November 17, 2025 • 26 mins
The A.I. Task Force lays out its policy recommendations, a new report says lawmakers in Frankfort are using tactics that discourage voter participation in the legislative process, and the possible political fallout of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
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(00:09):
>> And accountability in
transparency. It's not Partizan.
I mean, this is vital to our
healthy democracy.
>> A new report asks if some
state laws were rushed with
little public input.
>> But even this president, who
takes a lot of liberty with his
power, cannot do everything
without the Congress.
(00:30):
>> We'll go inside Washington
politics and talk about
possible lessons learned from
the federal government shutdown.
>> I've come a very long way. I
mean, I could not do a lot of
this before.
>> And how a University of
Louisville study is helping
children take a big step
forward.
(00:51):
>> Production of Kentucky
Edition is made possible in
part by the KET Millennium Fund.
>> Good evening and welcome to
Kentucky edition for this
Friday, November the 14th.
(01:12):
We've made it to the weekend.
I'm Renee Shaw, and we thank
you for kicking off your
weekend with us. Everyone is
talking about A.I. Artificial
Intelligence these days. The
good things it can do and the
bad. What will Kentucky
lawmakers do about A.I. when
the General Assembly convenes
in January? The state's
artificial intelligence task
(01:33):
force just sent its policy
recommendations to the Senate
leadership, or to the
leadership in general. With
children safety among the top
priorities, our Mackenzie Spink
tells us more about potential
artificial intelligence
legislation in this legislative
update.
>> The ten recommendations from
the Artificial Intelligence
(01:54):
Task Force touch on subjects
like protecting consumers from
data collection, using AI to
improve the Medicaid system,
and assigning the overview of
AI in the state to permanent
committees. Democratic caucus
chair Senator Reggie Thomas
says the recommendation to pass
laws protecting children on
social media is by far his
(02:14):
favorite.
>> We see every day here in
America discussions of sexual
exploitation of minors, sexual
trafficking of minors. AI is
out there every day causing
harm and danger to to our
children. I think this is an
excellent recommendation
because it promotes online
safety for minors, for child
(02:36):
welfare and for parents.
>> However, he expressed
cautious support for the
recommendations regarding data
centers. Those recommendations
ask the General Assembly to
consider policies to determine
future locations for data
centers, and to keep in mind
the center's large needs for
water and energy.
>> I'm for data centers.
However, I think there are two
(02:57):
points that need to be made
regarding the increased use and
proliferation of data centers
here in Kentucky. One is that
no data center should be built
in Kentucky without there being
some kind of environmental
impact survey related to what
it's going to, how it's going
(03:18):
to impact our environment. I
think if there's an increased
cost that comes with data
center construction or use,
then that data center should
pay for that increased cost. No,
not the current consumers or
the current business users who
are using it. Before the data
center came online.
>> Co-Chair of the task force,
(03:38):
Representative Josh Bray, says
those recommendations already
address Thomas's concerns.
>> I can tell you that your
concerns are the exact reason
that that was those sections
were drafted. The PSC already
has to do when they approve a
large user, they already have
to do the environmental study.
Kind of what? Not necessarily
(03:59):
an environmental, but a
environmental, as in the grid
usage, capacity, availability,
that type of stuff that's
already incorporated and that
goes into recommendation nine.
Because you're absolutely right.
We want to make sure that the
the end user or the, the people
aren't their electric bills
don't increase because of
(04:21):
consumption by the data center.
And had a lot of conversation
with power companies, data
centers, the Public Service
Commission. So there will be a
bill coming to address those
exact concerns.
>> While lawmakers seem to
welcome the idea of more data
centers in Kentucky, there has
already been community
opposition about the size and
(04:43):
environmental impact of these
centers. Earlier this year,
plans to build a data center in
Oldham County were eventually
scrapped due to public backlash.
For Kentucky edition, I'm
Mackenzie Spink.
>> Thank you. Mackenzie.
Representative Bray says that
some of the task force's
concerns about AI could be
better addressed at the federal
(05:04):
level. And so part of the memo
encourages Kentucky's federal
delegation to work on specific
AI policies. A new report from
the League of Women Voters of
Kentucky says state lawmakers
continue to fast track bills,
making it harder for everyday
Kentuckians to follow and weigh
in on the legislative process.
(05:24):
Our June Leffler reports on
that report.
>> The league has studied the
legislative process for three
years in a row. Volunteers say
they noticed a trend that they
needed to analyze.
>> I was gone for almost 20
years and came back and sat in
some sessions and said this,
this is different. This is not
what I remember. And I had some
(05:45):
colleagues from back in the day
who were sitting there going,
yeah, we thought it was
different too. But you know,
when you're on a slow boil, you
may not notice.
>> The league reported in 2023
and 2024 that the General
Assembly had sped up the
legislative process in recent
years. The League studied 860
day sessions occurring in even
(06:07):
numbered years in 1998.
Lawmakers bent the rules to
fast track 3% of all
legislation passed that year.
That jumped to 37% in 2024.
This year, its report focuses
on the short 30 day sessions
happening in odd numbered years.
>> Particularly the 30 day
sessions, if anything. There
(06:28):
was almost as much legislation
proposed, so in fact, they had
even less time to do their work,
which meant they sped things up.
Now it's kind of a bumpy ride.
If you look at the trend, it's
not a complete, steady way up.
It does go down some years, but
oddly enough, one chamber goes
up when the other one goes down,
(06:50):
and we're still seeing a trend
that's generally upward so that
it can be as much as 50% of the
time in a 30 day session, that
all of these tricks come up and
prevent people's participation.
>> What does the league
consider fast tracking?
Essentially, when bills are
read on the House or Senate
floor before even being heard
(07:10):
in committee, committee
hearings are when members hash
out a bill, they debate it and
hear testimony from
constituents and lobbyists.
>> Based on the process,
they're supposed to be three
readings on the floor. After
the committee meets and makes a
recommendation. But what is
happening in these fast track
maneuvers is that they've been
removed from the committee
(07:32):
before anyone's talked about it,
and there can be as many as two
readings before the committee's
ever met and ever talked about
it.
>> The league says these
tactics get in the way of
public input.
>> And accountability and
transparency. It's not Partizan.
I mean, this is vital to our
healthy democracy. We have the
(07:52):
data. We've looked at the
process, we've made some
recommendations. And so now
that we're aware of the problem,
then we can take steps to
correct it.
>> It's up to state lawmakers
on what to do with these
findings, to either stick to
their rules or bend them or
change them. Another long
legislative session starts on
January 6th. For Kentucky
(08:12):
edition, I'm June Leffler.
>> Thank you June. Now you can
read the latest and previous
reports from the Kentucky
League of Women Voters online
at LWC ky.org. State
Representative Joshua Watkins
of Louisville is now part of
the House Democratic leadership
team. Democrat's in Frankfort
today named Watkins as House
(08:34):
Democratic whip. He'll replace
Lindsey Burke, who moved up to
become House Democratic Caucus
chair, replacing Al Gentry, who
stepped down to devote more
time to a national adaptive
golf initiative. Charges have
been dismissed against Madeline
Fening. A reporter with the
Cincinnati CityBeat arrested
(08:55):
during a protest at the
Roebling Bridge in northern
Kentucky, July 17th. Covington
police first charged with
rioting. Prosecutors dropped
that charge, but some
misdemeanor charges remain. The
ACLU says those have now been
dismissed. A jury found a
CityBeat intern not guilty of
three of the four charges
(09:15):
against him. According to an
ACLU press release, Fening says
she was just doing her job
covering a protest in support
of a man detained by Ice. A
chaotic scene seen on police
body cameras included 15
arrests. The federal government
reopened this week, as you know,
ending the longest shutdown in
(09:36):
U.S. history. Still, there are
lingering concerns about SNAP
and food stamps and other
programs needing funding.
Yesterday I caught up with the
pants Pantsuit Politics duo
Kentuckians, Sarah Stuart
Holland and Beth Silvers to
discuss the political fallout,
possibly of the shutdown and
who voters may hold accountable
(09:56):
for it. Beth Silvers and Sarah
Stuart Holland, thank you so
very much for joining us. I got
the order reversed. If you're
looking at the screen. Beth is
on screen, right? And and Sarah
is on screen left. So thank you
so much for being with us.
>> Thank you for having us
again.
>> So let's talk about this
(10:17):
government shutdown and how
revelatory this experience
could have been for American
voters who've watched this
unfold for 43 days. We've seen
all kinds of snafus where it
comes to other snap food stamp
benefits or traveling federal
employees were impacted. How do
you think the American public
is perhaps resetting their
(10:39):
perception of the function, or
some would say dysfunction of
Washington?
>> I think it depends on who
you're talking about. I think
for voters in the middle who
are detached from party
identification and really
distrustful of our institutions,
already this confirmed all
their worst instincts, right?
(11:01):
Like that they that the
government is dysfunctional,
that no one in Washington cares.
Like I'm really worried it will
feed that that nihilistic
narrative that so many people
have about our government that
it's dysfunctional because it
has been dysfunctional over the
last 43 days, and it affected
people's lives. People who are
(11:23):
really disengaged from the
media cycle. I've really paid
attention over the last few
months to what I think bubbles
up, not to all of us who follow
it closely, but to people who
are just absorbing something
that actually affects their day
to day, or something that they
might catch in the waiting room
TV or something like that. I
think this definitely broke
through, but unfortunately, I
think it broke through in a way
(11:45):
that confirms that people's
disengagement with the entire
government and process.
>> Yeah. You know, Beth, I'd
heard from several people who
say, you know, I just can't
watch the news anymore. And
people can go back and watch
our previous segment where we
talked about news, agnostics
and atheists. But how do you
think this is either going to
(12:05):
reengage or further disengage
people by what we've
experienced these last couple
of months?
>> I hope it reengages people
who are thinking about running
for office. I hope there are a
number of people out there who
see this. It doesn't have to be
a lot who think, you know, I
think I could do this job
better. I could approach it in
a different way, and I hope
that they try to do that next
(12:26):
year. To the extent that it
breaks through with people who
don't pay a lot of attention to
news, I think that it will tell
them more about the president
than about Congress. You know,
we have thought about the
president as a nation more over
the last ten years than we have
our Congress. And President
Trump specifically tells people,
I alone can fix things. I'm the
one who can make everything
happen. Really, all you have to
do is vote for me and know that
(12:47):
things will get done. And this
was a reminder that that's not
our system, that Congress does
have a role to play, and
Congress doesn't do it very
well very often. But hopefully
remembering that that even this
president, who takes a lot of
liberty with his power, cannot
do everything without the
Congress. And I hope it makes
us kind of sit up straight and
pay a little more attention to
those races next year.
>> Many people are asking, who
(13:08):
are the winners and who are the
losers when it comes to party?
So do the Democrats come out
faring better than the
Republican Party and the
president? I mean, if we look
at the election a week or so
ago, Sarah, what does that
foretell?
>> I think it is hard to detach
the the election results from
the overall shutdown,
especially with the end of the
shutdown coming so close. I
(13:28):
know there are a lot of
Democrats furious at the way
the shutdown ended, but I think
overall, especially for those
voters who are who are
absorbing the vibe more than
following it day to day. I do
think it was a win overall for
Democrats. I think they got
some energy back. They got some
fight back. I think it has
definitely put on display the
the factions of the party who
(13:50):
are ready to fight and the
factions of the party that are
still operating, and a very
dated status quo. But I do
think that overall, the idea
that Democrats were fighting
for health care, that Trump was
shutting down snap benefits
that Trump didn't care was off.
You know, even at Mar a Lago,
at a Great Gatsby party or
flying around the world, I
think that landed. I think that
(14:11):
really got through to people.
>> Yeah. How how do you see it?
>> Beth I really struggle with
the win loss framework around
shutdowns, because the
government shutdown is a loss
for the American people. Any
way you slice it, I hope that
what happens next will give
people a better sense of
comfort. At least that they
know what each of the party
stands for. So I think what
(14:32):
Sarah said is true. If
Democrats come out of this with
a little bit of energy and a
little bit of momentum and keep
putting pressure on
congressional Republicans to
deal with those ACA subsidies,
for example, that will be a
good thing. That will be some
progress. I think there's an
equally viable scenario where
things kind of go back to a
status quo, and that would be
very tough. That would be, I
(14:53):
think, a double loss for the
American people.
>> Yeah. And just we should put
a note in the fact that, you
know, two and a half months
from now, we're going to be
back at the same place, right?
That this was only until the
end of January, and then we
could be facing the danger of
another shutdown again. Last
question to you. And this is
kind of a large one. Will this
even matter a year from now? If
(15:13):
we look at our watches, you
know, this time next year in
2026 will be on the other side
of the midterm elections. Do
these things have any longevity
and the memory bank of American
voters, or is there so much
happening all the time,
everywhere, that this will be
just a blip? And then when we
get to this time next year,
people will vaguely, vaguely
remember what happened. What do
(15:35):
you think, Sarah?
>> I think that it builds.
Right. It's not that I any
American. Some might. I mean,
I'm sure some federal workers
will walk into the voting booth
next November with a grudge and
a well deserved one. But I
think it it more contributes to
people's narratives. They
(15:56):
either already have or are
building. I think the narrative
that was powerful in this
election, and will still be
powerful in the next election,
is affordability and the idea
that, you know, you might not
walk in and say, I'm my prices
are still high. And he cut Snap
benefits last November to the
shutdown. I don't think
people's brains work that way
(16:16):
in. Their memories work that
way, but it is evidence that
contributes to a narrative
people lock in on, right? It
could be that the government is
dysfunctional and they stay out
of the midterm process
altogether. We know that the
Republican Party really has low
frequency voters. And so maybe
those people continue to stay
home. Maybe the high frequency
(16:37):
voters in the Democratic Party
are still mad. They'll be
plenty of other things to be
mad about by next November, but
this will be a piece of it. So
I think it just builds on the
whole, I don't think it will be
a sole motivator, but I do
think it will be a part of the
stories that Americans are
telling themselves as they walk
into the voting booths next
November.
>> Beth final word to you.
(16:57):
>> I think that's right. I
think candidates can make it
matter by talking about the
pain that this shutdown caused,
and how important it is to have
a government that functions for
you, a government that doesn't
make your life harder, but one
that is there to serve you and
to just allow you to do the
basic things you need to do,
like get on an airplane to
visit your family around
Thanksgiving and get your snap
benefits at the grocery store
(17:18):
to feed your children. You know
who who will win, I think next
year. I think the party that
wins next year will be the
party that is able to say, we
are here to work for you and
for government to be an
addition to your life, not an
obstacle.
>> All right. On those wise
words, we will end it there.
Thank you so much. Beth Silvers
and Sarah Stuart Holland
Pantsuit Politics. Listen to
them on Substack and listen to
(17:40):
their podcasts. Pretty
interesting. Thank you ladies,
as always, thank you.
>> Thank you Renee.
>> Five children with complete
paralysis due to spinal cord
injuries were able to take
their first steps while taking
part in a clinical study at the
(18:00):
University of Louisville. One
of those children is Malcolm
McIntyre, and we spoke with him
and his mom about how the
therapy sessions have improved
their lives.
>> It turns out that the spinal
cord is smarter than we ever
thought. We thought it was just
a conduit or a cable that
carried messages, but it
actually works a lot like your
(18:22):
brain. It interprets them,
receives information, and can
help you move again. So things
about the size of a quarter.
These little electrodes we put
on your back over your spinal
column goes right to your
spinal cord. And there are
these sensory nerves that go
into the spinal cord once you
charge it. Then we tried to do
several things with the child.
(18:44):
One is increasing the sensory
input to the spinal cord. And
that's by doing some stepping
on a treadmill. And the other
is asking the child to think
about walking when the
stimulation is on or taking
steps. So they had to actually,
for several minutes at a time,
really give their cognitive
effort, will and intent to try
and take those steps. Now it
(19:05):
turns out it worked.
>> After doing the therapy, he
has a ton more trunk control,
and he was actually able to
hold himself up. And then it
just got better and better and
better. And he was able to find
midline. And he actually his
scoliosis curve has actually
started to reverse itself,
which is unheard of with body
weight support. He can take a
(19:27):
step as long as someone's
holding one of his legs into
extension and the other one
back, he can swing it through.
So it's like that swing phase
of when you're walking.
>> I've come a very long way to
the research. Studies have
really, really helped me with
this. I mean, I could not do a
lot of this before. This is
really helped me get back to do
(19:48):
what I like to do.
>> And then what else? And then
he could kick a ball, which was
really neat. And that for a at
the time eight year old kid was
the coolest part.
>> One time. Yeah, we used to,
we used to have my red watch
and we used to count my steps.
And one time I got like over a
hundred. It was a really big
moment for me. I also hit a
(20:12):
target, I think spot on with
the ball. That was also a
really big moment. That might
have been the biggest one
overall. It was like, like I
can do this.
>> So from a scientific
standpoint, we're changing
their capacity and learning
more about what's possible. And
so we tried some things then,
(20:32):
but we've written a grant
recently and have that under
review, which would give us an
opportunity to work with 6 or 7
more children who have a
complete injury and, and very
much target. Can I weight bear?
Can we turn all the leg muscles
that help you hold up against
gravity? And then we try and
put them together, right.
(20:52):
Because we'd have swing and
we'd have standing and and
maybe that would help.
>> We want him to be healthy
and happy, independent and
functional, and everything we
can do to help him get to that
point is better and better and
better. And if he walks one day,
amazing. But it will not. It
will not change who he is. This,
this stuff has actually changed
(21:14):
who he is and what he's able to
do. And being able to he's he's
able to do a sleepover at a
friend's house, you know, and
kind of live in an 11 year
old's life, which is pretty
awesome.
>> So we hope for a lot of big
moments for Malcolm. During the
study, children also had
improved bladder function and
experienced more sensations,
which for some have lasted
(21:35):
months and even years after the
study. Even though Christmas is
more than a month away, we
already have some Christmas
themed events for you to enjoy.
Our Toby Gibbs has a list of
(21:56):
them and this. Look at what's
happening around the
Commonwealth.
>> Get ready for a holly jolly
Christmas in Owensboro! As
Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain
Christmas Carol takes the stage
November 15th. Set in the 1930s,
(22:16):
Smoky Mountains, the musical
reimagines Ebenezer Scrooge's
story with Appalachian charm
and Dolly's signature songs.
Burnside is lighting up the
season once again with the
return of Christmas Island at
General Burnside Island State
Park. The park will turn into a
(22:37):
glowing mile long drive of
holiday lights. After taking in
the lights, grab a treat and a
photo with Santa. There's also
a vendor village with local
shops and handmade gifts. The
display lights up next Tuesday
and runs through December 31st.
Georgetown is stepping into
(22:57):
history this weekend with a
visit from the Mystic Wind
Choctaw Social Dance Troupe.
The troupe will be sharing
traditional dances, holding a
drum circle for everyone to
join and telling stories that
highlight Choctaw history and
culture. A Native American
stickball game will also be
part of the celebration held in
honor of Native American
(23:17):
Heritage Month. They're driving
home the holiday spirit in
Burlington with Light Up the
Fair opening tonight. The drive
through display will have Boone
County Fairgrounds glowing with
more than 1.5 million lights.
The light show includes a 50
foot Christmas tree built from
25,000 lights, and a 300 foot
(23:38):
snowflake tunnel. You can drive
through all synchronized to
music you can listen to on your
car radio. Check out some new
reads. No library card required
at the International Book
Project's Free Book Friday,
happening next Friday in
Lexington, there will be
(23:58):
hundreds of free titles, from
fiction and nonfiction to kids
books. Guests can fill one box
with books until 4 p.m. and
after that, there's no limit
while supplies last. A showcase
of Kentucky craftsmanship in
Somerset this weekend as the
city hosts the 31st annual
(24:18):
Sheltowee Artisans Art fair.
Everything from pottery and
quilts to jewelry, photography
and even handmade instruments
made by more than 80 artists
from across eastern and
southern Kentucky will be on
display. There will also be
live demonstrations at this two
day event. Soak in the sights
(24:39):
of autumn at Audubon Park in
Henderson this Sunday as it
marks National Take a Hike Day.
Take a one mile guided walk led
by the park's naturalist, and
learn a little about the park's
plants and wildlife along the
way. The hike is free and
leashed. Pets are welcome to
join. Versailles has a cause
(25:01):
for celebration this weekend,
as the Versailles Merchants
Alliance hosts its 39th annual
Christmas Open House. Meet
Santa, sip hot chocolate while
shopping for holiday gifts, and
kids can do a little shopping
of their own at the Free Kids
Market. Ashland Central Park
will be radiating with light as
(25:23):
it flips the switch on the
Winter Wonderland of Lights
Festival. Stroll through the
park's 60 holiday displays that
will be illuminated by 800,000
lights. The festival kicks off
Monday and runs for five weeks,
and that's what's happening
around the Commonwealth. I'm
Toby Gibbs.
>> Get you into the holiday
(25:43):
spirit. Well, join us in about
an hour for comment on Kentucky.
Bill Bryant and a panel of
Kentucky reporters will talk
about the end of the federal
government shutdown, the future
of Kentucky's hemp industry,
and a new face in the U.S.
Senate race. That and more
coming up at eight eastern,
seven central right here on KET.
We appreciate you being with us
all this week on Kentucky
(26:05):
Edition, but hope you'll come
back on Monday at 630 eastern,
530 central, where we inform,
connect and inspire. We hope
you'll connect with us all the
ways you see on your screen,
Facebook, Instagram and X to
stay in the loop on the social
media channels. And we always
encourage you to send us a
story idea by email to Public
Affairs at ket.org and look for
us on the PBS app that you can
(26:27):
download on your smart devices.
Have a great weekend to come!
I'm Renee Shaw and I will see
>> And accountability in
transparency. It's not Partizan.
I mean, this is vital to our
healthy democracy.
>> A new report asks if some
state laws were rushed with
little public input.
>> But even this president, who
takes a lot of liberty with his
power, cannot do everything
without the Congress.
(00:30):
>> We'll go inside Washington
politics and talk about
possible lessons learned from
the federal government shutdown.
>> I've come a very long way. I
mean, I could not do a lot of
this before.
>> And how a University of
Louisville study is helping
children take a big step
forward.
(00:51):
>> Production of Kentucky
Edition is made possible in
part by the KET Millennium Fund.
>> Good evening and welcome to
Kentucky edition for this
Friday, November the 14th.
(01:12):
We've made it to the weekend.
I'm Renee Shaw, and we thank
you for kicking off your
weekend with us. Everyone is
talking about A.I. Artificial
Intelligence these days. The
good things it can do and the
bad. What will Kentucky
lawmakers do about A.I. when
the General Assembly convenes
in January? The state's
artificial intelligence task
(01:33):
force just sent its policy
recommendations to the Senate
leadership, or to the
leadership in general. With
children safety among the top
priorities, our Mackenzie Spink
tells us more about potential
artificial intelligence
legislation in this legislative
update.
>> The ten recommendations from
the Artificial Intelligence
(01:54):
Task Force touch on subjects
like protecting consumers from
data collection, using AI to
improve the Medicaid system,
and assigning the overview of
AI in the state to permanent
committees. Democratic caucus
chair Senator Reggie Thomas
says the recommendation to pass
laws protecting children on
social media is by far his
(02:14):
favorite.
>> We see every day here in
America discussions of sexual
exploitation of minors, sexual
trafficking of minors. AI is
out there every day causing
harm and danger to to our
children. I think this is an
excellent recommendation
because it promotes online
safety for minors, for child
(02:36):
welfare and for parents.
>> However, he expressed
cautious support for the
recommendations regarding data
centers. Those recommendations
ask the General Assembly to
consider policies to determine
future locations for data
centers, and to keep in mind
the center's large needs for
water and energy.
>> I'm for data centers.
However, I think there are two
(02:57):
points that need to be made
regarding the increased use and
proliferation of data centers
here in Kentucky. One is that
no data center should be built
in Kentucky without there being
some kind of environmental
impact survey related to what
it's going to, how it's going
(03:18):
to impact our environment. I
think if there's an increased
cost that comes with data
center construction or use,
then that data center should
pay for that increased cost. No,
not the current consumers or
the current business users who
are using it. Before the data
center came online.
>> Co-Chair of the task force,
(03:38):
Representative Josh Bray, says
those recommendations already
address Thomas's concerns.
>> I can tell you that your
concerns are the exact reason
that that was those sections
were drafted. The PSC already
has to do when they approve a
large user, they already have
to do the environmental study.
Kind of what? Not necessarily
(03:59):
an environmental, but a
environmental, as in the grid
usage, capacity, availability,
that type of stuff that's
already incorporated and that
goes into recommendation nine.
Because you're absolutely right.
We want to make sure that the
the end user or the, the people
aren't their electric bills
don't increase because of
(04:21):
consumption by the data center.
And had a lot of conversation
with power companies, data
centers, the Public Service
Commission. So there will be a
bill coming to address those
exact concerns.
>> While lawmakers seem to
welcome the idea of more data
centers in Kentucky, there has
already been community
opposition about the size and
(04:43):
environmental impact of these
centers. Earlier this year,
plans to build a data center in
Oldham County were eventually
scrapped due to public backlash.
For Kentucky edition, I'm
Mackenzie Spink.
>> Thank you. Mackenzie.
Representative Bray says that
some of the task force's
concerns about AI could be
better addressed at the federal
(05:04):
level. And so part of the memo
encourages Kentucky's federal
delegation to work on specific
AI policies. A new report from
the League of Women Voters of
Kentucky says state lawmakers
continue to fast track bills,
making it harder for everyday
Kentuckians to follow and weigh
in on the legislative process.
(05:24):
Our June Leffler reports on
that report.
>> The league has studied the
legislative process for three
years in a row. Volunteers say
they noticed a trend that they
needed to analyze.
>> I was gone for almost 20
years and came back and sat in
some sessions and said this,
this is different. This is not
what I remember. And I had some
(05:45):
colleagues from back in the day
who were sitting there going,
yeah, we thought it was
different too. But you know,
when you're on a slow boil, you
may not notice.
>> The league reported in 2023
and 2024 that the General
Assembly had sped up the
legislative process in recent
years. The League studied 860
day sessions occurring in even
(06:07):
numbered years in 1998.
Lawmakers bent the rules to
fast track 3% of all
legislation passed that year.
That jumped to 37% in 2024.
This year, its report focuses
on the short 30 day sessions
happening in odd numbered years.
>> Particularly the 30 day
sessions, if anything. There
(06:28):
was almost as much legislation
proposed, so in fact, they had
even less time to do their work,
which meant they sped things up.
Now it's kind of a bumpy ride.
If you look at the trend, it's
not a complete, steady way up.
It does go down some years, but
oddly enough, one chamber goes
up when the other one goes down,
(06:50):
and we're still seeing a trend
that's generally upward so that
it can be as much as 50% of the
time in a 30 day session, that
all of these tricks come up and
prevent people's participation.
>> What does the league
consider fast tracking?
Essentially, when bills are
read on the House or Senate
floor before even being heard
(07:10):
in committee, committee
hearings are when members hash
out a bill, they debate it and
hear testimony from
constituents and lobbyists.
>> Based on the process,
they're supposed to be three
readings on the floor. After
the committee meets and makes a
recommendation. But what is
happening in these fast track
maneuvers is that they've been
removed from the committee
(07:32):
before anyone's talked about it,
and there can be as many as two
readings before the committee's
ever met and ever talked about
it.
>> The league says these
tactics get in the way of
public input.
>> And accountability and
transparency. It's not Partizan.
I mean, this is vital to our
healthy democracy. We have the
(07:52):
data. We've looked at the
process, we've made some
recommendations. And so now
that we're aware of the problem,
then we can take steps to
correct it.
>> It's up to state lawmakers
on what to do with these
findings, to either stick to
their rules or bend them or
change them. Another long
legislative session starts on
January 6th. For Kentucky
(08:12):
edition, I'm June Leffler.
>> Thank you June. Now you can
read the latest and previous
reports from the Kentucky
League of Women Voters online
at LWC ky.org. State
Representative Joshua Watkins
of Louisville is now part of
the House Democratic leadership
team. Democrat's in Frankfort
today named Watkins as House
(08:34):
Democratic whip. He'll replace
Lindsey Burke, who moved up to
become House Democratic Caucus
chair, replacing Al Gentry, who
stepped down to devote more
time to a national adaptive
golf initiative. Charges have
been dismissed against Madeline
Fening. A reporter with the
Cincinnati CityBeat arrested
(08:55):
during a protest at the
Roebling Bridge in northern
Kentucky, July 17th. Covington
police first charged with
rioting. Prosecutors dropped
that charge, but some
misdemeanor charges remain. The
ACLU says those have now been
dismissed. A jury found a
CityBeat intern not guilty of
three of the four charges
(09:15):
against him. According to an
ACLU press release, Fening says
she was just doing her job
covering a protest in support
of a man detained by Ice. A
chaotic scene seen on police
body cameras included 15
arrests. The federal government
reopened this week, as you know,
ending the longest shutdown in
(09:36):
U.S. history. Still, there are
lingering concerns about SNAP
and food stamps and other
programs needing funding.
Yesterday I caught up with the
pants Pantsuit Politics duo
Kentuckians, Sarah Stuart
Holland and Beth Silvers to
discuss the political fallout,
possibly of the shutdown and
who voters may hold accountable
(09:56):
for it. Beth Silvers and Sarah
Stuart Holland, thank you so
very much for joining us. I got
the order reversed. If you're
looking at the screen. Beth is
on screen, right? And and Sarah
is on screen left. So thank you
so much for being with us.
>> Thank you for having us
again.
>> So let's talk about this
(10:17):
government shutdown and how
revelatory this experience
could have been for American
voters who've watched this
unfold for 43 days. We've seen
all kinds of snafus where it
comes to other snap food stamp
benefits or traveling federal
employees were impacted. How do
you think the American public
is perhaps resetting their
(10:39):
perception of the function, or
some would say dysfunction of
Washington?
>> I think it depends on who
you're talking about. I think
for voters in the middle who
are detached from party
identification and really
distrustful of our institutions,
already this confirmed all
their worst instincts, right?
(11:01):
Like that they that the
government is dysfunctional,
that no one in Washington cares.
Like I'm really worried it will
feed that that nihilistic
narrative that so many people
have about our government that
it's dysfunctional because it
has been dysfunctional over the
last 43 days, and it affected
people's lives. People who are
(11:23):
really disengaged from the
media cycle. I've really paid
attention over the last few
months to what I think bubbles
up, not to all of us who follow
it closely, but to people who
are just absorbing something
that actually affects their day
to day, or something that they
might catch in the waiting room
TV or something like that. I
think this definitely broke
through, but unfortunately, I
think it broke through in a way
(11:45):
that confirms that people's
disengagement with the entire
government and process.
>> Yeah. You know, Beth, I'd
heard from several people who
say, you know, I just can't
watch the news anymore. And
people can go back and watch
our previous segment where we
talked about news, agnostics
and atheists. But how do you
think this is either going to
(12:05):
reengage or further disengage
people by what we've
experienced these last couple
of months?
>> I hope it reengages people
who are thinking about running
for office. I hope there are a
number of people out there who
see this. It doesn't have to be
a lot who think, you know, I
think I could do this job
better. I could approach it in
a different way, and I hope
that they try to do that next
(12:26):
year. To the extent that it
breaks through with people who
don't pay a lot of attention to
news, I think that it will tell
them more about the president
than about Congress. You know,
we have thought about the
president as a nation more over
the last ten years than we have
our Congress. And President
Trump specifically tells people,
I alone can fix things. I'm the
one who can make everything
happen. Really, all you have to
do is vote for me and know that
(12:47):
things will get done. And this
was a reminder that that's not
our system, that Congress does
have a role to play, and
Congress doesn't do it very
well very often. But hopefully
remembering that that even this
president, who takes a lot of
liberty with his power, cannot
do everything without the
Congress. And I hope it makes
us kind of sit up straight and
pay a little more attention to
those races next year.
>> Many people are asking, who
(13:08):
are the winners and who are the
losers when it comes to party?
So do the Democrats come out
faring better than the
Republican Party and the
president? I mean, if we look
at the election a week or so
ago, Sarah, what does that
foretell?
>> I think it is hard to detach
the the election results from
the overall shutdown,
especially with the end of the
shutdown coming so close. I
(13:28):
know there are a lot of
Democrats furious at the way
the shutdown ended, but I think
overall, especially for those
voters who are who are
absorbing the vibe more than
following it day to day. I do
think it was a win overall for
Democrats. I think they got
some energy back. They got some
fight back. I think it has
definitely put on display the
the factions of the party who
(13:50):
are ready to fight and the
factions of the party that are
still operating, and a very
dated status quo. But I do
think that overall, the idea
that Democrats were fighting
for health care, that Trump was
shutting down snap benefits
that Trump didn't care was off.
You know, even at Mar a Lago,
at a Great Gatsby party or
flying around the world, I
think that landed. I think that
(14:11):
really got through to people.
>> Yeah. How how do you see it?
>> Beth I really struggle with
the win loss framework around
shutdowns, because the
government shutdown is a loss
for the American people. Any
way you slice it, I hope that
what happens next will give
people a better sense of
comfort. At least that they
know what each of the party
stands for. So I think what
(14:32):
Sarah said is true. If
Democrats come out of this with
a little bit of energy and a
little bit of momentum and keep
putting pressure on
congressional Republicans to
deal with those ACA subsidies,
for example, that will be a
good thing. That will be some
progress. I think there's an
equally viable scenario where
things kind of go back to a
status quo, and that would be
very tough. That would be, I
(14:53):
think, a double loss for the
American people.
>> Yeah. And just we should put
a note in the fact that, you
know, two and a half months
from now, we're going to be
back at the same place, right?
That this was only until the
end of January, and then we
could be facing the danger of
another shutdown again. Last
question to you. And this is
kind of a large one. Will this
even matter a year from now? If
(15:13):
we look at our watches, you
know, this time next year in
2026 will be on the other side
of the midterm elections. Do
these things have any longevity
and the memory bank of American
voters, or is there so much
happening all the time,
everywhere, that this will be
just a blip? And then when we
get to this time next year,
people will vaguely, vaguely
remember what happened. What do
(15:35):
you think, Sarah?
>> I think that it builds.
Right. It's not that I any
American. Some might. I mean,
I'm sure some federal workers
will walk into the voting booth
next November with a grudge and
a well deserved one. But I
think it it more contributes to
people's narratives. They
(15:56):
either already have or are
building. I think the narrative
that was powerful in this
election, and will still be
powerful in the next election,
is affordability and the idea
that, you know, you might not
walk in and say, I'm my prices
are still high. And he cut Snap
benefits last November to the
shutdown. I don't think
people's brains work that way
(16:16):
in. Their memories work that
way, but it is evidence that
contributes to a narrative
people lock in on, right? It
could be that the government is
dysfunctional and they stay out
of the midterm process
altogether. We know that the
Republican Party really has low
frequency voters. And so maybe
those people continue to stay
home. Maybe the high frequency
(16:37):
voters in the Democratic Party
are still mad. They'll be
plenty of other things to be
mad about by next November, but
this will be a piece of it. So
I think it just builds on the
whole, I don't think it will be
a sole motivator, but I do
think it will be a part of the
stories that Americans are
telling themselves as they walk
into the voting booths next
November.
>> Beth final word to you.
(16:57):
>> I think that's right. I
think candidates can make it
matter by talking about the
pain that this shutdown caused,
and how important it is to have
a government that functions for
you, a government that doesn't
make your life harder, but one
that is there to serve you and
to just allow you to do the
basic things you need to do,
like get on an airplane to
visit your family around
Thanksgiving and get your snap
benefits at the grocery store
(17:18):
to feed your children. You know
who who will win, I think next
year. I think the party that
wins next year will be the
party that is able to say, we
are here to work for you and
for government to be an
addition to your life, not an
obstacle.
>> All right. On those wise
words, we will end it there.
Thank you so much. Beth Silvers
and Sarah Stuart Holland
Pantsuit Politics. Listen to
them on Substack and listen to
(17:40):
their podcasts. Pretty
interesting. Thank you ladies,
as always, thank you.
>> Thank you Renee.
>> Five children with complete
paralysis due to spinal cord
injuries were able to take
their first steps while taking
part in a clinical study at the
(18:00):
University of Louisville. One
of those children is Malcolm
McIntyre, and we spoke with him
and his mom about how the
therapy sessions have improved
their lives.
>> It turns out that the spinal
cord is smarter than we ever
thought. We thought it was just
a conduit or a cable that
carried messages, but it
actually works a lot like your
(18:22):
brain. It interprets them,
receives information, and can
help you move again. So things
about the size of a quarter.
These little electrodes we put
on your back over your spinal
column goes right to your
spinal cord. And there are
these sensory nerves that go
into the spinal cord once you
charge it. Then we tried to do
several things with the child.
(18:44):
One is increasing the sensory
input to the spinal cord. And
that's by doing some stepping
on a treadmill. And the other
is asking the child to think
about walking when the
stimulation is on or taking
steps. So they had to actually,
for several minutes at a time,
really give their cognitive
effort, will and intent to try
and take those steps. Now it
(19:05):
turns out it worked.
>> After doing the therapy, he
has a ton more trunk control,
and he was actually able to
hold himself up. And then it
just got better and better and
better. And he was able to find
midline. And he actually his
scoliosis curve has actually
started to reverse itself,
which is unheard of with body
weight support. He can take a
(19:27):
step as long as someone's
holding one of his legs into
extension and the other one
back, he can swing it through.
So it's like that swing phase
of when you're walking.
>> I've come a very long way to
the research. Studies have
really, really helped me with
this. I mean, I could not do a
lot of this before. This is
really helped me get back to do
(19:48):
what I like to do.
>> And then what else? And then
he could kick a ball, which was
really neat. And that for a at
the time eight year old kid was
the coolest part.
>> One time. Yeah, we used to,
we used to have my red watch
and we used to count my steps.
And one time I got like over a
hundred. It was a really big
moment for me. I also hit a
(20:12):
target, I think spot on with
the ball. That was also a
really big moment. That might
have been the biggest one
overall. It was like, like I
can do this.
>> So from a scientific
standpoint, we're changing
their capacity and learning
more about what's possible. And
so we tried some things then,
(20:32):
but we've written a grant
recently and have that under
review, which would give us an
opportunity to work with 6 or 7
more children who have a
complete injury and, and very
much target. Can I weight bear?
Can we turn all the leg muscles
that help you hold up against
gravity? And then we try and
put them together, right.
(20:52):
Because we'd have swing and
we'd have standing and and
maybe that would help.
>> We want him to be healthy
and happy, independent and
functional, and everything we
can do to help him get to that
point is better and better and
better. And if he walks one day,
amazing. But it will not. It
will not change who he is. This,
this stuff has actually changed
(21:14):
who he is and what he's able to
do. And being able to he's he's
able to do a sleepover at a
friend's house, you know, and
kind of live in an 11 year
old's life, which is pretty
awesome.
>> So we hope for a lot of big
moments for Malcolm. During the
study, children also had
improved bladder function and
experienced more sensations,
which for some have lasted
(21:35):
months and even years after the
study. Even though Christmas is
more than a month away, we
already have some Christmas
themed events for you to enjoy.
Our Toby Gibbs has a list of
(21:56):
them and this. Look at what's
happening around the
Commonwealth.
>> Get ready for a holly jolly
Christmas in Owensboro! As
Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain
Christmas Carol takes the stage
November 15th. Set in the 1930s,
(22:16):
Smoky Mountains, the musical
reimagines Ebenezer Scrooge's
story with Appalachian charm
and Dolly's signature songs.
Burnside is lighting up the
season once again with the
return of Christmas Island at
General Burnside Island State
Park. The park will turn into a
(22:37):
glowing mile long drive of
holiday lights. After taking in
the lights, grab a treat and a
photo with Santa. There's also
a vendor village with local
shops and handmade gifts. The
display lights up next Tuesday
and runs through December 31st.
Georgetown is stepping into
(22:57):
history this weekend with a
visit from the Mystic Wind
Choctaw Social Dance Troupe.
The troupe will be sharing
traditional dances, holding a
drum circle for everyone to
join and telling stories that
highlight Choctaw history and
culture. A Native American
stickball game will also be
part of the celebration held in
honor of Native American
(23:17):
Heritage Month. They're driving
home the holiday spirit in
Burlington with Light Up the
Fair opening tonight. The drive
through display will have Boone
County Fairgrounds glowing with
more than 1.5 million lights.
The light show includes a 50
foot Christmas tree built from
25,000 lights, and a 300 foot
(23:38):
snowflake tunnel. You can drive
through all synchronized to
music you can listen to on your
car radio. Check out some new
reads. No library card required
at the International Book
Project's Free Book Friday,
happening next Friday in
Lexington, there will be
(23:58):
hundreds of free titles, from
fiction and nonfiction to kids
books. Guests can fill one box
with books until 4 p.m. and
after that, there's no limit
while supplies last. A showcase
of Kentucky craftsmanship in
Somerset this weekend as the
city hosts the 31st annual
(24:18):
Sheltowee Artisans Art fair.
Everything from pottery and
quilts to jewelry, photography
and even handmade instruments
made by more than 80 artists
from across eastern and
southern Kentucky will be on
display. There will also be
live demonstrations at this two
day event. Soak in the sights
(24:39):
of autumn at Audubon Park in
Henderson this Sunday as it
marks National Take a Hike Day.
Take a one mile guided walk led
by the park's naturalist, and
learn a little about the park's
plants and wildlife along the
way. The hike is free and
leashed. Pets are welcome to
join. Versailles has a cause
(25:01):
for celebration this weekend,
as the Versailles Merchants
Alliance hosts its 39th annual
Christmas Open House. Meet
Santa, sip hot chocolate while
shopping for holiday gifts, and
kids can do a little shopping
of their own at the Free Kids
Market. Ashland Central Park
will be radiating with light as
(25:23):
it flips the switch on the
Winter Wonderland of Lights
Festival. Stroll through the
park's 60 holiday displays that
will be illuminated by 800,000
lights. The festival kicks off
Monday and runs for five weeks,
and that's what's happening
around the Commonwealth. I'm
Toby Gibbs.
>> Get you into the holiday
(25:43):
spirit. Well, join us in about
an hour for comment on Kentucky.
Bill Bryant and a panel of
Kentucky reporters will talk
about the end of the federal
government shutdown, the future
of Kentucky's hemp industry,
and a new face in the U.S.
Senate race. That and more
coming up at eight eastern,
seven central right here on KET.
We appreciate you being with us
all this week on Kentucky
(26:05):
Edition, but hope you'll come
back on Monday at 630 eastern,
530 central, where we inform,
connect and inspire. We hope
you'll connect with us all the
ways you see on your screen,
Facebook, Instagram and X to
stay in the loop on the social
media channels. And we always
encourage you to send us a
story idea by email to Public
Affairs at ket.org and look for
us on the PBS app that you can
(26:27):
download on your smart devices.
Have a great weekend to come!
I'm Renee Shaw and I will see
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