♪ >> We can and can't campaign for constitutional amendments on Kentucky's ballot.

The attorney general is weighing yet again.

But this time with a different opinion.

>> And so the point that I would want to make as they head of higher education, it is as we move forward, how do we continue to serve those students?

>> My conversation with Kentucky's top higher education official has another university dissolves.

It's office focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

>> The biggest thing we need to do is give more awareness, let more people know more about what we do.

>> Finding better ways to support those who served our country.

>> We want people to know what we're here for and 5 people of like mind in us that want to help the children of our service area.

>> And children going through the family court system have new allies in eastern Kentucky.

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

♪ ♪ >> Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Friday, August, the THIRTIETH, I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for starting off your weekend with us.

Kentucky's Republican Attorney General Russel Coleman says local Republican Party executive committees >> should be allowed to spend money to campaign for or against constitutional amendments.

Coleman's argument is articulated in a brief he filed yesterday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in the filing.

His office is asking a judge to allow an injunction against the Kentucky registry of election finance, which enforces the state's campaign finance laws.

Earlier this year, the group told the Boone County Republican Party that its executive committee could not spend money to advocate for or against constitutional amendments.

The attorney general argues the committee has a right to do so.

In a statement he wrote, quote, The government doesn't get to choose how political parties communicate with voters doing so, especially this close to an election as an infringement on the First Amendment and quote, earlier this month, Coleman said public schools can not spend public dollars to campaign for against amendment number 2, that was in response to the Pulaski County school system's know to amendment to post on its official Facebook page.

That amendment if passed in November would allow the Kentucky General Assembly to authorize public money for private schools.

This weekend.

Kentucky will mark overdose Awareness Day Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is ordering flies at state office buildings be lowered to half half-staff tomorrow.

In addition, the governor's mansion will be lit purple.

The color chosen to show support for overdose awareness.

Lynda Squire of Louisville lost her son to an overdose in 2015 during yesterday's team.

Kentucky briefing.

She talked about the state's efforts to curb the problem.

>> Kentucky has led the way in overdose awareness and prevention.

We are doing our part to stop the stigma to increase opportunities for treatment and recovery and to give hope to those that are still struggling.

♪ ♪ >> Another public university in Kentucky is shuttering its office related to diversity, equity and inclusion or what is commonly called dei.

Northern Kentucky University president KET Short Thompson announced the news yesterday in an email according to the Lexington Herald-Leader, the e-mail said in KU will dissolve its office of inclusive Excellence.

The announcement follows the resignation of and K use chief diversity officer earlier this month.

The University of Kentucky announced it was dissolving its office for Institutional Diversity.

Presidents of both universities said their decisions follow failed legislative efforts that they expect to resurface next year to curtail or even prohibit dei programs in Kentucky.

Universities.

Today, I asked Aaron Thompson who's president of the Kentucky Council on post-secondary education about the possible impacts of these decisions and our Education matters segment.

>> President Thompson, thank you for being with us.

We appreciate it.

>> Thank you, Renee, always good to be with on any show that you have.

Well, we're glad to have you on this one.

Let's talk about the recent developments this week with Northern Kentucky University now becoming the second.

Public higher Ed Institution that has said it is dissolving their diversity offices.

Talk to us about.

Do you expect other universities to follow suit and what potential impacts could this have?

>> Very fair My guess is that others will some have already could be honest with you.

I think several of our institutions, Larry dispersed.

Those offices throughout campus is a you know, I have I wasn't surprised that Northam.

A UK obviously is our flagship and it was by far the most one that people have heard about and actually talk about.

But yes, I I think the point really interesting them as how then do we make sure that we are serving all of our students, even those under-represented populations who use those offices as a point of contact right?

And so, but, you know, you know what happened last year and even sometimes before about there's there were some political concerns around those offices and mandatory training, even though I don't think many of her campus is that mandatory training and then maybe your officers that KET him do the things that I think that people assume that were banned on.

But what we do know is they were serving students.

And so the point that I would want to make as they have higher education, it is as we move forward, how do we continue to serve those students that we serve fairly well, if you look at the last 5 years and how we're closing gaps.

>> Well, in this has been one of your priorities since you were selected as the president of the Kentucky Council on Post-secondary education are closing those academic achievement gaps and helping underrepresented minority groups.

And that's not always a black and white issue.

As we have discussed on many, many occasions.

But talk about how the can if there is a connection between the closure of these diversity offices.

2, the academic achievement of underrepresented groups.

Let's get a very fair question.

We should be asking a question.

And if we're not concentrating on that, we're not doing what we need to do.

>> And we set it up as as the person who's the head of higher education is over, saying a lot of a strategy for Kentucky.

I represent Kentucky.

And what I know is that in Kentucky, if we don't get more people prepared with a college credential of some sort to be a part of this economy.

Word about doing the kind of strategies we need to do.

Those officers stood as a part of those.

As a matter of fact.

But can I don't think we were on Kyle think we did anything illegal in most processees.

The item that I know is that if you look at well, that's taken place in Kentucky.

Are strategies help all students.

And we have been please understand number 2 in the country, credentials across the board.

We're also understanding that we've had good enrollment over the last several years.

Much of enrollment has been increased by underrepresented minority populations.

So when we talk about those things around the guy, we talk about low income to something we haven't done nearly as well on that.

We need to do better on so strategies have to focus on that.

They have to focus on adults have to focus on people with disabilities.

We have to focus on all that and all those fall within those categorical areas of the guys we've discussed.

But these offices actually served as a point of contact for many people who felt disenfranchised from our college campuses.

Right?

I mean, you said that means wide and what it means that if you look at gaps all that you something really simplistic, I'm thinking about this.

If you look at just and gaps, let's have in our K 12 and higher is a big apps are farther apart between a majority population.

So minority populations right?

And so what happens is on a college campus is that we get those students in most of us are fairly open enrollment right?

We get those students.

We have to give them what they need on from Eastern Kentucky.

And I'm proud of that but also know that in many cases are low income and other folks need that kind of help too.

And that focus on really taking the student works.

Here he is at any given them what they need to be successful and Stewart comedy, they're going to get jobs, pay taxes are not going to probably end up in prison switches.

I correlation between lack of education are probably not going to be on Medicaid, which is higher correlation.

So our goal is to do it all.

And I'm proud to say that we've done a good job in this state.

Actually top in the nation of closing those gaps.

It's not doing anything super extra that we don't kill somebody else.

We're giving everybody what they need.

But we're understanding river coming from.

So with these offices not being there.

I don't know where that future enrollment.

We don't know.

But we're called now.

All of us myself.

The presidents weather set in Oregon, UK U of L wherever it may be to say, how do we make sure that we continue to serve even though may not have leaves office is how do we make sure that students don't feel as if they're not getting what they need to be successful?

>> The performance based funding model is somewhat based on the ability of universities to demonstrate that they have some intentionality and success and closing these gaps.

Right?

What does that these actions due to that imperative that the CPA set forth?

>> Yes, as you all know, last year, but attorney general said that her you are am definition was underrepresented.

Minorities represent minority spank.

You.

Was unconstitutional.

We should use that.

So the Senate and the House passed a bill that says with her performance funding bill that we had to come back this year and were meeting for the first time next week to read the find underrepresented.

We know water use the minority piece of a very defined what it is.

We're in that process now.

But you have to also understand our performance funding model.

The biggest part is what we do for all students to get them ready.

But we also have a shortage in our stamp of science technology, engineering and math areas.

And so that's a part of and 2.

So we're doing we're giving the money to help build that out.

We're going to mind helped Bill low-income out given my tail bill first generation and now a adult learners, which we need sooner or later, we're going to have a contrail.

How we get more men back in higher education, believe it or not and can cause the males are outpacing them at the battle of females are up a sudden we're well to help emails like that mean.

We'd also are.

But what we also know is there's a birth or gap man.

We better figure out what it is for Kentucky walk continue to be a robust economy if we don't do that.

So the way we approach all of this, what are the strategies are needed to help them have access to a higher education degree and how do we help them to get through to that finish line as fast as they can as the most affordable we can make sure it happens for them.

All of those pieces have to be still in place.

If not, we won't continue to grow as we're growing.

Yeah.

>> Doctor Aaron Thompson, thank you so much.

We appreciate a few minutes of your time.

>> Thank you so much for as always.

It's great to be with you.

>> Now turning to some business notes, more good news for Kentucky's economy.

Another distillery is coming to the Commonwealth saga.

Spirits says it's planning a 92 million dollar whisk a project in Woodford County.

It will include a distillery visitor center and restaurant Governor Andy Beshear announced the news yesterday was Henderson is behind the project in 2019.

He bought the Kentucky Castle in Versailles and says Save spirits will also be making improvements to the iconic hotel.

Bourbon is big business in the bluegrass.

Its economic impact on Kentucky last year was estimated at nearly 14 billion dollars employ more than 95,000 workers.

♪ ♪ More Kentucky veterans are getting the support they need for the challenges they face but making sure more of them know what's available is an ongoing challenge.

According to leaders of Veterans Service organizations who gathered at a recent Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs Conference, the information they most want veterans to know about what mental health resources are available to them.

>> Yes, it is gas to so many organizations out there.

And that's why this conference is I is kind and get everyone on the same sheet of music as one team to work together.

It's important.

We.

Recognize and honor and >> payback for veterans who have served this great country of ours and to do it with services.

Many veterans.

>> Struggle with getting benefits because they think they're taking from somebody else.

Some people don't understand the veterans that are struggling with under employment.

What that means is I have a job.

I like the job.

I I don't think I can get another.

So I I have to I got to stay here because I'm getting some money, but I'm not getting enough.

So it's almost a a endless cycle.

As we know.

There's a lot of struggles when it comes to issues that veterans and other Kentucky's are dealing with.

And many roads leads to issues with mental health.

Including a, you know, folks who actually died by suicide and stuff like that when it comes to our our mental wellbeing and mental health when we try to handle ourselves, sometimes the situation Pao's on other things happened and we get to the point where either what I do ask for help its way deep in the situation or sometimes I I'm in a mental state.

I can't come completely or clearly communicate issues I'm having.

There are more people reaching out.

But there are more people who don't know of the option.

So the biggest thing we need to do is give more awareness, let more people know more about what we do.

They enacted the compact act in a lot of people do not know about it.

But the veteran meet certain criteria if they're in a emergency suicide ideation situation, they can get.

Assistance from any hospital with an emergency room.

The costs will be under right by the VA House Bill.

30.

Past inside and inactive and active in April.

What it's going to do is allow us to formally Courtney, what Governor Challenge Kentucky Department telling fares Capita on health and family services to really coordinate and collaborate more on the things that we already do for suicide prevention.

I think the to me the single issue is that with less than one percent.

Serving in uniform.

That connection between those we serve are.

>> Citizens of this great country.

And those who serve in uniform, the sacrifice they made for them to KET our freedom.

That connection.

Nice to be made strongly.

Okay.

In not only influences recruiting for the future, but it also helps in that transition for the veteran who's coming back.

We can't have just a few defending this country.

And have them not be appreciated nor had the citizens who don't serve, which is all right.

To appreciate that.

And to know the benefit of that national towards our national defense.

It's critical in that relationship, whether it be in the church or in community organization.

Whatever.

It's not a mystery.

It's a matter appreciating each other.

>> Leslie Beavers, who you heard from in this story was presented with a letter of recognition from President Joe Biden at the conference.

Beavers was appointed the first commissioner of the Kentucky Department of veteran affairs and 1998. by then Governor Paul Patton.

♪ Children going through the family court system in eastern Kentucky could be getting additional support.

>> The non-profit CASA, which stands for court appointed special advocates has opened a new branch, casa of the Appalachian Mountains currently has 5 volunteers to represent the 7 counties.

It serves.

We spoke to the staff who've been hard at work looking for new volunteers.

>> Ali are and Floyd, not lastly lecture the coffin.

Perry and pot counties were in 7 counties since January between January and June.

227 cases have been filed for children due to abuse, neglect, Independent C in our service area around.

When we have full capacity volunteers where we're at right now with the 60 volunteers that would be 150 children.

We could be serving.

But right now where only servicing 13.

So the more volunteers, the bigger difference are making in these childrens laughs.

We currently have 5 volunteers working under the gold for us.

You know, nice first couple years that we're starting is we want to spur spread that awareness.

We want people to know what we're here for and >> 5 people of like mind in us that want to help the children of our service area.

You know, we always talk about, you know, our service area kind of being forgotten, if you will.

And we want to make sure that, you know, this doesn't continue to be forgotten.

We want to make sure people are aware of what's happening to the children in our area and that there's ways to help them.

And this is just this just happens to be one of them.

If we have a child who is in same a gofund county.

>> But the only volunteered that we have available is in Leslie County.

That is more of an ask on that volunteer.

Whereas if we had someone local, not only do they know the local culture as that county and can relate to the child.

They if you're in the several counties away, that's a further distance for you to have to drive to meet with that child.

One of our biggest needs at our branch of costs of the Appalachian Mountains is that finding volunteers from Darfur's ethnic groups, cultures and people from the LGBTQ+ community.

We are always looking for volunteers that can relate to our children.

Our children come from all walks of life and we want to be able to better service them by providing them with an adult, a safe person who they feel they can better relate to.

>> Having these different branches of casa, it really does look at these personal cultures and lots of children.

>> If we had someone from that say Ohio or Nevada, somewhere like that.

And he was of or are Casa Branch.

They're not gonna understand why our children in Appalachia are coming from and phosphorus silent and be able to as readily meet the needs of a child from another state.

>> So when she joined Casa because if they are looking to get back, if they're looking to, you know, further eastern Kentucky inning create the next generation.

Basically we've got to start when they're young and we got to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to thrive and grow and being a part of Casa as wild ways to do that and you can help these children find their permanent homes.

Find safety and find a home that they can thrive and find love in.

>> Casa of the Appalachian Mountains is also on the lookout for male volunteers to better connect with some of the boys.

The group serves.

♪ >> A major Kentucky attraction is celebrating a milestone.

The National Corvette Museum is hosting its 30th anniversary of the Corvette caravan Corvettes from every state and at least 5 countries began arriving in Bowling Green on Wednesday, about 5,000 Corvettes and 8,000.

People are expected to make the track activities are scheduled through the weekend.

4 people will be inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame.

>> A milestone anniversary done a caravan and every so caravan has grown.

So we doing for our grand opening and then we just continue the traditions.

Every 5 years we had another caravan and they join us in the bureau and people come farther and farther away.

So people from other countries have ship reported that started with caravans and driven across the not safe to be here with us.

>> The museum says it has significant economic impact with hotels booked from Elizabethtown to Nashville.

It's a rolling car show that begins at various starting points across the country.

Many of them make it an extended road trip, leaving a week or 2 in advance to visit sites along the way.

>> We started in Gettysburg needed the battlefield tours win over to Lancaster County Bird.

In the hand that Amish country, a lot of those folks have never been in those areas.

And then just the beautiful countryside, maybe all the way down to to North Carolina and 2 a gym.

You know that.

And it's been a great experience.

And there's so many different cultures and people, you know, when you get down here and see y'all come back now.

Yeah, and we will.

>> Yeah, better.

There is a free concert tomorrow night at Circus Square Park and downtown Bowling Green Generation Radio will perform, which includes band members from Rascal Flatts, Chicago and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

There's a lot more to do this Labor Day weekend.

Our Toby Gibbs has a look at events happening all around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> Louisville's Premier International Festival begins today.

World Fest features nearly 150 international vendors, a global village highlighting customs from around the world and a parade of cultures with nearly 1000 participants come celebrate the diversity in Louisville this weekend.

Also under way as the quilt show of the litter, the mountains in Monticello.

Check out the beautiful displays quilting demonstrations and the costs of lineup of vendors.

Whether you're a fiber arts themed or just dipping your toes in the quilting ground.

There's something here for everyone.

It's safe to say we're well into the dog days of summer, but the dog days of Kentucky starting tomorrow had to hire one for the only hot dog championship in the Commonwealth dress in costume.

And join the live music and maybe even discover the best hot dog in the state.

I'm sure you'll relish the experience.

Labor Day celebrations will be popping off and Pulaski County tomorrow.

Thunder over Burnside promises a day full of food, fun and live music followed by an evening of exhilarating.

Fireworks celebrate the end of summer with a bang and Burnside this weekend.

If you believe Bluegrass music, you want to be in Owensboro for the Hall of Fame.

Homecoming weekend featuring Doyle Lawson and Paul Williams tonight is all about the Gospel classics.

And tomorrow evening promises.

Bluegrass favorites to make it to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum for this great event.

Fascinated by flying creatures of the night, Mammoth cave as the perfect event for you tomorrow is that night at the park and researchers will be discussing bat biology and monitoring techniques.

Plus demonstrations on how they capture and evaluate the health of bats.

Bring your curiosity and the small flashlight.

Since 1971, the Fraley festival of traditional music has been celebrating the traditional music of eastern Kentuckyian this years festival starts on Wednesday.

Hear from professional musicians, family bands and strangers who just met in the parking lot.

The love of musicals storytelling makes this festival truly special.

You don't want to miss it.

Another long-running festival is kicking off next week.

Georgetown's 43rd Festival of the horse will feature craft vendors and craft beers, delicious food and a grand parade of horses, which is the largest parade in the county.

Come celebrate Kentucky's horse heritage next weekend.

And that's what's happening around the commonwealth.

I'm told he give us.

>> Thank you to be Gibbs.

It's the one 100th anniversary of Kentucky's State park system.

Among those celebrating the milestone, best-selling author and Kentucky poet laureate Silas House.

>> I must have seen the polls, you know, hundreds 100's of times.

But I am always mesmerized by.

>> Hear how one state park helped shaped him and continues to inspire his writing as we celebrate Kentucky State parks Centennial birthday on a special Kentucky Edition on Labor Day.

That's Monday which we hope you'll join us for again at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central where we inform connect and inspire.

And that's with us all the ways you see on your screen, Facebook X and Instagram to stay in the loop and send us a story idea.

>> And public affairs at K E T Dot Org.

It's been a pleasure to be with you this week.

We'll be right back here again next week.

Have a great three-day weekend ahead.

Take it.

♪