♪ >> We have had occasion on sporadic instances of lines this morning when the polls opened.

>> If you voted early, you had plenty of company.

>> There is virtually no job, too.

You can learn to just bite worry about it.

>> Law students are getting hands-on experience that a new legal clinic at the University of Louisville.

And they're not the only ones benefiting.

>> There are a lot of people still today while go to the cemetery, especially at my.

And on Halloween, the eerie story of a Kentucky woman supposedly buried alive.

>> But why she?

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

♪ ♪ Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Thursday, October, the THIRTY-FIRST.

>> Happy Halloween.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for making time for us.

As we were trick-or-treating tonight.

>> And person, no excuse early voting kicked off this morning and many Kentuckians were in line before doors open long lines were regular side at polling locations in Lexington, Louisville, Frankfort, and beyond.

On the first day of early voting, Kentucky additions Clayton Dalton brings you this election.

2024 update from Lexington.

>> Early voting locations opened at 8.30 this morning, but lines began forming long before anyone could mark their ballot.

Once lined started moving.

People were still reporting up to 2 hour waits, but some voters were more focused on the turnout than the lines.

>> It's always heavy turnout in the presidential and, you know, there's a lot of interest in this.

So I expected there to be a line.

>> I'm not shocked at all.

This is going to be a big election foe.

It's not.

I'm not shocked.

And we got here early and we still had to white probably about one hour.

So we were one of the first 200 online.

So.

Now you see where the line is.

So, you know, it's good.

I was a little surprised that.

>> They did not hold in the Senior Citizen Center because it was very, very efficient.

And a lot more stations, cetera.

Is that do your vote?

But I do appreciate >> what county providing the service.

But I would say I 50 minutes.

Got here half hour before the open.

>> And the people behind me.

If I go to our way.

>> Democratic State Senator Reggie Thomas has been a strong supporter of early voting.

>> And he says we need more of it.

>> I mean, 3 days is fine.

But we probably need to do this at least a week or 10 days in advance.

It was many between the votes possible Fayette County Clerk Susan Lamb says she's looking for simple solutions to make the process more efficient.

>> But she says turnout is so much higher than expected these lines.

My continue into election day.

>> I know that one of the library's wanted to.

They they wanted to have some more privacy booths and the privacy screens because they felt like the election officers don't like that.

They could install them.

This was at Beaumont.

So I think we'll probably revisit that with all the other locations and see if if we can accommodate more privacy screens if that's something that's an easy fix.

>> Even Kentucky's chief election officer recognized the long lines but said it's not out of the ordinary.

>> I strongly encourage voters to use the early voting days.

We have had the occasional and sporadic instances of lines this morning when the polls opened, we had the same thing in 2020 in the first day of voting.

This not unusual.

>> The long lines might be inconvenient, but it hasn't room in the early voting experience for everyone.

>> Well, I figured there'd be a lot of lines.

I think it's good for people to vote early, especially if you have jobs in things other at her things that you need to do.

It game gives a little bit of flexibility.

I think I think.

With so many people voting, this is an excellent idea.

>> I think voter turnout is really important and these huge lines that you see are going to remind other people to vote.

So I want to be part of that early reminder for other people to come vote.

>> For Kentucky edition, I'm Clayton Dalton.

Thank you, Clayton.

No excuse.

In-person early voting continues Friday and Saturday in Kentucky.

>> Check with your county clerk for early voting locations.

Governor Andy Beshear spoke to Democrats in Lexington last night.

He encouraged his supporters to turn out and take advantage of early voting even in a deeply red state share made a plea to elect more Democrats to the Kentucky General Assembly.

>> Just think even with the presidential election on this ballot, the message it will send after last year's election.

The ad Democratic members to our house and to our Senate in Kentucky.

These are good people.

They have sacrificed a lot of their lives.

They have put their name on a ballot and that's difficult to do so now they need your help.

So let me ask, are you ready to help them out?

>> Governor Beshear participated in early voting.

He cast his ballot this morning.

There are 2 constitutional amendments on the Ballot Amendment 2, as you heard the governor say it would give General assembly leeway to allocate state funding for non public education, including private charter and religious schools and informal press conference yesterday in downtown Bowling Green included members of both the Warren County and Bowling Green Independent School boards.

They were very clear they were speaking as concerned citizens and parents on their personal opposition to amendment 2.

>> The Kentucky Constitution intentionally requires the legislature to fund public schools.

We are being asked to make these changes without any explanations or assurances that the public schools in this community and across the state of Kentucky will be appropriately funded.

The creators of this amendment have been working on this issue for years and could have certainly place their thoughts on the ballot.

But instead they simply made a very broad amendment without any indication as to what they would do in the future.

And instead simply said, trust us, we have this much money for this many schools.

>> So if you had another billion dollars to go to private schools, where is that going to come from?

It's either going to come from public school.

Finances.

Our it's going to come from raising your taxes.

Well, are legislators in Frankfort?

I don't want to raise like face it.

A call us and tell us you need to raise your local taxes.

Well, enough sun up.

We're not scared of change.

What we're asking for is a change.

By Frankfort saying, OK, we're going to fully fund education in Kentucky, public education like the required today.

>> They also responded to supporters arguments that the amendment would give low-income families access to private education, something that's often only affordable to wealthier families.

>> In what capacity are we talking?

Just tuition.

What about the application fees?

And what about additional fees outside of that?

Also to our low-income families, in addition to funding transportation and to those schools is a huge barrier and even beyond our low-income families are working class families, the work that same time slot as most of our schools and access the vast majority of Kentucky doesn't have private and charter school options.

How are those students and families going to get there?

>> The board members say they have democratic processes employees for decisions on how they spend taxpayer dollars.

They also say they want legislators to fully fund universal preschool stake.

One more group that's come out against amendment 2, black Christian faith leaders.

They were joined by Kentucky Democrats yesterday at a Baptist Church in Lexington.

But as our June Leffler reports, Catholic clergy are asking voters and outside their congregations to vote.

Yes.

On the school choice measure.

>> Lexington's Black faith leaders.

Let's all come out.

And when we come out to vote, we are voting no on amendment 2 and elected officials as a mother.

I'm Colin, our mothers, our grandmothers, get to the House vote now urge no vote on amendment 2.

>> Speaking for the students who come from low-income families who are first generation college students who are English language learners and who are students of color.

Let's prioritize our public schools and the students who attend them.

Let's invest in our education system and not divert away from it.

Let's give our students the best possible education, not about your system.

That will only benefit a select few.

>> Top Democrats in Frankfort say the Republican controlled legislature can't be trusted to fund public and private education.

I'm a proud Fayette County Public School graduate and Fayette County Public Schools taught me and him port and class called math.

And in math, they taught me this important concept called subtraction.

And those supporting amendment 2 either failed or denying the concept of subtraction.

Because we have seen that our state legislature will only spend a certain amount supporting public education.

These Christian church leaders stand in stark contrast to their counterparts in the Catholic faith.

>> Louisville's archbishop supports amendment 2.

So do other Kentucky diocese.

>> The Catholic churches.

Having to have Catholic schools.

You can only expect that they would want to have more resources than less.

So we certainly understand their position.

We just disagree.

>> Most certified nonpublic schools in Kentucky are Catholic schools.

>> We think many students do really well and Catholic school environment.

Many parents value their religious education, the companies that >> the Catholic Church supported tax credit scholarships with some would call vouchers.

Then the state Supreme Court struck those down amendment.

2 opponents say vouchers would benefit students already in private schools.

But the Catholic Conference as Catholic school students aren't necessarily wealthy.

>> They may have a student and nonpublic school.

Really struggle to make that we're kind of programs we support.

Are not going to a family that is high income and easily affording a nonpublic school.

Education is not going to be would not receive assistance under a program like the ones we've supported in the past and it would be geared the lower income families.

>> While churches are rallying behind amendment 2 Catholic churchgoers and students are deciding for themselves on the issue for Kentucky edition.

I'm Jen Leffler.

>> Thank you.

June.

The state to keeps track of certified nonpublic schools.

Most of those are Catholic schools.

Many are Protestant and a few are Islamic schools.

Just 12% are nonreligious.

Private schools.

Program note for you.

Join us for our election coverage on election night.

We'll have the numbers and insights from our panel of political experts.

All of that starts at 8 Eastern 7 central on KET.

Do.

The state plans to license lotteries for businesses that want to dispense medical cannabis.

Once it becomes legal in Kentucky in January of 2025. and now we know the dates for those lotteries.

The state is divided into 11 regions.

A lottery is set for Monday, November.

The 25th in regions 3 through 11 for businesses and each region will get licenses to dispense medical marijuana.

Another lottery will be held Monday December.

The 16th that would be for regions, one and 2 bluegrass and Kentucky.

Anna.

And there will also be separate drawings that day for Fayette and Jefferson counties today during his weekly news conference, Governor Andy Beshear talked about the overall process.

>> We believe that we will have a responsible medical cannabis program up and running early in the New Year.

And as quickly as we can do it safely and securely getting it right is always been our number one focus.

And even with the changes in the law, the period for the ramp-up was going to be a challenge.

So we believe that we will see dispensaries open in the first part next year.

Whether or not they are open on January first, that's probably going to be a challenge.

Now, once the payments are made.

On the licenses issued, that's when a lot of the work starts for the cultivators.

The processors and dispensaries.

You know, they still have to get their facilities.

They still have to be inspected.

So there still a number of steps to take.

That's why we have a robust office, a medical cannabis, and it we're doing this really thoughtfully having seen the programs in all these other states and making sure that we are crossing and every t and dotting every I.

>> During today's press conference, Governor Beshear also announced a new health initiative in Kentucky.

It's called our Healthy Kentucky home.

The state is urging people to eat at least 2 servings of fruits and vegetables a day to exercise for at least 30 minutes, 3 times a week and to engage with other people.

We'll tell you more about this tomorrow night on Kentucky edition.

And the governor announced a 1 million dollar federal grant that will pay for a new terminal at the Capital City Airport in Frankfort is part of the infrastructure bill passed by Congress in 2021.

It's not just airports getting help from Uncle Sam.

The federal government is spending nearly 2 and a half billion dollars to improve the nation's railroads.

That includes in Kentucky, the RJ Corman Railroad Group based in Nicholasville is benefiting from a 32 million Dollar Grant.

The company says the grant will allow them to rehabilitate more than 60 miles of track on 3 different lines.

The Louisville and Indiana Railroad company is also receiving more than 6 million dollars.

That money will be used to improve the 14th Street Bridge which connects Louisville in Clarksville, Indiana.

Most of the money comes from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell was the only Republican from Kentucky's federal delegation to vote for the bill.

So too did then U.S.

Congressman Democrat John Yarmuth.

♪ Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton is speaking out against a proposed solar panel farm East Kentucky Power Cooperative wants to build the facility on nearly 400 acres of land near the Fayette.

Clark County border.

The plan must be approved by the Kentucky Public Service Commission.

Speaking to the commission earlier this week, Mayor Gordon called the plan a threat to the city's farmland.

>> Our government supports so.

We're developing our own solar programs as well as investigating whether our Haley Pike Landfill Chen accommodate solar.

We think solar projects are possible here without forcing us to give up here.

Replaceable farmland.

A key component of our signature industry.

In their responses to our attorneys East, Kentucky power company at Minutes.

This project offers no quantify the benefits to fame.

Can.

No new jobs.

Very little.

If any of the power generated by this proposed facility would benefit saying county residence and customers.

With only about 7,000 local customers.

The footprint of this company in Fayette County does not justify using 388 acres of prime farmland.

>> Democratic state representative a drill camel who represents part of Fayette County outside the proposed solar farm.

Also expressed opposition.

>> This location for solar is not appropriate for there is outside of East Kentucky.

Power of corporations offering its service area.

Only 2% of their services than a 50 in county by signing this proposed facility on important pay county land.

Our community risks much more.

>> There were some who spoke in favor of the plan.

Chris will re told the PSC he was excited to see East Kentucky power take steps, quote, towards a cleaner and more affordable future.

The commission did not issue a ruling this week, but they must do so before the end of the year.

Louisville Metro government estimates that by the year 2040, 18% of Jefferson County residents will be immigrants.

It's the fastest growing population and Louisville and one that could help fill gaps in the state's workforce needs concerned about a shortage of immigration attorneys to help eligible immigrants get the right documentation to enter the workforce prompted the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly to award 1.5 million dollars to the University of Louisville to fund a new immigration law clinic.

The clinic opened in September and has already provided free legal aid to over 2 dozen clients while giving law students real world experience.

>> For many people in this commonwealth who have left the been allowed into the United States, but who have trouble accessing legal services and can obtain the documents they need to work and to obtain driver's license and so forth.

We will serve people from any region of the world and have had people from a variety regions contact us and seek or consultation.

Having said that, there is a large population of Cuban nationals in Louisville are the depending on who's doing the counting second or 3rd largest Cuban population in the United States outside of Miami, Miami-Dade area to that, that has been a marked portion of our work.

The clinic is set up so that we have a law student performing work under my supervision.

It's a 3 critic or sons Day perform 168 hours of work over the course of semester, which includes at the academic work learning immigration law and as well as work day to day in the court in the clinic.

I'm >> working restaurants a lot throughout my life.

And so I've kind of been exposed to individuals who have immigrated over here very light in various different ways.

And so when they offered the immigration law clinic this semester, I thought that was a really good way.

It's kind of see how to apply the complex material.

We have been learning in a real world experience.

There is virtually no job that you can learn to just read about it.

So the fact that we are live claim course that students will be.

>> Interacting with people will be questioning them will be sometimes question in through an interpreter or I in in a language that the student might speak gives them a lot of quiet, interviewing skills.

Ability to assess and evaluate a case and determined whether or not a particular case will qualify for particular application.

Is an important skill cent and being able to deliver news both positive and negative is an important skill for students.

One of them.

>> Things about the immigration about immigration law is the complexity.

And so when.

Working with individuals who might not necessarily speak the language that we speak.

You really begin to think how much more complex this system is for them.

Right?

So it's complex for us as native English speaker.

Then it is completely almost unworkable for an individual who doesn't necessarily speak the language.

So being a part of the immigration clinic is kind of shown like how important the work that we do is for the immigrants.

They do come here and what they really need to become productive members.

Income, contributing members to our society when they're and insufficient number of attorneys who are.

>> Available in practice and feel comfortable practicing in this area of law.

People get pushed qualified represent.

So we want to help change that.

>> By providing appropriate training to people interested in incorporating immigration.

>> If not, is there a whole practice and part of their practice in the future and over time, people we hope to have enough attorneys available people are not step without legal representation.

>> The Immigration clinic is one of 6 legal clinics at U of L the others being domestic violence, mediation, eviction defense elder law and entrepreneurship.

♪ This is a fitting story for Halloween.

Octavia Hatcher died in 18.

91 in Pikeville.

The story of her tragic death being buried alive has been a popular urban legend in the town for decades.

But how much of this story as fact and how much is fiction?

Our friends at Kentucky Life went on a journey to find out.

♪ There've been a lot of stories about it via in the cemetery.

There have been people who've said they heard cries, a woman crying.

>> There are a lot of people still today who won't go to the cemetery, especially it not.

♪ >> And take a Hatcher pass away in 18.

91 and Piper was very, very small town in 18.

91.

It was 18 89 when the school first came in in at that time high for was very big in timber Cole wasn't even really a consideration at the time.

So very small, very rule.

Kind of the perfect setting for this top of this story.

>> So this is the legend of what happened with Octavia Hatcher.

Octavia was born Jacob Smith, who was one of the early founders eyeful.

It was a prominent businessman in town.

So they came from a very wealthy, a background.

>> was born outside of player will probably came here for education is most of the people the means would have done at that time.

She was a very beautiful, striking figure from a wealthy family.

So I'm sure she was very popular.

>> Her dad was a merge.

And and as as com and you run in the same circles and she man, she married James Hatcher.

James was a business partner of Jacob Span.

He worked pretty closely with her father and then he branched off into different industries.

He was a wild type of God he would do just about anything.

Whatever idea struck him, he was going to do it.

But a lot of the big things that happened with him, a lot of the expanses, joy that comes around him happened after Octavia passed away.

So at the point that we're without 88, he's just he's just beginning.

>> They got married when Octavia was 18 years old and he was 30.

That was in 18.

89.

Not unheard of for that time.

And I think James was deeply in love with her.

>> Shortly afterwards she gets pregnant.

If you buddies excited everybody and especially Octavia, she was probably the most excited.

However, when it came the day to deliver the baby, the baby dads at he was born at.

He was only allowed for a few hours.

Little baby Sen. >> Passed away.

>> And take a didn't take it.

Well, she took to the band if she was lethargic, she was devastated.

>> A lot of people say she fell into a depression, which is very likely.

She also became ill. She would get stick with fevers.

She would sometimes have hallucinations.

This went on from January to May.

So she suffered after the death of her child for several months.

>> And then at the end of April.

>> They'll come at us and on May 2nd, she was declared dead.

And 18.

Anyone was particularly hot season.

Especially that time.

There was no embalming.

That's not the season to mess around with a burial.

>> So they buried her.

It was shortly thereafter that they started noticing that there were other people in the community that we're living in conus and everybody was going down.

The difference.

Is that they were coming back out.

Led to James Patrick getting very, very worried because while at there'd been a stimulating circumstances, Octavia had done the exact same thing.

Immediately.

He rushes he get the crew.

They dig up the grave.

They open it up and they do find Octavia passed away.

She was dead.

Unfortunately, she had not been when she was buried.

Interesting how you can find out the rest of Octavia story by checking it out online on demand at Kentucky life.

>> On KET DOT Org Slash Kentucky life.

Well, get ready to turn back your clocks this upcoming Saturday night.

How do earlier sunrises and earlier sunsets affect your health.

>> The number one thing that induces wakefulness in humans tends to be like that probably isn't a surprise.

>> Daylight savings time and its impact tomorrow on Kentucky edition, which we hope will say you for again at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central, we inform connect and Inspire.

Thank you so much for joining us on this Halloween.

We hope you have a spooky night and we'll see you right back here again tomorrow night to kick in.

♪ ♪