♪ >> It happens this weekend.

Fancy Farm, Kentucky is longtime political tradition.

See how it started and how it's changed over the years.

>> Let's highlight like history to do it in a way that's never been done before.

>> How odd minute reality is teaching can talking hands about local black history.

I came back and competed in 2021.

2022.

2023 in.

>> Now I can to be in this Kentucky 2024.

>> And you'll soon see why make the impressive young woman who's using the spotlight to support our veterans and farmers.

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

♪ ♪ Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Friday, August, the second.

>> I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for starting off the weekend with us.

The search for the Democratic vice presidential candidate now rests with the vice president herself.

The New York Times reports the vetting process has concluded and that Kamala Harris is expected to announce her pick by Tuesday.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear was reportedly on the shortlist for vetting.

He and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro both canceled weekend events as Vice President Harris is expected to meet with her choice in the coming days before campaigning together in several swing states next week.

Time now to go inside Kentucky politics and talk about some of the big stories in the world of politics this week with politics and health reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader Alex Acquisto.

>> Good to see you, Alex.

Thank you so much for joining us.

>> Thanks to that in your name.

>> Let's talk about the big story that you and Austin Horn broke this week and it is the Big Kentucky political story involving a first term state representative in the House.

A Louisville Democrat, Daniel Grossberg and some misconduct allegations.

And now there's even as we're talking on Thursday, this story is still developing and it's unfolding as we speak and bring us up to speed on what this is about and what's happening now.

>> So essentially also tonight, big reporting a little over a month ago about some rumors that we Representative grow spring saying inappropriate things to women that made him uncomfortable, that they considered sexual harassment.

We did our best to use or sent story.

And while we were reporting it to our knowledge, Legislative Research Commission, which he is, the official are it's sort of oversee is says state government legislators begin a formal investigation into his conduct.

We don't quite know why or what triggered it.

But we know that they were looking at similar allegations that we had heard a couple of our sources were actually contacted by Lrc attorneys and part of that probe.

We broke that story on Tuesday.

we've seen some text messages again that he would soon late at night that these women describe this are creepy, made them uncomfortable coming together, looks and whatnot, unsolicited things like that.

And then the following day, her story broke.

He was temporarily kick out of Democrats caucus while the investigation is You know, he has responded to the allegations to his attorney.

He's denied any wrongdoing.

It's interesting.

He started delineated between.

He is exchanges on a personal cell phone or and personal life with his professional life.

Sort of saying, you know, whatever I do in my personal life is not seen as my work as a lawmaker.

Lot of stuff.

This happens honestly in the last 2 days, the most recent thing, as you mentioned, a Kentucky young Democrats just 2 hours ago called for him to resign.

Earlier yesterday.

The Democratic caucus met and decided to request a formal legislative Ethics Commission investigation.

In addition to the one or C was conducting, we have no idea at this point is any of those findings have been presented to gross burned?

He said actually in a statement through his attorney that, you know, he insisted he denies wrongdoing.

He refuses to resign.

He said that he is not seen evidence of the allegations and he does not believe that that evidence exists.

So yes, continues to evolve at this very moment.

>> And correct me if I'm wrong, Alex, but it seems to be at least unprecedented speed at which the House Democrats have responded and have kicked him out of the caucus.

That's not a usual default move.

Is it?

>> I don't know.

Honestly, it does seem very quickly that they voted to jettison him again.

It's temporary.

It's not permit this point unless the findings of the investigation make it permanent.

But, you know, allegations of harassment or impropriety, you know, particularly with male lawmakers, word women, the women that we spoke with we quoted anonymously are not lawmakers themselves, but they are in a group set work regularly with lawmakers, lobbying groups, advocacy groups.

So they rely on the relationships with lawmakers to need in their work.

You know, in today's any sort of harassment allegations I think are taken very seriously, especially when they're from an elected official.

And so I think Democrats are aware of that and they're aware of the optics of it.

And I think they want to make it known that they are taking it seriously, which is why they moved so quickly.

>> even the Kentucky on Democrats, as you said, the first political organization to come out and also call for him to it some people would say, well, why are they acting in haste?

Because it is a crucial election year and they want to send a message and get out in front of this before the opposite party.

The get some fire underneath us.

>> So definitely, I think, you know, there's an argument to be made some of these accused of harassment.

Somebody is used to track sexual harassment, you know, due process is a real thing.

If there's an investigation ongoing, why not see what the result of that investigation ends Eller see has done this.

You know, a handful of times in recent memory where they get now a geisha and they investigate and they present their findings as quickly as they can.

Again, I think, you know.

Maintaining seats in your party is important.

One of the things that Kentucky young Democrats noted which we think is very interesting is that since our story broke some of their own members have come forward with their own invested accusations that they say they're investigating internally.

I think.

>> Maybe all of that.

>> Coupled together, they just decided to Glenn Beck and call his resignation.

Clearly he's not going to at least yet, but it's definitely strong gesture.

Yeah, something definitely.

I know that you and Austin Horn will KET your eyes on.

And thank you for your reporting on this.

Now, let's take a rather sharp pivot and talk about Fancy Farm which is in Kentucky, considered.

>> The Super Bowl of Kentucky politics.

The Gong Show all of those things and the unofficial or official kickoff of the fall campaign season and there are some notable know, shows and some different ways of approaching who is actually going to be there speaking and what they're going to speak Tell us what you know about this.

>> So we look at last year, you know, we had a big heavy hitting November elections.

So we had a lot of constitutional officer elections.

Obviously the gubernatorial election.

So it's a stacked house last year.

This year's quite different Governor Beshear who is currently being considered for vice president with Vice President Kamala Harris's ticket.

It's apparently going to be there Friday, but he has declined an invitation to speak at the actual immense it sort of hit or miss with this going to be there.

There's some local lawmakers who are going to be >> You know, Senator Jason Powell, Richard Heath, his outgoing, I'm Suzanne Miles.

You know, as far as congressional delegation goes, I believe Representative James Comer and sort of standing alone in that regard.

And the biggest news arguably is that Daniel Cameron who start former state attorney general, obviously in ran unsuccessfully for governor last year is going to be speaking for Trump at Fancy Farm, which will be interesting, especially because we will not have a balance in anybody from here says ticket to speak.

And without the sheer there will be a pretty lopsided, a Republican representation.

Now and we should also note and I think this is unprecedented.

At least I posed it to Stephen Elder, the political.

>> Chairman miss why?

I don't remember a time when and they have a lot and they're always and haven't been constitutional amendments on the ballot.

But having people specifically address a constitutional amendments are all in Stevenson.

The House Democratic Caucus chair and Representative Suzanne Miles, the Republican Majority caucus chair was talk specifically about the school Choice Amendment.

That's interesting, isn't it?

>> It's super interesting and you don't make sense, right?

Because this is one of the more interesting aside from the presidential election and the other state races.

This is the most interesting ballot question voters will vote in November and its viewers.

Remember, it's a fairly basic question that basically Asif they want to give lawmakers permission to divert public school finance for you.

So private school money.

This is a proposal that Republicans, you know, full-throated Lee back and Democrats really oppose Governor Andy Beshear opposes it, talking about how public schools are already underfunded.

Why would we divert more funds from those?

A lot of education like teachers and education officials across the state opposed it.

But they are specifically going to essentially debate.

That will be really interesting.

Yeah, out, Sir.

Chris, do we really appreciate your time today?

Thank you so much.

Thanks for having me.

Speaking off, fancy Farm, we're just one day away from the annual picnic which you'll see the speechifying part.

>> Live right here on KET its an event with a long and interesting history are Toby Gibbs gives us a look back at the history of Fancy Farm, including the story behind the town's interesting name.

>> The story really begins in the 18 20's when settlers from Tennessee, Virginia and other parts of Kentucky first arrived in present-day Graves.

County.

Many were Catholic and they founded Saint Jerome's Catholic Church in 18.

36.

A series of family reunions turned into a regular series of picnics and by 18, 80, the picnic could become a fundraiser for the church.

But it wasn't political at first.

>> My grandfather was the one who really popularize the political aspect of the fancy Farm picnic.

And that was in the 1930's.

>> 1931, specifically.

That's the Be happy.

Chandler spoke while running for Lieutenant Governor.

He went on to win that race and Fancy Farm became a place for old-school political speech of fine.

We think a Fancy Farm is being the first Saturday in August.

That wasn't always the case.

In fact, for most of its history, it wasn't.

It was in July until 1956, when Kentucky's primary was in August.

When the primary moved to may Fancy Farm was pushed back and became the unofficial kickoff to the fall campaign.

Some big national names have turned up at Fancy Farm Governor George Wallace spoke in 1975. one year before his 4th and final campaign for president and 3 years after he was paralyzed by a would-be assassin's bullet.

>> He was up at the podium speaking.

That's when the photographers had Stahl cameras of that exposed flash bulbs on.

Well, a photographer went to take a picture and then it it popped lack a gun.

And Governor Wallace friends stayed inside the line.

So you went on and proceed with this page.

The photographer, a load of the boat.

Another.

A still shot of them and it popped block a gun governor was place again.

He says the Alabama you'll have to excuse me, but I'm still just a little bit gun job.

Fair.

>> Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas was there in 1988 as a candidate for vice president.

But he couldn't swing Kentucky to the Dukakis Benson ticket.

Senator Al Gore of Tennessee stopped at Fancy Farm 4 years later.

>> He was more successful.

Clinton and Gore carried Kentucky that November senator and vice president al been Barclay spoke at Fancy Farm multiple times.

It was familiar turf for him.

The Jackson purchases, favorite son was born in Graves.

County.

The food has also made the history books.

When picnic dollars put away 15,000 pounds of mud and pork and chicken.

At the 1982 picnic.

>> It made the Guinness Book of World Records.

>> You might be asking how did the community get that name?

The story is in the 18 40's when the area wanted its own post office.

A visiting postal inspectors stated a farm that made quite an impression on him.

So he named the area fancy Farm for KET.

I'm Toby Good News.

>> Thank Youto.

Be gives another interesting fact prior to 1968 speeches weren't given under a covered pavilion.

Speakers often spoke from the bed of a truck part under an old tree in front of the church building.

Glad things have changed.

Now.

KET, is your exclusive home for live coverage of the political speaking event of Fancy Farm.

You can join us as our coverage begins tomorrow at 2.30, Eastern one, 30 central time and then join us on Monday night for Kentucky edition.

We'll show you the best moments of the big speeches that recap show is Monday at 6.30, eastern.

By 30 central right here on KET.

And other news, former clients of a Kentucky attorney convicted of Social Security fraud may be getting some relief.

Thousands of people represented by Eric Conn lost their Social Security disability benefits after he was convicted and a 550 million dollar fraud scheme against the federal government.

The U.S. Social Security Administration now says it's waving over payment debts and refunding money had previously collected from many of his former clients and eastern Kentucky attorney representing several of Conn's former clients says the ruling also means they will finally be treated as victims and not as co-conspirators.

Prosecutors in the state are getting updated instructions on how to prosecute elder abuse cases.

Personal financial and medical abuse, neglect and exploitation cases are all covered.

And the 2024 edition of the Elder Abuse Prosecution Manual.

The Office of the Attorney General released a guide elder abuse is a serious issue in the state.

According to the Office of Medicaid, Fraud and Abuse Control.

It says it received almost 1300 referrals involving vulnerable adults and 2023.

Now in some weather notes, droughts remains a problem in the eastern half of the state, but not the western half.

Take a look.

The new map from the U.S. Drought monitor updated on Tuesday like oranges, moderate drought.

While yellow is abnormally dry.

The sections of the state and white are considered normal.

There's a new way to learn about the contributions of influential black, Kentuckians 6 county tourism agencies have launched Kentucky, Black Trailblazers and augmented reality experience.

That brings these historic figures to life.

I can tell you what trouble is.

There's is a first of its kind.

>> Augmented reality experience that tells the story of 19 different black Kentuckians who have not have their story told the state of Kentucky received TARP or something that was American rescue plan it's and then the General Assembly appropriated X amount of dollars to go to the state's tourism industry.

The Kentucky Department turn to some as part of the stipulation for giving up that money so that you just something that's transformational, innovative.

And we took that to heart and came up with the idea of.

>> Let's.

>> Talk about Black History Month.

Highlight like history to do it in a way that's never been done before.

>> And that's when the ongoing reality idea come into place.

was about 2 years ago today that we started this project.

And so it has been 2 very full, very busy in the making.

We recognize that this is just a a small part of Kentucky's black history.

But we worked with local historians in each of the 6 counties where there are experiences specifically local black historians.

And we said what stories you want to highlight.

With young junior was born in Simpsonville.

I was part of the big Martin Luther King and was really influential civil rights movement.

His experience is located at which the park right in the heart of to build a life of the who was one of the first black school teachers in Kentucky.

Founded what became summits.

College little was a civil war veteran.

And so his experience is located at Veterans Memorial Park, which is right across from our historic courthouse.

Our Main Street.

>> the one that we really want to make sure was highlighted was a Harlem Hellfighters.

>> So they infantry group in one direction.

The most decorated, it can trigger one.

But 5 of them were from Shelbyville and are buried in Calvary Cemetery.

Yeah.

>> And then after I left.

>> And I didn't know that I grew up here.

The point raised in school here and I had no idea.

And so to be able to tell the stories is really a privilege.

So if you trivia the alley is that it is engaging for younger generation that may not, you know, they say history is old, boring and things like that.

This is a way to make it much more interactive and immersive.

You stand there to scan the QR that at that experience and they appear in front of you.

I was like a hologram on.

We were thrilled that people have been able experience the whole thing.

We had some one another to the Harlem Hellfighters cover cemetery and they didn't realize that some of their family or they were related to one of the fires is highlighted in this experience.

And it really was a car fire.

They didn't know they were buried in a cemetery.

And so it was just truly a moving a lot of tears for shed.

>> This experience is free of charge for the public.

All you need is a phone.

Warren says that plans to expand into other counties aren't in the works currently bought if more funding comes in for the project.

They are certainly open to it.

♪ What do you think of Ms Kentucky?

You may picture a glamorous dress and a sparkly crown.

But in fact, the title is so much more than that.

It's a full-time job that includes speaking at school assemblies across the state and being an advocate for a particular cause for this time.

It's Kentucky farmers.

Our Laura Rogers spoke one-on-one with Miss Kentucky 2024 as she begins her year of service.

>> I actually had the stomach bug the day I was supposed to check in the Miss Kentucky.

Despite that Rocky Start, Chapel Tenney U.S. approach the job interview for Miss Kentucky.

Like any other goal she set for herself.

You always have to put in 110% into everything that you do.

That's kind of how I've always looked at life.

That is evident by her long list of accomplishments from music to or education and career fitness and community service.

But the most important thing, too, is in that persistence, you don't try to become somebody else.

Your news.

Authenticity appealed to the judges.

And after 3 previous finishing in the top 5.

>> Scott, her crowning moment?

>> It's just one of those moments that felt so surreal.

I was in shock and then I was like, oh, my gosh, this is happening.

She is grateful for the opportunity to serve the Bluegrass State, including through her community service initiative.

>> Operation Gratitude.

>> As a little girl to go on, walks with my grandfather.

And when I reached up firsthand how instead find hooks that were due to an injury during World War 2, a grandfather was a triple amputee win 10 E S was 7 years old.

He gave her his Purple Heart for safekeeping ever since then I've known that this was something that I wanted to pursue is making sure that >> our communities provide gratitude towards our veterans.

They put so much on the line for it.

Today she works with honor Flight Kentucky.

Put his been one of my favorite things in the world and is a nurse recruiter at the VA hospital in Lexington.

I want to make sure that our veterans receive the resources that they need, especially in today's time with the rise of mental health issues for our veterans, the homeless veteran population rising.

There's a lot of things that we can do to serve those who have served us.

It is part of her message as she speaks to school-wide assemblies across the state.

She plans to bring a veteran with her on several of those visits.

It's one thing for me to sit here and tell you a veteran's story.

But when you can see that person firsthand, it makes a huge difference.

>> Tony is also advocates for Kentucky proud products, part of a longtime partnership between them is Kentucky organization and the Department of Agriculture.

So I get to go and speak in schools about Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky, proud shopping, local eating local, which also supports a healthy lifestyle.

Another of her passions as an avid runner.

It is her plan to present that message in all 120 counties in the Commonwealth.

I know that there's one day I started maysville and then 4 hours later in Sports fan Madisonville.

She also plans to take or violin into schools using it to both educate and entertain.

I love everything about music.

Been a huge part of my life.

I started playing the violin when I was 3 years-old, any as incorporates music into her support for veterans giving them CD.

She recorded called grateful as a form of music therapy.

Music has a way of helping people heal through her year of service.

She aims to remain true to herself.

>> As the Forever Miss Kentucky, each girl brings her own unique set of values and lessons to the table.

Her own life perspective and that's what I love most about this organization is it's that I'm not mis.

Kentucky topple topple to any U.S. Miss Kentucky.

It's not vice versa.

>> Chappell tells me she is very excited about carrying the prized country ham on the silver platter.

That will go for a million dollars or more at the country.

Ham breakfast later this month at the Kentucky State.

Fair.

>> She is also busy preparing for Miss America, which takes place in January for Kentucky edition.

I'm Laura Rogers.

>> Thank you, Laura.

And our best to chapel.

She says her future plans possibly include law school.

We're getting a master's degree in public policy.

♪ There will be plenty of bigfoot sightings in Bowling Green this weekend.

Our Toby Gibbs explains in tonight's look around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> The city of mine as invite you to the Appalachian Artists Festival tomorrow, artists of all time, it's come from Appalachia.

And this festival is your chance to support and celebrate them.

Check out the writers, musicians, painters, photographers, and more.

Plus, enjoy food beverages and live music.

They put believers in Bowling Green are in for a very special event tomorrow.

The Discovery Channel's Expedition Bigfoot team is coming to the Capitol Theater for the inaugural Bigfoot.

Many con get ready for a full day of expert presentations as well as social events like Riptides and cocktails or the Beer and Bigfoot after party.

You've got to get yourself to do board for this next event.

Leaders get a fast continues this weekend.

Get a is a German breakfast sausage that is packed full of flavor and heritage get a fest features 60 different get to infuse dishes as well as live music.

A kids zone and much more native Newport Ian's know this is a don't miss event.

Make your ways the Monticello Market tomorrow.

There will be dozens of amazing vendors to shop from everything from delicious sweet treats to beautiful local large while you're downtown.

Don't miss the agriculture showcase happening as well.

There will be a farm equipment display, an animal exhibits to check out.

Western Kentucky's only film festival is already underway in Paducah, River's Edge International Film Festival is showing films and blocks throughout the weekend.

So fans of all kinds of films will find something to celebrate independent filmmakers at this great cinematic event.

Shake a lag.

It's time for the Shaker Village Craft.

Fair in Harrisburg, experienced expert are dissidents as well as up and coming.

Artists will have their wares on display.

Join the shopping food trucks and access to Shaker Village is beautiful grounds and exhibits.

And that's what's happening around the Commonwealth.

>> Toby Gibbs.

Thank you as always.

To obey Monday on Kentucky Edition, we take you to meal Lindbergh County down by the Green River where Paradise lies.

>> I was with my family in Sedona, Arizona, headed to the Grand Canyon as freezing was singing Paradise.

>> Central City is honoring its musical Heritage, Bad heroes known the world over.

We'll take you there and introduce you to some of the people revitalizing downtown next week on Kentucky EDITION, which we hope you'll join us for its 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central when we inform connect and inspire.

We hope you'll subscribe to our Kentucky Edition, e-mail newsletters and watch full episodes and clips of KET Dot Org and connect with us all the ways you see on your screen.

Thanks so very much for watching this week.

I'm Renee Shaw and have a great weekend to come.

♪