♪ >> could be on that are just not seen this level of failure in terms of checks and balances.

>> A state audit into Kentucky State University find sloppy record keeping and millions in spending that can't be explained.

>> In the state that's getting reports.

The winners of the primaries because the winners of the general almost automatically get you into the general to get involved.

It's just too late.

>> Kentucky secretary of state is pushing for more people to vote in the May primary.

Plus, it's a signature Kentucky industry.

There's good news about the health of America's race horses.

There's no better feeling then.

>> Completing a piece of work.

>> Every piece of where that Korea is always going to be a little bit different or what.

>> And one Koppel to great talents.

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

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION for this Wednesday March 22nd, I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for winding down your Wednesday night with us.

A new state audit criticizes Kentucky State University and Frankfort for wasteful spending on bonuses and benefits.

>> And sloppy record keeping that left investigators on sure how or why some money was spent.

The report covers KSU spending over a 3 year period from July of 2018 to June of 2021, it says former administrators received benefits that shouldn't have been allowed, including bonuses and supplemental health insurance.

The audit says Ks you might have to pay back more than 3 million dollars to the federal government because of missing or incomplete records how KSU spent federal grant money.

And it says internal communications were so poor financial problems went unaddressed.

Here's state auditor Mike Harmon >> our examination contains 20 findings noting multiple issues which include poor to nonexistent record, keeping little to no financial oversight, high level of staff turnover and questionable expenditures.

Now because of the seriousness of the findings, we're making referrals to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the Kentucky office of the Attorney general and finding 6 specifically to the U.S. Department of Treasury and the U.S. Department of Education.

>> The audit says the historically black several different credit cards.

And during that 3 year period examined those credit cards were used to make about 1.3 million dollars in purchases.

But because of the poor record keeping, it's not always clear why those purchases were made.

>> Case you couldn't provide documentation for all the transactions selected for review.

For example, case you could not provide documentation to support any of the selected transactions where 5th 3005th cards go cards and the Diner's Club card.

Now because of that auditors could not review the appropriateness of some of the purchases.

Those included $657 at the hotel in Nassau, the Bahamas and $313 at Churchill Downs.

In addition, other expenses were found that are considered of questionable benefit to K shoe or the public.

And those were $238 spent with a Los Vegas florist on flowers for the spouse of the former KSU president.

$322 to pay for Sirius XM subscription.

The university's former EVP for Finance $180 for edible arrangements sent as a birthday present to the former board chair.

But the president's office as well as a $5.78.

sent purchase of the kids meal.

The senior vice president.

>> Ks use interim President Doctor Ronald Johnson took over 8 months ago, which is after the 3 year period examined and this audit he took over for President Christopher Brown.

Doctor Johnson says KSU is already working to fix the problems described and audit.

>> He's he's made great strides due in no small part of the dedication of this of team of folks that I that I've identified.

We will share additional news as we go forward in terms of progress in the weeks to come and the months ahead.

One of the things that really mind blowing.

Is that my entire career has been largely in the financial realm.

I am a producer.

I still sit as a fiduciary.

And I have worked on countries as well as companies as well as go as well as universities.

As a fiduciary.

It is the sole responsibility of that individual to make sure that other people's moneys are protected.

The board invited me to come here because of that background.

And I assure you that we are working in and with with great Hayes to ensure that the public trust.

In Kentucky State University is maintained.

>> Last year the Kentucky General Assembly voted to provide 38 million dollars in emergency funding to KSU with conditions on how it could be spent in order to help the university deal with its ongoing financial problems.

Governor Andy Beshear today signed 5 bills dealing with workforce development, helping everyone from truck drivers to students to cosmetologists.

One of the Bills House bill.

32 let schools hire classified employees without high school diplomas.

If the district helps them get that diploma.

It's sponsored by Representative Kevin Jackson of Bowling Green, who says this will help ease a worker shortage in Kentucky.

Schools.

>> I just called back to Warren County about 2 months ago when I started running this bill and I asked our HR director how many classified positions do we have open at this time?

He said 100, we have 100 jobs open cooks, custodians, bus drivers, age classroom, age.

That's just in one school system out of 171.

We had 100 open classified jobs.

So we've got to do something to help our school systems feel these jobs across the state of Kentucky.

>> On another matter, the governor still hasn't said if he'll veto Senate Bill one, 50 a bill affecting Kentucky's transgender youth.

The bill bans gender affirming medical care for trans youth under the age of 18.

Among other things.

Monday on Kentucky tonight we asked state Senator Jay Williams a Republican from Verona to respond to one of his constituents who says she will leave can't hockey because of Senate Bill.

One, 50.

He says the people in his district on the whole agree with his support for the bill.

>> The constituents throughout the state of Kentucky.

This is their position is not the position the General Assembly's position of the vast majority of our constituents.

Now, that doesn't mean there's not constituents like her that have a different opinion.

What to do.

But we clearly believe that we're on the side, our constituents and this is Kentucky values.

That's what we're exposing.

That's we're hearing from our constituents.

That's what we'll continue to.

To work on it.

And I'm saddened that she's leaving Kentucky.

It feels like she has to.

But we have to go with the majority.

This is not the but pinion of the majority of your constituents or the rest of the state.

There's only been one poll.

>> That's been done on Senate Bill.

One, 50 of the provisions within it was done by Mason-Dixon Polling.

And that is a 71 70.

He doesn't want to hear this number.

71%, Kentucky voters oppose the state government overruling parents rights to obtain treatment for their transgender children.

Show me a better not to show me a different number.

>> You can see more of that very spirited discussion on Monday night about issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community online and on demand at KET DOT Org.

Slash K why tonight?

The May primary believe it or not is only 55 days away.

Kentucky secretary of state is already working to increase voter turnout from last year's election.

Our Casey Parker Bell was in Frankfort.

Were Secretary Adams pushed students to get out and vote?

>> We need your help.

We need your help to vote.

You need your help to get turned up.

>> Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams spoke to a group of about 100 high school students today about voter engagement.

He encouraged the students to sign up to vote and to convince others to do so.

>> In the people in this building, in the building just next to us, the capital.

They listen, everybody that they listen.

Most of the people who vote.

That's just the bottom one.

They listen to the people to show up and are part of this process.

>> The speech was part of the Kentucky Electric Co-operative Youth tour.

Last year's general election had the lowest voter turnout for midterm and almost 30 years, Adams offered some ideas for ways to increase the turnout.

>> I also think it would be better to get independents involved in the primaries because independents are 10% of registered voters in Kentucky.

It's a big chunk.

It's a it's grown rapidly last several years, but they were only 4% of the voters in November.

Right?

So they're registering, but then they're not actually showing up.

I do think that if we open the primaries, independent voters, it would incentivize them to participate to feel more included in the neighbor.

Also that more in November.

But even with low numbers last year.

>> Adam says that this year he expects more ice beyond Kentucky and more dollars being spent on voter turnout.

But the state hosting one of the most competitive governor's races in the country.

>> I do.

I do think we'll see part of the money coming in or stay out of this on the criticism.

I think it's a good thing.

That's what drives turnout is funding and information grassroots activism.

I expect that both sides will have a big presence of Kentucky.

I think we've got the most competitive race in America about this year and that will draw a lot of interest organically as well as from outside.

>> For Kentucky edition, I'm Casey Parker Bell.

>> The Kentucky secretary of state has partnered with Kentucky Electric Cooperatives to increase voter turnout since 2015.

Secretary Adams says the partnership has led to an increase in rule voter turn out.

Kentucky's primary election is May 16th.

Louisville is expanding a program that diverts calls from 9-1-1 to mental health professionals, a pilot program called the Crisis Call Diversion Program began a year ago.

And one police division.

It was later expanded to 3.

Now it's going citywide from 2 to 10:00PM 7 days a week.

And those hours could be extended Mayor Craig Greenberg says this lets police focus on being police.

>> All too often police officers are sent into situations that are not really about law enforcement over and over.

We've seen situations where our Metro Safe 9-1-1, dispatch center receives calls from people.

We're about people who are in distress with those individuals need really?

Is it a police officer?

They need a social worker.

They need a trained mental health professional who can help with problem solving de escalation and possibly make referrals to appropriate community services.

This program works very well.

It gets people the right help at the right time and it saves resources so that our officers can focus on preventing violent crime.

And we're proud to celebrate the success of this program and continue to develop this program, which helps us serve the people of Louisville.

>> Mayor Craig Greenberg's office says the program has already met crisis support for 600 people without involving police officers.

♪ ♪ Time now for our midweek, check-in of some major political developments happening in Kentuckyian the state Capitol with our good friend Rylan Barton who is managing editor of Kentucky Public Radio.

>> Good to see you.

Even though you're not in person.

It's good to have you by Skype.

>> It's good to see that here So we are a week away from going back to the state capitol as lawmakers wrap up their business next Wednesday and Thursday.

But meanwhile, the governor's got a lot of bills on his desk to review.

What's he done so far?

>> Ryan says so far he started signing some bills.

I think the probably the big ones to talk about the bill gives 6% raise to state workers on this is something that was set in action last year when lawmakers are reading state budget again to raise to state workers for that fiscal year.

This one takes care of the next fiscal Lawmakers also asked compensation study be conducted at the same time.

That hasn't finished yet.

this bill is to take care of that part to ensure that some part portion of raise will still go into Makers have said for the races could be considered in the future, depending on how study goes.

So we'll see How the other another bill this year side related to health that boosts some of the Medicaid reimbursement payments for hospitals.

This is intended to really just short of some the hospital budgets that have been struggling with this issue.

So we are really at the beginning of the of the veto period this year isn't so much focusing on some of those big controversial bills that we've been talking about that passed through the Legislature.

We we're sure to see some of those of the vetoed over the next few days.

He does have 10 in total working days to consider these actions.

But that we talked about on this program and several other ones and PTA elsewhere, it's very easy to override the Kentucky governor's veto.

It only takes a majority of votes out of each chamber.

So essentially lawmakers just have to pass the bill So we're very likely to see lawmakers come back in on March.

29th and 30th and the all or nearly all of the governor's veto actions.

>> And we know that the legislature does have a habit of passing bills on the last 2 days of the session after the veto recess and they forfeit their opportunity to come back and override any vetoes.

The government may issue after which will be march.

The 30th this time and there some bills that could fall into that category.

>> Absolutely.

And the bills kind of fall into a couple categories.

One is bills that they know that they're going to agree with the governor on the and don't have to worry about him, veto it.

And then the other ones, ones that gives the governor still might be told.

But they're hoping to possibly campaign against him or use that against him.

So anyway, on the one's that they probably all agree with, you know, this medical cannabis legalization bill that passed out that passed in the Senate last week, which is a big, historic moment that never passed out of the out of the Senate you will be taken up by the House where it's been successful for the governor's already said he's in favor of this.

It's a pretty restrictive medical cannabis it's it's the first step for Kentucky kind of joining the vast majority of other states that have already legalized cannabis in some way.

Another win would legalize sports betting and and really have a Kentucky racetrack.

Sports racetracks.

Be that the keepers of those sports betting licenses.

But same deal.

This would be a first step for Kentucky.

Joining us.

You know this issue and allowing people to bet on sports besides betting on horse races or or the lottery or charitable gaming, which are the only forms of of gambling that are legal right in Another bill to watch for.

And I'm just kind of interesting to see this all happened.

There's been some talk that it which is the entire track This is one Dreier show that is this is something that came up earlier in the legislative session trying to restrict we're a drag performances can be performed, trying to restrict them from being performed in any sort of public space.

I would be in Cincy.

They end up passing that Bill just too, to really debate a veto from Governor Beshear.

So then they can, you know, run or for people that are aligned.

Groups can run ads against him during this 2023 governor's race and try to gin up support among some socially folks who wouldn't be in favor of that.

>> And the governor has said recently at a press conference he didn't really specifically talk about Senate Bill.

One 15 that you're talking about the drag show performances bill but or Senate Bill, one 50, which is kind of the sweeping anti trans measure.

You didn't call those out specifically and say he'd veto them but measures like those.

He seemed to intimate that he would have it be inclined to veto.

>> Right.

And it seems he's indicated as much and we will see you want to see if and when the issues the beaches.

>> Just real quickly, about 30 seconds left talks.

Let's talk about the governor's You know, Craft and Cameron just KET mixing it up.

Don't they?

>> Kelly Craft aligned PAC has come out with another ad going after Attorney General Daniel Cameron of this one over the planning that he has a soft on crime record of because of his time as the executive director of the Kentucky Smart on Crime Coalition.

This is a group that is pushing for a common sense criminal to criminal justice reform measures, including the expansion of Kentucky's expunge been of a lull, which of the former Republican governor Matt Bevin signed into law.

This group is characterizing that curve is a as a soft on crime group, parents and fighting back against it.

But this is Kelly.

Kraft is really trying to make, you know, get her name out there and trying to attack the supposed front runner Daniel Cameron right now and Cameron has really been trying to avoid, you know, you know, going to them.

And that's leading mother over this.

But you really it's for hitting month and a half until the primary election time deal.

We're really going to see these you know, the top 2 contenders here of going at it after each other.

>> Yeah, we've got 2 appearances that they'll make a one elsewhere.

And one right here on May first.

That's the one we're going to plug.

Thank you.

Ryan Barton is always great to >> nice to see to it.

♪ ♪ >> U.S.

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky wants to return war powers to Congress.

Senator Paul is introduced an amendment to repeal the 20 0, one authorization for use of military force if passed, the amendment would and the authorization for the war in Afghanistan.

In a statement, Paul said war should not be the decision of one person and he says ending congressional authorization for the Afghanistan War.

Plus, the war in Iraq and the 1991 war in the Persian Gulf would return the power to start a war to the American people and their representatives.

The price of gas is holding steady in Kentucky.

Triple A says the average price for a gallon of unleaded is now $3 and $0.15 a week ago.

It was $3 and $0.16 the national average.

Today is 3.44, the highest prices in Kentucky are in Greenup County where gas averages $3 and $0.39.

And Bell County gas averages $2 and $0.92.

That's the statewide low.

As we told you yesterday, the Appalachian Regional Commission has picked Ashland and Boyd County to host its annual meeting this year.

That's set for September.

The IRC is an organization that includes the federal government and 13 state governments.

Ashton's mayor reacted to the news that his city would host the 2 day meeting.

>> We're proud to be the host of this conference are proud to showcase Ashlynn any time of the year.

Actually.

>> It's it's a sign that Kentucky is on the rise.

Appalachian states do have a place at the table.

>> And we will continue to do everything we can to bring jobs to these folks to show that this is a beautiful city, a beautiful place to live in beautiful place to bring a business.

>> We are just as good as any other place in this country.

>> And I am proud to be a mayor of the city.

I love where I'm from a love where are going.

>> The conference's September.

11th and 12th at the Delta Hotel.

In Ashland, the theme is Appalachia rises, resilience, strength and transformation.

Good news from the horse Racing World.

A new study shows horse racing deaths have gone down for the 4th year in a row altogether.

Deaths during races have declined by more than 37% since 20.

0, 9, The equine injury database calls that a number of, quote, significant and the downward trend includes all race track, surface types.

♪ ♪ >> He's a barista and she's a librarian.

When they met his woodworking hobby inspired her interest and ceramics.

>> And this week's Tapestry segment focuses on arts and culture.

More Rogers introduces us to the husband wife behind of Wood and Clay.

♪ >> And an old tobacco barn in Logan County, west of place where their creative collaboration began in.

>> Quarterback got married and the same bar in just a little below.

>> Under the watchful eye of some loyal companions.

>> The best part is unloading the count and seen the beautiful pieces that you created.

>> Then and Laura Beth boxes L the woodworker and the Potter creating functional pieces that spark Joy.

This is awesome.

I just love to make work that I know is going to be picked up and held.

>> Throughout the day.

>> Inspired by the materials they use.

>> I think the best thing about what it is they will just kind of tell you what it wants to be.

>> The nature that surrounds them.

>> I love to incorporate flowers and wild flowers and trees and mountains.

Their partnership as husband and wife.

>> We can kind of really bounce ideas off each other.

We're each other's best critic.

>> And the place they call home part of what we get to do as Kentucky artists is we get to be a little bit of the voice of the state and how we create and art that we put out into the Laura Beth, that's mugs.

They says jars and recently baskets.

I just think I can't sit I think I just always like to be able to do something with my hands.

>> We're been it's woodworking.

From cutting boards to Christmas ornaments.

>> Christmas is always really big deal in my childhood.

And so I like to reflect back on a lot of like really old antique.

We're bubbles.

>> No matter what they're making, it's a process taking time and patience.

Here's spending hours, weeks, months on a single piece.

>> And though they want each piece to be loved and use.

>> I love making functional stuff but also really just love making pretty stuff.

Thank you to new to make a lot of wall art pieces.

In fact.

A lot of this kind of would this is a little chunk of Pin Oaks lab that I got from an Amish farmer out now in county.

>> They say their work became more intentional during the pandemic.

I felt like it was a pivotal moment for us to like, really think about it.

The work that we were making.

Where do we want to take this?

What we want to go with this?

Both continue to learn new things are that recently teaching been the basics of pottery.

>> I will say that the woodworking is a lot more dangerous, but the pottery is.

So much more volatile like as you can get at the store you think is really great and then threw it in a heartbeat.

>> While Beth using her talents to support causes that are important to her.

A lot of the work that I do has an active is an element to it helps me express myself, but I also see it as an opportunity to celebrate people who were doing the hard work as for their own work of wood and clay, it's more a labor of love >> for Kentucky edition, I'm Laura Rogers.

>> Beautiful work there of Wood.

And Clay recently received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kentucky Arts Council to learn basket weaving, which they're incorporating into their ceramics.

Fayette County's safe kids program is celebrating a milestone.

>> All in all this this program, you know, survive those 30 plus years because people see the value in the the knowledge and the resources that that we're able to provide.

>> And we'll tell you about that knowledge and how it's keeping kids and caregivers safe.

That's tomorrow on Kentucky edition, which, you know, is at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central where we inform connect and inspire subscribe to our weekly Kentucky Edition email newsletter and watch full episodes and clips of KET Dot Org.

You can also find us on the PBS video app on your mobile device and smart TV.

>> And send us a story idea that public affairs at K E T Dot Org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop.

Thank you so much for watching.

Hope to see you right back here again tomorrow night.

And until then, take really good care.

Have a good night.

♪