[♪♪] >> IT'S VERY SEVERE AND I WOULD SAY IT'S A CRISIS.

>> Renee: A HOUSING CRISIS IN KENTUCKY AND BEYOND.

BUT WHAT'S CAUSING IT?

>> SO WE WANT THE STUDENTS TO KNOW THAT AGRICULTURE IS ALL AROUND THEM.

>> Renee: WE HEAD TO KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY WHERE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING THERE IS MORE TO FARMING THAN FIELDS.

>> BOURBON IS FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Renee: AND A KENTUCKY DISTILLERY IS MAKING SURE EVERYONE CAN GET A TASTE OF THE BOURBON INDUSTRY.

>> 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 9TH I'M RENEE SHAW WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPENDING SOME OF YOUR TUESDAY NIGHT WITH US.

>>> KENTUCKY NEEDS HOMES.

THE STATE IS SHORT 206,000 HOUSING UNITS ACCORDING TO THE KENTUCKY HOUSING CORPORATION AND THAT SHORTAGE WILL SWELL TO 287,000 BY THE YEAR 2029.

WE TALKED ABOUT KENTUCKY'S HOUSING CRISIS ON LAST NIGHT'S "KENTUCKY TONIGHT", AND I ASKED OUR PANEL WHAT IS CAUSING THE HOUSING SHORTAGE AND WHY ARE HOME PRICES SO HIGH?

>> COSTS ARE UP AND INVENTORY IS DOWN THE KENTUCKY MEDIAN HOME COST IS UP 49% IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

APRIL 2020152K NOW APRIL 2025 THE AVERAGE HOME PRICE WENT UP TO 226K.

IN THE INVENTORY IS DOWN BY 20 SOMETHING PERCENT SINCE 2018.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THESE NUMBERS AND HOW SEVERE IS THE HOUSING SHORTAGE IN KENTUCKY AND IS IT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IS HAPPENING NATIONWIDE?

>> IT'S VERY SEVERE AND I WOULD SAY IT IS A CRISIS.

A CRISIS BECAUSE THE NUMBER HAS GOTTEN SO LARGE AND THERE'S NOTHING HAPPENING TO THINK THE TRAJECTORY IS GOING TO CHANGE.

THE BIGGEST THING WE NEED HOUSING UNITS, HOMEOWNER SHIP AND RENTAL FOR ALL INCOMES GOES BACK TO THE 2008 HOUSING CRISIS AND THE RECESSION THAT FOLLOWED.

WE LOST SO MANY HOME BUILDERS BECAUSE OF THE MORTGAGE CRISIS AND THE FORECLOSES AND THOSE HOME BUILDERS RETIRED, GOT INTO SOME OTHER LINE OF WORK AND WHEN YOU LOSE A HOME BUILDER YOU ARE LOSING THE CONTRACTORS THAT WORK FOR THEM.

SO WE LOST A WHOLE INDUSTRY.

AND THERE WEREN'T GENERATIONS LEARNING THAT COME AND WORKING UP BEHIND THEM TAKING OVER THE FAMILY BUSINESSES.

WE HAVE COUNTIES THAT FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE TO BEG AND PLEAD TO GET A BUILDER TO COME.

AND WE HAVE HOME BUILDERS THAT HAVE THEIR PICK WHAT KIND OF HOME TO BUILD.

AND THE MARGINS HAVE GOTTEN REALLY TIGHT FOR THEM.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FACTORS BUT THE BIGGEST ONE GOES BACK TO WE ARE STILL NOT BUILDING ON AVERAGE WHAT WE USED TO BUILD IN 2006, 2007.

>> Renee: AND THAT STEMS FROM THE 2008 RECESSION.

ANETHA SANFORD YOU REPRESENT THE HOME BUILDERS AND CONSUMERS SAY I DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR DEVELOPERS SOME WERE STARTING TO ENTER THE MARKET MAY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PRICED OUT OF THE MARKET.

HELP CONSUMERS UNDERSTAND THE MARGINS DEVELOPERS WORK INTO AND THE CONSIDERATIONS THEY MAKE BEFORE THE PROJECT?

>> I SAY ALL THE TIME WHEN I SPEAK TO PEOPLE ABOUT HOME BUILDING THEY DRIVE DOWN THE STREET AND SEE A DEVELOPMENT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT DEVELOPMENT WAS YEARS IN THE MAKING.

ACQUIRING THE LAND, STUDIES HAVING TO BE DONE AND ALL OF THOSE GO INTO THE COST OF THE HOME.

AND THERE'S SO MANY OTHER FACTORS, TOO, WITH OUR BUILDERS.

I MEAN, THERE'S OVERREGULATION.

AND I HOPE WE GET TO HAVE PART OF THAT CONVERSATION.

THERE'S AN INCREASE, OF COURSE, IN THE INTEREST RATES.

WE KNOW THAT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS SOMETHING OUT OF OUR CONTROL RIGHT NOW.

AND THEN THE BUILDING MATERIAL SUPPLY ISSUE.

SINCE COVID WE'VE SEEN THE NUMBERS JUST CONTINUE TO INCREASE.

AND WHAT WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND, AGAIN, IS THAT ALL OF THAT GOES INTO THE COST OF THE HOME THAT IS ULTIMATELY PASSED DOWN TO THAT HOME BUYER AND THAT RENTER.

AND WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THAT REALLY SLIP AWAY.

>> Renee: WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM IN THE HOUSING CRISIS AND WE HEAR FROM REALTORS, HOME BUILDERS AND ADVOCATES WHICH YOU CAN WATCH ON-LINE ON DIAMOND "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" AT KET.ORG/KY TONIGHT.

>>> A FEW MONTHS LEFT BEFORE STATE LAWMAKERS CONVENE IN FRANKFORT TO HAMMER OUT A TWO-YEAR STATE SPENDING PLAN.

YESTERDAY, PUBLIC EDUCATION ADVOCATES ANNOUNCED THEIR FUNDING REQUEST $718 MILLION MORE THAN WHAT THEY GOT IN THE LAST BUDGET.

OUR JUNE LEFFLER EXPLAINS.

>> PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS KY IS THE GROUP THAT FOUGHT AMENDMENT TWO, THE 2024 BALTIMORE THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED PUBLIC DOLLARS TO GO TO PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.

NOW, THE GROUP IS ASKING FOR MORE MONEY WHEN LAWMAKERS PREPARE A TWO-YEAR BUDGET IN THE NEW YEAR.

>> EVERY DOLLAR WE INVEST IN EDUCATION TODAY, IS A DOLLAR THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN OUR WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW.

>> KENTUCKY'S BASE PER PUPIL FUNDING IS MORE THAN $4500.

ALONG WITH SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION AND MATCHES TO LOCAL FUNDING THAT COSTS THE STATE $3.3 BILLION A YEAR.

>> WE ARE ASKING LAWMAKERS TO INVEST $718 MILLION INTO PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THAT IS JUST A LITTLE OVER 3% OF KENTUCKY'S TOTAL BUDGET.

THIS INVESTMENT WOULD EQUATE TO AN INCREASE IN $1161 PER EACH KENTUCKY STUDENT.

THIS WOULD ALLOW US TO RAISE SEAT L SEEK FUNDS BY 14%.

FULLY FUND SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION, AND INVEST $38 MILLION TOWARDS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, TEXTBOOKS AND CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY.

>> THE GROUPS ASKED THE ANALYSIS FROM THE LEFT LEANING KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY WHICH SAYS RECORD-HIGH EDUCATION FUNDING FROM THE STATE HAS NOT KEPT PACE WITH INFLATION.

>> IN 2020 A CHROME BOOK PURCHASE FOR A STUDENT WOULD COST $373.

THAT SAME DEVICE TODAY COSTS $565.

AN INCREASE IN $200 PER STUDENT FOR EACH DEVICE.

WHILE KENTUCKY'S LAST BUDGET WAS THE HIGHEST THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN TERMS OF RAW DOLLARS, IT STILL FALLS SHORT OF THE INVESTMENT LEVELS IN 2008 WHEN THAT IS ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION.

>> REPUBLICANS IN KENTUCKY'S STATE HOUSE HAVE PUSHED BACK ON THIS INITIAL REQUEST.

IN A STATEMENT, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE WROTE QUOTE FAR TOO MANY KENTUCKY CHILDREN DON'T READ OR UNDERSTAND MATH AT GRADE LEVEL.

IT IS PASTIME FOR THE EDUCATION BUREAUCRACY TO STOP DEMANDING MORE MONEY AND INSTEAD FOCUS ON THE CLASSROOM AND HELPING STUDENTS REACH THEIR POTENTIAL.

THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE WROTE QUOTE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WAS PRAISED FOR PASSING THE BEST EDUCATION BUDGET IN A GENERATION.

YET, NOW, WE'RE HANDED A HYPER PARTISAN REQUEST THAT DOESN'T MERIT SERIOUS CONSIDERATION FROM LAWMAKERS.

ASIDE FROM PER PUPIL FUNDING, REPUBLICANS TOUT FUNDING THAT HAS CHIPPED AWAY AT TEACHERS' PENSION LIABILITY.

DEMOCRATS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION ADVOCATES SAY THOSE INVESTMENTS DO NOT TRANSLATE TO THE CLASSROOM.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, JUNE.

SO WHERE EXACTLY DOES THE $718 MILLION FIGURE COME FROM?

PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS KENTUCKY NOTES IT IS THE AMOUNT OF TAX REVENUE THE STATE MISSED OUT DUE TO THE MOST RECENT STATE INCOME TAX REDUCTION THAT COMES FROM A RECENT REPORT FOR THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY.

>>> NEW THIS SCHOOL YEAR, KENTUCKY STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO LEARN CURSIVE HANDWRITING.

MANY OF THEM WILL BE LEARNING WHAT IS CALLED THE NEW AMERICAN CURSIVE, A SIMPLIFIED VERSION OF THE CURSIVE WRITING THAT WAS TAUGHT IN THE PAST.

OUR KELSEY STARKS SAT DOWN WITH IRIS HATFIELD, THE HANDWRITING SPECIALIST WHO CREATED THIS NEW TYPE OF CURSIVE WRITING.

>> THIS IS YOUR PASSION, HAND WRITING.

>> IT IS.

>> AND YOU ARE A SPECIALIST WHO CREATED THIS PROGRAM.

BUT IN THIS DIGITAL AGE, WHY DO YOU THINK THIS SKILL IS SO IMPORTANT STILL FOR STUDENTS RIGHT NOW?

>> YES.

THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY IT'S STILL IMPORTANT FOR OUR YOUNG STUDENTS TO LEARN TO WRITE IN CURSIVE.

WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO READ DOCUMENTS, FAMILY INFORMATION.

THE REST OF THEIR LIFE.

BUT CURSIVE IS FASTER THAN THE STOP AND START OF PRINTING.

SO THEY CAN GET THEIR THOUGHTS DOWN QUICKER THAN JUST WRITING A PRINTING IT OUT.

ALSO, IT STIMULATES THE BRAIN AS THEY ARE LEARNING THE DIFFERENT LETTERS, THE SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION THAT IS COMING OUT NOW IS SO EXCITING HOW MUCH IT LIGHTS UP THE BRAIN AS THEY ARE WRITING AS OPPOSED TO TAPPING ON A KEYBOARD.

AND THERE'S ALL KINDS OF RESEARCH OUT THERE.

AND I'VE GOT SOME OF THE NEWER STUDIES ON THE WEBSITE NEW AMERICAN CURSIVE.COM.

YOU CAN GO THERE.

IT IS A METHOD THAT WHEN THEY LEARN CURSIVE, THEY ARE ALSO LEARNING OTHER THINGS.

THEY ARE LEARNING TO FOCUS.

IT GETS THEM OFF OF THE SCREEN AND THEY CAN LEARN TO FOCUS, TO WRITE, TO PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL, TO GET SOME BENEFITS FROM LEARNING THE LETTERS.

IT HELPS WITH READING.

IT HELPS WITH SPELLING.

THE WORDS ARE IN ONE UNIT AS OPPOSED TO THE STOP AND START OF PRINTING.

SO THEY BUILD THAT MUSCLE MEMORY.

AND THAT MAKES IT FASTER FOR THEM.

>> Renee: CURSIVE WRITING IS JUST ONE EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT IN A BRAND NEW EPISODE OF THE KET SERIES EDUCATION MATTERS.

WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT NEW WAYS OF TEACHING KIDS TO READ.

YOU CAN WATCH THE SCIENCE OF LITERACY EDUCATION MATTERS IT DEBUTS MONDAY AT 9:00 P.M. EASTERN, 8:00 P.M. CENTRAL RIGHT HERE ON KET.

>>> A BOWLING GREEN PROGRAM SERVING AN OFTEN OVERLOOKED POPULATION IS GETTING NEW SUPPORT.

LIFE WORKS FOR AUTISM IS PARTNERING WITH THE KENTUCKY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM KCTCS TO LAUNCH THE LIFE WORKS BRIDGE ACADEMY DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS WHO ARE NEURODIVERGENT WITH THEIR TRANSITION INTO HIGHER EDUCATION.

THE ACADEMY IS AVAILABLE AT SIX CAMPUSES.

IN A STATEMENT, THE PRESIDENT Dr. RYAN QUARELS SAID QUOTE, WE ARE EXCITED TO BUILD UPON A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH LIFE WORKS TO ENSURE EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORT TO EARN A HIGHER EDUCATION CREDENTIAL.

END QUOTE.

"KENTUCKY EDITION" VISITED LIFE WORKS EARLIER THIS SUMMER AS YOU MAY REMEMBER, OUR EMILY SISK REMINDS US THE PROGRAM IS HELPING SUPPORT KENTUCKY'S WORKFORCE WHILE ALSO TEACHING LIFE SKILLS.

>> I WAS DEFINITELY A DIFFERENT PERSON TWO YEARS AGO.

>> SARAH IS A PARTICIPANT OF LIFE WORKS FOR AUTISM.

A BOWLING GREEN PROGRAM WHICH SERVES ADULTS AGES 21-30 WHO HAVE A DESIRE TO LIVE AND SUPPORT THEMSELVES INDEPENDENTLY.

SARAH CAME TO LIFE WORKS FROM KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE SHE WAS 16 WHEN SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM.

SHE EXPLAINED WHY FINDING A PROGRAM LIKE LIFE WORKS IS SO RARE.

>> MOST SERVICES FOR AUTISM ARE FOR CHILDREN.

BUT THEN THEY JUST DROP-OFF A CLIFF AFTER ADULTHOOD.

>> SINCE OPENING AT THE END OF 2020, LIFE WORKS HAS SERVED AROUND TWO DOZEN PARTICIPANTS.

DIRECTOR HENDRIX SAYS THEY HAVE HAD FOLKS COME FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> WE SERVE PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION THERE ARE NOT PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.

>> WHAT DO PARTICIPANTS DO?

OVER THE COURSE OF TWO YEARS THEY LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, IN NEARBY APARTMENTS, TAKE CLASSES, FIND JOBS, AND SPEND TIME WITH ONE ANOTHER.

THE DIRECTOR SAID THEY GROW IN MANY WAYS OVER THEIR TIME AT LIFE WORKS BUT THE BIGGEST THING IS THEIR CONFIDENCE.

>> I GET GOOSE BUMPS TALKING ABOUT IT.

YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT COME TO US WITH LOW CONFIDENCE BUT REGARDLESS WHAT THAT LEVEL IS IT'S GUARANTEED TO RISE WHILE THEY ARE HERE.

>> AND THAT'S BEEN THE CASE FOR ALEX WHO EXPLAINED HOW HE HAS LEARNED NEW SKILLS IN THE KITCHEN.

>> I HAVE GROWN I KNOW HOW TO GIVES ME DISCOUNTS AND I KNOW HOW TO COOK STUFF.

MY NUMBER ONE FAVORITE MEAL IS SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS.

>> BREAK FIELD SAID THE PROGRAM IS MAKING ITS MARK ON KENTUCKY'S WORKFORCE.

HE EXPLAINED HOW THEY ARE FLIPPING THE SCRIPT WHEN IT COMES TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF ADULTS WITH AUTISM.

>> THE RATE FOR AUTISM EMPLOYMENT IS 10-15% AT LIFE WORKS WE'RE PROUD TO TOUT 85-90% EMPLOYMENT WE ARE FLIPPING THE NUMBERS ON THEIR HEADS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO COME TO THIS PROGRAM THEY A SAY THEY WANT TO WORK AND WE HELP THEM DO THAT.

>> IT'S THOSE RESULTS THAT EARNED LIFE WORKS STATE-WIDE SUPPORT.

LAST YEAR, THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY AWARDED THE PROGRAM $4.4 MILLION.

SENATOR WILSON OF BOWLING GREEN EXPLAINED WHY LIFE WORKS DESERVED THAT FUNDING.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS PART OF A WORKFORCE SOLUTION BUT NOT ONLY THAT, THIS IS A MODEL AND I THINK IT IS A STATE-WIDE MODEL, IF YOU'VE HELPED SOMEBODY BECOME THIS PERSON THAT IS WORKING AND IS PAYING TAXES, YOU KNOW, AND GIVING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND SO IF YOU DON'T SEE THE VALUE IN THAT, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU COULDN'T SEE THE VALUE.

>> THE IDEAL OUTCOME FOR PARTICIPANTS WHO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM IS TO HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB, AFFORD THEIR OWN HOUSING AND BE ABLE TO GET AROUND THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> TRULY FULL INDEPENDENCE IS WHAT OUR IDEAL OUTCOME IS.

AND I'M PROUD TO SAY WE SEE THAT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT WITH INDIVIDUALS IN THIS PROGRAM.

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

[♪♪] >> Renee: WE TOLD YOU YESTERDAY LONDON CITY COUNCIL IMPEACHED MAYOR RANDELL WEDDELL LAST WEEK.

WHO IS TAKING OVER AND WHY IT IS A FIRST FOR LONDON?

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

[♪♪] >> LONDON HAS NEW LEADERSHIP AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL IMPEACHED THE MAYOR FRIDAY.

WEDDELL FACED 11 CHARGES OF MISCONDUCT AND WILLFUL NEGLECT INCLUDING SOME CHARGES RELATED TO APPOINTMENTS TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

WEDDELL SAYS HE WILL APPEAL.

ONE COUNCILMEMBER NOMINATED TRACIE HANDLEY TO SERVE AS MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL BACKED HER SHE IS LONDON'S FIRST WOMAN MAYOR.

>>> THE RICHMOND REGISTER REPORTS THE WORK IS DONE TO DESTROY MORE THAN 500 TONS OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS THE THE BLUEGRASS ARMY DEPOT IN MADISON COUNTY.

THE DESTRUCTION OVER SIX YEARS OCCURRED WITHOUT MAJOR SAFETY INCIDENTS AT ONE POINT THERE WERE 101,000 WARFARE AGENTS IN EARTH COVERED BUNKERS ACROSS 250 ACRES.

CAMPBELLSVILLE DELAYED ACTION ON CHICKEN REGULATIONS THERE WERE PLANS TO LIMIT CHICKENS TO SIX PER BACKYARD AND A PERMIT PROCESS.

THE UNIVERSITY OF PIKEVILLE SET A NEW RECORD WITH MORE THAN 2100 STUDENTS AND THE UNDERGRADUATE RATE IS 85.5% ALSO A RECORD.

U PIKE PRESIDENT Dr.

WEB SPOKE TO THE ROTARY CLUB SEPTEMBER 3.

HE DISCUSSED SEVERAL CAPITAL PROJECTS AND THE UNIVERSITY'S 2030 STRATEGIC PLAN.

WITH HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY, I'M TOBY GIBBS.

[♪♪] >> Renee: MORE THAN 1,000 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE RECENTLY INVITED TO KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS TO ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY'S ANNUAL AG ROUNDUP EVENT.

IT IS A THREE-DAY AGRICULTURAL SHOWCASE ORGANIZED BY THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

A LOOK NOW HOW THE EVENTS IS HELPING TO GROW THE FUTURE OF AG IN THE STATE AND OUR FARM FOCUSED SEGMENT WE CALL ROOTED.

>> WE WANT THE STUDENTS TO KNOW AGRICULTURE IS ALL AROUND THEM.

SO THIS AGRICULTURAL ROUNDUP REALLY IS ABOUT BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

HERE ON THE KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS.

>> KSU IS THE SECOND IN THE STATE TO APPLY CULTURES WHAT WE DO AND THIS IS JUST A WAY FOR US TO EXPOSE THE YOUNG ONES TO WHAT WE DO AND WHAT AGRICULTURE IS ALL ABOUT.

>> MANY OF THE STUDENTS TODAY IT'S THE FIRST TIME AT KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY.

MOST HAVE NEVER BEEN TO A FARM OR TALKED TO ABOUT AGRICULTURE AND THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT BEING ON THE FARM.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY FROM THE FARM AT THE FARM ON THE FARM.

WE WANT TO SHOW THOSE STUDENTS THEY HAVE A PLACE.

>> TODAY WE HAVE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOLERS HERE OUT TALKING TO DIFFERENT FOUNDATIONS WE HAVE FARM CREDIT, FARM BUREAU AND DIFFERENT COMPANIES OUT HERE FOR THE STUDENTS TO NETWORK AND TALK TO AND FOR THE K STATE STUDENTS TO GET INTERNSHIPS AND WE'RE ALSO SHOWING THE YOUNGER KIDS WHAT AGRICULTURE HAS TO OFFER.

WHETHER THAT'S LAB WORK OR ANGRY BUSINESS OR URBAN AGRICULTURE SO MUCH.

>> I LIKED ALL THE STUDENTS THEY WERE AUDIOTAPE SUPER NICE AND WE GOT TO TALK TO THEM WE LEARNED SOMETHING AND GAVE DETAILS I THOUGHT IT WAS FUN I ENJOYED THE FIELD TRIP.

>> WE ALSO HAVE TALKING TO STUDENTS ABOUT HOW STEM IS INCORPORATED THROUGHOUT AGRICULTURE.

IT IS A VERY, VERY TECHNICAL ADVANCED ACTIVITY IN AGRICULTURE TODAY.

WE CAN ACTUALLY TRACE WHERE OUR FOOD COMES FROM.

I WAS READING SOMETHING WHERE YOU CAN TAKE A CELL FROM A DROP OF MILK OR EVEN A CELL FROM A PIECE OF MEAT FROM A COW AND TRACE THAT BACK DEPENDING ON THE TRACING TECHNOLOGY THAT IS USED, THAT'S HIGH SCIENCE.

AND WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO KNOW THEY CAN BE PART OF THAT SCIENCE.

>> IT TEACHES ME SOMETHING ABOUT AGRICULTURE THAT I DIDN'T KNOW.

IT'S NOT ADVERTISED AS MUCH.

LIKE DEGREE WISE AS UNDER DEGREES.

LIKE SCIENCE AND LEARN ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE COLLEGE IS GREAT AND IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> WE EXPERIENCE A LOT IN THE BAND AND CULTURES AND THINGS WE STUDY AND AT KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES WITH AG THAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.

YOU DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO WORK ON A FARM YOU CAN WORK IN A OFFICE OR LAB.

THIS IS OPENING UP THE DOOR AND BROADENING THOSE CHILDREN'S PERSPECTIVES AND OUR K STATE STUDENTS.

WE WANT TO SHOW STUDENTS HOW GREAT IT IS TO BE IN AGRICULTURE.

AGRICULTURE'S EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE IS LIFE.

>> Renee: THERE WERE ALMOST 3500 PARTICIPANTS AT THIS YEAR'S AG ROUNDUP.

THE EVENT HAS EXPANDED EACH YEAR.

LAST YEAR IT WAS HELD FOR TWO DAYS, THIS YEAR, THREE.

[♪♪] TOURING A BOURBON DILLVIE AN INTERACTIVE WAY TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH ONE OF KENTUCKY'S SIGNATURE INDUSTRIES.

MAKER'S MARK DISTILLERY IS MAKING SURE THOSE WHO ARE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING OR HAVE VISION IMPAIRMENTS DON'T MISS OUT ON THE EXPERIENCE.

OUR MACKENZIE SPINK HAS MORE ON HOW THE DISTILLERY IS MAKING BOURBON ACCESSIBLE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS A TASTE.

>> AND YOU ADD YOUR INGREDIENTS AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES ALL OF A SUDDEN EACH HAS ITS OWN NUANCE TO IT.

SO WE START WITH OUR CORN.

>> FROM THE HISTORY OF THE BRAND TO THE SIGHTS AND SMELLS OF THE DISSILLING PROCESS THE ASL TOUR AT MAKER'S MARK PROVIDES STAFF AND HARD OF HEARING GUESTS WITH THE SAME INTERACTIVE HOUR-AND-A-HALF AS ANY OTHER VISITORS TOURING ON CAMPUS.

>> IT'S NICE TO DO EVERYTHING EVERYBODY ELSE DOES AND NOT HAVE SOMEBODY EXPLAIN IT LATER OR GIVE YOU THE CLIFF NOTES VERSION OR TELL YOU TO READ THE BROCHURE TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY COME AND EXPERIENCE THE TOURS LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

IT'S WONDERFUL.

AND THAT APPLIES TO EVERYTHING.

WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR MORE.

WE JUST ASK FOR THE SAME.

>> TREVOR BOWLS THE VIP EXPERIENCE AND ENGAGEMENT MANAGER DEVELOPED ACCESSIBLE EXPERIENCES LIKE THE ASL INTERPRETED TOUR AFTER RECOGNIZING THE NEED IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY AND HEARING FROM GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES LOOKING FOR BETTER OPTIONS.

>> GROWING UP IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO MAKE SURE THAT DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES COULD BE LIKE SEEN AND CELEBRATED AND THAT BOURBON IS FOR EVERYBODY.

SO IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A COMPANY TO HELP WITH THOSE ACCESS POINTS.

>> GENERAL MANAGER KIM HARMON SAYS SHE HAS FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY AND THAT ACCESSIBILITY AT MAKER'S MARK IS A POINT OF PRIDE FOR HER AND HER STAFF.

>> OUR PEOPLE, THEY WORK SO HARD TO NOT ONLY ACCOMMODATE, BUT THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT THEMSELVES.

WE STRIVE TO BE INCLUSIVE.

WE WORK VERY HARD AT THAT.

AND THEN HOW DID THIS GET LEFT OUT ALONG THE WAY?

FOR ME IT WAS JUST EYE-OPENING IT WAS EMOTIONAL.

WHY WOULD WE WANT TO LIMIT ANYONE FROM ENJOYING MAKER'S MARK?

>> TOM SEAGER AND HIS SISTER REACHED OUT TO MAKER'S MARK ABOUT A TOUR FOR BLIND GUESTS AND FROM THERE BOWLS CREATED A SENSORY BASED TOUR FOR THEM.

SINCE THEN MAKER'S MARK HOSTED OTHER VISUALLY IMPAIRED GUESTS AND DEVELOPED A BRAILLE BOTTLE THROUGH THE AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND BASED IN LOUISVILLE.

>> THIS IS MY SECOND TIME DOING THE DELUXE TOUR AND TREVOR MADE IT A POINT TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE FOR ME BEING THAT I HAVE NO VISION.

OTHERWISE I WOULD BE WALKING THROUGH WITH A CROWD OF OTHER PEOPLE TREVOR MAKES THE EFFORT TO ALLOW ME TO TOUCH THINGS, AND LISTEN TO THINGS AND SMELL THINGS AND JUST ALL THOSE OTHER THERE'S SO MANY SENSORY FACTORS COMING AT YOU THROUGH THIS TOUR.

>> BOWLS SAYS IT TOOK RESEARCH TO CREATE THIS TOUR AND HE REFINED IT ALONG THE WAY USING FEEDBACK FROM THE AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND.

>> YOU KNOW IS IT BEST TO BE ABLE TO SAY WHEN THE TEXTURE OF THE GROUND IS CHANGING?

NOTIFYING HOW MANY STEPS OR STAIRS THERE ARE AND LOOKING AT EACH POINT OF OUR TOUR AND HOW CAN WE ELEVATE THE SENSORY TO IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF TOUCH POINTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

>> SOMETIMES I THINK PEOPLE FEEL THINGS ARE BETTER LEFT ALONE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE ASKED ABOUT IT, TREVOR DIDN'T MISS HE BEAT HE SAID YEAH, LET ME DO WHAT I CAN DO.

THAT IS COOL THAT HE TOOK THE TIME TO PUT HIMSELF IN MY SHOES.

>> STAFF RECEIVED TRAINING FROM ASL INTERPRETERS AND MEMBERS OF THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY ON DEAF CULTURE AND HOW TO USE AN INTERPRETER.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M MACKENZIE SPINK.

>> Renee: THANK YOU FOR THAT GREAT STORY.

ACCORDING TO A 2023 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY OVER 800,000 KENTUCKIANS HAVE A DISABILITY.

>>> SHE'S AN ARTIST AND WORDS ARE HER MEDIUM.

>> I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A WRITER.

I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A STORYTELLER BUT I DIDN'T KNOW I WANTED TO BE A POET.

>> Renee: BUT SHE IS A POET SHE WAS KENTUCKY'S POET LAUREATE CRYSTAL TALKS ABOUT HER CRAFT AND WHAT INSPIRES HER TOMORROW NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHICH WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US AGAIN FOR AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

CONNECT ALL THE WAYS YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN, FACEBOOK, X AND INSTAGRAM TO STAY IN THE LOOP.

SEND US A STORY IDEA BY E-MAIL TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG.

AND LOOK FOR US ON THE PBS VIDEO APP AND THE KET APP THAT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK HERE AGAIN