[♪♪] >> Bill: CURRENT CANDIDATES IN KENTUCKY'S OPEN U.S. SENATE RACE ARE ON THE MOVE.

BUT ARE OTHER NAMES STILL IN THE MIX?

THE SIXTH DISTRICT HOUSE RACE LEFT OPEN BY ANDY BARR EMERGES AS ONE TO WATCH.

KENTUCKY GETS APPROVAL FOR MORE DISASTER ASSISTANCE AFTER THE SPRING FLOODS AND TORNADOES.

A JUDGE GIVES A FORMER POLICE OFFICER CONVICTED IN THE BREONNA TAYLOR RAID MORE THAN PROSECUTORS ASKED FOR.

A WEEK BEFORE THE CROWDS ARRIVE AT FANCY FARM, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] GOOD EVENING IN THE MIDDLE OF A HEATWAVE I'M BILL BRYANT AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AT ON SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANT OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE SARAH LADD HEALTH AND POLICY REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

AUSTIN HORN SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

AND JOINING US REMOTELY IS RUSSELL CASSADY REGIONAL EDITOR OF APPALACHIAN NEWSPAPERS.

ALSO TONIGHT WILL KENTUCKY HAVE TO GIVE BACK COVID MONEY BECAUSE RULES WERE NOT FOLLOWED AND A TIME CHANGE FOR NEXT YEAR'S OAKS DAY RACE.

RIGHT TO POLITICS A WEEK FROM FANCY FARM KET ANNOUNCED IT WILL COVER THE POLITICAL SPEAKINGS NEXT WEEK AT THE PICNIC THANKS TO A DONATION FROM THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

AUSTIN THAT MEANS THE SPACHS WILL GET A LOT OF VISIBILITY STATE-WIDE AFTER ALL?

>> I THINK SO.

AND THEY MIGHT GET A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA VISIBILITY BECAUSE OF THE FLIP-FLOP REVERSAL OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT FROM KET.

THEY PULLED OUT AND NOW THEY ARE BACK.

THEY GOT TWO ROUNDS OF HEADLINES FROM IT.

AND THE BIG THING THAT PEOPLE ARE WATCHING IS THE REPUBLICANS ON THE U.S. SENATE SIDE.

YOU HAVE THREE OF THE MOST PROMINENT ONES THEY WILL SHARE THE STAGE TOGETHER.

WE'VE SEEN THE COMMERCIALS, WE'VE SEEN THE VIDEOS BUT IT'S DIFFERENT WHEN YOU SEE SOMEBODY IN PERSON TRY TO COMMAND AN AUDIENCE, TRY TO COMMAND THE TV AUDIENCE AS WELL.

AND GET THEIR JOKES OFF AND ALSO SEEM CHARMING LIKE A COOL PERSON.

IT'S A HARD TIGHT ROPE TO BALANCE.

I DON'T ENVY THEM IN THAT ROLE IN.

>> Bill: PEOPLE TRYING TO INTERRUPT THEM THE ENTIRE TIME THEY ARE TRYING TO DELIVER THEIR MESSAGE.

>> DANIEL CAMERON HAS THE MOST EXPERIENCE BUT NATE MORRIS AND ANDY BARR WITH WIN OVER HEARTS AND MINDSES.

>> IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY THAT POLITICIANS PLAY TO A LIVE CAMERA AND MAYBE A STATE-WIDE AUDIENCE AS OPPOSED TO JUST FOR THE SPECTATORS WHO ARE THERE AND THE SOUNDBYTES THAT THE REPORTERS ARE LOOKING FOR?

>> WELL, MAYBE IN SOME WAYS.

IT'S LESS CONTROLLED.

YOU SORT OF MIGHT BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO CERTAIN TOPICS YOU WANT TO AVOID IN AN AD OR SOCIAL MEDIA.

WHEREAS AUSTIN SAID YOU HAVE REAL PEOPLE IN FRONT OF YOU.

AND YEAH, YOU HAVE TO MAYBE SORT OF ADDRESS THINGS YOU DON'T WANT TO.

>> Bill: THIS IS A LARGELY REPUBLICAN EVENT THIS YEAR, RIGHT?

THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES HAVE CONFIRMED MOST DEMOCRATS ARE STAYING AWAY.

>> U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE PAMELA STEVENSON, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN HAVE SAID NO.

THOSE ARE THE MORE PROMINENT ONES.

ANDY BESHEAR I THINK WE ARE HE ASTILL WAITING ON.

I DON'T KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPECTING IT.

BUT IT IS ODD.

I THINK PEOPLE EXPECT THIS TO BE A BIPARTISAN EVENT USUALLY.

I SORT OF THINK OF MAMDANI IS THE NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE IN THE HEADLINES ALL THE TIME.

AND PEOPLE RUNNING IN KENTUCKY DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO EMULATE HIS POLITICS BECAUSE THEY ARE FAR LEFT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LAUDED HIS CAMPAIGN STRATEGY AND THE CAMPAIGN STRATEGY WAS I'M GOING TO GO EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONE I WILL BE EVERYWHERE.

I THINK MAMDANI WOULD GO TO FANCY FARM.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT FOR CERTAIN BUT I THINK HE WOULD.

AND THE DEMOCRATS ARE REALLY KIND OF RETREATING A LITTLE BIT IN THIS WAY AND MAYBE THAT IS A SMART THING, MAYBE IT'S NOT.

BUT IT'S DIFFERENT.

>> Bill: WE KNOW IT WILL BE A RAUCOUS EVENT IN FAR WESTERN KENTUCKY AS IT HAS BEEN FOR GENERATIONS.

RUSS, WILL PEOPLE IN FAR EASTERN KENTUCKY WHERE YOU EDIT THE PUBLICATIONS THERE, BE PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION?

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK ESPECIALLY SINCE, ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AREAS AND HERE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY WE ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO SOME OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S POLICIES THAT HAVE BEEN ENACTED AND PASSED LIKE SUCH AS THE ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL.

THERE'S DISCUSSION OF THE POSSIBILITY OF 35 HOSPITALS HAVING TO SHUT DOWN AND THEN MOST OF THOSE ARE IN OUR AREA.

SO I THINK PEOPLE WILL BE PAYING A LOT MORE ATTENTION AND PAYING ATTENTION TO MAYBE NOT SO MUCH THE RAUCOUS BACK AND FORTH BUT THE POLICIES.

AND TO SEE WHAT THESE CANDIDATES HOW THEY ARE GOING TO THREAD THE NEEDLE OF KEEPING THE PRESIDENT'S SUPPORT OR GAINING THE PRESIDENT'S SUPPORT WHILE MITIGATING THE DAMAGES THAT SOME OF THE POLICIES COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON COULD HAVE IN RURAL AREAS LIKE EASTERN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: SARAH IT MIGHT BE SAID THIS YEAR WHILE THE PERSONALITIES OFTEN WHAT CARRY THE DAY AT FANCY FARM, THE POLITICS AND POLICIES WILL BE PROBABLY ON DISPLAY?

>> YEAH, AND WE HAVEN'T STARTED TO SEE THE EFFECT AT ALL OF THE ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL, THAT RUSS MENTIONED.

WE KNOW THAT CERTAIN THINGS ARE COMING.

CONGRESS HAS SIGNIFICANTLY TRIMMED THE WAY MEDICAID WILL LOOK AND THE WAY S.N.A.P.

WILL LOOK.

THESE ARE POLICIES THAT WILL AFFECT A LOT OF KENTUCKIANS AND YOU CAN LOOK AT IT IN A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE LIGHT DEPENDING ON YOUR POLITICS.

WE KNOW PEOPLE FOOD BANKS, ANTI-HUNGER ADVOCATES SAY PEOPLE WILL LOSE S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS AND THEY WILL BE HUNGRY.

KENTUCKY HAS HIGH RATES OF HUNGER THESE ARE REAL THINGS THAT IS AFFECTING A STATE THAT SAY RED STATE.

THERE IS A SENSE OF URGENCY AS PEOPLE LOOK FOR RUSS MENTIONED HOSPITALS CLOSING THAT MEANS PEOPLE LOSING JOBS.

THESE ARE REAL ISSUES UNDERNEATH ALL THE TEMPERATURE OF THE POLITICS OF IT.

>> Bill: AND WE KNOW THAT A WEEK IS A LONGTIME IN U.S.

POLITICS TODAY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION UNFROZE FEDERAL EDUCATION DOLLARS TODAY THAT HAD BEEN A SOURCE OF CONTENTION AND COMPLAINT AND THAT MONEY WILL COME TO KENTUCKY.

>> THERE THERE'S SO MANY BACK AND FORTHS ON FUNDING BEING FROZEN, RELEASED AND LETTERS SENT.

THERE IS A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON WITH FUNDING.

IT CAN GET CONFUSING TO FOLLOW IT ALL.

>> Bill: FANCY FARM HAS TO BE IN REALTIME IN TERMS OF YOU KNOW REFLECTING THE ISSUES OF THE MOMENT.

>> FOR SURE.

>> Bill: THE U.S. SENATE RACE WILL BE ON THE TOP OF THE BALLOT IN KENTUCKY AND MITCH McCONNELL'S NAME WON'T BE THERE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1984.

AUSTIN SET THE SCENE FOR THIS RACE FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION WHERE IT APPEARS TO BE AND ALSO THE FACT THAT YOU NOTED THIS WEEK THAT IT MAY NOT BE COMPLETE.

>> YEAH.

THERE'S SOMEONE LOOMING IN THE DISTANCE NOT VERY QUIETLY AND THAT IS SCOTT LEWIS HE IS A LONGTIME PR PROFESSIONAL HERE IN KENTUCKY HAS BECOME A BONA-FIDE CONSERVATIVE CELEBRITY.

HE IS THE LONE RIGHT-WING COMMENTATOR ON "CNN" AND HAS MADE SORT OF A BIG BRAND OF HIMSELF OF OWNING THE LIBS ON TV WHICH IS A THING THAT CONSERVATIVES REALLY VALUE.

AND HE'S GAINED A LOT OF APPRECIATION FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP HIMSELF AND SAID STRAIGHTFORWARD WARDLY, IF I GET WORD FROM DONALD TRUMP THAT HE IS GOING TO SUPPORT ME, FOR THE U.S. SENATE?

KENTUCKY, THEN I WILL GO.

HE HASN'T SAID THOSE EXACT WORDS BUT THAT IS WHAT HE SAID.

THAT WOULD MIX-UP THE RACE.

WITH THE THREE VERY STRONG CANDIDATES WHO ARE IN THE RACE RIGHT NOW, YOU'VE GOT DANIEL CAMERON ON ONE END OF THE SPECTRUM.

HE'S RELATIVELY LOW ON CASH RIGHT NOW.

BUT HE HAS THE STRONGEST NAMENT ID THE CURRENCY IN POLITICS OF ANY CANDIDATE.

YOU KNOW WHO DANIEL CAMERON IS AND PROBABLY LIKE HIM.

SO ON THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM IS LEXINGTON ENTREPRENEUR NATE MORRIS.

HE'S UP ON TV RIGHT NOW.

HE'S VIRTUALLY UNKNOWN BUT HE'S STARTING TO BUILD HIS BRAND.

YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN THE COMMERCIALS TAKING OUT THE TRASH AND MITCH McCONNELL AND DANIEL CAMERON AND IN THE MIDDLE IS ANDY BARR, WHO HAS A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY TO HIS NAME.

BUT HAS BEEN A REGIONAL POLITICAL PHENOMENON LATELY IN LEXINGTON.

WHICH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TV MARKET BECAUSE IT TOUCHES SO MANY PLACES.

BUT HE STILL HAS A CHALLENGE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

LOUISVILLE IN PARTICULAR, IS WHERE HE WOULD BENEFIT TO CRACK INTO.

>> Bill: IS MORRIS IN A RACE TO DEFINE HIMSELF BEFORE HIS OPPONENTS DEFINE HIM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND YOU SAW IT HIS OPPONENTS SEE HIM AS A LEGITIMATE THREAT THEY'VE UNLEASHED MATERIALS ON FAKE NATE HOW HE DID LIBERAL POLICIES WHEN C.E.O.

OF RUBICON, THE COMPANY THAT HE LED.

I'VE SEEN PHOTOS OF HIM WEARS A BROOKS BROTHERS MASK DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC AS PROOF THAT HE'S NOT AS ON THE RIGHT AS HE CLAIMS TO BE.

AND HE DOES CLAIM TO BE VERY MUCH ON RIGHT.

HE IS THE ONLY ONE SAYING I WANT A MORATORIUM ON ALL IMMIGRATION RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S VERY FAR RIGHT ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES.

>> Bill: SARAH AS REPUBLICAN LEADERS LEAN INTO THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE PRESIDENT AND FOR THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL AND SO ON, HOW DO THEY THREAD THAT NEEDLE IN PLEASING THE PRESIDENT MAYBE HOPING TO GET HIS ENDORSEMENT AT THE SAME TIME FACING QUESTIONS ABOUT BUDGET CUTS THAT WILL IMPACT KENTUCKY?

>> I KNOW ON SOME OF THE FEDERAL LAWMAKERS' SIDE SOME ADVOCATES SAID THEY CAN'T GET THROUGH TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVES THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO ANSWER SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS.

I THINK GOING FORWARD, A LOT OF THE PRESSURE IS GOING TO SHIFT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND TO STATE LAWMAKERS.

BECAUSE CONGRESS HAS DONE WHAT THEY'VE DONE.

SO NOW YOU HAVE TO SORT OF LOOK TO FRANKFORT AND SAY OKAY, IF THIS IS THE LANDSCAPE WE ARE LOOKING AT GOING FORWARD WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT.

IF PEOPLE ARE LOSING S.N.A.P.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FEED THEM AND RUN A S.N.A.P.

PROGRAM THAT MAKES SURE THAT CHILDREN AREN'T HUNGRY, HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THAT HOSPITALS STAY OPEN.

THE PRESSURE IS GOING TO SORT OF SHIFT MORE TO THE LEGISLATURE AT LEAST FROM WHAT I'M HEARING FROM ADVOCATES.

>> Bill: RUSS, WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL ENGAGE VOTERS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY?

>> A LOT WILL BE SELF-INTEREST TO SOME EXTENT.

AS WE MENTIONED, THE HEALTHCARE IMPACTS FOR EXAMPLE THE ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL, HEALTHCARE JOBS HAVE KIND OF COME INTO FILL THE GAP OF ALL THE JOBS WE LOST IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S COAL POLICIES.

WE LOST A LOT OF JOBS.

WE LOST A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND THIS COULD HAVE A SIMILAR IMPACT IF IT IMPACTS HEALTHCARE.

SO YOU KNOW, I THINK WHEN PEOPLE GO TO THE POLLS THEY WILL BE LOOKING AT HEY, I'M HUNGRY, MY FAMILY IS HAVING TO MOVE AWAY.

SCHOOLS HAVE LESS MONEY.

YOU KNOW, THAT COULD CAUSE THEM TO BREAK ONE WAY OR ANOTHER EASILY.

>> Bill: WELL, WE WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE SENATE RACE TURNS OUT.

BUT CERTAINLY WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WEEK AT FANCY FARM.

IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT HOUSE RACE IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY WHICH CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR IS LEAVING OPEN WITH HIS SENATE BID THE RACE IS GETTING MORE CROWDED ON THE G.O.P.

SIDE.

FORMER SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO IS IN THE RUNNING NOW.

HE PROMISES TO BE A RELIABLE SUPPORTER OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AND WHILE HE WAS TENNESSEE'S HEALTH COMMISSIONER, HE TOLD ME THIS WEEK TRIED TO MAKE THE CASE THAT HE NEVER LEFT KENTUCKY.

>> FIRST OF ALL KENTUCKY'S HOME.

AND SO FOR ME, I ARGUE THAT I NEVER LEFT.

WE'VE BEEN COMMUTING EVERY OTHER WEEKEND.

FOR ME, I HAVE AHE BEEN SEEING PATIENTS HERE THE ENTIRE TIME THIS IS A PLACE WHERE I'VE RAISED MY FAMILY AND BUILT OUR HOME.

MY MEDICAL PRACTICE IS HERE.

MY CHURCH FAMILY IS HERE I SERVED IN THE STATE SENATE HERE WE HAVE BEEN HERE THE ENTIRE TIME BUT IT'S TO HELP PARTNER WITH THE PRESIDENT IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP WORK ON HIS AGENDA AND VISION FOR THE COUNTRY.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, IS ALVARADO GOING ON OFFENSE SO HE DOESN'T HAVE TO PLAY DEFENSE AGAINST ALLEGATIONS OF BEING A CARPETBAGGER THAT WENT TO TENNESSEE?

>> I THINK SO.

WE SAW THESE CONCERNS I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER Dr. OZ IN PENNSYLVANIA WHEN HE RAN AGAINST JOHN FETTERMAN HE HAD A HOME IN NEW JERSEY AND TIES TO NEW JERSEY BUT HE WAS RUNNING IN PENNSYLVANIA.

PEOPLE MAKE A BIG DEAL OUT OF THIS KIND OF THING.

SO I WOULD EXPECT NOTHING LESS.

WE'VE ALREADY SEEN IT.

DEANNA GORDON MAKE A POST OR TEXT WHERE SHE IS GOING TO MAKE A WELCOME BASKET TO Dr. ALVARADO COMING BACK TO THE SIXTH DISTRICT A PHOTO AT THE BLUEGRASS AIRPORT BEHIND THE SECURITY.

I HOPE SHE WAS GOING SOMEWHERE TO GET THAT PHOTO-OP.

BUT IT'S STILL FUNNY WRINKLE REGARDLESS.

>> Bill: SHE HAS RESOURCES TO RUN HER CAMPAIGN.

>> SHE DOES.

MOST PEOPLE EXPECT SHE WILL BRING A LOT OF MONEY TO THE TABLE AND COULD RAISE A LOT OF MONEY.

WHICH COULD BE AN X FACTOR IN THIS CAMPAIGN.

I THINK OF THE STATE TREASURER CAMPAIGN IN 2023, YOU HAD THIS FURTHER RIGHT CANDIDATE IN ANDREW COOPER, MORE ESTABLISH MEMBER AND THIS RELATIVELY LOWER KEY PERSON IN MARK METCALF AND EVERYBODY WAS PAYING ATTENTION TO THE TWO BUT METCALF SPENT A TON OF MONEY AND SHOT UP THE MIDDLE AND WON BY A LOT.

DEANNA GORDON COULD RUN THAT SAME PLAYBOOK AND YOU HAVE RYAN DOTSON A STATE REPRESENTATIVE OUT OF WINCHESTER WHO DOES HAVE, I THINK, REAL POLITICAL TALENT.

HE'S BEEN A PREACHER FOR A LONGTIME.

HE KNOWS HOW TO TALK THE TALK.

HE KNOWS HOW TO ENGAGE WITH VOTERS.

HE HAS A STRONG FACEBOOK PRESENCE AS SILLY AS THAT SOUNDS, IT REALLY MATTERS.

LIKE HOW THESE CANDIDATES RUN THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA DOES MATTER AND HE IS GOOD AT THAT.

>> Bill: ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE ZACK ZACK A FORM ZACK DEMBO AND ALSO WORKING IN GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR'S ADMINISTRATION.

SO WHILE SOME MAY HAVE SAID MAYBE CHERLYNN STEVENSON IS THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATE, COULD IT BE SAID THAT DEMBO COULD HAVE A FOOT IN THAT KAMAS WELL?

>> YEAH, I THINK HE'S GOT ENOUGH OF A FOOT IN THAT CAMP TO MAYBE ENSURE THAT BESHEAR DOES NOT ENDORSE SOMEBODY LIKE CHERLYNN STEVENSON.

HE'S SORT OF RUNNING, I THINK THIS IS NOT A BAD THING, BUT AS SORT OF A MORE BLANK SLATE KIND OF PERSON.

HE IS ABLE TO DEFINE HIMSELF FROM THE OUTSET.

AND HE'S RAISING A LOT OF MONEY.

THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF HIS CAMPAIGN HE RAISED $160,000.

EVEN GIVEN THAT MOST OF THESE CANDIDATES LINEUP MONEY, WELL BEFORE THEY ENTER THE RACE, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY FOR A DEMOCRAT IN THIS RACE.

AND SOMETHING THAT I THINK TURNED A LOT OF HEADS.

THAT SAID CHERLYNN STEVENSON IS THE FAVORITE CANDIDATE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT.

SOMEBODY WHO HAS THE ENDORSEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN.

HAS THE ENDORSEMENT OF REGGIE THOMAS WHO COVERS A LOT OF FAYETTE COUNTY.

AND ON THE OTHER SIDE YOU HAVE DAVID CLOI BER WHO HAS KLOIBER HAS RESOURCES TO HIS NAME AND SPENT HALF A MILLION ON THE MAYORAL CAMPAIGN AND HE LOST BY A LOT BUT LINDA GORTON IS AN ABSOLUTE POLITICAL FORCE IN LEXINGTON A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO FORGIVE A LOSS EVEN BY A SIZABLE MARGIN LIKE HE DID.

SO HE COULD ABSOLUTELY SHAKE UP THIS RACE.

>> Bill: THERE COULD BE A COMPETITIVE RACE IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT WELL-KNOWN NED PILLERSDORF IS CHALLENGING HAL ROGERS WHO IS FIRST ELECTED IN 1980.

RUSS, ASSUMING ROGERS AND NED PILLERSDORF WILL BE THE NOMINEES WHAT CHOICE WILL THAT BE FOR VOTERS IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN KENTUCKY?

>> WELL, IT COULD BE REPRESENTATIVE ROGERS FIRST COMPETITIVE RACE IN DECADES.

YOU KNOW, REPRESENTATIVE ROGERS IS ON THE APPROPRIATIONS ECONOMY HE BRINGS HOME THE BACON.

HE BRINGS HOME THE MONEY AND PROJECTS.

HE HAS THE NAME RECOGNITION.

OBVIOUSLY, BUT, NED'S MAKING A LOT OF NOISE.

HE'S OUT TO A BIG START.

HE'S GETTING HIS NAME OUT THERE.

HE'S PARTICIPATING IN PROTESTS AROUND THE REGION IN PROTESTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S POLICIES.

HE'S GOT A LOT OF NAME RECOGNITION.

MOST RECENTLY HE REPRESENTED PRO BONO AND LED AN EFFORT TO REPRESENT THE FORMER CLIENTS OF DISGRACED ATTORNEY ERIC KHAN.

HE HAS NAME RECOGNITION.

SO IF THOSE ARE THE TWO CANDIDATES IN THE GENERAL ELECTION IT COULD BE A VERY COMPETITIVE RACE ESPECIALLY DEPENDING HOW THE ADMINISTRATION'S POLICIES SHAKE OUT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S POLITICAL TEAM CONTINUES TO LOOK FOR A CHALLENGER FOR CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE.

AUSTIN, THEY SEEM TO BE ZEROED IN ON A POTENTIAL CHALLENGER?

>> I THINK SO.

I HEAR A LOT OF CONFLICTING THINGS BUT AARON REED A STATE SENATOR IS THE NAME MOST PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT AT THIS TIME.

HE'S KIND OF A VERY SOLID CANDIDATE ON PAPER FOR A REPUBLICAN.

HE IS A NAVY SEAL VETERAN.

HE OWNS A GUN STORE.

HE HAS HIS OWN BRAND.

HE IS VERY TALL GUY ALWAYS WEARS A COWBOY HAT.

HE HAS THE PERSONA DOWN.

THE QUESTION IS: WILL HE GET IN AGAINST THOMAS MASSIE?

THOMAS MASSIE IS SOMEBODY WHO IS VERY ENTRENCHED IN THAT DISTRICT.

HE HAS BEEN THERE SINCE 2012.

HE IS A KNOWN ENTITY AND IS HE WILLING TO BE TRUMP'S SOLDIER IN THIS LONG STANDING FEUD, WAR, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND THOMAS MASSIE.

WHICH COULD, I THINK I'VE HEARD ARGUMENTS EITHER WAY ON IF MASSIE CAN WITHSTAND AND EMBARRASS THE PRESIDENT OR IF TRUMP WHO HAS A LOT OF FANS IN THAT DISTRICT CAN UNSEAT MASSIE.

>> Bill: AFTER WRAPPING UP HIS TOUR IN SOUTH CAROLINA, GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HAS ANOTHER OUT OF STATE TRIP TO GO TO NEBRASKA IN NOVEMBER.

THERE MAYBE OTHER TRIPS BEFORE THAT.

SARAH, THE GOVERNOR SEEMS TO BE TESTING THE WATERS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

HE MADE VOGUE MAGAZINE THIS WEEK AND HAD FUN WITH THAT AT HIS NEWS CONFERENCE.

>> HE WAS LAUGHING IT.

I SAW FUNNY COMMENTARY ON SOCIAL MEDIA SAYING HIS DOG GOT THE EXPOSURE HE DESERVED.

HE LAUGHED ABOUT THE VOGUE PROCEDURE.

SORT OF ON THE EXPOSURE NOTE, HE STILL IS A BIG VAGUE ABOUT 2028 PRESIDENTIAL OUTLOOK.

AND SAID IF HE IS A CANDIDATE WHO COULD HEAL THE NATION LOWER THE TEMPERATURE IN POLITICS HE WOULD CONSIDER IT.

IF SOMEONE ELSE IS THAT CANDIDATE HE WOULD SUPPORT THEM.

EXPOSURE BUT A LITTLE VAGUE.

>> Bill: AUSTIN YOU ARE CONVINCED HE WANTS TO RUN?

>> I MEAN, IF IT LOOKS LIKE A DUCK, WALKS LIKE A DUCK, QUACKS LIKE A DUCK ET CETERA, IT'S PROBABLY A DUCK, RIGHT?

AND HE'S NOT KOI ABOUT THIS.

HE IS GETTING AS CLOSE TO THE LINE AS HE CAN.

>> Bill: U.S. OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL SAYS KENTUCKY DID NOT EFFECTIVELY MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COVID-19 SCREENING AND TESTING A PROGRAM SARAH THAT HAS TO DO WITH NOT DOING BACKGROUND CHECKS?

>> THERE WERE A COUPLE OF ISSUES THAT THE OFFICE FOUND.

INCLUDING A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE CONTRACTED TO GIVE COVID TESTS AND SCREENING ON SCHOOL PROPERTY.

AMONG K-12 CHILDREN.

DIDN'T HAVE PROPER BACKGROUND CHECKS BEFORE BEING ON THAT PROPERTY AND DOING THAT.

THAT WAS A RED FLAG FOR THE OFFICE.

ALSO THERE WERE OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE THINGS LIKE NOT GETTING PROPER LAB SIGNATURES AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

ONE OF THE CONTRACTORS HADN'T BEEN IN BUSINESS LONG ENOUGH TO MEET THE CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.

SO THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL HAS ASKED KENTUCKY TO LOOK AT 4.5 MILLION I BELIEVE AND SEE WHAT WAS ALLOWABLE WHAT THEY SPENT RIGHTFULLY AND GIVE BACK WHATEVER THEY DIDN'T.

AND I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT THE AUDIT STARTED UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND FINISHED UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

SO AT LEAST ON PAPER, IT IS A BIPARTISAN INVESTIGATION.

>> Bill: RUSS, THIS WEEK PRESIDENT TRUMP APPROVED DISASTER FUNDS FOR RECENT TORNADOES AND FLOODING IT'S $56 MILLION.

MOST OF THAT IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN KENTUCKY.

>> YEAH, YEAH, YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS LIKE WE'VE HAD DISASTER AFTER DISASTER IN THIS REGION.

SO YEAH, THAT MONEY IS DEFINITELY WELCOMED.

I THINK THERE'S STILL PEOPLE IN THE AFFECTED AREAS FROM FEBRUARY THAT WOULD SAY THERE'S STILL MONEY NEEDED FOR THAT AS WELL.

I'M NOT SURE YOU CAN THROW ENOUGH MONEY AT IT TO MITIGATE THE DAMAGES WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

>> Bill: FORMER LOUISVILLE POLICE OFFICER BRETT HANKISON WAS SENTENCED TO 33 MONTHS IN PRISON THE JUDGE REJECTED THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RECOMMENDATION OF A SENTENCE OF ONE DAY.

>> THE DOJ WOULD HAVE SERVED IT.

SHE THE JUDGE WAS A LITTLE UPSET, PEEVED BY THAT SENTENCING MEMORANDUM.

SHE FELT LIKE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAD SORT OF DONE A 180 WITHOUT ANY FACTS CHANGING IN THE CASE AND SORT OF SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE TIP-TOEING AROUND POLITICS AND SHE SAID IN THE COURTROOM I WON'T BE SWAYED BY POLITICS.

SHE GAVE HIM 33 MONTHS, WE EXPECT AN APPEAL ON THAT SOMETIME IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

NOW, IT WAS A MIXED REACTION.

BREONNA TAYLOR'S MOTHER SORT OF SAID SHE WAS GRATEFUL THE JUDGE LISTENED TO THE ARGUMENTS AND LISTENED TO WHAT WAS STAYED IN COURT AND WENT ABOVE WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS ASKING FOR.

BUT SHE AND OTHER PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE FELT LIKE IT WASN'T ENOUGH.

AND THERE WAS DISCUSSION IN COURT TRYING TO FOCUS ON THE FACT THAT BRETT HANKISON WAS NOT THE PERSON WHO FIRED THE SHOT THAT KILLED BREONNA TAYLOR.

BUT WHAT HE HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF IS VIOLATING HER CIVIL RIGHTS BY FIRING BLINDLY INTO HER APARTMENT.

THAT IS WHAT THIS FOCUSED ON.

>> Bill: AUSTIN WE GOT LATE WORD OF NEW APPOINTMENTS TO THE U.K. BOARD OF TRUSTEES ONE NAME WE ALL RECOGNIZE?

>> JIM GRAY FORMER MAYOR OF LEXINGTON, CURRENT TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY.

I BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY AND ALSO SERVE ON THE U.K. BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

HE'S SOMEBODY WHO'S OFTEN MENTIONED FOR DIFFERENT OFFICES LIKE MAYBE HE WOULD RUN FOR MAYOR AGAIN IN 2026.

I THINK THIS APPOINTMENT PROBABLY LIMITS THAT TALK IN THE FUTURE.

WE'LL LET JIM SPEAK FOR HIMSELF ON THAT FRONT.

BUT WE'VE ALSO GOT A COUPLE NEW NAMES CLARK WILLIAMS OF LEXINGTON, ELAINE WILSON OF SOMERSET AND TODD CASE IS A REAPPOINTMENT.

>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY STATE CAPITOL IS UNDERGOING RENOVATIONS AT A COST OF $300 MILLION.

MICHAEL ADAMS ANNOUNCED HIS OFFICE'S LAST WEEK IN THE CAPITOL IS DONE NOW FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> THIS BUILDING IS VERY EMPTY.

THE TOP TWO FLOORS ARE ALREADY GONE.

THE LEGISLATURE IS GONE.

THE SUPREME COURT IS GONE.

THE MEDIA ARE GONE.

AND SO REMAINING ARE JUST THE FOUR OF US ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, ATTORNEY GENERAL AND ME.

WE ARE RELOCATING TO EAST FRANKFORT THE SUITE OF OFFICES WE'VE TAKEN WE WILL BE THERE UNTIL 2029 I'M TOLD.

>> Bill: IT'S GOING TO BE A WHILE BUT THEY ARE PACKING UP AND MOVING.

WE CLOSE MONDAY AND TUESDAY AND WILL REOPEN WEDNESDAY AT THE NEW LOCATION.

A CHANGE FOR OAKS DAY.

THE OAKS RACE WILL BE RUN IN PRIMETIME AT 8:00 P.M. NEXT YEAR.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL PRAISED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR SELECTING THE PADUCAH PLANT AS ONE OF FOUR SITES FOR CUTTING EDGE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CENTERS.

PADUCAH STANDS READY FOR THE NEXT STEP AND THAT FACILITY'S IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE COUNTRY AND WILL HELP FACILITATE U.S.

LEADERSHIP IN A.I.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

STAY COOL IF YOU CAN AND HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

[Knocking]