[♪♪] >> I JUST HAVE TO BE VERY HONEST.

I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD.

>> Renee: STATE LAWMAKERS GRILL THE HEAD OF KENTUCKY'S SECOND LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT AMID A FINANCIAL CRISIS.

HOW HE'S RESPONDING.

>> IF YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, TONE IT DOWN.

>> Renee: CAN AMERICA DIAL BACK THE RHETORIC AFTER THE CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTING?

>> I THINK IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE STATE WE'RE SEEING WHERE THERE IS NOT AS MUCH HAY AS WE'RE USED TO HARVESTING.

>> Renee: AND DRY KENTUCKY WEATHER IS HURTING THE HAY CROP.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR THIS TUESDAY SEPTEMBER THE 16TH.

I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

THE STATE'S SECOND LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IS FACING TOUGH SCRUTINY OVER ITS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.

FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCED IN MAY THAT IT HAD A $16 MILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL AND IT'S NOW UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE STATE AUDITOR.

TODAY, SUPERINTENDENT DEMETRUS LIGGINS WAS TAKEN TO TASK BEFORE A LEGISLATIVE PANEL IN FRANKFORT.

OUR MACKENZIE SPINK HAS MORE AS WE BEGIN TONIGHT'S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

>> THERE ARE COUNTLESS THINGS I COULD SAY THAT I WISH WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED THAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN.

AND I KNOW THAT.

BUT WHILE THOSE MATTERS ARE BEING EXAMINED VERY THOROUGHLY, I WANT TO BE CLEAR... I WANT THIS TO BE VERY CLEAR... IN MY ROLE AS SUPERINTENDENT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE BUCK STOPS WITH ME AND I ACCEPT THAT.

>> THAT ADMISSION BY FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT DEMETRUS LIGGINS DID NOT SWAY LAWMAKERS AS THEY FOUND HIS PRESENTATION LACKING.

SENATOR STEPHEN WEST WHO CO-CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE SAID LIGGINS FAILED TO DELIVER WHAT WAS REQUESTED.

>> I HAVE TO BE VERY HONEST.

I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD.

WE REQUESTED REVENUE NUMBERS AND BUDGET NUMBERS OVER A 10-YEAR SPAN.

PROBABLY PRETTY EASY TO GET YOUR HANDS ON.

SO THERE WERE A LOT OF COLORS AND GRAPHS AND RANGES, BUT WE REALLY WERE LOOKING FOR LIKE ACTUAL NUMBERS.

OKAY.

>> SENATOR LINDSEY TICHENOR PRESSED LIGGINS ON CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS A CONSTITUENT COLLECTED THROUGH AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST AND QUIZZED LIGGINS OVER EXPENSES.

>> I COUNTED AUGUST $127,000 TRAVEL IN AUGUST WITH 52,000 AT THE GALT HOUSE FOR YOUR REIMBURSEMENTS ALONE FOR TRAVEL, IS $60,000.

THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

THAT'S TRULY ASTONISHING.

HOW CAN YOU KNOW WITH FIDELITY THAT THE EXPENDITURES IN THIS ARE LEGITIMATE?

WHEN YOU SEE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS GOING TOWARDS CHICK-FIL-A, AXE THROWING, TICKETS FOR WICKED, ICE CREAM INSANE AMOUNTS OF EXPENDITURES FOR ALL KINDS OF RANDOM THINGS.

HOW CAN YOU ENSURE TO THE TAXPAYERS THAT THESE EXPENDITURES ARE LEGITIMATE FOR THE PURPOSES OF EDUCATING STUDENTS IN FCPS SCHOOLS.

>> LIGGINS SAID STAFF HAVE TO TRAVEL FURTHER TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

>> WE HAVE FOUND AND OUR STAFF, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, ET CETERA HAVE FOUND THAT MUCH OF THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROVIDED IN KENTUCKY REALLY FOCUSES ON RURAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

WHICH IS A █MAJORITY.

I DON'T FAULT ANYONE FOR THAT.

THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO REALLY NETWORK WITH OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE NATION THAT ARE SIMILAR TO US, HAVE SIMILAR DEMOGRAPHICS OUR URBAN CENTERS WITHIN THEIR OWN STATES THAT WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

ARE THERE PROBABLY TRIPS THAT PROBABLY COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED MORE PEOPLE WENT ON THAN THEY SHOULD HAVE?

ABSOLUTELY I WILL NOT SAY THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

>> SEVERAL LAWMAKERS QUESTIONED WHY EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP STAFF HAD NOT REPORTED THE BUDGET SHORTFALL EARLIER.

SENATOR WEST POSED A QUESTION ABOUT WORKPLACE CULTURE AT FCPS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY STIFLE THAT KIND OF COMMUNICATION.

>> DO YOU FEEL, IS THERE A TOXIC WORK ENVIRONMENT AT HOME OFFICE FAYETTE COUNTY?

>> I WOULDN'T CALL IT A TOXIC ENVIRONMENT AT ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION BUT THERE IS AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THERE'S TRUST NOT ONLY AND WE TALKED ABOUT TRUST WITH THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK THERE ARE TRUST ISSUES THAT ARE OCCURRING IN THE LEADERSHIP LEVEL OF THE DISTRICT AS WELL.

AND SO I THINK THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT CERTAINLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

>> THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS TO FIX THE BUDGET DEFICIT.

LIKE ELIMINATING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT REQUIRE TRAVEL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M MACKENZIE SPINK.

[♪♪] >> Renee: IN OTHER NEWS, THE MAN ACCUSED OF AASSASSINATING CHARLIE KIRK LAST WEEK HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED MURDER.

THE CHARGE MEANS 22-YEAR-OLD TYLER ROBINSON COULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY.

THE DEATH IS PROMPTED DEBATE ABOUT HOW WE ARGUE POLITICS, WHERE'S THE LINE BETWEEN LEGITIMATE CRITICISM AND HATE SPEECH?

LAST NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" OUR PANEL TALKED ABOUT IMPROVING THE TONE OF AMERICAN POLITICS.

[♪♪] >> I CAN TELL YOU SOMEBODY WHO I HAD GREAT RESPECT AND ADMIRATION FOR MACK BROWN, THE CHAIRMAN HE GAVE ME A WIDE BERTH TO SAY WHATEVER I WANTED.

ONE OF THE FEW GUARDRAILS HE DID NOT ME TO USE WORDS LIKE WAR OR FIGHT BECAUSE SOME CRAZY PERSON MAY TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY.

SO HE WANTED ME TO STAY AWAY FROM PHRASES LIKE THAT.

I THINK THAT ON THE CAMPAIGN SIDE, WE CAN DO BETTER IN HOW WE TALK ABOUT OUR OPPONENTS AND HOW WE TALK ABOUT OUR PLANS.

>> Renee: WE HAVE HEARD THOSE EXACT WORDS THAT ELEVATED PITCH THAT WE ARE AT WAR, AND THAT WE'RE READY TO FIGHT ON BOTH SIDES NOW IT'S COMMON VERNACULAR.

>> AND I DES LIKE IT -- DISLIKE IT HOW WE GET OUT OF THIS WHAT WE SAW HAPPEN TO CHARLIE KIRK WAS █PURE EVIL AND PURE HATE.

THE WAY TO ADDRESS THAT IS NOT WITH MORE HATE.

IT IS WITH LOVE.

AND IT IS WITH KINDNESS AND IT IS WITH A WILLINGNESS TO UNDERSTAND HOWEVER SINGLE AMERICAN VIEWS THIS WORLD THROUGH THEIR LENS BECAUSE IT'S ALL DIFFERENT AND IT DOESN'T MEAN EITHER ONE IS WRONG.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SOUL SEARCHING TO DO AS AMERICANS.

AND I HOPE WE GET THERE.

>> Renee: AND TO THE POINT YOU WERE MAKING JONATHAN ABOUT A SHARED SET OF COMMON VALUES.

SOME WOULD SAY THAT'S BEEN DISRUPTED THAT THERE'S NOT A SHARED SET OF COMMON VALUES.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT'S TRUE?

>> NOT AT ALL.

I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY IN THE GOLDEN RULE THAT IS NOT ONLY SOMETHING THAT JESUS PREACHED BUT BEFORE HIM, RABBI FROM THE JEWISH TRADITION AND YOU CAN SEE IT IN EVERY WORLD RELIGIOUS TRADITION OR TRIBAL SPIRITUAL TRADITION, THE IDEA THAT TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORS AS YOURSELF AND PARTICULARLY EXPRESS LOVE TOWARDS THOSE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS WHO ARE DISADVANTAGED, THE POOR, THE ELDERLY, THE YOUNG.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT ANIMATES ALL OF US WHETHER DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS OR INDEPENDENTS.

>> Renee: IT WAS AN INSIGHTFUL DISCUSSION AND YOU CAN SEE THE HOUR ON-LINE ON DEMAND AND STREAM THAT AT KET.ORG/KY TONIGHT.

>>> ANOTHER DEMOCRAT IS RUNNING FOR THE U.S.

SENATE?

KENTUCKY IN 2026.

LOGAN FORSYTHE ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY IN THIS VIDEO.

>> LOOK, I'M NOT A BILLIONAIRE OR A POLITICIAN.

MOST FOLKS WITH MY STORY THEY DON'T MAKE IT OUT OF A PLACE LIKE LYON COUNTY OR RUN FOR SENATE.

>> Renee: HE IS A FORMER SECRET SERVICE AGENT FROM LYON COUNTY AND AN ATTORNEY.

HE CRITICIZES THE TRUMP TAX CUT BILL, HE SAYS IT CUTS IMPORTANT PROGRAMS THAT HELPED FAMILIES LIKE HIS.

FORSYTHE JOINS PAMELA STEVENSON.

THE STATE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER IN THE DEMOCRATIC RACE.

>>> LEXINGTON NOW HAS A CASE OF THE WEST NILE VIRUS ACCORDING TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

AS A RESULT, THE DEPARTMENT WILL SPRAY FOR MOSQUITOES IN PART OF LEXINGTON.

THEY WILL STRAY IN 40505 AND 40502 TARGETING THE AREA THE PERSON WAS OUTDOORS BETWEEN 3:00 A.M.

AND 6:00 A.M.

THE MOSQUITO SPRAY AFFECT AS DUGOUT MOSQUITOES IN THE AIR AT THE TIME BUT IT WILL NOT KILL OTHER INSECTS.

MOST CASES OF WEST NILE VIRUS LEAD TO MILD FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS.

THE C.D.C.

SAYS MORE THAN 1300 PEOPLE IN THE U.S.

DEVELOP SEVERE SYMPTOMS FROM THE WEST NILE VIRUS EACH YEAR.

>>> KENTUCKY IS HOME TO TWO, FIVE-STAR HOSPITALS AND A SCHOOL SYSTEM SAYS NO TO A PLAN FOR MORAL INSTRUCTION.

OUR TOBY GIBBS TELLS US MORE IN THIS LOOK AT HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.

[♪♪] >> WARREN COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD SAID NO TO A PROGRAM THAT WOULD ALLOW SOME STUDENTS TO LEAVE SCHOOL EARLY FOR CHARACTER-BASED BIBLE EDUCATION OFF CAMPUS.

BOWLING GREEN DAILY NEWS SAYS LIVE WISE ACADEMY PROPOSED WEEKLY CLASSES FOR FIRST AND SECOND GRADERS AT ALVATON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUT THE BOARD VOTED 3-2 AGAINST IT.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED SENATE BILL 19 WHICH ALLOWS STUDENTS TO LEAVE SCHOOL AN HOUR EARLY FOR DISTRICT APPROVED QUOTE MORAL INSTRUCTION.

ONE BOARD MEMBER WHO VOTED NO SAID THE TERM MORAL INSTRUCTION IS TOO VAGUE.

OTHER CRITICS SAY IT IS A MISTAKE TO REDUCE STUDENTS' INSTRUCTIONAL TIME IN SCHOOL.

>>> THE APPALACHIAN NEWS EXPRESS SAYS THE PIKE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS CREATING A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR PEOPLE WITH SEXUAL ABUSE DISORDERS -- SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS THE HELP IS ON THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S RENOVATED GROUND FLOOR TO FIND ALL THE RESOURCES THEY NEED UNDER ONE ROOF.

>>> MORE THAN 800 SENIOR CITIZENS COULD STOP RECEIVING MEALS PAID FOR THE LINCOLN TRAIL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT A BUDGET MISCALCULATION CAUSED STATE FUNDING TO RUN OUT BEFORE THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

SOME MEAL SERVICES ENDED SEPTEMBER FIRST AND LINCOLN TRAIL SAYS MORE COULD END IN THE FUTURE.

>>> TWO KENTUCKY HOSPITALS ARE AMONG THE BEST FOR PATIENT CARE.

THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER SAYS BAPTIST HEALTH PADUCAH AND THE LOUISVILLE VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER EACH EARNED FIVE STARS.

THEY WERE THE ONLY TWO KENTUCKY HOSPITALS TO EARN FIVE STAR RATINGS.

HOSPITALS WERE JUDGED ON MORTALITY, SAFETY, READMISSION RATES, PATIENT EXPERIENCE AND TIMELY AND EFFECTIVE CARE.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: KINDERGARTEN READINESS IS AN OFTEN DEBATED EDUCATION ISSUE IN KENTUCKY.

ONLY 48% OF CHILDREN WERE CONSIDERED KINDERGARTEN READY IN 2023.

BUT WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT TO ENSURE CHILDREN ARE PREPARED TO GO TO SCHOOL?

OUR EMILY SISK REPORTS, THE RIVER CITIES IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY SAY THEY'RE TAKING UP THE CHARGE.

>> IT'S HARD TO ARGUE THAT THERE'S ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN EARLY CHILDHOOD EARLY LITERACY FOR KIDS BIRTH TO AGE 5.

>> THERE MAYBE NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT, EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT IS AN AREA KENTUCKY STRUGGLES IN.

MOST CHILDREN BEGIN KINDERGARTEN AT THE AGE OF FIVE.

BUT LESS THAN HALF OF KENTUCKY CHILDREN ARE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN.

IN THE RIVER CITIES OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY, THE NUMBERS ARE EVEN LOWER WITH AN AVERAGE READINESS OF 34%.

NEWPORT CITY COMMISSIONER KIM CALLED THE NUMBERS ABYSMAL.

AND SAID THERE WAS LOTS OF DEBATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA OVER WHO TO BLAME FOR THE LOW SCORE.

>> THEY WANTED TO BLAME NISD, THE NEWPORT INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR SOMEHOW NOT GETTING THE KINDERGARTEN KIDDOS READY.

>> THAT IS NOT A FAIR THING FOR THEM TO OWN WHEN A LESS THAN A THIRD OF THE STUDENTS COME TO PUBLIC PRESCHOOL.

THERE IS A LEADERSHIP GAP WITH EARLY LEARNING AS FAR AS WHO REALLY OWNS THAT BEFORE A CHILD FORMALLY ENTERS SCHOOL THROUGH KINDERGARTEN.

>> THAT IS WHERE THE READ READY INITIATIVE COMES INTO PLAY.

THE INITIATIVE FOCUSES ON PRENATAL-AGE 5 DEVELOPMENT.

IT STARTED IN COVINGTON AND NOW THE NONPROFIT EDUCATE NKY IS BRINGING THE STRATEGY TO ALL OF THE RIVER CITIES IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE KINDERGARTEN READINESS.

>> THE IMPORTANCE WITH READ READY IS THAT THE CITY LEADS IT AND THEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS A PARTNER TO THAT WORK.

>> READ READY USES A COMMITTEE OF PARENTS, EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS LIKE LIBRARIES AND HOSPITALS, TO DISCUSS WHAT EACH CITY NEEDS.

Dr.

WATSON SAID THIS MODEL OF THE CITY TAKING CHARGE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT IS RARE.

BUT THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DAYTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS SAYS IT'S EXACTLY WHAT FAMILIES NEED.

>> FROM A SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE EARLIER WE CAN REACH THE PARENTS, THE BETTER.

BECAUSE IF WE SIT AROUND AND WAIT FOR THEM TO SHOW UP IN KINDERGARTEN, A LOT OF TIMES THOSE KIDS ARE BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL.

>> WHAT ARE IDEAS FOR READ READY?

Dr.

WATSON SAID FOR ONE MAKING USE OF PREEXISTING RESOURCES LIKE THE DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY WHERE CHILDREN UP TO FIVE YEARS OLD CAN RECEIVE ONE FREE BOOK IN THE MAIL EVERY MONTH.

>> IN NEWPORT OUR POPULATION 38% OF OUR NEWPORT CHILDREN BIRTH-5 ARE ENROLLED BUT OUR GOAL IS TO GET TO 50% NEXT YEAR.

>> Dr.

WATSON SAYS THIS IS WHERE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS LIKE ST.

ELIZABETH HEALTHCARE CAN HELP OUT THE INITIATIVE.

>> THEY CAN OPERATIONALIZE WHEN A BABY IS BORN THAT A FAMILY IS ENROLLING IN THE LIBRARY BEFORE THEY EVER LEAVE THE HOSPITAL.

>> AND WHY IS NORTHERN KENTUCKY THE RIGHT PLACE FOR AN INITIATIVE LIKE READ READY?

WATSON SAID IT HAS TO DO WITH THE SIZE AND PROXIMITY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> WE DO HAVE A LOT OF SMALL DISTRICT SMALL CITY CONCENTRATION IN AN URBAN AREA.

>> YOU HAVE POVERTY IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF TRANSIENT KIDS THEY BOUNCE FROM NEWPORT TO COVINGTON TO BELL SA VIEW TO DAYTON.

>> NEWPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS 1400 STUDENTS BUT THE COMMISSIONER SAID THE CITY IS BATTLING A DECREASING POPULATION OF YOUNG FAMILIES.

>> ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE THOSE FAMILIES FEEL COMFORTABLE RAISING CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO UTILIZE THE PUBLIC SYSTEM IT BENEFITS THE CITY BY RETAINING FOLKS IN OUR CITY.

AND IT BENEFITS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AS WELL.

>> DAYTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS HAS AROUND 800 STUDENTS.

SUPERINTENDENT RICK WOLF SAID THE EARLIER FAMILIES CAN RECEIVE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES THE BETTER OFF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE.

>> 90S-OUR BRAIN IS DEVELOPED BY THE AGE OF FIVE.

THE EARLIER WE CAN EDUCATE FAMILIES AND PARENTS, IT'S GOING TO PAY DIVIDENDS AT THE END.

>> WHAT IS THE END GOAL?

TO Dr.

WATT SOB IT COMES BACK TO THE KINDERGARTEN READINESS.

>> 100% OF OUR STUDENTS NEED TO BE READY FOR SCHOOL BEFORE THEY ENTER KINDERGARTEN.

AND THAT'S THE GOAL.

AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP STRIVING TO MEET THAT GOAL.

>> FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M EMILY SISK.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

NEWPORT IS KICKING OFF ITS READ READY INITIATIVE WITH A FALL FESTIVAL NEXT MONTH.

FAMILIES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN UP FOR FREE BOOKS AND LEARN HOW TO GET MORE INVOLVED.

[♪♪] >> Renee: KENTUCKY HORSE AND LIVESTOCK OWNERS MAY HAVE TROUBLE FEEDING THEIR ANIMALS THIS WINTER.

THE AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY OF HAY ACROSS THE STATE IS CAUSING SOME CONCERN.

OUR CHRISTIE DUTTON SPOKE WITH BOB COLEMAN, AN EQUINE EXTENSION IS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY TO FIND OUT WHAT FARMERS CAN DO NOW TO PREPARE FOR WINTER FEEDING.

PART OF OUR FARM FOCUSED SEGMENT WE CALL ROOTED.

>> BOB COLEMAN FROM U.K.

'S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE JOINS US.

Dr.

BOB, TELL US HOW IS THE HAY CROP GOING TO DIFFER THIS YEAR COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS?

>> I THINK THIS YEAR WE'RE SEEING SOME THINGS WITH THE WAY THE WEATHER PATTERNS AFFECTED GROWING HAY AND CERTAINLY HARVESTING HAY, IT'S JUST NOT QUITE, I THINK, WHAT WE'RE ALWAYS USED TO OR WE'RE SO USED TO SORT OF THE NORMAL WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR IS GOING TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

SO I THINK IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE STATE WE'RE SEEING WHERE THERE IS NOT AS MUCH HAY AS WE'RE USED TO HARVESTING.

WHEN I'VE TALKED TO SOME OF THE HAY PRODUCERS, THEIR HARVEST YIELDS HAVE NOT BEEN WHAT THEY NORMALLY HAD.

THEY HAD TO WAIT ON HAY SO IT WAS MUCH MORE MATURE WHEN THEY HARVESTED IT.

THAT IS GOING TO AFFECT THE NUTRIENT PROFILE.

THE BIGGEST THING IS THE WAY THE WEATHER PATTERNS INTERACTED WITH THE GROWING OF THE CROP AS WE MIGHT NOT HAVE AS MUCH HAY IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE STATE AS WE NORMALLY WOULD HAVE.

SO THERE'S GOING TO NEED TO BE SOME THOUGHTFULNESS ABOUT GETTING THE HAY INVENTORY THAT PEOPLE THAT HAVE LIVESTOCK ARE GOING TO NEED PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE THAT DON'T DRO THEIR OWN -- GROW THEIR OWN OR GROW THEIR OWN TO A CERTAIN EXTENT BUT IT MAY NOT HAVE PRODUCED WHAT THEY NEED FOR THE FEEDING SEASON.

>> WHAT PARTS OF THE STATE WILL BE MOST IMPACTED BY THIS REDUCED SUPPLY OF HAY?

>> THAT'S A REALLY HARD QUESTION TO ANSWER.

AND MY FEELING IS FROM THE PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO, THAT IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO GO CLEAR ACROSS THE STATE.

THERE WILL BE PARTS OF THE STATE AND WITHIN CERTAIN COUNTIES THAT DID GET RAIN AND THEY WILL BE OKAY AS FAR AS THAT HAY PRODUCTION.

BUT IT'S NOT SURPRISING THAT SOMEBODY ACROSS THE ROAD OR UP THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTY WHO DIDN'T GET THE RAIN OR HAVE THE CONDITIONS THAT SOME PEOPLE DID AND IT'S GOING TO BE LACKING.

>> AND THIS HAY IS GOING TO BE USED FOR THE WINTER SEASON.

DOES THIS MAINLY IMPACT HORSES OR INCLUDE OTHER LIVESTOCK THAT COULD BE IMPACTED BY THE HAY SUPPLY?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION AND I THINK THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR IT TO IMPACT ALL LIVESTOCK.

ANYBODY THAT IS FEEDING HAY.

CERTAINLY, I DEAL WITH THE HORSE COMMUNITY.

AND SO THAT'S WHERE I'M MOST CONNECTED TO.

AND STARTING TO SEE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IS AVAILABLE?

THE FACT THAT WE MAYBE HAD SOME HAY THAT GOT CUT EARLIER IN THE SEASON SO THAT FIRST CUTTING OF HAY AND I KNOW SOME PRODUCERS THAT GOT GOING REALLY EARLY.

PROBABLY GOT A LESS TONNAGE OFF THE HAY FIELDS BUT THE NUTRIENT PROFILE OF THAT HAY IS QUITE GOOD.

AND WHERE WE WITH RESPECT'S GETTING QUITE AS MUCH OR ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WEATHER PATTERNS CHANGED AND WHEN IT WAS TIME TO CUT HAY, WE WERE WAITING ON IT TO NOT RAIN OR STOP RAINING SO WE LET HAY GET MORE MATURE WHICH IS GOING TO REDUCE THE NUTRIENT PROFILE OF THAT HAY.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT THE NUTRIENT PROFILE OF THE HAY BEFORE SO IT'S NOT JUST THE SUPPLY OF HAY AND ALSO THE QUALITY OF THE HAY, TOO, BECAUSE IN SOME DROUGHT AREAS THAT CAN ALLOW WEEDS AND OTHER THINGS TO GROW TOO.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO IMPACT THE QUALITY?

>> AND THERE'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT AND I LOOK AT QUALITY IN A COUPLE DIFFERENT WAYS.

MAYBE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER LIVESTOCK PEOPLE.

BUT I'M LOOKING AT HAY THAT GOT PUT UP IN GOOD CONDITION DOESN'T HAVE MOLD OR DUST IN IT BECAUSE THAT CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE HORSES FROM A RESPIRATORY PROBLEM.

BUT YOUR COMMENT ABOUT THE WEEDS AND I THINK WE'RE SEEING MORE WEEDS THAT CAME ON IN THE SECOND CUTTING OF HAY OR IN THAT LATER TIME PERIOD WHEN IT WAS HOT AND DRY.

BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE PLANTS DO FLOURISH WHEN THOSE ARE THE GROWING CONDITIONS.

I THINK WE'RE SEEING WEED CONTENT IN HAY.

AND ONE THAT I'M SEEING MORE CLOSER TO LEXINGTON BUT THE HAY THAT I'VE HAD THE CHANCE TO LOOK AT, HAS A WEED CALLED FOX TAIL AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE DON'T WANT IN OUR HORSE HAY IT CAN CAUSE ULCERS IN THEIR MOUTHS AND BE A HEADACHE FOR THE HORSE AND FOR THE HORSE OWNERS.

WHEN YOU ARE BUYING HAY YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IT TO SEE WHAT IS THERE.

AND YES, THERE MIGHT BE A REASONABLE LEVEL OF NUTRIENTS THAT WILL MEET YOUR HORSE'S REQUIREMENTS BUT SOME OF THE WEEDS AND OTHER THINGS THAT COULD BE THERE THAT WE DON'T WANT IN THAT HAY WE NEED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THAT.

>> AND SO WHAT DO LIVESTOCK FARMERS NEED TO DO NOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES?

CAN THEY DO SOMETHING NOW TO PREPARE FOR THIS UNCERTAINTY OF SUPPLY AND QUALITY OF HAY FOR THE WINTER?

>> I THINK WHAT THEY NEED TO DO IS DEVELOP THEIR INVENTORY OR WHAT THEY NEED FOR AN INVENTORY.

FIGURE OUT ROUGHLY HOW MUCH HAY ARE YOU GOING TO NEED TO FEED WHATEVER CLASS OF LIVESTOCK YOU ARE GOING TO FEED.

AND ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE IT.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK THAT MOST PEOPLE NEED TO DO IS FIGURE OUT WHEN THEY ARE BUYING WHATEVER PACKAGE OF HAY THEY ARE WHETHER IT'S SMALL SQUARE BALES OR LARGE RURAL BALES HAVING A GOOD IDEA HOW MUCH THOSE BALES WEIGH SO THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY FIGURE OUT THAT HOW MUCH HAY DO I HAVE.

IF YOU HAVE TO FEED A COUPLE HUNDRED POUNDS OF HAY PER DAY YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH IS IN THE BALES SO YOU KNOW HOW MANY BALES YOU NEED TO HAVE.

AND I WOULD RECOMMEND HAVE THE HAY ANALYZED GOAT THE HAY TEST DONE SO YOU KNOW WHAT THE NUTRIENTS ARE AND IT WILL HELP YOU FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO FEED EVERYDAY.

>> THE THANK YOU SO MUCH Dr.

BOB, BOB COLEMAN.

EQUINE EXTENSION ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT U.K.

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXPERTISE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Renee: AND THANK YOU, CHRISTIE.

VALUABLE INFORMATION THERE.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HAVING YOUR HAY TESTED FOR NUTRITIONAL VALUE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL EXTENSION SERVICE OFFICE OR THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AG HAS A HAY HOTLINE THAT YOU CAN CALL, THAT NUMBER IS 502-782-9210.

[♪♪] >> Renee: SUPPORTING THOSE WHO SUPPORT KENTUCKY'S CHILDREN.

>> OUR FOCUS IS MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THAT IT'S THE POWER OF ONE.

MEANING THAT EVERYONE OF US EACH ONE OF US HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THE LIFE OF A CHILD.

>> Renee: IT'S THE GATHERING THAT BRINGS TOGETHER ALL PROFESSIONALS FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE LIVES OF KENTUCKY'S CHILDREN.

WE TAKE YOU INSIDE THIS YEAR'S KIDS ARE WORTH IT CONFERENCE TOMORROW ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

WHICH YOU KNOW TO TUNE IN FOR AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

WE HOPE YOU WILL CONNECT WITH US THE WAYS YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN, FACEBOOK, X AND INSTAGRAM TO STAY IN THE LOOP.

LOOK FOR US ON THE PBS VIDEO APP TO DOWNLOAD THE GREAT CONSENT AND SEND US A STORY IDEA BY E-MAIL AT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG.

I'M RENEE SHAW THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING TONIGHT AND I WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT.

TAKE GOOD CARE.

[♪♪]