[♪♪] >> IT WOULD BE LIKE THE COAL DELINE AND I THINK IT COULD BE WORSE.

SOME OF THE HIGHEST PAYING JOBS WE ARE ARE PROVIDED BY MEDICAID.

>> Christie: WHO IS HITTING THE ROAD WITH A DIRE MESSAGE ABOUT MEDICAID?

>> WE HAVE OVER 100 EVENTS HERE IT IS A BUSY PLACE.

>> Christie: MUSIC, COMEDY, THEATER ALL TAKE CENTER STAGE AT THIS SOUTHERN KENTUCKY VENUE.

>> THIS IS THE LARGEST GROUP IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY ITS EDUCATIONAL FOR ALL AGE GROUPS.

>> Christie: AND ANOTHER YEAR FOR THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR.

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

[♪♪] >> Christie: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 15TH.

WE MADE TO THE WEEKEND.

I'M CHRISTIE DUTTON IN OUR LOUISVILLE STUDIO FILLING IN FOR RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HOUSE BILL 5, THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT IS BEING TESTED IN COURT.

KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS PASSED THE TOUGH ON CRIME BILL IN 2024.

A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ALLEGES THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS UNLAWFULLY INCREASED PRISON TIME FOR FELONS CONVICTED BEFORE THE LAW WENT INTO EFFECT.

BUT THIS WEEK, A JUDGE RULED IN FAVOR OF THE STATE, PUTTING A STAY ON THE CASE.

THE SUIT IS ON BEHALF OF TOBY BERRY WOULD PLEADED GUILTY TO CRIMES OF ASSAULT AND STRANGULATION IN MAY OF 2024.

HE EXPECTED TO BE PAROLE ELIGIBLE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

BUT THAT DATE HAS BEEN PUSHED TO 2031.

THE DOC SAID 175 OTHER INMATES HAVE HAD THEIR PAROLE DATE DELAYED.

KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN SAYS THESE INMATES DESERVE TO BE BEHIND BARS FOR LONGER.

AN ATTORNEY FOR BERRY SAYS THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT WAS NOT MEANT TO BE RETROACTIVE AND THE DOC ACTED OUTSIDE OF ITS STATUTORY AUTHORITY.

>>> THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS LAUNCHED A STATE-WIDE TOUR IN SUPPORT OF MEDICAID FOLLOWING CUTS MADE TO THE PROGRAM IN THE REPUBLICAN SO-CALLED BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL BUDGET PLAN.

ACCORDING TO STUDIES FROM THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY, 35 RURAL HOSPITALS ARE AT RISK FOR CLOSURE AND OVER 340,000 KENTUCKIANS ARE AT RISK FOR LOSING THEIR HEALTHCARE.

THE DEMOCRATS TOUR CAKE KICKED OFF IN WEARY COUNTY WHERE 51% OF THE POPULATION IS INSURED THROUGH MEDICAID.

>> LAUNCHING THIS TOUR NOT JUST TO DEFEND MEDICAID PRAUDLY BUT TO HIGHLIGHT SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT MAYBE UNIQUE TO KENTUCKY OR DIFFERENT PARTS OF KENTUCKY I THINK BECAUSE THE THREAT IS SO SEVERE IN THIS PLACE.

IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO GET HERE FIRST.

AND WE WILL BE HERE AGAIN SOON.

OBVIOUSLY EASTERN KENTUCKY IS NOT A MONOLITH IF THERE ARE PLACES WITH DIFFERENT STRUGGLES WE ARE TRYING TO HEAR AS MANY VOICES AS WE CAN AND GET AS MANY PEOPLE IN PLACE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS CHANGING ON THE GROUND.

>> LIKE THE COAL DECLINE.

AND I THINK IT WOULD BE WORSE.

SOME OF THE HIGHEST PAYING JOBS WE HAVE HERE ARE PROVIDED BY MEDICAID.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

OUR PEOPLE DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAL.

OUR PEOPLE DESERVE JUST LIKE ANYONE ELSE, TO REMOVE SOME OF THE BARRIERS THAT WE FACE HERE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

>> Christie: DESPITE REPUBLICAN VICTORIES IN RECENT EASTERN KENTUCKY ELECTIONS DEMOCRATS SAY THEY ARE EXPECTING POLITICAL BACKLASH FROM REPUBLICAN POLICIES.

>> I AND A LOT OF PEOPLE IN-PERSON OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR HERE ALONG THE CONVERSATIONS [INAUDIBLE] LIKE WE SAID NOBODY VOTED TO LOSE THEIR HEALTHCARE.

NOBODY VOTED TO LOSE THEIR JOB.

NOBODY VOTED TO HAVE TO TRAVEL TWO OR THREE HOURS TO GET ROUTINE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE.

THEY VOTED FOR LOWER COSTS.

THEY VOTE ON A PROMISE THAT MEDICAID COULD NOT BE TOUCHED AND I THINK THE PEOPLE FEEL BETRAYED BY THE WAY THE FIRST SIX MONTHS HAVE WENT.

>> IT IS NOT A FOOL'S ERROR FOR DEMOCRATS TO BE IN RURAL KENTUCKY WE ARE THE PARTY LISTENING INSTEAD OF RUNNING FROM THE CONSTITUENTS OR AVOIDING PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO TELL THEIR STORIES.

I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE NATIONAL PARTY, OF COURSE, BUT NO MATTER WHAT THE POLLS SAY, NO MATTER WHAT G.O.P.

FEARMONGERRING MAY SAY WE'RE GOING TO STAY HERE AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW BEST WHAT IS HAPPENING IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

>> Christie: REPUBLICANS DENIED DEMOCRATIC CLAIMS THAT THE TRUMP TAX AND BUDGET PLAN WOULD HURT MEDICAID RECIPIENTS AND CAUSE HOSPITALS TO CLOSE.

HERE IS A STATEMENT FROM CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR OF KENTUCKY'S SIXTH DISTRICT FROM EARLIER IN THE WEEK.

QUOTE DON'T BELIEVE GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND THE DEMOCRAT LIES.

KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS ARE PROTECTING MEDICAID NOT ENDANGERING IT.

CHAIRMAN BRETT GUTHRIE AND I WILL ALWAYS PRESERVE MEDICAID FOR KENTUCKIANS WHO NEED IT.

END QUOTE.

BARR WAS REFERRING TO BRETT GUTHRIE OF KENTUCKY'S SECOND DISTRICT CHAIR OF THE HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE WHICH PLAYED A ROLE IN SHAPING THE BILL.

>> STUDENTS IF YOU PLANNING ON STUDYING FOR THE ANG STOP.

KENTUCKY PLANS TO SWITCH TO THE SATES.

THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER REPORTS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LET ITS CONTRACT WITH THE ACT EXPIRE.

THE STATE HAS A NEW CONTRACT WITH THE SAT.

SO FROM NOW ON, KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS WILL TAKE THE SAT EACH SPRING.

STUDENTS COULD STILL TAKE THE ACT ON THEIR OWN.

[♪♪] >> Christie: THIS WEEK, "KENTUCKY EDITION" HAS QUON ON THE ROAD TO BOWLING GREEN FROM CORVETTES TO CAVES, WE'VE SPOTLIGHTED MUCH OF WHAT THE REGION HAS TO OFFER.

WE HAVE MORE FROM SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY THIS EVENING.

AS LAURA ROGERS TAKES US TO A VENUE BRINGING BROADWAY TO BOWLING GREEN.

>> JEFF REED IS PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE SOUTHERN KENTUCKY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER OR SKYPAC BEST KNOWN.

LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW THIS HAS INCREASED ACCESS TO ARTS AND CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

>> WELL, WE HAVE OVER 100 EVENTS HERE PER YEAR AND YOU ADD EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND IT IS A BUSY PLACE.

BEING IN SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY, WE'RE DRAWING FROM MULTICOUNTIES IN THE REGION.

NASHVILLE IS ONE OF OUR LARGEST ATTENDING AREAS BECAUSE IT'S LESS HASSLE TO GET HERE AND MORE INTIMATE AND WE INSTALLED STATE-OF-THE-ART SOUND AND LIGHTING.

OUR STAFF IS DOING A GOOD JOB OF REACHING A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> AND YOU HAVE A GREAT VARIETY OF SHOWS FROM PRAUD WAY MUSICALS TO VARIOUS COUNTRY MUSIC AND STARS IN POP MUSIC ALL DIFFERENT GENRES, ORCHESTRA KENTUCKY, THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC THAT YOU BRING HERE TO SKYPAC THAT OPEN IT IS UP TO SO MANY TASTES AND INTERESTS.

>> WE TRY TO GET A GOOD VARIETY.

WE DON'T HIT IT EVERY YEAR.

BUT WE DO HAVE RESIDENT THEATER COMPANY, THE RAMSEY THEATER COMPANY HEADED BY DIANE WHO IS A VETERAN OF BROADWAY.

SHE LIVES HERE AND LEADS THAT AND ORCHESTRA KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE BG ON STAGE OUR YOUTH THEATER THAT WHOLE THING.

AND WE HAVE COUNTRY MUSIC, ROCK 'N ROLL, PLAYS, ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

YOU NAME IT WE'VE HAD IT.

COMEDIANS.

>> AND THOSE SHOWS DO WELL WE ALL NEED A GOOD LAUGH AND YES THE PEDIGREE OF THE TALENT AND THE LEADERSHIP LEADING SKYPAC WHAT IS THE VISION FOR SKYPAC?

YOU OPENED IN 201213 YEARS AGO.

GOING INTO THE NEXT DECADE WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO SEE HAPPEN?

>> I WANT THE PLACE TO BE BUSIER.

WE HAVE 365 DAYS IN A YEAR AND WE WANT IT HOPPING EVERYONE OF THEM.

THE STAFF NEEDS BREAKS.

BUT THE TAXPAYERS BUILT THIS AND IT'S HERE TO SERVE THEM AND OUR COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE AN IMPACT ON TOURISM AND THE ECONOMIC ASPECT OF THE COMMUNITY.

SO WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO FEED INTO THAT AND BE A PART OF THAT AND SERVE IT BETTER THAN WE ARE NOW.

>> JEFFREY, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF SOUTHERN KENTUCKY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.

>> Christie: ARTISTS APPEARING AT SKYPAC INCLUDE SAWYER BROWN, AVETT BROTHERS AND RICK SPRINGFIELD.

>>> EARLIER IN THE WEEK WE TOLD YOU WARREN COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE IN SIZE BY 2050.

A LOT OF THAT GROWTH WILL HAPPEN IN BOWLING GREEN WHICH IS ALREADY THE STATE'S THIRD LARGEST CITY.

RENEE SHAW CAUGHT UP WITH CITY MANAGER JEFF MEISEL TO LEARN WHAT THE CITY IS DOING TO PREPARE FOR THAT GROWTH AND A NEW RIVERFRONT PROJECT ALREADY UNDERWAY.

>> Renee: JEFF MEISEL THANK YOU FOR SITTING DOWN WITH US.

LET'S TALK ABOUT BEING THE BOWLING GREEN CITY MANAGER, THERE IS A MAYOR AND CITY COMMERCE WHAT DOES THE MERGER DO?

>> I AM THE FULL-TIME HIRED GUN, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER IN A WAY TO KEEP THE DAY-TO-DAY THINGS RUNNING SMOOTHLY.

A CITY MANAGER IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE MORE CONSISTENCY OVER THE LONG-TERM.

AS ELECTED OFFICIALS COME AND GO.

HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE A CITY MANAGER THAT'S STILL IN PLACE KEEPING THINGS RUNNING SMOOTHLY.

>> Renee: WHAT ARE THE MAIN SET OF FINANCIAL PRIORITIES FOR BOWLING GREEN RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, WE ALWAYS STRIVE TO PUT AS MUCH BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AS FAR AS OUR BUDGET GOES.

REINVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY WHETHER IT BE INFRASTRUCTURE, WITH OUR PARKS, OUR STREETS, OUR ROADS.

BUT ALWAYS NUMBER ONE IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SAFE COMMUNITY, YOU DON'T HAVE A VERY GOOD COMMUNITY.

THAT IS YOUR FOUNDATION.

>> Renee: WE HAVE BEEN HEARING A LOT AND REPORTING THIS WEEK THAT BOWLING GREEN IS ALREADY THE STATE'S THIRD LARGEST CITY BUT IT'S EXPECTED TO DOUBLE IN SIZE IN 25 YEARS FROM NOW THAT YOU HAVE A POPULATION WELL OVER 200,000.

SO HOW ARE YOU PLANNING FOR THAT KIND OF GROWTH?

THAT SEEMS LIKE A TALL TASK.

>> ONE THING THAT WE REALIZED FINANCIALLY IS THAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE A BIGGER ENGINE.

SO WE WENT TO OUR BOARD COUPLE YEARS AGO AND ASKED FOR OCCUPATIONAL TAX RATE ADJUSTMENT.

BACK IN 2003 TO 2007 WE HAD A 2% OCCUPATIONAL TAX, THE TAX ON YOUR PAYCHECKS AND YOUR NET PROFITS.

AND IN 2007 IT WAS LOWERED TO 1.85%.

WE LIVED ON THAT FOR AS LONG AS WE COULD.

BUT IN 2024 WE FELT IT WAS TIME THAT WE NEEDED TO TRY TO GET BACK TO THE 2%.

BECAUSE WE SAW ALL THE DEMANDS COMING.

WE NEEDED MORE POLICE OFFICERS.

WE NEEDED MORE FIREFIGHTERS.

WE NEEDED MORE FIRE STATIONS, MORE POLICE CARS.

ON AND ON.

>> Renee: WE CAN LOOK A FEW MILES SOUTH IN MY STATE OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, WHERE THEY MANY WOULD SAY THAT THEY DID NOT PLAN FOR GROWTH AT THE LEVEL AT WHICH THEY ARE EXPERIENCING AND YOU THINK ABOUT THE TRAFFIC THE FIRST THING PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT AND THERE'S WATER, SEWER AND UTILITIES.

IT'S NOT JUST ROADWAYS.

>> RIGHT.

SO SPEAKING OF ROADS, IN A LOT OF OUR ROADS ARE CONTROLLED BY THE STATE.

SO THERE'S NOT A LOT WE CAN DO ABOUT THAT.

BUT YOU WILL NOTICE MORE ROUNDABOUTS.

>> Renee: I HAVE.

I THINK I DID IT RIGHT.

>> WE LIKE OUR ROUNDABOUTS AND WE THINK THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

>> Renee: AND COLLISION FREE?

>> YOUR COLLISIONS ARE REDUCED AND THE SEVERITY OF YOUR COLLISIONS ARE REDUCED.

YOU DON'T HAVE THE INTERSECTIONS THE T BONE COLLISIONS A ROUNDABOUT IS NICE AND EASY AND SLOW AND YOU MIGHT HAVE A FEW FENDER-BENDERS SO YOUR SEVERITY HAS GONE WAY DOWN.

WE LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR ROUNDABOUTS AND WE'VE DONE AT THAT THAT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND WE HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE WHEN WE LOOK AT THE STATE ROADS AND WHAT THEY NEED.

WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES WITH TRAFFIC MITIGATION.

IT'S NOT A PERFECT SCIENCE.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SPEEDING AND OVERCROWDING OF ROADS.

BUT WE DO THE BEST WE CAN.

AND THEN WHEN IT COMES TO OUR PARKS, CAN YOU IMAGINE A CITY WITHOUT ANY PARKS?

I CAN'T.

I GREW UP HERE.

SOME OF THE FONDEST MEMORIES I HAVE AS A CHILD ARE GOING TO OUR CITY PARKS.

AND SO WE WANT TO KEEP THAT ALIVE.

WE WANT TO KEEP THEM IN GOOD SHAPE.

WE WANT TO TRY TO ADD A FEW AS WE GO.

AS OUR POPULATION INCREASES.

YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED DURING COVID PEOPLE WANTED TO GET OUTSIDE AND THEY WANTED TO GO TO A PARK.

AND SO WE WANT TO KEEP THAT A HIGH PRIORITY AS WELL AND WE'VE INVESTED A LOT IN OUR PARK SYSTEM AND WE HOPE TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> Renee: I DO WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE RIVERFRONT PARK DEVELOPMENT PROJECT UNDERWAY NOW.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG REGIONAL BOON TO HAVE THIS WATER RECREATION THIS AREA DOES NOT ENJOY RIGHT NOW?

>> RENEE, IT WILL BE A TOTAL GAME CHANGER WHEN IT GETS BUILT.

ESPECIALLY THE WHITEWATER SECTION THAT WE GOT A GRANT FOR AND A MATCH.

SO WE GOT PRETTY MUCH $7 MILLION IN FREE MONEY TO GET STARTED ON THAT.

WE'VE GOT A GOOD STOCKPILE OF FUNDING FOR THE PARK ITSELF.

IT IS A 70-ACRE PARK, 10 BLOCKS FROM DOWNTOWN.

10 BLOCKS FROM CITY HALL.

AND SO YOU WILL STEP OUT OF THE CITY INTO THIS OASIS REFUGE THAT YOU WILL NEVER SEE ANYTHING LIKE BEFORE.

>> Renee: WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE COMPLETE?

>> WE ARE HOPING TO BID OUT PHASE ONE LATER THIS YEAR.

THAT WILL BE PHASED AS WE GO.

PROBABLY TWO OR THREE PHASES.

BUT WE'RE HOPING TO GET STARTED ON ACTUAL MOVING SOME DIRT AROUND BY AT LEAST THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR.

AND GET SOME THINGS MOVING DOWN THERE.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE TOTALLY SOMETHING YOU WON'T FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN BOWLING GREEN.

>> Christie: EXCITING STUFF.

AS YOU HEARD, THE POPULATION OF BOWLING GREEN IN WARREN COUNTY IS GROWING RAPIDLY.

SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY IS BENEFITING FROM THE GROWTH OF NASHVILLE AND AT THE COST OF LIVE SOMETHING RISING, MANY ARE FINDING BOWLING GREEN AN OPTIMAL PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND RAISE A FAMILY.

WARREN COUNTY JOHN GORMAN SAYS WHILE GROWTH IS GOOD IT NEEDS TO BE MANAGED TO MINIMIZE THE PAINS.

WE PICK UP HIS CONVERSATION WITH OUR RENEE SHAW WITH HIS THOUGHTS ON WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

>> THERE IS A UNIQUENESS IN ANY COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE ARE PROUD OF CERTAIN THINGS.

AND YOU WANT TO HAVE THAT AND MAYBE BIGGER.

WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO IS COME BACK 25 YEARS AND NOT RECOGNIZE THE COMMUNITY YOU GREW UP IN.

WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE GREAT THINGS AND HAVE MORE OF THAT.

AND THEN MAYBE DO THINGS TO MITIGATE SOME OF THE THINGS WE DON'T WANT.

HOW DO WE PRESERVE AND CONTINUE TO HAVE A GREAT AGRICULTURE COMPONENT?

HOW DO WE HAVE A GREAT BUSINESS COMPONENT?

GREAT SCHOOLS?

ALL OF THOSE THINGS IT TAKES EFFORT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> Renee: THE COLLABORATION THAT YOU HAVE WITH THE CITY AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT EVEN THOUGH IT'S GREAT AND MIGHTY AS YOU ARE, THAT YOU ARE TAKING PRIDE IN THE COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT OF THIS PROJECT.

>> YES.

ONE WORD I LIKE TO USE IS ONENESS.

AND WHAT SETS US APART I TRULY BELIEVE FROM NOT ONLY THE REST OF THE COUNTRY BUT PLACES IN KENTUCKY UNFORTUNATELY, IS OUR ONENESS AND THAT IS THE COUNTY, THE CITY, OUR HEALTHCARE, OUR SCHOOLS, OUR UNIVERSITIES, ALL MAKING THE SAME DECISIONS AND TRYING TO DO WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

>> Renee: AS YOU FAST FORWARD 25 YEARS FROM NOW YOU HAVE CHALLENGES NOW, THOUGH.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHALLENGES OR OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO TAP INTO?

>> I LIKE TO SAY I WILL GIVE YOU AA QUOTE THAT BILLY JEAN KING SAID THE PRESSURE IS PRIVILEGE.

AND WE HAVE A LOT OF PRIVILEGE AROUND HERE.

BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF PRESSURE.

INFRASTRUCTURE, YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT MANY MORE PEOPLE WITHOUT WIDENING ROADS HAVING NEW ROADS.

DAYCARE A CRISIS IN AMERICA.

AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT WE HAVE A SPACE LIKE A LOT OF COMMUNITIES WE HAVE A RURAL URBAN SO WE HAVE A A LOT OF THE GROWTH THERE.

SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T TALK ABOUT IS THE KEY, I THINK, TO GROWTH, BUT THE RIGHT TYPE OF GROWTH IS SEWER.

BECAUSE WITH SEWER YOU CAN GET DENSITY, IF YOU DON'T HAVE SEWER THEN YOU HAVE TO GO WITH SEPTIC SYSTEMS AND YOU TAKE UP A LOT OF FARMLAND AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE GREAT FARMING COMMUNITY.

AND WE HAVE TO HAVE DENSITY IN THE COUNTY SO THAT WE DON'T WASTE THOSE VALUABLE LANDS ON ONE ACRE, TWO ACRE LOTS.

CAN YOU HAVE THAT IN SOME PLACES WE INVEST IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE SO WE CAN HAVE THAT GROWTH AS WELL.

>> Renee: HOUSING THE LAST TOPIC, ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS SAY HOUSING AND PEOPLE SHAKE THEIR HEADS IT IS A BIG ISSUE.

>> IT IS A GIANT ISSUE.

PEOPLE SAY AFFORDABLE AND I LIKE TO SAY ATTAINABLE.

AND ATTAINABLE HOUSING, I THINK, SINGLE FAMILY HOME RESIDENTIAL IS THE BEDROCK AND BACKBONE OF AMERICA.

EVERY PERSON SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A PIECE OF AMERICA.

AND SO WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ENCOURAGE HOMEOWNERSHIP SO THEY CAN GENERATIONAL CHANGE THEIR FAMILY.

SO WE TRY TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN FOR THAT.

AS YOU KNOW, THAT IS A HOUSING CRISIS ALL OVER.

WE ARE 15,000 UNITS SHORT RIGHT NOW.

OF WHAT WE NEED TO HAVE.

IN WARREN COUNTY.

WE HAVE A BOON GOING ON WE'RE TRYING TO DO THAT AND FIND ATTAINABLE SO MORE AND MORE PEOPLE CAN OWN A PIECE OF AMERICA.

WE DO EVERYTHING IN THE BACKGROUND OF THAT WHETHER IT'S INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS, THE THINGS WE CAN DO TO EFFECT THAT BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS A POSITIVE THING FOR A COMMUNITY WHEN YOU HAVE HOMEOWNERSHIP.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE MULTIFAMILY AND SENIOR LIVING ALL OF THOSE ARE IN THE MIX.

I CAN PROMISE THE YOU THE MORE PEOPLE THAT OWN A HOME THE BETTER COMMUNITY YOU WILL HAVE.

>> Renee: THANK YOU JUDGE IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO SIT WITH YOU FOR A FEW.

CONTINUED SUCCESS.

>> Christie: THAT WAS WARREN COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE DOUG GORMAN AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE PROGRESS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF WARREN COUNTY AND BOWLING GREEN IN A SPECIAL ON THE ROAD EDITION OF "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" REPORTED ON THE CAMPUS OF WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY JOIN US FOR THAT AT 8:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON KET.

>>> THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR BEGAN YESTERDAY AT THE KENTUCKY EXPO CENTER IN LOUISVILLE.

THE EVENT IS CELEBRATING ALL THINGS KENTUCKY.

[♪♪] >> THIS IS THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR.

EVERYONE IS THERE.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS STATE FAIR THIS YEAR WE HAVE SO MANY NEW THINGS GOING ON AND TRADITIONAL THINGS AND MAKING A STATE FAIR WHAT A STATE FAIR IS.

HIGHLIGHTING THE BEST WE HAVE TO OFFER IN KENTUCKY FOR 11 DAYS HERE AT KENTUCKY VENUES IN LOUISVILLE.

THIS IS WHERE KENTUCKIANS COME TOGETHER TO SEE ALL THINGS KENTUCKY.

AND SAY TO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THIS IS THE LASTEST GROUP IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

IT'S EDUCATIONAL FOR ALL AGE GROUPS.

IT IS GREAT TO BE SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO LIVE WHERE THEY ARE FROM, WHO HAVE A SENSE OF PRIDE IN THEIR ROOTS AND WHO WANT TO CELEBRATE EVERYTHING THAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT OUR COMMONWEALTH.

OUR STATE FAIR IS MORE THAN AN EVENT.

IT IS A TRADITION THAT HAS GIVEN GENERATIONS OF KENTUCKIANS THE CHANCE TO CELEBRATE OUR VALUES, OUR CULTURE AND THE IMPORTANT WORK DONE EVERYDAY BY OUR FARMERS.

THE FOLKS ARE ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO OUR STATE.

I SAY THAT AGRICULTURE IS NOT JUST ABOUT COWS, SOWS AND PLOWS.

SO WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO START AND MAKE YOUR WAY TO WEST AND SEE EVERYTHING WE HAVE TO OFFER.

THE WONDERFUL FOUR H KIDS AND FFA KIDS WHO POURED THEIR HERES AND SOULS TO GET THEIR BLUE RIBBON TO SHOWCASE THAT.

>> KENTUCKY TRULY HAS THE BEST PEOPLE.

AND ALL THINGS KENTUCKY ALL IN ONE PLACE, SELL PRIME RATES HOW SPECIAL THIS COMMONWEALTH IS.

THIS YEAR'S FAMILIES CAN ENJOY EXHIBITS AND ACTIVITIES AT THE SHOWCASE, KENTUCKY'S RICH AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE INCLUDING AG LAND, THE DISCOVERY FARM, LIVE MUSIC, DRAFT HORSES, SAFETY TOWN AND SO MUCH MORE.

THIS FAIR IS ALSO A CHANCE TO CELEBRATE HOW IMPORTANT THIS EVENT IS FOR OUR OVERALL ECONOMY.

LAST YEAR, THE STATE FAIR WELCOMED A RECORD-BREAKING 630,000.

YOU SEE A LOT OF SMILES AND A LOT OF LAUGHS.

AND THAT IS THE TRUE TREASURE IN WHAT THIS IS.

>> Christie: THE STATE FAIR RUNS UNTIL SUNDAY AUGUST 24TH.

[♪♪] >> Christie: WELL, BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR WEEKEND PLANS OUR TOBY GIBBS HAS A FEW SUGGESTIONS AS HE LOOKS AT WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH.

[♪♪] >> THERE WILL BE MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS OF KNOTT COUNTY, COURTESY OF THE CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL.

IT FEATURES INFLATABLES FOR THE KIDS, FOOD TRUCKS AND VENDORS.

THE MUSIC KICKS OFF AT NOON SATURDAY AND DOESN'T STOP UNTIL MIDNIGHT SUNDAY.

>>> GATHER AROUND AND LISTEN TO A TALE OR TWO AT THE CORN ISLAND STORYTELLING FESTIVAL IN OLDHAM COUNTY HONORING THE TRADITION OF ORAL STORYTELLING.

LENDER EARS TO STORYTELLERS AND FOOD AND DRINKS AND TURN THE LARGEST BEER GARDEN.

THE EVENT FEATURES A PETTING ZOO FOR THE KIDS.

>>> ARE YOU READY TO GET BAT TO THE BONE?

CHECK OUT THE BAT CAVE CRAWLING TOUR AT CARTER CAVE STATE RESORT PARK THE CAVING TOUR ISN'T FOR THE FAINT OF HEART OR THOSE WHO DON'T LIKE TO GET DIRTY.

YOU WILL CRAWL, CLIMB AND SQUEEZE THROUGH MUDDY PASSAGES AND SCRAMBLE OVER TERRAIN AS YOU EXPLORE THE CAVE LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

HELMETS AND KNEE PADS WILL BE PROVIDED ALL YOU NEED TO BRING IS HIKING BOOTS AND A SENSE OF ADVENTURE.

>>> AMERICA'S MOST ICONIC SPIRIT TAKES CENTER STAGE SATURDAY AS THE AMERICAN WHISKEY FESTIVAL RETURNS TO PROSPECT.

THEY WILL BE ABLE TO WET THEIR WHISTLE WITH WHISKEY AND BOURBON SAMPLES FROM DOZENS OF DISTILLERIES.

THOSE WHO PREFER GRAPES CAN ENJOY WINE TASTING WHILE STROLLING THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE.

THE FESTIVAL IS FREE AND OPEN TO ALL AGES WITH FAMILY FRIENDLY OFFERINGS LIKE FOOD TRUCKS, LIVE MUSIC AND A VENDORS' MARKET.

>>> SEE A BLOCKBUSTER MOVIE UNDER THE STARS WHILE PITCHING IN FOR A GOOD CAUSE IN BOWLING GREEN.

AS THE BOWLING GREEN BALL PARK HOSTS BLOCKBUSTER AT THE BALL PARK.

KIDS WITH PLAY BALL IN THE OUTFIELD, SPIN ON THE CAROUSEL OR EXPLORE THE PLAYGROUND.

BRING YOUR BLANKETS AND SETTLE INTO THE GRASS OR THE BOX SEATS AND ENJOY MAJOR LEAGUE FUN.

ADMISSION IS FREE.

ALL DONATIONS COLLECTED WILL GO TO COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN WARREN COUNTY.

>>> WITH THIS LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH, I'M TOBY GIBBS.

>> Christie: THANK YOU TOBY.

WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL JOIN US AGAIN MONDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION."

WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

SEND US A STORY IDEA AT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY IN THE LOOP.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.