[♪♪] >> Bill: THE PACE QUICKENS IN FRANKFORT ASSED 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION HEADS INTO ITS FINAL WEEKS.

HUNDREDS OF BILLS STILL UP FOR CONSIDERATION.

A MEASLES CASE IS CONFIRMED IN KENTUCKY AS WE DEAL WITH A TOUGH FLU SEASON.

FEBRUARY FLOODING COSTS KEEP ADDING UP AS KENTUCKY VICTIMS ARE APPROVED FOR ASSISTANCE.

SOME KENTUCKIANS SPEAK OUT AGAINST PROPOSED FEDERAL SPENDING CUTS.

HEADING INTO AMERICA.

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.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE, ALEX ACQUISTO, POLITICS AND HEALTH REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

MELISSA PATRICK REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.

AND ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ, SENIOR REPORTER FOR WH AXE S11 LOUISVILLE.

A U.S. SENATE RACE IN THE MAKING AND CHANGES ARE COMING FOR THE STATE'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE'LL START WITH WASHINGTON AND ZERO IN HOW IT'S HAVING IMPACT IN KENTUCKY.

THE U.S. HOUSE VOTED FOR A FRAMEWORK FOR A BUDGET THAT PROVIDES TAX AND SPENDING CUTS.

KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN MASSIE WAS THE ONLY REPUBLICAN TO VOTE AGAINST IT HE THINKS IT ADDS TOO MUCH DEBT.

KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION HAS BEEN HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT CUTS.

SOME FEAR IT COULD INCLUDE PROGRAMS LIKE MEDICAID AND OTHERS.

SOME REAL PUSHBACK HERE TO THE CUTS.

BUT ALSO STRONG FEELINGS OUT THERE THAT THE SIZE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NEED TO BE REINED IN.

>> RIGHT.

AND NOT EVERYONE CAN MATCH THE ENERGY OF THOMAS MASSIE AS FAR AS SPENDING HAWKS ARE CONCERNED.

HE IS ONE OF ONE.

YOU ARE HEARING INCLUDING ON THE STATE LEVEL I WAS TALKING WITH ROBERT STIVERS ABOUT THIS THEY ARE CLOSELY WATCHING IF MEDICAID GETS MAJOR CUTS HERE.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION?

HOW WHAT RIPPLE EFFECTS DO THOSE HAVE ON KENTUCKY?

AND SPECIFICALLY HE WAS MENTIONING DOES KENTUCKY HAVE TO MAKEUP FOR THAT ON A STATE BUDGET LEVEL OR CHOOSE TO SAY I DON'T THINK WE NEED THE FUNDING AND LET IT GO.

THESE ARE DECISIONS THEY WILL HAVE TO MAKE AND DECISIONS WE'RE GOING TO SEE PLAY OUT.

>> Bill: HAL ROGERS ATTEMPTED TO TAMP DOWN THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE CUTS PARTICULARLY IN MEDICAID SAYING WEEDING OUT WASTE COULD HELP SAVE PROGRAMS LIKE THAT.

>> HE DID AND THE TOGGLING BETWEEN THE BELIEF OF NOT WANTING THE CUTS TO IMPACT CONSTITUENTS AND RECOGNIZING THAT SOME OF THE CUTS COULD SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

HE DID MENTION THERE WAS CONCERN OVER SORT OF RELATED WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY WE REPORTED WE ANNOUNCED TWO SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICES WERE BEING CLOSED IN KENTUCKY ONE IN HAZARD HE TOLD CONSTITUENTS WHO HAD CONCERNS IT WAS AN EMPTY BUILDING AND HAD BEEN EMPTY FOR A WHILE.

WASN'T GOING TO IMPACT THEIR IMPACT TO GET SOCIAL SECURITY BUT PEOPLE ARE BRACING WHAT DO THESE MEAN FOR ME.

>> Bill: YOU ARE HEAR BEING MEDICAID MAYBE IN PART BECAUSE KENTUCKY IS A STATE WITH A QUARTER OF ITS POPULATION RELYING ON MEDICAID FOR HEALTHCARE.

>> RIGHT.

AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE VOTED FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS SWEEPING CUTS LIVE IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HEAVILY POPULATED WITH MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES.

YOU KNOW, THE HOUSE BILL DOESN'T SPECIFICALLY CALL FOR MEDICAID CUTS.

HOWEVER, IT DOES CALL FOR THE HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE WHICH IS CHAIRED BY U.S. REPRESENTATIVE GUTHRIE TO CUT $880 BILLION OVER THE NEXT DECADE.

AND SO THAT COMMITTEE IS IN CHARGE OF SEVERAL BIG POTS OF MONEY LARGELY MEDICARE AND MEDICAID.

AND A LITTLE SMALL PORTION OF OTHER STUFF.

AND TRUMP SAID NO MEDICARE CUTS THAT MEANS IT WILL COME FROM THE MEDICAID POT OF MONEY.

>> AND STIVERS SAID THEY ARE IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH BRETT GUGHT INDUSTRY AND HIS OFFICE.

I KNOW DEMOCRATS DO NOT HOLD THAT POWER AS FAR AS THE DELEGATION IS CONCERNED BUT McGARVEY, THE CONGRESSMAN OF LOUISVILLE DOES SAY AND MENTIONED IT MULTIPLE TIMES THAT MEDICAID IS GOING TO GET CUT.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR HIS CONSTITUENTS?

AND ULTIMATELY WHO DOES IT BENEFIT WHEN IT COMES TO THE TAX CUTS.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF SPECULATION ON WHAT WILL HAPPEN AND WHETHER IT IS A BLOCK GRANT JUST GET ONE LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THE STATE DOES WITH IT WHAT THEY WILL OR A PER CAPITA AMOUNT SO MUCH PER PATIENT OR BENEFICIARY.

OTHER THINGS WOULD BE TO BRING THOSE WORK REQUIREMENTS BACK IN WHICH ARE PROVEN TO HAVE THE ROLLS CUT.

AND THE OTHER THING WOULD BE TO REDUCE THE SPENDING ON THE MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM.

>> Bill: AND, AGAIN, OTHER CUTS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.

THE PRESIDENT AND HIS ADMINISTRATION OBVIOUSLY HAVE THE GOAL OF SHRINKING THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT CONSIDERABLY.

AND A LOT OF AMERICANS ARE IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT WITH THE NEED TO DO THAT.

SO WE'VE BEEN SEEING THINGS LIKE WEATHER SERVICE, AND OTHER CUTS?

>> WE'VE XENO WPSU, RIGHT?

WE'VE SEEN WITH NOAA THIS IS IMPACTING 8,000 WORKERS IN LOUISVILLE THE CHIEF METEOROLOGIST AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BASED IN LOUISVILLE OUR FIELD OFFICE JOHN GORDON ON THE FRONT END OF ANY SEVERE WEATHER, WHETHER IT BE TORNADOES OR WINTER WEATHER, HE BASICALLY TOLD US ON THE RECORD THAT HE HAS TAKEN THIS TRUMP DEAL THIS FORK IN THE ROAD DEAL OFFER TO BE PAID THROUGH WHEN HE WOULD HAVE RETIRED WHAT WAS ABOUT THE FIRST OF OCTOBER.

BUT HE'S RESIGNED AND TAKEN THE PAYMENTS THROUGH THE NEXT SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS AND AS OF 2:15 TODAY HE IS NO LONGER LEADING THE FIELD OFFICE A HUGE MOVE.

HE HAS BEEN ON THE FACES OF TELEVISIONS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> Bill: 800 ON THE CUTS.

KENTUCKY IS RELYING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS IT TRIES TO RECOVER FROM FLOODING.

HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM WAS IN KENTUCKY AFTER TRUMP APPROVED INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE.

SHE TOURED FLOODED AREAS AND PROMISED SOME CONTINUED HELP.

WE LEARNED THIS WEEK THAT THE SHORT-TERM AND THE LONG-TERM PRICE TAGS FOR FLOOD RELIEF ARE REALLY CLIMBING OUT.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE NOT HUGE FAN OF FEMA.

REGARDLESS HOW YOU FEEL, WHEN IT COMES TO CUTS, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE ON A LOCAL LEVEL?

WE HAD A REPORTER THAT ASKED SECRETARY NOEM IN FRANKFORT WHAT DO THE CUTS LOOK WHEN THE FLOODS HAPPEN?

AND SHE SAID THEY ARE NOT CUTS THEY ARE REFORM THEY ARE GOING AFTER THE ADMINISTRATIVE WORKERS.

THIS IS THE STANCE THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS TAKEN.

WE WANT PEOPLE OUT OF OFFICES AND WE WANT FOLKS IN THE AREAS HARDEST HIT AND SHE SAYS THAT THAT WON'T CHANGE WHEN IT COMES TO THAT LOCAL ASSISTANCE THAT WE SEE.

>> Bill: IT WAS MONEY COMING FOR RECOVERY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THIS INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE APPROVED COULD BE MAJOR TO THOSE WHO LOST THEIR HOMES?

>> FEMA ASSISTANCE WHEN YOU HOUSE GETS FLOODED FOR INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES CAN BE HUGE.

BUT IT OFTEN TAKES A WHILE TO GET T THIS INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE CRUCIAL WHEN YOUR HOUSE IS FLOODED YOU NEED MONEY THEN.

THAT WILL BE A GAME-CHANGER FOR PEOPLE AS THEY WAIT FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES TO BE REBUILT FOR THEIR OWN HOMES TO BE REBUILT.

>> Bill: WE'LL KEEP WATCH ON THAT.

BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THERE IS A LOT TO GET TO, ATTENTION GETTING KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.

A CASE OF MEASLES WAS CONFIRMED IN FRANKFORT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THERE IS AN OUTBREAK.

BUT IT DOES COME THE SAME WEEK THERE WAS A DEATH FROM MEASLES IN TEXAS AND THE FIRST CASE IN KENTUCKY IN A COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> YES.

AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THIS ADULT WHO HAS MEASLES IN KENTUCKY GOT IT FROM TRAVEL, FROM TRAVEL FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY.

WHEREAS BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ANYONE THEY PUT OUT A NOTICE THAT ANYONE AT PLANET FITNESS MONDAY FEBRUARY 17TH IN THE MORNING, THAT IF THEY WERE THERE THAT THEY CONTACT THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER OR JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY TONIGHT'S HAVE MEASLES TO STAY ON TOP OF THOSE PAY ATTENTION TO THAT.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED AND IT IS A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS DISEASE THAT IS PREVENTABLE WITH VACCINATION.

>> Bill: FOR IF YOU HAD IT.

>> NOW, MELISSA FLU HAS BEEN ROUGH AND THE C.D.C.

SUGGESTED THAT THE FLU SHOT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN A GOOD MATCH.

>> RIGHT.

SO THE LATEST C.D.C.

REPORT SHOWS THAT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VACCINE IN CHILDREN FOR OUTPATIENT VISITS WAS NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS LAST YEAR.

OTHERWISE RELATED TO HOSPITALIZATIONS IT WAS HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR.

AND FOR ADULTS BOTH WITH OUTPATIENT VISITS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS, IT'S THE SUCCESS RATE OF THE VACCINE HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT HIGHER.

AND SO YOU KNOW, PEOPLE GET FRUSTRATED BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU GET THE FLU WHEN YOU HAVE HAD THE VACCINE BUT IT DECREASES THE HOSPITAL VISITS AND SEVERE ILLNESS.

THAT IS AS IMPORTANT AS ANYTHING AS A REASON TO GET IT.

>> Bill: ABSOLUTELY.

THE 30-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION ROARS INTO MARCH THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF BILLS UP TO CONSIDERATION THE RACE IS ON TO WHITTLE THEM DOWN.

HEALTH ISSUES GETTING A GOOD LOOK IN THAT IN FRANKFORT.

A PROPOSAL FOR A KENTUCKY VERSION OF THE MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN COMMITTEE HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

MELISSA, WE USED TO HEAR FORMER U.K. PRESIDENT TODD ABOUT THE KENTUCKY UGLIES.

THIS GROUP WOULD BE TRYING TO PRIORITIZE JUST MAKING KENTUCKIANS HEALTHIER.

AND NOT GET INTO THE POLITICS OF VACCINES AND SO FORTH IS THAT -- >> THE DISCUSSION.

>> Bill: IS THAT PART OF THE DISCUSSION?

>> THE DISCUSSION ON THE SENATE FLOOR REALLY EMPHASIZED THE IDEA OF HOLISTIC MEDICINE AND NONTRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND TO CREATE A SPACE WHERE WE'RE RESEARCHING HOW THOSE MIGHT BE THE MOST HEALTHFUL PREVENTATIVE WAYS AND ATTACK WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE CONDITIONS AND NOT HELPING PEOPLE AFTER THEY GET THEM.

>> AND I WANT TO SAY, TOO, ON ITS FACE THIS KENTUCKY MA HA TASK FORCE SEEPS LIKE A REASONABLE IDEA.

THEY WANT TO LOOK AT THINGS THAT WE CARE ABOUT, CHRONIC DISEASE RATES.

KENTUCKY HAS HIGH OBESITY RATES.

KIDS ARE OVERMEDICATED AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT CONTEXT.

MANY OF THE SPONSORS IS COMES FROM A POLITICIZED MOVEMENT MANY SPONSORS OF THE BILL, THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF LOOKING AT VACCINATION SCHEDULES FOR KIDS.

BUT MANY OF THE SPONSORS OF THE BILL ARE KNOWN ANTI-VAXERS SOME ARE CO-RESPONSE ARES OF BILLS TO OUTLAW GIVING KIDS UNDER 18 ANY MRNA VACCINES.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE AS THEIR WORK PROGRESSES IF IT GETS APPROVED WHAT THEY ACTUALLY DO I'M INTERESTED TO SEE.

>> Bill: THE MAKEUP AND THE DISCUSSION OF THE GROUP.

MELISSA YOU ARE WATCHING A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW SOME HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO BYPASS PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT.

>> SO ANYONE WHO HAS RECEIVED HEALTHCARE IT'S LIKELY FAMILIAR WITH A PHYSICIAN SAYING OR PROVIDER SAYING I HAVE TO GET AUTHORIZATION FOR THAT PROCEDURE BEFORE YOU CAN HAVE IT.

SO THAT'S CALLED PRIOR AUTHORIZATION AND IT IS A VERY FRUSTRATING THINGS FOR PATIENTS BECAUSE IT DELAYS CARE AND PROVIDERS WHO HAVE TO SPEND HOURS AND HOURS TALKING TO INSURANCE COMPANIES TO GET APPROVAL.

AND SO THIS WOULD ALLOW SOME EXCEPTIONS FOR PROVIDERS WHO HAVE RATES ABOVE 93% OF BEING APPROVED FOR THEM TO NOT HAVE TO DO PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS FOR SOME PROCEDURES.

AND SO THIS IS BEEN A BILL LONG IN THE MAKING AND THEY'VE COME TO SOME COMPROMISE WITH THE INSURERS AND IT IS AN EXCITING YEAR IF THIS GETS THROUGH.

>> Bill: ALEX THERE IS A WATER DPLORDATION BILL ADVANCING IN THE HOUSE AND IT WOULD LET LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DECIDE WHETHER TO PUT FLUORIDE IN THE WATER.

>> IS THIS AN EFFORT FROM REPUBLICANS THEY'VE FILLED A COUPLE BILLS AND THIS BILL HAS PARTICULAR MOMENTUM BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY, ROBERT F. KENNEDY JUNIOR HE SAID DISPARAGING THINGS ABOUT FLUORIDE.

REPUBLICANS DO NOT WANT TO DEFLUORIDATE THE WATER BUT THE POINT IS TO GIVE IT TO LOCAL CONTROL.

MANY TALK ABOUT THE DANGERS OF FLUORIDE WHEN THIS WAS PRESENTED IN COMMITTEE, WE HEARD FROM SEVERAL DENTISTS PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH CHILDREN PARTICULARLY.

WHO TALK ABOUT HOW FLUORIDE HAS BEEN MONUMENTAL IN STAVING OFF CAVITIES HOW KENTUCKY HAS UNEQUAL ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE AND THIS WILL EXACERBATE THAT.

AND AGAIN, I THINK ONE OF THE POINTS THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE THE SHOW THE LANGUAGE SAYS THAT IT WOULD GIVE THE DECISION TO THE LOCAL GOVERNING BODY OF A WATER SYSTEM.

PEOPLE ASK WHO IS THAT?

IS THAT CITY COUNCILS?

IS THAT THE WATER BOARD ITSELF?

WHO WOULD THE DECISION FALL TO IF IT PASSES?

WHICH IT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL.

>> Bill: AND IT WOULD MOVE THE DEBATES DOWN TO THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> IT WOULD.

I WAS IN GREYSON COUNTY WHEN IT WAS FILED LAST YEAR AND THEY LIKE ALEX SAID WANTED THAT LOCAL DECISION MAKING THEY SHOWED ME THE INSIDE OF THE FLUORIDATION SYSTEM.

BUT IT'S FASCINATING HOW YOU HAVE WHAT IS IT?

SIX YEARS BACK-TO-BACK IT KEEPS GETTING FILED AND I DON'T THINK IT GOT OUT OF THE COMMITTEE AND IT PASSES THE HOUSE FLOOR YOU HAVE TO SEE THE CORRELATION WITH DC AND WHO IS IN THE HOUSE.

>> Bill: THERE'S DISCUSSION ABOUT PHONES IN SCHOOLS.

HOUSE BILL 208 WOULD FORBID PHONE USE FOR KINDERGARTENERS-12 GRADERS.

>> WE NEED THIS LEGISLATION.

AS A TEACHER IN AND AELEMENTARY SCHOOL I DON'T SEE IT IT IS NOT A PROBLEM.

BUT IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL, I TOURED A HIGH SCHOOL A FEW MONTHS AGO AND STUDENTS WERE JUST BLATANTLY WEARING BIG HEADPHONES AND LISTENING TO MUSIC AND NOT LEARNING.

>> WE ARE DOING THIS FOR ACADEMIC REASONS AND ALSO TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

WE HAVE CYBERBULLYS.

PEOPLE FEEL PRESSURED TO BE LIKED AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WE HAVE A GENERATION NOW THAT I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR ABILITY TO SOCIALLY INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER.

>> Bill: ISAIAH, THIS HAS LED TO A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

A FERN CREEK HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL BANNED CELLPHONES AND SAID TEACHERS COULD NOT KEEP STUDENTS ESPECIALLY AATTENTION.

>> THE PRINCIPAL FLAT OUT SAID SHE HAS SEEN RESULTS FROM TEACHER MORALE IN A TIME WHERE WE CAN'T GET TEACHERS IN CLASSROOMS.

SHE IS SAYING, THEY'VE GONE FROM SPEAKING INTO THE ABYSS IN A LOT OF CASES LIKE REPRESENTATIVE TIPPED IN SAYS HAVING HEADPHONES ON IN A CLASSROOM NO THOUGHTS ABOUT IT.

NOW AT FERN CREEK CAN ONLY USE THEIR PHONES DURING LUNCHTIME.

DURING CAFETERIA.

THE COUNTER ARGUMENT IS THE CLIMATE WE LIVE IN WHERE SOMETHING COULD HAPPEN GOD FORBID AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE HOW CAN YOU GET IN CONTACT WITH YOUR FAMILY SAYING THEY HEARD FROM THEIR KID BEFORE THEY HEARD FROM THE RESPONSE FROM FIRST-RESPONDERS AND TIPTON'S ARGUMENT YOU WANT TO BE LISTENING TO YOUR TEACHER AND HEARING WHAT THEY ARE SAYING AS OPPOSED TO SORT OF MESSAGING ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR TO THE FAMILY.

>> Bill: REPRESENTATIVE TIPTON HAS BEEN BUSY.

HE HAS A BILL TO REQUIRE ASSESSMENTS FOR PUBLIC UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE FACULTY.

IT WOULD HAPPEN EVERY FOUR YEARS.

SOME HAVE CALLED THAT AN ATTACK ON TENURE.

THE BILL'S SPONSOR TIPTON REPEATEDLY SAID IT'S ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND NOT AN ATTACK ON TENURE THIS HAS BEEN LIVELY.

>> IT HAS BEEN BECAUSE HOW IT FOLLOWS THE NATIONAL TREND OF THIS QUESTION FROM NATIONAL STATE LOCAL G.O.P.

MEMBERS IS WHAT ARE THESE PEOPLE DOING?

ARE THESE PROFESSORS PERFORMING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL?

THAT IS THEIR ARGUMENT.

LIKE YOU MENTIONED IT WOULD BE AT LEAST ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS SO IT COULD BE MORE FREQUENT.

THE ARGUMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE IS THIS IS GOING TO GO AFTER PROFESSORS SPECIFICALLY WHO ARE TENURED WHO OTHERWISE UNLESS THERE WAS CAUSE WOULD NOT BE QUESTIONED OR POTENTIALLY FIRED.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY LISTENING TO SOME OF THE TESTIMONY FROM THE COLLEGE PROFESSORS FROM COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE STATE THEY TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO LAWMAKERS, LISTEN IN ORDER TO GET TENURE WE ARE ALREADY JUDGED EXHAUSTIVELY.

AND HOW THEY FEEL LIKE THIS BILL IS REDUND DENT TO THE PROCESS THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH TO GET TENURED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> THAT IS SORT OF BEEN THE ARGUMENT ONE SIDE WE ALREADY DO THIS AND THE OTHER SIDE SAYS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

>> Bill: A MOVING ALONG, THOUGH.

THERE IS AN NIL BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW KENTUCKY COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITIESES TO DIRECTLY PAY ATHLETES.

>> AND WE HAD THE ATHLETIC DIRECTORS TWO OF THE BIGGEST FIGURES IN THE STATE U.K., THIS PUSHES FORWARD THE FRAMEWORK OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IN THAT NATIONAL SETTLEMENT THAT WILL BASICALLY ALLOW REVENUE SHARING IN COLLEGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

LISTEN WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE RECRUITS ANY REASON TO TELL US KNOW BECAUSE OUR LEGAL FRAMEWORK IS NOT SETUP FOR THIS MODERN AGE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE TO ALLOW U.K. AND U OF L AND OTHERS TO GET ON THE FRONT END OF THAT.

>> Bill: THERE IS A LOT TO WATCH AND YOU ARE LOOKING AT BILLS INCLUDING ONE THAT WOULD LOWER THE AGE FOR CARRYING A CONCEALED WEAPON FROM 21 TO 18.

>> TALK ABOUT AN PERENNIAL EFFORT THIS IS FROM MADDOX A REPUBLICAN FROM DRY RIDGE WHO FOR SEVERAL YEARS FILED A BILL TO THIS END.

MY GUESS IS SHE IS A WELL-KNOWN ADVOCATE OF SECOND AMENDMENT AND GUN RIGHTS.

I'M ASSUMING IT WON'T PASS THIS SESSION.

BUT, AGAIN, IF IT KEEPS COMING BACK AND IT HAS COSPONSORS YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF THERE'S MOMENTUM TO DO IT.

>> Bill: A BILL TO REGULATE VAPING CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD?

>> YES, THIS IS RATHER EXCITING.

THE BILL WOULD LICENSE VAPE AND TOBACCO SHOPS WHICH IS A THING THAT HAS BEEN RESISTED FOR MANY YEARS.

IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW THE KENTUCKY ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTROL TO BE IN CHARGE OF IT AND TO DO COMPLIANCE CHECKS LIKE THEY DO FOR ALCOHOL.

AND ALSO, COMES AS THE SPONSOR SENATOR JIMMY HICKS SAYS IT COMES WITH TEETH.

THERE'S ESCALATING FINES THAT EVENTUALLY RESULT IN REF VOCATION OF A LICENSE IF IT IS A CONTINUED VIOLATION OF THE RULE.

SO IT'S -- IT HAS THROUGH THE SENATE AND WAITING ON A COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT IN THE HOUSE.

>> Bill: WITH SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL NOT RUNNING AGAIN, IT APPEARS WE HAVE A FEISTY U.S. SENATE RACE IN THE MAKING.

ALTHOUGH WE DON'T KNOW WHO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE AT LEAST YET.

FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON IS OFF AND RUNNING.

THIS WEEK HE HEAPED PRAISE ON PRESIDENT TRUMP AND CRITICIZED HIS OLD MENTOR, MITCH McCONNELL.

>> HE IS TRYING TO FIND THAT MIDDLE GROUND.

HOW DO I DISTANCE MYSELF FROM WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE CURRENT DAY AND AGE UNDER TRUMP, HATES THEY FLAT OUT SAY THEY CALL MITCH McCONNELL A RHINO.

REPUBLICAN IN NAME ONLY.

THEY DON'T LIKE SOME OF HIS POLICIES WHEN IT COMES TO FOREIGN POLICY.

WHICH, BY THE WAY, THERE WERE TWEETS SENT OFF WITH REGARDS TO THE UKRAINIAN LEADER AND THE PRESIDENT TALKING TODAY, FIREWORKS THERE OBVIOUSLY IT GOT HEATED.

AND NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE IN RESPONSES HERE.

DANIEL CAMERON TWEETS AMERICAN STRENGTH ON FULL DISPLAY.

DOESN'T MENTION MITCH McCONNELL.

NATE MORRIS ANOTHER CONTENDER HE HAS NOT ANNOUNCED, SAYS WE DON'T NEED MORE RHINOS IN DC LIKE MITCH McCONNELL WHO BOWED TO ZELENSKYY AS A FALSE IDOL.

McCONNELL WAS NOT IN THE ROOM.

AND CONGRESSMAN TAKING THE MORE HE IS ONLY SITTING PERSON IN OFFICE, MORE OF A CONGRESSIONAL VIEW ON IT IN HIS TWEET.

IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT IS PLAYING OUT.

>> IT IS, TOO, BECAUSE AGAIN AS ISAIAH WAS SAYING DANIEL CAMERON IS TRYING TO FIND THE MIDDLE GROUND AND HE WANTS THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT BECAUSE THAT IS KEY.

AND HE CAN'T COW TOW TOO MUCH TO MITCH McCONNELL HE CRITICIZED HIM FOR NOT ENDORSING CABINET PICKS AND TRYING TO GET McCONNELL'S BASE BUT ALSO TELL TRUMP I DON'T LIKE OF THE THIS GUY DID, ENDORSE ME.

>> Bill: WE CONTINUE TO WAIT THE NAMES.

DEMOCRAT PAMELA STEVENSON APPARENTLY BELIEVES SHE COULD RAISE ENOUGH MONEY TO NEIGHBORING A COMPETITIVE RACE.

SHE HAS FILED THE PAPERS TO DO THAT.

>> AND SHE TOLD ME THE MAGIC NUMBER FOR HER OFF CAMERA IS ABOUT $20 MILLION FOR HER TO MOUNT A SERIOUS SENATE CAMPAIGN WHERE THAT WILL COME FROM, WHETHER THAT IS GOING TO BE A TASK THAT SHE'S READY FOR SHE WILL SAY SHE'S CONFIDENT AND WE'LL SEE HOOVMENT.

>> JAMES COMER KEEPING AN EYE ON 2026 SEEKING REELECTION AND 27 LOOKING AT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE WHICH HE DOESN'T DENY THAT HE IS ASSESSING.

>> IT'S SOMETHING I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN AND I'M ACTUALLY TRAVELING AROUND KENTUCKY MEETING WITH PEOPLE.

I'M NOT TWEETING PICTURES OUT.

I'M HAVING GOOD, SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATIVE MEETINGS WITH BUSINESS LEADERS, LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, PARTY LEADERS AND GETTING THEIR INPUT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT I SHOULD DO THIS.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT OUT THERE FOR MY CANDIDACY WHEN THE TIME COMES.

RIGHT NOW IT'S EARLY TO MAKE A DECISION.

>> Bill: SOUNDS LIKE HE IS LAYING THE GROUND WORK.

>> HE IS.

AND I THINK MOST FOLKS YOU TALK TO THEY THINK GOVERNOR THAT IS WHAT HE IS GOING FOR.

A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THE LAST TIME HE WENT AND RAN FOR IT.

I BELIEVE THE RACE WITH HIM AND FORMER GOVERNOR BEVIN WAS REALLY RAZOR THIN.

>> 83 VOTES.

>> BEFORE MY TIME HERE BUT I'VE READ UP ON IT TO KNOW HOW BIG OF A DEAL THAT WAS.

IF HE WANTS TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR THE FIELD WILL BOW OUT.

>> WASHINGTON HAS BEEN A DETOUR FOR HIM.

IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN PLANS TO ROLL OUT BETTER WITHOUT IT CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT YOUTH DRUG ADDICTION.

HE SAYS IT WILL USE ATHLETES AND INFLUENCERS TO GET THE ATTENTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> WE WILL BE ROLLING OUT ANNOUNCEMENTS WITH U.K. PLAYERS WITH U OF L PLAYERS AND WESTERN PLAYERS IN WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY, COACHES LOOKING AT THE CAMERA AND SAYING YOU WANT TO PLAY ON THIS COURT?

YOU WANT TO WEAR THIS BLUE JERSEY YOU ARE BETTER OFF WITHOUT IT NOT TAKING THE SUBSTANCE WE FOR THAT OUR KIDS LISTEN TO INFLUENCERS.

>> Bill: SO IT IS A MATTER OF WITH WHO WILL THEY LISTEN TO?

U AND COLEMAN IS COUNTING ON THE MARRIAGE THAT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE WITH THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA SOURCES TO GET THIS MESSAGE OUT.

AND TO LISTEN TO THESE OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE INFLUENCERS IN THEIR LIFE AND TRUST THAT THEY WILL HEAR THE MESSAGE.

>> AND THEN YOU HAVE THE NAY SAYERS SAY ISN'T THIS A RECREATION OF THE DARE CAMPAIGN WHEN YOU HAD FAMILIAR MOUSE PEOPLE ON COMMERCIALS AND SAYING DON'T DO DRUGS.

HOW EFFECTIVE WAS THAT.

>> MARTY POLIO EYEING HIS RETIREMENT AND TALKING ABOUT HIS LEGACY?

>> HE IS FREE HE MINCED NO WORDS HE SAID PUBLIC EDUCATION IS UNDER ATTACK AND FEDERAL AND THE STATE LEVEL HE IS LOOKING AT THINGS POTENTIAL WHAT THE BUDGET IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE AND HOW THAT AFFECTS JCPS, D.E.I.

REQUIREMENTS THEY ARE NOT GOING TO FOLLOW FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

AND THEN ON A STATE LEVEL WE HAVE BREAK UP, TAKEOVER WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE.

HE'S MOVING ON.

>> Bill: THE SEARCH FOR HIS REPLACEMENT CONTINUES.

>> IT DOES.

>> EARTH BREEZE MAKES ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY LAUNDRY SHEETS ANNOUNCING IT WILL BUILD A FACILITY IN HARRODSBURG AND THAT IS EXPECTED TO CREATE 226 JOBS.

PEOPLE IN LATINX SON ARE REMEMBERING ISABELLE YATES, SHE CHAMPIONED THE PRESERVATION OF McCONNELL SPRINGS THE BIRTHPLACE OF LEXINGTON AND THE RESTORATION OF THE KENTUCKY THEATER.

SHE WAS KNOWN FOR HER SERVICE TO HER COMMUNITY CALLED MS. FUNDRAISER AND CAMP I DON'T KNOWED KET.

ISABELLE YATES WAS 100.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.