♪ >> I said before the only way I'm that I step away from this role is if I felt like I could help the commonwealth even more through some other opportunities.

>> The governor talks about rumors he could be up for another job.

>> Our politicians and our politics are reflection of us.

>> Our Kentucky tonight panel talks about why our political campaigns are so negative.

>> Was broken bar capital of the world.

That's what we've always considered herself.

>> And not just blowing smoke.

There's widespread acclaim for the city's specialty dishes.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KU Team Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and thank you for tuning in to us tonight on Kentucky Edition, it is Thursday, July, the 11th, I'm Renee Shaw.

We appreciate you wanting down your Thursday night with us all week.

We've been spotlighting Owensboro and the surrounding communities from barbecue to the arts.

Owensboro is a town with a lot to talk about.

We're going to see more of the things that make Owensboro special.

And just a few minutes.

But first, today's news Governor Andy Beshear says he still backs President Joe Biden to be the Democratic nominee for president as some Democrats call for the president to bow out of the race after his debate performance 2 weeks ago.

And the governor talked today about the rumors he could end up on the Democratic ticket in 2024.

Governor Beshear was one of many Democratic governors who met the president at the White House last week.

The governor was asked about all of this during his regular news conference.

>> I don't have any more information than I did the last time I was asked about this President Biden is the current Only he could make a decision not to be to nominate a support him as long as he is our our nominee.

And I believe what will need to say and what the American people need to say in the coming months is an aggressive campaign schedule that that Cruz to the American people and provides the information on as health.

But I think people of them asking for I've just had the one opportunity to be with the president when the Democratic governors came together and when I had an opportunity to speak, it was that that he didn't just need to reassure us need to reassure the American people.

I think they've taken some steps towards but I think more steps would need to be taken.

I haven't had any conversations with that.

The White House, the president, the vice president, I haven't had a all of our conversations.

I'm what we have.

That conversation said.

Not the answer.

Your questions now.

I haven't had any of those you know, I'm not going to speculate about what would or could happen.

I'm I love this job.

My kids are happy.

My family's happy.

I feel like we're in a role here in Kentuckyian this job is more than enough for me that I could fulfill this this next term, which I fully intend to and be happy if this is the public service role I ever had.

But I said before, the only that step away from this role, as if I felt like I could help the commonwealth even more through some other opportunity.

>> The governor also announced a general fund receipts are up almost 3% from last year while the road fund is up almost 7%.

He says it will mean a 4th year in a row with a budget surplus of more than 1 billion dollars.

We talked about national politics and Andy Beshear Monday night on Kentucky tonight, including the debate over President Joe Biden's future as a Democratic presidential nominee.

But our panel also talked about the broader topic of why our politics have become so negative and why it's keeping some good people from running for office.

>> What are the expectations on candidates are and what they have to go through and their families, Social.

It's awful.

>> It is easy for folks like I should be in the rain or 2.

Then take shots of folks say this, say that have behind our Twitter accounts have, but I met our AG.

So whatever say, whatever you want to, I probably talked 4 candidates are running that talk in the running because all I wanted to say I lied about the experiences by by this guy.

Now, also, that's one less thing I thought.

I think the one thing we always have a look, though, is it was negative.

Can what people used a campaigning because it's it's the one thing that live votes.

Our politicians and our politics are reflection of us that they are reflexive to what moves the voters and the what and what news votes.

And so, you know, you want to complain about the about the atmosphere in the Arab politics right now.

You could get nice.

Seconds was remember, we still have the greatest country.

And that's right.

Where we make these verse Asians.

>> And we should thank our lucky.

Yeah, we do.

As long as we can.

Peep.

>> As long as we can KET that you can see more of Monday's hour-long discussion.

It was robust and animated that's available online on demand at KET DOT Org.

Slash K why tonight?

U.S. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky is returning to Capitol Hill 2 weeks after losing his wife, Rhonda Massey in a post on social media, the Republican representing Kentucky's 4th congressional district around northern Kentucky, first thanked his family and friends for being by his side.

He then went on to address what he called conspiracy theories about how his wife died.

Quote, without violating her privacy.

I can dismiss some of those theories by disclosing she did not take the COVID shots.

Our house is very secure.

Family was in the house the night she passed and an autopsy has been conducted.

We do not yet have the results and quote, Rhonda Massey was 51 years old when she died unexpectedly.

The masses were married for 35 years and have 4 children.

Advocates for Fayette County's homeless population are calling for action days before the Safer Kentucky Act anew anti-crime bill that bans homeless camps takes effect on Wednesday, the Catholic Action Center and other advocates announced the results of a report on the number of unhoused individuals living in Lexington.

A survey from HUD taken on January 31st of this year around found that 825 total homeless people live in Lexington, another broader survey conducted by the Street Voice Council last winter found more than 2400 also counted.

Unhoused Fayette County Public School students which number close to 1100 Lexington, Fayette, Urban County Council Teonna Fogle was at those among those in attendance, sharing her family's experience with homelessness.

>> When my son and myself was homeless.

>> And he was catching the best.

What we don't want to say.

Ms the trauma that kids who are announced go through.

BN bully.

Bma fun.

Now when you come out of a homeless shelter to catch the bus.

And then not having the things that they need.

A we know that prices in with the law would you know what?

This is a moral issue?

How can we go to sleep at night?

Knowing that there's exhaled.

Outside in the cold are sleeping in the car.

How can we do that?

>> Ginny Ramsey, who had to the Catholic Action Center says the Safer Kentucky Act criminalizes homelessness and does little to solve the problem.

>> The first thing I would say is do you realize that this law does not exclude children?

From The second thing is we cannot arrest our way out of poverty because that's what of it out of poverty and And we've talked to them.

But now they're going to see the impact of their bus.

find and KET our people safe.

>> The group plans to hold a rally next month to create what they call a yes in God's backyard plan for the Lexington, Fayette County area.

5 people have been selected to serve a new legislative task force examining Jefferson County Public Schools.

They are a Louisville businessman, Matt Louisville teacher, a JCPS principal and 2 parents of JCPS students.

Each applied for the position and were selected by the Legislative Research Commission or LRC lawmakers and others will make up the rest of the task force.

And a statement.

State Senator Mike me Miss a co-chair or state representative rather, Emus a I'm sorry, state Senator Mike me, Miss co-chair of the task force said the lrc, quote, cast a wide inclusive netted remains diligent and the selection process.

Lrc provided ample opportunity and time for qualified candidates to be nominated, end quote.

The first meeting is Monday.

The task force must submit its recommendations by December.

First, the future of JCPS was a frequent topic during the last legislative session.

Some lawmakers backed the idea of splitting up the district and to smaller ones.

A federal prison is a step closer to being built.

And eastern Kentucky, the federal Bureau of Prisons released its final environmental impact statement on the proposal yesterday.

It found constructing the medium security prison in the Letcher County community of Roxana is, quote, technically feasible and would have fewer natural resource and other environmental impacts U.S. Representative Hal Rogers of Kentucky's 5th congressional district is a longtime supporter of the project and a statement.

He said he was thrilled by the report and that he looked forward to bringing hundreds of jobs to eastern Kentucky plans.

Call for building the prison on land level.

Buy coal mining.

It would hold more than 1300 prisoners.

Construction will take about 3 years and would cost more than 500 billion dollars a 30 day public comment period starts tomorrow.

Then the Bureau of Prisons will announce its final decision.

More than 200 people are facing charges following a statewide drug trafficking roundup.

Kentucky State police announced Operation Summer Heat was carried out yesterday.

It involved all 16 Ksp post and was the result of 3 months of investigations.

Here you can see how many people were arrested in each post.

State police said they seized nearly 3,000 fentanyl pills.

Almost 5,000 grams of meth and hundreds of grams of other drugs combined.

The drugs have a street value of nearly $700,000.

>> This success was a testament to the hard work of our detectives and post level personnel are dedicated the keeping it took in sight from the dangers of a Liz illicit drugs, all Kentucky INS, but especially our children.

>> Ksp says it's still looking for 50 people as part of Operation Summer Heat.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> We couldn't leave Owensboro without saddling its world.

Famous barbecue could do that.

>> The city hosts the International Barbecue Festival, every May, but you can try their specialty in a time of the year.

Our Laura Rogers, Texas, to 3 places in town that are favorites among locals and tourists alike.

As we go on the road.

>> This is barbecue country where we are and it's old-school, traditional barbecue country.

>> For John Foreman barbecue as a family tradition.

>> But great, great grandfather happy.

He was a blacksmith.

Blacksmithing turned to barbecuing.

>> And in 1918, Old Hickory was born.

>> It's been more about pride.

You want to make your dad proud and continue what he billed.

He really took it to another level.

>> Across town at Moonlight Barbecue, in another example of generations passing on the torch.

>> My grandfather bought a restaurant here in 1960, threes.

I've been working here since grade school.

I worked my whole moonlight well known for its massive buffet where you can try a little bit of everything.

>> The recipes that you're eating here, the food you're eating here is like the heritage about one's burrows, a heritage of our Bosley family.

That heritage includes mutton and are due to dishes.

You'd be hard pressed to find anywhere.

But Owensboro that is really a signature dish for Davis.

Can.

>> We're too, is us to its made from Martin Beef and Chicken.

>> Winnsboro being an old sheep crossing.

That's kind of how much it came to be.

Is it Owensboro is Dave Kirk says today's culinary landscape of the city dates back to the Welsh immigrants who settled here with their shape.

They're taking down the Ohio River and then they bring him back.

And of course, they would make war if you grew up in Owensboro, you grew up around Chatham and and Wiseman.

Greg Floyd is the new guy in town South Barbecue opened just shy of 30 years ago.

Have a lot of joy in providing the southern comfort for that include something you don't always find it.

A barbecue restaurant.

>> A lot of people enjoying the project and every day, 7 days a week go through a lot of fried chicken, even though we're barbecue restaurant.

>> These 3 help make Owensboro famous sports, cultural tradition of Hickory smoked BBQ.

Everything's unique role in different parts of the city and visitors often a to hit all 3 were all similar but different.

It's an art.

I would call and arts that John Foreman took to cable television.

21 barbecue pit masters back in 2013 and what's really set us apart over the years.

Our attention to detail there's little thing is even created his own sauces.

One inspired by Owens, Burrows Bourbon Heritage called Barbecue.

We're really proud of Food that you're eating Unlike the food is on the buffet.

That's the food that you had on your grandmother's table.

Patrick Bosley says it's not just about the food, but the event and experience of eating barbecue.

When you come here and sit down, you're visiting with family and you see friends and you talk to other tables.

That's the dining experience I think has been lost in America.

>> What it's found here in Owensboro through hard work and perseverance carried on for decades.

Our crews come in 05:36AM.

in the morning to put a buffet at 11:00AM.

We've been cooking all night long.

So while you're sleeping, we've been here.

>> There's always variables.

The weather.

You know, how hard is it outside out cold?

Is it outside?

What's it going to get down to tonight?

All these things play a part in what you >> And it's not only for the people who come to Owensboro whole South.

Also caters taking their barbecue on the road as enjoyable.

We look forward to those challenges, especially the large ones.

We do what we do.

We love what we do.

A sentiment echoed by all 3 barbecue mainstay.

We've become an ambassador for barbecue.

We became an ambassador for Owensboro and I don't take that lightly.

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

♪ ♪ >> We're so glad to be joined by some powerhouses in the tourism industry.

We know that tourism is a 13 billion dollar annual industry for Kentucky.

More than 92,000 jobs.

It brings to the state.

And so we're going to talk.

2 tuition old is executive director of the Hopkins County Tourist and Convention Center.

Abby Dixon, second director of the Henderson Tourist Commission and of course, have markedly tree whose president CEO the Owensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau.

So thank you all for being here.

I want to start with Mark First.

We're going to defer to the online jumping on the panel for just a moment to talk about where we are and this bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and museum.

And this is a spectacular place and it does a lot I know for owns bureau.

But there's more than just bluegrass to Owensboro, right?

There >> We put a major investment here on the riverfront hundreds of millions of dollars.

And it's a central focus to what we have.

And we think we've built a perfect package with the restaurants and the hotels and the activities in the convention center.

And of course, this is the only Bluegrass Music Museum on Planet Her.

And so we're happy that it's beautiful.

I encourage even if you may or may not be a big avid fan, there's a lot to learn and they've gone through it a few times and it's great.

And the every time I'm here, I do there.

And it is just spectacular.

>> And the kind of investment like you said, hundreds of millions of dollars to to build Did it take a lot to get the community by and for that?

>> It was a long process.

Over a decade ago, they started the planning process.

And I've been here about 8 years.

But the plan was a crucial part of the process.

But then now it's this relentless execution that we're doing every day to try to when people over and get people introduced to Western Kentucky.

Everything we have to offer here.

>> This is the best spot to see the Ohio River hands down.

Whether you're in Kentucky are not.

Well, let's turn this way and talk to you.

So, Trish, I want to talk to you about Hopkins County, not very far from here at all.

And and you also can talk about the overall regional impact that tourism plays a with 9 counties that you all are part of.

Tell us a little about that.

>> Okay.

So first of all, I want to talk about Hopkins County.

Yeah, I'm proud of of what we.

And they are.

We boost outdoor recreation.

We are home to Kentucky's first trail town in Dawson Springs, which is home to pin you out for a state resort park.

So we're very proud to be can take these first trail town and then in the city of Madisonville, we have a beautiful level to our part.

We're very proud of that.

And anyone who comes to visit and ask us where they should go.

We always encourage them to our park.

So we're very proud about outdoor recreation.

So as far as our region goes, we are and then county region, the economic impact numbers for last year did show that we had over 500 million dollar impact in this region.

The Bluegrass Blues and barbecue region.

So, yeah, I did that.

That yes.

be bluegrass Blues and barbecue.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And Henderson lays claim to the Blues.

That's right.

Yeah.

You can find it all under said Yeah.

Yeah.

So the Bluegrass question comes into play.

You know, this region is known for bluegrass music.

Well, we're kind of festival city USA in the summer.

So we have a fantastic Bluegrass festival every year.

>> Going on, 36 years.

Fantastic Blues festival that pays tribute to WC handy who once called Henderson Home.

And then of course, we have 5 great mom and pop barbecue joints that are part of the West Kentucky barbecue belt and after school.

And that's really gaining a lot of popularity.

A know that when that was announced a few months ago about this barbecue belt.

Yes, yeah.

I know a lot of us cities along even some of the South Central Kentucky.

They're trying to be a part of it.

Now you have set the record straight.

Is the biz.

The barbecue is good like in Simpson County and Warren County as it is an Anderson.

Well, you know, we all work so well together.

And I think what's cool about about this trail.

>> You know, whenever he visited a place, you want to try the local flavor, right?

Right.

And in our neck of the woods, barbecue West, Kentucky barbecue is the local place.

So there's some folklore that says the August names have the best barbecue like the restaurant names, that more odd.

They are.

You are all right.

Said that that.

Yeah, I'm trying to think of what the strange us name in our region, but they will have to come.

But I have to find that out.

That will be a trivia question.

5 and yeah, it's of get on that trail.

What is it that you really see our opportunities beyond bluegrass Blues and barbecue for your both of your counties to kind of capitalize on.

Yes.

So I think in Henderson, you know, some of the Hopkins County, our region and offers fantastic outdoor recreation opportunities.

And I think ever sense, you know, coming out of COVID, we kind of reconnect with nature.

And I'm really built that into the way we travel a little bit more than maybe we used to.

Henderson were home to audit been state park can experience miles of trails, but then get into the AC visit, the museum and Nature Center there.

>> For unique experience, the Henderson slows.

It's a wildlife management area.

You can kayak through moving water with cypress trees growing out of the water that just towers over.

You.

Great for viewing wildlife birds.

So I think, you know, as as folks put more of an emphasis on outdoor recreation and the way we travel our region is definitely an area that should not be overlooked.

Yeah, you said the same, right?

Absolutely.

Because we all 9 counties offer something different to you.

And it really is a great region to travel now in Hopkins County, I will say we're getting ready to.

I'm going to kind of change gears just a little bit.

>> We are finishing at expected to open in October a 90,000 square-foot indoor sports facility.

So we will really be focusing on our sports beginning the and so we we are super excited about as well we will a regional police training facility where nail all law enforcement go to Richmond for their training.

So nail this half of the state will be coming to Madisonville for their training.

And so that's going to be a huge in pet to our community.

I remember that was a discussed are in the most recent legislative session and the ending was made available for that to happen.

And that's good because that's a big distance Madisonville enrichment at exactly.

>> So, OK, I'll give you mark the last word about what do you see are possibilities and opportunities on the horizon with Owensboro Davis County?

>> Well, having lived and worked in Lexington and Louisville and Northern Kentucky.

I think one of the biggest things that we're trying to do is a region as well as burrow to is to get our message out to those other cities in the other parts of the state of how amazing Western Kentucky is.

And it's a great place to live.

It's a great place to open a We just have to wake up every day telling that mess and center continuing to improve a now.

We do it >> Yeah, tourism makes the Sago rounded right.

It is a major industry and a lot of jobs are created.

A lot of economic impact and it's a major contributor to overall quality of life.

And thank you all for leading the charge.

It's been good to speak with you.

Taha.

>> For a city its size, Owensboro has a thriving arts community.

That includes a world-renowned artist who famously paints portraits.

>> Upside down in front of massive crowds.

Our Kelsey Starks introduces us to Aaron Kaiser.

>> I just do the things that I like doing and don't really a put a title in any of it.

>> Aaron Kaiser doesn't call himself an artist.

In fact, he says he never had any formal art education or interest in school.

He picked up a paintbrush to create his first portrait out of necessity.

>> I got started and are based on a my dad.

He got cancer.

He didn't have health insurance life insurance.

So I was trying to figure out a way to help them pay for his chemo treatment.

And I googled.

Quick ways to make money and one of them was if you could paint and then you can sell paintings and so the next day I started painting.

>> Born in raised in Owensboro, Aaron Kaiser has since traveled around the world, not only creating art but unique kind of performance art.

>> What I do is really weird because it's set up like like a bands playing.

But I'm going to pain.

The amount of people that show up to watch bands play coming watching pain.

>> Its speed painting in less than 10 minutes he creates with looks like abstract art at the end, flipping it over to reveal a portrait to an audience in ♪ >> I started to learn the pain upside down.

Because I didn't have to remember faces.

I can remember shapes.

I can't remember what someone looks like.

Well, enough to pay no.

But I can tell you the shapes of their face.

Well enough to So that I kinda.

Compartmentalize each part of the face as a different shape.

And scale.

It is a unique talent that has taken Aaron Kaiser to perform all over the country.

>> Including Miami, Chicago and Las Vegas.

But it is in his hometown of Owensboro where he feels most comfortable creating art.

>> I don't think I would ever became a painter if you would have put me in a city.

Larger.

I tell people all the time I travel all over and always tell them.

To come to one's for all and create for a little bit.

You don't have the hustle and bustle of everywhere else.

You don't have.

2, 3, hour traffic jams like.

>> You can get to a studio and work and be all these things.

So like I think it was both a great place.

To to birth creativity.

>> For Kentucky edition, I'm Kelsey Starks.

>> Thanks, Kelsey Wide a great talent.

We're on the road again tomorrow at Kentucky.

Guitar works in Owensboro.

>> We hope to not just enhanced bluegrass but music in general and shining a light on the grass is kind of what I always wanted to do because it's done so much for me.

>> You'll hear all about how the organization is looking to further the art of Bluegrass one instrument at a time.

That's tomorrow night on Kentucky edition, which, of course, is at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central where we inform connect and inspire.

Connect with us all the ways you see on your screen by Facebook, X and Instagram.

Take really good care.

Thank you for watching tonight and we will see you right back here again tomorrow night next.

♪