Kentucky Tonight

Southwestern Kentucky Progress and Opportunities

Renee Shaw and guests discuss the progress and opportunities in southwestern Kentucky. Guests include State Rep. Jason Petrie (R-Elkton); Wayne Hunt, chairman and CEO of H&R Agri-Power; Carter Hendricks, executive director of the Southwestern KY Economic Development Council; Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton; and Elizabeth McCoy, president and CEO of Planter's Bank.

State of the Media

Renee Shaw and guests discuss the state of the media. Scheduled: Al Cross, journalist and director emeritus of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues; Jamie Lucke, editor-in-chief of the Kentucky Lantern; Michael Abate, First Amendment and media law attorney; Rick Green, executive editor of the Herald-Leader; Jennifer Brown, co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle.

Kentucky's Constitutional Amendment on School Choice

Renee Shaw and guests discuss school choice, the subject of an upcoming constitutional amendment in fall 2024. Guests: Jason Bailey, executive director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy; Chad Meredith, attorney; Joel Wolford, vice president of the Kentucky Education Association; and Jim Waters, president of Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions.

Previewing the 2024 Primary Election

Renee Shaw hosts a discussion about the 2024 primary election. Guests: Morgan Eaves, executive director of the Kentucky Democratic Party; Tres Watson, Republican strategist and founder of Capitol Reins PR; Jared Smith, Democratic strategist and partner at Piper/Smith; and Iris Wilbur Glick, Republican consultant and founder of IW Strategies.

Candidate Conversations: Dana Edwards and Shauna Rudd

Renee Shaw holds conversations with two candidates in the U.S. primary election races. Guests: Dana Edwards, Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Kentucky's 5th Congressional District; Shauna Rudd, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District.

Housing and Homelessness

Renee Shaw and guests discuss homelessness and housing policy in Kentucky. Guests: Kungu Njuguna, policy strategist for the ACLU of Kentucky; Paul Salamanca, University of Kentucky law professor; George Eklund, director of education and advocacy for the Coalition for the Homeless; and Richard Nelson, executive director of the Commonwealth Policy Center.

Lawmakers Recap the 2024 General Assembly

Renee Shaw hosts a review of the 2024 Kentucky lawmaking session with legislators. Guests: State Sen. Phillip Wheeler (R-Pikeville); State Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong (D-Louisville); State Rep. Rachel Roarx (D-Louisville); and State Rep. Michael Sarge Pollock (R-Campbellsville).

Reviewing the 2024 General Assembly

Renee Shaw and guests recap the 2024 General Assembly. Guests: Morgan Eaves, executive director of the Kentucky Democratic Party; Tres Watson, Republican political strategist and founder Capitol Reins PR; Abby Piper, founder and managing partner of Piper | Smith LLC, a government and public relations firm; and Jared Smith, a Democratic strategist and partner at Piper | Smith LLC.

Final Negotiations on the State Budget

Renee Shaw and guests discuss the state budget. Guests: State Sen. Chris McDaniel (R-Ryland Heights), chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee; State Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson (D-Lexington), House Minority Caucus Chair; and State Sen. Robin Webb (D-Grayson), member of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee.

School Safety

Renee Shaw and guests discuss school safety. Guests: State Senator Max Wise (R-Campbellsville); State Senator Reggie Thomas (D-Lexington); Ryan Straw, Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police; Chris Barrier, chief of police, Montgomery County School District; Cathy Hobart, Moms Demand Action Kentucky; and Rhonda Caldwell, Ed.D., executive director, Kentucky Association of School Administrators.

Early Childhood Education

Renee Shaw leads a discussion on early childhood education. Guests: State Sen. Danny Carroll (R-Benton); State Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong (D-Louisville); Sarah Vanover from Kentucky Youth Advocates; Kate Shanks from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; Brigitte Blom from the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence; and Andrew McNeill from Kentucky Forum for Rights, Economics & Education.

Abortion Legislation

Renee Shaw and guests discuss abortion legislation. Guests: State Representative Nancy Tate (R-Brandenburg); Tamarra Wieder, state director of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates; Addia Wuchner, executive director of Kentucky Right to Life; and Jackie McGranahan, senior policy strategist for the ACLU of Kentucky.

School Choice and Education Issues

Renee Shaw and guests discuss school choice and education issues. Guests: Eddie Campbell, president of the Kentucky Education Association (KEA); Heather LeMire, Kentucky State Director of Americans for Prosperity; Brigitte Blom, president and CEO of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence; and Jim Waters, president and CEO of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions.

State Budget Discussion

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in Higher Education

Renee Shaw and guests discuss Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Kentucky colleges and universities. Guests include: Richard Nelson from the Commonwealth Policy Center; State Rep.Tina Bojanowski (D-Louisville); Travis Powell from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education; and State Sen. Mike Wilson (R-Bowling Green), Senate Majority Whip (pre-recorded).

January 22, 2024 - Safer Kentucky Act

Guests discuss the Safer Kentucky Act proposed during the 2024 General Assembly. Guests: State Rep. Jared Bauman (R-Louisville), sponsor of the Safer Kentucky Act; State Rep. Keturah Herron (D-Louisville); Ryan Straw from the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police; Kungu Njuguna from ACLU of Kentucky; George Eklund from Coalition for the Homeless; and State Rep. Jason Nemes (R-Middletown).

Legislative Priorities in the 2024 General Assembly

Renee Shaw hosts a discussion about the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly. Guests: State Representative David Osborne (R-Prospect), Speaker of the House; State Senator Robert Stivers (R-Manchester), President of the Senate; State Representative Derrick Graham (D-Frankfort), House Minority Floor Leader; and State Senator Gerald Neal (D-Louisville), Senate Minority Floor Leader.

Governor Andy Beshear's Budget Address

Renee Shaw and guests discuss Governor Andy Beshear's Budget Address. The program will include Gov. Beshear's pre-taped budget address. Guests: Amy Wickliffe, Republican strategist; Sherman Brown, Democratic strategist, both from McCarthy Strategic Solutions; Charles Aull from the Kentucky Chamber Center for Policy and Research; and Jason Bailey from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.

2024 Legislative Preview: Part Two

Renee Shaw hosts a 2024 legislative session preview. Guests: State Representative Chad Aull (D-Lexington); State Representative Stephanie Dietz (R-Edgewood); State Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong (D-Louisville); and State Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe (R- Lexington).

2024 Legislative Preview

Renee Shaw hosts a 2024 legislative preview. Guests: State Senator Julie Raque Adams (R-Louisville), Senate Majority Caucus Chair; State Representative Suzanne Miles (R-Owensboro), House Majority Caucus Chair; State Senator Robin Webb (D-Grayson); and State Representative Lindsey Burke (D-Lexington).

Analysts Discuss What to Expect on Election Day 2023

Renee Shaw hosts a discussion about the 2023 election. Guests: Kelsey Hayes Coots, principal of Blue Dot Consulting; Tres Watson, founder of Capitol Reins PR and host of KYPolWeekly Podcast; Will Carle, Democratic political strategist and president of Opine Strategies; and Rebecca Hartsough, senior policy director at Babbage Cofounder.

Candidate Conversations: Lieutenant Governor

Renee Shaw hosts a discussion with candidates for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky in the 2023 general election. Guests: Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, Democrat incumbent, and State Senator Robby Mills, Republican candidate.

Candidate Conversations: Governor

Renee Shaw hosts a conversation with candidates for Governor of Kentucky in the 2023 general election. Guests: Governor Andy Beshear, Democrat incumbent and Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Republican candidate.

Political Analysts Forecast the 2023 General Election

Renee Shaw and guests discuss the 2023 election with three weeks remaining. Guests: Amy Wickliffe, Republican strategist and partner with McCarthy Strategic Solutions; Sherman Brown, Democratic strategist and partner with McCarthy Strategic Solutions; Anne-Tyler Morgan, an attorney, Republican, and member in the McBrayer PLLC; and Stuart Perelmuter, founder and CEO of atAdvocacy.

Secretary of State; Commissioner of Agriculture

Renee Shaw hosts discussions with candidates in the Secretary of State and Commissioner of Agriculture races in the 2023 general election. Guests: Candidates for Secretary of State: Michael Adams, Republican incumbent, and Charles Wheatley, Democratic candidate. Candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture: Sierra Enlow, Democratic candidate.

Auditor of Public Accounts; State Treasurer

Renee Shaw hosts discussions with candidates in the Auditor of Public Accounts and State Treasurer races in the 2023 general election. Guests: Candidates for Auditor of Public Accounts: Allison Ball, Republican candidate; Kimberley Reeder, Democratic candidate. Candidates for State Treasurer: Michael Bowman, Democratic candidate; Mark Metcalf, Republican candidate.

Kentucky's Economy, Jobs and Taxes

Renee Shaw and guests discuss Kentucky's economy, jobs and taxes. Guests: State Sen. Christian McDaniel (R), chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee; State Sen. Robin Webb (D), member of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee; Charles Aull from the Kentucky Chamber Center for Policy and Research; and Jason Bailey from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.

Higher Education in Kentucky

Renee Shaw and guests discuss higher education in Kentucky. Guests include: Aaron Thompson, Ph.D., president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education; Bob Jackson, Ed.D., president of Murray State University; David McFaddin, Ed.D., president of Eastern Kentucky University; and Mason Dyer, president of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU).

Kentucky's Health Care Challenges

Renee Shaw and guests discuss Kentucky's health care challenges. Guests: State Sen. Stephen Meredith (R-Leitchfield); State Sen. Karen Berg (D-Louisville); Vickie Yates Brown Glisson, health insurance lawyer; Emily Beauregard from Kentucky Voices for Health; Patrick Padgett from Kentucky Medical Association (KMA); and Stephen Houghland, M.D., from Kentucky Primary Care Association.

Education Issues in Kentucky

Renee Shaw and guests discuss education. Guests: State Sen. Reggie Thomas (D-Lexington); State Rep. Killian Timoney (R-Nicholasville); Sally Sugg, Ed.D., Superintendent, Shelby Co. Public Schools; Rob Clayton, Superintendent, Warren Co. Public Schools; Brigitte Blom, President and CEO, Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence; and Sarah Durand, KY Forum for Rights, Economics and Education.

Fancy Farm Preview and Kentucky Politics

Renee Shaw and guests discuss the Fancy Farm picnic and Kentucky politics. Guests: Iris Wilbur Glick, a Republican strategist and principal at McCarthy Strategic Solutions LLC; Morgan Eaves, a Democratic strategist and education consultant; Julia Bright Crigler, a Republican strategist and founder at Bright Strategies LLC; and Will Carle, a Democratic consultant and president of Opine Strategies.

Kentucky's Energy Needs

Renee Shaw and guests discuss Kentucky's energy needs. Guests: State Senator Danny Carroll (R-Benton); Carrie Ray, energy director of the Mountain Association; Kate Shanks, senior vice president of public affairs for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; and Randal Strobo, an environmental attorney with Strobo|Barkley PLLC.

Artificial Intelligence

Renee Shaw and guests discuss the rise artificial intelligence and its uses. Guests: Trey Conatser, Ph.D., UK Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning; Donnie Piercey, 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year; Roman Yampolskiy, Ph.D., UofL professor, author and AI safety & cybersecurity researcher; State Rep. Nima Kulkarni (D-Louisville); and State Rep. Josh Bray (R-Mount Vernon).

Jobs, Inflation and the Economy

Renee Shaw and guests discuss jobs, inflation and the economy. Scheduled guests: Chris Phillips, Ed.D., Economics Professor, Somerset Community College; Ashli Watts, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; John Garen, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus for Economics, University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics; and Jason Bailey, Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.

SB 150 and LGBTQ Issues

Renee Shaw and guests discuss SB 150 and LGBTQ issues. Guests: State Sen. Max Wise (R-Campbellsville); Chris Hartman, executive director of The Fairness Campaign; Richard Nelson, founder and executive director of the Commonwealth Policy Center; and Rebecca Blankenship, executive director of Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky.

Horse Racing Safety

A Discussion of Gun Laws

Renee Shaw and guests discuss gun laws. Guests: Whitney Austin, mass shooting survivor and gun safety advocate; Rich Zimmer, president of the League of Kentucky Sportsmen; Mark Bryant, executive director of the Gun Violence Archive; and State Sen. Whitney Westerfield (R-Fruit Hill), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee (via video call).

Recapping The 2023 Kentucky Primary

Renee Shaw and guests recap the 2023 Kentucky Primary. Guests: State Rep. Jason Nemes (R-Louisville), Kentucky House Majority Whip; State Rep. Chad Aull (D-Lexington); Julia Bright Crigler, a Republican strategist and consultant, and founder of Bright Strategies; and Morgan Eaves, Democratic strategist and education consultant.

2023 Primary Election Preview

Renee Shaw hosts a 2023 Primary Election preview. Guests: Amy Wickliffe, Republican strategist and partner with McCarthy Strategic Solutions government relations; Jonathan Miller, a Democrat, former state treasurer and attorney with Frost Brown Todd; Mike Ward, political consultant and former Democratic Congressman; and Tres Watson, Republican political consultant and founder of Capitol Reins PR.

Republican Candidate for Secretary of State

Renee Shaw hosts a conversation with Michael Adams, Republican candidate for Kentucky secretary of state.

Republican Candidates for Governor

Republican candidates for Kentucky governor discuss why they should earn the nomination to challenge incumbent Democratic Governor Andy Beshear in November. Renee Shaw moderates the conversation on this extended episode of KET's Kentucky Tonight with special guests Attorney General Daniel Cameron, former U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft, former attorney Eric Deters, Somerset Mayor Alan Keck and Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles.

Candidates for Treasurer and Commissioner of Agriculture

Renee Shaw hosts a conversation with candidates running for Kentucky State Treasurer and Commissioner of Agriculture. Part 1: State Treasurer (Republican) - Andrew Cooperrider; Mark Metcalf; and O.J. Oleka; Part 2: Commissioner of Agriculture (Republican) - Richard Heath; Part 3: Commissioner of Agriculture (Democrat) - Sierra Enlow.

Challenges Facing Kentucky Schools

Renee Shaw and guests discuss challenges facing Kentucky schools. Guests include: State Rep. James Tipton (R-Taylorsville), chair of the House Education Committee; State Rep. Tina Bojanowski (D-Louisville) and an educator with Jefferson County Public Schools; Brigitte Blom, president & CEO of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence; and Andrew Vandiver, president of EdChoice Kentucky.

Policy Analysts Recap the 2023 General Assembly

Renee Shaw and policy analysts recap legislation passed in the 2023 General Assembly. Guests: Kate Shanks, senior vice president of public affairs for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; Jason Bailey, executive director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy; David Walls, executive director of The Family Foundation; and Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates.

Recap of the 2023 Kentucky General Assembly

Renee Shaw and guests recap the 2023 Kentucky General Assembly. Guests: State Sen. Julie Raque Adams (R-Louisville), Senate Majority Caucus Chair; State Rep. Suzanne Miles (R-Owensboro), House Majority Caucus Chair; State Rep. Rachel Roberts (D-Newport), House Minority Whip; and State Sen. Robin Webb (D-Grayson).

Kentucky Legislation on LGBTQ+ Youth

Renee Shaw and guests discuss Kentucky legislation on LGBTQ+ youth. Guests: State Sen. Gex Williams (R-Verona); Chris Hartman, executive director of the Fairness Campaign; Richard Nelson, founder and executive director of the Commonwealth Policy Center; and Jackie McGranahan, policy strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky.

Student Discipline Legislation

Renee Shaw and guests discuss student discipline legislation. Guests: Carrie Ballinger, Superintendent of Rockcastle County Schools; Matthew Turner, Superintendent of Boone County Schools; Eric Kennedy, director of advocacy of the Kentucky School Boards Association; State Rep. Timmy Truett (R-McKee); State Rep. Lisa Willner (D-Louisville); and State Sen. Stephen West (R-Paris).

Gambling Proposals in the Kentucky General Assembly

Renee Shaw and guests discuss gambling proposals in the Kentucky General Assembly, including gray machines and sports betting. Guests include: Mark Guilfoyle, executive director of Kentuckians Against Illegal Gambling; Bob Heleringer, a Louisville lawyer and former legislator; State Rep. Michael Meredith (R-Oakland); and Kent Gilbert, Kentucky Council of Churches.

Kentucky's Teacher Shortage

Renee Shaw and guests discuss the teacher shortage in Kentucky. Guests: Jason Glass, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education; State Rep. James Tipton (R-Taylorsville), chair of the House Education Committee; State Rep. Tina Bojanowski (D-Louisville); State Rep. Killian Timoney (R-Nicholasville); and Amber Sergent, 2023 Kentucky High School Teacher of the Year.

Exploring Local Government Issues

Renee Shaw and guests discuss local government issues including elections and revenue policies. Guests include: State Sen. Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown); State Sen. Reggie Thomas (D-Lexington); State Rep. Michael Meredith (R-Oakland); J.D. Chaney, CEO of Kentucky League of Cities; and Shannon Stiglitz, senior vice president of government affairs at Kentucky Retail Federation.