Yeah.

Paul says we don't have.

>> America will not be made great again.

Those who work and Tim.

The man is hard to climb.

>> Senator Mitch McConnell has a warning for the president.

He liked.

It.

Feels like you're going into your own house, grabbing your own food, Andy KU program that fights food, insecurity celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Getting towed technologies a bad day and they should be around program like this.

Technology is bringing people together.

>> And it's a first in Kentucky, a high school with an e-sports arena.

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

♪ ♪ >> Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Monday, December, the 9th, I'm Renee Shaw.

Hope you had a great weekend and thank you for being with us this evening.

U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said critical of President elect Donald Trump.

>> In remarks made Saturday in California, McConnell received the peace through Strength award from the Ronald Reagan National Defense Forum.

As McConnell spoke, he criticized those suggesting the United States move away from its longtime role in providing world leadership.

>> That both ends of our politics in the dangers of fiction is taking hold in.

That Americans privacy and the fruits of our leaders who are actually self-sustaining.

Even as all eyes across NATO in the Indo-Pacific, renew their own commitments toward the hour.

The better our building and a collective defense and John, no question.

America's own room.

The senator of these forest multiply an institution in partnership.

You.

What the party Ron Reagan once lived.

So capably.

It is increasingly fashionable to suggest that the sort of global leadership, the mom.

There's no longer American But let's be absolutely clear.

The America will not be made great again by those who work.

And Tim, the man utd's hard to climb.

>> Kentucky's junior U.S.

Senator Rand Paul says he hopes the U.S. doesn't get involved in the continuing crisis in Syria after rebel forces overthrew the nation's president.

Paul says the U.S. doesn't have enough troops there to do anything anyway.

>> We have 900 soldiers.

900 soldiers isn't enough time to organize a parade.

And I mean, 900 soldiers is not to go to war.

We had we want to go to war in Syria, but 5.10, 100,000 troops.

And you don't put 900 tips in there.

They become targets, not a deterrent or not a jury anything, but it will give are killed.

And I hope this doesn't happen.

Then all of a sudden maybe we are drug into the middle of a civil war where there are no good people on either side of it.

>> Paul spoke by phone while appearing on Glenn Beck's radio show.

Now one of the states capital's most powerful leaders is moving on from Frankfort for now, outgoing Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer started out as treasurer of the Grand County GOP.

Then vice chair of the Republican Party of Kentucky after dedicating decades to politics.

Ferre who didn't seek re-election told us Friday he may make another political run in a few years.

But for now, he says he's focused on to our other favorite Kentucky pastimes, bourbon and horses.

>> So at the time we take this interview, there are things 31 days until the Kentucky General Assembly reconvenes and you have no buyers remorse about not being there on the opening day.

>> I don't I don't even think all watch.

I did.

22 years, 12 years as leader.

And I've been ready to make this change and I know a lot of people are having hard time figuring out why someone would walk away sort of at the peak of power.

I mean, I think being the Senate majority floor leader is one of the top 5 elected jobs in state government.

And I've been very blessed and privilege to have that job for 12 years and being a state senator for 22 is something I never 4 saw when I moved to Kentucky in 1992.

Right.

>> Give up that power right now at such a young age.

>> I just feel like it.

There are other things I want to do.

I want to write a new chapter amount of work on my private sector interest.

And I just want to step away from this particular job, this political job for a little while and maybe detox a little I'm not.

I'm really excited about my private sector pursuit.

And I really wasn't able to put the time and energy into those because of my job in the legislature.

And I gave that job.

Everything I have and a big majority floor leader is a really hard job.

>> What do you know about this Senate GOP priorities for a short And we know that the incoming leader Wiese's said that dei will be a front burner issue.

Do you think that that issue needs to be revisited again?

And what does Kentucky gain?

>> By honing in on that issue when some believe that the economy, by which perhaps President Trump won his election is what voters care most about.

>> That that's a really good series of questions.

Some of the try to answer them all.

I think the top priority of the of the House and Senate Republican will be enacting a 4th cut and the personal income tax.

I was with Speaker Osborne at a conference this weekend.

He told me that their planned during the first 4 days is for the House to pass the next tax cut which will take the personal income tax town to 3 and a half percent.

Even though we have the news this week about the revenue declining well, that that's going to be up to them.

But I believe they're the triggers are no flights.

I still satisfied.

And, you know, that's the proudest collective accomplishment of Republicans in my time in Frankfort is is cutting the income tax rate night.

I do think that says we are focusing on the economy.

We do understand why President Trump was elected again.

And I think the economy agree with you.

I think it was the economy and I think it was the border and in Kentucky we can do a lot about the economy.

Based on the tax code.

However, pivoting to the latter part of your question, you know, based on the results of the question based on based on the results of the election and the fact that you got 5 ruled legislators in leadership in the Senate and an the fact that we didn't pass a dei do last year because negotiations broke down between the House and the Senate.

I think clearly that's going to be a major issue now.

I do think it is telling that universities are making wholesale changes in their ddi policies without a bill even passing which tells me that the Legislature has influence even when a bill doesn't pass, right?

Right.

And I that I think universities are making a good decision because I I think.

I think what you're probably going to see move forward as a bill that is going to be almost a strong may be stronger than the one that passed the House last year that we didn't have the votes to pass it in the Senate.

There are some concerns about its constitutionality, but membership has changed in that.

I think you could argue that based on the election and the leadership races that the Senate Republican Caucus is moving right word on social issues.

>> So let's talk about you.

>> And you know, I'm kind of a mile.

>> I know you're really shocked and I want to brag or boast by what's next for you and me.

And you alluded to some of your private interests.

What are they?

>> Well, I along with my business partner, Andrea Regard.

I'm the co-founder of Kentucky Senator Spirit.

Our main brand is Kentucky.

Senator Berman each released named after a U.S. senator from Kentucky.

And I'm going to be focusing a lot of time on that.

We're scaling up operations and production and sales.

As matter of fact, this week we've been out at Castle Key Distillery laying down new barrels, Kentucky senator bourbon.

That will age for at least 6 years out there.

A castle key.

So I'm going to be spending a lot of time doing that.

And then my consulting business on the horse racing and racetrack side is something I've wanted to grow, but couldn't because of the time in the legislature.

So I'm talking to people and a lot of other states about helping them with racetrack operations and giving advice about how they can recreate some of the success we have in Kentucky and their state.

And then I'm going to see what comes my way.

But I think the simple answer is I'm going to do and horses and bourbon.

>> And travel well, and you can't go wrong with a either one of those and all 3 together is even better right?

>> Horses, Bourbon Politics is kind of the Kentucky trifecta, right?

Right.

And I've been focusing on those and I'm just going to be a little less focused on politics and more on horses in bourbon and traveling to see horses.

So it's racing another other places.

>> You can see part one of my interview with State Senator Damon Thayer from Friday online way talks about those other com at KET Dot Org slash Kentucky edition, the 2025 regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly begins Tuesday, January 7th and KET will be there with exclusive coverage gavel to gavel both on air and on line.

Elli Brown.

More first wife of Governor John.

Why Brown is being remembered tonight as a business trailblazer Browne more died Saturday at the age of 84 Browne.

More was the first woman to own a majority stake in a big league professional basketball team.

The Kentucky colonels at American Basketball Association team based in Louisville that existed from 1967. to 1976.

Brian Moore also spent time as chair of the team's ownership boarded a time when the team had an all female board of directors.

The Courier Journal quotes one of her children.

John, why Brown the 3rd quote to the city of Louisville.

She'll be known most for her time with the Kentucky Colonels and will always cherish those memories.

But her priority in life was always being a mom and a grandmother.

That's what she devoted her life to.

I was just so lucky and fortunate to have been her son end of, quote.

As we age, caring for ourselves can get harder.

Many older Americans prefer to live at home for as long as they possibly can.

But Kentucky is facing a shortage of home health care workers.

As our Kelsey Starks explains, seniors in Breckenridge County are turning to each other for help.

It's part of Katie's next chapter initiative focused on the challenges and rewards of growing older.

Watch here.

I'm Sydney forward.

It 5, almost 86 86 nation.

Like a big sister.

I'm not quite a big sister, but as senior companion and seniors helping seniors >> it's part of the Central Kentucky Community Action Partnership funded by America or >> our senior companions go out and they offer companionship in assistance.

To those adults, older adults who need just a little help.

Somebody checking in on with some of the day-to-day tasks that have become a little difficult.

>> Gail Sturgeon prided herself on being independent and self-sufficient, living home alone since 1969. until she lost the better part of her vision a few years ago, which made it impossible for her to drive.

That's where Linda came in.

And this is a Plus going here first.

Okay.

A lot of time.

She's taken me to the mine.

Sure taking didn't visit.

>> Home stand out here, which is a nursing home.

>> And we did and we go to Taylor Pharmacy, a Walmart Walmart this week.

Is that tight race, including any word?

>> They love to go thrift shopping, but they also spend a lot of time with friends.

It's at the local senior center and going on errands, like doctor's appointments.

I've got to where I go into the dock.

>> Or with Iran cannot take note so that.

We all know what she's being taught them all.

>> A car sits asked I I have a case to dementia and after the it's those little tasks that can become big hurdles as we age.

>> And options like in home, health care or assisted-living are out of reach for most people.

>> Cost waiting lists.

>> There are so many barriers to getting into assisted living.

>> And they're just so many people who just want to stay in their home.

You know, they don't want to be forced to.

That's where they raise their family.

They have their memories.

They are.

They want their children to be able to come back to revisit on there.

>> The senior companion program lets those seniors who want to stay in their homes, do so with a little help from their friends.

The senior friends who volunteer have to be at least 55 years old and go through state and federal background checks.

But otherwise, no other experience is necessary.

Most needs help.

Buyers are looking for a friend themselves.

A look at your game.

If you like wind chimes.

Yeah.

The community Action senior companion program has been around in central Kentucky for more than 20 years.

And today has 25 active volunteers across 6 counties.

It's not enough to help everyone, but every little bit helps everyone lets face it.

Our older generation.

Now as the baby Boomer generation.

>> There's a large number of those seniors out there that are that are hitting the stage.

And we really just don't have the capacity.

To of of those folks and so any people that we can help.

To stay in their home.

Makes more room for people who do need that.

24 hour in-home are in out of home, assisted living experience, you know, that need to move into that situation.

And so, you know, it may benefit everybody.

>> And that includes the senior helpers to most will tell you it has given them more than just a new purpose.

It's given them a friend.

It gets people.

And of the House.

And it gives them somebody to talk to give some somebody to great to.

A lot this is not a job.

Are you?

>> This is something you volunteered to do.

It's out People look around.

You probably got a neighbor that I would get out.

Go check on him Woloson while a new fund.

It it it.

It makes you feel good to check on people to know people can.

If they need help.

Let's get out and do it.

Let's get out and do it.

You know.

To give yourself a chance to get out and do something good for somebody in it.

Now it's always comes back.

Good for yourself.

I'm telling you.

It really does indeed.

In the workforce, employers your employees problems can become your problems.

And if your employees are having, you know, they've raised their kids, but now they're having to take care of their parents.

That in that in Texas workforce chain.

So, you know, there's just a lot of ways that this program benefits the community and helps make the community stronger.

>> For KET, I'm Kelsey Starks Bassey.

Thank you.

Cal say we take a closer look at other issues facing age in Kentucky.

Ends like transportation and access to medicines.

>> And discuss some of the resources available during aging and health care Akt special report that airs a week from tonight.

Monday, December 16th at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET.

Now, in the meantime, we hope you'll join us tonight as experts provide advice and answer your questions about financial decisions related to elder care and a special program wills and estate planning Colin Akt for him tonight at 8 Eastern 7 Central right here on KET.

♪ According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

23% of college students are food, insecure, meaning they don't have enough access to quality nutritional food for the last 10 years at eastern Kentucky University.

The colonels covered has been working to fight food, insecurity on campus, providing free groceries to any student in need.

The crowds cover.

It is a free resource for students here on campus.

And we have free resources for anyone who needs a whether you have food in security or not.

>> Henri, you just need a quick pick me up.

We've got.

Food, clothes, hygiene products, laundry stuff, anything you can only think of we have here free.

So I definitely have Roman.

I don't think we could be called treatment or without it.

But we have a lot more than that.

We try to KET on hand bread, milk eggs as a little hard to KET on hand because they're in high demand.

They go very fast.

>> But during just keeping your stable food and then obviously we have like a lot of canned foods like canned vegetables, soup, things like that.

>> There are no requirements.

You can come up at any time.

It doesn't matter whether you are just stopping my during your lunch or break between classes, if you just need some clothes for an interview, if you are food, insecure or if you just don't want to make it out to the grocery store, it does not matter.

You can always come up here coming from a college student.

College is expensive and finances are completely different and college for many different people.

So I think it's really helpful to have a ferry, a source on campus for students and stuff like that.

>> When the big things that people don't think of allies time your classes could be from 08:00AM to like 07:00PM.

I've had lawsuits come in there like I just don't have the time.

And then there's also like access like a lawsuit coming in there like, yep, I have to take the shuttle to go to Walmart and that's not always ideal, especially if for whatever reason is not running.

The show is not running.

They're not going to let my one of our goals in our office is that this feels like your pantry.

There's a lot of like, you know, not everyone likes the idea of hearing food pantry in going to the food pantry.

But like think about it like this is your pantry.

You're going into like, you know, your cover, grabbing food, things like that.

Like the way we have it set up is that is just no.

It feels like you're going into your own house, grabbing your own food, everyone that comes in.

They're always a little bit worried about taking too much.

And I'm always here reassuring them like no, please take more.

When the big things that I lead with is that the more this resource is used, the more that we can say it's needed and the more that we can say we are needed the more that we can KET going and KET getting better.

And then also it does help with the stigma of just anyone can come here.

So there's no U.S. news will have to make assumptions about who's coming here because anyone can be here.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, colonels cupboard raised more than $10,000 last month.

>> Staff says the money will go towards purchasing food.

♪ Congratulations to the champions of the Kentucky High School football world.

The list.

And tonight's look at sports News.

The Games are played Friday and Saturday and Class one a say or beat race.

Lynn, 27 to 22 the class.

2 a champion is Beachwood a winner overall woodsboro Catholic 50 to 34 Christian Academy.

Louisville won the 3 a title beating Union County.

42 to 21 in Class 4, a Paducah Tillman beat Franklin County.

27 to 20 Bowling Green beat Cooper.

37 to 24 the Class.

5, a title and the 6 a champion is Trinity.

When are over.

I'll 42 to 23.

Jefferson County Public Schools is keeping up with the e-sports trend, becoming more popular at colleges, universities and high schools around the country.

The district recently cut the ribbon on a new esports arena at Western High School, making it the first school in Kentucky to have one.

>> This is the first esports arena in classroom in JCPS.

And it is the first one of this inside of a school in the state of Kentucky.

This is a vision we had many years ago when we were first talking about our change in our student assignment plan, which was bringing more opportunities to students really around equity across this district.

So that students all across the district would have access 2 real new STEM programs in a magnet setting, meaning that every single student in the school gets the opportunity to really dive deep into this type of work every single day.

I started games when I was around.

>> Of 5 first game was a spot through 60 ever since then.

I've been so into gaming.

I've been into a digital stuff.

All of that.

So this is I'm loving emmott writing it.

It's a very good option for >> It used to be a large meeting space and turned it into a 4300 square feet of high-tech screens, computers and software.

You can see this new space is filled with technology that's going to be used by students every single day during e-sports competition, but also during classes each and every day back when Western wasn't a magnet school.

>> We had a STEM program called digital and then we had we were introducing a new one by gaming.

Didn't design which what?

This is a game that night.

And one of the counts that came up to me and they asked me if I wanted to be a part of this obviously playing game the thought of playing games.

They're in class that struck a nerve in my head.

So obviously said yes.

But being a junior, I've seen this like progress.

I've seen all of this present itself.

I've seen it all good up to what it is now.

And it was amazing for us.

So students that are in.

>> Our computer science program will have classes in this space as well as students in the digital design in gaming development program.

In this space, we will have the opportunity to also have broadcast in components, production components and students will serve as shout casters describing the action.

We have a tremendous camera system.

They will allow us to stream during competitions.

So they go is that we will be hosting statewide tournaments in this space.

We also will be collaborating with universities.

We already have plans in the works with elements, e-sports the program.

We will be hosting the tournament for them in the coming year.

So many, many great opportunities ahead for our students and future students here, I think is very important because kids these days are going up with getting towed technologies, a bad >> And they should be around technology.

But a program like this technology is bringing people together, bringing its cheeky teammates skills squads goes to to personal skills as give you an values.

>> As the technology market is growing and changing those at Western High School hope their new arena will help their students grow along with the industry and prepare them for the future.

♪ We have some sports news, more of it and a look back at 3 different Kentucky governor's including one who kept cows at the governor's mansion.

Our Toby Gibbs explained, send this look back at this week in Kentucky history and the Kentucky's first Governor, Isaac Shelby was born December.

11th 17, 50 in Maryland.

>> After serving as governor from 17 92 to 70 96.

He served as the 5th governor of Kentucky.

>> 18 12 to 18, on November.

9th 18, 60 governor Brian mug often of Kentucky sent letters to other Slate.

State governors urging them not to secede from the union.

Most of them did not heed that advice.

And the civil war began about 4 months later.

>> William J Fields became governor on December.

11th 1923.

He was nicknamed on this bill from Olive Hill, increase the gas tax to fund the highway program.

Any kept dairy cows on the governor's mansion lawn?

Scientists, biologist and Lexington Native Thomas Hunt.

Morgan won the Nobel Prize for Medicine on December 10, 1933.

For his research on how chromosomes effect for editing.

It was the first Kentuckyian to win a Nobel Prize.

On December 15, 1979, the eastern Kentucky university colonels coach by Roy Kidd won the NCAA Division one double a championship beating Lehigh 30 to 7 in Orlando.

20 people broke a world record by cramming themselves into a 1960, more Volkswagen Beetle on December 9th 2010, the group was part of an Asbury University.

Emancipation Project to raise awareness of human trafficking.

>> And those are a few of the big events this week in Kentucky history.

I'm told, begins.

>> Always interesting, Toby Gibbs.

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 edition where we inform connect and inspire.

We hope that you connect with us all the ways you see on your screen, Facebook, X and Instagram to stay in the loop.

You can watch full episodes and clips if you download the PBS app, you can see us there and also feel free to send us a story idea to public affairs at KET Dot Org by email and don't forget to tune in tonight at 8 o'clock.

We'll talk about wills and estate planning a call.

And that is just for you and tell then take good care.

Now see, ♪