[♪♪] >> WE CANNOT SIT HERE AND DEFINE OURSELVES BY COUNTY LINES.

WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE REGION AND HOW WE PARTICIPATE WITH EACH OTHER.

>> Renee: THE STATE SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS THAT IS THE FIRST STEP FOR A SUCCESSFUL EASTERN KENTUCKY WE TAKE YOU TO THE SOAR SUMMIT TO FIND OUT WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE REGION.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR TWO PROMINENT KENTUCKY POLITICIANS?

>> KNOWLEDGE CAN BE POWER AND SOMETIMES YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF THE RISK THAT MAYBE THERE.

>> Renee: HOW OLD IS YOUR HEART?

WHAT CAN BE AGING IT BEYOND ITS YEARS?

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER THE SECOND I'M RENEE SHAW WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>>> WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR EASTERN KENTUCKY?

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND NUCLEAR ENERGY WERE AMONG THE TOPICS AS THE SOAR SUMMIT OR SHAPING OUR APPALACHIAN REGION WRAPPED UP LAST WEEK IN CORBIN.

CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS AND FORMER GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR FOUNDED THE INITIATIVE IN 2013.

THEIR GOAL WAS TO UNITE THE COUNTIES OF SOUTHERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY AND EN SHAREHOLDER THE COAL CENTERED REGION COULD KEEP PROSPERING.

EMILY SISK WAS THERE LAST WEEK AND HAS THE LATEST.

>> YOU CANNOT TELL THE STORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT EASTERN KENTUCKY.

AND BECAUSE OF EVERYONE HERE, THIS REGION'S GOING TO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY, TOO.

>> .

>> WHAT ROLE WILL EASTERNER KENTUCKY PLAY IN THE FUTURE OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE COUNTRY?

THAT WAS THE QUESTION AT THE ANNUAL SOAR SUMMIT IN CORBIN.

STATE SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SAID TO START EASTERN CONDUCTIANS NEED TO VIEW THEMSELVES AS PART OF ONE REGION.

>> WE CANNOT SIT HERE AND DEFINE OURSELVES BY COUNTY LINES.

WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE REGION AND HOW WE PARTICIPATE WITH EACH OTHER, BECAUSE EACH OF US HAVE OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL ASSETS BUT WHEN THEY COME TOGETHER, IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE ABOUT HOW WE ATTRACT PEOPLE HERE AND HOW THEY LOOK TO COME AND LIVE.

>> STIVERS SAID ONE OF HIS BIGGEST FOCUSES IS ATTRACTING REMOTE WORKERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO FIND THEIR HOME IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

TO DO THAT, HE SAID THEY WILL NEED BETTER ACCESS TO ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHICH IS SOMETHING GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR TOUTED AFTER ANNOUNCING AN EXPANSION OF THE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY.

>> I'M THE FIRST GOVERNOR THAT CAN EVER LOOK AT YOU AND SAY EVERY PART OF THE FOUR LANING OF THE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY IS COMPLETE OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

HOW ABOUT THAT?

>> EASTERN KENTUCKY IS ADAPTING FROM NATURAL DISASTERS WITH FLOODING IN RECENT YEARS, AND TORNADOES IN RECENT MONTHS.

THE GOVERNOR DISCUSSED REBUILDING EFFORTS.

>> I THINK ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE LAST YEAR ABOUT THE RESILIENCE THAT WE ARE SEEING AND ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP WE'RE SHOWING.

I THINK ABOUT THE EIGHT HIGH GROUND COMMUNITIES WE ARE BUILDING IN EASTERN KENTUCKY THE MOST INNOVATIVE REBUILD I THINK WE'VE SEEN IN U.S. HISTORY.

WE HAVE DONE MORE THAN BUILD BACK.

THE IDEA OF THESE HIGH GROUND COMMUNITIES ARE TO MOVE PEOPLE OUT OF DANGER WHILE ADDRESSING AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALL AT THE SAME TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE EVER GOES THROUGH A NIGHT LIKE THEY DID AND WE NEVER LOSE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE LOST.

>> DRUG ABUSE HAS PLAGUED EASTERN KENTUCKY THE NUMBER OF DEADLY OVERDOSES HAS DECREASED.

THREE YEARS IN A ROW.

CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS OF KENTUCKY'S FIFTH DISTRICT SAID HE EXPECTS THAT PATTERN TO CONTINUE.

>> AND TODAY, KENTUCKY IS NOW LEADING THE COUNTRY IN THE DECLINE AND NOW THAT WE HAVE SECURE BORDERS, I EXPECT THOSE NUMBERS TO GET EVEN BETTER INTO ATTENDEES OF THE SOAR SUMMIT HEARD FROM PANELISTS ABOUT EASTERN KENTUCKY'S POTENTIAL FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY SOURCES AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DATA CENTERS.

SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS SAID HE BELIEVES THESE INDUSTRIES ARE THE FUTURE FOR NOT ONLY THE REAM, BUT THE COUNTRY.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES BEING DISCUSSED HERE IS A.I.

AND ENERGY.

IT IS NOT JUST A LOCAL ISSUE.

IT IS REALLY A GEOPOLITICAL ISSUE AND YOU HEARD THE DISCUSSION NOW US AND CHINA IS WHO IS GOING TO BE THE LEADER IN THE NEXT 10, 15 YEARS AND IT'S IMPERATIVE WE ARE.

>> THESE INDUSTRIES CAN BRING MORE JOBS AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO EASTERN KENTUCKY WITH AN ULTIMATE GOAL OF REPOPULATING THE REGION.

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

>> Renee: THANK YOU, MUCH EMILY.

AT THE END OF THE SUMMIT STATE PROVIDED $26 MILLION TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND CONGRESSMAN ROGERS PRESENTED THOSE CHECKS FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS, A REPORT FROM THIS YEAR SHOWS HALF OF ALL VIOLENT CRIME OCCURS BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS AND INTIMATE PARTNERS.

KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS REVIEWED THE FINDINGS AT THE CAPITOL LAST WEEK WHERE EXPERTS PRAISED LEGISLATIVE REMEDIES AND SAID COURTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT NEED MORE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES.

JUNE LEFFLER HAS MORE.

>> IN KENTUCKY, MOST PEOPLE WILL SUFFER SOME ABUSE FROM A FAMILY MEMBER OR INTIMATE PARTNER.

>> 60% OF THAT WAS IN A PARTNER VIOLENCE IN R AND 40% OF AT THAT TIME WAS CHILD ABUSE OR ELDER ABUSE AND OTHER TYPES OF FAMILY VIOLENCE.

>> THE DATA WAS COMPILED BY THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS JUSTICE CENTER AND RELEASED IN JANUARY.

THE CENTER ANALYZED NOT JUST INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE, BUT HOW COURTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONS PLAYED THEIR PART.

THE REPORT FOUND VICTIMS ARE MORE LIKELY TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE ORDERS THAN RECENT YEARS THOSE PERMANENT PROTECTIVE ORDERS ARE DECLINING.

PERPETRATORS ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO BE CONVICTED THAN THEY WOULD HAVE A DECADE AGO.

3% OF VICTIMS RECEIVE COMPENSATION, THOUGH THAT IS MORE THAN IN RECENT YEARS.

AND NEARLY ALL POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTOCOL.

BUT THEY PERFORM NO RISK ASSESSMENT IN RESPONDING TO THESE INCIDENTS.

A LEXINGTON DEMOCRAT AND ATTORNEY SAYS THE SYSTEM COULD BETTER RESPOND TO HER CLIENTS' NEEDS.

>> SERVICE PROCESS IS A MAJOR ISSUE.

I SEE THAT AS I WORK IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURT.

I KNOW THAT MANY OF THE SURVIVORS AT THAT TIME I REPRESENT COME BACK WEEK AFTER WEEK AFTER WEEK TO PRESERVE THEIR ORDERS AND HOPE THAT THE OFFENDER HAS BEEN SERVED.

AND I KNOW THAT TRAGICALLY, IN FAYETTE COUNTY WE JUST HAD A MASS SHOOTING, PERPETRATED BY SOMEONE WHO HAD AN UNSERVED PROTECTIVE ORDER AGAINST HIM.

PERHAPS IF WE COULD HAVE REACHED HIM WE COULD HAVE TAKEN AWAY THE WEAPONS THAT HE USED TO KILL TWO PEOPLE IN LEXINGTON.

>> THE RECOMMENDATION REQUIRES RESOURCES.

BECAUSE THE DIFFICULTY THERE'S TWO DIFFICULTIES.

ONE IS FINDING THE PERSON.

BUT THE LARGER ISSUE OR IS THE TIME THAT IT TAKES TO DO THAT.

AND SO THERE ARE A NUMBER OF JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE DEDICATED UNITS THAT IS ALL THEY DO.

BUT, THAT WORKS WELL IN A LARGE JURISDICTION THAT IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT IN A SMALLER JURISDICTION WHERE YOU HAVE A FEW OFFICERS AVAILABLE.

>> KENTUCKY POLICE REPORT THE CHALLENGES OF RESPONDING TO SO MANY INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE CALLINGS.

>> 80% INDICATED THE SIZE OF THEIR STAFF WAS A BARRIER HINDERING THE AGENCY TO RESPOND.

THEY ALSO REPORTED RESPONSES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALLS GENERALLY TOOK AT LEAST AN HOUR FOR THE INITIAL RESPONSE.

>> THIS EXPERT TELLS LAWMAKERS IN THIS LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE THAT THEY ARE MAKING PROGRESS.

>> I THINK YOU SAID KENTUCKY IS ONE OF THE TOP THREE OR FOUR STATES THAT TAKE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERIOUSLY.

I WANT TO ASK YOU TO ELABORATE ON THAT.

>> THE BILLS YOU HAVE PASSED AND THE WAY YOU TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, THE IMPACT YOUR SERVICES FOLKS HAVE HAD IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS IN MOVING THIS FORWARD AND THE FACT YOU HAVE NOT JUST SAID OH, WELLS IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS.

THAT IS MASSIVELY IMPRESSIVE.

>> THIS YEAR LAWMAKERS STIFFENED PENALTIES FOR REPETITIVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VIOLATIONS AND EXPANDED VICTIMS COMPENSATION AND STATE-WIDE REPORTING.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Renee: MANY THANKS, JUNE.

KENTUCKY RELEASED THE FIRST STATE-WIDE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REPORT IN 2023 SOMETHING STATE LAWMAKERS VOTED FOR.

IT FOUND THAT 45% OF WOMEN AND 35% OF MEN HAVE EXPERIENCED INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE.

>>> A STATE LAWMAKER WHO SERVED MORE TAN 20 YEARS IN FRANKFORT SAYS HIS TERM WILL BE HAD IS LAST.

STATE SENATOR JIMMY HIGDON IS A REPUBLICAN FROM LEBANON HE SERVED IN THE STATE HOUSE STARTING IN 2003 AND MOVED TO THE SENATE IN 2009.

HE SPENT TIME AS SENATE MAJORITY WHIP AND PRESIDENT PRO-TEM.

HE WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION IN 2026.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS OFFERED WORDS OF PRAISE HE SAID QUOTE HIS LEADERSHIP ON TRANSPORTATION, PENSIONS, JUDICIAL MATTERS VETERANS ISSUES HAS MADE AN UNDENIABLE DIFFERENCE FOR KENTUCKY AND HE WILL LEAVE A LASTING LEGISLATIVE LEGACY WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF THIS COMMONWEALTH.

>>> HERE IS SOMEONE ELSE NOT SEEKING REELECTION.

ALAN KECK THE MAYOR OF SOMERSET SAYS HE WON'T SEEK A THIRD TERM NEXT YEAR.

HE WAS ELECTED IN 2018 AND REELECTED IN 2022.

HE MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS.

KECK SAYS IT'S BEEN AN HONOR AND JOY TO LEAD AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND HE SAYS IT WAS NEVER ABOUT HIM.

>> THE STATE'S LARGEST PRO BUSINESS LOBBY HAS A FORMULA FOR GETTING MORE WORKERS IN THE STATE LABOR FORCE.

THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMPLETED REPORTS THAT FINDS IF KENTUCKY PARENTS HAD GREATER ACCESS AND LESS INCOME GOING TOWARDS CHILDCARE, IT COULD BE A BILLION DOLLAR ECONOMIC BOOST TO THE STATE.

THE GROUP EXAMINED THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE COST OF CHILDCARE AND WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATES WHICH IS CURRENTLY THE 8TH LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY.

CHAMBER REPRESENTATIVES SAY A GREATER PUSH FOR PROGRAMS LIKE THE EMPLOYEE CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP SETUP TWO YEARS AGO COULD HELP BUT THAT PROGRAM, THE GOVERNMENT MATCHES A PORTION OF EMPLOYER PAID CHILDCARE COSTS FOR THEIR WORKERS.

KATE SHANKS STOPPED BY OUR STUDIOS LAST WEEK TO TELL US WHAT POLICY IDEAS COULD COME FROM THE RECENT FINDINGS.

[♪♪] >> KATE SHANKS THANK YOU FOR COMING ON AND TALKING ABOUT CHILDCARE.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT THE CHAMBER HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN FOR A VERY, VERY LOCK TIME.

>> CHILDCARE IS ONE OF OUR TOP ISSUES IN THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT IS ONE OF THE GOALS THAT OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HANDED US WHEN THEY DID OUR THREE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN.

THERE IS A REASON THE CHAMBER IS FOCUSING ON THIS.

IT RECOGNIZES A BARRIER TO WORK.

THE CHAMBER IS FOCUSED ON WORKFORCE ISSUES, GROWING OUR WORKFORCE AND CRITICAL FOR GROWING OUR ECONOMY AND WE HAVE IDENTIFIED CHILDCARE AS ONE OF THE BARRIERS.

ACCESS TO CHILDCARE AS WELL AS COST.

SO WE ACTUALLY LED THE CHARGE ON THE KENTUCKY COLLABORATIVE FOR CHILDCARE.

AND WE STARTED THIS GROUP BACK LAST OCTOBER BUT THIS HAS BEEN IN THE MAKING SINCE THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND WE ENDED UP WITH A REPORT OF 37 RECOMMENDATIONS HOW WE CAN STRENGTHEN THE CHILDCARE SYSTEM INK CAN, BUILD A FOUNDATION, EXPAND THE NETWORK OF 2,000 CHILDCARE CENTERS AND SUPPORT OUR GROWING WORKFORCE AND OUR GROWING ECONOMY.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN FOCUSING ON THIS SUMMER THIS INTERIM WITH AN EYE ON THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE SPEAK ABOUT IT IN IN COMMITTEE YESTERDAY AND SUMMARIZED THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND TALKED ABOUT THE RESEARCH WE DID TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE LEGISLATURE IF WE CAN REDUCE THE COST OF CHILDCARE, THIS IS HOW MANY PEOPLE WE CAN GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

THAT IS BUN OF THE REPORTS.

ANOTHER REPORT WE DID, HERE IS WHERE THE CHILDCARE GAPS ARE ACROSS KENTUCKY.

WE LOOKED AT OUR POTENTIAL NEED FOR CHILDCARE, AROUND 200,000 SPOTS.

WE LOOKED HOW MUCH CHILDCARE WE HAVE IN KENTUCKY AND WE FOUND A GAP OF ABOUT 56,000.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO SHOW ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH WHERE THOSE GAPS ARE.

SO IT WAS HERE IS THE PLAN HOW WE'RE GOING TO I DON'T WANT TO SAY FIX THE PROBLEM BUT START TO BUILD THE FOUNDATION TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

HERE IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE DO THAT.

AND HERE IS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

THAT IS WHAT THE THREE REPORTS TOGETHER REALLY SUMMARIZE FOR POLICYMAKERS.

>> Renee: FROM THE REPORT ABOUT THE ACCESS ISSUE AND THE DEBITOR OF CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND FACILITIES WE'VE ALWAYS HEARD THAT WE HEARD ABOUT CHILDCARE DESERTS AND IT'S NOT JUST IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

LOUISVILLE, JEFFERSON COUNTY HAS CHILDCARE DESERTS IS IT AS VAST OR ARE THERE GEE GRASK AREAS WHERE THE PROBLEM IS GREATER?

>> IT IS NOT AN URBAN OR A RURAL ISSUE IT IS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

JEFFERSON COUNTY HAS A SIZABLE GAP.

YOU WILL SEE THAT SPIKE ON THE CHART WHEN WE LOOK AT IT BY COUNTY.

IF YOU LOOK OUT AND LOOK AT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS A BIGGER REGION OF THE STATE EASTERN KENTUCKY IN HOUSE DISTRICT 5 THERE ARE GAPS THERE AS WELL.

YOU SEE THEM IN THE RURAL PARTS AND THE URBAN PARTS OF THE STATE.

THE CHALLENGES ARE WIDE AND PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.

IT'S A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE.

THERE'S MORE RESEARCH THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

BUT YOU'RE RIGHT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE GAPS.

WE KNOW THEY ARE THERE.

WE CAN FEEL THEM AND FAMILIES CAN FEEL THEM.

EMPLOYERS TELL ME I HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT WILL DRIVE 45 MINUTES TO ACCESS CHILDCARE.

>> OF THE 37 RECOMMENDATIONS HOW MANY WILL WE SEE IN LEGISLATION OR PIECES OF LEGISLATION NEXT YEAR?

>> IT IS CERTAINLY NOT JUST FOR THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE 37 RECOMMENDATIONS BRING IN PHILANTHROPY, NONPROFIT, EMPLOYERS WE'VE NARROW TO DO DOWN TO TOP EIGHT RECOMMENDATIONS.

THERE ARE SPECIFICS AROUND DATA AND TRACKING THE ISSUES AND MAINTAINING PROGRAMS WE ALREADY HAVE ON THE BOOKS AND FUNDING THEM AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST.

HOW WE CAN SUPPORT COMMUNITY DRIVEN EFFORTS AND EMPLOYER DRIVEN EFFORTS.

THERE WERE CHANGES MADE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL IN THE ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL INCENTIVES FOR EMPLOYERS WHO INVEST IN CHILDCARE SO THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO ADD TO THAT AND LEVERAGE THOSE RESOURCES.

AND ULTIMATELY ENSURING WE ARE PROVIDING THE RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND EMPLOYERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

I DO EXPECT A BILL WE HEARD THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE SAY I'M BRINGING LEGISLATION WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HER AND OTHERS WHO CHAMPION THIS ISSUE.

>> Renee: AND SENATOR DANNY CARROLL HAS BEEN INTERESTED IN THIS TOPIC.

>> I THINK YOU WILL FIND MANY LEGISLATORS WANT TO BE INVOLVED AND HELPFUL IN IT.

YOU ARE HEARING FROM FOLKS BACK HOME AND CONSTITUENTS.

MOST LEGISLATORS ARE PARENTS AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS AS WELL.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF WORK DONE IN THE UPCOMING SESSION AND WE TOLD THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON THIS AND GATHER EVERYBODY TOGETHER FORM THIS DOCUMENT AND BRING YOU SOMETHING THAT WE THINK IS GOING TO BE WORKABLE IN THE UPCOMING SESSION.

SO WE'RE DELIVERING ON THAT.

>> Renee: WE'LL FOLLOW IT THROUGH THE SESSION FOR SURE.

KATE SHANKS THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

[♪♪] >> Renee: WE EXPECT RAIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS IN KENTUCKY.

YES.

AND WE CERTAINLY DO NEED IT.

32 COUNTIES ARE NOW UNDER A BURN BAN AND MOST PLACES A BURN BAN MEANS A BAN ON THE BURNING OF FOREST, CROPS, MASHES OR SIMILAR AREAS.

NO BURNING OF LEAVES OR DEBRIS, NO CAMP FIRES, BONFIRES, WARMING FIRES, OPEN PIT COOKING AND CHARCOAL GRILLING.

HERE IS THE LATEST MAP FOR KENTUCKY FROM THE U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR RELEASED LAST THURSDAY.

MOST OF THE STATE IS IN THE YELLOW CATEGORY WHICH MEANS, ABNORMALLY DRY.

THERE ARE A FEW AREAS OF THE STATE IN LIGHT ORANGE WHICH MEANS MODERATE DROUGHT AND A NEW MAP WILL BE RELEASED THIS THURSDAY.

>>> A MAYOR HAS RESIGNED BUT WHY?

AND A SCHOOL SYSTEM IS MAKING SOME CHANGES AFTER A SHOOTING AT A FOOTBALL GAME.

OUR TOBY GIBBS EXPLAINS IN TONIGHT'S LOOK AT HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.

[♪♪] >> MAYFIELD INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS WILL TIGHTEN RULES AFTER A SHOOTING DURING A FOOTBALL GAME AUGUST 22.

A 14-YEAR-OLD BOY SHOT AN 18-YEAR-OLD AFTER A FIGHT.

THE MAYFIELD MESSENGER SAYS FROM NOW ON STUDENTS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE WILL HAVE TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT AT ALL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS YOUNGER CHILDREN ARE LESS ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES DURING AN EMERGENCY.

>>> A LAWSUIT AGAINST FIVE KENTUCKY COUNTIES COULD PREVENT THEM FROM BENEFITING FROM FUTURE OPIOID SETTLEMENTS.

A STORY IN THE ANDERSON NEWS QUOTES THE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION SAYING THE LAWSUIT IS FROM OPTUM RX, A PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER OR PBM THEY DECIDE WHICH MEDICATIONS ARE COVERED BY INSURANCE, AND THEY WORK TO NEGOTIATE DRUG PRICES.

THE LAWSUIT ACCUSES ANDERSON, BOYD, CHRISTIAN, NICHOLAS AND OLDHAM COUNTIES OF VIOLATING THE OPEN MEETINGS LAWS WHEN DISCUSSING WHETHER TO JOIN LAWSUITS TARGETING PBM'S.

KENTUCKY SECURED MORE THAN $85 MILLION FROM OPIOID MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS FOR THEIR ROLES IN FUELING PRESCRIPTION DRUG CRIMES.

PBM'S COULD BECOME THE NEXT TARGET FOR LAWSUITS AND MANY IN RECOVERY WORRY ABOUT THE PRECEDENT IF OPTUM RX WINS THIS SUIT.

>>> CHRIS WRIGHT RESIGNED FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY REASONS HE HAS BEEN MAYOR THREE YEARS.

THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY TRIBUNE SAYS HE PLANS TO CONTINUE AS AN EDUCATOR AND HOPES TO DO MORE FOR THE COMMUNITY WHEN HIS HEALTH IMPROVES.

>>> DEER SEASON IS ON THE WAY.

ARCHERS CAN BEGIN AUGUST 6TH AND STAY INFORMED ABOUT THE DEER HEALTH.

THEY NEED TO BE AWARE OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE, THE STATE EUTHANIZED 20 DEER LAST WEEK.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: YOUR HEART MAYBE AGING YOU FASTER THAN YOU THINK.

IN A NEW STUDY, THE JOURNAL OF AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION INTRODUCED A HEART AGE CALCULATOR IT CALCULATES HOW BLOOD PRESSURE, CHOLESTEROL AND LIFESTYLE AGE THE HEART.

THE STUDY FOUND ON AVERAGE MEN HAVE HEARTS THAT ARE SEVEN YEARS OLDER THAN THEIR AGE AND WOMEN HAD HEARTS FOUR YEARS OLDER THAN THEIR ACTUAL AGE.

Dr. JASON HOPPER WITH NORTON HEART INSTITUTE SAYS KNOWING YOUR NUMBERS IS ONE KEY TO HEART HEALTH.

HE DISCUSSES THAT AND STEPS TO HELP KEEP YOUR HEART ACT ITS AGE OR JUDGER IN TODAY'S AND MEDICAL NEWS.

>> KNOWLEDGE CAN BE POWER AND SOMETIMES YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF THE RISKS.

THE MORE YOU CAN EMPOWER PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF THEIR RISK FACTORS THERE CAN BE RISKS THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT AND THE MORE INFORMATION, KNOW YOUR NUMBERS, KNOW YOUR RISK AND HELPS SET FOLKS UP FOR SUCCESS AND PREVENT PROBLEMS FROM HAVING TO SEEK SOMEONE LIKE US.

THERE ARE A LOT OF RISK ASSESSMENTS.

WE'RE HELP YOU BE AWARE OF YOUR RISK IN TERMS OF MEASURES TO REDUCE YOUR RISK.

I THINK OF THE EIGHT AND THE MEASURES WE CAN HAVE TO REDUCE FUTURE RISKS.

THERE ARE WAYS FOR US TO CONCEPTUALIZE SOMEONE'S AGE AND THE RISK AGE WE THINK ABOUT THE HEART THE BIOLOGICAL AGE, TO SAY YOU MAYBE 40 OR 50 YOUR HEART IS AT RISK FOR SOMEONE 70 OR 80.

IT IS A WAY FOR US TO PUT IN PERSPECTIVE RISK FACTORS THAT MAY NOT MAKE SENSE IN ISOLATION BUT TOGETHER CAN HELP US SEE WHERE YOUR HEART AGE IS AT AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO INTERVENE.

IT'S GOOD TO BE INFORMED AND KNOW YOUR RISK, YOUR FAMILY HISTORY AND THINGS WE CAN DO TO HELP PREVENT PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE.

THERE'S WAYS FOR US TO THINK ABOUT HOW CAN WE INTERVENE, HOW CAN WE MAKE CHANGES TO OUR LIFESTYLE OR HABITS TO PREVENT PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE.

EXERCISE, GOOD SLEEP HABITS KNOWING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE NUMBERS AND YOUR CHOLESTEROL VALUES AND BEING ACTIVE FOCUSING ON HEALTHY SLEEP.

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE.

IT'S ALWAYS BENEFIT TO BE HAD.

WE CAN'T CHANGE THINGS AND RISK FACTORS WE CANNOT MODIFY BUT WE CAN DO THINGS TO HELP IMPROVE FUTURE RISK AND NEVER TOO LATE TO START AND NEVER TOO EARLY COULD BE AWARE OF YOUR RISKS.

>> Renee: IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT IF YOUR HEART IS AGING LIKE IT SHOULD THERE IS A HEART HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT QUIZ YOU CAN TAKE AT NORTON HEALTHCARE.COM.

>>> NOW, MORE HEALTH NEWS... MONEY IS ON THE WAY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PIKEVILLE'S TANNER SCHOOL OF DENTAL MEDICINE.

THE USDA PLANS $53 MILLION IN GRANTS AND $3 MILLION IN LOANS TO HELP WITH CONSTRUCTION OF THE DENTAL SCHOOL.

THE APPALACHIAN EXPRESS REPORTS THE SCHOOL STARTED TAKING STUDENT APPLICATIONS YESTERDAY.

AND DURING FRIDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT, U PIKE PRESIDENT BURTON WEBB ANNOUNCED THE FUTURE SCHOOL IS FULLY ACCREDITED BY THE KENTUCKY COMMISSION ON DENTAL ACCREDITATION.

TRAVIS BURTON STATE DIRECTOR FOR THE USDA, SAYS THE DENTAL SCHOOL WILL HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE REGION IN TERMS OF BOTH HEALTH AND JOBS.

[♪♪] THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER WAS A BUSY ONE IN KENTUCKY'S PAST WITH A PRESIDENTIAL VISIT, A KEY CIVIL WAR MOMENT AND A BICYCLE RACE THAT COVERED 100 MILES.

OUR TOBY GIBBS HAS THE DETAILS IN THIS LOOK BACK AT THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY HISTORY.

[♪♪] >> CONFEDERATE TROOPS ENTER THE LEXINGTON ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1862 AFTER THEIR VICTORY OVER UNION FORCES IN THE BATTLE OF RICHMOND.

>>> JOHN YOUNG BROWN BECAME GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY SEPTEMBER 2, 1891, THE LAST KENTUCKY GOVERNOR SWORN IN DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER.

AFTER THAT ALL GOVERNORS WOULD TAKE OFFICE IN DECEMBER.

HE WAS NOT RELATED TO JOHN Y.

BROWN, JR. >> CLIFF WON A 100 MILE BICYCLE RACE FROM LEXINGTON TO COVINGTON ON SEPTEMBER 7TH, 1896, SIX HOURS, SEVEN MINUTES AND 56 SECONDS.

HALL OF FAME GREAT WAGNER WITH THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES ENDORSED THE NET YET FAMOUS LOUISVILLE SLUGGER ON SEPTEMBER FIRST 1905.

THE SIGNATURE APPEARED ON THE BAT BEFORE JOINING THE PIRATES HE PLAYED FOR THE LOUISVILLE CONCERN NELLS BEFORE THE TEAM FOLDED.

>> PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT VISITED KENTUCKY WITH STOPS IN CORBIN, WINCHESTER AND ASHLAND.

>>> BECAUSE OF THE COVID OUTBREAK, CHURCHILL DOWNS HELD THE 2020 KENTUCKY DERBY ON SEPTEMBER 5 INSTEAD OF THE FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY.

THE STANDS WERE EMPTY.

AUTHENTIC WON THE RACE.

AND THOSE ARE THE BIG EVENTS THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY HISTORY I'M TOBY GIBBS.

>> Renee: MANY THANKS, TOBY.

LIFE ON THE FARM CAN BE STRESSFUL BUT ONE PROGRAM IS AAT THE PRESENT TIMING TO BUILD A BRIDGE TO BETTER MENTAL HEALTH FOR KENTUCKY FARMERS.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO JUST GO INTO FARMING COMMUNITIES AND TALK ABOUT HERE ARE ALL YOUR RISK FACTORS FOR SUICIDE AND DEPRESSION.

WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE INCREDIBLE WORK YOU ARE DOING AND THE HUMANS THAT YOU ARE.

>> Renee: MORE ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" TOMORROW NIGHT.

CONNECTING FARMERS TO THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THEY NEED TO THRIVE AND SURVIVE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING I WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT.

TAKE GOOD CARE.