[♪♪] >> Bill: THE LATE IN THE PROCESS, GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S NAME REMAINS IN THE MIX AS VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS SELECTS A RUNNING MATE.

THE MEAT IS COOKING AT FANCY FARM AHEAD OF SATURDAY'S 144TH ANNUAL PICNIC.

U.K.

OPENS THE STATE'S FIRST EMERGENCY PSYCHIATRIC UNIT AND HEALTH OFFICIALS TRACK MORE CASES OF WHOOPING COUGH.

KENTUCKY'S NEW EDUCATION COMMISSIONER TALKS ABOUT THE NEW YEAR AND THE STANCE ON THE SCHOOL CHOICE AMENDMENT ON THIS FIRST WEEKEND IN AUGUST, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] >> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE MELISSA PATRICK, EDITOR OF KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.

ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ, SENIOR REPORTER FOR WHAS11 IN LOUISVILLE.

AND DEREK OPERLE, NEWS DIRECTOR FOR WKMS IN MURRAY.

ALSO TONIGHT, THE DEMOCRATIC HOUSE CAUCUS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS ONE OF ITS OWN.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS IT HAS BEEN A WHIRLWIND FOR GOVERNOR BESHEAR, ADDRESSING DEMOCRATIC CROWDS IN IOWA, GEORGIA AND OKLAHOMA WHILE BEING VETTED FOR THE VICE-PRESIDENT SLOT.

LIKE OTHERS BESHEAR HAS REMAINED VISIBLE WHILE CAREFUL NOT TO GET AHEAD OF HIMSELF AS VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS WEIGHS HER OPTIONS.

ISAIAH TRAVELED TO IOWA AND TALKED WITH BESHEAR ONE-ON-ONE AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID ABOUT DEBATING VP NOMINEE J.D.

VANCE.

>> J.D.

VANCE YOU MENTIONED THE SENATOR.

IF YOU ALL WERE ON A DEBATE STAGE WHO WOULD WIN?

>> I WOULD.

EVERYDAY, ALL DAY.

LISTEN I'M A PERSON OF REAL CONVICTION.

I AM A PERSON WHO BELIEVES WHAT HE SAYS AND I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT OUR PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY.

THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO EXPLOITED US.

WHO USED TO COME FOR WEDDINGS OR FUNERALS OR DURING THE SUMMER TO SEE HIS KIN.

BUT TO CLAIM YOU KNOW OUR CULTURE AND INSULT OUR PEOPLE IS JUST WRONG.

>> Bill: ISAIAH DID THIS TRIP FEEL LIKE A TRYOUT OF SORTS FOR BESHEAR?

>> YOU TELL ME DOES THAT SOUND LIKE THE AWE, SHUCKS WE ARE ALL IN IT TOGETHER.

CLEARLY, THIS WAS A SIDE OF HIM THAT IS MORE THE CAMPAIGN SIDE.

HE KNOWS HIS TEAM KNOWS THAT A VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NEEDS TO BE THE ATTACK DOG ON THE TICKET.

HE KNEW WITH HAVING J.D.

VANCE ROOTS IN KENTUCKY YOU HEARD HIM USE THE WORDS CONVICTION AND USED THE WORDS TO DESCRIBE VANCE AS A PHONY AND FAKE CONTRIVED OR OTHER USED.

BRINGING UP THINGS LIKE HE USE WORDS YOU ATTACKED MY ORIGINS STORY.

YOU ARE SEEING SIGNS AND VERBIAGE AND MESSAGING THAT HAS BROADENED WHAT KENTUCKIANS ARE USED TO.

I WANT TO NOTE LAST NIGHT IN OKLAHOMA THEY WELCOMED HIM IN AS A GUEST SAYING VP CONTENDER A NOTICEABLE SHIFT.

HE USED A LINE WE'VE HEARD BEFORE SAID AS SOON AS I WIN I TAKE OFF THE DEMOCRATIC HAT I AM A PROUD DEMOCRAT BUT I TAKE OFF THAT MATT WHEN I WIN AND I SERVE EVERY CITIZEN OF KENTUCKY AND ADDED A LINE AND JUST MAYBE, EVERY CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

SO CLEARLY, A DIFFERENT VERSION AND IT'S PURPOSEFUL.

>> Bill: WE KNOW THE GOVERNOR AND HIS FAMILY ARE STEEPED IN KENTUCKY POLITICS ITS NAME HAS BEEN ON BALLOTS SINCE 1979 WHEN THE GOVERNOR'S FATHER WAS ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THEN YEARS LATER SERVED TWO TERMS AS GOVERNOR.

HOW DID BESHEAR RELATE TO VOTERS IN ANOTHER STATE?

>> THAT WAS THE THING I WAS MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO HOW HE WOULD RESONATE WITH FOLKS THAT DON'T KNOW HIS NAME.

IOWANS HAVE SEEN TOP TIER POLITICIANS YOU CANNOT TRICK THEM AND SOMETHING VOTERS USED THE WORDS THAT WERE SIMILAR THAT I'VE HEARD ENERGETIC HE HAD THE ENERGY AS A 46-YEAR-OLD TO BETTER RELATE TO YOUNG VOTERS WHICH IS OF COURSE A BIG BASE THAT VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS WANTS TO HIT.

THEY USED THE WORD SINCERE.

THEY FELT LIKE HE MEANT WHAT HE SAID.

HE TALKED ABOUT THE ISSUES.

THERE WAS SUBSTANCE THERE.

BUT ULTIMATELY SOMETHING THAT STUCK OUT TO ME, I TALKED TO ONE MAN WHO SAID THAT HIS PODIUM ADDRESS WAS GOOD.

BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL I TALKED TO HIM AFTER THAT I WAS SOLD ON HIM.

WHICH KIND OF PAINTS A PICTURE.

YOU NEED A VP CANDIDATE TO SELL YOU AT THE PODIUM.

ON THE STUMP.

THAT IS SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND.

>> Bill: LOTS OF MOVING PARTS RIGHT NOW GOING INTO THIS WEEKEND.

BESHEAR APPEARED ON A PICKET LINE DURING A FORD STRIKE AND THE UAW PRESIDENT EXPRESSED HIS SUPPORT FOR BESHEAR OR TIM WALTZ.

THAT IS UNION POWER?

>> THE BIGGEST KNOCKS ON GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS BEEN HIS INABILITY TO CARRY KENTUCKY.

BUT IF YOU HAVE 400,000 UAW MEMBERS AND NEARLY 600,000 RETIRED UAW WORKERS, AND THEY WATCH YOU, POTENTIALLY, COULD THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON SOME OF THOSE SWING STATES YOU ARE SAID NOT TO BE ABLE TO CARRY COULD THOSE LABOR UNIONS MOTIVATE THE TICKET AND BRING PEOPLE OUT AND THAT IS A FAIR POINT TO MAKE.

>> Bill: IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH.

KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS INCLUDING THE SENATE PRESIDENT STIF VERSE DISCOUNT BESHEAR'S CHANCES BUT THE LAWMAKER FROM LEXINGTON NOTES WHATEVER HAPPENS IT'S BEEN A RIDE FOR BESHEAR AND FOR KENTUCKY.

>> AND FOR GOVERNOR BESHEAR TO BE DOING WHAT HE IS NOW PUTTING KENTUCKY ON A NATIONAL MAP LETTING PEOPLE KNOW WHAT AN OUTSTANDING POLITICAL LEADER WE HAVE IN THE STATE IS TREMENDOUS.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYBODY THINKS THAT DONALD TRUMP'S GOING TO LOSE THIS STATE.

PROBABLY GOING TO WIN IT BY 20 POINTS.

IF YOU CAN'T BRING ELECTORAL VOTES TO A TICKET THAN YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE INCLUDED ON THE TICKET.

>> Bill: SO DEREK, REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THEY WILL EASILY CARRY KENTUCKY WITH TRUMP AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET.

WOULD THEY LIKELY ASSIST IN ONGOING ATTACKS ON BESHEAR IF IT WENT DOWN THAT PATH OF HIM BECOMING THE NOMINEE?

>> I DON'T THINK THEY'VE EVER BEEN AFRAID OF ATTACKING HIM.

THEY ATTACKED HIS STANCE ON ABORTION RIGHTS AND WHEN IT COMES TO MATTERS OF EDUCATION.

AND THEY DIDN'T BACK DOWN WHEN IT CAME TO EFFORTS TO MITIGATE THE COVID PANDEMIC.

SO I DON'T THINK THEY WILL BE AFRAID TO ATTACK HIM IF HE GETS THE CALL FROM KAMALA.

>> Bill: THE REPUBLICANS HAVE LONG MINIMIZED THE GOVERNOR'S EFFECTIVENESS IN PERSUADING THEM TO DO THINGS IN THE LEGISLATURE?

THEY SAY THEY HAVE INITIATED THE LEGISLATION.

>> AND OUTGOING THAYER HAS BEEN ON THE FOREFRONT OF THE BILL.

I WAS IN IOWA GETTING READY FOR A SHOW AND HE TEXTED ME AT 10:23 AND SAYS I WILL GIVE YOU AN INTERVIEW ABOUT ANDY BESHEAR.

KIND OF TONGUE-IN-CHEEK HOW WE WERE PROMOTING THE FACT THAT WE WERE TALKING WITH HIM.

HE REPEATED SOME OF THE SENTIMENTS FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THEY HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED THAT HE HAS BEEN RUNNING ON THE FACT THAT HE HAS BEEN A BIPARTISAN GOVERNOR THAT IN HIS WORDS HE REACHED ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET THINGS DONE.

THEY'VE SAID REPUBLICANS MIND WE'RE GETTING THINGS DONE WITH OR WITHOUT YOU.

YOU VETOED US AND WE PUSHED THROUGH WHAT WE FELT WAS BEST FOR THE STATE.

SO NOW MORE THAN EVER THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT.

>> Bill: DEREK TO SENATOR THOMAS' POINT BESHEAR'S NAME HAS BEEN SEARCHED THOUSANDS OF TIMES AND PEOPLE LEARNED MORE ABOUT HIM AND KENTUCKY, IS IT ENOUGH THAT HE HAS BECOME A HOUSEHOLD NAME OUT THERE, THOUGH?

>> YOU KNOW I'M STILL NOT SURE THAT ENOUGH KNOW WHO BESHEAR IS OUTSIDE OF THE BLUEGRASS STATE.

A NEW POLL FROM "THE ASSOCIATED PRESS" AND OTHER PARTNERS THAT CAME OUT THIS WEEK FOUND THAT MANY OF VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS' POTENTIAL RUNNING MATES ARE WANTING WHEN IT COMES TO WIDENING RECOGNITION AND VOTER FAVORABILITY.

AROUND 70% POLLED SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW ENOUGH TO VOTED FOR BESHEAR AND THOSE WHO HAVE I AN OPINION 17% HAVE POSITIVE VIEWS AND 15% NEGATIVE ONES.

MARK KELLY HAD THE HIGHEST NATIONAL NAME RECOGNITION AND FAVORABILITY WITH VOTERS.

>> STUCHING ON THAT, TOO, IT'S INTERESTING YOU HAVE SEEN THE ZINGERS THE BESHEAR TEAM HAS PUT OUT THERE AND SOCIAL MEDIA IS A GOOD WAY TO GET YOUR NAME OUT THERE.

>> Bill: IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS SPECULATION THE GOVERNOR'S FATHER FORMER STEVE BESHEAR WAS INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT THIS WEEK.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS HIS DAD IS GOING TO BE OKAY.

BUT YOU CAN'T PLAN FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> NO.

NONE OF US CAN PLAN FOR AN ACCIDENT.

AND ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN IN ONE THOSE HOW HARD ON YOUR BODY IT IS.

WHEN YOU HAVE HAD ANY SORT OF IMPACT IN AN AUTOMOBILE.

AND THE GOVERNOR'S FATHER IS 79.

SO IT'S GOOD NEWS THAT IT'S REPORTED HE IS GOING TO BE OKAY.

WE'RE NOT HEARING MUCH ELSE BEYOND THAT.

>> Bill: MELISSA, AS THE GOVERNOR IS VETTED AND WE KNOW IT'S HAPPENING BY THE HARRIS TEAM THIS WEEKEND, FACE TIME WITH THE VICE-PRESIDENT HERSELF, YOU WONDER HOW MUCH HIS PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND NATURAL DISASTER RESPONSES WILL PLAY INTO HIS FAVOR OR IF IN FACT THAT IS WHY HE IS IN THE POSITION HE IS IN RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, I CERTAINLY THINK IT MIGHT BE WHY HE IS NOTICED BECAUSE THE DAILY PRESS CONFERENCES CERTAINLY WERE RECOGNIZED IN THE MEDIA THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

BUT AND ALSO HIS RESPONSE TO THESE TWO WEATHER CRISES.

BUT HIS DEMEANOR AND HIS CALMNESS DURING THOSE EVENTS, HAVE GIVEN EVEN PEOPLE WHO DON'T VOTE FOR HIM HAVE GIVEN HIM RESPECT BECAUSE OF THE WAY HE'S HANDLED IT.

AND WHETHER THEY WILL VOTE FOR HIM OR NOT, AT TIMES I KNOW PEOPLE WHO WILL SPEAK KINDLY ABOUT HIM BECAUSE OF HOW HE HANDLED THOSE THINGS.

YEAH, I CAN'T IMAGINE IT WON'T IMPACT KAMALA'S DECISION WHEN SHE IS THINKING ABOUT MAYBE OTHER STATES THAT HAVE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE ON THE FENCE AND LOOKING AND JUST YEARNING FOR ANOTHER PERSON TO VOTE FOR BESIDES DONALD TRUMP IF HE BRINGS SOMETHING TO THAT CONVERSATION THAT THEY WILL LISTEN TO, I'M SURE SHE IS THINKING ABOUT THAT.

>> Bill: HERE WE ARE AT DECISION TIME, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?

>> IT'S INTERESTING I DO WANT TO NOTE THE AP SAYING VP HARRIS IS INTERVIEWING HALF A DOZEN RUNNING MATES THIS WEEKEND INCLUDING "GOVERNOR'S AWARD IN THE ARTS."

WE KNOW HIS SCHEDULE IS OPEN THIS WEEKEND SO YOU CAN IMAGINE IT WOULD BE HAPPENING ONE OF THOSE DAYS IF NOT ALREADY.

ON THAT POINT, BILL, THE GOVERNOR'S BIGGEST CALLING CARD IS THE FACT THAT HE'S BEEN ABLE TO FLIP RED COUNTIES IN KENTUCKY BLUE MOST NOTABLY EASTERN KENTUCKY BY SHOWING UP AND BEING A UNIFIER.

THE QUESTION IS: IS THAT ENOUGH ON A BROADER SCALE FOR HARRIS TO GO AHEAD AND PICK HIM?

BECAUSE YOU COULD ARGUE HE IS A GOOD VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BUT WHAT IF JOSH SHAPIRO IS JUST A BETTER CANDIDATE AND HE HAS PENNSYLVANIA IN HIS BACK POCKET WILL BE VITAL.

>> Bill: WE WILL KNOW SOON.

>>> ONE PLACE WE KNOW THAT BESHEAR WON'T BE THIS WEEKEND IS FANCY FARM WHERE THEY ARE PREPARING FOR THE PICNIC AND POLITICAL SPEAKINGS SATURDAY.

DEREK, THE MEET IS NO -- MEAT IS COOKING AND THEY RUN THE RACE ABOUT THIS TIME.

AND HAVE MUSIC PLAYING BINGO GOING ON.

IT APPEARS THE REPUBLICANS WILL NOMINATE THE LIST OF SPEAKERS THIS YEAR.

DO THE DEMOCRATS FOR THE MOST PART ARE NOT GOING TO BE VERY ACTIVE AT FANCY FARM?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

LIKE YOU SAID, THE GOVERNOR WILL NOT BE THERE.

AND THERE WILL BE TWO DEMOCRATS ON THE SPEAK EGG LATE THAT IS CONGRESSIONAL HOPEFUL AARON MARSHALL AND CHERYL LYNN STEVENSON OF LEXINGTON A STATE REPRESENTATIVE NOT FROM WESTERN KENTUCKY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT THERE'S NOT MANY DEMOCRATS GOING THIS YEAR.

AND IN FACT THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A REPRESENTATIVE OF KAMALA HARRIS' CAMPAIGN.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHEN JOURNALISTS ASKED ABOUT A POTENTIAL HARRIS REPRESENTATIVE, THE LANTERN REPORTED THEY SAID CONTACT HARRIS' FOLKS.

>> Bill: FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON WHO RAN FOR GOVERNOR AND LOST, WILL SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE TRUMP-VANCE TICKET.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND HE WILL BE JOINED ON THE STAGE WITH A BUNCH OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AS WELL AS A MAJORITY OF THE STATE'S REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.

PEOPLE LEAK MICHAEL ADAMS.

PEOPLE LIKE THE STATE TREASURER AND IT WILL BE MOSTLY REPUBLICANS INCLUDING RICHARD HEATH, KIM HOLLOWAY WHO WON A PRIMARY TO BECOME A NEW REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COUNTY.

>> Bill: DEREK ARE YOU A NATIVE OF WESTERN KENTUCKY TELL US ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTERS ATTACHED TO THAT EVENT?

>> WELL, I GREW UP A LITTLE LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR FROM WHERE THEY HOLD IT.

AND FANCY FARM IS TRADITION.

144 YEARS OF IT LIKE YOU SAID AT ST. JEROME CATHOLIC CHURCH AND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IT'S NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT THE POLITICS.

BUT IT'S MORE OF A COMMUNITY GATHERING.

A BLOWOUT BARBECUE WHERE YOU PLAY BINGO AND HEAR MUSIC INVITE THE STATE'S MOVERS AND SHAKERS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.

IT'S CHANGED A LOT OVER THE YEARS PARTICULARLY THE POLITICAL DEMOGRAPHICS.

MITCH McCONNELL SAID WHEN HE FIRST STARTED GOING EVERY REPUBLICAN COULD FIT IN A PHONE BOOTH AND NOW IT'S THE OPPOSITE.

SO I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S STILL THE CASE BECAUSE OF HOW THE TIME ZONE BORDER IS AFTER THE 2022 ELECTION THERE WAS NOT A DEMOCRAT IN THE CENTRAL TIME ZONE.

YOU ARE SEEING THAT ON FANCY FARM.

>> Bill: WE KNOW TWO OF THE SPEECHES WILL BE ABOUT THE SCHOOL CHOICE AMENDMENT.

REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN MILES WILL SPEAK FOR IT AND CHERYL LYNN STEVENSON WILL SPEAK AGAINST IF.

I ASKED ROBBY FLETCHER ABOUT THE AMENDMENT AND GOT AN INTERESTING ANSWER.

>> I WILL GO IN AND VOTE NO VERY EARLY.

I AM OPPOSED TO THE AMENDMENT.

THERE IS A LOT OF QUESTIONS THERE THAT FOR ME THEY ARE NOT ANSWERED.

IT OPENS THE DOOR THEN THERE'S A LOT OF POSSIBILITIES.

I WILL ALSO SAY THIS I AM A PUBLIC SERVANT.

IF IT PASSES, IF PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN, THEN IT WILL BE MY JOB TO MAKE SURE IT HAPPENS TO THE BEST OF FOR ALL STUDENTS.

>> Bill: ISAIAH, FLETCHER SEEMS TO BE PREPARED FOR EITHER OUTCOME HE SAYS IT WILL NOT HAPPEN WITH HIS VOTE.

>> SURE.

AND YOU NOTICE THE DISCREPANCY, THE PREVIOUS KENTUCKY EDUCATION COMMISSIONER PUSHED BACK A LITTLE MORE.

I THINK HE WANTS TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

I WILL IMPLEMENT THIS THAT IS MY JOB.

BACK TO FLETCHER ON HIS HISTORY.

HE DOES COME AS A SUPERINTENDENT FROM A SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICT OUT IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

I THINK IT'S JUST OVER 2,000 STUDENTS.

THIS IS NOT A RED OR BLUE ISSUE.

NOT TO SOUND LIKE THE GOVERNOR BUT THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT GOES ALONG PARTY LINES.

THERE ARE A LOT OF RURAL FAMILIES WHO LIVE IN NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE IT.

THERE ARE NO PRIVATE SCHOOL CHARTER SCHOOL OPTIONS.

THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE THEY LOT SEE TAX DOLLARS GOING TO ANYTHING BUT THAT AS BEING PROBLEMATIC.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT WHEN IT COMES TO VOTING.

>> Bill: DEREK DO YOU GET A SENSE OF HOW MUCH SUPPORT THERE MAY OR MAY NOT BE FOR THE SCHOOL CHOICE AMENDMENT IN WESTERN KENTUCKY?

>> IT'S NOT A RED OR BLUE ISSUE AND YOU ARE SEEING IT ACROSS PARTY LINES IN BALLARD COUNTY WE HEAR CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THIS COULD DRAIN RESOURCES FROM LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND COULD HINDER PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE IN THAT WAY.

WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN COMMUNITIES LIKE THAT.

>> Bill: MELISSA, FLETCHER ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND ATTENDANCE BIG CONCERNS THERE.

AND HE ALSO UNDER LINED HIS BELIEF THAT STUDENTS SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN GROUPS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

TO BRING THAT SENSE OF BELONGING THAT HE SAYS CAN TAKE CARE OF OTHER ISSUES?

>> AND IT IS A REAL ABSENTEEISM IS A PROBLEM BETWEEN 2018-2023, 5% OF DISTRICTS HAS INCREASED TO 77% OF DISTRICTS REPORTING CHRONICLIC ABSENTEEISM.

IT IS A REAL PROBLEM AND THIS IS ONE WAY TO FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO FIND THEIR PLACE IN THEIR SCHOOL IS TO FIND AN ACTIVITY AND TO FIND THINGS THAT THEY LOVE TO DO AND LOVE TO SHOW UP DOING AND ALSO RESEARCH SHOWS THAT KIDS WHO ARE INVOLVED HAVE LESS DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE.

>> Bill: U.K. HEALTHCARE IN EASTERN STATE HOSPITAL ESTABLISHING A FIRST IN THE STATE PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY UNIT.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> WELL, IT IS A PLACE WHERE AN ADULT, 18 AND OLDER CAN GO IF THEY ARE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND GET TREATMENT.

AND GET SUPPORT, AND HAVE A PEER SPECIALIST AVAILABLE TO TALK TO ABOUT WHATEVER THEIR PARTICULAR ISSUE IS AT THAT TIME.

WHETHER IT IS A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER OR MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.

AND THEY CAN STAY FOR 24 HOURS.

THE ENVIRONMENT IS VERY INVITING.

IT IS AN OPEN ROOM WITH COMFORTABLE CHAIRS AND FEELS LIKE THERE'S ROOM FOR MOVEMENT.

AND IT IS JUST A PLACE TO COME AND GET EVALUATED FOR WHETHER THAT 24 HOURS IS ALL YOU NEED TO GET ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT OR WHETHER YOU NEED FURTHER CARE.

>> Bill: THERE IS A NEW PROGRAM HOPING TO BRING MORE RURAL DOCTORS TO KENTUCKY?

>> YES.

IN MAYSVILLE THERE IS A FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER CALLED PRIMARY PLUS THAT IS THE FIRST FUHC IN KENTUCKY TO HAVE ITS OWN RESIDENCY PROGRAM.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE HAVE IT'S SO HARD TO GET NEW RESIDENCY SLOTS IN THE STATE AND WE HAVE FOUR NEW ONES EVERY YEAR.

FOR FOCUSING ON PRIMARY HEALTHCARE WHICH IS SUCH A NEED IN OUR STATE.

>> Bill: ALONG THOSE LINES RURAL EMS THERE WAS A DIRE REPORT ABOUT THAT THAT WAS GIVEN TO AN INTERIM COMMITTEE.

>> THE BOARD CHAIR HE SAID WE ARE HEMORRHAGING PROVIDERS.

THAT WE ARE LOSING MORE PARAMEDICS EVERY YEAR THAN WE ARE TRAINING TO COME AND REPLACE THEM.

AND THE KEY ASK FROM THIS PERSON WAS INCREASED ACCESS TO EDUCATION, PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE THE DRIVE TO GET TO ANYWHERE THAT CAN TRAIN THEM TO BE A PARAMEDIC IS JUST NOT REALISTIC FOR MANY PEOPLE.

AND ALSO FUNDING TO INCREASE MEDICAID RATES SO THEY CAN PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES MORE.

>> Bill: KEEPING AN EYE ON PERTUSSIS CASES THEY KEEP POPPING UP LEXINGTON HAS AN OUTBREAK SITUATION.

>> YES, AND THAT IS ON GOING.

KENTUCKY HAD 10 MORE CASES IN THE LAST WEEK.

AND SO IT'S A DISEASE THAT CAN BE -- THAT CAN BE -- VACCINE TAKES CARE OF AND IT'S TIME TO GET KIDS VACCINATED FOR SCHOOL.

YOU CAN BE SICK WITH IT FOR 10 WEEKS IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET VACCINATED.

>> ONE MORE ON THE HEALTH NEWS AN ALZHEIMER'S TEST DIAGNOSES ALZHEIMER'S 90% OF THE TIME.

>> YES, IT DOES.

SO THE RATE IS SO MUCH HIGHER THAN WHAT A PROVIDER OR EVEN A MEMORY SPECIALIST CAN DO WITH A CLINICAL EVALUATION.

SO AS NEW DRUGS COME ON THE MARKET TO PROLONG AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER'S, THOSE NEW DRUGS ALSO REQUIRE YOU TO BE DIAGNOSED EARLY.

THIS BLOOD TEST IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> Bill: HOW CONFIDENT ARE JCPS OFFICIALS ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN UNDER LEGAL CHALLENGE AND LOTS OF ISSUES THERE?

>> LESS THAN A WEEK FROM TODAY.

IT'S WHERE ALL THE ATTENTION IS GOING.

AND FOR THAT REASON, THERE IS A CONSENSUS I FEEL FROM PRINCIPALS YOU TALK TO FROM TEACHERS OR STAFF HAS TALKED TO, THAT IT WILL GO BETTER THAN LAST YEAR.

BARRING AND WORTH NOTING THAT IS NOT A HIGH BAR.

THE LAST KID GOT HOME BEFORE 10:00 P.M. YOU CAN IMAGINE FOR MONTHS OF PREPARATION, BRINGING ON DRIVERS FROM ANOTHER ENTITY MOST FOLKS THINK IT WILL GO BETTER.

THE BIGGER PICTURE TO LOOK AT IS HOW LONG SUPERINTENDENT POLIO WILL STAY IN THIS POSITION.

HE HINTED THAT IF THINGS DO NOT GO WELL HE MIGHT BE LOOKING ELSEWHERE OR THE BOARD MIGHT FORCE THEIR HAND HE HAS BEEN ONE TO SAY HE HAS GOTTEN OTHER OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE.

SO HE'S WE'LL HAVE TO SEE ON THAT.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO REPORTER JOE SONKA DID A BILL MOVING THROUGH THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE CAN DO THAT WITHOUT FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AND CAN BE OR THERE CAN BE AN ANALYSIS AND IT CAN BE MARKED CONFIDENTIAL.

DEREK, SOME ADVOCATES SAY IF THE LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION IS USING TAX DOLLARS TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT OF LEGISLATION, THAT SHOULD BE PUBLIC INFORMATION?

>> YES.

AND MOST STATE LEGISLATURES REQUIRE BILLS THAT DO THAT WHEN A BILL IS PASSED AFFECTING GOVERNMENT FINANCES YOU CAN HAVE AN ANALYSIS PRODUCE TO DO BOILS DOWN HOW IT WILL IMPACT THE STATE FINANCIALLY AND THAT BE MADE PUBLIC.

KENTUCKY IS NOT ONE OF THOSE STATES.

KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO ASKED CURRENT AND FORMER KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS IF THEY KNEW THAT WAS THE CASE AND MORE THAN TWO DOZEN DIDN'T.

THE TEAM FOUND MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS IN STATE SPENDING THAT WAS NOT DETAILED IN THE FINANCIAL NOTES FROM AROUND 25 BILLS PASSED IN 2021 AND 2023.

AND 200 BILLS REQUESTED BY LAWMAKERS AND 93 WERE POSTED ON-LINE.

SO WE KNOW THAT'S SOME OF THE HIDDEN EXPENSES OF KENTUCKY LEGISLATION IN RENTS YEARS.

>> Bill: HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DANIEL GROSSBURG ASKING FOR A FORMAL INVESTIGATION HE DENIED ACCUSATIONS OF IMPROPER COMMUNICATIONS.

>> AND THIS ATTORNEY CALLING THE ALLEGATIONS UNFOUNDED AND CALLING THEM RUMORS.

WHAT IS NOTABLE ABOUT THIS STORY IS YOU HAVE THE KENTUCKY YOUNG DEMOCRATS A GROUP THAT HAS BEEN THE ONLY ONE TO THIS POINT, ALL ACCORDING TO REPORTING FROM THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER, THEY ARE CALLING ON HIM TO RESIGN RIGHT NOW CALLING ON HIM TO STEP DOWN BECAUSE THEY SAY THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THEIR ORGANIZATION WHO CAME FORWARD AND SAY SAID THAT THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN VICTIM TO SOME OF THIS INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR THAT THEY'VE WITNESSED THIS.

THEY FELT THIS.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THIS GOES FORWARD.

>> Bill: DEMOCRAT RICHARD HENDERSON HAS BEEN REMOVED AS A CANDIDATE FROM THE STATE HOUSE IN SHELBY COUNTY.

ERRORS WITH HIS PAPERWORK HE LEAVES REPUBLICAN UNOPPOSED.

HE SAYS HE WILL RUN AGAIN.

HE WILL NOT APPEAL.

SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION IN JEFFERSON COUNTY WHERE IT'S UNCLEAR WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE DISTRICT THAT IS NOW REPRESENTED BY REPRESENTATIVE IN MY OPINION MAD WHO WAS REMOVED FROM THE BALLOT.

>> BOTTOM LINE, KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS WILL TELL YOU THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE SEATS.

THERE ARE SUPER IMAGES OF REPUBLICANS IN BOTH CHAMBERS THEY CANNOT HAVE FILING ERRORS THIS IS ASSUMING BUT IT'S SAFE TO ASSUME BEING THE REASON THEY CANNOT GET ON BALLOTS OR WIN SEATS THAT WOULD BE SEATS THAT THEY WOULD WIN.

>> Bill: AND BOTH CASES PEOPLE WHO WERE OF THE OTHER PARTY AT THE TIME THEY GAVE THEIR SIGNATURE AND CHANGED BUT THE LAW SAYS YOU HAVE TO CHANGE BEFORE THE START OF THE YEAR.

>> AND THAT IS SOMETHING THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THEY CHANGED RIGHT AFTER AND THAT'S NOT HOW THE RULES WORK.

>> Bill: MELISSA YOU WATCHING THE OLYMPICS?

A LEXINGTON NATIVE A U.K. MED STUDENT WON HER THIRD MEDAL.

>> I HAVE BEEN WATCHING A BIT OF IT.

AND JUST AMAZING THAT KENTUCKY HAS 30 ATHLETES WITH TIES TO KENTUCKY AND 22 OF THEM WITH TIES TO THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY.

I FIND THAT AMAZING.

AND CONGRATULATIONS TO LEE KIEFER IN HER PURE JOY IN WINNING THOSE GOLD MEDALS.

>> Bill: NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

LOTS TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND AND THE DAYS AHEAD AND WE WILL DO THAT AND ALSO THIS UPLIFTING NOTE.

LMPD OFFICER NICK WILT INJURED IN THE SHOOTING IN LOUISVILLE CONTINUES TO IMPROVE.

THIS WEEK HIS FAMILY PROVIDED AN UPDATE A YEAR AFTER HE WAS RELEASED FROM INPATIENT THERAPY.

HIS FAMILY SAYS HE IS DOING WELL AND THAT HIS DRIVE TO REJOIN THE WORLD IS UNSTOPPABLE.

WE WISH HIM CONTINUED RECOVERY.

OF.

>>> STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN WILL BE JOINING THE GRAND OBVIOUSLY OPRY.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.