KENTUCKY'S BRAND NEW RESTRICTIVE ABORTION LAW IS BLOCKED BY A FEDERAL judge A STATE JUDGE PUTS ON HOLD ANOTHER LAW THAT DESIGNATES WHO CAN CHALLENGE ACTS OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

KENTUCKY'S PRIMARY SEASON IS HEATING UP WITH SOME KEY RACES TO watch.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCES HIS OWN PUSH FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

SPRING TEMPERATURES CLIMB FOR THE WEEK THE DERBY FESTIVAL IS UNDERWAY.

AND "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT, AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR RYLAND BARTON, MANAGING EDITOR FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO WITH STATIONS IN MURRAY, BOWLING GREEN, LOUISVILLE AND RICHMOND.

JOINING US BY SKYPE LISA BENSON, PUBLISHER FOR LOUISVILLE BUSINESS FIRST.

AND JOHN CHEVES, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, PADUCAH'S EFFORT TO GET REMOTE WORKERS TO MOVE THERE APPEARS TO BE WORKING.

AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WILL ATTEND THE KENTUCKY DERBY.

BUT FIRST, AFTER JUST EIGHT DAYS IN EFFECT, KENTUCKY'S NEW ABORTION LAW THAT SHUT DOWN THE STATE'S TWO PROVIDERS HAS BEEN BLOCKED BY A FEDERAL COURT.

HOUSE BILL 3 HAD ESSENTIALLY MADE KENTUCKY THE FIRST STATE WITHOUT LEGAL ACCESS TO ABORTIONS SINCE THE ROE VERSUS WADE DECISION FROM THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IN 1973.

RYLAND, THIS IS A TEMPORARY INJUNCTION.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

>> Ryland: SO IT BLOCKS THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS NEW LAW FROM GOING INTO EFFECT FOR 14 DAYS.

THE PLAINTIFFS IN THIS CASE ARE STILL SEEKING A LONGER EXTENSION OF THIS BLOCK IN PLACE WHILE THE LAWSUIT TAKES PLACE, BUT ALSO THEY ARE HOPING THAT A JUDGE WILL ULTIMATELY RULE THAT IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

BUT JUST FOR THIS THE JUDGE RULED THAT THE STATE REALLY HASN'T HAD ENOUGH TIME TO PUT THE TECHNOLOGICAL PIECES IN PLACE TO REALLY ENFORCE OR MONITOR THIS -- WHAT THIS BILL DOES.

AND A BIG PIECE OF THAT IS THAT IT REQUIRES SO MANY REGULATIONS AROUND ABORTION MEDICATION, REQUIRES DOCTORS WHO ARE PRESCRIBING IT TO BE CERTIFIED AND REGULATED IN A CERTAIN WAY, AND FOR THE STATE TO CREATE THESE NEW SYSTEMS.

ALSO FOR A WEBSITE TO LIST OUT WHO THESE PROVIDERS ARE, AND FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE COMPLAINTS OVER THESE PROVIDERS.

THE STATE REALLY HADN'T HAD TIME TO DO ANY OF THAT, AND SO BECAUSE THAT HADN'T BEEN IN PLACE, THE ABORTION PROVIDERS HAD DECIDE TOED TO JUST TOTAL STOP PROVIDING THE PROCEDURE AT ALL OVER THE LAST WEEK OR SO SINCE THAT LAW TOOK EFFECT.

>> Bill: SING JO, KENTUCKY'S LAW IS NOTABLE FOR ITS LACK OF EXCEPTIONS EVEN IN CASE OF RAPE.

THIS RULING DOES NOT GET INTO THE SPECIFICS LAW, BUT AS RYLAND INDICATED IT RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT COMPLIANCE AND THE ABILITY OF THESE PROVIDERS TO DO THAT.

>> John: RIGHT.

THE RULING IS ABOUT THE BUREAUCRACY, AS Ind IT.

I MEAN -- AS I UNDERSTAND IT.

PASTOR WHAT MADE A LOT OF MEDLINES WAS THE 15 WEEK BAN.

15 WEEKS INTO THE PREGNANCY IT BANS ABORTION.

MISSISSIPPI WHICH IS UP BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT.

BUT THE PART THAT THE U.S. DISTRICT KIM JONG-UN REBEKKA JENNINGS HAD TO DO WITH THE BUREAUCRACY, THIS COMPLEX SYSTEM OF CERTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION AND REPORTING THAT THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES IS GOING TO HAVE TO CREATE AND MEDICAL PROVIDERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COMPLY WITH, AND IT'S NOT THERE YET.

THE STATE HASN'T HAD TIME.

THE LAW TOOK EFFECT MEL APRIL 14th AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD, WHICH SUED TO GET THIS BLOCKAGE, SAID NO ONE CAN COMPLY.

THERE'S NO RULES YET.

ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON SAID, WELL, LOOK, WE CAN PHASE IT IN, THEN, WE CAN HAVE PART OF THE LAW BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE THE RULE YET, WE CAN WAIT ON THAT PART.

THE JUDGE DISAGREED.

JUDGE JENNINGS SIDED WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND SHE WROTE, THE PLAIN LANGUAGE OF HOUSE BILL 3 IS CLEAR, THAT THE ENTIRE LAW BECAME EFFECTIVE AND ENFORCEABLABLE ON APRIL 14th INCLUDING THE PENALTIES AND IS ENTIRE LAW IS ON HOLD.

>> Bill: AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL INSISTS IT IS CONSTITUTIONAL.

>> John: THAT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE DECIDED BY SOMEBODY WHO MAKES MORE MONEY THAN I DO.

>> Bill: LISA, THE STATE'S TWO ABORTION PROVIDERS ARE IN LOUISVILLE AND THEY HAVE BEEN IDLE SINCE THAT NEW LAW TEAK EFFECT.

THE KENTUCKY HEALTH JUSTICE NETWORK APPARENTLY ASSISTED SOME PATIENTS GOING OUT OF STATE.

ARE THOSE PROVIDERS IN LOUISVILLE NOW RESUMING OPERATIONS?

>> Lisa: THEY ARE.

THE KENTUCKY HEALTH JUSTICE NETWORK -- THAT'S A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS WOMEN SEEKING AN ABORTION -- FIND AND CLINIC AND THEY SHIFT THEIR ACTS TO ACCESSING WOMEN.

ACCESS SERVICE IN OTHER STATES.

KENTUCKY AND BASED IN LOUVRE SUSPEND THOSE SERVICES.

WITH THE TEMPORARY ORDER BLOCKING THE NEW LAW THOSE PROVIDERS IN LOUISVILLE DID RESUME PERFORMING ABORTIONS AS OF NOW.

>> Bill: WE'LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS AS IT DEVELOPS, OBVIOUSLY.

JOHN, ANOTHER NEW KENTUCKY LAW THAT IS ON HOLD CAME IN A RULING FROM A STATE COURT, JUDGE THOMAS WINGATE GRANTED AN INJUNCTION ON A LAW THAT FORBIDS ANYBODY BUT ATTORNEY GENERAL SPENDING TAXPAYER MONEY TO CHALLENGE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

>> John: THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT WAS HOUSE BILL 248.

THE BILL THE LEGISLATURE PASSED.

THERE WERE VETOES AND VETO OVERRIDES, BUT ESSENTIALLY THAT'S CORRECT.

THE GOVERNOR CAN NO LONGER SUE, NOBODY CAN SUE IF THEY ARE A STATE WYATT CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER OTHER THAN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL USING STATE FUNDS TO CHALLENGE A NEW LAW THAT'S PASSED.

THERE WAS ANOTHER BILL THAT'S PART OF THIS LAWSUIT, TOO, HOUSE BILL 388, AND IT GIVES IF LEGISLATURE GOVERNMENT CONTRACT REVIEW COMMITTEE ESSENTIALLY VETO POWER OVER EXECUTIVE RANCH.

CONTRACTS.

RIGHT NOW THE COMMITTEE GETS TO OFFER ITS.

AND SAY IT DOESN'T LOOK A CERTAIN CONTRACT BUT THE GOVERNOR CAN CAST THOSE OPINIONS ASIDE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SUED.

HE SAID, I THINK THESE TWO BILLS ARE AN INFRINGEMENT OF MY RIGHTS AS GOVERNOR.

THEY VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION'S SEPARATION OF HOURS.

JUDGE WINGATE HAS ISSUED A TEMPORARY INJUNCTION AND RESTRAINING ORDER SPECIFICALLY ON HOUSE BILL 248 ON THE RIGHT OF GOVERNOR TO SUE.

HE MADE SYMPATHETIC NOISES ABOUT THE GOVERNOR LOSING HIS ACCESS TO THE COURTS, AND UNLIKE IF U.S. CONSTITUTION, THE KENTUCKY CONSTITUTION HOLDS ALMOST SACRED THE KENTUCKIAN'S RIGHT TO SUE, THE KENTUCKIAN'S RIGHT TO THE COURTHOUSE.

THIS IS WHAT HAS MADE TORT REFORM SO HARD FOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND OTHER GROUPS, OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO SUE, AND THIS MIGHT BE WHERE THE GOVERNOR FIND SOME SUCCESS DOWN AT THE ROAD.

>> Bill: GOVERNOR BESHEAR ESSENTIALLY CHENEYING THE LAW DESIGNED TO KEEP HIM FROM CHALLENGING LAWS.

>> John: AND PROBABLY USING STATE FUNDS TO DO IT, TOO.

>> Bill: RHODE RYLAND, YOU MADE THE POINT THIS IS PART OF A LARGER SET OF REIGNING IN THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS DONE OF THIS GOVERNOR.

>> Ryland: SURE IT.

STARTED TAKING PLACE ALMOST AS SOON AS HE TOOK OFFICE AND THE LEGISLATURE WAS IN SESSION IN EARLY 2020 RIGHT BEFORE THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND THEN AT THE SEASON OF RESTRICTING THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY FOURS REALLY TOOK OVER, SO THAT'S WHAT THEY'VE BEEN UP TO THE LAST UM CAN YEARS AND THIS IS THE LATEST VERSION OF DOING THAT.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE AND A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN A STATE WHERE IT'S SO EASY FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO OVERRIDE A GOVERNOR'S VETO.

>> Bill: WOULD THEY REVERSE?

IF A REPUBLICAN IS ELECTED GOVERNOR NEXT YEAR, WOULD THEY RETURN SOME OF THOSE POWERS?

HAS ANYBODY ASKED THAT OF SOME OF THE LAWMAKERS.

>> John: THEY HAVE SAID THEY TRIED TO HOLD REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN IN ECONOMIC, AND TO SOME EXTENT THEY DID.

>> Ryland: THEY CERTAINLY OVERRODE HIS VETOES.

>> John: YES.

>> Ryland: I THINK YOU CAN IMAGINE IT WOULD CHANGE A BIT, BUT WE WILL SEE IF AND WHEN THAT COMES.

>> Bill: WE WILL, ALL RIGHT.

THE KENTUCKY HOUSE PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE LEGAL I'D MEDICAL MARIJUANA THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THAT BILL UNITED SENATE.

YESTERDAY GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCED THAT HE IS CONSIDERING EXECUTIVEAGE TO PROVIDE ACCESS WHILE TAKING SOME SHOTS AT THE LEGISLATURE.

>> TODAY I'M ANNOUNCING FOUR STEPS THAT SET OUT A PROCESS WE'RE GOING TO BE ENGAGED IN OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS.

MOST OF THESE STEPS ARE ABOUT HEARING FROM YOU, THE PUBLIC, SO THAT YOUR VOICE IS HEARD BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, EVEN IF IT'S IGNORED BY THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.

>> Bill: RYLAND, WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW THIS WAS GOING TO GO IN THE THE WANING HOURS OF THE SESSION& THERE'S BEEN SOME CLAMOR BY THE PUBLIC SINCE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR NOW LAYING OUT SOME ACTIONS THAT HE HOPES APPARENTLY WILL LEAD TO SOME LIMITED LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

>> John:.

RIGHT NOW AFTER THIS IS GOING TO CREATE A TASK FORCE, A PANEL TO STUDY THE ISSUE.

Y HE'S ALSO CREATED AN WEBSITE FOR PEOPLE TO SEND eMAILS IN ABOUT THEIR COMPLAINTS ISSUES AND.

HE'S IN INFORMATION-COLLECTING PART OF IT.

HOWEVER, THIS OTHER PART HE KEEPS ON HINTING THAT HE WILL DO SOME SORT OF EXECUTIVE ACTION TO LEGALIZED MEDICAL CANNABIS IN ONE SHAPE OR THE OTHER.

I THINK EVERYBODY FIND THAT VERY INTRIGUING AND CURIOUS BECAUSE NO OTHER STATE HAS DONE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

GOVERNORS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL CANNABIS IN THIS WAY.

IT GENERALLY GOES THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE OR A BALLOT REFERENDUM WHICH KENTUCKY DOESN'T HAVE THE POWER TO DO.

SO THE POWER REALLY REMAINS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THEY HAVE BEEN PRETTY CONSERVATIVE ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SENATE.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN TOO EAGER TO TAKE IT P. UP.

BUT THIS APPEARS TO BE THE ISSUE THAT BESHEAR WANTS TO TURN INTO A POLITICAL ISSUE.

>> Bill: JOHN, SENATE PRESIDENT BE ROBERTS STIVERS SAID BESHEAR CANNOT LEGALIZE MARIJUANA IN ANY WAY TO AN EXECUTIVE ACTION.

>> John: RIGHT, AND I THINK SENATOR STIVERS IS CORRECT.

I GOT MY LAW DEGREE FROM A JOURNALISM SCHOOL SO WHAT DO I KNOW?

E. BUT I DON'T THINK THE GOVERNOR CAN CHANGAL FRATERNAL ORDER NARCOTICS STATUTE.

AS RYLAND SAID, THIS IS A WINNING ISSUE FOR BESHEAR AND THE DEMOCRATS.

37 STATES HAVE LEGALIZED MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

OPINION POLLS SHOW A MAJORITY KENTUCKY APES I THINK WE SHOULD DO THIS, AND BY CAN.

>>ING THIS BILL YEAR AFTER YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE IS ON THE POLITICALLY UNPOPULAR SIDE OF THIS AND BESHEAR GETS TO SPAM THEM AROUND THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS WITH IT.

>> Bill: RYLAND, THERE I WAS RAL RALLY ON AT THE CAPITOL, IT WAS WIDER IN SCOPE INCLUDING A CALL FOR DECRIMINALIZATION OF POSSESSION OF SMALLER AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA, AND SOME LOCALITIES HAVE GONE THAT ROUTE ALREADY.

>> Ryland: RIGHT, AND THAT'S KIND OF THE FARTHEST THAT THAT ISSUE HAS REALLY BEEN ABLE TO GET IN KENTUCKY, AND GRANTED YOU WILL SEE AT THE LEGISLATURE A LOT OF PEOPLE VOTING FOR MORE PERMISSIVE CANNABIS LAWS.

THERE ARE BILLS FILED EVERY YEAR TO LEGALIZE RECREATION A MARIJUANA OR TO AT LEAST DECRIMINALIZE IN ITS SOME WAY.

THOSE ARE ALSO ISSUES THAT POLL PRETTY POPULAR BUT IT'S -- THOSE ARE ISSUES THAT ARE EVEN EXPANSIVE THAN THE LITTLE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL THAT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REALLY MOVE THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Bill: WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE UPCOMING MAY PRIMARY AND OTHER APPLICATION IN JUST A BIT, BUT WE'RE GOING TO GET LISA BUSY NOW, AND THEY ARE HALF-STAFF HAS BEEN BUSY WORKING ON SOME VERY INTERESTING STORIES FOR LOUISVILLE BUSINESS FIRST.

LISA, SOME COMPANIES ARE STEPPING UP RIGHT NOW TO TRY TO ADDRESS SOME NEEDS OUT THERE.

BROWN-FORMAN INVESTING $50 MILLION IN LOUISVILLE'S WEST END.

THEY'RE SEEING SOME IMPORTANT INITIATIVES THERE RIGHT NOW, AREN'T THEY?

>> Lisa: YEAH, THAT'S ONE OF LOUISVILLE'S LARGEST COMPANIES THIS WEEK MAD A MAJOR FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO THE WEST END OF THE CITY WHICH HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY IMPOVERISHED AND DISADVANTAGED.

THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET $50 MILLION OVER FIVE YEARS TO FIVE ORGANIZATIONS THE ACADEMY OF MUCKS MUSIC WEEK PRODUCTION EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT.

THE LOUISVILLE CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER.

THE LOUISVILLE URBAN LEAGUE.

LOUISVILLE -- AND THE WEST END CARPOOL AND BROWN-FORMAN'S CHAIRMAN SAID THESE WERE KNOWN AS FOR MILLIONS IN FUNDING BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING CRITICAL WORK TO ADVANCE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, AND THIS NEWS COMES NOT LONG AFTER NORTON HEALTH CARE AND GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF KENTUCKY INVESTED A $100 MILLION INVESTMENT ON THE WEST END ON A SOCIAL SERVICES CAMPUS AND HOSPITAL.

THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT MOMENTUM ON THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: IT'S INTERESTING WHEN COMPANIES I STEP UP AS CITIZENS AND TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WE KNOW THE NATION AND KENTUCKY ARE FACING AFFORDABLE HOUSING CHALLENGES RIGHT NOW AND HUMANA IS INVESTING SOME BIG DOLLARS TO BE A SOLUTION ON THAT ISSUE, AND THEY TIE THE HOUSING ISSUE TO HEALTH OUTCOMES.

>> Lisa: YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

ANOTHER REY SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT FROM ONE OF OUR SIGNATURE COMPANIES HERE, HUMAN, YOU WITH ANNOUNCED A $25 MILLION ROUND OF FUNDING ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVES AND THAT THAT FOLLOWS A SIMILAR ROUND THEY DID LAST YEAR.

HUMANA IS A HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, OF COURSE, AND IT IDENTIFIED HOUSING STABILITY AS WHAT WE YOU WILL THEY CALL A KEY SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH.

SO WE'RE PUTTING BIG DOLLARS BEHIND THIS EFFORT TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CAPACITY THROUGH THE USE OF LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS AND THEY'RE DOING THIS IN KENTUCKY INVEST KEY MARKETS LIKE FLORIDA, GEORGIA, OHIO AND OTHER STATES THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS, AND THE KEY HERE IS THAT HUMANA FEELS IF MORE PEOPLE ARE IN STABLE HOUSING, THEY'RE ABLE TO FOCUS ON LIVING HEALTHY LIVES WHICH CAN HELP TO DRIVE DOWN THE COST OF HEALTH CARE FOR EVERYONE.

>> Bill: WE'LL WATCH TO SEE HOW THAT ALL WORKS OUT.

WE KNOW ONE THING THAT IS APPARENTLY WORKING OUT IS PADUCAH IS SEEING SUCCESS IN THE PROGRAM TO LURE REMOTE WORKERS TO COME THERE AND WORK FROM THEIR HOMES IF PEOPLE ARE QUALIFIED FOR A PROGRAM.

THEY GET MONEY TO DO THAT, INCENTIVES TO DO THAT, AND MANY ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE.

>> Lisa: YEAH, WE HAVE EXTENDED COVERAGE OF BUSINESS FIRST OUTSIDE OF LOUISVILLE THIS YEAR WITH A NEW KENTUCKY PLATFORM AND LEARNING ABOUT SOME REALLY INNOVATE STORIES LIKE PADUCAH WHICH HAS THIS REMOTE WORKERS PROGRAM.

THEY ROYALTY OUT IN OFFING 2021 TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MOOF TO PADUCAH WHILE STILL WORKING FOR THEIR EMPLOYERS.

WE LEARNED THAT THE PROGRAM HAS 23 APPLICANTS SO FAR, AND ABOUT HALF OF THEM HAVE BEEN APPROVED AND ARE IN THE PIPELINE FOR RELOCATION.

THE PACKAGE COVERS $2,500 IN RELOCATION COSTS.

THEY COVER INTERNET SERVICES FOR A MONTH FOR THE EMPLOYEE.

THEY WAIVE A 2% PAYROLL TAX FOR 12 MONTHS.

SO IT REALLY CAN BE WORTH ABOUT $6,500 TO A PERSON MAKING A SALARY OF ABOUT $100,000.

SO IT'S AN INTERESTING ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE NEW RESIDENTS IN THIS WORLD WHERE YOU CAN LIVE IN A CITY AND BE A PART WHERE YOUR EMPLOYER -- >> Bill: AND TYPICALLY HIGH ABOUT A PAY AND I GET THEY GUESS THE OCCUPATIONAL TAXES AS WELL.

ON THIS EARTH DAY, LISA, LEXMARK IS INVESTIGATING IN SOLAR ENERGY AND ITS WORLDWIDE HEADQUARTERS IN LEXINGTON.

>> Lisa: YEAH, LEX MAR INTERNATIONAL HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS, AND IT'S WORKING TO BECOME CARBON NEUTRAL BY 2035.

THIS IS AN IMAGING AND INTERNET OF THINGS BUSINESS, AND THEY'RE BUILDINGS A $4 MILLION SOLAR ARRAY AND EDUCATIONAL GREEN SPACE AT ITS EDUCATIONAL HEADQUARTERS IN LEXINGTON.

IT WILL BE ABOUT 10 ACRES AND THEY EXPECT TO IT OFFSET ABOUT 20% OF THEIR HEADQUARTERS' ENERGY.

IT SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR AND WILL ALSO INCLUDE WALKING TRAILS, A WILDLIFE HABITAT AND GARDEN, AND THIS IS A PROJECT THAT RECEIVED ABOUT $200,000 IN TAX INCENTIVES THROUGH THE KENTUCKY ENTERPRISE INITIATIVE ACT BACK IN MARCH.

>> Bill: IT'S ABOUT TO GET LOUD IN THE LOUISVILLE AREA THE DERBY FESTIVAL IS UNDERWAY IN GREATER LOUISVILLE, HARD TO OVERSIGHT THE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE AND IMPACT OF THAT.

AND THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE IS THIS WEEK.

IT'S A BIG TIME FOR THE COMMONWEALTH TO SHOW OFF.

>> Lisa: ABSOLUTELY.

I WAS JUST AT THE LUNCHEON WHICH IS THE CORPORATE KICKOFF TO THE DERBY EVER KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL.

THERE WERE ABOUT 1300 PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.

LOUISVILLE IS READY TO GET BACK TO ITS DERBY SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

THE DERBY REPRESENTS ABOUT $325 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT.

AND NOT HAVING THAT FULL DERBY AND FESTIVAL OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS REALLY HARMED A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT DERBY FESTIVITIES.

THE THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE AIR SHOW AND FIREWORKS SHOW IS EXPECTED TO HAVE RECORD ATTEND ANSWER WITH GREAT WEATHER THIS WEEKEND, AND IF FESTIVAL'S 4,000 VOLUNTEERS ARE ALL HOPING IT WILL BE A GOOD START TO THE DERBY SEASON HERE IN LOUISVILLE.

>> Bill: THE DERBY AND POLITICS OFTEN INTERSECT, AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A HIGH-PROFILE EXAMPLE OF THAT.

RYLAND, WE'VE LEGENDARY THAT FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS APPARENTLY IS COMING TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY.

>> Ryland: AUTHENTICITY YEAH, ON THURSDAY THIS INVITATION STARTED FLOAT CAN AROUND TWITTER THAT MAGGIE AT THE TIMES POSTED AND IT SHOWS THAT DONALD TRUMP IS GOING TO BE AT THE DERBY AND THERE'S -- FOR A FUNDRAISER AND ARE THERE A $75,000 PRICE TAG TO ATTEND ALONG WITH THE COURIER-JOURNAL FOLLOWED UP ON THIS, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO CONFIRM IT WITH SOME KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS, AND THE CHURCHILL DOWNS ALSO DIDN'T REALLY RESPOND TO THEIR PARTICULAR POLICY ON HOLDING A LITERALLY POLITICAL FUNDRAISER IN THE MIDDLE OF DERBY BUT THERE WILL BE A VERY HIGH-PROFILE PERSON THERE.

YEAH, WE'RE JUST STARTING TO -- WE DO NOT KNOW A LOT OF DETAILS ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT THIS ENTAILS YET.

>> Bill: IT WILL BE INTERESTING, NO DOUBT.

THE KENTUCKY PRIMARY IS IS NOW JUST WEEKS AWAY.

THERE WILL BE THREE DAYS OF EARLY VOTING ON THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT LOCATIONS DETERMINED BY YOUR LOCAL COUNTY CLERK BEFORE THE TUESDAY, MAY 17th PRIMARY WHEN ALL OF THE LOCAL PRECINCTS WILL BE OPEN.

BEFORE THAT TIME, YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE IS ALSO EXTENDED, INCLUDING MAIL-IN OR WALK-IN, BUT THAT REQUIRES AN ACCEPTABLE EXCUSE.

DO YOU HAVE SOLVE TO HAVE SOME REASON THAT YOU ARE AUN ABLING TO GO TO THE POLLING DAYS TO VOTE ABSENTEE.

RYLAND, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LEF PRIMARIES YOU'RE WATCHING?

>> Ryland: ONE OF THE BIG ONES IS IN THE LEXINGTON AREA, PART OF THE LEXINGTON DISTURBS LIKE NICHOLAS VIM.

DONALD DOUGLAS WHO IS THE CURRENT STATE SENATOR WON A CERTAINLY.

ELECTION AFTER THE DEATH OF LONGTIME SENATOR TOM BUFORD.

HE'S RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION THIS YEAR BUT ANDREW COOPERRIDER WHO IS A KENTUCKY LEXINGTON COFFEE SHOP OWNER WHO ORGANIZED A LOT OF THE PROTESTS OVER BESHEAR, GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS IS RUNNING FOR THAT SEAT.

HE'S RAISED A LOT OF MONEY FOR THAT, AND THERE'S -- IT'S BECOME A HIGH PROFILE RACE, I THINK REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE REALLY WANT TO KEEP SENATOR DOUGLAS THERE.

YOU CAN KIND OF TELL THIS SESSION, HE WAS MOVING A LOT OF BILLS.

HE WAS GIVING A LOT OF SPEECHES.

AND SO THAT'LL BE A VERY INTERESTING RACE TO WATCH.

ANOTHER REPUBLICAN RACE OUT IN WESTERN KENTUCKY, LONGTIME R RICHARD HEATH IS A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE.

HE IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION AND HE HAS A REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERRING KIMBERLY HOLLOWAY.

SHE'S A COUNSELOR AT A RETIREMENT CENTER.

SHE'S RUNNING TO THE RIGHT OF EMPTY REPRESENTED TIFT HEATH AND ALSO TRYING TO PIN HIM ON THE FACT THAT HE'S RUNNING FOR AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER IN 2023.

>> Bill: WHICH HE'S ALREADY ANNOUNCED, SO SHE'S TRYING TO USE THAT AMBITION AGAINST HIM.

>> Ryland: SHE IS.

AND WE'LL SEE.

IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE STATE REP RACES THIS YEAR, 2023 WHEN WE HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, IT'S KIND OF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TERM, SO WE HOOB -- IF HE WERE TO WIN THAT, HE WOULD BE STEPPING DOWN FROM THAT.

>> BILL: >>> >> Bill: SOME OTHER.

>> Ryland: A COUPLE OF DEMOCRATIC RACES IN LEXINGTON AREA TOM BURB BURCH 91-YEAR-OLD -- IN THE LOUISVILLE AREA, PARDON ME.

HE WILL TURN 91 IN JULY.

HE'S RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION AND HE'S GOT A COUPLE CHALLENGERS.

DANIEL GROSS BERG WHO HAS CHALLENGED HIM BEFORE AND NEEL TURPIN WHO I BELIEVE USED TO WORK FOR REPRESENTATIVE BURCH IN HOUSE DISTRICT 43, ROBERT LA VERTIS BELL IS RUNG AGAINST INCUMBENT PAMELA STEVENSON.

SO THERE'S SOME TOSSUPS HERE.

OH, AND I WANTED TO MENTION BECAUSE REPUBLICANS REDREW THE REDISTRICTING MAPS THIS YEAR IN WESTERN KENTUCKY, REPRESENTATIVE JIM GUCH IS RUNNING GHENT CURRENTLY REPRESENTATIVE LYNN BECKLER.

>> Bill: AND YOU HAD SOME IT WAS ALL FROM PRIMARY BECAUSE OF THE REDISTRICTING AND INCUMBENTS NOT WANTING TO -- >> Ryland: ESPECIALLY IN LOUISVILLE, LONGTIME REP MARY LOU MARZIAN DECIDED NOT TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

I KNOW THERE'S ANOTHER ONE I'M FORGETTING.

>> Bill: MAYOR'S RACES IN SEVERAL CITIES.

LOUISVILLE IS PART OF A RACE, LOUISVILLE'S IS NON-PARTISAN.

THAT NARROWS THE FIELD TO TWO CANDIDATES FOR THE FIELD.

JON, THERE'S A NON-PARTISAN JUDICIAL RACE IN FRANKLIN COUNTY THAT'S GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION BECAUSE THE COURT HEARS A LOT OF STATE GOVERNMENT I.

>> John: RIGHT.

FRANKLIN CIRCUIT JUDGE PHILLIP SHEPHERD, THE INCUMBENT IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.

HE'S BEEN CHALLENGED BY JOE BILL BUY WHO IS GENERAL COUNSEL FOR AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES.

HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH IT'S A NON-PARTISAN POSITION, AS YOU MENTIONED, FRANKFORT TO THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, SO A LOT OF LAWS THAT ARE CHALLENGED ARE CHALLENGED BEFORE JUDGE SHEPHERD AND HIS BRETHREN JUDGE WINGATE.

THERE ARE SOME REPUBLICANS THAT DON'T LIKE JUDGE HELPERED.

MATT BEVIN CALMED HIM A HACK JUDGE AND THEY THEY GET MAD WHEN HE RULES AGAINST THE REPUBLICANS REPUBLICANS.

HE RULES STYLES.

AGAINST THE KSP IS TOO IMES OOP.

SO THE REPUBLICANS HAVE RAISING TONIGHT.

MORE BILL BUY WHO WORKS FOR THE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER.

RIGHT NOW JUDGE SHEPHERD HAS GOT $253,000 THAT HE'S RAISED.

JOE BILL BUY HAS $121,000.

IT'S A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS ONE LITTLE RACE.

THE DEMOCRATS TEND TO BE BACKING SHEPHERD.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW THE RACE COMES DOWN.

FOR ONE LITTLE CIRCUIT JUDGESHIP RACE THERE'S A LOT OF STATE FOCUS ON IT.

>> Bill: AND THERE ARE ALSO AT THE TOP THE U.S. SENATE PRIMARIES.

THERE WILL BE CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARIES, AND, RYLAND, AS ALL OF THIS IS GOING ON, WE ARE HEARING WITHOUT A DOUBT THE FOOTSTEPS OF 2023 NEXT YEAR'S OFF-YEAR ELECTIONS IN KENTUCKY CAN BE HEARD.

THERE ARE INCREASING STEINS THAT DANIEL CAMERON -- SIGNS THAT DANIEL CAMERON COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR RATHER THAN SEEK RE-ELECTION.

>> Ryland: ONE OF THE BIGGEST SIGNS WAS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO ON YOUR SHOW KENTUCKY NEWSMAKERS WHEN HE SAID EVERYTHING IS ON THETABLE.

HE DID NOT RULE THE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR BUT ALSO THAT SIGNALS, OH, HE MIGHT NOT RUN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL AGAIN.

MAYBE HE'LL RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

THERE ARE OTHER OFFICES HE COULD RUN FOR AS WELL.

BUT THAT SHIFTS THE WHOLE GAME OF WHICH OFFICES ARE HOSPITAL, WHICH HAVE INCUMBENTS.

THERE'S BEEN SOME TALK FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY RUSSELL COLEMAN WOULD END UP RUNNING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL IF THAT SEAT BECOMES VACATED.

AND, DUTY THEN YOU ALSO HAVE ALL OF OTHER THESE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE BEEN HINTING AT A RUN FOR GOVERNOR BUT STILL NOT FILED.

WE'VE ONLY GOT REPUBLICAN STATE AUDITOR MIKE HARMON IN THAT RACE AT THIS POINT STILL.

SO WE WILL -- THAT'S CERTAIN TO COME THE IN COMING MONTHS.

WHO KNOWS, MAYBE THIS SUMMER WE'LL GET A LITTLE MORE CLARITY ON THAT.

BUT THAT'S OUR NEXT YEAR.

KENTUCKY'S UNIQUE YEAR WHERE WE ARE THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION OR ONE OF THE ONLY THAT HAS A GOVERNOR'S ELECTION AND ATTORNEY GENERAL AND ALL THOSE OTHER STATEWIDE OFFICES.

>> Bill: SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL MEAN WHILE IS DOING WHAT HE DOES, KEEPING HIS EYE, TRYING TRO CLAIM THE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE IN WASHINGTON AND BACK HERE AT HOME HE'S WORKED ON A BILL TO SORT OF ENHANCE THE BENEFITS OUT IN THE CLEANUP FROM THE TORNADOES.

>> Ryland: RIGHT.

INCLUDES $75 MILLION FOR LONG-TERM RECOVERY FOR A LOT OF THE CITIES AND JUST MUNICIPALITIES AFFECTED BY DISASTERS IN KENTUCKY WITH ESPECIALLY THE TORNADOES.

THIS IS THE KIND OF INHAVE MONEY THAT GOES TOWARDS UNEXPECTED EXPENSES FOR LOCAL GOTS OR THE U.S. ARMY A CORPS ENGINEERS NEEDS TO BUILD SOMETHING UNEXPECTED OR HIGHWAY MONEY OR THE EPA.

SO IT'S THIS BIG OLD $75 MILLION AMOUNT OF MONEY TO HELP THOSE OUTLYING COSTS.

>> Bill: OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT COVID AND ITS TERRIBLE GRIP ON KENTUCKY, BUT LISA WAS AS OF RIGHT NOW, ALL COUNTIES IN KENTUCKY HAVE LOW LEVELS OF TRANSMISSION, AND THERE'S A BIG SIGH OF RELIEF ABOUT THAT.

>> Lisa: YEAH, A LOT OF EMPLOYERS ARE WORKING ON THEIR BACK-TO-WORK RETURN-TO-OFFICE PLANS OR WORKING THROUGH THEM, WORKING THROUGH PLANS THEY'VE IMPLEMENTED, AND IT GIVES EMPLOYERS A LOT OF CONFIDENCE TO KNOW THAT WE ARE IN THE GREEN AND WE'RE IN CLEAR ON THE COVID RATE.

IT'S DANIEL AN ISSUE.

EMPLOYERS HAVE BEEN VERY CONCERNED ABOUT AND WATCHING CLOSELY.

>> Bill: THERE I WAS $310 MILLION UPGRADE OF RUPP ARENA IN CENTRAL BANK DEDICATED THIS WEEK.

IT COST $60 MILLION TO BUILD IT BACK IN THE DAY IN THE '70s, BUT THIS WILL ALLOW LEXINGTON TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE ITS CONVENTION CAPACITY.

>> Lisa: BITES ANN A REALLY LONG TIME COMING.

THE COMPLETION OF THAT CENTRAL BANK CENTER IS AN IMPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THE CITY OF LEXINGTON.

IT EBBS PANNED THE CONVENTION CENTER TO HAVE 100,000 SQUARE FEET OF EXHIBIT SPACE AND A 25,000 SQUARE FOOT BALLROOM PLUS 16 DIFFERENT MEETING ROOMS TO ACCOMMODATED VISITORS, VERY NECESSARY PROJECT TO HELP LEXINGTON STAY COMPETITIVITY IN CONVENTION MARKETPLACE.

NOW WITH THIS EXPANSION IT CAN COMPETE FOR 90% OF DEVIN BUSINESS VERSUS ACCOUNT I HAVE 62% BEFORE AND REALLY IMPORTANT TIMING AS COMPANIES ARE -- >> Bill: THE LAST DEADLY STOCK BILE OF NERVE GAS ACT HAS BEEN DESTROYED.

>> Ryland: THIS IS THE FOURTH OF FIVE PHASE TOWS GET RID OF THESE OLD CHEMICAL WEAPONS SO THERE WERE ABOUT 18,000 ROCKETS THAT THEY DISMANTLED BUT THERE'S STILL 277 TONS STILL OF THE ACTUAL AGENT STILL 28 TO BE NEUTRALIZED.

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE -- THERE'S ONE MORE AGENT, GB NERVE AGENT I BELIEVE THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH, AND THAT'S SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.

>> Bill: EASTERN E. CAN UNIVERSITY WILL HAVE AN INSTALLATION CEREMONY FOR PRESIDENT DR. MCNAD FADDEN NEXT FRIDAY.

HE IS A GRADUATE OF KENTUCKY EASTERN.

HE TOOK OVER TWO YEARS AGO BUT THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE PUSHED BACK SO MANY THINGS ON CAMPUS INCLUDING THAT EVENT TO CELEBRATE McFADDEN BECOMING THE 18th PRESIDENT.

TUNE IN MONDAY FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

THE RENEE SHAW HAD HOST A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE 2022 PRIMARY ELECTION P.