>> I'm certainly if it doesn't go as far as folks would like.

But again, I can't overstate the significance.

>> Why the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe versus Wade decision as lawmakers taking a closer look.

It's same sex and interracial marriages.

So it really we're going to.

>> Change generations of you.

>> How access to technology is changing one local community for the better.

>> But the reverse engineer issue broken down the construction.

That's what they call it.

And I was able to reconstruct to, you know, to make it look like a worsening and, you know, make sure that it was a job or wearable.

>> Some horses are putting it in style.

Thanks to this design.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Endowment for Kentucky Productions.

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky.

Addition for Thursday, November 17th, I'm Casey Parker Bell filling in for Renee Shaw.

A bill protecting same sex and interracial marriages is moving forward in the Senate without the backing of Kentucky's 2 senators.

>> Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul voted against debating the bill that would give federal protections to same sex and interracial marriages.

The vote comes amid fears that the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn the 2015 ruling that legalized same sex marriage.

Justice Clarence Thomas suggested after the Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade.

The decision protecting same sex marriage.

It could also come under threat under the Respect for Marriage Act states would not have to legalize same sex marriage but would be required to recognize same sex marriage from another state.

The bill passed a procedural test vote by count of 62 to 37 with 12 Republican senators joining Democrats.

Chris Hartman is with the Fairness campaign advocating for LGBTQ people in Kentucky.

He says this bill is a step in the right direction but adds more needs to be done.

>> The Respect for Marriage Act is an incredibly important step forward, but it's not the staff that state and national LGBTQ leaders were asking for.

We have been asking for the Federal Equality Act, which would once and for all banned discrimination against LGBTQ people all across America in states like Kentuckyian most states across the U.S. it is still legal today to discriminate against LGBTQ people.

And so unfortunately, this will not eradicate discrimination, but this will make certain that the federal government LGBTQ marriages performed in any state tell states that they must acknowledge and give full faith in credit to LGBTQ marriages performed in other states.

>> The Respect for Marriage Act would also protect interracial marriages by requiring states to recognize legal marriages regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.

Republicans grew their sizable majority in the General Assembly during this year's election.

Now some familiar faces will be leading the House's majority party in Frankfort.

House Speaker David Osborne drew no opposition and will serve a 3rd term.

It's the first time a Republican has served 3 terms as speaker in the state's 230 here History.

Representative David Mead was also reelected as Speaker Pro Tem and House Majority Leader Stephen Rudy and Caucus chair Suzanne Miles will continue their roles.

The one new face is Louisville Representative Jason Emus.

He was elected majority whip.

The newly elected leaders will hold the roles for the next 2 years.

And the 2023 session of the General Assembly begins January 3rd.

Former President Donald Trump's announcement Tuesday that he's running again for president continues to be met with mixed reaction from Republican leaders.

Renee Shaw spoke with conservative political analyst Scott Jennings about Trump's announcement and the possible impact it could have on the Republican Party's brand.

>> So what is the wisdom?

The political calculus in announcing this early?

Is it to clear the field?

>> Well, I think he has all the of of what you would normally consider to be the establishment.

I mean, he is the establishment is a former president.

He has a cadre of people around him who are fully dependent upon him for there livelihood.

He's got almost 100 million dollars in the bank.

This is a guy with all the advantages that you normally associate with the establishment.

And I assume he believes that the rest of the people considering challenging him just don't have it together enough yet to mount a serious challenge.

And so he's trying to smoke out the field.

A now.

He's going to exert pressure on elected officials and party leaders to go ahead and endorse him this early on and try to deprive these would-be challengers of that kind of institutional support.

So technically, I think he's probably in a smart place truthfully in launching early.

I think if I were into the shoes of DeSantis, I would probably at a minimum tell the world if I intend to look at this or not, I think everybody assumes that he is looking at it.

But it seems to me that right now with Trump at a bit of a UN and that his influence, if DeSantis just said, hey.

I think we may need a new generation of leadership and I'll be in touch over the next few weeks.

That probably be enough to freeze a lot of people who Trump is probably trying to pressure into coming back for 3rd attempt.

>> So what does Trump's announcement due to the Republican Party brand?

I mean, we know that there are electives like leader McConnell warned exactly big fans of Donald Trump and some who have come out and said so a very full-throated Lee and others who might say so privately.

What does this do to the Republican brand to have him now officially make it official?

>> Well, we know what it does.

I mean, we saw what it did in 2016.

He got fewer votes than Hillary Clinton.

We saw what it did in 2018 when Republicans lost the house.

We saw what it did in 2021.

We lost the White House and in 2021 when we lost the Georgia runoffs and lost the Senate, we saw what it did to the 2022 midterms.

If you look at all the races Republicans lost the people who are most closely affiliated with Donald Trump basically lost in a lot of candidates in the House running in suburban areas, lost in very narrow races because independents who didn't even like Joe Biden sided with Democrats because they were afraid voting for Republican who was in the party being led by Donald His brand is toxic.

I mean, if you look at the exit polls, Renee, he was sitting at about 39% favor ability in a national setting.

And that's not enough to win a national election.

Maybe it's enough to win a primary.

I guess.

But what good does that do if you can't win a national general election?

I'd be surprised if anybody could look at these numbers and say, yeah, I see a path to a national victory for Donald Trump.

So overall branding for the party right now.

I think we need to do some soul searching.

That's why a lot of people are in love with DeSantis because he's the next generation is much younger.

His 20 point victory in Florida was truly a broad based coalition.

And it's a lot of Republicans are tired of losing.

They want to win a national election.

And when it resoundingly and right now of the people on the board put together the kind of a coalition that look like they can do that are DeSantis.

Glenn Youngkin in Virginia.

Those are really the 2 people that I hear the most about because DeSantis turned a purple state red and youngkin turned a blue state a red last year.

Lest we forget that was a state Joe Biden won by 10 points.

It seems like Republicans are looking outside of Washington these days for leadership.

And those 2 governors, I think are leading the way.

>> And we've heard those names come out of the mouth of former President Donald Trump.

>> And yes, it is.

It is.

Well, that's exactly or hears the footsteps.

That's right.

Thank you, Scott Jennings for your time.

Appreciate it.

And your insight.

>> Thanks for Nate.

>> Governor Andy Beshear says time is running out for flood victims to get help in person flooding in eastern Kentucky in late July killed.

43 people and damaged thousands of homes today.

216 people are still living at Kentucky State Parks.

660 people are living in travel trailers.

Governor Beshear says FEMA is having a hard time getting in touch with some people to follow up on their property claims.

>> But our one of our biggest challenges and this is on on on some a number of criticisms of FEMA.

But we have 2,221 homeowners or renters that are currently eligible for help because they've either missed inspection was scheduled on their property or aren't picking up the phone with FEMA's trying to So if you know, people that are struggling.

Get them in a disaster recovery center, if you know, people who haven't been able to push forward their claim, it may be that they're not picking up a number.

They don't recognize or didn't have transportation may be to get to that inspections like get them here.

But a FEMA has given us the statistics to try to get folks to be able to perfect their claim.

In other words, to to get the money that they they need.

But we need to make sure that we don't have a single person is ultimately denied because FEMA couldn't get in touch with them.

>> The disaster recovery centers are only open until November 22nd, which is this coming Tuesday the city of Louisville has settled a multimillion dollar lawsuit with the boyfriend of Breonna Taylor.

That's according to the Courier Journal newspaper.

Kenneth Walker filed a civil lawsuit against the city and several officers involved with the 2020 raid on Breonna Taylor's apartment.

Walker claims his rights were violated and the Courier Journal reports Walker in the city settled for 2 million dollars.

A new report is giving insight into the well being of Kentucky's children.

Kentucky Youth Advocates has released its Kentucky Kids Count Data book the executive director of the organization was joined by Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman in Louisville yesterday to talk about the physical, emotional and mental health of Kentucky's children.

And why having this data is so important.

>> While it is really important that we look at that.

Our kids on a state basis.

Folks in local communities want to know how we're doing locally.

We release.

>> Disaggregated data where we take every one of those national indicators.

And we take it down to a county level.

So all 120 counties in Kentucky.

Get their own report card.

Every county in Kentucky.

Can take a look and see how are we doing in health and economic?

Well, being.

You family and community and education.

>> We are blessed in the commonwealth with many nonprofits, community-based organizations, community leaders, policymakers and other individuals who work diligently to help to end proof the quality of life for children across the state and tools like this county data book which provides an impressive snapshot of how our youth in Kentucky are doing across several indicators are really in trouble to help that important work.

A Kentucky kids were asked what they want to hear.

Their response was.

Listen to us.

>> You need a voice and they want their place.

Among my peers of high school and even middle school.

What is most talked about his mental health recently?

My classmates and I have dealt with COVID in the middle of December 10th back to back.

This is cause a lot of stories it in for the able to miss school as they fall behind.

That should be focused on going to school every day and seeing their friends, you know, bring about where the next meal is going to be or it will be safe and cared for their own household.

>> From the sheer call it in the destruction.

We will continue to lift up our students.

We will continue to elevate their voices.

We will continue to prioritize mental health as we continue to work during these challenging times.

And I'll close with a quote from Sadie.

She's a 14 year-old from Babies County and she said our words still matter.

Even if we're down.

And I think that is so critically important if there ever was a time where we can and should put aside our differences to ensure every child in Kentucky shares in the freedom.

The possibility it is now.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> In education news, more than a dozen school districts in the state are taking part in a new program aimed at improving calling dreading this outcomes for Kentucky students.

The districts will receive coaching from one goal, an organization that specializes in post-secondary success.

Aaron Thompson, president of the Kentucky Council on Post-secondary Education, said the coaching will help close equity gaps by making the transition from high school to college easier for students.

>> Very purpose.

Basically is to go in and work with school districts.

>> To help?

Well, I called Bill the culture of that district.

To work with young people are mailing their junior and senior year.

Prepare them for college.

Get them ready, academically, socially emotionally.

All of that.

But it's also designed in a way that it builds the capacity.

That district and those particular schools.

We have all kinds of people from around the state really done a fine.

How we can help students and always transition years.

Get to the next level to be prepared.

They had to get that career.

But a wall and obviously you've heard me say more than once that, you know, college sniper selling job to come back, we will work.

Why are will college credential that matters for the future of Kentuckyian for the future of these young folks lives.

One goal is a free to your program.

13 school districts are participating.

>> Best Buy the YMCA and the clubhouse network.

Join together to bring technology to underserved youth in Louisville.

The Best Buy Teen Tech Center is offering a space for young people in the community to learn and create.

>> The teen Tech Center is a space that gives the youth in this community access.

To technology in the opportunity to grow themselves in a technical way.

Anybody in the community can come We cater to kids 12 to 18.

We've seen as much as 20 to 30 kids a day.

We have over at this time over 150 members.

Kids will throughout the week just in and out to eat or just hang out or to work on specific projects, been to be at their own personal projects that we have challenged him to do.

>> ITT me because like there's to Peters Rican, you've got design.

They can make beats him.

You can make videos.

And Mike, as you go early, you have a lot more opportunities to cause you to know how to do those things and you can get paid more for doing those things for the people.

I'm just seen.

>> So many more kids come here and tap into their creative side that they would not have gotten otherwise.

And what we've been able to do is bring more kids, bring more teens together.

Sometimes there's a kid who was into Kony and development The non-physical things in those those guys that have had a place to go for.

September and you have no place to go.

But now they do.

This is they can call this place their home where they can come bill communities for that they can feel comfortable or safe to eat >> in an environment like roar of an environment that I played with live a lot of balance gangs and things like that.

It was drugs gives the you something to do.

Ask that of hanging around in the streets in our neighborhood.

So it's a very conducive place to learn develop and grow as individuals.

>> Access and opportunity.

>> Will.

>> These kids so many more options in the future.

That they may not event otherwise.

And then that's only going to trickle down into other generations.

What's the word gets out?

And once those kids are building skills and it will be in each one, teach one situation like nationally, the youth behind them will follow.

And pick up the skill sets that they do because that's what their big brother gave a big sister did that cause in whoever?

So if barely going change generations of you.

>> Each and every year, the sun.

♪ >> Kids don't have to worry about a pint-size.

Jolene taking their books.

Thanks to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Dolly's program since free books to kids.

And thanks to new legislation, Kentucky kids can get in on the fun Kentucky additions.

Kelsey Starks sat down with the Imagination Library's executive director to find out more.

>> Well, the imagination library from Dolly Parton has expanded throughout Kentuckyian Mariah Duran is here to tell us all about it.

So explain to people who haven't heard of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

What exactly is it?

>> So Dolly started Imagination Library in 1995.

And she was actually I'm inspired to start it because her father never learned to read and she saw how that held him back.

And so the 2 of them together started the program and Dolly's Imagination Library mails of free monthly books to kids from birth to age 5 to help them develop a love of reading and get ready for kindergarten.

And so we I'm I'm the executive director of the Louisville affiliate of her Imagination Library.

>> And so this is something that has just recently expanded in Kentucky, right?

Yes.

And so the Kentucky General just this last year passed legislation that actually fund the cost of half of every book that comes out in Kentucky.

So lots of counties already had a program but many more able to have a program now that half of that financial cost is being covered by the state.

I mean, it's allowed us to expand here in Louisville quite a bit because our our costs were cut in half.

So and that a huge support for the state legislature to get behind this program.

>> Yeah, absolutely.

And just where neighbor of Tennessee, why did it take so long?

Yes, absolutely.

I know this started Sevierville Tennessee.

>> And it is very, very popular.

You know, everyone loves Dolly, but but Tennessee has her home.

And so, yeah, this she's very excited to have our neighboring state from what I'm told.

I haven't gotten to meet her yet.

But to have the neighboring come on in a big way as as a statewide program.

That's wonderful.

Okay.

So if somebody does have a child at this age is is at 5 and under how did they register for it?

>> kids under 5.

So I'm children actually graduate the month.

They turn 5, which is when they get hello, kindergarten.

Here I come.

But families who are interested can go to imagination library.

Louisville Dot Org and put in their zip code and see if we are in their area.

So we're currently fundraising to be in every zip code right now.

We 12 zip codes in Louisville.

We're in for a 2 out 2, 0, 3, 0, 8, through 16 4 to 18, but hopefully we will be announcing some expansion plans in January to be an even more ZIP codes.

And for folks who might be watching who are in Louisville, they can go to a match nation library dot com also put in their zip code and see if there's a program in their >> And then how do you know, they may want to donate to this this cause.

There's a lot of ways you can support it, right?

Yeah, absolutely.

they can also go to match a nation library.

Louisville dot We have a donate button on our page and we also have a contact us if someone wants get in touch with me and talk a little bit more about the organization and how they might want to get involved.

And you also offer sponsorships, right?

Yes, absolutely.

So each book the Little engine that could is the first book that every child gets but when every child gets the book, it actually has their name on the label, which is great to kind of create that attachment to books.

you know, kids are excited to get mail and then we also locally can a message on there.

So if we have someone who wants to sponsor for us, a month's worth of books is about $5,000 and then we can tailor that message of knowledge ING that sponsorship organization.

That's so great.

And you know it it.

Everyone knows the importance of early reading, but it you've really been able to see that difference in these kids.

Absolutely.

And, you know, kindergarten readiness to over half of kids in Louisville come to kindergarten.

>> I'm not actually checking all the boxes for kindergarten readiness.

And so part of what this program really does is help create an books at an early age.

It helps kind get kids ready for reading, ready for It helps with auditory memory from learning out loud and language acquisition.

And so it really is so important.

And it's also a great tool for families.

I had a parent tell me that it was a great way for her to add diversity to her bookshelf without her having to know what was out there because the books really are cater towards kids so that everyone is going to see a character that looks like them but also be introduced to characters and places they may not encounter otherwise and arrive right there on your doorstep.

Absolutely better than that.

Yeah.

So a child signed up at birth and will actually get 60 books.

So they built a pretty significant library by the time.

They're 5 years old.

Wonderful at thank you so much for being here.

We appreciate it so much.

Yeah.

Right now about 15% of Kentucky, preschoolers are already enrolled in this program and we want to make that number much higher.

So you can find out more about how you can get involved on their website.

>> So far the Imagination Library program has delivered nearly 3 and a half million free books to children across Kentucky.

♪ ♪ >> It's or shoes, but not the kind you're thinking about while horse racing and over the top outfits have always been intertwined.

The horses are often lacking in style.

But what if it were the horses who are dressed to impress?

>> Always love to hear from the time that I can remember, you know, in the Garden on about his love for the King.

>> I got to customizing Might have been around Christmas time 2017, my wife bought me bres kid and I just decided to start paying sneakers at that point.

I work at Toyota as a team leader.

So in the paint department.

So I do that for anywhere from 8 to 9 hours a day and I come home and put in work and my business, you know, I'm pretty busy all day long.

I I just put a lot of work into my craft.

>> I was contacted by visit, through the court.

That group.

And though they pits to me that they want to make a future for warmth.

So they left it up to me to design everything and, you know, figure out what that should look like.

With pretty complicated.

I had to figure out what a sneaker force will look like.

Obviously, there was no blueprint for me to go off of.

So I had to do 100%.

Imagine you know what that will look like.

So I just sit down and threw it out several times until like I got a look at.

I was happy with.

Just reverse engineer I took a human issue, broken down, deconstructing this what they call it.

And I was able to reconstruct the, you know, to make it look like a were sneaker and, you know, make sure that it was a job or were.

>> The process that I can use to make the sneakers as much like I do when make a super human.

The very first thing you know, I had to break down and with the drawing that I did earlier, I took the pieces and kind of fit into the blue.

How I like them.

I take them on there.

And so I was happy with the way that they fit.

Once I was happy with that.

So that all together and get feedback on for the boot as one hope he's glued it on and then and then I was able to sew it back onto the blue for that was durable.

>> Without a brew that no more horses can wear.

>> And there every day, you life as far as running and jumping and just walking around.

And that's what I'm traveling right now.

He's trying to put up a better booed out.

no more thing before every I believe that has a lot of I've been contacted from.

>> Everyone from celebrities to your local everyone to rest and then put in some style is on the horses and they want to make sure that there were some who good is still an investment from them for.

They just want to make sure that the horse and sellers and it's just some new and it's never been done You know us as humans, anything new we flocked to.

So I think that is just a refreshing thing for the equine world.

not only is the 4th is able to worry that And you know, it looks good on >> Those shoes make the horse is fit to go to the Kentucky Derby.

Floyd recently designed a pair of commission horse sneakers for visit.

Lex Lexington's Visitor Bureau.

The shoes were auctioned at a fundraiser event last week with the proceeds going to charities across Central Kentucky.

It's a sport rapidly gaining in popularity.

Coming up tomorrow on Kentucky EDITION.

>> Find out why more and more people are picking up on pickleball and how it's one Kentucky City.

He's trying to serve the growing number.

Who wants to play it.

We hope you'll join us again tomorrow night at 6.30, Eastern.

>> 5.30, central time for Kentucky Edition where we inform connect and that spot subscribe to our weekly Kentucky Edition email newsletter and watch full episodes and clips a K E T Dot Org.

You can also find Kentucky Edition on the PBS video app on your smart device your mobile device and smart TV and follow KET on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in the Loop.

Thank you for joining us for Kentucky edition.

I'm Casey Parker Bell filling in for Renee Shaw.

Have a good night and take good care.

♪