[♪♪] >> IT WAS THE DRIEST AUGUST ON RECORD IN KENTUCKY.

THE DROUGHT AND UNEXPECTED PROBLEM IT CAN CAUSE FOR FARMERS.

>> THE IMPACT IS HITTING ALL OF BOURBON BUT IT'S NOT FELT EQUALLY.

>> AN ECONOMIC REPORT ON KENTUCKY'S SIGNATURE INDUSTRY... WHERE IT'S NOT JUST THE SIPPING THAT'S GOING SLOW.

>> I CONSIDER IT AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO GIVE TO THEM BECAUSE ANYBODY WHO CAN OVERCOME SOMETHING LIKE THAT--IT'S AMAZING.

>> AND MEET THE 95-YEAR-OLD ENCOURAGING LITERACY IN CHILDREN THROUGH ART.

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

[♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO KENTUCKY EDITION FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY MAY HAVE TO TIGHTEN ITS BELT.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SAYS AFTER RUNNING SURPLUSES IN RECENT YEARS, STATE GOVERNMENT COULD FACE A SHORTFALL, AS THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR CONTINUES.

DURING HIS NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT WHY.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: FEDERAL TARIFFS AND THE UNCERTAINTY ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTING OUR SPENDING AND OUR ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

SECOND, THE CUT TO THE INCOME TAX RATE IS GOING TO COST THE COMMONWEALTH $359 MILLION.

FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR REPRESENTING ONE-HALF OF THE ANNUAL VALUE.

THAT RATE CUT IS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2026 AND, REMEMBER, OUR FISCAL YEAR WILL BE THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2026.

NOTING ALL THIS, I ASKED MY STATE BUDGET DIRECTOR JOHN HICKS TO FORMALLY REQUEST THE CONSENSUS FORECASTING GROUP IMMEDIATE OF MEET AND PROVIDE A NEW FORECAST.

HE MADE THAT REQUEST AND THE GROUP WILL CONVENE ON SEPTEMBER THE 16 TO MAKE AN OFFICIAL REVISION IN THE REVENUE ESTIMATES FOR THE GENERAL FUND AND THE ROGUE FUND.

ON OTHER MATTERS...

THE GOVERNOR SAID ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JUNIOR SHOULD NOT BE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BECAUSE OF HIS ANTI-VACCINE VIEWS.

AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SIRIUS XM HAD PICKED UP HIS PODCAST.

HE SAYS HE THINKS PEOPLE ARE READY TO TALK ABOUT IMPORTANT ISSUES, WITH A LESS PARTISAN APPROACH.

MORE TROOPS FROM KENTUCKY ARE BEING DEPLOYED TO THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

THE U.S. ARMY SAYS ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED SOLDIERS FROM THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION AT FORT CAMPBELL WILL BE DEPLOYED NEXT MONTH.

THEY WILL BE OVERSEEING A NUMBER OF UNITS STATIONED AT VARIOUS PLACES ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER.

THIS IS THE THIRD DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS FROM FORT CAMPBELL TO THE REGION SINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP DECLARED A NATIONAL EMERGENCY AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER BACK IN JANUARY.

FORT CAMPBELL STRADDLES THE KENTUCKY-TENNESSEE BORDER.

THE 101ST IS THE ONLY AIR ASSAULT DIVISION IN THE WORLD.

>> DON'T LET TODAY'S RAIN FOOL YOU... KENTUCKY HAS A DROUGHT PROBLEM.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEWEST MAP FROM THE U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR.

THIS WAS FINISHED TUESDAY AND RELEASED TODAY.

THE LIGHT ORANGE IS 'MODERATE DROUGHT.'

37 COUNTIES ARE NOW UNDER A BURN BAN, AS A RESULT.

OUR CHRISTIE DUTTON TALKED TO AN EXPERT ABOUT KENTUCKY'S DRY WEATHER AND A RECORD-BREAKING >> Bill: THE U.K. OFFED WEATHERCENTER, MATT WHAT DOES THIS NEW DROUGHT UPDATE TELL US?

>> DROUGHT HAS OFFICIALLY RETURNED TO THE BLUEGRASS STATE FOR THE FOURTH STRAIGHT FALL HERE IN KENTUCKY.

THE LATEST UPDATE TO THE U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR THIS MORNING HAS 57% OF THE STATE NOW CONSIDERED IN MODERATE DROUGHT.

THE REST OF THE STATE PRETTY MUCH CONSIDERED ABNORMALLY DRY.

THIS FOLLOWS A MONTH OF AUGUST WHERE RAINFALL WAS VERY SCARCE.

OUR DATA IN THE AG WEATHERCENTER SHOWS THE STATE AVERAGE THE 0.97 INCHES.

THE FALL SEASON IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DRY IN KENTUCKY BUT NOT THIS DRY.

THAT WOULD BE TWO-AND-A-HALF INCHES BELOW NORMAL AND WHILE THE OFFICIAL DATA HASN'T CAME OUT YET IT'S SAFE TO SAY THIS WAS THE DRYEST AUGUST EVER RECORDED IN KENTUCKY HISTORY.

>> WOW.

>> AND THAT'S OVER 130 YEARS WORTH OF RECORDS NOW.

THIS FOLLOWED WHAT WAS OUR THIRD WETTEST JANUARY TO JULY ON RECORD.

SO YOU TALK ABOUT TAKING 180° TURN AND GOING STRAIGHT TO THE DRYEST AUGUST WE'VE EVER RECORDED.

SO, BUT, WE'RE SEEING PLENTY OF IMPACTS START TO RISE ON THE AGRICULTURAL SIDE.

>> DID THE HEATWAVE MAKE THINGS WORSE, THOSE HOT TEMPERATURES?

>> HEAT CAN DEFINITELY MAKE THINGS WORSE IT IS A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD.

INCREASED EVAPORATION ESPECIALLY FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR.

AND WE'VE BEEN LUCKY HERE THE PAST TWO OR THREE WEEKS WE'VE HAD FALL-LIKE TEMPERATURES USHER INTO THE REGION.

WE HAD LOWS GETTING INTO THE 40s, MAYBE MORE RECOVERY AT NIGHT.

FOR LIVESTOCK ACROSS THE AREA.

AND CROPS ALIKE.

BUT IT WELCOME SIGN FOR KENTUCKY AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> YEAH.

AND SOME OF US HAD A LITTLE RAIN LAST NIGHT, TODAY, MAYBE AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT.

IS THAT GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

>> IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

BUT NOT EVERYBODY SAW THE RAIN.

SO THE PAST THREE, FOUR WEEKS, ONCE THE DROUGHT STARTED SOIL MOISTURE HAS BEEN GOING IN THE DOWNWARD DIRECTION AND IT'S REALLY IMPACTING CROPS ACROSS THE AREA.

GRAIN CROPS COULD USE A DRINK ESPECIALLY THOSE PLANTED LATER IN THE SEASON.

THIS IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE FOR PORTIONS OF WESTERN KENTUCKY.

SOME OF THOSE AREAS HAVE WENT OVER 40 DAYS WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL.

SO CROPS ARE REALLY BEING IMPACTED.

CONDITIONS ARE GOING IN THAT DOWNHILL TRAJECTORY.

I LOOKED AT THE KENTUCKY CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION REPORT MONDAY, AND 23% OF KENTUCKY'S SOYBEANS ARE NOW CONSIDERED POOR TO VERY POOR QUALITY ACROSS KENTUCKY.

SO NOT GREAT.

PASTURES ARE THE SAME WAY.

YOU CAN DRIVE AROUND KENTUCKY AND STARTING TO BROWNOUT.

AND SOME PRODUCERS HAVE RESORTED TO FEEDING SUPPLEMENTAL HAY.

THAT HAY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RESERVED FOR THE WINTER MONTHS WERE FEEDING EARLIER IN THE YEAR.

THIS IS THE FOURTH STRAIGHT FALL THIS HAS HAPPENED AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT KEEPS ONCOMING BACK TO KENTUCKY.

BUT THAT'S ALSO GOING TO IMPACT THOSE PRODUCERS WITH THE FALL HAY CUTTING.

AGAIN THAT DOUBLE EDGED SWORD ASPECT.

BUT.

>> AND SO IT HAS A BIG IMPACT ON AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS.

BUT ALSO MANY COUNTIES ARE UNDER BURN BANS, TOO I NOTICED THAT LIST GETTING LONGER.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN AND WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

>> 37 COUNTIES ARE UNDER A BURN BAN.

NOT SUPPOSED TO BURN ANY MATERIAL IN THOSE SITUATIONS.

FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR WE'LL WANT TO BE REALLY CAREFUL WHEN HARVESTING CROPS THIS FALL.

ONE LITTLE SPARK ON A PIECE OF MACHINERY A PIECE OF MACHINERY THAT IS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS CAN LEAD TO SOME REALLY BAD CONSEQUENCES.

SO WE SAW FORMERS PRODUCERS CHECK THOSE BEARINGS AND BELTS AND DON'T HAVE DRY MATERIAL LEFT ON THEM.

BECAUSE, AGAIN IT TAKES ONE QUICK SPARK AND YOU CAN BE IN BIG TROUBLE NOT ONLY ONLY FOR THE MACHINERY BUT IT WILL SPREAD TO THE ENTIRE FIELD.

>> GOOD POINT.

WE WILL BE HOPING FOR MORE RAIN IN THE FORECAST.

A LITTLE DENT IN THIS.

MATT DIXON THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> YES, MA'AM, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> EXCITING NEWS IN CARDINAL COUNTRY.

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE'S ENGINEERING STUDENTS AND FACULTY HAVE A NEW HOME.

THE J.B.

SPEED SCHOOL OPENED ITS DOORS TODAY TO A NEW 90 MILLION DOLLAR FACILITY FOR RESEARCH AND STUDENT SUCCESS.

ELECTED LEADERS AT THE OPENING SAY THE STATE'S 65 MILLION DOLLARS TOWARDS THIS FACILITY IS A SMART INVESTMENT.

[APPLAUSE] >> THIS IS A SPECIAL DAY BECAUSE SO MANY OF US STOOD ON WHAT WAS A FIELD RIGHT HERE, A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AGO AS WE BROKE GROUND ON A DREAM OF A STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY.

TODAY, WITH THE HARD WORK OF SO MANY, THIS GOAL HAS BEEN REACHED.

>> MY DAUGHTER'S A GRADUATE OF THE SPEED SCHOOL.

MY OTHER DAUGHTER IS A GRADUATE FROM THE BUSINESS SCHOOL HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE.

I AM, TOO.

SO IS MY BROTHER AND SO IS MY FATHER.

SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT LOUISVILLE, LOUISVILLE DRIVES WHAT GOES ON IN THIS STATE.

THE STATE DOESN'T DO WELL UNLESS THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE DOES WELL.

AND THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE DOESN'T DO WELL UNLESS THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE DOES WELL.

[APPLAUSE] U OF L IS A LEADER IN DRIVING INNOVATION, ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH THE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN THE REAL WORLD.

>> SO THIS BUILDING FREES UP SPACE THAT WE CAN USE TO DEVELOP AN ENGINEERING PROGRAM THAT IS DESIGNED TO SERVICE THE EXACT TYPE OF INDUSTRIES THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT HERE.

>> OVER THE PAST MONTH, WE'VE ANNOUNCED 7.6 BILLION DOLLARS OF NEW INVESTMENT, 1200 NEW JOBS FROM COMPANIES LIKE APPLE, FORD AND GENERAL ELECTRIC AND YES, ALL THE DONORS AND EVERYBODY WHO WORKS IN THE SPEED SCHOOL THEY SAID WE NEED MORE ENGINEERS.

>> ENGINEERING IS KIND OF HARD.

DON'T TELL ANYBODY THAT.

SO STUDENTS NEED TO DEVELOP COMMUNITY SO THAT WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THEY STICK WITH THE PROGRAM.

THIS BUILDING IS THE ONLY BUILDING ON OUR CAMPUS THAT HAS SO MANY COLLABORATION SPACES.

SPACES WHERE STUDENTS CAN CONGREGATE AND DEVELOP RELATIONS OF COURSE STUDY.

>> ON MY PAST FEW YEARS I HAVE SPENT MANY AFTERNOONS AND LATE NIGHTS WITH STUDY GROUPS TAKING OVER EVERY CORNER IN THE LIBRARY AND OTHER STUDY LOUNGES ACROSS CAMPUS.

AFTER STALKING LIKE HYENAS TO CLAIM OPEN TABLE IT IS RAISES THE QUESTION WHAT IF WE HAD ONE PLACE THAT COULD BRING US TOGETHER ON THIS SIDE OF CAMPUS?

ONE SPACE BUILT FOR COLLABORATION AND CREATIVITY.

TODAY, LOOKING AT THIS BUILDING, I CAN NOW SAY WE DO.

UOFL'S SPEED SCHOOL IS CELEBRATING A BIG YEAR.

THE SCHOOL WAS FOUNDED 100 YEARS AGO IN 1925.

>> THOUSANDS WILL GATHER IN NELSON COUNTY THIS WEEKEND FOR THE KENTUCKY BOURBON FESTIVAL.

IT COMES AS TARIFFS, DECLINING SALES AND OTHER FACTORS POSE CHALLENGES FOR SPIRITS PRODUCTION.

LAURA ROGERS SPEAKS WITH A JOURNALIST WHO EXTENSIVELY COVERS THE STATE'S NINE-BILLION-DOLLAR BOURBON INDUSTRY.

>> JANET PATTON IS THE BOURBON REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER IN AN ARTICLE THAT YOU PUBLISHED THIS WEEK YOU TALK ABOUT DECLINING BOURBON SALES.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FACTORS THAT ARE TO BLAME FOR THAT INCLUDING THE TRADE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.

WHERE DO WE STAND WITH THAT RIGHT NOW?

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVEN'T REALIZED PERHAPS THAT WHILE THE TARIFFS THAT WERE IMPOSED HAVE BEEN ON HOLD, CANADA HAS BEEN BOYCOTTING AMERICAN WHISKEY FOR MONTHS NOW.

SO MOST OF THE PROVINCES HAVE HAD NO MAKERS MARK, NO JIM BEAM, NO FEDERAL RESERVE NONE OF THE THINGS HAVE BEEN ON THE SHELVES.

IT IS ATAKEN A MASSIVE TOLL.

I THINK SALES OF THE AMERICAN WHISKEY TO CANADA ARE DOWN BETWEEN 55 AND 65% DEPENDING WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT.

BROWN-FORMAN REPORTED ITS EXPORTS TO CANADA ARE DOWN 60%.

THAT IS THE JUNE AT LEAST $19 MILLION OF SALES THAT HAVE NOT HAPPENED.

THAT IS HOW MUCH THEY ARE DOWN SO FAR THIS YEAR.

SO I THINK IT'S TAKEN A BIG TOLL.

>> ARE WE SEEING THIS IN OTHER INTERNATIONAL MARKETS AS WELL?

>> SO FAR WE ARE NOT.

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING TO SEE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION.

THEY ARE IN TALKS RIGHT NOW TO TRY TO FIND MIDDLE GROUND.

BUT IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO THEN RETALIATORY TARIFFS COULD KICK IN THERE AS WELL WHICH WOULD BE REALLY BAD.

KENTUCKY BOURBON RELIES UPON EXPORT MARKETS RIGHT NOW, ESPECIALLY TO PROP UP THE SALES THAT AREN'T HAPPENING HERE AT HOME.

>> IN YOUR ARTICLE YOU QUOTE THE C.E.O.

AND PRESIDENT OF BROWN-FORMAN AND WHAT POWERHOUSE COMPANY THAT IS THE MAJOR BOURBON BRANDS FALL UNDER BROWN-FORMAN HE TALKS ABOUT THERE BEING THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN WHISKEY BRANDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WHICH ONES ARE MOST AT RISK OF THE FINANCIAL STRUGGLES?

THE SMALL MORE ENTREPRENEURIAL DISTILLERIES OR THE BIG GUYS THE BIG RECOGNIZABLE BRANDS THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS?

>> HE WAS CANDID ABOUT THAT THERE IS A LOT OF SMALL BRANDS HE SAID THAT ARE GOING TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS.

I THINK THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT IT IS THE IMPACT IS HITTING ALL OF BOURBON, BUT IT'S NOT FELT EQUALLY.

SO IF YOU ARE A BIG COMPANY, LIKE A BROWN-FORMAN, LIKE A HEAVEN HILL OR BUFFALO TRACE, YOU CAN WEATHER THAT STORM A LOT BETTER THAN IF YOU ARE A NEW COMPANY, A START-UP COMPANY, OR A SMALL COMPANY, AND THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT I THINK ARE PROBABLY FEELING THE IMPACT THE HARDEST RIGHT NOW.

BUT EVERYONE IS FEELING IT OF THE IT'S NOT JUST THE SMALL BRANDS?

>> ARE WE SEEING LAYOFFS AS A RESULT OF THIS?

>> YEAH, WE ARE.

SO FAR I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY MAJOR LAYOFFS AT THE DISTILLERIES THEMSELVES.

ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN HINTS OF IT COMING.

THE EXCEPTION BEING BROWN-FORMAN WHICH IN JANUARY CLOSED THE COOPERAGE IN LOUISVILLE AND LAID OFF A COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE AND WORLDWIDE LAID OFF PEOPLE.

AND RECENTLY, INDEPENDENT STATE WHICH OPERATES KENTUCKY COOPERAGE IN LEBANON SAID THEY ARE GOING DOWN TO JUST ONE SHIFT SO THEY WILL BE LAYING OFF MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE PERMANENTLY AS WELL.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER FACTOR HERE, THAT YOU POINT OUT AND THAT IS THAT ACROSS THE BOARD, AMERICANS ARE DRINKING LESS ALCOHOL.

YOU CITE A RECENT POLL THAT SHOWED 54% OF AMERICANS REPORT AREN'T DRINKING ANY ALCOHOL.

AND HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO YOUR -- >> THAT IS THE LOWEST LEVEL IN 90 YEARS GAL LINEUP SAYS WHICH IS SHOCKING TO THINK WE ARE JUST NOT DRINKS AS MUCH AT ALL.

I THINK THAT PART OF THE REASON IS ECONOMIC, YOU KNOW.

THINGS ARE EXPENSIVE.

THINGS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE NOW THAN THEY HAVE BEEN IN A LONGTIME.

IF YOU ARE AT THE GROCERY STORE AND LOOKING AT HAVING TO PAY MORE FOR EVERYTHING, SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAVE TO GO AND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THESE ARE EXPENDABLE ITEMS THINGS THEY CAN CROSS OFF THEIR LIST.

THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS GOING ON THERE THAT THE REASONS THAT PEOPLE GAVE HEALTH CONSCIOUSNESS IS A BIG FACTOR AND THE INDUSTRY HAS CITED BOTH GROWING CANNABIS ADOPTION CANNABIS USE AND GLP ONE'S AS FACTORS AS WELL T WILL BE INTERESTING HOW THIS PLAYS OUT.

IF THE ECONOMY REBOUNDS AND PEOPLE ARE NOT FEELING SO ECONOMICALLY STRESSED, ARE THEY GOING TO GO BACK TO DRINKING?

I FEEL LIKE THEY WILL.

I FEEL LIKE THE CONCERN OVER HEALTH IS THERE AND IT'S REAL.

BUT I DON'T THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF OF ALCOHOL.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS YOU CAN INTERPRET IN THE DATA THAT THOUGH THAT.

RTD'S COCKTAILS IN A CAN.

ARE GROWING CATEGORY.

SO I THINK IF PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT TO DRINK AT ALL, NO SECTOR WOULD BE GROWING.

>> AND I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS IS OF COURSE A SIGNATURE INDUSTRY IN KENTUCKY WE KNOW WHAT BOURBON DOES FOR TOURISM IN THE BLUEGRASS STATE AND THE KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL AND THAT IS STILL DRAWING A LOT OF GUESTS TO OUR STATE EVERY YEAR.

AS A MATTER OF FACT WE ARE EXPECTING PEOPLE THIS WEEKEND FOR THE KENTUCKY BOURBON FESTIVAL?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S SOLD OUT AND SHOULD BE PACKED IF YOU ARE IN DOWNTOWN BARDSTOWN, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MISS IT.

AND IT WILL SPILLOVER TO DISTILLERIES ACROSS THE STATE.

A LOT OF DISTILLERIES WILL HAVE SPECIAL EVENTS ON THEIR CAMPUSES, SPECIAL BOTTLES WILL BE RELEASED BOTH AT THE FESTIVAL AND AT THE DILL STILLERS.

IF YOU ARE THERE IT'S GOING TO FEEL LIKE A REALLY BIG PARTY AND IT'S STILL GOING TO BE A LOT OF FUN.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE COMING TO KENTUCKY JUST LIKE THEY ARE STILL DRINKING BOURBON THEY ARE COMING HERE TO ENJOY IT AND SEE WHERE IT'S MADE AND TO HAVE A LOT OF FUN.

>> JANET PATTON WITH THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND THANK YOU.

>> AND BY THE WAY- THE KENTUCKY BOURBON FESTIVAL KICKS OFF TOMORROW AND GOES THROUGH THE WEEKEND IN BARDSTOWN.

THE CITY KNOWN AS THE BOURBON CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

THE FESTIVAL DRAWS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY SEPTEMBER.

[♪♪] >> A FAMILY SUES... OVER A COLORING BOOK.

WHAT WAS IN THAT COLORING BOOK THAT HAS THE FAMILY OUTRAGED?

OUR TOBY GIBBS HAS MORE IN THIS LOOK AT 'HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.'

[♪♪] KET ANNOUNCED IT'S REDUCES ITS STAFF BY 22% AS A RESULT OF THE ELIMINATION OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

A TOTAL OF 15 STAFF MEMBERS WERE LAID OFF AND 21 POSITIONS WERE ELIMINATED.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND C.E.O.

SHEA HOPKINS SAID QUOTE IT IS A SAD BUT UNAVOIDABLE SITUATION FOR OUR DEDICATED TEAM AND THE LOSS WILL AFFECT OPERATIONS THROUGHOUT THE AGENCY.

IN JULY, CONGRESS PASSED A RESCISSION BILL THAT CUT $9 BILLION APPROPRIATED BY CONGRESS INCLUDING MONEY FOR THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING WHICH HELPED FUND KET.

>> A GRAYSON COUNTY FAMILY IS SUING THE KENTUCKY SCIENCE CENTER AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

THE HART COUNTY HERALD-NEWS SAYS THE PARENTS CLAIM THEIR NINE-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER RECEIVED A PLANNED PARENTHOOD COLORING AND ACTIVITY BOOK DURING A SCHOOL FIELD TRIP TO THE KENTUCKY SCIENCE CENTER LAST MARCH.

THEY SAY THE BOOK CONTAINED SEX-RELATED CONTENT INAPPROPRIATE FOR A NINE-YEAR-OLD.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD ALLIANCE ADVOCATES SAY A STAFF MEMBER QUOTE... INADVERTENTLY...

DISTRIBUTED THE BOOK, AND THE ORGANIZATION HAS APOLOGIZED.

>> GEORGETOWN AND SCOTT COUNTY ARE LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS.

CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT LEADERS MET IN A SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 26TH.

ACCORDING TO THE NEWS-GRAPHIC, RKG ASSOCIATES - A PLANNING CONSULTANT - PRESENTED A HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT THAT INCLUDES DATA ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

THE ASSESSMENT PREDICTS STRONG GROWTH IN SCOTT COUNTY THAT WILL MEAN AN INCREASED NEED FOR MORE HOUSING.

THE FRANKLIN FAVORITE REPORTS A SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE SIMPSON COUNTY JUDGE-EXECUTIVE AND A CITIZEN, BLOCKED FROM THE JUDGE-EXECUTIVE'S FACEBOOK PAGE.

MASON BARNES HAS NOW "UNBLOCKED" JOEL PEYTON.

PEYTON AND THE LIBERTY JUSTICE CENTER SAID BARNES BLOCKED PEYTON IN RETALIATION FOR THE FILING OF AN ETHICS COMPLAINT.

BARNES HAS DENIED ALL WRONGDOING.

PEYTON WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY MONEY.

A JUDGE STILL HAS TO SIGN OFF ON THE SETTLEMENT.

>> KENTUCKY IS THE MOST SECURE LOCATION IN AMERICA FOR SAFEGUARDING PERSONAL INFORMATION.

THE HANCOCK CLARION LOOKED AT RESULTS FROM DESIGN RUSH'S 2025 U.S. DATA PRIVACY RANKINGS.

THE NUMBERS SHOW KENTUCKY IS THE SAFEST STATE, BASED ON THE FREQUENCY OF CYBERCRIMES, THE RATE OF DATA EXPOSURES PER PERSON, AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS.

WITH HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY, I'M TOBY GIBBS.

[♪♪] >> A 95-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN LOUISVILLE HAS BEEN MAKING BOOKMARKS FOR CHILDREN TO ENCOURAGE READING AND LITERACY.

BEVERLY LEIFER, ALSO KNOWN AS "BOOKMARK BEV," HAS BEEN MAKING THEM FOR 35 YEARS.

MEET HER IN TONIGHT'S ARTS AND CULTURE SEGMENT WE CALL TAPESTRY.

>> I HAVE A GRANDSON WHEN HE WAS JUST A LITTLE BOY, STARTING SCHOOL, HIS FAMILY SENT THE BOOKS DOWN AND SAID TEACH HIM HOW TO READ HE IS HAVING TROUBLE.

AND I JUST CAN'T DO THAT.

I JUST CAN'T, I DON'T SEE IT RIGHT.

AND WE FOUND OUT LATER HE WAS DYSLEXIC.

I SAW HOW HE STRUGGLED AND HAD SUCH A HARD TIME GETTING THROUGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE AND EVERYTHING.

AND IT IS NOT A MATTER OF BEING DUMB IT IS AN IMPAIRMENT THAT YOU HAVE.

AND I DECIDED THAT I WAS GOING TO DO SOMETHING.

AND I STUDIED ART, I STUDIED BOTH ANY, I STUDIED ORIGAMI AND I DECIDED TO PUT THE THREE TOGETHER AND CREATE SOMETHING WHERE IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO TROUBLE WHO HAD TROUBLE READING.

THE TROUBLE IN THE SCHOOLS -- THE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOLS ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT ARE THERE TO LEARN TO READ, I HAVE AN ARRANGEMENT WITH THEM THAT THE TEACHER TELLS THEM THEY HAVE TO EARN THE BOOK MARK THEY CAN'T WORK AND BE GIVEN A BOOK MARK THEY HAVE TO SHOW IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR READING FIRST.

SO THAT'S THE CARROT AND THE STICK APPROACH.

AND IN ORDER TO GET A BOOK MARK YOU HAVE TO SHOW IMPROVEMENT.

I HAVE GIVEN A LOT OF BOOK MARKS TO THE SCHOOL THE WHOLE SCHOOL ALL THE CHILDREN WHO HAVE TROUBLE READING.

AND I CONSIDER IT AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO GIVE TO THEM, BECAUSE ANYBODY WHO CAN OVERCOME SOMETHING LIKE THAT, EVEN LIKE HELEN KELLER, IT IS AMAZING AND THEY DESERVE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO FOR THEM.

SO I STARTED MAKING FANCIER AND FANCIER BOOK MARKS.

AND LOW AND BEHOLD WHEN COVID CAME AROUND I MADE COVID BOOK MARKS AND I GAVE OUT 100 OF THEM.

AND YOU GLUE TWO PIECES OF CARD STOCK TOGETHER AND THIS TAKES FOUR HOURS.

I PUT I USED THE DOILIES FROM OUR SOUP AND OUR DESSERTS I CUT OUT THE CENTER PART AND THE FANCY PART AND USE THAT ON THE FRONT AND BACK AND PUT FLOWERS AND THINGS AROUND IT.

IT HAS AN ORIGAMI ON IT THAT TAKES AN HOUR TO MAKE THERE'S EIGHT PIECES OF PAPER IN HERE.

AND THE KIDS LIKE THESE THINGS.

I TRY TO MAKE THINGS THAT APPEAL TO CHILDREN.

GLITTER AND CHILDISH AND SO ON.

I LOVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY TAKE IT OVER.

AND I DON'T WANT JUST SOMEBODY TO TAKE IT OVER AND MAKE A PROFIT OUT OF IT.

MINE ARE ALWAYS FREE.

I NEVER CHARGE FOR ANYTHING.

AND I BUY MY OWN SUPPLIES AND EVERYTHING.

I THINK THAT I WANT SOMEBODY WHO IS DEDICATED TO LITERACY AND USUALLY THE CHILDREN OR ADULTS OR ANYBODY WHO NEEDS A HAND UP, HAND UP TO LEARN TO READ.

I JUST HOPE THAT PEOPLE GET THE SAME ENJOYMENT THAT I GOT OUT OF MAKING THESE THINGS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEEDED THEM AND WHO LIKED THEM.

I JUST THINK IT IS NICE WHEN YOU CAN DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEBODY ELSE JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT TO DO IT.

>> KUDOS.

>> BEVERLEY'S BOOKMARKS HAVE TRAVELED TO VARIOUS COUNTRIES ACROSS THE WORLD, AND THEY HAVE MADE IT TO EVERY CONTINENT.

AND TWO OF HER BOOKMARKS FROM COVID ARE FEATURED IN AN EXHIBIT AT THE SMITHSONIAN IN WASHINGTON D.C. WHERE THEY WERE FEATURED IN AN EXHIBIT.

KUDOS TO HER.

WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN TOMORROW 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.

SEND US A STORY IDEA AT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET DOT ORG.

AND FOLLOW KET ON FACEBOOK, X, FORMERLY KNOWN AS TWITTER, AND INSTAGRAM TO STAY IN THE LOOP.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TAKE GOOD CARE.

I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT.