♪ >> The Commonwealth of Kentucky is serious about protecting our children across the pond.

The new plan to get more security into Kentucky schools.

I'm hoping that with LMPD that we would be that model agency for the nation.

>> Louisville's police chief looks ahead after her first year on the job.

>> I love that.

We have people are building here.

Give us the opportunity to see something that maybe we have never thought about being, you know.

>> Why young professionals and western Kentucky are going back to middle school.

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

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION for this Friday, February 23rd.

I'm Casey Parker Bell filling in for Renee Shaw.

>> It's been almost 2 years since the law took effect requiring student resource officers at every Kentucky school.

But many districts across the state are struggling to hire these officers commonly called a sorrows.

The new bill in the Kentucky General Assembly may provide a creative solution to the problem are Clayton Dalton takes a look at Senate Bill 2 as we begin tonight's Legislative update.

Currently, we have 600 campuses in the Commonwealth of Kentucky that do not have.

>> SRO protection.

That's for a lack workforce participation.

It could be a lack of funding for school districts.

And we wanted to give many school district this simply right now can't get an SRO to have someone in their community that would fall under this guidance under these parameters to be a Kentucky guardian within the school district.

>> Senate Bill 2 establishes the Kentucky Guardian Program which would allow local school boards to hire retired military and law school safety officers, particularly when the district cannot fill SRO vacancies.

>> They would go through SRO level one training.

They will be able to carry a concealed weapon.

They would go through the same type of background investigation.

Mental health examination, polygraph examination, everything that we also do sorrows.

>> The bill sponsor says Guardians are not meant to sorrows.

Any emphasize the difference between the 2 positions.

>> That's all Rose also have the ability of arresting authority.

They are law enforcement officers within the school walls.

These guardians do not have a resting authorities and sorrows go through a level 2 and level 3 of additional training.

>> Senate bill 2 also require schools to present suicide awareness lessons for grades.

4 through 12 and it requires schools to form a trauma informed team.

The focus is on supporting students impacted by physical and emotional trauma.

The trauma informed approach is working.

>> And with that, let's not confuse anybody about taking something out if it's working.

Well, right now, the bill does not have any funding within it.

Meaning decisions about paying guardians will be left to the school districts.

>> A district to come up if they wish to provide a stipend or not.

There's nothing in this bill directly that has an appropriation, therefore, with it.

That's not to say, though, maybe after this next year, once the probe goes into effect of 2025 2026, we come back in the future down with the budget to maybe look to incorporate that we don't know right now.

How many people would actually sign up to be a guardian.

But we do think it's an opportunity.

We do see it as once again, just another layer that's there to say the Commonwealth of Kentucky is serious about protecting our children across the Commonwealth.

>> For Kentucky edition, I'm Clayton Dalton.

Senate Bill 2 drops is the filing deadline looms is not been assigned to a committee.

>> The last day to file bills is Monday in the House and Wednesday in the Senate.

There was a spirit of bipartisanship on the Senate floor today.

The Senate passed 4 bills this morning.

3 of them unanimously that included Senate Bill 14, which deals with the board of cosmetology and nail technicians, Senate Minority Caucus Chair Richard Thomas from Lexington sponsored the bill and explained one of its key provisions.

>> Body of Law FA Cup apology allows that the board of cosmetology can bring a direct criminal action against any tilt nail technician by passing our our traditional >> in an uproar in entities such as the county attorney says the Commonwealth attorney.

And that's a real problem because those 2 pressed bodies should be able to bet any person who is being tried for the KRON.

This bill eliminates that provision and says that if criminal actions are to be brought before the nail technicians, they have to be vetted by the Commonwealth attorney or the county attorney.

>> The full Senate also passed Senate Bill one.

31 which prohibits campaign groups from using artificial intelligence to make deep fakes that misrepresent candidate and a bill designed to crack down on shoplifting.

Also passed unanimously.

Only 3 members hold against Senate bill.

45, which would allow Kentucky to participate in a new alert system for young adults who are not covered by the Amber Alert system.

More than a quarter million.

Kentuckians are Kentucky colonels and today that organization threw its support behind legalizing marijuana and its supporters say a proposed House bill would make that possible.

>> House Bill 72 in the bill written along by a longtime activist that will restore your canvas right without padding over burdensome regulations impact and that will slow the progress of an industry health bill.

1, 6, 0, as an amendment to the Kentucky Constitution that will make cannabis a ballot initiative making you meaning you get to vote on this issue yourself.

>> It is time to protect Kentucky citizens from the cruel and outdated laws.

The diverse trick to our economy and a miss the lives of our citizens for 87 years.

More than 300,000 Kentuckians have been charged for the bus over the past 2 decades in 2022, alone, 3,000, 234 arrest report it for cannabis possession for sales, which is 18.3% of all rest in the state.

This is why it is past time for Governor Beshear to follow the lead of President Biden.

And Partin Kentucky's with convictions for misdemeanor possession of cannabis in Twenty-twenty for Kentuckians will have 3 states with Leo Access to cannabis Board or state.

We're certain this will result in more arrests of our citizens in the coming years.

>> 6 House Democrats sponsored House Bill 72 if passed, would make it legal for Kentuckians to possess small amounts of marijuana House Bill.

One 60, let voters decide if adults can grow, buy or sell one ounce of or less of marijuana.

Former agriculture commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Ryan corals was named the 4th president and CEO of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System in the fall of 2023.

He started his new job January 1st, the former community college student now leads the 16 college system.

He talked with Renee Shaw about his efforts to sell the value of higher education, a course correction from a recent audit that found financial missteps and the prospect of a four-year publicly funded university in eastern Kentucky.

>> As you know, there's been lots of conversations circling in Frankfort for a long time about a four-year institution of publicly supported for institution and South East or eastern Kentucky.

There's been conversations to Johnson.

The WKU Public Radio reported the day that we had this conversation about Hazard community and technical college and the headline was Hazard University, right?

That maybe perhaps that could be elevated to university status.

I know it's a premature proposition, but the the the the infrastructure that would have to be in place to make that happen and the timeline for that.

Can you give us any kind of intel on what that would look like?

>> Answers.

No, I don't.

I don't think anyone knows what will happen down there.

But one thing about being a policymaker either in this role previous someone is making sure we're doing it right for Kentucky.

I think a lot of folks would say maybe there is an education desert for higher education and institutions and presence in parts of the state.

The cleat economically depressed areas.

And so we're going to be and active participant in these conversations are hazard community and technical college is one of 4 that we have an eastern Kentucky to have a big footprint.

They're pumping out graduates every cent every other semester.

Right now they're doing a great job.

But does it need to be elevated into something new that will be innovative and somewhat rare in America.

Right.

But we're going to wait and see what the study comes up.

I know that Presidents Towers is talking about this right now.

And so we want to be part of that discussion.

I don't know what's going to happen next.

Are the procedures that would that would take?

Let's do it right for Kentucky.

Yeah.

You can see remains full interview with Kctcs President Ryan corals Sunday morning at 11, 30 Easter 10, 30 central on her interview series connections right here on KET.

♪ >> Time now for in the week review of some major political happenings, particularly what's happening at the state Capitol in Frankfort during this legislative session.

We've got a dynamic duo with us today.

We've got Jason Lanning is back again with that's what the Mount Sterling, Montgomery County Industrial Authority.

He's the executive director and UK ad ad John professor at the Gatton College of Business.

And We also have for the first time with us, Stephanie Bell, vice president governor fares for wind-driven also has a connection with a kctcs as chair as JSO.

We will talk maybe a little bit about some high rates to thank you, guys.

Yeah, yeah.

Absolutely.

Busy week busier weekend, Frankfort ago week where a lot of child centered legislation passed for 2 major bills.

I should say the child labor law bill, as is picking up momentum.

And then of course, we have Senator Danny Carroll's bill that's trying to rescue the child care industry.

The adult, you know, early Education, day care industry talked a little bit, Jason about these bills and and how they're moving.

>> Yeah, it's interesting to think about and look at what the Florida Bay was about, allowing students to work more worth more wild or whether in school, right and give them more time out and right.

I don't think the solution to work force participation and more people in the workforce necessarily is a just allowing them to work later at night.

Right?

That's a bigger conversation.

But the bill dealing with the child care communities being designated as childcare friendly.

I think that's a very interesting thing the Legislature's leaning into and a good opportunity for the stay, right, that that would be has that the Cabinet for economic development and you know, we just hope that they give them the staff to administer more programs.

They're right.

The cabinets don't a lot of stuff with a lean team right now.

>> If you notice there are a lot of school grapes there at the Capitol was like that for us.

Yes, so just kind of suddenly I was very interesting that those 2 subjects were found really got on the bay.

And if and if those groups actually paying attention to that debate, right.

And going back to the debate about the child labor laws, we heard a lot of commentary, particularly for Democrats who are they were against it.

But there were some Republicans who voted against it.

I think that vote was like 60 to 30 something, right.

So it wasn't party line vote.

But we heard how this could affect possibly school funding if kids are working late but can't get to school.

They seek funding base per pupil funding is based on average daily attendants which has been a conversation and maybe its average a membership as opposed to daily attendance.

But all of these things, I mean, it's all complicated.

It's all connected, Stephanie.

Yeah.

So anything else on?

>> That?

I think it's very interesting.

You know, the you know, it'll be interesting to see is their best practices around designated community designations around, you know, childcare, friendly communities, right?

We have about what I quit.

Keeps our work force participation low, right where the 8th lowest rank state in workforce participation you know, right at I think it's 57% plus or you know, had we we increase that and that's a ranking that's going help the whole state right now.

>> Well, in the corporate world, when you have a snow day, you can say the productivity go down just because of child care issues.

Yeah.

People scrambling to to take care of those.

You know, yes, health care needs aisle.

Well, one of the points that Senate President Robert Stivers is made several times in this studio is that it's a conversation about day care, which I think Senator Carroll tried to reframe that.

>> But Stivers makes a good point about how well, what about weekends.

And after 6 o'clock and 7 o'clock right.

I mean, a lot of parents don't work.

The traditional 9 to 5.

Most people don't want traditional 9 to 5.

So rethinking about that delivery model is pretty important and we'll see how this House bill, the Senate bill, 2 or 3 does on that front.

>> Yeah, well, and when I talk to manufacturers and in our community in Mount Sterling, you here, you hear that that had we saw for childcare?

Yeah.

And how does that relate to the working hours?

You know, how do we how do we deal with that?

And that's something here across the state.

It's a I believe the Kentucky Chamber initiative on their legislative.

Yeah.

Late this year to sign a big plug as we're going to talk about this for an hour Monday night, Kentucky table be represented by KET Shanks and Carol, be on and bridge bond with the Prichard Committee and other stakeholders.

Big conversation.

>> I do want to talk a little some higher ed issues because we're having some conversations about comprehensive universities.

Get to the research.

Moton offering doctoral programs.

>> Possibly even a four-year publicly funded institution and eastern Kentucky hazard community and technical college could be Hazard University.

What do you think about that?

MS Board chair?

Haha, you know, I mean, there's a whole it's been demonstrated.

There is a whole and education.

>> Hold there in eastern Kentucky.

That needs to be filled them.

Whether it it, you know, it comes with that proposal.

I I don't But there is this something that we need to do for those for that area and that region of the state tomorrow night.

And it's been talked about for a while.

There does proposing a study for the cpe was already one to do some of study.

And now this is specifically about, you know, this particular shoe was years ago.

They were they had proposed to university in Somerset.

>> South, you know, that area of the world, that's not a new issue for So I you know, I think it needs some more study.

Yeah.

>> What do you think about you hearing?

Well, has the thing that's very interesting is when we've created performance-based funding for the universities, it's created more consternation competition amongst not only regional comprehensive, but across the board right now.

And so I mean, how do we get those folks to continue to lean into working with one another and, >> you know, it seems like there's a point of pride with with every university in their strategic plan.

you know, you seen a lot of good collaboration between University Kentucky University, Louisville on the medals initiative and where they've partnered with the federal government on a grant to further that.

How does that lead innovative manufacturing solutions right?

>> Yeah.

And you look at I think Senator Stivers use the example of you've got the aviation program at Eastern Kentucky University, which is top notch him.

You've got the aerospace program and Morehead were just talking about the money.

Is there some collaboration that could happen there?

So it makes sense to look at some of those things.

Yes, the Senate bill one, right?

That's right.

So the bill was one and what that's going mean for the universities and almost forced collaboration, right?

You know, Doctor Thompson to such a great job on post-secondary education and, >> you know, I think it's good to have it where they're really the implementation of this.

You know, once it gets, what's it all gets approved.

There is a bill that has been to do away with the cpe.

It hasn't really got any discussion yet.

I should say that it's out there.

>> Well, I think with a doctor curls coming on, I think them I think there's a lot of room for universities to work together to solve these educational needs that Kentucky is happening.

And you know, there Kctcs is going to be doing it.

They've done their own study.

They may be yeah, they they've got some offices that may be consolidated.

They may be doing some things like that.

So I think it's it is time to look at how they can work together to solve these.

We're going to have you back staff to talk about broadband because we're out of time.

Have to do that.

OK, Marcia, thank you all for being here and have a great weekend.

Rest stop.

Thank you.

♪ ♪ >> Young professionals in Western Kentucky are lending an ear to the next generation providing support advice and friendship.

Members of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Volunteer through mentoring program that helps prepare students for their future.

Well, Rogers tells us more about guys and ties.

>> Jake Boswell is back in the classroom where he was once a student.

>> The kids are very easy to relate to because we have that familiarity.

We're in the same spot.

They were in just a little bit.

>> A former television news anchor and reporter now and the banking industry.

Boswell sharing knowledge he once needed for his first job Start.

I needed to tie a tie to go to this interview.

I just felt like it was necessary to present myself.

Well, and I had no clue had it a good one for years about something that was ever on my mind.

But there was a time in life and all of a sudden it was needed.

And I was not prepared.

that would later serve as the inspiration for guys and ties.

A monthly mentor in the program for 8th graders at Burns, Middle School.

>> So it did for me and give me the stature of an acting and they had like on the same time, I get to come in here.

Something new about high.

>> Coming to you guys, sort of allow those life lessons include practical skills, like budgeting and saving money, even vehicle maintenance.

We've had somebody recently changed car tire and they reached out to me to say the only time someone showed me this was guys and ties, right?

I think it's an opportunity for our students to work on soft skills, social skills.

We all know that our own successes are often built between connections.

We have an opportunities we have today.

The young men are doing mock job interviews, learning how and how not to impress a future While the Topix typically center on professional development.

It's also a good time to check in on their grades behavior and what's going on at home.

>> And the whole goal of the program is always to listen.

They have a lot to say and if we sit and listen to them, that's where the real value is.

>> Talk to me persons and feel comfortable talking backs and we get to know them.

So I feel like they should get them out.

>> Confidence is such a huge predictor of success and middle school.

And when you have people who are interested in you build your confidence, the confidence to reach their full potential.

We want to make sure that every single kid who's in guys and ties every single year knows that we think that they can be a doctor.

They can be a lawyer.

>> They can do whatever they want to do for all.

I have come to light.

What more can I can tell?

He's on my nose and focus on to migrate to.

>> You can go to college.

>> When Mayor Middle School near still creating your sense of self and who you are.

And I think any time that our students can have role models to look to, to aspire, to be to connect with, I think is a great opportunity for them to begin to mold themselves into successful adults.

Read it yet uses the So >> about a dozen students a year take part in this program.

♪ ♪ >> It's been almost one year since Jacqueline Quinn, Bill Royale was appointed chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department.

>> Kelsey Starks sat down with her to learn about her life beyond the badge for the next inside little.

♪ >> What do you see or hope for the future of LMPD and the future of our city in general?

I'm hoping that.

>> What LMPD that we would be that model agency for the nation.

The other departments, other leaders want to come here to Louisville and see what we are doing.

I mean, for them to peek inside our house, they say I see it and I want to be a part of that.

And I want to implement that where I him.

I know we can do that.

And we have been in actions before the great work and we need to continue to do that.

But that's what I want.

I want us to agency that others say that is how you police.

This is how the police agency should interact with the community.

Ice perceive us as LMPD have any strong community partnership and relationship that not only do you see LMPD at the mike, you're going to see other community leaders there with us and we're you 9.

It because we're on the same page.

We want to move this city forward.

That's what I see.

And for the city as a whole.

I want us to be one of those 2 cities that people want to come here not only to visit us, but I want people to come here to 2 retire here.

That's what I want because they're going to come in.

We want to retire.

Because guess what?

Our crime is low.

They have activities.

They see a police agency.

There's interacting the we we are truly a part of the the system and making sure that Louisville is a place that people want to come and they may come visit for a minute, but a way to leave frightened.

That's what after saying for our city.

And I know that we can get there.

What about your future here?

Will you hate to leave?

Can are you going to be here a long time?

I plan on line.

>> You know, but also to say this, I work at discretion of the mayor and it's not about Jackie.

When we were looking he was searching for a chief.

I said no over and over says he needs to find and pick the right person.

It's not about ego for me.

It's not about title.

Who is the right person.

And if I cannot do my job fully work, there's a there's a disconnect.

But he said he has to make that decision because he needs to always look at what is the best this city and for this department.

And that's where our S so I hope to be here.

Hope to continue to KET bleeding.

But Louisville needs and deserves great leadership.

I'm so grateful them a part of the equation.

>> This Sunday learn more about chief going be a royal and what made her want to be a police officer and her life as a wife, mother and pastor.

That's on the next inside Louisville Sunday at noon 11 Central on KET.

♪ ♪ >> There are plenty of entertainment options for you the next few days from Chile to antiques to a haunted hotel.

>> Are Toby gives explains in this?

Look at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> The trade water Brewing Company in Madisonville is hosting its first-ever chili cook off tomorrow evening.

If you've been dying to put your chili recipe to the test, this is your time to shine, freed and are and free to taste.

This cook-off is sure to be the tastiest event in Madisonville this weekend.

Come see if you have what it takes to be a chilly champion.

The one box heroes are coming to Prestonsburg this weekend is a cause.

Take super group has over a century of performing experience between all of them and they're ready to knock your sonic socks off the Mountain Arts Center tomorrow.

Enjoy their eclectic blend of bluegrass Blues, jazz and rock music in the mountains.

Did you know that Lawrenceburg is home to one of the most renowned haunted locations in the country?

The Anderson Hotel has been featured on the Travel Channel and TLC for its eerie evidence of the supernatural.

And it's inviting the public and to investigate for themselves step into its spine.

Chilling secrets tomorrow evening.

If you dare.

Gospel music's premier court and is performing in Paducah on Sunday.

Come to the Carson Center for Ernie Hassan signature sound decades of love.

The Carnegie Hall to the Grand Ole operate.

Ernie Hassan signature sound of been inspiring audiences for over 2 decades.

Whether you're a gospel music fan are looking to expand your car, Monica rise and you don't want to miss this event.

Most of us are familiar with the newlywed game.

But Adventure theater in Lexington has put their own spin on it for their murder Mystery dinner series, the newly dead game.

They get to some delicious dining.

If you sit in the studio audience for this game show which puts 2 newlywed couples to an embarrassing and entertaining series of questions.

There's a show this Sunday and several more running to the beginning of March.

>> Time for spring cleaning.

It's passed upon us and many of us will be clearing out.

Closets said this year, why not start the season by adding some treasures to your collection?

Well, the Kentucky Flea Market spring playing is already underway in Louisville and there are over 500 votes to explore.

You're sure to find some great jams at this event.

Make sure you get to the Kentucky Flea market spring playing this weekend.

Also happening in Louisville next weekend is the Tailspin Ale Fest at the historic Bowman Field.

This festival features over 500 breweries from across the country with a special section dedicated just to our Brewers come the bluegrass, enjoy some craft, beer, food trucks and photo opportunities with some of the planes on display.

This is one of Louisville's biggest social events.

We're sure to be there and that's what's happening around the Commonwealth.

>> Toby Gibbs.

We head to Campbellsville for Monday's on Maine segment.

>> The downtown area is thriving.

Thanks to a spirit of cooperation among businesses.

Look for that and more Monday on Kentucky Edition.

We hope you'll join us again Monday night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky Edition, we inform connect and inspire.

You can subscribe to our Kentucky Edition email newsletters and watch full episodes and clips K E T Dot Org.

Send us a story idea.

Public affairs at KET DOT Org and follow KET on Facebook X, formerly known as Twitter and Instagram to St. Louis.

Thank you for joining us.

I hope you have a great weekend ahead.

♪