[♪♪] >> Gov.

Andy Beshear: TORNADOES ARE EXPECTED.

AND I KNOW THAT'S TOUGH TO HEAR.

>> Renee: THE GOVERNOR SAYS GET READY FOR MORE BAD WEATHER.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING IS MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE INFORMATION AND EVERYTHING IS ACCURATE BEFORE WE PUT IT INTO A BILL.

>> Renee: LAWMAKERS DEBATE WHETHER BILLS MOVE TOO FAST IN FRANKFORT.

>> I CAN MOVE THINGS MILLIMETER BY MILLIMETER TO GET THE FUNCTION OPTIMAL AS POSSIBLE AND SPEED UP RECOVERY.

>> Renee: WHEN IT COMES TO SHOULDER REPLACEMENT SURGERY THIS ROBOT REALLY OPERATES.

>> IF YOU CAN MOVE THAT SWEET SPOT, ABOUT THE SIZES OF A SILVER DOLLAR IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE PERFORMANCE.

>> Renee: AND THE KENTUCKY CONNECTION TO A DIFFERENT BAT THAT HAS SOME FANS CRYING FOUL.

>> PRODUCTION OF "KENTUCKY EDITION" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE KET MILLENNIUM FUND.

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION."

IT IS WEDNESDAY, APRIL THE SECOND, I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE THANK YOU FOR WINDING DOWN YOUR WEDNESDAY WITH US.

WELL, WE ARE BRACING FOR SOME TOUGH WEATHER.

KENTUCKY FACES FOUR DAYS OF ROUGH WEATHER WITH WINDS, FLOODS AND EVEN TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HAS ALREADY DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

THE BAD WEATHER IS EXPECTED TO START TONIGHT AND MOVE INTO THE REST OF THE STATE OVERNIGHT.

HERE IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID THIS MORNING.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: IT IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING FOR FAR WESTERN KENTUCKY WHICH IS GOING TO SEE POTENTIALLY HISTORIC AMOUNTS OF RAIN OVER A FOUR-DAY PERIOD.

AND MAYBE MOST CONCERNING OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

WE COULD SEE SOME TORNADOES THROUGHOUT KENTUCKY THAT COULD BE REALLY STRONG.

AS YOU LOOK IN OUR FIRST SLIDE, YOU ALMOST NEVER SEE THAT NUMBER FIVE THAT HIGHEST POTENTIAL RISK THAT THEY CAN FORECAST.

THE FOUR IS SCARY ENOUGH ON ITS OWN.

AND THE THREE IS WHAT WE NORMALLY SEE FOR AN EVENT WE WOULD COME TO YOU AND TRY TO TELL YOU TO BE PREPARED AND BE READY.

IF YOU LOOK HERE, YOU CAN SEE THAT EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE.

ALL DIFFERENT RISKS.

MEDIUM, HIGH, THE CONCERN ABOUT TORNADOES.

HAIL.

WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO HAVE STRONG WIND AND ESPECIALLY OVER THE NEXT FOUR DAYS REAL FLOODING CONCERNS.

>> Renee: GOVERNOR BESHEAR URGED PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN MOBILE HOMES TO FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE TO STAY TONIGHT.

HE SAYS IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BASEMENT BE PREPARED TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD IS ALREADY ON STANDBY TO RESPOND.

THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET IS ALSO ON ALERT.

SO, PLEASE, BE WEATHER AWARE.

>>> THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY LAUNCHED A NEW TOOL TO HELP PEOPLE STAY ON TOP OF SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN THE STATE.

THE WEATHER ALERT APP WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED FOR FARMERS.

NOW ALL KENTUCKIANS CAN DOWNLOAD IT FOR FREE ON THEIR SMARTPHONE.

WE SPOKE TO ONE OF THE METEOROLOGISTS BEHIND THE APP ABOUT THE FEATURES.

>> THIS APP HAS TWO MAIN GOALS: TO HEIGHTEN AWARENESS DURING EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS.

AND SECONDLY EMPOWER KENTUCKY FARMING OPERATIONS WITH VALUABLE INSITEDS FOR PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS.

WE HAVE A MAJOR SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION ON OUR HANDS UNFOLDING TODAY AND THE REST OF THIS WEEK WITH EXTREME RAINFALL IN THE FORECAST.

WE HAVE TORNADOES IN THE FORECAST TONIGHT.

AND HAVING THIS APP IS ANOTHER SOURCE FOR RECEIVING WARNING INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL FEATURES ON THE APP.

THE FIRST ONE YOU DOWNLOAD IT AND YOU GET HOURLY AND DAILY DATA, SIMILAR INFORMATION ON ANY OTHER WEATHER APP.

WE INCLUDED A HIGH RESOLUTION RADAR AND YOU CAN ADD TORNADO WATCH BOXES.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH BOXES.

YOU CAN OVERLAY THE RADAR WITH WARNING POLYGONS IF WE DO HAVE A TORNADO WARNING ISSUED YOU CAN SEE THE POLYGON OVERLAID ON THE RADAR MAP WITH PRECIPITATION.

UNIQUE WITH THIS RADAR YOU CAN SEE LIGHTNING STRIKES FROM THE AREA AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLOUD-TO-GROUND AND CLOUD TO CLOUD LIGHTNING.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY EXTRA FOR THE LIGHTNING FEATURE AND YOU DON'T PAY ANYTHING EXTRA AT ALL.

IT'S MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU FOR FREE THROUGH KENTUCKY EXTENSION.

IN ADDITION YOU WILL GET WARNING ALERTS SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE IF YOU ARE UNDER A TORNADO WARNING.

BUZZ, BUZZ, BEEP, BEEP TAKE SHELTER.

SAME THINGS GOES FOR WIND ADVISORY AND SAME THING GOES FOR A FREEZE WARNING THAT WE MAY SEE NEXT WEEK WITH THE COLDER CONDITIONS ON THE WAY.

IF THERE IS LIGHTNING IN YOUR AREA, YOU WILL GET AN ALERT THAT LIGHTNING IS WITHIN 15 MILES OF YOUR LOCATION.

THAT CAN BE GPS BASED OR YOU CAN PICK YOUR OWN LOCATION ON THE APP.

TAKING ALL THAT AND PUT IT TOGETHER, WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP KENTUCKIANS SAFE.

IT IS ANOTHER SOURCE FOR GETTING WARNING INFORMATION OUT TO THE PUBLIC.

>> Renee: WHAT A HELPFUL TOOL.

DIXON EMPHASIZES IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE MUTUAL POLE WAYS OF GETTING WARNING INFORMATION AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO HAVE A NOAA WEATHER RADIO IN THEIR HOME.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WEATHER ALERT APP GO TO THE WEBSITE ON THE SCREEN.

WE ARE TAKING NOTE OF IT AS WELL.

>>> A SOUTHERN KENTUCKY SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCING A BIG EXPANSION IN ITS CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

BOWLING GREEN SCHOOLS HOSTED A RIBBON DUGOUTING FOR I ANEW BUILDING FUNDED BY $8 MILLION ALLOCATED FROM THE BETTER KENTUCKY PLAN.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SIGNED OFF IT IN 2022.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS MATCHING 10% FOR THE CONSTRUCTION IT WILL HOUSE THREE PROGRAMS WITH SPACE FOR A CHILDCARE CENTER, TEMPERATURE DEPARTMENT AND INDUSTRIAL -- TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT AND INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE.

>> THESE FACILITIES, THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE GOING TO MAKE A GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCE.

THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE STUDENTS IN THESE PROGRAMS.

THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE POTENTIALLY ON THEIR PARENTS AND THEY ARE CERTAINLY GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON THE NEXT GENERATION THE CHILDREN OF THE STUDENTS GOING THROUGH THE PROGRAMS TODAY AS THEY GET A FIELD TO PUT THEM IN HIGH DEMAND POSITIONS IN THE WORKFORCE.

>> THE AVERAGE WAGE FOR INCENTIVIZED JOBS WE ANNOUNCED IS $26 AN HOUR.

AND YOU CAN EARN THAT WITHOUT A COLLEGE DEGREE.

AND SO IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GO TO COLLEGE OR NOT READY FOR COLLEGE, RIGHT NOW THERE IS A GOOD JOB OUT THERE.

AND WE SHOULDN'T LOSE ONE GRADUATING SENIOR FROM A HIGH SCHOOL RIGHT NOW.

WE CAN GET THEM IN A GOOD JOB.

WE CAN GET THEM IN A GOOD SOLID POSITION.

THIS IS A CHANCE TO CHANGE SO MUCH THAT WE'VE SEEN AROUND OUR COMMONWEALTH WITH $26 AN HOUR WE COULD IMPACT GENERATIONAL POVERTY BY MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF THESE STUDENTS HAVE A PATHWAY.

AND WE DON'T HAVE TO PICK IT FOR THEM.

WE HAVE TO EMPOWER THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THAT PATHWAY.

>> Renee: THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS ITS PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL INDUSTRIES AND EMPLOYERS ARE A MAJOR ASSET BECAUSE THEY HIRE MANY GRADUATES.

INTEREST HAS GROWN FROM A HANDFUL OF STUDENTS TO 80 IN THE PROGRAM.

INSTRUCTORS SAY OFFERING THESE COURSES HAVE ALSO SOLVED BEHAVIORAL ISSUES.

>> IT CHANGES THEM BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES IF YOU ASK THEM HOW MANY WRITE UPS I HAVE OR PROBLEMS, MOST OF THOSE THAT THEY CHANGE WHEN THEY GET DOWN THERE THEY ARE NOT STUCK IN A CLASSROOM WHERE THEY HAVE TO SIT DOWN, LOOK AHEAD, WRITE.

YOU CAN'T DO THIS.

AND WITH THIS CLASS, THEY GET TO GET UP AND START MAKING THE DECISIONS.

WE DO A LOT OF PROBLEM SOLVING AND IT ALLOWS THEM TO GET UP AND THIS BECOMES THEIR PROGRAM.

>> Renee: THE EVENT INCLUDED THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A NEW PATHWAY, BOWLING GREEN SCHOOLS WILL PART INSURANCE WITH SKY-CTC TO OFFER AN HVAC PROGRAM IN AUGUST.

>>> THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STANDS TO LOSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL AID.

LINDA MCMAHON SAYS HER DEPARTMENT IS PULLING BACK UNSPENT KOIFERRED RELIEF FUNDS.

THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION ROBBIE FLETCHER SAYS THE DECISION COULD MEAN A LOSS OF $34 MILLION FOR 13 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

HE SAYS THAT MONEY WAS PRIMARILY EARMARKED FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTINGS AND SCHOOL BUS PURCHASES.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ED HAS PREVIOUSLY GIVEN STATES AN EXTENSION TO SPEND DOWN ALL OF THE COVID RELIEF FUNDS BY THE END OF MARCH 2026.

THE LETTER RESCINDED THAT EXTENSION.

IN A LETTER TO THE KENTUCKY SUPERINTENDENT, DPLECHER IS ASKING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REINSTATE THE PREVIOUS DEADLINE.

>>> KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS FILED ALMOST 1100 BILLS AND PASSED NEARLY 100 OF THEM DURING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION THAT ENDED LAST FRIDAY.

SOME DEMOCRATS COMPLAIN THE PROCESS IS OFTEN TOO FAST AND BILLS ARE RUSHED THROUGH BEFORE THE PUBLIC CAN SEE THEM AND COMMENT.

REPUBLICANS SAY THE PROCESS IS FAIR.

AND THAT DEMOCRATS USED TO RUSH THROUGH BILLS THE SAME PROCESS WHEN THEY CONTROLLED THE TWO CHAMBERS.

WE HEARD FROM BOTH SIDES MONDAY NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT".

>> WE CONTINUE TO ONLY AT THE END OF SESSION WHEN WE THROW BILLS TOGETHER AND DO COMMITTEES, THOSE ARE ALL ISSUES TALKED ABOUT DURING THE SESSION.

ALL ISSUES MANY THAT HAVE PASSED A COMMITTEE, HEARD ON THE HOUSE FLOOR OR THE SENATE FLOOR, GONE TO THE OTHER CHAMBER.

MANY TIMES MOST TIMES THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE SEEING.

YOU ARE NOT SEEING THINGS WE'VE PULLED OUT OF THE AIR AND NO ONE DISCUSSED OR TALKED ABOUT AND THROWN IT INTO BILLS.

I THINK ALSO WHAT YOU SEE IT MAKES IT MORE TRANSPARENT BECAUSE WE TAKE ISSUES THIS LEADERSHIP TEAM, MAJORITY, TAKE ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE DISCUSSED AND GET FURTHERMORE INFORMATION AS WE GO ALONG IN THE PROCESS.

WE ALLOW IT TO SIT OUT THERE TO GET INPUT AND HAVE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IT AND THEN WHEN WE COME IN THE LAST FEW DAYS TO PASS IT.

WE'RE MAKING SURE WE HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION AND EVERYTHING IS ACCURATE BEFORE WE PUT IT INTO A BILL.

>> Renee: DO YOU AGREE?

>> NOPE.

WE SOMETIMES FAST TRACK BILLS IN COMMITTEE AND TWO HOURS LATER THEY ARE ON THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE.

A LOT OF TIMES THERE ARE SUBSTITUTES FROM A THREE-PAGE BILL TO 80-PAGE SUBSTITUTE AND NO ONE CAN GO THROUGHTH THAT QUICKLY.

SOMETIME IT IS COMES THROUGH LATE AT NIGHT.

THIS I KNOW...

THE PUBLIC, THE PEOPLE WE SERVE DON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ IT AND ABSORB IT AND COME TO FRANKFORT AND SAY I AGREE OR DISAGREE.

WE USED TO HAVE A VERY TRANSPARENT PROCESS.

THREE DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.

TWO DAYS -- WE HAD RULES AND THEY WERE DESIGNED SO THE PUBLIC CAN KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING.

>> Renee: BUT THE RULES WERE OFTEN SUSPENDED UNDER DEMOCRATS WHEN THEY CONTROLLED THE HOUSE?

>> DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS I'M JUST SAYING THAT WHOEVER DID IT, THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT IS IN THE BILLS.

>> Renee: YOU CAN HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT TOPIC AND THE BILLS PASSED BY THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" ON-LINE ON DEMAND AT KET.ORG/KYTONIGHT.

[♪♪] >> I'M LAURA ROGERS CHECK IN WITH NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO'S RYLAND BART TON TO BREAKDOWN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND LET'S BEGIN WITH BRETT GUTHRIE WHO REPUBLICANS KENTUCKY'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND PUBLISHED ARTICLE THEY HAD LIGHT TO GET THE HIGH PROFILE APPOINTMENTS.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS.

>> THIS ARTICLE IS FROM A FORMER LONG TIME POLITICAL REPORTER AT THE COURIER JOURNAL.

HE NOTICED THIS REPORT THAT SHOWED THAT SECOND DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN BRETT GUTHRIE IS ONE OF THE MOST PROLIFIC FUNDRAISER FOR REPUBLICANS AND THERE IS A PROCESS WHICH YOU WANT A POWERFUL COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP YOU NEED TO BE ONE OF THE TOP FUNDRAISERS DONATING FROM YOUR CAMPAIGN TO THAT.

REALLY THE LARGER POT THAT GOES TO ELECTING CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS.

HE RAISED OVER TWO YEARS, $2.5 MILLION WHICH IS FAR AND ABOVE THE NEXT HIGHEST FUNDRAISER WHICH IS ABOUT A LITTLE LESS THAN $1.5 MILLION.

AND THIS TIME AROUND CONGRESSMAN GUTHRIE LANDED THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE TASKED FINDING $800 MILLION TO CUT IN PROGRAMS TO MEET REPUBLICANS' GOAL OF GETTING $2 TRILLION FROM THE BUDGET GOING FORWARDS TO PRESERVE THE TAX CUTS.

THE ARTICLE IS SHOWING HOW THERE IS A PROCESS WHERE IF YOU WANT TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE POWERFUL COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIPS YOU NEED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST PROLIFIC FUNDRAISERS AND HE HAS BEEN A GREAT FUNDRAISER FOR A LONGTIME.

BUT IT WORKED OUT THAT REPUBLICANS ARE IN POWER IN THE HOUSE AND ALSO HE IS AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT IN SENIORITY WHERE THAT IS GOING TO WORK FOR HIM.

IT MENTIONS THE THOMAS MASSIE IS ONE OF THE LARGEST CRITICS OF THIS PROCESS.

HE SAID HE WAS TOLD IN THE BEGINNING DURING ORIENTATION IF YOU WANT ONE OF THE HIGH PROFILE COMMITTEES YOU HAVE TO RAISE THE MONEY FOR IT.

AND MASSIE REFUSED AND HE IS NEVER GOING TO BE APPOINTED TO ONE OF THE SO-CALLED A-LIST COMMITTEES AND WHEN REACHED OUT FOR COMMENT HE SAID HE STILL CALLS IT EXTORTION AND SAID IT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL.

>> AND TO THE U.S. SENATE WHERE MITCH McCONNELL'S SEAT WILL BE OPEN WHEN HIS TERM ENDS.

AND DEMOCRAT PAMELA STEVENSON WHO HAS WE KNEW SHE WAS DIPPING HER TOE IN THE WATERS OF RUNNING FOR THAT SEAT BUT IT'S NOW OFFICIAL.

TELL US WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE AS THE RACE IS SHAPING UP?

>> RIGHT.

SO MITCH McCONNELL'S SEAT WILL BE UP FOR REELECTION IN 2026.

SHE IS THE ONE DEMOCRAT WHO TOSSED THEIR HAT INTO THE RING SO FAR.

WE HEARD EARLIER THIS YEAR SEVERAL REPUBLICANS ARE MAYBE LINING UP FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON BEING THE ONE REPUBLICAN WHO IS ALREADY GOING TO BE RUNNING AND U.S.

CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR POSSIBLY.

LEXINGTON NATE MORRIS.

PAMELA STEVENSON IS THE TOP DEMOCRAT IN THE HOUSE IN THE KENTUCKY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SHE IS FROM LOUISVILLE.

SHE IS KNOWN FOR HER FIERY SPEECHES.

SHE HAS BEEN IN THE MINORITY PARTY THE WHOLE TIME DURING HER TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE, BECAUSE DEMOCRATS FELL OUT OF THE MAJORITY BACK IN 2016.

SHE RAN FOR STATE-WIDE OFFICE LAST TIME AROUND IN 2023.

THE ONLY DEMOCRAT TO WIN STATE-WIDE ELECTION THAT TIME WAS ANDY BESHEAR SHE LOST BY SIGNIFICANT MARGIN TO CURRENT ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN.

WE'LL SEE IF ANY OTHER DEMOCRATS GET IN THE RACE.

THIS IS A LITTLE BIT EARLY AT THIS POINT.

ANOTHER CONTENDER HAS BEEN MENTIONED IS POSSIBLY ROCKY ATKINS.

I READ IN AN ARTICLE THAT HE WAS SPOKESPERSON REACHED OUT TO FOR COMMENT AND HE SAID HE IS WEIGHING OPTIONS.

IT CAN BE AN OPEN FIELD AND SEE WHO ELSE LINES UP FOR THIS POSSIBLE ADMINISTRATION.

>> AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS CONTINUING ITS ROUND OF MAKING CUTS TO SEVERAL FEDERAL AGENCIES WANTING TO SHRINK THE FEDERAL BUDGET AND THIS WILL MEAN A LOSS IN SOME MONEY WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH GRANTS FOR KENTUCKY.

GRANTS THAT CAME IN FROM COVID-19 RECOVERY.

TELL US WHAT THAT IMPACT COULD BE?

>> THE NEW U.S. HEALTH SECRETARY UNDER TRUMP, ROBERT F. KENNEDY ANNOUNCED HE IS SUSPENDING GRANTS FOR COVID HEALTHCARE.

BUT THESE GRANTS HAVE ALSO SINCE THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC GONE ON TO FUND OTHER THINGS.

KENTUCKY STANDS TO LOSE $150 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR THESE GRANTS.

THIS IS MONEY THAT GOES TO LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION AIS SOUNDINGED ALARM SAYING IT'S GOING TO AFFECT VACCINE OUTREACH, EDUCATION AND SERVICE PROGRAMS, MOBILE VACCINATION SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS THIS IS ONE OF MANY CUTS THAT KENTUCKY AND OTHER STATES ARE STANDING TO LOSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PLAYS A HUGE ROLE AND THIS IS WHERE A LOT OF THAT FEDERAL MONEY SPILLS OUT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND GETS SPENT ON PROGRAMS NOT ONLY PUTTING PEOPLE TO WORK BUT PROVIDING IMPORTANT SERVICES.

I WANT TO POINT OUT ANOTHER ONE ANOTHER ARTICLE THAT POINTED THIS OUT ON THE NATIONAL INSTITUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH LAYOFFS AND IT AFFECTS RESEARCH THAT MONITORS THE HEALTH OF COAL MINERS AND CREATES SAFER OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PEOPLE IN THE COAL INDUSTRY AND BEYOND AND ALREADY WE'VE SEEN THAT THIS GROUP IS GOING THROUGH LAYOFFS ABOUT 400 FOLK WHO ACTUALLY CONDUCT RESEARCH ON MININGS.

WE ARE JUST SEEING THE BEGINNING.

SOME OF THE DECISIONS HAVE BEEN LOCKED UP IN THE COURTS.

AT THIS POINT THIS IS THE LATEST NEWS WHAT WE'VE HEARD ON THE HEALTH FRONT AND HOW IT'S SPILLING OUT IN THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF WORKERS ARE REINSTATED OR GRANT MONEY IS RETURNED.

BUT BASED ON ONCE THEY SEE HEY WE MISS THIS THIS WAS EFFECTIVE THERE IS THE OPTION OF IT COMING BACK?

>> YES.

WE'VE SEEING WHAT THE REAL IMPLICATIONS OF WHAT THIS IS.

HOW WELL GOVERNMENT CAN FUNCTION WITHOUT THE FUNDING AND WITHOUT SOME OF THESE POSITIONS IN PLACE GOING FORWARD.

>> RYLAND BART TON WITH PUBLIC RADIO.

>> THANKS, LAURA.

[♪♪] >> Renee: NEW ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY IS GIVING DOCTORS THE ABILITY TO BETTER RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING SHOULDER REPLACEMENTS.

A KENTUCKY SURGEON WAS ONE OF THE FIRST IN THE COUNTRY TO PERFORM THE GROUNDBREAKING ROBOTIC ASSISTED SURGERY.

MORE ON THE TECHNOLOGY, HOW IT'S IMPROVED RESULTS AND RECOVERY TIMES IN TODAY'S MEDICAL NEWS.

>> I THINK FOR ME THE BIGGEST THING THIS GIVES ME A CHANCE TO GIVE MY PATIENTS SOMETHING WE HAVE NOT HAD A LEVEL OF ACCURACY.

RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T HAVE GODS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE LOOK AT THE AND BASE IT OFF OUR 3D SCANS AND TRY TO MATCH THE SCANS.

THAT BRINGS IN A LOT OF HUMAN ERROR ON MY PART.

WHEREAS WITH THE ROBOT NOW I TAKE THAT OUT OF THE EQUATION.

I MAKE MY SCAN.

I'M WITHIN .1 MILLIMETRES OF ACCURACY AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEVER HAD BEFORE.

THAT GIVES ME WAYS TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE.

INSTEAD OF TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING THAT KIND OF WORKS I CAN MOVE THINGS MILLIMETER BY MILLIMETER TO GIVE YOU THE MOST OPTIMAL FUNCTION AND SPEED UP YOUR RECOVERY.

FOR PATIENTS THE THING IS FASTER RECOVERY AND HOPEFULLY MORE FUNCTION.

AND HOPEFULLY MORE FUNCTION IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.

WITH THAT, NOW THE THINGS THAT WE THEORIZED WE CAN DO, WE CAN PUT TO THE TEST.

OUR GOAL IS THAT WE TAKE THESE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT FOR 10, 15 YEARS, AND APPLY THEM AND TRY TO SEE HOW MUCH BETTER WE CAN MAKE YOU.

WHEN WE STARTED WITH REVERSE SHOULDER REPLACEMENT WE WILL TOLD YOU WILL NEVER GET YOUR ARM ABOVE YOUR SHOULDER.

HERE WE ARE PEOPLE ARE GETTING THEIR ARM UP AND BENCH PRESSING AND CAN THEY GET BETTER?

FOR OUR PATIENTS THAT IS THE REASON WE ARE HERE.

THE LAST THING I WANT IS FOR ME TO DO SOMETHING KNOWING I'M COMFORTABLE WITH IT KNOWING SOMETHING IS OUT THERE TO HELP YOU RECOVER FASTER AND GET YOU BACK TO THE LIFE YOU WANT.

>> Renee: GOOD NEWS.

DR. GIVENS PERFORMED MORE THAN 150 ATHEROPLASTY SURGERIES AND ANTICIPATES PERFORMING MORE THAN 200 THIS YEAR.

[♪♪] >>> IT'S THE TALK OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

TORNADO BATS AND THEY ARE MADE RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

THE STRIKINGLY DIFFERENT SHAPED BATS WERE USED BY THE NEW YORK YANKEES ON SATURDAY WHEN THEY HIT A TEAM-RECORD NINE HOME RUNS IN THE 20-9 ROUT ST MILWAUKEE BREWERS.

THE TORNADO BATS ARE MADE BY "THE HILL" WHICH OWNS AND OPERATES THE HILLERICH AND BRADSBY COMPANY FACULTY.

MORE WOOD IS MAKING CONTACT WITH THE BALL INCREASING THE HITTING DISTANCE.

HERE IS BOBBY HILLERICH THE COMPANY'S VICE-PRESIDENT OF MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT.

>> THERE'S PROBABLY 11 DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE TORNADO BAT ALREADY OUT THERE.

THE DIAMETERS ARE SIMILAR BUT TO KEEP THE WEIGHTS AND THE BALANCES THE SAME AND GET THE HANDLE THOSE HAVE TO BE MODIFIED.

TRANSFERRING THE ENERGY TO THE BALL HAS TO DO SOMETHING AND IF WE'VE MOVE IT DOWN WHERE THE HITTER IS HITTING IF YOU CAN MOVE THAT SWEET SPOT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR IT'S GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE PERFORMANCE.

>> Renee: AT LEAST FOUR TEAMS REQUESTED THE TORNADO STYLE BATS AND THEY ARE ALLOWED UNDER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S RULES TO THE DISCONTENTS OF SOME FANS INCLUDING KET'S TOBY GIBBS.

YOU CAN STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE LOUISVILLE SLUGGER WITH KELSEY STARKS WHO GOES INSIDE THE MUSEUM FOR "INSIDE LOUISVILLE" NOW STREAMING ON-LINE AND ON DEMAND AT KET.ORG.

>>> SPEAKING OF BASEBALL'S HISTORY OUR FRIENDS AT KENTUCKY LIFE HAVE A STORY ABOUT THE TOBACCO LEAGUE.

A SMALL TOWN COMMUNITY BASEBALL LEAGUE THAT EXISTED IN THE EARLY 1950s.

THANKS TO A FORMER PLAYER AND HIS CAMERA, MEMORIES OF THE ERA ARE BEING PRESERVED BY HIS SON.

[♪♪] >> SO THE TOBACCO LEAGUE EMERGES BETWEEN THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND THE KOREAN WAR AND IT INCLUDED TEAMS FROM THE CITIES OF LEXINGTON, RICHMOND COMPETING AGAINST TEAMS FROM VERY SMALL COMMUNITIES LIKE WILLDY, WACO, RA VENNA, BEAR WALLA, KIRKSVILLE.

THIS WAS NOT TRIPLE A LEVEL BASEBALL.

IT WAS HIGHLY ORGANIZED AND YOU HAD A LOT OF GOOD BASEBALL PLAYERS.

BUT IN MANY CASES THEY WERE PLAYING ON SOMEWHAT PRIMITIVE FIELDS.

>> .

>> THE FIELD ITSELF WAS A COW PASTURE.

IT WAS A RATHER LARGE FIELD.

THE CENTER FIELD PART OF IT WAS DRY.

THE AREAS IN THE LEFT FIELD SIDE WHEN IT CAME A LARGE RAIN WATER STOOD THERE AND IT WAS PLAY BALL LIKE IT WASN'T THERE.

RIGHT FIELD FELL OFF AT A SLOPE.

AND IT WAS WET AND MUDDY IN THAT AREA.

>> I REALLY FELT HONORED TO BE A PART OF THE TEAM.

BECAUSE IT MEANT SO MUCH TO THE COMMUNITY.

I DIDN'T GET TO PLAY MUCH AT THE START I WAS 13 OR 14.

SO I KNEW MY TIME WOULD COME.

I WENT TO ALL THE GAMES AND I PRACTICED AND ONCE IN A WHILE I GOT PUT IN A GAME IF IT WAS ONE-SIDED.

NEXT YEAR I WAS A REGULAR STARTER ON THE TEAM.

14 YEARS OLD I BECAME A SHORTSTOP ON THAT BASEBALL TEAM.

>> ON SUNDAYS THE TWO BIGGEST EVENTS WHEN WE HAD WAS CHURCH AND THE BALL GAME.

MOST WENT FROM THE CHURCH HOUSE TO THE BALL FIELD DRESSED UP IN SUNDAY DRESS.

EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY ATTENDED THE BALL GAMES.

WE WERE COUNTRY BOYS.

AND WE HAD PLAYED MOSTLY FROM THE TIME WE WERE FIVE YEARS OLD IN SCHOOL, EVERY SCHOOL RECESS WAS A BALL GAME.

SO THAT IS WHERE WE LEARNED THE GAME.

OUR FIRST TEAM IT WAS MADE OF PEOPLE FROM MY AGE WHICH WAS 17 TO AT LEAST 40.

MAYBE MORE THAN 40.

THERE WERE NOT MANY CAMERAS.

NOT MANY PHOTOGRAPHS.

MY BROTHER, BENNY, WAS INTERESTED IN RECORDING SO HE TOOK A LOT OF PICTURES.

MY NEPHEW PUT TOGETHER AN EXHIBIT WITH ALL THE PHOTOS AND BRINGS BACK A LOT OF GOOD MEMORIES.

>> MY DAD PURCHASED A MERCURY TWO CAMERA SOMETIME IN THE LATE 1940s.

HE WAS NOT A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER.

BUT I THINK THAT AS A DOCUMENTARIAN AT HEART, I THINK FIRST AND FOREMOST HE WANTED TO TELL STORIES ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY IN WHICH HE HAD GROWN-UP.

PUTTING THE ARCHIVE TOGETHER WHAT I SEE IS THIS IS A COMMUNITY THAT IS REALLY ON THE CUSP OF TREMENDOUS CHANGE.

AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE PHOTOS IS THE GROUP OF PLAYERS SITTING ON A BANK WITH A BASHED WIRE FENCE AND IT SEEMS ROMANTIC AND POIGNANT PHOTO OF THIS COMMUNITY THAT IS STRANDED IN TIME.

BUT REALLY WHAT I SEE IN LOOKING AT THAT, IS QUITE DIFFERENT.

>> THE FIELD IS NOT THERE.

BUT I DRIVE BY THE PLACE AND I STOP AND LOOK.

SOMETIMES LIFE THROWS YOU A CURVE.

AND YOU GOT TO BE READY FOR IT.

>> Renee: THAT LIFE ADVICE, INDEED.

YOU CAN STREAM THE FULL STORY ON DEMAND AT KET.ORG/KENTUCKY LIFE.

>> Renee: WE HAVE MORE FOR TOMORROW INCLUDING FALLOUT FROM THE GENERAL SESSION AND RESPOND TO TRUMP'S TARIFF POLICY.

WE WILL HAVE REACTION TOMORROW AS WELL WHEN YOU JOIN US 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL WHERE YOU JOIN US FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION."

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH US THROUGH FACEBOOK, X, AND INSTAGRAM TO STAY IN THE LOOP AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEND US A STORY IDEA AT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG AND LOOK FOR US ON THE PBS VIDEO APP.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

AND UNTIL I SEE YOU AGAIN, TAKE