>> Bill: BY MOST MEASURES, THE COVID PANDEMIC IS THE WORST IT'S BEEN IN KENTUCKY SO FAR.

HOSPITALS ASK RETIRED NURSES TO COME BACK.

FEMA COMES IN TO HELP.

THE STATE SUPREME COURT CLEARS THE WAY FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO ASSUME MORE CONTROL OF THE RESPONSE.

ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND EVICTION MORATORIUMS ARE SET TO EXPIRE.

ANOTHER SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE REQUIRED AFTER A LAWMAKER RESIGNS.

AFTER A HOT AUGUST WEEK, A TROPICAL MESS MAY BE HOMECOMING OUR WAY.

"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.

SOME OF IT TOUGH.

OUR GUESTS ON THE PANEL of WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE: MARK VANDERHOFF OF WLKY IN LOUISVILLE.

LAWRENCE SMITH OF WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

AND DEBORAH YETTER OF THE COURIER-J.

ALSO TONIGHT, THIS IS A SOMBER ANNIVERSARY FOR LEXINGTON A BLUEGRASS AIRPORT.

AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SPEND THAT FEDERAL MONEY WITHOUT IT POSSIBLY BEING CLAWED BACK.

FUTURE PIRS, THE NUMBERS AND THE FACES OF EXHAUSTED HEALTH CARE WORKERS TELL THE STORY.

THE PANDEMIC IS ABOUT THE WORST IT'S BEEN YET IN KENTUCKY.

FEMA HAS BEEN SENT TO HELP BUT IT'S ALL HANDS ON DECK AT MANY HOSPITALS.

>> IF YOU DO NOT KNOW SOMEBODY WHO IS IN THE ER IN THE HOSPITAL WITH COVID, FIRST OF ALL, YOU WILL.

BUT SECOND, IF YOU'RE IN A CAR ACCIDENT TODAY IN MOST REGIONS OF THE STATE WEBSITES GOING TO BE A LOT HARDER TO GET -- IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT HARDER TO GET THE HELP YOU NEED OR, GOD HELP US, YOUR FAMILY.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE'LL HAVE GOT TO DO.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GET VACCINATED FOR ANY OTHER REASON, HOW ABOUT SO THE ER CAN HELP OUT OR YOUR FAMILY OUT IF YOU'RE THE NEXT PERSON IN THAT CAR WRECK.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, WAL KEEP HOPING FOR IMPROVEMENTS, BUT THE NUMBERS OF BLEAK AND AT THIS POINT THERE'S EVEN AN OUTREACH TO TRY TO BRING IN SOME RETIRED NURSES TO HELP WITH THE SITUATION.

>> Deborah: THAT'S TRUE.

SINCE THE NUMBERS WE'VE BEEN SEEING IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO ARE WORSE THAN THEY HAVE EVER BEEN, AND EVEN BREAKING SOME RECORDS THAT WERE SET IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC BEFORE VACCINES WERE AVAILABLE.

NOW THE CASES ARE LARGELY AMONG UNVACCINATED FOLKS, BUT THEY'RE FILLING UP HOSPITALS, STRETCHING EMERGENCY ROOMS AND ICUs TO CAPACITY.

THERE IS A NURSING SHORTAGE STATEWIDE.

THERE'S ONE NATIONALLY.

WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT IT FOR SOME TIME, AND THE HOSPITALS ARE STARTING TO FEEL THE EFFECT.

YEAH, I THINK THEY ARE INDUCING NURSES TO COME BACK BUT REMEMBER A LOT OF RETIRED NURSES START PITCHING IN EARLY ON WITH VOLUN TEETERING A VACCINE CLINICS AND SO FORTH.

TODAY THEY POSTED 4800 NEW CASES AND CONTINUE TO BREAK ANOTHER RECORD IN HOSPITALIZATIONS WITH OVER 2100.

>> Bill: AND THE POSITIVITY RATE AT 13.33%.

>> Deborah: THAT'S THE HIGHEST IT'S EVER BEEN SINCE THEY STARTED GETTING AN ACCURATE HANDLE ON THE RATE OF POSITIVE CASES IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: WITH THE SHORTAGE OF NURSES DUSH SAID IT IS NATIONWIDE, BUT ARE SOME OF OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN OTHER STATES WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN SENT TO HELP OR THEY'VE BEEN INDUCED TO COME TO SOME OF THOSE AREAS WITH HIRE PAY?

>> Deborah: OH, I'M TOLD BY THE NURSING ADMINISTRATORS AND DEANS AT THE SCHOOLS THAT IT'S A COMBINATION OF THINGS, THAT NURSES HAVE A LOT MORE OPPORTUNITIES NOW TO WORK IN OTHER FIELDS OTHER THAN HOSPITAL WORK, BUT THE LURE OF THE TRAVELING NURSE IS A BIG ATTRACTION FOR YOUNGER NURSES, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE PAY IS GREAT AND THEY CAN TAKE A TRAVELING NUR'S JOB AND GO WORK IN ANOTHER STATE AT A TEMPORARY JOB AND THEY TOLD ME HELP PAY OFF STUDENT LOANS AND MAKE A LOT OF MONEY SO, YEAH, THAT'S CAUSING A DRAIN ON THE STAFF 93.

>> Bill: DO YOU COMPOE.

KNOW IF WE HAVE THE LAWS IN PLACE TO DO EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION IF FOR INSTANCE YOU DO RUN ACROSS THAT RETIRED DOCTOR WHO IS WILLING TO COME BACK?

>> Deborah: I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT WORKS.

I KNOW THEY HAD SOME OF THAT EARLY IN NOT PANDEMIC.

WHETHER THAT'S STILL IN PLACE OR NOT I'M NOT SURE.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE WITNESS SOME ARE WONDERING WITH THE SITUATION AND WITH THE NUMBERS AT RECORD LEVELS, WHY WE ARE NOT MOVING TOWARD FIELD HOSPITALS AS WE DID EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC.

IS THAT BECAUSE IT IS MORE PERSONNEL ISSUE THAN A SPACE ISSUE?

>> Lawrence: IT IS THAT PERSONNEL ISSUE AGAIN.

I IMAGINE THERE ARE PROBABLY FEWER NURSES NOW THAN THERE WERE IN THE FIRST WAVE BECAUSE MANY WERE EXHAUSTED AND LEFT, WENT TO OTHER JOBS, SO YOU CAN OPEN UP THE SPACE, YOU CAN OPEN THE FIELD HOSPITALS ABOUT IT DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD IF THERE'S NOBODY TO WORK THEM, SO THAT'S THE BIG PROBLEM.

>> Deborah: PART OF THE PROBLEM WAS THEY WERE GOING TO USE NATIONAL GUARD TO STAFF THAT, BUT THE NATIONAL GUARD MEDICAL PEOPLE ALREADY WORK IN HOSPITALS LIKE DOCTORS, NURSES, TECHS AND IF THEY PULL THEM OUT TO WORK AT THE FIELD HOSPITALS, THE HOSPITALS LOSE EVEN MORE PERSONNEL.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, TO WHAT EXTENT ARE HOSPITALS NATIONALITY HAVING TO SHIFT THEIR FOCUS TO ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY THE COVID TREATMENT RIGHT NOW?

>> Deborah: I THINK IT HAS TURNED INTO BASICALLY SOARED A COVID ZONE FOR A LOT OF THEM.

FEW ARE IN WHAT'S ACTUALLY CALLED A OFFICIAL CRISIS STAGE WHERE THEY'RE HAVING TO MAYBE INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS A NURSE SEES TO OPEN UP UNITS.

IN PIKE VIM THEY WERE TRIAGING PATIENTS IN A TENT OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO TRY TO PROCESS PEOPLE AND HANDLE THE CROWD.

>> Bill: CLOSING OPERATING ROOMS.

>> Deborah: A LOT OF HOSPITALS ARE HAVING TO SLOW DOWN ELECTIVE SURGERIES AND CANCEL SURGERIES.

>> Bill: MARK, FEMA TEAMS GOT INTO THE STATE ON FRIDAY.

WHAT WILL THEY BE DOING TO TRY TO EASE THE SITUATION?

>> Mark: BILL, THESE ARE STRIKE TEAMS AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOUISVILLE, PRESS TONSBURG AND SOMERSET.

YOU'LL HAVE TEN PEOPLE EACH, FIVE AMBULANCES SO THEY CAN HELP OUT WITH THOSE AMBULANCE RUNS.

THESE HOSPITALS ARE GETTING FILLED UP.

YOU KNOW THESE EMTs ARE GETTING OVERTAXED AND THEY'LL BE ABLE TO TRANSPORT PATIENTS TO AND FROM THE HOSPITAL, AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THAT HE'S HOPING TO MAYBE GET TWO MORE OF THESE BECAUSE WE'VE ONLY GOT UNTIL SEPTEMBER 25th, ALTHOUGH HOPEFULLY THAT COULD BE EXTENDED.

>> Bill: HE DECLARED THIS AS A HEALTH CARE HEROS WEEK TO TRY TO DRAW SOME ATTENTION TO THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITALS ARE DOING.

THEY ARE EXHAUSTED, LAWRENCE.

>> Lawrence: THEY REALLY ARE, AND THE GOVERNOR'S MADE A POINT THIS WEEK TO REALLY ASK PEOPLE TO, TO THANK THEM TO DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO HELP THEM, ASK BUSINESSES TO GIVE THEM FREE MEALS OR WHATEVER BUT, YES, IT'S INCREDIBLE TO THINK THAT MORE THAN A YEAR FROM WHEN THIS STARTED, WE THOUGHT WE WERE OVER IT, AND NOW WE'RE WORSE THAN WE WERE BEFORE, AND THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS ARE REALLY, REALLY EXHAUSTED.

>> Bill: THE WAY THE KENTUCKY RESPONDS TO THE RESURGENT COVID CRISIS HAS BEEN SHIFTED FROM THE GOVERNOR TO THE LEGISLATURE BY UNANIMOUS SUPREME COURT ACTION.

THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT ESSENTIALLY UPHELD NEW LAWS THAT RESTRICT THE GOVERNOR'S POWER BY LIFTING AN INJUNCTION IT.

CAME DESPITE THE GOVERNOR'S LEGAL CHALLENGE AND HIS HARD FIGHT ON THAT.

LAWRENCE, THE GOVERNOR TRIED TO MAKE THE CASE THAT IT IS BETTER TO HAVE A FULL-TIME CHIEF EXECUTIVE MAKE THOSE DECISIONS ON THE FLY THAN IT IS, AS HE PUT IT, BY COMMITTEE BY CALLING IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Lawrence: HE'S BEEN MAKING THAT CASE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, SO HE'S BEEN ACTING PRETTY MUCH ON HIS OWN WITH THE CONSULTATION OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, MAKING THESE DECISIONS UNILATERALLY AND LEAVING PRETTY MUCH THE LEGISLATURE ON THE SIDELINES, AND THEY DID NOT LIKE THAT, SO THAT WAS PART OF THIS LAWSUIT.

AND NOW THE SUPREME COURT HAS SAID THE LEGISLATURE DOES HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO RESTRICT HIS POWER, AND SO THE LAWS THEY PASSED EARLIER THIS CERTIFICATION IN EFFECT, SO NOW HE IS FORCED, THEY'RE FORCED TO WORK TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING.

>> Bill: SO WE ARE WHERE WE ARE.

WILL THEY BE ABLE TO GET ALONG?

I THINK WE'RE SEEING SIGNS ON BOTH SIDES.

THE GOVERNOR LIFTED MASK MANDATE.

THE LAWMAKERS SEEM TO BE -- THEY'RE IN NO RUSH TO COME TO FRANKFORT AT THIS POINT.

I MEAN, IT SEEMS THERE'S A DEEP BREATH BEING TAKEN.

>> Deborah: THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN PRETTY CIRCUMSPECT IN HIS COMMENTS AND HE CERTAINLY HASN'T TAKEN ANY SHOTS AT THE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK THAT'S MUTUAL.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE TRYING TO GET ALONG.

>> Mark: THE SENATE PRESIDENT SAID THE PAST IS THE PAST.

JUST THIS WEEK, LIKE HE DIDN'T WANT TO GO BACK INTO THOSE FIGHTS THEY HAD.

>> Lawrence: BUT HE'S CHALLENGING, CONTINUE CAN TO CHALLENGE THE LEGISLATURE SAYING YOU NEED TO PASS A UNIVERSAL MASK MANDATE WHICH THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO.

>> Bill: LET'S HEAR ABOUT THAT JUST FOR A SECOND.

HERE WE ARE.

IT APPEARS THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE CALLED IN.

IN FACT, THERE ARE SOME INDICATIONS THAT THAT COULD COME RIGHT AFTER LABOR DAY, SO WILL THEY MAKE CHANGES IN POLICIES?

THAT'S THE QUESTION.

SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS INDICATED THERE COULD BE A MASK MANDATE THAT WOULD NOT BE STATEWIDE, BUT RATHER MIGHT APPLY IN SOME HARD-HIT AREAS.

>> STATEWIDE BLANKET, NO, I DON'T THINK THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THAT.

TARGETED?

DEPENDING ON THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES, WHO MAKES THE LOCAL DECISION OR WHO MAKES THE DECISION, BE IT LOCAL OR HERE, BASED ON LOCAL DYNAMICS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE OPEN.

I'M OPEN.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE, IS THAT LIKELY, EVEN A TARGETED MAC MANDATE?

>> Lawrence: IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH SELL.

I MEAN, HE HAS SAID AND THE LEADER, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE DAVID OSBORNE HAS SAID THERE ARE NO VOTES FOR A STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE.

THE QUESTION SENIOR THERE VOTES FOR MAYBE A TARGETED MASK REQUIREMENT, AND THAT'LL BE A TOUGH SELL, I THINK.

IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO EVEN DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE EXACTLY, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE LEGISLATURE, ONCE A SPECIAL SESSION IS CALLED, WHAT THEY'LL DO.

I THINK IT WILL BE VERY, VERY TARGETED, VERY, VERY SMALL, BUT I THINK THE CHANCES ARE ZERO FOR ANY KIND OF A UNIVERSAL MASK MANDATE AND NOT VERY LIKELY FOR ANY KIND OF MANDATE.

>> Mark: I THINK TWO BIG TOPICS YOU MIGHT YOU COME SEE ARE EXTENDING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY WHICH WILL GIVE THE STATE A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY TO HANDLE THE PANDEMIC, FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU'VE GOT NURSES HOE NEED TO COME FROM OUT OF STATE, AND WE DON'T HAVE A RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT, THAT STATE OF EMERGENCY GIVES MORE FLEXIBILITY, IT ALLOWS THE STATE TO GIVE MORE WORKMEN'S COMP BENEFITS TO OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS, MORE FOOD ASSISTANCE, BENEFITS, AND I THINK ONE THING THAT ALL LAWMAKERS WILL PROBABLY BE ABLE TO AGREE ON IS ANYTHING THAT WILL HELP THE SCHOOLS BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE LOCAL SUPERINTENDENTS GOING TO THEIR LAWMAKERS AND ASKING FOR THINGS THAT THE LAWMAKERS ARE GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME SAYING NO TO.

>> Lawrence: SPECIFICALLY, MORE HELP WITH FLEXIBILITY IN THEIR CALENDARS AND HOW THEY DO NTI DAYS AND HOW THEY ACCOUNTANTS, GIVING THEM A LITTLE MORE FREEDOM AND FLEXIBILITY.

>> Bill: LET'S REMIND PEOPLE WHERE WE ARE WITH THAT.

IN THE SPRING THE LEGISLATURE WENT BACK TO TEN DAYS LIMIT OF NTI DAYS, AND SO NOW YOU ALREADY HAVE SEVERAL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE CLOSED, I THINK FRANKLIN COUNTY INTENDS TO USE FIVE NTI DAYS NEXT WEEK.

>> Lawrence: SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE CLOSING AND NOT DOING ANY INSTRUCTION AT ALL BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO USE UP THEIR NTI DAYS.

I IMAGINE THAT'S ONE AREA THAT'S GOING TO GET ATTENTION FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Bill: STIVERS ALSO INDICATED TO ME IN AN INTERVIEW THAT IT IS LIKELY THAT THERE'S AN INCLINATION AMONG LAWMAKERS TO SHIFT THE SCHOOL MASK MANDATE QUESTION BACK TO THE LOCAL CUPBOARDS.

DEB, IF THAT HAPPENS, AT LEAST AS IT APPEARED EARLY ON, IT WAS LIABLE IT WOULDN'T BE -- >> Deborah: OH, BOY.

>> Bill: -- MANY DISTRICT THAT WOULD DO THAT.

>> Deborah: WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN COLORFUL SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS THAT CAME UP BEFORE THE SCHOOL BOARD MADE ITS DECISION.

I CAN IMAGINE, I DON'T THINK LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS WOULD BE EAGER TO HAVE THAT THROWN BACK AT THEM.

MAYBE THEY WANT THE CONTROL.

BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO FIRE UP A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO THE MASK MANDATE IN SCHOOLS.

>> Bill: WATCHING A PATCH, WORK OF DECISIONS BEING MADE BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AS THEY TRY TO PULL OFF THESE FESTIVALS AND EVENTS, SOME ARE HAVING THEM WITH CHECK-INS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE A VACCINATION CARD WITH THEM, THIS SORT OF THING.

OTHERS ARE JUST CALLING THEM OFF.

>> Lawrence: I'M NOT A BIG CONCERT OR FESTIVAL PERSON, BUT I KNOW THAT SEVERAL ARE EITHER CANCELING THEM OR ARE REQUIRING MASKS OR REQUIRING SOME KIND OF VACCINATION, PROOF OF VACCINATION BEFORE THEY'LL HOLD THESE EVENTS.

>> Mark: AND ALSO THIS WEEK THE LOUISVILLE PRIDE FESTIVAL, THEY CANCELED THEIR EVENT WHICH WAS COMING UP NEXT MONTH.

NOW, THE KENTUCKIANA PRIDE EVENT IS NOT IN THE OCTOBER THIS SOW THEY HAVEN'T CANCELED THERE EVER THEIRS BUT WOULDN'T BE SURPRISING IF THEY HAD TO CALL THAT OFF TOO.

>> Bill: DEB, MORE CITIES ARE REQUIRES WORKERS TO BE VACCINATED.

IN SOME CASES THEY'RE MAKING THAT PART OF THE JOB LISTINGS.

THERE'S A BILL PRE-FILED IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD MAKE A MANDATE LIKE THAT ILLEGAL.

ANOTHER THAT WOULD HOLD COMPANIES RESPONSIBLE FOR WORKERS' COMP IF THERE WERE SOME KIND OF REACTION TO A VACCINE.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

AND I THINK ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THE FDA HAS GIVEN APPROVAL TO AT LEAST THE PFIZER VACCINE AND OTHERS LIKELY TO COME, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE MORE EMPLOYERS MOVING TO MANDATORY VACCINES JUST AS A MATTER OF SAFETY.

HUMANA IN LOUISVILLE HERE A WEEK OR SO AGO.

AND I THINK THE UNIVERSITIES MAY BE REG EDGING THAT WAY WHILE THEY HAVEN'T ACTUALLY I DIDN'T YET.

>> Bill: AND UK MOVED TO TESTING FOR EVERYBODY EFFECTIVE NEXT WEEK.

>> Deborah: ENDLESS TESTING MEANT TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO GET VACCINATED 13ELL KEEP GOING THROUGH THE TESTING, WHICH THEY ACKNOWLEDGE.

>> Lawrence: THE BILL YOU MENTIONED FILED BRI FELICIA RAYBURN AND SAMANTHA MADDOX, BOTH REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS, SAYS THAT IF A VACCINE MANDATE IS REQUIRED BY A BUSINESS AND THERE'S A REACTION TO IT, THAT BUSINESS IS LIABLE FOR WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION, SO THAT BILL HAS BEEN PRE-FILED I THINK THIS WEEK.

>> Deborah: I THINK THE VACCINES HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO BE VERY SAFE AND EFFECTIVE SO IT MAY NOT BECOME AN ISSUE.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL HAS PUSHED VACCINES ALL ALONG.

HE DID THAT AGAIN AT THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR THIS WEEK.

AND NOW LONGTIME REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS, THE DEAN OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, IS HAS SORT OF LECTURED HIS CONSTITUENTS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING A SHOT, AND IT CAME IN ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM RENEE SHAW FOR A KET INTERVIEW.

>> I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THE VACCINATIONS IN MY DISTRICT.

WE NEED TO DO MORE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE METROPOLITAN AREAS OF THE STATE SEEM TO ALWAYS GET THE BETTER DEAL, AND I THINK THEY'RE GETTING BETTER VACCINATION RECORDS THAN THE RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE LIKE MINE.

BUT WE NEED TO DO MORE TO GET PEOPLE TO TAKE THOSE SHOTS.

>> Bill: EINSTEIN INTERESTING TO SEE, ROGERS WHO HAS FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS REPRESENTED A RURAL DISTRICT TO EXPRESS SOME DISAPPOINTMENT AMONG HIS CONSTITUENTS, RIGHT?

>> Mark: I THINK HE SEES WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE COUNTIES THAT HE REPRESENTS, AND THE AMOUNT OF HIS CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE COMING DOWN WITH COVID AND GOING IN THE HOSPITAL WITH SERIOUS ISSUES, AND HE'S PROBABLY PART OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN THE VACCINE BECAUSE THEY ARE AT RISK, AND I THINK HE'S COMING AT IT FROM A VERY PRAGMATIC POINT OF VIEW.

>> Deborah: I THINK THEY'RE POSSIBLY HEARING FROM THE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS, TOO, THIS IS HITTING A LOT OF THE SMALLER RURAL HOSPITALS PRETTY HARD.

IN THE METRO AREAS THEY WERE GETTING BY BUT EVEN THEY'RE AT CAPACITY OR GETTING CLOSE TO IT.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE, WHO CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

WHO CAUSES PEOPLE TO REACT?

IS IT LOCAL DOCTORS AND PHARMACISTS OR -- >> Lawrence: YOU KEEP HEARING IT OVER AND OVER THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THAT YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THAT YOU TRUST, PASTORS AND PEOPLE LIKE THAT TO REALLY MOTIVATE THOSE WHO ARE STILL SKEPTICAL ABOUT GETTING THE VACCINE.

IN FACT, SENATOR ROBERT STIVERS THIS WEEK FROM CLAY COUNTY WHICH HAS ONCE OF THE WORST INFECTION RATES AND ONE OF THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATES IS PUSHING FOR A PROGRAM, AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT IS REALLY FUELED BY LOCAL PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, LOCAL PEOPLE DOING ADVERTISEMENTS, GETTING OUT AND MOTIVATING PEOPLE TO GET THE VACCINE, YOU KNOW, LOCAL PRIZES LIKE PIZZA RESTAURANT COUPONS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

HE THINKS THAT'S ONE WAY TO GET SOME OF THESE RURAL AREAS TO REALLY STEP UP AND GET THE VACCINE.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK SOME OF THE ECONOMICS.

NOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT HOW THEY CAN SPEND THE FEDERAL MONEY THAT'S COMING IN UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, ARPA AS IT'S REFERRED TO.

SOME HAVE HAD MEETINGS TO GET INPUT, MARK.

SOME ARE TALKING ABOUT THINGS LIKE MAYBE BONUSES FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS, SOME WANT TO DO PROJECTS, BUT THERE'S A LOT TO FIGURE OUT BECAUSE THE RULES ON THIS FROM THE U.S. TRESH REQUIRE STRICT.

>> Mark: BILL, I HAVE HEARD SO MANY IDEAS, FROM METRO YOU COUNCILMEMBERS, FROM STATE LAWMAKERS AND JUST FROM EVERYDAY PEOPLE, BUT OFTEN IT'S POINTED OUT THAT, OH, WAIT, WE CANNOT DO THAT UNDER THE RULES OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY REQUIRES THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO SUBMIT REPORTS ABOUT HOW THEY'RE SPENDING THE MONEY, SO THERE IS THIS FEAR OUT THERE THAT THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT ASK FOR THE MONEY BACK, AND FROM WHAT I AM SEEING A LOT OF CITIES ARE PRETTY SERIOUS ABOUT FOLLOWING THE RULES.

>> Bill: AND SUBJECTED TO ADDITIONAL AUDITS AS WELL.

DEBBIE, ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE SET TO END COME UP NEXT WEEK.

MANY COMPANIES HAVE REGISTERED COMPLAINTS THAT KENTUCKY STAYED WITH THE PROGRAM UNTIL THE END.

IS IT LIKELY THAN CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE?

>> Deborah: I DON'T KNOW.

I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN -- I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN INDIANA THERE WERE SURVEYS FOUND WHEN THEY STOPPED IT IT DIDN'T MAKE THAT MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE IN EMPLOYMENT RATES OR UNEMPLOYMENT RATES, BUT IT MIGHT PUSH SOME PEOPLE TO GO BACK THAT HAVE BEEN STAYING OFF WORK WITH THE EXTRA BENEFITS, BUT THE JOB MARKET'S KIND OF CRAZY RIGHT NOW.

EVERY PLACE SEEMS TO BE HIRING, AND SYMPTOM PLACES ARE RAISING PAY TO KEEP OR RETAIN PEOPLE AND ATTRACT MORE.

I THINK UPS JUST OFFERED A PAY INCREASE AND THEN BAPTIST HOSPITAL, THE WHOLE HEALTH SYSTEM IS GOING UP TO A $15 AN HOUR MINIMUM WAGE FOR WORKERS.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE THE EVICTION MORATORIUM ESSENTIALLY HAS BEEN STRUCK DOWN BY THE SUPREME COURT.

>> Lawrence: AGAIN.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT SAYS THAT THE CDC DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE ITS EVICTION MORATORIUM.

THE COURT SAYS IT HAS TO COME FROM CONGRESS, AND CONGRESS HAS NOT HAD THE VOTES TO DO THAT, SO RIGHT NOW THAT MORATORIUM IS EXPIRING.

>> Bill: YOU AND MARK WERE BOTH AT THE KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU HAM BREAKFAST THIS WEEK THAT'S HELD AT THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR BRIGHT AND EARLY, AND IT WAS INTERESTING, RIGHT?

WHAT'S YOUR TAKE WAY?

>> Mark: IT WAS QUITE INTERESTING.

THERE WAS A LOT OF JABS.

IT WAS A REPUBLICANS EVENT, THOUGH, I THINK.

I'D BE INTERESTED IN SEEING IN LAWRENCE AGREES BUT IT WAS A CHANCE FOR REPUBLICANS TO SPEAK TO A LARGELY CONSERVATIVE GROUP OF FARMERS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FROM ALL ACROSS KENTUCKY AND GIVE THEM THIS MESSAGE THAT RIGHT NOW DEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON ARE PASSING POLICIES THAT ARE GOING TO HURT FARMERS, AND I THINK THE HOPE IS THAT THE PEOPLE THAT WERE IN LOUISVILLE AT THAT HAM BRECK FAR AS GOING TO TAKE THAT MESSAGE BACK TO THEIR HOME COUNTIES.

>> Lawrence: AND PEOPLE TOOK NOTE THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR APPEARED BY VIDEO.

HE DID NOT APPEAR IN PERSON, HE SAID BECAUSE OF COVID HE IS TRYING TO AVOID LARGE INDOOR CROWDS, AND RYAN QUARLES, THE AG COMMISSIONER, JABBED HIM FOR THAT FOR NOT SHOWING UP AT FANCY FARM, NOT SHOWING UP AT THE HAM BREAKFAST.

OF COURSE, HE HAD TO MAKE SOME NEWS HIMSELF BECAUSE KELLY CRAFT WAS THERE DRAWING LOTS OF ATTENTION, SO IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE KIND OF THE JOCKEYING FOR POSITION AMONG THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR.

>> Bill: AND SHE'S ANOTHER POTENTIAL CANDIDATE, AND SHE'S TALKING ABOUT IT, SAID SHE WANTS MORE TIME, BUT SHE TOOK PART IN THE BIDDING, DIDN'T SHE?

>> Lawrence: YEAH.

IT WAS A RECORD $4.8 MILLION BID FOR THAT HAM.

$2.4MILLION CAME FROM JOE AND KELLY CRAFT AND $2.4 MILLION CAME FROM CENTRAL BANK.

THÈ BOTH THE BIDS WERE GOING ABOVE AND THEY AGREED TO SHARE THE WIN.

BUT IT ENDED UP TO A $4.8 MILLION HAM.

>> Deborah: JUST REMIND PEOPLE THAT MONEY GOES TO CHARITY.

>> Lawrence: GOOD POINT.

>> Deborah: REMIND NEXT FOLKS OUT THERE.

>> Lawrence: AND CRAFT SAID SHE'S GOING TO GIVE SOME OF IT TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE.

SHE DIDN'T SAY EXACTLY WHAT BUT THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID HER CHARITY IS GOING TO BE.

>> Bill: SENATOR MAX WISE SAID THIS WEEK IF HE RUNS FOR GOVERNOR, HE IS IN IT TO WIN.

SOME HAVE SPECULATED THAT HE MIGHT BE TRYING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

HE SEEMED TO WANT TO PUT THAT TO REST.

>> Mark: YEAH, YOU KNOW, I THINK REPUBLICANS SEE THIS UPCOMING ELECTION, GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION IN 2023 AS THEIRS, AND THEY FEEL LIKE WHOEVER WINS THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR, SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE A REALLY CROWDED FIELD.

WE HAVE SEEN MAX WISE SAYING NOW THAT HE'S INTERESTED.

THERE WAS A LOT OF POTENTIAL CANDIDATES AT THAT HAM BREAKFAST.

I HAVE A FEELING THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME PRETTY LIVELY DEBATES HERE IN 2023 AT THESE PRIMARIES.

>> Bill: REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GOFORTH FROM LAUREL COUNTY RESIGNED HIS SEAT THIS WEEK.

THAT MEANS YET ANOTHER SPECIAL ELECTION THIS FALL.

>> Lawrence: YEAH, HE'S FACING A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGE, AND IT WAS FILED SOME TIME AGO, LAST YEAR, AND HE WON RE-ELECTION DESPITE THAT, BUT I THINK AS HIS TRIAL APPROACHES, HE HASN'T SAID THIS BUT I IMAGINE AS THE TRIAL APPROACHES, HE MAY FIGURE HE NEEDS TO DEVOTE MORE TIME TO THAT.

HE'S MAINTAINS HIS INNOCENCE BUT THAT TRIAL IS COMING UP SO HE'S RESIGNED HIS SEAT, WHICH I THINK NOW IS THE THIRD SPECIAL ELECTION THAT'LL BE NEEDED.

>> Bill: TOM BUFORD THE LATE STATE SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE BAM CARNN DUE TO THEIR DEATHS.

FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE JONATHAN SHELL WILL MAKE A STATITE WIDE RUN FOR AG COMMISSIONER.

>> Mandy: HE LOST THAT ELECTION TO TRAVIS BRENDA IN 2018 BUT BARELY AND THEN TWO YEARS LATER BRANDY LOST THE SETTLE TO JOSH BRACE SO I DON'T THINK IT IT SAYS HE LOST THAT SEAT.

I THINK HE'S STILL GOT A LOT OF NAME RECOGNITION AND HOSE HE'S HAD A McCONNELL ALLY.

>> Lawrence: HE AND RICHARD HEATH WERE THERE, THE FARM BUREAU BREAKFAST.

>> Mark: IT WAS THE PLACE TO BE.

>> Bill: PATRICK BAKER WAS CON FIXED OF KILLING DONALD MILLS AND PARDONED BY GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN, NOW CONVICTED IN FEDERAL COURT.

>> Lawrence: YEAH, ONE OF GOVERNOR BEVIN'S LAST-MINUTE VERY CONTROVERSIAL PARDONS, BUT HE WAS PARDONED OF THIS MURDER CONVICTION, AND THEN INDICTED BY A FEDERAL GRAND JURY.

THIS IS A FEDERAL TRIAL.

AND HE WAS CONVICTED, AND TODAY HE WAS SENTENCED TO -- WHAT WAS THE SENTENCE?

YOU WERE THERE.

NOT BEEN SENTENCED YET.

THAT'S RIGHT.

HE WAS CONVICT BUT HE'S NOT YET BEEN SUSTAINED.

>> Bill: MARK, STATE LAW REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HAVE SAFETY OFFICERS AND YET MORE THAN HALF DO NOT.

YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING INTO THAT.

>> Mark: YEAH, I DECIDED TO LOOK WHAT JCPS IS DOING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY HAD A DISCUSSION TO FORM A SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICER FOR US RIGHT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

THE PANDEMIC KIND OF PUT THAT DISCUSSION ON THE BACK BURNER, BUT THERE WAS ONE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, LINDA DUNCAN, WHO SAYS IT'S TIME TO REVIVE THAT DISCUSSION.

OTHER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, THOUGH, THEY SAY WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC.

WE'VE GOT THIS SHORTAGE OF BUS DRIVERS, SHORTAGE OF SUBSTITUTES.

LET'S DEAL WITH THE PANDEMIC FIRST.

>> Bill: UofL BASKETBALL IN THE NEWS AS WE HEAD INTO THE KDE WITH.

>> Lawrence: BAD NEWS, UNFORTUNATELY.

>> Deborah: AGAIN.

COACH HAS BEEN SUSPENDED FOR SIX GAMES BECAUSE OF SOME VIOLATIONS INVOLVING THE ASSISTANT THAT HE FIRED WHO ENDED UP PLEADING GUILTY TO EX OTHERS AFTER HE GOT ANGRY FOR BEING FIRED AND TOLD COACH MACK HE WAS GOING TO BLOW THE IS WHEN EL IS ON SOME NCAA VIOLATIONS.

>> Lawrence: HE GOT THE SUSPENSION BECAUSE UofL SAID HE DIDN'T HANDLE THE FIRING PROPERLY, DIDN'T FOLLOW THE CORRECT PROCEDURES, SO -- >> Bill: ONE WAY LEADS.

FLAGS ARE AT HALF-STAFF ACROSS KENTUCKY IN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY AFTER THE ATTACK IN AFGHANISTAN THAT KILLED MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 13 U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS.

LAWRENCE, A LOT OF HEAVY HEARTS TONIGHT ABOUT THAT, INCLUDING VETERANS HERE IN KENTUCKY WHO SERVED IN THAT 20-YEAR LONG WAR.

>> Lawrence: YEAH, YOU'RE HEARING FROM QUITE A FEW OF THEM HOE WORKED ALONGSIDE EITHER MEMBERS OF THE AFGHAN ARMY OR INTERPRETERS, AND THEY'RE VERY CONCERNED THAT THEY'RE BEING LEFT BEHIND AND WILL LIKELY BE KILLED BY THE TALIBAN, SO THEY'RE VERY CONCERNED AND DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO TRY TO RESCUE THE FRIENDS THEY MADE WHILE THEY WERE SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN.

>> Bill: A LOT OF RESPONSE FROM THE KENTUCKY POLITICAL SET TO WHAT HAPPENED IN AFGHANISTAN.

>> Lawrence: MITCHELL McCONNELL HAS BEEN VERY VOCAL ABOUT HOW THIS WAS HANDLED BY THE PRESIDENT.

McCONNELL HAS SAID THAT HE HAS ALWAYS WANTED TO KEY.

A SMALL GROUP OF SOLDIERS THERE JUST TO KEEP A LID ON IT, HE SAYS, BUT THE PRESIDENT DID NOT DO THAT, AND HE'S BEEN VERY CRITICAL OF THAT DECISION.

>> Bill: WELL, TODAY MARKS THE SOMBER 15th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CRASH OF CON AIR FLIGHT 51 NISSAN BLUEGRASS AIRPORT IN LEXINGTON.

JUST BEFORE DAWN ON THE MORNING OF AUGUST 27, 2006, THE PLANE WENT DOWN AFTER TAKING OFF FROM THE WRONG RUNWAY WHICH WASN'T LONG ENOUGH.

49 OF THE 50 PEOPLE ONBOARD DIED.

THE PLANE'S CO-PILOT SURVIVED.

AND ALTHOUGH IT STIRRED MEMORIES AND EMOTIONS TODAY, THERE WERE NO PUBLIC EVENTS TO COMMEMORATE THAT TRAGIC DAY IN LEXINGTON.

THERE IS A MOVING MEMORIAL SCULPTURE THAT IS SET UP AT THE ARBORETUM IN LEXINGTON FOR MANY TO GO BY AND SILENTLY REMEMBER THAT DAY.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

CERTAINLY TRY TO BE SAFE OUT THERE WITH ALL THAT WE HAVE GOING ON, AND YOU MAKE IT WILL A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.