♪ >> Senator Mitch McConnell has a warning for president elect Trump's cabinet picks on an issue.

He knows firsthand.

So we know that it makes a difference for them.

Just having.

>> Somewhere safe, constructive and fun to be when school is out.

>> The just say No to drugs.

Motto gets flipped.

And Franklin County.

>> It's super happy to finally >> And learn how inmates across Kentucky are earning their GED East.

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

♪ ♪ >> Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Monday, December, the 16th, a good way to start off the week.

I'm Renee Shaw and we thank you for joining us this evening.

Results for the final lottery in Kentucky's medical cannabis program are in Governor Andy Beshear announced the results this afternoon, a total of 12 dispensaries were selected today that will serve regions.

One 2 that you see on this map each of those regions will have a total of 4 dispensaries.

Additionally, Louisville and Lexington will each have 2 dispensaries.

A similar lottery was held last month where 36 dispensaries were awarded licenses and regions 3 through 11 lotteries were also held for cultivators and processors according to Joe Saka with Louisville, public media.

Most of those businesses were formed by people who don't live in Kentucky.

Governor Beshear was asked about that after today's drawing.

>> What we have seen in other states, our lawsuits when states have tried to favor only in state companies that have not run a lottery like this.

There's been at least one state that has been enjoying for over 2 years that they have their their legislation in place.

But for 2 full years, they can't even run the the end of the selection process or the rest for us.

It was about putting the patient first and we had to make a decision.

You know, do we put the patient first?

And if so, we designed a system.

They will have the fewest likely a successful challenges on the lawsuit side or do we put a group's first?

So certainly to get this up and running.

I wanted to put the veteran suffering from PTSD first now as we move into the future, once we have the program up and running, we may try to see if if, for instance, when we expand cultivators which I think will need to, if we can try to help those Kentucky hemp farmers because if we do and if we're in joined by a court, then we still have a supply that is already here.

But the way the law was set up being able to bring in the saplings or the or the the plants to to help grow it out.

I think that there was some some 4th site and forethought and how to do that and that this way, we'll have product on the shelf significantly earlier than a system that would have been challenged.

And we've seen a challenge to virtually every other state.

We belief.

But this is the furthest.

In the process that we've seen virtually any state go without a lawsuit at all.

And without a successful lawsuit to at least delay it.

>> Kentucky's medical cannabis program officially becomes law on January.

1st, that is the earliest possible date for Kentuckians to apply for a medical cannabis card.

Sports, arts and music are the focus of a substance use prevention program out of Franklin County.

But not lectures about drugs and alcohol as our June Leffler reports, the county has adapted and overseas model that is showing some results at home.

>> Kentucky Dance Academy students rehearse for The Nutcracker.

Amanda Whites runs the dance studio that 8th grader Emory called has attended for years.

I loved KET and noticing and forever like.

>> I just think it's like a really supportive environment.

>> Cops family pays for classes and pointe shoes with the help of the yes card.

It's about your worth.

A few $100 to every middle schooler and Franklin County gets students can use it for bans sports, arts and dance.

It's just something I can be like every day and I love people.

I get to have known him for a very long time.

>> And that my friends to dance and it's just like athletic and fine.

I love my point.

Shoes.

>> Keeping kids excited, busy and under adult supervision is exactly the point of the just say.

Yes.

Program.

It's a drug and alcohol prevention program that doesn't have to harp on drugs and alcohol.

Kids need to know that trucks are dangerous.

They need to have information.

What our goal is.

>> Make it so that they're never even given that choice, that they're in environments where.

They're too busy being.

Active and being engaged in things that they love.

And so are their peers.

>> Since 2020 that Perry has been tested with county wide surveys.

Those surveys show that Franklin County kids that engage in sports and arts at least once a week are less likely to drink or use drugs.

And since the S card has been around, more kids are getting involved.

>> So we know that it makes a difference for them.

Just having somewhere safe, constructive and fun to be when school is out.

>> A million very adept at her program from the Icelandic model named after the country.

They're a nationwide effort started in the 1990's, frequent teen drinking plummeted over the course of 20 years.

Communities all over the world are trying to replicate those results.

It's a combination of >> having that fresh local data from from kids about what's happening in their lives and then sharing that out really quickly and widely and inaccessible ways to the people who are closest to the kids and who can actually do something about it.

Whether that's parents, teachers, a local government.

And what we found is that when we share this data, people really pay attention because they.

Care about that.

These children, these are our children.

>> Iceland's adults rallied to make a difference for the kids.

They even put in place and national curfew for teens that might go too far for Frankfort.

The Berry says any community that goes down this path can decide what changes work for them.

>> The yes car made a lot of sense for us here because we have a lot of a lot of activities that are available and a lot of them have fees attached to them.

I can imagine in a rural community you may not be able to have a yes cards because there would be no where to spend that money.

But that doesn't mean that you can't not only that can't implement the isolated prevention model, but that you can't work on getting kids involved in after-school activities is just going to look different.

>> In Frankfort, the community that's looking out for its kids will get to enjoy some of their performances this holiday season for Kentucky edition.

I'm June Leffler.

>> Thank you much June.

Middle schoolers aren't the only ones that get a yes card thanks to funding from the state's opioid Abatement Advisory Commission K through 12th graders with certain risk factors can also get a card.

And we'll have more on the commission's prevention work and tomorrow's Kentucky edition.

They're older, Kentuckians who need care but aren't ready to move to a nursing home.

They have options, including pace, which stands for programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly.

It has 8 organizations across the state serving more than 50 counties and one of them is bluegrass care navigators in Lexington, where our more Rodgers takes us.

This report is part of Katie's next chapter initiative that focuses on the rewards and challenges of growing older.

>> When eastern Kentucky natives Cecil and Judith him move to Lexington to be closer to their daughters.

He can that band mom, we're not getting any younger.

There was an added benefit.

It now lived just miles away from a pace provider.

We love that part of a real issue here.

Pace is an acronym for programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly.

We have physical therapy which is good.

You know, you don't have to go would be where he is here to come.

Full takes free transportation to the center 3 days a week.

8.

It gives a different perspective on that.

Word is not in the apartment.

Just me and them.

You know, there's other people too.

>> Socialize with the media, a social aspect of the case is one of our best medicines Jet Helton is executive director.

He says Bluegrass Care navigators was the first pace provider in Kentucky coming to the state 2 years ago.

When you describe it to someone that hasn't heard of before, it's almost too good to be true because that what you do this and you have transportation and the pace center.

>> It's a very robust program, faces a Medicare and Medicaid program for those 55 and 67 who need nursing facility level of care, but prefer to KET living at home.

What with pace?

We know you're doing it safely and that they're getting health care that people are looking after.

And the case offers everything from primary care and social services to therapies and nutritional counseling therapy tale for the attention from the medical ups.

And we should get wheeling a year or anything.

>> I would add to the terror pay for sure.

Ed, pass it on to the medical patriots off in the community.

They're building a friendship and support.

That's the most impactful.

>> I don't feel is asked to lay a yes, it's radar.

And you know, here there's a certain size and as we do with our nursing staff to make sure that our participants would meet that threshold.

>> But they want to stay at home.

Elton says he's noticed some pretty big 75 water person.

>> Kind of transition from whom we need.

And then a month to month, 6 months down the road, the brand new person, they're active.

You're moving around and making friends with smiling.

They're out of that isolation letter on Great Recreation director and he's a of the gate he hair, shampoo and dry.

And then the morning after breakfast, scheduled activities include games like bingo and a rear They were very hard.

Yes, you will now come happened.

>> What, when, where, or how, miles.

One way.

Enjoy the play for you.

>> It all smiles healthy.

Thanks to a team of providers dedicated to their well-being.

>> A great care provided to nursing homes are very necessary.

What if we could stay at home in our community with the people we know and love with our staff?

That's important.

If we can do that with all of our resources, all of our team point in of artist because it's worth it.

>> There are Kentucky additional things live on our Rogers thank you so much, Laura.

And this evening, we take a closer look at other issues facing aging Kentucky ends and discuss some of the resources available during our aging and health Care Akt special report program that airs tonight at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET.

Back to politics.

U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is urging President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominees to avoid efforts to discredit the polio vaccine.

Senator McConnell put out a statement Friday.

It says in part, quote, efforts to undermine public confidence and proven cures are not just on informed.

They're dangerous.

Anyone seeking the Senate's consent to serve in the incoming administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts, unquote.

Senator McConnell had polio as a child.

His comments came after reports surfaced that an aide to Robert Kennedy Jr filed a petition petition to revoke approval for the polio vaccine in 2022.

Kennedy is Trump's choice as secretary of Health and Human Services.

Congressman Morgan McGarvey, the only Democrat in Kentucky's congressional delegation will be a part of the Democratic leadership team.

Garvey will serve as deputy chief minority whip in the new Congress as he begins his second term in January.

The end coming whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts is praising McGarvey for his skill and insight during his first term in the House.

The federal government is loaning Ford and South Korean battery maker SK on almost 10 billion dollars to help finance construction of 3 battery plants and Kentuckyian Tennessee.

The 9.63 billion dollar loan is from the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Courier Journal reports that the loan for the blue Oval Ask a venture is the biggest ever from the advanced technology vehicles, manufacturing loan program, the 2 blue oval plants in Kentucky are headed to Hardin County.

The Tennessee plan is on the way to the town of Staten.

The loan announcement comes just a few weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Trump has been critical of the Biden administration's efforts to promote electric vehicle production.

♪ ♪ ♪ The Kentucky Community and Technical College system doesn't just provide post-secondary education.

It also provides a GED casas for thousands of Kentuckians who don't have a high school diploma.

Some of those students include inmates and Kentucky's 9 correctional facilities.

The instructors say earning the GED allows an inmate not only to improve their own lives but to also improve the community around them.

This and our Education matters segment.

>> In 2020 to 2024, we have awarded 4,460 days.

The inmates get to select to participate in the GED program and our 14 colleges.

Go actually to the jail or to the prison to provide the services.

The GED preparation services.

>> pay for it.

Usually the test once a month.

>> So 5, 0, geared towards getting them ready to be to take that test.

Everybody's different.

So they may come from a background of the head to get by doing construction workers us and they could do without a GED or high school diploma.

So that may be a little bit.

And here at the geometry, part of the math, it may come in a little bit easier for them to pick that kind of stuff up.

>> There's not really much to do here besides center and read sometimes up to very they're very avid reader.

That may be better to language arts pardon.

They're already pretty comfortable or into long passages to find answers and things.

So all different kinds of strengths and things that they can bring into the classroom.

>> Mass always my favorite subject to have fun.

Keeps me interested in actually been trying to get their want to get it for the past 5 years.

It's just and ever at the time or take the time to actually try always want to move in and so I try to get into that field.

It's not something close to that Bill.

So I guess my knowledge back has been a school for so long.

I feel like I'm the last time I feel it is going to be really hard to do this.

That wasn't going to be able to.

But the farther I got into it, I was proud of myself in ways that I did catch on to that quick and was able to Juarez.

But isn't it in remember now so egregious that it considered very important that we well welcoming, supportive atmosphere.

>> For individuals that.

May have barriers in their life.

We've had students that they have not had support in their last of somebody telling them that they can do it.

You know, we are at least part of their support system and encouragement.

Cheerleaders a somewhat.

>> And so those relationships make a big difference.

>> So want to one of the big things you start to notice is students when they first come in very hesitant to even sign and say hello, copy at all because this is the sort of that atmosphere of a jail as you want to put up these barriers.

So part of it is I start to notice they get friendly or the say, hey, I was going ask me how things are going to side like what's the weather like?

And that leads into the class time because it's very difficult to know to say, hey, I have trouble with something.

I don't understand this.

You can be made fun of for that kind of thing here.

And so they open it was I I don't know how to this mass to help me with this.

And so that's a big thing is when somebody comes and says I need help, that's really big growth on their part.

And so I tried to jump in immediately and say, let's get this over with.

This is not this.

Then let's see what the next thing is going to work on.

>> We do have quite a few students that once they get finished with with their GED and I have to complete, they are interested in going on to college in the majority of our students.

Same too go to Somerset Community College once that's once that's complete and we try to help them be able to make that process as smooth as possible.

>> I am in the ACC in and try to see what all they do offer and try to gain any program.

I can an area nor and it takes for anything to do with animals.

I'd be happy with this and will and attract foreign are super excited about that said wanted it forever.

But I've just been waiting on GR Hospital Plumber.

>> It's being able to check that box on the application opens up all kinds of doors to allow the students to have good paying full-time jobs that KET them out of the things that they use to get into the got them here in the first place.

Sometimes.

>> Across the state, we have over 290,000 that don't have a GED or high school diploma.

And so it's very important.

Not just for that individual.

But for our state and the workforce for us to have this type of program.

>> A lot of the employers need people to work.

And so this it helps the workforce and it's an investment in people's lives, which can be a generational change.

And if they can shift their focus on.

Getting a better job or going on to school and changing their path.

Hopefully it will also make a difference in their family's lives.

>> The issue myself or yourself makes you feel better about yourself and actually get especially if you struggled in the past one and not get in and get it any other way for a long wish.

And storm if they're not saying it's going to help them in the future.

>> The super happy to finally get it.

>> And congrats to her Casey and a dozen of her peers at Pulaski County Detention Center graduated last with their GED last Wednesday.

Once again, congrats.

♪ And Christmas is right around the corner.

Don't have to tell you that.

But there is still time to make the most of the buying season.

We spoke to an expert at the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics who has a few strategies to help you safe.

>> I think one of the big mistakes that we tend to make is we see something that is on sale and that is a good sale.

and think their selves.

He we're winning.

>> By getting this product at a deep discount.

And yes, if you needed that product and got it at lower than what you would have paid otherwise, then, yes, that that is a win.

But if it's something you didn't really need, you still spent more money than you needed to.

I think that just looking at the advertised sale price and taking that as as truth as to its best price.

We have to be a little careful with that.

I think that there's a lot of moving the price back up to regular right before the holidays and then dropping it back down to the sale price and companies are smart.

They are trying to catch people when people are willing to spend money.

And right now people are going to spend money.

So showing that 2030% discount.

That sounds great.

But that 20 or 30% discount may come up every month or so.

And it's hard to determine that unless you're actively comparing prices and actively tracking the price across time.

So there are some resources.

There are now plug-ins browser, plug-ins, specific applications that you can download.

They're our social media accounts that you can follow and several different price aggregate ERs are deal accurate, gators that will house some of this price history.

One thing that's interesting and we there, it's still early in the and how much is being adopted by consumers is different forms of payment where you can disperse the payments out more.

And we've had credit cards for a long time.

That would allow you to spread payments out over a period of time.

But we're seeing more of the Buy now pay later or companies that allow you to have 3 or 4 months without credit card, the interest rates can be lower on those than credit card.

But a lot of retailers are trying to also.

>> Push some of these buy now pay later companies and services because they feel like that might prompt consumers to spend a little bit more if someone can Bice a bigger ticket item now and have a chance to pay it off over a extended period of time.

You know, that can certainly improve the shopping experience.

But does that really improve your bank accounts and doesn't improve your overall, you know, spending goals that not necessarily so while it's easier, you have to be careful about it.

Adding up too fast or even getting out of control.

So too.

So consumers to, you know, be on the lookout for that use.

Those kinds of services when necessary when it makes sense.

But make sure you read the fine print.

>> A recent survey by Bankrate found that 33% of Americans expect to spend less this holiday than last year.

Good news for Central Kentucky.

Recyclers the Lexington Herald-Leader reports the Lexington Recycling Center on Thompson Road reopen today after being closed December 4th through the 15th for repairs.

This means people can start putting their curbside recycling bins out for collection.

Again, the center of compacts recycled material and 2 large blocks, which can then be sold.

♪ A sports note.

Congrats to the University of Kentucky volleyball team after another great season.

More in tonight's look at Sports News.

The Cats made it to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2020 before being eliminated Saturday by Pittsburgh.

And number one seed in the tournament.

These are pictures from the cats previous win over Minnesota Pittsburgh will take on Louisville.

Also a number one seed Thursday and the national semifinals at the KFC Yum Center in the Derby city.

These pictures are from Louisville's win over Purdue.

Turning to basketball, Kentucky is up to number 4 in the AP men's College basketball poll after beating Louisville Saturday.

There are 5 Southeastern Conference teams in the AP top 7, Tennessee, Auburn, Kentucky, Alabama and Florida.

The UK women are number 16 in the AP women's Pole.

You may be surprised by what inspired UK's choice of blue eyes.

A school color and find out the Kentucky connection to flavored chewing gum is our toe begins.

Looks back at this week in Kentucky history.

♪ >> Kentucky's General Assembly approved a state SEAL and state motto on December.

20th 17 92.

The legislation said the CEO should show 2 friends in racing and the motto is the same one used today United.

We stand Divided.

We fall.

A TV journalist, Diane Sawyer was born December 20nd 1945.

In Glasgow.

She worked for President Richard Nixon as a press aide and later worked for both CBS and ABC News.

>> A Kentucky icon known the world over died December 16, 1980, Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, died of pneumonia at Jewish Hospital in Louisville at the age of 90.

The drug is John Colgan was born December 18, 18, 40 in Louisville in 18.

73 cold in combined several different ingredients, including powdered sugar and invented flavored chewing gum.

It was so successful he gave up this drugstore and open to chewing gum fact rate selling gotten as far away as Australia.

It all for a coach.

His first basketball game is Kentucky's coach on December 18, 1930, as the Wildcats beat Georgetown College.

67 to 19 at Kentucky's alumni gymnasium.

In football, Kentucky beat Center College on December 1918, 91, many claimed this was the first use of Kentucky's your shade of blue when a student held up a blue necktie been suggested as Kentucky's team color.

With this week in Kentucky history.

Toby Gibbs.

>> We thank you as always.

To be gaps do it for us tonight.

But we hope to see you right back here again tomorrow night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky edition where we inform connect and inspire.

Connect with us all the ways you see on your screen, you can sign up for email newsletters and watch full episodes and clips at KET Dot Org and look for us on Facebook, X and Instagram to see all of what's happening here at KET.

Thank you so much for watching tonight to an end and 8 o'clock for our special report on aging and health care right here on KET Till I see you again.

Take good care.

♪