[♪♪] >> IT DOESN'T GET ANY CLOSER THAN THIS.

AFTER AN ALL-NIGHT SESSION, THE U.S. SENATE SAYS YES TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S TAX AND BUDGET PLAN.

BUT IT'S NOT A DONE DEAL YET.

>> IT'S SAD TO ME THAT A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IN POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP WHO ARE CONFUSING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND CON FUTURESSING KENTUCKIANS BY EXTENSION OF THAT.

KENTUCKY HAS CONFIRMED MEASLES CASES.

HEAR ADVICE FROM THE STATE'S TOP DOC.

>> SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

AND BAD WEATHER HAS CLOSED SOME, BUT NOT ALL, OF KENTUCKY'S STATE PARKS.

>> PRODUCTION.

"KENTUCKY EDITION" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE KET MILLENNIUM FUND.

[♪♪] GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO KENTUCKY EDITION FOR TUESDAY, JULY FIRST.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

AFTER A MARATHON SESSION YESTERDAY INTO TODAY, THE U.S. SENATE PASSED PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S TAX AND BUDGET BILL.

THE VOTE WAS AS CLOSE AS IT COULD GET-50 TO 50-WITH VICE PRESIDENT J.D.

VANCE BREAKING THE TIE.

>> ON THIS VOTE THE AYES ARE 50 AND THE NAYS ARE 50 THE SENATE BEING EVENLY DIVIDED.

THE VICE-PRESIDENT VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

THE BILL AS AMENDED IS PASSED THREE REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST THE PLAN, INCLUDING SENATOR RAND PAUL OF KENTUCKY, WHO DOESN'T LIKE THE PROVISION THAT INCREASES THE NATIONAL DEBT.

DEMOCRATS HAVE BLASTED THIS BILL FOR ITS CUTS TO MEDICAID AND FOOD STAMPS, AMONG OTHER PROGRAMS.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL OF KENTUCKY PRAISED THE BILL AFTER ITS PASSAGE THIS AFTERNOON.

HERE'S HIS STATEMENT: "THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SENT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND REPUBLICAN MAJORITIES TO WASHINGTON WITH A CLEAR MANDATE: SECURE THE BORDER, RESTORE PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH AND AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE, AND GIVE WORKING FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES RELIEF FROM THE BIDEN ECONOMY.

OUR VOTES TODAY ARE A STEP TOWARD FULFILLING THAT DUTY.

WE'RE BOLSTERING BORDER SECURITY, INVESTING IN PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST OUR FARMERS, RAISING TAKE-HOME PAY FOR WORKING KENTUCKIANS, AND PREVENTING THE LARGEST TAX HIKE IN AMERICAN HISTORY."

END QUOTE.

REBECCA GIBRON IS CEO OF THE PLANNED PARENTHOOD CHAPTER THAT INCLUDES KENTUCKY.

SHE SENT OUT THIS STATEMENT: "OUR HEALTH CENTERS SAVE KENTUCKY NEARLY 4.2 MILLION DOLLARS EACH YEAR BY PREVENTING UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES, CATCHING CANCERS EARLY, AND CONTROLLING THE SPREAD OF STIS.

STRIPPING THAT CARE AWAY, ESPECIALLY NOW-AMID RURAL HOSPITAL CLOSURES, A MATERNAL MORTALITY CRISIS, AND A DEEPENING PROVIDER SHORTAGE-WOULD PUSH AN ALREADY BROKEN SYSTEM PAST THE BRINK.

OUR PATIENTS DESERVE CARE, DIGNITY, AND CONTROL OVER THEIR BODIES-AND WE WILL NOT STOP UNTIL THAT IS A REALITY FOR EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE OR HOW MUCH THEY EARN."

END QUOTE.

THE SENATE DOES NOT HAVE THE LAST WORD.

BECAUSE THE SENATE CHANGED SOME PARTS OF THE BILL, THE HOUSE WILL HAVE TO AGREE TO THOSE CHANGES.

AND REMEMBER, THE BILL JUST BARELY PASSED THE HOUSE THE FIRST TIME.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AGAIN CRITICIZED THE TAX AND BUDGET PLAN AND PROPOSED MEDICAID CUTS WHILE APPEARING LAST NIGHT ON MSNBC.

BESHEAR SAYS THE CUTS WILL HAVE AN IMPACT THAT GOES BEYOND THOSE ON MEDICAID.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: AND THOSE 35 RURAL HOSPITALS THAT ARE AT RISK OF CLOSING EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM IS THE SECOND LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE COMMUNITY THEY'RE IN.

JUST IMAGINE YOU ARE A SMALL BUSINESS IN THAT COMMUNITY AND THE SECOND LARGEST EMPLOYER GOES UNDER.

ALL THE JOBS EVAPORATE.

WHAT HAPPENS?

YOUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY'S ECONOMY TAKES A MAJOR HIT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU AS A SMALL BUSINESS MAYBE LAYING PEOPLE OFF AS WELL.

AND THEN TAKE THE FAMILIES AND HOW THEY ARE GOING TO BE IMPACTED.

WHETHER YOU ARE ON MEDICAID OR PRIVATE INSURANCE IF YOUR RURAL HOSPITAL CLOSES YOU HAVE TO DRIVE A COUPLE HOURS TO SEE THE DOCTOR YOU USED TO SEE IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY.

IF YOUR PARENTS GET KICKED OFF OF THEIR COVERAGE AND THEIR LONG-TERM CARE COSTS YOU HAVE TO BRING THEM INTO YOUR HOME AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO KEEP THEM ALIVE.

HALF OF KENTUCKY'S KIDS ARE COVERED UNDER MEDICAID.

THEY LOSE THEIR COVERAGE AND YOU ARE SCRAMBLING OVER THAT NEXT PRESCRIPTION.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS NEED TO STAND UP FOR THE PEOPLE THEY REPRESENT.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS VOWED TO SUPPORT A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY OPPONENT TO CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE OF KENTUCKY'S FOURTH DISTRICT.

MASSIE OFTEN VOTES AGAINST TRUMP PROPOSALS AND ACTIONS, INCLUDING HIS BUDGET PLAN AND THE RECENT U.S. STRIKE ON IRAN.

A NAME HAS POPPED UP AS A "POSSIBLE" OPPONENT TO MASSIE.

THE WEBSITE POLITICO REPORTS STATE SENATOR AARON REED WILL VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS FOR A CONVERSATION ABOUT CHALLENGING MASSIE.

VOTERS IN KENTUCKY'S SEVENTH DISTRICT ELECTED REED IN 2024.

HE SERVES ANDERSON, SHELBY, AND SPENCER COUNTIES, AND PART OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.

HE'S A FORMER NAVY SEAL AND GUN SHOP OWNER.

MASSIE SAYS HE'S CONFIDENT HE CAN BEAT A TRUMP-BACKED OPPONENT.

U.S.

SENATOR RAND PAUL SAYS HE WOULD ENDORSE MASSIE.

AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA, ELON MUSK SAYS HE WOULD SUPPORT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO VOTE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET BILL, INCLUDING MASSIE.

A FORMER REPUBLICAN CHAIR FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY WANTS TO CENSURE CONGRESSMAN MASSIE.

JACK RICHARDSON THE FOURTH SAYS HE WILL INTRODUCE A RESOLUTION AT THE NEXT MEETING OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

THAT RESOLUTION SAYS THAT MASSIE HAS ABANDONED THE PRINCIPLES OF THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THAT HE HAS TAKEN DELIGHT IN OPPOSING PRESIDENT TRUMP.

RICHARDSON SAYS THE RESOLUTION WOULD HAVE NO LEGAL EFFECT BUT IT WOULD ALERT THE PUBLIC ABOUT MASSIE'S ACTIONS IN OFFICE.

>>> STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE ENCOURAGING PARENTS TO MAKE SURE THEIR CHILDREN ARE UP TO DATE ON THEIR VACCINES.

THE PLEA COMES AMID A MEASLES OUTBREAK IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

MORE IN TONIGHT'S MEDICAL NEWS.

THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES SAYS FIVE NEW CASES HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED IN RECENT DAYS.

THREE OF THOSE CASES ARE IN WOODFORD COUNTY AND HAVE NOW SPREAD TO FAYETTE COUNTY WHERE THERE IS ONE CONFIRMED CASE.

ANOTHER UNRELATED CASE WAS REPORTED IN TODD COUNTY.

THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MEASLES CASES IN KENTUCKY THIS YEAR TO SEVEN.

MEASLES IS A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS RESPIRATORY VIRUS.

THESE NEW CASES IN KENTUCKY ARE OCCURRING DURING THE LARGEST OUTBREAK OF MEASLES IN THE U.S.

SINCE IT WAS DECLARED ELIMINATED 25 YEARS AGO.

EARLIER TODAY, OUR CHRISTIE DUTTON SPOKE WITH DR. STEVEN STACK, WHO AS OF TODAY IS SECRETARY OF KENTUCKY'S CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, ABOUT A DECLINE IN VACCINATION RATES IN KENTUCKY.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE I THINK THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO HEAR IS PLEASE GET VACCINATED.

THE MEASLES VACCINE HAS BEEN USED SINCE 1967 AND USED IN BILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WITH GREAT SUCCESS AND NEAR TOTAL SAFETY.

THERE IS NO MEANINGFUL RISK TO GETTING THE MEASLES VACCINE AND IT'S 97% EFFECTIVE IF YOU GET TWO DOSES FOR PREVENTING YOU FROM GETTING THE DISEASE AT ALL.

IT IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE VACCINES WE HAVE DEVELOPED.

IF YOU'VE HAD TWO DOSES THROUGH THE MEASLES, MUMPS RUBELLA VACCINE YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MEASLES.

>> FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

>> IT COULD HAPPEN BUT 97% PROTECTION IS DOGGED GONE EXCEPTIONAL.

IF YOU HAVE TWO VACCINES IN YOUR BACKGROUND OR IF YOU ARE ESSENTIALLY THE AGE OF 70 OR OLDER, I'M ROUNDING AT THAT TIME UP, BECAUSE PEOPLE BEFORE THE VACCINE WAS INTRODUCED, MEASLES WAS SPREADING SO PEOPLE ARE 70 OR OLDER WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO IT OR HAD IT WHEN THEY ARE YOUNGER.

TWO DOSES OF IMMUNIZATION OR 70 OR OLDER.

YOU SHOULD BE GOOD.

AND IF YOU WERE TO GET IT IT SHOULD BE MILD BECAUSE OF THE IMMUNIZATION.

IF YOU ARE AN ADULT, AND YOU HAVE MAJOR MEDICAL CONCERNS, YOU HAVE HEART DISEASE, LUNG DISEASE, ASTHMA, ACTIVELY TREATED FOR CANCER THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER GETTING THE BOOSTER T WON'T HARM YOU AND IT WILL BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM BUT NO ONE EVER RECOMMENDED MORE THAN ONE BOOSTER AS AN ADULT.

MEASLES APPEARS TO BE ON THE RESURGENCE IT MAYBE GOOD FOR SOME ADULTS TO CONSIDER IF THEY ARE MEDICALLY VULNERABLE.

BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF US HAD TWO DOSES DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT.

THE ONE EXCEPTION IS THAT THE C.D.C.

RECOMMENDED THAT PEOPLE TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY SHOULD GET A BOOSTER, BECAUSE IT IS MORE COMMON INTERNATIONALLY IN A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES SO THE RISK OF GETTING EXPOSED IS HIGHER.

GETTING THAT BOOSTER LOWERS YOUR RISK ABOUT AS CLOSE TO ZERO AS YOU CAN GET.

>> WELL, WITH THE VACCINE SO EFFECTIVE, WE ARE SEEING IMMUNIZATION RATES DECLINING IN KENTUCKY.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

AND WHAT OTHER PROBLEMS COULD THAT CAUSE?

>> IT'S TRAGIC THAT THERE'S THIS COUNTER NARRATIVE ABOUT VACCINE SAFETY AND VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS AND IT'S REALLY SAD TO ME THERE IS A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IN POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP WHO ARE CONFUSING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND CONFUSING KENTUCKIANS BY EXTENSION OF THAT.

VACCINES ARE SAFE.

VACCINES DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM.

VACCINES GREATLY REDUCE YOUR RISK FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF DISEASES THEY ARE USED FOR SO THAT YOU DON'T END UP IN THE HOSPITAL, SO YOU DON'T HAVE COMPLICATIONS AND IN THE WORST CASE YOU DON'T END UP DEAD.

THOSE I AM STATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL AND NOW THERE'S BEEN AN OUT RIGHT ASSAULT ON IMMUNIZATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE CREATED CONFUSION WITH THE NORMAL STRUCTURE FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF VACCINES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

WE HAVE CAST DOUBT IN PARENTS' MINDS WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING?

IS THIS THE RIGHT THING OR NOT.

LET ME ASSURE YOU, CHRISTIE, THE CHILDREN ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THEIR LIFE THERE'S NOTHING THEY WOULDN'T DO TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR CHILDREN.

OUR CITIZENS ARE TRYING TO DO THE BEST THEY CAN AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IS PEOPLE IN RESPONSIBLE POSITIONS ARE IRRESPONSIBLY CREATING DOUBT AND CONFUSION AND PARENTS DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK SOMETIMES.

WELL OVER 85% OF EVERY PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES IS IMMUNIZED.

THIS IS NOT LIKE A CLOSE THE VAST SUPER MAJORITY OF AMERICANS UNDERSTAND THAT MEDICAL SCIENCE WILL HELP KEEP THEM SAFE IF THEY FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE BY PROPERLY TRAINED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.

I URGE ALL PARENTS TO GET THEIR CHILDREN IMMUNIZED AND ADULTS, TO BE OPEN TO GETTING THE IMMUNIZATIONS AND IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS ASK YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN THEY ARE THERE TO HELP YOU AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

EVERYBODY SHOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE.

>> Dr. STEVEN STACK THE SECRETARY FOR THE KENTUCKY CABINET OF HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EXPERTISE.

>> THANKS, HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> DR. STACK ALSO SAYS PATIENTS IN THIS MOST RECENT OUTBREAK ARE RECOVERING WELL AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID HOSPITALIZATION.

HE TAKES OVER AS SECRETARY FOR THE CABINET FROM ERIC FRIEDLANDER, WHO RETIRED LAST MONTH.

AND DOCTOR JOHN LANGEFELD HAS BEEN NAMED KENTUCKY'S NEW COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

>>> A HOUSING SHORTAGE IS AFFECTING EVERY CORNER OF KENTUCKY, FROM RURAL TOWNS TO MAJOR CITIES.

LAWMAKERS AND HOUSING EXPERTS MET IN FRANKFORT THIS WEEK TO TALK ABOUT THE CRISIS-AND THE CONSEQUENCES IF NOTHING CHANGES.

OUR JUNE LEFFLER HAS MORE ON THE GROWING GAP-AND HOW THE STATE COULD RESPOND-IN TONIGHT'S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

KENTUCKY HAS SOME OF THE LOWEST HOUSING COSTS IN THE NATION.

IF MORE HOMES AREN'T BUILT THAT COULD CHANGE.

"KENTUCKY IS ON TRACK TO HAVE A CALIFORNIA-STYLE HOUSING CRISIS IF WE DON'T TAKE ACTION TODAY IN CITIES LIKE LEXINGTON, WHERE I'M FROM, AND BOWLING GREEN.

THE MEDIAN HOME PRICE IS NOW AT OR ABOVE FIVE TIMES THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME, MEANING THAT THE TYPICAL FAMILY INCREASINGLY HAS NO PATH TO HOMEOWNERSHIP."

KENTUCKY HOUSING CORPORATION, A PUBLIC AGENCY, COMMISSIONED A STATEWIDE REPORT ON THE HOUSING SHORTAGE LAST YEAR.

IT FOUND THAT EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE COULD USE MORE HOUSES AND APARTMENTS TO BUY OR RENT.

>> THE TOTAL GAP FOR 2024.

SO WE'RE CALLING THAT THE CURRENT HOUSING SUPPLY GAP IS 260,000 UNITS, ROUGHLY EQUALLY SPLIT BETWEEN RENTAL AND HOMEOWNERSHIP.

YOU'LL SEE THAT WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS, IS THAT FOR RENTALS, THERE'S A GREATER NEED FOR OUR MODERATE AND LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS TO HAVE RENTAL OPTIONS THAT ARE AFFORDABLE.

FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP, IT IS ALMOST EVENLY SPREAD ACROSS ALL THE INCOME BANDS, SO THERE IS A LOT OF NEED FOR INCOME-ALIGNED OPTIONS FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP AND OUR MIDDLE AND LOWER-INCOME RENTERS REALLY NEED SOME AFFORDABLE RENTAL OPTIONS.

>> STATE AND NATIONAL HOUSING EXPERTS SAY NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.

OTHER STATES HAVE DONE SO, AND KENTUCKY COULD TAKE SOME OF THOSE IDEAS.

>> ENSURING THAT THE GOVERNMENT ISN'T NEEDLESSLY IMPOSING A BUNCH OF RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT FORCE HOUSING PRICES TO BE HIGHER THAN THEY NEED TO BE.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE RULES RELATED TO HEALTH AND SAFETY THAT MIGHT INCREASE COSTS, BUT THAT'S JUST NECESSARY.

BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT WE'RE INCREASING HOUSING COSTS WITHOUT ANY BASIS IN HEALTH AND SAFETY, THOSE ARE AREAS WHERE WE CAN IMPROVE.

>> AND THEN PROBABLY MOST IMPRESSIVELY, IS THE JUST BARRAGE OF STATES THAT HAVE CREATED FUNDS, OFTEN REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS OR PARTIAL GRANT PARTIAL LOAN FUNDS TO INCENTIVIZE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THEIR STATES.

AND THESE ARE RURAL STATES, RED STATES.

PLENTY OF BLUE STATES ARE ALSO DOING IT, TOO.

BUT MANY STATES ARE COMMITTING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF FUNDING TO GOOSE THEIR HOUSING SUPPLY.

>> KENTUCKY'S HOUSING TASK FORCE IS KICKING OFF ITS SECOND YEAR OF MEETINGS WITH THE HOPES OF PRESENTING LEGISLATION TO NEXT YEAR'S FULL GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> WE'RE HOPING THIS INTERIM TO TALK ABOUT SOME REAL-WORLD THINGS WE CAN DO IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY, BE LESS IDEOLOGICAL AND MORE PRACTICAL ON WHAT WE CAN DO.

>> AND OUR GOAL FOR THIS TASK FORCE IS TO REALLY TEE UP SOME OF THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION SO THAT WHEN SESSION STARTS, THEY CAN JUST GO RIGHT TO COMMITTEE AND WE CAN REALLY GET A LOT DONE.

THE TASK FORCE WILL MEET MONTHLY FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR BEFORE THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTS NEXT JANUARY.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION," I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> THE KENTUCKY HOUSING CORPORATION WILL HOLD ITS AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONFERENCE NEXT MONTH.

THAT WILL BE AT THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY CONVENTION CENTER IN COVINGTON AUGUST 20TH AND 21ST.

TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING SHORTAGE IN WOODFORD COUNTY, VERSAILLES LEADERS HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE KENTUCKY MANUFACTURED HOUSING INSTITUTE TO SELL A MANUFACTURED HOME THEY SAY IS CHEAPER THAN A STARTER HOME BUILT ON-SITE.

>> SINCE COVID THE PRICE OF HOUSING WHETHER IT'S PURCHASED OR RENTAL HOUSING HAS REALLY SKYROCKETED AND WE WANTED TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION RATHER THAN PART OF THE PROBLEM.

WOODFORD COUNTY IS TYPICALLY A PRETTY HIGH LAND COST AND SO IT'S HARD TO AFFORD EVEN TO BUY THE LAND LET ALONE BUILD A HOUSE.

>> WHAT PROMPTED THIS IS SOMETHING THAT FACES EVERY CITY, EVERY COUNTY AND REALLY JUST ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THIS ISN'T UNIQUE TO KENTUCKY.

BUT IN KENTUCKY, KENTUCKY SHORT 206,000 HOMES.

KENTUCKY IS SHORT 206,000 HOMES.

KENTUCKY HOUSING CORPORATION ESTIMATES THAT BY 2029, WITHOUT ACTION TAKEN, WE'RE GOING TO BE SHORT CLOSE TO 290,000 HOMES.

AND SO ALL THESE CITIES ARE COMING UP WITH WAYS TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO THAT HOUSING CRISIS.

MANUFACTURED HOME OR MOBILE HOMES THERE'S NOT BEEN A MOBILE HOME BUILT SINCE 1976.

MANUFACTURED HOUSING IS NOT A PRODUCT, IT IS A PROCESS.

YOU CAN WALK AROUND AND SEE IT'S THE SAME WINDOWS AND LIGHT FIXTURES OUTLETS, DOORS ALL THE INPUTS YOU WOULD SEE ON A SITE BUILT HOME.

THE DIFFERENT IS IT'S BUILT IN A FACILITY.

IN THIS ASSEMBLY LINE SETTING WHICH CREATES EFFICIENCY, IT CREATES LABOR ADVANTAGES AND SO RATHER THAN IT TAKING MONTHS AND MONTHS OR UP TO A YEAR FOR A SITE BUILT YOU DON'T FACE THE WEATHER DELAYS YOU ARE ABLE TO INCREASE YOUR SCALE AND VOLUME AND YOUR QUALITY ASSURANCES.

THIS HOUSE FROM THE TIME THAT IT WAS A PILE OF LUMBER IN THE FACTORY TO THE TIME THEY WERE ACTUALLY PUTTING FURNITURE IN IT ON DISPLAY AT THE KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES CONFERENCE THIS YEAR, IT TOOK FOUR DAYS.

THERE'S ADVANTAGES THAT IT JUST REQUIRE PEOPLE GETTING PAST THE OUTDATED STIGMA.

THE HOME IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE WITHIN THE 80 TO 120% OF AMI FOR WOODFORD COUNTY, WHICH IS ABOUT $85,000 A YEAR TO ABOUT $120,000 A YEAR.

SO THEY HAVE TO BE WITHIN THAT RANGE OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME.

WE CAN KEEP OUR FIREFIGHTERS OUR POLICE OFFICERS OUR TEACHERS AND NURSES HERE IN WOODFORD COUNTY AND IN VERSAILLES SO WE HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

THE 3-BEDROOM AND 2-BATHROOM HOME IS PRICED AT $249,900.

>>> THERE ARE SOME STATE PARKS THAT HAD TO CLOSE DUE TO RECENT FLOODING WHILE OTHERS ARE OPERATING AT LIMITED CAPACITY.

WE SPOKE WITH SOMEONE FROM THE KENTUCKY STATE PARKS TO HEAR AN UPDATE ON HOW THEY ARE DOING.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LOTTED OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR PARKS THAT WERE IMPACTED IN SOME WAY BY THE RECENT FLOODING AND TORNADOES OVER THE YEARS.

BUT NOW, WE HAVE FOUR THAT WAS IMPACTED RECENTLY.

THAT WAS PAINTSVILLE LAKE, NOLAN LAKE, GREEN RIVER LAKE AND FORT BOONESBOROUGH.

PAINSVILLE LAKE IS BACK OPEN.

WE'RE GETTING FORT BOONESBOROUGH BACK OPEN AND NOLAN LAKE IS SHUT DOWN.

BARREN RIVER LAKES BEACH IS SHUT DOWN.

ROUGH RIVER DAMS BEACH IS SHUT DOWN AND GREEN RIVER LAKES CAMPGROUND IS SHUT DOWN.

WE WILL HAVE TREES BLOWN DOWN AND WE MAY HAVE OCCASIONAL FACILITY THAT IS IMPACTED.

WE, OF COURSE, THE FLOODING WILL IMPACT SOME OF OUR FACILITIES LIKE OUR CAMPGROUNDS.

YOU KNOW, WE GOT A LOT OF CLEAN UP FROM THAT.

SOME A FEW FACILITIES WERE IMPACTED AS FAR AS BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES.

SOME OF THEM WE HAVE A TIME LINE ON OTHERS WE DON'T.

SOME ARE DEPENDING ON AS THE RIVER GOES DOWN AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE STRIVE TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ARE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE BEFORE WE OPEN BACK UP.

SO EVEN THOUGH AFTER A DISASTER OR AFTER A WEATHER EVENT, IT MAY SEEM LIKE IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT LONGER BUT SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

WE HAVE MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS OF STAFFING.

OF COURSE, IT ALL BEGINS WITH OUR FIELD STAFF AND LOCAL STAFF.

THEY WILL BE THE ONES THAT DO THE INITIAL CLEAN UP PROCESS.

WE ALSO HAVE A GREAT SUPPORT STAFF IN OUR CENTRAL OFFICE WITH KENTUCKY STATE PARKS THAT OFFERS MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS AND DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF ASSISTANCE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE LOCAL PARKS.

WE'LL HAVE TO REMOVE TREES, SEDIMENT WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR FACILITIES AND ALL OF THE UTILITIES THAT COME WITH THAT.

THAT ENTAILS STATE INSPECTORS AND BRINGING OUTSIDE INDIVIDUALS IN.

WE HAVE SEVERAL STATE PARKS THAT ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING OUR DISPLACED FLOOD GUESTS.

WE HAVE GENERAL BUTLER.

WE HAVE NOT ONLY GUESTS IN OUR LODGE THERE BUT ALSO IN THE CAMPGROUND.

WE HAVE NATURAL BRIDGE, PENNY ROUTE FOREST WE HAVE JENNY WILEY THAT HAS THE CAMPGROUND AND LODGING AND THEN WE'VE GOT NATURAL BRIDGE AS WELL.

CURRENTLY WE HAVE AT ABOUT 300 DISPLACED GUESTS THROUGH OUR STATE PARKS.

YOUR LOCAL PARK MAYBE IMPACTED BY SOME OF THIS, BY VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THIS.

BUT WE WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL OPEN.

WE'RE STILL HERE AND EVEN WITH TEMPORARY CLOSINGS THERE'S A LOT OF ASPECTS OF DIFFERENT PARKS OR MAYBE YOUR PARK THAT IS IMPACTED THAT ARE STILL OPEN.

TO SEE WHICH PARKS ARE OPEN, FULLY CLOSED, OR ARE OPEN BUT LIMITED, GO TO PARKS.KY.GOV.

[♪♪] >> AS ONE KENTUCKY COUNTY CONSIDERS A BUDGET PLAN, THERE'S DEBATE OVER PAYING FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

OUR TOBY GIBBS HAS THAT STORY AND MORE IN THIS LOOK AT HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.

[♪♪] >> THE LOGAN COUNTY FISCAL COURT IS NOW WORKING ON A PROPOSED $39-MILLION BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

ACCORDING TO THE NEWS-DEMOCRAT & LEADER, THERE'S BEEN CONSIDERABLE DEBATE OVER SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, AND WHO SHOULD PAY FOR THEM-THE FISCAL COURT OR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THE COUNTY HAS SEVEN SCHOOLS, AND THE LAW REQUIRES ONE SRO FOR EACH SCHOOL.

LAST YEAR, THE SHERIFF ASKED FOR A SECOND OFFICER FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL.

THE JUDGE-EXECUTIVE WOULD LIKE THE FISCAL COURT TO GRADUALLY SHIFT THE SRO FINANCIAL BURDEN TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>>> THE NEWS-JOURNAL REPORTS THE WHITLEY COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE IS NOW LICENSING ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES, UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLES, AND OTHER SPECIAL-PURPOSE VEHICLES.

WHITLEY COUNTY CLERK CAROLYN WILLIS SAYS MOST OF THE NEWER ATVS AND UTVS WILL MEET STATE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS-INCLUDING LIGHTS, REFLECTORS, AND TURN SIGNALS-BUT OLDER VEHICLES MAY REQUIRE SOME WORK.

>>> THE BOYLE COUNTY EARLY LEARNING CENTER IS NOW CLOSED.

THE ADVOCATE-MESSENGER SAYS IT'S BECAUSE OF BUDGET CONSTRAINTS.

EDUCATORS AND STAFF GOT TOGETHER ONE LAST TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO EACH OTHER AND TO THE FAMILIES SERVED OVER THE PAST YEAR.

>>> THE PADUCAH SPORTS PARK IS SET TO OPEN NEXT MARCH, ACCORDING TO THE CENTRAL KENTUCKY NEWS-JOURNAL.

THE PARK'S GENERAL MANAGER EXPECTS MANY BASEBALL TOURNAMENTS THERE NEXT YEAR, ALONG WITH SOFTBALL, SOCCER, AND DISC GOLF.

WITH HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY, I'M TOBY GIBBS.

[♪♪] >> WE TOLD YOU A FEW WEEKS AGO ABOUT FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE ADAM KOENIG'S OPINION PIECE IN THE LEXINGTON-HERALD LEADER ARGUING THAT KENTUCKY HAS TOO MANY COUNTIES.

KOENIG SAID THAT 120 COUNTIES MEAN TOO MANY GOVERNMENTS IN KENTUCKY AND AN EQUAL DIVISION OF ROAD MONEY THAT GIVES SMALL COUNTIES JUST AS MUCH AS BIGGER COUNTIES.

HE ARGUED IT SHOULD BE EASIER FOR COUNTIES TO MERGE IF THEY WANT TO.

SO WHY ARE THERE SO MANY COUNTIES IN THE FIRST PLACE?

THAT WAS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS LAST NIGHT ON 'KENTUCKY TONIGHT,' AS GUEST HOST CHIP POLSTON AND A PANEL OF HISTORIANS TALKED ABOUT KENTUCKY HISTORY.

>> KENTUCKY IS THE 37TH LARGEST STATE IN TERMS OF LAND MASS.

WE ARE NOT A BIG STATE BUT WE ARE NUMBER THREE ON THE LIST WHEN IT COMES TO THE NUMBER OF COUNTIES.

THERE'S 120 COUNTIES IN KENTUCKY.

AND THERE IS A REASON BEHIND THAT BECAUSE THERE IS AN INTERESTING CAVEAT IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION ABOUT TRANSPORTATION.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT.

>> IT REQUIRES THAT EVERYBODY BE WITHIN ONE DAY OF TRAVEL OF THEIR COUNTY SEAT.

AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS FOR THAT.

AND WE THINK THAT IN THIS EARLY CONTEXT GOING TO COURT TO SETTLE LEGAL DISPUTES AND AN ECONOMIC DRIVER AS WELL.

EARLY KENTUCKY THERE IS NOT A LOT OF PRECIOUS METAL AND GOLD AND SILVER COINS EVERYBODY IS FLOATING ON INTECAT SYSTEMS OF DEBT.

WAITING FOR YOUR CROP TO COME IN TO SELTSES UP WITH THE STORE.

WHEN SOMEBODY I DIES OR MOVES OUT OF THE COUNTY OR A BANKRUPTCY, A LOT OF MONEY IN THE COUNTIES IS TIED UP AND NEEDS TO BE SORTED OUT AT LAW.

HAVING ACCESS TO A COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND A JUDICIAL SYSTEM REALLY HELPS THE STATE GROW ECONOMICALLY IN THIS EARLY PERIOD.

>> A DAY'S TRAVEL BACK IN THE 1800s LOOKS DIFFERENT THAT IS WHY THERE'S SO MANY COUNTIES THERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING DISCUSSION ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS WITH FOUR EXPERTS ON KENTUCKY HISTORY.

SEE THE ENTIRE CONVERSATION ONLINE, ON DEMAND, AT KET.ORG/KYTONIGHT.

THANK YOU CHIP POLSTON FOR SUBBING FOR ME LAST NIGHT.

[♪♪] >>> YOU CAN HELP KENTUCKY STATE POLICE CLAIM BRAGGING RIGHTS IN THE ANNUAL 'BEST LOOKING CRUISER CONTEST.'

VOTING STARTED YESTERDAY AND ENDS JULY 11TH.

YOU CAN VOTE ONCE A DAY.

KSP SUBMITTED THE PHOTO YOU SEE HERE.

THE OF THE COMPETITION ENDS UP ON THE COVER OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE TROOPERS' 2026 CALENDAR.

KENTUCKY WON THIS COMPETITION IN 2021 AND 2022 AND HAS PLACED IN THE TOP FIVE EACH OF THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

>>> YOU MIGHT BE HITTING THE ROAD THIS UPCOMING JULY FOURTH WEEKEND.

BEFORE YOU DO, JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT ON 'KENTUCKY EDITION' AS WE LOOK AT THE PRICE OF GAS AND WHAT KIND OF TRAFFIC YOU SHOULD EXPECT.

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

I'M RENEE SHAW AND I WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT.