NUMBERS ARE CLIMBING AGAIN JUST AS FAMILIES AND FRIENDS GATHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND THE OMICRON VARIANT IS BRINGING NEW CONCERNS.

If SENATE REPUBLICANS LEADERS S THEIR PRIORITIES FOR THE UPCOMING 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSI REDISTRICTING MAPS ARE SAID TO BE NEARLY COMPLETE BUT A SPECIAL SESSION TO ENACT THEM SEEMS CAUGHT IN A STANDOFF.

THE KENTUCKY SCHOOL BOARD PASS NEW STATEWIDE REGULATIONS FOR CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

A REALLY WARM START TO DECEMBER.

AND "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT.

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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR DEBORAH YETTER, REPORTER FOR TH MELISSA PATRICK, REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.

AND JOHN CHEVES, REPORTER FOR TO LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, A PRE-FILED BILL TO FINE DRIVERS CAUGHT RUNNING RED LIGHTS BY CAMERAS, AND A PROPOSAL TO MAKE PORCH PIRATING A FELONY.

BUT FIRST, WHILE PEOPLE ARE KEEPING UP WITH THE NEWS BOTTOM OMICRON VARIANT COVID-19 1 KENTUCKY'S COVID INDEPENDENCE ARE ALREADY climbing.

WE HAVE NOW TOPPED 11,000 DEATHS IN THE STATE, AND THE GOVERNOR SAYS THERE IS NO REASON TO PANIC BUT THERE ARE AMPLE REASONS FOR NEW CONCERN.

>> WE ARE SEEING CASES ESCALATE.

NOW, I HOPE THAT IT TEMPORARY OR PERHAPS WE WILL JUST BE AT IT MUCH LARGER PLATEAU WHERE THERE ARE UPS AND THERE ARE DOWNS, BUT BUT AT THE MOMENT WHAT WE ARE SEEING OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THANKSGIVING WEEK IS, IS AN INCREASE IN OUR CASES, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN POSITIVITY, AND IS AN INCREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>> Bill: AND FIRST TO ELSE.

A, JUST AS WE ALL HOPED TO RELAX FOR THE HOLIES, WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO KEEP OUR EYES ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN KENTUCKY WITH COVID AND THE NUMBERS DON'T LOOK GOOD.

>> Melissa: NO, THE WEEK OVER WEEK NUMBERS HAVE BEEN RISING AND THE GOVERNOR EXPECTS THEM TO GO BACK UP AGAIN THIS WEEK AFTER THANKSGIVING SORT OF PUT A LITTLE GLITCH IN THAT WITH LESS REPORTING, I GUESS, BUT TODAY WE HIT 2,813 CASES, AND THE SEVEN-DAY ROLLING AVERAGE IS ABOVE 2 HOW WHICH IS AS HIGH AS IT'S BEEN SINCE MID-OCTOBER.

SO IT'S -- THE INFECTION RATE'S HIGH.

THE HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE HIGH.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE REAL CONCERN, IS ALWAYS THAT WEAR GOING OVERWHELMING OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEMS WITH THESE HIGH CASES.

>> Bill: OBVIOUSLY MORE INDOOR GATHERINGS COMING.

>> Melissa: MORE INDOOR GATHERINGS AND THE COLD WEATHER.

ALSO, BECAUSE WE HAD GONE SO MANY WEEKS WITH THE CASE LEVELS COMING DOWN, PEOPLE PROBABLY HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE MORE RELAXED ABOUT THEIR -- WEARING THEIR MASK AND GATHERING WITH PEOPLE, JUST IN HOPES THAT THIS IS BEHIND US, BUT IT'S NOT.

>> Bill: AND THIS INCREASE WE'RE SEEING IS BELIEVED TO BE A CONTINUING WAVE OF THE DELTA VARIANT, AND MAYBE THE RESULT OF MORE PEOPLE GATHERING INDOORS, OUT SHOPPING SO FORTH, BUT THE GOVERNOR AND THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER SAY THEY ARE KEEPING A VERY CLOSE EYE ON THIS OMICRON VARIANT THAT IS CLEARLY IN THE U.S.

IN SEVERAL STATES NOW.

>> Melissa: SURE.

YOU KNOW, AS THEY'VE SAID, IT'S NOTE A MATTER OF IF IT'S COME BUT WHEN IT GETS HERE, AND AT THIS POINT WE DON'T HAVE ANY CASES IN KENTUCKY, BUT 11 STATES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO HAVE THIS VACANT IN IT.

AND WHILE IT APPEARS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED HAVE MILDER CASES, THERE'S STILL SO MUCH THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

AND SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN THAT WAIT-AND-SEE MODE AS RESEARCH IS DONE ON TRANSMISSIBILITY AND THE SEVERITY OF ILLNESS THAT YOU MIGHT GET WITH IT AND HOW IT AFFECTS -- HOW IT'S IMPACTED BY THE VACCINE, SO THERE'S JUST A LOT WE DON'T KNOW RIGHT NOW WHICH CREATES THE WORRY.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, DEALING WITH COVID HAS BEEN EXHAUSTING FOR PEOPLE, PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.

WE KNOW IT HAS RESULTED IN A LOT OF POLITICAL DIVISION IN OUR COUNTRY AND IN OUR STATE WITH A LOT OF DISPUTES.

BUT FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH STANT POINTED STANDPOINT, THE VIRUS KEEPS REPLICATING WE ARE REMINDED WE'RE IN THIS FOR THE LOCK LONG HAUL.

>> Deborah: I THINK THAT'S TRUE AND MOST PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE BEST SCENARIO IS LEARN TO MANAGE COVID.

IT'S GOING TO BE AROUND.

BUT AS LONG AS THERE ARE UNVACCINATED PEOPLE, THAT THIS VIRUS CAN ATTACK AND MUTATE IN, THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE VARIANTS AND MORE POSSIBLY MORE DANGERS VARIANCE.

AGAIN, THE PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGE IS GET VACCINATED, AND IF YOU'RE VACCINATED GET A BOOSTER TO TRY TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP THE SPREAD.

>> Bill: MELISSA, TO THAT DIVISION AND, YOU KNOW, YOU DID A STORY ABOUT PEOPLE SHOWING RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER IN THIS HEATED TIME, INCLUDING DIFFERING VIEWS ON VACCINATIONS.

>> Melissa: SURE.

AND SO, AS DEBBIE SAID, THE -- AS LONG AS THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED, THE CASES -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO MANAGE IT AS BEST WE CAN, AND DR. STACK, OUR HEALTH COMMISSIONER, HAS SORT OF DRUM BEAT MESSAGE LATELY HAS BEEN TO THAT LECTURING PEOPLE AND SCOLDING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED IS NOT THE WAY TO CHANGE MINDS AND HEART, THAT THE MESSAGE -- A MUTUAL RESPECT IN CONVERSATION IS REALLY THE WAY TO GET THEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETIMES WHAT PEOPLE DON'T GET VACCINATED BECAUSE OF TRANSPORTATION ISSUES OR BECAUSE OF ACCESS AND THAT THAT STILL EXISTS, AND SO YOU NEED TO JUST -- EVERYONE NEEDS TO JUSTICES HAVE AN OPEN MIND AND HEART WHEN THEY HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS IN HOPES REALLY, IN HOPES OF GETTING MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED.

>> Bill: TO BE VERY CLEAR, CRIMINAL JUSTICE DR. STACK DOES WANT YOU YOU TO GET IT.

>> Melissa: YES.

>> Bill: BUT TRY TO AID VOID THE HEAT.

JOHN, THE PARENT COVID ESCALATION, IT'S OBVIOUS IT'S OUT THERE RIGHT NOW, IS HAPPENING.

THE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP.

AND IT COMES AS LAWMAKERS WILL BE COMING TO FRANKFORT FOR THE 2022 GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH A HUGE TO-DO LIST.

THAT INCLUDES ENACTING THE STATE BUDGET.

IT INCLUDES REDISTRICTING THE CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE LINES.

BUT WILL COVID POLICY HAVE TO BE REVISITED OR AT LEAST BE IN THE BACKGROUND OF A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS IN SESSION?

>> Jonathan: THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

YOU THINK IT WOULD BUT EVEN IF CASELOAD NUMBERS START TO.

I'M AGAIN THIS WINTER TO BE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE HAS MADE IT CLEAR DON'T HAVE AN APPETITE FOR MORE MASK MAUN DATES OR VACCINE MANDATE OR CLOSING SCHOOLS OR BUSINESSES AGAIN SO THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ON THE TABLE.

I MEAN, I ASSUME THAT IF ANY STATE OF EMERGENCIES HAVE TO BE EXTENDED SO KENTUCKY CAN CONTINUE TO RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING, THAT WILL CONTINUE.

PENNSYLVANIA WITH THAT WE ARE HEARING ABOUT IS HOW WE WANT TO SPEND THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL COVID RELIEF MONEY THAT WE'VE GOTTEN WHICH FOR THE MOST PART, OF COURSE, THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO SIGN OFF OH THAT.

THEY ALLOCATE THE FUNDS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS WANTED TO GIVE HERO PAY TO ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS THEIR OWN IDEAS ABOUT WHO ARE SPECIAL WORKERS.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT PRIMARILY MEDICAL PERSONNEL.

SO WE'RE GOING TO WEIGH IN ON THAT.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS ALSO SAID NOW IS THE TIME KENTUCKY HAS TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE NURSES, WHICH IS A PROBLEM THAT PREDATES COVID, ABOUT THAT COVID HAS MADE SO MUCH WORSE.

LAWMAKERS WANT TO FINALLY ADDRESS THAT.

>> Deborah: I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH THEY CAN DO WITH THAT HONESTLY.

THEY'VE TALKED ABOUT MAKING SOME CHANGES IN EDUCATION POLICIES AND NURSING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD MAYBE ALLOW MORE NURSES TO GET EDUCATED AND GET THROUGH FASTER BUT BEYOND THAT I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY CAN DO.

>> John: I'M CURIOUS, TOO, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO TO CREATE MORE NURSES TOMORROW OR IN 2023.

THAT SEEMS LIKE AN ALMOST -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY GENERATIONAL BUT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.

BUT, BOY, THEY'RE NOT WRONG, IT'S A PROBLEM WE HAVE.

>> Deborah: IT IS.

>> Bill: WE'RE SEEING BELLARMINE AND UPIKE WEEK SOME OTHERS ARE TRYING TO RAMP UP THEIR NURSING PROGRAMS.

>> John: I.

THE IDEAS THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS IN TERMS OF RESTRICTIONS OF MANDATES.

>> Deborah: SOME HAVE ADOPTED ACCELERATED PROGRAMS TO GET PEOPLE WITH PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE FASTER THROUGH SOME OF THE NURSING PROGRAMS BUT AGAIN YOU'RE LOOKING AT A PRETTY MASSIVE SHORTAGES THROUGHOUT KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: AND AT THE SAME TIME, MELISSA, YOU HAVE A LOT OF THE EXPERIENCED NURSES ARE BURNED OUT IN THIS SITUATION.

THEY ARE RETIRING AND LEAVING.

>> Melissa: THEY ARE BURNED OUT, AND NOT ONLY ARE THEY BURNED OUT IN THE HOSPITAL IN CARETAKING ENVIRONMENTS, BUT OUR NURSING EDUCATORS ARE ALSO AGING AND BURNING OUT, AND SO THE PROBLEM IS SO COMPLEX BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE ENOUGH PROFESSORS TO TEACH THE UNDERSTAND STUDENT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ENOUGH SLOTS IN CARETAKING SETTINGS FOR STUDENTS TO GET THAT HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE.

IT'S NOTE SIMPLY ABOUT OPENING UP MORE SLOTS.

IT'S A BIGGER PUZZLE PICTURE THAN THAT.

>> Bill: SO WE'LL SEE IF THAT GETS DISCUSSION.

JOHN, THE REPUBLICAN SENATE LEADERS DID GATHER IN BOWLING GREEN AND DISCUSS THEIR PRIORITIES.

BY WE KNOW THE GOVERNOR WILL CALL FOR MORE SPENDING.

WE WILL CALL FOR RAISES IN HIS BUDGET PROPOSAL.

IT SOUNDS LIKE GOP LEADERS ARE, THOUGH, VERY INTERESTED IN PAYING DOWN THIS UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY.

>> John: RIGHT, AND THAT'S ONE IDEA ON THE TABLE, AND THAT CAME FROM SENATOR MIKE WILSON OF BOWLING GREEN.

WE HAVE GOT A $27 BILLION DEBT BETWEEN THE STATE TEACHER PENSION AND THE.

THE DIDN'T NOT THE LEGISLATURE PLAN.

IT'S OVERFUNDED.

IT'S 109% FUNDED SO GOOD FOR THEM FOR KEEPING THEY PENSION WELL FUND PD BUT TEACHERS AND STATE WORKERS YES.

$27BILLION IN STATE PENSION DEBT WE'RE ON A 30-YEAR REPAYMENT PLAN.

SENATOR WILSON SAID MAYBE WE CAN TAKE A $1 BILLION FROM THIS SEVERAL BILLION SURPLUS WE EXPECT TO HAVE NEXT YEAR, PAY AHEAD ON IT JUST LIKE YOU DO ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

YOU CAN CUT THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST YOU WOULD OWE, JUST LIKE YOU WOULD WITH YOUR MORTGAGE.

THAT MAKES GOOD FISCAL SENSE.

THAT'S ONE POSSIBILITY.

WHETHER THEY WILL DO IT, I DON'T KNOW.

THEY ARE PAYING BILLIONS DOLLARS OUT OF THE BUDGET.

IDENTITY A $12 BILLION BUDGET FUND IT'S A HUGE COST AND IT'S JUST GOING TO GET WORSE AS WE GO AHEAD.

>> Bill: SENATE PRESIDENT ROBBER STIVERS ACKNOWLEDGES RETAINING STATE WORKERS IS DIFFICULT IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

DEBBIE, GOVERNMENTS ARE HAVING TO COMPETE FOR EMPLOYEES RIGHT NOW.

I KNOW IN LOUISVILLE GREG FISCHER, THE MAYOR IS PROPOSING RACES TO DEAL WITH WHAT HE IS CALLING A RETIREMENT TSUNAMI.

>> Deborah: PARTICULARLY IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY WEEKS CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT.

I KNOW CORRECTIONS -- SOME PEOPLE ARE SAYING IT'S A CRISIS SITUATION THERE BECAUSE OF STAFFING SHORTAGES.

THEY'VE HAD TWO INMATE DEATHS THIS WEEK IN JEFFERSON COUNTY JAIL.

WHETHER THOSE WERE RELATED OR NOT, IT'S NOT BEEN DETERMINED, BUT SOME CRITICS ARE ALREADY SAYING THAT THIS COULD BE A FACTOR.

>> Bill: AND AGAIN, THAT --Y.

>> >> John: I COVERED THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTIN, WHICH TAKES CARE OF KIDS THAT ARE IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW.

THIS WEEK I I HAVE LEARNED THEY HAVE A 30% VACANCY RATES AMONG THEIR WORKERS, THEIR GUARDS.

THAT'S BEEN A BIG PART OF THE REASON THEY'RE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ABUSE AND NEGLECT THERE.

IT'S A DIFFICULT JOB AND THEY CAN'T PAY WELL ENOUGH TO GET AHOLD OF PEOPLE.

>> Bill: JOHN, WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN ON REDISTRICTING IN?

IT APPEARS TIME IS ABOUT UP FOR A SPECIAL SESSION THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAD PUSHED FOR.

WE HEAR THAT THE GOP LEADERS HAVE THEIR MAPS ABOUT COMPLETE AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO GET IT DONE.

>> John: APPARENTLY IN PRIVATE, THE GOP MAJORITIES OF THE LEGISLATURE HAVE JUST ABOUT FINISHED DRAWING UP 138 STATE ECLECTIC DISTRICTS AND SIX CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

WE JUST ISN'T SEEN THEM YET.

THEY WANTED TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION BEFORE THEY CAME INTO REGULAR SESSION IN JANUARY TO PASS IT OUT, GET THEM INTO LAW.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS NOT WANTED TO CALL THEM INTO SPECIAL SESSION UNLESS HE GOT A LOOK AT THE MAPS.

THEY'VE NOT BEEN INCLINED TO GIVE THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR A LOOK AT THEIR MAPS SO THEY'LL PROBABLY NOT GET TO DO THIS UNTIL THE FIRST WEEK JANUARY.

THEY COME IN JANUARY 4th FOR REGULAR SESSION.

AND THEY COULD DO IT IN THE FIRST WEEK.

THE TRICKY THING IS THE FILING DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES FOR 202 THE ELECTIONS IS JANUARY 7th, THREE DAYS LATER, SO PEOPLE WOULD CONCEIVABLY BE FILING FOR ELECTIONS FOR DISTRICTS THAT THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE LINES ARE GOING TO BE.

LAWMAKERS MIGHT HAVE TO GO AHEAD AND EXTEND THE FILING DEADLINE IF THAT'S THE ROUTE THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE.

>> Bill: AND AN INNOCENT QUESTION, AND I'M NOT THIS NAIVE.

IT'S A TONGUE-IN-CHEEK QUESTION.

WHY NOT SHOW EVERYBODY THE MAPS?

>> John: THAT WOULD BE NICE, WOULDN'T IT?

NOT ONLY SHOW PEOPLE THE MAPS BUT LET THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVERY TEN-YEAR PROCESS OF REDRAWING THE BOUNDARIES WE ALL VOTE IN.

BECAUSE THIS HAPPENS WHENEVER THERE'S A MAJORITY IN CHARGE, THEY LIKE TO PICK THEIR VOTERS.

IT ADVANTAGES THEM POLITICALLY.

THE DEMOCRATS DID IT.

THE REPUBLICANS ARE DOING IT.

THEY KEEP THEIR CARDS CLOSE TO THEIR VEST SO THEY CAN CONTROL THE PROCESS.

>> Bill: AND SO IT GOES AND WE'LL SEE, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THAT'S HEADED FOR THE FIRST DAYS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE PUSH BACK DEADLINE.

IF SOMEBODY IS MOVED FROM ONE DISTRICT TO ANOTHER, APPARENTLY THEY'D HAVE TO REREGISTER AND FILE AGAIN AND PAY A FEE AGAIN.

>> Jonathan: GET YOUR WHITE-OUT READY.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, A ABORTION RESTRICTIONS ARE AT THE SAME TIME THE SUPREME COURT IS DECIDING A CASE OUT OF MISSISSIPPI, AND SOME ARE HOPING TO PASS IN KENTUCKY AN OM BUY JUST ABORTION BIM DOES THE PENDING SUPREME COURT DECISION EMBOLDEN THAT EFFORT OR WILL IT CAUSE ADVOCATES TO PAUSE?

>> Deborah: I DOUBT IT WILL CAUSE A PAUSE IN THEIR EFFORTS TO PASS THIS BILL BECAUSE THE SUPREME COURT DECISION, WHICH COULD OVERSURIN ROW V. WADE AND MANY THINK IT WILL, A DECISION NOT EXPECTED UNTIL NEXT STURM SOME TIME SO I EXPECT THE LAWMAKERS WHO ARE BEHIND THIS SO-CALLED OMNIBUS BILL ON ABORTION WOULD LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND PUSH THAT THROUGH IN THE SESSION.

IT DOES ADD MORE RESTRICTIONS TO ABORTION, INCLUDING MEDICATION ABORTION, WHICH IS A -- WHERE YOU INDUCE A TERMINATION THROUGH TAKING PILLS VERY EARLY IN A PREGNANCY, AS OTHER STATES HAVE DONE, BUT KENTUCKY ALREADY HAS PASSED NEARLY A DOZEN BILLS SINCE 2017 WHEN REPUBLICANS TOOK CONTROL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT EITHER ELIMINATE -- WOULD ATTEMPT TO ELIMINATE OR CUT BACK ABORTION IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: ONE OF THE LEGISLATURE'S TOP ANTIABORTION ADVOCATES IS RUNNING.

FOR THE SUPREME COURT.

>> Deborah: THAT'S JOE FISHER AND HE'S RUNNING AGAINST JUSTICE MARIE KELLER.

REPRESENTATIVE FISCHER HAS BEEN THE ARCHITECT OF A LOT OF THESE BILLS.

IN FACT, HE'S THE SPONSOR OF THE TRIGGER LAW THAT IS IN EFFECT IN KENTUCKY RIGHT NOW WHICH SHOULD ROW V. WADE BE OVERHUNDRED DOLLARS, THEN KENTUCKY WOULD AUTOMATICALLY BAN ABORTION UNDER THIS TRIGGER LAW.

IT'S UNONE OF ABOUT A DOZEN STATES THAT HAVE SUCH LAWS ON BOOKS.

>> Bill: SO IT APPEARS WE KNOW SOME OF THE MAJOR DECISIONS THAT BE BE UNDER CUSHION BUT THERE ARE TOPICS COMING UP AS WELL.

KENTUCKY SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS IS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO PRIMM IMPROVE KENTUCKY'S ELECTION AND PARTICIPATION.

HE TOLD NEE IN AN BY THE FOR KENTUCKY NEWSMAKERS THAT HE IS OPEN TO LETTING INDEPENDENT VOTERS PARTICIPATE IN PARTISAN PRIMARIES.

>> I THINK ONE THING WE SHOULD CAN BE LOOKING AT LONG-TERM IS LETTING INDEPENDENCE PICK ONE OF THE TWO PRIMARIES TO RUN IN?

>> Bill: REALLY YOU BELIEVE IN AN OPEN PRIMARY.

>> I BELIEVE IN A OPEN PRIMARY WHERE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS CAN VOTE IN EACH OTHER'S PRIMARIES.

I THINK IT'S WEAN GREAT FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE IN TERMS OF DRAWING INTEREST IN THEIR ELECTIONS.

>> Bill: JOHN, THAT WOULD BE A BIG CHANGE HERE IN KENTUCKY.

>> John: A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOSING INTEREST IN BELONGING TO A PARTY.

THE.

THEY JOIN IT WAS THEY WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE PRIMARIES EVERY SPRING AND HELP ESSENTIALLY IN SOME CASES PICK THE WINNER BECAUSE THAT'S THE ELECTIONCH COUNTS, OTHERWISE IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO PICK A PARTY, YOU MIGHT SEE PARTY MEMBERSHIPS DROP.

>> Bill: WHICH IS INTERESTING BECAUSE INDEPENDENT OR OTHER CLASSIFICATION IS ALREADY ABOUT 10% AND IS THE FASTEST GROWING SEGMENTS.

IT'S OUTGROWING DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS IN TERMS OF PARTICIPATION.

>> John: THIS COULD SPEED THAT UP.

>> Bill:Y WE'RE ALL SEEING THESE REPORTS OF PACKAGE BEING STOLEN FROM PORCHES AND DRIVEWAYS.

HERE WE ARE IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR DAVID YATES OF LOUISVILLE WOULD WANT TO MAKE PORCH PIRATING A FELONY.

GIVE AT THIS TIME SAME KIND OF PROTECTIONS THAT THE U.S. MAIL HAS.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

I LOOKED AT THAT BILL AND IT'S A FAIRLY SIMPLE ADDITION TO A LAW THAT ALREADY BANS THEFT OF MAIL FROM PORCHES OR MAILBOXES OR WHATEVER, ADDS PACKAGES DELIVERED BY A COMMON CARRIER.

>> Bill: AND STATE SENATOR SENATOR REGGIE THOMAS LEXINGTON HAS A BILL THAT ALLOWS DRIVERS THAT ARE CAUGHT BY CAMERAS RUNNING RED LIGHTS TO BE FINED.

THAT WAS CONTROVERSIAL WHEN IT HAPPENED UP IN DAYTON, OHIO AND THEY BACKTRACKED ON IT UP THERE AFTER A FEW MONTHS.

>> John: I CAN IMAGINE SO.

THERE WOULD BE SOME ISSUES ABOUT WHO DO YOU APPEAL TO.

ARE YOU SURE THE TECHNOLOGY IS WORKING CORRECTLY.

>> Deborah: HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WAS YOU DRIVING THE CAR IF THEY HAVE THE LICENSE PLATE.

>> John: A THOUGHT HAVE SHOT OF THE WINDSHIELD.

>> Bill: IN SOME WAY, THE BRIDGES ARE DONE WITH TOMES.

WE'LL SEE IF THAT GETS ANY SERIOUS DISCUSSION.

THE KENTUCKY BOARD OF EDUCATION PASSED NEW RESTRICTIONS ON CORPORATE PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS THIS WEEK.

STATE LAW ALLOWS PADDLING BUT MOST LOCAL DISTRICTS HAVE ABOUT ABOUT AN BANNED IT.

EDUCATION JASE OWN GLASS LEFTS NO GOUT ABOUT HIS OPPOSITION TO CORPORATE PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS.

DEBBIE, AS WE NOTED IT IS WARE RARE BUT SOCOM SCHOOLS DO ALLOW IT.

>> Deborah: THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT STILL PERMIT IT AROUND KENTUCKY, HOWEVER, THE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER DECLARED IT A BARBARIC PRACTICE AND THE BOARD ENACTED ENOUGH REGULATIONS TO -- I GUESS THE INTENT WAS TO MAKE IT AS PAINFUL AS POSSIBLE FOR SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO USE IT AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE PERMISSION FROM THE PARENTS IN ADVANCE, THE STUDENT IS SUPPOSED TO GET 30 MIN MINUTES OF COUNSELING AFTERWARDS.

IT'S PROHIBITED FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS SUCH'S THOSE IN FOSTER CARE OR THOSE WHO HAVE SPECIAL EDUCATION PLANS BECAUSE OF MAYBE SOME KIND OF EDUCATIONAL DEFICIT.

SO, YEAH, THERE ARE A LOT OF HOOPS THEY'D HAVE TO GO THROUGH TO KEEP DOING THIS.

AND KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATE HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR YEARS TO GET THIS ELIMINATED.

THEY SAY IT'S GENERALLY USED YOU DISPROPORTIONATELY AND ADDS TO THE TRAUMA OF KIDS WHO ARE ALREADY TROUBLE.

>> Bill: MELISSA, IN MOST SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE VAST MAJORITY DON'T GO THERE.

>> Melissa: NO, I BELIEVE IT'S BEEN REPORTED THAT THERE ARE FOUR THAT HAVE PERMISSIVE POLICIES AND 11 ARE JUST NOT CLEAR.

SO IT REALLY IMPACTS A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS OUT OF -- WHAT DO WE HAVE?

-- ABOUT 171 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SO THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO MOVE THIS BALL FORWARD AS FAR AS TO HOPEFULLY MINIMIZE THE AMOUNT OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT THAT IS GOING ON.

>> Bill: IT LOOKS LIKE THOSE REGULATIONS WOULD GO IN EFFECT NI NEXT SUMMER.

JOHN, A JUDGE STRUCK DOWN A KENTUCKY LAW THAT LIMITS THE GOVERNOR'S ABILITY TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS TOTE STATE FAIR BOARD.

>> John: JE.

THE JEFFERDS CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE RULE THIS A LAW THE REPUBLICAN LIBERALS PASSED THAT GAVE REPUBLICAN DARLINGAL COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES A MAJORITY OF SEATS ON THE STATE FAIR BOARD AND MINORITY OF THE SEATS TO GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR, A DEMOCRAT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BOUGHT IT INFRINGED ON THE GOVERNOR'S ROLE AS CHIEF MAGISTRATE I DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS THAT MUCH AT STAKE ON THE STATE FAIR BOARD BUT LIGHT OF PEOPLE THINK THE STATE FAIR BOARD IS IMPORTANT, AND IT WAS ONE OF A NUMBER OF MEASURES WHERE THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN SCRIMMAGING TRYING TO HALT THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY.

IF A REPUBLICAN EVER HOLDS OFFICE AGAIN WE WILL SEE IF THAT SKIRMISHES CONTINUE.

>> OR IF THERE'S AN AG COMMISSIONER OF ANOTHER PARTY.

>> Deborah: THE REPUBLICAN-ELECT LEADERS SAY THEY PLAN TO KEEP THIS FROM BLOWING -- I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE APPEALING IT BUT THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THE JUDGE TO DELAY HER ORDER SAYING IT WOULD SEND THINGS INTO CHAOS.

>> Bill: JOHN, KENTUCKY'S TAX CODE GOT INTEREST FROM THE TAX FOUNDATION.

IT HAD SAID KENTUCKY SHOULD MODERN A ITS TAX CODE AND BE LESS RELIANT ON INCOME TAXES.

>> John: THIS IS TRUE.

THE.

THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ASKED THE TAX TO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR TAX CODE AND SUGGESTED REFORMS.

IT WAS DISTILLED TO DO INISTS END WE SHOULD REDUCE OR REPEAL CERTAIN BUSINESS TAXES, REDUCE THE INCOME TAX DEPENDENCE AND INCREASE SALES TAXES, MAYBE EVEN HAVE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAXES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT WANT IT THE.

THE ARGUMENT AGAINST THAT LAST BIT IS THAT IT'S CONSIDERED REGRESSIVE BY MANY, THAT POORER PEOPLE ARE MORE AFFECTED BY THE SALES TAXES BECAUSE THEY SPEND MORE OF THEIR INCOME AS COMPARED TO WEALTHY PEOPLE.

THE REPORTER ALSO SAID THAT WE SHOULD EVALUATE AND STREAMLINE THE TAX INCENTIVES THE STATE OFFERS TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES, WHICH IS SOMETHING A LOT OF PEOPLE POINT OUT BECAUSE WE OFFER TAX INCENTIVES, PUT THEM INTO THE STATUTE, AND THEN WE OFTEN NEVER GO BACK AND SAY, HEY, WE'RE GETTING ANY BANG FOR OUR BUCK WITH THESE THINGS?

>> Deborah: COULD I JUST ASK HOW MANY OF THESE TAX REFORM STUDIES ARE ON THE SHELF NOW OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES?

>> John: ON A GROANING BOOK SHELF WITH 100 OTHER TAX REFORMS.

>> Bill: THEY'RE TOO HIGH TO REACH.

ALL RIGHT.

ALSO, MELISSA, WE HAVE HAD WOR THIS WEEK THAT KENTUCKY'S ONE OF ZEN STATES THAT WILL GET MONEY FROM A FOUNDATION RUN BY FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG TO HELP WITH THE HORRIBLE CHALLENGE WE HAVE THE OPIOID AND OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC.

>> Melissa: RIGHT.

SO IT APPEARS TO BE A $10 MILLION GRANT, AND THE MONEY CAN BE USED TO ADDRESS THE OVERDOSE DEATHS, INCREASING ACCESS TO MEDICATION-ASSISTED THEIR, AND I PREVENTION.

SO IT HAS SOME DIRECTION ON HOW THE MONEY CAN BE SPENT.

AND THE MONEY IS TIMELY IN THAT THE 2020, THE LAST REPORT SHOWED A 49% INCREASE IN DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS FROM THE PRIOR YEAR, AND SO THE PROBLEM IS NOT REALLY GETTING BETTER IN KENTUCKY RIGHT NOW, AND SO THIS MONEY WILL BE WELL USED.

>> Bill: THERE'S ALSO AN EFFORT, DEB, TO DRY THE GET NALOXONE, NARCAN OUT THERE,.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DARRELL LEWIS OF LAUREL COUNTY WANTS SCHOOLS TO HAVE IT AVAILABLE AND PERSONNEL TRAINED TO USE IT.

>> Deborah: NALOXONE REVIVES SUMMON WHO HAS EXPERIENCED AN OVERDOSE.

I CAN'T SEE THE HARM OF THAT.

I THINK IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO HAVE IT ON HAND ALTHOUGH I'M NOT SURE THAT'S THE CURRENT PROBLEM IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY RANKS FIRST IN THE COUNTRY IN TERMS OF LUNG CANCER AND WE ALSO ARE LOW IN SURVIVAL AND EARLY DIAGNOSIS BUT SCREENING AND TREATMENT ARE AVAILABLE IF PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO ACCESS IT.

>> Melissa: RIGHT.

THAT SAME REPORT RANKS KENTUCKY SECOND FOR SCREENING, AND THAT'S GOOD NEWS BECAUSE THAT MEANS MORE PEOPLE ARE BEING LOOKED AT TO SEE IF THEY HAVE RUNG LUNG CANCER IN A STATE THAT LEADS THE NATION IN SMOKING AND WITH SMOKING BEING THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF LUNG CANCER IN THE STATE.

AND SO THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 50 AND 80 KNOW THAT THERE IS LUNG CANCER SCREENING AVAILABLE TO THEM IF THEY HAVE BEEN REGULAR SMOKERS.

THERE'S SOME CRITERIA THAT GO WITH THAT.

AND THAT THEY SEEK THAT SCREENING OUT AND ASK FOR IT BECAUSE IT'S COVERED BY MOST INSURANCES, AND SO EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES.

>> Bill: OTHER HEALTH STORIES YOU'RE WATCHING NOW.

THE FLU, RIGHT?

>> Melissa: ALWAYS THE FLU.

WE'RE JUST GETTING THE FIRST REPORTS IN LEXINGTON OF OFFICIAL FLU CASES, AND THE MESSAGE THERE IS ALWAYS GET YOUR FLU VACCINE, AND TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN GET YOUR FLU VACCINE AND YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE AT THE SAME TIME.

AND THAT THAT MIGHT BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEVERE ILLNESS OR NOTE SEVERE ILLNESS AND STAYING OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

>> Bill: JOHN,Y SHORTLY BEFORE AIR TIME WE HEARD TEST RESULTS CONCERNING DERBY HORSE.

>> John: BOB BAFFERT'S SAID THE PERFORM ENHANCING DRUG THAT APPARENTLY GOT HIS HORSE IN TROUBLE AT THE DERBY WAS, ACCORDING TO TEST RESULTS, APPLIED ONLY TOPICALLY AND WAS NOT INGESTED AND THEREFORE THE ATTORNEY SAYS SHOULD NOT BE A SOURCE OF CONCERN.

BEFORE HE WENT ON, WE CHECKED.

THERE WAS NOTHING FROM THE HORSE RACING AUTHORITY ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF THIS STATEMENT.

>> Bill: THEY WILL ULTIMATELY DECIDE WHETHER.

>> DOUG: >> John: BAFFERT'S TEENER DOES NOT GET TO DETERMINE.

>> Bill: THE A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR FORM KONGMAN LARRY HOPKINS WILL BE TELEVISED ON KET'S KENTUCKY CHANNEL.

WE LOST SOME KENTUCKIANS AS THE HOLIDAY SEASON THE BEGINNING.

FORMER ASHLAND CEO HALL DIED THANKSGIVING GAY IN LEXINGTON IN A 40-YEAR CAREER HE WAS KNOWN A REFINING AND A GIFTED CORPORATE LEASHED.

HALL ALSO CHAMPIONED EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH INCLUDING KET.

JOHN HALL WAS 88.

AND AUTHOR ED MCCLANAHAN IS BEING REMEMBERED AS ONE OF THE STATE'S GREATEST WRITERS AND FOR HIS OFF-BEAT SENSE OF HUMOR.

MCCLANAHAN'S FIRST BOOK WAS THE NATURAL MAN.

MANY WRIGHTS LATER HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE KENTUCKY WRITERS HALL OF FAME FAME.

HE WAS 89.

TUNE IN MONDAY NIGHT FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT"."