>> I'm not sure that I have ever known any different.

Then meeting able to be whatever it is that I wanted to do.

>> Women athletes talk about the difference title 9 made for them.

Meet a Kentucky truck driver who really delivers.

>> Somebody for people like me need to pass the torch to.

How does this flame of me?

They came before me.

Carry on.

How does it >> and it's the club that lets young people see and photograph things they've never seen before.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the Kaye E T and Aument for Kentucky Productions.

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the Kaye E Team Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening.

Welcome to Kentucky EDITION for this Tuesday, July 19th.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for spending part of your evening with us.

Kentucky's COVID positivity rate is up again.

It's now up to 17.7%.

It was just below 17% a week ago as we told you yesterday, 61 counties are now in the high category for COVID.

Those are the counties you see hear and read and Fayette County, the health Department says it will no longer post COVID-19 data every Monday through Friday on its website.

Instead it will send the numbers to the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

A Jefferson County judge says he will make a decision soon about whether to continue blocking Kentucky's anti-abortion trigger law from going into effect.

Yesterday was the deadline for the 2 sides to file briefs in the case, lawmakers passed a trigger law in 2019.

That law said that if Roe v Wade is ever overturned, abortion would become illegal in Kentucky immediately.

The Supreme Court did overturn Roe v Wade June 24th.

But the ACLU Planned Parenthood and the Emw Women's Surgical Center sued to stop the trigger law arguing it violated the right to privacy in Kentucky's Constitution.

Judge Mitch Perry agreed to put the law on hold while it moves through the courts.

Attorney General Daniel Cameron wants the law to take effect while the lawsuit continues.

Fallout continues from the non nomination of Chad Meredith.

As a federal judge as Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, blame Senator Mitch McConnell for the nomination falling through Meredith is an anti-abortion conservative who worked for both former governor Matt Bevin and the current attorney General Daniel Cameron.

The Courier Journal reported President Biden reached a deal with Senator Mitch McConnell to appoint Meredith to the bench and exchange McConnell would ease the way for other Biden appointments.

McConnell denied a deal existed.

Democrats including Governor Andy Beshear denounced Meredith.

The someone unfit to be a federal judge.

The governor cited Merritt U.S. involvement in Governor Bevin's last-minute pardons Friday, the White House announced the nomination wouldn't occur saying Senator Rand Paul had blocked it.

According to the Herald leader, Paul didn't sign off on the merits nomination because McConnell failed to consult with him about it.

Paul told reporters McConnell should have discussed it with Kentucky's other U.S.

Senator McConnell has not commented on Paul's remarks.

Members of the interim Joint Committee on State government heard from elected officials today in Frankfurt, election officials outline for lawmakers why the election system in the state is secure.

>> As you all well aware, we have mess and conspiracies to continue to abound about in the last 2 years to all of helped us upgrade do security improvements for our elections.

We've included photo ID to vote cleaned up the voter rolls.

Absentee ballot tracking and hand signature verification and on.

But ballot harvesting moved a paper ballot.

The DR Seuss Valence on voting machines and expanded audit process.

Our voting systems are designed to protect against tampering.

When we talk about cleaning up the voter rolls, what does that mean there are multi ways that bettors are Send a note to the county clerk saying I've moved out of the county, moved out of the state.

Please remove me.

We also state Board of Elections gets notifications see regarding felony convictions as well as from the federal courts.

We also from vital statistics.

We get notifications on deaths within Kentucky and then finally we get from the court system.

And if someone has been determined.

We have the right taken away by the courts.

One of the biggest things I think that is assisted us over the last 2 and a half years.

Also is Eric.

I'm Erica.

See elect Electronic Registration Information It is a member state type organizations.

So right now, I think there are 31 states that are members.

What they do is they get information from each state from their transportation costs, cabinet as well as state Board of elections for the Vote.

Voter registration information.

They mashed this data to determine if someone has gotten a driver's license or registered to vote in another state.

After the date they registered in Kentucky.

That does not remove the voter.

But what that does is allow for us to look at voters, it might have moved.

We send them in.

Indy are a mailing National Voter Registration Act is the prescribed way to be able to remove a voter if we don't have contact with them.

>> Each of the has locks on them.

That safeguard the fee drives that he was talking about.

There's also every place there's a lock.

There is a place for a security sold to be put on there.

If somebody attempted to install a physical mode and into the machine.

>> Only proprietary USB devices from yes.

And that's will be recognized by the machine.

If another USB drive.

That is foreign to the machine or even from an old election.

Were inserted in the machine, the machine will notify you that unrecognized.

A device has been inserted and it will shut itself down automatically.

Every database has accuracy testing to make sure the exact results come out every time before the machine works on Election Day.

Each piece of equipment software is put through a litany of security functionality.

>> Accessibility use ability and environmental environmental testing before it ever used in an in an election.

This test tested by U.S. tested by the Election Assistance Commission and the Commonwealth, of course, certainly has its own certification process.

We know where every program will peace and part comes from and that is free from defects.

You get the expedited results, the secrecy of the ballot is secured.

It combat fraught.

>> And it has a precise countered that we can count, be able to determine how many ballots went in and how many ballots were given out.

You cannot stuff these ballot boxes.

We have.

The safeguards in place.

>> I think in Kentucky that our elections are secure and safe.

And I think today's testimony is proven that when you go vote, your vote is counted.

Your vote is significant.

Your vote helps to determine who will lead.

Not only your local government, your county government, your state government and more importantly, our national goal.

>> A former Kentucky lawmaker has pleaded guilty to a domestic violence charge.

Police arrested Robert Goforth and April of Twenty-twenty accusing him of trying to strangle his wife with a cord, making it hard for her to breathe.

The Courier Journal reports he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree domestic violence last week with a sentence of 59 days.

The strangulation charge was dismissed.

Goforth who owns a pharmacy in Clay County pleaded guilty in May to charges of health care fraud and money laundering.

He faces sentencing for that in September and could get 2 to 3 years in jail.

Goforth was a Republican state representative from Eastbourne stat.

He was elected in 2018 and ran for governor in 2019.

He resigned from the Kentucky General Assembly last year.

Here's a quiz for you.

Name the elected official in Kentucky that can earn $2 for putting down a dis tempered meal are burning a horse or make $0.50 for hauling away road kill the answer.

It's a constable position established in the state's constitution of 18, 50.

There are more than 500 of them across the state.

They have the power to make traffic stops and arrests.

Suspects but have not been required to have formal police training until a law this year that the Kentucky Constable Association is suing to block from taking effect.

We talked to an attorney representing them last week.

What you'll hear in just a minute.

But tonight I talked to the House Republican who muscled the mandated training requirements to the Legislature to become law.

Our lender, Republican Adam Kane, it join me.

Okay.

East.

He state Capitol annex operations to discuss his measure.

>> All the bill did was say for future constable's after this election, not the current ones, not the current one grandma heard.

And I think that's terrible policy.

But it's what I had to do to get it passed.

Future constables.

Alas, there pop certified.

They wouldn't be able exercise peace officer powers.

They can still do what a lot of them do across the state direct traffic served papers >> whatever other sort of public service they provide.

They just can't take away your liberty without being trained to do so so they could arrest you could arrest.

You couldn't give you a ticket pull you over at blue >> And so why is that such a big deal?

>> Well, let's say you're on the road and you get pulled over.

>> By someone they burn their lights, sapp and probably everybody at some point.

You expect that person to be trained to expect that person to treat you with respect.

>> You expect that person to?

>> No the law.

And for these constables, they don't have the training.

They don't necessarily know the law and citizens don't know the a lot of them, you know, have there in by their uniforms, have cars have blue light.

You expect these people to have a certain level of training.

>> One of the attorneys for the Constables Association says that the training requirements are generous and hard to accomplish or comply with that.

The classes often fell off that they're expensive.

You given any thought to that?

Absolutely.

You know what?

>> They should be arduous.

They should be difficult >> there is specific entry requirements >> both from a perspective of you have to have a high school diploma.

You have to be able to read and write have to be able to pass certain level tests and physical requirements.

You have to be able to use certain amount of push-ups and sit-ups and be able to run to get in.

And then those requirements go up on the way out.

You have to be able to pass a test on the way out either.

We want well trained physically and mentally capable peace officers or we don't.

And I think we do and I can't find anyone.

Even those who support or who are guests by build support of the constables who think we should weekend that training for our everyday police officers.

>> So is this part of an altamonte goal to get rid of constables, which is what opponents would claim.

It's not for me.

>> Now I filed that Bill.

I would get rid of constables if it were up to me.

it's not up to me.

I swore you know, this would be the last Constable Bill.

I would file and run.

And I'm you know, I'm a man of my word.

>> And 2012 and I believe it was in the spring that then public secretary of the then secretary of the justice and public safety Cabinet under Steve Beshear, Governor Steve Beshear was Jay Michael Brown, who's also worked.

Current Governor Andy Beshear.

But he had commissioned organized a task force are working group to look at whether or not there was a need for a constable in modern society, Woodlawn for an enforcement functions and the letter that the commissioner of the Department of Criminal Justice Training submitted to Jay Michael Brown back in 2012 said in the second paragraph after asking that question said the answer is no.

And there was a case made for it.

So you've seen that letter.

You're you know very well.

This whole situation when you go back.

I mean, we've been talking about this for a long time.

>> I've been running those on this topic.

This was my 13th year.

>> And yeah, it I think in that report and said that one quarter of one percent of all law enforcement activity in the state was done by constables >> and, you know, if you're one of that was 20 that was 10 years ago.

If you're one quarter of one percent and you knew that that person had no training that would that would be a problem that doesn't mean that they all turned into convictions or or or properly done.

I I mean, anecdotal story after and bill's story of traffic tickets being thrown out because they weren't done properly.

That, you know, they weren't legitimate for whatever reason >> it's it.

>> The state's going to get a hold together without hospital is being able to do a peace officer type.

>> Activities.

Well, and maybe not.

Every constable wants to have peace offer pout pop peace officer powers.

>> My favorite constables are the ones that run for office and say I'm not going to do anything.

>> Last Friday we heard from the other side in this debate and a White says the attorney for the Kentucky Constables Association.

She says the association is suing because the new requirements are not practical for constables and are nothing but a way to eliminate constables altogether.

>> A peace officer training is very for all.

It takes 3 months of football times frightening and it costs $15,000 and it is training for young police and sheriffs cadets.

It's very physical.

It.

It's for those who are getting into law enforcement as they parade.

They want.

In contrast, many of our constables work full-time and other jobs and are just constables part time as it paid off.

And a lot of our constables are retired law enforcement or retired military who still want to remain involved in the safety of their communities, but probably couldn't take 3 months off to engage in highly physical law enforcement crime.

>> White also says training sessions have limited space, she says with the new law only the wealthy who don't have to work would have the means to service constables in recent years.

There have been reports of constables abusing their powers.

Kentuckians are speaking out about medical marijuana right now in Frankfurt, a town hall is underway at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

This is one of several meetings allowing people to share their views on legalizing medical marijuana with the medical cannabis Advisory Committee.

The next meeting is July 25th next Monday at Hopkinsville Community College.

More on today's meeting tomorrow night on Kentucky edition.

The state wants your help naming the Kentucky State Police Bulldog State police use a bulldog image at promotional events and decided to make it an official mascot.

There are 10 options and people can vote between now and Thursday.

Vote by going to the state police, Facebook or Twitter pages and cast your vote.

♪ A federal court in Tennessee says Kentucky and 18 other states do not have to allow transgender girls to compete on female sports teams.

The federal government was trying to enforce an interpretation of 2 laws, including title 9, allowing that competition, Kentucky and the 18 other states.

Many in the South sued Kentucky passed a law during the Kentucky some assembly session that just passed blocking transgender girls and women middle school through college from plying female sports Governor Andy Beshear vetoed it.

But the General Assembly overrode the veto.

It's been 50 years since the creation of title 9.

The law banning sex based discrimination in any education program that receives federal funds.

It forced the creation of many sports programs for women allowing millions of women and girls, sports opportunities.

They would never saved otherwise.

Last night on Kentucky tonight for women involved in Sports journalism talked about their experiences.

>> I was at Michigan State at the same time as Magic Johnson.

And so I saw in really stark relief.

What the differences between what was happening with the men's basketball team in the women's basketball team.

yeah, and so my activism started already in the 70's when several of us on the basketball team file an action against Michigan State about title 9 violations.

I've tried great gender barriers.

All I could they would let me play Little Lake.

So I had to be pitching.

was the first girl to play in the Turman Pritchard Elementary School because I was taller than boys.

>> You know, with the rural districts.

Some of them I'm kind of came in kicking and screaming to And we played basketball and track uniforms.

We are first year I freshman played on.

I was on the track team High school track team in the 6th grade of had to practice a lot with the moist.

you know, going to state and doing all that too on the tracks.

And so I saw on both sports, they inequality so interesting.

I knew almost nothing about title mine.

When I started my sports writing career.

>> I knew my mom was an softball player in that she played in a bunch of she played with baseball players and softball players and that she didn't really have those opportunities.

Might my grandmothers were very interesting athletics and didn't have those opportunities.

And I always did.

And it never occurred to me if that young age that it was a big deal.

But I got to create a class that UK called issues in 21st Century Sports journalism where we talk about all the things that I wish I'd known more about.

When I started my sports writing career in title 9 is a huge component of that.

I'm not sure that I have ever known any different.

Then me being able to do whatever it is that I wanted to do.

And I think that's absolutely.

>> Built what women before me were able to do a play Campbellsville University play basketball down there for a Hall of Fame coach too started women's basketball with nothing at Campbellsville.

When I stopped play basketball at Campbellsville, it was exactly what the men were doing.

We had everything that they had every opportunity that they had.

So I think from that perspective of me as an athlete, I really don't know any different.

And I think I stand on the shoulders of all the women who came before me as a result of that.

>> You can see more of that conversation about title 9 by streaming Kentucky.

Tonight on demand at K E T Dot Org.

Slash K why tonight?

One other sports note, Louisville's efforts to land an NBA team appear to have stalled.

The Courier Journal quotes Kentucky basketball legend and a soul who says the effort is now treading water.

So as one of the people leading the effort to bring part pro basketball to Louisville, the newspaper says that reduced to talk of NBA expansion and it seems less likely that the Portland Trail Blazers will move to Louisville.

Life on the road can be lonely.

But one Hardin County trucker noticed he wasn't alone during his travels.

He would often see the homeless near truck stops are along the side of the road.

You said it was one encounter and some divine intervention that steered him toward his mission in life.

>> It all started with to have caused the bottle of water, inspiration of God.

I was coming back from California on ship.

I got off in Tucumcari New Mexico.

It was a guy on the ramp to head a sign that said, I know I'm dirty.

I'm not homeless, but I'm so hungry.

If it wasn't just someone passing by to give him something to eat, he was going to need.

So I got him.

The 2 hot dogs and water.

I could think about all the way to Amarillo that night.

The pairing truckers for the homeless over and over my head.

I kind of chuckle as I know, God, you want me to start a charity.

I got say that the jail cell in 2003 released from jail in 2004 with drugs and the things that I've done, I've been homeless.

You know, I let my wife because I was a drug addict and I was only one of my family didn't realize I had a drug problem.

I think God uses each and every one of us in a way to things.

We went through to show that there's a way to come through it.

After I got to say, I wanted to help people because people see homeless people and they shot on them or they want to be bothered with them anymore.

But they're everywhere.

They're not going away.

In June of 2012, it started out with a little small bags from Dollar general.

And we put a bottled water, non-perishable, food items and personal hygiene items.

Toothbrush toothpaste, hand sanitizer.

Things like that.

Always put a Bible road.

Jesus loves you on the bag and started handing them out and people ran into on the road.

My wife ran with the idea of give them a bag that way future to carry.

That can reuse the bag.

She wanted to put blankets and scarves and gloves and pocket warmers around Christmas time.

My wife always say don't bring about home.

There's enough almost out there.

There's no reason to bring it back home.

We didn't really give things out in city areas, mainly for people that are in the middle of nowhere.

I would hand them out from here to California that would stop in different towns.

My wife got sick 2 years ago in September of 2020.

I come off the road for 25 years to take care.

She what you saw here just because I come off the road got said that doesn't mean the ministry stops.

So that offer has been more local outreach is just because the structures for the homeless doesn't mean you have to be a trucker to help.

The homeless can carry a bag in her car anyway.

They think that will help us grow.

I don't got to God's vision us along for the ride.

>> Open the door.

>> I'm Doug Flynn, host of Kentucky Life.

And here's one of the stories we brought you this season.

>> We decided to.

Continue that trend.

Your club's tradition of inviting guests to the exhibit.

>> And being on the north side of the loud House made us think we want to try diverse file that were mostly older, for the most And so we reached out to the community inspired Solutions group.

>> Community inspired Solutions nonprofit organization that works with young people in the community here in Lexington to try to provide them with some opportunities they may not ever have otherwise have a chance to be involved in.

With that out.

>> Somebody for people like me to pass the torch to.

How does this flame of me that came before me?

Carry on.

How does an indoor any other way than to pass it through organizations to kids.

They come up through these programs designed to.

Help them build something.

That and that was enough within then.

There's so many times that things that.

>> We're right in front of me that I didn't see.

But they saw it.

They took pictures of it.

>> And I'd be like, wow, where was this?

I know where they took it too.

What they see isn't always what we see.

And if you give them a camera and turned him loose with it, then you get to see a view of the world through their eyes.

Was asked that your rate.

This what can do is show would the Lexington Camera club and it was an honor.

>> To be asked because what it allowed me to do was too use whatever first it was the persuasion, not.

>> To to help roping.

>> These young brown specifically don't brown kids who had aspirations of being a photographer.

>> These kids have grown up in the city.

So if you get them out in nature, get them outside to wear.

They can truly to explore.

Its use.

They're really April.

To show you.

The vision.

We'll see you there.

It gives them a sense of >> pride and belonging in place and citizenship.

Notion.

A space like this where they might have come to this park.

What drove by this castle?

You know, 1000 times, 100 times in their lifetimes.

I never imagined that they will be having that work exhibit and a place like this and giving off.

>> One of my favorite photographs is probably the butterfly house.

A lot files because it has a nice overview of the boat fire house and it is Sunday.

Sunshine is on the team.

>> It's looks very nice.

I'm proud to be in the mix of it because like in these seem like a whole lot because I think is just too late.

Go take.

Patients are.

Be able to like go.

Exposed to.

>> I should take pictures of nature it keeps me calm.

>> How do we make that the seeds of these things that we build last and pass it on through through the next generation is what happens ♪ >> you can see more great stories like that on Kentucky life on each Saturday at 08:00PM and on Kentucky edition at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central each week night.

And I hope we see you again tomorrow night.

Until then.

Take really good care.

Tonight.

♪ ♪