Kentucky Focus
Doing good in Kentucky and keeping your information safe in 2024
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This September, have movie night with the blockbuster hit Godzilla and Resident Evil starring Mila Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez, streaming free on Zumo Play. Go to play.zumo.com now. Life is hard. Zumo is easy. - Welcome to Kentucky Focus. I'm Scott Fitzgerald, coming up to crusade for children. It's a long standing tradition whose reaching stands well throughout the state and it's not just about the first week in June, plus identity theft. You hear a lot about it but don't typically pay attention until it's too late. We'll take a look at what you can do now to prevent major headaches down the road. Also this week, it's a Hall of Fame weekend around the Commonwealth. I'm Scott Fitzgerald and this is Kentucky Focus. - Welcome to Kentucky Focus on the Kentucky News Network, the show that looks at issues affecting the Commonwealth and its citizens. We cover state politics in history, human interest stories, sports, and even entertainment. It's Kentucky Focus on KNN. - The farms blowing up, but you're in the job of sea. Ignore the boys, keep your eyes on the street. No text back, no scroll, just let it wait. Attention on the road, that's the only way. Fones blowing up, but you're in the job of sea. Ignore the boys, keep your eyes on the street. No text back, no scroll, just let it wait. - Don't drive distracted. A message brought to you by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Project Yellowlight, and the Ad Council. - Get hurt in the game? We tough it out. Feel exhausted? We push on. Feeling down? We pull ourselves up by the bootstraps. But there are times when bootstraps aren't enough. When stress gets to us and we need to talk to someone about what we're really going through. So, we're gonna reach out, because sometimes, mental health is not a one-person job. Visit loveyourmindtoday.org. That's loveyourmindtoday.org. Brought to you by the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council. - A level held its 11th annual Give for Good drive that raised over $9 million. That got me thinking about the great organizations that can use our help year round and not just once a year. For me, that's the crusade for children. We all get that spare change out in June, but what happens when the cameras and attention sort of go away? That's why joining us today is Heather Benson, director of philanthropy for the WHS Crusade for Children. Greetings, Heather. Thanks for joining us. - Thank you for having me. - So, let's talk first and foremost right off the top. How did the crusade do this year? - For Give for Good Louisville, we did fairly well. We have our big push in June, and I think that's when a lot of people think of the crusade when they see their local fire departments out. So, events like Give for Good Louisville are just gravy for us. They provide us with a platform to let people know that it's not just a once a year thing. It's 365 days a year that it takes the crusade to build that tote board for the annual June event. So, this year, we raised a little over $3,400, not bad for a single one day effort, and we're so appreciative to everyone who donated to us. - Talk for listeners for just a bit who may not know what, of course, Give for Good is, that they see it. - Sure. - Now, it's the 11th year. What exactly is Give for Good? - So, Give for Good Louisville is a one day event that is held at every year. This was the 11th year. It is a 24-hour day of online giving for agencies, schools, hospitals, anybody in the nonprofit community located in Louisville Metro. So, that's not just Jefferson County, but the surrounding counties as well. Over 500 organizations participate. This year, they raised over $9 million, which is incredible for just 24 hours. It's an event that just creates a lot of excitement, a lot of energy and showcases Louisville's generous nature to give back. - We're talking with Heather Benson. She's director of philanthropy for the WHS Crusade for Children and talking on the heels of Give for Good, but more importantly, talking about the crusade year round and not just in June. So, Heather, let me ask you, what's been happening since the 71st Crusade for Children, and what happens when the cameras are turned off? What goes on over there? - Just because the cameras go down at 7 p.m. with the conclusion of the telethon, that's when things really get busy for us. - Right. - So, we have a very quick turnaround where we take those funds that you see on the final tote board. We have an advisory panel that meets the week after and they are the ones that make our funding decisions. So, they are the ones who, before the telethon, have met individually with each applicant. So, you can imagine, we gave away 231 grants this year. That's 231 meetings that this advisory panel takes throughout the winter months. So, it's a long process for them and a huge commitment. And so, after the telethon, they get together, they make their final funding decisions. And then, by the end of June, we are able to let everyone know, here is how much money you're able to be granted this year for these projects you applied for. And they're able to start spending that money on September 1st, which is the start of our fiscal year. So, it's just a year-round effort. So, now that we're past September 1st, we have kicked off Crusade 72, which will be June 7th and 8th, 2025. Hard to believe, but we plan that far out. So, it takes, like I said, 365 days a year. And we're always working towards that final type word. - Again, we're talking with Heather Benson, Director of Philanthropy for the WHAS Crusade for Children on the Hills of Give for Good, just to kind of touch base outside of June when everybody wants to be part of the Crusade. And as you just mentioned, Heather, most of the work happens now that's going on. How important is it to remind folks that these funds don't just stay in Louisville now, right? Where else do they go? - Correct, yes, not just Louisville. We touch children's lives in all 120 Kentucky counties and the majority of Southern Indiana from, we go as far north as Indianapolis. We have a few, Riley Children's Hospital, we grant them money. Visually impaired preschool services goes all the way up to Indianapolis. So, that's just a couple of examples of the geographic reach that we have. 231 schools, hospitals and organizations for granted funds for this year. So, that impacts a lot of children and their families. - You know, again, Heather Benson, Director of Philanthropy for the WHAS Crusade for Children joins us. And so, Heather, if someone's listening now and they maybe think my organization could use some of this money, what do they need to do? How do they get started? - So, right now is the perfect time to think about that. Our grant application for the next year will open later in the fall. It's usually around October, November that deadline will be the second week of January. So, if you are thinking, you know, my organization could fit the Crusades focus areas, I would recommend first go to our website, WHAS Crusade.org and go to the grants section and just read about our funding priorities. If you think you fit that, then you would just need to give us a call and meet with our grants manager, Janine Hickerson. She is wonderful about talking through strategies that the panel likes to consider, projects that might be of interest to them. And so, that's just how you get started. And then after that, if you make it past that first step, you get the application, fill it out, submit it, kind of go from there. - You know, Heather Benson's with us again, director of philanthropy with the WHAS Crusade for Children and Heather, do you see people giving throughout the year, not just in June during the crusade? - Absolutely, people give to it. The people are so generous to us year round. And our fire departments that we work with, they're also not just focusing on that end of May, first of June time period. We have fire departments doing events now whose totals will show up on the June tote board. So PRP, they do a bass fishing tournament this time of year. I mean, there are so many others. The fire departments also work year round. And people show up to those events and give. We have constant other efforts going on here at the crusade, where we're encouraging people to donate online or mail in a check. And in any way that you prefer to give, I think the crusade has embraced. I mean, we have, of course, the USPS, you can always mail us a check, but also online at WHAS crusade.org. We accept Apple, pay Venmo, cash app, paypal. So we're trying to reach everybody where they are and in their giving preferences, how they prefer to give. And we're always embracing new ideas for that. - I was gonna say, have you seen traditionally with the crusade, you give your spare change and drop it in the boot at the intersection? Now with technology, as you just mentioned, it's a lot easier to give. Do you see more folks migrating that way? Are they still giving that spare change when they have it? - People's do still give their spare change and that is what we're known for. But as fire departments evolve and there are fewer and fewer roadblocks just for safety reasons. So people just don't have the opportunity as much these days to throw their spare change in the fire boot. It's still, there are fire departments that do roadblocks, but just not as many for various reasons, but we do see people migrating more towards the digital platforms. And we try to make it as easy as possible for everybody to do that. And we try to embrace always a giving. - Spending a few quality minutes with Heather Benson, she's director of philanthropy with the WHS crusade for children talking about the crusade, not what happens outside of crusade day in June. And of course, this on the heels of give for good that as you mentioned, Heather raised over $9 million this year. And last question for you, Heather, if someone's listening and they want to get involved with the crusade, maybe they don't have the financial means, but they want to do something to help. Do you have opportunities for those folks? - Absolutely. We always have volunteer opportunities throughout the year. I would just suggest they go to our website, WHAScrusse.org, check out our events page, see if there's an event you're interested in, because whether it's something that we're putting on or that a fire department is putting on, a guarantee volunteers are needed. One thing that I can plug here is Thanksgiving morning, we are the beneficiary of the Hungary Turkey 5K race, which is a huge race that happens down at Waterfront Park, about 2000 people show up on Thanksgiving morning, dressed to the nines and costumes, centered all around Thanksgiving. That crowd is the single most happiest crowd of ever encountered at a race. They're just so excited to have this family tradition that many of them do before they go eat a big meal. And at the finish line, you get free donuts. So what better incentives to get out of bed on Thanksgiving morning? But it takes a lot of volunteers to put that on. So if that's something that appeals to you, we need people to help work the water stops, the painting out the donuts, and just various other race day tasks. And if you're interested in that, just give us a call, our numbers, 502-582-7706, and we can sign you up. - That's awesome, man. Heather, folks, you mentioned those events going on to support the crusade year round. I assume those are on your website. Folks can go if they want to attend one of those events. - If you go to our website and the events tab, everything's listed there. - Outstanding. Heather Benson, Director of Philanthropy, with the WHS Crusade for Children. Heather, thank you and thank everybody there at the WHS Crusade for some best of luck in 2024 and into 2025. - Thank you so much. - Thank you again to Heather Benson, Director of Philanthropy with the Crusade for Children who reminds us the need and good work they do isn't just reserved for that first weekend in June for more information on how you can help or become involved. - Simply visit WHSCrusse.org. Coming up, it's gonna happen to most of us eventually if it hasn't happened to you already and we don't typically pay attention until it does and immediately regret not doing anything about it. You need to listen to our next guest. I'm Scott Fitzgerald and you're listening to Kentucky Focus. (dramatic music) - For over a century, local radio has evolved with the needs of the community. From politics to pop culture, we keep you informed, bringing you the most relevant news on air, online and on the go. You have trusted us with your news, sports, weather and entertainment. Trust us to keep moving with you. Text radio to 52886 and tell Congress local broadcasting is here to stay. (coughing) - Hello? - Man, where are you? This wedding is lit. I thought you were coming. - Oh, I can't. I'm in bed with the flu. (coughing) - The flu, you didn't get a flu shot? - Oh, I wish I did. I can't believe I'm missing out on Greg's wedding. - Whoa, whoa, whoa. That was about the crowd, sir. - Where am I about the what? (coughing) Man, I'll call you back. Oh, man. (coughing) Sounds like another case of flu fomo. Don't get stuck at home with the flu. A flu shot is safe, effective, and you can get it at the same time as your COVID-19 vaccine. A flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu and its potentially serious complications. It keeps you protected and also protects your loved ones. Protecting our community can't wait. So why get stuck inside with a flu? Don't get flu fomo. Learn more at getmyflushot.org. - Brought to you by the AMA CDC and the Ad Council. (upbeat music) - Fraud, identity theft, and data breaches. Let's be honest, they're part of our everyday lives. I've been hacked a few times. I'm sure you have too. So far in 2024, there've been more than 1,300 data breaches. And last year, consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud. Joining us to talk about that is Michael Bremer. He is the Vice President of Experian Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection. Greetings, Michael. - Thanks, Scott. Appreciate you having me. - Well, appreciate you spending some time with us, but obviously this is something that's hitting everybody for sure. Just how big of a problem is fraud and identity theft in 2024? - Well, according to the FTC, it's the number one crime that's been reported in terms of the last 10 years, and people can only read the headlines every day about multiple millions being impacted by data breaches, as well as some of the stuff about fake election scams and that, so it's really a headline issue in today's world. - Michael Bremer is joining us. He's Vice President of Experian Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection. We're talking data breaches from fraud, identity fraud, et cetera, you all know the drill. So what is weighing most on the minds in 2024, folks? Michael, what do you see there at Experian? - According to our U.S. Identity and Fraud Report, where we surveyed over 2,000 consumers, the top three things are generative AI. - Deciding on what to listen to is hard. Using Zuma to stream music from iHeart90's radio is easy, or play iHeart Country, or hip hop beats, your choice all for free. It's stream easy with Zuma Play. Get live and on-demand entertainment with no logins, no signups, no accounts, no hassle. This September, have movie night with the blockbuster hit Godzilla and Resident Evil starring Mila Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez, streaming free on Zuma Play. Go to play.zuma.com now. Life is hard. Zuma is easy. - Deep fakes and cyber crime with people saying that 84% of the folks have worried about identity theft, 80% of the people have worried about stolen credit cards, and both of those statistics are up 20% versus a year ago. - Michael Bremer joining us again. He's with Experian, he's part of their, he's the vice president of global data breach resolution and consumer protection. Michael, I know my daughter got hit pretty hard because she made the mistake of storing her credit card information out of convenience on some websites. What do you say to folks that do stuff like that? And what are some of the best practices consumers can do to better protect themselves against identity theft? - Well, talking about your daughter, I would also recommend that she doesn't store credit cards but also passwords. A lot of people will have passwords in an Excel spreadsheet or worst case post it notes. I'd recommend a password manager. I'd recommend changing your passwords at least twice a year, especially for those accounts. You may have gotten a notice of a data breach for, don't click on any links, don't answer any phone calls, it only takes 10 seconds for someone to get a voice print from you if they have you on the phone. And for sure, don't use any QR codes 'cause as human beings, we can't test a QR code that's good from one that's bad. I'd also monitor your credit file. And if you don't have any credit activity going on, I'd recommend a freeze, no public Wi-Fi. It can be spoofed easily. And if you're on a fake Wi-Fi system, you can have information from your devices downloaded and then you may suffer identity theft. - I'm glad you mentioned that Michael Bremer is joining us. Again, he is Vice President of Experian Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection. We're talking of course about identity theft and cyber security. And I'm glad you brought up the freezing of your credit report, Michael. I've done this, but for folks that aren't listening, what is freezing your credit report and what's involved here and how can folks do that? Should they choose that option? - You can freeze your credit report at each of the three major bureaus, Experian TransUnion and Equifax, either by doing it online or calling in and speaking to person. And what the credit freeze does, it allows nobody that wants to open a new line of credit in your name like a fraudster to be able to do it. Existing creditors, where you already have a legitimate reason, they can still access your report, but new people cannot do it. And it's the best way from a catch-all perspective to stop somebody accessing your credit report and even your Social Security number. - Interesting, Michael Bremer joining us, spending it just a few minutes with him. He is Vice President of Experian Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection. And we're talking about the best ways to protect yourself against credit card and identity theft fraud. Michael, if someone notes that they're a victim, I've seen this before, I've seen subject stuff, I've gotten letters from companies that said, "Hey, we have a data breach." What steps do you recommend folks take? Where's the first place we need to go when I think we've been breached? - Well, I say three things, Scott, awareness. So read the letter, understand what happened and why it happened and most importantly, how to protect yourself if your data has been compromised. And then the other thing is act very quickly to go ahead and freeze your credit, maybe start using a password manager and then make sure that if you have an opportunity, if it's offered to sign up for identity theft protection, Experian has an identity works product that will not only monitor your credit, you have a million dollars worth of identity theft, protection insurance and access to a fraud resolution agent. - I meant to ask, I'm glad you brought that up, Michael. And again, we're talking with Michael Bremer, he is the vice president of Experian Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection. And for example, you offer this consumer, we hear it advertised so much, Michael, this consumer protection, how effective is this and why is it a good idea for folks to sign up? - An individual can't monitor their credit 24 by seven, which an identity theft protection product will do. It also will give you a copy of your credit file so you can see if any past activity that shouldn't be on there is. And the most important thing is the access to a fraud resolution agent. And this person is your phone a friend, if you may be impacted by identity theft or fraud, you need some tips, you need something cleaned up on your credit file or you wanna see what it means if your identity may have been put out on the dark web and you got an alert from that. And they're just that peace of mind that really helps people when they call in. - Last question for you, Michael. Before we let you go again, Michael is vice president of Experian Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection. We're talking about keeping yourself safe after well, nearly $10 billion has been lost to fraud. That's the highest dollar amount ever reported according to the FTC. Michael, do you think we'll ever be able to alleviate identity fraud or is this just something we're just gonna have to deal with until the end of time? - The most important thing, Scott, in learning about data breaches is that it's not necessarily the technology that's the problem, it's human error. So people making a mistake, clicking on a link, putting their social, putting on their social security number on our driver's license information in the public eye, whether it's social media or giving it away. So given that humans are involved, I don't think we'll ever completely shut down data breaches or identity theft. - Well, spend a few good minutes with Michael Bremmer again, vice president of Experian Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection. Michael, if folks want to learn more about what you're doing there and the good stuff at Experian, where can they go? - Experian.com is your one source of truth for anything identity theft, consumer tips and how to protect yourself after a data breach. - You're the best, Michael. Appreciate you as always, man. Thanks for looking out for us. - Thanks, Scott. - Again, he is Michael Bremmer, vice president of Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection at Experian, and for more information on keeping yourself safe, you can visit Experian.com or the FTC's website at identity theft.gov. Coming up, it's Hall of Fame weekend here in the coming month. We'll take a look. I'm Scott Fitzgerald and this is Kentucky Focus. (dramatic music) - Are you prepared for an emergency or disaster? Because it's not a matter of if, but when? Don't find yourself saying. - I'll trust water bottles on a flashlight to save the day, but I'll be proved wrong. - With a tornado approaching, I'll realize that I like a wheelchair accessible shelter. - When the flood letters rise, I'll be up in the attic with 20 cans of beans. It's a recipe for disaster. - Let's prepare so we all have a better story to tell. Get started at ready.gov/olderadults. Brought to you by FEMA and the Ad Council. - Man, I love my kids so much. I want to suffer three hours in the cold rain to watch your soccer team lose by 18 goals. - I love my kids so much. I want to use the tube to suck snot out of a stuffed nose at 3 a.m. - You win. - Love your kids? Love 'em enough to make sure they're in the right car seat. From toddlers to tweens, visit NHTSA.gov/therightseat to find the right seat for their age and size. Keep 'em safe. Visit NHTSA.gov/therightseat. Brought to you by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council. - Welcome back to Kentucky Focus. I'm Scott Fitzgerald. As we prepared to head into homecoming season around the Commonwealth, many athletes are already being recognized. In Louisville this week, the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame ushered in their 47th class, featuring former University of Kentucky men's basketball standout and NCAA Final Four MVP, Tony Delg. Also going in was former University of Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. And when it comes to those who cover our sports statewide, the legendary Oscar Combs can now call himself a Hall of Famer. Oscar started covering the University of Kentucky and know their athletics at the Hazard Herald back in 1965. He of course, revolutionized how sports were covered with publications like say Cat's Pause. And also going in was former Kentucky Wesleyan's Roy Pickrel, who was with the school for 53 years. In Richmond, seven former kernels are being inducted into the Eastern Kentucky Hall of Fame, led by former football coach Danny Hope, who also played at the school. Joining Hope is two-time Olympian track and cross-country star Ole Hesselberg, along with fellow track and cross-country runner and two-time all-American Jacob Corrier. Representing Women's Golf is 2015 OVC champion Selfie Levin, who ranks third all-time in program career scoring average. And men's basketball also represented by both Nick Mayo and Corey Walden. Mayo, a four-time all-OVC selection is the program's leading scorer, well, Walden broke the career record for steals after just three seasons with the kernels. And led by Jerry Paul Vino, the entire 1973 volleyball team, is going into the Hall of Fame after finishing 26 and four and winning three straight Kentucky Women's Intercollegiate Conference crowns, long before volleyball was all the rage it is now. And last, but certainly not least, broadcaster Greg Stottemlier, who has been calling Colonel Games since 1979, is going in, having already earned the title, Kentucky Sports Castor of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Congratulations to all our Hall of Fame inductees. We're back to wrap things up after this. I'm Scott Fitzgerald and you're listening to Kentucky Focus. - When it comes to a gun suicide attempt, all it takes is a moment. My son, Ricky, took his life by the use of a firearm. It broke me and I kind of to play the suicide. My grandson, I was gonna have to be here for him. I still own my firearm. I keep it in a safe because I wanna keep my grandson and myself safe. - Store your guns, locked, unloaded, and away from ammo. Hear more safe stories at endfamilyfire.org. Brought to you by Brady and the Ad Council. - That's a wrap on this week's Kentucky Focus. - A special thank you to Heather Benson, Director of Philanthropy with the crusade for children. Who reminds us again, the crusade is for the entire commonwealth of Kentucky and not just for the first Saturday in June. For more information, visit WAGScrusade.org. Also, thank you again to Michael Grimmer, Vice President of Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection at Experian, for more information on keeping yourself safe. You can visit their website, www.experian.com, or the FTC's website at identitytheft.gov. And finally, congratulations to all our Hall of Fame inductees here in the commonwealth, well-deserved. I think I speak for all of us here at Kentucky Focus and the Kentucky News Network when I say, well done. Until next week, I'm Scott Fitzgerald saying make it a safe and happy week, and we'll talk to you next time, right here, on Kentucky Focus. - Kentucky Focus, on the Kentucky News Network, the show that looks at issues affecting the commonwealth and its citizens. We cover state politics and history, human interest stories, sports, and even entertainment. It's Kentucky Focus on KNN. - The impact of a meal goes well beyond feeding our bodies, because when people don't have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, they can truly thrive, like Marta. - And now we'll hear from our class, the valedictorian, who with our hard work, never ceases to amaze us. Please welcome Marta Moreno. - And Alex. - Hey, Alex, how did the interview go? - I did it, I got the job, I can't believe it. - I knew it, let's meet up later to celebrate. - And Diego. - Mom, I got first place at the science fair with my volcano project. - That's amazing, sweetie. - Congratulations. - Because when people are fed, futures are nourished, and everyone deserves to live a full life. Join the movement to end hunger at feedingamerica.org/actnow. Feedingamerica.org/actnow. A public service announcement brought to you by Feeding America and the Ad Council. - My mother was very familiar with her neighborhood, but one day she stopped at the stop sign, and she wasn't even really sure where she was at. - When something feels different, it could be Alzheimer's. Now is the time to talk. A message from the Alzheimer's Association and the Ad Council. - You took the first step and quit smoking, but even former smokers may still be at risk for lung cancer. That's why SaveByTheScan.org wants you to know about a new low-dose CT scan that can detect lung cancer early. It takes only 60 seconds and could save your life. You took the first step, now take the next. Visit SaveByTheScan.org for a simple quiz to see if you're eligible and talk to your doctor about screening. - SaveByTheScan.org is brought to you by the American Lung Association's Lung Force Initiative and the Ad Council. - My mother was very familiar with her neighborhood, but one day she stopped at the stop sign, and she wasn't even really sure where she was at. - When something feels different, it could be Alzheimer's. Now is the time to talk. A message from the Alzheimer's Association and the Ad Council. - Deciding on what to listen to is hard. Using Zuma to stream music from iHeart90's radio is easy, or play iHeart Country, or hip hop beats. Your choice, all for free. Stream easy with Zuma play. Get live and on-demand entertainment with no logins, no signups, no accounts, no hassle. This September, have movie night with the blockbuster hit Godzilla and Resident Evil starring Mila Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez, streaming free on Zuma play. Go to play.zuma.com now. Life is hard. Zuma is easy.