♪ >> Wow.

What a day.

>> Governor Andy Beshear makes news about Juneteenth and hairstyles and the workplace.

I can assure you.

That no single at LA's lays grail.

Until I know the story behind how these heroes.

>> The Kentucky State Police community remembers the fallen ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.

>> With the roadways are going to be very, very busy.

>> Before you hit the road, here's some advice for a smooth ride this holiday.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Thursday.

May 23rd I'm Renee Shaw.

>> Thank you for spending some of your Thursday night with us.

Juneteenth.

It commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. by acknowledging June 19th 18.

65 the day.

Union forces liberated the last enslaved people in Texas in many states.

It's already a holiday but not Kentucky.

The Kentucky General Assembly has never passed a bill to make it a state holiday today.

Governor Andy Beshear took action.

>> It is impossible for me to ever fully imagine the horror and lasting scars and legacy of slavery and Jim Crow.

But ask Governor, I'm committed to listening to learning to trying to here and then to take intentional action.

Because I know if we work together and just become the feet can become the miles of progress.

They can create lasting change.

♪ ♪ That said that the 2 kids.

I want to continue to try to set a good example after years of inaction of decided I can no longer wait.

For others to do what is right.

So a few once again set at that signing table.

But this time I will sign an executive order officially making Juneteenth a day to give thanks to the many contributions of African-Americans and naming it and executive branch holiday here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

♪ ♪ Recognizing Juneteenth as an official state holiday on his legacy and contributions of African-Americans to our nation's history.

It adds to that story that we all are continuing to make.

>> It reinforces the profound truth that freedom and justice are in a little more rights of all America.

Transcending race and region.

And origin.

Honoring Juneteenth.

Paul says Unity and progress.

Alana in Kentucky with the federal recognition of this significant day.

The governors acknowledgment of Juneteenth pays the way for collaborative efforts between the executive branch and the things that then the legislated to ensure that this significant they is properly recognized and celebrated throughout our state.

His leadership as spies, us all of us to continue working together to promote awareness, education and understanding of the historical and cultural importance shown team.

>> And there's more.

The governor also signed an executive order similar to the Crown Act.

Another bill that's been introduced but never passed in the Kentucky General Assembly.

The governor's order, Maine State Workplaces cannot discriminate based on hair, textures and hairstyles.

More news today on top golfer Scottie Scheffler and the Louisville detective that arrested him during the PGA championship.

Louisville's mayor and police chief announced that Detective Bryan Gillis has been reprimanded for not turning on his body camera all while the criminal case against Scheffler continues, Kentucky additions June Leffler has more.

>> We're not aware at this time of any video footage.

Which captures the initial interaction between LMPD.

And Mister Scheffler.

>> But local police did release some footage including video from a pole camera that shows police getting Scheffler out of his truck.

And a police dash cam showing police taking Scheffler into custody.

>> At the request of the county attorney's office.

Any additional video or evidence related to this case will not be released until the conclusion of the legal process.

>> Police charge Scheffler with second-degree assault of a police officer and other offenses.

Detective Bryan Gillis claim Scheffler dragged and knocked him down after the detective stopped him in his car.

Scheffler says the whole thing was a misunderstanding and that he will fight the charges.

But the detective has also faced scrutiny.

Local police department reprimanded him for not having his body cam on.

>> He said yes, did have an encounter, as we know with Mister Scott and Justin.

It ended.

Yeah, let's should have turn on his body-worn camera but did not.

It's billion to do so is a violation of LMPD Policy O uniforms and equipment subject category by one camera.

The death of Gilles was counseled by his supervisor.

We understand the seriousness of the failed to capture this interaction, which is what our officer has received corrective action before this policy violation.

This corrective action.

What has been no taking on performance observation form, which is in line with our this winter and protocol and practices.

>> The city and police did not offer comment on Scheffler's criminal case.

He is set to be arraigned on June 3rd for Kentucky edition.

I'm John Leffler.

>> Scheffler was arrested near and just after a shuttle bus struck and killed John Mills.

Mills was working.

The PGA Tournament police Chief Jacqueline Glenn Bureau well said today, quote, Mister Mills was known for his kindness and dedication to our community.

His passing has left a notable void in the golfing community and throughout the city, end quote, You can visit LMPD on X, formerly Twitter to see the video footage that was released today.

>> Kentucky is getting more help from the federal government.

President Joe Biden just approved Governor Andy Beshear's request for federal disaster declaration after April storms.

That means the state can apply for grants for temporary housing, home repairs and loans for businesses to help them recover from natural disasters.

The declaration covers these 11 counties you see in yellow, which includes Jefferson and Fayette, the 2 largest counties in Kentucky.

Each suffered damage from one of more than 19 tornadoes that touched down in Kentucky during the first week of April.

Another close political race has been called after Tuesday's primary.

The Associated Press says Randy Cravens has won the Democratic nomination to the U.S. House in the 6th Congressional district which covers Lexington and about a dozen surrounding counties.

It was very close.

Cravens defeated the second place finisher Todd Kelly by just 201 votes.

Cravens now moves on to the November race against 6 term incumbent Republican Congressman Andy Barr.

Congressman James Comer of the first congressional district in Kentucky is teaming up with an unlikely ally in his push for more oversight of presidential ethics.

The Republican from the first district in Kentuckyian Democratic congresswoman KET Porter of California introduced bipartisan legislation.

Their bill would require presidents and vice presidents to publicly disclose tax returns before during and after their time in the White House Comer, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee said the legislation would ensure that, quote, moving forward.

American presidents, vice presidents and their family members cannot profit from their proximity to power, unquote.

Representative Porter was quoted as saying, quote, We both agree that this was going to be a bill about the future and about restoring trust in government.

It's not a bill about any past president.

End quote.

Lawmakers in Washington continue to work on the farm bill.

It's a massive package of legislation passed every 5 years or so that can have a tremendous impact on farmers and the farming community.

This week, Republican Representative Mary Miller introduced an amendment to the farm bill that would tighten restrictions on hemp products.

The amendment would change how legal hemp is defined and would mean hemp could only contain not intoxicating cannabinoids the Kentucky Hemp Association opposes the amendment by another him.

Supporters say the language would mean a new prohibition on 95% of the hemp products that are now on the market, including most things containing CBD.

You know, states like Kentucky of already moved out forward with properly regulate these products.

>> And I think not accurate to think that by recruiting rising really popular hemp-derived products that on the market for the last 6 years, it's going to do anything to help protect children.

In fact, we strongly believe it's going to exacerbate the very issues that that Congressman Miller is attempting to address.

I think a lot of times they have been history then the narrative from our our marketplace.

Competitors is we don't want more regulations right?

That could be further from the truth.

We've been asking the FDA for regulations Kris, 6 years in the absence of those regulations, we've gone state by state in states like Kentucky in Tennessee and Indiana to address those mark concerns to ensure that our farmers and markets for the crops are growing.

>> Right now, some hemp products can have up to 5 milligrams of THC of which there are different strains.

Delta, 90 C a THC is the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana.

Delta.

8 THC is widely available in Kentucky, although lawmakers passed a bill last year that put tighter regulations around those products.

Kentucky's jobless rate went up and 118 of the state's 120 counties from April of 2023 to April of this year.

It only went down in 2 counties.

That's Ballard and Lewis.

The state says Washington and Woodford counties had the lowest unemployment rates at 3.2%.

The highest is in Magoffin County at 9.7%.

A Kentucky case could be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Liberty Counsel says it's appealing a lower court's ruling against former around one county clerk Kim Davis.

Last month, a federal judge refused to overturn a $360,000 judgment against Davis and 2015.

She was jailed for refusing to issue same sex marriage licenses citing her religious beliefs.

37 Kentucky State Police troopers and officers have died while in service to the Commonwealth.

Today.

The Ksp community honored the fallen and their families with a memorial service in Frankfort.

♪ >> What others did not want to be.

>> Others fear to go risk endanger my constant companion.

I have seen the face of terror felt the sting of cold fear and enjoy the sweet taste of the moments.

Love.

I have helped people in times of stress and some of the others.

And the times of trouble.

I have cried love and hope that most of all have honored my commitment to serve and protect for which I have paid.

>> The ultimate sacrifice.

>> And the name.

>> Of service above self.

>> Am I Kentucky state trooper?

We take a moment to remember 37 Kentucky State Police troopers, officers and highway patrolmen who lost their lives to ensure our public safety since the inception of this agency, 76 years ago.

37 children.

And and pillars of the community that we lost far too early.

It's 37 Kentuckians who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of creating a safe home.

Children, grandchildren and loved ones could live safely without thier.

These 37 heroes served bravely.

They thought of their fellow Kentuckians first.

Leaving their families each morning to stand in between our families and danger.

They served in a way the majority of us will never be able to understand.

And for that, Kentucky is forever grateful.

But we also gather to recognize the sacrifices of those left behind.

We want you to know that you'll never before forgotten and the sacrifice of your loved one.

And you we'll always be ksp family to us.

For the family members here today.

I can assure you.

That no single at LA's these grounds.

Until they know the story behind all these heroes.

Not only but how they lived.

That their service, most of which occurred before most of these cadets were even more.

But it is imperative.

I can see continue known to know the sacrifices that every one of us.

Including myself.

Stand on.

For their dedication and their service to this agency.

And this Commonwealth.

I believe we can all agree that one instance that split second when everything changed was not to find who these men were.

In addition to the tragedy of losing an officer in the line of duty, we have lost sons, fathers, husbands, fathers, uncles, colleagues in France.

Commissioner Burnett and Governor Beshear your troopers are the gold standard.

I deal with many agencies.

>> I've never seen anything like that.

>> The service also honored the late J Michael Brown who held cabinet level positions in the gubernatorial administrations of both Andy and his father, Steve Beshear.

♪ ♪ >> Traffic road conditions, gas prices.

You have a lot to think about.

If you're driving this Memorial Day weekend.

So we asked Triple A for some advice.

>> We can expect that this is going to be a very busy Memorial Day weekend for travel.

In fact, we expect over 500,000 Kentuckians to travel weather by taking a road or flying over cruises trains.

What have you?

And that's really what we're seeing nationwide, where we expect overall about 44 million people to travel, the white majority of Kentuckians.

It really all Americans will be taking a road trip about 87% Kentucky is traveling.

We'll be going by vehicle.

So the roadways are going to be very, very busy specially Thursday and Friday will be very busy If you're heading out those days.

You want to leave in the morning if you can, to avoid some of the heaviest traffic because since there are so many people taking a road trip, a lot of people have been asking about gas prices and we don't expect any big surge is going into the Memorial Day holiday.

I think right now the national average price for a gallon of regular is right around 3.61.

Or so.

That's up to, you know, of a penny or 2 from a week prior here in Kentucky.

We're looking at 3.35.

That's actually down a penny from a week ago.

So we don't expect big changes from what we're seeing today with those gas prices.

The good news is that when 2 cars are actually down about 17% so significantly about $439 is the rental booking rental car booking right now.

That's good news because we've seen those prices be higher as we came out of the pandemic in those rental car companies didn't have the fleets that they going into the pandemic.

Some other costs to KET in mind flights are actually up about 2%.

The average booking for a memorial day.

I get a weighs about $779 for a domestic flight.

Our airports are going to be very busy, including our airport right here in Lexington, as well as really all of them across the country.

In fact, they're expected to be the busiest we've seen since a big travel year.

We had in 2005.

So going back to these pre-pandemic levels, that means you want to get to the airport earlier than you normally would for for your We're looking probably having a little longer way getting through security, getting checked in through security.

So be sure that you just plain for that.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> The city of Lexington is pushing back against a proposed solar panel Farm East Kentucky Power Cooperative hopes to build a solar facility in eastern Fayette County.

The project would be on nearly 400 acres of land.

That's currently zoned for agricultural purposes.

The plan for states to be approved by the Kentucky Public Service Commission.

This week, the city told the commission it wants to intervene in the case.

Mayor Linda Gorton said that while the city supports renewable energy rezoning could lead to long-term consequences and that more time was needed to study the plan is Kentucky power says the Fayette County Farm along with another planned farm in Marion County could generate enough power to serve 15,000 homes.

Meanwhile, work to revitalize Phoenix Park in downtown Lexington is set to begin next month.

Plans include adding new play equipment and interactive fog area.

Ben swings a performance stage and places for public Art.

Mayor Gordon says the park sits at the historical center of the city.

>> It's up a corner of main and lime and it's a one acre park.

The hundreds of us pass by every single day.

And it's really rooted in history.

I don't know how many of you here remember the Phoenix Hotel, which was at the site and it was quite a busy, well-known hotel.

it's a place where we honor our fallen, our police officers and our firefighters with our special memorial here.

It's always involved in downtown celebrations.

Whenever there's a downtown celebration, people are in Phoenix Park.

Trust for public land scores cities based on its parks.

This year, Lexington felt to 70rd on the list down 8 spots from last year.

>> A new ballot initiative could change that, though city leaders will consider putting a measure on the November ballot asking what's in tone and to approve a new property tax to shore up the Parks capital Fund.

The new tax would cost the average homeowner roughly $50 a year.

Kentucky's population continues to grow.

According to the University of Louisville's Kentucky State Data Center.

53 Kentucky cities have grown by at least 3% since the 2020 census tiny little passes or Pippa passes and not county in eastern Kentucky was the fastest growing city of any size within a population increase of nearly 26%.

Richmond is the fastest growing large city.

The center defines largest having more than 20,000 people.

Elizabeth Town is also experiencing a population boom with nearly 33,000 residents.

It's now Kentucky's 7th largest city surpassing Nicholasville and Florence.

♪ Kentucky, based nonprofit is working to restore forests from land once used to mine coal.

Our friends at Kentucky life went to Perry County to explore the mission of Green Forest work.

♪ >> Green Force Work.

It's a program that we established in 2009 to restore ecosystems that have been influenced by surface mining for coal in the Appalachian region.

And it's not only a environmental type of program, but we we created the program to also address the decline in the cold economy that what's happening?

You know what?

We were thinking about reforestation and the idea behind Green Force work is to utilize some of the people that were involved in a coal mining and and create new opportunities and new jobs for folks to come out and do ecological restoration in the Appalachian region.

And so we're trying to bring back Native Forest.

>> 2 areas that war for us prior to the mining.

They mine the coal and then they usually turn on for some type of often using aggressive nonnative grasses and sometimes the exotic shrubs on these landscapes.

>> The first thing that we're doing is removing all of the unwanted vegetation.

So we have bulldozers here that are just scalping that off.

And then once that happens, we have another really large bulldozer that has to rip insurance for 2 plows, if you will.

And it will come through here and rip up all of this land and be compacted, which is necessary for the trees to grow the routes to get down into the soil, but also allows for water to infiltrate instead of runoff.

So we see actually a improve water quality on these projects just by changing the way that water moves and the systems.

So we'll do all the site preparation during the >> fall.

And then we'll come back in the with the planting crew and planted with about 20 different species of native plants.

So with all of our projects, they're sort of 3 phases that.

>> We refer to as far as the recovery of the forest.

You have the sleeping phase, which is the first by about 3 years after we plant the trees in the trees are putting all their energy into growing roots and just getting established.

And then from about year 3 to about your 7, we have sort of the creeping phase where they start to move up and you see some high growth.

But then after about your 7, we say that that's the leaping phase and so the trees actually start competing with each other and trying to, you know, gain that sunlight.

And they really do take off and leave.

And so somewhere around between year 7 in 10, we get canopy closure and you start to say the forest floor, you start to see litter development in loss of all of those non native grasses and things like that.

So it's about a 10 year process.

And once we get to that 10th year.

The forest just sort of takes off on its own.

One of the things we've been doing from the university perspective is looking at wildlife usage of these lands and we're seeing and, for instance, the site we did on Pine Mountain last year where we build somewhat one, some land mines landscape.

We had over 9 different species of amphibians to come in and utilize those wild ones, which was amazing because those wetlands weren't even there.

We created them.

We're seeing the use of the sites by birds by small mammals bags.

So bringing back the forces.

One thing the bringing back the habitat is an entirely, you know, the other thing which we're seeing that we can do and that's very promising and very hopeful for the future.

♪ >> Great effort there.

You can see more of that story and many other great Kentucky life pieces online on demand at KET DOT Org and check out Kentucky life each Saturday at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET.

Check us out on Kentucky edition tomorrow night at our regular time, 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central where we inform connect and inspire will discuss Tuesday's primary election is get as we look inside Kentucky politics with at the Piper.

>> And Jared Smith.

So make sure you tune in and also check us out on all the ways you see on your screen there, Facebook, X and Instagram to stay in the loop on our programming here at KET.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Take really good care and I'll see you tomorrow night.

♪