[♪♪] THIS BUDGET WILL HURT RURAL AMERICANS EVERYWHERE BUT IT PUNISHES MY PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY THE MOST.

>> OUR PRIORITY IS TO STRENGTHS EN AND SECURE AND SUSTAIN MEDICAID.

>> Renee: THE DEBATE OVER WHO IS HELPED AND WHO IS HURT BY THE PRESIDENT'S SPENDING BILL.

>> BATTERIES AND TIRES ARE THE BIGGEST REASONS PEOPLE END UP HAVING TO CALL AAA ROADSIDE BECAUSE THEY ARE STRANDED.

>> Renee: BEFORE YOU HIT THE ROAD A REFRESHER COURSE ON SUMMER DRIVING.

[♪♪] >> AND IT'S NOT EXACTLY A FIDDLE.

>> A DIFFERENT KIND OF STRING INSTRUMENT IS MAKING MUSIC IN KENTUCKY.

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

[♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO KENTUCKY EDITION FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY SECOND.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

ED IN WASHINGTON D.C. REPUBLICAN LEADERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE HOPE FOR A VOTE TODAY ON PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S RECONCILIATION PLAN THE SO-CALLED BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.

THE U.S. SENATE PASSED IT YESTERDAY.

MITCH McCONNELL VOTED YES, RAND PAUL OF KENTUCKY WAS ONE OF THREE REPUBLICAN U.S.

SENATORS WHO VOTED NO.

BUT IT'S DIFFERENT FROM THE VERSION THAT THE HOUSE PASSED BY ONE VOTE WEEKS AGO.

SO THE HOUSE NOW HAS TO TRY TO PASS THE SENATE VERSION.

MUCH OF THE DEBATE FOCUSES ON MEDICAID CUTS.

HERE ARE TWO OF KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSMEN ON DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES WHAT THIS BILL WILL DO.

>> OUR PRIORITY IS TO STRENGTHS EN AND SUSTAIN MEDICAID FOR MOTHERS, CHILDREN, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND ELDERLY.

OUR LEGISLATION CUTS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE BY BEGINNING TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES ENSURING STATES HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO REMOVE BENEFICIARIES ENROLLED IN MULTIPLE STATES.

HR1 ENDS COVERAGE FOR DECEASED ENROLLEES AND ENSURES INDIVIDUALS WITH MILLION DOLLAR HOMES ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID COVERAGE.

THESE ARE COMMON SENSE POLICIES THAT WILL RETURN TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO MIDDLE CLASS AND FAMILIES.

THE CORE INTENT OF THE MEDICAID PROGRAM WHICH WAS CREATED TO PROTECT HEALTHCARE FOR AMERICANS WHO OTHERWISE COULD NOT SUPPORT THEMSELVES.

DEMOCRATS EXPANDED THE PROGRAM FAR BEYOND THIS CORE MISSION ALLOWING SPENDING TO GROW AND TOOK TRILLIONS IF NOT ADDRESSED.

OUR WORK REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES FOR ABLE-BODIED ADULTS WHO CHOOSE NOT TO WORK ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS TO REENTER THE WORKFORCE AND GAIN INDEPENDENCE.

>> IT'S WRONG, IT'S CRUEL AND IT IS A CHASE.

REPUBLICANS WROTE IT THIS WAY.

I'M OFFERING THREE AMENDMENTS.

ONE, TO PROTECT RURAL HOSPITALS.

TWO, TO KEEP OUR VETERANS FROM GOING HUNGRY AND TO ENSURE OUR HEALTHCARE COSTS DON'T GO UP.

THIS BUDGET WILL HURT RURAL AMERICANS EVERYWHERE.

BUT IT PUNISHES THE PEOPLE IF MY STATE OF KENTUCKY THE MOST.

IF THIS BILL PASSES, OVER 133,000 RURAL KENTUCKIANS WILL LOSE THEIR HEALTHCARE.

MORE THAN ANY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

35 RURAL HOSPITALS WILL CLOSE.

MORE THAN ANY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

KENTUCKY WILL LOSE $10 BILLION IN RURAL MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS MORE THAN ANY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

ALL WHILE LOSING OVER 20,000 HEALTHCARE JOBS.

AND IT'S EASY TO PICTURE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG YOU KNOW THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN YOUR PARENT HAS A HEART ATTACK.

WHEN YOUR KID IS IN AN ACCIDENT, WHEN YOUR WIFE DEPOSE INTO PREMATURE LABOR.

WHEN MINUTES MATTER WHEN DRIVING AN EXTRA 30 MINUTES IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

IT ISN'T JUST PEOPLE ON MEDICAID.

THESE CUTS HURT ALL OF US.

THEY MEAN LONGER WAITS AND HIGHER PRICES FOR EVERYONE.

THEY ARE CRUEL AND THEY ARE WRONG.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR ECHOED CONGRESSMAN MCGARVEY'S SENTIMENTS, AFTER SENATE PASSAGE OF THE TAX AND BUDGET BILL.

"WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE 'BIG, UGLY BILL,' THE U.S. SENATE SAID IT WAS OKAY TO FIRE 20,000 KENTUCKY HEALTH-CARE WORKERS, CLOSE 35 RURAL HOSPITALS IN OUR STATE AND THROW OVER 200,000 OF OUR PEOPLE OFF INSURANCE."

WE'LL DISCUSS MEDICAID AND HOW CHANGES TO IT COULD AFFECT KENTUCKY NEXT MONDAY ON 'KENTUCKY TONIGHT.'

JOIN US FOR THAT AND SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS MONDAY AT EIGHT EASTERN, SEVEN CENTRAL HERE ON KET.

>>> THE 2024 ELECTION WAS FREE, FAIR, AND SECURE ACCORDING TO KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN.

COLEMAN SAYS HIS OFFICE HAS JUST FINISHED 12 INQUIRIES IN 12 COUNTIES, SELECTED AT RANDOM AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

ACCORDING TO COLEMAN, DETECTIVES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS FOUND NO CREDIBLE VIOLATIONS OF ELECTION LAW.

KENTUCKY HAS AN ELECTION FRAUD HOTLINE THAT OPERATES ALL YEAR WITH EXTRA STAFFING AROUND ELECTION TIME.

>>> THE STATE SAYS KENTUCKY WAS SAFER IN 2024 THAN 2023.

NEW NUMBERS SHOW AN EIGHT-PERCENT DROP IN VIOLENT CRIME LAST YEAR.

THE 2024 "CRIME IN KENTUCKY" REPORT SHOWS DECLINES IN 17 OF 23 CATEGORIES, INCLUDING HOMICIDES, SEX OFFENSES, AND DRUG-RELATED CRIMES.

THE STATE HAS ALREADY REPORTED AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T RETURN TO PRISON AFTER BEING RELEASED AFTER SERVING THEIR TIME.

IN FEBRUARY, THE STATE SAID 70 PERCENT OF RELEASED PRISONERS HAD NOT RETURNED.

>>> A NEW REPORT IDENTIFIES SEVERAL INEFFICIENCIES AND GAPS IN THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THE REPORT IS PART OF A SPECIAL EXAMINATION BY STATE AUDITOR ALLISON BALL, WHICH THE STATE LEGISLATURE REQUIRED AS PART OF A BILL PASSED DURING THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IN A PRESS RELEASE, AUDITOR BALL SAYS NOTABLE FINDINGS INCLUDE KDE ALLOWING 250 MILLION DOLLARS IN SEEK FUNDING TO LAPSE, THE DISTRICT'S DEI EFFORTS HAVING "NO NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE IN STUDENT OUTCOMES," A FUNDING MECHANISM FOR PRE-SCHOOLS THAT VIOLATES THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, AND FAILING TO MITIGATE THE RISK OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ABUSE OF STUDENT-ATHLETES.

IN RESPONSE, KENTUCKY'S EDUCATION COMMISSIONER WAS QUICK TO POINT OUT THE REPORT ALSO SAYS THE OVERALL CULTURE AT KDE IS POSITIVE AND MORALE IS HIGH.

COMMISSIONER FLETCHER NOTED HIS DEPARTMENT "WELCOMES THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGES."

LAWMAKERS WERE QUICK TO REACT TO THE REPORT.

TOGETHER, HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT LEWIS SAID, "FAR TOO MANY STUDENTS FALL SHORT OF THEIR ACADEMIC POTENTIAL BECAUSE OF FAILED PROGRAMS, BROKEN SYSTEMS, AND ANTIQUATED PROCESSES THAT NO LONGER SERVE TODAY'S NEEDS."

THEY WENT ON TO SAY THE REPORT "PROVIDES AN INVALUABLE ROAD MAP FOR IMPROVEMENTS."

SPEAKING OF EDUCATION, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PUTTING NEARLY 7 BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR K THROUGH 12 SCHOOLS ON HOLD.

THAT INCLUDES MORE THAN 87 MILLION DOLLARS FOR KENTUCKY.

ACCORDING TO THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE MONEY WAS EARMARKED FOR A NUMBER OF GRANTS FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, RECRUITING, HIRING, AND RETAINING TEACHERS, AND PROVIDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION.

STATES WERE ANTICIPATING THE MONEY WOULD BE RELEASED YESTERDAY, ON JULY FIRST, WHICH IS WHEN THE FUNDS ARE USUALLY SENT SO DISTRICTS CAN START PLANNING FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

THE FEDERAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT GAVE NO TIMELINE FOR WHEN THE REVIEW PROCESS WOULD BE COMPLETE, ADDING THEY ARE WORKING TO ENSURE "TAXPAYER RESOURCES ARE SPENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRESIDENT'S PRIORITIES."

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS SAID HE WANTS TO ELIMINATE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ENTIRELY.

>> TIME TO CHECK IN WITH RYLAND BARTON WITH NPR.

GOOD TO SEE YOU RYLAND.

>> HI, RENEE.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL AND HOW IT'S PLAYING WITH ONE OF THE LARGEST HOSPITAL ASSOCIATIONS OR THE ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF LARGE AND SMALL HOSPITALS THE KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, HAD.IN FAVOR OF THE HOUSE VERSION OF THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, THE PRESIDENT'S TAX CUT AND SPENDING PLAN.

BUT WHEN IT REACHED THE SENATE AND THERE WERE CUTS MADE TO MEDICAID THEY HAVE CALLED THAT QUOTE DEVASTATING TO RURAL HOSPITALS THAT COULD LEAD TO SOME SUBSTANTIAL CUTS IN SERVICES AND PERHAPS LAYOFFS.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS.

>> AND BOTH VERSIONS ARE GOING TO CUT MEDICAID THIS VERGE THE WAY THE SENATE VERSION IS PROPOSED THAT THE KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION DISAGREED WITH.

THEY BELIEVE THIS WILL LEAD TO A CUT OF 20,000 JOBS IN KENTUCKY IN HOSPITAL AND HEALTHCARE JOBS.

THAT INITIAL STATEMENT WAS UNUSUAL BECAUSE MOST OTHER STATE AND NATIONAL HOSPITAL ASSOCIATIONS HAVE OPPOSED BOTH VERSIONS OF THE BILL AND THIS INTERVIEW WITH KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO A REPRESENTATIVE SAID THESE SENATE CHANGES TO THE BILL WILL DEVASTATE HEALTHCARE IN THE STATE.

HE CALL TO DO A DOUBLE BLOW BECAUSE NOT ONLY WOULD IT DAMAGE HEALTHCARE FOR PEOPLE AND THE ECONOMY.

THERE HAVE BEEN WORRIES HOW THIS WOULD AFFECT THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY IN RURAL PLACES ESPECIALLY THAT ARE VERY NOT ONLY HEALTHCARE BUT MEDICAID.

AND IN KENTUCKY THEY ARE THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN RURAL COMMUNITIES FOR THE SECOND LARGEST COMPARED TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND THESE ARE JOBS FOR DOCTORS, THERAPISTS AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.

THEY WERE HIGHLIGHTING CHANGES THE PROBLEM THEY SAID IS IT CHANGES TO HOW THE HOSPITAL RATE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WORKS WHICH IS THE REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FROM MEDICAID TO HOSPITALS, IT WOULD LEAVE THESE HOSPITALS OUT OF WHACK WITHOUT MEDICAID ANYTHING THAT WAS -- SERVICES THAT ARE PAID FOR UNDER MEDICAID WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED WITH A RATE COMPETITIVE TO OTHER HOSPITALS GETTING THE COMMERCIAL RATE OR OTHER PATIENTS UNDER COMMERCIAL INSURES.

SO THAT PROGRAM WAS APPROVED BY THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE IN 2019 ALSO APROVED BY THE FIRST REPUBLICAN TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

SO IT'S A PROGRAM THAT HAS GONE THROUGH BOTH PARTIES AND BEEN APPROVED.

IF THIS BILL GOES FORWARD THAT WILL BE DONE AWAY WITH.

KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION IS JOINING IN WITH THE OTHER HOSPITAL ASSOCIATIONS IN OPPOSING THOSE PARTS OF THE BILL.

>> Renee: AND WE KNOW THAT THE FEDERAL DELEGATION ON KENTUCKY'S BEHALF IN WASHINGTON IS ALSO SPLIT ON THIS WITH SENATORS RAND PAUL AND REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS MASSIE HOLDING FIRM IN THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL AS THEY SEE IT AS BEING A DEBT BLOATER.

REPRESENTATIVE MASSIE DESCRIBED THE BILL AS A FISCAL SUICIDE PACT BETWEEN THE REPUBLICANS AND CONGRESS.

THIS COULD COME AT A HEFTY POLITICAL PRICE BUT HE HAS A LEADER IN HIS CORNER, WHO IS THAT?

>> ELON MUSK.

AND THAT'S ELON MUSK HAS GOTTEN INVOLVED IN SOME OF THE LOCAL RACES BEFORE.

THE BIG ONE WE SAW THIS YEAR WAS THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT WHERE HE PUT ABOUT $20 MILLION INTO A ELECTION IN ONE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT SEAT THAT HE AND REPUBLICANS THOUGHT WAS ESSENTIAL TO BOOSTING THEIR PRESENCE IN WISCONSIN.

BUT HE ENDED UP LOSING THAT.

ELON MUSK IS DIAGNOSE TO BE SUPPORTING THOMAS MASSIE IN THE FIGHT BETWEEN HIM AND DONALD TRUMP.

AND TRUMP LAST WEEK, HE LAUNCHED AND ALLIES LAUNCHED THIS PACT AGAINST THOMAS MASSIE REELECTION TRYING TO ENCOURAGE SOMEBODY TO RUN AGAINST HIM.

THEY PUT A $1 MILLION AD CRITICIZING HIS VOTES AGAINST THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL AND MASSIE WAS CRITICAL OF TRUMP'S BOMBING OF IRAN LAST MONTH.

AND HE SAID IT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

SO THIS ISN'T THE FIRST FIGHT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS GOTTEN INTO WITH MASSIE.

AND HE DID THIS BACK TO THE CORNER PANDEMIC AND MASSIE POSTING POLICIES AND POSTED MIKE JOHNSON.

AND HIS ELECTION TO THE SPEAKERSHIP AND OTHER REPUBLICAN PRIORITIES AND ALSO TRUMP'S PRIORITIES.

SO WE WILL SEE HOW THIS SHAKES OUT.

THERE IS NOT A CANDIDATE YET TO RUN AGAINST MASSIE.

REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR AARON REED HAS BEEN THROWN AROUND AS SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT BE PICKED FOR THAT.

BUT AT THIS POINT MACY'S NATIONAL PROFILE HAS GROWN IT IS A HUGE THING FOR ANY MEMBER OF CONGRESS OR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO GET TO THE LEVEL WHERE HE HAS THESE HEADLINES BECAUSE HE IS STICKING HIS NECK OUT OVER SOME OF THESE ISSUES WITH THE PRESIDENT.

AND HE IS GROWING INCREASINGLY POPULAR IN HIS DISTRICT.

WE'LL SEE IF HE IS ABLE TO BE TOPPLED.

[INAUDIBLE] IF THIS IS ALL STILL GOING ON.

>> Renee: THAT'S RIGHT.

WE KNOW THAT THOMAS MASSIE REPORTED IMPRESSIVE FUNDRAISING NUMBERS AFTER HISTIVE WITH THE -- HIS ACTIVE WITH THE PRESIDENT.

WE'LL SEE IF AARON REED WHO IS A FIRST TERM STATE SENATOR, IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE AT THE WHITE HOUSE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WE'LL SEE WHAT COMES OF THAT.

IN OUR TIME REMAINING LET'S TALK ABOUT THE I.C.E.

RAIDS, IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT RAMPED UP AND THERE ARE TWICE AS MANY KENTUCKY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THIS EFFORT THAN THERE WERE AT THE END OF MARCH.

TELL US MORE?

>> THE HERALD-LEADER HAD THIS STORY ABOUT THESE 287G AGREEMENTS WHICH IS WHAT GIVES LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT THE POWER TO ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAW NORMALLY, A POWER RESERVED FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THERE WERE FIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND SHERIFF'S OFFICES AND JAILS THAT ARE LOCAL AGENCIES.

THAT HAD SIGNED UP FOR THIS.

AND NOW THERE'S AT LEAST SIX MORE THE LARGEST IS KENTON COUNTY.

MORE COUNTIES AGREED TO HOUSE I.C.E.

INMATES OVER THE YEARS.

PART OF THE DEAL, BESIDES POLITICS, IS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAYS A LOT MORE TO HOUSE FEDERAL INMATES THAN THESE JAILS GET TO HOUSE LOCAL INMATES.

IT IS NEARLY TWICE THE RATE THAT THEY PAY TO HOUSED STATE INMATES.

AND ADVOCATES ARE WORRIED THAT THAT REALLY THE MORE LOCAL POLICE AND LOCAL JAILS THAT ARE USED MORE EXAMPLES WE WILL HEAR OF PEOPLE GETTING UNJUSTLY DETAINED.

HAD SOME STORIES OF THAT IN KENTUCKY.

AND STORIES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THERE IS A BOWLING GREEN TEENAGER WHO IS DETAINED BY I.C.E.

IN JUNE DESPITE HAVING LEGAL DOCUMENTATION SAYING HE WAS IN THE COUNTRY LEGALLY.

HE WAS ACTUALLY -- HIS CASE IS PENDING AND WE'RE WAITING TO SEE HOW THAT TURNPIKES OUT.

>> Renee: A LOT TO FOLLOW AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT FRONTS.

THANK YOU, RYLAND BARTON FOR BREAKING IT DOWN FOR US.

>> THANKS, RENEE.

[♪♪] >>> THE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY WEEKEND SEES ITS SHARE OF BARBEQUES, FIREWORKS, AND EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOUND THAT JULY 4TH AND 5TH IS THE BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR FOR EMERGENCY ROOMS.

HEAR FROM A PAIR OF KENTUCKY EMERGENCY MEDICINE DOCTORS ON WAYS YOU CAN AVOID SEEING THEM THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

>> YOU KNOW FAMILIES WORK HARD ALL YEAR-ROUND TO KEEP THEIR KIDS SAFE.

I WOULDN'T TAKE A DAY OFF ON JULY 4TH.

I WOULD THINK ABOUT WHAT ARE THE RISKS HERE AND HOW CAN I MITIGATE THOSE RISKS.

MAYBE YOU ARE GOING TO GO TO PROFESSIONAL FIREWORKS AND ENJOY THEM.

MAYBE YOU ARE GOING TO GET YOUR KIDS GLOW STICKS AND FLASHLIGHTS AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE HEAT FROM A DIFFERENT TYPE OF FIREWORK OR SPARKLER.

IT IS A BUSY WEEK IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

>> THE MOST COMMON INJURY WE'LL SEE IS FIREWORK RELATED INJURIES WHICH COULD COME IN TWO FORMS: THE FIRST WOULD BE BURN RELATED INJURIES.

AND THEN I WOULD SAY THE MORE VIOLENT ONE IS THE MECHANICAL FROM THE EXPLOSIONS AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE THOSE TO THE HAND, FACE AND THE EYE.

AND THAT'S GOING TO BE BOTH FROM THE EXPLOSION AND THE SHRAPNEL OR THE PIECES AND THE HEAT INJURY.

>> AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, THOUGH, WE SEE INJURIES AT ALL AGES.

IT'S HARD TO SAY THIS IS THE RIGHT AGE.

EVEN THINGS THAT ARE COMMON LIKE SPARKLERS THEY GET REALLY HOT AND.

AND A LOT OF PARENTS WONDER WHEN IS THIS OKAY.

AND I DIFFER TO THE LAWS WHEREVER YOU LIVE.

>> PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, PROTECTIVE GLOVES EYE WEAR IS A MUST IF YOU HAVE USAGE.

FIREWORK.

IF YOU ARE 200 YARDS AWAY WATCHING THE FIREWORK FROM A CHAIR THAT IS ONE THING.

IF YOU ARE IN THE VICINITY WHERE THE FIREWORK IS GOING OFF EYE WEAR IS NUMBER ONE.

AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING.

SO MAKING SURE THAT IF THERE IS SPARKS OR EMBERS FLYING MAKE SURE YOU ARE WEARING LONG PANTS, A LONG SLEEVED SHIRT, SOME TYPE OF JACKET OR FABRIC THAT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE FLAME RETARDANT AND FLUFFS.

YOU KNOW, DEFINITELY THE THICKER GLOVE YOU CAN WEAR.

IT'S EASY TO PUT BACK IN A FINGER DISLOCATED AND IT'S EASIER IF THEY HAD A GLOVE.

HOLDING THE FIREWORK IN THE HAND THIS IS THE BIG THING WE SEE THEY ARE HOLDING IT, THEY LIGHT IT AND IT DOESN'T GO OFF AND THEY KEEP HOLDING IT AND BOOM.

AND IT GOES OFF.

>> A LOT OF BLEEDING AND BURNS.

IT CAN BE VERY, VERY HARD.

AND VERY PREVENTIBLE THANK GOODNESS.

>> Renee: LET'S AVOID THAT FOR THOSE CELEBRATING BY THE POOL OR LAKE DESIGNATE A WATER WATCHER TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE SWIMMERS.

>>> MANY KENTUCKIANS WILL BE TRAVELING FOR THEIR FOURTH OF JULY VACATION.

LORI WEAVER HAWKINS OF AAA TELLS US WHAT TO EXPECT IN TERMS OF GAS PRICES AND HOW BEST TO PREPARE FOR A SUMMER ROADTRIP.

>> WE EXPECT OVER 821,000 KENTUCKIANS TO TRAVEL DURING THIS HOLIDAY PERIOD.

AND WE'RE EXPECTING THAT THE WIDE MAJORITY, ABOUT 90% OF THOSE, WILL BE TRAVELING BY CAR.

AS OF NOW, WE'RE AT 2.88 ON AVERAGE IN KENTUCKY AND THAT'S ACTUALLY ABOUT 40 CENTS LOWER THAN WHAT WE SAW A YEAR AGO.

NATIONALLY, THE SAME SIMILAR STORY, RIGHT ABOUT 3.17 AND THAT IS 30 CENTS LOWER THAN A YEAR AGO.

BE SURE BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR NAVIGATION SET.

ALSO YOUR CLIMATE CONTROLS, YOUR INFO TAN.

TAKE CARE OF THAT BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR DRIVEWAY.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO STOP AND GET A BITE TO EAT AVOID GOING THROUGH THE DRIVE-THRU AND GO INSIDE TAKE THOSE FEW MINUTES TO SIT DOWN.

THAT IS LESS DISTRACTING THAN TRYING TO JUGGLE YOUR LUNCHEON THE HIGHWAY AND IT CUTS BACK ON AT THAT TIME DRIVER FATIGUE THAT YOU MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING.

GO AHEAD AND MAKE THAT STOP.

BE SURE THAT YOU ADD ENOUGH WATER FOR EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE.

AND IF THAT INCLUDES A DOG, MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ENOUGH WATER AS WELL AND A BOWL.

CHECK THE TIRES.

LOOK FOR ADEQUATE TREAD AND YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT PRESSURE IN THEM.

IF YOU DON'T -- IF YOUR TIRES ARE A LITTLE BIT LOW IN PRESSURE, SOFTER THEY CAN HEAT UP EVEN MORE SO IN THE SUMMER HEAT.

AND WHEN THEY HEAT UP, THAT INCREASES YOUR CHANCE OF A BLOWOUT A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

BE SURE THAT YOUR BATTERY IS UP TO THE TASK.

WE TALK A LOT IN THE WINTERTIME ABOUT HOW BATTERIES REALLY HAVE TO STRAIN UNDER THE COLD TEMPERATURES.

BUT IN REALITY, SUMMER HEAT IS HARDER ON YOUR VEHICLE BATTERY THAN THAT WINTER'S COLD.

BATTERIES AND TIRES THOSE ARE THE BIGGEST REASONS THAT PEOPLE END UP HAVING TO CALL AAA ROADSIDE BECAUSE THEY ARE STRANDED.

SO THOSE ARE THE PLACES TO START WITH YOUR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND THEN GO FROM THERE.

>> Renee: THE MOST POPULAR TRAVEL DESTINATIONS ARE ARE ORLANDO, MIAMI, BOSTON AND NEW YORK.

SAFE TRAVELS, FOLKS.

[♪♪] FIDEL FIDDLES FIDELS ARE POPULAR IN KENTUCKY AND YOU WILL HEAR A DIFFERENT STRINGED INSTRUMENT.

HERE IS THE STORY FROM KET'S KENTUCKY LIFE.

>> THE INTERNATIONAL FOLK HARP SOCIETY DOES PROMOTE HARP PLAYERS OF ALL LEVELS AND ALL AGES TO PURSUE THIS INSTRUMENT NOT AS A CAREER INSTRUMENT, BUT AS SOMETHING FOR JOY.

[♪♪] >> I SAID, HEY IS THERE A KENTUCKY CHAPTER I SAW THERE WERE CHAPTERS FOR DIFFERENT STATES.

NO, WOULD YOU LIKE TO START ONE?

I WAS LIKE OH, BOY.

BUT I REACHED OUT TO A FEW PEOPLE AND I FOUND THERE WAS INTEREST I'VE BEEN TRYING TO REACH OUT TO ANY OF THE OTHER HARPISTS IN KENTUCKY.

AND MY MISSION IS TO MAKE HARPS MORE ATTAINABLE HERE IN KENTUCKY.

IN THE NOT SO DISTANT PAST, LIKE TO OBTAIN A HARP WAS A BIG LAYOUT OF MONEY RIGHT AWAY.

AND THAT LIMITED PEOPLE.

BUT THEY HAVE HAD BREAKTHROUGHS IN DESIGNING SOMETHING THAT IS LIGHTWEIGHT, BEAUTIFUL SOUND, AND AFFORDABLE.

[♪♪] WHAT I WOULD LIKE IS FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND DO WORKSHOPS AND HAVE PEOPLE PUT THEIR HANDS ON THE HARP.

BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE IT.

IF IT IS A ONE-TIME THING AND I'VE DONE THAT I PLAYED THE HARP WOULD MAKE ME HAPPY.

I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO TRY THIS MORE I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT PEOPLE I COULD TEACH THEM OR CONNECT THEM WITH TEACHERS CLOSER BY.

THE OTHER THICK WE'D LIKE TO DO IS HELP GET HARPS IN SCHOOLS, TO INTRODUCE THIS INSTRUMENT TO A NEW JEBRATION.

THAT GENERATION AND CAN SEE IT'S NOT SOMETHING FOR ANGELS ON CLOUDS TO BE PLAYING.

IT'S NOT JUST SOMETHING THAT IS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE THE MONEY AND THE RESOURCES AND BUT IT'S SOMETHING AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY.

[♪♪] >> WHEN I SAW THE HARP, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GREAT THERAPEUTIC INSTRUMENT.

SO I REALLY DEVOTED MYSELF TO LEARNING IT AND HAVE USE TO DO NOT ONLY IN MY MUSIC THERAPY WORK BUT HAVE EXTENDED IT TO HAVE AN ENSEMBLE AND TO HELP OTHERS LEARN TO PLAY IT AND ENJOY IT.

[♪♪] >> THE HARP IN GENERAL IS A VERY CALM INSTRUMENT THAT'S SOOTHING.

THAT IS WHY IT'S USED IN HARP THERAPY TO REACH PEOPLE TO CALM PEOPLE DOWN.

AND THE STORY ABOUT DAVID PLAYING THE HARP FOR SOLOMON IN THE BIBLE.

IT WAS NOT JUST HIM LISTENING TO MUSIC IT WAS THE SOUND OF THE HARP AND HIS ABILITY TO PLAY THE HARP FOR HIM BROUGHT ABOUT HEALING AND CHANGED HIS MOOD.

NOWADAYS WE HEAR ABOUT MUSIC THERAPY AND WE HAVE MORE SCIENTIFIC BACKING FOR FREQUENCIES AND WHAT THEY DO TO THE BODY AND HOW MUSIC CAN REALLY HEAL IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

[♪♪] >> AND I FOUND THE HARP TO BE A GREAT INSTRUMENT IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS, HOSPITALS, MY HARP ENSEMBLE AT ONE TIME WE PLAYED AS A GROUP IN THE HALLWAY IN A HOSPITAL WHERE I WAS WORKING AT THE TIME.

AND THE CHARGE NURSE SAID WE ADMINISTERED LESS PAIN MEDICATION DURING YOUR HOUR THAT YOU WERE HERE THAN WE NORMALLY DO DURING THAT HOUR.

[♪♪] >> Renee: GREAT STORY CHECK OUT MORE ON KENTUCKY LIFE WITH CHIP POLSTON SATURDAYS HERE ON KET.

>> A KENTUCKY PHARMACIST RELEASED AN APPALACHIAN COOKBOOK WITH A TWIST.

>> IT IS TRADITIONAL APPALACHIAN RECIPES THE FOODS I GREW UP EATING MY WHOLE LIFE ADAPTED INTO VEGAN FOODS.

>> Renee: HEAR MORE ABOUT THESE REIMAGINED TRADITIONAL DISHES TOMORROW NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" RIGHT IN TIME FOR DINNER.

WHICH IS 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION."

EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT, AND INSPIRE.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR KENTUCKY EDITION EMAIL NEWSLETTERS AND WATCH FULL EPISODES AND CLIPS AT KET.ORG.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND KENTUCKY EDITION ON THE PBS VIDEO APP ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE AND SMART TV.

SEND US A STORY IDEA AT PUBLICAFFAIRS@KET.ORG.

LOOK FOR US ON YOUR PBS APP.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

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