[♪♪] >> Renee: THE RACE FOR AN OPEN CONGRESSIONAL SEAT IS GETTING EVEN MORE CROWDED.

>> WE'VE HAULED 1800 LOADS OF C AND D MATERIAL THAT IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 11,000 TONS.

>> Renee: KENTUCKY'S HIGHWAY TEAMS HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK SINCE THE MAY 16TH TORNADOMENT AN UPDATE ON THEIR PROGRESS.

>> GOOD THAT PEOPLE EAT THIS WAY AND BETTER WE CAN GET IT TO THEM LOCALLY GROWN.

>> Renee: AND SOMETIMES THE BEST MEDICINE COMES FROM THE GARDEN.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THIS WEDNESDAY, JUNE THE FOURTH.

I'M RENEE SHAW WE THANK YOU FOR WINDING DOWN YOUR WEDNESDAY WITH US.

>>> CENTRAL KENTUCKY'S SIXTH DISTRICT WILL HAVE A NEW FACE IN CONGRESS IN JANUARY OF 2027.

THE INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN ANDY BARR IS RUN FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

WITH THE HOUSE SEAT OPEN, CANDIDATES IN BOTH PARTIES ARE TOSSING THEIR HAT INTO THE RING.

A REPUBLICAN RYAN DOTSON KICKED OFF HIS CAMPAIGN WITH A RALLY IN WINCHESTER LAST NIGHT.

HE TOOK STRONG STANDS ON ABORTION AND TRANSGENDER ATHLETES AND PROMISED TO SUPPORT PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO SHRINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNDER DOGE.

DOTSON WAS JOINED BY SEVERAL COLLEAGUES FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE WHO TALKED ABOUT WHAT IS AT STAKE IN THE 2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

>> SINCE THE DAYS OF OBAMA WE HAVE SEEN THE SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL, THE CULTURE WARS THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE, THE CANCEL CULTURE THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN AMERICA.

THAT YOU CAN'T SPEAK FREELY WITHOUT BEING CANCELED.

WE'VE SEEN THE CULTURE INFLUENCED THE CULTURE WHEN IT SHOULD BE THE CHURCH INFLUENCING THE CULTURE.

>> THE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE IS RAZOR THIN, THE SMALLEST FOR ANY PARTY SINCE THE EARLY 1930s.

ALMOST 100 YEARS.

220 SEATS TO 215 SEATS.

SO IF THE DEMOCRATS FLIP THREE SEATS THEN THE TRIBE HAS SPOKEN AND WE'RE COOKED.

>> WARE GOING TO HAVE A UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL SEAT OPEN AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TWO OR THREE -- PROBABLY FIVE SENATE SEATS UP FOR GRABS STATE SENATE SEATS AND 10 OTHER MORE OUT FOR REPRESENTATIVES SEATS UP FOR GRABS.

THE DEMOCRATS, HAVE ABSOLUTELY MOBILIZED THEY HAVE COMMITTED TO SPENDING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO TRY TO TAKE ANY OR ALL OF THOSE SEATS.

THEY HAVE GOING TO HAVE A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE MOBILIZED THEY ARE GOING TO COME AFTER EACH OF US IN CYCLE THIS TIME.

>> I HAVE FOUGHT FOR THE UNBORN UNAPOLOGETIC T CRINGES ME TO HAVE TO LISTEN TO ALL THE DEMOCRATS TELL YOU WHY WE SHOULD HAVE ABORTION.

IT'S WOMEN'S HEALTH.

WE HAVE TO SIT THERE AND WE CRINGE BUT THERE'S TIMES WHEN RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION COMES UP AND WE HAVE TO GET UP AND SAY ENOUGH'S ENOUGH.

WE FIGHT FOR THE UNBORN.

I'VE AUTHORED AND PASSED INTO LAW SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS BUT I WENT THROUGH HELL WITH THAT.

FACED A LOT OF DARKNESS, FACED A LOT OF FROM DIFFERENT LGBTQ COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION.

I BELIEVE WHAT I BELIEVE AND I FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT AND WE GET IT PASSED.

I AM A SOCIAL ISSUE GO BECAUSE WE ARE IN CULTURE WAR.

BUT I'M ALSO A BUSINESSMAN.

AND IT'S BEEN MY HONOR TO BE ABLE TO WORK ALONGSIDE OF MY SENATOR AND SECURE THE GREATEST FUNDING THAT THIS DISTRICT HAS EVER SEEN.

IT WILL BE A THORN IN THE SIDE OF EVERYBODY THAT IS GOT A D BEHIND THEIR NAME.

>> Renee: DOTSON SAYS HE KNOWS OF SEVERAL OTHER REPUBLICANS CONSIDERING GETTING INTO THE G.O.P.

PRIMARY FOR THE SIXTH DISTRICT SEAT.

HE DID NOT NAME NAMES.

NOW, ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, DAVID KLOIBER OF LEXINGTON DECLARED HIS CANDIDACY FOR THE SIXTH DISTRICT THIS MORNING.

EMILY SISK WAS THERE FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT A PRINT SHOP MAKING KLOIBER FOR CONGRESS SIGNS.

>> DAVID KLOIBER AN ENTREPRENEUR AND FORMER LEXINGTON COUPLE IS LOOKING TO FLIP KENTUCKY'S SIXTH DISTRICT IN THE HOUSE TO DEMOCRAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A DECADE.

REPUBLICAN ANDY BARR HAS HELD THAT POSITION SINCE 2013 BUT IS NOW MAKING A RUN FOR MITCH McCONNELL'S U.S. SENATE SEAT.

KLOIBER SHARED HIS PLAN AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY ON WEDNESDAY MORNING.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE READY TO STOP TALKING ABOUT THESE PARTISAN POLITICS AND START TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT REALLY MATTER TO US AND THAT IS JOBS AND OUR HEALTHCARE, HOUSING AND EDUCATION.

I THINK BY FOCUSING ON THAT IN A WAY WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN THE LAST DECADE, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND FLIP THE SEAT.

>> THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE SPOKE ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE GROWING UP IN LEXINGTON AND WORKING TO CREATE JOBS.

>> I GREW UP HERE IN LEXINGTON, WEDNESDAY TO LEXINGTON CATHOLIC, WENT TO U.K.

I STARTED MY OWN BUSINESS.

I'VE WORKED AT A NONPROFIT THAT MY FAMILY PUT FORWARD.

I'VE MADE JOBS IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL.

I REALLY AM FOCUSED ON TRYING TO TAKE THOSE SKILLS AND BRING THEM TO BEAR HERE IN GOVERNMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF EVERYONE LIVING HERE IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

>> KLOIBER RAN FOR LEXINGTON MAYOR IN TWOONT AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.

>> RUNNING FOR MAYOR WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE BECAUSE I GOT TO MEET SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND LEARN FROM THEM.

TODAY I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU READY FOR THE NEXT CHALLENGE BETTER PREPARED BECAUSE OF THAT EXPERIENCE.

>> ONLY ONE OTHER DEMOCRAT HAS ANNOUNCED THEIR CANDIDACY SO FAR.

CHERLYNN STEVENSON OF LEXINGTON.

>> KLOIBER WAS ASKED WHY HE THINKS IT'S IMPORTANT TO FLIP THE SEAT AND WHAT SETS HIM APART.

>> FLIPPING ONE SEAT IS GREAT.

BUT IT'S MORE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER THAN ANY ONE PERSON CAN DO.

I WILL FIGHT TO IMPROVE IN EACH OF THESE AREAS FOR EVERYONE IN THIS DISTRICT BY BRINGING THE BLUEGRASS TO WASHINGTON INSTEAD OF THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

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

>> Renee: THANK YOU, EMILY.

KLOIBER SAYS HE WILL NOW FOCUS ON TRAVELING THE DISTRICT AND MEETING WITH VOTERS.

>>> NOW, TURNING TO LEGISLATIVE NEWS, SCHOOL MAYBE OUT FOR THE SUMMER BUT STATE LAWMAKERS ARE GETTING STARTED ON THE WORK FOR THE INTERIM PERIOD WHICH STARTED THIS WEEK AND GOES THROUGH DECEMBER.

DURING THE SUMMER AND FALL LAWMAKERS MEET IN COMMITTEES TO REVIEW LAWS AND POLICY AND LAY POLICY GROUND WORK FOR THE LAW MAKING SESSION.

MACKENZIE SPINK HAS THE LATEST FROM THE STATE CAPITOL WHERE TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS UPDATED LAWMAKERS ON THE LATEST TORNADO RECOVERY EFFORTS AND WORK ZONE SAFETY LEGISLATION.

THAT STORY BEGINS TONIGHT'S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE SEGMENT.

>> YOU MAY NOT THINK OF THE KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET OR KYTC AS FIRST-RESPONDERS BUT SECRETARY JIM GRAY HAS HIGHWAY TEAMS FROM 120 COUNTIES WERE SUITED UP THE NIGHT AN EF-4 TORNADO HIT PULASKI AND LAUREL COUNTIES.

>> WHILE SOME COUNTIES WERE HIT HARD IN SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY THIS EVENT HAD IMPACTS IN MULTIPLE REGIONS.

>> THE DEVASTATING TORNADO CLAIMED 19 LIVES AND DESTROYED 800 HOMES.

DEBRIS ON THE ROAD IS A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS.

>> MULTIPLE ROADS WERE BLOCKED BY DEBRIS IN THE OVERNIGHT HOURS OF THE STORM ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AND AROUND MORGANVILLE.

BUT MOST WERE CLEARED BY SATURDAY MORNING.

WE MONITORED FLOOD-PRONE AREAS AND PLACED HIGH WATER SIGNS WHERE THEY WERE NEEDED.

CREWS CONTINUED PATROLLING AND CLEANING UP THROUGH SATURDAY.

GENERALLY IN DISTRICTS WEST OF I-75 AND IT WAS EVIDENTS BY DAWN THE HEAVIEST DAMAGE HAD OCCURRED IN THE SOMERSET AND LONDON AREAS.

>> AFTER ROADWAYS BEEN MOSTLY CLEARED, KYTC TEAMS SWITCHED GEARS TO CLEANING DEBRIS AND TRANSPORT TO GO TO LANDFILLS.

A TASK IN LAUREL COUNTY WHERE THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE OCCURRED.

>> WE HAD A LOT OF DEBRIS, C AND D DEBRIS.

THAT IS CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION DEBRIS.

NOT COUNTING TODAY WE HAVE HAULED 1800 LOADS OF C AND D MATERIAL THAT IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 11,000 TONS.

AND IT'S ABOUT 22,000 CUBIC YARDS OF MATERIAL THAT IS 20% OF WHAT WE THINK C AND D MATERIAL THAT IS OUT THERE CURRENTLY.

ALSO TALKING TO THE COUNTY THEY ARE ESTIMATING THEY WORKED ON VEGETATIVE THROUGHOUT THIS AND THEY ARE ESTIMATING 50% OF THAT DEBRIS HAS BEEN CLEARED TO THIS POINT.

>> JONES SAYS THAT LAUREL COUNTY AND KYTC ARE IN THE PROCESS OF HANDING THE PROCESS OVER TO A THIRD PARTY COMPANY.

AND NOT IN A FEW DAYS KYTC WILL REFOCUS BACK TO ROADWAYS.

>> OUR FOCUS WILL RETURN BACK TO STATE ROUTES.

WE HAVE MOST OF THOSE COMPLETE.

WE'LL DO FINE-TUNING PICKING UP DEBRIS ALONG THE AREA.

AND WE HOPE TO WRAP THAT UP AND HAVE STATE ROUTES CLEARED BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

>> THE COMMITTEE RECEIVED UPDATES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GERALD LEE ACT A BILL PASSED INTO LAW THAT WOULD INTRODUCE AUTOMATED SPEED ENFORCEMENT DEVICES IN WORK ZONES.

THE LAW WAS NAMED FOR A 22-YEAR-OLD NATIVE WHO WAS KILLED WHILE WORKING IN A HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONE.

THE STATE TRANSPORTATION CABINET WILL START AN INFORMATION CAMPAIGN TO ALERT MOTORISTS ABOUT THE NEW LAW AND DRIVERS CAN SEE THE DEVICES IN THE FALL.

FOR A DRIVER TO RECEIVE A CITATION, THEY WOULD HAVING TO GOING 10-MILES-PER-HOUR ABOVE THE SPEED LIMIT WITH ONE WORKER PRESENT.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M MACKENZIE SPINK.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

THE RISING COST OF REPAVING KENTUCKY'S ROADS ALSO CAME UP IN THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

LAWMAKERS EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE CURRENT GAS TAX FORMULA THAT THE STATE USES ISN'T KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION.

>>> ACCOUNTABILITY, SCHOOL VOUCHERS, TEACHER SATISFACTION ALL IMPORTANT ISSUES AFFECTING THE QUALITIED OF KENTUCKY STUDENTS' EDUCATION.

MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE TALKED ABOUT ALL THREE AND MORE DURING A LEGISLATIVE HEARING BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEES.

OUR EMILY SISK HAS THE DETAILS IN THIS EDUCATION MATTERS REPORT.

>> IT'S TIME FOR K-12 SCHOOLS IN THE COMMONWEALTH TO ADOPT A NEW ASSESSMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY MODEL.

ACCORDING TO KENTUCKY COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION ROBBY FLETCHER.

THAT SYSTEM WOULD FOCUS ON PUTTING STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND TEACHING THEM SOFT SKILLS IN ADDITION TO STANDARDIZED TESTING.

>> WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT MATH AND READING ARE THE FOUNDATION TO MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS HAVE THE SKILLS AND FOUNDATIONAL PARTS IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD BUT WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT HOW CAN WE ENCOURAGE THIS TYPE OF LEARNING TO GO THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH.

BUT ALSO, TOO, I THINK THE PIECE THAT MAKES THIS HAPPEN IS THE BOLD NEW PART OF COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITIES.

WE WANT A SYSTEM AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT REQUIRES DISTRICTS TO WORK WITH THEIR PARENTS, REQUIRES DISTRICT TO WORK WITH THEIR BUSINESSES AND BE APART OF THIS LOCAL MODEL.

>> THE SENATOR OF LEITCHFIELD RAISED A QUESTION ABOUT RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND HOW THE MODEL WILL SERVE STUDENTS IN COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T HAVE LARGE BUSINESS PARTNERS OR ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY.

FLETCHER SAID HE HOPES TO SEE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THE OTHER PART OF THE NEW PROPOSED SYSTEM IS STANDARDIZED TESTING.

THE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER SAYS HE WANTS TO SEE A FOCUS ON INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS AND THEIR GRADE LEVEL EQUIVALENCY.

>> IF YOUR STUDENT IS A THIRD GRADER, YES YOU ARE PROFICIENT IN MATH AND READING BUT ARE YOU READING ON A THIRD GRADE READING LEVEL.

WE WANT TO LOOK AT INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS.

WHERE DID YOU GET THE STUDENT?

WHERE DID YOU TAKE THEM?

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO CHANGE IN THIS MODEL.

>> THE COMMITTEE THEN REVIEWED EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

TARA THOMAS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT ASSOCIATION EXPLAINED THE LATEST BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL.

>> MOST NOTABLE FOR K-12 EDUCATION IS THE EDUCATIONAL CHOICE FOR CHILDREN'S ACT.

AND THIS WOULD ESTABLISH THE FIRST NATIONWIDE VOUCHER PROGRAM FOR K-12 EDUCATION.

>> IT WOULD BE UTILIZED AS A TAX CREDITOR PRIVATE SCHOOL OR HOME SCHOOLING.

REPRESENTATIVE HONEYWELL OF LEXINGTON ASKED ABOUT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR HOW THE FUNDS WOULD BE USED.

THOMAS SAID AT THIS TIME THERE ARE LITTLE TO NO REGULATIONS THOUGHT COULD CHANGE.

>> GOING TO THE ADMINISTRATION'S DEFERRAL TO STATES I IMAGINE THEY MIGHT ALLOW FOR IMPLEMENTTATABLE STANDARDS.

>> THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE LATE LAST MONTH AND NOW AWAITS ACTION FROM THE U.S. SENATE.

THE FINAL ITEM ON TUESDAY'S AGENDA LACKED AT LEADERSHIP TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR K-12 SCHOOLS.

STEVEN WEST CHAIR OF THE SENATE'S EDUCATION COMMITTEE DISCUSSED SURPRISING SURVEY DATA AROUND THE BIGGEST REASON WHY TEACHERS ARE LEAVING THE PROFESSION.

>> I AUTOMATICALLY ASSUME TO DO WOULD BE TEACHER PAY, DISCIPLINE IN THE CLASSROOM, CLASSROOM SIZE.

THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

BUT THE STUDY ACTUALLY SHOWED THAT IT WAS LEADERSHIP IN THE BUILDING.

>> THE COMMITTEE HEARD FROM DIFFERENT REGIONAL OUTLETS ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAIN EDUCATIONAL LEADERS.

ULTIMATELY, WEST SAID THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WANTS TO INVEST IN ADMINISTRATORS WHO WILL RETAIN TALENTED TEACHERS.

HE HOPES TO ADVANCE THIS CONVERSATION DURING THE 2026 GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

NOW, IN OTHER EDUCATION NEWS, KENTUCKY ATTORNEY RUSSELL COLEMAN SAYS A PROPOSED TAX INCREASE IN FAYETTE COUNTY IS ILLEGAL.

ON MAY 27, THE FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO INCREASE THE OCCUPATIONAL TAX TO DEAL WITH A BUDGET DEFICIT.

COLEMAN SAYS THE BOARD FAILED TO PROVIDE PROPER PUBLIC NOTICE BEFORE THE VOTE.

COLEMAN ACAUSED OF BOARD OF TRYING TO QUOTE IGNORE THE RULES.

THE FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD SUPERINTENDENT REACTED TO ATTORNEY GENERAL COLEMAN'S OPINION BY SAYING QUOTE WE RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THE CONCLUSIONS DRAWN.

WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO HONORING THE SPIRIT OF THE OPINION.

WE HAVE DOCUMENTED THE PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED AT THE MEETING AND WILL OFFER AN ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AT OUR UP COMING JUNE 23 BOARD MEETING.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE FISCAL COURT AND ENSURE THAT OUR EFFORTS FOLLOW THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF THE LAW.

ESPECIALLY AS WE NAVIGATE THIS COMPLEX PROCESS THAT BLENDS LOCAL AND STATE POLICY.

END QUOTE.

>>> THE MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN MOVEMENT HAS ARRIVED IN KENTUCKY.

STATE LAWMAKERS WILL LOOK AT SOLUTIONS TO KENTUCKY'S POOR HEALTH OUTCOMES WITH A MA HA LENS ENVISIONED BY SECRETARY ROBERT F. KENNEDY.

>> I AGREE WITH SENATOR RICHARDSON WE DO TOO MUCH SICK CARE.

IT'S TOO EASY TO GO IN AND YOU HAVE YOUR SIX-MINUTE APPOINT MANY WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN AND MOVED ON AND THERE'S NOT AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF WHAT IS GOING ON WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND WHAT IS CAUSING IT.

IT'S REALLY EASY TO PRESCRIBE MEDICATION.

FOR LONG-TERM DISEASES AND SO MANY OF THEM ARE PREVENTIBLE.

WE HAVE SO MUCH DATA THAT IS SAYING IT'S OUR FOOD AND WE KNOW OUR FOOD IS NOT GREAT AND I'M GLAD TO SEE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THERE'S SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THERE.

>> Renee: THE FEDERAL MAHA COMMISSION RELEASED ITS FIRST REPORT AND IT SAYS ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICALS, LACK OF EXERCISE AND OVERMEDICATION ARE PLAGUING AMERICA'S CHILDREN.

THE COMMISSION DID GET SLACK FOR CITATIONS TO RESEARCH THAT DOES EEXIST.

[♪♪] >> I'M LAURA ROGERS CHECKING IN WITH RYLAND BARTON.

AND RYLAND, THE SENATE NOW TAKING UP PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BUDGET PACKAGE AND THERE ARE SOME G.O.P.

SENATORS WHO ARE EXPRESSING SOME RESERVATIONS ABOUT THAT BILL.

AND THAT INCLUDES KENTUCKY'S SENATOR RAND PAUL.

WHAT REACTION ARE WE SEEING THERE?

>> RAND PAUL'S CONTINUED TO CRITICIZE IT ACCORDING TO THE DES MOINES REGISTER HE CALLED THE BILL ANEMIC IN IOWA.

HE SAID IT DOESN'T DO ENOUGH TO CUT SPENDING.

THE BILL ACCORDING TO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATE WOULD ADD $2.4 TRILLION TO THE NATIONAL DEBT OVER 10 YEARS AND THAT IS PAUL'S ISSUE GOING BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THIS POLITICAL CAREER.

TRUMP TOOK TO TRUTH SOCIAL AND SAID PAUL HAS LITTLE UNDERSTANDING OF THE BILL.

HE SAID IT WILL BRING TREMENDOUS GROWTH AND THAT PAUL JUST LOVES VOTING NO ON EVERYTHING.

HE ALSO SAID THAT PAUL DOESN'T HAVE PRACTICAL IDEAS AND THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY CAN'T STAND HIM.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO MENTION THAT PAUL WON REELECTION IN 2022 BY MORE THAN 20 PERCENTAGE POINTS.

AN EXAMPLE AT A TIME WHEN RAND PAUL IS DISAGREEING WITH MITCH McCONNELL.

MITCH McCONNELL HAS NOT BACKED ALL OF TRUMP'S POLICIES HE BACKED THIS BILL AND IMAGINES IT WILL PASS WITH THE PROVISIONS IN IT AND PREDICTED THERE WILL BE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS OVER CUTS TO MEDICAID.

RIGHT NOW, AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 11 MILLION FEWER PEOPLE WOULD HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE THANKS TO THE CUTS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

AND REPUBLICANS HAVE NARROW CONTROL OF BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE SO THEY HAVE TO TRY AND KEEP EVERYBODY HAPPY WITHIN THEIR CHAMBERS AND ALSO COME TO AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CHAMBERS, TOO.

>> IN THE MEANTIME, PRESIDENT TRUMP ALSO PRESENTING HIS RESCISSION REQUEST WANTING CONGRESS TO PULLBACK SOME 9.4 BILLION DOLLARS OF PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FUNDING FOR THINGS LIKE FOREIGN AID, THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

AND SO AS WE HEAD INTO UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING THAT, WHAT ARE WE SEEING AS FAR AS SUPPORT OR MAYBE NOT SO MUCH FOR THIS RESCISSION REQUEST?

>> YEAH, IT'S STILL UNCLEAR HOW MUCH SUPPORT THERE IS.

HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON SAID HE WOULD TAKE IT UP NEXT WEEK.

HE IS SIGNALING THERE ARE LIKELY THE VOTES THERE.

THINGS ARE TIGHT AND THEY HAVE TO KEEP EVERYBODY IN LINE IN THE HOUSE AND TIGHTER IN THE SENATE WHERE FOLKS LIKE SUSAN COLLINS AND MURKOWSKI SAID THEY ARE NOT SURE IF THEY SUPPORT EVERYTHING IN THERE.

A LOT OF THIS BILL WOULD FORMALIZE THE CUTS MADE BY ELON MUSK'S DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY.

IT IS NOT A HUGE AMOUNT WHEN COMPARED TO MUSK'S GOALS OF CUTTING $2 TRILLION AND COMPARED TO THE NATIONAL DEBT 36 TRILLION.

BUT THEY ARE IMPORTANT PROGRAMS.

8.3 BILLION TO BE CUT FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE U.S. AGENCY FOR U.S. AID THOSE ARE IMPORTANT PROGRAMS THEY DO THINGS FROM BATTLING HEALTH CRISES TO EDUCATING PEOPLE IN UNDEVELOPED NATIONS.

IT WOULD CUT THE PRESIDENT'S EMERGENCY PLAN FOR RELIEF CREDITED WITH PRODUCING HIV TRANSMISSION IN AFRICA.

AND PBS WOULD LOSE FEDERAL FUNDING 1.1 BILLION.

MONEY THAT WOULD GO TO LOCAL PBS AND NPR STATIONS LIKE ONES IN KENTUCKY AND THAT IS ALSO MONEY THAT FLOWS UP THROUGH THE NATIONAL NETWORK.

WOULD ONLY TAKE A SIMPLE MAJORITY TO PASS THIS.

REPUBLICANS HAVE REALLY SLIM CONTROL SO THEY HAVE 45 DAYS TO APPROVE IT.

AND TRUMP'S BUDGET CHIEF SAID THAT HE PLANS TO ISSUE MORE RESCISSION CUTS OVER THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR.

>> TO BE TRANSPARENT YOU ARE EMPLOYED BY NPR AND MYSELF BY KET.

AND A CONVERSATION THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY RELEASING THIS LIST OF JURISDICTIONS THAT IT SAYS HAVE SANCTUARY POLICIES.

AND WE KNOW THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN VERY DEVOTED TO THE ISSUE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND DEPORTING PEOPLE HERE ILLEGALLY.

SOME INCLUDED COUNTIES IN KENTUCKY IN THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE.

WHAT ARE WE HEARING IN THAT REGARD?

>> THERE IS A LIST OF 500 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT SUPPOSEDLY HAVE THE SANCTUARY POLICIES THAT TRY TO LIMIT HOW MUCH THEY WORK WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

THERE WERE STORIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY OF COUNTIES AND CITIES THAT WERE CONFUSED BY BEING CLAUDED.

AND INCLUDED SCOTT COUNTY AND CAMPBELL COUNTY HERE IN KENTUCKY ACCORDING TO THE HERALD-LEADER THE SCOTT COUNTY JUDGE-EXECUTIVE SAID THEY NEVER PASSED POLICIES THEY FULLY COMPLIED WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS.

THE JUDGE JUDGE SAYS SOMETHING SIMILAR FIGURE TO GO MUST BE A MISTAKE.

HOMELAND SECURITY DID TAKE THE LIST OFF OF THE WEBSITE BUT HAVE NOT PROVIDED CLARIFICATION HOW THE DETERMINATIONS GOT MADE OR WHETHER OR NOT THE COUNTIES ARE CONSIDERED SANCTUARY POLICIES.

COUNTIES ARE WORRIED ABOUT IT IT GOES BACK TO AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP ISSUED THAT WOULD ORDER FEDERAL FUNDING TO BE PULLED BACK FROM THE COUNTIES AND THAT WOULD HURT THEIR BOTTOM LINES.

>> RYLAND BARTON THANK YOU SO MUCH.

FOR YOUR INSIGHT INTO THE NEWS STORY WE APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH.

>> THANKS, LAURA.

[♪♪] >> Renee: A PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE HEALTHY LOCAL FOODS TO PATIENTS DEALING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES IS IN ITS BEGINNING STAGES AT RUSSELL COUNTY HOSPITAL.

FOOD IS MEDICINE IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH PLANS.

>> WHAT WE NOTICED WAS THAT IF YOU ARE IN A COUNTY THAT HAS A HOSPITAL IT'S USUALLY THE LARGEST FOOD CONSUMER IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND LOOKING AT THAT FROM AN AGRICULTURE STANDPOINT IT SEEMED LIKE A MISSED OPPORTUNITY THAT WE'VE GOT THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF KENTUCKY AROUND OUR HOSPITALS AND HOSPITAL SYSTEMS TO GET FRESH HEALTHY LOCAL FOOD.

>> THE FIRST COMPONENT WE ARE PROVIDING THE LOCALLY SOURCED FOODS FOR THE HOSPITALS OPERATIONS PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL, FAMILIES THE CAFETERIA.

THOSE THINGS.

AND THE OTHER PART THAT IS ALSO GOT A ACADEMIC PILOT COMPONENT TO IT IS WORKING WITH A GROUP THAT HAS TYPE TWO DIABETES AND SEEING IF PROVIDING THE FRESH FOOD CAN WE HELP THEM ON THEIR HEALTH JOURNEY.

>> WE WILL IDENTIFY THE PATIENTS AND GET THEIR CONSENT AND START TO FOLLOW THEM MORE CLOSELY.

AND THEN THE PLAN IS ONCE WE GET THE PATIENTS IN THE PROGRAM WE WILL HAND THE PHYSICIAN WILL WRITE A PRESCRIPTION THIS IS THE NEAT PART OF IT.

THEY WILL WRITE A PRESCRIPTION FOR FOOD.

>> WE'LL GIVE THEM POTS AND PANS AND UTENSILS AND EDUCATION WHAT DOES A HEALTHY DIET LOOK LIKE.

GET THEM IN CLASSES SO THEY CAN LEARN TO COOK THINGS THAT TASTE GOOD AND ALSO ARE GOOD FOR YOU.

THE PART THAT IS THE ICING ON THE CAKE IS YES IT'S GOOD THAT PEOPLE EAT THIS WAY IT'S BETTER THAT WEIGH CAN GET IT TO THEM LOCALLY GROWN.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS UNIQUE ABOUT KENTUCKY PEOPLE FORGET WHAT A HUGE AGRICULTURAL STATE.

KENTUCKY HAS THE LARGEST CATTLE HERD EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IS THIS NOT SOMETHING WHERE WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR THE FARMERS IT'S THERE.

WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE THAT CONNECTION AND GO DO IT.

>> WE KNOW THAT IF FOOD IS GIVEN TO YOU THAT HAS BEEN TRANSPORTED LESS ON THE TRUCK LESS, THAT'S IT'S MORE NUTRITIOUS AND WE KNOW THEY ARE MORE FLAVORRABLE AND THEY WILL EAT MORE AND DESIRE THEM MORE.

WE CAN IMPACT OUR FARMERS AND THE PROFITABILITY WE SEE IN RURAL KENTUCKY TO TRY AND SAVE THIS FARMLAND TRANSITION ISSUE WE HAVE AND THE LOSS OF FARMERS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

BUT PARTICULARLY RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

>> THIS IS 35 YEARS IN HEALTHCARE FOR ME.

AND MAYBE A LOT OF HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS WOULDN'T SAY THIS.

BUT LET'S BE HONEST.

WE ONLY EXIST BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SICK.

AND IF THERE WASN'T ANYMORE SICK PEOPLE WE WOULDN'T BE IN BUSINESS.

BUT THIS IS DIFFERENT.

IF WEIGH CAN GET TO THAT AND PEOPLE SAY I NEVER KNEW AND I'M ALWAYS GOING TO DO THIS.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF MY NUMBERS SHOW IT BUT I FEEL BETTER AND MY PANTS FIT BETTER.

IF WE CAN DO THAT AND THEN OTHER PEOPLE CAN LEARN FROM THIS, THIS IS REDEMPTION FOR US IN HEALTHCARE.

>> Renee: THE KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH PLANS IS FUNDING THE PROGRAM THROUGH A $300,000 GRANT OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD.

[♪♪] TOMORROW IN OUR REPORTERS NOTEBOOK WE'LL CATCH UP WITH A VETERAN KENTUCKY REPORTER AND GET HER PERSPECTIVE AFTER COVERING THE STATE'S NATURAL DISASTERS.

AND KENTUCKY NOW HAS A RENOVATED RED CROSS HEADQUARTERS IN LOUISVILLE WHAT THAT RENOVATION MEANS FOR KENTUCKY.

WE'LL TELL YOU MORE ABOUT THAT AND MORE TOMORROW ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

6:30 EASTERN AND 5:30 CENTRAL.

WE HOPE YOU WILL CONNECT WITH US ALL THE WAYS YOU SEEN ON YOUR SCREEN, FACEBOOK, X AND FRAME TO STAY IN THE LOOP.

AND SEND A STORY IDEA BY E-MAIL AT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG.

AND LOOK FOR US ON THE PBS VIDEO APP THAT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD ON YOUR SMART DEVICE AND COMPUTER.

AND WATCH US ON-LINE ANYTIME STREAM IT KET.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE APPRECIATE YOU AND HOPE TO SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

UNTIL I SEE YOU AGAIN, TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.