[♪♪] >> I'M A PART OF THEM COMING OUT AND BEING A CITIZEN AND BEING WHOLE ISN'T THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE AGAIN.

>> Renee: KENTUCKY GOVERNORS HAVE GIVEN FORMER FELONS THEIR VOTING RIGHTS BACK.

WILL STATE LAWMAKERS MAKE THAT PERMANENT?

>> THERE NEEDS TO BE A STRATEGIC PLAN THAT HAS GOALS THAT ARE METRICS.

SO YOU CAN SAY THIS IS MEASURABLE WE CAN IMPROVE IN THIS WAY.

>> Renee: WHAT DOES AN AUDIT SAY ABOUT KENTUCKY'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

>> THE BIGGEST THING I LEARNED IS I'M NOT USELESS THAT I DO HAVE A PURPOSE.

>> Renee: AND REENTERING THE WORKFORCE CAN BE A CHALLENGE FOR OLDER ADULTS BUT THESE PROGRAMS ARE GIVING SENIORS THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO THRIVE.

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

[♪♪] >> RENEE: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 26TH.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

SOME KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS WANT TO EXPAND WHO CAN VOTE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

SPECIFICALLY, THOSE FORMERLY INCARCERATED.

WHILE GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR RESTORED FELON VOTING RIGHTS, A BI-PARTISAN PAIR OF LAWMAKERS WANT THE POLICY TO OUTLIVE HIS ADMINISTRATION.

OUR JUNE LEFFLER HAS MORE.

THE FIGHT FOR VOTING RIGHTS ISN'T NEW IN KENTUCKY.

THESE LAWMAKERS REMEMBER PROPOSING LEGISLATION IN 2020.

WE PASSED, MAYBE ALLOWED THE SENATE.

IT WENT TO THE HOUSE.

>> I BELIEVE IT WOULD HAVE PASSED, BUT WE CUT THE SESSION SHORT BECAUSE OF COVID.

>> LAWMAKERS HAVE CONTINUED TO FILE BILLS TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION, WHICH SAYS ONLY THE GOVERNOR CAN RESTORE VOTING RIGHTS.

THE LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE TO SUPPORT A BALLOT MEASURE THAT KENTUCKY VOTERS APPROVE TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION.

>> ONCE SOMEONE HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME, THEY DO THEIR TIME AND THEY COME OUT, A PART OF THEM COMING OUT AND BEING A CITIZEN AND BEING WHOLE IS THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE AGAIN.

>> I HAD A LOT OF MY FRIENDS CONVICTED OF FELONY DURING THE YEARS, MAINLY DEALING WITH MARIJUANA, SO THAT'S WHY I GOT INVOLVED IN IT.

>> IN 40 OTHER STATES, VOTING RIGHTS ARE NEVER REVOKED OR ARE AUTOMATICALLY RESTORED AFTER INCARCERATION OR PAROLE.

>> WHAT I WANT YOU ALL TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT IF SOMEBODY IS CONVICTED OF SOMETHING LIKE A MURDER, I THINK THAT A LOT OF TIME THAT'S WHERE PEOPLE GO TO.

THEY DO 15 TO 20 PLUS YEARS.

THEY GET OUT AND THEY STILL HAVE TO BE ON PROBATION.

AND SO THIS WOULD SAY THAT THEY STILL HAVE TO GET OFF OF PROBATION IN ORDER FOR THEM TO VOTE.

SO YOU'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER FIVE TO MAYBE 15 YEARS BEFORE THAT INDIVIDUAL WOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE.

>> DURING A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING, OTHERS SUPPORTED THE IDEA.

>> IF WE BELIEVE THAT WE'RE REHABILITATING PEOPLE, THEN THIS IS JUST ANOTHER STEP IN THE REHABILITATION.

>> IT IS ONLY FAIR AND RIGHT THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR SENTENCE AND PAID ALL RESTITUTION SHOULD HAVE THEIR VOTING RIGHTS RESTORED.

>> THE STATE SENATORS DID NOT PRESENT ANY DRAFT LEGISLATION.

LAWMAKERS ALSO DISCUSSED HOW SCHOOLS CAN, AS THEY FREQUENTLY DO, BE POLLING SITES FOR THE 2026 ELECTION.

HOWEVER, STATE TESTING MANDATED BY THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION COULD COINCIDE WITH EARLY VOTING.

>> MY SUGGESTION, WHICH I DON'T THINK HAS BEEN FULLY THOUGHT THROUGH, IS THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT, IF HIS SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO BE USED FOR EARLY VOTING, CAN HE ON THOSE PARTICULAR SCHOOLS USE NTI DAYS AND NOT HAVE TO SHUT THE WHOLE SYSTEM DOWN?

>> OR WE COULD PASS LEGISLATION JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT KDE DOES NOT SET TESTING DATES AT THE SAME TIME THE ELECTION DATES ARE GOING ON.

AND THAT WOULD BE A PRETTY SIMPLE FIX TO THE SITUATION WITHOUT HAVING TO DIVE INTO THE INDIANA ISSUE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> EARLY VOTING IS ALWAYS THE THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

FOR KENTUCKY EDITION, I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Renee: GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR, 2019 ORDER RESTORING VOTING RIGHTS IS NOT UNIVERSAL.

THOSE WHO SERVED TIME FOR VIOLENT CRIMES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.

>> THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT IS SET TO HEAR ARGUMENTS REGARDING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY ON STATE LAW FOCUSED ON CHARTER SCHOOLS.

HOUSE BILL 9 WAS CREATED A FUNDING MECHANISM FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS BY REQUIRING FUNDS BE DIVERTED FROM LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO FUND TWO CHARTER SCHOOL PILOT PROJECTS ONE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND ANOTHER IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

THE JUDGE RULED HOUSE BILL 9 VIOLATED KENTUCKY'S CONSTITUTION BECAUSE IT ALLOWS PUBLIC MONEY TO FUND NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE MAINTAINS CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE A NEW FORM OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED BY THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT IS SET TO TAKE UP THE CASE ON SEPTEMBER 11 IN.

>> IN WASHINGTON, D.C., THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, LED BY A KENTUCKIAN, WANTS DOCUMENTS FROM JEFFREY EPSTEIN'S ESTATE.

EPSTEIN WAS A FINANCIER FOUND DEAD IN HIS JAIL CELL IN 2019.

HE WAS A CONVICTED PEDOPHILE, AND A PUSH CONTINUES TO MAKE HIS FILES PUBLIC TO SEE IF OTHER PEOPLE IN HIS SOCIAL CIRCLE WERE AWARE OF HIS ACTIVITIES.

THE SUBPOENA DEMANDS DOCUMENTS, HIS CONTACT BOOKS, AND HIS FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS AND HOLDINGS.

THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IS LED BY CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER, A REPUBLICAN FROM KENTUCKY'S FIRST DISTRICT.

>> CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE, A REPUBLICAN FROM THE FOURTH DISTRICT, IS ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE MOVEMENT TO MAKE THE EPSTEIN FILES PUBLIC.

VOTING IS UNDERWAY AT KENTUCKY'S BLUEOVAL SK ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY PLANT, WHERE WORKERS ARE DECIDING WHETHER TO UNIONIZE.

THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS STARTED ITS PUSH TO UNIONIZE THE HARDIN COUNTY PLANT LAST YEAR.

THE UAW SAYS SOME WORKERS HAVE RAISED SAFETY CONCERNS.

A SPOKESWOMAN FOR BLUEOVAL SK DENIED THOSE CLAIMS, TELLING THE LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL THAT SUCH REPORTS HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED AND ADDRESSED.

PRODUCTION AT THE BATTERY PARK IN GLENDALE BEGAN LAST WEEK, FOUR YEARS AFTER THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SOUTH KOREA'S SK ON AGREED TO INVEST NEARLY SIX BILLION DOLLARS INTO THE PROJECT, MAKING IT THE LARGEST ECONOMIC INVESTMENT IN THE STATE'S HISTORY.

CURRENTLY, THERE ARE LESS THAN 1,500 EMPLOYEES AT THE BATTERY COMPLEX.

THAT NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO GROW TO 5,000 WHEN A SECOND BATTERY PLANT BECOMES OPERATIONAL.

THE KENTUCKY LANTERN REPORTS THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD IS OVERSEEING TODAY'S VOTE, AND A FINAL VOTE COUNT IS EXPECTED BY TOMORROW NIGHT.

HORSE DEATHS ARE UP AT LOUISVILLE'S CHURCHILL DOWNS.

THE HORSERACING INTEGRITY AND SAFETY AUTHORITY, KNOWN AS HISA, SAYS SIX HORSES DIED AT CHURCHILL IN 2024.

HISA SAYS SEVEN HORSES HAVE DIED IN 2025 THROUGH JUNE.

IT'S NOT JUST CHURCHILL DOWNS.

ACCORDING TO HISA, EQUINE DEATHS AT TRACKS ACROSS AMERICA WENT UP MORE THAN 50 PERCENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2025.

WAVE-TV IN LOUISVILLE QUOTES LISA LAZARUS, HISA'S CEO, AS SAYING CHURCHILL IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH HISA RIGHT NOW.

LAZARUS SAYS CHURCHILL HAS TAKEN A CONFRONTATIONAL POSITION WITH HISA OVER MONEY, AND IT'S HURT THEIR RELATIONSHIP.

CHURCHILL DOWNS DID NOT RESPOND TO WAVE'S REQUEST FOR A COMMENT.

BAD NEWS TONIGHT FOR KENTUCKY'S BOURBON INDUSTRY.

KENTUCKY COOPERAGE SAYS IT WILL LAY OFF 112 EMPLOYEES FROM ITS FACILITY IN LEBANON ON OCTOBER 19TH.

THE COURIER JOURNAL QUOTES A LETTER FROM THE COMPANY.

KENTUCKY COOPERAGE IS A SUBSIDIARY OF THE INDEPENDENT STAVE COMPANY, WHICH MAKES STAVES, MULCH, AND BARRELS.

A STAVE IS A STRIP OF WOOD THAT CAN BE USED TO MAKE BARRELS.

THIS IS THE SECOND MASS LAYOFF AT A KENTUCKY COOPERAGE THIS YEAR.

IN JANUARY, BROWN-FORMAN, THE LARGEST MAKER OF AMERICAN WHISKEY HEADQUARTERED IN LOUISVILLE, CLOSED ITS BARREL-MAKING OPERATION, WHICH EMPLOYED MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE.

A SCOTT COUNTY DAM IS ABOUT TO A REPORT BID STATE AUDITOR OF THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH MONEY HANDLING BUT THE NEED FOR WIDESPREAD IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS THE AGENCY THAT OVERSEES PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE.

ALLISON BALL SAYS THE EXAMINATION PROVIDES A CLEAR PATH FORWARD FOR STUDENTS SUCCESS, TEACHER SUPPORT AND PARENT ACCESSIBILITY AND CAN HELP GUIDE DIRECTION FOR THE NEW STATE EDUCATION CHIEF.

ALLISON BALL CAME TO OUR STUDIOS YESTERDAY TO EXPLAIN THE FINDINGS AND THE POLICY IDEAS THAT COULD COME FROM IT.

AUDITOR BALL THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT A REPORT THAT HAS AGE ON IT BUT YOU TESTIFIED THAT THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION ABOUT THIS 500-PAGE REPORT AN AUDIT OF THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THAT YOU SAID FOUND WIDESPREAD IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED.

GIVE THE NUT GRAPH WITH 500 PAGES IT'S HARD TO CONDENSE.

>> IT IS A MASSIVE AUDIT AND WORTH READING THE WHOLE THING.

THERE IS A LOT OF BIG TICKET ITEMS.

ONE AREA WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT, THERE NEEDS TO BE A STRATEGIC PLAN THAT HAS GOALS THAT ARE ACTUAL METRICS.

LIKE YOU CAN SAY THIS IS MEASURABLE WE HAVE MET THIS GOAL AND WE CAN IMPROVE IN THIS WAY.

THAT HAS TO BE -- >> Renee: AND THAT HASN'T BEEN DONE.

>> WHAT WE HAVE AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE ASPIRATIONAL WE WANT TO IMPROVE, AND SO AUDIT FOUND THOSE ARE GREAT.

WE WANT TO BEGIN THESE ARE VISION STATEMENTS.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IMPROVEMENT YOU HAVE TO HAVE MEASURABLES IT HAS TO BE LIKE WE HAVE TO DO THIS BY THIS PERIOD OF TIME.

I KNOW THAT SOUNDS MAYBE OVERLY SIMPLISTIC BUT IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

WE LOOKED AT THE PROFICIENCY LEVELS AND THEY ARE NOT GREAT.

IN THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL WHEN IT COMES TO READING 47%.

IN THE 40s FOR READING AND MATHEMATICS AND 30s IN THE SCIENCE AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL IT'S THE 30s FOR READING MATH AND 6% FOR SCIENCE.

THE PROFICIENCY LEVELS ARE NOWHERE NEAR WHERE THEY SHOULD BE.

AND BY IMPROVING IT IS HAVING A PLAN WITH MEASURABLES THAT YOU CAN IMPROVE.

>> Renee: YOUR GOAL WAS NOT TO TELL THE KDE WHAT THEY NEED TO DO BUT HERE ARE THE DEFICIENCIES TO MEASURE WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH STUDENTS?

>> WE HAVE A GOAL OF DOING THAT.

THESE ARE PLANS AND SPECIFIC THINGS.

WE SPENT TIME TALKING ABOUT PRESCHOOLS IN KENTUCKY.

THAT IS A STATE-WIDE DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO.

DO WE NEED MANDATORY PRESCHOOL AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

HOW ARE WE DOING IN KENTUCKY AND THE KDE WORKS WITH AN ASSESSMENT CALL THE STARS ASSESSMENT TO SEE HOW THEY ARE RATING.

AND IT IS A 5 POINT ASSESSMENT AND THE AVERAGE WAS 2.7.

THAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE NOT HIGH QUALITY MEANS MOST OF THE PRESCHOOLS RECEIVING STATE DOLLARS ARE NOT HIGH QUALITY AND THE ONES THAT WERE DOING BETTER UNDER 50% THAT WERE LISTED AS A THREE, FOUR OR FIVE STAR THE QUALITY ONES.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOP 10 PRESCHOOLS IN KENTUCKY, EVEN THEY DID NOT SHOW A CORRELATION WITH KINDERGARTEN READINESS.

SO THAT IS A PROBLEM.

WE'RE NOT LISTING -- ASSESSING THEM AS A HIGH LEVEL AND ONCE YOU DIG INTO IT THEY ARE NOT GETTING KIDS KINDERGARTEN READY.

THAT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

WE ARE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION WHAT DO WE DO.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING QUALITY EDUCATION FOR THE LITTLE ONES.

>> Renee: AND SOMETIMES PARENTS DON'T KNOW THE STAR SYSTEM THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT A TWO STAR VERSUS A FIVE STAR.

AND WHEN YOU TESTIFIED IN THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION LAST WEEK, IT WAS MENTIONED BY SOME DEMOCRATS THAT PERHAPS YOUR FINDINGS SUBSTANTIATE THE CASE THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN MAKING, ANDY BESHEAR AND FELLOW DEMOCRATS FOR UNIVERSAL PRE-K. DO YOU BUY THAT?

>> MY ANSWER WAS FIRST YOU HAVE TO FIX THE PRESCHOOL ISSUE WE NEED HIGH QUALITY PRESCHOOLS BEFORE MAKING EVERYBODY GO TO THEM.

OUR NUMBER ONE STEP IS MAKING SURE THEY ARE GETTING KIDS KINDERGARTEN READY.

AND THERE IS A DAYCARE ELEMENT THAT IS AN ARGUMENT BUT I HEAR MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING KIDS KINDERGARTEN READY ON TOP 10 STATE FUNDED PREWILL SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE A HIGH CORRELATION WITH KINDERGARTEN READINESS.

GETTING THE HORSE BEFORE THE CART IF YOU MOVE ON TOO SOON THAT HAS TO BE FIXED FIRST.

>> Renee: DO YOU ANTICIPATE YOUR REPORT WILL YIELD SOME TYPE OF LEGISLATION IN THE SESSION?

>> I DO.

IT'S OVER 500 PAGES WE HAVE CLEAR LEGISLATIVE ASKS TO BE IMPROVED.

I'VE HEARD FROM LEGISLATORS THEY ARE EXCITED AND WANT TO TAKE ON THAT.

SOME IS BUDGETARY.

>> Renee: IT IS A BUDGET YEAR.

>> SO I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO DO THAT TESTIMONY THEY ARE BEGINNING TO PLAN THE BUDGET AND THEY NEED TO HEAR WHAT DO WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT.

WE DID MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS WITH LITERACY COACHES AND MATH EDUCATION AND NUMERACY.

THERE ARE AREAS WHERE WEIGH CAN DO MORE.

SOMETHING THAT I CARE ABOUT RIGHT NOW IS SCHOOL COUPLERS.

WE ARE IN AN EPIDEMIC OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE FOR KIDS AS YOUNG AS ELEMENTARY AGE.

IT'S TRUE EVERYWHERE.

AND WE ARE NOT MEETING THE NEEDS THAT WE SHOULD BE THROUGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS.

THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT I TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK.

WE HAVE A GOAL OF ONE COUNSELOR PER EVERY 250 STUDENTS AND WE ARE ONE EVERY 300.

THAT IS FAR OFF.

WE NEED ACTUALLY OVER 600 MORE COUNSELORS JUST TO MEET OUR GOAL.

AND EVEN THE ONES DOING IT WE HAVE A GOAL OF SPEND 60% OF YOUR TIME COUNSELING AND THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

THAT'S YOUR BARE MINIMUM OUR GOAL WE ARE NOT MEETING OUR GOAL AND IT'S HARD TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE TO GO INTO THIS AREA BUT WE NEED TO DO WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET HIGH QUALITY COUNSELORS IN FOR THE KIDS IT IMPACTS THE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT IS SERIOUS.

AND IT ALSO IMPACTS SCHOOL VIOLENCE.

AND SEXUAL ABUSE.

ANY OF THESE THINGS YOU ARE DEALING WITH YOU CAN DO IT IF YOU HAVE GOOD COUNSELORS IN PLACE.

>> Renee: SOME PEOPLE HEAR THE WORD AUDIT THEY THINK OF DOLLARS AND CENTS NOT THE QUALITATIVE MEASUREMENTS THAT YOU ARE MENTIONING.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE FISCAL PURSE STRINGS DID YOU FIND DEFICIENCIES OR MISUSE?

>> WE DO THE FINANCIAL WORK.

AND KDE DOES GET A FINANCIAL REVIEW FROM US AS THE AUDITORS BUT WE DID DIG INTO SPECIFIC THINGSTH THIS AUDIT AND WE DID FIND HAD TO DO WITH SEEK FUNDING A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD OF TIME AND WE FOUND $250 MILLION OF SEEK FUNDING ALLOWED TO LAPSE.

IN OUR REVIEW OF THE BUDGET BILL, IT SAID THAT YOU COULD USE CERTAIN FUNDING LIKE IF YOU HAD OTHER NEEDS YOU COULD USE IT FOR SEEK PERMISSIBLE FUNDING USES.

AND SO WE LOOKED AT THAT AND LAST SESSION AND SAID WE'RE $40 MILLION SHORT.

THIS IS A WAY THEY COULD HAVE REMEDIED THAT SITUATION.

>> Renee: DID THEY UNDERSTAND THAT TO BE THE CASE?

>> THEY HAD A RESPONSE BACK TO US AND I DON'T THINK THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT TO BE THE CASE.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS IT'S GOOD WE DIG THROUGH AND LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE OF THE BUDGET BILL AND THE STATUTE THIS WILL GUIDE EVERYBODY MOVING FORWARD.

A LOT OF TIMES AN AUDIT IS FUTURE LOOKING AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE INSTANCES THIS IS A WAY TO HANDLE THIS IN THE FUTURE YOU CAN DO THAT.

>> Renee: AND THIS WASN'T TARGETED AT ROBBY FLETCHER TO SAY YOU ARE NOT DOING THIS RIGHT?

>> NO, I'VE BEEN CAREFUL TO SAY HE IS NEW ABOUT A YEAR AND THIS IS A WONDERFUL TIME FOR THE AUDIT TO COME OUT IT GIVES HIM A BLUEPRINT TO WORK ON.

IT TAKES TIME TO GET YOUR FOOTING AND MAKING PLANS AND HE IS AT THE POINT WHERE HE CAN ADDRESS THINGS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

>> Renee: SOME WOULD QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED TO A PARTICULAR PARTY WHICH YOU ARE A MEMBER?

>> SURE.

I HAVE LEARNED THAT ANYTIME YOU AUDIT PEOPLE GET NERVOUS AND THEY DON'T LIKE HAVING OVERLOOK THEIR DOCUMENTS AND BOOKS.

IT'S VERY PEOPLE SAY IT'S POLITICAL.

I GO BACK TO I WANT GOOD SOLID EDUCATION IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY WE'VE DONE THIS THE RIGHT WAY.

I HAVE A STAFF AUDITORS WORKING IN MY OFFICE FOR DECADES.

WE HAVE EXCELLENT PEOPLE WORKING ON IT AND WE CONTRACTED OUT, TOO WE CONTRACTED EDUCATION EXPERTS TO COME IN AND LOOK WHAT WE'RE DOING AND HELP US.

WE HAVE BEEN CAREFUL THIS IS NOT ALLISON BALL'S OPINION.

THIS HAS BEEN A TEAM EFFORT.

WE'VE HIRED CONSULTANTS AND GO ON-SITE TO WILL SCHOOLS AND REVIEWED DOCUMENTS DONE ALL THE WORK FOR NINE MONTHS MAKING SURE WE ARE THOROUGH AND IT'S NOT JUST ME THAT WE'RE VERY DATA-DRIVEN AND GUIDED BY EXPERTISE ON THIS.

>> Renee: LAST QUESTION, COMMISSIONER FLETCHER DID POINT OUT A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH THE FIRM HIRED THAT THEY ALREADY HAD CONTRACTS WITH THE KDE AND UP FOR MORE THAT THEY DID NOT GET?

>> IF THERE WAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST THAT WOULD BE ON THEIR SIDE.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN RETAINED BY THE KDE BEFORE.

WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY CONCERNS, BECAUSE IT WOULD GO THAT WAY.

IF THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE ANYBODY THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT OR FAVOR IT WOULD BE PAYING THEM PREVIOUSLY.

SO WE DID THINK ABOUT THAT.

IS IT OKAY FOR US TO USE THEM IF THEY'VE BEEN RETAINED BY KDE BEFORE OR CONFLICTED OUT?

BUT THEY ARE NATIONAL EXPERTS THEY HAVE DONE GOOD WORK AND THEY HAD A DIFFERENT TEAM OF PEOPLE ON WHAT WE WORKED ON.

THE CONFLICT WOULD BE THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

AND WE CHECKED THAT OUT.

WE VERIFIED WE HAD A DIFFERENT TEAM OF PEOPLE AND FELT GOOD ABOUT IT.

>> Renee: AUDITOR ALLISON BALL GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Renee: OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LAWMAKERS TO CONSIDER DURING NEXT YEAR'S LAW MAKING SESSION ARE A TRACKING SYSTEM FOR TITLE IX VIOLATIONS IN ATHLETICS SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING BOYS PLAYING IN GIRLS SPORTS AND A DATABASE FOR COACHES CHARGED WITH OR BEING INVESTIGATED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR INVOLVING A MINOR.

[♪♪] A SCOTT COUNTY DAM IS ABOUT TO DISAPPEAR.

YOUR TOBY GIBBS LOOKS AT HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.

>> A POLICE CHIEF AND SERGEANT THREATENED TO RESIGN IF ADAIRVILLE RESTRICTS POLICE PATROLS TO THE CITY LIMITS.

THE PROPOSAL IS FROM COUNCILMAN SHAWN MCCORMICK WHO SAYS TIME AND MONEY SHOULD REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE CITY.

THE CHIEF SAYS IF THE POLICY IS APPROVED HE WOULD RESIGN IMMEDIATELY WITH SERGEANT BRIAN BROWN.

>>> HOPKINSVILLE IS CHANGING ITS RECYCLING PROGRAM.

THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED AUGUST 19TH TO ELIMINATE CITY BACKED RECYCLING ACCORDING TO CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW.

ONE 10TH OF CUSTOMERS ARE TAKING PART AND THE CITY IS LOSING ABOUT $200,000 A YEAR ON THE PROGRAM.

THE COUNCIL WILL LOOK AT THIRD PARTY OPTIONS THAT COULD MEAN A SEPARATE RECYCLING SERVICE.

SCOTT COUNTY'S GREAT CROSSING DAM WILL BE A MEMORY.

THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE STARTED REMOVING THE DAM AS PEOPLE GATHERED TO WATCH, TAKE PICTURES AND SHARE MEMORIES.

THE GEORGETOWN NEWS-GRAPHIC SAYS THE WORK WILL LAST ABOUT TWO WEEKS.

AN INSPECTION SEVERAL YEARS AGO REVEALED THE DAM WAS FAILING, AND IT WOULD TAKE MORE THAN THREE MILLION DOLLARS TO FIX - MONEY THE STATE DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND.

WHEN THE DAM IS GONE, WATER FLOW WILL BE BETTER, AND DROWNING RISKS WILL BE DIMINISHED.

THE 75-AND-UP AGE GROUP IS THE FASTEST-GROWING WORKFORCE POPULATION IN THE COUNTRY, ACCORDING TO AARP.

BUT SOME SENIORS STRUGGLE TO RE-ENTER THE WORKFORCE OR LEARN NEW JOB SKILLS.

ONE ORGANIZATION IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY IS FINDING A WAY TO HELP SENIORS GET BACK TO WORK.

THE COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION HAS TWO PROGRAMS THAT HAVE SERVED MORE THAN 150 PARTICIPANTS.

OUR EMILY SISK SAT DOWN WITH THE PROGRAM LEADERS AS PART OF KET'S THE NEXT CHAPTER INITIATIVE, FOCUSED ON THE REWARDS AND CHALLENGES OF GROWING OLDER.

>> JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE AN OLDER WORKER, DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU DON'T HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> THAT'S THE MISSION BEHIND THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION.

THE ORGANIZATION HOSTS TWO PROGRAMS THAT HELP SENIORS BECOME EMPLOYED.

THE FIRST IS THE SENIOR EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM WHERE PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY FINDING A JOB RECEIVE TRAINING FOR AN ENTRY LEVEL POSITION.

>> WE COVER ACTUALLY 24 COUNTIES ACROSS NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND THE LEXINGTON AREA.

FOR THAT PROGRAM.

>> WHETHER THAT'S JANITORIAL POSITIONS, SECRETARY POSITIONS, LEGAL POSITIONS, EDUCATION, JUST SOMETHING WHERE THEY'RE GETTING UP AND GETTING MOVING.

>> THE LEADERS SAID THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY FOLKS SEEK OUT THE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, BUT IT'S MOST OFTEN RELATED TO AGE.

>> MAYBE THEY HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE WORKFORCE RAISING CHILDREN OR TAKING CARE OF SOMEONE.

>> A LOT OF IT IS THEIR AGE.

>> THAT WAS THE CASE FOR SUSAN WHO HAD A LARGE GAP IN HER EMPLOYMENT RESUME.

>> I DIDN'T WORK IN 15 YEARS.

BEFORE THAT, I WAS A PET GROOMER.

AND BEFORE THAT I WORKED IN DOCTOR'S OFFICES.

I HADN'T WORKED IN 15 YEARS.

THE PROGRAM CHANGED MY LIFE.

>> SHE TALKED ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE IN SEEKING A NEW JOB AND WHY SHE DIEDED TO TAKE PART IN THE SENIOR EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.

>> YOU LACK THE CONFIDENCE THAT YOU NEED TO GO OUT AND LOOK FOR A JOB AFTER THAT LONG.

I'M SURE A LOT OF OLDER PEOPLE FEEL THAT WAY, TOO.

YOU FEEL USELESS.

>> SHE BEGAN TRAINING WITH A FOOD PANTRY IN COVINGTON NOW SHE IS A REGULAR EMPLOYEE.

THE SENIOR EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH MANY LOCAL NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO HELP TRAINED PARTICIPANTS.

>> ON THE JOB TRAINING AND HELPING THEM TO GAIN EMPLOYMENT IS HELPING TO KEEP THEM AGING IN PLACE, TO KEEP THEM ACTIVE.

>> THE OTHER PROGRAM AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION IS THE SENIOR WORKFORCE PROGRAM.

THESE PARTICIPANTS TAKE CLASSES AT NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY FOR FINANCE OR GATEWAY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOR LEGAL STUDIES.

>> THEY ARE ABLE TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL OR GO GO TO SCHOOL MAYBE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY OF THE FALL SEMESTER MICHAEL DAVIS MAKES HIS WAY TO NKU WHERE HE IS TAKING PERSONAL FINANCE THE CLASS IS SMALL WITH ONLY SENIOR PARTICIPANTS.

DAVIS EXPLAINED WHY HE WANTED TO GET INVOLVED.

>> I'M 81 YEARS OLD.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GOING TO SIT HOME.

I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING ELSE BESIDES WATCH TELEVISION.

>> DAVIS HAD A LONG CAREER AS AN OHIO ATTORNEY.

HE SAID NOW HE IS LEARNING FINANCIAL SKILLS HE NEVER KNEW.

HE HOPES TO PURSUE A PART-TIME JOB AT FIDELITY INVESTMENTS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE GETTING THE SKILLS AND TRY AND GET A NETWORKING OR RELATIONSHIP WITH FIDELITY.

>> THE TWO SENIOR PARTICIPANTS SAID BESIDES FINDING EMPLOYMENT THEY'VE LEARNED LESSONS ABOUT THEIR WORTH AND DESIRE TO KEEP LEARNING.

>> THE BIGGEST THING I LEARN SECOND I'M NOT USELESS.

THAT I DO HAVE A PURPOSE.

>> YOU DON'T STOP THINKING UNLESS YOU ARE IN THE CEMETERY AND YOU DON'T WANT TO GET THERE TOO SOON.

>> FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M EMILY SISK.

>> Renee: THAT IS WISE WORDS Mr. DAVIS.

THE PROGRAM IS ON FURLOUGH FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUT LEADERS ARE HOPEFUL THEY WILL RECEIVE FUNDS TO BRING IT BACK SOON.

IT SERVES ADULTS 55 AND UP WHO MEET THE FEDERAL LOW INCOME LEVEL TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHY OLDER WORKERS ARE CHOOSING TO STAY IN THE WORKFORCE LONGER AND TO HEAR EXPERT ADVICE ON RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HELP SENIORS FIND OR RETAIN A JOB, BE SURE TO WATCH REWIRE NOT RETIRE: A NEXT CHAPTER FORUM.

IT'S STREAMING NOW ONLINE AT KET.ORG.

[♪♪] FROM D.C. TO THE COMMONWEALTH, YOU CAN EXPERIENCE SOME INTERESTING ITEMS FROM THE WORLD'S LARGEST MUSEUM COMPLEX RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

"IT'S A WAY TO BRING THE SMITHSONIAN TO THE PEOPLE.

AND PADUCAH IS ONE OF THE BIGGER CITIES IN KENTUCKY.

AND SO WE'RE EXCITED TO OPEN IT HERE FOR THE PEOPLE OF PADUCAH OUT IN WESTERN KENTUCKY."

COMING UP TOMORROW, WE'LL TAKE YOU TO THE DEBUT SITE FOR THE TRAVELING AMERICANS EXHIBIT, PART OF THE SMITHSONIAN'S MUSEUM ON MAIN STREET.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING I'M RENEE SHAW.

TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE AND I'LL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT.

[♪♪]