[♪♪] >> AN ETHICS COMMISSION'S CONCLUSIONS ABOUT STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL GROSSBERG.

AND WHERE DOES THE INVESTIGATION GO FROM HERE?

>> THE NEAT THING ABOUT THE CAR CULTURE IS IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE RICH OR POOR, BLACK OR WHITE, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT.

YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MATTER-YOU GET DOWN HERE, AND THAT TRANSCENDS ALL THAT.

>> WE'RE ON THE ROAD IN SOMERSET, HOME OF ONE OF THE BIGGEST CAR SHOWS IN AMERICA.

WE'RE DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR KIDS AND SOMETIMES KIDS MAKE NOISE WE GET EXCITED FOR IT.

AND SOME SOMERSET STUDENTS ARE ON THE MOVE... AND THEY WON'T BE STOPPING FOR GAS.

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

[♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO KENTUCKY EDITION FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 9TH.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WE CONTINUE OUR ON THE ROAD SHOW FROM SOMERSET, KENTUCKY...

HERE IN PULASKI COUNTY.

TODAY WE'RE INSIDE THE VIRGINIA THEATRE...

WHICH HAS BECOME THE ANCHOR OF DOWNTOWN SOMERSET.

COMING UP... HOW SOME LOCAL STUDENTS ARE SHINING BRIGHT AS THEY COMPETE IN A SOLAR CAR COMPETITION.

AND WE TAKE A TRIP TO NEARBY CUMBERLAND COUNTY TO SEE HOW THE CITY OF BURKESVILLE IS SHOWING THOSE WHO COME FOR FISHING AND BOATING...

THEY HAVE THINGS TO OFFER ON DRY LAND, TOO.

BUT FIRST, IN THE NEWS TODAY...

SOME APPALACHIAN LEADERS WANT CONGRESS TO STOP PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S PLAN TO CUT THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION BUDGET BY 93 PERCENT.

THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 WOULD CUT THE ARC'S BUDGET FROM 200 MILLION DOLLARS TO 14 MILLION.

THE KENTUCKY LANTERN REPORTS MORE THAN 80 ELECTED OFFICIALS, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, BUSINESSES, AND NONPROFITS SENT A LETTER TO CONGRESS OPPOSING THE PROPOSED CUT.

THE ARC PROVIDES THE APPALACHIAN REGION WITH MONEY AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

ANOTHER REPUBLICAN IS RUNNING FOR CONGRESS IN KENTUCKY'S SIXTH DISTRICT.

THE SEAT WILL BE OPEN IN 2026 BECAUSE THE INCUMBENT, ANDY BARR, IS RUNNING FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

DEANNA GORDON SAYS SHE WILL RUN FOR THAT SEAT.

GORDON IS A MEMBER OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

SHE'S A STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE 81ST DISTRICT, SERVING PART OF MADISON COUNTY.

SHE WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 2018.

HERE'S SOME OF REPRESENTATIVE GORDON'S STATEMENT ANNOUNCING HER CANDIDACY: "I'M A CHAMPION OF AMERICA FIRST POLICIES THAT WILL ALLOW OUR SMALL BUSINESSES TO FLOURISH AND GROW.

WE NEED A CONGRESS THAT NEVER BACKS DOWN FROM TRIMMING GOVERNMENT, ENDING FAILED PROGRESSIVE POLICIES PUSHED BY IVY LEAGUE INSTITUTIONS, AND SECURING THE BORDER BY HAVING THE BACKBONE TO NOT ONLY BUILD A WALL, BUT DEPORT THOSE HERE ILLEGALLY, NO QUESTIONS ASKED."

THE RACE FOR KENTUCKY'S SIXTH DISTRICT COULD SOON BECOME MORE CROWDED.

PLUS, THERE'S NEW INFORMATION ABOUT AN ETHICS INVESTIGATION INVOLVING A SITTING STATE LAWMAKER.

OUR LAURA ROGERS DISCUSSED THAT AND MORE TODAY WITH NPR'S RYLAND BARTON.

>> I'M LAURA ROGERS WITH NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO'S RYLAND BARTON GETTING US CAUGHT UP ON THE POLITICAL NEWS OF THE WEEK.

AND A QUICK UPDATE ON THE ETHICS INVESTIGATION INTO STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL GROSSBERG A VOTE MEANS THIS CASE WILL MOVE FORWARD?

>> YEAH.

THE ETHICS COMMISSION VOTED THERE'S PROBABLE CAUSE THAT GROSSBERG VIOLATED THE ETHICS CODE ALLEGATIONS THAT HE SENT WOMEN WEIRD OR CREEPY TEXT MESSAGE THAT HE ACTED IMPROPER IN INVITING A WOMAN TO HIS OFFICE AND OFFERING HER DRINKS AND ALSO THERE IS A FEW OTHER THINGS AT A STRIP CLUB AND ATTEMPTED TO TOUCH ONE OF THE STRIPPERS.

AND WHEN HE WAS KICKED OUT BY THE OWNER, THREATENED THE OWNER HE COULD HAVE THE PLACE SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF HIS PLACE OF POWER.

HE LIKELY VIOLATED THE CODE ON A FEW GROUNDS.

THERE'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING IT WILL LOOK LIKE A COURT HEARING AND THAT COULD TAKE PLACE LATER THIS MONTH.

>> AND THIS CASE PROMPTED THE ETHICS COMMISSION TO ASK THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ADD SEXUAL HARASSMENT TO THE CODE AS A VIOLATION?

>> YES.

THEY RECOMMENDED THIS IN THE JUNE NEWSLETTER AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR YEARS.

THE LAST TIME IT CAME UP WITH FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER JEFF HOOVER ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT BY A STAFFER AND THE COMMISSION WAS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO FIND AN ISSUE WITH HIS CONDUCT AND THERE IS NO SPECIFIC VIOLATION OF THE SEXUAL HAD HARASSMENT IN THE CODE.

LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN AND HOOVER WAS FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION FOR IMPROPERLY USING HIS OFFICE.

TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THE PUBLIC AND LAWMAKERS OFTEN HAVE BEEN SURPRISED THIS IS ACTUALLY NOT IN THE STATE ETHICS CODE IT'S UP TO THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS A LAW TO MAKE IT SO.

A BILL HAS BEEN PROPOSED SEVERAL TIMES AND GOT AS FAR AS PASSING OUT OF ONE CHAMBER AND WILL STALL IN THE OTHER AND FORGOTTEN IN RECENT YEARS AND SOMETHING LIKE THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, AND THE ETHICS COMMISSION IS OFTEN THEY FEEL LIKE THEIR HANDS ARE TIED WHEN SOME OF THE ALLEGATIONS ARE BROUGHT UP BECAUSE SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS NOT A VIOLATION OF THE LEGISLATIVE ETHICS CODE RIGHT NOW.

>> AND LET'S MOVE NOW TO SOME UP COMING ELECTIONS INCLUDING THE SIXTH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL RACE WHICH WE KNOW THAT IS GOING TO BE AN OPEN SEAT BECAUSE CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR IS RUNNING FOR THE SENATE.

AND A FORMER SENATOR COULD BE REENTERING POLITICS TO RUN FOR THAT SEAT.

>> A FORMER STATE SENATOR MOVED TO TENNESSEE NOW THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER OF TENNESSEE RALPH ALVARADO HE BECAME A LAWMAKER I BELIEVE IN 2014 AS A STATE SENATOR FROM WINCHESTER.

HE BECAME THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE'S HEALTH COMMITTEE AT ONE POINT AND MATT BEVIN'S RUNNING MATE THE LAST ATTEMPT TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR REELECTION.

HE SAYS HE IS INTERESTED IN COMING BACK TO KENTUCKY POLITICS HE MAINTAINS A PRACTICE IN WINCHESTER AND WILL GET INTO THE RACE RIGHT NOW.

IT'S INTERESTING ANOTHER REPUBLICAN HAS GOTTEN IN, STATE REPRESENTATIVE RYAN DOTSON AND THERE WAS THINKING THAT AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE MAY RUN BUT SHE WILL NOT AND SOMEONE WILL BE MAKING AAND ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE COMES DAYS AND MANY ASSUME THAT WILL BE RALPH ALVARADO AND SHE IS CLEARING THE WAY FOR HIM TO RUN.

DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCED THEIR CANDIDACY, FORMER REPRESENTATIVE CHERLYNN STEVENSON, FORMER LEXINGTON CITY COUNCILMAN KLOIBER AND THEY HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING THIS SEAT THE LEXINGTON AREA'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND IT'S BECOME MUCH MORE REPUBLICAN AND HELD BY ANDY BARR OVER THE YEARS WHO STAYED IN OFFICE FOR A LONGTIME AND GOTTEN NAME RECOGNITION AND DEMOCRATS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO MOUNT A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE AGAINST HIM.

SINCE 2018 WHEN AMY McGRATH RAN FOR THE SEAT BUT HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO HOLD ON TO IT.

IT WILL BE AN OPEN SEAT AND OPEN ELECTION A VACANT SEAT THAT ANDY BARR WILL BE LEAVING.

IT MIGHT BE THE DEMOCRATS' BEST CHANCE BUT RALPH ALVARADO HAS NAME RECOGNITION RAN A STATE-WIDE CAMPAIGN AND AND REPUBLICANS THINK HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO KEEP THE SEAT FOR REPUBLICANS.

>> AND MITCH McCONNELL'S SEAT AND NATURE CONSERVANCY RUNNING IN THAT -- NATE MORRIS IS RUNNING IN THAT PRIMARY AND HIS CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY GETTING HIS MESSAGE OUT THERE.

>> THE CAPE IS SPENDING -- CAMPAIGN IS SPENDING BIG MONEY ON THE CAMPAIGN.

HE RUNS RUBICON A WASTE AND RECYCLING COMPANY THAT HE FOUNDED BASED IN LEXINGTON.

HE IS LAUNCHING THIS SEVEN-FIGURE AD BUYS THAT WILL RUN IN EVERY MARKET STATE-WIDE ON TV AND IT WILL BE MAILERS ACCORDING TO THE SPOKESPERSON IT IS AN AD THAT IS CRITICAL ABOUT GOING REPUBLICAN U.S.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL AS WELL AS FELLOW CANDIDATES ANDY BARR AND DANIEL CAMERON, ALL OF THESE FIGURES HAVE HAD CONNECTIONS TO McCONNELL AT ONE POINT IN TIME.

MORRIS SAYS HE CASTS OFF THE CONNECTIONS TO McCONNELL LONG BEFORE THE OTHER CANDIDATES.

AND ALL OF THE CANDIDATES ARE TRYING TO PORTRAY THEMSELVES AS THE ONE CLOSEST TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

BARR'S CAMPAIGN HAS POINTED OUT HE WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF DONALD TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR AND POINTS OUT THAT MORRIS SUPPORTED NIKKI HALEY.

THERE'S GOING TO BE BACK AND FORTH HERE EARLY ELECTION STARTING OFF WITH A LOT OF MONEY BEING SPENT IN THE ELECTION AND FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON IS RUNNING IN THIS RACE AS WELL.

WE'LL SEE IF THERE'S ANYBODY ELSE THAT WILL GET INTO THE RACE BEFORE THE DEADLINE IN JANUARY.

BUT ALREADY A LOT OF BIG FIGURES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND IS THERE A THOUGHT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP MIGHT ENDORSE ONE OF THE CANDIDATES?

>> THEY ARE ALL SEEKING THAT SOMETHING WE SAW IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE WHEN DANIEL CAMERON AND KELLY CRAFT WERE RUNNING AND CAMERON SNUCK IN WITH THE EARLY ENDORSEMENT FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP WHICH HE CREDITED WITH HIM WINNING THAT NOMINATION THAT YEAR.

ALL THE CANDIDATES WILL BE HOPING FOR THAT.

>> RYLAND BARTON WITH NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANKS, LAURA.

>> TODAY, KENTUCKY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCED A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN BODY ARMOR EQUIPMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ACROSS THE STATE.

ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN AND OTHER STATE LEADERS MET IN COVINGTON TO ANNOUNCE THAT NEARLY TWO THOUSAND OFFICERS, DEPUTIES, AND TROOPERS HAVE BEEN FITTED OR EQUIPPED WITH BODY ARMOR.

TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT TOOK PLACE AT THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL, WHICH BEARS THE NAME OF FALLEN OFFICERS.

CAMPBELL COUNTY SHERIFF MIKE JANSEN, WHOSE BROTHER WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, SPOKE ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INCREASED PROTECTION.

>> THANKS TO PROGRAMS LIKE THIS NO PORE NAMES WILL BE ADDED TO THIS MEMORIAL WALL.

I'VE SERVED JUST ABOUT TWO YEARS WHEN I LOST MY BROTHER.

I COULD HAVE STEPPED AWAY AT THAT TIME FROM THIS CAREER BUT THERE WAS NEVER AN OPTION.

JANZEN'S NEVER GIVE UP.

>> WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE THIS PROGRAM SOMETHING THAT IS WORKING IN GOVERNMENT AND WORKING AS WE COLLABORATE, FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL WE TEAR DOWN SILOS.

OFFICERS THAT IS WHY WE'RE HERE.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE CREATED THE BODY ARMOR GRANT PROGRAM LAST YEAR AFTER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEDICATED 15 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE CAUSE.

THE OFFICE PLANS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO INCLUDE SHIELDS, HELMETS, AND MORE.

KENTUCKY HAS ANOTHER CONFIRMED MEASLES CASE... AS THE CDC DESCRIBES THIS AS THE WORST YEAR FOR MEASLES IN THE U.S.

IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

MORE IN TONIGHT'S MEDICAL NEWS.

KENTUCKY'S 12TH CASE IS IN FAYETTE COUNTY, ACCORDING TO THE LEXINGTON-FAYETTE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

AND THIS IS THE NINTH CASE CONNECTED TO AN OUTBREAK IN FAYETTE AND WOODFORD COUNTIES.

FIVE OF THOSE ARE IN FAYETTE COUNTY.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THE PEOPLE INVOLVED ARE UNDER QUARANTINE, AND THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL RISK TO THE PUBLIC.

[♪♪] NOW... AN UPDATE ON FLOODING REPAIRS, AND A UNION COMPLAINS ABOUT AN EFFORT TO SCARE WORKERS.

OUR TOBY GIBBS HAS MORE IN THIS LOOK AT HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.

>> UNITED AUTO WORKERS UNION WANTS THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD TO INVESTIGATE FORD AND THE SK PLANT IN GLENDALE, THE UAW ACCUSES FORD OF VIOLATING LABOR LAWS THROUGH AN ANTILABOR CAMPAIGN MEANT TO SCARE WORKERS.

THE UAW WANTS AN INVESTIGATION BEFORE IT SETS THE DATE FOR A UNION VOTE.

BLUE OVAL CALLS THE MOVE A LEGAL MANEUVER DESIGNED TO THWART THE ELECTION PROCESS.

IN FRANKLIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE REPAIRS CONTINUE AFTER FLOODS THE ELECTRICITY IS BACK ON.

TWOLE VISITORS ARE WORKING AND WORKERS ARE WAITING ON PARTSES TO FIX THE HEATING AND AIR SYSTEMS.

THE COUNTY IS HOLDING CRIMINAL COURT IN THE JAIL GYMNASIUM AND CIVIL COURT BY ZOOM.

WITH HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY I'M TOBY GIBBS.

[♪♪] >> FOR 25 YEARS, SOMERSET HAS PLAYED HOST TO ONE OF THE BIGGEST CAR SHOWS IN NORTH AMERICA.

SOMERNITES CRUISE IS A MONTHLY GATHERING FOR CLASSIC CAR ENTHUSIASTS THAT RUNS FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER EVERY YEAR.

THE EVENT HAS BROUGHT IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND BECOME AN IMPORTANT PART OF LOCAL CULTURE.

FOR SOMERNITES ORGANIZERS, IT'S ALL ABOUT BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

IN OUR OPINION SOMERNITES CRUISE IS A GATHERING OF PEOPLE.

CARS ARE A BACKDROP A MECHANISM TO GET PEOPLE DOWNTOWN.

FRIENDS AND FAMILIES AND CHECK OUT THE SHOPS DOWNTOWN AND THE BUSINESSES WE HAVE DOWNTOWN.

DISCOVERING WHAT SOMERSET IS ABOUT.

WE STARTED THIS 25 YEARS AGO WE HAD OUR THOUGHTS AND DREAMS WHAT WE WANTED TO DO BY THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR WAS TO HAVE 500 CARS AND 5,000 SPECTATORS WHICH WE DID.

AND AT THAT POINT WE STARTED CATCHING THE ATTENTION OF THE NATIONAL TELEVISION SHOWS ALL THE AUTOMOTIVE SHOWS.

THEY STARTED REACHING OUT AND SAYING WE WANT TO DO A SEGMENT ON YOU GUYS AND MAGAZINES STARTED RUNNING ARTICLES ON US AND THINGS CAUGHT FIRE.

OUR LARGEST SHOW IS 2086 CARS.

WE WILL REGULARRY HAVE 8 TO 10,000 PEOPLE DOWNTOWN.

WE'VE HAD ATTENDEES FROM 49 STATES AND FIVE FOREIGN COUNTRIES WITH CARS.

WE'VE HAD SPECTATORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> IT BRINGS A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THE COUNTY.

THIS EVENT WITH SOMERNITES AND THE TOURISM ON THE LAKE BRINGS PEOPLE IN AND THEY SEE THE AREA AND THEY WANT TO COME BACK.

>> IT IS A NONPROFIT WE'RE NOT IN IT FOR THE MONEY BUT TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU COME TO TOWN AND SPEND YOUR MONEY WITH THE HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND THE GAS STATIONS AND DIFFERENT BUSINESSES.

AND THAT BUSINESS PLAN HAS WORKED.

AND WE'VE BECOME IF WE'RE NOT THE LARGEST WE'RE ONE OF THE LARGEST MONTHLY ORGANIZED CLASSIC CAR EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE PROBABLY SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 10 TO 12 MILLION A YEAR ECONOMIC IMPACT.

AND YOU FIGURE THAT OVER 25 YEARS THAT IS OVER A QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO ENJOY THIS HOBBY.

GET OUT AND BE PRODUCTIVE AND CREATIVE WITH YOUR HANDS.

LET YOUR MIND GO WILD.

THIS IS A '68 ROAD RUNNER IT WAS ROUGH ABOUT A MONTH AGO.

AND I DONE ALL HAND PAINTED THIS IS ALL ROLLER PAINTED AND THESE ARE HAND PAINTED BY ME.

SO I'VE HEARD ABOUT IT MY WHOLE LIFE.

IT'S JUST FUN.

FAMILY FUN BRING YOUR FAMILY DOWN.

FIND A SHADY SPOT AND ENJOY.

PASS THE LOVE OF AN AUTOMOBILE ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

>> YOU CAN COUNT ON IT RAIN OR SHINE WE WILL HAVE THE SHOW AND PEOPLE KNOW THAT AND PUT OUT THE WORD A LOT OF PLACES I GO THEY WANT TO MENTION I'M FROM SOMERSET AND THAT IS WHERE THE CAR SHOW IS AT.

>> IT'S NEAT WHEN SOMEBODY WILL CALL YOU FROM OUT OF STATE AND SEND YOU A PICTURE WITH SOMEONE IN A SOMERNITES T-SHIRT OR IN CALIFORNIA AND SEND YOU A PICTURE OF A NICE CAR OUT THERE.

YOU KNOW THAT YOU'VE REACHED A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

SO WE'VE BEEN TRULY BLESSED.

THE CAR CULTURE IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE RICH OR POOR, BLACK OR WHITE, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, YOU KNOW IT DOESN'T MATTER.

YOU GET HERE AND THAT TRANSCENDS ALL THAT.

YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED A SHOT OF THE GENERAL LEE JUMPING A FOUNTAIN IN DOWNTOWN SOMERSET IN THE STORY.

THE CAR STUNT WAS PUT TOGETHER AS A SPECIAL WAY TO CELEBRATE SOMERNITES CRUISE'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY.

STUDENTS AT SOMERSET HIGH SCHOOL ARE PUTTING ENGINEERING SKILLS TO GOOD USE... BY BUILDING THEIR OWN SOLAR-POWERED CAR!

THE TEAM IS KNOWN AS THE "SOMERSET SOLAR JUMPERS"-A PLAY OFF THEIR MASCOT, THE BRIAR JUMPERS-AND THEY'RE PREPARING FOR A NATIONAL COMPETITION.

OUR EMILY SISK GIVES US AN INSIDE LOOK AT THEIR WORK.

>> NEARLY EVERYDAY OF SUMMER STUDENTS AND ADVISERS CAN BE FOUND IN THE SHOP BUILDING SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE EVERYDAY.

IT IS A SOLAR POWERED CAR FULLY OPERATIONAL AND DESIGNED BY THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES.

>> FOR EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING WE DESIGN THE CRUST ZONE.

>> I CAN WELD A GOOD BIT AND CONFIDENTLY SAY I CAN BUILD A CAR ON MY OWN.

>> TO GO IN AND WATCH THE KIDS THAT HAVE GONE FROM HAVING NO MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE TO WELDING THEIR OWN CASSY, DOING A WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

>> THE TERMS FROM THE CAR WORLD NOT THE THINGS AT THAT TIME KIDS ARE LEARNING.

>> THERE ARE TOOLS THAT I NEVER KNEW HOW CARS WORK IN GENERAL.

THIS IS OBVIOUSLY DIFFERENT THAN A CAR OUT THERE BUT IT'S COOL TO GET THIS EXPERIENCE.

>> THE SOLAR CAR CHALLENGE IS A NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOLS TO GET STUDENTS FIRSTHAND ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE.

BRIAN COLEMAN IS THE ADVISER OF THE TEAM HE CAME TO SOMERSET AFTER STARTING A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM IN BATH COUNTY.

FOR MANY STUDENTS IT WAS HIS ENCOURAGE.

THAT LED THEM TO GET INVOLVED.

>> I LOVED MATH ESPECIALLY SCIENCE, TOO.

HE ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO JOIN THEM AND I WAS KIND OF LIKE I DON'T KNOW NO GIRLS WERE IN IT AND I DON'T KNOW IF I'D LIKE TO WORK WITH GUYS.

I FOUND A PLACE IN HERE WHERE I DIDN'T FEEL JUDGED.

INTRODUCED ME INTO SOMETHING NEW AND I WANTED TO DEVELOP NEW SKILLS.

>> THE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL TO DALLAS, TEXAS FOR THE COMPETITION.

BESIDES BUILDING THE CAR IT'S TAKING A LOT OF WORK TO MAKE THE TRIP A REALITY.

>> WE HAVE TO FUNDRAISE FOR THE TRIP.

IT COSTS MONEY TO BUILD THE CAR AND TRAVEL.

I HELP MAKE SURE I OVERSEE THE PROCESS.

WE GET MONEY THROUGH SPONSORSHIPS AND MEET WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES TO GET SPONSORSHIPS TO BUILD THE CAR.

>> MOST OF THE TEAMS AND NOT TO KNOCK ON THEM BUT MOST OF THE TEAMS ARE MAGNET SCHOOLS, CHARTER SCHOOLS THEY HAVE A SPONSOR AND WE WERE THE ONLY CAR THAT LOOKED LIKE A NASCAR.

HAD A TON OF SPONSORS ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR.

>> WHEN THE STUDENTS ARRIVE IN DALLAS, TEXAS, NEXT WEEK THE WORK IS NOT FINISHED.

THEY WILL GO THROUGH A PROCESS OF WHAT IS CALLED SECURITY NEARING WHERE JUDGES SCRUTINIZE THEIR WORK AND DETERMINE IF THEY ARE ALLOWED TO HIT THE TRACK.

>> IT IS NOT A JOKE, HEY GREAT JOB SO EVERYBODY GETS TO PLAY.

YOU HAVE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OR YOU DON'T GET ON THE TRACK.

IT'S THE TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY.

>> THERE'S DIFFERENT JUDGES AND DIFFERENT STATIONS AND CHECKPOINTS YOU HAVE TO PASS AND MAKE SURE YOUR CAR IS QUALIFIED AND SAFE TO COMPETE.

>> IT'S COLLABORATION OVER COMPETITION.

THE RACE IS FUN AND WE CHALLENGE AND RACING WE ARE TRYING TO WIN BUT PUSH COMES TO SHOVE IF YOUR CAR BREAKS DOWN ALL THE OTHER STUDENTS FROM THE OTHER TEAMS WILL HELP YOU FIX IT.

>> THE SOMERSET HAVE A REPUTATION OF SUCCESS IN DALLAS.

LAST YEAR, THEY WERE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS IN THEIR DIVISION.

BUT WINNING DOESN'T JUST MEAN THE FIRST TO CROSS A FINISH LINE.

THE RACE HAPPENS OVER THE COURSE OF FOUR DAYS.

>> IT IS AN ENDURANCE AND EFFICIENCY RACE.

THE WINNING TEAM IS THE TEAM THAT HAS THE MOST LAPS AT THE END.

>> OUR GOAL WE WISH TO GAIN AS MANY LAPS AS WE CAN SPECIFICALLY OUR NUMBER IS 500.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> IN A SCHOOL OF JUST OVER 500 STUDENTS, THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A TON OF RESOURCES TO COMPETE YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE FROM THE AREA YOU CAN BE FROM ANYWHERE AS LONG AS YOU TAKE THE TIME AND DEDICATION TO GET IT DONE.

>> WE ARE DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR KIDS AND IF THE KIDS MAKE NOISE WE DON'T JUST TOLERATE IT WE LOOK FORWARD IT.

>> IT IS A BLESSING TO REPRESENT SOMERSET.

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

THE STUDENTS WILL TRAVEL TO DALLAS FOR THE COMPETITION ON JULY 15TH.

MANY OF THIS YEAR'S GRADUATED SENIORS PLAN TO STUDY ENGINEERING AT UK OR UOFL THIS FALL.

>> THERE'S ANOTHER CITY IN THE REGION THAT, LIKE HERE IN SOMERSET, GETS A LOT OF LAKE TRAFFIC.

WE INCLUDE BURKESVILLE AMONG THIS WEEK'S ADVENTURES IN SOUTHERN KENTUCKY.

LAURA ROGERS TAKES US ON THE ROAD TO CUMBERLAND COUNTY, INCLUDING A NEW STOP ON THE KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL.

>> I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY.

ALWAYS PROUD TO SAY I'M FROM CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

PROUD I'M FROM BURKESVILLE."

>> LIZA TUCKER DISPLAYS THAT PRIDE AS PRESIDENT OF THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND A LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER.

>> THERE'S BEEN A REVITALIZED INTEREST IN REALLY JUST SHOWCASING OUR SMALL TOWN AND ALL THE GOOD THINGS WE HAVE TO OFFER.

>> TUCKER AND HER HUSBAND PURCHASED A HISTORIC BUILDING THREE YEARS AGO.

>> THE BUILDING ITSELF IS OVER 100 YEARS OLD.

MOST PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED HERE ANY AMOUNT OF TIME PROBABLY KNOW IT AS THE OLD CURTIS AND MCCOMAS BUILDING.

IT WAS A GENERAL STORE.

THEY RENOVATED THE FIRST FLOOR, NOW HOME TO THEIR REAL ESTATE OFFICE AND A NEW STORE CALLED DOWNTOWN DARLIN.

>> WE KEPT THE HISTORICAL INTEGRITY, SO IT'S GOT THE OLD WOOD FLOORS, THE OLD SHELVING.

>> I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> ELIJAH WILSON ISN'T A NATIVE, BUT HE MOVED HERE NEARLY TWO DECADES AGO AND QUICKLY IMMERSED HIMSELF IN THE BURKESVILLE COMMUNITY.

>> IT'S A SPIRITUAL THING IN MANY PEOPLE'S EYES, AND THAT'S WHY THEY SAY IT'S CALLED DALE HALLELUJAH.

>> HE'S REFERRING TO DALE HOLLOW LAKE, KNOWN FOR ITS NATURAL BEAUTY THAT DRAWS A LOT OF TOURISTS TO CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

>> IT'S JUST WONDERFUL.

THE WATER IS VERY CLEAN.

IT'S CRYSTAL CLEAR IN THE SUMMERTIME.

>> BURKESVILLE'S PRIME LOCATION ON THE WATER HAS EARNED IT A REPUTATION AS THE FISHING CAPITAL OF KENTUCKY.

>> WE'RE JUST OFF THE BANKS OF THE CUMBERLAND RIVER.

IT'S BEEN PROCLAIMED AS THE NUMBER ONE TROUT STREAM IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES.

>> AND YOU CAN END YOUR DAY ON THE WATER WITH A SLICE.

OF PIZZA AND A COLD BEVERAGE AT SOUND GOODS, WILSON'S BUSINESS VENTURE.

>> AND WE REALLY DO KIND OF PRIDE OURSELVES ON A GREAT PLACE TO GET TOGETHER AND RELAX.

>> CUMBERLAND COUNTY IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, AND WHEN YOU DRIVE THROUGH CUMBERLAND COUNTY, IT'S GORGEOUS.

>> THAT DRIVE ALSO INCLUDES A NEW STOP ON KENTUCKY'S BOURBON TRAIL.

>> WE JUST DECIDED TO COME TO CUMBERLAND COUNTY BECAUSE THAT WAS CLOSE TO HOME.

WE HAD OPTIONS TO GO A COUPLE OF OTHER PLACES, BUT WE CHOSE THIS BECAUSE IT FELT MORE LIKE HOME TO US.

>> CLINTON COUNTY NATIVES JUNIOR CECIL, HIS CHILDHOOD FRIEND, AND BROTHER-IN-LAW ARE THE MEN BEHIND SOUTHERN KENTUCKY DISTILLERY.

>> WE GET THEM FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, MATTER OF FACT, ALL OVER THE WORLD.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO'S GOING TO WALK IN AND WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE FROM WHEN THEY WALK IN.

>> THEY HAVE A LOT OF VARIETIES TO CHOOSE FROM, INCLUDING VODKA, MOONSHINE, FLAVORED WHISKEYS, AND RECENT HONOREES FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION.

>> OUR VODKA GOT SILVER, WHICH WE WERE PLEASED WITH.

OUR TURBY'S-THE VERY FIRST CHERRYWOOD BOURBON THAT WE'VE MADE-GOT GOLD.

AND THEN OUR HIGH RYE-THE HIGH RYES THAT WE COLLABORATED WITH A FRIEND OF OURS ON ANOTHER DISTILLERY-GOT DOUBLE GOLD.

>> THEY ALSO STRUCK GOLD IN CONNECTING WITH COUNTRY MUSIC STAR EDDIE MONTGOMERY, WHO'S A BRAND AMBASSADOR.

>> EDDIE'S A GREAT GUY.

SO DOWN TO EARTH.

HE LOVES KENTUCKY-KENTUCKY THROUGH AND THROUGH.

SAME AS WE ARE.

>> I'M PROUD TO BE FROM THIS SMALL TOWN IN KENTUCKY-A SMALL TOWN THAT'S MAKING ITS OWN WAY, HONORING THE PAST, AND PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.

>> I THINK IT'S A GOOD MIX OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THE COMMUNITY AND WANT TO REINVEST AND REVITALIZE WHAT'S HERE.

AND THEN YOU HAVE NEW IDEAS COMING IN TOO, AND I THINK WE'RE A SMALL TOWN WHERE WE EMBRACE THOSE NEW IDEAS.

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

>> BURKESVILLE HOSTS ITS ANNUAL RIVER FESTIVUS NEXT MONTH, WHICH INCLUDES A FREE CONCERT FROM MONTGOMERY GENTRY FEATURING EDDIE MONTGOMERY.

WE CONTINUE ON THE ROAD IN SOMERSET WITH A LOOK AT THE MASTER MUSICIANS FESTIVAL.

>> THE FESTIVAL WAS FORMED TO BRING MUSICAL EXCELLENCE TO RURAL KENTUCKY, WHERE IT WAS OTHERWISE NOT READILY AVAILABLE.

>> TOMORROW ON KENTUCKY EDITION, FIND OUT HOW ONE MUSICIAN HELPED CATAPULT THIS SMALL MUSIC FESTIVAL INTO THE BIG TIME.

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

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT RIGHT HERE FROM SOMERSET.

TAKE GOOD CARE.

[♪♪]