[♪♪] >> Bill: SEVERE WEATHER HITS KENTUCKY HARD AGAIN WITH TORNADOES AND MAJOR FLOODING.

KENTUCKY'S OPEN U.S. SENATE RACE TAKES MORE SHAPE AS DEMOCRAT PAMELA STEVENSON MAKES HER CANDIDACY OFFICIAL.

A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP IS COMING FOR THE STATE HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES CABINET.

KENTUCKY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO AWARD ACADEMIC CREDIT THROUGH KNOWLEDGE, MILITARY, WORK OR OKG R CAR SES ♪MT EX ONET >> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE LIAM NIEMEYER, REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

AND JOINING US BY SKYPE IS SYLVIA GOODMAN CAPITOL REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO KENTUCKY IS IN THE MIDDLE HE HAVE A ROUGH WEATHER ONSLAUGHT TORNADOES AND RAIN IS LEADING TO DAMAGE AND FLOODING IT IS AN ONGOING SITUATION.

JEFFERSONTOWN AND LOUISVILLE HAD DAMAGE FROM WIND AND A SUSPECTED TORNADO AND I THINK THAT IS CONFIRMED.

IN WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED IN BALLARD AND MCCRACKEN AND MURRAY AS WELL.

ANOTHER VERY TOUGH SITUATION FOR KENTUCKY?

>> YES, AND IT'S NOT EXACTLY OVER JUST YET.

THERE'S SOME PARTS OF WESTERN KENTUCKY THAT GOING INTO SUNDAY MORNING COULD BE EXPECTING AT LEAST ACCORDING TO FORECASTING PROJECTIONS ANYWHERE BETWEEN 4-9 INCHES OF RAIN.

AND TO BE CLEAR, FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL SOME PARTS OF KENTUCKY YOU CAN NORMALLY EXPECT MAYBE LIKE 10 INCHES OF RAIN.

SO COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF RAINFALL, TORRENTIAL RAINFALL STILL AND AGAIN, THIS IS COMING AFTER RECOVERING FROM TORNADO DAMAGE.

>> Bill: WE HAD ONE HORRIBLE DEVELOPMENT IN ALL OF THIS.

A 19-YEAR-OLD BOY DROWNED ON HIS WAY TO SCHOOL TODAY IN FRANKFORT.

>> YEAH.

ONE CHILD SWEPT AWAY FROM THE FLOODWATERS ON HIS WAY TO THE SCHOOL BUS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY.

REALLY TRAGIC SITUATION.

I MEAN WE HAVE OTHER INJURIES HAPPENING HERE.

WE HAD A CHILD SEVERELY INJURED DURING SHELTERING UNDER A CHURCH AWNING DURING THE TORNADOES.

HE'S SHOWING SIGNS OF RECOVERY STILL IN CRITICAL CONDITION IT SEEMS.

YEAH, WE HAD FIVE PEOPLE INJURED AT LEAST AROUND THE STATE IT'S STILL AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

I BELIEVE PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS DECLARED AN EMERGENCY DISASTER DECLARATION SO WE WILL SEE FEDERAL FUNDS COMING IN.

WE'RE SEEING ASSISTANCE ON THE GROUND WATER RESCUES.

>> Bill: A TEAM IS COMING FROM CALIFORNIA TO ASSIST HERE AS WELL.

AUSTIN, SCHOOLS MANY CLOSED TODAY AND MANY SUPERINTENDENTS FACE VERY DIFFICULT DECISIONS TODAY GIVEN LOTS OF THINGS THEY HAVE TO WEIGH RIGHT NOW?

>> YES.

LIKE YOU SAID, NTI DAYS HAVE BECOME MAYBE PERCEIVED IN A SLIGHT SLI MORE NEGATIVE WAY BY PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

A LOT OF THOSE DAYS HAVE BEEN SPENT WE HAD AN ACTIVE SNOWY WINTER.

YOU HAVE GRADUATION DATES SET AND MILESTONES SET FOR THE SCHOOLS.

IT IS A TOUGH DECISION TO CALL ONE THIS LATE IN THE YEAR.

AND I DON'T ENVY THE SUPERINTENDENTS IN THAT POSITION.

AND YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE WITH THIS FRANKLIN COUNTY SITUATION THAT WILL BE SCRUTINIZED TO SOME DEGREE WITH OTHER SURROUNDING COUNTIES HAVING CALLED IT OFF.

>> Bill: VERY DIFFICULT.

AN HISTORIC MOVE KEENELAND POSTPONED THE START OF THE SPRING MEET MOVE TO GO FROM FRIDAY TO SUNDAY AND APPARENTLY IT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND LOGISTICLY TOUGH TO DO.

TICKETING IS HARD BUT IT'S DONE OUT OF CAUTION FOR GUESTS AND STAFF AND HORSES.

>> YOU KNOW IT'S SERIOUS WHEN KEENELAND CALLS OFF.

IT'S CRAZY IT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE I DIDN'T THOUGH THAT.

KEENELAND IS A LOCUST OF ACTIVITY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE SPRING AND FALL.

AND I THINK AN ADDED ELEMENT TO THIS IS THE SCRUTINY THAT THE HORSERACING INDUSTRY HAS GOTTEN OF LATE WITH HORSE INJURIES AND HORSE DEATHS ON TRACK.

AND A MUDDY TRACK DOESN'T REALLY BODE WELL FOR HORSE HEALTH.

>> Bill: FOR OUR VIEWERS, WE REMIND YOU THIS IS AN ONGOING SITUATION WITH THE RAIN AND FLOODING.

CERTAINLY STAY WEATHER AWARE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

LIAM, WE HAVE JUST HAD AND YOU ELUDED TO THIS A ROUGH RUN OF WEATHER IN RECENT YEARS.

GOING BACK TO THE TORNADOES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY THE FLOODING IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

SEEMS TO BE UNRELENTING.

>> I MEAN THAT IS PROBABLY AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

WE HAD THE FLOODING ACROSS THE STATE IN FEBRUARY JUST LAST YEAR, GRAVES COUNTY SET THE 24-HOUR RAINFALL RECORD.

THE FLOODING THAT HAPPENED IN 2022 IN EASTERN KENTUCKY, THE TORNADO OUTBREAK IN 2021 IT JUST BEGINS.

>> Bill: SYLVIA YOU MADE REFERENCE TO THE PRESIDENTIAL DECLARATION.

THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT STATE FUNDING AS WELL.

BECAUSE THERE IS A CAP ON WHAT THE GOVERNOR CAN DO?

>> YEAH, THAT WAS A NEW ADDITION TO THE BUDGET PASSED IN THE LAST BUDGET CYCLE THAT WE'RE STILL IN RIGHT NOW.

THAT WAS $50 MILLION PER FISCAL YEAR FOR THE GOVERNOR TO SPEND ON EMERGENCIES.

AND BESHEAR REACHED THAT LIMIT THIS YEAR AND THEY EXTENDED IT IN A SPECIFIC WAY WHERE THEY ALLOWED HIM TO USE IT OVER THE TWO-FISCAL YEAR PERIOD HE HAS THE $100 MILLION AT HIS DISPOSAL.

BESHEAR SAID THERE SHOULD A BE A CAP ON EMERGENCY SPENDING.

HE HAS NOT MENTIONED IT THIS EMERGENCY.

I WOULD EXPECT HE MIGHT BRING IT UP BECAUSE HE'S BEEN CRITICAL OF THAT CAP AND LAWMAKERS SAID THEY MIGHT REVISIT EMERGENCY FUNDING IN THE NEXT SESSION BUT THEY ARE A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE AND THEY CANNOT COME BACK UNLESS THERE IS A SPECIAL TIME AND IT TAKES TIME AND EXTRA MONEY.

I EXPECT WE'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT EMERGENCY CAP IN THE COMING WEEKS.

>> Bill: WOULD YOU THINK THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF A SPECIAL SESSION TO DEAL WITH AN ITEM LIKE THIS?

>> I WOULDN'T GUESS ABOUT SPECIAL SESSIONS.

MAYBE.

MAYBE.

IT DEPENDS I WOULD IMAGINE ON A MIX HOW FAR WE ARE INTO THE $100 MILLION CAP.

THE LEGISLATURE ALSO MADE A SAFE FUND AVAILABLE FOR THE EMERGENCY IN FEBRUARY THAT I EXPECT IS HELPING WITH THAT SITUATION.

MAYBE WE'RE IN LESS DIRE STRAITS FOR THIS ONE.

BUT IT JUST DEPENDS AND WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW EXPENSIVE THIS GETS AND HOW MUCH AID WE GET FROM FEDERAL PARTNERS AS BELL.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH AND AGAIN, EVERYBODY BE CAUTIOUS THROUGH THE WEEKEND WITH THIS SITUATION.

POLITICS.

KENTUCKY'S OPEN U.S. SENATE RACE CONTINUES TO TAKE SOME SHAPE THIS WEEK HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER PAMELA STEVENSON THERE IN FRANKFORT IN THE HOUSE, ANNOUNCED SHE IS RUNNING FOR HER PARTY'S NO, MA'AM NATION FOR THE U.S. SENATE THE JOB IN WASHINGTON.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SHE POSITIONED HERSELF AS A FIGHTER.

>> I FIGHT FOR ELDERS, CHILDREN, FARMERS, VETERANS AND THE DISABLED.

I FIGHT FOR ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

MY COLLEAGUES KNOW THEY ONLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ME IF THEY GO AFTER THEM.

I AM RUNNING FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE BECAUSE THIS ADMINISTRATION IS COMING AFTER ALL OF IT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SO STEVENSON HOPES TO BUCK TRENDS DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT WON A U.S. KENTUCKY SENATE RACE SINCE 1992.

THE LAST VICTORY FOR WENDELL FORD AND THE STATE HAS SHIFTED INTO A RED STATE.

IT IS A TALL ORDER FOR ANY DEMOCRAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I DON'T THINK A DEMOCRAT HAS GOT CLOSE SINCE THEN.

BRUCE LUNSFORD CRACKED SINGLE-DIGITS.

STEVE BESHEAR GOT BEATEN PRETTY BAD FORMER GOVERNOR FATHER OF OUR CURRENT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.

THIS IS JUST A STATE FEDERALLY THAT IS TURNING MORE AND MORE RED AS EVIDENCED BY THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

THEY SUPPORTED DONALD TRUMP BY 30-POINT MARGIN.

THAT IS JUST TOUGH TO OVERCOME AS A DEMOCRAT.

EVEN IF YOU ASSUME THERE'S GOING TO BE A BACKLASH TO THIS PRESIDENCY THERE IS USUALLY A BACKLASH TO MOST PRESIDENCIES AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE MIGHT BE ONE NATIONALLY IN THE MIDTERMS.

BUT 30 POINTS, IT'S HARD FOR ANY KIND OF BACKLASH TO OVERCOME A 30-POINT MARGIN.

>> AND WITH STEVENSON SPECIFICALLY, SHE RAN IN THAT 2023 AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE LOST BY A SIGNIFICANT MARGIN TO THE CURRENT ATTORNEY GENERAL, RUSSELL COLEMAN.

AND SO IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

BUT, YOU KNOW, REGARDING JUST A BENCH FOR DEMOCRATS TO RUN IN FUTURE U.S. SENATE RACES THERE'S JUST NOT MUCH THERE.

>> Bill: THE ONE THING WE KNOW IS THAT STEVENSON IS PASSIONATE AND GIVES US POWERFUL FLOOR SPEECHES AND HER EYES ARE OPEN ABOUT THIS IS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE GOING FORWARD IN THIS CAMPAIGN.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE REQUIREMENT OF SENATE RACES NOW.

CERTAINLY DOESN'T ENSURE A SENATE WIN.

BUT IT TAKES A LOT OF CASH TO GET THERE AND THEY SEEM TO GET MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE.

STATE RACES ARE GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE WAY PAST INFLATION.

LIKE WE WERE MENTIONING WITH STEVENSON SHE IS KNOWN FOR BEING A PASSIONATE FIERY FLOOR PRESENCE IN THE KENTUCKY HOUSE E OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SHE IS A FORMER AIR FORCE COLONEL.

SHE IS A VETERAN AND LIKE WAS MENTIONED SHE LOST FOR AG ON THE STATE LEVEL WHICH DOESN'T PLAY INTO HER FAVOR THE FACT SHE HAS WON LOST A STATE-WIDE RACE.

BUT I MEAN, ME IS AN INTERESTING FIGURE.

WE WILL HAVE TO SEE.

THE BENCH FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE IS NOT VERY DEEP RIGHT NOW.

SO IT IS A LIMITED PLAYING FIELD HERE.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, WE DON'T KNOW IF THE DEMOCRATIC FIELD IS SET.

WE CONTINUE TO HEAR SPECULATION THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S SENIOR ADVISER ROCKY ADKINS MAY GET IN?

>> YEAH.

I THINK HE IS SOMEBODY WHO A LOT OF DEMOCRATS ARE KIND OF TALKING ABOUT.

IT'S UNCLEAR IF THAT'S MORE OTHER FORCES TRYING TO PUSH HIM IN.

BECAUSE THEY THINK HE WILL BE GOOD FOR THE REST OF THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET.

REMEMBER WHOEVER RUNS FOR SENATE WILL BE ON TOP OF THAT TICKET AND GENERALLY THERE IS A BIT OF A COATTAIL EFFECT THERE.

BUT I THINK HE'S KIND OF GOT A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SIX IS I WOULDN'T CALL IT A PURPLE DISTRICT BUT IT IS A LIGHT RED DISTRICT WITH REPRESENTATIVE ANDY BARR WHO IS LOOKING LIKE HE MIGHT RUN FOR SENATE.

THAT IS ANOTHER ONE THAT MIGHT BE AN OPEN SEAT IN 26 AND 27 IS THE ONE TO WATCH.

YOU HAVE HIM AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN WIDELY REPORTED TO BE AT LEAST LOOKING AT IT.

>> Bill: ATKINS WAS AROUND FRANKFORT FOR DECADES AND THE LEGISLATURE FIRST BEFORE HE TOOK THIS JOB.

IS HE DECIDING BETWEEN A U.S. SENATE RACE AND A RUN FOR GOVERNOR IN 27?

>> I DON'T THINK IT IS AN EITHER OR.

I THINK.

>> Bill: HE THINK HE COULD DO BOTH?

>> WE HAVE SEEN THIS IN THE RECENT PAST FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN RAN FOR SENATE.

HE RAN A CAMPAIGN THAT, I THINK FROM THE GET GO, HE KNEW HE DIDN'T HAVE A GREAT SHOT AT WINNING BUT HE UPPED HIS NAME BY RUNNING AGAINST MITCH McCONNELL LEANING INTO THAT TEA PARTY IDENTITY.

AND IT WORKED.

HE BEAT A REALLY ESTABLISHED REPUBLICAN IN JAMES COMER IN THAT PRIMARY AND BECAME GOVERNOR.

SO ROCKY, I THINK HIS QUOTE ON VICTORY NIGHT FOR BESHEAR IN 2023 WAS HE STILL HAS GAS LEFT IN THE TANK.

IT DEPENDS ON JUST HOW MUCH GAS THERE IS IF YOU REALLY WILLING TO RUN A 2026 STATE-WIDE CAMPAIGN AND TURN AROUND AND GET TWO NIGHTS OF SLEEP AND START BUILDING A GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN A COUPLE DAYS AFTER?

THAT IS A TALL TASK BUT PEOPLE HAVE DONE IT.

>> Bill: IF YOU WANT TO REACH BACK, HAL ROGERS RAN FOR LIEUTENANT IN 1979 BEFORE HE JUMPED INTO THE 1980 PRIMARY FOR THE HOUSE WHERE HE'S BEEN EVER SINCE.

YEAH, IT IS NOT WITHOUT PRECEDENT.

>> IT PAID OFF.

>> Bill: ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON THE ONLY MAJOR CANDIDATE TO HAVE COME FORWARD.

WE CONTINUE TO HEAR OTHER NAMES.

CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR AND NATE MORRIS IS BARR WEIGHING A DECISION?

HE IS LIKELY TO GET IN?

>> I THINK MOST PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY POLITICAL CIRCLES AND PARTICULARLY REPUBLICAN CIRCLES EXPECT HIM TO GET IN.

HE'S BEEN IN THE SEAT FOR A LONGTIME.

YOU KNOW, LIKE ANY OTHER PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVOR YOU SORT OF GET AN ITCH TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT THING.

AND SENATE SEATS ONLY OPEN UP EVERY SO OFTEN.

McCONNELL WAS IN HIS SEAT FOREVER AND RAND PAUL A LOCK LONG TIME.

THE FACTORS TO WATCH ARE WHATEVER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP DOES.

I THINK IF HE THROWS HIS SUPPORT TO ANYBODY IN THIS RACE, IT'S CURTAINS.

THAT IS GENERALLY WHAT PEOPLE THINK.

HE IS A POPULAR FIGURE WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND FINANCES IS THE OTHER ONE.

ANDY BARR IS SOMEBODY WHO HAS RAISED A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE FEDERAL WAR CHEST WHICH YOU CAN TRANSFER OVER INTO A SENATE CAMPAIGN IF YOU ARE RUNNING FOR HOUSE.

AND YOU'VE ALSO GOT THIS FINANCE REPORT THE DEADLINE WAS APRIL 1, THAT WILL BE RELEASED I THINK NEAR THE END OF THE MONTH.

SO THAT'S ALWAYS A THING THAT PEOPLE TRY TO ORIENT THEIR CAMPAIGN AROUND.

OF GETTING A GOOD NEWS HIT OF OH, I'VE RAISED THIS MUCH MONEY.

>> Bill: DOES THAT TIE-UP WHERE WE ARE WITH THE U.S. SENATE RACE RIGHT NOW, A RARE OPENING HERE IN KENTUCKY?

>> OH, I MEAN, INCREDIBLY RARE.

IT'S GOING TO BE CRAZY TO HAVE A NEW SENATOR FOR KENTUCKY.

YOU KNOW, SOMETHING ELSE I REALLY FEEL LIKE SHOULD BE NOTED WE ARE A VERY LONG WAY AWAY FROM THIS SENATE RACE.

WE ARE IN VERY EARLY DAYS.

FEELINGS LIKE ELECTIONS START EARLIER AND EARLIER.

WE'RE MONTHS AWAY FROM A FILING DEADLINE AND FURTHER AWAY FROM THE PRIMARY AND FURTHER AWAY FROM THE RACE.

A LOT CAN CHANGE.

WE CAN SEE MORE PLAYERS COME ON TO THE SCENE THAT WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT TODAY.

SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND.

>> Bill: GOOD POINT.

IF BARR DOES RUN FOR THE SENATE, WHAT HAPPENS TO HIS HOUSE SEAT IN THE SIXTH IS THAT A CAVALRY CHARGE?

>> LIKE THE SENATE RACE, BARR HAS BEEN IN THERE SINCE 2012 WHEN HE BEAT CHANDLER.

>> Bill: LOST TO HIM IN 10 AND DEFEATED HIM IN 12.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD LOVE THIS SEAT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, THE NAMES WHO COME TO MIND, RYAN DOTSON IS A REPRESENTATIVE OUT OF WINCHESTER WHO SAID HE WILL RUN IF AND WHEN ANDY BARR LEAVES.

AND AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE, SENATOR, STATE SENATOR CURRENTLY.

AND THEN YOU'VE GOT DEANNA FRASER GORDON A REPRESENTATIVE IN RICHMOND AND A COUPLE OTHER NAMES IN THE COLLAR COUNTIES BUT THOSE ARE THE THREE THAT RISE TO THE TOP.

ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE THINGS COULD GET WEIRD YOU COULD HAVE A ROCKY ATKINS DECIDE TO RUN AND CHERYL LYNN STEVENSON WHO GOT BEAT IN 2024 AND DEMOCRATIC PARTY MORGAN EAVES IS ANOTHER NAME THAT YOU HEAR EVERY SO OFTEN.

SHE RAN FOR HOUSE ONCE AND WAS A CITY COUNCIL PERSON.

>> Bill: YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT THE NEWS OF THIS WEEK WITHOUT TALK YOU GO ABOUT TARIFFS AND LIAM, PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLED IT LIBERATION DAY WHEN HE MADE THOSE ANNOUNCEMENTS.

WE SUSPECT IN CAMPAIGNS GOING FORWARD OVER THE NEXT YEAR, THAT IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE.

>> VERY MUCH SO.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THOSE BEING LOOKED AT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE FOR U.S. SENATE RACE, BUSINESSMAN NATE MORRIS.

HE WAS QUOTED IN A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TOUTING THE LIBERATION DAY, THE TARIFF MOVES AS SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENT.

SO YOU KNOW, CLEAR THAT THERE'S ALREADY KIND OF LINES BEING DRAWN ON IF YOU ARE PRO TARIFF OR NOT, ESPECIALLY IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: WHAT BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIES ARE REALLY HAVING CONCERNS ABOUT THE TARIFFS SCENARIO?

>> I MEAN, YOU HAVE A WIDE SET OF INDUSTRIES.

YOU KNOW IT WAS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE KENTUCKY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, THE TOP TWO TRADING PARTNERS FOR KENTUCKY CANADA AND MEXICO WHICH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAD ALREADY LEVIED TARIFFS BEFORE THIS WIDESPREAD, I GUESS LIBERATION DAY.

TARIFFS ON A WIDE RANGE OF COUNTRIES.

YOU HAVE FARMING IN PARTICULAR, AGRICULTURE.

DURING THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THERE WAS A PROGRAM TO REIMBURSE FARMERS FOR THE TRADE LOSSES BASICALLY, WHAT THE TARIFFS DO IS THAT THE END RESULT IS THAT IT IS A LOWER PRICE THAT THEY RECEIVE FOR SAY THEIR SOYBEANS OR WHATEVER THEY ARE TRYING TO SELL EXPORT ABROAD.

YOU ALSO HAVE AUTOMAKERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE HIT.

THERE WAS A 25% TARIFF ON IMPORTED VEHICLES IN PARTICULAR.

THAT'S GOING TO DRIVE UP COSTS FOR USED AND NEW CARS.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, YOU HAVE THE BOURBON INDUSTRY BEEN MAKING A LOT OF NOISE ABOUT THE TARIFFS.

THERE WAS RETALIATORY TARIFFS COMING FROM THE EU AND YEAH, IT AFFECTS A WIDE RANGE OF KENTUCKY ECONOMY.

>> Bill: IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE ON THE LANDSCAPE.

DEBATE FOR SOMETIME UNTIL WE SEE WHERE IT'S ALL GOING?

>> YEAH, FOR SURE.

AND I THINK ONE THING TO NOTE IS LAST TIME AROUND WE SAW BOURBON PARTICULARLY TARGETED DURING TRUMP ONE.

I'M CURIOUS TO SEE IF THE RETALIATORY TARIFFS WILL BE AS ORIENTED TOWARDS KENTUCKY SINCE MITCH McCONNELL IS NOT AS IMPORTANT OF A PLAYER AS HE WAS AT THAT TIME.

AND IF THEY'LL GO AFTER WHATEVER HURTS THE DAKOTAS OR LOUISIANA WHICH IS REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP NOW.

>> Bill: WE'LL SEE.

NOW, THIS IS FRANKFORT AND WASHINGTON WE HAD THE FACTOR OF KENTUCKY EDUCATION COMMISSIONER ROBBIE FLETCHER URGING SUPERINTENDENTS TO CONTACT THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SUDDEN HALT OF FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDS AND COMMISSIONER SAYS SUDDENLY PUTTING THE BRAKES ON THAT MONEY WILL PUT SOME SCHOOLS IN DIFFICULT POSITIONS?

>> YEAH, 100%.

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS AN AGREEMENT BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE ON SPENDING ALREADY APPROPRIATED GRANTS.

THESE ARE GRANTS IN PREVIOUS BUDGETS THAT THEY GAVE THEM EXTENDED TIMELINE TO SPEND AND THIS IS ESPECIALLY HELPFUL FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT DECIDED TO USE THE EMERGENCY FUNDS ON BIGGER PROJECTS LIKE A NEW SCHOOL BUILDING, ON BUSES, THINGS THAT TAKE A LONGTIME TO GET DONE AND APPROVAL FOR AND TO GET PERMITTING AND ALL THE THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

AND THIS AFFECTS 34 MILLION DOLLARS FOR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTINGS.

SO WE'RE TALKING SEVERAL MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS USING TO BUILD A NEW SCHOOL BUILDING.

AND THEY NO LONGER HAVE THOSE FUNDS, THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF SPENDING THEM.

OR SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS LIKE A SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT I TALKED TO, HE WAS TELLING ME THAT THEY HAD JUST A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS LEFT TO SPEND.

AND THEY SPENT IT AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR REIMBURSEMENTS WHEN THIS CANCELLATION CAME IN AND THAT COULD BE DEVASTATING TO THEIR BUDGET.

THEY ARE SAYING THEY ARE TALKING TO THE FEDERAL DELEGATION AND TALKING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND KDE HOPING FOR A CHANCE FOR A CASE-BY-CASE REVERSAL ON THIS.

>> Bill: ALSO IN FRANKFORT A MAJOR RETIREMENT HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES DIRECTOR ERIC FRIEDLANDER WILL BE STEPPING DOWN AND HE WILL BE SUCCEEDED BY STEVEN STACK THE TWO WORKED TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNOR DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC.

>> HIS KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE HELPED KENTUCKY FARE BETTER THAN OTHER STATES.

HE HAS SAVED THOUSANDS OF LIVES IN HIS CURRENT ROLE AND NOW WE GET TO DO WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT A LONGTIME AGO AND I ASKED HIM TO BE PART OF THIS ADMINISTRATION TO GET PEOPLE HEALTHIER AND SOLVE COMPLICATED MEDICAL AND HEALTH QUESTIONS IN FRONT OF US AND TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF KENTUCKIANS.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF PRAISE FOR BOTH MEN.

ERIC FRIEDLANDER FOR HIS DECADES OF SERVICE AND BOTH FOR THEIR RESPONSE DURING THE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES OF THE COVID PANDEMIC.

BUT LIAM, THE GOVERNOR WANTS NO QUESTION WHERE THE CABINET IS GOING WITH NEXT?

>> SURE.

AND BOTH ERIC FRIEDLANDER AND STEVEN STACK PLAYED LIKE YOU SAY BIG ROLES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

YOU KNOW, TRYING TO ENCOURAGE VACCINATIONS AND PROTECT PEOPLE AGAINST COVID-19.

FREE LANDER HAS BEEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE FOR A WHILE.

HE WAS FORMERLY THE CHIEF RESILIENCY OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE.

AND Dr. STACK COMES FROM VERY MUCH MORE OF A PUBLIC HEALTH BACKGROUND.

THEY WILL BE DEALING WITH A LOT OF CHANGES UP COMING WITH BETWEEN THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH SAY CHANGES TO THE MEDICAID AND WHATNOT.

>> Bill: AFTER THE SMOKE HAS CLEARED IN FRANKFORT WE'VE LEARNED THE STATE SENATE TOOK NO ACTION TO CONFIRM JOHN WILL STACY TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

>> FORMER JUDGE EXECUTIVE, FORMER DEMOCRATIC STATE LAWMAKER, STATED SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SAID HE DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT STACY WAS QUALIFIED FOR THE POSITION DESPITE HIS GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE.

ALSO QUESTIONED THE EXTRA PENSION BENEFITS THAT STACY MIGHT BE RECEIVING ON TOP OF SIX-FIGURE SALARY GIVEN TO PSC COMMISSIONERS.

THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION DISPUTED AND SAID STACY WAS QUALIFIED FOR THE ROLE.

AGAIN, PSC DEALING WITH UTILITY REGULATION.

AND THIS IS ONE OF AT LEAST THREE PSC COMMISSIONERS DURING BESHEAR'S TENURE NOT CONFIRMED TO THE THREE-MEMBER BOARD.

>> Bill: AND THAT ADVICE AND CON SENT ROLE IS ONE THE LEGISLATURE EMPOWERED ITSELF.

>> THE SENATE HAS FLEXED ITS MUSCLE IN THIS ONGOING BATTLE BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND THE GOVERNOR.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, ROBERT STIVERS SAID PLAINLY HE DOESN'T SEE WHY THERE CAN'T BE A QUALIFIED REPUBLICAN ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION CURRENTLY WITH STACY THEY WERE ALL THREE DEMOCRATS.

I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF BESHEAR PUTS UP A REPUBLICAN OR MAYBE HE WILL CONTINUE TO FLOUT THEM AND PUT UP MORE PARTISAN DEMOCRAT.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY COLLEGES AND ANNIVERSARIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO AWARD ACADEMIC CREDIT GAINED THROUGH MILITARY, LIFE EXPERIENCES, AND WORK.

IT COULD OPEN COLLEGE PATHS TO MORE KENTUCKIANS.

>> WE STILL HAVE ABOUT 600,000 ADULT LEARNERS THAT HAVE SOME COLLEGE, LOTS OF EXPERIENCE, LOTS OF KNOWLEDGE, THAT WE NEED TO SOMEHOW TRANSLATE THAT TO ACADEMIC CREDIT AND THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

>> Bill: INITIALLY A PILOT PROGRAM AT EKU BUT IT ACKNOWLEDGES SOME PEOPLE LEARNED A LOT IN LIFE AND MAYBE SHOULD GET ACADEMIC CREDIT FOR THAT?

>> SURE.

I MEAN I THINK THIS IS A NATIONWIDE PUSH TO GET PEOPLE ADULT LEARNERS WHO MAYBE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF COLLEGE CREDIT TO GET THEM BACK IN THE CLASSROOM AND GET THE CREDENTIALS AND BOOST INCOME OVER THEIR LIFETIME.

AND SO THIS IS NOT UNIQUE TO KENTUCKY BUT IT IS INTERESTING YOU PILOT PROGRAM AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW COLLEGES CHOOSE TO IMPLEMENT IT AND HOW THEY DECIDE TO AWARD THAT CREDIT AND WHAT LIFE EXPERIENCES COUNT IN THAT CATEGORY.

>> Bill: THIS STORY IS BREAKING AS WE'RE HITTING THE AIR WE DON'T HAVE DETAILS DHS IS REVOKING SOME STUDENT VISAS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY.

>> WE DON'T HAVE HOME RUN DETAILS LIKE YOU SAID.

ALL WE KNOW IS THAT IT IS A SMALL NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND THAT THEY HAVE REVOKED THEM.

WE'VE SEEN SIMILAR ACTIONS AT OTHER COLLEGES AND NOW UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY HAS ITS OWN EXAMPLES.

>> Bill: AND RUSSELL COLEMAN BUSY JOINING AN EFFORT TO ASK THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO CLOSE A LOOPHOLE.

HE SAYS ALLOWS FENTANYL INTO THE COUNTRY.

ONE OF THE LONGEST SERVING OFFICIALS IN LOUISVILLE IS ANNOUNCING HIS RETIREMENT, MIKE O'CONNELL SAYS HE WON'T RUN AGAIN.

THE 75-YEAR-OLD ENDORSED SARAH MARTIN.

McCONNELL INDICATES HE WILL BE LEAVING A JOB HE HAS LOVED SINCE THE DAY HE TOOK OVER IN 2008.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

THANKTHANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

BE SAFE OUT THERE WITH THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.