These are the things that >> actually matter to our people, not red, not blue.

These are the things that are important to everyone.

>> This budget Governor Andy Beshear lays out his budget priorities just days after starting his second term in office.

And the health-care the head.

Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman undergoing major surgery just days after she is sworn in for second term.

>> Gambling is a school is is risk taking.

It's something that human beings have done country very, very long time.

>> 3 months after sports betting rolled out in Kentucky.

What are the games and potential losses?

We just planned on clearing a few ourselves.

So when the donations started coming into my Venmo and PayPal, it's just.

>> Blown up.

An escalated.

>> A mother of 5 and content creator playing Santa special helper for nearly 300 children.

This Christmas.

>> 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 19th I'm Casey Parker Bell filling in for Renee Shaw.

>> Less than a week into his second term, Governor Andy Beshear has unveiled his budget proposal for the next 2 years with funding for public education at the top of his priority list of the 136 billion dollar spending plan more than 1 billion would go to fund an 11% pay raise to all public school employees, including teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and janitors.

172 million dollars each year would go toward funding universal Pre-K for all 4 year-olds.

The governor said his budget plan fully funds, teacher pensions and student transportation.

Also in the governor's budget, a 6% pay raise in 2024. and another 4% pay raise in 2025. for all state employees and a $2500 pay raise for all ksp troopers and officers.

The budget would also provide 1 billion for high-speed Internet access 500 million dollars for cleaner water projects.

300 million for major transportation projects and 200 million dollars for economic development projects.

In his budget address last night, Governor Beshear said his proposed budget meets Kentucky families where they are and addresses, but they worry about the most.

Kentucky's don't wake up every morning thinking about Democrat or Republican and neither does this budget.

Kentuckians wake up thinking about their jobs and whether they can provide for their families.

>> They're thinking about the safety and the security of their children, their homes and their communities.

The thing about the condition of the roads and the bridges they travel on to get to school, to work and the church.

They're thinking about the public schools.

They send their kids to and how their kids are being prepared for the jobs and the opportunities of the future.

These are the things that actually matter to our people not read, not blue.

These are the things that are important to everyone.

>> Leaders of the Kentucky House Democratic Caucus sent out a statement on the governor's budget plan saying in part, quote, our school employees deserve adequate raises our youngest citizens need the boost that universal preschool would provide and more families should have affordable access to clean drinking water and broadband Internet.

This budget is proof that these and many other things are not beyond our reach and it will be a travesty if the budget ultimately enacted pretense that we can KET doing more with less.

The last thing we need is to have 5 billion or more of our hard-earned tax dollars sitting idle for the next 2 years.

End quote.

Also in support of the governor's budget, Kentucky in term Education Commissioner Robin Fields.

Kenny, she said in a statement that reads in part, quote, Investing in education is the most significant contribution to our state's future.

It guarantees that the upcoming generation is well equipped to enter the workforce.

Fostering economic growth and job development in Kentucky.

Well, the governor's outline priorities underscore the significance of education.

This crucial to bear in mind that this is the beginning of the budgetary journey.

We look forward to working with the governor and the legislature in the coming months ahead as the biennial budget is discussed and finalized, end quote.

The state's Republican leaders have yet to respond to Governor Beshear's budget plan.

Republican House Speaker David Osborne did say in a statement released before Bashir's address that House Republicans would take his proposals into consideration.

Our Renee Shaw and a panel of experts discuss the governor's budget address on Kentucky tonight.

Here was the reaction to his plan.

Doesn't touch the rainy day fund.

We are in place right now where we're we're seeing this opportunity for these investments.

And I think this is a time to really, truly.

>> Look at all of across the board, every cabinet, every place where, you know, government does touch these individuals and you're, you know, talking to Kentucky families.

They're not.

This is what they're focused on.

That as I was listening to the governor's remarks, several different questions were kind of ruminating and >> in my mind, but I think 2 of the most important ones that came up was in terms of overall spending.

How close are we coming up against our current revenue estimates of the consensus forecasting group, which is a an entity provides at estimates for how much money the state will bring in from taxpayer dollars.

They recently estimated that in fiscal year 25 were expecting a 15 and a half billion dollars fiscal year 26.

We're looking at about 16 billion dollars with this proposal will be going all the way up to that edge or are we leaving a little bit of breathing room?

Are their potential spending decreases elsewhere?

Those are important things to consider.

>> Is the income tax reduction triggers which I think is budget does not really predicated cell phone.

I think they're important for a couple different reasons.

But one of the most important reasons which leads me to that second question that I had as we're as we're listening to the governor's remarks, which is how exactly this tax reform.

>> Figure into this.

This is something he highlighted at the start of his remarks, noting that we've reduced income taxes.

Well, the same time the General Assembly has been making investments in key areas.

So I am curious to know how this proposal would fit in with those broader goals of continue to reduce in the individual income tax rate.

>> What's going to be top of mind for the Republican super majorities is that this budget likely abandons all possibility to reduce the personal income tax, another half percent to get us down a 3 and a half percent.

And we know that that has been the Republican super majorities have been laser focused on that.

And so I think what you're going to see a lot here from an reactions is the General Assembly is going to take a much more disciplined approach to spending.

They're going to budget for the long term, not just based upon the revenues that we're seeing today.

I think I'm continuing to have that focus on a strong and healthy Budget Reserve trust fund is very, very important to them.

If you were to try to budget in a way that would trigger more income tax cuts, according to >> the Legislature's formula, you have to cut out everything that we're talking about.

A likely make cuts to programs and services.

>> And add billions more to the Budget Reserve Trust Fund, which already has 3.7 billion dollars.

It would have over 5 billion dollars by next summer when this budget actually starts millions more than we actually need to prepare for a to prepare for emergencies.

Prepare for the next downturn.

And, you know, we we can't continue to stockpile money while we stop how problems in our community.

>> You can see more reaction to the governor's budget proposal.

Plus, Governor Beshear's full pretape budget address.

The KET Dot Org slash Kyi tonight.

Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman continues to recover after undergoing major surgery in a statement from her office last night.

Coleman said, quote, with a significant family history of cancer.

I made the decision to have a double mastectomy.

The surgery followed a routine physical exam.

This comes less than a week after Coleman and Governor Andy Beshear were sworn in for second terms.

Coleman, who is 41 was a fixture on the campaign trail throughout the hard-hitting campaign.

She debated her Republican rival for Lieutenant Governor in a televised debate here on KET late in the campaign plan.

The Bashir Coleman ticket won a convincing victory last month, even as every other statewide officer where school or one by Republicans, Coleman spent years as a teacher before being tapped by the sheer as his running mate for their first successful run as a ticket in 2019.

She finished her statement by saying, quote, Kentucky's Kentucky's highest elected teacher.

It is only fitting that I leave you with a little homework schedule those preventative exams.

You put off hug your people a little tighter and be kind because everyone is fighting a battle.

You may know nothing about.

Governor Beshear issued his own statement saying he expects the Lieutenant Governor will make a full recovery.

He called Coleman a, quote, critical part of team Kentucky.

And he also encouraged Kentuckyian schedule preventative exams.

There will soon be a new director of Kentucky's opioid Abatement Advisory Commission.

The commission is overseen by the Kentucky Attorney General's office today.

Attorney general let Russell Coleman introduced his leadership team.

It includes Christopher Evans, a former acting administrator of the drug Enforcement Administration.

He will replace Brian Hubbard is the executive director of the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission.

The commission's role is to oversee more than 900 million dollars in opioid settlement funds issued to Kentucky.

Hubbard made headlines earlier this year when he announced the commission wanted to spend some of that money researching Ibogaine a psychedelic plan the supporters say can curb opioid a bit.

Opiate addiction withdrawals and create a path to recovery.

When asked about the future of ibogaine in Kentucky, the home leader reports Attorney General elect Coleman said he's concerned the state is not focusing enough on addiction prevention.

A relatively new member of the Kentucky General Assembly.

He's looking to elevate her title.

State representative cut her hair says she wants to become a state senator.

She has filed paperwork to run for Senate District.

35 in Louisville.

That seat is currently held by Senator Toomey's Harper Angel, who recently announced she will not seek reelection.

In a statement, Herron said she wants to take her experience to the state Senate to quote, push for real solutions to gun violence.

Full restoration of voting rights for people who have served their time and investments in public education.

Herron was first elected to the state house in 2021.

Becoming the first openly LGBTQ person elected to the chamber.

The Louisville Democrat is a former policy strategist for the ACLU of Kentucky.

And is credited with helping pass a statewide no-knock ban following the death of breonna tension Research Center.

For 3 months.

Kentuckians have been able to wager bets on some of their favorite sporting events from college football to international soccer and proposition to parlay bets.

The world of sports betting is limitless and all available on your phone.

And our first of 3 stories, Kentucky additions to Leffler looks at the gains and potential losses.

Sports betting poses to gamblers and the Commonwealth.

We'll fall.

Sandy's gaming and racing open just 2 months ago in Ashland.

>> It brings patrons from far and wide.

>> We all get together and come, you know, come hang out and enjoy them and have fun.

Folks, try to win big on slots or sports betting mainly NBA.

>> in CA football.

Really what we're Yeah.

All over.

It will come here every Saturday Sunday.

We're all of that.

>> It's pretty much one of the ways to get customers to come into the casino who maybe don't.

>> Play slots.

Sports betting is not Sandy's pregnant, but it but partnering with the sports book was a no-brainer.

The sportsbook came last right after it was We got off the ground and by 2 months >> so it was not plans by moments of the past.

Took the reins.

>> Most sports betting happens online, but all sports betting companies that want to operate in Kentucky, like many states have to partner with the local brick and mortar racetrack or gaming facilities.

So the idea was that if you make it such that new operators in the state for online or mobile, >> that they partner with a brick and mortar facility that that would really provide ID existing business with a stake in the new market expansion.

And we have less of this cannibalization effect.

>> And turn places like Sandy's get a cut of mobile sports betting not just what's but on their terms because the sports betting company has to have.

>> The bricks and mortar partner, the bricks and mortar partner has something a very high value to the sports betting company.

And so in exchange for that value, that's where some of that rep share comes from.

>> That's a win for the whole gaming industry.

And according to state officials, all Kentucky INS.

>> After a couple of big sports weekend, the total amount wagered in Kentucky jumped over 656 million dollars.

That's 629.5 million and mobile wagering.

And 26.8 million and retail wager.

Kentucky earned 8 million dollars in tax revenue.

>> Just 2 months after sports betting came online in the state exceeding expectations of these tax dollars will support the oversight of sports wagering establish a problem, gambling fund and and primarily help our pension systems here in Kentucky.

retirement system is still under funded.

>> By 10's of billions of dollars, sports betting won't shore up the pension funds.

Liabilities, but House minority floor Leader Representative Derek Graham hopes it could offer some relief to state workers in the form of an extra check or cost of living increase.

>> When they retired, it was a good friend.

But, you know, after 10, 11, 12 years, you know, the possible living has increased.

And so that's what they're dealing with.

And so they are asking us.

We serve.

You are now asking that you serve us.

>> Thankfully for Kentucky's pension system.

Sports betting has really taken off.

It is an incredible start.

And if it continues, we will significantly exceed the 23 million dollars in projected revenue.

>> From sports, wagering.

>> What makes it so popular and profitable.

For starters, the sportsbook is in the palm of your hand.

>> Think about all the different times that you you could have been sitting around, maybe a little bored and you grab your phone and you look for your favorite app and you open it up and you start playing on it.

The same is now available with sports betting apps.

>> That means more kinds of people are betting too.

>> So, for example, we've seen a bigger increase in women who bet on sports prior to having sports betting on a mobile phone places.

You might bet on sports might not be quite as welcoming to women.

They may be kind of old boys clubs, right?

And the >> betting options are limitless from the kinds of wagers.

>> baseball game, right?

on the outcome of an inning betting on other sorts of proper proposition wagers to prop bets.

That's what that's short for on various sort of micro events that might exist within the Kings.

We see parlay wagers in which you string together a variety of that if every single one of those outcomes hits, then you win the parlay.

>> To the sports themselves in Kentucky.

Folks can bet on college and pro ball to esports the rodeo and chests.

>> Gambling is a tool is is risk taking is something that human beings have done for a very, very long time.

So all the positive, all all the negatives, this all comes together in one really complex subject.

And it really is something that.

Should make us think for Kentucky June Leffler.

>> We'll follow up tomorrow on the topic of problem.

Gambling, what resources are and aren't available for those needing help.

The national problem, gambling hotline is 1, 800 gambler.

Kentucky, U.S.

Congressman Morgan McGarvey was in Louisville Monday to take part in a roundtable discussion on child care in the state.

The Prichard Committee hosted the event that focused on the need for affordable accessible and high quality early care and education programs.

Members of the roundtable pointed out that childcare costs as much as college education in a year leaving many families with little to no options when it comes to childcare.

And that's having an impact on Kentucky's workforce.

And they did was show that's one of the reasons Kentucky has one of the worst workforce participation rates in the nation.

>> We consistently rank in the bottom 10 of the nation while at the same time ranking in the bottom 10 for poverty.

So it's clear these things are linked.

So to deal with the affordability of childcare is to help Kentucky move forward.

Just choosing between bad options.

You you can't make a good decision.

And so I think that is a 40 stations low families know how expensive childcare isn't looking here and get you to where you can stay home and take care of your ball and you can take your kids right to take your kids.

What parents to take care of the kids.

>> And we've got to have that for the child care.

And we've seen that we can do it.

We've seen is that is to me is a national priority.

>> The group said state and federal government needs to help low and middle income families access.

>> And pay for quality child care.

A county court is giving parents who've missed child support payments.

A special gift before the Christmas holiday and the World War.

2 veteran recently celebrated a milestone birthday.

Our Toby gives provides share shares the stories in tonight's headlines around Kentucky.

♪ ♪ >> London has unveiled a safe haven box of the city's fire department for new mothers to safely surrender their baby without any repercussions.

The Sentinel Echo reports the safe Haven Baby Box is part of a nationwide initiative but became a local effort with the support of the City council.

Once the baby is placed inside the temperature regulated box, a silent alarm alerts, first responders and gives parents about 2 minutes to leave the area.

The Pike County Family Court is giving individuals who fail to pay child support a chance to catch up on their payments before Christmas.

The Appalachian News Express reports that court officials that anyone with an active bench warrant for missed payments in a $500 on December.

21st at noon in family court without fear of being arrested.

A Pike County attorney said after the warrant is recalled, the case will be reviewed monthly to ensure child support is paid.

An official for the company that made the new Wood floor.

The University of Kentucky men's basketball team has been playing on said it will be replaced free of charge.

W E K you reports that John Fix is the global sales manager for Robbins.

Sports surfaces.

He said they suggested the floor be removed because they were not happy with the paneling.

Vick said he doesn't know if the floor has been unsafe for players, but they have chosen to remove it just in case he is unsure when the new court will be ready to install.

A World War.

2 veteran celebrated his one 100th birthday in a restaurant in Bowling.

Great.

The Bowling Green Daily News reports that James ran was part of 6 invasions during the war after he joined the Navy in 1942, he left in 1946.

Redd credits his long life to his southern upbringing during the Great Depression Mission BBQ organizes events for veterans and first responders in the region.

With headlines around Kentucky.

I'm told the Good.

>> A warning for holiday shoppers.

Watch out for scammers.

Kentucky has lost nearly 60 million dollars to online scams last year.

According to social Catfish, the company that works to reduce scams.

The company says scammers are getting better at what they do and it's warning people to be extra careful this time of year.

Here are 3 of the online scams.

The company says are popular right now.

There's the sold out toy scam.

If you see a toy that is in high demand for extremely low price, be suspicious.

Watch out for the secret Santa scam.

That's when someone uses social media to set up an online gift exchange except the other person ever reciprocate.

And finally, there's the grandparents AI scam.

The company says scammers will use AI to clone a person's voice based on social media posts.

Then that person's grandparents get a call from someone they think is their grandchild who claims to be in danger and in need of money fast.

♪ ♪ Hardin County, mother of 5 is using her social media platform to help families in need.

She's joined forces with her followers to clear the Christmas wish list for dozens of single mothers and their children.

Laura Rogers shares more on how the content creator is spreading.

Joy, this holiday season.

>> They came taken since the whole Christmas season.

Everyone knows the story of the The was a series who stole all of those presents on Christmas Eve.

And this had I would just like to say, but this is a story about just that.

This is my husband and I have been really blessed by social media this year.

We wanted a way to get back the platform that she has.

He just really been creative in reaching out and just with her passion for giving back.

It's just kind of spiraled from there a little moment for And the head has more than half a million followers on social media.

And you have to be different to catch attention when it's time for your kids weekly.

She describes their content as deadpan comedy satirical.

Look at being a wife and mother.

>> I often incorporating or 5 daughters they like making the videos with me.

Just a fun way for us to do something together as a family.

That's a lot of fun man.

This has been Tre is also a good sport.

I started out as just some fun videos with the kids and just hang out with the family.

And then she would kind of tell me what to do in the videos.

And we've got to do.

>> Several takes to get it right.

Get it right.

Indeed.

Samantha's videos have become increasingly popular, getting millions of views and she wanted to use her platform for good and I together we're going to clear a few moms.

>> Children's gift wish list for Christmas sing-along have thinking about some of, you know, the part of this time of year that don't have that support.

>> And they have to raise their kids allow.

It just seemed overwhelming.

The U.S.. >> The head say they were inundated with messages from people both needing help and wanting to help.

>> I got a lot of e-mails from single mothers and then my followers immediately want to help donate so it got a great response very quickly.

>> Samantha says the wish list are mostly basic needs like clothing, shoes and Mom wanted a 3 foot tree to put up for her 2 boys because they have never had a Christmas tree.

She had left her abusive father.

It's very humbling.

It's the complete reality check about our lives and how fortunate we are and how blessed we really are.

And she says those on the receiving end have expressed gratitude for the goodwill.

They're just so thankful.

So thankful to have shoes that fit their kid.

I had one mommy, mommy that she went ahead and gave the shoes on her wishlist her child because he didn't have shoes that were feeding him.

They're just really, really grateful.

>> Just to see how our communities rally behind just giving back during this season is just been tremendous.

>> As the page turns on this story, they hope it's the beginning of a new holiday tradition for Kentucky edition.

I'm Laura Rogers.

Did they like to >> Samantha Head has raised more than $45,000 person gifts for nearly 300 children.

This holiday season.

♪ ♪ Abe Lincoln has lost his hat and Louisville artist is asking people to help him get back sculptor and Hamilton posted these pictures on Facebook of the bronze sculpture he made of Lincoln.

The statue was dedicated in 2009 is located at Waterfront Park in Louisville.

Hamilton said there was a top hat resting next to Lincoln and someone pried it from the base.

A police report was filed.

Park officials are reviewing video recordings.

It's holiday cheer from above.

We're not talking about Santa and his reindeer.

♪ >> Takeoff and landing is my favorite because you're watching.

Hundreds of flying robots come together to do exactly what they're supposed to do.

We've gone from 100 drones to 200 drones that allows us to be a little more creative with the design work as well.

So we can put it.

>> More detailed images and fluid animations in the Scott.

>> Tomorrow on Kentucky EDITION, we take you behind the scenes to see what it takes to get 200 drones off the ground and into the sky for a spectacular Christmas light show.

We hope you'll join us again tomorrow night at 6.30, east earned 5.30, central for Kentucky.

Addition we inform connect and inspire subscribe to our weekly Kentucky Edition email newsletter and watch full episodes and clips a K E T Dot Org.

You can also find pick Kentucky.

Addition on the PBS video app on your mobile device and smart TV.

Send us a story idea.

Public affairs a K E T Dot Org and follow KET on Facebook X, formerly known as Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop.

I'm Casey Parker Bell.

Thank you so much for joining us tonight.

Take good care and have a great evening.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪