VISITS FLOOD RAVAGED EASTERN KENTUCKY AND PROMISES ONGOING FEDERAL HELP, BUT THERE ARE FRUSTRATIONS WITH FEMA.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND STATE LAWMAKERS PLAN A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION FOR FLOOD RELIEF.

WHAT COULD IT INCLUDE AND WHEN MIGHT IT BE?

THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT TAKE STEPS TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH WITHIN THE STATE JUSTICE SYSTEM WHAT ARE THE TAKEAWAYS FROM FANCY FARM ABOUT THE UPCOMING E A PLEASANT TURN IN THE WEATHER HEADING INTO THIS MID-AUGUST WEEKEND, 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: MARCUS GREEN, REPORTER FOR WDRB IN Louisville.

TESSA DUVAL, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE AND MARK VANDERHOFF, REPORTER FOR WLKY IN LOUISVILLE.

FIRST TONIGHT, THE TOUGH SITUATION STILL FACING FLOOD RAVAGED EASTERN KENTUCKY.

ON MONDAY, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN VISITED THE HARD HIT REGION AND PROMISED THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL STAY INVOLVED FOR THE LONG HAUL.

>> I DON'T WANT ANY KENTUCKIAN TELLING ME, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THIS FOR ME.

OH, YEAH, WE DO.

YOU'RE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.

WE NEVER GIVE UP.

WE NEVER STOP.

WE NEVER BOUGH.

WE NEVER BEND.

WE JUST GO FORWARD.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO HERE, AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, AND PROMISE YOU THE BAD NEWS FOR YOU IS I'M COMING BACK BECAUSE I WANT SEE IT.

>> Bill: AND HOPING TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS IF, IF IN FACT HE DOES COME WALK, MARK.

THE DEATH FOAL APPROACHES AND APPEARS IT WILL SURPASS 40.

THESE, OF COURSE, THE WORST PART, BUT THE DAMAGE ESTIMATES ARE HAD ADDING UP AS WELL.

DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST DISASTERS THIS STATE WILL EVER FACED.

>> Marcus: I WAS GOING BACK TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADOES, 900 HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN GRAVES COUNTY ALONE THAT WERE DESTROYED, AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOODING, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 13 COUNTIES THAT HAD A THOUSAND-YEAR FLOOD.

WHEN I EATEN OUTEDATELY SAW HOMES THAT WERE FLOWN OFF THE FOUNDATIONS, OTHER HOMES THAT HAD THREE, FOUR, FIVE FEET OF WATER IN THEM.

I THINK WE'RE GOING SEE SOME PRETTY BAD DAMAGE, PRETTY BIG NUMBERS COME OUT OF THIS.

>> Bill: AND THE TRAGEDIES ARE MULTI-FACETED.

WE HAD MANY WHO WERE SWEPT AWAY OBVIOUSLY BY FLOOD WATERS, BUT APPARENTLY THE FAMILY OF THE 39TH VICTIM SAID IT WAS SUICIDE OUT OF DESPAIR.

TONY CALHOUN, A FILMMAKER WHO CHOSE TO MAKE EASTERN KENTUCKY HIS HOME, AND THAT'S WHERE HE STAYED HOME RATHER THAN GO TO, AS MANY OF HIS FRIENDS SAID, HE THUD HAVE BEEN IN HOLLYWOOD THEY FELT BECAUSE HE WAS VERY TALENTED.

YOU HAD THE YOUNG MAN WHO WAS ASSISTING WITH FLOODING AND HAD SOME KIND OF APPARENTLY A HEART PROBLEM AND DIED.

SO, YOU KNOW, THE TRAGEDIES KEEP UNFOLDING, REALLY.

>> Mark: SUCH SAD STORIES, BUT I DO HAVE TO SAY THAT WHEN I WAS OUT THERE, I WAS SO IMPRESSED BY THE OPTIMISM OF THE PEOPLE WITH WHOM I SPOKE.

SO MANY OF THESE PEOPLE JUST -- I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY DO IT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHERE I'D ANYBODY THAT SITUATION BUT THEY WERE JUST LOOKING AHEAD AND THEY SAID, SOMEHOW WE'RE GOING TO GET THROUGH, AND YOU GOT TO ADMIRE THAT.

>> Bill: AND A BETTER WEATHER DAY LIKE THIS MAKES A LITTLE BIT MORE OPTIMISTIC, I'M SURE.

THERE ARE, THOUGH, GROWING FRUSTRATIONS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY ABOUT SO MANY FEMA CLAIMS BEING REJECTED.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR ACKNOWLEDGES THE FRUSTRATIONS.

HE SAYS HE IS WORKING WITH THOSE IN WASHINGTON TO TRY TO FIX THINGS, BUT HE TOLD EASTERN KENTUCKIANS TO GO FACE TO FACE WITH FEMA REPRESENTATIVES AND KEEP APPLYING >> TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE BEING THE END DENIED, NO ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE BEING APPROVED, AND THIS IS THE TIME THAT FEMA'S GOT GET IT RYE, TO CHANGE WHAT HAS WEAN A HISTORY OF NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH FOR HEMA AND NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH DOLLARS AND TO GET IT RIGHT HERE.

>> Bill: MARK, THE GOVERNOR IS CLEARLY FRUSTRATED.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE SIMPLY REJECTED OUTRIGHT AND THEN WE ALSO TALKED TO ONE YOUNG MAN WHO SAYS THAT HE HAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AND FEMA OFFERED HIM A ECONOMIC FOR $176, NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO MAKE HIM WHOLE.

>> Marcus: RIGHT, THE FOREVER'S ANGRY.

HE TOLD PEOPLE HOE WERE DENIED TO KEEP A FEELING, APPEALING, APPEALING, DON'T GIVE UP.

SENATOR BRANDON SMITH, A REPUBLICAN FROM HAZARD, BUT PUT OUT A BLISTERING STATEMENT THIS WEEK SAYING HOW ANGRY HE WAS AT THE INITIAL FEMA RESPONSE.

SO A LOT OF PRESSURE COMING TO FEMA TO GET IT RIGHT, TO REALLY BEGIN TO PROVIDE SOME OF THESE DOLLARS FOR FAMILIES WHO, AS MARK MENTIONED, HAVE LOST IF NOT EVERYTHING, A LOT IN NIECE FLOODS.

>> Bill: TESSA, THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AFTER THE TORNADOES AS WELL, THE ACCEPTANCE RATE BY FEMA IS QUITE LOW.

IT'S BEEN SUGGESTED THAT IT'S A THAT IT'S A MID-LEVEL BUREAUCRACY ISSUE, THE SOUTHERN HALF OF HEINZ, THAT THOSE ON THE GROUND ASSISTING PEOPLE, SEEING ALL ALL THIS WITH THEIR OWN EYES ARE VERY COMMITTED TO TRYING TO HELP.

OBVIOUSLY THE PRESIDENT WAS HERE.

SOME OF THE TOP LEADERS IN FEMA WERE HERE.

THEY ARE ALL ONBOARD TRYING TO WORK.

BUT SOMEHOW IT'S LOST IN RED TAPE.

>> Tessa: RIGHT.

SOMETHING IS ABSOLUTELY GETTING LOST IN THE MIDDLE FOR ALL OF THESE FOLKS WHO ARE SEEKING HELP, SEEKING RELIEF.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THIS WEEK THAT IN ALL OF AS A CONVERSATIONS WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT WITH LEADERSHIP AT FEMA WITH THAT THEY ARE COMMITTED TO DOING THE RIGHT THING, AND YET WE'RE STILL HEARING STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE I BELIEVE IT WAS THE SENATOR, STATE SENATOR STATEMENT THAT INCLUDED ONE FAMILY GOT AN OFFER OF $8,000 FOR EVERYTHING THAT THEY LOST, WHICH HE SAID WAS JUST ABSOLUTELY INSULTING TO IMPLY THAT THIS FAMILY'S ENTIRE HOME, EVERYTHING THAT THEY LOST WAS ONLY WORTH THAT, AND SO THERE ARE THINGS LIKE THAT THAT ARE CONSISTENTLY STARTING TO COME OUT OF EASTERN KENTUCKY, AND STATE LEADERS ARE RAISING ALARM BELLS ABOUT IT, AS THEY SHOULD, BECAUSE THESE ARE FOLKS WHO -- YOU KNOW, WE SAW PEOPLE LIVING IN STATE PARKS AND IN CONGREGATE SHELTERS, AND NOT ENOUGH TRAVEL TRAILERS OUT THERE.

THESE ARE FOLKS WHO NEED HELP GETTING BACK OOH THEIR FEET.

>> Bill: AND, MARK, WHAT IS THE DISCONNECT?

FEMA ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING WE WANT TO GET THIS RIGHT.

WE WILL GET THIS RIGHT, POINTING OUT THEFTS TO GET THE APPLICATIONS APPROVED.

THEFTS TO GET THE APPLICATIONS APPROVED BUT THEY SAID IT COULD BE SIMPLE AS ONE MISSING DOCUMENT.

HOW FRUSTRATE.

>>> >> Mark: OH, MY GOSH, THAT'S GOT TO BE FRUSTRATING, AND SOMETIMES I WONDER IF THERE ARE NOT MECHANISMS IN PLACE THAT ARE MEANT TO PROTECT OR WIEDER OUT SCAMS, RIGHT, TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM GAMING THE SYSTEM.

BUT THE PROBLEM WHEN YOU PUT IN THOSE KINDS OF CONTROLS IS THAT YOU END UP HURTING PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEED THE HELP, AND YOU GOT TO HELP -- YOU'VE GOT TO WONDER IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS HAPPENING HERE.

I THINK THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN CAME OUT TO VISIT, HE HAD THE FEMA ADMINISTRATOR WITH HIM, CHRISWELL AND SHE DIDN'T MAKE INSTITUTIONS.

SHE SAID WE'RE GOING TOKE THAT EVERY ONE OF THESE APPLICATIONS THAT WERE DENIED AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SECOND LOOK AT THEM, AND SHE THINKS MAYBE THEY'RE SMALL MISTAKES THAT ARE BEING MADE AND A SECOND LOOK MIGHT, MIGHT SOLVE SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

>> Bill: TESSA, KENTUCKY'S TWO HIGH PROFILE SENATORS, McCONNELL AND PAUL, ALSO VISITED EASTERN KENTUCKY THIS WEEK.

YOU MIGHT THINK THEY WOULD HAVE SOME SWAY WITH FEMA, RIGHT?

>> Tessa: THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE EXPECT FROM THEIR SENATORS, RIGHT?

IF NOTHING ELSE, THIS IS WHEN PEOPLE WANT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN WASHINGTON, DC, GOING TO BAT FOR THEM.

I MEAN, THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN REALLY DESPERATE NEED OF HELP, AND AS YOU SAID, BOTH U.S.

SENATORS HAVE BEEN ON THE GROUND IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

BOTH HAVE PROMISED THAT THERE WILL BE FEDERAL SUPPORT, ARE URGING FOR COVID-19 FUNDS TO BE USED FOR THIS, SO WE'LL SEE IF THAT GETS ANY RESULTS.

>> Bill: SO THE FRUSTRATIONS ARE CONTINUING WITH THE FEDERAL EFFORT AT THIS POINT.

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE STATE EFFORT, THE SPECIAL LETTING SESSION THAT APPEARS ALMOST CERTAIN, AND LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT COULD COME SOON.

KENTUCKY IS IN A GOOD FINANCIAL POSITION TO RESPOND.

THERE'S A LARGE BUDGET RESERVE.

TAX DOLLARS KEEP ROLLING IN.

THE STATE BUDGET DIRECTOR REPORTED THIS WEEK ANOTHER $1 BILLION IN REVENUE CAME IN DURING THE MONTH OF JULY.

SO IT WOULD APPEAR THAT WE'RE IN POSITION, MARCUS, TO REALLY HELP HER.

>> Mark:.

>> Marcus: IT WOULD SEEM FINANCIAL AT THE STATE IS ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME OF THESE FUNDS FOR THIS TYPE OF RELIEF, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE OBVIOUSLY A CAUSE THAT SIEGELY EVERYONE IS GOING TO GET BEHIND.

THERE'S A TIME FOR BIPARTISANSHIP EVER, IT'S RIGHT NOW WHEN PUPIL LITERALLY STILL LIVING IN THE -- THEY'RE NOT IN THEIR HOMES YET.

THEORY LIVING OUT OF TEMPORARY STRUCTURES.

SO YOU WOULD THINK THIS IS THE ONE TIME, AND WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE DURING SPECIAL EVENTS, THAT YOU CAN GET PEOPLE TO RALLY BEHIND A CAUSE AND SET ASIDE DIFFERENCES.

>> Bill: TESSA, THERE IS SOME TALK OF SOME POSSIBILITY OF SOME LAWMAKERS WANTING TO WIDEN THE CALL TO INCLUDE A FEW OTHER ISSUES.

WE ARE A FEW DAYS AWAY FROM THE REGULAR SESSION COMING UP.

THAT IS NOT LOOKING VERY LIKELY FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND.

THE GOVERNOR'S PRETTY WELL FOCUSED ON, AND HE MAKES THE AGENDA CALL, ON THE FLOOD.

>> Tessa: RIGHT.

WE KNOW THE LEGISLATURE CAN'T CALL ITSELF INTO SESSION.

WITH THE TORNADOES IN DECEMBER, OF COURSE, THE REGULAR SESSION WAS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT.

THERE WAS NO NEED FOR A SPECIAL SESSION.

SO THIS IS A DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCE.

THESE FOLKS CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE NEW YEAR ROLLS AROUND TO GET HELP.

AND SO YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO BE THE PERSON WHO TOLD THAT UP.

>> Bill: SOME SCHOOLS ARE DESTROYED, OTHERS VERY HEAVILY DAMAGED, SEVERAL DISTRICTS HAVE PUSHED BACK THEIR STARTING DATE, MARK, KNOT COUNTY.

IS APPARENTLY NOT PLANTING TO BEGIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 19th.

SO WILL THE LEGISLATURE BE CALLED UPON TO PROVIDE SOME FLECTED.

THEY USED TO CALL IT CALAMITY DAYS, AND IFS THC A CALAMITY IF THERE EVER WAS ONE, TO GIVE SOME FLEXIBILITY TO THOSE SCHOOLS.

>> Mark: NAW, YEAH, AND I THINK THEY ALREADY SHOWED DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT THEY CAN COULD THAT.

THEY CAME IN DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THEY CREATED AN EXTRA AMOUNT OF NTI DAYS AND MADE NIECE SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS.

THEY TALKED TO SUPERINTENDENTS TO SEE WHAT THEY NEEDED.

AND BY AND LARGE I THINK A LOT OF SUPERINTENDENTS GOT WHAT THEY WANTED OUT OF THAT.

I THINK WE'LL SEE SOMETHING SIMILAR HERE.

>> Bill: IN SOME CASES THOSE SCHOOLS MAY JUST HAVE TO BE REBUILT FROM SCRATCH.

IT'S INCREDIBLE DAMAGE.

>> Marcus: THE DAMAGE SIN CREDIBLE AND ARE MARK SAW FIRSTHAND, AND WE'VE ALL SEEN IMAGES THAT JUST SHOW JUST UNSPEAKABLE DAMAGE AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT REPAIR ITING STUDENTS, NO JUST ONE COMMUNITY BUT AN ENTIRE REGION OF COMMUNITIES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: ANYBODY HEARING WOULD THE SPECIAL SESSION?

I THINK THERE'S BEEN SOME CHATTER ABOUT MAYBE AUGUST 22nd BUT I DON'T THINK A DATE IS OUT THERE, RIGHT?

>> Tessa: NOTHING SET IN STONE YET.

>> Bill: SO WE WAIT ON THAT, AND WE KEEP OUR THOUGHTS TO THE PEOPLE OF EASTERN KENTUCKY IN THEIR TIME OF TROUBLE.

THE FANCY FARM PICNIC PROVIDED SOME INSIGHT TO WHERE THINGS STAND IN THIS APPLICABLY DISCHARGED TIME.

U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE CHARLES BOOKS, DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE WEEK TOOK AIM HAD THE AS A OPPONENT REPUBLIC INCUMBENT SENATOR RAND PAUL, BUT PAUL WASN'T AT THE PICNIC BECAUSE OF WORK IN WASHINGTON HELP WEST HIS WIFE KELLIE STOOD IN FOR HIM?

WE DON'T NEED HIM IN THE SENATE BECAUSE HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT OUR LIVES.

RAND PAUL IS A JOKE, HE'S A CLOWN, HE'S AN EMBARRASSES AM, HE'S A FRAUD, HE'S A CRISIS ACTOR, HE'S A CONSPIRACY THEORIST, HE'S A LIAR AND THAT IS WHAT DONALD TRUMP WOULD SAY ABOUT HIM.

AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ON WHAT MR. McCONNELL THINKS ABOUT RAND PAULY.

>> SAY CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME.

I GUESS CHARLES TAKES THAT LITERALLY SINCE HE PAYS HIMSELF $150,000 A YEAR.

>> HIS SO-CALLED CHARITY.

FROM HIS SO-CALLED CHARITY.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

I HAVE A GOOD IDEA FOR HIM.

MAYBE HE SHOULD RENAME IT "FROM THE HOOD TO THE DOLLAR."

>> Bill: SOME CALORIES WERE BURNED AND SOME TOUGH SPEECHES IN THAT U.S. SENATE RACE.

THAT GAVE BOOKER AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO A STATEWIDE AUDIENCE.

WHAT WAS HIS MESSAGE?

>> Mark: I THINK HE REALLY TRIED TO SHOW THAT BOOKER DOESN'T CARE.

HA WAS HIS BIG THING.

HE SAID THAT MULTIPLE TIMES.

I'M SORRY.

THAT PAUL DOESN'T CARE.

AND ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT HE TRIED TO DRIVE HOME WHAT IS THAT BOOKER BELIEVES THAT PAUL IS SOMEBODY WHO JUST MOVED TO KENTUCKY TO WIN A SENATE SEAT, THAT HE THOUGHT, WELL, HERE'S A PLACE WHERE I COULD WIN BECAUSE PAUL IS NOT ORIGINALLY FROM KENTUCKY, AND HE MADE THIS JOKE THAT THE ONLY REASON THAT RAND PAUL ENDED UP IN KENTUCKY IS BECAUSE HE RAN OUT OF GAS WHEN HE WAS ON HIS WAY FROM TEXAS TO RAUSCH, KIND OF A JAB AT SOME OF THE COMMENTS -- RUSSIA, THAT RAND PAUL HAS MADE ABOUT AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY IN UKRAINE.

>> Bill: HE NOTICED RAND PAUL DID NOT SPEAK.

THERE WAS A SLOOT IN WASHINGTON, BUT HIS WIFE DID AND A FIERY SPEECH.

>> Tessa: IT WAS.

IT WAS.

AND SENATOR PAUL'S ABSENCE IS SOMETHING THAT CHARLES BOOKER COMMENTED ON, THAT HE NEEDS TO BE REAL MAN AND FACE HIM HIMSELF, QUIT BEING SCARED FROM THIS MAN FROM THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE, BUT KELLIE PAUL HAS CERTAINLY VERY ENERGETIC, REALLY GOT TO CROWD RILED YOU.

WHAT REALLY STOOD OUT FROM HER SPEECH IN ADDITION TO SO MANY COMMENTS WE WOULD EXPECT ABOUT DR. FAUCI, THINGS ABOUT DEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON, SHE ALSO WENT REALLY HARD ON THE ANTI-TRANS, ANTI-LGBTQ RHETORIC, TALKING ABOUT HOW DEMOCRATS WANT TO PUT A DRAG QUEEN IN EVERY SCHOOL, TALKED ABOUT TRANS ATHLETES.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE TOOK AWAY FROM HER SPEECH BECAUSE SHE DID GO VERY AGGRESSIVELY ON THOSE TOPICS.

>> Bill: IS THIS UNITED STATES SENATE RACE, MARK, FLYING UNDER THE REQUIRED AT A IT.

>> THERE'S NOT BEEN A BIG MOMENT.

WE DON'T KNOW IF THERE WILL BE A DEBATE OR DEBATES IN THE CAMPAIGN AHEAD.

>> Mark: YEAH, YOU KNOW, I THINK CHARLES BOOKER WAS REALLY PROPELLED TO THIS SORT OF LEVEL THAT HE'S AT RIGHT NOW DURING THAT PRIMARY, THAT 2020 PRIMARY IN WHICH HE FACED AMY McGRATH, AND THAT WAS AT THE SAME TIME THAT THERE WAS ALL THAT CIVIL UNREST IN LOUISVILLE, AND HIS SPEECHES DURING THAT CIVIL UNREST AND HIS PRESENCE IN THOSE PROPHECIES REALLY PUSHED HIM IN THAT PLIER.

HE REALLY WASN'T DOING THAT WELL IN THAT APPLY MAYOR UNTIL THAT CIVIL UNREST, AND I THINK HE'S GOT A HUGE FOLLOWING BUT HE JUST HASN'T HAD A SIMILAR MOMENT IN THIS SENATE RACE TO REALLY PUSH HIM AHEAD TO GET HIM SOME REAL TRACTION.

>> Bill: AND IT'S HAVING TO COMPETE WITH NEXT YEAR'S GOVERNOR'S RACE WHICH IS ALREADY TAKING CENTER STAGE.

AND SEVERAL OF THE CANDIDATES FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION GAVE SPEECHES >> IT'S TIME FOR A NEW GOVERNO OF THE COMMONWEALTH, AND I HOPE TO EARN YOUR VOTE.

LET'S NOT FORGET THAT ANDY BESHEAR WAS TH HE SHUT DOWN OUR ECONOMY.

HE SHUT DOWN OUR MOM-AND-POP STORE HE KILLED COUNTLESS JOBS.

>> TIM BEST CANDIDATE AND THE ONLY CANDIDATE THAT CAN BEAT ANDY BEAR NEXT FALL.

I MEAN, IT'S NO WONDER WHY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ATTACKS ME SO OFTEN.

THEY HAVE SEEN THE POLLS AND THEY KNOW THE TRUTH.

>> NOW FOR SOME REASON IT SEEMS LIKE GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS AFRAID TO COME BACK TO FANCY FARM.

I GUESS THAT SHOULDN'T BE A SURPRISE BECAUSE HE LET FEAR DRIVE MOST OF HIS POLICY DECISIONS.

SHE SHUT DOWN BUSINESSES SO PEOPLE COULDN'T work >> THE QUESTION BECOMES WILL KENTUCKY'S NEXT GOVERNOR BE AN AUTHENTIC REPUBLICAN LIKE Ron DESANTIS WHO WILL FIGHT FOR YOU CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OR WILL HE GO A GO ALONG TO GET ALONG MODERATE WHO IS AFRAID TO TAKE DECISIVE ACTION?

>> Bill: TEST, A THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES WERE SEEKING TO SET THEMSELVES APART, OBVIOUSLY WITH THEIR SPEECHES.

WERE THEY SUCCESSFUL?

>> Tessa: I THINK THAT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK, BUT AS SOMEONE SITTING IN THE FRONT ROW, I THINK THE PERSON WHO DIFFERENTIATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE THE MOST WAS SAVANNAH MADDOX.

SHE WAS NOT AFRAID TO TAKE SOME JABS AT HER OPPONENT SITTING UP THERE ON THE STAGE, CALLING THEM THE OPPOSITE OF THE DOS EQUIS MAN, THE LEAST INTERESTING MEN IN POLITICS, TOOK JABS AT QUARLES AND HOW CLEAN HIS BOOTS ARE AND HOW DOES A FARMER HAVE A TRUCK WITH NO MUD ON IT.

AND SHE ALSO MADE THE COMMENT ABOUT SHE'S GOING TO BE AN AUTHENTIC REPUBLICAN LIKE RON DESTANTS.

HE TOUTED HER ENDORSEMENT FROM MASSEY.

SHE REALLY GAVE IF SPEECH THAT SAID THIS IS HOW I'M DIFFERENT FROM THESE OTHER GUYS, WHERE THE OTHER THREEIT A LOT OF THE SAME TALKING POINTS.

THEY'RE ANTI-BESHEAR.

HE SLIT DOWN.

I'M PRO-LIFE, PRO-GUN.

THEY DIDN'T REY DIFFERENTIATE THEMSELVES FROM EACH OTHER IN THOSE FEW MINUTES THEY HAD ON STAGE.

>> Bill: AND ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON HAD TO COMPETE WITH FOLKS IS OUTING WITH BROLIN.

>>MODERATOR: I THOUGHT DANIEL CAMERON'S PERFORMANCE WAS SO STRONG.

THAT CLIP THAT YOU PLAYED DOESN'T REALLY CONTE HOW CRAZY LOUD.

THEY WERE BROLIN SO LOUD.

HONESTLY,.

THE BREONNA TAYLOR.

IT WAS THE LOUDEST CROWD I HAVE HAD HEARD IN SEVEN ORES EIGHT YEARS A FANCY FARM.

SO IMAGINE GETTING UP ON STAGE AND HAVING THESE PEOPLE, I DON'T WANT TO SAY THEY HATE YOU BECAUSE I DON'T I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT DANIEL CAMERON BUT THEY OBVIOUSLY DISAGREE WITH HOW HIS OFFICE HANDLED BREONNA TAYLOR'S CASE, AND THEY WERE SO LOUD.

MOST OF THE CANDIDATES ON THAT STAGE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE WILTED OR FALTERED, BUT CAMERON, HE WAS JUST -- HE WAS DOING THIS.

HE WAS WAVING ON.

HE SEEMED FEED OFF IT THE WAY THAT HIS MENTOR, MITCHELL McCONNELL, KIND OF FEEDS OFF OF CRITICISM AND PEOPLE POKING FUN AT HIM.

HE SPOKE STRONGLY.

HE SPOKE WITH THIS EASY CONFIDENCE.

AND, OF COURSE, I THINK HIS MOMENT TO MATCH SAVANNAH MADDOX IS HE NOTED HE'S ONE WITH DONALD TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT AND HE SAID, "HOW DID I GET THAT ENDORSEMENT?

THEY KNOW IT'S BECAUSE I'M GOING TO BEAT ANDY BESHEAR."

>> Bill: AND I KNOW THAT AUSTIN HORN AND AL CROSS BOTH PURCHASE SIDE A LINE ABOUT TRYING TO GET THE PURSUED TRYING TO GET THE CANDIDATES TO REMARK THE ON 2020 ELECTION RESULTS.

NOT MANY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THAT, RIGHT?

>> Tessa: RIGHT.

YOU COULD HAVE PEOPLE SAILING, WELL, JOE BIDEN IS PRESIDENT.

OKAY.

THAT'S NOT MUCH BUT THAT'S SOMETHING.

AND YOU ALSO HAD SOME FOLKS SAY, WELL, YES, YOU KNOW, THE ELECTIONS WERE WELL-RUN IN KENTUCKY.

CAN'T SPEAK TO OTHER STATES.

SO THAT IS -- YEAH, THAT'S AN INTEREST YOU CAN TAKE.

>> Mark: NOBODY TOUCHED ON IT EITHER WAY, THOUGH.

>> Tessa: MAYBE NOT IN SPEECHES BUT CERTAINLY IN INTERVIEWS AND ONE-ON-ONES.

WERE GETTING A RELLLY YOU CAN TUCK TANS TO A YES OR NO QUESTION.

>> Bill: MAX WISE, KECK, DETERIORATED STIRRING AROUND ON THE GROUNDS AS WELL, RIGHT?

>> Mark: HE WAS BRAVE.

HE MADE HIS SPEECHES ON THE GROUND EVEN THOUGH HE WASN'T INVITED, AND HE HAD A LOT OF FANS THERE.

I SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE IN DIETER SHIRTS.

>> Bill: SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL GOT CRITICISM THIS WEEK FOR NOT SUPPORTING PRESIDENT TRUMP QUICKLY ENOUGH AFTER THE FBI RAID ON HIS FLORIDA HOME.

REMEMBER WHEN HE WENT TO EASTERN KENTUCKY AND ALL THE REPORTERS WANT TO KNOW WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE MAR-A-LAGO RAID?

AND HE SAID I'M NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT IT.

I'M HERE BECAUSE WE JUST HAD THIS MAJOR FLOOD.

AND I KIND OF YOU GOT WHERE HE AWAY COMING FROM TO A DEGREE.

AND THEN IN OUR EMAIL INBOXES WE GOT A EMAIL FROM McCONNELL, WE NEED A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF WHAT HAPPENED ON MONDAY.

HE DIDN'T SAY TRUMP OR MAR-A-LAGO IN THAT EMAIL, WHEREAS THE MCCARTHY EMAIL, HE'S WEAPONIZED, POLITICIZED.

I THINK YOU COULD REALLY TELL THE DIFFERENCE IN McCONNELL EAST MEASURES STATEMENTS.

>> Bill: MARCUS, CONGRESS UNTIL JAMES CORMER WHO REPRESENTS THE 1st DISTRICT IS GETTING NATIONAL ATTENTION.

HE IS IN LINE TO BECOME THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE WHERE HE HAS INDICATED HE WOULD DUTIFULLY LAUNCH INVESTIGATIONS WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN AND MAY BE THE ORIGINS OF COVID EXPO FORTH.

>> Marcus: IT WAS STRIKING.

POLITICO HAD A FEATURE ON HIM THAT CALLED HIM THE REPUBLICAN FUTURE KING OF BIDEN INVESTIGATIONS AND HAD A LONG INTERVIEW THAT THEY HAD DONE WITH HIM AND, YES, HE'S IN IT TO BECOME A VERY POWERFUL PERSON IN DC, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING IN THAT INTERVIEW, IN THAT POLITICO PIECE HE DID NOTE HE WOULD ONLY PURSUE INVESTIGATIONS IF THERE WAS A STRIKING POINT THAT HE MADE.

YES, HE WOULD HAVE THAT POWER BUT HE WOULD ONLY PURSUE THAT THE EVIDENCE.

>> Bill: A KENTUCKY JUDICIAL COMMISSION ON MENTAL HEALTH IS SUPPOSED TO IMPROVE THE WAY THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH WITHIN THE STATE JUSTICE SYSTEM GETS SOME HELP.

>> Marcus: THIS IS, IT'S BEEN CALLED AN UNPRECEDENTED APPROACH.

IT WOULD ATTEMPT TO REALLY TACKLE A PROBLEM THAT IS SO VERY WIDE REACHING.

THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS WHERE A LOT OF THESE WORLDS COLLIDE.

MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, OTHER INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, AND WHAT JUSTICE MINTON IS TRYING TO DO IS TO AI LOOK WE'VE GOT A BROKEN SYSTEM.

WE HAVE A SYSTEM TO THAT DOESN'T ADDRESS.

LET'S FIND WAY TO COME UP WITH SOME SOLUTIONS.

AND THE -- NOW, THIS TASK FORCE HASN'T YET BEEN FULLY ESTABLISHED BUT HE WOULD SEEM TO DRAW FROM PRETTY MUCH ANY WALK LIFE THAT HAS AN INTERACTION FROM THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FROM BUSINESS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO, OF COURSE, THE COURTS.

THE COMMISSION MEMBERS HAVE NOT BEEN NAMED BUT IT'S LOOKING TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE ALL SEEN.

COUNTY JAILS ARE REALLY THE NUMBER ONE PLACE FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IN KENTUCKY, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THE SOUTHERN HALF OF HEINZ BOGGING DOWN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND CREATING A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR PRET MALAYSIA EVERY COUNTY IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: FORMER AND CURRENT LMPD OFFICERS HAVE RECEIVED CHARGES IN THE BREONNA TAYLOR RAID.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

>> Tessa: WE HAVE SEEN THAT ONE OF THE OFFICERS WAS CHARGED BY INVITATION AND PLEADED GUILTY WHEREAS THE OTHER THREE WERE INDICTED BY GRAND JURIES.

WHAT IS SO INTERESTING ABOUT THIS IS IN MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT, WHICH BY THE WAY CAME TWO DAYS BEFORE FANCY FARM, WHICH I WHY I THINK HE SAW THAT HECKLING OF DANIEL CAMERON, REALLY AMPED UP, MERRICK GARLAND DREW THIS STATE LINE BETWEEN THE FALSE INFORMATION ON THE SEARCH WARRANT LEADING OFFICERS TO BREONNA TAYLOR'S DOOR AND HER DEATH, AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT.

AND TO HAVE THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAKE A STATEMENT LIKE THAT IS REALLY POWERFUL.

AND I THINK IT SHOWS HOW SERIOUS THEY INTEND TO BE IN THE PROSECUTION OF THESE CASES.

>> Bill: TESSA, ABORTION REMAINS BANNED IN KEnd THE SO-CALLED TRIGGER LAW THAT CAME INTO EFFECT AS ROE V. WADE WAS STRUCK DOWN BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

YOU REPORTED HOW ILLINOIS HAS BECOME THE DESTINATION FOR A LOT OF WOMEN SEEKING ABORTIONS IN THE MIDWEST AND FROM KENTUCKY.

>> Tessa: RIGHT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ILLINOIS ON A MAP, ALL OF THE STATES AROUND IT AND AROUND THOSE STATES ARE IN POSITIONS WHERE THEY ARE EITHER BANNING ABORTION OR ARE VERY LIKELY TO SEVERELY RESTRICT IT OR BAN IT.

A LOT OF THINGS ARE STILL IN FLUX RIGHT NOW, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS REGION HAVE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME.

YOU'VE GOT ORGANIZATIONS FROM MISSOURI AND TENNESSEE AND WISCONSIN THAT ARE WORKING WITH PARTNERS IN ILLINOIS TO TRY TO KEEP ABORTION ACCESSIBLE, AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ILLINOIS HAS KNOWN IS GOING TO HAPPEN FOR A LONG TIME, THAT THEY ARE POISED TO BECOME THIS DESTINATION STATE AS THAT KIND OF CARE BECOMES UNAVAILABLE ELSEWHERE, AND SO THEY'VE HAD TO RAMP UP THE NUMBER OF CLINICS THEY HAVE.

>> Bill: THAT LEGAL CASE, OF COURSE, IS ONGOING.

MARCUS, SENATE LEADERS CAME TO DISCUSS A WATERFRONT PARK EXPANSION IN LOUISVILLE THIS WEEK.

>> Marcus: YEAH, THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR APPROPRIATED $10 MILLION TO AID IN LOUISVILLE'S WESTWARD EXPANSION.

THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION TO MOVE THAT PARK ALONG THE RIVER TOWARDS THE CITY'S WEST ENT PORTLAND NEIGHBORHOODS, AND SENATOR STIVERS WAS IN TOWN, SENATOR RAQUE ADAMS LOUISVILLE WAS THERE SEQUEL, SENATOR NEIL AND OTHER LEADERS AS WELL.

IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING THIS WAS A PRIORITY OF REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE.

THEY ALSO WERE VERY MUCH INVOLVED NOT WEST END OPPORTUNITY PARTNERSHIP IN 2021 TO THAT CREATED THIS TAX INCREPT FINANCING DISTRICT SO THERE IS A LOT OF EMPHASIS RIGHT NOW IN THAT PART OF LOUISVILLE BEING LED TY BY THE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE.

>> Bill: MARCUS, CAN'T HAVE YOU ON "COMMENT" WITHOUT AN UPDATE ON THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE.

IT'S MOVING, RIGHT?

>> Marcus: GOVERNOR OF OHIO AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR THIS WEEK SUBMITTED THEIR SECOND JOINT FUNDING SO THEY'RE CONTINUING TO ASK FOR MONEY.

THE GOAL IS TO GET AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE FROM THE FEDS SO THE STATE ASK CAN BE AS MAGNITUDABLE AS POSSIBLE.

>> A.

>> Bill: ANOTHER HEADLINE WAS ABOUT FORMER SCATTER JOHN 'TIL HOE WHAT IS ALSO A STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

TILLIE PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO A RAPE CHARGE THIS WEEK BE WITH MARK, IN WASHINGTON.

>> Mark: WE HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF DETAILS ON THIS.

I THINK EVERYBODY IS CURIOUS TO GET A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION BUT APPARENTLY HE AND THIS LADY WENT TO ITAY HOTEL IN LEXINGTON.

I'LL BE VERY CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT ELSE COMES OUT ON THIS.

>> Bill: HIS LEGAL TEAM SAYS HE DID NOT BREAK THE LAW.

MARCUS, WHEN OHIO GETS ROLLING WHEN THE SPORTS BETTING IN JANUARY, FOLKS WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO KROGER OR A LOT OF OUTLETS RIGHT ACROSS THE RIVER.

>> Marcus: YEAH, THERE'S A SCRAMBLE RIGHT NOW TO SECURE THOSE LICENSES, AND IT AGAIN SHOWS THE READY INFORMS SPORTS BETTING IN OHIO, HOW AGAIN THIS IS GOING TO AB ISSUE THAT SAYS GOING TO CONDOM IN KENTUCKY ESPECIALLY AS THE COMPETITION GETS CLOSER DOUR BORDERS, AND IN THIS CASE IT'S RIGHT ACROSS THE BORDER BINGE WENTBORO IS BEING NAMED THE BLUEGRASS MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, THAT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM BLUEGRASS HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM.

THEY PLAN TO USE THAT NEW TITLE IN CONJUNCTION WITH MANY RO FEST AND OTHER EVENTS.

IS THE AND KENTUCKY'S FESTIVAL SEASON IS BEGINNING NOW.

CORBIN IS CELEBRATING ITS 7th ANNUAL NIM ROCK FESTIVAL THIS WEEK WITH ALL KIND OF EVENTS.

YES, THE ANSWER TO A FAVORITE KENTUCKY FORGIVE YEAHE IS IT'S CORBIN SPELLED BACKWARDS.

THAT'S COMMENT ON KENTUCKY.