music >> A judge threatens a former Kentucky governor with 60 days behind bars.

[MUSIC] >> Well, if he is their candidate, I believe that he is both dangerous and arrogant and I believe should not be the next president of the United States here.

>> Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is take on a potential 2028 political rival.

[MUSIC] >> This is a company operating at the forefront of science, innovation and advanced manufacturing.

And they chose Covington.

>> And Northern.

Kentucky is bringing home a new company to conduct life science research.

[MUSIC] >> Production of Kentucky edition is made possible in part by the KET Millennium Fund.

[MUSIC] >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky edition for this Tuesday, March the 24th.

I'm Renee Shaw and we thank you for spending part of your Tuesday night with us.

Our top story tonight.

A judge has sentenced former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin to 60 days in jail.

But there's a way he can avoid that sentence.

As we reported last week, Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela Johnson found the former governor in contempt of court.

Judge Johnson ruled that Bevin missed deadlines to turn over financial documents related to his divorce, in a case involving his adopted son, Jonah.

Jonah Bevin says he's entitled to financial relief because of abuse suffered at a reform school in Jamaica.

Today, according to the Kentucky Lantern, Governor Bevin appeared before Judge Johnson by Zoom, though he'd been ordered to appear in person, Bevin told the judge he had to attend an out of state funeral for his ex-wife, Glenna's father.

He did not say where he was.

The judge told Bevin she was issuing a warrant for his arrest, and she said he could avoid jail by providing the required financial information, including tax returns, bank statements and other details about his assets and income.

Bevin's attorney did not comment after the meeting.

Glenna Bevin was not held in contempt because she provided the financial information requested of her.

Now, there's more to the story.

Today, The Courier Journal reports.

Governor Bevin, a former Republican governor of Kentucky, wants the judge taken off this case.

Bevin accuses Judge Johnson of personal bias and prejudice and says she cannot be impartial.

Now, Kentucky may soon end its so-called orphan tax.

That's Social Security income that flows from foster children to the state agency responsible for those kids.

As our June Leffler reports, policymakers across the nation are reconsidering who should get that money more.

As we kick off tonight's legislative update.

[MUSIC] >> Kentucky's House speaker pro tem says foster youth with disabilities or deceased parents are entitled to money they will never see.

>> Right now, if a child in our care receives Social Security benefits for any reason, most of them would probably be receiving it because of.

It's a. It's a death benefit.

The cabinet takes that to use that to pay for that child's care.

We don't do that with any other child that's in our in our care.

And it's it's unfair to these children that's being done.

This is money that's supposed to be going to them to help them with their future.

>> House Bill 669 would change that.

>> And it is to write an injustice that's being done to some of our most vulnerable in the foster care system.

>> Last December, the federal government asked states to challenge the status quo.

>> That's why we are notifying 39 states today of that practice and asking them to end this nationwide.

>> So they're taking the benefits that ought to go to the child, and they're taking it for the state bureaucracy.

>> That's exactly right.

>> Research shows that when foster kids grow up, they are more likely to be unemployed or homeless than other kids.

Money set aside could ease the transition to adulthood.

Some lawmakers say so.

>> As a financial advisor, I see a number of clients coming through with a deceased parent and the Social Security benefits and what I've seen over the years is just the benefit that these dollars, when guided by a mature adult, can help guide the young person to be a good consumer.

>> Under House Bill 669, kids would get a savings account they can draw from as they mature.

>> The child will go through a milestone program when they reach those milestones of possibly like 16 to get their driver's license.

The cabinet can allow them to pull some money out of that account, so on and so forth as they graduate, 18 go to college or when they leave the system, the money will come back to the child.

>> Kentucky House approved this bill unanimously earlier this month, but Kentucky's secretary of the cabinet for Health and Family Services, Doctor Stephen Stack, has concerns.

>> I will tell you that I recently received a letter from Doctor Stack saying that this program will cost about $14 million, which is very odd because since 2012, the cabinet has reported $0 coming out of these children's Social Security benefits to pay for the cabinet.

So false information is either given to us or the federal government, one or the other.

>> The cabinet did not reply to requests for comment in time for this broadcast.

One Democrat voted against House Bill 669 in the Senate Families and Children Committee.

>> But I recently talked with Doctor Stack.

I have to believe that there's some merit in what he's saying that that I just can't ignore.

And so for those reasons, I'm a no vote.

>> The bill did advance in a 6 to 1 vote.

It now heads to the full Senate, possibly for final passage.

For Kentucky edition, I'm June Leffler.

>> Thank you.

June and other Frankfort news.

A new report by Kentucky state auditor alleges mismanagement and carelessness in the state's executive branch.

Republican Auditor Alison Balls report is part of an annual audit.

Her office identified four key issues.

First, more than $1 billion worth of financial reporting mistakes $33 Million in Overcharged Taxes Failure to properly oversee the issuance of driver's licenses, and an adequately guarding Kentuckians personal identifying information.

In a statement, Auditor Ball said, quote, it is vital that state agencies implement the improvements we have recommended in order to ensure Kentuckians are protected from waste, fraud and abuse.

End quote.

The Republican Party of Kentucky also commented, quote, this report exposes stunning levels of incompetence in the executive branch under Andy Beshear.

Instead of taking responsibility, the governor is focused on book deals and presidential ambitions, dismissing the report as cheap political stunt.

This is the second report this month from the auditor's office that's been critical of the Beshear administration.

The previous report dealt with the state placing foster kids in nontraditional placements, including office buildings and hotels.

The Hill reports that Governor Andy Beshear, a potential Democratic candidate for president in 2028, is stepping up his criticism of a Republican who could seek the presidency that same year.

Vice president JD Vance The Hill, quotes Governor Beshear from a Democratic Party event in Butler County, Ohio, last Saturday.

He said, quote, there is no one who will work harder no matter what I am doing that year to beat JD Vance in 2028.

He is the most arrogant politician I have ever seen and given his current boss, that's saying something.

End quote from the governor.

Beshear was asked about those comments today while he was in Northern Kentucky.

He said he believes it would be, quote, dangerous for JD Vance to run for president.

>> Well, I was in Butler County raising money for the Butler County Democrats, who have a lot of important races, and that's where JD Vance is actually from instead of Kentucky, which is where he pretends to be from.

But I was mainly talking about the fact that this isn't just the Trump administration, this is a Trump Vance administration.

Well, if he is their candidate, I believe that he is both dangerous and arrogant and I believe should not be the next president of the United States.

So me being in my position or whatever I'm doing at that point, we need a Democratic governor elected so that we can fix the problems in this country.

You know, right now, groceries costs too much.

Donald Trump and JD Vance tariffs have made them cost more.

Gasoline is skyrocketing.

Why?

Because Donald Trump and JD Vance took us into a war without a real justification.

That doesn't shift every day and without a plan of what winning looks like.

It's critical for the future of this country that we have an administration that's not trying to undermine voting rights every single day, that's not openly talking about how to rig or win an election.

So we need the next administration in DC that is not Donald Trump and is not JD Vance, either.

>> Bashir was then asked if he would consider going up against Vance in the 2020 presidential election.

The governor said he had no announcement on that today.

Flock cameras could soon have to delete license plate data after 90 days, and it may become illegal for pedestrians to linger in State right of ways.

Those are some of the bills that were awarded final passage in the Senate today.

Our Mackenzie Spink continues tonight's legislative update.

[MUSIC] >> House Bill 58 addresses automated license plate readers or Alpers Alpers are used by the transportation cabinet as well as private businesses.

Flock is the brand name for the Alpr used by law enforcement across Kentucky under House Bill 58.

All these entities would be mandated with protecting the private data these cameras collect.

>> The main purpose of this bill, Mr.

President, is to make sure that this information that's collected by these cameras and law enforcement and other folks is not sold.

>> License plate data would have to be deleted after 90 days under this bill, with the exception of data collected by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Senator Higdon says the cabinet needs the information collected at toll booths and weigh stations for longer than 90 days.

Senator Brandon Smith was one of the three no votes on the bill.

He had questions about how the bill affected foreign companies.

>> People have been concerned in the past about programs like this that gather information for good, bad or indifferent, but that it was collected by an agency outside of the United States boundaries.

Is there a surety to all of our constituents that this is a American company and not a company that's outside of our borders, that could use this information somehow outside the scope of what we would wish?

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

>> This regulation would would apply to anyone who had a camera, these cameras and collecting information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

>> Additionally, under House Bill 58, entities using a l, p, s must post a written notice that the cameras are being used in that area.

The bill passed 34 to 3.

House Bill 189 also passed the Senate today.

It would prohibit a person from remaining on a state maintained right of way that is not designated for pedestrian use.

Proponents say the measure will help protect pedestrians.

>> Pedestrians face serious safety risks in State, maintain rights of way that are not designed for foot traffic.

In fact, in our area, we've had two pedestrians that have been killed.

Being in those areas does not prohibit, does not prohibit pedestrian use of sidewalks, crosswalks, transit stops or other designated pedestrian areas.

>> Some opponents disagree with the interpretation that sidewalk use will not be affected.

Two Democrats voiced concerns about how this bill could negatively affect Kentuckians that are homeless.

>> Under my reading of this bill, someone could be cited if they are on a sidewalk when they're not sort of moving along actively, or if someone is standing adjacent to a sidewalk in a grassy area.

>> How does this affect homeless people?

Somebody who is sleeping adjacent to a road?

Does this mean they are not allowed to be there?

>> House Bill 189 passed 31 to 6.

This was also its final passage, along with House Bill 58, and both bills will now head to the governor's desk for either his signature or his veto for Kentucky edition.

I'm Mackenzie Spink.

>> Many thanks.

Mackenzie.

The state House and Senate are working on a compromise budget plan.

Some key negotiators.

That is, after the two chambers passed different budgets, the Senate's plan would spend about $34 million more than the House plan.

And we discussed the budgets and what's likely to end up in the final version.

Last night on KET Kentucky tonight, our panel also talked about Republican lawmakers efforts to gradually eliminate Kentucky state income tax and whether or not that's a long term plus for Kentucky.

[MUSIC] We know that the Kentucky Chamber also favors a continued gradual phasing out of the individual income tax.

Do either one of the budget's House or Senate version try to rush that process to get to zero?

>> No, I don't think so at all.

I think it's a measured approach to reducing the individual personal income tax.

We were one of the first advocates out of the gate for that.

We advocated in 2018, when leader Rudy passed tax reforms.

We advocated in 2022 with the passage of House Bill eight, which created the personal income tax reduction process, essentially for the legislature to take.

And we advocated in 2025, last year, when they made reforms to that process where we might see incremental or smaller increments of reduction in the income tax.

And this has been incredible for Kentucky.

And it's very much important that as Kentuckians face inflation, affordability issues, that the legislature is putting more money back in the pocket of Kentuckians.

That's what we're seeing.

And then that money is getting spent in the economy.

And you see that in sales tax and other revenues.

And when you look at the reduction that we've seen in the income tax over the past couple of years, because of that, you haven't seen a dollar for dollar reduction in revenues.

And in fact, our revenues are up relative to 2021.

I think we had about a less than a $14 billion budget.

Now we're looking at a $1,516 billion.

We've seen revenues grow even though we've been able to reduce the income tax.

We also saw record employment to 2 million jobs on record jobs actually on record in 2023.

So we've seen growth in revenues in the economy and jobs since reducing the income tax.

And we're seeing our competitor states do it as well.

Lots of states post Covid reduce the income tax.

So we are 100% on board with that.

And we think it's important policy for the Commonwealth.

>> We're seeing cuts in this budget because of the income tax cuts.

We're losing revenue $780 million for each half point.

And we have a $2.7 billion shortfall in Medicaid.

In this budget, we have 7% cuts for many state agencies in this budget.

So I do think the legislature is beginning to hit the wall on.

It's on its ability to continue to reduce it.

I don't see the Senate budget aiming to reduce the income tax further over the next two years.

I don't see the House budget doing that very much.

The original version of the House budget did aim to reduce income tax cuts or to have future income.

Further income tax cuts.

But there was an outpouring because it would require state employees and retirees to have a 78% increase in their health insurance.

And people were like, no, we're not going to do that.

And so the House came back and and put more money in the budget to prevent that.

So it's very expensive.

And I think the legislature is is really hitting the wall on this so-called march to zero, because the more you cut, the more you have to trade off in funding for schools, for health care, infrastructure and other things we need.

>> We discussed a lot of the provisions of the House and Senate budget versions last night, including the impacts on education and Medicaid.

And you can see all of that comprehensive hour long discussion online on demand.

It is streaming at ket.org.

Johnny Nash KY tonight.

[MUSIC] To Washington.

Now, last night, the U.S.

Senate confirmed Markwayne Mullin, a U.S.

senator from Oklahoma, to be the new secretary of Homeland Security.

He will replace Kristi Noem.

Only one Republican voted against Mullen.

That's U.S.

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who also voted against Mullen.

After a committee hearing last week, Paul and Mullen clashed over Mullen's reaction to an attack on Paul in Paul's yard in Bowling Green in 2017.

Mullen said he, quote, understood the attack.

Paul says Mullen has never apologized.

U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell praised Mullen in a statement that he says, quote, Markwayne Mullin has been a fierce advocate for the people of Oklahoma and Congress, and I've been proud to serve with him in the U.S.

Senate for the last three years.

As Secretary Mullen gets to work, I look forward to working with him to defend our country from domestic and foreign threats.

End quote.

More than 100 people in Marshall County are out of a job, and a church damaged in a deadly tornado is now ready for Easter services.

Our Toby Gibbs tells us more in this look at headlines around Kentucky.

>> A plant in Calvert City in Marshall County is laying off 114 workers.

CC Metals and Alloys, or KMA, is a metal supplier plant, according to the Paducah Sun.

The company says the layoffs will affect several departments, with 35 of the layoffs in the furnace department.

[MUSIC] In a letter, KMA says production is being hurt by current prices, a lack of demand and competition from imports.

Marshall County Judge Executive Kevin Sprague says it's hard to estimate the direct economic impact on the county, but he says it's going to affect stores and restaurants near the plant and it will affect the businesses that supply CC a.

[MUSIC] People in Hancock and Davis counties and nearby Perry County, Indiana, are concerned about plans to open a data center in Hallsville in Hancock County.

[MUSIC] The Hancock Clarion says a company named Tara Wolfe plans to turn the century aluminum smelter into a data center, people attending a recent public meeting and a city council meeting have expressed concern about noise, water use and electric use.

Some opponents of the center say they are circulating a petition to pause the development until the public gets more answers.

[MUSIC] Members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Somerset will gather in their sanctuary for Easter services on April 5th.

It will be the first time they've been in that sanctuary since an EF four tornado hit the church last May 16th.

That tornado took 20 lives and destroyed numerous homes and businesses in Pulaski, Laurel and Russell counties.

The winds ripped the roof off the church's sanctuary.

The tornado struck at night and there was no one in the church at the time.

The Commonwealth Journal reports that after more than ten months of work, the sanctuary is ready to open again.

[MUSIC] And that's a look at tonight's headlines around Kentucky.

[MUSIC] I'm Toby Gibbs.

>> As we told you earlier, Governor Andy Beshear made the rounds in Northern Kentucky today.

One of his stops was at the one N KY Center, where the first international company cut the ribbon on its life science research space.

Our Emily Sisk was there in Covington, and she has this latest report.

>> Mitsui Chemical America has become the first international lab partner to to partner with LifeSci KY.

So right here, Kentucky scientists, engineers, technicians, and more will be working on some of the world's most cutting edge projects.

>> Covington leaders, joined by Governor Andy Beshear, cut the ribbon today at the one in KY Center, which is home to the state's only lab incubator called LifeSci KY.

The lab and the one in KY Center opened last fall after years of preparation and a $15 million investment from the Kentucky General Assembly, today marked the first international company to commit its products and research to the lab.

Covington Mayor Ron Washington explained what Mitsui Chemicals is known for.

>> Missouri chemicals is a global leader in advanced materials and specialty chemicals.

Their innovations touch industries around the world, from health care and vision care to automotive, manufacturing and advanced polymers.

In layman's terms, this is a company operating at the forefront of science, innovation and advanced manufacturing.

And they chose Covington.

>> The Japanese company will partner with Cincinnati Children's Hospital to conduct research using stem cells.

The goal is to test how cells react to different drugs and look for new medicinal opportunities.

>> We are committed to contributing our materials science capabilities, building strong collaborations and bringing new solutions to the global healthcare market.

>> Governor Beshear said.

Along with bringing in new jobs to the state, the partnership is another example of Kentucky's close connection with Japan.

>> We are number one per capita in the country and foreign direct investment from Japan.

>> And Mayor Washington said he hopes the booming life sciences industry will bring more attention to the city of Covington and Northern Kentucky.

>> Covington is well positioned to become the next great center of innovation, the kind of place people talk about in the same vein as Boston, Silicon Valley or Raleigh.

>> LifeSci KY Wise goal is to provide lab space and research equipment to companies like Mitsui Chemicals to help get experiments off the ground as soon as possible.

For Kentucky edition, I'm Emily Sisk.

>> Some sports news now.

Both the UK and UofL women are moving on in the women's NCAA tournament, and both of their wins yesterday were nail biters.

More in tonight's look at sports news, the cats beat West Virginia 74 to 73 last night in Morgantown.

With the win, Kentucky moves on to the NCAA Women's Sweet 16.

For the first time in a decade.

Kentucky will play Texas next weekend, and the Louisville cards beat Alabama 69 to 68.

It's the cards first sweet 16 since 2022 2023, and they will play Michigan on Saturday.

Now sticking with sports, the Louisville Kings kick off their first home game at Lynn Family Stadium on Friday, and their head coach is a familiar face.

Chris Redman played at Male High School in UofL before a long career in the NFL.

Now he's back in his hometown as head coach of Kentucky's only professional football team.

Our Kelsey Starks sits down with him on the next inside Louisville.

>> What do you hope people.

>> Experience with this new.

I mean, this is the first professional football team we've had in many, many years here in Louisville.

What do you want people to take away or remember about it?

>> Well, it's going to be a lot of guys that work really hard to put a good product.

And these guys, you know, they're doing it for a living.

So it's not like they're just playing for fun or it's a pick up game.

It's going to be on national TV.

We're on Fox, ABC and ESPN.

So we're going to we're going to really put a good product.

And I think people are going to realize we have an incredible quarterback, multiple really good quarterbacks.

And so I'm really excited about these guys showcasing their skills.

And you know, I think people are going to realize, wow, this these guys one they're fast.

We have three guys that are all running four threes on a team that the speed of the game is.

And you're going to be so close to those to the game that I think you're going to kind of feel it.

You know you're going to.

>> Yeah it's a different experience.

>> It is.

It's a different experience when you when you're there.

And so that's that's where I think the player's going to like it because it's just so intimate, you know, and I think it's going to be an incredible environment.

And so I want it to be the hardest and the toughest place to play in the UFL.

And I think it will be.

>> In a broader sense.

What do you think this does for the city of Louisville and elevating it to a national spotlight?

>> Well, we don't we don't know.

We're auditioning for who knows down the road, if we come out and support this, which I know they will.

And, you know, we've seen like the basketball tournament and all these different things that that's happened around Louisville, how Louisville really engages in that and takes pride in that.

So I'm excited for for us to showcase our city and show the support that that they're going to bring.

And I think that might open up doors down the road that we don't really even know.

Like it could be some, some monumental things that are coming to, to Louisville down the road.

So, and, but this is, this is very, very big.

This is going to last a long time.

Michael Polley has done an incredible job of, of really putting a great brand together.

And we got incredible other investors like the Rock, you know, and so like the entertainment value and what they want to do, this is going to be around for a long time.

So I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised on how big a, you know, an event this is going to be for, for our city.

>> And we can't wait.

You can learn more about the Louisville Kings Chris Redmond's life and career, including what he says is his biggest win.

And it's not at all about football.

That's on the latest episode of Inside Louisville, streaming now online on Demand at ket.org.

And that'll do it for us tonight here on Kentucky Edition.

We will see you right back here again tomorrow night at 630 eastern, 530 central, where we inform, connect and inspire.

Take good care.

So long.