[♪♪] >> ON FANCY FARM EVE WE ARE IN GRAVES COUNTY AND LOOKING BACK AT A KENTUCKY TRADITION MORE THAN 140 YEARS OLD.

>> TO BE LIGHT HEARTED AND MAKE THE JABS AND MAKE THE JOKES AND MONDAY HAVE A JOB AND WORK WITH EVERYONE ON STAGE IT IS A DELICATE BALANCE.

>> A FIRST FOR FANCY FARM AS A WOMAN EMCEES FOR THE FIRST FINAL IN THE PICNIC'S HISTORY.

>> WE STOPPED BUILDING AT ONE POINT AT A RATE COMPARABLE AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS YOU ARE HEARING ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO MUCH.

>> AND EXPERTS ANSWERS QUESTION DOES KENTUCKY HAVE A HOUSING SHORTAGE?

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

[♪♪] GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR FRIDAY AUGUST 1 I'M LAURA ROGERS FILLING IN TONIGHT FOR RENEE SHAW.

AND I'M HERE IN GRAVES COUNTY HOME OF THE ANNUAL FANCY FARM PICNIC.

THIS TWO-DAY EVENT IS A FUNDRAISER FOR ST. JEROME CATHOLIC CHURCH THERE'S BING BINGO, MUSIC AND A LOT OF BARK CUE.

THE EVENTS IS KNOWN AS THE KICKOFF TO KENTUCKY'S POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SEASON.

THERE ARE NO STATE-WIDE ELECTIONS IN KENTUCKY THIS YEAR.

STILL, FANCY FARM IS FINDING RESOLUTION CONVENTION AS CANDIDATES SEEKING TO REPRESENT KENTUCKY IN WASHINGTON ARE ALREADY CAMPAIGNING AHEAD OF NEXT YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

WE'LL HAVE MORE WHAT TO EXPECT DURING TOMORROW'S POLITICAL SPEECHES.

FIRST, A LOOK BACK AT THE HISTORY OF FANCY FARM.

INCLUDING THE STORY BEHIND THE TOWN'S INTERESTING NAME.

OUR TOBY GIBBS HAS THIS HISTORY LESSON.

>> THE STORY BEGINS IN THE 1820s WHEN SETTLERS FROM TENNESSEE, VIRGINIA AND OTHER PARTS OF KENTUCKY FIRST ARRIVED IN PRESENT DAY GRAVES COUNTY.

MANY WHY CATHOLIC.

AND THEY FOUND ST. JEROME'S CATHOLIC CHURCH IN 1836.

FAMILY REUNIONS TURNED INTO PICNICS AND BY 1880 THE PICNIC WAS A FUNDRAISER FOR THE CHURCH BUT IT WASN'T POLITICAL AT FIRST.

>> MY GRANDFATHER WAS THE ONE WHO REALLY POPULARIZED THE POLITICAL ASPECT OF THE FANCY FARM PICNIC AND THAT WAS IN THE 1930s.

>> 1931 SPECIFICALLY, THE YEAR HAPPY CHANDLER SPOKE WHEN RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

HE WON THE RACE AND FANCY FARM BECAME A PLACE FOR OLD SCHOOL POLITICAL SPEECH.

WE THINK OF FANCY FARM AS BEING THE FIRST SATURDAY IN AUGUST, IT WASN'T ALWAYS THE CASE.

IN FACT, FOR MOST OF ITS HISTORY IT WASN'T IT WAS IN JULY UNTIL 1956 WHEN KENTUCKY'S PRIMARY WAS IN AUGUST.

WHEN THE PRIMARY HOFFED TO MAY FANCY FARM WAS PUSHED BACK AND BECAME THE KICKOFF TO THE FALL CAMPAIGN.

NATIONAL NAMES TURNED UP AT FANCY FARM GOVERNOR GEORGE WALLACE SPOKE IN 1975 ONE YEAR BEFORE HIS FOURTH AND FINAL CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT.

AND THREE YEARS AFTER HE WAS PARALYZED BY A WOULD BE ASSASSIN'S BULLET.

HE WAS SPEAKING AND THE PHOTOGRAPHERS HAD THE OLD CAMERAS WITH THE FLASHBULBS ON IT AND IT POPPED LIKE A GUN AND GOVERNOR WALLACE FLINCHED.

HE WENT ON AND PROCEEDED WITH THE SPEECH AND THE PHOTOGRAPHER RELOADED THE BULB AND TOOK ANOTHER STILL SHOT AND IT POPPED LIKE A GUN AND GOVERNOR GALAS FLINCHED AGAIN, HE SAID YOU HAVE TO EXCUSE ME I'M STILL GUN SHY UP HAD HERE.

>> LLOYD BENSON OF TEXAS WAS THERE AS A CANDIDATE FOR VICE-PRESIDENT.

BUT HE COULDN'T SWING KENTUCKY TO THE DUKAKIS TICKET.

AL GORE STOPPED AT FANCY FARM FOUR YEARS LATER.

CLINTON AND GORE CARRIED KENTUCKY THAT NOVEMBER.

ALVIN BARCLAY SPOKE AT FANCY FARM MANY TIMES.

THE JACKSON PURCHASES FAVORITE SON WAS BORN IN GRAVES COUNTY.

THE FOOD MADE THE HISTORY BOOKS WHEN PICNIC GOERS PUT AWAY 15,000 POUNDS OF MUTTON, PORK AND CHICKEN IN THE 1982 PICNIC IT MADE THE GUINESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS.

HOW DID THE COMMUNITY GET THE NAME?

IN THE 1840s WHEN THE AREA WANTED A POST OFFICE AN INSPECTOR STAYED AT A FARM THAT MADE AN IMPRESSION ON HIM SO HE NAMED THE AREA FANCY FARM.

FOR KET I'M TOBY GIBBS.

>> ANOTHER INTERESTING FACT PRIOR TO 1968, SPEECHES WEREN'T GIVEN UNDER A COVERED PAVILION.

SPEAKERS SPOKE FROM THE BED OF A TRUCK PARKED UNDER AN OLD TREE IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH.

>>> IT TAKES HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS FOR ALL OF THIS TO COME TOGETHER AND WE CAUGHT UP WITH MAIN ORGANIZERS PARISHIONERS OF THE CHURCH WHO SERVE AS COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN THEY PLAY LAY ROLE FOR A SMOOTH AND SAFE FANCY FARM PICNIC.

>> THE PURCHASE REGION, WE GET TO SHINE ONE DAY OUT OF THE YEAR AND THAT IS THE FIRST SATURDAY OF AUGUST.

>> THAT IS THE DAY SOME 10,000 PEOPLE WILL ARRIVE AT THE ST. ELIZABETH EDGEWOOD PICK FIX.

>> THE HEART OF THE PICNIC.

>> FAITH, FAMILY AND FUN.

>> AND POLITICS.

THIS YEAR NEARLY A DOZEN CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE ARE SLATED TO SPEAK.

>> PEOPLE IN THIS PART OF THE STATE WANT TO SEE THE CANDIDATES AND IT'S MORE PERSONAL BECAUSE I MIGHT SHAKE THEIR HAND AND HAVE A CONVERSATION AND YOU CAN'T DO THAT EVERYWHERE ELSE THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> THIS IS THE FIFTH YEAR STEVEN ELDER SERVED AS POLITICAL CHAIRMAN.

>> BOURQUEING WITH THE DIFFERENT -- WORKING WITH THE DIFFERENT CAMPAIGNS AND THE MEDIA AND THEIR REQUESTS A LOT HAPPENS FAST.

>> WITH THE ELECTION NOT UNTIL NEXT YEAR HE ANTICIPATED A LIGHTER CROWD BUT THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR U.S. SENATE IS DRAWING A LOT OF INTEREST.

>> WE THINK IT WILL BE ONE OF THE LARGER PICNICS WE'VE HAD.

IT IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE CAMPAIGNS TO GO AND TRY TO GET SUPPORTERS, BUILD THAT GRASSROOTS SUPPORT.

>> IT'S OFTEN ONE OF THE FEW TIMES YOU WILL SEE ALL OF THE CANDIDATES TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE.

>> THE MOST EXCITING THING ABOUT FANCY FARM FAN YOU WILL SEE DIFFERENT CANDIDATES SHAKE HANDS WITH EACH OTHER AND PAT EACH OTHER ON THE BACK AND WHERE ELSE DO YOU GET THAT?

>> ELDER HAS BEEN FASCINATED BY THE POLITICAL SPEECHES SINCE CHILDHOOD.

>> MY INTEREST WAS ALWAYS IN POLITICS, AS A KID I WOULD SNEAK OFF MY DUTIES FROM THE MEAT STAND AND GO TO THE TOP OF THE HILL WHERE ALL THE SPEAKING WAS.

AND THEY ARE GREAT SPEAKERS FROM THE STAND AND I WAS LIKE WOW, THAT IS EXCITING.

>> THE PICNIC TAKES YEAR-ROUND PLANNING AND HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS.

>> IT IS A SENSE OF PRIDE AND EXPECTATION.

BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT COME FROM ALL OVER THE COMMONWEALTH AND ALL OVER FROM MANY STATES AROUND AND THE COUNTRY.

>> ANDY IS PICNIC CHAIRMAN AND IT'S AMONG THE BIGGEST EVENTS OF THE YEAR IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AND A MAJOR FUNDRAISER FOR CHARITY.

>> IT'S ABOUT SEEING THIS COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER.

AND HOWEVER ONE WORKS TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS EVENT RUNS SMOOTHLY AND EFFICIENTLY.

AND WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO COME BACK.

>> AND COME BACK THEY DO.

YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> I'M 43 THIS IS MY 43rd PICNIC.

>> THIS IS MY 45TH FANCY FARM PICNIC.

I WILL BE HERE FOR THE NEXT 45 YEARS AS WELL.

>> AND NOT GOING TO MISS ONE OF THEM.

145 YEARS OF THE FANCY FARM PICNIC YOU MAY THINK WE'VE SEEN IT ALL.

BUT THIS YEAR WILL MARK A FIRST.

A WOMAN WILL SERVE AS THE EMCEE.

ASHLEY IS PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND I SPOKE WITH HER THIS WEEK TO SEE HOW SHE IS PREPARING FOR THE PODIUM.

>> SO ASHLEY I HAVE TO KNOW YOUR REACTION WHEN YOU WERE FIRST ASKED TO EMCEE FANCY FARM?

>> I WAS REALLY EXCITED.

I GOT THE CALL SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND I'VE WORKED IN AND AROUND POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT FOR 20 YEARS.

I AM A LIFELONG KENTUCKIAN.

FANCY FARM IS THE SUPER BOWL OF KENTUCKY POLITICS WAS DLILLED AND HONORED TO BE ASKED AND WITHIN THE 145 YEARS OF THIS PICK FIX HAS BEEN GOING ON I WOULD BE THE FIRST FEMALE EMCEE.

I KNEW IT WAS A BIG TASK.

I AM I HAVE EXCITED AND PREPARING ALL SUMMER.

>> TELL US ABOUT THE PREPARATION ARE YOU PLANNING ON TELLING JOCKS OF YOUR OWN?

>> I THINK SO, THAT IS WHAT IS EXPECTED AT FAN.

YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNY AND WITTY AND THAT IS THE THEME.

THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS I THINK OF A JOKE AND I JOT IT DOWN.

MY HUSBAND HELPED ME.

I'VE HAD STAFF MEMBERS THAT HELPED AND FINE-TUNED.

I'VE BEEN PRACTICING THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS AND I THINK WE'RE READY AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE GOOD LAUGHS FROM THE AUDIENCE.

>> WE CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ON STAGE.

YOU MENTIONED THIS BEING HISTORICAL YOU WILL BE THE FIRST FEMALE EMCEE AT FANCY FARM ARE YOU FEELING THE WEIGHT OF THAT AS WELL?

>> THERE'S PRESSURE, 145 YEARS IS A LONGTIME TO BE THE FIRST FEMALE IS A DAUNTING TASK AND ALSO TO BE FUNNY.

I'M USED TO SPEAKING IN CROWDS AND WORKING WITH THE SUPREME COURT NOMINEERS THAT DAY AND THE CANDIDATES THAT COMES NATURALLY AS A CHAMBER PRESIDENT.

ADDING ON TO THAT WHAT MAKES FANCY FARM, FANCY FARM AND THE JOKES AND THE CHEERS AND THE BOOS AND THE ACLAPPING THAT IS SOMETHING I'M NOT ACCUSTOMED TO.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT DOES BUT I'M EXCITED.

>> YES, GETTING THAT CROWD REACTION IN REALTIME THAT WILL BE A LOT OF FUN.

YOU MENTIONED A LONGTIME INTEREST IN KENTUCKY POLITICS WAS THIS A BUCKET LIST ITEM FOR YOU TO BE THE EMCEE?

>> I GUESS YOU COULD CALL IT THAT.

I'VE WATCHED IT FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.

AND YOU REMEMBER THE FUNNY JOKES AND THE ONE LINERS AND THINGS THAT POLITICIANS AND CANDIDATES SAID.

I'VE BEEN INTUNED TO FANCY FARM BUT I DON'T THINK I THOUGHT ABOUT PARTICIPATING.

I'VE NEVER RUN FOR OFFICE AND NEVER BEEN A PARTISAN JOB SO THAT WASN'T SOMETHING I EVER THOUGHT ABOUT DOING.

BUT WHEN THE FANCY FARM OFFICIALS CAME AND SAID WE'RE LOOKING AT TRYING TO GET PEOPLE WHO MAYBE AREN'T A PAR SIN POLITICIAN AND WE THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE A GREAT FIT I WAS HONORED AND EXCITED TO BE ASKED.

>> YOU ARE KEEPING THAT NEUTRAL GROUND?

>> IT IS.

IT'S TRICKY AS A CHAMBER PRESIDENT MUCH OF WHAT WE DO IS ADVOCACY.

SO I WORK WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

WE HAVE A STRONG POLICY AGENDA.

WE ARE INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE FOR SURE.

MAKING SURE THAT I CAN DO THE JOB I WAS ASKED TO DO AND TO BE LIGHT HEARTED AND TO MAKE THE JABS AND MAKE THE JOKES AND MONDAY HAVE A JOB AND WORK WITH EVERYONE ON STAGE IT IS A DELICATE BALANCE.

BUT EVERYONE COMING TO FANCY FARM KNOWS THE TONE AND TENOR OF FANCY FARM AND THEY KNOW ME.

I'M IN AND AROUND THIS WORLD FOR MANY YEARS.

I'VE BEEN AT THE CHAMBER FOR 13 YEARS.

I HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OFFICIALS AND THE CANDIDATES.

THEY KNOW ME AND THE CHAMBER AND I HOPE THEY WILL ARE FUN WITH ME ON SATURDAY.

>> IT'S GOOD NATURED FUN.

>> YES.

>> DO I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY I KNOW YOU WATCH FANCY FARM, WHAT ABOUT BEING THERE IN-PERSON, IN WESTERN KENTUCKY, WILL THIS BE YOUR FIRST TIME ATTENDING?

>> IT ACTUALLY WILL.

I HAVE WATCHED FANCY FARM FOR MANY YEARS BUT I HAVE NEVER TRAVELED THERE AND SO I'M EXCITED TO GO ON FRIDAY AND TAKE THE ROAD TRIP AND WE'RE HAVING A DINNER IN PADUCAH FOR CHAMBER FRIENDS AND MEMBERS AND EXPERIENCE FORT D ABOUT THE PICNIC SATURDAY AND THE GREAT BARBECUE MEETING ALL THE PEOPLE AT FANCY FARM I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO A LOT OF OUR CHAMBER FRIENDS ARE COMING AND MY FAMILY IS COMING.

IT WILL BE A FUN WEEKEND.

>> WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON STAGE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT HERE LET BRING FANCY FARM TO YOU JOIN RENEE SHAW AND OUR TEAM AS WE BRING YOU SUBPOENAS FROM THE THREE U.S. SENATE CANDIDATES, STATE-WIDE OFFICE HOLDERS AND OTHERS.

OUR COVERAGE BEGINS AT 2:30 EASTERN, 1:30 CENTRAL LIVE HERE ON KET TOMORROW.

AND WE'LL RECAP FANCY FARM MONDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 P.M., 7:00 P.M. CENTRAL.

>>> HOUSING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THERE ARE TWO ISSUES TOP OF MIND LATELY FOR KENTUCKY LEADERS.

YESTERDAY, IN FRANKFORT, LEGISLATORS HEARD ABOUT WHAT BUSINESS LEADERS ARE DOING AND WHAT THEY CAN LEARN FROM OTHER STATES.

OUR EMILY SISK HAS MORE IN TONIGHT'S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

>> OUR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE HERE IN KENTUCKY SITS AT 57%.

WHICH IS THE BOTTOM 10 OF ALL THE STATES THROUGHOUT THE U.S. >> HOW DOES KENTUCKY ENGAGE THE REMAINING 43% OF ELIGIBLE WORKERS TO GET A JOB?

THE STATE-WIDE WORKFORCE AND TALENTS TEAM OR SWAT, SAID THEIR INITIATIVE IS TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESSES TO COLLABORATE WITH WORKFORCE PARTNERS.

>> WE ARE BUILDING A SYSTEM WHERE EVERYONE WORKS TO HELP OUR CITIZENS.

>> THE KENTUCKY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM IS IN THE GROUP HOPING TO EDUCATE WORKERS.

ONE KENTUCKY LAWMAKER ASKED HOW THE GROUP CAN INCLUDE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, MOST PARENTS WORRY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO MY CHILD WHEN I'M GONE.

BECAUSE MOST TIME THEY END UP ON THE STATE DIME.

THEY ARE VERY DEDICATED WORKERS WHEN THEY GET FOCUSED ON SOMETHING THEY ARE FOCUSED.

>> THEY HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY TO CONDUCT A DISABILITY HIRING ACADEMY FOR EMPLOYERS.

>> EMPLOYERS LIKE WITH SECOND CHANCE HIRING OR THEY WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND SOMETIMES THEY NEED HELP HOW TO ACCOMMODATE THAT POPULATION, UPDATE HR POLICIES WE DO A PROGRAMMING FOR EMPLOYERS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE REALIZING THERE IS A HUGE TALENT POOL AND HOW CAN THEY MAKE SURE THAT POPULATION BRINGS IN THE WORKFORCE.

>> A SENATOR SAID SHE HAS SEEN THE SUCCESS FIRSTHAND WHEN A BUSINESS RELOCATED OUT OF THE STATE, THE WORKFORCE TEAM CAME TOGETHER TO ENSURE EMPLOYEES COULD REMAIN IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> WE ACTUALLY TURNED AROUND AND SOLD THAT FACILITY AND HAVE A NEW EMPLOYER.

SO WE HAD VERY FEW PEOPLE ON UNEMPLOYMENT.

WE ARE KEEPING PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN PENDLETON COUNTY, THANK YOU LORD AND SWAT TEAM.

>> THE CHAMBER PRESIDENT SAYS THE TWO GREATEST BARRIERS ARE HOUSING AND CHILDCARE.

A REPRESENTATIVE THEN GAVE LAWMAKERS A HOUSING UPDATE.

TELLING LEGISLATORS THE DAIS SPEAKS FOR ITSELF WHEN IT COMES TO KENTUCKY'S LACK OF HOUSING.

>> NO ONE IS MAKING THAT UP WE STOPPED BUILDING AT ONE POINT AT A RATE COMPARABLE HOW WE WERE BUILDING AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS YOU ARE HEARING ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

>> IN THE EARLY 2000'S THE STATE WAS ISSUING 20,000 BUILDING PERMITS EVERY YEAR.

BY 2008 THAT NUMBER WAS CUT IN HALF.

>> WE'RE BUILDING AT A CERTAIN RATE FOR A WHILE AND WE NEVER RECOVERED.

>> THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER SHOWS IDEAS FROM INDIANA USING RESOLVING LOAN FUNDS.

A DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER SHARED HIS OWN IDEA ABOUT WHAT KENTUCKY SHOULD DO.

>> I LIKE THIS INDIANA PROGRAM.

I WOULD PREFER IT TO BE A FORGIVABLE LOAN PROGRAM.

>> THE CHAMBER REPRESENTATIVE SAID BUILDING MORE HOUSES WILL GO HAND IN HAND WITH INCREASING WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M EMILY SISK.

>> KENTUCKY HAS APPROVED THE FIRST MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY, THE POST IN OHIO COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO OPEN THIS FALL.

AN EXACT DATE IS UNKNOWN.

THE DISPENSARY IS DOWNTOWN OFF MAIN STREET IN A BUILDING THAT USED TO BE A U.S. POST OFFICE.

IN MAY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR ANNOUNCED THE STATE LAUNCHED A NEW ON-LINE DIRECTORY THAT WILL KEEP KENTUCKIANS UPDATED WHERE DISPENSARIES WILL BE OPENING NEAR THEM.

IN 2023 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTED TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

ABOUT THE BEAVER DAM GOVERNOR BESHEAR POSTED THIS: >> SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL SAYS HE'S BACKING OFF HIS FIGHT TO CLOSE A 2018 LOOPHOLE THAT LEGALIZED HEMP FOR NOW.

HE INCLUDED LANGUAGE IN A SENATE AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS BILL THAT HE SAYS WOULD HAVE KEPT BAD ACTORS FROM EXPLOITING THE 2018 FARM BILL TO CREATE INTOXICATING PRODUCTS WITH FEDERALLY LEGAL LEVELS OF THC.

KENTUCKY'S OTHER U.S.

SENATOR RAND PAUL IS REPORTEDLY AGAINST BANNING INGESTIBLE HEMP PRODUCTS SPEAKING ON THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY, SENATOR McCONNELL SAID HE ALLOWED HIS LANGUAGE TO BE STRIPPED FROM THE BILL SO IT CAN MOVE FORWARD.

ADDING HIS EFFORTS TO PROTECT WILL CONTINUE.

SCHOOL STARTS IN LESS THAN A WEEK FOR HAVE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND AS OUR 0 JUNE LEFFLER REPORTS THE DISTRICT IS FACING UNIQUE CHALLENGES THIS YEAR LARGELY FROM CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

DETAILS IN TONIGHT'S EDUCATION MATTERS REPORT.

>> AT FAIRDALE HIGH SCHOOL, THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT MAKES SURE TO BRAG ON THE BULLDOGS.

FAIRDALE HAS A PROGRAM WHERE JUNIORS AND SENIORS MULTILINGUAL SERVE AS PEER MENTORS AND TRANSLATORS FOR NEWCOMERS TO AMERICA OR STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLE TO UNDERSTAND ENGLISH.

CHILDREN HELPING CHILDREN.

>> IMMIGRANT HIMSELF, BRYAN YEARWOOD'S PASSION FOR TENNIS TOOK HIM AROUND THE GLOBE AND TO THE U.S. >> I TALK FUNNY I HAVE AN ACCENT BECAUSE I WAS BORN IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.

IN THE BRITISH COLONIES.

I GREW UP WITH A FAMILY OF EDUCATORS.

MY MOM WAS A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER.

MY DAD WAS A MATH TEACHER AND TRAVELED WITH MY TENNIS RACKET.

PLAYED AT WIMBLEDON TO REPRESENT THE CARRIBBEAN AREA AND THE LATIN-AMERICAN COUNTRIES.

AND THAT TOOK ME FORWARD TO GET MY EDUCATION.

>> YEARWOOD TAKES QUESTIONS AT A FORUM ATTENDED BY JCPS STAFF AND PARENTS.

THIS MOM IS EAGER TO GET HER CHILD IN THE MAGNET OR TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS.

>> ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SYSTEM YOU HAVE A LOT OF GOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

BUT THEN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOLS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO APPLY TO GET INTO THESE STEAM OR STEM ACADEMIES OR THE GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAMS.

>> WE DO NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY FOR EVERYONE TO BE THERE.

LONG-TERM, WHAT MY DREAM AND MY HOPE IS, IS THAT EVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL GETS TO THE LEVEL WHERE IT BASKETBALLS DIFFICULT -- BECOMES DIFFICULT TO DISCERN THIS IS GIFTED AND THIS IS REGULAR.

>> WHAT IS UNIQUE IS FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS.

THE TIME-FRAME FOR BALANCING $100 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT, THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

>> THE END OF PANDEMIC RELIEF DOLLARS SET THE DISTRICT BACK $100 MILLION.

AND OTHER FEDERAL FUNDING IS NOT GUARANTEED.

>> ONE THING WE CANNOT SACRIFICE IS THE QUALITY OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR RESOURCES ARE POURED INTO TEACHING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

AGAIN IT'S SOMEWHAT OF UNKNOWN TERRITORY.

IT IS.

BUT WE HAVE TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR THE WORST.

WHICH MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO BE BETTER MORE EXCELLENT STEWARDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE GOING INTO THE AREAS TO PROVIDE THAT QUALITY INSTRUCTION.

>> WITH INCREASED IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT THIS COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WORRIES FOR LATINO KIDS WHO MAKEUP 1-5 JCPS STUDENTS.

>> A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS ARE NOW UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH.

WE HAVE FAMILIES BEING SEPARATED AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO SEE INCREASING HOMELESSNESS.

>> YES, ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOURS, BECAUSE IF A CHILD IS NOT IN SCHOOL, AND START MISSING THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THEY WILL FIND ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO MAKE A LIVING.

WE DON'T NEED THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> YEARWOOD WILL LEAD THE DISTRICT FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

ACCORDING TO HIS CONTRACT.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> SUPERINTENDENT YEARWOOD WILL RESUME THE SERIES OF LISTENING SESSIONS AFTER SCHOOL STARTS THOSE WILL RUN FROM AUGUST 12-SEPTEMBER 4 AT HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

[♪♪] CALLING ALL FASHIONISTAS.

THE KENTUCKY DERBY MUSEUM OPENED DERBY FASHION AS PART OF THE MUSEUM'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CURATORS EXPANDED A SMALLER EXHIBIT THAT WAS INCLUDED FOR CELEBRATION OF THE 150TH KENTUCKY DERBY.

IT FEATURES FASHIONS FROM THE 1870s TO NOW.

GREG MOREHEAD OPERATIONS DIRECTOR DONATED THE SUIT HE WAS WEARING WHEN MYSTIC DAN WON THE 2024 KENTUCKY DERBY.

>> JUST BE PART OF THIS FOR HISTORY IS INCREDIBLE AND I'M HONORED BY THE KENTUCKY DERBY MUSEUM TO INVITE ME TO THIS EVENT AND DONATE THIS SUIT.

I WORTHIES SUIT IN 2024 WHEN WE ACTUALLY WON THE KENTUCKY DERBY WITH MYSTIC DAN.

AND WHAT AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE.

IT IS A NEAT THING.

IT WAS LOUD AND PROUD.

IT'S NOT THE TYPICAL WAY THAT I WOULD DRESS.

SUIT'S BEEN WORN ONE TIME.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THE SUIT WOULD HAVE GOT SO MUCH PUBLICITY AND SO MUCH FEATURED AND JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

YOU CAN WEAR ANYTHING HERE.

AND HEY, I WORE THAT.

SO YOU CAN WEAR ANYTHING.

>> LOOKING SHARP.

LAST YEAR THE KENTUCKY DERBY MUSEUM SAY 258,000 GUESTS.

THE MUSEUM WAS NAMED BY "USA TODAY" AS ONE OF THE TOP 10 BEST ATTRACTIONS FOR SPORTS FANS.

[♪♪] IT'S THE WEEKEND FOR FANCY FARM HERE IN GRAVES COUNTY.

BUT YOU HAVE MANY OTHER ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS THIS FIRST WEEKEND OF AUGUST AND BEYOND.

OUR TOBY GIBBS HAS A PREVIEW OF WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH.

[♪♪] >> YOU WILL WANT TO GET YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY TO NEWPORT FOR THE ANNUAL GET A FEST SPELLLATION OF A GERMAN DISH COMPARED TO A BREAKFAST SAUSAGE.

THE EVENT IS STUFFED WITH LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, FAMILY FRIENDLY GAMES AND A VARIETY OF GET TA INSPIRED DISHES.

IT DRAWS PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY LINKED BY THEIR LOVE OF THIS SAVORY SAUSAGE.

>>> SEE TRADITION AND INNOVATION INTERLACED AT THE LORETTO QUILT SHOW SATURDAY.

THIS SHOW IS A CELEBRATION OF THE CRAFT OF GUILTING AND FEATURES HAND WORK AND MODERN TECHNIQUES.

THE GUILTS DISPLAYED ARE ACCOMPANIED BY PERSONAL STORIES AND LOCAL HISTORIES AND SHOW A RICH TAPESTRY OF THE GUILTING TRADITIONS OF THE CENTRAL KENTUCKY REGION.

THE SHOW RUNS THROUGH AUGUST 8.

>>> THE HOPKINS COUNTY MADISONVILLE FAIR KICKS OFF TONIGHT AT THE FAIRGROUNDS.

ENJOY TRADITIONAL FAIR FOOD, RIDES AND LIVE MUSIC.

FIND OUT WHO TAKES HOME THE CROWN AT THE MULLET CONTEST AND WHO CRUSHES THE COMPETITION AT THE DERBY OR WHO HOGS THE SPOTLIGHT AT THE HOG EVENTS.

YOU CAN CATCH A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE.

THE FAIR LASTS THROUGH AUGUST 9TH.

DOWNTOWN PADUCAH THIS WEEKEND, TO CATCH THE RIVER'S EDGE FILM FEST.

WATCH FILMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND MEET FILMMAKERS.

FANS OF STUDENT FILMS, FAMILY FRIENDLY FILMS AND MORE CAN ENJOY SCREENINGS BASED ON THEIR PERSONAL INTERESTS.

THINGS ARE POPPING IN POWELL COUNTY WITH THE KICKOFF OF THE STANTON CORNER FESTIVAL ITS A THREE DAY FESTIVAL THAT INCLUDES A CORN EATING CONTEST, LIVE MUSIC, MOVIES, A TALENT SHOW AND 5K RUN AND MORE THAN 100 VENDORS.

AND IT'S FREE.

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

>> DON'T FORGET FULL COVERAGE OF FANCY FARM TOMORROW STARTING AT 2:30 EASTERN, 1:30 CENTRAL.

AND WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US MONDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS, FIND US ON-LINE AT KET.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.