[music] >> I think the biggest thing that we can point to, we've had over 7000 educators participate in letters, training.

>> Kentucky earning national recognition for getting students back on track in reading and math.

>> Our aging population is here to stay, and they're only getting stronger.

>> Advice to keep your brain healthy at the Mind Matters Summit.

[MUSIC] >> When she gets in the car, she's like every other kid out there.

>> Plus, how this little racer is switching things up in the world of soapbox derby racing.

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

>> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky edition for this Thursday, May 21st.

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

Races for the U.S.

Senate and U.S.

House dominated the news before, during, and even after the May 19th primary.

But there were some important primary races for the Kentucky General Assembly as well.

There were 31 contested state House races in Tuesday's primary.

19 of them were GOP primaries, including eight incumbents looking to hold on to their seat.

Only one Republican incumbent was defeated, state Representative Kim Banta and House district 63 in northern Kentucky that covers parts of Boone and Kenton counties.

Today, we caught up with House Speaker David Osborne to get his reaction to the primary results.

>> Primaries are always difficult.

You know, it's pitting friend against friend, so it's always difficult.

But all in all, as far as the caucus goes, we were very successful.

We did unfortunately lose one incumbent, which I'm very disappointed in.

She was a great member and has been a great servant to both her district and to the Commonwealth.

But that said, you know, those primaries are for primary purposes.

So so we will move forward on that.

But but by and large, everything went just about the way it should have.

All of our incumbents, except one, were returned.

And I think that the those seats that are open seats or seats that we will be contesting went, went the way they should as well.

>> There were also eight contested races in the Kentucky state Senate.

The three incumbents running in competitive primaries all managed to hang on to their seats.

Kentucky is getting high marks when it comes to academic recovery in reading and math.

A new report by the Education Scorecard, which tracked academic achievement across the country from 2022 into 2025, ranks Kentucky fifth in academic growth in reading and eighth in mathematics.

The Kentucky Department of Education's chief academic officer says the ranking shows the state's emphasis on early literacy and math initiatives, as well as more training and resources for educators.

All of that is paying off.

More on this in today's Education Matters report.

[MUSIC] >> The Read to Succeed Act, which was passed in 2022, and our Numeracy Counts Act, which was passed in 2024, give a foundation for this work and allows us to move forward in the same direction as a state.

But the policy levers alone aren't enough to identify the needs of schools and districts and the supports that are provided.

So each of those legislations allowed us to make an investment in professional learning, both for early literacy and for numeracy.

It also allowed us to signal quality around high quality instructional resources.

So the curriculum that would be aligned to the professional learning, and that would increase access to grade level learning for each and every student across our state.

So I think that professional learning, coupled with the instructional materials and aligned resources and then the supports that we have been able to create, we've established two leadership networks, one of which is our Kentucky Early Literacy Leadership Network, but then also our Mathematics Leadership collaborative.

So it's allowed us to walk alongside of districts to learn from them, to hear from them, and be able to address and identify the gaps that may be in our current level of support.

So we've worked very hard to be seen as and to be a true service provider as it relates to read to Succeed and the Numeracy Counts Act.

I thought it was so interesting that they found that the reforms are making a difference, but not everywhere.

And so just very grateful for the company that Kentucky has with those other states that are seeing an impact of comprehensive science, of reading reform.

I think the the biggest thing that we can point to, we've had over 7000 educators participate in letters training.

So the language essentials for teachers of reading and spelling.

There's a K five educator professional learning that is.

It's very extensive.

It's a two year process.

But all of the feedback that we're receiving from teachers has been overwhelmingly positive.

Many of them say it's the best professional learning that they've had.

Many wish that they could have had access to it much earlier in their careers.

But there's also an administrator course, and I think that that's super important because, you know, a building administrator sets the vision and expectations for the work that leaders should be addressing barriers that are in the way of teachers being able to meet the needs of students.

And so I think I think tackling both administrator learning as well as teacher supports has been really critical.

But the other thing I must add, there was language in read to succeed and it lives now.

And in KRS158 .305.

That allowed us to push on comprehensive quality curriculum that is aligned to the science of reading for K three.

And so what we've seen, we've seen districts not only making adoptions at K three, but to support K five.

But then also when they start to see outcomes, when they start to see that students have greater access to grade level learning.

We're seeing higher adoptions in middle school as well.

And so I think we've really been able to push on high quality instruction K eight.

And its high schools.

A little bit of of a difference.

But the reforms gave us that foundation to signal quality around instructional resources as well.

Change such as this does take time in, in many other scenarios, especially around curriculum implementation.

It takes about 3 to 5 years of effective implementation to start seeing an impact on student outcomes.

So we knew that there would likely be a correlation between not only the professional learning, but the that the curriculum and curriculum based professional learning on student outcomes that I'll be very honest, we're not there yet.

We have.

We have much more work to do.

You know, we all want to see more and more Kentucky students meeting grade level expectations for both literacy and math K 12.

So our work is not done, but it is encouraging.

And I'm so thankful that the districts are starting to see an impact.

And I think that will encourage others to, to consider what is working across the state and, and start to make some of those changes.

If they had not yet done so.

>> The report also listed what it calls districts on the rise, highlighting those districts that showed exceptional progress in both reading and math.

Six Kentucky schools made that list Anderson County, Corbin Independent, Marion County, Ohio County, Perry County and Pike County.

Student success is at the center of a new agricultural sciences building at the University of Kentucky.

The ribbon cutting was today at the Martin Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

>> Agriculture will evolve and Kentucky will evolve along with it.

And as the States institution, we must help spur that evolution with places designed for discovery and learning.

Here we are positioning the next generation to confront challenges that will define decades ahead food security, █environmental stewardship, animal and human health, and the changing demands of a global agricultural economy.

Like all of the research buildings on this campus, the work begins inside this building here, but it will not remain inside this building.

It never should.

It must move across counties, industries, communities, and the homes throughout Kentucky.

>> This is more than about opening a building today.

It really is opening the proverbial doors for for future generations facility provides state of the art spaces designed to prepare the next generation of leaders.

Students here will be equipped with the lead clip to lead in a changing industry, and agriculture remains the key to Kentucky's economy.

More importantly, this building will ensure that students have the tools that they need to become future leaders to build in their communities and continue to do the work to lead Kentucky.

>> These classrooms are more than state of the art spaces, and they are.

They are launching pads for innovation.

The cafe and gathering spaces are more than places to study.

They're going to be places where partnerships are formed, friendships will grow and ideas will become realities.

And what I love most about this building is that it reflects the spirit of Kentucky itself.

It honors our agricultural roots while embracing our future.

It connects learning with community, and it brings together science, leadership, stewardship, and service under one roof.

The students who show up on today's campus will inherit enormous challenges, things that we don't even know about a future with AI in all things a feeding, a growing population with limited land and water, advancing animal health and driving innovation in ag and science that we can't even see yet.

But looking around today, I have complete confidence that UK is ready for the challenge, and I believe students are ready as well.

Because when Kentucky invest in education, we invest in people and we invest in people.

There is no limit to what this Commonwealth can achieve.

[APPLAUSE] >> This is the college's first new campus building in decades.

More than 2600 students are enrolled in the college.

Layoffs are on the way to Kentucky's court system, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The Kentucky Court of Justice will be letting go of about 170 people as it anticipates a budget deficit over the next two years.

But the court will also create more than 100 new jobs.

Chief Justice Deborah Lambert sent an email to staff on May the 15th.

That email said that court operations will remain largely the same, but positions and programs have to be cut because of the budget, 170 tenured and non-tenured positions will be eliminated by August the 1st.

Another 45 people will be dismissed if they can't finish their probation period by that date, the email said.

108 new quote front line positions will be created by that time.

People in two different Kentucky communities are speaking out and taking action, trying to stop data centers and a national group graded 49 Kentucky hospitals.

And not everyone made the honor roll.

Our Toby Gibbs has details in this look at headlines around Kentucky.

>> A national nonprofit gives Kentucky hospitals a mixed grade for patient safety.

[MUSIC] The leapfrog Group grades more than 2800 acute care hospitals across America based on how well they protect patients, according to the Hoptown Chronicle.

The group rated 49 of Kentucky's hospitals.

Of those, 16 received an A rating, 15 received a B, 17 earned C's, and one earned a D. The grades are based on 22 factors that look at how hospitals performed, protecting people from preventable errors, injuries and infections.

Go to leapfrog group.org to see the list of hospitals.

[MUSIC] We have data center news in two communities, WKU Public Radio reports.

The Cave City City Council voted 4 to 1 Monday to stop accepting data center applications for a year.

[MUSIC] During that time, Cave City will consider zoning regulations not on the books.

Right now.

The 12 month pause didn't satisfy some people at the Monday meeting, because they don't want a data center at all in the area near Mammoth Cave.

[MUSIC] Lawsuits are moving forward in Simpson County over proposed data center.

[MUSIC] Ten.

KY wants to build a data center in Franklin, a citizens group.

Franklin Citizens for Responsible Development, is suing the company and the Franklin Planning and Zoning Commission, which approved the center, according to the Bowling Green Daily News ten.

KY argues the group lacks legal standing to appeal the commission's decision.

[MUSIC] From the times leader.

Numbers from the U.S.

Census Bureau show shifts in population in western Kentucky.

Calloway County has gained more than 1800 people since the 2020 census.

[MUSIC] Mark Manning of the Murray Calloway Economic Development Corporation says it's because of new manufacturing jobs, good schools, low crime and a high quality of life.

McCracken County declined in population by 320 since 2020, but County Judge Executive Craig Climer expects that to turn around with two companies building uranium enrichment facilities.

[MUSIC] With headlines around Kentucky.

I'm Toby Gibbs.

>> The school year is winding down, but summer scammers are gearing up to trick consumers in the coming months.

Our Clayton Dalton sat down with the Better Business Bureau Greater Kentucky Region to find out what you can do to protect yourself and your money.

>> With summer right around the corner, sunshine and warmer weather are on their way, but some are also brings the potential for an increase in scams.

Heather Clary with the Better Business Bureau Greater Kentucky Region, says it's important to stay vigilant in detecting and avoiding scams, seeking your money and sensitive personal information.

>> A lot of scammers love to use the names of businesses and organizations that we all recognize, such as Amazon or any more pretending to be with the IRS, the U.S.

Postal Service, indicating that you've got a delivery waiting for you, that they couldn't get to you for whatever reason.

And please click this link.

If somebody hits you out of the blue with a text and email or phone call and they want you to act now, act quickly already.

The red flag should be going up.

And in many ways they achieve.

This is by making you think danger is imminent.

A favorite one they like is, for instance, saying that you missed jury duty.

That's a very popular one that's been going around.

And yeah, you got to show up if you've been called for jury duty, but they're not going to warn you that they're coming to serve a warrant on you for missing that.

Anybody that tries to strike fear into your heart right away already is a reason to put on the brakes and look into it more carefully, because chances are it's a complete scam.

>> As technology evolves, so do con artists and their tactics to try and trick consumers.

>> The scammers are still using the whole gamut of ways to contact people, from good old fashioned telephone calls to texting, to messaging over social media platforms like Facebook and Google Hangout platforms like that any number of ways.

And once in a while, someone will still get a good old mailer letter in the mail trying to lure them into some sort of a scam, any kind of website that's out there and social media does make it a lot easier for people to become susceptible to these sorts of things.

And so you really have to have your guard up if something sounds too good to be true, or just sounds a little odd, and you want to take some extra steps to protect yourself so that you don't fall for it.

>> It's easy to think that older people are more likely to fall for scams, but Clary says that's a misconception.

>> Anyone can be a target for scam, plain and simple.

And the more devices you have and the more you interact on social media, possibly the more wide open you are setting yourself up to be targeted by a scammer.

However, studies from the Better Business Bureau over the years have shown that while the older Americans do lose the largest amount of money when they fall for a scam, it's the younger crowd that tends to fall for more of the scams.

People in the 20s to 30 year range of age, and it could be any number of reasons.

They think they know everything, or they have the most devices, or they're just, you know, so busy with life.

But yeah, so that's kind of a misconception.

People have people younger can actually fall for more scams than the older ones.

But again, anyone can be a target.

So it certainly bodes well if you protect yourself and warn those around you.

>> You may be kicking your feet up at the pool soon, but Clary says don't get too relaxed about keeping your money and information secure.

>> Whether you're a business, whether you're a consumer, you want to protect your money.

So if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

If you're asked to act quickly right now before you can look further into it, that's a bad idea.

And check with the Better Business Bureau.

If you're not sure, log on to our website at lcvb.org.

Find out what you can about the business, or contact us through that website.

And usually one of our staff can assist you and help you figure out whether or not it's the real deal or not.

>> For Kentucky Edition, I'm Clayton Dalton.

>> Thank you, Clayton, and thank you.

Heather Clary.

To search or report scams with the Better Business Bureau, go to the BBC site online at bbc.org/tracker.

All one word.

[MUSIC] Imagine a place with more than 20 interactive booths, free health screenings, and even an Ask the Doc session, all to help you keep your brain healthy.

That was the scene in Lexington during the Mind Matters Summit.

More about this in tonight's look at medical news.

[MUSIC] >> As we age, there are many different medical conditions that we can develop, and many of them can lead to problems with memory and thinking.

And what we know about your brain function and its abilities is that keeping that in shape is critically important.

The most critically important thing you can do to maintain your independence and quality of life.

So the Mind Matters Health Summit is designed to really give folks who live in our community the tools that they need to achieve successful brain aging right now, in the concluding plenary session, we're talking about technology.

How can one use their smartphone?

How can one use automated pill dispensers to really keep themselves independent, safe, and functioning in the healthiest way possible?

>> I talked a little bit about the interaction between technology use and cognition as we age.

There's been a lot of exciting research to come out recently showing a positive relationship between the two.

One thing that we want to be mindful of is not over relying on technology and not critically applying our thinking skills.

So when we're doing something like setting a calendar reminder for an appointment that we want to keep in three weeks, for example, it's really important to think deeply about that information, really make connections rather than just putting it out of our brain.

>> I hope they take away the message that they are empowered.

There are some medical conditions and life situations that we may have less power to influence, but when it comes to brain health, there are things that you can do.

You don't have to reconcile yourself to Alzheimer's because Mom or dad came down with it.

You can say, I have learned the tools that are going to help reduce my risk, and I'm going to make it through, and I'm not coming down with that disease.

>> I think in terms of preserving brain health, it's really important to try to use our brain in new ways, novel ways as much as we can.

Forming those new connections is really what's going to keep us sharp.

Another thing that came up in my talk is how technology can facilitate social connection.

That's really important as we're aging, to make sure that we're maintaining really high quality relationships with people that we care about that can stave off the effects of loneliness, which can be really detrimental to thinking skills.

>> As we get older, people tend to sometimes be dismissive of our needs if we're having trouble walking, although you're just getting old, having trouble with your memory, you're just getting old.

And here we can really demonstrate how vibrant our aging community is.

We're not getting old.

We're not giving up everything.

We're facing great challenges, and we're overcoming them.

We're winning.

And the turnout today and the brain health engagement is proof in the pudding that our aging population is here to stay, and they're only getting stronger.

>> Finally tonight, from thoroughbreds to corvettes, we have the need for speed here in Kentucky.

That includes soap box derby racing with origins dating back to the 1930s.

Now, a Bowling Green girl isn't letting any obstacles keep her from crossing the finish line.

And we have her story.

>> I've been going down the hill trying to stay in my lane and trying to just do my best.

>> Nine year old Gabby Bilbrey is one of the dozens of kids taking part this spring, and the All-American Soap Box Derby and Bowling Green.

>> She's got a little more confidence and she showed it today.

She did great going down the hill.

>> I heard about Soapbox Derby and thought that it might be something that I would like to do.

>> That was three years ago, and despite some challenges, she keeps coming back to the track.

>> She went down four times.

She crashed four times.

But she was very tough, very resilient, and she stuck with it.

>> Gabby's resilience isn't just in steering and braking her stock car.

>> I just try to tell myself that I know I can do this.

>> She's doing so without fully formed legs to reach a brake pedal.

>> The only difference in her car, and any of the others, is the braking system.

>> Race organizers found a way to retrofit Gabby's car with a toggle switch for braking.

>> When she crosses that finish line, she flips the toggle switch screeches to a stop.

It's great to see the support from folks that are willing to reach out and find ways for her to compete at the same level as other kids.

>> Those folks include David Holland as a member of Kiwanis Club.

He's been involved with Soapbox Derby for decades.

>> The coolest thing is seeing the smile on her face when she gets in the car.

She's like every other kid out there three, two.

They're focused on that finish line.

>> Holland installed a pneumatic air cylinder in Gabby's car so she can use her hands to come to a stop.

>> She added a brake so I would be able to drive it and stop it without crashing.

>> So literally, with the flip of a switch, the brake pedal goes down and it stays down.

>> We were able to put her at the same level as everyone else, so she can compete against her peers in the same way.

>> Leveling the playing field has been a lifelong journey for Gabby and her parents.

She was born a congenital amputee on Thanksgiving Day 2016 and adopted by the Bilbray's the very next day.

She has persevered with top reading scores in her third grade class and her interest in hobbies like rock climbing and, yes, soapbox derby racing.

>> I've done pretty good, really fun, and I just like meeting new friends and doing this.

>> She'll be doing this over the next few weeks, gearing up for race day number one on June 5th.

>> It was two days of racing and I wanted to at least make it to the second day.

>> Her dad, Travis, says Gabby sets an example we could all learn from.

>> If you have obstacles, that's okay.

You just have to find a workaround.

We're all very proud of her and her resilience.

>> There's that word again, resilience, something Gabby demonstrates on the track and off for Kentucky edition.

I'm Laura Rogers.

>> Thank you Laura.

We're all big fans of Gabby.

The All American Soap Box Derby is June 5th and sixth in Bowling Green.

Winners advance to the World Championships in Akron, Ohio this July, and we wish Gabby all the best of luck in the world.

We'll see you soon, I'm sure.

Well, that'll do it for us tonight for Kentucky Edition.

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

Connect with us all the way as you see on your screen, including the social media channels, Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop.

I'm Renee Shaw, thank you for watching.

Tonight we will see you Friday.

Tomorrow.

Until then, take really good care and have a great night.