[♪♪] >> Bill: A U.P.S.

STRIKE IS AVOIDED FOR NOW.

THE TEAMSTERS AND THE COMPANY WITH A HUGE KENTUCKY PRESENCE REACH AN AGREEMENT.

A CONCERNING MOMENT FOR KENTUCKY'S LONGEST SERVING SENATOR, EVER, MITCH McCONNELL AND THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR KEEP FIRING AT EACH OTHER.

THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOOD SOMETHING A TIME TO REMEMBER AND LOOK AHEAD.

TOUGH HEAT HEADING IN THIS WEEKEND IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] >> Bill: 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 ARE TESSA DUVALL, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

CHRIS OTTS REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

AND MARK VANDERHOFF REPORTER FOR WLKY IN LOUISVILLE.

ALSO TONIGHT A CONTRACTOR IS SELECTED FOR THE INITIAL PORTION OF THE LONG AWAITED BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE PROJECT AND NICHOLAS WILTS IS NOW HOME.

FIRST TO A SITUATION AT MIDWEEK IN WASHINGTON WHEN SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL SEEMED TO PEASE UP DURING A NEWS CONFERENCE.

EVENTUALLY HIS COLLEAGUES ESCORTED THE 81-YEAR-OLD SENATOR BACK TO HIS OFFICE.

A FEW MINUTES LATER McCONNELL RETURNED TO THE PODIUM AND SAID HE WAS FINE AND CONTINUED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

HE LATER TOLD THE PRESIDENT HE GOT SANDBAGGED A REFERENCE TO PRESIDENT BIDEN TRIPPING OVER A SANDBAG AT AN EVENT.

MARK, FOR THOSE WATCHING OR HAVE SEEN THE VIDEO IT WAS NOT THE MITCH McCONNELL THAT WE'VE ALL KNOWN OVER THESE YEARS?

>> NO, NO, IT WASN'T.

IT'S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR FOR HIM.

HE HAD A FALL WHERE HE HIT HAD HIS HEAD IN MARCH HAD A CONCUSSION AND FRACTURED A RIB AND WAS OUT FOR SIX WEEKS.

HE IS 81 BUT HE IS TOUGH AND THEY HAVE THE AUGUST RECESS COMING UP.

>> Bill: IT WAS GOOD HE COULD JOKE WITH THE PRESIDENT AND CONTINUED HIS SCHEDULE AND HAD A LOT OF VOTES ON THURSDAY AND SAYS I'M FINE AND WON'T SAY MORE.

HE WANTS TO ANSWER WHAT HE WANTS TO ANSWER AND NO MORE.

>> I WAS ALSO READING LAWMAKERS WERE SITTING AROUND WITH HIM AND ONE SAID HE WAS PULLING OUT THESE NUMBERS OFF THE TOP OF HIS HEAD AND TALKING JUST LIKE THE OLD McCONNELL.

>> Bill: TESSA HIS OFFICE INDICATED HE HAS EVERY INTENTION OF FINISHING OUT THIS CONGRESS AS LEADER OF THE REPUBLICANS AND HIS TENURE IN THIS TERM, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

HE HAS SAID THAT HE WILL FINISH THIS TERM BUT THAT HAS NOT STOPPED THE SPECULATION ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IF HE CHOSE NOT TO FINISH THIS TERM OR WAS UNABLE TO FINISH THE TERM.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADDRESSED IN RECENT SESSION A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

THERE WAS A LAW PASSED OVER THE VETO OF GOVERNOR BESHEAR THAT WOULD CHANGE HOW THESE U.S. SENATE VACANCIES ARE FILLED.

AND SO WHAT IT WOULD REQUIRE NOW IS THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE VACATING SENATOR WOULD PUT FORTH THREE NAMES AND THE GOVERNOR WOULD GET TO CHOOSE FROM THOSE NAMES.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE A LOT OF SORT OF RUMBLINGS THAT IF THIS WERE TO BE THE CASE WE HAVE TWO REPUBLICAN U.S.

SENATORS IN THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR THERE'S INDICATIONS THAT FOLKS ARE SAYING GOVERNOR BESHEAR MAY NOT GO THAT ROUTE.

THERE COULD BE A LAWSUIT FILED ABOUT THE LAW.

OR THE GOVERNOR COULD JUST APPOINT WHOEVER HE FELT LIKE AND SAY SEE ME IN COURT IF YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THIS.

HOW THAT WOULD PLAY OUT IN A LEGAL BATTLE WE DON'T KNOW YET IT HASN'T HAPPENED.

>> Bill: RIGHT WE ARE NOT THERE AND McCONNELL INDICATES THAT HE WILL SERVE OUT THIS TERM.

WE DON'T HAVE AN INDICATION ABOUT WHETHER HE WILL RUN AGAIN IN 2026?

>> YEAH, HE PREVIOUSLY SAID THAT HE IS NOT REALLY THINK BEING THAT JUST YET.

THAT'S A COUPLE YEARS DOWN THE LINE.

>> Bill: WELL, WE'LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THAT CERTAINLY.

THERE IS NEWS THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A U.P.S.

STRIKE STARTING NEXT WEEK.

IT WAS A HUGE RELIEF AROUND THE WORLD AND HERE IN KENTUCKY THAT IS BECAUSE NOBODY KNEW HOW DISRUPTIVE THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.

THE TROUBLE IS IT COULD STILL HAPPEN.

SO, CHRIS, IT STILL NEEDS A VOTE YOU HAVE BEEN SORTING THROUGH THE DEAL WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

>> THE TEAMSTERS ARE PRESENTING IT AS THE MEGA CONTRACT THAT THEY PROMISED THEIR MEMBERS THAT THEY WOULD DELIVER IN THIS HOT SUMMER OF RESURGENT LABOR INTERESTS THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

AND THE U.P.S.

EMPLOYEES ARE PARSING THROUGH THE DETAILS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT EXACTLY IT MEANS FOR THEM.

IT'S VERY COMPLICATED AND SO IT WAS HARD TO MAKE SENSE OF IT WHEN THEY PUT OUT A FEW BULLET POINTS WHEN THE DEAL WAS ANNOUNCED ON TUESDAY.

AND SO I'VE BEEN MAKING THESE YouTube VIDEOS SAYING THIS IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN FOR THIS PERSON, THIS PERSON WITH THE WAGE INCREASES AND HOW MUCH DOES THAT REPRESENT.

THE GAINS IN THE CONTRACT ARE CERTAINLY MUCH MORE SUBSTANTIAL THAN TEAMSTERS HAVE PREVIOUSLY OBTAINED FROM U.P.S.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THE MEMBERS FEEL THAT THEY ARE ENOUGH IN THIS MOMENT WHERE WE HAVE HIGH INFLATION, VERY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, A VERY STRONG JOB MARKET, THEY MAY FEEL LIKE THEY CAN DEMAND MORE.

THE LEADERSHIP IS SAYING YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR THIS.

WE WILL KNOW BY AUGUST 22 WHETHER THE MEMBERS AGREE AND IF THEY DON'T, THAT WOULD MEAN A STRIKE.

>> Bill: ONE PROVISION IT WOULD CREATE MORE FULL-TIME JOBS.

THEY USE A LOT OF CONTRACTORS OR PART-TIMERS?

>> IT IS NOT SO MUCH CONTRACTORS BUT U.P.S.

RELIES HEAVILY ON A LARGE PART-TIME WORKFORCE.

AND SO OF THE 340,000 PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THIS CONTRACT SOME 160,000 ARE PART-TIMERS.

MANY OF THESE PEOPLE WORK THREE TO FIVE HOURS A DAY, AND WOULD LIKE TO WORK EIGHT HOURS A DAY THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE FULL-TIME BUT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH OPEN OPPORTUNITIES THAT IS AN ISSUE WITH EVERY CONTRACT.

>> Bill: WE SEE A LOT OF STRIKES OR THREATS OF STRIKES RIGHT NOW.

WHAT'S PUSHING THAT TREND OUT THERE?

IS WITHHOLDING LABOR RETURNING IS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO NEGOTIATE?

>> I MEAN, WELL, I MENTIONED THE REALLY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, RIGHT, SO LABOR FEELS ENERGIZED RIGHT NOW.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE LONG-TERM TREND LABOR IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS BEEN DECLINING.

IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WE'VE SEEN THIS SUDDEN RESURGENCE.

SOME IS CULTURAL.

YOU THINK ABOUT THE COFFEE SHOPS THAT THE ARE ORGANIZING.

THERE IS A YOUNGER GENERATION MORE INTERESTED IN LABOR ORGANIZING THESE DAYS AND SOME OF IT IS THE GROWTH OF TRADITIONAL LABOR INDUSTRIES LIKE MANUFACTURING AND TRANSPORTATION AND WAREHOUSING.

THE QUESTION IS: WILL THIS MOMENT LAST?

IS THIS THE START OF SOMETHING?

THE TEAMSTERS WANT TO ORGANIZE AMAZON THEY HAVE BEEN UP FRONT THAT SAYING WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THIS CONTRACT AND SHOW IT TO THE WORKERS AND WHEN YOU JOIN US YOU'RE GOING TO GET THIS.

WHETHER THEY WILL DO THAT THAT IS DIFFICULT TO DO.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

>> Bill: ON THE U.P.S.

VOTE THE THIRD WEEK IN AUGUST WE'LL KNOW?

>> AUGUST 22 IS THE END OF THE VOTING PERIOD.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WE PLANNED TO ORIGINATE THIS PROGRAM FROM THE HISTORIC GROUNDS OF FANCY FARM IN WESTERN KENTUCKY NEXT WEEK IN THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR THE CANDIDATES ARE SET TO GO FACE-TO-FACE AT FANCY FARM BUT THIS WEEK REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE DANIEL CAMERON MADE HAY OUT OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S DECISION TO SKIP AN APPEARANCE BEFORE THE KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU MEETING.

>> I STAND FIRMLY WITH YOUR VALUES, I RESPECT YOUR VALUES.

YOU NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT DANIEL CAMERON HAS GOVERNOR COMING TO YOUR HAM BREAKFAST OR ANY OTHER EVENT.

AND TELLING YOU THAT YOU NEED TO CHANGE YOUR VALUES.

>> Bill: MARK, BESHEAR GAVE NO EXPLANATION WHY HE SKIPPED THE FARM BUREAU FORUM.

HIS CAMPAIGN SAID HE HAS STOOD UP FOR KENTUCKIANS BUT CAMERON CLEARLY SAW THAT AS AN OPENING.

>> OF COURSE HE DID.

BESHEAR WOULD DO THE SAME THING, RIGHT?

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE BESHEAR'S CALCULUS WAS HE DID THE EVENT IN 2019 WHEN HE RAN AGAINST MATT BEVIN.

WITH THE KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU I'VE NOTICED THE PAST COUPLE OF HAM BREAKFASTS THEY'VE HAD, GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS GOTTEN A COOL RECEPTION.

IT IS A LARGELY ATTRACTS GOVERNOR ACTIVE PEOPLE -- CONSERVATIVE PEOPLE AND THE KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU IS VIEWED AS CONSERVATIVE.

ONE REASON MIGHT BE THAT HE JUST DIDN'T THINK IT WAS WORTH IT.

>> I THINK ANOTHER REASON IS THE POLLING THAT WE'RE SEEN INDICATES THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS IN A GOOD POSITION WHY PUT YOURSELF IN A SITUATION MORE CONSERVATIVE TYPE OF CROWD ORGANIZATION, WHY PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION TO BE IMMEDIATELY CONFRONTED WITH SOMETHING LIKE THAT IF YOU ARE SITTING PRETTY AT THE TIME.

>> Bill: AND REFERENCING THE NUMBERS IT APPEARS A CHALLENGE FOR CAMERON IS HALF OF REPUBLICANS IN POLLING ARE SAYING THEY APPROVE OF THE JOB THAT BESHEAR IS DOING AS GOVERNOR.

THE POLL PUTS BESHEAR'S APPROVAL AT 64%.

32% DISAPPROVE.

THAT IS ACTUALLY UP A TAD FROM A FEW MONTHS AGO IN THAT POLL.

TESSA, HOW BIG OF A HURDLE IS IT FOR CAMERON THAT CLOSE TO HALF OF REPUBLICANS ARE OK WITH THE JOB BESHEAR IS DOING?

>> RIGHT THIS POLL FOUND THAT ANDY BESHEAR IS THE MOST POPULAR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR WITH ANOTHER PARTY'S VOTERS.

THAT IS NOT NOTHING, RIGHT?

BUT THE QUESTION BECOMES, IS HE POPULAR ENOUGH HE IS WELL LIKED ENOUGH FOR FOLKS TO BREAK A STRAIGHT PARTY TICKET VOTE?

OR THEY MIGHT LIKE BESHEAR BUT THEY PREFER CAMERON.

THOSE ARE THINGS WE DON'T KNOW YET.

BUT WE DO KNOW THAT CERTAINLY WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS HOPING FOR AND IT WILL TAKE REPUBLICAN VOTES FOR THE GOVERNOR TO WIN REELECTION.

>> Bill: AND MARK, THAT IS THE QUESTION OUT THERE, RIGHT NOW, IS DOES POPULARITY TRANSLATE INTO VOTES FOR BESHEAR?

>> I THINK IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE RIGHT NOW CAMERON'S GOT THE NUMBERS WHEN IT COMES TO VOTERS, RIGHT?

THEY ARE MORE REPUBLICAN REGISTERED VOTERS THAN REGISTERED DEMOCRATS BUT BESHEAR HAS THE NUMBERS WHEN IT COMES TO POPULARITY.

FOR CAMERON HE IS HOPING THAT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN WITH THE ECONOMY OR HE'S PROBABLY LOOKING FOR A WEAKNESS OR A SCANDAL OR SOMETHING TO BREAK THAT POPULARITY.

>> Bill: WE KNOW ONE AREA THE REPUBLICANS ARE FOCUSED ON, THE BESHEAR CAMPAIGN PUSHING BACK AGAINST REPUBLICAN PARTY ADS THAT SAY HE SUPPORTS GENDER ASSIGNMENT SURGERIES WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT.

BESHEAR ADDRESSED THAT ISSUE DIRECTLY LOOKED INTO THE CAMERA IN A COMMERCIAL HE RELEASED THIS WEEK.

>> THESE ATTACKS ON ME BY DANIEL CAMERON ARE NOT TRUE.

I'VE NEVER SUPPORTED GENDER REASSIGNMENT SURGERY FOR KIDS AND THOSE PROCEDURES DON'T HAPPEN HERE IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: TESSA, REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN PUSHING THAT NARRATIVE VERY HARD.

WILL THIS AD PUT A STOP TO THOSE ATTACKS?

>> WELL, NO.

>> Bill: SIMPLE ANSWER.

>> WE'VE SEEN ANOTHER AD FROM A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION AFFILIATED GROUP HITTING THE SAME POINT.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN TAKING FLACK FOR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY WAS OVER THERE HAVE BEEN ADS JUST OVER AND OVER AND OVER HITTING THIS POINT RELATING TO THE GOVERNOR HAVING VETOED SENATE BILL 150.

AND THE GOVERNOR VETOED THIS BILL THAT WOULD STOP GENDER ASSIGNMENT SURGERIES FOR KIDS AND THE CONTEXT MISSING THAT BILL WAS NOT SOLELY ABOUT BANNING GENDER REASSIGNMENT SURGERY FOR KIDS AND THOSE SURGERIES AREN'T HAPPENED THIS IS A MOOT POINT.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS IN THE BILL RELATED TO CURRICULUM, SEXUALITY, GENDER IDENTITY, BATHROOMS, PUBERTY BROKERS QUITE AN EXPANSIVE BILL WHEN IT COMES TO TRANS KIDS.

I THINK THE FACT WE'RE SEEING THE GOVERNOR RESPOND TO THIS TELLS US ONE OF TWO THINGS; THEY'VE GOT SOME KIND OF INTERNAL POLLING OR INDICATOR THAT THE ATTACKS ARE WORKING AND MOVING THE NEEDLE AND ARE CONCERNED THAT IT WILL.

WE DON'T THOUGH THAT YET THERE'S NOT PUBLIC POLLING THAT IS TELLING US ANYTHING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THAT.

BUT HE CERTAINLY IS TRYING TO GET IN FRONT OF IT.

IN THAT AD HE TALKS ABOUT HIS FAITH AND TALKS ABOUT BEING A FATHER TALKS ABOUT EMPOWERING PARENTS.

REALLY TRYING TO HIT FRANKLY SOME REPUBLICAN TALKING POINTS THERE.

TO PUSHBACK AGAINST THIS AND HE'S VERY CALM LIKE YOU SAID HE LOOKED STRAIGHT INTO THE CAMERA AND MAKES HIS POINT AND MOVES ON.

>> I WAS A LITTLE BIT SURPRISED TO SEE THAT AD BECAUSE JUST TO DO THE AD YOU HAVE TO REPEAT THE CLAIM THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE OF.

AND SO I WONDER WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT THAT LINE OF RHETORIC.

>> Bill: AND THAT IS A CANDIDATE AD TAKING ON PARTY CLAIMS IT WAS A CANDIDATE VERSUS CANDIDATE.

BUT WE'LL SEE THAT AT FANCY FARM, MARK.

WHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT WHEN CAMERON AND BESHEAR SHARE THE STAGE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY NEXT WEEKEND?

>> I THINK YOU WILL SEE CAMERON ON THE ATTACK AND I EXPECT THAT YOU'LL SEE GOVERNOR BESHEAR PROMOTING THE BEST PARTS HIS RECORD AND TALKING ABOUT HOW GREAT THE ECONOMY IS.

I WILL BE WATCHING TO SEE HOW DEFENSIVE BESHEAR GETS.

HE HAS TO STICK TO THE ECONOMY'S GOOD AND EVERYTHING'S GREAT.

AND CAMERON WANTS TO KEEP ATTACKING HIM.

IF BESHEAR ISET GOING DEFENSIVE THAT IS A SIGNAL THAT THE ATTACKS ARE WORKING.

>> Bill: CHRIS, CAMERON MADE CRIME A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE CAMPAIGN AND HE IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

BESHEAR HAD USED KENTUCKY STATE POLICE NUMBERS TO DEMONSTRATE MANY CRIMES ARE DOWN INCLUDING MURDER.

AND WHILE THAT REMAINS THE CASE, THERE WAS A MISTAKE IN THE NUMBERS THAT CAME FROM KSP.

>> RIGHT.

MY COLLEAGUE MARCUS GREEN UNCOVERED THAT THOSE NUMBERS FOR THE LOUISVILLE CONTRIBUTION TO THOSE HOMICIDE NUMBERS WAS 64 IN THE DATA BUT THE ACTUAL NUMBER WAS 164.

SO IT OMITTED 100 HOMICIDES.

HOMICIDES ARE STILL DOWN I BELIEVE IN THE STORY IT SAID 18% INSTEAD OF 33%.

SO THEY ARE STILL DOWN BUT THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE AND IT DID RAISE EYEBROWS ABOUT THIS DATA SOURCE AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE INFORMATION THAT THE GOVERNOR IS PUTTING OUT THERE.

WE TRIED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT AND KSP SAYS THIS IS THE INFO WE WERE GIVEN AND LMPD -- IT'S HARD TO FIGURE OUT HOW THAT DISCREPANCY HAPPENED.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

OTHER RACES, OF COURSE, WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT FANCY FARM AND IN THE RACE FOR GRAND JURY, DEMOCRAT PAMELA STEVENSON SAYS SHE FULLY SUPPORTS THE SECOND AMENDMENT BUT STILL THINKS SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE.

THIS IS STEVENSON FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH ME RUNNING THIS WEEKEND ON WKYT.

>> I BELIEVE IN THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

I BELIEVE IN RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP AND I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE GUNS.

AND I ALSO KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON OUR CHILDREN BEING KILLED.

WHAT DO WE DO TO STOP THAT?

>> Bill: TESSA, REPUBLICAN RUSSELL COLEMAN A STRONG SECOND AMENDMENT SUPPORTERS IT WAS INTERESTING THAT STEVENSON ALSO BACKS UP THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS AS HER FAMILY OWNS GUNS BUT WANTINGS GUN VIOLENCE ADDRESSED.

IS THAT A NARROW PATH TO WALK FOR A DEMOCRAT?

>> IT IS.

SO WE KNOW THAT PAMELA STEVENSON HAD A LONG MILITARY CAREER SO THAT IS POSSIBLE THAT COULD BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE STANCE.

AND WE ALSO KNOW BEING ANTIGUN IS NOT A WINNING POSITION IN KENTUCKY.

WE SEE THIS WITH THE GOVERNOR AS WELL.

HE WILL ALSO DESCRIBE HIMSELF AS A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR THE SECOND AMENDMENT BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES IF YOU INDICATE ANY OPPOSITION AT ALL TO GUN IT IS BECOMES THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE OUR GUNS AWAY AND YOU CAN'T WIN WITH THAT.

BUT WHAT REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON ALSO HAS TO DO IS WALK THIS LINE WHERE SHE'S NOT SO PRO GUN THAT IT'S ALIENATING TO THE CORE BASE OF DEMOCRATIC VOTERS WHO SHE NEEDS TO TURNOUT AND SUPPORT HER.

>> Bill: ONE OF THE RACES WE WILL BE WATCHING.

A CONTRACTOR WAS NAMED THIS WEEK FOR THE INITIAL STAGES OF BRENS SPENCE BRIDGE PROJECT AND THEY MADE A JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT AND THAT IS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD.

>> YEAH, IT IS.

AND I THINK THE PROJECT MAY BE DONE BY THE END OF THE DECADE.

OF COURSE, THAT'S BEEN A HIGH PROFILE PROJECT THERE AND THERE'S BEEN AN ISSUE ABOUT WHETHER TOLLS WOULD BE NECESSARY AND APPARENTLY THEY ARE NOT HAVING TOLLS.

THE PRESIDENT BIDEN'S BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW IS PROVIDING A LOT OF THE FUNDING FOR IT.

AND A FEW MONTHS AGO, BIDEN, McCONNELL, THEY WERE ALL THERE AT THE BASE OF THE BRIDGE.

A RARE BIPARTISAN MOMENT IN POLITICS.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

MARK, DOWNSTREAM ALONG THE OHIO AND LOUISVILLE, SOME EMERGENCY REPAIR IS BEING DONE TO THE SHERMAN MEN TON BRIDGE.

>> THEY CALLED IT SHERMMAGEDDON.

AND CAUGHT DRIVERS OFF GUARD.

WORKERS WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOUND PROBLEMS WITH A PIER AND A BEARING WHERE THE BRIDGE RESTS ON A COLUMN THEY'VE HAD TO SHUT IT DOWN COMPLETELY.

WE HAVE NOT HAD A LOT OF IN-DEPTH UPDATES FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BUT TODAY THEY SAID THEY WERE BACK OUT THERE TRYING TO EVALUATE IT AND AS SOON AS THE EVALUATION IS CONE AND KNOW MORE WHAT THEY NEED TO DO THEY WILL HAVE A FIRMER TIMELINE.

>> Bill: A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT APP HARVEST ANNOUNCED THE COMPANY IS FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY.

AND IT COMES AFTER MONTHS OF FINANCIAL ISSUES AND QUESTIONS.

BUT THE OPERATIONS WILL CONTINUE AS IT REORGANIZES?

>> YES, BUT THE FUTURE FOR APP HARVEST IS REALLY UNCERTAIN AT THIS POINT, BILL.

THIS IS THE COMPANY THAT BUILT FOUR MASSIVE GREENHOUSES.

[AUDIO INTERRUPTION] VALUED AT ALMOST $4 BILLION.

BUT OPERATIONALLY THEY JUST COULD NOT PUT IT TOGETHER AND CARRY THE DEBT LOAD.

SO THEY ARE PLANNING -- THEY'VE TURNED OVER ONE OF THEIR GREENHOUSES TO THEIR LANDLORD AND THE OTHER THREE ARE BASICALLY GOING TO BE AUCTIONED BY THE END OF AUGUST.

SO IF APP HARVEST IS TO CONTINUE AND IF THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT THEY EMPLOY IN EASTERN KENTUCKY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE WORKING THERE, IT WILL HAVE TO BE UNDER A NEW SET OF INVESTORS WHO WILL COME IN AND PROVIDE MORE CAPITAL TO THE OPERATION.

EVEN THOUGH THEY GAVE MONEY TO THEIR EXECUTIVES LIKE A WEEK BEFORE THEY FILED BANKRUPTCY THEY WERE VERY MUCH SHORT ON CASH WHEN THEY DID T SO THERE'S NO CASH LEFT.

>> Bill: WE'D STORY EXPLAINING WHAT WORKERS AT THE NEW FORD BATTERY PLANT IN HARDEN COUNTY WILL BE PAID.

HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO OTHER FORD PLANTS?

>> THIS IS THE BIGGEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN STATE HISTORY.

YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR A LOT ABOUT IT FROM GOVERNOR BESHEAR ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

WE'VE BEEN WATCHING EVER SINCE THIS PROJECT WAS ANNOUNCED FOR WHAT WILL THE BATTERY JOBS PAY?

BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT UAW JOBS UNLIKE THE FORD JOBS.

THEY MAY BE ONE DAY AND THAT IS A GOAL OF THE UNION.

WHAT CAME OUT JUST TODAY THEY FINALLY POSTED RANK-AND-FILE POSITIONS AND THEY START AT $21 AN HOUR.

THAT IS ACTUALLY MORE THAN FORD STARTS AT TECHNICALLY, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF FORD WORKERS ARE MORE LIKE $32 AN HOUR.

SO IT IS REALLY NOT ON PAR WITH A FORD JOB.

AND THAT IS GOING TO BE A KEY THING THAT THE UAW IS GOING TO BE HARPING ON AS THEY NEGOTIATE WITH THE DETROIT THREE AUTOMAKERS FOR THEIR CONTRACT THAT EXPIRES IN SEPTEMBER.

THEY DO NOT WANT THE BATTERY PLANTS TO DEGRADE THE QUALITY OF JOBS IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY.

>> Bill: TIME-FRAME ON GLENDALE?

>> THEY ARE SET TO START PRODUCTION IN 2025.

THERE ARE TWO PLANTS SIDE-BY-SIDE.

AND I BELIEVE, ONE WILL COME ON-LINE BEFORE THE OTHER.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE OFFICER NICHOLAS WILT WAS RELEASED FROM A REHABILITATION FACILITY TODAY.

HE IS HOME TONIGHT.

WILT WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD WHILE TRYING TO ENTER A BANK BUILDING IN LOUISVILLE DURING A MASS SHOOTING IN APRIL THAT I KNOW, SO MANY OF US COVERED AND KNEW ALL ABOUT, BUT, MARK, THIS IS A BIT OF POSITIVE NEWS IN A STORY THAT HAS BEEN FILLED WITH TRAGEDY AND IT WAS YOUR STORY TODAY FOR WLKY?

>> IT WAS AN EMOTIONAL STORY TO COVER.

BEFORE WILT CAME OUT THERE WAS A PRESS CONFERENCE HIS TWIN BROTHER WAS THERE AND HE NOTED THAT THERE ARE FAMILIES WHO DON'T GET TO CELEBRATE THEIR LOVED ONES COMING OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

BUT HE DID EXPRESS HIS DOCTORATE TUD AND HE SAID THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE A STEAK DINNER THAT NIGHT.

AND THEN WHEN WILT DID COME OUT HE CAME OUT IN A WHEELCHAIR THE CROWD A CHARGE CROWD GATHERED AT THE LOBBY OF FRASER REHAB AND ASKED TO BE KIND OF QUIET.

THEY DIDN'T WANT THEM HOLLERING TOO LOUD HE IS ON A LONG ROAD TO ROIFERRY.

BUT HE WAS SMILING.

HE WAS WAVING AND GIVING THE THUMB'S UP AND GIVING FIST BUMPS TO THE MAYOR AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE.

IT WAS GREAT TO SEE.

>> Bill: TESSA, HIS DETERMINATION HAS BEEN INSPIRING REALLY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN TO COME BACK FROM BEING SHOT IN THE HEAD WITH AN AR-15.

THE DETERMINATION AND THE FEARLESSNESS YOU HAVE TO HAVE THOSE ARE THE SAME QUALITIES THAT MADE HIM RUN INTO THAT SCENE SO FEARLESSLY TO BEGIN WITH.

CERTAINLY EVERYONE IS PULLING FOR HIM.

>> Bill: MARK YOU INTERVIEWED THE NEW POLICE CHIEF THIS WEEK AND SHE IS TAKING OVER AT A CRITICAL TIME.

SHE SAYS THERE IS A HEAVY IS LIFT IN POLICY AND TRAINING FOR THE DEPARTMENT GOING FORWARD?

>> WE DISCUSSED A LOT OF ISSUES BUT I ASKED HER WITH THE REFORMS WHAT IS THE REAL NEXT BIG DIFFICULT REFORM THEY HAVE COMING UP?

AND SHE SAYS ONCE THEY GET THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE SIGNED THEN THEY WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXPECTS AND THEN THEY WILL HAVE TO CHANGE A LOT OF POLICIES AND RETRAIN ALL OF THEIR POLICE OFFICERS ON THAT.

AND SHE SAID THAT'S GOING TO BE A HEAVY LIFT.

>> Bill: SHE IS PLEASED TO HAVE THAT JOB?

FULL-TIME BASIS?

>> SHE IS.

SHE INDICATED VERY EARLY ON WHEN SHE WAS FIRST NAMED INTERIM CHIEF I ASKED IF SHE WAS INTERESTED IN THE JOB AND SHE SAID SHE WAS.

SHE CAME FROM ATLANTA WHERE SHE SPENT 23 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND YOU KNOW, SHE'S JUST A REAL TRUE BELIEVER WHO BELIEVES IN SUPPORTING THE POLICE AND ALSO BELIEVES IN ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHANGE.

>> Bill: IT'S BEEN A HISTORIC ONE YEAR NOW SINCE THE DEADLY FLOODING IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

BOTH CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR VISITED THE REGION THIS WEEK AND BOTH PREJUDICED TO CONTINUE TO HELP ' YEAH AS THEY ARE IN A POSITION TO DO THAT.

REMEMBRANCES MOMENTS OF SILENCE AND FOLKS TRYING TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE, MARK?

>> YEAH.

I WAS AT AN UPDATE A PROGRESS REPORT AND THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW SO MUCH HAS BEEN DONE TO CLEAR OUT THE DEBRIS BUT THEY ARE STILL HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING PLACES UP HIGH WHERE PEOPLE CAN MOVE TO TO LIVE.

AND WHEN THEY WERE OUT THERE THIS WEEK, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A LOT TO CELEBRATE IN TERMS HOW FAR THINGS HAD COME BUT YOU COULD TELL THERE'S STILL A LONG ROAD AHEAD.

>> Bill: FROM WASHINGTON WE TALKTALKED ABOUT KENTUCKY DRUG PROBLEM AND GUT THREE INTRODUCED THE DRUG DEALERS ACT THAT COULD MAKE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES LIABLE IF DRUGS ARE DEALT OVER THEIR SITES?

>> WHAT IT WOULD DO IS HOLD THESE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE, AS YOU SAID, FOR ANY SORT OF DRUG SALES ILLICIT SALES THAT TAKE PLACE ON THEIR SITES AND THAT THE IS A HUGE, HUGE TA TASK BUTT IS NOT WITHOUT MERIT AS YOU SAID, THE DRUG EPIDEMIC IS SOMETHING THAT HIT HARD IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: NEXT FRIDAY WE WILL WILL BE COUNTRYING YOU "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" FROM FANCY FARM ON THE EVE OF THE TRADITIONAL PICNIC WHICH IT'S CONSIDERED TO BE THE KICKOFF TO KENTUCKY'S GENERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" FOR THIS WEEK.

MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.