Another big change is coming to Kentucky's justice Cabinet.

>> I'm proud of how these funds were expended.

>> Governor says the state audit tornado relief and worked.

You want to be inspired.

Come listen to a high school students talk about the projects that they're they're making.

>> And these projects could leave these Kentucky students to careers in computer science.

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 EDITION on this Thursday, December, the 7th one day closer to Friday.

>> I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for spending some of your Thursday night with us.

Kerry Harvey, Kentucky's justice and public safety Cabinet secretary is resigning at the end of January.

Governor Andy Beshear announced Kerry's resignation today.

The governor says this was Harvey's decision.

Some Republican lawmakers have called for leadership changes after riots and other problems in juvenile justice facilities.

Vicki Reid is also leaving as commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Harvey has been secretary since 2021 from 2010 to 2017.

He was us attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, a baby.

Also today, Governor Beshear reacted to the state auditors conclusions about the Western Kentucky tornado relief on the audit found incorrect payments of $329,000, which is less than one percent of the 42 million dollars paid to victims of the December 2021.

Tornadoes.

The governor says this proves the fund was managed properly.

>> With an industry that averages at least 5%.

Ron in different funds, something below one percent is a well run on.

That is getting money to who with the Easter Kentucky flood relief and they found the error rate at 0%, which is exciting as well and shows that we have gotten better between the first and the second.

To be fair, though, the volume is also lower.

The challenge with all this and it seems challenge to is to be fast, but try to be as accurate as you can.

I'm proud of how these funds were expended and the amount of help that they provided.

I wish they had become a political football.

If we hadn't had a governor's race, they probably But certainly you see numbers from an orders office.

You see numbers from the Biden scam and both of them are really good showing this money has been spent well, and it ought to be in approaching a vehicle that we use in the future because it's so hard for families to get the help they need immediately after and in the in the interim and the rebuilding money that we're using really comes from lessons learned various hurricanes and other instances when so governors from the past would say all the money came in at the beginning and then we didn't have what we needed in the long-term rebuilding.

>> Also today, the governor said Kentuckians have wagered 656 million dollars since sports betting became legal in Kentucky.

Also 630 million of that is through mobile devices.

He says as a ridge, a result, the state took an 8 million dollars in tax revenue and September and October.

I recently sat down with Bush years.

Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, the former teacher, has a passion for education.

I asked her about Republican lawmakers plan to push for a constitutional amendment expanding school choice options in Kentucky.

How active will be administration be against that proposed Constitution amendment.

He doesn't.

The governor doesn't have the power to veto it because it's a constitutional amendment.

But how full-throated, when you get behind the the opposition to that?

Well, you know, I think there is a real opportunity here in in my mind and the work that I've done my entire life in the classroom.

And as Lieutenant Governor.

>> I've always believed that public education can and should be a bipartisan non-partisan issue.

It's truly about building the best commonwealth, the best economy investing in kids that need it.

And that should be something that we should all be able to to rally behind and get behind.

And in my mind, we have 2 options here.

You know, if if the General Assembly decides to move forward with a constitutional amendment that would vouchers or charter schools or whatever method they choose to move forward with.

I think it's really important to note, but the reason this is happening is because this law was struck down by the Supreme Court.

They have tried time and time again to get something like this through and it's unconstitutional.

So now they're looking at changing the Constitution.

That's really hard to do.

What?

What really a simple and the right thing to do is to make sure that every kid has access to the best education.

And I'm going to fight for that every single day.

I don't believe parents should have to take one more step to ensure that their kids are served the way that they need to be served.

I think they should be able to put their kids on the school bus every morning and drop their kids off at school every day and know my kid is going to be treated equally equally to every other child in Kentucky.

We're giving our kids the best shot and that's what I'm going to be vocal about.

That to me working towards and I don't care what party you're in.

I don't care what elected title.

You have.

I'm willing to work with is committed to making that happen for kids.

>> We also talked about what she plans to do after her second term, including whether or not she plans on running for governor.

You can hear her answer to that and see the full interview with Lieutenant Governor this Sunday on connections at 11:30AM, Eastern 10:30AM, Central.

Kentucky's teacher shortage is getting worse.

That's according to a new report by the Office of Education.

Accountability.

The report reads, quote, While teacher shortages have long existed in Kentucky, the magnitude of the shortages increased since 2019.

The last study teacher shortages.

The report also found that teachers who leave the classroom aren't always doing that because of higher pay.

In fact, 65% of teachers who left in 2019, we're making about $5,000 less in their new job in 2022.

And it's not just teachers, a shortage of bus drivers, custodians and food service employees was described as acute in the OEA.

A report during his reelection campaign.

Governor Beshear called for an 11% pay raise for all school employees.

And that's something lawmakers may consider when the Kentucky General Assembly reconvenes next month.

In addition to a teacher shortage, Kentucky faces continuing childcare challenges and daycare on Kentucky tonight.

Last Monday our panel of state lawmakers talked about day care shortages in Kentucky and the costs.

We need to get people back into the workforce and I'm a proponent of of looking at the day care situation.

>> Are coming out of COVID.

Still.

And I remember and it's been a long time.

My kids were in day care and the daycare or just their rules right now when the kid has to miss take care.

Yeah, it's there.

I'm running to face sniffles.

They're not allowed to come to daycare when my kids were little.

It was a temperature or vomiting and now they're shut down.

If they have a cough, I don't know too many babies that don't have a cough, but we need reliable child care so people can go to their jobs and show up at their jobs.

And I think so.

It's all a workforce issue.

And we have to include the daycare as part of that.

Well, the General Assembly did pass the another.

Remember all of this, the Child Care Assistance Program, right?

That was 50 million dollars that was appropriated to businesses and it helps subsidize of their employees.

So is something like is there an expansion of that that you think is an order or use it still?

Let's wait to see how it's working because it's taken a long time for this to kind of it has.

And people have applied for it quite the way we thought they I think it you both.

>> Both my colleagues bring up a good point.

You can talk about universal Pre-K without talking about childcare.

>> They go together.

The systems are intertwined.

And I think that's the challenge with one-time money on a systems problem.

You know, we supplemented with a lot of those are from any the childcare effort came and it was wonderful and help stabilize really the entire ability for people to come back to work.

But now we have the same problem.

It's not really fixed.

And coming back with more money isn't it may be the best government run out of run out.

So now we're all sitting here know exactly what's going to happen.

We took the federal money which was fine.

I what do you say to this?

Senator?

Yeah, I'm looking at our childcare sector and the fact that the federal money is set to run out at the end of this year, we've been sort of cobbling together extra money.

>> To make sure we make it until the General Assembly gavel is back in and you look at the statistics of what we're staring at in that sector and it is scary when you ask providers what happens if you don't get support, what happens if you don't get payments to be able to continue operating?

20% of them say that they have to close.

70 1% of them say that they have to raise tuition for families.

I'm not that far removed from day care.

I have a 3 and I have a four-year-old and I remember what it was like during COVID when 20% of our child care centers closed.

And I was calling I was 9 months pregnant on the show and I called and I'd like to give space for my child.

They said our waiting list is 2 years.

We'll add you to that list.

We had 100,000 women in Kentucky.

That is enough to fill Cardinal Stadium to times over the had to leave the workforce during COVID because they couldn't find childcare.

We had 20% of our centers close and our senators are telling us right now that if we don't invest in them, the exact same thing is going to happen.

And all of those gains small gains but gains that we've made over the past couple of years are going to be erased.

And I think about what that means for women.

I think about what that means for working parents.

And I think about what it means for kids because we know that day care.

It's not just a place.

You go to leave your child.

It's a place your child can learn and be enriched to learn how to socialize and where you can build your village in our world, where the village is harder to find sometimes.

And so I think we're facing a really scary moment for the childcare sector.

And I worry what it means for an entire economy.

Quite frankly, if we don't act boldly.

Child care, access and affordability were just one of the many topics we discussed as part of our preview of the 2024 General Assembly.

>> You can see the full program online on demand.

Okay.

You T DOT org Slash K why tonight?

Childcare, juvenile justice and education were all topics as the Kentucky youth advocates met yesterday.

The group brought together lawmakers and organizations working for children's well-being to discuss priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

Kentucky additions to Muffler has more.

>> I will tell you that our priority when it comes to early childhood is around the childcare sector.

>> COVID relief funding that went directly to childcare providers to KET them afloat has already or will run out soon.

Ensuring they're still child care options for parents is essential for keeping people in the workforce and out of poverty.

Say some lawmakers a year.

>> 46 like the world and Also, chopper dollars came >> I think the big arena, that policy is going to matter.

The most is around juvenile justice because there are some very thoughtful proposals out there that will protect community safety and help kids.

There are also some juvenile justice proposals out there.

The really dangerous they're dangerous for kids and they're dangerous for communities.

>> Kentucky House Republicans have already unveiled a tough on crime bill, but some Democrats say is alarmist overly punitive.

It may not increase public goals.

>> Reaction here.

They do not get it because >> It's what I consider to be the worst in us.

>> Dealing with >> the crime is on people's minds.

And that's what a lot colleagues your hand.

>> Are working on this issue because that's what they're all.

They're going to get in They're going to do that again.

And we had to people.

They had to say how the city offer team.

>> We've got a look upstream.

We know there are important ways.

To prevent kids from getting in trouble.

We know there are very effective diversion programs that when a kid has made a mistake, do we want to simply punch or do we want to put him on the right track?

So, you know, we're going to probably have a flat out fight around juvenile justice and we're prepared for that.

>> Representative Tipton says he's working on legislation to improve Kentucky students.

Math scores.

Senator Neal says he wants to see a larger investment in education which he says has been underfunded in recent years for Kentucky edition.

I'm John Leffler.

>> Lawmakers will hash out the state budget in the upcoming session.

But just how big that budget be.

We'll hear more next week from those that want to dip into the rainy day fund and those who want to KET it growing.

Another state lawmaker will leave the Kentucky General Assembly.

Mark Metcalf, the incoming state treasurer says that state Representative Russell Weber of Shepherdsville a Republican, will resign his House seat in order become deputy treasurer.

He's been a state representative since 2013 in a statement to KU team Metcalf said, quote, As our next deputy Treasurer Russell brings a wealth of legislative and policy experience that will serve this office exceptionally well in, quote.

Flags are at half-staff today at state buildings because of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

It was 82 years ago on December 7th, 1941. when Japan attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor.

Hawaii, the next day the United States declared war on Japan.

And a few days later the U.S. would go to war against Germany.

An estimated 6800 Kentuckians were killed during World War.

2.

♪ ♪ The Georgia Chafee teenage parent program is an alternative school in Jefferson County that serves pregnant and parenting students.

But the goal isn't just to get these moms threw high school yesterday.

It held a college and careers fair to inspire these young parents to go after drains.

They never thought they could accomplish.

The population of 10 students are either current teenage mothers or their expected mothers.

A lot of students, it.

>> They're excited that they're here.

A lot of them.

I realize that there are a lot more options in just a community college there.

Certainly 4 year colleges as well.

And we do have a few first generation college attendees will be coming through here to our students.

So a lot of this might be new information as well.

I didn't know me.

>> I have hope.

And I would.

Even finish high school just because my baby, well, I'm Well.

I'm pregnant.

I'm not.

I don't I'm not mommy it.

That is just I didn't really have.

I hope that would finish high school.

The initial thought was, oh, my God, my life is over.

>> Because I was already wasn't doing well in school at the time.

My family life was in good.

And then that a pregnancy on top of all that just felt like I want what is God doing to me like it was really, really bad, but I didn't really, you know, a family was I got to talk about that.

Then we came to a mutual agreement.

We understand it all got a little bit better team.

The seniors, some of them having turned around from being, you know, maybe a bit behind and then graduating at the end, they're getting this certificate in these awards.

It was really like inspirational.

And I a few girls specifically that I looked up to a lot because they wanted to do medical things and they were thriving.

And I could see that I could also drive as well like they were.

It was just really, really nice >> They're not just looking for jobs as a student perspective, CA student, they're also looking for jobs and more importantly, clear as a parent to help improve their family >> It does concern me about light, the mining load, the men and then having to take care of a baby at the same time law still in school.

And yeah.

But overall, I do want to vote.

I do not go to college.

I want to be my first one is ultrasound technician and I want to be in the nursing field, say that that and Nick nurse or a labor and delivery.

>> I've applied for WKU after speaking with adviser WKU of like a really good place for me in my child because they have childcare on campus.

They have family housing on campus.

So just has a lot qualities that I like.

I feel like a lot of teen moms can lose hope.

As my friend said that, I feel like it's hard sometimes with the baby and, you know, different things around you going on to think about to even have an optimistic attitude.

And I feel like just people coming in and showing us that these things are available to us to give us some sort of hope and allowing us to see other possibilities with our children.

I feel like it's really uplifting to a lot of people who may not have seen themselves in a situation like this we just needed a boost.

>> Don't think just because you are now teen mom, are you?

Are you expecting that life is over?

Because it's not.

I'm really grateful for attack because that's the they taught me that.

And they really helped me out a lot.

They just don't give up.

KET going.

It's not has not been that promise.

>> Tap has around 65 students.

There is a day care on site for the parents to bring their little ones during school hours.

Computer science students at Greenwood, High School in Bowling Green are getting some extra support.

The Tennessee Valley Authority awarded funding to Warren County Public schools to recruit and train more computer science.

Teachers.

The money will also be used for technology to help a student projects which include creating websites and products that respond to community needs and >> There where there's this one coding platform community, it's a gaming platform.

If we did have the money and funds to do really help with all of our projects, not even with video games and makes coating some so much simpler.

You want to be inspired.

Come listen to a high school students talk about the projects that they're they're making.

Where ranges from consolidating sports information for live tracking for people to check out what's going on with our local sports teams to wigs for breast cancer patients.

Anesthesia in the battlefield.

I mean, it's pretty mind blowing students.

The barriers removed so that we can allow them to shine and just being in that classroom this morning.

>> And seeing what the students are developing on their own to know that partners like TVA and the chamber and be GM UAW are dcc through supporting TVs grant programs.

We are allowing those students to basically take it to the next level.

Doctor Young says there is a nationwide need for more computer science.

Teachers.

>> TVA says the grant program is designed to create innovative solutions to workforce challenges.

Funding will help other schools in the district.

♪ ♪ Kentucky ranks second in the nation for domestic abuse.

A Madison County nonprofit is doing its part to lower that number.

Hopes Wings is a domestic violence program offering shelter self sustainability resources and traditional housing to survivors.

>> I was in a pretty much domestic violent.

And the beast relationship for over 3 decades and just finally had had enough.

It was after I have been baiting that my husband.

One night I went around and said, look what I felt.

My granddaughter come around and she immediately was like in a gas.

And I was like, no, no, no, that's okay.

fail.

And then on the ride home, it was more or less like I was thinking to myself.

You just touch a granddaughter, have a lot for a man who could take her off the next day.

I got up.

And courage and I went back to help swings because I didn't know anything other than that.

We opened our doors in on as an emergency shelter in our programs kind of grown.

>> Beyond emergency shelter since then, what we were able today was to become the first and so far, only community in the state of Kentucky.

That is now a blueprint for safety community blueprint for safety is just this.

Innovative wife are addressing the crime of domestic violence in the community through evidence collection and evidence-based prosecution rather than putting victims of domestic On the stand as witnesses and putting them in some really terrible positions, too up all those charges and to prosecute because it's very hard for victim or next grant from the Office of Violence Against Women.

We will use that grant to form a team that will review cases and try to address those high-risk cases before homicide of cars because we don't want to see any more deaths here in Madison County.

There is a place.

That you don't have to worry about.

A soft landing.

That's what helps claims is for.

I don't like it when we're full because that means that domestic violence is, you know, a lot and kicking in your community and means that somebody is going through something horrible and no longer can safely live in their own home.

So I don't like that.

But on the other hand, I like it that in the fact that people trust us, they reach out for help.

They are choosing not to stay in that situation and they're trusting us to help them find a way out when you've had enough.

You know what?

And that's when you go into survival mode.

That's when you decide that you got to change.

You.

Everything around.

She you've got to become what you want to be or you won't survive.

But I've been gone since June.

The 9th.

And I've changed.

I've written poetry.

I'm reading the book.

And if I fall, I dust myself off and I'll get back up.

>> Because that's what they teach you to do.

They don't teach you to lie down and to just.

They want you to bloom.

They want to see you blossom at any age.

Linda Burnett's poetry book will be titled Poetry Pot, The suit that Healed My Soul.

>> It's inspired by her experiences, surviving and overcoming domestic violence.

♪ ♪ >> Christmas is just now 18 days away.

Can you believe it?

And today, the Lexington Ballet company brought a little holiday spirit to the Kentucky Children's Hospital.

A group of dancers visited with patients, then perform selections from The Nutcracker.

>> The holiday season, you know, it is a very joyful time, but it can also be a very lonely time, especially for children who are displaced from their homes are in the hospital.

They're not in their best health and I've always found that there is a sense of community.

And that's what I hope for coming and performing.

Hospitals is to really bring a lot to the community.

>> The Lexington Ballet company wants to make sure it's shows are accessible to everyone in Lexington, a job Hanukkah began at sundown tonight.

So Happy Hanukkah, and we hope that you'll join us again tomorrow night at 6.30, Stern Five-thirty Central for Kentucky Edition, we inform connect and inspire.

Connect with us all the ways you see on your screen there, Facebook, X and Instagram.

You can send us a story idea of public affairs at KET Dot Org and find us on the PBS video app on your smart device or tablet.

>> Thanks again for watching tomorrow night.

We've got inside Kentucky politics with Abby Piper and Jared Smith.

Don't miss that for a wrap-up of the week's Political News.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Take really good care.

See you tomorrow night.

♪ ♪ ♪