.
PEOPLE LIVING NEAR THE KENTUCKY RIVER WERE ADVISED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES AS RAINFALL PUSHED THE RIVER TO THE LEVEL.
THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO HELP THE PEOPLE AFFECTED.
>> THE RETENTION BASINS ARE FILLED WITH WATER SO WE'RE JUST ALL HANDS ON DECK HERE IN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED AS THEY RECOVER.
>> WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE DOWN ON THE KENTUCKY RIVER WHO HAVE HOMES DOWN THERE ARE IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE.
THEIR HOMES FLOODED THEY'VE LOST POSSESSIONS.
SO WE'RE PRAYING FOR THEM AND TRYING TO PROVIDE SUPPORT.
HERE ON THE CITY SIDE, EXCEPT FOR THE WATER PLANT, ASKING PEOPLE TO CONSERVE UNTIL WE CAN GET THE ELECTRIC UP AND RUNNING.
>> Christie: THE OVERABUD DENSE OF WATER HAS THE CITY OF VERSAILLES ASKING PEOPLE TO CONSERVE WATER.
THE MUNICIPAL UTILITIES ANNOUNCED IT WAS SHUTTING DOWN THE INTAKE FROM THE KENTUCKY RIVER DUE TO FLOODING AND SAFETY CONCERNS.
THE WATER IS SAFE TO CONSUME BUT THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE USING TOO MUCH THAT COULD LOWER LEVELS AND FORCE A BOIL-WATER LEVEL.
TO TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF, THE CITY HELD A FREE BOTTLED WATER DISTRIBUTION AT THE WOODFORD COUNTY PARK.
>> IT'S BEEN REALLY WELL RECEIVED.
A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE COME TOGETHER AND WANT TO KNOW HOW THEY CAN HELP.
TODAY WE HAVE A CONCRETE EXAMPLE HOW TO HELP.
CONSERVE YOUR WATER AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.
WE'VE HAD A HUGE RESPONSE AND WE'RE COMING ON PROBABLY 100 RESIDENTS SO FAR AND WE HOPE THAT GOES UP.
WE HOPE WE HAVE NO MORE WATER LEFT SO PEOPLE TAKE THIS HOME AND RELY ON IT AND KEEP THEIR TAPS CLOSED UNTIL WE CAN GET EVERYTHING BACK ON-LINE.
>> Christie: CITY OFFICIALS SAY WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS.
>>> EVACUATION ORDERS HAVE BEEN LIFTED FOR TWO NORTHERN KENTUCKY CITIES.
CONCERNS OVER HEAVY FLOODING PROMPTING MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDERS FOR THE CITIES OF FALMOUTH AND BUTLER.
THIS IS VIDEO OF THE FLOODING IN FALMOUTH.
FLOODING FROM THE LICKING RIVER CUTOFF PARTS OF THE CITIES.
PENDLETON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT LIFTED THE EVACUATION AT NOON TODAY AND BUTLER'S WAS LIFTED AT 4:00 P.M. CREWS ARE WORKING TO RESTORE, ELECTRIC, WATER AND NATURAL GAS SERVICES TO ALL THE RESIDENTSES.
>>> EARLIER TODAY, I SPOKE WITH METEOROLOGIST SHANE HOLINDE WITH THE KENTUCKY MESONET ABOUT THIS RECORD-BREAKING RAINFALL AND OUR NEXT WEATHER WARNING AT THAT TIME GOES INTO EFFECT OVERNIGHT.
>> SHANE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS RAINFALL HOW MUCH RAIN ARE WE TALKING ABOUT OVER A FIVE-DAY PERIOD THROUGHOUT THE STATE?
>> WELL, INCREDIBLE RAINFALL TALLIES FROM BOTH COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS FOR THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, ALONG WITH THE KENTUCKY MESONET TO THE TUNE OF DOUBLE-DIGITS COMING BETWEEN APRIL 3-5.
AND IN SOME CASES WE SAW MORE THAN A FOOT OF RAIN MARSHALL COUNTY BEING THE WINNER WITH 15 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN JUST THREE DAYS' TIME NEAR BENTON KENTUCKY.
>> Christie: AND THIS WAS DIFFERENT THAN THE LAST FLOODING EVENTS WHEN EASTERN KENTUCKY WAS HIT HARD THEY HAD LIGHTER RAINFALL TOTALS WHICH WE'RE THANKFUL FOR.
WESTERN KENTUCKY SEEING THE MOST.
BUT RIGHT NOW WE ARE DEALING WITH ONGOING RIVER FLOODING.
TELL US ABOUT THAT.
>> ALL THAT WATER HAD TO GO SOMEWHERE AND THE RIVERS, CREEKS, TRIBUTARIES THAT IS WHERE IT'S GOING.
WE'VE SEEN THE LAKE CREST AT A RECORD LEVEL AT 585.7 FEET.
THE RECORD SET IN MARCH 1989.
THE GREEN RIVER IS CONTINUING TO RISE.
AND HAS YET TO CREST IN PARADISE AND ALSO IN CALHOUN IN McCLAIN COUNTY.
THAT WILL COME LATER THIS WEEK.
THAT IS BECAUSE THE RIVER IS BACKED UP RIGHT NOW.
ALL THE TRIBUTARIES ARE WATERLOGGED SO IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL DAYS FOR THE GREEN RIVER TO CREST AT ALL POINTS AND THEN SEVERAL DAYS BEYOND THAT TO GRADUALLY FALL.
>> Christie: AND THE SAME CASE GOES FOR THE OHIO RIVER NEAR THE LOUISVILLE AREA.
WE'RE EXPECTING A CREST IN THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS, PERHAPS ON WEDNESDAY.
IT COULD GO UP TWO OR THREE FEET FROM WHERE IT IS NOW.
AND THAT IS TYPICAL AND THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO REMIND PEOPLE ABOUT TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN ABOUT CROSSING THOSE FLOODED ROADWAYS, RIGHT?
>> EXACTLY.
WE SAW NUMEROUS ROADWAYS THAT ARE IMPASSABLE THAT IS THE CASE FOR MANY COUNTIES ACROSS CENTRAL AND WESTERN KENTUCKY.
EVEN IF A ROADWAY IS NOT BARRICADED IT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS PASSABLE BY MY MEANS.
IF YOU ARE DRIVING IN A BIG FORD F150 YOU THINK YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT YOU NEVER KNOW HOW DEEP THAT WATER IS AND IT ONLY TAKES ONE FOOT OF WATER TO LIFT VEHICLES OFF THE ROADWAY.
TWO FEET WILL LIFT ANY VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY.
TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN.
>> Christie: SWITCHING GEARS FROM RAIN TO THE TEMPERATURES, WE GO INTO THE DEEP FREEZE TONIGHT.
WHAT'S THAT GOING TO BE ABOUT?
>> TALK ABOUT WEATHER WIN LASH.
WHIPLASH A FREEZE WARNING FOR THE COMMONWEALTH INTO THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF TUESDAY.
TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO DROP 25-30° RANGE ACROSS MUCH OF THE STATE.
>> Christie: THANK YOU, SHANE.
FROM FLOOD TO FREEZE AS YOU HEARD THE TEMPERATURES FOR MOST OF THE STATE WILL DROP TO THE 20s OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.
AND FOR SOME, THE 20s AGAIN OVERNIGHT TOMORROW NIGHT.
FOR SOME EASTERN KENTUCKY COUNTIES THE LATEST FLOODING COMES LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER A FLOOD EVENT LEFT 22 DEAD AND DESTROYED HOMES AND BUSINESSES.
THE FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN KENTUCKY WILL HOLD A RELIEF CONCERT IN HAZARD TO BENEFIT THOSE IMPACTED.
THE HEADLINER, MUSICIAN AND FORMER DUKES OF HAZZARD STAR JOHN SCHNEIDER WHO TELLS US THIS IS ONE WAY TO PAYBACK A COMMUNITY THAT HAS SHOWN HIM SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
>> AS SOON AS WE HEARD ABOUT THE FLOODS, IT WAS OKAY WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.
BUT THEN DIDI SAID YOUR BIRTHDAY IS ON APRIL 8TH, I'VE HAD 64 OF THEM SO FAR I REMEMBER.
WHY DON'T WE GO AND DO THIS ON YOUR BIRTHDAY?
AND I SAID THAT IS THE BEST IDEA I'VE EVER HEARD IF YOU ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE GIVEN ANY KIND OF CELEBRITY YOU SHOULD DO SOMETHING GOOD WITH IT.
AND HAZARD HAS DONE WONDERFUL THINGS FOR ME BY BEING HAZARD.
I AM FOREVER ASSOCIATED THEY SPELLED IT BRONC.
BUT I'M FOREVER ASSOCIATED WITH THAT BEAUTIFUL PART OF OUR COUNTRY.
THE RESPONSE ON FACEBOOK, THE RESPONSE ON ALL THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS HAS BEEN JUST WONDERFUL.
PEOPLE ARE EXCITED.
I TOLD THEM ON FACEBOOK THE OTHER DAY I SAID COME HELL OR HIGH WATER WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT BACK TO HAZARD.
WE HAD NO IDEA IT WAS GOING TO BE THIS WEATHER ON THIS TRIP BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE THERE.
LIKE I SAID IF I HAVE TO PADDLE A CANOE WITH MY GUITAR WE WILL BE THERE.
>> WE ARE SO THANKFUL THAT HE IS WILLING TO DO A BENEFIT CONCERT.
HE IS DONATING HIS TIME AND HIS TALENT AS WELL OF HIS BAND.
THEY HAVE TRAVELED ON THEIR OWN DIME TO COME TO HAZARD AND SETUP AND PLAY AND PERFORM A CONCERT.
SO THIS IS FOUR VICTIMS FROM THE FEBRUARY 2025 FLOOD AND THEN ALSO IF ANYTHING DOES HAPPEN IN THESE NEXT FEW DAYS WITH FLOODING IN THE REGION THAT MONEY WILL ALSO GO TO BENEFIT ANYONE IMPACTED BY THAT AS WELL.
WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PREPARE FOR ANY CONTINGENCY THAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING TO BE PREPARED FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.
>> I'M HONORED AND HUMBLED BY THEIR REACTION AND I HOPE THAT WHAT WE DO ON MY BIRTHDAY, I HOPE COME APRIL 9TH, WE WILL HAVE ALL BEEN PART OF THE SINGLE GREATEST FUNDRAISING EFFORT IN THIS ENTIRE AREA.
BUT I'M GOING TO SAY THIS.
COME HELL OR HIGH WATER WE ARE HEADED TO HAZARD.
I HEAR THE RAIN.
[♪♪] >> Christie: WEEKEND RAINS COULD NOT DETER TRUMP CRITICS FROM TAKING TO THE STREETS.
THE GROUP INDIVISIBLE ORGANIZED RALLIES NATIONWIDE.
IN LOUISVILLE THE CROWD OF HUNDREDS RANGED FROM DIEHARD DEMOCRATS TO PRO PALESTINIAN ACTIVISTS.
THE COMMON SENTIMENT, SLOW DOWN THE TRUMP AGENDA.
>> I'M SO THRILLED TO BE A PART OF THIS TODAY, BECAUSE I HAVE KIDS AND I HAVE GRANDKIDS AND THIS IS THAT THE COUNTRY I WANT TO LEAVE THEM WITH.
HANDS OFF ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN THINK OF.
HANDS OFF MEDICARE, HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY.
HANDS OFF IMMIGRATION.
HANDS OFF OUR ECONOMY.
[CHEERING].
>> WE ARE AT WAR.
A CONVICTED FELON SITS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND UNELECTED BILLIONAIRES AND ALLOWS THEM TO DISMANTLE OUR COUNTRY.
THEY ARE DESTROYING THE FOUNDATION AND THE STRUCTURE OF EVERYTHING WE HAVE BUILT, EVERYTHING WE RELY ON.
THEY ARE AT WAR WITH OUR WORKING FAMILIES.
THEY ARE AT WAR WITH OUR VETERANS, OUR SENIORS OUR TEACHERS, OUR NURSES OUR FARMERS.
WE CANNOT LET THIS STAND AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.
>> TRUMP IS AN IDIOT AND HE HAS NO SOUL, NO CONSCIENCE HE WANTS TO GIVE RICH PEOPLE AND MORE WEALTH AND I HATE HIM.
>> POWER WITH THE PEOPLE.
>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET DONALD TRUMP AND ELON MUSK TAKE THAT AWAY FROM US.
GOOD NEWS FOR US DEMOCRATS.
LOOK WHAT HAPPENED IN WISCONSIN JUST THIS WEEK.
ELON MUSK GIVEN ME THAT $25 MILLION I WOULD HAVE DONE A LOT MORE WITH IT.
>> AS WE WATCH IT IT'S LIKE WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN OUR HOUSE AND SENATE FIGHTING BACK?
>> THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE.
>> THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE.
>> EVERYBODY HERE OUGHT TO APPOINT YOURSELF AS A COMMITTEE OF ONE.
AND YOUR JOB IS TO EXTEND YOUR REACH AS FAR AS YOU CAN.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN FOR YOU TO DO WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO DEMOCRACY.
YOU ARE THE ANSWER.
YOU HAVE THE KEY.
SO HANDS OFF.
HANDS OFF.
HANDS OFF.
HANDS OFF.
>> WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL THEY TAUGHT US TO BE PROUD OF THE UNITED STATES.
AND THAT WE WERE THE GOOD GUYS.
WE ARE NOT THE GOOD GUYS ANYMORE.
WE WANT THE COMMON PEOPLE WANT TO BE THE GOOD GUYS BUT WE HAVE LEADERS WHO ARE FAILING US.
WE NEED THEM TO STAND UP FOR OUR DEMOCRACY.
WE NEED THEM TO DO THEIR JOBS AND NOT WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT WHETHER THEY ARE GOING TO BE REELECTED OR NOT.
THEY NEED TO DO WHAT THEY WERE ELECTED TO DO WHICH IS TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION.
>> Christie: CROWDS POPPED UP ELSEWHERE IN KENTUCKY FROM PADUCAH TO ASHLAND.
THE GROUP INDIVISIBLE LISTED MORE THAN A DOZEN RALLIES HELD LAST SATURDAY.
>>> A USDA PROGRAM WILL SOON COME TO AN END THAT HELPED GET FRESH LOCAL FOOD INTO SCHOOL CAFETERIAS.
THE LOCAL FOOD FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2020.
THERE HAD BEEN PLANS TO EXTEND IT FOR THREE YEARS WHICH MEANT $5.8 MILLION FOR KENTUCKY.
THAT FUNDING WAS RECENTLY CUT BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.
LAURA ROGERS LEARNED MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF LFS AND A PRODUCER WHO HAS SEEN ITS ADVANTAGES.
>> BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE ALWAYS FELT STRONGLY ABOUT NUTRITION.
>> TRACK COACH JONATHAN VAUGHN AND HIS WIFE MOLLY ARE FORMER COLLEGE ATHLETES.
>> THE LESS PROCESSED FOODS WE HAVE AND THE MORE NATURAL, LOCAL, PRODUCE AND MEATS AND OTHER FOODS THAT WE HAVE, THE HEALTHIER OUR KIDS ARE GOING TO BE.
>> Laura: VAUGHAN HAS BEEN HELPING TO KEEP KENTUCKY KIDS HEALTHY PROVIDING FOOD TO SCHOOL CAFETERIAS IN SEVEN COUNTIES.
>> THE KIDS LOVE IT.
>> Laura: VAUGHAN SAYS THE OPERATION HELPED HIM SURVIVE THE WINTER SEASON.
>> IT LITERALLY SAVED THE BUSINESS.
ONCE I GOT INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS THIS WILL HOLD US UNTIL SUMMER WHEN WE CAN GROW MORE AND PROVIDE FOR RESTAURANTS AND INDIVIDUALS.
>> Laura: THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ADMINISTERED THE LOCAL FOOD FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAM WITH PARTICIPATION FROM 200 FARMERS AND 90 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
>> WE'VE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THAT OFFICE THAT THE GRANT HAS ENDED.
AND THAT IT WOULD NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE.
>> THE BOWLING GREEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN PURCHASING FOOD FROM FARMERS FOR A DECADE THIS GRANT HELPED THEM SPEND MORE.
>> I ENJOY BEING ABLE TO TELL MY BABIES THE LETTUCE THEY ARE EATING IN THEIR SALAD BAR EVERYDAY IS GROWN IN FOUNTAIN RUN KENTUCKY OR BENTON KENTUCKY.
WE TAKE PRIDE IN MAKING SURE WE ARE SUPPORTING OUR COMMONWEALTH.
>> THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SERVES 3800 DAILY MEALS WHICH INCLUDES VEGETABLES FROM NEED ANOTHER ACRES AND BEEF.
>> IT ALLOWS US TO CAPITALIZE ON SUSTAINING OUR COMMUNITY AND HAVING THE PARTNERSHIPS LOCALLY.
PROVIDING THOSE FOOD ITEMS TO OUR STUDENTS.
>> IT DOES COME AT AN EXPENSE.
EVERY PENNY COUNTS WHEN BUDGETING FOR SCHOOL MEALS.
>> IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE TO BUY LOCAL BECAUSE IT IS A SMALL PRODUCTION VERSUS BUYING FROM A BIG MANUFACTURER.
HIGH QUALITY, HIGH COST PRODUCT.
>> IT'S COMPLETELY STRAIGHT OUT OF THE FIELD AND THAT IS SO GOOD FOR OUR KIDS BECAUSE IT'S NOT ANYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SITTING ON A SHELF OR RIPE ENDED SOMEWHERE ELSE.
IT'S OUT OF OUR DIRT AND COMING TO YOU.
>> BETH MILLER IS A FOOD DIRECTOR AT A SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH LESS THAN 1500 STUDENTS.
>> WE RECEIVE A THOUSAND POUNDS OF BLUEBERRIES AND WE WILL BUY A TON OF APPLES AS WELL.
>> Laura: METCALF COUNTY HAS RECEIVED $5 STOIN,000 AND IT HAS A BIG ECONOMIC IMPACT.
>> NOT ONLY IS IT FEEDING OUR KIDS BUT YOU ARE PAYING A LOCAL FARMER TO MAKE THOSE THINGS AND IT JUST CONTINUES THE ECONOMY IN YOUR AREA.
THAT'S PUTTING THE FUNDS BACK IN HIS POCKET AS WELL.
>> Laura: THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS THE LFS PROGRAM SUPPORTED KENTUCKY AGRICULTURE AND DELIVERED FRESH LOCAL PRODUCTS TO OUR COMMUNITIES IN NEED.
KDA IS DEDICATED TO THE GOALS AND STATE'S FARMERS WE ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT THIS AND FUTURE ADMINISTRATIONS WILL PRIORITIZE SIMILAR INITIATIVES.
>> WE ARE REALLY HOPING, PRAYING AND POSITIVELY THINKING THAT THE GRANT WILL BE RENEWED IN SOME FORM OR FASHION.
>> JOHN IS OPTIMISTIC THE EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE.
>> I ALSO FEEL LIKE PART OF THE NEW ADMINISTRATION IS ACTUALLY VERY PRO NUTRITIONAL FOOD, LOCAL FOOD.
>> AND HE HOPES TO SEE AN EXPANSION OF ENDEAVORS TO GET THAT LOCAL NUTRITIOUS FOOD INTO SCHOOLS.
FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M LAURA ROGERS.
>> Christie: THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WE SPOKE WITH SAY THEY WILL STILL SPEND MONEY LOCALLY AS MUCH AS THEY ARE ABLE.
THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS IT'S WORKING ON NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE THESE EFFORTS.
THE STATE WAS AWARDED MORE THAN $3 MILLION FOR THE LOCAL FOODS FOR SCHOOLS AGREEMENT WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO END APRIL 30TH.
[♪♪] OF COURSE WE ALL WANT CONFIDENCE THAT THE FOOT WE EAT IS SAFE AND YOU MIGHT HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT AVIAN FLU HOW IT AFFECTS OUR MEAT.
YOU WILL HEAR ANSWERS SUNDAY ON KENTUCKY HEALTH.
>> WHERE IS THIS VIRUS COMING FROM?
THAT IS EVERYBODY'S FIRST QUESTION.
THE VIRUS IS COMING FROM WILDLIFE.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THESE MIGRATING BIRDS THAT FLY SOUTH FOR THE WINTER AND NORTH FOR THE SUMMER THEY COVER HUNDREDS OF MILES.
WHEN THEY ARE SICK ANYTHING THEY FLYOVER THEY PUT THOSE ANIMALS AT RISK.
NOW, MOST OF OUR COMMERCIAL, THOSE BIG FARMS WITH A MILLION CHICKENS MOST OF THOSE CHICKENS ARE RAISED INDOORS.
I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT THE CHICKENS TO BE ABLE TO BE OUTSIDE.
BUT BY RAISING THEM INDOORS IT DECREASES THE RISK OF DISEASES.
SUCH AS AVIAN FLU.
BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT EXPOSED TO THE WILDLIFE.
BUT THE PROBLEM IS, IS WHEN YOU HAVE A FEWER LARGE FARMS AND A DISEASE DOES AFFECT ONE OF THEM, IT AFFECTS THE SUPPLY CHAIN.
BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A GREATER IMPACT ON EGG PRICES.
WHEN ONE OF THESE LARGE FARMS DOES BECOME INFECTED.
VERSUS OUR SMALL BACKYARD PRODUCERS, THEIR ANIMALS ARE AT A GREATER RISK, BUT YOU PROBABLY WON'T HEAR A LOT ABOUT IT WHEN ONLY 10 CHICKENS GET SICK.
>> Christie: MORE ABOUT THE AVIAN FLU AND INDUSTRIAL MEAT PRODUCTION THIS SUNDAY ON KENTUCKY HEALTH WITH Dr. WAYNE TUCKSON AT 1:30 PM EVEN AND 12:30 CENTRAL ON KET.
AND WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM TONIGHT ABOUT HELPING FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES ON MULTIPLE MEDICATIONS.
JOIN US FOR SENIORS AND MEDICATION, THE NEXT CHAPTER FORUM.
TONIGHT 8:00 P.M. EASTERN 7:00 P.M. CENTRAL HERE ON KET.
TONIGHT WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE KENTUCKY CAPITOL'S FAMED FLORAL CLOCK A DUEL INVOLVING HENRY CLAY AND KENTUCKY'S FIRST EVER FOOTBALL GAME WITH AN UNUSUAL SCORE.
TOBY GIBBS HAS MORE IN THIS LOOK AT THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY HISTORY.
[♪♪] >> SECRETARY OF STATE HENRY CLAY FOUGHT SENATOR JOHN RANDOLF IN A DUEL ON APRIL 8TH, 1826 AFTER RANDOLPH INSULTED CLAY IN A U.S. SENATE SPEECH.
THE DUEL WAS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
BOTH MEN MISSED WHEN FIRING THEIR FIRST SHOTS.
CLAY'S SECOND SHOT ALSO MISSED.
RANDOLPH FIRED HIS SECOND SHOT INTO THE AIR AND THE MEN SHOOK HANDS.
THE OLDEST HIGH SCHOOL IN KENTUCKY OPENED APRIL 7, 1856.
LOUISVILLE HIGH SCHOOL WOULD BE RENAMED LOUISVILLE MALE HIGH SCHOOL AS OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS BEGAN TO OPEN.
IT'S BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST ORGANIZED FOOTBALL GAME IN KENTUCKY AS KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY CALLED TRANSYLVANIA BEAT CENTER COLLEGE APRIL 9TH, 1880.
THE FINAL SCORE WAS 13 AND THREE-FOURTHS TO NOTHING.
KENTUCKIANS ENJOYED THE VIEW OF A PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE ON APRIL 7, 1940 AS THE MOON BLOCKED THREE-FOURTHS OF THE SUN.
ON APRIL 10TH, 1961, GOVERNOR BERT T. COMBS OK'd $50,000 TO BUILD A FLORAL CLOCK ON THE CAPITOL GROUNDS.
HE HAD SEEN A SIMILAR CLOCK IN SCOTLAND.
FORMER GOVERNOR A.B.
"HAPPY" CHANDLER MADE FUN OF THE CLOCK BUT IT WENT ON TO BECOME A VERY POPULAR TOURIST ATTRACTION.
AND THAT IS WHAT WAS HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY HISTORY.
I'M TOBY GIBBS.
>> Christie: WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 EVEN 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-MAIL NEWS LETTER AND WATCH FULL EPISODES AT KET.ORG AND YOU CAN FIND "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON OUR PBS APP AND SMART TV.
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"Dukes of Hazzard" Star Headlines Concert for Flood Victims
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S3 Ep223 | 3m 2s | The Foundation of Appalachian Kentucky will hold a special Flood Relief Concert in Hazard. (3m 2s)
Evacuation Orders Lifted for Two Northern Kentucky Cities
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Clip: S3 Ep223 | 34s | Evacuation orders have been lifted in the cities of Falmouth and Butler in Pendleton County. (34s)
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Clip: S3 Ep223 | 1m 49s | Governor Andy Beshear's office is warning people that this isn't over as the death toll is now two. (1m 49s)
Floodwaters Force Families from Homes
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Clip: S3 Ep223 | 2m 5s | Floodwaters forced several families from their homes in Woodford County over the weekend. (2m 5s)
Kentucky River Approaching Record Heights
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Clip: S3 Ep223 | 2m 15s | In Frankfort, people are keeping a watchful eye on the Kentucky River. (2m 15s)
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Clip: S3 Ep223 | 4m 43s | USDA cancels the next round of a program designed to help get local food into school cafeterias. (4m 43s)
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Clip: S3 Ep223 | 3m 23s | Meteorologist Shane Holinde with the Kentucky Mesonet talks about the record-breaking rainfall. (3m 23s)
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