[♪♪] >> WE'RE RANKED AS THE 36TH STATE WHEN IT COMES TO OVERALL CHILD WELL-BEING.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT SHOULD BOTHER EVERY KENTUCKIAN.

>> Renee: THE 2025 KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK HAS SOME ALARMING STATISTICS FOR KENTUCKY.

>>> WILL AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE CURRENT STATE SENATOR WILL SHE OR WON'T SHE RUN FOR THE SIXTH DISTRICT SEAT?

HEAR HER ANSWER ABOUT WHETHER SHE IS RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.

>> THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT CHOOSE TO ENTER THIS PROGRAM ARE PIONEERS.

>> Renee: AND HOW AN AEROSPACE PROGRAM'S WEBSITE SERVES AS A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR JOBS.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THIS BRABDZ NEW WEEK IT IS MONDAY JUNE 9TH.

HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT WEEKEND I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE THANK YOU FOR SPENDING SOME OF YOUR MONDAY NIGHT WITH US.

THE 2025 EDITION OF THE KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK IS OUT TODAY.

THE BOOK COLLECTS INFORMATION TO SEE HOW AMERICA'S CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS ARE DOING.

"KENTUCKY EDITION" BLAKE VICKERS TOOK A DIVE INTO THE PUBLICATION TO SEE HOW THE COMMONWEALTH'S YOUNG PEOPLE FARED.

>> THE U.S.

RECEIVED ITS YEARLY REPORT CARD ON HOW ITS CHILDREN AND YUCK ADULTS ARE FARING.

THE DATA BOOK ANALYZES THE WELL-BEING OF AMERICAN CHILDREN BY COMPILING STATE BY STATE DATA IN FOUR DOMAINS.

ECONOMIC WELL-BEING, EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND LASTLY, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.

THIS YEAR'S EDITION IS A MIXED BAG FOR KENTUCKY.

>> WE'RE RANKED AS THE 36TH STATE WHEN IT COMES TO OVERALL CHILD WELL-BEING.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT SHOULD BOTHER EVERY KENTUCKIAN.

THAT PUTS US RIGHT AT THE BOTTOM FOURTH OF STATES.

>> KENTUCKY IS RANKED 34TH IN ECONOMIC WELL-BEING, 25TH IN EDUCATION, 31ST IN HEALTH, AND 41ST FOR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.

AND EDUCATION THE STATE CONTINUES TO SUFFER SETBACKS IN READING AND MATH.

TWO OUT OF THREE-FOURTH GRADERS IN KENTUCKY DO NOT MEET STANDARDS FOR READING AND THREE OUT OF FOUR 8TH GRADERS FOR MATH.

>> I HOPE THE DATA POINTS WITH READING AND MATH SCARE PEOPLE.

THINK ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE WORKFORCE IN 20 YEARS?

IF FOLKSENING WORKFORCE CANNOT DO MATH AND READ.

>> THE INCREASE IN CHILD DEATHS IN THE STATE.

>> I THINK THE MOST HEART RENDERING DATA POINT IN THE WHOLE BOOK IS THAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED A 23% INCREASE IN CHILD MORTALITY RATES.

WE HAVE 23% MORE KIDS DYING TODAY THAN WE DID FOUR YEARS AGO.

WE HAVE AN ACCELERATING RATE OF KIDS DYING NOT BECAUSE OF ILLICIT DRUGS THEY GOT ON THE STREET, BUT PRESCRIBED DRUGS THEY GET OUT OF THE MEDICINE CABINET.

AND WE HAVE ANOTHER SEGMENT OF KIDS WHO SADLY HAVE SUFFERED DEATH BECAUSE THAT GUN DIDN'T GET STORED AT HOME PROPERLY.

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL INDICATORS KIDS COUNT USES TO MONITOR THE STATUS OF CHILDREN, BROOKS SAYS THAT POVERTY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT IN DETERMINING THEIR OVERALL HEALTH.

>> CHILDHOOD POVERTY IS THE SING GOO WHITE COLLAR CANARY IN THE COAL MINE INDICATOR.

HOW ARE KIDS' ECONOMIC STATUS LIES INFLUENCES EVERYTHING.

IT INFLUENCES ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.

IT INFLUENCES HEALTH OUTCOME.

IT INFLUENCES FAMILY STABILITY FACTORS AND HOW THAT PLAYS OUT.

SO AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT AS A CORE ISSUE FOR KIDS IN KENTUCKY, AGAIN, WE'RE 44TH IN THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC WELL-BEING FOR KIDS.

AS LONG AS THAT'S THE CASE, THOSE OTHER INDICATORS ARE GOING TO HAVE TROUBLE GETTING OVER THE TOP.

>> I HOPE THAT WHEN OUR LAWMAKERS SEE THE KENTUCKY RANKS 44TH IN THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDHOOD POVERTY WHEN THEY RECOGNIZE THAT ONE IN FIVE KENTUCKY KIDS WOKE UP LIVING IN POVERTY THIS MORNING, THAT THEY FEEL COMPELLED AND COMMON PULSED TO THINK ABOUT THE 2026 BUDGET SESSION.

WHILE FRANKFORT HAS CERTAIN OPPORTUNITIES AND OBLIGATIONS, FOLKS AT HOME AND FOLKS IN FAITH COMMUNITIES AND FOLKS IN NONPROFITS ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR KIDS.

>> FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" BLAKE VICKERS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, BLAKE.

ACCORDING TO THE KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK, KENTUCKY IS AMONG THE BEST STATES IN THE NATION FOR PROVIDING KIDS WITH HEALTH INSURANCE.

ONLY 3% OF KENTUCKY'S CHILDREN LACK HEALTH INSURANCE.

>>> A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS SIGNED OFF ON AN ARGUABLY THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN THE HISTORY OF COLLEGE SPORTS.

THE JUDGE APPROVED A $2.8 BILLION ANTITRUST SETTLEMENT.

IN SHORT, THE RULING MEANS SCHOOLS CAN NOW DIRECTLY PAY PLAYERS THROUGH LICENSING DEALS AS SOON AS NEXT MONTH AND SCHOOLS WILL HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF FORMER PLAYERS BARRED FROM THAT REVENUE FOR YEARS.

THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THIS CHANGE WILL IMPACT COLLEGE ATHLETICS.

U.K. DIRECTOR MITCH BARNHART RELEASED THIS STATEMENT.

QUOTE, THE NEW MODEL INTRODUCES REVENUE SHARING WITH ATHLETES THAT WILL ADD APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MILLION DOLLARS OF EXPENSES TO OUR ANNUAL BUDGET.

IN ADDITION TO ONGOING COSTS SUCH AS INFLATION.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO NAVIGATING THESE CHALLENGES, RESPONSIBLY WITH THE DESIRE TO MAINTAIN OUR HIGH STANDARDS AND SUPPORT OUR VARSITY SPORTS END QUOTE.

IN APRIL BEFORE THE FINAL AGREEMENT, UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE ATHLETICS DIRECTOR JOSH HEIRD CALLED THIS QUOTE THE MOST TRANSFORMATIVE SHIFT THIS INDUSTRY AS EVER SEEN.

END QUOTE.

REPUBLICANS ARE CRYING FOUL OVER GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR GAS TAX ANNOUNCEMENT LAST THURSDAY.

THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THE GAS TAX WOULD GO DOWN 1.4 CENTS A GALLON JULY FIRST.

TODAY, KENTUCKY SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS AND HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE SAID THE CUT ISN'T BECAUSE OF ACTION BY THE GOVERNOR.

THEY SAY IT IS AN AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT BASED ON KENTUCKY LAW.

IT CAUSES THE TAX TO DECLINE WHEN WHOLESALE FUEL PRICES DECLINE.

STIVERS SAID THE GOVERNOR IS NO MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR A GAS TAX REDUCTION THAN CUTTING THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX ADOPTING RESPONSIBLE BUDGETS OR ANY OTHER PUBLIC POLICY ENACTED DURING HIS TENURE, END QUOTE.

>>> A KENTUCKY STATE LAWMAKER IS GETTING QUESTIONS ABOUT HER FUTURE POLITICAL AMBITIONS AND WHETHER SHE MIGHT TRY TO MOVE FROM THE STATE CAPITOL TO CAPITOL HILL IN WASHINGTON.

AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE WAS IN HER FIRST TERM AS A STATE SENATOR BEFORE THAT SHE SERVED EIGHT YEARS ON THE LEXINGTON FAYETTE COUNTY URBAN COUNCIL.

HERE IS WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY ABOUT ALL THE TALK AND SPECULATION.

>> NOW, LET'S TALK ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE POSTED ON X THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL CONTAINS A PROVISION BANNING STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM REGULATING A.I.

AND YOU HAVE BEEN A PART OF THESE CONVERSATIONS AND TALKING TO STATE LEGISLATORS ABOUT A.I.

AND YOU'VE BECOME THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT FOR KENTUCKY ON THIS.

HOW DID THAT STRIKE YOU?

WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND ABOUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY IN THIS BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL WHEN IT COMES TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND HOW STATE GOVERNMENTS ARE TO ACT ACCORDINGLY.

>> THE FIRST THING I SAW IS WHAT YOU SAW IS INTERESTING.

A 10-YEAR BAN IS ETERNITY IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW QUICKLY FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THAT CAPACITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND THE GROWTH HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL.

TO SAY 10 YEARS I THOUGHT HOLY THAT IS A LONGTIME.

THAT IS SAYING DON'T DO IT.

SO I STARTED INVESTIGATING WHERE IS THIS COMING FROM?

AND IT'S COMING FROM TWO FRONTS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL BE SPENDING $500 MILLION TO IMPLEMENT TOOLS WITH A.I.

AND I THINK THEIR FRUSTRATION IF WE DO THIS AND MAKE THIS INVESTMENT AND STATES TINKER IN THE A.I.

POLICY THEY WILL HAVE A PATCHWORK APPROACH AND THAT IS NOT EFFICIENT EITHER.

I UNDERSTAND ON THAT SIDE.

ON THE OTHER SIDE WE'VE SAID THAT MAYBE A.I.

SHOULD BE REGULATED FEDERALLY AND THEY HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.

AND I THINK SOME STATES LIKE KENTUCKY WAS THOUGHTFUL TO MAKE SURE WE WERE ONLY PUTTING GUARDRAILS HOW KENTUCKY STATE GOVERNMENT WAS GOING TO USE A.I.

AND NOT THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

OTHER STATES HAVE GONE PROACTIVE.

AND I'VE DONE FAR MORE TO BAN A.I.

IN THEIR STATE IN TERMS OF USING IT IN CERTAIN AREAS AND I THINK IF YOU ARE A TECH COMPANY AND SAYING WE DON'T WANT THAT.

THEY'VE GONE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND ASKED FOR SUPPORT.

IT'S INTERESTING.

AND THE DISCUSSION AROUND STATE'S RIGHTS HAS BEEN FASCINATING.

I PREFER THAT TO STAY LOCALLY.

I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND IN THIS SPACE WHY YOU ARE LOOKING FOR CONSISTENCY.

I DON'T KNOW HOW WE COULD HAVE 50 APPROACHES TO A.I.

ESPECIALLY WHEN EVERYONE IS USING IT.

IT IS NOT A SPECIFIC THING THERE'S A.I.

TECHNOLOGY IN EVERYTHING WE ARE DOING NOW.

IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE SENATE DOES WITH IT AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WHAT THEY DO IN RECONCILIATION.

>> Renee: THE BIG QUESTION IS: WILL AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE CURRENT STATE SENATOR WILL SHE OR WON'T SHE RUN FOR THE SIXTH DISTRICT SEAT?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION AND I GUESS I WOULD SAY I LOVE PUBLIC SERVICE.

I LOVE SERVING THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

I ABSOLUTELY ENJOY IT.

IT IS A PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO SERVE AS A STATE SENATOR AND HONOR TO SERVE IN LEXINGTON AND MY QUESTION IS WHERE CAN I BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE LEGISLATOR?

EFFECTIVE LEADER FOR THE PEOPLE HERE.

AND IS THAT TO STAY IN THE SENATE OR TO TAKE THAT FIGHT TO WASHINGTON D.C.

IT'S TIME FOR STRONG THINKERS AND STRONG LEADERSHIP IT IS NOT A TIME FOR A LOT OF THIS BEAT THE CHEST AND VERY SHALLOW POLITICS.

WE'RE ENTERING A TIME OF STRONG NEED FOR LEADERSHIP.

THAT'S THE QUESTION I'M ASKING MYSELF AND I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT AROUND THE DISTRICT TO LOOK AT IT SO I STILL AM.

>> Renee: HOW LONG WILL YOU KEEP CONSIDERING IT?

>> NOT MUCH LONGER THE TIME-FRAME IS GETTING SHORTER NOT JUST FOR ME BUT OTHERS LOOKING AT THE SEAT.

IF I RUN THE 12TH SEAT WOULD BE OPEN THERE ARE DOMINOES THAT FLY IN THE SPACE.

EVERYONE IS LACKING AROUND TO SEE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT WHO IS THE BEST PERSON TO LEAD FAYETTE COUNTY AND THE COUNTIES AROUND US.

WHO IS THE BEST PERSON TO SERVE.

>> Renee: DESCRIBE YOUR POLITICAL IDEOLOGY AND HOW YOU MAYBE FIT IN OR NOT FIT IN WITH WHAT PEOPLE THINK THE SIXTH DISTRICT NEEDS.

>> I AM A COMMON SENSE CONSERVATIVE AND HAVE BEEN.

I WENT TO HILLSDALE COLLEGE ONE OF THE SCHOOLS THAT DOES NOT TAKE GOVERNMENT MONEY.

ACCUSED OF BEING FAR RIGHT-WING AND I GRADUATED AS THE OUTSTANDING SENIOR WOMAN.

I DON'T THINK I WOULD CONSIDER MYSELF A MODERATE BUT I AM A REASONABLE PERSON THAT GOVERNS.

YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH PEOPLE TO FIND COMMONALITY AND WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE I ENJOY PUBLIC POLICY THAT ACTUALLY DOES SOMETHING.

YOU CAN RAISE A STINK AND GO DOWNTOWN AND FIGHT AND STOMP YOUR HANDS AND NOT DOING ANYTHING.

PART OF MY JOB I ENJOY BEING EFFECTIVE AND THAT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT LEADERSHIP NOT NECESSARILY KNOWING THE ISSUES BUT ALSO KNOWING HOW TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE ISSUES.

HOW TO BE EFFECTIVE IN CHANGING LEGISLATION.

HOW TO IMPACT PEOPLE'S LIVES IN A POSITIVE WAY.

HAVING THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATIONAL SCENE AND THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE TO RECOGNIZE THE WEIGHT AND RESPONSETY THAT COMES WITH REPRESENTING IN CONGRESS THAT IS A BIG RESPONSIBILITY AND WE ARE IN A TIME NOW OF CHALLENGE WITH WITH THE INTELLECTUAL SCHEME IS INTENSE.

THE DEBT NATIONALLY IS SOMEWHAT SCARY IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

I WOULD CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE HIGHLY QUALIFIED, I HAVE A GOOD RESUME TO DO IT AND GOOD EXPERIENCE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF I TAKE THAT JUMP I WILL BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE PERSON.

>> Renee: THERE ARE CANDIDATES AND WE'VE REPORTED ON THE CANDIDATES IN THE RACE OR STILL CONSIDERING WHETHER OR NOT TO GET IN.

AND FOR THE REPUBLICANS IT MAYBE WHO CAN BE THE MOST MAGA LIKE CANDIDATE WHO CAN REALLY GET A TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

ARE THOSE MAJOR CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOU?

>> I MEAN, OF COURSE, THE PRESIDENT IS A CONSIDERATION HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB TRYING TO LEAD OUR COUNTRY AND HAS A LOT OF SUPPORT IN KENTUCKY.

I WAS STANDING WITH HIM ON THE ISSUES THAT I THINK ARE SUPER IMPORTANT TO MOVE INTO KENTUCKY'S AGENDA FOR ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF WORKFORCE, NATIONAL SECURITY, THOSE ARE IMPORTANT THINGS FOR KENTUCKY.

SO HE IS ABSOLUTELY CONSIDERATION.

WE ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

HE HAS FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE AND WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER PRESIDENT AND NEW LEADERSHIP SO THIS IS ALSO ABOUT THE LONG-TERM GAME OF HAVING SOMEONE FROM THE SIXTH WHO WILL REPRESENT KENTUCKY'S INTERESTS AND REPRESENT CONSERVATIVE VALUES AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND BE A ADVOCATE FOR CONSERVATIVE VALUES.

>> Renee: AND MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FANS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP ARE DISMAYED BY HIS POLICY ACTIONS SO FAR WITH HIS FIRST FIVE MONTHS IN OFFICE.

DO YOU THINK YOU COULD EARN THE VOTE OF THOSE VOTERS?

>> I DO.

NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO SUPPORT EVERY VOTE.

AND THE PRESIDENT HAS HAD STRONG WINS IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

AND OTHERS DISAGREE AND THAT IS OKAY.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ARE WE MOVING KENTUCKY AND THE UNITED STATES FORWARD?

IN THAT SENSE HE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB.

WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE HOW THESE PLAY OUT.

ONE OF THE MEMBERS SAID I'M GIVING HIM A LONG RUNWAY BECAUSE THIS IS IMPORTANT AND IF WE CONTINUE TO HAVE JOBS IN AMERICA AND MOVING THE MIDDLE CLASS UP THOSE ARE THE IMPORTANT THINGS MOVING FORWARD.

>> Renee: SO WE MADE YOU WAIT FOR IT WHETHER OR NOT SHE IS GOING TO RUN FOR CONGRESS AND WE'LL KEEP ON IT TO SEE IF HE MAKES THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

YOU CAN WATCH PART ONE OF MY INTERVIEW WITH AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE AND WHEN TALKS ABOUT A TAX BY THE FAYETTE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IT'S AVAILABLE ON-LINE AT KET.ORG/"KENTUCKY EDITION."

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE REMEMBERING CHARLIE MILLER.

A STATE LAWMAKER FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

WAIVE TV REPORTS MILLER DIED OVER THE WEEKEND AT 86.

HE SERVED AS A DEMOCRAT IN THE STATE HOUSE FROM SOUTHWEST LOUISVILLE'S 28TH DISTRICT FROM 1999-2023.

HE ALSO SPENT 25 YEARS AS PRINCIPAL OF PLEASURE RIDGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL.

HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE PUT OUT THIS STATEMENT QUOTE CHARLIE WAS A TEACHER, PRINCIPAL, LAWMAKER AND ACTIVE COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO WAS COMMITTED TO SERVING OTHERS.

HE WAS A KIND, CARING AND COMPASSIONATE MAN WHO LIVED FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

I WAS HONORED TO CALL HIM A FRIEND AND ENJOYED HIS SENSE OF HUMOR INCREDIBLE OPTIMISM, AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE.

END QUOTE.

KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR COLMON ELRIDGE ALSO RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING IN PART QUOTE KENTUCKY HAS LOST A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT.

HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS WILL HAVE A GENERATIONAL IMPACT ON OUR COMMONWEALTH.

>>> THE PRESIDENT OF WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY WILL REMAIN AT THE HELM OF THE HILL.

THE WKU BOARD OF REGION ENDS APPROVED A NEW CONTRACT FOR DR. TIMOTHY CABONI VALID THROUGH JUNE 2029.

DR. TIMOTHY CABONI CAME INTO THE ROLE IN 2017.

THE REGENTSES APPROVED A 2% RAISE FOR FACULTY AND STAFF AND 3.6% TUITION INCREASE.

THEY ALSO SIGNED OFF ON REQUIREMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE ANTI-DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION BILL THAT PASSED THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN MARCH.

[♪♪] AEROSPACE IS ONE OF THE TOP 10 INDUSTRIES IN KENTUCKY.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

AND IT'S PROJECTED TO KEEP GROWING.

NOW THOSE INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN AVIATION HAVE A NEW WAY TO LEARN ABOUT JOBS IN THE INDUSTRY.

THE SALARIES, CREDENTIALS AND PROJECTED EMPLOYMENT.

IT'S A NEW FEATURE ON THE STATE'S CAREER EXPLORATION SITE FUTURITI.ORG.

THE ADDITION TO THE SITE IS IN RESPONSE TO THE AEROACT PASSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO GROW THE WORKFORCE AND STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN EDUCATION AND THE INDUSTRY.

>> WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THE EFFORTS THAT OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS MAKING TOWARDS LOOKING AT THE AEROSPACE CAREER SECTOR.

THERE'S SPECIFIC CAREERS THEY CAN LOOK UP AND IT'S BEYOND PILOTS.

THERE'S LOTS OF OCCUPATIONS THERE ARE TECHNICIANS, THERE ARE THOSE WHO WORK ON THE PLANES AND POTENTIAL STUDENTS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT INSTITUTIONS OFFER SIMILAR MAJORS TO BE ABLE TO PURSUE THOSE CAREERS IN AVIATION OR AEROSPACE SOCK SORE.

IT PROVIDES OUR CITIZENS MIDDLE OR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, ADULTS WHO WANT TO RETURN TO THE WORKFORCE OR UPSKILL AND GET A DEGREE OR CREDENTIAL AND THEY CAN SEE WHAT IS AVAILABLE IN OUR STATE.

ALL OF OUR INSTITUTIONS WORK FORCE DEMANDS BY THE REGION AND SO THEY CAN LOOK AT POSSIBLE CAREERS.

AND THEN WHAT TYPE OF TRAINING OR EDUCATION THEY WOULD NEED.

MEDIUM WAGE AND THE DEMAND FOR THE JOBS.

>> Renee: NOW, A PROGRAM IS ATTEMPTING TO HELP WITH THE SHORTAGE OF AVIATION PROFESSIONALS IN KENTUCKY.

THE BLUEGRASS AEROSPACE EXPERIENCE IS GIVING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE CAREERS IN AVIATION THROUGH HANDS ON LEARNING.

>> THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL SHORTAGE OF PILOTS AND ALSO AVIATION MECHANICS.

OVER THE NEXT 15-20 YEARS, I THINK THE LAST NUMBER WAS ROUGHLY 800,000 FOR EACH.

AND SO IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS EDUCATORS AND AS A COMMUNITY TO BEST PREPARE OUR STUDENTS FOR PROFESSIONS OF THE FUTURE.

>> SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY IF YOU MENTION AVIATION TO THEM, THEY FOCUS ON AIRLINE PILOT.

THERE'S OVER 600 COMPANIES IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY HERE IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY WHO ARE TRYING TO GIVE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE A TASTE OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY.

SO THEY CAN DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO DO IT.

>> SEVERAL YEARS AGO IT WAS THE IDEA FORMED THREE SCHOOLS TO CREATE THE BLUEGRASS AEROSPACE EXPERIENCE.

THERE'S THREE LEVELS TO THIS PROGRAM.

THE FIRST LEVEL IS THE INTRODUCTORY CURRICULUM THAT IS AN AOPA CURRICULUM AND WE HAVE 80 STUDENTS THAT THE ARE ENROLLED IN THAT PROGRAM FROM ALL THREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

AND THEN AS THE STUDENTS PROGRESS THROUGH THE PROGRAM, THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN THE BUILD PROGRAM HERE, WHICH IS THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A CARBON CUB AIRPLANE FROM 8,000 PIECES.

RIGHT HERE AT THE AIRPORT.

>> MY JUNIOR YEAR CAME AROUND AND I FILED TO BE IN THE BUILD PROGRAM AND I WAS ACCEPTED.

AND THEY'VE TALKED FOR TWO HOURS A DAY AND IT GAVE ME THE BUG FOR AVIATION.

IT SPARKED MY PASSION THAT I HAVE FOR AVIATION.

>> AND THE LAST PORTION OF THE PROGRAM IS THE FLIGHT PROGRAM.

AND SO FOR THOSE THAT DO WANT TO GO ON AND GET THE FLIGHT HOURS TOWARDS THEIR PRIVATE PILOT'S LICENSE, THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

>> THAT'S WHERE I HAVE TO THINK FOR MY TRUE BEGINNING IN MY FLYING CAREER.

AFTER I FINISHED UP WITH THE FLIGHT PROGRAM I CONTINUED FLYING THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL AND RECEIVED MY PRIVATE PILOT'S LICENSE.

>> THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT CHOOSE TO ENTER THIS PROGRAM ARE PIONEERS.

THEY ARE STEPPING WAY OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE.

THEY'VE NEVER BUILT AN AIRPLANE BEFORE.

THEY'VE NEVER HUNG OUT AT AN AIRPORT FOR TWO HOURS A DAY MONDAY-FRIDAY.

THAT ABILITY TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURE THROUGH THIS PROGRAM IS GREAT.

AND MY BEST ADVICE WOULD BE STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.

DO SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE NEVER DONE BEFORE.

>> Renee: EVERY YEAR THE AIRPLANE THE STUDENTS BUILD IS SOLD AND THAT MONEY PAYS FOR THE KIT FOR NEXT YEAR'S GROUP.

[♪♪] ATHLETES FROM ACROSS THE STATE ARE GATHERED IN RICHMOND FOR THE STATE SPECIAL OLYMPICS GAMES.

THE SUMMER THE OLYMPIC TORCH MADE ITS WAY TO EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY FOR THE ANNUAL OPENING CEREMONY AND CELEBRATED 30 YEARS AT EKU.

>> THIS EVENT USED TO MOVE FROM PLACE TO PLACE AND WE CAME TO EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY 30 YEARS AGO AND THEY OPENED THEIR ARMS TO THIS EVENT AND MADE IT EASY TO COME BACK.

THEY HAVE DEVELOPED A GROUP OF PEOPLE ON CAMPUS THAT CARE JUST AS MUCH AS THE SUMMER GAMES AS OUR ATHLETES, PARENTS AND STAFF DO.

THEY'VE EMBRACED EVERYTHING ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS AND WHAT MAKES THE SUMMER GAMES GREAT AND MADE IT EASY TO COME BACK FOR 30 YEARS I CAN'T IMAGINE US BEING ANYWHERE ELSE.

YOU WALKOUT OF THE DORM AND YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY FEEL THE ENERGY ON CAMPUS THE MINUTE YOU STEP OUTSIDE.

AND IT'S SORT OF AN OVERWHELMING FEELING ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE IT BEFORE.

BUT IT'S THERE'S SO MUCH JOY AND ENERGY AND SO MUCH EXCITEMENT ON CAMPUS IT IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD COME FOR AT LEAST ONCE.

LIKE FOR ME, IT'S GOOD TO MEET OTHER ATHLETES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

BECAUSE LIKE I'M FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY BUT THERE'S OTHER ATHLETES FROM OWENSBORO OR LOUISVILLE OR LEXINGTON OR FURTHER IN KENTUCKY.

SO I THINK FOR THEM TO COME ALL OVER AND MEET IN THIS AT EKU IS JUST A THRILL TO MEET OTHER ATHLETES LIKE ME FROM ALL OVER.

AND GET TO MEET A LOT OF THEM.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE GOOD TO EITHER RUN OR WHATEVER SPORT THEY WANT TO DO.

BUT IT'S JUST HAVING FUN, MEETING FRIENDS, AND JUST DOING YOUR BEST.

I THINK THE BENEFITS OF SPECIAL OWE OLYMPICS ARE ENORMUS FROM THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF IT.

YOU WALK AROUND CAMPUS AND YOU HAVE ATHLETES WITH THEIR BEST FRIENDS AND THEY MET THROUGH SPECIAL OLYMPICS.

OR THEY MIGHT LIVE IN RICHMOND AND THE FRIEND IS SOMEBODY THEY MET IN THE SUMMER GAMES AND THEY LIVE IN PADUCAH.

THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASPECT OF IT IS INCREDIBLE.

WE KNOW OUR ATHLETES ARE MORE LIKELY TO DO WELL IN SCHOOL THAN PEERS WHO DON'T PARTICIPATE.

THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE JOBS THAN PEERS THAT DON'T PARTICIPATE.

THE LIFE CHANGE THEY GAIN THROUGH SPECIAL OLYMPICS IS UNMATCHED.

>> 30 YEARS, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE TIME'S GOING.

BUT IT SURE HAS BLOOMED.

SO AND I THINK WITH THE CHANGING HERE AND THERE, I MEAN IT'S PRETTY SPECIAL.

>> Renee: SPECIAL, INDEED.

TRACK AND FIELD RACES AND RELAYS AS WELL AS THE SOFTBALL TOSS COMPETITION STARTED FRIDAY.

SOCCER, BOTCHY AND GYMNASTIC BEGAN SATURDAY.

[♪♪] THE GAS MASK HAS A KENTUCKY CONNECTION AND YOU MAYBE SURPRISED AT WHEN THE HATFIELD-MCCOY FEUD ENDED.

OUR TOBY GIBBS HAS THE DETAILS IN THIS LOOK BACK AT THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY HISTORY.

[♪♪] >> LOUISVILLE NATIVE LEWIS HASLETT RECEIVED A PATENT FOR THE GAS MASK ON JUNE 12TH, 1849.

HE CALL TO DO IT AN INHALER OR LUNG PROTECT FOR.

THE DEVICE USED WOOL AND PORUS SUBSTANCES TO BLOCK DUST AND SOLIDS IT COULD NOT BLOCK DEADLY GASES.

CONFEDERATE GENERAL JOHN HUNT MORGAN AND 1200 MEN RAIDED AND SET FIRE TO THE TOWN OF CYNTHIANA ON JUNE 11TH, 1864.

UNION FORCES CAPTURED MANY OF MORGAN'S MEN BUT NOT MORGAN.

KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY CHANGED ITS NAME TO TRANSIAN YEAH ON -- OWE TRANSYLVANIA ON JUNE 12TH 1908.

SECRETARIAT WON THE BELMONT STAKES IN 1973 IN A RECORD TIME OF 2:24.

AMERICA'S SUPER HORSE WON THE KENTUCKY DERBY AND PREAKNESS AND WINNING THE BELMONT HE BECAME THE NINTH TRIPLE CROWN WINNER.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO FRANK X. WALKER, KENTUCKY'S FORMER POET LAUREATE WAS BORN JUNE 11TH, 1961.

THE FAMED HATFIELD-MCCOY FEUD OFFICIALLY ENDED ON JUNE 14TH 2003 WHEN THE FAMILIES SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WHILE APPEARING ON THE CBS MORNING NEWS BUT THE FIGHTING HAD BEEN OVER FOR DECADES THE LAST RECORDED DEATH WAS IN THE 1890s.

AND THAT IS A LOOK BACK AT THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY HISTORY I'M TOBY GIBBS.

>> Renee: WE THANK YOU MUCH TOBY GIBBS AND WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION," WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT, AND INSPIRE.

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