May 30, 2025

A tornado kills at least one person in Washington County, a longtime state senator switches parties, McConnell talks Medicaid changes and about the "big beautiful bill," the state's largest public school district hires a new superintendent, and a new office with advanced technology to test hay.

Episode Transcript

(00:07):
Warnings went out.
Very, very briefly before the
storm hit. So it surprised a
lot of people.
>> The hits KET on coming as
another Kentucky tornado proves
deadly.
A longtime Kentucky lawmaker
says it's time for her to make
a big change.
>> It's just an increase or

(00:28):
bottom line. I mean, that's
just all there is to it.
>> And Kentucky farmers have a
new way to make sure their
livestock feed is up to s****.
Production of Kentucky Edition
is made possible in part by
the KET Millennium Fund.
♪

(00:48):
♪
>> Good Evening and welcome
to Kentucky EDITION on this
Friday. May 30th, I'm Renee
Shaw and we thank you for
starting off your weekend
with us. Kentucky is dealing
yet again with a deadly storm.

(01:10):
>> One person is dead and 7
others hurt after a storm move
through southeastern Washington
County this morning around
07:00AM the National Weather
Service says it's found damage
indicating it was possibly and
EF 2 tornado. The county judge
executive says the storm hit
with little warning.
>> This heat in a remote area
of our county, very close in

(01:33):
bulk. A plan and there's no
tornado sirens that every
county because it's so remote,
very sparsely populated, which
is a good thing for the amount
of damage that after that on 2
homes are affected.
We do have a tornado lures that
the conditions out also
thought. But there is that have
to sign up to receive those.
So we have their numbers
registered if they don't sign
up to receive all of the

(01:53):
officers, there was no warning
was coming. And furthermore,
there were the warnings went
out.
Very, very briefly before the
storm hit. So it surprised a
lot of people. There was a
great twist in every way.
And, you
know, the people are going to
start with a 200 something away
from their homes. So they took

(02:15):
a rather unfortunate. When the
call came in for Bob or she
managed to get the roads
blocking for spawning will be
able to get to there.
Victims. So I mean, we talked
road supervisors as you get
your crew and all your heavy
equipment and get there.
You just rolled up and up.
I was so pleased to watches
meaning women work for the good
of our community with other

(02:38):
surrounding counties and
states. Quite impressive.
First responders are under
recognized and appreciated.
That's for sure.
>> According to emergency
management, the storm destroyed
2 homes and some other
buildings of the 7 people hurt.
3 were sent on to the UK
Medical Center in Lexington.
One of them is a 3 year-old

(02:58):
child. Today's deadly storm
comes 2 weeks after our tornado
killed 19 people and lull
Pulaski and Russell counties.
Now turning to politics a long
time Kentucky State lawmaker
is switching parties. Senator
Robin Webb of Carter County is
leaving the Democratic Party
and becoming a Republican.
Webb has been in the state

(03:22):
Senate since 20. 0, 9, She was
a state representative before
that in a statement she said
she didn't feel like she was
leaving the Democratic Party.
Instead, she says it.
>> Left her. Here's part of
that statement. Quote, as the
Democratic Party continues its
lurch to the left and it's
hyper focus on policies that
hurt workforce and economic
development in my region.
I no longer feel it represents

(03:45):
my values. It has become
untenable and counterproductive
to the best interest of my
constituents to remain a
Democrat, unquote. Republicans
are praising Web Senate
President Robert Stivers, a
Republican from Manchester,
put out this statement, quote,
Robbins policy record speaks
for itself. Whether it's her
advocacy for Kentucky, Coal and

(04:07):
our energy independence.
Her support for responsible
budgeting or her commitment to
rule infrastructure. Workforce
development and judicial
matters. She has long worked
alongside Republican colleagues
to advance the interests of
eastern Kentucky, unquote.
Now here's the response from
Coleman Al Ridge. He's the
chair of the Kentucky

(04:27):
Democratic Party. Quote,
Senator Webb has chosen to join
a political party that is
currently working around the
clock to take healthcare away
from over a million talk.
Kentucky ends wipe out our
rule. Hospitals take food off
the table of Kentucky families
and take resources away from
our public schools. If those
are her priorities, then we
agree she isn't a Democrat,

(04:49):
end quote. Now with this, which
the Republican Party now has.
32 states senators leaving the
Democrats with only 6 in that
chamber, those 6 all served in
the Louisville and Lexington
areas. Now that number could
shrink even more. That's
because Democratic state
Senator David Yates of
Louisville plans to run for

(05:11):
Jefferson County clerk. His
website says he's launching his
campaign on June 9th Yates is
currently the Senate Minority
whip. He served in the Senate
since 2020 if he were to when
the county clerk election next
year, it could trigger a
special election if he doesn't
resign. First, if he loses the
election, he could continue to

(05:32):
serve as a state senator.
U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell
was in Lexington today for the
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce's
first everal federal issues
summit while he was there
today, he talked about
potential Medicaid changes.
The House budget plan and
President Donald Trump's tariff
policy.
>> We checked with the health

(05:55):
care providers and state
government and they're
comfortable with the way that
issue to do with and the House
Bill and Commerce and go for
directly involved in the U.S..
>> I'm interested in how those
who could potentially be
affected by feel about it.

(06:15):
And they seem to be okay.
The Senate will pass a
different and they will have
a conference between the House
and Senate.
>> The one thing I'm pretty
sure they got mentioned earlier
that.
clearly extending the 2017 tax
>> Agriculture is the biggest

(06:36):
loser in a trade war.
So I have a very different
point of view about trade out
8. We ought to be doing more
trade agreements.
And rather than attacking
our friends would care of
thing. We ought to be.
Doing exactly the opposite.

(06:57):
So hopefully. The
president will you up on this
path?
And remember that free trade
is very, very important.
>> The Kentucky Chamber of
Commerce also opposes the
president's tariff policy.
Cole, maybe having a comeback
in the second Trump presidency

(07:18):
and April, the president signed
executive orders to boost coal
extraction. Delay rules on
emissions standards and KET
more coal-fired plants alive.
This is welcome news to a state
Republican lawmaker who
successfully passed his own pro
call legislation.
>> Every bit of power

(07:38):
generation is very vital,
especially based low power
generation. So which is
coal-fired plant, a coal-fired
electric plants and a
gas-powered plants. So I
welcome the changes in the
Trump administration. The
executive orders. I think that

(07:59):
the executive orders actually
bring some more balance to to
energy policy and our nation.
I'm not opposed to renewables.
I'm very much interested in all
the above approach. But, you
know, my concern has always
been these next 15 years or so
until we can actually make a
transition. If there is a need

(08:21):
to make a transition. We've got
a major power shortage that is
going to hamper our economy
in our state and ultimately
affect our lives. Our
lifestyles in jobs in the state
of Kentucky.
>> Cole powers and makes money
for Kentucky. It also produces
the missions and particles that
can harm those living near

(08:43):
coal-fired plants. According to
New York Times reporting
Trump's Environmental
Protection Agency wants to
eliminate emissions standards
on coal-fired plants. And this
week he ordered a cold plant in
Michigan to KET running.
Even though the utility and
state regulators plan to close
it.
>> If we take a specific is an
example that we know that they

(09:03):
have ordered the extension of
life of a individual call
plants in Michigan and we have
coal plants here that are
retiring or due to be retired
in the next couple of years.
And if that same action were
taken, not only would it
extends the life of those
emissions that we know harm.
Human health. The decision to

(09:24):
close those coal plants was
generally an economic decision.
Not just because of those
emissions. So it's not only
going to hurt human health long
term. It's also going to drive
up electricity rates.
>> Cole is the leading power
source in Kentucky, but natural
gas consumption is catching up
more coal-fired plants are

(09:44):
going offline as more natural
gas power plants come online
in the state. Now turning now
to education news, it's
official Jefferson County
Public Schools has a new
superintendent, the local board
of Education has approved a
four-year contract with Brian
Yearwood. He'll be paid

(10:04):
$350,000 a year and begins July
1st, Jefferson County Board of
Education Chairman Corrie Shull
said year Woods previous work
experience quote, highlights
his ability to boost student
achievement, manage finances
and build community
partnerships. He takes over the
state's largest public school
district at a time of
uncertainty for the district
last year, the Kentucky General

(10:25):
Assembly created a legislative
task force to consider among
other things, possibly
splitting up the district.
The task force said it needed
another year before
recommending legislative fixes
for the district this week,
legislative leaders announced
which task forces will meet
ahead of the 2026 legislative
session and the JCPS Task Force

(10:47):
isn't one of them. But here are
the 5 task forces that will
meet during the 2025 interim
legislative period that starts
next week. The artificial
intelligence and housing task
forces are both returning this
year. A new task force called
Air Mobility and Aviation
Economic Development will among
other things. Look at ways to
support large and regional

(11:11):
airports across the state.
The Make America Healthy Again.
Kentucky task Force is also new
this year. Lawmakers say the
goal of the task force is to
find ways to improve health
outcomes for Kentuckians.
And finally, the disaster
prevention and resiliency Task
force will examine policy
solutions for responding to
and preventing natural

(11:31):
disasters. Task force is
chaired by the state Senate's
newest Republican. As of today,
Senator Robin Webb.
♪
On this Friday. We're going to
catch up with the news director
for WKU Mess. That is Murray
Public Radio and Western part
of the state. The news director
Derek Oprah Lee, who joins us

(11:52):
foreign occasional segment that
we call Reporter's Notebook.
Good to see you.
>> Are you doing or not doing
great. Happy weekend to you.
I we know there's been a lot
of news of late and we'll start
with President Trump's
executive order that you have,
though, followed that would
possibly help speed up nuclear

(12:12):
energy infrastructure. And this
has particular interest in
western Kentuckyian there's a
state senator from Western
Kentucky. Benton who is really
been pushing this for many
years. Connect all the dots for
us. Derek.
>> That's right. This series of
executive orders that President
Trump issued just last week

(12:32):
is geared towards speeding up
nuclear developments across
the country. And that obviously
could include places in
Kentucky Danity Danny Carroll,
a senator here in Paducah.
He's been one of the leading
voices for nuclear development
in the state over the past
decade. He sponsored the bill
that ended Kentucky's decades
long. You clear moratorium in

(12:53):
2017 and then he was the main
voice behind the bill that
created the new nuclear
authority here in Kentucky just
a year or so ago. So you clear
think big on his mind. And one
of the things that he thinks is
possible is that this could
lead to, you know, maybe a
minute, some small modular
reactor being built in the
state of Kentucky sometime in

(13:15):
the next couple of years.
You know this. He said that
the state you clear authority
has identified some potential
reactor sites, including maybe
in his hometown of Paducah,
where, of course, the former
Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant
is located.
>> Well, and we spoken to
Senator Carroll about this many
times and I think he even does

(13:36):
a south. Her set her fast
nuclear energy expert is a
subject matter expert.
>> As we say, use the word that
I heard her. Yeah. He calls
himself a nerd on this issue
and he's talked to as many
times about this isn't your
nuclear energy of old that
people maybe have some
trepidation is our fears about
I mean, what do you hear in the
community about this
possibility? And are they
fearful of this?

(13:58):
>> This at all.
>> You know, I haven't heard
widespread concerns about the
development of more nuclear
infrastructure in western
Kentucky because obviously
those kinds of elements come
with a lot of money projects
like the global laser
enrichment facility, which
would be a 1 billion dollar
first of its kind, a place that

(14:19):
would refine the, you know,
depleted nuclear fuel for use
in other facilities. That's a
huge investment that could make
a big difference in a place
like Paducah.
>> Yeah. So it may be the
economic development, winds and
other business winds kind of
outweigh some of the concerns
that maybe
people have, you know, that
they think, oh, this could be
a win-win. Let's talk about

(14:39):
another development. We know
that there are about a handful
of correctional facilities
across the state that are have
agreed to and are planning on
and maybe already
housing detainees that the ICE,
Immigration Customs Enforcement
Agency has detained. So tell
us about this. And we know that
there is a facility

(15:01):
correctional facility in
Madisonville in Western part
of the state that's already
doing. This are making plans
to.
>> They're already KET it.
They've been doing it since
really late. April was when
they get certified to be able
to hold detainees from ICE
indefinitely. A bunch of
facilities across the state.
Do it up to 72 hours, but only

(15:24):
5 in Boone County, Campbell.
Grayson and Oldham in Hopkins
County in Western Kentucky,
which is the most recent one
which you mentioned run.
Yeah.
>> Any concerns about this and
what kind of community reaction
has there been to this? If any?
>> The community reaction has
been fairly muted. The jailer
in Hopkins County, Mike Lewis.
He said the decisions pretty

(15:44):
purely financial, that it's not
any different from taking on
inmates from the state of
Kentucky or federal inmates
from the U.S. Marshal Service.
>> Yeah. So there's some
reimbursement their why is it
a financial win for them?
People may not understand that.
>> Yeah, there's a stipend that
that jails get whatever they
take on inmates from from the
state of Kentucky or or from

(16:05):
the Marshal Service. And that
includes when they take on
inmates from ICE. And I've been
told that the that that the
stipend it's about even between
all of them
>> and finally, some maybe a
lighter news to end our
discussion on the formation
of the western Kentucky film
Commission. We know that
there's been legislation that

(16:25):
state lawmakers have passed a
kind of
>> help. This growing industry
in Kentucky having its own
separate kind of office that
can help really and debate that
talent and to do more film
making here in the state.
So we now see that Western
Kentucky is getting on the on
the bandwagon. What's going on
with this western Kentucky film
Commission?

(16:45):
>> Well, the West Kentucky film
Commission kicked off earlier
this week at an event in
Madisonville. It's essentially
a marketing effort between a
bunch of different local
governments, places like
Paducah, Bowling, Green
Owensboro and of course,
Madisonville and a couple of
other cities. It's all just
geared towards making sure that
all of the film and TV projects
to get made in the state of

(17:08):
Kentucky that that they are
that they happen outside the
Golden Triangle as well.
You know, to me that they're
trying to make sure that they
get a piece of this pie because
the state of Kentucky is
invested about 230 million
dollars in in production since
2022. And they do this because
when productions come to
Kentucky, they spend a lot of
money locally. You know that
they buy gas, they they they

(17:30):
eat at restaurants and that is
what that incentive helps to
do. Is it make sure that the
production's come here in the
first place and they make money
from the state, but then they
spend money locally which
trickles down to the economy.
>> Yeah. Well, we know that in
summer said there were like
6 feature films that were made
over the course of a year or
so. And people may not be aware
of that. We think. And where

(17:51):
can you see them right? That
everybody thinks of always like
the big screen. But there's a
lot news for these things to
appear.
>> Yeah, in the streaming
market nowadays, there's so
many places to watch things and
that naturally leads to more
things than ever being made.
And, you know, Kentucky is
hosted productions like even
Hawks Wildcat in recent years,

(18:12):
which obviously a lot of people
loved. And then the governor
has praised multiple times and
then projects like red right
hand, which stars Orlando Bloom
came out last year and that
was shot in eastern Kentucky.
You know, these these projects
are popping up all over the
place and localities that host
them seem to be pretty happy
about it.
>> Yeah, well, it's a win-win,

(18:34):
isn't that? So Derek Overly,
it's always a win-win to
connect with you. Thank you for
all the great work you do.
And west and Western Kentucky.
We appreciate your time today.
>> Thanks for day.
♪
>> It's hey. Cutting season for
Kentucky farmers. And there's a
new resource to improve

(18:54):
profits. Kentucky State
University has opened an
extension office in Barron
County with Advanced technology
to test hay and forage samples.
Our lore Rodgers brings us more
from Glasgow.
>> It's a lack of the state
south Central Kentucky. This
is where we produce the most
for it.
>> Which makes it an ideal

(19:16):
location for a new hate testing
lab. This is when the sun we
see that needed the most has
issued such as building.
We're trying to get a presence
all over the state.
>> Kentucky State University's
Cooperative Extension Service
in Barron County offers near
infrared spectroscopy that
provides rapid and precise
origin. Tay analysis.
>> A computer forage analysis
moves us towards being more

(19:38):
efficient in our business.
A lot of gentleman around here
already sent out of state.
This will be right here at
home. It'll be easier for them
to get.
>> Access to it the way it Hey,
sample is taken to be ground
and ride and then tested.
>> Looking at things like
relative to feed value crude
protein, fiber and energy
content and a sample because it

(19:58):
allows you to know exactly what
nutrients are in it. If you
know what's in it, you can know
what we've got too much of,
you know what's lacking, not
adjust your fertilizer, this
stuff in different rotations
for profit and that can mean
greater profit margins. We're
glad to be here. At the same
time, it's a learning
opportunity for students
studying agriculture at
Kentucky State University.
We just opened up a school of

(20:18):
engineering and we have a
program in AG engine eating.
So beyond investing a lot in
the ID been technologies.
>> Your toe pay says USDA then
purchase the $85,000 equipment.
It's a different ball game when
it comes to all agricultural
feed, including signage.
So students will get a
substantial hands-on training

(20:38):
on how these technologies were
and farmers will get more
nutrient dense speed for their
livestock.
>> Staring County is the
largest cattle producing county
in the state and all of those
cows that ate some time.
So nobody all of those are
having some kind of hate for
Biden.
>> This is high country.
This is for its country.
This is Cal Country.
>> The lab can help farmers
directly cater to the needs

(21:00):
of their specific livestock.
>> Every count going a little
bit something different.
Mama cows that are still
nursing are going to have
protein. Your smaller
producers, cow calf pairs.
Those kind of things will need
something different. The bottom
line, a better product equals
bigger profit and a competitive
and ever-evolving end history.
And in this year.
>> It's just another tool and

(21:22):
the farmers of South Central
Kentucky's too bad just to
increase our bottom line.
I mean, that's just all there
is to it's going to make us
more efficient.
>> For Kentucky edition.
>> I'm Laura Rogers.
>> Thank you, Laura. The Hay
testing lab in Barron County is
a free service and available to
any farmer in Kentucky.
♪

(21:44):
>> And the city of Louisville
has revealed a bold new design
for the Belvedere, a public
space that juts out from
downtown overlooking the Ohio
River.
>> It's 125 million Dollar
Project. Our Kelsey Starks sits
down with the project manager
Leila George for an inside.
Look at the project.

(22:05):
>> So let's talk about the
funding of a project of this
scope. Yes, and the state has
allocated 100 million dollars
to guess town projects that
yes, the part of that is going
to be part of that in this city
has pledged 10 million in bond
revenue that is going to go
towards this. That's kind of

(22:26):
where we are with public
funding. Correct? Yeah. What
happens? So the mayor is in
Washington, D.C., this week.
He's asking for additional
funding from the federal
government for some projects in
Louisville, including the
Belvedere. We think that
there's some federal
transportation dollars that
might be applicable to this
project.
>> It is connecting downtown

(22:47):
back to the river via the
Belvedere and new ramps on the
river side. That will better
connected to the improved to
river road multi-modal path
to waterfront park in either
direction down to the war.
So really improving those
connections in all directions,
I think is something that can
appeal to the federal
government and maybe be a good
fit for some of those
transportation bills. And then

(23:10):
there's a private and then
there's the profit side.
So then there will be private
philanthropy. Corporations,
foundations, individuals.
We thank will want to be a part
of this project and then
there's the ongoing funding.
And so we're looking at all of
those things. We're looking at
what decisions we make now.
What are the implications from
unearned revenue model? We have

(23:31):
a restaurant versus food trucks
are a combination. What's the
potential earned revenue and
that we can generate so that we
can guarantee that we can
maintain a space. I mean,
that's is someone who came from
the park's world and is anyone
who visits our parks and you
know, that deferred maintenance
is a huge issue in our public
space as all across the country

(23:53):
that's known. So we want to
make sure that if we're
building this beautiful thing,
we can guarantee that we can
continue to take care of it and
maintain it.
>> Find out more about the new
plans for the Re imagined
Belvedere and learn more about
the history of the space on
the next inside Louisville that
airs this Sunday at 12 noon.

(24:14):
11:00AM Central with Kelsey
Starks right here on KET.
If you're interested in bogs,
Bigfoot or Duncan Hines, yet
plenty of entertainment options
for the next few days. Our Toby
Gibbs tells us more and this
look at what's happening around
the Commonwealth.
♪

(24:36):
>> Inaugural Red River Gorge
Bigfoot Festival is tomorrow
extent. Cosplay is encrypted.
Enjoy movies like Harry and the
Hendersons and learn more about
the legend to from Bigfoot
experts. There's lots of
activities for kids as well
at this festival. So bring the
whole family out.
If you still have a craving for

(24:56):
more Cryptid head to Carter
caves on Tuesday for the
Bigfoot hike happening that
evening county deep into
Appalachia as he learned about
the land around you and how it
inspired such a terrifying
tales as the Bigfoot skeptics
and true believers. Welcome.
Duncan Hines days in Bowling

(25:17):
Green kicks off on Monday all
week long. There will be fun
events happening across the
community like block Parties.
Creek on Church car shows and
more check out the festival.
Road map. Plan your week of
adventure.
Election, Tony and Tulip.
The thrift won't want to miss
Sunday's summer fest at the
Lexington Paddlers Paul try out

(25:39):
a local food truck and prizes
and enjoy amazing discounts
on the booths inside come
celebrate summer at this great
outdoor events.
Starting on Thursday is an
event that's been running in
Harlem for 70 years. The annual
Polk Salad festival come enjoy
live music, delicious food and
carnival rides. As the
community celebrates this

(26:02):
Appalachian delicacy.
I'm sorry to bug you, but I
have to tell you about the
Firefly festival happening in
Owensboro on Tuesday. Firefly
Festival knowing Blow is an
event for all ages. Enjoy the
music they crafts and learn
about fireflies from Doctor
Larson and entomologist from
the University of Kentucky.

(26:24):
Also known as the Bug Man.
This last event isn't just
happening in one city. It's
happening in dozens of towns
across the Commonwealth.
400 Mile Yard sale kicks off on
Thursday and there's treasure
defined from Paducah at Ashlan.
Check out the online map and
plan your route to yard sales
galore. And that's what's
happening around the
commonwealth until we get this.

(26:47):
>> Thank youto be Kentucky
celebrates birthday number
2.33. On Sunday and June as
Kentucky History Month. Monday
will take a special look at
Kentucky's history before
statehood from Hunter gatherers
to the beginning of agriculture
to European settlers. A look
back at Kentucky prior to 17 92
on Kentucky edition. Monday at

(27:09):
6.30, Eastern 5.30, Central.
We inform connect and inspire.
We hope you'll connect with us
all the ways you see on your
screen, Facebook, X and
Instagram to stay in the loop.
And send us a story idea by
email to public affairs at KTVA
Dot Org. We hope you have a
fabulous weekend.
>> And we will see you Monday
night. Take good care.
♪