Warnings went out.

Very, very briefly before the storm hit.

So it surprised a lot of people.

>> The hits KET on coming as another Kentucky tornado proves deadly.

A longtime Kentucky lawmaker says it's time for her to make a big change.

>> It's just an increase or bottom line.

I mean, that's just all there is to it.

>> And Kentucky farmers have a new way to make sure their livestock feed is up to s****.

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

♪ ♪ >> Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Friday.

May 30th, I'm Renee Shaw and we thank you for starting off your weekend with us.

Kentucky is dealing yet again with a deadly storm.

>> One person is dead and 7 others hurt after a storm move through southeastern Washington County this morning around 07:00AM the National Weather Service says it's found damage indicating it was possibly and EF 2 tornado.

The county judge executive says the storm hit with little warning.

>> This heat in a remote area of our county, very close in bulk.

A plan and there's no tornado sirens that every county because it's so remote, very sparsely populated, which is a good thing for the amount of damage that after that on 2 homes are affected.

We do have a tornado lures that the conditions out also thought.

But there is that have to sign up to receive those.

So we have their numbers registered if they don't sign up to receive all of the officers, there was no warning was coming.

And furthermore, there were the warnings went out.

Very, very briefly before the storm hit.

So it surprised a lot of people.

There was a great twist in every way.

And, you know, the people are going to start with a 200 something away from their homes.

So they took a rather unfortunate.

When the call came in for Bob or she managed to get the roads blocking for spawning will be able to get to there.

Victims.

So I mean, we talked road supervisors as you get your crew and all your heavy equipment and get there.

You just rolled up and up.

I was so pleased to watches meaning women work for the good of our community with other surrounding counties and states.

Quite impressive.

First responders are under recognized and appreciated.

That's for sure.

>> According to emergency management, the storm destroyed 2 homes and some other buildings of the 7 people hurt.

3 were sent on to the UK Medical Center in Lexington.

One of them is a 3 year-old child.

Today's deadly storm comes 2 weeks after our tornado killed 19 people and lull Pulaski and Russell counties.

Now turning to politics a long time Kentucky State lawmaker is switching parties.

Senator Robin Webb of Carter County is leaving the Democratic Party and becoming a Republican.

Webb has been in the state Senate since 20.

0, 9, She was a state representative before that in a statement she said she didn't feel like she was leaving the Democratic Party.

Instead, she says it.

>> Left her.

Here's part of that statement.

Quote, as the Democratic Party continues its lurch to the left and it's hyper focus on policies that hurt workforce and economic development in my region.

I no longer feel it represents my values.

It has become untenable and counterproductive to the best interest of my constituents to remain a Democrat, unquote.

Republicans are praising Web Senate President Robert Stivers, a Republican from Manchester, put out this statement, quote, Robbins policy record speaks for itself.

Whether it's her advocacy for Kentucky, Coal and our energy independence.

Her support for responsible budgeting or her commitment to rule infrastructure.

Workforce development and judicial matters.

She has long worked alongside Republican colleagues to advance the interests of eastern Kentucky, unquote.

Now here's the response from Coleman Al Ridge.

He's the chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party.

Quote, Senator Webb has chosen to join a political party that is currently working around the clock to take healthcare away from over a million talk.

Kentucky ends wipe out our rule.

Hospitals take food off the table of Kentucky families and take resources away from our public schools.

If those are her priorities, then we agree she isn't a Democrat, end quote.

Now with this, which the Republican Party now has.

32 states senators leaving the Democrats with only 6 in that chamber, those 6 all served in the Louisville and Lexington areas.

Now that number could shrink even more.

That's because Democratic state Senator David Yates of Louisville plans to run for Jefferson County clerk.

His website says he's launching his campaign on June 9th Yates is currently the Senate Minority whip.

He served in the Senate since 2020 if he were to when the county clerk election next year, it could trigger a special election if he doesn't resign.

First, if he loses the election, he could continue to serve as a state senator.

U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell was in Lexington today for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce's first everal federal issues summit while he was there today, he talked about potential Medicaid changes.

The House budget plan and President Donald Trump's tariff policy.

>> We checked with the health care providers and state government and they're comfortable with the way that issue to do with and the House Bill and Commerce and go for directly involved in the U.S.. >> I'm interested in how those who could potentially be affected by feel about it.

And they seem to be okay.

The Senate will pass a different and they will have a conference between the House and Senate.

>> The one thing I'm pretty sure they got mentioned earlier that.

clearly extending the 2017 tax >> Agriculture is the biggest loser in a trade war.

So I have a very different point of view about trade out 8.

We ought to be doing more trade agreements.

And rather than attacking our friends would care of thing.

We ought to be.

Doing exactly the opposite.

So hopefully.

The president will you up on this path?

And remember that free trade is very, very important.

>> The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce also opposes the president's tariff policy.

Cole, maybe having a comeback in the second Trump presidency and April, the president signed executive orders to boost coal extraction.

Delay rules on emissions standards and KET more coal-fired plants alive.

This is welcome news to a state Republican lawmaker who successfully passed his own pro call legislation.

>> Every bit of power generation is very vital, especially based low power generation.

So which is coal-fired plant, a coal-fired electric plants and a gas-powered plants.

So I welcome the changes in the Trump administration.

The executive orders.

I think that the executive orders actually bring some more balance to to energy policy and our nation.

I'm not opposed to renewables.

I'm very much interested in all the above approach.

But, you know, my concern has always been these next 15 years or so until we can actually make a transition.

If there is a need to make a transition.

We've got a major power shortage that is going to hamper our economy in our state and ultimately affect our lives.

Our lifestyles in jobs in the state of Kentucky.

>> Cole powers and makes money for Kentucky.

It also produces the missions and particles that can harm those living near coal-fired plants.

According to New York Times reporting Trump's Environmental Protection Agency wants to eliminate emissions standards on coal-fired plants.

And this week he ordered a cold plant in Michigan to KET running.

Even though the utility and state regulators plan to close it.

>> If we take a specific is an example that we know that they have ordered the extension of life of a individual call plants in Michigan and we have coal plants here that are retiring or due to be retired in the next couple of years.

And if that same action were taken, not only would it extends the life of those emissions that we know harm.

Human health.

The decision to close those coal plants was generally an economic decision.

Not just because of those emissions.

So it's not only going to hurt human health long term.

It's also going to drive up electricity rates.

>> Cole is the leading power source in Kentucky, but natural gas consumption is catching up more coal-fired plants are going offline as more natural gas power plants come online in the state.

Now turning now to education news, it's official Jefferson County Public Schools has a new superintendent, the local board of Education has approved a four-year contract with Brian Yearwood.

He'll be paid $350,000 a year and begins July 1st, Jefferson County Board of Education Chairman Corrie Shull said year Woods previous work experience quote, highlights his ability to boost student achievement, manage finances and build community partnerships.

He takes over the state's largest public school district at a time of uncertainty for the district last year, the Kentucky General Assembly created a legislative task force to consider among other things, possibly splitting up the district.

The task force said it needed another year before recommending legislative fixes for the district this week, legislative leaders announced which task forces will meet ahead of the 2026 legislative session and the JCPS Task Force isn't one of them.

But here are the 5 task forces that will meet during the 2025 interim legislative period that starts next week.

The artificial intelligence and housing task forces are both returning this year.

A new task force called Air Mobility and Aviation Economic Development will among other things.

Look at ways to support large and regional airports across the state.

The Make America Healthy Again.

Kentucky task Force is also new this year.

Lawmakers say the goal of the task force is to find ways to improve health outcomes for Kentuckians.

And finally, the disaster prevention and resiliency Task force will examine policy solutions for responding to and preventing natural disasters.

Task force is chaired by the state Senate's newest Republican.

As of today, Senator Robin Webb.

♪ On this Friday.

We're going to catch up with the news director for WKU Mess.

That is Murray Public Radio and Western part of the state.

The news director Derek Oprah Lee, who joins us foreign occasional segment that we call Reporter's Notebook.

Good to see you.

>> Are you doing or not doing great.

Happy weekend to you.

I we know there's been a lot of news of late and we'll start with President Trump's executive order that you have, though, followed that would possibly help speed up nuclear energy infrastructure.

And this has particular interest in western Kentuckyian there's a state senator from Western Kentucky.

Benton who is really been pushing this for many years.

Connect all the dots for us.

Derek.

>> That's right.

This series of executive orders that President Trump issued just last week is geared towards speeding up nuclear developments across the country.

And that obviously could include places in Kentucky Danity Danny Carroll, a senator here in Paducah.

He's been one of the leading voices for nuclear development in the state over the past decade.

He sponsored the bill that ended Kentucky's decades long.

You clear moratorium in 2017 and then he was the main voice behind the bill that created the new nuclear authority here in Kentucky just a year or so ago.

So you clear think big on his mind.

And one of the things that he thinks is possible is that this could lead to, you know, maybe a minute, some small modular reactor being built in the state of Kentucky sometime in the next couple of years.

You know this.

He said that the state you clear authority has identified some potential reactor sites, including maybe in his hometown of Paducah, where, of course, the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant is located.

>> Well, and we spoken to Senator Carroll about this many times and I think he even does a south.

Her set her fast nuclear energy expert is a subject matter expert.

>> As we say, use the word that I heard her.

Yeah.

He calls himself a nerd on this issue and he's talked to as many times about this isn't your nuclear energy of old that people maybe have some trepidation is our fears about I mean, what do you hear in the community about this possibility?

And are they fearful of this?

>> This at all.

>> You know, I haven't heard widespread concerns about the development of more nuclear infrastructure in western Kentucky because obviously those kinds of elements come with a lot of money projects like the global laser enrichment facility, which would be a 1 billion dollar first of its kind, a place that would refine the, you know, depleted nuclear fuel for use in other facilities.

That's a huge investment that could make a big difference in a place like Paducah.

>> Yeah.

So it may be the economic development, winds and other business winds kind of outweigh some of the concerns that maybe people have, you know, that they think, oh, this could be a win-win.

Let's talk about another development.

We know that there are about a handful of correctional facilities across the state that are have agreed to and are planning on and maybe already housing detainees that the ICE, Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency has detained.

So tell us about this.

And we know that there is a facility correctional facility in Madisonville in Western part of the state that's already doing.

This are making plans to.

>> They're already KET it.

They've been doing it since really late.

April was when they get certified to be able to hold detainees from ICE indefinitely.

A bunch of facilities across the state.

Do it up to 72 hours, but only 5 in Boone County, Campbell.

Grayson and Oldham in Hopkins County in Western Kentucky, which is the most recent one which you mentioned run.

Yeah.

>> Any concerns about this and what kind of community reaction has there been to this?

If any?

>> The community reaction has been fairly muted.

The jailer in Hopkins County, Mike Lewis.

He said the decisions pretty purely financial, that it's not any different from taking on inmates from the state of Kentucky or federal inmates from the U.S.

Marshal Service.

>> Yeah.

So there's some reimbursement their why is it a financial win for them?

People may not understand that.

>> Yeah, there's a stipend that that jails get whatever they take on inmates from from the state of Kentucky or or from the Marshal Service.

And that includes when they take on inmates from ICE.

And I've been told that the that that the stipend it's about even between all of them >> and finally, some maybe a lighter news to end our discussion on the formation of the western Kentucky film Commission.

We know that there's been legislation that state lawmakers have passed a kind of >> help.

This growing industry in Kentucky having its own separate kind of office that can help really and debate that talent and to do more film making here in the state.

So we now see that Western Kentucky is getting on the on the bandwagon.

What's going on with this western Kentucky film Commission?

>> Well, the West Kentucky film Commission kicked off earlier this week at an event in Madisonville.

It's essentially a marketing effort between a bunch of different local governments, places like Paducah, Bowling, Green Owensboro and of course, Madisonville and a couple of other cities.

It's all just geared towards making sure that all of the film and TV projects to get made in the state of Kentucky that that they are that they happen outside the Golden Triangle as well.

You know, to me that they're trying to make sure that they get a piece of this pie because the state of Kentucky is invested about 230 million dollars in in production since 2022.

And they do this because when productions come to Kentucky, they spend a lot of money locally.

You know that they buy gas, they they they eat at restaurants and that is what that incentive helps to do.

Is it make sure that the production's come here in the first place and they make money from the state, but then they spend money locally which trickles down to the economy.

>> Yeah.

Well, we know that in summer said there were like 6 feature films that were made over the course of a year or so.

And people may not be aware of that.

We think.

And where can you see them right?

That everybody thinks of always like the big screen.

But there's a lot news for these things to appear.

>> Yeah, in the streaming market nowadays, there's so many places to watch things and that naturally leads to more things than ever being made.

And, you know, Kentucky is hosted productions like even Hawks Wildcat in recent years, which obviously a lot of people loved.

And then the governor has praised multiple times and then projects like red right hand, which stars Orlando Bloom came out last year and that was shot in eastern Kentucky.

You know, these these projects are popping up all over the place and localities that host them seem to be pretty happy about it.

>> Yeah, well, it's a win-win, isn't that?

So Derek Overly, it's always a win-win to connect with you.

Thank you for all the great work you do.

And west and Western Kentucky.

We appreciate your time today.

>> Thanks for day.

♪ >> It's hey.

Cutting season for Kentucky farmers.

And there's a new resource to improve profits.

Kentucky State University has opened an extension office in Barron County with Advanced technology to test hay and forage samples.

Our lore Rodgers brings us more from Glasgow.

>> It's a lack of the state south Central Kentucky.

This is where we produce the most for it.

>> Which makes it an ideal location for a new hate testing lab.

This is when the sun we see that needed the most has issued such as building.

We're trying to get a presence all over the state.

>> Kentucky State University's Cooperative Extension Service in Barron County offers near infrared spectroscopy that provides rapid and precise origin.

Tay analysis.

>> A computer forage analysis moves us towards being more efficient in our business.

A lot of gentleman around here already sent out of state.

This will be right here at home.

It'll be easier for them to get.

>> Access to it the way it Hey, sample is taken to be ground and ride and then tested.

>> Looking at things like relative to feed value crude protein, fiber and energy content and a sample because it allows you to know exactly what nutrients are in it.

If you know what's in it, you can know what we've got too much of, you know what's lacking, not adjust your fertilizer, this stuff in different rotations for profit and that can mean greater profit margins.

We're glad to be here.

At the same time, it's a learning opportunity for students studying agriculture at Kentucky State University.

We just opened up a school of engineering and we have a program in AG engine eating.

So beyond investing a lot in the ID been technologies.

>> Your toe pay says USDA then purchase the $85,000 equipment.

It's a different ball game when it comes to all agricultural feed, including signage.

So students will get a substantial hands-on training on how these technologies were and farmers will get more nutrient dense speed for their livestock.

>> Staring County is the largest cattle producing county in the state and all of those cows that ate some time.

So nobody all of those are having some kind of hate for Biden.

>> This is high country.

This is for its country.

This is Cal Country.

>> The lab can help farmers directly cater to the needs of their specific livestock.

>> Every count going a little bit something different.

Mama cows that are still nursing are going to have protein.

Your smaller producers, cow calf pairs.

Those kind of things will need something different.

The bottom line, a better product equals bigger profit and a competitive and ever-evolving end history.

And in this year.

>> It's just another tool and the farmers of South Central Kentucky's too bad just to increase our bottom line.

I mean, that's just all there is to it's going to make us more efficient.

>> For Kentucky edition.

>> I'm Laura Rogers.

>> Thank you, Laura.

The Hay testing lab in Barron County is a free service and available to any farmer in Kentucky.

♪ >> And the city of Louisville has revealed a bold new design for the Belvedere, a public space that juts out from downtown overlooking the Ohio River.

>> It's 125 million Dollar Project.

Our Kelsey Starks sits down with the project manager Leila George for an inside.

Look at the project.

>> So let's talk about the funding of a project of this scope.

Yes, and the state has allocated 100 million dollars to guess town projects that yes, the part of that is going to be part of that in this city has pledged 10 million in bond revenue that is going to go towards this.

That's kind of where we are with public funding.

Correct?

Yeah.

What happens?

So the mayor is in Washington, D.C., this week.

He's asking for additional funding from the federal government for some projects in Louisville, including the Belvedere.

We think that there's some federal transportation dollars that might be applicable to this project.

>> It is connecting downtown back to the river via the Belvedere and new ramps on the river side.

That will better connected to the improved to river road multi-modal path to waterfront park in either direction down to the war.

So really improving those connections in all directions, I think is something that can appeal to the federal government and maybe be a good fit for some of those transportation bills.

And then there's a private and then there's the profit side.

So then there will be private philanthropy.

Corporations, foundations, individuals.

We thank will want to be a part of this project and then there's the ongoing funding.

And so we're looking at all of those things.

We're looking at what decisions we make now.

What are the implications from unearned revenue model?

We have a restaurant versus food trucks are a combination.

What's the potential earned revenue and that we can generate so that we can guarantee that we can maintain a space.

I mean, that's is someone who came from the park's world and is anyone who visits our parks and you know, that deferred maintenance is a huge issue in our public space as all across the country that's known.

So we want to make sure that if we're building this beautiful thing, we can guarantee that we can continue to take care of it and maintain it.

>> Find out more about the new plans for the Re imagined Belvedere and learn more about the history of the space on the next inside Louisville that airs this Sunday at 12 noon.

11:00AM Central with Kelsey Starks right here on KET.

If you're interested in bogs, Bigfoot or Duncan Hines, yet plenty of entertainment options for the next few days.

Our Toby Gibbs tells us more and this look at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> Inaugural Red River Gorge Bigfoot Festival is tomorrow extent.

Cosplay is encrypted.

Enjoy movies like Harry and the Hendersons and learn more about the legend to from Bigfoot experts.

There's lots of activities for kids as well at this festival.

So bring the whole family out.

If you still have a craving for more Cryptid head to Carter caves on Tuesday for the Bigfoot hike happening that evening county deep into Appalachia as he learned about the land around you and how it inspired such a terrifying tales as the Bigfoot skeptics and true believers.

Welcome.

Duncan Hines days in Bowling Green kicks off on Monday all week long.

There will be fun events happening across the community like block Parties.

Creek on Church car shows and more check out the festival.

Road map.

Plan your week of adventure.

Election, Tony and Tulip.

The thrift won't want to miss Sunday's summer fest at the Lexington Paddlers Paul try out a local food truck and prizes and enjoy amazing discounts on the booths inside come celebrate summer at this great outdoor events.

Starting on Thursday is an event that's been running in Harlem for 70 years.

The annual Polk Salad festival come enjoy live music, delicious food and carnival rides.

As the community celebrates this Appalachian delicacy.

I'm sorry to bug you, but I have to tell you about the Firefly festival happening in Owensboro on Tuesday.

Firefly Festival knowing Blow is an event for all ages.

Enjoy the music they crafts and learn about fireflies from Doctor Larson and entomologist from the University of Kentucky.

Also known as the Bug Man.

This last event isn't just happening in one city.

It's happening in dozens of towns across the Commonwealth.

400 Mile Yard sale kicks off on Thursday and there's treasure defined from Paducah at Ashlan.

Check out the online map and plan your route to yard sales galore.

And that's what's happening around the commonwealth until we get this.

>> Thank youto be Kentucky celebrates birthday number 2.33.

On Sunday and June as Kentucky History Month.

Monday will take a special look at Kentucky's history before statehood from Hunter gatherers to the beginning of agriculture to European settlers.

A look back at Kentucky prior to 17 92 on Kentucky edition.

Monday at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, Central.

We inform connect and inspire.

We hope you'll connect with us all the ways you see on your screen, Facebook, X and Instagram to stay in the loop.

And send us a story idea by email to public affairs at KTVA Dot Org.

We hope you have a fabulous weekend.

>> And we will see you Monday night.

Take good care.

♪