[♪♪] >> WE'VE GOT THE MOST RESILIENT PEOPLE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD SITTING AROUND HERE.

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT FEED US EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> Christie: HONORING FARMERS AND AUCTIONING HIGH-PRICED HAM WE HAVE A LOOK AT THIS KENTUCKY TRADITION COMING UP.

>> PRIOR TO IT, IF YOU GOT TO BE 60 OR 55 AND YOU WERE INFIRMED OR COULD NO LONGER WORK, YOU HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO WORK.

OR WISE YOU FACE POVERTY, YOU FACE STARVATION, YOU FACE DEATH.

>> Christie: KENTUCKIANS TALK ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AS THE PROGRAM TURNS 90.

>> TOO OFTEN THE CHALLENGES THAT OUR VETERANS FACE ARE FELT IN SILENCE OR ISOLATION.

>> Christie: HELPING VETERANS IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY GET CONNECTED TO RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING FILMS HERE.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE DOING SHORT FILMS OR WORKING ON FEATURES.

>> Christie: IT'S LIGHTS, CAMERA ACTION FOR ONE WESTERN KENTUCKY CITY.

WHAT IT'S CAUGHT THE EYE OF THE FILM INDUSTRY.

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

[♪♪] >> Christie: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR THURSDAY AUGUST 21ST I'M CHRISTIE DUTTON FILLING IN FOR RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>>> WELL, WE ARE BACK AT THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR TODAY FOR ONE OF THE MOST FESTIVE TRADITIONS.

THE ANNUAL KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU HAM BREAKFAST AND AUCTION.

THE EVENT IS MORE THAN PRICING PORK THERE'S JOKES, POLITICS AND KENTUCKY PRIDE.

OUR JUNE LEFFLER HAS MORE INCLUDING WHO SHELLED OUT SERIOUS CASH FOR THE AWARD-WINNING SWINE.

>> THE HIGHEST HAM GOES FOR A COOL $10 MILLION.

THE WINNING BID IS IN JOINT EFFORT FROM PAST WINNERS, CENTRAL BANK AND JOE AND KELLY CRAFT.

THE KENTUCKY COUPLE IS NOT THERE IN-PERSON.

>> THIS YEAR'S $5 MILLION CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION IS GOING TO GO TO EXPANDING THE BARREN COUNTY BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

THEY HAVE A CRAFT CAMPUS THERE AS WELL AS THE CRAFT ACADEMY AT MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY AND HELP BUILD HOMES IN EASTERN KENTUCKY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN KENTUCKY.

>> THE HAM COMES FROM THESE PRODUCERS OF B AND B FOOD PRODUCTS IN LION COUNTY.

>> WHAT IS A DEMOCRATIC BIG CITY MAYOR WHO DOESN'T EAT PORK DOING AT THE KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU HAM BREAKFAST?

I'M HERE TODAY, BECAUSE I WANT TO THANK THE OWNERS OF CHELSEA'S EGGS IN PLEASUREVILLE WHOSE EGGS I EAT NEARLY EVERYDAY.

AND I THANK THE BEEKEEPERS IN KENT WILLIAMS FARM WHOSE HONEY I ATE YESTERDAY.

>> WE HAVE THE MOST RESILIENT PEOPLE IN THE WORLD SITTING IN THIS ROOM.

THE PEOPLE AT THAT TIME FEED US EVERY SUNLE DAY.

WE CAN'T HAVE DOCTORS AND LAWYERS AND TEACHERS AND ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE THAT MOST EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM IS WITHOUT PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO FEED US.

>> THE BREAKFAST BRINGS OUT POLITICAL LEADERS IN THE STATE.

REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATE MITCH McCONNELL FREQUENTS THIS EVENT ONE OF THE LAST TIMES HE WILL BE ATTENDING AS A SITTING U.S.

SENATOR.

>> FOR THE GUY THAT DIDN'T GROW UP ON A FARM, PROBABLY WASN'T ON A LOT OF FARMS GROWING UP, HE SERVED AN THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE HIS ENTIRE TIME IN THE SENATE.

HE WORKED THROUGH SEVEN FARM BILLS HELPING GET THOSE PASSED AND LISTENING TO KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU OF THINGS THAT WE NEEDED IN THOSE BILLS AND I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THAT.

SO OUR TEAM HAS PUT TOO LONG A VIDEO THIS MORNING PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE MAN THAT HAS SERVED KENTUCKY BETTER THAN ANY THAT I KNOW OF.

SO IF YOU WOULD DIRECT YOUR ATTENTIONS TO THE SCREEN FOR A TRIBUTE TO SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL.

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THIS PROMISING YOUNG CANDIDATE FROM KENTUCKY WHO HAD MADE THIS ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS ADVERTISEMENT.

>> WE GOT YOU NOW.

WHICH TO MITCH McCONNELL FOR U.S.

SENATOR.

>> FOUR YEARS AGO AMERICANS ASKED US TO CUT TAXES REDUCE INFLATION AND CONTROL SPENDING.

WE ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS TO KEEP THIS ECONOMIC RECOVERY GOING WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE MITCH McCONNELL IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

>> SPEAKING OF REAGAN, McCONNELL REMEMBERS WHEN HE MET THE PRESIDENT IN LOUISVILLE AFTER A PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE IN 1984.

>> PRESIDENT REAGAN'S STAND UP TO THE MIC AND SAID HE IS SO HAPPY TO BE HERE IN KENTUCKY WITH MY GOOD FRIEND, MITCH O'DONNELL.

[LAUGHTER] THAT ENDED UP NOT BEING A USABLE MOMENT.

>> THE FARM BUREAU TAKES TIME TO INTRODUCE THE YOUNG WOMAN CARRYING THE PRICELESS HAM MS. KENTUCKY TOOK THE STATE CROWN ONLY AFTER YEARS OF GROWING UP HOMELESS AND IN FOSTER CARE.

>> THIS IS LIKE WHERE WE WOULD PUT THE BUCKETS TYPICALLY WHEN WE NEEDED WATER BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE RUNNING WATER.

WE WOULD HEAT THE WATER UP TO PURIFY IT.

AND THEN DRINK IT OR WE USED TO DUMP IT ON EACH OTHER THAT WAS OUR BATH.

>> THE 20-YEAR-OLD SUPPORTS TODAY'S FOSTER YOUTH WITH HER CHARITY THE LUCKY ONES.

SHE WILL COMPETE IN THE MISS AMERICA COMPETITION IN ORLANDO THIS SEPTEMBER.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Christie: THAT WAS THE 6 1ST ANNUAL BREAKFAST AND LAST YEAR THE HAM WENT FOR $10.5 MILLION SETTING THE RECORD FOR THE HATH KENTUCKY STATE FAIR HISTORY.

>>> NEARLY 40% OF KENTUCKY ADULTS ARE OBESE ACCORDING TO A 2023 REPORT FROM TRUST FOR AMERICA'S HEALTH.

THE NUMBERS ARE WORSE FOR KENTUCKY CHILDREN.

WHICH HAVE ONE OF THE NATION'S HIGHEST RATES OF OBESE CITY.

IN FRANKFORT, LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING AT WAYS TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR KENTUCKIANS.

THE MAKE AMERICAN HEALTHY AGAIN KENTUCKY TASK FORCE HEARD FROM THE AMERICAN BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION.

THE DISCUSSION CENTERED ON THE ROLE OF NO AND LOW CALORIE SWEETER INS WITH THE ABA SAYING THE SCIENCE IS CLEAR.

>> THE MAIN TAKEAWAY HERE ON LOW AND NO CALORIE SWEET ENERS THEY ARE SAFE AND SUPPORTED WORLDWIDE AND LOW NO CALORIE SWEETNERS CAN HELP INDIVIDUALS MANAGE THEIR CALORIES AND SUGARS IN A DIET.

>> Christie: SOME LEGISLATORS RAISED CONCERN ABOUT BROADER HEALTH EFFECTS, IN ADDITION TO OBESITY OR DIABETES, STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT LOCKETT CO-CHAIR OF THE TASK FORCE, QUESTIONED WHY COMPANIES CONTINUE TO USE SUCH ADDITIVES.

>> IF ALL OF THESE THINGS EVEN IF THEY ARE SAFE F. THEY ARE NOT SAFE, YOU'RE SPENDING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN TESTING.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO SAY IS ASPARTAME SAFE OR NOT SAFE.

IS IT SAFE OR NOT SAFE?

MY BASIC QUESTION IS INTENDING SPENDING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO SEE IF THE INGREDIENTS YOU ARE PUTTING IN BEVERAGES THAT AMERICANS ARE DRINKING, WHY DON'T YOU TAKE THEM OUT?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

AND I APPRECIATE THE PERSPECTIVE.

I THINK, IF WE WERE TO SPEAK WITH NUTRITIONISTS AND I THINK THE DIETARY GUIDELINES RECOGNIZES THIS IS THE REVIEW COMPLETED BY THE DIETARY GUIDELINES ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE EXISTING GUIDELINES, IN IT, THEY SAY WE HAVE TO MEET CONSUMERS WHERE THEY ARE.

SO THAT MEAN WE NEED TO OFFER THEM TOOLS THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO SHIFT TOWARDS HEALTHIER OPTIONS.

AND IF THERE IS A SWEETNESS DESIRE THAT IS WHAT LOW AND NO CALORIE SWEETNERS DO.

THEY GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THE INDIVIDUAL TO REPLACE CALORIES AND SWEETNERS WITH NO CALORIES AND NO SUGAR.

>> Christie: A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE EXCLUDED JUNK FOOD FROM THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR S.N.A.P., WAS INTRODUCED DURING THE 2025 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BUT THE BILL FAILED TO BECOME LAW.

>>> WELL, FEDERAL JUDGE HAS DISMISSED FELONY CHARGES AGAINST TWO FORMER OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THE RAID ON BREONNA TAYLOR'S APARTMENT.

FORMER DETECTIVES JOSHUA JAYNES AND SERGEANT KYLE MEANY WERE ACCUSED FALSIFYING A WARRANT.

THE JUDGE IN THE CASE SAID HE WAS TROUBLED BY THEIR ALLEGED ACTIONS, BUT ADDED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO FORESEE SOMEONE'S DEATH.

THE DROPPED CHARGES CARRIED A SENTENCE OF LIFE IN PRISON.

THEY ARE FACING FELONY CHARGES IN THE CASE.

A TRIAL DATE HAS NOT YET BEEN SET.

>>> WELL, THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY HAS BEEN MAKING HEADLINES FOR THE LAST TELEPHONE YEARS.

BUT WHAT IS THE LATEST WITH THE PROJECT?

THE KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET PROJECT MANAGER SPOKE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COVINGTON BUSINESS COUNCIL TODAY AND SHARED THAT RIGHT NOW THE TEAM IS WORKING ON NAILING DOWN DESIGNS AND MAKING SURE UTILITIES ARE OUT OF THE WAY FOR CONSTRUCTION.

THE PROJECT MANAGER SAYS THEY HOPE TO HAVE THE DESIGN AND COST OF THE PROJECT DETERMINED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET OFFICIAL TO HEAR ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT.

>> WE CANNOT UNDER STATE THE SIGNIFICANCE IT HAS ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.

OBVIOUSLY I-75 FROM MICHIGAN TO FLORIDA WE ARE CONNECTING EVERY COUNTY THAT TOUCHES I-75 UP AND DOWN THE CORRIDOR ALL THE WAY TO LEXINGTON, MOUNT VERNON.

THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PROJECT FOR KENTUCKY.

WE'RE KEEPING THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE AS PART OF THE PROJECT.

WE WILL KEEP IT IN OPERATION AND BUILD A COMPANION BRIDGE WEST OF IT AND TIE IN TRAFFIC TO THAT AND DO REHAB WORK ON THE EXISTING BRIDGE AND THE NEW CONFIGURATION IT WILL HAVE THREE LANES AND SHOULDERS.

SHOULDERS THAT WERE TAKEN OFF WE GET TO PUT BACK ON.

>> Christie: IT STILL IS UNCLEAR HOW LONG THE PROJECT MIGHT TAKE ONCE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS.

CREWS WILL BEGIN THE PIER WORK NEEDED TO SECURE THE BRIDGE IN THE WATER NEXT YEAR.

ALSO TODAY WAS THE PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE FOURTH STREET BRIDGE PROJECT WHICH CONNECTS NEWPORT AND COVINGTON.

THE BRIDGE IS GOING THROUGH DEMOLITION AND REBUILDING.

MANY RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED AT THAT TIME THE BRIDGE CLOSURE WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT BUSINESSES.

THE PROJECT MANAGER SAYS THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE CITIES OF NEWPORT AND COVINGTON TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS.

THEY OPEN TO OPEN -- HOPE TO OPEN THE NEW BRIDGE IN 2028.

>> LOUISVILLE HAS BEEN GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO TEAR DOWN THE OLDEST PUBLIC HOUSING COMPLEX.

THE HUD HAS GIVEN APPROVAL FOR THE BUILDINGS TO BE DEMOLISH THE.

MAYOR CRAIG GREENBERG SAYS HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS BEGAN MOVING OUT LAST YEAR.

RELOCATIONS ARE NOW MANDATORY.

THE MAYOR SAYS THE LOUISVILLE METRO HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL WORK TO RELOCATE THE REMAINING 150 RESIDENTS.

THE CITY PLANS TO BUILD A NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX ON THE SITE.

>>> WELL, ACCORDING TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, LAST YEAR, THERE WERE OVER ONE MILLION KENTUCKIANS RECEIVING SOCIAL SECURITY.

ABOUT 70% OF THOSE ARE RETIREES.

THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT TURNED 90 YEARS OLD THIS MONTH.

AARP HOSTED A CELEBRATION IN LEXINGTON THIS WEEK TO REFLECT ON THE LEGACY OF THE PROGRAM AND LOOK AHEAD TO THE CHALLENGES IT FACES.

>> WE'VE PASSED GREAT LEGISLATION IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA.

BUT I BELIEVE THAT SOCIAL SECURITY ACT OF 1935 IS THE GREATEST.

BECAUSE PRIOR TO IT, IF YOU GOT TO BE 60 OR 55, AND YOU WERE INFIRMED OR COULD NO LONGER WORK, YOU HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO WORK.

OR OTHERWISE, YOU FACED POVERTY, YOU FACED STARVATION, YOU FACED DEATH.

AND SOCIAL SECURITY HAS ELIMINATED THAT.

>> TODAY 14% OF AMERICANS THAT ARE 65 PLUS RELY UPON SOCIAL SECURITY FOR POST OF THEIR INCOME.

WHILE 40% RELY UPON IT FOR MORE THAN HALF OF THEIR INCOME.

SOCIAL SECURITY IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS THAT ARE 60 PLUS.

>> DID YOU KNOW THAT IF CONGRESS DOES NOT DO SOMETHING BY THE END OF 2033, NOT FAR AWAY, 2033, TO ENSURE THAT SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND SOLVENCY, IT WILL RESULT IN AT LEAST A 19% REDUCTION IN BENEFITS FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE RECIPIENTS.

IMAGINE THE IMPACT IF SOMETHING ISN'T CORRECTED.

SOCIAL SECURITY WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE THE SOLE SOURCE OF INCOME FOR RETIREMENT.

BUT, THE FACT IS, THAT FOR MANY AMERICAN CITIZENS IT IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF RETIREMENT INCOME.

IMAGINE THE IMPACT ON THOSE PEOPLE.

>> WHEN I WAS 53, I BECAME DISABLED.

SO I DEPEND ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE.

I'M WALKING BECAUSE OF THE OPERATIONS AND THE MEDICAL HELP I'VE HAD.

BUT I DEPEND ON SOCIAL SECURITY.

>> MY FATHER WAS BORN IN 1895 HE FOUGHT IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR.

I WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD WHEN HE DIED.

MY MOTHER WAS ILLITERATE.

AND WE SURVIVED ON SOCIAL SECURITY SURVIVOR BENEFITS.

WITHOUT THAT ASSISTANCE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE DONE.

>> I WANT MY CHILDREN, MY GRANDCHILDREN, AND MY GREAT GRANDCHILDREN TO RECEIVE WHAT THEY EARNED.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

WE EARNED IT.

YOU HAVE BEEN PAYING INTO SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND WITH YOUR FIRST PAYCHECK.

AND YOU CONTINUE TO PAY INTO THAT TRUST FUND HOPING AND RELYING ON IT BEING THERE WHEN YOU RETIRE AND WHEN YOU NEED IT.

>> AARP IS CONTACTING OUR LEGISLATORS IN DC IN ORDER TO TRY TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

THEY ARE ALSO WORKING WITH SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IN ORDER TO TRY TO MOVE THAT PROCESS ALONG.

BUT IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US, NOT ONLY AARP, BUT OUR CITIZENS ACROSS KENTUCKY AND ACROSS THE NATION, IN ORDER TO REACH OUT TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES, OUR CONGRESS PEOPLE, OUR SENATORS, AND ASK THEM TO TAKE THE STEP AND IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER, DO THINGS THAT ARE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY.

SO IT'S NOT ONLY THERE FOR US, BUT IT'S HERE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN.

[♪♪] >> Christie: VETERANS IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY HAVE A NEW WAY TO CONNECT WITH RESOURCES AND EACH OTHER.

TODAY, THE CITY OF LEXINGTON CUT THE RIBBON ON VETERANS UNITY POINT AND SUPPORT CENTER.

LOCATED IN THE KENNEWICK COMMUNITY CENTER IT WILL SERVE AS A DROP-IN CENTER FOR VETERANS TO ACCESS BENEFITS AND SERVICES AND RECEIVE SUPPORT.

THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A SUPPORTIVE WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE THAT GIVES VETERANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA BELIEVES EVERY VETERAN, EVERY VETERAN DESERVES DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

WE'RE COMMITTED TO PROMOTING THE WELL-BEING OF VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHETHER THEY ARE NEWLY TRANSITIONING FROM THE MILITARY OR CIVILIAN LIFE OR THEY SERVED A LONGTIME AGO.

WE OWE THEM OUR GRATITUDE FOR SERVING THIS GREAT NATION AND MANY NOW NEED OUR HELP TO MOVE FORWARD IN THEIR LIVES AND TO ACHIEVE SELF SUSTAINABILITY.

>> THE MISSION OF THIS CENTER IS STRAIGHTFORWARD, AND DEEPLY IMPORTANT.

TO CREATE A SAFE, WELCOMING PLACE WHERE VETERANS CAN COME FOR ASSISTANCE, CONNECT WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER.

TOO OFTEN THE CHALLENGES THAT OUR VETERANS FACE ARE FELT IN SILENCE OR ISOLATION.

AND VETERANS UNITY POINT WILL STAND AS A PLACE OF CAMARADERIE.

AND THIS MOMENT IS A RESULT OF MANY PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TOGETHER AND I WANT TO EXTEND A THANKS TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT, AND VETERANS ADVOCATES FOR HELPING TO BRING THIS VISION FORWARD.

>> IT IS A PLACE FOR VETERANS TO COME TO DECOMPRESS AND HAVE NO AGENDA.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME HERE BECAUSE YOU NEED SOMETHING.

YOU COME BECAUSE YOU NEED A FRIEND, SOMEBODY TO BE WITH.

AND THEN WE WILL BE HERE AND WE WILL BE HERE TO OFFER THOSE SERVICES THAT ANYBODY MAY NEED.

>> Christie: HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH AND EMPLOYMENT ARE SOME OF THE SERVICES VETERANS CAN GET HELP WITH AT THE CENTER.

>>> NEWLY RELEASED DATA SHOWS UNEMPLOYMENT RATES FALLING IN MORE THAN HALF OF KENTUCKY'S COUNTIES.

73 COUNTIES SAW THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT RATES DROP FROM JULY OF 2024 TO JULY OF THIS YEAR.

BUT THAT RATE WENT UP IN 35 COUNTIES.

MARTIN COUNTY RECORDED THE STATE'S HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT NEARLY 11% FOLLOWED BY WOLF, LEWIS, McGOFF FINISH AND ELLIOT COUNTIES.

THE CABINET SAYS WOODFORD COUNTY RECORDED THE LOWEST JOBLESS RATE AT 4.5%.

[♪♪] KENTUCKY'S FILM INCENTIVES HAVE THE FILM INDUSTRY TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT OUR STATE.

AND ONE CITY THAT CAUGHT THE EYE OF PRODUCERS IS PADUCAH.

OUR FRIENDS AT KENTUCKY LIFE PUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE CITY TO SHOW WHY IT'S BECOMING A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY.

[♪♪] >> THE BROADWAY STREET CORRIDOR HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE HISTORY OF DOWNTOWN PADUCAH.

IN 1927, THE CITY WELCOMED ITS FIRST CINEMA, THE MAJESTIC COLUMBIA THEATER WHERE PADUCAH'S PASSION FOR FILM WAS BORN.

>> WHAT THE COLUMBIA THEATER THAT WAS THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE HERE IN PADUCAH TO SEE FILM.

A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT SEEING THEIR FIRST FILM AT THE COLUMBIA AND REMEMBERING THAT MOMENT BECAUSE IT IS SPECIAL.

>> THE FIRST DATE I HAD WITH A YOUNG LADY WHO IS NOW MY WIFE OF 42 YEARS, WAS HERE IN THE COLUMBIAN.

YOU KNOW HOW FIRST DATES ARE.

YOU NEVER KNOW HOW THAT IS GOING TO GO I WILL ADMIT I HAD AN AIR OF CONFIDENCE FOR ME BACK THEN, THE COLUMBIA WAS A SPECIAL PLACE.

>> COLUMBIA IS FILM HISTORY WHENEVER IT COMES TO PADUCAH.

PEOPLE FORGET THAT THE FAMILY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST INVESTORS TO COLUMBIA STUDIOS IN THE SILVER AGE OF CINEMA.

THEY ARE PADUCAH.

>> LEO KYLER OPENED IN THE COLUMBIA THEATER AND HE EVERY INTENT TO BUILD THE FINEST THEATER HE COULD BUILD AT THAT TIME.

IN FACT, IT WAS THE FIRST AIR-CONDITIONED BUILDING IN PADUCAH.

>> THE FIRST MOVIE THAT PLAYED WAS PARAMOUNT PICTURES SILENT FILM IT, FEATURING STARLET COLLAR ABOW.

THE COLUMBIA THEATER BECAME A POINT OF DOWNTOWN PADUCAH IN SPITE OF CHALLENGES LIKE THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND THE HISTORICAL OHIO FLOOD OF 1937 WHEN LEO'S SON JACK TOOK OVER THE BUSINESS HE CONTINUED THE COLUMBIA'S CLOSE TIES TO HOLLYWOOD.

>> BACK IN THE 1950s ON A REGULAR BASIS WHEN THE COLUMBIA WAS PREMIERING A FILM, THE STARS WOULD COME TO PADUCAH AND HELP TO PROMOTE THAT NEW FILM.

>> AS THE INDUSTRY SHIFTED TOWARD BIG, MULTISCREEN THEATERS, THE COLUMBIA COULD NO LONGER COMPETE AND THE KYLER'S SHUT THE DOORS IN 1987.

NOW, A NONPROFIT CALLED COLUMBIA ART HOUSE OWNS THE THEATER IS WORKING HARD TO RESTORE IT.

>> RIGHT NOW, OUR PRIMARY GOAL AND OUR PRIMARY NEED IS TO RESTORE AND SAVE THE BUILDING.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY OF PADUCAH WHO HAS AGREED TO A MATCHING GRANT OF $500,000 THAT WILL REALLY MOVE US FORWARD TO COMPLETE PHASE ONE AND THEN GET US INTO THE PHASE TWO WHEN WE CAN LOOK TO PRESERVING THE INTERIOR OF THE STRUCTURE AND REIMAGINING IT AS A VENUE.

>> PADUCAH'S LOVE FOREVER FILM WAS BORN IN THE COLUMBIA THEATER BUT IT REACHES BEYOND THE WALLS AND HAS FOUND A NEW VOICE AT THE INDEPENDENT MAIDEN ALLEY CINEMA.

>> IT STARTED IN 1991 WHEN A GROUP OF LIKE MINDED PEOPLE CAME TOGETHER AND SAID WE WANT TO GET TOGETHER AND WATCH FILMS AND WE THINK OTHER PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT, TOO.

AND THEY WOULD PRINT A PROGRAM WITH ALL OF THE FILMS LISTED FOR A YEAR.

AND INVITE DIFFERENT PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY TO COME AND PARTICIPATE.

>> MAIDEN ALLEY SCREENS INDEPENDENT FILMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, BUT IT ALSO BRINGS FILMMAKERS TO THE RIVER CITY.

THIS CONTINUES THE COLUMBIA'S TRADITION OF BRINGING TOGETHER AUDIENCES, AND MOVIE MAKERS.

>> THE RIVER'S EDGE FILM FESTIVAL IS INTERNATIONAL THAT IS THE LONGEST RUNNING HERE IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

AND THE ONLY FILM FESTIVAL IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

WE'VE BEEN DOING IT SINCE 2006.

AND WE ACCEPT SUBMISSIONS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> WITH GREATER ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY, REGIONAL FILM MAKES HAS EXPLODED.

EVERYONE NEEDS A PLACE TO SHOW THEIR FILMS.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING FILMS HERE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING SHORT FILMS OR WORKING ON FEATURES OR DOING WHAT THEY CAN WITH THE RESOURCES THEY HAVE.

>> MAIDEN ALLEY IS A HUGE SUPPORTERS OF THOSE FOLKS.

>> AND YOU DON'T GET MUCH MORE LOCAL THAN BRETT.

HE RETURNED HOME TO PADUCAH TO MAKE FILMS AND SETUP SHOP IN HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER'S CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS AND USE IT IS AS I AFILM SET.

USES IT AS A FILM SET.

>> YOU DON'T SEE BURR BER CARPET ON WALLS.

AND PIECES WERE TORN DOWN AND THAT WAS FROM MY GRANDMOTHER'S HEELS.

>> BRETT'S COMPANY COMMONWEALTH CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT IS ABLE TO PRODUCE FILMS WITH FIRST RATE TALENT AND PRODUCTION VALUES.

>> I DON'T PLAN ON MY IMPACT ON PADUCAH FILM TO BE JUST BRINGING IN FILMMAKERS FROM OUT OF STATE OR OUT OF REGION.

I ALSO WANT TO HELP GROW LOCAL FILMMAKERS AND HELP GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO DO WORK THEY ARE PROUD OF.

>> I THINK THAT PADUCAH FILM SCENE IS REALLY GOING TO EXPLODE.

AND SO IN FIVE YEARS, MAYBE WE'LL HAVE A LOCAL FILMMAKER SCREENING ONCE A MONTH.

THAT WOULD BE INCREDIBLE.

>> OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT FOR THE FUTURE OF FILM IN PADUCAH RIGHT NOW.

BUT NO ONE IS FORGETTING WHERE IT STARTED.

>> THE COLUMBIA'S HISTORY, I THINK, SERVES AS I AGREAT FOUNDATION, A PLATFORM EVEN FOR THE BURGEONING FILM INDUSTRY IN PADUCAH.

IT IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE PUZZLE AS WE LOOK AT THE CURRENT FILM SITUATION IN PADUCAH.

>> Christie: YOU CAN FIND MORE GREAT STORIES FROM AROUND THE STATE BY CHECKING OUT KENTUCKY LIFE AT KET.ORG.

>> WELL, TAPPING INTO MAPLE TREES AND REVENUE STREAMS.

>> WE SAID, OWE THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON HERE IN KENTUCKY WE JUST NOT REALLY BEEN GIVEN IT ATTENTION.

AND THAT IS MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCTION.

>> Christie: TOMORROW ON "KENTUCKY EDITION", FIND OUT HOW MAPLE SYRUP COULD POUR NEW LIFE INTO THE STATE'S ECONOMY.

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

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR "KENTUCKY EDITION" E-MAIL NEWSLETTER AND WATCH FULL EPISODES AND CLIPS AT KET.ORG.

SEND US A STORY IDEA AT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG AND FOLLOW KET ON FACEBOOK, X AND INSTAGRAM TO STAY IN THE LOOP.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING.