>> Louisville's mayor reacts after someone punched him in the face.

>> You know, the reality is that they're going to be a lot more hungry kids this summer.

>> Kentucky food banks need your help.

Now more than ever.

>> Unless you're willing to get burned, this is not a job for you.

>> Meet a young female welder who's off to the challenge.

Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the Kaye E T and Aument for Kentucky Productions.

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the Kaye E Team Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION.

Today is Monday, June 20th.

I'm Renee Shaw.

>> Thank you for spending part of your evening with us.

Over the weekend.

Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency for Marion Kentucky, the town of about 3,000 is facing a water shortage.

It has less than 20 days of water left.

>> The shortage started after the town had to him to the lake that supplies water because of a breach in the levee.

The declared state of emergency will allow the Kentucky Department of Emergency Management to help with the response and allow the mobilization of Kentucky National Guard troops and equipment on Friday, the Marion City administrator told KITV the town is looking into multiple sort term options to address the crisis.

>> Our ability to maintain our lake.

>> And have the support of the water that possibly comes from Webster counties to recreate in Livingston and water.

That's coming from Princeton.

The Caldwell County Water District and the Creighton Livingston to us.

I know that's a long process, but that's a secondary option.

All working and they're all in place.

And if anything, they get into active service to support us if that is put into place that would be providing us somewhere between 50 to 70% of our water.

You see today, obviously that's not 100% of our useage.

Some of the other elements on a short-term basis that we've been looking at.

And we spending a lot of time focusing on is there's some capabilities for some underground mines here.

Most of this area of the used to be floor spar, mines and so many of them have officers this said and and build them off over the years.

And there's a potential that one of them might officer even immediate support for us.

>> According to live for in order for the city to use the water and underground mines, the state would first have to do an environmental impact.

Study.

Louisville police continue their search for a suspect after Mayor Greg Fischer was punched Saturday night during 4th Street live.

Mayor Fischer is said to be doing fine.

Police released a picture of the suspect.

The mayor tried to take it all in stride.

He told WLKY in Louisville, quote, You know, you get knocked down.

You got to get back up and keep going, unquote.

Former state Representative Wilson Stone has died at the age of 69.

He was a Democrat elected in 2008.

He served 12 years in the Kentucky General Assembly from the 20nd House district, which includes Alan Simpson and part of Warren counties.

He was known for his support of education and agriculture Governor Andy Beshear and House Speaker David Osborne are praising Stone as a public servant who worked to improve our Commonwealth House Minority Leader Joni Jenkins says Stone was a friend to everyone he ever met.

>> There's good news and bad news about COVID-19.

The bad news is cases are up nationwide.

The good news is deaths remain low.

The New York Times reports even as case numbers go up.

The number of deaths remain at a pandemic low here in Kentucky.

The newest case map from Friday shows 19 counties with high COVID levels.

You see that in red another 29 counties are yellow for medium.

The remaining counties in green are still low.

COVID-19 is the topic on Kentucky tonight tonight as a panel of doctors join me to discuss case levels and vaccines.

That's tonight at 8 Eastern 7 Central.

In Kentucky.

Not everyone has access to high-speed Internet.

Governor Andy Beshear wants to change that.

The governor today announced 46 grants totaling 89 million dollars allowing Internet expansion in areas now unserved or underserved.

He says 34,000 Kentucky families will benefit.

>> Health care, jobs, education, entertainment, all now rely at least in part on access to high-speed Internet.

So everybody needs it.

Everybody deserves to have access to it.

Many areas of our state and then overlooked in the past when it comes to high speed Internet, there is a critical need for public dollars to support the expansion.

Let me be clear.

My administration sees every single community in Kentucky as important.

>> The governor says Internet providers will also be spending money, meaning a total investment.

More than 200 million dollars.

Last week.

State legislators heard an update on Kentucky hands facing food insecurity, according to Feeding Kentucky, a Hunger relief charity that serves all 120 Kentucky counties, one and 6, Kentucky and face food insecurity.

Our Casey Parker-bell reports on the hunger Cliff and what legislators may do to address it.

>> You know, the reality is that they're going to be a lot more hungry kids this summer.

>> One in 5, Kentucky kids experience hunger daily.

According to feeding Kentucky chain.

Just how sponsors of feeding programs operate has grown stricter as the pandemic wanes.

And that is changing how kids get fed over the summer.

>> So the districts who don't allow practiced after the bell, those kids were getting breakfast.

>> Changes for summer programs are making feeding children harder.

But last year's Senate bill, one 51 is trying to make it easier for schools to feed students breakfast.

The new law will allow schools to designate 15 minutes of instructional time to the first meal of the day.

And I do think that is that's part of the reason why we have so many fewer.

>> Sponsors and meal sites because there are so many more requirements.

The first of all, some of the sights and sponsors just will ever meet with how you know.

Without the waivers, the way that the requirements are, they won't meet them but other places they just don't have the manpower to do that.

Kentucky's adults are also facing hunger.

>> Feeding Kentucky says the state has the second highest rate of food insecurity among the elderly.

But the farms to food banks program is helping get more nutritious meals to adults.

It takes produce that would have been thrown away and gets it to food banks and it compensates farmers who participate with the yearly average of $2000.

Each the pantry say demand continues to increase.

>> Over the past several weeks, we've definitely seen an increase in demand across central and eastern Kentucky.

There are 3 main reasons for that.

First, the inflation that we are all seeing is affecting those who are experiencing hunger.

Second, the tightening of supply chain means that more food is necessary for those who are experiencing hunger and 3rd, the emergency, a health declaration in the Commonwealth of Kentucky has expired.

And I think it's going to wars.

>> With inflation and then the national news report, I saw it and I didn't bode well for the entire country.

7 counties in southeastern Kentucky have the worst food insecurity rates in the state.

>> And state Senator Robin Webb who represents parts of eastern Kentucky.

So she wants to see how legislators can incentivize other farmers to participate in the feeding Kentucky program and decrease the amount of people hungry.

When I.

>> Thank you, Casey, for that report.

The Kentucky Supreme Court will hear arguments about bringing back a statue of John B Castleman to Cherokee Park in Louisville.

Castleman was a Confederate veteran Louisville's landmarks commission removed the statue in 2019, but the Friends of Louisville Public Art filed a lawsuit challenging the decision.

Its members say Castleman later renounced his Confederate ties served in the U.S. Army established Louisville's Park system and fought to keep the city's parks and playgrounds open to black citizens.

They also claim some commission members had a conflict of interest and shouldn't have voted.

♪ ♪ Earlier this month.

Governor Andy Beshear suspended the $0.2 increase in the state gas tax that would have kicked in on July.

1st, Jennifer Kirschner with Kentuckians for better Transportation sympathizes with the governor's intent to ease the pain at the pump.

She says it will come at a cost to this fund to maintain and improve Kentucky roads.

Jennifer Kirschner with the Kentucky hands for better Transportation.

Thank you so much for a few minutes of your time.

>> Thank you for inviting me.

I'm happy to be with you.

>> So let's talk about that.

Freezing the gas tax.

Most everyone celebrated that idea even though it's only $0.2 in the grand scheme of things.

But it's a little bit.

But your organization has a different view about how it may be good for drivers, but it could have some really deep impacts possibly overall for the transportation budget.

>> It's true.

So if you if you drive 15,000 miles a year to pretty average and but say your car gets about 25 miles per gallon.

If you do the math, you'll save about a dollar per month.

So you know, I I too I'm I'm very sympathetic.

We're all struggling.

The world often teams upside down coming out of COVID.

Mike, what next?

The world looking for?

>> How can even even the few cents?

You're absolutely right.

It adds up and it matters.

But I think in this case what what happens is is that, you know, while you get a dollar off, my our road fund will lose.

35 million dollars, which is significant.

So again, it out to.

So when you're talking about a dollar for you are losing 35 million dollars to a road funding which is already suffering.

And we're already behind on infrastructure, new and maintenance.

Perhaps it's not the wisest decision.

And we should look at other other ways to help taxpayers.

>> Are you concerned that lawmakers could make this permanent?

>> So I do think it's it's probable that the legislature will keep this in You know, nobody wants to see your taxes increase.

That's that's pretty basic and common.

So I think it would be favorable to for them to do that.

But what I would rather do is I think this really begs the question of what's next for Kentucky, right?

I mean, it's so here we have this 40 year-old revenue model that isn't working, hasn't been working.

So I think this is an opportunity where and instead of taking taking money away, maybe has to quickly.

What we should do is think about going forward as we increase our use of electric vehicles.

For example, how are we going?

What is going to be a good metric?

What is a good user fee?

Because that's what we're talking about, right?

If you if you fill up your car, you're driving on the road.

I actually think as far as taxes go, it's it's one of.

But I mean, it's there.

If you're not drive and you're not paying it.

>> And Jennifer, you know very well that we've been having those conversations about this for awhile now.

And there have been proposals in the Kentucky General Assembly to do what you're suggesting, but yet they don't seem to get the full traction to pass and go all the way to the governor's desk.

Why do you think that is?

>> Well, so this year, you know, we're really, really We spent a lot of time working with asking that they do something for electric vehicles.

This is all still new to everybody, even even on the coasts in the states that, you know, California, that everybody always references, it's it's still relatively new and we're learning.

So I think there is wisdom in letting other states work out some of the kinks.

So in some ways, I think we're letting the process play out.

But they took of the legislature, took a really big first step in a very positive step in adding the EV fees and also a $0.3.

A kilowatt.

Our charge, which is really quite progressive.

What that's not in in many states it all across the country.

So I think they're very aware.

I think they're concerned.

I think they're engaged.

But there's a lot of So so I think there's they're being conservative a little bit, too, which which I understand I think may be prudent.

>> What would be the overall cost if the lawmakers were to make this freeze permanent to the road project, the Road fund.

>> So where it with the current suspension through the end of December, we know to be about 35 million dollars if the legislature was to extend it.

We're looking at closer to 60 Million.

And you know what?

I liken this to your bank account.

You know, if you lose some of this money, are you going to not be able to do anything?

You know, but you're going to have to cut some things off of your budget that you would have liked a gun that you plan to do that are not going to get done.

So I think it it's potentially, you know, cities and counties not getting as much money of the 35 Million.

There's 9 million of that that would have gotten the cities and counties for such things as your pothole repairs that we all know and and deal with every day.

So I mean, it will touch Kentucky and in a tangible way for sure.

>> The governor says the suspension of the gas tax increase would save drivers more than 35 million dollars.

♪ >> Today is World Refugee Day.

The International Centre of Bowling Green.

The International Centre of Kentucky based in Bowling Green, rather has helped resettle more than 10,000 refugees since 1981.

That includes most recently a couple 100 people fleeing the Taliban and Afghanistan.

The center hosted a big celebration Saturday at Lamson Park to show support for those who have come here seeking a better life.

♪ >> Today we're celebrating the Kerry and the challenges of all of our refugees in the bowling green area.

>> All right.

Knee.

>> the public all the show.

He is he.

>> A lifelong is very nice.

>> We are representing our country me we've been doing this traditional dance for a long time.

>> They want to move too long to Kentucky because like they want a new life.

>> My family and Afghanistan.

It wasn't a good bet.

Now over there I'm all match Dot Co me Do you do Nothing new for you.

What that situation is getting better.

There.

I love them.

And that's what I'm saying.

>> Because when I was from I don't know.

I got a lot >> the international center.

We resettle in several different ways all the way from the moment that someone arrives in the airport until they are ready to go to school, go to work.

We have this in all of the things that they may need in between those times.

>> We assist with finding housing with providing food, helping them to find access to resources in the community that they live.

>> Getting children enrolled in school preparing for jobs and then ultimately helping them to be self-sufficient, not meeting our center for their entire lives.

>> The international center first when the bonding means a lot to help and lots of food.

Everything for me.

>> We all love again.

And if you give people in the law meeting to how foggy what Iran back to the >> our SHOWBIZ.

But this one >> And the last year, our goal as a U.S. may be and again and then I take my home now kind looking for me now with T. >> I've got this because it is >> I'm Eric on the ball and I'm gonna time all the if I'm in it and also all alive.

>> We have refugees from all over the world.

And any time you add those differences, those cultural enrichment pieces to a community to an organization, even you are adding to the flavor of that.

So we don't just have Americans anymore.

We're representing the globe.

♪ >> Nice all this week on Kentucky addition, we're highlighting young Kentuckians getting ready to step in the key industries in our state as well as the experts who are sharing their skills and knowledge with them.

Tonight, you'll meet a young Madison County woman who was excelling in a field dominated by men.

♪ ♪ >> Welding is hard work.

It's hot work.

You're going to get burned unless you're willing to get burnt.

This is not a job for you.

>> All right.

Some light on your sleeve and you share while the shirts that now.

I mean, getting burned is not usually people's forte.

>> When Hannah Moore joined a welding class offered at Madison County Area Technology Center.

She found it wasn't just her clothes that ignited.

But her passion for welding as well.

>> She's she's a quiet kid.

until she got in this environment, it's really she's excelled.

She's came out of her shell.

>> My dad did in high school and he was really good.

And so I thought when I got high school, I'd try it out.

Dabble in it because I really didn't want to work at best job.

I want to do some form of trade and welding is really what stuck.

>> I didn't really expect her to really going to the welding field, a new shoe.

She would do some type of trade, possibly >> It was really cool for her to take that interest.

>> I really like the idea that she's brave enough to go into a field where women are not the majority of it.

>> Hanna is not in the majority and her welding class either.

>> She's the only female and Timken says morning welding class and only one of 2 females in the welding program.

>> Haley Fat attends pensions afternoon class.

She says for her and Hannah finding themselves in a classroom full of boys didn't exactly test their mettle.

>> We in turn are both very well respected in the classroom.

I think it's because they know that.

Won't tolerate innings, silliness and the and that, you know, we like to be respected and we want to be just like, you know, one of them.

We don't want to be treated differently.

>> Once they realize that I knew what I was doing and I knew I was talking about they kind of all fell in line.

And now they we joke around and have fun.

But I mean, they do every day.

>> The boys will come to handle a lot of times for questions and she'll go to them and they'll help herself.

It works great.

There is no difference in him.

It's not about really male or female is how hard you want to work.

>> Hinson says Hannah Strong work ethic and her skills as a welder have made her a standout in the program.

>> She never stops.

He's here any time of the day after school that I'm going to be here.

She's here practicing.

>> If I have not placed going on for adults, she's here helping with ad or practicing or self during that time period.

>> I know the night classes were there 2 nights a week, sometimes more for 6, 7 hours at a time.

And I'll be jumping from booth to business.

He's jumped from this debate and now give pointers in tips like he would.

And then during the day, I pretty much do the same thing.

>> They look at you go.

How old are you?

Because you lay in something that looks really nice.

And then >> there's not some nights.

But then you give these little pointer tips and you just watch him get so excited whenever they start getting it all back.

>> Hannah says she wants to teach welding after she's had the opportunity to work in the welding industry for a while and there will be plenty of opportunities available according to the American Welding Association.

The U.S. will be short almost 400,000 welders by 2024.

>> The association blames the shortage on retiring workforce and not enough skilled labor to replace them.

>> We're seeing an uptick in numbers across the board in all industries saying that a large demographic is retiring out of the workforce in the skill labor positions.

So the students bringing in that trade skill that skilled labor capability are more crucial now than they've ever been to be able to fill these positions.

>> Being able to draw more women into the welding industry can also help fill the growing gap in the workforce.

According to Hall.

>> We're breaking down a lot of those barriers and those misconceptions on the manufacturing looks very different today and seeing welders coming in like Hannah and being able to break that.

Norm, we're seeing more of that.

We have several female welders in our facility today.

We're seeing that demographic girl, which is exciting.

It means that the message is catching on.

♪ >> The horse capital of the world has a few new additions to its stable.

Starting today, more than 150 fiberglass horses will be on display around Lexington as part of horse mania 2022, the life-size statues were painted by regional artists from Kentucky and surrounding states.

We spoke to one of the artist says she was putting the finishing touches on one of her horses.

>> Force mania, is this really great intersection of the community, the horse industry and our artists, our horses are falls have come to Don the grounds of of Ashland so that everybody can come out and see all of the horses in one place on Monday.

All of the horses will be loaded back up and go all across Lexington, Cherry.

This is really what we consider.

I'm kind of at the core of what Lex Arts is.

We're trying to integrate our arts sector into every part of what Lexington does.

So our local artist submit designs for these horses and then our sponsors pick those designs that are the are the designs that ultimately get placed out onto the streets in Lexington.

I love that it combines like the forces of Kentucky with Art.

I'm a scientist and an artist.

And I wanted to combine science and art in both of my horses.

>> I'm working on this for Stan.

So Stan is going glow in the dark.

He's going to have some also some UV pigments.

>> Close to 80.

>> All the little falls that you see out here and some of the big forces are from the schools and the children that did these in their school system.

Every course has its own personality.

And it's introducing all sorts of different elements.

Art science to kids bringing that arts education and that curriculum into the schools has just been so much fun.

People were already flocking just to watch them get moved into place.

People were, you know, taking pictures and video of the horse is moving on to the ground.

So people just even before we got started, everyone is so excited to see all of these horses, just all the horses in the setting along the path of Ashland.

It's incredible.

We want this to be accessible and enjoyable back, everyone, our visitors, our residents, and we want to make sure that everyone is able to be proud of the city that they live and and have this beautiful art pieces all over the city to to to remind them that Lexington is about the arts as well.

>> Certainly a sight to see a baseball team set a dubious record and a Kentucky and heads to the high court.

Just some of the highlights from this week in Kentucky history.

>> A Kentucky and became chief justice of the United States on June.

20th 1946, Fred Vinson of Louisa was a former congressman and secretary of the treasury nominated to the high court by President Harry S Truman.

After the death of Chief Justice Harlan Stone Benson.

What service chief justice until his death in 1953.

Maybe you heard of the Tommy Gun or the Thompson submachine gun, its inventor hails from Kentucky.

John T Thompson was born in new port in 18, 60 and died on June.

21st 1940.

He was the son of an Army lieutenant colonel and attended West Point.

He served in the army 18.

82 to 1914.

Then again, during World War.

One after the war in 1919, he developed the gun that would bear his name June 18th, 1918, Henderson, Kentucky native Mary are been was recognized for her heroism during World War.

One, our been had joined the Red Cross in 1917 and eventually served in France.

She ended up being honored by the governments of France, Britain and the United States and was one of the first women to earn a Purple Heart.

Louisville was once home to a major League baseball team that entered the record books on June 22nd 18 89.

But it wasn't a record to brag about.

The Louisville Cardinals lost their 26th consecutive game that day.

A major league record that still stands.

Here's some happier sports news Wildcat.

John Wall was the NBA's number one draft pick on June 24th 2010.

Well, Karl Anthony Towns was the league's top pick on June.

25th 2015.

Those are some of the big events this week in Kentucky history.

>> She can spell ice cream and identify a stalker.

Sorace not bad for 2 year-old and Oldham County Girl is America's youngest member of the genius organization and you'll meet her tomorrow on Kentucky addition.

Not that you can say that word too.

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.

Thank you so much.

Subscribe to our weekly Kentucky addition, e-mail news letter and watch full episodes and KETK Dot Org.

You can also find Kentucky edition of the PBS video app on your mobile device and smart TV and follow KITV on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop.

Also you tonight for Kentucky tonight at 8 Eastern 7 central bank.

You take good care.

♪