Can I force TurboTax to let me itemize in my Kentucky state return? It showed itemized the first time through but switched to standard deduction as I was reviewing.

No. You cannot force one type of deduction on the Kentucky return. Kentucky will give you the higher of the KY standard or itemized deductions. Enter all your charitable contributions in federal. All itemized deductions in federal automatically transfer to Kentucky, whether or not they are used on federal. If your itemized deductions are higher than the KY standard deduction, but lower than the federal standard deduction, then you will get KY itemized and federal standard.

KY allows you to use different deduction method than federal. For example, you can claim the larger federal standard deduction and Kentucky itemized deductions.

That's how it's supposed to work but it isn't.   It looks like TurboTax is making a bad decision and I don't have a way to change it.   I went back to Federal and added $14,000 in additional charitable deductions.   Kentucky return stays on standard deduction, even after all reviews.