[♪♪] >> WE BETTER START GETTING IN FRONT OF THIS AND FIGURING OUT WHAT TYPE OF COMMUNITY WE WANT TO HAVE.

>> WARREN COUNTY IS PROJECTED TO NEARLY DOUBLE IN SIZE OVER THE NEXT QUARTER-CENTURY.

WE'LL LOOK AT HOW THEY'RE CHARTING THE COURSE AS WE GO ON THE ROAD IN SOUTH-CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

>> MOST SERVICES FOR AUTISM ARE FOR CHILDREN...

BUT THEN THEY JUST DROP OFF A CLIFF AFTER ADULTHOOD.

>> ONE BOWLING GREEN PROGRAM IS BRANCHING OUT TO YOUNG ADULTS AND KEEPING THOSE SERVICES FROM GOING OFF THE CLIFF.

>> MOST PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THEIR LIVER, IT'S SUCH AN INCREDIBLE ORGAN THAT IT REGENERATES ITSELF AND GROWS BACK.

>> HEAR FROM A LEXINGTON COUPLE ON A MISSION TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ORGAN DONATION.

>> AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO OWN A FARM TO HAVE CHICKENS.

WHAT DOES KENTUCKY LAW SAY, AND ARE SOME KENTUCKIANS CRYING FOWL?

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

[♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO KENTUCKY EDITION FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 12TH.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WE'RE ON THE ROAD TODAY ON THE CAMPUS OF WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY HERE IN BOWLING GREEN.

IT'S A BUSY TIME OF YEAR AS THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS ARE PREPARING TO MOVE IN AND START THE FALL SEMESTER.

WE'LL HEAR FROM WKU'S PRESIDENT, DOCTOR TIMOTHY CABONI, TOMORROW HERE ON KENTUCKY EDITION.

TODAY, WE'RE DISCUSSING THE FUTURE OF WARREN COUNTY AND HOW COUNTY LEADERS ARE PREPARING FOR MAJOR GROWTH.

THAT STORY AND MORE COMING UP IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT IN THE STATE IS ENTERING ITS NEXT PHASE.

TODAY IN LONDON, STATE LEADERS ANNOUNCED THAT THE KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET AWARDED A $147 MILLION CONTRACT TO WIDEN AN ALMOST SIX-MILE STRETCH OF I-75 BETWEEN WHITLEY COUNTY AND LAUREL COUNTY.

THIS MARKS THE NEXT PHASE IN EXPANDING I-75 FROM A FOUR-LANE TO SIX-LANE INTERSTATE AND MAKING IT A HIGH-CAPACITY ROUTE THROUGH SOUTHEASTERN AND SOUTHERN KENTUCKY.

LAWMAKERS SAID THE EXPANSION WILL BE KEY FOR LONG-TERM ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE REGION.

>> THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE WIDENING OF INTERSTATE 75 BETWEEN WHITLEY AND LAUREL COUNTIES IS ABOUT FAR MORE THAN ASPHALT.

THIS WIDENING IS ABOUT ADDING CAPACITY, CAPACITY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, FOR TOURISM, FOR SAFER TRAVEL, AND BUILDING A STRONGER CONNECTION BETWEEN OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE REST OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

TODAY, BECAUSE WE HAVE FOCUSED ON BUILDING A REGIONAL ECONOMY, THESE ROADS HAVE BECOME A WAY IN FOR NEW BUSINESS, A WAY IN FOR VISITORS WHO WANT TO EXPERIENCE OUR NATURAL BEAUTY, OUR HOSPITALITY, AND OUR CULTURE, A WAY IN FOR OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE AN ECONOMIC MULTIPLIER THAT THIS COMMUNITY REALLY HASN'T SEEN IN A WHILE, AND IT'S SEEN A LOT.

BUT WHEN I SAY THIS COMMUNITY, I'M NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT LONDON, LAUREL COUNTY, I'M TALKING ABOUT WILLIAMSBURG, SOMERSET, AUBURN, BRAVO, MANCHESTER, TYLER MCKEE, ALL THE WAY UP AND DOWN BECAUSE THIS RIPPLES IN MULTIPLE COUNTIES.

YEAH, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A REAL GAME CHANGER FOR THE WHOLE REGION.

AS WE HEARD FROM THE PRESS CONFERENCE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS GOING TO FILL UP GAS STATIONS.

IT'S GOING TO FILL UP HOTELS, IT'S GOING TO FILL UP RESTAURANTS.

AND I JUST THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AN INVESTMENT OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS WHERE, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO BE AN ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, FOR TOURISM WHEN IT'S DONE.

AND I'M JUST EXCITED, AND I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES ARE AS WELL.

IT'S GOING TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS THE REGION.

>> THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES UPGRADES TO BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES WITHIN THE STRETCH OF I-75.

CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN THE FALL.

>> A STATE LAWMAKER IS CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED FRAUD IN KENTUCKY'S DRIVER'S LICENSING SYSTEM.

ACCORDING TO WDRB NEWS, A FORMER CLERK AT A LICENSING BRANCH IN LOUISVILLE SAYS UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS WERE ILLEGALLY BEING SOLD DRIVER'S LICENSES.

WHEN SHE NOTIFIED THE KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET ABOUT THE FRAUD, SHE SAYS SHE WAS FIRED.

TODAY, STATE SENATOR JIMMY HIGDON, CHAIR OF THE SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, CALLED FOR AN IMMEDIATE AND EXHAUSTIVE INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER.

IN A STATEMENT, HE SAID, "IF THESE REPORTS ARE ACCURATE, THIS IS FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG ON EVERY LEVEL.

KENTUCKIANS HAVE BEEN VOCAL ABOUT THEIR FRUSTRATIONS WITH DRIVER'S LICENSE SERVICES AND APPOINTMENTS.

TO NOW LEARN THAT ILLEGAL RESIDENTS MAY HAVE BEEN FRAUDULENTLY PROVIDED LICENSES AND ID'S, DOCUMENTS THAT COULD ENABLE PARTICIPATION IN OUR ELECTIONS, IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE."

>> THERE IS SUPPORT FOR AND OPPOSITION TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S DECISION TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE WASHINGTON D.C. POLICE AND DEPLOY THE NATIONAL GUARD, EVEN THOUGH STATISTICS SHOW CRIME HAS DECLINED IN AMERICA'S CAPITAL.

CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR, A REPUBLICAN FROM THE SIXTH DISTRICT, SAID THIS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: "JUST LIKE HE CLEANED UP THE BORDER, TRUMP WILL CLEAN UP DC.

OUR CAPITAL IS OVERRUN WITH CRIME, CORRUPTION, AND HOMELESSNESS.

THE CHAOS IN DC IMPACTED MY TEAM DIRECTLY WHEN A KENTUCKIAN SERVING IN MY OFFICE WAS ROBBED AT GUNPOINT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.

THE PRESIDENT HAS MY FULL SUPPORT."

AND FROM CONGRESSMAN MORGAN MCGARVEY, A DEMOCRAT FROM THE THIRD DISTRICT: "TRUMP'S DECISION TO SEIZE CONTROL OF DC'S POLICE DEPARTMENT AND DEPLOY THE MILITARY IN OUR NATION'S CAPITAL IS A BLATANT AUTHORITARIAN POWER GRAB BASED ON LIES.

HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT SAFETY; HE CARES ABOUT TAKING MORE POWER FOR HIMSELF.

DC DESERVES AUTONOMY AND STATEHOOD."

>> A LEXINGTON WOMAN IS ON A MISSION TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ORGAN DONATION.

SHARON HAYS IS AMONG THE MORE THAN 100,000 AMERICANS ON THE NATIONAL ORGAN TRANSPLANT WAITING LIST, ACCORDING TO THE HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION.

NOW SHE AND HER HUSBAND, A LONG-TIME EDUCATOR IN KENTUCKY, ARE WORKING TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF BEING A LIVING DONOR.

MORE IN TODAY'S MEDICAL NEWS.

>> SHARON: IT INITIALLY STARTED WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT I HAD A BIRTH DEFECT IN MY PANCREAS, AND SO I WAS CONSTANTLY HAVING STENTS PUT IN AND TAKEN OUT FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS AT LEAST.

AND SO I FOUND A DOCTOR IN LOUISVILLE TO REMOVE MY PANCREAS.

HIS KIND OF CALL WAS TO SAY NO PANCREAS, NO PAIN.

AND DURING THAT, THEY TAKE THE CELLS FROM YOUR LIVER OR FROM YOUR PANCREAS AND PUT THEM INTO YOUR LIVER SO THAT YOU HOPEFULLY WILL NOT BE A DIABETIC.

IT'S CALLED AN ISLET CELL TRANSPLANT.

SO THAT DID NOT WORK FOR ME.

I BECAME A TYPE 1 DIABETIC IMMEDIATELY.

MOVING FORWARD, I KEPT HAVING DIGESTION PROBLEMS, AND I SAID, YOU KNOW, I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE SEEN AT MAYO CLINIC.

THEY PUT ME WITH THEIR GI PEOPLE, AND THEY SAID THAT MY LIVER WAS SCARRED AND THAT I WOULD POSSIBLY NEED A LIVER TRANSPLANT.

SO I WAS THERE FOR AN EVALUATION AND FOUND OUT THAT I HAD BREAST CANCER.

AND SO THAT REQUIRED A YEAR OF CHEMO AND RADIATION AND A SURGERY WHICH DAMAGED MY KIDNEYS OR MY LIVER EVEN FURTHER.

MAYO HAS A VERY HIGH SUCCESS RATE.

IT'S LIKE 99.1 OR SOMETHING.

>> TOM: EVEN HIGHER, YOU KNOW, IT'S CLOSE TO 100%.

AND WHAT WE'RE REFERRING TO, JUST TO BE MORE CLEAR, IS A LIVING LIVER DONATION, WHICH MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT AS FAMILIAR WITH.

THEY OPEN YOUR GI SYSTEM UP AND REMOVE A PORTION OF YOUR LIVER AND TRANSPLANT IT INTO THE RECIPIENT.

SO SHARON WOULD GET A PORTION OF THE DONOR'S LIVER, AND BOTH SECTIONS OF THE LIVER REGENERATE THEMSELVES.

>> SHARON: WITH THEM ABOUT TWO MONTHS.

>> TOM: MOST PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THEIR LIVER, IT'S SUCH AN INCREDIBLE ORGAN.

IT REGENERATES ITSELF AND GROWS BACK, AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE, FIRST OF ALL, UNDERSTAND THERE IS A SHORTAGE IN SUPPLY.

WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO BE WILLING TO DONATE ORGANS.

MOST PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH GETTING A CADAVER AS A LIVER DONATION.

AND THAT IS A POSSIBILITY FOR SHARON.

BUT SHE MOST LIKELY WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO GET THAT BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE IN SUPPLY UNTIL SHE'S MUCH SICKER.

AND THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO SEE HER GETTING SICKER AFTER EVERYTHING SHE'S BEEN THROUGH.

>> SHARON: IT'S A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

IT WOULD IMPROVE MY QUALITY OF LIFE SO MUCH.

ESPECIALLY, I MEAN, I CAN'T REALLY EAT SOLID FOOD RIGHT NOW.

IT WOULD MEAN MORE TIME WITH MY CHILDREN, MORE TIME WITH TOM, MORE TIME TO HAVE A NORMAL LIFE.

>> TOM: YOU KNOW, I'M A LIFELONG EDUCATOR.

IT'S WHAT I'VE DONE.

IT'S MY CAREER.

AND I BELIEVE PEOPLE, IF THEY KNEW OF THIS PROCEDURE AND HOW SIMPLE IT IS, THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE WILLING TO CONSIDER BEING A TRANSPLANT DONOR.

OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT SHARON TO GET A DONOR.

BUT IF NOTHING ELSE, IF MORE PEOPLE BECOME AWARE OF IT AND CONSIDER DONATION AND HELP THE SHORTAGE IN SUPPLY, IT'S A POSITIVE THING.

>> ACCORDING TO DONATE LIFE AMERICA, 17 PEOPLE DIE EACH DAY WHILE WAITING FOR AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT.

>> KENTUCKY HAS FIVE AREA CODES, BUT IT'S ABOUT TO GET A SIXTH.

OUR TOBY GIBBS TELLS US MORE IN THIS LOOK AT HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.

KENTUCKY TODAY REPORTS THAT THE 502 AREA CODE WILL RUN OUT OF POSSIBLE PHONE NUMBERS DURING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2027.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE A 502 NUMBER NOW WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP IT.

THE NORTH AMERICAN NUMBERING PLAN ADMINISTRATOR WILL ANNOUNCE THE NEW AREA CODE SOON.

>> THE CITY OF MARION, IN CRITTENDEN COUNTY, IS UNDER A WATER CONSERVATION ORDER.

IT'S THE SECOND TIME THAT'S HAPPENED IN JUST OVER TWO YEARS.

AND IT'S A STAGE THREE-LEVEL RESTRICTION, THE MOST EXTREME, ACCORDING TO THE CRITTENDEN PRESS.

LAKE GEORGE HAS LOW-WATER CONDITIONS, AND IT'S ONE OF MARION'S PRIME WATER SOURCES.

FOR THE TIME BEING, PEOPLE CAN'T WASH CARS, SIDEWALKS, OR PORCHES, OR WATER NON-FOOD PRODUCING PLANTS.

>> CAMPBELLSVILLE COULD BE ON THE VERGE OF REGULATING BACKYARD CHICKENS.

THE CENTRAL KENTUCKY NEWS-JOURNAL SAYS ON AUGUST 18TH, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER LIMITING THE NUMBER OF CHICKENS TO SIX IN URBAN AREAS AND REQUIRING A $25 CHICKEN PERMIT.

RAISING CHICKENS HAS BECOME MORE POPULAR AS PEOPLE WANT ACCESS TO FRESH EGGS.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S INTERIM JOINT LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE IS TALKING ABOUT A BILL GUARANTEEING PEOPLE STATEWIDE CAN KEEP UP TO SIX CHICKENS ON THEIR PROPERTY.

WITH HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY, I'M TOBY GIBBS.

[♪♪] >> WARREN COUNTY IS PLANNING FOR MAJOR GROWTH OVER THE NEXT 25 YEARS WHEN STUDIES SHOW IT COULD DOUBLE IN SIZE.

WE FIRST TOLD YOU ABOUT THE BG 2050 PROJECT BACK IN MARCH WHEN THEY WERE SOLICITING FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY.

SO WHAT DID LEADERS LEARN, AND WHAT COMES NEXT?

LAURA ROGERS TELLS US MORE AS KENTUCKY EDITION GOES ON THE ROAD.

>> HOW CAN WE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE RATHER THAN JUST LET IT HAPPEN AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS?

THAT WAS THE QUESTION ON DOUG GORMAN'S MIND FOLLOWING A PLANNING SESSION FOR THE 2017 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE.

AFTERWARDS, I SPOKE WITH A PERSON I TOLD HIM WAS FROM BOWLING GREEN AND WARREN COUNTY, AND THEY SAID, WELL, YOU'LL BE WELL OVER 200,000 PEOPLE BY 2050.

>> THAT GOT GORMAN THINKING ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT COULD POSE AS FAR AS INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRAFFIC.

>> AND I'M A PLANNER, AND I WANT TO START THINKING ABOUT HOW CAN WE PLAN FOR THIS GROWTH AND MASSIVE GROWTH RATHER THAN JUST HAVE IT HAPPEN TO US.

YOU CAN'T BUILD A FUTURE THAT YOU HAVEN'T IMAGINED FIRST.

>> HE CONNECTED WITH SAM FORD AT INNOVATION ENGINE TO MANAGE THE BG 2050 PROJECT.

>> WHAT ARE WE REALLY GOING TO LOOK LIKE WHEN WE'RE SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER TOWN AND REGION, AND HOW DO WE START BUILDING FOR THAT?

>> THIS THING TOOK OFF WITH TECH SUPPORT FROM GOOGLE'S JIGSAW DIVISION.

THEY LED A MONTH-LONG ONLINE CAMPAIGN CALLED WHAT COULD BG?

>> WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED WAS THE LARGEST TOWN HALL IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA, A VISIONARY TOWN HALL THAT COLLECTED MORE THAN 4,000 IDEAS FOR BOWLING GREEN, WARREN COUNTY'S FUTURE.

>> IF YOU WANT THE FUTURE OF WHERE YOU LIVE, YOU'RE GOING TO BE CREATIVE ABOUT THINGS YOU CAN DO.

>> THIS EFFORT HARNESSING THAT CREATIVITY TO SEE A FUTURE WITH GREAT POTENTIAL.

>> THIS ISN'T A ROAD MAP OF WHERE WE'RE GOING, BUT IT'S A COMPASS.

>> RODNEY GOODMAN IS AMONG THE 100 LISTENING PARTNERS WHO OFFERED INPUT AND SUPPORT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE ALL AGREED ABOUT IS WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE AND WORK HERE IN 2050.

>> AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, GOODMAN SEES THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING EVERY DAY.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO UP OUR GAME TO BUILD MORE HOMES TO HELP MEET THAT GROWING NEED.

>> THE FINAL REPORT, COMPILED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, INDICATED A NEED FOR STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY AND SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS.

WE CAN'T SIMPLY BUILD OUR WAY OUT OF THIS.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE CITY AND NONPROFITS, BUT ALSO BETWEEN PRIVATE INVESTORS AND OTHERS TO HELP BRIDGE THIS GAP TO MAKE SURE WE CAN CONTINUE TO GROW IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> RYAN DEARBORN HAS SEEN BOWLING GREEN'S GROWTH OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS.

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING DOWNTOWN.

THERE'S MORE BUSINESSES.

IT JUST SEEMS TO BE MORE VIBRANT.

>> HE CAME TO WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY IN 2001 AND IS NOW RAISING HIS FAMILY AND MAKING HIS CAREER IN BOWLING GREEN.

>> I WANT BOWLING GREEN TO HAVE ITS OWN IDENTITY WHERE PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT BOWLING GREEN AND SAY THAT BOWLING GREEN IS ITS OWN THRIVING COMMUNITY.

>> DEARBORN SAYS HE'D LIKE TO SEE A BOWLING GREEN THAT WILL APPEAL TO HIS CHILDREN'S FUTURE.

>> THEY WON'T HAVE TO GO SEEK THEIR FORTUNES IN ANOTHER COMMUNITY, BUT THEY'LL STAY HERE BECAUSE IT HAS ENOUGH ENTERTAINMENT, IT HAS ENOUGH JOBS, IT HAS ENOUGH DIVERSITY.

>> MUCH OF THAT REFLECTED IN THE FINAL REPORT, A REPORT THAT GORMAN SAYS WORKED DUE TO ITS INCLUSIVITY.

>> YOU CAN IMAGINE IF YOU HAD 5,000 PEOPLE ON A ZOOM CALL AND YOU WANT TO ASK ONE QUESTION.

THE CHAOS THAT WOULD ENSUE.

INSTEAD, THIS EFFORT ALLOWED MORE THAN 1 MILLION RESPONSES, DREW THOUSANDS OF IDEAS WITH A CLICK OF A BUTTON.

>> THE SURVEY WASN'T AN END.

IT WAS A BEGINNING.

>> THE INFORMATION COLLECTED NOW RETURNS TO THOSE LISTENING PARTNERS DIVIDED INTO EIGHT PILLAR GROUPS TO MOVE AHEAD WITH PLANNING.

>> THEY'LL BE ABLE THEN TO LOOK AT THE SEE WHICH ONES THEY THINK ARE FEASIBLE AND THEN BE ABLE TO PRESENT A REPORT SO THAT WE CAN START LOOKING AT THE GOVERNMENT EMPHASIZING THEY WON'T WAIT UNTIL 2050 TO PUT THESE PLANS INTO ACTION.

>> IT'S A DREAMING THING.

PEOPLE CAN HAVE A DREAM.

WE LIKE THINGS IN BOWLING GREEN.

MAYBE THEY SAY THAT, BUT HERE'S WHAT WE'D LOVE TO SEE NEXT.

>> FOR KENTUCKY EDITION, I'M LAURA ROGERS.

THANK YOU.

>> THESE EFFORTS HAVE GOTTEN NATIONAL ATTENTION, INCLUDING FROM JUDY WOODRUFF AND PBS NEWSHOUR, WHO JUST LAST WEEK FEATURED BOWLING GREEN IN ITS SERIES AMERICA AT A CROSSROADS.

THERE'S ANOTHER PROGRAM IN BOWLING GREEN WHICH HAS GAINED STATE AND NATIONWIDE ATTENTION.

LIFEWORKS FOR AUTISM SERVES AN OFTEN OVERLOOKED POPULATION OF ADULTS AGES 21 TO 30.

THE PROGRAM, WHICH PARTNERS WITH WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY, IS SUPPORTING KENTUCKY'S WORKFORCE AND TEACHING LIFE SKILLS.

EMILY SISK TAKES US THERE AS WE CONTINUE OUR BOWLING GREEN COVERAGE.

>> I WAS DEFINITELY A DIFFERENT PERSON TWO YEARS AGO.

>> SARA LAMB IS A PARTICIPANT OF LIFEWORKS FOR AUTISM-A BOWLING GREEN PROGRAM WHICH SERVES ADULTS AGES 21-30 WITH AUTISM WHO HAVE A DESIRE TO LIVE AND SUPPORT THEMSELVES INDEPENDENTLY.

SARA CAME TO LIFEWORKS FROM KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE.

SHE WAS 16 WHEN SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM.

SHE EXPLAINED WHY FINDING A PROGRAM LIKE LIFEWORKS IS SO RARE.

>> MOST SERVICES FOR AUTISM ARE FOR CHILDREN, BUT THEN THEY JUST DROP OFF A CLIFF AFTER ADULTHOOD.

>> SINCE OPENING AT THE END OF 2020, LIFEWORKS HAS SERVED AROUND TWO DOZEN PARTICIPANTS.

DIRECTOR HENDRIX BRAKEFIELD SAID THEY'VE HAD FOLKS COME FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> THE REASON WE SERVE PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE NATION, THERE ARE NOT OTHER PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.

>> SO WHAT DO PARTICIPANTS DO?

OVER THE COURSE OF TWO YEARS, THEY LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN NEARBY APARTMENTS, TAKE CLASSES, FIND JOBS, AND SPEND TIME WITH ONE ANOTHER.

THE DIRECTOR SAID THEY GROW IN MANY WAYS OVER THEIR TIME AT LIFEWORKS, BUT THE MAIN THING IS THEIR CONFIDENCE.

>> I GET GOOSEBUMPS TALKING ABOUT IT, BECAUSE YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO COME TO US.

THEY MAY HAVE LOW CONFIDENCE, BUT REGARDLESS OF WHERE THAT CONFIDENCE LEVEL IS, IT'S GUARANTEED TO RISE WHILE THEY'RE HERE.

>> AND THAT'S BEEN THE CASE FOR ALEX VONHALLE, WHO EXPLAINED HOW HE'S LEARNED SOME NEW SKILLS IN THE KITCHEN.

>> I DEFINITELY HAVE GROWN.

I'VE GOTTEN MUCH BETTER AT COOKING.

I KNOW HOW TO...

I HAVE A KROGER CARD TO GET ME SOME DISCOUNTS.

I KNOW HOW TO COOK SOME STUFF NOW.

MY NUMBER ONE FAVORITE MEAL IS DEFINITELY A CASE OF SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS.

>> BESIDES TEACHING PARTICIPANTS HOW TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, BRAKEFIELD SAID THE PROGRAM IS MAKING A MARK ON KENTUCKY'S WORKFORCE.

HE EXPLAINED HOW LIFEWORKS IS FLIPPING THE SCRIPT WHEN IT COMES TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF ADULTS WITH AUTISM.

>> THE RATE OF AUTISM EMPLOYMENT FOR ADULTS IS BETWEEN 10-15%.

AT LIFEWORKS, WE'RE PROUD TO TOUT A PERCENTAGE BETWEEN 85-90% EMPLOYMENT.

SO WE'RE TOTALLY FLIPPING THOSE NUMBERS ON THEIR HEADS, AND INDIVIDUALS WHO COME TO THIS PROGRAM...

THEY SAY THEY WANT TO WORK, AND WE HELP THEM DO THAT.

>> AND IT'S THOSE RESULTS THAT HAVE EARNED LIFEWORKS STATEWIDE SUPPORT.

LAST YEAR, THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY AWARDED THE PROGRAM $4.4 MILLION.

SENATOR MIKE WILSON OF BOWLING GREEN EXPLAINED WHY LIFEWORKS DESERVED THAT FUNDING.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS PART OF A WORKFORCE SOLUTION.

BUT NOT ONLY THAT, THIS IS A MODEL.

AND I THINK IT'S A STATEWIDE MODEL.

YOU'VE HELPED SOMEBODY BECOME THIS PERSON THAT IS WORKING AND IS PAYING TAXES AND GIVING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

SO IF YOU DON'T SEE THE VALUE IN THAT, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU COULDN'T SEE THE VALUE.

>> THE IDEAL OUTCOME FOR PARTICIPANTS WHO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM IS TO HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB, AFFORD THEIR OWN HOUSING, AND BE ABLE TO GET AROUND THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> TRULY FULL INDEPENDENCE IS WHAT OUR IDEAL OUTCOME IS, AND I'M PROUD TO SAY WE SEE THAT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO COME THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.

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

>> LIFEWORKS IS PREPARING TO WELCOME A DOZEN NEW PARTICIPANTS IN SEPTEMBER.

AND SARA LAMB, WHO HAS ALMOST COMPLETED THE PROGRAM, IS PLANNING TO STUDY AGRICULTURE AT WKU THIS FALL.

>> THE MEASURE OF A CITY'S QUALITY OF LIFE OFTEN COMES DOWN TO ITS CONNECTION TO NATURE.

RIGHT OFF NASHVILLE ROAD, STEPS AWAY FROM RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL, SITS A 72-ACRE PARK.

HOME TO NATURE TRAILS AND A BUTTERFLY HABITAT, ITS MOST WELL-KNOWN ATTRACTION IS AN UNDERGROUND BOAT TOUR THAT LETS YOU EXPLORE CAVE COUNTRY FROM THE WATER.

LAURA ROGERS HAS MORE FROM LOST RIVER CAVE.

TELL USED ACTIVITIES THAT YOU OFFER AT LOFT RIVER CAVE.

>> WE HAVE A LOT TO OFFER.

WE ARE NOPE FOR OUR BOAT TOUR AND WE HAVE 72 ACRES OF PARK IN BOWLING GREEN.

WE HAVE A BUTTERFLY HAND AT THAT TIME.

WE CALL THEM THE GATEWAY BUG.

IF KIDS ARE SCARED TO INTERACT WITH THINGS LIKE THAT YOU CAN GENERALLY GET THEM EXCITED ABOUT A BUTLER FLY LANDING ON THEM AND GET THEM EXCITED.

AND TWO MILES OF TRAILS THAT PEOPLE CAN WALK OR ENJOY BEING IN NATURE.

OUR CLAIM TO FAME OR MOST POPULAR ATTRACTION IS OUR BOAT TOUR.

OUR NEW THING WE ARE HAVING MOVIE NIGHTS IN THE CAVERN NIGHTCLUB WHERE THEY WOULD DANCE AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.

>> SO MUCH HISTORY HERE WHERE PEOPLE GO INTO THE CAVE YOU MENTIONED IT BEING A FORMER NIGHTCLUB THERE ARE STORIES THAT JESSYE JAMESES HID OUT IN THE CAVE.

>> THIS PROPERTY BEING AS OLD AS IT IS WE'VE SEEN USE BY HUMANS AS FAR BACK AS 11,000 YEARS.

WE HAD OUR NIGHTCLUB AND VARIOUS MILLION OPERATES THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY HAS BEEN A HUB OF ACTIVITY FOR THIS AREA THIS REGION.

THE MILLION OPERATIONS USED TO PROVIDE GRAIN AND LUMBER MILLS AND THE NIGHTCLUB OPENED AND IT BECAME A GREAT PLATES TO MAKE MEMORIES WITH LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS.

SO NOW TODAY, WE'VE CLEANED THE PLACE UP AND FAMILIES GET TO COME OUT, ENJOY NATURE AND SEE A BEAUTIFUL CAVE FROM A BOAT AND JUST SLOW DOWN IN OUR FAST-PACED WORLD AND WALK THROUGH THE WOODS AND HAVE A GREAT TIME.

>> WHICH IS IMPORTANT AND WE KNOW ESSENTIAL TO QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

WE ARE IN CAVE COUNTRY IN SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND OUR SYSTEMS WHEN THEY COME HERE AND ALSO THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.

>> AND WHEN YOU HAVE A SYSTEM LIKE THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY WE ARE NO STRANGER TO FLOODING THIS IS ONE OF THE LOWEST POINTS FOR 55 SQUARE MILES THAT IS OUR DRAINAGE BASIN THAT OUR CAVE RECEIVES THE WATER FROM.

BACK IN APRIL, THE WATER WHERE WE'RE STANDING WE WOULD HAVE BEEN 25 FOOT DEEP.

THE FLOODING WE SAW THIS PAST SPRING HAS BEEN RECORD-BREAKING.

IT'S PART OF THE GROWTH OF BOWLING GREEN AS BOWLING GREEN GETTING BILLINGER YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LARGER CAPACITY FOR STORMWATER BECAUSE WHEN YOU BUILD A HOUSE WATER CAN'T ABSORB INTO THE LAND OR THE DRIVEWAY.

YOU TAKE OUT FEELS AND TREES AND THERE IS WATER.

IT'S GOT TO GO SOMEWHERE AND WE'RE SEEING IT MORE AND MORE COME TO US.

>> WE ARE GLAD IT'S LOOKING AS GOOD AND WE ARE ENJOYING IT HERE TODAY BECAUSE IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND A NICE PEACEFUL ESCAPE FROM THE REST OF THE CITY.

>> PEOPLE LOVE IT.

YOU HEAR IT ON TOUR.

WHEN IT'S 90 PLUS OUTSIDE AND YOU TURN THE CORNER AND YOU HEAR A GASP BECAUSE YOU CAN FEEL THE CAVE BREATHING THAT 57° AIR OUT.

IT'S ENJOYABLE HERE.

>> JUSTIN JENNINGS THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JUSTIN JENNINGS SAYS LOST RIVER CAVE WELCOMES ABOUT 150,000 PEOPLE A YEAR TO THE PARK, INCLUDING 80,000 GUESTS ON THEIR UNDERGROUND BOAT TOUR.

>> WE CONTINUE OUR ROAD TRIP TO BOWLING GREEN WITH MORE STORIES ABOUT SOUTH-CENTRAL KENTUCKY TOMORROW.

WE'LL PAY A VISIT TO A DAIRY FARM THAT'S BUCKING AN UNFORTUNATE STATEWIDE TREND.

>> 2000 THERE ARE 2100 DAIRY FARMS WE DROPPED BELOW 350.

GOING OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE THEY STRUGGLE TO MAKE A LIVING.

AND SO WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP IT GOING WITH A LOT OF HELP FROM TOURISM.

IT'S CHANEY'S DAIRY BARN IN BOWLING GREEN, A DAIRY FARM THAT'S BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 1880S.

BUT IT'S GOING HIGH-TECH WITH A ROBOT THAT MILKS COWS AND MORE.

AND THAT AND MORE WEDNESDAY ON KENTUCKY EDITION.

SO WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT 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 AT KET.ORG.

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