[♪♪] >> AGAIN, BANKS CAN ADDRESS THE INTEREST RATE CHALLENGE AND WE HAVE A $20 MILLION COMMITMENT FROM BANKS TO GO TOWARDS A REVOLVING FUND.

>> Kelsey: BANKS ARE BETTING BIG ON KENTUCKY'S NEED FOR MORE MODEST HOMES.

>> WHOLE BLOOD TRANSFUSION GIVES THE PATIENTS A FIGHTING CHANCE.

>> Kelsey: THE EARLY VERDICT ON A CHANGE HOW LOUISVILLE EMT'S DO BUSINESS.

>> WE STRIVE TO DO BETTER THAN THE YEAR BEFORE.

TO SEE AN OUTCOME FROM AN AWARDS STANDPOINT, VALIDATION.

OUR WORK AND OUR EFFORT.

>> Kelsey: SEE HOW THIS KENTUCKY HOSPITAL EARNED A TOP SPOT IN NATIONAL RANKINGS.

>> WE HAVE 8 BILLION, WITH A B PEOPLE IN THE WORLD TO FEED.

IF WE DONTSDZ HE AHAVE POLLINATORS WE CAN'T FEED THEM.

>> Kelsey: AND HOW TO PROTECT BEES AGAINST A PARASITIC MITE.

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

[♪♪] >> Kelsey: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR TUESDAY JULY 29TH I'M KELSEY STARKS HERE IN OUR KET STUDIO IN LOUISVILLE FILLING IN TONIGHT FOR RENEE SHAW.

KENTUCKY HAS A HOUSING SHORTAGE AND LAWMAKERS WANT MORE AFFORDABLE HOMES BUILT IN THE STATE.

BUSINESS LEADERS SAY THEY WILL PONY UP SOME OF THE FINANCING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

JUNE LEFFLER WILL TELL US MORE IN THIS LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

>> RECENT YEARS BROUGHT ECONOMIC GROWTH TO KENTUCKY.

THERE ARE MORE THAN TWO MILLION JOBS IN THE STATE SOMETHING UNHEARD OF BEFORE 2023.

BUT ARE THERE ENOUGH HOMES FOR THESE WORKERS?

>> IF A MAJOR ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF A THOUSAND JOBS WAS ANNOUNCED IN YOUR COMMUNITY TOMORROW, DO YOU THINK YOUR REGION CAN SUSTAIN OR BE POSITIONED TO SOLVE THIS DEMAND?

OF THOSE PEOPLE SURVEYED 90% SAID THEY COULD NOT.

A HUGE, HUGE ISSUE.

>> THE NEED IS THERE, DEVELOPERS HAVE PLENTY OF REASONS NOT TO GO ALL IN ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING EXPLAINS THIS LAWYER FOR KENTUCKY'S BANKS.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK WHERE IT WAS BASED ON THE STATISTICS FOR CHALLENGES FROM FOR THE BUILDING INDUSTRY FOR 2025 THE TWO LARGEST ONES EXPECTED FOR 2025 ARE BASED OFF OF INTEREST RATES, HIGH INTEREST RATES AND BUYERS EXPECTATIONS WILL DECLINE IF THEY WAIT.

WHICH LEAVES THE INDUSTRY UNIQUELY ABLE TO HELP ASSIST IN THIS HOUSING BECAUSE WE CAN AFFECT INTEREST RATES.

>> PUTTING UP $20 MILLION IN FINANCING SPECIFICALLY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> AGAIN, PAGES CAN ADDRESS THE INTEREST RATE CHALLENGE AND WHAT WE HAVE IS A $20 MILLION COMMITMENT FROM BANKS TO GO TOWARDS A REVOLVING FUND WHICH WOULD ESSENTIALLY ADDRESS A LOT OF THIS HOUSING CRISIS.

>> THIS IS ABOUT CREATING NEW DOORS NOT ABOUT REFINANCES.

NOT ABOUT FLIPPING THINGS OUT THIS IS CREATING NEW HOUSING TO TACKLE THE CRISIS.

>> THESE WOULD BE LOANS AT SLIGHTLY LOWER INTEREST RATES, AND TAX CREDITS GIVING DEVELOPS ANOTHER REASON TO START DEVELOPING.

>> IS THIS ONE AREA COULD TAKE SAY, GE GASKLY -- GEOGRAPHICALLY LIMITED AND HOW TO MAKE SURE IT'S SPREAD ACROSS THE STATE?

>> THE GOAL IS TO SPREAD IT ACROSS THE STATE.

WITH 153 MEMBER BANKS IN THE COMMONWEALTH THEY WANT THEIR COMMUNITIES IMPACTED.

WE HAVE BANKS IN EVERY COUNTY.

AND THEY WANT TO SEE IT COME TO THEIR AREA AS WELL.

>> I GUESS IT WAS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR BUDGET, BECAUSE THERE IS AN EXPENSE INVOLVED.

>> THERE WOULD BE.

WE'RE TALKING NOT EARNING THE CREDIT UNTIL THE PROJECT IS CONSTRUCTED AND PUT IN SERVICE.

SO THEORETICALLY THREE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

>> THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO SIGN OFF ON THE DEAL OR PUBLIC PRIVATE FUND.

STATE LAWMAKERS WILL HAMMER OUT THEIR NEXT TWO-YEAR BUDGET AT THE BEGINNING OF 2026.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

NOOK.

>> Kelsey: THE BANKERS ASSOCIATION SAYS IT WANTS TO HELP FUND HOUSING FOR WORKING CLASS KENTUCKIANS.

THE JOINTS COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT TALKED ABOUT HOW STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS CAN WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD MORE UNITS.

ROBBY MILLS DISCUSSED SENATE BILL 50 WHICH HE SPONSORED, WHILE THE BILL DIDN'T PASS, IT LOOKED TO CREATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS ACROSS LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

>> WHEN COMPLETED, AT LEAST HALF OF THE AREA BE COVERED BY RESIDENTIAL HOUSING.

IT WILL HAVE A DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

IT WILL DESCRIBE THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT DEVELOPER ANTICIPATES IS NECESSARY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT.

AND GIVE AN ESTIMATED COST FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE PROPOSED RATE OF THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TO BE IMPOSED.

>> Kelsey: SENATOR MILLS PLANS TO FILE THAT BILL AGAIN DURING THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

LAWMAKERS ALSO HEARD ABOUT WAYS THEY CAN CUT DOWN RED TAPE WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> IF YOU REQUIRE SMALLER FRONTAGES THAT IS LESS INFRASTRUCTURE PER HOUSE AND BRINGS DOWN THE COST THAT IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN HOUSING COSTS.

>> MINIMUM LOT SIZES ARE KEY ONE OF THE MAIN DRIVERS OF THE COST OF A HOME IS THE LAND.

AND I HEAR OFFICIALS SAY WE CAN'T BUILD MORE HOUSING BECAUSE WE'VE RUN OUT OF LAND.

YOU CAN REDUCE THE COST ALLOWING DEVELOPERS TO USE LAND MORE EFFICIENTLY.

>> YOU ALLOW A PROFESSIONAL NOT NECESSARILY EMPLOYED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE AN INSPECTION INSTEAD OF WAITING SIX, FOUR, OR TWO MONTHS THEY CAN GET THE INSPECTIONS DONE IN TWO WEEKS.

>> Kelsey: THE SPEAKER SAID IT IS POSSIBLE TO DEVELOP STARTER HOMES THAT ARE AFFORDABLE, BUT STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS WILL NEED TO CLEAR RED TAPE SO BUILDERS CAN MEET THAT DEMAND.

>>> KENTUCKY IS JOINING NINE STATES EWING 19 STATES SUING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO TURN DATA OVER FOR S.N.A.P.

IT HELPS FEED 570,000 KENTUCKIANS.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TOLD STATES IT HAD UNTIL TOMORROW TO HAND OVER THE DATA FOR THOSE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM.

SAYING THAT DATA WILL HELP THE DEPARTMENT COMBAT WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE.

THE LAWSUIT LED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CALIFORNIA SAYS STATES FEAR THE DATA WILL BE USED TO CREATE A SYSTEM TO ADVANCE THE PRESIDENT'S MASS DEPORTATION EFFORTS.

THE LAWSUIT IS SEEK ISING AN INJUNCTION TO BLOCK THAT DATA TRANSFER.

OFFICIALS THREATENED TO WITHHOLD S.N.A.P.

FUNDING IF STATES FAIL TO COMPLY.

>> FANCY FARM PICNIC IS THIS SATURDAY AND WE HAVE AN IDEA WHO WILL BE SPEAKING THERE.

RAND PAUL WILL NOT BE THERE.

SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS WILL NOT BE ATTENDING.

AUDITOR ALLISON BALL WILL NOT BE THERE AND WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT U.S.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL AND GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HAS NOT YET RESPONDED.

YOU WILL SEE ALL THREE REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATE CANDIDATES, ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN, TREASURER MARK MEFCALF, AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER JONATHAN SHELL PLUS CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER AND A DEMOCRAT RUNNING FOR HIS SEAT JOHN WILLIAMS.

YOU CAN SEE COVERAGE OF THE FANCY FARM PICNIC SATURDAY STARTING AT 2:30 EASTERN, 1:30 CENTRAL HERE ON KET.

>>> CONGRESSMAN BRETT GUTHRIE SAYS THE DEMOCRATS ARE WRONG IN THEIR CRITICISM OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S TAX AND BUDGET BILL WHICH TRUMP CALLS THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.

THE BILL PASSED BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS IN RECENT WEEKS.

DEMOCRATS SAY IT WILL MEAN MASSIVE CUTS TO MEDICAID AND COULD CLOSE RURAL HOSPITALS INCLUDING HOSPITALS IN KENTUCKY.

BRETT GUTHRIE RESPONDED IN AN OPINION PIECE IN THE COURIER JOURNAL.

HERE IS A PART OF IT.

QUOTE, THE BILL STRENGTHENS THE PROGRAM BY REMOVING DECEASED RECIPIENTS FROM THE MEDICAID ROLLS, REQUIRING STATES TO CONDUCT ELIGIBILITY CHECKS FOR THE EXPANSION POPULATION, ENSURING INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT ENROLLED IN PULL PELL -- MULTIPLE STATES AND WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR ABLE-BODIED AMERICANS WHO CHOOSE NOT TO WORK.

BRETT GUTHRIE IS THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE THAT PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN SHAPING THE TAX AND BUDGET BILL.

>> KENTUCKY HAS ANOTHER CONFIRMED CASE OF THE MEASLES BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 14 THE NEWEST CASE IS IN LOUISVILLE.

>> THERE IS A SECOND CASE OF MEASLES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

ED INFECTED INDIVIDUAL IS A KNOWN CONTACT OF OUR FIRST CASE.

AND THIS INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN IN QUARANTINE SINCE BECOMING AWARE OF THEIR EXPOSURE.

SO THERE ARE NO NEW PUBLIC EXPOSURES AS A RESULT OF THIS CASE.

>> Kelsey: 13 OF THE 14 PATIENTS TO CRACK MEASLES IN KENTUCKY WERE NOT VACCINATED.

THE CENTER CENTER SAYS THIS IS THE WORST YEAR FOR MEASLES IN THE U.S.

IN THREE DECADES.

>>> WELL, IT HAS NOW BEEN 100 DAYS SINCE LOUISVILLE EMT'S STARTED GIVING WHOLE BLOOD TO PATIENTS IN THE FIELD AND THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS WITH 34 PATIENTS RECEIVING BLOOD.

>> WHEN SOMEONE IS BLEEDING INTERNALLY OR EXTERNALLY FROM AN INJURY THEIR BODY RAPIDLY LOSES RED BLOOD CELLS AT THAT TIME CARRY OXYGEN, PLASMA THAT HELPS WITH CLOTTING AND PLATELETS THAT STOP THE BLEEDING.

EMS AS CHOSEN TO GIVE WHOLE BLOOD MAKING IT THE MOST COMPLETE AND EFFECTIVE OPTION FOR RESUSCITATION.

A CREW RESPONDED TO A MOTORCYCLIST INVOLVED IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT.

HE WAS VERY SERIOUSLY INJURED.

AS THE PARAMEDIC AND PARTNER PROVIDED PREHOSPITAL CARE AT THE SCENE THEY PREPARED THE PATIENT FOR TRANSPORT, ACTIVATED A RESPONSE, ARRANGED A LOCATION WHERE THEY PICKED ME UP AND THE EQUIPMENT WE USE TO ADMINISTER TRANSFUSION WITH NO DELAY TO TRANSPORT.

BY THE TIME I ARRIVED THE PARAMEDIC COMPLETED ALL THE STEPS FOR INITIATING A FIELD TRANSFUSION, AND SECURING TWO IV SITES TO ADMINISTER BLOOD AND MEDICATION.

>> Kelsey: LOUISVILLE IS THE FIRST CITY IN KENTUCKY TO ADOPT THIS PROGRAM, NATIONALLY THE NUMBER OF EMT'S PROVIDING THIS HELP IS ONLY AROUND 1%.

>> HOSPITALS AROUND THE STATE ARE SEEING A RISE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TREATED FOR CANNABIS RELATED POISE ONTARIOINGS.

POISONINGS.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT FROM THE KENTUCKY INJURY PREVENTION AND RESEARCH CENTER THERE WAS A 43% RISE IN CANNABIS RELATED POISONINGS IN KENTUCKIANS UNDERAGE 18.

OTHER FINDINGS WOMEN ARE CATCHING UP TO MEN IN CANNABIS RELATED EMERGENCIES PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO SYNTHETIC CANNABIS USE AND CANNABIS WAS A CONTRIBUTING CAUSE BUT NOT THE SOLE CAUSE IN 60 DEATHS LAST YEAR.

YOU CAN HEAR MORE IN TODAY'S MEDICAL NEWS.

>> OUR GOAL AS SURVEILLANCE IS NOT TO LABEL CANNABIS AS A GOOD OR BAD, BUT TO TRACK AND UNDERSTAND PATTERNS THAT MAY SIGNAL HARM ESPECIALLY AMONG VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

WITH ANY SUBSTANCE THAT WE STUDY CONTEXT MATTERS HOW IT'S USED, WHO IS USING IT AND HOW ACCESSIBLE IT IS TO CHILDREN.

WE'RE SEEING SOME OF THE SHARPEST RISES IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT NUMENTS ACROSS THE GROUPS, YOUTHS UNDER 18 WHERE CANNABIS POISONING ROSE 43% FROM 2023 TO 2024.

I'M NOT OVERLY SURPRISED BECAUSE OF HOW THE PRODUCTS ARE PACKAGED AND MANUFACTURED.

THEY ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO KIDS THEY ARE ENTICING.

I COULD SEE IT VERY EASILY THAT CHILDREN WOULD GET ACCESS TO THEM IN THE HOME IF THEY ARE NOT SECURED.

WE'RE ALSO SEEING INCREASES CASES OF CANNABIS, A CONDITION WHERE PEOPLE EXPERIENCE VOMITING LINKED TO LONG-TERM CANNABIS USE.

WE'RE ALSO SEEING A RISE IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS FOR SYNTHETIC CANNABIS POISONING.

WE SAW 212 CASES.

WE SAW 141 FOR SYNTHETIC CANNABIS POISONING.

>> YEAH, I THINK THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS THERE'S A LOT MORE AVAILABILITY AND HIGH CONCENTRATION PRODUCTS.

AND HIGH THC CONCENTRATION.

SO EDIBLES, AND LIQUID FORM AND ALSO INCLUDES VAPES.

THESE THINGS HAVEN'T BEEN AVAILABLE AT THE SCALE FOR VERY MANY YEARS.

DECADES AND DECADES YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIND A PRODUCT WITH A THC CONCENTRATION OF HIGHER THAN 15 OR 20% BUT THAT'S CHANGED RAPIDLY OVER THE LAST DECADE.

THEY ARE NOT TESTED.

OR CONSISTENT.

SO IT'S VERY EASY TO TAKE A HIGHER DOSE.

>> EVEN IN SOME CASES WHERE THERE IS A DOSE LABEL ON THE PACKAGING IT MIGHT NOT BE CONSISTENT BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT PIECES OF CANDY.

ON ONE OCCASION, YOU COULD TAKE ONE GUMMY AND HAVE THE DESIRED EFFECTS AND THE NEXT DAY YOU CAN TAKE THE SAME AMOUNT AND FEEL DIFFERENT.

IT'S UNPREDICTABLE, BECAUSE, IT IS AN ILLICIT PRODUCT AND THERE IS NOT CONSISTENT LAB TESTING LIKE THERE WOULD BE FOR ACTUALLY REGULATED DRUG.

AND PEOPLE ARE ONLY NOW GAINING ACCESS TO THESE VERY HIGH CONCENTRATION PRODUCTS.

AND IN VERY PALATABLE FORMAT OF THE GUMMIES AND CANDIES IN THE BRIGHT PACKAGING VERY LIKE YOUTHFUL, JOYFUL PACKAGING.

I DEFINITELY THINK THERE IS A PERCEPTION THAT IT IS VERY SAFE AND I WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO BE BETTER INFORMED.

AS A POTENTIAL DANGERS AND JUST USE AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION IF PEOPLE DECIDE TO USE THE PRODUCTS.

>> OVERALL IT POINTS TO THE NEED FOR MORE PUBLIC AWARENESS AROUND CANNABIS USE, ESPECIALLY AROUND SAFE STORAGE AND UNDERSTANDING HOW THE PRODUCTS CAN AFFECT DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> Kelsey: ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, CANNABIS IS THE THIRD MOST COMMONLY ABUSED DRUG JUST BEHIND NICOTINE AND ALCOHOL.

>>> CHANGE IS HEADED TO HUMAN NARCS THE LOUISVILLE BASED HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY.

HUMANA WILL START OFFERING AN EARLY RETIREMENT PROGRAM TO EMPLOYEES.

THE COMPANY IS EVALUATING STAFFING NEEDS.

EMPLOYEES HAVE TO BE 50 YEARS OLD AND HAVE THREE YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE COMPANY.

THE PACKAGE INCLUDES TWO WEEKS OF PAY PER YEAR OF SERVICE, AND AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT BASED ON PAY LEVEL.

THE TOTAL PAY OUT WOULD BE CAPPED AT 52 WEEKS OF PAY.

AND EMPLOYEES WILL BE ABLE TO OPT INTO THE PLAN.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES A FEW DAYS BEFORE HUMANA RELEASES THE SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS REPORT.

>> KENTUCKY HAS A BEST RANKED HOSPITAL AND IT'S NOT IN LOUISVILLE OR LEXINGTON.

EMILY SISK TAKES US TO NORTHERN KENTUCKY WHERE A LOCAL FACILITY IS RANKED AS THE HOSPITAL HOSPITAL IN THE STATE.

>> CERTAINLY EXCITING TO BE NAMED NUMBER ONE U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT.

>> EXCITING INDEED FOR ST. ELIZABETH EDGEWOOD TO BE NAMED THE NUMBER ONE HOSPITAL IN KENTUCKY.

IT OUT RANKED U.K. HEALTHCARE RECOGNIZED AS THE BEST HOSPITAL FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS IN A ROW.

>> NORTHERN KENTUCKY WE HIDE IN THE CORNER OF THE STATE.

A LOT OF TIMES LOCALLY, SINCE ANY REGION FOR HEALTHCARE IS VERY COMPETITIVE, IT'S PROBABLY SOME OF OUR CLOSEST COMPETITION.

I THINK THE GOOD NEWS IS IT MAKES US WORK TO BE BETTER AT THE CARE WE'RE DELIVERING.

>> WHAT MAKES ST. ELIZABETH EDGEWOOD STAND OUT?

Dr. JIM HORN SAYS THERE ARE A FEW THINGS.

>> PROCEDURES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN DONE 10, 15 YEARS AGO IN A UNIVERSITY SETTING, WE CAN DELIVER THOSE SAME PROCEDURES WITH GREAT QUALITY AND OUTCOMES LOCALLY.

>> THE HOSPITAL WAS RECOGNIZED FOR HEART AND VASCULAR INSTITUTION.

Dr. HORN EXPLAINED HOW ONE OF THE TECHNIQUES IS GROUNDBREAKING FOR MORE THAN JUST THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> BEYOND THE STATE OF KENTUCKY, OUR CARDIAC SURGERY PROGRAM ARE MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROGRAM ONE OF THE BEST IN THE NATION.

IF NOT IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.

JUST A FEW SMALL PORT WHOLES THAT -- PORT HOLES AND SURGERY IS PERFORMED THROUGH A CAMERA, AND LEADS TO SPEEDY RECOVERY TIME, LESS PAIN AND FASTER DISCHARGE FROM THE HOSPITAL.

>> THEIR CANCER CENTER IS HIGHLY RANKED.

HORN SAID THIS IS BECAUSE MULTIPLE PROVIDERS CAN SEE THE PATIENT IN ONE PLACE AT ONE TIME.

>> LESS STRESS FROM THE PATIENT AND FASTER AND EARLIER DECISION MAKING FROM THE PROVIDERS.

>> HORN POINTED OUT THAT THE U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT RANKING IS BASED ON INPATIENT CARE.

AND ST. ELIZABETH EDGEWOOD DOES MORE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT.

THE OFFICER SAID WHILE THEY ARE PROUD OF THEIR RECOGNITION THEY WILL CONTINUE SERVING THE COMMUNITY LIKE THEY ALWAYS HAVE.

>> EVERY YEAR WE STRIVE TO BE A LITTLE BETTER THAN THE YEAR BEFORE.

TO SEE AN OUTCOME FROM AN AWARDS STANDPOINT, VALIDATION OF OUR WORK AND EFFORT.

>> FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M EMILY SISK.

>> Kelsey: ACCORDING TO THE U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT, U.K.'S CHANDLER HOSPITAL WAS NUMBER TWO.

BAPTIST HEALTH LEXINGTON TAKES THIRD AND LOUISVILLE BASED NORTON HOSPITAL AND BAPTIST HEALTH ARE NUMBERS FOUR AND FIVE.

YOU CAN SEE THAT LIST AT HEALTH.U.S.

NEWS.COM.

[♪♪] [♪♪] IT LOOKS LIKE A UNION VOTE IS ON THE WAY TO THE BLUE OVAL SK BATTERY PARK IN GLENDALE.

WORKERS RECEIVED FEDERAL APPROVAL FOR A VOTE ON WHETHER TO FORM A UNION.

KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO SAYS A SUPER MAJORITY OF WORKERS ASKED THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD FOR A VOTE WHETHER TO JOIN THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS, THE UNION THAT REPRESENTS FORD WORKERS.

IT IS A JOINTS VENTURE BETWEEN FORD AND SK ON A COMPANY BASED IN SOUTH KOREA.

THE TWO PLANTS COVER 8 MILLION SQUARE FEET AND THEY WILL HAVE 5,000 WORKERS AT FULL CAPACITY.

BLUE OVAL SK DID NOT RESPOND TO THE COMMENT ON THE FUTURE UNION VOTE.

>> A SALVATION ARMY SHELTER IS [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] TOBY GIBBS HAS HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.

[♪♪] >> FOR THE SALVATION ARMY SOS STANDS FOR SAVE OUR SHELTER.

THE DAILY INDEPENDENT SAYS THE ASHLAND SHELTER IS FACING ROUGH FINANCIAL TIMES THE ONLY SHELTER IN FOR THE EASTERN KENTUCKY AND SERVES 35 PEOPLE EACH NIGHT.

JASON SWAIN SAYS THE SHELTER RUNS A DEFICIT OF 30,000 A YEAR.

AND NOW THAT DEFICIT IS $187,000 AND LEADERS ARE WORKING ON A PLAN TO STAY OPEN.

FUNDRAISING IS DOWN AND THE SHELTER IS HOPING FOR CITY GRANTS.

THE CITY OF FRANKLIN STOPPED FUNDING TO SUPPORT EMERGENCY SERVICES IN FRANKLIN AND SIMPSON COUNTY FOR NOW.

THE FRANKLIN FAVORITE REPORTS THE COMMISSION VOTED 4-1 TO WITHHOLD FUNDS UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE AMBULANCE SERVICE EXPLAIN HOW THREE NEW FIRE PERSONNEL WILL BE USED.

THE COURT AGREED THIS YEAR TO SPLIT THE COST TO HIRE THE THREE.

KENTUCKY WILL BE GETTING MORE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS THANKS TO A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

ACCORDING TO ADAIR PROGRESS, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IS GIVING $2 MILLION TO LINDSEY WILSON UNIVERSITY THAT WILL HELP GRADUATE STUDENTS AS THEY BECOME MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN SERVE KENTUCKY.

TOURISTS SPENT ALMOST $8 MILLION IN LARUE COUNTY, ACCORDING TO THE HERALD NEWS.

THAT INCLUDES MORE THAN $4 MILLION SPENT ON HOTELS AND MOTELS, FOOD, ENTERTAINMENT AND TRANSPORTATION.

TOURISM HAD A 14 BILLION DOLLAR IMPACT ON THE STATE AS A WHOLE.

WITH HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY, I'M TOBY GIBBS.

[♪♪] BEES ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE ECO-SYSTEM AND ESSENTIAL TO GROWING PRODUCE BUT A SMALL PARASITE CALLED THE VARRROA MITE IS PUTTING BEES AT RISK.

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY IS DOING ITS PART BY EDUCATING BEEKEEPERS AND EXPERIMENTING WITH GENETICS.

>> RIGHT NOW VARRROA MITES ARE BEEKEEPER ENEMY NUMBER ONE.

THEY DO DAMAGE TO THE BEE FIRST OF ALL PHYSICALLY.

AND THEN THE MITE WOUNDS BECOME A DOORWAY FOR VIRUSES.

>> THEY WOULD KILL A LOT OF BEEHIVES.

WE HAD A SERIOUS PARASITE THAT APPEARED IN THE 1980s IN THE UNITED STATES, AND THEN WE FOUND IT IN KENTUCKY IN 1989.

IN BEES FROM THE ELIZABETHTOWN AREA.

AND THAT WAS SOMETHING CALLED THE TRACHEAL MITE AND IT KILLED THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKY BEEHIVES AND WE LEARNED HOW TO CONTROL IT.

AND IT IS CONSIDERED A MINOR PROBLEM.

AND A FEW YEARS AFTER THAT WE GOT THE VARRROA MITE.

>> THERE IS A VIRUS CALLED DEFORMED WING VIRUS AND THAT WILL IMPACT THE WINGS OF THE BEES THEY WILL LOOK VERY TORN AND TATTERED SOMETIMES THEY ARE NOT THERE.

ANOTHER VIRUS IMPACTS THE AMOUNT OF HAIR THAT IS ON A BEE.

IT WILL LOOK VERY SHINEY AND GREASEY AND THAT IS ANOTHER RED FLAG THAT MY HIVE HAS A VIRUS AND I HAVE TO ACT.

>> .

>> MANY VEGETABLES ARE REQUIRED HONEYBEES FOR FRUIT.

PLANTS LIKE LIVESTOCK EAT, SOYBEANS REQUIRE HONEYBEE POLLINATION.

AND BEEF AND DAIRY PRODUCTS AND IN KENTUCKY HORSES CONSUME ALFALFA.

MANY ANIMALS INDIRECTLY REQUIRE HONEYBEE POLLINATION.

WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO NEW BEEKEEPERS HAVE TO BE ON A LEARNING CURVE AND LEARN ABOUT MANAGING THEIR BEES WITH THIS PARASITE.

>> WE WANT BEEKEEPERS TO GO IN EVERY TWO WEEKS.

IF YOU SEE DEFORMED WINGS YOU CAN TREAT YOU CAN DO A MITE SAMPLE AND GET THE NUMBERS DOWN.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET MORE GENETICS, DIFFERENT GENETICS INTO OUR HIVES.

WE ARE WORKING WITH BEEKEEPERS TO HAVE THEM SELECT HIVES THAT HAVE SHOWN TOLL LENS TO THESE MITES.

THAT IS A LONG-TERM PROJECT BUT THAT'S HAPPENING IT IS HAPPENING.

THERE IS A GREAT SAYING I LIKE TO USE FROM A BOTANIST, WE NEED STANDING ARMIES OF BEEKEEPERS.

IT'S THAT CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

IF WE CAN'T FEED OUR -- WE HAVE 8 BILLION WITH A B, PEOPLE IN THE WORLD TO FEED.

IT'S THAT SIMPLE.

IF WE DON'T HAVE POLLINATORS THEN WE CAN'T FEED THEM.

IT COMES DOWN TO THAT.

>> Kelsey: Dr. POTTER IS PART OF A NATIONAL RESEARCH ORGANIZATION WORKING ON A STRATEGY FOR A NEW TYPE OF MITE THAT IS ON THE RISE, THE TROPILAELAPS MITE IT EXISTS IN ASIA AND HAS NOT CROSSED INTO THE U.S.

BUT IT COULD BE MORE DESTRUCTIVE THAN THE OTHER MITE INVASIONS THE COUNTRY HAS FACED.

>> KENTUCKY DESTROYED A TYPE OF WINTER SQUASH THAT PROMPTED THE BIRTH OF A SEED SWAP TO KEEP THAT SQUASH GOING.

AND THAT SEED SWAP HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS WE'LL TELL YOU ABOUT THAT TOMORROW HERE ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

AND WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

YOU CAN SUBJECT VIBE TO OUR NEWS LETTERS AND WATCH FULL EPISODES AND FIND US ON THE PBS VIDEO APP AND SEND US A STORY IDEA AT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG AND YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY IN THE LOOP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

[♪♪]