TORNADO VICTIMS ENDS UP IN THE WRONG HANDS.

KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS HE BEGINS HIGH PROFILE WASHINGTON HEARINGS.

THE LEGISLATURE IS SET TO RETURN TO FRANKFORT WITH LIMITED TIME TO THE TEACHER SHORTAGE MAY GET EARLY ATTENTION.

MORE CONCERNS ARE RAISED ABOUT THE STATE'S JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AFTER RIOTS AND OTHER PROBLEMS.

AS OUR UNUSUAL WINTER ROLLS ON, DID GROUNDHOG TRIES TO DELAY SPRING.

"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 MONTHLY.

COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE: RYLAND BARTON, MANAGING EDITOR FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO WITH STATIONS IN MURRAY, BOWLING GREEN, LOUISVILLE AND RICHMOND.

TAYLOR SIX, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON.

AND HERE HE IS, PHILLIP BAILEY WALK BACK WITH US, with LOUISVILLE-BASED NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT FOR USA ALSO TONIGHT, SECRETARY OF STAT MICHAEL ADAMS ACKNOWLEDGES HE DOES OUTSIDE WORK BUT SAYS IT DOESN'T INTERFERE WITH HIS DAY AND LAWMAKERS HEAR ABOUT POWER PROBLEMS DURING THAT DECEMBER DEEP FREEZE.

A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT.

WE'LL GET RIGHT TO THE FOREVER'S RACE WHERE THE CROWD OF REPUBLICANS IS PICKING UP THEIR TRAVEL, AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS ABLE TO BOUNCE AROUND IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY, THIS WEEK ANNOUNCING A 14-CITY TOUR TO TALK ABOUT BETTER INTERNET.

SO PHILLIP, YOU NOW COVER POLITICS ON A NATIONAL SCALE SO WE HAVE THAT PERSPECTIVE.

THE IS KENTUCKY'S GOVERNOR'S RACE THE MOST WATCHED RACE IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW?

>> Phillip: IT WOULD BE THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL QUESTIONABLE.

SAY THAT BILL BECAUSE OF THE OTHER OFF ELECTIONS, LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI, THEY ARE SOLIDLY LEANING REPUBLICAN.

QUITE HONESTLY GOING AFTER ANDY BESHEAR IS WHAT THEY NEED AFTER A LACKLUSTER MIDTERMS SO HE'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE A TARGETS FOR THEM.

I TALKED TO NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR MURPHY SHED OF DEMOCRATIC, AND HE IS BULLISH ANDY BESHEAR AND SAYS THEY'RE GOING DO GIVE HIM HAS MUCH NATIONAL RESOURCES THAT HE NEEDS, NO THAT ANDY BESHEAR WILL NEED IT GIVEN THE FUNDRAISING NUMBERS.

LOOK, RIGHT NOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS, KENTUCKY IS RATED AS LIEN LEANING IN BESHEAR'S FAVOR BY MOST POLITICAL FORECASTERS SO OBVIOUSLY I THINK THE PRESSURE IS GOING TO BE ON HIM.

AND A LOT OF ATTENTION IS GOING TO BE ON HIM PARTICULARLY AHEAD OF THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CYCLE.

>> Bill: AND KENTUCKY HAS BEEN A HARBINGER BEFORE.

1995 WE REMEMBER THE RACE BETWEEN PATTON AND FORG WEB WON BY PATTON A DEMOCRAT, WHICH IS A SIGNAL THAT DEMOCRATS WOULD KIN AFTER THE DISASTROUS LOSSES IN 1994 RACES AND, OF COURSE, BILL CLINTON WENT ON TO BE ELECTED.

THAT WAS BACK WHEN KENTUCKY WAS CONSIDERED A MORE BELLWETHER STATE.

>> Phillip: KENTUCKY MAY NOT BE THE SAME BELLWETHER STATS THAT IT WAS IN 1995 BUT STILL STRATEGISTS AND CONSULTANTS HAVE TOLD ME THAT ANDY BESHEAR'S RACE IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT FOR DEMOCRATS AND HERE'S WHY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT 2024 THE MAP IN THE SENATE YOU HAVION THE EFFORT IN MONTANA, CHER BROWN IN OHIO, MANCHIN IN OHIO.

THESE ARE RED STATES.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING TO THE BESHEAR CAMPAIGN OF HOW DO YOU FIGURE THIS OUT.

HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO NAVIGATE, BE THIS POPULAR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN THIS RED CONSERVATIVE STATE.

KENTUCKY WILL NEAR IN 2023 AND 2024 FROM A STRATEGIST.

>> Bill: THERE WAS BEFORE AIR TIME GOP CANDIDATE KELLY CRAFT COMMENTED ON SITUATION IN HER CAMPAIGN WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN QUESTIONS ABOUT AN AD THAT SHE RAN ABOUT AN EMPTY CHAIR AT THE TABLE.

>> I'M HEARING ABOUT EVERYWHERE ISET STEP, I'M HEARING ABOUT DRUGS.

6.

THIS IS A PERSONAL ISSUE FOR ME.

P. I HAD A CHILD THAT HAS FOUGHT ADDICTION.

SHE'S NOW AN ADULT.

IR THANK GOD EVERY DAY THAT THIS CHILD MADE IT THROUGH, BUT LET ME TELL YOU AS A MOTHER, THAT'S CALLED TOUGH LOVE AND THERE WERE TIMES I WANTED TO GET UP AND NOT BELIEVE WHAT I KNEW SHE WAS DOING, BUT I JUST KEPT FIGHTING.

I HAVE LIVED THIS, AND I HAVE DONE MY HOMEWORK.

>> Bill: RYLAND, SOME CONTEXT AND WHY CANDIDATE CRAFT FEELS THE NEED TO TAKE THIS ON DIRECTLY.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF QUESTIONS AFTER THOSE ADS.

>> Ryland: RIGHT.

SO THE BACKGROUND OF THIS SHE RELEASED AN AD A FEW WEEKS AGO WITH AN EMPTY CHAIR, AND THAT WAS A SYMBOL OF SOMEBODY -- SHE'S TALKING ABOUT DRUG ADDICTION, KIND OF OBLIQUELY IN THAT AD, AND THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT THE CHAIR IS EMPTY BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAS PASSED AWAY FROM DRUG ADDICTION, FROM A DRUG OVERDOSE.

THROUGH FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS OVER THE ENSUING WEEKS, IT TURNED ON IT THAT -- IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS NOBODY WHO ACTUALLY PASSED AWAY AWAY FROM IT, AND SHE'S HAD TO RESPOND OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO THIS.

THERE WAS A GROUP OF PROTESTERS WHO SHOWED UP TO AN EVENT IN VERSAILLES SHA SHE WAS HOSTING BASICALLY SAYING AND BRINGING AN EMPTY CHAIR AND SAYING THAT SHE WASN'T TAKING THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT WE'VE HEARD, OKAY, IDENTIFYING WHO IT WAS, APPARENTLY A CHILD, A DAUGHTER.

I THINK THAT SHE'S IDENTIFIED AN IMPORTANT -- A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE HERE.

DRUG ADDICTION IS, AS SHE SAYS, IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S TOUCHED SO MANY KENTUCKY FAMILIES AND IF IT HASN'T TOUCHED YOU, YOU'RE REALLY BLESSED.

THAT'S A BIPARTISAN ISSUE.

BUT HAVING TO DEFEND OVER AND OVER AGAIN THIS, IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE THIS IS -- THIS WAS AN AD THAT SHE WAS USING FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES, AND SOMETHING THAT TAKES SUCH A SERIOUS, SERIOUS ISSUE TO SO MANY.

>> Phillip: THE CRAFT PEOPLE ARE CERTAINLY LEANING INTO BIBLICAL VALUES, HOW DRUGS HAVE BROKEN KENTUCKY FAMILIES.

LOOK, WHEN YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN THE AD, IT'S NOT A GOOD AD.

ADS HAVE STRATEGIES THAT OUTFIT -- 2021 CAMPAIGN FOR VIRGINIA GOVERNOR, RUNNING THE CRAFT CAMPAIGN, THEY'RE IN NEED OF A VET BECAUSE ALREADY WE'RE SEEING PROTESTS BECAUSE OF THE AD, HAVING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE AD 1 YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN THE AD, AGAIN, TO PEOPLE.

THAT CAN BE PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.

PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS SUBJECT PRETTY INTIMATELY.

JUST TO SAY THIS PERSON IS MISSING FROM MY FAMILY.

A LOFT FAMILIES HAVE PEOPLE ADDICTED TO DRUGS THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE.

THEY ARE VANISHED SOMETIMES FOR WEEKS, MONTHS, SOMETIMES YEARS.

THERE'S A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU HAVE THIS EMPTY CHAIR BECAUSE IT GIVES YOU THE SENSE OF THIS PERSON DIVIDE.

WHEN YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN THE AD, I DON'T THINK THE LAST A GOOD AD.

>> Bill: TAYLOR, THANK YOU FOR MAKING YOUR FIRST APPEARANCE WITH US TONIGHT.

THE OPIOID SIR, A PERVASIVE ISSUE.

HOW DOES IT PLAY OUT IN THE YEAR AHEAD?

>> Taylor: I THINK AS WE MOVE FORWARD AS WE HAVE SEEN THROUGH A BORDER AD ABOUT KEEPING FENNEL OUT OF KENTUCKY AND DANIEL CAMERON'S OPERATION FIGHT FENTANYL IT'S GOING TO PLAY REALLY BIG INTO THE CAMPAIGN, AS IT SHOULD, IN 2021.

90% OF DRUG OVERDOSE FATALITIES HAD, 90% FROM AN OPIOID, AND 70% OF THOSE HAD FENTANYL AS A FACTOR, SO IT IS A BIG ISSUE TO ADDRESS.

BUT I THINK STATEWIDE AS A CAMPAIGN ISSUE, HOW CAN WE EXPAND THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE ALREADY AND MAKE THEM GO IN A LARGER EFFECT, GO STATEWIDE, FOR EXAMPLE, SENATE BILL 90 WHICH IS THE 11-COUNTY FOUR-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM THAT DIVERTS PEOPLE FROM THE CARCERAL SYSTEM TO A MORE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SETTING TO HELP THEM ADDRESS THEIR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER OR OPIOID USE DISORDER IN A WAY THAT CAN HELP REDUCE RECIDIVISM AS WELL AS REDUCE THE OVERCROWDING PROBLEM WHICH WE KNOW IS PROMINENT IF NOT ALL, MOST KENTUCKY JAILS.

>> Bill: HAS IT WORD AS AN ISSUE SO FAR FOR CRAFT?

>> Phillip: I THINK, LOOK, FOR KELLY CRAFT, WHAT SHE HAS TO DO MORE THAN ANYTHING IS BE RELATABLE.

RIGHT?

EVERYONE KNOWS SHE'S WEALTHY, SO I THINK THE THING SHE IS TRYING TO DO IS SO SHOW AND TELL KENTUCKIANS I'M JUST LIKE YOU.

I HAVE EXPERIENCED THINGS LIKE YOU HAVE WITH THE FELTON ISSUES.

WHEN I TALK TO OTHER REPUBLICANS, WHAT THEY SAY KELLY CRAFT NEEDS TO LEAN INTO IS HER EXPERTISE AS A DIPLOMAT.

THE LEADERSHIP I HAD IN THE UN, THE PHILANTHROPIC I'VE BROUGHT TO THE STATE I'M GOING TO DO IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

EVENTUALLY WE MAY SEE HER DO THAT BUT THIS MAKES IT AS AREA BIGGEST WEAKNESS IS NOT RELATABLE.

WHEN YOU'RE PENDING $40 ON A HAM AND PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THEIR BILLS THAT'S WHAT SHE'S TRYING TO LEAN INTO.

I'M WAITING TO SEE IF HER CAMPAIGN IS GOING TO GO TO HER DIPLOMATIC STRENGTHS.

>> Bill: JACK HARLOW HAVE SCALD FOR A COUPLE OF EXPLANATIONS THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

>> Phillip: THIS COME OFF AS PLUMBS CLUMSY -- CHASING.

Y YOU SEE HER WITH JACK HARLOW, A RAPPER,Y IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS WALKING RIGHT WYMER IN THE SECOND IT LOOKS LIKE HIS MOM IS LECTURING HER IN THE MALL.

I DON'T KNOW HIS -- AT THE HEIGHT OF BREONNA TAYLOR YOU HAD HIM WITH, R&B STAR BRYSON TILLER.

WHEN I TALK TO PEOPLE WHO KNOW KELLY CRAFT, WHO LIKE HER WITH FOR WHO ARE CRITICIZING HER SAY WEEK LOOK, THE TWO OF THEM WERE HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT BUSINESS VENTURES, POSSIBLE PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, BILL, I'VE SEEN YOU AT OUT WHEN JOE BIDEN CAME TO CAMPAIGN FOR AMY GRAFT.

PEOPLE TAP YOU ON THE SHOULDER, LET'S TAKE A PICTURE SOMETHING.

THIS CREEPY PAPARAZZI I PICTURE OF DIDN'T COME OFF IN THE RIGHT WAY.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SO LET ME ASK THIS QUESTION.

INLAND RYLAND, I ASKED THIS OF THE PANEL LAST WEEK.

THE POLLING THAT'S COMING OUT AND FIRST THE DANIEL CAMERON CAMPAIGN POLL AND THEN THE PUBLIC POLL BOTH SHOWED HE HAS A SIGNIFICANT LEAD FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION HOW MUCH HOW LONG BEFORE THE OTHER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ATTACK HIM?

>> Ryland: IT'S REALLY GOING TO DEPEND ON HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.

THEY WANT TOISEACH THAT MONEY FOR THAT LAST MONTH, THAT LAST-RUN BEFORE THE PRIMARY CAMPAIGN.

SOME OF THE ONES THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE WELL FUNDED LIKE KELLY CRAFT, I THINK WE COULD IMAGINE A PIVOT A LITTLE SOONER STARTING TO ADDRESS HER REPUBLICAN RIVALS IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

BUT IT'S REALLY GOING TO -- I MEAN, IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN INEVITABLY BECAUSE OF HOW MANY -- HOW CROWDED OF A RACE THERE IS.

THEY'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO BE SOME MOMENT IN WHICH THEY'RE TRYING TO SET EACH OTHER APART.

EVEN RIGHT NOW WITH -- WITH KELLY CRAFT'S ATTEMPT TO FOCUS ON THIS ISSUE OF DRUG ADDICTION, THIS IS -- THAT'S KIND OF THE LOW-HANGING FRUIT OF REALLY WHAT ALL CANDIDATES, WHETHER THEY'RE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, ARE KIND OF TOTALLY BEHIND TRYING TO FIGHT THIS EPIDEMIC.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE STILL IN THIS MOMENT WHERE THEY'RE NOT GOING AFTER EACH OTHER, BUT WAIT ANOTHER MONTH OR SO AND/OR MONTH AND A HALF AND I THINK WE'LL START SEEING IT.

>> Bill: YOU'RE PICKING UP SOME INTEL THAT IT'S LIKELY.

>> Phillip: I'M TOLD DEFINITELYTIVELY WILL BE ATTACK ADS ON DANIEL CAMERON.

WHETHER KELLY CRAFT GETS HER HANDS DIRTY I GOUT THAT IN THE BEGINNING.

BUT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE OUTSIDE GROUPS.

THE VIRGINIA GOVERNOR'S RACE, LOOK ADD WHAT HAPPENED THERE.

I THINK AN OUTSIDE GROUP IS DEFINITELY GOING TO GO AFTER DANIEL CAMERON.

THE QUESTION FOR HIM IS HOW HE RESPONDS.

HE AT THIS POINT IS THE FRONTRUNNER SO IT'S ABOUT EITHER YOU LIFT YOUR NUMBERS UP OR YOU HAVE TO BRING HIS DOWN.

KELLY CRAFT DOESN'T KNOW WHERE HER COLLEAGUE IS GET.

I EXPECT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS OR A MONTH WE ARE GOING TO SEE ATTACK ADS TIMID AIMED AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> Bill: SOME REPUBLICANS THIS WEEK FOUND SOMETHING TO TAKE AIM A GOVERNOR BESHEAR OVER WHEN IT WAS REVEALED THAT SOME MONEY RAISED FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADO VICTIMS WOUND IN THE WRONG HANDS.

RYLAND, COULD THIS BE AN ISSUE IN THE CAMPAIGN GOING FORWARD?

THERE WERE FUNDS THAT WERE RAISED FOR VICTIMS IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AND THE TORNADOES AND EASTERN KENTUCKY AND THE FLOODING.

>> Ryland: YAW YEAH, THE GOVERNOR'S OH INNOCENTS ARE GOING TO DEFINITELY MAKE THIS A CAMPAIGN ISSUE, AND THESE CHECKS IN QUESTION, SO THIS IS THE LAST YEAR THAT THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION SET OUT $10 MILLION TO DIVVY OUT IN $1,000 CHECKS FOR VICTIMS OF THE TORNADOES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY, AND THE STATE TREASURER ALLISON BALL, A REPUBLICAN, THIS WEEK CANCELED 184 OF THOSE.

SHE SAID THAT THEY ENDED UP IN THE WRONG PEOPLE'S HANDS, JUST PEOPLE WHO WEREN'T ACTUALLY AFFECTED BY THE TORNADOES.

THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT HE GOT NIECE NAMES FROM FEMA AND FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES AND SO HE'S SAYING WE DIDN'T REALLY -- THAT'S -- THAT'S WHO TO GO AFTER IF THE NAMES ARE INCORRECT.

BUT NONETHELESS THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A CAMPAIGN ISSUE.

WHETHER IT'S A STRONG ONE, WHETHER IT'S ONE THAT REALLY LANDS I THINK IS YET TO BE SEEN.

>> Bill: AND WE HAVE EVIDENCE, THOUGH, THAT THEY TRIED TO TIE IT AS WELL TO THE SITUATION WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS THAT WERE GOING ON IN THE PANDEMIC AND, PHILLIP, EVIDENCE THAT THAT'S GOING TO REACH WASHINGTON WITH MAYBE A HEARING UP THERE REGARDING KENTUCKY'S ISSUES, RIGHT?

>> Phillip: PERHAPS NOT KNOWING WHAT SHE WAS SAYING BUT CONGRESSWOMAN ANNAL COMPANY RAW OH CASSIA CORTEZ DID MAKE A COMMENT DURING HEARINGS, WHAT ABOUT INVESTIGATING THE UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION HERE IN KENTUCKY?

THEN CONGRESSMAN COMER, THE CHAIRMAN OF THAT COMMITTEE WAS EAGER TO POUNCE ON THAT ISSUE AND SAY, I WOULD CERTAINLY LOVE TO USE MY POWERS HERE AND MAYBE WE CAN UNITE AND COMBINE FORCES AND LOOK AT THE UNAPPOINTMENT EMPLOYMENT SITUATION.

>> Bill: THE STATE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS A SUBJECT OF A REPUBLICAN LED MEETING THIS WEEK.

A REPUBLICAN SENATOR FROM WESTERN KENTUCKY SAYS THAT CHANGES ARE NEED TODAY FIT THE TIMES.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYS HE IS ALREADY MAKING CHANGES.

>> DJJ WORKED GREAT WHEN IT WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED AND THE PURPOSE IT WAS ESTABLISHED FOR.

I'M NOT THE SAME GROUP OF KIDS THAT ARE IN THESE FACILITIES NOW.

THESE ARE MORE HARD CORE, MORE VIOLENT OVERALL, AND WE HAVE TO ADJUST TO THAT.

>> MY GOAL IS TO GET THIS FIXED, AND I WANT SOMEBODY WHO IS COMPLETELY VESTED IN GETTING IT FIXED.

THE CURRENT COMMISSIONER CAME FROM OUTSIDE OF THE SYSTEM, HAD WORKED IN SYSTEM IN THE PAST.

>> Bill: TAYLOR, BESHEAR SAYS THAT HE'S OBVIOUSLY WORKING ON THE JUVENILE DETENTION ISSUE.

REPUBLICANS PUSHING FOR MORE CHANGES.

WE KNOW IT'S A LONG-TERM ISSUE BUT IT IS 23409 PROPERTY SPITE NOW.

>> Taylor: YES.

FOR A LONG TIME WE HAVE HEARD THERE'S STAFFING SHORTAGES, THERE'S DIPLOMAS WITH STAFFING, AND WE HEAR THAT A LOT I THINK THROUGHOUT KENTUCKY WITH DIFFERENT AGENCIES AND DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND CERTAINLY BESHEAR'S ADMINISTRATION NOT DENYING THAT FACT THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH STAFFING.

BUT I THINK JOHN CHEVES AND OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS HAVE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF OUTLINING WHAT THAT ACTUALLY MEANS AND SETTING A NARRATIVE WITH THAT.

YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT KIDS INCARCERATED NO MATTER HOW HARD CORE OR VIOLENT IN E. THESE FACILITIES WHO ARE IN THEIR CELL ALONE 24 HOURS A DAY, SOMETIMES WITHOUT FOOD, NOT RECEIVING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES NOR ARE THEY RECEIVING SPIRITUAL SERVICES.

THEY'RE GOING WITHOUT BASIC MINIMAL NEEDS BEING MET.

AND ONCE YOU SEE THAT, I THINK EVERYONE KIND OF SEES WITH OH, WE'VE LET THIS GO ON FOR A FAR TOO LONG.

WE REALLY NEED TO DO SOMETHING SUGGESTED NOW TO MAKE UP FOR THE LOST TIME.

>> Ryland: THAT THIS THIS IS A -- I'M SO HAPPY THAT THIS ISSUE IS FINALLY COMING UP AND GETTING MORE ATTENTION AT THIS POINT AND IT'S KIND OF BECOME THE SIGNATURE ISSUE OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION SO FAR.

I THINK ONE THING THAT'S INTEREST KIND OF POLITICALLY BUT IT GETS INTO POLICY IS THAT BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND REPUBLICAN CRITICS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION'S HANDLING OF THIS CRISIS ARE ALL KIND OF FOCUS ODD THIS TRYING TO BOOST SECURITY, TRYING TO HANDLE STAFFING ISSUES, WHICH DOES TRICKLE DOWN TO HALL THESE OTHERS ISSUES.

THERE HAS BEEN VERY LITTLE DISCUSSION OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OR MENTAL HEALTH OR TRYING TO CONNECT SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH WITH RESOURCES.

I BELIEVE IN KET DISCUSSION FROM A COUPLE WEEKS AGO THAT CAME UP A LITTLE BIT.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING IF THAT COMES UP MORE ONCE THEY START TALKING ABOUT THIS.

>> Bill: HOW THEY GOT THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Ryland: AND THIS IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE BOOSTING STAFF, HOW MANY OF THOSE STAFFERS HAVE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING AND ARE THERE FOR THOSE REASONS, SO IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE DISCUSSION.

WE'LL SEE.

I ALSO KIND OF WONDER IF THEY'RE JUST GOING TO COME BACK AND ALREADY HAVE A BILL IN PLACE AND START MOVING WITH IT, SO WE JUST DON'T KNOW BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE MEETINGS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING OUTSIDE OF PUBLIC VIEW.

>> Bill: ANOTHER ISSUE THAT GOES ON DURING THE ELECTION YEAR AND LEGISLATIVE YEAR.

TAYLOR, THE HERALD-LEADER'S AUSTIN HORN REPORTED THIS WEEK THAT SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS DOES SOME WORK FOR OUT-STATE CLIENTS WHILE HOLDING HIS STATEWIDE JOB.

THAT IS NOT ILLEGAL BUT IT IS UNUSUAL.

>> Taylor: EVER TANK ITS UNUSUAL AND SCATTERED STATE MICHAEL ADAMS ADMITTED THAT HIMSELF, AND HE SAID A BIG FACTOR THAT KENTUCKIANS THINK IS UNUSUAL IS THAT IT IS OUT-OF-STATE WORK, BUT I THINK THAT SECRETARY OF STATE ADAMS, HE IS AN ATTORNEY, SO HE KNOWS WHERE THE FINE LINE IS OF WHAT HE CAN AND CANNOT DO.

I DO FIND IT INTERESTING THAT HE'S NOT REALLY SPOKEN OUT AMONGST ELECTION DENIERS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE BUT HAS ALSO BEEN WORKING WITH THIS PARTICULAR POLITICIANS IN KANSA KANSAS.

>> Ryland: THIS IS -- SECRETARY ADAMS HAS REALLY BEEN WALKING A FINE LINE THROUGHOUT HIS FIRST TERM.

HE'S HAD THESE BIPARTISAN MOMENTS, AND FOR THAT HE'S GOTTEN KIND OF HARANGUED BY SOME OF THE MORE CONSERVATIVE LIBERTY MECHANICS OF THE LEGISLATURE AND BEYOND -- MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE AND BEYOND.

THIS IS ANOTHER THING THAT'S SWIRLING AS HE'S RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION HERE.

BUT IT'S, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THERE IS NOTHING -- I THINK THEY POINTED OUT IN THE HERALD-LEADER ARMING THERE IS NOTHING ILLEGAL ABOUT THIS WU BUT IT'S INEBEL CREDIBLY UNUSUAL FOR A STATEWIDE OFFICE HOLDER TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE KIND OF BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER -- WITH POLITICIANS IN OTHER STATES.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT CONGRESSMAN JAMES CORM IN WASHINGTON.

HE'S DENIEDING ALL KINDS ATTENTION, PHILLIP WAS A HEAD OF THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

WHAT HE IS GOT PLANNED THE IN WEEKS AHEAD?

HOW IS HE GOING TO MEET THIS MOMENT OF EXPECTATIONS THAT PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE HIM?

>> Phillip: I WANT TO IMPRESS THAT CONGRESSMAN COMB SER PROBABLY THE SECOND OR THIRD MOST CONSEQUENTIAL HOUSE REPUBLICAN FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS AS HEAD OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

FOR MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE 2022 MIDTERM WAS ON THE RIGHT WING PERILED WILDERNESS MEDIA TOUR SAYING HERE'S THE THINGS I'M GOING TODAY YOU WHEN I HAVE THE GAVEL P. NOW HE HAS THE GAVEL AND SUBPOENA POWERS.

LEE SENT LETTERS TO THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES.

HE MADE IT CLEAR HE'S GOING TO LOOK INTO PRESIDENT BIDEN'S AND HIS FAMILY BUSINESS EDUCATIONAL, PARTICULARLY HIS SON HUNTER BIDEN.

NOT ONLY HAVE WE SEEN THOSE LETTERS BUT THE DAY AFTER THE STATE OF THE UNION NEXT WEEK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE FIRST HEARING ON THOSE BUSINESS EDUCATIONAL.

FOR CONGRESSMAN COMER HE LAST TO BE CAREFUL.

HE HAS A LOT OF RIGHT WING ALL STARS TO THIS COMMITTEE, NAMELY CONGRESSMAN MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE OF GEORGIA WHO LIKES TO SWIM IN SPINNERS THEORY WATERS, WHO IS FILINGY PETITIONS OR FILING IMPEACHMENT PROCEDURES AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.

AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK CONGRESSMAN COMER IS ALSO CASTING A WIDE NET OUTSIDE OF JUST THE FAMILY ISSUES WITH THE BIDEN.

HE'S GOING TO BE DO-TO-A WHOLE MYRIAD OF OTHER ISSUES.

SUSPECT SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE HIM STEER THE PAST.

BUT ISSUES IN THE YEARS PAST WITH BENGHAZI, THESE THINGS GET OUT OF HANDS, TURNED INTO A CIRCUS VERY, VERY QUICKLY.

WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN IS HOW IS HE GOING TO HANDLE HIS OWN MEMBERS, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE AND HOW THEY MAY HAVE.

CONGRESSMAN COMER SAID HE CAN BE LEVEL-HEADED BUT IF CONGRESSMAN TAYLOR GREENE OR OTHERS, HEAL HAVE TO REIN THEM IN.

>> Bill: SENATOR McCONNELL TRYING TO HOLD OFF A NATIONAL DEAT THE TIME ECONOMISTS SAY IT'S -- McCONNELL AND PRESIDENT BIDEN HAVE WORKED OUT DEALS FOR DECADES.

THEY WERE SENATORS TOGETHER.

THEY WORKED OUT A DEAL IN 2011 WHEN BIDEN WAS VICE PRESIDENT.

CAN THEY GET IT DONE THIS TIME WHEN YOU HAVE THE ADDITIONAL FACTOR OF THE REPUBLICAN-LED HOUSE?

>> Phillip: McCONNELL HAS BEEN IN THIS POSITION BEFORE, TRYING TO BE THE ADULT IN THE ROOM.

THIS WEEK WEDNESDAY SPEAKER KEVIN MCCARTHY AND PRESIDENT BIDEN HAD THEIR FIRST MEETING, SAT DOWN TO TALK ABOUT A MYRIAD OF ISSUES, IN PARTICULAR THE DEBT CEILING.

McCONNELL HAS SAID I'M GOING TO LET THE SPEAKER AND THE PRESIDENT HANDLE THIS FIRST.

IF THING DO CONTINUE DOWN THIS PATH, I THINK ONE THING WE HEARD FROM THE CHAD MEREDITH SITUATION WAS PRESIDENT BIDEN AND SENATOR McCONNELL SPEAK OFTEN, OFTENTIMES WHEN THEIR STAFF DON'T EVEN KNOW THEY SPEAK SCREE A CELL PHONE.

IF THINGS GO OUT OF HAND, I CAN SEE BIDEN SAYING, HEY, MITCH GIVE ME A BREAK HERE AND WE CAN SEE THAT TIGHT PROPOSE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE, A COUPLE OF MODERATE REPUBLICANS CUTTING A DEAL WITH McCONNELL TO GET THIS THING PASSED.

>> Bill: IN THE LEGISLATURE WILL RESUME THIS COMING WEEK.

A SHORT TIME TO GET MANY THINGS DONE 37 MANY REPUBLICANS ACKNOWLEDGE THE EPHRINE TEACHER SHORTAGE AND THE NEED TO ADDRESS IT.

THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS.

A STORY TODAY BY OLIVIA KRAUTH OF THE COURIER-JOURNAL BROKE THAT AND RAISED SOME QUESTIONS THAT THIS AFTERNOON RESULTED IN A LOT OF BACK-AND-FORTH ABOUT WHAT THE TEACHER SHORTAGE REALLY LOOKS LIKE.

>> Ovetta Wiggins: YEAH, SO WE SAW OR WE'VE HEARD THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYS THE NUMBER IS AROUND 11,000, AND THEN SOME INDIVIDUALS TOOK TO TWITTER AND, PARTICULARLY AFFILIATED WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THAT SAID, OH, THIS NUMBER IS MUCH LOWER AT 2300, SPECIFICALLY ATTRIBUTING THAT ARTICLE, WELL, THERE WERE SEVERAL NUMBERS IN THE ARTICLE, AND OLIVIA KIND OF WENT BACK AND SAID, THAT'S NOT REALLY RIGHT EITHER L. EITHER.

SO I THINK IT'S ANOTHER WAY THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CAN TAKE HOLD OF ANDY BESHEAR AND SAY, THIS ISN'T WHAT YOU'RE TELLING US IT IS.

IT'S MUCH LESS SIGNIFICANT.

BUT THE TEACHER SHORTAGE IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED SINCE BEFORE BESHEAR EVEN TOOK OFFICE, AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING -- IT HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING TO ADDRESS AND SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK TO ADDRESS.

>> Bill: IT LOOKS LIKE THE DISCUSSION WILL BE IN ERNEST MEDICATION WEEK.

SPORTS BETTING CONTINUES TO HANG OUT THERE, RYLAND.

LAST MONTH IT BECAME LEGAL IN OHIO.

SO A WALK ACROSS THE PURPLE PEOPLE BRIDGE AND PEOPLE CAN PLACE THEIR BETS.

>> Ryland: YEAH, IT CONTINUES TO BE A PRENNAL YA ISSUE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

IF IT'S A PERENNIAL ISSUE, THAT MEANS IT HASN'T PASSED YET SO THERE JUST HASN'T BEEN ENOUGH MOMENTUM FOR THIS TO GET ACROSS THE LINE.

CERTAINLY THE ONE THING HA WOULD SPELL FAIR SKIES FOR THIS JOURNEY TO SPORTS BETTING IS MORE STATES AROUND KENTUCKY TAKING IT UP, JUST LIKE MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE FOCUSED ON THINGS LIKE EXPANDING CASINO GAMBLING OR LEGALIZING MARIJUANA IN SOME CASES.

YEAH, THERE'S PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT MORE CHANCE OF THAT, BUT IT DOESN'T -- THERE HASN'T ABOUT AN A WHOLE LOT OF RALLYING AROUND THIS AT THIS POINT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES, THEIR BOARD VOTED ANIMAL LISTLY 24 WOK TO OPPOSE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD MAKE CITY ELECTIONS AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS PARDON EVER PARTISAN.

THEY INDICATE THAT PEOPLE FROM BOTH PARTIES SPOKE OUT.

SENATOR DAMON THAYER SAID THAT WOULD GIVE LOCAL VOTERS A BETTERS IDEA OF WHERE CANDIDATES STAND.

>> Phillip: THAT'S WHAT WE DO IN LOUISVILLE, IT'S DEMOCRATS VERSUS REPUBLICANS.

LOUISVILLE DEMOCRATS HAVE ABOUT IT.

THAT HOUR POUS IN THE CITY.

I DON'T THINK THAT THEY'RE EAGER AT ALL TO HAVE NONE OF PARTISAN ELECTIONS.

THAT CERTAINLY WOULD FAVOR SUBURBAN REPUBLICANS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SHE THAT HAPPEN.

WE HAD A SEMIINTERESTING MAYORAL RAISE WITH CRAIG GREENBERG WINNING AND BECOMING THE NEW MAYOR OF LOUISVILLE.

EVEN WHEN THE MERGER WAS DONE, THIS CONVERSATION CAME, AND DEMOCRAT MADE IT CLEAR WE'RE NOT GIVING THAT UP SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HAVE A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE WHO IS MODERATE ENOUGH TO WIN 234 LOUISVILLE.

IF ANYONE FRIES MOVE IN IT A NONE OF PARTISAN, LOUISVILLE WOULD OBJECT TO THAT.

>> Bill: A CIVIL CASE WAS SETTLED WITH THE FAMILY OF DAVID MAC A TEE.

>> Ryland: HE I WAS WELL-KNOWN BARBECUE SHOP OWNER IN WEST LOUISVILLE, AND DURING THE PROTESTS IN 2020 WAS SHOT BY A NATIONAL GUARD BULLET TOURING -- WHEN POLICE FROM LMPD AND ALSO THE NATIONAL GUARD CAME TO 28th AND BROADWAY, 26th AND BROADWAY.

AND, YES, DAVID MCATEE'S TEAM FILED A WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT AGAINST THE CITY.

THEY FOUGHT IT FOR A WHILE BUT BOTH PARTIES AGREED TO SETTLE IT THIS WEEK FOR $725,000.

>> Bill: AND JOINT HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEE HEARD THURSDAY ABOUT THOSE ROLLING BLACK-OUTS THAT HAPPENED RIGHT AHEAD OF CHRISTMAS.

>> Ryland: RIGHT.

UTILITY OFFICIALS SAID THAT THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH BASICALLY NATURAL GAS PIPELINES BEING ABLE TO HANDLE THE COLD, SOME KEY INFRASTRUCTURE FAILED, AND IT LED TO THE UTILITY HAVING ROLLING BLACK-OUTS FOR WHAT THEY SAID WAS THE FIRST TIME IN STATE HISTORY.

THAT'S -- IT WAS AN UNUSUAL EVENT AND SOMETHING WE HAVE SEEN INCREASINGLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IN TEXAS THIS HAS BEEN A REPEATED ISSUE.

AS WEATHER GETS CRAZIER IT'S HARDER FOR UTILITIES TO PREDICT MAJOR COLD SNAPS AND HAVE THE POWER READY.

>> Bill: THE LONGTIME HEAD OF LIBRARIES A UK AND ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S PREEMINENT ORAL HISTORIAN HAS DIED, TERRY BIRDS WHISTLE SERVED AT UK FOR 50 YEARS.

HE WAS SAID TO NO MORE ABOUT THE MISTER THAN ANYONE PEM BIRDWHISTELL IS KNOWN FOR ON CONDUCTING OVER 1,000 ORAL KIDS ARE CONCLUDING JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS AND LAID BYRD JOHNSON.

HE ALSO PRODUCED DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT KET.

HE WAS 72 YEARS old THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE HAS ANNOUNCED NEW NAMING RIGHTS FOR CARDINALS STADIUM.

L&N STADIUM WILL BE THE NEW NAME .

IN THE YEARS GOING FORWARD.

ANDTHE KENTUCKY DERBY TICKETS ON SALE.

SPRING WILL GET HERE.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."