[♪♪] >> EVERYBODY KNOWS I'VE GOT AN INDEPENDENTS STREAK AND I'M GOING TO ALWAYS HAVE THAT.

>> Renee: WHY DID A VETERAN KENTUCKY LAWMAKER SWITCH PARTIES AND WHY NOW?

>> WE HATE TOW SEE THIS HAPPEN ANYWHERE IN KENTUCKY.

BUT I THINK IT BRINGS THE BEST OUT OF PEOPLE, CHURCHES, CHARITIES, NEIGHBORS IN HELPING NEIGHBORS.

>> Renee: A KENTUCKY SENATOR SURVEYS TORNADO DAMAGE AND RECOVERY IN SOUTHERN KENTUCKY.

>> WE CAN MORE QUICKLY IDENTIFY PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR TREATMENTS THAT CAN SLOW DOWN THE COURSE OF THIS DISEASE.

>> Renee: AND HOW A NEW BLOOD TEST CAN SPOT ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND LEAD TO EARLIER TREATMENT.

>> 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, JUNE SECOND I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPENDING SOME OF YOUR MONDAY NIGHT WITH US.

>>> THE LAST RURAL DEMOCRAT IN THE KENTUCKY STATE SENATE HAS SWITCHED FROM BLUE TO RED AND IN DOING SO, ADDED TO THE SUPER MAJORITY IN THE UPPER CHAMBER.

SENATOR ROBIN WEBB OF CARTER COUNTY WHO REPRESENTS THE 18TH DISTRICT, MADE HEADLINES FRIDAY WHEN SHE ANNOUNCED SHE WAS BECOMING A REPUBLICAN.

I SAT DOWN WITH SENATOR WEBB HERE IN OUR KET STUDIOS TODAY TO FIND OUT THE THINKING BEHIND AND TIMING OF HER DECISION.

WHY MAKE THE SWITCH?

WHY NOW?

>> WELL, PREFACE IT AGAIN TO SAY FOR 10 YEARS I WAS IN THE HOUSE REPRESENTING CARTER COUNTY IN KENTUCKY A REPUBLICAN DISTRICT.

I WAS A REPUBLICAN WHEN I FIRST REGISTERED TO VOTE AND SWITCHED WHEN I WENT INTO THE COAL MINER THAT FIT MY IDEOLOGY.

AND SINCE THAT I'VE BEEN VERY HAPPY DURING MY TENURE IN BOTH CHAMBERNESS TREATED VERY WELL IN THE MAJORITY AND THE MINORITY.

DON'T GET ME WRONG.

BUT THE TIMING, THE TIMING IMMEDIATELY WAS THAT I'M TECHNICALLY IN CYCLE FOR MY NEXT RACE.

I FELT TO BE TRANSPARENT AND PROCEED INTO THE INTERIM IN THE NEXT SESSION, OR THE FOLLOWING DEADLINE AND ALL THAT I NEEDED TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH MY CONSTITUENTS AND DO IT NOW.

AND WHAT REALLY -- IT'S BEEN SEVERAL THINGS THROUGH THE YEARS AND SEVERAL SHIFTS.

AND THE FACT THAT I'VE BEEN THE ONLY RURAL STATE SENATOR FOR A FEW YEARS NOW.

AND THEN BEFORE THAT, THERE WAS MAYBE THREE AT THE MOST THERE FOR A WHILE OR SO.

BUT IT'S BEEN A STRUGGLE ON SOME ISSUES FOR ME AND THE REPRESENTATION OF MY DISTRICT AS WELL AS MY PERSONAL BELIEFS.

TO -- IF YOU -- I HAVE A KINTSDZ VOTING RECORD FOR THE LAST QUARTER OF A CENTURY PLUS.

AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE.

I'M STILL THE SAME ISSUES SAME PRIORITIES.

BUT I'VE BEEN HARD TO CATEGORIZE I GUESS THROUGH THE YEARS.

AND I THINK THAT'S OKAY.

>> Renee: WHEN YOU SAY IN THE STATEMENT THAT YOU RELEASED LAST WEEK THAT NO LONGER DOES IT DEMOCRATIC PARTY REPRESENT YOUR VALUES.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEFT YOU BEFORE YOU LEFT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

WHAT IS IT, WHAT WAS THE PIVOT POINT WHAT ISSUE OR SET OF ISSUES MADE YOU THINK THIS IS NOT WHERE I NEED TO BE?

>> FIRST, THAT IS A CLICHE I THINK RONALD REAGAN MIGHT HAVE SAID THAT FIRST.

MY HISTORY DOESN'T FAIL ME.

THROUGH THE YEARS, I FOCUSED A LOT ON THE BUDGET WHICH I LIKE TO DO.

I LIKE POLICY I DON'T NECESSARILY LIKE POLITICS.

I'M PROBABLY THE LEAST PARTISAN PERSON IN A ROOM THROUGH THE YEARS.

SO YOU WATCH AND I'VE STATED THIS IN ANOTHER INTERVIEW FROM ENERGY SECTOR, I AM IN THE COAL INDUSTRY.

I'M BIASED THAT IS WHAT I CHOSE TO DO AND IT'S GONE NOW.

AND FROM COAL MINER TO GENERAL COUNCIL THAT WAS BASED IN MY DISTRICT.

EMPLOYED A LOT OF PEOPLE, RIVER, RAIL.

WE'VE LOST ALL AT THAT TIME.

STEEL.

AND I BELIEVE IN DIVERSIFIED PORT FOL YO BUT THE ENERGY POLICY WAS THE BEGINNING FOR ME.

THEN YOU LOOK AT MAYBE AGRICULTURE, YOU LOOK AT THE ATTACK ON CATTLE I AM A RANCHER, I RECREATIONALLY USE EQUINES AND OWN EQUINES AND LOVE EQUINES.

BUT YOU LOOK AT THE SHIFT IN POLICY AND LAW AND AGENDA IF YOU WILL THAT HAS BEEN ENDORSED ESPECIALLY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL TO MAKE IT HARD ON TOES OF US WHO PRODUCE MEAT AND UTILIZE ANIMALS AND OWN ANIMALS.

OR JUST A COUPLE OF THE THINGS AND GO BACK TO THE ENERGY SECTOR THAT HAS HAD AN ECONOMIC IMPACT ON ALL OF KENTUCKY AND WEST KENTUCKY TOO.

I WAS TALKING SOMEBODY TODAY FOUR GENERATIONS COAL MINER IN THEIR FAMILY AND THAT IS NOT THERE ANYMORE.

AND THERE'S SOCIAL ISSUES.

I AM A SOUTHERN BAPTIST AND I HAVE TRIED TO DISPLAY MY FAITH AND MAKE A LOT OF DECISIONS WITH MY FAITH.

AND I WAS A FORMER FEMALE ATHLETE MY DAUGHTER PLAYED COLLEGE BALL AND WOMEN'S SPORTS ISSUES AND THOSE THINGS AND YOU LOOK AT MY VOTING RECORD AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE I AM.

THOSE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE THINGS.

>> Renee: AND OVER THE WEEKEND HAS BEEN A LOT OF REACTION TO YOUR DECISION.

AND WE'VE HEARD EVERYTHING FROM WELL, SHE WAS ONLY A DEMOCRAT IN NAME ONLY ANYWAY.

BUT AS HAS BEEN SAID BY YOUR FORMER DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES THE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE VOTE WITH THE REPUBLICANS 90 SOMETHING PERCENT OF THE TIME ON THE BIG ISSUES THAT I DESCRIBED, THE BUDGET AND THINGS THAT MATTER THE MOST THE CULTURAL ISSUES THERE'S GOING TO BE DIVISION.

CONSIDERING THAT YOU DO HAVE AN INDEPENDENT STREAK, WHY DOES IT EVEN MATTER WHICH PARTY?

AND WHY CHOOSE THE REPUBLICANS NOW?

>> I'VE TRIED FOR SEVERAL YEARS TO BE A RURAL VOICE, TO EXPLAIN ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF POLICY ON RURAL AMERICA, RURAL KENTUCKY ESPECIALLY THE EAST KENTUCKY.

I HAVE TRIED TO BE A TEAM PLAYER IN SOME REGARD BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I'VE ALWAYS TRIED TO DO.

AND IT'S PROBABLY FALLEN ON DEAF EARS.

>> Renee: WITH WEBB SWITCHED TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THERE ARE NOW 32 REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE SENATE AND JUST SIX DEMOCRATS AND ALL SIX OF THOSE DEMOCRATS REPRESENT THE LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON AREAS.

TOMORROW NIGHT, SENATOR WEBB ANSWERS ACCUSATIONS THAT SHE IS DECEIVED AND BETRESSED HER FORMER DEMOCRATIC SUPPORTERS AND CONTRIBUTORS.

MORE ON THAT TOMORROW NIGHT.

IN THE MEANTIME, GERALD NEAL THE SENATE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER PUT I A STATEMENT ABOUT SENATOR WEBB'S DECISION TO SWITCH PARTIES QUOTE THE DECISION WILL NOT CHANGE THE COURSE AND DILIGENCE WITH WHICH THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE.

THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS REMAINS COMMITTED TO BRINGING KENTUCKY A BRIGHTER FUTURE BY FUNDING PUBLIC EDUCATION, PROTECTING WORKERS WRITINGS AND FIGHTING FOR THE WELL-BEING OF KENTUCKY'S FAMILIES.

END QUOTE.

>>> NOW TO ONGOING TORNADO RECOVERY IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

IT WAS JUST OVER TWO WEEKS AGO THAT RUSSELL, PULASKI AND LAUREL COUNTIES SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE AND LOSS OF LIFE.

A MEMBER OF KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TRAVELED TO THE AREA TODAY TO SEE HOW RECOVERY EFFORTS ARE MOVING ALONG.

OUR LAURA ROGERS HAS MORE FROM PULASKI COUNTY.

>> SENATOR PAUL'S FIRST STOP HERE IN SOMERSET AT SOUTH KENTUCKY RE C.L.

BROWN HEADQUARTERS WHICH TOOK A HIT FROM THAT TORNADO A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, SENATOR PAUL SURVEYING THE DAMAGE TAKING TIME TO MEET WITH CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, LINEMEN WHO HELPED RESTORE THOUSANDS OF POWER OUTAGES FOLLOWING THAT STORM.

OF COURSE, THAT ONLY COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THEIR HEADQUARTERS WAS SO SEVERELY DAMAGED.

AS WELL.

NOW, WE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK SENATOR PAUL ABOUT FEMA ASSISTANCE.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS INDICATED THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME OF THAT MOVE FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY.

WE WANTED TO ASK SENATOR PAUL HIS THOUGHTS ON THAT AND THE BUDGET BILL THAT WILL BE HEADING TO THE U.S. SENATE.

>> I THINK ULTIMATELY YOU HAVE TO SHIFT EVERYTHING MORE TO THE STATES BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS A PRINTSDZING PRESS AND THE RESERVE PAYS FOR THINGS.

THERE IS A CONSEQUENCE WE HAVE A $36 TRILLION DEBT IN WASHINGTON.

THE STATE GOVERNMENT HAS TO BALANCE ITS BUDGET IT'S HARD FOR THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO AFFORD THINGS AND THEY HAVE TO PRIORITIZE.

THEY HAVE A SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS RAINY DAY FUND.

THE STATE STEPPED IN WITH THE TORNADOES IN BOWLING GREEN AND MAYFIELD AND THE FLOODING NEAR HAZARD.

STATE STEPPED IN QUICKLY WITH $400 MILLION LAST TIME.

SO IF MONEY IS NEEDED, INTEREST'S HOPING THE STATE WILL STEP IN AND HELP BECAUSE THEY CAN BE QUICKER.

THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL EXPANDS THE DEBT I THINK IT'S TOO MUCH AND WE SHOULD BE TRYING HARDER TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET.

THE DEFICIT WILL BE $2 TRILLION, AND MODERATE REPUBLICANS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BIDEN SPENDING LEVELS AND MANY VOTED FOR IT AND NOW WE HAVE A DEBT THAT REPUBLICANS ARE LARGELY RESPONSIBLE.

I DIDN'T VOTE FOR IT.

AND I'M STILL A VOICE SAYING WE SHOULDN'T PILE ON MORE DEBT BECAUSE IT PUTS PRESSURE ON GOVERNMENT THAT PEOPLE WANT FROM GOVERNMENT.

>> SENATOR PAUL TRAVELING TO LONDON AND LAUREL COUNTY TO LOOK AT THE TORNADO DAMAGE AND RECOVERY IN THAT CITY AS WELL.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M LAURA ROGERS.

>> Renee: MANY THANKS.

SENATOR PAUL SAYS HIS OFFICE IS READY AND ABLE TO HELP STORM VICTIMS WORK THROUGH THE RED TAPE WHEN APPLYING FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE.

>>> NOW, SENATOR PAUL A LONGTIME CRITIC OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S TARIFF POLICY SAYS KENTUCKY BUSINESSES OPPOSE HIGHER TARIFFS HE APPEARED ON CBS' FACE THE NATION.

>> I HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT THIS WEEK ABOUT TARIFFS.

HE DID MOST OF THE TALKING.

AND WE DON'T AGREE ON THE OUTCOME BUT WHEN I COME HOME TO KENTUCKY I TALK TO THE FARM BUREAU OPPOSED TO THE TARIFFS.

I TALK TO THE BOURBON INDUSTRY OPPOSED TO THE TARIFFS.

I TALKED TO THE CARGO COMPANIES, U.P.S., ALL ARE OPPOSED TO IT.

I TALK TO THE HARDWOOD FLOOR PEOPLE AND BUILDING HOUSES I HAVE NO ORGANIZED BUSINESS INTEREST IN KENTUCKY FOR THE TARIFFS.

SO I THINK IT'S WORTH THE DISCUSSION AND IT'S WORTH PEOPLE REMEMBERING THAT THE REPUBLICANS USED TO BE FOR LOWER TAXES TARIFFS ARE A TAX IF YOU RAISE TAXES ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

>> Renee: THIS WEEK, CONGRESS IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON WHAT IS CALLED A RESCISSION REQUEST FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO CUT BOO $9 BILLION IN SPENDING THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED.

SENATOR PAUL TALKED ABOUT THE SPENDING THAT WOULD BE AFFECTED.

>> THIS IS THE MONEY THAT WAS POINTED OUT BEING SPENT FOR SEX CHANGE OPERATIONS IN GUATEMALA, TRANS OPERATIONS IN COLUMBIA.

ALL THE CRAZY SPENDING, YES IT SHOULD BE CUT.

I HAD AN AMENDMENT.

>> SESAME STREET.

IT'S PBS AND NPR?

>> YEAH.

AND I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT WE'LL SEE.

I DON'T THINK WE NECESSARILY NEED GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMING ANYMORE WE HAVE SO MANY CHOICES ON THE INTERNET AND TELEVISION.

MY PREFERENCE HAS BEEN IN THE PAST TO CUT A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING RATHER THAN CUT A LOT OF SOMETHING.

WHAT I'VE DONE IN THE PAST IS PROPOSE A PENNY PLAN BUDGET WHERE WE CUT A PERCENTAGE OF EVERYTHING BUT IT INCLUDES ENTITLEMENTS OR IT DOESN'T WORK.

>> Renee: KET IS A PBS MEMBER STATION THAT RESCISSION VOTE COULD COME IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

>>> A LAWSUIT CHALLENGING KENTUCKY'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN HAS BEEN DROPPED.

THE ACLU OF KENTUCKY FILED PAPERWORK TO HAVE THE CASE DISMISSED BUT WOULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY.

THE CASE WAS FILED ON BEHALF OF A WOMAN WHO WENT BY MARY POE WHO LAST TRAVELED TO ANOTHER STATE TO RECEIVE AN ABORTION.

THE LAWSUIT ALLEGED STATE LAWS BANNING ABORTIONS ARE QUOTE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND UNENFORCEMENTABLE.

AMBER DUKE THE DIRECTOR OF THE ACLU OF KENTUCKY SAID PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONTROL THEIR OWN BODIES WITHOUT GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE AND WE WILL NEVER STOP FIGHTING TO RESTORE ABORTION ACCESS IN KENTUCKY.

END QUOTE.

KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN A REPUBLICAN IN A STATEMENT HE SAID QUOTE KENTUCKIANS CAN BE PROUD OUR PRO-LIFE VALUES WON THE DAY AND INNOCENT LIVES WILL BE SAVED AS A RESULT.

END QUOTE.

>>> THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE WANTS THE PUBLIC'S INPUT AND THEIR HELP TO REDUCE CRIME BY WORKING WITH THE NEW COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION.

IT IS A PART OF THE SAFE LOUISVILLE VIOLENCE REDUCTION PLAN AFTER THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DISMISSED THE LAWSUIT AND CONSENT DECREE IT HAD ENTERED INTO WITH LOUISVILLE.

CRAIG GREENBERG TALKED ABOUT THE NEW COMMISSION TODAY.

>> THE COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION WILL BE A FORUM FOR COMMUNITY INPUT, ENGAGEMENT AND FEEDBACK ON CRIME PREVENTION AND POLICE REFORM AS WE WORK TO BOTH ADDRESS VIOLENT CRIME AND PROTECT THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE IN LOUISVILLE.

MEMBERSHIP WILL INCLUDE COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH ONE OF LMPD'S PATROL DIVISIONS.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

AND REPRESENTATIVES OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FROM SECTORS, SUCH AS FAITH LEADERS, CRIME VICTIMS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES, IMMIGRANTS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, EDUCATORS, THE LIST GOES ON.

I ENCOURAGE THOSE PEOPLE TO APPLY TO BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION.

THE CHIEF AND I ARE COMMITTED TO TAKING ACTION AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR FOLKS FROM ALL ACROSS THE COMMUNITY THAT WANT TO ENGAGE IN MAKING IMPROVEMENTS.

IF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED, THAT THIS DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH, I WOULD DIRECT THEIR CONCERN TO THE CHANGE OF POINT OF VIEW OF THE CURRENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT CHANGED THEIR MIND WITH RESPECT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CONSENT DECREE THAT WE HAD SPENT A YEAR NEGOTIATING WITH THEM.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO TAKING ACTION ON OUR OWN WITH OR WITHOUT THE DOJ AND THIS PART GOES BEYOND WHAT WE COMMITTED TO.

>> Renee: LOUISVILLE OFFICIALS ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO APPLY FOR A SEAT ON THE COMMISSION BY VISITING ON-LINE THE WEBSITE LOUISVILLEKY.GOV/SAFELOUISVILLE.

[♪♪] A BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KENTUCKY.

YESTERDAY, THE BLUEGRASS STATE CELEBRATED 233 YEARS.

KENTUCKY JOINED THE UNION ON JUNE 1, 1792.

BUT AS OUR TOBY GIBBS TELLINGS US KENTUCKY'S HISTORY STARTED LONG BEFORE THAT.

[♪♪] IT'S BELIEVED IN 10,000 TO 9500BC.

FARMING BEGAN IN 1800 AS PEOPLE BEGAN GROWING WILD PLANTS AND CORN BEANS AND SQUASH.

KENTUCKY WOULD BECOME HOME TO MANY TRIBES INCLUDING THE CHEROKEE, SHAWNEE AND CHICK SAW.

20 TRIBES CLAIMED LAND IN KENTUCKY WHEN IT BECAME A STATE IN 1792.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT ADMINISTRATORS ABOUT THE ORIGIN AND MEANING OF THE WORD KENTUCKY.

ACCORDING TO ONE THEORY IT IS A WORD MEANING LAND OF TOMORROW.

SOME BELIEVE IT'S FROM A TERM MEANING RIVER BOD UM.

THERE ARE THEORIES THAT KENTUCKY MEANS HEAD OF A RIVER.

LAND OF CANE AND TURKEYS.

AND MEADOW OR PRAIRIE.

THE BRITISH EXPLORED KENTUCKY IN THE LATE 1600'S.

Dr. THOMAS WALKER AND CHRISTOPHER GIFT BEGAN SERVING EASTERN AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY WALKER IS CREDITED AS THE FIRST EUROPEAN TO PASS THROUGH THE CUMBERLAND GAP.

DANIEL BOON EXPLORED KENTUCKY DURING A HUNTING EXPEDITION AND RETURNED.

BOON, JUDGE HENDERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE TRANSYLVANIA COMPANY ESTABLISHED BOONSBORO ON THE KENTUCKY RIVER IN MADISON COUNTY IN THE SPRING OF 1775.

AS MORE ARRIVED THEY FOUNDED OTHER KENTUCKY COMMUNITIES.

JAMES HARROD AND A PARTY OF 31 MEN FOUNDED HARRODS TOWN IN 1774 AND RENAMED HARRODSBURG.

CAMPING IN 1775 NAMED THEIR COMMUNITY LEXINGTON IN HONOR OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLE IN LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IT BECAME A PERMANENT SETTLEMENT IN 1779.

IN 1978 SETTLERS ARRIVED ON CORN ISLAND CREATING A COMMUNITY THAT WOULD BECOME LOUISVILLE.

NAMED FOR KING LOUIE THE 16TH.

VIRGINIA TROOPS FOUGHT SHAWNEE AND MINGO TRIBES IN WHAT BECAME KNOWN AS LORD DONE MORE'S WAR NAMED AFTER VIRGINIA'S GOVERNOR.

THE VIRGINIAN VICTORY OPENED THE DOOR TO MORE.

KENTUCKY BECAME A COUNTY OF VIRGINIA IN EARLY 1777.

SPELLED WITH AN E ON THE END RATHER THAN Y.

SEVERAL REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLES OCCURRED IN KENTUCKY COUNTY.

THE 1782 BATTLE OF BLUE LICKS AND PRESENT DAY ROBERTSON COUNTY WAS ONE OF THE LAST BATTLES OF THE WAR.

AS THE POPULATION GREW KENTUCKIANS BEGAN THINKING ABOUT STATEHOOD.

THERE WERE NINE CONVENTIONS BETWEEN 1784 AND 1790.

FINALLY A 10TH CONVENTION IN 1792 PRODUCED A CONSTITUTION THAT DELEGATES APPROVED.

KENTUCKY THEN JOINED THE UNION ON JUNE 1, 1792.

AMERICA'S 15TH STATE AND THE FIRST ONE WEST OF THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS.

ISAAC SHELBY WAS KENTUCKY'S FIRST GOVERNOR.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" INTEREST'S TOBY GIBBS.

>> Renee: YOU CAN SEE KENTUCKY HISTORY EVERY TIME YOU HIT THE ROAD THAT'S THANKS TO 2400 HISTORICAL MARKERS IN ALL 120 KENTUCKY COUNTIES.

IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE KENTUCKY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS THAT IS NOW 76 YEARS OLD.

>> THE WHOLE POINT OF KENTUCKY'S HISTORICAL MARKER PROGRAM IS TO CREATE ON THE GROUND EDUCATIONAL ENCOUNTERING WITH HISTORY WHERE IT HAPPENED.

AND SO OFTEN PEOPLE TELL ME AND I'VE HEARD THIS THROUGHOUT MY LIFE, PEOPLE THINK HISTORY HAPPENED ELSEWHERE.

IT'S ALWAYS SURPRISING WHEN THEY DISCOVER THAT HISTORY HAPPENS HERE AS WELL.

AND THAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS STATE PROGRAM IS TO GET PEOPLE TO APPRECIATE THAT KENTUCKY HAS BEEN A LEADER IN A LOT OF NOT ONLY STATE DEVELOPMENTS BUT NATIONAL HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS AS WELL.

KENTUCKY IS BLESSED TO HAVE ONE OF THE OLDEST AND LARGEST STATE MARKER PROGRAMS IN THE NATION.

THE EARLIEST MARKERS ON THE LANDSCAPE THAT WE MANAGE TO 1936 THOSE WERE PUT UP BY A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION IN THE LEXINGTON AREA.

IN 1949, THAT IS WHEN THE STATE GOVERNMENT ENTERED THE SCENE.

WE LIKE TO THINK THAT WE'RE IN THE 76TH YEAR OF OUR PROGRAM'S EXISTENCE.

ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES OF OUR PROGRAM IS IT IS COMMUNITY DRIVEN.

SO I ALWAYS SAY THAT IT IS NOT KENTUCKY HISTORICAL SOCIETY STAFF WHO DECIDE WHICH TOPICS MATTER THE MOST.

RATHER, MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY APPROACH US WITH TOPICS THAT THEY NOMINATE.

THEY GO THROUGH A RIGOROUS NOMINATION PROCESS.

THE TOPICS ARE EVALUATED BY A COMMITTEE OF HISTORIANS FROM ACROSS THE STATE.

WHO SELECT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 TOPICS PER YEAR TO THE AVANS TO BECOME NEW MARKERS.

IF A TOPIC IS APPROVED THE STATE GOVERNMENT WILL COVER THE ENTIRE COST OF THE MARKER DESIGN AND INSTALLATION.

AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD AND MEANS AS LONG AS SOMEBODY APPROACHES US WITH A GOOD TOPIC THERE WILL NOT BE BARRIER TO PARTICIPATION.

IF YOU LOOK AT PREVIOUS GENERATIONS OF THIS PROGRAM, THERE IS A LOT OF EMPHASIS ON FRONTIER HISTORY, CIVIL WAR HISTORY BUT IT'S GREAT WHEN PEOPLE THINK EVEN BIGGER THAN THAT.

NOT JUST BATLEDZS AND -- BATTLES AND THOSE ARE SIGNIFICANT IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.

BUT TO GET PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT TOPICS LIKE KENTUCKY FOOD WAYS.

WHAT WERE PEOPLE EATING AND DRINKING?

TO GET PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT KENTUCKY MUSIC.

CULTURE.

AND WE'RE ALWAYS EXCITED WHEN WE GET TOPICS THAT DEAL WITH THE HISTORY OF WOMEN IN KENTUCKY, AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY IN KENTUCKY, LGBTQ HISTORY IN KENTUCKY THINGS THAT SHOW ALL THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS THAT MAKE THE COMMONWEALTH BOTH SIGNIFICANT AND UNIQUE.

>> LAST YEAR WE HAD A MARKER DEDICATION IN VAN LEER KENTUCKY, JOHNSON DOWN IT ABOUT THE WEBB FAMILY.

YOU MAY NOT KNOW THE WEBB FAMILY WHEN I SAY THAT BUT YOU WILL LIKE LIE KNOW PEOPLE OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF IT.

THE WEBB FAMILY GAVE RISE TO COUNTRY MUSIC SINGERS LIKE LORETTA LYNN AND CRYSTAL GAIL AND IT'S BEEN EXCITING TO HELP SHARE HOW JOHNSON COUNTY HAS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN MUSIC.

FUNDAMENTALLY IT IS A PIECE OF METAL ON THE LANDSCAPE THAT PEOPLE PASS GOING 50, 60, 70-MILES-PER-HOUR BUT FOR THE QUIET MOMENTS WHERE YOU SLOW DOWN AND GET OUT OF YOUR CAR AND CONNECT WITH THE COMMONWEALTH'S PAST IS REMARKABLE.

AND I ONLY HAVE 125 WORDS THAT I CAN FIT ON A STATE HISTORICAL MARKER.

I TELL PEOPLE IT IS NOT THE END OF THE CONVERSATION IT'S THE BEGINNING.

AND IF IT INSPIRES YOU TO READ A LITTLE BIT MORE ON YOUR OWN THAT'S GREAT.

>> Renee: JEFFERSON COUNTY HAS THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF HISTORICAL MARKERS FOLLOWED BY FAYETTE, MCCRACKEN AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES.

[♪♪] WHAT IF DOCTORS COULD DIAGNOSE AND TREAT ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE EARLIER?

THE F.D.A.

JUST APPROVED A NEW BLOOD TEST THAT DOES JUST THAT.

GREG COOPER DIRECTOR OF THE MEMORY CENTER IN LOUISVILLE TELLS US HOW THAT WOULD HELP PATIENTS AND WHEN THIS IMPROVED PROCESS MIGHT BECOME A REALITY.

MORE IN TONIGHT'S LOOK AT MEDICAL NEWS.

>> THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST STEP TO WIDESPREAD USAGE OF A TEST FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE THAT'S MUCH MORE AVAILABLE, MUCH LESS INVASIVE THAN PREVIOUS TESTS.

REALLY ALL OF THIS, THE BLOOD TEST AND THE TREATMENTS ARE BASED AROUND A PROTEIN CALLED AMYLOID.

IT IS AN ABNORMAL PROTEIN THAT BUILDS UP IN THE BRAINS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH ALZHEIMER'S.

THE BLOOD TESTS ARE A WAY TO MEASURE IF THERE ARE HIGH LEVELS OF AMYLOID IN THE BRAIN AND THE TREATMENTS ARE TREATMENTS THAT TARGET THIS PROTEIN, REMOVE THIS PROTEIN FROM THE BRAIN AND IN DOING SO, SLOW DOWN THE PROGRESSION OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

NOW, THE CAVEAT IS THESE MEDICATIONS ARE ONLY EFFECTIVE VERY EARLY IN THE DISEASE.

AND SO WE WANT TO DO A BETTER JOB OF IDENTIFYING PEOPLE EARLY ON WHEN THEY ARE ELIGIBLE AND WHEN THEY CAN BENEFIT FROM THESE THERAPIES.

THESE TESTS ARE DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 55.

AND THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAVE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A MEMORY DISORDER LIKE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

IF SOMEONE IS IN THEIR 40s AND WE CAN'T REALLY SHOW ON AN EXAM THAT THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WE CAN'T INTERPRET THE TESTS.

YES, WE WANT TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE EARLY ON.

BUT THAT IS THROUGH GOOD OLD-FASHIONED MEDICINE, TALKING TO PEOPLE, EXAM INNING THEM AND THE TESTS HELP US CONFIRM A DIAGNOSIS.

NOW, WE CAN INCREASE OUR ACCURACY IN MAKING THIS DIAGNOSIS.

WE CAN MORE QUICKLY IDENTIFY PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR TREATMENTS THAT CAN SLOW DOWN THE COURSE OF THIS DISEASE.

AND IT IS A WAY THAT WILL BE MUCH MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE AND ACCEPTABLE TO PATIENTS.

AT NORTON WE CAN USE SOME BLOOD-BASED BIOMARKER TESTS LIKE THIS.

SO THESE CAN BE ON THE MARKET ALREADY.

THE PROBLEM WE RUN INTO IS PAYMENT FOR THEM.

GETTING F.D.A.

APPROVAL ALLOWS COMPANIES TO MARKET THESE TESTS.

AND IT'S ONE STEP ALONG THE WAY OF GETTING CMS AND MEDICARE AND INSURANCE COMPANIES TO COVER THE TESTS WHICH RIGHT NOW ARE GOING TO BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS TO THEIR USE.

I THINK IT'S REALISTIC TO HOPE THAT LATER THIS YEAR, POSSIBLY THIS SUMMER, WE'LL SEE COVERAGE FOR TESTS LIKE THIS.

>> Renee: GOOD NEWS, INDEED.

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT 80,000 KENTUCKIANS AGED 65 AND OLDER HAVE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE 2025 ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE FACTS AND FIGURES REPORT.

AS LAUREL COUNTY CONTINUES TO RECOVER FROM THE TORNADO ONE NONPROFIT IS WORKING TO FIND PETS STILL MISSING AFTER THE STORM.

>> EVERY LIFE THAT WE SEE SAVED, IS ABOUT HOPE AND WE ALL NEED HOPE RIGHT NOW.

>> Renee: KENTUCKY MUTTS ANIMAL RESCUE IS REUNITING DOGS WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND PROVIDING MUCH-NEEDED SUPPLIES TO PET OWNERS DISPLACED BY THE STORM.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT TOMORROW NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

WE HOPE YOU WILL TUNE IN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING I'M RENEE SHAW AND UNTIL I SEE YOU AGAIN, TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.