♪ >> We are not just keeping up with the future that we're helping build.

>> I'm not a big project for the battery capital of the U.S.. >> There's >> a new push to put robocalls on silence.

We got the call and I screamed down the phone.

And that's because I was so excited.

And we visit a Kentucky farm that's positively PT.

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

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

The 15th, I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for starting off your weekend with us this morning, Governor Andy Beshear announced the largest job creation project in Kentucky since 2022. we share revealed a new battery plant is expected to bring jobs and money to Shelbyville.

Here's more from Kentucky additions Clayton Dalton.

>> Governor Andy Beshear is high profile economic announcements seemed to have a similar thing.

Batteries, Kentucky's largest economic development project announced in 2022. is the blue Oval SK Battery Park in Glendale, which produces batteries for electric vehicles today Beshear announced a new battery plant setting up shop in Shelbyville.

>> We are sharing incredible news that Shelbyville battery manufacturing is investing nearly 712 million dollars in Shelby County where it will build in innovative state-of-the-art industrial battery production facility.

This project is creating 1572 skilled, high-tech jobs for our Kentucky families.

Let's thank this company.

Through our investment in Shelbyville.

We will build a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery cell and packaging factory with initial production capacity of over 3 getting a one hours annually.

>> And expected expansion of that to 6 gigawatt hours.

Once the initial phase is complete, we plan to invest in fees to to double the capacity.

As I mentioned, to 6 get-go on ours.

And we think that will happen relatively quickly based on the demand.

>> Local leaders expressed how important this is for Shelby County.

>> The state-of-the-art battery manufacturing plant, which will soon become the largest employer in Shelby County signifies a bright future, not just for Shelbyville in for Shelby County, but also for the entire region.

>> The batteries made at this new plant are for electric vehicles.

They're much larger and their house in 20 foot shipping containers large-scale utilities like solar farms and hydroelectric operations use these industrial batteries to store power.

This year said Kentucky's historical role in energy production makes it the perfect place to lead the charge on renewable energy products.

>> For more than 2 centuries, Kentucky's natural resources in our incredible workforce.

Help Howard, this nation, the people of the Commonwealth fueled America's rise as an economic superpower and leader of the free world.

Once again, Kentucky is leading the charge.

In short, we already become the EV battery production capital of the United States.

But with this investment, we're putting our Stan on working to become just the battery capital of the United States of America.

This announcement also reflects something bigger.

Kentucky is becoming a hub for innovation and sustainable energy.

>> The presence of the state of the art battery manufacturing Shelbyville signals that we are not just keeping up with the future, but we're helping building.

>> Senate President Robert Stivers agrees he says today is a special day for Kentucky, end quote.

The General Assembly has worked to Foster a pro business environment in Kentucky, making us an attractive destination for global companies in, quote.

He says the Legislature looks forward to continuing this work with Governor Beshear.

For Kentucky edition.

I'm Clayton Dalton.

>> Thank you so much.

Clayton Beshear said the battery plant is expected to open by the end of 2025.

>> You may be tired of that sounded during dinner.

Kentucky Attorney General Russel Coleman is joining attorneys general from 46, other states to urge the federal government to do more about robocalls.

>> Specifically they want the FCC to improve the robo call mitigation database with tougher penalties for false information.

Right now, companies that solicited by phone have to register on the FCC's database to operate in the U.S..

But some companies use fake registrations in order to make illegal robocalls.

The state is creating websites to guide Kentuckians as a medical marijuana becomes legal in the state in January.

Yesterday, Governor Andy Beshear talked about the help that's on the way.

>> I think it's next week at the team, Kentucky update or possibly a week after.

But I think it's next week.

We're going to talk about the website rollout of the doctors, nurses and others that have been certified or where to go to find which ones have been certified to ultimately go see under this program.

You're also going to see us rollout of tool where people are gonna be able to get online and see where the various dispensaries are under the program.

Our goal is to make it very friendly because those that are seeking this help, they're already going through a lot.

They have serious medical conditions, which is why this program is is so important.

But just through a search off of our website, they are gonna be able to find both the names and the locations of the medical professionals that they can go and see.

And then the names and the locations of the closest dispensaries to them.

I would remind folks that we are likely not to have full product on the shelf for product on the shelf.

January one, the way the program was set up, we've got up build the entire system out and we have to do it right, getting it right and doing it safely is the number one goal here.

And we're also then trying to do it as as quickly as we can.

>> The dispensary lottery for Regions 3 through 11 as seen on this map is Monday November.

The 25th the lottery for Regions, one and 2 is on Monday, December 16th.

A programming note.

Join us tonight for a special one-hour edition of comment on Kentucky, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary host.

Bill Bryant will be joined by a group of journalists to first break down the week's news and then we'll look back at the history of comment and how it came to be and packed.

The show's had and Kentucky.

All of that begins tonight at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET.

Time now to have a recap of some of the major political news this week.

And we have our phase with a stray Grayson and Bob Babbage.

Thank you guys for being here.

You guys are regulars, just regular fixtures here.

Let's talk about the talks are the state legislature.

The House Republican Caucus has named their leadership.

No changes.

Tell us the inside scoop on this.

>> And the changes and that's not a surprise.

We think we've been any talk about this on election night.

We didn't anticipate given the good election results that Republicans had with a basically all other incumbents winning reelection and knocking off the top talent.

So yeah, all of them can come and leaders ran for election.

Some of them are challenge Tom, 2 public races that we know about.

These are private affairs.

The results are vote totals on amounts, but we do know that there was to Josh Carraway.

Was he challenged?

Helping us to the college challenge.

I'm going to work on this just college town.

We want to physicians us and Nancy take take a challenge to them And they didn't went right right there with some social media chatter mean there are some of their colleagues that these are not alone.

Wolf challenges.

There were some supporters, the religious leadership publicly supported Callaway and tape and there and there because it makes you wonder why would you mount a challenge on that are going to lose?

Well, sometimes it's a it's a problem.

It's a new start.

The process to see who you've You never you never know.

Pesky like that flies.

He like that.

You know that fly.

Why would you want to come in and been gusty?

Right?

Because it's your nature.

I know.

I think that this is how people get into leadership summit.

They start the challenge, but it's it's rest, right?

Because when you challenge leadership and then you lose than what happened in this committee assignments.

And, hey, I really this is a real big priority.

And you're like, well, you know, you want for me there to challenge me.

So it's it's tricky.

But that's, you know, sometimes people also just want to prove that point to others that they're willing to go against leadership to maybe play that.

Yeah, maybe not politically advantageous to do so.

In the long run, though, Bob corrective might have a and we were talking this week.

Our team just about some of the the feelings, tough feelings over races like that.

And you have to know who's getting along with him.

And when you're looking for sponsors of momentum and co-sponsors and people to speak for things.

It's a lot easier of the 2 of your friends.

They were approaching news that hits the to be or not.

Rusia prices are tough but was on City Council here in Lexington, we're taping and we have those moments.

Even a nonpartisan council where everybody was pretty much friends.

There were feelings about those things.

So human nature kicks a little bit of that.

Good with this shows that we have some.

Differences of opinion and the state Senate side to everybody is being challenged.

So that's a that's a tough thing.

When you just got small about 30 people, one people are right.

Yeah, 10 of them are candidates, If you look at this, if the House side, though, the fact that you do have the established incumbent leadership back in with those roles, perhaps they will stick to the agenda meeting being maybe more probe.

>> Business friendly and maybe that edges out some of the cultural social issues that we may see in a 30 day session that starts in January.

That could you know that when she started saying, hey, we don't want.

>> This is a short session.

We're not going to do a lot like that.

We say this this time of year.

But the they might mean it and it, but it does for them.

If I'm a leader and I get re-elected after being challenged, I'm going to say this was a referendum on my what we were trying to do with how we prioritize, how we leave the caucus.

We're going to KET Wilson.

That was David Mead was the House Speaker pro tem the time.

Yeah.

And the other thing that's hard about this is people pledge and then they vote in private different life.

John Cornyn, who lost to John Thune for the leader ship in the U.S. Senate who joked he said, I've got 27.

Thank you.

Notes to write for the 23 votes it got.

27.

21.

Yeah, those were not of us, right?

Those are not a secret ballot.

Super Bowl.

So was it like that in the Kentucky House?

Are those secret ballot leadership?

>> Votes are how does not want But think if they think their secret their secret and the numbers are not disclose such a good one, you know, see winds as the federal they do announce the number of hot, right?

Yeah.

But in that we don't stay house.

You don't know.

The numbers just know who the victor is going to.

The house is a focus on said.

Number of issues for the short session.

If you look at Kentucky right now and for trade in may cuts away or do sing the state to people around the country were hot.

The governor Todd on economic development.

The on the tax cut.

I mean, that's quite a combination when you're trying to make a pro business pitch for your Saturday.

Tell us about even today.

Well, today we know that the governor.

Cut a ribbon in the west part of Louisville.

The business that's coming in 350 jobs, 137 million dollar investment.

Here's the best things that's happened in the economic picture for Western the western part of will.

And the last 20 years or so.

We think so.

The West and is always a focus.

And this is a breakthrough moreover, in Shelby and Shelbyville, there's an enormous investment being made.

Is that 3 quarters of a billion dollars?

1500 jobs announced that the mansion today.

This is more of the battery space.

Those kinds of things just don't happen every day in even the biggest states.

So something really good.

The energy here is right.

And you know, sky like sports, if you're on a winning what happens?

You KET winning, right?

You think you're going to win and you work to win.

And Governor Beshear is taking all the credit and all the things.

Yes, however, the thing I notice about the Shelby County announced one particular I was like to say, who's quoted in the relays, who was there a?

This was a bipartisan announcement and they don't always have the legislators on there.

But Stivers was called was quoted.

>> But the very first quote bomb.

So, yeah, that's what governors do right by governors that cut ribbons.

They take the credit and the legislature said, yep, you're welcome for the economic environment which we passed with our policies and our budget.

Yes, there's a lot of credit to go around on this.

And it goes to those who take it and it's great that Stivers got to the other side.

As you said, you know, he mentioned the governor and the Republican caucus in his quote.

So you want to come by.

>> That's right.

We'll see how long that lasts and the ball you might as They're happy about it, right?

Yeah.

So let's talk in about 40 something seconds about what's happened in the U.S. Senate and what was just happening at the Capitol period.

Right.

And some of these appointments that we're hearing about and >> how that can impact Kentucky.

But first, it's a reminder of what it's like to live in a Trump Trump land.

You know, like there's just quick announcements.

>> And so we've seen a lot of of intention to nominate can And again, it's a great intention to nominate amounts over this past week.

Some pretty controversial ones.

We've also seen we mentioned the leadership race to succeed McConnell.

So Rick Scott finished a distant 3rd.

It was a woman is in the first set of votes.

So John Thune from South Dakota McConnell's got a great relationship with them.

He succeeded.

Rand Paul is going to be the chair of the Homeland Security Committee.

That's a pretty powerful post and important for Kentucky and we should soon find out about some of our House members who are in good positions to either chaired committees or chair subcommittees.

Andy Barr has a shot of financial services.

Brett Guthrie with Energy and Commerce and Jamie Comer probably will stay in the oversight position.

But he'll you know, I have another really interesting to be oversight of the Trump administration, not as much fun as yeah.

Over the other party, right?

Yes.

And Thomas Massie right past you getting attention as possible.

A nominee for our culture.

Secretary, all 6 of our house members are very strong and moving out.

Yeah.

And that's significant.

Rand Paul gets his name change from Senator to chairman.

A big move for him and for us and look at McCall who is now formally the recall will be every bit as effective.

I would predict maybe even more so with his new focus on the finances of America.

>> And as we always hear, it said that Kentucky will continue to punch above its Yes, yes, thank you all.

It's good to see you.

Have a good weekend.

So following up on what we just talked about, some familiar faces will be taking on new roles in the Kentucky State Senate.

>> The Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus elected its leadership today.

Republican state Senator Robert Stivers was re-elected to his position becoming the longest-serving Senate president in Kentucky.

History.

Senator David Givens was also re-elected as president pro Tem and Senator Mike Wilson is returning as Majority Whip state Senator Max wise of Campbellsville is the new majority floor leader Wise is served in the state Senate since 2015 and you'll remember he was Kelly crafts, running mate during her run for governor during last year's primary.

He replaces states.

Senator Damon Thayer, who is retiring at the end of the year and state Senator Robby Mills is the new majority caucus chair replacing the only woman who was and Senate GOP leadership.

State Senator Julie Rocky Adams.

Senator Mills was the running mate for former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron who won last year's GOP primary for governor before losing to Governor Beshear last November.

♪ ♪ We're good pages.

You may think of Georgia and South Carolina, but and Allen County, Kentucky family is growing a successful peach crop right here in the Commonwealth.

>> The woman at the helm of those efforts is receiving statewide recognition for her work.

Our Laura Rogers introduces us to the Kentucky Farm Girl Woman of the year.

>> Farming is more of a challenge than anything I would say.

But it's the most rewarding for sure to get up and be able to do this every day.

Something that you love to do.

>> Corey Thomas says working in agriculture is the only thing she's ever wanted to do to wake up every day and this being my scenery and be able to be outside.

>> Doing what I love.

That's the joy of farming.

A joy that began in childhood and this very farm now known as the Peach Tree Farm and Greenhouse in Scottsville.

>> Growing up, I wanted to do more than my.

That would let me thank his generation was kind of the mindset of it's a man's job.

>> But that mindset is shifting as more women now run their own farms and agribusiness U.S. women like Corey, along with her husband, Micah Suncor, Ben and daughter Carol.

>> With everything we have going on right now, I don't see how court gets it all done.

Now to a 9 in T with 120 peach trees.

Plus pumpkins, sunflowers and corn along with the greenhouse operation.

We raise everything ourselves.

Sweden, hanging baskets, bedding plants, perennials.

And we mentioned the animal.

My responsibility is the fate of respecting every morning.

We had kids getting sick.

>> And then Joe Harris and they sure have.

They cast.

And so.

>> And don't forget, Carol's favorite, my Carolina go.

Amy.

All right.

>> Driving the tractor around in the 14 ahead.

Alright, feeding the cows with mom and dad.

Corbin and Carol, are the 4th generation being raised on this farm is a fun and there's a lot of mistakes that you learn from and >> get up early.

Sometimes.

>> Others also learned from the Thomas is one of them.

This was their 3rd full season welcoming guests.

It's been a great experience to say people enjoying our farm.

We've had people say they've never seen things that they've seen here before.

Like will have school trips come and we educate them on pumpkins and the growth.

We don't have a whole lot of any one thing that we have a little bit of everything.

So whenever.

>> Something doesn't perform as well on the farm.

Then something else can pick up the slack for it.

But the peaches have become a major labor of love.

There's nothing like a locally grown page.

If you lock up each, there's something wrong with you.

You know?

>> They waited 2 years for a good peach crop working around the clock during a chilly Kentucky spring.

My husband actually went out and stayed up all night.

He set fires throughout the whole orchard.

>> And try to create some he so that they wouldn't freeze as it is with farming.

Weather conditions can make or break a crop.

This year we went through drought and then we had a lot of rain.

But Corey says the challenges are worth it to reap the rewards for the accolades like being selected as the Kentucky Farm Bureau Farm Woman of the year got the call.

>> And I screamed out in the first head because I was so excited to know that her hard work has been recognized at the state level is is really something else to make.

>> Now their sights are set on the future is continuing to expand and grow their operation for Kentucky Edition.

I'm Laura Rogers.

>> Thank you, Lauren.

Congrats to Corey.

Corey says those expansion plans include raising more corn and pumpkins and adding another greenhouse next year.

Best to her.

♪ ♪ For the first time in its history.

The Muhammad Ali Center has a leader from Louisville.

In fact, who grew up just down the street from the champ himself.

Our Kelsey Starks introduces us to Devonta hold on this week's inside Louisville.

It's a dream job.

>> I mean, it truly is a dream job for me.

You know, I learned early in my career, I took a job once for money and a company that through a ton of money at me gave me an incredible budget.

2 men have higher who I wanted to hire and the department.

How wanted to run it and 3 months into the job, I realize that I was only working for money and I was miserable.

I was absolutely miserable.

Unfortunately, I learned that that that example and have that example early on in my career to learn that I'm not personally someone who's especially motivated by money.

I am especially motivated, however, in helping people improve their lives and helping people pursue greatness and find the thing that will allow them to come to life.

And I've done that through economic development.

I've done that through education.

I've done it through workforce development and now I get a chance to do that right here at the Muhammad Ali Center, which is the greatest display of greatness that I'm nation has seen because it is the home of the greatest of all time where we are showcasing not only his journey through his life.

That was really an example of greatness.

But it also is a place that helps other people find their pathways to greatness and hopefully is spot inspires them to find that red bike moment that we talk about with Muhammad Ali where they can then start to pursue that theme that lights them on fire and hopefully helps them work to change the world.

>> And you KET the champ?

Yes.

So tell me about how he inspired you as a young black boy growing up and what I will tell you.

Growing up in West Louisville, knowing that the champ was from here was special.

>> Because you'd see him on television and then you have these conversations.

When you go to the barbershop with all these guys who KET him who know him.

And so you hear about those special stories, him, these experiences that they had with the chant.

But then for me, it was it was special to see someone like Muhammad Ali who grew up with.

I came from to stand so boldly into spaces where you I wouldn't have seen black men speak so boldly and so courageously about who they were about what they wanted to be and not allowing the world to dictate to him who he could be, what he could accomplish.

That to me was unheard of.

>> You can see and hear more of that great conversation when we take you inside the Muhammad Ali Center this Sunday at 12 noon 11:00AM Central time on inside Louisville right here on KET.

♪ ♪ Hi Shop and Meet and greet a few fish.

Our Toby Gibbs explains and this look at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> Tomorrow is national.

Take a hike day.

Why not celebrate with a guided hike through beautiful Carter Caves, State resort park.

Learn about the geology, diverse greenery and wildlife of the area from an expert guide.

Plus, get your steps in for the day.

If your holiday shopping for the book, Warming your life, but don't want to break the bank.

Check out the November book Swap and Shop in Madisonville tomorrow.

Trained your gently used folks grab a coffee and check out a local Madisonville business.

The shelter We Artisans Guild is hosting its 30th annual art fair this weekend in Somerset shot from over 70 local artists.

Enjoy delicious food and get the chance to win $100 voucher for any booth.

At the fair.

You don't want to miss this great shopping event.

>> If you're looking to make a unique ornament for this year's tree, you Adele Botanical Gardens has the workshop for you.

Their flour cutting kiahnna sewers will teach you how to make a glass ornament that will bring a little bot they to your holiday decorations this year.

out of bounds and Munfordville this weekend on for bills.

Christmas on main creatures visits with Santa outdoor ice skating and 100% chance of snow.

If you want to cozy small-town Christmas experience, make it out to Munfordville tomorrow.

If you've ever attended a Tea Party at Waveland State, historic site.

The holidays are the perfect time to try it out.

Enjoy a 3 course t tour the grounds and leave with a special holiday favor.

Experience the magic of the Waveland mention all decked out for the holidays.

The Newport Aquarium is one of the best family destinations in the state.

But if you're looking to explore the aquarium in a kid free atmosphere, book your tickets for next Friday's Aquarium after Dark event to take a self-guided twilight tour.

Check out the cash bar even meet and greet some of the animals.

Bring your friends are planned.

A special date night and this 21 and-up event and that's what's happening around the Commonwealth.

>> I'm Joe Gibbs.

>> Thank Youto begins.

Lot of great things to say and do and we hope you have a great weekend.

The calm and then come right back here.

Monday night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky.

Addition that we inform connect and inspire subscribe to Kentucky Edition, e-mail newsletters and watch full episodes and clips at KET Dot Org.

You can also find us on the PBS video app on your mobile device and smart TV.

And we always encourage you to send us a story idea by email and public affairs at KET Dot Org and make sure you follow KET on Facebook, X and Instagram to stay in the loop of all the great programming here on KET.

Thank you so much for watching this week.

Have a great weekend and make sure you tune in tonight at 8 Eastern for a special one-hour edition of comment on to see you then.