♪ And you're gonna start taking the facts out.

Intra the job, waste, fraud and abuse in every corner of the federal budget.

>> Kentucky Congressman James Comer talks about cutting the budget and his recent meeting with Elon Musk.

Yes, of course I am going to consider I'm running for governor in 2027.

State.

Senator Diamond Bayer is leaving the Kentucky General Assembly.

But keeping future political options open.

It's for all kids.

Kids who are not motivated or empowered by simple math.

They are empowered by explore.

>> And say what's cooking at this level?

The middle school.

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

♪ ♪ >> Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Friday.

It's December the 6th, I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for starting off your weekend with us.

Time to take out the acts that from Kentucky Congressman James Comer on proposed budget cuts during the upcoming Trump administration Comer, the Republican congressman for Kentucky's first district was a guest Wednesday on a radio talk show hosted by conservative commentator and Kentucky native Scott Jennings that came one day before Comer met with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.

President-elect Donald Trump's picks to lead a department of government efficiency.

Comer says he likes what he's hearing from them and Trump about smaller government.

>> I can tell you we're going to be working very closely with their effort.

2 eliminate waste, fraud abuse in the in the bedroom.

And that's what our committee supposed to do.

We didn't have a a majority of senators willing to go along with many other good government bills we passed that allows that we sure as h*** that they have whiteout that wanted to have good government.

Now we do.

Now the pieces are in place a love.

The 2 point people on this note saying I think we're going to look at unnecessary government programs.

Why spoke grant?

We're going to look at unneeded federal bureaucrat and use gonna start taking the axe out.

Intra the job, waste, fraud and abuse in every corner of the federal budget.

There's no shortage of opportunities to eliminate waste, fraud, abuse of.

That's what my number one priority is going to be in this next.

Congress.

>> Musk and Ramaswamy have said they would like to cut the federal budget by 2 trillion dollars.

And Kentucky news Churchill Downs Incorporated is suing to stop what it's calling a threat of being shut down.

The company joined the New York Racing Association and filing a federal lawsuit in western Kentucky earlier this week.

Both groups claim the horse racing integrity and safety authority or High-A illegally and on fairly changed its fee structure.

According to the lawsuit, Churchill, it says it's now being asked to pay nearly 2 million dollars or risk having to stop racing at both Churchill and Alice Park, which is in Henderson County.

Hi says the federal agency that oversees horse racing state.

Senator Damon Thayer, a horse racing enthusiast who has worked in the horse racing industry, fully supports Churchill Downs and the New York Racing Association suing.

Hi, Sir.

>> But first, I want to say that I I share the goal of hi, sir, to have standardize rules across multiple state jurisdictions.

13 years ago, I passed the bill in Kentucky to a lock cost to participate in an interstate compact with other states or we could implement those uniform rules.

Unfortunately, no other state that took me up on my offer.

And now we have the federal government overseeing horse racing, which I'm not particularly thrilled with that to be.

To be fair, it's the only thing I really strongly disagree with Leader McConnell and Congressman Barr.

>> On the arm, you don't agree with there being a high, sir?

I don't.

Why?

Well, not under its current form.

The Imitation.

>> The implementation is on even it ignores due process.

They have no transparency on their budget.

And as we find they're asking states and racetracks to continue to pay for their operations.

Some 80 million dollars a year with no transparency on how it's funded on my last day in the Senate on the floor, the Kentucky Senate adopted a resolution that says hi, so should be paid for by the federal government.

High say is going to be forced upon us by the federal government.

The federal government should pay for it.

It should not be the responsibility of the states because that is going to mean racetracks.

Horsemen owners, trainers, jockeys and the racing fans who make the whole engine go.

They're going to end up paying for.

Hi, sir, with increased fees or deductions from purses.

And I I fully support Churchill Downs and the New York Racing Association sewing.

Hi, Sir.

I think we need to bring this thing to a head and I think it's very likely that the Supreme Court of the United States is going to take up the constitutionality of FISA in the next 12 to 18 months.

And if it does, I think there's a 50 to 60% chance that they find.

Part of it unconstitutional, which will then force everyone to the table to try to come up with a better way to do this.

>> In June, though, the U.S. Supreme Court chose not to take up a case challenging the agency's constitutionality.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Congressman Andy Barr help push high so through Congress in 2020.

You just heard from outgoing Senate State Majority Leader Damon Thayer in the Senate from our or 4 week.

In political segment tonight, we sat down for an exit interview with him.

He talked with me about the Senate Republicans leadership selections.

And if he plans on making any future runs for elected office.

♪ A replacement has majority floor leader was decided a couple weeks ago.

Max Wise from Campbellsville who was the running mate to Kelly Craft and in the last election cycle for governor.

>> He will take over as your spot.

But when you are on this very same set of a few months ago, you said that you are advocating for Julie, Rocky Adams, who had already served.

He served as caucus chair, had been committee chair, had help the caucus in certain areas of criminal justice reform, et cetera.

Why didn't she get the spot?

>> Well, you'll have to ask the members of the Senate Republican majority.

I think that's a legitimate question.

Does she want the spot?

She said she ran.

She ran for the spot as Senate majority floor leader.

And I did.

Make it known that I thought she deserve the job.

I thought she would have been great at the job.

She was well prepared for the job.

I also thought it would have been very good to have a woman, an accomplished woman who was ready for the job from Kentucky's largest city.

But I I didn't have a vote.

I wasn't in the room.

I'm not going to be a member of the caucus come January.

So I would not be no reason for me to be there.

And Max, why?

I think he will do a fine job.

He's been a good member and a good committee chair and I've already reached out to him and congratulated him and told him if I can be a I'm here to help.

>> As we talked before, we started taping, though, that sense the Republicans have become the majority and the state Senate which happened around 2002 1001, 2002 1000, there had always been a woman in a leadership position.

Going back to Elizabeth Torre who was Swift and Senate President Pro Tem KET Stein from northern Kentucky.

Julie Rocky Adams as caucus chair.

This will be the first time and 20 something years that that hasn't been the case.

Is that disappointing to you?

>> Well, I don't like to play identity politics, but I Julie is an accomplished woman and had already been in leadership for 6 years and done a really good job.

And I thought it would have been a good look for the caucus to have her be the first female Senate majority floor leader that's caucus went another way.

You know, that's something people are going to going to have to decide for themselves.

People are going to draw their own conclusions.

And, you know, there are 5 Goodman in that leadership group and I wish them nothing.

But the best.

There are friends of mine and, you know, you don't always get what you want to and from the same rights that Rolling Stones song.

And I think Max will do a fine job and I'm here to help him if you would like it.

>> They the other absences.

Also, there is no one representing a Jefferson County, right or Fayette County.

They are all rules from top Senate president down to whip.

Is that?

How it should be or does it seem to be the time where that makes the most sense?

>> Well, there's nobody from Lexington, Louisville, northern Kentuckyian Senate Republican leadership.

And I think that's the first time as well.

I it's it's for its 5 year old guys.

3 of them who represent.

Parts of Warren County.

So that was it was a good day for Boeing to I'm sure it is now the fastest growing city.

I think it's kind of up to Scott County, right and one count.

And if we go back and is the fastest growing, a bullet county likes to say at the Madison County, like I said, Scott County, we like to say it.

But Bowling Green is the 3rd largest city in Kentucky.

>> And it is an odd the currents not to have somebody from the Golden Triangle and leadership.

I'm extremely pleased that Chris McDaniel from northern Kentucky will continue as chairman of appropriations and revenue and the vice time and a base Bledsoe and incredibly accomplished woman.

She she ran the budget committee when she was on Lexington City Council and Senator Julie Rocky Adams will be chairman of the incredibly important licensing and occupations really happy about those committee assignments.

I think they're they're really good smart decisions.

Another decision that I'm really happy about is Brandon Storm is going to be chairman of the Judiciary Committee and it's the first time in 12 years we've had a new chair of the Judiciary Committee and I couldn't think of anybody better to be chairman of Judiciary and percent of fish storm from Laurel County, just south of Lexington.

And he's well prepared for that job.

And I think he'll do it.

Do really well.

>> So perhaps maybe you'll pick up politics in 2026 or 2027?

>> Yeah, I think that's a possibility.

And I don't want to obfuscate like a lot of politicians do.

And I'm going to be forthright with you, Renee.

Yes, of course.

I am going to consider running for governor in 2027, depending on the field like a good horse race.

I'm going to handicap it.

And if I think I have a clear path to the Republican nomination, I would consider running and then and as far as 2026 goes out, I think there's the possibility of some open seats occurring, but that also may not occur.

Senate and the Congress perhaps that I would KET that as a possibility it's >> Congressman Barr from the 6 district were to pursue the U.S. Senate, assuming that Mitch McConnell does not reop.

You think you would want to go for the congressional seat for the 6 district?

I would consider it.

I would consider it very much.

I would never right against one of our incumbents for the House or the Senate.

And let's be clear, Mitch McConnell has not decided when to seek reelection or not seek reelection in 2026, but he's got to decide soon.

Write it.

I would say, you know, in the next 10 to 12 months or maybe a some people were probably like him to the side in the next 6.

I was going to say because you got a raise.

That was not going to be a big, big, big race.

It is going to be a big race and there are a lot of people qualified to run for that seat, including Congressman Barr, who for me is a model Congressman.

And I'm proud to call him my friend and my congressman.

And you would run against him.

Never known.

But if it's an open seat, I would give it consideration.

I'm not sitting here today with a burning desire to reenter politics.

But who knows how I feel a year from now after taking a step back.

And I just well, it would be ridiculous for me to rule out any possibility.

So yeah, long answer short, keeping all my options open.

>> And time will tell.

We'll have more with the outgoing Kentucky Senate Republican leader Monday night on Kentucky.

Addition when he shares his pursuits outside of politics and more.

So stay tuned for that on Monday night.

Now turning to health news when talking to seniors and care providers across the state, many told us that one of the biggest barriers to healthcare access, it's a lack of transportation.

Many older adults drive less or can't and don't drive at all.

Our June Leffler went to Carter County were transportation can be the most difficult part of a doctor's visit.

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

>> Marvin and Regina Shockey live on the family farm in rural Carter County.

This is my home.

This is.

>> Where my family is.

Where waste my daughter.

>> Marvin doesn't dream of leaving his neighbors or his view for the conveniences of a big city.

>> I spent a lot of months book and have a hospital window and said Jasper Wells.

>> Years ago, Marvin developed an autoimmune syndrome that attacked his nervous system.

>> It's called DeAndre.

It's very rare.

He was on.

A ventilator for 100 days.

He was in a hospital for 10 months.

He had to regenerate all those nerves start all over again.

Learning how to speak.

Eat.

Everything, the hospital alone just to see some give up.

>> I have said, but I could I could not give the.

>> Marvin is in a wheelchair.

Regina takes care of him full time.

>> It takes a long time to get ready to leave the house.

I help him with all his daily activities of living.

He transfers from his bed to the wheelchair.

And then he goes to the car.

We have to transfer out of that wheelchair into the car.

And then die.

Put the wheelchair in the car to go with us.

So going to the doctor's office, he would transfer 3 times.

And then coming home.

He would transfer 3 times.

So a lot of time we get home.

He's he's really tired.

And it's it's just a long day.

I do it gladly.

And I'm glad that I can.

>> Regina could use a vehicle with a wheelchair lift, but they're hard to come by.

>> And the new ones are.

So expensive.

They're they're probably 65 to 100,000.

>> The Shah Keys aren't always on their own regional nonprofit offers rides.

So people with all abilities can get to the nearest grocery store or a medical appointment.

Farther away.

>> It's like our own show for so I love the idea to relax.

>> When I come and take us to Lexington.

And it's just it.

More of a carefree, carefree tree.

It.

>> There's more transportation providers across the state, but social workers say the patchwork of services can be hard to navigate.

>> If you do a quick Google they're kind of hard to find >> those services are sometimes costly depended on insurance and require advance notice and paperwork.

>> Most of the time people give up that point.

Whenever we talk time, they and they say will you need a letter?

Medical necessity from the doctor's office saying that we can take you from your house to Lexington for this appointment most the time they're like, never mind.

I'll just pay my cousin to driving.

>> Relying on family and neighbors support is typical.

The Marvin doesn't always want to ask for help.

>> I don't want to have to by 2.

Hold the door for me.

Please.

And they are perfectly well under great people out there.

The 2 legs when you're in this position.

>> Social workers hope to better connect clients to their transportation options to give loved ones a break and support those who might not have anyone else.

For KET, I'm Jen Leffler.

>> Thank you.

June we take a closer look at other issues facing aging Kentucky ends and discuss some of the resources available during aging and health care.

Okay to special report that airs a week from Monday December.

The 16th at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET.

♪ ♪ Unity in the community is a new nonprofit in Lexington on Saturdays.

You can find the organization and downtown Lexington, handing out food and clothes to the unhoused community.

>> We talked with the founder of Unity in the community to find out why he started it.

>> Unity in the community we found it is a little over a year ago.

We found it in October 2023.

I drew inspiration from the loss of my nephew.

I've also lost friends, family and classmates to gun violence.

And other acts of violence in the community.

I see that we have a lot of division.

And I wanted to try to take the initiative and do something positive.

So I started networking with other saw people in the community that we're making an impact in different neighborhoods.

And I I drew inspiration from all the losses that I had.

And so.

I noticed that we had a growing unhoused population in Lexington and all across the country.

I want to help make an impact in and be an example and just show people, you know, everyone makes mistakes.

But you can still make a difference.

And you can be the difference that you want to see it.

The world, some of the things that we're currently working on is helping the unhoused population here in Lexington, more specifically in front of the district in circuit courthouse buildings.

Lexington, just like of the United States, does have a rising unhoused population.

So we help with food insecurities.

We collect clothing, donations.

Just making a difference in and.

Seeing the light in the community and bringing people together and building bridges.

Not lost to be able to put a smile on someone else's face into say that you help someone because at one point someone has helps you so we can help other people in and give back anyone that we've helped.

They've been really receptive to it.

They've been you know, sometimes there's people out there we take for granted having food every day and and shelter these basic necessities.

But there's some people out there maybe that are battling drug addiction or some type of mental illness or maybe they're just in between jobs.

They had some type of misfortune.

But, you know, no one's perfect.

Everyone has different struggles.

At one point.

I know Christmas is right around the corner.

It's holiday season.

So if anyone would be interested in getting together with us and and passing out some food to you on how solar some warm clothing.

It does get pretty cold here.

So.

If you have hats that you're not using jackets, socks, whatever.

We can put it to good use.

>> You can learn more about unity in the community by checking them out on Instagram.

♪ The saying goes that you learn by doing students at Louisville Middle School are learning their way around the kitchen through Jefferson County, Public Schools explore program.

Kentucky Edition went there to see how students at Highland Middle School are learning about life skills and career opportunities.

>> It is the grand ole opening of our culinary lab.

And so we're super excited to provide those opportunities and hands-on learning materials for kids.

>> And where they have access to cooking materials, right?

So cooking materials that are directly connected to the culinary industry.

What I found at the beginning of the year, my first class is going to be culinary.

I was really excited.

Last year.

We didn't have a kitchen like this is our first year having like this big kitchen with all the microwaves and ovens and everything.

So this is our first year with all this equipment.

The whole idea behind the Explorer program is to engage students.

We want kids to want to come to school.

And so what explore does is it provides students opportunities for authentic learning that go way far beyond the textbook or screen can revive.

Last year we added the Explorer program.

We had culinary.

We have environmental science and we have a business economics.

We have our model.

We use grow its cook and then sell it.

So in.

>> I believe it's March and April were going to have a farmers market.

So we've been using like a lot of like we like to use a variance that we've grown in our foods.

We make pizza and then we have like cheesy bread over there and stuff like that.

It's great to have like an actual shipping here.

Instead of just a teacher.

Nice to have like someone who's had experience like in the real world, things like that.

I mean, I really like to make us food and then we get to like even after it's nice.

It's like a second.

But we have like, I mean, it's like meals, you know, like we like made like giant pizzas today.

And it was like really good.

So I like having that.

It's for all kids.

>> And so kids who are not motivated or empowered by simple math, they are empowered by explore.

They're in power by hands-on offensive morning.

It's nice to get experience because during the day sometimes you just said it like this one gives real world experience.

>> So those kids, those kids know what's for dinner.

Elouise says she's used the cooking skills.

She's learned through her class to make pizza at home with their family.

But it's good.

♪ December is here and you have plenty of Christmas themed entertainment options for the weekend.

Our Toby Gibbs explains everything as he looks at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> All aboard the Santa Express, Kentucky State Heritage Corporation invites you to take a festive train ride with Santa and Missus, Claus and the elves are this holiday season.

Jug on down to urban tomorrow for some shoot you chair or pick up tickets for next Saturday.

Don't miss your chance to forge this terrific train.

Cirque Dreams.

Holidaze is coming to Bowling Green on Tuesday witnessed the wintry whimsy of this family holiday.

Spectacular, live music, beautiful costumes and a dazzling display of contemporary circus arts await you at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts center.

Be sure to make it out.

>> Tomorrow the Highland Center will be jam-packed with more Christmas that you can handle.

It will be live performances all day.

A gingerbread house competition, ice skating and more.

Plus the Harlan County Christmas Parade will light up the streets and 06:00PM.

And on your ugliest Christmas sweaters and have a blast in Harlan tomorrow.

Big Bone lick State historic site is hosting its first-ever Kentucky artisan holiday fare this weekend.

Authors artists and small businesses of all kinds will be set up at the gift shop providing you with a one-stop shop for holiday purchases.

Find the perfect gift and wave.

Hello to the big gone like bison while you're there.

It's Christmas time in the city of Madisonville.

That is you want to make it to the Madisonville Noon Kiwanis Christmas parade tomorrow for this year's beautiful Silver Bells Thing.

Magical marching band spent asked to float San Santa.

This parade is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season.

Don't miss it.

Come celebrate the birthday of Mary Todd Lincoln this weekend and likely 10 Mary Todd Lincoln House will be open for free self-guided tours the afternoon must live music and seasonal refreshments.

Be sure to pick up a gift to the museum store for the history buff in your life.

And that's what's happening around the Commonwealth.

>> I'm Toby Gibbs.

>> As always, we thank you, Joe Gibbs, when a KU students need a helping hand, there's a place they can turn.

>> We've got.

Food, clothes, hygiene products, laundry stuff.

>> Anything you can really think of we have here free.

>> And we'll stop by the current of scorn or Monday on Kentucky edition, which we hope will see you again for Monday night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central where we inform connect and inspire.

Connect with us all the ways you see on your screen, Facebook, X and Instagram to stay in the loop on Kentucky Edition public affairs and all the offerings here at KET and send us a story idea by email to public affairs at K E T Dot Org.

And look for us on the PBS video app on your mobile device and smart TV.

Have a great weekend to calm.

I think it's going to be a little bit better weather and we'll see you right back here Monday night.

So long.

♪