[♪♪] >> I KNOW THAT THERE IS A MAP THAT WOULD WITHSTAND STATUTORY AND CONSTITUTIONAL MUSTER THAT WOULD CREATE SIX REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS IN KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: WILL KENTUCKY'S REPUBLICAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DO IT?

A LEGISLATIVE LEADER TALKS ABOUT REDRAWING CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS ARE.

HOW DOES KENTUCKY'S SECOND BIGGEST SCHOOL SYSTEM BALANCE ITS BUDGET?

>> THE [INAUDIBLE] SO I CAN BE ABLE TO VOTE.

>> Renee: AND AMERICA HAS NEW CITIZENS AND THEY TOOK THE OATH RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

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

[♪♪] [♪♪] [♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO KENTUCKY EDITION FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 29TH.

WE HAVE MADE IT TO THE WEEKEND.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

A SUSPECT SHOT AND WOUNDED TWO BOONE COUNTY DEPUTIES AS THEY SERVED A WARRANT IN WALTON LAST NIGHT.

BOTH DEPUTIES WERE WEARING BULLET-PROOF VESTS.

POLICE SAY ONE WAS SHOT IN THE CHEST, THE OTHER IN THE LEG.

BOTH ARE IN STABLE CONDITION TONIGHT.

POLICE FOUND THE GUNMAN DEAD; THEY THINK HE SHOT HIMSELF.

SEVERAL REPUBLICAN STATE LAWMAKERS WHO SERVE BOONE COUNTY PUT OUT A JOINT STATEMENT ABOUT THE SHOOTINGS: "THESE BRAVE OFFICERS ANSWER THE CALL TO SERVE AND PROTECT EVERY DAY, KNOWINGLY PLACING THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

THEIR COURAGE AND SELFLESSNESS REFLECT THE VERY BEST OF KENTUCKY LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND WE REMAIN STEADFAST IN OUR RESPECT AND ADMIRATION OF THE COMMITMENT THEY DEMONSTRATE EACH AND EVERY DAY."

>> THIS WEEK, REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR SPOKE TO THE 6TH DISTRICT VETERANS COALITION, A GROUP OF VETERANS FROM BARR'S DISTRICT WHO MEET REGULARLY TO HEAR UPDATES ON FOREIGN POLICY AND VETERANS' ISSUES FROM THE CONGRESSMAN.

SOME VETERANS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT RECENT FEDERAL CUTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

OUR MACK IMAGE HAS MORE FROM RICHMOND.

>> AFTER UPDATING THE 6TH DISTRICT VETERANS COALITION ON THE WORK HE HAS BEEN DOING IN WASHINGTON, CONGRESSMAN BARR OPENED THE FLOOR FOR A Q&A SESSION WITH THE VETERANS.

OUT OF THE GATE, CONGRESSMAN BARR WAS ASKED WHY HE VOTED FOR THE SO-CALLED BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL SINCE IT INCLUDED CUTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, OR VA. BARR SAID REDUCTIONS AT THE VA ARE PARTIALLY A RESULT OF THE BILL BUT ALSO FROM THE LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE SECRETARY OF THE VA.

HE SAYS MORE IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER.

BARR STATED: "DO AMERICAN VETERAN TAXPAYERS REALLY WANT THEIR HARD-EARNED TAX DOLLARS TO GO TO PAYING VENDORS TO WATER PLANTS AS OPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF PATIENTS AT THE VA HOSPITALS?

DO THEY REALLY WANT WOKE DEEP PROGRAMS AND TRYING TO TEACH VETERANS HOW TO BE SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN CLASSES OF PEOPLE VERSUS ACTUALLY TAKING CARE OF PATIENTS OR DELIVERING THE DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS?

I MEAN, WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE VA?

AND I THINK MOST VETERANS THAT I'VE INTERACTED WITH APPRECIATE A REFOCUSING OF THE MISSION OF THE VA ON THE CORE JOB OF THE VA, WHICH IS TO TAKE CARE OF VETERANS, NOT TRYING TO ADVANCE A POLITICAL AGENDA."

>> EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE VA PHASED OUT ITS DEI PROGRAM AND TREATMENTS FOR VETERANS WITH GENDER DYSPHORIA.

IN JULY, THE VA ANNOUNCED IT WAS ON PACE TO REDUCE TOTAL STAFF BY NEARLY 30,000 EMPLOYEES BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

BARR SAID: "WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS THAT IN A REDUCTION OF NON-MISSION-CRITICAL EMPLOYEES AND FOCUSING ON HEALTH CARE AND DISABILITY CLAIMS, THE REAL MISSION OF THE VA, GUESS WHAT?

PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS HAVE IMPROVED."

>> THE VA SAYS ITS DISABILITY BACKLOGS ARE DOWN BY 30% THIS YEAR, COMPARED TO AN INCREASE OF BACKLOGS BY 24% DURING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, AND THAT THERE ARE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE TO ENSURE STAFF REDUCTIONS DO NOT IMPACT VETERAN CARE OR BENEFITS.

HOWEVER, GROUPS LIKE THE NATIONAL MILITARY FAMILY ASSOCIATION ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW CUTS TO MEDICAID AND SNAP IN THE PRESIDENT'S TAX AND SPENDING BILL WILL AFFECT VETERANS, WHO THEY SAY FACE UNIQUE OBSTACLES TO FINDING EMPLOYMENT.

CONGRESSMAN BARR ALSO WEIGHED IN ON REDISTRICTING, WHICH HAS DOMINATED HEADLINES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN RECENT WEEKS.

BARR'S REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS IN THE U.S. SENATE RACE HAVE EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR RE-DRAWING KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSIONAL MAPS TO STRENGTHEN THE GOP'S STRONGHOLD IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

CONGRESSMAN BARR SAYS HE THINKS THE CURRENT DISTRICTING WELL REPRESENTS THE POLITICS OF THE STATE BUT ADDED NOTHING'S OFF THE TABLE.

BARR STATED: "WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER.

AND IF THE DEMOCRATS IN SOME OF THESE STATES WANT TO GERRYMANDER AND IF GOVERNOR BESHEAR SUPPORTS IT, THEN WHY NOT DO IT IN KENTUCKY?

LOOK, THE BOTTOM LINE IS GERRYMANDERING HAS HAPPENED IN ALL STATES FOR A LONG TIME, BUT IT IS RICH.

IT IS THE HEIGHT OF HYPOCRISY FOR GOVERNOR NEWSOME OR GOVERNOR PRITZKER IN ILLINOIS TO WHINE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN TEXAS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE A 5-1 RATIO IN KENTUCKY.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS OBVIOUSLY SURGING IN POPULARITY IN KENTUCKY.

THE PRESIDENT IS EXTREMELY POPULAR IN KENTUCKY, BUT THERE ARE POCKETS OF DEMOCRATS.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THE RATIO THAT WE HAVE IS PROBABLY REFLECTIVE OF WHERE WE ARE POLITICALLY IN THE STATE."

>> SO FAR, REPUBLICAN LEADERS HAVE NOT INDICATED THAT A CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING EFFORT WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M MACKENZIE SPINK.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SAYS HE DOESN'T THINK THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL REDRAW KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSIONAL BOUNDARIES IN RESPONSE TO SIMILAR EFFORTS IN TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA.

HE SAYS REDISTRICTING TAKES TIME, AND HE THINKS IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS TO GO BEYOND WHAT THEY'VE ALREADY DONE.

THE SAME CONGRESSMAN REPRESENTS A COUNTY ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND IN FRANKFORT RIGHT NOW.

THAT ANTS' RIGHT.

IF OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY GETS IN ON WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND THE COUNTRY AND TRIES TO TAKE ONE DISTRICT WHICH IS PRETTY DEMOCRATIC AND SPLIT IT INTO OTHERS THEY COULD GO FROM HAVING ONE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN TO TWO.

A LOT OF TIMES THESE THINGS BACKFIRE.

>> IN DIRECT CONTRAST TO THE GOVERNOR'S THOUGHTS ON REDISTRICTING, FORMER STATE SENATE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER DAMON THAYER SAYS MAP REDRAWING IN KENTUCKY COULD BE A DONE DEAL IN A HANDFUL OF DAYS.

HE SAYS IF HE WERE STILL AROUND IN FRANKFORT, HE'D MAKE A PUSH FOR IT.

>> DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE REDISTRICTING IN THE MIDDLE OF A CYCLE FOR A CENSUS?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

IF I WERE STILL THE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER I WOULD BE PUSHING TO REDO THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP.

>> Renee: WHY?

>> I LOVE MORGAN MCGARVEY WE TALK ALL THE TIME.

BUT NEWSOM OPENED THIS CAN OF WORMS.

AND I THINK IF THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO GET CONGRESS BACK THROUGH REDISTRICTING SO SHOULD WE.

AND THERE IS A MAP THAT EXISTS THAT WE CONSIDERED AND DECIDED NOT TO DO THAT CREATES SIX REPUBLICAN LEANING SEATS IN KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: AND YOU DECIDED NOT TO DO IT BECAUSE WHY?

>> WELL, AT THE TIME IT SEEMED LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO CONTINUE THE TRADITIONFUL THIRD DISTRICT BEING FULLY ENCOMPASSED IN LOUISVILLE.

>> Renee: WAS IT THE FACT THAT REPUBLICANS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT BEING COMPETITIVE IN A NEWLY REDRAWN DISTRICT?

IT WOULD REQUIRE MORE ON THEIR PART?

>> THE DEMOGRAPHY OF THE STATE YOU CAN DRAW SIX DISTRICTS AND MOST WILL BE R PLUS 10 TO R PLUS 20.

>> Renee: DEMOCRATS OUTNUMBER REPUBLICANS 314,000 DEMOCRATS TO REGISTERED REPUBLICANS.

>> I AM AWARE OF THE NUMBERS IN THE CURRENT DISTRICT.

THERE'S NOTHING IN THE STATUTE OR THE CONSTITUTION THAT SAYS LOUISVILLE AND JEFFERSON COUNTY HAS TO BE INCLUDED IN ONE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> Renee: WE KNOW THE FIRST IS VAST.

>> IT IS.

THERE'S LESS POPULATION SPREAD OUT.

ALL THE DISTRICTS HAVE TO BE EQUAL.

>> Renee: DON'T YOU HAVE TO ROB FROM SOME TO GET TO OTHERS?

>> THE WOULD BE A NEW MAP.

AND YOU'VE SEEN SOME OF THEM ON THE INTERNET, I KNOW THAT THERE IS A MAP THAT WOULD WITHSTAND STATUTORY AND CONSTITUTIONAL MUSTER THAT WOULD CREATE SIX REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS IN KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: BECAUSE YOU CAN, DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT.

BUT, YOU SHOULD SAY THE SAME THING TO GAVIN NEWSOM WHO IS TRYING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT AND DO HIS TWEETS IN ALL CAPS SO HE CAN GET PEOPLE'S ATTENTION AND HE IS TRYING TO SHOW HE IS STANDING UP TO TRUMP BECAUSE HE WANTS TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WHICH IS JUST A GASTLY IDEA TO ME.

NORMALLY, I AGREE WITH YOU.

BECAUSE YOU CAN, DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD.

BUT THE STAKES HAVE BEEN RAISED AND THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY IS AT STAKE.

AND I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO THE POLICIES OF OBAMA AND BIDEN UNDER SOMEONE LIKE GAVIN NEWSOM WHO IS YOUNG AND VIGOROUS AND AN EXTREME LEFT WING LIBERAL.

I THINK HE'S BEEN WRONG FOR CALIFORNIA AND HE WOULD BE WRONG FOR THIS COUNTRY.

>> Renee: GIVEN THAT COMING UP IN 2026 IT IS A BUDGET YEAR IS THERE ENOUGH TO DO BOTH A BUDGET AND REDISTRICTING ALONG WITH OTHER THINGS THAT YOU'LL HAVE TO ADDRESS?

I KEEP SAYING YOU YOU ARE THERE.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO BE THERE FRANKFORT WILL THAT BE AMONG THEM.

YOU COULD PASS THE REDISTRICTING MAP IN FIVE DAYS.

IT'S NOT HARD.

THE MAP IS ALREADY OUT THERE.

IT IS A MATTER OF WHETHER THEY CHOOSE TO DO IT OR NOT.

AND THEY MAY NOT.

>> Renee: SOMETHING TO KEEP OUR EYES ON.

KENTUCKY'S NEXT REGULAR LAWMAKING SESSION BEGINS JANUARY 6TH.

>> KENTUCKY'S SECOND-LARGEST PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IS BACKING OFF PLANS TO RAISE TAXES TO DEAL WITH A BUDGET DEFICIT.

FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ATTEMPTED TO RAISE THE OCCUPATIONAL TAX BACK IN MAY.

BUT ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN CALLED THE MOVE ILLEGAL, SAYING THE SCHOOL BOARD FAILED TO PROVIDE PROPER PUBLIC NOTICE BEFORE THE TAX VOTE.

DURING A SPECIAL MEETING LAST NIGHT, SUPERINTENDENT DEMETRUS LIGGINS TOLD THE BOARD HE THINKS THE DISTRICT CAN MAKE UP A $16 MILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL IN OTHER WAYS.

>> I'D LIKE TO OUTLINE A PATH FORWARD THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY CHANGES TO THE OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE TAX RATE.

ADJUSTING THE OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE TAX RECOMMENDATION HAS CERTAINLY RAISED QUESTIONS.

BUT I FEEL THERE IS A PATH FORWARD TO A BALANCED BUDGET WITHOUT IT.

>> INSTEAD, LIGGINS PROPOSED SEVERAL IDEAS FOR BALANCING THE DISTRICT BUDGET.

SOME OF THE IDEAS WOULD NOT REQUIRE BOARD APPROVAL, INCLUDING A HIRING FREEZE EXCEPT FOR TEACHERS AND BUS DRIVERS AND DOING AWAY WITH NON-TRADITIONAL INSTRUCTION, OR NTI DAYS.

OTHER IDEAS THAT WOULD REQUIRE BOARD APPROVAL INCLUDE SELLING REAL ESTATE AND RAISING THE COST OF SCHOOL LUNCHES BY AS MUCH AS 50 CENTS PER MEAL.

OVER THE SUMMER, THE DISTRICT PUT TOGETHER A BUDGET WORK GROUP TO EXAMINE THE DISTRICT'S FINANCES.

RAISING THE OCCUPATIONAL TAX WAS THE LEAST-FAVORED OPTION.

MEMBERS OF THAT WORK GROUP INCLUDED COMMERCE LEXINGTON, WHO HAD THIS TO SAY AFTER LAST NIGHT'S BOARD MEETING: "WE APPRECIATE THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD LISTENED TO THE BUDGET SOLUTIONS WORK GROUP AND THE COMMUNITY AS IT FINALIZES A BUDGET THAT WILL SUPPORT THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF FCPS STUDENTS.

WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO COLLABORATING WITH DR. LIGGINS AND THE DISTRICT TO FIND ADDITIONAL LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS AS WE WORK TOWARD INCREASED BUDGET STABILITY TOGETHER."

>> THE SOAR SUMMIT, OR "SHAPING OUR APPALACHIAN REGION," IS COMING TO A CLOSE AFTER HOSTING STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS IN CORBIN THIS WEEK.

SPEAKERS DISCUSSED WAYS TO ATTRACT AND KEEP RESIDENTS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

YESTERDAY, STATE SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS TOOK THE STAGE.

HE SAID EASTERN KENTUCKY SHOULD FOCUS ON APPEALING TO REMOTE WORKERS.

>> WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?

ONE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE BEST INTERNET THAT WE CAN HAVE.

BECAUSE WITHOUT IT, THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANT REMOTE WORK, CAN'T REALLY WORK.

THEY HAVE TOP TOP GRADE, TOPNOTCH INTERNET.

THE OTHER THING IS GOOD INFRASTRUCTURE TO MOVE AND TRAVEL.

BUILDING ROADS.

YOU'VE SEEN MORE ROADS BEING BUILT IN EASTERN KENTUCKY THAN WE'VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME.

WE HAVE THE ASSETS AND ATTRIBUTES TO ATTRACT PEOPLE HERE WHO WANT THE LIFESTYLE THAT SOMETIMES WE TAKE FOR GRANTED.

THE ADVENTURE TOURISM THAT WE HAVE HERE, THE RIVERS, THE CREEKS, THE FOUR WHEELERS, THE HUNTING, THE FISHING ALL THAT THEY LONG FOR THAT.

AND WE CAN PUT THE MONEY IN TO DO THE RECRUIT.

AND REPOPULATE EASTERN KENTUCKY.

>> WE'LL HAVE MUCH ON THE SOAR SUMMIT, INCLUDING REMARKS FROM GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS OF KENTUCKY'S 5TH DISTRICT.

THAT'S NEXT WEEK ON KENTUCKY EDITION.

ROUGHLY ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE IN LOUISVILLE TODAY TOOK THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE, MAKING THEM NATURALIZED U.S. CITIZENS.

TODAY'S CEREMONY TOOK PLACE AT THE MUHAMMAD ALI CENTER, AS PART OF LOUISVILLE'S ANNUAL WORLD FEST.

ONE NEW CITIZEN SHARED, "MY FAMILY IS FROM CONGO.

I WAS RAISED IN UGANDA.

MOST OF THE TIME WHEN SOMEBODY ASKS ME WHERE I'M FROM, I USUALLY SAY UGANDA.

THE MAIN REASON I WANTED TO BE A CITIZEN WAS SO I CAN BE ABLE TO VOTE, AND ALSO I CAN GET MY PASSPORT AND BE ABLE TO TRAVEL MORE FREELY.

>> I CAME IN 2015, SO IT HAS BEEN A WHILE, BUT I HAVE BEEN IN SCHOOL AND DOING SO MANY GREAT THINGS.

I'M A DENTAL ASSISTANT."

>> ANOTHER NEW CITIZEN SAID, "I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN CUBA.

I CAME WHEN I WAS 13 YEARS OLD.

I AM REALLY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO JOIN THE COMMUNITY AND BE ABLE TO VOTE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THAT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS THAT I'M EXCITED TO DO.

IT HAS BEEN GREAT TO ME, AND I WANT TO BE PART OF THE WOMAN THAT GAVE AND TEACH OTHERS THE SAME AS I'VE BEEN TAUGHT AND LEARNED FROM EVERYBODY HERE.

I MEAN, HAVING THIS CITIZENSHIP, IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US.

AND I'M SO EXCITED THAT I HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO BE ONE OF THE MANY ONES THAT ARE HERE TODAY."

>> ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL, MORE THAN 40 PERCENT OF KENTUCKY'S IMMIGRANTS ARE NATURALIZED CITIZENS.

[♪♪] >> FOR MANY KENTUCKY FAMILIES, DAYCARE FOR THEIR KIDS CAN RIVAL TUITION AT A STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

KENTUCKY'S LARGEST ADVOCACY GROUP FOR BUSINESS SAYS THE STATE'S ECONOMY WOULD GET A BIG BOOST IF CHILDCARE WAS MORE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE.

THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS PRODUCED A REPORT ON WHAT A MORE ROBUST CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE WOULD MEAN FOR KENTUCKY AND TESTIFIED EARLIER THIS WEEK TO A LEGISLATIVE PANEL IN FRANKFORT ABOUT THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THE STATE WOULD GAIN IN WAGES, SALES TAX, AND INCOME TAX REVENUES IF CHILDCARE WASN'T THE BARRIER IT IS NOW FOR MANY KENTUCKY FAMILIES.

KATE SHANKS, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, STOPPED BY OUR STUDIOS YESTERDAY TO TELL US MORE IN TONIGHT'S BUSINESS BEAT SEGMENT.

SHANKS SHARED, "I CAN TELL YOU A FRIEND OF MINE PAYS $400 A WEEK FOR HER INFANT AND CHILD CARE.

I WAS TALKING TO SOMEONE TODAY WHO'S EXPECTING A CHILD AND IS ON A LIST AND WOULD EXPECT TO PAY $300 A WEEK.

SO YOU'RE LOOKING AT, WHAT, $1,269 A MONTH.

IN SOME PARTS OF KENTUCKY, IT MIGHT BE LESS, YOU KNOW, MAYBE $8,000 TO $10,000 A YEAR.

AND IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON THE AGE OF THE CHILD.

INFANTS, OF COURSE, REQUIRE MORE CARE THAN OLDER KIDS.

SO AS A PARENT, YOU GET TO SEE THOSE CHILDCARE COSTS DROP A LITTLE BIT.

"BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM IS VERY COMPETITIVE, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS AVAILABLE.

SO I WOULD EXPECT THAT PARENTS ARE PAYING MORE IN SOME INSTANCES IN KENTUCKY, GIVEN THE CARE THAT THEY HAVE.

IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN WHAT I PAID.

MY CHILDREN ARE MUCH OLDER.

WHEN I HEAR THOSE NUMBERS, I DON'T KNOW HOW I WOULD HAVE DONE IT.

BUT WE DO HAVE SOME NEW PROGRAMS ON THE BOOKS.

WE HAVE THE EMPLOYEE CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO.

AN EMPLOYER CAN PROVIDE A CHILDCARE BENEFIT, AND THE STATE WILL MATCH IT UP TO DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR TO HELP THE EMPLOYEE REDUCE THE COST OF CHILDCARE.

WE HAVE THE CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WHICH IS FOR INDIVIDUALS AT CERTAIN INCOME LEVELS, AND WE HAVE EXTENDED THAT PROGRAM TO CHILDCARE WORKERS AS A REALLY GREAT BENEFIT TO ATTRACT PEOPLE TO THAT PROFESSION.

AND SO ONE OF THE REPORTS WE PUBLISHED LAST WEEK WAS TO LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS IF WE REDUCE THE COSTS OF CHILDCARE PER MONTH FOR FAMILIES.

WE HAD RESEARCHERS, WE WORKED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY BLUEPRINT, KENTUCKY, AND WE MODELED IT.

AND SO WE MODELED A HANDFUL OF DIFFERENT SCENARIOS WHERE WE REDUCE THE COSTS OF CHILDCARE PER MONTH.

AND WHAT WE FOUND IS ON THE HIGH END, WE CAN GET AROUND 16,000 TO 28,000 KENTUCKIANS BACK IN THE WORKFORCE, MOSTLY WOMEN.

THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WOMEN, SOME FATHERS TOO.

BUT YOU DO SEE THAT ARRANGEMENT WHERE YOU HAVE MOMS REJOINING IN THE MODEL THAT WE DID.

AND WHAT WE HAVE FOUND, IF WE CAN HIT 28,000 KENTUCKIANS, WE CAN BRING THEM BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

WE CAN BRING KENTUCKY OFF THE BOTTOM TEN OF STATES FOR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION, WHICH IS WHERE WE'VE BEEN STUCK FOREVER, IT SEEMS.

IT'S A VERY STUBBORN PROBLEM.

WE CAN ALSO GENERATE ABOUT $1.1 BILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT THROUGH WAGES AND TAXES GENERATED FROM WAGES AND SPENDING IN THE ECONOMY.

AND WHAT WE DIDN'T MEASURE, BUT WE KNOW IS THERE, IS SOME OF THOSE FAMILIES MAY BE ON PUBLIC SERVICES SUCH AS MEDICAID, AND HOPEFULLY THEY'RE MOVING TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY WHERE THEY'RE NOT ON THOSE PROGRAMS ANYMORE.

SO THAT COULD HAVE AN EFFECT AS WELL.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE FOR KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE AROUND 320,000 KENTUCKIANS WHO ARE PRIME WORKING AGE, 25 TO 54, WHO ARE NOT IN THE WORKFORCE.

UNDOUBTEDLY, SOME PEOPLE WILL CHOOSE NOT TO WORK.

BUT FOR THOSE THAT FACE BARRIERS TO WORK, WE WANT TO REMOVE THOSE BARRIERS SO THAT WE CAN GET THEM INTO THE WORKFORCE."

IN THE REPORT IT WAS NOTED IN 37 RURAL COUNTIES HALF OF CHILDREN NEEDING CARE LACK AVAILABLE SLOTS.

THE REPORT ALSO FOUND THAT FAMILIES WITH MULTIPLE CHILDREN IN CHILDCARE MAY SPEND 20, 40% OF THEIR INCOME ON THAT CARE.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ABOUT THE EXAMINATION OF CHILDCARE IN KENTUCKY NEXT WEEK ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

[♪♪] IT IS AN OVER-THE-COUNTER SUPPLEMENT MARKETED AS MOOD BOOSTER AND PAIN RELIEVER SOME EXPERTS ARE RINGING ALARM BILLS WARNING IT CAN BE ADDICTIVE AND DANGEROUS.

SOME ARE CALLING IT GAS STATION HEROIN.

MORE ABOUT WHAT IS CALLED KRATOM IN TONIGHT'S MEDICAL NEWS.

>> IT IS A PLANT FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA IT IS IN THE COFFEE FAMILY BUT AN EVERGREEN TREE.

AND WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA THEY WERE CHEWING THE LEAVES BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE WORKING IN THE FIELD AND IT CAUSES STIMULANT EFFECT AND THEY BUILT A DEPENDENCE ON IT BECAUSE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE ALPHA RECEPTOR IN THE BRAIN AND ATTACHING TO THE OPIATE RECEPTOR IN THE BRAIN AND AS YOU HAVE THE PHYSICAL DEPENCESY PROVIDES AN OPIOID EFFECT AND STIMULANT EFFECT.

THE REASON I SEE IT AS BECOMING DANGEROUS THERE IS A SPECIFIC ALKALOID IN THIS KRATOM THAT IS MORE POTENT THAT IS STARTING TO BE MORE CONCENTRATED AND IN MORE OF THESE PRODUCTS.

THOSE ARE REALLY DANGEROUS.

AND THEY ARE CAUSING TOXICITY IN PEOPLE AND HEALTH PROBLEMS.

AGITATION, CONVULSIONS THEY HAVE TACK KA CARDONA.

I SEE THIS GETTING WORSE.

I'VE HAD A LARGE INCREASE OF PATIENTS WHO HAVE COME TO US FROM KRATOM USE DISORDER, AND MANY OF THEM WERE NOT USING ANY TYPE OF OPIOIDS BEFORE.

BUT THEY WENT AND GOT THIS AT THE GAS STATION BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT'S NATURAL AND AT AT GAS STATION SO IT'S NOT HARMFUL.

THEN THEY BUILD THIS DEPENDENCE AND FOR INSTANCE, A PATIENT I'VE HAD IN TREATMENT FOR A WHILE SAID I WAS AN CITIZENNENT FOR 10 YEARS AND I GOT THIS DRINK AT THE GAS STATION AND IT WAS MARKETED FOR ENERGY AND HERE I AM TWO YEARS LATER DEPENDENT WITH A $200 A DAY HABIT, I'VE LOST MY JOB AND FAMILY.

IT'S THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING.

THE POPULATION OF PEOPLE THIS IS MOST AFFECTING ARE WORKING, INSURED, MARRIED BETWEEN THE AGES OF 30-60.

SO IT'S THIS MIDDLE-AGED CLASS THAT AND THEY ARE TALKING TO THEIR MEDICAL PROVIDERS AND SAYING YEAH, I STARTED TREATING MY PAIN WITH KRATOM TEA TWICE A DAY BECAUSE THEY THINK IT'S TRULY OKAY TO GO THAT ROUTE.

SO IT'S REALLY SCARY, BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING A DIFFERENT POPULATION COMPLETELY THAT ARE USING THIS.

THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION AT THIS TIME IS PROBABLY TO PUT A LOT STRICTER REGULATIONS AROUND THE PURCHASE AND SALE AND ESPECIALLY THE AMOUNTS OR EVEN JUST BANNING IT COMPLETELY.

BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO GET WORSE.

AND IT IS REALLY HURTING PEOPLE.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED IN LEGISLATION TO SAY THIS IS ACTUALLY HARMFUL.

THIS IS GOING TO DO DAMAGE TO OUR POPULATIONS AND OUR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES IF WE DON'T START REGULATING IT'S GOING TO GET WORSE AND WORSE AND I WILL SEE MORE AND MORE PATIENTS.

>> Renee: AN ADVISORY WARNING KENTUCKIANS TO AVOID KRATOM PRODUCTS.

[♪♪] >> IF YOU WANT TO GET OFF THE COUCH THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND, KENTUCKY HAS PLENTY TO OFFER.

OUR TOBY GIBBS RUNS THROUGH THE LIST IN TONIGHT'S AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH.

[♪♪] >> TOUR THE WORLD WHILE WALKING THROUGH DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE OVER THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND AS THE CITY HOSTS THE 23rd ANNUAL WORLD FEST FESTIVAL.

THIS SHOWCASES THE DIVERSE CULTURES IN LOUISVILLE AND FEATURES MORE THAN 100 INTERNATIONAL FOOD, MUSIC AND ART VENDORS.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A PARADE OF CULTURES, A CHILDREN'S INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY ZONE AND A NATURALIZATION CEREMONY THAT WILL WELCOME MORE THAN 100 NEW AMERICANS TO LOUISVILLE.

THE CELEBRATION GOES THROUGH SEPTEMBER FIRST.

>>> CARVE OUT TIME THIS SATURDAY AND HEAD TO TOMKINSVILLE FOR THE MONROE COUNTY WATERMELON FESTIVAL THE LINEUP IS RIPE WITH FUN WITH A PARADE, CAR SHOW, FOOD AND CRAFT VENDORS A DOG SHOW AND PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO ENJOY SOME TASTY MELON.

>>> A MUSIC TRADITION RETURNS TO CARTER CAVE STATE RESORT NEXT WEEK AS IT HOSTS THE MUSIC FESTIVAL WHAT STARTED AS A FAMILY REUNION HAS TURNED INTO A CELEBRATION OF THE TRADITIONAL MUSIC OF EASTERN KENTUCKY.

MUSICIANS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY GATHER TO PUT ON CONCERTS, WORKSHOPS AND OLD JAM SESSIONS AROUND THE PARK IN AN EVENT THAT STRIKES ALL THE RIGHT CHORDS.

THE SKY'S ABOVE PULASKI COUNTY REBOUND LIT UP WITH THE RETURN OF THE THUNDER OVER BURNSIDE FIREWORKS SHOW AND FESTIVAL.

THERE WILL BE FOOD TRUCKS, VENDORS A BEER GARDEN, LIVE MUSIC AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

FIREWORKS ARE SET TO GO OFF AT 9:30 PM.

>>> IF YOU ARE IN THE MOOD TO SHOP, HEAD TO THE KENTUCKY EXPOSITION CENTER TO CHECK OUT THE KENTUCKY FLEA MARKET LABOR DAY SPECTACULAR CONSIDERED ONE OF THE NATION'S BEST FLEA MARKETS WITH 700 BOOTHS TO BROWSE SELLING ITEMS INCLUDING ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES, JEWELRY, CLOTHES AND MORE.

ADMISSION IS FREE.

>>> THE SHELBYVILLE FALL ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL IS BACK IT FEATURES MORE THAN 150 BOOTHS, SHOWCASING THE WORK OF LOCAL ARTISTS AND CRAFTS MEN.

THE EVENT HAS A PETTING ZOO, FACE PAINTING AND FOOD TRUCKS ON-SITE.

PROCEEDS FROM THE FESTIVAL GO TO THE SHELBY COUNTY AREA ANIMAL SHELTERS.

>>> IT'S THE EVENT WHERE WALKING OVER SOMEONE'S YARD IS WELCOMED CALVERT CITY PUTS ON THE YARD SALE.

THERE WILL BE MORE THAN 30 YARD SALES WITHIN A TWO MILE RADIUS OF THE CITY.

CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE FOR A MAP OF THE LOCATIONS.

AND THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH, I'M TOBY GIBBS.

>> Christie: WE THANK YOU TOBY GIBBS.

AND THAT WILL DO IT FOR US THIS WEEK.

WE HOPE YOU HAVE A LABOR-FREE WEEKEND AND JOIN US MONDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL HERE ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

CONNECT ALL THE WAYS YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN BY FACEBOOK, X, AND INSTAGRAM.

YOU CAN STAY IN THE LOOP WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE AT KET.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND TO COME.

I'M RENEE SHAW AND I WILL SEE YOU MONDAY NIGHT.

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