[♪♪] >> Renee: A FORMER STATE TEASES A RETURN TRIP TO POLITICS WHILE ANOTHER LAWMAKER SAYS COUNT ME OUT FOR NOW.

>> LOOK, I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS LOUISVILLE WILL BE A TARGET FOR HATE GROUP PRESIDENT LIKE THESE.

>> Renee: WHITE NATIONALISTS MARCH IN KENTUCKY AND CITY LEADERS RESPOND.

>> YOU COULD HAVE FIRED A CANNON DOWNTOWN AFTER 5:00 AND YOU WOULDN'T HAVE HIT A SOUL.

>> Renee: HOW THE REBIRTH OF A HISTORIC VENUE HAS BROUGHT NEW LIFE TO AKENTUCKY CITY.

>> THEY ARE THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND THEY KNOW THEIR COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE ABLE TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH SERVICES.

>> Renee: AND HOW UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY EXTENSION AGENTS ARE HELPING PREPARE FOR KENTUCKY'S NEXT WEATHER DISASTER.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THIS MONDAY JULY 7TH, HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT THREE-DAY WEEKENDS OVER THE FOURTH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT I'M RENEE SHAW.

KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS WERE BUSY OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND REACTING TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S SIGNATURE BILL OF TAX AND SPENDING CUTS.

THE PRESIDENT SIGNED THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL INTO LAW AT THE WHITE HOUSE AT THE FOURTH OF JULY PICNIC.

THE 940-PAGE LEGISLATION DOES A NUMBER OF THINGS AND ARE HERE A FEW.

IT EXTENDS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 2017 MULTITRILLION DOLLAR TAX CUTS IT, IT PROVIDES AFOR AN INCREASE IN IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND CUTS MEDICAID AND FOOD STAMPS BY MORE THAN $1 TRILLION.

BRETT GUTHRIE OF KENTUCKY'S SECOND DISTRICT AND DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN MORGAN MCGARVEY OF THE THIRD DISTRICT EACH HAD THIS TO SAY ABOUT THE NEW LAW.

>> WE ALSO MADE SURE THATTABILITIED BODIED AMERICANS IF THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK WORK FOR IT.

LIKE EVERY OTHER AMERICAN HAS TO GET UP AND WORK FOR THEIR HEALTHCARE IT'S FAIR THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO WORK DO WORK.

>> WHAT HE SOLD TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IS HE WOULDN'T TOUCH MEDICAID NOW HE IS GIVEN THE LARGEST MEDICAID CUT IN HISTORY.

IT WILL TAKE HEALTHCARE AWAY FROM I HAD CANS IN MY DISTRICT.

>> Renee: GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS CRITICAL OF THE BILL.

HE APPEARED ON "CNN"'S STATE OF THE UNION TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT HE SAYS IT WILL HAVE ON THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: IN MY STATE ALONE, 200,000 PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOSE THEIR COVERAGE.

THOSE ARE 200,000 KENTUCKIANS THAT DESERVE TO SEE A DOCTOR WHEN THEY ARE SICK.

20,000 HEALTHCARE WORKERS WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS.

AND WE'VE GOT UP TO 35 RURAL HOSPITALS THAT ARE THE SECOND BIGGEST EMPLOYER IN THEIR COMMUNITIES THAT MAY CLOSE THEIR DOORS AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS OUR ECONOMY TAKES A HUGE HIT.

AND THEN WHETHER YOU HAVE PRIVATE INSURANCE OR MEDICAID IF YOU LIVE IN RURAL AMERICA YOU HAVE TO DRIVE HOURS JUST TO SEE THE DOCTOR THAT USED TO BE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> Renee: WE'LL TALK ABOUT MEDICAID'S FUTURE AND HOW IT WILL IMPACT KENTUCKY PATIENTS AND HOSPITALS ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" WITH A PANEL OF POLICYMAKERS, HEALTHCARE OFFICIALS AND LOBBYISTS AND WE WANT YOU TO SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS AND COULDN'TS TONIGHT AT 8:00, 7 CENTRAL HERE ON KET.

>>> THIS WEEKEND, A WHITE NATIONALIST GROUP MADE ITS WAY THROUGH DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE.

THE GROUP PIECEFULLY ASSEMBLED WITH LITTLE CONFRONTATION.

AS OUR JUNE LEFFLER REPORTS LOUISVILLE LEADERS CONDEMN THE IDEOLOGY BEHIND THE MARCH.

>> THIS POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT POSTED A VIDEO SATURDAY OF MASKED PEOPLE IN LOUISVILLE CARRYING AMERICAN AND CONFEDERATE FLAGS.

THE GROUP APPEARS TO BE PATRIOT FRONT A FAR RIGHT WHITE SUPREMACIST GROUP ACCORDING TO WATCHDOGS AND RECORDS FROM THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.

THE POLICE SAID QUOTE THIS EVENTS UNDERSTANDABLY CONCERNING POSED NO THREAT TO THE PUBLIC AND HAD NO IMPACT ON TRAFFIC OR OTHER OPERATIONS IN THE CITY.

THEREFORE IT IS OUR HOPE THAT NOBODY GIVES THIS GROUP THE COVERAGE AND ATTENTION IT IS SEEKING.

ALTHOUGH MANY PROTESTS HAPPEN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE LEADERS PUSHED BACK ON WHAT THEY SAW.

LOUISVILLE MAYOR CRAIG GREENBERG WROTE QUOTE I STRONGLY CONDEMN THIS GROUP, THEIR MESSAGE AND THEIR ACTIVITY.

THEY ARE FOCUSED ON HATE AND HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR CITY OR ANYWHERE ELSE.

THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, SAID QUOTE IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS GROUP FELT COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO DISPLAY ITS VENOM ON A LOUISVILLE CITY STREET.

PHILLIP BAILEY SAYS THE GROUP HAS BEEN SPOT POLICE DEPARTMENT IN CITIES ACROSS THE NATION.

>> I THINK IT TOOK PEOPLE BY SURPRISE THERE HAD BEEN NO HEADS UP INITIATION OR ALERT OF THIS PROTEST BY THE CITY AND IT GOES BACK TO THE POP-UP STRATEGY.

LOOK, I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS LOUISVILLE WILL BE A TARGET FOR HATE GROUPS LIKE THESE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ALREADY CALLED OUT THE CITY AND OTHER URBAN CENTERS FOR BEING SANCTUARY AREAS.

THERE IS A LOT OF CRACKDOWN ON IMMIGRATION VIA THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND GROUPS LIKE THE PATRIOT FRONT ARE ADAMANT AMERICAN FOR AMERICANS.

AND WHEN THOMAS RUSSO SAYS THAT IS ONLY WHITE AMERICANS.

THEY DO NOT HAVE A VISION OF A MULTIRACIAL DEMOCRACY.

OTHERS LATCHED ON TO THAT AND YOU WILL SEE IN DIVERSE CITIES LIKE LOUISVILLE WITH A HIGHER BLACK AND IMMIGRANT POPULATION, ARE GOING TO BECOME FOCAL POINTS FOR GROUPS IN THE FUTURE.

>> IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW MANY OF THE MASKED MEN CAME FROM OTHER STATES OR RIGHT HERE IN LOUISVILLE.

THIS POSTER FOR THE GROUP WAS SPOTTED IN LOUISVILLE WEEKS AGO.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, JUNE FOR THAT REPORT.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS, KENTUCKY IS SUING TO STOP WHAT THE STATE IS CALLING AN ILLEGAL PRICE FIXING SCHEME INFLATING RENT PRICES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST REAL PAGE A TEXAS BASED PRICING SOFTWARE FIRM AND NINE LANDLORD GROUPS IT'S USING A ALGORITHM TO RECOMMEND THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE RENT A LANDLORD COULD OFFER AND THE SUIT GENERAL COLEMAN SAYS QUOTE REAL PAGE REPLACES COMPETITION WITH COORDINATION.

IT DOES SO OPENLY AND DIRECTLY AND REPRESENTATIVERS IN KENTUCKY ARE LEFT PAYING THE PRICE.

END QUOTE.

MORE THAN HALF A MILLION KENTUCKY HOUSEHOLDS ARE OCCUPY BIDE RENTERS.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, NEARLY HALF OF THOSE RENTERS SPEND AT LEAST 30% OF THEIR INCOME ON REPRESENTATIVE.

MEANWHILE STATE LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO ADDRESS KENTUCKY'S HOUSING SHORTAGE A TASK FORCE FOCUSED ON HOUSING IS MEETING THIS SUMMER AHEAD OF THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>>> COULD A FAMILIAR FACE BE RETURNING TO KENTUCKY POLITICS?

FORMER REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE RALPH ALVARADO SAYS HE WILL BE MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT SOON ABOUT WHETHER HE WILL RUN FOR KENTUCKY'S SIXTH DISTRICT.

THE SEAT WILL BE OPEN AS CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR RUNS FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS THE COMMISSIONER OF THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ALSO A PHYSICIAN WHO STILL PRACTICES MEDICINE IN CLARK COUNTY.

HIS ANNOUNCEMENT CAME MINUTES AFTER SENATOR AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE STATE SHE WILL NOT RUN FOR CONGRESS NEXT YEAR.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THE LEXINGTON REPUBLICAN SAID SHE WITH WAS CONFIDENT SHE WOULD WIN THE RACE AND ADDED NOW IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME FOR HER AND HER FAMILY.

SHE ADDED QUOTE A GREAT CANDIDATE FOR THIS SEAT WILL BE ANNOUNCING IN THE COMING DAYS AND I'M GOING TO BE ALL IN WITH HIM.

IN HIS STATEMENT ALVARADO SAID WITH MY DEAR FRIEND AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE ANNOUNCING SHE IS NOT RUNNING FOR CONGRESS, I WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT MY WIFE, DAWN, AND I ARE STRONGLY CONSIDERING THIS RACE.

SOMETHING TO KEEP OUR EYES ON.

>>> HERE IS MORE LEXINGTON NEWS.

REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE BILL WESLEY ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT HE INTENDS TO RUN FOR THE STATE SENATE.

WESLEY SERVED DISTRICT 91 SINCE 2021.

HE IS A MARINE CORPS VETERAN AND A PASTOR AND LIVES IN ESTILL COUNTY.

HE WOULD BE SEEKING TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 30, THAT COVERS, BREATHITT, ESTILL, LEE, LESLIE, MAGOFFIN, MORGAN, PERRY, POWELL AND WOLFE COUNTIES.

AND IT'S CURRENTLY HELD BY REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR BRANDON SMITH WHO HAS SERVED IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SINCE 2001.

HE FELLLY INFENDS ON SEEKING REELECTION.

[♪♪] WE'RE TAKING "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THE ROAD AGAIN THIS SUMMER.

ALL THIS WEEK WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING THE LAKE CUMBERLAND REGION PARTICULARLY SOMERSET AND PULASKI COUNTY.

SOMERSET'S ONCE SLEEPY DOWNTOWN NOW BOASTS NEW BUSINESSES AND RESTAURANTS IN A THRIVING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT SCENE.

THE REBIRTH STARTED WITH THE PLAN TO BRING THE THEATER BACK TO LIFE.

TODAY WE'RE TAKING YOU THERE FOR OUR SEGMENT WE CALL MONDAYS ON MAIN.

>> I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH HOW EMPTY OUR DOWNTOWN WAS A DECADE AGO.

YOU COULD HAVE FIRED A CANNON THROUGH DOWNTOWN AFTER 5:00 AND YOU WOULDN'T HAVE HIT A SOUL.

COMMUNITY LEADERS WOULD DISCOURAGE YOU FOR SETTING UP A BUSINESS DOWNTOWN THEY WOULD PUSH YOU TOWARDS 27.

IT WAS STILL WE WERE KNOWN FOR.

WHEN PEOPLE COME DOWN HERE A LOT OF TIMES, THEY GO OUT ON THE LAKE AND IT'S HARD TO GET THEM OFF THE LAKE.

WE NEED TO GIVE THEM OPTIONS TO EXPLORE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND WE DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF THOSE OPTIONS AND THE ONES WE HAD WERE POORLY MARKETED.

>> STARTING IN 2019 OUR MAYOR HAD A VISION TO REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN THROUGH COMMUNITY EVENTS, ARTS, AND BUSINESS.

>> WE WANTED TO RESTORE THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY MAKING SURE THAT IT BECAME A PLACE THAT WASN'T JUST A PHYSICAL DESTINATION BUT A FEELING AND SENSE OF BELONGING.

>> WE STARTED WITH THE FARMERS MARKET AND WE DIDN'T THROW UP A SHED WE DID INDOOR OUTDOOR, ROLL UP GARAGE DOORS IT IS AN EVENT VENUE AND LAST YEAR WE HAD CLOSE TO 300 EVENTS, INCLUDING THE WEEKLY PEAKER.

ANOTHER STAPLE IN INVESTMENT WAS THE VIRGINIA THEATER.

100-YEAR-OLD THEATER THAT WAS SHUTTERED FOR 27 YEARS.

I HEARD MOST OF MY CHILDHOOD LET'S SAVE THE VIRGINIA.

SO WE MADE A DECISION TO CREATE A MULTIUSE, INDOOR EVENT SPACE THAT COULD DO EVERYTHING FROM HOSTING PLAYS, LIVE MUSIC, FUNDRAISERS, GALAS, LIVE THEATER AND IT'S BEEN A HOME RUN.

>> WE KNEW THIS MIXED-USE VENUE COULD BE PER PERCEIVED AS AN ANCHOR POINT AND WITH THAT YOU WOULD SEE OTHER THINGS.

RESTAURANTS, BARS, AFTER 5 ESTABLISHMENTS.

FEW WERE HERE PRIOR TO THE REVITALIZATION OF THE VIRGINIA THEATER.

>> 2018 WE HAD ONE RESTAURANT ONE RETAIL BUSINESS.

AND NOW WE HAVE OVER 15 BOUTIQUE RESTAURANT, ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS.

>> WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF NEW BUSINESSES.

AND WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF SECOND AND THIRD LOCATIONS FROM BUSINESSES THAT ARE COMING INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M MOST PROUD OF IS THE MAJORITY OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS THAT HAVE CHOSEN TO LOCATE IN DOWNTOWN ARE FEMALE OWNED AND OPERATED.

MOST FAMILY BUSINESSES.

WE'VE CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE IT'S NOT JUST THE GOOD OLD BOYS EVERYBODY CAN THRIVE AND SUCCEED.

>> THE MAYOR APPROACHED US 2019, HE KNEW WE WERE LOOKING FOR A SECONDARY LOCATION FOR OUR RESTAURANT AND HE SAID, HEY WHAT ABOUT COMING DOWNTOWN.

SO WE LOOKED AT IT.

THERE WASN'T A LOT DOWN HERE AT THE TIME.

AND WE TOOK A LEAP OF FAITH AND WE THOUGHT ABOUT IT, PRAYED ABOUT IT, AND IT WORKED OUT.

SINCE THEN, OUR DECISION TO OPEN UP THE OTHER BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN WAS JUST BEING PART OF SOMETHING.

THEY'VE BROUGHT THE VIRGINIA THEATER IN AND THAT'S BEEN A GREAT DRAW TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

WHETHER OR NOT THEY EVEN HAPPEN TO GO INTO THE EXAM THEY DAY THEY SEE IT AND I WILL COME ANOTHER TIME AND STOP IN AND HAVE DINNER BEFORE THEY GO TO THE VIRGINIA OR COME TO THE END MALDEN HOUND AFTER THE EVENT.

BRINGING MORE THINGS TO THE AREA AND EVENTS BRINGING MORE TRAFFIC TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA HELPS ALL BUSINESSES.

>> WE LIVE IN AN INCREDIBLY DIVISIVE TIME AND MY FOCUS HAS BEEN ON WHAT CAN WE DO THAT DOES BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>> ONE OF THE MAJOR THINGS WAS FREE FESTIVALS AN EVENT THAT ALL ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS COULD COME TO.

>> FOOD, MUSIC, ART THINGS THAT BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>> WE BUILT THOSE FESTIVALS AROUND THOSE THREE PRINCIPLES.

FOOD WAS OUR FIRST WE FOCUSED ON THE FOOD TRUCKS THAT'S THE BIG THING ACROSS THE NATION.

SO WE WANTED TO DO OUR OWN VERSION OF THAT WITH ALL OF OUR UNIQUE SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY OUR FALL FESTIVAL CALLED THE MOONLIGHT FESTIVAL AND THAT IS WHERE WE DO THE BIG STAGE IN FOUNTAIN SQUARE AND BRING IN MUSIC FOR THE DAY.

WE HAVE OUR MASTER MUSICIANS FESTIVAL WITH OVER 30 YEARS.

THAT'S BEEN TAKING PLACE HERE IN SOMERSET, KENTUCKY AND IT CONTINUES TO GROW AND JUST BE A HIGHLIGHT OF WHO WE ARE.

>> HORSE SOLDIER BOURBON THAT IS ANOTHER HUGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

THE URBAN STILL HOUSE, WHICH IS PART OF THE HORSE SOLDIER DISTILLERY, IT WOULDN'T BE HERE IF IT WASN'T FOR THE DISTILLERY COMING TO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> WE'RE HERE TO TELL THE STORY OF THE HORSE SOLDIERS WHEN YOU WALK IN THE DOOR WE ARE TELLING THEIR STORY.

WE GOT HERE A COUPLE YEARS AGO BUT IT'S BEEN AN UNBELIEVABLE THING TO WATCH THIS TOWN GROW AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH US BECAUSE THE DISTILLERY IS NOT OPEN YET.

ON THEIR OWN ACCORD PEOPLE ARE FINDING OUT ABOUT SOMERSET, SLOWLY BUT SURELY AND IT'S BEEN SO GREAT.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT OUR POPULATION GROWTH IN SOMERSET, IT OUTPACED THE REST OF THE STATE BY DOUBLE IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.

WE'RE PROUD OF THAT.

PEOPLE WANT TO BE IN SOMERSET, IN PULASKI COUNTY.

>> QUALITY OF LIFE IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT AND THAT IS WHY PEOPLE STAY.

OUR COMMUNITY IS ONE OF A KIND.

AND I THINK IT'S SPECIAL AND AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO TELL OUR SOMERSET STORY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO GROW.

>> Renee: AND OUR THANKS TO ECHO GAMEL FOR THAT STORY.

IT'S CALLED THE CROWN JEWEL OF KENTUCKY AND BEARS THE TITLE "HOUSEBOAT CAPITAL OF THE WORLD".

LAKE CUMBERLAND IN SOUTHERN KENTUCKY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST VISITED LAKES IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES.

FIVE COUNTIES, CLINTON, RUSSELL WAYNE, PULASKI AND LAUREL BORDER LAKE CUMBERLAND.

IT DRAWS MORE VISITORS THAN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK AND ALMOST HAS HAS MANY AS THE GRAND CANYON AND THE COMMUNITIES AROUND IT ARE RIDING A WAVE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.

WE CONTINUE OUR ROAD TRIP THIS TIME TO LAKE CUMBERLAND.

[♪♪] >> LAKE CUMBERLAND'S UNIQUE BECAUSE OF ITS SHEER SIZE.

IT'S OVER 1250 MILES LONG AND SOME PARTS OF THE LAKE YOU CAN FIND IT A MILE WIDE.

YOU CAN FIND A COVE AND NOT SEE ANYBODY OR MEET ALL THE NEW PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

FOLKS LOVE OUR HOSPITALITY.

WE'RE FROM THE SOUTH.

PEOPLE LOVE HOW WE TREAT THEM AND AND HOW THEY ARE TREATED.

WE GET FOUR MILLION VISITORS A YEAR AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT IS DURING THE SUMMERTIME BECAUSE THAT IS THE PLACE TO COME.

WE HAVE BOATING, WE'VE GOT FISHING, WE'VE GOT WAKE BOARDING, HOUSEBOATING WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING FOR EVERYBODY.

THERE'S FIVE COUNTIES THAT SURROUND LAKE CUMBERLAND.

WHEN YOU ARE ON THE LAKE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT COUNTY IS THERE'S NO COUNTY LINES ON THE LAKE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT HAS GROWN BY $27 MILLION FROM 2018 TO CURRENT.

AN AVERAGE ECONOMIC IMPACT IS $150 MILLION JUST FOR PULASKI COUNTY.

AND IT IS GROWING ALL THE TIME.

AND WE WORK AS A REGION.

WE HAVE TO HELP OUR NEIGHBORS OUT.

BECAUSE IF THEY ARE COMING AND GOING TO CONNELLY BOTTOM RESORT LOCATED IN WAYNE COUNTY THEY ARE COMING THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY AND THEY ARE PROBABLY GOING TO STAY WITH US AND SPEND THEIR MONEY WITH US AS WELL AS IN WAYNE COUNTY.

WE ALWAYS TRY TO MARKET EACH OTHER AS A REGION AND AS TOGETHER.

THE MAJORITY OF FOLKS THAT COME TO US ARE FROM THE NORTHERN AREA, OHIO, INDIANA, PENNSYLVANIA, MICHIGAN.

WHAT I LIKE TO DO IS WHEN I PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT LICENSE PLATES.

WE'VE SEEN THEM FROM ALASKA AND SEEN THEM FROM ARIZONA, FROM NEW YORK CITY, WE'VE SEEN THEM FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

THAT'S WHAT I ENJOY.

WE DON'T WANT TO GET TOO BIG.

SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE LET'S BE A GATLIN BERG.

I THINK OUR SIZE IS GOOD WE WANT TO BRING PEOPLE TO LIVE HERE AND BRING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TOURISTS TO SEE HOW WONDERFUL OUR PLACE IS.

>> Renee: AND IT'S WONDERFUL, INDEED.

IT TOOK AN ACT OF CONGRESS TO CREATE WHAT WE KNOW AS LAKE CUMBERLAND.

THE MAN MADE LAKE DATES BACK TO THE FLOOD CONTROL ACT OF 1938.

AND LATER THE RIVERS AND HARBORS ACT OF 1946.

AS OUR LAURA ROGERS EXPLAINS TODAY'S MECCA FOR RECREATION AND TOURISM TOOK A GREAT DEAL OF PLANNING THAT BEGAN NEARLY A CENTURY AGO.

>> BACK IN THE 20s AND THE 30s, THE FIRST THOUGHTS WERE TO BUILD A DAM ACROSS WOLF CREEK.

>> CONSTRUCTION OF THAT DAM WOULD HAPPEN ON THE CUMBERLAND RIVER IN RUSSELL COUNTY STARTING AROUND THE TIME OF WORLD WAR II.

>> IT ALL SORTS OF ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, REAL ESTATE OFFICERS, THERE IS A TON OF PLANNING THAT IS GOING INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT BEFORE ANY SHOVEL HITS THE GROUND.

>> WOLF CREEK DAM WAS COMPLETED IN THE EARLY 1950s.

>> AND THAT CREATED THIS RESERVOIR AND WE REFER TO IT AS LAKE CUMBERLAND.

>> THE CREATION OF THE LAKE DID COME WITH THE LOSS OF SMALL TOWNS IN THE BOTTOM LANDS.

>> THERE'S NO WAY TO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE COMMUNITIES THAT WERE INUNDATED BY THE IMPOUNDED WATERS.

>> ONE OF THOSE SUBMERGED COMMUNITIES CALLED BURNSIDE EXISTS TODAY.

ON HIGHER GROUND.

>> AND THEY HAVE A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY THRIVING COMMUNITY.

>> THAT ECONOMIC IMPACT SPANS ACROSS SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY.

>> THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IS GREAT.

>> "USA TODAY" NAMED LAKE CUMBERLAND AMONG THE 10 BEST LAKES IN THE COUNTRY.

>> THE SECRET'S OUT.

SO IT'S NO LONGER A HIDDEN GEM PER SE.

>> TO BE FAIR IT'S HARD TO STAY HIDDEN WHEN YOU HAVE 1255 MILES OF SHORELINE.

>> WHICH IS LONGER THAN THE SHORELINE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

>> AND A CAPACITY OF MORE THAN SIX MILLION ACRE FEET OF WATER.

>> THERE IS APPROXIMATELY 30 MILLION OLYMPIC SIZED SWIMMING POOLS IN THIS RESERVOIR.

>> THAT IS A LOT OF WATER.

AND IN 2007 SIGNS OF SEEPAGE LED THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO DO AN EMERGENCY DRAWDOWN WHICH LED TO ANOTHER DISCOVERY.

>> WE DID FIND LOTS OF ARTIFACTS DURING THE DRAWDOWN AND THE LOCATIONS AND IDENTIFICATION OF THOSE ARTIFACTS IS NOT RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC FOR THAT SPECIFIC REASON, TO PRESERVE IT FOR THE GREATER STUDY AND THE GREATER KNOWLEDGE OF PROTECTING OUR PAST.

>> A PAST THAT HAS MADE WAY FOR A FRUITFUL FUTURE WITH RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITY AND INVESTMENT THE LAKE IS HOME TO 10 MARINAS.

>> BOATERS CAN TIE-UP.

AND HAVE A GREAT DINNER.

SUNSET DINNER WATCHING THE SUNSET ACROSS THE LAKE.

IT IS A NEAT EXPERIENCE.

>> THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS COLLABORATES WITH KENTUCKY STATE PARKS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AND TOURISM COMMISSIONS WHO USED GRANT FUNDING TO PUT THE SIGNS ON THE LAKE.

>> IT HELPS OUR VISITORS COMMUNICATE WHERE THEY ARE ON A LAKE THAT IS 101 MILES LONG AND IN SOME CASES, FROM SHORELINE TO SHORELINE, IS A MILE ACROSS.

>> IT ALL ADDS UP TO A UNIQUELY KENTUCKY EXPERIENCE APPRECIATING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE PLACE WE CALL HOME.

>> AT LAKE CUMBERLAND, YOU CAN GO AND FIND YOUR OWN PRIVATE LITTLE COVE, COMPLETELY WOODED, SURROUNDED BY BIRD SONG AND HAVE THE WHOLE AREA TO YOURSELF.

AND IT TRULY IS A GETAWAY.

>> FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M LAURA ROGERS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU SO MUCH LAURA.

LAKE CUMBERLAND IS ALSO A POPULAR FISHING SPOT AND THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE INCLUDED THE LAKE IN ITS FISH HABITAT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SAYS IT IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES.

WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE FROM THE REGION ALL WEEK LONG AS "KENTUCKY EDITION" GOES ON THE ROAD.

[♪♪] FOLLOWING THE DEVASTATING FLOODS AND TORNADOES THAT IMPACTED THE COMMONWEALTH IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY EXTENSION AGENTS SERVICE PARTNERED WITH KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY FOR A TEAM INITIATIVE TO HELP TO RESPOND TO DISASTERS.

THE HOPE IS THAT AGENTS WILL BE ABLE TO USE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF IMPACTED COMMUNITIES TO ASSIST EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES RESPONDING TO CRISIS.

>> THE EXTENSION AGENTS OFTENTIMES SERVE AS KIND OF INTERMEDIARIORS AMBASSADORS FOR OUTSIDE GROUPS THAT COME INTO THE COUNTY AND WANT TO HELP.

SO THEY ARE THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

THEY KNOW THEIR COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE ABLE TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH SERVICES.

SO THEIR RECEPTION HAS ALWAYS BEEN POSITIVE.

THEY ARE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

WE REALIZED WE NEEDED MORE OF A SYSTEMIC APPROACH TO WHEN THESE THINGS WEATHER EVENTS HAPPEN.

THEY ARE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN.

WE'VE MADE AN EFFORT TO EDUCATE OUR EXTENSION AGENTS ACROSS THE STATE ON WHAT THEIR ROLES SHOULD BE IF AN EXTREME WEATHER EVENT HAPPENS IN THEIR COUNTY.

WE'VE DONE THAT.

WE'VE HAD A DISASTER PREPAREDNESS CONFERENCE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.

AND THEN THE FINAL STEP THAT WE'VE TAKEN SO FAR, IS THE CREATION OF REGIONAL EXTENSION STRIKE TEAMS.

AND SO THESE STRIKE TEAM MEMBERS THEIR ROLE IS TO GO TO AN IMPACTED COUNTY AND HELP THOSE EXTENSION AGENTS THERE TAKING OVER THEIR DAILY DUTIES AND ROLES FREEING UP THE IMPACTED COUNTIES EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS AND STAFF TO GO AND HELP WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, WITH RECOVERY AND DONATIONS MANAGEMENT AND MEAL PREPARATION AND THOSE THINGS THAT AGENTS DO WHEN A DISASTER HAPPENS.

OUR EMPLOYEES AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING THEY DO, THEY ARE THERE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY THEY WORK IN.

AND THEIR NORMAL ROLES IT MIGHT BE TALKING ABOUT CANNING OR IT MIGHT BE TALKING ABOUT HELPING A PRODUCER GET THE MAXIMUM OUT OF THEIR CROP YIELDS OR THEIR LIVESTOCK GAIN.

WHEN DISASTERS HAPPEN, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN TAKE BITS AND PIECES OF ALL THIS AND THEN JUMP IN AND HELP IN NOT THEIR EVERYDAY ROLE BUT AN IMPORTANT ROLES IN RECOVERY.

>> Renee: FINALLY TONIGHT LEARN ABOUT TWO PRESIDENTS, A SOFT DRINK AND KENTUCKY'S OFFICIAL STATE FRUIT AS OUR TOBY GIBBS GIVES US A LOOK BACK AT THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY HISTORY.

[♪♪] >> PRESIDENT TAYLOR DIED IN OFFICE ON JULY 9TH, 1850.

HE HAD KENTUCKY CONNECTIONS.

TAYLOR'S FAMILY MOVED FROM VIRGINIA TO THE LOUISVILLE AREA OF KENTUCKY WHEN HE WAS A CHILD.

HE LIVED THERE UNTIL HE JOINED THE ARMY IN 1808.

AND HE'S BURIED IN LOUISVILLE IN A CEMETERY NOW KNOWN AS THE ZACHARY TAYLOR NATIONAL CEMETERY.

>>> PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT VISITED COVINGTON'S RACETRACK ON JULY 8, 1938 AS HE CAMPAIGNED FOR SENATORIAL VIN BARCLAY'S RENOMINATION BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

BARCLAY FACED THE GOVERNOR BARCLAY WON.

>>> KENTUCKY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SPOKE TO MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE AT AN EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT RALLY AT THE U.S. CAPITOL ON JULY 9TH, 1978.

>>> SOFT DRINK MAKER GL WAYNE SCOTT INTRODUCED ONE OF KENTUCKY'S SIGNATURE DRINKS ON JULY 13, 1926.

ALE 81 IS A PUNISH BASED ON A LATE ONE AND THE WINNING ENTRY IN THE NAME THE DRINK CONTEST.

>>> ON JULY 13TH, 2004, KENTUCKY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE THE BLACKBERRY AS THE OFFICIAL STATE FRUIT.

AND THAT IS A LOOK BACK AT THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY HISTORY I'M TOBY GIBBS.

>> Renee: THANKS.

AND THAT WILL DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

I WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT FROM SOMERSET AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

UNTIL I SEE YOU THEN TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

[♪♪]