[♪♪] >> THE RESULTS ARE IN AFTER A VERY CLOSE UNION VOTE AT THE BLUEOVAL SK PLANT.

BUT COULD SOME DISPUTED VOTES REVERSE THE OUTCOME?

>> WITHDRAWAL?

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING HE SHOULD CONSIDER.

>> Renee: A FORMER STATE SENATE LEADER SAYS SOME SHOULD WITHDRAW FROM THE U.S. SENATE RACE IN KENTUCKY.

WHO AND WHY?

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

>> Renee: AND YOU CAN'T LEARN IF YOU ARE NOT THERE.

A NEW CAMPAIGN LOOKS TO KEEP KENTUCKY KIDS FROM PLAYING HOOKIE.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR THIS THURSDAY AUGUST 28TH I'M RENEE SHAW WE THANK YOU FOR SPENDING SOME OF YOUR THURSDAY NIGHT WITH US.

>>> UNION, YES.

THAT'S THE MESSAGE AFTER A NARROW WIN BY THE PRO UNION SIDE IN TWO DAYS OF VOTING BY WORKERS AT THE BLUEOVAL SK BATTERY PARK IN GLENDALE.

BUT IT WAS A VERY CLOSE VOTE.

AND THE COMPANY IS CHALLENGING THE OUTCOME.

WKU PUBLIC RADIO REPORTS MORE THAN A THOUSAND WORKERS VOTED.

THE ISSUES IN THE VOTE INCLUDED WAGES, BENEFITS AND SAFETY.

52 SIX-HOURLY PRODUCTION AND MAINTENANCE WORKERS VOTED TO JOIN THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS.

515 OPPOSED THE MOVE TO GO UNION.

WINNING MARGIN OF 11.

BUT BLUEOVAL SK IS CHALLENGING 41 BALLOTS.

THERE ARE 41 WORKERS WHO VOTED EVEN THOUGH THEIR ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE IS BEING DETERMINED BY THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.

A DECISION ON THOSE 41 VOTES TO DETERMINE THE RESULTS.

BUT THE UAW SAYS THAT CHALLENGE IS JUST A TACTIC TO UNDERMINE THE OUTCOME.

THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING QUOTE WE WILL FIGHT THE CHALLENGES TO DEFEND THE DEMOCRATIC CHOICES OF THE WORKERS AS WE ALWAYS DO WHEN CORPORATIONS TRY TO INTERFERE WITH WORKERS' DEMOCRATIC CHOICE.

END QUOTE.

IF THE VICTORY STANDS, WORKERS WOULD FORM THEIR OWN LOCAL CHAPTER AND START WORKING ON A KROT WITH BLUEOVAL SK.

>> SOME KENTUCKY UAW WORKERS ARE ON STRIKE RIGHT NOW.

MORE THAN 600 GENERAL ELECTRIC WORKERS IN ERLANGER KENTUCKY AND EVANDALE, OHIO WENT ON STRIKE THURSDAY AFTER FAILING TO REACH A CONTRACT AGREEMENT.

ERLANGER FACILITY PROVIDES PARTS TO GE ENGINE PLANTS.

GENERAL ELECTRIC SAYS IT'S DISAPPOINTED THE UNION DECIDED TO STRIKE BEFORE EMPLOYEES HAD A CHANCE TO VOTE ON THE CONTRACT.

>> GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HAD TOTES TODAY ON THE BLUEOVAL SK UNION VOTE.

HERE THEY ARE.

>> I AM A PRO UNION GOVERNOR AND I THINK THE VOTE OF THE EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED.

IF IT, INDEED, ENDS UP BEING A UNION FACILITY, I THINK WHAT THE COMPANY IS GOING TO SEE UNION WORKERS ARE SOME OF THE BEST WORKERS.

AND THE ABILITY TO ATTRACT EVEN MORE WORKERS WILL BE A POSITIVE IN THE LONG-TERM FOR BLUEOVAL SK.

>> Renee: DURING HIS NEWS CONFERENCE, THE GOVERNOR ALSO TALKED ABOUT YESTERDAY'S DEADLY SCHOOL SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS.

AND WHAT KENTUCKY HAS DONE TO INCREASE SCHOOL SECURITY.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: YESTERDAY, OUR COUNTRY SUFFERED YET ANOTHER TRAGEDY.

AND IT'S ALWAYS HARDEST WHEN IT IMPACTS THE YOUNGEST AMONG US.

DEADLY SCHOOL SHOOTINGS TEAR AT THE FABRIC OF WHAT WE ARE AS A SOCIETY.

THIS ONE, IN MINNEAPOLIS, WAS A HORRIFIC, AND SENSELESS ACT THAT TOOK THE LIVES OF AT LEAST TWO CHILDREN, INJURING 17 OTHERS.

WE TALK ABOUT EVERYBODY BEING A CHILD OF GOD, THESE ARE CHILDREN.

EVERY CHILD SHOULD BE SAFE WHEN THEY GO TO SCHOOL.

AND NO PARENT SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF THESE PARENTS.

AND SO MANY LIKE THEM HAVE FACED.

AS A DAD, IT'S HARD TO COMPREHEND.

AS A PERSON LOST ONE OF HIS BEST FRIENDS IN THESE SHOOTINGS IT'S HARD EVERY TIME THEY HAPPEN.

IT'S WRONG WE LIVE IN A TIME WHERE THERE'S SOMETHING THE CHILDREN AND TEACHERS AND FAMILIES AND SCHOOL STAFF HAVE TO FACE.

BUT UNTIL THERE IS MORE CHANGE, WE MUST DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN, OUR SCHOOLS AND EVERYONE WITHIN THEM.

IN KENTUCKY WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS TO ENSURE THAT'S THE CASE.

WE JUST RELEASED A 2024, TWHEEUF ANNUAL SCHOOL SAFETY REPORT.

NOW 1315 PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN OUR COMMONWEALTH ARE FOLLOWING THE STATE MANDATED SECURITY REQUIREMENTS THAT IS ALMOST A 100% SUCCESS RATE.

THESE SECURITY REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE THINGS LIKE ELECTRONIC LOCKING FRONT DOORS, SURVEILLANCE, LOCKED CLASSROOM DOORS, CLASSROOM WINDOW COVERINGS AND A THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM.

WE HAVE 842 SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS GUARDING OUR SCHOOLS EVERYDAY, THAT IS 104% INCREASE SINCE MY ADMINISTRATION TOOK OFFICE.

>> Renee: EVERY WEEK THE GOVERNOR NAMES A TEAM KENTUCKY ALL-STAR TODAY HE GAVE THAT HONOR TO ALL SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, TEACHERS AND STAFF.

>>> NOW TURNING TO POLITICS, ONE OF THE MOST CLOSELY WATCHED ELECTION CONTESTS WILL BE IN KENTUCKY TO SEE WHO WILL EARN THE SPOT AS KENTUCKY'S JUNIOR SENATOR AS MITCH McCONNELL SEEKS RETIREMENT.

DAMON THAYER WAS ELECTED TO THE STATE'S UPPER CHAMBER IN 2003 AFTER REPUBLICANS HAD SOLIDIFIED THEIR COME FROM BEHIND NUMBERS TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE STATE SENATE.

IN PART TWO OF MY CONVERSATION WITH THAYER HE TALKS ABOUT THE G.O.P.

PRIMARY AND NEXT YEAR'S U.S. SENATE RACE IN KENTUCKY AND WHO HE FAVORS TO WIN AND HE HOLDS NO PUNCHES ON HIS PERCEPTION OF THE SOME OF THE CANDIDATES' CAMPAIGN MISSTEPS.

>> IT WAS AN EASY DECISION I LIKE DANIEL CAMERON VERY MUCH BUT I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE RACE FOR HIM.

HIS FUNDRAISING HAS BEEN POOR.

IF HE HAS ANOTHER POOR FUNDRAISING QUARTER HE HAS TO LOOK HIMSELF IN THE MIRROR.

>> Renee: AND WITHDRAW?

>> I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING HE SHOULD CONSIDER IF THE FUNDRAISING CONTINUES TO BE WEAK, HE SHOULD CONSIDER WITHDRAWING AND ENDORSING ANDY BARR AND DOING EVERYTHING TO KEEP NATE MORRIS FROM BECOMING THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE.

>> Renee: WHAT DO YOU THINK NATURE FATE LACKS?

>> -- NATE MORRIS LACKS?

>> AUTHENTICITY?

>> WHY?

>> HE IS COMING OFF LIKE A TRUMP MAGA CONSERVATIVE AND HE HAS ENDORSED WOKE POLICIES AND PUSHING FOR D.E.I.

AND ALL THE THINGS THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS NOT FOR THESE DAYS.

AND I USED TO COUNT NATE AS A FRIEND.

BUT HIS REACTION TO ME, VIA TEXT WHEN I ENDORSED ANDY BARR FOR SENATE SHOWED HIS TRUE COLORS.

AND LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE FRIENDS WITH NATE MORRIS WE BOUGHT STOCK IN RUBICON AND THAT STOCK IS WORTH BUMP KISS, ZERO.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK HE HAS TO ANSWER FOR THAT.

I DON'T APPRECIATE HIS BROADSIDE ATTACKS ON SENATOR McCONNELL AND HIS LEGACY.

THE DEMOCRATS PROVED IN 2024 YOU CAN'T WIN BY BEING AGAINST ONE PERSON.

AND THIS SORT OF ONE TRICK PONY ASSAULT ON ONE OF THE GREATEST AMERICANS OF THE LAST 50 YEARS, WHO SAVED THIS COUNTRY FROM SO MANY BAD THINGS HAPPENING TO IT, WHO PUSHED FOR THE BUSH TAX CUTS, THE TRUMP TAX CUTS AND RESHAPED THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY.

I THINK IT'S JUST BEYOND THE PALESTINIAN FOR HIM TO -- PALE FOR HIM TO BROADSIDE SENATOR McCONNELL SINCE THEY WERE ONCE ALLIES AND HE WAS A SUPPORTER OF HIM.

I THINK IT'S WEAK.

AND I DON'T WANT HIM TO BE THE NEXT U.S.

SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: BUT DO YOU THINK IT IS A MESSAGE THAT WILL SELL TO KENTUCKY VOTERS WHO ARE SEEMINGLY IN THE CAMP OF DONALD TRUMP AND WHO WOULD GO ALONG WITH WHOEVER DONALD TRUMP WERE TO ENDORSE, WHICH WE DON'T KNOW WHO THAT IS.

>> AND DONALD TRUMP SHOULD ENDORSE ANDY BARR.

HE HAS HAD NO MORE LOYAL FOOT SOLDIER IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THAN ANDY BARR.

BUT I DON'T THINK THIS IS A GOOD TACTIC IN A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO IN MY PARTY WHO ARE UNHAPPY WITH LEADER McCONNELL AND HIS VOTES AGAINST A COUPLE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NOMINEES.

BUT AND MAYBE OTHER THINGS, TOO.

BUT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE MAN'S ENTIRE RECORD.

YOU GOT TO REMEMBER PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY HAVE BEEN VOTING FOR MITCH McCONNELL IN REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES AND GENERAL ELECTIONS FOR 40 YEARS.

AND, I THINK, THEY ARE GOING TO SIT BACK AND SAY THIS GUY'S GOT ONE CAMPAIGN MESSAGE AND THAT IS MITCH McCONNELL BAD?

AND I THINK IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF McCONNELL DERANGE.

SYNDROME HAPPENING OUT THERE AND VOTERS WILL LOOK ELSEWHERE.

I DON'T THINK IT IS A GOOD MESSAGE AND IT'S DISAPPOINTING TO SEE NATE TAKE THIS APPROACH.

>> Renee: AFTER 26, 27, GOVERNOR, YOU IN?

YOU OUT?

>> I THINK JAMES COMER IS GOING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

>> Renee: DOES HE CLEAR THE FIELD?

>> I THINK HE DOES.

I'M WILL BE PROUD TO SUPPORT HIM.

I'VE ENCOURAGED HIM TO RUN PUBLICLY AND PRIVATELY.

>> Renee: YOU WANT TO RUN WITH HIM?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD DO THAT OR NOT.

MAYBE.

I DO -- I'M NOT GOING TO LIE, I THINKING ABOUT GOVERNOR WOULD BE COOL.

I THINKING ABOUT CLOSE TO A GOVERNOR AND HELPING THEM BECOME THE FIRST REPUBLICAN TO SERVE TWO CONSECUTIVE TERMS.

BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LONGTIME TO CLEAR OUT THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION AND 100 YEARS OF DEMOCRATIC DOMINANCE IN THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION.

BOY KEEP ALL THINGS OPEN.

ONE THING I'VE LEARNED WITH THE WAY MY LIFE HAS GONE PROFESSIONALLY IT'S GONE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION FROM WHAT I THOUGHT MY PHONE STARTED RINGING IN JANUARY AND WORKING ON HORSERACING MATTERS.

I NEVER SAY NEVER BUT MY MAIN THING IS TO SUPPORT JAMIE.

>> Renee: AND THERE IS MORE FROM DAMON THAYER ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS REDRAWING CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LINES LIKE WHAT'S HAPPENED IN TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA.

IS THERE A PLAN FOR THAT IN KENTUCKY?

WE'LL FIND OUT IF DAMON THAYER KNOWS IT TOMORROW NIGHT.

[♪♪] ACROSS THE STATE, EDUCATORS SAY TOO MANY STUDENTS ARE MISSING SCHOOL.

ACCORDING TO THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, ABOUT 28% OF STUDENTS WERE CONSIDERED CHRONICALLY ABSENT DURING THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR MEANING THEY MISSED 10% OR MORE OF THE YEAR.

THE NUMBERS WERE SLIGHTLY WORSE THE YEAR PRIOR.

TO COMBAT THIS THE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED A NEW CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE ISSUE AND ENCOURAGE REGULAR SCHOOL ATTEND DAPS.

MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC IN TONIGHT'S LOOK AT EDUCATION MATTERS.

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

OUR KENTUCKY EDUCATORS HELP STUDENTS LEARN THE SKILLS THAT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE.

AND WE REALLY WANT TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY AS PARTNERS IN KEEPING KENTUCKY'S KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM AND ON THAT TRACK TO BEING SUCCESSFUL.

>> SO THE FOCUS OF OUR ATTENDANCE MATTERS CAMPAIGN IS REALLY TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE PUBLIC AND TO FAMILIES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF DAILY ATTENDANCE.

AND HELPING TO IDENTIFY WAYS THAT WE, AS A COMMUNITY, CAN SUPPORT STUDENTS IN ATTENDING SCHOOLS.

SOMETIMES STUDENTS ARE ENABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE HEALTH ISSUES AND TANSTATION ISSUES WITH FAMILIES BEING ABLE TO GET THEIR STUDENTS TO SCHOOL.

WE KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF HOUSING AND FOOD INSECURITY THAT CAN SOMETIMES IMPACT A HOUSEHOLD AND EVEN STUDENTS WHO MAY NEED TO HELP CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO THE HOME.

SO THOSE ARE STRUGGLES THAT FAMILIES ARE NOW GETTING AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE BOTH THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY AS WELL AS LOCAL WRAP AROUND SERVICES AND ORGANIZATIONS CAN BE LEVERAGED.

WE KNOW THAT STUDENTS ALSO SOMETIMES HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

AND SO WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO ENHANCE THE ACCESS TO SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO REMOVE THAT AS A BARRIER AS WELL.

SOMETIMES STUDENTS FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A SENSE OF A LACK OF BELONGING OR THAT THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT IS NOT WELCOMING OR MOTIVATING ENOUGH FOR THEM.

BECAUSE WE SPENT A FEW YEARS DOING SCHOOL AT HOME.

AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND AND PROVIDE THOSE ENRICHED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CLASSROOM AND TO REDIRECT HABITS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN FORMED DURING THE TIME WE WERE LEARNING REMOTELY.

AND SOMETIMES THERE'S A MISCONCEPTION IN THE COMMUNITY THAT A CERTAIN NUMBER OF UNEXCUSED ABSENCES MAY NOT BE A BIG DEAL OR HAVE A LONG IMPACT.

WE ACTUALLY SEE HIGHER THAN EXPECTED RATES OF CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AMONG THE YOUNG GRADES LIKE KINDERGARTEN, FIRST, SECOND GRADE WHEN THOSE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO BUILD SOME REALLY IMPORTANT FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS THAT WILL HELP THEM EXCEL ACADEMICALLY LATER ON.

>> Renee: AS YOU HEARD, SOMETIMES STUDENTS MISS SCHOOL BECAUSE OF HEALTH CONCERNS.

IN MEADE COUNTY, LEADERS ARE TACKLING THAT ISSUE HEAD ON.

LEADERS FROM MEADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BRIEFED LAWMAKERS ON HOW THEY ARE KEEPING STUDENTS HEALTHY AND IN THE CLASSROOM.

THE HEALTHY KIDS CLINIC IS IN THE SECOND YEAR OF FULL OPERATION.

THE CLINIC PARTNERS WITH CUMBERLAND FAMILY MEDICINE TO PROVIDE NURSES AND A NURSE PRACTITIONER TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE CLINIC SERVES STUDENTS AND STAFF AND IT CAN PROVIDE THE SERVICES OF A REGULAR CLINIC LIKE SPORTS PHYSICALS AND FLU TESTS.

THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS IT'S CHANGED THE WAY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNCTIONS AND IT'S IMPROVING STUDENTS' ATTENDANCE.

>> WHEN I CAME TO THE DISTRICT IN 2014, WE HAD ONE NURSE.

WE NOW HAVE A NURSE IN ALL EIGHT OF OUR SCHOOLS AND WE HAVE A NURSE PRACTITIONER.

WE HAVE SEEN ALMOST A FULL PERCENTAGE POINT ATTENDANCE FROM OUR STUDENTS.

WE ARE RIGHT AT .95 FOR THE 24-25 SCHOOL YEAR.

WE KNOW WHEN KIDS COULD EMTO SCHOOL WE WERE ABLE TO TEACH THEM, FED AND KEY WITH KEEP OUR EYES ON STUDENTS.

WE'RE PLEASED WITH THAT AND WE KNOW THE HEALTHY KIDS CLINIC HAS CONTRIBUTED POSITIVELY.

>> CAN YOU SPEAK TO JUST LIKE PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS THAT MIGHT BE GOING ON AND HOW ARE YOU COMMUNICATING THAT WITH THE PARENTS SINCE THEY ARE NOT PRESENT IN THE ROOM FOR THAT APPOINTMENT?

>> EVERY YEAR, THE HEALTHY KIDS CLINIC SENDS OUT THE FORMS FOR THE PARENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

IF WE HAVE A FORM ON FILE FOR THE STUDENT, THEN THEY STILL WILL CONTACT THAT PARENT AND LET THEM NOW THEY ARE SICK.

THEY HAVE LOTS OF OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINES THEY CAN GIVE BUT THEY ALWAYS TALK TO THE PARENT FIRST.

>> Renee: THE DISTRICT HEALTH COORDINATOR SAYS THEY CAN BILL INSURANCE OR MEDICAID FOR THE COST OF SERVICES THE CLINIC OPERATES UNDER A SHARED COST MODEL WHERE NO STUDENT CAN BE DENIED CARE.

THEY ARE EXPANDING SERVICES TO HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER AND DENTIST TO CARE FOR VULNERABLE STUDENTS AS WELL.

>>> KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO SCRUTINIZE THE COST OF RUNNING KENTUCKY'S MEDICAID PROGRAM.

ONE REPUBLICAN SAYS EVERY PERSON BUMPED OFF THE MEDICAID ROLLS IS MONEY SAVED.

OUR JUNE LEFFLER IS MONITORING THE CONVERSATION IN FRANKFORT ABOUT MEDICAID AND HAS MORE IN THIS LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

>> THIS YEAR, CONGRESS PASSED THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL, IN PART SEEKING TO SHRINK MEDICAID SPENDING BY MANDATING WORK OR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS.

BEFORE CONGRESS ACTED, KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS HAD ALREADY PASSED SIMILAR REQUIREMENTS THIS YEAR.

AND HOUSE BILL 695.

NOW, THE STATE IS WAITING ON FEDERAL GUIDANCE BEFORE IMPLEMENTING THOSE NEW STATE STANDARDS.

>> BASED ON OUR INITIAL 1115 APPLICATION THAT WE SUBMITTED TO CMS, THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES WE ANTICIPATE 70,000 OF THOSE MEDICAID EXPANSION MEMBERS WILL BE SUBJECT TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS.

THE CHAIR OF A STATE MEDICAID OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE SAYS POTENTIALLY 70,000 LESS MEDICAID RECIPIENTS COULD EQUAL MILLIONS IN SAVE ITION.

>> IF I LOOK AT THE COST OF THAT AROUND $971, EQUATES $68 MILLION.

>> WE NOTE THAT 70,000 WOULD BE SUBJECT TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS REQUIREMENTS IF THEY COMPLY THEY WOULD NOT BE TERMINATED FROM MEDICAID.

SO I THINK WE WOULD NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND GET MORE EXPERIENCE TO BE ABLE TO CALCULATE THAT.

>> STATE REPRESENTATIVE KEN FLEMING SUGGESTS PEOPLE WHO MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY TO QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID, ARE STILL GETTING THE BENEFIT.

>> I PERSONALLY WITNESSED SOMEBODY GOING THROUGH A MEDICAID APPLICATION.

AND THEY PLUGGED IN $44,000.

NOT A MONTH BUT A YEAR.

AND THEY WERE QUALIFIED FOR MEDICAID.

THAT CALLS ME, A JAW DROPPING SITUATION OF WHAT I JUST SAW.

>> A PERSON MAKING $44,000 A YEAR WOULD QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID IF THEY SUPPORT A FAMILY OF FOUR.

A DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER PUSHES BACK.

SAYING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ARE NOT THE ONES COMMITTING MEDICAID FRAUD.

>> I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT UNEQUIVOCALLY, THE FRAUD IN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID IS ON THE PART OF PROVIDERS.

PROVIDERS BILLING INCORRECTLY, USING WRONG CODES, MAKING UP PATIENTS, MAKING UP DIAGNOSIS.

>> IT IS TRUE THAT MEMBER FRAUD IS MUCH LOWER.

AND, YOU KNOW IN TERMS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO COMPARE IT TO PROVIDER FRAUD IT'S ALMOST NONEXISTENT.

IT IS SO SMALL AND THE REASON IS WE HAVE AGGRESSIVE DATA SOURCES THAT ARE USED AND WE HAVE SO MANY STRINGENT PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES RELATED TO MAKING THAT DETERMINATION THAT ELIGIBILITY FRAUD IS VERY, VERY RICK.

>> FEDERAL AND STATE PROSECUTOR PURSUE THE MEDICAID FRAUD CASES.

JUST YESTERDAY, A LOUISVILLE DOCTOR AGREED TO PAY $250,000 TO SETTLE A FAULTS CLAIMS CASE.

FALSE CLAIMS CASE.

I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> .

>> Renee: ACCORDING TO THE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION KENTUCKY SPENDS $16 BILLION A YEAR TO COVER MEDICAID FEDERAL FUNDS COVER 80% OF THAT COST.

>>> FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE REMEMBERING A FIREFIGHTER KILLED IN AN AUGUST 22nd CRASH.

LIEUTENANT BRIAN HATT OF THE RAYWICK FIRE DEPARTMENT DIED AUGUST 25 AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE HOSPITAL.

ACCORDING TO THE COURIER-JOURNAL HE WAS DRIVING A TRUCK ON KENTUCKY HIGHWAY 537 WHILE HELPING THE LAREDO FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THE TRUCK DROPPED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE ROAD TO COLLAPSE.

HE HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND WAS THROWN FROM THE TRUCK.

HIS ORGANS WERE DONATED.

FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FIREFIGHTERS AND HOSPITAL STAFF LINED A UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE HOSPITAL HALLWAY THIS WEEK TO PAY TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT BRIAN HATT.

QUOTE, BRIAN WAS MORE THAN A FIREFIGHTER HE ANSWERED A SACRED CALLING TO PROTECT AND SERVE.

NO MATTER THE RISK.

ON FRIDAY, WHEN THE ALARM SOUNDED HE DID WHAT HE HAD ALWAYS DONE PUT ASIDE HIS SAFETY TO HELP OTHERS N THAT MOMENT, HIS COURAGE SPOKE LOUDER THAN WORDS END QUOTE.

[♪♪] AN ORGANIZATION IN LOUISVILLE IS HELPING SINGLE PARENTS GET ON THEIR FEET.

NEW LIFE DIRECTIONS MINISTRIES OPENED NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SINGLE MOTHERS AND PARENTING PROGRAM.

WE VISITED THE ORGANIZATION TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE WAYS THEY ARE SUPPORTING MOTHERS AND FATHERS.

>> NEW LIFE DIRECTIONS MINISTRIES IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS TO SUPPORT SINGLE PARENTS AS THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE A NEW LIFE FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

WE DO THAT BY BLENDING A FEW DIFFERENT EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS RELATED TO PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER READINESS.

>> IT PUT TOGETHER A LOT OF WORKSHOPS AND I ALSO FACILITATE OUR SINGLE MOMS UNIVERSITY.

I AM A'S REALLY BIG ON THE MINDSET.

I'M BIG ON MAKING SURE THAT ALTHOUGH WE'RE GIVING THEM RESOURCES AND TOOLS, TO SUSTAIN, I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THOSE MOMENTS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

SO I'M REALLY BIG ON MAKING SURE THAT THEIR MENTAL IS IN A GOOD PLACE AS WELL.

IT'S EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN GO THROUGH.

MENTAL, PHYSICAL, SELF CARE, BUDGETING, FINANCES, COLLEGE, LIKE IT'S EVERYTHING.

SO EVERYTHING THAT WE TALK ABOUT THAT WEEK, I TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A WORKSHOP THAT GOES WITH THAT.

>> I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND IT WAS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO GET OFF THE STREETS AND DO SOMETHING BETTER WITH MY LIFE.

I'M DOING THE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS A BIG THING FOR ME BECAUSE I'VE BEEN FIGHTING AGAINST IT.

I GO TO THE JOB FAIRS AND THAT IS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA?

IT JUST OPENED UP A SPACE FOR ME NOT TO WORRY RIGHT NOW.

>> WE ARE HELPING PEOPLE ACHIEVE THEIR NEXT MILESTONE.

AND AT TIMES THAT CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT.

BECAUSE WE'RE WORKING TO CHANGE GENERATIONS OF HABITS AND MINDSETS.

SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND ARE PARTICIPANTS UNDERSTAND THAT AT TIMES IT WILL BE DIFFICULT.

BUT I THINK THEY FIND IT VERY REWARDING.

BECAUSE IN OTHER SPACES IT'S EASY TO PUT IN A LOT OF EFFORT AND NOT SEE A LOT OF RETURN.

AND WE WORK DILIGENTLY HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO SEE THE RETURNS ON THEIR INVESTMENT INTO THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> IT IS RESOURCES OUT HERE.

DON'T STAY STUCK AND BE ASHAMED TO SAY I FEED HELP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

DON'T DWELL IN THE PROBLEM.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DWELL IN THE PROBLEM.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNITY.

OF WOMEN THAT UNDERSTAND THAT JUST BECAUSE WE ARE SINGLE MOMS, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO CARRY THAT TITLE AND PUT THAT ON THE TOP OF OUR HEADS AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST WHO WE ARE AND WE ARE NOTHING.

NO, WE'RE SINGLE MOMS AND WE'RE STRONG AND WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER.

>> Renee: THERE ARE TOTAL OF 20 APARTMENTS FOR FAMILIES TO LIVE IN.

THEY OFFER ONE, TWO AND THREE BEDROOM UNITS.

[♪♪] TAKE A LOOK AT THE WINNING ENTRY IN THIS YEAR'S EYE VOTED STICKER CONTEST THE WINNER IS ALYSON MARINICH FROM BLUEGRASS MIDDLE SCHOOL THE WINNER AFTER 4,000 PEOPLE VOTED AT THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR.

HARDINHARDIN COUNTY WILL RECEIVE STICKERS FEATURING THE DESIGN TO USE IN THE MAY 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION.

OTHER CLERKS CAN REQUEST THEM.

THERE WILL BE ANOTHER STICKER CONTEST STARTING NEXT APRIL.

PRETTY GOOD WORK.

TOMORROW WE'LL TALK THE BUSINESS OF CHILDCARE WITH KATE SHANKS OF THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

AND CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR CAUGHT UP WITH KENTUCKY VETERANS TODAY.

WE'RE THERE AND WE'LL HAVE THE REST OF THE DAY'S NEWS TOMORROW ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

THAT AND SO MUCH MORE WHEN WE SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK, X AND INSTAGRAM TO STAY IN THE LOOP.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEND US A STORY IDEA BY E-MAIL TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG.

AND LOOK FOR US ON THE PBS VIDEO APP THAT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD ON YOUR SMART DEVICES.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING A LOT OF GREAT STORIES COMING YOUR WAY TOMORROW NIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE, AND I'LL SEE YOU THEN.

[♪♪]