[♪♪] >> PLEASE HAVE A PLAN TO GET TO A SHELTER IF NEED BE.

>> Laura: AS KENTUCKIANS CLEAN UP FROM THE ONE STORM, ANOTHER STORM MOVES THROUGH.

>> I WAS ABLE TO EQUIP AND MOBILIZE WITHIN 45 MINUTES.

>> Laura: HELP IS HERE FROM ALL OVER AMERICA.

AND SOME OF THAT HELP ARRIVED FAST.

>> THERE ARE MANY, MANY FACTORS THAT LEAD SOMEONE INTO A SITUATION WHERE THEY HAVE TO MAKE A DIFFICULT CHOICE BETWEEN FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES IN LIFE.

>> Laura: THE NUMBER OF HUNGRY KENTUCKIANS IS GROWING A NEW REPORT SHOWS FOOD INSECURITY GETTING WORSE.

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

[♪♪] >> Laura: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR THIS TUESDAY, MAY 20TH.

I'M LAURA ROGERS FILLING IN FOR RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THE DEATH TOLL REMAINS 19 IN LAUREL AND PULASKI COUNTIES AFTER LAST FRIDAY'S DEADLY TORNADO.

THE BIG CONCERN TODAY, THE IMPACT OF ANOTHER STORM MOVING ITS WAY ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

THAT STORM IS BRINGING HIGH WINDS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE TORNADOES.

BECAUSE OF TODAY'S STORM, A MANDATORY EVACUATION IS UNDERWAY IN TWO NEIGHBORHOODS IN LAUREL COUNTY HIT HARD BY FRIDAY'S TORNADO.

THERE ARE FEARS THE HIGH WINDS COULD SCATTER DEBRIS SO PEOPLE ARE BUILDING TOLD TO LEAVE THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AND A CURFEW IS IN EFFECT FROM 8:00 P.M.-8:00 A.M. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF LOOTING.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR TALKED ABOUT THAT TODAY.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: I WANT TO THANK THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE FOR AUGMENTING LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL GUARD TO MAKE SURE NO LOOTING OCCURS.

AND LET ME SAY THIS AGAIN.

IF YOU TRY TO LOOT, WE WILL FIND YOU, WE WILL ARREST YOU, WE WILL PROSECUTE YOU, AND WE WILL TREAT YOU LIKE THE LOW LIFE THAT YOU ARE IF YOU ARE TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR PEOPLE DURING THIS NATURAL DISASTER AND AT THEIR LOWEST MOMENT.

IF YOU ARE OUT TONIGHT TRYING IT, THE WEATHER IS GOING TO BE REALLY BAD AND YOU WILL END UP SIGNIFICANTLY HURT.

>> Laura: AND THERE IS A COMPLICATION AS STORMS MOVE THROUGH KENTUCKY TODAY.

PEOPLE IN THE COUNTIES HIGHLIGHTED YELLOW ON THIS MAP WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RELY ON NOAA WEATHER RADIOS TODAY OR TOMORROW BECAUSE OF A SOFTWARE UPGRADE.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: WE ALSO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF GOOD NEWS FOR HERE BUT CONCERNING NEWS FOR CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

AND THAT'S THE CENTRAL KENTUCKY NOAA WEATHER RADIOS ARE IN AN UPGRADE RIGHT NOW AND AREN'T GOING TO WORK.

IF YOU ARE IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY, IN LOUISVILLE, LEXINGTON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA YOU NEED ANOTHER WAY TO GET YOUR ALERTS.

THANKFULLY I LEARNED THAT WEATHER RADIOS SHOULD WORK IN LONDON.

BUT I ASK EVERYBODY WE GOT HIT WHEN WE WERE ASLEEP LAST TIME.

LET'S MAKE SURE WE SEE THIS STORM THROUGH AND WE KNOW EVERYBODY IS SAFE TONIGHT BEFORE WE GO TO BED.

PLEASE HAVE YOUR PHONES CHARGED AND COMPLETION HAVE A PLAN TO GET TO A SHELTER IF NEED BE.

>> Laura: GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYS HE HAS SPOKEN TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ABOUT THE FRIDAY TORNADO DAMAGE.

THE GOVERNOR SAID HE IS CONFIDENT KENTUCKY WILL GET THE FEDERAL HELP IT NEEDS.

>>> ONE OF THE CASUALTIES FROM FRIDAY NIGHT'S TORNADO WAS MAJOR LESLIE LETTERMAN WITH LAUREL COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT MANY WHEN THE TORNADO HIT HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO RESPOND TO THE SUNSHINE HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE HE AND HIS WIFE ALSO LIVED.

IT IS BELIEVED THAT HE DIED SHIELDING HIS WIFE FROM HARM.

DEPUTY CHIEF TERRY KNEW HIM FOR HIS ENTIRE CAREER AS A PUBLIC SERVANT AND REFLECTS ON THE LEGACY LEATHER MAN LEAVES BEHIND.

>> WE WERE HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS ACTUALLY.

WE GRADUATED THE SAME YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL WHICH WAS 1986 AT LAUREL COUNTY.

HONESTLY WE WERE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO PAST HIGH SCHOOL YOU KNOW, POST EDUCATIONAL.

SO WE BOTH DECIDED AT THAT TIME TO JOIN THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.

SO OVER THE YEARS HE'S HELD THE FIREFIGHTER POSITION, LIEUTENANT, CAPTAIN, COLONEL HE WAS A MAJOR AT ONE POINT HE DID HOLD THE ASSISTANT CHIEF'S POSITION FOR A BRIEF AMOUNT OF TIME.

IS THIS AN ALL VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION SO THIS IS ALL VOLUNTEER AS A CAREER, HE CHOSE A PATH THAT WAS ALSO A PUBLIC SERVICE.

WE JOINED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN '86 AROUND 1991, 92.

HE ATTENDED THE EMT EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN CLASS AND BECAME A LICENSED EMT IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY AND TRANSITIONED TO BEING A TELECOMMUNICATOR AT THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE POST IN LONDON.

AND THEN WHEN HE LEFT THERE, HE EVENTUALLY LANDED AT WHITLEY COUNTY 911 AND ADJACENT COUNTY AND WAS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.

HE SPENT HIS ENTIRE ADULT LIFE BEING A PUBLIC SERVANT.

HE WAS VERY FUNNY HE WAS A JOKESTER.

HE LOVED HIS FAMILY AND HAD HIS WIFE MICHELLE WHO WAS INJURED DURING THE TORNADO AND HIS SON EVAN, WES WAS CONSTANTLY BRAGGING ON HIM WHAT HE WAS DOING.

HE HAD A HUGE HEART AND WAS VERY CALM.

OTHER PEOPLE COULD BE IN A CHAOTIC SITUATION, HE WOULD BE THE CALM IN THE STORM.

WE'LL DO THIS AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AND WE'LL TAKE CARE OF IT.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO REMEMBER WHAT IS HIS LEGACY?

AND I'M LIKE WE ARE STILL MOVING DOING WHAT HE WOULD DO IF HE WERE HERE.

THIS IS WHAT HE WOULD WANT US TO DO IS KEEP SERVING THE PUBLIC AND TAKING CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Laura: MANY THANKS TO OUR FIRST-RESPONDERS WHO HAVE HELPED IN THIS STORM AND HELP HAS COME TO LAUREL COUNTY FROM ACROSS THE NATION.

WORKERS FROM TEXAS, MINNESOTA AND ELSEWHERE ARE CAMPED OUT AT LONDON'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HELPING HOMEOWNERS RECOVER BELONGINGS AND PROCESS EMOTIONAL TRAUMA.

>> PART OF MY JOB IS TRACK STORMS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

WE TRACK WAR ZONES, STORMS, EARTHQUAKES.

SO WE WERE WATCHING THE WEATHER DEVELOPMENT WHEN WE SAW THAT IT WAS LONDON, KENTUCKY, I LIVE IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA BUT I WAS ABLE TO EQUIP AND AND MOBILIZE WITHIN 45 MINUTES WITH THE TRAILER LOADED FOR A TORNADO LOAD OUT.

ABOUT FOUR-AND-A-HALF HOURS AFTER DAYBREAK, ON SATURDAY, WE BEGAN TO HELP PEOPLE.

SO OUR TEAMS GO OUT AND DO TRAUMA CARE DURING THE DAY.

THEY ARE JUST A BUNCH OF TRAINED CHAPLINS AND HELPERS THAT SHOW UP IN THE HARDEST MOMENTS OF LIFE.

>> Laura: CRISIS RESPONSE INTERNATIONAL POSTED THIS VIDEO TODAY.

IT SHOWS THEM HELPING A TORNADO VICTIM FIND THEIR GRANDMOTHER'S WEDDING RING.

>> THE RING WAS FOUND.

IN A PINK BOX OPENED BUT IT WAS EMPTY IT WAS IN THE BASKET.

>> Laura: WHAT A FIND!

INCREDIBLE STORY THERE.

A TORNADO ALSO SWEPT THROUGH THE CROOKED CREEK SUBDIVISION IN LONDON WHERE ONE KENTUCKY LAWMAKER LIVES.

OUR JUNE LEFFLER SCOPED OUT THE DAMAGE WITH THE STATE SENATOR ON SUNDAY.

>> STATE SENATOR BRANDON STORM REPRESENTS KENTUCKIANS ACROSS FOUR COUNTIES.

BUT THOSE LIVING IN LONDON ARE HIS NEIGHBORS.

>> IT'S VERY TRAUMATIC SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN'T COMPREHEND UNTIL YOU SEE THE DAMAGE.

>> HE HIS DPRAND MA AND IN-LAWS ALL LIVE IN CROOKED CREEK AN AFFLUENT AND BADLY DAMAGED SUBDIVISION.

THE TREE CANOPY AND THIS LEVELED HOME SHOW THE PATH OF DESTRUCTION.

DEBRIS COVERS THE PRISTINE GOLF COURSE.

PEOPLE GATHER WHAT HAS BEEN SCATTERED AND FORM PILES.

>> SO THEY WILL COME IN AND UNLOAD IT AND WE HAVE THE POLICE COME IN RIGHT NOW.

TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAFE.

>> THEY WORK THROUGH THE STILL SUNNY EVENING.

>> WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TODAY TO CLEAN OUT SALVAGE WHAT WE CAN AND SEE WHAT WE CAN FIND FORT D GOT TOSSED AROUND AND THINGS IN THERE.

>> SHERRY OSBORNE'S COUSIN LIVES HERE.

HER ROOF IS TWO HOUSES DOWN BEHIND THEIR HOUSE.

AND THEN THE CEILING CAVED IN ON HER SHE WAS ON THE COUCH.

HER HUSBAND HAD TO DIG HER OUT.

>> HER COUSIN WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL.

>> I HEARD SHE IS OKAY.

SHE HAS LACERATIONS AND BRUISES AND CUTS, BUT THANK GOD NOTHING SERIOUS.

>> STORM HAS HEARD THE STORIES THROUGHOUT HIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> THEY HAD NO POWER IN THIS AREA, NO TELEVISION SOME PEOPLE COULD NOT SEE THE FACT THAT THE STORM WAS MOVING THIS WAY OR THE TORNADO WAS MOVING TOWARD THEM.

SO WE HEARD FROM ONE FAMILY TONIGHT THAT SAID I THINK THE WIFE HAD TO GET A FLASHLIGHT TO SEE AROUND THE HOUSE HAD NO IDEA A TORNADO WAS COMING THROUGH.

THE FIRST STEP IS INSURANCE CLAIMS INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO FILE HOMEOWNERS CLAIMS.

FEMA WILL DO THE ASSESSMENTS AND HOPEFULLY THAT WILL MAKE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHOLE AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IF THERE'S ANY SOURCE OF STATE INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE WE MIGHT STEP IN.

I HAVE NOT SPOKEN WITH ANYBODY ABOUT THAT.

THERE'S NO PROMISES I THINK IT'S ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE IF THERE'S INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE, SCHOOLS, JAILS, YOU KNOW, COURTHOUSES, AGAIN I DON'T THINK THAT HAS HAPPENED.

BUT I HAVE NOT ABOUT ACROSS ALL THE AREAS YET WE WILL MAKE SURE WE DO THE APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENTS.

>> IT MAY BE TOO SOON TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE AS AREAS ARE UNDER ANOTHER TORNADO WATCH TUESDAY.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Laura: AND WE ARE KEEPING OUR EYES ON THAT AS WELL.

ONE OF THE BUILDINGS HIT BY FRIDAY'S TORNADO IS SLATE HILL BAPTIST CHURCH.

WHILE THE BUILDING IS ABOUT 40 YEARS OLD, THE CHURCH HAS BEEN AROUND FOR NEARLY 200 YEARS.

PASTOR ROBERT WILLIAMS SAYS DESPITE THE STORM NEARLY HIS ENTIRE CONGREGATION SHOWED UP TO WORSHIP ON SUNDAY AS A TEMPORARY SPOT THEY FOUND TO GATHER.

>> I JUST STARTED PRAYING.

TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

I SAT IN MY CHAIR AND MY WIFE SAID WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?

WE NEED TO PRAY.

I DIDN'T REALIZE THE DAMAGE UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING AND I SAID, I HEARD ABOUT ALL THE DEATHS THAT PEOPLE HAD LOST THEIR LIVES.

AND I STARTED PRAYING FOR THE FAMILIES AND THOSE THAT WERE DEVASTATED.

EVEN THOUGH OUR CHURCH IS HURT WE'RE ALREADY STARTING A PROCESS TO TRY TO GET FUNDS TO HELP THOSE THAT ARE HURTING.

THE DAMAGE WAS MAINLY TO THE ROOF AND IF YOU LOOK AT IT IT TOOK THE FRONT PART OF THE ROOF OFF.

ACTUALLY THE STRUCTURE IT LIFT TO DO UP BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THE POSTS HAVE BEEN MOVED OVER.

AND THE BACK PART RIPPED THE ROOF SLAP OFF THE BACK.

ON THE INSIDE, THE SHEETROCK HAS BEEN DAMAGED WITH THE WATER.

THERE'S WALLS THAT THE WIND GOT IN THERE AND BLEW THE WALLS SIDEWAYS.

OUR CHURCH VAN BACK THERE IT WAS UP HERE IN THE PARKING LOT AND THE WIND SLID IT ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND BUSTED THE WINDSHIELDS OUT OF IT.

THE CHURCH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1831.

ONE OF THE OLDEST TRUCHS IN -- CHURCHES IN LOUISVILLE COUNTY.

I'M NOT REALLY SURE EXACTLY WHEN THIS FACILITY WAS BUILT.

I KNOW IT HAD A WOODEN STRUCTURE.

THEY FOR IT DOWN AND THEY BUILT THIS HERE PROBABLY I DON'T KNOW.

ABOUT 40 YEARS AGO OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT, YEAH, THE CHURCH ITSELF THE BODY HAS BEEN AROUND FOR ALMOST 200 YEARS.

197.

WE DIDN'T FEEL IT WOULD BE SAFE FOR EVERYBODY TO COME HERE.

WHEN TOMMY IS THE HEAD OF OUR BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, HE SAID I'VE GOT A ROOM WE CAN SET IT UP AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CHURCH WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET THIS STOP US.

IF WE COULDN'T HAVE HAD CHURCH THERE WE WOULD HAVE FOUND A PLACE TO CONGREGATE AND WORSHIP THE LORD.

WE NEVER KNOW WHY THINGS HAPPEN.

BUT WE JUST KNOW THAT GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL NO MATTER WHAT.

>> Laura: AND OUR BEST TO THEM AS THEY REBUILD.

WITH A CAREER IN INSURANCE, STATE SENATOR RICK GIRDLER IS NO STRANGER TO THE DAMAGE THAT TORNADOES CAN CAUSE.

HE JUST HOPED HE WOULD NEVER SEE SEE THAT DAMAGE IN HIS COMMUNITY.

WE SPOKE WITH THE SOMERSET SENATOR ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SATURDAY'S TORNADO.

>> AND I HATE IT, I REALLY DO.

I'VE DREADED THIS DAY FOR I STARTED IN THE INSURANCE BUSINESS IN 1983.

AND I HAD BUDDIES OF MINE IN ARKANSAS AND TORNADO ALLEY.

AND I'VE TALKED TO SOME OF THEM PRIOR TO THIS, AND I KNEW THAT IF WE EVER GOT HIT LIKE THIS, IT'S A MAJOR UNDERTAKING.

ACTUALLY THE LADY THAT WAS KILLED IN PULASKI COUNTY, I GREW UP WITH.

AND I WORKED WITH HER HUSBAND AT A BANK WHEN I FIRST GOT OUT OF COLLEGE.

AND THEY WERE PRECIOUS PEOPLE.

THE LITTLE GIRL THAT PLAYS BALL WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER THEY HAD SHEEP FARM AND THEY HAVE HALF OF THE SHEEPS WERE KILLED.

SO IT'S NOT JUST ONLY IN SOMERSET IT ACTUALLY STARTED WEST IN RUSS COUNTY IT MIGHT HAVE JUMPED OR BOUNCED AROUND BUT THEY'VE GOT DAMAGE OUT THERE AS WELL.

AND I'M TELLING THEM HEY WE WILL BE THERE IF WE'RE NEEDED.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE STATE OF KENTUCKY AND THE FEDERAL PART IS THERE NOW AND THE GOVERNOR HAS HIS POWER OF GIVING HIM $100 MILLION OF LEAD WAY FOR EMERGENCIES AND THINGS OF THIS NATURE.

AND IF NEED BE WE CAN HE CAN CALL US BACK IN AND WE CAN DO MORE IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES.

IF IT'S NEEDED, WE WILL BE JOHNNY ON THE SPOT TO PUT THAT MONEY TO THE GOVERNOR OR ANYBODY ELSE TO TRY TO GET THIS THING REMEDIED UP.

I KNOW IN THE MAYFIELD STORM, YOU KNOW, WE HAD TO DO SOME THINGS BEYOND WHAT WAS ALLOTTED.

AND SO, YES, TO TELL YOU THAT THERE WILL BE I DON'T HAVE A CLUE BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE WILL BE THERE IF WE'RE NEEDED.

>> Laura: OUR TORNADO COVERAGE CONTINUES TOMORROW ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" AS WE LOOK AT HOW NONPROFITS ARE HELPING TORNADO VICTIMS.

[♪♪] A JUDGE SAYS A LAWSUIT FROM VICTIMS OF THE LOUISVILLE OLD NATIONAL BANK SHOOTING CAN MOVE FORWARD.

IN 2023 A GUNMAN WITH AN AR-15 OPENED FIRE AT THE BANK KILLING FIVE PEOPLE AND WOUNDING EIGHT MORE.

POLICE SHOT AND KILLED THE GUNMAN CONNER STURGEON.

SOME OF THE VICTIMS AND RELATIVES OF THE VICTIMS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST A LOUISVILLE GUN SELLER, DISTRIBUTOR AND FIREARMS ACCESSORY MAKER.

IT SAYS RIVER CITY FIREARMS WAS NEGLIGENT WHEN IT NAILED TO NOTICE STURGEON'S BEHAVIOR AND SOLD HIM THE GUN.

THE JUDGE RULED ON MONDAY THE LAWSUIT CAN CONTINUE.

HE DID NOT RULE ON THE MERITS OF THE CASE.

>>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WAS ON CAPITOL HILL TODAY TRYING TO UNITE REPUBLICANS BEHIND HIS TAX AND BUDGET PLAN.

A PLAN THAT INCLUDES A TRILLION DOLLARS IN CUTS TO MEDICAID AND FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OVER 10 YEARS.

SOME CONSERVATIVES OPPOSE THE PLAN SAYING IT DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH CUTTING THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT.

TODAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD A MESSAGE FOR ONE OF THOSE CONSERVATIVES CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE OF KENTUCKY'S FOURTH DISTRICT.

>> I DON'T THINK THOMAS MASSIE UNDERSTANDS GOVERNMENT.

I THINK HE IS A GRANDSTANDER FRANKLY.

HE WILL -- WE DON'T TALK TO HIM MUCH.

I THINK HE IS GOING TO BE VOTED OUT OF OFFICE AND I DON'T THINK HE UNDERSTANDS GOVERNMENT.

IF YOU ASK HIM HE DOESN'T GIVE YOU AN ANSWER HE SAYS I DON'T KNOW.

HE THINKS HE IS GOING TO GET PUBLICITY AND YOU HAVE THAT.

>> Laura: IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME THE PRESIDENT CRITICIZED MASSIE OVER OPPOSITION TO ADMINISTRATION PROPOSALS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS CALLED FOR AN OPPONENT TO CHALLENGE MASSIE IN THE 2026 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

>>> WE HAVE NEWS ABOUT ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, CHILDCARE AND MORE AS OUR TOBY GIBBS LOOKS AT HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.

[♪♪] >> THE STATE IS CONSIDERING ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN LINCOLN COUNTY.

THE INTERIOR JOURNAL REPORTS THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET STARTED A STUDY INTO THE KENTUCKY HIGHWAY 1194 CORRIDOR LOOKING AT SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE STATE WILL GATHER DATA.

THE STUDY COULD LEAD TO IMPROVEMENTS TO 1194 WEST AND AN EXTENSION OF 1194 EAST.

>>> WILL THE LARUE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION BEGIN A CHILDCARE SERVICE.

LARUE COUNTY HERALD NEWS SAYS THE BOARD VOTED 3-2 TO LAUNCH A FEASIBILITY STUDY.

THE STATE CALLS IT A CHILDCARE DESERT.

SUPERINTENDENT WARREN IS PROPOSING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUY LAND AND START ITS OWN CHILDCARE BUT OPPONENTS QUESTION WHETHER IT'S THE DISTRICT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

IN GEORGETOWN AN ANNEXATION VOTE IS PROMPTING A DEBATE ON THE CITY'S GROWTH.

THE GEORGETOWN NEWS GRAPHIC SAYS THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED 5-3 LAST WEEK TO ANNEX 182 ACRES OF LAND ON PAIN'S DEPOT ROAD.

OPPONENTS WONDER IF THE CITY IS GROWING TOO FAST AND SOME PEOPLE ATTENDING THE MEETING WERE CONCERNED ABOUT TRAFFIC AND THE LACK OF PROPER INFRASTRUCTURE.

>>> THE LASER REPORTS 185 INCOMING HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN HAVE BEEN PICKED AT EXPLORERS.

A THREE-DAY, TWO-NIGHT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM SPONSORED BY THE CENTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND SIX KENTUCKY COLLEGES IT ENCOURAGES STUDENTS DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS ABILITIES.

>>> WITH HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY, I'M TOBY GIBBS.

[♪♪] >> Laura: KENTUCKY'S HUNGER PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE.

MAP THE MEAL GAP, A YEARLY REPORT FROM FEEDING AMERICA SHOWS THAT FOOD INSECURITY IN KENTUCKY IS THE WORST IT'S EVER BEEN.

>> TO BE FOOD INSECURE IS THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING YOU DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU WILL BE ABLE TO EAT OR NOT.

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE WILL NOT TALK ABOUT HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY, BUT FOOD INSECURITY YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD WHEN YOU WANT IT AND NEED IT.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S COMING.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN THESE NUMBERS SINCE THE RECESSION IN 2008.

>> IT'S UP 6.5, 7%.

THE WORST NUMBERS WE'VE EVER SEEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE RESEARCH.

IT SHOWS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY IS THAT ONE IN SIX KENTUCKIANS ARE FOOD INSECURE.

HERE IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN KENTUCKY, IT'S ONE IN FIVE.

AND 19 OF THE MOST FOOD INSECURE COUNTIES IN THE UNITED STATES ARE HERE IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN KENTUCKY.

AND IN THOSE 19 COUNTIES IT'S ONE IN FOUR.

>> FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO FOOD INSECURITY ARE NUMEROUS.

ONE THE NUMBER ONE DRIVER WE ALL KNOW IS AWARE IS POVERTY.

POVERTY DRIVES FOOD INSECURITY ALONG WITH THAT YOU HAVE HOUSING OR LACK THEREOF, LACK TO ACCESS TO HOUSING.

LACK OF SACK SES TO EDUCATION.

LACK OF ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

AND THESE ARE KNOWN AS THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH.

WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THOSE THINGS THAT IS WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE THE FOOD INSECURITY IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> IN SOME INSTANCES WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS DUE TO REDUCTION IN FEDERAL BENEFITS COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

MAXIMUM ALLOTMENT OF SNAP, THE CHILD TAX CREDIT AND THE STIMULUS CHECKS PEOPLE BENEFITED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WHEN I THINK WITH THE WORK THAT IS NECESSARY TO SUCCESSFULLY REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY TO HELP ADDRESS HUNGER, AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WE NEED A STRONG FARM BILL.

ONE THAT IS RELEVANT TO TODAY.

THE FARM BILL IS PASSED ABOUT EVERY FIVE YEARS.

RIGHT NOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TWO YEARS BEHIND PASSING THE NEXT FARM BILL.

THE NUTRITION TITLE AUTHORIZES AND HELPS PAY FOR SNAP, IT HELPS PAY FOR USDA FOOD PROGRAMS.

THE AG COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE RECOMMENDED A $300 MILLION CUT TO SNAP.

AND THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT'S FEDERALLY AND THEY RECOMMENDED THAT THOSE BENEFITS BE TRANSFERRED TO STATE AUTHORITY.

THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY CANNOT AFFORD, RIGHT, TO BE ABLE TO COVER FEDERAL BENEFITS.

>> PUBLIC SECTOR AND PRIVATE SECTOR ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKEUP THE GAP.

ONE DOLLAR THAT IS INVESTED IN CARE IN A FOOD BANK IS GOING TO PROVIDE TWO MEALS FOR EACH DOLLAR THAT IS INVESTED.

FOR EACH SNAP DOLLAR IT'S NINE MEALS.

WE COULD HAVE ALL THE SUPPORT IN OUR COMMUNITY TO BE PROVIDING FOR US YET WE CANNOT MAKEUP THAT GAP.

WE REALIZE THAT CUTS NEED TO BE MADE.

THINGS NEED TO BE IMPROVED.

I BELIEVE EVERY PERSON RECOGNIZES THAT.

BUT TO THE DEGREE THAT THESE CUTS ARE BEING PROPOSED, IT IS JUST UNIMAGINABLE IN TERMS OF THINKING OF THE IMPACT IT'S GOING TO HAVE ON THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE YEARS TO RECOVER IF THESE CUTS GO THROUGH.

YEARS TO RECOVER FROM IT.

>> Laura: OTHER SAFETY NET PROGRAMS UNDER THE FARM BILL THAT COULD LOSE FUNDING, THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM, THE COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES FOOD TO LOW INCOME SENIORS AND EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHICH DISTRIBUTES FOOD TO FOOD BANKS, PANTRIES, SOUP KITCHENS AND EMERGENCY FEEDING ORGANIZATIONS.

[♪♪] LAST NIGHT KET BROUGHT YOU AGING IN PLACE, THE NEXT CHAPTER FORUM ABOUT HOW SENIORS CAN PAIN TAN INDEPENDENT IN THEIR HOMES.

IT IS PART OF OUR SERIES HERE IS PART OF LAST NIGHT'S PROGRAM.

>> THERE ARE 15 AREA AGENCIES ON AGING ACROSS THE STATE.

THEY REALLY SERVE AS THE RESOURCE HUB TO THE LOCAL AREAS THAT OVERSEE SENIOR CENTERS.

AND THERE ARE 194 SENIOR CENTERS ACROSS THE STATE.

ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS, THAT IS THE ONLY HUB FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEY ARE THE LIFELINE IN SUPPORTING OLDER ADULTS AS THEY AGE IN PLACE.

OUR SENIOR CENTERS ARE A PLACE WHERE OLDER ADULTS CAN GET MEALS, ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND RESOURCES AS WELL AS ACCESS TO EXERCISE.

MOST IMPORTANTLY THAT SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND INTERACTION WHICH WE KNOW IS ESSENTIAL IN ENSURING LONGEVITY ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> I WANT TO GO TO YOU KELLY THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT AGING IN PLACE WHAT DOES IT REALLY ENCOMPASS BEYOND WHAT HAS BEEN STATED?

>> SHE TALKED A LOT ABOUT HAVING CONVERSATIONS EARLY WHICH I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I REALLY LOVE THE DIGNITY OF RISK, SELF DETERMINATION.

THESE PEOPLE HAVE LIVED THEIR WHOLE LIVES MAKING DIFFERENT DECISIONS ON A DAILY BASIS.

SO FOR A LOVED ONE EVEN THOUGH THEY MEAN GOOD TO COME IN AND SAY THIS IS WHAT WE'RE DOING THERE'S GOING TO BE RESISTANCE, A LOT OF GUILT AND THEY ARE GOING TO LOSE THINGS THEY MIGHT WANT TO HOLD ON TO.

SO I THINK IN REGARDS TO AGING IN PLACE, HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS EARLY, GOING TO THOSE SENIOR CENTERS, GOING TO THE AREA ON AGING, GETTING CONNECTED WITHIN THE NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT, TALKING TO YOUR RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANYTHING AVAILABLE BEFORE YOU MIGHT NEED IT OR A CRISIS OCCURS IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> TO YOU MARY, YOU'VE WORKED FOR AREA INDEPENDENT LIVING AND AGING AGENCIES HERE IN THE BLUE GRASS AND YOU KNOW WELL ABOUT THE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

BUT IT SEEMS TO BE THAT IT IS A WELL KEPT SECRET.

THAT PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS KNOW THAT THEY ARE AVAILABLE OR THEY WORRY ABOUT THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THEM.

SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT.

>> THAT IS A TERM I HATE TO HEAR.

SECRET.

I DID WORK FOR THE BLUEGRASS AREA AGENCY ON AGING FOR 38 YEARS.

AND ONE OF THE RESOURCES WE HAVE THAT WE CALLED THE AGING BIBLE, THE PATHWAYS GUIDE AND WE CAME OUT WITH A NEW EDITION OF IT.

BUT IT LISTS SERVICES, EVERYTHING FROM HOW TO GET A SENIOR FISHING LICENSE TO SOME DELIVERED MEAL WHERE TO GO TO HAVE FUN.

IT IS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION.

>> Laura: FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS SEE MORE OF THIS CONVERSATION BY WATCHING AGING IN PLACE, A NEXT CHAPTER FORUM ON-LINE, ON DEMAND AT KET.ORG.

A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION THERE.

>>> AND WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION."

WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS YOU CAN SEE FULL EPISODES AND CLIPS AT KET.ORG.

FINE US ON THE PBS VIDEO APP AND SMART TV AND E-MAIL US THOSE GOOD STORY IDEAS.

GREAT HAVING YOU WITH US THIS EVENING.

STAY SAFE SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.