Skip to Main Content
Watch House Economic Development and Workforce Investment Committee

Public Education Legislation

Renee Shaw hosts a discussion about public education legislation with State Sen. Stephen West (R-Paris) and State Sen. Reginald Thomas (D-Lexington), both who serve on the Senate Education Committee; and State Rep. Scott Lewis (R-Hartford) and State Rep. Tina Bojanowski (D-Louisville), both who serve on the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee.
Season 32 Episode 22 Length 56:33 Premiere: 02/09/26

About

Kentucky Tonight

KET’s Kentucky Tonight, hosted by Renee Shaw, brings together an expert panel for in-depth analysis of major issues facing the Commonwealth.

This weekly program features comprehensive discussions with lawmakers, stakeholders and policy leaders that are moderated by award-winning journalist Renee Shaw.

For nearly three decades, Kentucky Tonight has been a source for complete and balanced coverage of the most urgent and important public affairs developments in the state of Kentucky.

Often aired live, viewers are encouraged to participate by submitting questions in real-time via email, Twitter or KET’s online form. Viewers with questions and comments may send an email to kytonight@ket.org or use the contact form. All messages should include first and last name and town or county. The phone number for viewer calls during the program is 800-494-7605.

After the broadcast, Kentucky Tonight programs are available on KET.org and via podcast (iTunes or Android). Files are normally accessible within 24 hours after the television broadcast.

Kentucky Tonight was awarded a 1997 regional Emmy by the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The series was also honored with a 1995 regional Emmy nomination.

To purchase a DVD:
Call 800-945-9167 or email shop@ket.org.

Tune-In

KET Mondays • 8/7 pm

Stream

Watch on KET’s website anytime or through the PBS Video App.

Podcast

The Kentucky Tonight podcast features each episode’s audio for listening.

Renee Shaw is the Director of Public Affairs and Moderator at KET, currently serving as host of KET’s weeknight public affairs program Kentucky Edition, the signature public policy discussion series Kentucky Tonight, the weekly interview series Connections, Election coverage and KET Forums.

Since 2001, Renee has been the producing force behind KET’s legislative coverage that has been recognized by the Kentucky Associated Press and the National Educational Telecommunications Association. Under her leadership, KET has expanded its portfolio of public affairs content to include a daily news and information program, Kentucky Supreme Court coverage, townhall-style forums, and multi-platform program initiatives around issues such as opioid addiction and youth mental health.  

Renee has also earned top awards from the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), with three regional Emmy awards. In 2023, she was inducted into the Silver Circle of the NATAS, one of the industry’s highest honors recognizing television professionals with distinguished service in broadcast journalism for 25 years or more.  

Already an inductee into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame (2017), Renee expands her hall of fame status with induction into Western Kentucky University’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni in November of 2023.  

In February of 2023, Renee graced the front cover of Kentucky Living magazine with a centerfold story on her 25 years of service at KET and even longer commitment to public media journalism. 

In addition to honors from various educational, civic, and community organizations, Renee has earned top honors from the Associated Press and has twice been recognized by Mental Health America for her years-long dedication to examining issues of mental health and opioid addiction.  

In 2022, she was honored with Women Leading Kentucky’s Governor Martha Layne Collins Leadership Award recognizing her trailblazing path and inspiring dedication to elevating important issues across Kentucky.   

In 2018, she co-produced and moderated a 6-part series on youth mental health that was awarded first place in educational content by NETA, the National Educational Telecommunications Association. 

She has been honored by the AKA Beta Gamma Omega Chapter with a Coretta Scott King Spirit of Ivy Award; earned the state media award from the Kentucky Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2019; named a Charles W. Anderson Laureate by the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet in 2019 honoring her significant contributions in addressing socio-economic issues; and was recognized as a “Kentucky Trailblazer” by the University of Kentucky Martin School of Public Policy and Administration during the Wendell H. Ford Lecture Series in 2019. That same year, Shaw was named by The Kentucky Gazette’s inaugural recognition of the 50 most notable women in Kentucky politics and government.  

Renee was bestowed the 2021 Berea College Service Award and was named “Unapologetic Woman of the Year” in 2021 by the Community Action Council.   

In 2015, she received the Green Dot Award for her coverage of domestic violence, sexual assault & human trafficking. In 2014, Renee was awarded the Anthony Lewis Media Award from the KY Department of Public Advocacy for her work on criminal justice reform. Two Kentucky governors, Republican Ernie Fletcher and Democrat Andy Beshear, have commissioned Renee as a Kentucky Colonel for noteworthy accomplishments and service to community, state, and nation.  

A former adjunct media writing professor at Georgetown College, Renee traveled to Cambodia in 2003 to help train emerging journalists on reporting on critical health issues as part of an exchange program at Western Kentucky University. And, she has enterprised stories for national media outlets, the PBS NewsHour and Public News Service.  

Shaw is a 2007 graduate of Leadership Kentucky, a board member of CASA of Lexington, and a longtime member of the Frankfort/Lexington Chapter of The Links Incorporated, an international, not-for-profit organization of women of color committed to volunteer service. She has served on the boards of the Kentucky Historical Society, Lexington Minority Business Expo, and the Board of Governors for the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. 

Host Renee Shaw smiling in a green dress with a KET set behind her.

Recent Episodes

Sponsored by:

Season 32 Episodes

Reviewing the 2026 Legislative Session at the Midpoint
S32 E24 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 02/23/26

K-12 Education Policy
S32 E23 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 02/16/26

Public Education Legislation
S32 E22 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 02/09/26

Housing Shortage in Kentucky
S32 E21 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 02/02/26

General Assembly Policy Priorities and the State Budget
S32 E20 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 01/12/26

2026 Legislative Session Preview
S32 E19 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 01/05/26

Eastern Kentucky Tourism
S32 E18 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 11/24/25

Food Insecurity in Kentucky
S32 E17 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 11/10/25

SNAP and Other Government Food Assistance Programs
S32 E16 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 11/03/25

The U.S. Economy, Tariffs and Federal Government Shutdown
S32 E15 Length 56:35 Premiere Date 10/13/25

Vaccines and Medications
S32 E14 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 10/06/25

K-12 Education in the Commonwealth
S32 E13 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 09/22/25

State & National Politics and Political Discourse
S32 E12 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 09/15/25

Housing in Kentucky
S32 E11 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 09/08/25

Spotlighting the South Central Kentucky Region
S32 E10 Length 56:58 Premiere Date 08/18/25

Agriculture in Kentucky
S32 E9 Length 56:43 Premiere Date 07/21/25

Spotlighting the Lake Cumberland Region
S32 E8 Length 56:53 Premiere Date 07/14/25

Medicaid Policy Changes in the Federal Budget Bill
S32 E7 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 07/07/25

Kentucky History
S32 E6 Length 56:36 Premiere Date 07/01/25

Current Issues in National Politics
S32 E5 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 05/12/25

Recap of the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit, Part 2
S32 E4 Length 57:08 Premiere Date 05/05/25

Recap of the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit, Part 1
S32 E3 Length 57:13 Premiere Date 04/28/25

Kentucky's Flood Response
S32 E1 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 04/14/25

See All Episodes

caret down

TV Schedules

Jump to Recent Airdates

Upcoming

Kentucky Tonight - S32 E25

  • Monday March 2, 2026 8:00 pm ET on KET
  • Monday March 2, 2026 7:00 pm CT on KET
  • Tuesday March 3, 2026 8:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 3, 2026 7:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 3, 2026 1:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 3, 2026 12:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 3, 2026 8:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 3, 2026 7:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday March 4, 2026 1:00 am ET on KET
  • Wednesday March 4, 2026 12:00 am CT on KET

Kentucky Tonight - S32 E26

  • Monday March 16, 2026 8:00 pm ET on KET
  • Monday March 16, 2026 7:00 pm CT on KET
  • Tuesday March 17, 2026 8:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 17, 2026 7:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 17, 2026 1:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 17, 2026 12:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 17, 2026 8:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 17, 2026 7:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday March 18, 2026 1:00 am ET on KET
  • Wednesday March 18, 2026 12:00 am CT on KET

Kentucky Tonight - S32 E27

  • Monday March 23, 2026 8:00 pm ET on KET
  • Monday March 23, 2026 7:00 pm CT on KET
  • Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 24, 2026 7:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday March 24, 2026 7:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday March 25, 2026 1:00 am ET on KET
  • Wednesday March 25, 2026 12:00 am CT on KET
Jump to Upcoming Airdates

Recent

2026 Legislative Session at Midpoint - S32 E24

  • Wednesday February 25, 2026 1:29 am ET on KET
  • Wednesday February 25, 2026 12:29 am CT on KET
  • Tuesday February 24, 2026 8:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 24, 2026 7:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 24, 2026 1:20 pm ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 24, 2026 12:20 pm CT on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 24, 2026 8:24 am ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 24, 2026 7:24 am CT on KETKY
  • Monday February 23, 2026 8:00 pm ET on KET
  • Monday February 23, 2026 7:00 pm CT on KET

K-12 Education - S32 E23

  • Wednesday February 18, 2026 1:00 am ET on KET
  • Wednesday February 18, 2026 12:00 am CT on KET
  • Tuesday February 17, 2026 8:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 17, 2026 7:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 17, 2026 8:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 17, 2026 7:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Monday February 16, 2026 8:00 pm ET on KET
  • Monday February 16, 2026 7:00 pm CT on KET

Public Education Legislation - S32 E22

  • Wednesday February 11, 2026 1:00 am ET on KET
  • Wednesday February 11, 2026 12:00 am CT on KET
  • Tuesday February 10, 2026 8:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 10, 2026 7:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 10, 2026 1:02 pm ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 10, 2026 12:02 pm CT on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 10, 2026 8:31 am ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 10, 2026 7:31 am CT on KETKY
  • Monday February 9, 2026 8:00 pm ET on KET
  • Monday February 9, 2026 7:00 pm CT on KET

Housing Shortage in Kentucky - S32 E21

  • Wednesday February 4, 2026 1:00 am ET on KET
  • Wednesday February 4, 2026 12:00 am CT on KET
  • Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 3, 2026 1:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:17 am ET on KETKY
  • Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:17 am CT on KETKY
  • Monday February 2, 2026 8:00 pm ET on KET
  • Monday February 2, 2026 7:00 pm CT on KET
Top

Contact

Explore KET