♪ >> This has become a familiar sight in stores across America.

And in Kentucky is in a release in sight from the baby formula shortage.

I'm tired of the post.

Prayers for peace and comfort.

Are you through?

Gun violence?

Critics gather in Lexington to say it's time to stop talking and start acting.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KTM down that for Kentucky Productions, the only to press it down for public affairs and the Kaye E Team Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION.

Today is Friday, June, the 3rd 2022, I'm your host Renee Shaw.

Let's get right to the Kentucky headlines.

More than a week after the Texas school shooting that left.

21 dead.

A gun safety Bill is headed to the U.S. house after passing a key committee, but its future in the U.S. Senate is unclear.

The House Judiciary Committee voted last night in favor of the bill which raises the age limit for buying a semiautomatic rifle from 18 to 21.

It makes it illegal to manufacture or possess large capacity magazines as well.

Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky is 4th district was one of the no votes.

He says the provisions in the bill are unconstitutional and he says they're based on incorrect numbers and flawed logic.

>> Some of my colleagues have said that assault weapons ban from 1994 to 2004 reduce mass public shootings.

My 40% of the makeup a number a lot of times.

But I'll take whatever number the EU's do they know the sales of AR 15 style weapons wind up during from 1994 to 2004?

>> Massey says criminals would ignore the new laws anyway.

If the bill passes the full House, it would go to the U.S. Senate where 60 votes would be needed to break a filibuster.

Senators are now negotiating on separate legislation.

Advocates for Moms Demand Action.

Lexington gathered with survivors, political leaders and citizens at the District Court Plaza in Lexington this morning to rally against gun violence and demand changes to existing gun laws.

The group sent a petition to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell outlining various changes that signers hope to see in the future.

>> 8 and a half years ago.

I was on the ground.

Fighting for my life, fighting for breath.

All because of a senseless act after a mess to balance white guy.

Now 8 and a half years later.

I'm still fighting every day.

>> We're hoping that we will get to change the age of the assault weapons that are sold to 21.

We also want the red flag law which is background checks to be stronger.

>> People can purchase a gun on line from an unlicensed dealer or to flea market or again show with no background checks.

We need to close to call.

We need red flag laws.

Crisis aversion rights.

Retention is one of the red flag laws that leaking years with the process.

We can remove guns from someone he shouldn't be a danger to themselves or others.

We want it to be a legislative branch that decides that.

>> These people need a little cooling off need a period where they can not have access to guns where they can injured themselves.

Someone else or the community.

>> We are about sensible gun legislation which does not infringe on Second Amendment to keep children and families say.

>> Nobody's trying to take away the Second Amendment.

What caused it to shut?

But like every other right?

It's not a little bit.

It's not a contest.

>> Other developed countries that get found video games that got me these mental health problems, socioeconomic problems.

>> But they do not have 120 people dying of gun violence every day.

>> I'm tired of the post.

Prayers for peace and comfort.

To carry you through.

>> Every day there's a new mass shooting which is for more people.

And then there's ones that we don't hear about that happen that are less than 4 people.

We need this to stop.

We need some legislation to come down and say enough is enough.

>> It's national Gun Violence Awareness Day a day to raise awareness about gun violence and gun safety and to honor gun violence victims.

It was observed in Frankfurt and Franklin County with a joint proclamation issued by the mayor and the county judge executive.

Some say gun violence in America is more than a crime problem.

It's a public health problem.

I spoke to Kentucky's commissioner for Public Health Doctor Steven Stack about that earlier this week.

>> So think I've shared on the show past present the American Medical Association and I finished my term in 2016 the day after I handed over the presidency to my successor, the last major media event I did was to declare gun violence, a public health emergency in the United States.

I believe that is true today as it was in 2016 we have a society that is very divided in a number of different ways.

Guns only being one of them.

We have got to find a way to have folks who want to be able to use firearms safely and responsibly work with with broader society who have concerns about the implications of people having such immediate access to such a lethal tool.

And I understand that we say it's not the guns.

It's the people.

It's not the guns.

It's mental health.

Those are incomplete.

I think descriptions of the problem, the problem ultimately is that someone has possession ready, access to something that is so incredibly lethal that it enables people who are perhaps behaviorally not well.

Well, who are just temporarily enraged or angry to act in the permanent in the retrieval manner.

And so I again, I think we have to find ways to engage in civil discourse in find ways reach compromise.

Because what we currently have now is a horrible tragedy.

And it is unfortunate tragedy that is unique to the United States.

Doctors.

>> Doctor Stack has some thoughts about the baby formula shortage, including something parents shouldn't be doing.

Hear from him about that a little later in the broadcast.

Republican legislative leaders are reacting to Governor Andy Beshear's move yesterday.

That was freezing.

The state gas tax of $0.26 a gallon.

The governor says without his action the tax would have increased to $0.28 on July first because of the increased cost of gas Senate President Robert Stivers says the governor's action is illegal and that saving 2 says he says doesn't help much when gas cost almost $5 a gallon.

House Speaker David Osborne says working Kentucky INS will benefit more from a Republican plan to phase out state income taxes.

Jefferson County's public school teachers are getting a raise.

The agreement between the school system and the Jefferson County Teachers Association means a 4% raise and $8,000 stipend for all educators.

That's on top of regular increases and salary already scheduled all together.

It means 8% more for most employees.

Brent Mckim of the Jefferson County Teachers Association says, quote, Jay CTA is proud of the newly negotiated Saturn salary settlement for Jefferson County Teachers, which will benefit every student and the Jefferson County Public Schools by helping to attract and retain great teachers at a time when there is a tremendous shortage of public school, educators end quote.

Secretary of state Michael Adams wants to limit recounts to tight races.

Adam says he backs legislation that would allow a recount request only from candidates who come within one point of winning.

The Courier Journal says Adam spoke out after 6 Republicans asked for recounts after the May 17th primary.

2 of those candidates lost by 36 percentage points.

The University of Louisville's interim athletics director has the job permanently.

The university has promoted.

Josh heard 6 months after he took over for Vince Tyra, U of L gave her a contract through June of 2027 with a base salary of $850,000 a year as interim athletics director heard oversaw the hiring of Kenny Payne as men's basketball coach.

The University of Kentucky says it's making masks optional on campus.

Affective immediately.

Plexi glass will also be optional.

This does not apply to the UK Health Care System.

UK says 90% of its students and staff are vaccinated.

♪ ♪ Kentucky parents are still having a hard time finding baby formula and stores.

The problem began in February when the FDA close the Abbott nutrition plant in Michigan because of bacteria that caused for babies to become sick to eventually died yesterday Governor Andy Beshear said Americans need more warning before the FDA takes that kind of action.

>> I'm going to push to ensure that every time the FDA makes one of these decisions and I get there making it in terms of of immediate help, but they need to be providing a long-term analysis of the ramifications.

How this impacts our economy and different supply chain.

So in the very least the president Congress is made immediately aware of what could happen and if there need to be discussions on whether it should be more surgical, that can happen in the beginning and not at the point where we're facing a shortage that has so many parents scared.

>> The baby formula shortage was one of the issues discussed at an interim legislative hearing this week in Covington on Thursday.

Among those speaking on the issue, Shannon Stiglitz of the Kentucky Retail Federation.

She told Loma lawmakers the baby formula Recall has presented many challenges for retailers as they struggle to keep in a formal on the shelves.

For those who need it.

>> As we have continued to manage this and trying to get products on the shelves.

It's important to note a couple of things.

Our national organizations continue to work with the federal government to try and get those products on the We're getting.

And the United States getting shipments that And so those will be distributed.

That is United Kingdom developed at baby Formula.

I think it's also important to note the other things that we're doing is retailers are putting limits on baby formula.

Of course, moms scared family scared that their baby want.

It would have been nutrition and we did experience some panic buying.

So you may see a retailer who asked you to bring a voucher to purchase that baby formula because we have to remember baby formulas expensive by nature are to the pandemic during the pandemic.

And as a result of effect as well.

It is something that is commonly subject to theft.

And so the other reason retailers are taking that additional staff is to ensure that we can maintain the product on the show.

There is in discussions are national organizations with the federal government to develop a Formula Locator for all family similar to what they did on vaccines.

DOT Gov.

our members have shared availability to the federal government said that they know where those products are.

>> I recently spoke to Doctor Steven Stock, the commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health about the baby formula shortage.

He said it will probably take 6 to 8 weeks before we see a noticeable improvement and the supply on store shelves.

Doctor Stack said while he knows parents are nervous about the lack of baby formula, he is warning against a practice that many are even thinking about are already resorting to.

And that's making their own formula.

>> So the baby formula shortage, unfortunately resulted from the closure of the shutdown of an Abbott factory in Michigan.

factories been approved for reopening.

I believe later this week, maybe June 6th.

They estimate that it will take probably 6 to 8 weeks, though, before we start to see a noticeable improvement on the shelves.

A look.

This is h*** o* parents who have little ones because if you go into the store and you can't find formula to future trial, that obviously concerning.

I'd encourage anyone who is on the WIC program, the Women Infant and Children program to get Formula.

Please work with your local health department nutrition specialist who can help you with whatever options are available.

And for anyone else is not on the WIC program.

I would be important to work with your pediatrician to see what other options you have to try other formulas that may be more >> Could you discontinue either nursing or just using, you know, regular store bought milk is advised.

>> So nurses in is hands down like breastfeeding is hands down.

The most strongly recommended preferred nutrition for newborn babies.

It it bombs, the mother of the child to convey some antibodies from the mother to the child provides extra protection.

It also is just a really incredibly good nutrient source.

So we recommend anyone do that if they can.

It's not always possible for for every mother we definitely discourage.

Please do not trying to make your own milk based formulas.

Do not.

Dilute formula is to not to homemade concoctions of any sort.

Those can really hurt your child because if you get the balance wrong on electrolytes and the other nutrients you can actually cause harm.

So please do not do those things.

Talk to your pediatrician.

If you have any questions or concerns before taking those steps.

>> The shortage is especially challenging for families who must be selective for one Warren County family.

Their baby must take a special brand that doesn't upset her stomach.

It's been especially hard to find and they have family and friends keeping an eye out for all across the country.

>> She takes.

>> 7 ounces.

Water, free scoops of formula every like 2 hours.

So she e a lot.

We're at the point that we had no formula and we were just trying to figure out what we're going today next.

We're at the very bottom of the last.

>> Can we And it?

>> It was just like God sent an angel of 6 little small cans, which isn't a lot.

But it's enough for us >> you have a new baby and that's incredibly stressful is are there so many changes already and feeding your baby is hard.

Whether or not you breastfeed or formula feed.

There's a lot of babies, you know, that have difficulties with different formulas or they might experience re flux or gas or an allergy.

And so just because you find it doesn't mean you're also not facing challenges, you know, initially and then you compound the shortage where you're literally worried about feeding your child.

We have resulted too.

>> Putting ads on We have people all across the Montana, Utah, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas and Virginia looking for formula for her because we cannot find it.

>> Some families have decided that they would like to look at other options like donor b***** And so that's something that I've been kind of working with some families on locating connecting to other moms who may have an oversupply.

And I have some milk that they're willing to share.

Other families are looking at re lactating.

Well, we have started doing since the Formula Shortage is giving her baby food by the pouch.

>> But she still has that gag reflex.

It's very evident when chief everything.

So she still struggles a little so we're trying to stretch around putting a little Ross in her milk.

Some help now on her milk and just trying to pressure for a but she still takes about 4, 5, miles a day.

There's also been a lot of online, like I said, sharing where people are, you know, I'll buy this one.

If you buy this one for me or if you find this, we can mail it to each other across the country.

I've even seen some people that are trying to, you know, >> get formula from different countries because they're unable to locate some here.

>> Havana is 7 months old.

So, you know.

Had we have, you know, had to get holding out in a month or so.

We'll be OK, but there's going to be.

But you said about the okay.

>> And they're going to have to figure something out for that.

>> Hey.

>> I probably speak for a lot of other moms.

When I say I would walk on broken glass to find my child food.

So I've just been doing whatever it takes to find her fate and exhausting all resources shoes.

>> McKenzie says a relative was able to buy 2 cans of the formula she needs at a store in Louisville.

It's still out of stock everywhere.

She searches in Bowling Green.

♪ >> Every Friday night on Kentucky addition, we're going to bring you a segment that's called inside Kentucky politics with Democratic and Republican strategist talking about the political news of the Week.

Tonight, we're joined by Republican strategist Amy Wickliffe and Democratic strategist Sherman Brown.

The governor's race and the attorney general's race.

We know that 2023 is going to be a big year in Kentucky.

Politics.

>> Amy, I'll start with you.

It seems like the Republican contenders for governor.

That's an ever widening field of Tell us what we can expect.

Perhaps even as early as next week.

Monday.

>> That's right.

Well, I think we'll look back to what we saw this week, which was the formal announcement Commissioner Ryan Quarles and his bid for governor.

He held his announcement in his home town of He rolled out about 54 endorsements of state representative state senators and a wide variety of county judge executives from across the state.

So a very impressive in strong support list that he rolled out with on June.

First, we look forward to next June 6 Wednesday as state Representative Savannah Maddox is expected to make her bid for governor formal at her announcement that she has been inviting folks to go on Facebook and that has been circulating widely and they were they as you know, they join a growing field of Attorney General Daniel Cameron State Auditor Mike Harmon, and then several people who are still looking at the race that that could jump in the coming months.

Kelly craft Max was his name is still out there and others.

So it will be a very spirited primary and could be a very large primary.

By the time we get to May.

>> Absolutely.

Sherman Governor Beshear seems to be polling fairly well.

Does he have something to worry about?

I mean, it would be we don't suspect that he'll draw any primary opposition, but one never knows.

But looking at the list of contenders, that's a strong group.

And any one of those who can you come out of that primary next launch a formidable candidates against a governor.

Beshear.

>> It's definitely a crowded primary.

I think if I'm Governor Beshear watching that primary and you know, the sheer supporters, I'm watching that primary, it is going to be I think that even work out.

I think you you've got other folks out.

There was a name we'll be watching for that.

And I think it will be, as you said, a very spirited and also anticipate get a little negative.

Some of that conversation has already started.

May not out there publicly that I think we'll see that.

And the winner gets to take on the most popular governor in the United States.

So, you know, I mean, you see right now I'm looking at the fund obviously had a lead.

That point on the fundraising side doesn't want to spend anything and and also be rolling out all these economic development projects over the course of the next 18 months got to feel good.

And and doing very positive.

I think they're feeling really good right now.

>> Jacqueline Coleman was she remain as Lieutenant Governor.

>> Absolutely.

She's been she's been involved in different is that they had your name's on on, you know, all the all the that is that they're that they're hosting.

She's at the events that they're Still very much an active member and teammate.

>> So let's talk about the attorney general's We learned this week that Whitney Westerfield, who was a senator from Crofton and western Kentucky who was chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

It said he's not going to go for it this time around.

I mean, Was that a surprise to you?

And there's still some other really good.

Heavy hitters already lined up to take a run for that.

>> I think it was a little bit of a surprise, but also not so I think he feels like there's a lot of work to be done.

Is chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the state Senate.

He works on a wide variety of issues and has a lot more to get done.

There.

I also has young children see have to take that into consideration when you're considering a statewide race as well.

Of course, Russell Coleman jumped in the race immediately right a G Cameron announced he was running for governor and has and has had an impressive start as well.

And I will note back to Whitney Westerfield, you know, while he might not run this time around and that doesn't preclude him from running for else on the statewide in future.

Yeah.

Yeah.

2027 is going to interesting.

We can't even get to 2023 can way.

>> Let's talk about the big, big issue.

That's really got everyone talking, of course, of the mass shootings.

We've had Buffalo.

We've had Uvalde Texas.

We've even had Tulsa, Oklahoma and many people are asking, you know, when will it stop?

And when will leaders do something about it?

Mitch McConnell, the Senate met nor any leader seems to be a little elusive and and really answering whether or not the direction of what kind of prescription for gun control or gun laws he would embrace or even allowed to come to a vote there and wycliff.

What can you tell us about that?

>> I would say that he is being methodical and his approach and a knee j*** reactions.

He's been very consistent in his messaging, especially as he's been crisscrossing the state is they've been home for recess.

It that he has put together an encouraging a bipartisan work.

Great to see what they can find agreement on.

That is consistent with the Second Amendment but also focused on mental health issues.

And what can we do to improve school safety?

It does seem like on the state level here in Sherman Brown, Governor Beshear has said, you know, the legislature, it can act and they can work on this issue.

And we've same to saying some signals that the Senate Republican leadership are talking about that.

And Max Wise to any mentioned earlier had tweeted out that he's looking forward to those conversations.

He was one of the architects of the original.

>> School Safety and Resiliency Act that was adopted back in 2019.

What can Governor Beshear do our what can he do?

That's effective in this conversation and moving action forward.

>> I think as you said, as of right now, it's a legislative issue.

Governor stated that there's not an executive order.

There's no, there's not I don't anticipate anything there.

It is very much a legislative issue that there had been you know, brought forward over the last several years.

It was a bill this last session >> if there's any way there's there's not been really any appetite or willingness that we've seen from the legislature from the full legislature really take this on.

You have different bills that have been introduced but did not move anywhere.

This is happening all over.

And I think that was important for President Biden last night in his address and talking about this.

And when one of the things that he stated, Renee was when he talked about the children, the number of children that have been killed and comparing that to the number.

That number is larger than the number of police and active military combined in the last 20 years.

That is significant.

We can't there's you know, we need to do something.

And I anticipate as you said, the U.S. Senate numbers right now are talking about that.

I do anticipate actions we need.

We thank you.

Any reckless.

>> And Sherman Brown for being with us.

A good start to inside Kentucky politics right here on Kentucky.

Addition have a great weekend.

>> Thank you.

Thank you.

>> There's more on politics and the News of the week Friday night on comment on Kentucky both on air and online at KITV Dot Org.

Join Bill Bryant and his guests.

Quisto of the Lexington Herald leader Robin Barton of Kentucky, Public Radio in Ohio Valley Resource.

And just Clark of W FPL and Louisville.

Among this week's topics, the Charles Booker campaign ad, gas prices and Senator Mitch McConnell on guns don't want to miss that conversation.

Tougher punishments are on the way for porch pirates, people who still packages left outside people's homes.

Governor Andy Beshear join lawmakers at a Louisville hardware store yesterday for the ceremonial signing of Senate Bill.

23, which makes it a felony to still packages from a private carrier like Amazon UPS or FedEX.

It's already a felony to still mail.

But package theft was a misdemeanor in Kentucky until now with the change in Kentucky law package that can now be punished by up to 5 years in jail.

♪ Coming up Monday on Kentucky addition, another Republican is expected to join the 2023 race for governor.

You just heard a little bit about that.

We'll have the latest on state Representative Savannah Maddox as she announces her plans.

Plus, it's the 6 month anniversary of Kentucky's deadly tornadoes will have reports all week long.

So join us for our series Western Kentucky.

Hope Rising.

That's coming up on Kentucky.

Addition starting Monday, June 6, we've had a great first week with you.

We hope we can see you every week night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central right here on Kentucky EDITION, where we inform connect and inspire.

Have a wonderful weekend.

♪