♪ >> I stand here today, enthusiastic and hopeful for all we will accomplish for this Commonwealth.

>> Governor Andy Beshear looks ahead as he was sworn in for a second term as Kentucky's governor.

>> They want that pomp and circumstance.

They want their little bit of grandeur and they get it.

>> An inaugural parade celebrating a second term and the resilience of Kentuckians.

>> Everything about the and can >> Plus, Governor Beshear wasn't the only headliner at today's inauguration.

>> 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 Tuesday December, the 12th, I'm Renee Shaw.

Come be coming to you from our Frankfort studio following the second inauguration.

>> Of Governor Andy Beshear.

This is a special episode of Kentucky edition.

As we look back at the historic events that unfolded earlier today.

We thank you for joining us.

Governor Beshear and Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman.

Each renewed their oath of office shortly after midnight during a private ceremony in the Kentucky's Capitol rotunda.

They were surrounded by family, friends and supporters.

The theme for the inauguration was forward together and his first speech of his second term.

The sheer touched on some familiar themes and struck a positive tone to start his second term.

>> I am honored to have just taken the oath of office to continue to serve as your governor.

One of the most difficult challenges before us is that politics and sometimes even our governance has become poisonous and toxic.

What's supposed to be an exchange of ideas has devolved into grievances and attacks.

Some appear to think that it's just a game that no target is off limits that no lie.

He's too hurtful.

We see strategies and even commercials meant to make one American one, Kentucky n an enemy of another.

Trying to accuse them of horrible things to dehumanize them.

So is to somehow justify anger.

Or even hate.

Turning people against their neighbors.

Just to have one more elected official with a certain letter behind their name.

I ran for office to leave a better world for my children.

For all of our Kentucky children.

And this is our chance.

Kentucky's chance to be different and to make a difference to be both an economic and a moral leader for this country.

So we must face this challenge.

The way we always do.

We will not meet hate with hate or anger with anger or even frustration with frustration.

Instead.

We'll meet them with the same love, empathy and compassion that has guided us through so much.

For me.

Those values are grounded in my fate.

It teaches me to love my neighbor as myself to.

Not judge lest I be judged that what I do to the least of the I do.

My faith teaches me that all human beings, every single one.

Deserve to dignity and opportunity and that we can come together simply by acknowledging our faith and our values call on us to be better.

And for me.

Remembering that my savior could have been the prince of power.

But chose to be the Prince of peace.

I pledge tonight to continue to be a governor who serves all our people regardless of your party and regardless who you voted for.

The eyes of the country are on Kentucky.

It's our chance to show this nation and the world how it's done.

So tonight, let us commit to being better and it doing better.

The next 4 years.

Our our chance to lead to move forward together.

Let's make every day count.

>> Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman was sworn in next.

She drew a laugh when she recounted that I'm like are first inauguration.

She's not 7 months pregnant this time around.

She then delivered her own speech which echoed the theme of this historic day.

>> But as the governor and I revisited both the tragedies and the triumphs of the last 4 years saying that I often said as a coach came to mind.

It's not what happens to you.

It's how you react to it.

That matters.

So it won't be a global pandemic or historic tornadoes, catastrophic flooding that will define us.

That will be how we move forward together.

I know that what I will remember.

That's how Kentuckyian sacrifice for each other through uncertain times, neighbors and even complete strangers showing up for one another in what had to be the darkest hour of so many families lives.

And local and state leaders fulfilling our promise.

To be there until every structure and every life is rebuilt.

The goodness of our people restored my faith in humanity over and over again.

It made me want to be better myself.

To make sure that I was showing it for you the way that you are showing up for each other.

And you can rest a shirt that that is what will shape our next 4 years together.

Later in the morning, the inaugural worship Service at First Christian Church in Frankfort.

>> Kentuckians were invited to participate in the non-denominational service.

Here's part of that.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> My fellow Kentuckians.

And that it's kept this tree off.

Kentucky's history.

We find that adds up to is in the ends.

Innovation and community will want to get that.

From the Rolling Hills on the Bluegrass region to the nation.

Mom games.

Kentucky is a mosaic of unique cultures and traditions.

Each with its own get active and story.

That is why the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the love of God lives sense afford existence.

friends going over.

She is forced down by smog by and but he and a farm commitment to uplift our communities.

In the face of unprecedented challenges, his leadership or why did a beacon a whole frank and Vicki ends in dimes of Uncertainity.

That he, you know, go to Shana Barnaby sheet is a testament to the values that defined Ken Dickey, ideas of fairness, diversity, equality and of happiness for all.

It is a moment to celebrate the progress we have made under his guidance and do and be spared the positive transformation is dead lie.

I >> it was a joy to host Katie's live coverage of the inaugural parade along with our own Kelsey, Starks and historian and author or one Bryant teachers and first responders serve as grand marshals as the event honored the resilience of Kentuckians they showed in the wake of natural disasters and a global pandemic while sending the message it was time to move forward together.

>> We've got a pretty good lineup of a parade about 75 entrance here.

It's that kind of a mixture of homage to educators and to first responders and to the healthcare heroes that the communities that bans that are coming out.

Those are the communities that have been affected by tornadoes, floods, wildfires.

The theme of the whole inauguration is forward together.

What does that symbolize that symbolizes many things.

But >> in particular, it's a plea for unity and that is something that's so important and politics and in the world in general.

>> And in our divisive age, it is good to see one of the chief executives of one of the state team actually say, you know, let's go forward together.

Let's not look backward.

♪ It's so important to the entire makeup of the government to have an inauguration for each term.

The governor served and it's something also for the people of the commonwealth to see that that they want that pomp and circumstance.

They want their little bit of grandeur and they get it.

Here's our big show.

Yes, looking and right.

I mean, for Senator weighed just a mile to a maybe from where Kentucky State University is located.

So we they're entertaining us.

>> On their soil today.

I am there.

Yeah.

Governor Paul Patton and his wife Judy.

That kind of does your heart to swell.

And there former Governor Steve Beshear and first Lady Jane, another history family there with that.

The only father and son to ever be elected.

Yes.

All right.

We've had a great parade full of great bands.

Great music, great floats >> that park into our ingenuity to even elevate those who helped bring us through challenging times and difficulties.

Our health care workers and educators.

>> And even an homage to the new industries that are emerging here in Kentucky.

That responsibilty for some of our economic development, boom, looking at those battery plants and saying the union workers it really has been a good parade celebrating all of those and elected officials as well to help make Kentucky Drive U.S. forward.

And that is part of the theme today forward together.

>> Another ceremony we witness today was the inaugural prelude.

Music was performed by the 200 and second Army band with the Kentucky National Guard along with the Kentucky State University concert choir.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> Said they're not done either.

>> The prelude took us right into the swearing-in ceremony for the public.

The governor's senior adviser, Rocky Adkins, play the role as emcee.

One of the people he introduced was the 2023.

24 Kentucky poet laureate and what May County native Silas House read a poem written just for this occasion.

>> When the darkest skies move in.

And I remind myself that most people are good.

I think of school teachers who say you matter.

Bus drivers who are glad to see us each morning.

Lunch.

Ladies Laffin as they like to let our food.

All those who stand up for what is right.

There are so many ways to change the world.

And minor milk a year cashiers and clerks.

Singers, farmers and truck drivers.

I can see them.

I imagine they're sore shoulders and tired legs.

I think them for Kerry and me, even when I didn't know.

We carry each other.

From Pine Mountain to the penny.

Raul.

Pass to look pop lures and golden drugs.

From city streets to holler roads from the how to the quickening creeks of the gorge.

We go forward together.

>> From there, the ceremony shifted to the public swearing-in of Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, the former teacher and basketball coach talked about Kentucky's recent economic says sets, but she says you can't have good jobs without good schools.

>> Our economy is booming.

But we cannot lose sight that the future of Kentucky's economy is in our classrooms today.

Thank you.

To the educators who helped lead our parade today.

Just as you leave your communities every day.

We cannot continue as the second-best state economic development.

If we remain 48th in teacher pay.

We will not stay number 3 in rural job creation.

If we continue to underfunded the largest employer in every rural community and that is there public school.

From cradle to careers.

Education is the key that unlocks doors for every Kentucky.

And and here is a perfect example.

Once we waived the GED testing fee over 8,000, Kentuckyian improve their education to get a job that was wants out of reach.

So now.

Let's turn to the opposite end of the spectrum.

Our littlest learners.

We could not continue this historic if our children zip code determines their place in the world by the first day of kindergarten.

Now that might sound hyperbolic.

Follow me here.

President populations are projected by 3rd grade literacy rates.

3rd grade literacy rates are projected by kindergarten readiness.

And kindergarten readiness is projected by access to Pre-K. Quite literally.

We can invest in young people on the front end or we will pay for it on the back and the time for universal Pre-K in Kentucky is now.

Our Education.

First administration chose an inaugural theme life forward together for a reason.

Because that's the kind of Kentucky our kids deserve.

And that is the kind of leadership voters asked for.

I pledge to you, Kentucky that we will continue to show up and extend our hand and the name of putting people over politics that Governor Beshear now will continue to set an example of decency and kindness that you can be proud of.

And from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you for believing in us because we will never stop believing in you.

God bless you.

And may God continue to bless the Commonwealth.

Kentucky.

>> But since the adoption following, her speech for Lieutenant Governor took the oath of office for a second time today.

This time outside on the steps of the capitol and in front of a large crowd and state your out of it.

The mistake.

Up next was a performance by country music star Eddie Stern, Kentucky native Tyler Childers.

He was introduced by Rocky Adkins who got a little choked up, talking about their shared roots.

>> In Orange County, a place that I had the great honor they're representing.

For over 30 years of my life.

Sets a little small community.

The name of Kyle's Kentucky.

The CAS Kentucky just outside of Louisa.

And between kind of painful.

And Louise.

That's where my good friend Tyler Childers comes from.

And from chasm.

Orange County.

He's got around the world, taking Kentucky with you everywhere he goes.

He makes me makes us awfully proud.

And he's here to saying one of our governor's favorite songs.

Please welcome Kentucky's own award-winning Grammy-nominated artist and my good friend Tyler Childers.

>> I mean, Pocahontas.

mandate.

>> I thought the market Salma >> Well, Governor Beshear took his public oath of office.

We look back at the accomplishments of the last thinks can build on the next for the dream of a >> that in a minute, I will take the oath of office to continue to serve as your governor.

Serving in.

This role is a special duty, a solemn commitment.

It is an obligation I accept with great reverence and humility but also with great excitement in anticipation.

I stand here today, enthusiastic and hopeful for all we will accomplish for this commonwealth over the next 4 years.

We will continue our record-breaking economic win streak and create good paying jobs that will provide a bright and promising future for every single Kentucky child.

We will invest in our educators.

We will continue to build what were thought to be impossible.

Infrastructure projects and we will run high speed Internet to every home in Kentucky.

We will KET our promise the counties and communities devastated.

But natural disasters by not just rebuilding, but revitalizing your Lieutenant Governor and I will be there personally every step of the way we love you and we will get the job done.

And December of 17 92 our first year, the United We stand divided we fall became our state motto.

It's been with us every step of the way.

Are people like the moto have been tested over 2 centuries by wars, depressions and recessions and then noble fight for civil rights for all of our people.

In the past 4 years, we faced our own tests each.

We have Matt but love.

Compassion and empathy.

When we faced a pandemic, we sacrificed for each other.

We came together every day at 04:05PM, and we shine green lights all over the commonwealth as the color of compassion.

Thank you to all of our healthcare heroes who helped us through that deadly time.

When tornadoes leveled towns and flooding carried away homes and even loved ones.

We came together.

Neighbors pulling neighbors from their basements.

We're caring fellow Kentuckians through the current.

To our National Guard and first responders for their amazing response.

I made a promise to be there to rebuild every home and every life.

And we're going to see it through with now.

7 high ground communities rising in the east and over 150 fully constructed new homes for our families in the West.

We truly get through the hard times and we get through them together.

But we also get to the good times and we get to those together as well.

And our first 4 years, we secured the best years of economic development in our state's history.

But the help of an incredible transportation Cabinet.

We're building the Brent Spence Companion Bridge without Tolls.

Governor Patton were for landing the entire Mountain Parkway.

And of those in the West.

We're pushing the I-69 project forward.

We secured federal funding to run high-speed Internet to every community.

We're building the 2 biggest battery plants on planet Earth.

And we've opened the cleanest greenest, recycle paper mill in the country.

We've had the best years on record for both our bourbon and our tourism industry.

We have record high budget surpluses and record low unemployment.

We've now created over 50,000 new jobs and generated a state record.

28.5 billion dollars and new private sector investment.

We passed sports betting and medical marijuana.

We've kept the cost of insulin and health care is now expanding all over the commonwealth, including the fact we're building the first hospital in West Louisville and 150 years.

It's about time.

Put simply.

We're at a moment in time where the true potential is there to achieve our collective dream.

The dream of a better Kentucky and we can and we should realize that dream gift.

We don't stand in our own way.

♪ ♪ >> While other members of the guard fired multiple rounds.

From 3 cannons position near the capital for military helicopters then flew over the Capitol grounds, signifying the end of the public swearing-in ceremony.

But the celebration wasn't over just yet capping off the day long event was the grand March.

It took place inside the Capitol rotunda.

The same place where the today's ceremonies began.

The grand March was the most formal of the events.

It began with introductions of the Lieutenant Governor.

Governor and others, governor and first lady then led the way with the dance.

>> Every time I go to you.

♪ >> I am with ♪ >> Everyone in the rotunda isn't >> The snow.

>> I could never be another.

To make me feel the way you do.

>> Well, that does it for this special edition of Kentucky Edition the inauguration edition.

You can see all of this online tomorrow with KET DOT Org course tomorrow's Wednesday.

And Roland Martin joins us tomorrow to discuss some of the other political events of the week so far, including today's inauguration.

Plus, meet the people bringing fresh produce to the food insecure during the cold weather months.

And in our tapestry segment, celebrating arts and culture, we head to the nostalgia station Toy and train Museum in Versailles.

You don't want to miss that.

So we hope you'll see us again tomorrow at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky Edition, we inform connect and inspire will be back at our regular time.

6.30, stern by 30 central.

And you can connect with us all the ways you see on your screen and subscribe to our Kentucky Edition, email newsletters and watch full episodes and clips of KET to Dot Org.

Thank you so much for watching.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Have a great night.

We'll see you tomorrow.

♪