October 13, 2025 • 26 mins
A professor discusses the legality of federal workers being fired amid a government shutdown, a state lawmaker says she wants to stop school districts from hiring lobbyists, another public school district denies a religious organization's application for "moral instruction" classes, and what to know about changes coming to the student loan process.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:08):
>> I mean, I would almost think
from the time that those new
children come into the world, a
case file needs to be opened.
>> A state lawmaker speaks out
about Kentucky's system for
removing children from their
home.
>> In about a week. If the
shutdown continues, we'll get
another batch of people getting
even less of the paychecks they
would have expected.
(00:28):
>> The layoffs began what the
federal government shutdown
means for workers wallets.
>> You only want to borrow what
you need.
>> And what's changed about the
program that helps Kentucky
students pay for college.
>> Production of Kentucky
Edition is made possible in
part by the KET Millennium Fund.
(01:00):
>> Good evening and welcome to
Kentucky Edition for this
Friday, October the 10th, I'm
Renee Shaw. We thank you for
joining us and kicking off your
weekend with us this evening.
How do social workers decide to
remove children from the home
because of abuse or neglect?
Well, that was the question at
yesterday's Legislative
Oversight and Investigations
(01:21):
Committee meeting in Frankfort.
Some state lawmakers raised
concerns about new tools used
by the Department for Community
Based Services. Our Emily Sisk
explains in tonight's
legislative update.
>> In Kentucky, nearly 46,000
youth were in the foster care
system from 2021 to 2023,
(01:44):
55,000 children were being
raised by a relative. Kentucky
Cabinet for Health and Family
Services has implemented new
risk assessment tools that can
advise social workers on if
children should be removed from
the home. But as the
Commissioner for Community
Based Services explained,
sometimes workers override the
(02:06):
tools recommendation.
>> Sometimes they are. There
are factors in a case that's
never going to change. So if an
individual has a prior CPS
history, they're always going
to have a prior CPS history.
The same thing if you have a
prior, you know, history of
with mental health, substance
misuse, criminal record, etc.
that's always going to raise
(02:26):
your risk score. But it does
not necessarily mean that
there's a current safety threat
or issue.
>> Commissioner Dennis said
sometimes the risk assessment
tool recommends services or
support resources for families,
rather than removing children
from the home. Senator Philip
Wheeler, who works as an
attorney, said he hears ongoing
(02:47):
complaints from those in the
court system about how child
removal cases are handled.
>> When it suddenly becomes a
five alarm fire and it shows up
in the court and they get the
entire file on them, it's, you
know, this high with about 20
incidents in there that they
said this should have been done
(03:08):
two years ago.
>> Wheeler said he sees many
instances where parents have
newborn children soon after
their previous children were
removed due to abuse or neglect.
>> I mean, I would almost think
from the time that those new
children come into the world, a
case file needs to be opened.
People like that. Well, frankly,
I don't even think they should
be having children. But
(03:29):
secondly, I mean, there's no
way that even a minor child is
safe with people like that. Is
this tool being utilized in
such a manner as to proactively
defend these, these children
that are either newborn or
adolescents against these types
of parents that are, you know,
frankly, not much better than
animals.
>> Safety is always front and
(03:51):
center with everything that we
do. We are ongoing, continually
reevaluating safety.
>> The commissioner said they
take parents prior history into
consideration when assessing
safety for Kentucky edition.
I'm Emily Sisk.
(04:20):
>> Venezuelan opposition leader
Maria Corina machado has won
the Nobel Peace Prize. She's
fought for free elections and
has faced threats to her life.
Congressman Andy Barr of
Kentucky says President Donald
Trump should have won the prize
for his work trying to end the
war between Israel and Hamas
and other diplomatic efforts
(04:40):
during his presidency. In a
letter to the Nobel committee
yesterday, Congressman Barr
said the president's diplomacy
has saved lives, adding, quote,
I therefore urge you to bestow
upon President Trump the Nobel
Peace Prize in recognition of
his tireless pursuit of peace
and his transformative impact
on the world stage. End quote.
The Trump administration has
(05:02):
canceled a $100 million grant
to the Ascend Elements battery
plant in Christian County in
western Kentucky, and there are
reports the administration will
cut other energy projects in
Kentucky, including a $50
million project helping
Mitsubishi Electric repurpose a
manufacturing plant in
(05:23):
Maysville. Yesterday, Governor
Andy Beshear said these moves
will hurt Kentucky and hurt
voters who backed President
Donald Trump.
>> I'd be very disappointed if
this is going to move forward,
because Ascend Elements is an
enormous project in
Hopkinsville. If I were in a
room, I'd remind the president
and the administration that
(05:44):
that county voted
overwhelmingly for the
president. He's about to cut a
ton of jobs there. If this is
is accurate, you look at the
one in Maysville, they're
changing the product that they
make. They are reshoring
something that is not currently
made in the United States,
which the Trump administration
or not made enough in the
United States, which the Trump
(06:05):
administration says it wants.
If it cuts this funding, it's
going to kill that project.
>> The governor also repeated
his opposition to the president
ordering National Guard troops
into American cities. Beshear
called it silly, quote unquote,
but also said scary and
dangerous. He said Trump is
claiming the troops are needed
(06:26):
to stop insurrections when no
insurrections are taking place.
Beshear has joined other
Democratic governors in a legal
brief backing Oregon's court
challenge to Trump's actions. A
former fighter pilot who served
in Iraq and Afghanistan running
again for the U.S. Senate,
blasted the Trump
administration's federalization
of National Guard troops in
(06:47):
American cities. Amy McGrath, a
Democrat running to replace
retiring U.S. Senator Mitch
McConnell, calls the move a
distraction from the focus on
real threats posed by foreign
adversaries. McGrath's reaction
begins our Friday Inside
Kentucky Politics segment.
>> Well, one, I think we all
(07:08):
want to tackle crime. Okay. I'm
the mother of three kids. I
have public servants, police
officers in my family. I'm very
much want to support them. To
tackle crime, you need better
policing and you need to not
cut funding for policing, which
is exactly what these guys in
(07:29):
Washington just did. And then
they turn around and use the
National Guard in our cities
under this guise of crime. Look,
our military should not be used
to police the cities of America.
Most Americans get that. We do
not want our military policing
our streets like we're some
(07:50):
third world country. It's just
not who we are. And the
military exists to train and
fight wars. We are trained for
war.
>> And the president says this
is a good training ground for
that, right?
>> Well, and that's why I've
been so critical of that, of
what's going on. Because it's
just outrageous to say to our
military, oh, we should be
(08:11):
using our cities as, as your
training grounds, that is that
is not what we want. By the way,
we have enough training areas.
Any of us have been in the
military know this. We have
lots of bases, including urban
training areas. But to say that
is just outrageous.
>> And other political
developments this week it is
day ten of the federal
(08:32):
government shutdown, and the
Trump administration is making
good on threats to fire federal
workers. This the day after
dueling funding bills were
rejected for the seventh time,
Russ Vote, the director of the
Office of Management and Budget,
said on the social media site X
that the riffs have begun.
That's referring to reduction
(08:53):
in force plans aimed at
shrinking the size of the
federal government. University
of Kentucky political science
professor Stephen Voss talked
with us earlier today about the
legality of those firings and
the potential political fallout.
>> Well, we don't know the
legal standing of the layoffs
(09:13):
yet, so I guess we'll find out
how wise it was. After we see
how it plays out. It may have
very limited impact. It may, on
the other hand, result in the
federal government having to
pay people a lot of money. And
so I really I think it's too
early to know how that will
play out. We do know though,
also that's kicking in as we
record this, is that people are
(09:33):
not getting their full
paychecks. And in about a week,
if the shutdown continues,
we'll get another batch of
people getting even less of the
paychecks they would have
expected. And those
implications we know will kick
in.
>> Right. And we know that
there are people who have been
working without pay. And. ET
cetera. The Congressional
Budget Office said back in 2018,
2019, the shutdown cost the
(09:55):
U.S. economy $11 billion. Now,
some of that is because of
those payroll issues there. But
that's a lot of money. And that
that shutdown was what 35 days.
>> Yeah. And we could see that
again. We've had two fairly
lengthy shutdowns in modern
times. We some were shorter,
but we had a big one under
(10:15):
Trump's last presidency. And
then we had the big one with
Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich
standing off back in the 90s.
And those were both very
expensive. They both had fairly
widespread political
implications.
>> Such as.
>> Well, the sort of
conventional wisdom, and I
think it's backed up by data,
(10:35):
is that the Republicans paid
for the shutdown in the 90s,
that Bill Clinton just won that
clash little less clear. Who
won when it was Trump versus
the Democrats. But again, it
looks as though the Republicans
came out on the downside of
that government shutdown, which
raises a puzzle, right? Why
would the Republicans pay,
regardless of whether they're
the ones in the white House or
(10:56):
not, in the white House? And
one explanation is that since
they're seen as the
anti-government party, that
when the government shuts down,
the voters just kind of assume,
you know, without any other
information, probably the
Republicans did it.
>> Right? Right. Even though
they have some pretty strong
messaging, Professor Vos, about
how they are blaming the
Democrats and about how this
Affordable Health Care Act, you
(11:17):
know, they can talk about that
later. So the Democrats are the
ones who they say are shutting
the government down for these
prolonged times.
>> Well, sure. But every time
there's been that back and
forth, I think what we forget
is people who monitor public
affairs is that that doesn't
reach a lot of voters,
including the people who tend
to be swing voters. What they
know is, you know, I go to an
(11:38):
office, it's not open. I try to
download something. The web
page isn't giving me data. I've
got relatives who aren't
getting their paychecks, and
they sort of make quick
judgments or quick decisions of
who's to blame, and they'll go
with the stereotype government
shutdown. Republicans don't
like government. I'll blame
them.
>> The shutdown will extend
into next week, as the Senate
(11:59):
is expected to reconvene until
Tuesday. The House GOP
leadership is extending the
lower chambers break until at
least October the 20th, and our
final political note of the
week. A Lexington Republican
legislator wants to stop school
districts from hiring lobbyists
and plans to push a bill
through the Kentucky General
Assembly next year to do just
(12:20):
that. State Representative
Vanessa Grasso's motivation
stems from Fayette County
Public Schools hiring of a
local lobbying firm for tens of
thousands of dollars their job,
promote a contentious tax hike
plan as a remedy to a $16
million projected budget
deficit. Grosso says her intent
is to ensure taxpayer dollars
(12:40):
are poured into classroom
learning and not lining the
pockets of outside lobbyists.
>> I feel like it's a bit of
the haves and the have nots,
and we have some of our most
wealthy school districts who
can hire lobbyists doing so,
and it's not a good look. It
(13:02):
really kind of undermines the
work of those education
advocates that come to
Frankfort and ask for more
funding for education. And, you
know, we need to let the
taxpayers know that when we do
appropriate funds for education,
they're going towards student
learning and educating our
future workforce. And so, yeah,
this would be pretty narrow. It
(13:22):
would really only impact the
way I see it. Fayette and
possibly Bullitt County at this
juncture. It would also include
education, development
cooperatives. So okay, the only
one that I know of at the
moment that has a lobbyist is
the Ohio Valley Education
Cooperative. And again, it
(13:43):
represents some of those urban
districts Shelby, Jefferson,
Bullitt, and so forth. And so I
feel like if we don't limit
them as well, then the
districts still have the
ability to pull their money
together and hire a lobbyist
through their education co-op.
And so this is just a way to
close that loophole and really
tell the taxpayers that we're
(14:04):
serious about this, and we want
to ensure that students and
teachers get what they need for
their classrooms.
>> And this would only apply
for K through 12. We're not
talking about higher education
because we know that's a
different ball game, and they
do have lobbyists or government
relations folks who work on
their behalf.
>> Yeah. You're right. I mean,
(14:25):
I think that this bill that I
intend to file is the floor and
not the ceiling on this issue.
Some of my colleagues in
Frankfort have had more
comprehensive bills that would
go as far as to include city
and county governments and
anyone really who receives
state dollars. At this point,
I'm trying to address the issue
that my constituents have
(14:45):
brought to me. No state has
been successful in banning
taxpayer, taxpayer funded
lobbyists across the board. I
know it's been a big priority
of Governor Abbott in Texas,
but he still hasn't gotten it
across the line. States like
Florida, though, have done kind
of what I'm proposing to do.
And they did include those
(15:06):
universities and those
lobbyists.
>> Yeah. And do you think that
maybe the temperature is just
not quite right in Kentucky to
go wholesale like that, that
maybe it's incremental, as you
are proposing and breaking away
from larger proposals that
include all city or state
government entities, which
would include higher ed.
>> Yeah. You know, I like to
(15:28):
really look at a problem and
try to solve that problem. It
would take more meaningful
discussion and really
examination to see how far. And,
you know, we should go with
this. I'm supportive of
eliminating taxpayer funded
lobbyists more broadly. However,
I don't plan to include that as
(15:49):
part of the bill, but I'll
support my colleagues if they
go in that direction.
>> Had all of this came about
because of the controversial
proposal on increasing the
occupational tax right, and
some defense of the
superintendent, had that
occupational tax not come into
play here, would you even have
been filing this bill?
>> Probably not. But I will say
(16:11):
this. As soon as we started
learning about the budget
shortfall, you know, the $16
million projected,
Superintendent Liggins came to
meet with me in Frankfort, and
he was with a member of the
lobbying team. And one of the
things I said to him was, look
at you. You are here with a
lobbyist. I grew up in rural
eastern Kentucky, and, you know,
(16:31):
my mom was a school
superintendent, and I know that
she struggled trying to find
funds to give bus drivers and
custodians and cooks and
teachers raises, you know, just
trying to literally find the
money in her budget. She knew
that they were very deserving
of those raises. And to be able
to spend on frivolous things
like this, it just felt really
(16:52):
unreal. But I also wanted to to
deliver the message to him that
I'm approachable. I said,
here's my cell phone number.
It's on my business card, you
know, and let's have a
relationship. You don't have to
feel like you need to bring a
team in. We can just talk.
>> For those, perhaps even in
the business community, that
would say we really don't want
Frankfort meddling in our local
(17:12):
school district matters. What
would you say to them?
>> Well, these are public
dollars and it's our job to to
be a good steward of them. And
so I think if you're a, you
know, if you're a private
entity, you're a private
business, feel free. You know,
go hire your lobbyist. If
you're a private school and you
want to do that, it's not using
state taxpayer dollars. But in
(17:33):
this regard, I think we're
doing the right thing.
>> Representative Grosso says
she'll introduce the bill for
consideration by the Kentucky
General Assembly session that
begins on in January. She adds
that it is not directed at
advocacy groups like the Kia,
the Kentucky Education
Association and other news.
(17:53):
Another Kentucky school
district has denied an
application from a faith based
group that wanted to teach
students about the Bible during
school hours, the Oldham era
reports. The school board
unanimously voted against a
proposal from Lifewise Academy.
Earlier this year. The Kentucky
General Assembly passed Senate
Bill 19, which allows students
to leave school one hour early
(18:15):
for district approved, quote,
moral instruction. The school
board's decision comes after
they asked for a legal opinion
from Republican Attorney
General Russell Coleman to help
clarify the new law. Oldham
County is at least the second
district to deny Lifeways
Academy. Lifewise Academy, that
is, the Warren County School
(18:36):
Board did that same thing last
month. Lifewise Academy is
seeking approval from several
school boards across Kentucky.
There are some changes on the
(18:57):
way when it comes to student
loans. There are also some
options when it comes to paying
for college. Our Kristi Dutton
sat down with Joe Carroll Ellis,
executive director of Kia,
which stands for the Kentucky
Higher Education Assistance
Authority, to help explain what
to expect, what.
>> Changes are happening at the
(19:18):
federal level, really,
regarding student loans.
>> Okay, so the one big
Beautiful Bill act did make
some changes to the federal
student loan program. Probably
two of the most significant
changes are it eliminated a
program called Grad Plus. And
this is a federal loan program
that is really there to fill
(19:40):
the gap for graduate school
expenses not covered by other
aid or the regular direct
student loan program. We think,
you know, there may be some
students, especially in the
professional schools, who will
be looking for other, other
ways to finance their education.
(20:00):
With the elimination of grad
Plus program, we do offer a an
alternative private student
loan at Advantage education.com
that does offer very good rates,
fixed interest rates and no
fees. So we encourage families
to check out Advantage
(20:20):
education.com if they are
looking for additional
financing.
>> Okay. And for a senior in
high school who may be
considering borrowing for
higher education, would this
help them or what would you
advise them to do.
>> So the first thing they
always want to do is fill out
the Fafsa. Okay? So go to
(20:41):
Studentaid.gov and fill out the
Fafsa because then you'll find
out if you qualify for any need
based grants or scholarships.
And also if you qualify for
what's called subsidized
student loans, meaning that the
federal government pays the
interest on those loans while
you are in school. And so
you'll know, here's what I can
get. Here's what I have left to
(21:03):
finance. Then what you want to
do is you only want to borrow
what you need. Do not borrow
more than you need to cover
that cost of education. And
keep in mind that student loans
are loans that do accrue
interest and do have to be
repaid. I would also encourage
families, whether they're
looking for additional
(21:24):
financing, like I mentioned
before, or if parents are
looking to borrow to check out
Advantage Education Loan. Com,
we do offer better rates than
some of the federal loans to
see if that can help fill the
gap.
>> Okay, all this is great
information. Joe Carroll Ellis,
thank you so much for being
here and sharing your expertise
with us.
>> Thank you so much for having
(21:46):
me.
>> Loans are just one option
when it comes to paying for
college. We offer more helpful
tips by experts and our program
paying for College 2026
Education Matters. You can tune
in to that Monday night at 9
p.m. 8 p.m. Central Time, right
here on KET. Get outside and
enjoy some cooler weather this
(22:06):
weekend. Our Toby Gibbs looks
at what Kentucky has to offer,
and tonight's Around the
Commonwealth segment.
>> Grab your favorite ladle and
head to the Burgoo capital of
the world Lawrenceburg this
weekend for the 31st annual
Burgoo Festival. In addition to
steaming bowls of this
(22:27):
traditional Kentucky dish,
there will be local vendors,
live music, a ghost walk, and a
race to see who's the fastest
kid in Anderson County. The
event kicks off tonight. Get
into the Halloween spirit by
going underground at Carter
Caves State Resort Park this
weekend. The park is hosting
stories in the shadows here,
(22:49):
hair raising stories and
legends from park storytellers
while making your way through
Cascade Cave after hours. And
if you can't make it this
Saturday, the tour is being
offered next Saturday as well.
It's Oktoberfest with a
Kentucky kick at the Bluegrass
Music Hall of Fame as it brings
back romp tober. It's two days
(23:10):
of live bluegrass music
workshops, square dancing, beer
and wine tastings, food, arts
and crafts vendors and family
friendly activities. Read any
good books lately? You'll find
plenty of new chapters to
explore at the 2025 Louisville
Book Festival. This daylong
celebration of literacy and the
(23:30):
written word will turn the page
on inspiration. With more than
150 authors and exhibitors,
plus panels, workshops and live
readings. The traditional music
of the Appalachian region takes
center stage at Berea College,
with the 52nd Annual Berea
College Celebration of
Traditional Music. The event
pays homage to the homemade
(23:51):
music passed on through the
generations with concerts,
gospel sings, jam sessions and
workshops. Traditional dance
and kids activities are also
part of the festivities, which
go on through Sunday. The City
of Hazard is putting its own
spin on Oktoberfest. The sixth
annual North Fork Oktoberfest
brings all the fun of the
(24:13):
traditional fest with some
hometown flavor like
Appalachian Mountain wrestling,
wiener dog races, and a stein
holding contest for kids and
adults. The family friendly
event includes food and drink
vendors, plus live music.
Muhlenberg County is ready for
prime time with the third
annual Pruyn Park Birthday Bash.
(24:33):
The celebration of legendary
singer songwriter John Prine
features an open mic music
session, birthday goodies, a
silent auction, and food trucks.
The party takes place at the
John Prine Memorial Park at
Rochester Dam. It's bacon,
meats, bacon at the Trigg
County Country Ham Festival,
(24:54):
where they're firing up a ten
foot oven to bake Kentucky's
largest country ham and biscuit.
There will be several food
trucks on site with other
dishes to pig out on live music,
carnival rides, games, arts and
crafts vendors, and a petting
zoo. Round out the fun at this
free event. One of the oldest
and most famous choirs in the
(25:15):
world, the Vienna Boys Choir is
bringing its world renowned
harmonies to the bluegrass. The
group will perform next Friday
at the Grand Theater in
Frankfort, showcasing a diverse
mix of vocal music for
audiences of all ages. The
choir is scheduled to make
another stop in Kentucky,
performing in Madisonville on
Saturday, October 18th. Step
(25:37):
back in time at the annual Salt
Festival, taking place at Big
Bone Lick State Historic Site.
The festival features
demonstrations of pioneer
living and frontier skills,
including salt making, archery,
spear and tomahawk throwing,
blacksmithing, and knife making.
Enjoy traditional native dances
and storytelling, along with
(25:57):
live music, crafts and food.
The three day event is free and
kicks off next Friday. Check
out America's River Roots
Festival this year. The event
celebrates America's 250th
birthday. The festival takes
place along the banks of
Newport, Covington and
Cincinnati and features music,
food, riverboat races,
sightseeing cruises and other
(26:18):
activities. And that's what's
happening around the
Commonwealth. I'm Toby Gibbs.
>> Thank you, Toby Gibbs. Make
it a great weekend to come, and
we will see you right back here
>> I mean, I would almost think
from the time that those new
children come into the world, a
case file needs to be opened.
>> A state lawmaker speaks out
about Kentucky's system for
removing children from their
home.
>> In about a week. If the
shutdown continues, we'll get
another batch of people getting
even less of the paychecks they
would have expected.
(00:28):
>> The layoffs began what the
federal government shutdown
means for workers wallets.
>> You only want to borrow what
you need.
>> And what's changed about the
program that helps Kentucky
students pay for college.
>> Production of Kentucky
Edition is made possible in
part by the KET Millennium Fund.
(01:00):
>> Good evening and welcome to
Kentucky Edition for this
Friday, October the 10th, I'm
Renee Shaw. We thank you for
joining us and kicking off your
weekend with us this evening.
How do social workers decide to
remove children from the home
because of abuse or neglect?
Well, that was the question at
yesterday's Legislative
Oversight and Investigations
(01:21):
Committee meeting in Frankfort.
Some state lawmakers raised
concerns about new tools used
by the Department for Community
Based Services. Our Emily Sisk
explains in tonight's
legislative update.
>> In Kentucky, nearly 46,000
youth were in the foster care
system from 2021 to 2023,
(01:44):
55,000 children were being
raised by a relative. Kentucky
Cabinet for Health and Family
Services has implemented new
risk assessment tools that can
advise social workers on if
children should be removed from
the home. But as the
Commissioner for Community
Based Services explained,
sometimes workers override the
(02:06):
tools recommendation.
>> Sometimes they are. There
are factors in a case that's
never going to change. So if an
individual has a prior CPS
history, they're always going
to have a prior CPS history.
The same thing if you have a
prior, you know, history of
with mental health, substance
misuse, criminal record, etc.
that's always going to raise
(02:26):
your risk score. But it does
not necessarily mean that
there's a current safety threat
or issue.
>> Commissioner Dennis said
sometimes the risk assessment
tool recommends services or
support resources for families,
rather than removing children
from the home. Senator Philip
Wheeler, who works as an
attorney, said he hears ongoing
(02:47):
complaints from those in the
court system about how child
removal cases are handled.
>> When it suddenly becomes a
five alarm fire and it shows up
in the court and they get the
entire file on them, it's, you
know, this high with about 20
incidents in there that they
said this should have been done
(03:08):
two years ago.
>> Wheeler said he sees many
instances where parents have
newborn children soon after
their previous children were
removed due to abuse or neglect.
>> I mean, I would almost think
from the time that those new
children come into the world, a
case file needs to be opened.
People like that. Well, frankly,
I don't even think they should
be having children. But
(03:29):
secondly, I mean, there's no
way that even a minor child is
safe with people like that. Is
this tool being utilized in
such a manner as to proactively
defend these, these children
that are either newborn or
adolescents against these types
of parents that are, you know,
frankly, not much better than
animals.
>> Safety is always front and
(03:51):
center with everything that we
do. We are ongoing, continually
reevaluating safety.
>> The commissioner said they
take parents prior history into
consideration when assessing
safety for Kentucky edition.
I'm Emily Sisk.
(04:20):
>> Venezuelan opposition leader
Maria Corina machado has won
the Nobel Peace Prize. She's
fought for free elections and
has faced threats to her life.
Congressman Andy Barr of
Kentucky says President Donald
Trump should have won the prize
for his work trying to end the
war between Israel and Hamas
and other diplomatic efforts
(04:40):
during his presidency. In a
letter to the Nobel committee
yesterday, Congressman Barr
said the president's diplomacy
has saved lives, adding, quote,
I therefore urge you to bestow
upon President Trump the Nobel
Peace Prize in recognition of
his tireless pursuit of peace
and his transformative impact
on the world stage. End quote.
The Trump administration has
(05:02):
canceled a $100 million grant
to the Ascend Elements battery
plant in Christian County in
western Kentucky, and there are
reports the administration will
cut other energy projects in
Kentucky, including a $50
million project helping
Mitsubishi Electric repurpose a
manufacturing plant in
(05:23):
Maysville. Yesterday, Governor
Andy Beshear said these moves
will hurt Kentucky and hurt
voters who backed President
Donald Trump.
>> I'd be very disappointed if
this is going to move forward,
because Ascend Elements is an
enormous project in
Hopkinsville. If I were in a
room, I'd remind the president
and the administration that
(05:44):
that county voted
overwhelmingly for the
president. He's about to cut a
ton of jobs there. If this is
is accurate, you look at the
one in Maysville, they're
changing the product that they
make. They are reshoring
something that is not currently
made in the United States,
which the Trump administration
or not made enough in the
United States, which the Trump
(06:05):
administration says it wants.
If it cuts this funding, it's
going to kill that project.
>> The governor also repeated
his opposition to the president
ordering National Guard troops
into American cities. Beshear
called it silly, quote unquote,
but also said scary and
dangerous. He said Trump is
claiming the troops are needed
(06:26):
to stop insurrections when no
insurrections are taking place.
Beshear has joined other
Democratic governors in a legal
brief backing Oregon's court
challenge to Trump's actions. A
former fighter pilot who served
in Iraq and Afghanistan running
again for the U.S. Senate,
blasted the Trump
administration's federalization
of National Guard troops in
(06:47):
American cities. Amy McGrath, a
Democrat running to replace
retiring U.S. Senator Mitch
McConnell, calls the move a
distraction from the focus on
real threats posed by foreign
adversaries. McGrath's reaction
begins our Friday Inside
Kentucky Politics segment.
>> Well, one, I think we all
(07:08):
want to tackle crime. Okay. I'm
the mother of three kids. I
have public servants, police
officers in my family. I'm very
much want to support them. To
tackle crime, you need better
policing and you need to not
cut funding for policing, which
is exactly what these guys in
(07:29):
Washington just did. And then
they turn around and use the
National Guard in our cities
under this guise of crime. Look,
our military should not be used
to police the cities of America.
Most Americans get that. We do
not want our military policing
our streets like we're some
(07:50):
third world country. It's just
not who we are. And the
military exists to train and
fight wars. We are trained for
war.
>> And the president says this
is a good training ground for
that, right?
>> Well, and that's why I've
been so critical of that, of
what's going on. Because it's
just outrageous to say to our
military, oh, we should be
(08:11):
using our cities as, as your
training grounds, that is that
is not what we want. By the way,
we have enough training areas.
Any of us have been in the
military know this. We have
lots of bases, including urban
training areas. But to say that
is just outrageous.
>> And other political
developments this week it is
day ten of the federal
(08:32):
government shutdown, and the
Trump administration is making
good on threats to fire federal
workers. This the day after
dueling funding bills were
rejected for the seventh time,
Russ Vote, the director of the
Office of Management and Budget,
said on the social media site X
that the riffs have begun.
That's referring to reduction
(08:53):
in force plans aimed at
shrinking the size of the
federal government. University
of Kentucky political science
professor Stephen Voss talked
with us earlier today about the
legality of those firings and
the potential political fallout.
>> Well, we don't know the
legal standing of the layoffs
(09:13):
yet, so I guess we'll find out
how wise it was. After we see
how it plays out. It may have
very limited impact. It may, on
the other hand, result in the
federal government having to
pay people a lot of money. And
so I really I think it's too
early to know how that will
play out. We do know though,
also that's kicking in as we
record this, is that people are
(09:33):
not getting their full
paychecks. And in about a week,
if the shutdown continues,
we'll get another batch of
people getting even less of the
paychecks they would have
expected. And those
implications we know will kick
in.
>> Right. And we know that
there are people who have been
working without pay. And. ET
cetera. The Congressional
Budget Office said back in 2018,
2019, the shutdown cost the
(09:55):
U.S. economy $11 billion. Now,
some of that is because of
those payroll issues there. But
that's a lot of money. And that
that shutdown was what 35 days.
>> Yeah. And we could see that
again. We've had two fairly
lengthy shutdowns in modern
times. We some were shorter,
but we had a big one under
(10:15):
Trump's last presidency. And
then we had the big one with
Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich
standing off back in the 90s.
And those were both very
expensive. They both had fairly
widespread political
implications.
>> Such as.
>> Well, the sort of
conventional wisdom, and I
think it's backed up by data,
(10:35):
is that the Republicans paid
for the shutdown in the 90s,
that Bill Clinton just won that
clash little less clear. Who
won when it was Trump versus
the Democrats. But again, it
looks as though the Republicans
came out on the downside of
that government shutdown, which
raises a puzzle, right? Why
would the Republicans pay,
regardless of whether they're
the ones in the white House or
(10:56):
not, in the white House? And
one explanation is that since
they're seen as the
anti-government party, that
when the government shuts down,
the voters just kind of assume,
you know, without any other
information, probably the
Republicans did it.
>> Right? Right. Even though
they have some pretty strong
messaging, Professor Vos, about
how they are blaming the
Democrats and about how this
Affordable Health Care Act, you
(11:17):
know, they can talk about that
later. So the Democrats are the
ones who they say are shutting
the government down for these
prolonged times.
>> Well, sure. But every time
there's been that back and
forth, I think what we forget
is people who monitor public
affairs is that that doesn't
reach a lot of voters,
including the people who tend
to be swing voters. What they
know is, you know, I go to an
(11:38):
office, it's not open. I try to
download something. The web
page isn't giving me data. I've
got relatives who aren't
getting their paychecks, and
they sort of make quick
judgments or quick decisions of
who's to blame, and they'll go
with the stereotype government
shutdown. Republicans don't
like government. I'll blame
them.
>> The shutdown will extend
into next week, as the Senate
(11:59):
is expected to reconvene until
Tuesday. The House GOP
leadership is extending the
lower chambers break until at
least October the 20th, and our
final political note of the
week. A Lexington Republican
legislator wants to stop school
districts from hiring lobbyists
and plans to push a bill
through the Kentucky General
Assembly next year to do just
(12:20):
that. State Representative
Vanessa Grasso's motivation
stems from Fayette County
Public Schools hiring of a
local lobbying firm for tens of
thousands of dollars their job,
promote a contentious tax hike
plan as a remedy to a $16
million projected budget
deficit. Grosso says her intent
is to ensure taxpayer dollars
(12:40):
are poured into classroom
learning and not lining the
pockets of outside lobbyists.
>> I feel like it's a bit of
the haves and the have nots,
and we have some of our most
wealthy school districts who
can hire lobbyists doing so,
and it's not a good look. It
(13:02):
really kind of undermines the
work of those education
advocates that come to
Frankfort and ask for more
funding for education. And, you
know, we need to let the
taxpayers know that when we do
appropriate funds for education,
they're going towards student
learning and educating our
future workforce. And so, yeah,
this would be pretty narrow. It
(13:22):
would really only impact the
way I see it. Fayette and
possibly Bullitt County at this
juncture. It would also include
education, development
cooperatives. So okay, the only
one that I know of at the
moment that has a lobbyist is
the Ohio Valley Education
Cooperative. And again, it
(13:43):
represents some of those urban
districts Shelby, Jefferson,
Bullitt, and so forth. And so I
feel like if we don't limit
them as well, then the
districts still have the
ability to pull their money
together and hire a lobbyist
through their education co-op.
And so this is just a way to
close that loophole and really
tell the taxpayers that we're
(14:04):
serious about this, and we want
to ensure that students and
teachers get what they need for
their classrooms.
>> And this would only apply
for K through 12. We're not
talking about higher education
because we know that's a
different ball game, and they
do have lobbyists or government
relations folks who work on
their behalf.
>> Yeah. You're right. I mean,
(14:25):
I think that this bill that I
intend to file is the floor and
not the ceiling on this issue.
Some of my colleagues in
Frankfort have had more
comprehensive bills that would
go as far as to include city
and county governments and
anyone really who receives
state dollars. At this point,
I'm trying to address the issue
that my constituents have
(14:45):
brought to me. No state has
been successful in banning
taxpayer, taxpayer funded
lobbyists across the board. I
know it's been a big priority
of Governor Abbott in Texas,
but he still hasn't gotten it
across the line. States like
Florida, though, have done kind
of what I'm proposing to do.
And they did include those
(15:06):
universities and those
lobbyists.
>> Yeah. And do you think that
maybe the temperature is just
not quite right in Kentucky to
go wholesale like that, that
maybe it's incremental, as you
are proposing and breaking away
from larger proposals that
include all city or state
government entities, which
would include higher ed.
>> Yeah. You know, I like to
(15:28):
really look at a problem and
try to solve that problem. It
would take more meaningful
discussion and really
examination to see how far. And,
you know, we should go with
this. I'm supportive of
eliminating taxpayer funded
lobbyists more broadly. However,
I don't plan to include that as
(15:49):
part of the bill, but I'll
support my colleagues if they
go in that direction.
>> Had all of this came about
because of the controversial
proposal on increasing the
occupational tax right, and
some defense of the
superintendent, had that
occupational tax not come into
play here, would you even have
been filing this bill?
>> Probably not. But I will say
(16:11):
this. As soon as we started
learning about the budget
shortfall, you know, the $16
million projected,
Superintendent Liggins came to
meet with me in Frankfort, and
he was with a member of the
lobbying team. And one of the
things I said to him was, look
at you. You are here with a
lobbyist. I grew up in rural
eastern Kentucky, and, you know,
(16:31):
my mom was a school
superintendent, and I know that
she struggled trying to find
funds to give bus drivers and
custodians and cooks and
teachers raises, you know, just
trying to literally find the
money in her budget. She knew
that they were very deserving
of those raises. And to be able
to spend on frivolous things
like this, it just felt really
(16:52):
unreal. But I also wanted to to
deliver the message to him that
I'm approachable. I said,
here's my cell phone number.
It's on my business card, you
know, and let's have a
relationship. You don't have to
feel like you need to bring a
team in. We can just talk.
>> For those, perhaps even in
the business community, that
would say we really don't want
Frankfort meddling in our local
(17:12):
school district matters. What
would you say to them?
>> Well, these are public
dollars and it's our job to to
be a good steward of them. And
so I think if you're a, you
know, if you're a private
entity, you're a private
business, feel free. You know,
go hire your lobbyist. If
you're a private school and you
want to do that, it's not using
state taxpayer dollars. But in
(17:33):
this regard, I think we're
doing the right thing.
>> Representative Grosso says
she'll introduce the bill for
consideration by the Kentucky
General Assembly session that
begins on in January. She adds
that it is not directed at
advocacy groups like the Kia,
the Kentucky Education
Association and other news.
(17:53):
Another Kentucky school
district has denied an
application from a faith based
group that wanted to teach
students about the Bible during
school hours, the Oldham era
reports. The school board
unanimously voted against a
proposal from Lifewise Academy.
Earlier this year. The Kentucky
General Assembly passed Senate
Bill 19, which allows students
to leave school one hour early
(18:15):
for district approved, quote,
moral instruction. The school
board's decision comes after
they asked for a legal opinion
from Republican Attorney
General Russell Coleman to help
clarify the new law. Oldham
County is at least the second
district to deny Lifeways
Academy. Lifewise Academy, that
is, the Warren County School
(18:36):
Board did that same thing last
month. Lifewise Academy is
seeking approval from several
school boards across Kentucky.
There are some changes on the
(18:57):
way when it comes to student
loans. There are also some
options when it comes to paying
for college. Our Kristi Dutton
sat down with Joe Carroll Ellis,
executive director of Kia,
which stands for the Kentucky
Higher Education Assistance
Authority, to help explain what
to expect, what.
>> Changes are happening at the
(19:18):
federal level, really,
regarding student loans.
>> Okay, so the one big
Beautiful Bill act did make
some changes to the federal
student loan program. Probably
two of the most significant
changes are it eliminated a
program called Grad Plus. And
this is a federal loan program
that is really there to fill
(19:40):
the gap for graduate school
expenses not covered by other
aid or the regular direct
student loan program. We think,
you know, there may be some
students, especially in the
professional schools, who will
be looking for other, other
ways to finance their education.
(20:00):
With the elimination of grad
Plus program, we do offer a an
alternative private student
loan at Advantage education.com
that does offer very good rates,
fixed interest rates and no
fees. So we encourage families
to check out Advantage
(20:20):
education.com if they are
looking for additional
financing.
>> Okay. And for a senior in
high school who may be
considering borrowing for
higher education, would this
help them or what would you
advise them to do.
>> So the first thing they
always want to do is fill out
the Fafsa. Okay? So go to
(20:41):
Studentaid.gov and fill out the
Fafsa because then you'll find
out if you qualify for any need
based grants or scholarships.
And also if you qualify for
what's called subsidized
student loans, meaning that the
federal government pays the
interest on those loans while
you are in school. And so
you'll know, here's what I can
get. Here's what I have left to
(21:03):
finance. Then what you want to
do is you only want to borrow
what you need. Do not borrow
more than you need to cover
that cost of education. And
keep in mind that student loans
are loans that do accrue
interest and do have to be
repaid. I would also encourage
families, whether they're
looking for additional
(21:24):
financing, like I mentioned
before, or if parents are
looking to borrow to check out
Advantage Education Loan. Com,
we do offer better rates than
some of the federal loans to
see if that can help fill the
gap.
>> Okay, all this is great
information. Joe Carroll Ellis,
thank you so much for being
here and sharing your expertise
with us.
>> Thank you so much for having
(21:46):
me.
>> Loans are just one option
when it comes to paying for
college. We offer more helpful
tips by experts and our program
paying for College 2026
Education Matters. You can tune
in to that Monday night at 9
p.m. 8 p.m. Central Time, right
here on KET. Get outside and
enjoy some cooler weather this
(22:06):
weekend. Our Toby Gibbs looks
at what Kentucky has to offer,
and tonight's Around the
Commonwealth segment.
>> Grab your favorite ladle and
head to the Burgoo capital of
the world Lawrenceburg this
weekend for the 31st annual
Burgoo Festival. In addition to
steaming bowls of this
(22:27):
traditional Kentucky dish,
there will be local vendors,
live music, a ghost walk, and a
race to see who's the fastest
kid in Anderson County. The
event kicks off tonight. Get
into the Halloween spirit by
going underground at Carter
Caves State Resort Park this
weekend. The park is hosting
stories in the shadows here,
(22:49):
hair raising stories and
legends from park storytellers
while making your way through
Cascade Cave after hours. And
if you can't make it this
Saturday, the tour is being
offered next Saturday as well.
It's Oktoberfest with a
Kentucky kick at the Bluegrass
Music Hall of Fame as it brings
back romp tober. It's two days
(23:10):
of live bluegrass music
workshops, square dancing, beer
and wine tastings, food, arts
and crafts vendors and family
friendly activities. Read any
good books lately? You'll find
plenty of new chapters to
explore at the 2025 Louisville
Book Festival. This daylong
celebration of literacy and the
(23:30):
written word will turn the page
on inspiration. With more than
150 authors and exhibitors,
plus panels, workshops and live
readings. The traditional music
of the Appalachian region takes
center stage at Berea College,
with the 52nd Annual Berea
College Celebration of
Traditional Music. The event
pays homage to the homemade
(23:51):
music passed on through the
generations with concerts,
gospel sings, jam sessions and
workshops. Traditional dance
and kids activities are also
part of the festivities, which
go on through Sunday. The City
of Hazard is putting its own
spin on Oktoberfest. The sixth
annual North Fork Oktoberfest
brings all the fun of the
(24:13):
traditional fest with some
hometown flavor like
Appalachian Mountain wrestling,
wiener dog races, and a stein
holding contest for kids and
adults. The family friendly
event includes food and drink
vendors, plus live music.
Muhlenberg County is ready for
prime time with the third
annual Pruyn Park Birthday Bash.
(24:33):
The celebration of legendary
singer songwriter John Prine
features an open mic music
session, birthday goodies, a
silent auction, and food trucks.
The party takes place at the
John Prine Memorial Park at
Rochester Dam. It's bacon,
meats, bacon at the Trigg
County Country Ham Festival,
(24:54):
where they're firing up a ten
foot oven to bake Kentucky's
largest country ham and biscuit.
There will be several food
trucks on site with other
dishes to pig out on live music,
carnival rides, games, arts and
crafts vendors, and a petting
zoo. Round out the fun at this
free event. One of the oldest
and most famous choirs in the
(25:15):
world, the Vienna Boys Choir is
bringing its world renowned
harmonies to the bluegrass. The
group will perform next Friday
at the Grand Theater in
Frankfort, showcasing a diverse
mix of vocal music for
audiences of all ages. The
choir is scheduled to make
another stop in Kentucky,
performing in Madisonville on
Saturday, October 18th. Step
(25:37):
back in time at the annual Salt
Festival, taking place at Big
Bone Lick State Historic Site.
The festival features
demonstrations of pioneer
living and frontier skills,
including salt making, archery,
spear and tomahawk throwing,
blacksmithing, and knife making.
Enjoy traditional native dances
and storytelling, along with
(25:57):
live music, crafts and food.
The three day event is free and
kicks off next Friday. Check
out America's River Roots
Festival this year. The event
celebrates America's 250th
birthday. The festival takes
place along the banks of
Newport, Covington and
Cincinnati and features music,
food, riverboat races,
sightseeing cruises and other
(26:18):
activities. And that's what's
happening around the
Commonwealth. I'm Toby Gibbs.
>> Thank you, Toby Gibbs. Make
it a great weekend to come, and
we will see you right back here
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.