October 15, 2025 • 26 mins
How federal changes could impact Kentucky schools, how the government shutdown is impacting Kentucky, why a state lawmaker wants to abolish an inmate reentry program, and lessons a high school counselor learned about paying for college when it was time to send her own child off to school.
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(00:00):
>> It's not about money grab.
(00:07):
It's about safety.
>> Our cameras on Kentucky
highways making a difference.
>> From the perspective of the
business community, these
government shutdowns are never
>> Why shutdowns are bad for
business in Kentucky.
>> I think that's you see you
exhaust all options out there
before they look at taking out
a student loan.
(00:29):
And what a high school guidance
counselor learned about the
cost when her own child went
to college.
>> Production of Kentucky
Edition is made possible in
part by the KET Millennium
Fund.
♪
♪
(00:54):
>> Good Evening and welcome
to Kentucky EDITION for this
Tuesday, October, the 14th,
I'm Renee Shaw and our KET
Studios in downtown Louisville.
We thank you so much for
joining us this evening.
Federal changes are coming to
Kentucky schools. Not every
detail is settled, but the big
beautiful bill and the federal
(01:15):
government shutdown. We'll have
their impacts on K through 12
and higher education. Our June
Leffler has more as we kick
off tonight's Legislative
update.
>> Amid the federal shutdown,
the Trump administration has
laid off hundreds of employees
from the Department of
Education, specifically those
monetary in the civil rights of
(01:36):
special education students.
This Democratic lawmaker is a
special ed teacher in
Louisville. So last week the
Trump administration
effectively got to the Office
of Special Education. Can you
explain just based upon you
are insights? What will that
mean?
For the 15 billion dollars that
is appropriated through that
(01:58):
department.
>> Education funds are
generally forward funded.
And so there was a Trump shove.
funds that should have got out
on July 1st of this year and
then a larger Trump's that was
to be made available to states
on October. 1st, as I
understand that funding was
made available to states on
October. 1st. And so.
>> Well, there's, you know, at
least for the time being the
(02:19):
availability of funding.
I think there are now new
questions around the
department's capacity to
implement the many provisions
of the individuals with
Disabilities Education Act.
If the U.S.
staffing cuts are sustained
and again, knowing that these
were reported on Friday and
and folks are still trying to
(02:40):
gather Intel. The National
Conference of State
Legislatures spoke to a
Kentucky Education committee
today. The policy group advise
them of what to expect from the
big beautiful bill lets
students may qualify for free
and reduced lunch or medical
services in schools due to
eligibility changes to snap.
And Medicaid.
(03:00):
>> First.
>> But many schools use
participation in the SNAP
program as a proxy to certify
participation in the free or
reduced price lunch school meal
program. If a student is no
longer eligible for staff staff
but events, the school that
me to directly certified the
student to use a paper-based
application and that can often
times be complicated and can
(03:20):
result in some time students
who may be eligible not be
counted for those meal
programs.
>> In higher education, student
loan borrowers will face a
new reality.
>> Previously, the gradual
lending was limited at the
federal level. It because the
grad plus program the previous
program permitted students to
(03:41):
borrow up to the cost of
attendance and the cost of
attendance is set by the
institutions that so students
effectively face no limits on
what they were able to borrow
in order to pursue their
graduate education through the
grab. Plus program, that
program has been eliminated.
There are now new specific
limits on how much students can
borrow. Federal rulemaking is
underway that will hammer out
(04:02):
much of these details for
Kentucky edition. I'm Ju
Leffler.
>> Thank you. June. The federal
government shutdown hits the
two-week mark tonight at
midnight with no end in sight.
We discuss the shutdown and its
impact on the U.S. and Kentucky
economies with for business and
economic experts of different
perspectives last night on
(04:22):
Kentucky tonight, they talked
about the shutdown and the
ripple effect it can have on
people's pocketbooks.
>> The perspective of the
business community, these
government shutdowns are never
good. These are things that
we would like to see taken off
the table. You know, we elect
our members of Congress to work
through difficult questions
and to enter into negotiations
(04:44):
with each other. We would like
to see them do that. Businesses
in Kentuckyian throughout the
rest, the country depend on
various government services for
a variety of different things
that you can think about
federal contractors. You could
think about things seeking IPO
approvals for through through
the SEC. stands for the initial
public offerings as well as
(05:06):
simple things like asking
questions of government
agencies because when the
government shuts down, the
rules are all still there.
The questions are also there.
And so this is another one of
those things that can create
even more slow down to an
economy. And so it is something
that we're concerned about and
our message to Congress is to
do your job going, negotiate
figure these things out and get
the government back open.
(05:28):
We would like to see Congress
as well as the White House
engage in these meaningful
discussions and not let this
founder for too much longer.
We should now be very minor.
If you're talking about just a
couple of weeks. But as that
shutdown starts to extend the
new start, seen issues in terms
of people not getting
paychecks.
>> People start cutting back on
(05:49):
their spending as a result you
know, I'm not seeing that
paycheck You know, if you have
become a contracting circuit
worried about whether or not
you're going to be able to your
employees. So you start to see
kind of a you hear what kind of
affect us place, where we're
just kind of barely.
And any kind of disruption,
(06:10):
any additional shock to the
economy can kind of tip us over
to the point where actually
turn negative and
that could be really
problematic for the economy as
we kind of move forward.
>> Every 1 billion dollars.
This was the essence I got from
a modeling system.
For every 1 million dollars in
federal funding loss. You have
about a total actually of
(06:31):
3 million dollars lost to
contractors. Suppliers to the
government.
And then the employees of the
government not being able to
spend as well as the employees
of these
suppliers to the government
of weather is someone who the
cells, Lennon or other things
to a parachute manufacturer.
(06:52):
We have a couple of apparel
manufacturers for the military
here in Kentucky. I don't know
how badly the military is going
to be affected, but that's a
that's a key supplier. Humana
does track care insurance for
the United States military.
It also is a is a Medicaid
provider along with Anthem in a
couple of other major insurance
(07:14):
company. So when you have cuts
or rollbacks and spending, it
has a ripple effect and that
affects local restaurants.
Landlords for people who can't
pay their rent can pay their
mortgage or what have you not?
>> Among the sticking points,
the Republican budget plan and
subsidies that help people pay
for health insurance. Democrats
say without that help, millions
(07:34):
will have to pay a lot more.
One of our guests, Jason Bailey
of the progressive leaving
Kentucky Center for Economic
Policy says it's important to
KET those subsidies going and
to settle the question. Now.
I think
it is.
>> government shutdown is
painful and it needs to stop as
soon as possible. But a
doubling of your family's
(07:57):
health
care costs is the difference
between whether people get
life-saving care or not.
And a man is in a state that
has so many health. The health
challenges are Brady. I
think income. We're back on
that and increasing. I'm sure
it is a big problem. In one
thing I'll say about this, I
think it's important to have a
fight about health care.
Now there's an opportunity
(08:17):
because this is just the
beginning of what will be a
serious rolling health care
disaster to be quite frank.
HR one continues to be rolled
out. We expect over 200,000
Kentuckians to lose Medicaid
because of the requirements
that will go into effect, the
work reporting requirements
that go into effect next year.
We expect to see huge cuts to
(08:38):
hospitals and providers dead
in Kentucky. We have 35
hospitals at risk of closure.
If those payments go into
effect, pending cuts go into
effect. That's more than any
other state. So now's the time
now is an opportunity to have
an upside about health care.
And I think it's the right
thing to do to do that.
>> It was a lively and
informative discussion. Our
(08:59):
panel also talked about the
tariff impact on Kentucky
industries like bourbon and
soybean farmers. And you can
see all of that online on
demand at KET DOT Org Slash
K Y tonight.
Now here's another impact of
the federal government
shutdown. Cave tours are closed
at Mammoth Cave National Park
(09:20):
in South Central Kentucky.
That's according to the
National Park Service which
says other areas of the park
are, quote, accessible as
possible, unquote. Kentucky
State lawmaker wants to get rid
of a law that allowed for the
early release of Ronald exam
to us. He was found not guilty
by reason of insanity in the
stabbing death of a 6 year-old
(09:40):
named Logan Tipton in
Versailles in 2015. But he was
convicted of assaulting
Tipton's family, a lesser crime
which require he serve at least
20% of his 20 year sentence.
Exact list was released from
prison last month. Not by
Kentucky's parole board, but
through the mandatory re-entry
(10:01):
supervision program. His early
release sparked outrage online
and elsewhere and led to
members of the parole board
receiving death threats.
Our Emily Sisk sat down with
the lawmaker who hopes to
abolish the reentry program.
I don't think.
>> Annie One should be released
early from their sentence
(10:23):
without the OK?
>> The parole board state
representative TJ Roberts wants
to file a bill to abolish
mandatory re-entry supervision.
The program allowed Ronald de
Santis to be released from
prison early serving less than
half of his 20 year sentence
after stabbing 6 year-old Logan
Tipton to death and injuring
(10:43):
his sisters and father. This
came after the parole board
voted unanimously against exam
to says release.
>> The Commonwealth of Kentucky
fundamentally failed to protect
the Tipton family from Ronald
exam to sue, committed one of
the worst crimes that I could
ever imagine.
>> Representative Roberts said
there should be no circumstance
where the parole board does
(11:05):
not approve an inmate's
release.
>> It creates a contradiction
in of itself where we have
created a parole board. And
that parole board is human.
Why have a parole board if we
have a set of statutory factors
that just automatically really
someone attorney and former
state Senator Whitney
Westerfield explained more on
(11:25):
the mandatory re-entry
supervision program.
>> Westerfield pointed out that
inmates are let go only 6
months prior to their projected
release states. They're also
conditions set by the parole
board such as securing a jog
and meeting regularly with a
parole officer. Westerfield
said the program was intended
to make re-entry more
(11:46):
successful for inmates and cut
down on costs. If you're
>> targeting people that are
the last 6 months of their
obligated. Stay in custody.
And another was disqualified
for various reasons.
Letting them out again with
supervision. Supervision is
cheaper and more cost-effective
that typically more effective
for most offenders, then just
(12:07):
detaining them in house.
And then for those 6 months.
>> Westerfield also said
provisions from last year's say
for Kentucky Act or House Bill
5 would disqualify a violent
offender like eggs and tiss
from being eligible for early
release. If he had been
convicted and sentenced today.
>> It's worth mentioning House
Bill 5 actually makes him not
(12:29):
eligible for this. Now, all
this happened prior to the
House besides the next month.
>> Representative Roberts
maintained his position that
mandatory re-entry supervision
should be abolished and he said
exam to us should have served
a
longer sentence.
>> There are people that it's
worth spending tax dollars to
KET can find.
(12:50):
Relatives. And this is the
dictionary definition of
someone who should be held.
Away from civil society.
>> Westerfield disagreed that
the program should be
abolished, calling the idea
a knee-jerk reaction based on
one case he suggested updating
the language instead to tighten
up which types of inmates could
(13:12):
be eligible.
>> The program should be gone
the way it should be targeted
to the people who actually can
benefit from it. You don't have
to abolish the Hope Road home
program to make sure something
like this doesn't happen.
>> Roberts said he's open to
suggestions but wants to ensure
action is taken for the Tipton
family for Kentucky edition.
I'm Emily Sisk.
>> Thank you, Emily. Ronald
(13:33):
exact does has since been
arrested again in Florida for
failing to register as a
convicted felon. Officials
there say they want to move
exact us back to Kentucky
tomorrow. We'll hear from
another state lawmaker who's
planning to file a different
bill, but it's still related to
this case.
2 Republicans in the Kentucky
General Assembly Senator Steve
(13:53):
Rawlings and Representative
TJ Roberts plan to introduce
Bills making October 14th,
Charlie Kirk Day. Kirk is the
conservative activist who was
shot to death in Utah today
would have been his 32nd
birthday Rawlings praised Kirk
as a tireless advocate for free
(14:14):
speech. The 2026 Kentucky
General Assembly will be the
last for state Representative
Scott Lewis. The Messenger
Inquirer reports Lewis won't
seek re-election. The
Republican from Hartford
represents Ohio and Hancock
counties and part of Davis
County. He served in the House
since 2019.
Today, state lawmakers received
(14:35):
an update on the highway work
zone camera system created
earlier this year. House Bill
664. Is also known as the Jared
Lee Helton Act in honor of a
young Mcguffin County native
who was killed in a work zone
accident 6 years ago. The law
implements speed detection
cameras in work zones, which
report offenders to nearby law
(14:58):
enforcement officers.
Representative John Blanton is
the bill sponsor and co-chair
of the Interim Joint Committee
on Transportation. He says the
law is already making a
difference.
>> Seeing it on the news.
The signs are starting to be
put up. The cameras are
starting to be tested. Ksp is
training troopers in the use
(15:21):
of the technology so that when
the cameras do detect a speeder
and it sent to the the trooper
officer, the mdt that they can
then put that into a physical
citation to be issued. I have
heard from folks that already
with the the signage in place
and and the coverage by the
(15:43):
media and all pay is going on
that traffic are seeing the
signs and they're slowing down
and, you know, want that was
our goal, right? So we're
already achieve in. Well, we
set out to do now. All we don't
want to do is people get
complacent. They see him and
just go back to driving.
The weather were there was
about never is about issuing
citations. It's not a money
(16:06):
grab. Compare contrary to what
some people want to throw out
there. It's not about money
Gram. It's about safety.
>> Fines for speeding in work
zones, start at $500 and go up
to $10,000. If there are
injuries or deaths related to
a violation, those fines go
directly to the Transportation
(16:26):
Cabinet's Highway Work Zone
Safety Fund.
♪
♪
>> $158,204.
(16:47):
>> That's the annual gross and
calm. You need to be among the
richest one percent of
Kentuckians. The numbers are
from a business journal
analysis of IRS data,
Louisville Business first says
about 18,000. Kentuckians had
an income at that level or
higher, according to tax
returns filed in 2022.
We have important information
(17:08):
tonight about a deer disease
outbreak in Kentucky and 2
sheriff's offices will
cooperate with ICE. Our Joe
Gibbs has more in tonight's
look at headlines around
Kentucky.
♪
(17:28):
>> At least 2 sheriff's offices
have signed agreements to work
with Immigration and Customs
Enforcement or ICE. The Tribune
Currier says Lyonne and
Marshall County and signed
agreements to exercise limited
immigration enforcement powers
while performing routine police
duties such as identifying and
reporting aliens at DUI
(17:49):
checkpoints. Marshall County
Sheriff Matt Hale Brick says he
does not believe there's been
an increase in ICE activities
in Marshall County.
2 Republicans appear interested
in running for state. Senator
Jimmy Higdon is 14th District
Senate seat. The Lebanon
Enterprise says James Victory
has filed a statement of
spending intent with the state
(18:11):
while Washington County
Magistrate Steven V Carney has
already announced his candidacy
and then announced in September
he would not seek another term
in 2026.
If you see a deer that look or
act strange reporting to the
Kentucky Department of Fish
and Wildlife. The state is
(18:32):
tracking a deer disease
outbreak. The Mayfield
Messenger reports 2 incidents
in Graves County, including
8 days a year that made its
way into Central Elementary
school. The deer was removed
and euthanized. The state
reports about 800 suspected
cases of hemorrhagic disease in
deer this year. Up from about
200 last year.
(18:54):
Martin County as a new
Appalachian regional Healthcare
Mobile clinic. The Mountain
Citizen says it's in front of
the health department in 9 as
it will offer exams, Pap
smears, cervical cancer
screenings and jets for blood
pressure, cholesterol and
diabetes. With headlines around
Kentucky, I'm told he gives.
♪
(19:19):
>> The governor's office
reports the death of Jeane
forward. Why from former
Kentucky governor and U.S.
Senator Wendell Ford, Kentucky
Governor Andy Beshear says the
entire Ford family is in his
prayers. Senator for died in
2015. The governor says both
Fords made an enormous impact
across our commonwealth and
that they will not be
(19:41):
forgotten.
Kentucky has lost one of its
most outstanding riders.
A man who touched many lives
with his writing and his
teaching gurney. Norman died
Sunday at the age of 88 Norman
was known for stories of
Appalachia, including the novel
Divine Rights Trip and a
collection of short stories
(20:02):
called can folks. He was a
longtime English professor at
the University of Kentuckyian
director of the creative
writing Department. He also
narrated a series for KET
exploring the history and
culture of different areas of
Kentucky.
(20:29):
>> And the cost of going to
college continues to rise.
As you probably know. There are
many resources to help lower
that cost. Our Lord Rogers
spoke with a high school
counselor from Russell County
who recently had the tables
turned when she said her first
child to college last year.
And she says there are some
things even she learned in the
(20:50):
process.
>> Robin Racing is college and
career readiness counselor at
Russell County High School.
And Robin, aside from your
professional role, you're also
the parent of a college
freshman. So, you know, this
process very well. I want to
ask how you started planning
and saving for those college
expenses because we know how
(21:12):
costly it can be.
>> Absolutely. I'm it's scary
for parents to think about the
financial responsibility of
having a student in college.
But there are some things that
I did early on. Whenever my
all expressed interest in
wanting to pursue college
Sunday. And
that was had him walk into a
merit scholarship opportunities
(21:33):
at colleges based on his GPA
and is a city score the KET
money that students are in
while they're in hospital that
has helped tremendously.
And then, of course, following
the back so that federal aid
from the government.
>> This is your background.
So you had a lot of experience
and you KET a lot going into
the process, however, is there
anything you wish you had known
(21:54):
last year that, you know, now?
>> So when I took my sent on
college visits to senior year,
and I realize that they were
couple acknowledges that he
really focused on and that a
lot of attention and effort
into researching that once we
made it on campus, that wasn't
(22:14):
a fit for And so if one thing
I could've changed was I think
I would have got him on the
campuses earlier, possibly his
junior year so we could have
eliminated the college is that
we're not a fit for him.
>> I want to ask you more about
your role there. Russell
County, High School and how you
do help repair high school
seniors for that college
admissions process or whatever
(22:35):
they may want to do after
they graduate.
>> So after like I made the
case on between the student and
the military wrap, the partners
in our community with
businesses, Air Chamber of
Commerce era college maps.
I do a lot of planning to set
up meetings between students
and those. Those individuals
also have FAFSA workshops for
(22:56):
parents and students so we can
have them bother FAFSA in a
very relaxed environment with
plenty of help. I host college
application day. We just had
that on 6 excess of over 275
applications filled out.
We had people from all over the
state here to help us. I have
(23:17):
seen your newsletter. I have
correspondence with parents.
I do all the scholarships on
the credit coordinator. So I
play a role in just making sure
that the student feels more
prepared and the parent feels
better prepared to move that
scene on to the next step.
Whatever step that may be.
>> A little role that you play
there at Russell County High
(23:37):
School. Any common mistakes
that you see people make?
>> I'm possibly some common
mistakes that I see students
bank across the nation when it
comes to following and going
out scholarships following the
even applying to college.
And when they wait until the
last minute, it just makes it
(23:57):
harder for them.
>> And then back to that
affordability factor. What is
something that you think
everything year needs to know
needs to consider when it does
come to paying for college.
>> I feel like the everything
you need to know that there
are funds available for college
expenses and their scholarships
through military opportunities
(24:19):
through grants, work, study
options. There are
opportunities out there and it
never hurts precedent to go
ask a financial aid office or
scholarship office at the
college that their interests
and and explain their
circumstances and asked for any
available funding that might be
out there. But I think that
students, EU exhaust sends out
there before they look at
(24:40):
taking out a student loan.
>> Yes, can definitely save you
money in the long run.
Absolutely. Robin Rixon College
and career readiness counselor
at Russell County High School.
Thank you so much for your
perspective and your expertise
today. We really appreciate it.
Thank you.
>> Thank you, Laura. Some great
advice there. Hear more advice
(25:01):
from our panel of experts on
paying for college 2026.
Education matters. We discuss
the changes and this year's
FAFSA scholarships Grants and
more that program is streaming
online on demand at KET DOT
Org.
♪
(25:24):
>> It's a big birthday for
Lexington. The city of
Lexington is celebrating its
200 and 50th anniversary.
And KET is joining the
celebration.
>> Last night, hundreds of
people turned out at the
Kentucky Theater for a special
screening of our newest
documentary Chronicle lined the
city's establishment and some
of its more important moments
and events. Lexington to 50
(25:44):
years takes viewers on a
sprawling historical journey
that includes the Civil War,
the birth of Transylvania
University. Mary Todd Lincoln
and so much more the full 3,
our documentary premieres
Monday night at 8 Eastern 7
Central right here on KET.
It's must-see TV and it's must
see TV on Kentucky edition
tomorrow night at 6.30, Eastern
(26:08):
5.30, eastern or central time
when we inform connect and
inspire. We hope that you'll
connect with us all the ways
you might see on your screen.
We have some email newsletters
that we can send you and you
can watch videos and clips at
KET Dot Org. And you can also
find us on the PBS video app
that you can download on your
mobile device and smart TV.
Thank you so much for watching.
(26:28):
I'm Renee Shaw and I'll see you
>> It's not about money grab.
(00:07):
It's about safety.
>> Our cameras on Kentucky
highways making a difference.
>> From the perspective of the
business community, these
government shutdowns are never
>> Why shutdowns are bad for
business in Kentucky.
>> I think that's you see you
exhaust all options out there
before they look at taking out
a student loan.
(00:29):
And what a high school guidance
counselor learned about the
cost when her own child went
to college.
>> Production of Kentucky
Edition is made possible in
part by the KET Millennium
Fund.
♪
♪
(00:54):
>> Good Evening and welcome
to Kentucky EDITION for this
Tuesday, October, the 14th,
I'm Renee Shaw and our KET
Studios in downtown Louisville.
We thank you so much for
joining us this evening.
Federal changes are coming to
Kentucky schools. Not every
detail is settled, but the big
beautiful bill and the federal
(01:15):
government shutdown. We'll have
their impacts on K through 12
and higher education. Our June
Leffler has more as we kick
off tonight's Legislative
update.
>> Amid the federal shutdown,
the Trump administration has
laid off hundreds of employees
from the Department of
Education, specifically those
monetary in the civil rights of
(01:36):
special education students.
This Democratic lawmaker is a
special ed teacher in
Louisville. So last week the
Trump administration
effectively got to the Office
of Special Education. Can you
explain just based upon you
are insights? What will that
mean?
For the 15 billion dollars that
is appropriated through that
(01:58):
department.
>> Education funds are
generally forward funded.
And so there was a Trump shove.
funds that should have got out
on July 1st of this year and
then a larger Trump's that was
to be made available to states
on October. 1st, as I
understand that funding was
made available to states on
October. 1st. And so.
>> Well, there's, you know, at
least for the time being the
(02:19):
availability of funding.
I think there are now new
questions around the
department's capacity to
implement the many provisions
of the individuals with
Disabilities Education Act.
If the U.S.
staffing cuts are sustained
and again, knowing that these
were reported on Friday and
and folks are still trying to
(02:40):
gather Intel. The National
Conference of State
Legislatures spoke to a
Kentucky Education committee
today. The policy group advise
them of what to expect from the
big beautiful bill lets
students may qualify for free
and reduced lunch or medical
services in schools due to
eligibility changes to snap.
And Medicaid.
(03:00):
>> First.
>> But many schools use
participation in the SNAP
program as a proxy to certify
participation in the free or
reduced price lunch school meal
program. If a student is no
longer eligible for staff staff
but events, the school that
me to directly certified the
student to use a paper-based
application and that can often
times be complicated and can
(03:20):
result in some time students
who may be eligible not be
counted for those meal
programs.
>> In higher education, student
loan borrowers will face a
new reality.
>> Previously, the gradual
lending was limited at the
federal level. It because the
grad plus program the previous
program permitted students to
(03:41):
borrow up to the cost of
attendance and the cost of
attendance is set by the
institutions that so students
effectively face no limits on
what they were able to borrow
in order to pursue their
graduate education through the
grab. Plus program, that
program has been eliminated.
There are now new specific
limits on how much students can
borrow. Federal rulemaking is
underway that will hammer out
(04:02):
much of these details for
Kentucky edition. I'm Ju
Leffler.
>> Thank you. June. The federal
government shutdown hits the
two-week mark tonight at
midnight with no end in sight.
We discuss the shutdown and its
impact on the U.S. and Kentucky
economies with for business and
economic experts of different
perspectives last night on
(04:22):
Kentucky tonight, they talked
about the shutdown and the
ripple effect it can have on
people's pocketbooks.
>> The perspective of the
business community, these
government shutdowns are never
good. These are things that
we would like to see taken off
the table. You know, we elect
our members of Congress to work
through difficult questions
and to enter into negotiations
(04:44):
with each other. We would like
to see them do that. Businesses
in Kentuckyian throughout the
rest, the country depend on
various government services for
a variety of different things
that you can think about
federal contractors. You could
think about things seeking IPO
approvals for through through
the SEC. stands for the initial
public offerings as well as
(05:06):
simple things like asking
questions of government
agencies because when the
government shuts down, the
rules are all still there.
The questions are also there.
And so this is another one of
those things that can create
even more slow down to an
economy. And so it is something
that we're concerned about and
our message to Congress is to
do your job going, negotiate
figure these things out and get
the government back open.
(05:28):
We would like to see Congress
as well as the White House
engage in these meaningful
discussions and not let this
founder for too much longer.
We should now be very minor.
If you're talking about just a
couple of weeks. But as that
shutdown starts to extend the
new start, seen issues in terms
of people not getting
paychecks.
>> People start cutting back on
(05:49):
their spending as a result you
know, I'm not seeing that
paycheck You know, if you have
become a contracting circuit
worried about whether or not
you're going to be able to your
employees. So you start to see
kind of a you hear what kind of
affect us place, where we're
just kind of barely.
And any kind of disruption,
(06:10):
any additional shock to the
economy can kind of tip us over
to the point where actually
turn negative and
that could be really
problematic for the economy as
we kind of move forward.
>> Every 1 billion dollars.
This was the essence I got from
a modeling system.
For every 1 million dollars in
federal funding loss. You have
about a total actually of
(06:31):
3 million dollars lost to
contractors. Suppliers to the
government.
And then the employees of the
government not being able to
spend as well as the employees
of these
suppliers to the government
of weather is someone who the
cells, Lennon or other things
to a parachute manufacturer.
(06:52):
We have a couple of apparel
manufacturers for the military
here in Kentucky. I don't know
how badly the military is going
to be affected, but that's a
that's a key supplier. Humana
does track care insurance for
the United States military.
It also is a is a Medicaid
provider along with Anthem in a
couple of other major insurance
(07:14):
company. So when you have cuts
or rollbacks and spending, it
has a ripple effect and that
affects local restaurants.
Landlords for people who can't
pay their rent can pay their
mortgage or what have you not?
>> Among the sticking points,
the Republican budget plan and
subsidies that help people pay
for health insurance. Democrats
say without that help, millions
(07:34):
will have to pay a lot more.
One of our guests, Jason Bailey
of the progressive leaving
Kentucky Center for Economic
Policy says it's important to
KET those subsidies going and
to settle the question. Now.
I think
it is.
>> government shutdown is
painful and it needs to stop as
soon as possible. But a
doubling of your family's
(07:57):
health
care costs is the difference
between whether people get
life-saving care or not.
And a man is in a state that
has so many health. The health
challenges are Brady. I
think income. We're back on
that and increasing. I'm sure
it is a big problem. In one
thing I'll say about this, I
think it's important to have a
fight about health care.
Now there's an opportunity
(08:17):
because this is just the
beginning of what will be a
serious rolling health care
disaster to be quite frank.
HR one continues to be rolled
out. We expect over 200,000
Kentuckians to lose Medicaid
because of the requirements
that will go into effect, the
work reporting requirements
that go into effect next year.
We expect to see huge cuts to
(08:38):
hospitals and providers dead
in Kentucky. We have 35
hospitals at risk of closure.
If those payments go into
effect, pending cuts go into
effect. That's more than any
other state. So now's the time
now is an opportunity to have
an upside about health care.
And I think it's the right
thing to do to do that.
>> It was a lively and
informative discussion. Our
(08:59):
panel also talked about the
tariff impact on Kentucky
industries like bourbon and
soybean farmers. And you can
see all of that online on
demand at KET DOT Org Slash
K Y tonight.
Now here's another impact of
the federal government
shutdown. Cave tours are closed
at Mammoth Cave National Park
(09:20):
in South Central Kentucky.
That's according to the
National Park Service which
says other areas of the park
are, quote, accessible as
possible, unquote. Kentucky
State lawmaker wants to get rid
of a law that allowed for the
early release of Ronald exam
to us. He was found not guilty
by reason of insanity in the
stabbing death of a 6 year-old
(09:40):
named Logan Tipton in
Versailles in 2015. But he was
convicted of assaulting
Tipton's family, a lesser crime
which require he serve at least
20% of his 20 year sentence.
Exact list was released from
prison last month. Not by
Kentucky's parole board, but
through the mandatory re-entry
(10:01):
supervision program. His early
release sparked outrage online
and elsewhere and led to
members of the parole board
receiving death threats.
Our Emily Sisk sat down with
the lawmaker who hopes to
abolish the reentry program.
I don't think.
>> Annie One should be released
early from their sentence
(10:23):
without the OK?
>> The parole board state
representative TJ Roberts wants
to file a bill to abolish
mandatory re-entry supervision.
The program allowed Ronald de
Santis to be released from
prison early serving less than
half of his 20 year sentence
after stabbing 6 year-old Logan
Tipton to death and injuring
(10:43):
his sisters and father. This
came after the parole board
voted unanimously against exam
to says release.
>> The Commonwealth of Kentucky
fundamentally failed to protect
the Tipton family from Ronald
exam to sue, committed one of
the worst crimes that I could
ever imagine.
>> Representative Roberts said
there should be no circumstance
where the parole board does
(11:05):
not approve an inmate's
release.
>> It creates a contradiction
in of itself where we have
created a parole board. And
that parole board is human.
Why have a parole board if we
have a set of statutory factors
that just automatically really
someone attorney and former
state Senator Whitney
Westerfield explained more on
(11:25):
the mandatory re-entry
supervision program.
>> Westerfield pointed out that
inmates are let go only 6
months prior to their projected
release states. They're also
conditions set by the parole
board such as securing a jog
and meeting regularly with a
parole officer. Westerfield
said the program was intended
to make re-entry more
(11:46):
successful for inmates and cut
down on costs. If you're
>> targeting people that are
the last 6 months of their
obligated. Stay in custody.
And another was disqualified
for various reasons.
Letting them out again with
supervision. Supervision is
cheaper and more cost-effective
that typically more effective
for most offenders, then just
(12:07):
detaining them in house.
And then for those 6 months.
>> Westerfield also said
provisions from last year's say
for Kentucky Act or House Bill
5 would disqualify a violent
offender like eggs and tiss
from being eligible for early
release. If he had been
convicted and sentenced today.
>> It's worth mentioning House
Bill 5 actually makes him not
(12:29):
eligible for this. Now, all
this happened prior to the
House besides the next month.
>> Representative Roberts
maintained his position that
mandatory re-entry supervision
should be abolished and he said
exam to us should have served
a
longer sentence.
>> There are people that it's
worth spending tax dollars to
KET can find.
(12:50):
Relatives. And this is the
dictionary definition of
someone who should be held.
Away from civil society.
>> Westerfield disagreed that
the program should be
abolished, calling the idea
a knee-jerk reaction based on
one case he suggested updating
the language instead to tighten
up which types of inmates could
(13:12):
be eligible.
>> The program should be gone
the way it should be targeted
to the people who actually can
benefit from it. You don't have
to abolish the Hope Road home
program to make sure something
like this doesn't happen.
>> Roberts said he's open to
suggestions but wants to ensure
action is taken for the Tipton
family for Kentucky edition.
I'm Emily Sisk.
>> Thank you, Emily. Ronald
(13:33):
exact does has since been
arrested again in Florida for
failing to register as a
convicted felon. Officials
there say they want to move
exact us back to Kentucky
tomorrow. We'll hear from
another state lawmaker who's
planning to file a different
bill, but it's still related to
this case.
2 Republicans in the Kentucky
General Assembly Senator Steve
(13:53):
Rawlings and Representative
TJ Roberts plan to introduce
Bills making October 14th,
Charlie Kirk Day. Kirk is the
conservative activist who was
shot to death in Utah today
would have been his 32nd
birthday Rawlings praised Kirk
as a tireless advocate for free
(14:14):
speech. The 2026 Kentucky
General Assembly will be the
last for state Representative
Scott Lewis. The Messenger
Inquirer reports Lewis won't
seek re-election. The
Republican from Hartford
represents Ohio and Hancock
counties and part of Davis
County. He served in the House
since 2019.
Today, state lawmakers received
(14:35):
an update on the highway work
zone camera system created
earlier this year. House Bill
664. Is also known as the Jared
Lee Helton Act in honor of a
young Mcguffin County native
who was killed in a work zone
accident 6 years ago. The law
implements speed detection
cameras in work zones, which
report offenders to nearby law
(14:58):
enforcement officers.
Representative John Blanton is
the bill sponsor and co-chair
of the Interim Joint Committee
on Transportation. He says the
law is already making a
difference.
>> Seeing it on the news.
The signs are starting to be
put up. The cameras are
starting to be tested. Ksp is
training troopers in the use
(15:21):
of the technology so that when
the cameras do detect a speeder
and it sent to the the trooper
officer, the mdt that they can
then put that into a physical
citation to be issued. I have
heard from folks that already
with the the signage in place
and and the coverage by the
(15:43):
media and all pay is going on
that traffic are seeing the
signs and they're slowing down
and, you know, want that was
our goal, right? So we're
already achieve in. Well, we
set out to do now. All we don't
want to do is people get
complacent. They see him and
just go back to driving.
The weather were there was
about never is about issuing
citations. It's not a money
(16:06):
grab. Compare contrary to what
some people want to throw out
there. It's not about money
Gram. It's about safety.
>> Fines for speeding in work
zones, start at $500 and go up
to $10,000. If there are
injuries or deaths related to
a violation, those fines go
directly to the Transportation
(16:26):
Cabinet's Highway Work Zone
Safety Fund.
♪
♪
>> $158,204.
(16:47):
>> That's the annual gross and
calm. You need to be among the
richest one percent of
Kentuckians. The numbers are
from a business journal
analysis of IRS data,
Louisville Business first says
about 18,000. Kentuckians had
an income at that level or
higher, according to tax
returns filed in 2022.
We have important information
(17:08):
tonight about a deer disease
outbreak in Kentucky and 2
sheriff's offices will
cooperate with ICE. Our Joe
Gibbs has more in tonight's
look at headlines around
Kentucky.
♪
(17:28):
>> At least 2 sheriff's offices
have signed agreements to work
with Immigration and Customs
Enforcement or ICE. The Tribune
Currier says Lyonne and
Marshall County and signed
agreements to exercise limited
immigration enforcement powers
while performing routine police
duties such as identifying and
reporting aliens at DUI
(17:49):
checkpoints. Marshall County
Sheriff Matt Hale Brick says he
does not believe there's been
an increase in ICE activities
in Marshall County.
2 Republicans appear interested
in running for state. Senator
Jimmy Higdon is 14th District
Senate seat. The Lebanon
Enterprise says James Victory
has filed a statement of
spending intent with the state
(18:11):
while Washington County
Magistrate Steven V Carney has
already announced his candidacy
and then announced in September
he would not seek another term
in 2026.
If you see a deer that look or
act strange reporting to the
Kentucky Department of Fish
and Wildlife. The state is
(18:32):
tracking a deer disease
outbreak. The Mayfield
Messenger reports 2 incidents
in Graves County, including
8 days a year that made its
way into Central Elementary
school. The deer was removed
and euthanized. The state
reports about 800 suspected
cases of hemorrhagic disease in
deer this year. Up from about
200 last year.
(18:54):
Martin County as a new
Appalachian regional Healthcare
Mobile clinic. The Mountain
Citizen says it's in front of
the health department in 9 as
it will offer exams, Pap
smears, cervical cancer
screenings and jets for blood
pressure, cholesterol and
diabetes. With headlines around
Kentucky, I'm told he gives.
♪
(19:19):
>> The governor's office
reports the death of Jeane
forward. Why from former
Kentucky governor and U.S.
Senator Wendell Ford, Kentucky
Governor Andy Beshear says the
entire Ford family is in his
prayers. Senator for died in
2015. The governor says both
Fords made an enormous impact
across our commonwealth and
that they will not be
(19:41):
forgotten.
Kentucky has lost one of its
most outstanding riders.
A man who touched many lives
with his writing and his
teaching gurney. Norman died
Sunday at the age of 88 Norman
was known for stories of
Appalachia, including the novel
Divine Rights Trip and a
collection of short stories
(20:02):
called can folks. He was a
longtime English professor at
the University of Kentuckyian
director of the creative
writing Department. He also
narrated a series for KET
exploring the history and
culture of different areas of
Kentucky.
(20:29):
>> And the cost of going to
college continues to rise.
As you probably know. There are
many resources to help lower
that cost. Our Lord Rogers
spoke with a high school
counselor from Russell County
who recently had the tables
turned when she said her first
child to college last year.
And she says there are some
things even she learned in the
(20:50):
process.
>> Robin Racing is college and
career readiness counselor at
Russell County High School.
And Robin, aside from your
professional role, you're also
the parent of a college
freshman. So, you know, this
process very well. I want to
ask how you started planning
and saving for those college
expenses because we know how
(21:12):
costly it can be.
>> Absolutely. I'm it's scary
for parents to think about the
financial responsibility of
having a student in college.
But there are some things that
I did early on. Whenever my
all expressed interest in
wanting to pursue college
Sunday. And
that was had him walk into a
merit scholarship opportunities
(21:33):
at colleges based on his GPA
and is a city score the KET
money that students are in
while they're in hospital that
has helped tremendously.
And then, of course, following
the back so that federal aid
from the government.
>> This is your background.
So you had a lot of experience
and you KET a lot going into
the process, however, is there
anything you wish you had known
(21:54):
last year that, you know, now?
>> So when I took my sent on
college visits to senior year,
and I realize that they were
couple acknowledges that he
really focused on and that a
lot of attention and effort
into researching that once we
made it on campus, that wasn't
(22:14):
a fit for And so if one thing
I could've changed was I think
I would have got him on the
campuses earlier, possibly his
junior year so we could have
eliminated the college is that
we're not a fit for him.
>> I want to ask you more about
your role there. Russell
County, High School and how you
do help repair high school
seniors for that college
admissions process or whatever
(22:35):
they may want to do after
they graduate.
>> So after like I made the
case on between the student and
the military wrap, the partners
in our community with
businesses, Air Chamber of
Commerce era college maps.
I do a lot of planning to set
up meetings between students
and those. Those individuals
also have FAFSA workshops for
(22:56):
parents and students so we can
have them bother FAFSA in a
very relaxed environment with
plenty of help. I host college
application day. We just had
that on 6 excess of over 275
applications filled out.
We had people from all over the
state here to help us. I have
(23:17):
seen your newsletter. I have
correspondence with parents.
I do all the scholarships on
the credit coordinator. So I
play a role in just making sure
that the student feels more
prepared and the parent feels
better prepared to move that
scene on to the next step.
Whatever step that may be.
>> A little role that you play
there at Russell County High
(23:37):
School. Any common mistakes
that you see people make?
>> I'm possibly some common
mistakes that I see students
bank across the nation when it
comes to following and going
out scholarships following the
even applying to college.
And when they wait until the
last minute, it just makes it
(23:57):
harder for them.
>> And then back to that
affordability factor. What is
something that you think
everything year needs to know
needs to consider when it does
come to paying for college.
>> I feel like the everything
you need to know that there
are funds available for college
expenses and their scholarships
through military opportunities
(24:19):
through grants, work, study
options. There are
opportunities out there and it
never hurts precedent to go
ask a financial aid office or
scholarship office at the
college that their interests
and and explain their
circumstances and asked for any
available funding that might be
out there. But I think that
students, EU exhaust sends out
there before they look at
(24:40):
taking out a student loan.
>> Yes, can definitely save you
money in the long run.
Absolutely. Robin Rixon College
and career readiness counselor
at Russell County High School.
Thank you so much for your
perspective and your expertise
today. We really appreciate it.
Thank you.
>> Thank you, Laura. Some great
advice there. Hear more advice
(25:01):
from our panel of experts on
paying for college 2026.
Education matters. We discuss
the changes and this year's
FAFSA scholarships Grants and
more that program is streaming
online on demand at KET DOT
Org.
♪
(25:24):
>> It's a big birthday for
Lexington. The city of
Lexington is celebrating its
200 and 50th anniversary.
And KET is joining the
celebration.
>> Last night, hundreds of
people turned out at the
Kentucky Theater for a special
screening of our newest
documentary Chronicle lined the
city's establishment and some
of its more important moments
and events. Lexington to 50
(25:44):
years takes viewers on a
sprawling historical journey
that includes the Civil War,
the birth of Transylvania
University. Mary Todd Lincoln
and so much more the full 3,
our documentary premieres
Monday night at 8 Eastern 7
Central right here on KET.
It's must-see TV and it's must
see TV on Kentucky edition
tomorrow night at 6.30, Eastern
(26:08):
5.30, eastern or central time
when we inform connect and
inspire. We hope that you'll
connect with us all the ways
you might see on your screen.
We have some email newsletters
that we can send you and you
can watch videos and clips at
KET Dot Org. And you can also
find us on the PBS video app
that you can download on your
mobile device and smart TV.
Thank you so much for watching.
(26:28):
I'm Renee Shaw and I'll see you
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