[♪♪] >> PRESSURE MOUNTS AGAINST LEADERS OF KENTUCKY'S SECOND-LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT... WITH LAWMAKERS NOW CALLING FOR A CHANGE.

>> THIS IS NOT NEW GUN CONTROL IT DOES NOT PUT A NEW RESTRICTION ON OUR PEOPLE.

IT DOES NOT.

>> A KENTUCKY LAWMAKER WANTS TO INTRODUCE A BILL RELATED TO HANDGUN DESIZES SOME SAY IT IS COMMON SENSE LEGISLATION BUT NOT EVERYONE AGREES.

>> THE MOST TERRIFYING PART OF A LOT OF THESE EMERGENCIES IS THE UNKNOWN.

YOU NEVER THINK IT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU.

>> HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF... AND YOUR FAMILY... FOR DISASTER.

>> WE ALL HAVE A ROLE THAT WE CAN PLAY IN ADDRESSING THIS PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

AND A NEW REPORT DELIVERS SOME SOBERING NEWS ON SUICIDE RATES IN THE STATE'S LARGEST COUNTY... INCLUDING WHO IS MOST AT RISK.

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

[♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO KENTUCKY EDITION FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TONIGHT A GROWING NUMBER OF STATE LAWMAKERS ARE CALLING FOR THE IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION OF FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS' TOP LEADERS.

REPRESENTATIVE MATT LOCKETT WAS THE FIRST TO ISSUE A STATEMENT TODAY SAYING IT'S TIME FOR SUPERINTENDENT DEMETRUS LIGGINS AND BOARD CHAIR TYLER MURPHY TO STEP ASIDE.

THE NICHOLASVILLE REPUBLICAN'S DISTRICT COVERS PART OF FAYETTE COUNTY.

HE BLAMES LIGGINS AND MURPHY FOR MISMANAGING THE DISTRICT'S FINANCES... CREATING A HOSTILE ADMINISTRATIVE CULTURE... AND LACKING TRANSPARENCY.

IN A STATEMENT... HE CALLS THE DISTRICT, QUOTE, "A CASE STUDY IN DYSFUNCTION, CONTROVERSY, AND COLLAPSING CONFIDENCE," END QUOTE.

TWO STATE SENATORS HAVE NOW JOINED LOCKETT IN CALLING FOR RESIGNATIONS -- SENATORS DONALD DOUGLAS AND CHRIS MCDANIEL, CHAIR OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE.

IN A LETTER, SENATOR MCDANIEL SAYS, QUOTE, "FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECEIVES ROUGHLY 274 MILLION DOLLARS EACH YEAR IN STATE SUPPORT.

WITH THAT LEVEL OF INVESTMENT COMES A DUTY TO BE OPEN, CAREFUL, AND ACCOUNTABLE.

INSTEAD, THE PUBLIC HAS SEEN LAVISH TRAVEL SPENDING, MISLEADING BUDGET NUMBERS, AND EVEN AN UNLAWFUL TAX-INCREASE ATTEMPT.

TAXPAYERS, PARENTS, AND TEACHERS DESERVE BETTER."

THE DISTRICT HAS BEEN UNDER SCRUTINY FOR MONTHS AFTER ANNOUNCING A 16-MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET SHORTFALL EARLIER THIS YEAR.

BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS INTO HOW THE MONEY WAS MISMANAGED ARE ONGOING.

JUST LAST WEEK, SUPERINTENDENT LIGGINS TESTIFIED IN FRANKFORT ABOUT THE DISTRICT'S FINANCIAL MISSTEPS.

TODAY HE IS PUSHING BACK HE SAID QUOTE I HAVE AGREED THAT MUCH OF THE CRITICISM SURROUNDING FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUDGET PROCESS HAS TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESTORING TRUST.

I HAVE NO TIME FOR BULLIES.

END QUOTE.

WE TALK ABOUT K-12 EDUCATION ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" AND WE TALK ABOUT CALLS FOR LIGGINS RESIGNATION AND CALLS TO SPEND $700 MILLION ON KENTUCKY SCHOOLS AND A CASE PENDING BEFORE THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT.

TOES ISSUES WILL BE DISCUSSED AT 8:00 P.M.

HERE ON KET.

A HIGH RANKING KENTUCKY LAWMAKER IS PROPOSING TO MAKE HANDGUN CONVERSION DEVICES ILLEGAL THEY TURN HANDGUNS INTO AUTOMATIC WEAPONS ALREADY LEGAL ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL BUT A LOUISVILLE REPUBLICAN SAYS KENTUCKY NEEDS THE STATE AUTHORITY TO ACT.

>> HANDGUN CONVERSION DEVICES TURN A SEMIAUTOMATIC WEAPON INTO A FULLY AUTOMATIC DEVICE.

THAT MAINES THE GUN CONTINUOUSLY FIRES BULLETS UNTIL THE TRIGGER IS RELEASED OR THE AMMUNITION RUNS OUT.

THESE DEVICES ARE ILLEGAL ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL BUT NOT PROHIBITED BY KENTUCKY'S STATE LAW.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE TO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE AUTHORITY TO SEIZE THE WEAPONS AND CHARGE THOSE IN POSSESSION.

>> WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

PAUSE RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENFORCE FEDERAL LAW.

>> THE POLICE CHIEF SAYS CURRENTLY STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT ONLY HAS THE ABILITY TO SEIZE THE CONVERTED WEAPON IF THEY ARE CHARGING THE OWNER FOR A GUN RELATED CRIME OTHERWISE THEY CAN ONLY REPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS WHO PAY OR MAY NOT DECIDE TO PURSUE THE CASE.

>> THE ONLY HOPE WE HAVE OF ENFORCEMENT OF THIS TYPE OF WEAPON IS TO BE DEPENDENT ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE A.T.F.

TO PICK UP THE CASE AND PROSECUTE.

>> THE A.T.F.

IS THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES.

OFTENTIMES THE FEDERAL AGENCY IS SHORTHANDED AND CANNOT PROSECUTE EVERY CASE.

ONE REPRESENTATIVE WAS CRITICAL OF THE PROPOSAL SAYING HE DIDN'T SEE THE NEED FOR A LAW THAT EXISTS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> THIS IS ILLEGAL AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

AND FURTHER WE HAVE FAILED TO PROTECT THE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF KENTUCKIANS.

OUR ENERGY IS BETTER SPENT ACTUALLY EXPANDING THE RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE RATHER THAN IMPOSING FURTHER RESTRICTIONS THAT ARE ILLEGAL AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNTERED THE CRITICISM AND EXPLAINED HIS REASONING FOR THE PROPOSAL.

>> I WOULD DISAGREE THAT KENTUCKY HASN'T PROTECTED THE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT.

I BOUGHT TWO GUNS IN THE LAST 60 DAYS AND IT TOOK ME 10 MINUTES TO BUY.

KEY OF WE SHOULD KEEP THEM FROM THE MENTAL HEALTHLY ILL AND KEEP GUNS FROM FELONS AND PEOPLE WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

WE NEED TO STRONGLY ENFORCE THE LAW WE HAVE ON THE BOOKS WITH BACKGROUND CHECKS AND SO FORTH.

WE DISAGREE WHETHER WE HAVE TO HAVE BACKGROUND CHECKS BUT WE HAVE THOSE LAWS WE NEED TO ENFORCE THOSE LAWS AND WHEN SOMEBODY USES A FIREARM IN THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME WE NEED TO TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY.

ALL WHILE PROTECTING THE LAW-ABIDING GUN OWNER THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THAT.

IT IS ILLEGAL TO HAVE THIS DEVICE AND IT WILL BE JUST AS ILLEGAL IF WE PASS THIS BILL.

>> ANOTHER REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER EXPLAINS WHY SHE DISAGREES.

>> IT IS CREATING A NEW REGULATION, MORE GUN CONTROL ON OUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS IF WE WERE TO PASS THIS INTO KENTUCKY'S LAW.

I VIEW IT AS NEW AND ADDITIONAL GUN CONTROL AND I HAVE ISSUES WITH IT.

I AM OPPOSED TO IT.

>> IT DOES NOT AFFECT PUT A NEW RESTRICTION AND 0 OUR PEOPLE.

IT DOES NOT.

TO HAVE ONE OF THESE AUTO SERIES.

IT IS ILLEGAL TODAY.

THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THAT.

TO SAY IT PUTS A RESTRICTION THAT IS INCORRECT.

>> THE PROPOSAL RECEIVED CRITICISM IT GOT SUPPORT FROM LEGISLATORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO SEE OUR POLICE OFFICERS, THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

>> I DO NOT THINK AT THAT TIME ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION THAT WE CAN CONSIDER THIS A VIOLATION OF SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS AT ALL.

THIS IS COMMON SENSE LEGISLATION.

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

>> Renee: MANY THANKS.

REPRESENTATIVE KNEE MISS WILL MODIFY THE BILL IN PREPARATION ARE NOT 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT BEGINS IN JANUARY.

28 STATES HAVE PASSED SIMILAR LEGISLATION INCLUDING TENNESSEE AND ALABAMA.

>> TURNING TO WASHINGTON... WHERE TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO AVOID A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

LAWMAKERS HAVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30TH TO REACH A DEAL.

ON FRIDAY, THE SENATE REJECTED A HOUSE-PASSED PLAN TO FUND THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH NOVEMBER.

SENATOR RAND PAUL OF KENTUCKY WAS ONE OF TWO REPUBLICAN SENATORS TO VOTE AGAINST IT.

SPEAKING ON NBC'S MEET THE PRESS YESTERDAY, SENATOR PAUL CRITICIZED BOTH PARTIES FOR BEING FINANCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE.

>> DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNMENT IS HEADING TOWARDS A SHUT DOWN?

>> I HOPE NOT AND I THINK IT IS A DISRUPTIVE TO CLOSE THE GOVERNMENT DOWN.

THE REPUBLICAN PLAN WOULD ADD $2 TRILLION TO THE DEFICIT.

THE DEMOCRAT PLAN WAS GOING TO ADD $3 TRILLION TO THE DEFICIT.

BOTH PARTIES ARE TERRIBLE AT ADDRESSING OUR DEFICIT WE HAVE A $37 TRILLION DEBT, A TRILLION IN INTEREST BECAUSE BOTH PARTIES ARE TERRIBLE.

I WILL NOT VOTE FOR THE REPUBLICAN OR THE DEMOCRAT PLAN.

TYPICALLY THE COMPROMISE IS TO MAKE THINGS WORSE.

THE COMPROMISE THROUGH THE YEARS IS THE RIGHT GETS MORE MILITARY SPENDING AND THE LEFT GETS PORE WELFARE SPENDING AND THE DEBT CONTINUES TO EXPLODE.

OUR DEBT HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED THERE IS UNREST AND I DO BELIEVE THAT WE FACE PROBLEMS AS A COUNTRY IF WE DON'T START WILL BAAING OUR BUDGET.

>> SENATOR PAUL WAS ASKED ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE AFTER >> SENATOR PAUL WAS ALSO ASKED ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE FOLLOWING ABC'S DECISION TO SUSPEND LATE-NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST JIMMY KIMMEL FOR HIS COMMENTS FOLLOWING THE ASSASSINATION OF CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK.

>> HOURS AFTER BREN SAID THIS.

>> WE CAN DO THIS THE EASY WAY OR THE HARD WAY.

THE AND CANS WITH FIND WAYS TO CHANGE CONDUCT AND TAKE ACTION FRANKLY ON KIMMEL OR THERE'S GOING TO BE WORK FOR THE F.C.C.

AHEAD.

>> SENATOR, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT BRENDAN CARR'S COMMENTS WERE APPROPRIATE?

>> ABSOLUTELY INAPPROPRIATE.

BRENDAN CARR HAS NO BUSINESS WEIGHING IN ON THIS.

BUT PEOPLE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT DESPICABLE COMMENTS YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY THEM BUT YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT.

EVERYBODY EMPLOYED INCLUDING YOURSELF HAS A CODE OF CONDUCT IN YOUR CONTRACT.

NFL PLAYERS HAVE IT, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS HAVE IT IF YOU SAY THINGS AT THAT TIME GLORIFY SOMEONE'S DEATH OR MAKE FUN OF IT, YEAH, YOU CAN BE FIRED.

THE F.C.C.

SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

BUT I DO THINK THAT A COUPLE OF THE NETWORKS PULLED OUT SINCLAIR PULLED OUT THEY WERE DISGUSTED BY THE COMMENTS.

THAT IS THEIR RIGHT.

YOU CAN GET FIRED FOR NOT BEING POPULAR.

THIS IS TELEVISION YOU HAVE TO SELL COMMERCIALS AND IF YOU ARE LOSING MONEY YOU CAN BE FIRED BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO BUSINESS IN IT AND THE F.C.C.

WAS WRONG TO WEIGH-IN AND I WILL FIGHT ANY ATTEMPT OF THE GOVERNMENT TO GET INVOLVED I WILL FIGHT TODAY, ABC ANNOUNCED JIMMY KIMMEL'S LATE-NIGHT SHOW WILL RETURN, BEGINNING TOMORROW.

>> CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR IS TAKING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST A GROUP THAT DOESN'T WANT HIM TO BECOME KENTUCKY'S NEXT U.S.

SENATOR.

BARR'S SENATE CAMPAIGN SENT A CEASE AND DESIST LETTER TO WIN IT BACK -- A SUPER PAC THAT'S RUN ADS AGAINST HIM.

THE MOST RECENT AD ACCUSES KENTUCKY'S SIXTH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN OF VOTING IN FAVOR OF SENDING FEDERAL DOLLARS TO HOSPITALS THAT PERFORMED SEX CHANGES ON CHILDREN.

BARR'S CAMPAIGN CALLED THE AD, QUOTE, "PATENTLY FALSE, DEROGATORY, AND DEFAMATORY."

THEIR LETTER ALSO POINTS OUT THAT BARR CO-SPONSORED A 2023 BILL CALLED THE END OF TAXPAYER FUNDING OF GENDER EXPERIMENTATION ACT.

THOUGH THAT BILL HAS NOT BEEN PASSED INTO LAW.

EARLIER THIS MONTH... WIN IT BACK SAID IT WAS INVESTING TWO MILLION DOLLARS IN AN AD CAMPAIGN TARGETING CONGRESSMAN BARR.

HE'S ONE OF SEVERAL REPUBLICANS LOOKING TO REPLACE RETIRING U.S.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL NEXT YEAR.

>> MORE FEDERAL MONEY COULD BE HEADING TO WESTERN KENTUCKY TO SUPPORT SOME MAJOR PROJECTS IN THE REGION.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED FRIDAY NIGHT, ON KET'S COMMENT ON KENTUCKY.

[♪♪] >> BUSY WEEK YOU HAD THE FLY IN TRIP THE PADUCAH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

WHAT WERE THE GOALS ON THAT TRIP?

>> 10,000 FOOT VIEW SO EVERYONE IS AWARE THE PADUCAH CHAMBER GOES FOR THE FLY IN AND THIS YEAR A RECORD NUMBER 80 PEOPLE OF ELECTED OFFICIALS BUSINESS OWNERS AND OTHERS AND THEY HAVE A LIST OF FEDERAL PRIORITIES.

PRIORITIES IN ASKING FOR SUPPORT FINANCIALLY AND OTHERWISE FOR INITIATIVES.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOST IMPORTANT MEETINGS WITH LAWMAKERS AND THE ENTITIES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY IS THE PADUCAH SITE AND THE POTENTIAL THERE.

REMEMBER, THAT RIGHT NOW THERE ARE PLANS AND STUDIES FOR REINDUSTRIALIZATION OF THAT SITE THE FORMER PADUCAH GAS DIFFUSION PLANT AND THOSE PLANS INCLUDE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, DATA CENTER, THE PLANS INCLUDE AN ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FACILITY THAT WILL COST $40 MILLION AND THE POTENTIAL FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY.

SO THOSE ARE THE BIG TALKING POINTS DURING ONE OF THE DAYS THAT WE WERE THERE IN WASHINGTON D.C.

>> Renee: DO YOU THINK THE LEADERS HEARD WHAT THEY HOPED TO FROM PEOPLE LIKE MITCH McCONNELL AND JAMES COMER?

>> THEY DID.

AND THIS IS A YEAR'S LONG EFFORT IT'S PAVING THE ROAD OF FIVE YEARS AGO AND LOOKING FIVE YEARS AHEAD.

AND THE LAWMAKERS THEMSELVES HAVE SAID AND I BELIEVE IT TO BE GENUINE, THE PADUCAH CHAMBER WHEN THEY SHOW UP IT'S BIGGER THAN LEXINGTON AND LOUISVILLE IN TERMS OF REPRESENTATION N WASHINGTON D.C.

THEY KNOW WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.

CONGRESSMAN COMER CALLED THE DIRECTOR OF THE CHAMBER A SQUEAKY WHEEL AND THEY GET THE OIL.

SO THEY ARE OPEN TO THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND THOSE FERS CANS ARE WHAT HAS A LOT OF THE CONTINUED FUNDING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR DOE CLEAN UP AND OTHER PROJECTS.

>> WE DO SEE INDICATIONS THAT KENTUCKY WILL EMBRACE NUCLEAR ENERGY AT SOME POINT THE LEGISLATURE HAS DIRECTED THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO STUDY IT AND THEY ARING TO THAT.

IS WESTERN KENTUCKY PARTICULARLY WELL POSITIONED GIVEN ITS TRACK RECORD FOR THAT?

>> THEY ARE WELL POSITIONED AND I WILL TELL YOU WHY.

THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THE RIGHT KIND OF WORK IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO PREPARE.

THEY HAVE BEEN PREPARING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO REMEMBER PADUCAH, KENTUCKY, IS BEING TALKED ABOUT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL FOR ITS ABILITY TO HAVE THIS MASSIVE CAMPUS FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR COMPANIES TO COME IN, INVEST, BUILD, AND TALK ABOUT NUCLEAR ENERGY.

SOMETHING THAT I HEARD FROM LAWMAKERS, SENATOR PAUL, McCONNELL, REPRESENTATIVE COMER IN WASHINGTON.

BUT THE GROUND WORK HAS BEEN LAID.

SO NOW IT'S HURRY UP AND WAIT AND GET THE COMPANIES TO COME IN.

>> IS IT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DATA CENTER A DONE DEAL FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY?

>> NOTHING IS A DONE DEAL UNTIL WE SEE IT BUILT AND OPERATIONAL.

BUT IT'S ON THAT WAY.

BECAUSE PADUCAH, KENTUCKY WAS ONLY FOUR LOCATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.

ONE OF FOUR TO BE SELECTED.

SO I THINK THAT SAYS A LOT ABOUT WHAT COULD BE CREATED HERE IN PADUCAH AND THE ENERGY BEHIND THIS GROWING BEHEMOTH THAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

>> YOU CAN HEAR THE REST OF THE DISCUSSION AND GET CAUGHT UP ON WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN LOCAL AND STATE POLITICS BY STREAMING COMMENT ONLINE AT KET DOT ORG.

>> MORE CASES OF WEST NILE VIRUS ARE NOW CONFIRMED IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

THAT BEGINS TONIGHT'S MEDICAL NEWS.

THE LEXINGTON FAYETTE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE ARE NOW THREE CASES IN THE CITY.

THAT'S UP FROM ONE JUST LAST WEEK.

AS A RESULT... THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE SPRAYING FOR MOSQUITOES WHICH CAN TRANSMIT THE VIRUS.

WEST NILE CAN CAUSE FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS IN ADDITION TO A STIFF NECK, TREMORS, AND VISION LOSS.

SYMPTOMS CAN TAKE UP TO 14 DAYS TO DEVELOP.

MILD CASES CAN IMPROVE ON THEIR OWN.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS ALL THREE PATIENTS IN LEXINGTON REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION.

TO REDUCE YOUR RISK, EXPERTS SUGGEST MOSQUITO-PROOFING YOUR YARD AND HOME AND TO USE MOSQUITO REPELLANTS WHEN SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS.

[♪♪] >> SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH AND ACCORDING TO A 2023 SURVEY BY THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.... OR FEMA... AROUND 51-PERCENT OF AMERICANS SAY THEY'RE PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY OR NATURAL DISASTER.

BUT THEY MAY NOT BE AS READY AS THEY THINK.

WE SPOKE TO THE DIRECTOR OF LEXINGTON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE PREPARED.

>> PART OF FEMA'S READY CAMPAIGN THEY HAVE DONE IT SINCE 2004 AND WE TAKE PART BECAUSE IT'S GREAT FOR PEOPLE TO REMEMBER TO BE READY.

ONE IS A FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN, WHOEVER IS IN YOUR HOUSE OR WORRIED ABOUT IN YOUR AREA, YOUR GRANDMOTHER OR A NEIGHBOR, THE PLAN IF YOU LOSE POWER FOR 72 HOURS, IF YOU CAN'T GET YOUR MEDICATIONS AND DOGS, OF THE YOU NEED TO LEAVE YOUR HOUSE FOR 72 HOURS IN A TUB OR A BAG THAT YOU CAN GRAB AND GO IF NEED BE.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER, CANNED FOOD, WATER, GALLON PER PERSON PER DAY AND SAME FOR PETS AND IF YOU HAVE SMALL CHILDREN DIAPERS AND BOTTLES.

ONE THING IS HAVING A SPARE SET OF GLASSES.

AND HAVING CASH IN CASE POWER GOES OUT AND CREDIT CARD MACHINES DON'T WORK.

HAVE A CONTACT PLAN FOR YOUR FAMILY.

A MEETING PLATES FOR YOU TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FAMILY.

HOW THEY CAN FIND YOU WHERE YOU WILL GO IN AN EMERGENCY.

18 YEARS OLD AND MOVING TO COLLEGE AND YOUR DORM IS HIT BY A TORNADO, YOUR PARENTS THOUGH YOU WILL GO TO THIS LOCATION ON CAMPUS AND THIS IS THE NUMBER THEY CAN REACH YOU.

A WAY FOR YOUR FAMILY TO GET IN CONTACT WITH YOU, THE MOST TERRIFYING PART IS THE UNKNOWN.

YOU NEVER THINK IT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU YOU THINK OF FLORIDA AND THE HURRICANES AND CALIFORNIA AND THE WILDFIRES.

BUT WHEN IT DOES IT'S TERRIFYING HAVING A PLAN AND KIT AND BEING PREPARED MAKES IT EASIER TO GET LIEU AT THAT TIME TIME.

>> GOOD ADVICE.

>> TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN EMERGENCY OR DISASTER... GO TO READY-DOT-GOV.

THERE YOU WILL FIND A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ON ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO BE PREPARED.

[♪♪] >> WE WANT TO WARN YOU... THIS NEXT STORY DISCUSSES SUICIDE.

A NEW REPORT RELEASED BY THE LOUISVILLE METRO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SHOWS MEN LIVING IN JEFFERSON COUNTY ARE THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE THAN WOMEN.

IT'S ONE OF THE KEY FINDINGS IN THE REPORT THAT HIGHLIGHTS CRITICAL TRENDS AND RISK FACTORS IN SUICIDE DEATHS IN THE COUNTY.

THE AUTHORS OF THE REPORT CALL THE FINDINGS, QUOTE, "SOBERING."

WE HEAR FROM TWO OF THEM NOW.

>> JEFFERSON COUNTY EXPERIENCED A 24% INCREASE IN SUICIDE DEATHS FROM 2019 TO 2022.

FINDINGS ON TRACK WITH NATIONAL TRENDS, WE LOST MORE MEN TO SUICIDE WITH THE PROPORTION OF MEN INCREASING FROM 67% TO 79% OF THE TOTAL LIVES LOST BY 2023.

THE MAJORITY OF DEATHS WERE OVERWHELMINGLY AMONG NON-HISPANIC WHITE INDIVIDUALS YET IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE NUMBER OF LIVES LOST AMONG BLACK OR AFRICAN-AMERICAN INDIVIDUALS AND HISPANIC LATIN X DOUBLED.

FIREARM USE WAS THE MOST FREQUENT CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG MEN AND INTERPERSONAL DISCORD, ARGUMENTS, FIGHTS, SEPARATION, DIVORCE, WITH ROMANTIC PARTNERS OR FAMILY, FRIENDS THABS THAT WAS THE MOST COMMON MENTIONED LEADING UP TO A DEATH OCCURRING IN A THIRD OF ALL DEATHS.

A FEW FINDINGS THAT ARE ESPECIALLY UNIQUE TO OUR COMMUNITY THOSE IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND EXTRACTION FIELD, TRANSPORTATION FIELDS AND PRODUCTION FIELDS LOST THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF LIVES TO SUICIDE.

ONE ITEM THAT SURPRISED US WAS A THIRD OF DEATHS INVOLVED CASES WHERE SOMEONE WAS A WITNESS AT THE TIME OF DEATH OR IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE LOSS OF LIFE THAT INDICATES A NEED FOR INCREASED PREVENTION EFFORTS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

SUICIDE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

AND IT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE HAT IMPACTS ALL OF US WHETHER WE REALIZE IT OR NOT.

THERE ARE SO MANY LIVES LOST TO SUICIDE EVERY YEAR.

BUT THE BEAUTY IS THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT EACH OF US CAN DO IN ORDER TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT AND REDUCE THAT RATE.

AND WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY RAISING THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT BOULEVARDTH OF THE ISSUE OF SUICIDE IS THE FIRST STEP WE CAN TAKE.

AND THE NEXT STEP I WOULD HIGHLIGHT ANYONE CAN TAKE IS TO BE ABLE TO BE COMFORTABLE ADDRESSING SUICIDE AS A TOPIC.

THERE'S SO MUCH STIGMA THAT STILL EXISTS IN OUR SOCIETY AROUND THE TOPIC OF MENTAL HEALTH OR SUICIDE.

PEOPLE WILL TELL YOU ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT THEM BUT THEY WON'T TELL YOU IF THEY ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE.

SOME OF THE WARNING SIGNS WE ASK PEOPLE BE AWARE OF THE BIGGEST IS A CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO MAKE SENSE.

SO IF YOU HAVE A PERSON FOR EXAMPLE, WHO IS NORMALLY OUTGOING AND IS SOCIALLY CONNECTED, BEGINS TO WITHDRAW.

THEY ARE NO LODGER PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS THAT THEY ONCE WERE VERY MUCH A PART OF.

IF PEOPLE ARE SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME ALONE AND THEY ARE NOT WANTING TO CONNECT WITH OTHER FOLKS.

I WOULD LOVE FOR PEOPLE TO TAKEAWAY THAT SUICIDE IS PREVENTIBLE WEIGH ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN ADDRESSING THIS PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AND THERE IS HOPE OUT THERE AND HELP AND YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

WHETHER YOU ARE EXPERIENCING THE CRISIS OR THE CRISIS IS EXPERIENCE OF SOMEONE YOU CARE FOR, WE'RE HERE WE WANT TO HELP AND HELP IS A PHONE CALL AWAY.

THE RESEARCHERS SAY THEY WANT TO LOOK CLOSER AT THE FACTORS THAT LEAD TO SUICIDE AND WAYS TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PREVENTION... AND INTERVENTION... IN THE FUTURE.

AND IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS AND NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO... OR BELIEVE SOMEONE YOU KNOW MAY BE IN CRISIS, YOU CAN CALL OR TEXT "988"... TO REACH THE SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE.

IT'S A FREE RESOURCE THAT OPERATES 24-7 AND WILL CONNECT YOU WITH A CRISIS COUNSELOR.

[♪♪] >> DANIEL BOONE.... BILL MONROE.... AND THE FIRST WOMAN TO HOLD STATEWIDE OFFICE IN KENTUCKY.

THEY'RE AMONG THE INTERESTING PEOPLE YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT, AS OUR TOBY GIBBS LOOKS BACK AT 'THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY HISTORY.'

[♪♪] >> DANIEL BOONE DIED AT THE AGE OF 85 HE IS ASSOCIATED WITH KENTUCKY HE MOVED TO MISSOURI IN 1999 AND DIED THERE.

HIS BODY WAS MOVED TO FRANKFORT CEMETERY TO A SPOT OVERLOOKING THE KENTUCKY RIVER.

>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THOMAS HUNT MORGAN BORN SEPTEMBER 25, IN LEXINGTON.

MORGAN WAS A ZOOLOGIST WHO RECEIVED THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR MEDICINE IN 1933.

>>> EMMA CROMWELL WAS BORN SEPTEMBER 28, 1865.

CROMWELL WOULD BECOME THE FIRST WOMAN TO HOLD STATE-WIDE OFFICE IN KENTUCKY WHEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTED HER STATE LIBRARIAN IN 1896 SHE WOULD BE ELECTED STATE TREASURER AND SECRETARY OF STATE.

>>> BLUEGRASS MUSIC LEGENDS BILL MONROE AND THE BLUEGRASS BOYS RELEASED BLUE MOON OF KENTUCKY ON SEPTEMBER 23, THIRTEEN 47.

IT BECAME ONE OF BLUEGRASS MUSIC'S SIGNATURE SONGS AND WAS NAMED KENTUCKY'S OFFICIAL BLUEGRASS SONG IN 1988.

>>> A DOZEN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS 120 REPORTERS AND OFFICIALS FROM THE MINT AND TREASURY DEPARTMENTS TOURED THE FORT KNOX VAULT ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1974.

>>> KENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION WENT ON THE AIR ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1968.

AND THAT'S A LOOK BACK AT THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY HISTORY I'M TOBY GIBBS.

>> THANK YOU.

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US.

>> WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN MONDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR KENTUCKY EDITION EMAIL NEWSLETTERS AND WATCH FULL EPISODES AND CLIPS AT KET.ORG.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND KENTUCKY EDITION ON THE P-B-S VIDEO APP ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE AND SMART TV.

I'M RENEE SHAW TAKE GOOD CARE AND I'LL SEE YOU REALLY SOON.