♪ >> Ahead, a new way of tracking opioid overdoses.

That could mean a faster response.

And Kentucky.

>> The reason why it's important to preserve the story of the Native Americans is simply because we do tell that story and that.

>> One man's effort to save an important part of Native American history here in Kentucky.

>> Over the years, I have always thought that the trolley for Boeing, a similar to what you have the most great 7 cities to be a hit.

>> And see the highlights of Bowling Green.

But leave your car behind.

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 Monday, December.

The 12th, I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for starting off your Monday night with us.

When the U.S. House convenes in January with the Republicans in charge can talk and will have a major role on Capitol Hill.

>> Congressman James Comer of Kentucky will head the Oversight and Reform Committee in the House.

The committee investigates waste and fraud.

Congressman Comer says there are dozens of investigations he's prepared to tackle as chairman.

He says one of them will focus on fraudulent claims that were paid out through antiquated state.

Unemployment insurance systems.

Something Kentucky saw a lot of during the early days of the COVID pandemic.

Will there be possibly subpoenas administer to folks in the Beshear administration or the governor?

Andy Beshear himself to testify about in Washington.

>> Now, I'm not to that point yet.

We're just trying to get a handle on it.

Renee, this is so massive and the state of California alone, it will make people sick when they find out how much money was hacked from their unemployment insurance.

But that Kentucky's a much smaller stake in California.

But the pound for pound, you know, Kentucky had a lot of ways to do so.

Yeah, we've got to change our.

Computer systems on the state level.

It's been a problem on the federal level.

My committee has jurisdiction over the cybersecurity status of our data systems on the federal level and not good.

But compared to the state levels.

I mean, we've got state the better their computer systems or show obsolete.

They are a team capable protecting their their data from cyber attack.

So we've got adversaries around the globe that have very sophisticated systems.

2.

Cyber attack, our our governmental data systems.

And that's what happened with the unemployment Insurance Fund.

Then we had a lot of fraudulent, you know, domestic brought you live in and unemployment insurance bite.

The bottom line was the state just work?

Capable of handling the massive number of claims.

And then, you know, I can tell ya, just like the other 5 members of the Kentucky delegation, we were bombarded with people calling our caseworkers saying we've been unemployed, our government, you know, our business was shut down.

I can't get anyone to answer the phone in Frankfort to help me file an unemployment insurance claims.

So, you know, this is something that I teachers received very criticism for in the press, but that it was sure a blackout, Kentucky.

A lot of work and family suffered, you know, wasn't their fault that they were gone.

Unemployment was a government fall so that the they were gone unemployment.

So I do want to get to the point, as you said, not yet.

When I ask you the question about would you try to hold someone or even the governor?

>> And the Beshear administration responsible for this is this investigation about accountability are rectifying antiquated computer systems.

What is the crux of the investigation?

What do you hope the outcome with me?

>> I don't think anyone did anything intentional with respect to fraud in Kentucky or probably in California.

We have computer systems on the state levels are outdated.

They are.

They don't have the capacity to protect their data from the sophisticated cyberattack that we're seeing from these foreign countries.

Many of them are in the former, you know, Soviet Union area of the of the glove.

So we've got to significantly change that.

I hope or all my investigations obviously want to hold people accountable.

We would love to claw back misspent funds.

But at the end of the day, I hope there's a legislative picked and we've got to find a way improve our data security systems on the state level.

So, you know, I'm not here to say that anyone did anything intentionally wrong.

there were a lot of mistakes in different states, California, Kentucky, that with respect to their unemployment insurance claims being spit fraudulently.

>> As you heard Congressman he hopes there is a legislative fix at the federal level that will help make on employment systems at the state level.

More secure.

You can see more of my interview with Congressman calmer on connections this Sunday at 12 noon Eastern.

11:00AM central right here on KET.

Kentucky.

Attorney General Daniel Cameron is joining attorneys general from 49 other states and the District of Columbia to urge the FCC to continue cracking down on unwanted text messages from fraudulent numbers.

The FCC says it received 15,000 complaints about unwanted Texan 2021. and 2020 scam burst.

Scammers stole more than 86 million dollars through text scams.

The FCC has proposed a rule requiring mobile wireless providers to block unlawful text messages at the network level.

If they come from and valid unassigned or unused numbers.

Last week the White House announced a new website that will allow for easier tracking of opioid overdoses.

The new website will be updated every 2 weeks with data from the county level.

First responders and all 50 states.

The director of the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health says the new website will allow the state to track data faster, which he says will lead to a quicker response from the state.

>> As we address the opiate crisis, the really the Holy Grail is, David.

That is real-time enough to help us any form policy and guide our interventions.

And so the advantage to this new databases, that EMS date is some of the closest to real-time data that we have and this data will be available.

Every 2 weeks on a national level and help locate hotspots.

Significant increases and be available to respond.

I want to say is that Kentucky has been a leader accessing integrating and utilizing data to manager intervention.

And actually we have this data already available within Kentuckyian have for some time now.

>> And so this database for us, the damage is now will have other national data that will help us compare ourselves.

But the advantage of this anger get the data is that it allows us to to look at trends within counties is the non-fatal overdose level increasing or decreasing you know, occasionally we'll have some batches of but know that might arrive in Kentucky from a specific supplier, obviously an illicit supplier.

And then we may see a spike in a certain county that's really important for us to know at the time it's happening or is close to the time it's happening as we can historically overdose deaths take 6 months to get in our system.

This is the EMS runs, you know, within 2 weeks or, you know, over the past 2 weeks, we we like to know what's happening that way.

We could deploy our quick response teams which are teams which specifically investigate post overdose situations.

But today is the Holy Grail to guide policy.

And so this having this real-time data we've spent years with data wagging 6 months hard to hard to implement policy when you're that the so-so EMS, again, is is very real time and it will save lives.

>> The website will focus solely on to the new opioid overdose Tracker website can be found that in E M S I S DOT org.

According to the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, Kentucky last 2,250 people to overdoses last year.

One Kentucky group is looking to prevent addiction and overdose deaths is through peer support specialists since they've experienced addiction themselves, peer support specialists say they can better relate to people and help them recover.

Our Casey Parker Bell spoke to Brandon Conlon of addiction.

Recovery care about peer support.

>> Those of us who've been through we can reach people in a in a different way than other people in the health care field.

>> Brandon Common is a peer support specialist peer support specialists are people who have been successful in the recovery process and are now trained help others in similar situations.

He says the reason he's now clean is because of a peer support.

Specialist.

>> I had a sport injuring 15 years old and I was prescribed prescription pain pills.

And by the time I was 8 years old, I was a full-blown drug I made it through a semester college.

And are quickly dropped out.

And the next 6 years, 7 years of my life or bore no details.

There are 11 treatment facilities.

I saw countless counselors.

I was in countless medical facilities.

The last treatment facility that I went to was what we call.

It was a pier with community and the level of trust that I could have for somebody who had been where I've been.

They could say the same exact thing to me that someone who had never experienced anything that I've been through would say and it held that than white.

>> Peer support specialist have a wide variety of roles.

According to Sampson advocate for people in recovery lead recovery groups, mentor people in recovery and help them set goals.

They also can provide services or job training and supervise other peer workers for Brandon Common becoming a peer support.

Specialist.

It's about helping others.

A lot of us peers, we our solution to our problem.

>> Is to carry a message to the next person.

We found a purpose and helping other people.

>> And common hopes bringing more attention to the work of peer support groups can get more people access to the service.

>> It's funny to me because of the way that I.

But I've gotten sober and our state's over.

Because what the role of peer support really is.

There are 12 step fellowships that have been doing it for a really long time with the introduction of the role of peer supporting workforce has shed a light for society on how how much we can improve the lives of people who are just like us for Kentucky edition.

I'm Casey Parker Bell >> thank you.

Casey Conlon is part of a team that established the Kentucky affiliate of the National Peer Recovery Alliance.

He says they're working to create a system to put peer support specialists in the workforce and help them create new roles to help people in recovery.

And education news for anyone looking for help with college costs in Kentucky.

It's an important time to apply for scholarships and grants.

Our chip Polston sat down with an expert to share the steps you need to take now to get funds for the next school year.

>> Well, there are literally hundreds of millions of dollars in needs-based college scholarships and grants available right now for Kentucky students to apply for.

But if you're interested, you want to get a move on because these are awarded on a first come first serve basis.

Here to give you information about what these programs are and how you can apply.

Aaron Clear, she's vice president of government relations and communications for the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority or KIA.

Aaron, thanks so much for being here.

Absolutely.

Thanks for having me.

So what Windows Open now?

What what is going on right now that that anybody looking to get financial aid for college next year needs to be aware of.

>> So the free application for federal student Aid or the FAFSA that cycle application period opened on October one.

So high school student is getting ready to go to college or you an adult that is thinking about going to school next fall.

Now is the time to fill out the fast.

But for 23, 24 academic year.

So even though we're not in the calendar, 23 yet you need to get in and do that as soon as you can right now.

>> That is correct.

Okay.

So that you made mention of the fast, but that is no small to sit down and work through that.

What sort of help and resources do you all have available to help folks navigate what can really be an intimidating process.

is the repository for all Kentucky, Fast says, but we also have a number of programs and services.

>> That will help parents and students fill out the in case they get stuck or have You know, it's only so easy as life is normal.

So when you have different circumstances than the, you know, questions we have online tools.

People can check out our website as well as text messaging services.

So if you get on our website, you can see the number to outreach as well as we have human resources as well.

So you can call an 800 number with your questions or we have reached counselors that live and work in all corners of the state.

We have 13 total and they attend fast.

But completion nights at the high schools that the adult education they it's their job to help people complete the application.

So don't let that intimidate you.

There are resources available there, obviously to help help you navigate that.

But when we talk Aaron, about college scholarships and grants like this, I think a lot of people probably look at that as being geared solely towards.

>> Kids who have just finished high school and are looking to go to college.

But there are some programs as well for anybody who wants to go back to college to get a degree or certificate in an in-demand field that they would apply the same way.

Tell folks what that is.

>> we have a very exciting program.

It's called the work Ready.

Kentucky scholarship.

It is actually fast but dependent as well.

It's considered the last dollar scholarship.

So those are tailored specifically to the high demand workforce areas in Kentucky.

So your diplomas, your certificates, your credentials, usually their short-term programs as well.

there right now, the top 5 needed areas, our business in it.

Health care in Vance, manufacturing construction.

I just sticks transportation.

So those different institutions that offer the the it's not just for high school students as well as adults.

That may be thinking that they need to go back to school so that that scholarship will help with that.

>> And there's a long laundry list of a particular programs you can participate in, correct?

Yes.

And again on our website, we have a pdf of all of the programs and institutions that offer eligible so it is quite extensive and to there's a lot of availability, terrific.

Why is this investment in higher education important.

Do you feel what one of the long-term benefits that the commonwealth's going to get by helping make college more affordable to folks.

Right.

So I I think a lot of conversation is you know, we know that higher education matters is what are you going to do about it?

So we know that you need some sort of education or training beyond high school to be competitive and the job market.

>> A lot of the jobs that are coming to Kentuckyian the lead of the businesses.

They want the and the population already.

you know, not just the jobs that are here now, but the jobs that are coming in the future.

And then there's all sorts of benefits to post-secondary education, whether it's better health, better all sorts of other outcomes you know, social and economic mobility.

>> Erin, clear with Keith, thanks so much for being with us today.

We should appreciate it.

Absolutely terrific information.

And if you'd like more information on these programs, you can find it online at K H E a dot com.

Renee, back to you.

>> Thank you, Chip key also administers the Popular Keys scholarship program.

You don't have to apply to use KET dollars at a Kentucky University, but your student will need to set up an account in order to be eligible.

Some good news, Kentucky tax revenue continues to go up.

The state says General fund receipts were up 5.2% from last November to this November.

Revenues topped 1.2 billion dollars.

It's the 3rd month in a row.

It was more than 1 billion receipts are up 6.4% through the last 5 or the first 5 months of the fiscal year road fund receipts for November were 142 million dollars up more than 6%.

Join us tonight for building opportunities Akt form.

Our panel will discuss how cities and counties are strengthening communities through economic development.

And there are some good news there, too.

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

State.

Representative Attica Scott is asking President Joe Biden to help renters the Democrat from Louisville wrote a letter to the president encouraging him to sign an executive order that would protect tenants from what she calls, quote, unfair and unjust rent increases.

And the latter.

Scott who identifies herself in the letter as one of 44 million people in the U.S. to rent says, quote, Every rent increases a threat to attendance, ability to age with dignity, feed their kids and pay for medication.

She also refers to unchecked rent hikes as a racial justice issue.

When says she wrote the letter in support of the Louisville tenants Union.

Nationally, the median rental price topped $2000 a month for the first time ever this summer, according to a new report from Redfin, that's up $400 a month from 2019 ♪ Native American history is rich right here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the early 18, 100's Native Americans from the Choctaw Tribe negotiated a treaty with the U.S. government establishing a residential school for young Native American men known as the chalked out Academy.

Almost 200 years later.

One man is working to preserve the last standing structure of this school right here in Kentucky.

>> In the early 18, 100's with the corona an expansion of the colonies.

A lot of the Native American tribes were really honestly feeling, you know, hopeless in terms of, you know, what have they are going to defend themselves against this expansion and the Choctaw Nation as early is just around 18, 20 decided that their best solution was to set aside funds from the lands that they were giving away in the area.

Mississippi, for education.

It was a a genius concept because they they believe strongly that education was going to be the secret to their survival.

Richard Mentor, Johnson, a lifelong politician, of course, owned the farm land where I currently own.

It's my understanding that Johnson volunteered his farm to essentially establish the chalk talk at me the first and only federal school of its kind.

>> For Native American news, actually.

And it was, I think the native tribes had set young boys from ages of 6 to 20 there.

I purchased the land in 2012, a few months later, a pickle being that the basically supported the non trying to trust is collapsing.

It had a southern wall kind of blow out of that.

>> At that point, of course, I didn't know really anyone in the historic preservation world.

I started reaching out here and there and probably my best efforts where what I directed my attention to the Choctaw Nation, specifically their child off foundation.

>> And through that relationship, we were able to do some local funding, some help from the local state and got all the entry school were able to build a temporary structure over the top of it.

That help prevent that water infiltration.

So the building, of likely when it was constructed in 18.

25 had a course.

Cedar shake Roof.

From what I can tell and with the historic architects have discovered is that probably had 3 different riffs on it since that time.

I think that if you put it back together and you put another good, you know, period, correct, roof on it.

There's no reason to believe it wouldn't last another, you know, 100 150 years without any additional structure around it.

>> The reason why it's important to preserve the story of the Native Americans is simply because we don't tell that story enough.

I truly believe that the plight of the story of the survival of American Indians is one of those stories that needs to be taught.

It's stories of empowerment and stories of how education led to the survival of these stories.

Just really honestly have to be told.

>> Many different tribes once called Kentucky home, including the Cherokee, the Chickasaw and the Shawnee.

They all sent students to the Czech Chalk talk Academy.

♪ >> Tourism plays an important role in the local economy.

Officials in Bowling Green Hope a new addition will help boost those numbers by offering historical tours as well as information about the city's various attractions.

>> I've had the opportunity to ride on You know, Saint Augustine, Savannah, Charleston, Key West, New Orleans.

So over the years, I had always thought the trolley for Bowling similar to what you have.

The most great 7 cities would be a hit.

>> We're really excited for the opportunity that the trolley brings to Bowling Green.

It will give our travelers the ability to fix floor more in the downtown area and also for them to explore other attractions.

So when they take our historic hop on hop off tour, they're going to be exposed to things that they did not know that we have right here in Bowling Green.

>> We're going to be starting at the National Corvette Museum.

When the racetrack in the museum, they have roughly 300,000 visitors per year.

>> But lingering really is a travel destination.

And there's a lot more tourism that happens right here in our town.

Then sometimes people realize.

>> We're going to use it as a way to promote the city university.

That's going crease tourism that will increase jobs and increase hotel stays will increase restaurant sales, gasoline purchases, retail purchases in downtown Bowling Green.

>> Well, one green has a really historical aspect that is appealing to a lot of people.

>> Red, white and blue water tower.

That was the area for Fort Seal Smith, which was the most civil war structure.

>> In Bowling That's what we want to focus on this downtown Bowling Green.

>> History and western Kentucky University because Western is just a huge part of the >> Boeing is big on transportation.

We have the planes, trains and automobiles, museums here.

we just think it's a natural fit for us to take care of the operations of the trolley.

>> A longtime Boyne ways going green in the history of Bowling Green is important to me.

I love reading about it.

I love looking >> All of the funding for the purchase of the trolley and for the first year operations have come from Warren County Fiscal court.

They you watch some of their arpa funding, which was allocated for very specific projects.

And one of those is an investment in tourism.

So we're really excited that the county was willing to step up and invest in tourism because they see the importance of it and they realize what tourism brings to our town.

>> This isn't the first time Warren County has had a trolley, the original Bowling Green Trolley Line was an operation from 18 89 to 1921. tours will be available from March through October.

You can purchase tickets in advance on the rail Park's website.

Organizers hope to eventually expand the tour by adding more trolleys and locations.

♪ Politics, basketball and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Toby Gibbs has 3 Kentucky favorites and more.

And this week in Kentucky history.

♪ >> One of Kentucky's most famous citizens, Mary Todd, Future wife of Abraham Lincoln was born in Lexington on December 13, 18, 18.

She was the 4th of 7 children born to Robert Smith.

Todd and Elizabeth Parker.

Todd.

December 12, 18 64 just a few months before the end of the civil War.

General Highland p lion lead 800 Confederate troops on a raid into Kentucky where they burned the Christian County courthouse in Hopkinsville.

The first of 7 courthouse burnings in 23 days.

>> William S Taylor Republican begin governor on December 12, 18 99 after a disputed election.

The General Assembly then declared his Democratic opponent William Goble as the real winner of the election.

So Taylor only served 50 days.

Albert be happy.

Chandler begin governor for a second time on December 13, 1955.

20 years after his first term, he was Kentucky's 44th and 49th governor.

Colonel Harland Sanders, the man who created Kentucky Fried Chicken died on December 16, 1980, of pneumonia at Jewish Hospital in Louisville.

And legendary coach Adolph Rupp won his first game as the University of Kentucky's men's basketball coach on 12/18/1930, as the CATS beat Georgetown College.

67 to 19 at UK's alumni gymnasium.

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

>> Thank you.

To be gives.

We hope you'll join us again tomorrow night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky Edition where we inform connect and inspire subscribe to our weekly Kentucky Edition email newsletter and watch full episodes at KET Dot Org.

Thank you so very much for watching.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Take good care and I'll see you right back here tomorrow night.

♪