>> Bill: THE 147th RUNG OF THE E.H. KENTUCKY DERBY BRINGS PRICELESS ATTENTION THE TO COMMONWEALTH EVEN WITH THE DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT WAY DOWN.

NEW POPULATION NUMBERS SHOW KENTUCKY KEEPS ITS SIX CONGRESSIONAL SEATS BUT GROWTH HAS SLOWED.

THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT LOUISVILLE METRO LIST.

AND PRESIDENT BIDEN WANTS TO GO BIG ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER INITIATIVES, BUT SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL COMPARES THE SPENDING TO CAT NIP AND PUSHES TO SLIM IT DOWN.

AS WE HEAD INTO MAY, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME TO YOU "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND SOME P ANALYZE.

AND THE GUESTS OUR PANEL OF WORKING are: JACK BRAMMER OF TH DARCY COSTELLO OF THE COURIER-J AND MARK VANDERHOFF, REPORTER FOR WLKY.

ALSO LISA BENSON OF L BUSINESS FIRST.

ALSO TONIGHT, D SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS IS COMIN TO KENTUCKY THIS WEEKEND BUT NO FOR THE DERBY.

AND SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS REMOVES THOUSANDS OF VOTERS FROM THE RO MOST OF THEM ARE DEAD.

BUT FIRST, DERBY WEEKEND IN KENTUCKY AND THE WINNER OF THE KENTUCKY OAKS IS MALATHAAT A MUCH SMALLER USUAL CROWD WILL BE IN LOUISVILLE AND THE WRECK IMPACT FAR LESS THAN USUAL BUT KENTUCKY STILL GETS LOTS OF PRICELESS ATTENTION FOR THE DERBY LISA BENSON WORKED UP A WHOLE DERBY EDITION OF LOUISVILLE BUSINESS FIRST AND SHE JOINS US NOW.

LISA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US ON THIS BEAUTIFUL DERBY WEEKEND IN KENTUCKY.

IT IS A SCALED DOWN DERBY.

WE KNOW THE DERBY FESTIVAL WAS ABBREVIATED AS WELL WITH A LOT OF CHANGES TO THE EVENTS, BUT KENTUCKY REALLY GETS THE SPOTLIGHT.

IT'S HARD TO PUT A VALUE ON THAT EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW THAT THE ACTUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT WILL BE DOWN SUBSTANTIAL >> Lisa: THAT'S RIGHT.

AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TONIGHT, BILL.

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THIS YEAR'S DERBY HAS BEEN A MOVING TARGET AS WE HAVEN'T KNOWN HOW MANY FANS WOULD BE IN ATTENDANC AT CHURCHILL DOWNS THIS YEAR BU NOW WE KNOW IT WILL BE LESS THA 50,000 PEOPLE AND LOUISVILLE TOURISM IS ESTIMATING AP IMPACT OF ABOUT $36 MILLION THIS YEAR, SO THAT COMPARES TO A FULL $400 MILLION DURING A NORMAL DERBY Y AND THE NUMBER OF FACTORS IN DERBY ATTENDANCE, HOTEL ACTIVIT AND ROOM RATES THIS YEAR SINCE I AREN'T SEEING THE EXTRA EVENTS LIKE lavish DINNERS, GALAS AND ALL THE TRADE SHOWS THAT COMES TO DERBY SEASON BROUGHT THE IMPACT NUMBERS DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> Bill: THE AHRENDT IS BUSY, THOUGH, WE UNDERSTAND ESPECIALL A LOT OF PRIVATE PLANES ARE THE.

>> Lisa: TRAFFIC AT MUHAMMAD ALI.

>>> INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS USUALLY OFF THE COLORS DURING DERBY week BUT THIS LOOKS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT NOW.

THEY ARE SEEING INCREASED TRAFFIC COMPARED TO PANDEMIC LEVEL BUT FOR DERBY THEY'RE LOOKING'S GENERAL AVIATION TO BE ABOUT 25% OFF NORMAL DERBY TRAFFIC, SO THAT'S ABOUT 150 PRIVATE AIRCRAFT VERSUS 600 THAT WOULD NORMALLY FLY IN.

COMMERCIAL PASSENGER TRAFFIC IS LOOKING TO BE ABOUT HALF THE CAPACITY OF NORMAL THIS YEAR WITH ABOUT IV 14,500 SEATS vers 28,000 SEATS IN 2019.

BUT THE AIRPORT IS STILL GOING TO ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET FOR VISITORS WITH LIVE MUSIC AND ROSES AND BOURBON BALLS FOR ALL THOSE ARRIVING VISITORS.

>> Bill: THERE YOU GO.

THES ATMOSPHERE IS IN PLACE.

THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY IS TRYING REALLY HARD RIGHT NOW TO REGAIN ITS FOOTING.

YOU ARE HOTELS AND AIRBNBS HAVING TO FILL UP THEIR ROOMS DURING THE DERBY WKYT?

>> WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOTEL ROOMS, YOU CAN STILL FIND HOTELS WITH DECENT PRICES OUTSIDE OF SHOTGUN P PI DAY SEARCH AND FOUND CESAR'S REGION FOR $300 A NIGHT WHICH IS VERY REASONABLE FOR A DERBY WEEKEND.

LOUISVILLE TELLS US AS OF LAST WEEK CITYWIDE HOTEL CAPACITY WAS TRIANGLE AROUND 61% AND THAT A FEW HOTELS WERE COMPLETELY SOLD OUT FOR DERBY.

THE FOLKS AT WHISKEY ROW WHICH HAS THREE PROPERTIES IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE, THAT OCCUPANCY IS BEATING THIERRY EXPECTATIONS FROM NOW GOING INTO THE SUMMER AND THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR THE HOTEL INDUSTRY.

>> Brian: HAILIE REPORTED ON FOUR YOUR PUBLICATION ON HOW RESTAURANTS ARE HAVING TO REALLY SCRAMBLE HERE MORE THE DERBY BLITZ, AND THEN WE'LL JUST TO HAVE SEE WHERE THINGS ARE AFTER THAT, RIGHT?

>> Bill: EVER.

>> Linda: THAT'S RIGHT.

RESTAURANTS HAVE BEEN FRYING TO HIRE MORE WORKERS FOR MONTHS TO KEEP UP WITH THE RETURN OF DINERS AND SO MANY WERE FACED GOING INTO THE BUSY DERBY WEEK SEVERELY UNDERSTOOD.

ONE OF OUR SIGNATURE VAUNTS JACK FRY'S AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE SIX JOB OPTION BETWEEN THE STAFF AND THE BACK OF HOUSE AND THIS IS ON TOP OF THEIR NORMAL JOBS JUST TO COVER THEIR BASES.

RESTAURANTS LOCALLIY AND NATION WIRED FINDING THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE FEARFUL OF RETURNING TO A PUBLIC-FACING BUSINESS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SOME HAVE FOUND JOBS OUTSIDE THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY.

AND OTHERS ARE JUST RIDING OUT THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

>> Bill: WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT 50,000 OR SO PEOPLE AT THE DERBY SO THEY STILL TO HAVE MASK UP, BUT THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK RELAX THE RULES FOR OUTDOOR GATHERINGS FOR FEWER THAN 1,000 PEOPLE.

THAT HAS TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SOME BUSINESSES.

>> Lisa: YES, THE NEWS THAT OUTDOOR GATHERINGS OF LESS THAN 1,000 WITHOUT MASKS IS ANOTHER SIGNAL TO BUSINESSES AND VENUES THAT THE ECONOMY IS STARTING TO GO DOWN THAT PATH TOWARDS NORMALCY.

THE CEO A COMPANY THAT OWNS THE GULF HOUSEHOLD HERE SAID ACTIVITY IS STRONGER THAN HE WAS INITIALLY INDICATING AND HE SAID SUMMER WILL BE REALLY ROBUST FOR THEM WITH THESE RELAXED RESTRICTIONS BUT IT WILL DEPEND ON WHAT KIND OF RESTRICTIONS STILL EXIST, AND THEN IF WE CAN GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE CAN HAVE THE RETURN OF BIB EVENTS AND EXCERPTS WHERE LARGE NUMBERS OF FOLKS CAN GATHER.

>> Bill: LEASE A, DO YOU SEE HAVE THINK PEOPLE SEE THE KENTUCKY DERBY AS THE GAIT BACK TO NORMAL?

>> Lisa: I.

REALLY DO.

I SEE IT THAT WAY.

THE FESTIVITIES AT CHURCHILL ARE OBVIOUSLY GREAT LIZ REDUCED THIS YEAR BUT THE FEELING AT RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES AND THE MANY BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT THE DERBY, THERE'S THIS SENSE OF HOPE THAT WE ARE SEEING SOME RETURN TO SOME TRAVEL, SOME SPENDING ON ACTIVITIES, AND A RETURN TO SOMETHING LIKE BUSINESS IS NORMAL.

THE DERBY WILL BE THE BIGGEST SPORTING EVENT WITH SPECTATORS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, AND SO WE'LL ALL BE WATCHING CLOSELY TO SEE THE OUTCOME NOT JUST OF THE RACE BUST GATHERING ITSELF.

AND A SUCCESSFUL AND SAFE DERBY CAN MEAN VERY GOOD THINGS FOR OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

>> Bill: WE'LL BE WATCHING.

LISA BENSON THANKS AS ALWAYS FOR JOINING US FROM LOUISVILLE BUSINESS FIRST.

>> Lisa: ALWAYS A PLEASURE PLEASURE, BILL.

HAPPY HAPPY DERBY TO YOU.

>> Bill: NO TO OUR PANEL WITH JACK BRAMMER, MARK VANDER HAUF AND DARCY COST TELLO.

MARK, THE BALLOTS AS WE HAVE LEARNED TO MILES AN HOUR IT THIS WEEK, OFTEN WE SAY VALETS, HAVE WON THE RIGHT TO STRIKE.

THEY'RE AN IMPORTANT PART OF RACE DAY AND THEY SAY THEY'RE UNDERPATE.

WILL THERE BE A DISRUPTION BECAUSE OF THAT.

>> Mark: THAT'S THE MILLION DOLLARS QUESTION.

THE VALETS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SADDLING AND UNSADDLING THE HORSES AND MAKING SURE THAT THE SADDLES ARE CORRECTLY WEIGHTED.

THERE'S ABOUT 13 VALETES AT CHURCHILL DOWNS FOR TAPE CAL RACE, AS MUCH AS 20 FOR THE THE BREEDERS' CUP.

I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK THAT CHURCHILL DOWNS HAS PEOPLE LINED UP READY TEAK THEIR PLACE FOR MANY, BUT SOMETHING HAPPENS WITH A HORSE AND IT'S TRACKED BRACK TO THE SADDLE OR IMPROPER WEIGHTING, THINGS AREN'T GOING LOOK GOOD.

>> Bill: COULD IT POTENTIALLY BRING THE RESULTS INTO QUESTION?

>> Mark: I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT, P WE SAW THE DISQUALIFICATION A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

IT'S JUST REALLY HARD TO SAY.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE RACES TOMORROW.

>> Bill: AND THEY CLAIM OR THEIR COUNSEL CLAIMS THAT WHAT THE VALETS SAY THAT THIS WOULD BE $27,000 FOR CHURCHILL DOWNS.

HAVE YOU LOOKED INTO THAT?

>> Mark: YES.

SO CHURCHILL DOWNS DISPUTES THAT FIGURE, FIRST OF ALL.

AND CHURCHILL DOWNS ALSO SAYS THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO GIVE SOME RAISES, NOT THIS YEAR BUT MAYBE NEXT YEAR, AND THAT THESE PROPOSED WAGERS VERY COMPETITIVE, BUT ONE POINT THAT THE VALETS BRING UP IS THAT WHEN YOU CONSIDER HOW MUCH THEIR CEO MAKES, $10 MILLION A YEAR, THISSEST WOULD BE LESS THAN A DAY'S WORTH OF HIS PAY.

>> Bill: DEFICIENCY THERE WERE PROTESTS AROUND THE DERBY THAT WAS HELD IN THE UNUSUAL MONTH OF SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR OVER THE DEATH OF BREONNA TAYLOR AND DURING TIME OF SOCIAL UPHEAVAL IN THE COUNTRY.

WE'RE HEARING THERE MAY AGAIN BE SOME DEM STRAITS STATIONS ON DERBY WEEKEND.

>> Daniel: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Darcy: THAT'S RIGHT.

LOCAL PORTS SAY THEY'RE GOING OVER A MARCH TOMORROW.

THEY HAVEN'T SAID WHEN OR WHERE BUT THERE WILL BE A DEMONSTRATION, PROBABLY NOT TOTE SCALE OF LAST YEAR WHEN YOU SAW THE NATIONAL GROUP UNTIL FREEDOM COME TO TOWN AND A BLACK MILITIA NFAC SO PROBABLY A ABOUT IT SMALLER THAN THAT BUT PROBABLY STILL A DEMONSTRATION.

>> Bill: MARK, THERE WAS ALSO CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, THE OWNER OF DERBY FAVORITE ESSENTIAL QUALITY.

>> Mark: SO THE SHEIK'S DAUGHTER PRINCESS LATIFAH HAS NOT BEEN SEEN OR HEARD FROM IN WEEKS, AND THIS IS A PERSON WHO HAS PREVIOUSLY POSTED VIDEOS SAYING THAT SHE WAS BEING IMPRISSED IN A PALACE AND THAT SHE FEARED FOR HER LIFE.

SO SOME HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS AND UofL STUDENTS HAD ASKED THE KENTUCKY HORSE RACING COMMISSION TO DISBAR SHEIK MUHAMMAD AND HIS HORSE ESSENTIAL QUALITY FROM THE DERBY.

NOW THE HORSE RACING COMMISSION SAID THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT, AND I WAS JUST READING A COLUMN IN SPORTS ILLUSTRATED WHERE HE SAID -- HE QUOTED A OFFICIAL SAYING THE SHEIK WASN'T GOING TO BE GOING ANYWAY.

WHETHER OR NOT BELIEVE THAT, IT CERTAINLY CASTS A BIT OF A CLOUD.

>> Bill: JACK, AND IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK IN STUDIO.

FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A YEAR WITH US.

BUT THERE WAS ALSO SOME DISCUSSION EARLY IN THE BECOME ABOUT THE IMAGERY AND THE LYRICS OF THE KENTUCKY SONG "MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME."

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYS THERE NEEDS TO BE A DISCUSSION ABOUT IT BUT THERE IS NOT TIME FOR THAT RIGHT NOW P. >> Jack: NO, WE LIVE IN AN AGE WHERE NEARLY EVERYTHING IS BEING REEVALUATED, WHICH CAN BE A VERY GOOD THING.

THIS SONG WAS WRITTEN IN 1853 BY STEVEN FOSTER.

ITS LYRICS WERE CHANGED IN 1986, REMOVING THE DEROGATORY TERM OF DARK IS.

THERE'S STILL SOME PEOPLE WHO SAY -- CONSIDER IT RACIST.

SO PROBABLY DISCUSSION IS NEEDED AND IS THAT'S THE WAY THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO GO.

>> Bill: THE GOVERNOR WILL BE HANDING OUT THE TROPHY TO THE WINNER ON NATIONAL TELEVISION.

THIS WILL HIS FIRST TIME DOING TO THAT BECAUSE HE DID NOT TO GO THAT SEPTEMBER DERBY.

THE POLITICAL SET IS A REAL PART OF THE DERBY WEEKEND, ISN'T IT?

>> Jack: YOU GET NATIONAL EXPOSURE.

THE GOVERNOR GETS TO PRESENT THE TROPHY TOTE WINNING TEAM.

AND STOW HE'S REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS, AND HE'S BEEN VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT ALL WEEK.

>> Bill: AND THEY ALL GO AND SHAKE HANDS, TRY TO MAKE CONNECTIONS.

OBVIOUSLY TALK -- RUB ELBOWS WITH PEOPLE WHO CAN RACE RAISE SOME MONEY FOR THEM.

JACK, WE TALKED ABOUT LISA BENSON ABOUT THE MASK MANDATE BEING RELAXED SOME, BUT CALLS TO FULLY REOPEN KENTUCKY ARE GROWING LOUDER EVERY DAY FROM MANY IN THE PUBLIC AND AG COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES, A LIKELY REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR IS PUSHING FOR A DEFINITE DATE.

HE SAYS BUSINESSES NEED THAT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PLAN.

>> Jack: WE ARE HEARING THOSE VOICES.

THE GOVERNOR STILL POINTS OUT WE HAD OVER 700 CASES FRIDAY, A 1% FATALITY RATE.

THAT MEANS POSSIBLY SEVEN PEOPLE WILL DIE FROM THAT.

PEOPLE ARE STILL CATCHING IT EVEN THOUGH THE VACCINE.

THERE'S A BIG PUSH ON VACCINES.

BUSINESSES ARE PROVIDING INCENTIVES.

WE'LL HAVE MORE NEXT WEEK ON THAT.

AND WE PROBABLY WON'T KNOW FOR SURE WHAT RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IN EFFECT OR NOT UNTIL JUNE 10th WHEN THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT HEARS THE CASE ON THIS.

>> Bill: JACK, THIS TOUGHING WAR ON RESTRICTIONS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT HAS GONE ON NEARLY THE ENTIRE TIME OF THE PANDEMIC AND SOMETHING THAT WE WILL REMEMBER ABOUT THIS HISTORIC TIME.

>> Jack: ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S GOTTEN POLITICAL, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, BUT I THINK WE DO NEED AN ANSWER, AND AGAIN THAT'S WHY I SAY EVERYBODY IS LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT SAYS ABOUT IT.

>> Bill: MARK, BUSINESSES IN MANY SECTORS SAY THEY'RE HAVING TROUBLE HIRING RIGHT NOW.

SOME ARE CALLING THE COMBINED FEDERAL AND STATE EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS A DISINCENTIVE FOR SOME TO RETURN TO WORK.

BUT JOB SEARCH REQUIREMENTS WILL BE BACK STARTING MAY 9th.

>> Mark: THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THESE JOB SEARCH REQUIREMENTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AROUND.

THEY WERE JUST WAIVED DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND NOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE BACK.

NOW, YOU'VE GOT TO WONDER WONDER BUT TIMING OF THINGS.

MAYBE IT'S JUST THAT THE PANDEMIC IS WINDING DOWN.

THE INFECTION RATES ARE LOOKING BETTER, WHATEVER.

ALSO, I DID A STORY RECENTLY ON THIS, INTERVIEWED A LOT OF BUSINESS OWNERS AND LISA HINTED AT THIS AS WELL.

IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYWHERE YOU GO THERE'S A "NOW HIRING" SIGN.

LIGHT OF PEOPLE ARE OFFERING BIG BONUSES.

WAGERS GOING UP BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT TO BE COMPETITIVE.

OF COURSE 1 SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE READY TO GET BACK INTO A CROWDED OFFICE YET, AND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO STILL HAVE CHILD CARE OPTIONS, BUT YOU COULD IMAGINE THAT THE GOVERNOR SPACING SOME PRESSURE TO GET WORKERS BACK INTO THE JOB MARKET.

>> Bill: IT'S A COMPLICATED ISSUE, AS YOU SAY, WITH LOTS OF FACETS.

POPULATION NUMBERS ARE IN IS ON SOME EXTENT FROM THE 2020 CENSUS.

KENTUCKY DOES GET TO KEEPING SIX CONGRESSIONAL ESTATES.

WE LOST SEATS, JACK, AFTER THE CENSUS OF 1960 AND 1990.

WE, THAT RESULTED IN 90 IN A BIG CONGRESS AT RACE IN THE 5th DISTRICT AND THEN WE WERE LOST THE 7th.

SO WE DIDN'T LOSE A SEAT.

BUT OUR POPULATION NUMBERS DIDN'T CLIMB MUCH EITHER, UP ABOUT 200,000.

>> Jack: WE HELD STEAD.

SOME OF THE NEIGHBORING STATES, OHIO, VIRGINIA LOST SEATS BECAUSE OF POPULATION.

WHAT'S INTERESTING IS LEGISLATORS WILL TAKE THESE NUMBERS, DECIDE THE CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING FOR OUR SIX DISTRICTS AND WE HAVE 138 LEGISLATIVE SEATS, 100 IN THE SMOUSE 38 IN THE SENATE, AND SO I THINK THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS REDISTRICTING DONE IN THE FALL, POSSIBLY SEPTEMBER BECAUSE THE FILING DEADLINE NEXT YEAR FOR THE PRIMARIES IS IN EARLY JANUARY, SO IT'S PROBABLY GOOD TO KNOW WHAT YOUR DISTRICT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

>> Bill: I MEAN, IF YOU GO INTO THE HOLIDAYS PLANNING MAYBE A POLITICAL RACE, YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU MIGHT BE RUNNING, RIGHT?

IN A LEGISLATE DERRIK.

>> Jack: THAT'S THE BIG PROBLEM.

I THINK IT WOULD BE EASIER ON EVERYONE TO HAVE THIS MAYBE IN SEPTEMBER AND ALSO MAYBE SOME OF THE SPENDING MONEY FOR ANY MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS FROM COVID.

>> Bill: WE ONLY KNOW THE STATE POPULATION TOTAL.

WE DO NOT KNOW HOW THE POPULATION NUMBERS MOVED AROUND WITHIN THE STATE, BUT THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THERE'S BEEN A SHIFT FROM RURAL TO URBAN AREAS.

>> Del.

SZELIGA: >> Jack: THERE ARE ABOUT 4.5 UNTILCH US ALL THE WAY FLORIDA FROM MAYSVILLE TO PADUCAH.

>> Bill: WE'LL WAIT AND SEE.

MEANWHILE SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS SAID HE'S A MISSION TO CLEAN UP KENTUCKY'S VOTING ROLLS.

HE IS, IN FACT, TAKEN MORE PEOPLE OFF OF THE ROLLING THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, AND MOST OF THOSE HAVE BEEN DEAD PEOPLE.

>> Jack: YEAH, HE REMOVED 34,000 NAMES FROM THE ROLLS, AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS A VERY GOOD THING.

IT CLEANS UP THE ELECTION.

IT GIVES THE APPEARANCE THAT RUNNING SMOOTHLY.

HE'S GETTING HIGH MARKS AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> Bill: AND GIVES CONFIDENCE TO THE ELECTORATE TO HAVE THE CLEANER ROLLS.

ALL RIGHT.

BIG NEWS IN LOUISVILLE THIS WEEK.

DARCY, THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY STARTED NOW A-TO-BOTTOM RE-EXECUT LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WHAT WILL THAT ENTAIL?

-E HAVE.

>> Darcy: SURE.

IT'S A PATTERNS AND PRACTICE INVESTIGATION THAT'S LOOKING INTO CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS OR VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL LAW, AS WELL AS THE ROOTS CAUSES AND SYSTEMS THAT TUBED TO THOSE VIOLATIONS, IF ANY ARE FOUND.

WHEN U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRITT GARLAND ANNOUNCED THE INVESTIGATION ON MONDAY, HE OUTLINED FOUR SPECIFIC AREAS THAT HE'D BE LOOKING AT.

THOSE FORCE USE BY SWASHES INCLUDING PEOPLE INVOLVED IN FIRST AMENDMENT ACTIVATION LIKE PROTESTS.

SECOND, STOPS, SEIZURES, ARRESTS AND SEARCHES, INCLUDING SEARCH WARRANTS SERVED ON PRIVATE RESIDENCES.

THIRD, WHETHER LMPD ENGAGES IN DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO RACE.

AND THEN FOURTH, IF THEY FAIL TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN COMPLAINS WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THIS ISN'T AN INVESTIGATION INTO A SPECIFIC INCIDENT OR INDIVIDUAL.

THERE'S AN ONGOING FBI INVESTIGATION INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING BREONNA TAYLOR'S DEATH.

A DOJ INVESTIGATOR EXPLAINED IN A COMMUNITY MEETING THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF CHIEFS, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF MAYORS OF LOUISVILLE AND THEY'RE REALLY FOCUSED ON CREATING A SYSTEM THAT WILL ENDURE AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS PROTECTED REGARDLESS OF WHO THE CITY LEADER IS.

AND THIS IS THE SECOND POLICE DEPARTMENT TO RECENTLY FACE THIS KIND OF INVESTIGATION.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCED AN INVESTIGATION INTO MINNEAPOLIS AS WELL EARLIER THIS MONTH.

>> Bill: SO THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO LOOK FORWARD, BUT HOW FAR ABOUT THEY LOOK BACK AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT?

>> Darcy: SURE.

THEY HAVE SAID IT WILL BE SEVERAL YEARS, NOT DECADES.

I'VE HEARD FIVE YEARS THROWN AROUND.

BUT THEY SAID IN THAT COMMUNITY MEETING THAT IF YOU HAVE AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO YOU DECADES AGO, THAT MAY NOT BE PART OF THEIR DIRECT REVIEW BUT THAT THEY STILL WANT THE COMMUNITY TO COME TELL THEM ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES BECAUSE THAT CAN HELP SHED LIGHT ON ANY SYSTEMS THAT ARE PROBLEMATIC.

>> Bill: THE FORMER INTERIM CHIEF GENTRY SAID IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LMPD TO LEARN ABOUT ITSELF AND MAKE CHANGES GOING FORWARD.

IS THAT A COMMON HELD OUTLOOK, DO YOU THINK?

>> Darcy: YEAH, I WOULD SAY THAT CITY LEADERS IN GENERAL HAVE CAST THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY.

CHIEF ERIKA SHIELDS TALKED IT'S A PRESS CONFERENCE EARLIER THIS WEEK ABOUT HOW THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BRINGS FEDERAL STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS TO A DEPARTMENT AND CLEARLY LAYS THEM OUT, AND THAT'S HELPFUL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOUND SHE ALSO TALKED ABOUT HOW THIS IS GOING TO BE A MORE IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS THAN THE TOP-TO-BOTTOM REVIEW THAT HILL YAR HEINZ DID OF THE DEPARTMENT THAT CAME OUT EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT REVIEW FOUND THE DEPARTMENT IN CRISIS.

THIS ONE IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WILL ALSO POTENTIALLY LAY OUT A PATH FORWARD FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

>> Bill: COULD THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR THE CITY IF THEY FIND VOICES?

>> Darcy: YEAH.

IF THEY DO FIND VIOLATIONS, THEY'LL LAY THEM OUT IN A PUBLIC REPORT, A FINDINGS LETTER, AND THAT WILL BE A DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM AND ALSO THE FOUNDATION FOR REFORMS MOVING FORWARD.

THAT CAN TAKE A COUPLE DIFFERENT FORMS.

THEY HAVE THE POWER TO BRING A LAWSUIT AGAINST A STORE A DEPARTMENT.

THEY CAN ALSO ENTER INTO A CONSENT DECREE OR A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE CONSENT DECREE PATH USUALLY HAS A FEDERAL JUDGE WATCHING OVER IT AND A MONITOR OR MONITORING TEAM TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AGREEMENTS LAUD OUT IN THE CONSENT DECREE ARE MET AND THAT REFORMS ARE BEING MADE AND THAT THOSE UNCONSTITUTIONAL PRACTICES ARE BEING ADDRESSED.

>> Bill: MARK, ANYTHING ELSE YOU'LL BE WATCHING WITHIN THE DOJ PROBE OF THE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE?

>> Mark: I GUESS I COULD ADD TWO THINGS.

ONE FOP ISSUED A STATEMENT IN WHICH THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY WELCOME THE INVESTIGATION, AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS GOING FIND ANY WRONGDOING.

NUMBER TWO, THEY HAVE CALLED THIS AN BUNT AS DARCY POINTED OUT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONDO UP GOING TO A JUDGE AND GETTING A FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE, SO THIS ISN'T AN ENTIRELY FRIENDLY PROCESS, AND IF CHIEF ERIKASHIELDS REALLY WANTS TO BE A CHANGE AGENT, THIS COULD BE POLITICAL COVER FOR TO US KEEP POLITICIANS OR POWERFUL SPECIAL INTERESTS FROM INTERFERING WITH HER ABILITY TO MAKE CHANGE AT LMPD.

>> Bill: THERE'S, MARK, A RETIREMENT WITHIN LMPD AS WELL REGARDING SOMEONE WHO WAS THERE THE NIGHT BREONNA TAYLOR WAS KILLED.

>> Mark: THAT'S RIGHT, JOHN MATTINGLY WAS IN THE APARTMENT THE NIGHT BREONNA TAYLOR WAS KILLED.

HE IS RETIRING.

THE LMPD HAS SAID THAT THIS WAS A PRE-PLANNED THING, THAT IT WASN'T TIED TO ANY OTHER FACTORS.

>> Bill: LET'S DO SOME POLITICS.

WASHINGTON OBVIOUSLY A LOT GOING ON, AND PRESIDENT BIDEN ADDRESSED THE COUNTRY THIS WEEK.

HE PRESSED HIS INFRASTRUCTURE AND JOBS PLAN THAT WOULD TOTAL UP TO TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SPENDING.

VICE PRESIDENT CAM LAW HARRIS LAND IN KENTUCKY EARLIER TODAY AND VISITED THE CINCINNATI AREA TO PUSH THE PLANS.

BUT SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL HAS REFERRED TO THE SPENDING THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR IT AS CAT NIP FROM THE PRESIDENT.

>> AND THE PRESIDENT BALKED THE -- WHILE READING OFF A MULTI-TRILLION DOLLAR SHOPPING LIST THAT WAS NEITHER DESIGNED NOR INTENDED TO EARN BIPARTISAN BUY-IN.

A BLUEPRINT FOR GIVING WASHINGTON EVEN MORE MONEY AND EVEN MORE POWER TO MICRO MANAGE AMERICAN FAMILIES AND BILL THE COUNTRY'S LIBERAL NEEDS WANT.

>> Bill: JACK, REPUBLICANS WANT OBVIOUSLY FAR LESS SPENDING THAT THE THAN THE PRESIDENT IS CALLING FOR.

>> Jack: THAT'S DEFINITELY THE KEY AND THAT'S USUALLY THE DAYS.

MINORITY PARTY THAT'S IN CONTROL PRESENTS AN AGGRESSIVE AGENDA, AND THE MINORITY PART WANTS TO CUT IT BACK.

IT IS A VERY AGGRESSIVE.

I THINK PRESIDENT BIDEN REALIZES NOW IS THE TIME TO STRIKE, HIS FIRST YEAR.

THE POSSIBILITY OF U.S. SENATE GOING BACK TO REPUBLICAN CONTROL NEXT YEAR.

>> Bill: McCONNELL FACED MORE CRITICISM FROM FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP THIS WEEK WHO SAID ON THE FOX BUSINESS CHANNEL THAT McCONNELL SHOULD BE REPLACED AS THE SENATE MINORITY LEADER.

McCONNELL CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

>> Jack: I THINK THAT'S GOOD STRATEGY, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S JUST DIRECTED TO HIM.

THE IF HE STARTS TALKING ABOUT A FAMILY MEMBER, THEN I THINK THE SENATOR SHOULD SPEAK UP ABOUT THAT.

>> Bill: MARK, BERN SANDERS IS COMING TO LOUISVILLE THIS WEEKEND TO PUSH FOR CHARLES BOOKER WHO IS EXPLORING A U.S. SENATE RUN AND HOPING TO CHALLENGE REPUBLICAN SENATOR RAND PAUL.

THAT'S A PROGRESSIVE PUSH, OBVIOUSLY, FOR BOOKER.

>> Mark: YEAH, THIS IS A BIG SCORE FOR BOOKER BECAUSE WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHO IS GOING TO BE RUNNING IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, AND SO THIS IS A WAY FOR HIM TO COME OUT EARLY AND GET A LOT OF SUPPORT WITH PROGRESSIVES IN KENTUCKY'S URBAN AREAS AND POTENTIALLY FEND OFF ANY CHALLENGES THE IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

I'M NOT SURE HOW IT WILL PLAY OUT IN THE GENERAL ELECTION, THE BOOKER ENDS UP WINNING THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY BE RIGHT BACK SURE DOES FARE WELL AT THIS STAGE.

>> Bill: AND WE DO NOT KNOW IF THERE WILL BE A CHALLENGER IN THAT PRIMARY.

WE'LL WAIT AND SEE.

JACK, ROCKY ADKINS IS MORE AND MORE OFTEN WITH GOVERNOR BESHEAR WHEN HE TRAVELS AROUND THE STATE, PARTICULARLY IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE.

HE'S BEEN INTRODUCING THE GOVERNOR IN A LOT OF THESE STOPS.

>> Ashli: HE'S THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISER.

HE IS BEING SEEN MORE.

AND THAT KIND OF RAISES THE QUESTION IF MR. BOOKER IS THE LONE DEMOCRATIC RUNNING FOR THIS RACE, AND HE'S THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE, █WOULD THE GOVERNORWANT TONE DOORS A LIBERAL, PROGRESSIVE NOMINEE WHEN HE HAS TO FACE THE KENTUCKY VOTERS THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

SO THE GOVERNOR HASN'T COME OUT AND SAID WHO HE IS SUPPORTING IN THAT RACE, BUT I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THE GOVERNOR PROBABLY SHOULD CONSIDER.

>> Bill: AND YOU AND I HAVE COVERED THE TOBACCO ISSUE A LOT OVER THE YEARS.

IF FDA SAID IT WILL PROPOSAL BANNING MENTAL HEALTH OL CIGARETTES AND FLAVORED CIGARS WITHIN A YEAR.

>> Jack: RIGHT, THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE THE ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES BUT LIGHT OF PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, SAID THIS IS A GOOD THING BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN TARGETED ADVERTISING FOR MENTAL HEALTH CIGARETTES.

>> Bill: MARK, YOU'VE BEEN TRIANGLING HOME PRICES EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE A NICE ONE THERE.

BUT THEY'RE JUMPING IN LOUISVILLE JUST LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE, RIGHT?

>> Mark:ERS THAT ASSESSED PROPERTIES ARE UP 10 TO 14 PERCENT IN THE AREAS THAT WERE ASSESSED AND THAT PRETTY MUCH MATCHES WHAT THE LOCAL REALTORS ASSOCIATION IS SAYING.

I SAW SOME NUMBERS 8.52% COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

PRICES ARE UP.

SO THE MARKET IS JUST RED HOT HERE IN LOUISVILLE RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: QUICKLY, SOME DERBY PICKS.

WE HAVE JUST A SECOND HERE.

DARCY, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Darcy: I WOULD GO SOUP AND SWITCH BECAUSE I THINK IT HAS THE BEST NAME BUT I HAVE TO -- SOUP AND SANDWICH BUT I HAVE TO GO TO DASH BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE THE FIRST KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER TO BE TRAINED BY A WOMAN.

>> Bill: MARK, WHO WINS THE DERBY?

>> Mark: OH, MY GOSH.

ESSENTIAL QUALITY AND THE ODDS ARE ONE AND ONE.

>> Bill: WOW.

OKAY.

AND JACK?

>> Jack: AS A CAUTIOUS BETTER $2 TO SHOW ON ESSENTIAL QUALITY.

>> Bill: THERE YOU GO.

I JUST LIKE THE NAME HALEY.

I DON'T KNOW.

MAYBE IT FLOATS ABOVE, RIGHT?

ALL RIGHT.

AND WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE NATIONAL CHAMPION UK WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM, A STRONG EFFORT THERE, AND NOW NATIONAL CHAMPIONS AS WE ROLL INTO MAY.

THE CICADAS ARE COMING.

KENTUCKY WILL LIKELY BE A HOT SPOT AMONG 15 STATES FOR THOSE LARGE INSECTS WILL BE LOUD.

UNCLEAR WHEN THEY WILL EMERGE FOR THEIR 17-YEAR CYCLE.

SOME BUZZINGS HAS LARD BEEN HEARD AROUND OHIO.

SCIENTISTS SAY THEY'LL LIKELY CRAWL OUT IN KET WHEN SOIL TEMPERATURE IS 64 DEGREES.

RENEE SHAW IS HER GUESTS WILL DISCUSS PRESIDENT BIDEN'S 100 FIRST DAYS IN OFFICE MONDAY