♪ >> It was 60 years and, you know, wants to work.

The issue should be free to do so.

>> Part-time could become full-time.

This Kentucky lifts restrictions on teenagers work hours.

It's coming in our school system.

It's messing up our generation's future.

These teens want state lawmakers to make it harder for them to get their hands on vaping and tobacco products.

We often share a campus affected every dollar that we spend.

The the comes out of the pockets of our students or comes out of the pockets of the taxpayers of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

>> So we are serious about the return that those dollars break.

>> And a report card from the University of Louisville president after her first year on the job.

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

♪ ♪ Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Friday, February, the 16th, I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for starting off your weekend with us.

>> Today jurors often work jobs after school on weekends and of course, in the summer right now, state laws limit the number of hours they can work.

But some lawmakers in Frankfort want to lift those state labor protections for 16 17 year-olds backers of House Bill 2.55.

Say doing away with those requirements means teenagers would have a chance to make more money and provide for themselves now and in the future.

But critics say without those protections, their bosses could exploit them.

Kentucky additions June Leffler has more as we begin tonight's legislative updates.

>> It was 60 years and you know, wants to work here.

She should be free to do so to me is no different than student who wants to dedicate a lot of time to jea's board verse to the club.

Volunteer in the community.

We're not asking to do anything that federal standards don't already exist, would bring ourselves in line with them.

>> Federal law says 14 15 year-olds can only work 3 hours on the school day.

But for older kids, there are no federal protections for 16 17 year-old all hours restrictions.

Kentucky had a more stringent law.

>> The federal on that it's you.

>> Kentucky law says 16 17 year-olds can only work 6 hours on the school day or 8 hours on a non-school day.

They can work 30 hours a week during the school year unless their grades in parents permit.

For more and they can work as late as 10:30PM, on a school night or 01:00AM on a non-school night.

>> So as you can tell, these are very generous already protections and they are 2 leading wiping those out repealing those completely.

And a repercussion.

That is a employer could work a minor 4 hours a day, 7 days a week if they choose to even during school hours.

Unfortunately, there are employers that do.

>> Exploiting workers, especially those workers.

>> That don't have So does my school or so we've talked to teachers, counselors, principals.

You know, we know >> for a fact that kids and >> we're on our snow, grains suffer.

We were we fear that.

>> They're going to be a number of kids are going to be encouraged to work.

There are shifts or work an excess of what's already.

>> I think you're going to see higher school dropouts.

>> The bill did advance with Republican support.

>> The generation that we're dealing with that are later and later into the workforce and are underdeveloped.

And so anything that we can do as a society that promotes this cold rolled began taking on responsibility is something I think we definitely need to consider.

>> And representative Josh Callaway says this bill could also help teens who might already be supporting the family for Kentucky edition of John Leffler.

Thank you.

June at the bill passed 14 to 3 with one pass a vote that happened in the House Economic Development and Workforce Investment Committee.

>> Yesterday, Democrats oppose the measure.

It's now waiting for action by the full House.

Young antismoking advocates are asking to KET them away from tobacco and nicotine products.

>> That was the message they delivered by more than 100 kids from around the state to lawmakers on Frankfort on Thursday.

They say there is a youth nicotine crisis in the state.

And statistics support it.

The high school tobacco use rate in the state is at 22%.

According to the American Lung Association, one in 4 high school seniors and one in 5 sophomores reported using vape products in the past year of those who used one in 4 said they bought the products at a convenience store.

Supermarket gas station or vape shop.

Reasons.

Youth advocates are calling for stronger enforcement of the state's tobacco.

21 law that prevents them from buying nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and bays.

We're here today just really to bring awareness of that that he 21 law, which just back to 21.

>> And so that the law that's prohibiting the nicotine or tobacco to people who are under the age of 21, whether want are being affected by this.

It's coming in our school system.

It's messing up our generation's future.

>> Kentucky is one of about 10 states that does not have a comprehensive program to enforce tobacco.

21 laws.

>> I come from a really small community.

So education and tobacco is not always apparent.

And so sometimes people have misconceptions like I've heard that is just like flavor air.

And of course, it's not that has it's so much deeper than that has like nicotine chemicals, formaldehyde, things of the sort that was an instance in our school where actually had to go to the hospital from using vape so much.

It is known that he had a collapsed lung, had to go to the hospital for that.

So we've had that instance.

He also had a situation in which kids overdosed.

They, you know, have a second place have been sold by people.

You shouldn't be selling them.

>> Raise your hand if you have friends who are under 21 fate.

Everybody look around.

That's major.

>> And others, house bills that have been filed to really tighten Dale and to clamp down on this to go after Retail federation's that are selling some of these 2 very young adults that don't need to have this in their position.

Schools are doing their best to monitor the tackle the issue.

But sometimes it takes state law to really enforce that type of legislation.

>> You and your friends are being targeted.

By big tobacco company.

So you will become lifelong customers.

>> What is it because of all these premature does?

It's the youth in our society was misinformed.

About the 2 of them put patients up to about the bottoms, specially products like waves of e-cigarette.

This highlights the crucial need put in the country and it continues prevention program in Kentucky but enforcing strict measures educating OU and holding those who perpetrate this KET that he was accountable.

We sow the seeds are a better side and smoke-free future for that upcoming generation.

>> Advocates also want to see a statewide tobacco retail licensing law.

They say requiring stores that sell tobacco and nicotine products to get and KET a license will provide better oversight.

And ensure age restrictions on sales are being enforced.

Eastern Kentucky University could soon turn out more doctors under a bill that cleared the House floor yesterday.

House Bill 407, would allow Ek you to offer doctorate degrees and osteopathic medicine.

Speaking on the House floor, Speaker Pro Tem David Mead explained why he chose to sponsor the bill.

>> Those physicians coming out of those programs will be required to serve in rural hospitals during the residences, giving more positions to rule Kentucky.

Also those graduating from the greens in 2022.

Had student loans averaging averaging just over $200,000 with unexpected pay off more than 20 years.

Ek you believe that they can do this much more efficiently and cut that cost way down for those folks who are coming out of those programs.

Those are the 2 reasons that I truly believe in this.

This bill helping Real Kentuckyian getting positions out there in a much more efficient manner.

>> House Bill 407, was approved by a vote of 91 to 0 and is now headed to the Senate for consideration.

There.

Some lawmakers hope to have more control over what statues are and are not allowed inside the state Capitol rotunda.

Currently, those decisions are left to the historic Properties Advisory Commission House Bill 5.13, sponsored by state Representative David Hale, which shift that authority to the Kentucky General Assembly Hill says his bill is not in response to the commission's decision to remove a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis from the Rotunda and 2020.

>> This this bill, sir, is is not pertaining to that.

This I am more concerned with what we have there presently that statue has been removed.

That is behind us.

My my the goal of this bill was too deal with the the statues artwork and the beautiful artwork in the statues that that are there currently.

And I personally believe that.

As elected officials, we should have the authority in the final say.

So to make that decision.

>> House Democratic floor leader Derrick Graham, a retired high school social studies.

Teacher says he thinks the right people already making the right decisions.

>> I would hope that we would put these kind of things in the hands of those individuals who serve on the committee who are appointed by the governor who are well known and well regarded in regards to the history of the Commonwealth.

>> House Bill, 5.13, would also hold members of the historic Properties Advisory Commission financially responsible for removing or re installing artwork in the rotunda.

If they acted without the General Assembly's approval.

The bill passed the committee yesterday on a 15 to 4 vote and is now headed to the full House for consideration.

There.

Alice Above Prize or staff is being a watchdog for Kentucky taxpayer dollars for a years.

She served as state treasurer.

Now the newly minted state auditor has an ambitious agenda ahead.

I talked to her about the recent juvenile justice system audit that found persistent problems in the state's facilities and how she stands ready to make good on a campaign promise to audit the Jefferson County Public School system.

>> So it's been almost 10 years a thorough audit was done.

That was done under Adam Elan.

And it's high time to do it again and just appropriate to do those things periodically.

And there are some issues that we want to look at specifically the busing issues that happened last school year is that there's a lot of issues in that school in 10 pouring it down to different aspects.

And we are it's pretty broad.

It's actually asked for consider a lot of money so that we I can go where we need to go with this.

But there are some things that we know.

We want to look at south the busing graduation, isn't it?

As we all know about also, our is the money being used in the classroom, the way that it should or is it going to administration?

How are students doing and then a safety issue in the schools, our students safe for people that work in the schools safe.

So those are going to be the highlight.

So what I want to look at you know, costs a lot of money to do that.

so I ask the General Assembly, please a lot.

1.5 million dollars.

I think that is enough to be able to see whatever we need to see.

Right.

And this is the largest school district in the country.

So it's not right around the country in the state.

So I think that there's a reason to do that.

Not just because of Louisville, it's a big area, but it's important for the rest of the state to see that too.

You know, you can learn from that and follow along as any to.

>> Is that going to be an independent 3rd party group that does that come out?

And I think it will be just because we need a certain level of expertise when it comes to school districts.

Right?

So I think you just once every 10 years or so, you want to make sure you do it right and well, you know, I'm proud of my staff and the work that we that we've done already and we're going to do and the capabilities.

But I think this one does require some outside expertise.

Yeah.

>> You can learn more about state auditor, Allison balls, agenda when it comes to JCPS and other things.

When you tune in Sunday morning at 11, 30 Eastern 10:30AM, central on my conversation series connections right here on KET.

Sure.

Hope you'll tune in.

♪ Time now for an end.

A reprieve.

You have some major political happenings, particularly what's happening in Frankfort.

We've got 2 of our faves with us, of course, former Kentucky secretaries of state Bob Babbitt and Trey Grayson.

And they have their own things.

Thank you guys.

People know who you are.

We can dispense with the formalities.

We're coming up.

We have passed the midpoint that happened this week.

When we go back on Tuesday after a three-day holiday for the lawmakers, they'll be day.

34 so assessed for a stray.

First.

How you think the sessions going so far and then if it will accelerate after Monday, Tuesday, 7 telling people yet we're chronologically halfway through that were not substantively halfway through.

You know, a lot of that first month the spent behind the scenes working on bills and in the background.

>> And we have one bill, I think, section and sent to the governor and signed.

So there's a whole lot of activity is going happen in March to kind of catch back up.

I would say looking at the social the whole, it hasn't been a particular surprise to me.

You know, when we when there's previous sessions, when you would have conversations here with folks on Kentucky tonight in the chamber had chamber day.

The things that were identified as the high-profile priorities.

Thats whats been going through.

So it's been a to me, not a boring session, the Senate, but just a predictable >> How do you size it up?

>> Trip.

It's a much more eloquently.

Haha.

>> Because he was your He's right.

>> But we are halfway through the days and there's a heck of a lot of work that still needs to be done.

Legislator and press agrees.

And so to win.

March is going to be a very busy month.

It's a to your budget and figure all that out with many suggestions from many quarters and some resources to spend.

That hasn't been the case before.

Never went through 2 or 3 years.

We did a one-year budget and to get to this point with the surplus being perhaps even more than needed.

The questions ahead and many, many.

Morris well meaningful suggestions from all quarters, including of the one this week, 4 child care or child.

300 million dollars fibers as a nation point about the increased surplus and some of the decisions that will have to made the House and its budget did not have local projects, which is often what >> gets funded when there's, you know, whenever there's a surplus of had some water and sewer money, but that's more of a grant poll.

The governor's budget had a lot of those on there which yeah, he used his political benefit to the question becomes at the end.

Do they spend a little money to they put pensions today?

Bring the rainy day that fun down lower because they think it will be replenished when this fiscal years, Don, do things like the child Care Assistance of Chucky development.

What do some of these economic development projects of that?

The budget probably structure they want to look, they want to structure to lower taxes.

But once you make that decision, you don't have as much left is how they're going to do that.

That's the biggest thing campaigning question from a budget standpoint that we're going to look for.

And of course, the House, they had a separate bill for the for the one timer estimates right to do a lot with the broadband infrastructure and think, yeah, there's a technical reason for that because what they wanted to do was draw down the surplus money outside of the context of the budget because those triggers, if you remember when they passed that >> are based upon the budget itself and supply kind of pulling those projects out of the rainy day fund.

It doesn't impact the ability to lower.

>> To meet a trigger which would then allow another half-percent Kong off the individual contacts, right?

Yeah.

>> So there were some big bills that passed.

Yeah.

There was a lot of conversation about the dei bill in the Senate.

This version Senate Bill 6, Mike Wilson, the whip, his version of the bill.

And and we think and he thinks of others think that this is the bill that if it's going to be a bill is going to be passed on Dei.

This is the one.

>> It doesn't go as far as what we saw in other states like Florida, for example, at war compared to House Bill 9 that Representative Decker is This is the first House Bill 9 is still out there.

But I think there's going to be a big to try to if one is going to pass because there certainly folks who are opposed to this particular one.

But I want to take it live with this one, but will be better to live in a world in which civil 6 pass and house.

I think universities to tell you that off the record, but maybe not on camera.

>> Bob, at why is this?

And I think you asked this question 2, why is this such a big issue this session?

>> It's become an issue around the country.

It's grown in popularity, particularly with conservatives.

It's kind of it goes against for were 5 or 10 years ago.

Many folks are saying do something about diversity until the corporate America to be more sensitive and more.

More aggressive.

2, help me to problem.

It's tougher.

Now and the mood has changed.

The priority has changed.

And the discussion very strong.

Very emotional, very significant for state in many ways in terms of our reputation as well as the message home.

That sense, too certain parts of the state where their support and other parts where there's not.

>> I remember during the SB One 50, which was the sweeping anti trans measure at HB 4, 7, day.

There were, you know, letters from companies saying, you know, this is not wise and letters from others and who have positions and are no, no, we're they say this is not a wise move in terms of economic development.

Are we hearing that some type of argument from private company saying you shouldn't go this far?

>> I don't know during its certainly Republicans we I think we saw last now, again, we're still, you know, while we're halfway through, we're still, you know, we've got a couple more weeks for the heavy puts part of the west.

So it could be as this gets shipped up.

We'll see.

The universities are in a tough spot because it's a budget year.

And so they they have their eyes focus on budget.

That's going to set them set their financial bottom line for a couple years.

And several universities are asking for other things.

Western Kentucky wants to be able to offer phd's the there's a bill that would allow that would allow any of the comprehensive study that Murray wants a vet school Ek.

You want some pass to Patrick Medical school and he's got a new president, as you know, getting around, trying to meet people and get their budget under control.

So there's a lot of moving pieces.

And I this week we saw president couple of to speak out on Senate Bill 6.

He's really the first president to do You know, he's in a position of the musician is the flagship school.

He's the dean has been there the That's what I meant by the Dean.

and so he has probably less to lose because its UK.

so we'll see if he's weighing in might signal to businesses.

Yeah, you know, we need your support as well.

Or do they continue to say just sort of KET it?

>> Yeah.

And just watch from the sidelines right now.

And does it pay to its own saying businesses often the head of government as a society cover missed catching up.

All right, when same sex benefits were being debated.

There were already major companies in our state and smaller was to giving same sex benefits.

Why to retain to draw people to Kentucky, to bill their workforce.

That's what this comes down to in the minds of some.

It's all in how you see it.

And if you're looking at is about accommodating and growing workforce and say you have a different view that if its it's strictly a a message type >> Well, I wish we had more time, but we always run out way too quickly.

Thank you both.

Good to see a dressed up to get 3 days this Wisely.

Take care.

♪ >> Workers at the Ford Truck Plant and Louisville could go on strike a week from today.

The plan has almost 9,000 United Auto Workers, Ford and UAW local 8.62.

Haven't been able to agree on a contract.

>> The main disagreements involved health and safety at the plant, including the number of nurses on staff, the UAW, local vice president is asking the national organization for permission just to set a strike deadline for 12:00:01AM, next Friday, February 23rd.

>> Doctor Cam shot so just completed her first year as president of the University of Louisville.

Our Kelsey Starks sat down with her to talk about her first year and her future goals at U of L. So Governor Beshear recently made a pitch for more state funding, as as you mentioned, based on at 5% enrollment growth across the state.

Where does U of L stand with enrollment numbers right now?

>> And how do you KET that cost of higher education down?

That's a great I mean, accessibility affordability is is is that core of what we do?

>> In terms of enrollment are moments in very, very strong.

>> I'm working on retention rates working on accessibility.

We are the U.S. 30% of our students are transfer students.

We are the single largest destination for transfers within the commonwealth itself.

So one out of 4 students when they transfer transferred e U of L. So those different pathways.

And and that's what we're trying to do is to be able to provide different pathways to higher education.

Kentucky does not have one of the highest education attainment rates in the nation.

That's something that's a priority for us to be able to provide that accessibility and affordability to do And we work every single day to make that happen.

I often we often share a campus affected every dollar that we spend.

The the comes out of the pockets of our students or comes out of the pockets of the taxpayers of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

So we are serious about the return that those dollars freight.

Lot of people may not, you know, also that you are a first in your family to graduate college.

That's How does that >> make a difference in how you affordability and I saw first generation college in almost 40% of students at U of L a first generation college students.

>> So they're they're they are I you know, it.

>> That means so much to them and so much to their families to be that person that that makes that transition and seize that opportunity.

One of my favorite days is commencement because you just see the joy on the faces of the graduates as well as their families.

And it's a reminder that getting a college degree, I mean, so much to people continues to mean so much to people.

And you can watch the families see the fact that their child or their spouse or their sister or their brother, their grandchild is realizing one of their first adult goals and how a joy it brings to them.

being first generation, knowing what it means, not just to the graduate, all the people that love them it really inspires.

This is a great conversation.

You want to hear more from doctor and the president of Jefferson Community and Technical College.

Doctor.

Time handy.

>> As they are both featured this President's day weekend on inside Louisville.

That's this Sunday at 12 noon 11:00AM Central right here on K T. ♪ >> Made some pizza.

Listen to a little jags a little bird watching.

Our Toby Gibbs tells us where and this week's look at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> Abbott, Avian fans will want to head to the Creasy Mahan Nature Preserve tomorrow.

Put the 16th annual Great Backyard.

Bird count birdwatchers of all skill levels are invited to join birding expert on a walk to identify and count the birds for the Cornell Lab of ornithology.

If this event of a Syrian trust be sure to dress warmly and bring binoculars tomorrow.

A spice up your life day.

And one way to celebrate is by getting outside on the mid-winter height.

Well, John James Audubon State Park is inviting you to do just that.

Join one of their naturalists on a guided one mile hike to their beautiful nature, preserve this event is a great way to get out of the house and into the pressure February air for an adventure.

>> And a jazz at Lincoln Center has a new touring projects coming to Danville next week.

You don't want to miss saying and swing at the Norton Center for the Arts on Tuesday trumpet talents, Bree U.S. Con Berg and then a 3rd will be living in the imagining jazz numbers from icons like Ella Fitzgerald Cole, Porter Gershwin and Moriah Murray and many are sure to have you singing and swinging by the end of the night.

>> Likes a good having a week-long pizza party starting on Monday over a dozen local pizza spots had to create a uniquely delicious off and you paid says be opposed to each location will have a mate and vegetarian options.

And many will have blue free cross available as well.

Download the app to KET track of your favorite pies for a chance to win some pizza prizes.

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

I do begin years.

>> And cute.

Obey state lawmakers could soon consider proposals to help Kentucky's struggling childcare system from access and affordability.

Concerns to finding qualified workers.

KET is presenting a special report about the early years of a child's development and how parents can help their kids have a strong start.

>> In your ability to enhance to continue to enhance the function of that rain starts from the very moment that they're born.

You're impacting your child's development by talking with them by playing with them by reading them books.

>> The business model of childcare just doesn't work.

And that's sort of an understatement.

>> A lot of great information in this program.

We hope you'll join us for Smart start.

A K E T special report Monday night following Kentucky tonight at 9 Eastern 8 central.

A lot of good stuff happening on Monday.

We hope you have a great weekend and you come back here Monday at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky edition where we inform connect and inspire subscribe to our email newsletters and watch full episodes and clips of KET and T Dot Org can also find us on the PBS video app on your mobile device and smart TV.

Send us a story idea to the address on your screen and follow KET on Facebook X.

>> And Instagram to stay in the loop.

Thanks so much for being with us this week.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Have a great weekend.

Take good care.

♪