>> 9 die as 2 Black Hawk helicopters similar to this one crash in Trigg County.

We could find something that works for you.

Until they tell you you're a criminal for using it.

That's not that's not cuts are coming.

Is this the day the Kentucky General Assembly finally legalizes medical marijuana.

>> Local food system.

It's really source saying your food from this close to your home as possible.

>> And why eating food grown close to home.

Maybe more important that you think.

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

The only entered Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky.

This and lie for this Thursday.

March 30th, we thank you for joining us.

I'm Renee Shaw coming to you from the KET Studios at the Capitol Annex in Frankfort, where bills are flying on the last day of the 2023, Kentucky General Assembly.

We'll get to that news and our legislative coverage in just a moment.

But first, tragedy overnight in Western Kentucky has 2 Army Black Hawk helicopters crashed in Trigg County, killing 9.

The helicopters were from the 100st airborne stationed at Fort Campbell.

The Army says the helicopters crashed during a training exercise 30 miles northeast of the Fort One helicopter carried 5 people.

The other Kerry for the Army and Governor Andy Beshear provided a briefing this morning.

>> We are blessed to live in the freest country in history.

You must remember that's real laws on those willing to serve some of which the ultimate price.

>> safe bet.

Actually used to sit with us.

I'm on the ground some time today.

meeting back Showtime, much the >> On the floor of the Kentucky Senate this morning, Senate President Robert Stivers addressed the incident.

>> Various members of the Army at Fort Campbell lost their lives in a training mission with whack hawks.

I would ask that this body.

Staying in a moment of silence for those individuals.

We have lost their lives in the protection of this nation.

And this process.

>> The victims names have not yet been released.

The crash investigation continues.

Yesterday.

Kentucky's Republican led state House and Senate overrode all of Governor Andy Beshear's legislative vetoes.

Today is the last day of the legislative session and it is a historic day for the Kentucky General Assembly, the bill to legalize medical marijuana is now headed to the governor's desk.

Our Casey Parker Bell reports from Frankfort in tonight's Legislative update.

>> What was this for sick people?

Medical marijuana is closer to becoming reality in Kentucky than ever before after Senate Bill 47 was approved by the Senate the first time the chamber has ever passed.

Medical marijuana legislation.

The House moved the medical cannabis bill out of committee for the 3rd time in 4 years off and says the bill would allow disabled people to get some relief.

It's unfortunate.

That you may have for allowing drugs.

It's not a party to fund that war on drugs, which could be a week.

>> But to find something that works for you.

Until they tell you your criminal for using it.

That's not cuts are coming.

We need your help to make us be safer.

So you have to use all these pharmaceuticals opioids.

Help us not be criminals.

>> Medical marijuana wouldn't become available to the public in Kentucky until 2025.

S P 47 sponsor season West says the extra time will allow legislators to adjust the law before the drug is legal.

>> So to see the cabinet will have a long time to draft regulations pursuant to the bill.

We will be back in session.

One more time before those regulations go into effect.

So you'll get another bite at the Apple.

Take a look at everything that's flowing through the regulatory process.

But some legislators say they're concerned about the potential for people to smoke medical marijuana.

>> Which is prohibited in Senate Bill.

47.

Louisville Representative Jason me Miss said this about those concerns.

And if you do smoke this product, which obviously is against the rules, it will be packed on the package.

>> You will not only lose your card, you will go to prison.

You lose your card if you get caught smoking it and you'll go to jail as you ought to.

This is not a wink, wink, nod, nod medical program.

This is a medical program.

S P 47 was approved by the House Licensing and Occupations Committee.

>> Before heading to the floor, but not all legislators voted in favor of it.

One of the legislators in opposition as Taylor Mill Representative sure.

>> I just don't think that legislators should be put in the position of medication.

I and I have a problem with creating a giant government bureaucracy around one medication.

>> Governor Andy Beshear has indicated he will sign Senate Bill.

47 for Kentucky edition.

I'm Casey Parker Bell.

>> Thank you, Casey.

Late this afternoon, the Kentucky House gave final approval to SB 47 medical marijuana in Kentucky will become legal in January of 2025.

Is Governor Andy Beshear approves the legislation as he said he would.

The House passed the bill.

66 to 33.

But in one of the last lengthy debates of the session, legislators made their thoughts heard on the bill to legalize medical marijuana.

>> I'd ask you to vote no, because it will be smoked.

And the bill sponsor knows it will be smoke.

And the answer will be.

But it's the legal.

Yeah, but it's illegal to snort cocaine, too.

But people do it.

We've been working on this several years.

And I promise you.

>> This is the most tightly regulated cannabis bill in the United States.

>> Legislators say they'll be making changes to the legislation next session before medical cannabis becomes available to Kentucky.

Ends.

Another major piece of legislation that was passed just moments ago is the sports betting Bill House Bill 5.51.

Would appoint the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to oversee the sports gaming industry and that history is already legal.

And 6 of Kentucky's border states.

The bill has already cleared the House today.

It was debated on the Senate floor.

>> All of the one point or another on the floor in committee.

Talk about how you want to provide.

>> For the least of these, you look out for people that are in need.

You want to protect the people who can be harmed.

I have before.

When gambling has come up almost 4 talked about how I don't question that there's revenue there.

I don't I'm I'm sure the senator from Scott's estimates are fair, but the fiscal note that it could generate 23 million dollars is.

Is the number.

Perhaps it is higher and he's comparing it to Tennessee.

Ask yourselves how much money people of Kentucky have to lose before we get that.

I can't pay me.

People come up to me in Lexington, regardless of the color skin or what religion they are.

>> Or or who they love, how they speak and if why do we have gambling in this state?

You know, we lose billions of dollars left, please of dollars over the course of several years, but not having it.

They want it.

This is like here in my in my district all the time.

Again, it if they want it, I'm fine with it.

That's why I.

>> The final vote on House Bill 5.51.

Was 20 to 5 to 12 Governor Beshear has said he would sign it into law.

A proposed tax relief bill for the bourbon industry is under heavy negotiation and was as lawmakers try to beat the buzzer of the sessions.

And tonight, only Kentucky taxes, aging barrels of spirits every year referred to as the Bourbon Barrel Tax House bill 5 would gradually phase out the tax distilleries pay on aging bourbon barrels.

No other manufacturer in Kentucky pays a state local tax on its goods during production.

Even though demand is on the rise.

Bourbon industry leaders believe the tax is discriminatory and puts them at a competitive disadvantage.

The money collected from the barrel tax goes to local governments who are worried about lost revenue.

If the tax is phased out.

We caught up with Bullet County Judge Executive Jerry Summers at the Capitol earlier today.

He says critical public services depend on revenue from the barrel tax and that without it, they will suffer.

>> We have 62 bourbon Belver CASA's in Bullet County were not in favor of the Texas to go away because it hurts our community.

Our economic hits but a 4 million dollars.

And when you're working on 28 million dollar budget, that's a lot.

That's a huge percent of that today.

It's okay.

But a year or 2 down the road, we still same expenses.

It takes to KET the public safe from an alcohol plan from the major story.

We're and the mask on a major company.

They do somewhere around 8 million dollars is what they pay.

They do 10 and a half million cases.

Our 126 million bottles at $0.6 on the bottle and it's a consumption tax.

So where we go from here would either have to pass it on the residence or cut services.

We put this back on our residents.

That's not quite fair.

And the services that we provide in our community, it's EMS jail and far.

And sheriff and those are essential services from where we stand.

It's tough to even try to negotiate because of what it is to our community.

There is room for negotiation, but it appears to be a one-sided I would ask them to vote no on this today because this industry is not struggling.

There's been concessions made for the last decade to him and how many more concessions the have to give for an industry.

That's a multibillion-dollar year in the street.

>> 95% of the world's bourbon is made in the Bluegrass State and 2022.

Distilleries were taxed more than 33 million on their barrels.

A revised House Bill 5 that just came out of committee and on the Senate floor now calls for a 20 year phase out of Bourbon Barrel tax by the year 2043, the Kentucky Distillers Association says that for the first 17 years of the barrel tax step down, counties will see more revenue from the tax because of projected growth at 10%.

Bill supporters say schools, fire departments and emergency Medical Services will be kept cold, Senate appropriations and revenue Chair Chris McDaniel explained the negotiated measure on the Senate floor just earlier this evening.

>> Further.

>> This make sure that we leave in place.

The Bourbon Barrel tax for those who are utilizing industrial revenue bonds and also makes the industry pick up any shortfall.

>> On the school district funding or fire Department fire district funding related to the burn barrel tax.

Finally, mister President, there is that provision in there for small distillers with 25,000 or what fewer barrels to continue a crew, barrel tax credits, should they so choose?

>> House Bill 5 passed the Senate on a vote of 23 to 14.

It now goes back to the House for approval of the Senate Amendment before it can be sent on to the governor's desk.

A bill that would help protect victims of domestic violence, stalking and human trafficking received final passage today.

Senate Bill 79 builds on the Secretary of State's address confidentiality program which allows victims to shield their addresses from voter rolls.

The bill provides the same protections on other government records without requiring a protective order.

Senator Julie, Rocky items of Louisville sponsored what's called the Safe at home at and had the full backing of Secretary of State Michael Adams.

The bill now goes on to Governor Andy Beshear for his review.

Republican lawmakers are urging the Kentucky Board of Education to oust Kentucky's top education official under accusations that Commissioner Jason Glass has politicized the department with guidance on LGBTQ student farming school policies interfered with parents rights by keeping confidential personal information about students and undermine constitutional, religious and conscientious rights of teachers and school staff with guidance suggesting conformity to student preferred pronoun use Oldham County Republican Lindsey Titian or sponsors Senate resolution to 60 that blast commissioner Glass for using his position as she says to elevate LGBTQ+ issues affecting use that the resolution says has a row.

Did the public trust and confidence in him, Senator Titian or says busloads of kids skip school yesterday to come to the Capitol at his urging to protest anti LGBTQ laws being passed in Frankfort.

>> Recent statements from Commissioner Glass show not a desire to lead and educating the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic but a desire to continue indoctrinating Kentucky students regardless of the will of parents.

Commissioner Glass directed staff to withhold information about students, health from their parents.

He put pressure on teachers to comply with pronoun usage regardless of their personal beliefs and encouraged open bathroom policies while ignoring the privacy rights of all students.

These these actions continue to reveal that raising test scores and retaining teachers are less important to him than pushing a left leaning woke agenda in our schools.

What will interest?

The responsibility?

>> This high responsibility such as that.

>> To a commission of education, given leadership.

Bringing his expertise, bringing his commitment, bringing his understand it.

To benefit the Commonwealth.

I think Jason Glass fits that mold.

So I stand here to say that I am proud of the leadership that we have here.

You may question something that he may maybe even misrepresented because you don't understand it because you choose not to understand.

>> Yesterday, a similar resolution was filed in the House.

Tony Tatman Akt spokesperson sent KET this statement that reads in part, these resolutions are pure political grandstanding as they have no force of law.

It's unfortunate that instead of focusing on the real issues and challenges our students and schools are facing, General Assembly have chosen to expend their time and energy on this.

She goes on to say it should be very concerning that some members of the Kentucky legislature are adopting the tactics of authoritarian regimes, which include threatening silencing and removing anyone who disagrees with them.

The commissioner remains unbowed by such actions and stands behind his commitment to support all students and all people, unquote.

Also yesterday, Republican lawmakers overrode the governor's veto of Senate bill, one of 7 that requires the education commissioner to be confirmed by the state Senate.

And a historic move.

The Kentucky Senate today unanimously voted to convict former prosecutor Ronnie Goldie.

The ex Commonwealth's attorney faced accusations of trading favors in exchange for nude photos of a defendant.

Goldie resigned last month after 3 articles of impeachment were drafted against him by the Kentucky House.

Here are those articles.

The first deals with the suspension of his law license by the Kentucky Supreme Court rendering him unable to perform the duties of his office.

The second deals with Goldie's inappropriate relationship with the defendant and the 3rd deals with the quid pro quo nature of their involvement.

Speaking on the Senate floor today, members explain why this process was needed and ensure the public that the business was handled in a fair and just manner.

>> What we are actually doing here is overturning an election.

No one, but the legislature should or can do this.

The only the people through their representatives should remove from office in elected official, not the courts, not the executive branch to branch.

At every opportunity.

Mister Gordy was given an opportunity for notice.

>> He was notified twice by this body and we're trying this case when the hearing took place, he was notified several times to get an opportunity to be heard at every instance regarding the the maybe the charges at the outset of the case to the middle case to the end of this case.

So I can sure all my colleagues that his due process rights were strictly provided by and in the courts with the Constitution and therefore the process was flawless.

>> This was the first impeachment hearing and trial and the Kentucky state Senate and 135 years.

♪ >> State and local leaders gathered in Louisville this morning for a rally to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect in the state.

>> April is child Abuse Prevention month.

But child advocates say it's important to remember that protecting children from abuse and neglect should be a year-round obligation for all of us.

>> We're all here today because we really know that the future of the children and families and our community depends on what we do today to KET them happy, healthy and free from abuse and violence.

We know that the mental and physical impact of child abuse in childhood trauma is devastating and heartbreaking.

You can't have a Kentucky.

>> That we're proud of and less everyone can prosper as long as children in Kentucky suffer from abuse, violence and neglect.

None of us can say that we are truly prosperous.

Kentucky has the 6th highest rate of child abuse and neglect.

>> In the United States today.

>> That means we have a higher rate of hungry and hurting children.

>> Then all but 5 other states.

It means that too many of our most vulnerable have witnessed the kind of domestic violence and drug abuse that they will never forget the kind that should make even adults shutter.

>> We know that one in 7 Kentucky high school students, one in 7 has seriously considered suicide at some point and a 12 month period.

One in 5 middle school kids has considered suicide at some point in their very young wines.

And you all these are not just statistics.

These are real kids.

>> Child abuse cases are unique and some of the most complex cases to investigate and prosecute perpetrators must get the message that we will not tolerate abuse against our children and that there is no corner in any of the 120 counties in this state in which they can hide from a peep hour prosecution.

Ultimately.

The Kentucky's child abuse and neglect challenges are bigger than any one officer organization.

>> Any abuse against any child is wrong.

We need to commit and thank you for standing with us against child abuse against child suicide.

>> We serve all children.

You, sir, all children, all families.

That's the important thing that we do together because we have to support each other.

We'll take all of us working together.

>> To create a world free from abuse, abuse, and neglect.

>> On Monday, we aired a special report examining the very difficult topic of child abuse and neglect in Kentucky.

If you miss that, we encourage you to watch it online on demand at K E T Dot Org.

You can find child abuse and neglect.

A K E T special report and or programs.

More electric vehicle jobs are coming to Kentucky.

Micro vast advanced member ants says it will spend half a billion dollars on a facility in Hopkinsville, meaning 562 full-time jobs.

The company makes a fire resistant insulation for batteries.

Those are the only jobs headed to Hopkinsville and Toyota but America will invest 225 million a new facility with 157 jobs.

That company makes door trim carpets, air and oil filters.

A local food system is a direct relationship between a farmer and the consumer.

Like when you purchase fresh produce at the farmers market, experts believe strong local food systems can be beneficial for communities, health and wellness.

Some of those experts came together this week in Lexington to brainstorm how to make local food more accessible.

>> There is an issue with limited access to fresh food to most people.

I think probably time is the biggest barrier.

A lot of people just do not have to invest in the work of.

>> I'm buying fresh food processing, cooking that fresh I think that's one piece I think income can be a barrier to people.

And I think also a lot stores and more rural communities or in urban areas might not have quite the variety of fresh food than your traditional grocery store would a food desert?

>> Is where feet people do not have access to affordable nutritious food.

And, you know, we have food as are scattered all over this state, right?

It's it's not, you know, you know, inner city versus, you up a holler, the kind of scattered Just don't see a trance tense majority produce is grown in Central Valley of California in Arizona, but they're undergoing a significant climate change in weather events out you know, as well as transportation issue.

So, you know, more local and regional lines in our food system makes it more increases, food security there's a huge benefit to it, too.

In terms of people spending their money and that that money circulating in the local economy.

And then there's that the health aspect to it, too.

When tomatoes pick as soon as it is picked, it starts losing its nutritional value right?

So the longer between, you know that to make it comes off the vine and gets on your plate, less nutritional that that isn't that tomato.

So the fresher it is more local.

It is better quality food.

>> Being able to access local food is so vitally important to our consumers.

If you look at a lot of statistics and information about their Kentucky is not a healthy state.

We have high rates of diabetes and heart disease.

And then you look at our food deserts.

They're all over.

Even in urban areas.

We have food deserts, which seems mind-boggling.

But when people don't have access to those nutritious foods.

They can be put in a spiral.

They stress you can stress eat, then you bring issues with heart disease.

So it's a it's a very vicious cycle.

So being able to bring more nutritious, more local food to people can make a huge impact.

I think farmers markets are a great place to start with local food systems.

But I think they're starting point and not everyone has transportation or the time to go to a farmers market.

>> I think that we need to be looking at local food in in within institutions that's farm to school in prisons and hospitals.

I think it also needs to considered to do home delivery other programs like that.

So that fresh food can be accessible to anyone within a community.

And I think being innovative in that way is what's really going to help communities build their local food systems.

>> For more information about accessing locally grown food.

Reach out to your county's cooperative extension office for all Things, Farm and Garden.

♪ Kentucky chef is considered one of the best around and she's getting national attention for it.

Sam, for owner of took took Sri Lankan bites of Lexington is one of 5 finalists for the James Beard Award for the Southeast region.

The James Beard Foundation is a non-profit the celebrates and supports the people involved in America's food culture.

The award program is due in 5th in Chicago and you could look her up on connections.

I interviewed her sometime back.

It's another tool to help students learn while applying it can help students from elementary school all the way to high school.

And it's happening right here in Kentucky.

And you'll see some of that tomorrow on Kentucky EDITION, which we hope you'll join us for 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.

And you can also find us on the PBS video app on your mobile device and smart TV and send us a story idea at public affairs at KET Dot Org.

>> Thank you so much for being with us tonight.

I'll be back in Lexington to bring you all the news and inside Kentucky politics.

We hope to see that until then.

Have a good night to take good care.

♪ ♪