[♪♪] >> REDISTRICTINGTH THE MIDDLE OF 10 YEARS IS INSANE.

>> THEY ARE NEVER NONPARTISAN.

>> Renee: OUR PANEL TALKS ABOUT CHANGING POLITICAL BOUNDARIES AS WE GO INSIDE KENTUCKY POLITICS.

>> THE 8TH OF AUGUST IS A DAY WITH A SPECIAL MEANING BUT WHY?

AND WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND IT.

>> THEY WANT TO LIVE UNDER THE ROCK THEIR EXISTENCE IS TO BE LIKE A ROCK.

>> Renee: THIS GUY IS MAKING A BIG SPLASH AFTER COMING OUT FROM UNDER HIS ROCK.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 8TH, WE ARE READY TO START OFF THE WEEKEND.

I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US TONIGHT.

>>> A KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN SAYS IT'S TIME STATES PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF MEDICAID COSTS.

KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN BRETT GUTHRIE IS A REPUBLICAN FROM THE SECOND DISTRICT.

HE IS ALSO CHAIR OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE.

THE COMMITTEE THAT DRAFTED FUTURE CUTS IN MEDICAID SPENDING OUTLINED IN PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S TAX AND BUDGET BIG CALLED THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL.

CONGRESSMAN GUTHRIE SAYS WITH THE MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAMS OFF THE TABLE THE HOUSE HAD TO FOCUS ON MEDICAID CUTS.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH WHASTV IN LOUISVILLE HE SAID QUOTE THE FEDERAL TAXPAYER CANNOT DO IT WE HAVE A TRILLION BUDGET DEFICIT AND THE STATES KNOW THEY HAVE TO DO MORE.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO DO.

END QUOTE.

>>> LEXINGTON HAS A NEW PLAN TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE THE CITY MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AS IT HOSTS CITIES UNITED A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON HOLISTIC APPROACHES TO GUN VIOLENCE.

THE NONPROFIT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH ONE LEXINGTON, THE CITY'S YOUTH VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM ON THE UPDATED PLAN.

IT CENTERS AROUND IMPROVING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ADVOCACY.

ADVOCATES SAY THE PRIORITIES OUTLINED IN THE PLAN COME OUT OF CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> THIS IS IS NOT OUR VOICE IT IS THE COMMUNITY'S VOICE AND THE COMMUNITY SAYS WE NEED MORE ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITY CENTERS THAT IS WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAYING NOT JUST US.

WHEN THE COMMUNITY IS SAYING ONE LEXINGTON WE HEAR YOU BUT WE NEED MORE IS YOUR VAFFER ORGANIZATIONS AT THAT TIME IS LEADING THE FIGHT.

HOW CAN WE AS CITY GOVERNMENT INVEST IN THOSE SURVIVOR LED ORGANIZATIONS.

THERE'S SO MANY THINGS AT THAT TIME CAME OUT OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

WE ARE EXCITED PO PARTNER WITH YOU, THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE THOSE THINGS HAPPEN.

ONE OF OUR BEST CONVERSATIONS WE HAD IN MOST CITIES WE GO TO IS WHEN YOUNG FOLKS WHO ARE SURVIVORS OF GUN VIOLENCE AND IMPACTED AND WITNESSED IT AND LOST LOVED ONES TO GUN VIOLENCE AND LISTEN TO THEM HOW SEE THIS WORK THEY SEE LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY IN THE CITY.

BUT DON'T SEE THEY ARE CONNECTED TO THAT OPPORTUNITY.

SO THEY ARE ASKING FOR US AND YOU ALL WHO LIVE IN LEXINGTON TO HEADACHE SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Renee: CITIES UNITED ANNOUNCED IT WAS GIVING $40,000 IN GRANTS TO HELP LEXINGTON IMPLEMENT THE UPDATED ONE LEXINGTON STRATEGIC PLAN.

[♪♪] TIME TO GO INSIDE KENTUCKY POLITICS WITH SOME OF OUR FAVORITES WE HAVE ABBEY PIPER AND JERRY SMITH AND WE HAVE TREY GRAYSON WITH CAPITAL RAINS PR AND WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE THEM TODAY.

WE HAVE ALL THREE OF YOU TOGETHER.

THE PODCASTERS AS THEY ARE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SENATE PRIMARY AND IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT CHANGED ON SATURDAY, THE TONE OF THE RACE OR WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE FROM WHAT HAPPENED IN THE STAGE ON FANCY FARM ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT HAPPEN IN THE DAYS FOLLOWING, ABBEY?

>> YOU KNOW, THINK WHAT WE SAW IS A GREAT TURNOUT OF SUPPORT FOR DANIEL CAMERON.

SO THIS MIGHT BE THE KICK START FOR HIS CAMPAIGN.

IT IS A START THAT FUNDRAISING PUSH THAT HE DESPERATELY NEEDS AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME.

AND SHOWING UP IN WEST KENTUCKY HE HAS GOOD NAME ID THIS COULD BE HIS SECOND COMING IF YOU WILL.

>> Renee: OKAY.

>> I THOUGHT CONGRESSMAN BARR HAD THE MOST TO LOSE AT FANCY FARM AND I THINK HE ROSE TO HIS MOMENT HE DID THE BEST OF THE THREE.

ALL THREE DID WELL ANYWAY.

SO I THINK HE PROBABLY HAS KICK IN HIS CAMPAIGN AFTERWARDS FROM THAT AS WELL.

>> Renee: BECAUSE WHY?

>> BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN ON THE FANCY FARM FAN STAGE BEFORE.

HIS FIRST PROION TO WESTERN KENTUCKY HE HAD MORE AT STAKE THAN DANIEL CAMERON HAS BEEN THERE A COUPLE TIMES ORNATE NATURE PROBABLY GOING TO BE A SELF FUNDER HE DOESN'T HAVE TO DO THE REAL WORK FUNDRAISING.

>> THE PODCAST AFTER FANCY FARM WAS OVER, WE WERE RECORDING FROM THE PICNIC GROUNDS AND HE CERTAINLY HAD A BOUNCE IN HIS STEP AND SEEMED LIKE HE WON THE DAY THE WAY HE WAS CARRYING HIMSELF AFTER THE PICNIC HE SEEMED LIKE HE FELT LIKE HE HAD A GOOD DAY.

>> Renee: WHY WOULD HE FEEL OTHERWISE DO THEY NOT ALL FEEL THAT WAY?

>> SOMETIMES.

>> BOTH CANDIDATES THERE BEFORE AND SOMETIMES THEY COME OFF THE STAGE I DIDN'T END THE CAMPAIGN BUT IT COULD HAVE GONE BETTER.

>> Renee: BUT IT'S SO SCRIPTED.

>> BUT THERE'S DIFFERENCES IN DELIVERY.

NATE MORRIS SOME OF THIS LINES WOULD HAVE COME ACROSS BETTER AND NATE MORRIS COULD HAVE SMILED MORE.

SOME OF THE JOKES CAME OFF ALMOST MEAN.

>> Renee: JOE SAYS IT WAS MEAN-SPIRITED.

>> IF YOU SAID IT WITH A SMILE, DONALD TRUMP WILL SAY THOSE THINGS BUT HE WILL HAVE A SCHOOL BOY SMIRK WHEN HE DOES IT.

AND IT LESSENS SOME OF THE VENOM AND NATE CAME ACROSS AS ROUGHER.

BUT SOMETIMES YOU GET ON THE STAGE AND YOU FORGET ABOUT YOUR FACIAL EXPRESSIONS BECAUSE YOU ARE TRYING TO GET THROUGH IT.

>> .

>> THIS IS A HOSTILE CROWD.

WHEN YOU RETRAIN PEOPLE FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING IT'S GOING TO BE AN AUDIENCE THAT IS WELL-BEHAVED.

THE WHOLE POINT OF THE EVENT IS FOR IT NOT TO BE FOR IT TO BE A JOCULAR EVENT.

AND ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE CHANTING GOING ON IT IS ALARMING IT'S HARD TO COME OFF THE STAGE FOR CANDIDATES USED TO A SCRIPTED AUDIENCE.

AN AUDIENCE THAT IS MORE MUNDANE AND FEEL LIKE THEY GOT THE MESSAGE ACROSS.

>> I DON'T THINK NATE'S MESSAGE WAS FOR THE CROWD.

HE WAS SPEAKING TO THE PEOPLE AT HOME AND SPEAKING TO ONE PERSON IN PARTICULAR AND THAT IS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP LOOKING FOR THAT ENDORSEMENT.

>> Renee: AND WHO DO YOU THINK THE ENDORSEMENT WILL GO TO AFTER SATURDAY'S PERFORMANCE?

>> THE MOST LIKELY SCENARIO IS AN ENDORSEMENT OR NO ENDORSEMENT AT ALL.

>> Renee: MULTICANDIDATE IS THAT A THING?

>> IF YOU ARE CALL LIFE CYCLE HE ENDORSED ERIC IN MISSOURI THERE WERE TWO ERICS RUNNING IN MISSOURI AND HE ENDORSED JUST ERIC.

IT WOULD BE HARD FOR HIM TO ENDORSE AGAINST CONGRESSMAN BARR IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SUPPORTED CONGRESSMAN BARR IN THE PAST ON TWO EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT.

IT WOULD BE HARD TO DO THAT.

AND NATE MORRIS IS WORKING HARD TRYING TO GET THAT.

WHAT COULD BE MORE INTERESTING IS THIS WHERE WE SEE J.D.

VANCE AND DON JR. PEEL OFF FROM THE PRESIDENT, 2028 IS AROUND THE CORNER AND CARVE OUT THERE OWN POLITICAL IDENTITY OR HE ENDORSES MORRIS AND BARR BUT J.D.

VANCE AND DON JR.

ENDORSE MORRIS.

>> Renee: INTERESTING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK IT'S TOO EARLY TO TELL.

TREY IS RIGHT THERE IS A DYNAMIC OF JOCKEYING FOR THAT ENDORSEMENT.

I'M NOT SURE IF THAT REALLY MATTERS TO KENTUCKY VOTERS.

WE ARE A TRUMP STATE AND TRUMP IS POPULAR HERE.

BUT, THE ENDORSEMENT I'M NOT SURE IS THE THING THAT WILL GET SOMEONE ACROSS THE LINE.

I THINK HE ENDORSED DANIEL CAMERON AT SOME POINT FOR A PRIOR RACE.

BUT IS HE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN?

DID THAT HELP HIM?

>> IT WON HIM THE PRIMARY.

HE BEAT RYAN QUARELS BECAUSE OF THE ENDORSEMENT.

>> TIME WILL TELL BUT I'M NOT SURE IT PEARS AS MUCH AS PEOPLE ARE MAKING IT OUT TO BE.

>> Renee: DO THEY MATTER?

>> IT DOES MATTER.

I THINK THAT FIRST OF ALL IT'S CUTE YOU THINK THERE WILL BE A FAIR ELECTION IN '28.

THAT IS CUTE.

I THINK WHAT YOU WILL SEE IS DON JR. IS SEE INCLUDED AND J.D.

VANCE.

>> Renee: HE IS ANNOUNCED ON HIS SHOW.

>> AND PETER FIELDS SAID AS WELL.

[AUDIO INTERRUPTION].

>> Renee: AGAINST McCONNELL IS THERE A WANT THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT BUT THEY RESPECT MITCH McCONNELL NOT BECAUSE THEY MAY LIKE HIM HE HELPED KENTUCKY PUNCH ABOVE ITS WEIGHT.

>> THERE MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT BUT IT'S TEMPORARY AND THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT IS LASTING.

IF HE HAS TO GO AFTER McCONNELL EARLY TO GET TRUMP ONBOARD THAT'S THEY WOULD SEE THAT AS A WORTHY TRADE OFF.

>> Renee: AND HOW FAR DO YOU KEEP GOING IN THE GUTTER?

>> AT SOME POINT HE HAS TO DEFEND IT.

SOMEONE HAS TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HE WANTS TO DO.

RIGHT NOW, AGAIN, NATE IS TRYING TO FIND WHO HE IS TO THE PUBLIC AND CAMERON AND BARR ARE TRYING TO DEFINE NATE AS SOMEONE ELSE.

NATE IS TRYING TO FIND WHO HE IS AND GET THAT TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

EVERYTHING ELSE CAN COME LATER.

LONG TIME UNTIL THE PRIMARY.

BUT IF HE CAN GET THAT TRUMP ENDORSEMENT NOW OR A SPLIT ENDORSEMENT OR NO ENDORSEMENT THEN HE IS IN THE BALL GAME AND HE CAN COVER EVERYTHING ELSE UP LATER.

HE DOES HAVE TO PIVOT TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE AND WHAT HE WANTS TO DO NOT JUST ATTACKING McCONNELL.

>> Renee: THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL RACE, DREW WILLIAMS DID A GOOD JOB.

>> I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR ANY POLITICIAN THAT DIDN'T GROW UP IN AREA OR WORK A LONGTIME IN THE GAME TO WALK ON TO THE FANCY FARM STAGE, I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S BEEN TO FANCY FARM AND DELIVER A GOOD SPEECH HE HAD A GREAT MESSAGE FOR HIS PEOPLE.

[INAUDIBLE] NEVER SEEN THAT AT FANCY FARM.

HE DID GOOD.

AGAIN, I WANT TO SAY THIS I'VE BEEN CLEAR ABOUT THIS THE DEMOCRATS SHOULD HAVE GONE.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM TALKING ABOUT RURAL VOTERS WE NEED TO SHOW VOTERS WE DON'T HAVE HORNS AND PITCHFORKS AND WE NEED TO TALK TO TOES PEOPLE AND THE DEMOCRATS STAYING HOME IS UNACHIEVABLE.

>> Renee: AND THE SUBTEXT OF THE FANCY FARM STUFF WAS WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A FULL ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT JAMES COMER AND 2027 RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

AND HE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO IT BUT JONATHAN SHELL DROPPED A LIKE HE IS A GREAT CONGRESSMAN BUT WOULDN'T HE BE A BETTER GOVERNOR DID YOU EXPECT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT?

>> I WAS SAYING BEFOREHAND IT WAS A GREATER THAN ZERO CHANCE THAT JAMES COMER MIGHT ANNOUNCE SOMETHING.

I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS LIKELY.

HE HAS TO GET THROUGH FILING DAY NEXT YEAR.

BECAUSE LIKE A PRIMARY AND ATTACK HIM FOR NOT RUNNING FOR TWO OFFICES AT ONCE.

GET THROUGH FILING DAY.

I WOULD SUSPECT PROBABLY FANCY FARM NEXT YEAR IF HE HASN'T ANNOUNCED THAT WOULD BE A PRIME PLACE.

JAMES COMER LOVES FANCY FARM.

I CAN SEE HIM IF HE HASN'T ANNOUNCED, ANNOUNCING FOR GOVERNOR AT FANCY FARM NEXT YEAR.

>> HE IS WELL-KNOWN IN WEST KENTUCKY BECAUSE HE'S A FORMER AG COMMISSIONER IT WOULD BE A GOOD SPOT HE IS WELL-KNOWN.

THOSE FOLKS IN THAT PART OF THE STATE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HIM AS THE NEXT GOVERNOR I AGREE.

>> AND HE LOVES THAT STAGE A FORUM HE ENJOYS.

>> I THINK IT'S WELL-KNOWN THAT JAMES COMER IS GOING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

THE ONE QUESTION IS WHAT DEMOCRAT IS HE GOING TO FACE BETWEEN ROCKY ADKINS AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

IT'S MORE INTRIGUE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE THAN THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

>> Renee: IF IT'S ADKINS OR.

>> COLEMAN MAY HAVE AN EDGE IN THE PRIMARY BECAUSE WHO THE PRIMARY VOTERS ARE.

>> IT PUTS THE GOVERNOR IN A TOUGH SPOT.

>> Renee: YEAH.

I MEAN HE DOESN'T ENDORSE IN SUCH A PRIMARY, RIGHT?

>> I MEAN -- >> EAST KENTUCKY IS WHERE HE HIS ROOTS ARE AND WHERE HIS NETWORK IS.

>> Renee: AND THAT HELPED ANDY BESHEAR.

>> AND IT DID WHICH MADE SENSE.

IF ROCKY IS LOOKING TO THREAD THAT NEEDLE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE IN WEST KENTUCKY AND WORK HARD BECAUSE THAT IS AN AREA WHERE HE IS LESSER KNOWN.

>> MY TWO THINGS ARE IF A GOVERNOR DOESN'T ENDORSE A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES AND ALL GOVERNORS ENDORSE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS.

STEVE BESHEAR THEY DID NOT GET ALONG AND HE ENDORSED DANIEL FOR SENATE.

AND IF ROCKY IS AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE EAST THAT WILL BE INTERESTING.

ROCKY HAS WON STATE-WIDE ONCE.

>> Renee: SO AND THE DISLIKE A MINUTE WE HAVE REMAINING THE REDISTRICTING FIGHT COULD THAT THING HAPPEN IN KENTUCKY AND WOULD IT MAKE SENSE FOR IT TO?

>> I THINK DEALS WERE CUT TO KEEP McGARVEY IN THE LOUISVILLE SEAT IF THE WHITE HOUSE STARTS CALLING AND THE TIT FOR TAT GETS BAD I SEE FILLING OUT KENTUCKY AS AN EXAMPLE OF JERRY MANNEDDERRING.

A LOT OF PEOPLE PUSHED HARD FOR REPUBLICANS TO DO IT LAST TIME.

THEY DIDN'T THEY PUSHED BACK AGAINST IT.

IF THE PRESSURE STARTS COMING OUT FROM WASHINGTON D.C. AND PEOPLE LIKE GAVIN KNEW KNEW SOME, WE CAN DO IT AND GET MORGAN MCGARVEY OUT AND YOU HAVE SIX REPUBLICAN CONGRESSWOMAN.

DO I SEE IT HAPPENING?

COULD IT HAPPEN?

ABSOLUTELY.

>> ALMOST ALL DEMOCRATS ARE IN FAVOR OF NONPARTISAN PEOPLE DRAWING THE MAPS IF REPUBLICANS LIKE GERRYMANDERING TO ATTACK DEMOCRATS EVERY DEMOCRAT WOULD TURN IT OVER TO A RETIRED JUDGE TO DRAW THE BOUNDARIES.

>> EXCEPT FOR GAVIN NEWSOM.

>> EVERYTHING IS OFF.

YOU ARE CHANGING THE GAME.

YOU ARE REDISTRICTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 10 YEARS THAT IS INSANE.

>> THE NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONS ARE NEVER NONPARTISAN.

>> Renee: ALL RIGHT WE'LL LET THEM DUKE IT OUT.

THANK YOU GUYS AND LADY APPRECIATE IT HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

>> THANK YOU.

[♪♪] >> Renee: YESTERDAY THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED FUNDING FOR PROJECTS ACROSS SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE IT WILL PAY FOR CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION PROJECTS MORE FROM GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR IN OUR EDUCATION MATTERS REPORT.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: TODAY WE HAVE SEVERAL AWARDS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS KENTUCKY TO HELP WITH FACILITY RENOVATIONS AND REBUILDS.

WE ARE INVESTING MORE THAN $110 MILLION IN THESE PROJECTS BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS DESERVE THE BEST.

SOME OF TODAY'S AWARDS INCLUDE MORE THAN 3.8 MILLION DOLLARS FOR SCHOOLS FOR A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL.

MORE THAN 21 MILLION FOR BARREDS TOWN INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN NELSON COUNTY RENOVATIONS AND NEW CONSTRUCTION AT ITS HIGH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER.

MORE THAN 7.9 MILLION TO FLEMING COUNTY FOR THE NEW FLEMING COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

MORE THAN 25.3 MILLION FOR HARRISON COUNTY TO HELP BUILD A NEW HIGH SCHOOL.

39 MILLION FOR THE JOHNSON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL AND CAREER TECHNOLOGY CENTER.

2.9 MILLION FOR PAW COUNTY FOR THE STEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

5.8 MILLION FOR SOMERSET INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN PULASKI COUNTY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND MULTIPURPOSE FACILITY THAT WILL HOST EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND 3.7 MILLION FOR GRANT COUNTY WILL HELP FUND NEW SCHOOL ADDITIONS AND RENOVATIONS.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE IMPACTS OF THESE AWARDS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE VERY BEST FACILITIES THAT WE ARE INVESTING BACK IN OUR KIDS BECAUSE NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MAKING SURE EVERY KENTUCKY CHILD HAS A PATH TO SUCCESS.

>> Renee: NOW, TURNING TO MEDICAL NEWS, LOUISVILLE HAS ITS FIRST CONFIRMED CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS OF 2025.

LOUISVILLE'S DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS IS NOT RELEASING INFORMATION ABOUT THE PATIENT.

DOCTORS ARE URGING PEOPLE TO TRY TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM SMET BITES MOW SEAT CO-BITES.

[♪♪] >> Renee: IT'S THE PICTURE THAT HAS WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS BUZZING A RARELY SEEN GIANT SALAMANDER CALLED THE EASTERN HELLBENDER.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA IN AN EASTERN KENTUCKY RIVER.

WE SPOKE TO A KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST THERE FOR THE RARE ENCOUNTER.

HE SAYS FINDING A EASTERN HELLBENDER TELLS THEM A LOT ABOUT THE HEALTH OF KENTUCKY'S WATERWAYS.

>> THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN OUT IN FOR THE EAST KENTUCKY OUT IN THE LOOKING RIVER.

THIS POPULATION THAT THAT PICTURE WAS TAKEN FROM WE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS POPULATION FOR QUITE A LONGTIME.

AND THE EASTERN HELLBENDER IN QUESTION WE'VE KNOWN SINCE 2021 HE WAS TAGGED BY A RESEARCHER DOING A PROJECT FOR US AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY.

BUT HE IS ALWAYS UNDER THAT SAME ROCK EVERY YEAR.

HE IS ONE OF THE ONES WE REFOUND.

BUT WE BROUGHT OUT ONE OF OUR MUSSEL BIOLOGISTS AND HE HAS A GREAT END DOUGH SCOPE CAMERA AND HE WAS ABLE TO GET THAT GREAT PICTURE.

THEY ARE THE LARGEST SALAMANDER IN THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH AMERICA AND THE THIRD LARGEST SALAMANDER IN THE WORLD OTHER THAN THE CHINESE AND THE JAPANESE SALAMANDER AND THEY ARE HUMUNGOUS.

THEY ARE GIANTS IN THEIR WORLD AND THEY ARE THOUGHT TO NOT HAVE EVOLVED NOT MUCH NOT CHANGED SINCE THEY FIRST STARTED SEEING THEM IN THE FOSSIL RECORDS.

WE LIKE TO REFER TO THEM AS ANCIENT DRAGUNS THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONGTIME.

THEY ARE JUST AN APPALACHIAN SPECIES THEY ARE KNOWN AS A SYMBOL OF APPALACHIA.

>> HELLBENDERS LIVE IN THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS TYPICAL LIVE IN STREAMS WITH GOOD WATER QUALITY IT'S VERY COLD WATER AND IT WILL MOVE QUICKLY BECAUSE THAT WATER HOLDS MORE OXYGEN AND THEY BREATHE THROUGH THEIR SKIN THEY NEED AS MUCH OXYGEN AS POSSIBLE.

THEY ARE CALLED THE CANARY IN THE COAL MINE BECAUSE THEY ARE AN INDICATOR OF WATER QUALITY.

AS BIG AS THEY ARE, AND AS TOUGH AS THEY LOOK THEY ARE VERY, VERY SENSITIVE SPECIES AND THEY GET STRESSED OUT EMOTIONALLY VERY EASILY.

SO BECAUSE THEY BREATHE THROUGH THEIR SKIN, ANY POLLUTANT IN THE STREAM IS COMING IN THROUGH THEIR SKIN AS WELL.

IT CAN IMPACT THEM.

ANY POLLUTANT OFF OF THEIR NORMAL AMOUNT THAT THEY CAN TOLERATE THEY WILL BE THE FIRST TO REACT IN THE STREAM BECAUSE THEY ARE BREATHING IT IN ALL OVER THEIR BODIES.

THAT IS A BIG ISSUE.

>> EASTERN HELLBENDER HAVE DECLINED BY 80%.

SO THEY ARE JUST STRIKINGLY DECLINED.

THEY ARE MUCH HARDER TO SEE NOWADAYS.

WE ARE ACTIVELY ASKING PEOPLE TO TELL US WHERE THEY ARE SO THAT WE CAN GO OUT AND LOOK AT THE HABITAT AND UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY ARE HOLDING ON.

>> THE BIGGEST THING I WANT TO EMPHASIZE IS THEY ARE HARD TO FIND.

IF YOU FIND ONE WE WOULD LOVE THE HELP TO GET THERE.

AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEM MORE.

THEY ARE NOT SCARY THEY WILL LEAVE YOU ALONE.

THEY WANT TO LIVE UNDER THEIR ROCK THEIR EXISTENCE IS TO LOOK LIKE A ROCK BE LIKE A ROCK THEY DON'T MOVE MUCH THEY ARE NOT GOING TO HURT YOU.

>> Renee: A LESSON IS BE THE ROCK.

THE EASTERN HELLBENDER WILL BE OFFICIALLY LISTED AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES SOON AND THERE ARE CONSERVATION EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO SAVE THEM.

THOSE INCLUDE REARING THEM IN CAPTIVITY UNTIL THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH TO SURVIVE AND BREED AND PUTTING ARTIFICIAL BOXES IN RIVERS FOR THEM TO USE AS SHELTERS.

[♪♪] THE DATE AUGUST 8TH HAS SPECIAL MEANING AND IN MANY PARTS OF KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE IT'S KNOWN AS EMANCIPATION DAY A DAY TO CELEBRATE THE END OF SLAVERY.

MANY KENTUCKY TOWNS INCLUDING PADUCAH AND RUSSELLVILLE HAVE ACTIVITIES TO COMMEMORATE THE DAY.

THIS IS NOT THE DAY PRESIDENT LINCOLN FREED ENSLAVED PEOPLE THAT WAS JANUARY FIRST, 1863.

SOME THINK AUGUST 8TH WAS THE DAY ENSLAVED PEOPLE IN THE AREA LEARNED ABOUT THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.

OTHERS SAY IT'S BECAME THIS AS THE DAY IN 1863 WHEN FUTURE PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON FREED HIS OWN SLAVES IN TENNESSEE.

>> GROOVE THROUGH HISTORY OR FLOAT YOUR STRESS AWAY WITH THE GLOW OF THE MOON.

A FEW OF THE WAYS YOU CAN SPEND YOUR WEEKEND AS OUR TOBY GIBBS SHOWS US WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH.

[♪♪] >> DRIFT INTO SERENITY WITH THE MOONLIGHT FLOAT ON THE LICKING RIVER IT TAKES CANOE AND KAYAKS ON A SIX MILE DOWN THE RIVER.

THE TIME TO CATCH THE GLOW BEFORE THE FULL MOON TAKES CENTER STAGE.

WHETHER YOU ARE GOING THE FULL DISTANCE OR PADDLING IN AND OUT BRING A HEAD LAMP A FLASHLIGHT, WATERPROOF JACKET AND EXPERIENCE THE ADVENTURE UNDER THE STARS.

>>> CELEBRATE THE RHYTHM ROOTS AND REVIVAL AT THE SOUL OF SECOND STREET FESTIVAL THE CELEBRATION IN DANVILLE INCLUDES MUSIC, FOOD AND HERITAGE RICH HAPPENINGS THAT PAY TRIBUTE TO THE SOUL OF THE CITY'S HISTORIC AFRICAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS DISTRICT.

>>> PADUCAH PAYS TRIBUTE TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE DURING THE ANNUAL 8TH OF AUGUST EMANCIPATION CELEBRATION.

THE WEEKEND CELEBRATION FEATURES EVENTS RANGING FROM A FOAM PARTY, PAGEANTS, SNEAKER BALLS AND SALUTE TO GOSPEL.

THE CELEBRATION TAKES PLACE THROUGH SUNDAY.

>>> LEAVE THE BRIEFCASE BEHIND AND PACK YOUR INNER CHILD AND HEAD TO BARREN LAKE INTERSTATE PARK TO THE CAMP FOR ADULTS.

STAFF OR BEARS WILL LEAD PARTICIPANTS THROUGH A WEEKEND THAT INCLUDES ALL THE SUMMER CAMP CLASSICS LIKE CANOEING, CRAFTS, GAMES AND S'MORESES MAKING WITH GROWN-UP PERKS THROWN IN.

ALL YOU HAPPY CAMPERS THAT WANT TO PARTICIPATE MUST REGISTER EARLY THE EVENT KICKS OFF NEXT FRIDAY.

>>> ENJOY TUNES UNDER THE MOON AS SOUTHLAND JAMBOREE CONTINUES THE BLUEGRASS CONCERT SERIES HELD THURSDAY THROUGH THE SUMMER AT MOON DANCE AMPHITHEATER IN LEXINGTON.

CONCERT GOERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING A LAWN CHAIR AND BLANKET AND FOOD TRUCKS WILL BE ON-SITE IF YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT BRING IT WITH YOU AND JOIN US FOR THE JAM AFTER THE CONCERT.

>>> THEY ARE BREAKING OUT THE BANJOS IN HENDERSON AS THE FOLK FESTIVAL RETURNS THE CELEBRATION IS A TRIBUTE TO THE HERITAGE OF BLUEGRASS MUSIC IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AND BRINGS TOGETHER MUSICIANS, FAMILIES AND BLUEGRASS ENTHUSIASTS FROM ALL OVER.

>>> FAIR FAN PARTICULARS WANT TO MAKE THEIR WAY TO ASHLAND FOR THE BOYD COUNTY FAIR.

MORE THAN RIDES FOOD AND GAMES AT THIS FAIR.

THE EVENT FEATURES A STUNT CIRCUS, A DEMOLITION DERBY, KARAOKE AND CHICKEN BARREL RACING.

THE FAIR RUNS AUGUST 12-16.

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

>> Renee: THANK YOU MUCH, TOBY GIBBS.

IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK IN KENTUCKY POLITICS.

YOU CAN GET INSIGHT TONIGHT ON "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" THAT IS 8 EASTERN, 7 CENTRAL BILL BRYANT WILL LOOK BACK AT THE FANCY FARM PICNIC AND THE SPEECHES FOR THE U.S. THAT AND HOW APPLE IS EXPANDING ITS OPERATION IN HARRODSBURG KENTUCKY AND INVESTING MORE $2 BILLION.

"COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" COMING UP IN JUST A BIT AT 8 EASTERN 7 CENTRAL HERE ON KET.

>>> WELL, "KENTUCKY EDITION" IS HITTING THE ROAD YET AGAIN WE WILL BE IN BOWLING GREEN FOR SPECIAL SHOWS STARTING NEXT TUESDAY.

ON MONDAY, WE'LL GET YOU IN THE MOOD BY BRINGING YOU A HISTORY OF SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY FROM INDIGENOUS PEOPLE TO SETTLERS AND THE CIVIL WAR AND BEYOND AND WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME BOWLING GREEN?

FIND OUT BECAUSE TOBY GIBBS WILL HAVE THE ANSWERS NEXT WEEK ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US FOR STARTING MONDAY WHERE WE INFORM CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

CONNECT WITH US ALL THE WAYS YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN, FACEBOOK, X AND INSTAGRAM TO STAY IN THE LOOP.

SEND US A STORY IDEA BY E-MAIL AT KET.ORG AND LOOK FOR US ON THE VIDEO APP.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND I'LL SEE YOU MONDAY NIGHT.