♪ Good time to happen.

Well.

Is he an or out of the governor's race?

Matt Bevin talk the talk.

>> Did he walk the walk?

There's a new COVID variant will tell you what it's called and how serious it could be.

>> This is an extremely effective tool in increasing chances of survival in the face of an emergency.

>> Adults aren't the only ones who sometimes need CPR, a program helping babies is expanding state law.

>> 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 on this Friday, January, the 6th, I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for starting off your weekend with us.

>> He tweeted there was a beautiful day dawning in Kentucky.

He announced a news conference at the Capitol Rotunda.

>> He blasted the media.

The Jefferson County School system and taxes on the wealthy and then former governor Matt Bevin did not file to run again for governor instead walking straight out of the capital.

Less than an hour before the candidate filing deadline speaking for more than 20 minutes, the former governor spoke to the potential he sees in Kentucky and called on lawmakers to make changes to improve the stay ranging from helping children in the foster care and adoption system to changing how motor vehicle registrations are taxed.

There had been speculation the former governor would enter in a crowded Republican field, an attempt to unseat Governor Andy Beshear who beat him in 2019.

Here's some of what Matt Bevin had to say today.

>> This is an incredibly special place.

And as we look to the future as we look at what's happening in the world geopolitically.

We'll look at the demand for space in for water.

For infrastructure.

The state has more upside potential in probably any state in America.

Probably any place on planet Earth.

But Daniel Cameron, Kelly craft.

Mike Harmon.

Alan Keck.

Ryan Quarles.

One of these people, you know, is familiar to you.

The other ones.

I really don't even know the names of them.

And I'm sure they're good people.

>> They'll make their case.

But those people that I just mentioned, I think highly of their already serving or have served our state and our nation.

>> In admirable ways.

And I called each of them.

Let's not beat each other up.

Let's not tear each other up and bringing each other down.

Yeah, everybody wants to be the nominee.

But at what cost?

And I say this, even as it relates to our current government.

He's not the enemy is not the book him and his party isn't the bogeyman.

>> After his remarks, Bevin walked to a van and drove away without answering reporters.

Questions.

Also today, Pepe Martin filed to run for governor.

Officially.

She was the 1999 Republican nominee for governor losing to Democrat Governor Paul Patton.

She's running this time as a Democrat.

Johnny Ray Rice filed to run for governor as a Republican and 2021.

He organized a pro Trump rally at the Kentucky State Capitol 3 days after the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol today is the second anniversary of that insurrection.

>> Time now for our legislative update.

Following a number of violent riots at Kentucky's Duval Justice facilities.

A state senator hopes to fast track a working group to help develop future policy.

Senate President Pro Tem David Givens introduced Senate concurrent resolution.

31 yesterday it calls for a legislative work group to gather information about the quote, operational breakdown of juvenile facilities across the Commonwealth.

Speaking on the Senate floor today.

Senator Givens says the resolution also instructs members to determine if the Department of Juvenile justice should be placed under the State Department of Corrections.

And this is.

>> This is another example.

Of a breakdown that.

I simply can't process this sort of breakdown when a cabinet secretary sits in the community and can't tale the chair of the committee him, many employees are in the Department of Juvenile Justice.

I suspect it's a large number.

I'm told the number of youthful detainees we have is less than 150.

And if we've got and then a strange structure that is huge at the top in Iraq or C. Tiny at the bottom on the front line where people are being assaulted.

Someone needs to be held accountable.

>> Democratic Senator Reggie Thomas who was also the minority caucus chair of Lexington, says he supports this resolution but added that this problem was not created overnight.

>> To suggest that the administration is not dealing with this problems of not has efforts to try to correct that shortages to correct.

You know, how we do this job without it totally.

And Peyton Le on that.

>> Last month Governor Beshear announced a series of changes aimed at bringing security problems under control at these facilities.

Changes include separating male and female juveniles and sending serious offenders to select facilities, keeping them separated from less serious offenders.

Senate concurrent resolution.

31 unanimously passed the Senate today.

It calls for recommendations to be made to the Legislature by February, the 7th.

A state House impeachment committee is considering whether or not to impeach to Commonwealth's attorneys.

The committee is determining if there's enough evidence to start impeachment hearings for Rick Boling and Ronnie Goldie junior bowling is a state prosecutor for the 3rd Judicial circuit.

He recommended former governor Matt Bevin pardoned Dayton Jones who was involved in sexually assaulting a teenager.

Jones's sentence was commuted, but he was later convicted on federal charges for that same incident.

Goldie is the commonwealth's attorney for the 21st Judicial Circuit.

The Courier Journal reports the promised a defendant favors in court in exchange for nude pictures of her.

Representative Miss a Republican from Louisville and the majority whip in the House filed both impeachment resolutions this week.

If the House Committee recommends impeachment, it can draft articles of impeachment that could be taken up by the full House.

If the attorneys are then impeached in the House, they would be tried.

And the Senate, a two-thirds majority is required for conviction.

>> And to the lrc staff are watching.

Thank you.

Thank you for the work that you do every day on behalf of our constituents and to make us all look good.

You guys are the unsung heroes of state government.

The members of the Senate Senate leadership.

Thank you all.

The Senate is a collegial family.

We all work together.

We laugh together.

We argue we cry together.

But I will always treasure.

All of you.

You may consider everybody here front.

>> There were some tears on the Senate floor today as a resolution was adopted honoring Senator Ralph Alvarado, who you just saw there, the Republican from Clark County recently accepted an offer to be Tennessee's new health commissioner.

Today.

He spoke about his time in the Kentucky Senate and many of his colleagues reflected on their friendship.

Alvarado served in the state Senate since 2015.

He's set to take over as commissioner for Tennessee's Department of Health on January.

16th.

House bill law.

And that's the bill that would lower the individual state income tax by another half percent in January of 2024. taking it to 4% was not acted on in the state Senate today.

The tax already dropped half a percent January 1st of this year, the House has already passed the bill.

The Senate Senate did not act today.

It will take up the bill after it returns February 7th supporters of the tax will put more money in people's pockets.

But critics say it mainly benefits the rich and it will make it harder for the state to pay for critical services.

Well, look back at the first week of the 2023, Kentucky General Assembly.

And look ahead to what could happen when lawmakers return in February Monday night on Kentucky.

Tonight.

We want your questions.

So join us Monday at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET.

>> Time now for our end of week.

Look at some major political developments here in Kentucky this week.

We've got to political pundits with this.

I just happen to be a married couple and they are with Piper Smith, a boutique, a government relations from.

We have on the left Jarrett Smith, who was partner and the founder and the managing partner is at the Piper.

Who's on the right side of your screen.

Good to see you all.

Happy New Year.

Thank you.

So let's talk about this weekend will start with the governor State of the Commonwealth address.

That was on Wednesday.

A Jared, I'll begin with you.

What are your main takeaways from his address and the Republican response to it?

>> Well, I think he laid out a pretty good case of all the things he's accomplished, especially touting the economic development is going to be happening in the state, I think is no secure.

The you know, the forward has been Desmond is a massive, massive game, genuine best for the state of Kentucky says hope its you know, and I think the governor is going to run a reelection campaign.

It's around development in this in the state bringing a lot of new jobs.

A lot of high technical jobs to the state.

I think your mind, everybody, his presence during the natural disasters and what he did.

And, you know, we talk a little bit about health care, but I think you kind of let out the preview for us to talk about on the reelection campaign and that's going to be, you know, economic activity, jobs, jobs, jobs.

>> Well, Abby Piper, their Republican response after this speech was sharp and they were quick to criticize the governor for taking too much credit for Kentucky's economic Wednesday say that their conservative policies are responsible for the big economic boon that the state is now enjoying.

>> Yeah, I think that's a consistent message across both the Republican consensus and other people in in the consensus here.

>> Really, you know that the the battery plant, some of these other major initiatives were truly funded by the Legislature and could not have been done without the legislature, including their votes during a special session.

>> And I mean, I think 2, you're going to see folks are >> not tired of the by at the back and forth between legislature and the governor.

People just want someone to lead.

And I think you know, this year is going to definitely use this opportunity as a platform to run for governor.

it's pretty obvious.

Yeah.

>> So let's talk about a couple of things that were on the legislative agenda this past week.

House Bill one, which was the personal income tax reduction plan that passed the House did not get through on through the Senate.

Abby, I'll begin with you on that.

We had heard at the beginning of the session that that was going to be course is House Bill one.

So number one signifies the elevation of the priority of this bill.

Why did it get all the way through?

What does it do and does it matter that it didn't get through this weekend will be picked back up in February.

>> Yeah, I don't think it matters too much.

Didn't pass the full Senate this We've got plenty of time.

you know, I think leadership really didn't want to task new members with coming in on a Saturday to do that.

So, you know, we have plenty of time to do it.

it's definitely a bill has a lot of a conversation around it that that merits more conversation, even then.

But you talk about a billion dollars in in people's It in so in a lot of discussion in the house yesterday on that.

But I really think that I have no problem and Senate and there's plenty of time to get that Russo.

I don't have any concerns about that.

Well, Jared Smith on the House floor on Thursday.

I believe it was.

We have rounds of commentary from Democrats who are blasting the measure that reduces the personal income tax.

Another half percent.

>> To 4% in January of 2024.

And they were saying the state is going to be in dire straits.

We don't know about a recession.

It could deprive critical funding from schools and other government services.

>> Yeah, I thought they brought up a couple good One is yes.

We all know that state surrounding a certain movie just got this model taxation.

And but nobody really knows when you get all the way down to the bottom house can affect the bottom line when the when the decrease is done.

You know, Kansas is a great cautionary tale.

They had legislated, you know, open up the checkbook and bail.

Everybody out in Kansas tried you know, good Petri has been very clear that they're making sure that you have to hit certain economic money in the state budget.

It offers before you can do this.

I don't think Kansas did that.

So I think that's what they're trying to do.

But I thought represented Al Gentry may one of the more astute observations on the floor.

He said that you can either have an income tax model or you have a consumption tax model, but you can't really have a hybrid of both me saying right now that we're going to be stocking this hybrid of both for a while and then go to those going to hurt the middle class and the poor.

You know, in Jersey, Representative Raymond also talked about she's going to save $300, you know, but this is pay $300 in taxes for summer camps for kids.

So, you know, it's really, really Kersey what the outcome is.

If there's a recession, how does that affect things?

Did they get the math right on the triggers on what they when they can drop the half-percent each time or is this going to Kansas all over again?

>> Yeah, well, wait and see.

And we'll wait for the Senate that we're going to start part 2 of this year's legislative session in February of Leave.

The date is February 7th.

So we'll see them take that up.

Most likely that without a doubt.

One more bill to talk about Abby Piper and it House Bill 50 that deals with some local control.

How would you describe what is House Bill?

50?

>> If the and Senate bill 50 are mere bills.

Representative Matt Lockett has House Bill 15 house and of in the Senate leader Damon, there Senate Bill 50.

>> Essentially would make all local elected offices partisan.

So we're talking mayor's offices, city councils as school board races in particular.

And I think there's a couple conversations around this.

I mean, some folks on on one side to say, hey, this is helps inform voters because we we see a lot of times people don't vote for local folks because they don't really, you much about them and they don't have time to do the research so that so there's a, you know, a conversation that this might help inform voters more about who they're voting for and certainly am on the other Folks want to KET all less partisan of the local level because become so divisive.

And ultimately I think that they love in the room here is that if they become partisan races, then dollars can flow local our state parties at to find some of those things.

And we've seen in other states record spending and school board races and other local races.

So I think that maybe the aim at those 2 bills, whether there's appetite in the House or the Senate to do this.

I don't know.

But I think we will add have to watch this one very closely because this could really shake up local Kentucky politics in a big way.

>> Yeah, this is a game changer.

Jarrett Smith and real quickly about 30 seconds this bill has been filed as Abby said on both didn't act on it yet, but they could.

What are your thoughts about it?

>> I think it's a terrible bill.

I you should look at Lexington and Covington.

They run non-partisan races for Mayor City Council and I think you get to see the most unique voting blocs of these candidates gets put together.

And I think it's an amazing way to do local races and I think be a travesty of judicial.

The school board and Lexington are covered in a partisan races at the local level.

>> All right.

We'll leave it.

There are dynamic duo today at T Fiber and Jared Smith.

Piper Smith government relations firm.

Thank you both for joining us.

Have a great weekend.

>> Thank you.

And thanks for that.

♪ >> General Electric has a long history in Kentucky, but it's working to create a new chapter, their efforts and actively growing the number of minority owned suppliers with whom they do business could have an impact for generations to come.

Our chip post and sat down with jea officials to learn more about the initiative.

>> For decades, GE Appliances has been one of the largest employers in Louisville.

The GE is now looking to add yet another can to its role.

They want to spend a billion with a B, a billion dollars with minority own suppliers by the year 2030, with an emphasis on state and local suppliers.

Here to talk about this initiative is Allison Martin, senior director of corporate citizenship for GE Appliances.

Allison, thanks so much for being with us.

Thank you so much for having U.S. How did this concept start?

How did this whole thing began?

>> Well, GE appliances has had to come at a commitment to diversity for a very long time.

And I say diversity but also mean inclusion and diversity.

So before I even joined the company, which is more than 5 years ago, our CEO Kevin Nolan said that we were going to have representation inside our business, at least 40% women and 40% people of color by 2025.

So that was already on the table.

A goal and we have been a long known citizen here in Louisville that has been investing and grandson equitable cause is here in Louisville for a long time.

But this project specifically really during that summer when we saw so much social unrest here, a fight for social justice and live on our CEO.

Kevin Nolan said, you know, what can we do?

We know what we're already doing, but what can we do to make this situation even for Louisville and build back and more equitable level.

And that's where this idea came to life.

Media reports indicate that you all are talking with about 30 different business news right now.

The local area.

>> What do you got to do to get to that table?

>> How does that happen?

Well, we're going to be having some next year that we will certainly get you the information about.

But we're in the final stages of getting that all wrapped up.

But we're going to be having some events where people can come and learn about doing business with GE appliances, learn about the things we need, the parts we need, but also janitorial services, food services, different types of things.

We need everything we needed a place like GE appliances that that sums up coat.

So we're going to talk about how can we give you more information about what we need?

How can you give us more information about what you're already doing and how we might be able to partner with you?

So I think it's going to be a great opportunity.

But I think we already have some some big announcements that I'm hoping you're going to be coming in the next month or 2.

Terrific year.

The fastest growing appliance company in America.

You've been a dominant force in the Louisville area.

>> For generations now, at this point, so why is it important to do this?

You touched on a little bit in the beginning, but with your corporate history with the the the sheer presence which has been huge, you've had here in the Louisville area.

Why do you feel like you need to do this?

>> I don't think we feel like we need We feel like we want that.

It's the right thing to do.

I'm like you said we have been here in the local community for 70 years and I think you've been here long enough and global chip to know that you don't run into somebody from level without finding someone whose mom, the grandmother, uncle, worked for GE Appliances.

There's a connection and there's a history there.

And there's a long history of this community trusting GE appliances and as trusting this community.

So when it Kai, when it came time to step up and to do something new credit to our CEO, Kevin Nolan.

He said this is the right thing to do is the right time to do it.

And we're going to do it in and Allison, go make it happen.

So I think it's an honor to work for a company like this.

I'm excited to get to this work.

It's going to change.

I feel like the face of this community has the potential to help us be more equitable level.

And at the end of the day, that should be something that all of us want.

Not just folks at GE Appliances.

>> A billion-dollar commitment will be anxious to see how that plays out in the coming years else unit.

I promise a again, Allison Martin, senior director of corporate citizenship for GE Appliances.

Thanks so much for being with us.

A future.

Renee, back to you.

>> Thank you.

Chip Jea says it's already spent roughly 100 million dollars with local suppliers through this initiative.

♪ Kentucky's COVID picture is mixed in the words of Governor Andy Beshear.

More in tonight's look at medical news.

The governor says well, COVID cases are increasing across the country.

The increases last dramatic here in Kentucky.

He says there's something we need to KET an eye on, though.

A new COVID variant.

>> The biggest thing that we are watching is the new variant that is I'm very quickly becoming the dominant variant in the United States is CALLED X B B 1.5 Omicron Subvariant.

That's a We don't know a lot about it other than it is even more contagious than the last Omicron variant, which means it's one of the most contagious viruses in the history, the planet Earth.

>> A new COVID map is out.

It shows 13 counties in the red meaning high COVID activity.

Last week.

It was 15 counties but there are some differences.

There were 9 western Kentucky counties in the red.

Now all of them are down to medium and some counties in eastern Kentucky, including Pike have gone from medium to high.

In 2022.

The infant CPR Kit Initiative led by the American Heart Association and the Kentucky Association of Health Plans provided 3,000 infant CPR training KET to Nick Hughes and 11 Kentucky counties.

Now the initiative is expanding with the goal of reaching even more rule communities.

>> We know that 7,000 kids will go into cardiac arrest outside of a hospital.

The Kentucky Association of Health Plans is excited to partner with the American Heart Association granting $95,000 to provide 3,000 at-home infant.

CPR KET to NICU parents in Nick use across the Commonwealth.

These KET are designed to be able to be packed up and hand it off.

So you can receive this training.

You can hand it to your caregiver.

You can hand it to your grandparent.

This isn't really accessible tool that can be passed along family and friends to make you more comfortable.

>> And really just a quip, every Kentuckyian with the knowledge to administer infant CPR.

>> For parents who have been said have been admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Probably one of the number one issues as prematurity and respiratory distress.

And by the time they go home, their reserve of lung function still may be somewhat compromised.

So in the current situation before they go home, parents watch a video to go through these techniques that if they can learn these techniques, do the actual procedures that are lifesaving.

This would be a game changer.

These kids fill a void of in-person training that we missed out on because COVID shut down its staffing shortages.

We had safety mandates and so the CPR in-person trainings.

>> We didn't happen.

These kids now allow that to happen.

Having education, I hands on high tool as this man, it can >> provides that.

I think we enforce is their ability to efficiently and effectively provide that help to the infant when they're in this type of trouble.

>> Once you've given those bres, you can go back to your compression.

This is an extremely effective tool in increasing chances of survival in the face of an emergency.

And most importantly, equipping parents.

But the confidence and the knowledge to be able to administer these life saving techniques.

3,000 at-home infant, CPR KET across the Commonwealth in Nick Hughes from corner to corner of Kentucky.

It couldn't come at a better time.

These kids can and will save lives.

>> More than 4,000 newly funded infant CPR training KET will be distributed throughout the state.

>> But Colonel Sanders, Elvis and igloos on your things to do list.

Details from Toby Gibbs and this look at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> The Lexington Theater company presents Concert with the stars this Saturday for one night only join up and coming artists as they sing alongside Broadway stars for an evening of show tunes and stories on this magical night.

Kingsway skate land celebrating its 50th reunion in style this Saturday established in 1973 to 70 staying night.

It's full of giveaways games, music from 1973.

And we'll have you disco dancing the night away.

Celebrate the king at the Frazier History, museum's Elvis, the colonel and author Alanna Nash event in Louisville.

The Sunday Alanna Nash will read selections from her book and talk about her journey with Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker as well as Elvis's connection to Louisville.

Escape the winter cold at your personal oasis from now until the end of February.

The igloo bar on the rooftop of Braxton Brewing Company provides heated igloos that put up to 8 people and include cozy seating and a core allowing you to enjoy your food and drinks without a side of snow.

The 7th annual Frozen 4 mile run is happening this Saturday at Bowling Green every year.

The proceeds from this run go towards helping high school athletes battling severe illness.

This year's race will help Colin Barr and House as he continues his journey of recovery after his 6th open heart surgery.

Explore the beautiful burn time for us during the Pond Ridge Trail.

Discovery hike this Sunday.

This guided hike takes you along one of the forces research roads at a slower pace, allowing plenty of time to discover all this trail has to offer.

The first annual Kentucky to talk with series at the Highlands continues on January.

12th the national it hear from Colonel Sanders about hard work, a lock and perseverance as this Kentucky legend shares his story.

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

I'm Toby get.

>> Thank Youto big ifs o'clock.

A great weekend ahead.

Go out there and make it a good one.

Thank you so much for watching.

Kentucky.

Addition this week.

We'll be right back here Monday night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central taken care.

♪