>> Shame on you.

There is no excuse this is reprehensible.

>> Arguments start angry as lawmakers consider bills affecting transgender use.

>> So I am.

A pro gaming governor.

>> Governor Andy Beshear on whether he'll sign or veto bills on sports betting and gray machines.

His story has just been so quietly honored so far in our community that we just felt like it was time to just shout it out really loud.

And the western Kentucky City honors a man who captured some of the most iconic photos of the civil rights movement.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Endowment for Kentucky Productions.

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the K 18 Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION for this Thursday.

March 16th, we thank you so much for joining us.

I'm Renee Shaw at the KET Studios at the Capitol and next and Frankfort on a very busy day for the 2023, Kentucky General Assembly.

After today.

Lawmakers recess before returning in late March to try to override any vetoes by the governor and possibly pass more bills that won't the veto proof.

A controversial measure that outlaws gender transitioning services for transgender minors was resurrected within hours of the lawmaking Sessions.

10 day recess, period.

Last night Senate Republicans voted to pare down an omnibus measure that many of them claim was too broad and too far-reaching and the House Education Committee this afternoon, Senate Bill, one 50 was resuscitated details in Tonights legislative update.

It addresses policies about educator use of student preferred pronouns that don't conform to their biological sex.

We're hibbitts school policies that KET confidential student information from parents and lays out school curriculum rules about teaching human sexuality sexually transmitted diseases, gender identity and sexual orientation.

So the bill, one 50 was used his vehicle to attach a measure that banned what's called gender affirming care such as reassignment surgery or puberty blockers for use under 18 who don't identify with their biological sex, which pitched outrage.

Today.

LGBTQ advocates testified that the measure would lead to more suicides of trans use.

>> You're gonna kill kids.

The blood will be on your hands.

Shame on every one of you.

For doing this.

Overruling parents rights.

The party of small government reaching farther into people's personal decisions.

Then I have ever seen before.

And all of your studies are junk science.

I've sent you a dozen U.S. studies, not Swedish studies that show the medical effectiveness and the lifesaving care.

But this is.

>> And previous legislative hearings on the matter, physicians with the Kentucky Medical Association and other medical groups testified against legislation that bans transitioning services for non gender conforming use Emma Curtis over sales revisited.

That testimony, she blasted the measure before lawmakers on the education panel.

>> You're going to put providers in a position where they can either provide the ethical standards of care to their patients have become a felon.

Shame on you.

There is no excuse this is reprehensible and I can guarantee you right now if you pass this, this will go down in history.

You will be on the wrong side of history.

Just like those who voted to KET things segregated against black people.

This is wrong.

>> So the bill also says now that to respect parental rights, children and grade 5 and below are not to receive any instruction through curriculum or programs on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases and any child, regardless of grade level is not to be taught or presented material with the purpose of studying or exploring gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.

The bill's language also calls for local school boards to adopt policies that can find trans students to the use of restrooms, locker rooms and showers to their biological sex.

>> I'm feeling a lot of feelings for the people who have been here.

>> Again and again and again to speak out against this bill to be paid for their lives for their children's lives, to be recognized to be acknowledged to be the people they were born to be.

>> Asked and today is the mother of a victim of suicide.

And asked certainly.

I understand.

How other parents might feel thinking that they might be going through this.

And I think today we need to think about what we do when we walk into those churches on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights.

>> On the House floor, House Speaker Pro Tem David me defended the omnibus trans measure as one, but he says protects children, especially when it comes to gender, transitioning operations and medications.

>> We need to ensure that it surgery or drugs that completely alter their life.

And alter their body.

Is not something we should be allowed until they our adult.

You could use it for themselves.

This is the right thing to do.

For these children.

It's just a way to their little bit older to make that choice.

>> After some intense and emotional commentary on the floor.

The wide-ranging measure passed the House.

75 to 22.

It now goes back to the Senate for review and final passage at the time we prepared our broadcast this evening, the Senate was still voting and acting on that measure.

We can update you perhaps if a vote comes in.

The House has given final passage to a bill addressing some of the issues with the state's juvenile justice system.

House bill 3 appropriates money to reopen a juvenile detention center and Jefferson County.

Our Casey Parker Bell is in Frankfort where he reports on the details of one of the sessions priority pieces of legislation.

>> It's 76 members on in a 60 members voting day.

House bill three-minute a House committee substitute one.

You've heard about the House is finally passed.

>> The sound of that gavel means House Bill 3.

He's heading to the governor's desk.

The bill appropriates over 13.4 million dollars to renovate the Jefferson County Youth Detention Center.

The facility closed in 2019 reports of sexual assaults and riots that youth detention centers have led legislators to propose changes to the system, including significant changes for juveniles accused of violent crimes.

The Senate made changes to some of the most controversial language.

We had the discussion on the 48, our detention on violent crimes >> this allows clergy family and support organizations to come in speak to those juveniles during that 48 hour term.

>> Under House Bill 3, any child accused of committing a violent felony could be detained up to 48 hours pending a detention hearing.

Detains children will be assessed by mental health professional.

If the professional determines treatment is necessary, it will be provided at the facility and the order to continue by the court to release and detained.

Children are allowed visitation from family members, faith-based and support organizations.

But some legislators say the 48 hour hold may not be necessary even though the provision won't take effect until 2024, I do believe that if we are going to >> push back the 48 Hold until 2024.

>> I just believe that we should wait until 2024 to pass legislation because it may not be needed.

>> House Bill 3 also has language that we provide mental health services to detain children for Kentucky edition.

I'm Casey Parker Bell.

>> House Bill 3 also allocates 4.5 million dollars to renovate a juvenile detention center and London.

Now in other news, a bill that supporters say would protect Kentucky's electric grid at help the coal industry generated a lot of discussion on the House floor today.

Senate Bill 4 would prohibit the public service commission from allowing utility companies to retire coal-fired power plants and less.

Several conditions are met.

Now, here are those conditions.

First, the utility must replace the retired unit with new electric generating capacity.

Second rate payers wouldn't have to pay for the new unit.

And finally retiring a unit can't be the result of financial incentives from the federal government.

Representative teacher Tina Bojanowski, a Democrat from Louisville said the bill would have some unintended consequences including negatively impacting Kentucky's ability to explore other energy sources.

Without the ability to consider the federal incentives available to offset the cost of building nuclear generation.

>> No Kentucky energy company will be able to build a nuclear plant.

It's simply won't be economic.

>> Representative Chris Few get of eastern Kentucky said electric rates for his constituents.

Just KET going up.

And he said utility companies are charging customers a fee for demolishing coal-fired power plant.

He attributed those costs to increased federal regulations.

>> They're taking away our livelihood.

There are adding on to the to the to the to the bills in and the cost of living.

We don't have the cheapest cost of living in in in East Kentucky.

It probably costs more to leave a nice conduct.

He then does in Lexington.

We've got people's pair bills running live and $1200 >> month more than more than their house payment.

>> The Kentucky Coal Association praised the passage of Senate Bill 4.

In a statement, Tucker Davis, head of the said, quote, It has been obvious for some time that the continued closing of the state's coal fired power plant is bad policy and something had to be done to protect the long-term stability of the electric grid.

End quote, Senate Bill 4 is now headed to the governor's desk.

What some have called book banning a bill by proponents of an anti obscenity measure.

They claim they just want to protect kids from harmful materials.

They say critics are painting a distorted picture of what they really want to do.

Senate Bill 5 calls for local school boards to have a policy to deal with parent complaints about materials in schools.

Inventor programming.

They find objectionable and don't want their kids exposed to on the House floor last night, the bill supporters made their case.

>> We're not talking about banning books in this bill.

We're talking about protecting children in this commonwealth from examples of extreme sexual exposure to materials, to events, to programs.

That the courts have already ruled and have already said are in violation of what is considered obscene and what is considered.

>> As pure as per her aunt or extreme sexual interest.

>> So you have to ask your quick yourself this question.

Why?

Why are they being exposed to these things?

What is the reasoning behind it?

And I would I would venture today to say that part of the reason behind it is because inside of our education system, our activist that are working to sexualize our children and that are working to gain the mines of our children.

And pervert them.

>> Louisville state representative and Democrat Josi Raymond said the measure were birds and school board members and said material.

The bill's proponents have propped up as objectionable, often addresses critical issues.

Young people face and find themselves represented in.

>> This bill raises the question who exactly are we listening to?

We're not listening to the parents who are scared for the lives of their trans children.

We're not listening to the parents who are unable to house their kids after natural disasters.

We're not listening to the parents who are unable to afford child care.

We continue to listen to people who misunderstand the concept of Liberty.

The people who ignore the individuality of our kids.

And the people who vastly vastly underestimate them.

>> Senate Bill 5 was approved by the House on a vote of 80 to 18 last night and now heads to the governor's office for his review.

If he vetoes the measure, the Republican dominated Legislature has enough votes to override it.

A bill that would give public school teachers and faculty members the right to share their religious beliefs while at school has received final passage.

Some lawmakers say it's vital.

Some say it's not necessary at all.

>> The reason I oppose this legislation because we don't really need it.

You can do so.

Now your private time, your private space, you can wear what you want to identify whatever religious cause you >> House Bill 5.47, is a bill that protects teachers, coaches, faculty and staff, religious freedoms and the public schools and insurers, the religious freedoms to express their Fay.

>> The bill's sponsors says House Bill 5.47 was brought after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a former Kentucky football coach Joseph Kennedy, who preyed on the school field after games last summer, HB 5, 4, 7, pass the Senate.

32 to 4 and is now headed to the governor's desk.

Final passage was awarded to a bill that criminalizes college hazing that result in serious injury or death.

Senate Bill 9 is named in honor of Lofton Hazelwood who drank 18 shots of bourbon and less than an hour and died of alcohol poisoning.

He was a pledge at a University of Kentucky fraternity Lawson's law makes it a Class D felony for hazing that result in serious physical injury or death.

The measure was awarded final passage 30 to 4 and is now headed to the governor's desk.

And the governor will also review a bill that its sponsors say will KET the Chinese government from accessing state government information.

Senate bill, 20 bands.

The social media app TikTok from use on government devices on a 34 to 0 vote in the Senate.

The measure now heads to the governor's desk.

Well, during the governor's press conference this afternoon, he talked about the bill's he'll either sign or veto.

Here's his reaction to bills legalizing some kinds of sports betting and banning gray machines.

>> So I will certainly sign sports betting if it gets to make.

I want to be very clear about that.

It's something that I've push for 4 years and I believe it is very close to having the votes that it needs and I believe that this is something that Kentuckyian overwhelmingly want did sign a bill this morning to ban what are called great machines.

And the reason is they're entirely unregulated.

I don't believe that they were legal.

Yeah.

They came into Kentuckyian just set up and we're taking dollars from Kentuckyian Sen and taking them out of state with 0 regulation, 0 taxation, 0 the system to help those that might develop any using them or or or gaming or or gambling I want to look at ways that we can more better regulated came in.

But the law is law they were unregulated.

I think they were unlawful.

Now, I understand that there are a lot of businesses out there.

This provide it.

Another revenue stream for.

And I want them to know that I'm sympathetic for them.

I always fall back on on the rule long.

What's legal or not, but my hope is in the future, whether that's additional lottery offerings or others, that we can do some things to replace some of those revenue and give people options.

>> The House passed a Senate committee okayed a bill to legalize medical marijuana under certain circumstances, a narrowly tailored measure sponsored by Senator Stephen West allows medical marijuana to be used for certain conditions, including cancer, chronic and debilitating pain, epilepsy or seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, chronic nausea and PTSD and other medical conditions or diseases.

The Kentucky Center for cannabis fines appropriate.

Here's Governor Beshear on that Bill.

>> The bill itself, I would like to see some changes too.

There aren't enough conditions in it that people may be suffering from that that need the assistance of medical marijuana.

But I will take a start.

And it is a start.

It got a hearing.

It got out of committee that's never happened in the Senate.

But at I don't really believe in winds like that.

And people who need this needed now.

And so I really hope that they will push it through.

And even though I believe the bill isn't perfect, I would sign it is a step in the right direction.

>> The Senate unanimously passed a bill to Regulate Delta 8, which is a psychoactive found and the cannabis plant House Bill 5.44.

Requires the state health cabinet to regulate Delta 8 and other hemp-derived intoxicating agent.

The bill also makes illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to possess or to be sold.

It to requires part for labeling on Delta 8 products and requires that they be behind the counter House Bill 5.44.

Will also now be sent to the governor's desk.

♪ >> There's a saying you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but that isn't always true, especially when it comes to teaching Kentucky additions.

Kelsey Starks explains.

>> We've told you a lot about the national teacher shortage and how it's affecting districts across Kentucky.

While new teachers are absolutely still in need.

The Ohio Valley Educational Co-operative that he's teaching current teachers.

Some new tricks to help them fill some of the gaps.

Alicia cells is Ed, the director of innovation.

And this program is called teach Tech.

It's all about teaching computer science and computational thinking and really no matter what your train on in teaching, you're going to have to use some of this at some point.

>> I was shocked to hear this statistic from you all teacher preparation programs in Kentucky didn't graduate a single new teacher that's prepared to teach computer science in the past 4 years.

So why isn't this a part of teacher training already?

That's absolutely correct.

And I think it's a matter of timing.

I think that technology has exploded in the world around us.

And teacher preparation.

Maybe it's not quite caught up to that yet.

I think we're just starting to see how technology has it shows itself in English or social studies or history.

And so >> what we're asking him to step Kentucky's for math teachers to learn about computer science and computational thinking and integrate those concepts into their lessons.

Then the American Institutes for research is going to measure whether or not there's any correlation between with U.S. teachers, Todd and students, math achievement.

>> And so who can apply to this program?

It's mask teachers, right?

It is.

It's math.

Teachers in grades 3 through 8 and they do have to be mad teachers that record so full-time at teachers in their schools.

And what can they expect to get out of the program?

What's it going to entail?

Say it's really transformational for students to learn the skills.

But there's also an opportunity here for teachers to earn benefits that can have a life time impact for them.

So teachers learn in 6 micro credentials, they're self pace, professional, learning they can when they finish that earned a $4,050 stipend and just be done or they can apply that $4,050 stipend and the course Mike Rucker, dental work that they've done to a ranked change program.

That's my credential base called The C E '02 ranked teams program a pretty education professional standards board.

And they would earn 15 more Mike or credentials I change, which is how they move up on the Saturday schedule.

So teachers could may have had on the Saturday schedule.

And then, of course, once you make more money, you're also increasing your retirement benefits for the rest of your life.

And you say that's been even more popular than the stipend so far?

Absolutely.

We have 14 teachers implementing now all 14 are doing it for the right change has said they but they have really enjoyed learning about computational thinking and computer science space, the direct connection with mask content.

But yes, it's definitely an important thing for teachers.

The traditional Pats are ranked change is to get a master's degree.

It's expensive and requires teachers ad after school at or on the weekend driving to the university campus.

In this particular case, they can do it at home at their own pace and it doesn't cost them anything.

You know, you already touched on this just a little bit, but let's go back to it about that.

How this is not only transformational for teachers, it is truly transformational for the students.

It is absolutely computational thinking is they sleep problem solving strategic problem solving and computer science and technology is all around us.

But there's no question it's just exploded everywhere from our phones and our Netflix and all of the other things we do so.

Computer science, jobs are some the high-wage jobs in Kentucky.

The average salary for computer science jobs ever.

$72,000 compared to $42,000 average for all of their jobs in Kentucky.

So it's incredibly important that we do everything we can do to prepare students for that work force.

Hey, Paula, and teachers can apply right now.

Applications are online.

You can find out more at teach Tech K Y.

>> Dot com.

♪ >> Decades after his passing, a man from Western Kentucky is being remembered for his contributions to the civil rights movement.

He captured that time with photographs that tell the story of that impact.

Our Laura Rogers has more.

>> The city of Owensboro known for Barbecue Bourbon and Blue grants.

Now paying tribute to one of its natives, a figure credited with some of the most influential photographs of the civil rights movement.

>> Very important man.

Very important to ones and I believe everyone should know about and should be taught in schools.

>> He means that orange can produce some beautiful things.

And people that can contribute not just to our community, but 2, the history of our country.

>> Need to sleep.

Junior worked for Ebony magazine capturing key moments in history reflected upon today.

It just gives a greater context to what our history books have tried to convey.

In 1969, sleet won a Pulitzer Prize for his photograph of Coretta Scott King at the funeral for her husband, Doctor Martin Luther King junior.

It humanized the vent.

It didn't make it so far removed that because he was just this big icons that show that he was somebodys husband.

He was someone's father.

When we were in leadership Owensboro, we were charged with.

How do you make Owensboro better?

>> One of the ways that I thought we going for better was to lift up positive stories from our community that led to organizing a festival celebrating a man born in Owensboro that rolls to professional acclaim, becoming a friend to Doctor King.

He took pictures of those intimate moments.

>> Drew Hardesty and Amy was Lee traveled the country interviewing people most familiar with sleet, work, producing a documentary as photographers and videographers.

You know, you're kind of the unsung hero.

You stay behind the camera.

>> You don't get all the recognition.

So and that's fine.

But it was his turn.

It was his time to get his recognition.

>> With ow photojournalists and specifically journalist like sleet, we would lose some of that history.

That's just so profound and ingrained in our society.

It's important that we learned there's a person behind that photograph.

>> Several 100 people attended the festival, which also included exhibits monologues and conversations.

I think it was something very important for our community to see.

>> That we can honor African Americans that have contributed to our community and also to the country or Kentucky edition.

I'm Laura Rogers.

Thank you.

Laura sleep passed away from cancer in 1996.

There are plans and always Berle for a bronze statue to be commissioned in his honor.

The Kentucky Senate late breaking news has now passed Senate Bill.

One 50 that outlaws gender transitioning services for transgender minors.

The vote was 30 to 7 after some emotional debate.

That bill now goes on to the governor will have much more on this and they are now debating medical marijuana Senate Bill.

47.

So we'll update you on all of that tomorrow because we'll have a look inside Kentucky politics as we always do.

So will break down the week.

That was.

>> Here at the state Capitol.

Plus, a food bank in Berea wanted to get food to people who need it.

Who's helping make that happen?

We'll find out tomorrow night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central right here on Kentucky EDITION.

I'll be back in Lexington to see you then.

We hope you'll join us.

Have a great night and take good care until I see you again tonight.

♪