♪ >> we're real proud to have it.

The real glad to have.

It will be fantastic for veterans may get the care they need here in Bowling Green and without having to travel 100 miles.

>> With Bowling Green doesn't have it yet.

A new veterans home has a bigger than expected price tag.

>> Numbers of the young ladies that are getting into this trade are growing immensely.

>> When talking needs Wilders and it's not just a job for men.

And it's a toy that can teach a lesson.

See some Kentucky students learning with Legos.

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

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

♪ ♪ Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION for this Friday, January, 20th.

>> I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you so much for starting your weekend off with OSS.

A fund created during the pandemic to help prevent evictions in Kentucky.

>> We'll stop taking new applicants after this week.

Governor Andy Beshear says the state's healthy at home, the Victim Relief Fund has provided 205 million dollars in help to more than 52,000 households since it began in February of 2021.

>> This program has been a big success getting significant dollars out there.

But like of federal program that's designed for a specific period of time.

At some point the dollars do run out.

>> Beshear says the program will resume if the federal government provides more money.

He says the remaining money will be used to fund programs that help those most at risk of eviction and homelessness.

Next week marks 6 months since historic flooding killed more than 40 people in eastern Kentucky.

Governor Beshear says the state is making good progress in the recovery, but adds there is much more work left to be done.

243 families are still living in travel trailers.

28 people are living at a Kentucky State park.

That's down from 360 people in September.

Now we have a team in eastern Kentucky this week looking at how the recovery efforts are going.

And you can see those stories starting next Wednesday right here on Kentucky EDITION.

Inflation is making many things more expensive.

And that includes a major construction project in Warren County ground was broken on the new Bowling Green veteran Center back in November.

A bill that passed the Kentucky House and now goes before the state Senate seeks another 16 million dollars in funding for the project.

Kentucky additions Laura Rogers has more.

Work is underway in Bowling Green, Kentucky transfer arc to build a nursing home for military veterans.

>> We're real proud to have it and really glad to have.

It will be fantastic for veterans.

They can get the care they need here in Bowling Green and without having to travel 100 miles.

>> Well, in green veterans like Colonel Robert Spiller who passed away in 2018 spent many years advocating for the project.

>> Even here at the American Legion, Colonel Spiller was our year and Frankfort are put it that way in our voice and Frankfort.

>> Now voices are being heard in Frankfort again, as inflation means, more funding will need to be allocated.

>> We need the facilities.

We need the 60 bed spaces for all of our World War.

2 and Korean veterans who are aging into that system.

We need to make that that available.

You know, not everybody the resources to pay for top quality nursing home care later in life.

>> This nursing home is really needed.

This was so needed and we had to just a fad.

The need.

>> Former speaker of the House, Jodi Richards, says his support for the project began 20 years ago.

>> I remember writing several letters to the governor and legislative leaders didn't seem to go anywhere very fast to the American Legion and the military Officers Association.

Mo really got behind it and pushed it.

>> The General Assembly would go on to approve the project in 2016, but then federal funding was put in question.

>> And for a while we do this, we're really concerned whether it would ever be built or not.

>> Federal dollars would eventually be approved for the nursing home.

It's been a a real team effort from City County, state and federal government.

>> But then another hurdle, inflation, a bill that will now go before the state Senate will set aside more than 16 million dollars to see the project through.

>> The culmination of a lot of people, we're absolutely very dedicated to serving.

Not only when they're on active duty, but after that and looking out for the people who are coming behind this is going to be more important as veterans in our area start to age and they're going to require long-term care.

Supporters say they are confident the bill will pass.

>> We've been talking, we wrote matters.

We've done everything in our power to try to get this nursing home here in Bowling Green and it's finally all coming the finish.

And it's going to be fantastic.

>> It's something that we or our World War, 2 and Korean eventually Vietnam veterans.

And I hope it's available for me when the time comes.

>> The community is really behind it.

And the community is really excited about this nursing home.

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

The Bowling Green Veteran Center will be the state's 5th nursing home for veterans, other locations include well more Hazard Hanson and Radcliff.

Longtime Congressman John Yarmouth has returned home to Louisville after 16 years of service.

He served 8 terms in Washington.

His decision to retire came as a shock to some.

I recently sat down with the now former congressman to ask him about the timing of his decision and to reflect on his years of service.

>> Primarily because I was about to turn, 75 just turned 75 this past November wanted to control the rest of my life.

1, 1, thing that anybody who served in Congress knows is your time is not yours.

Then 2 young grandsons, 3 and a half and 6 months.

And I don't want to miss any of the significant events in their lives.

Also, I think there's a time to to give things up and I was so happy that Speaker Pelosi and Steny Hoyer decided to step down from the leadership roles anyway.

And there are 82 right.

But it's time for new generations.

>> What will you miss?

Well, miss, I will miss the people for you know, the the offer the you know, maybe it may be at the time will tell that be able to KET doing this.

But one of the things that out discovered very early service was the most important part of this job was to make people feel they had a connection to the government.

And so that's a simple as visiting schools going to churches and synagogues going to Costco in the weekend and talk to people and community festivals.

Whatever it is.

And I miss I miss that and that I never dreamed that that was such an important part of the job.

One has to finish.

Ali decided to write this that as well.

you know, I've been around town and yeah, just go to Costco and still going to go more often.

If you want to do which we all do.

>> I did want to ask you about the floor speech you gave Rich and they said, you know, your final floor speech and >> you made it through and almost and and humid.

You mentioned your chief of staff and you just overcome and gratitude to her for how she had served.

Not just you, but the nation >> Well, Julie Carr is a Louisville u of L graduate.

She worked for a number of members before I got there and I didn't know her.

A couple days after I got elected in 2006, she called me and she you know, I'm my name is Julie Karma, Louisville native Louise Slaughter's chief of staff.

We slaughtered then being the chair of the Rules well about to become the chair of the Rules Committee.

Actually a native of But she said I never thought I had a chance to work for a Democrat from my I'd like to talk about being your chief of staff.

And so she made the decision to leave one of the most powerful people in Congress.

Lewis won't slow to come to work for me and, you know, as I said in the if she had left me at any time during the 16 years, I think I retired the next day because I couldn't have done the job without her.

She's like an alter ego and yeah, I can't imagine a better friend.

Yeah, I get sure he choked up thinking about right now.

But she's just been incredible.

And so, yeah, I rehearse the speech the morning before I gave it and I totally lost and I'm standing in my kitchen in It then I did it the morning of speech and I got through it fine.

But the the moment the moment and the atmosphere that's different when it's this is the thing right now.

And there won't be another time was again, that that makes perfect sense.

Well, you did start off with a more comedic notes.

>> wound Zahn and the circus.

And I want you to to to tell us what you're talking about several years ago, I ran into a former member of friend of mine and I asked him how miss it.

And he said, >> I don't miss the circus.

I miss the of repeated that hundreds of times.

And it's a great way to describe because I think most members will tell you that that's what they miss most is the >> collegiality and but they don't miss the the every day for the garage says.

But what I went on to say was are certain things about the circus that I will miss.

All right.

And things like I really love the debates.

We had, even though, as I said in the they never changed anybody's But those debates are really important for the country to have.

And down here.

So that on not don't miss the fact that so much of what we say on the floor and committees comes from the border side of our nature.

Instead of the best side of our nature.

And we're doing a lot of performance.

Art and the political theater.

yeah, that's it's a great way to put it because that I think that's again, every former member of talked to said the same thing.

I miss my colleagues.

Yes.

>> You can see the entire interview with former Congressman John Yarmouth on connections this Sunday at 12 noon Eastern.

11:00AM central right here on KET.

Kentucky.

Republicans are demanding to see behind the scenes correspondence between Governor Andy Beshear and his inner circle about school closings at the height of the COVID pandemic.

The governor's office denied the request last month saying it was too broad.

The attorney general's office says the governor's office violated open records law Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a candidate for governor himself, recused himself from the case.

♪ >> Time now to go inside Kentucky politics with a dynamic pair of pandas to discuss some important political developments this week in Kentucky were joined today by Colmon Eldridge, who's the chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party.

Glad to have him an Trey Grayson, a Republican, former Kentucky secretary of state, is now with Frost Brown Todd and managing editor of the firm's government relations affiliate Civic Point.

Good to have you.

Thanks.

Going to hear good to have you to and yes, thank you both for being here.

Let's talk first about an event that happened this week and I'll go to you first trade.

The fallout from the Republican Women's Club of South Central Kentucky.

It continues.

The NAACP has gotten involved.

This all surrounds the invitation of the controversial police officer involved in Breonna Taylor shooting.

Jonathan Mattingly the same time.

Also a candidate for Governor Ryan Quarles was invited.

He backed out, but yet the fallout continues.

>> Yeah, as of you know, I run for office several times and won a couple.

And and I just was thinking about this more candidates respective you.

You get invited to speak.

reputable.

Woman's club of your party about this case, Republican.

And then you find out there's another speaker here.

You just you say yes to this kind of a patients all the time.

So I feel really bad.

First of all, for for commissioner corals and he did the right thing by stepping back.

You know, the bonus culture that had not only is this the speaker and now what they've done because they've seen in corals, they hurt their reputation among among Republicans all across the state because it's the same group that has hosted others without without issue.

And so I can but mostly feel sorry for Commissioner Cross.

But I'm glad he stepped aside because it was the right thing to do.

>> Well, common allergy, you had some strong things to say about this on Twitter.

So I'll let you some eyes, those thoughts.

And also how do you think this could impact the governor's race if at all?

>> Just this notion of profiting off of the the death of an innocent person.

It's just a horrendous.

And and the the facts of that case being as divisive as they are.

It just seemed to be an event in poor taste from from from just the standpoint of inviting this person to come and share his perspective.

At the cost of $40.

Captain Tips included for a country club dinner.

But the second part a while, you know, eventually Commissioner Ball's got to the right decision.

It took way too long.

You know, when you are running for office and especially when you are running to be the governor of this Commonwealth.

It should be a no-brainer that when when when something like this comes up, you can quickly gather facts.

But as quickly as you gather, then you need to make a decision.

You have to do to put the needs of the whole above your your own politics.

And so you know what I speak in terms of your your final question in terms of how it impacts the race for governor, I think on one hand you have a group of 12 or however many is running on the others died that have all and some way, shape or form failed the test of how to to put politics aside and show that you're governing for everyone.

>> Who do you think you'll have any kind of lasting Now?

>> And some the impact for causes.

He didn't get a chance to speak to you.

Get the coverage in Bowling Green for his But this is not something on election night and they were going to be talking.

>> I was going ask you think you lose any votes over it and and many people?

Well, I say what I thought, maybe that's a general election move to put to withdraw from it because maybe he's trying to court a different type of voter.

>> Yeah, I just I know, Ryan, he's not racist.

And when I when he found out about it, you know, I I wasn't paying close enough attention to know how long it took him from when he found out when he pulled out.

But he got out.

He went out and did the right thing.

You didn't.

You didn't go to it.

>> All right.

So real quickly, I want I'm going to skip one thing.

We're going talk about to get another.

We have an election even before we have the big question.

And that's the district that was open buys.

Now, Congressman Morgan McGarvey Senate district number 19, there's been some development this week where the state Board of Elections said, hey, you don't have enough polling locations for 100,000 people were going put this on hold.

>> Yes, so one of the things that Kentucky now that we're allowing more flexibility with where we hold our polling locations, the state Board of Elections says to approve a county plan even for a special election.

And that's what happened this week is the state board said to Jefferson County Court, Bobbie Holsclaw, who chairs the county board of election.

But the plan didn't have sufficient polling places.

Her argument is it will be a very low turnout.

Special election.

And this is kind of last minute.

They already sent those cards to voters, but they've asked her to come up with a new plan.

Hopefully they'll get that together this coming week.

And I'm understanding is the school board the Marty Pollio County superintendent is is being asked to try to help to find some more located yet to have some of the schools open for that.

So common anything you care to share about this?

Is this going to be a big to do and >> and does it affect the actual outcome of the race in any way?

>> You know, my my hope and I think all of in terms of did this hopefully being a bipartisan agreement is we continuously more access, not less to vote.

And so I would And and the largest county.

And the and the Commonwealth >> that there could be some common sense about how we can ensure that people are being disenfranchised.

And I I just simply reject the notion was going to be low voter turnout the obligation is to make sure we're doing everything possible to ensure that people have access.

And when the original plan came out, I do actually believe there was bipartisan agreement that it just did not meet the standard to which we should hold elections.

So I that they get it resolved.

And and I still believe that we've got the best candidate and she will be elected will certainly KET our eyes on it and see a February 21st hold.

>> Which we assume it will.

Yeah, it's a governor's proclamation as it doesn't change.

That should change.

He's right about the outcome is a Democratic seat and they've a strong candidate.

They're likely to win that race.

Pretty handily.

Yeah.

>> We'll see.

We don't get to have the issues that I hope, but I thank you for being here anyway.

Trey Grayson joining us Remotely Coleman Elrich.

Thank you, gentlemen.

I appreciate it.

Have a great weekend.

Thanks.

♪ Yesterday in Louisville, a lot of people gathered for the future.

Women of Welding High School competition.

This is the first of its kind in Kentucky with 40 young women taking part from all around the commonwealth with the growing demand for women welders.

It was a great way for students to show off their skills when some prize money and make a few contacts.

>> This is the first time that there's been a competition of this type always had an idea of what to do.

An all female welding competition because I think it's important not just include this group being as small as it is, but to celebrate the opportunity for them to mean in such a trade statistic as it is.

We've been fortunate enough to have 14 different schools here.

we've got multiple partners from Jefferson County and all over the state.

we've had almost $15,000 donated in prizes such so it's a really good event.

The competition set up on 3 levels.

First level softball.

Freshman and sophomores.

First year, students level 2 juniors and level 3 seniors were watching to make sure that they're following the rules.

You know, they've all been blueprint and a rule.

She >> so we're checking to make sure they're following the proper instructions.

But at the end, we're going to measure all of their wells.

We're going to make sure that the blueprint matches the project.

You know, that they built.

So we're going to check, you know, dimensions.

We're going to look at the quality of the well, the size of the well, the type of well, that is all that good stuff and will score to lead.

>> I think it's cool that we get to come here and to competition because there's a bunch of other girls from home, a bunch of different schools in you get to.

Test your skills and you get to see like how other people evaluate and make up their decisions on how they build stuff in my what they do first, I think it's great that camaraderie.

>> That they see with each other with the instructors, with all the entities that are here with the celebration.

Actually, you know, it.

It gives them more opportunities.

Like I said, there's probably can business partners upstairs that are here to talk to the young ladies that are here.

>> You know, you don't see a lot of girls do it.

And it's not publicly shown so being able to be a girl water in do that schools.

That's why I wanted to do it.

Tell my future's going so far.

>> This is a life choice.

Literally.

There's not one young person graduating from high school.

If they come, they have to have the work ethic.

They have to have the work ethic in the drive self-discipline to do this because this is not an easy trait.

Welding jobs have never even through the pandemic.

Do any type of recessions, welding jobs have never stopped.

Welders have always had jobs.

And now we're in literally these guys can write their own ticket.

They can make as little as they want or they can make as much as they want.

It all depends on the drive that they have.

And that's you literally the atmosphere that we live in today.

This straight.

>> That is some serious girl power.

Congratulations to the winners.

Ashley Wilhoite of Greene County, Emma Mansfield, a Meade County and Maggie Johnson of Lee County for taking home the top prize and each level.

Toys aren't just for play.

They can also be used in the classroom.

3rd graders at Lost River Elementary School in Warren County are using Lego education sets for hands-on learning.

They work in pairs to follow instructions and create objects that move.

It's part of education, an acronym for science technology, engineering the Arts and mathematics.

>> It's like a race car.

I mean, he's telling us how they how do they work and how you make, in fact, >> the students here last year, really mature school are learning about They're using Lego education set called Brit Hume Ocean where they get to go through and build different things or what the main theme of these units are science and learning about push-and-pull forces and motions and all >> But really cool.

Vinson says in the next few weeks 6th graders will also get in on the fun using Legos to learn coding and robotics.

♪ >> Boats, birds, ballet and pickleball do begins has all that and more and this look at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> Join Kentucky State Parks and Gilbert's Ville this weekend for an exciting eagle citing excursion with live presentations of birds of prey.

And yacht cruises along the Kentucky light.

Don't miss out on this great chance to spot America's National Bird.

Enjoy one of the country's fastest growing hobbies.

In a way like never before.

In the dark.

Bring your friends and family.

Your bride this me on clothing and your paddles to Louisville this weekend.

As you light up the court during Pickle ball.

Part of the British invasion is making its way to Madisonville this Saturday with Herman's hermits starring Peter.

Now with 14 gold singles, 7 gold albums with hits like I'm into Something Good and Wonderful World.

This is a night you won't want to miss.

Dance your way on over to the Kentucky Symphony.

Orchestra's Happy Feet Performance.

A new park this Saturday.

Listen along to the Valley music of the 20th Century with works from acclaimed American composers like Aaron Copeland and William Grant still.

Calling all history.

Bob said they'll springs battlefield in NC is holding its national monument Luminary event this Saturday to commemorate the Civil War battles.

100 61st anniversary.

Grab your coat and a flashlight.

As you prepare to hear about the significance of the battle and witness the monuments, a luminary lighting.

Snag your tickets to all elite wrestling dynamite and rampage abandoned Rupp Arena this upcoming Wednesday.

This knockdown drag out a ban is sure to feature some of the entertainment.

Wrestling's.

Great with plenty of brawls, beat downs and battles for even the biggest wrestling fan.

So Mark Savage and friends will be live at the gaming Holland.

Frank on the Saturday swing by Person Live Classic 70's rock and a night of good friends, good food and good music.

Discover all the part-time arboretum and research forest in Clermont has to offer this weekend with their the K-kids Discovery Day with a goal of getting every child outside the event will include hands on Discovery stations.

Pop-up story circles and a high of the day.

Check out more than just books this weekend at the Oldham County Public Library in LaGrange.

Create your very own winter wind shined during their handmade creations.

Advanced perfect for decorating this winter season.

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

I'm Toby Gibbs.

>> Thank Youto be Gibbs on Monday will look back at the Marshall County High School shooting 5 years later and we'll introduce you to more new members of the Kentucky General Assembly.

That and more Monday night on Kentucky Edition.

Also on Monday on Kentucky tonight for members of the Kentucky General Assembly on both sides of the political aisle.

Join me for discussion about Kentucky's juvenile justice system.

You don't want to miss this conversation.

That's Monday night at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET.

We do hope you have a great weekend.

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

>> Subscribe to our weekly Kentucky Edition email newsletter and watch full episodes and clips at KET Dot Org.

You can also find Kentucky Edition on the PBS video app on your mobile device and smart TV and follow KET on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in the month.

And you're also welcome to follow me on Twitter at Renee KET once again.

Have a great weekend and we'll see you right back here Monday night.

♪ ♪