♪ >> It's just been amazing to see the heroic response that we've seen from everyone in the community, but also our school district.

>> Kentucky school chief praises teachers for their grit as they go the extra mile after the Eastern Kentucky floods.

We're going to continue fighting our fellow Americans.

We're going to fight for.

Can having a conversation bridge the partisan divide.

>> So why not get people excited about can home again?

And at the same time, supporting local farmers.

>> And chefs are taking center stage at the Kentucky State Fair showing people how to cook and support state agriculture.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Endowment for Kentucky Productions.

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION for this Friday.

August, the 19th I'm Renee Shaw.

>> Thank you so much for spending part of your Friday night with us.

Louisville has fired an officer in connection to the Breonna Taylor killing.

The Courier Journal reports the firing of Sergeant Kyle Meany after he met with police Chief Erika Shields.

Myeni was one of 4 officers indicted by a federal grand jury 2 weeks ago.

The indictment says meaning new information used on an affidavit was false.

That affidavit was used to obtain the warrant.

Police used to Re Taylor's apartment in March of 2020.

She ended up being shot to death.

Her boyfriend fired shots at police because he said he didn't know they were cops.

Police returned fire, killing Taylor.

Looks like you won't see the Midwest Charity Classic in Lexington.

It was supposed to be a fundraiser for eastern Kentucky flood relief.

But there are reports has been canceled after the Kentucky High School Athletic Association announced some high-profile Kentucky athletes weren't eligible to play today.

I spoke to the K H commissioner about a rule called by law 9 that KET certain student athletes from participating and outside competitions before their season is over.

>> I have brought this up many times with our board and just last year convinced our board to put it before our schools.

There's always been a hesitation about opening that when the school year is going on open on opening up one sport.

When other sports are going on.

So we've you know it.

We really have looked at it.

I think we can handle the change, but it's our schools have to decide if they can handle it.

And that's why we give them all the information they can and we're a member organization.

So they do the government.

>> So why not make an exception in this case?

You've got to student athletes doing something for a good cause and a and a competition that's getting national Jen wide coverage and recognition want an exception this time.

>> Well, I think the rules were were intentionally crafted not to let people be arbitrary and making decisions.

You know, if you follow much about court cases, you hear that when you're arbitrary and capricious, you get a real problem.

So let's say that you decided the exception was possible, which is not possible in this true.

Let's say somebody said, you know what, this is a good cause.

So the next week a parent calls and says my kid wants to go play in a tournament down North Carolina where he's going to be looked at for scholarships.

How do you say no to that one?

How do you got 2009 1000 boys, basketball players?

Why is it OK?

Just for 2?

I think that's been the hesitancy.

And while they did, it's no different.

Then why don't we say that this particular team because they've got prospect given be a player come play for extra games.

Can do you can you have to be able to treat all 286 and the same or it's there's no use.

You know, it will just make your rules become suggestions.

>> Yeah.

Do you think this instance and this situation will cause a change in by-law number 9?

It will be interesting because we're going to give our schools the chance to look at it when they meet in September.

And I think it it will be looked at how much support it gets.

I don't know the objections that were there before.

Probably still there.

And that's that's the that's always a challenge.

When you take them to school.

Any other comments you'd like to make about this?

No, I think that everybody is supportive of fundraising where you can document where the funds are going.

I think in this case are really honest effort to try to be helpful.

I forgot about check in with the school on proper procedures.

They forgot about checking about eligibility because they don't do it every day.

>> There's nothing that prohibits every team in the state from doing fundraising activity.

We'll give you one real quick formula.

You've got $500 a night.

Let's say you can make a basketball game.

One boys, one girl, $6,000 and 300 schools.

New it.

Look what you just generated.

So there's plenty of time during a regular season.

It doesn't affect these kids eligibility when they can raise funds and they're going to need it for a while.

Thank you, Mister Tak.

Appreciate your time.

Going to be.

>> And other flood related news.

Some Letcher County flood victims are getting some legal help for free wy MTN has reports lawyers from Lexington's dense morning show law firm were in Whitesburg in Letcher County to help people with their FEMA applications.

A retired Judge Sam Wright has been doing this for weeks.

He says he was happy to have 6 lawyers helping out today.

Kentucky's top education official says the State Department of Ed is compiling a list of potential needs of flood impacted districts for an anticipated special legislative session.

Educators in eastern Kentucky are concerned about student enrollment loss from the floods and the impact that could have on school funding earlier this week, Commissioner Jason Glass talked with OSS about enrollment concerns in both the eastern and western portions of the state that have suffered from natural disasters.

>> The communities in western Kentucky may feel Hopkins County Dawson Springs.

The communities were devastated in the tornadoes, but the school buildings in those cases were largely left and damage.

We had a significant bus, a bus facility, most of the buildings themselves stood and served as sort of a distribution points for resources and materials that were brought in to help stabilize the community in the in the wake of those tornadoes.

Now we're going back to school.

We have seen variation in what their enrollments look like.

So I think it's still too soon to tell.

But they lost last And so where peak, where and how and when people come back to those communities, it's going to be a significant question they will need.

I think some stabilization in terms of funding over the next few years as they rebuild and some stabilization, because these natural disasters in western Kentucky will create some property tax ifs that will need to be stabilized as well.

So those are things that we can ask and hope for the legislature to take action on those shifting to the eastern part of the state.

Much more widespread impacts on schools than what we saw in Western Kentucky.

So in addition to sort of communities and homes and towns being devastated, we had significant impacts in school buildings themselves either just flooded.

And in those cases, we can mitigate that.

Remove the mud, clean and get schools reopened in other cases.

Yet structural are structural shifts that will have to be reconstructed.

You have a utility fiber wastewater That's in some places haven't been restored yet.

So you can operate a school if you don't have a wastewater system.

They're so most of the districts in eastern Kentucky there either.

We'll have a plan for when they'll be back in session where they're working toward that Breathitt County heavily impacted Perry County heavily impacted.

Not county Letcher County.

I think those are the ones that are mostly impacted.

We still, I think have the most significant questions around how let your county and not county will come back because they utilities and road issues.

Perry County and by the county also significantly impacted.

But they seem to have have a plan, at least the wind schools going to start.

>> And we talked to a couple of those superintendents and they really want to make sure the kids are in school because it's a stabilization for them.

Those kids sometimes school is the safest place for them to be.

They get their nutritionist manager Cheryl Mills there.

And they really want to make sure that they have that in-person experience and not virtual.

We've heard that from a couple of them.

They want to make sure they're able to do that.

That's an excellent point that I want to say it's just been amazing to see.

>> The heroic response that we've seen from everyone in the community, but also our school districts.

They really want to be open serving the kids serving the community.

I think that's really important to all of them.

Regardless of the challenges that they face are working desperately to try to get the schools open.

>> Some of the Katie's recommendations to state lawmakers include a waiver for student attendance days options for remote and hybrid.

Learning options and emergency days for affected staff on to COVID news.

Kentucky's COVID map has improved in the last week.

The new map out today show 73 counties in the red meaning high COVID activity.

That's better than last week.

79 38 counties are yellow for medium.

9 counties are green, meaning low.

Last week The Courier Journal reported Senator Rand Paul said his relationship with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was, quote, going to need some repair.

>> This came after the collapse of the plant appointment of a Republican anti-abortion lawyer to a federal judgeship.

Reports say Senator McConnell cut a deal with President Biden for the appointment today, Senator Paul was in Lexington speaking to the association of mature American citizens.

When asked about the current status of his relationship with McConnell, he told KET this.

>> The appointment of federal judges begins with a discussion, a private discussion between the 2 senators and then the presidency.

In this case, we heard about it from the FBI after it.

Already a secret deal had been done.

And so in the future as judgeships open up, those have to be a discussion and they're not picked by one cent another.

It's a discussion between the 2 senators and we're more than open to having those when certain homes ready.

>> Senator Paul also made stops in central and eastern Kentucky in the past 2 days.

And he also mentioned recovery from the floods in eastern Kentucky, saying that FEMA needs to work better.

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky seems to be downplaying the idea that Republicans will take back control of the U.S. Senate and this year's midterm elections.

Speaking in Florence yesterday, McConnell said, quote, I think there's probably a greater likelihood the House flips them.

The Senate Senate races are just different in their statewide candidate.

Quality has a lot to do with the outcome.

End quote.

A new online platform is hoping to help stop toxic polarization through conversation meeting of America seeks to bring the country together through online discussions that help people understand those with different points of view.

The group unveiled the new initiative yesterday at Transylvania University in Lexington and our Casey Parker Bell was there.

>> Are we going to continue fighting our fellow Americans?

Are we going to fight for?

>> A new group is seeking to heal America's partisan divisions by starting conversations.

>> So this is a chance to help really come to know each other in a very quick way and very often take away in a way that doesn't say what do you think about this hot button issue?

But that actually says, who are you?

Tell me who you are, what values do you have?

How do you raise?

>> Meeting of America is aiming to bring the country together by introducing people the online platform, places people with different beliefs and backgrounds together and video chats with its algorithm, prompting discussions to allow for a better understanding.

>> Here is real power and people coming together as human beings.

Somebody once said it's hard to hate up close and meeting of America's a chance for us to see each other as humans.

It doesn't matter what lines of difference.

We may crossed, but we're going to see the humanity of each other.

Kentucky will be the first state to have access to the meeting of America platform.

>> Their goal is to get 5,000 people registered from central and eastern Kentucky and the hope to spur change.

>> Our focus is not on weather where red or blue.

In fact, a lot of times we don't know what everybody is.

It's on the quality of our ideas, the quality of our discussion.

And where it leads.

>> In central Eastern Kentucky, we can be a pilot.

We can start to model the way and show people how we treat each other.

>> For Kentucky edition, I'm Casey Parker Bell.

♪ >> Time now for our end of week review of some significant political developments with the pair.

Partisan pundits were joined today by Morgan Eves, a longtime operative in the Democratic Party.

And she is an education policy consultant and and Tyler Morgan, an attorney and member McBrayer law firm specializing in public policy areas such as health care, economic development and political and campaign finance law.

So thank you both for being with us and Tyler, welcome on your maiden voyage to inside.

Can take the politics.

I want to Thank you.

I want to start with you, Morgan and talk about the Kentucky Supreme Court decision yesterday to let the trigger ban and the six-week abortion ban still stay in effect if the Supreme Court said they're here cases November, the 15th, which is a week after Kentucky voters vote on a ballot question that would pretty much well, it does ban abortion and prohibit the funding of abortion, Kentucky, coincidental that those 2 things are connected.

What do you make of this and how much of an issue do you think it will be in this general election?

>> I don't think that's coincidental.

Renee, I after the Supreme Court's decision earlier this year, you saw backcourt say we're going to let the states and you see the Kentucky Supreme Court doing the same thing.

I think the results on the election in November will be that democratics Democratic voters they might know belies and stay engaged because this is something that's very important to our voter base.

And I think polling shows ensuring that there are some exceptions, but we're abortion, a particularly for rape and incest, which is something that that Kentucky lot right now does not allow.

I think most Kentucky ends agree that there should be those limited exceptions.

And I hope I'm not just Democratic voters, but voters across all political parties are going to show up and make their voices heard on that issue.

And I think that's what you're going to see in November.

>> And Tyler, Morgan, can Kentucky learn anything from what happened just a few weeks ago in Kansas?

>> Renee, I think those to similar situations in the Kansas obviously put it on their primary ballots.

So you have a very different group of voters that show up in the primary election.

First is the general election in the fall.

I do think that national bridge but mobilize and spend even more money than they're already spending to make sure that voters are at that.

>> Polls in the fall and voting on the side that that each group wants them to vote on.

So I think we will see some what different results in the fall.

What those results will be.

Our air anybody's guess because both sides are spinning quite a lot of money on the issue, but I think they will really inform the Supreme Court's decision.

>> So now let's segue to talk about their relationship and I'll start with you and Tyler Morgan between the junior U.S.

Senator and the Kentucky senior Senator Leader McConnell and Rand Paul.

So there has been some back and forth about this.

And it was reported in the Courier Journal earlier this week that Rand Paul is reaching out to McConnell to pretty much say, you know, call me.

Let's talk about perhaps how things have gotten frosty over the tanked.

Alleged nomination of a pro life conservative lawyer to a federal judgeship in Kentucky.

Chad.

Meredith, each side doing their own kind of finger porting here, pointing here.

What's the relationship like between Senator Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell and his it beyond repair?

>> I certainly don't think it's beyond repair leader McConnell and Senator Paul, I think we'll tell you that they have a an extremely professional collegial and more together on a number of issues for Kentucky.

Obviously in this case, what we really have is opportunity to fill a judicial seat at this the appointment of a role that would have been very much in keeping with Senator McConnell's other leadership across the country and you end up filling judicial post.

This is a a young conservative, very federal.

Let's minded judge who could have held that seat for years to come.

So I don't think that this is a relationship killer by any means.

I think it is the plan missed opportunity to fill a vacancy are what would have been a Chad Meredith were pointed.

Years to come with a conservative judge very much in keeping with Leader McConnell's stance on federal judicial.

A point that, yeah, Morgan Aves, what do you make of all this?

>> I think it is indicative of the Today's GOP, you say that the state level where some of these quote, unquote liberty candidates.

>> You Andrew Cooperrider Representative Savannah Maddox.

Those folks represent that weighing here in the state level.

>> A U.S.

Senator Rand Paul says he represents that at the federal level.

So I think you see what happens when you get so much control and so many different voices within your party.

It's hard gather them all and sort of moving in one direction and more as and Tyler said, it is a missed opportunity.

It's a missed opportunity for our 2 senators to work together for the people of Kentucky.

When you're doing newspaper interview years one of your colleagues needs to call you, that's a missed opportunity to talk about how you can work together to help Kentuckians, especially right now at a time when eastern Kentucky, as we made our federal delegation to be on the same page not to be giving interviews about how fractured their relationships are.

>> Well, thank you both.

Morgan Eaves and Tyler Morgan, we appreciate you both.

Have a really great weekend.

>> Thank you.

Thank you.

♪ >> The Kentucky State Fair is in full swing around 600,000.

Visitors are expected to attend the 11 day event in Louisville.

One of the main attractions, the food, more than 40 food vendors have set up at the fair this year dishing up all all the classic fair food like funnel cakes, ice cream burgers and deep fried treats like Detroit Oreos, Twinkies and speakers for those with a sweet tooth.

There are 2 new food items on the menu at the fair this year, fried coffee cakes and a hot Cheeto burger drizzle with nacho cheese.

Wow.

Fairgoers not only get the chance to try new foods.

They also have the opportunity to learn how to prepare new dishes at the farm to fair cooking stage.

Chefs are holding live cooking demonstrations appearing on the stage last night.

Maggie Keith and Lindsay Maclay, host of Katie's the farmer in the 30.

♪ I think it's really nice to be back together.

It's been a fun summer apart and now are reuniting at the Kentucky State Fair.

I know.

And like the peak of the season.

>> Yeah.

Like I mean, there's no better time to eat a farm fresh meal in Kentucky than right now.

And I feel like walking into the fair.

We just get to see that everywhere.

The Kentucky proud vendors are here.

Such a great support farmers and we get to look at all these amazing festivals right now on the station were super excited to be part of it.

>> All I think it's a farmer in the PD.

>> One of our primary mission is to share our love of food and also why it's so important to support a local farmer in to know where your food is coming from and how it was grown in created.

So to get to spread that message to people who are here, who are interested in learning more about Kentucky particular.

It's like a great audience you know, we can reach the our show on bet, but also to build in person is always our favor.

We love talking to people answering questions just getting that, you know, one-on-one I was super fun.

So and then we're going.

>> Percent of start.

>> Yeah.

And hopefully people get encouraged to start cooking at home.

More now that school is getting back in season.

It's time to get out and have those family meals again and get inspired.

Summer throws you off a little bit on that.

All meeting.

So why not get people excited about can home again and at the same time, supporting local farmers while they're doing it.

>> We love Lindsay and Maggie, KET up the great work, all episodes of the farm and the foodie are streaming online and on demand at KET DOT Org.

Slash farmer and foodie and on the PBS video app and you can get all recipes from farmer.

The foodie as well online.

>> What a treat.

♪ >> Plenty to do in Kentucky this weekend and beyond.

Not just the state fair bet.

Still begins as a look at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> It's that time of year again, the 100 18th Kentucky State Fair is in full swing and runs through August.

28th at the Expo Center in Louisville.

Whether you're a fried food fanatic or an adrenaline j*****.

This 11 day festival has something for everyone and showcases what makes this state great.

One upping the state fair.

The 100 19th World Championship or show runs in conjunction with the fair from the 20th of the 27th in Louisville.

>> More than 2000 horses and riders from across the globe compete in the world's most prestigious.

Settle.

Ready for show.

As they each seek the title of world champion.

Head down to Bowling Green this Friday and Saturday from the inaugural cultural awareness Corvette weekend with 1000 participants.

This event brings together Corvette enthusiasts and owners to experience and celebrate the cultural and ethnic diversity shared among Corbat lovers.

Could you spell the word look to bring us how about c****** school?

Learn these words and more of the spotlight Playhouse's production of the 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Day in Berea this weekend.

Join this eclectic group of tweens as they fight to be the last Keller standing in this Tony and drama desk winning show.

More than 50 craft and food vendors will be enslaved this weekend at the Natural Bridge.

Artists and Festival pull up a chair and enjoy the live entertainment.

8 your heart out with everything from kettle corn to rib eye steak sandwiches, our visit, the many craft booths to pick out the perfect handmade item.

That's just for you.

Madisonville Summer concert series continues this Friday with the Cameron Tabor band.

Follow up a delicious downtown.

with this free concert in the plaza making for the perfect summer evening.

The Burlington Antique Show celebrating 41 years as the Midwest premiere antique and vintage collectible show featuring more than 200 dealers ranging from furniture to jewelry.

Come on down to the Boone County Fairgrounds in Burlington and walk away with a piece of history.

The Owensboro Multicultural Festival will bring together more than 2000 people this Sunday to celebrate the food music art and people that make Owensboro the wonderful town.

It is in its 24th year.

The festival creates a space for people to appreciate diversity.

And that's what's going on around the commonwealth, I'm >> Well, you've heard the talk about monkeypox, but maybe you don't know much about it.

Will Monday.

You'll hear from an expert.

>> So there is a period of about a week where there's a lot of indications that you're not feeling great.

And then that's usually followed by the appearance of the rash.

>> Everything you need to know about monkeypox.

That's Monday.

On Kentucky Edition, we hope to see you then tonight, though, join Bill Bryant and a panel of veteran Kentucky reporters as they discuss the Kentucky Supreme Court's abortion ruling.

The FEMA response to the flooding and Kentucky's COVID numbers.

That's tonight on comment on Kentucky at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET.

We hope to see you again Monday night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky Edition where we inform connect and inspire subscribe to our weekly Kentucky Edition, e-mail news letter and watch full episodes at KET Dot Org.

You can also find Kentucky Edition on the PBS video app on your mobile device and smart TV.

>> And follow KET on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop.

You're also welcome.

Follow me on Twitter at Renee K E T have a wonderful weekend ahead.

We'll see you on Monday night.

Take good care.

♪ ♪