♪ >> The clock is ticking and the bills are fly.

What Kentucky lawmakers are working to finish before midnight tonight.

The last day before the detail break.

President Donald Trump has his eye on dei at 50 universities, including U K. >> I'm not sure which one still month in which one is Louise, but our economy is not corps and they are driving it off the cliff.

>> Plus, the governor says the Trump administration needs to hit the brakes.

Now.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky edition for this Friday March, the 14th, I'm Renee Shaw here in our KET.

He capital Bureau in the Capitol Annex in Frankfort.

We thank you for joining us this evening.

Senate Democrats turn lead announced an inmate housing measure targeting transgender offenders.

A revised House bill.

293, 92 would require prisoners be assigned to a facility based on their original biological sex at birth.

Proponents say will KET men out of women's prisons and shows how the majority party stands up for women's rights.

That debate begins tonight's legislative update.

>> I just want to speak in favor of all the women who are subjected to men who have been in their private spaces and the party that used to be such an advocate for women's rights has turned on women.

And I'm proud to say that this chamber and this general Assembly has stood up for women repeatedly over and over again in regards to protecting women's sports, protecting women's private spaces, protecting protecting women's restrooms.

We will continue to do that is an issue of utmost importance.

>> But critics claim the measure is another example of how the LGBTQ community has been, quote, the whipping post of the legislative session.

Lexington Senator Reggie Thomas, the Senate Democratic Caucus chair, said the proposal was cool, unnecessary and violates federal inmate protection law that makes transgender offenders vulnerable to sexual violence and even death.

Others agreed.

>> We have adequate protections in place.

Already under federal law to ensure the protection of chance to inmates.

This amendment.

Mister president.

>> What in the Bali federal law and we should never thought inmate, any amendment that would violate the law.

More importantly is we've had this discussion over and over again.

How many people are we talking about?

67?

What the costs minimal.

If that what we see is that will be no cost of this.

So why are we in the LA Times?

But that doing this for the doing more important work for the people, the people in this chamber are not listening.

>> To the people who elected them.

There is a I.

A worm.

In the heart.

Of some of the representatives here.

Not just this chamber in both chambers.

And what is precipitating it.

I don't understand.

But it is not your constituents.

If you're going to look me in the eye to have to vote this way, kids, this is what my constituents want me to do.

Then read the polls.

You do not have to vote this way because your constituents do it care about these issues?

Our country is founded on the basic principle of freedom.

>> And that goes for everyone.

Including transgender people.

They deserve the same basic protections as everyone else.

And that is to live their lives with safety.

Privacy, dignity and respect.

>> The Senate amended House Bill 392 cleared the upper chamber.

31 to 6 and heads back to the House for approval or rejection of the Senate's changes.

The House had not voted on this measure at the time.

We prepare tonight's broadcast many school districts in Kentucky are looking to state lawmakers to remedy their dilemma of dealing with missed school days because of severe weather that canceled classes for days on end and a dash to resolve the issue.

The Kentucky General Assembly answer their plea while also addressing a rapidly growing.

But underperforming virtual school House Bill 241, took much deliberation and compromise after the bill sponsor at one point, asked his colleagues to vote down the measure.

Our Jen Leffler has more.

>> We want to offer some leeway for school districts to tweak their calendar without keeping kids in class well into June schools.

The called off for severe weather can extend school hours.

Take 5 more non-traditional instruction days and or request 5 days to be waived by the state education commissioner.

That's what a Republican from eastern Kentucky fought for as he voted on House Bill 241. today.

My school districts.

I'm proud of.

>> School superintendents, I'm proud of.

They don't look for a reason to get out.

I try to find a way to have school.

Even when the roads are icy, even when the roads have water.

But I want to find his body and I appreciate you standing up for my districts in the issue that we have.

Thank you.

>> Earlier this session, the Senate tacked on another proposal to House Bill 241.

To KET public virtual schools afloat in Kentucky, specifically the Kentucky Virtual Academy of Clover Port, Independent.

It's a virtual school that's grown rapidly but fails to meet some state standards.

According to reporting from the Courier Journal in Lexington, Herald-Leader, the Kentucky Board of Education sought to cut the school's enrollment before lawmakers stepped in.

It wasn't a welcomed addition to the original bill sponsor.

He led his colleagues know that in committee, but eventually a compromise was made.

>> I'm not against a virtual instruction, virtual instruction.

If it's done right, can be a good.

Avenue for some students.

But it's got to be done right.

>> House Bill 241, does put guardrails on Clover ports, virtual school and all other virtual schooling.

>> It allows him to remain open.

But as long as they remain in the bottom 5% of schools at any level.

So let's elementary, middle or high.

If they remain in the bottom 5%, which some of their schools are at right now, they can not grow any more students.

Their enrollment can not increase.

That's going allow them to make sure that they are ready and prepared.

Before they start to grow with additional students enrolling in their district.

Another thing that it does is it also restricts that only one percent of the students.

Public students in the state.

Can a team and I non-residential virtual school.

All right.

So non-residential means not to the district doing for their own kids, but a district that may offer their services to students throughout the state.

>> The House unanimously voted in favor of House Bill 241. it now heads to the governor's desk for Kentucky edition.

I'm Jay Leffler.

>> Thank you, June.

Also on the Education front, an amended version of a bill requiring a moment of silence in schools has also cleared both chambers.

But the changes that are some opposition from the Republican dominated Legislature.

The bill now allows local school boards to excuse students from school for up to one hour a week for, quote, moral instruction.

The amended bill does not define moral instruction, but does state that it cannot take place on school property.

Speaking on the Senate floor today, some Democrats said they thought it was a mistake to allow students to miss out on educational instruction.

3 Republicans joined in voting against the bill.

>> This president, we constantly in this body talk about not delegating, pushing for things down for our schools to do.

In fact, we've talked about having a task force to eliminate some of these duties that we forces schools to do to give them time to do what teachers do, teach.

There's already provisions in the law to allow for a moment of silence, say the Lord's prayer.

there's a lot of things in the law.

Schools are allowed to do now.

And I just fundamentally I disagree with forcing more things down on our schools to do.

>> The bill passed by a vote of 26 to 10 and is now headed to the governor's desk.

It could be a busy weekend for the governor.

Has several other bills are also awaiting his review.

Starting tomorrow, the governor will have 10 days to review bills passed by the state lawmakers and either approve or reject or let some become law without his signature.

That includes House Bill 15, which allows Kentucky teens to apply for a driver's permit at age 15 year earlier than what it previously allowed teens would still have to wait until age 17 to apply for a driver's license.

A bill aimed at curbing underage smoking has also cleared both chambers.

Senate Bill.

100 requires retailers selling tobacco, nicotine and vapor products to be licensed and to be regularly inspected.

And Senate Bill 89 has also been laid upon the governor's desk.

The controversial bill redefines Kentucky's waterways to align with federal standards.

Opponents argued the bill removes environmental protections for groundwater and increases flood risks.

How what began as a 3 page Bill about land use ballooned to a 76 page Bill with language from several other file bills, including the creation of the Office of Government Efficiency.

Opponents Fear it's a carbon copy of federal doge organization run by Elon Musk.

McKenzie spank is in Frankfort to explain what could be the Kentucky version of Doe's.

>> And several Democrats on the House floor this morning said they felt overwhelmed by the additions to Senate bill.

25 bill originally focused on land use and multifamily housing.

However, the committee changes and floor amendments that were approved this morning added measures like establishing a Medicaid oversight board and making changes the auditor's office.

Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy says last-minute additions to unrelated bills are a routine part of the legislative process as lawmakers rush to beat the clock.

>> It is a a combination of several pieces of legislation that have been filed through this session, some of which the Senate.

That's with our bills.

So we decided to put some of our bills on their legislation.

I like to refer to call these type bills, barge bills, tugboats, if you will, picking up several barges, pushing wonderful legislation through just because the clock.

Is nearly running out of time.

>> Still disgruntled lawmakers voiced their disapproval House Democratic floor leader Pam Stevenson argued that the massive hasty additions impede the democratic process.

>> That we lose our right to override the governor's veto was no reason for back peels.

This bill is a garbage can garbage disposal of the many bills stop in here and the public hasn't had a chance to read from the representatives.

Haven't had a chance to figure out.

The impact on the people of Kentucky.

>> Language from Senate Bill 257.

Was one of the measures added to Senate bill.

25 this would establish the Office of Government Efficiency.

The office would report on inefficiencies in the executive branch, including staff positions it feels could be eliminated or converted into new roles.

Representative Jason Petri says the executive branch doesn't practice the same transparency that the legislative branch does.

>> As to the legislative branch, the other branch, that's us.

I have full access to that information and have full access and ongoing conversations about the way that we can create efficiencies and build our budget most carefully.

We do not have the same type of communication and transparency from the executive branch.

Hence this foreman.

It.

>> Opponents of this portion of the bill were concerned that it would create a Kentucky version of Doge.

The national Government Efficiency Office run by Elon Musk.

>> My greatest concern is that our amendment we just adopted is creating a Kentucky Doge.

And if it's modeled on Elon Musk's, those at the federal level where they are taking a chainsaw to staffing at government agencies.

I find that gravely concerning.

This is not where we need to go.

I trust the fiscal oversight and management.

From the gentleman from the sponsor of this.

But I don't trust the process at large and not when we see what's happening right now.

>> These are very scary times.

Kentuckians are terrified.

Americans are terrified and we are just adding fuel to the fire at the state level.

And that's wrong.

>> Senate bill, 25 past 69 to 19.

3 Republicans voted against the bill.

Representatives don't Maddux and Rayburn.

For Kentucky edition.

I'm McKenzie spank.

>> Thank you, McKenzie.

And while the governor is busy reviewing bills, he has made time to appear on cable news.

He used a movie comparison as he talked about President Donald Trump.

Elon Musk, government employee firings and terrace last night on CNN.

>> You see the tariffs raising prices, you see the the DOE's cuts, meaning tens of thousands of Americans are losing their jobs and being told it's it's their fault.

You see potential cuts to Medicaid.

That would decimate world health care between Trump and Musk.

I'm not sure which one still month in which one is Louise, but our economy is that car and they are driving it off the cliff.

>> Governor Beshear urged Democrats to stay focused on the issues.

Americans care about the most.

Now turning more to federal news.

The Trump administration is investigating more than 50 universities as part of its Anti Dei campaign.

And the University of Kentucky is one of them, according to the Department of Education.

It's looking to see if schools violated title 6 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, by working with the PhD Project, a group helping doctoral students get a Ph D the claim is that the group limits eligibility based on race.

UK spokesperson Jay Blanton said the university is aware of the reports but added, quote, We have not received any official notification of this review.

So we cannot comment further.

We will continue to monitor the issue moving forward, unquote.

People around the country remembered Breonna Taylor yesterday, 5 years after she was shot to death by police in her apartment during a botched drug raid in Louisville.

Demonstrators also pushed for adoption of the consent decree that will serve as a guide to reforming the Louisville Metro Police Department.

>> The with it don't be just as no peace to Breonna.

Taylor family say that what we on the teller.

>> It is because we don't want that to happen to anyone else involved.

It could stop me in our nation.

>> And 5 years later, why some say we Oh, boy.

Having completed the project.

We haven't seen the police report as we deserve.

All we've been asking for is accountability from Louisville Metro Police Department.

It all week and met with its balance.

It trauma in the ongoing issues.

You have a consent decree that's been signed by the judge didn't buy are there that is still sitting on.

A federal judge is best waiting to be formally acknowledged.

We still have work to do.

We still have to show up.

We still have to take action.

>> I want to see police officers who are and aren't doing things.

They are now that are harmful to the community be held accountable.

They need to have consequences when there are no consequences.

People continue to do the same behaviors over and over again.

I believe.

>> We must rise up against all and just all forms of bounds.

It's not just the least.

And I want history to reflect that when it was not her.

I do want to write game idea what I should do.

And I hope that that's what you see on CBS.

>> Our Kelsey Starks spoke to Louisville Metro Police Chief Paul Humphrey about the consent decree and more on this weekend's inside Louisville episode right here on KET.

He says Louisville's criminal justice problems go beyond just the police department.

>> Everyone wants these warring parties solutions and that because it's easy to point blame.

But this isn't a this isn't a one person.

This isn't a one agency problem.

This is a community problem.

It's a government problem.

It's a family problem to school system problem that we all need to be sitting at the same tables, trying to figure out which part of this do we own and which part of this can we fix in a way that's going to be impactful over time?

>> Hear more from Chief Humphrey on inside Louisville with Kelsey Starks this Sunday at 12 noon Eastern.

11:00AM central right here on KET.

♪ And event happening this weekend is giving attendees the opportunity to take charge of their health Lexington's Black Family Wellness Expo is an effort to address health disparities within the African-American community by providing free health screenings and educational resources event, co-chair Dr. Wendy Jackson spoke with us recently about some of the critical health disparities facing the community.

That story in today's medical news.

>> The space has been created to allow free access for the community in Central Kentucky, particularly targeting African-American and black communities to come out and receive access to free screening like diabetes, screening vision screening, dental screening.

Blood pressure, screening.

Access to great nutrition from black soil.

But I think about health disparities in the African American community in this particular region.

And the first thing that comes to mind is a concern about lack of access to health care as well as the historical perspective and the potential for medical mistrust and how we really need to demystify concerns in a medical setting.

Have providers that are passionate about the delivery of health care, creating a safe space for African-Americans.

I think that that will lead to some of the undoing that we had in the past and hopefully improve outcomes for our community.

Can we please have safe environments in our clinics in our health care settings so that individuals feel comfortable seeking out care that they will be treated fairly equitably, consistent delivery of of care.

I feel it's a little bit difficult at times to find a provider that is black or African American because >> there's only 5% of physicians that are practicing currently that are black physicians.

I'm not saying that another provider who is non-black can't provide you care.

I think it's a different experience.

And and through the lens of a patient who is African-American.

That has an africanamerican physician.

I think that provides a comfort level that allows you to open up and feel more comfortable in a clinical setting.

We do need to create spaces for patients to feel comfortable engaging with us.

>> The Black Family Wellness Expo sponsored by the Frankfort, Lexington, Kentucky, chapter of the Links incorporated takes place tomorrow from 09:00AM to 12:00PM Eastern Time at blue grass care navigators.

That's located on Harrodsburg Road in Lexington.

The event is free.

♪ March Madness has been God with not one, but 2 tournament buzzer beaters for a pair of Kentucky teams and in high school sports once week, 16 tournament is already underway.

Our Kelsey Starks gets us up to date with this law.

Get inside Kentucky sports.

>> Did Gabriel is at the Girls High school state 16 at going on right now.

Rupp Arena.

So, D***, let's start with the girls high school basketball right now would have we seen so far?

>> And what can we still expect?

>> Well, ready, we've seen that Sacred Heart Academy is a great shot at winning a 5th consecutive state title.

The team as a KET Johnson, who's a superstar really heading for LSU.

But it also has role players around her who are just really well, coach or good little athletes.

>> They're not superstars, but they know exactly what they're doing.

So they got a great shot.

But, you know, you've got other the other schools that are going to take a right.

George Rogers, Clark, Frederick Douglass.

I mean, I think now that we're into the quarterfinals and 70's, it's going to be a lot more fun because, you know, he had some schools that were rematch in the first round.

But now you're getting and it's a really tough competition.

>> Okay.

Looking ahead now to the boys sweet 16 where the teens there that we need to be looking out for.

And I know there's some high profile players right now that fans around the really be keeping their eyes on.

>> No question about it in number one is Malachi Marino, the other big man from great crossing the new school over in the Scott County in Georgetown.

He's a 7 footer.

He's going to Kentucky part of that recruiting class Mark Pope.

He's already put together.

They came last year but didn't get to the championship game.

But as I understand it only seen him on video.

I haven't seen him in person yet, but he has refined his game and it's beginning to dominate the way a big man should.

Now they're not unbeatable, but I think people are going to look for great crossing, perhaps because of a McDonald's, all American in the lineup.

So when it however seen actually at a Louisville, it's having a big season and of used to be a powerhouse back in the 60's.

It's been to the sweet 16 since then.

But this might be the best Team X is brought here in a long time.

Interestingly, Davis County is coming.

Rad pain is the head coach.

His wife Natalie brought Davis counties, girls to the Sweet 16 this week for the very first time for the girls.

Now they were beaten, but it's been a real family affair in Davis County.

>> And there are also some eastern Kentucky schools that we need to be watching out for, too, right?

>> The county place North Laurel in the first round and brought the county's won 24 games.

They got a good season going North.

Laurel is not easy as well.

Reach Shepard is no longer there, but they got a shot.

And as long as you're in the tournament, you got a shot.

So maybe read the county can surprise somebody.

>> Moving on to the SEC and ACC tournament.

Wow, both exciting nights for the cats and the cards.

Both of them winning on a last second was a late night for the cats.

But what are your takeaways from those 2 exciting games?

And then what does it mean for these teams moving forward?

>> Louisville got an incredible performance again from Chucky Hepburn.

And I guess it's no surprise if if they needed a last-second shot, he would hit it.

They cut it probably a little closer for comfort than they thought they would.

But that guy is absolutely worth the price of admission.

And, you know, postseason play is all about guards.

And when you get a guy like Chucky Hepburn, you've always got a shot.

If you University of Louisville, speaking of guards, we'll take made some crucial errors down the stretch.

The boy did he make up for it with the big blue nation and it was a shot reminiscent of the tip in the DeMarcus Cousins.

Putin in 2010 Calipari's first year that help Kentucky won its first SEC tournament title under Calipari.

>> What about some of those other Kentucky schools, western Morehead, where they stand right now and that as we're looking ahead here to the big dance.

>> Morehead state is excited people through the years.

Under Preston Spradlin Western Kentucky has been a contender on more than one occasion.

But it's been kind of a down year for both of those teams.

So fan base is going to galvanize for next year.

>> A lot to look forward to this time of year.

We appreciate you, D***.

Thanks so much.

Renee, back to you.

>> Thank you for your years of service and all the things you have accomplished and the accolades you have received throughout your career.

Let's this body show Mr. Brown, our gratitude and appreciation for his service record.

>> That's comment on Kentucky host and Wk Whitey anchor Bill Bryant being recognized on the floor of the state Senate Thursday.

Senator Reggie Thomas of Lexington filed the resolution saying he wanted to honor Bills 40 years of service to double UK.

It and his distinguished career as a Hall of Fame journalist.

Look for Bill and his guests to further break down the final days of the 2025 Kentucky General Assembly on comment on Kentucky tonight, which you can see at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET Gratz to bill lawmakers are still working to pass some last minute bills.

And we'll recap the latest from Frankfort when you join us again Monday night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky Edition, we inform connect and inspire.

I'm Renee Shaw coming to you from the state Capitol and I will see you Monday night.

Have a great weekend to come.

♪ ♪ ♪