[♪♪] >> IT CAN'T HELP BUT HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT FOR HEALTHCARE IN THIS COMMONWEALTH.

THAT'S NOT FEARMONGERING.

IT'S SIMPLY A FACT.

>> THE LEADER OF KENTUCKY'S HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION IS SOUNDING THE ALARM ON HOW MEDICAID CUTS WILL IMPACT THE STATE.

>> CAN OF IT JUST SEEMS A LITTLE TONE DEAF AND NOT IN PACE WITH WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR HOUSING MARKET AND OUR ECONOMY RIGHT NOW.

>> KENTUCKIANS RESPOND TO PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE FEDERAL HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM.

>> KIDS ARE OUR FUTURE AND THIS IS HOW WE BUILD UP A REALLY GREAT COMMUNITY IS BY DOING THINGS LIKE THIS.

>> AND BEFORE STUDENTS GO BACK TO SCHOOL, WE HEAD TO A BACKPACK PACKING PARTY AT THE YMCA.

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

[♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO KENTUCKY EDITION FOR THURSDAY, JULY 31ST.

I'M KELSEY STARKS, IN OUR KET STUDIO IN LOUISVILLE, FILLING IN TONIGHT FOR RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

FEMA HAS TURNED DOWN THREE KENTUCKY COUNTIES FOR FEDERAL HELP AFTER STORMS MAY 16TH AND 17TH.

THAT'S THE STORM SYSTEM THAT BROUGHT DEADLY TORNADOES TO LAUREL AND PULASKI COUNTIES.

BUT THE STORMS ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE IN OTHER PLACES.

ACCORDING TO GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR, FEMA HAS SAID NO TO AN INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE REQUEST FOR CHRISTIAN AND TODD COUNTIES.

AND IT'S TURNED DOWN A REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HELP TO LESLIE COUNTY.

A LETTER FROM FEMA SAYS THE STORM DAMAGE WASN'T SEVERE ENOUGH TO WARRANT FEDERAL HELP.

AT THE SAME TIME, FEMA HAS DENIED THE GOVERNOR'S REQUEST FOR HAZARD MITIGATION GRANTS FOR KENTUCKY AFTER THE MAY TORNADOES AND THE APRIL FLOODS.

THOSE GRANTS PROVIDE MONEY FOR LONG-TERM LOANS.

HERE'S THE GOVERNOR'S RESPONSE TO ALL THIS.

QUOTE: "WHILE WE APPRECIATE THE INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WE WERE GRANTED FOR MOST OF THE AFFECTED AREAS, WE ARE DISAPPOINTED IN THE DECISION.

WE ARE ACTIVELY COMPARING THE DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS, AND WE PLAN TO APPEAL."

END QUOTE.

>> MEDICAID HAS BEEN A TRENDING TOPIC OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AFTER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S "BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL" INCLUDED CUTS TO THE PROGRAM.

THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY ESTABLISHED THE "MEDICAID OVERSIGHT AND ADVISORY BOARD" IN LATE MAY TO HELP MANAGE THE STATE'S SYSTEM.

THAT BOARD MET YESTERDAY TO HEAR MORE ON HOW FEDERAL CUTS WILL IMPACT THE COMMONWEALTH.

IN TONIGHT'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION, OUR EMILY SISK TELLS US ABOUT THE WARNING FROM THE KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

>> OUR PATIENTS DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF PRETENDING THERE ARE NO CUTS TO MEDICAID.

>> THE PRESIDENT OF THE KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SPOKE OUT ON WEDNESDAY DETAILING THE FALLOUT FROM PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICAID CUTS.

>> HOSPITALS ARE GOING TO BE FORCED TO REDUCE SERVICES.

LAYOFF HIGHLY TRAINED AND TALENTED STAFF AND IN SOME CASES CEASE OPERATIONS ALTOGETHER.

>> RIGHT NOW KENTUCKY TAKES PART IN A HOSPITAL RATE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

THAT MEANS THAT KENTUCKY HOSPITALS RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE COST OF PROVIDING CARE TO MEDICAID PATIENTS.

SHE SAID THAT IS BECAUSE MEDICAID DOESN'T ADEQUATELY COVER THE COST ON ITS OWN.

>> BASE PAYMENTS COVER AID 2% OF THE COST.

>> WHEN THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL TAKES EFFECT THAT RATE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WILL BE PHASED DOWN BY 90%.

>> IT CAN'T HELP BUT ARE IS A NEGATIVE EFFECT FOR HEALTHCARE IN THIS COMMONWEALTH AND THAT'S NOT FEAR MONGERING.

IT'S SIMPLY A FACT.

>> WHAT COULD IT MEAN FOR KENTUCKY?

SHE LISTED SOME OF THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES THAT MIGHT BE AT RISK.

>> OB IS OFTEN TIME THE FIRST THING THAT CLOSES.

YOU DO SEE EMERGENCY ROOMS CLOSING AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THAT HAS CLOSED.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE MONEY LOSING SERVICES AND SOMETIMES THOSE ARE THE FIRST THINGS TO GO.

THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE HALF OF ALL THE BIRTHS IN OUR STATE ARE COVERED BY MEDICAID.

>> THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA PUBLISHED A LIST OF RURAL HOSPITALS AT HIGHEST RISK OF CLOSING DUE TO MEDICAID CUTS.

KENTUCKY'S LIST HAVE 35 HOSPITALS, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF ANY STATE.

SHE SAID WHILE IT'S NOT YET DETERMINED IF ANY FACILITIES ON THE LIST WILL SHUT DOWN THE NUMBER COULD BE LOWER OR HIGHER.

>> 60% OF HOSPITALS COSTS ARE IN THEIR STAFF THEIR WAGES.

IT COULD BE UP TO 20,000 JOBS LOST.

NO HOSPITAL IS GOING TO WANT TO CLOSE.

THEY WILL TRY EVERYTHING TO NOT CLOSE.

>> KENTUCKY HAS TIME TO ACT HOWEVER BEFORE ALL THE CHANGES ARE IMPLEMENTED.

PHASING DOWN OF THE HOSPITAL RATE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WON'T BEGIN UNTIL 2028.

WHEN KENTUCKY LAWMAKER WAS OPTIMISTIC THAT THE STATE CAN FIND SOLUTIONS.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT A FIVE-YEAR WINDOW OPPORTUNITY TO ACCOMPLISH IT.

I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT KENTUCKY IS BEST AND WELL SITUATED TO DO THAT.

I SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY CHALLENGE.

>> SHE POINTED OUT IF SERVICES MUST CLOSE, IT WILL IMPACT ALL PATIENTS NOT JUST THOSE ON MEDICAID.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M EMILY SISK.

>> THE KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT SAID THE GROUP UNDERSTANDS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAN'T REPLACE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FEDERAL FUNDING, BUT THEY'LL BE ASKING FOR LAWMAKERS' SUPPORT DURING THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION SAYS A LAWSUIT AGAINST HIS OFFICE FILED BY THE STATE AUDITOR SHOULD BE DROPPED.

REPUBLICAN STATE AUDITOR ALLISON BALL IS SUING BESHEAR, A DEMOCRAT, FOR FAILURE TO ENACT SENATE BILL 151.

THE SO-CALLED KINSHIP CARE BILL IS MEANT TO HELP REMOVE BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE WANTING TO CARE FOR A RELATIVE'S CHILD AND ALLOW THEM ACCESS TO FINANCIAL AID.

THE BILL UNANIMOUSLY PASSED LAST YEAR AND BECAME LAW IN JULY WITH THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE.

BUT THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FAILED TO APPROPRIATE MONEY FOR THE NEW LAW, WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO COST ROUGHLY 20 MILLION DOLLARS.

DURING A HEARING IN FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT YESTERDAY, THE KENTUCKY LANTERN REPORTS AN ATTORNEY FOR GOVERNOR BESHEAR ARGUED AUDITOR BALL LACKS STANDING, MEANING SHE CAN'T PROVE HER OFFICE HAS BEEN LEGALLY INJURED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

AN ATTORNEY FOR AUDITOR BALL SAID THE LAWSUIT WAS NECESSARY, CLAIMING THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE RELEVANT INFORMATION.

JUDGE THOMAS WINGATE WAS REPORTED AS SAYING, QUOTE: "I THINK IT MIGHT BE CREATING A BAD PRECEDENT TO ALLOW AN AUDITOR TO SUE."

HE ADDED HE WILL MAKE A DECISION WITHIN THE COMING WEEKS.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERING A TWO-YEAR TIME LIMIT ON HOUSING VOUCHERS THAT COULD KICK THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKIANS OUT OF THEIR HOMES IT COULD FREE UP MORE VOUCHERS FOR PEOPLE ON A WAIT LIST.

JUNE LEFFLER HAS MORE.

>> ANGELICA WILLIAMS SPENDING THE FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH HER SON.

>> WE LIKE TO ZOOM RCHTION WATER PARK, SCIENCE CENTER.

HE LOVES TO DRAW.

I LIKE TO CULTIVATE HIS GIFTS TO DO WHAT HE LIKES TO DO.

>> THEY LIVE AT FAMILY SCHOLAR HOUSE THAT PROVIDES WILLIAMS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CHILDCARE AND OTHER SUPPORT WHAT ALLOWED HER TO SWITCH FROM BEING A FULL-TIME WORKER TO FULL-TIME STUDENT.

>> IT IS CLEAR THE STANDARD IS ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND PROGRESS AND IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO BE A FULL-TIME STUDENT.

I LOOK AT IT MY GRADES PAY MY RENT.

I NEED TO GET THE A.

>> FAMILY SCHOLAR HOUSE WAS STARTED BY NUNS DEDICATED TO EDUCATING WOMEN.

>> EVERYBODY DOESN'T MAKE IT BUT THOSE THAT DO, 86% GET A DEGREE WHILE THEY LIVE WITH US THAT THEY NEED TO BE ACTIVE IN THE WORKFORCE IN A CAREER, NOT JUST AN ENTRY LEVEL JOB.

>> THE PROGRAM OFFERS SPACE AND SUPPORT.

BUT TO SUBSIDIZE THE RENT PARTICIPANTS RELY ON FEDERAL HOUSING VOUCHERS SOMETHING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WANTS TO OVERHAUL THIS SUMMER NPR REPORTED THAT THE FEDERAL HOUSING AGENCY IS DRAFTING A RULE TO PUT WORK REQUIREMENTS AND A TWO-YEAR TIME LIMIT ON VOUCHERS WITH EXCEPTIONS FOR SENIORS AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES.

THIS DOESN'T MESH WITH THE MODEL.

>> WHAT EDUCATION YOU CAN GET IN TWO YEARS AND WHAT KIND OF EDUCATION YOU CAN GET IN THREE OR THREE-AND-A-HALF IS VERY DIFFERENT.

>> KATHY SAYS MOST GRADUATES HER PROGRAM GO INTO HEALTHCARE AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THOSE WHO CAN GET HIGHER LEVEL DEGREES DO SO.

>> WE NEED RN, BSN'S PEOPLE POSITIONED TO GO IN ADMINISTRATION IN HEALTHCARE.

IF YOU ONLY HAVE TWO YEARS, YOU'D HAVE A LOT OF CNA'S AND LPNS BUT WHO WOULD YOU HAVE ABOVE THAT.

>> VOUCHERS NEED TO BE REINED IN TIME LIMITS.

>> HOUSING ASSISTANCE IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR EVERYBODY THERE ARE REALLY LONG WAITING LISTS AND THOSE ON HOUSING ASSISTANCE STAY NOW FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

AND SO MY POSITION IN FAVOR OF SOME TIME LIMIT NOT NECESSARILY THE TWO-YEAR LIMIT IS BASED ON THE IDEA IT'S NOT FAIR FOR ANYBODY TO GET A LIFETIME TICKET WHILE MILLIONS OF OTHER PEOPLE WAIT ON THE WAITING LIST.

>> THAT IS TRUE FOR KENTUCKY.

THE KENTUCKY HOUSING CORPORATION WHICH ADMINISTERS VOUCHERS IN 80 PLUS COUNTY SAYS THERE'S MORE PEOPLE ON THE WAITING LIST THAT HAVE A VOUCHER IN HAND AND PEOPLE TEND TO WAIT FOR ONE TO THREE YEARS BEFORE GETTING ONE.

STILL AN OFFICIAL WITH THE STATE HOUSING AGENCY WORRIES THE RULE WOULD BACKFIRE.

>> I CAN SEE SOME FOLKS THINKING THE UPSIDE IT WOULD LET MORE FOLKS GET A CHANCE AT A VOUCHER BUT ONLY FOR 24 MONTHS WHICH MAY NOT BELONG ENOUGH TO BUILD THEIR SELF SUFFICIENCY SO THEY ARE BACK TO UNSTABLE AFTER THAT.

>> LOCAL HOUSING MARKETS ARE TOUGH ON RENTERS RIGHT NOW.

THE AVERAGE RENT FOR SOMEONE WITH A VOUCHER IS $1100 A MONTH AND THE MONTHLY INCOME IS BARELY MORE THAN THAT.

LAST YEAR KENTUCKY HOUSING CORPORATION RELEASED A REPORT THAT FOUND WE HAVE 206,000 UNITS WE NEED TO BUILD 206 ENOUGH HOUSING ACROSS KENTUCKY TO BRING COSTS DOWN AND HOUSE OUR KENTUCKIANS IN A UNIT THAT THEY CAN AFFORD.

SO IN THAT ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HOUSING FOR MIDDLE INCOME FOLKS LET ALONE FOR POOR FOLKS IN KENTUCKY, THE IDEA WE WOULD CREATE A 24-MONTH LIMIT TAKES A LONGTIME TO GET UNITS BUILT.

IT'S NOT LIKE WE ARE GOING TO FULFILL OUR SUPPLY GAP TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR EVERYONE WHO NEEDS IT.

IT SEEMS TONE DEAF AND NOT IN PACE WITH WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR HOUSING MARKET AND ECONOMY RIGHT NOW.

>> HOWARD IS NOT KEEN ON TWO YEARS HE WOULD PREFER FIVE YEARS WITH WHICH FALLS IN LINE WITH THE FEDERAL CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND WISHES VOUCHER HOLDERS DID NOT HAVE TO PAY A PERCENTAGE OF THEIR INCOME.

>> THE MORE MONEY YOU MAKE, THE MORE YOU PAY.

NOBODY WOULD SIGN THAT LEASE.

LET'S CHANGE THAT AND LET PEOPLE SAVE MONEY PREPARE TO EXIT AND NOT MAKE THE EXIT TOO STEEP.

>> FEDERAL OFFICIALS HAVE SAID LIMITS WILL BRING SELF SUFFICIENCY.

SHE KNOWS HOW TO GET PEOPLE THERE.

>> TIME IS AN ARTIFICIAL CONSTRUCT WE MADE IT UP.

WE KNOW WE DID.

BUT PROGRESS YOU CAN SET A GOAL AND MEASURE TOWARDS THAT PROGRESS.

>> THE PROPOSED TIME LIMIT IS NOT OFFICIAL BUT IF IT DOES BECOME REAL AND APPLY TO THOSE ALREADY WITH A HOUSING VOUCHER THAT COULD INTERRUPT PLANS FOR THIS ASPIRING SOCIAL WORKER.

>> SOME LANDLORDS SEE VOUCHERS ARE RELIABLE SOURCE OF INCOME.

WE REACHED OUT AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND.

>> THE U.S. SENATE IS NOW CONSIDERING THE NOMINATION OF KENTUCKIAN CHAD MEREDITH TO BE A FEDERAL DISTRICT JUDGE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP NOMINATED MEREDITH, WHO IS A FORMER KENTUCKY SOLICITOR GENERAL.

HE'S BEEN A GUEST ON KET'S 'KENTUCKY TONIGHT,' AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS VIDEO.

THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE BEGAN HEARINGS YESTERDAY.

MEREDITH THANKED HIS FELLOW LAWYERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT SOMETHING ON THE ORDER OF 350 LAWYERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN KENTUCKY AND ELSEWHERE REGISTERED THEIR ENDORSEMENT OF MY NOMINATION.

I'M HONORED AND FLATTERED BY THIS.

I THANK THE TWO JUDGES.

THEY HAVE BOTH INSPIRED ME TO PURSUE PUBLIC SERVICE IN THE POSITION OF THE JUDICIARY AND THE TRAITS THEY EXHIBITED EVERY SINGLE DAY PROVIDED A MASTER CLASS HOW JUDGES SHOULD COMPORT THEMSELVES.

JUDGES SHOULD BE OBJECTIVE, LOGICAL, PATIENT, REASONABLE, UNDERSTANDING, CONSIDERATE AND ABOVE ALL, THEY TAUGHT ME THAT JUDGES SHOULD ALWAYS UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES SET ASIDE THEIR DESIRES AND PREFERENCES AND DO WHATTED LAW CONVENES, NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS.

BOTH OF KENTUCKY'S U.S.

SENATORS BACK MEREDITH'S NOMINATION.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL SPOKE AT YESTERDAY'S HEARING.

HE TALKED ABOUT MEREDITH'S LAW EXPERIENCE.

>> HE STARTED FIRST, SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

AS A SOLICITOR GENERAL FROM 2019 TO 2021 HE OVERSAW LITIGATION INVOLVING THE COMMONWEALTH.

HE EARNED A REPUTATION FOR BEING FAIR MINDED AND PROFESSIONAL AND HAVING A STRONG WORK ETHIC.

FROM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, WE HAVE DOZENS OF CURRENT AND FORMER STATE SOLICITORS GENERAL EXPRESSING THEIR STRONG SUPPORT FOR CHAD'S NOMINATION.

AS KENTUCKY FIRST SOLICITOR GENERAL THEY SAID CHAD DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF IN DIVERSE AREAS OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW.

CHAD ALSO EXHIBITS THE TEMPERAMENT NECESSARY TO BE A DISTRICT JUDGE.

AS CHAD'S PROFESSIONAL PEERS WHO HAVE WITNESSED HIS WORK, WE'RE CONFIDENT THAT HE POSSESSES THE QUALITIES TO SERVE WITH DISTINCTION AS A DISTRICT JUDGE.

THAT'S FROM THE OTHER SOLICITORS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

ADDITIONALLY IT'S NOTABLE TO HEAR FROM HUNDREDS OF LAWYERS CALLING CHAD FAIR MINDED.

THESE LAWYERS COME FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS INCLUDE CIVIL LITIGATORS, PROSECUTORS, AND CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS.

THEY HOLD VARIOUS VIEWS AND PHILOSOPHIES AND ARE ARE SUPPORTING THIS NOMINATION SAYING WE ALL AGREE THAT OUR LEGAL SYSTEM NEEDS JUDGES WHO CAREFULLY AND HONESTLY EVALUATE ARGUMENTS MADE BY THE PARTIES AND DO WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES.

WE ALL BELIEVE THAT CHAD WILL EXCEL AS A DISTRICT JUDGE.

>> DEMOCRATS ON THE COMMITTEE ASKED MEREDITH ABOUT THE LAST-MINUTE PARDONS UNDER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN.

MEREDITH SPENT TIME AS DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL UNDER BEVIN.

MEREDITH DENIED INVOLVEMENT IN THE PARDONS.

IT'S NOT CLEAR WHEN THE COMMITTEE WILL VOTE ON MEREDITH.

HE WOULD THEN NEED APPROVAL FROM THE FULL SENATE.

>> THE STATE'S LARGEST UTILITY PROVIDER HAS AGREED TO EXTEND THE LIFESPAN OF TWO COAL PLANTS AS IT PREDICTS A SURGE IN ENERGY DEMAND IN KENTUCKY.

THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT WITH LG AND E AND KU INVOLVED SEVERAL STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING KENTUCKY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL.

UNDER THE PLAN, THE UTILITY COMPANIES WILL DELAY THE RETIREMENT OF A COAL-FIRED POWER UNIT IN JEFFERSON COUNTY UNTIL 2027, FOUR YEARS LONGER THAN PREVIOUSLY PLANNED.

THEY WILL ALSO INSTALL EMISSION REDUCTION DEVICES ON KU'S LARGEST COAL-FIRED PLANT, ALLOWING IT TO OPERATE MORE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

AND THEY WILL BUILD TWO NEW NATURAL GAS PLANTS, WITH BOTH COMING ONLINE BY 2031.

NOTABLY, THE UTILITIES HAVE DROPPED PLANS FOR A LARGE BATTERY STORAGE PROJECT IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, A MOVE ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN SAYS WILL SAVE RATEPAYERS APPROXIMATELY 775 MILLION DOLLARS.

QUOTE: "THIS AGREEMENT TAPS INTO KENTUCKY'S ABUNDANT NATURAL RESOURCES AND OUR 'ALL-OF-THE-ABOVE' ENERGY STRATEGY TO POWER THE COMMONWEALTH'S BRIGHT FUTURE.

BY SECURING OUR AFFORDABLE ENERGY FUTURE, WE'VE ALSO KEPT OUR COMMONWEALTH OPEN FOR NEW BUSINESS INVESTMENT, JOB CREATION, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH."

LG AND E AND KU PREDICT KENTUCKY WILL CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE RECORD-BREAKING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE COMING YEARS, INCLUDING AN INFLUX OF DATA CENTERS, WHICH REQUIRE ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF ELECTRICITY.

THEY THINK THIS SETTLEMENT WILL HELP THEM MEET GROWING ENERGY DEMANDS.

THE PROPOSAL NOW HEADS TO THE KENTUCKY PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FOR FINAL APPROVAL, WHICH HAS UNTIL NOVEMBER TO ISSUE A RULING.

>> CRIME IS DOWN IN LOUISVILLE THIS YEAR, BUT CITY LEADERS WANT TO SEE MORE IMPROVEMENT.

MAYOR CRAIG GREENBERG SAYS SHOOTINGS AND HOMICIDES ARE DOWN 30 PERCENT.

THE CITY'S "SAFE LOUISVILLE" PLAN HAS A GOAL OF A CONTINUED 15-PERCENT REDUCTION EVERY YEAR.

BUT THE MAYOR SAYS GOVERNMENT CAN'T DO IT ALONE.

HE CREATED A COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION, AND TODAY, LOUISVILLE LEADERS ANNOUNCED MEMBERS OF THAT COMMISSION.

>> I CAN'T WAITED FOR THIS GROUP TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

WE HAVE 23 COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION MEMBERS AND FROM ALL DIFFERENT WALKS LIFE.

PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN EVERY CORNER OF OUR CITY.

ALL AGES, IN THEIR 20s TO 90s.

DIFFERENT POLITICAL SPECIAL SITUATIONS, DIFFERENT WORK AND EDUCATION EXPERIENCES.

AS MAYOR SAID WE HAVE DIFFERENT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDUSTRIES REPRESENTED.

EVERYTHING FROM LAW, PUBLIC POLICY, AND ADVOCACY WORK ALL THE WAY TO HEALTH, EDUCATION, FAITH AND SO MUCH MORE.

SO MANY DIFFERENT VOICES AND, YET, THERE IS ONE THING THAT EACH PERSON HAS IN COMMON: EACH COMMISSION MEMBER CARES DEEPLY ABOUT MAKING OUR CITY SAFER.

>> I AM A FIRM BELIEVER THE ONLY WAY TO HAVE GOOD IDEAS IS TO HAVE A LOT OF THEM.

WITH THIS COMMISSION WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE IDEAS AND PLANS FUNCTION WHEN THEY HAVE THE FRICTION OF CHALLENGE BEFORE EXECUTED.

THIS GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE IDEAS, FORMULATE PLANS HOW TO EXECUTE THEM GO BACK AND FORTHWITH PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE PLANS ARE THEN EXECUTED.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK AHEAD OF US.

AND WE TALKED ABOUT THAT WE HAVE SEEN A REDUCTION IN VIOLENCE.

BUT I WANT TO LIFT UP AND BRING UP TODAY ALTHOUGH WE HAVE SEEN A REDUCTION IN VIOLENCE WE HAVE SEEN A LARGE INCREASE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE OF YOUNGER VICTIMS AND YOUNGER PERPETRATORS.

AND SO I WANT MY COMMISSION MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS TO KNOW THAT THAT IS GOING TO BE AT THE TOP OF MY MIND AS WE GO THROUGH THIS WORK.

AND I KNOW THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS GOING TO HAVE INTEREST AS WELL BUT WE DO HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

>> YOU CAN FIND A LIST OF THE COMMISSION'S 23 MEMBERS AT THE LOUISVILLE METRO WEB PAGE.

[♪♪] >> THIS WEEKEND THE YMCA OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY WILL HOST ITS BACK TO SCHOOL RALLIES WHERE THOUSANDS OF BACKPACKS OF FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES WILL BE HANDED OUT.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, VOLUNTEERS HELPED TO PACK AND ORGANIZE THOSE 3,500 BACKPACKS IN JUST A FEW HOURS.

ORGANIZERS SAY THE BACKPACK PACKING PARTY IS A GREAT WAY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO INVEST IN ITS FAMILIES.

>> THERE IS A WHOLE PACKETED OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES, BINDERS, NOTEBOOKS, PENCILS.

JUST ASSEMBLY LINE DOING THEM AND PUT THEM TOGETHER.

SATURDAY THE KIDS WILL GET TO COME AND PICK UP BACKPACKS AT LOCATIONS AROUND THE CITY.

>> IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AND RALLY AROUND OUR KIDS AS WE START SCHOOL AGAIN AND WE'RE PROVIDING THEM WITH SUPPLIES.

WE LOOK AT THE SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST WE TRY TO COMBINE THOSE AND GRAB THE THINGS ON MOST SCHOOL LISTS.

>> SCHOOLS ARE ONE OF MY PASSION PROJECTS.

I'VE GOT KIDS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL AND I'VE LOVED BEING ABLE TO HELP THEM AT THEIR SCHOOLS WHEN THE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES COME UP WITH THE Y I LOVE DOING THAT.

>> WE'VE DON DOING IT FOR 10 YEARS AND WE STARTED SPONSORING IT FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT AND I CALLED JESSICA AND SAID WE GOT TO DO MORE WE WANT TO BE PART OF IT.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS FOR US.

ALL ABOUT SHOWING UP AND THEY GET GOOD COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS, TOO.

AND YOU CAN HEAR THEM THEY ARE HAVING FUN HAVING A GOOD TIME AND PROUD OF THESE GUYS.

PROUD OF OUR SCHOOL FOR COMING HERE AND STEPPING UP AND BEING A PART BECAUSE IT'S REAL IMPORTANT THAT THESE KIDS AND OUR FAMILY FEELS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE KIDS TO GET TO SCHOOL AND HAVE WHAT THEY NEED.

WE WILL BE THERE AND WE TRY TO GO AROUND TO THE DIFFERENT SITES AND SEE THE EXCITEMENT OF THE KIDS AND THE PARENTS.

>> THERE WILL BE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO ENJOY.

WE WANT FAMILIES TO HAVE FUN.

THERE WILL BE SCHOOL SYSTEM STAFFS IN OUR SURROUNDING COUNTIES TO INTERACT AND FIND OUT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION HOW TO START THE SCHOOL YEAR OFF STRONG.

>> WHEN THE COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER, THEN EVERYBODY HAS IS INVESTED IN THE KIDS AND THEIR EDUCATION.

AND I MEAN, YOU KNOW, NOT TO SOUND CHEESY BUT KIDS ARE OUR FUTURE AND THIS IS HOW WE BUILDUP A GREAT COMMUNITY IS BY DOING THINGS LIKE THIS.

>> THE BACK TO SCHOOL RALLIES WILL TAKE PLACE AT FIVE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AROUND LEXINGTON AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

IN TOTAL, OVER 52,000 BACKPACKS HAVE BEEN HANDED OUT AT THESE EVENTS SINCE 2011.

[♪♪] >> A CENTRAL KENTUCKY PROGRAM GIVING OPPORTUNITIES TO THOSE FACING POTENTIAL BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT IS OFFERING A NEW WAY FOR THEM TO EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONS.

THE INNOVATE TO ELEVATE INITIATIVE AT JUBILEE JOBS IS EMPLOYING VIRTUAL REALITY TO INTRODUCE YOUNG PEOPLE TO MORE THAN A DOZEN CAREERS.

MORE NOW HOW IT'S CHANGING THEIR PERSPECTIVE.

>> PEOPLE THAT COME TO A WORKSHOP LEARNING ABOUT CAREERS THEY ARE EXPECTING THE POWERPOINT SLIDE, RIGHT?

THEY ARE EXPECTING ME TO GET OUT THERE AND TALK FOR AN HOUR.

WHAT THEY ARE NOT EXPECTING IS INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY THAT ALLOWS THEM TO HAVE HANDS ON EXPERIENCE WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE THE ROOM.

>> THE VR IS KIND OF OUR ATTEMPT TO LEVEL THAT PLAYING FIELD.

INTRODUCING THEM TO STUDENTS THAT DON'T HAVE THOSE CONNECTIONS ALLOWING THEM TO HAVE A VERY HIGH REWARD, LOW RISK OPPORTUNITY FOR CAREER EXPOSURE.

>> IT SHOWS YOU WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

SO LIKE, NO SURPRISES WHEN YOU CHOOSE A CAREER AND SEE THOSE THINGS.

>> THIS ALLOWS US TO OPEN UP THAT HORIZON.

OPPORTUNITY IN A WAY THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE WE ARE SERVING.

IN A MOMENT THEY CAN PUT THE HEADSET ON AND A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES IS AT THEIR FINGERTIPS.

>> WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOFTWARE THAT HAS EIGHT CLUSTERS THAT CAN RANGE FROM IF YOU WANT TO THINK WHITE-COLLAR THERE'S ONE INVESTING IN INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO WHERE IT WALKS YOU THROUGH BEING AN INVESTMENT BEIGER AND WHAT CREATING A PORTFOLIO WOULD BE LIKE.

REALLY ALL THE WAY TO WORKING IN THE SKILLED TRADES.

>> A DIFFERENT VIEW ON DIFFERENT JOBS.

YOU HELP A NEIGHBORHOOD POWER OUTAGE, AND YOU WORK LIKE ON THE LINES.

I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT NONE OF THAT.

>> IT ADDS A LEVEL OF EDUCATION TO THE PROCESS.

>> LIKE HANDS ON.

SO LIKE YOU ARE LOOKING AROUND A LOT.

I WOULD SAY IT'S VISUAL.

IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GO THROUGH PICK A GAME AND YOU DO THE TASK, GET THE REWARD.

GET THE FIVE STARS IF YOU DID GOOD ON IT AND MAKES IT FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN A GAME AND NOT TRYING TO WORK OR SOMETHING.

BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE ESPECIALLY MY AGE, CAN GO FOR THIS IS BORING.

WITH THE VR THE GAME KEEPS YOU INTERESTED.

>> IT'S REALLY COOL BECAUSE THIS TECHNOLOGY FEEDS THE DATA INTO A DASHBOARD SO WE CAN TRACK TRENDS OF THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE SERVING.

>> WE EMPLOYED THIS TECHNOLOGY IN THE DETENTION CENTER AND WE SAW A SPIKE IN INTEREST SPECIFICALLY WITH FEMALE PARTICIPANTS IN CAREERS BEING MECHANICS.

BECAUSE WE SEE THE CURIOSITY FUELED THAT KIND OF CAREER EXPLORATION WE WERE ABLE TO BRING IN RESOURCES TO SAY LET'S TALK ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES AT PIPELINES TO APPRENTICESHIPS.

>> THIS IS BIG FOR OUR CLIENTS IN THOUGHING THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE JOB BEFORE THEY GO AND GET THE JOB.

>> THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS WORKFORCE AND CAREER READINESS WORKSHOPS, INTERNSHIPS, AND CAREER SHADOWING.

[♪♪] WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL.

WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

YOU CAN WATCH FULL EPISODES AND CLIPS AT KET.ORG.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

[♪♪]