♪ >> In a weird move to have the state come in and trying to pay and tell us what to do.

>> Will teachers and students pushed back on state interference.

>> The queen of country comes to the Commonwealth, how she's helping to improve the lives of Kentucky's children.

>> Trees are indeed medicine.

>> How the medical profession is embracing nature to help shore.

Kentucky ends.

It truly believe that dance is for everybody.

And we want to make that happen and how the Louisville Ballet is making dance more accessible.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Wednesday, August the 28th.

>> I'm Christiane filling in for Renee Shaw.

Thank you so much for joining us.

A legislative task force is considering how the state could overhaul Jefferson County Public Schools.

>> The committee has been questioning JCPS officials in Frankfort, but last night the committee met in Louisville to hear directly from JCPS students, teachers and parents.

Arjuna Alert kicks off tonight.

Legislative update.

>> Central High School straddles Louisville's downtown and Weston has a magnet school where students have to apply.

>> It offers activities other schools don't.

>> I would never have these opportunities if I didn't come to central because they have like amazing programs.

Don't know any other schools have laws.

So a program for high school students and I still could come at any place like long government.

So all really for my future.

>> The future of JCPS and Central High School is up in the air.

The state legislature singled out the district creating a task force to reconsider how JCPS governs itself.

And if it should split into smaller district.

>> A lot of and I also feel like a a we're moving to have the state come in and trying to pay and tell us what to do.

>> During 90 minutes of public comment, Jefferson County residents told the state task force what they need and don't need.

>> Dr Polio can probably tell you that.

I have likely personally burned every bridge with district administration.

My efforts to try and push a CPS to be better.

And I say that.

So you know that I'm not just an apologist for the status quo.

I know we have serious work to do 72 for 17 years and I cannot remember a time when I district has not been under audit under threat of take over our students under attack, our resources, limited our funding, shortened initiatives imposed from the outside in.

I cannot remember a time when state pressure has not led to more and more testing and less and less meaningful learning for the students and our most vulnerable schools.

>> I think there are lots of things that we would love to see happen in the school district to make sure that all of our students have the most open equitable, making best quality education that they can get.

But as you heard from many here, that a lot of things, but in the district as well as out of the district that you could be working on investing in to ensure that that happens, whether that is health, whether it's housing, whether it's transportation, whether it's poverty.

>> A state lawmaker on the committee says she values the public comment.

>> We're here to hear them.

That's why we came into the community.

And I really was very thrilled with the turnout.

We had quite a few speakers and we just want to I want to reassure all of them.

We're were here to make sure every student is getting the best education pocket possible.

First from students who are in our newcomers Academy, which is a growing population.

And we have someone speak to us about the multilingual learners.

That's a really important issue statewide.

And it's a growing issue.

>> A state senator representing Jefferson County says he understands the contempt some Louisville Younes might have for this process.

>> We do have this little breaks up and use whatever angle some individually had to deal with a system that they don't even deal in the U.S.. >> The state task force set to report its findings by December.

1st of this year.

However, some on the committee say it will take much more time to fully understand JCPS and make legislative recommendations for Kentucky June Leffler.

>> The task force will host another public hearing at Louisville's Male High School on September.

The 10th.

A Kentucky lawmaker hopes to strengthen the state's domestic violence laws.

State Representative Stephanie Dietz introduced proposed legislation during an interim committee in Frankfort last week.

She began by reminding the committee about recent acts of domestic violence that made headlines.

Just last week.

We saw the ultimate act of domestic violence in Hardin County.

>> When Erica Riley and her mother, Janet relieving the courthouse after securing an E p o.

And were killed by the man that she had just received protection from.

And only a few weeks ago.

And then county where a group of young adults we're having a birthday party in an ex-boyfriend showed up and killed several that were at the party.

Well, the news is often riddled with examples of the above.

There is a significant gap in our current laws that we can address.

And that is coercive control.

It involves a pattern of behavior aimed at undermining a victim's autonomy and freedom.

This can include manipulation, isolation, financial control and threats, none of which necessarily involves physical violence, but are equally devastating.

For example, the victim may be isolated from family and friends are prevented from addressing financial or from accessing financial resources, leaving them trapped in an abusive relationship.

This legislation would give victims a way out before the physical violence starts.

This legislation could save lives.

8 other states have coercive control statutes on the books.

>> According to the Ion Center, which provides services to victims of domestic violence in northern Kentucky.

Then legislation proposed Friday could be acted on during the 2025 General Assembly, which begins in January.

For the second day in a row, a Kentuckyian has been sentenced for their role in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Today, us District Judge sentence Dan Wilson from Elizabeth Town to 5 years in prison.

Prosecutors said he was part of a militia group and communicated with other far-right extremists while they stormed the Capitol.

Wilson wore a gas mask as he entered the Capitol during the sentencing.

He told the judge he regrets entering the Capitol that day, but that he, quote, got involved with good intentions.

The U.S. Department of Justice says Kentucky is violating the civil rights of some of its most vulnerable citizens.

Our Laura Laura Rogers talks with NPR journalist Rylan Barton about the latest federal investigation targeting the Commonwealth and other stories in the world of Kentucky.

Politics.

>> Thank you so much for a stay.

And yeah, Reiland will dive right into that.

DOJ investigation saying that and Volvo far too many people.

Thousands of patients a year are being admitted to psychiatric hospitals.

Tell us more about this investigation.

>> You know, this is a investigation.

The DOJ he's been doing since about 2002 there saying that the state is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act saying there are enough community mental health services to respond to people with mental health issues.

And there's just too many folks are ending up in mental health institutions.

They say that the state and city will be providing said, say, mobile crisis response crisis, stabilization efforts, your support, supporter, housing employment.

Instead farther down the pipeline Foles and the Gavin and mental health crisis in and he got in some sort of statement institution.

This is separate from another investigation into Louisville.

Metro police, which federal officials said police were similarly violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by having overly aggressive responses to the polls in a mental health crises.

So this is something the state's going to have to respond to its also something that the city will as well.

And, you know, this is and this is the states and a lot there's a lot of oversight into what's going on in Louisville right now with policing, especially.

And this is if it's in a little bit to house the state and city needs to change how it's approaching some of these issues and trying to have more supportive responses to the polls struggling in the community.

>> Yes, we know mental health is such a complicated issue and so hopefully trying to streamline and better serve the people that they respond to that are having those episodes moving now to the story about a dispute between the state auditor and the governor's administration concerning access to a database and how it tracks and handles cases of abuse and neglect.

In Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball filing a lawsuit over this.

What can you tell us about the situation?

>> This comes after the state legislature moved in on this man Office of which hears complaints about the state health department from the state health cabinet to the state auditor's office, which is, you know, completely different part of state government health, Canada is, you know, within the governor's years administration, the state auditor's office is a state auditor 1000 ball.

The former state treasurer is a Republican.

She's saying that the state isn't be a proactive enough with producing records related to abuse and neglect.

And it was years in the destruction is saying that, well, there's actually still state law that doesn't allow them to share those records.

So I was involved offices to honor this year or that those to be turned over.

This is a little bit, you know, part of its government, part of politics as well.

This is something we've seen a lot of the last few years of when these different offices are controlled by a full from different parties, there's some so tension there will always work together very well this year in a station said the support of the chain of full to to clarify what exactly they're allowed to turn over during the next legislative session, which starts in January.

But trying to monitor calls offices, trying to get that to happen sooner saying that everything is all straight, not the Legislature has spoken on this and you just go ahead and turn over those records.

>> Another headline concerning Governor Andy Beshear, his political action committee is pack raising a record out of money over the last few months.

And I think a lot of people would agree that that has something to do with the fact that he was getting all the national attention when he was being vetted to be Vice President.

Kamala Harris is running mate.

>> Yeah, there's that time teachers really in the national spotlight when using that their conversation, the veepstakes conversation will the will he won't?

He will.

Vice President Harris become to be a running mate is packed.

He started last year as the effort to kind of support candidates around the country that you supportive of moving say North Carolina's governor's race.

That's one of which they're throwing some money into.

It brought in over $200,000 to $16,000 throughout the month of July is almost double.

What's normal, even bringing in over each month during the year.

So definitely a lot more attention.

You some of that there is more money that was coming in from national organizations, including ActBlue, which is kind of an international of fodder for Democratic efforts.

This is money that his political aspirations get to KET and that you can continue to get again.

They're saying before that support those political efforts, but also continue to have a national presence going forward into the second term.

His administration.

I just wanted to mention as you know, talking about vice presidential candidate JD Vance was in Lexington this week, raising money for his efforts and Donald Trump's efforts in the refund.

2 million dollars at a fund-raiser in Lexington last night.

So a lot of political activity happening in Kentucky right now.

>> Yes, have you heard anything about the messaging that was heard from JD Vance from those that were in attendance?

>> He was going after Kamala here.

So really what he didn't mention any this year from Foley's what I thought if you're a leader coverage of this event which relied on folks who are at that and that's what he's going after Cohen here, especially on on the economy and saying that Republicans were a better fit to serve.

>> All right.

It's good to talk to you as always.

And we appreciate it so much.

Thank you for your time.

And we will talk again next week.

Thanks, Lauren.

>> She's known around the world for her singing and her philanthropy.

Last night, the Queen of country herself made a stop right here in the Bluegrass.

Dolly Parton wasn't here to sing, although she did.

Instead she helped Governor Andy Beshear and first lady celebrate a major milestone for her charity, the Imagination Library, which provides free books to children every month up to age 5.

>> And although we had no money.

>> I was your age as I could be in that cool.

Many >> Mom may need to me that they to delay in C. >> That one >> O ne thing.

Choose to be.

>> She's a role model and an inspiration not only for kids and for how the state of Tennessee in are state of Kentucky, but for the parents and the adults out there who have grown up knowing who she is.

I'm so excited to be here because you know why we're here.

We're going to roll out the imagination library and all of Kentucky.

>> It has a Dolly Parton more than 120,000 Kentucky kids.

45% of preschoolers in our state are currently enrolled in the imagination Library.

Of the Andes in my very favorite memories are reading with our own children will while when they were younger.

>> Thanks to Dolly.

Every family can have.

>> That special memory to >> one of the things that we've always felt as our family is that you are put on this earth to do something to make the world better.

And I want to say Kentucky says to you, Dolly, you have done it.

>> About how much or how many?

Like I said at the time, I just want to do some way for Monday and something that could be involved went in with my dad.

And I thought, well, maybe if it does good here in Sevier County, then like I mentioned, maybe you can help with the counties around.

But boy, it just caught on.

I think it was meant to be.

And it just makes me feel is simple.

It's easy.

It's not just is not for poor people.

It is for poor people, but it's for all people who's always be a singer.

Songwriter meant I just hope people want to say she read world.

You know, she she draw and she worked hard and >> she just didn't make the world a better place and try to make people happy.

I will be doing that to actually lower and the and the ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> I gotta love Dolly Governor Beshear also awarded Ali with the designation of a Kentucky colonel during the event.

♪ >> Inflammation is the driving factor of many chronic illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes.

Since 2018 Green Heart and Louisville has been conducting a study to prove the connection between tree coverage and inflammation levels.

Yesterday they announced their ground breaking findings.

What this means for the future part health in tonight's Medical News.

>> You all see those beautiful trees that are behind me.

Well, they are more than beautiful.

They are medicine.

The University of Louisville conceded Lee Brown environments to researchers began by gathering health data and the residents of this in surrounding neighborhoods in South Louisville, one of these health data was a biomarker that measures inflammation in the body.

The research scientist directed the planting of many trees and shrubs that you see behind me and thousands more in the treatment area.

They found that the people living in the area with the trees were added well, they're inflammation marked biomarkers were indeed lower after the trees were planted, meaning their risk of heart attack and other chronic diseases had been reduced.

So this study is telling us that indeed trees mean healthier people and healthier cities.

Trees are indeed medicine right now in Louisville, Kentucky, only 37%.

>> Of our city is covered by trees and that number is decreasing by 54,000 trees each year, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Jefferson County.

And black communities.

Are dying from heart disease at rates higher than any other racial or ethnic community.

We rank in the top 5 cities in the United States the highest rates of emergency department visits for asthma.

And twice as many black children in Louisville end up in the emergency room due to asthma as white children.

All of this is staggering.

And that's why the Green Heart Project is so important.

It's the first study, the very first study to assess the impact of green spaces on air quality and human health in urban environments that we are better able to understand this connection.

We're in a much, much better place to tackle the problem.

When you see something at the local level and then you go to Washington, you think about how you can make it available for everybody.

This this can become a national model.

Green print, if you will, for the way we tackle community health and environmental justice at the state, local and yes, the federal level.

It's a huge undertaking.

But I have no doubt that we can do it and thanks to the people here today.

I think it will happen.

>> Earlier this month, the National Institutes of Health awarded 4.6 million dollars to Green Heart will to continue its research for the next 5 years.

♪ The black male working Academy has been helping young man in Lexington for almost 20 years.

>> Now they have a new partnership with Jubilee jobs.

The goal is to help participants find new ways to better Lexington and to join the workforce.

>> The BMW Academy is said nonprofit community program whose mission is to educate, motivate and activate the potential for excellence that lies within every African-American male.

This program started in 2005 with 40 boys.

We meet every Saturday different age groups, every first and 3rd Saturdays, middle school, young people.

Second and 4th, this high school and then elementary meets on the second Saturday of every month.

We also provide tutoring every Tuesday for a young man because that's a part of clothes in that academic achievement gap is helping them with tutoring so that they can be successful and we have a little over 400 that are enrolled for this school year.

The innovate to elevate Grant is a partnership between BMW and Jubilee jobs.

That grant was written to help our young man to be exposed to curry years rather than jobs.

The cause when you have a career that's long term that you can be successful in that career as one of the highlights of this grant is that we have these goggles, the special goggles that have over 100 different careers on you know, everybody is into all the technology and everything.

And so they can explore all these careers using these goggles and then the other partnership that has been awesome is that here in Lexington, we have excellent chamber of Commerce and every year the Chamber of Commerce take takes all the business people, educational people, and they take a trip to another city to learn about that city to get best practices.

How can it impact elects than to make this a better city?

So a part of this grant is that we get to take 40 of our juniors and seniors on a youth chamber trail where they go to another city.

They meet with city leaders.

They meet with educational leaders.

They meet with all these different people to learn about that city and then they come back and report to the mayor and her officials.

They report our superintendent and so they report to the chamber and tail their experiences and what they learned about that sit in the grant from the Walton Foundation through Blue Grass Community Foundation.

It's for 2 years and provided us with the data.

I'm a dad, a group that is measuring of the different like a CT scores.

Their grades.

How many of them are in dual credit classes versus AP classes just looking at the overall data.

Also, jubilee jobs helps them to get a part-time job.

And so we look at how long they were on the job, how they were successful on the job.

And so we're we're created a whole new workforce that we hope will stay here like Sting Kentucky.

♪ >> It takes $50,000 to put a child through ballet training for 10 years.

The Louisville Ballet Company is hoping some families with the cost through their program called Bally Bound.

We sat down with them on the first night of their class to see what it's all about.

>> A valley bound was really created to provide access to the world of ballet and really create a pathway for training for students to be able to find a career in dance.

So we're just now starting our 5th year of the program.

The first part is actually the community program.

And that's where we find 20 new dancers every year, ages 7 to 9 to come and study with us one day a week at our local Bally downtown studios.

And we're really just getting those students.

They're, you know, Valley training and really understanding what the art form isn't giving them sort of valley basics during that first year.

And after the end of that year were able to select 5 students to provide a full scholarship that will take them from age 7 to 9, which is when they start the program.

>> All the way up to a senior in high school with usually kick off the year with giving all of the students who are admitted into the program and opportunity to join us at Shakespeare and Dance, which is local valley's annual participation with Kentucky, 6 Pier.

>> And Central Park with the EU.

3 have performances for the community for a whole week.

>> So they do get a performance opportunity before they even take their first class with us.

>> It's the first time I saw these children gathering at our Main Street studio for class and the parents watching through our large bay window that looks into the studio.

They stand there to the end had class because this is an opportunity that they would not have otherwise have for their children.

And to know that we're creating access.

And we truly believe that dances for everybody.

And we want to make that happen.

White House and first grade, this flyer one around and the paper to sign up and my mum sign me up.

I think it's a great thing for boys to do because not many boys to a lot of valley.

They take a basic traditional classical ballet class.

They learned the basics of ballet and then from there, they can really decide if they want to pursue a potentially a professional career in ballet, regardless the benefits of taking a ballet class are so great.

We have fun, but it is a pretty serious learning environment to so we have really high expectations for the students.

But we also get there.

We really fun activities and helping them learn the best way.

We're really just trying to help students achieve their dreams.

We're hoping to build their self-confidence.

You know, there can us that it can wear nus in general, you know, be more confident and how they move through the world, you know, teaches of self-discipline.

It teaches you, you know how to work hard and really try to attain a certain call.

And, you know, ballet has so many things that it teaches you to be on the steps.

Join us again tomorrow night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky Edition.

Were we informed the next and Inspire.

Thank you so much for joining us tonight.

Have a great evening ♪ ♪