♪ Ahead.

More information from Republican candidate for Governor Kelly Craft about her commercials.

Quote, empty chair.

Today.

>> I'm proud to say that the parts of the is strong.

>> Louisville's mayor on what's good and what needs fixing in Kentucky's largest city.

>> It doesn't get more local then tapping trees in your neighborhood and making maple syrup.

>> And move over Vermont.

Some Kentuckians are in the maple syrup business.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Endowment for Kentucky Productions.

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Friday, February.

The 3rd, I'm Renee Shaw.

>> Thank you for starting off your weekend with us tonight.

We appear to know more about the empty chair in the Kelly Craft campaign commercial.

Kraft is the former United Nations ambassador running for governor and one of her as she talks about drugs and implies they've affected her own family by showing an empty chair at a kitchen table.

She's been asked to that empty chair represents but hasn't answered.

>> But today, campaigning and Knox County, she had this to say.

>> They are worried every where >> I hear it.

Personal issue.

Have a child that is all it takes.

She's now adults.

I thank God every day.

It's child.

It threw me take the other.

That's called top up their cause.

I was just there.

Not believe that what you should be.

I just kept quiet.

Live.

This.

And I do my homework.

>> We'll talk with journalist Al Cross about the Kelly.

Kraft added an interview done before we learned about crass comments today.

That's coming up a little later in this newscast.

You know, it's something we tend to take for granted.

Turning on the tap for clean drinking water.

But for several people in rural Kentucky, it's not always that simple.

Help is now on the way for some of those households.

>> Corey and Darby par now live on 30 acres and they note community of Metcalf County.

>> Call the water company to get a test that when I got the House bill because something house only said have city water turns out we're in a 3 quarter mile stretch doesn't have water.

>> There's little nooks and crannies of land out little farm roads where nobody ever developed.

And now people are on that land and there's no water.

>> The couple soon to be a family of 3 had to figure out another way.

We all are water in.

>> Transfer that out on the trailer to the pump house and got up off the pumps into the house.

>> He said here's my problem.

And he's like a pack and water and a truck heart just sank goes.

>> You would think in this day and 2023 now that nobody would have to be pack in.

>> Water to their home in an area that we live in.

>> Governor Beshear's office estimates that 3 to 5% of Kentuckians don't have access to public water.

That means up to 225,000 people could be facing this same problem here in the Commonwealth.

>> You tell somebody this day and time that you have to haul your water and you've got a cistern system, I guess you'd call it.

It raises some eyebrows.

>> It is a time-consuming task filling up 600 gallons of water every 2 weeks.

I was a big adjustment with the little things like, you know, watering the flowers are in the summertime.

Whenever you they have a garden.

You don't realize how much it takes, you know, to water.

Each individual plant.

The winter season has brought its own challenges like sub-zero temperatures.

>> Our pump rose and busted like Christie won out frozen.

Most of our pump, some other things that filter system.

But we got through.

Most utilities just can't afford to run a small on way back through rock.

And so, you know, we're very rocky in this area, limestone and that gets very costly.

>> The cleaner water program is helping to cover some of those costs providing grants for counties across Kentucky to extend water lines.

>> That's a dream.

The project that we putting in costs about $550,000 to run about 7200 feet of 3 inch.

Want to connect where water stops to the other.

And I got there just in an area where the line stops on both sides.

>> Tucker says the project is currently waiting on approval from the Kentucky Division of Water.

The company will then send out bids before the project gets underway.

>> We're very excited when we can do things like this and serve people that around I want every one of our customers have the best quality of water and to be served.

Haha never thought about how much water used on a daily basis until you go to figure that out.

>> It's a lot more water and what you think when you get 1000 gallon storage tank, it goes a lot faster than you'd like for 2.

>> For Kentucky edition, I'm Laura Rogers.

Haha, the Parnell's are hopeful their water line will be completed sometime this year.

>> Funding for the cleaner water program comes from the American Rescue Plan.

Act.

The grants are dispersed by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority.

Metcalf County also contributed money for the water line extension on noted road.

Louisville's new mayor calls the state of the city strong Mayor Craig Greenberg delivered his state of the city address yesterday.

He praised Louisville's economy but said after 160 homicides and Louisville last year, public safety is the city's top priority.

>> To make our city safer, we have to continue implementing reforms and make LMPD the best police Department in America.

That means we support our officers with the training recruitment, resources, compensation and leadership.

They need to do this incredibly difficult and important work.

>> Mayor Greenberg announced the creation of 2 new offices in Louisville City government and Office of Philanthropy and an Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Also in Louisville this week, more than 160 University of Louisville students learned a quick simple way to save a life.

The first year medical students took part in a lecture and demonstration on Narcan, which is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.

It was led by Doctor James Patrick Murphy with the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition.

He said he's hopeful this next generation of health care professionals can stem the tide of drug overdoses that claim more than 2000 people in Kentucky last year.

More in tonight's look at medical news.

>> This is part of a curriculum that the med students have where they are.

Learning how to interact with the community, including patients they might encounter.

Most people think of harm reduction is getting out in our can or they might think of the Clean needle exchange programs that are out there but harm reduction is treatment.

It's it's health care.

It's keeping people that we value a live in as well as possible until they can get their disease treated and treatment.

Lowers the mortality rate by 50 percent.

So if we can get people into treatment for this disease of addiction.

Make a huge dent.

In the mortality rate for this.

The number one cause of death in this age group.

His overdose.

They know that this is a big deal and they wanted to know something about it and they want to be able to understand, you know, what is what what can they do about that about this?

So it's great and it's important that.

This next generation of physicians of leaders of our health care understand early on that this is medical treatment and it is important, especially with the the surging in the epidemic that we have over doses.

It's really that the naloxone is just is one component.

It's really an idea that we have to care for our fellow human beings.

>> The University of Louisville School of Medicine organized the lecture for first year medical students.

But Doctor Murphy said some second year students felt it was important training and have organized their own lecture and demonstration on our can or knock some use and harm reduction with the university's approval.

And we have a follow-up tonight to a story we brought you yesterday about to fit the latter's at sporting events.

We told you about Matthew Men, Jean Junior, a 16 year-old student who suffered cardiac arrest and died on a soccer field in are lying or in June of 2020, it was 12 minutes before emergency responders arrived with a defibrillator.

Now his family is working to require defeat the laters at all schools, sporting events, supporters of that idea now have a highly placed advocate.

>> It is a good idea and especially when moms lost a child comes to you and says, I think this will prevent this from happening in the future.

Some we've got a really strongly consider.

I mean, your question, you not just sporting events but schools and we would want to make sure that especially everywhere that our kids are that we would have the equipment and the training is the worst of the of the worst happened.

And I think that goes to both this and the CPR and and even giving blood from time to time to ensure that the the supply is And while the the issue with the Buffalo Bills player and where I'm grateful that he is getting better is is so Rightfully point out.

A lot of parents and out comes the they were like kids and are still grieving.

And so for them, I think I think looking at it is is really important.

>> Other news from Governor Beshear's news conference yesterday.

State police will be stationed at juvenile detention centers and a dare Fayette and Warren counties until workers there are able to provide security themselves.

That's after violence at detention centers around the state.

Kentucky will get 25 million dollars as part of a federal transportation program to improve roads, sidewalks and crosswalks.

The governor also announced a 14 stop better Internet listening tour to get input from people about their Internet needs.

That will begin February 14th and Hopkinsville.

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky is now the highest ranking Republican on the Senate, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

The committee performs oversight of the Senate and has jurisdiction over Homeland security concerns.

And a statement Senator Paul said, quote, Given the committee's duty to conduct oversight over the entire government, I remain hopeful that will pursue robust and bipartisan investigations into government censorship and the origins of COVID unquote.

Time now for our end of the week segment inside Kentucky politics.

When we talk about some major developments in news and politics this week, we have one special guest with us today and that's all you seen on the stage in the studio many times.

He's the director of the Institute for role Journalism and Community Issues.

The University of Kentucky.

Good to see you out.

Be with you, right.

So let's talk about the governor's race, particularly the GOP primary and the 3 major contenders at this point who are running different campaigns, like you to compare and contrast that of Daniel Cameron, Ryan corals and Kelly craft.

>> Well, crafted zone.

One really running a full-scale campaign yet, but we have 3 very different candidates.

Kraft is the candidate with the most money.

Cameron is the candidate with the most name recognition as we've seen from public.

And corals is the most traditional candidate with the endorsements from the local officials and so long who used to be so influential in Kentucky politics and the state a 2 term officeholder poses.

Kerman legislature.

So he's got more But the others have more recognition or money.

>> Does it matter about endorsements and crows does town as he did sitting in that chair that he's gotten a lot of the county judge executives and even some members of the state General Assembly to endorse him.

Does that really matter and carry weight?

>> I think it matters less than it once did.

But in a low turnout primary, it can be We don't really know.

>> Yeah, I have to ask you the fact that there's not a Matt Bevin in this primary, what kind of differences that make?

>> It makes it a lot calm >> we don't like all hasn't really been because of the early back and forth about some ads white.

But if you are in this race, it would be a much more contentious.

I think he would have to be going after everybody to gain traction because >> he left office on a pretty bad note.

>> But the name recognition might be higher than that of a Daniel Cameron.

>> Yeah, the name recognition might be negative too.

>> So just having a guy name recognition isn't always positive.

Well, let's talk about some of these that messages that are going on.

As you said, former UN Ambassador Kelly Craft is the one that's up on TV now.

She's got 2 or 3 ads and one has really caused quite a stir in some conversations that empty chair Ed, talk to us about what we should have read into that or what was left for us to read into that.

>> Well, it's been a lot of commentary the obvious implication was that she had lost a family member I didn't take that implication that in the draw that inference perhaps because I hadn't heard about that.

And I do know a few things about Kelly craft.

So I had an open mind about it, but it's clear that they could have handled it better.

I mean, they will need one word in that.

I had to make it clear, which is while drug problems going had this empty chair.

Every word in a campaign ad is purposeful or ought to be purposeful, including especially including what the candidates So I don't know if they fail to game this out where they were at, but trying to pull a fast one or what, they didn't get off to a good start.

Now you've got to give her credit.

For bringing up the issue because talking about drug abuse.

It's still difficult for a lot of people.

And that's one barrier we have to dealing with it as an issue as individuals as communities as the state.

There's a stigma still attached to it.

So she helped to break down the stigma about talking about it.

But then she may have added to the statement about not being more forthcoming when initially about just what the ad was about.

>> Well, we know the conversation about fentanyl coming into the U.S. from Mexico.

That's been a through line not just with her but also with the AG Commissioner Ryan Quarles.

But that's been fact checked right by several sources.

And that is true or false about where fentanyl is coming or most of it is coming into the U.S.. >> It's not really, really are not really related to immigration.

You know.

Crafts second ad tries to I'm going to the immigration issue because it's a hot button but it's not really related to fentanyl.

I mean, we have problems at the border, but those 2 problems are not really related.

And this has been a trope of a number of Republican ads and the recent months.

And it's just not true.

Yeah.

>> The federalization of this governor's in were one of only 3 states that will be having a governor's race.

So we're going to see a lot of federalization of these issues, right?

Is that how this is going to go?

>> I'm afraid so because we live in such a Balkanized state in terms of media markets aren't all that familiar with issues facing the They're familiar with issues in their community and issues in the nation.

>> So it's easier to get their attention, especially because we live in a media environment these days that's dominated by national issues to use those issues to get your attention.

>> Well, and maybe on a positive Casey Crosby, who used to be a council member for Lexington, Fayette County, Urban government as the Senate is treasurer of the National Committee.

So if we look at the number of Kentuckians who share a pretty good spot light on the national stage between her James Comer as chair of the House Oversight Committee.

And you've got Rand Paul who just got a pretty good.

The committee assignment and Homeland Security and of course, Mitch McConnell.

We can't forget him.

And Kentuckians are fairing pretty well.

And the spaces.

>> we do a pretty good job punching above our from time to part of its look and part of the most of his longevity.

You know, once you've been up say 3 terms in the Senate for terms, you're going to seniority and have a chance to work your way to leadership.

>> Yeah, James Comer only 6 years, right?

And look where look where he's yeah.

It was kind of in didn't really expect to move up this fast, but other people ahead of him and seen already.

>> SOS other committees are retired and Barry was and he's not the kind of politician we would have ever really fought who would be running the oversight committee.

You know, Comer has been more of a got to get along with others, build bridges rather than the hold hearings on these hot button issues get him on FOX News and so on.

>> Yeah, he's on television more than a lot of us.

That's for sure.

And then you know, on the FOX radio, he was the lead Republican responder to the Chinese balloon.

I'm so interesting.

>> to KET our eye on all across, as always, we appreciate you doing the same.

Glad to be here.

♪ >> If you're a farmer large or small, listen up.

>> The deadline to respond to the 2022 census of agriculture is Monday.

Anyone who raises and sells $1000 or more of crops or livestock in a year should fill out the survey.

You can respond online or by mail.

David not is with the United States Department of Agriculture or the USDA.

He says the survey is critical and can help inform policy.

>> Census of agriculture is an opportunity for farmers to let their voice be heard.

And letter policymakers, researchers, every businesses and for themselves to know what is going on in agriculture, both in terms of production economics and about the individuals that are the producers.

>> Ashley Smith is founder of Black soil in Lexington, her company focuses on connecting black Kentuckians to their heritage in agriculture.

She says filling up the USDA survey can allow farmers access to grants that they wouldn't have otherwise.

>> They put your farm and a legitimate relationship with the USDA.

You're counted you.

That means you've got a farm serial number.

It opens you up much like cities and municipalities per funding opportunity means.

And you can also drive investment to your rule community by being counted on the farm senses.

>> You can find a link to the USDA Census Survey online at an A S S dot USDA dot Gov.

Kentucky is known for many things.

Maple syrup may not be one of them yet.

Tonight you'll meet in eastern Kentucky man who's taking advantage of what's long been an on tap.

The resource.

>> Maple syrup here in Kentucky is pretty incredible.

Really.

There's a lot of interest in local foods and it doesn't get more local then tapping trees in your neighborhood and making maple syrup the way we began our operation was pretty humble.

We didn't have a clue of how to make maple syrup and have a clue drill some big holes in some trees.

And at the end of the season, we made it less than a quarter of maple syrup.

And it was really good.

Making maple, is a lengthy process that takes time and some labor.

So nice below freezing days above freezing.

That causes the SEPTA come up from the roots of the tree and to come out, some of the essentials for us to collect a maple is the maple tubing system that goes way up to the top of our mountain all the way up there.

And there's miles and 2 guns on our farm connected 330 trees and bringing that sap down to the Sugar Shack.

What you need to do is take that step that might be between one and 2% here in Kentucky and boil it.

>> Boil it or go.

♪ >> Until it becomes 66 and a half percent sugar when it's at 66 and a half percent sugar.

You have Kentucky maple syrup.

One of the things that really struck me was and I had no idea was to long history that we have in in the state and particularly in Appalachia.

There was a lot of maple syrup made here.

The Native Americans may the before we got here, they talk the settlers.

How do it?

Because maple you don't find many countries in Europe.

So in a way we're tapping into a rich history of making maple syrup right here in Kentucky.

That is nearly forgotten, really.

And we could produce a lot more maple syrup.

So I think it's a great fit for the agricultural industry in the state of Kentucky.

As as another stream of revenue here in the eastern Kentucky where we're at, we're always thinking about economic diversity.

You know what's happened to us with the coal mines in the coal industry here has been pretty dismal.

And last 10 years, there's maple trees all over these hills.

You don't have to plan on, you know, have to We're paying taxes on their own or properties with with some know how some investment those trees can be tapped and other people in the supplementary income by making maple syrup on land that many would consider worthless or useless hillside property.

We're not here to KET this a secret.

We're here to share it with others.

I think there's a lot of possibilities to make maple syrup in a state contract.

>> Speaking of maple syrup, the University of Kentucky's Department of Forestry is hosting Kentucky Maple Day tomorrow.

And UK isn't alone.

More on that.

Plus, some music theater and a lunar rainbow as Toby gives look, looks at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> Their sugar, it's sweet and there's plenty to eat this Saturday during Kentucky's Maple Day over 20 farms across the commonwealth from Paducah to Hardy will be joining the celebration and educational experience.

Learn how maple syrup is made.

All tasting it sticky.

Delicious goodness.

It's your chance to capture the beauty of a lunar rainbow during the moon.

Bogota Griffey weekend and Corbin get tips from photography.

Expert Charlie Baghlan on how to capture this colorful nighttime phenomena.

Mothers provide the best lessons in things.

My mother taught me playing this weekend and next in Peewee Valley.

Take a generational look at relationships in this funny and touching comedy reminds us that parents sometimes pass on their best lessons without even meaning to.

Over 50 exhibitors will be gathering in Murray this weekend for the 38th Western Kentucky boat and outdoor show see beautiful boats and enjoy great seminars in this family-friendly event.

The doubt raise money for local bass fishing team.

Bust out your plaque presented or is this month for Newport Roaring 20's murder mystery dinner.

Enjoy delicious dinner.

While you work with your team to solve the crime in time, it's an evening that short of a the cat's pajamas.

It's west versus east in the battle of the bluegrass, the Saturday one to place your bets.

As you watch archers take aim and shoot for the title of best in the Bluegrass.

The 9th annual Dancing with our Stars is this Saturday Ashlynn both for your favorite local celebrities as they collide across the floor and show off their best moves.

There's kiddos and kitties with the side of law that Miss Kylie's Valentine spawn in coming to this Sunday.

The family friendly event has a Valentine's crafts dancing and of course, loads of candy Create Senate memories with the one you love during the Valentine Candle making event this Sunday Mikes and end.

Whether it's with your get out how your brother or your significant other hispano stress class is for everyone.

And that's what's happening around the commonwealth.

I'm Tobin.

Good.

>> Thank you, Tony.

Gibbs, you've probably suffered from sticker shock at the grocery store, especially when you're shopping for eggs.

Well, some people have set up backyard chicken coops to save some money.

But is that really a good idea to see if it pays to produce around paltry Monday on Kentucky Edition?

Also on Monday night on Kentucky tonight, we'll talk about child abuse and neglect in Kentucky.

What's being done and what still needs to be done and we want your questions.

So tune into that Monday night at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET.

We thank you so much for watching us this weekend.

We hope to see you again Monday night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky Edition, we inform connect and inspire.

If you have a story idea you can email us at public affairs at K E T Dot Org.

Subscribe to our weekly Kentucky Edition email newsletter.

>> And watch full episodes and clips of KET Dot Org once again.

Thanks for watching.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you Monday night.

♪