♪ >> The state High Court delivers its ruling in the battle over redistricting.

We have the reaction to the decision.

We have people dying to suicide by firearm.

We have people dying in this violence.

>> And we've yet to really come together to find a solution.

>> But hear why new legislation is offering hope to this mass shooting survivor and other gun reform advocates.

>> Great reason to have this initiative in Kentucky is because we really want to support this community.

And we know they set a high population of the questions.

>> How researchers are taking a new approach to studying equestrian sports.

>> I've learned a lot of new skills on woodworking and how to make a solution to a new problem that were tasked with.

>> And made some students who are playing toy maker this holiday season.

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

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the K 18 Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Thursday, December, the 14th, I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for winding down your Thursday night with us.

The Kentucky Supreme Court hands.

State Democrats a defeat in their challenge to new Republican drawn legislative and congressional maps.

>> The Kentucky Democratic Party members of the Democratic State House and for Kentucky voters brought the redistricting case before the state high court.

They argue the Republican drawn maps for congressional and State House districts passed in 2022. out it to partisan gerrymandering and violated the state constitution's guarantee of, quote, free and equal elections.

The Supreme Court justices were asked to weigh in on the case after a lower court ruled that taking partisan interests into consideration when redistricting new maps was not a violation of the state constitution.

The justices sided with the lower court in their ruling saying in part, quote, the alleged partisanship and the crafting of the apportionment plans does not rise to the level of a clear flagrant or an warrant, a deviation from constitutional limitations or threat to our democratic form of government, end quote, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear was asked his reaction to today's ruling.

>> I saw just one line and said, you know, if if people don't like the way the districts are redrawn, they should vote the people out.

But wait, the districts are redrawn to make it harder to vote.

People out.

And so now I am you see the ruling is what it is and will have to move forward.

But we've got to get to a point where redistricting is about the people and not the politics.

>> Also commenting on today's ruling Kentucky secretary of state Republican Michael Adams and a statement he called the lawsuit frivolous and said it, quote, sought to impose a different set of election rules through the courts following Democrats loss of legislative control that they had previously won for decades under those very rules and quote.

A spokesman for the Republican Party of Kentucky also reacted to today's news saying, quote, the court rightfully rejected the Democrat effort to manipulate the political process and sue their way into the Congress and the state House end quote.

Meanwhile, Democratic caucus leaders and the Kentucky House say they disagree with the court's decision.

They say the ruling, quote, gives legislative majorities much more authority to protect themselves at the expense of many voters while guaranteeing more political polarization for decades to come and quote, we'll have more analysis of today's ruling.

When we go inside Kentucky politics tomorrow right here on Kentucky EDITION.

In news out of the nation's capital and impeachment probe into President Joe Biden led by U.S. Representative James Comer of Kentucky.

We'll move forward.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to authorize the impeachment inquiry that attempts to link Biden to his family's business dealings.

The yearlong GOP led investigation has yet to produce evidence of misconduct by the president.

Raising concern among some within the Republican Party.

The White House released a statement calling the effort a, quote, baseless political start.

On Friday.

State lawmakers in Kentucky will hear more about a bipartisan bill aimed at curbing gun violence ahead of its formal introduction into the 2024 General Assembly that starts in January.

A major force behind the legislation is Whitney Austin, a mass shooting survivor who has been an advocate for gun reform and gun safety since she was shot a dozen times in a Cincinnati mass shooting in 2018.

Our Kelsey Starks sat down with her to learn more about the proposed legislation.

>> It's called crisis aversion and rights, retention or car and it would allow for the temporary removal of firearms for someone in crisis.

Whitney Austin is the founder of the Whitney Strong organization here to explain what is at stake at this meeting.

This is an important meeting this week.

>> Yeah, absolutely.

We're really excited after 4 years to get another chance to bring car into a conversation.

So in our state, we have a problem.

We have people dying to suicide by firearm.

We have people dying in mass violence.

And we've yet to really come together to find a solution to prevent it.

And that's the car is all about.

And so we're excited to have the opportunity.

To have a conversation.

Tell us what you think about the new proposals for putting forth on the table to balance both the Second Amendment and our need to personal and public safety.

So we're excited and we're hopeful that lawmakers are willing to participate.

And so that conversation happens this week.

What is in the proposal as it stands now and how do you identify someone who is in crisis?

>> Also, the bill is going to continue to evolve.

A lot of that will be based upon the feedback that we receive and the hearing.

But at the very base level, what we're talking about is gun owners.

>> Who are in crisis and got a gun owners that are very specifically making threats to harm themselves or to harm others and coming at it from a very compassionate approach that says we want to help you.

We want to press pause us on this crisis moment as it's playing out.

We want to get you the help that you need because something is going on internally that has gotten you to this point and then just get you back to a place in which the ownership is safe.

So this process is called car.

It's a civil process and it is done with gun owners and mind.

And so that's what we'll be discussing in the hearing.

And again, I think it's going to continue to evolve because it really matters to us.

The feedback set, the elected officials have been the key stakeholders in this process for how we do it right for Kentuckyian how we do it right for gun owners.

>> So you Senator Whitney Westerfield, a Republican sponsoring this bill and Democrat Senator David Days as a co-sponsor.

And you've always said this is a by it should be a bipartisan issue.

And you really coming at it from both sides.

And so how is this bill different from past attempts to get some sort of legislation out there.

>> Well, that's definitely who we are as an organization.

We only want to work in a way the polls, both sides into the conversation because that's how you get to the best solutions.

And so what makes car different than any other proposal out there that seeks to solve the same problem is that dialogue?

Is that intentional step of making sure we listen to both sides of the coin.

And so there are a lot of things in court today that are different, making sure that there's a very narrow pass for who can request these orders and bats.

Law enforcement making sure that there's an opportunity for a non cohabitating family member or friend to petition the court to hold the firearm for the person that's going through a crisis moment, making sure that we center all of this on helping the gun owner and those are just some examples.

But there are more that are in consideration at this point that we're going to put on the table during the hearing.

And so we feel like what we've created is custom and unlike anything else in this country and knowing and I know this, I know that the elected officials on both sides of the political aisle, they want to help.

They're not OK with suicide.

Disproportionately impacting rural areas.

They're not OK with mass violence playing out.

What happened and old National Bank here in Louisville.

And so this is their opportunity to be a part of solving the problem.

We've been at this quite some time.

We'll have the feeling your chances are in the session getting something passed.

I'm really hopeful.

I think that people care, I think south are ready to have a conversation and to participate and know that we have a lot of support across the state and specifically a lot of support from victims and loved ones who are impacted by April 10th.

And so I'm really hopeful that this is the moment and which we all recognize we've got to do something because no one is immune to gun violence, not people in rural areas, not people in urban areas.

And we've got to do something to protect those.

We love.

>> All right.

We'll be watching.

Thank you so much for being here.

That proposed bill will be discussed at a joint legislative entran meeting of the Judiciary Committee.

That's this Friday, December 15th at 10:00AM back to you.

>> Thank you, Kelsey.

And we will be showing that meeting on our Kentucky Channel and online at KET Dot Org.

You can follow along live and then we'll bring you a summary of that meeting tomorrow night on Kentucky edition.

When lawmakers meet in January, they will have the largest rainy day fund in Kentucky's history at their disposal.

Just how much lawmakers dip into that fund will be up for debate as Kentucky additions.

June left.

The reports progressive groups are eyeing that money for historic investments.

While conservatives are saying not so fast.

>> A legitimate and credible rainy day fund is one of the more signature accomplishments of the General Assembly in the last 5 years.

>> Now the Rainy Day fund also called the Budget Reserve Trust Fund sits at 3.7 billion dollars.

But has this economic safety net grown out of control?

>> The economy is very starkly strong right now.

But the legislature has been holding back when he puts in the budget and putting it in the rainy day fund to the to excessive amount at this point.

>> Other state's rainy-day funds are on average 12% of their operating budget.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Kentucky's fund is at 25%.

>> We need to Renee Phone need a good one.

But we do need to stop how excessive moneys when our communities are stockpiling problems, progressive groups and unions that form the Kentucky Together Coalition say now is the time for historic investments in social services.

>> Democratic lawmakers agree.

>> We >> considerable brawl means, you know, especially in education, health care, child care.

>> And cost of living adjustments.

So Kentuckians can KET up with inflation.

>> But I'll tell you hasn't received nothing except hard, built higher health care costs.

And that's our retirees are for state employees that are easy.

If we're ever going to put a a a nice, healthy cola now is the best time to do There's just we just cannot wait any longer.

>> But these are all recurring expenses, meaning recurring commitments.

>> Some recurrent costs would be continuing to fund a look to funding more education funding.

So if you look at the sink formula and let's just say, we want to add $100 that base for looking at an 80 million dollar hit the general fund, not just this year, but every year.

>> That means one time investments might appeal to more fiscal conservatives.

We've got deferred maintenance on our ports and bridges and our airports for sure.

>> If we can invest in some of those areas that continue to grow jobs in sales tax and in and have more money in their pockets for people that didn't turn, you know, increase the general fund.

>> Still, it's too early to guess how frugal or extravagant the legislature will act come January.

>> But I think everything is on the table as it moves forward for Kentucky edition.

I'm John Leffler.

>> Thank you.

June.

When the state lawmaking session begins January second, it will be the last won for several legislators, including Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, a Georgetown Republican who announced yesterday that he won't seek re-election in part one of our interview last night, he said he could make a run for governor or other federal elected office in the future.

Tonight he gives us his take on who should take on his leadership role.

>> So when you leave and you take your role as majority flowing with you, who do you want to replace you?

>> Well, I don't have the votes, right?

I don't have a voter who the next majority floor leader is, but I must have influence.

So I'm encouraging.

Julie Adams, Julie, Rocky Adams to run for the job.

Who's the current caucus chair, Tuck our Caucus chair, Louisville senator from Jefferson.

36, she's like a sister to And I adore her and I will miss her.

A lot of my friends in the caucus.

I'm going to miss her a lot.

We've been really good running since we both got into leadership and I think she has the skill set to be a great majority for later and she doesn't have to be like me.

She doesn't have to be like later, Rudy in the Chance to be like Julie, right.

And I think she can do the job and create her own set of rules for how the job is done.

She she has better than me.

And into ishan about the personalities of each of our caucus members.

She's too is an empath.

Then I'm not >> where does it have knowledge about is the step to report recovering where this is a wonderful thing happens when you hit your hunch?

It sure does know that.

You know, Julie, is she's really good at sensing what's on our members mines.

She understands the whole process.

>> And she's moved the caucus in a direction, perhaps that they would not have gone without her influence.

>> That's true.

And she's also taken some tough votes.

She's taken some tough votes for her district.

Because the majority of the caucus wanted it that way.

>> So there is much more that Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer has to say.

And you can hear it and see it all Sunday on my conversation series connections will share the full half-hour interview with him at 11:30AM, East.

Earn 10:30AM, Central right here on KET cut out.

The Republican Party of Kentucky released a statement following Fay ERs announcement saying, quote, Leaders say are has been a relentless champion for concern of legislation and causes.

Since the day he became Senate majority leader 12 years ago.

His decision to step down will leave big shoes to fill in the Senate.

And in Scott County, we're incredibly grateful for his service to the Commonwealth.

We will miss his energetic warrior for the Republican Party and our state unquote.

Governor Andy Beshear is also commenting on Senator Sayers announcement.

He is not seeking reelection.

>> Last session, you've got some really important things through that are having such a huge benefit to help then we can have a good guess what will be final session with him as floor leader and get some real things accomplished in his last session were our first session of these next 4 years.

>> Fair is one of a number of prominent lawmakers who said they would not be running in 2024, here's what the governor had to say about losing House and Senate leadership members.

>> I hope each and every one of those lawmakers is proud of the work that they have done and are looking forward to staying involved in some form or fashion going to be a lawmaker in Frankfort to make a difference.

There's lots of things going on and local community.

So we certainly wish them the best and maybe gives an opportunity, you know, for a mixture.

Some experienced members as well as new members and new Energy.

>> In addition to Senator Thayer, 9 other lawmakers have announced they are not seeking reelection.

Today the governor ordered flags at all state office buildings lowered to half-staff in honor of former Governor Julian Carroll who passed away Sunday at the age of 92, Carol, served as the state's 54th governor from 1974.

To 1979 flags will be at half-staff through Saturday December the 16th, the day of Carroll's funeral that will take place at elevate Church in Frankfort, followed by a graveside service, complete with military honors.

KET will broadcast Carroll's memorial service was held in the state Capitol Rotunda tomorrow.

Friday at 12:30PM, Eastern Time.

Check that out on air and online.

♪ ♪ 2 researchers at the University of Kentucky have adopted a new approach to studying equestrian sports.

>> It takes to force the rider and the environment all into account.

We talked with them about the new model and how it could impact one of keys.

Kentucky's key industries.

>> The Triple E model is an expansion off of one house and one house is the idea that there is this interconnectedness between.

Human animal and then environment.

And when we looked at the current models for a question research, whether it's the horse, the environment or the human no model really captures how to look at all 3 together.

And so that's why we expanded the one health model to the Triple E model.

So these are equine to the horse equestrian, the person and then the environment.

The question yes, Late Edition said was established in March of 2020 and our goals are to optimize performance of the equestrian athlete, using research and community engagement.

So it's really important test understand.

>> Regardless of what people, right.

And so that could be horse racing.

That could be doing dressage or could be doing hunter jumper venting and even combined driving an our goal is to actually individuals that are performing in that sport being characterized as athletes.

So a lot of the research we're doing is establishing what others performance metrics that would be used in other sports to describe an athlete and then how injury and rehabilitation are important to the athlete as well.

But questions are are people that we're a ride.

A horse is work with a ride.

Horses.

They often not characterize as an athlete because people say the horse does all the work for them.

And I think anyone that actually competes in this poor or even rise recreationally will say that they're using muscles in different parts of their body that make equivalent to half Lee.

And so that's a lot of what our research has been is too first.

Find out if individuals characterize themselves as athletes and if they don't, how can we help them understand that they really are.

>> The biggest thing we added was this community feedback loop where you're including not just other researchers in multidisciplinary fields, but also ask asking the community what they need or what their concerns are and approaching it.

To have them included.

Great reason to have this initiative in Kentucky is because we really want to support this community and we know they're set to high population of the questions, whether it's our jockeys or enters our carriage drivers or recreational riders who are riding their heart is in the mountains and eastern Kentucky or using them for work.

I mean, we have mounted police here in Lexington.

So we need to see support that infrastructure so they feel supported as well.

♪ >> It's almost Christmas just a few days before and Santa has a few new helpers this year, students at one middle school in Lexington are creating therapeutic toys for those with cerebal palsy using woodworking tools laser engraver CE 3 D printers and more to create their products.

We dropped by their classroom.

Slash workshop to learn more.

>> I've learned a lot of new skills on woodworking and how to make a solution to a new problem that were tasked with.

>> We are investigating the Kerr era Try to put aside so we start from scratch with an idea or a client or a need or a problem.

So we started out without their Petey toy to help of a person that might be.

We have some challenges with cerebral palsy.

And when they look at those challenges, they could have problems with picking things up with the finger dexterity.

It could be hand-eye coordination and you reach for something.

You KET missing it because you haven't practiced in Turkey.

So so they work through some of these challenges that some others may not have to work with or, you know, have to figure out a solution to make life easier.

So we're trying to make a fun therapeutic toy for a elementary age kids so that they can start working on those challenges.

So that one safe, a cop city and master life can be a lot easier.

>> So for what we're doing, we have the patient has.

Hannah coronation problem.

So we made a game where we have a 2 paddles with Velcro on each side and we're going have a ball that they have to produce a partner.

And was that they will be able help them get their hand eye coordination better.

>> You know, it's a great student.

You may have never thought about how easy it is to do some of the things that you do on the everyday, you know, shared a routine that other people have to actually for the thing, can try hard to make sure that they don't run into that same situation.

So as you start breaking down the movements of using a toy to south may be a challenge of risk flexion just to be injurious is something that we all do daily that we take for granted.

But when you start to make a toy that has to have a kid focus on street in those muscles, making the brain think to move a certain way.

The 8th grade students are starting to develop in their brain like wow, things in life aren't as easy as it is for me for everyone else.

So then they start to really buy into the project because we have students at our school that may need some assistance devices.

So they have classes where they shared, you know, a classroom where they see a student may be working on some of these challenges.

So that a great group is starting to really see that there are people that are designers and working in the profession to be.

You know, with occupational therapist to make things better for students and children out of work.

So this project makes real life present for them.

Is it?

>> Now, while this project is only theoretical, Harris hopes one day the students can create products to help real clients and receive real feedback.

♪ Mother Nature adds to the holiday lights this week for the peak of the Geminid meteor shower.

Our Kristie Dot and speaks to an expert with an eye to the sky to tell us more about the early Christmas gift for stargazers.

>> The stars are aligning so to speak this week with a beautiful view of the Geminid meteor shower.

Joining us now is Jane Holland, the meteorologist with the Kentucky Mesonet.

So Shane, we'd only people out in the cold with this spectacular event, but that's where they're going to want to be, especially tonight to see it.

So what exactly causes the Geminid meteor shower?

>> The Geminids meteor is actually originate from the constellation Gemini, which this time of year is located in the northeastern sky.

However, I think the best place actually see a shooting star streak across the sky will be if you look straight up rather than look at the northeastern sky and if you live in the metro areas, it's a warm a little Lexington where there's a lot of light pollution.

The best viewing is going to be away from the cities of you might want to venture out just a few months.

>> OK, so get out of the city.

Get away from the city lights and this year and this week we have some pretty good conditions weather-wise for viewing these meteors, right?

What is that?

>> You couldn't ask for much better view of what we're going to have tonight, what we had last night and this is actually up to 9 P this is the we're talking at least 60 meters per hour and words of 100 meteors per hour if conditions are right.

That's what you might see later on tonight.

We have a night where we are in the top of the hour of daylight is that it shortens so that's favorable.

We also have a nearly new moon.

So it will not be very bright.

So that's favorable in.

We have mainly clear skies expected tonight.

So that's a nice try back to if you like to see a meteor shower.

>> Absolutely.

OK, we will make sure not to miss this.

Celestial a spectacular show for tonight.

Thank you so much.

Shame.

>> Appreciate Christie.

Any time.

>> And thank you, Christy, something to do tonight and we hope you'll join us again tomorrow night at 6.30, East, earn 5.30, central for Kentucky.

Addition we inform connect and inspire.

There's lots of ways to KET in touch with us that you see on the screen, Facebook X and Instagram to stay in the loop.

And I will see you right back here again tomorrow night.

Have a good one.

♪ ♪ ♪