♪ >> Last year 2023 was STS busiest year today with more than 4.6 million total passengers.

>> How's the Louisville airport changing to meet the growing demand of travelers?

>> As the side of the Valley today, let us reflect on the values of goodness, love and unity.

>> What's the story behind the festival of lights?

>> It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when.

>> And what has a Kentucky Air National Guard.

Colonel worry.

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

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

It's November 8th.

We are ready for the weekend.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for kicking off your weekend with us.

>> Some Kentucky schools are getting rid of the distraction of cell phones in class.

Today, state lawmakers said they will once again consider a statewide policy.

Our June Leffler has more in tonight's Education Matters.

Report.

>> Last month, KET, he visited some high schools that successfully took cell phones out of the classroom student stash their phones away in a designated box or pouch keeping phones, not just out of sight, but out of reach.

One principal tell state lawmakers the policy is a local success.

>> We've already seen it help our discipline.

We've already seen a help.

Our social emotional well-being in our school.

The other child out of that triangle is iconic success.

I can't wait to get to that on that.

>> He says the cell phone ban would make a great statewide rule.

>> The reason we went to it as a school-wide is because we wanted to give teachers the authority to say, hey, this is what my boss is telling me to do.

I'm taking the heat.

So I think that can be alleviated at the state level.

If you guys take the heat because now it's principal said this.

My school district said this.

This is the state.

All this is a state regulation that we all need to follow.

>> The former educator in the General Assembly Love Side E a.

>> Why not do something?

Why not do something and want to do something now?

39% of the state budget goes to K 12 education.

39% of our state budget ghost of K 12 education.

If we could do one thing to help our education system.

To me, this would be the one thing that we could do.

It would help teachers.

It would help students.

It would help our whole society.

So I would hope that we will take a serious look at taking the heat off of you all making this a a law and then letting you have a look back at the grout grassroots level.

You know, we have a really good surplus right now on a rainy day fund.

If we needed to throw in a little money for phone pouches or phone lockers.

So if that's the problem, then I would be willing to do that.

>> Schools and districts can remove cell phones on their own.

Another former teacher says leave the rules to them.

I have been in discussion with one of my principles with in my district, went right outside the district and they implemented the bags for a period of time.

>> High school, it is a high Spotify said that there were some definite benefits.

But she ended up pulling him out and what she her approach was, we want to teach our high schoolers to be able to regulate this themselves.

They're about to go out into the real world and it's not going away.

We need to be able to equip them to regulate it appropriately.

I don't think again, it's cookie cutter and I think we need to be very careful about how far down we regulate.

I think we do need to listen to the administrators and and see what's working for their students.

>> The House Education Committee approved a proposed statewide cell phone ban this year.

It didn't become law, but a House member says a similar bill will come back next year for Kentucky edition.

I'm Jim Leffler.

>> Thank you.

June.

And the Kentucky General Assembly convenes on January 7th of 2025.

For the first time since the 1980's, the explosive TNT will be made in the United States specifically Engram Kentuckyian Muhlenberg County, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was there today to make the announcement.

The U.S. Army is a warning wrap.

Con 435 million dollar grant to build the facility.

We'll have much more on this major announcement next week on Kentucky EDITION.

The Biden presidency ends next January.

20th Congressman James Comer of Kentucky's first congressional district says he could continue his investigation of the president's son, Hunter Biden, even into the Trump administration.

Comer is chair of the House Oversight Committee.

He presided over hearings into Hunter Biden's financial dealings but never brought any charges against him.

Comer talked about what's next while appearing on the conservative outlet Newsmax.

>> So chairman, really good to hear you're going to pursue more charges against Hunter Biden.

>> We're going to see what the New Trump Department of Justice wants to do.

I fully expect Joe Biden to pardon his son that I think the most important thing for me honestly is that we hold people in the government accountable.

>> It's not yet clear if Democrats or Republicans will control the House of Representatives that will determine if coma remains the chair of the Oversight Committee.

With the 2024 elections now over Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is repeating his intention to serve out his second term as Governor Vice President Kamala Harris considered Beshear as a running mate before picking Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota.

Now, Governor Beshear is being talked about as a possible presidential candidate in 2028. during the governor's news conference yesterday, a reporter asked him about his future political plans.

>> Let me just say.

Proud to be the Governor, Kentucky.

I'm excited to continue to be governor every single day for the rest of my term.

We'll see what the future holds in the future.

But right now, I'm not only focus is on this job.

It's about making sure I continue to stand up for Kentucky ends and all Americans to ensure that their rights are respected.

I will work with any administration when it benefits Kentucky.

I will oppose any administration when it hurts Kentucky or threatens our democracy.

My job is to serve the people of Kentucky and the people the United States when called to do it.

And that's what I'll be doing these next 3 years.

And I think one week.

>> He's not counting as a.

The governor also said he thought Vice President Harris ran a good race.

He said he was disappointed with the outcome of the presidential race but says he will work with anyone for the best interest of Kentucky.

A federal judge has found a Kentucky coal company and contempt of court for a 3rd time.

The courts have ordered the Lexington cold company to submit plans to clean up Pollution Inc at 2 mines and West Virginia.

U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers find the company $50,000 for failing to submit adequate plans.

He also ordered Lexington cold to set up $100,000 fund to help pay the costs of complying with environmental laws.

Environmental groups say the company discharge pollution illegally at the 2 mines.

Jet setters.

A look for faster security checks at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport this week.

City and state leaders broke ground on a new security point expansion.

The project which will increase screening capacity by 60% was funded in part by the bipartisan infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

A law supported by both Senator Mitch McConnell and Congressman Morgan McGarvey.

They say this project is evidence that both parties can still work together even after this week's election results.

>> Since 2018 Stanford Field is celebrated for of its top 5 busiest years ever in terms of passenger traffic.

>> Last year in 2023, was STS busiest year to date with more than 4.6 million total passengers.

>> We've got more aircraft, larger aircraft, more more nonstops.

I'm all for low-cost carriers in the market with that.

We've just seen traffic grow and grow and grow to last year was a record setting year and this year.

24 so far, we're 5% have of last year's record-breaking year.

So when you have growth like that, obviously it's a can be a struggle.

Sometimes they have the infrastructure really KET up with the new demand.

What we found about 2022 was and we are struggling to get people through the checkpoint and really started working really close with TSA say, hey, we need more checkpoints.

We immediately added the 6 line, a 7th pop-up line just to get through this need to be.

And while we're doing all that, we said, we got to we got to sign a new checkpoint.

This is a 30,000 square-foot will be a 30,000 square-foot 10 lane check 0.

45 million dollars will be working on this through about the the end of 26.

Me early 27 and again, it's really just a really special project.

>> Well, you know, you all think that we never do anything together.

The bipartisan infrastructure bill, which made all of this possible.

Morgan and I both supported.

The classic.

Partisan agreement that shows what can be done when we work together.

And I think we haven't had an election this week, even though.

My side did very well.

That doesn't mean we're not going to work together.

>> Our economic growth as a city.

And the strength of our airport go hand in hand.

I've spent my first term in Congress fighting for funding like this.

And you heard leader McConnell say this, but this really is a great example to come from the bipartisan infrastructure law.

Passed by congressional Democrats lead through the Senate by Leader McConnell signed into law by President Biden.

This is an example of what can happen when we work together.

>> The security checkpoint expansion project is the largest change to the Jerry Abramson terminal and over 35 years.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> Time now to do an end of week review of the big story of the week.

And that, of course, is the election.

And we've got 2 of our favorites with us.

We've got trade Watson and Jared Smith who with us on election night.

You saw and they're always fun.

>> So I want to start with you, Trey, because you had a great piece that was in the Herald leader, I think was the day after maybe a day at day after all about the election and some up your main takeaway about what both parties could learn.

>> But the big thing was fraught for both parties.

Take draw, draw the right message.

Draw the right answer from this election.

And unfortunately, usually the parties to Hong answers.

I think that the answer is twofold.

One for why Trump won.

It's it's the economy.

It's always the kind of get back.

2008 Obama won because the kind of bad about one 12 because the county was good.

Biden won in 20 because the Coyotes bad and Donald Trump won this year because people one weather, the numbers bear it out.

Voters view still view the economy is struggling, but that doesn't I don't think answer why the margin was there.

The Trump got and the fact that Republicans may miraculously KET the House the huge majority we took in the Senate.

And I think that goes back to Democrats believing that somehow these past elections.

What about the economy?

And we're about the country somehow moving from center, right?

The center-left and I think in 16 that was a canary in the coal mine that the economy wasn't as big issue wasn't.

That was good, wasn't it wasn't bad was kind in the middle.

So I think that's what Trump leverage what Trump one was because people reacting to 8 years of Obama pulling the country left.

I think the Democrats felt like when Biden won that it was a repudiation of Trump pulling it back to the center.

And I think this year, especially when you look at the votes with Hispanic voters, African-American voters, Asian voters, women, young people.

I think it's the country saying we're not a center-left country were not left.

Country are also not far right culture.

We are a center right country in.

It was a correction to the move the country back over that middle line.

>> So what's the read?

Messages that the Democratic Party needs to do top to bottom?

>> Then it completely cleaned house.

I mean, we have issue both.

Here's the problem.

The leftist think to we lost because we didn't go too far left and the moderates think we lost because we let the left us in the party, you know, and that's why we lost cause.

And so there has been cleared overhaul and due to that rain is off camera.

You know, forest fires good for for some times.

And but I mean, a controlled burn is old.

But you what you saw as the parties, both themselves breasette, the Democrats now are the party of the educated wealthy people.

Republicans are part of the working class.

Democrats have lost the working class.

Some words.

I never thought it.

And so now they have to figure out how to get how to get the trust back to talk to them.

And we've saying just now figuring that out, you know, we've been saying for a while that we have been talking Roy White vote.

>> And with this, that but Hispanics, females, women's black black voters.

The problem is rule whites.

It's it's the working class.

And so we're going to have to go figure out how to fix it.

And, you know, I'm sorry, I just something people from California, you know, and I I think we've got to get the blue a back.

It's got to be Shapiro Whitmer ticket in that order in the sky looked like an Andy Beshear, maybe there's something like that.

Yeah, I just, you know, beach be sure has has has a place in the discussion.

I agree.

I don't know what I don't think you can win Kentucky's.

I don't know what value that would bring front so yeah.

But what does the autopsy really look like not to cut jobs, right?

But like what?

What is the work that goes into doing this kind of autopsy post-election?

It's it's who is involved in the conversation.

you know, it's commission EC takes over the DNC now because of the Jim Harrison said he was outright lead on his own.

>> And so you get you're going to Poland talking focus group to Trump voters, white vote for Trump and because your mess is what our demand is bad.

>> That's that's the your message.

That's what I heard.

I didn't hear that.

You kept insulin at $30 and has probably gone.

I didn't hear that.

You're going to make sure Obamacare stays because it actually does help me and other people.

I just heard our demands bad.

We have a plan.

You know, inflation is not really flesh.

And it's Kroger and target, you know, KET you from what that's partially true.

Current are good prices inflate.

You know, yes, inflation back.

We're working on with the state of it's not that it's this and look at this chart, right?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Look, it's part art.

Show you the prices are down.

You know?

So yeah.

I think it has had an issue that.

Campaigns are are the 2 step process.

>> And I think and you can almost draw a comparison back to Dana camera here in 2023. and that you have to, first of all, prove that your opponent does not deserve to be in office either anymore or to be elected, but you'll set to prove that you deserve it.

I think in 2023, nobody ever really litigated the case against Andy Beshear.

Nobody said will the things that he did in office were bad and we need we need a change.

There's a lot on what they know Cayman would do, but not why Beshear should should be gone.

So I think that the palm print Harris was the opposite.

They talked a lot about why Donald Trump should be president.

But Harris never made the case why she should be.

And at the end, the day of voters we're faced with unable to know and even a thing about the probably going to go for the And I think that that's also a part of what happened is that Harris never made.

That case is too.

You shouldn't vote for him.

But why?

Why would we want for her cause?

No, nobody KET what she was about.

Yeah, your ground argue she made the case.

It did not break through.

>> She did.

She have enough time to make the case.

Is that I mean that that that's accurate.

You know, the more you look at it, the more anger I have it.

Biden and his handlers waiting that long when it was obvious that probably pretty early.

Also some other reason why we got blown out because Democrats live to the people died in the face is about the health of Joe Biden.

You know, I mean, you'd be skeptical, too, like everybody wants.

Yeah, what's next?

And so.

>> Are you going to be in the room and they have this a come to Jesus maintenance?

What's a out?

Yeah, I mean, because it takes that kind of candor.

Candid talk, right?

We have to I mean, >> we talk about things, people working class in care.

We to not travel during the during the election to the states that had some that were swing states.

Every other ad was not trans about males playing female every other at we didn't think we like that.

The 6.6% of population and it's only like 2 or 3 cases that have ever happened.

Really?

Nobody cares about that.

Why would you care about that?

They care about it.

You know, the care they the working class.

Think that we abandon them to go to sneeze groups and work with them and work closely.

Hey, what about me?

Yeah.

And the abortion issue was that just to overplayed?

>> I mean, I think it was.

But I also don't think some of the horrors and worse and like we just now find out that 2 people in Texas have died because hospitals wouldn't wouldn't cause in.

>> Texas.

They don't have a president for life of the mother here, Kentucky.

We have one, but we want to be clarified.

So I don't think that's played it too soon, but I do think it will.

It will.

There's a reckoning that will be coming from a look at states.

There are states that Trump won.

>> Well, they also passed a ballot initiatives designed to get an abortion really.

And I think, again, that goes back to the economy that bill, if I if I don't know how I'm gonna pay my struggling to buy food for the kids for back to school.

Like why should I care about someone else has access to abortion?

When I've got real financial trouble.

>> And one quick question on a 10 0nd answer, does Mitch McConnell regret stepping down as the Republican leader now that there is a majority thinks I think he knows mentally physically of his eyes got to be tired.

And I think his mind is still minimal.

I think everybody is begin to give.

And I think he's got 2 years now to what Mitch Mitch and I think it'll be inching to watch.

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see what he does in the price of powers.

A good book.

I'm not.

Well, I think through it yet.

I'm still working on it.

Thanks so much, guys.

Get some rest.

You bring to us.

♪ ♪ The Kentucky Air National Guard recently signed 11 airmen from Louisville to North Carolina to help recover victims from Lane.

>> It's something they trained for year-round on this week's and side.

Louisville, our Kelsey Starks sits down with Colonel Nick Miles who explains what they are preparing for next.

>> Probably the biggest one that we're prepared for here in the state of Kentucky are always thinking about the New Madrid fault line.

So we had the devastating earthquakes in 18, 11, 18, 12.

So it's not a matter of if, but a matter when we'll see those go off.

So that's something that we're always thinking about.

Always prepared for make sure that we're ready to serve Kentucky's when the time comes.

>> What goes into preparing set for something like that.

It in you.

It's it's they're such an and now how?

Yeah.

Do you prepare?

>> That's a great One thing that we've done recently, we've engaged with the University of Kentucky >> there.

>> Geologist, they've been helping us out.

Look at some models about what we can expect in terms of the damage in the state.

And then we look at the at least on the Air Guard side.

We look at pay what airports will be available for us to get into what's the best way to get our folks in place to start helping with search and rescue?

>> Learn more about the Kentucky Air National Guard on this week's episode of Inside Louisville.

That comes on this Sunday at 12 noon 11:00AM Central right here on KET.

♪ ♪ I'm Thursday.

The Rotunda at the state Capitol was filled with Kentuckyian celebrating Diwali.

The holiday is known as the Festival of Lights and coincides with the Hindu New Year.

It brings together multiple faith traditions to celebrate light over darkness and good over evil.

>> We shot the shot on E. >> Show.

You might be wondering what is the body?

The valley is one of the most, the popular and widely celebrated festivals in India in among the Indian diaspora around the world.

The red, the rally means role of light incense.

Great and it symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness.

Good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

>> This year, more than 1 Billion.

That's billion with a B more than 1 billion people across the world.

We'll celebrate the wallet.

Diwali means fest along lights.

>> It's a festival of giving.

Thanks.

And one that celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

Should we all live our life that away.

>> The value is also important because it reflects the diversity and richness of him, the culture and traditions which have evolved over thousands of years and have been influenced by these regions, languages in communities.

The valley is also important because it fosters a sense of unity and solidarity among Hindus and other fates.

>> In today's America, in today's Kentucky.

There's too much focus on what divides us.

There's too much attention on tribe infection.

And too little on shared purpose and community.

After a sometimes bitter campaign waits for the presidency.

Made the celebration.

Bring us back to our senses.

And as President Lincoln said, the better angels of our nature.

>> The lovely teaches us that no matter what challenges we face, the light in each of us can shine brightly, especially in times of uncertainty.

These lights remind us that we each carry a spark within us something that can guide us and inspire others.

The spirit of the Valley also encourage us to look beyond what divides us.

And instead focus on what unites us.

It's the same spirit that somebody in the Kentucky state motto United, We Stand divided.

We fall.

This year, Kentucky officially officially recognizes the Bali for the second time.

Not only honoring a tradition important in our Indian community, but also recognizing the unity that we build by embracing diversity and shared understanding.

The wily is at its core about light.

The light that we find within ourselves and the like that we share with each other.

>> As we celebrate the Valley today, let us reflect on the values of goodness, love and unity.

Made the lights.

We light serve as a beacon of hope.

The meeting at past 2 and a brighter future together.

Let's continue to foster a spirit of compassion and service in our community.

Not only in our beautiful state of Kentucky, we're the United States, but the entire world.

>> During Thursday's event, Governor Andy Beshear signed a new proclamation formally recognizing November as Hindu American awareness and Appreciation Month in the Commonwealth.

Enjoy some night time hiking ice skating history and of course, food are to be gives has a list of your weekend options.

And this look at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> Veterans from the American Revolution through the 20th century are interred at the Frankfort cemetery and you can join in a guided tour there tomorrow hosted by the Kentucky Historical Society.

If you're interested in military history and heritage, be sure to register for this unique Veterans Day event.

If you've never explored Franklin's historic downtown, you have the perfect opportunity this weekend at the Franklin downtown Merchants, Christmas Open House.

The local business owners basking the holiday decor and find the perfect present to put under the tree.

The second annual Heritage Food Festival is happening this weekend.

A Terrapin Hill farm in Harrisburg.

If you're looking for practical knowledge on how to break away from processed foods, this event has got you covered and from world-renowned food experts well connected to nature on this beautiful, far.

One of Alex Burrows, oldest Christmas traditions is kicking off tomorrow.

The 46th annual Holiday Forest Festival of Trees will have a preview gala tomorrow at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art.

This years festival has 2 exhibitions to check out a forest of trees and the galaxy of Glass and exhibit a master class work from around the world.

Washington's Triangle Park is officially transformed into an ice skating rink.

Strap on the skates and enjoy this classic winter activity in Lexington's beautiful downtown.

The rink is open through January 6.

Be sure to make it out this season.

Come on out to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park next weekend for its naturalist at night event to embark on black light night hikes deserve the night sky through telescopes and learn about the bog to the night from an entomologist.

If you want to know what it takes to be a naturalist, this event is for you.

And that's what's happening around the Commonwealth.

I'm totally get.

>> Thank you as always, to be Gibbs.

Well, Monday is, of course, Veterans Day and we have a special program honoring the men and women who served our great country.

We hope you'll tune in for that on Monday night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central on Kentucky EDITION where we inform connect and inspire.

Can that 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 that public affairs at KET Dot Org.

>> Thanks very much for watching this week.

Hope you have a great weekend to come and we'll see you right back here on Monday night.

Taking care.

♪