♪ ♪ >> I think that when the legislature passes a law and the governor signs it into law.

When we have to do it.

Why one state agency says it may not be ready to roll out new benefits for Kentucky's foster children and caregivers.

>> Thank you for having the trust and confidence in us to do the missions and to train for these highly highly dangerous missions.

To Kentucky.

National Guard troops are honored for their heroic actions.

Some of our artists, we just pieces of jewelry to you and and they create their own designs.

And using all jewelry to create art and opportunities.

Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KU Team Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Friday, June.

The 21st, I'm Renee Shaw.

We made it to the weekend and we thank you for starting it off with us.

A new bipartisan law meant to help Kentucky foster parents and children is scheduled to take effect next month.

But that may not happen.

Senate Bill, 151 unanimously passed both chambers last session and was signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear.

The bill gives kinship caregivers a chance to change their placement status, which could open up access to financial aid for the caregiver state Senate Majority Caucus Chair Julie Rocky Adams, a Louisville Republican sponsored the bill during an interim committee hearing this week.

She asked if the state Cabinet for health and Family Services was ready to implement the new law in July.

The department commissioner said that without additional funding complying with SB 151, would be challenging.

>> Number one, it is law.

So I don't know if it's negotiable.

2.

Do it or not to it.

I think you have to do it.

And number 2, there was no conversation or request specifically from the Cabinet has to adding funds to the budget.

I was told it could be absorbed in your current budget.

So again, I will pose the question to you.

Where are we on implementation of Senate Bill?

151, when it becomes law.

>> Well, my is that there was communication about the need for for implementation of Senate Bill 151, the cabinet sent a letter outlining again, the support the Senate bill.

151 before the before.

The conclusion of session and outlining what that budgetary need would be for implementation.

>> I don't think that this is a negotiable.

I think that when the legislature passes a law and the governor signs it into law.

Then we have to do it.

And number 2, I should also show you documentation from the cabinet that says that the cost can be absorbed within your current budgetary framework.

So I would a report Hopefully early July where we are on that implementation.

>> Commissioner Dennis estimated that the cost to implement SB 151 would be about 20 million dollars in a statement after the meeting, Senator Rocky Adams said, quote, I am calling on Governor Beshear and his appointees at Chf S to honor the signature.

He applied to SB 151 when signing it into law.

Kentucky's vulnerable children and cherished relative in Fictive.

Can caregivers deserve better than this administration?

Selective enforcement of duly passed laws that are non negotiable and a quote, the bill officially becomes law on July.

15th.

Changes are coming to the way Louisville Metro Police Department handle sexual harassment complaints.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg made that announcement yesterday as LMPD faces its 3rd sexual harassment claim in a week.

Police chief Jacqueline going bureau al was put on paid administrative leave for her handling of at least one incident.

Greenberg says sexual harassment will not be tolerated.

>> We do take all these allegations very Acting Chief.

I'm free and I are very committed to making changes to transforming LMPD is And as I mentioned, he and I and our respective teams have been working on this all week to Weaver, rejecting Chief Humphrey has already taken steps in the right direction.

He held a mandatory training for the leadership of LMPD already this working right now on additional training that is going to be rolled down in the very near future.

And much more is coming, as I mentioned in my comments, be announcing some of these decisive actions in the coming days.

>> According to Greenberg, Department of Justice officials were in town last week when he announced chief going bureau.

Well suspension.

The DOJ noted the police department's failure to adequately handle sexual harassment complaints in a scathing critique of the department released last year.

This morning to Kentucky National Guard soldiers were honored with the Kentucky Medal for Valor for their heroic actions during the catastrophic flooding in eastern Kentucky in 2022.

Sergeant First Class Jeremy Loew and Staff Sergeant Ryan Hunter were each presented with the award which is given to Kentucky National Guard troops who risked their lives while in the line of duty.

Loewen Hunter were highlighted for their work rescuing 2 people who were trapped in chest deep water had either of the flight.

Paramedic slipped during the operation.

It's likely both men would have drowned along with the to flood victims.

>> Thank you for having the trust and confidence in us to do the missions and to train for these highly highly dangerous missions.

Well, hundreds of first responders and civilian volunteers who stood shoulder to shoulder with us, your tireless efforts and selfless service.

>> Were nothing short of heroic.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication and continuing to inspire us all.

Your bravery, selfless service to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Nothing short of extraordinarily.

To the families of those affected by the floods, your strength and perseverance, our inspiration.

And together, we show the world the Kentucky can overcome any obstacle.

Thank you.

>> As of today ceremony, Kentucky National Guard members have received the Medal for Valor on just 7 different occasions in the last 20 years.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is getting a makeover yesterday.

Kentucky's distiller celebrated.

25 years of the Bourbon Trail and unveiled new sleeker branding for the Tour.

>> From like 7 founding distilleries in 1999, 2.46, distillery today.

Any whopping 18 million visitors later the Kentucky Bourbon Trail now is like Global Bucket list.

Tourism destination.

>> For a full year of market research, including an economic impact study.

Visitor profile study, an in-depth interviews across Bourbon trail destinations an elevated all new brand began to take form.

Are spirited.

New Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Brand identity can face the joy of discovery spirit of adventure and attainable luxury >> Kentucky's distilleries had come under 2 umbrellas, one for the big brands and another for the smaller craft producers.

Those will now be marketed under one Bourbon Trail.

Trademark name showcasing 46 distilleries Governor Andy Beshear proclaim June 20th as Bourbon Trail Day in the Commonwealth Research has shown that most visitors to Kentucky's distilleries are men making more than $100,000 a year and who live out of state.

♪ All week.

We've been highlighting South Western Kentucky from industries to art.

The region is now embracing one of the area's specialties with a new campaign.

Our Laura Rogers went on the road to visit a few stops on the West, Kentucky barbecue ballot.

>> I love the smoky Taste.

BBQ Shack has been a staple in Hopkinsville for close to 60 years.

>> We get a lot of new folks every day.

Monday.

Hargrove says she's welcomes customers from all over the country and they will plan their trip to make sure they hit Want to open days just so they can get barbecue.

This is just one stop of more than 40 places in 19 city on the West Kentucky barbecue belts.

That is without a doubt.

Our signature Dish Tourism Commission selected locally owned barbecue restaurants to feature on the Culinary passage.

We have these generational family recipes that really haven't made their way out into the world yet.

And we decided, you know what, it's time to change that.

The campaign officially rolled out in mid-May, funded by American RESCUE plan dollars.

The state just released their 2023 economic impact numbers and of course, food and beverages.

The number one expenditure that visitors spend money on when they come to visit organizers hope the mobile passport program will incentivize people to eat their way across western Kentucky.

>> Which you may have to loosen your belt on the barbecue belt for port.

We might be rolling you back to your hometown by the time you leave here.

But we're going to send you home my T-shirt because he visited so many stops barbecue as a point of pride for pit masters like Josh West.

>> Here at homers, barbecue in Henderson.

It's the greatest thing in the world.

He arrives at homers at 5 o'clock in the morning to start preparing for the lunch crowd.

6.

>> The doors open at 11 and you see a line back to the street.

There are currently 5 restaurants and the barbecue belt in Henderson, including Thomason so around since the 1960's and Taylor's Grill on wheels, they left a wife, their reaction.

Whenever someone opens up that box and seize their food.

>> And they usually do a little dance to celebrate.

There's also brothers barbecue in Madisonville.

I love the flavor of the Barb Ickes.

Trish Noel says the West Kentucky flavor is distinctive number good.

Those are >> tops a barbecue that you can't get everywhere you deserve.

I have a lot of mud and customers that come from the northern parts to here to eat my much.

>> It is a collaboration between communities publicizing the eateries and western Kentucky hoping to draw more people to the area from Owensboro all the way down around the lakes and the right thing for West Kentucky to be known for their marquee.

It's really get this mess.

There is a thing.

Where Kentucky Edition Walter Rodgers.

Looks Yummy.

Thank you, Laura.

You can get your mobile passport at W K Y.

>> BBQ dot com.

You'll earn prizes as you check in at locations along the way.

Organizers say they hope to add more restaurants as the campaign continues from barbecue to beads and jewels.

The wonderfully made workshop is a nonprofit organization that provides people with disabilities, the opportunity to create Christmas ornaments based on Temperance made by locals in Hopkinsville, a colorful assortment of repurpose jewels are meticulously deconstructed at the historic Alhambra theater downtown.

And then given a new life, all of the name of creativity and inclusivity.

The long-term goal is to grow the workshop into a brick and mortar retail store staffed by the artist with special needs.

>> We have locals and designers come.

create a design on a Templet and we take a picture of it.

We take those pieces and put them in a kit.

We developed the picture and then we have wooden template, wooden ornaments or other items we put with the piece of jewelry and they individual, we call them our artists.

look at the picture and look at the pieces of jewelry and with with assistance sometimes they glue them back down and finished the ornament.

Some of our artists, we just pieces of jewelry to you and and they create their own designs.

All that jewelry is been donated by our the unity.

So we had a community and wanted to read right.

And it's been sorted and broken apart and we views individuals with them disabilities, an exceptional needs throughout that process.

It's been amazing.

Collaboration of the entire community.

I teach students with special needs.

So I know the drive that they have and create an activity for them that they can take.

>> Pride and is this also gives me a little bit of pratice.

Well, we have had students who are non-verbal, who are often not intercede and things are interested in it.

It's so fun to get to see their smiles.

We get reaction from their parents.

We get reaction from teachers.

It gives them something to do.

We are are fine.

Motor skills are large under skills.

I hand coordination, communication being able to see something come to life again, people with disabilities, an opportunity to participate with others in the community, they get to experience our different art forms.

It can set retains it gives them a sense of support that they've accomplished something created something.

Wonderful, indeed.

>> Hopkinsville again this year hosted a regional qualifier for the Scripps National Spelling Bee Western Kentucky.

Students competed to join the 245 spellers in the national competition with $50,000 on the line.

Here's our Laura Rodgers again with more on how the contest help students be their best to I feel grateful to have the opportunity.

>> Ian Gibson, a Bowling Green advancing to the Scripps National Spelling Bee 2 years in a row.

>> It's just an amazing chance to not only go there and compete against some of the brightest kids in the country.

>> But also get to experience the >> It's all thanks to the efforts of visit Hopkinsville receiving a grant to host the regional Spelling Bee inviting students from across Western Kentucky to compete.

It's really a good thing for our community.

That's a good thing for Kentucky.

Francine Gilmer is executive director of the Christian County Literacy Council.

It's important that we encourage students to do spelling because that is a basis for learning.

>> Spelling writing, reading their platinum sponsorship allows them to send the top 3 finalists to the national competition.

>> When you get to the national level, you really see how important it is that students are engaged in learning that they understand vocabulary Jea says strong spelling skills are also essential for college and career goals.

It just gives a person a greater range of opportunities, said White >> a ship since as though nervous he was committed to doing his best using spelling apps on his phone to prepare going the furthest of the western Kentucky winners and actually went through round 4 and he was one of the semifinalists the word he misspell.

He says he'll never forget.

It was since this is us.

Why and Ph.

Why us?

I guess I adored just watching the kids and their routines and rituals they do before they spell words.

There was one guy this year.

I thought it was so precious that you could tell.

He was literally praying.

>> You know, before he spell this word, the arrow up 2 key.

>> A 12 year-old from St. Petersburg, Florida, winning the B and a spell off.

Hey, try PRC, tme.

These are not easy words, but the students make it look, are says Hopkinsville hopes to find a sustaining sponsor to continue hosting the regional qualifier students really take full advantage of these opportunities.

And again, it helps them grow.

It builds confidence.

Yes, Gibson says he hopes more local students will take advantage of the opportunity.

It will change the way you think about language and so many ways for Kentucky Edition.

I'm Laura Rogers.

Cool.

Indeed.

Well, as you've seen this week, there's a lot of focus on downtown revitalization in Hopkinsville.

>> While staying true to the community's commitment to its agricultural heritage.

Why was there this week?

I sat down with Christian County Judge executive Jerry Gilliam at the historic Alhambra theater to talk about the growth and the opportunities for the area too.

>> I bragged about being in this space so many times.

I'm sure our viewers are tired of me saying it.

But do you ever get tired being in this space and saying how just majestic it is and the county does run it.

So you have a vested interest in and looking the way it looks.

It was money well invested.

You know, we went through the major back in 2018 we're very proud of it.

And >> very proud of the management operations of come up.

There are urged council they do a great job.

>> Taking care of the facility and it's a it's a venue for so many different from concerts to plays and it really serves our community.

Well.

>> Right.

I was talking to Jennifer Brown who runs the opt out right when she said she saw Star Wars here.

Right lot.

You know.

And so you think about the memories is not just a place to comments like a place to build memories like, you know, and people remember what they saw here, what they did here for their kids and grandkids did here with the other thing.

It does Rican hmic development expression within downtown is it's the staple.

>> Venues.

So, you know, for restaurants, low, locating here, you know, people go out to dinner before they come to show so opportunities for for local that this place a while for their businesses is really, really need to see.

>> Well, it's a beautiful downtown area and we tried a lot of the local saying the time that we've been here and we won't mention our favorite said because we the next time we go to will be our facts right.

But talk to us about the downtown revitalization.

We know work is still ongoing, but a lot of work has already been done.

>> It is.

And I think it's a very clear focus now on our downtown.

I'm looking really take a section at a time and try to renovate.

You know, the 6th Street was renovated several years ago.

And of Amber's adjacent to that our office, which is 2 blocks over.

We're doing them.

We're doing a renovation to that office and really because we need to we need to step up our game and and fit the facade of the of the growth in the and advancements that are making in these buildings.

There's a lot of private investment.

A lot of people putting a lot of money in some of these facilities and and really making a you know, that's what's going to land these other other small businesses to one you in that love how you're respecting the architecture.

Write your story.

And it's a true to the integrity of the original design and architecture.

But that also means a lot of money when you're talking about old buildings that can be rehabbed with, I can't even name all the things asbestos and mold and a structural issues.

>> And though you can almost do something new for what you're putting into something to try to make it for today.

Right?

>> You peel this onion back.

You see different problems emerged and oh, yeah, the investors that have Cain that come downtown and started, you know, they're really have to come in revamp a lot of part of that building in order to protect the integrity of the coverage was on.

Yeah.

>> So talk about the other things that are happening in the county to I mean, we're situated downtown, but we know there's a lot of great stuff that's happening in Christian County.

We are, you know, I'm very proud to be from Christian County all of my life and >> I think Christian County the perfect example of America.

we're focused on agriculture, our agricultural roots and in our military and what to do more.

Most powerful Americana events and their culture in the military.

So we're very fortunate to live here.

We're very fortunate to embrace the military and very surrender cultural Agriculture is a lot different here than it is.

Other parts of the area or part of the Even the nation because it's so are productive souls.

And we've got some really good AG agricultural leaders that have advanced a son and set the stage agriculture to prosper for many years to come.

Yeah.

>> Grain is the saying tonight.

Yeah.

And taking the grain and making pancakes to the brownies all locally.

>> Is is something that we course ethanol.

We've we've got a large ethanol plant here, too.

So really sustaining agriculture, providing renewable resources for and providing food for America.

>> Yeah.

And that's so critical.

We talk under south of food and food It's a nice to know that that is happening here.

We know that McDonald's and Ghirardelli and some of our sweet tooth and other vendors are ones that are taking advantage of the great products that come from this part of the state temps a little bit.

Yeah.

Technology to, you know, were We've got 2 great pioneers in the past.

You know, kill farming was invented right here in Christian County and that sun.

>> It's a worldwide trend now.

So the first know till plot was was in South Christian, Kentucky that school what it what are some other little known facts that people will be surprised to learn about here.

We've also when neighboring county in Todd County, and then in a plan or a catchment that is for now with role players that kind of clean the residue out of the way for the planet to planet to planet in a good so some innovation.

We're just we're just been very, very fortunate to have a lot of innovators and creative thinkers not only from the but the engineering side.

The Israeli advanced us.

>> I agree culturally.

I have to ask you the question.

I asked some others about what would be the three-year plan for Christian County.

What would it look like on the other side when you've got to where you wanted to be, what would it look like?

You know, we're as a fiscal court in Christian County government, we embarked on a strategic this past year.

>> And we really focused on strengthening and nurturing a relationship with Fort Campbell.

How the housing development is another one now and also taking advantage of our natural and manufactured resource goods.

Those are 3 of the biggest goals that we have.

And I think if you can pull up the waters and not be able to see the state line based on the development that you see now, you know, it's funny.

We talk with other people from different from throughout the state and they said, yeah, we put into words.

We can see exactly where the state line is because of the development.

So, you know, I think our vision of goats would be gross would be looking toward the future and scene.

You would be able to see where the state line.

Yeah, yeah.

So but being strategic too, with that comes some responsibility protecting that agricultural resource to not going going wild on development but being very strategic in our development and ensuring that the development that we could.

Has.

We're using the best misuse of land.

Yes, and we know that's always a time to warn other areas.

Are I grossed versus protecting and preserving that the important critical farmland?

Well, and perhaps you all can write the playbook.

>> For others all once you once you get there and you've learned that that county and state lines so was thank you.

Judge has been a pleasure to spend a few minutes with you and just want to say thank everyone here in Christian County and Hopkinsville for being so hospitable to us.

It's been a pleasure to be here.

We're very proud that you're here and come back anytime.

Thank you, sir.

We ♪ >> celebrating moonshine and a Juneteenth jubilee.

Our Toby Gibbs has a look at some of the things happening this weekend around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> Calling all 4 Boonsboro Kinfolk a gathering of descendants is this Saturday at Fort Garland, Richmond join others who had family come to the fore to play a part in the early settlement of Kentucky.

While you enjoy a day of informational exhibits, book signings and so much more.

Maybe they'll bourbon and moonshine.

Oh, my.

The 4th annual Baby Ville bourbon and Moonshine Festival.

Is this Saturday distilleries from all over the state will be sharing their stories and their drinks can be enjoyed by all.

Honor the emancipation of enslaved people with the lake, Cumberland Juneteenth Jubilee this Saturday in Somerset join a day of food dance theater, art music games and more in this family fun filled event.

Kick off your summer with the summer in the city this Saturday in downtown Paducah bag, the best deals in town.

Watch live craft demos and explosive truck shows and snack on some delicious summer themed treats.

Kron down to Louisville.

The Saturday for the official Pride Bar crawl.

Join the celebration of love, diversity and inclusion all while giving back to private nonprofit organizations nationwide.

Robin Roll Records show starts next Wednesday in Owensboro, whether you're an avid vinyl record lover or you just want to join in the festivities.

This event brings a little something extra to the annual Rock festival.

Nothing says summer better than an evening of fireflies and smores.

And that's exactly what Paris as this weekend.

Enjoy an evening of fire pits a farm animal area yard games, crafts.

And of course, s'mores at fireflies and smores.

And that's what's happening around the commonwealth.

I told again.

>> Thank you, Tony.

It's been a pleasure being with you this weekend.

We'll see you right back here on Monday night.

Same time.

Same station.

Have a good one.

Take good care.

♪