MANDATE FOR SCHOOLS AS THE DELT VARIANT DRIVES A MAJOR COVID SUMMER SURGE.

VACCINATION NUMBERS ARE ALSO CLIMBING.

THE U.S. SENATE PASSES A TRILLION DOLLAR PLUS INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT COULD MEAN MONEY FOR THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE.

SENATOR RAND PAUL FILES A FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE LATE THAT STIRS DISC WHAT ARE THE CLUES FROM AN UNUSUAL YEAR AT FANCY FARM?

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IT'S FRIDAY THE 13TH, BUT YOU'RE IN LUCK.

"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 JOE SONKA, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

MELISSA PATRICK, REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.

AND LAWRENCE SMITH, REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

ALSO TONIGHT, TIK TOK VIDEOS PLAY A ROLE IN KENTUCKY POLITICS.

AND NEW CENSUS NUMBERS SHOW SHIFTS IN KENTUCKY'S POPULATION.

THAT WHO HAVE LOTS OF IMPACTS.

BUT FIRST, THIS SUMMER SURGE IS CONTINUING.

THE NUMBERS AND CONCERNS ARE CERTAINLY CLIMBING OUT THERE, MELISSA.

4,009 NEW COVID-19 CASES REPORTED ON FRIDAY.

>> Melissa: I THINK THAT QUALIFIES AS ALARMING, AS THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID ALL WEEK, THAT ALL OF THE COVID METRICS ARE ALARMING.

THE POSITIVITY RATE IS APPROACHING 12%.

IT'S AN 11.83% TODAY.

THERE ARE 12 DEATHS AND DEATH FOLLOW CASES, AND SO THERE'S A BIT OF AN EXPECTATION THAT THOSE NUMBERS WILL GO UP BEFORE WE'RE THROUGH THIS SURGE.

HOSPITAL ICU AND VENTILATOR NUMBERS HAVE DUMPED DOUBLE IN THE LAST 12 DAYS, AND HOSPITALS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM THAT THEIR ICU BEDS ARE FULL AND THAT THEY ARE OPENING NEW COVID FLOORS BECAUSE THEY'RE AT CAPACITY WITH THE ONES THAT THEY HAVE.

AND SO ALL OF EVERY METRIC THAT MEASURES THIS CORONAVIRUS, THIS COVID-19 ARE JUST SOARING.

>> Bill: WHAT ARE HAPPENS DOING TO TRY TO MANAGE THIS SITUATION ANY KNOW THERE'S A HOSPITAL READINESS PROGRAMS THAT LOOKS AT WHETHER OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS PREPARED TO DEAL WITH WHAT MAY BE COMING COMING.

>> Melissa: SO THE STATE HAS KEPT TRACK OF HOW MANY OF OUR HOSPITALS ARE USING A MINIMUM OF 80% OF THEIR ICU BEDS, AND FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO THERE HAVE BEEN TWO REGIONS THAT HAVE BEEN AT THAT RATE, THE LATE CUMBERLAND REGION AND THE EASTERNMOST REGION IN THE STATE.

BUT TODAY THE WESTERN COUNTIES, THE WESTERNMOST REGION WHICH INCLUDES LIVINGTON, LYME AND TRIGG AND THE COUNTIES IN THAT AREA, THEY -- IT'S BEEN ADDED TO THIS LIST OF HOSPITAL READINESS REGIONS THAT'S USING AT LEAGUE 80% THEIR ICU BEDS, SO THAT'S A FIRST.

>> Bill: JOE AND LAWRENCE, WE HAVE ALL COVERED THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING, THIS PANDEMIC.

THIS SEEMS TO HAVE GOTTEN PRETTY SERIOUS VERY FAST HERE.

>> Lawrence: THAT'S WHAT'S AMAZING TO ME IS HOW FAST WE'VE GOTTEN TO THIS POINT, MUCH MORE QUICKLY THAN WE DID IN THE ORIGINAL PANDEMIC.

I GUESS IT DEMONSTRATES HOW VIRULENT THIS NEW STRAIN IS.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW FAR IT GOES.

I THINK SOME OF THE THINKING AT LEAST IS THAT AT SOME POINT, EVEN THOUGH KENTUCKY'S ONLY ABOUT 51% VACCINATED, THAT THERE WILL BE ENOUGH PEOPLE EITHER WHO HAVE HAD THE DISEASE OR HAD THE SHOT THAT AT SOME POINT WILL PLATEAU BUT WHO KNOWS WHEN THAT IS GOING TO BE.

>>> AND THAT IS THE KEY MESSAGE, THAT THERE IS A WAY TO PREVENT ALL OF THIS AND THAT'S THROUGH VACCINATION, AND THE GENERAL THINKING IS WE NEED TO GET TO ABOUT 70%, AND WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

>> Bill: JOE, VACCINATION RATES ARE COMING UP SOME.

WE'RE HEARING FROM RURAL COUNTIES AND OTHER AREAS RIGHT NOW GIVEN THE SURGE OF THAT PEOPLE ARE REACTING.

>> Joe: SOME BUT CERTAINLY NOT ENOUGH TO PUT A DENT IN THE GROWTH OF THIS, AND IF IT EXPONENTIAL GROWTH KEEPS GOING UP, WE MIGHT BE SEEING RECORD HIGHS IN CASES AND HOSPITALIZATION AND ICUs BRI THE END OF THE MONTH.

>> Bill: WE HAVE SO MUCH OF AN ALL HANDS ON DECK SITUATION IN THE STATE BUT ARE THERE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED OUTSIDE THE STATE, OTHER SATES STATES THAT ARE DEALING WITH THIS AND WE CAN SEE WHAT MAY BE COMING?

>> Melissa: I THINK IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IN KENTUCKY IF WE RUN OUT OF HOSPITAL CAPACITY, YOU CAN LOOK AT ARKANSAS WHICH HAS EIGHT ICU BEDS LEFT IN THE WHOLE STATE, AND THAT MEANS THERE ARE ONLY EIGHT BEDS FOR CRITICALLY ILL PEOPLE IN THAT STATE, SO WHO GETS THEM?

HOW DO THEY DECIDE?

AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN NEW YORK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CRISIS, AND THEN WE HAVE KIND OF COME ALL THE WAY AROUND TO WHERE IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN IN STATES -- SEVERAL STATES.

>> Bill: WE'VE ALWAYS COME AROUND TO THE QUESTION OF FIELD HOSPITALS,.

>> Lawrence: THAT'S PART OF IT.

I GUESS PART OF WHAT WE'RE ALSO WAITING TO SEE IS HOW FAR THE GOVERNOR WILL GO, GOVERNOR BESHEAR.

HE HAS NOT RULED OUT, HE HAS NOT TAKEN OFF THE TABLE ANY KIND OF A STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE.

HE SAID THAT'S STILL ON THE TABLE IF THIS GETS TO THE POINT WHERE HE THINKS IT'S NECESSARY.

AND HE WAS ASKED ABOUT FIELD HOSPITALS, AND HE SAID, NOT YET.

HE'S LOOKING AT THESE HOSPITAL -- HOSPITALS GETTING FILLED UP, AND THAT'S NOT -- ALSO NOT OFF THE TABLE THAT HE COULD PUT FIELD HOSPITALS BACK UP AGAIN, FOR EXAMPLE, AT THE KENTUCKY EXPO CENTER.

>> Bill: WELL, AS WE BEGIN TO TALK ABOUT THE PUSHBACK THAT HE IS FACING, MANY SCHOOLS ARE OPENING UP FOR THE FALL AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR ISSUED STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE CAMBRIDGE BECAME VERY CONTROVERSIAL.

THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD, THOUGH, EXTENDED IT FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR.

HERE'S WHY BESHEAR SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT.

>> BUT WE ARE TO THE POINT WHERE WE CANNOT ALLOW OUR KIDS TO GO INTO THESE BUILDINGS UNPROTECTED, UNVACCINATED AND FACE THIS DELTA VARIANT.

>> Bill: AGAIN, THIS IS JUST A MANDATE FOR SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE AND FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR, THE GOVERNOR DOING THE 30-DAY AND THEN THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD EXTENDING IT FOR 270 DAYS.

JOE, THE MASK MANDATE REOPENED A GREAT DIVIDE.

GOVERNOR SAYS HE'S TRYING TO KEEP THE SCHOOLS OPEN.

BUT THIS CERTAINLY SET OFF ANOTHER FIRESTORM OF CONTROVERSY.

>> Joe: THINGS COOLED OVER THE SUMMER WHEN GOVERNOR BESHEAR GOT A RID OF A LOT OF HIS RESTRICTIONS, THE MASK MANDATE, THE CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS, BUT THIS IS THIS HAS REALLY TURNED THE HEAT BACK UP OF CRITICISM YOU HAD REPUBLICAN ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM ACROSS THE STATE CRITICIZING HIM.

YOU HAD SENATOR WHITNEY WESTERFIELD SAYING THIS WAS GOING TO BE TESTAMENT FOR KIDS TO HAVE TO WEAR MASKS.

YOU HAD PEOPLE CRITICIZING THE GOVERNOR FOR NOT LETTING INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS AND MAKING THAT FOR THEM.

AND THEN YOU HAD EVEN ONE SUPERINTENDENT IN PULASKI COUNTY WHO SENT OUT A VOICE MAIL TO PARENTS CALLING BESHEAR A LIBERAL LUNATIC.

SO THE HEAT IS REALLY TURNED UP AND THINGS ARE STARTING -- IT'S STARTING TO GET THAT SEASON AGAIN.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE, IT GOES ON.

STATE DEPARTMENTTIVE BRIAN DODSON, CALLED FOR THE GOVERNOR'S IMPEACHMENT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL REPUBLICAN DANIEL CAMERON IS TAKING THE SCHOOL MASK MANDATE TO THE COURT ME.

WANTS THE SUPREME COURT TO SIDE AT WHAT LEVEL A DECISION LIKE THAT SHOULD BE MADE.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS AGAINST PUSHED FOR SUCH DECISIONS TO BE LOCAL AND AGAIN SUGGESTED THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CALLED INTO SPECIAL SESSION.

>> Lawrence: YEAH, THIS IS EVEN CAUSING CONTROVERSY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY SPECIFICALLY ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.

THE VICE CHAIR OF THE SCHOOL BOARD RESPONDING TO THE TWEET THAT JOE MENTIONED EARLIER FROM WHITNEYFIELD ANSWERED AN EX PLE FIVE, TWO-WORD EXPLETIVE ENDING IN "YOU" AND THAT GOT HIM HEAT AND ELSEWHERE.

HE RESIGNED HIS VICE CHAIRMANSHIP HELP HE'S STILL ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.

HIS NAME IS CHRIS KALB.

HE SAID ONLY THE PEOPLE IN HIS DISTRICT CAN GET RID OF I AM.

I AM HIM BUT HE RESIGNED LEADERSHIP ON THAT SCHOOL BOARD.

IT'S CREATING ALL EVARTS SORTS OF CONTROVERSY.

IT'S SHOWING THE DIVIDE BETWEEN POLITICS AND WORLD VIEW ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE THE PANDEMIC.

>> Bill: IN DEFENDING HIS POSITION, MELISSA, ON THE DAY THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD MASK RULE WAS ANNOUNCED, WE LEARNED THAT WARREN COUNTY HAD 700 STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE.

THERE ARE OTHER SITUATIONS LIKE THAT, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THE GOVERNOR IS POINTING OUT THAT HE SAYS SCHOOLS JUST CANNOT FUNCTION WITHOUT MASKS.

>> Melissa: WELL, YOU KNOW, THE CHILDREN UNDER 12 ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A VACCINE, AND ONLY ABOUT ONE-THIRD HAVE ELIGIBLE 12 TO 17-YEAR-OLDS HAVE GOTTEN THE VACCINE, AND ON TOP OF THAT, SCHOOLS ARE GENERALLY POORLY VENTILATED AND WINTER IS UPON US WHERE PEOPLE ARE KIND OF GATHERING INDOORS, WHERE VIRUSES LOVE TO MULTIPLY AND GROW, AND ALL OF THAT JUST MEANS THAT IF OUR KIDS ARE GOING TO STAY IN SCHOOL, THEY NEED TO USE THE PUBLIC HEALTH TOOLS AVAILABLE TO TRY TO KEEP THEM THERE, AND WHAT'S BEEN PROVEN TO DO THAT IS THE WEARING OF A PLAQUES.

>> Bill: ONE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SAID THAT -- A MASK DB PLAN.

>> Bill: ONE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SAID THE BEST THING WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW FOR KIDS IS TO REMAIN POSITIVE, LAWRENCE.

DOES THAT SEEM TO BE ELUSIVE WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH CONTROVERSY?

AND KIDS TO SOME EXTENT ARE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THESE DEBATES.

>> Lawrence: WHAT'S IRONIC ABOUT ALL OF THIS IS IT SEEMS TO BE THE KIDS WHO ARE HANDLING THIS THE BEST.

THEY SEEM TO BE THE ONES WHO ARE MASKING UP AND NOT REALLY COMPLAINING ABOUT IT FOR THE MOST PART.

>> Joe: FROM MY EXPERIENCE MY THREE-YEAR-OLD HAD TO WEAR A MASK IF FIRST TIME IN DAYCARE, HAD TO WEAR A MASK IN BALLET CLASS AND HASN'T COMPLAINED ONE TIME.

SOMETIMES THE KIDS ARE MORE ADULT THAN THE ADULT.

>> Bill: MELS, A SOME COMMUNITIES ARE CAUTIOUSLY MOVING FORWARD WITH HERR FESTIVALS AS WE HEAD INTO THAT SEASON.

ONE WAS CALLED OFF A CELTIC SELF.

ANYBODY RON IS GOING ON CORBIN RIGHT NOW.

IS THERE ANY CLEAR GUIDANCE AS TO WHETHER COMMUNITIES CAN SAFELY THESE DECENCY EVENTS, ESPECIALLY IF THEORY PRIMARILY OUTDOORS?

>> Melissa: WELL, THE CDC HAS SOME GUIDANCE AS FAR AS OUTDOOR EVENTS.

AT THIS TIME IF YOU'RE FULLY VACCINATED, THERE'S NO REAL RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU WEAR A MASK WHEN YOU'RE AT AN OUTDOOR EVENT.

THERE STILL IS A SUGGESTION THAT IF YOU'RE NOT VACCINATED AND YOU'RE IN A CROWDED EVENT, THAT YOU GO AHEAD AND WEAR ONE.

THE CDC ALSO HAS A LONG LIST OF THINGS TO CONSIDER, RISK, PERSONAL RISK, AND THAT WOULD BE ARE YOU VACCINATED OR NOT?

DO YOU HAVE PREEXISTING CONDITIONS?

IS IT SAFER FOR YOU TO RISK GETTING THE VIRUS?

OTHER THINGS LIKE WHAT'S THE CROWD SIZE?

WHAT'S THE VENTILATION?

CAN YOU SOCIAL DISTANCE IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE?

YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO KIND OF GO THROUGH THAT MENTAL CHECKLIST WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO GO TO THESE THINGS, AND COMMUNITIES HAVE TO CONSIDER THESE THINGS, TOO, WHEN THEY'RE KEEPING THEIR PEOPLE SAFE.

>> Lawrence: AND MELISSA JUST SAID, REMEMBER THIS COMING WEEK THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR BEGINS.

NOW, BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER THERE WILL BE MASKS REQUIRED INSIDE THE BUILDING, BUT MUCH OF THE STATE FAIR IS OUTSIDE, SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT, IF THAT BECOMES ANY KIND OF AN ISSUE DOWN TO ROAD.

>> Bill: WE HAVE FOOTBALL GAMES COMING UP.

CERTAINLY SOME OF THE PRACTICES HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISRUPTED, SO IT'S A TIME.

>> Melissa: IT IS A TIME, AND ONE OF THE RISK TOSS THINK ABOUT IS HOW MUCH SHOUTING, SINGING, SPITTING IS GOING TO GO ON AROUND YOU BECAUSE THAT'S HOW THE VIRUS IS SPREAD MOST READILY.

AND SO AS FAR AS A PERSONAL CHOICE, YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT ALL THOSE THINGS.

>> Bill: WELL, AB INFECTIOUS DISEASE DOCTOR TOLD ME TODAY FOR AN INTERVIEW THAT RUNS ON WKYT THIS WEEKEND THAT WE ARE IN THE FRONT END OF A SURGE AND THAT WE JUST AT THIS POINT DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS WILL LAST SO WE CERTAINLY ALL WILL WATCH AND CONTINUE TO FOLLOW AND REPORT ON IT.

SENATOR RAND PAUL FOUND HIMSELF IN THE NEWS A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS WEEK, ONCE FOR LATE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE THAT RAISED SOME EYEBROWS AND FOR BEING SUSPENDED FROM YOUTUBE, SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BIGGER STORY FIRST.

JOE, SENATOR PAUL FILED A CENTENNIAL DISCLOSURE 16 MONTHS LATE THAT SHOWED AN INVESTMENT BY HIS WIFE IN THE MAKER OF REMDESIVIR.

>> Joe: YEAH, THE TIMING IS ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES HERE WHERE THIS WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR RIGHT BEFORE THE RAMMED REALLY HIT THE COUNTRY HARD, AND THEN THEY WAITED 16 MONTHS BEFORE THE LAST ACTUALLY FILED.

AND, OF COURSE, RAND PAUL HAS BEEN ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAS BEEN OUT VERY VOCAL SAYING TO RESIST THE CDC AND TO NOT FOLLOW CERTAIN GUIDELINES.

HE'S BEEN SAYING YOU SHOULDN'T BE VACCINATED OR THERE'S NO NEED TO BE VACCINATED IF YOU HAD ALREADY HAD IT ONCE WHICH THE CDC STRONGLY DISAGREES WITH.

HE SAYS IS THE MASKS DON'T WORK AND THE CDC DISAGREES.

THERE'S OBVIOUS HYPOCRISY THAT HE MADE THIS PURCHASE A LONG TIME AGO AND DIDN'T REPORT IT AS HE'S SAYING THESE THINGS.

>> Bill: AND PAUL WAS EXPLAINING AND APOLOGIZED SOME ON FRIDAY, RIGHT?

>> Lawrence: YEAH, HE APOLOGIZED TODAY, FRIDAY, FOR WHAT HE CALLS HIS COMPUTER INCOMPETENCE.

HE SAID HE ACTUALLY ENTERED THIS INFORMATION, THOUGHT HE SEND IT BUT HE DID NOT HIT SEND, SO TO SPEAK, SO DID IT NOT GO TO THE RIGHT PLACE, AND HE'S ALSO SAYING HIS WIFE ACTUALLY LOST MONEY ON THE DEAL, SO THAT'S BEEN HIS RESPONSE TO THIS SO FAR.

>> Bill: DOES THE STORY END HERE?

THUS THE MOVE TO SOME KIND OF INVESTIGATION OR DOES IT CARRY INTO THE CAMPAIGN NEXTIER WHOO HE IS SEEKING RE-ELECTION?

>> Joe: IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS GOING TO BE A SENATE ETHICS INVESTIGATION INTO THIS, AND THIS WAS A BIG ISSUE IN THE LAST SENATE RACES LAST YEAR.

LOVE LER IN GEORGIA, SHE DID THE SAME THING WHERE SHE PURCHASED SOMETHING BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT AFTER GOING TO A BRIEFING, AND THAT WAS A BIG ISSUE ON HER LOSS IN THAT RACE.

CHARLES BOOKER IS DEFINITELY MAKING IT AN ISSUE.

>> Bill: THIS CAME AFTER PAUL'S YOUTUBE ACCOUNT WAS SUSPENDED FOR COMMENTS HE MADE ABOUT MASKS AND HIS DEMOCRATIC OPPONENT CHARS BOOKER TRIED TO SEIZE ON THAT VERY WILK DID.

HERE AIR COUPLE CLIPS FROM PAUL AND BOOKER.

>> RHODE ISLAND, WE WILL NOT ACCEPT YOUR AGENCY'S MANDATES OR YOUR REPORTED MOVES TOWARDS A LOCKDOWN.

NO ONE SHOULD FOLLOW THE CDC'S BE ANTI-69 MASK MANDATES.

AND IF YOU WANT TO SHUT DOWN FEDERAL AGENCIES AGAIN, SOME OF WHICH AREN'T EVEN BACK TO WORK YET, I WILL STOP EVERY BILL COMING THROUGH THE SENATE WITH AN AMENDMENT TO CUT THEIR FUNDING IF THEY DON'T COME BACK TO WORK IN PERSON.

>> IT'S EASY TO LAUGH AND DISMISS RAND PAUL.

WHETHER IT'S HIM GETTING MOO A SQUABBLE WITH DR. FAUCI OR TELLING PEOPLE WE SHOULD GO TO WAR WITH THE CDC, TOO OFTEN IT'S HARD TO TAKE ANYTHING THIS GUY SAYS SERIOUSLY.

BUT THIS VIDEO THAT HE RELEASED IS THE MOST DANGEROUS STUNT HE'S PULLED YET.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE, PAUL SAYS THAT YOUTUBE IS RESTRICTING FREE SPEECH BY SUSPENDING HIM.

>> Lawrence: AND HE SAID HE'S WEARING IT AS A BADGE OF HONOR.

RAND PAUL HAS BEEN CRITICAL OF ANTHONY NATURE AND THE CDC FOR A LONG TIME, BUT THIS SEEMED TO TAKE THAT TO A NEW LEVEL OF ATTACK AND CALLING INTO QUESTION WHAT THE WHY DOES IS DOING.

AND, OF COURSE, BOOKER IS JUMPING ON THIS, SAYING THIS IS AN ILLUSTRATION OF WHY HE THINKS RAND PAUL HAS TO GO BECAUSE RAND PAUL CARES ONLY ABOUT HIMSELF AND RAND PAUL DOES NOT CARE ABOUT KENTUCKY.

RAND PAUL OBVIOUSLY THINKS THAT IT'S TO HIS ADVANTAGE IN SOME WAY TO TAKE THIS TRACK THAT WILL KENTUCKIANS APPLY BY OPPOSING THE MASK MANDATES.

>> Joe: IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT YOUTUBE IS A PRIVATE COMPANY.

IF THE GOVERNMENT HAS SENSE ZEROS HIM.

>> Bill: BOOKER QUICK RESPONDED WHEN HE SEES AN OPENING.

>> Joe: IF LAS VEGAS A LONG TIME I.

AWAY BUT EVERY TIME RAND PAUL GRABS A HEAD LUP, HE'S GETTING IN OAT STORY TOO.

HE WAS QUICK SOCIAL MEDIA.

AFTER THAT MADE IT SHOWS HIM A SIMILAR VIDEO OF HIM TALKING TO THE CAMERA FOR FOUR MINUTES.

IT'S CERTAINLY BEEN READY TO PUNCH BACK.

>> Bill: WHILE WE'RE TALKING POLITICIANS LET'S LOOK AT A GREAT KENTUCKY TRADITION, FANCY FARM IN WESTERN KENTUCKY RETURNED TO POLITICAL SPEECHES LAST WEEKEND.

THE P. THE CROWD HAS SMALLER THAN USUAL.

LAWRENCE, YOU 1 TO GRAVES COUNTY.

YOU WERE ON KET'S COVERAGE, MUCH APPRECIATED.

WHAT'S YOUR RACKS TO WHAT WE SAW WHAT WHAT WE DIDN'T THAT DAY?

>> Lawrence: I THINK WE GOT A CLEAR FOCUS ON THE THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR LOOKED LIKE.

KELLY CRAFT WAS NOT AT FANCY FARM BUT SPOKE THE NIGHT BEFORE.

MIKE HARMON HE LAST ANNOUNCED HE'S GOING TO PRINCIPLE FOR GOVERNOR.

RUIN QUARLES WAS THERE AND HE WAS SHARP LOIT ATTACK AGAINST ANDY BESHEAR.

WHAT'S INTERESTING ALSO WAS WE GOT CONFIRMATION THAT CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER IS NOT GOING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR WANT LEAST NOT AT THIS POINT IT.

APPEARS HE IS READY TO BACK KELLY CRAFT IF SHE GETS INTO THE RACE.

IN FACT, DURING HIS SPEECH, HE KIND OF PUT KELLY CRAFT AND SENATOR MAX WISE IN THE SAME SENTENCE, AND THAT PIQUED SOME INTEREST.

I SAID HE WAS SURPRISED BY THAT.

HE WHOSE HAD NO CONVERSATIONS WITH KELLY CRAFT, BUT SEEMED TO BE SOMETHING GOING ON THERE.

>> Bill: YOU TOOK IT AS A POSSIBLE TICKET?

>> Lawrence: A POSSIBLE TICKET.

OF COURSE THEY DON'T HAVE TOY RUN AS TICKETS THIS TIME, BUT JUST BY WHAT JAMES COMER SAID RAISED THE POSSIBILITY THAT PERHAPS MAX WISE COULD COUNTY KELLY CRAFT LATER ON.

>> Bill: JOE, WHAT WERE YOUR TECH A WAYS FROM AGAINST FARM?

>> Joe: SHE DID MENTION SAVANNAH A FOSTER.

IF THE BIG TAKEAWAY IS THERE WERE NO DEMOCRATS.

THERE WASN'T THE LOUD HECKLING YOU USUALLY SEE AT FANCY FARM, THE THEATRE.

LOUISVILLE HELD AN EVENT THAT SAME DAY.

THERE WAS GOING TO BE POLITICAL SPEAKING THERE BUT AS CASES WENT UP, THEY TURNED IT INTO A FREE VACCINATION EVENT.

CHARLES BOOKER WAS THERE AND HE SAID HE WILL GO TO FANCY FARM NEXT YEAR ASSUMING HE WINS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION.

HE SEEPS TOCK A STRONG FRONTRUNNER RIGHT NOW.

I THINK HE IS THE ONLY ONE, JUST A FEW MORE.

BUT THAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE, BOOKER THERE NEXT YEAR AND PRESUMABLY ANDY BESHEAR IS EVERYTHING IS BACK NORMAL.

>> Bill: MELISSA, BESHEAR DIDN'T TO GO FANCY FARM BUT CRITICIZED REPUBLICANS FOR NOT TALKING MUCH ABOUT VACCINES WHILE THERE.

>> Melissa: YEAH, HE PUSHED BACK ON THAT.

THERE'S AN OP ED IN THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY TRIBUNE BY AL CROSS THAT ADDRESSES THAT ISSUE WITH A SUGGESTION THAT REPUBLICANS HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO PUSH AND PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE VACCINES IN A 1-800-THAT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE THEY -- IN A WAY THAT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE THEY WERE THERE.

SAL AL THOUGH I DO YOU UNDERSTAND THERE WAS ACCESS TO VACCINES BUT NO REAL ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PEOPLE TO USE IT.

>> Lawrence: WHAT'S FUNNY IS -- NOT OPPORTUNITYING BUT INTERESTING IS THAT DURING THE SPRING, AS THE PANDEMIC SEEMED TO BE EASING, WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BECOME LESS OF A POLITICAL ISSUE OVER TIME, BUT THIS LATEST SURGE THE IN PANDEMIC HAS REALLY RAISED THAT AS AN ISSUE AGAIN.

>> Bill: LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO CHASE THINGS INTO.

>> '2 AND '23.

>> Joe: IT'S INEVITABLE AND YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE A COUPLE YEARS FROM NOW, WHETHER THIS IS GOING TO FADE AWAY, WHETHER IT'S GOING TO KEEP COMING BACK, WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO NEED NEW VACCINES.

WE JUST DO NOT KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> Bill: JOE, THE DEMOCRATS DIDN'T GO.

THEY'VE SEASON SOME HEAT FOR AND WE'LL SEE IF THEY PAY A PRICE FOR THAT BUT THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING ATTENTION IN AN URN I AWAY, TIK TOK CLIPS THAT ARE WIDELY CIRCUMSTANCE LATED.

LAWRENCE, WHAT IS TICK HAVE BEEN TIK TOK?

>> Julia: ASKING THE WRONG PERSON.

>> Joe: I WOULD BE THE WRONG PERSON TO ASK TWO WEEKS AGO.

BUT NOW I KNOW.

THIS IS REALLY BIG AMONG TEENAGERS.

IT'S AN APP WHERE THERE ARE VIDEOS WHERE A LOT OF SONGS AND DANCING AND LIP SYNCING AND SO SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE CREATED A TIK TOK ACCOUNT, AND ON THIS ACCOUNT THEIR LIP SYNCING, DAWNS CAN, AND IT IS SOUNDS RIDICULOUS BUT IT'S TAKING OFF, AND ONE OF THEIR VIDEOS ALMOST HAS A MILLION VIEWS.

ALL OF THEM TOGETHER HAS CLOSE TO 4 MILLION.

AND THEY'RE USING -- OBVIOUSLY THE SENATE EXAMINES AND THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS, THEY ARE A VERY, VERY SMALL MINORITY SO YOU HAVE TO START FROM SOMEWHERE, THEY SAY, AND THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD UP A BASE AMONG THOSE VOTERS, AND IF THAT INVOLVES JERALD NEEL SINGING AND DISTANCE DANCING ON A VIDEO THEY'RE WILLING TO TRY THE.

>> Bill: AND REPUBLICANS ARE INTRIGUED BY THE.

>> Joe: THEY DID THEIR FIRST ONE THIS PAST WEEK.

IT GOT ABOUT 60 VIEWS BUT IT TAKES A WHILE TO REALLY TAKE OFF.

IT'S A HARD APP TO GET.

YOU HAVE TO BE IN THE MIND OF OF A TEENAGER OR SOMEBODY IN THEIR 20s.

DEMOCRATS IT WAS RUN BY THEIR 20-YEAR-OLD INTERN TO MASTERMINDED THE WHOLE THING.

>> Lawrence: THE VERY IS WHETHER YOU CAN TURN VIEWS INTO VOTES.

THAT'S THE ULTIMATE QUESTION.

>> Bill: WE'VE WATCHED WASHINGTON CLOSELY THIS WEEK.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL HAS THANKED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN AND CRITICIZED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP WHEN HE VOTED FOR AND SUPPORTED A $1.2 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE BILL POT SENATE FLOOR McCONNELL TALKED ABOUT THIS ISSUE BRINGING A RARE MOMENT OF BIPARTISANSHIP.

>> THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED ROADS, BRIDGES, PORTS, AND AIRPORTS TO BUILD OUR BUSINESSES, BUILD OUR FAMILIES, AND BUILD OUR LIVES.

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HAVE RADICALLY DIFFERENT VISIONS THESE DAYS, BUT BOTH THOSE VISIONS INCLUDE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE, 19 OTHER REPUBLICAN SENATORS VOTED FOR THIS BILL THAT PROVIDES $550 BILLION FOR ROADS AND BUSING AND AIRPORTS AIRPORTS, BROADBAND AND SO ON.

>> Lawrence: AND SENATOR RAND PAUL WAS NOT ONE OF THEM.

HE VOTED AGAINST THIS BECAUSE OF THE MONEY THAT'S BEING SPENT.

AS YOU MENTIONED, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP CRITICIZED McCONNELL FORE WHAT HE CALLED GIVING PRESIDENT BIDEN A VICTORY AND PERHAPS MOMENTUM FOR THE HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT IS ABOUT THREE TIMES MORE THAN THIS IN COST THAT IS ON ITS WAY THROUGH THE CONGRESS RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: THERE MONEY ENOUGH IN THIS FOR THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE PROJECT?

>> Joe: GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THIS WEEK THAT THERE WOULD BE ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE ANY TOLLS AND THAT WOULD PAY KENTUCKY'S PORTION.

REPUBLICAN SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SAID WENT ONE STEP FURTHER AND SAID NOT ONLY WOULD IT PROVIDE A BRIDGE WITH NO TOLLS TOLLS ON THE PROTECT SPINS BUT THE LETTERS ITEMS OF 69 IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

THE PEOPLE OF LOUISVILLE MIGHT BE A LITTLE JEALOUS BECAUSE THEY HAD TO PAY TOLLS FOR THEIR BRIDGES THAT THEY HAVE.

>> Bill: AND LAWRENCE MADE GLANCING REFERENCE TO THE $3 TRILLION SO-CALLED HUMAN INFRASTRUCTUREIM BILL.

YOU'VE LEAN BOEING AT THIS.

IT COULD PROVIDE SOCOM RELIEF FOR SOME KEF E. CANS IF IT WOULD TO PASS IT.

SEEMS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT BUT A LOT OF REPUBLICANS ARE CRITICAL OF THE SPENDING.

>> Melissa: YES.

AND SO IT WILL BE A TOUGH SELL BECAUSE TESTIFY EXTENSIONS THAT WERE MADE WITH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TO INCREASE SUBSIDIES ARE AND INCREASE ACCESS TO MORE PEOPLE, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT KEEPING THOSE, MAKING THEM PERMANENT.

AND ANOTHER THING THAT IS HIGHLY DESIRED BY OUR SENIORS WOULD BE DENTAL, VISION, AND -- DENTAL AND VISION AND HEARING BENEFITS WITH THEIR MEDICARE.

THAT WOULD BE A HUGE THING FOR OUR SENIOR POPULATION.

SO THERE ARE DEFINITELY THOSE CBD OTHER THINGS THAT WOULD BENEFIT KENTUCKIANS IF IT WERE TO PASS.

>> Bill: NEW CENSUS DATA REVEALS SHIFTS IN KENTUCKY'S POPULATION.

URBAN AND SUBURBAN AREAS KEEP SEEING GROWTH.

SCOTT COUNTY THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTY IN THE STATE.

IN MANY APPALACHIAN COUNTIES ARE LOSING PEOPLE.

AND THAT CAN IMPACT A LOT OF THINGS, INCLUDING REDISTRICTING IS COMING UP.

>> Joe: THAT'S GOING TO BE THE BIG ISSUE NEXT YEAR.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS GOING TO START THAT EARLY EX-NEXT YEAR, ASSUMING GOVERNOR BESHEAR DOESN'T CALL A SPECIAL SESSION.

AS EXPECTED EASTERN KENTUCKY AND A LOT OF RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE LOST A LOT OF POPULATION.

URBAN AREAS, SUBURBAN AREAS ALONG THE INTERSTATES 1 THEY GAINED A LOT OF POPULATION, THE OTHER POLITICAL POWER RELATIVE TO THOSE IN THE RURAL SERIOUS GOING TO GO UP AS THOSE RURAL AREAS,Y'S DISTRICTS EXPAND.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE, REDISTRICTING IS ONE OF THE MOST EMOTIONAL THINGS THAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES.

>> Lawrence: CERTAINLY.

WHEN YOU HAVE SHRINK YOU CAN DISTRICTS LIKE THAT THERE BECOMES THE CHALLENGES OF HOW TO YOU DO YOU CUT THEM THEM UP SO YOU DON'T HAVE REPUBLICANS-AGAINST REPUBLICANS.

>> Joe: THAT'S THE CHALLENGE YOU PANT.

>> Annie: WANT.

>> Bill: WE WILL SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET THAT DONE AND IF IT CAN BE UNBY THE FILING DEADLINE.

THE JOURNALISM COMMUNITY IS REMEMBERING MAX HEATH, A LONGTIME NEWSPAPER MAN FOR 22 YEARS.

HEATH OVERSAW REVIEW THING CAN BE TRAINING AND COVERAGERS FOR 54 NEWSPAPERS FOR LANDMARK COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS.

A MEMBER OF THE KENTUCKY JOURNALISM HALL OF FAME, MAX HEATH WAS SIGH OF.

AFTER FOUR YEARS OF CONSTRUCTION, THE AMAZON AIR HUB HAS OPENED IN NORTHERN CHEYE THIS WEEK.

THE $1.5 BILLION INVESTMENT IS EXPECTED TO EVENTUALLY CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.