[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD MORNING, KENTUCKY AND WELCOME TO THE 6 TWOnd GUBERNATORIAL INAUGURATION RIGHT HERE ON THE K8 GROUNDS IN FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY.

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE WILL BE WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THE DAY BRINGING YOU COVERAGE OF THE PARADE THAT BEGINS IN JUST A LITTLE BIT.

AND WE'LL HEAR FOR CELEBRATIONS INAUGURATING THE 62nd GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN I'M RENEE SHAW WITH KELSEY STARKS WHO IS A FAMILIAR FACE.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

AND A FAMILIAR FACE TO MANY OF OUR INAUGURATION VIEWERS, AUTHOR Mr. RON BRYANT.

WE WOULDN'T BE IN AN INAUGURATION WITHOUT YOU.

KELSEY, I WANT TO GET YOUR IMPRESSIONS ABOUT THE DAY AND THE EVENTS PLANNED AND BEING HERE.

>> IT REALLY IS INTERESTING BECAUSE I'VE MANY, MANY YEARS OF NEWS I'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO COVER AN INAUGURATION LIKE THIS.

THIS IS REALLY GREAT TO SEE ALL OF THE SETUP AND THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE AND JUST DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ABOUT THE CAPITOL AND THE TRADITION AND THE HISTORY OF EVERYTHING.

IT REALLY IS WONDERFUL AND INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE AND TO SEE EVERYTHING SETUP HERE AND SEE ALL THE DIGNITARIES THAT WILL BE HERE.

IT'S REALLY GREAT TO BE A PART OF THIS HISTORY.

>> Renee: OF ALL THE DERBY COVERAGE YOU'VE DONE YOU'VE NEVER DONE AN INAUGURATION.

THERE IS A FIRST FOR EVERYTHING AND WE'RE GLAD YOU ARE DOING IT WITH US.

AND THERE WILL BE LOTS OF CELEBRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE DAY THAT WE WILL BE HERE WITH YOU FOR AND BRINGING IT TO YOU ON KET UNINTERRUPTED AND WE HAVE A GOOD LINEUP OF A PARADE.

IT IS A MIXTURE OF EDUCATORS AND TO FIRST-RESPONDERS AND TO THE HEALTHCARE HEROS.

AND THEN OF COURSE THE REGULAR PART OF THE POLITICIANS.

ANYTHING STAND OUT TO YOU ABOUT WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO SEE IN THE PARADE?

>> WELL, IT'S VERY INTERESTING TO NOTICE WHAT YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE'S THINGS SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED LIKE EDUCATION, FIRST-RESPONDERS AND WE HAD GONE THROUGH THE COVID PERIOD AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAD TO OVERSEE ALL OF THAT.

IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT THAT IS IN THIS.

AND IT MAKES IT VERY TIMELY.

THAT'S A VERY GOOD FOR FUTURE HISTORIANS TO LOOK AT, TOO.

>> Renee: WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT AND YOU WERE KIND TO SHARE YOUR TIME LAST NIGHT WHEN WE HAD THE PRIVATE SWEARING IN I GOT 15 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME ON THE FRIDAY BEFORE TO TALK ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MIDNIGHT SWEARING IN.

WHY YOU HAVE TO DO IT THAT WAY.

AND KENTUCKY, KELSEY, SEEMS TO BE AN OUTLIER THAT WE GO ALL OUT FOR GUBERNATORIAL INAUGURATIONS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND TO THINK ABOUT WHERE WE WERE AS A COMMONWEALTH FOUR YEARS AGO, BEFORE SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED IN THESE FOUR YEARS.

AND SO AS YOU SAID, SO APPROPRIATE TO RECOGNIZE THOSE HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND EDUCATORS AND EVEN IN A LOT OF THE PARADE, THE COMMUNITIES THE BANDS THAT ARE COMING OUT THOSE ARE THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY TORNADOES, FLOODS, WILDFIRES, IT'S REALLY INCREDIBLE TO THINK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

>> Renee: IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE.

IT SEEMS LIKE 20 YEARS AND FOUR YEARS AT THE SAME TIME, DOESN'T IT?

>> IT DOES.

IT DOES.

>> Renee: AND CERTAINLY THAT IS THE THEME.

THE THEME OF THE INAUGURATION IS FORWARD TOGETHER.

AND RON, TALK ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WHEN ADMINISTRATIONS COME UP WITH A THEME.

TEAM KENTUCKY IS ITSELF A LEXICON WE HAVE BECOME FAMILIAR WITH WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION.

FORWARD TOGETHER WHAT DOES THAT SYMBOLIZE?

>> IT SYMBOLIZES MANY THINGS BUT IN PARTICULAR IT'S A PLEA FOR UNITY.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS SO IMPORTANT IN POLITICS AND IN THE WORLD IN GENERAL.

AND IN OUR DIVISIVE AGE IT IS GOOD TO SEE ONE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF ONE OF THE STATES OF THE UNION TO ACTUALLY SAY YOU KNOW LET'S GO FORWARD TOGETHER LET'S NOT LOOK BACK DIVIDED BUT LOOK FORWARD TOGETHER.

>> Renee: AREN'T THE OCCASIONS SUPPOSED TO BE AN EXERCISE OF UNITY?

>> SOMETIMES IN PAST HISTORY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN.

IT SHOULD BE WE'LL PUT IT THAT WAY.

>> Renee: WE'LL SEE.

THERE'S LOTS OF INTERESTING THINGS PLANNED.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE A SPOILER SAYING TYLER K4EU8DERS WILL BE ON THE STAGE.

>> LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE THAT VERY EXCITING AN EASTERN KENTUCKY NATIVE FROM LAWRENCE COUNTY.

SO HE IS A GREAT SO POPULAR AND SO IT'S EXCITING TO HAVE HIM HERE.

>> Renee: AND THAT EXPLAINS SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL SEATING THAT IS PERHAPS BEEN MADE ACCOMMODATING.

THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT CHANGES AND YOU ARE WATCHING ON THE SCREEN AS WE ARE THEY ARE ABOUT TO START THE PARADE.

THEY ARE RUNNING ON TIME.

THESE THINGS THERE IS A LOT TO WRANGLE, A LOT OF ACTIVITIES TO WRANGLE.

WE BRING YOU THAT AS IT GETS CLOSER TO US.

AND YOU WILL HAVE THE BEST VIEW IN YOUR WARM HOME.

IT IS NOT AS BAD AS IT WAS.

RON CAN ATTEST TO THIS, FOUR YEARS AGO, KELSEY WHEN IT WAS 25°.

BUT UP HERE IT WAS 15.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

CHIP CALLED ME LAST WEEK AND HE SAID GET THE THERMAL UNDERWEAR OUT.

GET READY BECAUSE IT IS SO COLD.

SO I'VE BEEN PLEASANTLY SURPRISED BY THE WEATHER TODAY.

>> Renee: IF YOU HEARD THAT JOLT AND WE FELT THE JOLT THE CANNON THIS IS A SIGN THAT THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET STARTED.

>> TRADITIONAL ALSO.

>> Renee: WE WOULDN'T HAVE A QUEUE TO START.

SO YOU ARE SEEING THIS LOVELY FOOTAGE.

WE'VE HAD THE DRONE FOR A WHILE BUT YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE CAPITOL THE DOME IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AS WELL AS THE CAPITOL IS ENDURING A MAKEOVER THAT WILL TAKE SEVERAL YEARS TO COMPLETE.

BUT WITH ALL THAT SCAFFOLDING ON THE DOME LOOK AT THAT MAJESTIC GREENERY AND EVEN THIS TIME OF YEAR.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL CAPITOL AND IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN HERE IT IS A WONDERFUL TRIP.

I'VE BEEN AT THIS CAPITOL 27 YEARS AND RON HAS BEEN HERE LONGER AND EVERY TIME I DRIVE UP CAPITOL AVENUE I GET CHILLS TO KNOW I'VE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO WORK IN THIS SPACE AND TO BE IN THE SPACE AND TO KNOW WHERE THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES ARE AND THE FOURTH FLOOR ALL OF THAT IT IS TREMENDOUS.

>> AND ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CAPITOL BUILDINGS OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> Renee: I WON'T DISAGREE WITH YOU.

>> TAKE MY WORD.

>> Renee: IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND LATER ON TONIGHT WE WILL SHOW YOU A DOCUMENTARY CELEBRATES WHAT WILL BE THE 110TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS WE CALL THE NEW CAPITOL AND THERE IS AN OLD CAPITOL AND THE NEW CAPITOL AND WE ARE AT THE NEW CAPITOL.

>> WE ARE AT THE NEW CAPITOL WHICH WAS OCCUPIED AFTER 1910 THAT DOESN'T SOUND TOO NEW BUT THAT IS NEW COMPARED TO THE OLD CAPITOL WHICH WAS USED FROM THE LATE 1820s UNTIL 1910.

AND THE OLD CAPITOL IS IN DOWNTOWN FRANKFORT IS ONE OF THE BEST EXAMPLES OF GREEK RERIVAL ARCHITECTURE IN THE NATION.

AND THE STAIRCASE IS MAGNIFICENT.

>> Renee: AND WHEN THE LAWMAKERS GO INTO SESSION AROUND PRESIDENT'S DAY THEY WILL HOLD CHAMBER NOTICE OLD CHAMBERS AND IT DOESN'T HAVE THE TECHNICAL AKRUT MONTES THEY BRING OUT A SCROLL AND READ OFF THE ROLL CALL BUT IT IS AN EXPERIENCE.

>> SUCH TRADITION AND THIS IS, IN FACT, THE FIFTH CAPITOL BUILDING.

A COUPLE BURNED BEFORE THE OLD CAPITOL AND THEN.

>> WE HAD DIFFICULTY WITH FIRES.

>> I GUESS SO.

BUT IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING TO BE HERE AND ANYWHERE YOU GO INSIDE YOU CAN FEEL THE HISTORY THAT IS HERE.

>> COMPARED TO WHAT THE BUILDING THAT HE TOOK HIS FIRST OATH OF OFFICE WAS A TWO STOREY LOG BUILDING IN LEXINGTON.

>> A LONG WAY.

IT'S INTERESTING ABOUT HOW FRANKFORT CAME TO BE THE CAPITAL CITY.

>> BECAUSE PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY FELT THE LARGER TOWN SHOULD BE IT AND FRANKFORT WAS A RIVER TOWN.

DUE TO A MAN ANDREW HOLMES, HE REALLY WORKED SO HARD TO GET THE CAPITOL HERE.

HE GAVE NAILS, GLASS, BRASS FIXTURES FOR THE CAPITOL BUILDING AND DUE TO THAT, PEOPLE DECIDED WELL, WE'LL PUT IT IN FRANKFORT.

SO THEREFORE THEY BUILT IT THERE AND WE'VE BEEN HERE EVER SINCE.

>> Renee: AND WE ARE CLOSE TO THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION.

>> AND THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION IS A BEAUTIFUL REPLICA OF THE ONE IN FRANCE SO IT IS ONE OF THE MOST ELEGANT OF THE GOVERNOR'S MANSIONS IN THE COUNTRY ALSO.

>> Renee: OWE GORGEOUS PLACE ESPECIALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR.

I HAVEN'T SEEN IT THIS TIME OF YEAR IN A COUPLE OF YEARS BUT IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> IT IS AND UNIQUE TO KENTUCKY AS WELL THAT ALL THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT ARE HERE.

>> Renee: YEAH.

>> SO VERY INTERESTING.

>> WE CAN CONCENTRATE POWER EASILY HERE.

>> Renee: WELL, YOU LIKE TO BE CLOSE TO FRANKFORT FOR ALL THOSE REASONS AND TO GIVE YOU THAT PERSPECTIVE ON THE FIRST FLOOR IS THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND WE ARE ON THE SECOND FLOOR THE STATE RECEPTION ROOM WHERE THE BILL SIGNINGS HAPPEN.

IT IS AN OTHER NATURE ROOM YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SIT ON THE FURNITURE.

THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL LAW LIBRARY ACROSS THE HALL THAT HAS STACKED BOOKS IN THE SHAPE OF A CHRISTMAS TREE.

QUITE STRIKING.

ON THE THIRD FLOOR IS WHERE THE LAW MAKING HAPPENS AND THE SENATE YOU WILL SEE TONIGHT IS JUST BEAUTIFULLY ADORNED WITH ALL OF THE LOVELY SNOW COLORED BOTANICALS WHEN YOU WALK IN IT'S FRAGRANT AND A CAPTIVATING SIGHT.

AND GREENERY DOWN THE HALLS AND YOU WILL SEE THAT DURING THE GRAND MARCH.

TUNE IN AT 6:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME TO SEE ALL OF THAT AND TO SEE ALL OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS OFFICIALLY TAKING THEIR WELCOME.

IS THAT WHAT YOU CALL THAT?

>> THE OFFICIAL, YES.

THE PUBLIC ONE.

IT HAS TO BE THE PUBLIC ONE, YES.

>> OFFICIALLY, OFFICIAL.

WE DO THIS A LOT.

AND IT IS AN OFFICIAL THING.

>> Renee: YOU WOULD THINK WITH A TWO-TERM GOVERNOR DOING ALL OF IT AGAIN.

>> IT IS, RIGHT, EXACTLY THE SAME.

>> IT'S SO IMPORTANT, THOUGH, TO THE ENTIRE MAKEUP OF THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE AN INAUGURATION FOR EACH TERM THAT THE GOVERNOR SERVES.

AND IT'S SOMETHING ALSO FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH TO SEE THAT THEY WANT THAT POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE.

THEY WANT THEIR LITTLE BIT OF GRANDEUR AND THEY GET IT.

THEY DO GET IT.

>> Renee: AND WE'VE SPOKEN HOW OTHER STATES THEY DO IT AND MOVE ON.

BUT WE MAKE IT A WHOLE OCCASION AND A REASON FOR PEOPLE MAYBE OUT OF STATE TO COME IN AND PEOPLE TO COME BACK HOME.

AND YOU'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW THEM LINING UP FOR THE PARADE.

AND THAT WILL GET STARTED HERE SHORTLY.

THESE DRONE SHOTS ARE EXTRAORDINARY AND GIVE US SUCH ACCESS AND VIEWS THAT WE HAVEN'T ALWAYS HAD.

WE THANK OUR OPERATORS FOR PROVIDING THIS COVERAGE FOR US TO GET A BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF WHAT IS ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE.

AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY AHEAD OF US KELSEY.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

AND THE GRAND MARSHALS TOO OF THE PARADE AS YOU MENTIONED ARE THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS THAT HAVE BEEN SINGLED OUT TO BE HERE TODAY.

AND AS WELL AS EDUCATORS.

AND SO REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT.

THAT THOSE ARE THE GRAND MARSHALS HERE TODAY.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

AND NOT TO GET POLITICAL ABOUT THIS, BUT THE DAY BEFORE, WE JUST GOT AN IMPORTANT RULING FROM THE FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE STRIKING DOWN HOUSE BILL 9 THAT WE KNOW THERE WILL BE TRACTION AND CONVERSATION COME JANUARY SECOND WITH LAWMAKERS CONVENE.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THE GOVERNOR REARRANGES HIS SPEECH A LITTLE BIT TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOME RECENT DEVELOPMENTS.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HOW SOON THEY START CRAFTING THEIR SPEECHES AFTER THEIR VICTORY?

AND ARE THEY MALLEABLE?

DO THEY CHANGE?

>> THEY GENERALLY HAVE ONE THAT IS PRETTY MUCH LAID OUT AHEAD OF TIME.

BUT, YES, THEY CAN EDIT IT QUICKLY.

AND SOMETIMES THEY DO FOR A VERY IMPORTANT EVENTS VIA THE LEGISLATURE OR THE COURTS THEY WILL TRY TO PUT THINGS IN AT THE LAST-MINUTE.

>> Renee: THE ONE DIFFERENCE HERE, TOO, AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN GET A SHOT OF IT, THERE ARE BIG SCREENS ON EITHER SIDE OF US THAT ARE THE TELEPROMPTER FOR THE GOVERNOR.

>> WOW.

>> Renee: THAT IS WHAT THOSE ARE USED FOR.

YESTERDAY WHILE WE WERE HERE SETTING UP WE COULD SEE THAT TEXT AND HEAR THEM.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT THAT RIGHT NOW.

THE 62nd ININAUGURATION, THAT IS THE SHOT THAT MIGHT BE SUPPLEMENTAL VIEWING BUT I CANNOT TELL.

>> THAT SMALLER SCREEN FACING THE STAGE.

>> YES.

SO IT'S INTERESTING HOW WE HAVE ELEVATED THE TIMES.

TO TECHNOLOGY CAN TAKE YOU SO FAR SO FAST.

AND MAKE IT SO ACCESSIBLE.

AND IT'S GREAT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR DID TALK ABOUT LAST NIGHT IS THAT THE PEOPLE THAT HE'S LOST THAT HAVE BEEN DEAR TO HIM.

HE MENTIONED IN VIRGINIA WHO WE LOST YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR, AND OF COURSE, TOMMY ELLIOT WHO WAS KILLED IN THE MASS SHOOTING AT OLD NATIONAL BANK IN LOUISVILLE IN APRIL.

AND WE'VE HAD RON IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, SEPTEMBER GOVERNOR JONES PASSED AND JUST THE BEGINNING OF THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR CAROL PASSED.

SO A LOT OF MONUMENTAL LARGE FIGURES THAT OUR COMMONWEALTH HAS LIFTED UP ARE NO LONGER WITH US.

>> YES, AND AT ONE TIME THERE WERE QUITE A FEW FORMER KENTUCKY GOVERNORS STILL ALIVE AND IT'S GETTING SMALLER NOW, THE NUMBER IS.

AND A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE HAVE PASSED ALONG.

THAT HAS AFFECTED THIS COMMONWEALTH MORE THAN WE WILL KNOW FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> Renee: YOU NEVER KNOW YOUR LEGACY UNTIL 20-30 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

>> AT LEAST.

>> AND ONE OF THE HONORARY CHAIRS IS TOMMY ELLIOT WHO SERVED AS THAT ROLE IN BESHEAR'S FIRST INAUGURATION AND IS BEING HONORED IN AS AN HONORARY CHAIR.

THEY WERE VERY CLOSE.

SO IT IS KIND OF A SOMBER DAY BECAUSE AS WE SAID SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED.

SO MUCH TRAGEDY HAPPENED IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

SO I THINK THIS IS A TIME WHEN WE CAN LOOK BACK AND SEE HOW FAR WE'VE COME AND THEN, OF COURSE, LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.

>> Renee: AND IT IS A DAY FOR HOPE AND OPTIMISM THAT WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE KENTUCKY SPIRIT AND IT WAS CALLED THAT UNBRIDLED SPIRIT OUR LOGO AND SLOGAN WAS THAT.

STILL IS.

SO WE'RE RESILIENT AND EVEN WHEN THERE IS ENORMOUS TRAGEDY WE STILL RISE ABOVE AND HELP EACH OTHER AND THE GOVERNOR POINTED THAT OUT TIME AND TIME AGAIN HOW NEIGHBORS HAVE HELPED NEIGHBORS AND STREAM L EXTREME HARD TIMES.

>> THAT IS THE TRUE KENTUCKY SPIRIT.

>> Renee: SO YOU WILL SEE THAT AND FEEL THAT THROUGHOUT THE PARADE.

AND EVEN THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

I THINK YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF SPIRIT HEAR PLANES OVERHEAD.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

IT IS ABOUT HOPEFULLY 50°.

BUT IT FEELS GOOD RIGHT NOW.

AND JUST THE WARMTH OF THE WE ARE ON THE CUSP OF A NEW YEAR AND A NEW BEGINNING.

AND THIS IS A GOOD START TO IT.

>> IT IS.

NOTHING LIKE A GOOD PARADE.

>> Renee: NOTHING LIKE A GOOD PARADE.

I WILL MENTION KELSEY'S BIRTHDAY WAS ON THE 9TH AND I SAID, RON, ON TUESDAY WE'RE THROWING YOU A PARADE.

>> YOU GOT A LOT OF HONOR THERE.

>> ALL THESE PEOPLE FOR ME.

>> Renee: ALL THE PEOPLE WISHING YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY IT IS A FANTASTIC TIME OF YEAR.

AND ESPECIALLY AROUND THE HOLIDAYS, SO YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF HOLIDAY INSPIRED MUSIC HERE.

A LOT OF HOLIDAY INSPIRED MUSIC AND THE DECOR AND YOU WILL SEE THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THE DECOR INSIDE THE CAPITOL IT IS INCREDIBLE.

THE DECORATION IN EVERY ROOM, EVERY CORNER I TURNED WHEN I CAME IN IT'S JUST REALLY BREATHTAKING.

BESIDES THE ORNATENESS OF THE CAPITOL BUT WHEN IT IS DRESSED UP FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR IT IS TRULY SPERM.

>> Renee: IT IS AND IT'S AROMATIC.

YOU WALK IN AND THE FRAGRANCE IS WONDERFUL AND A SHOUT-OUT TO SAM AND HIS TEAM FOR MAKING TRANSFORMING PART OF THE CAPITOL HERE.

SO HERE THEY COME.

>> HERE THEY COME.

>> Renee: I WAS SAYING A SHOUT-OUT TO OR CREW WHO IS SO MANY OF THEM ON EVERY CORNER HERE TO GIVE YOU THIS REALLY YOUR JOURNEY ALONG WITH US AS IT'S HAPPENING IN REALTIME.

AND IT'S AWESOME TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT IT TO YOU.

YOU ALTHOUGH START WITH YOUR MILITARY AND FIRST-RESPONDERS, THE COLOR GUARD AND THAT IS HOW YOU START EVERY EVENT IN KENTUCKY.

I DON'T KNOW OF ANY EVENT, KELSEY, HAVE YOU GONE TO AN EVENT WHERE YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE POSTING OF THE COLORS AND THE SINGLE-DIGITTING OF THE STATE SONG.

>> WE LIKE OUR TRADITION.

>> Renee: AND IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE I CALL THEM THE ROUNDABOUTS, BUT THE ROUND CIRCLES ON CAPITOL AVENUE.

THEY HAVE NOT ADORNED THIS TIME OF YEAR.

BUT WE ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO COME BACK TO THE CAPITOL BECAUSE THE GROUNDS ARE BREATHTAKING.

THE CLOCK WHEN I WENT BY THE CLOCK YESTERDAY IT IS SO HOLIDAY INSPIRED AND SO IT'S JUST HELPS GET YOU IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT.

AND WE'LL TAKE A LISTEN TO THE BAND.

[♪♪] [♪♪] >> Renee: WE'RE TRYING TO READ THE SIGNS ALONG WITH YOU, FOLKS.

THE GRAND MARSHALS FOR THE PARADE.

THANK YOU FOR THAT EMPHASIS KENTUCKY HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND EDUCATORS.

YOU ARE HEARING A FAMILIAR VOICE IN THE BACKGROUND THE PARADE ANNOUNCER IS NONE OTHER THAN BILL BRYANT WHO IS THE MAIN ANCHOR AT CHANNEL 27 IN LEXINGTON AND, OF COURSE, THE HOST OF KET'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" ON FRIDAY EVENINGS.

SO WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE BILL A PART OF OUR TEAM IN SOME WAY.

MAYBE A LITTLE MORE REMOTE BUT WE'RE SO GLAD HE IS PARTICIPATING IN TODAY'S PARADE AS THE ANNOUNCER.

SO, YEAH, THEY ARE ALL THIS IS INTERESTING THE GRANDSTANDS THEY ARE ALL FILING IN.

AND THEY WILL HAVE A REALLY GOOD VIEW, KELSEY, OF THE PARADE UNFOLDING.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

THEY HAVE ABOUT 50-60 HEALTHCARE WORKERS HERE TODAY.

I THINK IT'S SO GREAT THAT THEY ARE HONORED HERE.

ONE OF THE DOCTORS HERE IS U OF L'S Dr. JASON SMITH WHO MADE HEADLINES SPEAKING CANDIDLY ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE AFTER THAT APRIL 10TH SHOOTING IN LOUISVILLE.

AND SO AND HE WAS, OF COURSE, A MAIN FACE DURING COVID AS WELL.

AND HELPED LEAD THE COVID RESPONSE AS WELL AS Dr. STEVEN STACK WHO THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH ALSO GOT TO KNOW HIM VERY WELL DURING THE COVID YEARS.

>> Renee: AND LAST NIGHT Dr. STEVEN STACK WAS THE EMCEE OF THE PRIVATE SWEARING IN AND HE MADE A JOKE ABOUT THE TIMES THEY DID THE PRESS CONFERENCES ABOUT THE STEVE AND ANDY SHOW.

AND WE'RE GLAD TO SAY WE'RE BEYOND THOSE DAYS CERTAINLY.

OF BUT STEVEN STACK AND Dr. SMITH AS YOU SAID HAS RISEN TO PROMINENCE IN HOW HE HANDLED AND COMMUNICATED ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE.

AND THERE YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY AND HIS FAMILY FIRST LADY BRITAINY.

AND THEIR CHILDREN, WILL AND LILA.

I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH THEY HAVE GROWN.

>> I KNOW.

YOU THINK ABOUT FOUR YEARS BUT HIS KIDS ARE ABOUT THE SAME AGE AS MINE YOU THINK ABOUT TO FOUR YEARS AGO, GOING FROM 9 OR 10 TO 13, 14, THAT BIG JUMP.

AND I THINK THAT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING TO THINK ABOUT HOW THEY DO HAVE YOUNG KIDS IN THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION IT'S FUN.

>> Renee: AND IT'S FUN TO SEE THE PICTURES WITH WINNIE THE DOG AND LAST NIGHT, WHEN THE KIDS WERE STANDING NEXT TO BRITAINY, IT WAS A RUN FOR THE MONEY THERE ON THE HEIGHT.

I MEAN, SO IT WAS AMAZING HOW MUCH THEY HAVE MATURED, LOVELY CHILDREN.

AND GOOD TO SEE THEM AND, OF COURSE, THEY ARE ON A HIGH TODAY, RIGHT?

THE EMOTIONS THAT YOU FEEL.

JUST TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A SECOND TERM, HE'S ONLY THE THIRD GOVERNOR IN KENTUCKY HISTORY TO HAVE A SECOND TERM.

AND THERE'S LOTS OF TALK HE SAID IT LAST NIGHT IN HIS SPEECH THE EYES OF THE COUNTRY ARE ON KENTUCKY.

AND EYES OF THE COUNTRY ARE ALSO ON GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.

AND SO MANY PEOPLE ALREADY SPECULATING ABOUT WHAT COMES AFTER THESE FOUR YEARS.

BUT WE'LL TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN AND HER FAMILY THERE.

I HAVE TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES THAT IS TRADITION, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS.

IT'S INTERESTING HOW GOVERNORS HAVE ALWAYS ENTERED FRANKFORT FOR THE INAUGURATION.

THE FIRST ONE WAS ON HORSEBACK, OF COURSE.

AND THEN THEY CAME IN THE OPEN CARRIAGES.

AND THEN ONE GOVERNOR JAMES CLARK ACTUALLY CAME IN THE FIRST RAILROAD IN 1836 AND IT WAS CALLED A STEAM CARRIAGE.

AND IT GOT HERE QUICKLY AT THE GREAT RATE OF 5-MILES-PER-HOUR.

[LAUGHTER] >> WOW, THAT IS INTERESTING.

>> Renee: RATHER GO FOR THE HORSEPOWER.

WELL, AND THERE IS FORMER GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR AND FIRST LADY JANE.

>> HISTORY MAKING FAMILY THERE WITH THE ONLY FATHER AND SON TO EVER BE ELECTED GOVERNOR.

>> Renee: THAT'S RIGHT AND TO TWO TERMSISM TWO TERMS EACH.

JUST FUN TO SEE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RIGHT HERE.

SO THERE SHE IS WITH L. >> WITH HER YOUNG KIDS AS WELL.

>> Renee: SHE MADE A COMMENT LAST NIGHT DURING THE PRIVATE SWEARING IN OR EARLIER TODAY, THAT SHE WAS SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT FOUR YEARS AGO.

AND NOW HER LITTLE GIRL IS FOUR YEARS OLD AND SHE THINKS THIS IS A PRINCESS PARTY.

SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO SPOIL IT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Renee: FUN TO SEE THE FAMILY.

>> AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT, TOO, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE KIDS GROWING UP, YOU THINK ABOUT FOUR YEARS FROM NOW, WILL WILL BE 18 YEARS OLD.

>> Renee: HEADED TO COLLEGE.

>> THAT IS INCREDIBLE.

CRAZY TO THINK ABOUT.

>> Renee: TIME FLIES THE DAYS ARE LONG BUT THE YEARS ARE SHORT.

>> ABSOLUTELY THE TRUTH.

>> Renee: AND IT'S WONDERFUL TO WATCH THEM MATURE AND I HAVE TO IMAGINE THEY ARE IN THE SPOTLIGHT, TOO.

IT SEEMS LIKE THE BESHEARS REALLY AND THE COLEMANS TRY TO SHIELD THEIR CHILDREN.

>> IT'S GOT TO BE A TOUGH BALANCE WITH KIDS GROWING UP IN THAT SPOTLIGHT.

SOMETHING THEY DIDN'T CHOOSE.

>> NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE, TO SHIELD THEM, TOO.

>> Renee: AND IN THESE DAYS AND TIMES HAVING SOCIAL MEDIA IT'S TOUGHER.

AND BUT, THEY LOOK LIKE THEY'VE GOT GOOD HOME TRAINING AS WE WOULD SAY FROM MY THEK OF THE WOODS.

AND THEY ARE SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE THEM ENJOYING THE PARADE AND THEY WILL HAVE LOTS OF WELL-WISHERS THAT WILL GO BY THEM AS WE PROCEED WITH THE PARADE.

>> Renee: SO I THINK YOU ARE ABLE TO HEAR BILL BRYANT FAIRLY AUDIBLELY AND I WILL -- SO YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR HIM A LITTLE BIT BETTER AS THE PARADE ACCELERATES HERE.

AND SO RIGHT NOW, KELSEY?

>> I THINK WE WILL HAVE THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE HERE RIGHT NOW AND THEN COMING UP, I CAN'T TELL IF THEY ARE HERE YET OR NOT, BUT OFFICER NICK WILT IS GOING TO BE COMING UP HERE IN JUST A MOMENT A PART OF THIS PARADE.

HE WAS THE OFFICER WHO WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD DURING THAT DEADLY SHOOTING WE TALKED ABOUT AT OLD NATIONAL BANK IN LOUISVILLE IN APRIL.

MIRACULOUS RECOVERY.

HE HAS BEEN DISCHARGED IS NOW AT HOME.

AND NOW IN THE PARADE.

IT IS INCREDIBLE.

AND THAT HAS BEEN SUCH AN INSPIRING STORY TO SEE HIS RECOVERY AFTER MULTIPLE SURGERIES, INFECTIONS HE HAD A LOT OF SETBACKS.

AND THEN WAS ABLE TO REHAB AT FRASER REHAB AND JUST WENT HOME THIS PAST JULY.

AND HERE HE IS PARTICIPATING IN THIS PARADE.

>> Renee: TALK ABOUT A HERO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Renee: AND WE REMEMBER APRIL 10TH, 2023 THAT WILL BE A DAY THAT WHETHER YOU ARE A LOUISVILLIAN OR NOT, YOU WILL REMEMBER IF YOU ARE A KENTUCKIAN AND TO SEE HIM IN A FEW MINUTES WILL BRING A SMILE AND LOTS OF CHEERS WHEN HE APPROACHES.

>> Renee: RON, WHEN YOU LOOK AT TODAY'S PARADE, IS THERE ANY -- WAS THERE ANY OTHER PARTICULARLY STAND OUT OR SPECTACULAR PARADE OR EVENT AT APARADE THAT MADE IT MEMORABLE?

>> YES, THERE WERE QUITE A FEW THROUGH THE YEARS.

ONE OF THE EVENTS THAT GOES DOWN IN HISTORY IS WHEN GOVERNOR McCRARY WAS INAUGURATED HIS FIRST TIME IN THE 1870s.

AND THEY HAD A 40-FOOT HIGH PAPER TISSUE BALLOON SENT UP OVER FRANKFORT IT ROSE VERY HIGH THE CROWD WAS DELIGHTED UNTIL IT BURST INTO FLAMES AND FELL DOWN.

>> WE DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH FIRE HERE.

>> Renee: I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THERE.

GOODNESS.

>> WOW.

>> AND THERE WERE OTHER PARADES WHEN SOME OF THE PARADES WERE SO LARGE, THE PARADE WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST IN HISTORY.

IT WENT 11 BLOCKS AND HAD OVER 250 BANDS IN IT.

IT TOOK A WHILE.

IT REALLY DID.

>> Renee: THERE'S MORE BANDS THAN COUNTIES.

THAT IS DOUBLE THE AMOUNT.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST PARADES AND THE ELEPHANT WAS THERE THAT TIME, TOO.

THAT WAS GOOD.

AND WHEN GOVERNOR LA FIVE HUNDRED WAS INAUGURATED IN THE 30s, THERE WAS A STATUE OF A ROOSTER IN FRONT OF HIM WHEN HE WAS TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE BECAUSE THAT WAS THE SIGN OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AT THE TIME AND IT STILL IS ON KENTUCKY BALLOTS BUT THE ROOSTER LOOKED SO STRANGE.

SO THAT CAUSED COMMENTS ALSO.

>> Renee: WELL, THEY DON'T HAVE THE PROPS OR THE FIRE THAT YOU LEARN FROM HISTORY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

MY DAD TOLD ME LAST NIGHT THAT MY GRANDPARENTS WERE IN AN INAUGURATION PARADE WHEN FORD WAS ELECTED GOVERNOR AND THEY WERE IN THE PU BAND IT'S FOR PANTOMIME.

IT WAS A LIP SYNCING BAND BUT THE PEOPLE HEARD OF IT.

>> Renee: AND IT STARTED A TREND.

>> THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED.

WHERE SOME OF THE BANDS MAY HAVE COME FROM THEY ARE NOT MARCHING BANDS.

>> Renee: THAT IS A GOOD POINT.

>> AND ONE THING THAT WAS REALLY COMMON IN MANY INAUGURATIONS EARLY ON, WE HAD THE FIRING OF THE CANNON.

BUT AT A SIGNAL EVERYONE IN THE CROWD HAD A GUN AND STARTED SHOOTING IN THE AIR AND THAT HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND THERE WAS HAIL OF BULLETS COMING DOWN.

IT WAS LIKE HUNDREDS OF SHOTS BEING FIRED YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE.

BUT THE CROWD WAS DELIGHTED WITH IT THAT WAS THE TERM.

>> Renee: OKAY.

WELL, WE'VE COME A LONG WAY.

I'M THANKFUL THAT IS NOT A PART OF THE PROGRAM NOW I HAVE TO SAY.

SO FUN STUFF.

IT'S GOOD TO LOOK BACK AT HISTORY AND TO HAVE A BASES OF COMPARISON.

IT'S FUN TO FIND THE COMIC NATURE OF IT BUT IT'S GROUNDED IN SOME TRADITION THAT IS UNIQUELY KENTUCKY OR SIGNATURE ABOUT US IN SOME WAY.

>> YES.

YES.

AND ONE OF THE GREAT TRADITIONS IS WHEN THE GOVERNOR WILL GO BACK TO THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION AND ON THE DINING ROOM TABLE THERE WILL BE A PLATTER OF COUNTRY HAM, KENTUCKY BEAT AND BISCUITS AND A WHITE CAKE AND THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A CENTURY.

THAT IS A TRADITION.

IF YOU'VE HAD A BEAT AND BISCUIT YOU HAVE TO EAT THEM QUICKLY WITHIN 10 MINUTES YOU WOULD BREAK THAT WINDOW OUT WITH ONE OF THEM.

>> Renee: WELL, I'VE HAD SOME AND I TRIED TO MAKE AND THEY COULD BLAKE GLASS.

>> BUT THEY ARE GOOD WHEN THEY ARE FRESH AND A GOOD COUNTRY HAM IF YOU HAVEN'T'S HAD A BEAT AND BISCUIT IT'S GOOD TO HAVE AND THE SENIOR ADVISER TO GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR ADKINS I AFORMER HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER.

AND HIS WIFE WITH HIM.

I THINK THAT IS SECRETARY ERIC FRIEDLANDER BEHIND HIM.

THESE ARE FOLKS MINGLING WITH THE CABINET SECRETARIES AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS MAYBE SOME OF THE INAUGURAL COMMITTEE.

WE KNOW THAT Mr. ATKINS I WILL REFRAIN FROM CALLING HIM REPRESENTATIVE HE WILL BE PRESIDING OVER THE 2:00 P.M. PUBLIC SWEARING IN.

AND SO WE APPRECIATE HAVING THIS VIEW OF THEM AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL HEAR FROM THEM A LITTLE LATER.

YOU ARE SEEING THAT SLOGAN.

DEAD CENTER FORWARD TOGETHER.

IT IS BRANDED EVERYWHERE AND POSSIBLY CAN BE TO REMIND KENTUCKY VOTERS AND VIEWERS WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH.

MAYFIELD HIGH SCHOOL CARDINAL BAND AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE MAYFIELD.

KELSEY, YOU MENTIONED ABOUT MANY OF THE BANDS WHO WERE IN THE PARADE TODAY REPRESENT STORM-RAVAGED AREAS AND IT'S SHOWING THE SPIRIT THAT IS STILL ALIVE.

>> I NOTICED THAT THEME THROUGHOUT WHEN I THINK A LOT OF THEM ARE HIGHLIGHTED FROM THOSE AREAS.

OF COURSE, IN MAYFIELD THAT DECEMBER TORNADO FOR THROUGH THERE IN 2021.

HIT SEVERAL COUNTIES.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE IMPACTED THERE ACROSS 11 COUNTIES.

SO MANY OF THEM REPRESENTED HERE TODAY.

AND IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE THAT RESILIENCE, THAT UNBRIDLED SPIRIT THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT.

AND ALL OF THESE HIGH SCHOOLS REPRESENTED HERE AND ENJOYING A LITTLE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE.

>> Renee: THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS IS LIKE OUR MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE.

IT HAPPENS ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS.

>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> SOME OF THE BALLOONS MAYBE WE'LL WORK ON THAT FOR 2027.

>> YOU HAVE TO WATCH THE BALLOONS.

>> MAYBE CATCH ON FIRE.

>> Renee: BUT YOU ARE RIGHT, SHOWING THE SPIRIT AND THE RESILIENCY OF PLACES LIKE WESTERN KENTUCKY MAYFIELD WE CELEBRATED THE TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY AND MY HOME STATE OF TENNESSEE SUFFERED DAMAGE JUST OVER THE SAME WEEKEND.

AND SO IT'S GOOD TO BE CELEBRATING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST GOING TO BOUNCE BACK AND DO WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.

A LOT TO ORGANIZE, RON, TO GET ALL OF THESE FOLKS TOGETHER.

ONE TO GET THEM PARKING WHERE THEY NEED TO PARK AND TO GET THEM LINED UP.

KELSEY, THAT IS A LOT.

DAWSON SPRINGS TORNADO RECOVERY.

>> THE TOWN OF THE BESHEARS.

>> Renee: HOMETOWN STEVE BESHEAR GREW UP IN DAWSON SPRINGS AND THEY WERE AFFECTED BY THE DECEMBER 2021 TORNADOES.

AND JUST AN AMAZING SPIRIT.

TO WATCH THEM IN THIS PARADE AND TO SEE THIS VIEW IS SPECTACULAR.

>> IT IS A GREAT VIEW.

>> Renee: IT IS A GREAT VIEW.

KUDOS TO OUR GREAT CREW WHO ARE WORKING TODAY.

SO THE THEME IS REALLY AS YOU MENTIONED, KELSEY, IT'S ABOUT RESILIENCE THAT IS NOT IN THE TITLE BUT WE THINK ABOUT WHO IS HERE TODAY AND WHO IS LEADING OFF THE PARADE.

CERTAINLY SENDS A MESSAGE LIKE GRATITUDE, THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COMMUNITY FOR SERVING THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> AND AGAIN LOOKING BACK TO WHERE WE WERE IN 2019 TO THINK ABOUT HOW WHO COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THOSE FOUR YEARS.

AND TO SEE WHERE WE ARE NOW HOPEFULLY ON THE OTHER SIDE AND LOOKING TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

>> THE ONLY THING THAT COULD GET CLOSE TO THAT WAS THE CHOLERA OF THE 1830s AND THE SPANISH FLU AFTER WORLD WAR I AND KENTUCKY WAS HIT HARD BY BOTH THE CHOLERA AND THE SPANISH FLU AT THAT TIME.

BUT WE BOUNCED BACK.

>> Renee: WE BOUNCED BACK.

AND CERTAINLY STILL DOING THAT.

LEARNING TO LIVE WITH SOMETHING THAT MAY NOT EVER REALLY COMPLETELY GO AWAY BUT TRYING TO MITIGATE OUR RISK AND CONTINUING TO LIVE LIFE WITH THE UNBRIDLED SPIRIT THAT IS KENTUCKY.

LOVE THIS VIEW HERE.

THOSE BROWN CIRCLES THAT IS LANDSCAPING THERE.

AND THE SPRING IT IS JUST GORGEOUS WHEN THEY PLANT THE TULIPS, BUT WHEN THEY COME UP IN THE SPRING IT IS JUST A SIGHT TO BEHOLD.

>> I WAS LEARNING ABOUT THE LANDSCAPING HERE AND SAID THEY DID NOT PLAN FOR PARKING LOTS BACK THEN BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT CARS WERE A FAD.

>> THEY ARE PASSING FANCY.

>> AND I THOUGHT WOW, TALK ABOUT CHANGE TO SEE HOW FAR JUST THE GROUNDS HAVE COME SINCE THEN AS WE TALK ABOUT WHERE ALL THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PARK.

>> IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE THE FLORAL CLOCK CAUSED ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONTROVERSIES IN KENTUCKY HISTORY.

>> WHY?

>> MOST OF THE PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT IT.

TALKING ABOUT LEGISLATORS.

>> WELL, THEY ARE PEOPLE.

THEY ARE PEOPLE, TOO.

>> Renee: THEY HAVE OPINIONS.

THE FLOORAL CLOCK IS BEAUTIFUL AND I LOVE HOW IT WILL CHANGE AND IT'S JUST A SIGHT TO SEE.

AND THERE'S NICE SEATING AROUND THERE.

IF YOU ARE WALKING THE GROUNDS IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO WALK.

AND YOU CAN SIT THERE AND READ A BOOK -- >> THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MOST PEOPLE WHO COME TO KENTUCKY TO VISIT IF THEY COME TO FRANKFORT AND SEE THE CAPITOL THEY WILL REMEMBER THE FLORAL CLOCK.

>> Renee: HOW MANY OTHER STATES HAVE A FLORAL CHOCK?

THAT GOES TO SHOW YOU DO YOUR OWN THING, RIGHT?

>> NOW, WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SOME OF THE UNIONS REPRESENTED HERE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR JUST ATTENDED THE STATE A.F.L.-C.I.O.

CONVENTION LAST WEEK IN LEXINGTON WHERE HE DESCRIBED HIMSELF AS A PROUD PRO UNION GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

THANKING THEM FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

CALLED IT OUR WIN.

AND WE'LL SEE A LOT OF THESE UNIONS REPRESENTED HERE TODAY.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

YES.

YOU ARE SEEING UNION WORKERS AND YOU WILL SEE SOME OF OUR MAYBE WE CALL THEM EMERGING INDUSTRIES.

BUT YOU WILL BE SEEING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BLUE OVAL SK BATTERY PLANT AND FORD AND TOYOTA AND THE VEHICLE WHICH IS BEING MADE DOWN THERE IN BOWLING GREEN OR THE PARTS FOR.

AND SO INTERESTING BECAUSE THAT IS ALSO A PART OF THE THEME AND GRATITUDE OR PAYING HOMAGE TO EDUCATORS AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WINS.

IN THE MIDST OF FOUR YEARS WITH NATURAL DISASTERS AND 100-YEAR PANDEMICS THERE HAS BEEN SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN THIS STATE.

AND BECOMING THERE YOU SEE IT, BLUE OVAL SK.

IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN ON I65, WHICH MOST PEOPLE IT'S ENORMOUS.

IT IS INCREDIBLE.

AND THE GOVERNOR SAID THIS IS THE LARGEST MANUFACTURING PLANT IN THE WORLD OR AMONGST THE LARGEST ONES IN THE WORLD.

AND IT IS A SIGHT TO SEE.

IT DOES SLOW DOWN TRAFFIC ON I-65 I TAKE THAT FREQUENTLY.

AND I CAN'T HELP BUT CRANE MY NECK.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE A SMALL CITY.

>> Renee: IT IS.

AND 5,000 PEOPLE ESSENTIALLY YOU COULD TAKE COUNTIES AND PUT IT RIGHT THERE AND THAT IS WHAT IT WOULD AMOUNT TO.

IT WILL BE A MAJOR ECONOMIC BOON WHEN THOSE PLANTS ARE OPERATIONAL.

WE DID GET WORD ONE OF THE PLANTS KENTUCKY PLANT TWO MAY BE DELAYED BUT THE CONSTRUCTION IS HAPPENING.

AND THE PROJECT IS STILL GOING TO PROCEED FORWARD.

THESE ARE MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AND TO HAVE THEM A PART OF THE PARADE, I HAVE TO ASK IS THAT UNPRECEDENTED TO REALLY VISUALLY SAY THANK YOU TO THESE COMPANIES THAT ARE COMING HERE?

>> THAT IS RATHER NEW, YES.

BECAUSE AND IT'S APPROPRIATE BECAUSE IT IS HELPING THE ECONOMY AND IT'S GIVING JOBS WHERE JOBS ARE NEEDED.

AND IT'S PART OF THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT IN KENTUCKY GOING INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.

>> Renee: THAT IS RIGHT.

YES.

IT'S HERE ALL OF THIS MANUFACTURING AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

WE HAVE YET TO SEE WHAT COULD COME WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THAT IT'S REMARKABLE.

YOU WERE JUST SEEING THOSE COMPANIES THERE AND THEN THE KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET AND LEADERSHIP WOULD FOLLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE ALSO WILL BE AMONG THE PARADE ATTENDEES AND PARTICIPANTS.

AND I'M GOING TO ASK IF WE'RE ABLE TO HEAR BILL BRYANT AS ANNOUNCER.

WE HEAR HIM VAGUELY AND I'M CURIOUS CONTROL ROOM IF VIEWERS ARE ABLE TO HEAR HIM?

SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO NARRATE THE PARADE AS BEST AS WE'RE WATCHING IT AS YOU ARE WATCHING IT.

SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO BRING ATTENTION TO THOSE WHO ARE WAVING AT THE CAMERA SAYING HI MOM AND DAD BACK HOME AND SHOWING THEIR KENTUCKY PRIDE TODAY.

LOOK AT THAT.

>> YES.

SPEAKING OF THE NEW ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND SPEAKING OF CHANGE AND ADVANCES THESE ELECTRIC VEHICLES WILL BE DISPLAYED HERE IN THE PARADE AND, OF COURSE, A BIG PART OF KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY WITH THE MASSIVE BATTERY PARK HAPPENING THERE.

AND SOME OF THE VEHICLES THAT ARE GOING TO BE SHOWING OFF HERE, I'M NOT SURE WHICH ONES ARE COMING UP EXACTLY.

BUT THERE IS THE FORD LIGHTNING, THE NEW BATTERY ELECTRIC FULL SIZE TRUCK.

THIS WAS JUST UNVEILED A COUPLE YEARS AGO BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A BIG BOON FOR FORD, OF COURSE, AND THE KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT IN LOUISVILLE.

THEY ARE ALSO BUILDING THE FORD SUPER DUTY F250.

SO THOSE ARE THE TRUCKS THEY WILL BE SHOWING OFF HERE TODAY.

>> Renee: FUN STUFF.

YOU'VE GOT THE HORSEPOWER AND THEN YOU HAVE THE HORSEPOWER.

>> THAT'S THE TRUTH.

>> Renee: THE FOUR-LEGGED VARIETY AND THE FOUR WHEEL VARIETY.

>> WE HAVE COME A LONG A WAY SINCE THE FIRST CARS IN THE PARADE THAT CAUSED A PANIC.

MANY PEOPLE HAD NOT SEEN ONE WHEN THEY SAW THE HORSELESS CARRIAGE AND SPITTING OUT SMOKE AND MAKING THE NOISE AND THE HORSES GETTING SCARED WHAT IN THE WORLD HAS HAPPENED?

>> Renee: AND OF COURSE YOU DIDN'T HAVE TELEVISION.

IF YOU COULD HAVE THAT DOCUMENTED THE PANIC SEEING PEOPLE SEE THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> ONE OF THE OLD LADIES THOUGHT IT WAS THE DEVIL COMING DOWN THE STREET.

IT WAS THAT NEW FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Renee: IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE PICKING UP ON A THEME THAT THE PARADES ARE A PLACE FOR NEW EXPERIENCES.

>> I GUESS SO.

THAT'S RIGHT.

EXPERIENCE A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

>> Renee: THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WITH THE GOOD, POSITIVE THEME AND WE'RE ALL USED TO SEEING ALL KINDS OF HORSEPOWER DEMONSTRATED BUT IT'S FUN TO SEE STARTING OFF WITH THE HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES AND TO SEE WHERE WE ARE NOW AS A STATE.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

LOOK WHO IS REPRESENTED.

I THINK THESE MAY BE SOME OF THE WORKERS WITH SOME OF THOSE PLANTS.

>> Renee: TALK ABOUT BRINGING OUT THE HEAVY MACHINERY, RIGHT?

WOW.

>> THEY ARE REALLY SHOWING OFF THE BIG GUNS HERE.

>> Renee: YOU KIND OF SOMETIMES WHEN YOU WATCH PARADES, EXCEPT FOR MAYBE THE BIG ONES ON NATIONAL TELEVISION, YOU MISS THE DAYS OF THE OLD FLOATS.

THIS IS THE MODERN-DAY FLOAT.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS.

SO THIS IS AN HOMAGE TO ALL OF THE GREAT PEOPLE WHO WORK IN OUR TRANSPORTATION CABINET AND DEPARTMENTS TO KEEP KENTUCKY LITERALLY MOVING.

A LOT OF TRANSPORTATION NEEDS THE STATE HAS.

AND ARE WORKING ON.

AND THESE ARE THE FOLKS WHO HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN.

WE ARE SEEING I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN GO DOWN ANY MAJOR HIGHWAY WHERE YOU ARE NOT SEEING A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION.

WIDENING OF ROADS AND ET CETERA TO MAKE ROOM FOR GROWTH AND THOSE ARE GOOD SIGNS.

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS.

ON A PONTOON FLOAT.

>> THAT IS AN OLD-FASHIONED FLOAT RIGHT THERE.

>> Renee: WE GOT WHAT WE WERE ASKING FOR.

>> THAT IS A FLOAT THAT FLOATS.

>> Renee: IT SURE IS.

HOW FUN IS THAT?

AND DRESSED IN PERIOD REGALIA THERE, REALLY FUN.

I LOVE THE THEMES HAPPENING HERE.

YOU DO WONDER HOW THEY SETTLE ON SOMETHING.

DO THEY DO IT BY VOTE?

>> THEY BRAINSTORM A GREAT DEAL.

THEY DO.

>> Renee: THAT'S FUN.

>> AND WE SHOULD NOTE THAT KENTUCKY'S PARK SYSTEM -- >> Renee: DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.

>> WAS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE GREATEST PARK SYSTEMS IN THE NATION AND ONE OF THE MOST PROGRESSIVE, ALSO.

>> Renee: AND LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF STATE PARKS WE HAVE.

AND THEY ARE WORKING VERY CLOSELY TO RENOVATE SOME OF THOSE AS WELL.

AND TO MAKE THOSE TOURISM DESTINATIONS IN KENTUCKY.

AND I WILL SAY THEY ARE GREAT FOR RETREATS AND ALL KINDS OF RETREATS AND TO ENJOY NATURE.

WE HAVE SOME OF THE PRETTIEST PLACES AROUND.

>> YOU KNOW, IT USED TO BE SAID THAT GOD WAS AN ENGLISHMAN SOME PEOPLE THINK GOD WAS A KENTUCKIAN FIRST.

>> WE WON'T ARGUE WITH THAT.

DIVISION OF FORESTRY YOU SEE THEM RIGHT THERE.

THAT IS FUN.

>> SMOKY THE BEAR?

>> Renee: SMOKY THE BEAR.

ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES.

>> WHICH IS ANOTHER DISASTER THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH HERE.

THOSE WILDFIRES ACROSS EASTERN KENTUCKY.

THESE ARE THE RESPONDERS WHO WERE FIGHTING THOSE FIRES AND, OF COURSE, THE DIVISION OF FORESTRY KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD INVOLVED THERE, LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS, VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS.

AND SO PAYING TRIBUTE TO THEM FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK THERE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

JUST HERE RECENTLY.

>> Renee: YES.

WE'VE BEEN HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH MOTHER NATURE QUITE A BIT HERE LATELY.

BUT OUR FIRST-RESPONDERS STAND READY TO ANSWER THE CALL.

NO CANDY THROWING?

>> NO CANDY THROWING.

>> YET.

>> Renee: YET, RIGHT?

I THINK.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE EVER SEEN THEM THROW CANDY.

>> PROBABLY JUST AS WELL.

>> Renee: YES, PROBABLY.

>> THIS IS HAZARD AND PERRY COUNTY, I THINK REPRESENTED.

OF COURSE ONE OF THOSE COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY FLOODING IN JULY OF 2022 ANOTHER SHOWING OFF THEIR REBUILDING COST.

YOU CAN SEE THEIR VOLUNTEER HOURS.

A LOT OF THEM HOLDING UP THEIR SIGNS TO SHOW THEIR RESILIENCE AFTER THAT HISTORIC FLOODING THERE.

SO ANOTHER STORY THERE OF RESILIENCE AND MOVING FORWARD.

>> Renee: AND IT'S INTERESTING THAT THESE PARTICIPANTS DRIVE GREAT DISTANCES.

HAZARD IS A GOODIES TANS.

>> IT IS A LONG HAUL.

>> Renee: AND THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE WHEN WE ARE IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE WE HEAR THE BLUEGRASS AND KENTUCKY GOES BOTH WAYS AND WE ARE REMINDED OF THAT.

SO IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A DAY WHERE IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT FRANKFORT.

THIS IS ABOUT THE WHOLE STATE.

AND CELEBRATING THE WHOLE STATE.

IT IS A GUBERNATORIAL CONFIRMATION.

BUT TO SEE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH EXTRAORDINARY JUST ISSUES AND CHALLENGES TO BE HERE TODAY, JUST REALLY MAKES YOUR HEART WARM.

THAT'S A DECKER, ISN'T IT?

>> THAT IS.

>> Renee: IT'S QUITE THE RIDE.

THE REBUILD COST $143 MILLION.

I MEAN THAT PUTS IT IN PERSPECTIVE.

AND OUR HEARTS AND THOUGHTS ARE TO THOSE AND SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO RECOVER.

>> THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DISPLACED THERE.

14 COUNTIES AFFECTED BY THAT FLOODING.

AND MANY OF THEM REPRESENTED HERE TODAY.

THESE ARE ALSO SOME OF THE HOME BUILDERS FROM THOSE DISASTER AREAS, YOU CAN SEE HERE.

>> Renee: THE HOUSING ALLIANCE.

>> APPALACHIA IS RISING.

THESE ARE THE REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS HOME BUILDERS FROM THOSE DISASTER AREAS.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

HOMES AND HOPE.

THE HOPE INITIATIVE.

EVEN MAYFIELD, GRAVES COUNTY, ALL ENDS OF THE STATE THERE AND HOW THEY'VE COME TOGETHER TO HELP REBUILD THOSE AREAS AFFECTED BY DISASTER.

>> Renee: AND WE'LL JUST PUT A PLUG IN FOR OUR NIGHTLY WEEKNIGHT PROGRAM KENTUCKY EDITION THAT HAS BEEN ABLE TO SHARE THE STORIES OF RESILIENCY OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, YEAR-AND-A-HALF OF KENTUCKIANS WHO BANDED TOGETHER TO HELP THEIR NEIGHBORS AND OUR GRASSROOTS EFFORTS TO HELP WITH FOOD EFFORTS AND HOUSING AND ALL KINDS OF ISSUES.

SO IT'S GOOD TODAY WE CELEBRATE THEM.

WE ARE CELEBRATING A NEW -- CONTINUATION OF ADMINISTRATION ON A SECOND TERM BUT IT'S ALSO SAYING IT'S LIFTING UP THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN TOUGH TIMES.

>> AND SOMETIMES WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT THE MANY PEOPLE WHO VOLUNTEERED SO MANY HOURS TO HELP PEOPLE IN NEED.

AND KENTUCKY IS VERY, VERY WELL-KNOWN FOR THAT.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

YOU SAW A SIGN THAT SAYS THANK YOU TO GOVERNOR BESHEAR FOR TAKING US TO HIGHER GROUND.

FIGURATIVE AND LITERALLY.

AND SO MUCH WORK STILL TO BE DONE TO HELP THOSE 116 HOMES LOST.

AND NOW YOU ARE HEARING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

>> Renee: FLOYD COUNTY BAND.

AND ONCE AGAIN AS KELSEY WAS TALKING EARLIER, THESE ARE THE COUNTIES THAT REPRESENT RESILIENCY FROM FLOODING IN EASTERN KENTUCKY AND TO SEE THEM HERE TODAY IS EXTRAORDINARY.

[♪♪] WE'RE ALLOWING PREGNANT PAUSES SO YOU CAN ENJOY THE MUSIC FROM THE BANDS.

BY THE TIME THEY GET TO US, SOMETIMES THEY HAVE MOVED ON AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP PACE AS BEST AS WE CAN WITH WHAT WE THINK YOU MIGHT BE SEEING WHEN WE SEE IT.

WE KNOW THAT SO MANY OF YOU ARE WATCHING BECAUSE YOU HAVE A KIDDO WHO IS NOT SO MUCH OF A LITTLE KIDDO ANYMORE WHO IS MARCHING IN THE BAND OR MAYBE RIDING IN ONE OF THE FLOATS OR JUST SHOWING THEIR KENTUCKY SPIRIT TODAY.

AND SO WE WANT TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THAT AND TO HEAR THEM IF POSSIBLE.

>> THIS IS THE PIKE COUNTY BAND.

[♪♪] [♪♪] >> Renee: SO WE MAY HAVE TOLD YOU THAT THE PARADE IS IF NOT DIVIDED BUT THERE ARE TWO PARTS.

THERE IS A PHASE ONE AND A PHASE TWO.

AND THE PHASE ONE WAS THE HOMAGE TO THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND EDUCATORS AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOLKS WHO ARE HELPING TO BRING MORE INDUSTRY TO KENTUCKY.

AND, OF COURSE, YOU ARE SEEING A LOT OF BANDS MIXED IN.

THEN WE WILL SEE OTHERS THE DIGNITARIES, ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO YOU WILL BE SEEING IN A LITTLE BIT AS WELL.

SO IT'S INTERESTING TO BLEND THOSE TWO, BUT TO GIVE THE KENTUCKIANS TIME TO JUST BE CELEBRATED IN THEIR OWN SPACE.

>> AND IT'S AMAZING WITH KENTUCKY WITH SO MANY COUNTIES YOU KNOW THAT SO MANY OF THEM DO MAKE THE TRIP HERE FOR THIS.

AND AS YOU SAID A WHILE AGO, SOME GREAT DISTANCES TOO AND GREAT SACRIFICE THEY DO THIS.

IT GIVES MORE TO THE SPIRIT OF THE DAY, I THINK.

>> Renee: AND THEY HAD TO REHEARSE, RIGHT?

YOU HAVE TO -- THOUGH YOU KNOW JINGLE BELLS YOU HAVE TO PRACTICE IT.

>> I'VE HEARD SEVERAL VERSIONS OF IT.

>> Renee: AND ONE OF THOSE STORM RAVAGED COUNTIES.

>> I WONDER HOW MANY OF THE COUNTIES ARE REPRESENTED HERE TODAY.

>> Renee: IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO KNOW.

AND WHEN IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE THAT WILL BE WHAT IS WRITTEN ABOUT HOW RECOGNIZING WHAT KENTUCKY HAS ENDURED AS A STATE.

AND WHILE WE'RE CELEBRATING THE INAUGURATION OF THE LEADER OF THE STATE, THE STATE'S C.E.O., I BELIEVE AND WE HEARD IT LAST NIGHT DURING THE PRIVATE SWEARING IN THAT THE GOVERNOR GIVES A LOT OF CREDIT TO AVERAGE EVERYDAY KENTUCKIANS WHO GET UP EACH AND EVERYDAY, SOMETIMES FACING TREMENDOUS CHALLENGES AND JUST GET IT DONE.

AND I THINK TODAY IS A DAY YOU CAN CELEBRATE THAT SPIRIT AND THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE SEEING.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

WE KNOW THE GOOD WORK THEY DO IN HELPING TO REBUILD DESTROYED HOMES AND TO GIVE QUITE FRANKLY, THOSE WHO MAYBE NOT HAD A CHANCE AT HOMEOWNERSHIP TO HELP THEM ALONG AS WELL.

HOMEOWNERSHIP IS OFTEN A PATH FORWARD GREATER ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND TO SEE THEM IN THE PARADE TODAY.

AND YOU GOT TO LOVE THE WORD HOPE.

MAYBE THAT IS THE SUBTEXT.

>> IT IS A THEME.

>> Renee: IT IS A THEME AND THEY ARE A GROUP THAT BUILDS HOMES AND WORKS WITH THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IN DISTRESS.

AND HOPE SAYS IT ALL.

>> Renee: IT'S FUNNY WHERE WE ARE ON THE BALCONY OF THE STATE RECEPTION ROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR, YOU GET A BLEND OF A LOT OF DIFFERENT SOUNDS AS THEY ARE PASSING THE REVIEWING STATION AND EXITING.

SO WE'RE HEARING LOTS OF DIFFERENT BANDS.

SOUNDS GOOD.

>> AND I HOPE THEY SOUNDED AS GOOD.

>> Renee: ARE YOU ABLE TO HEAR THEM AS WELL WHEN THEY WERE RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.

A LOT OF TALENT IN KENTUCKY.

YOU WILL SEE SOME OF THAT YOU ARE SEEING THAT ON DISPLAY NOW AND LATER ON TODAY YOU WILL SEE MEG MEGASTAR JOINING THE STAGE FOR THE PUBLIC SWEARING IN AT 2:00 P.M. >> THIS IS THE EV RACING.

THE U.K. CENTER FOR APPLIED ENERGY RESEARCH ABOUT 2030 MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM FAYETTE COUNTY, THREE EV VEHICLES THEY DESIGNED AND BUILT THESE.

TALK ABOUT THE KIDS THESE DAYS.

>> Renee: THE NEXT GENERATION.

THEY MAKE CARS.

>> IT IS INCREDIBLE.

SO THAT'S REALLY COOL TO SHOW OFF WHAT THOSE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN UP TO.

MAKING EV VEHICLES.

>> Renee: THAT IS SOMETHING.

THEY CAN PROBABLY DRIVE THEM BETTER THAN I CAN.

[LAUGHTER] AND NOT EVEN ABLE TO.

THIS IS THE KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY BAND.

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITYINGS KENTUCKY'S ONLY PUBLIC HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY.

THE OTHER IS SIMMONS BUT THAT IS A PRIVATE INSTITUTION.

THEY ARE PERFORMERS IN MANY WAYS, TO HEAR THEIR ENSEMBLE CHOIR, IN ADDITION TO THEIR MARCHING BAND.

THEY CERTAINLY ARE GREAT HALFTIME PERFORMERS.

>> AND HERE IS OUR BIG SHOW.

>> Renee: AND THIS IS THE HOME BAND.

WE ARE SITUATED JUST A MILE OR TWO, MAYBE FROM WHERE KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY IS LOCATED.

SO WE ARE-- THEY'RE ENTERTAINING US ON THEIR SOIL TODAY.

AND WE ARE GOING TO JUST LISTEN IN TO THEM FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> Renee: SO, AS WE MENTIONED TO EARLIER, THERE WERE TWO PHASES OF THE PA RATE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY MARCHING BAND ARE THE ENTRANCE TO THE SECOND PHASE OF TODAY'S PARADE.

AND YOU WILL BE SEEING NOW, FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY AND FRANKFORT ELECTED OFFICIALS AND MAYBE A COUPLE OF GOVERNORS, FORMER GOVERNORS OR TWO.

AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING BIG RED.

WKU'S MASCOT.

WESTERN UNIVERSITY-- CONCERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY'S MASCOT.

WE'LL LET YOU ENJOY THIS AND A SPOILER ALERT OF WHAT IS TO COME.

I BELIEVE THESE ARE THE FRANKFORT FRANKLIN COUNTY OFFICIALS.

MAYOR LANE WILKERSON, JUDGE MUELLER AND STATE SENATOR GEX WILLIAMS.

AND GOVERNOR PAUL PATTON AND HIS WIFE JUDY.

THAT DOES YOUR HEART GOOD.

GOVERNOR PAUL PATTON, WE VISITED PIKEVILLE THIS SUM SUMMER.

HE IS 86 YEARS OLD.

WRITTEN HIS FIRST BOOK THAT IS OUT AND VEILABLE.

HAVE YOU PICKED IT UP YET OR READ IT?

>> NOT YET BUT I'VE READ REVIEWS.

>> Renee: I'VE GOT IT COMING IN FROM AMAZON FOR THE HOLIDAYS, FOR HIM TO TALK ABOUT HIS TWO TERMS AS GOVERNOR AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE GOOD AND NOT SO GOOD IN HIS ADMINISTRATION.

AND JEWETTY WHO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VERY WARM FIRST LADY.

IT IS FITTING TO HAVE THE CLASSIC CAR THAT THEY'RE IN SNOWING THEM A LITTLE BIT.

CERTAINLY IT'S GOOD TO SEE THEM OUT AND ABOUT ON THIS BRISK DAY.

GOVERNOR PATTON WAS KNOWN AS THE GOVERNOR WITH THE COMMON TOUCH.

HE WOULD TALK TO ANYONE AND GAVE THEM HIS UNDIVIDED ATTENTION.

>> Renee: THAT IS SO TRUE.

IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN IN HIS PRESENCE.

HE IS SO WARM AND DOWN TO EARTH AS ANYONE CAN BE.

WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY.

>> HERE ARE THE HILLTOPPERS.

>> Renee: YES, YES!

TWO HILLTOPPERS HERE ALMA MATERS.

VERY PRIDEFUL.

VERY PROUD OF THEM AND THAT INSTITUTION.

ALL OF INSTITUTIONS IN KENTUCKY.

I THINK I HAVE A SWEATSHIRT FROM EACH ONE OF THEM.

BECAUSE THEY ALL HAVE THEIR UNIQUE PROGRAMS THAT HELP SERVE 24 STATE, HELP US WITH OUR WORKFORCE ISSUES AND HELP ENLIGHTEN A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS AND TO BRING THEM INTO THEIR OWN LEADERSHIP AND WE KNOW THAT SO MUCH IS CHANGING AND IT'S GOD GOOD TO SEE THE FUTURE MARCHING AROUND CELEBRATING THE PRESENT HOPEFULLY WE CAN KEEP ALL OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE HERE IN KENTUCKY AND MAYBE EVEN SEE SOME OF THEM BE CELEBRATED ON A DAY LIKE TODAY.

WESTERN REALLY SHOWED UP FOR THIS.

THIS IS A GOOD TWO AND A HALF, THREE HOUR DRIVE.

>> THAT IS A SEAD RED.

>> Renee: A SEA OF RED AND THEY'RE PLAYING THE WKU FIGHT SONG.

AND THE RED TOWEL THAT YOU ARE SEEING, THE EMBLEM OF THE UNIVERSITY.

SPIRIT MAKES THE MASTER IS THE NOT IS THE MOTTO AT WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY.

PRESIDENT IS TIM ANY CABONI AND THESE ARE THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT JUSTICES.

NOW WE ARE NOT SURE WE CAN SEE EVERYONE BECAUSE IT'S PRETTY DARK.

BUT WE SHOULD HAVE THE JUSTICE CHIEF JUSTICE VAN METER, LAWRENCE VAN METER.

THERE SHOULD BE MICHELLE KELLER AND JUSTICE NICHOL AND DEBORAH LAMBERT.

IT'S NICE TO HAVE THIS TRUCK PULLED TROLLEY THERE.

>> THAT IS A COOL LOOKING TROLLEY.

>> Renee: KIND OF FUN.

>> SO AS YOU MENTIONED, THIS PART OF THE PARADE, PHASE 2, WE'LL SEE A LOT MORE OF THE DIGNITARIES INVOLVED IN THIS PHASE OF THE PARADE, BUT IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE THAT AS WELL AS ALL THE FOLKS THAT WERE IN THAT FIRST PHASE REPRESENTING KENTUCKY.

THESE REPRESENTING SORT OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES BUT HOW THEY ARE ALL COMING TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE TODAY.

>> Renee: THAT'S RIGHT.

AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE THAT AND TO DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

>> THIS IS ETHAN ALMIGHTY.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE REMEMBER 24 DOG.

HE WAS-- HE HAS BECOME QUITE THE SENSATION ETHAN ALMIGHTY AND HE WAS FOUND ABUSED AND NEGLECTED IN A PARKING LOT BACK IN 2021 IN JANUARY, I BELIEVE AND WENT TO THE KENTUCKY HUMANE SOCIETY AND JEFF CALLOWAY, THE FACILITIES DIRECTOR AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY ADOPTED HIM AND LOOK AT HIM NOW.

>> Renee: HE LOOKS VERY HEALTHY AND HAPPY.

>> HE IS VERY HEALTHY AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

HE HAS GOT-- HE IS QUITE THE CELEBRITY.

HE WAS JUST NAMED THE AMERICAN HUMANE HERO DOG LAST YEAR A NATIONAL AWARD.

HE HAS A SPOKESPERSON IF YOU WILL, JOB.

>> Renee: A PUBLICIST?

>> HE IS THE CHIEF TASTING OFFICER FOR BUSCH BEER.

HE IS IN THE ANIMAL HALL OF FAME WITH THE KENTUCKY VETERINARIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

HE HAS MADE QUITE THE NAME FOR HIMSELF ETHAN ALMIGHTY AND HERE HE IS IN THE INAUGURATION PARADE.

>> Renee: THAT GOES TO SHOW HE HAS MADE IT, RIGHT?

WHEN HE IS MAKING THIS KIND OF APPEARANCE AND YOU ARE SEEING SOME OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS, INCUMBENT.

SO HE IS NOT AN ELECT.

HE HAS SERVED FOUR YEARS ALREADY.

HE IS ENTERING HIS SECOND TERM.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS WILL BE SWORN IN ON JANUARY 1.

SO THEY ARE NOT SWORN IN DURING THIS TIME PERIOD BUT WHEN THE CALENDAR FLIPS OVER TO THE NEW YEAR, HE WILL BE THERE BUT HE IS SECRETARY ADAMS OF COURSE, IS JUST SECRETARY ADAMS.

THIS IS THE NEW INCOMING ATTORNEY GENERAL, RUSSELL COLEMAN AND HIS WIFE.

RUSSELL COLEMAN IS FORM FORMER FBI.

U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF THE STATE APPOINTED BY FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP AND AS REALLY EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND.

HE IS AN ATTORNEY AND HE HAS BEEN IN CONVERSATION AND WORK ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES AND REFORMS AND HE IS A BIG PROPONENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND A GOOD FRIEND OF FORMER REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEE DANIEL CAMERON.

AND HERE WE ARE SEEING RUSSELL COLEMAN AND HIS WIFE ENJOYING A LAP AROUND CAPITOL AVENUE.

THIS IS THE STATE TREASURER-ELECT.

MARK METCALF.

ONCE AGAIN HE WILL BE SWORN IN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

HE IS THE TREASURER, STATE TREASURER-ELECT.

HE IS GARRETT COUNTY PROSECUTOR.

HE HAS HELD THAT POSITION OFF AND ON FOR I THINK ABOUT 20 OR 30 YEARS.

DIFFERENT SPURTS, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> Renee: COMES WITH A PRETTY EXTENSIVE PROSECUTORIAL BACKGROUND BUT HE WILL BE SERVING AS THE STATE TREASURER.

AND ALLISON BALL WHO, FOR TWO PREVIOUS VOTE CYCLES WAS THE TOP VOTE GETTER.

MICHAEL ADAMS BESTED HER IN NOVEMBER.

SHE IS TERM LIMITED AND SO NOW SHE RAN FOR STATE AUDITOR AND WAS SUCCESSFUL AND IS THE STATE AUDITOR-ELECT.

ALLISON HAS TWO LITTLE ONES AT HOME MARIGOLD AND I BELIEVE IT'S ELI AND SAS SWAN IS HER HUSBAND.

JONATHAN SHELL.

FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS ONE OF THE-- I THINK THE YOUNGEST LEADER IN THE KENTUCKY HOUSE.

HE IS NOW THE AG COMMISSIONER-ELECT.

AND HE WILL ASSUME OFFICE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, HE AND HIS LOVELY WIFE.

HIS WIFE WON'T ASSUME OFFICE BUT SHE IS WITH HIM IN THE VEHICLE.

HE WANTS TO EXPAND MORE MARKETS FOR AGRICULTURAL GOODS IN KENTUCKY AND HAS FOSTER AND DON'TIVE KIDS SO WE WILL SEE HOW HE USES THIS PLATFORM TO HELP IN THAT WAY WITH FOOD INSECURITY.

IT IS A BRIGHT NEW FUTURE BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN A CYCLE THAT WE HAVE HAD SOME NEW CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS HE IS ALSO FROM GARRETT COUNTY HOUSE AND SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS MEMBERS ARE BEHIND.

AG COMMISSIONER-ELECT JONATHAN SCHELL.

GO THOROUGHBREDS.

IS THAT THE KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY.

THOSE ARE THE LEADERS-- THE COLORS, IT MUST BE.

THOSE ARE THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS OF THE KENTUCKY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AND THEY'RE EXITING THEIR TROLLEY.

MARCH MADNESS MARCHING BAND.

>> Renee: THIS IS AN INTERESTING GROUP.

THEY'RE VERY COLORFUL.

EVEN THEIR OUTFITS, I THINK, REPRESENT THAT SUPERLATIVE.

>> THEY LOOK LIKE A LOT OF FUN.

>> Renee: MANY OF THEM ARE FROM LEXINGTON AND THEY OFTEN APPEAR IN PARADES.

I DON'T REMEMBER THEM APPEARING IN AN INAUGURAL PARADE BEFORE.

I KNOW JONATHAN MILLER, FORMER STATE TREASURER, HIS SISTER IS VERY INVOLVED, I THINK, IN THIS GROUP.

YOU CAN SEE THEY'VE GOT SOME STYLE, RIGHT?

>> THEY DO.

>> Renee: THOSE CANDY CANES ARE GOOD PROPS.

GOOD TO SEE THEM IN THE PARADE ADDING SOME MORE FESTIVE NATURE TO THE PARADE AND A LITTLE DAPS BEFORE TO GO ALONG WITH IT.

>> Renee: WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME LOCAL GOVERNMENT FLOATS COMING UP, WE BELIEVE HERE IN A MOMENT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE MISSED THE LOUISVILLE METRO FLOAT, BUT THEY MAY BE STILL TO COME.

THIS IS TODD COUNTY JROTC THERE.

AND THEIR CHEER LEADERS ALONG WITH THEM.

>> Renee: TODD COUNTY IS A PRETTY GOOD DISTANCE FROM HERE AS WELL.

>> AND THEY'VE ALL BROAD THE CROWDS.

>> Renee: A GOOD CONTINGENT OF FOLKS WITH THEM.

GOOD TO SEE THAT.

>> IT IS SO FUN TO SEE THEM BRING IN THE STUDENTS AND THE SCHOOLS AND GET THEM INVOLVED BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING ABOUT BEING HERE WHERE YOU DO FEEL THE HISTORY OF IT AND YOU UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IT.

>> AND THEY BECOME PART OF HISTORY AT THIS POINT.

>> AND TO BECOME PART OF HISTORY AT THAT AGE, YOU KNOW, CAN MAKE A REAL LASTING IMPRESSION.

>> Renee: SO TRUE.

>> ON STUDENTS AND HELP THEM BE INVOLVED IN GOVERNMENT AND INTERESTED IN GOVERNMENT AND.

>> Renee: EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT MAYBE VOTING AGE, TO SHOW THEM LIKE WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT BEING ON THESE GROUNDS, RIGHT, THAT IS SO INSPIRING.

THE RED OAK WINTER GUARD FROM NICHOLASVILLE.

GLR SO WE ARE HEARING LOTS OF CHRISTMAS SOUNDS.

WE HEARD MY FAVORITE CARTOONS FOR CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS AND WE HEARD THE PEANUT SONG A MOMENT AGO BUT NOW WE ARE GETTING A LITTLE JOY TO THE WORLD.

IT'S FUN TO HEAR FOLKS CELEBRATING THE SEASON AND THIS VERY WELL COULD BE SOME OF THE PERFORMERS THAT WE ARE HEARING LATER WHO ARE REHEARSING.

>> I THINK THAT MATE BE WHAT IT IS.

>> Renee: SO WHERE WE ARE PERCHED, WE ARE RIGHT HERE WHERE ALL THE ACTION IS, SO REALLY JUST ABOVE IT, JUST A FLOOR ABOVE IT.

THE GOVERNOR WILL BE DIRECTLY BELOW WHERE WE ARE.

SO THERE IS A LOT OF REHEARSALS HAPPENING FOR THE 2:00 SWEARING IN AND THERE IS A BLENDING OF VOICES AND SONGS AND SOUNDS AND MELODIES.

AND YOU ARE GOING TO BE IN FOR A GOOD TREAT IF YOU GO IT TO HEAR A LITTLE LATER WHAT WE ARE HEARING RIGHT NOW.

>> KNOX COUNTY, JROTC THERE REPRESENTED.

>> Renee: SO I BELIEVE OUR LAURA ROGERS HAS BEEN ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH GOVERNOR PAUL PATTON.

>> AND WE ARE JOINED BY THE FORMER GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY, PAUL PATTON, A LOT OF PEOPLE WALKING BY, SHAKING YOUR HAND, WISHING YOU A HAPPY INAUGURATION DAY.

>> NICE TO BE HERE ON A DAY LIKE THIS.

>> IT HAS TO BE BRINGING BACK SO MANY FOND MEMORIES FOR YOU.

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING TODAY?

>> I JUST THINK THE PROSPECTS IN KENTUCKY ARE GOOD AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE ALL LOOKING FOR.

I THINK ANDY BESHEAR HAS DONE A GREAT JOB AND TODAY IS A CELEBRATION OF IT.

FOUR YEARS OF HARD WORK AHEAD.

I KNOW THAT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

ANOTHER TERM FOR THE BESHEAR-COLEMAN ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE DEMOCRATIC DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN KENTUCKY AS A WHOLE?

>> I THINK IT'S A VERY POSITIVE SIGN THAT THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY ARE WILLING TO LOOK AT PEOPLE FOR THEIR QUALIFICATIONS.

CERTAINLY THAT'S WHAT THEY DID WITH ANDY.

AND IT'S.

HE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB.

HE DESERVES IT.

YOU NEED EIGHT YEARS TO DO THIS JOB.

IT TAKES YOU FOUR YEARS TO GET IT STARTED AND FOUR YEARS TO GET IT IMPLEMENTED.

WE HAVE AN ELECTION FOR EIGHT YEARS WITH A FOUR YEAR INTERIM JUDGMENT.

>> YOU WERE A TWO TERM GOVERNOR AND SERVED EIGHT YEARS WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR GOVERNOR BESHEAR AS HE GOES INTO HIS SECOND TERM?

>> HE KNOWS ALL HE NEEDS TO KNOW.

I HAVE BEEN OUT OF OFFICE 20 YEARS.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED A LOT IN 20 YEARS AND HE UNDERSTANDS THAT.

I HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN HIM.

>> SO GREAT TO SEE YOU GOVERNOR PATTON.

I WISH YOU A HAPPY INAUGURATION DAY LIKE THE OTHERS HAVE BEEN.

>> JUST LIKE THAT SUNSHINE.

IT'S A BRIGHT DAY IN KENTUCKY.

>> A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN KENTUCKY AND RIGHT HERE IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, LAURA ROGERS WITH FORMER KENTUCKY GOVERNOR PAUL PATTON WHO SERVED TWO TERMS AND I LOVE WHAT HE SAID THERE AND I'VE HEARD HIM SAY THAT BEFORE IT TAKES YOU FOUR YEARS TO GET STARTED AND THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO IMPLEMENT IT.

BUT VERY FEW GET THE LUXURY OF HAVING TWO TERMS.

>> VERY TRUE.

>> Renee: SOME WOULD SAY THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR GOT QUITE A BIT DONE.

HE AND THE LEGISLATURE DID QUITE A BIT IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

>> AND FOR GOVERNOR PATTON TO SAY THAT, BECAUSE HE WAS THE FIRST SINCE 1800,.

>> SINCE JAMES GARRETT 200 YEARS BEFORE.

>> BECAUSE THAT AMENDMENT WAS PASSED DURING HIS TIME IN OFFICE.

>> WE DIDN'T LIKE GOVERNORS TO SUCCEED THEMSELVES FOR MANY YEARS.

>> Renee: THAT AMENDMENT 1992, GOVERNOR JONES DIDN'T GET TO ENJOY THAT BUT HE STEPPED BACK SO SOMEONE ELSE COULD, RIGHT?

>> VERY TRUE.

>> Renee: AND WE LOST GOVERNOR JONES THIS YEAR BUT CERTAINLY A LEGACY THAT LIVES ON AND INSPIRES FUTURE LEADERS IN KENTUCKY.

A GOOD PARADE SO FAR.

MORE TO COME WE BELIEVE.

WE ARE HEARING THEM TUNE UP.

GREAT SOUNDS COMING FROM BELOW US.

THIS IS THE CUMBERLAND RETIRED TEACHERS.

AND WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, RETIRED TEACHERS FEEL LIKE THEY DON'T GET HEARD AS OFTEN BUT WE ARE SEEING THEM TODAY AND THEY ARE ENJOYING THEIR PLACE IN THE PARADE.

>> Renee: WOULDN'T BE A PARADE WITHOUT ABE LINCOLN.

THAT'S THE LOG CABIN.

WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD VIEW OF THAT.

APPROPRIATE FLOAT.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN THIS.

>> THAT IS THE FIRST.

>> Renee: IS IT TRUE THERE WAS A STATUE OF ABE LINCOLN IN THE CENTER OF THE ROW ROTUNDA.

IS THERE ANY TRUTH IF YOU RUB HIS TOE YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK?

>> IF YOU LOOK AT HIS BOOTS, YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY HAVE TRIED IT.

>> Renee: I WAS AMONG THEM.

IT IS WORN WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TRIED THEIR LUCK, RUBBING THE TOE, THE BRONZE TOE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE BEST STATUES OF LINCOLN ACTUALLY.

>> Renee: IT IS QUITE STRIKING.

AND TAKES CENTER STAGE IN THAT ROTUNDA AND LAST NIGHT YOU SAW THAT WHEN YOU WATCHED COVERAGE OF KET.

>> I REMEMBER WHAT LINCOLN SAID WHEN HE WAS RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN 1860 ABOUT KENTUCKY.

I, TOO, AM A KENTUCKIAN.

HE WAS BORN HERE.

>> Renee: EXACTLY RIGHT.

THERE WAS A GREAT DOCUMENTARY IN THE VAULT OF KET JUST TITLED THAT., I, TOO, AM A KENTUCKIAN.

MAYBE FOLKS CAN LOOK THAT BACK UP AGAIN.

>> IT WAS A VERY GOOD ONE BY THE WAY.

>> Renee: VERY GOOD ONE.

SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY BUT IT HAS BEEN QUITE A FEW YEARS, PROBABLY 20 OR SO.

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL AND FESTIVE.

>> I THINK THIS IS THE BOYLE COUNTY ARTS ACADEMY.

WHICH WOULD MAKE SENSE.

IT'S VERY ARTISTIC.

>> Renee: ABSOLUTELY.

I LIKE A LITTLE WINTER WONDERLANDS.

WE ARE NEARING THE END OF THE PARADE.

IT IS 12:22 EASTERN TIME, 11:22 CENTRAL TIME IF YOU ARE JUST JOINING US, YOU ARE WATCHING THE INAUGURAL PARADE.

THAT'S HART COUNTY THAT WE JUST SAW.

WE SAW BOYLE COUNTY ARTS ACADEMY, LEWIS COUNTY, JROTC.

>> I THINK THAT'S McLEAN COUNTY.

A LOT OF THESE GROUPS, TOO, THE FUTURE LEADERS OF CALLED CALDWELL COUNTY, FUTURE FARMERS, 4H AND SO AGAIN, JUST WONDERFUL TO SEE THESE KIDS INTERESTED IN LEADERSHIP IN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS AND HOPEFULLY THAT TRANSLATES INTO THEIR ADULT LIVES.

>> YOU MAY BE LOOKING AT FUTURE GOVERNORS IN THIS GROUP.

>> Renee: YOU MAY WELL BE.

AND YOU SAID IT RIGHT, SEEING THESE YOUNG PEOPLE PARTICIPATE TODAY, AND IT'S BRISK.

IT'S COMFORTABLE.

BUT IT IS RISK AND MANY OF THEM HAVE DRIVEN GREAT DISTANCES TO BE HERE AND FOR THEM TO COME TO KENTUCKY'S CRADLE OF DEMOCRACY AND TO BE HERE TO WITNESS AND BE PART OF HISTORY, WE HOPE THAT DOES INSPIRE FUTURE LEADERS AND JUST MORE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOUR GOVERNMENT IS DOING AND TO HAVE FELT THAT YOU ARE A PART OF.

>> THAT'S WHAT TODAY IS ABOUT.

>> Renee: TO FEEL LIKE MY VOICE MATTERS AND ME BEING HERE TODAY FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE, HOPEFULLY THAT COMMUNICATES THAT THEY MATTER.

THEY ARE OUR FUTURE FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE USED TO SAY THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE 25% OF OUR POPULATION BUT 100% OF OUR FUTURE.

>> EXACTLY.

>> Renee: IF SHE IS WATCHING, SHE KNOWS WHO I'M TALKING ABOUT FAMOUS FOR RECORDING THAT.

THAT IS SO TRUE.

TO SEE US ROUND OUT THIS PARADE TODAY WITH THESE YOUNG PARADE ATTENDEES AND TO BE A PART OF THE PARADE, IT'S ENCOURAGING.

>> IT IS.

>> Renee: WHEN WE THINK YOUTH ARE DISENGAGED AND JUST ON THEIR DEVICES, THEY'RE ACTUALLY OUT HERE IN THE BRISKNESS.

>> THEY'RE OUT HERE AND AMONG THE DIGNITARIES, TOO.

WE TALKED ABOUT HOW, YOU KNOW, THIS IS ALL ABOUT THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE AND ALL OF THE ELECTED LEADERS AND THAT BUT THE KIDS ARE RIGHT THERE WITH THEM AND THEY MATTER JUST AS MUCH.

>> IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ALWAYS HAVE A FEELING FOR HISTORY AND HOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS.

THAT IS THE FOUNDATION STONES FOR OUR FUTURE.

>> Renee: AND ALL PART OF DEMOCRACY, RIGHT IN ADDITION TO HAVING AN OPEN AND FREE PRESS, HAVING PEOPLE ENGAGED AND INFORMED STUDENTS CITIZENS AND FEEL FEELING LIKE THEY'RE PART OF THEIR GOVERNMENT.

WE ARE GLAD TO BRING PART OF THIS DAY'S FESTIVITIES TO YOU.

WE ARE AT THE END OF THE PARADE AND WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE WITH US AS WE SEE THEM KIND OF ROUND THE BEND HERE.

WE ARE COMING UP ON SOME OF THE LAST FEW PARTICIPANTS.

IN THE PARADE AND PERHAPS WE HAVE SEEN ALL THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE PARADE PARTICIPANTS AT THIS JUNCTURE.

KUDOS TO ALL OF OUR CAMERA CREW WHO ARE OUT WORKING AND GETTING US THESE FABULOUS PERSPECTIVES, MANY WE HAVE NOT HAD EVERY BEFORE SO UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CARL BABCOCK, WHO IS ALSO OUR MANAGER OF FRANKFORT OPERATIONS, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOU ALL FOR DOING A FABULOUS JOB FOR KENTUCKY TODAY.

>> IT IS AN INCREDIBLE OPERATION JUST BEHIND THE SCENES AND WHAT GOES INTO THESE FANTASTIC PICTURES.

THAT'S BEAUTIFUL: >> Renee: EVEN WITH THE SCAFFOLDING ON THE DOME AS WE MENTIONED BEFORE.

>> IT SHOWS PROGRESS: >> Renee: AND RON, THE CAPITOL IS DUE FOR A LITTLE TOUCHUP.

>> YES, IT IS.

>> Renee: THIS BUILDING IS 110 YEARS OLD AND THERE HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, TOUCHUPS HERE THERE AND YON.

I REMEMBER THE CHAMBERS HAVE GOTTEN NEW DESKS AND NEW CARPET BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A FULL SCALE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR RENOVATION.

>> AND IT'S TIME.

IT IS BECAUSE THIS BUILDING EVEN THOUGH MASSIVELY BUILT, IT IS STILL TO THE WEATHER AND THE WEAR AND USAGE, IT HAS TO BE PRESERVED.

AND FOR MANY, MANY GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> Renee: YES, IT IS A BEAUTIFUL CAPITOL AND WE ARE SHOWING YOU SO MANY SIDES OF THE OUTSIDE BUT WE DO HOPE THAT YOU AND YOUR KIDDOS AND TAKING THE FIELD TRIPS WILL COME TO THE STATE CAPITOL TO JUST SEE THE INSIDE.

THE GROUNDS ARE BEAUTIFUL BUT THE INSIDE WILL CERTAINLY, HAVE YOUR EYES CONSTANTLY MOVING.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND AS KELSEY MENTIONED EARLIER, IT'S WHERE ALL THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT CAN BE FOUND AND THAT MAKES KENTUCKY UNIQUE.

YOU MAY BE HEARING SOME WARMUP BEHIND US, "MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME" IS BEING PERFORMED.

>> I GET CHILLS EVERY TIME I HEAR IT.

>> Renee: EVERY TIME.

THE GENTLEMAN LAST NIGHT WHO PERFORMED THE STATE ANTHEM IN THE ROTUNDA, OH MY GOODNESS, EXTRAORDINARY AND-- >> IT'S ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STATE SONGS THERE IS.

>> Renee: ABSOLUTELY.

AND STILL MORE YOUNG PEOPLE STILL.

WHICH WE LOVE SEEING THIS.

THEY JUST KEEP COMING.

>> Renee: WESTERN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL IS SITUATED IN FRANKFORT.

SO WE ALWAYS END THE PARADE, THE INAUGURAL PARADE WITH THE HOME TEAM, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S APPROPRIATE.

WE APPRECIATE THEM GIVING US SUCH A WARM WELCOME.

OPENING THEIR CITY TO US TODAY.

>> ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE CAPITOL, IT IS SITUATED REALLY IN A NEIGHBORHOOD SETTING AND IT IS THE GROUNDS ARE OPEN FOR PEOPLE TO COME.

YOU WILL SEE PEOPLE RUNNING AND WALKING AND IT REALLY IS OAM TO THE PUBLIC.

>> SO MANY STATE CAPITOLS ARE SITUATED IN A CITY, AND YOU REALLY CAN'T SEE WHERE THE CAPITOL STARTS AND THE CITY ENDS.

THIS SETS VERY MAJESTICALLY ON THIS HILL.

AND I THINK THEY HAD A VERY GOOD IDEA WHEN THEY DECIDED TO DO THAT.

IT REALLY MADE A DIFFERENCE.

>> YEAH, IT IS.

>> Renee: EXTRAORDINARY.

>> UNIQUE.

>> Renee: ALL UP AND DOWN CAPITOL AVENUE, WHETHER THE DOME HAS SCAFFOLDING OR NOT.

IT'S DECORATED IN ITS OWN WAY RIGHT NOW.

IT IS A SIGHT TO BEHOLD AND IN THE MANSION NEXT DOOR, LITERALLY THE GOVERNOR HAS NO COMMUTE.

HE CAN COUNT THE STEPS TO HIS FIRST FLOOR OFFICE.

>> CHUCK CHEERS THERE.

I DON'T CARE IF THAT ITS THE END OF THE PARADE OR NOT.

THEY'RE STILL......

BUT AS THE KIDS WOULD SAY, ROLLING REALLY DEEP HERE.

THIS MIGHT JUST BE THE HOMETOWN BAND AS WELL THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE ENERGY THAT A MARCHING BAND GIVES, WHETHER IT'S HALFTIME OR A PARADE DRUM LINE, SOMETHING ABOUT IT THAT JUST LIFTS YOUR SPIRITS A LITTLE BIT.

>> WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY FROM GOVERNOR SHELBY'S MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT WHEN WAS DRUMS AND FIVES.

AND THAT'S ALL THERE WAS.

[LAUGHTER] WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY INDEED BECAUSE IT IS FAR MORE THAN THAT AND TO SEE ALL OF THESE GREAT BANDS BE HERE TODAY.

FIRST LADY BRITTANY BESHEAR.

SHE IS FEELING THE DRUM LINE, ISN'T SHE?

THAT'S FUN.

YOU KNOW, WE DO HAVE YOUTHFUL ADMINISTRATION WITH GOVERNOR BESHEAR WHO WAS MID 40S AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ALSO EARLY 40S AND TO HAVE YOUNG KIDS IT'S A YOUTHFULNESS.

AND EVEN IN THE LEGISLATURE, THAT'S CHANGING WHERE MANY OF THOSE WHO SERVE.

>> A VERY FEW YEARS AGO IT WAS VERY MUCH THE PRESERVE OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

>> BUT ISN'T IT ENCOURAGING TO SEE FOLKS WHO ARE MAKING REALLY A SACRIFICIAL.

>> AND IT IS A SACRIFICE NOW.

>> IT REALLY IS.

>> AND THAT'S WHY SO MANY PEOPLE DON'T GO INTO PUBLIC SERVICE AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE MAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE WE WANT TO GIVE SOME EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE FOR FOLKS YOU DON'T SEE, THE FOLKS WHO HELP MAKE THE GROUNDS SO ELABORATE WHEN YOU ARE HERE IN THE CAPITOL.

SOMETIMES I HAVE BEEN HERE REALLY LATE AT NIGHT AND TO SEE THE CUSTODIAL STAFF THEY BUFF THE FLOORS, EVEN IN THE ANNEX, MANY, MANY TIMES A WEEK AND IT IS JUST PRISTINE FROM THIS BUILDING THERE IS AN ANNEX BUILDING THAT HOUSES MANY OF THE OFFICE AND THEY JUST TAKE IMMACULATE CARE OF THE GROUNDS AND THE WELINGS EVEN TODAY, THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES THAT DON'T GET THE GLORY MANY TIMES NEED IT.

THEY REALLY DO.

>> Renee: AND APPRECIATE IT WHEN YOU JUST GIVE THEM A LITTLE SHOUTOUT.

IF YOU ARE JUST JOINING US, YOU HAVE MISSED A GREAT PARADE.

I'M RENEE SHAW ALONG WITH KET HOST KELSEY STARKS AND KENTUCKY HISTORIAN AND AUTHOR RON BRYANT WHO IS OFTEN HERE WITH GUBERNATORIAL INAUGURATION DAY.

WE HAVE HAD GREAT BANDS, GREAT MUSIC, GREAT FLOATS THAT HARKEN TO OUR INGENUITY AND ELEVATE THOSE WHO HELP BRING US THROUGH CHALLENGING TIMES AND DIFFICULTIES, OUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND HOMAGE TO THE NEW INDUSTRIES EMERGING IN KENTUCKY RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOON, LOOKING AT THE BATTERY PLANTS AND SEEING THE UNION WORKERS.

IT REALLY HAS BEEN A GOOD PARRETT RAID-- A GOOD PARADE TO HELP KENTUCKY DRIVE US FORWARD AND THAT'S PART OF THE TEAM THEME TODAY FORWARD TOGETHER.

THAT'S THE THEME OF GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND JACQUELINE COLEMAN AND YOU WILL BE SEEING THAT IN SIGNAGE AND MENTIONED THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

AND THERE IS A LOT MORE TO COME.

WE KNOW WE ARE A LITTLE BIT PAST 12:33 AND WE HAVE SOME MORE CELEBRATIONS YET TO COME.

THERE WILL BE A MUSE DAL PRELUDE THAT WILL YOU HEAR SOME GREAT MUSIC AND THEN AT 2:00 IS THE PUBLIC SWEARING IN AND THERE MIGHT BE SOMEONE WHO MIGHT JUST UPSTAGE THE GOVERNOR, JUST A LITTLE BIT, KELSEY.

>> THAT MAY BE: WE ARE VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE HERE, INCLUDING TYLER CHILDERS, WHO IS GOING TO BE PERFORMING AND A KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT AS WELL.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

SOME OF THE WARMUPS WE WERE HEARING, I DON'T FOE WHO THOSE PEOPLE WERE BUT THEY WERE PHENOMENAL, TOO SO I THINK THERE IS A LOT STILL TO COME.

OF COURSE THIS IS WRAPPING UP HERE.

WE'LL HAVE THE PRELUDE AT 1:30 AND THEN AS RENEE MENTIONED, THE PUBLIC SWEARING IN CEREMONY AT 2:00 AND THEN THE GNAWING RAT GRAND MARCH AT 6:00 THIS EVENING.

>> Renee: YOU CAN WATCH IT ALL FROM YOUR LIVING ROOM WHERE IT'S NICE, TOASTY AND WARM WITH HOT COCOA.

WE ARE GOING TO GET SOME HOT COCOA AND COFFEE.

WE ARE GOING TO LET YOU ENJOY AN INTERVIEW I DID JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SCWAK LIN COLEMAN THAT AIRED THIS PAST SUNDAY ON CONNECTION.

SO WE ASKED HER QUESTIONS ABOUT HER FUTURE POLITICAL AMBITIONS AND YOU CAN HEAR THE ANSWER IN THIS INTERVIEW.

>> WE KNOW TODAY'S GUEST AS THE 58th LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN JOINS ME TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE PRIORITIES OF THE SECOND BESHEAR-COLEMAN ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE, HER TAKE ON THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND WHAT COULD COME FOR HER FOUR YEARS FROM NOW.

I KNOW SHE HAS BEEN ASKED THIS A LOT.

WELCOME LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Renee: THE TIMES WE HAVE BEEN IN THE STUDIO FOUR YEARS AGO, YOU WERE EXPECTING.

>> YES.

>> Renee: AND NOW YOU HAVE THIS WONDERFUL LITTLE GIRL WHO IS GETTING READY FOR ALL THE INAUGURATION FESTIVITIES AS WE TALK AND RECORD THIS PROGRAM.

THAT IS REALLY FRONT AND CENTER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON.

I'M PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON GETTING THIS ALMOST FOUR-YEAR-OLD DRESSED AND DOWN THE STEPS AT THE GRAND MARCH BUT SHE IS GOINGS TO HAVE A BIG TIME AT THE PARADE AND A GREAT DAY FOR KENTUCKIANS AND CERTAINLY A LITTLE MORE FAMILIAR FOR US THE SECOND TIME AROUND.

>> Renee: YES, HAVE YOU DONE THIS BEFORE BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S FAMILIAR, RIGHT?

IT'S STILL EXCITING, STILL HISTORY MAKING AND SO MANY WAYS, SO MUCH PREPARATION.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT BEFORE WE STARTED RECORD RECORDING ABOUT ALL THE WORK THAT GOES INTO THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY EVENTS AND SO MANY WARDROBE CHANGES AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

>> AND I THINK ABOUT THE FOLKS BEHIND THE SCENES WHO BRING THIS DAY TO LIFE AND MAKE IT SO BEAUTIFUL AND SO SPECIAL FOR SO MANY PEOPLE.

I'M SO GRATEFUL WE HAVE SO MANY TALENTED ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS WHO AND FOLKS WHO CAN PLAN AN EVENT LIKE I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND SO MANY EVENTS IN ONE DAY.

WE'RE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE THESE PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: YOU ARE NOT DOING A FORMAL TRANSITION OPPOSED WHEN YOU FIRST CAME INTO OFFICE.

DOES THAT HELP TAKE OFF SOME OF THE PRESSURE RIGHT NOW.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THE LAST TIME COMING IN, I WAS AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.

I HAD NO STAFF THAT HAD COME TOGETHER, THE GOVERNOR HAD THE FOLKS IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WITH HIM TO HELP BUT WE WERE PUTTING TOGETHER A WHOLE NEW CABINET AND PUTTING TOGETHER THE FOLKS WE NEEDED IN THE KEY POSITIONS AND SO THIS TIME WE HAVE ALL OF THAT IN PLACE, AND IT'S A MATTER OF MAKING SURE THAT WE CONTINUE PUTTING ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER AND PRODUCING FOR THE FOLKS OF KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: AND RELISHING THE TIME, RIGHT?

TO TAKE IT IN, WHICH IS HARD TO DO WHEN YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THE PLANNING BUT TO REALLY REALIZE WHERE YOU ARE AND THE HISTORY THAT YOU ARE MAKING.

HAVE YOU TAKEN ACTUAL STOCK OF LIKE THE SUCCESS OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND WHERE YOU ARE IN IT?

>> I TRY.

IT IS OVERWHELMING SOMETIMES.

AND SOMEONE WHO TAUGHT HISTORY, I THINK ABOUT THE MOMENT AND THINK ABOUT MAKING SURE YOU ARE PRESENT IN THAT MOMENT TO TAKE IT ALL IN.

BUT AS YOU INTRODUCED ME AS THE FIRST WOMAN IN KENTUCKY'S HISTORY TO BE RE-ELECTED AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, IT BLOS MY MIND.

I WALK INTO THE CAPITOL EVERY DAY, THE FIRST THING I SEE IS THE STATUE, THE FIRST FEMALE WE EVER HAD IN STATUE FORM AND THEN I SEE MY NAME ON THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DOR AND I THINK ABOUT HOW LUCKY I AM.

SO GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY THIS SECOND INAUGURATION DAY WITH ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

>> Renee: AND THE CAMPAIGN BEING BEHIND YOU, WHAT AWE RELIEF I'M SURE THAT WAS AND IS.

>> YES, I THINK WE ARE ALL GLAD TO SEE THOSE COMMERCIALS GO AWAY.

>> Renee: NO COMMENT.

>> EVEN US IT IS NICE TO PUT IT BEHIND US.

I'M PROUD OF THE RACE THAT WE RAN AND I PLAN ON BEING EVEN MORE PROUD OF THE SECOND HALF OF THIS SERVICE THAT WE ARE PROVIDING TO KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT MORE IN A MOMENT.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME ATTRITION WE TALKED ABOUT TRANSITION ABOUT NOT HAVING A FORMAL TRANSITION TEAM WE KNOW THE COMMISSIONER OF JUVENILE JUSTICE STEPPED DOWN.

THIS IS NORMAL.

PEOPLE WILL DECIDE AFTER A FEW YEARS, OKAY, I'VE HAD MY FILL.

DO YOU EXPECT THERE TO BE OTHER FOLKS WHO DECIDE TO MOVE ON AND CAN YOU REVEAL ANY OF THAT?

>> WELL, WE HAVE ANNOUNCED A FEW , YOU KNOW, VACANCIES, FOLKS WERE, YOU KNOW, LOOKING TO FILL IN THOSE ROLES.

ONE REALLY EXCITING PIECE OF NEWS IS COLONEL JEREMY SLINKER WHO WAS OVERSEEING THE KENTUCKY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN DRAFTED INTO FEMA SO HE IS GOING TO BE WORKING IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF THE COUNTRY IN THAT LEADERSHIP ROLE, NO DOUBT BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT HE HELPED SHOW HERE IN KENTUCKY THROUGH SOME REALLY TRYING TIMES AND SO WE HAVE SOME ATTRITION.

WE HAVE FOLKS MOVING ON TO OTHER THINGS.

FOLKS WHO ARE DECIDING THAT THEY HAVE PUT IN THEIR TIME OF SERVICE AND THEY'RE READY TORY TIRE-- TO RETIRE AND MOVE ON TO OTHER THINGS.

IT'S A NATURAL TRANSITION POINT FOR A LOT OF FOLKS.

BUT WE ARE LOOKING AGAIN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FILL THOSE ROLES WITH THE BEST PEOPLE AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE A PART OF TEAM KENTUCKY NOW WHICH IS HELPFUL IN PICKING THE BEST OF THE CROP THAT WE HAVE IN HERE KENTUCKY.

I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HELPING FOLKS TRANSITION INTO THESE NEW ROLES, REIMAGINING WHAT THEY COULD BE AND SEEING HOW THAT FITS INTO A SECOND TERM FOR US.

>> Renee: WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE CRUCIAL TOP CHALLENGE FACING KENTUCKY NOW AND HOW, AS YOU AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SEE YOURSELF BEING A PART OF THE CHANGE IN A POSITIVE WAY?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WE ARE REALLY AT A CROSSROADS WITH OUR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC EDUCATION.

MY DAD WAS ON, IN THE STATEHOUSE COMMITTEE.

I HAVE HEARD HOW CRITICAL THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION WAS TO TO EQUALIZING THE STATE TO MAKE SURE WHETHER YOU ARE IN LETCHER COUNTY OR LINCOLN COUNTY, YOU CAN GUARANTEE YOUR SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED ADEQUATELY AND EQUITABLY.

WE'VE MOVED A LONG WAY FROM THAT AND THAT'S A BIG CONCERN FOR ME BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I THINK WE ARE TRULY LOOKING AT A DECISION OF, ARE WE GOING TO RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO PUBLIC EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY TO MAKE SURE EVERY KID, NO MATTER THEIR ZIP CODE HAS EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT THEY CAN HAVE OR ARE WE GOING TO LOOK AT LOOKING GOING INTO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION THAT IN MY OPINION WOULD DRASTICALLY HARM OUR RURAL SCHOOLS, OUR MINORITY STUDENTS, ALL OF THE KIDS THAT WERE BENEFITED BY KERA, ARE THE KIDS WE ARE AT RISK OF LOSING IF WE FAIL TO RECOMMIT TO PUBLIC DAYS IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY THE WAY IT NEEDS TO BE.

>> Renee: AND WE KNOW AS WE ARE JUST A FEW DAYS OUT FROM THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT EDUCATION IS GOING TO BE A TOP PRIORITY OF STATE LAWMAKERS AND SCHOOL CHOICE.

POSSIBLY CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT THEY CANNER, IF THEY-- IF THEY CAN PASS IT THEMSELVES, PUT ON THE BALLOT FOR KENTUCKY VOTERS TO RATIFY IN NOVEMBER ABOUT THAT.

HOW ACTIVE WILL THE ADMINISTRATION BE AGAINST THAT PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT?

THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T HAVE THE POWER TO VETO IT BECAUSE IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

HOW FULL THROATED WILL YOU GET BEHIND THE OPPOSITION BEHIND THAT.

>> I THINK THERE IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY HERE IN MY MIND AND THE WORK I'VE DONE MY ENTIRE LIFE IN THE CLASSROOM AND AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, I'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT PUBLIC EDUCATION CAN AND SHOULD BE A BIPARTISAN NON-PARTISAN ISSUE.

IT'S TRULY ABOUT BUILDING THE BEST COMMONWEALTH, THE BEST ECONOMY, INVESTING IN KIDS THAT NEED IT AND THAT SHOULD BE SOMETHING WE SHOULD ALL BE ABLE TO RALLY BEHIND AND GET BEHIND.

IN MY MIND WE HAVE TWO OPTIONS HERE.

IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECIDES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW VOUCHERS OR CHARTER SCHOOLS WHATEVER METHOD THEY CHOOSE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE REASON THIS IS HAPPENING IS BECAUSE THIS LAW WAS STRUCK DOWN BY THE SUPREME COURT.

THEY HAVE TRIED TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO GET SOMETHING LIKE THIS THROUGH AND IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL SO NOW THEY'RE LOOKING AT CHANGING THE CONSTITUTION.

THAT'S REALLY HARD TO DO.

WHAT REALLY IS SIMPLE AND THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE EVERY KID HAS ACCESS TO THE BEST EDUCATION AND I'M GOING TO FIGHT FOR THAT EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I DON'T BELIEVE PARENTS SHOULD HAVE TO TAKE ONE MORE STEP TO ENSURE THEIR KIDS ARE SERVED WAY THEY NEED TO BE SERVED.

I THINK THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT THEIR KIDS ON THE SCHOOL BUS AND DROP THEIR KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL EVERY DAY AND KNOW MY KID IS GOING TO BE TREATED EQUALLY TO EVERY OTHER CHILD IN KENTUCKY AND WE ARE GIVING OUR KIDS THE BEST SHOT AND THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO BE VOCAL ABOUT.

THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO BE WORKING TOWARDS AND I DON'T CARE WHAT PARTY YOU ARE IN.

I DON'T CARE WHAT ELECTED TITLE YOU HAVE, I'M WILLING TO WORK WITH WHOEVER IS COMMITTED TO MAKING THAT HAPPEN FOR OUR KIDS.

>> Renee: WE KNOW KENTUCKY KIDS FACE OTHER CHALLENGES THAT ARE NOT JUST EDUCATIONAL IN SCOPE.

THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF KIDS WHO WERE IN OUT OF HOME CARE, SLEEPING ON STATE FLOOR OFFICES, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT ALL THE CHALLENGES FACING CHILDREN IN KENTUCKY.

ENVIRONMENT WITH SUBSTANCE USE, IT'S NOT JUST EDUCATION.

IT'S THE ENTIRE ENVIRONMENT OF A CHILD THAT INFORMS HOW WELL THEY DO IN SCHOOL IS THE ADMINISTRATION PREPARED TO TAKE ON A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CHILD WELFARE THAT COULD LEAD TO BETTER EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES?

>> AS A TEACHER, I THINK ABOUT THE WHOLE CHILD, RIGHT?

OFTEN WE REFER TO THEM AS STUDENTS IN DESKS AND CLASSROOMS AND ALL OF THOSE ACADEMIC THINGS BUT THE REALITY IS A HUNGRY KID IS GOING TO BE LESS LIKELY TO FOCUS IN SCHOOL.

A KID THAT HAS TO GO HOME TO ABUSE OR NEGLECT IS LESS LIKELY TO BE FOCUSED IN SCHOOL.

AND THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACTS THE TRAJECTORY OF THAT CHILD'S LIFE.

I'M ALSO AN ADOPTIVE MOTHER.

I HAVE SEEN THE STRUGGLE OF OUR KIDS AND CLASSROOMS WHETHER THE KIDS ARE IN FOSTER CARE OR COUCH SURFERS OR COMING FROM A HOME THAT MAY NOT BE GIVING THEM EVERYTHING THEY NEED, IT IMPACTS THEIR LEARNING ABSOLUTELY.

BUT IT ALSO IMPACTS THEIR FUTURE FAMILY AND THOSE ARE ALL OF THE PIECE WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PUT TOGETHER FOR OUR KIDS THAT'S A TALL ORDER, HUNGER, ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

THE BESTED EDUCATION POSSIBLE.

WE'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO PUT THAT ENTIRE PACKAGE TOGETHER AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US, RIGHT?

IT TAKES A VILLAGE OF PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE IN KENTUCKY TO HELP BRING THOSE KIDS ALONG AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED.

THAT COULD BE GUIDANCE COUNSELORS AT THE SCHOOL, IT COULD BE THEIR COACH: IT COULD BE AN ADULT IN THEIR LIFE BUT IT IS GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US MAKING SURE WE PRIORITIZE EVERY SINGLE SEGMENT OF A CHILD'S LIFE BECAUSE WE DON'T GET TO, YOU KNOW, DISSECT A CHILD AND SAY WELL, WE DID THIS WELL BUT THIS, THIS AND THIS IS NOT UP TO PAR.

IT'S INCUMBENT UPON ALL OF US TO MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR KIDS NEEDS ARE MET TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY BECAUSE IT GIVES OUR KIDS THE BEST OUTCOME.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT CHANGES THEIR FUTURE FAMILIES LIVES.

I'VE SEEN IT WITH MY OWN EYES.

I KNOW WHAT IT CAN DO WITH-FOR-A KID.

AND AS KENTUCKY'S HIGHEST ELECTED MOTHER, THAT'S SOMETHING I WANT TO MAKE SURE HAPPENS EVERY DAY.

>> Renee: AND YOU ARE WORKING WITH A PARTY NOT OF YOUR PARTY.

A MAJORITY.

A SECOND TERM ADMINISTRATION, YOU WILL BE TERMED OUT.

WHAT IS THE INCENTIVE FOR REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS TO WORK WITH YOUR ADMINISTRATION THIS TIME AROUND?

WHY IS IT DIFFERENT AND HOW ARE YOU WORKING TO MAKE IT DIFFERENT?

WE'VE HEARD SOME OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP SAY THERE IS NOT AN INCENTIVE TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY THAN THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS.

WHAT DO YOU SAY AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR.

>> I THINK THAT INCENTIVE WAS MADE CLEAR ON NOVEMBER 7.

KENTUCKIANS ELECTED A GOVERNOR WHO PUTS PEOPLE OVER PLIGHTSZ.

THEY ELECTED A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WHO HAS WORKED IN THE CLASSROOM HER ENTIRE LIFE THAT'S WHAT THEY ASKED FOR AND THEY ALSO ASKED FOR THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

IT IS INCUMBENT UPON ALL OF US TO FIND THE COMMON GROUND.

ARE WE GOING TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING?

OF COURSE NOT.

BUT IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT THAT WE FIND THE PLACES THAT WE CAN AND FIND AREAS WHERE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER AND UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A DECISION MADE BY KENTUCKIANS ON NOVEMBER 7, THIS IS THE ADMINISTRATION THEY WANTED.

THEY APPROVED OF DISASTER RESPONSE.

THEY APPROVED OF US BEING AN EDUCATION FIRST ADMINISTRATION.

ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH TOGETHER.

KENTUCKIANS SAID WE WANT FOUR MORE YEARS OF THAT 679 THAT'S AN INCENTIVE.

THAT SHOULD INCENTIVIZE THE FOLKS WHO ARE IN THE LEGISLATURE TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE RIGHT REASONS AND PUT POLITICS ASIDE.

THAT'S WHAT KENTUCKIANS ARE ASKING FOR.

THAT'S WHAT THEY DESERVE AND THAT IS CERTAINLY WHAT THE GOVERNOR AND I ARE COMMITTED TO DO.

>> Renee: ARE YOU ALL ALREADY TALKING NOW WITH REPUBLICAN LEADERS ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN AGREE ON IN 2024?

DURING THE SESSION?

>> YES, AND LET ME JUST SAY, I THINK THE NOTION THAT THE GOVERNOR AND OUR ADMINISTRATION DOESN'T WORK WITH THE REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE WAS, QUITE FRANKLY, AN OVERBLOWN CAMPAIGN STRATEGY.

THE GOVERNOR IS IN TALKS WITH THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, THE FOLKS IN THE OFFICE ARE, TOO.

WE DO THAT SO WE CAN FIND THE SHARED PRIERGS PRIORITIES AND MOVE THEM FORWARD.

WARM FRONT' DONE THAT.

THERE MAY BE SOME THINGS THAT WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE EYE TO EYE ON BUT THERE ARE CERTAINLY THINGS THAT WE CAN.

TO ME, THAT SHOULD BE THE FOCUS.

AND, AGAIN, THE GOVERNOR AND I REJECTED THE CULTURE WAR IDEOLOGY.

WE REJECTED THE MOTION THAT KENTUCKIANS CARED MORE ABOUT THESE MANUFACTURED CULTURE WARS THAN THEY DO ABOUT JOBS AND HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION.

AND WE WERE RIGHT AND SO, TO ME, THAT'S THE SIGNAL OF WHAT KENTUCKIANS WANT.

IT'S NOT A SIGNAL THAT THE GOVERNOR AND I SHOULD GET EVERYTHING WE WANT BUT IT'S ALSO NOT A SIGNAL THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHOULD EITHER.

IT'S ABOUT COMTOGETHER AND WORKING TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WANT AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> Renee: HOW ACTIVE WILL YOU AND THE GOVERNOR BE AS WE COME UPON 2024?

IT'S A BIG NEAR NOT JUST PRESIDENTIALLY BUT WE HAVE CONGRESSIONAL SEATS AND STATE LEGISLATIVE SEATS, WHICH WE WATCH VERY CLOSELY.

THOSE CONTESTS WILL BE UP IN 2024.

HOW ACTIVE WILL YOU BE TO MAKE SURE SOME OF THE RED SEATS TO FLIP TO BLUE?

WE ARE GOING HAVE TO SEE HOW THIS ALL SHAKES OUT AFTER THE FILING DEADLINE IN JANUARY.

THERE WILL BE SOME SHUFFLING AROUND.

I THINK WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN SOME LEGISLATORS SAY THEY'RE GOING TO STEP DOWN.

AND MOVE ON TO OTHER WORK SO THE DECK IS STILL BEING SHUFFLED.

WE HAVE TO SIGH HOW THAT PLAYS OUT BUT, YOU KNOW I CAN TELL YOU THIS.

I'M HERE TO HELP ANYBODY WHO WILL SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND I KNOW THE GOVERNOR WILL BE LOOKING AT THESE RACES AS WELL MOVING FORWARD.

>> Renee: ROCKY ADKINS, WILL HE STILL SERVE AS SENIOR ADVISER TO THE GOVERNOR.

>> AS FAR AS I KNOW.

>> Renee: NO CHANGES AT THE TOP.

>> ALL OF OUR LEADERSHIP IS IN PLACE.

>> Renee: BEFORE 1995, THERE WERE FOUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS MARTHA LANE COLLINS, STEVE BESHEAR AND PAUL PATTON ALL MOVED INTO THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION.

SINCE THAT TIME, STEVE HENRY, STEVE PENCE, JERRY RAIN AMSON DID NOT MOVE TO TO GREATER THINGS IN POLITICS.

WHAT IS GOING TO BE FOR YOU AFTER THESE FOUR YEARS BECAUSE HAVE YOU TO ALREADY DECIDE SOMETIME GIVEN THE FACT THAT THERE WAS ALMOST A $60 MILLION RACE IN 2023 IN ORDER TO BUILD UP A WAR CHEST, IN ORDER TO BUILD UP YOUR PROFILE MORE THAN YOU HAVE NOW WHEN WILL YOU DECIDE OR ANNOUNCE THAT WILL YOU RUN FOR GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY?

>> I'VE NEVER BEEN WON TO PLAN SO FAR AHEAD.

I REALLY DO JUST TRY TO MAKE THE NEXT RIGHT DECISION AND THAT HAS LED ME TO WHERE I AM TODAY SO I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT'S WORKING FOR ME SO FAR I TRY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP AND MAKE THE NEXT STEP AND SEE WHERE IT TAKES ME AND SO THAT'S WHAT I WILL KEEP DOING.

TO ME, THAT'S WHAT LEADS ME TO WHERE I'M SUPPOSED TO BE.

AND MY DAD USED TO SAY YOU NEVER WANT TO GET TOO FAR OUT OVER YOUR SKIS, RIGHT?

AND WHEN THE TIME COMES, I THINK THE DECISION WILL BE CLEAR.

THAT TIME IS NOT RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS WE HAVE TO ACCOMPLISH TO FINISH UP ALL OF THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE IN THE FIRST TERM AND TO ME THAT'S GOING TO SHAPE THE SECOND TERM IS THE LEGACY OF THE BESHEAR-COLEMAN ADMINISTRATION IN MAKING SURE THAT WE CEMENT THAT AND THAT WE BUILD OFF OF THAT ECONOMIC SUCCESS THAT WE MAKE SURE WE KEEP PRIORITIZING PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT HAVE MADE US SUCCESSFUL AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE WILL FOCUS ON AND ALL THE OTHER STUFF WILL COME SOME OTHER TIME.

>> Renee: I JUST RECALL ON ELECTION NIGHT BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS STUDIO AND SEEING THE VICTORY HOLD BETWEEN YOU AND THE GOVERNOR.

AND THERE WERE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT NOT JUST THESE FOUR YEARS BUT THE NEXT FOUR YEARS FOR BOTH OF YOU POSSIBLY NATIONAL STAGE FOR THE GOVERNOR AND POSSIBLY A BIGGER STAGE FOR YOU.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, HAVE YOU NOT THOUGHT ABOUT BEING THE STATE'S C.E.O.?

>> SO THIS SEAT OFFERS ME A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY.

IT OFFERS ME A WINDOW INTO THAT WORLD.

IT OFFERS ME A SEAT BESIDE THE C.E.O., RIGHT?

AND SO OF COURSE I PAY ATTENTION.

OF COURSE I THINK ABOUT STRATEGIZING AND I THINK ABOUT HOW I CAN HELP AND STAYS AND ADVISE AND THAT'S MY JOB.

BUT AGAIN AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE DECISIONS THAT SHOULD NOT BE MADE RIGHT NOW IN MY OPINION BECAUSE THE LANDSCAPE OF KENTUCKY IS GOING TO CHANGE.

THE LANDSCAPE OF THE COUNTRY IS GOING TO CHANGE.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT ISSUE IS GOING TO CREEP UP THAT YOU NEVER SAW COMING.

IF ANYONE KNOWS THAT, IT'S US.

SO AGAIN, IT'S TRULY ABOUT MAKING THE NEXT RIGHT DECISION, THINKING ABOUT IT, BEING MINDFUL ABOUT IT BUT KEEPING AN OPEN MIND TO OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE.

>> Renee: FOR OTHER YOUNG WOMEN WHO ARE WATCHING YOU AND MAYBE THEY'RE NOT SO YOUNG, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THEY'RE MIDDLE AGED AND THEY'RE IN AN ADVOCACY SPACE AND WONDERING HOW THEY CAN MAKE EVEN MORE OF A DIFFERENCE IN MAYBE A POLITICAL SPACE, WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE THEM TO DO AND NOT TO DO?

>> I THINK ABOUT ME BEING THAT WOMAN LOOKERRING UP-- LOOKING UP TO MARTHA LANE COLLINS AND SO ON AND THE SHOE BEING ON THE OTHER FOOT IS A NEW CONCEPT TO ME STILL.

BUT FOR WOMEN, I WOULD GIVE THE SAME ADVICE I DID WHEN I FOUNDED LEAGUE KENTUCKY.

OUR TAG LINE WAS FIND YOUR PASSION, GET INVOLVED AND TAKE THE LEAD AND I WOULD SAY THE SAME THING FOR WOMEN, WHETHER IT'S ADVOCACY WHETHER IT'S ELECTED OFFICE OR LEADERSHIP IN A CORPORATION ON A BOARD, WHATEVER FIELD YOU ARE IN.

WE ALL HAVE THAT PASSION THAT PARKS IN US.

FOR ME IT WAS PUBLIC EDUCATION, OF COURSE.

SO FIND A WAY TO GET INVOLVED IN ORGANIZATIONS.

FIND A WAY TO FIND THOSE NICHES OF PEOPLE WHO WORK ON THE SAME THINGS YOU CARE ABOUT GET INVOLVED IN THE ORGANIZATIONS AND ONCE YOU ARE INVOLVED, DON'T BE AFRAID TO STEP OUT AND TAKE THE LEAD I HAVE SOME MADE SCARY DECISIONS IN MY LIFE TO RUN FOR OFFICE, NOT JUST THIS TIME BUT HAVING IN THE STATEHOUSE BEFORE.

AND I WOULD NOT BE WHERE I AM TODAY HAD I NOT MADE THOSE DECISIONS, HAD I NOT STEPPED OUT, HAD I NOT BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL THE FIRST TIME.

I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL THE SECOND TIME.

AND SO YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE THOSE DECISIONS ARE GOING TO TAKE YOU AND SO I SAY ALWAYS TRY TO TAKE THE NEXT RIGHT ONE.

BUT FOR WOMEN, I WOULD SAY FIND YOUR PASSION, GET INVOLVED AND TAKE THE LEAD.

MAKE THAT LAST STEP.

>> Renee: WE KNOW THAT WOMEN ARE SOMETIMES HESITANT, PARTICULARLY TO ENTER THE POLITICAL SPACE AND TO TAKE THOSE LEADERSHIP ROLES, EVEN WHEN IT COMES TO CORPORATE OR NON-PROFIT WORK.

THEY SECOND GUESS THEIR ABILITY.

DO YOU SECOND GUESS YOURSELF?

>> EVERY DAY.

>> Renee: IN WHAT WAY?

>> EVERY DAY.

I THIS ABOUT ME, WHEN I TELL YOUNG WOMEN DON'T LET YOURSELF SUCCUMB TO IMPOSTER SYNDROME, RIGHT.

>> Renee: EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

>> EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

SO HONESTLY, I HAVE TO CHECK MYSELF AND SAY, IF I WERE TALKING TO THE YOUNGER ME, WHAT WOULD I SAY RIGHT NOW?

AND THAT'S HOW I GET MYSELF OUT OF THAT SPACE.

BUT IT IS SOMETIMES SO SECOND NATURE FOR WOMEN TO QUESTION THEMSELVES OR DOUBT.

AND I WANT WOMEN TO KNOW I DO IT EVERY SINGLE DAY.

BUT THEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT WOULD I TELL MY YOUNGER SELF?

AND THAT'S ALWAYS THE ANSWER, RIGHT?

IT'S ALWAYS THE ANSWER WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT INSPIRING YOUNG WOMEN AND WHAT YOU WISHED YOU HAD DONE IN THOSE ROLES AND WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, HAVE YOU TO DO IT.

>> Renee: YOU DON'T DOUBT THAT YOU COULD BE A GOVERNOR?

, A GOOD GOVERNOR, DO YOU?

>> I WOULD SAY I DOUBT MYSELF JUST IN THE DAY TO DAY WAYS THAT ARE PRETTY COMMON FOR WOMEN.

BUT I HAVE LOVED THIS OPPORTUNITY AND I HAVE LOVED THIS ROLE AND THINK ABOUT HOW I MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND MYSELF IN SERVICE THROUGHOUT THE SECOND TERM AND THROUGHOUT THE THE FUTURE.

LY STILL PROBABLY DOUBT MYSELF BUT I WILL ALWAYS, REMEMBER TO DO WHAT I TELL MY YOUNGER SELF TO DO.

>> Renee: JUST DO IT AFRAID.

YOU NEVER GET OVER THE FEAR.

JUST DO IT AFRAID.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Renee: TALKING ABOUT WOMEN'S ISSUE AND THIS IS NOT JUST A WOMAN'S ISSUE, BUT ABORTION AND KENTUCKY'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN AND YOUR ADMINISTRATION YOU AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE BEEN PRETTY ADAMANT SUPPORT FOR EXCEPTIONS.

HOW MUCH WILL YOU ADVOCATE FOR THAT IN THE UPCOMING GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

>> KENTUCKY VOTERS HAVE ASKED AND ANSWERED THAT QUESTION RIGHT?

THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT AND REJECTED IT, AS DID KANSAS AND OHIO.

COULD I KEEP GOING.

THESE ARE NOT BASTIONS OF LIBERALISM, RIGHT?

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO SAY YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT TO THINK ABOUT THIS.

WE'VE GOT YOUNG WOMEN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF RAPE AND INCEST.

WE HAVE WOMEN YOUNG AND PLID WILL AGED-- MIDDLE AGES WHO SUFFER FROM NON-VIABLE PREGNANCIES EVERY DAY AND WE'VE GOT TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH CRAFTING POLICY AROUND THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS NOT BLACK AND WHITE.

IT IS VERY MUCH A GRAY AREA ISSUE AND ONE THAT QUITE FRANKLY, THINK YOUNG WOMEN LIKE HADLEY THAT WAS IN OUR COMMERCIAL, CAN SPEAK MUCH BETTER ABOUT IT THAN I CAN BUT I THINK TRULY KENTUCKIANS HAVE ASKED AND ANSWERED THAT QUESTION.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TAKES NOTICE OF THAT OR IF THEY CHOOSE NOT TO LISTEN TO THE VOTERS.

>> Renee: MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE WATCHED THE KENTUCKY GOVERNOR'S RACE, YOU KNOW, SAID THAT THE HADLEY AD WAS THE SEMINOLE MOMENT IN THE CAMPAIGN.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT AS WELL?

>> I ABSOLUTELY DO.

THAT YOUNG WOMAN, AND I TOLD HER THIS WHEN I MET HER.

YOU HAVE MORE BRAVERY IN YOUR PINKY FINGER THAN MOST OF US WILL EVER HAVE.

AND I THANKED HER FOR BEING BRAVE ENOUGH TO SHARE HER STORY.

I THANKED HER FOR MAKING SURE THAT SHE WAS A VOICE FOR OTHER YOUNG WOMEN WHO MAY HAVE GONE THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THIS WHO HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT IT, WHO HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO ADDRESS IT.

SHE GAVE A VOICE AND A FACE TO AN ISSUE THAT SO OFTEN WOMEN ARE TOLD TO BE EMBARRASSED ABOUT AND TOLD TO HIDE AND TO ME, SHE CHANGED THE LANDSCAPE OF THIS CONVERSATION IN KENTUCKY FOR THE BETTER BECAUSE WE CENTERED WOMEN'S VOICES IN IT.

>> Renee: WELL, WE THANK YOU, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN FOR BEING HERE IN PERSON THIS TIME.

WE DID THIS FOUR YEARS AGO AND WE DID IT DIFFERENTLY BUT IT'S NICE TO SIT ACROSS FROM YOU AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE.

BEST TO YOU AND THE GOVERNOR.

YOU JUST WATCHED MY INTERVIEW WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN.

SHE IS KEEPING HER AMBITIONS CLOSE TO HER CHEST.

WE HAVE ACTIVITIES STILL TO COME.

THE MUSICAL PRELUDE THAT WILL BEGIN AT 1:30.

THE PUBLIC SWEARING IN AT 2 P.M. AND THEN THE FINAL EVENT THAT KET IS CLOFERRING COVERING IS THE GNAWING INAUGURAL GRAND MARCH, THE OFFICIAL PRESENTATION OF THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

WE ARE NOW GOING TO TAKE YOU TO A STATE CAPITOL DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS PRODUCED A COUPLE YEARS AGO BY PRODUCER TOM BICKEL ABOUT THE GLORIOUS HISTORIC GROUNDS AND BEAUTIFUL STATE CAPITOL THAT IS KENTUCKY STATE CAPITOL.

ENJOY.

>> EVERY FOUR YEARS FOR OVER A STATE U,-- EVERY FOUR YEARS FOR OVER A CENTURY, OVER LOOKING A CELEBRATION OF KENTUCKY'S DEMOCRACY.

IT IS INAUGURATION DAY AND THIS BUILDING IS THE STAGE FOR THE STATE'S BIG EVENT.

THOUSANDS HAVE COME FROM AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH TO WATCH THE PARADE OF BANDS AND MILITARY UNITS ESCORT THE GOVERNOR-ELECT TO THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY.

WHILE THIS SPECTACULAR STATEHOUSE PRESENTS A STUNNING BACKDROP FOR THE DAY'S FESS TIFFTS, IN A FEW HOURS, IT WILL FULFILL THE PURPOSE IT WAS DESIGNED FOR 100 YEARS AGO.

THE WORKPLACE FOR THE NEW GOVERNOR AS HE OR SHE JOINS LEGISLATORS AND JUSTICES AS THEY CONDUCT THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT FROM THIS TEMPLE OF DEMOCRACY, KENTUCKY'S STATE CAPITOL.

ON JUNE 1, 1792, KENTUCKY WAS ADMITTED AS THE 15th STATE INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY MORNING, IN A LOG HOUSE IN LEXINGTON, NEWLY ELECTED STATE REPRESENTATIVES MET AND ISAAC SHELBY WAS INAUGURATED AS THE STATE'S FIRST GOVERNOR.

THE NEXT ACTION FOR THIS FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY WAS TO CHOOSE WHICH CITY WOULD BE THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT FOR THIS NEW STATE AND HOPE TO THE KENTUCKY STATE CAPITOL.

SEVERAL CITIES WOULD VY FOR THE RIGHT TO BE THE CAPITOL OF KENTUCKY.

LOUISVILLE, FRANKFORT AND LEXINGTON THE CITY OF FRANKFORT WOULD BE CHOSEN FOR SEVERAL REASONS.

>> WHAT MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT FRANKFORT IS THAT IT USED TO BE MUCH LARGER THAN IT IS TODAY.

AT ONE TIME FRANKFORT WAS ALMOST COMPARABLE IN SIZE TO LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON.

THE RIVER WAS A GREAT CATALYST.

MANY STEAM BOATS AND ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF INDUSTRY CAME DOWN THE RIVER TO FRANKFORT, FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, HEMP MAKING INDUSTRIES, TOBACCO.

WE LATER HAD WHISKEY AND BOURBON SO IT WAS CENTRALIZED IN THE STATE AND IT JUST GAME POPULAR THAT FRANKFORT COULD BE THE CAPITOL.

>> Renee: WITH ISAAC SHELBY AS GOVERNOR, KENTUCKY HAS CHOSEN A NATURAL LEADER HE WAS A MILITARY HERO FROM MANY BATTLES PRIOR TO AND DURING THE AMERICAN RECH LUTION-- REVOLUTION.

INDEED, GOVERNOR SHELBY WOULD PERSONALLY CHOOSE KENTUCKY'S STATE MOTTO FROM HIS FAVORITE REVOLUTIONARY SONG, THE LIBERTY SONG.

♪ BY UNITING WE STAND BY DIVIDING WE FALL.

>> Renee: WHILE THE LOG HOUSE IS CONSIDERED THE FIRST STATE CAPITOL, IN ITS HISTORY, KENTUCKY HAS HAD FOUR PERMANENT CAPITOL BUILDINGS.

THE FIRST WAS BUILT IN 1794 ON A SITE IN DOWNTOWN FRANKFORT.

IT WOULD SERVE THE COMMONWEALTH FOR 19 YEARS WHEN IT BURNED DOWN IN 1813.

A SECOND CAPITOL WOULD TAKE IT'S PLACE ON THE SAME SITE BUT WOULD HAVE AN EVEN SHORTER LIFE OF 11 YEARS, SUFFERING THE SAME FATE WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE IN 1824.

A THIRD MORE SUBSTANTIAL STATE CAPITOL BUILT WITH KENTUCKY LIMESTONE WOULD RISE ON THE SAME SPOT WHERE IT STILL STANDS TODAY NOW KNOWN AS THE OLD STATE CAPITOL, IT WAS DESIGNED BY KENTUCKIAN GIDEON SHRAK AND TODAY TO DAY, MAINTAINS THE ELEGANCE OF HIS GREEK REVIVAL DESIGN.

>> THE REALLY INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS BUILDING IS THAT IT WAS DESIGNED BY A YOUNG MAN WHO WAS 24 YEARS OLD.

IT WAS HIS FIRST COMMISSION.

HE WAS GIVEN $150 PLUS THE COMMISSION TO BUILD THE BUILDING.

AND HE DESIGNED IT TO LOOK LIKE A GREEK TEMPLE, TO REPRESENT DEMOCRACY.

>> Renee: DOMINATED BY SIX IONIC COLUMNS GUARDING THE ENTRANCE, THE CUPELO WOULD RISE HIGH OVER DOWNTOWN FRANKFORT.

CENTER PIECE WAS A BEAUTIFUL SELF SUPPORTING DOUBLE STAIRCASE THAT LED TO THE LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS ON THE SECOND FLOOR.

>> THE STAIRCASE IS THE ONE THING THAT EVERYBODY REMEMBERS FROM THEIR FOURTH GRADE HISTORY TOUR OF THE OLD STATE CAPITOL.

IN CONSIDERING THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO COMPUTERS THAT HE FIGURED THIS OUT ALL IN HIS HEAD, USING MATH AND PHYSICS TO DO THIS FREE STANDING STAIRCASE, EACH PIECE IS LAID ON TOP OF THE OTHER UNDERSTAND THERE IS A KEYSTONE AT THE VERY TOP OF THE STAIRCASE THAT HOLD THE SEMICIRCULAR STAIRCASE IN PLACE.

>> Renee: IN 1869 AN ANNEX WAS BUILT NEXT TO THE CAPITOL FOR MUCH NEEDED OFFICE SPACE.

BUT 30 YEARS LATER, THE OLD STATE CAPITOL HAD BECOME OUTDATED FOR THE DEMANDS OF THE APPROACHING 20th CENTURY.

THE MOVE FOR A NEW CAPITOL WOULD BE LED BY GOVERNOR J.C.W.

BECKHAM, AN EVENT THAT TOOK PLACE AT THE OLD CAPITOL IN EARLY 100 THAT WOULD PLACE BECKHAM IN THE POX TO CALL FOR A NEW CAPITOL.

THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION OF 1899 HAD BEEN CONTENTIOUS AND WILLIAM GOEBEL, WHO HAD LOST THE ELECTION BY JUST 2300 VOTES TO REPUBLICAN WILLIAM S. TAYLOR CLAIMED THAT VOTING IRREGULARITIES OCCURRED.

HE CHALLENGED THE RESULTS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

THE ISSUE WAS HOTLY CONTESTED ANGERING AN ALREADY DIVIDED PUBLIC.

>> GOEBEL WAS WALKING AT THE FRONT SIDEWALK TO THE BUILDING, COMING FOR THE HEARINGS, AND A SHOT WAS FIRED FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE WHICH WAS IN THE ANNEX, SO GOEBEL FELL IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING.

>> Renee: THE SHOOTER WAS NEVER CAUGHT.

STILL ALIVE, GOEBEL WAS MOVED TO THE NEARBY CAPITOL HOTEL.

THE NEXT DAY, THE ELECTION WAS OVERTURNED, DECLARING GOEBEL THE WINNER AND J.C.W.

BECKHAM BECAME LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

HE WAS SWORN INTO OFFICE ON HIS DEATH BED.

THREE DAYS LATER, BECKHAM WOULD STEP INTO THE OFFICE OF THE ASSASSINATED GOVERNOR.

IN A SPEECH TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TWO YEARS LATER BECKHAM ADDRESSED THE NEED FOR A NEW STATE CAPITOL.

>> IT IS A FACT, APPARENT TO ALL, ESPECIALLY TO VISITORS FROM OTHER STATES WHO COME TO YOUR CAPITOL, THAT IN THE MATTER OF CAPITOL BUILDINGS, KENTUCKY IS FAR BEHIND THE OTHER DATES EVEN THOSE OF MUCH LESS WEALTH AND POPULATION.

>> Renee: SEARCHING FOR FUNDS TO BUILD THE NEW CAPITOL, BECKHAM SENT C.C.

CALHOUN OF LEXINGTON TO WASHINGTON D.C. TO LAY CLAIMS TO FEDERAL FUNDS DUE KENTUCKY FROM DAMAGES SUFFERED DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

AND FOR THE THE CONTRIBUTIONS THE KENTUCKIANS MADE IN THE RECENTLY FOUGHT SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

A CHECK FOR OVER A MILLION DOLLARS WAS AWARDED THE STATE.

IN 1904, KENTUCKY'S LEGISLATURE WOULD APPROVE AN ADDITIONAL MILLION DOLLARS AND PLANS TO BUILD THE NEW STATE CAPITOL COULD NOW MOVE FORWARD.

AN ARCHITECT WAS CHOSEN, FRANK MILLS ANDREWS.

ANDREWS ESTABLISHED HIMSELF AS AN ARCHITECT OF LARGE BUILDINGS AND HOTEL KNOWN FOR UNIQUE CHARACTER AND/OR NATE DESIGN, INCLUDING A HOTEL ABOUT TO OPEN IN LOUISVILLE, THE SEAL BOCK.

AFTER THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR, A WAVE OF NATIONAL PRIDE SWEPT THROUGH THE UNITED STATES.

AMERICANS WERE PROUD OF THEIR GOVERNMENT TAKING ITS PLACE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE AND THIS PRIDE WAS REFLECTED IN THE BUILDINGS WHERE THEIR GOVERNMENT WORKED FRANK ANDREWS' PLANS FOR THE NEW CAPITOL MATCHED THAT PRIDE AND WERE GRANDIOSE.

THE LARGE FOOTPRINT FOR HIS DESIGN REQUIRED A NEW SITE AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN FRANKFORT.

40,000 CLASS WAS SET ASIDE TO BUY WHAT WAS KNOWN AS THE HUNT PROPERTY IN SOUTHERN FRANKFORT.

THE HUNT PROPERTY WITH IS A LARGE FLAT FARM OF 33 ACRES THAT INCLUDED A HORSE RACETRACK AND OVERLOOKED THE KENTUCKY RIVER.

BEFORE HE WOULD START BUILDING HIS VISION, ANDREWS HAD HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TONS OF DIRT BROUGHT IN TO CREATE A ROLLING LANDSCAPE THAT WOULD BLEND IN WITH THE KENTUCKY HILLS OF THE SITE OF THE FUTURE CAPITAL.

FINALLY, CONSTRUCTION BEGAN WITH GOVERNOR BECKHAM PLANTING HIS SHOVEL AT GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES ON AUGUST 15, 1905.

>> IMMEDIATELY GRANITE FROM VERMONT WAS BROUGHT BY BARGE AND TRAIN AND TOGETHER WITH THOUSANDS OF BAICIALS OF CONCRETE, IT FORMED A SOLID FOUNDATION.

THIS WAS AN ERA WHERE THERE WAS NO HEAVY MACHINERY FOR CONSTRUCTION OTHER BE THAN A STEAM POWERED CEMENT MIXER.

>> IT WAS MEN WHO BUILT THE CAPITOL.

MEN AND HORSES AND ROPES, PULLEYS, CHAINS, THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL DEVICES USED EXCEPT FOR A STEAM POWERED CONCRETE MIXER AND THEY ONLY HAD ONE THAT THEY MOVED AROUND THE SITE WHICH MAY EXPLAIN WHY IT TOOK THEM FOUR YEARS TO COMPLETE IT.

>> Renee: FRANKFORT WATCHED AS THE BUILDING TOOK SHAPE.

JUNE 16 OF 1906 WAS A JOYOUS DAY AS THE CORNERSTONE WAS LAID BEFORE A LARGE CROWD OF SEVERAL THOUSAND SAND.

CURIOUSLY AFTER SUCH A LARGE EVENT, THE LOCATION OF THE CORNERSTONE WAS FORGOTTEN.

ONLY A PLAQUE IN THE ROTUNDA REMINDS US OF WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT DAY.

FROM FAR OFF, THE TOWNS PEOPLE OF FRANKFORT WOULD CONTINUE TO SEE THE COMPLETION OF THE BUILDING AND THE RISING OF THE DOME.

FINALLY ADD NOON ON JUNE 2, 1910, THE NEW STATE CAPITOL WAS DEDICATED.

THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH WERE ALLOWED TO WALK THROUGH AND LOOK IN AWE AND WONDER AT THEIR NEW HOUSE OF THE PEOPLE.

THIS CAPITOL BUILDING PRESENTED A SITE THAT RENEWED A SENSE OF PRIDE THAT HAD BEEN MISSING SINCE THE ASSASSINATION OF WILLIAM GOEBEL 10 YEARS BEFORE.

FRAIJ MILLS ANDREWS HAD BEEN A STUDENT OF THE BOSAR SCHOOL OF DESIGN OF PARIS FRANCE, A COMBINATION OF ANCIENT GROUP AND ROMAN AR TECH TUR WITH A HEAVY INFLUENCE OF THEN FRENCH DESIGN.

AS YOU TRAVEL UP CAPITOL AVENUE FROM DOWNTOWN FRANKFORT, THE KENTUCKY STATE CAPITOL PRESENTS A COMMANDING SITE, RISING HIGH AMONG THE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HAS GROWN UP AROUND IT.

CERTAINLY THE MOST IMPRESSIVE FEATURE AS YOU APPROACH, IS THE DOME.

WHILE MANY AMERICANS BELIEVE THE IDEA OF A DOME ORIGINATED WITH OUR NATIONAL CAPITOL, DOMES WERE ACTUALLY DESIGNED AND BUILT TO HELP IDENTIFY AND FIND THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT IN A CITY.

KENTUCKY'S DOME WAS PATTERNED AFTER NAPOLEON'S TOMB AT THE HOTEL IN PARIS.

DISPLAYING THE FIRST OF MANY FRENCH INFLUENCES ON ANDREWS DESIGN: NIRNLLY A COPPER PLATE COVERING WAS CONSIDERED FOR THE DOME.

BUT INSTEAD, TERRA COULD THEA BLOCKS WERE CHOSEN TORE THEIR COLOR AND LUSTER.

1621 BLOCKS WERE DESIGNED SEPARATELY TO CURVED SHAPES THAT FIT TOGETHER THE COLUMNS ATTRACT ATTENTION, A FEATURE ANDREWS WOULD CONTINUE THROUGHOUT HIS DESIGN.

THERE ARE 70 MONOLITHIC COLUMNS DOMINATING THE ENTIRE BUILDING, EACH IS A FULL 2 FEET,-- 27'10".

THEY WERE QUITE A CHALLENGE FOR MANUAL CRANES AND PULLEYS.

AS YOU WALK UP, THE GRANITE STEPS TOWARDS THE DOME OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE CAPITOL, YOU BECOME AWARE OF THE WIDE ROLLING EXPANSE OF LAND ANDREWS WANTED TO SURROUND HIS CREATION.

THE KENTUCKY STATE CAPITOL, BY BEING BUILT ON FARMLAND AWAY FROM THE CITY, HAD SPACE FOR BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPING AND GARDENS.

>> THEY'RE PART OF WHAT MAKES OUR CAPITOL UNIQUE BECAUSE IT IS LIKE A GARDEN ALL AROUND OUR CAPITOL.

AND ANYBODY CAN COME AND WALK AND ENJOY WHAT WE HAVE HERE.

IN THE SPRING IT'S BEAUTIFUL TO SEE THE TULIPS IN FULL BLOOM.

AND TO DRIVE UP CAPITOL AVENUE.

>> Renee: HE TURNED TO THE OLMSTEAD BROTHERS, RENOWNED FOR HIS PARK DESIGNS IN LOUISVILLE AND CENTRAL PARK IN NEW YORK, THE BROTHERS, JOHN AND FRED RAKE, JR., COMBINED THEIR TALENTS TO GIVE THIS CAPITOL ITS OWN PARK SETTING AND IT HAS GROWN WITH TIME.

TREES, NATIVE TO KENTUCKY, FRAME THE CAPITOL AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, EACH GOVERNOR HAS ADDED THEIR OWN SPECIAL TOUCH TO THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE.

WHEN SEEN FROM THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE CAPITOL, THE VIEW OF THE FRONT GROUNDS WITH ITS COMPLEX OF WALK WAYS, GRANITE STAIRS LEADING VISITORS THROUGH FLOWERS BURSTING WITH COLOR HAS BEEN DESCRIBED TO LOOK LIKE A PERSIAN RUG.

THE KENTUCKY STATE CAPITOL RIGHTFULLY CAN BE CALLED A WORK OF ART AND INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF ARTWORK ARE ABUNDANT THROUGHOUT, BEGINNING WITH THE TRIANGULAR PEDIMENT ABOVE THE MAIN ENTRANCE.

THE PEDIMENTED SCULPTURE IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR ITS EXCEPTIONAL DETAIL.

IT IS A DEPICTION KENTUCKY EXQUISITELY CARVED BY THE AUSTRIAN SCULPTURE PETER ROSAK.

IN THE CENTER OF THE PEDIMENT STANDS LADY KENTUCKY, ATTENDED BY FIGURES REPRESENTING ALL ASPECTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

AT HER FEET IS PROGRESS.

PUSHING A WINGED WHEEL.

HISTORY STANDS REGAL WITH HIS LEDGER, RECORDING KENTUCKY'S RICH PAST.

PLENTY HOLDS AN OVER FLOWING CORN U CORNUCOPIA.

ART HOLDS HER PALLET AND BRUSH IN HAND WHILE LABOR FACES ART GRASPING ON TO A HAMMER AND ALL THE WHILE BEHIND IS LAW, AWAITING THE MEMBERS OF THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT WHO WILL SERVE INSIDE.

EVERY FOUR YEARS, KENTUCKY ELECTS ITS GOVERNOR, THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKIANS WATCH THE PARADE OF BARNEDS AND POLITICIANS MARCH UP STATE STREET TOWARDS THE CAPITOL STEPS FOR THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY.

AS THE GOVERNOR-ELECT WATCHES FROM THE VIEWING STAND, HE OR SHE CAN LOOK ACROSS STATE STREET AND SEE THEIR RESIDENCE FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION, CREATED BY AN ARCHITECT FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY, THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME ALSO CARRIES THE SENSE OF FRENCH DESIGN HELD THROUGHOUT THE CAPITOL.

AFTER A DAY OF SPEECHES AND CELEBRATION, THE EVENING ENDS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S BALL, WHICH TRULY SHOWS OFF THE RICHNESS AND ART OF THIS CAPITOL BUILDING AS THE NEWLY SWORN IN GOVERNOR AND SPOUSE DESCEND A BEAUTIFULLY MARBLED STAIRCASE TO THE ROTUNDA FLOOR.

THE ROTUNDA IS THE HEART OF THE CAPITOL AND IS THE FIRST SIGHT FOR A VISITOR WHEN ENTERING THE BUILDING.

RISING HIGH ABOVE, THE SAME DOME THAT WAS SO IMPRESSIVE OUTSIDE IS TRULY INSPIRING INSIDE.

AND THE ROTUNDA ITSELF, FOUR STATUES OF FAMOUS KENTUCKIANS AND THE CENTER IS A 14-FOOT TALL BRONZE STATUE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

THE STATUTE-- THE STATUE WAS DONATED BY JAMES BRECKENRIDGE SPEED OF LOUISVILLE AS PART OF THE CAPITOL'S OPENING.

LATER, THREE MORE STATUES WOULD BE ADDED TO THE ROTUNDA.

ALVIN BARCLAY, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FROM GRAVES COUNTY, THE ONLY VICE PRESIDENT TO MARRY WHILE IN OFFICE AND THE FIRST TO USE THE TERM VEEP WHEN REFERRING TO HIS TITLE.

Dr. APHRAIM McDOWELL CONSIDERED THE FOUNDING FATHER OF ABDOMINAL SURGERY WHO PERFORMED THE FIRST SURGERY TO REMOVE A TUMOR FROM A PATIENT.

THIS DEPICTS THE BASKETBALL SIZE TUMOR HE REMOVED THAT DAY.

FINALLY THERE IS HENRY CLAY, THE GREAT COMPROMISER.

ONE FACT MOST VISITORS DON'T REALIZE ABOUT THIS STATUTE U IS THAT IT'S MADE FROM PLASTER WITH A VENEER TO LOOK LIKE BRONS.

THE END OF HENRY CLAY'S CANE WAS BROKEN OFF BY A LIGHT BULB BY A MAINTENANCE PERSON WORKING ONE DAY HIGH UP IN THE DOME.

LOOKING DOWN THE GREAT TRANSVERSE ACCESS OF THIS MARVELOUS STRUCTURE, THE ROTUNDA ALMOST DISAPPEARS FROM SIGHT AMONG THE SPLENDOR OF FLOORS AND STAIRCASES LINED WITH MARBLE.

DURING THE MIDDLE OF CONSTRUCTION 23419-- CONSTRUCTION IN 190, PERHAPS REALIZING THEY WERE ON THE VERGE OF CREATING A UNIQUE CAPITOL, THE LEGISLATURE SET ASIDE MONEY TO CHANGE THE PLANNED FINISH OF THE INTERIOR WALLS FROM LIME STOAB TO MARBLE, CREATING THIS BEAUTIFUL LUST RUSS EXPANSE WHOSE SIGHT WOULD FOREVER TAKE THE BREATH AWAY FROM ITS VISITEDDORS.

>> IT WAS CALLED THE AGE OF CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION, THE GUILDED AGE.

EVERYTHING HAD TO BE BIGGER, STRONGER, MADE OF BETTER MATERIALS.

IT HAD TO LAST FOREVER.

SO THE CAPITOL YOU SEE IS KENTUCKY'S EXPRESSION OF WEALTH AND POWER IT WAS TRYING TO OBTAIN.

>> Renee: THIS SINGLE OPEN AREA IS OVER 300 FEET IN LENGTH, MORE THAN A FOOTBALL FIELD.

FRANK ANDREWS LINED IT WITH 36 MORE COLUMNS.

THESE SUPPORTING THE ORNATE CORNICE WORK THAT LINES THE ENTIRE HALLWAY.

AT EACH END OF THIS GREAT HALLWAY, ANDREWS BUILT A GRAND STAIRCASE, PATTERNED AFTER ANOTHER FAMOUS FRENCH STRUCTURE THE PARIS OPERA HOUSE.

BOTH STAIRCASES CLIMB TO THE THIRD FLOOR, EACH TO A CHAMBER OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE, WHICH IS ANOTHER UNIQUE ATTRIBUTE OF THIS CAPITOL.

KENTUCKY IS ONE OF ONLY THREE STATES TO HAVE ALL THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT HOUSED IN ITS CAPITOL BUILDING.

THE SENATE AND HOUSE CHAMBERS FACE EACH OTHER ACROSS THE OPEN EXPANSE OF THE NAIF OF THE BUILDING.

DORNING THE ENTRANCE TO EACH ARE LARGE MURAL PAINTINGS.

BOTH LYNETTES DEMICT EXPLORER DANIEL BOONE AT THE BEGINNING OF KENTUCKY.

AND OVER THE ENTRANCE TO THE HOUSE CHAMBERS, IT SHOWS DANIEL BOONE AND HIS MEN ON THE DAY THEY CAME THROUGH THE CUMBERLAND GAP AND LOOKED OUT INTO THE BLUEGRASS.

OVER AT THE WEST END, THE SENATE'S LYNETTE DEPICTED BOON STRIKING THE DEAL WITH CHEROKEE LEADERS WHEN HE BOUGHT THE LANDS OF KENTUCKY FOR $48,000.

THESE CHAMBERS HAVE SEEN THE ADDITION OF COMPUTERS AND LARGE MONITORS AT THE FRONT OF THE CHAMBER BUT LEGISLATORS STILL HIT BEHIND RICH MAHOGANY ROLL TOP GUESTS ANOTHER ANDREWS DESIGN ELEMENT THAT IS BOTH FUNCTIONAL AND ARTISTIC IS SEEN OVER THE HEADS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

STAINED GLASS SKY LIGHTS.

THESE INTRICATE SKY LIGHTS EXTEND THE LENGTH OF THE CAPITOL ROOF ALLOWING FOR NATURAL LIGHTING THROUGHOUT THE CHAMBERS AND HALLWAYS.

NATURAL LIGHTING THAT ACCENT RATES-- ACCENT WAITS THE RICHNESS OF BOTH WOOD AND MARBLE.

ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE CAPITOL IS ANOTHER BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, THE JUDICIARY.

AS OVERWHELMING AS THE HALLWAYS AND LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS ARE IN THIS CAPITOL, THE COURTROOM FOR THE STATE SUPREME COURT IS OFTEN THOUGHT OF AS THE MOST HANDSOME IN THE NATION ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS THE COURT OF APPEALS, IT IS SOLEMNLY DONE WITH HEAVILY PANELED WALLS AND THE JUSTICES SIT IN LEATHER CHAIRS AS THOSE FROM 100 YEARS AGO.

TO ME, THE MOST IMPRESSIVE THING ABOUT IT ARE THE SEVEN CHAIRS FOR OUR JUSTICES.

ALL REPRESENTING MANY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN OUR STATE AND THEY SIT ACCORDING TO THE REGION THEY REPRESENT STARTING ON THE LEFT WITH THE WESTERN REGION AND GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE EASTERN COAL FIELD REGION AND THAT, TO ME, IS VERY SPECIAL.

>> Renee: IT IS PERHAPS THE SMALLER ROOMS WAITING BEHIND CLOSED DOOR THAT ARE THE MOST MEMORABLE FOR THE VISITOR.

THE CAPITOL LIBRARY IS NO ORDINARY COLLECTION OF BOOK SHELVES.

IT'S AN OPEN TWO-FLOOR DESIGN WITH A SPECIAL STEEL STRUCTURE MANUFACTURED BY CARNEGIE STEEL.

THE FLOORS OF THE SECOND LEVEL ARE GLASS, STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK ON, YET ALLOWING NATURAL LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE THE BOOK STACKS BELOW.

DIRECTLY ACROSS ACROSS THE GREAT HALL FROM THE LIBRARY OVERLOOKING THE ROTUNDA IS THE ROOM THAT ANDREWS DESIGNED TO MOST IMPRESS AND PERHAPS INTIMIDATE THOSE WHO COME TO THE CAPITOL, THE RECEPTION ROOM.

THIS ROOM HAS THE HEAVY FRENCH INFLUENCE FROM THE PUBLIC RECEPTION ROOM OF MARIE ANTOINETTE IN VERSAILLES.

IT IS HERE THE GOVERNOR MEETS WITH CITIZENS AND OUT OF STATE VISITORS.

HEAVY CRYSTAL CHANDELIERS HANG FROM THE CEILING AND AT EACH END OF THE ROOM ARE TWO LARGE MIRROR S STRETCHING OFF INTO INFINITY.

AND TODAY, THE KENTUCKY STATE CAPITOL MAINTAINS THE TIMELESS BEAUTY OF ITS ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION, CITIZENS AND VISITORS CAN STILL WALK THROUGH THE MARBLED HALLS AND STAIRWAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

MOTTO CHOSEN BY ISAAC SHELL BY SO MANY YEARS AGO EMBEDDED IN SOME OF THE MOST UNSUSPECTING PLACES.

♪ DIVIDING WE FALL AND ALL VISITORS MAKE SURE TO RUB THE TOE OF LINCOLN STATUE FOR GOOD LUCK.

BUT SOME THINGS HAVE CHANGED OR BEEN ADDED WITH TIME.

AS LARGE AS THE CAPITOL BUILDING SEEN AT ITS BEGINNING, THE NEEDS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT QUICKLY OUTGREW THESE WALLS AND IN 1950, THE CAPITOL ANNEX WAS BUILT BEHIND THE CAPITOL WHILE NOT MATCHING ITS GRANDEUR, IT IS COMPARABLE IN SIZE AND HOUSES OFFICES FOR LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OFFICIALS AND ITS SUPPORT STAFF.

IT IS ALSO WHERE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS TAKE PLACE AND STILL EXTENDING HER PALLET TO LADY KENTUCKY AND THE PEDIMENT NEW ARTWORK WELCOMES THE THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKIAN MONTHS VISIT EVERY YEAR.

IN 1971, A MINIATURE DOLL COLLECTION WAS OPENED, EACH DOLL REPRESENTING ONE OF KENTUCKY'S FIRST LADIES EACH WEARING A GOWN MADE FROM FABRIC TAKEN FROM THEIR INAUGURAL DRESS THERE IS ONE MINIATURE FOR MARTHA LANE COLLINS, KENTUCKY'S FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR.

DOWN THE HALL IS THE DISPLAY OF PAINTINGS OF THE MANY WOMEN WHO HAVE ADDED SO MUCH TO KENTUCKY'S HISTORY IN 2010, AS PART OF CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE STATE CAPITOL FOUR LYNETTES WERE ADDED TO THE ROTUNDA REPRESENTING INDUSTRY, NATURE, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY.

AND THE GARDEN LIKE LANDSCAPING OF THE OLMSTEAD BROTHERS SAW A GRAND EDITION IN MAY OF 1961 WITH A 34-FOOT WIDE FLORAL CLOCK.

THIS COLORFUL ADDITION HAS A 53.

IT HAS ENTHRALLED VISITORS FOR SIX DECADES THE KENTUCKY STATE CAPITOL REMAINS A MONUMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE BLUEGRASS.

FOR OVER A CENTURY, THOUSANDS OF ITS CITIZENS HAVE COME TO STAND WHERE GOVERNORS HAVE STOOD, TO GAZE UP IN AWE AND WONDER AT BEAUTIFUL MARBLED WALLS, REFLECTING THE LIGHT FROM STAINED GLASS SKY LIGHTS AND TO LOOK DOWN FROM BALCONIES AND WATCH AS THE LAWS ARE PASSED.

>> IT'S A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL FACILITY.

IT REPRESENTS ALL THAT IS GOOD ABOUT OUR STATE AND IT SHOWS WHAT WE CAN DO AS A CITIZENRY WITH WE COME TOGETHER AND DECIDE WE WANT DO SOMETHING GRAND.

>> Renee: THE ROTUNDA HAS BEEN THE SIGHT WHERE CITIZENS HAVE EXERCISED THEIR RIGHT TO DEMONSTRATE FOR MANY CAUSES, WHERE VETERANS AND THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN IN COMBAT HAVE BEEN HONORED.

AND IT WAS THE SIGHT FOR THE FUNERAL OF A BELOVED FIRST LADY.

AND THE BUILDING ITSELF HAS BEEN THE BACKDROP FOR THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKY FAMILIES AND CLASS TRIPS AND BUSINESSES WHO HAVE TRAVELED TO THIS MAG ANY OF MAGNIFICENT TEMPLE OF DEMOCRACY THE KENTUCKY STATED CAPITOL HAS STOOD IN SPLENDOR FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY AND ITS FOUNDATION AND STRENGTH LOOK TO STERVE THE COMMONWEALTH FOR ANOTHER 100 YEARS ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪