[♪♪] >> IT'S HARD TO HAVE A LOT OF SYMPATHY FOR THESE PEOPLE.

LOOK WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT COUNTRY YOU CAME TO OUR COUNTRY AND YOU ARE MARCHING IN THE STREETS WITH ANOTHER COUNTRY'S FLAG.

>> A CONVERSATION WITH U.S.

SENATOR RAND PAUL OF KENTUCKY ON MILITARY INTERVENTION IN LA AND WHAT IS HOLDING UP HIS SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BUDGET BILL?

>> I THINK WE WOULD SEE A DIFFERENT NORTHERN KENTUCKY WITH RELATIONSHIP WITHOUT JAMES TALYOR.

>> Kelsey: WE'LL TAKE A TRIP BACK IN TIME TO EXPLORE THE FOUNDING OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

>> AND HE GIVES UP A ROCKET DOWN THE RIGHT-FIELD LINE.

>> Kelsey: AND THAT'S NOT A MAJOR LEAGUE BALL PLAYER THAT IS A KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN.

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

[♪♪] >> Kelsey: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR THIS THURSDAY JUNE 12TH I'M KELSEY STARKS FILLING IN FOR RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S USE OF MILITARY FORCES TO SUPPORT I AM GRAGHTS RAIDS IN LOS ANGELES IS NOW BEING CHALLENGED IN FEDERAL COURT.

WE ARE HEARING FROM SENATOR RAND PAUL ABOUT THAT PLUS THOSE ONGOING BUDGET TALKS.

LAURA ROGERS SPOKE WITH SENATOR PAUL THIS MORNING.

>> SENATOR PAUL WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TILE TODAY.

WANT TO BEGIN WITH THE SITUATION IN LOS ANGELES AND PRESIDENT TRUMP DEPLOYING THE CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD, THE U.S. MARINES TO RESPOND TO THE RESISTANCE AGAINST IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN THERE.

DO YOU AGREE WITH HIS DECISION TO DO THAT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW WHEN YOU SEE THE IMAGES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO OUR COUNTRY ILLEGALLY HOLDING MEXICAN FLAGS ANOTHER NATION BURNING VEHICLES, PROHIBITING THE FEDERAL OFFICERS FROM CHECKING FOR PEOPLE WHO COMMITTED CRIMES WHO ARE HERE IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY IT'S HARD TO HAVE SYMPATHY FOR THESE PEOPLE.

LOOK WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT COUNTRY YOU CAME ALL THE WAY TO OUR COUNTRY AND MARCHING IN THE STREETS WITH ANOTHER COUNTRY'S FLAG?

YOU CAN SEE WHY THERE IS NOT A LOT OF SYMPATHY FOR THAT AND THE VIOLENCE.

FRANKLY, THERE IS A LONGSTANDING HISTORY IN OUR COUNTRY, SINCE THE CIVIL WAR, AND SINCE THE CIVIL RIGHTS ERA THAT THE FEDERAL LAW IS SUPREME.

AND YOU CAN'T DISOBEY THE FEDERAL LAW.

WHEN YOU HAVE THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA AND THE MAYOR OF LA SAYING WE ARE NOT GOING TO OBEY THE FEDERAL LAW AND WHEN SOMEBODY IN IN JAIL AND WE HAVE THEM IN CUSTODY, IF WE FIND OUT THEY ARE ILLEGAL WE ARE NOT GOING TO TELL ANYBODY IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS THE SANCTUARY CITY THING.

BUT IT'S LED TO PEOPLE WITH VIOLENT BACKGROUNDS AND HAVEN'T CONVICTIONS.

IF YOU ASK MOST AMERICANS ARE YOU OKAY WITH PROTECTING THE OFFICERS THE FEDERAL OFFICERS FROM HARM FOR TRYING TO REMOVE VIOLENT PEOPLE FROM OUR COUNTRY?

MOST PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT AND I DON'T EITHER.

WOULD I RATHER IT BE LOCAL OFFICERS?

YEAH, BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO DO THEIR JOB.

LOCAL POLICE ARE ALWAYS BETTER THAN THE ARMY.

I'VE ALWAYS PREFERRED LOCAL POLICE THEY KNOW MORE OF THE FOURTH AND FIRST AMENDMENT THEY ARE BETTER EQUIPPED TO DO THIS BECAUSE IT IS A DIFFICULT JOB.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES ARE RESISTING FEDERAL LAW?

I HAVE A CONUNDRUM.

>> I'M IN YOUR HOME DISTRICT OF BOWLING GREEN AND AN 18-YEAR-OLD WAS ARRESTED BY I.C.E.

HE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL A FEW WEEKS AGO IN BOWLING GREEN AND ADVOCATES SAY HE HAS THE LEGAL DOCUMENTATION TO BE HERE HE HAS A BOND HEARING NEXT WEEK.

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS IN BOWLING GREEN WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT REFUGEE POPULATION SHOULD THEY BE CONCERNED ABOUT BEING PICKED UP BY I.C.E.

WITHOUT CAUSE?

>> BOWLING GREEN HAS BEEN A VERY WELCOMING COMMUNITY.

I'VE LIVED IN COMMUNITY FOR 30 YEARS.

AND WE HAVE MANY, MANY FRIENDS WHO ARE FIRST GENERATION I AM GRANTINGS.

WE ARE VERY, VERY WELCOMING COMMUNITY.

BUT YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAWFUL IMMIGRANTINGS AND UNLAWFUL IMMIGRANTS THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE.

I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS OF THIS INDIVIDUAL SO I'M NOT GOING TO COMMENT.

IN GENERAL WE ARE A WELCOMING COMMUNITY.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW FIRST GENERATION ALL THE PEOPLE I KNOW CAME THROUGH A LAWFUL PROCESS.

THEY LEGALLY APPLIED AND CAME.

AND NO ONE IS THREATENING THEM NO ONE IS MARCHING INTO HOMES THREATENING PEOPLE WHO CAME HERE LEGALLY.

THERE HAVE TO BE LAWS EITHER WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LAWS OR NO LAWS.

AND WE ADMIT OVER A MILLION LEGAL IMMIGRANTS I MET WITH SOME RECENTLY.

ON MONDAY IN BOWLING GREEN.

FIRST GENERATION, GOOD PEOPLE.

WHO ARE CREATING JOBS AND LEADING BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

BUT THEY ARE HERE LAWFULLY THEY DIDN'T BREAKNA THE COUNTRY.

SO WE HAVE LAWS OR DON'T HAVE LAWS AND I THINK PARTICULARLY GOING AFTER THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF AGREEMENT BUILT CRIMINAL ELEMENT.

>> AND LET'S GET TO BUDGET RECONCILIATION.

WE KNOW YOU DO NOT SUPPORT ADDING $4 TRILLION TO THE NATIONAL DEBT UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TAX AND SPENDING BUDGET.

SO IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED TO GET YOU ONBOARD WITH THIS LEGISLATION?

>> THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL INVOLVES SEVERAL THINGS ONE IS THE TAX CUTS FROM 2017 WHICH I SUPPORT.

AND I STILL SUPPORT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THOSE TAX CUTS PERMANENT.

THAT I'M COMPLETELY ONBOARD WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP WITH THAT.

WITH REGARD TO THE SPENDING CUTS I THINK THEY ARE WHIMPY AND ANEMIC AND AREN'T ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE ACCUMULATION OF DEBT.

WE'RE ACCUMULATING $2 TRILLION EVERY YEAR.

OUR NATIONAL DEBT IS 36 TRILLION.

THIS IS AN OUT-OF-CONTROL PROBLEM IT LEADS TO INFLATION, RISING PRICES AND ULTIMATELY WILL LEAD TO A CRASH AND RECESSION IN OUR COUNTRY.

YES, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT WE HAVE TO DO MORE IN THE BILL.

BUT THE THING THAT MOST CONCERNS ME IS THEY ARE EXTENDING THE CREDIT LINE THE DEBT CEILING.

SO CURRENTLY, WE ARE AT 36 TRILLION THEY WANT TO ADD 5 TRILLION RIGHT NOW.

INCREASE IN THE CREDIT LINE.

AND THAT'S HISTORICALLY THE BIGGEST INCREASE IN THE DEBT CEILING EVER.

IF SOMEONE IS NOT SPENDING MONEY WISELY LIKE CONGRESS, OR LIKE YOUR TEENAGER, IF YOU YOUR 16-YEAR-OLD TEENAGER IS MAXED OUT A CREDIT CARD AT $2,000 DO YOU GIVE THEM MORE?

YOU NEED A $10,000 CREDIT LINE?

NO YOU GIVE THEM LESS AND START PAYING THE BILLS.

THE SAME WITH CONGRESS WE SHOULD GIVE THEM SMALL INCREMENTS OF DEBT CEILING INCREASE AND HAVE THEM PROVE TO US WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE GOING TO BE RELIABLE CUTTING SPENDS AND MAYBE SOME NEED TO BE SENT HOME IF THEY ARE UNWILLING TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

>> SENATOR RAND PAUL WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME SO MUCH TODAY.

THANK YOU.

>> Kelsey: SENATOR PAUL TOLD REPORTS HE HAD BEEN UNINVITED TO THE CONGRESSIONAL PICNIC AT THE WHITE HOUSE CALLING THE MOVE QUOTE INCREDIBLY PETTY.

BUT PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD REPORTERS PAUL AND HIS FAMILY ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

>> YOU MADE A POSTING TODAY ON TRUTH SOCIAL ABOUT SENATOR RAND PAUL DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE HIM AT THE PICNIC TONIGHT?

>> I DO, HE IS THE HARDEST VOTE IN THE HISTORY OF THE U.S. SENATE TO GET.

PROBABLY WON'T GET HIM.

BUT HE IS VERY TOUGH VOTE HE IS A VERY TOUGH VOTE.

HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FRIEND OF MINE.

I GOT HIM ELECTED TWICE.

BUT I DON'T THINK HE UNDERSTANDS HOW GREAT THIS BILL IS THIS IS A GREAT BILL.

>> Kelsey: SENATOR PAUL POSTED A FOR OWE ON X WITH HIS GRANDSON SAYING THEY ARE READY FOR THE PICNIC.

>>> THE SENATE IS ALSO SET TO CONSIDER A BILL THAT WOULD CLAW BACK MORE THAN $9 BILLION IN SPENDING THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED.

THE SO-CALLED RESCISSION PACKAGE PASSED THE FULL HOUSE THIS AFTERNOON.

IT CALLS FOR MAKING CUTS RECOMMENDED BY DOGE PERMANENT INCLUDING CUTS TO U.S. AID AND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING THAT HELPS FUND KET.

ALL FIVE REPUBLICANS VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE BILL ON SOCIAL MEDIA, CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE SAID QUOTE 9 BILLION WON'T SOLVE ALL OUR BUDGET PROBLEMS BUT IT IS AN INCREDIBLE START LET'S CUT MORE.

CONGRESSMAN AN ANDY BARR SAID IN PART QUOTE MY MESSAGE TO DOGE IS SIMPLE KEEP THE CUTS COMING.

AND CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS OF KENTUCKY'S FIFTH DISTRICT SAID THIS PACKAGE IS ABOUT PULLING BACK TAXPAYER DOLLARS THAT HAVE BEEN SPENT ON NET ZERO CITIES IN MEXICO, SEXUAL HEALTH IN VENEZUELA.

KET'S DIRECTOR SHAE HOPKINS IS REACTING QUOTE WE ARE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED BY TODAY'S ROTE TO ELIMINATE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING AS THE LOSS OF THIS FUNDING WILL SUBSTANTIALLY DIMINISH KET'S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WE KNOW THE MORE THAN TWO MILLION PEOPLE WHO WATCH AND USE KET VALUE OUR NEARLY 60 YEARS OF DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO THE COMMONWEALTH.

>>> A SOLDIER IS DEAD AND ANOTHER ONE HURT AFTER A HELICOPTER INCIDENT LAST NIGHT AT FORT CAMPBELL AT 7:00 P.M., THE ARMY IS NOT SAYING IF THE INCIDENT WAS A CRASH OR A HARD LANDING.

THE 101ST AIRBORNE WILL NOT RELEASE THE NAMES UNTIL THE FAMILIES ARE NOTIFIED.

THE SOLDIER HURT IS NOW IN STABLE CONDITION.

>>> GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THE DEATH OF A FORT CAMPBELL SOLDIER IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HURT US ALL AND URGED PEOPLE TO KEEP THE FAMILY IN THEIR PRAYERS AND CAPITALLED ON TRUMP'S SYSTEM TO FEDERALIZE THE NATIONAL GUARD TO DETAIL DEAL WITH THE PROTESTS IN LOS ANGELES.

>> FIRST, WHETHER IT'S IN CALIFORNIA OR ANYWHERE ELSE, VIOLENCE IS UNACCEPTABLE WHETHER IT IS CONNECTED TO A PROTEST OR NOT, VANDALISM IS UNACCEPTABLE.

THE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THOSE WHO BREAK THE LAW, DOING THOSE THINGS SHOULD BE PROSECUTED.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THESE PROTESTS THE PEOPLE BEST ABLE TO GAUGE THEIR SIZE AND HOW TO HANDLE THEM AND WHETHER RESOURCES ARE NEEDED IS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ON THE GROUND.

THIS IS THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST POLICE FORCES IN THE UNITED STATES AND HAS TRAINING AND ITS CHIEF IS TELLING THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD THAT IT DPUS' NEED THE ASSISTANCE OF THE NATIONAL GUARD TO HANDLE WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

I SUPPORT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I WANT TO LISTEN TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FROM SOMEBODY WHO HAS HAD TO GOVERN DURING PROTESTS THOSE ON THE GROUND ARE THE ONES THAT ARE IN THE BEST PLACE TO SAY WHAT'S NEEDED AND WHAT COULD HELP DEESCALATE A SITUATION.

>> Kelsey: REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS CALLED SEVERAL DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS TO WASHINGTON TODAY TO QUESTION THEM OVER POLICIES LIMITING COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.

THE GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS, MINNESOTA AND NEW YORK TESTIFIED BEFORE THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY JAMES COMER OF KENTUCKY'S FIRST DISTRICT.

THE HEARING COMES AMID TENSIONS AND PROTESTS OVER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ENFORCEMENT OF IMMIGRATION LAWS.

>> DESPITE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EFFORTS TO SECURE THE BORDER AND ENFORCE THE LAW DEMOCRAT RUN SANCTUARY CITIES AND STATES ARE SIDING WITH ILLEGAL ALIENS.

FOR TODAY'S DEMOCRAT PARTY IT SEEMS UNLIMITED ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS NOT A FAILURE OF POLICY, IT IS THE POLICY.

AND THAT AGENDA IS BEING PUSHED AT EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT.

AND THIS COMES AT A STEEP COST TO PUBLIC SAFETY, STRAINS LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES AND IMPOSES A FINANCIAL BURDEN ON FEDERAL AND STATE TAXPAYERS.

THAT'S NOT JUST BAD POLICY IT IS A SERIOUS OVERSIGHT FAILURE.

CONGRESS MUST CONFRONT THIS ABSURD REALITY.

>> Kelsey: TODAY'S HEARING FOLLOWS A SIMILAR ONE IN MARCH WHICH THE REPUBLICAN LED COMMITTEE QUESTIONED THE MAYORS OF CHICAGO, BOSTON, DENVER AND NEW YORK.

>> THE FALLOUT CONTINUES AFTER THE WITHDRAWAL OF A CONSENT DECREE BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE LOUISVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

LOUISVILLE OFFICIALS DISPUTE THE NOTION THAT THEY DELAYED THE CONSENT DECREE WHICH WAS FINALIZED UNDER PRESIDENT BIDEN'S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT BUT DID NOT RECEIVE APPROVAL BEFORE TRUMP TOOK OFFICE.

AS OUR JUNE LEFFLER REPORTS THE CITY SAYS IT'S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ITS OWN REFORMS.

>> LOUISVILLE OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED THE COMMUNITY COMMITMENT LAST MONTH.

IT LARGELY REPLICATES THE GOALS AND TIMELINE OF THE PROPOSED CONSENT DECREE.

INCLUDING INDEPENDENT MONITORING.

JUST NOT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> WE HAVE OUR COMMUNITY COMMITMENT THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH.

SO LOOKING BACK AT WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID OR DIDN'T DO IS A WASTE OF TIME IN ALL HONESTY.

LET'S MOVE FORWARD IN HOW WE MAKE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BETTER.

>> THE DAY TRUMP'S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WOULD DROP THE CONSENT DECREE BREONNA TAYLOR'S MOTHER WROTE BLAMING THE CITY FOR NOT GETTING THE JOB DONE SOONER.

AT A DOWNTOWN FORUM, THE MAYOR AND CHIEF OF POLICE PUSHED BACK ON THAT IDEA.

>> THEN ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND CAME TO LOUISVILLE MARCH SOMETHING OF 2023.

WE OFFERED TO PROVIDE A FIRST DRAFT OF A CONSENT DECREE THAT DAY TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

THEY INSISTED THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE US WITH THE FIRST DRAFT.

NOT WITHSTANDING OUR WEEKLY REQUESTS WHERE THAT DRAFT WAS COMING WE GOT THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE CONSENT DECREE 11-AND-A-HALF MONTHS LATER.

>> WE SAID TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, WHO IS GETTING THIS RIGHT?

AND WHAT CAN WE DO DIFFERENTLY?

WE WILL GO ANYWHERE.

WE WILL WE ARE WILLING TO SPEND THE MONEY AND THE TIME WE ARE WILLING TO PUT IN THE WORK.

YOU TELL US WHO IS GETTING IT RIGHT AND THEY COULDN'T TELL US THAT.

AT ANY POINT WE SAID WE ARE NOT WAITING FOR THIS.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING AND THEY WERE MORE CONCERNED WITH DETECTING A CASE THAN IMPROVING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> I WILL ADD IF WE WERE USING DELAY AS A TACTIC WE WOULD NOT HAVE VOLUNTARILY SIGNED THE COMMUNITY COMMITTMENT OF COMMITMENT WITHIN HOURS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCING THEY WERE DROPPING THE CASE T WOULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT RESPONSE WE WOULD HAVE SAID OKAY THEY'RE OUT.

THAT'S IN THE PAST.

NO MORE.

>> THE CITY AND FORMER LAWYERS FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAY LOUISVILLE HAS BEEN PROACTIVE.

>> JUST TO PUT THIS IN CONTEXT, FOLKS, OVER 260 POLICIES AND CHANGES HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE.

BEFORE A DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CONSENT DECREE WAS EVEN FINALIZED WHICH IT NEVER GOT.

BEFORE WE HAD THE COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION WE HAVE BEEN TAKING ACTION AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO AT THAT TIME CONTINUE ACTION.

>> LOUISVILLE CAN OFFER INPUT THIS MONTH.

BOTH ARE TO DISCUSS WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS FROM THE INDEPENDENT MONITOR.

A THIRD PARTY THE CITY WILL HIRE.

THE CHAIR OF UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WILL LEAD THOSE SESSIONS.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Kelsey: WHILE THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE SAYS IT'S REPLICATING THE ORIGINAL CONSENT DECREE THE COURIER-JOURNAL REPORTED A FEW THINGS ARE MISSING THAT INCLUDES TRAINING ON TASERS, FEEDBACK SURVEYS FROM ARRESTEES AND MORE TRANSPARENCY AROUND POLICE MISCONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS.

>>> INSTEAD OF BATTLING IN THE CAPITOL DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WERE BATTLING ON THE DIAMOND LAST NIGHT DURING THE ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL GAME IN WASHINGTON D.C. AND CHECK OUT CONGRESSMAN MORGAN MCGARVEY OF KENTUCKY AT THE PLATE.

>> McGARVEY NOT LEAVING ANYTHING TO CHANCE THERE.

HE STRUCK OUT IN THE FIRST BUT I RESPECT A BATTER THAT SAYS I'M HERE LET'S PLAY BALL.

0-2.

TAKES A LITTLE BIT OFF IT?

AND HE GIVES UP A ROCKET DOWN THE RIGHT-FIELD LINE.

GOING THE OTHER WAY, HE HAS A LONG WAY TO RUN.

TO CORRAL THAT DOWN HE IS GOING FOR THREE.

>> >> Kelsey: IT WAS THE HIGH POINT OF THE GAME FOR THE DEMOCRATS AT LEAST AS THE REPUBLICANS WON 13-2.

[♪♪] TODAY IS NATIONAL WOMEN VETERANS RECOGNITION DAY OVER THE WEEKEND CLOSE TO 100 KENTUCKY WOMEN VETERANS GATHERED FOR AN EVENT DESIGNED TO HELP EMPOWER, CONNECT AND FOSTER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY FOR A GROUP THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS GET THE RECOGNITION THEY DESERVE.

>> SAY ARMY.

>> GO ARMY!

>> WE SHARE A VERY UNIQUE BOND AND THAT'S THE CAMARADERIE IS LIKE UNLIKE ANY OTHER IT'S IMPORTANT IN ALL THE MILITARY BUT ESPECIALLY FEMALE VETS.

>> WE CONNECT THROUGH WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE'VE DONE ESPECIALLY AS WOMEN VETERANS.

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND US.

A LOT OF TIMES WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT ISOLATED.

SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO HERE AT THE CONFERENCE IS MAKE SURE WE'RE REACHING OUT TO EACH WOMAN.

>> THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING SO MANY WOMEN VETERANS TOGETHER IS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR NOT ONLY TO APPRECIATE WHAT WE'VE DONE AS SERVICE MEMBERS BUT TO HAVE US ALL COME TOGETHER AND BE LIKE WOW IT IS A HUGE SISTERHOOD OF US BEING ABLE TO SAY I WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING NO MATTER WHAT SERVICE.

SUPPORT SYSTEM IS SO VALUABLE BECAUSE IT NOT ONLY HELPS YOU ADJUST AND TRANSITION TO THE CIVILIAN LIFE BUT IT'S COMMUNITY THAT UNDERSTANDS THE SAME LINGO.

>> I SPENT 20 YEARS IN THAT ENVIRONMENT AND SUDDENLY I'M OUT OF IT IT CAN BE A STRUGGLE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE DO I FIT AND HOW DO I GET MY NEEDS MET.

>> WHEN IT DOESN'T SEEM TO EXIST IN THE NEW ENVIRONMENT.

THAT OPPORTUNITY TO RECONNECT IN THAT SAME TYPE OF AN ENVIRONMENT AND BE REMINDED OF THE UNIQUE EXPERIENCES WE HAD THAT UNLESS YOU ARE A WOMAN VETERAN, IT'S TOO DIFFICULT TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND IT.

>> WE'RE PROUD OF EVERYTHING WE HAVE DONE IN THE MILITARY.

BECAUSE BEING MALE DOMINATED, A LOT OF TIMES WE'RE NOT SEEN OR RECOGNIZED.

I'M HEARING A LOT OF THE STORIES OF THEIR EXPERIENCES AND THE ROLES THEY PLAYED AND WHO IS AROUND THEM.

SOME OF THE OTHER I WOULD SAY NOT SO GREAT STORIES, A LOT OF WOMEN HAVE EXPERIENCED MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA, A LOT OF WOMEN HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF DIFFERENT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES JUST DUE TO WHERE THEY SERVED AND HOW THEY SERVED.

>> IN 1985, THE NUMBERS OF WOMEN ENLISTING AND SERVING IN GENERAL WERE DEFINITELY INCREASING BUT IT WAS STILL VERY MUCH THE OLD SCHOOL MENTALITY ALL THE THINGS YOU HEAR IT IS A MEN'S MILITARY.

IT WASN'T UNUSUAL TO FEEL LIKE YOU WERE NOT WANTED YOUR PRESENCE WAS NOT WANTED IN A CERTAIN OFFICE OR WORK ENVIRONMENT.

IT WASN'T UNUSUAL TO FEEL LIKE YOU WERE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE YOU WERE ASKING FOR ACCOMMODATIONS YOU NEEDED AS A WOMAN.

>> IT WAS STILL THE CULTURE IN THE MILITARY.

OFTEN WE WOULD BECOME ONE OF THE ONLY WOMEN OR ONE OF A FEW WOMEN IN A ROOM FULL OF OUR MALE COUNTERPARTS.

THE CHALLENGES WE MET WITH WERE MOSTLY DOUBT WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAD THE CAPACITY, THE ABILITIES THE SKILLS TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE SAME CHALLENGES.

>> YOU FEEL UNDERESTIMATED BUT I TOOK THAT AS MORE OF A CHANCE TO LIKE IMPROVE MY STRENGTH RESILIENCE AND IT WAS A GROWING OPPORTUNITY MORE THAN ANYTHING.

>> THERE WERE WOMEN WHO JUST DEALT WITH WHAT WAS COMING AT THEM.

AND DID THE BEST THEY COULD WITH IT AND A LOT OF US WERE LIKE OKAY I HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHAT IS COMING AT ME BUT THIS IS NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

SO I NEED TO DO WHAT I CAN TO TRY TO FACILITATE CHANGE.

THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THE WOMEN COMING BEHIND US WERE GOING TO NOT HAVE TO KEEP DEALING WITH THOSE SAME STRUGGLES.

>> WHEN WE COME TOGETHER, IT'S SO POWERFUL WHETHER IT'S BUILDING ONE ANOTHER UP OR HELPING OUT.

>> COMING TOGETHER IS VITAL.

WE CHOOSE THIS COUNTRY.

>> ALWAYS WE PROVED TO THEM NOT ONLY DID WE BELONG IN THE SERVICE BUT WE BELONG WITH THEM MAKING THE STRATEGIC DECISIONS THAT LEADERS HAVE TO MAKE.

AND ALSO PROVING WE HAD THE PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES AND THE MENTAL CAPABILITIES OF BEING SUCCESSFUL SOLDIERS.

>> Kelsey: ACCORDING TO THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS THERE ARE MORE THAN 24,000 WOMEN VETERANS IN THIS STATE.

[♪♪] DO YOU KNOW THE MAN CREDITED WITH FOUNDING NORTHERN KENTUCKY CITIES LIKE NEWPORT, BELIVIEU AND DAYTON?

HIS NAME IS GENERAL JAMES TALYOR.

AND IN TONIGHT'S LOOK AT KENTUCKY HISTORY WE'LL TAKE YOU INSIDE HIS HOME AND LEARN MORE ABOUT HIS INFLUENCE.

OUR EMILY SISK HAS THE DETAILS.

>> THIS WAS ACTUALLY THE WESTERN FRONTIER.

THE COUNTRY STOPPED BASICALLY AT KENTUCKY.

>> IT WAS THE 1790s AND THAT WESTERN FRONTIER SOON TRANSFORMED INTO A PROSPEROUS AREA WITH CREDIT TO GENERAL JAMES TALYOR V. HE WAS A BUSINESSMAN WHO INHERITED THOUSANDS OF ACRES IN WHAT WE KNOW AS NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

>> HE CAME OUT HERE TO CARVE OUT OUT OF THE WILDERNESS A CITY.

DIDN'T COME WITH THE IDEA OF OPENING A PLANTATION LIKE THEY HAD BEEN DOING IN VIRGINIA BUT TO MAKE A CITY.

>> GENERAL JAMES TALYOR AND HIS WIFE KETURAH WERE WELL CONNECTED IN HIGH SOCIETY.

TAYLOR WAS RELATED TO JAMES MADISON, CONNECTED WITH THOMAS JEFFERSON AND OTHERS.

HE USED HIS INFLUENCE TO CONVINCE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH AN ARMY BARRACKS IN NEWPORT.

>> THEY WERE CLAIMING WITH GEORGE, GEORGE WASHINGTON HE WAS A PROMINENT KENTUCKIAN NOT ONLY IN KENTUCKY BUT IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> HE ESTABLISHED A FERRY THAT RAN BETWEEN NEWPORT AND CINCINNATI.

HE SETUP A ROAD AT THAT TIME WENT FROM NEWPORT INTO LEXINGTON.

THAT WE NOW KNOW IS ROUTE 27.

>> TAYLOR WAS ALSO A SLAVE HOLDER.

DR. DAVID CHILDS A PROFESSOR AT NRN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY SAY TAYLOR MAY HAVE OWNED 50 ENSLAVED PEOPLE.

>> IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT OF LABOR FROM HIS ENSLAVED PEOPLE TO HELP CLEVELAND, CUT DOWN TREES, ESTABLISH WHAT WE KNOW TODAY AS NEWPORT.

>> ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF GENERAL TAYLOR'S INFLUENCE AND A LOCATION ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES IS THE TAYLOR MANSION RIGHT IN THE HEART OF NEWPORT.

>> THE TAYLOR MANSION IS PROBABLY THE OLDEST CONSTRUCTION SURVIVING CONSTRUCTION IN THIS AREA GOING BACK TO 1803.

THAT IS WAY BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR.

THE CIVIL WAR WAS NOT UNTIL THE 1860s.

>> THE MANSION WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE LARGEST HOMES IN THE REGION WITH 40 ROOMS AND 17 FOOT CEILINGS.

THE ARCHITECT ALSO WORKED ON THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> WHEN HE BUILT THE TAYLOR MANSION HE BUILT IT TO LOOK OVER THE RIVER.

>> THIS HOUSE WAS BUILT FOR LIVING IN AND ENTERTAINING.

>> TAYLOR ENTERTAINED MANY AT THE MANSION UNTIL HE DIED IN 1848.

>> HE ACTUALLY DIED UPSTAIRS IN THE MANSION.

AFTER HAVING CAST A VOTE FOR HIS COUSIN ZACHARY TAYLOR IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

>> YEARS LATER IT BECAME KNOWN AT THE TAYLOR MANSION WAS A STATION IN THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD WHILE NOT CERTAIN WHAT THAT MEANS, HISTORIANS HAVE CLUES.

RESIDENTS MAY HAVE SIGNALED WITH A LANTERN FROM THE HOME OR USE FERRY BOATS TO GET INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE RIVER.

>> NOBODY WOULD QUESTION THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE ENSLAVED PEOPLE OF THE MOST PROMINENT FAMILY IN THE AREA ONE OF THE RICHEST FAMILIES IN THE COUNTRY.

>> IF YOU SEE A LANTERN IN THE SKY IN THE TOP OF THIS BUILDING THAT TELLS YOU THAT IT COULD BE SAFE TO CROSS HERE AND GET ACROSS TO FREEDOM.

>> WHILE THE LEGACY OF GENERAL JAMES TALYOR V IS COMPLICATED, NORTHERN KENTUCKIANS STILL FEEL HIS IMPACT.

>> I THINK WE WOULD SEE A VERY DIFFERENT NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

RELATIONSHIP WITHOUT YAM JAMES.

WITHOUT THAT VISION FOR IT AND VISION A CITY IF HE TURNED IT INTO A FARM OR A PLANTATION, WE MIGHT NEVER HAVE SEEN THE TYPE OF FILL THAT WE HAVE SEEN.

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

>> Kelsey: INTERESTING LOOK BACK THERE.

GENERAL TAYLOR'S MANSION HAS BEEN PRIVATELY OWNED.

THE OWNERS PLAN TO OPEN THE RESTORED HOME FOR TOURS AND SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE COMING MONTHS.

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

YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS AND WATCH FULL CLIPS AND EPISODES ATEN KET.ORG YOU CN SEND US A STORY IDEA AND FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA WE ARE ON FACEBOOK, X, AND INSTAGRAM.

WHERE YOU CAN STAY IN THE LOOP WITH EVERYTHING THERE.

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

[♪♪]