>> Bill: KENTUCKY'S APPLICABLE SET IS COMING TO FANCY FARM FOR POLITICS AND PORK AND TO SEE AND BE SEEN AHEAD OF KEY ELECTIONS.

EASTERN KENTUCKY CONTINUES TO DEAL WITH HISTORIC FLOODING.

IT APPEARS A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL BE CALLED TO DEAL WITH THE DESTRUCTION.

THE STATE'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN REINSTATED FOR NOW BY THE COURT OF APPEALS.

AND FEDERAL CHARGES ARE FILED IN THE BREONNA TAYLOR CASE.

LIVE FROM FANCY FARM IN WESTERN KENTUCKY, "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

FROM THE HISTORIC GROUNDS OF THE ST. JEROME CATHOLIC CHURCH IN GRAVES COUNTY, I'M BILL BRYANT AND WE WELCOME TO YOU "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND SOME ANALYSIS OF ALL THAT IS BEEN GOING ON.

THE GUESTS OUR PANEL OF WORKIN KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR: LIAM NIEMEYER, ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR FOR WKMS IN MURRAY, DEBORAH YETTER, REPORTER FOR THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

AND AUSTIN HORN, APPLICABLE REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON LEXINGTON.

PEOPLE ARE GATHERING HERE ON THE GROUNDS OF THE CHURCH FOR THE HISTORIC ANNUAL PICNIC HERE IN GRAVES COUNTY IN FANCY FARM, A LONG TIME EVENT IN THE COMMUNITY, HAS GONE BACK MORE THAN 100 YEARS, AND FOR DECADES HAS BEEN THE TRADITION A KICKOFF OF KENTUCKY'S CAMPAIGNS FOR THE FALL.

SO WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT ONSTAGE AND BEHIND THE SCENES HERE ON THE GROUNDS IN JUST A LITTLE BIT BUT LET'S BEGIN WITH A VERY BUSY WEEK IN NEWS.

THE DEATH TOLL HAS BEEN CLIMBING BUT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE IN DEALING WITH THE FLOOD-STRICKEN EVEN KENTUCKY.

GOVERNOR BASH AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE TOURED THE REGION AND REACTED.

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT INFRASTRUCTURE AND WE LOOK AT THE MASSIVE DAMAGE HERE, ROADS, BRIDGES, JUST EATEN AWAY, AND WE'LL MENTION BRIDGES IN A MINUTE, BUT THE WATER SYSTEMS HEAVILY DAMAGED.

SOME WIPED OUT.

AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE SIGNIFICANT TIME AND SIGNIFICANT DOLLARS TO RESTORE WHAT WAS DESTROYED.

>> THERE'S BEEN SEARCH AND RESCUE AND THERE'S STILL SEARCH AND RESCUE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE RECOVERY AND THERE'S GOING TO BE REBUILD.

WE'VE ALREADY HAD DISCUSSIONS BUT THE SPECIAL SESSIONS APPROPRIATIONS TO AID AND ASSIST PEOPLE.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, YOU HAVE REPORTED FROM SOME OF THE FLOODED AREAS, AS I HAVE.

IT'S -- WE HAVE SEEN THINGS WE HOPE TO NEVER SEE AGAIN.

>> Austin: EXACTLY.

IT'S JUST ABSOLUTE DEVASTATION.

AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO MOVE PAST THE INITIAL SHOCK JUST A LITTLE BIT, STARTING TO LOOK TOWARDS RECOVERY ON THE GROUND.

THAT'S KIND OF THE SENSE THAT I WAS GETTING AS OF A COUPLE DAYS AGO.

AND THAT'S ALSO THE SENSE THAT WE'RE SEEING FROM OUR LEADERS, RIGHT, THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR, BOTH LOOKING TOWARDS A SPECIAL SESSION.

WE'LL SEE WHEN THAT IS AND WHAT THE DETAILS ARE, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE BIPARTISAN PRETTY UNILATERAL WILLINGNESS TO GET SOMETHING GOING ON THE LEGISLATIVE END.

>> Bill: BUT MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL IN VERY DIFFICULT CONDITIONS, HEADING INTO THIS WEEKEND.

>> Austin: ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, I TOOK A DRIVE FROM HINDMAN TO JACKSON DOWN TROUBLESOME CREEK, AND THROUGH THERE IT JUST LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE KID WAS PLAYING WITH TOY CARS AND HOMES AND JUST KIND OF LEFT EVERYTHING SCATTERED ALONG THE FLOOR.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO WRAP YOUR HEAD AROUND UNTIL YOU JUST TAKE A DRIVE.

MILES, FOR MILES IT IS LIKE THIS DOWN THESE CREEKS THAT JUST BECAME BLOATED RIVERS IN A MATTER OF HOURS.

IT'S REALLY DEVASTATING.

>> Bill: PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AMAZED BY THE POWER OF JUST THE RUSHING WATER.

DEBBY, THE RESPONSE FROM KENTUCKIANS AND PEOPLE EVEN OUTSIDE THE STATE HAS BEEN AMAZING AND INSPIRING TO SEE AND THE STATE IS GETTING FEDERAL HELP AS WELL.

>> Deborah: YES, THEY ARE.

FEMA IS SETTING UP SHOPS IN SOME OF THE STRICKEN COUNTIES, 13 ALTOGETHER WERE AFFECTED BY IT.

THE DONATIONS ARE POURING IN.

THE ONE GOVERNOR BESHEAR STARTED, THE STATE TEAM KENTUCKY IS APPROACHING $4 MILLION RIGHT.

IT'S ALREADY BEING USED TO HELP PAY FOR SOME OF THE FUNERAL OF THE FIRST FLOOD VICTIMS, AND THE OUTPOURING OF DONATIONS FROM KENTUCKY AND AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH MEDICAL SUPPLIES, WATER, FOOD, CHEFS COMING TO COOK FOR PEOPLE.

IT'S BEEN EXTRAORDINARY.

>> Bill: LIAM, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN AMAZING TO SEE THE WORK OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND THEIR CAPABILITIES DURING THIS.

THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF HELICOPTER RESCUES, I THINK MORE THAN 1,000 SOMETIMES DOWN IN THOSE NARROW HOLLOWS, SNATCHING PEOPLE UP FROM ROOFTOPS WHERE THEY HAD ESCAPED FROM THE RISING WATER.

I MEAN, YOU REALLY SAW THEIR SKILL AND PREPARES ON POLICE SAY.

>> Austin:.

>> Liam: THOSE VIDEOS WERE SIMPLY CAPTIVATING YOU.

COULD SEE PEOPLE HOLDING ON AS THEY WERE SLOWLY BEING LIFTED FROM THE FLOOD WATERS, EVEN IN SOME CASES BASKETS BEING USED FOR FOLKS WHO ARE WHO WERE MOBLEY CHALLENGED.

>> Deborah: LIKE HUNDREDS OF FEET UP IN THE AIR.

>> Lisa: YES.

EXTRAORDINARY FOOTAGE.

>> Bill: AND AMAZING ON KNOW THAT THE GUARD IS SO PREPARED TO JUMP INTO ACTION LIKE THIS.

>> Deborah: THAT IS TRUE GOVERNOR BESHEAR RECOGNIZED THE GUARD AND THE STATE POLICE WHO DO THESE RECUSE TEAMS WHO DO THIS SORT OF THING APPARENT, AND WERE READY AND WENT RIGHT TO WORK DOING IT.

>> Bill: IF THERE IS THIS SPECIAL SESSION WHEN YOU HAVE THE GOVERNOR AND THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP BOTH AGREEING, AND IT LOOKS LIKE JUST A MATTER OF TIME, WHAT IS LIKELY TO BE DONE WITH THAT?

HOW LARGE WOULD THAT PACKAGE NEED TO BE?

AND ARE THEY STILL IN THE PROCESS OF JUST TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT?

>> Austin: I THINK THEY'RE IN THAT PROCESS.

I THINK LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAID THEY NEED TO DO A FULL ASSESSMENT TO KNOW WHAT THAT NUMBER LOOKS LIKE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR GAVE US AT LEAST ONE HINT ABOUT THE SCALE EARLIER WHEN HE SAID HE THINKS THE DAMAGE TO SCHOOLS ALONE WILL COST OVER $100 MILLION TO FIX.

I MEAN, THAT IS A HUGE NUMBER FOR JUST ONE BUCKET FOR THIS DISASTER.

SO WE'LL SEE.

WE HAVE A $2.7 BILLION BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND RIGHT NOW THAT WAS HIGHLY LAUDED WHEN THE NUMBERS CAME DOWN, SO WE'LL SEE WHAT PIECE OF THAT PIE THEY WILL BE WILLING TO GIVE, BUT WESTERN KENTUCKY WAS $200 MILLION, SO WHO KNOWS WHAT THE EASTERN KENTUCKY RELIEF PACKAGE WILL BE.

>> Bill: LIAM, IT IS A TOUGH SITUATION NOW AT MOUNTAINS OBVIOUSLY AND UNFORTUNATELY, REMINISCENT OF WHAT FOLKS HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH HERE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY FOR EIGHT MONTHS SINCE THOSE TORNADOES WITH OBVIOUSLY THE WORK GOES ON HERE.

I GOT TO DRIVE THROUGH MAYFIELD AND SEE THE DESTRUCTION IS STILL MIND-BOGGLING, AND YET THERE ARE SIGNS OF HOPE THERE.

>> Liam: ABSOLUTELY.

THERE'S MULTIPLE ORGANIZATIONS, NON-PROFITS ON THE GROUND THAT ARE CONTINUAL WORKING, SLOWLY REBUILDING HOMES, BUT IT'S A SLOW PROCESS.

PEOPLE OUT HERE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY ULTIMATELY ARE FRUSTRATED IN MANY WAYS WITH HOW THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE HAS BEEN.

OBVIOUSLY, FEMA APPROVAL RATE FOR AID HAS BEEN PRETTY LOW, I BELIEVE IN THE TEENS OUT IN WESTERN KENTUCKY FOR THOSE WHO APPLIED, YOU THE ABOUT THERE'S REASON FOR HOPE, AND A LOT OF THAT OFTEN LET'S SAY COMES FROM TRADITION.

THE DAWSON SPRINGS RECENTLY HAD THEIR ANNUAL BARBECUE AND THAT BROUGHT THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER, BROUGHT A SENSE OF NORMALCY, AND HOPEFULLY MAYBE FANCY FARM CAN PROVIDE THAT FOR MAY NEEDLE.

>> Bill: THEY DID GET BAD NEWS ABOUT THE COURTHOUSE AND OTHERS BUILDS.

>> Liam: YES, ONE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONFIRMED LAST WEEK THAT THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, JAIL, THE AMERICAN LOGE BUILDING ARE ALL FOR EXAMPLE GO TO HAVE TO BE DEMOLISHED, AND THAT COUNTY COURTHOUSE, IT'S A PRETTY HISTORIC BUILDING.

PEOPLE ARE TAKING PICTURE AND POSTING ON IT IN FACEBOOK GROUPS TRYING TO MEMORIALIZE IT WHILE THEY STILL CAN.

AT THE SAME TIME, IT REMIND ME OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO REINVENT THE COMMUNITY.

MAYFIELD MOTHER KATHY O'IN AN TALKED ABOUT ABOUT MAYBE WE CAN REDESIGN THE COURTHOUSE ORE WE CAN REDESIGN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO LIKE I SAID, THERE'S STILL HOPE FOR THE FUTURE BUT IT'S A SLOW PROCESS.

>> Bill: IN A STRANGE WAY THESE TWIN TRAGEDY HAVE REALLY UNITED OUR STATE.

I MEAN, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A SILVER LINING, THE PEOPLE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY I KNOW WERE TRULY TOUCHED WHEN THEY WERE HELPED OUT BY THE MAYFIELD FIRE CHIEF, THE DAY AFTER THE FLOODING JUMPED IN A VEHICLE AND HEADED OUT THERE, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

>> Liam:S IT WAS JUST A REALLY MOVING PHONE CALL HIGH.

COLLEAGUE NEWS DIRECTOR DEREK OBERLY TALKED WITH THE FIRE CHIEF AND THEY WERE GOING OUT THAT MORNING THAT WE TALKED WITH HIM, AND IT'S JUST A REALLY AMAZING MOMENT OF SOLIDARITY TO SEE NOT ONLY MAYFIELD BUT OTHER COMMUNITIES.

THE COMMUNITY OF BREMEN OUT IN MUHLENBERG COUNTY, WHICH, YOU KNOW, THE HOMES THERE WERE BASICALLY FLATTENED, THEY WERE SENDING SUPPLIES AND PEOPLE OUT THERE TOO.

IT REALLY KIND OF SHOWS SOME PROOF BEHIND THE PHRASE UNITED WE STAND.

>> Bill: SURE.

DEBBY, AS AUSTIN MENTIONED, THE SCHOOL ARE A TOUGH PART OF THIS, AND IN EASTERN KET REBUILDING, IN SOME CASES DEMOLISHED AND WILL LITERALLY HAVE TO BE BUILT FROM SCRATCH AGAIN, BUT WE HAVE OTHER CHALLENGES AMONG SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE AS THE BELLS ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN FOR CLASSES.

MANY OF OUR COUNTIES, MOST OF OUR COUNTIES ARE IN THE RED ZONE WITH COVID.

SO A LOT OF TOUGH DECISIONS AS SCHOOL IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.

>> Deborah: RIGHT UP.

JEFFERSON COUNTY GOES BACK AUGUST 10th, AS DO MANY OF THE COUNTIES SURROUNDING JEFFERSON COUNTY.

JEFFERSON COUNTY SAID THEY WILL START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH MASKS IF THE CODE RATES CONTINUE TO BE HIGH BUT IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT MANY OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE FOLLOWING THAT NOW THAT THE DECISION IS LEFT UP TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SO WE KEEP THE FOLKS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY CERTAINLY IN OUR THOUGHTS AS WE CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSION.

SOME OF THE OTHER NEWS OF THE WEEK, ANOTHER MAJOR STORY IS THAT ABORTION IS BANNED IN KENTUCKY FOR NOW AGAIN.

AN INJUNCTION NOW IS AT THE SUPREME COURT LEVEL FOR A DECISION BECAUSE THE STATE COURT OF APPEALS HAS REVERSED A JEFFERSON CIRCUIT JUDGE.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

YOU KIND OF GET WHIPLASH FOLLOWING THIS, BUT ABORTION STOPPED IN KENTUCKY AFTER THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN ROE V. WADE BECAUSE KENTUCKY HAS A TRIGGER LAW THAT ESSENTIALLY BANS ALL ABORTIONS, BUT IT WAS REINSTATED BY ORDER OF A JEFFERSON COUNTY CIRCUIT JUDGE BY A LEGAL CHANNELING BY ABORTION ADVOCATES SAYING KENTUCKY'S CONSTITUTION PROVIDES A RIGHT TO ABORTION IN THE STATE.

BUT THEN A COAT OF APPEALS JUDGE ON MONDAY LIFTED THAT INJUNCTION AND REINSTATED THE LAWS THAT BAN ABORTION, SO ONCE AGAIN IT'S BAN INDEPENDENT CASE IS NOW IN FRONT OF THE SUPREME COURT.

BOTH SIDES ARE ASKING THE STATE SUPREME COURT TO TAKE IT UP TO GET FASTER RESOLUTION.

AND TODAY AN APPEALS COURT JUSTICE DENISE CLAYTON ISSUED AN ORDER RECOMMENDING THAT THE STATE SUPREME COURT DO SO, BUT IT'S UP TO THE SUPREME COURT, OBVIOUSLY, ON WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO.

>> Bill: BUT THAT COULD HAPPEN RELATIVELY FAST.

>> Deborah: YEAH, I WOULD THINK EARLY NEXT WEEK.

>> Bill: AND AGAIN, THAT WOULD JUST BE A DECISION ON WHETHER THE LAW IS HELD UP UNTIL THE FULL COURT DECISION IS MADE.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

THERE'S STILL A LAWSUIT PENDING IN JEFFERDS CIRCUIT QUOTER COURT OF THAT IS YET TO BE RESOLVED SO THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO ALLOW ABORTION WHILE THAT IS PENDING OR WHETHER IT WILL BE STOPPED.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, WE SAW VOTERS IN CANS REREJECT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ON ABORTION BY 18 PERCENTAGE POINTS AND IT IS SIMILAR TO AN AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT IN KENTUCKY THIS FALL.

DOES THAT KANSAS.

MEAN THAT BOTH SIDES WILL WORK HARDER HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH?

>> Austin: I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY YES.

THE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT HAS GENERALLY BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN KENTUCKY.

WE'VE SEEN IT HELP LOOK AT THE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS -- ELECT A LOT OF REPUBLICANS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME THIS 18% NUMBER IN KANSAS, A STATE THAT ISN'T QUITE AS COULD I HAVE THE AS KENTUCKY BUT STILL VERY COULD I HAVE THE, HAS TO BE JARRING FOR -- COUNTY OF HAS TO BE JANUARY FOR MEMBERS OF THIS MOVEMENT.

NOT ONLY IS IT 18% TOTAL.

THEY WOLVERINE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN KANSAS, AND THAT'S A STATE THAT WAS JUST REDRAWN TO BE MORE SAFE TO REPUBLICANS IN ESSENTIALLY EVERY DISTRICT.

SO LOTS TO THINK ABOUT.

I THINK YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF DEMOCRATS, PARTICULARLY CHARLES BOOKER, TRY TO RUN ALONGSIDE THIS AMENDMENT, AND WE'LL SEE HOW MUCH REPUBLICANS EMBRACE IT AND REALLY FRY TO DIG THEIR FEET IN AND SCORE A WYNN HERE.

>> Deborah: LIKE KANSAS, KENTUCKY HAS TWO APPLICABLE ISSUES GROUPS UP AND RUNNING.

ONE IS CALLED YES FOR LIFE, WHICH IS THE ONE IN SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT TO KEEP ABORTION OUT OF THE STATE'S CONSTITUTION.

THE OTHER IS PROTECT KENTUCKY ACCESS.

THE PROTECT KENTUCKY REACTION PEOPLE ARE FAIRLY ENTHUSED BY THIS DEVELOPMENT IN KANSAS.

THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID THAT LAWMAKERS OVERREACHED WITH A TOTAL BAN ON ABORTION ESSENTIALLY A TOTAL BAN AND THEIR POLLING AND RESEARCH SHOWS MOST PEOPLE DEPONENT WANT THAT EVEN IF THEY DON'T LIKE ALL ABORTION.

>> Bill: WELL, IT WAS AN INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT THIS WEEK AND WILL BE WATCHED IN KENTUCKY.

DEBBIE, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS NOW FILED FEDERAL CHARGES RELATED TO THE BREONNA TAYLOR CASE.

>> Deborah: YEAH, THAT WAS KIND OF A BOMBSHELL DEVELOPMENT THIS WEEK WHEN A FEDERAL GRAND JURY RETURNED FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS CHARGES, AND IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN WASHINGTON BY U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND.

NONE OF THOSE INDICTED ARE THOSE THAT SHOT BROLIN, THE BLACK HOM WOULD AS KILLED, AND SAFETY PROTESTS, THEY ARE CONSPIRING TO -- BY ESSENTIALLY PLYING A SEARCH WARRANT OF THE SOME OF THESE OFFICERS WERE THE SAME ONES INVESTIGATED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON WHO WON THE STATE AND HIS STATE WAS AGAINST THE OFFICER FOR FIRING INTO A APARTMENT.

THE FAMILY OF BREONNA TAYLOR AND BENJAMIN "CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE" THE NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY WERE FAIRLY CRITICAL OF THE KENTUCKY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR NOT DOING MORE WITH THE CASE WHEN HE HAD IT.

>> Bill: AND CAMERON HAS REACTED.

>> Deborah: HE HAS RESPONDED.

HE PUT OUT A SERIES OF TWEETS SAYING FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS ARE WAY DIFFERENT THAN STATE LAWS, AND THEY WERE LOOKING AT THE CASE FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE AND THOUGHT HE DID THE BEST JOB THEY COULD WITH IT.

>> Bill: A WEEK WITH HOTS OF HEAD LINES.

AS WE COME TO FANCY FARM, WE ARE JUST A FEW MILES AWAY FROM MAYFIELD THAT WAS HIT BY THE TORN SO HARD, AND LIAM MADE MENTION A BIT AGO ABOUT TRYING TO RENEW TRADITION AND TRYING TO GET BACK TO NORMAL.

COVID DAMPENED FANCY FARM FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

NOW THERE'S BEEN A TORNADO.

ARE PEOPLE HERE EAGER TO HAVE A PRESENTING FANCY FARM EVENT AGAIN?

>> Liam: ABSOLUTELY.

I WAS TALKING WITH A EDUCATOR AT FANCY FARM ELEMENTARY WHO IS NOW THE PRINCIPAL AT THE GRAVES COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, HAS BEEN GOING TO FANCY FARM YEAR IN, YEAR OUT, AND SHE WAS ALSO THERE IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE TORNADO.

SHE WAS HELPING COORDINATE SOME OF THE SUPPLIES, SOME OF THE HOT MEALS A FANCY FARM ELEMENTARY JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

AND TO GO FROM THAT TO GETTING BACK TO A LITTLE BIT OF SENSE OF NORMALCY AND A LITTLE BIT OF SENSE OF TOGETHERNESS, I'D SAY PEOPLE ARE VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.

>> Bill: DO EVENTS JUST HAVE TO CHANGE THING THAT ARE TALKED ABOUT ON THAT STAGE TOMORROW?

>> Deborah: I WOULD EXPECT SO.

I THINK THAT MIGHT DAMPEN SOME OF THE RHETORIC BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE TO BE RESPECTFUL OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN EASTERN KENTUCKY, AND THE FACT THAT AT LEAST 37 PEOPLE HAVE DIED, AND FRANKLY THERE WON'T BE MANY DEMOCRATS ON THE STAGE TO BEAT UP ON, SO THEY WON'T HAVE THAT TO WORK WITH, BUT I'M SURE WE WILL SEE SOME OF THE USUAL POLITIC RHETORIC BEFORE THE DAY IS OVER.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, GOVERNOR BESHEAR DID NOT PLAN TO BE ON THE STAGE A ALONG.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN ALSO HAD PLANNED NOT TO BE HERE.

THE GOVERNOR WAS GOING TO ISRAEL.

OF COURSE HE HAS CANCELED THAT AND IS STAYING HOME TO DEAL WITH THE EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOOD BUT ABOUT THERE WILL BE SEVERAL REPUBLICAN SPEAKERS OUT THERE TOMORROW.

WHAT KIND OF CHALLENGE DO THEY HAVE AT A TIME LIKE THIS?

>> Austin: AS DEBBY WAS KIND OF REFERRING TO EARLIER, I THINK IT WILL DAMPEN THEIR MOST COMMON RALLYING CRY, WHICH IS WE DON'T LIKE BESHEAR AND WE WANT HIM TO LOSE IN 2023.

SINCE HE'S BEEN KIND OF THE FACE OF THE RESPONSE HERE, HE WAS THE FACE OF THE RESPONSE IN COVID, DURING THE TORNADOES, AND IN THESE FLOODS, SO I WOULD EXPECT A KIND OF TO ENDDOWN LEVEL OF RHETORIC THERE, TO END-DOWN LEVEL OF RHETORIC BUT AT THE SAME TIME THERE WILL BE DEMOCRAT HERE TO BEAT UP ON FROM AN REPUBLICAN STAND ON IT.

KATIE COLEMAN IS SPEAKING AND I BELIEVE 1st DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE JIMMY AUSBROOKS WHO IS A DEMOCRATIC.

>> Deborah: AND CHARLES BOOKER.

>> Austin: OF COURSE.

>> Bill: WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT SITUATION IS BOOKER.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES.

YOU WILL HAVE SAFIN A MADDOX, DAN CAM, RYAN QUARLES.

HOW DO THEY APPROACH THE STAGE TOMORROW?

>> Austin: I WOULD LOOK FOR SAVANNAH MADDOX TO CONTINUE THE LANE THAT SHE'S TRIED TO CARVE OUT, WHICH IS SEPARATING HERSELF APPLICABLY FROM THE REST OF THE PACK -- POLITICALLY FROM THE REST OF THE PACK.

A LOT OF THESE CANDIDATES TEND TO BE MORE MAUNLINE AND SHE IS FURTHER TO THE RIGHT.

FOR HARMON, HE REALLY NEEDS TO MAKE A SPLASH.

HE'S BEHIND IN THE POLLING THAT WE HAVE SEEN.

HE IS BEHIND IN THE MONEY RACE AND IN THE ENDORSEMENTS RACE.

SO I WOULD EXPECT A TRY FOR THAT FROM HIM.

THEN CAMERON AND QUARLES, I THINK IF YOU'RE THEM, YOU WANT TO AC LIKE YOU'RE THE FRONTRUNNER.

WYE DO NOT REALLY KNOW WHO THE FRONTRUNNER IS RIGHT NOW.

BUT I WOULD EXPECT BOTH OF THEM TO KIND OF SWAGGER IN THAT WAY.

>> Bill: YOU KNOW, CONGRESSMAN COMER RECENTLY SAID THAT THE FRONTRUNNER IS NOT IN THE RACE YET, AND MANY PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, BELIEVED HIM TO BE MAKING A REFERENCE TO FORMER UN AMBASSADOR KELLY CRAFT WHO HAS NOT FOUND FOR GOVERNOR BUT IS EXPECTED TO IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.

DO WE EXPECT HER TO BE A PRESENCE HERE?

>> Austin: I WOULD EXPECT SO.

I DO NOT KNOW IF SHE WILL BE ATTENDING.

I WOULD MAKE THAT ASSUMPTION UNLESS PROVEN OTHERWISE.

WE KNOW THAT MAX WISE IS ATTENDING, AND MAX WISE IS AN ALLY OF COMER WHO HAS BEEN MENTIONED AS POTENTIALLY SOMEBODY HOB PAIRED WITH HER CAMP, BUT AS WE KNOW, KELLY CRAFT, WHO HAS A APPLICABLE RESUME AS A TRUMP APPOINTEE BUT NOT AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, HAS A LOT OF RESOURCES BEHIND HER.

SO I THINK IT IS A FAIR ANALYSIS TO SAY THAT SHE MAY BE THE FAVORITE IF THAT IS WHO COMER IS REFERRING TO IN HIS REMARKS.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT, WE MENTIONED THE U.S. SENATE RACE, AND THAT IS THE EXCITING STATEWIDE RACE OF THE YEAR.

DEBBY, WE KNOW THAT REPUBLICAN SENATOR RAND PAUL, AND, FOR THAT MATTER, SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH McCONNELL WILL APPARENTLY NOT BE HERE BECAUSE THERE IS A VOTE, AN UNUSUAL VOTE ON SATURDAY IN WASHINGTON.

BUT DEMOCRAT CHALLENGER CHARLES BOOKER GETS THE STAGE.

>> Deborah: YES, HE WILL.

>> Bill: WHAT WILL HE DO?

>> Deborah: HE'S BEEN WORKING THE STATE PRETTY HARD GETTING AROUND.

HE SHOWED UP IN EASTERN KENTUCKY WITH FLOOD RELIEF EFFORTS AND HE'S BEEN CAMPAIGNING FOR QUITE WHILE, AND I EXPECT SOME PRETTY FIERY RHETORIC FROM HIM.

HE HASN'T SPARED ANY CRITICISM WHEN IT COMES TO RAND PAUL.

OF COURSE, SENATOR PAUL WON'T BE HERE TOMORROW NOR WILL MITCH McCONNELL WHICH IS VERY UNUSUAL, HE RARELY MISSES A FANCY FARM.

THEY'RE BEING HELD UP IN WASHINGTON BECAUSE OF THIS VOTE ON CLIMATE RELIEF AND OTHER MATTERS.

>> Bill: BOOKER TOLD ME THIS WEEK, BY THE WAY, THAT HE REALLY DID NOT THINK ABOUT LEAVING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THOUGH THAT WAS REPORTED BY SOME.

HE DID ACKNOWLEDGE FRUSTRATIONS WITH THE PARTY, AND IT'S SORT OF A WEAKEN NATURE AS A APPLICABLE FORCE.

AUSTIN, HE SAID HIS PLAN IS TO EXCITE VOTERS, AND AS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER WITH POTENTIALLY THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BEING SOMETHING THAT WOULD BRING OUT MORE VOTERS, HE BELIEVES THAT IF THERE IS HIGHER VOTER TURNOUT, IT BENEFITS HIM IN NOVEMBER.

>> Austin: YEAH, YOU KNOW, WE'LL SEE.

I THINK IT JUST DEPENDS ON WITH THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, WHICH WILL ANIMATE PEOPLE, WHO DRIVES MORE TURNOUT, AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD SEEN AND HEARD SOME REPORTING ON BOOKER CONSIDERING HIS RUN ARE FOR INDEPENDENT.

I HAD HEARD BOTH WAYS ON THAT.

HE WASN'T ACTUALLY CONSIDERING IT VERSUS HE WAS.

SO, YOU KNOW, I WOULD EXPECT HIM TO REALLY KIND OF HUGH VERY CLOSELY TO THAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

>> Bill: AS WE TALK ABOUT NATIONAL DEMOCRATS AND KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS AND RIGE TO BE A DISTINCTION.

LIAM, LONGTIME PROBABILITY REPORTER AL CROSS ROTE WROTE A PIECE IN WHICH HE RECALLED 1994 IN WHICH THE REPUBLICANS BROUGHT YOU THE OUT A LIFE SIZE FIGURE OF BILL CLINTON.

I REMEMBER PAUL PATTON ACTED OUT A SKIT TO PORTRAY HIS OPPONENT AS A PANDER BEAR.

AND FORGY GAVE A FIERY SPEECH WITH BIBLICAL REFERENCES.

DO THE OLD THEATRICS STILL WORK?

>> Liam: I HAVE TO SEE.

SOMETHING THAT COMES TO MIND IS THERE WAS AN INSTANCE WHERE STEVE BESHEAR TOOK A SELFIE WITH McCONNELL, TALKING ABOUT HOW HE WANTED TO MEMORIALIZE McCONNELL, YOU KNOW, WHILE HE WAS STILL IN OFFICE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND THEN McCONNELL, THE NEXT FANCY FARM, ENDED UP GIVING HIM A SIGNED PHOTO OF THAT SELFIE, SO -- SO I GUESS WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

I MEAN, AS WAS MENTIONED BEFORE, SOME OF THE RHETORIC MAY BE MORE MUTED BECAUSE OF OBVIOUSLY THE DISASTERS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY AND OBVIOUSLY THE ONGOING RECOVERY IN WESTERN KENTUCKY, BUT FANCY FARM IS ABOUT A LITTLE BIT OF DRAMA.

IT'S ABOUT A LITTLE BIT OF BARB.

SO, YEAH.

>> Bill: WE GOT WORD TODAY THAT GOP SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS WILL DEKE RE-ELECTION.

HE HAD THOUGHT ABOUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE, BUT HAS RUSSELL COLEMAN'S FIELD CLEARING EFFORTS BEEN THAT EFFECTIVE?

>> Deborah: I WOULD THINK SO.

RUSSELL COLEMAN IS A FORMIDABLE CANDIDATE, FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL AND CLOSE TO McCONNELL AND HE HAS AN ORGANS OUT THERE SO, YEAH, I THINK THAT COULD BE A FACTOR.

>> LAWRENCE: >> Austin: AND IF YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE WHO IS TRYING TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF BEING A POLITICS, WE KNOW THAT RUSSELL COLEMAN IS CLOSE TO McCONNELL IN A SENSE.

HE WORKED FOR HIM.

IF YOU'RE A CANDIDATE, YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE McCONNELL MAD, RIGHT?

LIKE WHAT HAD THAT SAY ABOUT YOUR FUTURE?

I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF WE SAW A CHALLENGER FROM THE LIBERTY HAVE BEEN, QUOTE/UNQUOTE, WING OF THE GOP BECAUSE THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT MITCH McCONNELL MUCH.

BUT WE'LL SEE.

I THINK WITH ADAMS HE DEFINITELY KIND OF NOT SHOVED HIM OUT, BUT ADAMS PICKED HIS LANE SEPARATE FROM COLEMAN'S.

>> Bill: IS IT GOING TO BE MORE INTERESTING WITH DEBBY, TO WATCH WHAT HAPPENS ONSTAGE TOMORROW OR WHAT'S HAPPEN BEHIND THE SCENES OUT HERE AT A FANCY FARM?

>> Deborah: WE CERTAINLY WANT TO WATCH AND SEE WHO SHOWS UP AND WHO'S WORKING THE PROUD AND SEE WHAT REACTION.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF KELLY CRAFT SHOWED UP AND WHEN -- ERIC DEET SER A WILDCARD CANDIDATE ARE FOR GOVERNOR ME.

WASN'T INVITED TO SPEAK BUT HE'S GOING TO SHOW UP AND SPEAK ANYWAY FROM HIS PICKUP TRUCK.

YEAH, THERE WILL BE SOME ACTION OFF-STAGE AS WELL.

>> Bill: YOUR FIRST FANCY FARM, AUSTIN, RIGHT?

>> Austin: MY FIRST ONE.

SO I DON'T KNOW, TO KIND OF BUILD OFF WHAT DEBBY WAS SAYING, I'M URL PARTICULARLY CURIOUS TO SEE THE KIND OF RETAIL POLITIC QUALITY THAT WE SEE FROM KELLY CRAFT.

I'M ALSO CURIOUS TO SEE IN MATT BEVIN MAY OR MAY NOT SHOW UP.

I HAVE ZERO CLUE IF HE WILL.

MAYBE HE WON'T.

BUT IF HE DOES, THAT WOULD CERTAINLY BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD GET A LOT OF PEOPLE TALKING.

>> Bill: WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TRYING TO FIND SILVER LININGS WITH THE DIFFICULTY THE STATE IS FACING RIGHT NOW.

THIS RECENT RAIN DID BRING, LIAM, SOME RELIEF TO THE COUNTIES OF MIRIAM AND CRITTENDON WHERE THERE ARE TRYING TO FIND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO THE WATER SUPPLY.

>> Liam: IT'S BEEN A SITUATION IN WHICH THE SMALL CRITTENDON COUNTY SEAT, IN APRIL THERE I WAS SINKHOLE BUILDING IN THE MIDDLE OF LEVEE HA WAS SUSPECTED BECAUSE DAMAGE TO THE WATER INTAKE SYSTEM PIPE THAT RAN UNDERNEATH THE LEVEE, AND THEY DECIDED TO BREACH, BREACH THE LEVEE THAT HELD THE LEAK ABOUT A YEAR'S WORTH OF WATER SUPPLY, AND NOW THE TOWN HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE DO THEY GET WATER NOW.

OBVIOUSLY, THEY GOT SOME RAIN, SO THEY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF WATER SUPPLY NOW, AND THEY'RE CONSIDERING GETTING WATER, TELL TESTING AN ABANDONED MINE TO SEE IF THERE COULD BE A WATER SOURCE, BUT STILL TO BE DETERMINED.

>> Bill: IF YOU'RE COMING TO FANCY FARM DON'T GET SO INTO THE SPEECHES THAT YOU FORGET TO TASTE THE BARBECUE BECAUSE IT'S GOOD, AND IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE PICNIC, KET WILL BE COVERING THE APPLICANT APPLICANT.

COVERAGE BEGINS 2:30 CENTRAL AND 1:30 SATURDAY AND, OF COURSE, ONLINE AS WELL.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.