[♪♪] >> I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY DAIRY ILLNESSES GO ON AT THE FAIR.

SO WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE.

>> Christie: CROWDS AND COWS AT THE STATE FAIR.

HOW THE STATE IS MONITORING GERMS BETWEEN HUMANS AND ANIMALS.

>> WE'RE STEALING WIRE FROM STREET LIGHTS AND FIBER CARROLL AND LOCAL UTILITIES ACROSS THE CITY.

>> Christie: LOUISVILLE MAKES IT HARDER FOR THIEVES TO GET CASH FOR COPPER.

>> THEY STAB LUSHED THE CRAFT EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND AS A WAY TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR CRAFT ARTISTS TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER.

>> Christie: HOW AN ARTIST FUNDED SAFETY NET HELPED OUT KENTUCKIANS AFTER THE 2022 FLOODS.

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

[♪♪] >> Christie: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR THIS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20TH.

I'M CHRISTINA COMBS CHRISTIE DUTTON, FILLING IN FOR RENEE >> SUPPORTS TRUMP'S CALL TO END MAIL-IN BALLOTS.

ROBBY MILLS SAYS HE WORKED TO IMPROVE INTEGRITY IN THE STATE INCLUDING CHANGES TO VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS AND BALLOT SECURITY.

HE ADDS THERE'S MORE TO DO.

IN A STATEMENT THE REPUBLICAN FROM HENDERSON SAYS QUOTE, PRESIDENT TRUMP IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

MAIL-IN VOTING IS BROKEN, RIPE FOR CORRUPTION AND TAILOR MADE FOR ABUSE.

THE ONLY WAY TO RESTORE FAITH IN OUR ELECTIONS IS END MAIL-IN BALLOTS AND RETURN TO SECURE, VERIFIABLE PAPER BALLOTS.

ANYTHING LESS IS AN INVITATION FOR DOUBT AND CHAOS.

KENTUCKY ALLOWS MAIL-IN VOTING FOR WHAT IS CALLED TRADITIONAL ABSENTEE FOR VOTERS UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE POLLS DUE TO MILITARY SERVICE, AGE, DISABILITY, ILLNESS OR A SMALL MUM OF CIRCUMSTANCES DEFINED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

THERE WERE MORE THAN 130,000 MAIL-IN BALLOTS REQUESTED IN KENTUCKY DURING LAST YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE SAYS 112,000 OF THE BALLOTS WERE RETURNED.

DURING THE 2023 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION 54,000 MAIL-IN BALLOTS WERE REQUESTED WITH 47,000 BEING RETURNED.

>>> A NEW REPORT IS ACCUSING THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY OF NOT COMPLYING WITH THE STATE'S NEW ANTI-D.E.I.

LIGHT.

DURING THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, LAWMAKERS PASSED HOUSE BILL 4 WHICH BANS ALL DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS AND OFFICES AT THE STATE'S PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.

NOW, THE GOLDWATER INSTITUTE SAYS U.K.'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES DID NOT FOLLOW THROUGH WITH PART OF THE LAW REQUIRING AN ADOPTION OF A POLICY PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF A PERSON'S POLITICAL OR SOCIAL VIEWPOINT.

INSTEAD, THEY SAY THE UNIVERSITY AUTHORIZE THE U.K. PRESIDENT ELI CAPILOUTO TO ENACT SUCH POLICIES.

THE LIBERTARIAN INSTITUTE IS CALLING ON KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN TO ENFORCE THE LAW.

>>> SENATE MAJORITY WHIP MIKE WILSON ISSUED THIS STATEMENT QUOTE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS THE AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE ANY CLAIMS OF NONCOMPLIANCE AND TO BRING AN ACTION TO ENFORCE THE LAW WHERE VIOLATIONS ARE FOUND.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS SPOKEN AND IS THE UNIVERSITY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF BY ABIDING BY THE LAW.

>>> U.K. SPOKESPERSON JAY BLANTON SAYS THE UNIVERSITY BELIEVES IT IS COMPLYING WITH THE LAW QUOTE TO ENSURE THERE IS NO CONFUSION OR ONGOING QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, WE HAVE BEEN PLANNING FOR SOMETIME TO BRING A RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD AT OUR SEPTEMBER MEETING FOR THEM TO ENDORSE A POLICY OF INSTITUTIONAL NEUTRALITY.

REVIEWING OUR POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW IS AN ONGOING RESPONSIBILITY WE ARE COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING.

END QUOTE.

>>> KENTUCKY'S STATE FAIR IS UNDERWAY BRINGING THOUSANDS OF LIVESTOCK AND HUMANS ALL TO ONE PLACE.

AND SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF FUN, AND POTENTIALLY A LOT OF GERMS.

BUT THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS HAVE NO FAIR.

THE STATE IS MONITORING ANY SPREAD OF ANIMAL TO ANIMAL OR ANIMAL TO HUMAN ILLNESSES.

OUR JUNE LEFFLER HAS MORE IN TONIGHT'S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

>> ONE MISSION OF THE STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IS TO KEEP OUR FOOD SOURCES DISEASE-FREE.

>> YOU WILL PROBABLY HEAR ME SAY BIOSECURITY NOT ENOUGH DURING THIS PRESENTATION.

LET ME PUT IT THAT WAY.

BIOSECURITY IS EVERYTHING TO US.

SO IMPLEMENTING THAT THROUGH RISK MANAGEMENT TO PREVENT DISEASE FROM COMING ON THE FARM.

THAT'S KEY.

>> ONE VIRUS TO WATCH OUT FOR, BIRD FLU.

70 PEOPLE IN THE U.S. HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH BIRD FLU THROUGH CONTACT WITH CHICKENS OR COWS.

>> WE HAVE HAD NO DETECTIONS IN KENTUCKY IN OUR DAIRY CATTLE.

AND SINCE THE INITIAL OUTBREAK NATIONAL MILK TESTING STRATEGY HAS BEEN PROFESSORRED UP BY USDA AND KENTUCKY HAS TESTED CLEAN AND WE ARE AMONG THE UNAFFECTED STATES AND REMAIN SO AT THIS TIME.

>> THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION SAY BIRD FLU IS A LOW RISK TO HUMAN PUBLIC HEALTH.

STILL, THE CONFLUENCE OF LIVESTOCK AND PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE STATE, A KENTUCKY'S STATE FAIR, IS REASON FOR MORMON FORKING.

>> KDA WORKING WITH THE STATE FAIR BOARD AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO PREPARE IF A COW SHOULD TEST POSITIVE FOR HPAI.

AND WORKED WITH THE FAIR BOARD INSTITUTE ENHANCED BIOSECURITY MEASURES FOR THE PROPER DISPORE OF DAIRY MILK.

AND I'M HAPPY TO REPORT WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY DAIRY ILLNESSES GO ON AT THE FAIR.

SO WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE.

WE JUST LEFT THE FAIR, AND WE WILL BE BACK AT THE FAIR THIS AFTERNOON.

>> AGRICULTURE OFFICIALS TESTIFIED BEFORE THE STATE'S DISASTER PREVENTION AND RESILIENCY TASK FORCE TODAY.

A FRESHMAN LAWMAKER FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY SAYS HE IS CONCERNEDDED ABOUT HADZS NOT ON THE FARMS BUT IN OUR WOODS U THE BIGGEST PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN I HAVE RIGHT NOW IN MY DISTRICT IS THE UPTICK IN THE LONESTAR TICKS.

I KNOW SOMEONE WHO GOT SICK AS A RESULT OF A TICK BITE ARE FROM THIS YEAR.

I NEVER SEEN A LONE STAR TICK UNTIL THIS YEAR WHEN I WENT OUT FOR AN HOUR AND CAME BADGE WITH 10 TINY TICKS ON ME.

>> DO TICK PREVENTATIVE STUFF IN THE WOODS.

LONG SLEEVED SHIRTS.

SPRAYS THAT WOULD PREVENT THE TICKS FROM GETTING ON YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE MULTILIFE CYCLE TICKS ARE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL SINCE THE RESERVOIR IS IN THE WILDLIFE.

>> THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTED 121 CASES OF LYME DISEASE IN 2023 HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER YEAR IN THE PAST DECADE.

THE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT RELEASED NUMBERS FOR 2024 OR 2025.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Christie: WE'LL BRING YOU MORE FESTIVITIES FROM THE STATE FAIR TOMORROW.

THE KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL HAM BREAKFAST AND AUCTION TOMORROW MORNING.

WE'LL LET YOU KNOW WHO WAS THERE AND HOW MUCH THE TOP HAM GOES FOR.

>>> A POLL BY A GROUP BACKED BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SHOWS CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE LOSING SUPPORT AMONG VOTERS IN KENTUCKY'S FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THE POLL CAME FROM A POLITICAL FUNDRAISING ARM RUNED BY TRUMP INSIDERS DEVOTED TO DEFEATING THOMAS MASSIE.

THE CONGRESSMAN SAYS THE POLL IS OUT 0 OF TOUCH WITH REALITY.

HE TOOL THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER QUOTE THE FACT AT THAT TIME EVERY SERIOUS WOULD BE OPPONENT HAS RESKWEKED THE RECRUITING EFFORTS THEY HAVE BEEN SEARCHING AND CAN'T FIND ANYONE GULL LAB ENOUGH TO PUT THEIR NAME ON THE BALLOT.

THOMAS MASSIE VOTED AGAINST TRUMP'S TAX BIG AND CRITICIZED THE PRESIDENT FOR BOMBING IRANIAN SITES WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL.

THE EPSTEIN INVESTIGATION COULD INTENSIFY THIS WEEK.

THE DEPARTMENT OF JERUSALEM SAYS IT WILL -- JUSTICE SAYS IT WILL BEGIN SHARING DOCUMENTS ON FRIDAY ACCORDING TO JAMES COMER, CHAIR OF THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE WHO EARLIER THIS MONTH ISSUED SUBPOENAS ABOUT THE CRIMINAL CASE.

NOW, IT'S NOT CLEAR EXACTLY WHICH OR HOW MANY DOCUMENTS MIGHT BE PRODUCED.

MEANWHILE, TODAY, A FEDERAL JUDGE REJECTED THE GOVERNMENT'S REQUEST TO UNSEAL GRAND JURY TRANSCRIPTS IN THE EPSTEIN CASE.

>>> LOUISVILLE'S MAYOR SAYS FEDERAL INTERVENTION ISN'T NEEDED TO DEAL WITH THE CITY'S CRIME RATE.

MORE THAN 2,000 NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ARE CURRENTLY DEPLOYED IN WASHINGTON D.C. AND THE CITY'S POLICE FORCE IS UNDER FEDERAL CONTROL.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ORDERED THE FEDERAL TAKEOVER SAYING IT WAS NEEDED TO DEAL WITH THE QUOTE CRIME EMERGENCY IN THE CITY.

TUESDAY, DURING HIS WEEKLY UPDATE, LOUISVILLE MAYOR CRAIG GREENBERG WAS ASKED HOW HE WOULD RESPOND IF THE PRESIDENT ORDERED NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO LOUISVILLE OR TRIED TO FEDERALIZE THE CITY'S POLICE FORCE.

>> THAT IS NOT NECESSARY.

AND I DEFINITELY WOULD STRONGLY OPPOSE THAT.

UNDER CHIEF HUMPHREY'S LEADERSHIP AND WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY WE ARE SEEING INCREDIBLE PROGRESS IN REDUCING VIOLENT CRIME IN OUR CITY.

HOMICIDES AND SHOOTINGS ARE DOWN OVER 30% THIS YEAR ALONE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON JUVENILE VIOLENCE THAT WE WANT THE NEED TO GO DOWN MORE.

BUT WE ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS IN LOUISVILLE WORKING TOGETHER AS A CITY TOGETHER.

AND THAT'S OUR PLAN FOR GOING FORWARD.

>> Christie: SIX REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS SAID THEY WILL SEND NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS FROM THEIR STATE TO WASHINGTON D.C. MORE ON THE TOPIC IN JUST A MINUTE WHEN WE CATCH UP WITH RYLAND BARTON.

>>> WELL, DURING TUESDAY'S BRIEFING, GREENBERG SIGNED AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR STEALING WIRES FROM CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> 10 MONTHS AGO, OUR ADMINISTRATION RECOGNIZED THAT WE HAVE A GROWING PROBLEM IN LOUISVILLE.

THIEVES WERE BREAKING INTO VACANT BUILDINGS, BREAKING INTO LG AND E FACILITIES TO STEAL COPPER WIRE AND SELL IT FOR CASH.

THEY ARE STEALING WIRE FROM STREET LIGHTS AND FIBER CABLE AND UTILITIES ACROSS THE CITY.

THIS WAS TAKING A TOLL ON OUR CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> THESE ARE COMMUNITY CLINICS, POLICE STATIONS, 911 CENTERS, BUSINESSES, AND RESIDENTS THAT GET DISCONNECTED AND THAT IS A MEASURE OF PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.

AND THAT IS WHY WE'RE SO EXCITED WHEN WE SEE COMMUNITIES LIKE LOUISVILLE PRIORITY ADVERTISING ITS RESOURCES TO COMBAT CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE THEFT AND DISRUPTION.

>> Christie: THE NEW ORDINANCE COMES AOF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSING A BILL THIS SESSION MADE IT A FELONY TO TAMPER WITH OR DAMAGE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

UNDER THE NEW ORDINANCE VIOLATORS FACE A FINE UP TO $500 OR A YEAR IN JAIL.

SCRAP METAL RECYCLERS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE PHOTOS OF THE SELLERS, THEIR ID'S AND VEHICLES AND CAN ONLY PAY THEM BY SENDING A CHECK THROUGH THE MAIL.

>>> TIME FOR A MIDWEEK CHECK IN OF POLITICAL STORIES WITH OUR FRIEND RYLAND BARTON OF NPR.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, RYLAND.

>> LET'S BEGIN WITH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DEBATE AND HAY MADE OVER HIS CRIME FIGHTING TACTICS IN THE CAPITAL CITY IN DC.

FIGHTING CRIME THERE, MOBILIZING THE NATIONAL GUARD.

AND HE'S INTIMATED THAT OTHER CITIES COULD FOLLOW LIKE OAKLAND AND BALTIMORE AND CHICAGO.

THEY COULD BE NEXT.

AND WE KNOW THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS IN KENTUCKY ARE CHIMING IN ON THIS, SOME AGREE AND SOME DISAGREE WHERE DO THEY FALLOUT ON THIS ISSUE?

>> KENTUCKY'S REPUBLICAN DELEGATION FOR THE MOST PART IS BACKING TRUMP'S MOVE.

THIS IS ALTHOUGH CRIME IS ACTUALLY DOWN IN DC FROM PREVIOUS YEARS, CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER SAYS HE SUPPORTS DOING THE SAME THING IN OTHER CITIES AS TRUMP HAS HINTED AT DOING.

SAYING IF IT WORKS OUT IN WASHINGTON D.C., ANDY BARR SAID THE CAPITAL IS OVERRUN WITH CRIME, CORRUPTION AND HOMELESSNESS.

AND A STAFFER WAS ROBBED AT GUNPOINT IN DC SAYING THAT IN SUPPORT OF THIS MOVE BY TRUMP.

THOMAS MASSIE KIND OF THE CONTRARIAN REPUBLICAN HERE HE POSTED HE IS ALL FOR CRACKING ON CRIME IN DC AND ALSO SAID THAT LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS SHOULDN'T HAVE THEIR FIREARMS CONFISCATED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE PAPERWORK AND MORGAN MCGARVEY, BLASTED THE TAKEOVER CALLING IT A BRAYTANT POWER GRAB BASED ON LIES.

ECHO WHAT IS DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS HAVE BEEN SAYING.

THE ADMINISTRATION IS ALLOWED TO DO THIS FOR 30 DAYS, BUILDING IN CONGRESS STEPS IN AND VOTES FOR AN AGAINION.

ALL OF THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN THIS CARRIES OUT THROUGH THE GOVERNING LEGISLATION IN DC BEING A FEDERAL BODY OF SORTS, WAS ENACTED IN 1973.

NOTHING HAS HAPPENED LIKE THIS.

WE ARE -- ALL UNCHARTERED TERRITORY.

TRUMP CALLED IN NATIONAL GUARDS FROM SOME OTHER STATES THAT ARE COMING IN TO SUPPORT THE TROOPS THERE.

AND WE'RE WAITING TO SEE HOW LONG IT CAN LAST AND A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

>> Renee: CERTAINLY AND MORE TO COME ON THIS ISSUE.

LET'S MOVE NOW TO FRANKFORT AND EARLIER THIS WEEK, STATE AUDITOR ALLISON BALL PRESENTED HER FINDINGS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AN AUDIT SHE HAD DONE TO A JOINT COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION THAT LOOKS THE THE ISSUES DURING THE INTERIM AND FOUND THAT K-12 EDUCATION THAT THE K DE NEEDED TO BE WIDESPREAD IMPROVEMENTS AND OPENED UP THE DOOR FOR DEMOCRATS ON THAT COMMITTEE TO SAY IF THERE'S LOW KINDERGARTEN READINESS, DOESN'T THAT MAKE THE CASE FOR UNIVERSAL PRE-K THAT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR?

>> RIGHT.

AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD PRESENTED THE FINDINGS TO LAWMAKERS.

THE AUDIT CAME OUT LAST MONTH.

AND A TIME FOR LAWMAKERS TO TALK TO HER ABOUT HER RATIONAL FOR IT.

THE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T HAVE MEASURABLE BENCHMARKS FOR MEASURING STUDENTS' SUCCESS.

BUT FOCUSING IN ON KINDERGARTEN READINESS, SAYING THAT READINESS LEVELS WERE BELOW 50% AND DECLINING.

SENATE DEMOCRATS INCLUDING REGINALD THOMAS HE ASKED BECAUSE OF THAT IF THE REPORT SHOULD MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION THAT UNIVERSAL PRE-K BE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET TO TRY AND HELP IMPROVE THOSE KINDERGARTEN READINESS AND OTHER SCORES.

AND SHE SAID, WELL, A MIXED RESPONSE, IF WE'RE NOT DOING A GOOD JOB ON EDUCATION AT THAT POINT, THEN WE DON'T WANT TO EXPAND IT OUT TO OTHER KIDS.

WHAT ECHOS WHAT A LOT OF SOME REPUBLICAN LEADERS HAVE SAID IN RECENT YEARS ABOUT PRE-K IT IS NOT A PRIORITY FOR THEM.

SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALREADY PROVIDE PRE-K ON THEIR OWN BUT NOT ALL.

THE IDEA IS THE UNIVERSAL A PLANK OF GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR'S PLATFORM AND 27% OF FOUR-YEAR-OLDS ARE ENROLLED IN PRE-K TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA HOW LITTLE THIS IS EXPANDED ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

SHE DID ENCOURAGE LAWMAKERS TO CONSIDER FUNDING FOR MATH AND LITERACY COACHES AND TRYING TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF SCHOOL COUNSELORS SAYING THERE WERE 630 MORE COUNSELORS THAT ARE NEEDED IN KENTUCKY.

THERE WERE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUNDING OR MORE ATTENTION TO BE PROVIDED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

BUT THIS IS ALSO REPUBLICAN CRITIQUE OF THE DEPARTMENT.

AND THE AUDITOR'S REPORT IS SUPPORTING A LOT OF WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN SAYING IN RECENT YEARS.

GOT ANOTHER WE'LL SEE IF ANY OF THIS COMES FORTH IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BECAUSE THAT IS WHEN IT WOULD GET DONE.

>> Renee: DOES SET GROUND WORK FOR THAT DISCUSSION INDEED IN 2026.

LAST ITEM, A NEW YORK BATESSED HEALTH EDUCATION NONPROFIT STARTED AN ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN AT GAS STATIONS AND THAT'S PROMOTING THE ABORTION PILL.

FIRST OF ALL, WHO IS THIS GROUP?

WHY ARE THEY DOING THIS AT GAS STATIONS OVER 100 IN WEST VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY?

AND WHY GAS STATIONS?

>> YEAH, THIS GROUP IS CALLED MAY DAY HEALTH ACCORDING TO THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

THE SIGNS ARE GOING UP IN 104 GAS STATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND WEST VIRGINIA.

ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GO TO MAY DAY'S HEALTH WEBSITE IF THEY WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ABORTION.

THIS ORGANIZATION STARTED AFTER THE DAUBACHS O DOBBS RULING THAT OVERTURNED ROE VS. WADE AND KICKS THE DISCUSSION AROUND ABORTION BACK TO STATES.

AND KENTUCKY AND WEST VIRGINIA ARE STATES THAT HAVE THE NEAR TOTAL BANS ON █ABORTION.

BUT THE REASON THIS ORGANIZATION IS EXISTS IT'S TRYING TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH ABORTION PILLS.

WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT EVEN STATES WITH ABORTION BANS, ARE HAVING TROUBLE DETECTING, INVESTIGATING, PROSECUTING OUT OF STATE PROVIDERS MAILING PILLS BETWEEN THE BORDERS IS A BIG DISCUSSION IN LEGISLATURES AND TRYING TO CRACK THAT DOWN.

AND MORE PROGRESSIVE ONES TRYING TO SUPPORT EFFORTS LIKE THAT.

THE GROUP SAYS THAT PEOPLE IN STATES WITH ABORTION BANS LIKE KENTUCKY AND WEST VIRGINIA SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, RYLAND BARTON, WITH NPR FOR BREAKING DOWN THE NEWS FOR US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS, RENEE.

[♪♪] >> Christie: A 115 MILLION DOLLAR RIVERFRONT PROJECT IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY IS DELAYED AGAIN.

LINK NKY REPORTS BELIVIEU CITY WAS GRANTED ANOTHER EXTENSION FOR THE PROJECT LAST WEEK.

THE MAYOR OF THE CAMPBELL COUNTY TOWN, TOLD THE PUBLICATION THAT RISING INTEREST RATES ARE TO BLAME.

FOR EXAMPLE, MAYOR SAID A PLANNED PARKING AGANG EXPECTED TO COST $8 MILLION SWELLED TO $13 MILLION.

THE PROJECT WAS FIRST APPROVED THREE YEARS AGO AND HAS BEEN DELAYED SEVERAL TIMES.

BELIVIEU OFFICIALS NOW EXPECT CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN NEXT YEAR WITH A SCALED DOWN DESIGN.

>>> WELL IT IS OFFICIAL.

KENTUCKY'S GETTING A NEW AREA CODE.

THIS MONTH, WE TOLD YOU THAT THE 502 AREA CODE WILL RUN OUT OF POSSIBLE PHONE NUMBERS.

THAT AREA CODE SERVES LOUISVILLE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.

THE NORTH AMERICAN NUMBERING PLAN ADMINISTRATOR ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT A NEW AREA CODE OF 761 WILL BE ASSIGNED TO NEW CUSTOMERS LIKELY BEGINNING IN 2027.

THE 502 AREA CODE WILL STILL WORK.

THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION SAYS THE CHANGE WILL BE CUSTOMERS WITH THE AREA CODES MUST USE THEM WHEN MAKING A CALL.

THERE ARE FIVE AREA CODES IN KENTUCKY.

>>> WELL, THE KENTUCKY STATE CAPITAL IS NOW CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC TO ALLOW FOR MAJOR RENOVATIONS.

THE $291 MILLION PROJECT IS THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE OVERHAUL OF THE HISTORIC BUILDING IN MORE THAN 70 YEARS.

IT'S BEEN FUNDED BY THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND AIMS TO MODERNIZE THE BUILDING, IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY AND TACKLE YEARS OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE SEVERAL YEARS TO COMPLETE.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL CONVENE IN A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTED NEXT TO THE CAPITAL.

OFFICES INSIDE THE CAPITAL HAVE ALSO BEEN RELOCATED.

YOU CAN FIND THEIR NEW LOCATIONS AT KENTUCKY.GOV.

[♪♪] [♪♪] SINCE 2020 A RELIEF FUND SINCE 2020 A RELIEF FUND PROVIDED SUPPORT TO KENTUCKY ARTISTS AND CRAFTS PEOPLE IN THE WAKE OF DISASTERS LIKE THE 2022 FLOODS.

THE CRAFT EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND HAS KEPT OVER A DOZEN ARTISTS AFLOAT THANKS TO RAPIDLY DISPERSED DONATIONS FOR THE TAPESTRY SEGMENT WE SEARCHED THE INSTRUMENT COMPANY TO SEE WHAT A SAFETY NET MEANS FOR ARTISTS IN NEED.

[♪♪] >> THE CRAFT EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1985 BY A GROUP OF CRAFT ARTISTS WHO HAD BEEN COLLEAGUES FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

THEY WOULD MEET OTHER ARTISTS WHO WERE EXPERIENCING HARDSHIPS.

SO THEY WOULD PASS THE HAT TO SUPPORT THE ARTIST.

SO THEY ESTABLISHED THE CRAFT EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND AS A WAY TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR CRAFT ARTISTS TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER.

AND OVER THE YEARS, THAT'S BEEN PRIMARILY OUR WORK IS PROVIDING RELIEF GRANTS FOR INDIVIDUAL EMERGENCIES, THINGS LIKE INJURY, CAREGIVING, THINK OF THE TYPICAL FIRE THEFT, THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND THEN WE'VE EXPANDED OBVIOUSLY TOWARDS DISASTER RELIEF.

>> WE ARE A NONPROFIT.

AND WE BUILD GUITARS, MANDOLINS, BANJOS.

AND WE ARE, IN FACT, THE ONLY NONPROFIT STRING INSTRUMENT MANUFACTURING COMPANY IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.

AT FIRST, WE WERE JUST TRYING TO GROW SOME SKILL AMONG PEOPLE THAT WANTED SOMETHING INTERESTING TO DO.

THEN, WE STARTED WORKING WITH PEOPLE IN RECOVERY AND NOW WE HAVE A MAJOR PROGRAM, WHERE WE BRING PEOPLE IN WHO ARE IN RECOVERY FROM ADDICTION.

AND WE PUT THEM TO WORK.

THE SURF GRANTS WERE ACTUALLY, THEY CAME TO US AT A TIME WHEN WE WERE LITERALLY SWAMPED.

WE WERE DESTROYED AS AN ORGANIZATION, AS A GROUP.

ALL OF OUR BUILDINGS WERE WRECKED.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE GRIM OF A STRUGGLE, THAN IT WAS.

I THINK THE SURF MONEY BEING THERE FIRST, REALLY ENCOURAGED THE GUYS A LOT.

AND HELPED US TO GET THROUGH SOME BRUTAL WORK.

>> BECAUSE WE'RE SMALL, WE'RE NIMBLE, WE CAN GET FUNDS MOVING PRETTY QUICKLY.

I WOULD SAY IN THE PAST, IT, WOULD BE A MONTH OR TWO BEFORE FOLKS WOULD START SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS AND WE WOULD START SEEING ACTIVITIES IN THE PROGRAMS.

NOW, IT'S TWO, THREE DAYS AFTER AN EVENT HAPPENS THAT WE START SEEING APPLICATIONS.

AND THEY WILL TRICKLE IN FOR HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO STABILIZE.

>> SURF PLUS WAS VERY STREAMLINED.

AND IT WAS THE FIRST AID THAT WE RECEIVED JUST BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT IT WASN'T MONTHS OR YEARS OUT IN THE FUTURE.

IT WAS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE, YOU HAVE A NEED THAT DAY WHEN THE DISASTER HITS.

>> WE'VE HAD A LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FOLKS IN KENTUCKY, IN PARTICULAR, OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS WE HAVE PROVIDED $75,000 IN EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS TO CRAFT ARTISTS IN KENTUCKY.

I THINK FOR COMMUNITIES, A LOT OF TIMES THEY DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT ARE REQUIRED TO STABILIZE EVERY INDIVIDUAL.

AND THEN WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT AN ARTIST AND THE EXTRA THINGS THAT THEY HAVE, THEIR EQUIPMENT.

SOMETIMES THE TOOLS THEY HAVE ARE GENERATIONAL, THEY HAVE BEEN PASSED DOWN OR THEY HAVE BEEN CUSTOM-MADE.

YOU CAN'T REPLACE THOSE THINGS.

>> Christie: WELL, THE DULCIMER THE COMPANY SPECIALIZES IN ORIGINATED IN THE MOUNTAINS OF EASTERN KENTUCKY.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-MAIL NEWSLETTER AND WATCH EPISODES AND CLIPS AT KET.ORG.

YOU CAN FIND "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THE PBS VIDEO APP ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.