1 00:00:05,466 --> 00:00:08,200 What the doctor says about Senator Mitch McConnell's help. 2 00:00:08,500 --> 00:00:10,533 After a second freeze in one month, 3 00:00:11,866 --> 00:00:13,866 today is the largest 4 00:00:13,866 --> 00:00:17,600 public sector investment in broadband in our history. 5 00:00:17,900 --> 00:00:20,400 With bigger days to come in the future, 6 00:00:21,466 --> 00:00:23,500 better Internet service is on the way 7 00:00:23,500 --> 00:00:25,666 to 42,000 Kentuckians. 8 00:00:26,766 --> 00:00:28,600 He reached out the same day and said, 9 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:30,466 I want to help and a significant way. 10 00:00:30,466 --> 00:00:31,633 And boy did. 11 00:00:32,433 --> 00:00:34,433 And find out the mystery celebrity 12 00:00:34,433 --> 00:00:37,033 who's helping the Louisville Ballet keep on its toes. 13 00:00:39,233 --> 00:00:41,733 Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible 14 00:00:41,733 --> 00:00:44,800 in part by the KET Endowment for Kentucky Productions. 15 00:00:44,833 --> 00:00:48,400 The Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the KET 16 00:00:48,433 --> 00:00:50,366 Millennium Fund. 17 00:01:01,266 --> 00:01:01,666 Hello and 18 00:01:01,666 --> 00:01:04,633 welcome to Kentucky Edition for Tuesday, September 5th. 19 00:01:04,900 --> 00:01:07,466 I'm Casey Parker Bell filling in for Renee Sharp. 20 00:01:09,300 --> 00:01:11,366 Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky today 21 00:01:11,366 --> 00:01:14,166 addressed his recent health incidents as a Capitol Hill 22 00:01:14,166 --> 00:01:16,233 doctor talked about McConnell's health. 23 00:01:16,666 --> 00:01:17,966 McConnell spoke today 24 00:01:17,966 --> 00:01:20,866 as the US Senate reconvened after its Labor Day break. 25 00:01:21,500 --> 00:01:23,466 At one particular moment of my time back 26 00:01:23,466 --> 00:01:26,766 home has received its fair share of attention 27 00:01:27,633 --> 00:01:29,633 in the press over the past week. 28 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:32,433 But I assure you August was a 29 00:01:32,433 --> 00:01:35,633 busy and productive month for me and my staff. 30 00:01:36,533 --> 00:01:38,800 Back in the Commonwealth, 31 00:01:39,566 --> 00:01:41,500 the 81 year old McConnell froze 32 00:01:41,500 --> 00:01:44,366 while talking to reporters at the Capitol in late July. 33 00:01:44,733 --> 00:01:46,533 He was eventually led back to his office, 34 00:01:46,533 --> 00:01:50,533 but returned later and resumed talking to reporters last week 35 00:01:50,533 --> 00:01:51,600 in Covington. 36 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:53,733 McConnell again froze while talking 37 00:01:53,733 --> 00:01:54,966 after the second incident. 38 00:01:54,966 --> 00:01:57,033 His office said he was feeling lightheaded. 39 00:01:57,433 --> 00:02:00,133 Today, McConnell's office released a letter from Dr. 40 00:02:00,133 --> 00:02:03,033 Brian Moynihan, the Capitol's attending physician, 41 00:02:03,233 --> 00:02:04,533 saying there is no evidence 42 00:02:04,533 --> 00:02:06,866 McConnell had a seizure disorder or stroke. 43 00:02:08,466 --> 00:02:11,633 A progressive leaning think tank finds a widening funding gap 44 00:02:11,633 --> 00:02:14,700 between Kentucky's poorest and wealthier school districts. 45 00:02:15,033 --> 00:02:17,666 In late August, the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy 46 00:02:17,933 --> 00:02:21,200 revealed that gap is worse now than 30 years ago. 47 00:02:21,666 --> 00:02:24,833 In 1989, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled the state 48 00:02:24,833 --> 00:02:25,733 failed to provide 49 00:02:25,733 --> 00:02:29,200 equal educational opportunities to all Kentucky children. 50 00:02:29,566 --> 00:02:32,800 The landmark 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act, 51 00:02:32,966 --> 00:02:35,800 or KERA, sought to shrink the school funding gap. 52 00:02:36,300 --> 00:02:38,966 Jason Bailey, executive director of the Kentucky Center 53 00:02:38,966 --> 00:02:40,233 for Economic Policy, 54 00:02:40,233 --> 00:02:42,833 spoke with Rene Shaw last week about this dilemma 55 00:02:43,066 --> 00:02:45,600 and how local school districts are responding. 56 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:50,066 Jason Bailey, the executive director of the Kentucky Center 57 00:02:50,066 --> 00:02:51,233 for Economic Policy, 58 00:02:51,233 --> 00:02:52,366 we appreciate 59 00:02:52,366 --> 00:02:55,700 a few moments of your time to talk about education funding 60 00:02:55,700 --> 00:02:59,500 and you and your colleagues with the center have just 61 00:02:59,500 --> 00:03:03,666 released a report on the 23rd actually about the funding gap 62 00:03:03,666 --> 00:03:07,400 between Kentucky's poorest and wealthiest school districts. 63 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:10,133 What did your report find? 64 00:03:10,133 --> 00:03:11,966 Well, we've been tracking this for a number of years, 65 00:03:11,966 --> 00:03:13,666 and we know that the funding gap 66 00:03:13,666 --> 00:03:16,466 has been trending back toward where it was 67 00:03:16,866 --> 00:03:17,666 when the Supreme Court 68 00:03:17,666 --> 00:03:21,333 declared the funding levels unconstitutional and this year 69 00:03:21,900 --> 00:03:23,800 that that gap was surpassed. 70 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:28,433 So we are back to the point where the court said we had 71 00:03:28,466 --> 00:03:32,000 inadequately and equitably funded our school system. 72 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:34,633 So this is a very troubling landmark. 73 00:03:35,233 --> 00:03:37,133 That's the ruling that led to the Kentucky 74 00:03:37,133 --> 00:03:40,100 Education Reform Act and big improvements in equity. 75 00:03:40,100 --> 00:03:43,000 But those have all been slowly dismantled over time. 76 00:03:43,933 --> 00:03:45,733 So now what 77 00:03:45,733 --> 00:03:48,100 right now that you have brought this to light, 78 00:03:48,100 --> 00:03:49,633 what is the responsibility 79 00:03:49,633 --> 00:03:51,933 of the Kentucky General Assembly to address this, 80 00:03:51,966 --> 00:03:56,066 given the landmark Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990? 81 00:03:57,033 --> 00:03:58,733 Well, you know, the court said that they 82 00:03:58,733 --> 00:03:59,300 the legislature 83 00:03:59,300 --> 00:04:01,533 had the responsibility or the constitutional 84 00:04:01,533 --> 00:04:03,166 responsibility to fix this problem. 85 00:04:03,166 --> 00:04:04,133 They did then. 86 00:04:04,133 --> 00:04:05,733 Thankfully, they have the resources 87 00:04:05,733 --> 00:04:09,166 now to begin to turn turn this around. 88 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:12,200 I mean, there are $3.7 billion sitting in the state's 89 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:13,233 rainy day fund. 90 00:04:13,233 --> 00:04:14,066 That's plenty of money 91 00:04:14,066 --> 00:04:14,833 in the next two year 92 00:04:14,833 --> 00:04:17,966 budget to put a lot more into the funding formula 93 00:04:17,966 --> 00:04:20,766 that makes our school funding more equitable. 94 00:04:20,766 --> 00:04:23,200 That's what's been neglected over the past couple of decades. 95 00:04:23,466 --> 00:04:26,033 And so they have the resources to do that in the next budget 96 00:04:26,033 --> 00:04:28,966 if they're willing to do that and forego more tax cuts. 97 00:04:29,900 --> 00:04:32,833 So what has been the response from these 98 00:04:33,533 --> 00:04:35,733 non equitable school districts? 99 00:04:35,733 --> 00:04:36,066 Right. 100 00:04:36,066 --> 00:04:39,500 How have they made up for the lack of support, 101 00:04:39,500 --> 00:04:42,300 financial support that should, in your terms, 102 00:04:42,300 --> 00:04:43,433 be coming from the state? 103 00:04:44,533 --> 00:04:46,933 Well, those districts in really all districts 104 00:04:46,933 --> 00:04:50,200 have been increasing taxes at the local level 105 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:53,033 to try to make up for these state cuts. 106 00:04:53,033 --> 00:04:55,033 Really all districts have been doing there. 107 00:04:55,033 --> 00:04:56,333 But if you're in a property 108 00:04:56,333 --> 00:04:58,466 poor district, the same tax increase 109 00:04:59,333 --> 00:05:02,733 generates far less money than it does in a wealthy district. 110 00:05:02,733 --> 00:05:06,666 So so they're not able to even given their best effort, 111 00:05:06,666 --> 00:05:09,266 they're just not able to make up for these cuts. 112 00:05:09,566 --> 00:05:12,633 And so what you see is fewer teachers, bigger class 113 00:05:12,633 --> 00:05:15,166 sizes, outdated textbooks, 114 00:05:15,666 --> 00:05:18,200 not enough bus drivers, all the things that happen when 115 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:19,433 you don't have enough money. 116 00:05:19,433 --> 00:05:21,666 And it's the kids who are ultimately hurt, 117 00:05:21,666 --> 00:05:23,833 as you have heard, even in this studio 118 00:05:23,833 --> 00:05:25,100 in which I sit right now. 119 00:05:25,100 --> 00:05:27,700 And you've been a part of panel discussions here on Katie 120 00:05:27,833 --> 00:05:30,966 about education funding, and Republicans 121 00:05:31,900 --> 00:05:34,833 often tout the fact that they have invested 122 00:05:34,833 --> 00:05:37,900 record amounts of seek funding the base per 123 00:05:37,900 --> 00:05:41,266 pupil funding in this past budget cycle. 124 00:05:41,266 --> 00:05:41,933 And each cycle 125 00:05:41,933 --> 00:05:44,300 before that, they have increased that commitment. 126 00:05:44,833 --> 00:05:48,133 Are they being disingenuous by characterizing it as such 127 00:05:48,133 --> 00:05:48,800 and such way? 128 00:05:49,900 --> 00:05:51,133 Well, you know, costs go up 129 00:05:51,133 --> 00:05:55,000 every year to operate a school to do anything in life. 130 00:05:55,500 --> 00:05:56,900 So if you're not setting a new record 131 00:05:56,900 --> 00:05:59,466 every year, you're not even treading water. 132 00:05:59,733 --> 00:06:03,100 What's happened over a period of time is that funding 133 00:06:03,100 --> 00:06:03,933 was either frozen 134 00:06:03,933 --> 00:06:05,733 or only increased by small amounts 135 00:06:05,733 --> 00:06:06,966 that didn't keep up with inflation. 136 00:06:06,966 --> 00:06:09,333 And so that was a cut. 137 00:06:09,333 --> 00:06:10,133 That is a real cut. 138 00:06:10,133 --> 00:06:12,133 And I think everybody understands that if you're 139 00:06:12,133 --> 00:06:13,633 if you're spending doesn't 140 00:06:13,633 --> 00:06:15,800 keep up with inflation, then it's a cut. 141 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:18,733 In fact, there's been a 27% cut in that 142 00:06:18,733 --> 00:06:23,400 core funding since 2008 after you take inflation into account. 143 00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:24,833 So you have to look 144 00:06:24,833 --> 00:06:26,833 at the real dollars, how much it actually costs 145 00:06:26,866 --> 00:06:29,433 to hire a teacher to operate a school. 146 00:06:29,666 --> 00:06:32,566 And that's where the the investments 147 00:06:32,566 --> 00:06:35,033 are simply making just hasn't hasn't been enough. 148 00:06:35,633 --> 00:06:39,333 So how much does K through 12 education occupy 149 00:06:39,333 --> 00:06:41,233 of the overall state budget? 150 00:06:41,233 --> 00:06:44,466 And what is the difference between now and, let's 151 00:06:44,466 --> 00:06:48,133 say 2008, the kind of pre recessionary levels? 152 00:06:49,300 --> 00:06:50,800 Yeah, we've actually seen 153 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:53,600 K-12 education, particularly in the most recent budget drop 154 00:06:53,966 --> 00:06:57,433 as a as a priority, had dropped to about 37% 155 00:06:57,433 --> 00:06:58,866 of the state budget. 156 00:06:58,866 --> 00:07:01,766 Still a large piece, but it's gone down in its 157 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:04,766 level of priority and that's that's 158 00:07:04,933 --> 00:07:06,466 that shows up in these numbers as well. 159 00:07:06,466 --> 00:07:08,500 The biggest item in education is 160 00:07:08,500 --> 00:07:09,700 what's called the seek formula, 161 00:07:09,700 --> 00:07:10,600 which is what 162 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:13,566 creates greater equity between rich and poor school districts. 163 00:07:13,566 --> 00:07:15,433 And so when you cut that, when you make it 164 00:07:15,433 --> 00:07:18,600 less of a priority, it's those poor districts, 165 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:20,533 many of which are in eastern Kentucky, 166 00:07:20,533 --> 00:07:22,200 that are hurt the most. 167 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:24,300 And that's what I wanted to get to next. 168 00:07:24,300 --> 00:07:28,466 Jason, is where where geographically are 169 00:07:28,466 --> 00:07:32,200 the districts who are suffering this funding equity gap? 170 00:07:32,233 --> 00:07:35,100 Where are they most centrally located? 171 00:07:35,933 --> 00:07:38,500 Yeah, I mean, they're almost all in eastern Kentucky. 172 00:07:38,500 --> 00:07:39,800 And we're talking about, 173 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:41,366 you know, we looked at the districts 174 00:07:41,366 --> 00:07:44,366 that contain the 20% of students, of students 175 00:07:44,366 --> 00:07:47,633 in the poorest property areas and the 20% in the richest. 176 00:07:48,033 --> 00:07:50,233 It's actually about 60 districts 177 00:07:50,233 --> 00:07:51,366 because they have fewer students. 178 00:07:51,366 --> 00:07:52,033 These are areas 179 00:07:52,033 --> 00:07:54,266 that have experienced deep population, 180 00:07:54,266 --> 00:07:56,400 but almost all of them are in eastern Kentucky. 181 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:57,433 And so, you know, 182 00:07:57,433 --> 00:08:00,966 those those districts really depend on that state 183 00:08:00,966 --> 00:08:02,400 funding as they've seen 184 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:05,866 coal jobs dry up, the value of land go down because of flooding 185 00:08:05,866 --> 00:08:08,466 and and mining that is no longer there anymore. 186 00:08:09,100 --> 00:08:12,466 And so the state money has become that much more important. 187 00:08:12,733 --> 00:08:13,800 And these numbers, I would say, 188 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:17,100 do not even take into account the effect of the 2022 flooding, 189 00:08:17,766 --> 00:08:18,866 which further degraded 190 00:08:18,866 --> 00:08:21,033 property values in many of these counties 191 00:08:21,033 --> 00:08:22,233 and those areas, 192 00:08:22,233 --> 00:08:24,900 as you mentioned, suffering from deep population as well. 193 00:08:24,900 --> 00:08:26,900 So that also affects the property tax base. 194 00:08:27,166 --> 00:08:29,000 So much more to go into this. 195 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:29,600 Jason Bailey, 196 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:32,000 of course, will have conversations about education 197 00:08:32,266 --> 00:08:33,333 on our other programs. 198 00:08:33,333 --> 00:08:36,000 But we thank you for weighing in on Kentucky Edition. 199 00:08:36,800 --> 00:08:37,366 Thank you, Renee. 200 00:08:39,433 --> 00:08:40,666 Tomorrow, we continue our 201 00:08:40,666 --> 00:08:43,666 focus on education matters with a look at school safety. 202 00:08:43,900 --> 00:08:45,533 We break down how districts are doing 203 00:08:45,533 --> 00:08:47,866 when it comes to keeping kids safe in the classroom. 204 00:08:48,133 --> 00:08:50,766 That's tomorrow right here on Kentucky Edition. 205 00:08:51,966 --> 00:08:54,600 Federal judges are once again hearing arguments over 206 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:56,733 Kentucky's ban on gender affirming 207 00:08:56,733 --> 00:08:58,966 medical care for transgender youth. 208 00:08:58,966 --> 00:09:00,566 Friday, the two sides debated 209 00:09:00,566 --> 00:09:02,700 which side was being more compassionate. 210 00:09:03,166 --> 00:09:05,966 U.S. District judge I'm all for par, said concerns 211 00:09:05,966 --> 00:09:08,966 over the child's well-being is at the center of the case. 212 00:09:10,533 --> 00:09:12,200 There's compassion, both directions. 213 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:16,266 And it does seem to me it's not crazy to to say 214 00:09:16,266 --> 00:09:18,200 there's a compassion opponent component 215 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:21,500 to the other side of this, that maybe this is the kind of thing 216 00:09:21,500 --> 00:09:25,166 some people might regret if they do it at age 14, 15. 217 00:09:26,833 --> 00:09:29,600 Earlier this year, lawmakers overrode Governor Andy 218 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:31,900 Beshear his veto of SB 150, 219 00:09:32,100 --> 00:09:34,133 which has been called one of the harshest 220 00:09:34,133 --> 00:09:36,433 anti-transgender policies in the country. 221 00:09:36,833 --> 00:09:38,633 Supporters of trans kids access 222 00:09:38,633 --> 00:09:42,233 to puberty blockers and hormone therapy argued that it is safe. 223 00:09:42,500 --> 00:09:43,900 Necessary health care 224 00:09:43,900 --> 00:09:46,066 that's backed by every major medical group. 225 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:50,400 The evidence in this record shows that withholding treatment 226 00:09:50,833 --> 00:09:51,200 even up 227 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:53,966 until the age of 18, withholding treatment and allowing puberty 228 00:09:54,266 --> 00:09:55,033 to occur 229 00:09:55,033 --> 00:09:56,900 consistent with the sex identified at birth 230 00:09:56,900 --> 00:09:59,133 is extraordinarily harmful to these children. 231 00:09:59,133 --> 00:10:01,800 And what this regulates is not just procedures 232 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:03,300 that they can get until the age of 18, 233 00:10:03,300 --> 00:10:05,666 but it's many aspects of these children's lives 234 00:10:05,966 --> 00:10:07,100 while they're in school 235 00:10:07,100 --> 00:10:09,433 and able to get treatment that is medically indicated 236 00:10:09,433 --> 00:10:12,566 and medically necessary for them to live and develop into 237 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:13,733 functioning, happy adults. 238 00:10:15,100 --> 00:10:16,366 Advocates have state level 239 00:10:16,366 --> 00:10:17,466 bans on children 240 00:10:17,466 --> 00:10:20,533 seeking the care countered that these are experimental 241 00:10:20,633 --> 00:10:22,366 and life altering procedures. 242 00:10:22,366 --> 00:10:26,100 The young people shouldn't be exposed to. 243 00:10:26,100 --> 00:10:29,733 In passing Senate Bill 150, Kentucky's legislature carefully 244 00:10:29,733 --> 00:10:31,800 examined the alleged benefits 245 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:33,966 and the risks attendant to these treatments 246 00:10:33,966 --> 00:10:35,966 and reasonably decided that these risks 247 00:10:35,966 --> 00:10:39,100 are simply too much to tolerate for Kentucky's children. 248 00:10:39,733 --> 00:10:42,466 Kentucky's legislature had the sovereign prerogative 249 00:10:42,466 --> 00:10:45,266 to make this judgment call in Wayland against Roe. 250 00:10:45,300 --> 00:10:48,066 The Supreme Court found it, quote, well-settled 251 00:10:48,066 --> 00:10:51,166 that the state has broad police power in regulating 252 00:10:51,166 --> 00:10:53,933 the administration of drugs by the health professions. 253 00:10:54,433 --> 00:10:55,833 Now, the fact that the plaintiffs 254 00:10:55,833 --> 00:10:57,733 and their favored medical interest groups 255 00:10:57,733 --> 00:11:01,566 disagree with Kentucky's judgment does not lessen 256 00:11:01,566 --> 00:11:04,700 Kentucky's sovereign prerogative. 257 00:11:04,700 --> 00:11:07,766 No ruling was announced Friday. 258 00:11:07,766 --> 00:11:11,966 The state will invest $386 million in high speed Internet. 259 00:11:12,333 --> 00:11:13,366 Governor Andy Beshear 260 00:11:13,366 --> 00:11:16,333 says the investment is the biggest in Kentucky history. 261 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:19,700 It will mean high speed Internet for 42,600 262 00:11:19,700 --> 00:11:22,600 homes and businesses in 46 counties. 263 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:26,300 $196 million is from the Kentucky Broadband 264 00:11:26,666 --> 00:11:27,833 Deployment Fund. 265 00:11:27,833 --> 00:11:28,600 With much of that 266 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:31,633 coming from the American Rescue Plan, Internet service 267 00:11:31,633 --> 00:11:34,266 providers are chipping in another 190 million. 268 00:11:34,666 --> 00:11:36,933 The governor says in the world of 2023, 269 00:11:37,166 --> 00:11:40,466 people without reliable Internet service are being left behind. 270 00:11:41,766 --> 00:11:42,266 Everyone 271 00:11:42,266 --> 00:11:45,100 needs reliable and affordable high speed Internet. 272 00:11:45,366 --> 00:11:46,800 From a parent trying to schedule 273 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:48,933 a doctor's appointment to a business owner 274 00:11:49,433 --> 00:11:53,533 needing to sell their goods or to hire people to our students 275 00:11:53,533 --> 00:11:56,800 from elementary to college, logging in for their homework. 276 00:11:57,300 --> 00:12:00,233 The day after we received the historic beat funding. 277 00:12:00,533 --> 00:12:01,700 Advocates for high speed 278 00:12:01,700 --> 00:12:04,466 Internet met in Louisville at Simmons College to celebrate. 279 00:12:04,733 --> 00:12:07,600 And there we met a student named Andrea. 280 00:12:08,066 --> 00:12:09,666 She talked about how these investments 281 00:12:09,666 --> 00:12:12,833 will help students like her have better and faster Internet 282 00:12:12,833 --> 00:12:14,466 as they work towards their degrees, 283 00:12:14,466 --> 00:12:18,000 which unlocks possibilities for them and their future. 284 00:12:18,333 --> 00:12:22,566 It's a reminder that high speed Internet is no longer a luxury. 285 00:12:22,800 --> 00:12:26,333 It is an absolute infrastructure necessity. 286 00:12:28,133 --> 00:12:30,500 And the governor says this is just the beginning. 287 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:33,466 Kentucky House Speaker David 288 00:12:33,466 --> 00:12:35,800 Osborne says the General Assembly deserves 289 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:38,066 credit for today's Internet announcement. 290 00:12:38,066 --> 00:12:41,833 In a statement, he wrote, quote, Today's news is further proof 291 00:12:41,833 --> 00:12:42,900 that the legislature's 292 00:12:42,900 --> 00:12:45,900 goal of expanding broadband access is within reach. 293 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:48,733 Make no mistake, Kentucky's historic investments 294 00:12:48,866 --> 00:12:49,666 in broadband 295 00:12:49,666 --> 00:12:51,233 expansion would not have happened 296 00:12:51,233 --> 00:12:53,433 without the vision and commitment of Representative 297 00:12:53,433 --> 00:12:54,266 Phil Pratt, 298 00:12:54,266 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker Pro-Tem David Mead and Representative Brandon Reed. 299 00:12:57,666 --> 00:12:58,633 Unquote. 300 00:12:59,633 --> 00:13:01,266 And there's more Internet news 301 00:13:01,266 --> 00:13:04,100 and an update on the sale of the Woodford County Castle 302 00:13:04,333 --> 00:13:07,466 as Toby Gibbs looks at headlines around Kentucky. 303 00:13:16,700 --> 00:13:19,733 Broadband users in Kentucky could be affected 304 00:13:19,733 --> 00:13:21,966 by the end of a federal program 305 00:13:21,966 --> 00:13:25,166 that provides discount bid rates for Internet service. 306 00:13:25,500 --> 00:13:28,833 The Affordable Connectivity Program was established 307 00:13:28,833 --> 00:13:32,000 by the Biden administration during the pandemic 308 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:34,600 to help households afford Internet service 309 00:13:34,866 --> 00:13:37,633 they may need for work, school and health care. 310 00:13:37,900 --> 00:13:41,766 Funds for the program are projected to run out in 2024, 311 00:13:41,966 --> 00:13:43,900 but the program has not yet reached 312 00:13:43,900 --> 00:13:47,800 everyone who is eligible, including customers in Kentucky. 313 00:13:48,033 --> 00:13:50,833 Western Kentucky University Public Media quotes 314 00:13:50,833 --> 00:13:54,100 a spokesperson for Warren Free CC, 315 00:13:54,333 --> 00:13:56,133 which serves Warren County 316 00:13:56,133 --> 00:13:59,333 and portions of five neighboring counties that the program 317 00:13:59,333 --> 00:14:03,466 is available to its customers, but only about 6% use it. 318 00:14:03,733 --> 00:14:06,166 Approximately 20 million households 319 00:14:06,166 --> 00:14:09,433 are using the program, which is only about 40% 320 00:14:09,433 --> 00:14:12,566 of the households that are eligible for the discount. 321 00:14:15,133 --> 00:14:18,033 A murray State graduate was one of three Marines 322 00:14:18,033 --> 00:14:21,366 killed in a training exercise in Australia last week. 323 00:14:21,700 --> 00:14:23,366 WKMG reports. 324 00:14:23,366 --> 00:14:26,766 Captain Eleanor Veal LeBeau joined the Marines after 325 00:14:26,766 --> 00:14:30,400 earning a bachelor's degree from Murray State in 2016. 326 00:14:30,700 --> 00:14:35,633 WKMG said MSU president Bob Jackson released a statement 327 00:14:35,933 --> 00:14:39,566 saying LeBeau, quote, served her country with distinction 328 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:42,600 and brought great pride to Murray State University 329 00:14:42,766 --> 00:14:44,366 and quote, 330 00:14:46,066 --> 00:14:48,833 The Kentucky castle is under new ownership. 331 00:14:49,100 --> 00:14:49,633 The Woodford 332 00:14:49,633 --> 00:14:53,566 County landmark has been sold for a reported price of $19 333 00:14:53,566 --> 00:14:58,033 million to tax Sea Hospitality Group, a company headed 334 00:14:58,033 --> 00:15:01,600 by the co-founder of Louisville based Angel's Envy Bourbon. 335 00:15:02,066 --> 00:15:05,700 Emily Downie, the executive director of the Woodford Tourism 336 00:15:05,766 --> 00:15:09,766 Commission, tells WVXU Public Radio she has high hopes 337 00:15:09,766 --> 00:15:11,200 the new owners will continue 338 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:14,266 to make the castle publicly accessible, saying, 339 00:15:14,266 --> 00:15:17,733 quote, For the price, we know that they are invested. 340 00:15:18,100 --> 00:15:21,133 The 110 acre Kentucky castle is an upscale 341 00:15:21,133 --> 00:15:24,166 bed and breakfast with a restaurant and spa. 342 00:15:24,366 --> 00:15:26,533 It also hosts special events. 343 00:15:28,666 --> 00:15:31,100 A recent high school graduate has made history 344 00:15:31,100 --> 00:15:32,500 in her hometown. 345 00:15:32,500 --> 00:15:35,666 18 year old Emily Frederick of Clark County recently 346 00:15:35,666 --> 00:15:39,266 became the first female Eagle Scout in Clark County history. 347 00:15:39,566 --> 00:15:41,366 Frederick tells the Winchester son 348 00:15:41,366 --> 00:15:43,100 she joined the Boy Scout troop 349 00:15:43,100 --> 00:15:45,266 after girls were allowed to become members 350 00:15:45,500 --> 00:15:48,500 because she liked the emphasis on the outdoors. 351 00:15:48,766 --> 00:15:51,600 When asked what message she would have for other girls, 352 00:15:51,900 --> 00:15:54,100 Frederick tells the newspaper, quote, 353 00:15:54,100 --> 00:15:56,700 My message would be that you can do anything 354 00:15:56,700 --> 00:15:58,933 that you decide that you will make happen. 355 00:15:58,933 --> 00:16:03,566 And quote with headlines around Kentucky, I'm Toby. 356 00:16:03,566 --> 00:16:14,966 Give 2023 marks. 357 00:16:14,966 --> 00:16:18,300 The 20th anniversary of the founding of Operation Unite. 358 00:16:18,666 --> 00:16:21,366 The nonprofit was formed by Kentucky fifth District 359 00:16:21,366 --> 00:16:25,166 Congressman Hal Rogers in 2003 to fight the substance 360 00:16:25,166 --> 00:16:28,000 use crisis in eastern and southeastern Kentucky. 361 00:16:28,333 --> 00:16:31,700 Kentucky Edition talked to Unite about 20 years of service 362 00:16:33,166 --> 00:16:36,400 when Operation Unite began 20 years ago. 363 00:16:36,766 --> 00:16:40,766 Our family was going through a very dark, dark time 364 00:16:41,100 --> 00:16:43,866 with our son's addiction. 365 00:16:43,866 --> 00:16:45,533 We had nowhere to turn. 366 00:16:45,533 --> 00:16:48,800 We went to that first town hall meeting that Congressman 367 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:52,600 Rogers had, and we decided that we didn't 368 00:16:52,600 --> 00:16:55,666 want any other family to endure what we had endured. 369 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:58,533 My husband and I were both educators. 370 00:16:58,733 --> 00:17:02,600 We were seeing the impact on the families of many 371 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:08,066 of our students, anywhere from losing a parent, a sibling. 372 00:17:08,933 --> 00:17:12,500 The incarceration of many of family members. 373 00:17:12,633 --> 00:17:15,233 Overdose deaths were skyrocketing. 374 00:17:15,233 --> 00:17:19,133 Pill mills were being built in every county 375 00:17:19,133 --> 00:17:21,033 opened up in every county. 376 00:17:21,033 --> 00:17:24,366 Drug related crimes just filled our court dockets. 377 00:17:25,133 --> 00:17:27,800 We were in a mess, a total mess. 378 00:17:28,166 --> 00:17:30,600 And out of that mess, 379 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:34,700 people came together under Congressman Rogers leadership 380 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:37,666 and they wanted to find a solution to the problem. 381 00:17:38,033 --> 00:17:41,900 And that solution had to attack the problem on all sides. 382 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:45,300 It had to involve law enforcement. 383 00:17:45,333 --> 00:17:48,833 That's the unlawful narcotics investigation, you and I. 384 00:17:49,300 --> 00:17:50,700 There had to be treatment and there was 385 00:17:50,700 --> 00:17:52,733 very little treatment at that time. 386 00:17:52,733 --> 00:17:54,833 And there had to be education prevention. 387 00:17:54,833 --> 00:17:57,333 And that's how Unite was born, that acronym. 388 00:17:57,633 --> 00:18:01,500 Well, you not provided a voucher to me 389 00:18:01,500 --> 00:18:05,966 in 2011 to allow me to come to treatment. 390 00:18:07,700 --> 00:18:08,866 I had 391 00:18:09,500 --> 00:18:12,566 used up all my resources and burned all my bridges, 392 00:18:13,700 --> 00:18:16,466 and there just was nowhere else to turn. 393 00:18:16,466 --> 00:18:19,433 And without a you not voucher 394 00:18:19,433 --> 00:18:21,700 more than likely, I would not be sitting 395 00:18:21,700 --> 00:18:24,300 in front of you today. 396 00:18:24,966 --> 00:18:27,400 I'll probably be 397 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:30,300 not on this earth today, to be honest with you. 398 00:18:31,100 --> 00:18:33,466 It was through that voucher that allowed me 399 00:18:33,466 --> 00:18:35,066 to get here today as a house. 400 00:18:35,066 --> 00:18:39,733 And I know that along with me, there has been numerous 401 00:18:40,133 --> 00:18:43,600 others that have come through this program on you, 402 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:44,433 not vouchers. 403 00:18:44,433 --> 00:18:48,833 Through the years, you started with a few dozen Unite employees 404 00:18:50,166 --> 00:18:52,766 spread to thousands of volunteers. 405 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:56,633 Today, we've have over 5100 406 00:18:56,633 --> 00:18:58,266 people who have entered 407 00:18:58,266 --> 00:19:00,866 a treatment program with one of our vouchers, 408 00:19:01,233 --> 00:19:05,133 and we have over 650,000 children and youth 409 00:19:05,433 --> 00:19:09,066 who over the last 20 years have been introduced in and 410 00:19:09,066 --> 00:19:12,966 participated in our prevention initiatives and programs. 411 00:19:13,700 --> 00:19:15,933 So during the past 20 years, 412 00:19:16,900 --> 00:19:19,200 that title has changed 413 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:23,400 from the painkiller capital of the nation to 414 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:27,266 the hope of the nation, along with the countless 415 00:19:27,266 --> 00:19:30,533 you not vouchers that have come through as a house. 416 00:19:30,566 --> 00:19:33,466 I know there's that many more that have went 417 00:19:33,466 --> 00:19:35,666 through other programs to you, not vouchers. 418 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:39,466 And not only that, but the countless people 419 00:19:39,466 --> 00:19:42,566 that was incarcerated 420 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:44,366 by the you 421 00:19:44,366 --> 00:19:47,733 not officers during those 422 00:19:47,900 --> 00:19:50,300 those early days of the 423 00:19:50,733 --> 00:19:54,200 I guess the early 2000s. 424 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:56,533 And people may say, well, how 425 00:19:56,533 --> 00:19:58,666 how does that change the landscape? 426 00:19:58,700 --> 00:19:59,433 Well, 427 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:03,433 jail saved my life multiple times. 428 00:20:03,866 --> 00:20:07,933 Yet looking back, there are those memorable moments. 429 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:10,766 But I think one of the most memorable 430 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:15,133 was having seen young adults 431 00:20:15,700 --> 00:20:18,800 who grew up in Unite, who came to us, 432 00:20:18,800 --> 00:20:23,166 whether it was in Camp Unite or through Unite Clubs. 433 00:20:23,733 --> 00:20:28,166 Our scholars, our immunized scholars, they're the ones 434 00:20:29,166 --> 00:20:31,966 who give us hope, who make us realize that 435 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:35,566 what we're doing is not in vain because they've made 436 00:20:35,566 --> 00:20:37,900 the one choice. 437 00:20:39,700 --> 00:20:41,833 According to a study conducted by Unite 438 00:20:41,966 --> 00:20:43,700 and the University of Chicago, 439 00:20:43,700 --> 00:20:47,200 14 of the top 20 counties in the US with the largest 440 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:51,266 overdose mortality rates between 2008 and 2017 441 00:20:51,566 --> 00:20:53,900 were in eastern Kentucky. 442 00:20:57,566 --> 00:20:59,733 The Louisville Ballet is the official State 443 00:20:59,733 --> 00:21:01,866 Ballet of Kentucky, but its upcoming 444 00:21:01,866 --> 00:21:04,733 season will look a lot different when it opens this fall. 445 00:21:05,100 --> 00:21:07,600 Our Kristi Dutton talked to the ballet CEO 446 00:21:07,766 --> 00:21:10,266 about what to expect and about the celebrity 447 00:21:10,333 --> 00:21:12,533 who's helping the ballet stay on point. 448 00:21:13,466 --> 00:21:15,800 Like many nonprofits right now, the Louisville 449 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:17,800 Ballet is struggling with funding. 450 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:20,766 Leslie Smart, the organization's CEO, is here to talk about 451 00:21:20,766 --> 00:21:23,266 why now. But paying debt. The pandemic left a mark. 452 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:25,166 But it's a little more than that, right? 453 00:21:25,166 --> 00:21:26,833 Certainly, it did leave a mark. 454 00:21:26,833 --> 00:21:27,400 And I think 455 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:30,533 one of the biggest challenges that we had was last year 456 00:21:30,900 --> 00:21:34,533 we had sold out performances of the Brown-Forman Nutcracker. 457 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:38,133 And unfortunately, three of those performances, 458 00:21:38,133 --> 00:21:39,700 the last three of the season 459 00:21:39,700 --> 00:21:42,333 were canceled because of the Arctic storm. 460 00:21:42,333 --> 00:21:44,400 ELLIOTT That blew through the state. 461 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:45,933 We followed the governor's guidance 462 00:21:45,933 --> 00:21:47,500 and canceled those performances 463 00:21:47,500 --> 00:21:50,733 and had to refund $225,000 in tickets. 464 00:21:51,266 --> 00:21:52,666 Oh, my goodness. Okay. 465 00:21:52,666 --> 00:21:57,066 So you all recently received a gift from local rapper 466 00:21:57,066 --> 00:21:59,033 Jack Harlow. Were you expecting that? 467 00:21:59,033 --> 00:22:00,166 Was that a surprise? 468 00:22:00,166 --> 00:22:02,266 He's remarkable. 469 00:22:02,266 --> 00:22:06,366 We were very fortunate to have a relationship with Maggie 470 00:22:07,366 --> 00:22:08,633 Harlow, his mother, and 471 00:22:08,633 --> 00:22:11,133 supporting us with signage needs. 472 00:22:11,133 --> 00:22:13,833 And so I knew of Jack and I knew she had an interest 473 00:22:13,833 --> 00:22:14,866 in engaging Jack. 474 00:22:14,866 --> 00:22:16,566 But it was actually when the article appeared 475 00:22:16,566 --> 00:22:17,433 in The Courier Journal 476 00:22:17,433 --> 00:22:18,566 and he read it, 477 00:22:18,566 --> 00:22:20,566 that he reached out the same day and said, 478 00:22:20,566 --> 00:22:23,233 I want to help in a significant way. And boy, did he. 479 00:22:23,466 --> 00:22:25,033 Oh, that's amazing. Yes. 480 00:22:25,033 --> 00:22:25,366 Okay. 481 00:22:25,366 --> 00:22:28,366 So your upcoming season, the season of the Commonwealth. 482 00:22:28,366 --> 00:22:29,566 What's that about? 483 00:22:29,566 --> 00:22:32,833 Well, it's truly made for Kentucky by Kentucky. 484 00:22:32,866 --> 00:22:34,066 We're so fortunate to have 485 00:22:34,066 --> 00:22:37,300 the caliber of ballet company that we have here in Kentucky. 486 00:22:37,933 --> 00:22:41,466 72 year history, fifth oldest ballet company in the country. 487 00:22:41,800 --> 00:22:45,200 And the season kicks off in our studio up close 488 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:45,700 and personal 489 00:22:45,700 --> 00:22:48,900 with our dancers with a mixed rep called Distilled. 490 00:22:49,266 --> 00:22:50,900 We'll have a pre reception 491 00:22:50,900 --> 00:22:53,233 at the Louisville Thoroughbreds Society. 492 00:22:53,233 --> 00:22:55,333 And Heaven Hill is going to actually 493 00:22:55,333 --> 00:22:56,900 provide their master artisans. 494 00:22:56,900 --> 00:22:58,966 And then we're going to showcase three ballets 495 00:22:59,333 --> 00:23:03,300 and that will include Appalachian Spring Coal Virtues 496 00:23:03,300 --> 00:23:04,633 and one of the most 497 00:23:04,633 --> 00:23:07,400 romantic ballets, and that is for Moon Death. 498 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:08,533 Oh, wow. 499 00:23:08,533 --> 00:23:09,533 And then we'll head 500 00:23:09,533 --> 00:23:12,400 into our main stage production with Giselle, 501 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:14,800 which will be performed in November. 502 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:16,333 And then the sweetest 503 00:23:16,333 --> 00:23:18,866 treat of the holiday season is the Brown-Forman 504 00:23:18,866 --> 00:23:19,900 Nutcracker, truly 505 00:23:19,900 --> 00:23:21,833 one of the most beautiful productions 506 00:23:21,833 --> 00:23:23,900 of The Nutcracker in the country. 507 00:23:23,900 --> 00:23:27,633 Choreographed by Val Perelli for San Francisco Ballet 508 00:23:28,066 --> 00:23:30,633 and will run all the way through Christmas Eve, 509 00:23:30,633 --> 00:23:32,800 We're adding a Christmas Eve performance. 510 00:23:32,866 --> 00:23:34,566 Oh, wow. Okay. 511 00:23:34,566 --> 00:23:37,266 So how do people get tickets to see these shows? 512 00:23:37,300 --> 00:23:39,066 Well, we definitely want people to get tickets. 513 00:23:39,066 --> 00:23:41,600 I will tell you, Distilled is already sold out. 514 00:23:41,633 --> 00:23:43,633 Okay. Which is fantastic. 515 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:45,333 That's one problem to have. 516 00:23:45,333 --> 00:23:46,300 We're looking to add 517 00:23:46,300 --> 00:23:47,933 an additional performance, 518 00:23:47,933 --> 00:23:50,366 but they can actually call our box office 519 00:23:50,533 --> 00:23:54,533 and that's 5025832623. 520 00:23:54,700 --> 00:23:55,266 Okay. 521 00:23:55,266 --> 00:23:57,300 Now, real quick, you have a personal connection 522 00:23:57,300 --> 00:23:59,166 to the Louisville Ballet that I think is so cool. 523 00:23:59,166 --> 00:23:59,766 Tell us about that. 524 00:23:59,766 --> 00:24:00,366 I do. 525 00:24:00,366 --> 00:24:01,500 So I have nine 526 00:24:01,500 --> 00:24:04,066 members of my family that have been personally 527 00:24:04,066 --> 00:24:05,933 involved with the Louisville Ballet, 528 00:24:05,933 --> 00:24:07,466 including an anti-marriage 529 00:24:07,466 --> 00:24:09,233 who was an original member of the ballet. 530 00:24:09,233 --> 00:24:12,033 And I, myself and my sister danced with the company. 531 00:24:12,366 --> 00:24:15,433 So we have been involved the entire 70 years 532 00:24:15,433 --> 00:24:16,566 of the Louisville Ballet. 533 00:24:16,566 --> 00:24:20,500 So it's very exciting to be in this role and helping to lead 534 00:24:20,733 --> 00:24:22,933 Louisville Ballet. At this point in my career. 535 00:24:22,966 --> 00:24:26,000 I know multi-generational and family 536 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:29,400 and what a passion project to do, and it's fantastic. 537 00:24:29,700 --> 00:24:32,100 Leslie Smart, CEO of Louisville Ballet, 538 00:24:32,133 --> 00:24:33,800 thank you so much for being here. 539 00:24:33,800 --> 00:24:35,133 Thank you for having me. Yes. 540 00:24:52,900 --> 00:24:55,000 A governor who served less than a week, 541 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:58,566 100 mile bike race in Kentucky and a civil rights standoff 542 00:24:58,566 --> 00:25:00,300 that involved the National Guard. 543 00:25:00,300 --> 00:25:02,233 Our Toby Gibbs looks at those events 544 00:25:02,233 --> 00:25:05,466 and more in tonight's This Week in Kentucky History. 545 00:25:10,433 --> 00:25:12,633 It was one of the tense moments of the civil 546 00:25:12,633 --> 00:25:17,100 rights movement in Kentucky on September 4th, 1956. 547 00:25:17,366 --> 00:25:18,033 Governor Happy 548 00:25:18,033 --> 00:25:21,100 Chandler called out 900 members of the National Guard 549 00:25:21,300 --> 00:25:24,166 to dispense a crowd trying to block the integration 550 00:25:24,166 --> 00:25:25,900 at Sturgis High School. 551 00:25:25,900 --> 00:25:28,233 500 people blocked the doors after nine 552 00:25:28,233 --> 00:25:31,300 black students tried to enter with the guard in place. 553 00:25:31,533 --> 00:25:33,766 The nine were able to enter the school. 554 00:25:35,733 --> 00:25:38,400 September 5th, 1968, Muhammad Ali, 555 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:41,533 then known as Cassius Clay, won the light heavyweight gold 556 00:25:41,533 --> 00:25:44,733 medal for boxing at the Rome Summer Olympics. 557 00:25:46,733 --> 00:25:48,833 President Gerald Ford named former U.S. 558 00:25:48,833 --> 00:25:52,166 Senator John Sherman Cooper of Kentucky as the U.S. 559 00:25:52,166 --> 00:25:56,733 ambassador to East Germany on September 5th, 1974. 560 00:25:58,666 --> 00:26:01,333 The Kentucky Derby was not the first Saturday 561 00:26:01,333 --> 00:26:04,033 in May in 2020, thanks to COVID. 562 00:26:04,033 --> 00:26:05,733 It was September 5th. 563 00:26:05,733 --> 00:26:09,500 Authentic won the race. 564 00:26:09,633 --> 00:26:12,100 Governor John Howard wasn't in office very long. 565 00:26:12,100 --> 00:26:16,000 He died September 8th, 1867, five days 566 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:18,566 after taking the oath. 567 00:26:19,300 --> 00:26:21,966 Happy birthday to a Kentuckian of worldwide fame. 568 00:26:22,300 --> 00:26:25,733 Fried Chicken restauranteur Colonel Harland Sanders was born 569 00:26:25,733 --> 00:26:27,800 September 9th, 1898, 570 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:29,666 and those are some of the highlights 571 00:26:29,666 --> 00:26:31,666 from This Week in Kentucky History. 572 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:34,400 I'm Toby Gibbs. 573 00:26:35,133 --> 00:26:36,966 It's great when you can enjoy your job. 574 00:26:36,966 --> 00:26:38,833 Wednesday on Kentucky Edition. 575 00:26:38,833 --> 00:26:42,100 Two coworkers who've known each other a while and it shows. 576 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:44,066 Oh, it's kind of crazy. 577 00:26:44,066 --> 00:26:46,500 We have we're some some fun times. 578 00:26:46,500 --> 00:26:50,100 We get up and we laugh and and we just enjoyed being. 579 00:26:50,133 --> 00:26:52,000 I've always enjoyed being around him, you know? 580 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:53,400 It's been good. We enjoyed that. 581 00:26:54,800 --> 00:26:55,833 Meet father and son 582 00:26:55,833 --> 00:26:57,966 barbers from Campbellsville tomorrow. 583 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:02,433 We hope you'll join us again tomorrow night at 630 Eastern. 584 00:27:02,433 --> 00:27:04,666 530 Central for Kentucky Edition. 585 00:27:04,833 --> 00:27:06,966 We inform, Connect and Inspire. 586 00:27:07,333 --> 00:27:08,866 Subscribe to our Kentucky Edition 587 00:27:08,866 --> 00:27:11,700 email newsletter and watch full episodes and clips at KET 588 00:27:12,466 --> 00:27:15,233 dot org and follow KET on Facebook. 589 00:27:15,433 --> 00:27:19,133 X formerly known as Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop. 590 00:27:19,600 --> 00:27:21,933 Thank you for joining us tonight for Kentucky Edition. 591 00:27:21,966 --> 00:27:24,466 I'm Casey Parker Bell. See you tonight.