[♪♪] >> YOU CAN'T FAN THE FLAMES AND CONDEMN THE FIRE.

>> Renee: GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR TALKS ABOUT THE CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTING AND THE TONE OF TODAY'S POLITICS.

>> WE TALK ABOUT POST-SECONDARY READINESS BUT WE WANT POST-SECONDARY SUCCESS.

>> Renee: VIRTUAL REALITY ALLOWS STUDENTS TO TAKE FIELD TRIPS IN THE CLASSROOMS.

>> IT IS A VICAR TALL FRUIT AND THAT WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT FOR THE NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Renee: THE SO-CALLED KENTUCKY BANANA IS ON DISPLAY THIS WEEK AT A PAW PAW POW-WOW.

>> I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A WRITER AND A STORYTELLER BUT I DIDN'T KNOW A POET.

>> Renee: ONE OF KENTUCKY'S BEST WE'LL TALKING ABOUT MAKING ART WITH WORDS.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR THIS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER THE 11TH.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

>>> TODAY IS PATRIOT DAY.

THE HOLIDAY INSPIRED BY THE EVENTS OF 24 YEARS AGO.

IF YOU ARE OLD ENOUGH YOU WILL NEVER FORGET THE TERRORIST ATTACKS OF SEPTEMBER THE 11TH 2001.

THERE WERE CEREMONIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA TODAY AND IN KENTUCKY.

DURING GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR'S WEEKLY NEWS CONFERENCE WE HEARD FROM CHIEF JASON WELLS OF THE LEXINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.

>> IN THE FIRE SERVICE AND ACROSS OUR NATION, WE HOLD FAST TO TWO WORDS: NEVER FORGET.

THAT IS OUR PROMISE.

TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THE SACRIFICES MADE ON SEPTEMBER 11th, 2001.

TODAY, WE MAKE GOOD ON AT THAT TIME PROMISE.

343 FIREFIGHTERS, 441 TOTAL FIRST-RESPONDERS, 2977 SOULS LOST.

EACH ONE WE REMEMBER TODAY.

WE ALSO REMEMBER THE THOUSANDS OF SERVICE MEMBERS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES PROTECTING US IN THE WAR ON TERROR.

WE SHALL NEVER FORGET THEIR HONOR, THEIR COURAGE OR ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.

BUT I ALSO WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT TOMORROW MARKS THE 24TH ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 12TH.

IF SEPTEMBER 11th REVEALED THE WORST OF HUMANITY, SEPTEMBER 12TH REVEALED THE VERY BEST OF US.

OUR UNITY, RESOLVE AND OUR SHARED STRENGTH.

IN THE DAYS, THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AFTER 9/11 WE WERE REMINDED WHAT UNITES US IS ALWAYS GREATER THAN THAT WHICH DIVIDES US.

>> Renee: GOVERNOR BESHEAR TALKED ABOUT 9/11 AND ALSO ABOUT THE SHOOTING DEATH YESTERDAY OF CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK IN UTAH.

THE GOVERNOR CONDEMNED THE SHOOTING AND SAID WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE IN AMERICA TODAY.

>> WE HAVE SEEN WIDESPREAD CONDEMNATION AND WE HAVE TO SEE IT HAPPENING NOT JUST WHEN THERE IS AN ACT OF VIOLENCE BUT WHEN PEOPLE'S RHETORIC CAN CREATE VIOLENCE.

YOU CANNOT FAN THE FLAMES AND CONDEMN THE FIRE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS LEADERS OFFER EVERY SIDE CONDEMNING THE TYPE OF SPEECH THAT JUST GOES TOO FAR.

THAT SUGGESTS THAT ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE AREN'T AMERICAN OR DON'T DESERVE TO BE HERE OR INSIGHTS VIOLENCE AND IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US SPEAK OUT AGAINST ALL OF THAT.

HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH I ALSO THINK WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THE TOOLS THAT OTHER STATES HAVE TO PREVENT WHETHER IT IS AN ACT LIKE THIS OR CERTAINLY SOME OF THE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS WE'VE SEEN AND IT IS A RED FLAG LAW.

A RED FLAG LAW ALLOWS LAW ENFORCEMENT TO GO TO THE COURTS WHEN THEY KNOW SOMEBODY IS ABOUT TO COMMIT MURDER AND HOPEFULLY STOP IT BEFORE IT STARTS.

>> Renee: CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE A REPUBLICAN FROM KENTUCKY'S FOURTH DISTRICT SAYS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO NEEDS TO TONE DOWN HIS RHETORIC AFTER THE KIRK SHOOTING.

ACCORDING TO THE HILL WEBSITE MASSIE POINTED OUT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLED IT QUOTE A HOSTILE ACT FROM MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO BACK A BILL TO RELEASE THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN FILES.

>>> THE GOVERNOR ORDERED FLAGS LOWERED TO HALF-STAFF AT STATE BUILDINGS FOR THE SEPTEMBER 11th ANNIVERSARY AND THEY WILL REMAIN AT HALF-STAFF THROUGH SUNDAY OUT OF RESPECT FOR CHARLIE KIRK.

>>> THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR COLENE ELRIDGE RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT QUOTE SAYING NO AMERICAN DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN SHOULD LIVE IN FEAR OF BECOMING A TARGET BASED ON WHAT THEY BELIEVE OR HOW THEY VOTE.

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH CHARLIE KIRK'S FAMILY AND WITH THE STUDENTS AND STAFF IMPACTED BY THE SENSELESS EVENTS.

END QUOTE.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS, A LAW LEGALIZING CHARTER SCHOOLS BECAME LAW IN 2017 IN KENTUCKY.

BUT A FUNDING MECHANISM FOR THEM CAME FIVE YEARS LATER AND LEGAL CHALLENGES BLOCKED THOSE SCHOOLS FROM RECEIVING PUBLIC DOLLARS.

TODAY, THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT HEARD ARGUMENTS THAT WILL HELP THEM DECIDE THE FATE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS IN OUR STATE.

OUR JUNE LEFFLER HAS MORE.

>> KENTUCKY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE DEFENDED HOUSE BILL 9, KENTUCKY'S CHARTER SCHOOL LAW.

THE APPELLANTS DEBATED IF CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE GOOD FOR ALL KENTUCKY STUDENTS.

>> I'VE HEARD THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE DOING WELL BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT ARE LEFT BEHIND OR THE STUDENTS THAT DON'T HIT THE WATER.

>> LET'S SAY WE HAVE A THRIVING PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL SETUP IN KENTUCKY WHICH I HOPE WE WILL HAVE.

AND PARENTS SELECT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS FOR THEIR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY THINK IT IS MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR THEIR CHILDREN THAT WILL PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ALSO TO DO EVEN BETTER.

>> BUT THE COURT'S NEWEST JUSTICE ASKS NOT IF CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE GOOD BUT IF THEY ARE CONSTITUTIONAL CONSIDERING KENTUCKY VOTERS' REJECTION OF AMENDMENT 2 WHICH WOULD HAVE CHANGED THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW PUBLIC DOLLARS TO GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

>> LET ME ASK THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION: A MAJORITY OF VOTERS IN EVERY COUNTY VOTED AGAINST THE AMENDMENT.

SHOULD THAT IMPACT OUR DECISION?

OR SHOULD WE JUST IGNORE THE NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF THE VOTERS WHO DO NOT WISH TO HAVE TAXPAYER FUNDS USED IN THIS MANNER?

>> YOUR HONOR I DISAGREE WITH THE LAST PART OF YOUR QUESTION.

YOU SAID IN THIS MANNER.

THAT IS NOT WHAT THE REFERENDUM, THE REFERENDUM ASKED WHETHER THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATEIATING FOR MONEY FOR WILL SCHOOLS OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOLS.

WE ARE NOT OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOLS.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INDIFFERENT TO THAT REFERENDUM.

PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE FULLY WITHIN THE CONCEPT OF A COMMON SCHOOL.

>> CHARTER SCHOOLS ACCORDING TO STATE LAW ARE TUITION FREE SCHOOLS OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS REGULATED BY THE STATE THOSE NOT TO THE SAME EXTENT AS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

BUT THEY ARE GOVERNED DIFFERENTLY THIS LAWYER SAYS.

THE KENTUCKY COUNCIL FOR BETTER EDUCATION WON A LOWER COURT DECISION IN THIS CASE.

>> THE PUBLIC CASE, THE SURE REGARD CASE IN THE 40s HAVE CONSISTENTLY REITERATED THE TEST FOR COMMON SCHOOLS IS WHETHER THEY ARE CONTROLLED BY ELECTED OFFICIALS WITHIN A SCHOOL DISTRICT.

NOT CONTROLLED BY A GROUP OF PARENTS WHO WANT TO SEE THEIR KIDS DO WELL.

I HOPE ALL PARENTS WANT TO SEE THEIR KIDS DO WELL.

THAT IS NOT THE POINT.

>> PARENTS OR THE PUBLIC ARE PAYING THE TAXES HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHO THOSE PEOPLE ARE, DO THEY?

>> THAT CORRECT.

>> WE WILL BE PAYING THE TAXES THROUGH OUR PROPERTY ASSESSMENT TAXES THAT WE PAY NOW BUT WE WILL HAVE ZERO CONTROL OVER WHO ADMINISTERS THE CHARTER SCHOOLS?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> WHAT WILL CONTROL THAT?

THE FINAL AUTHORITY FOR A CHARTER SCHOOL WOULD BE ITS INDEPENDENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

INDEPENDENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

NONE OF WHOM HAVE STOOD FOR ELECTION.

>> A STATE ATTORNEY RESPONDED SAYING TRUSTEES NOT SCHOOL BOARDS IS THE TERM USED IN RELEVANT CASE LAW.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN THE COURT WILL DECIDE ON THIS MATTER.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, JUNE.

AND YOU CAN SEE TODAY'S ENTIRE ORAL ARGUMENTS ABOUT THIS MEASURE ON-LINE AT KET.ORG.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS, KENTUCKY IS ABOUT TO GET $700,000 TO HELP WITH OPIOID ADDICTION TREATMENT.

MONEY IS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO THE STATE OPIOID RESPONSE GRANT PROGRAM.

IT WILL BE USED TO EXPAND THE RECOVERY HOUSING PROGRAM.

IT HELPS PEOPLE RECOVERING FROM ADDICTION AS THEY GO THROUGH REHABILITATION AND REENTER THE WORKFORCE.

U.S.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL PUT OUT A STATEMENT TODAY ABOUT THE MONEY SAYING QUOTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS YET ANOTHER STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION GIVING OUR COMMUNITIES MUCH-NEEDED ASSISTANCE IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND CONTINUING TO HELP OUR YOUTH GET THEIR LIVES BACK ON TRACK.

END QUOTE.

>>> U.S.

SENATOR RAND PAUL OF KENTUCKY IS AGAIN CRITICIZING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S ORDER TO ATTACK A BOAT FROM VENEZUELA ON SEPTEMBER 2.

11 PEOPLE DIED.

THE PRESIDENT SAID THE BOAT WAS CARRYING DRUGS.

SENATOR PAUL SAYS WE CANNOT BE THE WORLD'S POLICEMEN AND THAT INNOCENT PEOPLE COULD BECOME VICTIMS.

>> REALIZE THAT OFF OF MIAMI A DOZEN SHIPS THEREBY INTERDICTED TODAY, STOPPED, BOARDED AND SEARCHES.

SOME WILL HAVE DRUGS AND THE REASON WE BOARD THEM BECAUSE SOME DON'T HAVE DRUGS.

THIS IS HOW PEOPLE DON'T GET THIS.

LET'S SAY THERE IS A HOUSE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEY ARE ALL SELLING FENTANYL TONIGHT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE DYING AND YOU ARE SO MAD DO YOU GO THERE AND KILL THEM?

NO YOU GO TO A JUDGE AND GET A WARRANT AND DO THAT.

>> Renee: PAUL SPOKE LAST NIGHT ON THE "FOX NEWS" CHANNEL.

>>> KENTUCKY'S DROUGHT PROBLEMS CONTINUE.

LET'S LOOK AT THE LATEST MAP FROM THE U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR THIS MAP WAS COMPLETED TUESDAY AND RELEASED TODAY.

THE YELLOW IS ABNORMALLY DRY.

THE LIGHT ORANGE IS MODERATE DROUGHT AND AS YOU CAN SEE PARTS OF WESTERN KENTUCKY ARE NOW A DARKER ORANGE THAT MEANS THE AREA IS IN A SEVERE DROUGHT.

THERE ARE BURN BANS NOW IN 37 OF KENTUCKY'S 120 COUNTIES.

CHECK WITH YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT OR COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE TO SEE IF YOU ARE ON THE LIST.

DURING A BURN BAN PEOPLE ARE PROHIBITED FROM BURNING GRASS, LEAVES AND TRASH, OPEN PIT COOKING AND CHARCOAL GRILLING ARE BANNED WITH CAMP FIRES AND BONFIRES.

[♪♪] >> Renee: STUDENTS ACROSS KENTUCKY HAVE BEEN EXPLORING CAREER PATHWAYS THROUGH VIRTUAL REALITY.

BUT NOT ALL STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FULLY EXPERIENCE THE TECHNOLOGY UNTIL NOW.

THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING IS OPENED THREE AREA TECHNOLOGY CENTERS THAT LET STUDENTS CAN DISABILITIES EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT CAREER SETTINGS.

IN TODAY'S EDUCATION MATTERS SEGMENT WE VISITED ONE OF THOSE CENTERS LOCATED IN WAYNE COUNTY.

>> THIS REALLY CAME ABOUT THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

IT WAS OUR OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING THAT UNDERSTOOD A LOT OF THE CHALLENGES THAT EXISTED FOR ALL STUDENTS, INCLUDING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE CHALLENGED TO DO IS TO ADDRESS THAT IMPACT THAT THE PANDEMIC HAD ON SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH DISBITS AND TRANSITIONING IN POST SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS LIKE COLLEGE OR CAREER OR INDEPENDENT LIVING ENVIRONMENTS.

>> I DO HAVE STUDENTS THAT HAVE IEP'S.

AND SO IT IS GOOD FOR SOME OF THOSE STUDENTS BECAUSE IT MAY GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OR EXPERIENCES THEY MAY NOT EXPERIENCE IN LIFE.

>> WE ARE CURRENTLY ABLE TO OFFER STUDENTS AT 100 DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES INCLUDING THREE CUSTOMIZED EXPERIENCES THAT ARE UNIQUE TO KENTUCKY.

BUT JUST TO NAME A FEW, STUDENTS CAN TRANSPORT THEMSELVES IN AN IMMERSIVE WAY ON TOP OF A WIND TURBINE.

OR THEY COULD SEE THEMSELVES AND EXPERIENCE LIFE WITHIN THE CAREER FIELD OF A 911 CALL OPERATOR.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES ON THERE THAT THE STUDENTS WILL NOT SEE ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

EVEN THINGS LOCATED IN THIS COUNTY THEY MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS UNTIL THEY ARE HIRED INTO A FACILITY OR TAKE A JOB AND IT MAY NOT BE WHAT THEY WERE EXPECTING.

IT GIVES THEM INSIGHT INTO THE FIELD.

>> THROUGH THE ART I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT SO MANY JOBS WITHIN THE FIELD BECAUSE THE INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE FIELD IS A VAST OPEN FIELD.

YOU'VE GOT ELECTRICIANS THAT WORK ON HOUSES, PEOPLE WORK IN FACTORIES FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WEDDING HOW IT WORK OR WHAT IT DID.

GETTING ON TO THE VR IT SHOWED ME THIS IS SORT OF WHAT TO EXPECT.

IT IS A LOT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE DO AS IN THERE IS A LOT MORE HEAT AND SPARKS AND JUST IT'S DIFFERENT.

BUT IT'S LIKE OKAY, I KNOW THE BASICS.

I KNOW I NEED TO MOVE MY ROD AT THIS ANGLE.

IT'S REALLY NEAT.

>> THEY LOVE IT.

IT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

IT'S OUT OF THE NORM.

IT IS QUITE A CREATIVE EXPERIENCE AND HONESTLY WE ARE LETTING KIDS SEE THINGS THAT THEY PROBABLY NEVER GET TO SEE IN REAL-LIFE.

>> IT GIVES THE STUDENTS CONFIDENCE IN WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.

I KNOW OTHER CLASSES CAN LOOK AT DIFFERENT CAREERS.

AND TO FOR THEM IT'S LIKE SEE WHAT SOMEONE WOULD SEE IN THAT IT GIVES THEM CONFIDENCE IN MAKING A DECISION.

>> AND THROUGH THE VR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PRACTICE SKILLS THAT I USE IN THE LAB THAT I CAN PRACTICE ON VR BUT I HAVE TO DO IT FOR A TEST.

IT IS NICE TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT EXTRA PRACTICE.

>> JUST HELPING KIDS FIND THEIR WAY IN LIFE.

YOU KNOW, EVEN IF THEY DO THE EXPERIENCE AND THEY SAY NO, I'M OUT.

NO, THAT'S' NOT FOR ME.

THAT IS STILL POSITIVE BECAUSE THEY MOVE IN A DIRECTION.

>> WE WANT POST-SECONDARY SUCCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS INCLUDING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITYINGS.

WHAT IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL REALITY ALLOWS US TO INFORM STUDENTS TO WHAT IS OUT THERE THERE MIGHT BE OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THER IMMEDIATE COMMUNITY OR WITHIN THEIR IMMEDIATE COMMUNITY BUT HAVING STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE ABUNDANCE OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM IN THEIR LIFE.

AND HELP THEM REALIZE THAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE THOSE CAREER GOALS.

>> Renee: STUDENTS CAN TAKE PART IN THREE VIRTUAL EXPERIENCES FROM KENTUCKY.

CONNELLY BOTTOM RESORT, CLEARY CONSTRUCTION IN TOMPKINSVILLE AND EN GRAHAM BARGE IN PADUCAH.

ENGRAM BARGE IN PADUCAH.

[♪♪] AND THAT'S MON CELLO.

THE PAW PAW TRUTH WAS IN THE POT LIGHT WHEN ALE 8 RELEASED A LIMITED EDITION OF PAW PAW FLAVORED GINGER ALE BUT KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN STUDYING THE FRUIT FOR 25 YEARS.

THIS WEEK, THE SCHOOL HOSTED THE FIFTH INTERNATIONAL PAW PAW CONFERENCE BRINGING TOGETHER FARMERS AND SCIENTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON THIS UNIQUE KENTUCKY NATIVE FRUIT.

>> KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN WORKING WITH PAW PAW AS AN ALTERNATIVE CROP FOR KENTUCKY GROWERS FOR A LONGTIME.

BUT PAW PAW HAS GOTTEN LARGER AND IT'S GROWN ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY NOW.

SO THERE ARE PEOPLE GROWING IT.

IT IS A VERY INTERESTING TROPICAL LIKE FRUIT WITH A MANGO, BANANA PINEAPPLE FLAVOR IT'S CAPTURED THE INTEREST OF A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THE CONFERENCE IS HELD TO BRING TOGETHER FOLKS FROM AROUND THE INDUSTRY, NURSERY MEN, GROWERS AND SCIENTISTS TO MEET AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION AND IDEAS ABOUT PAW PAW.

THERE IS A LOT THAT HAPPENED TO PAW PAW OVER THE LAST NINE YEARS SINCE OUR LAST MEETING.

SO IT'S BEEN A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS TO TALK ABOUT THE ADVANCEMENTS.

IN PAW PAW LIKE IN APPLES THERE'S DIFFERENT NAMED VA RIGHTS OF APPLES WE HAVE DIFFERENT PAW PAW.

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY IS RELEASING TWO NEW VARIETIES THIS YEAR.

FARMERS ARE LOOKING FOR THAT NEXT CROP TO GROW AND MAKE MONEY ON.

HERE AT KENTUCKY STATE WE ARE TRYING TO COME UP WITH NEW CROPS AND PRODUCTION SYSTEMS SO THE FARMERS CAN HAVE SOMETHING TO MAKE MONEY ON.

IT IS AN EVERCHANGING MARKET.

THE GROWER BASE WE HAVE 93 GROWERS OUR COMMERCIAL FARMERS ARE GROWING PAW PAW MOST ARE SMALL AND GROWING A FEW PAW PAWS.

AS WE CONTINUE TO BUILD THE GROWER PACE WE'LL SEE MORE PRODUCTS COME ON-LINE AS THE SUPPLY INCREASES.

ENJOYED THAT RELATIONSHIP AND I THINK THAT IS GOTTEN A LOT OF INTEREST FOR PEOPLE NOT HEARD ABOUT PAW PAW BEFORE THEY GOT TO TASTE THAT FLAVOR AND REALIZE HOW GOOD IT IS AND I DO THINK THE LAST FEW YEARS WE HAVE SEEN AN EXPLOSION IN SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE'RE SEEING PAW PAW WINE AND BEER, AND PAW PAW BRANDY SOLD ACROSS KENTUCKY AND ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST.

SO THERE'S REAL NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOLKS TO GET INTO THIS.

AND THEN THE PULP CAN BE USED IN DESSERT ITEMS MAKES A GREAT ICE CREAM.

IT IS A VICAR TALL STRUT AND WE WANT TO PROVIDE THEM THE BEST VARIETIES AND INFORMATION HOW TO GROW THEM.

AND THAT IS WHAT OUR ROLE IS.

>> Renee: HIP, HIP HORRAY FOR THE PAW PAW.

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY IS HOME TO THE ONLY FULL-TIME RESEARCH PAW PAW PROGRAM IN THE WORLD.

[♪♪] eTHE FORBES LIST OF 400 RICHEST AMERICANS INCLUDING A KENTUCKIANS.

TAMARRA GUSTAFSON IS 18 ON THE LIST THE LARGEST SHAREHOLDER OF PUBLIC STORAGE AND IS WORTH ESTIMATED $9 BILLION.

SHE LIVES IN LEXINGTON.

SHE AND HER BROTHER OWN SPEND THRIFT FARM.

>>> CRYSTAL WILKINSON IS A WRITER WHO GREW UP IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

SHE PUBLISHED A HANDFUL OF NOVELS A POETRY BOOK AND A COOKBOOK THAT DOUBLES AS A MEMOIR N2021 SHE WAS NAMED KENTUCKY'S POET LAUREATE.

SHE SAT DOWN WITH KENTUCKY LIFE TO DISCUSS THE RICH ART AND CULTURE OF OUR STATE.

[♪♪] >> TOBACCO.

OH, TOBACCO, YOU ARE THE WARM BURNT SIENNA OF MY GRANDFATHER'S SKIN.

SOFT LIKE LEATHER.

I CANNOT SEE YOU ANY OTHER WAY BUT AS A FARMER'S FINEST CROP.

YOU ARE KENTUCKY TILLER'S LIVELIHOOD.

YOU WERE THE TURKEY AT THANKSGIVING CHRISTMAS WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS.

I CLOSE MY EYES AND SEE YOU TALL STATELY GREEN LINED UP IN ROWS, SWEPT SEEPING THROUGH GRANDDADDY'S SHIRT.

YOU WERE PROTECTED BY HIM SOMETIMES MORE THAN ANY OTHER THING THAT ROOTED IN OUR EARTH.

JUST LIKE FAMILY, YOU WERE CODDLED, CUDDLED, COAXED INTO MAKING HIM PROUD.

SPREAD OUT FOR MILES, YOU WERE THE ONLY PRETTY THING HE KNEW.

WHEN I THINK OF YOU AT THE EDGE OF WINTER I SEE YOU BROWN, WRINKLED LIKE GRANDDADDY'S SKIN.

A 10-YEAR-OLD ME PLAYS IN THE SHADOWS OF THE STRIPPING ROOM.

THE WOOD STOVE BURNS.

CAL LASTED HANDS TWIST YOUR LEAVES GRANDDADDY SMILES AND NODS WHEN HE THINKS I AM NOT LOOKING.

ARE YOU PRETTY LINED UP IN ROWS LIKE A ROOMFUL OF BROWN GIRLS WITH SKIRTS HOOPED OUT FOR DANCING.

>> I'M CRYSTAL WILKINSON.

I AM A WRITER, A FORMER POET LAUREATE OF KENTUCKY A POET WRITING ABOUT RURAL PEOPLE PARTICULARLY RURAL BLACK PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY.

I WAS GRANDPARENT RAISED.

SO MY GRANDPARENTS ALREADY RAISED THEIR CHILDREN WHEN THEY TOOK ME IN.

MY GRANDFATHER HAD 64 ACRES OF LAND AND BECAUSE THERE WEREN'T ANY CHILDREN OTHER CHILDREN FOR MILES AWAY I THINK MY IMAGINATION BECAME MY PLAYMATE TO BE RAISED BY MY GRANDPARENTS MAKES ME OLD-FASHIONED SO I THINK I'M ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT THEM AND THINKING ABOUT WELL WHO CAME BEFORE THEM?

I THINK AGAIN THE UNFOLD STORY OF BLACK RURAL LIFE THAT I'M ALWAYS TRYING TO REACH FOR THAT, AND TO RECREATE THAT.

I WROTE A LOT OF BAD RHYMING POEMS AS A CHILD AND IT WAS A FORM OF EXPRESSION.

I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A WRITER.

I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A STORYTELLER BUT I DIDN'T KNOW I WANTED TO BE A POET.

AND POETRY IS A RESPITE WORLDS AND UNIVERSES ARE CONVEYED IN A SHORT SPACE OF TIME.

BUT WITH A POEM.

THERE'S ALWAYS TWO THINGS HAPPENING IN POETRY.

THERE IS THE CONCRETE IMAGES THAT THE ARE THERE.

AND WHAT MAKES IT THE MOST WONDERFUL IS WHAT IS SLIDING UNDERNEATH.

LIKE THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING SLIDING UNDERNEATH FOR THE READER OF POETRY.

PART OF THAT AMBIGUITY GIVES SPACE TO US AS READERS.

YOU ARE READING ABOUT SOMEONE'S LIFE IN A DISTILLED SPACE AND TIME.

THE SPEAKER OF POW WOMEN IS -- POPE EMIS GETTING YOU.

AND TO HAVE SOMETHING SHIFTED.

>> PRICE SONG FOR THE KITCHEN GOES, SUMMER IN MY CHILDHOOD WAS ALWAYS ON THE TABLE BY 6 IN THE EVENING.

LAMB FRIES, FROG LEGS OR CATFISH, NECK BONES, FRY CHICKEN LIZARDS, CORN PUDDING TALL GLASSES OF WATER PULLED FROM THE WELL OR SWEET ICED TEA.

BUSINESS CUTS.

AFTER SUPPER WE WOULD WATCH TV SOMETIMES I VEP TURRED OUT TO CATCH BUGS IN A MASON JAR.

MY GRANDFATHER NODDED IN THE RECLINING CHAIR.

MY GRANDMOTHER SEWED OR QUILTED BUT ALWAYS HAD HER EYE ON SOMETHING IN THE OVEN, BREAD, OR SOMEONE WHO LOST A LOVED ONE.

I READ A BOOK.

THERE WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING DEAD IN THAT KITCHEN.

A SQUIRREL OR RABBIT SHOT AND SKINNED BY MY GRANDFATHER.

A BUCKET OF CAUGHT FISH.

A CHICKEN WITH FEATHERS.

I REMEMBER AN ENTIRE HOG'S HEAD IN THE TUB.

ITS TONGUE STICKING OUT.

MY GRAND PARENTS HOISTED THE TUB WITH THE HOG'S HEAD UP ON THE STOVE.

IT COVERED ALL FOUR BURNERS.

AFTER IT COOKED ALL NIGHT MY GRANDMOTHER USED A HAND CRANKED MEAT GRINDER TO MAKE RELISH FROM CUCUMBERS, ON JOHNS AND PEPPERS.

NIGHT FALL EVERYTHING OUTDOORS BELONGED TO NATURE.

INSIDE, WE WERE FULL AND WARM AND FED.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT POETRY IS ACCESSIBLE.

IT'S FOR THE PEOPLE.

WHOEVER THE PEOPLE ARE.

AND WHATEVER THE POEMS ARE.

I THINK IT WAS DESIGNED TO BE A SPOKEN ART.

IT'S ALWAYS FOR THE PEOPLE.

WHETHER IT'S ON THE PAGE OR THE STAGE.

IT HAS TO BE ACCESSIBLE, I THINK.

[♪♪] >> Renee: AND WHETHER IT'S FOR THE PAGE OR THE STAGE YOU CAN SEE MORE GREAT STORIES EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT ON KENTUCKY LIFE WITH CHIP POLSTON HERE ON KET AT 8 EASTERN 7 CENTRAL.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE AT 6:30, 5:30 CENTRAL AND CONNECT WITH US THE WAYS YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

FACEBOOK, X, AND INSTAGRAM TO STAY IN THE LOOP.

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

I'M RENEE SHAW AND I WILL SEE YOU ON FRIDAY.

TAKE GOOD CARE.