[♪♪] >> WE DO NOT WANT THE NATIONAL GUARD OCCUPYING THE STREETS OF LOUISVILLE.

>> Renee: DERBY CITY IS MAKING A CHANGE HOW ITS -- IT HANDLEDS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

>> MOMENTUM WILL BUILD.

>> Renee: WHAT ELSE CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE IS SAYING ABOUT THE EPSTEIN FILES AND WHAT PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS SAYING ABOUT MASSIE.

>> WE'RE JUST BATTLING ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT FRONTS AND IT MAY TAKE TIME TO GET RECTIFYIED >> WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO BE A FARMER IN KENTUCKY RIGHT NOW?

WE DISCUSS SOME OF THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES THEY FACE ON THE FARM.

AND WE HEAD TO A CENTER GIVING RACEHORSES SOMETHING TO DO AFTER THEY RETIRE.

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

[♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO KENTUCKY EDITION FOR TUESDAY, JULY 22ND.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

LOUISVILLE IS TAKING STEPS TO ENSURE IT'S NO LONGER CLASSIFIED AS A SANCTUARY CITY.

IN JUNE, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION INFORMED CITY LEADERS IT WAS VIOLATING FEDERAL LAW BY NOT HOLDING INMATES WHO LACK LEGAL STATUS IN CUSTODY FOR 48 HOURS.

MAYOR CRAIG GREENBERG SAID LOUISVILLE IS THE ONLY KENTUCKY CITY THAT DOESN'T FOLLOW THIS PRACTICE AND HE'S ORDERED METRO CORRECTIONS TO COMPLY.

DURING A NEWS CONFERENCE THIS MORNING, GREENBERG ADDED THE RISKS OF NOT COMPLYING ARE TOO HIGH.

>> FROM THE DATA I'VE REVIEWED WE'RE TALKING ABOUT UNDER 100 INMATES IN OUR JAIL EACH YEAR CHARGED WITH CRIMES AND AFFECTED BY DETAINERS.

WE HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANT FAMILIES IN LOUISVILLE.

WE DO NOT WANT TOW SEE HIGHLY COORDINATED AND OFTEN VIOLENT FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT ACTION HERE ESPECIALLY IN WORKPLACES, RESIDENTIAL AREAS, SCHOOLS, PLACES OF WORSHIP, PARKS AND OTHER AREAS WHERE LAW-ABIDING PEOPLE GATHER.

WE DO NOT WANT THE NATIONAL GUARD OCCUPYING THE STREETS OF LOUISVILLE.

I WILL NOT RISK THE SAFETY OF OUR BROADER IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY.

>> U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI CALLED THE DECISION A, QUOTE, "MAJOR VICTORY."

IN A STATEMENT, SHE ADDED, QUOTE, "THIS SHOULD SET AN EXAMPLE TO OTHER CITIES."

33 MONTHS IN PRISON.

THAT'S THE SENTENCE A FEDERAL JUDGE HANDED DOWN YESTERDAY TO FORMER LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT DETECTIVE BRETT HANKISON.

HANKISON FIRED TEN SHOTS DURING A RAID THAT KILLED BREONNA TAYLOR IN 2020.

HIS SHOTS DIDN'T HIT ANYONE.

STILL, HE WAS CONVICTED OF USING EXCESSIVE FORCE.

HANKISON IS THE FIRST PERSON SENTENCED TO PRISON IN THE CASE THAT SPARKED WEEKS OF PROTESTS AGAINST RACIAL INJUSTICE AND POLICING.

JUST LAST WEEK, THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED HANKISON BE SENTENCED TO JUST ONE DAY IN PRISON.

THE JUDGE IN THIS CASE CALLED THAT RECOMMENDATION INAPPROPRIATE.

CONGRESSMAN MORGAN MCGARVEY, WHO REPRESENTS LOUISVILLE IN KENTUCKY'S 3RD DISTRICT, COMMENTED ON THE SENTENCING.

HE SAID IN PART, QUOTE, "THIS IS A MOMENT TO COMMIT TO HONORING BREONNA'S MEMORY BY FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGHOUT OUR CITY AND ENTIRE COUNTRY."

AS CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE OF KENTUCKY CONTINUES TO PUSH FOR THE RELEASE OF THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN FILES, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP CONTINUES HIS CRITICISM OF MASSIE.

MASSIE IS A REPUBLICAN FROM KENTUCKY'S FOURTH DISTRICT.

HE'S CO-SPONSORING A DISCHARGE PETITION TO FORCE A DIRECT FLOOR VOTE ON RELEASING THE EPSTEIN FILES WHILE BYPASSING ALL COMMITTEES.

THIS IS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RESPONSE.

QUOTE, "THOMAS MASSIE, THE WORST REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN, AND AN ALMOST GUARANTEED NO VOTE EACH AND EVERY TIME, IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO KENTUCKY.

HE'S LAZY, SLOW MOVING, AND TOTALLY DISINGENUOUS A REAL LOSER!

NEVER HAS ANYTHING POSITIVE TO ADD.

LOOKING FOR SOMEONE GOOD TO RUN AGAINST THIS GUY, SOMEONE I CAN ENDORSE AND VIGOROUSLY CAMPAIGN FOR!"

END QUOTE.

FORBES MAGAZINE CAUGHT UP WITH CONGRESSMAN MASSIE AT THE U.S. CAPITOL THIS MORNING.

MASSIE TALKED ABOUT HIS DISCHARGE PETITION AND WHETHER INTEREST IN THE EPSTEIN FILES WILL FADE DURING THE HOUSE'S AUGUST RECESS.

>> SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS OVER THE AUGUST RECESS, I THINK MOMENTUM WILL BUILD FOR TRANSPARENCY.

I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING TO GO AWAY.

AND WHEN WE RETURN IN SEPTEMBER WE'LL GET PHASE TWO OF THE EPSTEIN FILES BECAUSE WE'LL GET, I BELIEVE, EVERY DEMOCRAT AND AT LEAST A DOZEN REPUBLICANS WHO WANT TRANSPARENCY AND JUSTICE.

>> WHY IS THAT GOING TO THE GRAND JURY NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU?

>> THAT'S LIKE ONE OF 12 THINGS THAT WE NEED.

WITHIN OUR HOUSE RESOLUTION, WHICH CALLS UP THE BILL, WE ASK FOR A DOZEN DIFFERENT THINGS.

AND THAT TESTIMONY WOULD BE ONE THING.

BUT THAT'S NOT A LOT OF STUFF.

>> DO YOU HAVE -- DO YOU BELIEVE THERE'S ANY REASON WHY THE INFORMATION IS NOT COMING OUT?

>> I THINK IT'S EMBARRASSING TO THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY AND THE PRESIDENT'S FRIENDS.

I'M NOT PARTICULARLY IMPLICATING THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF.

I DON'T ALLEGE HIM ANY WRONGDOING.

BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO BE BROUGHT TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC'S KNOWLEDGE THAT HAVE HAPPENED THAT WILL BE EMBARRASSING.

>> SO FAR, A REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER HAS NOT EMERGED TO TAKE ON MASSIE IN THE 2026 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

MASSIE HAS SAID HE IS CONFIDENT HE WILL KEEP THE SEAT.

HOW IS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TARIFF POLICY AFFECTING KENTUCKY FARMERS?

AGRICULTURE IN KENTUCKY WAS THE TOPIC LAST NIGHT ON 'KENTUCKY TONIGHT' WITH GUEST HOST RYLAND BARTON OF NPR.

RYLAND ASKED TWO MEMBERS OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WHO BOTH SERVE ON AGRICULTURE COMMITTEES, ABOUT HOW FARMERS ARE DEALING WITH OFF AND ON TARIFFS.

>> ISSUE THAT IS CHANGING BY THE MINUTE SOMETIME IT'S ALMOST PREMATURE TO WEIGH-IN IT BECAUSE WHATEVER THE LAND SCAPE IS RIGHT NOW MIGHT BE DIFFERENT TOMORROW.

IT'S CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

I AM NOT AWARE OF ANYTIME A TRADE WAR HAS EVER BEEN POSITIVE FOR PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO HAVE WINNERS AND LOSERS CAN OPEN UP ADDITIONAL MARKETS.

PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS COULD REMOVE SOME OF THE BARRIERS FOR LIGHT GMO PRODUCTS THAT OUR PRODUCERS HAVE.

IT IS A CAUTIOUS OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO TAKE A WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH UNTIL WE HAVE DEFINITE TRADE ANNOUNCEMENTS TO MAKE.

>> AND REPRESENTATIVE, YOUR DISTRICT, CENTRAL KENTUCKY INCLUDES BOURBON AND HORSE INDUSTRY THINGS FOLKS HAVE BEEN SAYING THEY ARE WORRIED THE TARIFFS ARE GOING TO AFFECT THEM?

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST CONCERN FOR FOLKS IS THE UNCERTAINTY.

TARIFFS ARE ON, TARIFFS ARE OFF.

THIS PERCENTAGE AND NOW REDUCED, NOW BACK ON BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT HAD A DISAGREEMENT WITH SOMEBODY AND IT'S TRIPLED.

IT'S HARD FOR BUSINESS FOLKS AND FARMERS TO PLAN THEIR OPERATION WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO WHAT THEIR FUTURE LOOKS LIKE WHEN THERE'S UNCERTAINTY IN THE FUTURE OF THEIR ACTUAL BUSINESS.

WE THINK ABOUT TARIFFS AND THINK ABOUT THE PERCENTAGES BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOODS THEIR FARMS AND BUSINESSES PASSED DOWN FOR GENERATIONS AND WE'RE MESSING WITH THEIR PRODUCTIVITY AND WHAT THEY ARE ABLE TO PASS ON.

AND THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR LIVES.

THE UNCERTAINTY IS A DEEP CONCERN FOR MANY PEOPLE.

YOU LOOK AT THE TARIFFS YOU MENTIONED BOURBON WE'VE SEEN BROWN FOREMAN LAYOFF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE.

THE INCREASE IN EUROPE WITH THE RETALIATORY TARIFFS BACK BACK AND FORTH.

CANADA PULLING KENTUCKY BOURBON OFF SHELVES THIS IS A LOSE, LOSE, LOSE SITUATION AND WHAT WE NEED IS STABLE LEADERSHIP TO ACTUALLY STEP BACK AND THINK OKAY, HOW ARE THESE TARIFFS GOING TO AFFECT NOT ONLY THESE PEOPLE, BUT OUR ECONOMY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME IN KENTUCKY.

AND THAT CONVERSATION IS NOT BEING HAD.

[♪♪] >> ONE THING THAT CAN'T BE UNDERESTIMATED IN PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE THE ONLY CONSISTENCY IS INCONSISTENCY AND CHANGE AND PRODUCERS ARE ALWAYS HAVING TO DEAL WITH MARKET FACTORS, WHETHER IT'S THE WEATHER, MARKETS AND SOME OF THE BUYING REGIONS, AND THEY ARE AMAZINGLY ADAPTABLE TO CHANGE ESPECIALLY IN A SHORT-TERM STANDPOINT LIKE REPRESENTATIVE AULL MENTIONED.

BUT I THINK THAT OVER TIME, THEY WILL BE FINE.

SEE THE FULL, HOUR LONG DISCUSSION, WHICH TOUCHES ON HUNGER, HEALTH, HEMP, AND MANY OTHER FARM AND FOOD TOPICS, ONLINE, ON DEMAND, AT KET DOT ORG SLASH KY TONIGHT.

SO WHAT ARE FARMERS THINKING THESE DAYS?

ACCORDING TO THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, THERE ARE MORE THAN 69,400 FARMS IN KENTUCKY.

THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO RELY ON THE INDUSTRY FOR INCOME AS THE REST OF US RELY ON FARMERS FOR FOOD AND FIBER.

KET'S LAURA ROGERS SPENT TIME WITH TWO KENTUCKY FARMERS TO LEARN WHAT'S ON THEIR MINDS.

>> IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY.

>> MARK CHAPMAN WAS RAISED ON THIS FARM WHERE HE GROWS 2,000 ACRES OF CORN, SOYBEANS AND WHEAT.

>> WEATHER HAS BEEN LIKE NOTHING I CAN REMEMBER.

>> 2025 HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME THE WETTEST YEAR ON RECORD FOR KENTUCKY.

>> WE'VE HAD SEVERAL ACRES WE CAN'T GET PLANTED BECAUSE OF FLOODING AND WE HAD WIND DAMAGE A COUPLE WINDSTORMS WITH STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS ABOVE 90-MILES-PER-HOUR.

>> ANOTHER CONCERN, INFLATION AND RISING PRICES.

FARM MACHINERY ALREADY EXPENSIVE INVESTMENT.

>> I'M LOOKING AT MACHINES THEY ARE 50% MORE EXPENSIVE NOW THAN FIVE YEARS AGO.

>> IT FOLLOWS A DECADE OF PROFITABILITY THAT CHAPMAN SAYS MAY HELP SUSTAIN FARMERS THROUGH GROWING FINANCIAL PRESSURE.

>> FROM 2013 TO 2023 WAS PROBABLY MAYBE THE MOST PROFITABLE TIME PERIOD CERTAINLY IN MY LIFETIME AND MY DAD'S LIFETIME AND HE IS 87.

THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR, THINGS ARE PRETTY TIGHT.

>> CROP PRICES DROPPED DUE TO MORE SUPPLY AND LESS DEMAND MOST INPUTS STAYED THE SAME.

COUPLE THAT WITH GLOBAL INSTABILITY.

>> YOU HAVE UNSTABLE MARKETS.

>> AND IT WOULD BE HARD FOR YOUNG FARMERS STARTING OUT.

>> YOU HAVE TO COME INTO AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE IT'S COMPETITIVE OF COMPETITIVE IF YOU ARE TRYING TO RENT LAND CASH RENTS ARE ARE HIGH.

>> THE UNITED STATES LOST MUCH EXPORT MARKET TO SOUTH AMERICA ESPECIALLY IN SOYBEANS HE BELIEVES UPDATING POLICY AND THE PASSAGE OF A FARM BILL COULD HELP.

>> I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF HIGHLY PROACTIVE GOVERNMENT, I LIKE SUPPLY AND DEMAND AND LET THINGS WORK THEMSELVES OUT.

I DO WANT US TO BE IN A PLACE WE ARE NOT SHOOTING OURSELVES IN THE FOOT WHEN IT COMES TO MARKETING AND EXPORTING OUR PRODUCTS.

>> ON FARM HAS HAD THE FARM 1916H.

>> JEANNA SMITH'S GRANDFATHER WAS A DAIRY FARMER AND CAVE CITY.

>> FARM WORK IS INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING AND OFTENTIMES FRUSTRATING.

BUT IT'S VERY REWARDING WORK.

>> MAMMOTH VALLEY BEEF OPERATES AS A DIRECT TO CONSUMER MODEL.

>> THE CATTLE ARE BORN ON THE FARM.

PRIMARILY COW-CALF OPERATION.

>> SHE HAS 90 COW-CALF PAIRS AND IS COMMITTED TO ETHICAL PRACTICES.

>> WE HAVE A STACK PAD WHICH IS A FACILITY WITH A CONCRETE FLOOR THAT WE FEED THE CATTLE ON WE PUT HAY ON THE STACK PAD AND ABLE TO COLLECT THE MANURE AND WE HAVE THAT SPREAD BACK ON THE FIELDS AS FERTILIZER.

A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS TO THAT AS WELL.

>> SMITH SAYS GOOD PASTURE IS ESSENTIAL FOR HEALTHY CATTLE AND MORE ROTATIONAL GRAZING AND LESS DEPENDENCE ON CORN AND GRAIN FOR FEED.

>> WE SAW FERTILIZER GO UP WITH THE TARIFFS.

15-20% THAT IS PLAYING INTO THE PROFITS.

>> SHE IS WORRIED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF FARMERS SELLING OFF THEIR LAND.

>> ONCE THAT FARMLAND IS GONE AND IT BECOMES A PARKING LOT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET THAT BACK.

THAT FARMLAND IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO PROTECT BECAUSE ONCE IT'S GONE IT'S GONE.

>> SMITH SUPPORTS OTHER KENTUCKY GROWERS AND PRODUCERS BY SELLING PRODUCTS AT HER STORE.

>> YOU CAN GROW AND MAKE SO MANY THINGS.

I'VE LEARNED SO MANY THINGS ABOUT LOCAL AGRICULTURE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

LIKE OUR CHIA FARMER IS FROM SIMPSON COUNTY KENTUCKY AND OUR MAPLE SYRUP GUY IS ALLEN COUNTY.

WE NEED AG IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> HELPING THOSE COMMUNITIES BE HEALTHIER, STRONGER AND MORE ECONOMICALLY STABLE.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M LAURA ROGERS.

>> THE LAST TIME CONGRESS PASSED A FARM BILL WAS IN 2018.

A NEW ONE IS TYPICALLY PASSED EVERY FIVE YEARS, BUT THE CURRENT LEGISLATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR.

[♪♪] A NEW REPORT SAYS KENTUCKY IS SEEING A RISE IN THE NUMBER OF EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS RELATED TO CANNABIS.

MORE IN TODAY'S HEALTH NEWS.

THE REPORT IS FROM THE KENTUCKY INJURY PREVENTION AND RESEARCH CENTER.

IT SHOWS THE NUMBER OF CANNABIS RELATED POISONINGS IN KENTUCKIANS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 INCREASED BY 43 PERCENT FROM 2023 TO 2024.

THE SAME REPORT ALSO FOUND A STEEP INCREASE IN A CONDITION CALLED CANNABIS HYPEREMESIS SYNDROME, OR CHS.

THE CONDITION CAUSES SEVERE REPEATED VOMITING FOR LONG TERM CANNABIS USERS.

THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS BEING SEEN IN EMERGENCY ROOMS FOR THIS CONDITION HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE 2021.

THE REPORT NOTED MANY CANNABIS PRODUCTS ARE PACKAGED IN WAYS THAT MAY BE ATTRACTIVE TO YOUNG CHILDREN.

AUTHORS OF THE REPORT SUGGESTED A GREATER NEED FOR EDUCATION AND SAFER STORAGE OF THESE PRODUCTS IN HOMES.

>> THE PULASKI COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM SAYS IT WILL NOT BLOCK USERS FROM ITS SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES.

THAT'S AFTER A FEDERAL LAWSUIT FILED BY CONSERVATIVE COREY DEANGELIS.

ACCORDING TO THE KENTUCKY LANTERN, PULASKI COUNTY SCHOOLS POSTED ITS OPPOSITION TO AMENDMENT 2, THE SCHOOL CHOICE AMENDMENT, LAST YEAR.

THAT PROMPTED DEANGELIS TO POST HIS SUPPORT FOR AMENDMENT 2 ON THE PULASKI COUNTY SCHOOLS' FACEBOOK PAGE.

THE DISTRICT THEN BLOCKED HIM, SO HE FILED SUIT.

A NEW CONSENT DECREE SAYS, QUOTE, "THE DISTRICT COMMITS TO NOT BLOCK OR OTHERWISE RESTRICT MR. DEANGELIS FROM INTERACTING WITH ITS SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES IN THE FUTURE."

UNQUOTE.

DEANGELIS CALLS THIS A MONUMENTAL VICTORY FOR FREE SPEECH.

[♪♪] >> SUPPORTERS OF AN EASTERN KENTUCKY FUNDING PROGRAM ARE FIGHTING TO KEEP THE FUNDING GOING.

AND A HELICOPTER GOES FROM KENTUCKY TO TEXAS, BUT NOT BY AIR.

OUR TOBY GIBBS HAS THOSE STORIES, AND MORE, IN OUR TUESDAY LOOK AT 'HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.'

[♪♪] >> >> THERE'S PUSHBACK IN EASTERN KENTUCKY AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLANS A BIG CUT IN FUNDING TO THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION OR ARC.

THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO CUT THE ARC'S BUDGET BY 93 PERCENT IN FISCAL 2026.

THE ARC PROVIDES FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING, EDUCATION, AND MORE.

THE PRESTONSBURG HERALD REPORTS A LETTER FROM 80 DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS ASKS CONGRESS TO CONTINUE CURRENT FUNDING LEVELS.

>> A FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE REQUEST DEADLINE IS FRIDAY.

WHOP RADIO SAYS ANYONE AFFECTED BY EARLY APRIL'S SEVERE WEATHER NEEDS TO APPLY FOR HELP BY THEN, BY GOING TO DISASTER ASSISTANCE DOT GOV OR USING THE FEMA APP.

IN APRIL, FLOODS, LANDSLIDES, MUDSLIDES, AND STRAIGHT LINE WINDS CAUSED DAMAGE IN PARTS OF KENTUCKY.

>> THE MCCRACKEN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY NEEDS DONATIONS.

THE PADUCAH SUN SAYS THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS NOW CARING FOR 300 ANIMALS WHEN IT ONLY HAS 82 KENNELS.

SO, FOR NOW, IT'S NOT TAKING ANY NEW ANIMALS.

IN MAY, THE HUMANE SOCIETY TOOK IN 120 MINI DACHSHUNDS AS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARRESTED A WOMAN, ACCUSING HER OF INHUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS.

THE SHELTER CAN USE SHEETS AND BLANKETS, DOG FOOD, CLEANING SUPPLIES, AND DOG TOYS.

>> IT'S NOT EVERY DAY YOU SEE SOMEONE HAULING A HELICOPTER DOWN THE ROAD.

THE CADIZ RECORD SAYS A CADIZ MAN OWNED A HELICOPTER SHOT DOWN DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.

HE SOLD IT TO SOMEONE IN PALESTINE, TEXAS, AND TRUCKER JARED LITCHFIELD OF CADIZ JUST DELIVERED IT TO TEXAS.

IT WILL BE PART OF A VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK.

WITH HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY I'M TOBY GIBBS [♪♪] >> MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM A MILITARY TO CIVILIAN CAREER IS NOT ALWAYS EASY FOR VETERANS.

TO HELP BRIDGE THAT GAP, THE STATE IS HOSTING A SERIES OF FREE VIRTUAL JOB FAIRS THAT GIVE VETERANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS AND EXPLORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES WITHOUT EVER LEAVING HOME.

>> WE STARTED THE VIRTUAL JOB FAIR IN APRIL OF 2025.

WE HAVE A FOCUS ON VETERANS.

BUT WE DON'T WANT TO LIMIT IT TO JUST VETERANS.

WE DEDICATE THE FIRST HOUR TO VETERANS AND WE OPEN IT UP TO THE COMMONWEALTH AT LARGE.

THE EMPHASIS ON VETERANS IS TO GIVE THEM AN EXTRA RESOURCE THEY MIGHT OTHERWISE NOT HAVE.

>> I SPEAK TO EMPLOYERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS, I KEEP HEARING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER WHICH IS WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR AND THEIR IDEAL EMPLOYEES.

AND WHAT THEY ARE DESCRIBING ARE ALL OF THE SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY.

THEY WANT SOMEONE WHO CAN BE PUTIN YOU'LL, DISCIPLINED, SOMEONE WHO IS A GOOD TEAM PLAYER AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE INHARNTD TO SOMEONE WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY AND WHO IS GIVEN UP THEIR TIME TO KEEP US ALL SAFE.

SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT.

AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FOLKS ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FILL THESE JOBS.

>> AS A FORMER VET MYSELF, LEAVING THE AIR FORCE, I THINK THE BIGGEST STRUGGLE I HAD WAS JUST FINDING A WAY TO NETWORK AGAIN.

IN THE MILITARY, YOU BUILD OUT A NETWORK JUST BECAUSE IT'S THE BROTHERHOOD, SISTERHOOD OF BEING IN THE MILITARY.

ONCE YOU GET OUT, YOU KIND OF LOSE SOME OF THAT.

YOU MIGHT KEEP YOUR CONNECTIONS.

BUT I THINK THIS IS A GREAT WAY FOR THEM TO CONNECT WITH EMPLOYERS AND OTHER JOB SEEKERS.

>> WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEAVING A MILITARY BASE YOU ARE LOST.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE GRADUATING COLLEGE AND WONDERING WHERE DO I GO?

WHAT JOBS DO I GET?

AND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT EASY FOR THE EMPLOYERS TO REACH THE JOB SEEKERS AND MILITARY PERSONNEL TO REACH THE EMPLOYERS TO FIND A JOB.

ALL JOB SEEKERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE CAN LOG ON REMOTELY FROM ANYWHERE WITHIN STATE AND PARTICIPATE.

WE'VE HAD 80 EMPLOYERS REGISTER FOR THE JOB FAIRS OFFERING 1,000 JOBS COVERING MULTIPLE SIGNATURE INDUSTRIES FOR THE STATE.

>> EACH MONTH THERE'S GOING TO BE A FOCUS ON CERTAIN SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.

THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT THOSE WILL BE THE ONLY JOBS PROMOTED.

BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE A MONTHLY FOCUS ON AREAS THAT WE NEED FOLKS TO STEP UP AND WORK IN.

BUT YOU'LL SEE EVERYTHING FROM EDUCATION TO ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TO BOURBON TO EV.

AND THAT IS A WIDE ARRAY OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS.

AND THE EMPLOYERS ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE THIS GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY MEET KENTUCKIANS WHERE THEY ARE TO PROMOTE THEIR OWN BUSINESS AND RECRUIT FOLKS THAT THEY KNOW HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES TO BE TESTED AND TOUGH AS VETERANS ARE.

BUT ALSO I KNOW THERE'S SO MANY JOB SEEKERS WHO MAY NOT KNOW WHERE TO LOOK OR WHERE TO GO.

SO THIS VIRTUAL JOB FAIR CREATES THAT OPPORTUNITY BUT IT ALSO CREATES THE FLEXIBILITY THAT OUR WORKERS NEED.

AMONG THE EMPLOYERS PARTICIPATING IN THE VIRTUAL JOB FAIRS IS THE SECRETARIAT CENTER, AN ADOPTION CENTER FOR OFF TRACK THOROUGHBREDS IN LEXINGTON.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAYS THE CENTER IS FOCUSED ON GIVING FORMER RACEHORSES AND FORMER MILITARY MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY AT A SECOND, SUCCESSFUL CAREER.

IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR 21 YEARS LOCATED AT THE KENTUCKY HORSE PARK AND THE MISSION OF THE CENTER IS TO THEY CAN THOROUGHBREDS WHO NO LONGER RACE, AND REHOME THEM, RESCHOOL THEM, RETRAIN THEM AND GIVE THEM A CHANCE AT A SECOND CAREER AS THEY SPEND THE REST OF THEIR USEFUL DAYS.

>> I AM A VETERANS MYSELF A RETIRED NAVY COMMANDER, 20 YEARS, VIETNAM VETERAN AND MY SON IS IN THE MILITARY HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE FOR VETERANS AND I USED TO BE THE STATE DIRECTOR OF VETERANS PROGRAMS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE FOCUSED ON IS VETERAN EMPLOYMENT AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERY VETERAN THAT COULD HAS A GOOD JOB THAT THEY CAN GO TO.

THE ANNUAL PAYROLL IN THE EQUINE BUSINESS IS $325 MILLION WHICH REPRESENTS A LOT OF JOBS.

AND IT'S ABOUT A $6 BILLION INDUSTRY HERE IN THE STATE.

FROM A WORKFORCE INITIATIVE TYPE OF THING, AND GETTING VETERANS INTO THESE JOBS IS IMPORTANT TO THE INDUSTRY.

SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE INDUSTRY THAT WE HAVE HERE IN KENTUCKY RELATED TO EQUINE.

THE VIRTUAL JOB FAIRS ARE GREAT BECAUSE I GO TO FORT CAMPBELL AND FORT KNOX MONTHLY IN-PERSON AND TALK TO THE CLASSES SO THAT I CAN GET FACE-TO-FACE WITH NEW SERVICE MEMBERS ABOUT TO BECOME NEW VETERANS.

THAT'S THE FACE-TO-FACE PIECE.

AND THERE'S ABOUT 400 NEW VETERANS CREATED EVERY MONTH AT FORT CAMPBELL HERE IN KENTUCKY.

5,000 A YEAR.

IT IS A LARGE WORKFORCE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO GO TO DIFFERENT THINGS.

THE VIRTUAL SIDE, GIVES ME A VERY BROAD BEYOND KENTUCKY REACH TO WHERE I CAN TOUCH A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE EITHER COMING BACK TO THE STATE OR IN PARTS OF THE STATE NOT NECESSARILY IN THE CENTRAL PART IN THE BLUEGRASS AREA BUT WANT TO GET INTO THE HORSE BUSINESS.

AGAIN WE HAVE A QUARTER MILLION VETERANS IN THE STATE AND THEY ARE SPREAD OUT ALL OVER KENTUCKY'S 120 COUNTIES.

THE VIRTUAL PIECE GIVES ME THAT REACH THAT I DON'T HAVE WHEN I DO MY FACE-TO-FACE TYPE STUFF.

I LOOK AT ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT SIGN UP TO COME ON THE SITE TO SEE PRESCREEN THEM TO SEE WHO WOULD BE GOOD MATCH, WHO WOULD BE LIKELY TO FIT IN.

I'M LOOKING AT MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO HAVE THAT TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBER WHO IS LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT RIGHT AFTER THE SERVICE AND TO GET INTO A CAREER FIELD LIKE THE EQUINE BUSINESS.

AND FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THE VIRTUAL JOB FAIR, I GET SOME OF THOSE OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE THEY ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE TRANSITIONING AND THE PEOPLE CAREER TRANSITIONING LIKE THE VETERAN I GRADUATED HE SPENT 15 YEARS AT IBM HE WAS LOOKING TO TRANSITION INTO A DIFFERENT CAREER HARKING BACK TO HIS FATHER AND GRANDFATHER IN THE RACING BUSINESS.

SO THE VIRTUAL CAREER FAIR GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THOSE PEOPLE AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF TRANSITIONING TO A NEW JOB OR CAREER FIELD.

THE VIRTUAL THING GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO GET ON THAT SITE, TALK TO ME, OR ONE OF MY FOLKS, AND ACTUALLY HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT OUR PROGRAM.

AND GET A LITTLE MORE FAMILIAR AND MORE COMFORTABLE TO SEE IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EQUINE INDUSTRY AND HAVING AN INTRODUCTORY OPPORTUNITY AS WELL.

>> HERE ARE A FEW MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE VIRTUAL JOB FAIRS.

THEY WILL TAKE PLACE THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE YEAR.

THE JOB FAIRS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO ALL, BUT YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE.

THE FIRST HOUR IS SPECIFICALLY FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES, WITH THE REMAINING TIME OPEN TO ALL JOB SEEKERS.

TO REGISTER OR TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE VIRTUAL JOB FAIRS, GO TO VETERANS DOT K Y DOT GOV.

[♪♪] MOVIE BUFFS IT'S LIGHTS, CAMERA ACTTION ON A FILM FESTIVAL RETURNING TO LOUISVILLE FOR ITS 15TH YEAR.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING FILMMAKING HERE AND CREATING SOME REALLY INTERESTING STUFF.

>> WE'LL LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FLYOVER FILM FESTIVAL TOMORROW ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL.

EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT, AND INSPIRE.

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