[♪♪] >> .

>> Renee: THE WORLD WATCHES HISTORY BEING MADE AS CARDINALS PICK THE FIRST-EVER AMERICAN POPE.

>> WE CAN'T AVOID THE NEED FOR POLICY CHANGE IN FRANKFORT.

>> Renee: A GROUP AIMING TO HELP KENTUCKY KIDS SAYS IT NEEDS HELP FROM STATE LAWMAKERS.

>> I WANTED TO LIKE SHOW MYSELF TO THE WORLD, SHOW MY CULTURE, SHOW WHAT I BELIEVE IN AND HOPEFULLY HELP PEOPLE.

>> Renee: PLUS, SHE HAS A WAY WITH WORDS.

WHAT LEXINGTON'S NEW YOUTH POET LAUREATE HAS IN MINDS IN HER NEW JOB.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THIS THURSDAY, MAY THE 8TH.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

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

>>> THE WORLD'S ONE BILLION CATHOLICS ANDS 450,000 CATHOLICS IN KENTUCKY ARE SEEING SOMETHING THEY'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

A POPE FROM THE UNITED STATES.

TODAY, CARDINALS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD PICKED CARDINAL ROBERT PREVOST OF CHICAGO TO BE THE NEW POPE REPLACING THE LATE POPE FRANCIS.

THE NEW POPE TOOK THE NAME LEO XIV.

TODAY, HE EMPHASIZED A MESSAGE OF PEACE, OPEN DIALOGUE AND MISSIONARY OUTREACH.

HERE IS AN EARLY REACTION TO LEO XIV FROM FATHER JIM SICHKO A PRIEST WHO SERVES THE DIOCESE OF LEXINGTON AND IS A PAPAL MISSIONARY OF MERCY.

QUOTE I AM PARTICULARLY MOVED BY THE HOLY FATHER'S EARLY EMPHASIS ON RECONCILIATION, HUMILITY AND THE GOSPEL IMPERATIVE TO QUOTE GO OUT TO THE PERIPHERIES.

HE REMINDS US THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IS NOT TO RETREAT BEHIND WALLS BUT WALK BOLDLY INTO THE WORLD AS BARRIERS OF JOY AND MERCY.

>>> GOOD NEWS ABOUT SAFETY ON KENTUCKY ROADS.

THE STATE SAYS KENTUCKY'S TRAFFIC DEATHS FELL IN 2024.

707 PEOPLE DIED ON KENTUCKY ROADS BUT THAT IS DOWN 107 FROM 2023.

AND IT'S THE SMALLEST NUMBER IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.

OF THE 707 DEATHS, 47% OF THE VICTIMS WEREN'T WEARING SEATBELTS.

AND 19% OF THE CRASHES INVOLVED ALCOHOL.

DRIVER DISTRACTION WAS A FACTOR IN 22% OF CRASHES.

LORI WEAVER HAWKINS WITH TRIPLE A OF THE BLUEGRASS SAYS THAT NUMBER IS LIKELY MUCH HIGHER.

>> WE KNOW THAT DISTRACTED DRIVING IS UNDERREPORTED.

THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO SAY THAT A DRIVER THAT CAUSED A CRASH WAS DISTRACTED.

DISTRACTION IS NOT ONLY BY A MOBILE PHONE WHICH IS BY FAR THE BIGGEST DISTRACTION, BUT IT CAN BE OTHER THINGS AS WELL.

A DRIVER COULD HAVE DROPPED SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR OF THE CAR OFF THE SEAT AND TRIED TO REACH DOWN TO GET IT.

THEY COULD BE ADJUSTING THEIR CLIMATE CONTROLS OR ENTERTAINMENT OR NAVIGATION.

THINGS LIKE JUST TRYING TO EAT WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING.

THEY GO THROUGH A FAST FOOD-DRIVE THREW AND GET SOME FOOD AND A DRINK.

THAT IS A DISTRACTION.

OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CAR CAN BE A DISTRACTION.

SO ALL OF THOSE ARE REALLY HARD TO DOCUMENT AND EVEN USE OF THE MOBILE PHONE OR SMARTPHONE WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING CAN BE DIFFICULT TO SAY FOR CERTAINTY THAT THAT WAS THE DISTRACTION UNLESS THE DRIVER ADMITS IT.

SO WE KNOW THAT 22% IS PROBABLY FAR, FAR LOW COMPARED TO REALITY.

WE'VE ALL PULLED UP TO THE INTERSECTION AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS WE SEE SOMEBODY JUST SIT THERE.

MOST LIKELY THEY ARE DISTRACTED BY THEIR SMARTPHONE.

OR YOU SEE PEOPLE WANDERING FROM ONE LANE TO THE OTHER, THEY ARE ON THEIR PHONE.

ALMOST CERTAINLY.

SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE VERY FAR TO SEE PEOPLE DANGEROUSLY DRIVING BECAUSE THEY ARE DISTRACTED.

>> Renee: LORI WEAVER HAWKINS SAYS THE NUMBER ONE THING CAN DO TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF A SERIOUS CRASH IS TO SLOW DOWN.

>>> TURNING TO POLITICS, CONGRESSMAN MORGAN MCGARVEY THE ONLY DEMOCRAT IN KENTUCKY'S FEDERAL DELEGATION SAYS PROPOSED REPUBLICAN CUTS TO THE MEDICAID PROGRAM WOULD HURT MILLIONS OF AMERICANS IF PASSED.

THE PLAN CALLS FOR 880 BILLION DOLLARS IN MEDICAID CUTS OVER 10 YEARS.

BACKERS ARE STILL WORKING OUT THE DETAILS.

DURING A RECENT COMMITTEE HEARING ON CAPITOL HILL HE TALKED ABOUT HOW IT WOULD HURT ONE OF HIS YOUNGEST CONSTITUENTS.

>> IT'S GOING TO HURT PEOPLE LIKE MY CONSTITUENT JUNE.

JUNE HAS A 10-YEAR-OLD.

A 10-YEAR-OLD WITH QUADRAPLEDGIC CEREBRAL PALSY SHE REQUIRES 24/7 CARE.

I MET THEM IN A TOWN HALL LAST MONTH.

MEDICAID PROVIDES JUNE WITH A THERAPIST FOR SPEECH THERAPY AND IT ALLOWS HER TO LIVE AT HOME AND GET CARE AT HOME FROM NOT JUST TRAINED PROFESSIONALS BUT FROM A MOTHER WHO LOVES HER AND IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN MAKE HER SMILE.

SHE HAD THREE SURGERIES LAST WEEK.

HER MOTHER'S WORKED FOUR JOBS BUT NOBODY CAN AFFORD CARE LIKE THIS.

SHE'S COVERED BY MEDICAID.

NOW IT'S ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK.

SHE IS JUST A KID.

SHE LIKES HER BROTHERS WHEN THEY ARE SILLY SHE LIKES HER DOG AND YouTube LIKE MY DAUGHTER DOES.

SHE DESERVES BETTER.

THAN THIS BUDGET.

>> Renee: REPUBLICANS DEFEND THE OWE PROPOSED COSTS BRETT GUTHRIE OF KENTUCKY'S SECOND DISTRICT IS CHAIR OF THE HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE AND IS CHARGED WITH FINDING WAYS TO MAKE THOSE CUTS.

REFORM IS NEEDED BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS UNSUSTAINABILITY.

THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER REPORTS THAT 54% OF PEOPLE IN THE FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT RECEIVE MEDICAID BENEFITS.

THE CONGRESSMAN FOR THAT DISTRICT REPUBLICAN HAL ROGERS, HE PUT OUT THIS STATEMENT QUOTE I WANT TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON THE FEAR TACKIC ITS THAT HAVE PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT BENEFITS BEING TAKEN FROM THEM.

HALF OF THE PEOPLE LIVING IN MY DISTRICT ARE RECIPIENTS OF MEDICAID BENEFITS SO I HAVE NO INTENTION OF CUTTING BENEFITS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM.

END QUOTE.

>>> IT'S GRADUATION SEASON AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY MORE THAN 4,000 STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

BUT THE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED LAST MONTH IT WAS CANCELING CEREMONIES FOCUSED ON CELEBRATING BLACK, FIRST GENERATION AND LGBTQ+ GRADUATES.

U.K. PRESIDENT ELI CAPILOUTO ADDRESSED THE CANCELLATIONS IN A CAMPUS WIDE MESSAGE LAST WEEK WHERE HE OUTLINED HOW THE UNIVERSITY IS RESPONDING TO RECENT POLICY CHANGES ON THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS.

>> ALREADY IN HONORING THESE PRINCIPLES, WE HAVE MADE TOUGH DECISIONS.

DECISIONS THAT IN AND OF THEMSELVES CAUSE CONCERN AND IN SOME CASES, HURT.

CANCELING CELEBRATIONS FOR PEOPLE ON OUR CAMPUS WHO HAVEN'T ALWAYS SEEM THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN OUR BROADER COMMUNITY IS ONE EXAMPLE.

WE HAVE TAKEN THAT ACTION BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT IS REQUIRED.

AND WE BELIEVE COMPLYING WITH THE LAW IS THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLE AND OUR CONTINUED CAPACITY TO SUPPORT THEM.

THAT WILL ALWAYS BE OUR FIRST PRIORITY.

WE WON'T BE PERFECT.

WE WILL MAKE MISTAKES.

BUT WE WILL ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS AND ACTIONS RESOLVE TO DO WHAT WE CAN FOR YOU AND ALL THOSE WE SERVE.

>> Renee: IN LIEU OF THE UNIVERSITY RUN CEREMONIES, AL ALPHA PHI ALPHA PARTNERED WITH THE LYRIC THEATER IN LEXINGTON TO HOST A SENIOR SALUTE TO THE SENIORS WHOSE CELEBRATIONS HAVE BEEN CANCELED.

[♪♪] >> THE SCHOOL IS NOT ABLE TO SUPPORT ANY D.E.I.

RELATED INITIATIVES OR EVENTS.

SO WE DECIDED TO PUT IT ON FOR EVERYBODY OURSELVES BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY GREAT STUDENTS AT THIS SCHOOL THAT ARE NOT USUALLY OR TYPICALLY HIGHLIGHTED AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED AND WE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT AND SHED LIGHT ON THE GREAT MINDS THAT ARE PURSUING THESE DEGREES.

AND WE DID NOT JUST LIMIT IT TO BLACK PEOPLE.

WE OPENED THE DOORS UP TO EVERYBODY.

WE WANT EVERYBODY TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE THIS EXPERIENCE AND WE'RE HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, ALL THE EVENTS THAT WE RUN BETWEEN LAST SEMESTER AND THIS SEMESTER WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THEM WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR STUDENT BODY.

>> I AM A FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT AND PROUD OF MY SORORITY.

IT'S ALWAYS GOOD VIBES I'M EXCITED THEY TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A CELEBRATION OFF CAMPUS.

I'M HAPPY TO CELEBRATE WITH THEM.

>> IT WAS UPSETTING FOR A LOT OF US BECAUSE NOW WE'RE STRIPPED AWAY FROM THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE CELEBRATED IN THE WAYS THAT PREVIOUSLY STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO.

AND A LOT OF US HAVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE EACH OTHER.

NOT BEING ABLE TO HAVE EVENTS LIKE THAT ON CAMPUS FOR US, DISAPPOINTED US.

>> LIKE MOST STUDENTS WE'VE SEEN AFTER FOUR YEARS YOU WATCH EACH YEAR IT GETS BETTER.

YOUR YEAR TO BE TAKEN WAS HEARTBREAKING.

>> HISTORICALLY LYRIC THEATER HAS BEEN A PLACE BECAUSE OF UNJUST LAWS OF AMERICA TOWARDS BLACK PEOPLE THIS PLACE STARTED BECAUSE OF SEGREGATION.

AND WE WERE ABOUT BEING LOVE, SHOWING TALENT, BEING A PLATFORM WHERE PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY COULD COME TO TO BE THEMSELVES, TO ENJOY EACH OTHER AND BECAUSE THE HISTORICAL REFERENCE OF A PLACE THAT IS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, AND INSPIRATION AND LOVE, THAT WE CONTINUE THAT.

>> WHEN YOU DEPEND ON SOMEONE ELSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU OR TO SUPPORT YOU, YOU GAVE THEM THE POWER TO GET TO YOU AND TAKE AWAY.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARE YOUR OWN COMMUNITY AND THOSE WHO WANT TO SHOW ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND SUPPORT IS CREATIVE.

GIVE THE PEOPLE FLOWERS WHILE THEY ARE HERE AND FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

THIS IS ABOUT LOVE.

IT'S ABOUT EVERYONE WANTS TO BE HEARD.

EVERYONE WANTS TO HAVE A VOICE.

AND THAT'S ALL WE'RE DOING AND WE HOPE THAT PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME THING.

>> WE HOLD THIS EVENT IF YOU WANT SOMETHING DONE DON'T WAIT FOR SOMEBODY ELSE TO DO IT.

DO IT YOURSELF.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IF YOU DECIDE TO DO IT OR WAIT FOR SOMEBODY ELSE TO DO IT WE WEREN'T GOING TO WAIT FOR SOMEBODY ELSE TO STAND UP FOR OUR PEOPLE.

>> Renee: IN FEBRUARY, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SENT OUT A LETTER ENCOURAGING SCHOOLS TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES ON THE STATE LEVEL, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED HOUSE BILL 4 INTO LAW WHICH PROHIBITS UNIVERSITIES FROM FUNDING EVENTS SUPPORTING D.E.I.

VALUES.

>> WE ARE SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE PASSING OF A COMMUNITY SERVANT AND FRIEND TO KET.

ROMANZA JOHNSON WAS INVOLVED IN CHARITABLE EFFORTS IN THE BOWLING GREEN AREA SHE WAS A LIFELONG ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATION, COMMUNITY SERVICE.

HER CAREER WAS IN TEACHING.

AND AS A HOME ECONOMIST AT BOWLING GREEN MUNICIPAL UTILITIES.

ROMANZA JOHNSON WAS 85.

[♪♪] EARLIER IN THE WEEK WE TOLD YOU ABOUT LOUISVILLE EMERGENCY SERVICES GETTING BLOOD TO CRASH AND SHOOTING VICTIMS IN THE FIELD IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THEIR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL.

NOW FOUR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY WILL BE DOING THE SAME THING.

MORE IN TONIGHT'S LOOK AT MEDICAL NEWS.

>> WE KNOW FOR SURE WHAT THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF YOUNG KENTUCKIANS IS.

AND YOUNG LEXITONIANS AND THAT IS INJURY.

AND THAT IS TRAGIC.

WHAT IS EVEN MORE TRAGIC ABOUT THAT, THOUGH, IS THAT SOME OF THOSE INJURED KENTUCKIANS COULD BE SAVED.

WE'VE DISCOVERED THAT A KEY STRATEGY IN SUPPORTING LIFE FROM THE TIME OF INJURY ALL WAY TO THE TRAUMA CENTER IS WHOLE BLOOD.

WHAT MAKES WHOLE BLOOD SPECIAL IN IT CONTAINS THE COMPONENTS THAT ARE IN BLOOD CLOT.

WHOLE BLOOD IS LIKE A MAGIC FORMULA.

WE JUST HAVE NOT YET BEEN READY UNTIL NOW TO DELIVER THAT MAGIC FORMULA OUT INTO THE FIELD.

>> WE ARE BRINGING EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL CARE TO THE PATIENT INSTEAD OF BRINGING THE PATIENT TO THAT LEVEL OF CARE.

AND WE BELIEVE THAT MINUTES ARE GOING TO HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON INCREASING A PERSON'S CHANCE OF SURVIVING.

I BELIEVE THIS IS THE FIRST REGIONALIZED BLOOD PROGRAM IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

THIS IS GROUNDBREAKING PARTNERSHIP WITH EVERYONE THAT IS HERE TODAY.

AND I AM ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE KENTUCKY BLOOD CENTER.

YOU ALL HAVE BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

>> Renee: THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE KENTUCKY BLOOD CENTER, GEORGETOWN SCOTT COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES JESSAMINE MEDICAL SERVICES, LEXINGTON FIRE AND MEDICAL SERVICES AND MADISON COUNTY STARTS JUNE 1.

[♪♪] BLOOM KENTUCKY AN INITIATIVE FROM KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES AIMS TO END ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES.

THIS WEEK, THE GROUP HOSTED THE INAUGURAL SUMMIT TOGETHER WE BLOOM WHERE 30 ORGANIZATIONS MET TO DISCUSS WAYS TO TACKLE THE ISSUES OF CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY BY EMPHASIZING COMMUNITY ACTION, COLLABORATION AND PROVIDING POSITIVITY.

>> THE OVERALL BLOOM INITIATIVE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS AN EFFORT THAT INVOLVES 32 PHILANTHROPIES FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE.

THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE JOINED TOGETHER IN A COMMON CAUSE, WHICH IS TO CREATE POSITIVE EXPERIENCES, POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR KIDS ACROSS KENTUCKY.

>> IF WE'RE GOING TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF POSITIVE EXPERIENCES, IT TAKES REALLY TWO DIFFERENT EFFORTS.

ONE IS ABSOLUTELY ON THE GROUND WORK.

THAT MANY NONPROFITS, FAITH COMMUNITIES, MOMS AND DADDINGS, GRANDS MAS AND GRANDPAS, YOUTH SPORTS ALL THOSE PLAY A REALLY IMPORTANT PART TO BE SURE.

AND YET, FUNDAMENTALLY, WE CAN'T AVOID THE NEED FOR POLICY CHANGE IN FRANKFORT.

>> .

>> DESPITE THE FACT WE HAVE A PHRASE THAT SAYS SYSTEMS ARE BROKEN ACTUALLY THEY ARE NOT BROKEN.

THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR THE OUTCOMES THAT WE RECEIVE.

RIGHT?

SO THE SYSTEMS AREN'T BROKEN BUT THEY CERTAINLY BREAK PEOPLE.

WE HAVE TO GO UPSTREAM AND THINK ABOUT WHAT ARE THE POLICIES THAT ACTUALLY PROMOTE THE OUTCOMES?

IF WE WANT DIFFERENT SYSTEMS WE HAVE TO BREAK THOSE SYSTEMS.

AND STOP BREAKING PEOPLE.

AND ACTUALLY PUT NEW NUTRIENTS INTO THE SOIL TO SEE THE OUTCOMES WE DESIRE.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUTH AS A WHOLE TO BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION BECAUSE WE ARE THE FIRSTHAND WE'RE SEEING SUBSTANCE ABUSE AT FOURTH GRADE LEVEL AND WE'RE SEEING OUR FRIENDS AND TRYING TO TALK TO THEM.

HOW DO YOU STOP IT IF YOU ARE AN ADULT LOOKING IN OR YOUTH SEEING IT EVERYDAY?

>> WE KNOW FOR INSTANCE THAT VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AND VIOLENCE IN THE HOME CREATES ADVERSITY.

ECONOMIC PRESSURES AND INSECURITY, CREATE ADVERSITY.

ISSUES AROUND HOUSING STABILITY OR FOOD SECURITY, THOSE ARE GOING TO CREATE ADVERSE EXPERIENCES.

IN CONTRAST, A STRONG, STABLE HOME, ECONOMIC, FOOD, HOUSING STABILITY.

A LOVING HOME, GOOD CONNECTIONS, ALL THOSE ARE GOING TO CREATE A POSITIVE CHILDHOOD AND WE KNOW THAT AT A BOTTOM LINE LEVEL IT IS A BOTTOM LINE ISSUE.

IF WE DON'T CREATE POSITIVE EXPERIENCES TODAY WE'RE GOING TO BE PAYING FOR THE IMPACT OF ADVERSITY FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> WE'VE SEEN AGAIN AND AGAIN THROUGHOUT HISTORY WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU START AT THE TOP AND WORK DOWN.

START WITH THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T NEED THE MOST HELP.

I WOULD SAY BY BUILDING STRONG ROOTS WE ARE BUILDING A STRONGER SOCIETY.

>> STARTING WITH THE YOUTH, IT WILL IMPACT GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> Renee: ISSUES DISCUSSED AT THE SUMMIT WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE, FREE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR KIDS AND POLICY ADVOCACY.

>>> LEXINGTON HAS A NEW YOUTH POET LAUREATE.

EVA ALCARAZ-MONJE IS A SENIOR AT LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL.

WE SAT DOWN TO HEAR WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO IN HER NEW POSITION.

MORE IN TONIGHT'S ARTS AND CULTURE SEGMENT WE CALL TAPESTRY.

>> I FOR A LONGTIME I DISLIKED POETRY.

I THOUGHT IT WAS CONFUSING AND I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW TO DO IT.

AND THAT ALL CHANGED LAST YEAR.

I WENT TO THE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS AT U.K. AND THE CREATIVE WRITING PROGRAM AND I HAD THIS MENTOR, IS A POET FROM LOUISVILLE.

AND SHE TAUGHT AT CORNELL FOR SOMETIME AND SHE IS AN AMAZING POET.

HAVING HER EXPOSURE TO POETRY AND HER TEACHING US REALLY HELPED ME UNDERSTAND POETRY AND IT HELPED ME FIND MY VOICE WITH THAT.

SINCE THE SUMMER, I LIKE HAVE BEEN WRITING POETRY LIKE SERIOUSLY WITH LOVE.

I DABBLED BEFORE STARTING MY FRESHMAN YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL I STARTED WITH POETRY.

BUT I REALLY FOUND MY LOVE FOR IT OVER THE SUMMER.

WHEN I WAS ANNOUNCED THE YOUTH POET LAUREATE I KNEW I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL WITH IT I DIDN'T WANT TO LET THIS OPPORTUNITY GO TO WASTE.

BECAUSE MY PRESENTED SESTORS THEY DID SO MUCH IN THEIR TIME AND THEY DID AN AMAZING JOB.

AND I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING THAT MEANT LIKE SOMETHING FOR MY COMMUNITY.

SOMETHING I TALKED WITH WITH JONATHAN HALL WHO IS THE PERSON WHO LIKE KIND OF RUNS YOUTH POET LAUREATE.

I WANT TO FOCUS ON HELPING THE LATINO COMMUNITY AND THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY HERE IN LEXINGTON, BECAUSE I SEE THAT'S SOMETHING NOT FOCUSED ON.

IN WRITING IN GENERAL, ESPECIALLY IN LEXINGTON I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR LATINO AND IMMIGRANT WRITERS.

I WANTED TO THAT BE A FOCUS AND LOOK FOR PEOPLE AND CONNECTIONS THAT CAN HELP ME WITH THAT.

BUT I WANTED TO LIKE SHOW MYSELF TO THE WORLD AND SHOW MY CULTURE, SHOW WHAT I BELIEVE IN AND HOPEFULLY HELP PEOPLE.

MY FIRST BIG SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT WAS WITH THE KENTUCKY WRITERS HALL OF FAME.

WHICH WAS IN MARCH.

I GOT TO SPEAK AT THAT CEREMONY AND THAT WAS REALLY, REALLY FUN BECAUSE IT WAS MY FIRST EXPOSURE TO ALL BIG WRITERS.

WRITING CAN GIVE YOU POWER.

WRITING CAN GIVE YOU A VOICE.

AND I THINK ESPECIALLY POETRY BECAUSE IT TENDS TO BE SO DEEP AND PERSONAL.

TALKING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES.

TALKING ABOUT YOUR LIFE AND WHAT YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH AND WHAT YOU WILL GO THROUGH IS SOMETHING THAT IS SO IMPORTANT AND POWERFUL.

BECAUSE WITH IF WE DON'T SHARE WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THEN WE CANNOT CREATE AN UNDERSTANDING.

I'VE BELIEVED THAT EDUCATION IS THE FIRST THING THAT WE NEED TO DO TO OVERCOME IGNORANCE AND HATE IN THIS WORLD.

AND I THINK THAT ALL POETS AND ALL WRITERS AND ALL ARTISTS SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO CREATE NOW MORE THAN EVER.

>> Renee: EVA ALCARAZ-MONJE IS GRADUATING THIS MONTH AND PLANS TO FULFILL HER DUTIES AS SHE STUDIES CREATIVE WRITING IN COLLEGE.

[♪♪] SUNDAY IS MOTHER'S DAY.

DON'T FORGET AND THIS SUNDAY'S "INSIDE LOUISVILLE" GIVES US AN INSIDERS LOOK AT MOTHERHOOD.

IMENT OF EMILY ALBRINK GREW UP IN LOUISVILLE AND CAREER HAS TAKEN HER TO STAGES ALL OVER THE WORLD.

SHE RECORDED HER FIRST STUDIO ALBUM CALLED FORCE OF NATURE DEDICATED TO HER LATE MOTHER AND HER OWN JOURNEY INTO MOTHERHOOD.

>> EACH OF THESE STORIES THAT ARE PART OF FORCE OF NATURE KIND OF TELL A STORY MANY OF THEM ABOUT YOUR MOM SPECIFIC STORIES.

THAT INFLUENCED WHO YOU ARE TODAY.

>> RIGHT.

>> WHEN JAKE ASKED ME TO WRITE THIS POETRY OR THE LYRICS FOR HIS THREE SONGS, I JUST LIKE STORIES OF MY MOM POPPED INTO MY HEAD.

THAT AFTER THINKING ABOUT THEM AND AFTER REALLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT HER RELATIONSHIP MEANT TO ME AND HOW IT'S INFLUENCED WHO I AM, THE STORIES POPPED OUT AND THE FIRST IS SHE -- WE WENT TO DISNEYWORLD MY FAMILY.

AND MY BROTHER WASN'T THERE.

BUT I WAS ONLY FIVE.

HE WAS A BABY AND WE WENT TO DISNEYWORLD AND I WANTED TO RIDE SPACE MOUNTAIN.

LIKE YOU DO, OF COURSE.

AND OF COURSE THE LINE WAS TWO HOURS LONG AND MY MOM AND DAD ARE LIKE ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO RIDE THIS?

YES, YES, I'M SURE.

SO I WAIT IN LINE FOR TWO HOURS.

AND I GET UP TO THE FRONT AND SPACE MOUNTAIN IS ONCE YOU GET UP TO THE FRONT YOU SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE AND I WAS LIKE NO, I DON'T WANT TO GO.

I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS I'M NOT DOING IT.

I WAS A STRONG WILLED CHILD AND I THREW A HUGE FIT AND MY MOM WAS LIKE YOU'RE GETTING ON THE RIDE.

YOU'RE DOING IT.

WE ARE NOT DOING THIS.

AND THAT WAS VERY DIFFICULT.

THERE WERE PEOPLE ALL AROUND GOING CHILD ABUSE OR SOMETHING.

BUT I GOT ON THE RIDE KICKING AND SCREAMING I RODE IT AND LOVED IT AND WANTED TO GO BACK ON IT.

FLASH FORWARD A STORY SIMILAR WHEN I WAS 11 I HAD AUDITIONED FOR A TRAVELING TOURING CHOIR NEBRASKA CHILDREN'S CHORUS.

AND I GOT IN AFTER THE GRUELING AUDITION PROCESS AND THE FIRST REHEARSAL IS COMING UP.

AND I KNEW IT WAS COMING UP AND THE DAY CAME AND I JUST WAS LIKE SCARED BUT I COULDN'T SAY THAT I SAID I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE.

>> CHANGED MY MIND.

>> AND MY MOM WAS LIKE YOU NEED TO GO TO ONE REHEARSAL AND SEE.

I AGAIN THREW A HUGE FIT I WAS VERY, VERY SCARED.

AND I WAS JUST WORRIED THAT I WAS GOING TO BE BAD AT IT OR WHATEVER.

THREW A HUGE FIT AND MY MOM SAID TO MY DAD GET IN THE CAR AND LOCKED THE DOORS WE'RE GOING.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, I ENDED UP LOVING IT.

IT LIKE REALLY SHAPES THE TRAJECTORY OF WHO I AM AS A SINGER AND MUSICIAN.

AND I JUST THINK ABOUT THOSE MOMENTS BEING A MOTHER MYSELF HOW HARD DO YOU PUSH YOUR CHILDREN THOSE DEFINING MOMENTS.

AND THAT HAD TO BE HARD FOR HER TO STICK TO THAT AND SAY LIKE I KNOW THAT YOU ARE AFRAID AND I KNOW THAT YOU'RE REALLY PUSHING BACK AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASIER FOR HER TO SAY YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT.

>> OF COURSE, OF COURSE.

>> AND I JUST THINK ABOUT THAT A LOT.

AND I THINK LIKE THANK GOODNESS SHE DIDN'T.

YOU HAVE TO STRIKE A BALANCE.

>> SURE.

BUT I DO THINK AS A MOM YOU THINK ABOUT THOSE INSTANCES WHERE BUT THOSE LITTLE EVENTS TAUGHT YOU PROBABLY MORE IN THAT MOMENT THAN, YOU KNOW, ANYTHING.

BECAUSE YOU LEARNED I CAN DO THINGS THAT I'M SCARED OF.

>> YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS.

>> YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS AND I CAN PUSH THROUGH FEAR.

>> PUSH THROUGH FEAR.

>> AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT AS AN ADULT IS SO CRITICAL.

>> SO CRITICAL.

>> Renee: YOU CAN SEE THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH EMILY ALBRINK THIS SUNDAY MOTHER'S DAY ON "INSIDE LOUISVILLE" WITH KELSEY STARKS THAT IS NOON EASTERN, 11:00 A.M. CENTRAL RIGHT HERE ON KET.

IT'S THE BIGGEST SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE STATE AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST IN THE COUNTRY.

JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THEY NEED A NEW LEADER AS SUPERINTENDENT MARTY POLLIO DEPARTS.

AND THEY ARE DOWN TO TWO FINALISTS AND WE'LL TELL YOU ABOUT THEM AND WHERE THINGS STAND AND MUCH MORE INCLUDING OUR BUSINESS BEAT SEGMENT TOMORROW NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL WHERE WE INFORM CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

WE HOPE YOU WILL CONNECT WITH US THE WAYS YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN.

AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEND US A STORY IDEA BY E-MAIL TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG.

AND LOOK FOR US ON THE PBS VIDEO APP THAT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD ON YOUR PHONE AND SMART DEVICE.

I WILL SEE YOU ON MONDAY, EVERYONE HAVE A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL OF THOSE WHO CELEBRATE AND ALL THE MORTIFYINGS VERY WELL.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.