As the flood cleanup continues.

Kentucky is getting exactly what it doesn't need.

More rain.

>> This is going to be emotional homecoming, probably for a lot of people that have left the Graves County.

>> We'll preview the first Fancy Farm picnic since December's deadly tornadoes.

>> We've been, you know, trying to push for this for a long time and they're not old enough to drink alcohol.

But now they're old enough to serve it.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Endowment for Kentucky Productions.

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky.

Addition for Friday, August, the Fed, we are coming to you from Fancy Farm in Graves.

County as we preview tomorrow's fancy Farm political picnic with Chelsea Live right here on KET.

More about that in just a few minutes.

But first, hey, Eta's Toby Gibbs has a recap of tonight's Kentucky Edition headlines.

♪ >> Eastern Kentucky death toll remains at 37 on change for a 3rd straight day.

But there are still people missing and unaccounted for.

Governor Andy Beshear says President Biden will visit the area on Monday and the governor says he is asking for Whitley County to be added to the miss a list of counties where victims will be eligible for individual assistance.

The governor says people need to be ready for more rain.

>> We have a slow moving thunderstorms that could lead to heavy rainfall at times through Saturday.

Rain and thunderstorms could lead to isolated scattered instances of flash flooding in eastern Kentucky today.

And tonight and more rain is forecast through midweek.

So everybody be weather aware.

>> Governor Beshear paid a visit Thursday to one of the organizations collecting supplies for flood victims in eastern Kentucky.

Beshear said he wanted to thank Appalachian Regional Healthcare for organizing a donation drive to help the communities hit by catastrophic flooding.

Alright, just collecting donations this week to bring to eastern Kentucky.

The health care system has hospitals and clinics in that region.

Officials all right say they have seen firsthand the devastating impact the flooding has had on their employees and their patients.

>> All of our hospitals are completely functional, which is great news.

We do have 4 clinics that were impacted pretty significantly from the flooding and 2 of those clinics are are not open now and more than likely will not be reopened.

Patients have been impacted in so many ways.

A lot of patients that were in the hospital when this happened.

You know, when it's time for them to be discharged in go home.

A lot of them don't have homes to go to anymore.

So we're working with our patients and family members to find appropriate shelters if they need to go to a shelter or trying to place them with another family member.

We also in the beginning of the flooding are ERs were overrun with patients coming in with all types of wounds in So we've seen patients impacted in in various ways.

We've had patients from our clinic show up in our hospitals trying to get food items, water and we're happy to serve in in any way we can to help our patients.

We have 163 of our employees that have lost absolutely everything.

>> And those people that are providing medical care to everybody and that area.

And so not only are our families affected, but that's been affected everybody else's families in that area.

And so, you know, you have to think about the second and 3rd order effects.

It's like when you drop a stone in the pool, the ripples go out.

And so these are things that, you know, could impact our area for a decade or more.

And so it's important that we get everything up and running and get our our people internally to a point where they feel good that they can do their work and take care of everybody else because that's what they do.

>> Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is reacting to the news from yesterday that the U.S. Justice Department is charging for Louisville police officers for their roles in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville in 2020 charges range from falsifying documents to lying to the FBI.

Cameron is reacting to criticism that the Justice Department took action after he didn't.

In a statement, Cameron says, quote, There are those who want to use this moment to divide Kentuckians misrepresent the facts of the state investigation and broadly impugn the character of our law enforcement community.

I won't participate in that sort of rank or it's not productive.

Instead, I'll continue to speak with the love and respect.

That is consistent with our values as Kentuckians on, quote, more flooding news U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky again took to the Senate floor to Price Kentucky INS for their tireless work and resourcefulness.

>> Emergency responders have deployed boats and trucks.

Across the affected region.

And Buckhorn residents are even loading up.

Good.

Take supplies to areas where the roads are literally washed up.

It's truly, truly heroic work.

>> Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams says he will seek reelection next year in a letter to the media Adams, a Republican says he will not seek higher office in 2023.

Today's COVID News is better.

The CDC says 80 Kentucky counties remain in the high category for COVID.

You see that in red on this map.

That's the same as last week.

But 9 counties are now green or low.

Last week.

There were no lo counties at all.

31 counties are now in yellow, meaning medium COVID levels.

And those are Tonights.

Kentucky Edition headlines.

♪ >> A new Kentucky law lowers the age to 18 for food and beverage workers who can serve alcohol.

The state legislature passed the bill earlier this year and it went into effect July 14th, Bowling Green Restaurant owner tells OS it's a big help for an industry that has recently faced labor shortages.

>> We've been, you know, trying to push for this for a long time.

And we've been talking about it as a group of friends.

And as you know, chefs and owners of different restaurants and it's something that we've needed for a while.

>> We just I felt like it would widen the workforce pool if employers have the opportunity to either take someone that's already been working for That's younger than 20.

>> And they can start earning tips.

>> It's now making a difference because, you know, then being able to be a reason when they're 16 and enjoying this job and then when they get when they turn 18 being able to then serve alcohol or tables makes a huge difference in the neck work at night and make you know, hopefully make a little bit more money doing those things and then what they were doing.

>> You know, those tips are appealing.

And if somebody really likes where they work, but it's easy to go get a different job that is paying the same or about the same.

It's just it's a good tool for employers to utilize.

>> You really have them now instead of having them for maybe one year or 2 years now, you really for for, you know, to get through college win when they turn 20, you know, they're already almost through college.

So at that time, you know, you may have for years and he's, you know, spend all this time and money training them and getting them up to speed and then they're gone.

But now it does is it allows you to have them after high school and into college.

>> Especially helpful.

I think in those college towns that are more young people that aren't 21 yet or 20?

>> Of course, you know, they still can Barton, which is, you know, totally fine.

You have somebody over the age of 20 being able to do that, just for them to be able to carry alcohol and be able to serve at the tables, it helps out a tremendous amount.

>> Leading up to the middle of Several of them have told me that they either hired or unable to KET and train them with the, you know, the knowledge that on July 14th Day that they were going to in in a server position.

>> Sending all the time and effort and money and training people and then they just get to where you want them to be and then they're leaving, you know, they're graduating college.

And then they're going to do for a career job.

It's nice to be able to have people that you can train at a younger age that are really motivated, energetic and want to learn those things and be able to have them for several more years after you've gotten up to speed.

>> Time now for end of week analysis of things political when our inside Kentucky Politics segment we have with us Democratic strategist Matt Irwin.

It was joining us from Louisville and and some very nice hotel in Washington, D.C., is Sky Jennings, Republican strategist.

A thank you so much for being with us.

Gentlemen.

We'll get right to the news of the week.

Let's talk about the eastern Kentucky flooding.

Of course, it's been a dominant thought and in many people's minds, of course, our thoughts remain with those in eastern Kentucky.

But we know that there are conversations about a possible special legislative session for relief Scott Jennings all go to you first.

What have you heard and do you think considering what was done for the western part of the state and the tornado relief package that was done.

Mayor, that they were happened to be in session at that time.

This is a little different and maybe the occasion calls and the need calls for a special session.

>> Yeah, I think it absolutely does.

Obviously the eastern Kentucky communities have been devastated by this flooding in.

We need to do everything we can for them.

And I think generally agree with that.

I also think we need to continue to encourage the same kinds of a federal-state partnerships I think we're so and recovering from the tornadoes in West Kentucky.

That needs to also happened in eastern Kentucky.

So whatever the Kentucky legislature needs to do, it should do to encourage that sort of cohesion a in a large scale recovery ever like this one.

>> And it seems matter and that the governor has been in conversations with legislative leaders about this.

So we there was no timeline set for a special session.

One has not been called yet, but it could be coming.

>> That doesn't sound like it's an announcement is right around the corner and it certainly is needed in Warren to drive.

I mean, the devastation is so widespread over so many counties and I I think that one of the things that the governor keeps talking about how the school year is right around the corner you have entire school districts that are prepared to open up and the counties and cities that are just in it that would go broke, trying to dig themselves out.

So the price tag of this is going to be staggering.

But it's certainly going to be worth it to help these communities get back on their feet.

My.

>> And we know that the Legislature 200 Million.

I think it was total for the Western Kentucky relief.

And when we spoke to Senate President Robert Stivers earlier this week, you said that that price tag is going to be much higher for him to Kentucky considering this, the depth and the breadth of the damage.

Let's talk about the developments on Thursday.

The FBI arrested for LMPD Louisville Metro police to department officers who were involved in the murder of Breonna Taylor back in 2020 Scott Jennings.

The question here is what, if any impact will this have on the U.S. Senate race?

We know that the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Charles Booker said that accountability is way overdue and that will never stop saying her name.

Breonna Taylor.

What impact will it have on the U.S. Senate race and what impact could it have on Daniel Cameron who was blasted during a press conference on Thursday by social justice advocates.

>> Yeah, I doubt it has any impact on the Senate I do think it's important for the wheels of justice to turn and to turn in a way that doesn't respond.

Artificial timelines but response to the facts.

And it appears to me that's what's happened here.

I know it took a long time, but it strikes me that federal law enforcement here has doing everything it needs to do to conduct the most thorough investigation possible and not rush it and not miss something.

And so I think we have to trust the judicial system.

I mean, this is part of trusting institutions, which we have a big problem with America right now.

The FBI and the federal law enforcement went about their job in a methodical fashion.

So I have a great deal of trust and what they've done.

I don't think it's really frankly a time to politicize.

This was a terrible tragedy, as was acknowledged by everyone at the time that it happened.

And I think many of us who were observing at the time thought it was likely that there may not have been a violation of state law, but they're quite likely could be a violation of federal law.

And that's the result that we have today, at least an alleged violation.

So I don't expect too much political impact here, although I suspect the usual suspects will come out and politicize it.

But I've always hesitated to want to politicize this because it's a terrible tragedy.

Someone lost their life.

Breonna Taylor should not have been killed in her own apartment.

and the politicization of I've always thought was a little rest.

And I heard I don't think it was warranted.

Frankly.

>> Matter when your thoughts.

>> I'm not entirely sure what kind of effect would have on the Senate race.

I know that it's going to have a good effect here in Louisville in that.

I don't think people are encouraged by the announcement today, but I think there's just sort a sense of of relief that finally.

Someone is being held mean so many levers of the justice system seem to have taken a pass and some very bad actors accountable, something that cost on to tailor her life.

And I'm glad to see that that accountability while long overdue is finally there.

I do think I do think it will have an effect on the on the run public and primary and there are public or I'm sorry, the that oil race should Cameron be the nominee because he's had such a short.

And frankly and distinct and distinctive career as attorney general, that this is a large part of his short legacy.

So I do think that his handling of this case and the fact that it took the FBI and the Department of Justice to come in and finally hold some folks accountable will be a as he tries to get the nomination or the Republican nomination and possibly 6 to become governor.

>> So real quickly, let's talk about Fancy Farm because we're on the eve of that big event.

That is a must see must attend political bucket list item Scott Jennings, you're going to be on the stage with us with our other pundits on on Saturday.

So what are you expecting?

Real quick like?

>> it's still unclear about what the Senate schedule is going to although a suspect we'll know here in the next few hours.

But to me, the big marquee issue is the 2023 Republican primary for governor that most all the candidates coming up, a state Kelly Kraft is not in the race yet, but I expect to run so I'm looking to how these EV they've been on the stage before, but never is gubernatorial candidates in this way.

So looking to see how they perform on Saturday.

>> And matter when you the governor is taking a pass, he's not going to Israel, but he won't be at Fancy Farm either.

Does that matter?

>> No, not at all.

As matter of fact, with the governor dealing with the devastation and eastern Kentucky, I think would have been inappropriate for him to take the stage and try to get a few, you know, cheers and laughs out of a crowd when, you know, the 70 community and communities that have been dug out yet, the only thing I'd watch of fancy pharmacy.

If which Republican candidates are disciplined enough not to take the bait, which don't want to do is, but I wouldn't want to do if I was the Republican nominee is try to leapfrog everybody to the right to try to, you captured the moment when.

You know the the election is next year and you don't want to lay words out on the table that could be forced to eat in a couple of months.

>> Well, we'll KET our eyes and ears open because certainly KET will provide the coverage of it live as it happens on Saturday, beginning at one 30 local time, 2.30, eastern time.

Thank you, Scott Jennings matter one have a great weekend.

>> And that makes for an aunt.

>> This is the 140nd Fancy Farm picnic, the phrase Fancy Farm is synonymous with Kentucky politics and hot August.

Whether did you know it wasn't always in August and wasn't always political.

KET, still be.

Gibbs has more on fancy farms history.

Its traditions, and even the name.

>> The story really begins in the 18 20's.

When settlers from Tennessee, Virginia and other parts of Kentucky first arrived in present-day Graves.

County.

Many were Catholic and they found at Saint Jerome's Catholic Church in 18.

36.

A series of family reunions turned into a regular series of picnics and by 18, 80, the picnic could become a fundraiser for the church.

But it wasn't political at first.

>> My grandfather was the one who really popularize the political aspect of the fancy Farm picnic.

And that was in the 1930's.

>> 1931 specifically.

That's the Be happy.

Chandler spoke while running for Lieutenant Governor.

He went on to win that race and Fancy Farm became a place for old-school political speech are fine.

We think a Fancy Farm is being the first Saturday in August.

That wasn't always the case.

In fact, for most of its history, it wasn't.

It was in July until 1956, when Kentucky's primary was in August.

When the primary moved to may Fancy Farm was pushed back and became the unofficial kickoff to the fall campaign.

Some big national names have turned up at Fancy Farm Governor George Wallace spoke in 1975. one year before his 4th and final campaign for president and 3 years after he was paralyzed by a would-be assassin's bullet.

>> He was up at the podium speaking.

That's when the photographers had style cameras that had exposed flash bulbs on.

Well, a photographer went to take a picture and then it it hopped lack a gun.

And Governor Wallace flan stayed inside the line.

So he went on and proceed with this page.

The photographer, a load of the boat.

Another.

Still shot of the mandate.

Pop block.

A gun governor was flashed again.

He says the Alabama all have to excuse me, but I'm still just a little bit gun job.

Fair.

>> Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas was there in 1988 as a candidate for vice president.

But he couldn't swing Kentucky to the Dukakis Benson ticket.

Senator Al Gore of Tennessee stopped at Fancy Farm 4 years later.

>> He was more successful.

Clinton and Gore carried Kentucky that November senator and vice president al been Barclay spoke at Fancy Farm multiple times.

It was familiar turf for him.

The Jackson purchases, favorite son was born in Graves.

County.

The food has also made the history books.

When picnic dollars put away 15,000 pounds of mutton pork and chicken.

At the 1982 picnic.

>> It made the Guinness Book of World Records.

>> You might be asking how did the community get that name?

The story is in the 18 40's when the area wanted its own post office visiting postal inspectors stated a farm that made quite an impression on him.

So he named the area fancy Farm.

>> For KET, I'm Toby.

Get.

♪ >> This Saturday will be the first fancy Farm picnic after the tornado that struck Graves County and distort portions of downtown Mayfield.

The picnics political chairman says the annual get together will offer an opportunity for the community to heal and he offers those dealing with the aftermath of the flooding in eastern Kentucky.

Some advice our Casey Parker-bell spoke with Steven Elder political chairman for Fancy Farms, famous political speaking event.

>> You have a lot of people come to town that probably will see the tornado.

Issues.

And and, you know, Blake, a slight without buildings there for the first time.

>> Stephen Elder was one of the first people in downtown Mayfield after the tornado decimated the town.

>> I mean, that's just that is.

That's that's a real.

>> And he was on the ground during recovery efforts.

I feel we welcome that now as eastern Kentucky begins recovery from recent floods.

He has advice for the people there.

>> It's devastating to see it kind of a tornado that came through.

And you know, that left right there's still a lot of infrastructure that that you know, that people can pass over.

So it's it's different in that in that sense.

But they're going to be overwhelmed with support, which is a fantastic thing.

>> Elder says Eastern Kentucky should be prepared for an influx of kindness and giving and how to handle the load.

But for the Graves County community, this weekend's Fancy Farm Picnic offers an opportunity for families to gather and heal from December's ones.

>> This is going to be emotional homecoming, probably for a lot of people that have left the Graves County and that will be and they want because we'll all be back together.

>> For many, the highlight of the picnic is the political speaking about and this year speaking roster is broader than usual.

Typically speakers include elected officials and candidates for the current year's election this year.

Speakers include the usual cast and Republican gubernatorial candidates, Savannah, Maddox and Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Eldridge.

You've included Representative Savannah Maddox to speaking roster because she is a good bit Oriole candidate.

Could you explain why you made that decision?

>> Yes.

So if you're looking constitutional officers that normally speak.

You're the attorney general State auditor and the commissioner of Agriculture all running already for governor I can't control what anybody there on the stage.

My guess would be as a probably going to.

I give a political speech in terms of wanting to be the governor or, you know, at least the executive styles speech.

And so I would think that it would be only fair.

at Savannah, Maddox to the roster because she has a broad support from across the state.

You can you can tell after a fundraising efforts.

We want to have a good mix of Democrats and Republicans and ideas and speeches on all states.

That's what makes painting farm so unique.

Is it?

That's the time that people from both parties to kind of come together.

And I have had a lot of fun.

But then, you know, have some jab step back and for us.

>> For Kentucky, additional I'm Casey Parker-bell.

>> You can go to Chicago and Alabama this weekend without leaving Kentucky details in around the Commonwealth.

Our weekly calendar of events.

♪ >> Fans of folk, blues and country can enjoy all 3 of the annual Osborne Brothers Hometown Festival this weekend and high enjoy performances by artist David Adkins.

Kevin Wilson, M**** Brothers and more this year's festival will also raise funds to help Eastern Kentucky flood victims.

Join the Mary Murderous is of the Cook County Jail in Lexington, Theatre's production of Chicago this weekend.

>> Kentucky Native Haley Fish is returning from Broadway to star as Velma Kelly and his production enjoyed music dancing and all that jazz.

Annual Fancy Farm Picnic is this Saturday and Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

The event draws and people from all around you get to enjoy fried fish, barbecue, pork and mutton while listening to politicians roast their rivals.

The most awarded and the history of country music, Alabama will be in concert in Sharpsburg is Saturday night with countless top chart hits.

But the records and songs and well-known hits such as song of the South and Not Magic.

This is a night you won't want to miss.

>> The land of brothers Jamaree variety show is happening this Saturday in Owensboro.

This event is fun for all ages, but the number of musical acts, interactive dances, comedy routines and much more.

>> It's a day on the lake with a twist.

The annual poker run on the barren is this Saturday and Locust crews around the lake while picking up cards along the way and see if you can walk away with a royal flush.

>> The annual farm to Fork is Sunday in Covington.

Come celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Covington's Farmers Market and enjoy Delicious Farm.

Fresh brunch featuring local produce as well as live music and yard games.

This event is held in a different location each year.

>> To give it its own unique vibe and feel.

The 8th of August is observed as the first day slaves in Western Kentucky learned of their freedom to commemorate that event.

The WC Young Community Center in Paducah will host an emancipation celebration this Monday.

The event includes youth activities live entertainment and much more.

And that's what's going on around the commonwealth.

I'm Toby get UPS.

>> Stay with KET for full coverage before during and after the Fancy Farm picnic join Bill Bryant and a panel of reporters for comment on Kentucky tonight from Fancy Farm at 8 Eastern 7 Central.

Our live coverage of tomorrow's speech is big ends at 2.30, Eastern one, 30 central.

And we'll recap Fancy Farm Monday at 08:00PM Eastern 7 Central.

Be sure to subscribe to our weekly Kentucky Edition email newsletter and watch full episodes and clips of Ktv Dot Org.

You can also find Kentucky Edition on the PBS video app on your mobile device and smart TV and follow KET on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop.

Thank you so much for joining us.

Have a great weekend ahead.

Take good care.

Now, see you Monday night.

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