♪ >> we and the Kentucky National Guard are not the same organization today when we were first established.

>> Kentucky is home to a new headquarters that will serve the state country and the world.

>> It's not functioning properly.

You have a disadvantage to move and pass you by.

>> Wheelchair repairs.

KET Louisville Younes on the go.

♪ >> Indian and in the leg.

Or if you Dean actually proved to be eating added, you.

>> And find out how this group is making a difference by celebrating differences.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Wednesday, August, the 14th, I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for winding down your Wednesday with us.

Bells rang and buses rolled on the first day of school and Kentucky's second largest city, the 2024 25 school year is underway for the 41,000 students in the Fayette County School System.

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and Fayette County Superintendent Dimitris Liggins greeted students as they arrived at Booker T Washington Elementary this morning while the first day of school may be the busiest of the year for students.

>> Leighton says that educators have been preparing for it all summer long.

The superintendent also reflected on how things have changed since he first took the job.

>> Every summer of kind of ironic, a lot of people often say that, you know, you get some resolve you know what?

Yeah, I know.

Summer is one of our busiest time.

So we've been doing all sorts of things, you know, getting our buildings together, making sure that we're hiring teachers and staff to make sure that we're ready for this day.

And last week we had open houses and our family showed up excited about the new school year.

And this morning they're showing up really, I'm just ready to start school while working for be on the pandemic's first and foremost.

And it's just an opportunity we have kids that are coming to school.

One mask.

If better help be, that's no longer something that will to worry about, which is the biggest that.

But we're continuing to see the make up for morning often occur during the pandemic and continue to work with our kids each and every day to ensure that we can put that behind us.

People.

>> Several news state education laws passed by the Kentucky General Assembly went into effect right before the start of the school year.

That includes House Bill 611, which requires schools to contact the county attorney when an elementary student has a 15 unexcused days in a school year.

Kentucky Attorney General Russel Coleman is telling school districts they can't use school resources to campaign for or against constitutional amendment.

Number 2, the amendment that if passed in November by voters would allow the Kentucky General Assembly to authorize public money for private education as we told you yesterday, the Pulaski County school system posted a No on amendment 2 message on its website and Facebook page.

Pulaski County took down the post today.

They say it but believes Coleman is wrong, though.

And a statement sent to Kay to yesterday.

The Pulaski County schools defended their legal right to speak out on amendment 2 saying it was a First Amendment issue.

More on this debate during our weekly check in with NPR journalist Rylan Barton.

The Kentucky Supreme Court will have the final say and how the state's largest school district governs itself.

The Jefferson County Board of Education has battled a 2022 state law that moves some power from the local school board to the superintendent, the law Senate bill.

One also limits just how often the board members can meet.

Kentucky's justices heard arguments today.

>> This is direct legislative in interference directly to the school board.

I know they have.

Agencies, Department of Education gives to process can remove gives in Paris.

But you can you think of any other statute where they've gone in and told the school board.

Give your superintendent more power?

>> The school board has successfully argued that the General Assembly is singling out JCPS lower courts have ruled the law is unconstitutional.

It could take several months for the Kentucky Supreme Court to issue a ruling.

More changes coming to Louisville's metro government today.

Mayor Craig Greenberg announced his deputy mayor for economic development.

Pat Malloy stepping down at the end of the month.

Malloy joined the administration in May of last year and committed to stay on for 6 to 12 months.

16 months later, he's resigning.

Although Greenberg said he will continue to volunteer his time as a senior adviser.

Greenberg credited Malloy with helping establish the Louisville Economic Development Alliance.

A nonprofit designed to help attract businesses to the Derby city.

Frankfort is home to new military headquarters.

More than 20 years in the making yesterday, the Kentucky National Guard and Kentucky Air National Guard cut the ribbon on a new joint force headquarters at the Daniel Boone National Guard Center.

>> We and the Kentucky National Guard are not the same organization today when we were first established and so that the building behind me, it really gives a sense of that type of change and evolution for that.

The garden who and what we are today.

>> Ladies, gentlemen, this may just look like bricks and mortar and stealing glass.

This is a very sophisticated building and we're very proud of it.

It not only is incredibly energy efficient, but it's going to meet our knees and service for years to come.

>> So so what it does in Naples as to consolidate everything from the Kentucky National Guard Command group.

It enables us to be at the cutting edge of DOD for the equipping for the resourcing of that comes to us.

I know.

And this may sound kind of try to in a way, but the proficiency of the demand and the women.

We've got another guard today.

It makes me proud to be one of you.

And it's served with each of you and.

>> I'm biased to the Kentucky National Guard.

You've heard me say this before, but across the the 54 states and territories that the Kentucky National Guard is up in the top metrics in every category that makes a difference to any of the 54 states and territories.

>> And I've seen firsthand what facilities like this can mean because this facility like the emergency Operation Center and the Army Air support facility, both house here.

We'll continue to help us to direct missions ranging from national defense.

2 emergency response.

>> This enables us to be a more efficient organization, a more collaborative organization quite simply an organization that is prepared to evolve even further.

>> The building was designed to be energy efficient.

The joint command headquarters cost almost 16 million dollars with the federal government paying most of that.

And Kentucky paying just 2% of it.

The trustee will chair is a lifeline for people with some disabilities and just like your car, a wheelchair needs its fair of shooting up a share of tune UPS from time to time as our June Leffler shows us a local nonprofit is making sure those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity who need their wheelchair can get around by hosting free will chair repair clinics.

>> S O S international delivers essential medical supplies to people across the globe and right at home and a public housing complex in downtown folks show up to get their wheelchairs and walkers fixed.

>> Mobility.

Susan, if you're in a wheelchair or you have to talk to other system, Weiss was not functioning properly.

You have the disadvantage to move them.

Pass you by.

So we came here and today the level playing field and make sure that those on that.

>> Britney Taylor saw the advertisement for this event.

>> It seems like it came right on time.

I was having some insurance issues.

And so I was able to gain the wheelchair repairs that are needed to think.

I gotta estimate for about $1200 to score the little wills and the big losers.

And that was it.

And so when I heard about this, the repairs happening today here to ask him and I decided to come by and see if I can get some decisions.

>> Taylor will have to make an extra trip to get the parts she needs.

But S O S will be there to help.

>> Today we've already adjusted some breaks.

We have replaced batteries for a power wheelchair.

These guys over here are cleaning the wheelchairs and there are various that have just been loose, maybe replace, rested pieces in.

There was one guy who could only go a block away.

He couldn't go any further.

And so today when he got his new batteries is going to be able to know where every wants to.

So that gives him freedom and he can be more autonomous everyone city.

>> Louisville, Metro Animal Services is there to to microchip and vaccinate people's pets.

All this is happening at dusk or man or a public housing complex.

It's a good program and I'm glad they wanted to come in and help the residents.

>> It's big to me the residents of the most important thing up here.

>> Oscar manner has been making headlines.

Its buildings are in such bad shape that they'll be torn down.

The local housing authority will have to help 300 residents move somewhere else.

>> I either want to go out to honor, which is out by the Jefferson Mall, Florida Lord Hall.

And right now both of theirs or felt.

So I don't know how they're going to work.

Find me a place to live.

There's not a whole lot of apartments available to present.

So we're trying to just pick and choose where we can go.

>> And pick and choose >> places that are convenient for U.S.. S O S international says jammed up wills shouldn't hinder people literally on the move.

This is one of the most marginalized communities in the city.

>> Well, we've come in the house.

The House is community nearby, that driver.

So we're just trying to, you know, these people up against because buildings going from them.

So we're here to try to help the people that have mobility issues that have any issues with the time folks.

>> For Kentucky June Leffler.

>> Thank you.

June the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is funding the clinics S O S international plans to hold 6 more clinics around Louisville.

♪ Time now to check in on some major political developments so far this week with our good friend Roland Barton, who is a senior editor with MPR States team.

Good to see your island.

>> It's easy.

Rene, some interesting developments concerning the constitutional amendment that will be on the November ballot here in Kentucky concerning school choice will let you define how this all started.

But we know that the Pulaski County school system has been posting.

>> Information on its website and on social media, discouraging support for that amendment and some elected officials, particularly Republicans are crying foul.

Give us the back story and where we are now.

>> Yeah.

So this is the amendment that's going to be on the ballot this November.

That would allow lawmakers to spend state tax money for non public education for private education and also of charter schools, which is not traditional public education is a charter school.

Proponents will call it, but that's currently not allowed.

This provision, the state constitution that prevents a public dollars from being spent on nonpublic education.

The county schools on the Facebook page and put up a couple really such a political advertisements, encouraging folks to not to vote against amendment 2.

A lot of public, a school advocates are worried about how this how this amendment would lead to less money going towards public education.

You know, ultimately, if there's fewer kids in seats in in your traditional public schools and they're, you know, say taking vouchers are going to a private school vouchers are going to charter schools.

There could be fewer seats.

>> In public schools and those kids be going somewhere else that could lead to a funding drop all or some of these places.

But in rural parts of the state are especially worried about this because school districts are smaller.

Also, school districts are huge employers with him.

A lot of these rural counties.

It's something I've heard time and time again over the past couple years where, you know, Republicans are all part of the state will say, well, you know, if this works for you in more urban parts of Kentucky, as long as the you do, it doesn't come here fine with it.

And then even for just 30 owes the quote from Fancy Farm where lawmakers are saying, you know, at least we're not actually too worried about it happened about this coming here.

So it's vote for it.

But it's, you know, but don't worry about it.

Happening here.

That's, you know, Pulas.

Plus the county schools here is taking the position that you pay this.

This could still affect us and they're worried about it.

Russell Coleman, states attorney general came out and said about the fall of of state law and place.

The critical schools actually since taking down those messages.

But, you know, given a little jab on the way out saying that, you know, this is partisan politics that at its core.

And so they're not happy with having the having to do that.

But they still coming out.

Yeah.

>> Another story involving Kentucky's Attorney General Russel Coleman concerning a big state's largest substance abuse provider, arc or addiction recovery care.

We've learned that this high-profile treatment center was we've discussed before is under FBI investigation for potential health care fraud.

What is the connection to Attorney General Russel Coleman and another top deputy and his office?

>> So Russell Coleman and and his deputy deputy attorney general recused themselves from anything related to park.

There were most at the beginning of the Coleman administration that they had signs saying that they won't would not pursue any.

You know, they would not be involved in any cases involving their former employer law.

The law firm didn't Start shoal and a differential had represented ARC addiction recovery centers in a matter relating to a week is a lawsuit from the employee who said that, you know, some very tame taking place there.

So now just shortly before this FBI investigation came out of the record show that the attorney general and the taken steps to ensure that that would not take place, that they would not be involved in any of this.

It's a you know, this is a the investigation is ongoing here.

Still that the the FBI's investigations into whether or not a RC had misuse Medicaid funding the head of of the air.

As you can Tim Robinson is very close to both.

Russell Coleman means deputy and bouts.

You know, that's something you know, it's interesting, especially and the like kind of goes back to work using themselves as these are people who have been private of in business together air had professional relationships together ahead of the administration.

And Robinson are actually home to help fund raisers for both Coleman and for Democratic Governor Andy Beshear is well, he was a bipartisan political thunder.

it's interesting news here.

It's more to watch to see.

You know, if there is, you know what, what we're going to find out from about a RC and whether or not they misuse Medicaid funds or the FBI determines up.

>> And finally, the story about Republican former Republican governor Matt Bevin, his son who had been at a reformatory.

Alright, now close troubled teens facility in Jamaica.

There's been some new understanding about that.

This young man had been at the center in December and had left and has been back in the U.S. for about 2 to 3 months before the facility closed to tell us what what do we know about this and why it's so troubling.

>> Yeah, it's still a lot of to this story that we just don't know what led to this hidden leaving the betting household and when exactly got took place.

The I think the Courier room, the of the they use an alias and the reporting of that you know, when he'd come back to the United States, they say that taking place about may or something.

This is an incredibly troubling story of the U.S. you know, teens, Academy of Fallen latest leadership Academy in Jamaica.

And it had been shut down early this year and under because of allegations of abusive conditions for Kids.

Inc care of us.

Really troubling story from the London Times.

It was reported out earlier this month that the one of Matt Bevin to talk to children had ended up in the space.

We still do.

We still haven't heard from the former governor or Glenn about and that is why they're going through divorce proceedings right now about what took place here.

But the latest is that we know that that he's been placed outside of Kentucky in a place that bet he chose and wanted to be.

And that's for an advocate.

We spend, you know, working on this case.

Yeah.

>> Well, a lot to still learn.

How about that is troubling case as as the days unfolded.

We thank your island for helping us understand it all.

We appreciate you.

>> Participating in brain stimulating activities is essential to those dealing with Alzheimer's disease.

But due to problems moving around or a lack of nearby resources, many Kentucky hands needing memory care, haven't had access to the help they need brain health activities is an online library of activities from the UK Sanders Brown Center on Aging.

That brings hours of content into the home so dementia patients and caregivers can have fun and improve brain health at the same time.

More on this groundbreaking program in tonight's Medical News.

>> What if you have a loved one who's developing memory problems or yard developing memory problems here south and near in the middle of Harlan, Kentucky.

Well, is there a senior program for activities?

Is there a gay program for people with mild memory problems?

And for many of our counties answer is no, there aren't those resources.

And so really seeing that need is what prompted us to begin thinking in this direction.

>> So break health activities is a program that it's a library of activities for persons with dementia early to moderate stage.

Dementia can participate in along with their caregivers.

And we hope that people anywhere can utilize the activities or that might ignite some ideas that you might have that you hadn't thought of.

This might be something I can deal with.

My loved one with dementia for today's video.

You're going to be posting some impressionistic dandelions.

We have 2 different tracks there.

12 episodes in each and they range anywhere from about 20 minutes to a whole hour.

And so there are usually 2 to 3 activities within those episodes followed by.

All kinds of research that it is important about why we picked the activities that we did.

For instance, why is exercise good for you or stretching?

What does that do for your brain for and stimulated in the nerve cells or not?

>> Passing along signals from one nerve cell to the other.

Then those synapses the connection between those nerve cells.

Actually, withers dies in can be lost permanently forever.

Brain stimulating activities.

Builds that strength and gives us a way biologically.

So it's not just the activity.

It's not just use it or lose it.

It actually building biological brain health.

We have modifications that are listed of, you know, how can you adapt the activities?

>> For your stage that your loved one is in.

But we also have included caregiver tips and also self care tips for the person that has early dementia.

We hear from.

>> Caregivers, family members and friends.

I all they want to do is sit in front of the television set.

I don't know what to do with them.

I don't know what they're able to do and the activity program gives them ways to think about activities that they do together.

Over time.

We've begun to see that that initial vision of reaching out and helping folks just in rural areas.

He's really only the tip of the iceberg because we have folks that may live in Lexington or in lieu and there may be a memory care center right down the street.

But the cost may be prohibitive for many families.

And for our seniors that are on a fixed income.

And so this is a free resource that's been put together.

And if we can help one person promote their brain health avoiders.

Slow the progression or onset of Alzheimer's disease.

The program's success.

>> The brain health activities site launched July 1st, it's received more than 2000 visitors since then.

Doctor Jessica, who you just saw says the next step is expanding content for those in the late stages of dementia.

♪ >> Electro dance project has been serving the Lexington community for 10 years now with one mission to make dads more inclusive.

>> The nonprofit believes dance has benefits for anyone who's willing to try it no matter their ability and has outreach programs to prove it.

So join us center stage as we learn more and this week's Arts and Culture segment we called Tapestry.

♪ >> So I've always been a dancer from the age of 3 and it always bothered me that as much as I love the art of dance, it was very exclusive and a lot of ways.

So I started a Laker dance project in 2014 and it was intended to be a way for dance to be fully inclusive for all body types for all abilities.

And specifically to be accessible for students with disabilities.

>> I think the best part about dances that you can look at it from a bunch of different aspects.

It can be like a physical sport and a way to stay in shape or it can be form of self expression or art, but its universal.

So anyone, anyone anywhere can dance at any time and you don't need.

Words are a language for any of it.

And I think that's really cool.

>> You don't have to just be a day that you could be a TV.

That's what I feel like a Lego.

Have a few be anything you want to be being different in some time actually is better, especially Indians and in the leg room.

She did actually proved to be eating added, you.

>> So the full commission of a layered and project is our inclusive Dance outreach program.

And what that is is an instructor and a musician going to a school typically for a group of students that have specific needs, whether it be an MSD classroom where a special education classroom.

And it's a 45 minute movement session with live interactive music.

Imagine like a physical therapy session and then occupational therapy session and a group dance party all folded into one.

So the students are working on things that are really important for them to have a wonderful, vibrant life.

But also it's so much fun that they don't realize how hard they're working physically.

>> The kids that take a Classes are there because they love it.

>> Whether they've been there for just this first year.

Some of them have been here for probably all 10 years.

It's a community that can KET coming back to making friends and and I think having a community in an art form that so fun things.

>> Is a really like special connection.

That's different than anything else.

I think dance is so special because it's taking its taking your.

>> Your innermost solve displaying it like visibly or someone can see it.

And in that way, it makes far from a very vulnerable and very personal.

>> But it's also very unifying to be on stage.

And to me, it's like, like not be painting a painting creating something that is outside of yourself.

But it's a tough leaving personal moment that the moment you create it, it's immediately gone and replaced by another moment.

So it's like a living breathing.

Art.

>> Indeed, it is.

A lead grows.

Classroom programming is free.

Thanks to grant and donor funding to set up a session.

Teachers can get in touch with Allegro through its website.

We're less than 90 days from the November election.

What role will rule voters play?

>> A podcast looks at that and the stereotypes about rural voters.

We'll have that story and more tomorrow on Kentucky EDITION, which we hope to see you again for at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central will be informed, connect and inspire.

Connect with us all the ways you see on your screen, Facebook, X and Instagram to stay in the loop.

Send us a story idea of public affairs at KET Dot Org and look for us on the PBS app on your smart TV or your mobile device.

>> Thanks so much for watching tonight.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Take really good care and I'll see you right back here again tomorrow night.

♪