September 30, 2025

London’s impeached mayor resumed his duties after a judge ruled the city council did not present sufficient grounds to remove him from office, four Kentucky congressmen ask House leadership to block language that would ban certain hemp-derived products, and a WKU student is living campus life to the fullest while shattering stereotypes.

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
[♪♪]

>> Renee (00:09):
AN IMPEACHED MAYOR IS
BACK ON THE JOB.
WHAT HE HAD TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE
WHO IMPEACHED HIM.
>> 95% OF AMERICANS ARE NOT
REACHING FIBER RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT
YOU EAT AND HOW YOU EAT IT.
>> JUST TO HAJJ OUT WITH THEM
AND DOING TIKTOKS WITH THEM.
>> THEY WERE SO EXCITED TO SEE

(00:32):
ME, TOO.
A STUDENT IS LIVING
CAMPUS LIFE TO THE FULLEST WHILE
SHATTERING STEREOTYPES.
>> PRODUCTION OF "KENTUCKY
EDITION" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN
PART BY THE KET MILLENNIUM FUND.
[♪♪]

(00:56):
GRNG GOOD EVENING,
WOMEN COME TO "KENTUCKY
EDITION", FOR THIS TUESDAY
SEPTEMBER 30TH.
I'M RENEE SHAW AND THANK YOU FOR
JOINING US.
LONDON'S FORMER MAYOR IS NOW
BACK IN CHARGE.
THE LONDON CITY COUNCIL
IMPEACHED MAYOR RANDALL WEDDLE
ON SEPTEMBER THE 5TH.

(01:17):
WEDDELL FACED THREE CHARGES OF
MISCONDUCT AND WILLFUL NEGLECT
AFTER THE IMPEACHMENT HE
APPEALED.
ACCORDING TO THE KENTUCKY
LANTERN DAVID WILLIAMS RULED
YESTERDAY THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
FAILED TO PRESENT SUFFICIENT
GROUNDS TO REMOVE HIM FROM
OFFICE.
HE RESUMED WORK AND LED A

(01:37):
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AFTER THE RULING.
HERE IS WHAT HE SAID.
>> YOU'VE DONE WHAT YOU'VE DONE.
AND THE COURTS HAVE OVERTURNED
YOUR RULING.
I'M JUST ASKING NOW THAT YOU
GUYS START WORKING WITH ME AND I
WITH YOU, AND LET'S MOVE THE
CITY OF LONDON FORWARD.
WE SHOULD BE DOING THE PEOPLE'S

(01:58):
BUSINESS AND PUTTING ASIDE ALL
OF OUR PERSONAL FEELINGS.
THAT IS WHAT WE'RE ELECTED TO DO
AND I HOLD NO GRUDGES IN WHAT
YOU'VE DONE AND THE CITY NEEDS
TO MOVE FORWARD WE HAVE A LOT OF
PROJECTS AND THINGS WE NEED TO
GET DONE.
THE DECISION HAS BEEN
APPEALED.

(02:19):
>>> FOUR CONGRESSMEN FROM
KENTUCKY ARE AMONG THE MEMBERS
OF CONGRESS ASKING HOUSE
LEADERSHIP TO BLOCK LANGUAGE
THAT WOULD BAN CERTAIN HEMP
DERIVED PRODUCTS.
THE GROUP SAYS THE LANGUAGE IF
ADDED TO AN APPROPRIATIONS BILL
WOULD CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF
LEGAL HEMP.
THAT WOULD HURT FARMERS WHO GROW

(02:42):
HEMP.
REPUBLICANS, JAMES COMER, AND AN
AND THOMAS MASSIE SIGNED A
LETTER TO HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE
JOHNSON.
DEMOCRAT MORGAN MCGARVEY ALSO
SIGNED THE LETTER.
ON THE OTHER SIDE, SOME
LAWMAKERS SAY THE CURRENT LAW
HAS A LOOPHOLE THAT ALLOWS
COMPANIES TO MAKE INTOXICATING
SUBSTANCES OUT OF HEMP.
MITCH McCONNELL TRIED TO

(03:02):
INSERT LANGUAGE INTO A BILL TO
CLOSE THAT LOOPHOLE, BUT SENATOR
RAND PAUL HAD IT TAKEN OUT.
>>> IT IS A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR
A YEAR BUSINESS.
TOURISM IN KENTUCKY HAS BIG
ECONOMIC IMPACTS.
BUT WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES
FACING KENTUCKY'S TOURISM AND
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRIES?
SOME ANSWERS CAME DURING A

(03:22):
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE HEARING
LAST WEEK IN FRANKFORT.
OUR MACKENZIE SPINK TELLS US
WHAT CHANGES TOURISM OFFICIALS
WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN TONIGHT'S
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.
>> HE OWNS A HOTEL BUSINESS IN
KENTUCKY HE SAYS SMALL
BUSINESSES IN THE STATE ARE
EXPERIENCING A VARIETY OF
CHALLENGES.
STARTING WITH LACK OF ACCESS TO

(03:43):
CHILDCARE.
>> ONE OF THE MOST PRESSING
ISSUES REGARDING THE WORKFORCE
IS THE LACK OF ADEQUATE
CHILDCARE RESOURCES.
TOO OFTEN EMPLOYEES ARE FORCED
TO LEAVE THE WORKFORCE OR SCALE
BACK HOURS BECAUSE THEY CANNOT
FIND OR AFFORD SAFE, RELIABLE
CHILDCARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
>> ACCORDING TO THE U.S. FEDERAL

(04:05):
RESERVE, KENTUCKY'S LABOR FORCE
PARTICIPATION RATE WAS 58.20% IN
AUGUST OF 2025.
PUTTING US IN THE BOTTOM SIXTH
WORST STATES.
BUT HAVING ENOUGH WORKERS IS NOT
THE ONLY WORRY FOR TOURISM
OFFICIALS.
>> ANOTHER MAJOR CHALLENGE IS
INCREASE IN INSURANCE COSTS
WHICH IS BECOMING A TREND WE
HAVE SEEN.

(04:26):
HOTELS BY THEIR NATURE ARE LARGE
COMPLEX PROPERTIES WITH
EXPOSURE.
AND IN RECENT YEARS NATURAL
DISASTERS AND WEATHER EVENTS,
FLOODS, STORMS AND SEVERE
CONDITIONS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A
SURGE IN PROPERTY CLAIMS ACROSS
THE COUNTRY DRIVING PREMIUMS
THROUGH THE ROOF FOR EVERYONE.
AT THE SAME TIME, LIABILITY
RISKS ARE A REALITY IN OUR

(04:49):
INDUSTRY.
ON TOP OF ALL THIS, INFLATION
HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DRIVEN UP THE
COST OF DOING BUSINESS.
>> ALTHOUGH HOTEL BUSINESS
LEADERS SHARED THAT 2025 IS
SEEING A SLOWDOWN FOR HOTELS,
OVERALL THE REPORT FROM THE
TOURISM INDUSTRY WAS POSITIVE.
>> I CAN DECLARE RIGHT OUT OF
THE GATE THAT THE STATE OF
TOURISM IN KENTUCKY IS STRONG,

(05:11):
IT'S VERY STRONG.
OVER 14 BILLION DOLLARS IN
ECONOMIC IMPACT FROM TOURISM.
THE SUPPORT OF NEARLY 100,000
JOBS BY TOURISM IN THE
CONTRIBUTION OF A BILLION
DOLLARS IN LOCAL AND STATE TAX
REVENUE.
>> THE REQUEST FROM THE TOURISM
REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING
KENTUCKY'S ROOM TAX.

(05:32):
A 1% TAX ON LODGING LIKE HOTELS
AND CAMPGROUNDS THAT GOES BACK
INTO TOURISM MARKETING FOR THE
STATE.
>> WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW
OUR OFFICES ARE FUNDED WE ARE
FUNDED THROUGH TRANSIENT TAX WE
GET THAT FROM THE HOTELS AND BED
AND BREAKFASTS AND SHORT-TERM

(05:53):
RENTALS.
AIRBNB THEY ARE NOT PAYING THEIR
LOCAL TRANSIENT TAX.
AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT OUR
INDUSTRY IS CURRENTLY IN A
LAWSUIT WITH AIRBNB.
AND WE ARE WANTING THOSE FOLKS
TO FOLLOW THE LAW, FOLLOW THE
LAWS THAT THE COMMONWEALTH HAS
PASSED AND ASK THEM TO PAY THEIR
FUNDS.
IN A CITY LIKE RICHMOND, WE HAVE

(06:13):
ABOUT 36 SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
OF THOSE 36, ABOUT 15 OF THOSE
ARE PAYING THE LOCAL TRANSIENT
TAX THAT IS A $20,000 LOSS TO
OUR TOURISM OFFICE.
>> WE REQUEST THAT YOU IN THE
UPCOMING SESSION DISREGARD ANY

(06:33):
ATTEMPT BY AIRBNB TO CHANGE THE
LOCAL TRANSIENT ROOM TAX IN THE
SAME WAY THAT THEY HAVE
DISREGARDED THEIR OBLIGATION TO
PAY THAT TAX AND HAVE
DISREGARDED IT FOR TWO YEARS AND
NINE MONTHS.
BUT WHO IS COUNTING?
>> IN JULY, THE KENTUCKY COURT
OF APPEALS DENIED AIRBNB'S

(06:56):
REQUEST TO OVERTURN A COURT
DECISION WHICH ALLOWS KENTUCKY
LEAGUE OF CITIES AND KENTUCKY
TRAVEL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION TO
PURSUE THE LAWSUIT AGAINST
AIRBNB.
FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M
MACKENZIE SPINK.
THANK YOU.
THE LAWSUIT ASKS THAT THE
FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT ISSUE A

(07:17):
JUDGMENT THAT AIRBNB IS A QUOTE
PERSON REQUIRED TO PAY TRANSIENT
ROOM TAXES.
>>> FROM EXER SANITIZE TO EATING
MORE FIBER TO STAYING MOTIVATED,
EXPERTS OFFERED IMPORTANT HEALTH
TIPS LAST NIGHT DURING THE
WELLNESS SHIFT A KET FORUM.
PART OF THE DISCUSSION WITH OUR
PANEL AND OUR VERY OWN CHRISTIE

(07:41):
DUTTON.
>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO SOMEONE
THAT YOU ARE COUNSELING
THROUGHOUT THE FITNESS JOURNEY
WHO IS NOT SEEING THE RESULTS
THEY WANT OR THE RESULTS ARE
INVISIBLE AT THAT MOMENT.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO KEEP THEM
MOTIVATED?
>> A LOT OF THE THINGS WE TALK
ABOUT ARE YOUR WHY.
WHY ARE YOU HERE?

(08:01):
WHY ARE YOU IN MY OFFICE THEY
SELF SELECTED TO SEE ME WHAT IS
IT THAT IS MOTIVATING YOU.
ONE THING IF YOUR PHYSICIAN SAYS
YOU NEED TO EXERCISE MORE AND
THEY MIGHT DO IT BUT THAT IS NOT
USUALLY THE CASE.
USUALLY WHAT I SEE IS, FOLKS WHO
MY MOM JUST HAD A HEART ATTACK
OR MY DAD IS IN A WHEELCHAIR AND

(08:23):
I DON'T WANT TO END UP WITH THAT
AND H OR I'VE BEEN DIAGNOSED
WITH A DISEASE AND I WANT TO
STOP THAT OR I WANT TO BE THERE
FOR MY KIDS OR GRANDKIDS.
IF WE CAN FIND THEIR WHY, WHY DO
YOU WANT TO DO THIS WHAT IS
MOTIVATING YOU TO MAKE THE
CHANGE THEN WE CAN HONE IN ON
THINGS THAT WILL HELP THEM GET

(08:45):
THERE.
>> AND A LITTLE BIT OF
PATIENCE, TOO, IN A JOURNEY
SOMETIMES YOU PLATEAU FOR A
WHILE, RIGHT?
AND MAYBE ADVICE THAT WE'VE NOT
HEARD OF BEFORE, WHICH MS.
TRUMAN YOU WERE TELLING US
DURING THE BREAK THAT SOME OF
THE ADVICE THAT YOU GIVE TO
PEOPLE THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE
HEARD BEFORE.

(09:05):
MAYBE YOU HAVEN'T EITHER.
LET US KNOW THAT ADVICE IT'S
REALLY INTERESTING.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE TOUCHED
ON ARE BLOOD FLU KOS LEVELS AND
INSULIN LEVELS AND EVERYBODY CAN
REDUCE HOW MUCH YOUR BLOOD SUGAR
IS GOING TO SPIKE AFTER A MEAL.
ONE IS CHANGING THE ORDER YOU

(09:26):
EAT YOUR FOODS.
I HAVE BROCCOLI, CHICKEN AND
RICE.
IF I EAT THE RICE FIRST AND THEN
MY CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI I'M
GOING TO GET A BLOOD SUGAR SPIKE
AND I WILL RELEASE MORE INSULIN.
BUT IF I EAT MY VEGGIES FIRST,
AND THEN MY MEAT AND THEN LEAVE
THE CARBOHYDRATE FOR THE LAST

(09:46):
PART I WILL HAVE A MUCH MORE
EVEN BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL AND
THEREFORE RELEASE LESS INSULIN
AND MORE LIKELY TO BURN EXCESS
ENERGY.
>> WHY IS THAT?
>> ONE PROTEIN IS EXPENSIVE TO
DIGEST IT SLOWS THE SYSTEM DOWN
SO YOU KIND OF ARE GIVING THE
BODY'S WORKING ON THAT LONGER

(10:07):
THAN IT IS HAVING TIME TO ABSORB
THAT FLU KOS AND THE --
GLUCOSE AND THE FIBER BECOMES A
GEL AND WILL PREVENT GLUCOSE
FROM BEING ABSORBED INTO THE
BLOODSTREAM.
>> YOU MENTIONED A CARB AND
FIBER RATIO.

(10:28):
>> YES.
THERE IS A FEW DIFFERENT, I
GUESS, RULES OR DEFINITIONS FOR
THAT.
THE 10 TO ONE RATIO WHICH IS FOR
EVERY 10 GRAMS OF CARBOHYDRATE
HAVING ONE GRAM OF FIBER THAT IS
ABOUT EQUAL TO WHOLE GRAIN
WHEAT.
SO IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT A
PACKAGE OF FOOD AND THERE'S 20

(10:50):
CARBOHYDRATES AND TWO GRAMS OF
FIBER THAT IS A BETTER OPTION
THAN 30 GRAMS OF CARBOHYDRATES
AND ONE GRAM OF FIBER.
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO LOOK AT
SOMEBODY WHO IS TRYING TO
MAXIMIZE GUT MICROBIOME HEALTH
AND FIBER INTAKE 95% OF
AMERICANS ARE NOT REACHING FIBER
RECOMMENDATIONS.

(11:10):
>> 95%?
>> 90% OF WOMEN ARE NOT AND 97%
OF MEN ARE NOT.
>> THAT IS MOST PEOPLE?
>> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> NOT GETTING ENOUGH FIBER.
>> CORRECT.
>> HOW MUCH ARE WE SUPPOSED TO
GET?
>> FOR WOMEN 25-30 GRAMS OF
FIBER AND MEN 38 GRAMS OF FIBER

(11:31):
AND THE NUMBER GOES DOWN AFTER
THE AGE OF 50.
THERE IS A LOT MORE TO
LEARN IF YOU WATCH THE WELLNESS
SHIFT CABLE TO BE STREAMED
ON-LINE AND ON DEMAND AT THE
ADDRESS ON YOUR SCREEN GO TO
KET.ORG AND WE MAKE IT SIMPLE
FOR YOU TO FIND IT.
>>> WE HAVE DRUG NEWS IN
DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE AND

(11:53):
A COUNTY WILL BE GETTING A NEW
SPLASH PAD.
TOBY GIBBS HAS MORE IN THIS LOOK
AT HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY.
[♪♪]
>> SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY DRUG
TEST FORCE FOUND AND DESTROYED
16 MARIJUANA PLANTS WORTH
$32,000 ON SEPTEMBER 12 NEAR THE

(12:16):
PRICE'S MILL COMMUNITY.
A TIP PROMPTED THE
INVESTIGATION.
THE TASK FORCE COVERED SIMPSON
AND ALLEN COUNTIES.
PEOPLE WILL GROW MARIJUANA
WITHIN CORNFIELDS IN THE HOPES
IT WILL BE HARDER TO SPOT.
>>> IT'S ESTIMATED THATNA LAX
OWN CAN SAVE MORE THAN 90% OF

(12:37):
PEOPLE WHO OVERDOSE ON DRUGS.
THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY HEALTH
DEPARTMENT DISTRIBUTED NALOXONE
TO SHELTERS ON SEPTEMBER 25 AS
PART OF SAVE A LIFE DAY.
THE DEPARTMENT TAKES PART IN 250
EVENTS A YEAR HANDING OUT
NALOXONE AND GAVE OUT KITS LAST

(12:58):
YEAR.
>> THE NEWS DEMOCRAT REPORTS
TRIMBLE COUNTY IS GETTING HALF A
MILLION IN STATE GRANTS FOR A
SPLASH PAD AND TRAIL UPGRADES TO
THE PARK.
THE PARK IS ON U.S. HIGHWAY 421
BETWEEN BEDFORD AND MILLION TON.
DURING A MEETING, THE JUDGE
SHOWED OFF ARCHITECTURAL

(13:19):
DRAWINGS OF THE SPLASH PAD AND
TRAILS.
>>> SPEAKING OF GRANTS THEY ARE
AVAILABLE TO HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS TO STUDY FARMERS HEALTH
AND THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE IS INVESTING
$200,000 FOR USE BY STUDENTS AND
FFA AND FOUR H AND HELP

(13:42):
OCCUPATION STUDENTS OF AMERICA A
$75,000 INCREASE OVER LAST
YEAR'S FUNDING.
WITH HEADLINES AROUND KENTUCKY
I'M TOBY GIBBS.
[♪♪]
A LEXINGTON WOMAN WHO
IS A COMMUNICATOR BY TRADE FINDS
HERSELF ON A QUEST TO SPREAD A

(14:02):
DIFFERENT MESSAGE ONE OF HOPE
AND HELP FOR THOSE DEALING WITH
MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES OR
CRISES.
TINA BRYSON LOST HER 20-YEAR-OLD
SON QUENTON TO SUICIDE ALMOST
TWO YEARS AGO.
HER GRIEF JOURNEY HAS EVOLVED
FROM DISBELIEF AND QUESTIONING
TO ADVOCACY AND HELPING TO SPARE

(14:22):
OTHERS THE PAIN SHE HAS ENDURED.
AS THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER COMES
TO A CLOSE SO DOES THE
RECOGNITION OF SUICIDE
PREVENTION.
FOR THOSE LIKE TINA HER MISSION
IS YEAR-ROUND.
SHE TALKED TO US YESTERDAY ABOUT
HER SON AND THE WORK SHE IS
DOING IN HIS MEMORY.
>> TELL US ABOUT YOUR SON

(14:43):
QUENTON?
>> OH, MY GOSH HE WAS SUCH A
BALL OF LIFE, A RAY OF SUNSHINE.
LOTS OF ENERGY, ALWAYS, ALWAYS
BOUNCING OFF OF EVERYTHING.
ALWAYS HAD A SENSE OF HUMOR A
WICKED SENSE OF HUMOR.
>> A WICKED SENSE OF HUMOR?
>> YES.
IF I WAS THINKING OF A FICTIONAL

(15:04):
CHARACTER IT WOULD BE LOW KEY.
TALENTED IN TERMS OF HIS ACTING
AND, I REMEMBER ONE TIME HE
DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO WORK ON
HIS AUSTRALIAN ACCENTED AND ONLY
TALK IN AN ACCENT AND YOU CANNOT
GO TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY.
AND HE WOULD ONLY ANSWER YOU IN
THE AUSTRALIAN ACCENT HE TOOK IT

(15:25):
SERIOUSLY.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS I REMEMBER
ABOUT HIM.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT
HOW YOU LEARNED AT THAT TIME HE
HAD DIED AND BY HOW HE PASSED?
>> SO CRAZY THING IS WE HAD GONE
TO CHURCH THAT MORNING.
GREAT SERVICE I WAS ON A SUPER
HIGH AND I REMEMBER HOMING HOME
AND THINKING I WILL KNOCKOUT
WORK.

(15:46):
I WAS SITTING IN MY OFFICE AND I
SAW A POLICE CAR PULL UP IN
FRONT OF THE HOUSE.
SO YOUR FIRST THOUGHT AS A
PARENT IS WHAT'S GOING ON?
AND THEY COME TO THE DOOR SO YOU
COME DOWNSTAIRS AND HE SAYS, HE
INTRODUCED HIMSELF AND SAID
GREENSBORO POLICE DEPARTMENT
ASKED ME TO CALL YOU.

(16:06):
I WAS THINKING HE'S BEEN
ARRESTED, IN A CAR ACCIDENT
ALONG THOSE LINES.
SO HE SAID, HERE IS THE NUMBER
TO THE DETECTIVE AND I CALLED
AND MY DAUGHTER WAS HOME.
SHE GOES TO THE SAME COLLEGE IN
NORTH CAROLINA IN GREENSBORO.
SHE WAS HOME ON WINTER BREAK
CHRISTMAS, THE 17TH SO THE WEEK

(16:28):
BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
I HAD HIM ON SPEAKER PHONE AND
CALLED THE DETECTIVE AND HE
STARTED OUT WITH I'M SORRY.
WE THINK WE FOUND YOUR SON.
AND HE HAD A VERY DISTINCT HIGH
SCHOOL GRADUATION RING.
AND I DESCRIBED THE RING.
AND HE JUST SAID WE ARE GOING TO

(16:48):
WAIT FOR CONFIRMATION AND YOUR
WHOLE WORLD JUST CRUMBLES FROM
THERE.
AND IMMEDIATELY WE HAVE TO GET
TO GREENSBORO.
I CALLED THE SIBLINGS HE HAS A
BROTHER HERE IN LEXINGTON, A
BROTHER THAT WAS IN LIVES IN
LOUISVILLE BUT HAPPENED TO BE IN
TENNESSEE AT THE TIME AND HE
SAID EU8'S MEET YOU THERE.
AND THE FAMILY JUST WENT TO

(17:09):
GREENSBORO.
AND THERE IS A LITTLE BIT WHEN
YOU ARE HOLDING OUT HOPE BUT YOU
KIND OF KNOW AND TRYING TO
PREPARE YOURSELF FOR GETTING
THERE AND THEN DEALING WITH IT.
AND ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT FLOOD
YOU AFTER THAT.
ALL THE WHY'S.
AND THAT'S THE BIG
QUESTION IS WHY A YOUNG MAN THAT
HAD SO MUCH PROMISE, VITALITY,

(17:29):
SO MUCH LIFE AND TO CAN YOU TALK
ABOUT WHERE HIS JOURNEY HAD
BEEN?
DID YOU SUSPECT THAT HE WAS
DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH
CHALLENGES?
>> NO, NOT AT ALL.
AND I THINK THAT WAS THE MOST
CONFUSING THING.
I TALKED TO HIM THE NIGHT
BEFORE.
WE WERE PLANNING A TRIP FOR THE
FAMILY WE'RE GOING TO GUANA.

(17:50):
IT WAS MY 55TH BIRTHDAY AND YOU
GOT YOUR PASSPORT AND WE HAD TO
HAVE SPECIAL SHOTS FOR DIFFERENT
THINGS.
AND I WAS LIKE DID YOU HAVE YOUR
COVID, YOU HAD TO HAVE YOUR
COVID CARD IN THE BACKSEAT.
MAKING SURE HE HAD EVERYTHING.
AND WE WERE TALKING JUST LIKE A
REGULAR CONVERSATION.
YEAH, I WILL SEE YOU ON
WEDNESDAY.

(18:10):
THIS WAS A SATURDAY NIGHT.
I GOT OFF THE PHONE ABOUT 11:00.
AND HE HANGS UP AND JUST AS I'M
HANGING UP I HEAR HIM SAYING
GOOD-BYE I LOVE YOU.
AND LIKE I HUNG UP AS --
I THINK HE WAS SAYING I LOVE YOU
GOOD-BYE.
SO I SENT HIM A TEXT AND I SAID

(18:31):
I THINK I HUNG UP ON YOU AND I
LOVE YOU SO MUCH I LOVE YOU MORE
THAN YOU KNOW.
I'M SUPER PROUD OF YOU AND ALL
YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED AND KNOW
THAT HARD WORK PAYS OFF.
HE WAS DOING WELL, AND I WAS
GIVING HIM THAT REINFORCEMENT
THAT AFFIRMATION HE WAS CAST IN
THE PRODUCTION AT NORTH CAROLINA

(18:52):
A AND T FOR THEIR SPRING SHOW.
HE WAS A SEMIFINALIST FOR A
DISNEY SCHOLARSHIP.
AND SO ALL THESE THINGS WAS ON
THE DEAN'S LIST THE HONEST
AUTHORIZE ROLE HE WAS DOING WELL
IN SCHOOL AND FOUND A JOB.
HE JUST --
IT FELT LIKE HE FOUND HIS PLACE
AND HIS STAR WAS RISING.

(19:13):
AND TO GET THAT CALL, LIKE YOU
COULDN'T PROCESS LIKE WHAT WAS
GOING ON.
WHEN WE WALKED INTO HIS
APARTMENT, HIS BED WAS MADE.
YOU KNOW A COLLEGE KID, THAT --
ALL HIS CLOTHES WERE WASHED AND
FOLDED ON TOP OF THE WASHING
MACHINE.
EVERYTHING WAS NEATLY STACKED IN
HIS ROOM.

(19:35):
AND HIS AMBULANCE KELT FROM WHEN
HE WAS A LITTLE BOY, BLANKY WAS
SPREAD OUT ON THE BED AND TO ME
IT LOOKED LIKE HE WAS LIKE I'M
DONE, I'M FINISHED.
BUT YOU TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW
CAN YOU BRING GOOD FROM IT?
CAN YOU SPOTLIGHT AND ENCOURAGE
OTHER PARENTS TO HAVE THOSE

(19:57):
CONVERSATIONS TO CHECK ON YOUR
KIDS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE HE WAS
OUT OF STATE.
AND SO THINGS THAT THEY TELL YOU
LOOK FOR CHANGES IN THEIR
BEHAVIOR.
LOOK FOR IF THEY ARE GIVING AWAY
THEIR BELONGINGS.
DAY-TO-DAY YOU ARE NOT
INTERACTING THAT WAY.
SO WHAT CONVERSATIONS CAN YOU
HAVE AND THAT IS THE GREAT THING
ABOUT SPOTLIGHTING SUICIDE

(20:17):
PREVENTION THIS MONTH IS GIVING
PEOPLE A CHANCE TO THINK LIKE I
SHOULD BE HAVING THAT
CONVERSATION.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK YOUR KIDS
HOW THEY ARE FEELING.
IF THERE'S ONE THING THAT I TOOK
FROM THAT, FROM QUENTON IS WHEN
I TALKED TO MY OTHER THREE
CHILDREN AND I ASKED THEM HOW
THEY ARE DOING NOT JUST LIKE HOW
IS SCHOOL AND HOW IS WORK?

(20:37):
BUT STOP AND SAY I REALLY MEAN
HOW ARE YOU DOING, TELL ME HOW
YOU ARE FEELING WHAT IS GOING ON
WITH YOU.
BECAUSE IT'S EASY TO GET INTO
HOW ARE THE THINGS BUT NOT HOW
ARE YOU AND THAT IS AN IMPORTANT
THING TO TAKEAWAY.
I KNOW AS A PERSON OF FAITH I
BELIEVE THAT I WILL SEE QUENTON
AGAIN AND THAT GIVES ME COMFORT.

(20:58):
WE LOST TWO BABIES PRIOR TO
THAT.
FOR TO PREMATURITY.
NO, ONE DAY I WILL SEE THEM ALL
AGAIN AND MY DAD AND PEOPLE THAT
HAVE GONE BEFORE AND THAT BRINGS
ME SOME KIND OF PEACE.
BUT ALSO I DO BELIEVE THAT
WHENEVER HARD THINGS HAPPEN TO

(21:18):
YOU IF YOU CAN HELP SOMEONE ELSE
IT HELPS PART OF THE HEALING IF
THE PURPOSE LIKE IF I CAN BRING
PURPOSE BY HELPING ANOTHER
FAMILY BECAUSE THEY HAD THAT
CONVERSATION THEN TO ME, THAT'S
THE WAY TO HONOR QUENTON.
THE BRYSON'S STARTED A

(21:39):
SCHOLARSHIP IN THEIR SON'S NAME
AT NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL
AND TECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY
TO HELP STUDENTS PURSUING THE
PERFORMING ARTS AND HOPE TO
ESTABLISH A HIGH SCHOOL
SCHOLARSHIP IN LEXINGTON.
IF YOU ARE OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW
IS CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE YOU CAN
CALL THE LIFELINE AT 9-8-8.

(22:03):
[♪♪]
A STUDENT IN THEIR
FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE IS DEFYING
EXPECTATIONS FOR THOSE WITH
DOWN'S SYNDROME.
SHE IS ENROLLED IN CLASSES,
JOINED A SORORITY AND EMERSING
HERSELF IN CAMPUS LIFE.
LAURA ROGERS SHARES SHE IS DOING
SO WITH SUPPORT FROM FAMILY,

(22:25):
FRIENDS AND THE COMMUNITY.
>> I'VE BEEN CHEERING FOR 10
YEARS.
AND I'M DOING SPECIAL OLYMPICS
GYM NAS GYMNASTICS.
>> L SHE IS THE FIRST PERSON
WITH DOWN'S SYNDROME TO ENROLL
IN THE SAVVY PROGRAM.
>> STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL

(22:46):
DISABILITIES THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY OF ATTENDING
COLLEGE.
>> SOCIAL ACT DEMS, VOCATIONAL
AND YOU IT IS A THREE-YEAR
TRANSITION PROGRAM.
>> THE GOAL IS TO GET THE SKILLS
AND HAVE A JOB IN THE LOCAL AREA
IN THE FIELD THEY WANT.
>> AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
ALREADY ONE OF CLAIRE'S

(23:07):
STRENGTHS.
>> I LOVE SHE IS THE FIRST
INDIVIDUAL WITH DOWN'S SYNDROME
TO BE ACCEPTED INTO A SORORITY
ON CAMPUS.
>> WE DO EVENTS AND TO HAVE
MEETINGS EVERY TUESDAY.
THEY WERE SO EXCITED TO SEE ME,
TOO.
I LIKE TO MAKE FRIENDS ON CAMPUS
AND OFF CAMPUS.
>> YOU SHOULD HAVE EXPECTATIONS
FOR CLAIRE BASED ON HER

(23:29):
CAPABILITIES NOT BASED 0 AND
WHAT YOU THINK DOWN'S SYNDROME
IS.
>> CLAIRE'S FATHER SHE LIVES AT
HOME AND HE ADMITS DROPPING HER
OFF ON CAMPUS HAS BEEN A
CHALLENGE TRANSITION FOR HIM AND
HER MOTHER.
>> ANYBODY THAT GOES TO COLLEGE
THERE IS A LEAP OF FAITH THAT
YOUR KIDS ARE GOING TO BE ABLE
TO MANAGE IT.
I HAVE TO TRUST NOW THAT CLAIRE

(23:50):
CAN GET AROUND CAMPUS ON HER OWN
AND DO CERTAIN THINGS AND IT IS
AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE THAT'S
FORCING ME TO KIND OF KEEP
OPENING DOORS FOR CLAIRE.
>> THOSE DOORS HAVE BEEN OPENED
THROUGH HER EXPERIENCE AT DOWN
SIRN DRONE OF SOUTHERN KENTUCKY
AND BUDDY HOUSE.

(24:11):
>> CLAIRE IS SO LOVABLE AND
INTELLIGENT.
SHE IS VERY ARTICULATE WITH HER
LANGUAGE.
>> STEPHANIE MORTON FELT CERTAIN
CLAIRE COULD BE A GOOD CANDIDATE
SO MUCH SO SHE WAS AWARDED A
SCHOLARSHIP.
>> WE WERE ABLE TO SURPRISE HER
AND SHE BROKE INTO TEARS WHICH
CAUSED ME TO BREAK INTO TEARS.

(24:33):
THE APPRECIATION SHE HAD FOR IT
SHE KNEW WHAT IT MEANT TO HELP
HER AND SHE KNEW THE IMPORTANCE
OF THAT SCHOLARSHIP.
>> IT SIGNIFIES THE WEIGHT OF
THE MOMENT.
>> IT'S CALLED THE BEYOND LIMITS
SCHOLARSHIP THERE'S BEEN A
CEILING WITH INDIVIDUALS FOR SO
LONG BECAUSE PEOPLE
UNDERESTIMATE THEIR ABILITY.

(24:53):
>> BECAUSE DOWN SYNDROME YOU CAN
LOOK AT SOMEONE AND GO OH, YOU
HAVE DOWN SYNDROME IT SETS
PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS AND I
DON'T THINK PEOPLE TEND TO
APPRECIATE THE DIFFERENCES OF
INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME.
>> A LOT DON'T KNOW WHAT DOWN

(25:14):
SYNDROME IS, HEY I LOOK
DIFFERENT BUT I'M NOT DIFFERENT
FROM YOU.
>> AND THAT IS A LESSON WORTH
LEARNING.
FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M LAURA
ROGERS.
THANK YOU.
GREAT INSPIRING STORY, INDEED.
THERE ARE EIGHT STUDENTS
ENROLLED IN SAVVY AT WKU.

(25:34):
THEY ALSO HAVE PEER MENTORS
STUDENTS IN THE GRADUATE
PROGRAM.
[♪♪]
KENTUCKY'S SECRETARY
OF THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND
FAMILY SERVICES ISN'T MINCING
WORDS WHEN TALKING ABOUT
VACCINES.
>> DISEASES DO NOT CARE WHAT
YOUR POLITICAL BELIEFS ARE, THEY

(25:55):
DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR BELIEFS ARE
THEY DO NOT CARE.
ALL THE DISEASES ARE LOOKING FOR
ARE HUMANS TO INFECT AND 4UR9.
HURT.
I FIND IT RECKLESS, CALLOUS,
CRUEL AND IRRESPONSIBLE TO
ENDANGER PEOPLE BY HAVING THIS
ASSAULT ON SCIENCE AND MEDICINE
WHICH CAUSES PEOPLE TO DOUBT

(26:15):
THINGS THAT HAVE LONG KEPT THEM
SAFE.
THE DOCTOR DOES NOT
HOLD BACK HIS REBUTTAL AND MORE
TOMORROW ON "KENTUCKY EDITION"
WHICH WE HOPE TO SEE YOU FOR
AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT.
THANKS FOR WATCHING.