[♪♪] THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IS HOT LIKE AUGUST, BESHEAR SPEAKS AT THE KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU HAM BREAKFAST AND CAMERON ACCUSES HIM OF LECTURING THE CROWD.

THE SEARCH BEGINS FOR A NEW KENTUCKY EDUCATION COMMISSIONER.

IT COMES AS THE NEW REPORT INDICATES KENTUCKY IS SPENDING LESS PER PUPIL IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAN WHEN YOU STATE SUPREME COURT NOMINEE COURT STRUCK DOWN THE SYSTEM IN 1989.

KENTUCKY REGULATORS ARE MAKING BIG DECISIONS ABOUT THE ROLE OF COAL IN ELECTRIC GENERATION GOING FORWARD.

WHAT MAY BE THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR, STAY COOL.

COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

>> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE McKENNA HORSLEY, POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LARN LANTERN.

MARCUS GREEN REPORTER FOR WDRB AND AUSTIN HORN POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER AND TONIGHT SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVING TO PULLBACK AFTER COVID AND ILLNESSES HIT EARLY IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR.

FIRST THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IN KENTUCKY'S STATE-WIDE ELECTIONS.

THE CAMPAIGN OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND REPUBLICAN NOMINEE ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON HAVE BEEN SPENDING THIS HOT AUGUST WITH PROMISES FOR THE FUTURE AND SOME ATTACKS ON EACH OTHER.

AT THE KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU HAM BREAKFAST THURSDAY IN LOUISVILLE FORMER CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR KELLY CRAFT AND HER HUSBAND JOE CRAFT AND CENTRAL BANK BID $10 MILLION FOR A CHARITY HAM.

AND ALSO AT THAT BREAKFAST BESHEAR ADDRESSED THE CROWD AND THE NIGHT BEFORE CAMERON SPOKE AT A LINCOLN DAY DINNER.

>> GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF 2021 IT STARTED IN A SCARY PLACE THE PANDEMIC RAGING THE DELTA VARIANT OUR HOSPITALS BEING OVERRUN.

BUT THAT IS NOT HOW KENTUCKY WILL BE REMEMBERED IN 2021.

THAT WILL BE THE YEAR WE WILL BE REMEMBERED AS NOT JUST SHATTERING EVERY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RECORD ON THE BOOKS BUT PUTTING THIS COUNTRY AND THIS WORLD ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO BECOMING AN ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO RETIRE ANDY BESHEAR FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, BECAUSE YOU ALL RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR VALUES ARE AT STAKE.

YOU RECOGNIZE THAT WHEN IT COMES TO THE FUTURE OF OUR KIDS AND OUR GRANDKIDS, YOU KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT TO SHOW UP TO THE POLLS ON NOVEMBER 7TH.

>> Bill: McKENNA IS THAT THE RACE IN A NUTSHELL WITH THOSE SOUNDBYTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VERSUS SOCIAL VALUES?

>> YES, PRETTY MUCH N BOTH OF THOSE CLIPS YOU KIND OF SEE WHAT BOTH CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN SAYING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL SO FAR.

IN HIS SPEECH BESHEAR EMPHASISSED WHAT HAS BEEN THE CORNERSTONES OF HIS ADMINISTRATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENTS AS WELL.

ALSO IN HIS SPEECH SOME OF THE PROJECTS HE MENTIONED WAS THE BRIDGE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND GETTING THAT UNDERWAY.

AND HE ALSO KIND OF SPOKE ABOUT UNITY AS WELL.

BRINGING KENTUCKY NOT RIGHT OR LEFT BUT FORWARD IS A VARIATION THAT HE SAID ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

TRAIL.

>> Bill: AND CAMERON SAID BESHEAR DID NOT TALK ABOUT WHAT MOST OF THE CROWD WANTED TO HEAR.

>> AFTERWARDS CAMERON DID SAY THAT BESHEAR COMES TO THE THINGS TO QUOTE LECTURE KENTUCKIANS ABOUT THEIR VALUES AND HE TURNED TO HIS FOCUS ON CRIME PREVENTING DRUG USE AND PROTECTING THE FAMILY UNIT.

>> I THINK IT'S TELLING ON THE VALUES SUBJECT THAT BOTH OF THE BIG SUPER PACTS SUPPORTING THESE CANDIDATES HAVE VALUES IN THEIR NAME AND VALUES IS A WORD THAT WE HEAR TOSSED AROUND BY BOTH CANDIDATES TONS OF TIMES.

CAMERON THE ONE LINE HE LOVES TO SAY IS REPRESENTING THE VALUES OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE 120 COUNTIES IN KENTUCKY WHICH I THINK IS TELLING THAT HE THINKS MAYBE BESHEAR REPRESENTS THE VALUES OF A COUPLE COUNTIES I WON'T NAME THEM BUT A COUPLE BIG ONES IN KENTUCKY AS OPPOSED TO THE OTHER 118.

BUT, YEAH, CAMERON KIND OF HAS THIS I THINK CHALLENGE OF HE'S STAKED OUT WITH REPUBLICAN CROWDS WHICH THAT WAS A LINCOLN DAY DINNER AND A REPUBLICAN CROWD THAT HE IS SOMEBODY WHO WILL FIGHT FOR THEIR WHAT THEY CARE ABOUT FROM A SOCIAL/VALUES STANDPOINT.

BUT HIS CAMPAIGN IS ALSO TRYING TO PIVOT TO THE MORE MEAT AND POTATOES ISSUES OF EDUCATION AND CRIME.

AND SO I SAW HIM SPEAK THIS WEEK AND THAT IS A VERY DIFFERENT CROWD.

>> Bill: IN THAT CASE DOES HE NOT BRING UP THOSE ISSUES?

FOR INSTANCE ONCE AGAIN, REILLY GAINS A FORMER U.K. SWIMMER WHO OPPOSED TRANSGENDER WOMEN IN WOMEN'S SPORTS ADDRESSED THE JEFFERSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN DINNER AND WHAT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR NOMINEE WAS THERE?

>> YES, SENATOR ROBBY MILLS INTRODUCED GAINS TO THE CROWD.

AND HE SPOKE A BIT ABOUT THEIR CONNECTION AND HOW HE FIRST BECAME AWARE OF HER BECAUSE HE SPONSORED LEGISLATION TO PREVENT TRANSGENDER GIRLS AND TRANSGENDER WOMEN FROM COMPETING ON WOMEN'S SPORTS TEAMS AT THEIR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.

SO THEY'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR A WHILE THROUGH THAT PROFESSIONAL WORKING RELATIONSHIP THERE.

AND THEN LATER IN THIS REMARKS CAMERON DID HIGHLIGHT GAINS AS WELL AND HER APPEARANCE AND TURNED THAT INTO AN ATTACK ON BESHEAR FOR VETOING THAT LEGISLATION OF MILLS.

>> Bill: AUSTIN YOU DETECT A DIFFERENCE WHEN HE IS CAMERON IS TALKING TO GROUPS ABOUT BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC ISSUES?

>> YEAH, AND WITH COMMERCE LATINX WHICH IS THE CHAMBER HERE IN LEXINGTON THAT IS A DIFFERENT CROWD.

THEY WANT TO HEAR ABOUT TAXES THEY WANT TO HEAR ABOUT REGULATION AND I THINK IT SPEAKS TO THE CHALLENGE OF THE CAMERON CAMPAIGN.

YOU'VE GOT THIS REALLY BOOMING REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT REPRESENTS A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT FACTIONS OF THOUGHT AND FOCUS.

IN KENTUCKY.

SO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE BASE INTACT AND REALLY JUICE THAT VOTE.

BUT YOU ALSO THEIR BIG PROBLEM IN THE POLLS THAT WE'VE SEEN IS YOU HAVE TO CONVINCE REPUBLICANS WHO SAY THEY ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR BESHEAR TO VOTE FOR YOU INSTEAD.

SO DOES THAT MEAN YOU ALSO TRY TO GET OUT A MODERATE MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE RECEPTIVE TO THE MODERATE MESSAGE AND YOU GET OUT THE MORE SOCIAL ISSUE ORIENTED MESSAGE TO PEOPLE WHO WILL GET EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> Bill: MARCUS WE ARE IN A TIME WHERE IT'S HARD TO FIND DAYLIGHT BETWEEN NATIONAL AND STATE ISSUES MAYBE LOCAL ISSUES.

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ENDORSED CAMERON.

IF TRUMP'S TRIAL IS HELD IN GEORGIA AS SCHEDULED TO BE THE CASE RIGHT NOW, DURING THE VOTING HERE IN KENTUCKY, IS THAT A WILDCARD FOR WHAT WILL BE GOING ON WITH THE VOTE HERE?

>> I MEAN I THINK WILDCARD IS THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT.

BECAUSE IF WE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT DONALD TRUMP HE ELICITS STRONG EMOTION AMONG SUPPORTERS PEOPLE WHO LIKE HIM.

AND THOSE WHO DETEST HIM.

IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN, CONCEIVABLY IT COULD HAVE MOVEMENT WILDCARD IS THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT BECAUSE IT IS AN UNKNOWN.

>> Bill: SOME MIGHT DIG IN BECAUSE IT IS A FLASHPOINT NATIONAL POLITICS OR AUSTIN MIGHT IT KEEP TIED UP SO HE IS NOT ABLE TO COME HERE AND CAMPAIGN AS HE DID FOR MATT BEVIN THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION IN 2019?

>> YEAH, THAT IS A TOTALLY MATERIAL CONCERN.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THOUGHT ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL ABOUT WHAT TRUMP'S LEGAL TROUBLES WOULD MEAN FOR HIS PRIMARY SCHEDULE.

BUT THEY WOULD HAVE A REAL IMPACT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK WILDCARD IS THE RIGHT WAY TO PUT IT AS MARCUS SAID.

BECAUSE THE BEHAVIOR OF BOTH CANDIDATES KIND OF SPEAKS TO THAT BECAUSE NEITHER OF THEM ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT TRUMP MUCH AT ALL.

BESHEAR HAS NEVER REALLY ENDEAVORED TO TALK ABOUT TRUMP UNLESS HE'S PUSHED ON IT.

AND CAMERON WHO REALLY EMBRACED THE TRUMP SUPPORT IN THE PRIMARY YOU REALLY DON'T HEAR MUCH TRUMP AT ALL FROM CAMERON UNLESS YOU ASK A QUESTION AND WHEN YOU DO ABOUT HIS LEGAL TROUBLES HE PIVOTS AND SAYS WHY AREN'T YOU TALKING ABOUT THIS?

I DON'T THINK EITHER OF THE CAMPAIGNS REALLY KNOW HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

>> Bill: WHILE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE HAM BREAKFAST BEFORE WE LEAVE THAT, McKENNA KELLY CRAFT AND HER HUSBAND AS WE SAID JOE AND CENTRAL BANK PUT UP A RECORD $10 MILLION FOR A CHARITY HAM.

THAT GOES TO ALL KINDS OF CAUSES ACROSS THE STATE AND THE CRAFTS ARE MAJOR PHILANTHROPISTS AND IT KEEPS KELLY CRAFT'S NAME OUT THERE, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

AND YOU KNOW THIS IS A DONATION THAT THE CRAFTS AND CENTRAL BANK MADE IN THE PAST BEFORE.

THIS IS KIND OF AN ANNUAL TRADITION FOR THEM IN A WAY.

BUT KELLY CRAFT RIGHT AFTER THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION SHE HINTED THAT SHE IS NOT TOTALLY OUT OF POLITICS ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITH A POST SAYING STAY TUNED.

I'M SURE WE WILL HEAR NEWS FROM HER IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> Bill: IT IS NOT LOST ON HER THAT REPORTERS WANT TO ASK A QUESTION IN THIS RACE, RIGHT, AUSTIN?

>> NO.

THE QUESTION BEING WILL SHE SUPPORT DANIEL CAMERON?

AND I THINK THERE WAS PHRASING OF I WILL SUPPORT THE REPUBLICAN I FORGET HOW IT WAS PUT ON ELECTION NIGHT.

BUT SINCE THEN IT'S REALLY BEEN CRICKETS ON THE SUBJECT.

I'VE TRIED TO ASK THE QUESTION AND HAVE ASKED THE QUESTION OF HER WITH NO RESPONSE.

>> Bill: THERE'S BEEN NO JOINT APPEARANCE?

>> NOPE.

>> Bill: AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARELS WHO LOST THE PRIMARY AND RAN SECOND TOLD THE FARM BUREAU CROWD HIS PUBLIC SERVICE IS JUST BEGINNING.

HE'S A DEFEATED CANDIDATE BUT HE BELIEVES HE HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE.

>> HE WAS SECOND PLACE FINISHER WHICH I THINK YOU KNOW, BASED ON EXPECTATIONS A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE MAYBE SURPRISED BY THAT FINISH OVER KELLY CRAFT WHO SUCKED UP A LOT OF ATTENTION.

BUT I THINK IT'S INDICATIVE OF WHAT MIGHT BE HIS FUTURE THAT HE ALSO HASN'T REALLY BEEN VOCALLY SUPPORTING CAMERON AND THAT IS BECAUSE IT'S WIDELY RUMORED HE IS GUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENT OF KENTUCKY COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND I THINK THAT SEARCH MAYBE WRAPS UP IN MID-SEPTEMBER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO YOU CAN'T BE SUPER POLITICAL IN THAT ATMOSPHERE.

THAT I THINK WOULD BE THE BEST BET IF NOT THAT JOB A HIGHER-ED GIG.

>> Bill: HE SEEMED EAGER TO MOVE BEYOND POLITICS AT LEAST FOR THE TIME, RIGHT?

SAID HE KEEPS THE DOOR OPEN HE MAY COME BACK.

>> IT WAS POSTING PICTURES OF GOING HUNTING OR DOING FUN ACTIVITIES.

HE WENT TO JAPAN.

HE IS I HAVE WILLING THE LIFE OF A NONPOLITICIAN IT SEEMS LIKE.

>> Bill: MARCUS WE ARE TWO MONTHS AWAY FROM THE KENTUCKY ELECTION.

CANDIDATES AGREED TO DEBATES THEY ARE DOING THE RETAIL CAMPAIGNING AND TRAVELING THE STATE.

IT'S THOSE TV ADS THAT ARE PUSHING THINGS OUT THERE.

RECORD SPENDING.

APPARENTLY $20 MILLION ALREADY.

CAN THOSE ADS AND THAT MONEY MOVE THE NEEDLE?

OR IS THE CAKE BAKED IN WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF BESHEAR AND CAMERON?

>> LET'S LOOK NO FURTHER TO THE CLIPS WE SAW JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO THAT CANDIDATES ARE VERY STARKLY DIFFERENTIATING THEMSELVES IN POLICIES AND ATTACKS AND YOU KNOW, I MEAN THE POLLING WE'VE SEEN SHOWS THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF UNDECIDED VOTERS IS AS LOW AS 5%.

ONE POLL WAS A G.O.P.

SPONSORED POLL.

I WOULD THINK THERE'S VERY FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T MADE UP THEIR MIND IF THEY ARE GOING TO VOTE.

>> Bill: THE REPUBLICANS SELECTED JOHN McCARTHY AS THEY HEAD TOWARDS THE ELECTION YEAR OF 2024 HE WAS THE CHAIR OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY 20 YEARS AGO DOES THAT CHOICE GIVE US INSIGHTS WHERE THE KENTUCKY G.O.P.

MAY BE HEADED?

>> YES.

WELL, McCARTHY DID GET A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION EVEN JAMES COMER TWEETED AN ENDORSEMENT OF HIM FOR THIS POSITION.

HE ALSO HAS TIES TO MITCH McCONNELL AND RAND PAUL.

SO HE'S A CONVENTIONAL REPUBLICAN SO YOU KIND OF SEE THEM MOVING BACK TO MAYBE SOME OF THOSE STYLES THAT THEY HAD IN THE EARLY 2000'S.

AND KIND OF [INAUDIBLE].

>> Bill: THE SEARCH IS ON FOR A NEW KENTUCKY EDUCATION COMMISSIONER AFTER JASON GLASS ANNOUNCED HIS DEPARTURE LARGELY OVER POLITICS AND DIFFERENCES WITH THE CONSERVATIVE STATE LEGISLATURE.

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MET MONDAY.

McKENNA HOW DO THEY PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD?

>> YES, IN THAT MEETING THEY DISCUSSED PUTTING OUT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FROM OUTSIDE SEARCH FIRMS TO DO A NATIONAL SEARCH.

AND THIS IS A ROUTE THEY'VE TAKEN IN THE PAST HAVING AN OUTSIDE SEARCH FIRM DO THIS WORK.

SO THIS ISN'T UNUSUAL THING.

SO WE'LL LIKELY HEAR MORE ABOUT THE PROPOSALS.

THEY SELECTED A COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THEM OF A FEW BOARD MEMBERS BUT THE GOAL IS FOR THE FIRM WHOEVER IS PICKED TO BEGIN WORK BY DECEMBER FIRST WHICH IS AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION.

>> Bill: WORD OF AN INTERIM IN THE MEANTIME?

>> THEY DID NOT TALK ABOUT AN INTERIM DIRECTOR.

JASON GLASS WILL BE LEAVING AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

HE DOES HAVE SOMETIME LEFT AT THE DEPARTMENT.

>> Bill: AUSTIN DOESN'T A CANDIDATE HAVE TO COME INTO THIS KNOWING THEY HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY A BESHEAR APPOINTED BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND THEN CONFIRMED BY REPUBLICAN STATE SENATE?

>> YEAH.

AND THAT'S REALLY TRICKY YOU KNOW, TO BE SOMEBODY WHO WOULD GET PICKED OVER EVERYBODY ELSE BY A GROUP OF LARGELY DEMOCRATS AND THEN ALSO TO BE SOMEBODY WHO WOULD GET CLEARED BY A SENATE THAT IS BASICALLY 80-20.

IT'S REALLY QUITE THE CHALLENGE.

AND MIGHT GIVE SOMEBODY PAUSE.

IN SOME WAYS, THE PROCESS WOULD LIKELY BE MUCH SMOOTHER IF DANIEL CAMERON IS ELECTED.

BUT YOU KNOW, THIS SORT OF DIVIDED PARTISAN GOVERNMENT THAT'S JUST KIND OF HOW THE COOKIE CRUMBLES WITH THE WAY THEY WROTE THIS LAW.

>> Bill: IF THAT TIME-FRAME OF DECEMBER FIRST HOLDS UP THE PERSON WOULD BE ON THE JOB BEFORE THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEXT GOVERNOR.

>> YOU WOULDN'T KNOW WHO YOUR BOSS IS AT THAT POINT.

>> Bill: IT'S INTERESTING LOOK FOR SOMEBODY NONPOLITICAL.

>> THAT IS HOW WE SAW HOW MUCH JASON GLASS AND THE LEGISLATURE CLASHED IT WOULD BE A NEW DAY.

>> Bill: AS THE SELECTION IS GETTING UNDERWAY A REPORT FROM THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY SAYS THE SPENDING GAP IS WIDER NOW BETWEEN RICH AND POOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAN IN 1989 WHEN THE STATE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN THE STATE SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOLS.

IN 1990, THE LEGISLATURE ADOPTED THE KENTUCKY EDUCATION REFORM ACT AND INCLUDED MUCH MORE MONEY FOR KENTUCKY SCHOOLS, PART OF THAT WAS DONE BY INCREASING THE STATE SALES TAX FROM 5% TO 6%.

THERE ARE ALSO GOVERNANCE CHANGES AND AUSTIN THAT ADVOCACY GROUP OFTEN PUSHES FOR MORE PUBLIC EXPENDITURES BUT THEY KNOW THIS IS ATTENTION GETTING FOR THE PUBLIC TO MAKE THIS REVELATION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND IT IS A REALLY RELEVANT ONE.

YOU SAID EARLIER THE SUPREME COURT OF KENTUCKY STRUCK -- THEY RULED THAT WE HAD TO MAKE A CHANGE ON FUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS BECAUSE OF THIS FOR THE COMMON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND I THINK THIS IS ALREADY A HUGE ISSUE IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

EDUCATION SPENDING IN GENERAL BOTH CAMERON AND BESHEAR ARE TRYING TO SORT OF WRAP THEIR ARMS AROUND THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SAY THAT YOU'RE WELCOME HERE.

WE'RE YOUR PERSON.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW EITHER OF THESE CANDIDATES RESPOND TO THIS REPORT IF THEY HAVE ANY PLEDGES TO GIVE MORE MONEY OR FIX THIS KIND OF IMBALANCE.

SO I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING TO WATCH IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.

>> Bill: AND THE POINT IS MADE IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET MORE PROPERTY TAX IN POORER COUNTIES WHERE THE PROPERTY IS WORTH LESS.

AND ANOTHER EDUCATION NOTE MARK DISCUSS IS THE KENTUCKY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE IS AWARDING A DESIGNATION FOR EMPLOYERS WHO OFFER THINGS LIKE TUITION ASSISTANCE AND FLEXIBILITY IN SCHEDULING FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO TAKE CLASSES?

>> THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROGRAM TO HELP BOTH PERSPECTIVE WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS TO KIND OF CREATE A PIPELINE AND HAVE THAT ALREADY IN PLACE SO THEY CAN FILL THE JOBS AND HELP STUDENTS COMING OUT OF THE TECHNICAL COLLEGES.

>> Bill: YOU'VE SPENT THE WEEK COVERING AN ETHICS TRIAL FOR A LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCILMEMBER DETAILED PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON.

>> YEAH.

THE ACCUSATIONS ARE THAT COUNCILMAN WHO IS A RISING STAR IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ON THE METRO COUNCIL THAT HE VIOLATED THE CITY'S ETHICS CODE WHEN HE SPONSORED A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT ULTIMATELY GAVE $40 MILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDS TO A COMPANY THAT HE BEGAN WORKING FOR SHORTLY THERE AFTER AND THE QUESTION IS WHEN DID HE RECUSE, DID HE PROPERLY FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES IN INSURING THAT HE WAS AVOIDING A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

AND HIS ARGUMENT HAS BEEN ALL ALONG THAT THERE WAS NO JOB TO DISCUSS WITH THIS GROUP.

IT ONLY CAME ABOUT AT THE TAIL-END OF THE PROCESS AS THE LEGISLATION WAS NEARING APPROVAL.

THE COMPLAINT FILED BY THE HEAD OF A GROUP THAT ALSO APPLIED AND UNSUCCESSFULLY APPLIED FOR THE FUNDS THE ARGUMENT IS THERE IS A LOT OF SMOKE SMELL TEST WAS USED A COUPLE OF TIMES THAT THE COUNCILMAN UNQUESTIONABLY GOT THIS BECAUSE OF HIS ROLE ADVOCATING FOR THE LEGISLATION.

THE ETHICS COMMISSION HELD A FOUR-DAY TRIAL AND NOW IT HAS SOMETIME TO DECIDE IT MEETS NEXT WEEK AND WE COULD HAVE A VERDICT THEN.

>> Bill: AND THAT WOULD GO AS A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL?

>> IF THEY FIND VIOLATION IT IS WOULD GO TO THE METRO COUNCIL AND LOUISVILLE'S CITY COUNCIL IS PARTISAN.

SO IT WOULD REQUIRE THE DEMOCRAT CONTROLLED CITY COUNCIL TO DECIDE IF IT WANTS TO PURSUE DISCIPLINE UP AND INCLUDING REMOVAL.

>> Bill: WE'LL WATCH THAT.

IT'S BEEN A HOT WEEK AS WE SAID TODAY.

MAYBE THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR IN MOST OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE HEAT RELATED FATALITY IN LOUISVILLE THIS WEEK.

>> YOUNG MAN PASSED WAY IN LOUISVILLE APPARENTLY TRYING TO STAY COOL.

HE WAS IN A VEHICLE AND PASSED AWAY DURING A VERY HOT DAY.

>> Bill: AND ALSO DURING THE INTENSE HEAT THIS WEEK, LOUISVILLE SUSPENDED CAMP CLEARING ACTIVITIES AND SOME OF THAT CONTINUED?

>> YES, THIS IS SORT OF A BONE OF CONTENTION IN THE NEW ADMINISTRATION OF MAYOR CRAIG GREENBURG.

THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION UNDER GREG FISHER WHEN WHITE FLAG DAYS THE HOT DAYS IT WOULD SUSPEND ITS CAMP CLEARING ACTIVITIES WHILE THE GREENBURG ADMINISTRATION HAS CONTINUED TO DO SOME OF THAT.

SO THAT'S PROVOKED RESPONSES FROM THE A.C.L.U.

WHO BELIEVE IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE TO FORCE PEOPLE IN THIS WEATHER.

>> Bill: REFERRING TO HOMELESS CAMPS.

>> YES.

>> Bill: SO THIS WEEK SOME OF THAT WENT ON?

>> SOME OF THAT DID GO ON.

AND AGAIN THE GROUPS LIKE A.C.L.U.

BELIEVE THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING IN THE WARM WEATHER IT'S NOT THE RIGHT TIME.

>> Bill: McKENNA EASTERN KENTUCKY SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAD CHALLENGES WITH COVID AND ILLNESSES THIS WEEK.

THEY CLOSED FOR A COUPLE DAYS.

LEE COUNTY WENT TO NTI DAYS NOBODY WANTS TO SAY MUCH ABOUT COVID AND I TALKED TO SUPERINTENDENTS SAYING IT'S A WONDERFUL THING STARTING A YEAR NOT TALKING ABOUT COVID.

AND HERE WE ARE THE NUMBERS ARE CLIMBING AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AND OBVIOUSLY NOW WE'RE SEEING IT HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH TO SOME EXTENT.

>> RIGHT.

AND YOU KNOW, WITH SCHOOL STARTING IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE A RISE IN ANY ILLNESS.

SCHOOLS BRING IN HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE A DAY WITH DIFFERENT IMMUNE SYSTEMS.

SO AND THEY ARE ALL GATHERING REGULARLY.

BUT I DON'T THINK WE'RE SEEING ANY COVID PANDEMIC ERA REGULATIONS COME BACK YET.

BUT I THINK OFFICIALS ARE STILL MONITORING WHAT THE OUTLOOK IS GOING TO BE NOOCH THE POLITICIANS DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT COVID IF THEY DON'T HAVE TO.

>> I REALLY DON'T THINK SO.

IT WOULD PRESENT A UNIQUE CHALLENGE FOR THE GOVERNOR, I THINK WHO HAS BEEN BLASTED BY THE RIGHT FOR VARIOUS COVID RESTRICTION MEASURES IN THE PAST.

>> Bill: IF THERE CAME TO BE PRESSURE OR ANY KIND OF OTHER MEASURES.

ALL RIGHT.

THE COURIER JOURNAL REPORTED ON KENTUCKY'S BIGGEST UTILITY GOING BEFORE REGULATORS AND SEEKING CHANGES HOW THEY GENERATE ELECTRICITY.

LG AND E AND KENTUCKY UTILITIES WANT TO SHIFT ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION FROM COAL TO NATURAL GAS.

THEY TOLD THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION MARCUS THAT THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE THE RIGHT MIX RIGHT NOW THAT WOULD PROVIDE RELIABILITY, SUSTAINABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY.

THE PLAN INCLUDES SOME SOLAR.

HOW DOES KENTUCKY MOVE FORWARD IN A STATE WHERE COAL IS VERY MUCH A PART OF THE HISTORY AND CULTURE?

>> IT'S ALWAYS IN THE POLITICS OF ENERGY IN KENTUCKY FOR SURE.

WHAT LG AND E AND WANTS TO RETIRE ONE-THIRD OF THE AGING COAL-FIRED UNITS BY 2028.

AND AUGMENT THAT WITH A MIX OF NATURAL GAS, SOLAR AND OTHER TYPES OF FACILITIES AND THEY ARE GOING BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE TO ASK FOR THAT PERMISSION.

BUT AGAINST THAT BACKDROP IS NEW LEGISLATION THAT WAS PASSED THIS YEAR THAT ESSENTIALLY ENACTS THRESHOLDS THAT THE UTILITIES MUST SHOW THEY CAN DIVERSIFY AND MOVE AWAY FROM COAL WHILE ALSO INSURING THAT THE ELECTRICAL GRID REMAINS RELIABLE THAT THERE'S NOT AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE RATEPAYERS EASTERN THOUGH THIS IS NOT A RATE CASE BUT THOSE ARE THE THINGS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO PROVE BEFORE THEY GET APPROVAL.

SO THIS IS I BELIEVE THE FIRST CASE OF THIS KIND TO GO BEFORE THE PSC AND IT WILL BE WATCHED.

WHAT THE UTILITIES ARGUMENT IS THEY'VE GOT THIS SYSTEM THAT WITH THESE AGING COAL-FIRED PLANTS NEEDS TO BE DIVERSIFIED AND REDUNDANCY SO THEY ARE NOT CAUGHT UNAWARE IF PLANTS ARE AFFECTED DURING WEATHER EVENTS.

WE WILL BE WATCHING THAT CLOSELY BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE A DIRECT BEARING HOW OTHER UTILITIES GO FORWARD DOWN THE ROAD IN TRYING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SENATE BILL 4.

>> Bill: THE DECISION NOW IS IMPACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION OF THE SPRING.

>> CORRECT.

>> Bill: SO WE WATCH THAT.

AND WHILE WE'RE WATCHING THE CAMPAIGN UNFOLD THIS YEAR, IN KENTUCKY THERE'S NOT MUCH TIME BETWEEN ELECTIONS AND SO WE'RE SEEING THE STARTING GATE OF NEXT YEAR'S ELECTIONS AND AUSTIN, SOME LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES DECLARING FOR 2024.

>> YEAH.

WE HAD A COUPLE THAT I NOTICED RECENTLY ED MASSEY, FORMER JUDICIARY CHAIR IN THE HOUSE WHO GOT OUSTED IN A PRIMARY CHALLENGE I THINK THE VOTE WAS 2-1 FOR STEVE RECALLINGS HIS OPPONENT IN 2022 HE IS RUNNING AGAIN IN 2024 WHICH I THINK IS BIG NEWS.

THEN CARRY MCKEON THESE ARE TWO REPUBLICANS WHO ARE TRYING TO PICK THEIR SPOTS IN NEW DISTRICTS.

THE ONE DISTRICT I WOULD LOOK FOR SOMEBODY TO FILE FOR NOT ON THE STATE HOUSE LEVEL BUT FOR CONGRESS IS 6TH DISTRICT.

I THINK THERE IS A REAL QUESTION OF WHETHER DEMOCRATS WILL PICK SOMEBODY MAYBE NOT PICK BUT ENCOURAGE SOMEBODY TO RUN IN A RACE WHERE YOU HAD A VERY CONTROVERSIAL CANDIDATE WHO DIDN'T GET THE SUPPORT OF GOVERNOR BESHEAR OR REALLY ANY PROMINENT DEMOCRAT IN JEFF YOUNG LAST TIME AND HE GOT TROUNCED BY ANDY BAR.

>> Bill: AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE'LL WATCH.

AND NEXT WEEK CONGRESSMAN MASSEY IS GOING TO CAMPAIGN WITH CAMERON IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY THREE STOPS.

>> THREE STOPS IN HIS DISTRICT AND THIS IS KIND OF A BIG DEAL.

MASSEY AND CAMERON HAD SOME CONFLICT OVER ERIC DETERS WHO IS THE FOURTH FINISHER IN THE G.O.P.

GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY.

CAMERON WAS GOING TO GO A BIG EVENT THAT DETERS HELD AND MASSEY REALLY ENCOURAGED HIM NOT TO SINCE DETERS HAS BEEN ADD VER SARL TO MASSEY IT IS A PERSONAL CONFLICT BUT CAMERON BACKED OUT.

AND NOW IT SEEMS LIKE ALL IS WELL BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM.

>> Bill: YOU'VE BEEN DOING INTERESTING WORK WATCHING THE COUNTIES WHERE THE VOTE UNDERPERFORMS OR OVERPERFORMS THAT WILL BE INTERESTING.

WE HAVE A KENTUCKY ARMADILLO OUT THERE IT'S TURNED UP IN THE ARBORETUM AND RESEARCH FOREST.

>> BURNHEIM AND BOYD COUNTY HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS LG AND E WANTS TO PUT A PIPELINE THROUGH LAND THAT BURNHEIM OWNS AND NOW WE HAVE AN ARMADILLO.

IT IS ABEEN SIGHTED IN THE BURNHEIM AREA AND AS WE WERE TALKING BEFORE THE SHOW, ASSOCIATED WITH THE SOUTHWEST BUT THE ARMADILLO IS MAKING A CREEP TO THE MIDWEST AND SOUTH AND SIGHTED AS FAR NORTH AS ILLINOIS.

>> Bill: SO WE'LL SEE IF THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON THE FOREST.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

WE HOPE THINGS COOL OFF IN THE WEEK AHEAD.

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.