>> Bill: THE FILING DEADLINE PASSES.

CANDIDATES NOW KNOW WHO THEY WILL BE UP AGAINST ON THE BALLOT OR DO THEY?

COVID HITS THE GOVERNOR'S FAMILY AND NUMBERS REMAIN HIGH STATEWIDE, BUT THERE ARE SOME ENCOURAGING INDICATORS.

SENATOR McCONNELL ASSESSES HIS LONG-TERM TORNADO REBUILD AND WILL NO PLAY A KEY ROLE A CHIEF JUSTICE retires WILL VOTERS ALLOW KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS TO CAL INTO SPECIAL SESSIONS?

ROLLING INTO ANOTHER FRIGID WINTER WEEKEND, "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON K. GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT.

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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR RYLAND BARTON, CAPITOL BUREAU CHIEF FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO WITH STATIONS IN MURRAY, BOWLING GREEN, LOUISVILLE AND R DEBORAH YETTER REPORTER FOR THE AND BILL ESTEP, SOUTHERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER JONI JENKINS WITHDRAWS HER CANDIDACY FOR RE-ELECTION.

A NEW POLL SHOWS GOVERNOR BESHEAR WITH 60% APPROVAL, AND SENATOR RAND PAUL WITH A SIGNIFICANT LEAD IN HIS RE-ELECTION BID.

AND LOUISVILLE BASKETBALL COACH CHRIS MACK BUT FIRST WILL GET A PARTING CHECK FOR ALMOST $5 MILLION.

RIGHT BEFORE OUR SHOW STARTED TONIGHT, THOUGH, LOUISVILLE RECEIVED THE FIRST EVER SQUALL WARNING.

THAT WAS A BIG SURPRISE.

DEBBIE, I KNOW THE ALARM STARTED GOING OFF AROUND YOUR PLACE, WHAT, AROUND 6:00 OR SO?

>> Deborah: BETWEEN 5:30 AND 6:00 SUDDENLY WE STARTED GETTING THESE SNOW SQUALL WARNINGS, AND BY THEN THE SNOW WAS COMING DOWN PRETTY HEAVY SO IT WAS OBVIOUS SOMETHING WAS UP.

>> Bill: IT WAS ONE OF THOSE KINDS OF DAYS.

RYLAND, I KNOW IT MEGS WITH YOUR PRE-"COMMENT" DAYS FORTH PLAN.

>> Ryland: I WAS OUT PLAYING FRISBEE WITH THE DOG, AND I NOTICED THE FRISBEE WAS PLAYING BACK IN OUR FACE A LOT MORE THAN IT USUALLY DOES.

>> Bill: SO A FAIR TUSSLE INCH WINTER ROLL OPEN IF OMICRON VARIANT IS CONTINUING TO FUEL A COVID SURGE AND MONDAY WE GOT WORD THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S 12-YEAR-OLD SON HAD TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.

HE'S DOING GO ON OKAY.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE CONCERN NOW IS KEEPING HOSPITALS STAFFED AND READY FOR COVID AND OTHER PATIENTS.

>> FOLKS, BE CAREFUL.

WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WE DON'T HAVE ROOM OR BEDS FOR PEOPLE HURT IN CAR ACCIDENTS OR WHO HAVE STROKES.

THIS IS THE DANGER HERE IS BIGGER THAN JUST COVID.

SO EVEN IF YOU ARE STILL A SCEPTIC THAT THIS THING CAN'T HURT AND/OR KILL YOU, PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING SO THAT OTHERS HARMED IN DIFFERENT WAYS CAN GET THE CARE THEY NEED.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, SO HERE THIS WEEK FOR THE FIRST TIME A MEMBER OF THE FIRST FAMILY WITH COVID.

THE GOVERNOR REPEATEDLY TESTED NEGATIVE THIS WEEK AND IS BACK OUT AROUND THE STATE.

BUT IN THE REST HIS FAMILY SEEMS TO HAVE AVOIDED IT, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: YEAH, IT WAS INTERESTING ON MONDAY HE HELD HIS NEWS CONFERENCE IN ISOLATION FROM THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION BECAUSE HE NORTHBOUND HIS 12-YEAR-OLD SON WILL HAD TESTED POSITIVE, ALTHOUGH HE IS FINE AND SHOWING I THINK VIRTUALLY NO SYMPTOMS, BUT HE WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO SAY THAT THEY'VE ALL BEEN VACCINATED AND WILL, IS 12, OLD ENOUGH TO GET THE BOOSTER AND HAD RECEIVED THE BOOSTER AND ENCOURAGED ALL KENTUCKIANS IF THEY HAVEN'T TO PLEASE CONSIDER DOING THAT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

>> Bill: THE CASE NUMBERS, DEBBIE, CONTINUE TO BE HIGH.

THE HOSPITALS ARE CHALLENGED BY THAT.

SCHOOLS ARE HAVING TO REACT AND ADJUST THEIR PLANS.

ONE OF THE NUMBERS WE'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON, THE DEATH RATE REALLY HASN'T DROPPED AT THIS POINT, CONCERNING THROUGHOUT THIS WEEK.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

T. NOT ONLY ARE THE NUMBER REMAINING HIGH, IN FACT TODAY THEY HAD MORE THAN 15,000 NEW CASES, BUT THE DEATHS HAVE BEEN HOLDING ANYWHERE FROM, SAY, 25 TO 40 A DAY AVERAGE, AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR WEEKS, AND THEY CONTINUE TO LAG BEHIND THE CASES.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT FOR A WHILE.

THE HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE HIGH TOO.

THEY'RE CLOSE TO 2500 A DAY, WHICH IS WHERE WE WERE BACK IN SEPTEMBER WHEN DELTA WAS KIND OF WREAKING HAVOC THROUGHOUT KENTUCKY.

NOW, OF COURSE, THEY'RE DEALING WITH THE OMICRON VARIANT.

>> Bill: WE KNOW WHAT A TOLL IT HAS TAKEN AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS, BUT BILL ALSO AS WE MENTIONED THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THEY ALSO ARE HAVING -- I MEAN, WE'RE SEEING TEACHERS AND SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS AND PERSONNEL WHO ARE VERY CLOSE TO STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE LOSING THEIR LIVES.

>> Bill: THEY'VE HAD TO MIX ADJUSTMENTS ON THE FLY AS THE NUMBERS GO UP AND THEY TRY TO DEAL WITH THAT.

THE COUNTY HAS COME UP WITH A PLAN TO HAVE BUS DRIVERS PULL DOUBLE SHIFTS SO THEY CAN GET KITS KIDS THERE.

EVEN IF THEY GET THEM LATE, THEY FEEL IT'S BETTER THAN NOT GETTING THEM THERE AT ALL.

THERE'S BEEN RECENT STORIES A TEACHER IN PULASKI COUNTY THAT DIED, A STAFFER IN FAYETTE COUNTY JUST RECENTLY.

SUPERINTENDENTS, WE HAD A STORY ABOUT SUPERINTENDENTS LEAVING THE JOB BECAUSE IT'S SO STRESSFUL.

THERE WAS A STORY ABOUT, YOU KNOW, 300,000 MENTAL HEALTH CONTACTS IN THE FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, KIDS, YOU KNOW, IN IN CONTACT WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN THE COOL DISTRICT OVER THERE.

IT'S BEEN A TERRIBLE THING AND IT CONTINUES TO BE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OTHER SYSTEMS, HOSPITALS AND OTHERS AS WELL.

>> Bill: WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ABOUT HOSPITALS IN YOUR REGION?

>> Bill Estep: PAPST HOP IN RICHMOND CANCEL NON-EMERGENCY PROCEEDINGS ARE AND ELECTIVE PROCEDURES THIS WEEK, SO IT'S STILL AFFECTING HOSPITALS SOME PLACES.

THE ICUs IS NOT AS BAD AS IT WAS AT THE PEAK OF THE DELTA.

WAVE LAST FALL.

SO IT'S NOT QUITE AS BAD AS IT WAS BUT STILL PRETTY HIGH USE.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, WE SEEING SOME HOPEFUL SIGNS?

AGAIN, THE NUMBERS ARE TOUGH, BUT IT SEEMS WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OTHER STATES, THE TREND SEEMS TO BE THAT AT ABOUT THIS POINT YOU BEGIN TO SEE THING GO THE OTHER WAY.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

SOME OF THE EASTERN STATES, I THINK NEW YORK AND RYLAND HAD SURGES.

THEY DISCOVERED IT RISE VERY FAST AND COME DOWN AS QUICKLY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND DR. STACK THE PUBLIC HEALTH MIRACLES SAID THIS WEEK THEY'RE HOPING THAT'S THE CAUSE IN KENTUCKY.

THEY WILL REACH A SPEAK PEAK AND START TO FALL TOWARD THE END OF THE MONTH.

>> Bill: RYLAND, WE'VE COVERED A LOT OF PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES AS IT RATS ARE REGARDS THE PANDEMIC SINCE THE BEGINNING.

THE CITY OF RICHMOND HAD A TIE VOTE THAT WAS BROKEN ON THE MAYOR ON A $500 INCENTIVE FOR EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED, AND IT APPROVED TO BE VERY CONTROVERSIAL.

THE MAYOR'S CHALLENGER, WHO IS ALSO A COMMISSIONER, SAID THAT IF THE CITY'S GOING TO GIVE EXTRA MONEY TO EMPLOYEES, THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO STRINGS ATTACHED, LIKE A VACCINE REQUIREMENT.

>> Ryland: AND THAT INCENTIVE, MIND YOU, IS FUNDED WITH AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN DOLLARS.

I THINK THE CITY HAS PLANNED TO USE ABOUT $150,000 TO FUND THAT INITIATIVE.

BUT, YEAH, IT'S A LOCAL FIGHT OVER VACCINE INCENTIVES.

SEVERAL OTHER PUBLIC GO INSTITUTIONS IN MADISON COUNTY HAVE IMPLEMENTED SIMILAR ONES, ECU, I BELIEVE MADISON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ALSO.

SO THE MAYOR'S OPPONENT IN THIS DEBATE HAD SAID THAT THERE SHOULDN'T BE STRINGS ATTACHED TO THIS.

IF THE MAYOR WANTS TO GIVE THE CITY EMPLOYEES MONEY, THAT'S ALL WELL AND GOOD, BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE ATTACHED TO THEM GETTING THE VACCINE, BUT THEY'RE GOING FORWARD WITH IT BECAUSE THE MAYOR BROKE THAT TIE.

>> Bill: AND HE SAID THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED.

SO WE CONTINUE TO WATCH THOSE NUMBERS AND WE'LL REMAIN HOPEFUL THAT AS THE WEEKS GO ON, THAT THOSE NUMBERS COME DOWN.

WHILE MANY OF HIS OPPONENTS CONSIDER THE GOVERNOR'S RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC AN AREA TO ATTACK HIM ON, A MASON DIXON POLL THAT CAME OUT ON FRIDAY PROVIDES SOME STRONGER NUMBERS FOR GOVERNOR BESHEAR IT.

SHOWS THE GOVERNOR WITH A 60% APPROVAL RATING.

39% OF REPUBLICANS APPROVE OF THE WAY THE GOVERNOR IS HANDLING HIS JOB.

HE WAS STRONGEST IN LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON AREAS, BUT HAD MAJORITY APPROVAL IN EVERY REGION OF THE STATE, AND ALTHOUGH HIS APPROVAL WAS HIGHER AMONG WOMEN, 55% OF MEN APPROVE OF BESHEAR'S PERFORMANCE IN THAT SURVEY OF 625 REGISTERED VOTERS.

SO, BILL, BESHEAR'S APPROVAL HAD CLIMBED 5% FROM A POLL TAKEN ABOUT THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

HE -- THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WAS QUICK TO SAY THAT THAT SHOWS THAT KENTUCKIANS ARE PROUD OF WHAT HE IS DOING.

BUT YOU POINT OUT THAT POLITICS IS A QUICK SUBJECT OR THINGS CHANGE QUICKLY.

>> Bill Estep: HIS APPROVAL RATING WAS 55% IN 2021.

60% IN JANUARY ABOUT A YEAR LATER.

IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT THAT POLL WAS TAKEN AFTER THE TORNADOES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY IN DECEMBER, DECEMBER 10th AND 11th, AND I THINK BESHEAR GOT A LOT OF CREDIT FOR HIS HANDLING THERE.

HE WAS VERY EMPATHETIC, ON THE GROUND THERE MEETING WITH FOLKS.

AND DESPITE SOME OF THE CRITICISM, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE -- A LOT OF PEOPLE ALSO CREDIT -- HAVE A LOT OF FAVOR FOR HIS HANDLING OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

SO I MEAN, THAT ALL ADDS UP TO THE 60%, BUT THESE THINGS TURN AROUND PRETTY QUICKLY SOMETIMES.

>> Bill: BUT IS IT AT THE SAME TIME FRUSTRATING, RYLAND, FOR THE REPUBLICANS TO SEE A GOVERNOR WHOM THEY OF CONSISTENTLY ATTACKED AND HAVE STRIPPED HIM OF SOME OF HIS POWER IN TERMS OF THE LEGISLATURE TOOK SOME OF THE POWERS AWAY FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, TO SEE HIS APPROVAL REMAIN CONSIDERABLY ABOVE MAJORITY?

>> Ryland: CERTAINLY.

HADDING ONTO THE FRUSTRATIONS THEY FEEL SEEING HIM ON TV A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK AND-YEAR-OLD ON IN THE PANDEMIC ALMOST EVERY DAY, REPUBLICANS HAVE REALLY LINED UP AGAINST BESHEAR AND ESPECIALLY ON THESE LINES OF HIS HANDLING OF THE PANDEMIC.

IT WAS REALLY REMARKABLE TO SEE THIS POLL COME OUT.

IT WAS A DAY AFTER THE REPUBLICANS WERE REALLY SLAMMING BESHEAR ON THE SENATE FLOOR AND TALKING ABOUT THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO STRIP SOME OF THE GOVERNOR'S SPECIAL SESSION POWERS, AND HAVING A THAT THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY HAVE BEEN BANGING DOWN THEIR DOORS TELLING THEM TO REIGN IN THIS TYRANNICAL GOVERNMENT.

THIS POLL IS SHOWING THAT THERE'S ACTUALLY A LOT OF CROSSOVER APPEAL FOR THE GOVERNOR.

HE'S BEEN -- HE'S BEEN -- HIS APPROVAL RATING HAS BEEN -- IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN BENEFITED BY THAT PUBLIC -- HIS FACE HAS JUST BEEN KIND OF EVERYWHERE AND HIS NAME, AND ESPECIALLY AS BILL WAS SAYING, IN THE RELIEF OF THE -- AFTER THE TORNADOES WHEN HE REALLY GOT HIGH MARKS FROM REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS UP AND DOWN THE -- UP AND DOWN THE BOARD FOR HIS HANDLING OF THINGS.

>> Bill: DEB, AS REPORTERS KNOWELL SO WELL, IN THIS ADMINISTRATION MOST OF THE INFORMATION COMES DIRECTLY FROM THE GOVERNOR, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: HE DOES SEEM TO HAVE A PRETTY CONTROLLED, I WOULD SAY, METHOD OF DISSEMINATING INFORMATION, AND OFTEN IT INVOLVES HIM.

HOWEVER, HE IS ON IT THERE FRONT AND CENTER QUITE A BIT AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS A DAILY BASIS, SO AND IT GIVES HIM A LOT OF EXPOSURE.

IT ALSO ALLOWS KIND HIP AND HIS OFFICE TO CONTROL THE MESSAGE.

>> Bill Estep: MAYBE WHAT WE'RE SAYING AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT POLLS, 60% APPROVAL DOESN'T NECESSARILY TRANSLATE INTO 60% OF THE PEOPLE VOTING FOR YOU.

>> Bill: AND IT'S A PRE-CAMPAIGN AND PRE-ATTACK.

RIGHT.

THE SAME MASON DIXON POLL SHOWS REPUBLICAN SENATOR RAND PAUL WITH A SIGNIFICANT LEAD OVER LIKELY DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE CHARLES BOOKER.

THE POLL SHOWS PAUL WITH 55% SUPPORT TO BOOKER AREAS 39%.

BOOKER LEADS ONLY IN LOUISVILLE, AND PAUL LEADS STATEWIDE AMONG BOTH WOMEN AND MEN.

DEBBIE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, IS THAT POSSIBLY A FUNCTION OF NAME IDENTIFICATION THAT BOOKER CAN CORRECT OR DOES HE REALLY HAVE HIS WORK CUT OUT FOR HIM?

>> Deborah: I THINK HE DOES HAVE HIS WORK CUT OUT FOR HIM ESPECIALLY IN KENTUCKY BECAUSE HE IS CLEARLY PORTRAYS HIMSELF AS A VERY LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE IN A STATE THAT TEND TO RUN CONSERVATIVE AND FAIRLY RED OUTSIDE LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON.

SO WHETHER HE'LL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THE MOMENTUM HE PICKED UP A COUPLE -- WAS IT TWO YEARS AGO AGAINST AMY McGREATEST GRATH, AGAINST HER IN THE PRIMARY, THAT WAS YOU FUELED PIE BEAU A LOT OF THE BLACK LIVES MATTER PUBLICITY AND I THINK THE CONCERN AT THE TIME, BUT NOW HE'S GOT TO SOMEHOW REKINDLE THAT IF HE'S GOING TO GET ANYWHERE IN THIS RACE.

>> Bill: RHODE ISLAND, TIGER WOODS IT SAY WHEN A POLL SHOWS MAJORITY SUPPORT OR APPROVAL AT LEAST FOR A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND U.S.

SENATOR ON REPUBLICAN SIDE WITH A SIGNIFICANT LEAD?

>> Ryland: AGAIN, THERE IS THE -- THERE IS SOME OF THAT -- THERE IS SOME SEMBLANCE OF CROSSOVER VOTING HAPPENING IN KENTUCKY, PEOPLE NOT VOTING JUST ONE STRAIGHT TICKET ALL THE WAY DOWN, BUT ALSO THE DIFFERENCES OF RUNNING AS A GOVERNOR IN KENTUCKY, WHEN YOU GET TO RUN AT THIS TIME WHEN NOBODY ELSE IS ON THE BALLOT EXCEPT FOR OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS VERSUS RUNNING IN A YEAR WHEN YOU HAVE ALL THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS GOING ON AND THE BIG NATIONAL HYPE LEARN FLIPPING THE SENATE TORT CONGRESS IN ONE PARTICULAR WAY OR ANOTHER.

BUT IT ALSO COMES DOWN TO NONE OF THESE PARTIES ARE REALLY MONOLITHS.

NONE OF THESE CANDIDATES ARE -- HAVE TO FOLLOW ONE TREND OR THE OTHER.

BUT IT'S THIS YEAR WHEN A DEMOCRAT IS RUNNING AGAINST A REPUBLICAN WITH FEDERAL ELECTIONS ON BOARD, THEY HAVE A LOT OF HEADWINDS TO TRY AND MAKE IT UP AGAINST, UP DEPENDENCY AN INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN.

>> Bill: SOME INDICATION TODAY FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, IT LOOKS LIKE THE TRENDLINE IS THAT BY NOVEMBER, BILL, REPUBLICANS WILL OUTNUMBER DEMOCRATS IN REGISTRATION IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill Estep: IT'S REALLY CLOSE NOW AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CHANGEOVER IN ESPECIALLY -- I WORK A LOT IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF THOSE COUNTIES THAT HAVE BEEN TRADITIONALLY DEMOCRAT FOR DECADES, BUT THEY'RE GETTING MORE -- PEOPLE ARE TRANSITIONING.

PIKE COUNTY, HARLAN COUNTY ARE BOTH TRANSITIONING TO REPUBLICAN.

NOT QUITE THERE YET, BUT, YEAH, STATEWIDE THEY'LL GET THERE.

>> Bill: THE FILING DEADLINE PASSED TUESDAY.

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR ALL SORTS OF OFFICES FROM MAYOR TO COUNTY SHERIFF TO COUNTY JUDGE/EXECUTIVE.

THERE WILL BE SOME INTERESTING LEGISLATIVE RACES ALL ACROSS THE STATE AS WELL.

RHODE ISLAND, ONE OF THE SHOCKERS OF THE WEEK WAS THAT DEMOCRATIC HOUSE LEADER JONI JENN CONSISTENCE LOUISVILLE WITHDREW HER CANDIDACY FOR RE-ELECTION.

SHE'S BEEN THERE SINCE BEING ELECTED IN 1994.

>> Ryland: RIGHT.

JENKINS ANNOUNCED THIS, THAT SHE WOULDN'T RUN FOR RE-ELECTION THE DAY AFTER THE FILING DEADLINE AND SHE SAID THAT SHE DID IT BASS HER DISTRICT HAD BEEN REDRAWN BY REPUBLICANS DURING THIS MOST RECENT REDISTRICTING EFFORT TO BECOME A MAJORITY MINORITY DISTRICT, THAT IS A DISTRICT THAT HAS A MAJORITY OF MINORITY VOTERS.

SHE SAID THAT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO GET IN THE WAY OF A PERSON OF COLOR POSSIBLY WINNING THAT DISTRICT, AND, IN FACT, ON THE LAST DAY BEFORE THE FILING DEADLINE, THE DEMOCRATIC MAYOR OF SHIVELY, ONE OF THE INDEPENDENT CITIES IN EVERY JEFFERS COUNTY, BEVERLY CHESTER BURTON WHO IS BLACK, SHE FILED FOR THAT ESTATE, AND, YEAH, -- BUT THIS IS SOMETHING -- THE WRITING HAD KIND OF BEEN ON THE WALL FOR THIS EVER SINCE THAT DISTRICT HAD BEEN REDRAWN.

LEADER JENKINS HAD SAID WHEN ASKED IF SHE WAS GOING TO RUN FOR THAT SEAT, GIVEN THE CHANGES IN IT, SHE SAID THAT SHE WAS -- SHE HADN'T MADE UP HER MIND YET BUT THAT WAS SOMETHING SHE WAS THINKING ABOUT.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, SHE GAVE SIGNALS THIS WAS THE POSSIBLE OUTCOME.

>> Deborah: YES, SHE DID A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP THE DAY THE REPUBLICANS UNVEILED THEIR NEW DISTRICT MAPS, AND SOMEBODY ASKED HER, "WITH YOUR DISTRICT CHANGING AND MORE MINORITY MAKE-UP, DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE THE BEST PERSON TO REPRESENT IT?"

AND SHE SAID, "THATTHAT WAS A QUESTION IN HER MIND AS WELL AND SHE WAS GOING TO BE THINKING ABOUT THAT, SO I THINK EVEN THEN HE SHE WAS DROPPING HINTS THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN.

>> Bill: BILL, THIS IS STARK.

NO DEMOCRATIC RUNNING IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN HOUSE SEATS, 11 OF THE 18 OPEN STATE SENATE SEATS ARE UNCONTESTED.

IS THIS A RECRUITING FAILURE TO THE PART OF THE STATE DEMOCRATS?

>> Bill Estep: YOU'D HAVE TO THINK WELL SOB YEAH.

THE STATE LOTTERY USED TOFF A SLOGAN YOU CAN'T WIN IF YOU DON'T PLAY.

THIS IS THE SAME IN POLITICS.

YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE IN AS MANY RACES AS POSSIBLE.

EVEN IF YOU DON'T THINK YOU ARE GOING TO WIN THERE'S SOME VALUE TO SHOWING THE FLAG AND MAKING THE PACE AND CONTINUING TO TRY TO WIN.

SO, YEAH, NOT FIELDING CANDIDATES IN NEARLY HALF THE HOUSE SEATS AND MORE THAN HALF OF THE OPEN SENATE SEATS IS NOT A GOOD LOOK FOR THE DEMOCRAT.

>> Bill: SOME OBSERVERS NOTE THAT DEMOCRATIC SENATOR ROBIN WEBB OF GRAYSON AND CARTER COUNTY WHO IS UNOPPOSED COULD VERY WELL END UP AS THE ONLY DEMOCRAT IN THE STATE SENATE OUTSIDE OF LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON NEXT YEAR.

>> Bill Estep: JUST THINK NOT LONG AGO YOU HAD TURNER FROM RAY COUNTY WANT RAY JONES FROM PIKE COUNTY WHO GAVE THAT UP TO BECOME JUDGE IN PIKE COUNTY.

OTHER DEMOCRATS FROM UP IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

BUT THAT'S -- THAT'S GOING -- YEAH, THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE THIS TIME.

ROBIN COULD BE THE ONLY ONE LEFT.

>> Bill: THERE WILL BE A FAMILIAR FACE IN FOR, A CONTESTANT ON THE CBS SHOW SURVIVOR.

NICK WILSON UNOPPOSED FOR A STATE HOUSE SEAT IN THE WHITTLE COUNTY AREA.

HE'S AN ATTORNEY WHO QUICKLY TURNED HIS NATIONAL FAME INTO A POLITICAL ADVANTAGE, DIDN'T HE.

>> Bill Estep: MY WIFE AND I DART AND I WATCHED THAT IN 2018 WHEN HE WON.

HE CAME BACK IN 2022 AND FINISHED SEVENTH BUT WON THE $1 MILLION IN 2018.

THERE WAS A LOT OF NOTE RIGHT WITH THAT, AGAIN, A LOT OF ATTENTION.

SO HE'S RUNNING -- HE'S A REPUBLICAN.

HE'S RUNNING UNOPPOSED THIS TIME.

BARRING A SUCCESSFUL WRITE-IN HE'LL BE THE STATE REP. >> Bill: LAST QUESTION ON REDISTRICTING, DEBBIE, IS IT OVER OR COULD THEnd WITH BE REOPENED IF THE COURTS WERE TO THROW OUT OR RESTRAIN THE LEGISLATIVE MAPS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT OUT THERE?

>> Deborah: YES, IT'S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE.

THERE IS A CHALLENGE PENDING TO THE REDISTRICTING PLAN IN FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT RIGHT NOW, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE PARTIES HAVE ASKED FOR AN INJUNCTION TO BLOCK THESE MAPS FROM GOING INTO EFFECT.

THE REPUBLICANS HAVE TALKED ABOUT EXTENDING THE FILING DEADLINE, IF THAT'S THE CASE, BUT ONE POSSIBLE OUTCOME COULD BE -- IF EVERYTHING WERE TO GET THROWN OUT, WE'D JUST GO BACK TO ORIGINAL DISTRICTS FOR THIS ELECTION.

>> Bill: AND, RYLAND, THESE COURT CASES, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT IT'S A VERY INTRICATE CONSTITUTIONAL RULING THAT WOULD COME DOWN, AND THEY HAVE A LOT TO CONSIDER, AND THIS IN OTHER STATES IT HAS GONE DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> Ryland: RIGHT.

AND THEN ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS THAT DEMOCRATS SUING TO TRY AND BLOCK THESE REDISTRICTING PLANS ARGUE IS THAT HAVING -- THAT THESE PLANS, WHICH ARE -- THAT THEY GET IN THE WAY OF THE STATE'S ABILITY TO HAVE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

AND THAT'S HOW SIMILAR CHALLENGES IN OHIO AND PENNSYLVANIA HAVE GONE ABOUT, AND DEMOCRATS CHALLENGING GERRYMANDERED DISTRICTS ESSENTIALLY, DISTRICT THAT HAVE BEEN DRAWN WITH POLITICAL, WITH POLITICS IN MIND, THAT THOSE INHIBIT THOSE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

IT'S REALLY UP TO STATES IT.

SEEMS LIKE STATE COURTS TEND TO MAKE THESE INTERPRETATIONS.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HASN'T BEEN INTERESTED IN TAKING UP THAT ISSUING SO MUCH SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW KWE'S EFFORT COULD SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY IS THE STATEY SUPREME COURT ENDS UP INTERPRETING THAT.

>> Bill: LET'S TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS MOVING IN LEGISLATURE.

ONE MEASURE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD GIVE THE LEGISLATURE A WAY TO CALL ITSELF INTO SPECIAL SESSION.

ONLY THE GOVERNOR CAN DO THAT NOW.

THE AMENDMENT WOULD GO BEFORE KENTUCKY VOTERS WHO WOULD DECIDE WHETHER TO GRANT THAT POWER.

THE DEBATE WAS CONTENTIOUS DRAWING ON SOME OF THE RECENT CONTROVERSY ABOUT COVID POLICIES.

>> THERE ARE MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS IN THE BILL THAT COULD TAKE US AWAY FROM THE CITIZEN LEGISLATURE WE ARE CURRENTLY MEANT TO BE, TO MAKE IT REALLY HARD FOR PEOPLE WITH CAREERS, WITH YOUNG FAMILIES TO ADEQUATELY PLAN THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE AROUND THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAREER.

>> DURING THE SUMMER OF 2020, THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMONWEALTH LOST THEIR MINDS OVER THE FACT THAT WE HAD A DICTATORIAL GOVERNOR WHO WAS ACTING UNILATERALLY WITHOUT LISTENING TO THE ELECTED PEOPLE'S BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

BUSINESSES WERE BEING CLOSED.

THE GOVERNOR MAKING DISCUSSIONS ON WINNERS AND LOSERS.

>> Bill: BILL, IS THIS AN ISSUE OF THE MOMENT IN THE CURRENT SET OF ISSUES OUT THERE?

>> Bill Estep: I SEE THIS AS SORT OF AN OUTGROWTH TO CONTINUE EFFORT BY THE REPUBLICANS TO TRY TO LIMIT THE POWER OF THE GOVERNOR.

I MEAN, RIGHT NOW ONLY THE GOVERNOR CAN CALL A SUPERB SESSION.

THIS BILL WOULD HAVE A -- IF IT PASSED IT WOULD ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO CALL ITSELF INTO SESSION.

SO I JUST SEE THAT AS THEY'VE ALREADY LIMITED THE GOVERNOR'S POWERS IN TERMS OF HIS EMERGENCY POWER, HOW LONG HIS EMERGENCY ORDERS CAN STAY IN EFFECT.

I THINK THIS IS JUST ANOTHER PIECE OF THAT.

>> Eddie: JUST WANTED TO MENTION THE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE SUPER MAJORITIES IN BOTH CHAMBERS REALLY, REALLY WANTED A SPECIAL SESSION FOR REDISTRICTING AND BESHEAR WOULDN'T DO IT, AND I THINK THEY'RE STILL KIND OF PEEVED ABOUT THAT.

>> Ryland: RYELAND, WILL THIS BE A BIG DEBATE IN THE FALL?

>> Ryland: IT'S REALLY HARD TO IMAGINE WHAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO THINK OF THIS OR WHAT THIS IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE ON BALLOT ONCE IT ENDS UP THERE.

DEBBIE WAS TALKING ABOUT THIS EARLIER.

PEOPLE ARE GENERALLY SKEPTICAL ABOUT PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT GIVING THEMSELVES MORE POWER.

THIS IS WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS REALLY DOING IN THIS.

THE FUNCTION OF THIS IS THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS NORMALLY ONLY IN SESSION A HANDFUL OF MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR, AND THIS WOULD ALLOW THIS THEM TO MEET ANY TIME.

USUALLY IN THOSE MONTHS OUTSIDE OF 11:00 SESSION, THE GOVERNOR IS THE ONE LEFT IN CHARGE.

SO-SO IT'S A CAD RAL CHANGE IN NOW STATE GOVERNMENT WOULD WORK HERE.

>> Bill Estep: BILL, REMEMBER THE OLD JOKE INSTEAD OF MEETING 60 DAYS EVERY TWO YEARS, LEGISLATURE MEETS TWO DAYS EARV EVER EVERY KICK IT YEARS WITH THIS MIGHT GO TOWARD THE SCEPTICISM THAT PEOPLE HAVE WITH THAT.

>> Bill: WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES.

CERTAINLY WE HAVE MODS TO AHEAD TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT.

THERE WAS A HEARING THIS WEEK ON A PORCH PIRATE BILL THAT APPARENTLY CONTINUES TO MOVE.

MAKE AT A FELONY TO STEAL PACKAGES OFF SOMEBODY'S PORCH ESSENTIALLY GIVING IT THE SAME PROTECTION AS THE U.S. MAIL.

SENATOR YATES OF LOUISVILLE SPONSORING THAT.

DEBBIE, YOU'RE WATCHING A CHILD ABUSE BILL CLOSELY.

>> Deborah: SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS OF LOUISVILLE HAD A BILL GET THROUGH COMMITTEE WITH GLOWING ENDORSEMENTS ON EVERYONE ON THE COMMITTEE THAT IT WOULD BASICALLY UPDATE AND REFINE A LOT OF THE STATUTES.

IT'S PRESENT HAD TO PROVIDE MORE OVERSIGHT AND PROTECTION FOR KIDS, ESPECIALLY IN FOSTER CARE.

>> Bill: SO LOTS TO WATCH THERE.

NOW, SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL MOVED AROUND THE STATE A LOT THIS WEEK CLUCK INCLUDING GOING TO SEVERAL AREAS HIT HARD BY TORNADOES IN DECEMBER.

HE SAID HE LIKES THE COOPERATION HE'S SEEN SO FAR BUT INDICATES IT WILL TAKE A LONG-TERM EFFORT TO FINISH THE JOB IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

>> BUT I THINK HE HAS BEEN VERY RESPONSIVE, AND THE STATE AGENCY AS WELL, BUT THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE, AND WEEP TO KEEP AN EYE ON STAYING THERE FOR THE LONG HAUL BECAUSE THIS RECOVERY DOESN'T HAPPEN INSTANTLY.

>> Bill: RYLAND, ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN OUT THERE, ANYBODY WHO HAS REPORTED ON THIS KNOWS THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A EXTENDED EFFORT.

>> Ryland: LONG HAUL.

THAT'S THE PHRASE THAT McCONNELL IS REPEATING ACROSS THE STATE AS HE WAS TALKING ABOUT TO DIFFERENT GROUPS.

HE'S RIGHT.

THE CLEANUP EFFORT SALOON JUST GOING TO TAKE A REY LONG TIME, AND THEN THERE'S JUST A MILLION DIFFERENT CONSIDERATIONS WITH REBUILDING AFTER THAT.

AND McCONNELL IS ALSO REALLY -- HE'S REALLY BEEN, YOU KNOW, TOOTING THE HORN OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, TALKING ABOUT ALL THIS FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN TO HELP OUT THE STATE IN THIS REALLY TRYING TIME.

EVEN KIND OF GIVING A NOD TO THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS, WHICH HE VOTED AGAINST.

KENTUCKY IS REALLY FLUSH WITH CASH TO TRY AND ADDRESS SOME OF THESE EMERGENCIES, AND ESPECIALLY ON THE TORNADO EFFORT, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF EYES ON HOUSING FOR THESE FOLKS WHO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME EFFORTS THAT GET PEOPLE INTO TEMPORARY HOUSING.

THERE ARE TRAILERS THAT ARE JUST STARTING TO BE GIVEN OUT TO FOLKS WHO LOST THEIR HOMES OR HAVE BEEN IN TEMPORARY SITUATIONS FOR THE NEXT LITTLE BIT, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A WHILE YET THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN THOSE KIND OF HOUSES, THAT KIND OF SITUATION, AND IT'S GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF OVERSIGHT AND WE ALL NEED TO KEEP WATCHING AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY DOES EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO REBUILD AND CLEAN UP.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, MORE DRAMA AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE.

BASKETBALL COACH CHRIS MACK IS OUT.

HE DOES GET $4.8 MILLION, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: YES, AFTER A STRING OF BAD LOTS IS AND A ROOKIE START TO THE SEASON WHEN HE WAS SUSPENDED FOR ALLEGED INFRACTIONS, HE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH WEEK WITH UofL OFFICIALS IS GETTING A $4.8 MILLION SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND APPARENTLY IT WAS A MUTUAL AGREEMENT THAT HE LEAVE.

>> Bill: THE TRIAL OF FORMER LOUISVILLE POLICE OFFICER BRENT HANKISON IS GETTING UNDERWAGE CHARGED WITH ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING INTO THE APARTMENT ON THE NIGHT OF THE RAID ON BREONNA TAYLOR'S APARTMENT.

DERBY NOW LESS THAN 100 DAYS AWAY.

THE PLAN IS FOR A FULL CROWD A CHURCHILL DOWNS.

KENTUCKY'S CAPITOL CITY HAS BECOME THE LATEST TOWN TO ADOPT A URBAN CHICKEN.

FRANKFORT LEADERS PASSED THE ORDINANCE THAT LIMITS A PERSON TO SIX NON-CROWING CHICKENS.

THEY ALSO HAVE TO BE IN A FULLY ENCLOSED COOP.

AS THE STATE JOURNAL PUT IT, SOME ARE CRYING FOWL BUT THE MAYOR SAYS THEY'LL SHE WHO IT GOES.

TUNE IN MONDAY FORE "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

RENEE SHAW WILL HOST A DISCUSSION ON SCHOOL CHOICE.