[♪♪] >> THEY PAID EVERYTHING AND SO DID THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Renee: THE COMMONWEALTH MARKS 25 YEARS OF HONORING ITS FALLEN OFFICERS.

>> EVEN IF I SAID IT WASN'T THE LETTER OF THE LAW THE SPIRIT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO GET BUY IN.

>> Renee: A LEXINGTON LAWMAKER WEIGHS IN HOW THE FAYETTE SCHOOL BOARD IS HANDLING THE TUSSLE OVER TAXES.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: EVERY PENNY COUNTS AND THE SAVINGS CAN ADD UP.

>> Renee: THE STATE TAKES A STEP TO REDUCE YOUR PAIN AT THE BUMP.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THIS FRIDAY JUNE THE 6TH I'M RENEE SHAW.

WE THANK YOU FOR KICKING OFF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

>>> A TAX HIKE VOTE BY A LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD PROMPTED BACKLASH FROM MORE THAN JUST CITIZENS.

THE STATE'S TOP COP HAS ACCUSED THE FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD OF SKIRTING THE RULES WHEN IT VOTED LAST WEEK TO RAISE THE OCCUPATIONAL TAX TO DEAL WITH THE BUDGET DEFICIT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN SAYS THE BOARD FAILED TO PROVIDE PROPER PUBLIC NOTICE BEFORED TAX VOTE.

A FORMER LEXINGTON URBAN COUNTY COUNCILWOMAN IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY RAISED THE ISSUE TO COLEMAN.

I TALKED TO AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE OF LEXINGTON ABOUT THIS IN OUR STUDIO YESTERDAY.

WALK US THROUGH THIS AND WHY WERE YOU DISMAYED BY THE FAYETTE COUNTY BOARD'S ACTION?

>> THE FIRST I SAW WAS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

MONICA, MY SCHOOL BOARD REP POSTED AND I HAPPENED TO SEE IT AND WHAT ARE WE DOING?

SO I FOLLOWED THE MEETING ON TUESDAY NIGHT RIGHT AFTER MEMORIAL DAY, MOST PEOPLE AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION TO SOCIAL MEDIA OR THE NEWS.

THE VOTE WAS ON TUESDAY NIGHT AND THEY VOTED 3-2 TO HAVE AN OCCUPATIONAL TAX INCREASE AND THAT IN FAYETTE COUNTY HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED IN 40 YEARS.

THERE IS A REASON IT'S COMPLICATED IT IS NOT YOUR PROPERTY TAX IT IS A DIFFERENT TAX ON EMPLOYERS AND PEOPLE WORKING.

SO I HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE REACH OUT TO ME AND SAID I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT, I DIDN'T HAVE NOTE INDICATION ABOUT THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THEY WERE ASKING IF THE VOTE WAS LEGAL.

I AM AWARE OF PUBLIC NOTICES AND HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE AND ONCE I THOUGHT THERE WAS ENOUGH TO QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT THEY FOLLOWED PROCEDURE REACHED OUT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HE WAS GOING TO SAY.

WHERE HE WOULD RULE.

BUT WHEN HE SAID IT WAS NULL AND VOID AND THEY NEEDED TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD I'M PLEASED WITH THAT IT GIVES THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO REENGAGE ON THE TOPIC.

>> Renee: AND IT'S INTERESTING HOW YOU SAID THE BOARD HAS PROPERTY TAXES WHY HOW DID THEY GET TO OCCUPATIONAL TAXES THAT YOU SAID HAD NOT BEEN INCREASED IN 40 YEARS, WHY WAS THIS THE ROUTE THIS TIME?

>> I HAVE NO IDEA.

WE ALREADY HAVE OCCUPATIONAL TAX FOR SCHOOLS.

THERE'S ONLY SIX OR SEVEN COUNTIES IN THE STATE THAT USE OCCUPATIONAL TAX IT IS NOT SOMETHING A TRADITIONAL FORM OF RAISING FUNDS FOR EDUCATION.

THEY DECIDED TO INCREASE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH ANYBODY ELSE'S APPROVAL.

IT WASN'T SUBJECT TO RECALL AND NOT SUBJECT TO PUBLIC OUTSIDE OF THE FISCAL COURT AND I BELIEVE THEY ONLY HAVE CONSENT POWERS THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO VOTE NO.

ALL THAT RAISES A LOT OF QUESTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO SAY MOST FAYETTE COUNTY DO WE HAVE A FISCAL COURT AND HAVEN'T SEEN SOMEONE RAISE OCCUPATIONAL TAXES WITHOUT PUBLIC SUPPORT.

>> Renee: AND QUOTE HE RESPECTFULLY DISAGREES WITH THE OPINION BUT WILL HONOR THE SPIRIT BY OFFERING OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE JUNE 23rd BOARD MEETING.

HE ADDED WHILE OTHERS MAYBE FOCUSED ON POLITICAL MANEUVERING OUR FOCUS IS ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND FULFILLING OUR COMMUNITY'S COMMITMENT THAT WE PROVIDE A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION.

>> I WAS DISAPPOINTED.

THERE WAS NOTHING POLITICAL ABOUT IT.

I DID MY JOB.

WHEN PEOPLE FELT LIKE THEY HAD BEEN SHUTOUT OF THE PROCESS AND REACHED OUT AND ASKED FOR HELP WE DON'T HAVE LEGISLATIVE POWER TO GO INTO SESSION AND CHANGE LAW I DID WHAT I COULD REACHED OUT TO WHO I THOUGHT COULD GIVE CLARITY GIVEN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO FELT LIKE THE DISCREPANCY IN THE INTERPRETATION OF THE LAW FOR HIM TO CALL IT POLITICAL MANEUVERING IS A CHEAP SHOT WHEN THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

THE SPIRIT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO GET PUBLIC BUY IN TO DO THAT ON A MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IT FEELS LIKE POLITICAL SHENANIGANS MORE THAN ME.

>> Renee: WE ASKED AUDITOR LISA KEARNY IF SHE IS CONSIDERING AN AUDIT.

QUOTE I HAVE HEARD FROM PARENTS AND CONSTITUENTS CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATE OF FCPS IN LIGHT OF OUR ONGOING AUDITS OF THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM MY OFFICE IS REVIEWING THESE CONCERNS TO DETERMINE OUR NEXT STEPS.

END QUOTE.

I'LL HAVE MORE OF MY INTERVIEW WITH AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE MONDAY NIGHT WHEN SHE TALKS ABOUT WHETHER SHE HAS HER SIGHTS SET ON A CONGRESSIONAL RUN.

THAT IS MONDAY NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY EDITION".

>>> THE U.S. HOUSE JUST OK'd MORE MONEY TO PROMOTE OPIOID RECOVERY.

THE HOUSE JUST PASSED A BILL EXTENDING A PROGRAM THAT BEGAN IN 2018.

THE PROGRAM HELPS FUND TREATMENT RECOVERY CENTERS.

IT IS A PROGRAM CHAMPIONED BY CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR OF KENTUCKY'S SIXTH DISTRICT.

THE BILL IF IT BECOMES LAW WILL MEAN $210 MILLION WILL COME TO HELP PEOPLE OVERCOME ADDICTION.

BARR SAID KENTUCKY HAS MADE MEANINGFUL PROGRESS BUT THE BATTLE IS NOT OVER.

>>> YOU ARE ABOUT TO GET SOME RELIEF AT THE GAS PUMP.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THE STATE WILL LOWER THE GAS TAX BY 1.4 CENTS PER GALLON JULY FIRST.

>> I KNOW EVERY PENNY COUNTS AND THESE SAVINGS CAN REALLY ADD UP.

WHETHER DRIVING TO SCHOOL, WORK, HEADED TO CHURCH OR A FAMILY TRIP, AT LEAST HERE IN KENTUCKY YOUR GAS IS GOING TO COST A LITTLE BIT LESS STARTING JULY FIRST.

WE ARE GOING TO KEEP LOOKING FOR EVERY WAY WE CAN TO SAVE OUR FAMILIES THAT NEXT DOLLAR TO HELP PAY THAT NEXT BILL AT LEAST MAKING IT EASIER.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING AND OUR JOB IS TO RESPOND AND TO HELP.

>> Renee: GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, KENTUCKY HAS LOWERED THE GAS TAX BY 12%.

>>> FOR 25 YEARS, KENTUCKIANS GATHERED TO HONOR FALLEN OFFICERS BY ADDING THEIR NAMES TO THE KENTUCKY LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL.

YESTERDAY, 10 NAMES WERE ADDED AND A CEREMONY WAS HELD FOR THOSE WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

[♪♪] >> AS IT HAS BEEN SAID THEY GIVE UP TWO LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY; THE ONE THEY WERE LIVING AND THE ONE THEY WOULD HAVE LIVED.

>> MY HUSBAND LOVED HIS JOB.

HE LOVED HIS BADGE BUT MORE THAN THAT HE LOVED THE PEOPLE HE SERVED.

WE REMEMBER ALL THE LATE NIGHT CALLS AND THE REQUESTS FOR HELP NO MATTER HOW TIRED HE WAS HE SHOWED UP.

THAT WAS JUST HIM.

ALWAYS SHOWING UP.

ALWAYS PUTTING OTHERS BEFORE HIM.

HE LOST HIS LIFE DOING WHAT HE CALLED TO DO.

HELPING SOMEONE ELSE WHO GAVE HIS LIFE IN SERVICE.

THOUGH IT HURTS BEYOND WORDS I CARRY PEACE AT KNOWING HE DIED DOING WHAT HE BELIEVED IN.

>> WHEN WE ADD A NAME TO THIS MEMORIAL IT IS MORE THAN AN ACTIVE-DUTY.

IT IS THE SACRED VOW THAT THE OFFICERS' SACRIFICES WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

TODAY WE ADD THE NAME OF TWO OFFICERS WE LOST IN 2024.

SERGEANT WILLIAM MARTY JACKSON OF THE WINCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AND DEPUTY SHERIFF JOSHUA C. PHIPPS OF THE RUSSELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

WE ALSO ADD THE NAME OF EIGHT HISTORICAL HONOREES WHOSE SACRIFICES WILL BE FOREVER REMEMBERED ON THIS MEMORIAL IN FRONT OF ME.

WE LOST SERGEANT MARTY JACKSON ON APRIL 14TH, 2024.

SERGEANT JACKSON SERVED NEARLY 47 YEARS WITH THE WINCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT EVENTUALLY BEING PROMOTED TO CHIEF.

SERGEANT JACKSON RETIRED FROM THE WINCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT AS ITS CHIEF IN 2008.

BUT HE DECIDED HE WASN'T DONE SERVING.

IN JUST MONTHS LATER HE RETURNED TO THE DEPARTMENT ON PATROL.

TODAY WE ALSO MOURN THE LOSS OF DEPUTY SHERIFF JOSHUA C. PHIPPS OF THE RUSSELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHOSE WATCH ENDED SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2024.

HIS SHERIFF, DEREK PAULSON SHARED THAT HE WOULD JUMP IN NO MATTER WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WOULD ALWAYS BE THERE.

HE WAS ALWAYS KIND AND HE WAS ALWAYS BRAVE.

MARTY JACKSON, JOSHUA PHIPPS AND THE EIGHT HISTORICAL NAMES WE'RE ADDING TODAY, WILLIAM SANDLER, WILLIAM BIRD, DAVID BRANHAM, CARLO JONES, JANE SHORT, GEORGE SMITTY.

JAMES BOW LEN AND JAMES SMITH ARE NOW A PART OF THE OTHER 589 BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE NAMES ARE ON THIS MEMORIAL.

THEY PAID EVERYTHING.

AND SO DID THEIR FAMILIES.

[♪♪] >> Renee: THE KENTUCKY LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL FOUNDATION CONTINUES RESEARCH TO FIND THE NAMES OF EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO DIED ON DUTY IN KENTUCKY.

IT PROVIDES RELIEF AND PERSONAL FAMILY TRAGEDIES AND SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

[♪♪] TIME TO GO INSIDE KENTUCKY POLITICS AND TALK ABOUT MAJOR STORIES THIS WEEK WITH BOB BABBAGE AND A FREQUENT COMMENTATOR ON KET.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> Renee: WE WILL TRY TO GET THE BAND BACK TOGETHER THE NEXT TIME.

>> I WILL MISS TRES AND SO WILL YOU.

>> AND THE VIEWERS WILL AS WELL.

THE WEEK HAS BEEN.

WE GOT NEWS LAST WEEK ABOUT ROBIN WEB WHO HAD BEEN A LONGTIME DEMOCRAT 27 YEARS, STARTED IN THE HOUSE AND STATE SENATE SAID SHE WAS SWITCHING PARTIES AND SHE WAS HERE A FEW DAYS AGO TALKING ABOUT THAT DECISION TO DO THAT AND SHE GOT PUSHBACK BOTH FROM DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WHO QUESTIONED HER CONSERVATIVE BONEFIEDS.

TELL US WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF THAT DECISION?

>> I UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE ROBIN WEBB IS AN AUTHENTIC PERSON PEOPLE LIKE HER AND THEY ENJOY WORKING WITH HER.

SHE IS HONEST TO A FAULT.

AND TAKES A LOT OF TIME WITH PEOPLE AND A LOT OF TIME TO STUDY AND READ ISSUES.

AND SHE RUNS HER OWN FARM.

SHE IS AN ACCOMPLISHED HORSEWOMAN.

SHE IS A SPORTS WOMAN.

SHE IS A LAWYER AND A LEGISLATOR.

>> Renee: AND FORMER COAL MINER.

>> AND SOME TOUGH MOMENTS IN HER LIFE HISTORY.

NOT OF HER MAKING.

BECAUSE OF ALL THAT SHE IS WELL RESPECTED AND POPULAR WELL LIKED.

BUT A DECISION LIKE THIS IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE MET WITH CONTROVERSY FROM THE PARTY YOU ARE LEAVING AND PERHAPS SOME CONTROVERSY ON THE PARTY YOU ARE GOING TO GIVEN HOW DIVIDED WE ARE AND HOW MUCH PEOPLE EXPECT YOU TO BE ALL BLUE OR ALL RED AND ROBIN WEBB HAS NOT BEEN ALL BLUE FOR A LONGTIME.

MOSTLY, BUT NOT TO THE MAX.

WILL SHE BE ALL RED?

PROBABLY NOT BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT DISMISS HER PARTY'S LEADERSHIP'S ADVICE BUT SHE DOESN'T ALWAYS FOLLOW IT.

SHE IS GOING TO MAKE HER OWN DECISION.

>> Renee: AND SHE IS GOING TO BE TRUE TO PUBLIC EDUCATION TO LABOR THE THINGS SHE HAS BEEN VOTING FOR.

AND THAT WILL NOT CHANGE.

AND PERHAPS SHE IS HOPING TO HAVE MORE HAND IN THE BUDGET PROCESS BECAUSE WE 0 KNOW SHE KNOWS THAT WELL.

WE'LL HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT AND THE RELATIONSHIPS.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR COLMON ELRIDGE HAD A SHARP STATEMENT THAT HE ISSUED.

BUT THE HER COLLEAGUE GERALD NEAL THE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER WAS GRACIOUS HOW HE HOPES TO STILL WORK WITH HER ON MOVING KENTUCKY FORWARD.

>> PEOPLE HAVE WORKED WITH HER CONSISTENTLY WHILE SHE HAS BEEN IN THE MINORITY, MINORITY.

SHE IS A GOOD PERSON.

AND, AGAIN, BECAUSE OF THAT AUTHENTICITY AND THE WAY IF YOU GET TO KNOW HER YOU HAVE TO RESPECT THAT.

I'M SURE SHE CONSIDERED THIS FOR QUITE SOMETIME FROM THE WAY IT SOUNDS AND MADE HER DECISION CAREFULLY.

>> Renee: AND PEOPLE WERE CURIOUS WHAT DID YOU GET OUT OF THIS?

DO YOU GET A LEADERSHIP POSITION OR CHAIRMANSHIP SHE WILL BE CHAIRING THE TASK FORCE ON DISASTER RESILIENCY BUT IT WAS DECIDED BEFORE SHE MADE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT.

WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR WHOSE BONA-FIDES RISING YET YOU HAVE THIS DEFECTION AND DAVID YATES THE SENATE MINORITY WHIP IS LOOKING TO PURSUE A COUNTY LEVEL SEAT WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT ANDY BESHEAR IN HIS OWN STATE?

>> IT POINTS OUT THE BLUE AND RED IN KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE THE MOST POPULAR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN THE COUNTRY WHO IS A DEMOCRAT AND WE VOTED IN A LEGISLATURE THAT IS ABOUT FOUR TO ONE REPUBLICAN.

AND HERE IT IT GOT MORE THAT WAY WITH YATES LEAVING HIS SEAT COULD GO DEMOCRAT AGAIN BUT HE IS A POPULAR PERSON HE CERTAINLY WILL BE SUBSTANTIAL CANDIDATE IN LOUISVILLE AND NOT FINISH HIS TERM.

>> Renee: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THAT IS UNUSUAL.

>> Renee: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AT THIS POINT HE PROBABLY WANTED TO MAKE A COMMITMENT TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE HE COULD SHAKE THAT HE IS THE C.E.O.

OF THAT OFFICE.

I'M SURE THE REPUBLICANS HAVING HAD IT FOR SO LONG WILL MAKE A HECK OF AN EFFORT TO KEEP IT BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE ELECTION PROCESS AND TO RURAL MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT.

>> Renee: NOW LET'S SHIFT AND TALK ABOUT WASHINGTON AND WASHINGTON POST HAS CHARACTERIZED THOMAS MASSIE, MITCH McCONNELL AND RAND PAUL HAS THE BLUEGRASS RESISTANCE WHICH MADE SOME OF US CHUCKLE.

BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT JUST COMPLETELY GOING ALONG WITH TRUMP'S DOMESTIC AGENDA OR EVEN PERHAPS HOW HE'S PERFORMING INTERNATIONALLY.

SO TALK TO US ABOUT THIS TRIUMPH AND HOW THEY AND OTHERS GUTHRIE IS OFTEN IN THE NEWS AND CONGRESSMAN COMER.

KENTUCKY'S GETTING A LOT OF NATIONAL ATTENTION RIGHT NOW.

>> FOR A SMALL DELLDATION WE ARE GETTING A LION'S SHARE MORE THAN PERHAPS ANY OTHER STATE SIMILARLY SITUATED.

WE KNOW THOSE THREE PEOPLE VERY WELL.

MITCH McCONNELL, SENATOR PAUL, MASSIE.

AND EVERYBODY IN THE FRANKFORT SCENE HAS WORKED WITH THEM AS HAS PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE THERE'S RESPECT JUST FROM THOSE FRIENDSHIPS IN THE NATIONAL MOMENT NOW TO HAVE THEIR SEPARATION FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WHEN TRUMP IS SO STRONGLY CONTROLLING EVENTS, IS QUITE THE DICHOTOMY QUITE THE SPLIT.

MASSIE IS NOT AFRAID TO VOTE NO WHEN HE IS THE ONLY NO.

OR TWO OR THREE OUT OF 435.

RAND PAUL IS CERTAINLY A BRAND TO BE RECKONED WITH AND FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO SAY HE IS UNPOPULAR IS INACCURATE INFORMATION.

I WON'T SAY ANYMORE.

THAT'S INACCURATE INFORMATION HE IS JAI ALAI POPULAR AND WOULD BE REELECTED IF HE WERE TO RUN IN MOST ANY SCENARIO.

WILLIAM McCAUL FOR MANY IN KENTUCKY IS THE RESPECTED PERSON OVERALL THESE SEVERAL TERMS AND HE'S ARGUING, THOUGH, IN A WAY THAT IS APPEALING SAYING THAT RUSSIA WINS WE LOSE.

AND PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN INCONSISTENT ON THE UKRAINIAN DELIMITNA HE IS GOING TO END THE WAR HIS FIRST DAY IN OFFICE AND GOT INTERESTED IN IT AND PULLED BACK FROM IT NOW BACK IN AND IS CRITICIZING PUTIN.

BUT McCAUL HAS BEEN VERY CONSISTENT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THAT WE HAVE TO SUPPORT UKRAINE OR THE PROBLEM GOES ON.

RAND PAUL TALKING ABOUT THE DEBT YOU AND I WERE JOKING THE DEBT ISSUE HAS FALLEN OFF IN RECENT YEARS AND PROBABLY DIDN'T MAKE THE TOP FIVE OR 10 OF THINGS WE TALK ABOUT.

NOW IT'S MADE A DRAMATIC COMEBACK AND OTHERS ARE SAYING FOR MANY REASONS THAT SOME SPENDING HAS TO BE CUT OUT OF THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.

THAT IS GOING TO BE HARD TO DO AND KEEP THE HOUSE WHERE IT IS.

SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF CON FIX.

YOU THINK IF YOU ELECT MAJORITIES IN BOTH CHAMBERS YOU GET YOUR WAY.

AND [INAUDIBLE] 100 YARDS FROM THE SENATE TO THE HOUSE BUT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES, DISAGREEMENTS, LOCAL COMMITMENTS AND STRUGGLES AND ALL THOSE THINGS FIGURE IN.

>> Renee: THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE TIME THE NEXT TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE SIXTH DISTRICT AND HOW THAT IS GETTING MORE EXCITING WITH MORE ENTRANTS INTO THAT WE'LL SAVE THAT FOR ANOTHER TIME.

AND MAYBE TREY GRAYSON CAN JOIN US.

>> IT'S HEATING UP A YEAR AHEAD OF A PRIMARY.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, BOB.

>> THANK YOU, RENEE.

[♪♪] >> Renee: HUNGER DOESN'T TAKE A VACATION.

THAT WAS THE MESSAGE FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL OFFICIALS AS THEY ANNOUNCED THE DISTRICT IS ONCE AGAIN OFFERING FREE MEALS OVER THE SUMMER TO THOSE 18 AND UNDER.

MORE THAN 100 MEAL SITES WILL BE OPEN TO KIDS TO SERVE KIDS FROM INSECURE HOUSEHOLDS.

>> GETTING TWO MEALS AT SCHOOL IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT KIDS AND THEIR LEARNING.

WE HAVE KNOWN THAT MAYBE A GAP IN SUMMERTIME WHEN KIDS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE MEALS.

JCPS STEPS UP EVERY SUMMER TO OFFER A MEAL TO EVERY CHILD IN JEFFERSON COUNTY 18 YEARS OLD AND UNDER.

WE'RE FEEDING NEARLY 10,000 STUDENTS WHO ARE TAKING PART IN OUR SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS LIKE SUMMER SUCCESS LEAGUE, AND THE LIT AND PROGRAMS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING THESE SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM HERE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

SO WE ARE EXCITED TO SAY THAT LAST YEAR WE SERVED OVER 136,000 BRAKE FASTS.

AND OVER 240,000 LUNCHES LAST SUMMER.

AND WE █CURRENTLY HAVE 119 SITES WHERE STUDENTS CAN COME IN AND GET A FREE MEAL AS LONG AS THEY ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER.

AND ALSO WE HAVE PART OF THOSE 119 SITES WE HAVE SIX MOBILE ROUTES THAT HAS 83 STOPS THAT GOES THROUGH JEFFERSON COUNTY AND TAKES MEALS TO WHERE OUR KIDS ARE.

WE HAVE 68 SCHOOL LOCATIONS IN OUR SCHOOL LOCATIONS WHERE WE HAVE ACCESS TO OUR KITCHEN FACILITIES WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE HOT MEALS AT OTHER LOCATIONS LIKE OUR MOBILE ROUTES AND FOR THOSE KIDS THAT DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE MOBILE ROUTES OR TO OTHER TYPES OF OPEN SITE LOCATIONS, WE WERE ABLE THANKS TO THOSE PARTNERS ALLOWING US TO UTILIZE THEIR LOCATION, WE'RE ABLE TO OFFER THOSE THREE BULK MEAL DISTRIBUTION SITES AGAIN THIS YEAR.

>> THIS IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY I THINK OF THIS BEYOND THE STUDENTS WE SERVICE HERE AT CARTER AND ALSO FOR THE COMMUNITY AND OTHER JCPS SCHOOLS.

IT PROMOTES HEALTHY EATING HABITS FOR OUR STUDENTS NOT ONLY ARE THEY COMING TO GET A FREE MEAL BUT IT IS A FREE HOT MEAL.

VERY, VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

WHEN I THINK OF CARTER IN PARTICULAR, CARTER IS A FOOD DESERT.

SO THE NEAREST GROCERY STORE IS NOT NEAR AT ALL.

SO THAT, AGAIN, HELPS WITH OUR STUDENTS TO GET THAT HOT MEAL.

AND OF COURSE, SPEAKING AS A PRINCIPAL I CANNOT HELP TO THINK ABOUT THE ACADEMIC READINESS.

THERE IS A SUCH THING AS A SUMMER SLIDE KNOWING THE STUDENTS ARE WELL NOURISHED AND FED DOES HELP WHEN THEY RETURN TO SCHOOL FOR POSSIBLE SUMMER LEARNING LOSS THAT MAY TAKE PLACE.

>> Renee: THE MEAL SITES ARE OPEN WEEKDAYS THROUGH JULY 25.

FAMILIES CAN FIND A LIST OF ALL THE 2025 SUMMER MEAL LOCATIONS AND MENUS BY GOING TO THE NUTRITION SERVICES WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

[♪♪] TODAY IS JUNE 6, THE 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF ALLIED INVASION OF NAZI-OCCUPIED FRANCE.

IT INVOLVED MORE THAN 160,000 ALLIED TROOPS ABOUT 73,000 FROM THE U.S.

IT'S ESTIMATED THAT 80,000 KENTUCKIANS SERVED DURING WORLD WAR II WITH 2400 DYING DURING THE CONFLICT.

>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE KENTUCKY BOOK FESTIVAL IS EXPANDING TO LOUISVILLE.

THE LOUISVILLE EDITION OF THE POPULAR BOOK FESTIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE SATURDAY JUNE 14TH AT LOUISVILLE'S PARISTOWN ONE OF THE AUTHORED IS MEG SHAFFER A KENTUCKY NATIVE WHO LIVES IN LOUISVILLE.

AND IN THIS TURNING THE PAGE SEGMENT OUR KELSEY STARKS SITS DOWN WITH MEG SHAFFER TO MIND OUT HOW KENTUCKY INFLUENCED HER BEST-SELLING BOOKS.

[♪♪] >> YOU'VE BEEN CALLED THE NEXT IT, FANTASY AUTHOR.

>> I'M TAKE THAT.

>> BEST SELLING AUTHOR AND I LOVE THE IDEAS FROM YOUR BOOKS ARE ALL KIND OF VERY NOSTALGIC.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOKS?

>> SO I HAVE TWO OUT NOW AS MEG SHAFFER.

I USED TO WRITE ROMANCE NOVELS UNDER A DIFFERENT NAME AND DURING COVID LOCKDOWN I FOUND MYSELF WANTING FEELING NOSTALGIC FOR MY YOUNGER DAYS AND SIMPLER TIME.

I STARTED WRITING BOOKS THAT WERE WHAT I LIKE TO CALL CHILDREN'S BOOKS FOR ADULTS.

THE WISHING GAME IS WILLIE WONK AFOR GROWN-UPS.

AND THE LOST STORY IS A NARNIA FOR GROWN-UPS WITH KIDS WHO ARE NOW GROWN-UPS FROM A WORKING CLASS BACKGROUND SIMILAR TO MINE SET IN WEST VIRGINIA NOT POSH ENGLAND.

THE LOVE LETTERS TO THE BOOKS WE GREW UP READING.

AND THEY WERE THE RIGHT BOOKS TO WRITE DURING LOCKDOWN DURING COVID AND AFTER BOOKS THAT TOOK ME TO A SIMPLER TIME AND I'VE HAD SO MANY READERS SAY THANK YOU FOR THESE.

I FEEL 12 YEARS OLD AGAIN READING THE BOOKS UNDER THE COVERS.

>> IT IS A THROWBACK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> TO CHILDHOOD AND BEING KENTUCKY NATIVE FROM OWENSBORO AND GROWING UP IN KENTUCKY, THEY DO HAVE EACH OF THEM HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A KENTUCKY CONNECTION.

>> YEAH, I ALWAYS PUT IN -- I DO TEND TO SET MY BOOKS IN PLACES I WANT TO GO ON VACATION.

MAKES THE RESEARCH TRIPS MORE FUN BUT THERE'S ALWAYS INSIDE JOKE FOR MY KENTUCKIANS.

IN THE WISHING GAME THERE IS A SCAVENGER HUNT THE IMPOSSIBLE SCAVENGER HUNT AND YOU HAVE TO FIND A CHICKEN FRIED KENTUCKIAN.

AND THEN IN THE LOST STORY SET IN WEST VIRGINIA ONE OF THE CHARACTERS DRIVES THROUGH KENTUCKY AND PICKS UP A CASE OF ALE8 TO TAKE TO HIS BEST FRIEND.

THE DRINK OF THEIR CHILDHOOD WHEN THEY WERE SPENDING THE WEEKEND IN LEXINGTON.

SO, YES, EVERY BOOK HAS A LITTLE BIT OF A REFERENCE TO KENTUCKY.

A LITTLE WINK.

>> Renee: YOU CAN HEAR MORE FROM MEG AND THE LOUISVILLE EDITION OF THE BOOK FESTIVAL OR "INSIDE LOUISVILLE" FEATURING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF KENTUCKY HUMANITIES BILL GOODMAN SUNDAY WITH KELSEY STARKS 12:00 NOON 11:00 A.M. CENTRAL HERE ON KET.

>>> WHETHER YOU PREFER BLUEGRASS OR BROADWAY KENTUCKY HAS YOUR KIND OF MUSIC THIS WEEKEND.

OUR TOBY GIBBS TELLS US MORE IN THE LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH.

[♪♪] >> WAITRESS OPENS TONIGHT AT THE MARKET HOUSE THEATER IN PADUCAH.

THIS HIT MUSICAL IS BASED ON THE 2007 FILM OF THE SAME TITLE AND FEATURES MUSIC WRITTEN BY SARAH MORALES.

THE SHOW RUNS THROUGH JUNE 22.

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO SEE IT.

>>> ALREADY UNDERWAY IS THE MINE MADE ADVENTURE PARK BLUEGRASS TEST VAL IT IS CHALK FULL OF PERFORMANCES BY AMAZING BLUEGRASS PERFORMERS.

COME TO THE BEAUTIFUL CAMPGROUND AND DRINK IN THE MUSIC OF THE MOUNTAINS.

>>> THE THIRD ANNUAL EATS AND BEATS MUSICAL FESTIVAL IS TOMORROW IN BOWLING GREEN THE FREE EVENT OFFERS MUSIC, LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS AND LOTS OF FUN ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS.

IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE DUNKIN' HINES DAYS EVENT THIS IS THE FESTIVAL TO CHECK OUT.

>>> TOMORROW IN FRANKFORT THEY ARE CELEBRATING KENTUCKY'S 233rd BIRTHDAY.

THE HOST OF FUN ACTIVITIES FROM MUSICAL PERFORMANCES TO GUIDED TOURS TO RIFLE DEMONSTRATIONS.

THERE'S LOTS OF FUN WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH OUR STATE'S HISTORY AND CULTURE AT FOAM'S HISTORY DAY FESTIVAL.

TOMORROW'S HISTORY DAY FESTIVAL.

>> IF YOU LOVE SWEET TREATS CHECK OUT THE CHOCOLATE CRAWL HAPPENING.

12 SMALL BUSINESSES WILL BE OFFERING DESSERTS AND SHOPPING EXPERIENCES.

SO GRAB SOME FRIENDS AND EXPLORE THE GREAT BOUTIQUES IN GLASGOW THIS WEEKEND.

>> >>> TOMORROW IS THE FIFTH ANNUAL RICHMOND PRIDE FESTIVAL ENJOY LIVE ENTERTAINMENT GREAT FOOD AND SHOPPING.

BACK YOUR SUNSCREEN AND PRIDE FLAGS FOR THE GREAT OUTDOOR EVENT.

>>> SUMMERFEST IS TOMORROW IN SOMERSET.

COME SUPPORT GREAT LOCAL BANDS ENJOY DRINKS AND CELEBRATE THE WARMER WEATHER AT THIS COMMUNITY EVENT.

ALL AGES WELCOME.

AND THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH I'M TOBY GIBBS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU TOBY GIBBS.

AND WE HOPE THAT YOU MAKE IT A GREAT WEEKEND.

AND JOIN US AGAIN ON MONDAY NIGHT FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION."