[♪♪] REGARDLESS OF IT BEING A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOL THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY IS DOING TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN IN KENTUCKY.

>> LAST-MINUTE LEGISLATION HEADS TO KENTUCKY'S GOVERNOR HE WILL DECIDE WHAT BECOMES LAW >> We need to protect the work that nonprofits are doing on the government's behalf because communities don't thrive without nonprofits.

How Kentucky nonprofits are learning to navigate through uncertain financial times.

>> Renee: Good evening, and welcome to "Kentucky Edition" for Monday, March 31st.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Thanks for joining us.

Kentucky's 2025 General Assembly wrapped last Friday.

More than a hundred bills were passed and many of them have been signed into law.

Lawmakers also passed several bills on the final two days of the session.

Democratic Governor Andy Beshear can decide if those measures become law without the chance of Republican supermajorities overriding his veto.

Our June Leffler has more on some education legislation that is now on the governor's desk.

>> REPORTER: A PARENT OFFERED ONE OF THE FINAL TESTIMONIES TO LAWMAKERS THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IN ORDER TO FACILITATED OUR DAUGHTER'S ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP WE BELIEVED WERE UNHEALTH THINK.

THERE WERE 10 PHONE CALLS BETWEEN OUR DAUGHTER AND THE COUNSELOR AND ALL OCCURRED WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT.

>> JUNE: SHE SPOKE IN FAVOR OF SENATE BILL 181, WHICH RESTRICTS ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENTS.

ALL MESSAGING OUTSIDE OF A SCHOOL APPROVED PLATFORM THAT PARENTS HAVE ACCESS TO WOULD BE AGAINST SCHOOL RULES.

>> SEN. TICHENOR: AND I KNOW EVERY PARENT, EVERY TEACHER, EVERY GOOD TEACHER, EVERY GOOD HOUSE BILL 622 AMONG OTHER THINGS IT ALLOWS STATE DOLLARS TO PAY FOR POLICE OFFICERS AT PRIVATE K-12 SCHOOLS.

UP TO $5 MILLION A YEAR COULD BE SPENT THIS WAY.

SOME DEMOCRATS SAY THAT'S NOT WHAT PUBLIC DOLLARS ARE FOR.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT SHOULD BE PUBLIC MONEY F IT IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT SHOULD BE PRIVATE MONEY.

>> MORE LAWMAKERS SAY THAT'S MONEY WELL SPENT.

>> REGARDLESS OF IT BEING A PUBLIC OR A PRIVATE SCHOOL THIS COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY SHOULD STAND UP AND BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY IS DOING TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN IN KENTUCKY.

>> THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE BOTH APPROVED HOUSE BILL 622 ON THE FINAL DAY OF SESSION.

LASTLY, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED SENATE RESOLUTION 55, WHICH REQUIRES PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES TO OFFER MORE RESOURCES TO JEWISH STUDENTS WHO MIGHT BE FACING HARASSMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH.

UNIVERSITIES WOULD NEED TO KEEP TRACK OF REPORTED INCIDENTS OF ANTISEMITISM.

CRITICS WORTHIES COULD BE USED TO SILENCE PRO PALESTINIAN VOICES.

>> WE HAVE SEEN THE WEAPONIZATION OF THIS THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTRY.

WE HAVE SEEN OUR GOVERNMENT USE THIS TO TURN AWAY INDIVIDUALS WHERE SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BEEN CHECKED FOR PRO PALESTINIAN COMMENTS, FOR PEOPLE JUST SUPPORTING ENDING THE GENOCIDE.

>> A JEWISH DEMOCRAT SUPPORTING THE RESOLUTION SAYS HE DOES NOT WANT TO SQUASH THAT SPEECH.

>> UNLIKE MOST OF THE JEWS IN THE UNITED STATES AT THIS POINT, I STILL HOPE TO SOME DAY HONOR A FREE AND INDEPENDENT PALESTINE.

BUT THAT SHOULDN'T BE THE FOCUS OF TODAY'S CONVERSATION BECAUSE THAT ISN'T THE FOCUS OF THIS RESOLUTION.

THE FOCUS IS PROTECTING JEWISH STUDENTS FROM HARASSMENT, ASSAULT AND DISCRIMINATION.

>> SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 55 PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE WITH SIX NO VOTES FROM THE DEMOCRATS AND PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY IN FEBRUARY.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

LAWMAKERS ALSO USED THE FINAL HOURS OF THE SESSION TO AMEND A CONTROVERSIAL MEASURE THAT STIRRED UP LGBTQ ADVOCATES.

HOUSE BILL 495, OVERTURNED GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING CONVERSION THERAPY ON MINORS.

IT ALSO PREVENTEDS MEDICAID FROM PAYING FOR GENDER AFFIRMING MEDICAL CARE.

ON FRIDAY, REPUBLICAN SENATOR MILLS FILED A FLOOR AMENDMENT THAT HE SAID WOULD CLARIFY LANGUAGE IN HOUSE BILL 495.

IT BANS MEDICAID FROM PAYING FOR CROSS SEX HORMONES TO TREAT GENDER DYSMORPHIA.

HE WAS ASKED ABOUT THE CHANGE BY SENATOR KAREN BERG.

>> WHAT I SAW WAS THE NEED FOR CLARIFICATION FOR HORMONE THERAPY THAT CAN BE USED IN THINGS LIKE CANCER TREATMENTS.

OUT OF CAUTION, THIS CLARIFICATION WAS NEEDED.

>> WHY DID WE DECIDE ALL OF A SUDDEN THAT THESE TREATMENTS WERE ACCEPTABLE FOR EVERY SITUATION OTHER THAN THE DIAGNOSIS OF JEN CUSTOMER DYSMORPHIA.

I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THIS BODY FELT THEY WERE PROTECTING PEOPLE FROM THE DANGEROUS DRUGS.

AND I THINK THAT YOU HAVE SHOWN THAT THAT IS EXTREMELY DISINGENUOUS.

>> Renee: THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED AND ATTACHED TO HOUSE BILL 501.

THAT BILL ALLOWS PHARMACISTS TO FILL PRESCRIPTIONS FOR 180 DAYS IN THE EVENT A PATIENT'S PRESCRIBING HEALTHCARE PROVIDER DIES.

SENATOR BERG WHO VOTED AGAINST THE BILL BECAUSE OF THE FLOOR LIMIT CHANGED HER VOTE SAYING THE UNDERLYING BILL WAS NEEDED.

HOUSE BILL 501 PASSED THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY.

IT ALSO PASSED THE HOUSE AND WAS DELIVERED TO THE GOVERNOR.

>>> WE WILL REVIEW THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION TONIGHT ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" FOUR LAWMAKERS JOIN US AS WE DISCUSS THE IMPORTANT LEGISLATION PASSED AND WE WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS THAT IS TONIGHT AT 8:00 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON KET.

>>> FRESH OFF THE SESSION, ONE LAWMAKER MAKES IT OFFICIAL.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND KENTUCKY HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER PAMELA STEVENSON IS RUNNING FOR U.S. SENATE.

>> WE NEED SOMEONE TO STOP THE RECKLESSNESS IN WASHINGTON.

SOMEONE TO RESTORE THE BALANCE OF POWER.

SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T LEARN HOW TO BE A SENATOR FROM MITCH McCONNELL.

>> Renee: STEVENSON LAUNCHED THIS AD ON SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY.

THE DEMOCRAT FROM LOUISVILLE WRAPPED UP HER FIRST TERM AS KENTUCKY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER SHE WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 2021.

AND RAN AGAINST REPUBLICAN RUSSELL COLEMAN FOR KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL.

STEVENSON IS RUNNING TO FILL MITCH McCONNELL'S SEAT.

THE 83-YEAR-OLD ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY THAT HE WOULD NOT SEEK REELECTION NEXT YEAR.

>>> FOR THOUSANDS OF NONPROFITS ACROSS THE STATE AND EXECUTIVE ORDER BY PRESIDENT TRUMP FREEZING FEDERAL SPENDING ON LOANS AND GRANTS LEFT THEM UNCERTAIN HOW THEY WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE.

LAST WEEK, SEVERAL LEADERS ATTENDED A DAY LONG SUMMIT HOSTED BY THE KENTUCKY NONPROFIT NETWORK TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE SOLID FINANCIAL DECISIONS IN A TIME OF UNSRNTY.

>> THIS EVENT TODAY IS ABOUT NONPROFIT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TEACHING NONPROFIT LEADERS SOME OF WHO ARE FINANCE PEOPLE AND SOME OF WHOM ARE NOT HAD TO UNDERSTAND AND BETTER USE THEIR FINANCIALS TO MAKE SMART, STRATEGIC DECISIONS IN AN ENVIRONMENT RIGHT NOW WHERE NONPROFIT FUNDING IS UP IN THE AIR IT FEELS UNCERTAIN HELPING LEADERS UNDERSTAND THEIR NUMBERS.

>> I'VE SEEN A COUPLE OF ADMINISTRATIVE TURNOVERS.

I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST ONE WHERE FEDERAL FUNDING WAS IMMEDIATELY ADDRESSED AS BEING A POSSIBLE LOSS TO OUR NONPROFIT AND MANY OTHERS.

BECAUSE WE ARE FEDERALLY MANDATED PROGRAM WE RECEIVE STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING TO MEET OUR MISSION.

>> WE KNOW THAT 66% OF KENTUCKY'S NONPROFITS RECEIVE SOME PART OF THEIR REVENUE FROM GOVERNMENT FUNDING.

SO IT IS A HUGE IMPACT AGAIN FOR THOSE DIRECTLY RECEIVING FUNDS, AND THOSE WHO PARTNER WITH THOSE ORGANIZATIONS.

BECAUSE WHEN THE NONPROFIT ECOSYSTEM HAS A VOID, SOMEBODY ELSE TYPICALLY HAS TO STEP IN.

>> IF THE FEDERAL FUNDS ARE CUT IN THE WAY THAT WE'RE SEEING PROJECTED, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH INDIVIDUAL DONOR BASE TO MAKEUP FOR THAT.

I THINK WE ARE ANXIOUSLY WATCHING TO SEE WHETHER WE NEED TO DO ADDITIONAL ADVOCACY IN THE STATE DO MORE DONOR ENGAGEMENT AND TALKS AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO BETTER DIVERSIFY OUR INCOME.

>> TALKS ABOUT FORECASTING.

SO YOU KNOW, SORT OF BEING ABLE TO PREDICT INTO THE FUTURE YOUR ORGANIZATIONS REVENUE AND EXPENSES AND ESPECIALLY IN TODAY'S CLIMATE WHERE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NONPROFITS IS CHANGING BY THE DAY, REALLY BEING ABLE TO HAVE THIS FORECAST WILL HELP ORGANIZATIONS BE STRONGER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE.

>> ULTIMATELY, ORGANIZATIONS IF THIS CUTS COME TO FRUITION OR THE PAUSES CONTINUE, WILL HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT CORE PROGRAMMING.

WHAT CAN WE CONTINUE TO OFFER AND HOW DO WE FUND THAT?

WHAT PROGRAMS CAN WE NO LONGER OFFER AND ULTIMATELY CAN SOMEONE ELSE PICK THOSE UP?

WILL WE HAVE TO LAY FOLKS OFF?

AND THEY ARE ALL TRYING TO RAISE ADDITIONAL PRIVATE DOLLARS.

DATA TELLS US THAT TO COMPLETELY COVER THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL DOLLARS FLOWING INTO THE NONPROFIT SECTOR WOULD REQUIRE A 282% INCREASE IN PRIVATE PHILANTHROPY.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN BUT IT'S UNREALISTIC.

ORGANIZATIONS ARE TRYING TO RAISE THE MONEY AND RECOGNIZE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMPETING FOR THE DOLLARS AND THE TAX INCENTIVES FOR THE DONORS NO LONGER EXIST.

WE'RE SAYING TO CONGRESS WE NEED CHARITABLE GIVING TAX INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO GIVE AND SAYING TO CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE SHE IS ARE VITAL PROGRAMS IN YOUR DISTRICT.

AND WE NEED TO PROTECT THE WORK THAT NONPROFITS ARE DOING ON GOVERNMENT'S BEHALF.

BECAUSE COMMUNITIES DON'T THRIVE WITHOUT NONPROFITS.

AND THEIR WORK TO SUPPORT THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

>> Renee: THE KENTUCKY NONPROFIT NETWORK HELPED PUSH FOR HOUSE BILL 622 IN THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE A MEASURE THAT REFORMS STATE CONTRACTS WITH NONPROFITS AND REQUIRES PROMPT PAYMENT ON BILLS.

LAWMAKERS PASSED THE BILL AND AWAITS THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE.

>>> THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKIANS LOST POWER AS SEVERE STORMS MOVED ACROSS THE STATE.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONFIRMS A COUPLE OF EF1 TORNADOES TOUCHED DOWN.

LAURA ROGERS CHECKS IN WITH THE MESONET ABOUT A ACTIVE WEATHER WEEK.

SHANE SUGGESTS HAVING A COUPLE OF WAYS TO GET SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS ESPECIALLY OVERNIGHT.

THAT INCLUDES ON YOUR CELL PHONE AND A NOAA WEATHER RADIO.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS NEXT SYSTEM HE SAYS THERE'S FROST AND FREEZE POTENTIAL NEXT WEEK.

WE HAD A CONGEALED LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS RACE ACROSS THE STATE FROM WEST TO EAST.

EVERYBODY IN THE COMMONWEALTH WAS IMPACTED SUNDAY NIGHT.

WE HAD WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 60-MILES-PER-HOUR.

AND INCLUDING ONE IN MEADE COUNTY WITH 68-MILES-PER-HOUR NOT TOO FAR AWAY FROM BRANDONBURG AND THAT IS NOT FAR FROM WHERE ONE TORNADO WAS CONFIRMED EF1 BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE TOUCHING DOWN IN BOYD COUNTY.

ANOTHER ONE TOUCHING DOWN IN THE FAIRDALE COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF LOUISVILLE.

>> MORE OF THE SAME IS EXPECTED FOR LATER THIS WEEK.

TELL US WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW TO PREPARE?

>> THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER MAP FOR WEDNESDAY LOOKS IDENTICAL TO THE WAY IT LOOKED GOING INTO YESTERDAY.

WHERE WE HAD AN ENHANCED RISK LEVEL 3 OUT OF 5 FOR SEVERE WEATHER POTENTIAL.

WE'VE GOT THAT UP AGAIN FOR WEDNESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOR A GOOD CHUNK OF KENTUCKY, SAVE FOR THE EASTERN MOST PORTIONS BUT EVEN THERE THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF SEVERE WEATHER AS WELL.

ALL MODES ARE BACK IN PLACE THAT WOULD BE LARGE HAIL GREATER THAN A QUARTER INCH OR ONE INCH IN DIAMETER AND ALSO THE POTENTIAL FOR 60-MILES-PER-HOUR PLUS WINDS AND THE THREAT FOR TORNADOES.

THE HIGHEST TORNADO THREAT WILL BE FAR WEST KENTUCKY NOT TO SAY IT COULD NOT HAPPEN ANYWHERE ELSE.

IT WILL BE A BUMPY RIDE WEDNESDAY AND INTO THURSDAY AS THE FRONTAL SYSTEM THAT GETS HERE WEDNESDAY NIGHT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO STALL OVER THE REGION AND WILL HANGOUT FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

THAT IS PROBLEMATIC FOR TWO REASONS: ONE WE WILL HAVE A THREAT FOR SEVERE WEATHER HIGHLIGHTED BY THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER FOR THURSDAY INTO THURSDAY NIGHT.

AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, WITH REPEATED RAINFALL SOME OF IT HEAVY, WE'RE LIKELY TO BE LOOKING AT THE POTENTIAL FOR FLASH FLOODING WITH AREAL FLOODING AND RIVER FLOODING ACROSS THE STATE LATE-WEEK.

AND THIS WILL BE PARTICULARLY FOR THE PERIOD WEDNESDAY NIGHT ALL THE WAY INTO THE WEEKEND.

IT COULD BE SUNDAY BEFORE WE DRY OUT COMPLETELY.

>> WE SAW SOME FLASH FLOODING NOT TOO LONG AGO THAT WAS DEADLY AND DESTRUCTIVE AND THAT IS ALWAYS SO CONCERNING.

YOU SAY WE COULD SEE FLOODING HAPPEN IN AREAS WHERE THEY ARE NOT USUALLY PRONE TO THAT?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

MID-FEBRUARY, THE EVENT THAT HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 15 AND 16 WHERE WE SAW SIX PLUS INCHES OF RAIN.

WE HAD AREAS OF STANDING WATER THAT DON'T NORMALLY SEE IT.

AND A COUPLE DOZEN FATALITIES ATTRIBUTED TO THAT EVENT MOSTLY DUE TO FOLKS DRIVING IN TO AREAS THAT WERE FLOODED.

YOU NEVER KNOW HOW DEEP THAT WATER IS, WHEN IT COMES TO FLOODING.

SO THAT IS WHY WE SAY TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN.

NOT ONLY THAT, WE HAD WASHED OUT ROADWAYS IN THE WAKE OF THAT FEBRUARY FLOODING EVENT.

AND THAT CAUGHT PEOPLE OFF GUARD AS WELL.

THAT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN.

SOME OF THE FORECAST TOTALS HAVE BEEN STAGGERING THAT HAVE BEEN PREDICTED BY NOAA AND THE WEATHER PREDICTION CENTER IN EXCESS OF SIX INCHES OF RAIN LOOKS TO BE LIKELY FROM GENERALLY NORTHWEST FROM PADUCAH TO LEXINGTON AND SOME PLACES COULD GET DOUBLE-DIGIT TOTALS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE OHIO, THE GREEN, THE KENTUCKY RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES SEEING RISING WATERS FOR SEVERAL DAYS GOING INTO THE WEEKEND IF NOT BEYOND.

>> THE MESONET AND THE KENTUCKY CLIMB HAT CENTER WE APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND INSIGHT.

>> THANK YOU, LAURA.

>> Renee: SHANE SUGGESTS HAVING A COUPLE OF WAYS TO GET SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS ESPECIALLY OVERNIGHT INCLUDING ON YOUR CELLPHONE AND A NOAA WEATHER RADIO.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS NEXT SYSTEM THERE'S FROST AND FREEZE POTENTIAL NEXT WEEK.

>> Renee: IT'S BEEN RANKED THE NUMBER ONE BEST SOUTHERN SMALL TOWN BY "USA TODAY".

MAYSVILLE KENTUCKY IS HOME TO 9,000 PEOPLE AND SITS AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE STATE.

OVER THE YEARS, MAYSVILLE'S DOWNTOWN DISTRICT GAINED RECOGNITION FOR MIXING MODERN ATTRACTIONS WITH HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

WE EXPLORED THIS RIVER CITY AND TONIGHT'S SEGMENT OF MONDAYS ON MAIN.

>> IF MAYSVILLE IS YOUR HOME, THEN YOU ARE DOWNTOWN IS YOUR LIVING ROOM.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE YOU GO TO BE ENTERTAINED OR TO CELEBRATE.

>> THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND THE HISTORY OF MAYSVILLE IS WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE.

AND WHEN TOURISTS COME, THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS THAT ATTRACTS THEM.

>> YOU CAN COME HERE AND YOU WALK THE SAME STREETS THAT DANIEL BOONE WALKED OR SIMON KENTON WALKED.

WE ARE PROUD TO SAY WE HAVE A FULL SET OF TEETH ALL THE BUILDINGS ARE THERE THERE ARE NOT GAPS LIKE YOU WOULD SEE IN YOUR TEETH.

>> IN THE NID ELF COVID IN 2021 WE HAD 30 SOME NEW BUSINESSES OPEN IN MAYSVILLE.

>> JUST TO HAVE A BIG VARIETY OF BUSINESSES THAT I CAN BOUNCE AROUND AND WALK INTO IS AMAZING.

>> THERE IS A GREAT LITTLE CAFE CALLED THE PARK CAFE WHICH IS JUST A LITTLE SLIZ OF PARIS.

YOU WOULD BE ON THE CHAMPS ELICESY WHEN HAVING MUFFINS AND COFFEE AND TURN AROUND AND ONE OF OUR OLDEST BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN IS THE LIGHTS A NICE LITTLE GREASEY SPOON.

MANY OF OUR PROFESSIONAL PLACES ARE OLD.

WE'VE GOT THE OLDEST BANK OF KENTUCKY.

THE BANK OF MAYSVILLE AND YOU WALK IN AND IT'S LIKE A SCENE OUT OF IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE.

THEY HAVE KEPT THE MARBLE FLOORS AND THE OLD WINDOWS WITH THE BRASS AND ALL THAT.

IT IS A TOURIST ATTRACTION.

>> THERE IS A LOT THAT HAS STAYED THE SAME WHICH IS COMFORTING, FAMILIAR AND GREAT BECAUSE THOSE ARE INSTITUTIONS IN MAYSVILLE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE MAYSVILLE OPERA, THE WASHINGTON OPERA HOUSE, THE HOME OF THE MAYSVILLE PLAYERS.

>> WE ARE THE LONGEST RUNNING COMMUNITY THEATER IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

IT'S LIKE A FAMILY.

WE PULL IN EVERYONE FROM THE COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND WE PUT ON SHOWS HERE.

>> THERE'S OUR KENTUCKY GATEWAY MUSEUM CENTER.

AND THE MINIATURE COLLECTION IT IS INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED.

>> LIKE NOTHING YOU'VE SEEN.

THEY ARE JAW DROPPING.

THE LARGEST PRIVATE COLLECTION IN THE WORLD.

>> WE'VE HAD VISITORS FROM NINE COUNTRIES ALREADY THIS YEAR ALONE WHEN YOU LOOK AT JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH BEING TOURISM MONTHS THAT DON'T SEE USUALLY A LOT OF TRACTION THAT IS PHENOMENAL AND 17 STATES ON TOP OF THE COUNTRIES.

>> A FEW YEARS AGO THE TERM WAS COINED CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE.

AND I THINK THE PERSON THAT JUST STARTED SAYING IT, HE WAS JOHN BRESLIN WHO SIDE NOTE, JUST HAPPENS TO BE THE TOUR DIRECTOR FOR GARTH BROOKS.

BROOKS RUNS AROUND WITH A SWEATSHIRT THAT SAYS MAYSVILLE, KENTUCKY CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE.

YOU CAN SEE THIS ON INSTAGRAM.

>> WHAT DRIVES YOU MOST TO STAY IN DOWNTOWN MAYSVILLE BECAUSE YOU KNOW EACH OTHER.

YOU GO INTO THE BRADLEY'S BOUTIQUE THEY SAY HELLO, DAVID HOW CAN I HELP YOU.

>> WE OFFER NEW BOUTIQUE ITEMS AND BRING IN CRAFTERS AND DO CONSIGN.

I HAVE CONSIGNMENT FOR MEN'S WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S.

YOU COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW MANY VENDORS WE HAVE FOR THAT.

>> WHEN YOU GO DOWNTOWN YOU WILL MEET PEOPLE AND THEY WILL STOP AND TALK TO YOU AND SAY HELLO I LOVE THAT ABOUT OUR TOWN AND KENTUCKY.

>> I'M ALWAYS WELCOMING SOMEBODY TO TOWN.

AND I SAY WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

AND MY FRIENDS WHY DO YOU TALK TO EVERYBODY?

IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE THEM FEEL WELCOME.

AND WE HAPPEN TO SEE IT WE TOOK A DAY STRIP WE COME TO MAYSVILLE AND THEY KEEP COMING BACK BECAUSE IT IS A WELCOMING TOWN AND A BEAUTIFUL TOWN.

>> Renee: INDEED, IT IS.

MAYSVILLE IS PREPARING FOR THE FESTIVAL AND CONCERT SEASON WHICH KICKS OFF IN EARLY JUNE AND CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.

FOR 20 YEARS, THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION STORY CORPS HAS BEEN RECORDING EXPERIENCES FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

ITS TOUR IS MAKING AROUND THE U.S.

STOPPING IN CITIES TO ADD TO ITS COLLECTION OF STORIES.

THE LATEST STOP: LEXINGTON.

TIMED TO HELP THE CITY CELEBRATE ITS 250TH BIRTHDAY.

>> STORY CORPS IS A NATIONAL NONPROFIT DEDICATED TO RECORDING, PRESERVING AND SHARING THE STORIES OF PEOPLE FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS AND BELIEFS.

THEY ARE COMMITTED TO THE IDEA THAT EVERYONE HAS AN IMPORTANT STORY TO TELL.

AND THAT EVERYONE'S STORY MATTERS.

THEIR MISSION: TO HELP US BELIEVE IN EACH OTHER BY ILLUMINATING THE HUMANITY AND POSSIBILITY IN US ALL ONE STORY AT A TIME.

>> I USUALLY WHAT COMES UP IS THINGS OF FAMILY, COMMUNITY, MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS, WORK THAT YOU DO AND HOW YOU WERE DRAWN TO IT.

CAREER.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE.

PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE CITY THEY ARE IN.

WE'VE HEARD THIS IS THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF LEXINGTON AND OUR HOPE IS TO GET PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT THEIR CITY.

WHAT DO WAY WANT LEXINGTON TO LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE.

THAT MIGHT BE A THEME THAT I'M EXCITED TO SEE COME OUT.

>> EVERY MONTH OF OUR 250 LATINX BIRTHDAY HAS A THEME.

AND THE THEME FOR APRIL IS MUSIC AND THE WRITTEN WORD.

AND THE WRITTEN WORD LEADS TO THE SPOKEN WORD.

SO THE CELEBRATION OF SHARING STORIES THROUGH VARIOUS ART FORMS FITS IN WELL WITH STORY CORPS.

RECORDING THE WORDS AND STORIES OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> WE JUST SAT DOWN AT A TABLE IN THE TRAILER WITH TWO MICROPHONES AND HAD AN OPEN CONVO.

HE HAD QUESTIONS IN THE BEGINNING TO GET TO ME ME BUT IT TRANSFORMED INTO THIS SHARED EXPERIENCE WE GOT TO LIKE GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER IN A WAY WHICH IS REALLY COOL.

SOMEBODY WILL BRING SOMEBODY INTO PEOPLE THEY KNOW BUT IT WAS COOL TO GET TO KNOW SOMEBODY THAT I DIDN'T KNOW.

AND FIND SHARED EXPERIENCES IN THAT.

>> I'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT MY EXPERIENCES AS A QUEER PERSON AND A TRANS PERSON AND WHAT IT WAS LIKE GROWING UP AND HOW MY IDENTITIES HELPED FUEL THE WORK THAT I GET TO DO NOW.

>> WE HAVE OVER 380,000 RECORDINGS FROM ALMOST 700,000 PEOPLE.

ALL 50 STATES OVER THE LAST 22 YEARS WE ARE THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF HUMAN VOICES EVER GATHERED.

AND I HEAR I DON'T HAVE A GOOD STORY I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY.

I WANT TO CHALLENGE THAT AND THINK OF ANY DISTINCT RELATIONSHIP, EVENT IN YOUR LIFE THAT SHAPED YOU INTO WHO YOU ARE.

EVERYONE HAS ONE OF THOSE AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO GET THAT OUT.

NOT JUST FOR YOURSELF BUT FOR A WIDER AUDIENCE AND PEOPLE IN YOUR FAMILY.

IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT AND SERVE AS A RECORD WHO ARE WE AS A COUNTRY WHAT ARE ISSUES HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> I THINK ESPECIALLY FOR MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IT'S BECOMING MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT TO SHARE THOSE EXPERIENCES WITH PEOPLE.

BECAUSE THOSE VOICES ARE OFTEN SILENCED AND ALSO BECAUSE THERE MIGHT BE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE FIGURING OUT THEIR IDENTITY OUT IN THE WORLD WHO MIGHT HEAR THAT STORY OR MIGHT SEE THAT STORY AND REALIZE LIKE I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT FEELS THIS WAY.

>> PEOPLE EVERYWHERE ARE INTERESTING.

THE QUALITY OF THE STORY DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU ARE FROM AND THE MOBILE TOUR EXEMPT ANIES THAT.

WE FIND YOU INTERESTING AND WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY SO PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> Renee: THE COLLECTION IS ARCHIVED AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

>> Renee: OUR TOBY GIBBS TALKS ABOUT BASKETBALL AND CHARLES DICKENS VISIT TO KENTUCKY IN TONIGHT'S LOOK BACK AT THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY HISTORY.

[♪♪] >> IT WAS ONE OF AMERICA'S DEADLIEST TORNADO OUTBREAKS ON APRIL 3 AND 4, 1974, 148 TORNADOES RAVAGED 13 STATES, KILLING 335 PEOPLE AND 70 OF THOSE DEATHS WERE IN KENTUCKY.

CHARLES DICKENS ARRIVED IN LOUISVILLE BY STEAMBOAT ON APRIL 6, 1842.

HE STAYED AT THE GOLD HOUSE.

DICKENS' TRIP TO AMERICA INCLUDED VISITS TO NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA AND WASHINGTON D.C. WHERE HE STOPPED AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

THE NEWPORT SOUTH BANK BRIDGE OPENED APRIL 1, 1872, THE FIRST RAILROAD BRIDGE LINKING CINCINNATI AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THELMA STOVALL BORN ON APRIL 1, 1919.

SHE SERVED AS STATE TREASURER AND SECRETARY OF STATE AND IN 1975 BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS KENTUCKY'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

THE LOUISVILLE CARDINALS WON THEIR SECOND NCAA BASKETBALL TITLE ON MARCH 31, 1986.

BEATING DUKE 72-69 IN DALLAS.

THE CARDINALS WON THE FIRST TITLE IN 1980.

>>> LEXINGTON'S ARENA HOSTED THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ON APRIL 1, 1985 AS VILLANOVA UPSET GEORGETOWN 66-64.

>>> AND THAT IS A LOOK BACK AT THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY HISTORY.

I'M TOBY GIBBS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU AS ALWAYS.

THAT WILL DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION."

CONNECT WITH US ALL THE WAYS YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN, FACEBOOK, X AND SEND US AN E-MAIL.

HOPE TO SEE YOU IN AN HOUR FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" AS WE WRAP UP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

I'LL SEE YOU SOON.

TAKE GOOD CARE.

[♪♪]