May 28, 2025

Gov. Beshear says it's likely he'll call a special session to deal with recent storm damage, a look at the investigation into Kentucky's medical cannabis program, new guidance regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, Lexington's first-ever riverfront park, and a city unveils its first flag.

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
[♪♪]
>> BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE
INTEGRITY NOW, ARE YOU GOING TO
HAVE INTEGRITY WHEN YOU ARE IN
THE PROGRAM?

>> Renee (00:15):
WHAT'S THE IMPACT OF
AN INVESTIGATION INTO KENTUCKY'S
MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM BEFORE
IT HITS STORES?
>> AND IT'S DESPICABLE WHAT YOU
DID.
THE PUBLIC SPEAKS OUT
ABOUT A TAX INCREASE TO BENEFIT
FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
AND HOW IT PASSED.
HE HAS BEEN IN CONGRESS FOR MORE

(00:37):
THAN 40 YEARS WILL HAL ROGERS
HAVE A TOUGHER RACE THAN USUAL
IN 2026?
FIND OUT WHO IS THINKING OF
RUNNING.
>> PRODUCTION OF "KENTUCKY
EDITION" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN
PART BY THE KET MILLENNIUM FUND.
[♪♪]

(01:02):
GOOD EVENING AND
WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION",
ON THIS WEDNESDAY, MAY THE 28TH.
I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE THANK YOU
FOR WINDING DOWN YOUR WEDNESDAY
WITH US.
>>> GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SAYS
IT'S LIKELY THAT HE WILL CALL A
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE KENTUCKY
GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO DEAL WITH
RECENT STORM DAMAGE IN KENTUCKY.
THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER

(01:24):
INTERVIEWED THE GOVERNOR AND IN
THAT INTERVIEW HE SAID THAT THE
STATE WILL PROBABLY REACH THE
$100 MILLION DISASTER SPENDING
CAP CREATED BY STATE LAWMAKERS
IN 2024.
THAT MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO LAST
THROUGH A TWO-YEAR BUDGET CYCLE
BUT KENTUCKY HAS DEALT WITH SIX
EMERGENCY LEVEL NATURAL
DISASTERS SINCE THAT CAP WAS PUT

(01:44):
IN PLACE.
GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID HE HASN'T
TALKED TO LEGISLATIVE LEADERS
YET ABOUT A SPECIAL SESSION.
I WILL HAVE MORE ABOUT THIS IN
JUST A FEW MINUTES AS I TALK
WITH NPR'S RYLAND BARTON.
>>> IN OTHER NEWS, KENTUCKY
BUSINESSES AND STATE AGENCIES
ARE WORKING TO GET MEDICAL
MARIJUANA TO PATIENTS.
BUT THE PROGRAM HAS TO CONTEND

(02:04):
WITH ONE HICCUP...
AN INVESTIGATION FROM THE STATE
AUDITOR.
OUR JUNE LEFFLER HAS MORE FROM
KENTUCKIANS AND THE HEMP AND
CANNABIS INDUSTRY.
>> DIDI TAILOR OWNS THIS CB
STORE IN LOUISVILLE.
>> STARTED WITH MY HUSBAND BACK
IN 2010.
FOR HIS NEEDS AND WHAT HE NEEDS
IT FOR FOR HIS SEIZURES.

(02:24):
>> SHE SERVED ON GOVERNOR ANDY
BESHEAR MEDICAL CANNABIS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
>> I TRAVELED AROUND THE STATE
AND HELPED WITH THAT AND MET A
LOT OF PEOPLE AND ADVOCATES AND
PATIENTS.
>> SHE PUSHED FOR THE BILL THAT
LEGALIZED MEDICAL CANNABIS BUT
DID NOT END UP WITH A LICENSE TO
SELL THE PRODUCT.
SOME KENTUCKY HEMP FARMERS
DIDN'T GET A LICENSE TO CULL TU

(02:46):
VACCINATE IT EITHER.
>> IT WAS UNFAIR TO A LOT OF
PEOPLE THAT HAVE TRIED TO HELP
BUILD THE SPACE FOR NO ONE TO
GET A LICENSE.
>> MICHAEL ADAIR HAS TAKEN HIS
CONCERNS TO KENTUCKY OFFICIALS.
>> AS I'VE SAID WE WANT A
MEETING ME AND HEMP FARMERS AND

(03:07):
FARMERS THAT APPLIED THERE'S
WAYS WE CAN HELP TO TRY AND
SPEED UP THE PROGRAM.
>> ONE OFFICIAL HAS BEEN
LISTENING.
ADAIR SAID HE CONTACTED THE
STATE AUDITOR WHO IS
INVESTIGATING THE PROGRAM.
>> IF THEY FIND SOMETHING THAT,
YOU KNOW, IS HARMFUL OR IT WAS
ILLEGAL WHAT THEY DID THEN SO BE

(03:27):
IT.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE INTEGRITY NOW
ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE INTEGRITY
WHEN YOU ARE ACTUALLY IN THE
PROGRAM.
>> LOUISVILLE STATION WHAS11 HAS
REPORTED WHAT MIGHT HAVE MADE
THE SYSTEM UNFAIR.
THE STATION INTERVIEWED A
BUSINESS OWNER WHO DID APP.
>> WE HAD TO CREATE BUSINESSES
20 DIFFERENT BUSINESSES UNDER 20

(03:49):
DIFFERENT NAMES IN ORDER TO GET
OUR APPLICATIONS OUT THERE.
>> SOMETHING AUDITOR ALLISON
BALL TOLD THE STATION SHE IS
LOOKING INTO.
>> THERE IS A REG THAT PROHIBITS
APP INDICATION STACKING IT'S
SUPPOSED TO BE AS FAIR AS IT CAN
BE.
>> THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.
>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FIND
LOOPHOLES AND BIG CANNABIS THEY

(04:11):
HAVE LOTS AND LOTS OF MONEY.
I JUST DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS GOING
TO GO THAT BAD.
>> A LAWYER REPRESENTING THOSE
WHO GOT A LICENSE BOTH BIG AND
SMALL OPERATORS SAYS WHAT HE HAS
SEEN FROM THE STATE HAS BEEN
ABOVEBOARD.
>> I AM A LIFELONG CRITIC OF THE
GOVERNMENT I AM A CRIMINAL
DEFENSE LAWYER AND I STAND IN
COURT AND SAY THE FEDERAL

(04:32):
GOVERNMENT DID SOMETHING WRONG
BUT I'M GOING TO SAY I THINK THE
OFFICE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS HERE
HAS HAD THE PATIENTS OF THIS
STATE AND FRANKLY.
THE BUSINESSES THEIR INTEREST IN
MIND THIS ENTIRE TIME.
>> BRAD CLARK SAYS THE LOTTERY
WAS MEANT TO GIVE EVERYONE A
CHANCE INCLUDING THE SMALLER
LOCAL BUSINESSES.
>> I PERSONALLY THINK THE BEST

(04:53):
THING THE STATE COULD HAVE DONE
IS HOLD A REVERSE AUCTION FOR
THE LICENSES.
AUCTION THESE OFF.
THE STATE COULD HAVE PROBABLY
TRIPLED WHAT THEY GOT FOR
APPLICATION FEES IF THEY
AUCTIONED THE LICENSES OFF.
MAYBE MORE.
IT WASN'T POLITICALLY POPULAR.
>> HOWEVER THE INVESTIGATION AND
SYSTEM SHAKES OUT, MICHAEL ADAIR
WILL BE TAKING NOTES.

(05:15):
>> NOW, THE BALL IS IN THEIR
COURT I GOT IT AS FAR AS I CAN
GO WITH IT.
IF THEY TELL ME EVERYTHING IS
ABOVEBOARD AND EVERYTHING IS
FINE I WILL BE THE FIRST TO EAT
CROW AND SAY LIKE I GUESS WE
SHOULD HAVE DONE IT, TOO.
>> THE STATE AUDITOR ANNOUNCED
HER INVESTIGATION MORE THAN A
MONTH AGO.
IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN THAT WILL

(05:36):
WRAP.
FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M JUNE
LEFFLER.
MANY THANKS, JUNE.
WILL THIS INVESTIGATION POSTPONE
WHEN MEDICAL CANNABIS IS IN
STORES?
THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TOLD
US THE PROGRAM SHOULD PROCEED
WITH NO DELAYS BUT THE OFFICE OF
MEDICAL CANNABIS SAYS THE
INVESTIGATION REQUIRES PULLING
SO MANY RECORDS THAT IT DIVERTS

(05:58):
RESOURCES FROM REGULATING THE
NEW INDUSTRY.
>>> ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH, ONE IN FIVE
CHILDREN HAVE SOME FORM OF
DYSLEXIA AND WITHOUT EARLY
INTERVENTION THE CHILDREN OFTEN
STLULG TO LEARN TO READ.
HINDMAN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL
LITERACY PROGRAM PROVIDES
TUTORING TO CHILDREN IN EASTERN
KENTUCKY WHO MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS

(06:19):
TO INTERVENTION OR ASSESSMENTS
FOR DYSLEXIA.
THE SCHOOL LEARNED THAT THE
FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ITS READING
AND MATH INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
WAS ELIMINATED BY THE DEPARTMENT
OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY OR DOJ.
THEY ARE DESICCATED TO
THE FUTURE OF THE PROGRAMS IS UP
IN THE AIR.

(06:39):
>> FIVE YEARS AGO WE RECEIVED A
GRANT THROUGH AMERI CORE THAT
THIS YEAR HAS GROWN TO ALLOW US
TO HIRE 52 TUTORS THAT WE DEPLOY
IN 25 SCHOOLS ACROSS FIVE SCHOOL
DISTRICTS WITH THAT LARGER
WORKFORCE, WE'RE ABLE TO REACH
THIS YEAR, I THINK WE REACHED
ALMOST A THOUSAND KIDS.

(07:02):
IT'S DISAPPOINTING IF WE LOSE
THAT FUNDING, WE'LL STILL
SURVIVE WE'RE STRONG
ORGANIZATION AND WE'LL STILL
PROVIDE SERVICES.
IT'S JUST THAT THE REACH WE HAD
THIS YEAR WILL BE REDUCED.
THE UNCERTAINTY, IT CHALLENGES
OUR ABILITY TO SAY WE WILL BE IN
YOUR SCHOOL NEXT YEAR WITH "X"
NUMBER OF STAFF.

(07:22):
WE JUST DON'T KNOW THAT AT THIS
POINT.
BUT IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR
US FROM A PLANNING PERSPECTIVE
TO COMMIT TO HAVING A PROGRAM
EVEN THOUGH IT MIGHT BE OF A
SMALLER SCALE THAN THIS YEAR.
>> WHEN HINDMAN SETTLEMENT
SCHOOL FIRST RECEIVED THE NEWS
OF THE LOSS OF FUNDING IT SEEMED

(07:43):
THE LITERACY PROGRAMS WOULD HAVE
TO STOP BUT THROUGH FUNDRAISING,
HINDMAN WAS ABLE TO FINISH OUT
THE LAST WEEKS OF IN-SCHOOL
SERVICES AND CAN RUN THE SUMMER
SCHOOL PROGRAMS THIS YEAR.
>>> FAYETTE COUNTY'S
OCCUPATIONAL TAX COULD GO UP
AFTER A VOTE LAST NIGHT BY THE
FAYETTE COUNTY BOARD OF
EDUCATION.
THE BOARD APPROVED A TAX
INCREASE WHICH WILL COST THE

(08:04):
AVERAGE TAXPAYER ABOUT $13 A
MONTH WHILE GENERATING BETWEEN
$13.5 MILLION AND $16 MILLION
FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR AND
ABOUT $30 MILLION THE YEAR AFTER
THAT.
IT STILL NEEDS FISCAL COURT
APPROVAL.
LAST NIGHT, THE BOARD HEARD FROM
SUPPORTERS WHO SAY IT'S
NECESSARY AND CRITICS WHO DON'T

(08:25):
LIKE THE INCREASE OR HOW IT WAS
PASSED.
>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
THAT WE ALL HAVE TO INVEST IN
OUR KIDS BECAUSE THE MORE WE
INVEST IN OUR KIDS THE HIGHER
EDUCATED OUR COMMUNITY IS, THE
BETTER WE ALL DO.
SO I KNOW THIS IS A HARD
DECISION FOR YOU.
BUT AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, A

(08:45):
COACH, A MENTOR, A PARENT, AND
ADVOCATE FOR COMMUNITY THAT IS
OFTEN MARGINALIZED I KNOW THE
DECISION IS IMPORTANT BUT I
IMPLORE YOU TO INCREASE THE TAX
AND MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR KIDS
CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL,
CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS AND
OPPORTUNITY VMENT.
>> YOU DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU COULD

(09:06):
DID YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT A BUDGET
IF YOU DIDN'T WHAT HAPPENED?
ARE YOU ALLOWED TO SUBMIT A
BUDGET WITH A DEFICIT?
LIKE FROM THE COMMUNITY'S
PERSPECTIVE, THAT WAS A JOKE.
HOW MUCH CONFUSION HAPPENED AND
NOBODY COULD TELL ANY OF US IN
THE ROOM WHAT WAS REQUIRED
LEGALLY.
THEY PASSED A $30 MILLION TAX

(09:28):
KNOWING OR THINKING THAT THEY
DIDN'T HAVE TO LET YOU KNOW
WITHIN ONE WEEK'S NOTICE THAT IS
WHY YOU DID THIS.
AND IT'S DESPICABLE WHAT YOU
DID.
THE TAX INCREASE WOULD
HELP THE DISTRICT CLOSE A $16
MILLION DEFICIT LAST NIGHT'S
VOTE WAS 3-2.

(09:49):
>>> TIME NOW TO CHECK IN ON
MAJOR POLITICAL NEWS SO FAR THIS
WEEK WITH RYLAND BARTON WHO IS
AN EDITOR WITH NPR NATIONAL
PUBLIC RADIO.
GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU TOO.
LET'S BEGIN WITH NEWS
THAT THE GOVERNOR MADE IN AN
INTERVIEW HE TOLD THE LEXINGTON
HERALD-LEADER HE IS CONSIDERING
POSSIBLY CALLING A SPECIAL
SESSION TO DEAL WITH TORNADO

(10:10):
RELIEF AND WE KNOW THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY IN PREVIOUS SESSIONS
PUT LIMITS ON THE AMOUNT HE CAN
SPEND AND HE SAYS HE IS ALMOST
THERE.
TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS.
>> HE HAS BEEN HINTING AT THIS
FOR A WHILE ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR
THERE'S BEEN SO MANY DISASTERS
OR OTHER EMERGENCIES DECLARED.
AND REALLY AS YOU SAID, THE

(10:30):
LEGISLATURE INSTITUTED THIS CAP
HOW MUCH THE GOVERNOR HIS
ADMINISTRATION CAN SPEND ON THIS
DISASTERS.
IT'S $50 MILLION PER YEAR $100
PER BUDGET CYCLE.
THEY RECENTLY ALLOWED IT SO HE
CAN SPEND THAT $100 MILLION TO
FINISH OUT THIS BUDGET CYCLE.
HE SAYS BECAUSE OF THIS THESE

(10:51):
MOST RECENT TORNADOES THAT TOOK
PLACE EARLIER IN MAY, THAT HE IS
GOING TO HIT THAT CAP BEFORE THE
END OF THE YEAR.
AND THAT WOULD REQUIRE HIM TO DO
IS CALL LAWMAKERS TO FRANKFORT
TO REALLY DO SOMETHING, TO
APPROPRIATE MORE MONEY TO BE
ABLE TO SPEND ON THIS INITIAL
PHASE OF THE CLEAN UP AND
RECOVERY.

(11:12):
BESHEAR SAYS A LOT OF THIS MONEY
WILL BE REIMBURSED BY THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH FEMA
BUT THAT TAKES TIME AND THE
STATE REALLY NEEDS MONEY AT THIS
POINT TO PONY UP THE INITIAL
RECOVERY EFFORTS.
I THINK THIS IS INTERESTING
BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE'S LONG
BEEN TRYING TO MAKE THIS FORCE
PLAY ON THE GOVERNOR WITH

(11:33):
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.
ANYTIME LINE GIVEN FOR
THIS, DID HE SAY?
>> NOT THAT I KNOW.
BUT HE SAID THAT THE MONEY WOULD
RUN OUT BEFORE THEY COME BACK
INTO SESSION FOR THE REGULAR
SESSION WHICH IS JANUARY OF NEXT
YEAR.
WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD
HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FATE OF
POLICE REFORM IN THE STATE'S
CITY LOUISVILLE HAD BEEN UNDER A

(11:54):
CONGRATULATE AS HAD MINNEAPOLIS
BECAUSE OF THE POLICE KILLINGS
OF BREONNA TAYLOR AND IN
MINNESOTA GEORGE FLOYD.
SO THESE POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAD
AGREED TO A SERIES OF REFORMS TO
MAKE THEM MORE COMMUNITY
RESPONSIVE AND TO ALSO COMBAT
SOME OF THE ALLEGATIONS OF

(12:14):
RACIAL BIAS IN THEIR HANDLINGS.
SO WHERE IS THAT NOW CONSIDERING
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE'S
RECENT ACTION TO END THOSE
SO-CALLED CONSENT DECREES?
>> YEAH, IT'S NOT NOT OFFICIAL
YET THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS
MADE A MOTION IN COURT TO END
THIS AND THAT DOES SHOW IT WILL
LIKELY END.

(12:35):
THE FEDERAL JUDGE HAS EXPRESSED
SOME DISMAY OVER THE CONSENT
DECREES IN THE FIRST PLACE AND
ALSO THAT IT'S LIKELY OVER NOW
THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DOESN'T WANT ANY --
DOESN'T WANT CONTINUE WITH THIS.
AND THAT IS WHAT A CONSENT
DECREE IS ABOUT.
IT'S A COURT MANDATED AGREEMENT
THAT SAY IN THIS CASE, THE

(12:57):
LOUISVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
ENACT CERTAIN REFORMS AND THAT
LOOKS TO BE IT'S NOT GOING TO
TAKE PLACE.
YEAH, LOUISVILLE, MINNESOTA OR
MINNEAPOLIS ALSO SEVERAL OTHER
CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MOVED
TO END THIS.
AND THIS GOES BACK TO THIS IS
SOMETHING THAT WAS PART OF
PROJECT 2025, KIND OF REPUBLICAN
BLUEPRINT FOR WHAT THE NEXT

(13:19):
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WOULD LOOK
LIKE THEY WANTED AN END TO ALL
OF THESE COURT MANDATE CONSENT
DECREES.
IN AN INTERVIEW WITH --
WELL, THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE
SAYS THAT IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE
IMPLEMENTING THESE REFORMS.
WE'LL SEE HOW SUCCESSFUL THAT
IS.
I THINK THE POINT OF THIS
CONSENT DECREE IS THAT

(13:41):
LOUISVILLE AND SEVERAL OTHER
POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE SHOWN
TIME AND TIME AGAIN THEY WERE
NOT REALLY ABLE TO HOLD
THEMSELVES ACCOUNTABLE
INTERNALLY.
AND THE WHOLE REPORT THAT THE
REPORTS THAT STARTED THIS THERE
IS AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT OF
LOUISVILLE'S POLICE DEPARTMENT
AND THEN THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE REPORT.
ALLEGING JUST HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE

(14:02):
THINGS FROM IMPROPER
USE-OF-FORCE, NOT HOLDING POLICE
ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THEY DID WRONG,
PROBLEMS WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT,
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST BLACK
PEOPLE FROM TRAFFIC STOPS TO
ARRESTS TO TREATMENT IN CUSTODY
AND TERRIBLE ACCOUNTS INCLUDED
ONE I WAS READING THROUGH IT
TODAY, AND THERE'S ONE CASE IN

(14:22):
WHICH AN OFFICER REPEATEDLY BEAT
A DRUNK WOMAN IN THE FACE WITH A
FLASHLIGHT AFTER SHE BIT HIM ON
THE SHOE.
DISPROPORTIONATE RESPONSES.
AND AGAIN, THE POLICE WHO DID
WRONG WERE NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
SO THE CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW IS
FOR THE CITY TO TRY AND BUILD
TRUST WITH THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE

(14:43):
BEEN CALLING FOR THIS AND IT
GOES BEYOND BREONNA TAILOR AND
GEORGE EMPLOYED IT IS A LONG
PRACTICE OF LOTS OF PROBLEMS
WITHIN LOUISVILLE'S POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND WHETHER OR NOT
THE CITY WILL BE ABLE TO ONCE
AGAIN TRY TO HOLD ITSELF
ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THERE IS A
MOMENT WHERE IT SEEMED THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SOMETHING
OUTSIDE OF THE CITY WAS GOING TO
BE IN CHARGE OF IMPLEMENTING

(15:04):
THESE REFORMS AND MAKING SURE
THEY HAPPEN.
AND THE POLICE CHIEF
SAID THAT THEY WOULD STAY ON THE
COURSE THEY ARE ON.
SO WE'LL SEE IF THAT HOLDS.
LAST ITEM IN ABOUT A MINUTE,
CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS WHO HAS
IN HIS 23rd CONSECUTIVE TERM
HE HAS BEEN SERVING THE FIFTH
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SINCE

(15:25):
1981 ALWAYS WON BY LANDSLIDE
VICTORIES BUT THERE IS
POSSIBILITY THAT HE COULD GET A
RUN FOR HIS MONEY THIS TIME.
A WELL HEALED ATTORNEY FROM
PRESTONSBURG WHO HAS HAD HIGH
PROFILE CASES CONCERNING SCAMS
WITH DISABILITY AND COAL MINERS
COULD BE TAKING ON CONGRESSMAN
ROGERS?

(15:45):
>> YES.
ACCORDING TO THE HERALD-LEADER'S
AUSTIN HORN, NED IS CONSIDERING
A RUN FOR THE SEAT.
AND REALLY JUST TO HAVE A
CANDIDATE AT ALL IS HUGE IN THIS
CASE.
OFTENTIMES CONGRESSMAN ROGERS
WILL RUN UNOPPOSED.
AND HE WOULD BE ONE OF THE MOST
PROMINENT PEOPLE TO RUN AGAINST

(16:05):
HIM IN A LONGTIME.
YEAH, HE IS KNOWN FOR
REPRESENTING EASTERN KENTUCKIANS
WHO ARE FACING THE LOSS OF THEIR
ASSOCIATED SECURITY DISABILITY
BENEFITS DURING THAT SCAM RUN BY
ERIC KHAN.
HE IS ALSO SUED SEVERAL COAL
COMPANIES FOR UNPAID WAGES.
THERE IS ALSO AFTER THE EASTERN

(16:26):
KENTUCKY FLOODS HE REPRESENTED
PEOPLE SUING COAL COMPANIES
ALLEGING THAT STRIP MINING
WORSENED THE FLOODS IN THEIR
AREAS.
HE SAID IN THE INTERVIEW WITH
THE HERALD-LEADER HE WANTED TO
RUN AGAINST DONALD TRUMP'S TAX
CUT PLAN WHICH ARE IMPLEMENTED
AT THE END OF 2018.
BUT LOOKING TO RENEW UNDER THIS

(16:48):
BUDGET BILL THAT WOULD BENEFIT
THE WEALTHY AND ALSO THE
PROPOSED CUTS TO MEDICAID THE
FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IS
ONE OF THE MOST DEPEND END
DISTRICTS ON MEDICAID BENEFITS.
ROGERS HAS DEFENDED THOSE THAT
PROPOSAL SAYING THESE CUTS WOULD
END UP STRENGTHENING MEDICAID BY
LIMITING FRAUD AND ABUSE.

(17:10):
AND HE WOULD HAVE IT WOULD BE A
STEEP CHALLENGE ROGERS AS YOU
SAID HE'S BEEN IN HELD THAT
SINCE 1981 THE LONGEST SERVING
MEMBER AND OLDEST MEMBER HE IS
87 AND WOULD BE 89 IF REELECTED
IN 2026.
YEAH.
SO MUCH TO KEEP OUR EYES ON.
WE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT A
RACE THAT HASN'T FORMED YET FOR

(17:31):
NEXT CYCLE BUT THAT IS HOW IT
ROLLS HERE IN KENTUCKY.
THANK YOU RYLAND BARTON IT'S
GOOD TO CATCH UP WITH YOU.
>> THANK YOU, RENEE.
[♪♪]
THERE'S COVID NEWS
TONIGHT ON TWO FRONTS.
MORE ABOUT THIS IN TONIGHT'S
MEDICAL NEWS.
ROBERT KENNEDY JR. THE U.S.

(17:51):
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES SAYS HE IS NO LONGER
RECOMMENDING COVID-19 VACCINES
FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN AND
PREGNANT WOMEN.
THAT IS A CHANGE.
U.S. HEALTH OFFICIALS FOLLOWING
RECOMMENDATIONS BY INFECTIOUS
DISEASE EXPERTEDS HAD URGED
ANNUAL COVID-19 BOOSTERS FOR ALL
AMERICANS AGES SIX MONTHS AND

(18:12):
OLDER.
ALSO, THE WORLD HEALTH
ORGANIZATION SAYS A NEW COVID
VARY RANTED IS CIRCULATING AND
HAS BEEN DETECTED IN
INTERNATIONAL TRAVELS ARRIVING
ON THE EAST AND WEST COASTS.
>>> LAST WEEK, FORMER PRESIDENT
JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCED HIS PROSTATE
CANCER DIAGNOSIS, AGE AND FAMILY

(18:33):
HISTORY PLAY INTO CALCULATING
RISK FACTORS.
Dr. TRAVIS SPAULDING SAID THE
BEST SCREENING PLAN VARIES BY
PERSON SO HAVING A PLAN WITH
YOUR DOCTOR IS KEY FOR EARLY
DETECTION.
>> NOW, PROSTATE CANCER
SCREENING IS REALLY BASED MOSTLY
ON SHARED DECISION MAKING
BETWEEN YOUR DOCTOR AND YOU.

(18:54):
AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS SEEN MANY
MEN CURED OF THEIR RELATIVELY
AGGRESSIVE PROSTATE CANCER
BECAUSE IT WAS FOUND EARLY AND
MANAGED EFFECTIVELY THEY HAVE A
NORMAL LIFE AND A NORMAL LIFE
EXPECTANCY AND SOMETHING WHO HAS
SEEN MEN WHO DELAY SCREENING AND
DELAY THEIR DIAGNOSIS TO THE

(19:15):
POINT THEY ARE SEEING ME FOR
TREATMENTS DESIGNED TO PROLONG
THEIR LIFE BUT NOT CURE THEIR
CANCER, YOU KNOW, THAT'S
PERSPECTIVE THAT DICHOTOMY IS
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT WHEN
DELAYING SCREENING PARTICULARLY
IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY
THAT IS CONCERNING.
PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT AND

(19:35):
CANCER TREATMENT IN GENERAL BUT
IN THE PROSTATE WORLD IS
CHANGING DRAMATICALLY ALL THE
TIME.
PROSTATE CANCER DIAGNOSIS WHILE
IT IS SCARY AND CAN BE LIFE
ALTERING IS NOT ALWAYS A DEATH
SENTENCE.
THERE ARE MANY PATIENTS LIVING
WITH METASTATIC PROSTATE CANCER
FOR FIVE, SIX, SEVEN EIGHT YEARS
WITH TREATMENTS THAT ARE

(19:56):
RELATIVELY EASY TO TAKE AND
OFFER A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE.
SO OBVIOUSLY WE HOPE FOLKS NEVER
NEED THAT BUT IF THEY DO THERE'S
GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN THE
CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT
WORLD TO MAKE PATIENTS' LIVES
BETTER.
ACCORDING TO THE
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND
PREVENTION, ABOUT 13 OUT OF
EVERY 100 AMERICAN MEN WILL GET

(20:18):
PROSTATE CANCER DURING THEIR
LIFETIME OF THAT NUMBER 2-3 MEN
WILL DIE FROM PROSTATE CANCER.
[♪♪]
LEXINGTON HAS ITS FIRST EVER
RIVERFRONT PARK.
MAYOR LINDA GORTON CUT THE
RIBBON THIS MORNING OPENING

(20:39):
KELLEY'S LANDING ON OLD RICHMOND
ROAD RIGHT NEXT TO THE KENTUCKY
RIVER AND WE HAVE DRONE VIDEO OF
THE PARK WHICH HAS TRAILS, GREEN
SPACE, WOODS AND A RIVER ACCESS
FOR KAYAKS AND CANOES.
THERE ARE PLANS FOR MORE WALKING
TRAILS, BATHROOMS, A RIVER
OVERLOOK AND FISHING PIER AND A
PICNIC AREA.

(21:00):
THE PARK IS OPEN FROM DAWN TO
DUSK.
KELLEY'S LANDING IS NAMED FOR
JOHN KELLEY WHO SOLD THE LAND TO
THE CITY OF LEXINGTON IN 2022.
>>> THE CITY OF VERSAILLES IN
WOODFORD COUNTY KENTUCKY HAS A
CITY HALL, A WORLD RENOWNED
DISTILLERY AND IS HOME TO MORE
THAN 10,000 PEOPLE BUT IT'S
MISSING ONE THING...
A FLAG.

(21:20):
AND THAT'S WHERE THE FOURTH
GRADERS AT SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL COME IN.
OUR KELSEY STARKS HAS THAT STORY
IN OUR ARTS AND CULTURE SEGMENT
WE CALL TAPESTRY.
>> CAN YOU HELP WITH THIS
PROBLEM?
WE HAVE THIS FLAG WE HAVE THIS
FLAG AND WE DO NOT HAVE A CITY
OF VERSAILLES FLAG.

(21:41):
>> LAURA DRAKE AND JACQUELINE
COLEMAN BOTH VISITED SOUTHSIDE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BACK IN
FEBRUARY WITH A CHALLENGE FOR
THE FOURTH GRADERS.
TO CREATE A FLAG FOR THE CITY OF
VERSAILLES.
>> AND WHEN THEY LOOK AT IT THEY
SAY OH, THIS MUST BE WHAT
VERSAILLES IS LIKE.
SO THAT'S A LOT TO CAPTURE IN

(22:02):
ONE IMAGE.
>> BUT THESE NINE AND
10-YEAR-OLDS WERE UP FOR THE
CHALLENGE.
AND IT WAS THEIR TEACHERS BEHIND
THIS PROJECT BASED LEARNING OR
PBL ASSIGNMENT.
>> WE JUST RECENTLY BECAME A PBL
SCHOOL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE
YEAR THIS IS OUR FIRST YEAR
BEING PBL.
AND ALL OF US HERE JUMPED

(22:22):
ONBOARD.
DURING OUR TRAINING THEY TOLD US
ABOUT LEXINGTON AND HOW A SCHOOL
WAS INSPIRED TO CREATE THE FLAG
FOR THE CITY OF LEXINGTON.
AND WE IMMEDIATELY GOT ON THE
PHONE AND TEXTED THE CURRENT
MAYOR AND HEY DOES VERSAILLES
HAVE A FLAG?
IF THEY DON'T WE HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY.
>> PROJECT BASED LEARNING OR PBL
IS A TEACHING METHOD WHICH

(22:43):
STUDENTS LEARN BY ACTIVELY
ENGAGING IN REAL WORLD PROJECTS.
THE IDEA IS THAT IT FOSTERS REAL
WORLD LIFE SKILLS.
>> THEY HAVE VERY ENGAGED AND
HAVE SUPER HIGH ENGAGEMENT
DURING PROJECT BASED LEARNING
AND THEY HAVE BEEN LEARNING JUST
CRAZY COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS.

(23:03):
THEY HAVE BEEN LEARNING HOW TO
WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER.
WORK THROUGH PROBLEMS.
THAT'S ALL PREPARING THEM FOR
THE REAL WORLD.
>> TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT,
THEY HAD SOME REAL WORLD
EXPERIENCES.
IN A FIELD TRIP TO DOWNTOWN,
THEY LEARNED ABOUT THE HISTORY
OF THE BUILDINGS THERE.
IN A VISIT TO CITY HALL, THE
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
TALKED ABOUT COLORS AND BRANDING
THEY WANTED FOR THE CITY.

(23:25):
IT ALL CULMINATED WITH EACH
GROUP OF FOUR OR FIVE STUDENTS
PRESENTING THEIR FLAGS IN A
COMMUNITY EXPO WHERE THEY NOT
ONLY SHOWED OFF THE FINAL FLAG
DESIGNS BUT PRESENTED THEM WITH
EXPLANATIONS ABOUT THE DESIGN
CHOICES.
>> WE LOVED THIS FLAG BECAUSE WE
TRUST EACH OTHER AND THAT'S WHY
WE THOUGHT A HEART AND HAND WILL

(23:45):
REPRESENT THAT.
>> WE FEEL LIKE IT REPRESENTS
VERSAILLES REALLY WELL I FEEL
LIKE IT SUMMARIZES EVERY DETAIL
THAT WE ARE GETTING WE TOOK EACH
DETAIL TO HEART AND TRIED TO
INCORPORATE IT IN EVERY WAY
POSSIBLE.
>> STICK CHARACTERS BECAUSE WE
PUT THEM HOLDING HANDS IN

(24:07):
DIFFERENT COLOR BECAUSE WE ARE
ALL DIFFERENT BUT UNITED AND
STUFF.
SO THAT'S WHAT I THINK BRINGS
EVERYTHING REALLY TOGETHER.
AND LIKE OUR BIG VERSAILLES FLAG
TOO.
>> ANY REAL WORLD PROBLEM IT
DIDN'T COME WITHOUT CHALLENGES.
>> NO.
WE HAVE OUR LIKE FINAL PRODUCT.
BUT WE WENT THROUGH A LOT OF

(24:29):
CHALLENGES AND CHANGES FOR OUR
FLAG.
>> WE HAD ONE FLAG AND WE DIDN'T
KNOW HOW LIKE SIMPLE IT HAD TO
BE.
SO AFTER THAT, WE HAD TO GO TO A
DIFFERENT FLAG AND TOTALLY
CHANGE THE WHOLE THING.
IT WAS LIKE HARD WORK.
THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF
ARGUING NOT THAT MUCH.
BUT IT WAS STILL LIKE HARD WORK.

(24:49):
>> ONE THING I REALLY HAVE
ENJOYED IS SEEING THE
CAMARADERIE OF THE GRADE LEVEL
THE KIDS ENCOURAGED ONE ANOTHER.
WE HAVE THEM PRACTICE WITH EACH
OTHER AND NEVER ONCE I DID HEAR
ANYONE DOWNGRADE ANOTHER GROUP.
IT WAS ALWAYS I REALLY LOVE THE
WAY YOU DID THIS.
MAYBE YOU COULD TRY THIS DURING

(25:10):
YOUR PRESENTATION IT WAS ALL
POSITIVE AND I LOVED THAT A
LITTLE GIRL IN MY CLASS TALKED
ABOUT HOWEVER ONE WAS WINNING
BECAUSE WE WERE ALL IN THIS
EXPERIENCE TOGETHER AND THEY
WERE GOING TO REMEMBER IT FOR
THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.
>> SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS VOTED ON
A FINAL FOUR AND THOSE GROUPS
HAD THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH A
LOCAL GRAPHIC DESIGN FIRM TO
TWEAK THEIR DESIGN BEFORE

(25:31):
PRESENTING THE FINAL FOUR
DESIGNS TO THE VERSAILLES CITY
COUNCIL.
>> AND I HOPE THE YEARS FROM NOW
THEY CAN SEE THE FLAG OF
VERSAILLES AND REMEMBER IN
FOURTH GRADE A LITTLE BIT OF
POWER THEY HAD IN FOURTH GRADE
AND SOMETHING THEY WERE ABLE TO
ACCOMPLISH AS A YOUNG CHILD.
>> AS A KID IT'S HARD TO FEEL
LIKE YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO
CHANGE ANYTHING WHEN YOU ARE NOT

(25:51):
OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE OR HAVE A
JOB.
SO I THINK MY BIGGEST GOAL IS
FOR THEM TO CARRY THIS THROUGH
LIFE AND SAY I MADE A CHANGE IN
MY COMMUNITY IN FOURTH GRADE AND
NOW I CAN MAKE A CHANGE IN
ANYTHING THAT I BELIEVE IN.
I WANT THEM TO TAKE THAT WITH
THEM FOREVER.
>> A REAL WORLD LESSON THAT WILL
FLYOVER VERSAILLES FOR YEARS TO

(26:11):
COME.
FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M
KELSEY STARKS.
MANY THANKS KELSEY.
WE ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THE NEW
FLAG FOR THE CITY OF VERSAILLES
WILL BE THIS FLAG, DESIGNED BY
MAYLEIGH BREHM, DOMINIC LOPEZ,
MADI GREENE AND HARRY PRATHER.
FOURTH GRADERS AT SOUTHSIDE
ELEMENTARY.
WAY TO GO KIDS!
THE FLAG WILL BE OFFICIALLY

(26:33):
RAISED AT CITY HALL ON FLAG DAY,
JUNE THE 14TH.
OUR CONGRATS.
[♪♪]
FUN STORY FOR YOUR WHAT IS THE
MOST COMMONLY MISSPELLED WORD IN
KENTUCKY FOR 2025?
ACCORDING TO GOOGLE REPORTED IN
THE LANE REPORT IT'S THE WORD

(26:53):
PEOPLE.
THAT'S THE WORD KENTUCKIANS 7
FOR THE MOST FOR SPELLING HELP
AND KENTUCKY ISN'T THE ONLY
STATE WITH TROUBLE SPELLING
PEOPLE IT WAS THE MOST
MISSPELLED WORD IN ARIZONA,
SOUTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA.
NATIONALLY, THOUGH, THE MOST
COMMONLY MISSPELLED WORD IS
DEFINITELY.
I AGREE AND I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN

(27:15):
US AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT NO
MATTER HOW YOU SPELL IT.
FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHERE WE
INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.
WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONNECT
WITH U'SELLIS ALL THE WAYS YOU
SEE ON OUR SCREEN TO STAY IN THE
LOOP UNTIL I SEE YOU LATER TAKE
REALLY GOOD CARE.