♪ >> Does a long time Kentucky Congressman have his eye on another job.

>> I have not had anyone tell me that they think we should KET taxing diapers.

Everyone says in the diaper tax.

>> What families could say without a sales tax on diapers.

>> We are very concerned about the tariffs and what that means for our companies locally.

How local business leaders are responding to proposals from the White House.

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

♪ ♪ Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky edition on this snowy Tuesday.

That's February.

The 11th.

>> I'm Renee Shaw and we thank you for joining us this evening.

Kentucky drivers braced for a snowy morning commute today.

This was the same today in Lexington.

The snow has now turned to rain in many parts of Kentuckyian that rain is now the main concern, several southern and eastern Kentucky counties are under a flood warning.

And Governor Andy Beshear says Kentucky has made to be looking out for flooding that next few days.

Foster kids sleeping on cots in state office buildings some for days, weeks or even months on end because they had nowhere else to go.

It's an ongoing problem that media outlets brought to focus back in 2023, but a preliminary investigation by the state auditor's office found more than news reports had revealed the auditor and state health cabinet officials were among those who testified about the dilemma of housing, some foster children, especially those with troubled, perhaps even violent histories as our June Leffler reports.

Lawmakers say something has to be Don, it there is no easy fix.

More in tonight's Legislative update.

>> It's known that kids have been housed in state offices.

News outlets reported that back in 2023 but state Auditor Allison Ball released new findings on the situation last month.

>> We just need to know our children still sleeping office buildings.

>> Turns out that's the case.

The ombudsman found that from June to October of last year, 49 children wound up in a state office building.

Their average stay was 4 days.

The one child stayed.

35 days.

The average age was 13, though the youngest was one year old.

>> So I was expecting the prelimary up.

>> A report to reveal these are older children.

>> Has often described as high acuity 16, 17 year-old males who perhaps have some violent issues and they've got to put some them them temporarily, perhaps overnight, some place where you can figure out what to do with them.

More long term.

The preliminary assessment came out about 2 weeks ago and it does reveal a different story than the impression that I had.

>> Ball reiterated these findings before lawmakers in Frankfort, the state agency responsible for foster kids was there too.

>> We welcome the auditor's investigation.

We will be happy to work with the audit on this.

And and we even had our inspector general go out and look at all the offices to make sure.

They were reasonable for accommodating children.

>> The chair of the Senate Committee on Families and Children asks his colleagues to move beyond the optics.

>> I'm not as concerned about him being in a office.

I'm concerned about what happens in that office.

>> The Cabinet for Health and Family Services testified that these office buildings are well staffed and secure and the state is always temporary.

But Senator Danny Carroll asks why some kids aren't placed in a home or facility sooner.

>> We've got to understand the history and it is going to have to be detailed on on why these kids were turned down in understand where the shortage is.

It gets into a lot of different populations.

Subset of kids.

>> Service providers who has some of Kentucky's most traumatized girls say even they have to turn away kids sometimes.

>> There was a mention before of of kids who have a history of Austin, for example, we don't have the ability support skits.

We have a pet friendly environment site kids who have a history of abuse with animals.

We can support that keeps.

Kids who are incredibly violent there.

All the providers who a specialist in supporting nice kids, but kids who have I significant range of diagnoses and behavioral problems.

We make every possible attempt.

Just support.

We really have to focus.

>> On where we are right now, the safety and security.

So when we don't take a child, it's often looking at.

It's often very much related to.

Ensuring the safety of our staff, the other, the child and themselves and other children that we are serving at that time.

Carol says a quick fix is pursuing shelter licenses for these office buildings.

>> The secretary of the state health cabinet says brand-new state facilities might be in order for Kentucky June Leffler.

Thank you.

June this session, Senator Danny Carroll, who chairs the families and Children Committee in the Senate.

>> Is proposing systemic changes for foster care placement to ensure that children are placed in settings that match their needs.

Kentucky sales tax covers diapers, but state Senator Kasey Chambers.

Armstrong wants to change that.

She has again introduced a bill to drop the sales tax on diapers.

It's that our 3rd time she's tried to get this legislation passed.

>> Senator Armstrong talked about it last night on Kentucky tonight.

>> Divers can cost over $1000 a year for one child.

I had 2 kids in diapers for a number of years.

I know families that have had 3 or 4.

That's 3 or $4,000 that you can't cover with snap.

You can't cover with Medicaid or WIC.

There is no financial program that says we will help you pay for diapers.

And on top of that, that's the reason, by the way, that one out of 2 families nationally struggle to afford diapers.

On top of that, the state of Kentucky will collect a couple $100 on that family of 3 or 4 with kids in diapers.

And we know from other states that have done it.

Whenever you cut the sales tax on diapers, you don't lose money from your state budget.

You don't lose revenues because you know what that family does.

They turn around and they buy other things that their family needs and the economy.

>> But how do you feel about it to Senator Obama?

I don't even know how I tap that answer.

She said all the pertinent points as to why I was supportive.

I mean, but then why hasn't it at least passed the Senate yet?

If there's so much cheering?

Well, I I think that's it.

I think the safe argument to people say it has it has a revenue measure attached to it.

So it needs to start in the House.

I think that we could justify why should start in the Senate as well.

But I'm supportive.

And I think that, you know, sometimes it takes a bill one year 2 years or maybe 3 years to get through.

>> You can see more of last night's conversation about other family and health issues facing Kentuckians.

That program is online on demand at KET DOT Org.

Slash K why tonight?

Now imagine shorter lines for Kentuckians getting driver's license, renewals and more convenient, especially for the elderly state.

Representative Kevin Jackson says his House Bill House bill 161 would do those things by letting third-party agencies issued those renewals.

As Alan McKenzie Spencer reports, the measure is now ready for a house vote after advancing from committee this afternoon.

In 2022, the state went from having 120 locations to renew your driver's license to 34.

>> Switching to regional offices solely dedicated to licensing services was meant to take pressure off of local circuit court clerks.

Representative Kevin Jackson says fewer locations is causing his constituents.

Big problems.

>> Folks are having to drive and I hour over an hour to get to a regional center, they were having to wait in line for extended periods of time.

That's never good, especially for our elderly folks.

You know, we ask our people to get online and make appointments at these 34 regional centers through a computer.

Well, we have people in Kentucky that don't have Internet access.

We have people in Kentucky that don't have computers and that's where you end up with people.

3, 4, 5, 6, hours standing in line to try to get their license renewed.

So it's just not fair to to our constituents.

>> House Bill, 161 passes.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet could approve entities like AAA or other government agencies to renew driver's licenses.

Representative Jackson says 28 other states have taken up similar programs to great success.

>> In other states already using this tool benefits include savings in labor and overhead, extending service hours.

Some of these places are open on Saturday.

Some of them on federal holidays.

Short wait times decreased parking congestion.

ADA compliant.

Access 2025.

Marks the start of required vision screenings as a part of the license renewal process.

>> Cheering committee, freshman legislator, Representative and Gueydan Worth asked how these third-party agencies would handle the vision test.

Representative Jackson says agencies may be able to lease or buy the equipment from the transportation cabinet.

>> They would have to have the refraction machine in these locations just like they would at the 34 driver's license centers.

From my understanding you look into that refraction machine, it prints out.

You know, you don't have to be a doctor in order to be able to do that.

If it's not appropriate are up to standard, you just wouldn't be able to get your license that day.

Just like you wouldn't be able to at the one of those 34 regional centers.

>> It's House Bill 161.

Passes both chambers in a signed by the governor.

It would most likely not go into effect before the May 7th Real ID deadline.

But Representative Jackson says when those real ID's need to be renewed in 8 years, the proposed third-party agencies could handle it with ease.

For Kentucky edition.

I'm McKenzie spank.

Thank you.

McKenzie House Bill 15 also passed out of the Transportation Committee favorably today.

>> This bill would lower the age.

Kentuckians can get their permit to age 15.

It now heads to the House floor for consideration there.

In commemoration of Black History Month.

The Kentucky Court of Justice held its annual celebration to mark the occasion along with a presentation on black innovation in the workplace state Supreme Court Pamela Goodwine was given the William McNulty junior award for her service to the Commonwealth.

And they also heard from Justice Michael, not his daughter.

>> My dad used to Joe Fort Bragg about the number of speaking engagements he'd have during Black History Month as he's known.

He was the first black Supreme Court justice in Kentucky.

And for 17 years, he was the only one.

However, my family and I are confident that he would have recognized justice, declined tears of tremendous work and dedicated service and supported her ascension to the high court as a second black justice and first black woman to serve the commonwealth.

And this important to pass A T. >> This is an honor just as Mcanulty and I worked together in 1986.

I was his court reporter when he was assigned to a case in Fayette County.

I was honored to work with him then and I shared my dream with him.

One day serving on the Kentucky Supreme Court.

This is a 45 year dream in the making.

And I am honored.

Not only to have accomplished that goal, but one of many firsts.

>> The administrative office of the courts officially began celebrating Black History Month back in 2020.

Military kids from across the state get a unique opportunity to learn about the legislative process up close later this month, state lawmakers will recognize military families and children and take part in some fun activities that honor their service.

I spoke with the chairman of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee often referred to as the map to learn about this year's day.

Long of that.

>> Being a former military to myself, this is a near and dear to my heart.

So this is a great way to start off your with KET, but also to promote our military kids and their families and all the things that they go through and how silly they truly are.

>> And you know about how resilient these kids are and what it's like to be a military jet because you to our military's I am I my father was a military policeman for 22 years and we grew up traveling from base to base as a young man.

And when he retired, we came here to Kentucky close to Fort Knox, Elizabeth Town.

Fort Knox is now in my district.

I represent all of Hardin County and so generous.

And so it's >> I see a lot of retirees and veterans and their children for that matter that have traveled the world and we share experiences.

So it's very, very it's very fulfilling for me.

>> Yeah.

Talk about the kids that will be here on on the military kids Day.

Yeah.

Thinking about the activities that build the and experience of just being here at this place, which is the temple of our democracy.

That's right.

And I really >> I wish more would take advantage of this opportunity.

And I know we have a great deal of people have signed up to come.

And we have a great agenda I mean, they get to learn about the legislative process.

They get to take tours.

They get to go to a flight simulator.

So they think they get to visit some military equipment that will be brought in.

But most importantly, I think for for them and their families is too see the legislative process in action and what we do that impacts their lives.

And it's very, important for their participation.

And I'm blessed to have Fort Knox and we have other representatives to have for Campbell.

But we have military families across the state.

>> So how did they even get to know about this effort and sign-up to come what our staff does, a wonderful job of getting the word out each year and this year, the House is hosting the House.

The map is the host this year and we swabbed every other year and our staff does a wonderful job of getting those things out to our constituents and advertising in our local papers.

And so >> if anyone is interested in participating, it's Tuesday, February 25th and they can reach out to Don holiday.

Our Senate clerk to get more information about this.

So it's just a wonderful I would be remiss if I did not think Senator Jimmy Higdon right?

No, this was his.

He's the one that he's got.

The grandfather of the >> It was brought to him by a constituent of his and.

Most of the great ideas in Frankfort.

Come from our constituents, not from the legislate or necessarily.

It's from the people that we represent.

And this this was one of them.

So we're so blessed to cure this on since I guess 2017, when Senator Higdon brought it forward.

And it's not just for the kids because they bring their families that.

I'm so it's it's a whole kind of family of celebrating their them, their work, their sacrifice, Rick, that, you know that it's not just a bit.

>> For the kids, so to speak.

You know, there's some times our military children are separated from their parents because of deployments.

And they do struggle a lot with moving from base to base.

But I where I see some challenges.

Also see some great opportunities for those kids.

>> And they could be interested in being a lawmaker like yourselves and never think when you're just a military draft that you've the center of not.

But I can tell you that experience as a military >> traveling around the world really plays well into being a legislator from being a leader of any way, if any capacity, whether it's your civic organizations and your tell or your school organizations.

These are the people that are normally outgoing because they have to be and they have to be resilient and they they they tackle challenges quickly.

They overcome barriers and the very special and they grow up to not only sometimes follow their parents and service, but also become leaders in their communities.

>> The deadline to register for military kids day at the Capitol is next.

Monday.

Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr is reportedly eyeing a run for Senator Mitch McConnell seat.

CBS News says bars plans were discussed during the Republican campaign retreat in Palm Beach, Florida over the weekend.

A spokesperson for bar would only say he's focused on serving Kentucky's 6th congressional district, but added, quote, Should an opportunity arise to further serve this community, state and country.

He stands ready to do so in, quote, McConnell who turns 83 this month has suffered a number of health scares, including 2 recent falls at the U.S. Capitol.

He stepped down as the Republican leader of the Senate last year, but has yet to say if he'll Ron for an 8th term in 2026, Barr served in Congress since 2013 as was re-elected by a 28 point margin last November.

He currently serves on the financial services and Foreign Affairs Committee.

♪ ♪ Could the Trump administration budget cuts affect Kentucky's Daniel Boone, National Forest?

>> And the Louisville Orchestra could be performing near you.

And the price is right.

Our Joe Gibbs explains and this look at headlines around Kentucky.

♪ >> It's a key children, ages 4 and younger are dying at an alarming rate from guns and drugs.

According to a new report from the child fatality and near Fatality, External review panel, the Kentucky Landon reports the panel released its 2024 report last week.

Most of the drug deaths involve the accidental adjusting of opiates.

The panel also are just Kentucky to do more to encourage safe gun storage to KET guns out of children's hands.

There's concern the Trump administration's efforts to cut the federal workforce could affect the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Forest as 155 federal Workers Times Tribune quotes the National Federation of Federal Employees which says cuts in forest personnel could affect trail maintenance visitor services and conservation efforts.

The Louisville Orchestra is hitting the road W E K you reports the orchestra's and Harmony Tour.

We'll include eastern Kentucky stops in April Central Kentucky stops in July and south eastern Kentucky stops in September and it's all free.

Thanks to money from the Kentucky General Assembly.

Friday is Valentine's Day and dozens of couples will tie the knot at the River Discovery Center in Paducah, the Paducah Sun reports that museum is hosting 2 hours of speed.

Weddings from one to 03:00PM for a $200 donation.

Couples could get hitched in the museum's founders.

Rome with a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers.

With headlines around Kentucky.

I tell begins.

♪ ♪ >> Today Greater Louisville and the Louisville Chamber of Commerce announced prospered 2030, a 5 year strategic plan to create new jobs and attract new people to the region.

It comes at a time when many local businesses are confused and even nervous over recent executive orders.

Our Kelsey Starks sat down with the president and CEO of Gli to find out more in tonight's business beat.

Is there a debate or wisdom is that President and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc. And let's start with those executive orders.

So what are what is the advice you're giving to businesses right now?

>> Well, the executive orders are leading to a lot of uncertainty and that creates a lot of concern for business.

So we're trying to provide specific guidance where we can find it.

>> Weve got resources from the U.S. chamber resources from legal partners that we have here locally to just guide businesses in each of the different areas where the executive orders are coming, whether that's an immigration.

Funding, you know, a lot of federal funding got froze for a period of time.

Spending is still to a degree uncertain.

So were getting experts in the field to try to help businesses.

And we're asking businesses to contact us if they're experiencing any impacts from the different quarters.

And we're hearing from a lot of those businesses.

Yeah.

What are you hearing from businesses right now?

Primarily we're hearing concerns about what the immigration orders mean and what they can do to prepare because there are a lot of uncertainties about the role of business and preparing for that.

And then we're also hearing quite a bit about the tariffs and the concern about that right now, some of the pair, the tariffs or pause.

But the Chinese tariffs are still in effect, the Mexico and Canada tariffs may go into effect in just under 30 days.

And that's a that's a big problem for many of our businesses.

Because those are major trading relationships and some of the companies are obviously concerned about what that means for them and their bottom line and how they can can change that.

And it finding new suppliers, something you can easily say at the time that it takes to find a new supplier and establish that relationship time they could be spent doing something else like innovating.

And are you able to help kind of manage those relationships or try to make those connections >> well, unfortunately, >> the federal decisions are being made and that doesn't necessarily take into right into account what we think.

But we are very concerned about the tariffs and what that means for our companies locally.

But hearing from the company's enables us to put a face on some of the the different things that are happening.

And when the tariffs went into effect several years ago, we actually took a few business leaders to DC and communicated the impact and we want to use the voice that we have in order to make a difference or we can.

>> Well, speaking of listening to businesses, this strategic five-year plan that you all are announcing Prosper 2030, is comes from that right?

He reached out to a lot of businesses.

And what did you hear and what is the plan and how is it different from anything in the past?

Well, we spent a year now with funding to businesses and taking their feedback about what they wanted to see change for the long-term vision for our community.

>> And also short-term gains because it's important to note that this 5 year plan really sets us up for success in the next 25 years.

So if we want to be a stronger community by 2050, we really have to start that work.

Now we have we do 5 year plan every 5 years.

And are this sunsets hour now.

Louisville plan and what we heard from our investors is they wanted to see us to continue to work around regional economic development and growing the 15 county area as well as continued work and talent attraction.

So we built out new tools to do that.

Talent attraction and and put in several different initiatives that will relate to that.

Are investors also really wanted us to focus on public safety.

And enhancing downtown development.

And what we can do in those areas.

So we have built out several initiatives around each of those things.

So what are some of those initiatives that we're going to be seeing and how are you working with state government to try to get that regional impact?

>> Some of the new initiatives revolved talent attraction revolve around town, attraction and Boomerangs.

>> We really want to go after former Louisville Younes and see if we can get them to move back to the area.

Remind them of what a great place it is to live here and then also connect them with different job opportunities.

So we are launching a new website that focuses on I opportunities to connect them with jobs.

We are also marketing to them directly and very targeted ways.

And then from a state standpoint, some of the priorities include competitive tax reform and what we can do to enhance that and make it easier to do business.

We are also working with the state on funding for talent, attraction, initiatives like that in mind, campaign.

We do a lot of campaigns locally for our companies to help them attract in-demand talent by pairing the employer marketing with the live in Lee marketing.

So that we remind people of what a great place it is to live here.

We can target certain geographies.

We have a lot of tools available.

We'll be looking forward to see how it all pans out.

Thank you for being here.

We appreciate it.

>> Back to you.

Thank you, Kelsey.

And as you heard the new strategic plan also focuses on downtown development at a partnership with LMPD to improve public safety.

>> You can see the entire Prosper Twenty-thirty Plan on G L I's website.

♪ >> In medicine meets music tomorrow on Kentucky Edition.

>> I've always known I wanted to blend media in science because the arts and science are 2 very strong passions of mine.

>> Something really you'll meet a University of Kentucky student winning national praise for video that makes science entertaining.

Hear from him and see what he's teaching that and so much more coming your way.

Tomorrow night on Kentucky edition 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, formerly Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop and send us a story idea to public affairs at KET Dot Org by email and look for us on the PBS app that you can download on your smart device and phone.

Thanks again for joining us.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Take really good care.

Be careful and I'll see you tomorrow night.

♪