[♪♪] >> JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE FDA DOES NOT EXPECT ANY DRUG TO BE 100% SAFE, BECAUSE NONE ARE.

>> A STATE LAWMAKER IS PROPOSING A NEW TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE...

BUT IT'S NOT A DONE DEAL YET.

WHY THE DRUG IS BOTH CONTROVERSIAL AND HIGHLY TOUTED.

>> I SAY, WITH AS MUCH MODESTY AS I CAN MUSTER, THAT IF I HAD DECIDED TO RUN FOR THE SIXTH DISTRICT, I THINK I WOULD WIN.

>> BUT DAMON THAYER ISN'T RUNNING FOR CONGRESS NEXT YEAR.

SO... WHY NOT?

>> IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE HISTORY AND RE-THINK WHAT THEY KNOW ABOUT HISTORY.

AS THE SMITHSONIAN COMES TO THE COMMONWEALTH.

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

[♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO KENTUCKY EDITION FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27TH.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THERE'S A KENTUCKY CONNECTION TO THE DEADLY CATHOLIC SCHOOL SHOOTINGS TODAY IN MINNEAPOLIS.

POLICE SAY A SHOOTER OPENED FIRE DURING MASS AT THE SCHOOL, KILLING TWO CHILDREN AND INJURING 17 OTHER PEOPLE... BEFORE KILLING HIMSELF.

MINNEAPOLIS POLICE CHIEF BRIAN O'HARA SAYS THE SHOOTER APPROACHED THE SIDE OF THE CHURCH WEDNESDAY MORNING AND SHOT THROUGH THE WINDOWS TOWARD THE CHILDREN SITTING IN THE PEWS DURING MASS AT THE ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL.

POLICE SAY THE SHOOTER WAS ROBIN WESTMAN....

THE NEPHEW OF FORMER KENTUCKY STATE LAWMAKER BOB HELERINGER.

HELERINGER HAS COMMENTED.

HE SAYS HE DID NOT KNOW THE ACCUSED SHOOTER WELL AND WAS CONFOUNDED BY THE VIOLENCE: "IT'S AN UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY.

WE'RE PRAYING FOR MY SISTER AND HER OTHER CHILDREN AND ALSO, OBVIOUSLY, FOR THESE POOR, POOR CHILDREN," HELERINGER SAID BY PHONE.

HE SAID HE HAD LAST SEEN WESTMAN AT A FAMILY WEDDING THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> KENTUCKY IS MAKING PROGRESS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE.

THE NUMBER OF DEADLY OVERDOSES HAS FALLEN THREE YEARS IN A ROW.

STILL... MORE THAN 1,400 KENTUCKIANS DIED OF AN OVERDOSE LAST YEAR.

NOW, A STATE LAWMAKER WANTS TO PURSUE A NEW IDEA FOR TREATING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

OUR EMILY SISK EXPLAINS IN TONIGHT'S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

>> IT'S NO SECRET THAT OPIOID ABUSE IMPACTS MANY KENTUCKIANS, KENTUCKY HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST NUMBERS OF REHANDTATION CLINICS IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT SENATOR DOUGLAS SAYS THEY ARE NOT PROVIDING EFFECTIVE TREATMENT WITH MORE THAN 85% OF INDIVIDUALS REVERTING BACK TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE WITHIN A YEAR.

>> WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE SAME CLINICAL MODEL OVER AND OVER FOR DECADES.

IT AIN'T WORKING, FOLKS.

IT'S NOT WORKING.

>> IN COMES IBOGAINE A SUBSTANCE NATIVE TO WEST AFRICA.

>> IT IS A BOTANICAL COMPOUND A NATURALLING OCCURRING COMPOUND THAT IS FOUND IN THE ROOT BARK.

>> HOW DOES IT WORK?

THE DOCTOR WITH AMERICANS FOR IBOGAINE SAID THE TREATMENT IS GIVEN IN PILL FORM.

THERE'S ONE DOSAGE AND A FEW SMALL BOOSTER GIVING IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS.

>> THIS IS NOT AN ONGOING TREATMENT THERE IS NO PRESCRIPTION TO TAKE.

>> IBOGAINE IS AN ILLEGAL DRUG IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND IT HAS NOT RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM THE F.D.A.

FORMER SUBSTANCE ABUSE USER JESSICA SPOKE TO THE COMMITTEE ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE TRYING IBOGAINE.

THE KENTUCKY NATIVE TRAVELED TO MEXICO FOR THE TREATMENT AFTER SHE VISITED MULTIPLE REHABILITATION CLINICS.

>> I GOT UP THE NEXT DAY WITH NO WITHDRAWAL NO CRAVINGS FOR DRUGS OR CIGARETTES.

>> THE TREATMENT CAN BE USED FOR CONDITIONS LIKE POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

LOFTON SAYS IT IMPROVES CELL DAMAGE IN THE BRAIN.

>> EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT APPROVED THE F.D.A.

IS LIKELY TO BE VERY INTERESTED IN THIS DRUG BECAUSE 20% OF THE POPULATION IS AFFLICTED WITH A CONDITIONS THAT IT TREATS.

>> SOME LAWMAKERS HAD CONCERNS, HOWEVER, ABOUT MOVING FORWARD WITH THE TREATMENT.

NAMELY SOME IBOGAINE USERS REPORTED HEART PROBLEMS AND HALLUCINATIONS.

>> IT MAY OCCUR NATURALLY BUT IT SEEMS TO CAUSE CARDIO TOXICITY, PSYCHOSIS.

>> THE PRESENTERS DEFENDED THE TREATMENT SAYING THE NUMBER OF REPORTED SIDE EFFECTS ARE LOW COMPARED TO THE RISKS OF CONTINUING DRUG ADDICTION.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE F.D.A.

DOES NOT EXPECT ANY DRUG TO BE 100% SAFE BECAUSE NONE ARE.

>> SENATOR DOUGLAS PLANS TO PROPOSE A BILL IN THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO BEGIN RESEARCH ON IBOGAINE.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M EMILY SISK.

>> THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY CONTROLLED STUDIES ON IBOGAINE'S EFFECTS THUS FAR.

SENATOR DOUGLAS HOPES HIS LEGISLATION CAN GET THE BALL ROLLING ON THOSE STUDIES.

IBOGAINE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN KENTUCKY BEFORE.

IN 2023...

THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE STATE'S OPIOID ABATEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE PROPOSED SPENDING $42 MILLION TO RESEARCH THE POWERFUL PSYCHEDELIC.

BUT THE IDEA WAS NEVER ADOPTED.

>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PUTTING KENTUCKY ON NOTICE.

KENTUCKY IS ONE OF MORE THAN 40 STATES BEING TOLD TO REMOVE GENDER IDEOLOGY CONTENT FROM THEIR SEXUAL EDUCATION MATERIALS.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THROUGH ITS ADMINISTRATION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IS GIVING EACH STATE 60 DAYS TO COMPLY OR RISK LOSING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY EDUCATION PROGRAM, OR PREP.

IN KENTUCKY... THAT WOULD MEAN A LOSS OF NEARLY $1.5 MILLION.

THE STATE'S CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES OVERSEES THE PROGRAM....

WHICH EMPHASIZES ABSTINENCE AND CONTRACEPTION FOR PREVENTING PREGNANCY AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS.

ACF SAYS IT IDENTIFIED CONTENT IN KENTUCKY'S CURRICULUM THAT FALLS OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF PREP...

INCLUDING LANGUAGE DEFINING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GENDER AND BIOLOGICAL SEX.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE CABINET FOR A COMMENT BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK.

>> KENTUCKY'S JUNIOR SENATOR RAND PAUL SPOKE TO LOUISVILLE BUSINESS LEADERS YESTERDAY AT A LUNCH HOSTED BY GREATER LOUISVILLE INC.

HE SAYS THE UNCERTAINTY AROUND TARIFFS IS THE BIGGEST CONCERN HE'S HEARING FROM KENTUCKY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

MACKENZIE SPINK SHARES MORE.

GAVE BUSINESS LEADERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK SENATOR RAND PAUL QUESTIONS ABOUT ISSUES LIKE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE INITIATIVES, BUT THE PRIMARY TOPIC OF DISCUSSION WAS TARIFFS.

SENATOR PAUL SAYS HE'S NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY PRESIDENT TRUMP ENACTED THESE TARIFFS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

"HE HAS DECLARED A TRADE EMERGENCY.

WELL, HOW IS AN EMERGENCY OVER SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR DECADES?

TRADE?

IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR DECADES.

WE NOW HAVE AN EMERGENCY.

BUT WHAT DOES THAT EMERGENCY DO?

IT ALLOWS THEM TO BYPASS CONGRESS.

SO TARIFFS, $300 BILLION SO FAR HAVE BEEN PASSED WITHOUT ANYBODY'S APPROVAL, WITHOUT APPROVAL OF YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.

SO I THINK THAT'S WRONG.

AND MANY REPUBLICANS LIKE WE LOVE THE PRESIDENT.

JUST BE QUIET.

I HEAR A LOT.

I LOOK AT MY TWITTER FEED AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE ALL SAYING.

IT'S OVERWHELMINGLY, YOU KNOW, SAYING JUST OBEY THE PRESIDENT, DO WHAT THE PRESIDENT WANTS."

>> SENATOR PAUL SAYS HE'S HEARING THE CONCERNS FROM KENTUCKY'S LEADING BUSINESSES.

>> YOU KNOW, THINK OF THE AIRPORT.

YOUR BIGGEST CUSTOMER HERE UPS, A THIRD OF WHAT THEY DO IS INTERNATIONAL TRADE.

YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK AT THE OTHER BUSINESSES, YOU LOOK AT THE BOURBON INDUSTRY, A LOT OF THEIR TRADE IS OVERSEAS AS WELL.

OR TO OUR NORTHERN BORDER, WHERE THEY'RE NO LONGER EVEN PUTTING BOURBON ON THE SHELVES.

SO THERE ARE RAMIFICATIONS.

>> ONE INDUSTRY THAT HE SAYS HAS BEEN AFFECTED NEGATIVELY IS KENTUCKY'S FARMERS.

>> PEOPLE TEND TO FORGET THAT THE FARM BUREAU, THEIR MANUAL THAT THEY GIVE US IS ABSOLUTELY FOR FREE TRADE.

THEY EXPORT 20 TO 25% OF THEIR CROP AND IT'S HURT THEM.

>> SENATOR PAUL SAYS EMERGENCY POWER ISN'T JUST BAD IN THE HANDS OF THE PRESIDENT, CONDEMNING GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S EXERCISE OF EMERGENCY POWERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> HE CLOSED THE SCHOOLS.

HE CLOSED THE GYMS.

HE CLOSED THE CHURCHES.

HE DID ALL OF THIS THROUGH EMERGENCY POWER.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE DONALD TRUMP USING EMERGENCY POWER, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME VIEWPOINT WITH GOVERNOR BESHEAR.

EMERGENCY POWER SHOULDN'T BE DONE.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT WE DID IN THIS STATE?

IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT REFORM IN MY LIFETIME IN THIS STATE.

AND WHAT THEY SAID IS SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE.

EMERGENCIES END AFTER 30 DAYS.

AN EMERGENCY HAS TO BE AFFIRMED, BUT IT AUTOMATICALLY ENDS.

I HAVE THE EXACT SAME BILL IN CONGRESS.

BUT HERE'S THE PROBLEM.

WHEN THERE WAS A PRESIDENT BIDEN, I HAD A LOT OF REPUBLICANS ON MY BILL.

NOW THAT THERE'S A PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT FALL IN A WAY MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT IT WON'T SUPPORT IT.

>> BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE IN RECESS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1ST AND SENATOR PAUL HAS BEEN CONNECTING WITH OTHER CONSTITUENTS AS WELL THIS PAST MONTH.

HE SAYS CONCERN OVER THE NATIONAL DEBT IS WHAT HE'S HEARING THE MOST.

>> FROM PEOPLE AT LARGE.

I THINK STILL WORRIED ABOUT HOW MUCH, YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN DEBT.

I THINK KENTUCKY STILL IS A CONSERVATIVE STATE AND THINKS THAT WE SHOULD, YOU KNOW, BALANCE OUR BUDGET.

EVERY FAMILY HAS TO DO IT, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TOO.

>> SENATOR PAUL ALSO PRESENTED A CHECK FOR $8.3 MILLION THAT HIS OFFICE HAS NOT SPENT FROM ITS BUDGET SINCE HE WAS IN OFFICE AND INSTEAD RETURNED TO THE TREASURY.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M MACKENZIE SPINK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE IMPACTS ON KENTUCKY'S BOURBON INDUSTRY.

DAY MON THAYER WHO RETIRED FROM THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY AFTER TWO DECADES A DOZEN OF THEM AS MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER HAS SHIFTED HIS FOCUS TO FAVORITE KENTUCKY PASTIMES.

BOURBON AND HORSERACING.

TWO INDUSTRIES HE CHAMPIONED DURING HIS CAREER.

IN THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF A THREE-PART INTERVIEW WE WILL BRING YOU ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" THAYER DISCUSSED HOW HIS SMALL BOURBON BRAND KENTUCKY'S SENATOR BOURBON IS NOT FEELING THE EFFECTS OF THE TARIFFS LIKE THE LARGER MAKERS AND WE ALSO TALK ABOUT ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR AND IF HE CONSIDERED MAKING A RUN FOR WASHINGTON.

>> IT HASN'T AFFECTED KENTUCKY SENATOR BOURBON.

WE'RE A SMALL START-UP AND WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET INTO NEW STATES.

RIGHT?

AND WE'RE STILL IN THE GROWTH PHASE HERE IN KENTUCKY.

BUT FOR THE BIG BOURBON GUYS, LIKE I CALL IT BEAM SUNTORY, IT'S NOW SUNTORY GLOBAL SPIRITS, WHICH OWNS MAKER'S MARK AND JIM BEAM, BUFFALO TRACE, BROWN-FORMAN, WHICH OWNS WOODFORD RESERVE, FOUR ROSES, BULLET.

YOU KNOW, THE BIG BRANDS THAT THEIR GROWTH IS TIED TO OVERSEAS MARKETS, IT'S BEEN A HIT FOR THEM AND, YOU KNOW, CEOS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR GROWTH YEAR OVER YEAR AND WHEN SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST MARKETS SEE A DOWNTURN, THAT'S A PROBLEM.

LET'S JUST HOPE IT'S SHORT TERM.

AND, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT A BIG TARIFFS GUY.

I'M PROUD TO BE A REAGAN CONSERVATIVE.

THAT'S A DISTINCTION WITH A DIFFERENCE FROM A MAGA CONSERVATIVE.

REAGAN CONSERVATIVES LIKE ME DON'T REALLY BELIEVE IN TARIFFS, BUT WE JUST HAVE TO HOPE THAT WHAT THE PRESIDENT AND HIS TEAM ARE DOING TURNS OUT TO BE THE RIGHT THING FOR AMERICAN COMPANIES AND THE JOBS THEY PRODUCE AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE EMPLOYED BY THEM.

>> WELL, ANOTHER DECISION THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON IS ANOTHER PASSION OF YOURS, AND THAT'S HORSES.

SO WE THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE MIGRANT LABOR, AND THAT'S JUST IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ITSELF, NOT JUST THE HORSE INDUSTRY, BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE MIGRANT LABOR THAT'S BEING USED TO HELP PROP UP KENTUCKY'S AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY, IN PARTICULAR THE HORSE RACING INDUSTRY, I MEAN, THAT'S GOT TO BE UNSETTLING OR I WOULD THINK IT MIGHT BE UNSETTLING TO THOSE IN THE INDUSTRY.

>> WELL, UNCERTAINTY IN COMMERCIAL MARKETS ALWAYS LEADS TO JITTERS AND ANXIETY, AND THAT'S CERTAINLY THE CASE.

I DO WANT TO SAY THAT THERE WAS A PROVISION IN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TAX BILL THAT WILL BE OF GREAT HELP TO THE HORSE INDUSTRY, AND THAT IS THAT YOU CAN DEDUCT 100% THE PURCHASES OF YOUNG RACEHORSES.

IT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL.

THE INDUSTRY FOUGHT FOR IT IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR AND THE NATIONAL THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION.

IT'S A BIG WIN, BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS DEPENDENT ON MIGRANT LABOR.

AND SPECIFICALLY TO YOUR QUESTION, THE HORSE RACING AND BREEDING INDUSTRY, IT COULDN'T OCCUR AT ITS CURRENT LEVEL IF WE DIDN'T HAVE LEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO WORK THESE JOBS.

BECAUSE TO BE HONEST, YOU KNOW, AMERICANS DON'T LIKE TO DO THESE JOBS IN THE SAME PROPORTION THAT THEY DID 30, 40, 50 YEARS AGO.

SO NOT TO SAY THAT THERE AREN'T AMERICANS WHO LOVE AND WORK IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY, BUT THERE IS A HUGE NUMBER OF, AND I'M A BIG SUPPORTER OF LEGAL IMMIGRATION.

I DON'T SUPPORT SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN MY PARTY WHO WANT TO KICK EVERYBODY OUT.

BUT I DO THINK THE PRESIDENT'S APPROACH TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS HE WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT.

AND I DO THINK HE'S DOING A GOOD JOB ON IT.

I DIDN'T LIKE THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT LETTING IN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CHINESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE BEFUDDLED ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW.

AND HOPEFULLY IT'LL PLAY ITSELF OUT POSITIVELY.

I MEAN, WE ALL HAVE TO HAVE HOPE THAT THESE EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT DON'T GO THROUGH CONGRESS WON'T WORK OUT FOR US.

BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE H-2B VISA PROGRAM THAT THE HORSE INDUSTRY IS HEAVILY RELIANT ON MIGRANT LABOR.

AND LET'S HOPE THAT THE CRACKDOWN ON LEGAL IMMIGRATION DOESN'T AFFECT THE HORSE INDUSTRY AND THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY THAT PRODUCES OUR FOOD IN A BIG WAY.

>> WHY DIDN'T YOU RUN FOR U.S. SENATE OR YOU STILL HAVE TIME, I GUESS.

>> THANKS FOR ASKING.

I WAS ASKED AS RECENTLY AS TWO WEEKS AGO IF I'D RECONSIDER MY DECISION NOT TO RUN FOR CONGRESS.

I THINK ANDY BARR IS A GREAT CANDIDATE FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

AND SO THAT WAS AN EASY ONE, ALTHOUGH I DID LIKE THE SOUND OF A SIX-YEAR TERM, BUT IT'S VERY COMPELLING.

I SAY, WITH AS MUCH MODESTY AS I CAN MUSTER, THAT IF I HAD DECIDED TO RUN FOR THE SIXTH DISTRICT, I THINK I WOULD WIN.

AND I THINK I WOULD BE A VERY EFFECTIVE CONGRESSMAN IN THE MOLD OF ANDY BARR.

BUT I JUST DON'T HAVE THE FIRE IN MY BELLY FOR IT RIGHT NOW.

AND YOU KNOW, AFTER 22 YEARS IN THE STATE SENATE, 12 AS LEADER, YOU KNOW, I TOOK A LOT OF SLINGS AND ARROWS AND WAS PROUD TO DO IT ON BEHALF OF MY CAUCUS AND MY PARTY AND MY DISTRICT AND THE PRINCIPLES THAT WE BELIEVE IN.

BUT I JUST COULDN'T SEE MYSELF GOING FROM BEING THE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER IN THE KENTUCKY STATE SENATE TO A FRESHMAN MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, 50-50 CHANCE THAT REPUBLICANS ARE BACK IN THE MINORITY.

I HOPE THAT'S NOT THE CASE, BUT THAT WOULD BE, I JUST, YEAH, I JUST DIDN'T FIND IT COMPELLING.

AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE SOMEDAY I'LL LOOK BACK ON IT WITH REGRET BECAUSE WHO KNOWS IF MY FRIEND RALPH ALVARADO BECOMES CONGRESSMAN, HE MIGHT DO IT FOR 20 YEARS.

AND, YOU KNOW, AN OPEN SEAT FOR CONGRESS OR THE U.S. SENATE DOESN'T COME AROUND VERY OFTEN.

BUT I'M VERY CONTENT WITH MY DECISION.

TOMORROW NIGHT THAYER DISHES ON THIS PICKS FOR KENTUCKY'S SIXTH DISTRICT AND U.S. SENATE RACES HAPPENING NEXT YEAR AND WHEN OR IF HE MIGHT TRY TO TURN TO FRANKFORT AND IN WHAT CAPACITY.

THAT IS TOMORROW NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

SO STAY TUNED.

>> A LONGTIME MEMBER OF THE KENTUCKY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS DIED.

BILL DONNERMEYER, A DEMOCRAT, SERVED IN THE STATE HOUSE FROM THE 68TH DISTRICT FROM 1970 TO 1994.

HE DIED MONDAY IN FORT THOMAS AT THE AGE OF 100.

HE WAS A VETERAN OF BOTH WORLD WAR II AND THE KOREAN WAR.

[♪♪] I'M LAURA ROGERS WITH NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO'S RYLAND BARTON AND RYLAND LET'S GET INTO IT.

WE BEGIN WITH REDISTRICTING.

WE'RE SEEING THAT INFORMATION IN AND TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA WHAT ARE WE HEARING FROM GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HERE IN KENTUCKY ABOUT WHAT HE THINKS ABOUT THIS?

>> THERE WAS PRESIDENT TRUMP URGED TEXAS TO REDISTRICT THAT STATE TO MAKE IT MORE FRIENDLY FOR REPUBLICANS AND CALIFORNIA DID THE SAME THING FOR DEMOCRATS THOUGH IT WILL TAKE LONGER THERE.

AT THE URGING OF THE GOVERNOR THERE.

WHAT HAPPENED IS THIS WEEK GOVERNOR BESHEAR ON HIS PODCAST PRAISED GAVIN NEWSOM'S MOVE AND THESE ARE THE NEW RULES EVERYBODY HAS TO PLAY BY THEM.

THAT TRIGGERED A LOT OF CONVERSATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

REPUBLICAN COMMENTATOR SCOTT JENNINGS TOOK TO X AND SAID THESE COMMENTS SHOW THAT THERE IS A GREEN LIGHT FOR REPUBLICANS IN KENTUCKY TO DO THE SAME THING THAT REPUBLICANS ARE DOING AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WHICH WOULD POSSIBLY MEAN DOING AWAY WITH KENTUCKY'S LONE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN THE LOUISVILLE AREA.

A FEW OTHER REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE SAID THEY ARE INTERESTED.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A MONTH OR SO.

AND PREVIOUSLY REPUBLICANS SAID THIS IS A NONSTARTER.

NOW, AT LEAST THEY ARE MAKING IT SEEM LIKE BESHEAR'S OPENED THE DOOR FOIS THIS TO BE SOMETHING THAT COULD HAPPEN IN KENTUCKY.

IT'S UNLIKELY IT WOULD HAPPEN AHEAD OF NEXT YEAR'S CONGRESSIONAL RACES.

THE FILING DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES TO FILE FOR OFFICE IN KENTUCKY IS JANUARY 9TH.

SO IT WOULD BE QUICK TURN AROUND FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS A REDISTRICTING BILL AHEAD OF THAT DEADLINE.

THIS COMES AFTER THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IN RECENT YEARS REFUSED TO GET IN THE WAY OF STATES HOW THEY DRAW POLITICAL MAPS OR HOW THEY DRAW THEM FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES ALLOWING THE MAPS TO BENEFIT ONE PARTY OR ANOTHER.

THERE ARE STILL RESTRICTIONS ON IT ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO RACE.

THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT IS IN PLACE BUT THERE ARE CASES BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT THAT COULD UNDERMINE HOW THAT WORKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THAT IS WHERE BATTLES ARE MADE WITH THE MAPS THAT ARE BEING REDRAWN.

>> AND THAT BRINGS US TO THE NEXT STORY IS A BIPARTISANNEST WE ARE SEEING IN FRANKFORT THAT CONCERNS RESTORING VOTING RIGHTS.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT?

>> YEAH, NOT EVERYTHING IS SO POLITICALLY POLARIZED THIS IS ONE EFFORT THAT IS MARGINAL OR HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO ADVANCE TOO FAR IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

THIS EFFORT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE FELONIES ON THEIR RECORDS TO GET THEIR VOTING RIGHTS RESTORED ONCE THEY FINISH SENTENCES, TIME OR PAROLE AND A BUFFER PERIOD AFTER THAT.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR ISSUED THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER AFTER HE FIRST WON HIS FIRST ELECTION IN 2019 THAT AUTOMATICALLY ALLOWED PEOPLE OF LOW LEVEL FELONY CONVICTIONS TO VOTE AFTER THEY COMPLETE THEIR SENTENCES SO IT GIVES THEM A RIGHT.

OTHERWISE IT TAKES A GOVERNOR'S PARDON TO DO THAT.

DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR HERRON, AND REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR HIGDON, THEY PRESENTED THIS WEEK JOINTLY THAT THEY ARE GOING TO RENEW THEIR EFFORT TO GET THIS PASSED THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE SO IT DOESN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE GOVERNOR.

IT WOULDN'T CHANGE THE FUTURE GOVERNOR'S ACTIONS.

THIS MOVE WOULD REQUIRE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH MEANS THERE IS A HIGHER THRESHOLD TO MAKE IT OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE AND VOTERS WOULD WEIGH-IN IT ON ELECTION DAY.

IF IT'S PASSED IT COULD BE ON THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR.

THIS HASN'T MADE IT TOO FAR.

THE FARTHEST WAS IN 2020 WHEN SENATOR HIGDON'S BILL PASSED THE STATE SENATE.

BUT THEY DIDN'T GET TAKEN UP IN THE HOUSE.

KENTUCKY IS ONE OF THREE STATES THAT DOES IT THIS WAY THAT DISENFRANCHISED PEOPLE FROM VOTING ONCE THEY HAVE A FELONY CONVICTION.

THEY ARE TRYING TO GET IN LINE WITH HOW THE REST OF THE COUNTRY WORKS.

>> AND THEN AN INTERESTING STORY ON THE NATIONAL SCALE.

DEMOCRAT FROM KENTUCKY WHO IT'S BELIEVED HE WAS CONSIDERING A RUN FOR THE U.S. SENATE, SAYS HE IS ONE OF THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS WHO HAD HIS NATIONAL SECURITY CLEARANCE REVOKED BY THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, ACTUALSY GABBARD.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> JOEL IS A FORMER C.I.A.

OFFICER AND GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR.

ACTUALSY GABBARD DID THIS FOR POLITICAL REASONS WITH 36 OTHER PEOPLE WHOSE CLEARANCE WAS REVOKED.

HE WAS MENTIONED TO RUN AS A DEMOCRAT FOR SENATE AND THAT IS WHY HE WAS INCLUDED IN THE LIST.

IN THIS INTERVIEW HE SAID IT WAS THE HONOR OF HIS LIFETIME TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY.

AND THAT BY REVOKING THIS SECURITY CLEARANCE SHE IS DOING IT BECAUSE GABBARD SERVES ONE MAN, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

THERE'S ONE OTHER DEMOCRAT WHO FILED TO RUN FOR THE SEAT AND THAT IS PAMELA STEVENSON.

AND THIS IS THE SEAT VACATED BY REPUBLICAN SENATE FORMER LEADER MITCH McCONNELL.

THERE IS A LOST REPUBLICANS WHO ARE JOSTLING FOR A PLACE HERE.

HE WAS CONSIDERING TO BE ANOTHER DEMOCRAT TO RUN IT WOULD HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN THIS ELECTION.

>> AND A LOT OF EYES ON THAT RACE HEADING INTO NEXT MAY.

SEVERAL MONTHS AWAY.

RYLAND BARTON WITH NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, TOO.

[♪♪] >> OVER THE NEXT YEAR, SEVEN CITIES ACROSS KENTUCKY WILL PLAY HOST TO A NEW TRAVELING SMITHSONIAN EXHIBIT.

IT'S BASED ON AN AWARD-WINNING EXHIBITION AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN.

AMERICANS DIVES DEEPER INTO NATIONAL IMAGERY, SYMBOLS, AND STORIES, AND HOW THEY INFLUENCE US TODAY.

LAURA ROGERS TAKES US TO THE DEBUT SITE IN PADUCAH FOR THIS WEEK'S TAPESTRY.

>> IT IS AR A NEW EXHIBIT A WAY TO BRING THE SMITHSONIAN TO THE PEOPLE.

>> KENTUCKY HUMANITIES PARTNERED WITH SMITHSONIAN SINCE 2004.

>> THEY ARE A STRONG PARTNER THEY ALWAYS FIND VENUES THAT KNOW HOW TO HOST THE EXHIBITION WELL.

>> THOSE VENUES INCLUDE THE RIVER DISCOVERY CENTER IN PADUCAH WHERE WE JOINED THEM ON INSTALLATION DAY.

>> WE NOT ONLY FOCUS ON THE RIVER BUT ALL THINGS PADUCAH AND THE HISTORY OF WHERE WE'VE BEEN.

THE RIVERS HAVE LED A LOT OF AMERICANS ALONG THE JOURNEY THROUGH OUR HISTORY.

>> EXHIBITION IS CALLED AMERICANS.

AND EXPLORES MUCH OF THAT JOURNEY FROM THE TRAIL OF TEARS.

>> SOMETHING WE DISCUSS IN OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE WALL TO WALL MURALS OUTSIDE OUR FRONT DOOR.

>> TO THE 1876 BATTLE OF LITTLE BIGHORN A NATIVE VICTORY.

>> AND HOW AFTER THAT EVENT THE UNITED STATES REALLY SAW AMERICAN INDIANS IN A DIFFERENT WAY AND WERE DEPICTED IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> TIFFANY CHANG IS A NATIVE WHO WORKS AS A PROJECT DIRECTOR WITH MUSEUM ON MAIN STREET.

>> GETTING PEOPLE TO TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT STORIES THAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT IT, THIS IS ASKING YOU TO TAKE A SECOND LOOK AND FIND THINGS THAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW BEFORE.

>> THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE CENTER HAS HOSTED A EXHIBITION.

>> IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PADUCAH.

>> LINDSEY SAYS THE CENTER HAS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS THAT WILL COMPLIMENT WHAT THEY LEARNED FROM AMERICANS SOMETHING THAT WILL HAPPEN IN EVERY COMMUNITY.

>> THIS IS JUST THE STARTING POINT.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE TOWN, THEY THEN DO THEIR OWN LOCAL STORYTELLING AND PROGRAMS.

>> CHANG SAYS IT IS A CONTINUATION OF WORK FOR THE HOST SITES ON THE TOUR A MIX OF MUSEUMS AND LIBRARIES.

>> THEY ARE ALREADY DOING THE STORYTELLING.

THEY ARE ALREADY PRESERVING THE STORIES AND THIS HISTORY THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT BONUS TO OUR EXHIBITING.

>> IT'S EXPECTED TO DRAW FOOT TRAFFIC FROM COMMUNITIES ACROSS WESTERN KENTUCKY SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AND EASTERN MISSOURI.

>> WE WANT TO GIVE EVERYONE ACCESS TO THIS.

WE WANT TO BRING THE SMITHSONIAN TO THEIR TOWN SO THEY CAN CELEBRATE AS WELL.

>> FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M LAURA ROGERS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> "AMERICANS" WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN PADUCAH THROUGH SEPTEMBER 27TH BEFORE IT MOVES TO THE MUHLENBERG COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

IT WILL MAKE FIVE MORE STOPS IN KENTUCKY THROUGH JULY OF NEXT YEAR.

ADMISSION IS FREE.

>> THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS WORKING TO KEEP STUDENTS IN SCHOOL.

WE REALLY WANT ALL STUDENTS TO FEEL THAT SCHOOL IS A WELCOMING AND SUPPORTIVE PLACE FOR THEM, WHERE THEY CAN LEARN AND GROW.

>> WE'LL CHECK OUT THEIR NEW CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT THE PROBLEM OF KIDS BEING ABSENT.

THAT STORY TOMORROW ON KENTUCKY EDITION.

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.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR KENTUCKY EDITION EMAIL NEWSLETTERS 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 PUBLICAFFAIRS@KET.ORG.

WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> I'M RENEE SHAW.

UNTIL I SEE YOU AGAIN TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.

[♪♪]