[♪♪] >> BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE INTEGRITY NOW, ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE INTEGRITY WHEN YOU ARE IN THE PROGRAM?

>> Renee: WHAT'S THE IMPACT OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO KENTUCKY'S MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM BEFORE IT HITS STORES?

>> AND IT'S DESPICABLE WHAT YOU DID.

>> Renee: THE PUBLIC SPEAKS OUT ABOUT A TAX INCREASE TO BENEFIT FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND HOW IT PASSED.

HE HAS BEEN IN CONGRESS FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS WILL HAL ROGERS HAVE A TOUGHER RACE THAN USUAL IN 2026?

FIND OUT WHO IS THINKING OF RUNNING.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION", ON THIS WEDNESDAY, MAY THE 28TH.

I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE THANK YOU FOR WINDING DOWN YOUR WEDNESDAY WITH US.

>>> GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SAYS IT'S LIKELY THAT HE WILL CALL A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO DEAL WITH RECENT STORM DAMAGE IN KENTUCKY.

THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER INTERVIEWED THE GOVERNOR AND IN THAT INTERVIEW HE SAID THAT THE STATE WILL PROBABLY REACH THE $100 MILLION DISASTER SPENDING CAP CREATED BY STATE LAWMAKERS IN 2024.

THAT MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO LAST THROUGH A TWO-YEAR BUDGET CYCLE BUT KENTUCKY HAS DEALT WITH SIX EMERGENCY LEVEL NATURAL DISASTERS SINCE THAT CAP WAS PUT IN PLACE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID HE HASN'T TALKED TO LEGISLATIVE LEADERS YET ABOUT A SPECIAL SESSION.

I WILL HAVE MORE ABOUT THIS IN JUST A FEW MINUTES AS I TALK WITH NPR'S RYLAND BARTON.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS, KENTUCKY BUSINESSES AND STATE AGENCIES ARE WORKING TO GET MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO PATIENTS.

BUT THE PROGRAM HAS TO CONTEND WITH ONE HICCUP... AN INVESTIGATION FROM THE STATE AUDITOR.

OUR JUNE LEFFLER HAS MORE FROM KENTUCKIANS AND THE HEMP AND CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

>> DIDI TAILOR OWNS THIS CB STORE IN LOUISVILLE.

>> STARTED WITH MY HUSBAND BACK IN 2010.

FOR HIS NEEDS AND WHAT HE NEEDS IT FOR FOR HIS SEIZURES.

>> SHE SERVED ON GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR MEDICAL CANNABIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

>> I TRAVELED AROUND THE STATE AND HELPED WITH THAT AND MET A LOT OF PEOPLE AND ADVOCATES AND PATIENTS.

>> SHE PUSHED FOR THE BILL THAT LEGALIZED MEDICAL CANNABIS BUT DID NOT END UP WITH A LICENSE TO SELL THE PRODUCT.

SOME KENTUCKY HEMP FARMERS DIDN'T GET A LICENSE TO CULL TU VACCINATE IT EITHER.

>> IT WAS UNFAIR TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE TRIED TO HELP BUILD THE SPACE FOR NO ONE TO GET A LICENSE.

>> MICHAEL ADAIR HAS TAKEN HIS CONCERNS TO KENTUCKY OFFICIALS.

>> AS I'VE SAID WE WANT A MEETING ME AND HEMP FARMERS AND FARMERS THAT APPLIED THERE'S WAYS WE CAN HELP TO TRY AND SPEED UP THE PROGRAM.

>> ONE OFFICIAL HAS BEEN LISTENING.

ADAIR SAID HE CONTACTED THE STATE AUDITOR WHO IS INVESTIGATING THE PROGRAM.

>> IF THEY FIND SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, IS HARMFUL OR IT WAS ILLEGAL WHAT THEY DID THEN SO BE IT.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE INTEGRITY NOW ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE INTEGRITY WHEN YOU ARE ACTUALLY IN THE PROGRAM.

>> LOUISVILLE STATION WHAS11 HAS REPORTED WHAT MIGHT HAVE MADE THE SYSTEM UNFAIR.

THE STATION INTERVIEWED A BUSINESS OWNER WHO DID APP.

>> WE HAD TO CREATE BUSINESSES 20 DIFFERENT BUSINESSES UNDER 20 DIFFERENT NAMES IN ORDER TO GET OUR APPLICATIONS OUT THERE.

>> SOMETHING AUDITOR ALLISON BALL TOLD THE STATION SHE IS LOOKING INTO.

>> THERE IS A REG THAT PROHIBITS APP INDICATION STACKING IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE AS FAIR AS IT CAN BE.

>> THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FIND LOOPHOLES AND BIG CANNABIS THEY HAVE LOTS AND LOTS OF MONEY.

I JUST DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS GOING TO GO THAT BAD.

>> A LAWYER REPRESENTING THOSE WHO GOT A LICENSE BOTH BIG AND SMALL OPERATORS SAYS WHAT HE HAS SEEN FROM THE STATE HAS BEEN ABOVEBOARD.

>> I AM A LIFELONG CRITIC OF THE GOVERNMENT I AM A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER AND I STAND IN COURT AND SAY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID SOMETHING WRONG BUT I'M GOING TO SAY I THINK THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS HERE HAS HAD THE PATIENTS OF THIS STATE AND FRANKLY.

THE BUSINESSES THEIR INTEREST IN MIND THIS ENTIRE TIME.

>> BRAD CLARK SAYS THE LOTTERY WAS MEANT TO GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE INCLUDING THE SMALLER LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> I PERSONALLY THINK THE BEST THING THE STATE COULD HAVE DONE IS HOLD A REVERSE AUCTION FOR THE LICENSES.

AUCTION THESE OFF.

THE STATE COULD HAVE PROBABLY TRIPLED WHAT THEY GOT FOR APPLICATION FEES IF THEY AUCTIONED THE LICENSES OFF.

MAYBE MORE.

IT WASN'T POLITICALLY POPULAR.

>> HOWEVER THE INVESTIGATION AND SYSTEM SHAKES OUT, MICHAEL ADAIR WILL BE TAKING NOTES.

>> NOW, THE BALL IS IN THEIR COURT I GOT IT AS FAR AS I CAN GO WITH IT.

IF THEY TELL ME EVERYTHING IS ABOVEBOARD AND EVERYTHING IS FINE I WILL BE THE FIRST TO EAT CROW AND SAY LIKE I GUESS WE SHOULD HAVE DONE IT, TOO.

>> THE STATE AUDITOR ANNOUNCED HER INVESTIGATION MORE THAN A MONTH AGO.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN THAT WILL WRAP.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Renee: MANY THANKS, JUNE.

WILL THIS INVESTIGATION POSTPONE WHEN MEDICAL CANNABIS IS IN STORES?

THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TOLD US THE PROGRAM SHOULD PROCEED WITH NO DELAYS BUT THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS SAYS THE INVESTIGATION REQUIRES PULLING SO MANY RECORDS THAT IT DIVERTS RESOURCES FROM REGULATING THE NEW INDUSTRY.

>>> ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH, ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN HAVE SOME FORM OF DYSLEXIA AND WITHOUT EARLY INTERVENTION THE CHILDREN OFTEN STLULG TO LEARN TO READ.

HINDMAN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL LITERACY PROGRAM PROVIDES TUTORING TO CHILDREN IN EASTERN KENTUCKY WHO MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO INTERVENTION OR ASSESSMENTS FOR DYSLEXIA.

THE SCHOOL LEARNED THAT THE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ITS READING AND MATH INTERVENTION PROGRAMS WAS ELIMINATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY OR DOJ.

THEY ARE DESICCATED TO THE FUTURE OF THE PROGRAMS IS UP IN THE AIR.

>> FIVE YEARS AGO WE RECEIVED A GRANT THROUGH AMERI CORE THAT THIS YEAR HAS GROWN TO ALLOW US TO HIRE 52 TUTORS THAT WE DEPLOY IN 25 SCHOOLS ACROSS FIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH THAT LARGER WORKFORCE, WE'RE ABLE TO REACH THIS YEAR, I THINK WE REACHED ALMOST A THOUSAND KIDS.

IT'S DISAPPOINTING IF WE LOSE THAT FUNDING, WE'LL STILL SURVIVE WE'RE STRONG ORGANIZATION AND WE'LL STILL PROVIDE SERVICES.

IT'S JUST THAT THE REACH WE HAD THIS YEAR WILL BE REDUCED.

THE UNCERTAINTY, IT CHALLENGES OUR ABILITY TO SAY WE WILL BE IN YOUR SCHOOL NEXT YEAR WITH "X" NUMBER OF STAFF.

WE JUST DON'T KNOW THAT AT THIS POINT.

BUT IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US FROM A PLANNING PERSPECTIVE TO COMMIT TO HAVING A PROGRAM EVEN THOUGH IT MIGHT BE OF A SMALLER SCALE THAN THIS YEAR.

>> WHEN HINDMAN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL FIRST RECEIVED THE NEWS OF THE LOSS OF FUNDING IT SEEMED THE LITERACY PROGRAMS WOULD HAVE TO STOP BUT THROUGH FUNDRAISING, HINDMAN WAS ABLE TO FINISH OUT THE LAST WEEKS OF IN-SCHOOL SERVICES AND CAN RUN THE SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS THIS YEAR.

>>> FAYETTE COUNTY'S OCCUPATIONAL TAX COULD GO UP AFTER A VOTE LAST NIGHT BY THE FAYETTE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THE BOARD APPROVED A TAX INCREASE WHICH WILL COST THE AVERAGE TAXPAYER ABOUT $13 A MONTH WHILE GENERATING BETWEEN $13.5 MILLION AND $16 MILLION FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR AND ABOUT $30 MILLION THE YEAR AFTER THAT.

IT STILL NEEDS FISCAL COURT APPROVAL.

LAST NIGHT, THE BOARD HEARD FROM SUPPORTERS WHO SAY IT'S NECESSARY AND CRITICS WHO DON'T LIKE THE INCREASE OR HOW IT WAS PASSED.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ALL HAVE TO INVEST IN OUR KIDS BECAUSE THE MORE WE INVEST IN OUR KIDS THE HIGHER EDUCATED OUR COMMUNITY IS, THE BETTER WE ALL DO.

SO I KNOW THIS IS A HARD DECISION FOR YOU.

BUT AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, A COACH, A MENTOR, A PARENT, AND ADVOCATE FOR COMMUNITY THAT IS OFTEN MARGINALIZED I KNOW THE DECISION IS IMPORTANT BUT I IMPLORE YOU TO INCREASE THE TAX AND MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR KIDS CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL, CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY VMENT.

>> YOU DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU COULD DID YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT A BUDGET IF YOU DIDN'T WHAT HAPPENED?

ARE YOU ALLOWED TO SUBMIT A BUDGET WITH A DEFICIT?

LIKE FROM THE COMMUNITY'S PERSPECTIVE, THAT WAS A JOKE.

HOW MUCH CONFUSION HAPPENED AND NOBODY COULD TELL ANY OF US IN THE ROOM WHAT WAS REQUIRED LEGALLY.

THEY PASSED A $30 MILLION TAX KNOWING OR THINKING THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO LET YOU KNOW WITHIN ONE WEEK'S NOTICE THAT IS WHY YOU DID THIS.

AND IT'S DESPICABLE WHAT YOU DID.

>> Renee: THE TAX INCREASE WOULD HELP THE DISTRICT CLOSE A $16 MILLION DEFICIT LAST NIGHT'S VOTE WAS 3-2.

>>> TIME NOW TO CHECK IN ON MAJOR POLITICAL NEWS SO FAR THIS WEEK WITH RYLAND BARTON WHO IS AN EDITOR WITH NPR NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU TOO.

>> Renee: LET'S BEGIN WITH NEWS THAT THE GOVERNOR MADE IN AN INTERVIEW HE TOLD THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER HE IS CONSIDERING POSSIBLY CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION TO DEAL WITH TORNADO RELIEF AND WE KNOW THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN PREVIOUS SESSIONS PUT LIMITS ON THE AMOUNT HE CAN SPEND AND HE SAYS HE IS ALMOST THERE.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS.

>> HE HAS BEEN HINTING AT THIS FOR A WHILE ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR THERE'S BEEN SO MANY DISASTERS OR OTHER EMERGENCIES DECLARED.

AND REALLY AS YOU SAID, THE LEGISLATURE INSTITUTED THIS CAP HOW MUCH THE GOVERNOR HIS ADMINISTRATION CAN SPEND ON THIS DISASTERS.

IT'S $50 MILLION PER YEAR $100 PER BUDGET CYCLE.

THEY RECENTLY ALLOWED IT SO HE CAN SPEND THAT $100 MILLION TO FINISH OUT THIS BUDGET CYCLE.

HE SAYS BECAUSE OF THIS THESE MOST RECENT TORNADOES THAT TOOK PLACE EARLIER IN MAY, THAT HE IS GOING TO HIT THAT CAP BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

AND THAT WOULD REQUIRE HIM TO DO IS CALL LAWMAKERS TO FRANKFORT TO REALLY DO SOMETHING, TO APPROPRIATE MORE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO SPEND ON THIS INITIAL PHASE OF THE CLEAN UP AND RECOVERY.

BESHEAR SAYS A LOT OF THIS MONEY WILL BE REIMBURSED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH FEMA BUT THAT TAKES TIME AND THE STATE REALLY NEEDS MONEY AT THIS POINT TO PONY UP THE INITIAL RECOVERY EFFORTS.

I THINK THIS IS INTERESTING BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE'S LONG BEEN TRYING TO MAKE THIS FORCE PLAY ON THE GOVERNOR WITH EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.

>> Renee: ANYTIME LINE GIVEN FOR THIS, DID HE SAY?

>> NOT THAT I KNOW.

BUT HE SAID THAT THE MONEY WOULD RUN OUT BEFORE THEY COME BACK INTO SESSION FOR THE REGULAR SESSION WHICH IS JANUARY OF NEXT YEAR.

>> Renee: WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FATE OF POLICE REFORM IN THE STATE'S CITY LOUISVILLE HAD BEEN UNDER A CONGRATULATE AS HAD MINNEAPOLIS BECAUSE OF THE POLICE KILLINGS OF BREONNA TAYLOR AND IN MINNESOTA GEORGE FLOYD.

SO THESE POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAD AGREED TO A SERIES OF REFORMS TO MAKE THEM MORE COMMUNITY RESPONSIVE AND TO ALSO COMBAT SOME OF THE ALLEGATIONS OF RACIAL BIAS IN THEIR HANDLINGS.

SO WHERE IS THAT NOW CONSIDERING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE'S RECENT ACTION TO END THOSE SO-CALLED CONSENT DECREES?

>> YEAH, IT'S NOT NOT OFFICIAL YET THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE A MOTION IN COURT TO END THIS AND THAT DOES SHOW IT WILL LIKELY END.

THE FEDERAL JUDGE HAS EXPRESSED SOME DISMAY OVER THE CONSENT DECREES IN THE FIRST PLACE AND ALSO THAT IT'S LIKELY OVER NOW THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DOESN'T WANT ANY -- DOESN'T WANT CONTINUE WITH THIS.

AND THAT IS WHAT A CONSENT DECREE IS ABOUT.

IT'S A COURT MANDATED AGREEMENT THAT SAY IN THIS CASE, THE LOUISVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ENACT CERTAIN REFORMS AND THAT LOOKS TO BE IT'S NOT GOING TO TAKE PLACE.

YEAH, LOUISVILLE, MINNESOTA OR MINNEAPOLIS ALSO SEVERAL OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MOVED TO END THIS.

AND THIS GOES BACK TO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS PART OF PROJECT 2025, KIND OF REPUBLICAN BLUEPRINT FOR WHAT THE NEXT TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WOULD LOOK LIKE THEY WANTED AN END TO ALL OF THESE COURT MANDATE CONSENT DECREES.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH -- WELL, THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE SAYS THAT IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE IMPLEMENTING THESE REFORMS.

WE'LL SEE HOW SUCCESSFUL THAT IS.

I THINK THE POINT OF THIS CONSENT DECREE IS THAT LOUISVILLE AND SEVERAL OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THEY WERE NOT REALLY ABLE TO HOLD THEMSELVES ACCOUNTABLE INTERNALLY.

AND THE WHOLE REPORT THAT THE REPORTS THAT STARTED THIS THERE IS AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT OF LOUISVILLE'S POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THEN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REPORT.

ALLEGING JUST HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE THINGS FROM IMPROPER USE-OF-FORCE, NOT HOLDING POLICE ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THEY DID WRONG, PROBLEMS WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION AGAINST BLACK PEOPLE FROM TRAFFIC STOPS TO ARRESTS TO TREATMENT IN CUSTODY AND TERRIBLE ACCOUNTS INCLUDED ONE I WAS READING THROUGH IT TODAY, AND THERE'S ONE CASE IN WHICH AN OFFICER REPEATEDLY BEAT A DRUNK WOMAN IN THE FACE WITH A FLASHLIGHT AFTER SHE BIT HIM ON THE SHOE.

DISPROPORTIONATE RESPONSES.

AND AGAIN, THE POLICE WHO DID WRONG WERE NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

SO THE CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW IS FOR THE CITY TO TRY AND BUILD TRUST WITH THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR THIS AND IT GOES BEYOND BREONNA TAILOR AND GEORGE EMPLOYED IT IS A LONG PRACTICE OF LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITHIN LOUISVILLE'S POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WHETHER OR NOT THE CITY WILL BE ABLE TO ONCE AGAIN TRY TO HOLD ITSELF ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THERE IS A MOMENT WHERE IT SEEMED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF THE CITY WAS GOING TO BE IN CHARGE OF IMPLEMENTING THESE REFORMS AND MAKING SURE THEY HAPPEN.

>> Renee: AND THE POLICE CHIEF SAID THAT THEY WOULD STAY ON THE COURSE THEY ARE ON.

SO WE'LL SEE IF THAT HOLDS.

LAST ITEM IN ABOUT A MINUTE, CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS WHO HAS IN HIS 23rd CONSECUTIVE TERM HE HAS BEEN SERVING THE FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SINCE 1981 ALWAYS WON BY LANDSLIDE VICTORIES BUT THERE IS POSSIBILITY THAT HE COULD GET A RUN FOR HIS MONEY THIS TIME.

A WELL HEALED ATTORNEY FROM PRESTONSBURG WHO HAS HAD HIGH PROFILE CASES CONCERNING SCAMS WITH DISABILITY AND COAL MINERS COULD BE TAKING ON CONGRESSMAN ROGERS?

>> YES.

ACCORDING TO THE HERALD-LEADER'S AUSTIN HORN, NED IS CONSIDERING A RUN FOR THE SEAT.

AND REALLY JUST TO HAVE A CANDIDATE AT ALL IS HUGE IN THIS CASE.

OFTENTIMES CONGRESSMAN ROGERS WILL RUN UNOPPOSED.

AND HE WOULD BE ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT PEOPLE TO RUN AGAINST HIM IN A LONGTIME.

YEAH, HE IS KNOWN FOR REPRESENTING EASTERN KENTUCKIANS WHO ARE FACING THE LOSS OF THEIR ASSOCIATED SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS DURING THAT SCAM RUN BY ERIC KHAN.

HE IS ALSO SUED SEVERAL COAL COMPANIES FOR UNPAID WAGES.

THERE IS ALSO AFTER THE EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOODS HE REPRESENTED PEOPLE SUING COAL COMPANIES ALLEGING THAT STRIP MINING WORSENED THE FLOODS IN THEIR AREAS.

HE SAID IN THE INTERVIEW WITH THE HERALD-LEADER HE WANTED TO RUN AGAINST DONALD TRUMP'S TAX CUT PLAN WHICH ARE IMPLEMENTED AT THE END OF 2018.

BUT LOOKING TO RENEW UNDER THIS BUDGET BILL THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE WEALTHY AND ALSO THE PROPOSED CUTS TO MEDICAID THE FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IS ONE OF THE MOST DEPEND END DISTRICTS ON MEDICAID BENEFITS.

ROGERS HAS DEFENDED THOSE THAT PROPOSAL SAYING THESE CUTS WOULD END UP STRENGTHENING MEDICAID BY LIMITING FRAUD AND ABUSE.

AND HE WOULD HAVE IT WOULD BE A STEEP CHALLENGE ROGERS AS YOU SAID HE'S BEEN IN HELD THAT SINCE 1981 THE LONGEST SERVING MEMBER AND OLDEST MEMBER HE IS 87 AND WOULD BE 89 IF REELECTED IN 2026.

>> Renee: YEAH.

SO MUCH TO KEEP OUR EYES ON.

WE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT A RACE THAT HASN'T FORMED YET FOR NEXT CYCLE BUT THAT IS HOW IT ROLLS HERE IN KENTUCKY.

THANK YOU RYLAND BARTON IT'S GOOD TO CATCH UP WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU, RENEE.

[♪♪] >> Renee: THERE'S COVID NEWS TONIGHT ON TWO FRONTS.

MORE ABOUT THIS IN TONIGHT'S MEDICAL NEWS.

ROBERT KENNEDY JR.

THE U.S. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAYS HE IS NO LONGER RECOMMENDING COVID-19 VACCINES FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN.

THAT IS A CHANGE.

U.S. HEALTH OFFICIALS FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS BY INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERTEDS HAD URGED ANNUAL COVID-19 BOOSTERS FOR ALL AMERICANS AGES SIX MONTHS AND OLDER.

ALSO, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAYS A NEW COVID VARY RANTED IS CIRCULATING AND HAS BEEN DETECTED IN INTERNATIONAL TRAVELS ARRIVING ON THE EAST AND WEST COASTS.

>>> LAST WEEK, FORMER PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCED HIS PROSTATE CANCER DIAGNOSIS, AGE AND FAMILY HISTORY PLAY INTO CALCULATING RISK FACTORS.

Dr. TRAVIS SPAULDING SAID THE BEST SCREENING PLAN VARIES BY PERSON SO HAVING A PLAN WITH YOUR DOCTOR IS KEY FOR EARLY DETECTION.

>> NOW, PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING IS REALLY BASED MOSTLY ON SHARED DECISION MAKING BETWEEN YOUR DOCTOR AND YOU.

AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS SEEN MANY MEN CURED OF THEIR RELATIVELY AGGRESSIVE PROSTATE CANCER BECAUSE IT WAS FOUND EARLY AND MANAGED EFFECTIVELY THEY HAVE A NORMAL LIFE AND A NORMAL LIFE EXPECTANCY AND SOMETHING WHO HAS SEEN MEN WHO DELAY SCREENING AND DELAY THEIR DIAGNOSIS TO THE POINT THEY ARE SEEING ME FOR TREATMENTS DESIGNED TO PROLONG THEIR LIFE BUT NOT CURE THEIR CANCER, YOU KNOW, THAT'S PERSPECTIVE THAT DICHOTOMY IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT WHEN DELAYING SCREENING PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY THAT IS CONCERNING.

PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT AND CANCER TREATMENT IN GENERAL BUT IN THE PROSTATE WORLD IS CHANGING DRAMATICALLY ALL THE TIME.

PROSTATE CANCER DIAGNOSIS WHILE IT IS SCARY AND CAN BE LIFE ALTERING IS NOT ALWAYS A DEATH SENTENCE.

THERE ARE MANY PATIENTS LIVING WITH METASTATIC PROSTATE CANCER FOR FIVE, SIX, SEVEN EIGHT YEARS WITH TREATMENTS THAT ARE RELATIVELY EASY TO TAKE AND OFFER A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE.

SO OBVIOUSLY WE HOPE FOLKS NEVER NEED THAT BUT IF THEY DO THERE'S GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN THE CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT WORLD TO MAKE PATIENTS' LIVES BETTER.

>> Renee: ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, ABOUT 13 OUT OF EVERY 100 AMERICAN MEN WILL GET PROSTATE CANCER DURING THEIR LIFETIME OF THAT NUMBER 2-3 MEN WILL DIE FROM PROSTATE CANCER.

[♪♪] LEXINGTON HAS ITS FIRST EVER RIVERFRONT PARK.

MAYOR LINDA GORTON CUT THE RIBBON THIS MORNING OPENING KELLEY'S LANDING ON OLD RICHMOND ROAD RIGHT NEXT TO THE KENTUCKY RIVER AND WE HAVE DRONE VIDEO OF THE PARK WHICH HAS TRAILS, GREEN SPACE, WOODS AND A RIVER ACCESS FOR KAYAKS AND CANOES.

THERE ARE PLANS FOR MORE WALKING TRAILS, BATHROOMS, A RIVER OVERLOOK AND FISHING PIER AND A PICNIC AREA.

THE PARK IS OPEN FROM DAWN TO DUSK.

KELLEY'S LANDING IS NAMED FOR JOHN KELLEY WHO SOLD THE LAND TO THE CITY OF LEXINGTON IN 2022.

>>> THE CITY OF VERSAILLES IN WOODFORD COUNTY KENTUCKY HAS A CITY HALL, A WORLD RENOWNED DISTILLERY AND IS HOME TO MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE BUT IT'S MISSING ONE THING... A FLAG.

AND THAT'S WHERE THE FOURTH GRADERS AT SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COME IN.

OUR KELSEY STARKS HAS THAT STORY IN OUR ARTS AND CULTURE SEGMENT WE CALL TAPESTRY.

>> CAN YOU HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM?

WE HAVE THIS FLAG WE HAVE THIS FLAG AND WE DO NOT HAVE A CITY OF VERSAILLES FLAG.

>> LAURA DRAKE AND JACQUELINE COLEMAN BOTH VISITED SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BACK IN FEBRUARY WITH A CHALLENGE FOR THE FOURTH GRADERS.

TO CREATE A FLAG FOR THE CITY OF VERSAILLES.

>> AND WHEN THEY LOOK AT IT THEY SAY OH, THIS MUST BE WHAT VERSAILLES IS LIKE.

SO THAT'S A LOT TO CAPTURE IN ONE IMAGE.

>> BUT THESE NINE AND 10-YEAR-OLDS WERE UP FOR THE CHALLENGE.

AND IT WAS THEIR TEACHERS BEHIND THIS PROJECT BASED LEARNING OR PBL ASSIGNMENT.

>> WE JUST RECENTLY BECAME A PBL SCHOOL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR THIS IS OUR FIRST YEAR BEING PBL.

AND ALL OF US HERE JUMPED ONBOARD.

DURING OUR TRAINING THEY TOLD US ABOUT LEXINGTON AND HOW A SCHOOL WAS INSPIRED TO CREATE THE FLAG FOR THE CITY OF LEXINGTON.

AND WE IMMEDIATELY GOT ON THE PHONE AND TEXTED THE CURRENT MAYOR AND HEY DOES VERSAILLES HAVE A FLAG?

IF THEY DON'T WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY.

>> PROJECT BASED LEARNING OR PBL IS A TEACHING METHOD WHICH STUDENTS LEARN BY ACTIVELY ENGAGING IN REAL WORLD PROJECTS.

THE IDEA IS THAT IT FOSTERS REAL WORLD LIFE SKILLS.

>> THEY HAVE VERY ENGAGED AND HAVE SUPER HIGH ENGAGEMENT DURING PROJECT BASED LEARNING AND THEY HAVE BEEN LEARNING JUST CRAZY COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS.

THEY HAVE BEEN LEARNING HOW TO WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER.

WORK THROUGH PROBLEMS.

THAT'S ALL PREPARING THEM FOR THE REAL WORLD.

>> TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT, THEY HAD SOME REAL WORLD EXPERIENCES.

IN A FIELD TRIP TO DOWNTOWN, THEY LEARNED ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE BUILDINGS THERE.

IN A VISIT TO CITY HALL, THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TALKED ABOUT COLORS AND BRANDING THEY WANTED FOR THE CITY.

IT ALL CULMINATED WITH EACH GROUP OF FOUR OR FIVE STUDENTS PRESENTING THEIR FLAGS IN A COMMUNITY EXPO WHERE THEY NOT ONLY SHOWED OFF THE FINAL FLAG DESIGNS BUT PRESENTED THEM WITH EXPLANATIONS ABOUT THE DESIGN CHOICES.

>> WE LOVED THIS FLAG BECAUSE WE TRUST EACH OTHER AND THAT'S WHY WE THOUGHT A HEART AND HAND WILL REPRESENT THAT.

>> WE FEEL LIKE IT REPRESENTS VERSAILLES REALLY WELL I FEEL LIKE IT SUMMARIZES EVERY DETAIL THAT WE ARE GETTING WE TOOK EACH DETAIL TO HEART AND TRIED TO INCORPORATE IT IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.

>> STICK CHARACTERS BECAUSE WE PUT THEM HOLDING HANDS IN DIFFERENT COLOR BECAUSE WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT BUT UNITED AND STUFF.

SO THAT'S WHAT I THINK BRINGS EVERYTHING REALLY TOGETHER.

AND LIKE OUR BIG VERSAILLES FLAG TOO.

>> ANY REAL WORLD PROBLEM IT DIDN'T COME WITHOUT CHALLENGES.

>> NO.

WE HAVE OUR LIKE FINAL PRODUCT.

BUT WE WENT THROUGH A LOT OF CHALLENGES AND CHANGES FOR OUR FLAG.

>> WE HAD ONE FLAG AND WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW LIKE SIMPLE IT HAD TO BE.

SO AFTER THAT, WE HAD TO GO TO A DIFFERENT FLAG AND TOTALLY CHANGE THE WHOLE THING.

IT WAS LIKE HARD WORK.

THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF ARGUING NOT THAT MUCH.

BUT IT WAS STILL LIKE HARD WORK.

>> ONE THING I REALLY HAVE ENJOYED IS SEEING THE CAMARADERIE OF THE GRADE LEVEL THE KIDS ENCOURAGED ONE ANOTHER.

WE HAVE THEM PRACTICE WITH EACH OTHER AND NEVER ONCE I DID HEAR ANYONE DOWNGRADE ANOTHER GROUP.

IT WAS ALWAYS I REALLY LOVE THE WAY YOU DID THIS.

MAYBE YOU COULD TRY THIS DURING YOUR PRESENTATION IT WAS ALL POSITIVE AND I LOVED THAT A LITTLE GIRL IN MY CLASS TALKED ABOUT HOWEVER ONE WAS WINNING BECAUSE WE WERE ALL IN THIS EXPERIENCE TOGETHER AND THEY WERE GOING TO REMEMBER IT FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

>> SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS VOTED ON A FINAL FOUR AND THOSE GROUPS HAD THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH A LOCAL GRAPHIC DESIGN FIRM TO TWEAK THEIR DESIGN BEFORE PRESENTING THE FINAL FOUR DESIGNS TO THE VERSAILLES CITY COUNCIL.

>> AND I HOPE THE YEARS FROM NOW THEY CAN SEE THE FLAG OF VERSAILLES AND REMEMBER IN FOURTH GRADE A LITTLE BIT OF POWER THEY HAD IN FOURTH GRADE AND SOMETHING THEY WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH AS A YOUNG CHILD.

>> AS A KID IT'S HARD TO FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE ANYTHING WHEN YOU ARE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE OR HAVE A JOB.

SO I THINK MY BIGGEST GOAL IS FOR THEM TO CARRY THIS THROUGH LIFE AND SAY I MADE A CHANGE IN MY COMMUNITY IN FOURTH GRADE AND NOW I CAN MAKE A CHANGE IN ANYTHING THAT I BELIEVE IN.

I WANT THEM TO TAKE THAT WITH THEM FOREVER.

>> A REAL WORLD LESSON THAT WILL FLYOVER VERSAILLES FOR YEARS TO COME.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M KELSEY STARKS.

>> Renee: MANY THANKS KELSEY.

WE ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THE NEW FLAG FOR THE CITY OF VERSAILLES WILL BE THIS FLAG, DESIGNED BY MAYLEIGH BREHM, DOMINIC LOPEZ, MADI GREENE AND HARRY PRATHER.

FOURTH GRADERS AT SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY.

WAY TO GO KIDS!

THE FLAG WILL BE OFFICIALLY RAISED AT CITY HALL ON FLAG DAY, JUNE THE 14TH.

OUR CONGRATS.

[♪♪] FUN STORY FOR YOUR WHAT IS THE MOST COMMONLY MISSPELLED WORD IN KENTUCKY FOR 2025?

ACCORDING TO GOOGLE REPORTED IN THE LANE REPORT IT'S THE WORD PEOPLE.

THAT'S THE WORD KENTUCKIANS 7 FOR THE MOST FOR SPELLING HELP AND KENTUCKY ISN'T THE ONLY STATE WITH TROUBLE SPELLING PEOPLE IT WAS THE MOST MISSPELLED WORD IN ARIZONA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA.

NATIONALLY, THOUGH, THE MOST COMMONLY MISSPELLED WORD IS DEFINITELY.

I AGREE AND I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT NO MATTER HOW YOU SPELL IT.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONNECT WITH U'SELLIS ALL THE WAYS YOU SEE ON OUR SCREEN TO STAY IN THE LOOP UNTIL I SEE YOU LATER TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.