[♪♪] >> THERE'S NOBODY THAT'S GOING TO COME IN AND DO IT FOR US.

LIKE WE HAVE TO LEAD OURSELVES TO THE FUTURE WHERE WE WANT TO GO.

>> BUSINESS LEADERS, INNOVATORS, AND COMMUNITY BUILDERS... COMING TOGETHER TO HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF EASTERN KENTUCKY.

>> THIS IS KENTUCKY'S SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITY TO PUT ITS OWN BRANDING ON THAT AND GET SOME ATTENTION FOR WHAT IT'S BEEN DOING AS A CONTRIBUTOR TO THE RELATIONSHIP.

>> Christie: LEXINGTON HOSTS A STORIED CONFERENCE THAT COULD BOOST INTERNATIONAL TIES.

>> IN THE END, I THINK, THAT IT MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE TYPE OF PROJECT, EVEN THOSE HARD TIMES.

>> THE WAIT IS ALMOST OVER AS LEXINGTON GETS SET TO CUT THE RIBBON ON THE CITY'S NEW 10-ACRE PARK.

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

[♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO KENTUCKY EDITION FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 22ND.

I'M CHRISTIE DUTTON...

FILLING IN FOR RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

CANADA IS DROPPING RETALIATORY TARIFFS AGAINST THE U.S. THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR KENTUCKY'S BOURBON ECONOMY.

CANADA'S PRIME MINISTER MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY... SAYING THE COUNTRY WILL ONCE AGAIN HONOR THE U.S. MEXICO-CANADA TRADE PACT.

THE DEAL IS DESIGNED TO RESET TRADE TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES... AS THE TRADE DEAL IS UP FOR REVIEW IN 2026.

THE KENTUCKY DISTILLERS' ASSOCIATION IS APPLAUDING THE NEWS.

PRESIDENT ERIC GREGORY SAID, QUOTE, "WE APPLAUD PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY'S DECISION TO RESTORE RECIPROCAL ZERO-TO-ZERO TARIFFS FOR KENTUCKY BOURBON.

WE HOPE THIS ACTION WILL JUMP START NEGOTIATIONS ON A PERMANENT TRADE DEAL, BENEFITING BOTH AMERICAN BUSINESSES AND CANADIAN CONSUMERS SEEKING TO ENJOY AMERICA'S ONLY NATIVE SPIRIT."

THE FBI IS INVESTIGATING FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER JOHN BOLTON'S HANDLING OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE NEWS OUTLETS.

THE FBI WAS SEEN OUTSIDE BOLTON'S MARYLAND HOME.

THERE ARE ALSO REPORTS THAT HIS WASHINGTON OFFICE WAS ALSO SEARCHED.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAYS BOLTON WAS NOT DETAINED AND HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED WITH ANY CRIMES.

HE SERVED AS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S THIRD NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER BEFORE BEING FIRED IN 2019.

SPEAKING ON FOX NEWS THIS MORNING...

CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER OF KENTUCKY'S FIRST DISTRICT PRAISED THE FBI'S MOVE.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT YAWN JOHN DID.

HE DIE SERVES DUE PROCESS BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT KASH PATEL AND PAM BONDI AND JOHN RATCLIFFE AND ACTUALSY GABBARD ARE SERIOUS ABOUT HOLDING THE DEEP STATE ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THE MISTAKES AND ABUSES OF POWER THAT WE'VE WITNESSED FROM THE DEEP STATE OVER THE PAST DECADE.

>> BOLTON HAS BEEN AN OUTSPOKEN CRITIC OF THE PRESIDENT SINCE HIS FIRING.

THE TWO MEN CLASHED ON HOW TO HANDLE IRAN, AFGHANISTAN, AND NORTH KOREA...

AMONG OTHER THINGS.

>> CONGRESSMAN COMER ALSO JUST CONFIRMED THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS TURNED OVER THOUSANDS OF PAGES RELATING TO THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN CASE TO THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

COMER CHAIRS THAT COMMITTEE...

WHICH EARLIER THIS MONTH SUBPOENAED THE DOJ FOR THE DOCUMENTS.

HE DID NOT DETAIL WHAT DOCUMENTS WERE RELEASED.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS REPORTING THE DOJ HANDED OVER TRANSCRIPTS OF INTERVIEWS ITS NUMBER-TWO OFFICIAL DID WITH EPSTEIN'S IMPRISONED FORMER GIRLFRIEND IN RECENT WEEKS.

[♪♪] TIME TO GO INSIDE KENTUCKY POLITICS WITH OUR FAVES, BOB BABBAGE AND TREY GREYSON.

AND SWINE AND HIGH DOG SWINE AND YOU WERE AT THE BIG KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU HAM BREAKFAST A MUST ATTEND?

>> $10 MILLION FOR A COUNTRY HAM THAT IS MY DAUGHTER'S TEXT SHE IS LIKE SOME HAM.

I WAS PROUD OF MY COLLEAGUE BRENT TODD AND JENIFER WAS BIDDING ON BEHALF OF KELLY AND JOE CRAFT.

THE CRAFTS AND CENTRAL BANK SPLIT THEY EACH PAID $5 MILLION IT IS A BIG POLITICAL EVENT.

>> Renee: 1600 FOLKS AND THE WHO'S WHO.

WHO WAS NOT THERE?

>> THE STANDARD INVITES TO SPEAK ARE THE GOVERNOR, THE MAYOR OF LOUISVILLE, THE SENATORS AND THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.

NEITHER GOVERNOR BESHEAR OR SENATOR PAUL WERE THERE.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL WAS THERE.

CRAIG GREENBERG MADE JOKES ABOUT WHY DOES A GUY WHO DOESN'T EAT PORK THE MAYOR OF LOUISVILLE.

AND HE HAD GREAT ONE LINERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FAIR AND THE THERE WAS A TRIBUTE TO McCONNELL.

THERE WAS A VIDEO TRIBUTE TO McCONNELL.

HE HAS BEEN A FRIEND OF THE FARM BUREAU HIS CAREER.

HE JOKED WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT A GUY GROWING UP IN LOUISVILLE WOULD BE A CHAMPION FOR THE FARM BUREAU.

THE U.S. SENATE CANDIDATES WERE THERE.

>> Renee: BUT THEY DON'T SPEAK.

>> BUT THEY STAND IN FRONT AND SHAKE HANDS.

WE USED TO DO THIS BACK IN THE DAY.

THERE ARE LESS PEOPLE SURROUNDING US.

THE MEDIA AND POLITICAL REPORTERS IT'S LIKE FANCY FARM WITHOUT THE SPEECHES.

AND THEN YOU HAVE FARM BUREAU LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

YOU HAVE THE LOCAL BOARDS THE BIG BOARDS.

FARMERS, THE INSURANCE SIDE OF THE FARM BUREAU.

MISS KENTUCKY IS THERE.

THERE WAS A GREAT TRIBUTE TO HER BACKGROUND EXTRAORDINARY.

AND YOUNG FARMERS OF THE YEAR.

IT IS A 1600 PERSON BIG EVENT.

STARTING AT 7:30 IN THE MORNING ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF THE FAIR.

>> .

>> Renee: CAN'T MISS IT BUT YOU WERE IN LOUISVILLE DURING THE TIME.

MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AT THE BREAKFAST.

>> A LOT OF ISSUES GOING ON THIS WEEK A LOT OF LEGISLATORS WERE AT THE FAIR AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS AFTER.

SO SOME SIGNIFICANT SUBSTANTIVE STUFF ALONG WITH THE FUN AND TRADITION.

THE HAM BREAKFAST AND EVERYBODY'S STATE FAIR IF YOU HAVE A STATE FAIR FOR YEARS I WAS TELLING MY FRIENDS I'M TIED UP WITH THE FAIR EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT THAT MEANS.

IT IS POLITICS AND BUSINESS.

REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME DRIVING WITH JULIE AND SHE SAW ALL THE TRAILERS COMING AROUND AND SAID DO THEY SELL THOSE?

AND I SAID NO THEY LIVE IN THOSE.

THOSE ARE PEOPLE FROM ACROSS KENTUCKY WHO ARE ENGRAINED IN THIS EVENT.

THE TRADITION.

THE RIBBONS AND THE COMPETITION AND ALL OF IT.

IT IS A MARVELOUS PIECE OF AMERICANA AND IT THRILLS MY SOUL IT GOES TO WELL.

>> I GOT TO VOTE FOR THE STICKER AND I HAD FRIED OREOS AND A RIB EYE SANDWICH.

>> >> Renee: WAS IT FRIED?

>> IT WAS GRILLED.

FRIED OREO HAD POWDERED SUGAR ON IT.

>> Renee: GOSH.

>> GOOD.

THEY HAD FRIED OATMEAL COOKIES.

>> Renee: LOOSEN YOUR BELT AND GET A GOOD WADDLE.

>> THE JACKET IS TIGHT TODAY.

>> YOU KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO RUN INTO POLITICAL FOLKS AND FARM LEADERS.

FARM BUREAU IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR STATE EVERYWHERE AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT IN BUSINESS AND BANKING AND WHAT HAVE YOU.

IT IS A TERRIFIC COLLECTION OF PEOPLE.

TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FUN.

EVEN WITH SCHOOL GOING ON THE ENTERTAINMENT, JUST, AGAIN THE TRADITION.

HOW MANY YEARS HAS THIS BEEN HAPPENING?

>> 61ST BREAKFAST.

>> Renee: AND NATE MORRIS AND ANDY BARR AND DANIEL CAMERON KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE THERE AS YOU ELUDED TO AND THEY TALKED TO REPORTERS AND NATE HAD STRONG THINGS TO SAY YET AGAIN.

>> ONE OF THE STORIES THAT WE SAW EARLY FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS RACE WAS NATE MORRIS TRYING TO OCCUPY THIS I'M NOT MITCH McCONNELL I DON'T LIKE MITCH McCONNELL LANE.

AND HE IS STARTING AT FANCY FARM AND LEANED INTO IT.

WE TALKED ON AIR AFTER FANCY FARM ABOUT JUST I'M HERE TO TRASH MITCH McCONNELL'S RECORD.

SO FAST FORWARD TO THE BREAKFAST ON THURSDAY, AS YOU MENTIONED THEY DON'T GET TO SPEAK BUT YOU ARE TALKING TO THE PRESS BEFOREHAND AND NATE STOOD UP TWO TIMES WHEN EVERYBODY STOOD UP TO GIVE McCONNELL AN OVATION AND HE HAD CRITICISM WHEN THE PRESS TALKED TO HIM BEFOREHAND HE IS LEANING INTO IT.

THEY ARE SPENDING MONEY I THINK THEY FEEL CONFIDENT HOW THE RACE IS GOING FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE.

WE'LL SEE IF IT IS A WISE STRATEGY BUT HE CONTINUED IT.

FANCY FARM WAS NOT AN ABERRATION BUT THEY THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A VOTE GETTER.

>> Renee: YOU THINK IT WILL BE A VOTE GETTER?

HOW DO YOU THINK IT WILL PAN OUT?

>> WE TALKED WITH OUR TEAM COVERING FANCY FARM, AND I STILL THINK THE MATH IS TOUGH IF YOU LOOK AT THE PRIMARY FOR REPUBLICANS NEXT MAY, AND PEOPLE WHO VOTE IN PRIMARIES ARE PRETTY MUCH MORE REGULAR VOTERS THEY ARE OLDER VOTERS, BETTER EDUCATED VOTERS MORE EXPERIENCED.

YOU ARE GOING TO CONVINCE THEM TO LIKE TWO OUT OF FIVE FOR NATE TO WIN THAT ALL THOSE VOTES THEY MADE FOR McCONNELL OVER THE YEARS SINCE 1984 AND 1990 WERE WRONG.

OR NEED CORRECTION OR ALTERATION NOW.

THAT IS A TOUGH SELL.

CAN HE DO IT?

COULD IT BE DONE?

IF DONALD TRUMP IS FOR HIM IT MIGHT GET ON AND WE ARE WAITING ON THAT ENDORSEMENT.

I RAN INTO ANDY BESHEAR THE NIGHT BEFORE THE FARM BREAKFAST DOWNTOWN BECAUSE THE CHAMBER WAS HAVING A LEGISLATIVE APPRECIATION EVENT HE WAS THERE AND GOING ACROSS TO THE OTHER PART OF THE HOUSE FOR THE LOCAL REPUBLICAN EVENT.

SO THESE FOLKS ARE GETTING AROUND.

THEY ARE HAVING THE MEETINGS.

BUT STILL GO TO YOUR TYPICAL TRADITIONAL MEDIA OR ALIGNED THEY ARE CONSTANTLY POUNDING THE MESSAGES THAT ARE FUNDAMENTALLY IMPORTANT MAGA, AND NATE MORRIS' CASE HE IS NOT ONE OF THE REST OF THEM.

HE IS NOT EITHER THIS OPPONENT OR THE INCUMBENT.

>> Renee: BUT HAS CONNECTION TO McCONNELL.

>> THE ROUTE IS HE DOES.

IT IS THE WEAKEST OF THE THREE IT'S FOR FOR HIM TO -- FAIR FOR HIM TO SAY THAT DANIEL CAMERON MITCH McCONNELL WAS HIS MENTOR TO BEGIN HIS CAREER.

ANDY BESHEAR HAS BEEN AROUND POLITICS FOR A COUPLE DECADES.

AND MORRIS THE BEGINNING OF HIS POLITICAL CAREER, 25 YEARS AGO HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE 2002 McCONNELL CAMPAIGN THEY ALL HAVE McCONNELL TIES AND NATE HAS THE POSSIBILITY TO DISTANCE HIMSELF BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS AND HAS NOT RUN FOR OFFICE BEFORE.

THAT IS WHAT HE WAS BANKING ON.

BARR GOT RECOGNIZED BECAUSE CAMERON AND MORRIS DO NOT HOLD POSITIONS THEY WERE NOT RECOGNIZED FROM THE PODIUM.

>> Renee: EXTRA POINTS FOR ANDY BARR.

>> AND SHE WAS RECOGNIZED.

>> Renee: AND SHE DOES NOT SPEAK.

>> SHE WAS GETTING AROUND AND SEEING A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND COMMISSIONER SHELL GAVE HER A SHOUT-OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING ON AN EDUCATION THING TOGETHER AND TALKED ABOUT HOW THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER ON AGRICULTURE EDUCATION.

>> WAS ROCKY ADKINS THERE?

>> THERE WERE 1600 PEOPLE.

HE IS TALL.

COACH POPE WAS THERE AND JOHN HUDSON AND ME.

I DID NOT SEE ROCKY THERE.

>> Renee: INTERESTING WE ARE THINKING ABOUT 2027 NOT INTO 2026.

WELL, IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO LET THE LOW-DOWN.

THANK YOU, GUYS HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

>> THANKS.

SEE YOU SOON!

[♪♪] EASTERN KENTUCKY'S LARGEST NETWORKING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EVENT...

THE SOAR SUMMIT...

KICKS OFF NEXT TUESDAY IN CORBIN.

SHAPING OUR APPALACHIAN REGION... OR SOAR...

HOSTS THE ANNUAL SUMMIT... THAT'S FOCUSED ON FINDING WAYS TO BRING ECONOMIC GROWTH, INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITIES TO EASTERN KENTUCKY.

THIS YEAR'S THEME: "A GATHERING OF THE RELENTLESS."

WE SAT DOWN WITH SOAR'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COLBY HALL, TO LEARN WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> WE FEEL LIKE RELENTLESS ANDS OR TOUGHNESS IS EMBEDDED IN THE BLOOD OF EASTERN KENTUCKY IT'S THE MOUNTAINS AND THE SPIRIT.

AND IT'S NO DIFFERENT AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME WITH AS WE LOOK AHEAD AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

AS CHANGES WILL COME TO THE ECONOMY AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES, WE WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BEAR DOWN AND THINK ABOUT WHAT ARE THOSE RIGHT DECISIONS, WHAT ARE THE CONVERSATIONS.

BUT THAT AS A BASELINE, RIGHT, THIS STRONG PEOPLE THAT HAVE FALLEN DOWN AND HAVE GOTTEN UP TIME AND TIME AGAIN AND HARDENED THE IDEA THAT WE HAVE TO FIGURE THIS STUFF OUT OURSELVES.

THERE'S NO SILVER BULLET AND NOBODY WILL DO IT FOR US.

WE HAVE TO LEAD OURSELVES TO THE FUTURE WHERE WE WANT TO GO.

ALL THAT COMES INTO THIS IDEA OF THE THEME AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY.

THAT IS A LOT OF WHAT WENT BEHIND THE THEME.

WE FELT LIKE IT WAS FITTING.

WHEN I SAY WE NEED TO TAKE CONTROL OF OUR FUTURE OR NEED TO MAKE SURE HEY IF THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE WE HAVE TO BE LEADING IT.

I SAY THAT IN A COLLABORATIVE WAY.

WHERE WE'RE DOING THE WORK LIKE NOBODY IS GOING TO SAVE US BUT WE ARE TOGETHER.

WE ARE TAKING IN IDEAS AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS.

WE TRY TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS GOING ON AND LIKE WHAT IS RELEVANT IN THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC MOBILITY, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

WE FEEL LIKE OUR MISSION IS BASED IN THE IDEA THAT EVERY EASTERN KENTUCKY SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE AMERICAN DREAM.

THAT A ZIP CODE SHOULD NOT BE DETERMINE SOMEBODY'S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL AND CENTRAL TO THAT IS A GOOD-PAYING JON.

WHERE SOMEBODY CAN SUPPORT A FAMILY 0 WHERE COMMUNITIES WITH EXPECT A STEADY STREAM OF TAX REVENUE TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN QUALITY OF LIFE.

AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

WE TRY TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS GOING ON.

WHAT IS BEING TALKED ABOUT.

WHAT IS RELEVANT FOR RURAL AREAS?

AND WE TRY TO THINK BE FORWARD LOOKING IN TERMS OF LIKE WHERE THE CONVERSATION WE NEED TO HAVE TODAY TO PREPARE FOR BIG ADJUSTMENTS HAPPENING.

IT'S PROBABLY WHY YOU SEE ON THE AGENDA A.I.

OBVIOUSLY HAVING A HUGE PART OF OUR CONTENT BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT A.I.

A.I.

IS EVERYWHERE AND IT'S GOING SO FAST.

VERY UNDERSTANDABLY PEOPLE ARE SCARED AND ASKING QUESTIONS AS WE SHOULD BE.

AND LIKE WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR RURAL AMERICA?

LIKE LET'S BE REAL.

JOBS ARE GOING TO BE LOST.

THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE INFLECTION POINTS IN THE AMERICAN ECONOMY, THE STUFF THAT COMES WITH FREE MARKET CAPITALISM.

LET'S TRY TO BE EARLY WITH WHAT IS THE DATA SHOWING WHAT CAREERS ARE REALLY BE BEING AUGMENTED AND HOW DO WE ADJUST OUR EDUCATION SYSTEMS TO NOT BE REACTIVE AND THE CONVERSATION WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMAN.

WHAT DO WE WANT AS COMMUNITIES THE ROLE THAT WORK HAS PLAYED AND IF THAT ALTERS.

WE'RE TRYING TO BE AHEAD OF THAT SO WE START TALKING ABOUT THOSE THINGS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT WHEN IT HAPPENS AND BE IN A POSITION OF BEING REACTIVE.

I THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH THE WORLD HAS CHANGED IN 11 YEARS BUT THE CONSISTENT CONVERSATIONS AROUND THAT, I THINK THE INNOVATION TRACK.

LIKE BUSINESS IDEAS THE BUSINESSES THAT STARTED.

THE START-UPS THAT STARTED.

THE FUNDING THAT HAS BEEN RECEIVED.

A LOT OF THAT COMES WHEN YOU TAKE SOMEBODY WITH AN IDEA AND THEY MEET PEOPLE IN THE ECO-SYSTEM WITH RESOURCES OR MENTORS.

THEY GET CONNECTED.

AND THEY ARE ABLE TO BUILD FROM THERE.

THERE IS A TON OF GREAT SUCCESS STORIES WE COULD PULL IN THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP SPACE OF PEOPLE THAT GET THERE.

I THINK STUDENTS, THINK WHEN YOU GO AND LOOK AT HIGH SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN WE TALK TO PEOPLE THAT THEY FIRST CAME TO THE SUMMIT AS A HIGH SCHOOLER OR A COLLEGE STUDENT NOW THEY ARE IN A NEW POSITION WITH A COMPANY AND THEY ARE STILL BACK IN ALL THE SEASONS OF THEIR LIFE.

AND THEY JUST THE SUMMIT AND THIS EVENT AND WHAT IT STANDS FOR, THIS IDEA THAT EASTERN KENTUCKY IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR.

AND THAT WE ARE A SMART, CAPABLE REGION THAT WE WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE NOTICE WE WANT PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE OUR VOICE IS HEARD.

LIKE IT'S COOL TO SEE WHEN THAT HAS HAD AN IMPACT ON SOMEBODY'S LIFE AND THEY MADE A DECISION TO STAY NOT BECAUSE OF THE SUMMIT BUT THE SUMMIT REMINDED THEM WE ARE IN A SPECIAL PLACE.

COMING UP MONDAY, WE HAVE MORE FROM OUR INTERVIEW WITH COLBY HALL... AS HE SHARES HOW THE SUMMIT IS INSPIRING CHANGE IN RURAL AREAS OUTSIDE KENTUCKY.

FOR MORE ON THE SUMMIT...

INCLUDING INFORMATION ON SPEAKERS AND SESSIONS... GO TO SOAR-DASH-K-Y-DOT-ORG.

[♪♪] INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS ARE BEING FORMED IN KENTUCKY AS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN AMERICAN SOCIETIES IS HOLDING ITS CONFERENCE IN LEXINGTON.

FOUNDED IN 1979, THE GROUP HAS GROWN TO INCLUDE 41 MEMBER SOCIETIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND WORKS TO STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN THE U.S. AND JAPAN.

>> WE ARE HAVING THE SECOND OF A THREE-DAY NATIONAL NETWORK CONFERENCE, WHICH IS BRINGING TOGETHER NOW 41 INDEPENDENT, NONPROFIT SOCIETIES WHICH ARE ALL UNITED BY ONE THING, WHICH IS A PASSION OR ENJOYING EXPERIENCING MELDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES.

WE COME TOGETHER ONCE A YEAR AND TODAY'S THE DAY WE FOCUS ON INTERNAL BEST PRACTICES IN MANAGEMENT AND HOW TO STRENGTHEN THIS NETWORK.

>> I THINK OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES, OUR SOCIETY HAS GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BUSINESSES WE HAVE HERE IN KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE A WIDE ARRAY OF JAPANESE BUSINESSES AND ALSO JUST THE NATURE OF THE INTERNET.

WE ARE NOT JUST KENTUCKIANS WE ARE KENTUCKIANS IN A WORLD SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WE CAN LEARN AND GROW FROM.

AND I THINK THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO TEACH PEOPLE IN OUR STATE, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WILL GROW UP AND BECOME THESE AMBASSADORS, THESE PROPONENTS OF KENTUCKY CULTURE AND WORKING WITH OTHERS TO BRING BACK OTHER CULTURE AND TEACH IN SCHOOLS, IN THEIR WORKPLACE, EVEN AMONGST THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

>> THIS IS KENTUCKY'S SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITY TO PUT ITS OWN BRANDING ON THAT.

AND GET SOME ATTENTION FOR WHAT IT'S BEEN DOING AS A CONTRIBUTOR TO THE U.S. JAPAN RELATIONSHIP.

THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING TO BE DOING THESE DAYS WHEN THERE'S A LOT OF STRAIN ON THE U.S. JAPAN RELATIONSHIP AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

>> KENTUCKY IS A PART OF A COUNTRY WHERE THERE ARE MANY IMPORTANT TOUCH POINTS BEGINNING WITH TOYOTA AND THE SCORES OF JAPANESE INVESTORS AND U.S. FIRMS WHICH INVEST IN TRADE WITH JAPAN.

CULTURAL TIES THAT ARE VERY VIGOROUS.

TO RECOGNIZE THE RELATIONSHIP AND CELEBRATE IMPORTANT TIES THAT THIS AREA HAS WITH JAPAN ARE THE BIG TAKEAWAYS FOR US.

>> PROMOTE THIS IDENTITY THAT WE ARE KENTUCKIANS BUT WE ARE KENTUCKIANS WHO WANT TO BUILD THESE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS.

AND GROW AS BOTH SOCIETY AS A CULTURE, AS AN ECONOMY AND MORE WAYS THAN WE CAN PROBABLY FATHOM AT THE MOMENT.

AND IN A TIME WHEN THINGS ARE CONTENTIOUS, I THINK IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO FOCUS ON BUILDING THESE RELATIONSHIPS AND FOSTERING THIS FRIENDSHIP, THIS COOPERATION, THIS COMMUNICATION AND DOING ALL WE CAN TO KEEP THAT GOING AND TO KEEP GROWING OVER TIME.

>> TODAY STATE SENATOR MATT NUN AND VANESSNA ANNOUNCE A NEW CAUCUS AMONG THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY THE KENTUCKY JAPAN CAUCUS WILL WORK TO ENHANCE TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE COMMONWEALTH AND JAPAN.

[♪♪] IT'S A GRAND OPENING TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING.

TOMORROW, THE CITY OF LEXINGTON OFFICIALLY OPENS GATTON PARK ON THE TOWN BRANCH.

THE 10-ACRE PARK FEATURES AN AMPHITHEATER, SPLASH PAD, PLAYGROUND, WALKING TRAILS, PUBLIC ART, AND MORE.

THE PARK'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TALKS ABOUT THE GRAND OPENING AND THE 10-YEAR JOURNEY TO GET TO IT.

>> WE OPEN OUR DOORS AT 11:30 AND THEN THE OFFICIAL RIBBON CUTTING WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE SPIN GREAT LAWN ON THE STAGE AT 12:00 P.M.

IT WILL BE A BRIEF CEREMONY WHERE WE CUT THE RIBBON A FEW SPEAKERS, AND THEN WE OPEN THE PARK.

AND THERE WILL BE ONGOING PERFORMANCES ON THE STAGE STARTING AT 1:15 ALL THE WAY TO 9:30 THAT NIGHT.

ALL LOCAL, REGIONAL AND KENTUCKY ACTS.

WE WILL REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE SHOWCASED OUR LOCAL TALENT ON THE FIRST DAY.

AND THEN AT THE OTHER END OF THE PARK, THERE WILL BE POP-UP DANCERS EVERY HALF HOUR.

AND SO THAT WILL BE FUN.

AND THEN THERE IS A LOT OF FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY PLANNED BY OUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS.

A PROJECT LIKE THIS IS A ROLLERCOASTER.

I MEAN THERE'S UPS AND DOWNS.

THERE'S WINS.

THERE'S THINGS THAT FEEL LIKE LOSSES.

AND THEN THERE'S BREAKTHROUGHS.

AND SO THINKING ABOUT ALL OF THOSE TIMES, I REALLY BELIEVE THAT AT ANY TIME WE KIND OF HAD TO PAUSE AND RETHINK THINGS OR MAKESHIFTS, EVERY TIME, I TRULY BELIEVE THAT WE FINE-TUNED THE PLANS AND IT ENDED UP BETTER.

BUT IT WASN'T ALWAYS EASY.

AND IT WASN'T ALWAYS COMFORTABLE.

BUT IN THE END, I THINK, THAT IT MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE TYPE OF PROJECT.

EVEN THOSE HARD TIMES.

I'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR 10 YEARS.

ALMOST HALFWAY IN THAT TIME PERIOD WAS COVID AND THE PANDEMIC.

WE CERTAINLY DIDN'T KNOW HOW THAT WAS GOING TO IMPACT A PROJECT LIKE THIS.

AND FOR A WHILE, I THINK, IT SLOWED THINGS DOWN SLIGHTLY.

WE ENDED UP MAKING UP GROUND AND STAYED ON TRACK.

BUT I THINK LIKE SO MANY THINGS, INITIALLY, THAT WAS A DIFFICULT TIME.

BUT IN THE END, I THINK, PEOPLE LEARNED TO APPRECIATE AND VALUE PUBLIC SPACES FROM THAT EXPERIENCE.

>> FOR MORE ON TOMORROW'S GRAND OPENING GO TO GATTON PARK.ORG.

THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE EVENTS TAKING PLACE THIS WEEKEND.

TOBY GIBBS HAS A LOOK AT WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH.

[♪♪] >> TAKE A TRIP TO TINSELTOWN WHILE PICNICKING ON THE LAWN OF KENTUCKY WESLEY AN COLLEGE AS THE SYMPHONY PERFORMS HOLLYWOOD'S BIGGEST SOUNDTRACKS ON THE CONCERT ON THE LAWN.

THIS INCLUDES GAMES FOR THE KIDS AND IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE PACKING YOUR OWN PICNIC DINNER OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE.

>>> GET READY TO CHURN UP FUN IN NELSON COUNTY WITH THE RETURN OF THE BUTTERMILK DAYS FESTIVAL WHAT BEGAN AS A SMALL FAMILY REUNION AND COOKOUT HAS TURNED INTO A COMMUNITY TRADITION.

ENJOY A WEEKEND OF FOOD, LIVE MUSIC, CLASSIC GAMES AND THE FESTIVAL'S HOMEMADE WINE CONTEST OF TEST AT THIS CREAM OF THE CROP CELEBRATION.

>>> GET READY FOR HIGH FLYING FUN IN DANVILLE SUNDAY AS THE DANVILLE BOIL COUNTY AIRPORT HOSTS BALLOONS OVER THE BLUEGRASS.

HOT AIR BALLOONS WILL TAKE FLIGHT TETHERED BALLOON RIDES THEREBY AVAILABLE.

THE EVENT FEATURES LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS, VENDORS, LIVE MUSIC AND FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES.

>>> NEXT THURSDAY, THE NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM SHIFTS INTO CELEBRATION MODE FOR ITS 31ST ANNIVERSARY.

WHETHER YOU ARE A LIFELONG ENTHUSIAST OR REFFING UP YOUR LOVE FOR THE EVENT HEAD TO BOWLING GREEN FOR THREE DAYS OF ACTIVITIES ALL IN HONOR OF AMERICA'S SPORTS CAR.

>>> THEY ARE TURNING UP THE VOLUME IN DOWNTOWN MANCHESTER WITH A RETURN OF THE MANCHESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL.

IT'S THE SECOND YEAR FOR THE EVENT THAT DELIVERS THREE DAYS OF LIVE MUSIC, ALONG WITH PLENTY OF FOOD AND DRINKS.

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

>> THANK YOU TOBY.

>> KENTUCKY IS FACING A HOUSING CRISIS.

THIS WEEK THE CONFERENCE MET TO DISCUSS WAYS TO INCREASE THE STATE'S HOUSING SUPPLY.

>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SESSIONS ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING.

WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING WE'VE DONE BEFORE.

BUT WE REALLY WANTED TO SHINE A LIGHT ON PLACES IN KENTUCKY AND INDIANA AND CINCINNATI THAT ARE TRYING TO TIE THE TWO TOGETHER.

>> LAWMAKERS ON KENTUCKY'S HOUSING TASK FORCE ALSO DISCUSSED POLICIES THEY ARE CONSIDERING FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

MORE ON THAT MONDAY HERE ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

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

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

YOU CAN ALSO FIND "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THE PBS VIDEO APP ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE AND SMART TV.

SEND US A STORY IDEA AT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG.

LET'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE TONIGHT HAVE A WONDERFUL TONIGHT HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

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