♪ >> A state lawmaker's plan could help workers save for college.

>> We never know what can happen here.

Late winter.

>> And our winter weather has been all over the map so far.

What should we expect the rest of the season?

I said I'm here.

Take me as I am and I have changed from chemist to artist made a trailblazer who is still breaking the mold in her 90's.

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

♪ ♪ >> Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Thursday, January, the 30th, I'm Renee Shaw.

We thank you for spending some of your Thursday night with us.

67 people are feared dead after a Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines jet collided near Washington, D.C., last night.

>> The flight was from Wichita, Kansas, as you can see from this map at the top of your screen, the plane flew over Kentucky on its way to DC during his news conference today, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed sympathy to the families of those killed.

Also today, a reporter asked the governor if there had been an ICE raids or any of them in Kentucky since President Donald Trump took office last week, I stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the governor was also asked if he would let the federal government used the Kentucky National Guard or state police to help with ICE raids.

>> We have not been informed about any specific rain anywhere in the Commonwealth.

We haven't received any requests to participate.

Most of the National Guard are your neighbors.

You know, jobs that aren't necessarily in law enforcement.

They don't have certain types of trainings.

That would be like those that immigration officers would use saying carrying out a raid and using some of those individuals would not be safe in an operation that they don't have the training for.

So those are the types of things that we would do to think through any of those requests.

But, you know, I I'm I'm I'm not into hypotheticals.

I would want to evaluate anything and everything that comes to us and then try to do the right thing for the people of Kentucky for the safety of those involved.

>> The governor also announced the first 2 people to receive cards making them eligible for legalized use of medical marijuana in Kentucky.

About 2200 people will receive cards today.

Republican state lawmaker has filed legislation he says would help workers save money for college House bill.

189 would give tax credits to employers who contribute to an employee's Kentucky educational savings.

Plus, plan trust or stable Kentucky account.

The former refers to the state's official 5.29.

College Savings Program.

The ladder is for Kentuckians with disabilities.

State Representative Robert Duvall of Bowling Green says the measure comes after conversations with the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority.

He says it would cause Kentucky about $500,000 a year calling it a short-term cost for long-term gain.

>> This is good for everyone.

It's good for the employee because they get an opportunity to save for college expenses.

It's good for the employer because it gives them the opportunity to be more competitive.

That gives them the opportunity to attract and retain employees as has benefit.

And then it's actually great for the state because once again that return on investment is going to be huge in the long run because you're going to have a workforce.

That's better educated and earning higher wages.

>> The virus has also filed House Bill 190, which would require school districts to offer advanced coursework for high achieving students.

Duval says he also wants to see a healthier Kentucky.

He hopes House Bill 187 will educate youth on the dangers of vaping.

It would create a trust fund using millions in settlement money from Juul Labs.

>> We're just wanted to capture a percentage of those dollars to make sure it's going toward education because we know how dangerous vaping is that a lot of students really don't.

They think it's safe.

And so we've got to educate them.

We've got to teach them.

And also parents teach them that vaping is very dangerous.

And that's the message that we need to get out there.

>> The Centers for Disease Control has previously estimated that a little less than half of Kentucky high schoolers use electronic vapor products higher than the national average.

She's a pro business Democrats with an entrepreneurial streak and nonprofit work experience, state representative and Gueydan Worth is a newcomer to Frankfort elected in November.

She's anxious for the lawmaking session to resume next week to get to work on tough issues around education, reproductive health care and housing.

She sat down with me last week for a conversation about her background and legislative goals and our series introducing you to the 2025 freshman class of the Kentucky General Assembly.

♪ >> It wasn't done where thank you so much for being here.

We appreciate your time.

Well, thank you for having me.

>> What are you looking forward to the most about the next 20 something odd days in this legislative sessions?

>> My hope is that we'll be able to get some traction on some of the abortion exception.

Some of the abortion exceptions.

And given the current statute to clarify what exactly is expected of our physicians and emergency in extenuating circumstances when it comes to policy, what are you least looking forward to?

I think the D E have and the possibility of the dei ban is something that really scares me.

You know, I represent part of Lexington.

I am a female.

I am a mother of 2 females.

>> And and, you know, typically when you think about dei are thinking about racial diversity or sexuality, this is it's a much bigger issue than that.

We're talking about anybody who is not a white Christian man who has the impact to be hurt by the lack of any dei efforts and that that possibility really scares me.

You know, we continue to see race-based violence, gender-based violence and lots and lots of religion, religion based violence throughout our country and throughout our commonwealth and to really scares me to have the to be having these conversations that it might be or managed.

>> So for viewers who are getting to know you, what should they know about you, your background, your passion, your interests and what you bring to just a I am a native of the 76 district.

Tiger up.

>> There had very close to where I live now.

So it's kind of northeastern Fe County.

I I spent my career in the nonprofit space worked for.

I started off my career at the key thing with the museum and Arts education, but quickly was put into fundraising visits from here in new people.

I then worked for hospice of the Bluegrass, which is now play cross care.

Navigators stayed home with my kids for a couple of years, which is the one that I feel very fortunate that I got to be able to do that, but also very fortunate that I was able to go back to the job that I really loved so that I worked for the likes of Public Library system for almost 11 years touring the fundraising originally and then adding government affairs and marketing over and over that time.

But I was there.

I got to be on a lot of that like to be on that by very senior management team.

So helping too work on policies that we're going to impact off a county residents and central Kentucky for the surrounding areas as well.

I got to be involved with a lot of different community projects.

Everything from redistricting to on the table and our our comprehensive plan and Commerce, Texas Policy Council.

>> What are you passionate about?

What issues are really driving your activism and the Kentucky General Assembly?

>> Yes, so I think a lot of I would say, basically, I want to be able to help make the world a better place for me.

That comes down to education.

I think our Kentucky voters spoke pretty clearly in November that they value public education.

And I think we need to be doing more to address early-childhood education and making sure that our kids are ready for school once they get there.

I think we need to be looking at other avenues.

So technical education, not every kid needs to go to college.

They don't.

They don't need that.

Our economy needs people who work at all different levels and skills and we need to be investing in all of those traits.

But there are that there's a huge problem with with housing as as you well now rents are unaffordable.

It's a nearly impossible to buy your first home.

And mortgage rates are being what they are as well.

But our supply isn't there.

We've got to figure out how we can address that, too.

>> How would you describe your political ideology?

Not just a Democrat, but further than that, more granular.

>> More granular.

I would say I'm a pro business Democrat.

I have started a non-profit.

I have worked a nonprofit.

I have also started to businesses.

I understand the fiscal realities but also come at things with a very KET emphasis on helping people.

And for me, I don't mind paying taxes so long as I know that they're being well spent and that they're investing in the future of our Commonwealth I believe everyone should have all the opportunities in the world and that they should all be open to all people.

And believe in creating the infrastructure.

I know where we can create.

Believe in creating an infrastructure where all people can thrive.

>> Kentucky lawmakers return to Frankfort Tuesday for the remaining 26 days.

And this year's legislative session, of course, KET provides live gavel to gavel coverage on air and online at KTVA Dot Org.

It's often one of the first questions we ask young people.

What are your plans after graduation students in Christian County and western Kentucky explore some of their many options on Wednesday, the school district hosted a career expo in Hopkinsville.

The Senate's among their largest community partnerships, including more than 70 exhibitors offering interactive activities.

>> And I've been in a lot of rumors before where the community's point fingers and your school is get better.

Your dish needs to get better.

Students coming to me to come out of high school.

More ready for post-graduation success.

So a couple years ago we decided to kind of point the finger back and say this is your community.

We need to help get behind is get with this kid side-by-side with the sun.

Help support that mission of students be ready for postage to its success.

So in the men in the Academy model, career Tech and focus post-secondary focus, kind of transforming a high school and how we do business from what we've done for the last 30 years.

>> Students in grades 9 through 12 took part in the expo and push-ups.

It seems.

♪ >> Kentucky leads the nation and cancer rates and mortality.

According to the National Institute for Health.

That's in part because of the high rates of cancer in eastern Kentucky.

One program at the University of Kentucky is empowering students from the area to be part of the solution.

Appalachian Kentucky career Training and oncology or action for short, he's trained more than 150 students from eastern Kentuckyian cancer research and care since 2016.

We hear from some of those students and tonight's look at medical news.

>> The program is all about giving high school and undergraduate students from eastern Kentucky opportunities to get training in cancer research and oncology healthcare experiences.

They get an opportunity to conduct hands-on research and really any of our world-class cancer research labs, they get opportunities to us to shadow clinicians observe clinical and clinical settings.

And that can include in the operating room in clinics and other patient care settings.

>> Honestly, that's all.

It is the best way that I can possibly give back to my community.

It just seemed like it was constantly someone telling you about their cancer diagnosis or, you know, someone was passing from cancer because they had sought the help that they needed were they just didn't have the access.

>> It could be argued that there's no other state in the country that has a cancer burden like we have in Kentucky.

What's worse is that those rates are great us by a significant margin and eastern Kentucky.

So we really need people from that area to be interested in and repair to pursue cancer related careers because those are the people that are most invested in this issue because they have family they they live there.

They have family and friends that live there.

So we need those people to be invested and prepared to pursue oncology careers to help us solve this problem in the long term.

>> I've known people my entire life that a friend of doctors in Appalachia, typically how it goes and has a lot.

People have a lot to wait till the last minute to go and seek treatment.

Seek out there.

What's going on?

So I said, if I go to doctor, I want to die.

The death sentence.

>> We know that medical mistrust is very high and rural communities.

And so that's one reason why it's really important for us to trainees whose get them prepared to pursue healthcare careers because we know.

Health care providers from the areas in which they serve.

There's much higher trust.

>> There's such a stigma on Appalachian because people are like, what are they?

We are doing this to themselves.

But if you're in Appalachia yourself, you understand what's happening is communities you're seeing how poorly were treated and you're more likely to understand and actually help these people.

And we're not going to see them as a paycheck.

>> It is very important that Appalachian students get the opportunity to realize just because they're from small towns are just because they are from Appalachia that they can still become something and they can still make something of themselves.

And oftentimes, well, I know every student that is come to the action program has some kind of cancer story themselves.

So it's important that they realize that not only can they become something, but they can be the person who comes home gives back to their community and is able to make a difference.

>> Students and the action program also get to publish writing about their experiences, Dr Vanderford and his students have released 3 books about cancer in Appalachia.

And a 4th is expected to be published later this year.

Another group is also working to improve health outcomes across the state.

The foundation for a healthy Kentucky works to develop an influence policy that improves access to care.

The foundation's new CEO Allison Adams is the guest on the upcoming episode of Kentucky Health right here on KET.

She tells host DR talks and that she was she considers to be the biggest health challenges facing Kentucky hands.

>> We're not recognizing that we have more in common than then that divides us.

And I do think that from a from a health standpoint, we feel like we're we're in this community all alone.

And we're not.

We're isolating ourselves.

And I think that that's putting a lot of stress that's having a greater impact on your overall health and when I think of him.

Access and the worry of am I going to have health care coverage and I'm going to be able to afford a doctor's appointment.

Am I gonna be able to before the medication that the doctor prescribes those things you feel isolated that you're the only one that's going through that.

But in fact, we know the data shows that many Kentuckians are are facing those stressors.

>> You can see Dr Texans full interview with the new CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky this weekend, Kentucky health airs Sundays at one 30 pm Eastern 12, 30 central right here on KET.

Last year we launched an initiative called the next chapter focusing on the rewards and challenges of growing older.

As part of this initiative, we're introducing a new segment called drivers celebrating older Kentuckians who are retiring necessarily, but rather rewiring there next season of life.

Tonight, we meet Elmer Lucille.

Allen, the Louisville native shattered barriers after becoming the first African American chemist at Brown-Forman beverage company.

After retiring, she then embarked on a second act as inspiring as her first becoming a celebrated fiber and ceramics artist.

Alan's life has been about breaking molds, both figuratively and literally and proving reinvention of excellence have no age limit.

>> Well, I'm name from my father.

And then my household.

It was Elmer.

I almost feel and Elmo, Dotson, Hammonds junior.

And elmore's.

>> Some common ailment lusail and some common ailment.

Some common to see you.

I just consider myself as a home and those who she may share a name with 2 other people.

But there's no doubt 93 year-old Elmer Lucille.

Allen is one of a kind.

>> I say I'm here.

>> Take me as I am and I am >> She may not have changed.

But Allen, who grew up during segregation did bring change to one of Kentucky's key industries after the Louisville native graduated from college in 1953.

With a degree in chemistry and math.

She went to work for Brown-Forman beverage company.

I wasn't always ask American campus.

They're ground floor.

>> In 1966, stay there.

30 years.

>> It was a health issue that would eventually lead this trailblazer to her second career as a celebrated ceramics in fiber artist.

>> People say, well, how did you get so involved in ceramics?

Well, and that's about and Bob, with ceramic, because I would have been problems but not On-and Haiyan.

And I was told to take a ceramic eyes and I may to pieces and we do in a Bastille.

Have those faces and they were made in 1977. and I'm still a hand building.

>> A lifelong learner.

>> We should never stop learning.

>> Allen and rolled in our classes at the University of Louisville.

>> That was 1981 when I first took my first place here.

>> In 2002, she received her Masters of Creative Arts from U of L. And I still think ISIS since getting her master's Allen has gone on to establish herself as one of the most influential artists in Louisville to got to have his a** to be who you want to be while going from chemist to artist may seem like a big leap.

Allen insist it wasn't.

She says developing bourbon in creating art both draw on elements.

She's familiar with mask and chemistry.

It's going to stay.

And the thing you have is a mistake.

You see all these sculptures, all every building is built on chemistry.

It starts with a dot.

Geometry.

And comes to they go together.

So I'm gonna I'm gonna roll this out.

And you actually see it.

Allen has created thousands of ceramics and fiber art pieces with her work showcased in numerous exhibitions galleries around the country.

I like the Rams and that could be with people.

Yeah.

And brown going cement.

Good vibe msl.

I do.

A lot was not a folded in statute.

It might take months to create one piece.

And but it is madness.

This relaxing.

You could do it at home, but I can say, but to make it heart and you've got I'm glad that people enjoy what that what I create.

When she's not creating art.

Allen is creating opportunities for other artists.

She has volunteered her time curating and hosting exhibits for local artist.

She says she attends as many openings as she can to show support for artist.

>> Particularly female artists and those of color.

Allen is a founding member of both the Kentucky Coalition of After can American Arts and the Arts Council of Louisville in developed Kentucky's first African American Arts Directory.

She has received numerous awards for her contribution to the arts and the community, including Kentucky's community arts, Lifetime local achievement award.

She was also the first recipient of the governor's award in the Arts for Community Arts.

Yeah, I think people need to be involved.

Allen believes being in service to others is one of the keys to her longevity.

You need to give back.

That's important.

You learn from others, but you need to get back other case staying mentally and physically active and connecting with others.

You need to get out in a deep hole.

You need to have friends.

I believe one was able to go in some way.

93.

How many people, 93 able to get up and go every day?

As for her legacy, Allen says she doesn't think much about it.

>> You didn't say that.

You do realize that you do and 7, I encourage myself.

I think you that you you have Will that be something that you want to be?

>> What an inspiration.

And rock star Allen continues to add to her extensive list of honors last year.

She was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame for her contributions to the industry.

She also received an honorary doctorate from Spalding University where she was one of the first African-American graduates.

The university will host the 7th annual Elmer Lucille Allen Conference on African American Studies next month.

For more on how to thrive.

As we age.

Log on, watch online on-demand, KET Dot Org.

Slash the next chapter there.

You're going to find a lot of aging related topics and videos and other help for resources.

♪ >> All right.

First we had snow and bitter cold.

Now it's warmer.

Now we're facing rain.

So what is next?

As we look ahead to February and March, our Chris T-dot is back to tell us the outlook for the rest of our winter.

Much of Kentucky has experienced some extreme winter weather so far this season.

We've had ice heavy snow, but how much snow you've seen really depends on where you live in the state.

Take a look at the snow totals so far this year where you have the light yellow.

>> That is one to 2 feet of snow.

That includes Louisville, Lexington, much of eastern Kentucky down here in southeastern Kentucky.

You can see a few areas of orange that is 2 to 3 feet of snow.

There.

But if you take a look here in southern Kentucky and even into western Kentucky, 2 to 6 inches of snow there.

So really not coming in with that heavy snowfall in those areas.

So how unusual are these numbers that we've seen so far this year?

Let's put it into perspective in Louisville.

We've had 15 inches of snow, normal snow for this point in the winner is about 6 point for us.

We're doubling that and more than doubling that they're in Lexington, too lax and you've had 16.4 inches now in Jackson there in eastern Kentucky, Boone County, northern Kentucky, over 20 inches of snow there more than and they're doubling just about doubling their normal snowfall.

This usually see around 11 inches.

But take a look at the Duke and there in Western Kentucky where there was that lower snow total.

They've had 4.3 inches of snow so far this year.

And that's actually just slightly under.

They're normal snowfall at 4.4.

So with all the snowfall that we've seen, a lot of us are wondering what can we expect for the rest of the winner?

Well, I talked to Shane Hollen, D from the Kentucky Mesonet to find out if there any clues as to what the rest of the winter holds.

>> The 8 to 14 day outlook from NOAA shows a lean 2 or warmer than normal temperatures favor for the lower Ohio Valley.

Kentucky included at least the first couple of weeks of February beyond.

Then it's really anybody's guess as to what might occur.

There are some indications that Arctic air may try to make a comeback into the latter part of February.

But that's an uncertainty at this point.

That said some of our biggest snows have happened in February and even into March.

When you go back 10 years to 2015, the snowmageddon season, we had 2 blockbuster winter storms that effectively shut down the state.

One of which was on Presidents Day that year.

And then another just a few weeks later in the first week of March.

So you never know what can happen here.

Late winter.

>> That's right.

You just never know.

So we'll KET our snow boots ready.

But tonight you're going to need those rain boots as we track rain moving across the state that could cause some flooding concerns back to you.

Renee.

>> Thank you, Christiane.

That's Christi DOT.

Meteorologists reporting from our Louisville studio.

Well, tomorrow is Friday, but that also means that we go inside Kentucky politics this week, President Donald Trump ordered a federal spending freeze, then rescinded part of its parts of it.

So what does the Constitution say about a president's ability to make those kind of decisions?

We'll talk to a political science professor from here at the University of Kentucky tomorrow, his perspective, you'll get that on Kentucky Edition, which, you know, is at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central where we inform connect and inspire.

We hope that you'll connect with us all the ways you see on your screen.

Facebook X, formerly Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop.

>> Send us a story idea we'd love to hear from you about what's going on that we should cover Senate to an email public affairs at KET Dot Org.

And look for us on that PBS app.

You can download that on your smart devices, smart phone and get to know what's happening across our network.

All the great program that we have.

Thank you so much for watching.

A lot of great stories tomorrow for Friday Friday.

However, you want to look at it, but we'll see you right then.

Okay.

Take good care.

I'm Renee Shaw and have a good night.

♪