[♪♪] >> Bill: THE STATE AUDITOR SUES THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION FOR ACCESS TO CHILD AND ADULT ABUSE AND NEGLECT RECORDS.

MORE EVIDENCE THAT A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS HOLDING KENTUCKY BACK.

THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT LOOKS INTO WHETHER KENTUCKY IS VIOLATING FEDERAL LAW BY FAILING TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

DOLLY PARTON COMES TO KENTUCKY TO CELEBRATE THE STATE'S INVESTMENT IN AND THE SUCCESS OF HER IMAGINATION LIBRARY.

HEADING INTO SEPTEMBER, AND LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT 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 MONICA HARKINS, ANCHOR AND REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

HANEY OPINION SKY, REPORTER FOR THE CAREER JOURNAL AND RYLAND BARTON, KEN BASED SENIOR EDITOR FOR NPR.

REPUBLICAN VICE-PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE J.D.

VANCE STOPS IN LEXINGTON AND QUICKLY RAISES $2 MILLION.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT LET'S BEGIN WITH ONE PART OF STATE GOVERNMENT SUING ANOTHER.

AUDITOR ALLISON BALL SUED GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND OTHERS IN HIS ADMINISTRATION FOR ACCESS TO A DATABASE OF ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

SO WE GO TO MONICA ON THIS ISSUE WE HAVE SEEN THIS BREWING HERE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

>> OH, YEAH.

AND WE KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

IT WAS A CHANGE IN LAW FROM THE ASSEMBLY IN 2023 THAT JULY FIRST, THE OMBUDSMAN OFFICE, THE INVESTIGATIVE BRANCH OF THE COUNTY FOR FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES WOULD BE MOVED TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

TAKING THAT INTO ANOTHER SPACE.

IN NOVEMBER WHEN THEY STARTED THE TRANSITION PROCESS A CRITICAL DATABASE THEY REALIZED WOULD NOT BE PART OF THIS TRANSITION AND AUDITOR BALL THREW UP HER HANDS AND SAYS WE CANNOT DO THE JOB TO INVESTIGATE THE CABINET WITHOUT ACCESS TO THAT DATABASE.

>> Bill: WHAT INFORMATION IS IN THIS DATABASE?

>> SUING OVER A DATABASE DOESN'T GET PEOPLE'S ATTENTION BUT WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES LAID OUT IN THE LAWSUIT IT MAKES MORE SENSE WHY SHE NEEDS THE CASE FILES.

EIGHT-MONTH-OLD MAYA RUDD IN OHIO COUNTY, A SMALL COMMUNITY AND SHE WAS BORN WITH MET IN HER UMBILICAL CORD AND STILL EIGHT MONTHS LATER SHE IS FOUND DEAD.

THE CASE IS WE WANT TO KNOW HOW THAT HAPPENED HOW DID THE CABINET KNOW ABOUT THIS AND SHE CONTINUED UNDER THE SAME PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND THE SECOND CASE IS ONE WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING FOR MONTHS.

IT'S ABOUT FOSTER CARE KIDS, STAYING IN STATE OFFICE BUILDINGS OVERNIGHT WHEN THEY HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO.

YET WE STILL SEE THE CABINET HAVING TO GO TO THIS RESOURCE AND AUDITOR BALL SAYS WE HAVE TO FIX THIS HOW IS THIS HAPPENING IN OUR STATE?

OUR FOSTER KIDS DESERVE MORE.

>> Bill: THE OMBUDSMAN PHYSICIAN WAS TRANSFERRED TO UNDER THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

>> AND THAT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT'S INVESTIGATING THE CABINET.

WHY WOULD YOU HAVE AN OFFICE INSIDE A COMPANY INVESTIGATING ITSELF IS HER POINT AND WE'VE SEEN THIS WITH THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THEY FIGHT FOR WHO HAS POWER OVER WHAT.

THIS WAS NOT A SURPRISE THAT ALLISON BALL THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD MOVE SOMETHING TO HER OFFICE TO CREATE MORE CHECKS AND BALANCES.

>> Bill: THE GOVERNOR INDICATED THAT HE THINKS CURRENT LAW DOES NOT ALLOW THIS AND THE ADMINISTRATION SAID THAT.

BUT HANNAH, HE DOES FAVOR A CHANGE IN LAW AND THAT OBVIOUSLY WOULD TAKE SOMETIME.

>> YES.

SO THE EARLIEST THAT A CHANGE IN LAW COULD HAPPEN IS DURING THE 2025 SESSION WHICH DOESN'T START UNTIL JANUARY.

I THINK RIGHT NOW IT'S ABOUT FINDING A SOLUTION THAT BOTH PARTIES CAN AGREE WITH AND LIKE MONICA SAID THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT SOLUTION THEY FIND BEFORE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAN MAKE THIS CHANGE IN LAW.

>> Bill: REGARDLESS OF YOUR PARTY IF YOU ARE A TAXPAYER AND YOU SEE THIS INTERNAL FIGHT IN STATE GOVERNMENT ONCE AGAIN, THE LEGAL CHALLENGE WILL BE FUNDED BY THE TAXPAYERS ON BOTH SIDES.

>> YES, SOMETIMES IT'S FRUSTRATING TO SEE IT BUT THIS IS HOW SOME OF THESE ISSUES GET RESOLVED, THE STRUGGLES OF POWER BETWEEN BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AND AGENCIES.

AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS HAPPENED A LOT SINCE BESHEAR BECAME IN OFFICE POWERS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM HIS ADMINISTRATION AND GIVEN TO A STATE OFFICE HODDER THAT THE REPUBLICAN STATE OFFICE HOLDER EVERYONE OF THEM FROM TREASURER TO AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER TO AUDITOR TO ATTORNEY GENERAL.

AND SO THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE.

YEAH, THIS WILL BE BATTLED OUT IN THE COURTS LIKE WE SEE THE BATTLES BETWEEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE A LOT OF THIS BESHEAR VERSUS GENERAL ASSEMBLY INFIGHTING HAS TYPICALLY BEEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACCUSING BESHEAR OF POLITICS.

AND NOW, BESHEAR IS SAYING THE AUDITOR'S MOVE IS POLITICS.

THAT'S AN INTERESTING NOTE, BECAUSE TO THIS POINT WE HAD NOT SEEN BESHEAR ATTACK IN THAT WAY.

WHEN HE COULD JUST GIVE OVER THE FILES FROM AUDITOR BALL'S POINT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT WE WILL CERTAINLY KEEP WATCH ON THAT.

THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WANTS TO KNOW IF KENTUCKY IS VIOLATING FEDERAL LAW BY NOT PROVIDING SOME MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

AND HANNAH, THIS IS CENTERED AROUND LOUISVILLE AND WHETHER CERTAIN SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?

>> YEAH.

SO THIS INVESTIGATION HAD BEGAN IN 2022 AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REPORT RELEASED THIS WEEK, THEY HAVE FOUND THAT KENTUCKY CIVIL RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED BY UNNECESSARILY SEGREGATING ADULTS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS RATHER THAN PROVIDING THEM COMMUNITY SERVICE SETTINGS INSTEAD.

>> Bill: THE GOVERNOR SAID THIS WEEK HE DISAGREES WITH THE DOJ'S CONCLUSION OR A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT.

AND ALSO THAT THERE CAN BE WORTHWHILE DISCUSSION.

>> YEAH.

SO A SPOKESPERSON FOR BESHEAR HAD SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS SURPRISED BY THIS REPORT AND SAID THEY HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THE DOJ SINCE SEPTEMBER.

AND SHE WAS ALSO PRETTY CRITICAL OF THE REPORT THAT CAME OUT AND HAD MENTIONED A COUPLE OF INITIATIVES THAT BESHEAR HAS DONE TO SUPPORT KENTUCKIANS STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE 9-8-8 CRISIS LINE AND SHE LISTED THAT AMONG OTHER MEASURES THAT HE PUT IN PLACE TO HELP THOSE KENTUCKIANS AS WELL.

>> AND IN LOUISVILLE SPECIFICALLY THEY WERE SAYING WITH THE ISSUE WITH THE POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDING TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY LAID OUT IN DOJ AS OF JULY FIRST, THE 911 OFFICE IMPLEMENTED A 24/7 MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONDER THAT WOULD GO INSTEAD OF A POLICE OFFICER.

MAYOR GREENBURG AND BESHEAR WERE CRITICAL SAYING THAT REPORT IS OUTDATED.

AND THEY'VE MADE CHANGES SINCE THIS CAME OUT.

>> Bill: MAYBE THERE WILL BE DISCUSSION THERE AND WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY SAYS IT'S DISSOLVING THE OFFICE OF INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE FOLLOWING THE RESIGNATION OF THE CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER.

THE HERALD LEADER CITED AN E-MAIL FROM THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT SENT LAST NIGHT ON THE ISSUE.

YOU WILL RECALL THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ANNOUNCED IT WAS DISSOLVING ITS OFFICE FOR INSTITUTIONAL DIVERSITY.

DEI, LEGISLATION, CAME UP IN THE LAST SESSION.

THE LAWMAKERS MANY OF THEM HAVE SIGNALED IT'S LIKELY TO CONTINUE AS A DISCUSSION IN FRANKS FOR THE.

YOU SEE THESE THINGS HAPPENING ONE BY ONE?

>> IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO PASS AND LAWMAKERS CONTINUED TO DISCUSS IT INTO THE SUMMER.

THIS IS A BIG POLITICAL MOVEMENT RIGHT NOW AMONG CONSERVATIVES.

AND THIS IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO IN SOME STATES EVEN SOME STATES WHICH WHERE LEGISLATURES HAVE PASSED BILLS AND DISSOLVED UNIVERSITY DEI OFFICES LIKE TEXAS AND FLORIDA AND OKLAHOMA.

BUT YOU ALSO SEE STATES LIKE KENTUCKY WHERE UNIVERSITIES ARE STARTING TO GET AHEAD OF THE LEGISLATURE TO GO AHEAD THEY CAN SEE WHICH WAY THE LEGISLATURE WILL TRY TO MOVE AND DO THE WORK THEMSELVES IN THE WAY THAT THEY WOULD PREFER TO DO IT RATHER THAN THE LEGISLATURE FORCING THEIR HAND ON IT.

I WANT TO POINT OUT ONE EXAMPLE HOW THIS WORKED IN OTHER STATES IN OHIO, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THERE ISSUED AN OPINION SAYING THE STATE'S RACE BASED SCHOLARSHIPS THAT ARE ISSUED TO PEOPLE BASED ON RACE, DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE 2023 U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION OVER AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND ALL THE UNIVERSITIES STARTED ON THEIR OWN STARTED REVIEWING THOSE AND CHANGING THOSE.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE WHERE THE EARLIER THIS MONTH THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY DOING THAT ON THEIR OWN ELIMINATING THAT OFFICE WITHOUT ELIMINATING JOBS AND ABSORB THE INITIATIVES WITHOUT HAVING A DEI PROGRAM.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER STATE UNIVERSITIES IN KENTUCKY AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES WHEN THEY OPEN IN JANUARY.

>> Bill: WE'RE SEEING IT NOT ONLY IN THE PUBLIC REALM AND PRIVATE COMPANIES SEEM TO BE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> AND THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO COME FORWARD WITH THAT INFORMATION SO WILLINGLY WHERE PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES HAVE MORE WE GOT TO COME OUT AND SAY THIS.

BROWN FOREMAN WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN LOUISVILLE TO SAY QUOTE IT'S ADJUSTED.

IT'S WORK RELATED TO DEI.

WHILE THEY DIDN'T DIRECTLY SAY WE HAVE CANCELED OUR DEI PROGRAMS, IT IS NOW ADJUSTING AND IS CLAIMING THAT THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED.

>> Bill: WELL, THE HOUSING ISSUE IN KENTUCKY KEEPS GETTING HIGHLIGHTED IN DIFFERENT ARENAS.

THE KENTUCKY HOUSING TASK FORCE MET THIS WEEK AND THEY DISCUSSED STRATEGIES AND SHORTAGES.

SOME STUDIES SHOW IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR PARTS OF THE STATE TO GROW RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PLACES TO LIVE.

AND THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS HOUSE SOMETHING A PRIORITY FOR THEM, BECAUSE THE CHALLENGES ARE HOLDING BUSINESS BACK IN THE STATE.

>> ABOUT 600,000 ADDITIONAL HOUSING UNITS IN KENTUCKY TO KEEP UP.

THAT'S WHY HOUSING PRICES JUMPED UP.

IT IS AN IMPEDIMENT TO ALL ECONOMIES ALL LOCAL ECONOMIES WE HEAR FROM BUSINESSES ALL THE TIME SAYING WE'RE TRYING TO RECRUIT PEOPLE THEY WANT TO COME TO KENTUCKY BUT THEY CAN'T FIND A PLACE TO LIVE.

TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GROWING THE WAY WE KNOW WE CAN TO BRING THAT BUSINESS HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH WE HAVE TO GET A FIX ON THE HOUSING CRISIS.

>> Bill: SO, RYLAND, YOU KNOW, 600,000 HOMES SHORT IN KENTUCKY.

WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS BEFORE AND IT'S MULTILAYERED THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH NO HOUSING THAT IS A CHALLENGE, OF COURSE.

WE KNOW LEXINGTON POLICE ARRESTED A MAN FOR HOMELESS CAMPING HE WAS FINED $154 UNDER THE NEW SAFER KENTUCKY ACT.

AND SO YOU HAVE THAT IS ONE ISSUE.

THE LITERAL HOMELESS ISSUE.

>> YES.

THERE'S AN IRONY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS MASSIVE SHORTAGE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT A TIME WHEN THE STATE LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL CRIMINALIZING STREET CAMPING A BIG NATIONWIDE MOVEMENT.

IT IS A HUGE WAY IN WHICH WE'VE CHANGED TALKING ABOUT AND HOW STATES AND CITIES CAN ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

AND THAT GOES FROM THE PORT TO PORT TO PEOPLE IN THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PEOPLE TRYING TO MOVE TO THE STATE AND TRYING TO FIND A PLACE TO LIVE.

A LITTLE BIT OF THIS IS US TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE WORLD LOOKS LIKE PUT IN THE POST PANDEMIC ECONOMY.

A LOT OF THINGS GOT CHANGED AND THINGS JUST AREN'T AS AFFORDABLE AS THEY ONCE WERE.

>> Bill: AND THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE AFFORDABILITY PIECE WHICH THE CHAMBER WAS FOCUSED ON.

MANY KENTUCKIANS ARE SHUTOUT OF HOMEOWNERSHIP OR RENTAL BECAUSE OF THE HIGH PRICES.

>> OH, YEAH, IT'S SO INTERESTING THE CONVERSATION AROUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING REALLY WAS MEANT TO DISCUSS LOW INCOME HOUSING.

AND FEDERALLY SUBSIDY SIZED HOUSING AND NOW IT'S SAYING MIDDLE INCOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING AFFORDABILITY ISSUES AND THAT IS WHAT THE CHAMBER IS REFERRING TO TO BRING IN MORE JOBS ESPECIALLY IN LOUISVILLE WHAT THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE IS SENDING PEOPLE TO INDIANA.

WE WANT TO KEEP THOSE HOMEOWNERS IN KENTUCKY AND IT'S BECOME REALLY DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY FOR LOUISVILLE WITH ONLY THE RIVER STOPPING PEOPLE FROM GOING ACROSS.

>> Bill: AND GETTING INTO THIS, IT HAS TO GO INTO MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS.

FOR ONE THING YOU HAVE THE CITY AND COUNTY ZONING LAWS THAT DON'T ALLOW CONSTRUCTION AND FOLKS WHO SAY WE NEED MORE HOUSING BUT DON'T BUILD A SUBDIVISION DOWN THE STREET FROM ME THERE WILL BE TRAFFIC.

AND BUILDERS SAY THEY CAN'T MAKE ENOUGH PROFIT BY BUILDING IN THE AFFORDABLE PRICE RANGE.

SO THIS IS A MULTIFACETED AND COMPLICATED ISSUE.

>> YES, I WOULD SAY DECADES LONG.

IT SHOULDN'T BE ANY SURPRISE TO ANYONE THAT WE ARE FACING THE SHORTAGE.

TO YOUR POINT, THE BUILDERS ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF PROFIT.

THEY ARE NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF PROVIDING HOUSING.

THAT'S WHERE THE DIVIDE COMES DOWN.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THE NATIONAL ELECTION.

SOME KENTUCKIANS ARE INVESTING IT AWAY FROM THE PRESS AND NEWS CAMERAS, REPUBLICAN VICE-PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE J.D.

VANCE STOPPED IN LEXINGTON AND RAISED $2 MILLION.

REPORT SAYS ABOUT 100 PEOPLE ATTENDED.

HOSTS INCLUDED MAJOR REPUBLICAN DONORS KELLY AND JOE CRAFT, THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN COLEMAN ELRIDGE CRITICIZED VANCE AS CLAIMING TO BE APPALACHIAN BUT ATTENDING A FUNDRAISER.

THE TICKET DID GET CONSIDERABLE KENTUCKY MONEY WHICH WAS AN INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> KENTUCKY IS GOING TO BE PART OF J.D.

VANCE'S POLITICAL STORY NO MATTER WHAT BECAUSE HILLBILLILE LEG WAS WHAT GOT HIM HIS FAME AND LED TO HIS RISE IN POLITICS.

KENTUCKY THOUGH IT'S NOT COMPETITIVE IT'S GOING TO BE A PLACE WHERE REPUBLICANS COME TO MEET WITH SOME WELL HEALED DONORS.

ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE REPUBLICAN PROLIFIC FUNDRAISER, KELLY CRAFT AND JOE CRAFT SOMETHING WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OVER RENTS DECADES AND SOMETHING THAT IS CONTINUING THIS YEAR.

AND I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO SEE A PRESIDENT TRUMP OR J.D.

VANCE RALLY OR ANYTHING IN KENTUCKY.

BUT MAYBE ACROSS THE RIVER IN CINCINNATI.

AND OHIO.

>> Bill: TO OUR BENEFIT THAT YOU LIVE IN KENTUCKY AND COVER THE NATION AND OVERSEE YOUR REPORTERS.

YOU SEE THE HARRIS-WALZ TICKET TRAVELING TO REPUBLICAN AREAS WITHIN GEORGIA.

TRYING TO CUT INTO THE MARGINS THERE.

SEEING THE GEORGIA MAYBE IN PLAY.

BUT DOES TRUMP HAVE SUCH AN ADVANTAGE IN KENTUCKY THAT WE ARE FAIRLY UNLIKELY TO SEE NATIONAL CANDIDATES CAMPAIGN HERE?

>> I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

I MEAN, IT'S YOU WILL SEE THEM ON TV PLENTY FOR SURE.

FOLKS ARE WATCHING CABLE NEWS OR LISTENING TO THE RADIO OR WATCHING POLITICAL AD IT IS WILL TRICKLE DOWN THROUGH ADS THAT YOU SEE FOR CONGRESS PEOPLE OR CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

BUT, YEAH, THEY WILL BE SPENDING MORE TIME IN THE SWING STATES.

AND THAT'S JUST THE REALITIES OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

A LOT OF THIS ELECTION IS GOING TO BE DECIDED THROUGH LARGE HANDFUL OF STATES SEVEN OR SO.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF INTERESTING THINGS GOING ON IN THOSE.

YEAH, SOMETHING WE SAW TODAY THERE'S NOW GOING TO BE DOWN BALLOT CANDIDATES THAN WE THOUGHT IN GEORGIA ALTHOUGH ROBERT F. KENNEDY WON'T BE ON THE BALLOT.

DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO SHORE-UP THEIR EFFORTS TO TRY AND GET VOTERS TO VOTE FOR THE MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATE INSTEAD OF THE DOWN BALLOT CANDIDATES.

THAT IS WHERE A LOT OF INTEREST IS RIGHT NOW.

>> ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. WILL BE ON THE BALLOT IN KENTUCKY HE SUSPENDED HIS CAMPAIGN AND ENDORSED TRUMP BUT THAT HAS TO BE NUANCED A LITTLE BIT IN TERMS OF WHAT KENNEDY WAS SAYING WHERE HE IS GOING WITH THIS.

>> YEAH, SO SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA THIS WEEK SAYING THAT ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR.

FILED TO BE ON THE BALLOT AND AFTER REVIEWING HIS SUBMISSION HE WILL BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT AND THAT CAUSED CONFUSION, MAYBE OUTRAGE FROM PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

BUT REALLY WHAT KENNEDY HAD SAID IS I AM ONLY GOING TO SUSPEND MY CAMPAIGN IN 10 BATTLEGROUND STATES.

KENTUCKY IS NOT COMPETITIVE NOT CONSIDERED A SWING STATE.

SO I GUESS KENNEDY STILL WANTED HIS CHANCE TO GET HIS NAME ON THE BALLOT IN THE STATES.

>> Bill: WHERE MIGHT KENNEDY'S VOTE COME FROM IN KENTUCKY TRUMP OR HARRIS?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

I THINK TRUMP HAS A STRONGHOLD IN KENTUCKY A GOOD PORTION OF THE STATE VOTED FOR HIM IN 2020.

I DON'T THINK NECESSARILY HE IS GOING TO GET A LARGE PORTION OF KENTUCKY'S VOTES.

>> Bill: UNIONS ARE TRYING TO USE THE APPROACH OF LABOR DAY MONDAY TO TALK ABOUT THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WORK AND GOALS AHEAD.

HANNAH YOU COVERED AN EVENT WHERE THEY ATTEMPTED TO UNDERSCORE THAT?

>> THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRAT PARTY WITH HOUSE CANDIDATES STATE HOUSE CANDIDATES AND UNION LEADERS HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN LOUISVILLE WHERE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS ARE MAKING THEIR PITCH OF HEY, WE WILL SUPPORT WORKING CLASS FAMILIES IF YOU ELECT US TO FRANKFORT.

AND I KNOW A COUPLE OF UNION LEADERS SAID THAT THEIR UNION MEMBERSHIP IS ON THE RISE WE WANT MORE DEMOCRATS HERE.

SO THEY WILL STAND UP FOR OUR UNIONS IN THE STATE HOUSE AND ONE OF THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES WAS JOHN STOVALL FOR DECISION TRICK 37 A FORMER UNION LEADER AND TOUTED HIS EXPERIENCE OF DECADES FOR FIGHTING FOR UNION WORKERS AND THAT IS SOMETHING HE CAN BRING IN FRANKFORT AS WELL.

>> Bill: ROBERT STIVERS AND CHERYL LYNN STEVENSON ARE AMONG STATE LAWMAKERS ON A TRIP TO TAIWAN.

AND THE RELEASE FROM STIVERS SAYS THAT TAIWAN IS AMERICA'S EIGHTH BIGGEST TRADING PARTNER AND HOPING TO STRENGTHEN THAT?

>> YEAH, AND THEY ARE PART OF A LARGE DELEGATION OF OFFICIALS AND LEADERS FROM THE SOUTHEAST THAT IS GOING TO TAIWAN TO PROMOTE TRADE BETWEEN TAIWAN AND KENTUCKY AND THE UNITED STATES.

AND, IT COMINGS AT AN INTERESTING TIME.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER WAS JUST IN CHINA RECENTLY WHICH IS A RARE OCCURRENCE AND TAIWAN IS ONE THING THAT COMES UP.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE DISAGREED OVER.

CHINA HAS LONG WANTED TO BRING TAIWAN BACK INTO THE FOLD SINCE THEY SEPARATED FROM THE COUNTRY IN 1949.

AND SO THIS IS SOMETHING THE UNITED STATES IS STILL TRYING TO SUPPORT TAIWAN IN THIS EFFORT AND KEEP THEIR FOOTHOLD IN THE ON THAT SIDE OF THE WORLD.

AND THIS IS ONE LITTLE PART OF THAT EFFORT OF OFFICIALS FROM EVEN LOCAL OFFICIALS GOING FROM THE UNITED STATES DOING THAT BEING SUPPORTIVE.

NOOFER GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THAT STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL GROSSBURG SHOULD CONSIDER RESIGNING HE IS ACCUSED OF HARASSING WOMEN AND HE STRONGLY DENIED THAT.

AND HE'S BEEN ASKED NOT TO ATTEND KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS?

>> THE LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT PARTY PUT OUT A STATEMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT SAID THEY ARE CONCERNED WITH WHAT THE ALLEGATIONS ARE AND ASKING HIM NOT TO ATTEND LOUISVILLE DEMOCRATIC EVENTS.

AND I THINK WHAT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE IS BESHEAR HASN'T NECESSARILY SAID OH, GROSSBURG SHOULD RESIGN.

RATHER AT THE TEAM KENTUCKY CONFERENCE HE SAID HE SHOULD GIVE SERIOUS THOUGHT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT PUBLIC OFFICE IS THE BEST OR MOST APPROPRIATE PLACE TO BE RIGHT NOW.

AS THE ETHICS COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST HIM PLAYS OUT AND THE ALLEGATIONS, TOO, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF BESHEAR CHANGES HIS MESSAGE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS OR WEEKS.

>> Bill: STRONG DENIALS FROM GROSSBURG.

ALL OF IT.

>> YES, BOTH GROSSBURG AND HIS ATTORNEY HAVE COME OUT MULTIPLE TIMES TO SAY SOME OF THESE ALLEGATIONS, PARTICULARLY YOU KNOW, INTERACTIONS WITH WOMEN OR THE TEXT MESSAGES ARE TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT.

AND YOU KNOW, THERE WAS ANOTHER PRESS RELEASE THAT THEY PUT OUT EARLIER AGAINST THE ETHICS COMPLAINT IT UPPING THE POINTS SAYING NONE OF THIS IS TRUE OR TO GO'S BEEN TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT.

>> Bill: AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE WAS ARRESTED FOR D.U.I., BEVERLY CHESTER BURTON IS A FORMER MAYOR OF SHIVELY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND SHE HAS FACED D.U.I.

CHARGES BEFORE.

>> YEAH.

WHEN SHE WAS MAYOR OF SHIVELY IN DECEMBER 2020 SHE PLEADED GUILTY WITH A D.U.I.

BACK THEN.

BACK THEN SHE HAD BEEN FALLING ASLEEP IN A DRIVE-THRU ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT WHICH LED HER TO CRASH HER VEHICLE IN THE WHITE CASTLE PARKING LOT.

SHE WAS ARRESTED AGAIN AND IS FACING ONE CHARGE OF A SECOND COUNT D.U.I.

AS WELL AS A COUNT OF RECKLESS DRIVING AND TODAY WE FOUND OUT SHE IS PLEADING NOT GUILTY TO THOSE CHARGES.

>> Bill: NOT GUILTY TODAY.

THIS WEEKEND KENTUCKY IS MARKING AN OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY SATURDAY GOVERNOR BESHEAR ORDERED THE FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF ON STATE BUILDINGS AND EVENTS ARE HELD IN FRANKFORT.

LINDA SQUIRE APPEARED AT THE TEAM KENTUCKY BRIEFING TO TALK ABOUT THE STATE'S SUSTAINED EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

>> KENTUCKY HAS LED THE WAY IN OVERDOSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION.

WE ARE DOING OUR PART TO STOP THE STIGMA, TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TREATMENT AND RECOVERY, AND TO GIVE HOPE TO THOSE THAT ARE STILL STRUGGLING.

>> Bill: MONICA, THIS IS A REMINDER THAT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE.

WE KNOW THAT.

WE SEE IT IN THE NUMBERS BUT KENTUCKY STILL HAS A DEADLY ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE PROBLEM.

>> YEAH, IT'S GREAT TO BE POSITIVE AND HEAR FROM SOMEONE SO DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY AN OVERDOSE TO PUT OUT A POSITIVE MESSAGE THAT KENTUCKY IS WORKING ON IT.

THE THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT RECOVERY TAKES YEARS AND SOMETIMES A PERSON'S ENTIRE LIFE.

WHERE ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE CAN HAPPEN IN A MATTER OF DAYS IF NOT MINUTES PARTICULARLY REGARDING OVERDOSE.

SO THE DRUGS ARE WORKING FASTER THAN THE WORK TO ABSOLVE THE ISSUE.

>> Bill: THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO AT LEAST OBSERVE AND UNDERSCORE THE EFFORTS IN THE STATE THIS WEEKEND.

THE ICONIC COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR DOLLY PARTON WAS IN LEXINGTON TO TALK ABOUT KENTUCKY'S COMMITMENT TO THE IMAGINATION LIBRARY THAT IS THE ORGANIZATION FOUNDED BY DOLLY IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS THAT PROVIDES BOOKS TO ELIGIBLE CHILDREN.

THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE PROVIDED FUNDING TO SPREAD THAT TO ALL 120 COUNTIES.

>> I WAS SO EXCITED TO HEAR THAT I LOVE THE IMAGINATION LIBRARIES.

KENTUCKY I LOVE.

AND IT'S JUST ACROSS THE LINE.

YOU KNOW FROM TENNESSEE.

SO WHEN WE HEARD WE WERE GOING TO GO STATE-WIDE I WAS HAPPY.

>> A LOT OF KIDS THEY KNOW YOU AS THE BOOK LADY.

>> IT MEANS A LOT.

A LOT OF KIDS DON'T KNOW I SING.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE I DO.

I AM A LADY THAT SENDS A BOOK TO THEM ONCE A MONTH WITH THEIR NAME ON IT IN THE MAILBOX.

>> Bill: THAT INTERVIEW BY WKYT WITH DOLLY.

AND WHAT AN ICON.

THE GOVERNOR AND FIRST LADY AND OTHERS FOR THAT EVENT.

HANNAH YOU GOT TO GO AND COVER THAT AND YOU SAID IT WAS A BIPARTISAN?

>> OH, YEAH AT THE LYRIC THEATER IN LEXINGTON AND IT WAS COOL.

THERE IS A UNIVERSAL LOVE FOR DOLLY PARTON.

YOU HAD DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN AS WELL AS SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS AMONG OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS.

IT WAS REALLY COOL TO SEE GOT A STANDING OVATION WHEN SHE PERFORMED.

SHE WAS GREAT WITH INTERACTING WITH THE CROWDS.

SO, YEAH, IT WAS INTERESTING.

>> Bill: NO SURPRISE.

>> NO SURPRISE WE LOVE DOLLY WE ALL HAVE TO SAY IT.

>> I'M JEALOUS THAT YOU GOT TO GO.

>> IT DID MAKE THE ROUNDS A LOT OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT IT.

>> Bill: IT'S FUN TO HEAR HER SAY SHE LOVES KENTUCKY.

MONICA, YOU DID A STORY ON HOW MIXED MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING CAN HELP POLICE OFFICERS HANDLE TOUGH SITUATIONS.

NOW, YOU ENDED UP HAVING TO TAKE TRAINING YOURSELF.

>> YES.

THEY PROVIDED THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW US WHAT IS REALLY AT PLAY AND I THINK THE INTERESTING PART IS THE JEW DIT SUE THEY ARE USE SOMETHING DESIGNED FOR POLICE OFFICERS KEEPING THEIR WEAPON IN MIND YOU CAN'T LET THE SUSPECT GET TO THAT SIDE OF YOUR HIP OR NEAR THE FRONT OF YOUR FACE THAT COULD BE A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD KNOCK YOU OUT AND THE BOTTOM LINE IT WAS REALLY HARD.

>> Bill: MA'AM MOPGHT PARK TRYING TO HAVE FUN WITH ONE OF THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS.

ONE IS THE CAVE IS DARK.

PARK OFFICIALS POSTED TO SOCIAL MEDIA SAYING COME EXPERIENCE WHAT IS DISAPPOINTED PILL HADS OF PEOPLE FOR OVER 225 YEARS.

THE PARK WENT ON TO SAY, THE WORLD OF REGRET AWAITS YOU AT MAMMOTH CAVE SHARED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TIME WITH ONE SAYING THEY APPRECIATE THE CAVE'S DEEP SENSE OF HUMOR.

THAT IS COMMENT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.