>> Only individuals who got to speak and a hearing the day none of them looked like me.

Not a single.

>> The NAACP reacts to Anti Dei legislation.

>> It's a lot sooner than I thought I would be in politics.

>> Meet one of the newest and youngest members of the Kentucky General Assembly.

>> The goal here is the students are going to be the future leaders in our diplomacy.

Future leaders in our government.

>> A peace deal between Russia and the Ukraine hammered out by UK students.

>> This summer when the shelter represents hope in the future filled with possibilities.

>> And why a habitat for humanity home in Lexington is dedicated to a young man's life.

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

♪ ♪ >> Well, good evening and welcome to Kentucky.

Addition for Friday March, the 7th, I'm Kelsey Starks filling in for Renee Shaw this evening.

We thank you so much for joining us on this Friday evening.

Our first story right now, the FBI says it is the fastest growing crime against children.

Now a bill making it a felony in Kentucky is headed for the governor's desk that begins tonight.

Legislative update.

Senate Bill, 73 addresses sextortion that that's a form of exploitation where a person uses sexually explicit images to threaten someone.

The bill upgrades the crime to a felony provides legal remedies to victims and prioritizes prevention education for students.

The bill passed the full House today and has already cleared the Senate.

Kentucky is facing a shortage of health care workers according to the Kentucky Hospital Association, 12% of positions in Kentucky hospitals are unfilled the bill that cleared the full Senate today looks to address that shortage by ensuring medical professionals can refuse to provide medical care if it violates their conscience.

Senate Bill, 132, is sponsored by state Sen Donald Douglas, a doctor from Nicholasville.

He says it's time Kentucky joined the several states that have rights of conscience laws for health care professionals.

But some Democrats argue the bill could lead to patients being harmed.

>> This bill is meant to provider recruitment Bill.

And economic development.

Bill.

In a bill that says to the health care providers.

We welcome you to the cockpit to the common.

Well.

We want you here.

We will honor your moral conscience.

This bill.

Actually protect those people.

Who want to express the moral conscience just like every other Kentuckyian here in the Commonwealth.

>> What this bill does is give anyone or any institution in the medical space, a license to discriminate.

Because it's not just limited to denying care based on a religious objection.

It goes so far as to say and ethical moral or any other type of conscience.

Objection.

That's very brought.

That means that somebody could say I don't want to provide prenatal care to this person because they are pregnant.

>> Outside of means they could say I don't want to provide a cancer screening to this person because they're in a same sex relationship.

>> It means that anyone could come up with any reason at any point in any time to hold up someone's health care.

>> Senate Bill 132, past with 26, yes votes and 6, no votes.

It now heads to the House for consideration there where a similar bill failed to gain traction just last year, the Conservative Family Foundation praise to today's passage calling it a much needed Bill.

In a statement, Executive director David Walz said, quote, no Kentuckyian especially our frontline healthcare workers should be forced to choose between their faith and their profession.

The House clears a bill allowing the arrest of protesters who disrupted legislative proceedings.

House Bill 399 makes interfering with legislative proceeding.

A criminal offense punishable by up to one year in jail for the first offense 5 for the 3rd offense.

It is in response to 2023 protests during the House's deliberation on a bill banning gender affirming care for minors.

Opponents of House Bill 399.

Say it infringes on First Amendment rights.

The sponsor of the bill says it's needed to ensure lawmakers are able to get their work done.

>> Each one of us represents 45,000 plus or minus people.

We're the voice of our constituents and whether I agree with the argument or not, you have that rot.

>> To represent your constituents and be their voice.

>> On that topic.

But that day that didn't happen because of what occurred in the gallery.

I am a staunch advocate of the First Amendment.

I think it's one of our best and strongest amendments that we have in our Constitution.

It is as American as it gets.

He's been able to have a voice.

Amongst our government.

But when you take that and you prevent a legislative body from doing its work.

You cross a line.

Were sent here to do the work of the people and we should be able to do so.

>> My very first year on this House floor was in 2023.

And I sat over there on the other side of this House floor and I was one of the people who stood up to make comments as we had a gallery full of people who are using their voice.

And yeah, it was disruptive.

It was disruptive in the best way possible because we have people showing up.

To this building that we have the privilege to stand in every day and make laws that affect people's lives.

This is not a Friday night game of Monopoly is what I like to remind people.

These are people's lives.

We are dealing with.

And there are consequences and we have people that cared enough to come and exercise their rights and their voices.

We should not be afraid of that.

The bill does not prohibit assembly in the Capitol Rotunda or on the grounds of the Capitol.

>> The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People says Kentucky's legislators need to do better.

Today.

A local chapter of the NAACP spoke out against Anti Dei legislation that's moving through the state House.

Specifically they're referring to House Bill 4, which dismantles diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Kentucky universities.

But 2 similar bills have been introduced.

The organization is calling on others to speak out and for lawmakers to take the time to listen.

The Louisville chapter's president noted that no black person gave testimony at the committee hearing for House Bill forward despite University of Louisville students, including students of color showing up to speak.

>> It's almost like a spring training has left the station in everybody's free to get in front of it takes real courage to do the right thing.

>> And now is the time to do the right thing.

>> This is a participation has gone down down down down down.

>> Why hasn't gone that?

That's because the next leadership to a process.

>> That basically where they have decided what it is they want to and they don't want to hear from falls.

So in terms of the young and young ladies being denied the opportunity to they get oxygen tension.

And I call it out to be in detention.

But the thing about it is.

The only individuals and I may be an unfair only individuals who got to speak at the hearing that the day none of them look like me.

Not a single.

This ad.

And I want to hear a voice to the post move.

Got me so that I think are full of the message makes land by the actions of it.

So if you talk about a doing away with her statement, inclusion and I say they use that as a code word That's what you're doing.

And you did not that reached a speed was a say about you what >> Proponents of House Bill 4 say it evens the playing field for all students by eliminating preferential treatment of college programs.

The bill does not and cannot negate federal civil rights protections.

♪ Time now for a post script where we catch up on some of the action that happened earlier this week in Frankfort.

Property owners will have an easier time removing U.S. waters under a bill passed by the House sponsors of House Bill 10 say it strengthens the state's approach to squatting and provides property owners and law enforcement with clear instructions on how to deal with unlawful occupants.

>> House Bill 10 provides property owners the peace of mind that if someone unlawfully comes into their property in a tense to occupy it, property owners or their authorized agents, a request law enforcement officers to immediately remove individuals unlawfully occupying their or their property under certain conditions.

So additionally, the measure would provide law enforcement with clear guidelines to act swiftly in these situations, therefore protecting our frontline officers who are often in precarious positions.

What is the current procedure that is utilized by?

Owners when they need to remove a squatter who has no reliable title, such as what's contemplated by this bill.

>> There's a gap and what we do in the legal profession on this particular context, it's not it's clear this adds clarity to it so you can pursue adverse possession and pursue contract claims you can pursue of the possession, Dispossess a tenant from possession when there's been a lease in place.

But none of those things particularly fit this factual situation where there is, in fact, no claim there is no call double title.

And this provides on avenue of recourse for those landlords of have property or owners that have property to have someone to just walk in, sit down and might point to possession.

>> I think we all agree that it's a problem meant for someone to take up on your property where they don't belong.

There.

I think no one in this room would find a dispute there.

I'm just not sure convinced that this is the right solution, especially since we just heard the gentleman from Todd List about 5 or 6 different legal actions that could be taken to remove such a person.

So while it may be the odd person out today, I'll be opposed to it.

Having worked on this issue in court before I can tell you under current law, it is more difficult to remove a squatter from from illegal occupation property, then to remove someone who was a lawful 10 right now, this bill fixes that situation and ultimately protect protect property owners in Kentucky.

Some extraordinary things.

The bill also amends criminal statutes allowing criminal mischief charges to be brought against squatters.

>> If they damage property.

Well, he is one of the youngest legislators in the General Assembly, Republican State Representative Payton Griffey lives and works in his native Bulloch County serving the 26th district in Frankfort.

Laura Rogers introduces us to the attorney and lawmaker in our series highlighting that 2025. freshman class of the Kentucky General Assembly.

♪ ♪ >> It's a lot sooner than I thought I would be in politics state Representative Payne Griffey was 27 years old when he began his work in the Kentucky General Assembly last year following a special election.

And I was able to to part of that great budget discussion and then re-elected in November to a full two-year term.

This session I've been able to take time and and really learn.

I think process a lot better.

I've been able to see how things work in Frankfort, how bills or even drafted and filed Griffey whose parents are politically active became further interested in a potential run for office in 2020.

The real jumpstart into politics for me was working for Attorney General Cameron in law school.

>> Today he considers the former attorney general, a friend and mentor.

That was just a very eye-opening, great experience for me that really, in my opinion, I saw how a public servant really should operate and should act politically among griffey's priorities, eliminating the state income tax in a, quote, smart, safe way.

We're going to be a competitive market here in Kentucky.

We're going to have to do that.

Eventually.

We see our friends in Tennessee.

>> In Texas have done that and they are getting businesses there.

>> Knowledge is that will require finding other sources of revenue and spending cuts.

>> Where places that we can cut to shrink the size of government, make your tax dollars work better for you and then KET more money in the pockets of those that are paying taxes.

As a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, he's also passionate about military and veterans affairs which informs policymaking.

It's a unique perspective, especially when I've got Fort Knox in the district to really be able to understand what those folks might need or >> what issues are important that the House Bill, 113 is one of the 4 bills is filed.

It would exempt military members from that motor vehicle usage tax while on active duty.

We have 2 great veteran and military populations here in the state, both in for Campbell and Fort Knox, which is in my district, Griffey travels to Fort Knox Monthly for the U.S. Army Reserve.

His law firm is in Shepherdsville and he lives and Mount Washington.

So I really touch every area in my district, at least once a month.

And so I think that's given me a really unique perspective of the 45 to 50,000 people that I represent.

Greg says Bullet County is seeing rapid growth as it sits between 2 other highly populated areas of Jefferson and Hardin counties were closing in on 100,000 people in this county.

We absolutely need better infrastructure as we have people that want to stay here.

They want to move here and live here.

>> But also as we see in places like Shepherdsville that are growing their downtown area, they want to work here.

Not yet 30 Griffey also represents a younger generation he has created and advises chapters of the young Republicans.

Lot of us are trying to start families, buy our first home.

>> Starting our full time careers may be figuring out what we really want to be doing with our lives.

And so that's important perspective, I think, to bring to Frankfort, Griffey says he feels of this legislative session has been productive and he's looking forward to more work being done with 30 day session is not a lot of time, but we have taken very seriously.

I think both the House and Senate take their jobs very seriously and to get good legislation across the finish line.

I think that's what you'll see in the next couple weeks for Kentucky edition.

I'm Laura Rogers.

♪ >> An emergency protective order has been granted against former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin at the request of his 18 year-old adoptive son.

That is according to the Kentucky Lantern, which has been following the case of Jonah Bevan, who last year at the age of 17 was removed from an abusive facility in Jamaica.

In the court filing, the Kentucky Lantern reports, Jonah says his parents abandoned him at the facility and then tried to send him to Ethiopia where he was born when he spoke up about the harsh conditions, Glenna Bevin who is seeking a divorce from Matt Bevin is not named in the E but both are ordered to appear in court on March.

19th.

More troops stationed in Kentucky are heading to the southern border.

The U.S. Army says about 300 soldiers assigned to the 100 and first Division sustainment brigade with the 100st airborne division at Fort Campbell.

We'll be working with the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection.

They will be based in Arizona and Texas.

This is the second deployment of troops from Fort Campbell to the US-Mexico border.

Since President Trump declared this a national emergency.

Fort Campbell straddles the Kentucky Tennessee border, the 100 and first is the only air assault division in the world.

A Ukrainian delegation is expected to meet with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia next week in an attempt to negotiate a possible end to the war in Russia.

Some University of Kentucky students have an idea on how those talks will be conducted after participating in a real-time crisis.

Simulation all through the Patterson School of diplomacy.

The school conducts the conflict negotiation exercise each year to help educate future diplomats in this year's simulation negotiating.

A cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine.

>> We are simulating a a cease-fire conflict between Russia and Ukraine with particular conference also has a number of other participants include in China, Turkey, the European Union.

And so they're coming together in an effort to try to find some way out for this war, which has lasted 3 years.

Well, at its most basic.

What we're doing is we are putting people on 2 different teams.

Those teams are associated with a particular country and essentially the students get into character as diplomats of that country.

For example, Russia will negotiate today.

Russia may decide after negotiations are done this evening that they're going to launch an offensive for an invasion or particular bombing.

If Ukraine mission may decide the same thing said that to Simulation control.

And then we'll figure out how that actually plays out in the real world.

No, it's always it's always a lot of fun.

It's always very stressful.

If it doesn't seem like the game is working, you feel like you have to do something.

And so there's a there's a patient's aspect to it.

But it's fun.

>> I know I definitely do feel like there's pressure to end with this week in and I and the team later of bin nervous when approaching this simulation.

So basically we're meeting with other teams, too.

Trying to negotiate terms for a cease-fire between Ukraine and Russia.

Turkey's acting as the mediator.

So we're trying to facilitate talks between the other teams and play a neutral role.

It becomes hard to have their voice heard as a woman, I would say in this field.

But we have Colonel Amy McGrath is our team later, too.

And she's a great role model and mentor.

So I think you should just sets a great example for our team that we can do this and we're capable that women can do hard things and that were fit to lead and goal.

Here is the students are going to be the future leaders in our diplomacy.

>> Future leaders in our government and they have to understand not only international fair that they have to understand how negotiations work >> both the public and the behind closed door sessions.

And so what the simulation does like working like a tabletop exercise.

We go through the dynamics of real world events and play them out.

And it's really important for students.

Why?

Because when you learn you don't just learn in the classroom, reading books, you learn by doing.

>> In Lexington Habitat for Humanity has kicked off the 2025 building season this year.

The organization is not only looking to provide housing stability, but also to raise awareness about mental health.

>> It's not just building a House for building a home, the foundation for stability and a legacy of Loma resilience.

We are incredibly hard to dedicate this building memory of grace and Parker, young man whose kindness, compassion and generosity touched so many box.

The Parker family is long been a cornerstone of Lexington Habitat for humanity.

Since 2005 is part of 21 homes.

I'm sure the families have a safe, stable place to live.

Grayson Parker with our son.

We have 2 great children.

He was our youngest.

He was.

Happy child.

It was an unsuccessful ago student athlete.

College graduate.

Seemed happy.

Active life full of things.

And we lost him certainly without warning on March 25th of last year.

Yet undiagnosed Depression and mental illness.

And it made us realize that that's a lot more common.

And we had ever thought.

So this bill does that memory of Grayson and also to highlight mental illness.

Now pervasive in colleges and hard to see sometimes if you don't.

What Real York.

So this bill will be done is his memory.

>> And with the ongoing legacy of my dad, Larry, to continue building homes for people that need the children who grow up and stable housing and 20% less likely to experience severe anxiety.

>> Reinforcing the importance of projects like this for Jennifer and her daughter.

This home represents more than shelter, represents hope dignity and a future filled with possibilities.

This town home will be fully excess accessible to meet Jennifer Saunders meets research shows the housing instability significantly increases the risk of depression and anxiety.

>> The study published by the Social science and medicine found that individuals experiencing housing instability.

Our 200% more likely to suffer from depression and 150% more likely to experience anxiety than those and stay positive.

Vincent story.

As a reminder to us that even those who seem strong and successful can struggle with unseen bows, mental health matters.

And it is okay not to be okay.

Too often people suffer in silence, afraid to speak up.

We want to change that.

Foster says of community and support and encourage each other.

Your mental health matters.

And it is okay to ask for him.

>> Well, if you're a Beatles fan, you may want to head to Bowling Green this weekend.

Our Toby Gibbs breaks down and then it's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> It's time for the annual spring consignment auction and liberty tomorrow.

Casey County residents will be selling their farming equipment, livestock and poultry, as well as handmade goods and household lineup cent.

There's lots of great step to discover this option.

Don't miss out.

If you're looking for a community of adventurous women, check out the International Women's Day.

Cascade Cave.

Crawl tomorrow to celebrate Women's Day by exploring one of Kentucky's unique natural caves.

And getting to know the ladies crawling through it with you.

The Lightning thief, the Percy Jackson musical is currently playing at Market House Theater in Paducah.

Wilson says Master Lightning Bolt, a stolen teenage demagogue.

Percy Jackson must track it down to clear his name.

This is a must-see show for any Percy Jackson fan or anyone who enjoys action-packed adventures.

One of its kind Beatles show is coming to Bowling Green tomorrow.

The Liverpool legends were handpicked by Louise Harrison, sister of George Harrison.

>> To honor her brother's legacy and the band that changed the world from the costumes to the history to the music.

This concert is the Premier Beatles experience.

The Shelbyville Spring Festival is a great way to celebrate the warmer weather this weekend.

>> Enjoy some coffee and sweet treats as you peruse one of a kind products from around Kentucky from arts and crafts to T-shirts to door hangers.

There's a special spring, something to pick up at this event.

The Kentucky crafted Market returns to the Alltech Arena in Lexington this weekend.

You could spend hours wandering through all the vendors at this event.

Find unique art, enjoy local food and check out all the amazing crafted goods at this year's market.

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

I'm Toby gives.

>> We hope you'll join us again on Monday at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central from our Kentucky edition where we inform connect and inspire.

We do hope you have a great night.

♪ ♪