[♪♪] >> Bill: FOR TWO WEEKS UNTIL THE PRIMARY ANOTHER CANDIDATES START TV ADS AND SOME CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR AVOID EACH OTHER.

THE LEGISLATURE BARRED PUBLIC PENSION INVESTORS FROM CONSIDERING SOCIAL AND SUSTAINABILITY POLICIES BY COMPANIES BUT THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS TAKING DONATIONS FROM COMPANIES WITH SUCH RULES IN PLACE.

THE FORMER LOUISVILLE METRO OFFICER WHO SHOT BRIE ONNA TAYLOR GETS A NEW JOB IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

A NEW APPROACH IN KENTUCKY'S OPIOID CRISIS INVOLVES THE DENTAL OFFICE.

AS WE HEAD TOWARD DERBY WEEK, "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" IS NEXT ON KET.

>> Bill: GOING I'M BILL BRYANT AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTINGS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

MELISSA PATRICK, REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.

AND MARK VANDERHOFF REPORTER FOR WLKY IN LOUISVILLE.

THERE IS A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT LET'S JUMP INTO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

THE ATTACKS CONTINUED THIS WEEK BETWEENS TWO CANDIDATES WHO HAVE LED IN THE POLLS.

DANIEL CAMERON AND FORMER AMBASSADOR KELLY CRAFT.

THOSE TWO HAVE NOT SHARED THE SAME DEBATE STAGE DURING THE CAMPAIGN AT LEAST SO FAR THAT MAY BE ABOUT TO CHANGE.

THIS WEEK UP IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEVERAL CANDIDATES DID APPEAR TOGETHER.

NOT THEM.

AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARTERBACKS AND ALLEN CONNECT AIRED THEIR FIRST ADS.

AUSTIN THE WEEK BEGAN WITH ERIC DIETERS QUESTIONING WHETHER KELLY CRAFT MEETS THE RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS TO BE GOVERNOR.

THE STATE LAW CONSTITUTION SAYS SIX YEARS.

>> RIGHT.

IT SAYS SIX YEARS RESIDENT AND CITIZEN OF KENTUCKY.

AND AT THE CRUX OF ERIC DIETER'S COMPLAINT AND DIETERS IS A FIRE BRAND NORTHERN KENTUCKY ATTORNEY WHO I BELIEVE IS STILL CURRENTLY DISBARRED.

BUT HE IS ESSENTIALLY ALLEGING THAT KELLY CRAFT IS HAS NOT BEEN A FULL RESIDENT OF KENTUCKY.

HE HASN'T FILED HIS ACTUAL COMPLAINT YET AT EITHER FAYETTE OR FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT.

HE SAYS HE IS GOING TO DO IT ON MONDAY.

BUT I WOULD THINK OF THIS AS MOSTLY A POLITICAL THING.

>> Bill: YOU LOOKED INTO THE FACTS, RIGHT?

>> YES.

SO HE ESSENTIALLY HAD ONE REALLY BIGGER RECORD IN HIS ANNOUNCEMENT ON HER RESIDENCY THAT WAS THAT HE CLAIMED THAT SHE DIDN'T REGISTER TO VOTE IN KENTUCKY UNTIL 2018 BUT THAT WAS JUST WRONG.

SHE DID IN FAYETTE COUNTY IN 1991 AND HAS BEEN REGISTERED SINCE THEN AND VOTED IN THE LAST FIVE GENERAL ELECTIONS AND THE TWO PRIMARIES.

HER HUSBAND JOE CRAFT WHICH IS WHERE KIND OF THE RESIDENCY COMPLAINT IS STEMMING FROM, IS STILL REGISTERED IN OKLAHOMA AS A VOTER.

BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE HIS COAL COMPANY ALLIANCE COAL IS BASED OUT OF.

BUT HE DID REGISTER IN 2022 IN THE SUMMER IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: ALTHOUGH NOT DIVING INTO THE SPECIFICS OF THE RESIDENCY ISSUE A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE HELPING DANIEL CAMERON REFERRED TO CRAFT AS OKLAHOMA KELLY.

DOES THIS RESONATE OUT THERE?

AS AN ISSUE?

>> I THINK IT DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH THE MESSAGE ON IT.

YOU KNOW, IT IMMEDIATELY COMES TO MIND A BIG 2022 RACE WAS IN PENNSYLVANIA WITH THE U.S. SENATE WHERE POPULARLY KNOWN AS Dr. OZ THE DAYTIME TV STAR WAS RUNNING AGAINSTS DEMOCRAT JOHN FETTERMAN.

AND THE FETTERMAN CAMPAIGN MADE A HUGE DEAL OUT OF THE FACT THAT OZ DESPITE BEING A TECHNICALLY QUALIFIED PENNSYLVANIA INDICATE HAD HOMES IN NEW JERSEY AND LIVED IN NEW JERSEY RIGHT ACROSS THE RIVER.

SO I THINK THIS IS IT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH THEY MESSAGE IT.

I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THERE IS A TV AD TO THAT EFFECT OUT SOON.

>> Bill: THERE WAS A CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WHO DROPPED OUT IN 2003 HUNTER BATES.

>> HUNTER BATES A FORMER McCONNELL STAFFER SEEN AS A RISING STAR IN THE PARTY.

AND A REALLY RANDOM UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE STUDENT SUED TO CHALLENGE HIS RESIDENCY IN OLDHAM COUNTY AND IT WORKED.

HUNTER BATES DROPPED OFF OF THAT TICKET EARN ANY FLETCHER'S TICKET.

>> Bill: HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE A DISTRACTION TO THE CAMPAIGN.

MARK, THE CRAFT CAMP IS TRYING TO PORTRAY CAMERON AS ESTABLISHMENT AND HE AND BESHEAR USED TO WORK FOR THE SAME LAW FIRM.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS THAT?

>> WE WILL FIND OUT ON PRIMARY ELECTION DAY.

I CAN SEE IMMEDIATELY AFTER A SLEW OF ADS CRAFT'S NUMBERS DID GO UP IN POLLING.

WE DONE ATE HAVE A -- DON'T HAVE A LOT OF POLLING BUT WHAT WE DID SEE IN THE POLLS WE DO HAVE HER NUMBERS WENT UP AND CAMERON'S DOWN.

IS THAT BECAUSE VOTERS SEE CAMERON AS ESTABLISHMENT OR DID THEY BECOME MORE FAMILIAR WITH CRAFT AS SHE RAN MORE ADS.

>> Bill: THERE'S ALSO AN ETHICS COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OVER A COMPANY'S CONTRIBUTION TO A PACT SUPPORTING CAMP ROB FOR GOVERNOR.

>> RIGHT.

SO A BIG PROMINENT GRAY MACHINES COMPANY, THOSE ARE THE BURNING BARREL MACHINES THAT YOU SEE IN GAS STATIONS, CONVENIENCE STORES, VFW HALLS ALL OVER THE PLACE THEY ARE SLOTS BUT LIKE HISTORICAL HORSERACING WHICH IS ANOTHER CAN OF WORMS, THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS A SKILL ELEMENT TO IT.

THEY DONATED 100 K TO CAMERON'S PACT AND 30K TO HIS CAMPAIGN.

AND A LOT OF THOSE DENATIONS TOOK PLACE ONE DAY BEFORE THEY FILED SUIT AGAINST THE STATE.

CAMERON IS DEFENDING THAT LAWSUIT.

SO THE COMPLAINT ALLEGES THAT THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM THERE AND THAT CAMERON'S OFFICE MIGHT NOT DEFEND THE LAW AS STRONGLY AS THEY COULD.

CAMERON'S OFFICE DENIES THIS AND HE RECUSED HIMSELF ON MARCH 31ST A FEW DAYS AFTER THEY FILED THAT SUIT BECAUSE OF THE DONATIONS AND A POTENTIALLY SEEN AS A CONFLICT.

>> Bill: HE SAYS HE IS NOT PART OF THE DISCUSSIONS.

>> YES.

HE HAS RECUSED HIMSELF.

WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT UNTIL 10 DAYS AFTER.

BUT HE IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE LITIGATION.

>> Bill: MARK, WHY HAVE CRAFT AND CAMERON TALKED ABOUT EACH OTHER SO MUCH IN THEIR ADVERTISING AND AVOIDING SHOWING UP TO FACE EACH OTHER ON THE DEBATE STAGE?

>> I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE TWO CAMPAIGN MANAGERS HERE RIGHT NOW AT THE SAME TIME AND ASK THEM THAT QUESTION AT THE SAME TIME AND SEE HOW THEY RESPOND.

IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE DANCING AROUND EACH OTHER LOOKING AT WELL, IS HE DOING THIS DEBATE?

IS SHE DOING THAT DEBATE?

AND I REALLY WISH THAT THEY WOULD ALL SHOW UP AT ALL THE DEBATES BECAUSE THEY ARE THE MOST DEMOCRATIC FORM OF CAMPAIGNING.

BUT IT SEEMS LIKE NOWADAYS CAMPAIGN MANAGERS WANT SO MUCH CONTROL OVER HOW THEIR CANDIDATES ARE OUT IN THE PUBLIC.

TO ME THAT IS UNFORTUNATE.

>> Bill: NEITHER APPEARED IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY THIS WEEK WHERE SOME CANDIDATES DID.

IT DOES LOOK LIKE THEY WILL DO THE KET FORUM MONDAY NIGHT.

I KNOW WKET AND GRAY TELEVISION HAVE A MAY DATE DEBATE THAT WOULD HAVE STATE-WIDE COVERAGE AND THAT IS WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW.

IF ONE SHOWS WILL THE OTHER AND THEY BOTH SAY THAT INDICATE THAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE THERE.

WE'LL SEE, RIGHT?

WE KEEP WATCHING ON THAT.

A LOT OF NEW ADS ARE OUT THERE.

RYAN QUARELS AND ALAN KECK ON THE AIR WITH ADS.

KECK JUMPED RIGHT INTO THE CLASHES BETWEEN CAMERON AND CRAFT.

>> A DESPERATE KELLY CRAFT ALSO -- DANIEL CAMERON KENTUCKY'S.

>> ARE YOU TIRED OF THE SAME OLD POLITICS AND I'M ALAN KECK REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

I GREW UP MY FAMILY FARM WHERE WE'VE FARMED FOR 200 YEARS.

MY ROOTS ARE IN A STRONG FAITH AND THEY NEVER WAVERED.

>> Bill: SO THERE'S HISTORY WITH MATT BEVIN EMERGING WHEN JAMES COMER CLASHED IN 2015, WILKINSON EMERGED BENEFITING FROM STEVE WE HERE IS ATTACKING EACH OTHER CAN QUARELS OR KECK GRAB THE BATON AND RUN WITH IT OR IS IT TOO LITTLE TOO LATE?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S EVER TOO LATE I REMEMBER COVERING THAT 2015 PRIMARY AND THINKING BEVIN WAS NOT A FACTOR THINKING IT WAS ALL ABOUT BEHINDER AND COMER.

AND THEN TWO WEEKS BEFORE, PRIMARY ELECTION DAY, CAREER JOURNAL REPORTER COMING OUT WITH THE ARTICLE, THE ALLEGATIONS THAT COMER'S EX-GIRLFRIEND THAT COMER HAD ABUSED HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND ALLEGATIONS THAT HE HAD TAKEN HER TO AN ABORTION CLINIC AND IT SEEMED LIKE OVERNIGHT THE DYNAMICS OF THAT RACE CHANGED.

AND WE KNOW BEVIN WHO WE THOUGHT WAS NOT A PLAYER WENT ON TO WIN THAT PRIMARY BY JUST 83 VOTES.

I THINK THINGS COULD CHANGE BETWEEN NOW AND THEN IT DEPENDS IF THERE IS A CATALYST.

>> AND THAT KECK AD WE SAW SHADES OF BEVIN AD THAT FEATURED STAND INS FOR COMER AND HINEER THROWING SPAGHETTI AND SAYING BEVIN WAS NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FOOD FIGHT.

AND KECK'S AD SNTS' NECESSARILY ON TV.

IT'S ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY STREAMING AND QUARELS IS GETTING A LOT OF EYEBALLS.

AND THE QUARELS AD MAKES A LOT OF SENSE RELATIVE TO THE TWO FRONTRUNNERS CAMERON AND CRAFT.

WHO I THINK COULD BE SEEN RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY AS MORE METROPOLITAN.

QUARELS IS TRYING TO CARVE OUT THAT LANE AS THE RURAL CANDIDATE.

>> Bill: 00 WE REMEMBER ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE BUT IN 87 THERE WAS ANOTHER FACTOR IN WALLIS WILKINSON COMING UP THE MIDDLE.

>> NOT ONLY DOES ONE OF THESE CANDIDATES NEED ENOUGH MONEY TO SHOOT UP THE MIDDLE BETWEEN THESE CAMERON AND KELLY CRAFT BUT THEY ALSO MIGHT NEED AN ISSUE.

AND FOR EXAMPLE, WILKINSON HAD THE ISSUE OF THE LOTTERY.

HE WAS SAYING THAT BESHEAR AND BROWN AT THAT TIME WERE GOING TO RAISE TAXES AND HE WAS GOING TO BRING THE LOTTERY IN.

DO EITHER OF THE CANDIDATES HAVE AN ISSUE THAT WILL SHOOT THEM UP THE MIDDLE OF THESE TWO.

>> Bill: DO PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES?

YOU COVER LOCAL GOVERNMENT SOME AND HEALTH A LOT.

DO PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY AND BRING ISSUES TO THE FRONT THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DISCUSSED?

>> I THINK THAT BROADLY SPEAKING YES, THEY DO BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO HEAR THE NOISE AROUND IT.

SO IF PEOPLE COULD JUST STATE THEIR OPINION IN CERTAIN AREAS AND ALL AREAS AND THEN YOU COULD CHECK THE BOXES TO WHERE YOU AGREED WITH THAT, BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT WE GET.

>> SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS TOLD ME THIS WEEK HE EXPECTS A LOW PRIMARY TURNOUT.

HE IS NOT PUTTING OUT ANYTHING OFFICIAL BUT IT COULD BE AROUND 20% OR SO.

HE SAYS KENTUCKY'S OFF YEAR ELECTION HAS LESS INTEREST THAN PRESIDENTIAL OR LOCAL ELECTION YEARS.

>> IT WAS 60% IN 2020 WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT BIDEN ON THE BALLOT.

WE MAY HAVE THE SAME BALLOT NEXT YEAR.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS DRAW HIGHER TURNOUT AND IT'S BACKWARDS IT MATTERS MORE WHO THE GOVERNOR IS OR YOUR MAYOR THAN WHO THE PRESIDENT IS.

IT JUST DOES.

BUT PEOPLE DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY.

>> Bill: PEOPLE DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY.

WHY NOT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE I THINK THAT WE DON'T -- I THINK MANY PEOPLE REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS SECRETARY ADAMS SAID THE INFLUENCE AND THE POWER THAT LOCAL POLICY HAS OVER THE DAY-TO-DAY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN YOUR LIFE.

AND YET, WHEN IT COMES TO A PRESIDENTIAL RACE IT'S ALL OVER THE NEWS AND IT'S YOU KNOW, AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN SO CONFLICTED FOR SOME YEARS, I THINK PEOPLE HOLD A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR THAT OFFICE AND WANT TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

>> Bill: THE GOVERNOR WENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE FOR A STATE DINNER HONORING SOUTH KOREA'S PRESIDENT.

THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION IS CONTINUING TO TRY TO SOFTEN UP BESHEAR'S HIGH APPROVAL NUMBERS.

AUSTIN THIS WEEK THEY ATTACKED HIM FOR NAMING CYLUS HOUSE THE KENTUCKY POET LAUREATE.

>> CYLUS HOUSE A PROMINENT GAY AND APPALACHIAN AUTHOR WRITTEN BOOKS AND LIKE CLAYS QUILT AND SOUTHERNMOST HAS TWEETS OUT THERE.

I THINK HE HAS DELETED A LOT OF THEM.

THAT CALL TRUMP SUPPORTERS AND REPUBLICANS KIND OF UNSAFERY NAMES LIKE BIGOTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THEY ARE TRYING TO DRAW BESHEAR INTO THAT.

THEY PLAYED A CLIP OF BESHEAR PRAISING THE GUY AND SHOWED HIS TWEETS.

AND IT IS INTERESTING THE GROUP THAT'S BACKED BY THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION THEIR FIRST TV AD ON BESHEAR THAT THEY RAN WAS AGAINST HIS POSITIONS ON TRANSGENDER CHILDREN ALLOWING CERTAIN HEALTHCARE AND PROCEDURES FOR THEM.

SO IT'S INTERESTING THAT THIS HIT ON A GAY KENTUCKIAN FOLLOWS UP THE HIT ON TRANSGENDER ISSUES.

IT SEEMS LIKE THEY THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN WIN ON.

>> Bill: MARK, LOUISVILLE PUBLIC RADIO REPORTED THIS WEEK DESPITE THE REPUBLICAN LED LEGISLATURE'S MOVES TO BAR THE STATE FROM CONSIDERING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL POLICIES WHEN IT INVESTS MONEY AS CRITICS ON THAT SIDE SAY INVESTING IN WOKE PARTIES THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ACCEPTED 1.8 MILLION THAT HAS SUCH POLICIES.

>> PUBLIC MEDIA FOUND THAT 78% OF THE DONATIONS TO THIS BUILDING FUND FOR THE REPUBLICAN HEADQUARTERS CAME FROM THESE COMPANIES THAT DO USE SOME KIND OF ESG POLICY AND THE COMPANIES SEEUFT CITED IN FIZZER, MICROSOFT, DELTA AND COMCAST AND BEN TALKED TO STATE LAWMAKERS WHO SAID THEY DON'T SEE ANY CONFLICT IN IT.

AND ONE SAID IT WOULD BE CRAZY NOT TO TAKE THE MONEY.

>> Bill: MELISSA, ARE YOU SURPRISED THE STATE WITH SO MANY CHALLENGES SAY AN AREA AS BIG AS HEALTH GETS SO LITTLE ATTENTION?

IT IS ALL THESE OTHER ISSUES BEING TALKED ABOUT?

>> RIGHT, THE ONLY KIND OF TOUCH ON HEALTH I'VE SEEN IS CAMERON'S COMMITMENT TO TRY TO BRING WORK REQUIREMENTS BACK INTO THE MEDICAID AS A REQUIREMENT FOR MEDICAID FOR ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE.

OTHER THAN THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN MUCH AND AND THERE'S NO REASON NOT TO BRING IN INTO THE CONVERSATION BECAUSE TO IMPROVE KENTUCKY, YOU NOT ONLY HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND EDUCATION BUT YOU HAVE TO TALK ABOUT HEALTH.

>> Bill: BESHEAR DID PROPOSE EXPANDING DEN THAT, VISION AND HEARING BENEFITS FOR KENTUCKIANS ON MEDICAID.

THE LEGISLATURE NIXED THOSE DURING THE SESSION ON A TECHNICALITY THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T IMPLEMENT IT PROPERLY.

>> I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY WHY THAT WAS THE THING THEY PUSHED THROUGH.

BECAUSE IT IS WELL-KNOWN THAT KENTUCKIANS NEED DENTAL, VISION AND HEARING HELP WHEN THEY DON'T MAKE HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EXTRA INCOME.

THOSE THINGS ARE EXPENSIVE.

YES, THERE WAS A PLACE IN THE LAW THAT ALLOWED THE GOVERNOR TO PROPOSE A NEW REGULATION.

BUT IT HAD TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT.

SO THEY HAD TO TWEAK IT IN WAYS TO MAKE IT COME THROUGH.

>> Bill: FINALLY, SOME PROGRESS REPORTED IN KENTUCKY'S OPIOID CRISIS WITH OVERDOSE DEATHS DOWN SLIGHTLY.

AND NOW THERE IS A NEW EFFORT TO STOP PEOPLE FROM GETTING ADDICTED TO PAIN-KILLERS WHEN THEY VISIT THE DENTIST.

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY'S COLLEGES OF PHARMACY AND DENTISTRY COLLABORATING ON THAT.

MELISSA, WHAT IS THE IDEA BEHIND THAT?

>> MOST TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS MANY OF THEM THEIR FIRST AND ONLY ACCESS TO OPIOIDS IS THROUGH DENTAL TREATMENT THROUGH GETTING WISDOM TEETH OUT OR EXTRACTIONS TO HAVE BRACES.

THIS IS A STUDY THAT WILL ENGAGE THE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE MORE EDUCATION ABOUT ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO TREAT PAIN WHETHER THAT BE THROUGH TYLENOL, ADD VIFL, OR WHEN AN OPIOID IS NECESSARY.

SO IT SEEMS LIKE AN EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO DECREASE THE USE OF OPIOIDS WITH THIS AGE GROUP.

>> Bill: THE FIRST STATE GRANTS OF THE OPIOID ABATEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION HAVE BEEN AWARDED.

>> THEY HAVE IT WAS HAND EXCITING DAY.

AWARDED 24 OF THE GRANTS TO BE EITHER USED FOR RECOVERY, PREVENTION OR TREATMENT.

AND IT IS JUST A VARYING -- IT WASN'T TERRIBLY CLEAR WHICH EACH OF THESE GROUPS WOULD BE USING IT FOR.

BUT WE KNOW THERE WOULD BE IN THOSE AREAS.

IT IS EXCITING.

REALLY EXCITING.

>> Bill: BEFORE I MOVE ON FROM THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, AUSTIN, IS THE DRUG ISSUE A MAJOR FACTOR IN THIS CAMPAIGN?

>> I THINK IT IS.

PARTICULARLY FOR KELLY CRAFT WHO REALLY SAW THIS AS A WINNING ISSUE AND TRIED TO REALLY PUT HER PERSONAL STAMP ON IT WITH ALL THE EARLY ADS WITH THE EMPTY CHAIR AND THE BORDER STATE.

NOW SOME OF THAT, I THINK, BACKFIRED WITH THE EMPTY CHAIR AD.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT IT.

AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T FOLLOW THE MEDIA CHATTERING CLASS AND YOU KNOW, TWITTER CRITIQUES OF AN AD.

MOST PEOPLE SEE IT AND THINK OH, THIS CANDIDATE CARES ABOUT THE DRUG CRISIS.

>> Bill: MARK, FORMER LOUISVILLE POLICE OFFICER MILES COST GROVE WHO SHOT AND KILLED BREONNA TAYLOR HAS A NEW JOB?

>> RYAN GOSSER HIRED MILES AND HE HIRED HIM ON A THURSDAY AND BY THAT WEEKEND, SOCIAL MEDIA WAS ABUZZ WITH THE NEWS THAT COSGROVE HAD BEEN HIRED IN CARROLL COUNTY AND ACTIVISTS ORGANIZED A PROTEST FOR MONDAY.

NOW, I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH THE SHERIFF BUT I SPOKE WITH THE CHIEF DEPUTY ROB MILLER AND THE CHIEF DEPUTY TOLD ME LOOK HE WAS NEVER CHARGED WITH A CRIME AND THE KENTUCKY LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNCIL VOTED NOT TO DECERTIFY HIM.

AND CHIEF DEPUTY TOLD ME LIKE A LOTTED OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME HIRING PEOPLE.

I DID GO TO THE PROTEST IN THE COURTHOUSE AT DOWNTOWN CARROLLTON, THOSE ARE LOUISVILLE ACTIVISTS THERE WERE PEOPLE FROM CARROLL COUNTY AND THEY WERE UPSET.

SOME THOUGHT IT BROUGHT BAD PUBLICITY TO THE COMMUNITY AND COSGROVE WAS A LIABILITY.

>> Bill: IT'S UNFORTUNATE SINCE THE LAST TIME YOU WERE HERE LOUISVILLE CONTINUING TO TRY TO PROCESS THAT HORRIBLE BANK SHOOTING THIS MONTH.

A BANNER WENT UP IN HONOR OF NICK WILT HE HAS BEEN BATTLING PNEUMONIA.

THERE'S REPORTING HOPEFULLY THERE'S SOME PROMISING PROGRESS THAT HE IS MAKING.

BUT IT IS A TOUGH SITUATION.

>> IT REALLY IS.

PNEUMONIA IN A SPOT LIKE THAT CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT.

BUT ON TUESDAY, THE FAMILY DID ISSUE A STATEMENT THROUGH THE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE FOUNDATION SAYING THEY WERE OPTIMISTIC.

THEY SAID THAT THE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IS ENCOURAGING.

SO IT'S GOOD TO HEAR THE FAMILY FEELS GOOD ABOUT THIS.

YOU GOT TO BE POSITIVE IN A TIME LIKE THAT.

AND YOU KNOW I'M SURE HIS BROTHER HIS TWIN BROTHER, ZACK IN THE ACADEMY IS PROBABLY ROOTING FOR HIM AS WELL.

>> Bill: THAT SEEMS TO RUN IN THAT FAMILY THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

MELISSA, WHAT DO WE MEAN BY MEDICALLY-INDUCED COMA.

>> THIS IS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE.

THE PHYSICIAN HAS BY USING MEDICATION HAS PUT HIM INTO A COMA.

AND THE IDEA IS FOR WHATEVER REASON, A HEALTH REASON TO LET THE BRAIN REST OR WHATEVER IT ALLOWS TIME FOR HEALING.

AND THEN WHEN EVERYTHING THE DOCTOR DEEM IT IS NECESSARY THEY WILL BRING HIM OUT OF THAT IT'S REVERSIBLE.

>> .

>> Bill: WE CONTINUE TO PULL FOR HIM.

THE PARENTS OF THE SHOOTER, TALKED ON NATIONAL TELEVISION ABOUT THEIR SON 25-YEAR-OLD CONNOR AND THEY COULD NOT SEE THIS COMING.

>> YEAH, FIRST OF ALL MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

BUT IN THIS INTERVIEW, YOU REALLY GET THE YOU GOT TO FEEL FOR THE STURGEON PARENTS BECAUSE YOU CAN JUST TELL HOW JUST WRACKED WITH GUILT THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT DID WE DO WRONG?

AT ONE POINT, THE FATHER CHOKES UP ABOUT THAT.

AND CAN'T FINISH HIS ANSWER.

BUT WHAT THEY DID SAY IS THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE CONCUSSION PROBLEM AND THEY ARE WONDERING WHAT ISSUE THAT PLAYED FOR VIEWERS THAT DON'T KNOW, CONNOR STURGEON PLAYED SPORTS AND HAD CONCUSSIONS PLAYING FOOTBALL BUT THEY DID SAY THAT HE HAD STRUGGLES THAT STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO THAT HE WAS SEEING A PSYCHIATRIST AND A COUNSELOR HE WAS ON MEDICATION FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

HE HAD ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

BUT THEY SAID THINGS APPEARED TO BE GOING BETTER UNTIL THE WEEK BEFORE THE MASS SHOOTING.

HE HAD A PANIC ATTACK AT WORK.

HE DECIDED TO TAKE THE NEXT DAY OFF.

EASTER SUNDAY, THE DAY BEFORE THE SHOOTING HE APPEARED TO BE OK AT A FAMILY CELEBRATION.

HE WENT OUT WITH A FRIEND TO WATCH THE MASTERS.

THEY DIDN'T KNOW THAT DAYS BEFORE HE HAD BOUGHT AN AR-15 AND MONDAY HE WOULD GO TO WORK AND USE THAT GUN.

>> Bill: MELISSA, THE KENTUCKY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION IS OFFERING A PROGRAM TO MEMBERS OF THE NEWS MEDIA WHO COVER TRAUMATIC EVENTS.

MARK WAS AT AN APPOINTMENT HIS PHONE KEEPS RINGING AND HAS TO GO TO THE AWFUL SCENE AND THIS IS HAPPENING A LOT.

>> SO YES, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN PUT TOGETHER WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION AND THE KENTUCKY LANTERN PUT THIS ZOOM CALL ON MAY THE 11TH AVAILABLE FOR MEDIA TO HAVE A PLACE TO COME LEARN ABOUT COPING SKILLS AND TO HEAR ABOUT WHEN IT'S IMPORTANT TO GO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE YEAR NOT ONLY THAT KENTUCKIANS BROADLY SPEAKING HAVE DEALT WITH, WITH FLOODING, TORNADOES, SHOOTINGS, YOU KNOW THE MEDIA IS RIGHT THERE COVERING IT.

AND SO THERE IS A LOT OF AREAS A LOT OF TRAUMA THAT HAPPENED IN KENTUCKY IT IS A WONDERFUL THING THEY ARE DOING.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY'S LARGEST SINGLE TOURISM EVENT AND MARK, I KNOW THE AREA IS HAVING TO PROCESS MIXED EMOTIONS GETTING READY FOR THIS 149TH KENTUCKY DERBY?

>> FOR ME PERSONALLY SOMETIMES IT'S STRANGE TO GO FROM COVERING A STRATEGY TO COVERING A CELEBRATION.

AND I'M SURE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY THAT MIGHT FEEL THE SAME WAY.

COMING OUT OF THAT AND GOING INTO THIS PERIOD OF CELEBRATION, IT CAN FEEL LIKE A STRANGE CONTRAST SOMETIMES.

>> Bill: THE DERBY IS COMING AND AUSTIN, THE POLITICAL SET MAKES ITS WAY TO THE OAKS DAY UNDERBY DAY SCENE.

IT IS A HUGE CROWD.

AND OFTEN WELL HEELED SPECTATORS.

>> LAST YEAR, WE SAW CERTAIN FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD MILLER COME BY AND -- DONALD TRUMP COME BY AND KELLY CRAFT AND ERIC DIETERS GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES MADE CERTAIN TO GET PHOTO-OPS WITH HIM AND I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT THE ADS LOOK LIKE ON KENTUCKY DERBY DAY IF THE GOVERNOR CANDIDATES OR POLITICAL ADS AIR.

>> STREP THROAT HAS COME AROUND AGAIN.

>> JUST LIKE THE RSV AND THE THING WE DEALT WITH THROUGH THE WINTERTIME NOW IT'S STREP AND THE STUDY SAID THEY HIT A SIX-YEAR HIGH.

PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES WHETHER YOU ARE AT THE DERBY KEEP YOUR HANDS WASHED AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

>> U.K. HEALTHCARE ANNOUNCING A MAJOR EXPANSION AND ON MONDAY FIVE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR WILL JOIN RENEE SHAW ON KEN "KENTUCKY TONIGHT".

THEY WILL BE LIVE ON DEBT HE WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THE FRONTRUNNERS CAMERON AND CRAFT WILL BE TOGETHER FOR A TV APPEARANCE.

MONDAY NIGHT AT 8 EASTERN 7 CENTRAL ON KET.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.