[MUSIC] >> We get the question.

Is there any bus potential sometimes with this system?

There is no bus potential.

We're going to see a winter storm and significant wintry accumulations.

[MUSIC] >> What to expect from the biggest winter storm in Kentucky in years.

[MUSIC] >> The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

>> Kentucky House moves forward to expand Kentucky's concealed carry law.

[MUSIC] >> The child abuse and neglect is something that is preventable.

>> And a group has plans to fight abuse.

In all, 120 Kentucky counties.

[MUSIC] >> Production of Kentucky edition is made possible in part by the KET Millennium Fund.

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>> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky Edition for this Friday, January the 23rd, I'm Renee Shaw, and we thank you for kicking off your weekend with us.

You know, we're on the verge of what could be the biggest winter storm to hit Kentucky in years.

Governor Andy Beshear has already declared a state of emergency.

As we look ahead to a combination of snow, sleet and freezing rain, and that snow could top one foot in some places.

On top of all that, we expect bitterly cold temperatures with below zero wind chills.

Our Christy Dutton is checking in with the National Weather Service.

So, Christy, tell us, how much snow are we going to get?

Well, Renee.

>> The amount of snow and ice we could see really depends on where you are in the state.

And I will have those snow total maps and the ice accumulation map coming up here in just a couple minutes.

But first, one thing's for sure.

The entire state now under this winter storm warning for the snow, the ice and the impacts that could have.

And it's warning us that now is the time to be prepared for this storm before these first snowflakes start to fall.

And when that is, again, it depends on where you are in the state.

This system is going to be moving from the southwest up toward the northeast.

So that means the first folks to see the snow from this system will be in Western Kentucky.

So early Saturday morning, 6 to 9 a.m.

Paducah starting to see that snow starting to fall.

And then from 9 a.m.

to about noon, it's going to move up to Owensboro, Hartford Bowling Green.

And during the afternoon, noon to 3 p.m.

we expect to see that snow start to fall around Elizabethtown, around Louisville, Frankfort, Danville, Richmond, London, all the way down to Harlan, and then from 3 to 6 p.m.

in the late afternoon, that snow will start to fall around Jackson Pikeville, Maysville and Northern Kentucky.

So earlier today, I spoke to National Weather Service meteorologist Michael Koszyk, who says now that we're getting closer to the start of this winter storm, the forecast, accuracy, impacts and certainty of this winter storm are really starting to come into view.

>> So we're looking at the highest snow totals to be between Louisville and Lexington, kind of on the I-64 corridor there, where you could see 14in or more of snow, which is a lot of snow coming all at once within that 30 to 36 hour time frame.

Saturday into Sunday.

But there's also ice potential to a freezing rain, especially for southern parts of Kentucky, and then over in the east and the mountains where we could see up to half an inch of accumulation.

So you're talking very slick roadways, power outages, significant disruptions to daily life.

>> Yes, freezing rain can do that.

So you said freezing rain is a potential for southern Kentucky.

When would the freezing rain come into play?

>> So what you've got going here is ice expected Sunday morning ending by Sunday afternoon.

But you have snow on Saturday, then the ice Sunday morning into Sunday afternoon and then into Sunday evening.

It will finish up as snow once again for Kentucky.

>> Okay, but not everybody is expected to see that freezing rain.

You are sort of tracking that freeze line.

So tell me, you said there's a no bust potential for this winter storm, but what could impact have a significant impact on the snow totals that you're predicting?

>> So you're absolutely right.

You're going to see a winter storm.

But the 32 degree line up above the surface can change a little bit.

And that's what we're watching very closely and continuing to monitor.

But there's still some uncertainty kind of along the Bluegrass Parkway and southward a little bit where there could be a little bit of more snow or ice, depending on how warm the air gets above the ground level.

>> Yeah.

So that area needs to be prepared for just about anything.

So how do we prepare for this and what impact should we expect?

>> If you're kind of stuck and not sure what to do?

Go to ready.gov.

Like emergency kit.

And there's great tips on there.

That's Ready.gov kit for if you're building a kit together on what you can have for this winter storm.

>> Thank you Michael.

And we now have the latest updated forecast from the National Weather Service.

And you can see that bull's eye over the northern half of the state for the snow totals expected starting tomorrow through Monday morning.

We have over a foot of snow potentially for Louisville, Frankfort for northern Kentucky.

Those snow totals are really adding up.

Now where you see the yellow, we have a band of 8 to 12in of snow.

Morehead, Lexington, Richmond, Danville, Elizabethtown, also around Owensboro and Paducah.

Now here in the southern portion, the snow totals are a little less.

Look at this.

We have 4 to 6in.

Inches around Pikeville, Russell Springs, Bowling Green, and even less there in far southeastern Kentucky.

And the reason why those snow totals are a little bit lower is because of the freezing rain potential in southern Kentucky, and that will cut back on those snow totals.

However, freezing rain can be extremely dangerous.

It can cause power outages and make travel nearly impossible.

We're expecting a period of freezing rain late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, so we're expecting snow first, then that period of freezing rain for portions in southern Kentucky and then changing back over to snow after that, and where we see the quarter to a half inch potential for freezing rain.

That's where we expect the most problems with those power outages, trees and power lines down.

And also that can make travel on those roads very dangerous.

So something to keep in mind.

And if this wasn't enough weather information to handle well, we also go under a cold weather advisory tonight through tomorrow morning because these temperatures are already starting to drop.

We could have wind chill temperatures overnight below zero in many areas across the state.

So Renee, the cold, it's already on its way and the snow and ice will soon follow.

>> Oh goodness Kristie.

Well thank you.

Our meteorologist Christy Dutton helping us out tonight.

We're also getting perspective from the Kentucky mesonet at Western Kentucky University.

It's a network of automated stations, monitors environmental conditions across the Commonwealth.

And our Laura Rogers has more on the expectations for the weekend.

>> Shane Holland is outreach manager at the Kentucky Mesonet at K-u.

And Shane, I consider you this encyclopedia of weather data and history.

So tell us the system that we're expecting.

How could this compare to weather events of the past?

>> Well, there's a good chance, Laura, that the snow amounts that we receive from this system, particularly for the northern one half of the Commonwealth, could rub shoulders with those that were seen back in 2015 when we had two storms that essentially shut down the state, one of which occurred on Presidents Day, February 16th, 2015.

Double digit snow amounts were common across much of central Kentucky, including Lexington from that event.

And then, lo and behold, just a few weeks later, on the evening of March 4th into the morning of March 5th, 2015, we had another blockbuster event where we had 1 to 2ft of snow across a large swath of central Kentucky, especially along the Western Kentucky Parkway, through E-Town, and over toward Lexington.

And then one season later, on January 22nd, 2016, a ten years ago yesterday, we had another similar snowstorm that dumped over a foot of snow across central and eastern portions of Kentucky.

So there's a good chance that the amounts that we receive from this prolonged event, Saturday and Sunday could be in line with those that we saw in the 2015 and 2016 events.

>> And then just to confirm, it sounds like we are expecting a little bit of everything at this point, along with cold temperatures, ice, snow, sleet.

Is that accurate?

>> That's correct.

It looks like mainly a snow event along the Ohio River, so that'd be for places like Henderson Owensboro over toward Louisville and up toward Covington.

And places that stay mainly snow could be looking at easily a foot, if not more, before this situation is over by Sunday night.

Where it gets more complicated is in the central and southern parts of Kentucky, where some warm air will intrude aloft at least a couple thousand feet above the ground as we head into Saturday night.

And that could change the snow over to a mixture of sleet and freezing rain.

We hope not to get a whole lot of glazing or freezing rain, because if we do, that's what clings on to the trees and the power lines and causes the power outages.

But that potential is there, especially for Bowling Green and points to the south and east, where anywhere from a 10th of an inch to a quarter of an inch of icing.

So that will also add to the snow removal process and making that more difficult as time goes on.

With Sunday and Sunday night.

>> Shane Holland with the Kentucky Mesonet at K-u.

We appreciate your expertise and this information.

Thank you so much.

>> Thank you very much, Laura.

>> Renee.

>> Thank you Laura.

Now you can keep up with weather conditions across the state in real time.

Online at KY.

Mesonet dot.

They have 80 sites fitted with webcams that update every five minutes.

So stay safe and warm.

Now turning to politics now, firearms advocates say legalizing concealed carry for young adults is about self protection, but critics worry it would lead to more gun deaths.

18 to 20 year olds have a right to own a gun in Kentucky, but they cannot do so concealed.

House Bill 312 would extend concealed carry for young adults in that age range who take firearm training.

The bill passed a House floor vote.

Just today is our June Leffler reports.

The bill passed the floor after much debate.

More in tonight's legislative update.

>> The Second Amendment could not be clearer.

The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

And make no mistake, 18, 19 and 20 year olds are undeniably part of the people.

>> Many Democrats spoke against the measure.

>> Some of the voices that need to be elevated are the nearly 100 voices that can't talk anymore.

Forever.

That number of nearly 100 is the number of juvenile deaths by guns in my city alone.

But as a minister, I've gone to a lot of funerals.

There's nothing harder than going to the funeral of a young person whose life is gone too soon.

>> This debate cannot be separated from the mental health reality facing young adults in Kentucky.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for young people.

And in Kentucky, two out of three gun deaths is a suicide.

>> Because we have a community to protect.

It's not your personal opinion about what you think or what your family does.

It's about the whole community.

And if the community is saying, we are afraid there are too many guns, then we should do something about it.

In fact, while we're at it, we should be feeding kids and not talking about this.

>> Republicans say the bill protects a constitutional right and has adequate safety measures.

>> We don't override the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial, because a jury might get a verdict wrong.

And we don't disregard the Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

Just because someone might get a sentence less than what they truly deserve.

So ultimately, Mr.

Speaker, it is nonsensical to me that the right of lawful Americans should ever be rendered forfeit just because somebody chooses to abuse theirs.

>> If you're 18 years old today, 18 years old today, you can carry a firearm.

You have access just like you will.

After this passes.

No changes.

You can open carry.

What this bill does is the lady from Grant has said is it adds safety protocols for those who are 18, 19 and 20.

It requires a background check that's not required today for those to carry openly.

It requires training.

It requires these people, these young, young adults, to have to show that they're proficient in using their guns, their firearms, before they can get this license.

Isn't that what we want?

Not everybody does.

Some want to go further and further, but that's what this suburban father of three teenage boys wants.

This will increase safety.

Make no mistake about it.

>> The House passed the bill today in a 73 to 17 vote.

It now heads to the Senate for Kentucky edition.

I'm June Leffler.

>> Thank you.

June.

Louisville Democrat Daniel Grossberg voted with the Republicans on House Bill 312.

Republican Representatives Randy Bridges and Kevin Jackson voted no.

A bill to block efforts to raise Fayette County's occupational tax anytime soon is gaining momentum in Frankfort.

Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe, Senate Bill 76, is in response to the local school board's action last year to raise the tax, only to have it swatted down by the state attorney general, who said it was unconstitutional.

The measure sparked spirited and intense debate on the Senate floor this morning, with Republicans taking jabs at Fayette County Public Schools and its superintendent, Demetrius Liggins.

Our Mackenzie Spink has more.

>> Senate Bill 76 would prevent a county from raising the occupational license tax rate, unless it has a population of at least 500,000.

Currently, Jefferson County is the state's only county that meets that threshold.

Last year, the Fayette County School Board approved a tax hike to mitigate a $16 million budget deficit.

It did not advance because of a ruling by Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman.

>> This proposal offers a pause for stability and confidence for employees and employers while we work through the audit process and give the school board administration space to rebuild its relationship with our community, I will add that the administration is taking some action to right the ship.

They have made changes to the budget, nominally reduced administrative bloat, added new lines of staff accountability, and established new committees with external members which will add in community support and engagement.

>> Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas argued that the district's overall academic performance is what matters most.

As an example, he said Fayette County students outperformed every state except for Wyoming on the Act.

Ligands is the 2026 Kentucky Superintendent of the year, and is one of four finalists for the national recognition.

Senator Thomas says the county's tax raising authority should remain a local decision.

>> And it's been said by some, and I just find this really interesting, that while Fayette County does have a great school system, it has poor leadership at the highest echelons that has done an outstanding job.

And the Fayette County community has embraced this leadership.

And there's been no outcry, as we've heard, there's been no outcry by the business community or high level people, high level, to ask for resignation or demand that he he leave.

We're going to lose $15 million by virtue of this passage of this bill today.

>> Senator Chris McDaniel, who chairs the chamber's budget panel, didn't hesitate to clap back.

>> We didn't seek this issue.

This issue found us.

The outcry is from the citizens of Fayette County.

The outcry is from the middle class people who go to work every day, who make a good living, who are not allowed to speak at a meeting, to whom it is an affront.

That in the darkness of night, attacks should be imposed upon them with no input.

The outcry wasn't just there, it was immense.

It just didn't come from the very few powerful in the educational establishment who think that they're entitled to the tax dollars of everyday Kentuckians without ever being questioned.

>> The State Auditor's office has not yet finished its audit of FCPS finances, and an external audit initiated by the district is also underway.

Senate Bill 76 passed on the floor today along party lines.

It will now head to the House for consideration.

For Kentucky edition, I'm Mackenzie Spink.

>> Thank you Mackenzie.

And now a postscript, a recap of other developments in Frankfort this week.

A House committee is considering the impeachment of two Kentucky judges, including a state Supreme Court justice and a county jailer.

The House impeachment committee met yesterday to discuss rules it will use to review three impeachment petitions.

Jack Richardson, a lawyer and former Jefferson County Republican Party chair, filed a petition against Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwin.

He says she has a conflict of interest in a case involving a 2022 law to limit the power of the Jefferson County Board of Education.

Richardson says the Jefferson County Teachers Union gave campaign contributions to a political action committee that supported Goodwin's campaign for the state's highest court.

Goodwin's attorney says the petition has no merit and should be dismissed.

A Paducah resident also filed a petition against Marshall County Family Judge Stephanie Perlow, accusing her of jurisdictional violations and financial misconduct, and Ballard County Judge Executive filed a petition against jailer Eric Kopas, accusing him of a lack of leadership resulting in misconduct by jail employees.

Under the rules, each petition is considered separately and the 11 person committee can recommend impeachment.

It would then need a majority vote in the full House and a two thirds vote in the Senate in order to remove an official.

Kentucky's Attorney General, Russell Coleman, says he's looking into mail order abortion pills.

Coleman's office announced a civil investigation into organizations that illegally mail or deliver pills into Kentucky.

His office sent subpoenas to six gas stations and Christian, Logan and Simpson counties, saying those gas stations displayed advertisements that read, quote, pregnant.

Don't want to be.

Learn more at May day.

Health end quote.

The gas stations have 20 days to respond.

The Kentucky General Assembly passed House Bill 3 in 2022.

That bill made it illegal to mail or deliver abortion inducing drugs in Kentucky.

[MUSIC] A State group is hoping to educate and empower communities about child abuse prevention through a new initiative, Prevent Child Abuse.

Kentucky says it believes the Upstream Academy is the first of its kind in the nation.

>> We know that that we have to do something and everyone can do something, but not all of us can do everything.

So what can child abuse prevention look like in our state and what can prevent child abuse?

Kentucky do to help move the needle?

What can we do to help advocate?

What can we do to again, go as far upstream as possible to help keep families intact when it's safe to do so?

And and we felt that that community approach was the best approach.

>> So taking it into the counties, it helps build that sense of community.

This is your neighbor.

This isn't someone from Frankfort coming in to Marshall County saying, this is what you're supposed to do.

I think that message just comes better coming from someone you know, someone you trust and someone who knows your community because each one's different.

>> Our goal is to have at least one person in each of Kentucky's 120 counties trained to provide child abuse prevention trainings within their communities.

So imagine a ripple effect.

So a cadre of child abuse prevention advocates that we believe will have a significant impact in our state.

>> So what we are tasked with is letting people know that child abuse and neglect is something that is preventable.

Most parents want to be good parents.

What happens is life becomes too overwhelming.

And in that state of overwhelm, bad decisions are made.

And so trying to focus on creating environment, creating a community where we're supporting those families before it gets to that point.

>> If there's a kid that doesn't have a jacket or doesn't have a coat, and before we make that call like, oh, they're neglectful parents, we get the whole story.

We kind of like what's going on here, and we can maybe provide a coat for that family or provide food assistance or give them the resources they need.

So it's kind of like our role now to train others on how to find resources and other things that can help these families.

>> A lot of things that look like neglect to you.

And I may just in fact be poverty, you know, so really starting to think about that differently, about looking at the situation and not necessarily just automatically assume that something nefarious is happening, seeing our community coming together more and offering more for families and seeing more family activities, more family services, and really just building up that key component of our communities.

When you have strong families, you have a strong community.

>> If they take one thing, one person takes one thing, then I have successfully done something, but I hope everybody takes something from it.

>> You might be snowed or iced in this weekend, but there are some activities still planned for later next week.

Our Toby Gibbs looks at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

>> This punch line has a 400 year setup.

The centuries old Japanese art of comic storytelling known as rakugo is coming to Lexington with Katsura Sunshine.

Sunshine is only one of two Western performers ever trained in the traditional form, which relies on a single storyteller, simple props, and a lot of timing.

His performance blends modern humor with ancient techniques, offering a cross-cultural take on comedy that's rooted in storytelling rather than spectacle.

Winter.

Have you feeling stuck inside?

Here's a chance to make something out of it.

[MUSIC] The Appalachian Arts Alliance is hosting community Art Night in Hazard.

[MUSIC] Build your own snowman.

Make a community snowflake and tie dye snow cones and participate in coloring activities.

[MUSIC] Snacks and drinks will be available at this event that gives all ages the opportunity to gather and create their cultivating connections.

At the 15th Annual Organic Farming Conference, kicking off next Friday at Kentucky State University, hosted by the Organic Association of Kentucky, the event is open to anyone interested in local and organic food systems.

The schedule includes educational sessions, hands on learning opportunities, a trade show, and time set aside for networking among farmers and growers.

[MUSIC] With this look at what's happening around the Commonwealth, I'm Toby Gibbs.

>> Thank you so much Toby Gibbs.

Now we're about one hour away from comment on Kentucky.

Bill Bryant and a panel of Kentucky journalists will talk about the week in Frankfort.

Elon Musk's support for U.S.

Senate candidate Nate Morse and Governor Andy Beshear, his trip to the World Economic Summit in Switzerland.

That's coming up at eight eastern, seven central right here on KET.

Well, we sure appreciate you being with us all this week on Kentucky edition.

We hope that you stay safe and warm this weekend, and then come back and join us Monday night at 630 eastern, 530 central, where we inform, connect and inspire.

You can connect with us all the way as you see on your screen, the social media channels, Facebook and Instagram.

To stay in the loop.

Send us a story idea at the email address you see on your screen, and look for us on the PBS video app that you can download on your smart devices.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Until I see you again, take really good care.

So long.

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