[♪♪] >> WHICH SIDE DO YOU WANT TO WIN?

>> AS WE'VE SAID TIME AND TIME AGAIN THIS PRESIDENT IS COMMITTED TO PEACE IN THAT CONFLICT.

>> Kelsey: MITCH 34EU67 HAS QUESTIONS FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ABOUT UKRAINE BUT IS HE SATISFIED WITH THE ANSWERS?

>> IF YOU'VE PUT OUT A GOOD QUALITY SERVICE AND GOOD QUALITY LIBRARY PEOPLE WILL COME AND USE IT.

>> Kelsey: IN ONE NORTHERN KENTUCKY NEIGHBORHOOD READERS OF ALL AGES ARE THRILLED TO GET THEIR VERY OWN LIBRARY.

[♪♪] >> NOTHING SAYS SUMMER-LIKE A DAY AT THE FAIR.

AND THIS FAIR FUN MEANS FUNDS FOR A GOOD CAUSE.

>> IT'S JUST REALLY NICE TO SEE THEM HAVING SO MUCH FUN LEARNING.

>> Kelsey: IT'S A BIRD...

IT'S A PLANE...

IT'S A FLYING ROBOT.

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

[♪♪] >> Kelsey: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR WEDNESDAY JUNE 11TH I'M KELSEY STARKS IN LOUISVILLE FILLING IN TONIGHT FOR RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

U.S.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL A SUPPORTER OF CONTINUED U.S. AID TO UKRAINE IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST RUSSIA ISN'T SATISFIED WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO UKRAINE.

SENATOR McCONNELL CHAIRS THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEFENSE AND TODAY THAT COMMITTEE DISCUSSED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED 2026 DEFENSE BUDGET, A BUDGET THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE MONEY TO HELP UKRAINE.

SENATOR McCONNELL TALKED ABOUT THAT DURING HIS OPENING STATEMENT AND IN QUESTIONS TO SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH.

>> I'D LIKE TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS ON THIS CONFLICT.

WHO IS THE AGGRESSOR?

WHAT ARE THE STAKES FOR AMERICA AND THE WEST?

WHAT IS THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT OF OUR ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE?

I DON'T SEE FUNDING FOR UKRAINE SECURITY ASSISTANCE IN THIS BUDGET REQUEST.

IS THE ADMINISTRATION ADD SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE WILL MAKE LASTING PEACE MORE OR LESS LIKELY?

OR LESSENS THE U.S. MILITARY IS LEARNING FROM THE CONFLICT.

HOW THE DON'T OR INDUSTRY CONTINUE TO LEARN IF WE CUTOFF OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WORLD'S LEADING BATTLEFIELD INNOVATORS?

WHY WOULD PARTNERS TRUST US IF WE ABANDON PARTNERS IN EUROPE?

WHAT LESSONS ARE CHINA, IRAN AND NORTH KOREA LEARNING?

AND HOW MUCH MORE WILL THEY BENEFIT IF RUSSIA PREVAILS?

NUMBER ONE, WHO IS THE AGGRESSOR AND WHO IS THE VICTIM IN THE CONFLICT?

>> RUSSIA IS THE AGGRESSOR.

>> WHICH SIDE DO YOU WANT TO WIN?

>> AS WE'VE SAID TIME AND TIME AGAIN THIS PRESIDENT IS COMMITTED TO PEACE IN THAT CONFLICT.

ULTIMATELY PEACE SERVES OUR NATIONAL INTERESTS AND THE INTEREST OF BOTH PARTIES IF THAT OUTCOME WILL NOT BE PREFERABLE TO MANY IN THIS ROOM AND MANY IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> Kelsey: SENATOR McCONNELL SAID HE WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE AMOUNT OF DEFENSE SPENDING REQUESTED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

HE SAYS WHEN ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL WOULD MEAN LESS SPENDING ON DEFENSE THAN SOME RECENT PRESIDENTS.

>>> U.S.

SENATOR RAND PAUL OF KENTUCKY APPEARS TO BE THE FIRST REPUBLICAN SENATOR TO CRITICIZE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PLANNED MILITARY PARADE THIS SATURDAY.

HERE IS SENATOR PAUL TALKING TO REPORTERS YESTERDAY.

>> NEVER BEEN A BIG FAN OF SOLDIERS AND BIG TANKS AND MISSILES ROLLING DOWN THE STREETS.

IF YOU ASK ME I WOULDN'T HAVE DONE IT.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE ACTUAL EXPENSE OF IT IS, WE WERE ALWAYS DIFFERENT THAN THE IMAGES YOU SAW IN NORTH KOREA WE ARE PROUD NOT TO BE THAT.

AND I DON'T -- I'M NOT PROPOSING THAT IS WHAT WE WANT TO PROJECT BUT I'M WORRIED THAT IT ISN'T THE BEST THING TO SHOW.

>> Kelsey: IT'S EXPECTED THAT 7,000 SOLDIERS WILL BE A PART OF THE PARADE SATURDAY IN WASHINGTON D.C.

THE PARADE HONORS THE 250TH BIRTHDAY OF THE U.S. MILITARY AND ALSO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 79TH BIRTHDAY.

PROTESTS ARE PLANNED.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS ANY PROTESTS WILL BE MET WITH FORCE.

>>> IT'S FOUR MORE YEARS FOR ROBERT BENVENUTI, CHAIR OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY.

THE PARTY SAYS IT REELECTED ROBERT BENVENUTI SATURDAY DURING A PARTY ORGANIZATION MEETING AND REELECTED DEANNA BRANGERS AS THE VICE-CHAIR.

THE STATE G.O.P.

GAVE KAREN KELLY ANOTHER TERM AS SECRETARY AND PICKED HUNTER WHITAKER AS THE NEW YOUTH CHAIR.

>> THERE IS A PUSH ON CAPITOL HILL TO MAKE FENTANYL A SCHEDULE ONE DRUG THE HALT FENTANYL ACT WOULD ALLOW FOR STRONGER PENALTIES FOR PEOPLE TELLING IT ILLEGALLY.

BRETT GUTHRIE OF KENTUCKY'S SECOND DISTRICT DISCUSSED THE NEED FOR THE BILL ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> WE ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO TREATMENT.

BUT WE ARE EQUALLY COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE PURVEYING THIS POISON ON OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR CITIES, ACROSS THE BORDER DESERVE TO HAVE THEIR DAY IN COURT, DESERVE TO ANSWER TO JUSTICE AND DESERVE IF IT BE THE CASE THESE ARE THE PEOPLE POISONING OUR CHILDREN THEY SHOULD BE PUT IN JAIL AND THE KEY THROWN AWAY.

OUR COMMITTEE WILL NOT APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.

IT TAKES ALL OF THE ABOVE APPROACH FOR THIS ISSUE.

AND WE'RE WILLING TO DO ALL THE ABOVE.

>> Kelsey: THE BILL HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY THE U.S. SENATE.

>>> KENTUCKY IS LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO COMBAT THE DRUG EPIDEMIC.

THE KENTUCKY OPIOID ABATEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION VOTED TO AWARD $5 MILLION GRANT.

IT WILL BE GIVEN TO SOMEONE FOCUSING ON RESEARCH OR INNOVATIVE WAYS OF TREATING OPIOID USE DISORDER.

THE APPLICATION OPENS JULY 1.

THIS YEAR, THE STATE REPORTED A MORE THAN 30% DROP IN FATAL DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS IN 2024 MARKING THE THIRD YEAR OF DECLINE.

THE OPIOID ABATEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION WAS CREATED IN 2022.

THE GROUP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DISTRIBUTING THE STATE'S SHARE OF MORE THAN $900 MILLION OF SETTLEMENT FUNDS FROM LAWSUITS AGAINST MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF OPIOIDS.

>>> AN OLD FRISCH'S BIG BOY COULD BE SERVING SOMETHING ELSE VERY SOON.

THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER REPORTS A FORMER FRISCH'S RESTAURANT IN LEXINGTON COULD BECOME A MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY.

IT IS THE OLD FRISCH'S IN HAMBURG SHOPPING CENTER TWO BUSINESSMEN ARE BEHIND THE PROJECT THEY STARTED DARK HORSE CANNABIS IN 2021 AFTER KENTUCKY STARTED A MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROJECT EARLIER THIS YEAR.

WORK IS ALREADY UNDERWAY INSIDE THE BUILDING AND THE RESTAURANT'S DRIVE-THRU WILL REMAIN.

[♪♪] >> I'M LAURA ROGERS CATCHING UP WITH NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO'S RYLAND BARTON.

AND WE WILL BEGIN TODAY WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL GROSSBURG THE SUBJECT OF AN ETHICS INVESTIGATION HE WAS OFFERED AN AGREEMENT.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S NOT GOING TO BE TAKING THAT AGREEMENT.

AND WHAT WILL THAT MEAN FOR HOW THIS INVESTIGATION WILL RESULT?

>> YES, THIS DATES BACK TO ALLEGATIONS FIRST BY THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER THAT GROSSBURG SEXUALLY HARASSED WOMEN IN THE STATE HOUSE THROUGH TEXTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES AND CROSSED BOUNDARIES WHEN HE PURCHASED A CAR FROM A LOUISVILLE BUSINESSMAN.

HE AND HIS LAWYERS DENY ALLEGATIONS.

THEY FILED AN ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST HIM LAST YEAR AND KICKED HIM OUT OF THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.

THIS IS THE RESULT OF THAT ETHICS COMPLAINT.

ACCORDING TO THE COURIER JOURNAL THE ETHICS COMMISSION OFFERED HIM A DEAL TO PAY A $4,000 FINE TO BE PUBLICLY REPRIMANDED FOR HAVING AN INAPPROPRIATE MEETING IN THIS LEGISLATIVE OFFICE AFTER BUSINESS HOURS.

AND SENDING THESE PRIVATE SOCIAL MEDIA REQUESTS TO LEGISLATIVE EMPLOYEES.

NOW, GROSSBURG DOES ADMIT TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND THE ALLEGATIONS THAT HE HAD THIS MEETING AND SENT THESE SOCIAL MEDIA REQUESTS.

BUT HIS LAWYER SAYS IT'S BEING PORTRAYED IN A FAULTS LIGHT SO HE WILL NOT SIGN THE DEAL.

THERE IS A HEARING ON THIS LATER THIS MONTH WHERE IT WILL MOVE FORWARD.

MEANWHILE THERE'S TWO DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGERS TO GROSSBURG.

HE RAN UNOPPOSED THIS YEAR AND WAS SO REELECTED.

BUT HE IS STILL NOT CAUCUSING WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

>> AND ANOTHER STORY GETTING ATTENTION CONCERNS A YOUNG MAN WHO GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL IN BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY HE HAS BEEN DETAINED BY I.C.E.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS RAMPING UP EFFORTS TO ARREST THOSE WHO ARE IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY.

HOWEVER, HIS FAMILY AND SUPPORTERS SAY HE IS HERE LEGALLY.

AND HE DOES HAVE LEGAL DOCUMENTATION TO BE HERE IN THE COUNTRY.

SO TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS STORY AND WHERE HIS DOCUMENTATION STANDS RIGHT NOW.

>> .

>> THE HALED LEADER HAD THIS STORY.

HE JUST GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL A NATIVE OF GUATEMALA BUT HAS LEGAL STATUS SPECIAL STATUS AS A KID WHO SURVIVED ABANDONMENT, NEGLECT AND ABUSE AND A DACA RECIPIENT THAT PROTECTS HIM UNTIL 2029.

FEDERAL AGENTS RAIDED HIS APARTMENT LAST WEEK HE AND HIS FATHER WERE DETAINED THEY WERE NOT LOOKING FOR THEM ACCORDING TO THE GROUP THAT IS WORKING ON HIS CASE.

THEY HAD BEEN SCRAMBLING TO FIND HIM WITHIN THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.

HE MOVED THREE TIMES NOW IN A FACILITY IN MONROE, LOUISIANA.

THIS ALL COMES AS PRESIDENT TRUMP RAMPED UP EFFORTS TO ARREST PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY.

BUT WE'VE HEARD SO MANY CASES LIKE THIS WHERE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEGAL STATUS ARE GETTING WRAPPED UP IN IT, TOO.

BOWLING GREEN IS A LONGTIME REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT AREA OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS, IT'S WELCOMED MORE THAN 10,000 REFUGEES.

AND IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF KENTUCKY IS A STATE THAT HAS BEEN WELCOME PLACE FOR REFUGEES.

AND ALSO HAS RELIED ON THEY ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR ECONOMY AS WELL IN KENTUCKY.

>> SOMETHING ELSE INTERESTING ABOUT THE STORY A "GOFUNDME" PAGE HAS BEEN SETUP FOR HIM AND IT'S RAISED 20790.

>> AND THEN SOMETHING ELSE I THINK IS INTERESTING SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS RELEASING DATA THAT CONCERNS VOTER REGISTRATION IN KENTUCKY.

AND HE IS POINTING OUT THAT A LOT OF NEW VOTERS ARE REGISTERING AS INDEPENDENTS THEY ARE NOT AFILL CRATING THEMSELVES WITH THE REPUBLICAN OR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> IT'S THE THIRD STRAIGHT MONTH THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE PEOPLE HAVE REGISTERED INDEPENDENT OR LIBERTARIAN THAN REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT.

THAT DOES MEAN THEY CAN'T VOTE IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN KENTUCKY BECAUSE WE ARE A CLOSED PRIMARY STATE.

SO REPUBLICANS INCREASED BY .07, DEMOCRATS INCREASED BY .06.

AND THAT THIRD PARTY INCREASED BY .38, DOUBLE THE NUMBER OR FAR MORE THAN DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS.

SO SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS SAYS THIS SHOWS THAT KENTUCKY IS POLITICAL CENTER IS GROWING AND THAT CANDIDATES NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS.

WHEN ELECTIONS COME AROUND AND TRY TO GO AFTER THIS BLOCK OF VOTERS.

HE POINTS TO THE EXAMPLE KENTUCKY HAS A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND THE SLATE OF REPUBLICAN STATE-WIDE OFFICERS.

AND HE SAYS THAT HE AND BESHEAR ARE SOME OF THE POLITICIANS THAT ARE MOVING TOWARDS THE CENTER SEEKING OUT THE CENTER OF THOSE VOTERS.

IT'S ALSO INTERESTING A LOT OF THE STATE-WIDE REPUBLICANS ARE DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT WHICH IS MOVING MUCH FARTHER TO THE RIGHT.

AND THEY ARE HAVING A LOT OF POLITICAL SUCCESS DOING THAT AS WELL.

I THINK THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF EYES ON WHAT SECRETARY ADAMS MIGHT DO NEXT.

HE HINTED AT FURTHER RUNS FOR OFFICE WHETHER THAT BE ATTORNEY GENERAL HE IS A LAWYER OR GOVERNOR.

HE HASN'T SAID ANYTHING OFFICIAL YET.

>> AND WITH GOVERNOR BESHEAR BEING TERM LIMITED IT WILL OPEN THE FIELD FOR MORE REPUBLICANS TO RUN FOR THAT SEAT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> RYLAND BARTON WITH NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AS ALWAYS.

>> THANKS, LAURA.

>> Kelsey: KENTUCKY'S FIRST LAWS REGARDING FERTILIZERS DATE BACK TO THE 1880s AND A PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY HAS BEEN HELPING ENFORCE THOSE AND OTHER LAWS.

WHILE THE DEPARTMENT FOR REGULATORY SERVICES MAINTAINS HAVE A QUIET PRESENCE, THEIR INFLUENCE IN THE COMMONWEALTH RUNS FAR AND WIDE.

OUR BLAKE VICKERS EXPLAINS.

>> WE'VE BEEN WITHIN THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE SINCE THE 1890s.

SO WE STARTED A LONG, LONG TIME AGO.

>> THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY'S DIVISION OF REGULATORY SERVICES OR DRS, HAS BEEN KEEPING WATCH OVER PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS WITHIN THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

DRS' SERVICES ARE RENDERED THROUGH FOUR STATE REGULATION LAWS.

>> OUR CURRENT MANDATED PROGRAMS ARE FEED, SEED, FERTILIZER AND MILK.

>> WHILE ENSURING FAIR CONDITIONS FOR AG PRODUCERS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE MISSION, MCMURRY SAYS PROTECTING CONSUMERS IS THEIR TOP PRIORITY.

>> WE ARE A CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY.

SO WE HAVE AN INSPECTION STAFF OF NINE EMPLOYEES.

AND THEY OBTAIN FEED, SEED, FERTILIZERS MILK SAMPLES AND THEY COME TO OUR LABORATORY AND WE RUN ANALYSES ON THOSE.

IT'S MAKING SURE THAT THE CONSUMER KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE PURCHASING.

THEY HAVE CONFIDENCE IN WHAT THEY ARE BUYING.

SO THAT'S CONFIDENCE IN THEIR PET FOODS THAT THEY ARE PURCHASING.

FERTILIZERS, SEEDS, THAT IN MY MIND IS THAT'S WHAT MAKES US GO.

>> WHILE THE LAB OPERATES ON THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY'S CAMPUS, THE DRS MAINTAINS A PRESENCE FROM PADUCAH TO PIKEVILLE.

>> WE HAVE NINE EMPLOYEES THERE AND THEY ARE LOCATED FROM WESTERN KENTUCKY ALL THE WAY TO THE EASTERN KENTUCKY.

SO THEY ARE THE ONES THAT THEY OBTAIN ALL THE SAMPLES THAT WE TEST HERE FOR FEED, SEED, FERTILIZER AND MILK.

>> THE DRS BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH AGRICULTURE PRODUCERS OF ALL SIZES SERVING SMALL FARMS, FRANCHISE BOX STORES AND FORT IN-BETWEEN.

>> WE GO INTO A FEED MILL EVERY TWO MONTHS, AND YOU ARE DOING THAT FOR FIVE, 10 YEARS, YOU GET TO KNOW ALL THESE PEOPLE.

PRETTY PERSONALLY.

WE SEE THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF ALL THOSE PRODUCTS, FEED, SEED, FERTILIZER AND WE GET TO WHEN WE DO OBTAIN SAMPLES THAT GO INTO A FARMER WE SEND THOSE RESULTS BACK TO THEM FARMER THAT PRODUCER.

SO THEY SEE THE RESULTS OF WHATEVER THEY ARE PURCHASING.

>> SALES OF CERTAIN PRODUCTS CAN BE HALTED, MCMURRY SAYS EDUCATING PRODUCERS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE WORK.

A LOT OF OUR WORK IS EDUCATIONAL.

FEED MANUFACTURING AND YOU NEED TO DO SOME SEQUENCING OF FEEDS AS MAKE THEM, WE TRY TO EDUCATE THOSE FACILITIES SO THEY CAN DO THAT SO THEY ARE PROPERLY MIXING THE FEEDS IN ORDER TO WHERE YOU DON'T GET CONTAMINATION.

THAT IS THE HARD PART OF THE JOB IS TO NOTIFY SOMEBODY THAT FOR SEED IF THE GERM NATION IS UNDER THE PARAMETERS WE HAVE SET FOR THAT STOP SALES ARE ISSUED ON THOSE.

AND SOME INSTANCES THEY CANNOT BE RESOLD.

AND IN SOME INSTANCES IT IS A MATTER OF RELABELING THAT SEED TO WHERE IT CAN BE SOLD.

IF THE PRODUCT IS WRONG IT'S MORE OUR FIRST LINE OF COMMUNICATION WITH THEM IS CAN WE RELABEL IT?

BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO JUST SEND SOMETHING TO A LANDFILL IF WE DON'T HAVE TO.

LET'S RELABEL IT TO MAKE SURE THE CONSUMER KNOWS.

THAT'S OUR -- THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO IF WE CAN.

THAT'S WHERE WE WANT TO STRIVE FOR.

>> FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" BLAKE VICKERS.

>> Kelsey: THE DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY SERVICES HAS ALSO BEEN STUDYING HEMP FOR THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

[♪♪] AN UNLIKELY BUSINESS OPENED ITS DOORS IN A NORTHERN KENTUCKY SHOPPING CENTER.

A PUBLIC LIBRARY.

YESTERDAY WAS THE GRAND OPENING FOR THE NEW KENTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCH.

OUR EMILY SISK HAS MORE ON THE NEW RESOURCE AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

[CHEERING].

>> WELCOME LATONIA!

[APPLAUSE] >> THESE WERE THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM THE GRAND OPENING OF THE NEWEST KENTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCH.

THE NEW LOCATION IS IN LATONIA A NEIGHBORHOOD OF 20,000 PEOPLE JUST SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN COVINGTON.

DAVE, THE DIRECTOR OF THE LIBRARY DISCUSSED HOW THE DEVELOPMENT LANDED IN LATONIA.

>> WHEN WE PICKED A COMMUNITY WE WANTED ONE THAT HAD A LOT OF KIDS WHERE WE COULD MAKE THE BIGGEST IMPACT.

EVERYTHING KEPT POINTING TO LATONIA AS A NEIGHBORHOOD AWAY FROM OUR OTHER BRANCHES.

THERE'S FIVE SCHOOLS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TWO SENIOR FACILITIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THERE IS A COUPLE OF PARKS.

AND THERE'S LARGE EMPLOYERS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO EVERYTHING KEPT POINTING BACK TO LATONIA.

>> THE LIBRARY HAS A CENTURY OLD HISTORY OF SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

BUT NEVER THROUGH A BRICK AND MORTAR BUILDING THAT HAS BEEN THE GOAL, HOWEVER, SINCE THE EARLY 1900'S.

>> AS FAR BACK AS THE HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY IN COVINGTON IS GONE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT EXPANDING ACCESS TO THE LATONIA AND WE ARE DELIVERING ON THAT PROMISE TO BRING LIBRARY SERVICES DIRECTLY INTO THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE NEW LOCATION MARKS THE FOURTH LIBRARY BRANCH ACROSS KENTON COUNTY IT IS EXCITING FOR FAMILIES WHO LIVE JUST MINUTES AWAY.

>> MY WIFE AND I HAVE AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD AND A FIVE WEEK OLD.

THE EIGHT-YEAR-OLD IS EXCITED BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO GO TO THE COVINGTON BRANCH EVEN THOUGH IT'S CLOSE.

THIS IS CLOSER BECAUSE WE ARE A COUPLE BLOCKS AWAY.

>> EIGHT-YEAR-OLD SOPHIA SHARED HER IMPRESSION OF THE NEW SPACE.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY COOL BECAUSE, BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HAVE THEIR OWN SECTIONS AND LIKE IT'S ALL SO PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO BE STARTING LOOKING ALL OVER.

I THINK I'M GOING TO BRING MY BABY SISTER AND WE CAN START READING BOOKS TOGETHER.

>> SHE LOVES IT.

SHE WANTS TO COME BACK SHE WILL PROBABLY BE HERE EVERYDAY WITH HER MOM.

>> ONE OF THE KEY FEATURES OF THE LIBRARY IS THE CHILDREN'S AREA.

EQUIPPED WITH A MINI MUSEUM TO SPARK CURIOSITY.

>> THE CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT IS BUILT AROUND THE OPEN AREA FOR INTERACTIVE PLAY.

RIGHT NOW KIDS CAN EXPERIMENT WITH OLD TECHNOLOGY AND HOPEFULLY TO INVITE FAMILIES TO COME IN AND TALK ABOUT THIS.

BECAUSE IT'S THINGS THEIR GRANDPARENTS USED OR PARENTS USED THAT THE KIDS ARE EXPERIENCING FOR THE FIRST TIME AND SEE HOW THINGS WORK AND SPARK THAT CURIOSITY.

>> THE GRAND OPENING WAS ATTENDED BY NOT ONLY LATONIA RESIDENTS BUT PEOPLE FROM ALL PARTS OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY WHO WANTED TO CELEBRATE THE COMMUNITY'S NEW RESOURCE.

>> THE WHOLE TOWN HAS BEEN SO HAPPY GETTING A LIBRARY.

AND THAT IS A GOOD FEELING BECAUSE WE NEED GOOD STUFF IN OUR LIFE.

>> THE LATONIA BRANCH HAS MORE THAN 18,000 MATERIALS.

WHICH SCHROEDER SAID ARE WAITING TO BE READ.

>> IF YOU'VE PUT OUT A GOOD QUALITY SERVICE AND GOOD QUALITY LIBRARY PEOPLE WILL COME OUT AND USE IT.

AND THE CROWD TODAY MAKES THAT ALL THE CLEARER.

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

>> Kelsey: MORE THAN 1600 PEOPLE VISITED THE LATONIA LIBRARY ON OPENING DAY.

THE BRANCH WILL NOW BEGIN REGULAR OPERATING HOURS AND ITS SUMMER READING PROGRAM.

>>> IT MAYBE SUMMER BREAK BUT KIDS ARE STILL LEARNING.

WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT HOSTED ITS ROBOT ROYALE SUMMER EDITION.

KIDS IN 7TH, EIGHTH AND 9TH GRADES HAVE BEEN LEARNING HOW TO CODE, PROGRAM AND TEST TECHNOLOGIES.

IT INCLUDED ACTIVITIES WITH LEGO SPIKE PRIME ROBOTS, DRONES AND XRP ROBOTS.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS THEY HOPE TO ENCOURAGE MORE STUDENTS TO TAKE COMPUTER SCIENCE CLASSES OFFERED AT ALL FOUR WARREN WITH COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS FOR HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT.

>> COMPUTER SCIENCE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT ADDRESSES THE 21ST CENTURY SKILLS WHICH THEY COLLABORATE THEY ARE CRITICAL THINKERS THEY COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR PEERS AND THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES KIDS THAT HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE FROM AGRICULTURE TO ANY OF THE INDUSTRIES.

SO WE JUST FEEL LIKE IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO GET THE KIDS INTRODUCED AND COMFORTABLE SO THEY CAN CHOOSE THIS AS A CAREER PATH.

>> Kelsey: A WARREN COUNTY GRADUATE NOW STUDYING COMPUTER SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IS HOME FOR THE SUMMER TO INTERN WITH THE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT.

HER INTEREST BEGAN IN MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH GIRLS WHO CODE AND INSPIRED HER COLLEGE MAJOR.

>> IT JUST GIVES ME A CHALLENGE AND I'VE ALWAYS REALLY LIKED PUZZLES AND TRYING TO FIGURE THINGS OUT.

AND SO I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO SOMETHING IN ENGINEERING OR LIKE RELATING TO ENGINEERING.

SO COMPUTER SCIENCE I LIKED THE MOST OUT OF ALL THE OPTIONS.

THE WORLD IS DEFINITELY CHANGING.

TECHNOLOGY IS STARTING TO EVOLVE MORE.

AND I JUST FEEL LIKE THIS YOUNGER GENERATION, THEY ARE SUCH BRIGHT KIDS AND FOR THEM TO LIKE LEARN THESE THINGS IT WILL HELP SO MUCH MORE LIKE THE FUTURE.

>> Kelsey: FUTURE IS BRIGHT.

MYRA HOPES TO BE A SOFTWARE ENGINEER ONE DAY.

WARREN WITH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAYS OFFERING A COMPUTER SCIENCE PATHWAY BRINGS MORE INDUSTRY TO THE AREA AS WELL.

[♪♪] >> Kelsey: THE BLUEGRASS FAIR IN LEXINGTON IS MORE THAN JUST A GOOD TIME.

IT RAISES MONEY EVERY YEAR FOR MULTIPLE CHARITIES.

THIS YEAR IT STARTED ON JUNE FIFTH AND WILL RUN UNTIL THIS SUNDAY.

AT MASTERSON STATION PARK.

WE WENT THERE TO SEE ALL ABOUT THE FUN AND HEAR ABOUT WHO BENEFITS MORE IN TONIGHT'S ARTS AND CULTURE SEGMENT THAT WE CALL TAPESTRY.

>> IT STARTED IN 1961 IN DOWNTOWN LEXINGTON AND WE CAME OUT HERE IN THE 80s WAY BEFORE MY TIME BUT THEY CAME HERE AND MADE THE SWEET DEAL WITH THE CITY AND WE BUILT BUILDINGS AND IT'S OURS DURING THE FAIR.

BUT ANYBODY ELSE IS WELCOME TO IT.

I'VE BEEN THE CHAIRMAN SIX YEARS.

THIS IS OUR WAY TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

EVERY PENNY WE MAKE GOES BACK IN TO SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS.

THAT WE GIVE TO EVERY YEAR.

WHAT WE'VE GIVEN AWAY IN THE BALL PARK OF $250,000 EACH YEAR.

PEOPLE DEPEND ON THAT.

ORGANIZATIONS NEED THAT MONEY AND WE TRY OUR BEST TO MAKE OUR FAIR BIGGER AND BETTER EVERY YEAR.

>> OUR PILLARS OF SERVICE ARE VISUAL IMPAIRMENT, HEARING, CHILD HUNGER, PEDIATRIC CANCER AND DIABETES.

THERE ARE MORE CHARITIES THAT WE ALSO HELP TO FUND BUT THOSE ARE OUR FIVE FOCUS AREAS.

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THE BLUEGRASS FAIR BUT MIGHT NOT REALIZE THERE IS A VOLUNTEER GROUP BEHIND IT THAT MAKES SURE ALL OF THE LITTLE TASKS GET DONE.

ANYTIME YOU SEE SOMEONE WEARING THEIR GOLD VEST THEY ARE A LION.

WE HAVE SOME LIONS THAT VOLUNTEER FOR ALL 11 DAYS THEY COME OUT AND HELP TO SELL TICKETS.

TICKET SELLERS, TICKET TAKERS, GREETERS, PEOPLE TO HELP WITH PARKING.

>> THIS IS DURING THE YEAR WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT WE GET ALL THE PEOPLE WE CAN.

AND WE HAVE ENTERTAINMENT INCLUDED WITH THE GENERAL ADMISSION.

WE HAVE BEAUTY PAGEANTS WE ARE A GIANT COUNTY FAIR.

RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF LEXINGTON >> Kelsey: WELL, TODAY IS BUY ONE GET ONE FREE DAY AT THE FAIR.

BUY ONE WRISTBAND AND GET ANOTHER ONE FOR FREE.

THE FAIR RUNS FROM 5:00 P.M.-10:00 P.M.

EVERYDAY.

>> HE HAS CRITICIZED PRESIDENT TRUMP OVER TARIFFS, THE DEBT AND SPENDING AND NOW SATURDAY'S MILITARY PARADE.

"KENTUCKY EDITION" TALKS TO U.S.

SENATOR RAND PAUL TOMORROW ABOUT SOME OF THOSE BIG NATIONAL STORIES AT THAT TIME ARE MAKING THE NEWS AND YOU WILL HEAR HIS RESPONSES HERE TOMORROW NIGHT 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 NEWSLETTERS AND WATCH CLIPS AT KET.ORG YOU CAN FIND US ON THE PBS VIDEO APP ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE AND SMART TV.

THANK YOU FOR SPENDING THE EVENING HERE WITH US.

MAKE IT A GREAT NIGHT.