[♪♪] >> HOW CAN WE THINK OF KENTUCKY BECOMING THE NEXT DATA CENTER HOTSPOT OR WILL IT BE?

>> Renee: KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS HEAR WHY OUR STATE SHOULD BECOME THE NEXT HUB FOR DATA CENTERS.

>> WE ARE PROVING WHEN KENTUCKY COLLABORATES, KENTUCKY DELIVERS.

>> Renee: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN 10 ORGANIZATIONS GET TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF?

>> IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO RAISE A CHILD AND IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO KEEP A CHILD SAFE.

>> Renee: AND WHAT ALL OF US CAN DO TO CREATE A SAFER SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER THE 12TH I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE THANK YOU FOR JUMPING OFF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

>>> NEW TONIGHT, POLICE HAVE ARRESTED THE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK.

THE CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST WAS ASSASSINATED ON WEDNESDAY WHILE SPEAKING TO A LARGE CROWDALITY UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY.

22-YEAR-OLD TYLER ROBINSON IS IN THE UTAH COUNTY JAIL.

POLICE SAY HIS FATHER SAW SURVEILLANCE PHOTOS AND WORKED WITH A PASTOR TO ENCOURAGE HIS SON TO SURRENDER.

SPENCER COX SAYS ROBINSON BECAME MORE CAL RECENTLY.

U.S.

SENATOR RAND PAUL OF KENTUCKY SPOKE ABOUT THE SUSPECT TODAY WHILE HE WAS IN LEXINGTON.

>> I WANT SKWUZ TO BE SERVED AND WE CANNOT TOLERATE THIS.

AND I THINK HE SHOULD BE PUNISHED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW DETERMINED BY A JURY IN UTAH.

BUT IF GUILTY OUT QUESTION THIS IS A HORRENDOUS THING AND A SIGNAL NEEDS TO BE SENT TO ANYBODY ELSE WHO THINKS THEY WILL BE A COPYCAT THEY WILL BE MEETING THE SAME FATE.

THERE ARE NO EASY ANSWERS BETTER DIALOGUE MAYBE PART OF THE ANSWER WHEN WE HEAR EACH OTHER OUT.

THE REASON I DON'T WANT TO SAY BETTER DIALOGUE IS THERE'S NEVER AN EXCUSE FOR SOMEBODY TO SHOOT SOMEBODY.

BETTER DIALOGUE'S GOOD AND WE SHOULD TRY TO DO THAT.

BUT THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS.

AND REALLY, I DON'T KNOW HOW WE STOP SOMETHING LIKE.

BECAUSE THIS IS SOMEONE IF YOU HAD TO IMAGINE, I DON'T HAVE PARTICULAR INSIGHT INTO HIM BUT LOST THEIR MORALS AND THEY THINK IT IS OKAY.

YOU SEE PEOPLE ON-LINE WHO ARE GLORIFYING WHEN CHARLIE KIRK DIED YOU SAW A HOST OF PEOPLE RESPONDING ON-LINE, TERRIBLE IMAGES OF IT, LAUDING IT SAYING IT IS A GREAT THING.

THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD BE SHUNNED THAT IS NOT WITH THE LAW BUT THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED IN GOOD SOCIETY AND SHUNNED.

>> Renee: SENATOR PAUL WAS IN LEXINGTON TO SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC POLICY LUNCHEON WHERE HE CRITICIZED TARIFFS AND STRESSEDDED NEAT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

>> CHAD MEREDITH IS A STEP FORWARD TO BECOMING A JUDGE.

MERED DEBIT IS A FORMER KENTUCKY SOLICITOR GENERAL DURING GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN'S ADMINISTRATION NOMINATED TO BE DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY.

HE WAS A GUEST ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" BACK IN 2024.

MEREDITH STILL NEEDS THE APPROVAL OF THE FULL U.S. SENATE.

>>> ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HOW MUCH IS IT AFFECTING BUSINESS IN KENTUCKY, INCLUDING RETAIL AND HEALTHCARE?

KENTUCKY'S A.I.

TASK FORCE HEARD FROM BUSINESS LEADERS FROM THIS WEEK AND FROM A REPRESENTATIVE OF A LARGE SCALE DATA CENTER AND THOSE COMPANIES ABOUT WHETHER KENTUCKY COULD BE THE NEXT DATA CENTER DESTINATION.

OUR MACKENZIE SPINK HAS MORE IN OUR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

>> DATA CENTERS ARE LARGE BUILDINGS THAT HOUSE THE COMPUTERS REQUIRED TO POWER EVERYTHING FROM THE APPS ON YOUR PHONE TO A.I.

POWERED TOOLS LIKE CHATGPT.

AS THE DEMAND FOR A.I.

CONTINUES TO GROW SO DOES THE NEED TO BUILD MORE DATA CENTERS.

LAWMAKERS ON THE ANCIENT TASK FORCE HEARD FROM BAR LET WHO REPRESENTS LARGE SCALE DATA CENTER COMPANIES.

AND WHY THE STATE SHOULD WANT DATA CENTERS BUILT IN KENTUCKY.

HE SAYS WITH THE NEW TAX REVENUE FROM THE DATA CENTERS THE JOBS WOULD BE A BOOST FOR THE ECONOMY.

>> THINK ABOUT THE FOLKS WALKING AROUND INSIDE THAT AREA, WHO ARE WORKING ON THE COMPUTERS.

ABOUT 100 NEW POSITIONS.

THESE POSITIONS PAY SIX FIGURES.

AND THESE ARE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

OR PEOPLE WITH HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS OR IF YOU'VE HAD TRAINED SCHOOL.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE IN A RURAL AREA A SIX-FIGURE JOB MEANS AND YOU GET TO BE HOME EVERY NIGHT, YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT STANDARD OF LIVING THAN MAYBE MOST OF THE FOLKS WHO LIVE AROUND YOU.

AND YOU GET TO STAY IN YOUR HOMETOWN.

>> DATA CENTERS REQUIRE LARGE AMOUNTS OF ENERGY TO FUNCTION.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, IN 2023, DATA CENTERS CONSUMED 4.4% OF THE ELECTRICITY IN THE U.S. AND THAT NUMBER COULD TRIPLE BY 2028.

LARGE DATA CENTERS ALSO REQUIRE LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER TO KEEP THE COMPUTERS COOL.

BUT THE TASK FORCE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATE'S CURRENT ABILITY TO SUPPLY THE NECESSARY ENERGY.

>> WATER IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR KENTUCKY.

WE GOT MORE MILES OF WATER THAN ANY OTHER STATE BUT ALASKA.

WATER IS GREAT.

BUT POWER, I THINK, THE ENTHUSIASM HERE IS THAT WE WANT TO SCALE UP FOR THE POWER AND WE JUST NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO IT.

>> WE HAVE A FINITE AMOUNT OF GENERATIVE CAPACITY IN KENTUCKY WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE GOT ENOUGH POWER TO FUEL THE DEMAND ON THE DATA CENTERS AND ALSO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH ENERGY FOR OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES WHETHER IT'S MANUFACTURING OR TECH SERVICES OR WHATEVER.

>> IT SEEMS TO ME THERE IS A WHOLE LOT THAT CAN BE DONE, SHOULD BE DONE ON HOW QUICKLY NEW PRODUCTIVITY, PRODUCTION OF ELECTRICITY CAN COME ON-LINE.

AND IT SEEMS TO BE A LARGE PROBLEM AND THAT IS A NATIONAL AND STATE ISSUE.

BUT I THINK THERE SHOULD BE NO SPEED WASTED IN FRYING TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.

>> FEW CLEARANCES CAME FROM THE DISCUSSION BUT THE CENTERS ARE BECOMING MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT AND WILL REQUIRE LESS AND LESS ELECTRICITY AS TIME GOES ON.

AND THAT THE ENERGY USED BY DATA CENTERS RUNNING A.I.

IS COMPARABLE TO OUR ELECTRICITY USE ALREADY.

>> THIS WAS RELEASED BY GOOGLE JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

ONE A.I.

QUERY USES THE SAME ELECTRICITY AS ABOUT NINE SECONDS OF WATCHING TELEVISION.

NINE SECONDS.

THINK OF SUNDAY FOOTBALL YOU WATCH A COUPLE GAMES THAT A LOT OF SEARCHES THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED.

>> THE STATE TAX'S ENVIRONMENTS AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS TECH INVESTMENTS WERE GOOD SIGNS THE STATE TO BE A SITE FOR DATA CENTERS.

ONCE A COMPANY DECIDES TO START BUILDING A DATA CENTER IT TAKES FIVE YEARS TO COME ON-LINE.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M MACKENZIE SPINK.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, MACKENZIE.

A DATA CENTER WAS PROPOSED IN OLDHAM COUNTY BUT IN JULY THE APPLICATION WAS WITHDRAWN DUE TO PUBLIC OPPOSITION AROUND ENVIRONMENTAL AND FINANCIAL CONCERNS.

THERE IS CURRENTLY A MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT IN OLDHAM COUNTY WHILE NEW REGULATIONS ARE DEVELOPED.

>>> KENTUCKY HAS A HOUSING CRISIS, LIKE THE REST OF THE NATION BUT THE STATE NEEDS MORE THAN 200,000 MORE HOUSING UNITS.

AND THAT NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN THE COMING YEARS.

WE TALKED ABOUT HOUSING LAST MONDAY NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT".

IN ADDITION TO THE HOUSING SHORTAGE SOME KENTUCKIANS HAVE TROUBLE RENTING AN APARTMENT OR HOME.

AND THERE'S LEGISLATION IN THE WORKS TO HELP FIX THAT.

>> AND OFTENTIMES WE THINK ABOUT HOUSING, WE THINK ABOUT PEOPLE WHO OWN.

BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT OUR RENTERS FOR JUST A MOMENT.

WE HAVE FOLKS WHO ARE BEING KEPT AWAY FROM HOUSING DUE TO EVICTIONS AND SUCH.

AND I KNOW THAT REP WITTEN AND OTHERS ARE WORKING ON AND WE DID THINGS ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE ABOUT EXPUNGEMENT AND THAT IS A REALLY IMPORTANT THING.

>> Renee: EXPLAIN THIS WHY IS EXPUNGEMENT IMPORTANT?

>> EXPUNGEMENT IS IMPORTANT IN A LOT OF WAYS.

BUT THERE ARE SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION IF YOU GET AN EVICTION ON YOUR RECORD AND GO TO APPLY FOR ANOTHER HOUSING UNIT OR SUCH, A LOT OF LANDLORDS WON'T TAKE YOU IF YOU HAVE THAT EVICTION.

IF THAT EVICTION LET'S SAY YOU WERE A CHILD AND WAS ON A LEASE WE SAY THAT SHOULDN'T IMPACT YOUR ABILITY TO GET HOUSING WHEN YOU ARE NOW AN ADULT.

OR IF YOU'VE WORKED OUT IF THE CASE WAS DISMISSED THAT SHOULDN'T STILL BE ON YOUR RECORD THAT EVICTION SHOULD BE EXPUNGED AND YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THAT HOUSING.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR KENTUCKIANS TO HAVE SECURE HOUSING?

BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE A SECURE HOUSE, YOU HAVE A SECURE FUTURE.

[♪♪] >> WHEN WE'RE TALKING SO MUCH OF THE SOLUTIONS AND RIGHTLY SO, WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE SUPPLY SIDE.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HOUSING UNITS.

BUT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS AND TO JOSH'S POINT, WHEN WE ARE UNFAIRLY PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM RENTING JUST BECAUSE THEY HAD A PRIOR EVICTION, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE PAID UP, THEY DON'T OWE ANY MONEY, THEN THAT'S UNFAIR AND THAT PREVENTS THEM FROM GETTING A HOME.

SO WE'RE -- I'M EXCITED ABOUT PUSHING THAT BILL THIS YEAR.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET IT HEARD IN JUDICIARY IN THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO IN THE INTERIM.

HOPEFULLY IT WILL GET TEED UP AND IT CAN BE AN EARLY WIN FOR THE HOUSING TASK FORCE.

>> Renee: YOU CAN SEE MORE OF OUR HOUR-LONG CONVERSATION ABOUT KENTUCKY'S HOUSING CRISIS ON-LINE ON DEMAND AT KET.ORG/KY TONIGHT.

>>> IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY, REGIONAL LEADERS CUT THE RIBBON ON THE ONE NKY CENTER TODAY.

THE 47,000 SQUARE-FOOT BUILDING IS HOME TO 10 DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING A LIFE SCIENCES LAB.

OUR EMILY SISK WAS THERE FOR THE GRAND OPENING AND HAS THE LATEST.

>> HUNDREDS OF NORTHERN KENTUCKIANS GATHERED IN COVINGTON TODAY FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF THIS BUILDING BEHIND ME IT'S CALLED THE ONE NKY CENTER.

THE 26 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT IS THE NEW HOME FOR ORGANIZATIONS LIKE LIFE-SCI KY, A NONPROFIT LIFE SCIENCES INCUBATOR.

CHRIS McDANIEL IS CHAIR OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SAID THE NEW DEVELOPMENT WILL OPEN DOORS FOR NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND FOR THE STATE.

>> NORTHERN KENTUCKY, HAS A LOT OF CITIES LITERALLY DOZENS AND DOZENS OF CITIES ACROSS THREE COUNTIES TO HAVE A UNIFIED GROUP THAT INVOLVED THE CITIES AND THE COUNTIES SERVICE AGENCIES, INDUSTRY IT'S JUST INCREDIBLE.

>> THIS BUILDING REPRESENTS THE WONDERFUL ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE DOING BETTER WORK THAN THEY HAVE DONE IN HISTORY BEING TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF.

IT IS A SYMBOL OF REGIONAL COOPERATION AND A NEW WELCOME TO NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

>> OUR LOY SCIENCE COMPANIES ARE DEVELOPING BREAKTHROUGH CANCER TREATMENTS.

PIONEERING DIAGNOSTICS AND ADVANCING NEXT GENERATION THERAPIES.

THIS LAB PROVIDES THE SPACE, THE TOOLS AND THE COLLABORATION NEEDED FOR THOSE INNOVATIONS TO HAPPEN.

>> LIFE-SCI KY IS MORE THAN A LAB.

IT IS A LAUNCH PAD FOR LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRIES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

WE ARE PROVING THAT WHEN KENTUCKY COLLABORATES, KENTUCKY DELIVERS.

>> THE SHORT-TERM IS THERE WILL BE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESEARCH THAT OCCURS RIGHT HERE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

CUTTING EDGE, ENTRY LEVEL RESEARCH THAT WILL BE HAPPENING HERE.

THE SECONDARY BENEFIT IS THERE WILL BE JOBS AND ECONOMIC INVESTMENT THERE WILL BE REGIONAL GROWTH.

AND THE FINAL BENEFIT IS AS THE PRODUCTS COME ON-LINE, THAT ARE CURES THAT ARE FOUND, THE PRODUCTS INVENTEDDED, THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT OCCUR IT WILL IMPROVE THE LENGTH AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR KENTUCKIANS.

THIS IS A WIN FROM TODAY THROUGH DECADES FROM NOW.

>> THE IDEA FOR A PLIES LIKE THE ONE NKY CENTER HAD BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 80s.

NOW IT'S COMPLETE.

LEADERS SAID IT'S UP TO THE REGION TO KEEP THE BUILDING'S SUCCESS.

IN COVINGTON FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M EMILY SISK.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, EMILY.

NEXT WEEK WE WILL BRING YOU MORE STORIES ABOUT SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS INSIDE THAT CENTER INCLUDING LIFE-SCI KY. [♪♪] THE CITY OF MARION IN CRITTENDEN COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH WATER BUT JOHNSON IS PREPARING FOR THE TIME WHEN IT HAS TOO MUCH.

TOBY GIBBS TELLS US MORE IN HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.

[♪♪] >> JOHNSON COUNTY IS GETTING A NEW FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM THE PAINTSVILLE HERALD SAYS THE SYSTEM THROUGH THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WILL INCLUDE MONITORS ON 23 STEAMS IF STREAMS START RISING DATA GOES TO AN EMERGENCY OFFICE ALLOWING THE COUNTY TO PUT OUT A WARNING AND SIRENS WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE COUNTY.

>>> PEOPLE IN MARION AREN'T HAPPY ABOUT CONTINUING WATER PROBLEMS.

THE CITY ISSUED A STAGE 3 WATER CONSERVATION ORDER AUGUST 11TH AS LAKE GEORGE REACHED AN ALL-TIME LOW AND THE PADUCAH SUN REPORTS MANGANESE LEVELS WERE AT A HIGH.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TOLD TO AVOID FILLING SWIMMING POOLS, TAKE SHORTER SHOWERS AND TURN OFF THE FAUCET WHILE BRUSHING THEIR TEETH.

THE ONGOING WATER PROBLEMS ARE A NIGHTMARE FOR PEOPLE.

>>> RUSSELLVILLE HAS THE FIRST SAFE HAVEN BABY BOX AT THE RUSSELLVILLE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT A PLACE WHERE PARENTS CAN SURRENDER A BABY RATHER THAN ABANDON IT.

THIS IS KENTUCKY'S 57TH SAFE HAVEN BABY BOX.

>>> LITTLE SILVER CHARM OLD FRIENDS FARM'S OFFICIAL SPOKES HORSE WAS PUT DOWN ON AUGUST 30TH.

LITTLE SILVER CHARM WAS A MINIATURE HORSE AND A FAN FAVORITE AMONG VISITORS TO THE FARM ACCORDING TO THE GEORGETOWN NEWS GRAPHIC.

THE FARM RECEIVED 2,000 MESSAGES SINCE LITTLE SILVER CHARM'S DEATH.

>>> WITH HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY, I'M TOBY GIBBS.

[♪♪] >> Renee: 47, THAT'S THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL SHOOTINGS IN THE U.S.

SO FAR THIS YEAR AS OF SEPTEMBER THE 10TH.

24 WERE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES AND 23 WERE ON K-12 SCHOOL GROUNDS THAT IS ACCORDING TO ANALYSIS BY "CNN".

IN A WEEK WHERE GUN DEATHS DOMINATED THE HEADLINES KENTUCKY HAD DECLARED THIS WEEK TO BE SAFE SCHOOLS WEEK.

LEADERS OF THE CENTER FOR SCHOOL SAFETY SHARED THEIR REACTIONS TO THE SHOOTING DEATH OF CHARLIE KIRK TWO DAYS AGO AND WE PICK UP THE REST OF OUR CONVERSATION WITH JOHN ACRES EXPLAINING ALTHOUGH THE NEWS OF SCHOOL SHOOTINGS SEEM FREQUENT, STATISTICALLY THEY ARE RARE.

>> EVEN THOUGH YOU HEAR ABOUT THEM QUITE A BIT WHEN YOU LOOK AT 200,000 SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY, AND THE NUMBER OF SHOOTINGS YOU ARE TALKING LESS THAN 1-10TH OF A PERCENT.

BUT THE BOTTOM LINE HERE IS THAT WE WANT TO BE SHOULD BE WE SET AN ENVIRONMENT THAT'S SAFE FOR ALL THE KIDS.

WE HAVE FIVE BULLYING INCIDENTS THAT OCCUR EVERY MINUTE IN OUR SCHOOLS THE ONES WE KNOW ABOUT.

THOSE ARE ISSUES THAT COME INTO PLAY WHEN IT COMES TO TRYING TO MAKE THAT ENVIRONMENT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

>> Renee: THIS IS SAFE SCHOOLS WEEK IN KENTUCKY.

AND PERHAPS THIS ACKNOWLEDGED NATIONWIDE.

HOW ARE YOU TRYING TO FRAME THIS CONVERSATION AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME ABOUT KEEPING STUDENTS AND STAFF AND VISITORS SAFE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WITH OUR AGENCY, TRISH HEADED UP THE CAMPAIGN THAT WE'RE HAVING FOCUSED ON SCHOOL SAFETY AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET COMMUNITY FOLKS WE'RE TALKING OUR BUSINESS PEOPLE, TALKING FAITH COMMUNITY, TO JOIN THOSE IN THE SCHOOLS TO TAKE A PLEDGE TO BE KINDER, TO BE SOMEBODY MORE TOLERABLE, SOMEBODY WILLING TO IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING T TAKES A COMMUNITY TO RAISE A CHILD AND IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO KEEP A CHILD SAFE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THOSE FACTORS.

I WOULD LIKE TO DEFER TO TRISH THIS IS HER CAMPAIGN AND LET HER TAKE IT FROM THERE.

>> Renee: YOU ARE THE CREATOR Dr. GREER, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WE WANT TO SHINE A LIGHT ON CONVERSATIONS THAT CAN HAPPEN IN YOUR SCHOOL AND IN YOUR HOMES THAT CAN HIGHLIGHT SAFETY, SCHOOL SAFETY.

AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE IS JUST LIKE JOHN SAID, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING OR HEAR SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING.

WE WANT TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE TIP LINE ACROSS THE STATE OF KENTUCKY SO COMMUNITY MEMBERS UNDERSTAND THAT TIP LINE IS AVAILABLE TO CALL IN CONCERNS THEY HAVE, CONCERNS CAN BE ABOUT THREATS OF VIOLENCE OR CAN BE ABOUT SELF THREATS LIKE SELF HARM THREATS THAT THEY MAYBE WORRIED ABOUT ONE OF THEIR PEERS.

IT'S IMPORTANT THEY GIVE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE.

ANOTHER THING WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS LOOKING AT FOR KINDNESS, SEE GOOD ACTS THAT WE SEE ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS.

WE WANT TO TEACH PEOPLE TO HAVE THOSE BEHAVIORS THAT ARE NOT DIVISIVE BUT THAT BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS.

WE WANT A CULTURE WHERE WE TALK ABOUT SAFETY PRACTICES.

WE WANT A CULTURE OF REPORTING.

THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE DON'T WANT A CULTURE WHERE PEOPLE CANNOT LET US KNOW IF SOMEONE IS IN DANGER OR MISTREATED AT SCHOOL OR HOME.

>> Renee: AND SOME PEOPLE ARE AFRAID BYSTANDERS DON'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED OR AFRAID THEY MIGHT MISJUDGE A SITUATION THAT COULD LEAD TO PUNISHMENT FOR SOMEONE.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS ENTER INTO ONE'S MIND WHEN THEY THINK SOMETHING MIGHT BE OFF BUT AFRAID TO REPORT INTEREST WE WOULD LIKE TO GET EVERYTHING AND LET US SIFT THROUGH.

WE KEEP TIP AS NON-MUST.

WE DON'T WANT THE KIDS TO FEEL THAT RETRIBUTION IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

THEY MIGHT BE SAVING A LIFE.

AND LIKE TRISH WAS SAYING IT MAY NOT BE SHOOTING BUT A SELF HARM ISSUE.

WHEN WE FIRST STARTED OUR TIP LINE, THE FIRST TWO HITS WE HAD WERE SELF HARM ISSUES.

SO I WILL SAY 30-40% OF THOSE TIPS MENTAL HEALTH AREA.

>> Renee: AND WE KNOW THAT SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH ALL OF THIS REALLY IS CONNECTED.

AND THE TIME WE HAVE REMAINING QUICKLY, JOHN, AS WE LOOK TO THE UP COMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION A BUDGET PLANNING PERIOD FOR STATE LAWMAKERS, IS THERE ONE PARTICULAR OR A COUPLE POLICIES YOU WILL BE ADVOCATING FOR IN THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN KIND TO US AND OUR CENTER OVER THE YEARS.

I'M NOT ASKING FOR ANY MONEY FOR US WHICH I'M SURE THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO HEAR THAT.

>> Renee: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> BUT WE DO HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT, I THINK, I LIKE TO CALL ATTENTION TO AND THOSE ARE OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS AND THE GENERAL TESTIMONY AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE COME TOGETHER AND PROVIDED A $20,000 REIMBURSEMENT FOR POLICE OFFICERS THAT ARE IN THE SCHOOLS TRAINED SRO'S.

THAT DOESN'T PAY FOR THEIR SALARY BUT IT IS A GOOD DOWN PAYMENT WE WILL BE ASKING FOR THAT TO CONTINUE.

WE WENT FROM 150 TO 900 NOW IN OUR STATE.

AND SO WE HAVE 1300 AND SOME ODD SCHOOLS WE WANT AN SRO IN EVERY SCHOOL.

THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY THING THAT I WOULD GO TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH AND SAY, HEY LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE REMEMBER OUR SRO'S.

>> Renee: ARE THERE ENOUGH SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS OR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ON IN THE DISTRICTS TO HELP MITIGATE SOME OF THESE CONCERNS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO SELF HARM OR DISTRESS THAT STUDENTS MAY FEEL.

>> .

>> I THINK THAT IS A MIXED BAG.

SOME DISTRICTS ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES.

AND SOME THAT HAVE POOR REVENUES COMING IN DOWN THERE, THEY HAVE TO MAKE CUTS AND SO IT'S A PATCHWORK QUILT BUT WE'RE CERTAINLY BELIEVE THAT THE HARDWARE SIDE OF THIS THING IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE HARDWARE.

>> Renee: AND WE'VE HEARD YOU SAY THAT BEFORE AND IF WE CAN FRAME IT THAT WAY.

HARDWARE VERSUS HEART WEAR AND IT REQUIRES BOTH TO REALLY HELP MAKE THE SOCIETY SAFER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

AND CONTINUE SUCCESS AND GRATITUDE FOR ALL YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

[♪♪] >> Renee: BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR WEEKEND PLANS OUR TOBY GIBBS REVIEWS YOUR ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS IN THIS LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH.

[♪♪] >> KENTUCKY NATIVES TYLER CHILDERS AND CHRIS STAPLETON WILL SHARE HEADLINING AT THIS YEAR'S MUSIC FESTIVAL THURSDAY IN ASHLAND.

THE THREE-DAY EVENT IS THE NATION'S LARGEST RECOVERY BASED FESTIVAL WITH PROCEEDS GOING TOWARD PREVENTION, RECOVERY AND SUPPORT THOSE AFFECTED BY SEXUAL ABUSE.

BREAK OUT YOUR LEDERHOSEN IT'S TIME FOR OKTOBERFEST HONORING THE GERMAN HERITAGE WITH FOOD, BEER, LIVE MUSIC AND STEIN HOLDING CONTESTS AND MARKETS AND FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES.

>>> FALL INTO RHYTHM AT THE JAZZ FESTIVAL KICKING OFF WEDNESDAY IN LEXINGTON.

THE KENTUCKY THEATER HOSTS THIS FIVE-DAY CELEBRATION THAT HONORS JAZZ MUSIC.

GRAMMY WINNING SAXAPHONIST, KENNY GARRET AND NATE SMITH AND BRANDON MEEKS AND SINGER CANDICE BRINGS ARE AMONG THE ARTISTS.

GET READY TO CHOW DOWN SATURDAY AT THE KENTUCKY FOOD TRUCK STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN RENFRO VALLEY THERE WILL BE 40 FOOD TRUCKS OFFERING UP TREATS AND COMPETING FOR THE TITLE OF FOOD TRUCK CHAMPION AND THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD.

THE EVENT HAS A BEER AND WEINGARD EN, LIVE MUSIC AND 30 CRAFT VENDORSISM THE KIND OF FILM FEST RETURNS TO MEAN WITH A NEW REEL OF SHORT FILMS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE.

SOME SCARY SOME KIND OF FUNNY BUT AIR THRALL SPOOKY.

CATCH THE 2025KSFF AWARD WINNERS AS THEY MAKE THEIR PREMIER AT THE FREE FILM FESTIVAL THAT PROVES SPOOKY DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN SERIOUS.

>> MORE THAN 100 BANDS WILL BE PICKING ON POPPY MOUNTAIN AS THE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL RETURNS TO MOREHEAD.

THIS CELEBRATION IS THE NATION'S BIGGEST BLUEGRASS MUSIC FESTIVAL DRAWING 20,000 PEOPLE EACH YEAR WHO CAMP OUT AND SOAK IN THE SOUND FROM THE MOUNTAINS.

>>> GET READY FOR GOOD VIBRATIONS AS THE BEACH BOYS SURF IN LEXINGTON FOR THE SOUNDS OF SUMMER TOUR.

THE BAND WILL TAKE THE STAGE AT LEXINGTON'S NEWEST OUTDOOR VENUE, GATTON PARK AND KEEP THE VIBES ALIVE BY PERFORMING SOME OF THEIR GREATEST HITS.

>>> HISTORY IN DOWNTOWN FLAVOR COME TOGETHER AT THE CONSTITUTION SQUARE FESTIVAL HAPPENING IN DANVILLE SATURDAY.

STROLL THROUGH STREETS FILLED WITH ARTISTS AND CRAFT DEMONSTRATORS WHILE LISTENING TO MUSICIANS FOR THE FOODIES THERE WILL BE A FARMERS MARKET AND FOOD TRUCKS ON-SITE.

AND LAWRENCEBURG SATURDAY FOR EATS, BEATS AND STREETS FILLED WITH ARTS, CRAFTS AND CARS AS THE CITY HOSTS THE STAY FESTIVAL IT TAKES PLACE DOWNTOWN AND INCLUDES ARTS AND CRAFTS, FOOD TRUCKS AND A CAR SHOW.

AS THE SUNSETS STAKE OUT A SPOT IN THE PARK WITH A LAWN CHAIR OR BLANKET AND GET READY TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC.

CARROLLTON'S POINT PARK WILL BE ROCKING THIS WEEKEND AS IT HOSTS BANDS AND BARBECUE AT THE POINT.

PIT MASTERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL BE COMPETING FOR PRIZE MONEY BUT THE FLAVOR DOESN'T STOP THERE.

THE AIRSHOW WILL PERFORM WITH LIVE BANDS AND IT ALL ENDS WITH A BANG WITH A 0 FIREWORKS SHOW.

AND THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH, I'M TO TOBY GIBBS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GREAT WEEKEND AND JOIN US MONDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION".

>> I'M RENEE SHAW HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND I'LL SEE YOU MONDAY