♪ >> My managerial style has always been as long as the work is getting done.

Doesn't really matter where.

>> Here are the pros and cons of state workers doing their job from home.

>> Within 10, very short years where already at that point that we are entering every state in the United States.

>> A northern Kentucky distillery is putting what they call a new wrist on an old tradition.

>> Is also inspiring.

And a symbol of achievement to not only licenses black community but to also black women.

>> A historic property addresses a dark past by sharing stories of those once enslaved.

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

♪ ♪ Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Tuesday.

It is February the 4th.

>> I'm Renee Shaw.

We thank you for spending some of your Tuesday night with us.

>> Kentuckians will enjoy another tax break when it comes to what they pay in state income taxes.

This after the Senate gave its stamp of approval to a measure to slice the tax from 4 to 3 and a half percent next year.

The measure now heads to the governor's desk, our June Leffler has more in tonight's Legislative update.

>> Lawmakers gavel didn't today for the first time in 3 weeks, the Senate picked up where the House left off.

The Senate has passed House Bill.

One.

Seen legislation to reduce the state income tax.

Republicans have gradually chipped away at the income tax for years.

>> This is a great day.

That where letting people >> KET some of their hard earned money.

And when you talk about putting money into whose pockets?

Well, that's not what we're doing.

We're stopping taking it from their pockets.

They are and that it's their money, not ours.

We think we know better what to do with their money than they did.

I'm telling you, we do not with this test could based on the median income for families in Kentucky.

We will have put over $1500 annually back in people's pockets.

Well, the folks who are against well, but you've raised taxes on these other services.

>> You have just been $25,000 on those new services for the sales tax will be greater than the that you realized.

In diapers.

This $1500.

What led you to purchase 303,360 diapers.

>> This measure gained bipartisan support in the House last month.

And this week in the Senate.

>> They're being 34 yeas, 3 nays.

>> House Bill one is finally passed.

>> But with President Donald Trump in office, some Democrats say now is not the time to reduce money coming into state coffers.

>> Cutting our revenues at a time of such economic uncertainty.

We don't know what tariffs if any, might be coming.

We don't know what federal funds if any might be going away.

We don't know what impact if any that's going to have on us here in this state.

>> The risk that we are facing now.

With that bourbon industry and tariffs.

>> Even with our battery plants.

>> And whether or not the new Federal administration >> is going to be in favor of electric vehicles, which it looks like they may not be.

>> Once the bill becomes law, the 0.5% reduction will take effect at the start of 2026. for Kentucky edition.

I'm June Leffler.

>> Thank you.

Much June.

The bill now heads to Governor Andy Beshear's desk for signature or veto.

But he has signaled support for the cut.

Also today, Kentucky House Democrats revealed their legislative priorities for the remainder of the 2025 legislative session calling it Kentucky forward a vision for families.

Their plan contains 15 bills they say are aimed at improving the lives of Kentucky's families.

Our McKenzie speak has more.

>> The Kentucky forward platform put forth by House Democrats is organized into 5 categories.

They believe are the court issues facing the Commonwealth's families, though these bills are not a comprehensive picture of what the caucus hopes to achieve this year.

This platform showcases the bills they think are the most popular, affordable and family focused.

One of the cornerstone pieces of legislation.

The caucus plans to introduce is the home to this bill.

A proposed 15 policies to address causes of housing, instability in the state as well as supply issues.

Details are still to come about this bill as it is yet to be filed.

The House Democrats a broad legislation is necessary to tackle the housing problems.

Kentucky faces.

>> Realizing the American dream.

Of owning your own home.

Is slipping away for younger generations.

We must reverse that trend.

>> Now so we know that no single housing policy is going to solve our crisis and a lack of housing.

So we're putting forward a comprehensive bill that will address the many issues in our housing supply.

>> Also under the umbrella of household economics is a bill to prevent utility shut-offs during bad weather.

Like the frigid temperatures we saw just a few weeks ago.

Other notable bills include another push for universal Pre-K, juvenile justice reform in an expansion of the medical cannabis program to include more qualifying conditions.

Freshman legislator or has a personal connection to one of the community health bills proposed.

I'll never forget the first time that I held Remy in my arms.

>> The delivery doctor had ordered all doctors and nurses on the floor into the room immediately.

I stood 5 feet away from my wife's bed.

Unable to see or through the crowd.

Asking myself the question.

Am I going to have to raise this child alone?

Kentucky has among the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the nation.

We cannot accept that.

We need to include midwives in Medicaid, expand postpartum care.

And I'm sure that every new parent has access to treatment for postpartum depression.

>> Representative Lindsey Burke says discussions have already begun with House Republicans regarding this group of bills and feels optimistic about the bipartisan teamwork necessary to make this vision a reality.

If we could get 15 bills.

>> These 15 bills to the governor's desk.

Not only would we as a caucus be thrilled, but Kentucky wouldn't move forward and we would all be better for it.

For Kentucky edition.

I'm MacKenzie Spank.

>> Thank you, McKenzie.

Some of the bills and the Kentucky forward platform have already been filed.

But several are still being finalized the deadline to file new bills in the House is February 19th.

It's a debate were saying on the federal level right now, the pros and cons of government workers working from home but should state workers be required to go back to the office?

Some members of the Kentucky General Assembly talked about that last night on KET Kentucky tonight.

Here's part of that conversation.

>> Who's coming to the office work, especially in our state government we're going to have.

More production.

For full gains for the commonwealth.

When everybody can get back to work.

No remote work on the post to it.

I would love to see our beautiful buildings that are in Frankfort and throughout the state filled again with those employees getting to work.

But but to this point, if they're getting to work, the wages that we just need to be there as well.

But but if they're not willing to come to work, but those that have the ability to work in their office in to collaborate with their colleagues, especially in the state government.

They need to be there.

I think there's more value in that.

But that doesn't that's not on a one size fits all.

Issued by the company's skin can be a little bit more flexible to do what they want.

If they feel like they're being productive in doing so.

>> There is healthy disagreement within our caucus on a lot of issues.

And this is one of those issues.

I don't believe that a move away from it.

>> From remote work is in the best interest of my constituents because currently, you know, a lot of state employees are focused in the Frankfort area.

So if you want to work in state government, you've got to move to Frankfort for a lot of the jobs.

Remote work has made it to where people in funding and can work for a Frankfort.

I understand we do need to look at productivity in those workers, I'm hesitant to say that we need to completely shift from that we've seen a lot of good come out of through the shifts that we've seen since COVID with the remote work.

And I believe that we can tap into some pallet in the state government that perhaps you wouldn't otherwise if we only allowed to be people within commuting distance, Frankfort.

>> I think really my managerial style has always been as long as the work is getting done.

Doesn't really matter where.

At and I was one who worked in an office.

40 plus hours a week until the pandemic head.

And then I started working from home and I might not have worked.

40 consecutive hours are 8 consecutive hours a day or it far more than 8 hours a day.

And that would be up until 2 o'clock in the morning after having done NTI with my kids, which saw another conversation.

I but I still got the job done and it didn't matter and that every meeting that I was supposed to go to.

>> Our guest last night, we're all freshmen members of the Kentucky House and Senate.

And you can hear their conversations about the income tax, diversity, equity and inclusion, the possible tariff impact on Kentuckyian so much more.

It's all online on demand at KET DOT Org Slash K Y tonight.

Turning now to national politics.

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering an executive order seeking to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.

The president doesn't have the authority to erase the department alone.

Instead, multiple news outlets are reporting the proposed order would direct the incoming education secretary to draft a plan for shuttering the department while also encouraging Congress to pass a bill to end it.

A Kentucky congressman has already started that conversation last week.

Congressman Thomas Massie of northern Kentucky's 4th district.

We filed a one sentence Bill calling for the Federal Department of Education to be terminated by the end of 2026. on social media.

Massey says it's time to, quote, return power back to teachers and parents and quote, after all, here's a response from the Kentucky Student Voice team.

The group that filed a lawsuit saying Kentucky is not providing students with an adequate and equitable public education.

Quote, they say the uncertainty at the national level only underscores the urgency for state leaders to take action.

Now to invest in hiring and retaining high-quality teachers provide essential mental health resources ensure safe and reliable transportation and fully fund our schools to meet students needs end quote.

Sticking with education matters.

The state is making it easier for students of all ages to plan for college and beyond.

And new website called Future City.

It is billed as a one-stop shop for Kentucky ends with questions about their education and career options.

It connects people to all the resources available to them, including information about college majors costs and descriptions of more than 700 jobs.

>> Because you don't just go to school to go to school.

There's an aspiration there.

There's a goal in mind and we don't want to stop it.

Just your training and your degree attainment.

We want to see our users also be able to pursue their career.

>> And in this shows you how to create resume, prepare for interviews, land the job you're working towards.

It also connects you to the Kentucky Career Center and the different regional areas.

It's quite impressive, but it is nothing that we created.

All we did was bring it to light and connect all the things Kentucky offers their citizens.

>> While transition rain is important transition success.

That's what we're striving for.

We want our students to be on a pathway that is relevant.

That is vibrant.

That is meaningful to them.

But also to get them to the point of where they are not only accountable to them sales were.

This is the pathway we want to go to.

But we're also accountable to each other into our community and adults.

>> The site a future city dot org is already up and running.

A group of women met in Frankfort today to advocate for amending the state's Constitution to restore voting rights to people who have been convicted of a low-level felony advocacy based on lived, experience or able held a rally to support their nearly 200,000.

Kentuckians affected.

>> Suppose it in a little ball right?

Right.

Gone forever.

For a lifetime.

A vote is a right in this country.

Not a privilege right?

Its a sacred right to participate in the government and to have a say in the decisions that affect everyday life.

Luckily in America.

Our justice system differentiates between crimes and punishments and different crimes have different punishments we have decided that theft of a car is not the same as murdering your wife.

We have decided then assaulting a person to near death is not the same as riding a coat check.

They all have different punishments.

Every one of the defense is I have named are different crimes with different punishments.

But one thing they all have in common is once you are convicted.

You will be a felon in this state for ever.

And you will never be able to vote to get in your lifetime.

Is this equitable?

Is this fair now?

It's revenge.

It's callous.

It's a necessary.

It is utterly unjust to enact this type of punishment for life.

We should bestow forgiveness and redemption on our fellow human beings.

>> As someone who spent 23 years of service in the United States Army, including 3 combat deployments and multiple overseas tours.

I can tell you firsthand fighting for the rights and freedoms and others is not an easy feat.

But it's a battle work waiting time and time again.

The right to vote is the bedrock of our democracy.

And we must remain vigilant and safeguarding it for all Americans.

When I sacrificed my youth, my mental health, my body relationship with my children within a family for this country.

I didn't do it for some.

I did it for all.

>> And 2019, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear issued an executive order restoring voting rights to certain nonviolent convicted felons.

That action could be reversed by future governors.

♪ As we reported last night, tariffs targeting bourbon are on hold for now.

>> The U.S. and Canada agreed yesterday to put tariffs on pause for at least 30 days.

Canada was prepared to put a hefty tax on imported bourbon.

Urban is big business in Kentucky.

The governor's office says the industry accounts for more than 9 billion dollars in economic output each year and supports more than 23,000 jobs across the state.

The Kentucky Distillers Association is commending leaders of both countries for suspending tariffs.

The group's president Eric Gregory said, quote, We look forward to permanent agreements that will enable Kentucky bourbon to be enjoyed internationally, unquote.

Talk of tariffs Com at a pivotal time for one of the state's signature industries.

The Kentucky Distillers Association says 95% of the world's bourbon supply is made right here in Kentucky with 100 licensed distilleries in the state.

Kentucky Edition sat down with the leaders of new riff distilling and northern Kentucky to learn how it's standing out and adapting to challenges.

And the bourbon industry.

>> I remember sitting around the dinner table with my dad and 2009, 2010 and he had this crazy idea along with J airs men are co-founder to build a distillery in northern Kentucky.

They decided let's do this.

Let's build a distillery and resurrect the tradition of distillation and bourbon making in northern Kentucky.

And so the vision was to be more of a go to a star in northern Kentucky.

>> There were people when we announced this who wondered, why can't why are you moving back home to Louisville?

That's where the bourbon is.

And he KET this is as this region, northern Kentucky, greater Cincinnati.

It has very untapped for for something like bourbon and bourbon tourism down in Bardstown in Louisville.

There's distilleries on every walk quite literally, you know, there's nothing up here.

We were the bigger fish in the in the smaller pond.

We KET we couldn't forecast what this region would be like in 20 years.

There was nothing here on the riverfront.

There are no hotels.

There were no steak houses.

>> It was not the development that we see now on the river banks and the Bellevue in Newport and Covington forecasting future trends.

And what is desirable and where it is desirable is is a challenge.

The rise of cannabinoid drinks did not exist when we were starting to with.

And so how many people choose to engage in that and instead of a bird.

But I think bourbon will stick around.

Just fine.

But those are just some of the challenges that we face.

You know?

>> It's it's a interesting time.

>> In the world of bourbon.

>> There are more distilleries in Kentucky than there ever have been there.

More distilleries and the nation than there ever have been.

And we have more.

We have.

>> 3 barrels aging per person per resident here in the state of Kentucky.

Currently, that's a lot of a lot of ALS.

So it's a it's a time of needing to distinguish ourselves from the back of the bottle kind of encapsulate it says a new roof and an old tradition.

We make sour mash whiskey.

>> We use equipment very similar to the past distilleries to.

>> The column here.

Still the Doppler all copper things like that.

What we give ourselves freedom to be very different.

If we are new.

>> Another important principle to us was that when we were releasing new riff whiskey, we wanted to make sure that it was completely all produced bottled and aged here.

New We have I call it our secret weapon.

We have in the Louisville Aquifer under the distillery.

So that means that we have water running from Kentucky from a little more inland and cut into Kentucky route right where where, where we're standing right now.

Our distillery to the Ohio River.

We run the entire distillery on that Olivia Aqua for its very, very hard water and very mineral rich water.

And so we feel that that mineral rich water makes our whiskey so good.

Even at such a young age, it's a generational >> process to really get to the bottom of what a good distillery is like making whiskey at any rate, something that has to age.

We're proud that we were sharing so much about our process and about who we were and social media went crazy.

You know, all the bourbon forums and on the bourbon groups wanted to try new red and it was all over, read it.

And it was all over the Internet.

>> And that helped propel us from a little start-up.

Brandon, Kentucky to a national and even international brand.

>> A new rift products will be available.

And retailers across the country by the end of the year, the distillery has been at the northernmost point of Kentucky's bourbon Trail since 2014.

♪ >> A Kentucky town loses its entire city commission all at once and raise money for a turtle tank in an unusual way.

Our Toby Gibbs has details in this.

Look, headlines around Kentucky.

♪ >> A judge has removed all members of the Union City Commission, but not the mayor.

That's after an election challenge from Doug by former city commissioner defeated in last November's election.

And that election Boone County distributed incorrect ballots into precincts because of that fine challenge.

The results according to link Nky.

The judge says he had no choice based on the law but to remove all commission members.

♪ In Northern Kentucky.

Tribune says at last night's City Commission meeting Mayor Larry Solomon PIX 3 new commissioners, effort, George Eldridge and dug by the man who challenge the election.

An outpouring of donations has saved the Kentucky Equal Justice Center, at least for now.

It's a legal aid and advocacy nonprofit serving low-income Kentucky INS last week, Louisville Public Media reported the center was about to close because of a lack of money and federal cutbacks announced by the Trump administration.

But that news prompted a surge in donations which will allow the center's to stay open for at least 6 months center based in Lexington operates a legal clinic and works with advocates for better health care, housing and fair wages.

Housing advocates are concerned about the new talk of cutting or eliminating FEMA.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Johnson of the Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises, the agency that lends money to housing, nonprofits.

Well, W E K you that FEMA is essential for relocating people hurt by disasters like the eastern Kentucky floods of 2022.

And she says FEMA is also essential for rebuilding infrastructure.

heartache and help pay for a new turtle tanks.

Louisville, public media reports you can name a roache after an ex spouse or significant other for $10 in exchange for video of Francis.

The turtle Biden bet Roach.

The money raised will help pay for a new tank for Francis at the Louisville Nature Center.

With headlines around Kentucky.

I'm Joe begin.

♪ ♪ >> One of central Kentucky's most famous properties is tackling its dark past and honor of Black History Month Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate is hosting tours to give visitors the full story of the lives of those who were enslaved on the property.

>> We're talking about black history and national.

We're doing something very different with created a special tour Cole when reasons leaps brutality walks free.

People can come to the house at their own speed.

Look at the different rooms, but also they will be encountering the African-American Genealogical Society of Kentucky and the Fayette County Clerks, Digital Access Project Representatives who will be here to discuss methods of researching your family history and finding connections to the past.

We also here to unveil the design for a new memorial for the enslaved.

Breath of my ancestors.

7 feet tall by 9 feet across of cast bronze with the black Tina.

In the woman's skirt are images that deal with slavery and Ashland from him.

Horses and the individuals.

In many respects, it's only fitting that it's a female figure because Ashlynn want to be here.

Were it not for the women, the clay family and descendants who protect this place and make sure that.

The buildings and the grounds were preserved.

>> It's also fitting that it it is a woman figure because the runnin slave person that we know the most.

We do not have her picture or an image of her.

We only know of Charlotte's determination to be free.

She was the enslaved housekeeper here.

She sued one successfully for her freedom.

When Henry Clay was secretary of State, DC.

She and her family are well known to us.

But the documentation that was left behind primarily because of the lawsuit.

But also because they were close to the family.

>> I see an opportunity to not just tailed the past and some of the not so pleasant history, but it is also inspiring.

And a symbol of achievement to not only licenses black community but also black women and and and the and the a large part of the community here in Lexington.

>> It's it's a dark part of history.

It's a part of history that many cities don't recognize and good for you for doing this and for helping people understand what happened.

Not only here at Ashlan, but in Lexington.

>> This state will be offering free admission on February, 17th and honor of Lexington's 200 and 50th anniversary.

Well, that'll do it for us tonight and we certainly appreciate your time.

But we hope you'll join us again tomorrow night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central on Kentucky.

Addition, we inform connect and inspire.

Connect with us all the ways you see on your screen, Facebook, X and Instagram to stay in the loop and send us a story idea by email to public affairs at KET Dot Org and look for us on the PBS app that you can download on your some mobile device and smart TV.

>> I'm Renee Shaw, thanks again for watching.

And I will see you tomorrow night.

Take a test.

♪ ♪