[♪♪] A STRIKE LOOKS LIKELY AT U.P.S.

AS TALKS BREAKDOWN HOW WOULD THAT IMPACT THOUSANDS OF WORKERS IN LOUISVILLE AND BEYOND DISM IT LOOKS LIKE GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND HIS OPPONENT DANIEL CAMERON WILL BOTH BE SPEAKING AT FANCY FARM.

THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL IS NOT CURRENTLY LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

A PROJECT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO CREATE WESTERN KENTUCKY JOBS IS CANCELED FOR NOW.

HEADING TOWARD MID-JULY, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

A LOOK BACK AT SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE JESS CLARK, EDUCATION REPORTER FOR LOUISVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA.

BILL ESTEP SOUTHERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

AND CHRIS OTTS REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

ALSO TONIGHT THE LAST OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS AT THE BLUEGRASS ARMY DEPOT ARE DESTROYED AND SCHOOLS MAKE THE BEST OF SUMMER TRYING TO HELP STUDENTS CATCH UP.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS IT BECAME A NEWSY WEEK TOWARD THE END.

LET'S GET RIGHT TO THE POTENTIAL STRIKE AT U.P.S.

AND THE IMPACT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE FOR THOUSANDS OF WORKERS CONNECTED TO THE OPERATIONS AT THE PLACE IN LOUISVILLE.

THAT HUB HANDLES TWO MILLION PACKAGES A DAY.

WHERE DO THINGS STAND?

>> RIGHT NOW WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE NEGOTIATING ROOM IN WASHINGTON D.C. WHERE THEY ARE HASHING THIS OUT.

BUT EARLIER THIS WEEK, BASICALLY, THE TALKS HIT AN IMPASSE.

THEY ARE RIGHT DOWN TO THE CORE OF THINGS RIGHT NOW WHICH ARE ECONOMIC ISSUES, PARTICULARLY HOW MUCH U.P.S.

IS GOING TO PAY FOR STARTING WAGES FOR PART-TIME WORKERS.

THE DRIVERS OUT THERE, MAKE A GOOD WAGE THEY MAKE A LOT OF OVERTIME.

U.P.S.

LIKES TO SAY THEY AVERAGE $95,000 A YEAR WHICH IS TRUE WITH THE OVERTIME THEY WORK.

AND PACKAGE HANDLERS LIKE AT WORLD PORT AND MANY OTHER PLACES AROUND THE STATE AND NATION THAT MAKE LESS.

AND SO THE TEAMSTERS ARE SEEKING A SIGNIFICANT BUMP THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE OWED FOR PREVIOUS CONCESSIONS IN PAST CONTRACTS AND THEY ARE TAKING A HARDLINE.

>> Bill: WHAT WOULD A STRIKE LOOK LIKE AND WHAT WOULD THE IMPACT BE IN THE LOUISVILLE AREA AND BEYOND?

>> SO IT WOULD HAVE MASSIVE RAMIFICATIONS FOR THE ECONOMY NOT ONLY IN LOUISVILLE BUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY REALLY.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY THAT THERE IS A LOT OF U.P.S.

JOBS AROUND THE STATE AS WELL.

U.P.S.

HANDLES ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE PACKAGE VOLUME FOR THE COUNTRY SO THERE'S NO WAY THAT THE POSTAL SERVICE OR FEDEX COULD IMMEDIATELY ABSORB ALL OF AT THAT TIME VOLUME.

U.P.S.

WOULD LIKELY TRY TO MANAGE THROUGH IT AS THEY DID IN THE 1997 STRIKE WHICH WAS THE LAST TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED.

THEY CAN HAVE THEIR COMPANY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL FLY PLANES.

THE PILOTS WILL STRIKE, TOO, IF THE PACKAGE HANDLERS STRIKE.

SO THERE'S DIFFERENT WAYS THEY CAN TRY TO KEEP THINGS GOING.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE WORKERS HOLD TOGETHER WITH OVER 300,000 PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE COVERED BY THIS CONTRACT.

IT'S HARD TO GET THAT MANY PEOPLE TO HOLD ON TO SOMETHING.

AND SOME STATES LIKE KENTUCKY HAVE GONE RIGHT TO WORK TRIED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO LEAVE UNIONS.

BUT THESE WORKERS ARE FIRED UP AND THEY HAVE HAD THE PRACTICE PICKETS WHERE THEY ARE SAYING THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

>> Bill: WHEN WILL WE KNOW FOR SURE IF WORKERS WILL WALKOUT OR AGREEMENT COULD BE REACHED?

>> WE WILL KNOW BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

IT IS A LITTLE TOO SOON TO SAY A STRIKE IS LIKELY THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME TO REACH A DEAL.

BUT THE TEAMSTERS HAVE BEEN ADAMANT THEY ARE NOT WORKING ON AUGUST FIRST UNLESS U.P.S.

HAS GIVEN THEM A DEAL THAT AT LEAST THEIR LEADERSHIP THINKS IS A GOOD DEAL.

>> Bill: WE LEARNED THE TERM SUPPLY CHAIN WELL DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SO JESS, YOU WONDER IF A STRIKE HAPPENS A COUPLE OF TINGS.

ONE, HERE WE ARE GOING INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR AND FAMILIES ARE PLANNING FOR THAT AND MAKING THEIR PURCHASES AND ADJUSTING THEIR SCHEDULES.

NUMBER ONE WILL SCHOOLS FIND THEMSELVES HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING SUPPLIES AND WILL PARENTS IF THERE IS THE STRIKE FIND THEMSELVES DEALING WITH REDUCED INCOME BECAUSE THEY HAVE WALKED OFF THE JOB?

>> BOTH OF THOSE THINGS ARE VERY POSSIBLE IN TERMS OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

SCHOOLS NEED A LOT OF THINGS.

FAMILIES NEED A LOT OF THINGS TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL WITH, MARKERS, BACKPACKS NEW CLOTHES THAT COULD BE A NUISANCE FOR SURE.

THE BIGGER ISSUE WOULD BE A REDUCTION OF INCOME IN FAMILIES AND THAT WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON CHILDREN ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD INSECURITY.

>> BUT WEIGHING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT IS WE HAVE REALLY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RIGHT NOW.

THERE ARE LOTS OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES SO THE STRIKING WORKERS ANOTHER QUESTION IS: HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

15 DAYS IN 1997.

SO IT COULD BE A WEEK, COULD BE A FEW WEEKS.

BUT IN THE LONG RUN, I THINK THE CALCULUS THE WORKERS ARE MAKING THEY WILL GET MORE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT FOR TAKING JUST A LITTLE BIT OF A FEW WEEKS WITHOUT PAY.

>> Bill: THERE IS A TUITION REIMBURSEMENT QUESTION?

>> THERE IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EARN AND LEARN PROGRAM IN LOUISVILLE WHERE IF YOU WORK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHICH IS REALLY HARD AND GO TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING AT U OF L OR JEFFERSON COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE U.P.S.

AND TAXPAYERS THE STATE AND THE CITY WILL PAY FOR YOUR EDUCATION.

SO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS HAS BEEN WHETHER THAT WILL CONTINUE IF THE WORKERS GO ON STRIKE.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A DEFINITIVE ANSWER TO THAT JUST YET BUT IT IS A GOOD REMINDER A LOT OF THE U.P.S.

WORKFORCE IS YOUNGER FOLKS.

SOME OF WHOM ARE ENERGIZED ABOUT THE LABOR MOVEMENT AND UNIONS AND OTHERS WHO ARE FRANKLY JUST GETTING THROUGH THE DAY GETTING THEIR SCHOOL PAID FOR THEY MAY NOT KNOW WHAT A UNION IS MUCH LESS THAN IN ONE.

>> Bill: OTHER NEWS BREAKING THIS AFTERNOON A JUDGE BLOCKED A LAW THAT WOULD KEEP UNIONS REPRESENTING PUBLIC EMPLOYEES FROM COLLECTING THEIR DUES THROUGH PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

THIS WAS SENATE BILL 7 WHICH PASSED IN THE SPRING AND THAT BILL WAS AIMED AT TEACHERS' UNIONS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, THE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION WAS THROWING A LOT OF WEIGHT AROUND FINANCIALLY DURING THE LAST SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION THEY SPENT $750,000 BACKING THE COUPLES THAT H INCUMBENTS THAT A WANTED TO WIN.

THEY WON.

SOME REPUBLICANS WERE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT AND HOW MUCH MONEY WAS SPENT BY THE UNIONNA THAT ELECTION.

AND SO THEY PASSED SENATE BILL 7 WHICH IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE PUBLIC THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO USE THEIR PAYCHECKS TO WITHHOLD THEIR UNION DUES IN THEIR PAYCHECKS AND SO THAT WAS BLOCKED BY A JUDGE.

>> Bill: SO WE'LL WATCH THAT.

AND BILL, I WILL GET YOU BUSY.

BREAKING TODAY, ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON ANNOUNCED HE WILL APPEAL AN INJUNCTION THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE BY A FEDERAL JUDGE AGAINST PART OF SENATE BILL 150.

>> RIGHT.

THIS WAS A PIECE OF THAT THAT DEALT WITH GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FOR TRANS KIDS AND THERE WAS AN INJUNCTION CAMERON SAID HE WILL APPEAL THAT IT WAS A WRONG DECISION, AND THAT HE'LL APPEAL AND HE DID APPEAL THAT.

>> Bill: THERE WAS A MILESTONE AT THE BLUEGRASS ARMY DEPOT NEAR RICHMOND AND IT HAPPENED TODAY THE LAST OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS STORED THERE HAVE BEEN DESTROYED.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME FROM MITCH McCONNELL AND THE PENTAGON AND OTHERS EXPECTED TO MAKE COMMENTS.

FOR DECADES THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS AND FEAR AND PROTESTS STRATEGIES CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.

AT ONE TIME THERE WAS TALK OF TRANSPORTING THE CHEMICALS OUT AND ANOTHER TIME BUILDING AN INCINERATOR AND BOTH WERE REBUFFED BY THE PUBLIC AND DEMONSTRATORS.

THERE WAS THIS NEUTRALIZATION PROCESS THAT THEY CAME UP WITH.

>> THIS IS A THING THAT GOES BACK TO WORLD WAR I.

THE WEAPONS CAUSED HORRENDOUS INJURIES.

THEY WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE USED AFTER THAT BUT NATIONS KEPT BUILDING THOSE SO THERE WERE TONS OF THEM.

KENTUCKY HAD 523 TONS OF MUSTARD GAS STORED SINCE THE 1940s.

YEAH, WHEN THE ARMY STARTED TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET RID OF THE STUFF UNDER A GLOBAL TREATY, THEY CAME UP WITH APPROACHES THAT CAUSED A LOT OF CONCERN IN MADISON COUNTY, RICHMOND, CRAIG WILLIAMS AND OTHERS MOBILIZED IN THE COMMUNITY AND GOT THAT STOPPED.

THERE WERE PARTICULARLY AFRAID OF INCINERATION WHAT COMES OUT OF THE STACK?

THERE WAS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL A FEW HUNDRED YARDS FROM THE PLACE.

SO THEY ULTIMATELY GOT THAT STOPPED AND CAME UP WITH ANOTHER SOLUTION FOR THAT.

THERE WAS ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND YEAH, SO NOW THEY'VE FINALLY THIS WILL BE THE LAST OF THESE CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN THE U.S. ARSENAL DONE AWAY WITH IN RICHMOND.

>> Bill: THE PRESIDENT COMMENTED ON THAT THIS AFTERNOON.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF TALENTED WORKERS WHO HAVE COME THERE FOR THIS DISPOSAL PROCESS AND THERE IS A LOT OF LAND THERE AND A LOT OF FACILITIES.

WHAT IS NEXT THERE?

>> THAT IS THE BIG QUESTION.

AND IT'S TOO SOON TO TELL.

SOME OF THE BUILDINGS WILL HAVE TO BE TORN DOWN AS PART OF THE DECONTAMINATION PROCESS BECAUSE THEY ARE CON TOMORROW NATURED AS PART OF THE PROCESS OF NEUTRALIZING THEM.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORKERS THERE WERE MORE THAN A THOUSAND EMPLOYEES THERE.

SO I THINK THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES WANT TO TRY TO MARKET THOSE FACILITIES AND THOSE WORKERS TO POTENTIAL OTHER INDUSTRIES THAT COULD COME IN THERE.

>> Bill: NOW TO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

FANCY FARM ORGANIZERS ANNOUNCED THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO SPEAK.

AND DANIEL CAMERON THE REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER HAD ACCEPTED EARLIER.

SO WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THE BARBECUE AND WILD SPEECHES THAT GO ON AND ALL OF THE FUN THAT CAN BE HAD AT FANCY FARM AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS GUARANTEES THINGS WILL BE LIVELY?

>> THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THAT BESHEAR HAS SPOKEN AS GOVERNOR.

HE POKE?

2019 WHEN HE WAS RUNNING AGAINST GOVERNOR AND WON THAT RACE.

SINCE THEN, 2020 WAS A COVID YEAR AND 2021 BESHEAR DID NOT GO EITHER.

LAST YEAR THERE WAS THE FLOODS WHERE HE WAS BUSY.

THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME AS GOVERNOR THAT HE'S SPOKEN THERE.

AND THERE'S NO QUESTION HE HAS GIVEN REASONS FOR THAT.

PART OF THE ISSUE IS WESTERN KENTUCKY HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY RED INCREASINGLY REPUBLICAN AND HOSTILE TO SOME OF THE DEMOCRAT SPEAKERS.

BUT THAT IS JUST PART OF FANCY FARM YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT.

PROBABLY BESHEAR HAD TO GO THIS TIME A HEAD-TO-HEAD RACE.

OF HE NEEDED TO BE THERE SO HE HAS BEEN MOCKED BY THE REPUBLICANS FOR NOT GOING IN PRIOR YEARS.

IN 2021 EVERY REPUBLICAN SPEAKER TALKED ABOUT THE GOVERNOR NOT BEING THERE.

SO IT'S GOING TO ADD TO THE EXCITEMENT THIS YEAR.

>> Bill: REPUBLICAN NOMINEE CAMERON WAS IN A FOURTH OF JULY PARADE IN CAMPBELLSVILLE AND IT IS THE PICTURES HIS CAMPAIGN TWEETED OUT THAT GOT CONVERSATIONS GOING.

BILL, CAMERON NEEDS A RUNNING MADE AND HE WAS WALKING WITH HOUSE SPEAKER PRO-TEM DAVID MEADE AN AUCTIONEER AND RELEVANT FOR FROM -- REALTOR FROM STANFORD AND MAX WISE THE RUNNING MATE OF KELLY CRAFT WHO FINISHED THIRD IN THE PRAMENT.

IF MEADE IS THE PICK WHAT WOULD HE BRING TO THE TICKET?

>> IT MAYBE SHOULDN'T READ A LOT INTO THE PICTURE FROM A PARADE.

BUT THAT IS KENTUCKY POLITICS AND WHY WE LOVE IT.

IF REPRESENTATIVE MEADE IS ON THE TICKET HE HAS STRONG RURAL ROOTS.

HIS DISTRICT IS LARGELY RUR.

HE IS A CONSERVATIVE THAT SPONSORED BILLS THAT HAVE RESONATED WITH CONSERVATIVES.

HE WALLED THE TICKET WITH CAMERON.

THERE'S AND HIS LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE WOULD BRING THINGS TO THE TICKET AS WELL.

>> Bill: IS THERE A CHANCE THAT CAMERON WOULD PICK WISE?

>> OLD SAYING IN KENTUCKY POLITICS BEING THE DAMNEDEST I'M NOT SURE HA THAT GETS HIM.

>> Bill: ALSO ON INDEPENDENCE DAY ON TWITTER CAMERON SAID THAT AS GOVERNOR HE WOULD DESIGNATE THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JULY AS AMERICAN PRIDE MONTH TO CELEBRATE THE FOUNDING FATHERS AND FREEDOM.

CAMERON USED THE NATION'S BIRTHDAY TO TAKE A DIG AT ANDY BESHEAR SAYING AMERICA IS A FORCE FOR GOOD IN THE WORLD DESPITE WHAT ANDY BESHEAR AND SUPPORTERS SAY.

BESHEAR WAS QUIET ON SOCIAL MEDIA TWEETING A PICTURE OF HIS FAMILY AND URGING KENTUCKIANS TO HONOR SERVICE MEMBERS.

BILL, A CONTRAST IN TONE ON SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE DIGITAL CAMPAIGN, CAMERON IS KEEPING THE CULTURAL ISSUES IN THE FOREFRONT TRYING TO TALK TO THE REPUBLICAN NARRATIVES ABOUT DEMOCRATS NATIONALLY.

LATER THIS WEEK, HE TWEETED ABOUT THE CHURCH CLOSURES DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF COVID.

THIS SEEMS TO BE THE PATH THAT CAMERON IS ON?

>> IT IS.

I MEAN BOTH OF THE CANDIDATES ARE -- I WOULD SAY FIRST I'M NOT SURE ANDY BESHEAR SAID AMERICA ARE NOT GREAT PLACES CAMERON SAID THAT.

BOTH OF THESE CANDIDATES WILL RUN ON WHAT THEY THINK ARE THEIR STRENGTHS AND AGAINST THE OPPONENTS WEAKNESSES.

CAMERON BELIEVES THAT TALKING ABOUT THE SOCIAL, CULTURAL ISSUES THAT ANIMATE THE REPUBLICAN BASE IN TERMS OF TRANS KIDS AND WOKE TEACHERS HE BELIEVES THAT APPEALS TO PEOPLE THAT WILL VOTE FOR HIM.

BESHEAR HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMY HE THINKS THAT IS A STRONG ARGUMENT.

THEY WILL BOTH EMPHASIZE WHAT THEY THINK WILL BE THE WINNING ARGUMENT.

>> Bill: JESS, WE'VE NOTED THERE IS NO AGREED SET OF ISSUES.

YOU HAVE CAMERON PUNCHING WITH THE SOCIAL ISSUES AND CRIME AND BESHEAR PUSHING JOBS AND THE ECONOMY.

TRADITIONALLY, EDUCATION HAS BEEN A MAJOR PART OF KENTUCKY GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGNS.

WHAT ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT MAYBE OUGHT TO BE ASKED OUT THERE OR WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE WILL COME UP?

>> THE CULTURAL ISSUES WILL BE FRONT AND CENTER ESPECIALLY WITH THE ANTI-TRANS, ANTI-LGBTQ LEGISLATION PASSED IN KENTUCKY AND BLOCKED IN THE COURTS.

I'M SURE CAMERON SUPPORTS IT, BESHEAR OPPOSES IT.

AND THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT IS VERY MUCH PLAYING OUT IN SCHOOLS AS THEY TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CRAFT THEIR BATHROOM BANS.

I IMAGINE THAT WILL BE FRONT AND CENTER.

SCHOOL CHOICE CHARTER SCHOOLS WILL ALSO BE FRONT AND CENTER BECAUSE CAMERON AS A REPUBLICAN YOU KNOW MAY SUPPORT MORE PRIVATIZED EDUCATION.

MEANWHILE BESHEAR WILL PROBABLY TALK ABOUT FUNDING FOR EDUCATION AS HE OFTEN DOES.

>> Bill: CHRIS AS WE HAVE THE WISH LIST OF QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS, YOU KNOW SIMILAR QUESTION TO YOU, WE KNOW THAT WORKFORCE ISSUES ARE BIG CHALLENGES FOR KENTUCKY COMPANIES.

AND THEY HAVE OTHER ISSUES THEY ARE INTERESTED IN.

DO YOU SEE SOME OF THOSE THINGS GETTING THE LIGHT OF DAY?

>> YOU MEAN AS ISSUES IN THE CAMPAIGN?

>> Bill: RIGHT.

>> I THINK IF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PROJECTS WERE REALLY WHAT MATTERED IN POLITICS THEN MAYBE GOVERNOR BEVIN WOULD HAVE BEEN REELECTED.

OF HE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT, TOO AND THAT WAS NOT WHAT CARRIED THAT CAMPAIGN.

BUT OBVIOUSLY THAT IS GOING TO BE BESHEAR'S NUMBER ONE SELLING POINT.

HE ALWAYS SAYS OUR ECONOMY IS ON FIRE.

IT IS A LINE YOU'VE HEARD SO MANY TIMES.

YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF THE WORKFORCE AND WHAT QUESTIONS WOULD BE ASKED, I MEAN I THINK ONE WOULD BE A PATH TO A GOOD JOB OFTEN GOES THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION.

AND KENTUCKY DOESN'T FUND HIGHER EDUCATION AT THE RATE THAT IT USED TO.

AND I WOULD ASK BOTH CANDIDATES WHO SUPPORTED CUTS IN THE INCOME TAX HOW THAT EVER TURNS AROUND AND HOW ELSE PEOPLE PAY FOR COLLEGE.

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE IS RAISING TUITION AGAIN THIS YEAR.

AND I'VE GOT A CHART I MADE SEVERAL YEARS AGO AT THAT TIME COMPARES TUITION TO INFLATION AND IT IS AMAZING THE GULF BETWEEN THEM THAT KEEPS GETTING LARGER.

>> Bill: YOU'VE NOTED WE HAVE A POPULATION PROBLEM AS WELL THAT IS AFFECTING WORKFORCE.

>> WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION IS PARTLY A COMPOSITIONAL ISSUE.

HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU HAVE IN THAT 25-54 DEMOGRAPHIC WHO ARE PRIMARY WORKERS.

AND I WAS LOOKING AT AN INTERESTING ANALYSIS TODAY THAT SHOWED THAT KENTUCKY HAS NOT GROWN IN THAT RESPECT THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF THE STATE PARTICULARLY LOSING A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THAT DEMOGRAPHIC.

SO I THINK MAYBE QUALITY OF LIFE AND WHAT CAN YOU DO TO ATTRACT PEOPLE TO WANT TO LIVE IN THIS STATE MIGHT ALSO BE A GOOD QUESTION ALONG THOSE LINES.

>> Bill: WE LEARNED THAT MICRO BLAST IS NOT GOING TO GO AHEAD WITH THE PLANTED FOR A LITHIUM ION PLANT WHAT HAPPENED?

>> 500 SOMETHING JOBS.

THIS IS A COMPANY THAT IS PUBLICLY TRADED THAT IS HEADQUARTERED IN TEXAS.

AND THAT IS BUILDING A PLANT IN TENNESSEE RIGHT NOW.

THEY GOT A $200 MILLION LOAN COMMITMENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT T OF ENERGY PART OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THE BIDEN IT'S THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL OR THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT BUT THAT WAS RESCINDED AFTER SOME REPUBLICANS RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT MICRO VAST'S TIES TO CHINA.

AND SO NOW WITHOUT THAT FUNDING THEY ARE NOT PURSUING THIS PROJECT.

AND THIS IS EV BATTERY TECHNOLOGY PART OF THE BROADER BOOM IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE THE SOLE SECTOR WE'VE SEEN THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHEAST AND IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: AND THEY DID MAKE A POINT THE ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR NOW.

IT COULD HAPPEN.

>> IT COULD RESUME BUT RIGHT NOW THE FOCUS OF THEIR BUSINESS IS ON THIS OTHER THESE BATTERIES THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE IN TENNESSEE.

>> Bill: IT WAS REVEALED THAT DEMOCRATIC ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATE IT PAM STEVENSON IS NOT LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN KENTUCKY HER CAMPAIGN SAYS SHE IS ON TRACK TO JOIN THE KENTUCKY BAR NEXT MONTH.

THE CAMPAIGN ALSO SAYS THE RETIRED AIR FORCE COLONEL FOCUSED MOST OF HER LEGAL CAREER ON NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES.

RUSSELL COLEMAN'S CAMPAIGN POUNCED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CALLED COLEMAN THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE TO EVER RUN FOR KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL AND WENT ON TO SAY AT A BARE MINIMUM HE HAS A KENTUCKY LAW LICENSE.

BILL, THIS IS A TWIST IN THE RACE.

BUT STEVENSON'S CAMP SAYS SHE WILL HAVE THAT LICENSE SHORTLY.

>> I MEAN THERE IS NO QUESTION SHE IS AN LICENSE AND ATTORNEY AND LICENSED AND THOSE ARE NOT IN QUESTION.

SHE HAS MORE EXPERIENCE THAN DANIEL CAMERON HAD WHEN HE WAS ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE.

SO IF EXPERIENCE IS THE ISSUE.

BUT HAVING SAID THAT, THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED HER CAMPAIGN SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED THAT.

SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE LET THIS BE A POTENTIAL LIABILITY GOING INTO THE CAMPAIGN.

>> Bill: SCHOOL LEADERS 23EUGING OUT HOW TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW LAWINGS AND BRING STUDENT SCORES BACK UP AFTER THE DISRUPTIONS FROM THE PANDEMIC.

JESS SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRED TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY WILL IMPLEMENT SENATE BILL 150 AND ONE BY ONE THEY ARE HAVING MEETINGS AND PUBLIC FORUMS AS REQUIRED BY THE LAW TO DO THAT.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

SENATE BILL 150 AS WE MENTION ISED BEFORE IS THE LAW THAT BANS GENDER AFFIRMING MEDICAL CARE FOR TRANS KIDS THAT PORTION IS BEING BLOCKED IN A COURT FEDERAL LAWSUIT BY THE A.C.L.U.

THERE ARE OTHER PORTIONS OF THE LAW THAT AFFECT SCHOOLS.

ONE OF THEM REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO COME UP WITH POLICIES THAT BAN TRANS KIDS FROM BATHROOMS THAT MATCH THEIR GENDER WITH LOCKER ROOMS.

THOR ONE REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO CREATE NEW POLICIES TO RESTRICT SPEECH AROUND ISSUES ABOUT GENDER OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE TASKED WITH COMING UP WITH THESE POLICIES BUT THEY ARE IN A TOUGH PLACE BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THE TRANS BATHROOM RESTRICTIONS ARE IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW.

SO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THIS INTERESTING SPOT WHERE THEY FEEL STUCK BETWEEN STATE AND FEDERAL LAW THAT CREATED A REAL PICKLE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> Bill: THE SCHOOLS TRY TO BRING THE SCORES BACK UP AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

SOME ARE HOLDING SUMMER PROGRAMS AND PLANNING FOR A STRATEGY AS TO HOW THEY MIGHT DO THAT.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SINCE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, I GUESS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC THEY HAD ABOUT 1,000 KIDS IN SUMMER LEARNING THIS YEAR THEY HAD 10,000 THEY ARE PROMOTING SUMMER LEARNING FOR KIDS AND DISTRICT LEADERS SEE IT AS A WAY TO KEEP KIDS ENGAGED WITH LEARNING SO WE DON'T SEE THAT SUMMER SLIDE.

>> AND YES, SIR YOU REPORTED A JURY SIDED WITH A FORMER SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF IN A WHISTLEBLOWER LAWSUIT.

>> THIS IS AN INTERESTING LAWSUIT.

DEANNA GLASSER WAS A TEACHER AT THE SCHOOL FROM 2017 TO 2019.

AND SHE SAYS SHE WAS LET GO BECAUSE SHE BROUGHT FORWARD ISSUES WITH STUDENTS NOT GETTING THE SPEECH THERAPY THAT THEY WERE ENTITLED TO UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

SHE ALSO BROUGHT FORWARD ISSUES ABOUT THERE NOT BEING ENOUGH ADULTS PROFICIENT IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND IT MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR STUDENTS TO COMMUNICATE ABOUT IMPORTANT ISSUES LIKE SAFETY OR MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.

A JURY SIDED WITH HER AND AGREED THAT HER BEING LET GO WAS RETALIATION FOR COMING FORWARD ABOUT THOSE ISSUES.

>> Bill: UTILITY COMPANIES HAVE STRAINED TO KEEP UP WITH THE OUTAGES BROUGHT ON BY STORMS BUT THE KENTUCKY PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WANTS ANSWERS ABOUT THE BRUTAL COLD BLAST FROM LAST WINTER.

IT COMES AS KENTUCKY POWER WANTS TO RECOUP $11 MILLIONTH COSTS FROM CUSTOMERS.

BILL, KENTUCKY POWER HAS 163,000 CUSTOMERS IN 20 COUNTIES.

THE PSC DENIED THE REQUEST AND WANTS ANSWERS?

>> THE PSC SAID THE KENTUCKY POWER APPLIED TO GET SOME OF THAT MONEY BACK.

THE PROBLEM WAS LAST DECEMBER, DECEMBER RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS THERE WAS A DAY WHEN THE TEMPERATURES DROPPED LIKE 50° IN JUST A FEW HOURS.

AND I LOOKED AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IT WAS 50° IN 12 HOURS.

THAT CREATED A MASSIVE DEMAND AND WHAT THE PSC SAID AS A RESULT KENTUCKY POWER HAD TO BUY ON THE OPEN MARKET.

UTILITIES HAVE CONTRACTS IN PLACE AND THEY BUY POWER AHEAD OF TIME THEY HAD TO BUY POWER AND IT'S MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE WHEN YOU DO THAT ON THE MARKET.

THEY WANTED TO RECOUP THAT.

THE PSC IT WAS KENTUCKY POWER'S FAULT.

>> Bill: AND KENTUCKY POWER SAID IT HAD A NATURAL GAS PLANT.

>> IT WAS SHUTDOWN OVER A MAINTENANCE ISSUE.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

CHRIS, IT LOOKS LIKE RULES FOR KENTUCKY'S NEW SPORTS BETTING LAW COULD BE COMING ON MONDAY?

>> YES, THAT IS RIGHT.

ED KENTUCKY HORSE RATIONING COMMISSION CHARGED WITH THE REGULATORS OF THE SPORTS WAGERING IS WORKING ON REGULATIONS AND THEY'VE SCHEDULED A MEETING ON MONDAY AND PART OF THAT MEET SOMETHING TO TAKE UP THOSE REGULATIONS.

WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET AN ESTIMATE AS TO WHEN SPORTS BETTING PASSED THIS YEAR BUT IT'S NOT IMPLEMENTED YET WHEN WILL WE SEE THAT?

THEY'VE NOT SAID SO, THEY'VE SAID JUST WAIT UNTIL THE REGULATIONS ARE IN PLACE.

BUT MOST OBSERVERS AROUND THIS SPACE INCLUDING THE C.E.O.

OF CHURCHILL DOWNS THE WIGGEST PLAYERS IN THE -- BIGGEST PLAYER IN THE HORSERACING INDUSTRY AND SPORTS BETTING HE SAID AROUND FOOTBALL SEASON EVERYBODY THINKS AROUND FOOTBALL SEASON IT WILL START TO ROLL OUT.

PERHAPS IN BRICK AND MORTAR LOCATIONS.

THE HISTORICAL HORSERACING FACILITIES AND RACETRACKS FIRST BEFORE THE APPS SUCH AS FAN DUEL AND DRAFT KINGS WILL BE TURNED ON.

BUT BY THE END OF THE YEAR IT SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED.

>> Bill: THE HERALD LEADER BILL LOOKED INTO HEMP AND IT HASN'T WORKED OUT AS MANY HAD HOPED?

>> NO, THERE WAS A LOT OF HOPE WHEN THIS WAS WE LEGALIZED INDUSTRIAL HEMP A DECADE AGO THAT IT WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE FARM ECONOMY TO HELP REPLACE LOST TOBACCO INCOME.

THERE WAS A MARKET CRASH IN 2019.

FARMERS GOT OUT OF THE BUSINESS AFTER THAT.

LAST YEAR THERE WERE 70 GROWERS IN THE STATE AND IT HASN'T BEEN WHAT FOLKS HOPED IT WOULD BE.

>> Bill: BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING IS ABOUT TO START?

WE'RE AFTER THE FOURTH NOW.

>> IT'S LIKE A MONTH TO GO IT'S CRAZY.

>> Bill: TIME FLIES.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

WE DO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AND WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A AHEAD.

[♪♪]