♪ >> The Republican ticket is set out is Kentucky's Mitch McConnell bill about the vice presidential pick.

So it's.

>> He doing living breathing, performing theater.

>> And check out the theater that's been bringing Broadway to the bluegrass for 75 years.

♪ And we're pick in grand and in Owensboro.

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

♪ ♪ Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION for this Wednesday, July 17.

>> I'm Christine Dan filling in for Renee Shaw.

Thank you so much for joining us.

Supporters of a new law that expands protections for animals were in Frankfort on Tuesday for the ceremonial signing of the bill known as Ethan Slaw.

>> It was one of more than 200 laws that went into effect on Monday.

Athens law is named after Louisville dog who survived extreme abuse.

It expands the definition of torture to a dog or cat to include situations where the animal is an extreme physical pain suffers serious physical injury or dies as a result of someone intentionally injuring them while they're restraint.

Examples of torture include breaking bones, burning, hanging or starving a dog or cat.

It also makes the torture of a dog or cat a Class D felony.

Instead of just a misdemeanor and allows each act of torture to constitute a separate offense.

The bill passed the General Assembly during the 2024 regular session.

But it took more than a decade to get across the finish line.

According to the sponsor, the bill Republican State Representative Susan Tyler, Witten of Louisville.

It started 16 years ago.

>> When Senator Tom Buford saw the need to extrapolate cases of torture of dogs and cats from the animal cruelty statute.

Through this law, it was acknowledged that misdemeanors just don't fit certain extreme cases.

Of inflicting pain when they're intentional.

As a rescue dog owner, an animal lover, I was proud to pick up this measure.

And work with my colleagues and other stakeholders to get it passed.

>> Secretary of State Michael Adams says the new law not only makes it safe for animals, but for humans to pointing out that studies show 75% of violent animal abusers go on to commit violent acts against people.

>> Now that we can impose stricter penalties on the abusers, torturing cats and dogs.

They may not have the opportunity to move on to women and men.

Well, I'm passionate about helping domestic violence.

Survivors through my office is safe at home program.

Would it be great if we didn't need the program?

My hope is that with the passage of this law, we make Kentucky better place for animals.

And for people to.

>> The Legislature gave final approval to the measure on March 27th and it was signed into law by the governor on April.

4th.

It is day 3 of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Monday.

U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell announced that Kentucky delegation support for former President Donald Trump as Trump won the party's nomination.

Trump picked U.S..

Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate and Senator McConnell told The Huffington Post reported that Vance is a quote, right choice.

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky is not attending the convention.

Instead, he's making stops in.

Speaking here in Kentucky.

>> I'm Laura Rogers with Kentucky edition joined by Jars Reiland Barton.

And I know you've been following very closely.

Of course, that assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

Now the current Republican presidential nominee and Kentucky Congressman James Comer says he wants to see an investigation launched into how the Secret Service handled that situation.

Can you tell us more about that?

>> Yeah, I think the country is really waiting to learn more about exactly what And that's one part of it.

Is this security how local police and the Secret Service, what were they doing with security?

Were there any oversights that allowed that person to get on top of that roof and shoot at to the president and towards the crowd.

There's a lot of questions around that even who that person was in the first place.

But Congressman Palmer's request here is into the Secret Service here and their role and protecting the president and whether or not all the steps were taken here.

This is a special called meeting at is going to take place on And I think there's going to be a lot of attention to what is said there is we don't know everything just yet.

This is really been universally condemned by politicians and people across the country that the assassination attempt.

It's a really terrifying and and disgusting thing for You know, if this is in fact, a political assassination attempt to really be using the most extreme form of violence to try and send a political message here.

There was a little bit of a heartening moment of people coming together to denounce that.

But, you know, I think this we are in a political and election year, so waiting to see how this kind of rolls out right now.

>> makers on both sides, like you said, denouncing political violence of any kind.

And President Biden also wanting a thorough investigation into what happened there in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Let's also talk about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives because we saw a few people are watching a decade ishan last night that saw John Leffler is report on that meeting that took place yesterday.

This is legislation that didn't pass this past session.

However, it is still a topic of conversation at colleges and universities and Kentucky.

What do we learn from that meeting yesterday?

>> That bill that was proposed in the Kentucky Legislature is one of those really similar to start to want to propose a lot of other states, some other ones.

They passed so insane.

Texas and Florida.

There's immediate ban on a dei programs and those states and we've seen those those programs of hollowed out of people fired.

Those programs eliminated from a public university said something.

A lot of conservative leaders and the Kentucky Legislature want to make happen and we've seen it in other states as well.

In Ohio.

The attorney general there, you know, he kind of issued an opinion saying that the that race-based scholarships to of do not follow the Supreme Court's recent ruling against affirmative action programs.

And so Ohio is in the process right now of making sure reviewing all of their scholarships and making sure that they're not tied to race in any way during this committee hearing this week.

We you know, of Republican lawmakers coming out us, a black student group saying that there shouldn't you know, that there shouldn't be excuse groups that are exclusive just a black students and saying that public colleges are unfairly creating space for those in that there there.

There are white student So that's really where the discussion is kind of ended up in the Kentucky Legislature at this moment.

it didn't pass during this year's session.

I mention see it to see if this discussion is still going on when January rolls around because we will be passed that by that time.

And, you know, you know, I mean, they make a bet that was the reason that a lot of these discussions are happening or because we're in such a highly charged political environment with the presidential election of the top of the ticket.

>> So, you know, we'll see if that conversation emerges again, as you say, when we head into the legislative session of something else to dive into here.

Speaking of legislation, we have more than 200 new laws that are now in effect in Kentucky.

Governor Andy Beshear is questioning really whether the funding is there for his administration to implement those laws.

Let's talk about that.

>> Yes, so a lot of those laws went into effect on Monday on July 15th.

Earlier this year, the governor sent this letter to state lawmakers.

And this is according to reporting from Kentucky public Radio.

So you Goodman saying that there are about 20 bills that don't have enough funding attached to them for his administration to actually implement them.

So really interesting little battle of the different branches of government here where the passes bills expects the administration to be able to implement them.

But the administration says their hands are If there isn't funding attached to them.

And so bills there, there's a real range of them.

And lawmakers said that they were no surprise that were on them.

But the total to being about 141 million dollars of the that this year's administration said that they didn't have money to implement.

One of them involves creating a public statewide reporting system for people to make reports related to child abuse.

So I mean, this is a bipartisan measure you know, lawmaker's son, both sides of the aisle were able to get behind.

But the Ministration says that the 43 million dollar price tag for that is what they're estimating just wasn't didn't come along with the state budget.

Republican House Speaker David Osborne has accused the governor of playing politics with this, saying that he's learning too much with national politics and the liberal elite and not paying attention enough to implementing these policies passed by the Legislature.

But again, the governor saying the money is not there for that.

lawmakers need to work more closely with the administration when they pass bills like this.

>> Rylan, thank you so much.

We appreciate your perspective today.

Really important things going on in the world right now and thanks for your time.

>> Thanks for.

>> What started in Mississippi 60 years ago is continuing today in Kentucky during the freedom summer of 1964, black civil rights groups set up their own alternative short-term schools today in Louisville's only historically black university is using the freedom school name and teaching students of any age or race.

How to get more engaged in the political process.

Kentucky additions June Leffler has more.

>> We have a lot of issues from poverty to violence to discrimination and we want people to act and be a part of addressing those issues before they act.

They have to know how these systems work and how to change those systems.

So the Freedom School as a project to teach people just that how government works, how you can get involved in government who is working on making the city better and how you can work with making the city.

But yourself.

>> In today's session, students are focusing on their local government with interactive lessons that center the participant using the QR code.

Participants figure out who their city councilmember is.

>> We'll just take maybe one and a half minute or so to look at that.

It will to share it to see how many districts are represented in the room seem I live in district want.

>> Another activity creating a city budget according to the students, personal priorities.

>> They have an interesting budget tool that they use with their citizens where people can actually go in.

It's almost like a game and change what you think the budget priority should be.

It also shows if your city budget is in deficit.

So we're trying to cover any and everything that we can about politics from the city budget, 2 bills that are being passed at the state legislator towards happening overseas and how that impacts us here locally in Louisville.

We're trying to cover as much as we can in the same topics.

>> 60 years ago, volunteers flocked to Mississippi to register black people to vote that's known as the Freedom Summer.

>> It came about because black Mississippians were being oppressed.

They were being violated against that would be a violently attacked in a worst-case scenario, killed because there was simply trying to vote.

>> Back then the state of Mississippi under educated black kids.

>> Their original freedom schools were a response to that.

>> We hope to find and develop.

And mold local leadership among the young people.

>> Today, 17 year-olds Micaela Hicks and Jasmine long take part in Louisville's Freedom School.

>> Like in the light equality.

And light.

You know.

Making like the world like kind of like an easier place for everybody.

>> Important things that I care about.

I care a lot about equity in a more equitable society.

So what is that like?

I care about racism and for them to go up against every aspect of this world like I care about.

I think the people us right.

My favorite people.

I like that to make sure people are light getting the care and the the resources that they need so that they could be their best selves and so that they can thrive in this world and not have to suffer about the different things that we are keeping them from being able to like Ruby the belt.

>> Simmons College of Kentucky organizes the Freedom School classes are every Tuesday in person and online from now until August.

20th for Kentucky Edition on June, Leffler.

>> Freedom School Sessions will cover 10 different topics at 10 different Louisville Metro Community Center's this summer.

>> Well, it's the only place in the world that elevates the instrumental sound and style unique to bluegrass music.

That Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and museum located in Owensboro.

It celebrates the genre with interactive interactive exhibits jam sessions clogging lessons and events.

It's located just a few miles from the home place of the father of Bluegrass Bill Monroe, the man who helped popularize the museum and broaden its appeal is moving on after 9 years last week, our Renee Shaw talked to Chris Joslin, the center's former executive director about the museum in what's next for him.

More as we go on the road to Owensboro.

>> Chris Dawson, thank you so much for taking a few minutes.

So it's a pleasure to be with you.

Renee, thank you.

Well, so most everyone has read about your soon departure from the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and museum at after 9 successful First of all, congratulations to also thank you.

Absolutely, because you have really helped elevate this space that what it represents to not just the community but to this state, right and ways that probably you didn't imagine, but certainly are very fruitful.

So when you look back on or 9 years, what are you most proud of?

>> Well, I think about the people when I came here course, I love bluegrass music and I want to see this flourish.

But I want to get us to flourish for the sake of this community and for the Commonwealth.

I mean, Bluegrass music is so uniquely Kentuckyian I wanted to be involved in building something that just became a national international destination for Kentucky's music because they're so much more to discover about the commonwealth once you're here.

And I just wanted to play that for Owensboro to play.

Its part has been a gateway to all that.

So I just love the very energized by that.

And and the connection of the people who come through the door here at the Hall of Fame.

So it's been a real joy.

>> Well, and it's and it's fun to watch, children group school grades or come in and they get to play because there's the pickin parlor and they can get their hands on a banjo and play it and they become so engaged and it's fun for them.

And we know what music does for creativity.

Sure, anything.

The ability to perform math and science.

I mean, there's a lot of translate Abul skills when you have some music inclination, there's something about the human spirit.

We just light up when it comes to music playing music.

Listen to music, participating in some form or fashion bluegrass lends itself to that.

>> Very well.

So you're right, it's it's great to see that unfold before our very eyes.

Yes.

And in the 9 years you've been here.

I mean, this is the only Mecca, shall we say by the grass news to the grass music.

True world, right.

I people were like Tigger.

We are the only one.

And so to be able to live it out.

>> Like this in this building and with and with a the support of so many around the Commonwealth has just been an absolute joy.

I think I think Bluegrass music deserves the destination like this.

The Commonwealth deserves a death, a destination like for me, it's always been about just living out more fully.

What's already true about Owensboro and the state of Kentucky.

Bluegrass Music and I think the best is yet to come.

But it's it's been fun to be part play a small part of the accomplishments thus far.

>> Do you feel like you left anything on the table that he did?

You put it all out there.

If you said okay, if I had one more month to one more year on the X Y Z.

>> Well, as you dream, you just always always want to dream big.

And that's that's been my goal here being sensitive to the people on the ground right in front of me here, but also wanting to dream very big beyond the 4 walls of this building.

The on I'm beyond the county line and the state line to get to the point people here to to Owensboro.

And I think I think we created some some really good momentum around that.

But I do someone coming in with with fresh spirit, fresh eyes and fresh creativity.

There's no telling how much this can grow.

Really be a beacon for this genre that continues to grow.

It's in the hands of a new generation to they're just incredible things with that.

We see that to hear weekend and week out international visitors to we see that week in week out very energizing.

>> So while we were setting up while we were you know, taking some programs, we noticed a clog in class out and Friday.

We could hear them in the back.

But and they were they were mostly young people, right?

I mean, I everybody looks gong to make.

But, you know, they look to be 20 somethings, even younger, you know.

And so you think about these traditions that are sought like you say, you may click Kentucky.

>> That are not going to die with the generation that are get be giving new life right by a new generation.

That's going to be really at a fine with the unique aspect about bluegrass music and traditional dance and all the things that we're about here, it's not really simply about entertainment.

There's a component of that that's very compelling.

>> But it's really about connection.

It's about the human connection and I think that's where the really energy is where you're learning to play an instrument are coming together to learn clogging and participate.

And we have groups here locally that that take this dance and this music to places in our community that can't get So there's that other element of wow, how can I use his creativity to love on other people and to people outside the 4 walls of this building.

So it's just a full-circle endeavor.

and I love that.

I'm drawn to that personally.

Yeah.

>> And that's never going to leave you even though you leave this space.

The space will always be a part of you.

All right.

So tell us about your new venture.

>> Well, as an old country song said, You know, I was smart enough to leave my heart behind.

So I heart will always be with this music and with this community and we're not in a rush to leave this community.

But do not think about investing in other My heart was definitely open and and I'm a person of faith.

And so I was drawn to the ministry model of an organization called Mission Lazarus that a faith-based base here in the U.S..

But they focus on a certain region in Honduras and in Haiti, it's a holistic ministry approach.

Certainly it's close to the biblical worldview to Christian world view, but trying to address some of the core issues that that keeping folks and in poverty and barriers to help them advance primarily education or vocational training and community health and just seed capital.

Micro businesses in training in leadership, training to build sustainable communities in these different parts of the world in Haiti and Central American.

I just love the model.

I think it's really investing in the future of these people in these communities.

And it will make a generational change.

So as development director is going to be my pleasure.

Tell that story and try to connect means here in the U.S. with funding some of those initiatives and central American, Haiti.

>> And you won't be that far away.

You're just going to Tennessee.

That's right.

Yeah.

So you can still come back.

Absolutely on.

The mat will always be out for an absolutely.

And then on the bluegrass musician, first and foremost, family affair for me and we were coming to Kentucky long before I moved here for the music.

I don't see that changing any time soon.

Says speaking of music and the and Joanne, your arms?

Well, I'll sing about playing field with Swan song, but you don't want to hear has anyone else?

I did not Dodge and not doing too well play a song that I played many times since I came here 9 years ago and I'll let you name that team to ♪ ♪ ♪ beautiful rendition of my Old Kentucky Home and Forever.

It Shall Be for you.

Frank, thank you so much for all you've done for the state of Kentucky.

Thank you.

Appreciate you.

And God bless you.

You too.

♪ ♪ >> Kentucky's oldest outdoor theater is celebrating its 75th year of Operation Pioneer Playhouse in Danville is a family function and it brings the lights of Broadway to the Bluegrass State.

How this dinner theater came to be and how the brother sister duo running the place work to honor their father's legacy.

Here's a peek at this theater under the stars in this week's street.

>> High near Playhouses.

Kentucky's oldest outdoor theater.

We have been around since 1949, and we've been doing what we do for 75 years.

My father grew up.

Evan Hansen grew up in Danville, Kentucky, on Main Street.

He actually grew up in the Henson out how my father decided.

I'm going to go to New York City and I'm going to study theater and that's what he did.

in his class of New York City, he was with Harry Belafonte Tony Curtis, Bea Arthur.

So there are a lot of future stars in this class and it was pretty exciting and so he almost got on Broadway.

He was about to make his big break on Broadway and his father called him home to Danville, because he had become ill and needed someone to run his property and take care his wife, but not by grandmother.

so dad came home and he decided if I can be on Broadway, I'm going bring Broadway to the Bluegrass.

We will bring in a company of actors in that will be a core company that acts.

>> In all 3 plays they live here.

>> They work here.

They come here.

They sleep here and they often times it will be rehearsing one different play during the day and performing another play at night and they do that 5 nights a week and then we call it a strike weekend when they change over to the next play and then they will start to her sing the 3rd play and performing second place tonight.

So it's eating living, breathing, performing theater.

>> This is my first summer performing here, a Pioneer Playhouse, my grandmother had been coming here for a long time and she took me as a child.

So this became a big part of why I chose to pursue theater because the shows here were just so phenomenal in Kentucky has such a unique arts history and pioneer Playhouses perfect example of that.

>> One of the things we love to see is generations.

At Hunter you know, someone will have grown up going here so they bring their kid and then their kids bring their kids and so sometimes will have 3 or 4 generations.

In an audience I had heard about Pioneer Playhouse for my grandmother.

Originally.

She mentioned that her and my grandfather used to come here.

>> Well, before I was born sides, I've heard about it a lot.

It's really exciting.

Getting to be able to come back in and to do shows here place that my family has come for many years and to get to be a part of this great tradition and to continue to KET bringing back its a lot of fun to.

To continue to be a part of this great theater and to bring ours not only to my family, but much more importantly to all the people in it in this area.

I love continue the tradition of bringing arts to Kentucky because we love the state.

My sister loves this state and I do too.

>> And we think that.

The arts brighten our lives, the arts helps us communicate better.

The arts raises are self esteem.

you know, there's just a whole lot of positivity from.

>> Promoting the arts in our He's a little bit of Hollywood, a little bit of history.

A little bit of glitz.

And a lot of memories in this place.

>> Once you come, you really fall in love with Piner Playhouse it's kind of magic and I think that's why we KET >> This summer Pioneer Playhouse has shows running through August, 17th.

Well, coming up tomorrow, a sneak peek at the newest project from Isaiah House elects him based community health center for some of society's most vulnerable.

>> Affordable treatment options for the clientele that the Isaiah House serves and the clientele that the likes and Rescue mission serves.

I really don't exist to the capacity they need to for these clients to access care, timely fashion.

>> What the health service offers Thursday on Kentucky Edition.

We hope you'll join us again tomorrow night at 6.30, eastern and 5.30, central for Kentucky Edition where we inform connect and inspire subscribe to our Kentucky Edition email newsletter and watch full episodes and clips akt DOT or send us a story idea at public affairs at KET Dot Org and follow KET on social media.

>> Thank you so much for joining us.

Have a wonderful evening.

♪