[♪♪] >> I THINK THAT THIS IS A WATERSHED MONTH.

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR NOT JUST A LITTLE HOPE, BUT A LOT OF HOPE AND I THINK THIS GAVE US A LOT OF HOPE.

>> Renee: KENTUCKY'S GOVERNOR SAYS HE IS ENCOURAGED BY THE LATEST REPORT SHOWING YET ANOTHER DROP IN DEADLY OVERDOSES IN THE STATE.

>> ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PICK UP YOUR PHONE AND BE COMFORTABLE WHEREVER YOU ARE.

>> Renee: FINDING RECOVERY SUPPORT IN RURAL AREAS CAN BE DIFFICULT.

LEARN ABOUT THE GROUP BRINGING TREATMENT INTO HOMES.

>> THERE WAS BETWEEN SEVEN AND EIGHT FEET OF WATER.

>> Renee: HOW A LOCAL LIBRARY MANAGED TO BE THERE FOR THE PUBLIC DESPITE THE LIBRARY BEING CLOSED BECAUSE OF FLOODING.

>> EVERYONE EATS.

AND SO WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN OUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM.

>> Renee: PLUS, GIVING PEOPLE A TASTE OF WHAT KENTUCKY FARMS HAVE TO OFFER.

>> PRODUCTION OF "KENTUCKY EDITION" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE KET MILLENNIUM FUND.

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THIS THURSDAY, THE FIRST DAY OF MAY.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

AND WE THANK YOU FOR SPENDING SOME OF YOUR THURSDAY NIGHT WITH US.

>>> BIG NEWS IN KENTUCKY'S FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS.

TODAY, GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR ANNOUNCED OVERDOSE DEATHS DECREASED BY MORE THAN 30% LAST YEAR.

2024 WAS THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW FOR A DECREASE IN KENTUCKY.

THE LATEST KENTUCKY DRUG OVERDOSE FATALITY REPORT ALSO SHOWS A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF BLACK KENTUCKIANS TO DIE FROM AN OVERDOSE BY MORE THAN 37%.

SOMETHING WE HAVE NOT SEEN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

STILL, 1410 KENTUCKIANS DIED OF AN OVERDOSE LAST YEAR.

OF THOSE DEATHS FENTANYL WAS PRESENT IN 62% OF THEM AND METHAMPHETAMINE WAS PRESENT IN 50%.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR THINKS THIS MAY BE A WATERSHED MOMENT IN KENTUCKY'S DRUG FIGHT.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR NOT JUST A LITTLE HOPE BUT A LOT OF HOPE AND I THINK THIS GAVE US A LOT OF HOPE.

NOW OUR CHALLENGE HAS TO BE TO SEE SOMETHING BIG THE NEXT YEAR AND THE NEXT ONE AFTER THAT BECAUSE IF WE CONTINUE THIS MOMENTUM WE CAN BE HEADED TO A MUCH BETTER PLACE AND I WANT US TO GET A BETTER PLACE WHERE I'M NOT WORRIED THAT YOU MIGHT GET A CALL UNEXPECTED WITH SOME OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS OUT THERE LAYED IN OTHER THINGS.

WE WANT TO SEE A BETTER WORLD WHERE WE DON'T LOSE ANY OF OUR PEOPLE TO AN OVERDOSE.

>> Renee: COMBATING THE DRUG EPIDEMIC IS EVOLVING ISSUE WITH ILLICIT COMPOUNDS COMPLICATED THEIR RESPONSE.

KENTUCKY MADE STRIDES IN GETTING INCREASING ACCESS TO DRUG TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES AND RESOURCES, MANY BELIEVE THERE IS STILL MORE WORK TO DO.

AS OUR MACKENZIE SPINK EXPLAINS, ONE RECOVERY PROGRAM IS HELPING TO REMOVE THAT BARRIER FOR RURAL KENTUCKIANS THROUGH VIRTUAL GROUP THERAPY.

>> WHETHER IT IS A LACK OF CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION, OR TIME, THERE'S LOTS OF REASONS THAT SOMEONE IN RECOVERY MAY NOT MAKE IT TO AN IN-PERSON COUNSELING APPOINTMENT.

GROUPS IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES MEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT, ALONG WITH GROUP THERAPY TO TREAT OPIOID USE DISORDERS.

AND 71% OF THEIR MEMBERS LIVE IN RURAL AREAS.

MEANING MANY JOIN THEIR SESSIONS VIRTUALLY.

>> MEMBERS CAN JUST LITERALLY ROLLOVER OPEN THEIR EYES LOG ON AND THERE THERAPEUTIC IN GROUP AND THEY HAVE THAT SUPPORT.

HAVING THAT ON YOUR PHONE, BEING ABLE TO JUST CONNECT, KNOWING THAT GROUPS CAN SEND YOU ALL THE SUPPLIES THAT YOU NEED IF YOU ARE FAR AWAY FROM AND AOFFICE, IT JUST MAKES IT ONE STEP EASIER.

THE VIRTUAL SESSIONS IS REALLY NICE BECAUSE YOU KNOW, WORK LIFE BALANCE GETTING ON THE CALL MAKES IT REALLY EASY IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE BEING AROUND EVERYONE, YOU KNOW, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PICK UP YOUR PHONE AND BE COMFORTABLE WHEREVER YOU ARE.

>> ON-LINE THERAPY ALLOWS MEMBERS IN RURAL AREAS TO ACCESS COUNSELING THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE IN THEIR AREA BUT IT DOES HAVE CHALLENGES.

>> TECHNOLOGY DOESN'T ALWAYS WANT TO AGREE WITH EVERYBODY.

WE'VE HAD INTENSE WEATHER IN KENTUCKY THAT HAS DOWNED TECHNOLOGY LINES AND WI-FI.

HAVING WORK AROUNDS AND DOWNTIME PROCEDURES AND BACK UPS TO BE ABLE TO STILL GET THOSE MEMBERS THE SERVICES, THE SUPPORTS AND THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED WHEN THEY CAN'T CONNECT OR CAN'T CONNECT FOR THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF TIME.

JUST HAVING A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY THERE.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU'RE AT PHYSICALLY, GEOGRAPHICALLY OR EMOTIONALLY.

WE WILL MEET YOU WHERE YOU ARE AT AND GET YOU TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.

>> THE GROUP'S MODEL EMPHASIZES COMMUNITY.

IT INCLUDES THREE STAFF MEMBERS INCLUDING A MEDICAL PROVIDER AND 10-15 MEMBERS IN RECOVERY.

>> ACTIVE USE IS A SOLITARY TIME.

A LOT OF TIMES IT'S KEPT SECRET FROM PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE IF YOU WANT TO BE AROUND OTHER PEOPLE WHILE YOU ARE USING.

AND RECOVERING BY YOURSELF IS REALLY DIFFICULT AND HAVING THAT SUPPORT OF PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING WHEN YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO PUT WORDS TOGETHER, AND BEING ABLE TO CONNECT WITH YOU ON THAT LEVEL, IS INVALUABLE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THAT AND KNOW THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE ALONE ANYMORE.

AND YOU CAN DO IT TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.

>> HEATHER HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF GROUPINGS FOR TWO YEARS AND SHE HAS ACHIEVED GOALS SHE NEVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE.

>> I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN MY BACHELOR'S DEGREE.

I BOUGHT MY FIRST HOME.

I'VE DONE THINGS THAT I REALLY NEVER THOUGHT AT THAT TIME THAT I WOULD EVER DO.

NOT PROUD OF WHERE I WAS.

BUT I AM PROUD OF WHERE I AM NOW.

AND GROUPS REALLY TRULY HAS PLAYED A VERY BIG ROLE IN THAT.

>> GROUPS ISN'T JUST HELPING TO CLOSE THE ACCESSIBILITY GAP FOR THERAPY, IT ALSO WORKS WITH MEMBERS TO DELIVER SUPPLIES AND RESOURCES THEY NEED FOR RECOVERY.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION", I'M MACKENZIE SPINK.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

SINCE OPENING LOCATIONS IN KENTUCKY IN 2020 GROUPS HAS SERVED OVER 5,000 KENTUCKIANS.

A PROGRAMMING NOTE THIS COMING MONDAY NIGHT, WE EXAMINE THE STATE RESPONSE TO SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND HIGHLIGHT THE WORK OF OFFICIALS, ADVOCATES AND RECOVERY CENTERS THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

IT'S PART TWO OF OUR SPECIAL "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" PROGRAMS EXPLORING THE NATIONS AND STATE'S DRUG EPIDEMIC AT 8:00 P.M., 7 CENTRAL MONDAY NIGHT HERE ON KET.

>>> AND IN ANNOUNCING FEWER OVERDOSE DEATHS THIS AFTERNOON GOVERNOR BESHEAR CREDITED SEVERAL FACTORS INCLUDING MORE THAN 140,000 KENTUCKIANS WHO WERE ABLE TO RECEIVE ADDICTION SERVICES THROUGH MEDICAID.

THE GOVERNOR WAS ALSO DEFENDING MEDICAID ON NATIONAL TV THIS WEEK.

HE JOINED MARTHA MACCALLUM ON "FOX NEWS" THE STORY YESTERDAY TO PUSHBACK AGAINST REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS WHO ARE CONSIDERING CUTS TO THE JOINTS FEDERAL STATE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE PROGRAM THAT SERVES LOW INCOME HERNS AND -- AMERICANS AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> THE WAY YOU ROOT OUT ABUSE I KNOW I WAS ATTORNEY GENERAL WE HAD A MEDICAID FRAUD UNIT AND YOU LOOK FOR THE PROVIDERS OVERBILLING THAT ARE DOING WRONG THAT ARE CHARGING FOR THINGS THAT ARE NOT HAPPENING.

BUT MAJOR CUTS TO PRESERVE SOME TAX CUT THAT PROVIDES STATES LESS MONEY THAN IS NEEDED JUST WATCH THAT RURAL HOSPITAL WILL CLOSE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF THEIR REVENUE THAT IS COVERED BY MEDICAID, THEY CAN'T EXIST WITHOUT IT.

AND RURAL AMERICANS DESERVE TO SEE A DOCTOR IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DRIVE HOURS JUST TO SEE A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR.

>> THE ADMINISTRATION HAS SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT CUT SERVICES FROM MEDICAID.

THAT'S WHAT HE HAS SAID REPEATEDLY.

>> CONGRESS IS LOOKING AT THAT.

AND REMEMBER YOU CAN SAY YOU ARE NOT CUTTING SERVICES BUT IF YOU CUT WHAT IS GOING TO THE STATES THEN YOU MAKE THE STATES TO SAY WHAT YOU ARE NOT DOING.

THIS IS COMING OUT OF CONGRESS.

>> IF YOU FIND PEOPLE -- >> PUSH CONGRESS NOT TO DO IT.

>> Renee: OTHER PORTIONS OF THE G.O.P.

LEGISLATION ARE STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE UNVEILED NEXT WEEK.

THOUGH THAT TIMELINE COULD SLIP.

ONCE THE NEARLY DOZEN COMMITTEES WRAP UP THEIR WORK, THE ENTIRE PACKAGE WILL BE ASSEMBLED INTO ONE BILL FOR A FINAL VOTE IN THE HOUSE BEFORE HEADING TO THE SENATE.

>>> REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR IS PICKING UP MORE ENDORSEMENTS IN HIS RACE FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

STATE TREASURER MARK METCALF IS THE FIRST STATE-WIDE OFFICER HOLDER TO BACK KENTUCKY'S SIXTH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN.

AND IN A STATEMENT HE SAID QUOTE I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT ANDY BARR IS THE RIGHT CANDIDATE TO FIGHT FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP'S AGENDA IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

END QUOTE.

>>> BARR NOW HAS THE BACKING OF BUSINESSMAN JIM HOST WHO HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF SEVERAL MAJOR PROJECTS IN KENTUCKY AND HIS ENDORSEMENT HOST SAID QUOTE NO ONE HAS WORKED HARDER TO DELIVER TO THE SIXTH DISTRICT AS CONGRESSMAN BARR HAS AND HE WILL DELIVER TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY AS A UNITED STATES SENATOR JUST AS WELL.

END QUOTE.

>>> CONGRESSMAN BARR ANNOUNCED HIS SENATE CAMPAIGN LAST MONTH HE IS HOPING TO REPLACE SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL NOT SEEKING REELECTION NEXT YEAR.

FORMER KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON IS ALSO SEEKING THE G.O.P.

NOMINATION.

AND THE RACE COULD WIDEN FURTHER IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS TO COME.

>>> TUESDAY MARKED 100 DAYS OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S SECOND TERM IN OFFICE.

PRAISE AND CRITICISM OF THE PRESIDENT'S EARLY ACTIONS FROM KENTUCKY'S FEDERAL DELEGATION FELL ALONG PARTY LINES.

YESTERDAY, A GROUP OF KENTUCKIANS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL IN FRANKFORT TO CELEBRATE THE PRESIDENT'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

>> IT IS 100 DAYS OF A PRESIDENCY WE'VE BEEN EXPECTING FOR A LONGTIME.

AND IT'S TIME WE SUPPORT IT.

YEAH, THINGS ARE ROCKY SOMETIMES BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT YOU GOT TO HAVE A LITTLE ROCK BEFORE YOU CAN GET ROLLING.

>> IT'S I DON'T WANT TO SAY CHEERLEADING BUT KIND OF CHEERLEADING AND FOLKS WERE READY FOR A DIFFERENT COURSE.

AND WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS OVER THE NEXT 100 DAYS AND THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

AND IT TAKES WORK TO MAKE THIS WORK FOR EVERYBODY.

NOBODY IS GOING TO SATISFY A NATION OF 360 MILLION PEOPLE PERFECTLY.

THERE IS A LOT OF COMMON GROUND.

NO MATTER A PERSON'S BACKGROUND OR PERSPECTIVE OR FUTURE AMBITIONS.

AND ONLY THROUGH CIVIC DISCOURSE CAN THIS NATION COME TOGETHER.

>> Renee: ANOTHER RALLY TO CELEBRATE PRESIDENT TRUMP IS SCHEDULED IN FRANKFORT FOR MAY THE 10TH.

>>> A NEW REPORT SAYS KENTUCKY HAS SLIPPED TO 42 IN THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO TEACHER PAY.

THE REPORT COMES FROM THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION WHICH RANKED KENTUCKY 41STST LAST YEAR.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS LAST YEAR WAS JUST OVER $72,000.

AND IN KENTUCKY, THE AVERAGE IS A LITTLE MORE THAN $58,000.

THE NEA SAYS TEACHER PAY FAILED TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION, WITH TEACHERS MAKING 5% LESS THAN THEY DID A DECADE AGO.

IN A STATEMENT, EDDIE CAMPBELL OF THE KENTUCKY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION TOLD THE KENTUCKY LANTERN THE ORGANIZATION IS QUOTE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S LACK OF INVESTMENT IN KENTUCKY EDUCATORS' PAY.

THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY INCLUDED MORE THAN $2 BILLION FOR SCHOOLING IN THE TWO-YEAR BUDGET LAST YEAR BUT IT DID NOT PROVIDE FOR ACROSS THE BOARD RAISES FOR EMPLOYEES AS GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HAD REQUESTED.

>>> SPEAKING OF EDUCATION, THE HEAD OF JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS FOUND A NEW JOB.

THE COURIER JOURNAL REPORTS SUPERINTENDENT MARTY POLLIO WILL BECOME PRESIDENT OF IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN INDIANA.

MARTY POLLIO ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT FROM JCPS IN SEPTEMBER.

HE WILL REMAIN SUPERINTENDENT THROUGH JUNE AND WILL START HIS NEW JOB IN JULY.

IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS BASED IN INDIANAPOLIS WITH 45 SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

MARTY POLLIO HAS WITHIN SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS AND PART OF THE JCPS SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR 30 YEARS.

[♪♪] A LOUISVILLE COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST, AUTHOR AND ENTREPRENEUR KNOWS ALL TOO WELL THAT PR EXPERTS ARE FAR FROM WHAT SOME WOULD CALL SPIN DOCTORS.

ANGELA BILLINGS, A U.S. AIR FORCE VETERAN FROM LOUISVILLE RELEASED A BOOK DOCUMENTING HER EXPERIENCES-AND-A-HALF DATING CHAOS AND CRISIS LIKE THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON SLEPT, 2001.

HER BOOK IS IT CALLED "COMMAND THE CRISIS" SHE IS ALSO THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE KENTUCKY SENATE REPUBLICANS AND GAVE A TED TALK ABOUT WOMEN'S LIBERATION AND SETBACKS IN AFGHANISTAN WHERE SHE WORKED.

IT WAS INFORMED BY HER WORK AS A LONGTIME SPOKESPERSON FOR THE AIR FORCE.

PART ONE OF OUR CONVERSATION TONIGHT BEGINS WITH HER RECOLLECTIONS ABOUT THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON 9/11.

THIS AS WE BEGIN A NEW SERIES ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" ABOUT BOOKS AND AUTHORS CALLED TURNING THE PAGE.

>> WELL, I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR MILITARY DAYS AND HOW YOU ROSE THROUGH THE RANKS AND BECAME THE FACE AND THE VOICE FOR NATO IN SO MANY WAYS.

TALK ABOUT THAT AND DURING DURING A PIVOTAL TIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY DURING ONE OF THE DARKEST DAYS IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO YOU KNOW IT WAS A PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER THROUGHOUT MY CAREER.

WE AS A NATION WERE ATTACKED BY THE TERRORISTS SEPTEMBER 11th 2001.

I HAD JUST ARRIVED AT THE PENTAGON WEEKS EARLIER.

AND WAS REALLY JUST GETTING MY BEARINGS ABOUT HOW TO NAVIGATE IN THE BUILDING.

WHEN THE TERRORISTS ATTACKED IN NEW YORK, THE PENTAGON AND THAT FOURTH PLANE THAT LANDED HAD IN PENNSYLVANIA.

IT WAS IT GALVANIZED NOT ONLY THE UNITED STATES BUT THE ENTIRE WORLD.

AND WE CHANGED OUR DIPLOMATIC APPROACH TO A COUNTRY THAT HAD BEEN WAR-TORN FOR DECADES.

AND AT THEIR BLESSING AND INVITATION, NATO, THE U.S. WAS ONE NATION STEPPED INTO AFGHANISTAN TO REALLY ROOT OUT THOSE TERRORISTS WITHIN.

AND WERE THERE FOR 20 YEARS.

I WAS THERE AT THE HALFWAY POINT.

AND AS YOU INDICATED I WAS THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE THERE IN KABUL, THE HEADQUARTERS FOR THEM.

WE WOULD DO DAILY NEWS RELEASES ABOUT WHAT OUR EFFORT ENTAILED.

WE DID PRESS CONFERENCES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE UPDATES TO THE PRESS AND TO THE WORLD ABOUT HOW WE WERE PROVIDING FOR THE SECURITY IN AFGHANISTAN.

>> Renee: YOU HAVE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL TOO ABOUT THAT DAY AND ABOUT MAYBE WHAT THAT MEANT TO YOU IN TERMS OF DISWOULD BE A MISSION, IT WASN'T JUST A JOB.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Renee: IT WAS A MISSION NOW.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I'M PROBABLY NOT UNIQUE IN THAT.

MILITARY MEMBERS WHEN WE JOIN, WE RAISE OUR RIGHT HAND, SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE AND SAY WE ARE GOING TO PUT OUR LIFE ON THE LINE FOR THIS AMAZING COUNTRY THAT WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF LIVING IN.

AND SO EXPERIENCING THE ATTACKS ON THE PENTAGON, REALLY GAVE US LASER FOCUS ON WHAT OUR MISSION WAS.

AND WE KNEW THAT WE HAD TO TAKE A STAND AND TO MAKE EVERY AVAILABLE ATTEMPT TO RID THIS WORLD OF SOME VERY, VERY EVIL MEN.

>> Renee: YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT THE LIBERATION OF WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN.

AND MANY OF US ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH MA LAILA.

17-YEAR-OLD WHO WON THE NOBLE PEACE PRIZE AT AGE 17.

>> THE YOUNGEST.

>> YOUNGEST SHOT IN THE HEAD AND THE FACE BY THE TALIBAN.

AND YOU TALK ABOUT NOT JUST HER BRAVERY AND COURAGE IN THAT, BUT YOU KNOW, WHY THAT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT MOMENT AND THEN GOING FORWARD BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THERE WAS A TIME WHERE THERE WAS SOME UPWARD MOBILITY OF WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN AND THEN AFTER 20 YEARS OF THAT LIBERATION AND THAT DIPLOMACY IT WAS GONE.

>> RIGHT.

>> Renee: AND THERE IS A STRUGGLE FOR IT TO THIS DAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THE TERRORISTS KNOW HOW VERY IMPORTANT EDUCATION IS.

THAT IS WHY THEY FORBID WOMEN FROM PURSUING YOUR PRIMARY EDUCATION.

AND THEN GO ON TO ATTAIN YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEGREES.

SO AS YOU INDICATED FOR 20 YEARS WOMEN WERE ABLE TO WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME, CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY, PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES IN THAT WAY.

AND THEN WHEN THE U.S.

DEPARTED AFGHANISTAN, THE AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY COLLAPSED WITHIN MONTHS AGAINST A TALIBAN OFFENSIVE.

AND THEN REALLY TOOK THAT EDUCATION THAT SO MANY WOMEN HAD WORKED SO VERY HARD FOR MUCH LIKE YOU AND I WAS TORN FROM THEM.

AND THE TERRORISTS FEEL THREATENED AND THAT IS WHY THEY'VE TAKEN ISLAMIC LAW AND THEY'VE JUST TAKEN IT TO THE EXTREME END SAYING WOMEN YOU CAN'T EVEN TALK TO YOUR MOTHER TO YOUR SISTER TO YOUR FRIEND.

SO THEY FEEL VERY MUCH THREATENED BY JUST THOSE VERY SIMPLE LIBERTIES THAT WE HERE IN THIS GREAT NATION OFTEN TAKE FOR GRANTED.

>> Renee: ARE THERE ANY LESSONS WE COULD LEARN AS A COUNTRY THAT IS A FREE DEMOCRACY, FROM WHAT WE SEE IN COUNTRIES THAT DO NOT ENJOY THAT TYPE OF FREEDOM TYPICALLY WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN?

>> CERTAINLY I ADDRESS THIS IN MY TALK.

EDUCATION IS THE SINGLE ELEMENT THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN POVERTY AND ATTAINING LIBERTY, ECONOMIC LIBERTY TO PROVIDE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.

I WAS THE FIRST OF SIX CHILDREN I WAS NUMBER FIVE OF SIX.

THE FIRST TO ATTEND COLLEGE.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT MY FATHER STRESSED TO ME AT A VERY YOUNG AGE GET YOUR EDUCATION ANGELA, BECAUSE ONCE YOU HAVE IT NOBODY CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU AND IN THE UNITED STATES THAT IS THE CASE.

WHEREAS IN A COUNTRY LIKE AFGHANISTAN, WOMEN HAVE TAKEN THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO STEP BACK AND IT'S DIRE SITUATION THAT MA LAL LA SHE CHAMPIONS TODAY IT'S GENDER APARTHEID AND NOT JUST IN AFGHANISTAN THAT WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED.

BECAUSE IF WE DON'T STAND UP FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN, THEN WE MIGHT FACE A NEW GENERATION OF RADICAL EXTREMISTS THAT WILL MAKE ANOTHER ATTEMPT LIKE THE 9/11 ATTACKS.

WHETHER IT'S ON THE UNITED STATES OR ANOTHER COUNTRY.

>> Renee: TOMORROW NIGHT, THE BATTLE TESTED COMMUNICATOR WILL SHARE HOW SHE'S SHAPED MESSAGING AND RESPONSES TO CHALLENGING SITUATIONS IN THE MILITARY, BUSINESS AND POLITICS AND WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT HER BOOK, "COMMAND THE CRISIS".

THAT'S TOMORROW NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

[♪♪] KENTUCKY'S CAPITOL CITY HAS HIT HARD BY LAST MONTH'S FLOODING.

FRANKFORT MAYOR LAYNE WILKERSON SAYS MORE THAN 500 HOMES WERE DESTROYED.

WATER DAMAGED THE PAUL SAWYIER LIBRARY DOWNTOWN.

WEEKS LATER AND THE LIBRARY STILL ISN'T OPEN.

BUT THAT'S NOT STOPPING THEM FROM SERVING THE PUBLIC.

>> IT WASN'T A LOT OF PREPARATION.

THE WATER CAME UP SO QUICKLY, THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY HAD THEIR BOOKS.

THEY HAVE A BOOKSTORE WITHIN THE LIBRARY AND THEY STORE THEIR EXTRA BOOKS AND DONATIONS DOWN STAIRS IN OUR PARKING GARAGE.

WE HAD PLANNED FOR THEM TO MOVE THINGS OUT AND MOVE THEM UP HERE IN THE AROUND.

AND THE WATER WAS COMING UP SO QUICKLY THEY STARTED AT 10:00 A.M. AND WE FINISHED SHORTLY AFTER 10:00 A.M. WE FINISHED BY 1:00 P.M. AND THERE WAS WATER HALFWAY UP IN THE PARKING GARAGE.

WE CLOSED THE BUILDING AT 1:00 P.M. AND REALLY JUST WAITED FOR WHAT TO HAPPEN.

WE HAD TO HAVE THE POWER TURNED OFF WHEN WE HEARD ABOUT THE FLOODING WE DID NOT EXPECT IT TO GET AS HIGH AS IT ENDED UP BEING.

BETWEEN SEVEN AND EIGHT FEET OF WATER.

THERE WERE THREE FULL DAYS THAT WE WERE UNDERWATER.

WE WERE UNDERWATER BEFORE OF THE CREST.

SO ONCE IT WENT DOWN, THE WATER WENT DOWN PRETTY QUICKLY.

ALTHOUGH WE HAD TO PUMP OUT THE WELLS, THE ELEVATOR WELLS AND WE WERE LEFT WITH TWO TO THREE INCHES OF MUD IN THE PARKING GARAGE AND ON THE FLAT SURFACES.

WE HAD A REMEDIATION COMPANY COME IN AND GET THE MUD OUT, THAT WAS THE FIRST THING YOU COULDN'T WALK ANYWHERE AND IT JUST COVERED EVERYTHING.

SO THEY GOT THE MUD OUT.

THEN THEY SPRAYED THE WORST OF IT.

WE DIDN'T HAVE POWER FOR OVER A WEEK.

AND ONCE WE GOT POWER RESTORED WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE SERVERS BACK UP AND OFFERING DIGITAL RESOURCES AT THAT POINT.

AND SINCE WEDNESDAY OF LAST WEEK, WE STARTED DOING CURBSIDE SERVICE.

ONCE IT WAS OKAY FOR STAFF TO GET INTO THE BUILDING.

WE STARTED CURBSIDE.

SO PATRONS CAN CALL AND PUT THINGS ON HOLD OR PUT THINGS ON HOLD ON-LINE AND WE DELIVER THEM TO THEM OUTSIDE.

WE'RE HOPING WE CAN GET ONE OF OUR ELEVATORS IN SERVICE BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

IF WE GET ONE OF THOSE TWO ELEVATORS IN SERVICE WE WILL OPEN BACK UP TO THE PUBLIC.

AS SOON AS IT'S SAFE FOR PEOPLE TO GET INTO THE BUILDING EASILY AND HAVE ACCESS TO THE REST OF THE BUILDING WE WILL OPEN UP.

SO I'M HOPING BY THE END OF THE WEEK WE CAN DO THAT.

I KNOW THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE LOVE THEIR LIBRARY.

AND THEY LOVE COMING INTO THE LIBRARY.

AND THEY WILL TAKE CURBSIDE SERVICE IF THAT IS THE ONLY THING WE CAN OFFER.

BUT THEY WOULD RATHER COME INTO THE LIBRARY.

WE WANT THEM TO GET BACK IN HERE NOBODY WANTS THAT MORE THAN WE DO.

IF THEY CAN BE PATIENT WHILE WE WORK THROUGH THE ISSUES THAT ARE KEEPING US CLOSED THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC.

>> Renee: IN ADDITION TO DIGITAL CHECK OUT, CLASSES HELD AT THE LIBRARY WILL ALSO MOVED ON-LINE INCLUDING A WEEKLY YOGA CLASS.

>>> WHERE DOES YOUR FOOD COME FROM?

ORGANIZERS OF THE KENTUCKY LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM SUMMIT AND F.E.A.S.T.

EVENT HOPE MORE WILL COME FROM LOCAL FARMS IT BRINGS TOGETHER FARMS, CHEFS AND EXPERTS TO GIVE THE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAMPLE DISHES AND HOW OUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM WORKS.

>> EVERYONE EATS.

AND SO WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN OUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM.

THIS EVENT IS DESIGNED TO BRING TOGETHER LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS STAKEHOLDERS, PRACTITIONERS, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FOOD AN EATER OR COOKING FOOD IF YOU ARE GROWING FOOD AND BUYING FOOD WE WANT YOU TO BE AT THE SUMMIT.

WE'VE PARTNERED WITH FOOD CHAIN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

BUT THIS IS A REALLY -- WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO PARTNER AND WE ALREADY WORK WITH THEM TO CONNECT THEM WITH FARMERS.

FOR THEIR MEAL KITS THEY ARE PROVIDING THEIR CLASSES AND SOON TO BE THEIR GREEN GROCER.

THIS WAS A NATURAL OPPORTUNITY TO BRING TOGETHER THE DYNAMIC CHEFS FOR F.E.A.S.T.

AND THAT TOGETHER WITH OUR KEY STAKEHOLDERS FOR OUR SUMMIT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO DO OVER THE YEARS, IS WE REALLY ARE HYPER FOCUSED AT FOOD CHAIN ON ACCESS AND EDUCATION GO HAND IN HAND.

YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE ACCESS AND EDUCATION IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SEE CHANGES OCCURRING ACROSS THE FOOD SYSTEM.

OUR MISSION IS TO FORGE LINKS BETWEEN COMMUNITY AND FRESH FOOD AND WE DO THAT USING EDUCATION AND DEMONSTRATION OF SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS.

WE ARE WORKING ACROSS THE ENTIRE FOOD SYSTEM WHICH IS A COMPLEX ISSUE.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDING THAT ACCESS TO FRESH, WE ARE FOCUSED ON LOCAL.

AND FOR US, LOCAL MEANS KENTUCKY FARMERS.

>> THERE'S FOOD AVAILABLE IT'S PUTTING TOGETHER THE PIECES TO GET FOLKS LINKED IN THE FOOD SYSTEM.

I THINK SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES ARE THERE MIGHT NOT BE HEALTHY FOOD ACCESSIBLE IN A COMMUNITY.

THERE MIGHT BE ONLY BIG BOX STORES OR DOLLAR STORES AVAILABLE IN A COMMUNITY.

AND SOME OF THE ISSUES ARE THERE ARE PLENTY OF FOOD THROUGHOUT KENTUCKY.

THERE ARE SO MANY FARMERS DOING GOOD WORK.

BUT FOLKS MIGHT NOT KNOW HOW TO USE THAT FOOD.

>> WE WANT FARMERS TO BE HOUSEHOLD NAMES.

THEY SHOULD BE THEY ARE THE ONES GROWING THE FOOD OUT THERE RAIN OR SHINE.

THEY DESERVE OUR PRAISE AND ALL OF OUR SUPPORT.

>> CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL BOTH IN TERMS OF TRADE POLICY AND THE ELIMINATION OF CRITICAL FEDERAL FUNDING FOR FARMERS AND LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS WILL IMPACT KENTUCKY FARMERS.

IT FEELS LIKE THE CONVERSATIONS WE ARE GOING TO BE HAVING ARE GOING TO BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.

AND SO NOT ONLY ARE WE CELEBRATING THE GOOD WORK HAPPENING IN KENTUCKY IT IS A CRITICAL JUNCTURE FOR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS IN KENTUCKY AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

SO I THINK IT'S JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO REALLY THINK THROUGH WHAT ARE OUR NEXT STEPS AND GET CREATIVE AND GATHER INSPIRATION FROM BEING TOGETHER AND CHART A POSITIVE PATH FORWARD.

THE HALLMARK OF THE SUMMIT IS THE NETWORKING BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER FROM ACROSS THE STATE DOING FANTASTIC WORK IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND SHARE BEING THAT WORK.

THEY ARE GETTING INSPIRED TO TAKE HOME NUGGETS THINGS THAT THEY LEARNED.

THEY ARE MAKING NEW CONNECTIONS WITHIN OUR STATE.

AND IN OUR REGION.

AND I THINK THAT ONLY STRENGTHENS KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: TO LEARN MORE VISIT THEM ON-LINE AT FOOD CHAIN LEX.ORG.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL.

I'M RENEE SHAW.