KENTUCKY'S TROUBLED JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT HAS SEEN UNREST AND OTHER PROBLEMS IN RECENT MONTHS.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR CRISSCROSS THE STATE WEAVE TO AVOY IT.

FALLS IN THEIR CROWDED PRIMARY.

A BIPARTISAN BILL UP FOR CONSIDERATION WOULD END THE DEATH PENALTY IN KENTUCKY.

IN WASHINGTON, KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER FINDS NEW VISIBILIT AND SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL'S TRIES TO HEAD OFF A FEDERAL DEF AFTER A WARM JANUARY WEEK, SOME CHANGES FOR THE WEEKEND.

AND "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 AR MARCUS GREEN, REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

ERIN KELLY, POLITICAL ANCHOR FOR SPECTRUM NEWS 1.

AND JOHN CHEVES, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERA A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT.

WE'LL START WITH JUVENILE JUSTICE.

KENTUCKY HAS REAL PROBLEMS IN KEEPING YOUNG PEOPLE CONVICTED OF CRIMES SAFE, AND A BIGGER CHALLENGE IN TRYING TO GET THEM BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK JOHN, THERE HAVE BEEN ASSAULTS AND RIOTS, SOME THAT WE DON'T HEAR ABOUT FOR QUITE A WHILE AFTER THEY'VE OCCURRED.

STAFF MEMBERS CHOKED, ONE ATTACK WITH A BROOM, ACCORDING TO YOUR REPORTING.

THE GOVERNOR'S CALLING FOR SOME MAJOR CHALLENGES NOW.

>> John: HE IS.

SO GOVERNOR BESHEAR LATE LAST YEAR ALREADY MADE ONE BIG CHANGE TO WHERE THE YOUTHS ARE HOUSED IN THESE CENTERS.

HE DECIDED WE NEED TOY IS DESEGREGATE THE YOUTHS BASED ODD SEVERITY OF OF THEIR OFFENSES PUTTING THE MOST SERIOUS OFFENSES AND THE LEAST SERIOUS THAN OTHERS AND KEEPING THE GIRLS AWAY FROM THE BOYS.

THIS WEEK HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO RAISE THE STARTING SALARY FOR A PARTICULAR TYPE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE EMPLOYEE FOR THE YOUTH WORKERS, THE SECURITY GUARDS BASICALLY, THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, AT THE DETENTION CENTERS WHERE THE KIDS COME INTO THE SYSTEM WHEN THEY'RE FIRST DETAINED, WHEN THEY'RE FIRST ARRESTED.

HE'S GOING TO TAKE THEM UP TO $50,000 A YEAR.

IT'S I GOIG BIG RAISE.

IT'S ABOUT $10,000 TO $15,000 MORE THAN THEY'RE MAKING.

NOW GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID WE HAVE TO DO THIS BECAUSE WE JUST CAN'T GET PEOPLE TO TAKE THREES JOB, ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WE'VE HAD IS UNDERSTAFFING.

IT'S NOT SAFE IN THESE CENTERS BECAUSE WE CAN'T FILL THE SHIFTS.

>> Bill: JOHN, WHAT IS GOING ON IN THOSE FACILITIES?

YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR REPORTING BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT WE CAN GATHER OBVIOUSLY, AND THAT'S DIFFICULT BEHIND THOSE WALLS, BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING?

>> John: WELL, A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND VIOLENT OUTBURSTS BY THE YOUTH, BUT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS, AS I SAID, THE GOVERNOR NAILED IT.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH EMPLOYEES TO SAFELY RUN THE PLACES.

THE SHIFT ARE GOING UNFILLED.

AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONSEQUENCES IS THAT IN SOME OF THE PLACES ADAIR COUNTY'S YOUTH DETENTION CENTER IS ONE OF THE ONES I'VE SPENT SOME TIME REPORTING ON LATELY, THE KIDS ARE LOCKED UP IN ISOLATION AND CELLS NOT NECESSARILY AS A PUNISHMENT BUT BECAUSE THE FACILITY.

DOESN'T HAVE THE MAN HOUR POWER TO MONITOR THEM, SO FOR TOO MUCH OF THE TIME THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO A CLASSROOM OR THE RECREATION CENTER OR GETTING PROGRAMMING OR IAN GETTING TO GO TO SHOWERS OR THE CAFETERIA.

THEY'RE LOCKED UP IN A LITTLE CELL.

AND WHEN YOU DO THAT TO AN ACCIDENT H. ADOLESCENT WHO ALREADY MIGHT HAVE EMOTIONAL OR EVEN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES FOR WEEKS ON END, MAYBE EVEN MONTHS ON END, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A TERRIBLE OUTCOME.

>> Bill: OBVIOUSLY THE LEGISLATURE WILL HAVE ITS SAY WHEN IT GETS GETS BACK TO FRANKFORT, AND THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST EXPRESSED IN THAT.

IS THIS NOW GETTING ENOUGH ATTENTION THAT THERE'S LIKELY TO BE A SUSTAINED EFFORT TO DO SOMETHING?

>> John: YOU GOT TO HOPE SO.

THE REPUBLICANS IN LEGISLATURE, NOT TO BE CYNICAL, I THINK THEY SENSE A POLITICAL ISSUE.

IT'S A ELECTION YEAR.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR WANTS TO BE REELECTED IN NOVEMBER.

AND THIS IS A VULNERABILITY FOR HIM.

IT DOES NOT MAKE HIS ADMINISTRATION LOOK CONFIDENT WHEN THE YOUTH DETENTION CENTERS ARE GOING UP IN RIOTS.

THE LAWMAKERS ARE PRESSING HIM ON IT.

THEY WANT MORE OVERSIGHT.

THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME LEGISLATION.

HE WANTS FUNDING FROM THEM.

HE WANT REGULATOR CHANGES.

III GOING TO BE HARD PRESSED NOT TO GO ALONG WITH SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS IF HE WANTS THEM.

>> Bill: IN KENTUCKY WE HAVE MORE OF OUR RESIDENTS BEHIND BARS THAN MOST STATES.

WE APPARENTLY RANK SEVENTH IN INCARCERATION.

THAT, OF COURSE, MEANING ADULTS.

BUT IT'S QUITE HIGH FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS AS WELL, EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE BEING HELD FOR SERIOUS INFRACTIONS AND SOME FOR MUCH LESS SERIOUS THINGS.

>> John: RIGHT.

AND SOME OF THE LANGUAGE THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND SOME OTHERS HAVE USED IN RECENT WEEKS HAS BEEN MAYBE A LITTLE OVER THE TOP.

HE'S TALKED ABOUT HOW WE'VE NEVER SEEN IN RECENT HISTORY SUCH SERIOUS OFFENDS.

I ALMOST WORRY HE'S GOING TO USE THE SUPER PREDATOR LANG THAT WE HEARD SOME TALK ABOUT IN THE 1990S TO JUSTIFY DROPPING THE HAMMER ON JUVENILES.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHO IS IN THESE JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES RIGHT NOW IT'S A LITTLE OVER ONE-THIRD CHARGED WITH VERY SEERS OFFENSES, CAPITALIANCY, CLASS A AND B FELONIES.

NO FOOLING AROUND THERE.

BUT ANOTHER THIRD ARE LESSER FELONIES, CLASS D AND C, AND ABOUT NOT THIRD ARE NOT FELONIES AT ALL.

THEY'RES IN DEMEANOR, STATUS OFFENSES AND OTHER MINOR OFFENSES.

A STATUS WOULD BE HABITUAL TRUANCE WEB RUNAWAY, OUT OF CONTROL.

SOMETHING THAT WOULD NOT BE AN OFFENSE IF YOU WERE AN ADULT.

SO WE DO NEED TO KEEP IN MIND THAT NOT EVERYONE IN THERE IS CHARGED WITH MURDER.

A LOT OF THEM ARE JUST KIDS THAT NEED HELP.

>> Bill: THIS PAY RAISE WOULD APPLY TO JUVENILE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AND ONLY A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF THEM.

IT DOES NOT APPLY TO CORRECTIONS OFFICERS IN THE ADULT FACILITY.

>> John: THAT IS CORRECT, AND NO SOONER WITH THE GOVERNOR FINISHED SPEAKING YESTERDAY THAN I HEARD SOMEONE IN THE ADULT CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN THE STATE PRISON SAYING PEOPLE START OVER HERE AT $35,000 A YEAR.

WE'RE JUST AS UNDERSTAFFED AS THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTERS.

WHY DON'T WE JUST TRANSFER OVER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE?

AND I WROTE BACK TO THE FELLOW AND I SAID, I GUESS YOU SHOULD.

I GUESS THAT'D BE THE SMART THING TO DO.

>> Bill: WELL, IT'S AN ISSUE THAT WE'LL BE WATCHING, AND I KNOW YOU'RE WATCHING VERY CLOSELY AND WILL CONTINUE TO REPORT ON.

MARCUS, KENTUCKY STATE POLICE WILL SOON BE WEARING BODY CAMS, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND THEY UNVEILED THEIR PLANS FOR THAT TODAY.

>> Marcus: YEAH, AND THIS IS A LONG TIME COMING.

IT'S BEEN A DEFICIENCY IN THE POLICING, OUR STATE POLICE FOR A LONG TIME, MUCH LIKE OTHER TYPES OF THINGS SURROUNDING STATES HAVE BEEN QUICKER TO ADOPT BODY CAMERAS AND THE COORDINATED SYSTEM OF DASH EXAM AND BODY CAM THIS NOW KENTUCKY STATE POLICE ARE GETTING.

IT'S BEEN AN ISSUE BECAUSE IN A NUMBER OF CASES WITHOUT THE PROOF THAT A BODY CAMERA PROVIDES, IT'S BEEN THE WORD OF A TROOPER AGAINST THE WORD OF SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF A CRIME, AND IN A NUMBER OF CASES THAT WE'VE REPORTED ON THERE HAVE BEEN OUTSIDE CELL PHONE VIDEO OR SURVEILLANCE VIDEO THAT'S HELPED TO PROVIDE A LEVEL OF CLARITY IN CASES THAT OTHERWISE SOMEONE PERHAPS WOULD HAVE GONE TO JAIL.

STOW IT'S A BIG STEP FORWARD.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS WANTED TO DO FOR SOME TIME.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS AND IT'S FINALLY COMING TO FRUITION.

>> Bill: NEL RECEIVE CONSIDERABLE TRAINING AND THERE IS A SEVERAL-MONTH ROLL-OUT.

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE RIGHT NOW.

OF COURSE, ANY ISSUE IS FODDER FOR DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW IN THAT CROWDED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ESPECIALLY.

ERIN, RYAN QUARRELS RESCHEDULED A FUNDRAISE INNER BOWLING GREEN BASS HE DID NOT WANT TO APPEAR WITH A KOESTER IN THE BREONNA TAYLOR CONVERTS EVER-E THIS IS AN EVENT BEING HELD BY THE REPUBLICAN WOMEN'S CLUB OF SOUTH KENTUCKY, NORMER KENTUCKY SERGEANT MADDINGLY WAS INVITED TO SPEAK.

HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE RAID THAT LED TO THE BEE ON A TAYLOR.

HE SAID THE CAMPAIGN SAID HE DECIDED TO SCHEDULE DUE TO THE QUOTE CONTROVERSIAL NATURE OF ANOTHER SPEAKER.

ORGANIZATIONERSERS SAID MATTINGLY HAD THE RIGHT TO SHARE HIS EXPERIENCE BUT THERE WAS CRITICISM ABOUT THIS BEING SCHEDULED.

THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CALLED IT ABHORRENT.

THERE WAS PROTESTS.

THERE WAS ALSO ORGANIZED -- MATTINGLY SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT QUARLES THOUGHT THIS WAS IN HIS BEST TONIGHT'S WITHDRAW BUT SAID THAT HE WAS NOT PLANNING TO ENDORSE QUARLES.

>> Bill: HE IS PLANNING TO GO TO BOWLING GREEN AT ANOTHER TIME, QUARLES.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT HIS CAMPAIGN HAS INDICATED 37.

MARCUS, IS THIS AN INDICATION THAT THE BREONNA TAYLOR MATTER IS LIKELY TO BE ENTERING IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE TO SOME EXTENT?

>> Marcus: I THINK IT DEPENDS ON WHETHER IT'S THE PRIMARY OR THE GENERAL ELECTION.

CLEARLY IT WAS SOMETHING THAT THE QUARLES CAMP WANTED TO DISTANCE ITSELF FROM.

AND IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED FORMER OFFICER, FORMER DETECTIVE JOHN MATTINGLY WHO RETIRED FROM LMPD, LOUISVILLE POLICE, AND HE DIDN'T FACE ANY OF THE FEDERAL OR STATE CHARGES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO DATE BUT HE WAS ONE OF THE LEAD MEMBERS OF THAT RAID, BUT ANOTHER REPUBLICAN IN THE RACE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON, WAS -- HIS OFFICE CONVENED A GRAND JURY AND WAS VERY INVOLVED IN THE STATE SIDE OF THIS.

WHETHER OR NOT THAT AFFECTS CAMERON IN THE PRIMARY OR IF HE ADVANCES TO THE GENERAL I'M SURE IT WILL BE AN ISSUE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING IN LOUISVILLE THERE'S A LOT OF PUSHBACK AGAINST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR HIS ROLE IN THAT.

>> Bill: THERE'S A LOT OF TALK, OF COURSE, AS ALWAYS ABOUT THE HORSE RACE NATURE OF THE CAMPAIGN BUT ALSO SOME ISSUES CREEPING IN.

CAMERON HAS PUT OUT HIS OWN POLL THAT HIS FOLKS COMMISSIONED AND PAID FOR, INDICATING THAT HE IS WAY AHEAD, LIKE 39% FOR HIM AND EVERYBODY ELSE IN SINGLE DIGITS.

SO IT'S THIS AIR OF INEVITABILITY THAT HE SEEMS TO BE WANTING TO RUN WITH RIGHT NOW.

HE HAS THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

HE INDICATES THAT TRUMP IS STILL POPULAR IN KENTUCKY.

AND THAT SEEMED TO BE WHAT WAS BEHIND THAT, RELEASING THAT POLL PUBLICALLY.

>> Erin Kelly: AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT OFFICIAL POLLING SAYS ABOUT HIS POPULARITY.

>> Bill: NO PRIVATE POLLING REALLY HAS BEEN DONE.

I MEAN PUBLIC POLLING.

>> Erin Kelly: AND ALSO WE KNOW THAT KELLY CRAFT HAS BEEN CROSSING THE STATE.

SHE WAS IN LONDON TALKING ABOUT BATTLING DRUGS, TALKING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SHE MADE SEVERAL STOPS IN LOUISVILLE.

AND ALSO THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSION ABOUT AN AD THAT SHE HAS ON HER WEBSITE TALKING ABOUT FENTANYL AND DRUGS AND IT'S GOTTEN A LOT OF ATTENTION.

SHE SAYS THAT I'VE EXPERIENCED AN EMPTY CHAIR AT MY TABLE, AND FENTANYL IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT EVERYBODY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT IN KENTUCKY.

IT'S AFFECTED SO MANY FAMILIES.

WE KNOW THAT ACCORDING TO A STATE REPORT IN 2021, MORE THAN 2,200 PEOPLE WERE -- DIED FROM OVERDOSES AND MORE THAN 70% OF THOSE CASES INVOLVED FENTANYL, ACCORDING TO THIS REPORT.

>> Bill: SHE HAS NOT IDENTIFIED THAT FAMILY MEMBER, BY THE WAY, RIGHT?

>> Erin Kelly: NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

>> Bill: QUARLES ALSO ANNOUNCED THE SUPPORT THIS WEEK OF MORE THAN 200 LOCAL OFFICIALS INCLUDING 40 JUDGE EXECUTIVES, ONE-THIRD OF THE TOP OFFICE HOLDERS IN COUNTY GOVERNMENTS.

IS QUARLES COUNTING ON THOSE LOCAL COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS TO DELIVER HIM SOME OF THEIR ORGANIZATION IN THE PRIMARY?

>> Marcus: HE'S CERTAINLY IN A POSITION TO BE ABLE TO COURT THESE PEOPLE BECAUSE AS AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE STATEWIDE, OBVIOUSLY, AND ESPECIALLY IN A LOT OF THE SMALLER COMMUNITIES.

HE'S BEEN A LEGISLATOR.

I MEAN, I JUST THINK IT'S INTERESTING SHOWING SOME OF THE CONTRASTS BETWEEN THE PEOPLE IN THE RACE.

QUARLES HAS GOT A POLITICAL HISTORY IN KENTUCKY.

HE'S ABLE TO LEAN ON SOME OF THESE LOCAL GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION, THESE JUDGE EXECUTIVES.

AND CAST H. CRAFT IS TAKING A MUCH MORE BROAD APPROACH.

AT THE END OF THE DAY DESPITE WHAT THE POLL THAT CAMERON PUT OUT SAYS, WE DON'T REALLY NO NOW KNOW LOS THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IS GOING TO BE.

IF IT'S AN I WILL BE RECLOSE RACE EVERY ONE OF THOSE COUNTY JUDGES MIGHT BE THE JUDGE THAT BRINGS HIM ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> Bill: WELL SAID.

YOU HAVE THE CAMPAIGNS AND THE INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES OBVIOUSLY, AND THEN, JOHN, YOU HAVE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT IS DOING WHAT IT CAN TO TRY TO STIR UP SOME THINGS RIGHT NOW AND TRYING TO GET SOME COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION ABOUT SOME OF THE POLICIES EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC.

THEY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN BESHEAR AND SOME OF HIS LIEUTENANTS AND SOME MAYBE LOCAL OFFICIALS AND HEALTH OFFICIALS ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON CONTEMPORANEOUSLY, THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

>> John: RIGHT.

THE KENTUCKY REPUBLICAN PARTY FILED A OPEN RECORDS REQUEST FOR COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND ABOUT A DOZEN OTHER PEOPLE IN HIS OFFICE AND THE KENTUCKY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AND THE JEFFERSON COUNTY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, CORRESPOND FRENS A COUPLE YEARS AGO RELATED TO SCHOOL CLOSURES AND NONTRADITIONAL EDUCATION OR NONTRADITIONAL INSTRUCTION DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN SCHOOLS CLOSED, THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING BOTH PARTIES DO.

THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN FILING OPEN RECORDS REQUEST FOR THE REPUBLICANS AND REPUBLICANS DO IT TO THE DEMPS HOPING THEM TURN UP GOOD STUFF THAT WOULD BE EMBARRASSING.

AS A REPORTER I FULLY SUPPORT THAT.

FILE OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS MYSELF.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE REJECTED THE REQUEST, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, AND SAID IN WAS BASICALLY I DON'T REALLY OVERLY BROAD.

THIS WAS NOT A PRECISE ENOUGH REQUEST.

16 OFFICIALS.

DANIEL CAMERON SIDED, AS IT TURNS OUT, WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHICH SAYS YOUR DENIAL IS NOT PROPER.

SO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MIGHT GET A SECOND SHOT TO GO BACK TO THE GOVERNOR AND GET THEIR REQUEST FULFILLED.

>> Bill: MARCUS, THE GOP IS CLEARLY TRYING TO DULL BESHEAR'S PERCEIVED POPULARITY.

IS THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE GOING TO LIKELY BE A KEY AVENUE OF ATTACK FOR THEM GOING FORWARD?

>> Marcus: I MEAN, I THINK IT WILL BE.

I KNOW WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS BEFORE WE CAME ON.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY -- IT HAS A CERTAIN EMOTIONAL TOLL BECAUSE WHEN THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, PEOPLE DID GO OUT OF BUSINESS.

THEY WERE VERY VISCERAL REACTIONS TO THE WAY OUR LIVES WERE DISRUPTED, AND I THINK IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE AN AVENUE THAT THE REPUBLICANS WILL TRY TO PURSUE, CONNECT THE GOVERNOR TO SOME OF HESS UNPOPULAR DECISIONS RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> Bill: ERIN, FOR THE GOVERNOR'S PART HE SUCKER PRE-K AND HE MADE STOPS THIS WOK TO PUSH THAT.

SO THE LEGISLATURE SAYS WE GAVE MONEY TO SCHOOLS IN THE FORM OF ENHANCED SEEK MONEY.

IT WAS UP TO THEM TO DECIDE THE SIZE OF RAISES TO GIVE.

>> Erin Kelly: RIGHT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HE WAS CALLING FOR IN THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND WE KNOW REPRESENTATIVE DERRICK GRAHAM HAS PANE PUSHING EDUCATION, BUT WE'RE ALSO HEARING IN EVERYBODY THAT THERE'S AN EFFORT TO RETAIN AND ATTRACT TEACHERS TO KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: AS THE LEGISLATURE GETS READY TO RECONVENE, A LOT OF ISSUES ARE SWIRLING FROM THE BETH DEATH PENALTY TO SPORTS BETTING TO PARTISAN LOCAL ELECTIONS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THEY.

ERIN, KENTUCKY IS ONE OF 27 STATES.

WITH THE DEATH PENALTY.

YOU KNOW, THAT ISSUE HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE COMPLICATED THROUGH THE YEARS.

IS IT POSSIBLE THE LEGISLATURE IN KENTUCKY WILL BAN THE DEATH PENALTY?

>> Erin Kelly: SO LAST YEAR THERE WAS A BILL THAT DID PASS THAT BANNED THE DEATH PENALTY FOR DEFENDANTS WITH CERTAIN SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESSES, BUT AT THE TIME THAT I WAS BEING DISCUSSED IN THE SENATE THERE WERE SOME REPUBLICANS THAT WERE CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD BE WOULD BE A SLIPPERY SLOPE TORNADOING THE DEATH PENALTY OUTRIGHT.

WE DO KNOW SIGNAL BILL 45 LAST BEEN SOLD TIE BY SENATOR NEAL AND ROCKY ADAMS, AND THIS IS A BIPARTISAN BILL THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THE DEATH PENALTY.

IT WOULD ALSO TAKE EXISTING DEATH ROW SENTENCES AND TURN THEM INTO LIFE SENTENCES FOR PEOPLE ON DEATH ROW.

ACCORDING THERE ARE 26 PEOPLE ON DEATH ROW.

EXTENSIVE 6 THEM WERE EXTENDS IN THE 1980S, SO IT DOES SHOW YOU THAT PEOPLE REMAIN ON DEATH ROW FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

IT'S NOTE CLEAR IF THIS IS SOMETHING KNACK GO THROUGH.

IT'S A SHORT 30-DAY SECTION.

WE'VE CHIPPED AWAY AT SOME OF THOSE DAYS.

>> Bill: ISN'T THE DEATH PENALTY INCREDIBLY HARD TO CARRY OUT PRACTICALLY?

>> John: IT IS.

THERE ARE MANY YEARS OF APPEALS IN CAPITAL CASES, AS WELL THERE SHOULD BE BECAUSE THERE'S NO ERASER ON A LETHAL INJECTION.

ONCE YOU GET IT WRONG, YOU'VE GOTTEN IT WRONG.

THE GROUP, THE INNOCENTS PROJECT, WHICH, WHO WORKS WHO HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WRONGLY CONVICTED, SAYS THAT 18 PEOPLE IN 11 STATES HAVE BEEN PROVEN -- HAVE BEEN EXONERATED BY DNA TESTING.

HERE IN KENTUCKY THERE I WAS FELLOW NAMED LARRY OSBORN.

HIS CASE DID NOT INVOLVE THE DNA TESTING AS I UNDERSTAND IT BUT HE WAS ACQUITTED IN A RETRIAL IN 2002 IN TWO MURDERS OUT OF WHITTLE COUNTY IN THE LATE 1990S.

SO WHEN YOU REALIZE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM NOT PERFECT, IT DOES MAKE YOU HESITANT TO RUSH SOMEBODY TO EXECUTION.

>> Bill: SPORTS BETTING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THE LAST COUPLE SESSIONS, AND RIGHT NOW MOST OF KENTUCKY'S SURROUNDING STATES ALLOW IT.

IS THAT GOING TO BE A CATALYST IN THE SESSION?

>> Erin Kelly: WE'LL SEE.

IT GOT THROUGH THE HOUSE LAST YEAR BUT IT DIDN'T EVER MAKE IT TO A FULL VOTE IN THE SENATE.

SENATOR STIVERS SAID THAT THEY GAVE IT READING TO KEEP AT A LIVE BUT THERE WASN'T A GROUNDSWELL OF SUPPORT.

REPRESENTATIVE AL GENTRY OF LOUISVILLE IS PLANNING TO FILE A COSPONSOR A BILL NEXT MONTH.

IT WILL BE A BIPARTISAN BILL THAT WILL LEGALIZE SPORE BETTING AND IT WOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY THE RESOURCE HAS AING COMMISSION.

HE THINKS IT WOULD GENERATE MORE THAN $20 MILLION A YEAR IN TAX REVENUES.

WE KNOW THAT KENTUCKY IS THE ONLY ONE IN THIS REGION BESIDES MISSOURI, EVERY OTHER STATE LINE PEOPLE CAN DRIVE OVER AND PLACE BETS, AND WE KNOW THAT THERE'S THIS FRUSTRATION FOR SOME THAT THEY'RE DRIVING TO JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA, THEY'RE SITTING IN THEIR CAR, THEY'RE PLACING A BET ON THEIR PHONE, THEY'RE TURNING BACK AND GOING HOME, AND THEY'RE SAYING WHY CAN'T WE DO THAT IN KENTUCKY?

SO ONE WE'RE ONE OF 14 STATES THAT DOES NOT ALLOW IT.

AGAIN, WE GO BACK TO WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE PRIORITY FOR THE DAYS THAT ARE LEFT.

>> Bill: THE CROWN ACT IS BACK BACK.

NATURAL HAIRSTYLES THIS TIME WITH A REPUBLICAN SPONSOR.

>> Erin Kelly: RIGHT.

THIS HASN'T BEEN FILLED BUT SENATOR WEAVER FIELD IS GOING TO FILE A BILL RELATED TO THIS, AND THIS WOULD BE A MEASURE THAT WOULD P BAN HAIR DISCRIMINATION.

BEE WHEN WE KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN SOME STUDENTS THAT HAVE ACTUALLY LOBBIED LAWMAKERS TWICE NOW ASKING FOR THEM TO PASS THIS MEASURE, AND WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT.

>> Bill: STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DAMON THAYER IS PUSHING A BILL TO MAKE MORE ELECTIONS PARTISAN.

HE SAYS THAT CITY SCHOOLS SCHOOL BOARD AND JUDICIAL ELECTIONS WOULD BE MORE CLEAR TO VOTERS IF THEY KNEW WHICH PARTY CANDIDATES BELONG TO.

BUT LEXINGTON MAYOR LINDA GORTON TOLD ME IN AN INTERVIEW THIS WEEK THAT THE NON-PLAN OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKS BETTER.

>> WE HAVE OPERATED NONE OF PARTISAN FOR LUMP 50 YEARS.

IT HAS WORKED WONDERFULFULLY.

NOBODY PAYS ATTENTION TO WHO IS REGISTERED HOW, AND THE ISSUES JUST GET DISCUSSED ON THEIR OWN MERIT.

ARE THEY GOOD FOR THE CITY OR NOT?

AND SO ANY COUNCILMEMBER, WHETHER THEY'RE DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN OR INDEPENDENT BE TALK WITH ANY OTHER COUNCILMEMBER ABOUT THAT 37.

NECESSITY DON'T HAVE A CAUCUS IN A PARTISAN CAUCUS.

AT LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL, I BELIEVE THAT'S THE BEST.

>> Bill: GORDON AND SOME OTHERS FIGURE THAT THIS COULD BRING WASHINGTON STYLE POLITICS TO MAIN STREET.

>> Marcus: I MEAN, I THINK THAT'S A VIEW THAT'S HELD BY THE PEOPLE WHO OPPOSE THIS TYPE OF LEGISLATION, WHICH I BELIEVE ALSO WOULD CARRY OVER TO THINGS LIKE THE WATER CONSERVATION BOARD, THOSE LOCAL BOARDS.

IT WOULD RUN BEYOND BEYOND THE SCHOOL BOARD OR HIGHER TYPE OFFICES.

ITES JUST INTERESTING THAT ONLY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THERE WAS A REPUBLICAN BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE, FORMER STATE REP JERRY MILLER WAS THE SPONSOR.

HE WAS FROM LOUISVILLE.

IT WOULD HAVE MADE LOUISVILLE'S MAYOR RACES, MAYORAL RACES PARTISAN, AND THIS THAT -- NONE OF PARTISAN AND THAT WAS SOMETHING THE DEMOCRATS VIEWED AN EFFORT BY THE REPUBLICANS TO PERFORM BETTER.

SET JERRY MILLER SAID, NO, NO, THIS IS A WAY TO KEEP THE FRINGE, EXTREME CANDIDATES FROM BOTH PARTIES FROM RUNNING.

SO I THINK THIS ISN'T A MONOLITHICALLY HELD VIEW.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY IN, AND I WONDER HOW IT'S GOING TO FARE IN LEGISLATURE.

>> Bill: ARE YOU WATCHING THAT, JOHN?

>> John: REPUBLICANS HOLD A HUGE POLITICAL ADVANTAGE IN KENTUCKY.

I GUESS THEY FIGURE IF ENOUGH PEOPLE CAN SLAP AN "R" AFTER THEIR NAME THEY'LL DOMINATE AT THE POLLS.

I CLOSELY FOLLOW BY SCHOOL BOARD AND CROWNS IN.

I DON'T KNOW IF REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS CAN FILPOT HOLES BETTER THAN THE OTHER.

>> Bill: IT'S INTERESTING THAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MOVING AWAY FROM THE PARTIES.

>> JOHN: >> John: THEY JUST WANT THE JOB TO GET DONE.

>> Bill: A COUPLE OF OPEN SENATE ESTATES.

RALPH ALVARADO IS NOW THE TENNESSEE HEALTH COMMISSIONER.

A JUDGE REJECTED A PLAN FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION IN LOUISVILLE TO REPLACE CONGRESSMAN MORGAN McGARVEY IN THE SENATE.

>> Marcus: THERE WAS A DECISION THIS WEEK BY THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

THEY ESSENTIALLY CHOSE NOT TO ACT ON THE PROPOSAL, THE JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS PUT FORWARD.

THEY BELIEVE, THE STATE BOARD BELIEVES THAT THE LOCAL PROPOSAL DOESN'T IF YOU HAVE POLLING PLACES.

THERE ARE ONLY FOUR AS PART OF THEIR PROPOSAL.

THERE WERE 40, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE NOVEMBER PRIMARY IN THIS PARTICULAR DISTRICT.

IT'S BAG TO DRAWING BOARDS.

THAT ELECTION IS COMING UP OPEN FIRST OF JANUARY.

IN THE MEANTIME THE LOCAL OFFICIALS IN LOUISVILLE WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO IS GET WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD AND TRY TO FIND ADDITIONAL POLLING PLACES TO ENSURE THAT THEY ADEQUATELY HAVE ENOUGH PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN VOTE.

>> Bill: JOHN, THE STATE HAS REFUNDED SOME TAXES.

IT APPARENTLY A THIRD PARTY DOUBLE INLAND BILLED SOME PEOPLE.

>> John: IT WAS THE AN OOPSY THIS WEEK.

THE STATE REVENUE DEPARTMENT USES AN OUTSIDE THE VENDOR TO RUN ITS ONLINE PORTAL WHERE PEOPLE PAY THEIR TASTES, IN SOME CASES STATE INCOME TAXES AND 7,000 PLUS PEOPLE GOT DOUBLE-BILLED WHEN THEY WENT TO MAKE THEIR PAYMENT FOR THEIR FOURTH QUARTER ESTIMATED INCOME TAXES.

THEY WERE REFUNDED VERY QUICKLY AND THE STATE'S VERY SORRY ABOUT IT.

>> Bill: TO WASHINGTON, KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN JAMES CORM SEEMS TO BE EVERYWHERE.

SAYS HE'S BEING RECOGNIZED IN AIRPORTS WHEN HE TRAVELS NOW.

HE'S ON NETWORK AND CABLE TELEVISION.

HE WHAT IS ON PBS RIGHT BEFORE WE WENT ON A LITTLE BIT AGO.

RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, HE IS PUSHING THE EFFORTS TO INVESTIGATE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

I MEAN, THAT IS WHAT'S -- >> John: HE'S IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH FROM CONGRESSMAN COMER IN RECENT YEARS.

HE GOT ON THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE WHEN HE CAME TO WASHINGTON IN 2017 AND THAT'S THE LAST WE HEARD OF HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

NOBODY ELSE WANTED TO BE ON THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IN THIS FRESHMAN HAS HELP NO WE HAVE A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND HE IS THE CHAIRMAN.

AND ONE OF THE BIG GOALS OF OF THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE IS TO INVESTIGATE SON HUNTER BIDEN AND BROTHER JAMES BIDEN AND TO SEE WHAT BUSINESS DEALINGS ADAM GASE THEY HAVE WITH FOREIGN COUNTRY'S AND OTHERS WITH AN INTEREST IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, AND I THINK IN DECEMBER CONGRESS UNTIL CORM WAS ON FOX NEWS ALONE 20 TIMES.

CONGRESSMAN COMER.

HE'S GOING TO BE SOMEBODY TO WATCH IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.

>> Bill: AND SENATOR COLIN WAS IN KENTUCKY AND IN WASHINGTON THE UNITED STATES HIT ITS DEBT LIMIT.

THERE'S A LOT OF FIGHTING ABOUT HOW TO AVOID A DEFAULT IN THE COUNTRY'S DEBTS.

McCONNELL TOLD REPORTERS IN LOUISVILLE.

IN THE END I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT AMERICA MUST NEVER DEFAULT ON THE DEBT.

IT NEVER HAS AND IT NEVER WILL.

BUT ONCE AGAIN, MARCUS, McCONNELL FINDS HIMSELF A KEY NEGOTIATOR.

>> Marcus: HE'S BEEN IN THIS POSITION BEFORE.

IT'S COMING AT A TIME IN WHICH THERE IS SO MUCH DIVISION.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT.

>> Bill: MARCUS, THE OFFICER 40 PLED GUILTY IN CONNECTION WITH DAVID MAKE FEE'S DEATH AUND I PLEA DEAL WILL AVOID PRISON.

>> Marcus: PROSECUTORS ASKED FOR FORMER OFFICER KATIE CRUZ TO GET ONER I DO NOT OF PROBATION AND DO COMMUNITY SERVICE.

SHE HAD INITIALLY IN A PLEA AGREEMENT PLED FROM A FELL ME TO A MISDEMEANOR 37 THIS IS RELATED TO THE DEATH OF DAVID MCATEE A BARBECUE SHOP OWNER.

CRUZ ADMITTED TO FIRING PEPPER BALLS AT THE BUSINESS RIGHT BEFORE A NATIONAL GUARD BULLET KILLED DAVID MCATEE.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE SENATE BUT THAT'S THE OFFER FROM THE PROSECUTION.

>> Bill: UK AND SIMMONS COLLEGE ANNOUNCED A PARTNERSHIP THIS WEEK.

>> Erin Kelly: THEY FORMALIZED THIS AGREEMENT.

THEY'RE COLLABORATING ON TEACHER EDUCATION, PREPARATION AND PRE-LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL STUDIES PROGRAMS AT SIMMONS, AND DR. KEVIN COSBY, THE PRESIDENT OF SIMMONS COLLEGE, SAID THE GOAL IS IS FOR STUDENTS THAT HAVE COMPLETED COURSEWORK AND DEGREES AT SIMMONS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOME OF THE COURSES AND DEGREE OPPORTUNITIES AT UK THAT SIMMONS DOESN'T PROVIDE, SO THIS WAS A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN THOSE TWO SCHOOLS SAYING THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS FROM BOTH OF THOSE INSTITUTIONS.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR, A REPUBLICAN, AND MORGAN McGARVEY, A DEMOCRAT, WILL BE CO-CHAIRING THE BOURBON CAUCUS IN WASHINGTON WHICH BY THE WAY HAS EXISTED SINCE 2009.

MORE THAN 20,000 JOBS IN KENTUCKY SUPPORTED BY BOURBON WHICH MAKES 95% OF WORLD'S BOURBON.

KENTUCKY COMMUNITIES ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO BECOME RECOVERY READY.

THAT'S A CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR SAYS AND TOWNS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY ARE READY TO ASSIST THOSE HOR DEALING WITH OR WHO HAVE -- WHO ARE DEALING WITH OR WHO HAVE BECOME IN THE PROCESS OF RECOVERING FROM ADDICTION.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

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