>> Thus the time of year, the flu season to really pick up that you're going to start seeing that with COVID as well.

>> Flu and COVID cases are on the rise.

Who health officials say is getting hit the hardest.

>> I feel like I would be among the many.

Overdose if I hadn't found this.

>> It's illegal and on approved in the U.S..

But personal accounts suggested make sure addictions.

Was toaster oven to the recently launched all in one GE combination washer and dryer.

Many of the appliances you use every day are created and manufactured right here in Kentucky.

We take you inside GE Appliance Park in Louisville.

>> And then there was a time when things kind of slow down and we didn't really have a whole lot on the square.

And I feel like we're getting back to that.

Plus, a downtown square in Southcentral.

Kentucky is seeing renewed activity and interest with more than a dozen new businesses in the last few years.

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

The owner Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Monday, December, the 4th, I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for starting off your Monday night with us.

Well, if you've been putting off getting your flu vaccine, you may want to reconsider the Lexington Health Department says it's seeing an increase in the number of people getting sick.

Hundreds of flu cases have now been confirmed in the city.

Nearly 90% of those were among people who were not vaccinated.

And it's not just the flu.

COVID cases are once again on the rise.

Kevin Hall with the Lexington Health Department says these numbers are only a fraction of the total cases out there.

More in today's medical news, we've been seeing the numbers go up the last couple weeks.

So we were anticipating this because people started getting together for Thanksgiving prior to the actual holiday.

>> Plus, the weather has been colder this time of year.

The flu season to really pick up that you're going to start seeing that with COVID as well.

And fortune is no real way to get a true account of what actually exists with the flu or even right now with COVID because COVID tests don't count the home test KET which so many people are using.

So right now it's estimated that each year about 10% of the population gets the flu.

So here in Lexington, that's going to be more than 30,000 people getting sick.

Most of those will never go to the doctor.

Most of those of never getting tested getting confirmed.

That doesn't mean they're not saying it doesn't mean you don't have the risk of spreading it to other people.

The last 2 weeks we've seen 720 new cases of COVID here in Lexington, which is the most in a two-week period since mid February.

So what does that mean?

That means it's not over.

It's still spreading and we need to get focused on 2 things.

One getting the new shot at this, the best and easiest and most effective way CRISPR could slow down the spread of COVID.

We can also take these other things that we've kind of put out of mind for so long, which includes staying home when you're sick, you have those symptoms.

The body aches, fevers, cough, sore throat, stay home and don't risk spreading it to others.

Also, if you're in a crowded public area, but on a mask to protect yourself but only from COVID.

But the flu are speed the cold.

So anything circulating this time of year.

And then finally, but make sure that you're washing your hands frequently, particularly from the public.

You want to wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.

>> The uninsured or underinsured can get flu free flu and COVID-19 shots at the Lexington Health Department.

Those with insurance can get vaccines at area pharmacies or medical providers, you can visit vaccines, DOT Gov.

Online for more options.

Well, in the fight against opioid addiction.

Some Kentucky officials are looking to the psychedelic plant Ibogaine as a potential treatment.

Ibogaine is experimental and nowhere near after DA approval but compelling anecdotes have caught the attention of those in recovery spaces at an ibogaine conference in northern Kentucky last week.

Some offered their testimonials.

>> I was a Navy SEAL for 16 years.

My specialties were combat medic and intelligence and along the way, you really can't do what we did not have some sort of emotional trauma.

Physical trauma and addiction.

>> So I took that bike.

And then I felt a relief that I haven't felt for a long time.

It healed the underlying it felt like it.

He'll be underlying causes of my anxiety.

But, you know, I needed to take more and more and before I KET it, I had a full blown addiction within a year.

I'm already buying off the streets.

Whatever I can get.

That was an opiate.

And then, you know, I ran into a friend in New York City who I had been social within head.

You know, used recreational drugs with and he was doing great.

He light in his eyes and was remarried and was working on a new company that he was excited about.

And I see what happens.

And he said, I tried.

This is very, you know, rare.

Nobody had heard of it.

Then it was, you know, most 15 years ago, rare a psychedelic Kyle died again.

And you need to try and tell you need to experience it because I think it will help you.

>> And I said psychedelics, you guys are doing psychedelics without me, you know, and he's he said, no, it's not that kind of psychedelics.

This is a lot of work.

It wasn't until I found I became.

My addictions.

Were first right away.

It was alcohol.

My body did not want any alcohol to this day.

5 years later, I can have a glass of wine, but I can have 2 of my body will reject it.

And I think that's a miracle.

But it might be just science.

We do more research to find out why this effect happens.

And so many people when you're in full-blown opiate addiction, which I had tried to do many times myself to get off of, you're sweating, you're shaking.

You want to take your skin off.

>> It's why most people don't stop for ever because there's a fear of that.

It is h*** you are in literal h***.

That's gone without him again.

And I think that should give people a lot of hope that there's another way over the years.

People have come to me and said, OK, how did you do it?

I'm again.

Where can we go?

And felt and other team members, medical professionals.

Mental health professionals.

We felt that there wasn't a place that had the standard of care I would have wanted.

We built the center in Cancun because you can't do it here, I didn't actually take I'm gay myself, a family member of mine who was really struggling with addiction.

>> Majid opioid addiction, which was very intense.

I was offered by beyond to come down and experience because of my experience with the but when they told me about, you know, the have that.

Been no kicked by a lot of people who were now introduce tied the game.

I thought of him right away and that sent him down.

I went down with him and he was part of it in came back and now he's 300 days sober.

>> To experience the changing people you see in their eyes, the reconnection to their own purpose is.

Very powerful.

I feel like I would be among the many.

Who have.

Overdose if I hadn't found this because I tried everything else.

And this for me, was it?

>> Tomorrow will bring you the other side of the story from substance use treatment.

Researchers who say I will gain carries more risks than rewards.

In other news in a unanimous decision, the state Court of Appeals has ruled the state legislature acted unconstitutionally in 2022.

When it attempted to block Governor Andy Beshear from spending public funds to challenge its actions in court last year, the Republican super majority passed House Bill 2.48. which said that Kentucky's attorney general is the only statewide constitutional officer allowed to spend taxpayer funds to legally challenge the constitutionality of a bill Bashir who was a Democrat sue to block the measure, calling it unconstitutional.

Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron defended the law arguing the General Assembly has the power to make public policy by restricting executive spending without violating the constitutional separation of powers.

The appeals judges disagreed saying in their ruling, the law, quote, violates the doctrine of separation of powers by attempting to give the General Assembly excessive power to impede the governor and performing his constitutionally mandated duties, end quote, the ruling upholds an earlier decision by Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate who said the law was unconstitutional.

We continue our look ahead to the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly Lawmaking Session, which begins January 2nd.

It's a 60 day budget making session will preview the session on Kentucky tonight.

Tonight with 4 freshman and sophomore lawmakers.

As our guest.

We hope you'll join us for that and send in your questions as well.

That's tonight at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET.

The city of Clinton and Hickman County is getting more than 1.8 million dollars to overhaul its wastewater system.

U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell's office says the money is from the Infrastructure Investment Act the past 2 years ago.

The money will help Clinton move and upgrade its sewer lift station which moves wastewater from a lower to a higher elevation.

Clinton's mayor says the lift station benefits, homes, businesses, schools and nursing homes.

Governor Andy Beshear has declared this week as Winter Weather awareness week in Kentucky.

The goal is to know the risks and be prepared.

Now before the bad weather gets bad, Christie dot and talk to a Kentucky weather expert to find out more.

>> This time of year, many of us dream of walking in a winter wonderland.

But we know that winter in Kentucky can be a lot different from that.

Joining us now is John Gordon, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Louisville.

John, do we have any idea of what can the winner to expect here in Kentucky?

Kristi, Good to Yeah, I mean, I think we're in a very up and down.

When are a lot of periods of warmth and then surrounded by cold.

So this year, I'm kind of worried about cold season flu season.

>> Here's the temperatures will be up and down throughout the whole winner is there's a lot of cold air up to the north and there's a lot of warm air to the south and we're always in that transition zone.

Darn it.

That's right.

And so you talk about, you know, some of the health effects with the little remember last year around this time we had that polar plunge.

That cold snap.

And so we're also talking about, you know, the effects of extreme temperatures and >> ice storms in even tornadoes, right?

That we could see all in the winter months.

Yeah, absolutely.

That's right.

The deep South, how mainly south you know, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, that's going to have a lot of active severe weather this year.

as some of that warm air comes north, it will put it right on the doorsteps of Kentucky.

>> Meanwhile, there's a lot of cold up to our north that we times when that dreaded S word comes down into the commonwealth.

All right, OK, so we want to be prepared for everything.

>> What are some things that we need to do to be ready for whatever winter throws at us.

FOX Today's the day to plan to have your little safety kit.

Remember ice and snow?

Take it slow mean We have that event.

The Chris just mentioned just before Christmas.

There are people on I-71 for 15 hours.

>> To try to go 50 miles guy.

So you want to have a kid that has maybe flashlights and batteries, some non-perishable food.

Make sure your wiper blades of a full tank of gas and needed that check.

We have a good all change and your lights are good.

All those types of things.

Chaos enormously and of minutes.

That's right.

And with winter weather often comes, power outages.

So a lot of people pull out the generators.

But that also brings up some more concerns, right?

What we need to know about that.

Oh, my gosh.

Yeah.

Every year, folks to not ever put your grill your generator in your house when my dock side is odorless.

And next thing, you know, you're in serious trouble.

Don't do that.

>> It's okay to have a generator.

Make sure it's hooked up properly.

Make sure there's proper ventilation.

Do do it yourself by the 3 stooges.

Know what you're doing and use some common sense.

And that's a great thing to have, but not at the cost of safety.

All right.

We will stay winter winter weather aware.

Thank you so much for your time.

John.

Thank you.

Christie but by.

>> And I.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> The University of Louisville is mourning the loss of one of its former presidents, Donald Swain, who served as U of L president for 14 years has died.

>> Swine was appointed president in 1981.

The Courier Journal reports in a letter to the university's campus community, current U of L President Kim shots.

UL said Swain took the university from, quote and urban commuter school to the research one powerhouse.

It is today in, quote, Swain was 92 years old.

♪ ♪ >> GE appliances is called Louisville home for 70 years and pulling thousands of people and high-tech labs and state of the art manufacturing facilities.

It hasn't been without its challenges, though, after GE sold Appliance Park to Chinese based hair and 2016, its future in Kentucky was uncertain.

But as our Kelsey Starks explains today, Appliance Park is having a resurgence in Louisville.

>> Burning Rosenthal was the 4th person ever hired at GE Appliance Park.

The year was 1950, when the company created by Thomas Edison purchased 900 acres of farmland to create GE Appliance Park.

A revolutionary manufacturing facility in southern Jefferson County.

>> Louisville at that time descent.

tobacco people Brown Williamson.

when the news that GE was coming to those vast on the lam and the rural part of the county.

Everybody was delighted.

They could tell that the economic impact.

They can tell the numbers of the number of the people that would be moving in here, perhaps from Bridgeport or from Scranton, Ohio.

it was big news.

Really big news.

>> The groundbreaking for the first manufacturing plant in building one happened in July of 1951, it would take 2 years before the first product.

A dryer was shipped since then some of GE's, most innovative appliances have been created right here in Louisville, including the first automatic portable dishwashers.

The first toaster oven and not to mention they are credited with first making appliances fashionable from mid century into the 21st century today.

GE Appliances employs more than 7,000 people.

The appliances made here are in more than half of all U.S. homes.

And in many cases, it's a family affair.

>> My grandfather started working here in 1956.

I think he retired sometime in the early 80's 7 of his had the majority of their careers here as well.

Well, my father retired after 30 years with the company, my wife and I both work here.

We're both in sourcing as well as my brother.

>> They had such a good educational program.

You were crazy not to take advantage of it.

I even had the opportunity.

I was the first African-American to work only in 6 in teach computer classes.

I was a single mom and I raise my family right here and not my kids KET they wouldn't miss Tampa, be able to get a job.

They wanted to come over here and work for GE Appliances.

Also so it it means a lot.

It hasn't been without its challenges.

>> In 2008, when the economy took a turn, so did Jea.

The company was preparing to shut down appliance Park.

GE sold off its appliance division to high air.

I chime ease company creating a few years of uncertainty, but it ultimately proved to be an opportunity for GE appliances to reclaim its roots.

Roots of innovation.

>> When things were looking bleak.

We're certain that the future was uncertain here.

For years.

We're in the process of this place is starting now.

Brown.

In 2008, we started looking to continues improvement.

We start developing a new product which is the base of where we're at today.

>> Today, GE appliances is growing.

This year, the company unveiled 2 new dishwasher Assembly lines.

The result of a 450 million dollar investment to expand appliance park making GE appliances, the largest dishwasher manufacturer in the United States.

>> We've we've made a lot of changes, a lot of heartache, but now we're going to work.

Everybody's excited to be here.

It's it's it's contagious.

You know, we want to make a profit.

We want to make more products.

We want to ensure this place will be here tomorrow.

>> I think it was a real mansion.

>> while apply under par.

Maybe one of these.

>> Shiela Dinah shore.

So as we in the community.

>> The impact that appliance park and and ploy ease the G the large number of Tyre is the whole story of energy and mines are a is a remarkable part of Louisville's history.

>> A fascinating part of its history, indeed.

And you can learn more about the history and future of GE Appliance Park in Louisville on the next and side.

Louisville, our Kelsey Starks sits down with the president and CEO of GE Appliances this Sunday at noon 11:00AM Central on KET Hope you catch that.

♪ Well, Kentucky cities are all decked out for the holidays.

Many of them hosting their official tree Lightings and Christmas parade to this past weekend.

Glasgow, the seat of Barron County has the longest evening Christmas parade in the state attracting spectators from across the region.

Our Laura Rogers takes us there tonight for our next installment of our ongoing series highlighting Kentucky towns.

>> Monday's on Maine.

>> Betsy and Tracy is a barren county native and 2020.

She opened routes and ramble in downtown Glasgow.

I do just love the feel of downtown for >> It just seemed like the right fit and the right atmosphere in the right building.

Tracy joins more than a dozen new businesses that have opened downtown in the past 5 years.

We have an ice cream shop.

Now we have a bakery now has fresh baked goods every morning we've got.

>> A bar Cade drinking game.

We've got a pajama, an interment store who would have ever thought Pasco would have had head.

That growth mindset was really, really honed in on downtown.

A lot of that energy was downtown McLean lesson.

Mary return to her hometown after college to lead tourism efforts.

Plus, those proximity to attractions like Mammoth Cave and Barren River Lake.

>> Helps draw visitors.

I felt like Costco always had a lot of potential.

I always really wanted to come back here and help be part of turning that potential into real growth city.

And county governments say they've been actively working together to create an atmosphere that's conducive to downtown development to save a lot of people invest in our square.

>> And the downtown businesses and really invest like I upgrade the facilities.

We've got more air B and bays than we've ever had.

>> And Judge executive Jamie Bewley Bird currently in the first year of her first term.

Also grew up here.

I've just always loved Barron County.

We have a beautiful plaza right here on the square.

The Plaza theater dates back to the 1930's, many credit, its renovation and early 2, thousands with the beginning of downtown revitalization.

Those concerts bring people in from out of town.

They bring people from here that have moved way back home.

New marketing materials for the city drawn.

The pride in Glasgow, Scottish heritage.

We've put up new banners with our new branding.

>> So the banners are starting to go up.

So when you come to the city square, you know, you're in Glasgow and, you know, we have a Scottish heritage.

We have the tartan across it.

Nash, 23, 7, a radio personality.

Kelly McKay host, the shop local show.

We appreciating small businesses the chance to co-host the hour and it creates a relationship with my co-host and our community.

Our neighbors and our friends own these businesses and >> whenever you're supporting local, you're helping the Little league team.

You are helping our local economy.

Retailers are working together this holiday season to draw shoppers downtown.

A lot of the small shops of collaboratively done our Christmas 7 houses together downtown as well as having the light of Glasgow.

We stayed open lighter and then small business.

Saturday was a huge Saturday for us.

It always is to be in a >> such a great support of community like Marin County, where our local people really show up and show out for small businesses encouraging them to do downtown area.

That is walkable with lots of parking.

I really would like to see this expanded downtown area walking opportunities, shops, restaurants.

Part of that expansion is in the works.

Now with the approval of a new Justice Center on Main Street.

You're going to see about a 40 some million dollar building go up here about maybe 4 blocks from his building.

So we're going to expand even the downtown area.

Right now.

The focal point of downtown is the Christmas display.

I love Christmas and I love being able to take my kids and let them see the lights these awesome things.

And as a parent, I know what I appreciate and I know what I want to do.

And I think that that's what we're trying to offer here in Bexar County.

The city is added 15,000 lights to this where this year creating a festive community-centered atmosphere.

And it's just really nice to say so many people at an event, whether it's a concert downtown and seeing those people coming out and supporting local for Kentucky edition.

I'm Laura Rogers.

Thank you, Laura.

Their group entertain Glasgow hosts events to draw people downtown.

>> Along with the bounty of the Barents Farmers Market.

♪ Legendary sports broadcaster Caywood Ledford made history 70 years ago.

>> And why did Frankfort become Kentucky's Capitol City?

Our Toby Gibbs has that answer and more in tonight's look at this week in Kentucky history.

♪ >> The commission chosen by the Kentucky General Assembly chose Frankfort to be Kentucky's Capitol city on December 5th, 17 92 after Frankfort offered building materials and $3,000 cash.

To steamboats the United States and the America collided on the Ohio River in Gallatin County on December 4th, 18 68 the United States was carrying kerosene and the resulting fire killed 168 people making it one of the deadliest steamboat accidents in American history.

Jefferson Davis died December 6th, 18 89 in New Orleans.

The only president of the Confederate States of America was born in present day.

Todd County in 18.

0, 8, Wedge and airy sports broadcaster Caywood Ledford called his first University of Kentucky basketball game on December 5th.

1953.

As UK Beat Temple.

86 to 59 point.

He would call Kentucky games for 39 years.

Ending in 1992.

>> Happy birthday to Coach Roy Kidd.

Born December 4th, 1931, the longtime PKU football coach won 314 games and 16 Ohio Valley Conference titles.

Coach Kidd died earlier this year.

And Martha Layne Collins, Kentucky's only woman governor was born December 7th 1936.

In Shelby County.

And those are some of the big events from this week in Kentucky history.

>> I'm Toby Gibbs.

>> Thank Youto begins.

We always learn something with him.

Well, that'll 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.

Addition for we inform connect and inspire subscribe to our Kentucky Edition email newsletters and watch full episodes and clips of taking team Dot Org.

Look for us on the PBS video app on your mobile Smart TV and we want you to send us a story idea.

Public affairs at KET Dot Org and of course, follow KET on Facebook X, formerly Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop.

And I hope to see you right back here at 8 o'clock for Kentucky tonight.

As we preview the upcoming lawmaking session in front for a lot of good programming tonight.

And I hope to I'm Renee Shaw, take good care.

He said.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪