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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE: DEBORAH YETTER, REPORTER FOR THE COURIER-JOURNA ALEX ACQUISTO, REPORTER FOR LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

AND CHRIS OTTS, REPORTER FOR WDRB I.

ALSO TONIGHT, THE 2022 LOUISVILLE MAYOR'S RACE BEGINS TO FORM.

AND QUESTIONS ABOUT HI HORSE RACING VENUES SEEM TO HAV LANDED IN THE LEGISLATURE.

BUT FIRST, ON INAUGURATION DAY MORNING, NOW PRESIDENT JOE BIDE WOKE UP IN BLAIR HOUSE, NAMED FOR A ONCE PROMINENT POLITICAL FIGURE FROM KENTUCKY, FRANCIS PRESTON BLAIR.

BIDEN AND KENTUCKY SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR DECADES AND HAVE WORKED THINGS OUT OVER THE YEARS.

CAN THEY MAKE PROGRESS IN THE TOUGH POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW?

LET'S BEGIN WITH THAT, DEB.

IT IS A LONG RELATIONSHIP.

THEY WERE CORDIAL FOR THE NOSE BART ON INAUGURATION DAY, VERY RESPECTFUL OF MANY OF THE TRADITIONS, BUT McCONNELL HAS ALREADY CRITICIZED SOME OF THE BIDEN'S EARLY MOVES.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

BIDEN CAME OUT WITH A FLURRY OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS, AND THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE CONTINUES TO I THINK IRRITATE REPUBLICANS.

AND JUST THE SCOPE OF SOME OF THE BUDGET REQUESTS OR BUDGET PLANS AND PANDEMIC PLAN THAT HE HAS WITH REPUBLICANS.

I THINK THE BIGGER THING THAT WILL BE A CONFLICT IS JUST POWER IN THE SENATE BECAUSE NOW McCONNELL IS NOW THE MINORITY LEADER BUT IT'S A 50/50 SPLIT WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT, KAMALA HARRIS IN CHARGE OF ANY TIES.

BUT THAT'S STILL A PRETTY TIGHT NUMBER FOR GETTING THINGS DONE, ESPECIALLY IF THEY MANAGE TO KEEP THE PHILLY BUSTER AND THAT SEEMS TO BE THE STICKING POINT RIGHT NOW, WHETHER THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT OR NOT.

>> Bill: IT IS A VERY ROBUST MINORITY WITH THE 50/50 VOTES AND SOMEBODY ON EITHER PARTY BREAKS RANKS AND YOU HAVE A WHOLE DIFFERENT SCENARIO.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

I GUESS McCONNELL SEEMED TO BE KINDLY DISPOSED TOWARD THE NEW PRESIDENT.

HE WENT WITH HIM TO THE MORNING CHURCH SERVICE ON THE INAUGURATION RATHER THAN TO TRUMP'S DEPARTURE AND HAS BEEN CRITICAL OF PRESIDENT CLEARLY AFTER -- TWO WEEKS AGO AFTER THE ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL.

BUT I THINK THERE WAS A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR THINGS TO START BREAKING DOWN ON PARTY LINES PRETTY QUICKLY, ESPECIALLY IF THERE'S PRESSURE FROM WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTICIPATE.

>> Bill: CHRIS, McCONNELL IS MINORITY LEADER AGAIN IN THE SENATE.

THEY'RE TRYING TO WORK OUT A SHARED ARRANGEMENT OF POWER BETWEEN THE DEMOCRATS AND THE REPUBLICANS SINCE IT IS SO CLOSE, AS FAR AS THE MARGIN.

>> Chris: YEAH, THERE'S BEEN SOME REPORTING OUT OF DC ABOUT HOW THAT MIGHT WORK, BILL.

BASICALLY, THE DEMOCRATS WOULD HAVE THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIPS AND WOULD BE ABLE TO ADVANCE BILLS EVEN WITH A TIE, PRESUMABLY THE COMMITTEES WOULD HAVE THE SAME NUMBERS OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

I'M NOT SURE THAT THAT HAS BEEN FINALIZED, HOWEVER.

THOSE WERE JUST SOME EARLY REPORTS.

SO WE'LL TO HAVE SEE HOW THE SITUATION DEVELOPS.

>> Bill: McCONNELL HAS BEEN THERE BEFORE, IN THE MINORITY, CHRIS.

HE KNOWS HOW TO OPERATE IN THIS POSITION AS WELL AS HE DID WHEN HE WAS MAJORITY LEADER, RIGHT?

>> Chris: YEAH, HE CERTAINLY USED THE LEVERAGE THAT THE MINORITY HAS IN THE SENATE EFFECTIVELY.

THE LAST TIME THAT DEMOCRATS WERE IN CHARGE OR THERE WAS A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT, WE REMEMBER HIS BIG MOVE TO BLOCK THE SUPREME COURT NOMINATION OF MERRICK GARLAND AND HOW THAT WORKED OUT FOR REPUBLICANS, SO HE SAID THAT IT'S MORE FUN TO BE THE MAJORITY LEADER BUT THAT HE WOULD ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO BEING THE MINORITY LEADER AS WELL, THAT HE IS DONE BOTH AND IS COMFORTABLE IN BOTH ROLES.

>> Bill: AND SENATOR McCONNELL PUSHED FOR THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH.

APPARENTLY THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

HE WANTS TRUMP TO HAVE TIME TO REVIEW AND PLAN A DEFENSE.

BUT THAT COMES AFTER A McCONNELL DID PARTIALLY BLAME TRUMP FOR THE 6th MOB AT THE CAPITOL.

>> IF MOB WAS FED LIES.

THEY WERE PROVOKED BY THE PRESIDENT AND OTHER POWERFUL PEOPLE.

>> Bill: CHRIS, McCONNELL DIDN'T CRITICIZE TRUMP A LOT DURING HIS TERM IN OFFICE, BUT THERE IT WAS, AND HE HAS NOT SAID HOW HE WOULD VOTE IN THE IMPEACHMENT.

BUT SOME IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS DON'T WANT THIS TRIAL TO BE HELD AT ALL, SO HOW DOES HE BALANCE ALL OF THAT'S THAT'S GOING ON?

>> Chris: THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, BILL.

I THINK THIS IS EMBLEMATIC OF A RESIST WITHIN THE RIVET WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE MOVEMENT RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S STILL CLEARLY A LOT OF AFFINITY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND ALSO EFFORTS TO BREAK WITH HIM, ESPECIALLY AFTER WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6th.

SO I JAWS JUST SAW A STORY IN THE FEDERALIST, A CONSERVATIVE PUBLICATION, VERY CRITICAL OF McCONNELL FOR EVEN ENTERTAINING THE IDEA OF VOTING FOR IMPEACHMENT.

SO THERE'S DEFINITELY BLOWBACK FOR HIM SEEMING TO STEP AWAY FROM TRUMP AND FRYING TO MOVE THE PARTY FORWARD WITHOUT TRUMP.

>> Bill: AND, DEBBIE, SOME IN-STATE AS WELL, LOCAL REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRS WILL MEET VIRTUALLY ON SATURDAY TO CONSIDER A MOTION BY THE NELSON COUNTY GOP CHAIRMAN WHO WANTS A RESOLUTION CALLING ON McCONNELL TO SUPPORT TRUMP.

>> Deborah: YEAH, NELSON COUNTY I THINK IS SORT OF LEADING THAT EFFORT AMONG SOME REPUBLICANS IN KENTUCKY, AND THAT SUGGESTS A SPLIT ALREADY.

I THINK IN THE OLD DAYS IT WOULD BE UNHEARD OF TO -- WITH SENATOR McCONNELL AS THE PARTY LEADER.

BUT IT SHOWS THAT THERE'S STILL SUPPORT FOR TRUMP OUT THERE, ESPECIALLY IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: WE'LL SEE HOW THAT VOTE VOTE GOES OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE MAIN THRUST OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S SPEECH AND HIS FIRST DAYS IN OFFICE HAVE BEEN THE PANDEMIC.

HE ANNOUNCED SEVERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS DESIGNED TO SPEED UP VACCINES AND TRY TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE, AND HERE IN KENTUCKY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF VACCINES.

>> DR. STACK SAID YESTERDAY WE COULD PROBABLY DO 250,000 VACCINATIONS A WEEK.

WE'RE ONLY GETTING 57,000 FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE SUPPLY SIMPLY ISN'T THERE.

WE CAN'T GIVE VACCINES WE DON'T HAVE.

>> Bill: ALEX, THIS IS WHERE WE'RE GOING TO GET YOU BUSY TALKING ABOUT THE SITUATION WITH COVID-19 AND THE VACCINES.

THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION EARLY ON IS THE PANDEMIC.

THERE I WAS MEMORIAL SERVICE TODAY IN FRANKFORT FOR THE MORE THAN 3300 KENTUCKIANS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WE HAD OUR DEADLIEST DAY YET ON THURSDAY, RIGHT?

>> Alex: WE DID.

THURSDAY WAS A T. DEADLIEST DAY.

WE HAD REPORTED 58 DEATHS.

TODAY WE HAD 36.

SO FAR IN JANUARY, SIX OF OUR TOP TEN DEADLIEST DAYS SINCE THE START OF PANDEMIC HAVE HAPPENED THIS MONTH.

THESE HIGH RATES COME A FEW WEEKS AFTER WE HAD A COUPLE OF WEEKS FOLLOWING THE LATE DECEMBER HOLIDAYS OF ESPECIALLY HIGH CASE COUNTS CAR, AND WE HAVE HEARD FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW, DEATHS TRAIL HIGH CASES, AND SO THAT IS A PROBLEM WE'RE STARTING TO SEE WHAT SEEMS LIKE CASES LEVEL OFF AFTER THAT POST HOLIDAY SURGE, AND SO THE ATTENTION ISN'T SHIFTING ENTIRELY BUT IT IS SOME TO THE VACCINE ROLL-OUT WHICH HAS BEEN SPEEDING OUT ACROSS THE STATE IN THE LAST MONTH.

WE BEGAN MASS IMMUNIZATIONS IN MID-DECEMBER.

AND BESHEAR HAS REALLY HIT HARD TO THE POINT THIS WEEK THAT THE PROBLEM ISN'T KENTUCKY'S INABILITY TO ADMINISTER THESE VACCINES.

AS YOU HEARD HIM SAY, OUR PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER SAID WE COULD BE ADMINISTERING AS MANY AS A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOSES A WEEK.

WE SIMPLY JUST DON'T HAVE THE SUPPLY.

SO FAR IN KENTUCKY WE'VE ADMINISTERED CLOSE TO 268,000 DOSES.

AND AGAIN, THAT'S SPREAD OVER A MONTH.

AS KENTUCKY MOVES ON TO PHASE 1B RIGHT NOW, WHERE IT'S PRIORITIZING K-12 PERSONNEL AND FIRST RESPONDERS, NOVANT YET PEOPLE 70 AND OLDER, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT -- NOT EVEN PEOPLE 70 AND OLDER, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A POPULATION OF HALF A MILLION PEOPLE WHICH PUTS INTO CONTEXT HOW SLOW THE ROLL-OUT WILL CONTINUE IF OUR WEEKLY SHIPMENTS OF DOSES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DON'T SPEED UP.

YOU HEARD BESHEAR SAY THERE THAT WE ADMINISTERED 84,000 DOSES LAST WEEK.

WE EXPECT TO GET CLOSE TO 57,000 NEXT WEEK.

SO IT'S A FREIGHT STARK DISPARATE AS WE'RE TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM SETTING UP THESE HIGH VOLUME MASS VACCINATION SITES THROUGH THE STATE'S PARTNERSHIP WITH KROGER.

HOW QUICKLY WE PROCEED THROUGH IMMUNIZING THOSE GROUPS OF PEOPLE, AND AGAIN 1C WILL BECOME ELIGIBLE IN EARLY FEBRUARY AND THAT IS A GROUP OF MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE, PROGRESS WILL BE SLOW IF WE DON'T START GETTING MORE SHIPMENTS OF THE VACCINE.

>> Bill: IS THERE ANY KIND OF WORKAROUND FOR IN?

DO YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO BEG THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TRY TO SEND MORE?

OR IS THERE A WAY TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURERS?

I'VE HEARD THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED AS WELL.

LARGER SO FAR BESHEAR HAS TALKED ABOUT BOTH.

HE FORMALLY REQUESTED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IMMEDIATELY DOUBLE THE ALLOCATION THE STATE'S GETTING PER WEEK.

THERE'S BEEN NO RESPONSE, AT LEAST AS OF YESTERDAY.

HE MENTIONED GOING STRAIGHT TO THE PROVIDER, IN THIS CASE PFIZER AND MODERNA, SEEING IF THEY CAN SEND MORE DOSES.

I'D SAY IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT HE'S ON THE CUSP OF BEGGING JUST BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT OUR ABILITY TO PROGRESS HINGES ON HAVING THESE SUPPLIES.

AND RIGHT NOW OUR DEMAND VASTLY OUTWEIGHS THE SUPPLY THAT WE HAVE.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, THE EFFORT TO KNOCK RATE TEACHERS IN LOUISVILLE UNDERWAY AT THIS POINT.

THE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER, DR. JASON GLASS, TOLD ME THIS WEEK THAT IS THE KEY TO GETTING THESE SCHOOLS REOPENED, WHICH HE SAYS HE DOES WANT TO SEE HAPPEN AS SOON AS IT CAN SAFELY BE DONE.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

AND THAT'S THE PLAN.

AND THERE WAS A VACCINATION AT THE START OF THE DAY AT THE ARENA AND THEY'VE BEEN DOING DRIVE-THROUGH VACCINATIONS.

I BELIEVE THEY GOT 1200 SCHOOL PERSONNEL, INCLUDING TEACHERS AND OTHER STAFF AND SOME OF THE PRIVATE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AS WELL, STARTING WITH ELEMENTARY BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE GOING TO TRY TO REOPEN FIRST.

THE COMMISSIONER WAS -- THE SUPERINTENDENT WAS THERE, MARTY POLLIO, SAYING HE'S THE SOUTHERN HALF OF HEINZ THIS HAD HE THINKS THIS WILL START THE REOPENING OF THE SCHOOLS WHICH EVERYBODY WANTS.

I KNOW THAT SOME SMALLER DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE, THEY'VE ALREADY STARTED THROUGH THE HOSPITALS VACCINATING TEACHERS WITH THE GOAL OF GETTING KIDS BACK INTO CLASSROOMS.

BUT AGAIN, SUPPLY IS THERE, AND WHILE EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THIS IS NEED TO OPEN SCHOOLS, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THAT 70-PLUS GROUP THAT ARE FAIRLY RHYMED THAT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET APPOINTMENTS FOR VACCINE.

>> Bill: ALEX, ARE THERE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE AT DIFFERENT POINTS WHEN IT COMES TO THE DELIVERY OF THE VACCINE?

>> Alex: YEAH, AND THIS HAS BEEN KIND OF A CONTENTION, AND IT'S ALSO -- IT'S NOT UNIQUE TO KENTUCKY.

THIS IS A CRITICISM OF THE ROLL-OUT OF THE VACCINE AND HOW RIGHT NOW IN THE STATE THERE IS NO CENTRALIZED AREA, THERE'S NO CENTRALIZED REGISTRATION SYSTEM, THERE'S NO CENTRALIZED ROLL-OUT OF THE VACCINE 1 SO WHAT YOU HAVE IS A BUNCH DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, DIFFERENT HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, DIFFERENT PROVIDERS, UNIVERSITIES, DISTRIBUTING THE VACCINE.

AND SO INEVITABLY IT'S BEING DISTRIBUTED TO SOME POPULATIONS MORE QUICKLY THAN OTHERS.

SO MAYBE YOU HAVE PEOPLE 70 AND OLDER IN FAYETTE COUNTY WHO HAVE BEATER ACCESS TO A VACCINE AND PEOPLE 70 AND OLDER IN NELSON COUNTY.

IT'S VERY DISPARATE IN SOME AREAS, AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE SEEING KIND OF DISCONNECT BETWEEN PROGRESS ACROSS COUNTIES.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, GOVERNOR BESHEAR VETOED SEVERAL BILLS THAT WOULD CLIP HIS EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY IN THE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION LIKE THE PANDEMIC.

THE REPUBLICANS, OF COURSE, HAVE THE NUMBERS IN THE LEGISLATURE TO VERY EASILY OVERSIDE THOSE VOICE.

BUT THERE HAS BEEN SOME TALK AT LEAST OF A COMPROMISE OF SORTS.

WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

>> Deborah: I REALLY AM NOT SURE HOW THAT WOULD WORK.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF BILLS.

ONE WOULD LIMIT HIS ABILITY -- ONE WOULD ALLOW SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, OTHER PLACES TO STAY OPEN IF THEY FOLLOWED CDC GUIDELINES.

BESHEAR IS ON MODES TO THAT.

ANOTHER WOULD LIMIT CHANGES TO ELECTIONS THAT WERE ENACTED THIS YEAR.

AND AND THE THIRD WOULD REQUIRE MORE LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT.

THAT'S POSSIBLE THAT THEY STRIKE SOME KIND OF COMPROMISE.

ONE OF THE LEGISLATORS COMPLAINED -- AMONG LEADERSHIP IS THAT THEY WERE SHUT OUT OF DECISION-MAKING AND WEREN'T CONSULTED AND POSSIBLY IF THEY COULD WORK OUT SOME KIND OF AGREEMENT TO HAVE HOR MORE OF A ROLE OR BE CONSULTED AT LEAST.

THEY'VE BEEN AT LOGGER HEAD OVER THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

I'M NOTE SURE HOW REALISTIC THAT IS, AND THEY CAN'T EASILY OVERI HAD THE THE VETOES.

>> THEY HAVE HEARD A LOT FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, BUSINESS OWNERS AND SO FORTH WHO HAVE HAD THESE RULES COME DOWN.

ALEX, WHAT DO THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS AND THE DOCTORS THAT YOU TALK WITH SAY ABOUT THE REGULATIONS THAT ARE IN PLACE OR WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY ARE ROLLED BACK?

>> Alex: I HAVEN'T TALKED NECESSARILY ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THEM BEING ROLLED BACK WEEK BUT THROUGHOUT THE LAST YEAR ALL OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS I'VE TALKED TO YOU, NONE OF THEM HAVE GRIEVANCES WITH THE MEASURES THAT BESHEAR HAS TAKEN TO -- ALL OF THEM HAVE BEEN TO MITIGATE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE.

PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS GENERALLY HAVE THE SAME HOPES, WHICH IS TO LIMIT COMMUNITY SPREAD IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES.

I THINK WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST THING IS ENFORCEMENT AND ALSO CONTROLLING DISSATISFIED BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE IN SOME WASTES CASES WATCHING THEIR BUSINESSES BLEED OUT BECAUSE OF THESE RESTRICTIONS.

SO IT'S A FINE LINE TO BALANCE, BUT I THINK PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS GENERALLY AGREE, AT LEAST THE ONES I'VE TALKED TO, WITH THOSE MITIGATION EFFORTS.

>> Bill: DWEEB THERE WAS ONE LAW, BILL PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE A BORN ALIVE BILL, AS IT'S CALLED, THAT DID BECOME LAW WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: YES.

THAT PASSED LAST TIME.

AND LAST SESSION.

AND THE GOVERNOR VETOED IT.

THIS TIME AROUND HE DIDN'T TAKE ANY ACTION ON IT.

I HAVE TO MENTION THIS BILL DOESN'T REALLY ADDRESS ANY ACTUAL SITUATION IN KENTUCKY AT THIS POINT.

THE SPONSOR HAS SAID HE JUST WANTS IT AS SORT OF A PRECAUTION AGAINST IT EVER HAPPENING BUT IT WOULD REQUIRE A DOCTOR TO RESUSCITATE ANY INFANT BORN ALIVE FROM A FAILED ABORTION.

KENTUCKY DOESN'T ALLOW LATE TERM ABORTIONS AND MEDICAL ETHICS AND LAW WOULD PROVIDE ANY HEALTH PROVIDER TO RESUSCITATE THE INFANT IN SUCH A CASE, BUT NONETHELESS, IT WILL BECOME LAW APPARENTLY.

>> Bill: SO THE GOVERNOR'S VETOED ALL THESE BILLS, AND THEN THERE WAS THIS ONE THAT BECAME LAW WITHOUT HIS SIGNATURE.

HAS HE SIGNED ANYTHING THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS PASSED YET?

>> Deborah: I AM NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING.

I KNOW HE VETOED THE FIRST ROUND OF PRIORITY BILLS, INCLUDING I.

ANOTHER ABORTION BILL THAT WOULD GIVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MORE POWER TO ENFORCE -- TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ABORTION CLINICS.

SO -- AND THEN HE JUST LET THIS ONE GO INTO LAW WITHOUT HIS SIGNATURE.

>> Bill: SO AN INTERESTING SESSION IS UNDERWAY IN THE EARLY GOING.

AND IT NOW LOOKS LIKE THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE DEALING WITH THIS, THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT DECLINED TO RE-HEAR TISSUE OF HISTORICAL HORSE RACING BE THE THE ISSUE OF HISTORICAL HORSE RACING SO THAT PRETTY MUCH LEAVES IT UP TO THE LEGISLATURE TO CLARIFY THE FUELERS SOME OF THESE VENUES THAT ALREADY EXIST AND SOME PROPOSED VENUES, CHRIS, IN SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY AND SOME OTHER AREAS.

>> Chris: THAT'S RIGHT, BILL.

THERE ARE SIX OF THESE GAMING FACILITIES IN THE STATE.

THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO OR THREE MORE THAT ARE PROPOSED.

IT HAS BEEN A HUGE, BOOMING INDUSTRY.

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE ARE THE FACILITIES LIKE DERBY CITY GAMING, THE RED MILE.

THESE ARE -- THEY LOOK KIND OF LIKE CASINOS, AND THE MACHINES IN THERE LOOK AND FEEL AND ACT ALMOST EXACTLY LIKE SLOT MACHINES.

THE IDEA FOR THE LAST DECADE, AS THIS INDUSTRY HAS GROWN UP, IS THAT THOSE ARE ACTUALLY A FORM OF HORSE RACING BECAUSE THE RESULTS ARE BASED ON OLD HORSE RACES.

THIS HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A LONG LEGAL BATTLE, AND THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION TO FINALIZE ITS OPINION FROM BACK IN SEPTEMBER WAS NOT UNEXPECTED AT ALL.

THAT HIS WAY HOME UNANIMOUS 7-0 DECISION, SAYING THAT THESE MACHINES DID NOT EXECUTE PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING.

AND SO THEIR LEGALITY IS NOW THROWN INTO QUESTION AND THE INDUSTRY IS BEGGING FOR A FIX TO KEEP THESE FACILITIES AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF INVESTMENT AND JOBS IN THE STATE.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE WILL ADVANCE A BILL THAT WOULD ATTEMPT TO DO THAT.

THIS DECISION BY THE SUPREME COURT THIS WEEK CERTAINLY RATCHETS UP THAT PRESSURE.

AND THEN THERE'S A WHOLE SEPARATE DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO PRESERVE EVER PRESERVE THIS INDUSTRY IN THE STATE.

>> Bill: BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THESE FACILITIES CONTINUE TO OPERATE, RIGHT?

EVEN THOUGH THEY WOULD APPEAR TO BE OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE SUPREME COURT RULING?

>> Chris: YES, BILL, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF NUANCE HERE.

SO FOR ONE THING, THE COURT CASE ONLY DEALT WITH ONE PARTICULAR TYPE OF MACHINE MADE BY ONE PARTICULAR VENDOR, WHICH IS USED AT A COUPLE OF THE FACILITIES BUT NOT AT ALL OF THEM.

SO IF YOU ASK CHURCHILL DOWNS, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY'LL SAY, WELL, OUR MACHINES ARE MADE BY DIFFERENT VENDOR AND SO THAT'S NOT OUR SYSTEM.

IN GENERAL, THE RULES THAT THE SUPREME COURT LAID OUT ARE BELIEVED TO BE WIDELY APPLICABLE IN THE LONG RUN, BUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE RACING COMMISSION, WHICH REGULAR LEGISLATES HISTORICAL HORSE EXCHANGES TIGHTENS STAY OPEN AND KEEP GOING, THEY SAY THEY'RE JUST LOOKING INTO HOW A JUDGE IN FRANKFORT, JUDGE THOMAS WIN GATE OF FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT, HOW HE WILL IMPLEMENT THE SUPREME COURT ORDER'S.

THE BALL IS NOW IN HIS COURT, SO TO SPEAK, AND WE DON'T KNOW WHEN EXACTLY HE WILL BE ADDRESSING THIS.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

LOTS OF QUESTIONS ON THAT ISSUE GOING FORWARD.

DEBBIE, THREE UNNAMED GRAND JURORS HAVE SIGNED AN IMPEACHMENT PETITION AGAINST ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON, ANOTHER POTENTIAL IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDING.

>> Deborah: YES.

THIS IS THE THIRD ONE IN RECENT WEEKS.

THIS ONE DEALS WITH THE DISSATISFACTION OF SEVERAL GRAND JURORS WHO HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN TO THEIR LAWYER OVER HOW THE CASE -- THEY SAY THE CASE WAS PRESENTED TO THEM, AND THEY FELT LIKE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON DIDN'T GIVE THEM OPTIONS FOR STIFFER INDICTMENTS OR MORE DIRECT ACTION AGAINST THE OFFICERS FOR THE SHOOTING OF BREONNA TAYLOR.

SO THEY HAVE THROUGH THEIR LAWYERS FILED A MOTION SEEKING TO IMPEACH HIM.

THE FIRST ONE IS AN IMPEACHMENT FRENZY HERE.

THE FIRST ONE CAME A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WHEN A GROUP OF PEOPLE OPPOSING GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S RESTRICTIONS FILED A MISSION TO IMPEACH HIM, AND THE LEGISLATORS SET UP A COMMITTEE WHICH THEY SAID THE PROCESS CALLS FOR.

THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY SEVERAL DEMOCRATS FILING AN IMPEACHMENT AGAINST REPRESENTATIVE GOFORTH FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY OVER HIS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALLEGATIONS.

SO THERE COULD BE MORE OUT THERE.

>> Bill: AND ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON HAS APPOINTED A TASK FORCE TO LOOK INTO HOW AWARENESS ARE ISSUED IN KENTUCKY.

OF COURSE, THE CATALYST FOR THAT IS THE BROLIN CASE.

THE HOW WARRANTS ARE ISSUED.

>> KEVIN: >> Deborah: HE SAID I EVER UP A 15-MEMBER TASK FORCE, AND IT WAS ONE OF HIS PROMISES AS PART OF THIS WHOLE INVESTIGATION TO LOOK INTO HOW WARRANTS ARE ISSUED.

AS WE KNOW, THE NO-KNOCK WARRANT WAS SUPPOSEDLY ISSUED IN THE BREONNA TAYLOR CASE WHICH CAUSED A LOT OF CONTROVERSY.

SO THAT IS SET UP NOW.

AND THEY ARE GOING TO REVIEW IT.

THERE IS SOME CRITICISM FROM SOME MEMBERS THAT IT'S HEAVILY WEIGHT TOWARD LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE OTHER CONCERNS AS WELL.

>> Bill: IT LOOKS LIKE THE LOUISVILLE MAYORS VASE STARTING TO FORM.

METRO COUNTIES PRESIDENT DAVID JAMES, HE IS ENTERING THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY TO REPLACE MAYOR AGREEING FISCHER WHO IS.

TERM LIMITED.

ACTIVIST WRIGHTS WILL RUN.

AND UofL PROFESSOR RICK JONES TWEETED HE IS CONSIDERING.

THAT COULD POTENTIALLY GET CROWD OVER THERE, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: I'D SAY IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY CROWD PRIMARY.

THERE'S A LOT OF PENT-UP AMBIVERSION 12 YEARS WITH DEMOCRAT GREG PHISH INNER THE MAYOR'S OFFICE WITH LITTLE OPPOSITION FOR THE MOST PART.

NOW THAT HE CAN'T RUN AGAIN, THERE ARE A LOT OF DEMOCRATS THAT ARE GOING TO COME FORWARD FOR THAT.

I'M NOT SURE I COULDN'T TELL IF RICK JONES WAS RUNNING OR NOT.

I GUESS WE'LL FIND OUT.

>> DEBORAH: >> Bill: CHRIS, WHAT ABOUT CHARLES BOOKER WHO CARRIED LOUISVILLE ON HIS WAY TO LOSING LAST YEAR'S U.S. SENATE PRIMARY?

IS HE INTERESTED IN MAYOR'S PRAISE?

>> Chris: I OBJECT HAVEN'T DONE ANY REPORTING ON THAT.

I THINK THE SPECULATION THAT HE MAY BE GEARING UP TO RUN FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

AGAIN, SENATOR RAND PAUL IN 2022.

YOU KNOW, HE OBVIOUSLY WAS IN STATE POLITICS BEFORE HE RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR THE SENATE NOMINATION.

SO HE HASN'T BEEN MUCH INVOLVED IN LIKE THE METRO COUNCIL, THE TYPES OF POSITIONS THAT YOU MORE NATURALLY FEED INTO THE MAYOR'S RACE, BUT I AGREE WITH DEBBIE, WE'RE WAY AHEAD OF THE FILING DEADLINE, AND I WOULD EXPECT IT TO BE KIND OF A FREE-FOR-ALL FOR THAT OPEN SEAT IN LOUISVILLE.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, LOUISVILLE'S NEW POLICE CHIEF IS ON THE JOB THIS WEEK, ERICA SHIELDS, AND SHE CAME FROM ATLANTA AND SOME CONTROVERSY THERE.

>> Deborah: YES, SHE DID.

SHE HAD RESIGNED VOLUNTARY AS ATLANTA'S POLICE CHIEF AFTER A SHOOTING OF A BLACK MAN IN A PRATTLE WENDY'S WHICH WAS EXTREMELY CONTROVERSIAL.

AND THEN HER HIRING BECAME CONTROVERSIAL EVEN THOUGH THE SELECTION COMMITTEE'S DECISION WAS UNANIMOUS.

BECAUSE PEOPLE FELT LIKE WHY WOULD YOU HIRE SOMEONE EMBROILED IN A CONTROVERSY IN ONE CITY IS TO TO COME DO LOUISVILLE, STILL TRYING TO GET OVER THE CONTROVERSY OF BREONNA TAYLOR SHOOTING.

HOWEVER, SHE HAS BEEN SWORN IN AND IS IN CHARGE AND SEEMS TO HAVE THE SUPPORTIVE METRO COUNTIES AND THE MAYOR FOR SURE.

>> Bill: CHRIS, WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE FORD PLANT IN LOUISVILLE?

THAT EMPLOYS THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKIANS.

WERE YOU AHEAD OF THE REPORTING PACK ON THIS IN REPORTING THE LIKELY SECOND SHUTDOWN AND IT APPEARS NOW THAT WILL HAPPEN MONDAY.

RIGHT?

>> Chris: IT WILL.

THIS IS LOUISVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT.

THERE ARE TWO FORD PLANS IN LOUISVILLE.

THIS IS THE SMALLER OF THE TWO.

IT PRODUCES THE FORD ESCAPE SUV AND THE LINCOLN CORE SARAH COR SARAH.

THE ISSUE IS THAT THERE IS THERE'S A GLOBAL SHORTAGE OF COMPUTER CHIPS, SEMI CONDUCTORS.

THESE ARE USED IN AUTOMOBILES NOW.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE DOZENS OF COMPUTER PARTS IN NEW CARS, BUT THEY'RE ALSO USED IN SMART PHONES, IN TABLETS, GIVEF PHONES, GAMING CONSOLES, AND APPARENTLY FROM SOME -- 5G ESPINOSA AND APPARENTLY COVID DISRUPTION TO THE SUPPLY CHAIN THERE'S PRIORITIZATION, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH CHIPS TO GO AROUND SO AUTOMAKERS LIKE HONDA AND VOLKSWAGEN HAVE ALSO BEEN IMPACTED BY THIS.

LOUISVILLE HAS THE BAD LUCK OF BEING THE ONLY FORD PLANT IN FORD'S NETWORK SO FAR TO SEE A WORK STOPPAGE FROM THIS.

THEY WERE OFF LAST WEEK, CAME BACK THIS WEEK.

NOW THEY'LL BE OFF ANOTHER TWO WEEKS.

IT'S UNCLEAR HOW LONG THIS WILL LAST OR WHETHER OTHER PLANTS WILL BE AFFECTED IN THE FUTURE.

BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT IS VERY MUCH A POSSIBILITY.

>> Beth: WE'RE 99 DAYS AWAY FROM THE KENTUCKY DERBY ON THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

IT WON'T BE COMPLETELY NORMAL.

THE PLAN IS TO BE AS NORMAL AS IT CAN AND RETURN TO IT THAT FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY.

ALEX, A QUICK ANSWER TO THIS.

HOW MANY EVENTS ARE GOING TO AT LEAST BE PLANNED AND ORGANIZERS TRY TO DO THE BEST THEY CAN IN HAVING IT NORMAL THIS SPRING AND SUMMER?

>> Alex: I HAVE HEARD OF A FEW LARGE EVENTS.

I THINK THE SPRING WILL BE A BIG POINT WHERE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HAVE BIG EVENTS ARE SORT OF DIPPING THEIR TOE IN THE WATER AND SEEING HOW SAFETY CAN BE.

I THINK SOME PEOPLE'S ATTENDING THOSE EVENTS WILL DEPEND ON HOW WIDESPREAD VACCINE IS AND ALSO HOW MITIGATED THE VIRUS IS BY THAT POINT.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

>> Bill: FORMER KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY BILL NIGHBERT HAS DIED ME.

SERVED UNDER FORMER GOVERNOR ERNIE FLETCHER.

BEFORE THAT HE I WAS LONGTIME MAYOR OF WILLIAMSBURG AND HE SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE KENTUCKY LEAGUECH CITIES.

AND BE SURE TO TUNE IN MONDAY AT 8 EASTERN, 8 CENTRAL FOR -- THAT'S 7 CENTRAL FOR BUILDING KENTUCKY'S WORKFORCE, A KET FORUM.