Horse racing fans.

Remember the man with a long history of King.

>> Everybody, singular mission.

He's working on this right now is to get safe, reliable, consistent product to the patients of Kentucky.

As quickly as we possibly can.

>> A new alliance hopes help medical cannabis businesses thrive in Kentucky.

>> Thanks, especially young lady.

Be aware of your time left to go in and what they say was a man's world and they're kicking b***.

>> And if you thought welding was just a man's job, think again.

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

♪ ♪ >> Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION for this Friday, January 24th.

I'm Casey Parker Bell filling in for Renee Shaw.

Tens of thousands of anti-abortion activists gathered in Washington, D.C., Today for the annual March for Life, including many from Kentucky, Vice President JD Vance address the crowd this afternoon.

>> Our country faces the return of the most pro family.

Most pro life American president of our lifetimes.

♪ >> This is the 52nd year of March for Life.

In a statement U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the crowd is sending, quote, a clear message that our country respects and values life end quote.

With President Donald Trump's return to the White House and Republicans in control of Congress.

Pro-life activists want to expand their victories by taking on state-by-state battles over abortion rights.

Kentucky has a near total ban on abortion.

Some state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed interest in carving out some exceptions for abortions.

Last night we introduced you to a new group working to help medical cannabis license holders kickoff their businesses.

Tonight, we have more about the Kentucky Cannabis Industry Alliance and the woman leading the charge.

Former state representative and House Minority Whip Rachel Roberts, Kentucky edition caught up with Roberts at her yoga studio in Newport.

>> So up until a couple weeks ago, most people KET me as Representative Roberts or with Roberts has served in House minority leadership.

I voluntarily retired myself at the end of last year.

So December 31st is my last and that role and I transitioned right over into this role, which is really exciting to me because it's building something from the ground up for launching this.

At the same time, the cannabis industry is going to legal and giving itself set up in the state, Kentucky.

So this product must be grown in Kentucky processing Kentucky tested in Kentuckyian sold a Kentucky dispensaries.

And that process is just going to take time.

You can stare at the ceiling and make it grow any faster rate.

So all of these folks are in place to start the cultivation process as quickly as they can.

And my job really is to ensure the success of the license holders to make sure that they have what they need to succeed and to thrive.

And everybody singular mission.

He's working on this right now is to get safe, reliable, consistent product to the patients of Kentucky.

As quickly as we possibly can.

Because I've been waiting for too long for this product.

There's still this growing process that has to take place.

There's also the regulation of the facilities.

So once your facility is ready to be opened, the state has to come in and inspect it.

So that process will take a little time to I don't expect everybody to be at full capacity any time within the next couple of months.

I think that will be several months down the road.

But I do think that we'll start to see some product coming into.

Spencer is in Kentucky the summer, every region of Kentucky is going to have dispensaries.

There will be some places where patients are going to have to drive a bit to reach their local dispensary.

But it really was broken out by geography and by population so that it was really thoughtful the way the dispensary licenses have been distributed.

Now, for instance, I live in Campbell County, Campbell County has one of the dispensary licenses, Kimmel counties along going County.

So it will make a big difference to patients in Campbell County.

It's a dispensary ends up looking in Alexandria for Dayton, Kentucky.

>> So we have yet to see where where the dispensaries will actually locate themselves.

Most of them from my experience talking to people this week, they're in the midst of either identifying those locations are signing the lease is for them right now.

You know, it's a lot of this is like starting any other business you use or any other business, you need a bank account, even insurance provider.

You need accounting help.

But because it's the cannabis industry so heavily regulated, though it's not like you can just necessarily call up your your corner local bank.

And they're gonna be able to help you with this.

So those are really the questions that we've been fielding right now.

And and helping people with.

I've been so involved in the policy for so long.

Also business owner.

So this is at its heart, a business alliance, right?

It's it's even think of it like the Chamber of Commerce for cannabis business isn't so having someone in this room understands what it is to start a business who understands the policy part of it and also understands the leadership, right.

That's going to be necessary to pull everybody together so that we're all well, you know, working with a unified voice for the betterment of the patients of Kentucky.

What patients can expect right now is that they can start meeting with providers who are certified providers to get their medical certification and then to apply with the state to get their medical cannabis card so that when a few months from now there is a product and dispensary says patients are completely ready to the customers.

>> Roberts said patients interested in applying to be a medical marijuana card.

Holder should visit the Office of Medical Cannabis website.

More than 800 Kentuckians are certified cardholders since January.

1st, Roberts expects that number will increase exponentially in the weeks to come.

♪ >> Time now for inside Kentucky politics.

I'm Laura Rogers with Andy Westbury, communications director in spokesperson for the Republican Party of Kentucky.

Renee Shaw has a separate interview.

You'll see in just a few minutes with Coleman Elrich Democratic Party chair for the state of Kentucky.

So Andy, let's begin with your reaction to President Donald Trump's first week in office.

>> Well, you know, we're absolutely elated here at the Republican Party of Kentucky.

Kind of view this as being morning in America.

Again, we're turning over a new leaf.

You know, it's great to have a president that is high Energy Day.

One hits the ground not running, but slow renting.

We're seeing a lot of good things happening in DC and we're excited about, you know what the future holds.

President Trump has signed several executive orders in his first week.

Are there any that you are following closely or that you've taken a particular interest?

>> Sure.

A lot of these videos, executive orders here especially pertaining to the border are exactly what he promised when he was running for re-election promise made promise kept by really taking a serious look at a pragmatic approach to the border, trying to get it under control down there.

He is directly responding to Americans concerns across the board.

Bipartisan concerns about this.

This is not just a Republican or conservative issue.

This is something that the American people are legitimately concerned about.

And, you know, President Trump is just addressing those concerns and he's taking action.

>> When it comes to energy, he's also declared a national emergency.

Do you anticipate this could mean that the country will start leaning more toward fossil fuels again?

>> Well, I think it's just a product of, you know, responding to the consumer.

I mean, like with the EV mandates and whatnot with the cost of vehicles and >> in the end of the day, people just want choices throughout history.

The free market, a show when the technology is there and the ability for cost effectiveness is there.

The consumer will respond to once we see more technology advancements in the EV market.

And I'm sure it's going to take off the free markets will respond.

But right now the majority of people are still driving fossil fuel powered vehicles.

You know, people, trucks, gasoline vehicles.

What have you?

So it's a response to the consumers demands.

So do I see is completely abandoning green energy and all that, you know, but at the same time, we're going to do it right.

And we're not going to hamstring our industries here in the United States.

>> Something that's not a lot of attention this week has been that blanket pardon for the riders who were convicted and their connection to the attack on the Capitol on January 6.

Even some congressional Republicans have voiced some concerns about that.

I want to ask you your thoughts on those pardons.

>> Well, you know, this was a campaign promise that President Trump was firmly behind ancient since entering the race.

So I would say nobody should be surprised with that being said, President Trump has pardoned everybody that was involved in your sex except for and then said number of individuals that were true origins, more serious crimes.

They were commuted.

Their sentences were commuted.

But, you know, the one thing that I would say is the people that did receive a pardon, I hope they go out and, you know, become.

Good members of society and move forward.

>> You have any concerns that these are public and party is really seen, as you know, that.

Conveying that message a back, the blue and being a pro-law enforcement party to any concerns that does Target says that at all or that it promotes his tolerance or acceptance of political thought.

It's definitely something that >> nobody is comfortable with seeing behind since police.

I mean, that's not something that we're going to support, but a lot of individuals did spend a significant amount of time in jail.

I'm not saying that that in any way condones Moore says that, you know, those actions are okay, but they did receive punishment.

Anybody that went through that process, you know, their lives are never going to say either financially or personally or professionally.

So they're going to still win with some sort of consequences moving forward.

But like I said, all that I hope is moving forward.

They're good contributing members of our society and try to do good moving forward.

>> Let's talk about a Kentuckian being named co-chair, the Republican National Committee, Casey, because Bay, could that mean some potential benefits for Kentucky down the road?

>> Or yeah, absolutely.

Look at Casey joins a long list of Kentuckyian center punching well above their weight.

We KET that case is great.

She is an absolute phenomenal organizers units that are particularly convey the message of the people to the general public.

So she's going to be a huge asset to the National Party.

Obviously, President Trump sees what we've seen for years.

And that is that I mean, she is a rare talent.

We love having a Kentuckyian but the helm right there with chairman wildly with the National Party.

We expect her to do great things.

She'll succeed in anything she does.

But we're all just ecstatic to see her there.

And we're ecstatic to see the future would hold.

>> Thank Sperry communications director for the Republican Party of Kentucky.

Thank you so much for your time and perspective today.

Thanks for having me.

Renee, now over to you.

♪ >> Thank you, Laura.

I'm joined now by Coleman Elrich who is the chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party.

It's good to see you.

Coleman.

It's great to see you.

Happy New Year.

Happy New Year to you says we haven't had a chance to exchange those greetings.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is once again still ranking high morning Com.

Salt had another survey.

This is the poster that we commonly refer to find that he has an approval rating of 65%.

The highest of any Democrat governor and the 3rd highest overall give you some time to brag about that right now for?

Well, look, if the governor this year absolutely.

>> Deserves that recognition.

You look at how his lead over his first turned into a second term.

You look at the record economy that Kentucky has record number of jobs, infrastructure and that he's been a leader that leads with his values.

And as someone who brings people together and it turns out.

>> When you leave with values, you bring people together and you deliver.

That's a winning combination.

And so Kentucky governor.

Has a 65% approval ratings in a state that Donald Trump won by more than 30 points and in the environment in which we live now in this country where if you have a 65% approval rating that has Democrats, Republicans and independents saying you are doing the job that we asked you to do and you're doing it well.

>> While the governor at the time that we recorded our conversation on Thursday, late morning, the governor was wrapping up a conversation and Switzerland and he was sitting alongside Republican Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and they were talking about the rollout of the Trump administration to is sometimes we refer to it and also he was bragging about the economic successes of what is happening in Kentucky under his leadership and the Kentucky General Assembly.

Talk to us about the being on that world stage at the World Economic Forum.

What kind of boost is that for Kentucky?

Regardless of maybe perhaps party politics?

>> Well, look, it's bigger than party politics.

You know, the governor is there is always on record as saying he runs as a proud Democrat, but he governs as a Kentuckyian the governs as an American.

And so when you look at the fact that I can't name another a Kentucky governor, Democrat or Republican who was set on such a profound stage and at the World Economic Forum that he can really speak to the growing economy continues to grow here in Kentucky.

Pencil to be invited to that stage is a boon to Kentucky.

It really solidifies that we are a global player and the world's economy here in Kentucky who is Coleman, the head of the Democratic Party in the nation right now.

>> Who has that title?

And that mantle right now, it's Jaime Harrison.

He is the chair of the Denver Democratic National Committee.

Have an election next week and will choose a new chair.

The thing about that, the question is that it will look different when it is when we don't have the presidency, it tends to look different.

And the chair of the party.

We'll have a lot more leeway then at other times, I'm I serve an organization attached the Association of state Democratic committees in just a committee of state chairs and vice chairs and executive directors organization.

It's going to be pivotal part of the next chair because the state Democratic parties have the most interaction with our voters.

And so it will take all of us doing all that we can to to rebuild this party and to move it forward in terms of President Biden's legacy.

>> And the pardons that he issued toward the very and one, including former.

>> Chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party, Jerry Lundergan.

A lot of criticism about him issuing a lot of pardons for his family members as well.

How would you encapsulate and summarize the legacy of President Joe Biden.

You look at how he left office with the lowest unemployment.

>> A rate of any president in 50 years.

You look at this how you tackle and prescription drug prices and cap the cost of.

And so when you look at how he's and invested in Kentucky infrastructure about securing funds for the Brent Spence Bridge, helping to expand the Mountain Parkway.

How he responded when our state was a hit with record flooding and a devastating tornado.

All of these things he has done because of who he is as a public servant.

And so I believe that history will be kind to him and that, again, is record.

It's something he should be very proud of.

That's where is the pardons are concerned.

Look, it is no secret that Donald Trump came into office saying he was he wanted to be a dictator on day one and that there are people in his administration that have, you know, a political list enemies within as they call Democrats.

And so that it should not come as a surprise, really, that President Biden felt the need to protect his family, not that they had done anything wrong, but they would be caught and retribution from this president and his administration.

>> Well, thank you, Colin L Ridge, chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party.

We appreciate your time.

I'm sure we'll be connecting with you again soon.

Thank you, sir.

And she ate it.

♪ ♪ >> Racing fans are mourning the death of Ted Bass.

A former president of Keeneland.

The track says Bassett died Thursday at the age of 103 Keelan released a video showing highlights of past its life.

Human calls it a tribute to the legacy of an exceptional man.

But Horse magazine says Bassett was president of killing from 1970, to 1986.

And chairman of the board from 1986 to 2001.

♪ Students from 19 schools across Kentuckyian southern Indiana met for 2 days to compete in a welding competition in Louisville.

>> And they were all young women.

>> This is the limit of odin's competition and a bunch of polls that although women voters, they come together, we come to it a tiny bit more women interested in welding and trying to cement the field.

A vote in my sophomore year.

I really like the seizure.

It has eyes.

There is a hands-on and you're able to see what you're working on come together firsthand.

And I really enjoy that.

>> So they have a specific project in every level and one being the entry to the side and 3 being the toughest side.

But every project is is designed for that level.

That skill set and they do stick welding.

oxy feel some of them will do a guest.

Thompson R quelling and they build a project based on the drawing that have been given to him and then they get scored on that.

They're looking at here is the full well, what good there.

>> That's right.

Diameter, right time.

And then though, looking at the Fed up, the looks like the drying up of accurate.

We have a multitude of vendors, businesses, schools and stuff like that that come here to network with these young ladies.

We don't just invite the competitors.

We invite every female student in all of these programs to come I'm launch, you know, we take care of the get the network to get to check everything out.

And it's it's a great thing.

Most of these businesses bring their workers so that the girls get the opportunity to talk to another female in the industry, you know, and may be asked that question.

They don't want to ask their male instructor.

You know, I mean, it's it makes some very comfortable.

>> We all go through the same things and it's definitely eye-opening to see just how many of us one that well.

♪ >> Every company, every industry need females in the industry and we're helping them out.

We're getting them know that we're offering them a skill set.

We want we want him to be hot.

College students.

And you hear that all the time now about, you know, we don't want a student loans and everything like that.

This is your opportunity.

Now.

One thing I don't like to do is say, hey, this is the greatest job in the world.

It is the greatest job nor but it's not an easy job, but a special in the leg be aware of your time that we're going and what they say was a man's world and they're kicking b***.

>> I hope I get more confidence in myself and it's a great learning experience.

I'm gonna learn life.

It's not always going to be super easy.

There's going to be challenges and hopefully I'll be able to overcome them.

And this is going to help me.

>> Well, things can be a challenge.

Sometimes.

Because there's a challenge and the road somewhere.

That doesn't It's something that you enjoy them and then get easier down the I -10 to 12 and said a really good sense.

I should say I just got certified last Friday.

>> Great to see some students learn some skills.

The event is an annual competition and has been running for 3 years.

This afternoon.

Contestants heard from Kentucky's Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman.

♪ ♪ >> What do today's Woman Magazine Derby Diversity Week and the Black Jockeys Lounge all have in common?

They're all part of the portfolio of teed Bain and company, the creation of Louisville's to want to bang.

But she recently made the decision to step away from the company she created.

Kelsey Starks sits down with the accomplished multi printer.

And in this week's inside local, she talks about what's next.

>> So to Bain and Co this is a creation of years that was built on and such passion.

You decided to to step away recently.

I did.

I did I you know.

>> You know, it goes back to you.

Recognize that in order 2, do the good that you want to do.

It requires resources.

And it's no, you know, secret that that restaurant industry has taken a serious beating, the publishing and printing world.

No different.

And so there's a number of things that we had under our portfolio, you know, with inflation and just the changes with, you know, in the world, in general, the political landscape have been very tough.

And so it was not an easy decision to step down as CEO of 2 baiting Co and bringing in new managers to lead the various business units.

But it was necessary at that at that time.

You know, my family had been asking.

For me to get more involved in American Clean Resources Group for some time I had not been in the environmental space in so long that it just didn't seem fun.

While it gives all sounds like a big switch.

It to, you know, >> And, you know, I was just having that was having fun with team mate Nico and so, but it was it was the responsible thing to do at the time.

It was a smart decision to do at the time.

Not that it isn't easy or as a matter of fact, it is way more challenging and way more rigorous.

>> But I understood that it was time for me to step up to the assignment.

>> Here, too, on his incredible story of entrepreneurship, presser, variant, perseverance and hard.

And our candid conversation on the next inside local.

That's this Sunday, noon Eastern, 11 central here on KET.

If you have a hankering for frogs legs are Toby Gibbs has a solution.

In tonight's look at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> And Nancy is the luminaria event commemorating the 100 63rd anniversary of the Battle of Mill Springs over 200 luminaries will be placed to represent the battles.

Casualties as well as wreath-laying ceremonies for both the Union and Confederate soldiers sign up as a volunteer to plays luminaries or just stop by and take in a piece of Kentucky history.

Tomorrow is wild game knighted, Barren River Lake State Resort Park.

Sorry board.

Game lovers.

It isn't that type of game night.

It's a delicious buffet of all wild game sample play words like fried catfish and venison or try something new like frogs legs and gator bites.

Bring the family out to Driftwood restaurant for a unique Saturday dinner.

If you notice turtle wasn't on the menu.

That's because it's doing yoga.

Get second chances.

Wildlife Center tomorrow.

Instead bring your own mat and get ready for a relaxing hour of yoga with a patchy.

The rescued toward us.

Take a page from Apaches book and slow down this weekend.

That Turtle Yoga.

There's still time to get in on Burger Lucius restaurant week in Paducah from the dangerously decking, a doctor evil burger to the plant-based mushroom burger.

There's a signature sandwich for everyone in this lineup, 7 restaurants are participating.

So take this weekend to explore historic downtown and maybe try out a new favorite food spot.

It's time for the Kentucky Vintage Festival in Lexington again this Sunday shop then that vinyl records, handmade goods and more even get your own tintype portrait made while you're there.

If you're in need of a unique Valentine's Day gift for neck, lactic special, somebody you're sure to find it at this event and that's what's happening around the Commonwealth.

I'm Toby get >> It's home to music, festivals and farmers.

Markets.

What else is happening in Versailles?

You'll find out Monday as we head to the Woodford County seat as part of our Mondays on main series.

We hope you'll join us again Monday night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky Edition, we inform connect and inspire.

You can subscribe to our Kentucky Edition, e-mail newsletters 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.

Send us a story idea.

Public affairs akt Dot org and follow KET on Facebook X, formerly known as Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend across the state of Kentucky.

Good night and goodbye.

♪ ♪ ♪