Latest / Eastern Kentucky Newspapers / Hazard Herald - 6.21.26

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Hazard Herald - 6.21.26 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: Now we turn to the reading of the Hazard Herald,
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the News of Hazzard and Perry County, Humley Townshend. We
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begin with the online edition dated June seventeenth, twenty twenty six.
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As a reminder, Radio Eyes of reading service intended for
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people who are blind or have other disabilities that make
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it difficult to read printed material. Thank you for listening
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to Radio Eyes regional newspapers. Due to the work being
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done on the transmitters by Morehead State Public Radio during
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the month of June, listeners in the eastern Kentucky region
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using SCA radios will not have a signal from June
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second to June eighth, and may face intermittent outages during
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the rest of the month. Other methods of listening are
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app Alexa devices. Internet streaming will not be affected. Thank
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you to our friends at MSPR for broadcasting Radio I
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frequency at no cost to us or to our listeners.
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Unique ATVs Line Main Street on June tenth, as Tara
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Trophy and King of the Hammers Race vehicles came to
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town for a social meet and Greek with the community.
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The event allowed attendees to meet drivers and catch glimpses
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of Unique off road vehicles as outdoor adventure tourism continues
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to grow in the area. Fysical Court approves first reading
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of the twenty twenty seven budget by Justin Begley. The
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Perry County Fiscal Court approved the first reading of its
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fiscal year twenty twenty six twenty seven budget during its
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regular meeting on June ninth, setting the stage for additional
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discussion and potential revisions before final adoption. Perry County Judge
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Executive Scott Alexander said the first reading is a part
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of their approval process. This first reading allows us to
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open up the budget and discuss and make changes before
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the second reading. Said Alexander. It's very close to last
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year with the general thumb right at twenty million dollars,
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road fund is about eight point five million, and grants
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are at ten million in county. That fluctuates as we
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have to adjust as grants come in. The proposed budget
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totals just over forty eight million dollars spread across twenty
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four revenue funds and twenty two appropriation funds. It's one
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of the larger budgets period. County is proposed largely because
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of major federal and state grant projects. The general fund
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is budgeted at roughly nineteen point eight million, the Road
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Fund at eight point six million, making up eighteen percent
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of the proposed budget. In Community Development Block, grant funding
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exceeds ten point four million, reflecting the county's continued emphasis
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on infrastructure improvements and grant supported projects. Official said. Additional
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federal and state grants account for millions more in anticipated revenue.
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The budget or will return to the Fiscal Court for
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a second reading and final consideration following any revisions discussed
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by county officials. Roots Exhibit and June tenth Celebration returning
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to downtown Hazard, The Southeast Kentucky African American Museum and
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Cultural Center is inviting the community to take part in
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several upcoming summer events celebrating Black history, art, and culture
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throughout June. Emily Hudson, executive director of the Museum and
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Cultural Center, said the organization's annual art exhibit will return
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this year with new artists and a familiar venue. It's
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time for the third annual Roots, Black Art and Life
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in These Hills Exhibits at Hudson. The exhibit will open
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to the public from Wednesday, June seventeenth, through Saturday at
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twelve pm. This year, we're returning to the venue of
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our very first exhibit, Hazard Coffee Company, located at four
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eighty six Main Street. We have several new artists displaying
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their works this year, so we hope people make plans
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to visit the exhibit and order their favorite drink as well.
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Hudson also highlighted the organization's in Augrill History Speak Summer Camp,
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which will feature music and storytelling as part of the
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Juneteenth programming. Our first History Speaks Summer Camp will take
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place on June nineteenth from twelve pm to four pm,
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she said. Refreshments will be served, followed by a workshop
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on music and storytelling West Virginia's own Aristotle Jones, known
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as the Appalachian soul Man. The afternoon workshop will lead
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into the evening's June tenth celebration, with organizers encouraging the
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public to attend both events. This workshop will take place
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at the Appalachian Arts Alliance Art Station at six hundred
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and twelve Main Street, said Hudson. Aristotle Jones will perform
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our June teenth program at six pm that evening at
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the Grand Everyone is welcome to attend the workshop in
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the afternoon and the evening program. June tenth closings. All
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federal offices in Kentucky State offices and agencies will be
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closed on June nineteenth and observe observance of June tenth.
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In addition, state supervised offices in the Perry County Courthouse,
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including the County Attorney's Office and the Peririe County Clerk's Office,
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will be closed on June nineteenth. The Periy County Judge
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Executive's Office, the Solid Waste Department, Perry County Sheriff's Office,
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and Perry County Emergency Management will operate on standard schedules.
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All emergency services, such as fire, police and ambulance will
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operate normally. The United States Postal Service will close its
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local post offices and suspend deliveries on Friday and will
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resume standard hours on Saturday. All banks in Perry County
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and their respective branches will be closed on June nineteenth.
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Cadetic expanding Biber Internet network. Cadetic announced in a statement
6:11
an ongoing communications infrastructure upgrade and hazard that the company
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says will expand high speed internet access to thousands of
6:19
additional homes and businesses, while accelerating the transition away from
6:24
copper lines vulnerable to and vandalism. According to the statement,
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the project is backed by more than three million dollars
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in private investment during twenty twenty six and is intended
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to strengthen the region's digital infrastructure for small businesses, remote workers, students,
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health care providers, and future economic development. The company said
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it's invested more than seven point five million dollars in
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hazards communications infrastructure over the past five years and more
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than three hundred million dollars throughout Kentucky. FIBR is helping
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write the next chapter for Appalachian communities like Hazard, said
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Jason Bedleigh, Kinetics, Director of Field Operations in Kentucky. Our
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investment is about giving the Perry County families and businesses
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the speed, reliability, and opportunity they need to complete and
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succeed in today's global economy. Recent thefts of disrupted communications
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service in the Hazard area by moving to fiber connecticuts,
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hoping to reduce reliance on infrastructure that's been repeatedly targeted.
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VA Medical Center seeks caregivers for medical foster home program
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in eastern Kentucky. The Department of Veterans fairs. Herschel Woody
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Williams VA Medical Center announced in a statement of June ninth,
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it's seeking compassionate caregivers in eastern Kentucky who are interested
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in becoming medical foster home caregivers. A medical foster homes
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a long term care option for elderly or disabled veterans
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who need nursing home level care but prefer to live
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in a home setting. Caregivers, the statement said, provide around
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the clock care or supervision in their own private residence.
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They help veterans with daily living activities such as bathing
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and dressing. They also provide nutritious meals, transportation to medical appointments,
8:21
and support veterans in community and recreational activities. The statement said.
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Caregivers receive monthly compensation from the veteran or from the
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veterans representative Medical experience is not required. Each veteran in
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the Medical Foster Home program receives clinical care through VA's
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home based primary care program. The statement said. Potential caregivers
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or anyone seeking more information about how the medical Foster
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program may work can call three oh four four two
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nine six seven four one extension three eight four one
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three oh four four two nine six seven four one
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extension three eight four to one. LKLP head Start expands
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early childhood services with new Early head Start classrooms. LKLP
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head Start has an announced to the Statement the expansion
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of its Early head Start program with the opening of
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three new classrooms on June twenty ninth. Two new Early
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head Start rooms, the statement said, will open at Perry
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County head Start and one new Early head Start room
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will open at Jenkins head Start. This expansion will create
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twenty four additional head Start slots, allowing more families throughout
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the region to access high quality early childhood education and
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comprehensive family support services. Early head Starts serves pregnant women, infants,
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and toddlers from six weeks to three years of age.
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The program provides a strong foundation for healthy development through education,
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health services, family engagement, and school readiness opportunities. We're excited
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to expand our services and reach more children and families
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in our communities, said Justin Collette, director of LKLP head Start.
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These additional classrooms reflect our commitment to ensuring that every
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child has access to the resources and support they need
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to thrive from the very beginning. Families interested in enrowing
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are encouraged to apply now. LKLP headstarts dedicated staff are
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ready to help families through the enrollment process and under
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and answer any questions. To learn more or apply, visit
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any local head start center or call six six four
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three five seven nine six' two option two six six
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four three five seven nine six y. TWO Us Representative
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Hal rogers office set in a, statement the congressman voted
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to advance federal funding to strengthen rural health care and,
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education combat the opioid epidemic, astrak black long claims for coal,
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miners reduced, poverty increased The Low Income Energy Assistance, program
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and invest in innovative and care for research in, cancer,
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Diabetes alzheimer's, als and other rare. Diseases rogers' requests for
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four million dollars in community project funding For Pipwell Medical
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Center's Appalachian Valley Angel academy was included in the bill
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to establish an on site childcare facility improving workforce. Stability
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the committee passed The fiscal year twenty twenty Seven, Labor
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health And Human, Services education And Related Agencies appropriations On june,
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ninth sending it to THE Us house of representatives for.
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Consideration this bill invests in a bright future for Rural
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america by investing in programs that improve access to healthcare and,
12:17
education while working to reduce poverty and eliminate wasteful. Spending
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from The opinion, Page Tough birthdays By Russ. Cassiday birthdays
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can be. Tough some have really cool. Connections when you turn,
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sixteen you can, Drive when you turn, eighteen you can.
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Vote when you turn twenty, one you can legally buy.
12:39
Alcohol some are a little tougher to deal. With though for,
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me for some, reason it was. Thirty it was like
12:46
crossing that line was a, milestone and it didn't feel.
12:50
Great i've since gotten over. That several years of separation
12:54
tends to do, that but it was a tough. ONE
12:57
i have to, Say i'm kind of feeling that. Way
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the nation's upcoming two hundred and fiftieth in just a
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couple of, weeks will celebrate the two hundred and fiftieth
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anniversary of the founding of The United, states Remembering july,
13:11
fourth seventeen seventy, six the day on which The declaration
13:15
Of independence was. Signed at that, time history tells us
13:19
the founding fathers were asserting their independence From, england striking
13:23
back against, tyranny taxation without, representation and attempting to strike
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out on their, own and founding a country based on
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equality and. Freedom of, course the realities of history are often,
13:38
complicated especially when viewed through the lens of. Modernity but
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that ideal to me seems to be good enough as
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a starting point for understanding and. Reflection would the founding
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fathers recognize what's become of their. Experiment probably. Not we're
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at an inflection point they were in their, time in
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which the direction of the future is being set and
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also changing day by, day an hour by. Hour the
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very foundation of what they established through their, blood sweat
14:12
and tears is showing signs of. Wear anything two hundred
14:16
and fifty years old, would of, course but these signs
14:20
of where are Telling we're seeing the boundaries between the
14:23
separation of powers strained in new and frightening. Ways we're
14:28
seeing an executive branch that's exercising powers in an overreaching.
14:33
Manner we're seeing a judiciary that is increasingly losing its
14:37
grip on the trust of the people and being wielded
14:41
by the power against the. Weak and we're dealing with
14:45
the legislative branch that's becoming more ineffective by the. Day
14:50
the common people are struggling with challenges that could have
14:53
should have been surmounted generations ago in the most prosperous
14:58
nation in the, world and they're losing faith in the
15:02
system's ability to make things. Better but as it, is
15:06
so it, was so it ever has. Been our challenges look,
15:11
different BUT i don't believe that they would be completely
15:14
unfamiliar to those men who were leading the way two
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hundred and fifty years. AGO i also tend not to
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believe we're impossible to. Overcome that's BECAUSE i believe that
15:26
the experiment is still, ongoing and we have the power
15:29
to change. Things we can do, Better we must do.
15:33
Better the point of working is not necessarily for, ourselves
15:38
but for those coming after, us our, children our, grandchildren
15:43
and so. On will The United states have an opportunity
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to celebrate another two hundred and fifty, YEARS i don't,
15:50
know BUT i know that the answer lies in what
15:53
we do. Today so celebrate, that use this birthday of
15:57
our nation almost like A New Year's, day and resolved
16:01
to play a role by being a part of the,
16:03
solution not a part of the problem The guests column
16:09
By Senator Ran. Paul democrats tried to Defund trump's border.
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PATROL i stopped. Them last. Month under my leadership as
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chairman of The Senate Homeland security And Governmental Affairs, committee
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we successfully advanced critical funding for border security and other
16:27
law enforcement agents of The department Of Homeland security out
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of my. Committee Despite Senate democrats blocking all funding for The,
16:36
Customs Border patrol And immigration And Customs enforcement agencies in
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the regular budget, PROCESS i made Sure President trump's bold
16:45
agenda for border security moved forward and promised to get
16:50
it to the finish line in The. SENATE i kept
16:54
my promise last, WEEK i Led Senate republicans in passing
16:58
sixty nine point five billion dollars to fully fund our
17:02
border patrol AND dhs law enforcement for the rest of
17:05
The trump. Administration i'm proud of the work we did
17:09
to pass this and defeat every attempt By democrats to
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block this vital. Funding we stood strong through a voting
17:17
marathon lasting over eighteen hours, straight beating by amendment after
17:21
amendment From democrats determined to kill this. Bill we took
17:26
decisive action to equip our law enforcement professionals to do their,
17:30
jobs removing criminal illegal, aliens stopping the flow of gug
17:36
like mintonl and interdicting child sex. Trafficking AS i said
17:42
during the, process as long AS i share that, COMMITTEE
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i will not Let Senate democrats block paychecks for our
17:49
border patrol agents or prevent us from delivering On President
17:53
trump's promise to secure our. Borders under my, leadership The
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committee also defeated in fifty Seven democrat amendments aimed at
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Blocking President trump's border security. Funding as, Chairman i've never
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seen them work harder for a cause than DEFUNDING ice
18:11
and protecting illegal. Immigrants i've long been willing to discuss
18:16
reasonable reforms to immigration enforcement to protect the constitutional rights Of,
18:21
americans but funding our law enforcement should not be a partisan.
18:26
Issue instead of working with, Me democrats simply pandered to
18:30
the far left and gave. Up they left us no
18:33
choice but to proceed with A republican only bill because
18:37
they decided they will not FUND ice no matter what
18:41
the reality is that eight million people come across the
18:45
border illegally Under President, biden overwhelming our hospitals and welfare.
18:50
Systems it's our responsibility to fund border security and give
18:55
law enforcement the resources they need to stop illegal immigrants
19:00
and to keep violot criminals out of our. Country we
19:04
can't have an open, border And President trump has brought
19:06
the border under. Control kentuckians can be SURE i will
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never stop fighting to keep it that. Way here are the.
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Obituaries Sheryl Lynn campbell sixty seven Of rowdy Died, Wednesday june.
19:20
Tenth John Ernest felton eighty one To study Died, Monday june.
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Eighth Wilmer Eugene Duke combes ninety two Died, Wednesday june.
19:31
Tenth Mark Anthony carey fifty nine Of, Middlesburg florida Died,
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Thursday june. Fourth Daphne kilburn sixty three Of hayden Died,
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Sunday june. Seventh Sheandel lewis seventy nine And iaco Died
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Thursday june. Eleventh Flattis langdon ninety seven Died Wednesday june.
19:57
Tenth John america forty four Died Wednesday june, tenth And
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Martha May morris eighty five Died Wednesday june. Tenth Appalachian
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Regional healthcare said in a statement On may eleventh that
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a warning recently received from the centers For medicare And
20:18
medicaid services regarding pricing information was the result of a technical.
20:23
ISSUE Arh Chief Financial Officer Byron gabberd said the statement
20:29
THAT arh was recently notified regarding technical issues related to
20:34
certain pricing transparency files posted on THE arh website FOR
20:40
Arh Regional Medical. Center the pricing information referenced in THE
20:45
cms notice was available on our website at the time
20:49
of the, review as well as pricing information for ALL
20:53
arh locations In kentucky And West. Virginia the issues identified
20:57
BY cns in relation A hazardrh report involved technical aspects
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of how certain files were presented and, formatted not the
21:07
absence of pricing information. Itself utilities say their rules protect
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rate payers against big data, Centers some argue more can be.
21:17
Done at a press conference earlier this, month the reporter
21:21
Told Kentucky Governor Andy basheer that people In boyd and
21:25
Greenok counties had been caught off guard by ideal local
21:28
officials unveiled to bring a very large data center to the.
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AREA a number Of Boyd county residents had packed the
21:36
town hall the day before The Lambbass County judge executives
21:40
and other local leaders and parted over concerns about what
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a proposed hyperscale data center could mean for electricity bills
21:49
and the local. Environment, dasher in, response said he was
21:53
not going to let a data center come into the
21:56
state and pass along the cost of. Energy he also
21:59
said such data centers could be a boon for communities
22:03
by boosting local property. Taxes any data center that wants
22:08
to look At kentucky is going to have to pay
22:10
for one hundred percent of its own energy this, year
22:13
said and it needs means of, production it needs to
22:18
pay for those. Too but environmental advocates who keep a
22:22
sharp eye on utility and energy prices and policies In kentucky,
22:28
say despite such assurances From, basher he's not directly in
22:33
charge on whether the impacts of large data centers will
22:36
be put upward pressure On kentuckian's electricity. Bills there's not
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really any way to ensure that that is absolutely. True
22:47
So Byron, gary an attorney with The Environmental Leagal Group
22:52
Kentucky Resources, COUNCIL i don't know how yet the governor
22:56
is able to confidently say, that hopefully something THAT i
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Don't instead It's kentucky's electric utilities that create ratepayer protections through, rules,
23:09
rates and contracts with data centers that are approved by
23:13
state utility. Regulator Kentucky Public Service commission OF gopa sponsored
23:20
bill that died on the final day of this year's
23:22
state legislative session would have required a contract between a
23:27
data center and a utility to prevent the subsidization of
23:32
data center customers by non data center customers through rates
23:37
or by any other. Means republican lawmakers have signaled they
23:42
plan to discuss whether to take up ratepayer protections against
23:47
data center impacts next. Year in the, meantime advocates argue
23:51
that the utilities can do more to protect the electricity
23:54
ratepayers and ensure hyperscale data, centers if and when they
23:59
arrive In kentucky don't harm other rate. Payers republican registrations,
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rise independent registration. Drops secretary Of State Michael adams announced
24:13
that a statement On june twelfth that In, May republicans
24:16
continued to increase their share Of kentucky, voters but other,
24:20
voters including independence fill for the first time Since february
24:24
twenty twenty, five when a purge removed over two hundred
24:29
thirty thousand voters of all political. Affiliations the last month
24:33
That republicans rose while independence decline Was april twenty, twenty
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after countless months in Which independence have Outregistered republicans And democrats.
24:46
Combined this is a noteworthy, Change adams. Said time will
24:50
tell whether this is a momentary blip In kentucky's political
24:55
center will continue to. Grow that, registration for the statement,
24:59
said rose by one hundred four with four, thousand six
25:03
hundred thirty three voters, removed three, thousand eight hundred eighty
25:07
three were, deceased six hundred and eleven fell any, convictions
25:13
sixty four adjusted mentally and, competent forty two duplicate, registrations
25:18
twenty five who voluntarily de, registered and eight who moved
25:23
out of. State the statement. Said republican registration accounts for
25:28
forty eight percent of the electric with one, million six
25:31
hundred fourteen, thousand six hundred fifty seven. Voters republican registration
25:36
grew by three, thousand seven hundred forty seven, voters a
25:40
zero point twenty three percent. Increase democratic registration accounts for
25:45
forty one percent of the electric with one, million three
25:48
hundred seventy one, thousand two hundred thirty two. Voters democratic
25:53
registration fell by three, thousand three hundred, five a zero
25:58
point twenty four percent. Decree there are three hundred seventy nine,
26:03
thousand five hundred and sixty nine voters registered under other political,
26:08
affiliations mostly, independent making up eleven percent of the Electric
26:13
other registration declined by three hundred thirty, eight a zero
26:17
point zero nine percent. Decrease in sports, News Perry County
26:23
central Freshman Avery ratliff has been named first Team All
26:27
state In class TWO. A ratliff led perennial title Contender
26:32
Perry County central offensively in the twenty twenty six high
26:36
school softball, season padding five to twenty with sixty six,
26:40
hits fifty two, RBIs fourteen, doubles five, triples and six home.
26:46
Runs The Perry County central freshmen scored sixty runs through
26:50
thirteen walks and recorded twelve stolen. Bases Three hazard softball
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players have Earned All state owners In class, ONE A
27:00
hazard Senior Sammy moble has been named first Team All.
27:03
State Following, Noble Both hazard Sophomore Peyton fields And Lady
27:08
bulldog Junior Rileigh griffith have been named Second Team All
27:12
State mobile Led hazard In, circle compiling a fourteen to
27:16
nine record with a two point twenty TWO eer and
27:20
one hundred and seventy eight. Strikeouts this concludes the reading
27:24
of The Hazzard. Herald please stay tuned for continued. Programming
27:28
thank you for joining me and on behalf of everyone
27:30
here AT. Radioi this Is Lee, townsend wishing you a
27:33
good day and one home. Run