♪ >> The impact is beyond anything that we've seen in a very, very long time.

A woman who helped with Kentucky tornado relief shares.

What's being done to support and wildfire victims and how you can take part.

>> We'll talk about possible whiskey tariffs as we go inside Kentucky politics.

>> His grades are improving is more interested in his stead.

He's versus before he was really not.

>> And >> a new center in Louisville looks to elevate students.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Friday, January 17th.

They made it to the weekend.

I'm Renee Shaw and we thank you for starting off your weekend with us.

We began with disaster relief and recovery efforts in the California wildfires.

Nearly 30 people are confirmed dead and thousands of homes and buildings have been lost.

It was 3 years ago.

People were picking up the pieces in Kentucky after a tornado outbreak.

Our Laura Rogers talks to an American Red Cross director who responded in Kentucky's time of need now leading efforts closer to home in Central California.

>> Lori, we sure appreciate you taking the time to connect with us today.

I know that you have been so busy and so probably overwhelmed with everything going on in the Central California region over the last well, over a week now, what can you tell us about where things stand today?

As far as the response to these wildfires.

>> So he's far as the Red Cross.

We still have several shelters open.

We had a little over 700 people last night and the shelters still.

So it's very much still in that that part of the response we have as of yesterday started offering individual assistance, financial assistance to those who have lost their homes in the areas of the Palisades fire and doing outreach that we have over 400 volunteers responding to this on the ground, working to provide, you know, the shelter, food, comfort, health services, mental health, and just getting all the resources that we can to to the people that are impacted.

>> I know that you've responded to natural disasters in various parts of the country and all different kinds of forms, including here in Kentucky, responded when we had tornadoes 3 years ago.

How does this disaster compare with other tragedies that you've seen there on the ground?

>> Well, every disaster is unique and how it impacts pay.

Tornadoes and wildfires that they have in common is, you know, that they are at risk, right?

You know, all the factors that they're right.

You know what the tornado, the weather.

You know, it's rainy.

It's windy.

It's you have all the pressure systems.

You know that it can happen right here on a watch on ready.

But you just don't know where it's going to hit or if it's going to hit.

And if it does hit, how bad is it going to be fires or similar?

We know all the conditions are there to get red flag warning means we don't know if they'll start.

We don't know where they'll start.

We don't know how fast they'll necessarily move.

You know, all those things in.

So that just brings that that uncertainty that you have to live with.

You know, when you're in that moment waiting for something to happen.

And then when it does and something like of these fires.

With all the conditions that existed.

Spread so fast in such a populated areas that the impact is beyond anything that we've seen in a very, very long time.

Indeed.

Sheer number of families that are without homes as a result again, beyond anything.

We've seen that all that they're all hard and you can't compare one to the other.

People are losing their homes.

It's hard.

Just the scope of this is just bigger and a lot of ways in a in a different ways.

And what we've seen.

>> What would you say to Kentucky INS who are watching that?

They want to do something.

2 participate in these relief efforts.

>> And it's not what people always want to hear, but whether it's the Red Cross or any organization, a financial donation that allows us to do what we need to do for the people as they need it in the way that they need to sign up to become a Red Cross volunteer because even though it might not be this fire, the interior to to help your local Red Cross to be ready to support when things happen locally.

But then you have the ability for future to go out and do it provides support.

We are thinking of our neighbors there in California and will continue to >> monitor what's going on and step in and help.

However we can here in Kentucky.

Thank you.

>> Thank you, Laura.

The Red Cross as another way to help is to give blood.

They say the wildfires and winter storms have taken a toll on blood donation drives.

This Monday.

The nation observes Dr Martin Luther King Junior day honoring the slain civil rights icon and the many others who joined him in the fight for equality.

That includes Charles Nablus of Russellville, Kentucky, who has led a life of activism.

He joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the early 1960's net but was also a founding member of the Freedom Singers who traveled the country using music and song as a form of peaceful protest.

He says despite numerous arrests and beatings during his activism, nonviolence was important to him.

>> I couldn't be more time on the street.

Cover yourself up to get, didn't get it.

And he did.

So you can not backed up.

And I looked up.

And a tech.

And it was from here.

Something to take an immobile.

I thought my God.

This is not the guy man for post taking him over.

And I said.

I don't want to be like that.

>> No.

But met and marched with Doctor King several times.

The freedom singers performed at the March on Washington in 1963. and at the White House in 2011, as you see, pictured Charles now, but is scheduled to give the keynote address next Wednesday morning at the doctor, Martin Luther King, Junior Unity Walk celebration in Russellville.

Northern Kentucky's 67th House district has a new representative this year at Lehman of Newport filled the seat previously held by minority house with Rachel Roberts who decided not to run for reelection.

Lehman is one of only 20 Democrats in Kentucky's House of Representatives.

Kentucky Edition sat down with them and we continue our coverage of the 2025.

Kentucky General Assembly's freshman class.

♪ >> I think it's always a good question and it's anyone's when they've been involved in politics.

What what?

Why?

I went to Saint Joe's Elementary School in Crescent Springs.

so there was a bumper sticker.

Somebody put me in the foyer of that church.

It said if you want peace work for justice, I for whatever reason.

As a young kid that resonated with me and it stuck with me on northern Kentucky.

Native was actually born in Fort Thomas.

But really raised in Kenton County.

Becoming a Catholic high school, graduated there and went to University of Louisville and state political science and history is part of the Kabul Scholars program.

There are some things are going great so the cards from the moment, a broken school, New York, a graduate from Columbia and Urban planning.

And so you're always had a interesting planning and policy and how do we improve where we live in?

Somewhat serendipitous later, I lived in New York that ended up.

I took a job doing some work and clinical research, actually with a physician who was.

Developing psychiatric drugs, me, my family.

We moved around quite a bit.

So from New York, we spent time in Europe.

Some time in California, an opportunity to move back to Kentucky in 2015 and and that's wonderful neighborhood here in Newport, Kentuckyian couldn't be happier.

My first run and politics was site, you know, ran for Congress in 2022.

Against incumbent here in the 4th district, Thomas Massie of the 6 congressional districts.

>> A lot larger than the state representative district said it was a real eye opener for me in terms of.

A lot of different Kentuckyian are going through.

We're sitting here in northern Kentuckyian it's it's been a great few years and that the economy is booming.

Things that we can build that we have just got to finally being built and rebuilt.

It was a lot going on that northern lot of changes talking about with the medical school and the law school as well.

We've got some very well off neighborhoods.

We have some, you know, again, some of the more working class areas.

I was getting feedback a lot about the difficulties of getting from where you live.

To, where the job growth is and public transit is.

It was frankly much more limited than it was even a few years ago.

Northern Kentucky.

I think that's something we have to think hard about as especially as all these new jobs are arriving in northern Kentucky, 3 bills I going into the session.

One is to get free feminine hygiene products into schools grade school and high schools.

The other one is, you know, and there's also a Republican sponsor for a very similar bill.

So maybe there may be some way to work for this.

Us us to to get quicker >> Into schools without a prescription.

So this is something that when when?

Kids with diabetes have low blood sugar in what they call hypoglycemia.

Having with the gun can really save her life and on the other one is located them trying to do some pension reform or to get.

Some are law enforcement officers.

Fire fighters have been hazardous duty to get back into a regular pension and Kentucky to long ago.

So complicated.

But it's basically trying to rectify.

I think something that was really done wrong a few years ago.

Democrats are definitely in the minority in Kentucky these days, which is always the case.

But it's I think a little better representation would be helpful.

I think we get some better legislation's, a better policy and a fine for a little more balance or more in tune with where most of Kentucky is going on the job.

A short period.

He >> There's a lot of needs out.

There was a lot of people that want to talk with you express your opinions and to do this strong properly.

You have to have the time.

>> Lehman says he looks forward to seeking out Republican colleagues interested in bipartisan solutions.

Time now for end of week.

Look at some of the major political developments this week in Kentucky.

And beyond that, we've got 2 of our favorite commentators with U.S. Trey Grayson who was screen right, screen left actually.

And Bob Babbitt, she was screen right.

Good to see a gentleman.

You can see Renee.

So let's start with some news this week that we that we got particularly about Brown-Forman and then making some changes.

But we know that the Wall Street Journal had also reported about this kind of bourbon boom or bust phenomenon that's been going on, perhaps maybe longer than we would suspect the Steelers are cutting jobs and and the scrapping some expansion plans.

Bob Babbage, I want to ask you about what's going on with the bourbon industry and are they really concerned, particularly about the threat of increased tariffs?

>> Sure, the tariffs or an issue, Renee, as well as the possibility raised by the surgeon general.

The alcohol should contain or post a warning.

You also have the dry January push the summer adopting all those factors to figure into this so many, many expansions and moves in Kentucky the to the positive.

We represent the card company called Angels and he was a big development in Henry County will be of the beautiful addition for Kentuckyian terrific tourist place on the interstate and connecting Cincinnati and Louisville, northern Kentuckyian local, I should say.

And then in downtown Louisville as Traffic sister building right across the baseball stadium downtown.

So those investments go on and really bourbon.

This probably here for the long haul, like other spirits and wine as well.

>> Well, Troy Grayson from Newport, Kentucky, Ken Lewis, who owns the new riff distilling, was quoted in that Wall Street Journal article is saying we're in a very serious correction right now, which is perhaps overdue.

That sounds a little different >> yeah.

You know, the challenge with bourbon is as you know, we know you did still it, but then you have to wait at least 5 years before you can sell it.

So when you're busy with your investor, you're the owner of the company and you're trying to make these decisions are trying to convince a lender to give you money or to bicester to give the capital.

This is always a tricky business and edition of the factors that Bob cited.

You've got increased competition from other products.

You know, liquor is a Super Bowl.

People's tastes change.

No bourbon boomed in the 40's 50's 60's and the market came in and kind of killed it all.

But you've got competition from these ready to drinks, mixed drinks that are in grocery stores.

You've got the new drugs, the House and pick and the other is that are are suppressing appetite, got legal marijuana, which suppresses appetite and is a an alternative for folks to maybe sit around and smoke a joint and with the bodies and senator going to be here.

So all this is kind of added up and I think with Lewis is talking about is there was a lot of investment.

There's still a lot of very smart investments.

Pop said the couple good ones and some Brown-Forman this week did a little they are outsourcing.

Their Cooper is going to sell it so they can focus on their core business.

They're shutting a lot of jobs.

The problem is more probably okay because they have to get that.

They have to get ahead of this to make sure that they that they over building anymore.

And we may see some of our craft brands not make it because there's there's small don't have the capital reserves.

And I think that's what Ken was talking about.

>> So now let's play a vocabulary game for all of our viewers who love words and the a symbol of them.

Bowie on currency.

I bet you've said that 5 times this week.

So in the news this week, a freshman freshman Republican from northern Kentucky filed a bill for consideration this session.

That would give citizens the power to sue the governor over taxes, paid on gold and silver.

And this is not a new issue.

This surface last session.

who want to tax this first?

I think maybe take it to the trial was to take this one.

>> Sure.

So, sir, last session, the legislature exempted from sales tax sales of Golden billion.

Go golden boy on a lot of folks treat those investments and the argument, the it wasn't you shouldn't tax and investment like that.

That's not a typical good or service that we so that's our sales tax governor, these line item veto that bill for that section of that bill.

But the Legislature said that's not a bill where he can line.

I either has to be to the whole thing or not at all.

And so they said is the tide was invalid.

It's law center.

The secretary of state, it's been codified its and Kentucky revised statutes in a straight Jean said it was a valid the DEA or put a notice on the website Department of Revenue retailers.

You start to collect this.

And one of those with this still trying to do is essential to make it easier for taxpayers.

The challenges right now, if you don't want to pay that tax, you have to go through what a tax appeals and just such a procedure where you can go to court.

You can follow anywhere in the state.

It also makes any state actor who publishes a notice saying KET clicking attacks personally liable for any damages.

So this is just some of the policy aspects of this should just be tax or not.

But the more interesting thing is the politics.

It's another example of the administration in the legislature not getting along very well.

In fact, at more with each other.

And there's also some constitutional questions about who has the power.

What is the governor, the power to veto and what has the power to not be told.

And so ultimately it will probably end up being decided in the Supreme Court on whether that, you know, that that line item veto authority extends to all types of revenue bills are just appropriations bills like budget bills and things like that.

Yeah, Bobbie, out an ad.

>> Yeah.

I got a pretty good around here lately.

And for many, a diversified investors, older investors, they physically hold gold.

You can certainly back gold shares.

But for a lot of traditional people.

They hold gold and a lock box or some say spots and the mattress and the bed and are we going to live so far as to tax those holdings or or not?

This?

It is an interesting question for the long haul.

I'm not sure it gets resolved fully this session.

They will have court aspects and arguments in the future as well.

>> So on the cars move of the inauguration of the 47th president.

We know that the incoming vice president made a trip to Kentucky this week to Jackson County and Brevard County actually talk to us really quickly about that.

All why JD Vets was visiting eastern Kentuckyian particularly the cemetery where some of his family's very >> for some of the to read this book when it came out several years ago.

We know the Kentucky to and to celebrate that and the way that he did turned out to be a positive across the state.

It was also surprised that people just didn't see that coming or know about it.

>> Yeah, right.

Yes.

Ma'm all as he calls or race and his mother had a struggle with addiction when he was younger says, ma'am, all her mother for most of his youth.

And so this was a tribute to go visit as mammals, grave site.

And it was it's a reminder, I think we Kentucky have this connection even though JD lives in Ohio to the vice president's states.

And so that's I think good for the commonwealth.

I think it's a reminder of how much Kentucky matters to him in this new administration.

Also before we going to get a shot at the KC Krosby who was just elected today to be the co-chair of the Republican Party nationally.

She's from Lexington and have the president's endorsement was made official today.

So Kentucky is or near Kentuckians are going to be influential in this next administration for the next 4 years.

Yeah.

Thank you for that post script because certainly would want to highlight that.

And thank you both for being.

>> With us today.

Have a great weekend.

♪ >> Education news this week, a Jefferson County Public Schools opened a new afterschool center to help close academic achievement gaps.

The elevate learning Center in the Newburg neighborhood is the second location for the elevate program JCPS partnered with the Boys and Girls Club to provide a space for students and their families to receive additional support more and our education matters report.

>> And our idea was really how are we going to get kids who missed a lot of instructional time during COVID as a result of being out of school and being on non-traditional instruction.

How are we going to get them extra time in front of teachers?

So, yes, they're going to be in school all day every day, but we need to get them additional time.

And so that was the real philosophy behind this concept.

>> Our model is amazing.

It is elevate your mom possibilities and potential.

And that basically summarizes what elevate is all about.

We are working to address the systemic barriers that our students and counter.

And so we're making sure that our students have fair access to supports that they need so that they can succeed for students to attend elevate.

There is a criteria they have to live in the demographic area.

They're missing 10 or more instructional days.

They're not meeting their reading or math met benchmarks and they're not pass.

Seen 3 or more core content areas.

And so we're working with those students to get them where they need to be.

>> This is a shining example of how a major you serving organization in the school district come together and make intentional in strategic investment in the humanity and the potential of, you know, people in this community and I'm proud of that might give get a lot of my work noon and catch up on some missing.

Where is my class is improving.

>> A lot of my stuff in school and one of the things.

>> I'm a single parent and so.

It provides him an opportunity right for education that I can't provide for him.

Due to my busy schedule and it's a safe place for him to come after school that I know.

I don't have to worry about him.

>> So want to be clear on this.

There's no magic formula.

No magic dust to eliminate the achievement gap to get kids caught up to get kids furthering their learning other than making sure that we have quality resources for kids in our school.

We get them in school every single day.

And then we extend that learning whether it be after school with elevate, whether it be with our backpack league in the summertime.

Kids have to have extra time.

It's it's all about the amount of time they have in front of an experienced licensed educator with quality resources.

>> Superintendent Marty Pollio says the programs are funded through COVID emergency relief money that has been exhausted.

He says if JCPS wants to KET elevate program going, the school board will have to fund it from the General Fund.

♪ Louisville's Portland neighborhood is considered the oldest neighborhood in the city, but it has a complicated history settled in the early 18.

100's as a bustling port town full of businesses and wealthy immigrants.

Portland is now considered Louisville's poorest neighborhood on the newest episode of Inside Louisville, Kelsey, Starks talks to the people who live there about some of the misconceptions.

>> I'm very excited about.

>> Where we're going and as a museum, I'm excited about the future.

I hope it's a really inclusive space for kids.

Yes, from all over the city over the region.

But, you know, in particular, kids in the west and that haven't had as much access to arts in creativity and spaces that they can just feel welcome.

And at home.

So I am really, really excited about that.

Having raised my own kids here.

I really feel like.

It could have been a better spot for us to raise a family.

My kids are now on 2 of them are adults and 2 of them are just barely still at home.

With me.

And I couldn't be more proud of my kids and the way they see the world, they I love people.

Service is a part of who they are.

And, you know, they believe in.

The community that is for all people.

And so for them, they didn't grow up believing that somehow people on an imaginary divide are somehow less than they've grown up knowing that that's not true.

And I think that's going to serve them well as they move into the rest of their lives and I'm really proud to be a Portland resident.

You can get the full picture of the Portland neighborhood on an edition of inside Louisville that you can watch now online on demand.

>> At KET DOT Org Slash can side Louisville.

Dinosaur box.

Do we have a show for you and enjoy a meal and solve a murder.

Our Toby Gibbs explains and this look at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> It's Wednesday and Russellville is the 27th annual doctor.

Martin Luther King, Junior Unity Walk celebration reflect on Doctor King's vision and hear from local leaders including KET T's own Dr. Wayne Toxin, who will speak on the importance of health advocacy.

The celebration will also be recognizing civil rights leader Dr Charles blood for his lifetime of service.

Be sure to make it out to this great of that.

and smarter and delicious food go hand in hand for the My Bloodied Valentine Murder Mystery Food Tour in Louisville.

As you travel from stop to stop, you'll be tasked with solving a bloodied murder between bites and who knows.

You may just be the culprit dressed to impress and get ready for a night with more than one kind of heartache.

This tour runs through the end of February.

While we're live, animals comes to Bowling Green tomorrow.

Enjoy the fast paced fact filled show featuring over a dozen unique animals from changes to Crocs to Capybara is the show aims to the importance of every type of animal.

This event is sure to captivate adults and kids alike.

Don't miss it.

If you're looking for a performance, it's a little more prehistoric.

Check out the show in Danville next Friday, Earth's live.

We'll take your family on a trip 65 million years.

Back in time to get up close and personal with nearly 20 different types of dinosaurs.

This team of puppeteers and paleontologist.

Great to show it's about the electrifying and educational.

Registration is open for the 2025 Winter Adventure weekend at Carter Caves, State Resort Park.

This adventure weekend is the perfect cure for your cabin fever.

Go climbing, canoeing, rappelling and of course, cave tour.

Dozens of trips and workshops to choose from adventure awaits in Olive Hill next week.

And that's what's happening around the commonwealth.

I'm told he gives.

>> And we'll let you get to your adventure.

Have a great weekend and we'll see you right back here Monday night.

♪