SIX MONTHS AFTER DEA >> Bill: SIX MONTHS AFTER DEADLY AND DESTRUCTIVE TORNADOES HIT WESTERN KENTUCKY, THE WORK GOES ON TO REBUILD.

CONSERVATIVE SAVANNAH MADDOX ANNOUNCES FOR GOVERNOR AND SAYS SOME REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

LOUISVILLE AREA BRIDGE TOLLS COULD BE JUMPING BY MORE THAN 8%.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR ISSUES AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ON BABY FORMULA AND SEEKS A TEMPORARY CHANGE IN THE GASOLINE FORMULA.

A PLEASANT WEEKEND AHEAD.

OF SOME SUMMER HEAT.

AND "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

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: TAYLOR SHEA WEST, REPORTER FOR THE MAYFIELD MESSENGER.

MARCUS GREEN, REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

LILY BURRIS, TORNADO RECOVERY REPORTER FOR WKMS IN MURRAY.

AND JOHN CHEVES, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, LOBBYISTS SPEND A RECORD $11.1 MILLION TRYING TO INFLUENCE KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS, AND UK'S PRESIDENT PROPOSES A RECORD BUDGET FOR THE STATE'S FLAGSHIP UNIVERSITY.

BUT FIRST, TODAY MARKS SIX MONTHS SINCE A VIOLENT AND DEADLY LONG TRACK TORNADO LEFT DESTRUCTION IN 11 COUNTIES.

THAT HORRIBLE TWISTER TRAVELED MORE THAN 165 MILES IN TOTAL ON THAT-DAY.

YURN PEOPLE WERE LEFT DEAD.

THERE WERE OTHER TORNADOES ON DECEMBER 10TH AS WELL.

RECOVERY EFFORTS BEGAN IMMEDIATELY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND PRESIDENT BIDEN BOTH ISSUED DISASTER DECLARATIONS, AND IN THE MONTHS SINCE DETERMINATION AND COOPERATION HAVE BEEN INSPIRING.

BUT SERM THERE ARE FRUSKTH.

12K3 SO WE ARE JOINED TONIGHT BY OUR GUEST OUT OF WESTERN KENTUCKY WHO HAVE BEEN COVERING THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING.

TAYLOR, I KNOW YOU JUST HAPPENED TO BE OUT OF TOWN THAT NIGHT, BUT YOU GOT WORD IMMEDIATELY, YOU DROVE BACK.

WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS AS YOU DROVE BACK INTO MAYFIELD AND SAW OF THE DESTRUCTION?

>> Taylor: YEAH, I'VE LIVED HERE MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND WHEN I PULLED UP OFF THE BRIDGE, THERE WAS NOTHING BUT DARKNESS, DEBRIS EVERYWHERE, AND THEN WHEN I GOT INTO MY DRIVEWAY WEEK I SMELLED NOTHING BUT THE CANDLE FACTORY, AND THAT'S SOMETHING I'LL NEVER FORGET.

NO ONE PREPARES YOU FOR THAT, AND I DON'T THINK YOU REALLY CAN BE PREPARED FOR THAT AS A COMMUNITY OR AS A JUDGIST.

>> HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO EVEN THAT EVENING COMMUNITY KATE WITH OTHERS AND FIND OUT THE SCOPE OF WHAT THE HAPPENED?

>> YES.

SO AFTER I FOUND OUT EVERYTHING THAT HAD HAPPENED AND MADE SURE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS WERE ALL RIGHT, FACEBOOK AND SOCIAL MEDIA CAME IN, AND THEN I HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GOT THE PAPER TOGETHER BECAUSE WE HAD NO ELECTRICITY.

NOT A LOT OF INTERNET ANYWHERE OBVIOUSLY.

NO CELL SERVICE.

SO OUR PAPER WAS REALLY THE MAIN SOURCE OF INFORMATION.

OUR SISTER, THE PADUCAH SUN, REALLY HELPED US MAKE SURE WE GOT THE INFORMATION OUT.

WE RELIED ON EMAIL A LOT, PHONE CALLS.

I IN THE IN THE PARKING LOT WITH SOME PEOPLE TRYING TO GET FAVORS OUT JUST SO THEY KNEW WHERE SHELTERS WERE, WATER AND FOOD.

IT WAS A LOT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO.

>> BUT IT WAS AMAZING YOU WERE ABLE TBOAT THAT PAPER OUT AND THEN BEGIN THAT PROCESS OF NOW YOU'RE SIX MONTHS INTO OF INFORMING YOUR READERS ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED THERE.

WHAT A CHALLENGE.

>> Taylor: YES.

I ACTUALLY PUBLISHED THE PAPER THAT WE HANDED OUT WITH EVERYTHING IN IT IN AN AIRPORT TERMINAL.

SO I WAS MAKING SURE I GOT HOME, BUT I JUST HAD MY JOURNALIST HAT ON AND I HAD TO TAKE CARE OF MY COMMUNITY JUST AS I WOULD TODAY.

>> Bill: LILY FROM WKMS, VOLUNTEERS ROLLED OUT THAT VERY NIGHT WITH SUPPLIES, WRIGGLE TO SOCOM AND STAY AS LONG AS THEY COULD AND ASSIST PEOPLE, AND THE DISASTER DECLARATIONS CAME FAST FROM FRANKFORT AND FROM WASHINGTON.

PRIENT VISITED SOME OF THE HARD HIT AREAS.

BUT, PRESIDENT BIDEN VISITED SOME OF THE HARD HIT'S BUT PUTTING THIS INTO MOTION HAS PROON TO BE CHALLENGING, HEANTSZ IT?

>> MOST DEFINITELY.

THESE COMMUNITIES HAVEN'T DEADLY WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

THE THE LEVEL RED TAPE AND THINGS THEY WEREN'T EXPECTING TO NAVIGATE HAVE COME UP AND THEY'RE ALL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WHO KNOWS HOW LONG.

>> Bill: WHEN YOU SPEAK OF RED TAPE, THAT HAS TO BE PART OF THE FRUSTRATION WHEN MAYBE THEY HAVE THE SUPPLIES, MAYBE THEY HAVE A GAME PLAN AS TO WHAT TO DO WITH A PARTICULAR BOIRLGD FACILITY, AND THEN -- BUILDING OR FACILITY, AND THEN SOMEBODY HAS TO SIGN OFF ON IT, AND SOMETIMES THAT HAS BEEN TAKING SOME TIME.

>> Lila: SOMETIMES, DEFINITELY.

DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES HAVE AN ECTOR AORTIC IN ORDER TO REBUILD THE -- ACTOR TG OR ASH A VOLUNTEER TO REBUILD A HOME BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A CARPENTER TO REBUILD IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS PEOPLE THOUGHT I NEED THIS CHECKLIST AND NOW THEY'RE HERE AND THEY SAY, WE NEED THINGS WE DIDN'T KNOW WE WOULD, AND IT'S TAKING TIME AND SLOWING DOWN AND THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER FACTORS THAT ARE MAKING THIS PROCESS HARDER.

>> Bill: AND LILY, HOW ARE PLACES LIKE MAY NEEDLE AND DAWSON SPRINGS, THE PLACES THAT WERE HIT SO VERY HARD, AND, OF COURSE, WE KNOW BOWLING GROWN HAD ITS HORRIBLE ISSUES AS WELL AND OTHERS, BUT HOW ARE THEY DECIDING TO MOVE FORWARD, WHAT TO BUILD BACK, HOW TO BUILD BACK?

HOW ARE THE COMMUNITIES MAKING THEIR PLAN ABOUT THE NEXT CHAPTER?

>> Lila: A LOT OF THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE COMMITTEES TO COME TO THE TOP OF MIND IN MAYFIELD I KNOW OF ONE IN HOPKINS COUNTY, THERE'S ONE IN FULTON COUNTY FOR KC.

THESE COMMITTEES ARE FILLED WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIKE LOCAL PASTORS, PEOPLE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITY CENTERS, LOCAL LEADERSHIP LIKE MAYORS, AND THERE'S JUST PEOPLE THAT ARE WELL-KNOWN IN THE TOWN AND HAVE THEIR PULSE ON WHAT THEY NEED, AND THESE ARE THE GROUPS THAT ARE KIND OF MAKING THE DECISIONS, LEADING THE WAY, LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES.

AND SOME OF THESE COMMITTEES AND COMMUNITIES ARE REALLY CONNECTED WITH THE DIFFERENT CHARITIES LIKE HABITAT FOR MUTANT HABIT AND HOME FOR HOPE AND SAYING THIS IS A NEED WE KNOW, HOW DO WE GET HERE AND HAS HELPED TO MAKE SOME OF THE DECISIONS.

BUT SOME THINGS TO HAVE WAIT AND SOME THINGS HAVE TO FIGURE OUT AS THEY REALIZED NEEDS OR AS NEEDS CHANGE WITH SPRAILABILITY.

>> Bill: TAYLOR, GOVERNOR BESHEAR INITIATED THE WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADO RELIEF FUND.

THAT HAS NOW RAISED $52 MILLION, BUT A LOT OF THAT MONEY IS STILL UNSPENT.

THE THE GOVERNOR SAYS THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT MAY BE COVERED IN OTHER WAYS FIRST.

IS THAT WHERE IT IS?

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FRUSTRATIONS ABOUT ALL OF THAT MONEY NOT BEING DISPENSED YET.

>> Taylor: RIGHT.

IT IS A BIG AMOUNT OF MONEY, OBVIOUSLY, BUT I TRIED TO TELL PEOPLE, LOOK AT IT AS A SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

WE HAVE FEMA AND EXRODZ AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DR RED CROSS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE CURRENT GIVING HOWEVER A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZED THIS IS GOING TO TAKE YEARS.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE OVER IN A YEAR OR EVEN TWO OR MAYBE EVEN FIVE, AND THERE ARE GOING TO BE CERTAIN THINGS THAT FEMA AND THE RED CROSS DON'T PAY FOR.

SO AS WE KEEP MOVING FORWARD, IT IS KIND OF FRUSTRATING THAT WE CAN'T PULL FROM THAT, HOWEVER, IN THE BIGGER PICTURE, WE NEED THAT SAFE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO PULL FIVE, SIX YEARS LATER FOR THESE FAMILIES THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET HELP IN THAT TIME.

>> Bill: AND, TAYLOR, YOU'VE DONE STORIES THE ON MENTAL HEALTH ASPECTS OF YOUR HOMETOWN BEING WIPED OUTED.

PEOPLE HAVE SEEN REAL LOSSES IN TERMS OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND THEIR HOMES IN MANY CASES.

HOW ARE THE EMOTIONAL NEEDS BEING MET OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEEN AND DEALT WITH SO MUCH?

TAIRCHLTS THERE IS TAIRCHLTS THERE IS A LOT OF HELP THAT HAS COME IN AND I THINK THE MENTAL HEALTH ASPECT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING NOW.

THERE IS A BIG PUSH FOR THERAPY L. THERAPY.

IN THE LOCAL SCHOOLS WE HAVE MORE COUNSELORS.

WE HAVE SUPPORT GROUPS STARTING.

I BELIEVE WE HAD ONE START YESTERDAY.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE DEALING WITH LOSSES, THEIR HOME, THEIR VALUABLES BUT EVEN SURVIVOR'S GUILT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE JUST REALIZING THAT THIS WAS A BIG ORDEAL AND IT'S OKAY TO FEEL THAT WAY, AND WE ARE MAY FEEL UNEASY ABOUT A SITUATION TO PLEASE REJECT ANY OF DID NOT REJECT ANY OF THESE GROUPS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE HERE FOR AND YOU'RE GOING TO FEEL THIS WAY A LITTLE BIT.

THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT GOES AWAY.

>> Bill: LILY, FROM YOUR STANDPOINT, HOW ARE PEOPLE COPING AT THIS THE POINT THESE MANY MONTHS INTO THE SITUATION?

>> Lila: A RECENTLY HAD A PASTOR TELL ME IN KC THAT SIX MONTHS ISN'T A REALLY LONG TIME BUT IT'S FELT LIKE A LONG TIME, AND I THINK THAT KIND OF SENSE OF WE'VE MADE IT THIS FAR IS REALLY HELPING A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I KNOW IN DAWSON SPRINGS THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD THAT THEIR SENSE OF COMMUNE IS HELPING THEM HOLD ON.

IN JULY THEY'RE HOLDING ONTO -- PEOPLE ARE GRASPING ONTO WHATEVER THEY CAN, WHETHER IT IS GROUPS LIKE TAYLOR MENTIONED FOR SUPPORT AND THERAPIST, A DISTANCE OF COMMUNITY THAT'S HOLDINGS THEM TOGETHER AND KEEPING THEM WHETHER WHERE THEY ARE THERE IT BE KC, MAYFIELD, DAWSON SPRINGS, THEY'RE FINDING WHAT THEY CAN TO MAKE IT BETTER AND MAKE IT WORTHWHILE AND REMIND THEM WHY THEY CARE ABOUT THE PLACE WHERE THEY ARE.

>> Bill: LILY, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE RESOLVE TO MOVE FORWARD FROM THIS POINT ON THIS NIGHT SIX MONTHS AFTER THE TORNADO?

>> Lila: PEOPLE ARE INCREDIBLY DETERMINED TO COME BACK.

PEOPLE VALUE THESE PLACES, THEIR HOMES, WHERE THEY WANT TO SPEND THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO, A COUPLE OF THE STASIS JUST PUT TOGETHER A PROJECT TALKING TO SO MANY OF THESE COMMUNITIES ABOUT CRIEFORT THIS POINT, AND THE RECURRING THEME FROM WHAT I REPORTED ON AND MY COWORKERS ARE REPORTING ON IS PEOPLE WANT TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS, THEY WANT TO STAY?

KENTUCKY, THEY WANT TO STAY HERE.

THEY WANT TO SURVIVE THIS AND BE STRONGER FROM IT.

>> Bill: TAYLOR WAS WHAT'S AHEAD FOR YOUR HOMETOWN?

>> Taylor: THERE ARE BIG THINGS.

I JUST WATCHED THREE FAMILIES TODAY, FOUR MONTHS AGO THEY BROKE GROUND.

>> THEY GOT INTO THEIR NEW HOME TODAY.

THERE'S A LOT OF HOPE, EVEN THOUGH THE CITY AROUND US IS PRETTY FLAT, WE'RE KNOCKING DOWN MORE BUILDINGS, DEBRIS KEEPS GETTING CLEANED UP.

IT FEELS EMPTY PHYSICALLY, BUT ALSO WE HAVE LOVE, AND WE HAVE HOPE, AND THAT IS ALL WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD, AND OUT OF ANY PLACE IN THE WORLD, I REALLY THINK MAYFIELD HAS SHOWN THAT WE LEAN ON EACH OTHER WHEN WE NEED TO.

OUR JUDGE/EXECUTIVE PERRY SAID TODAY WE HAVE THE MAYFIELD CARDINALS AND THE GRAYCE PENNY EAGLES THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE'RE ONE, AND AT THE END OF THE DAVE DAY WE HAVE SHOWN THAT.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE FUTURE OF MAYFIELD.

>> Bill: WE'RE ALL TULG PULLING FOR YOU.

OUR THANKS TO LILY AND TAYLOR SHEA WEST FROM THE MAYFIELD MESSENGER FOR BEING WITH US THIS EVENING.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

ALL THE THE BEST IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS AHEAD.

AND WE CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSION AT KET STUDIOS WITH JOHN CHEVES OF THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER AND MARCUS GREEN IN WDRB.

INSPIRING YOUNG REPORTERS DOWN THERE COVERING THERE.

>> Marcus: WITHOUT A DPIEWPT WE'RE NANE ERA WHERE RURAL AREAS ARE LOSING NEWSPAPERS AND THEY'RE IS SOME EXEMPLARY JOURNALISM HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

>> John: ABSOLUTELY.

ALL OF OUR NEWS ORGANIZATIONS SENT REPORTERS INTO KENTUCKY AFTER THE TORNADOES LAST WINTER BUT THEN OUR REPORTERS CAME HOME AND RESUMED OTHER STORIES.

THIS IS THEIR LIVES AND IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE THEIR LIVES FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

>> Bill: THE BECOME STARTED WITH REPUBLICANS GETTING THEIR NINTH CANDIDATE AND COUNTING FOR GOVERNOR NEXT YEAR.

CONSERVATIVE NORTHERN KENTUCKY STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAVANNAH MADDOX ANNOUNCED HER BID FOR THE CONSTITUENT'S HIGHEST OFFICE.

>> THE TIME HAS COME TO LOOK AT THE LEADERS WHO WILL MAKE GOOD ON THE PROMISES THAT THEY HAVE MADE TO YOU.

AS A LIFELONG REPUBLICAN WITH A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF FIGHTING FOR YOU IN FRANKFORT, I BELIEVE IT IS HIGH TIME TO LEAD BOLDLY FOR SCWOIFT DISOIFT VALUES AND STOP CAVING TO LIBERAL INFLUENCES THAT ARE DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY FROM WITHIN.

THE KENTUCKY I GREW UP IN IS NOT THE SAME KEF THAT MY CHILDREN ARE D. KENTUCKY THAT MY CHILDREN HAVE GROWN UP IN.

>> Bill: JOHN, MADDOX WILL CLEARLY RUN TO THE RIGHT IN N. THIS CASE.

IN FACT, SHE SAID SOME OF THE OTHER GOP CANDIDATES SHOULD BE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

SHE REFERRED TO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AS A TYRANT.

DOES SHE FORCE THE REPUBLICAN FIELD IN THIS CAMPAIGN TO THE RIGHT AHEAD OF THE PRIMARY?

>> John: MAYBE A LITTLE BIT BUT NOT AS MUCH AS YOU'D THINK.

IN THE 20 YEARS I'VE BEEN COVERING THE LEGISLATURE IN FRANKFORT, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY HAS MOVED TO THE RIGHT, AND THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF DAYLIGHT BETWEEN HER ON A LOT OF ISSUES AND OTHER CANDIDATES LIKE DANIEL CAMERON RON AND MIKE HARMON AND POSSIBLE CANDIDATES LIKE KELLY CRAFT.

I THINK MOST OF THEM WOULD ACT THE SAME WAY ON ISSUES LIKE GUN CONTROL AND ABORTION AND TRANSGENDER KIDS AND THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AND TAXES.

WHAT SHE DOES DO IS RAISE THE VOLUME.

SAVANNAH MADDOX IS PART OF THE WING OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY LIKE DONALD TRUMP, THEY SHOUT.

THEY'RE MAD.

THEY FIGHT.

THE KENTUCKY RIVER SHALL RUN RED WITH THE BLOOD OF MY ENEMIES.

AND THAT'S NOT REALLY WHO MIKE HARMON AND DANIEL CAMERON RON AND HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE AND OTHER TRADITIONAL REPUBLICANS ARE IN FRANKFORT.

SO WHAT SHE MIGHT DO IS RAISE THE VOLUME, RAISE THE TEMPERATURE, CHANGE THE TONE OF THE CAMPAIGN IN WAYS THAT NOT EVERY KENTUCKIAN IS GOING TO BE DRILLED THRILLED WITH.

>> Bill: MARCUS, WITH SO MANY CANDIDATES RUNNING INCLUDING SOME FROOFN VOTE GERRITTS, STATEWIDE OFFICE HOLDERS, HOW SPLINTERED WILL THIS RACE GET?

AND DOES IT TEMPT OTHERS TO GET IN?

BECAUSE THEY COULD WIN WITH JUST A FEW VOTES.

>> Marcus: THAT'S A BIG QUESTION AND I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK NO FURTHER THAN 2015 WITH THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

YOU HAD FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN RUNNING A LITTLE BIT TO THE RIGHT OF THOSE, AND HE WON A VERY NARROW VICTORY.

THE MORE PEOPLE WHO ENTER THIS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY, THE MORE YOU HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SPLIT THAT ESTABLISHMENT VOTE, AND WHO KNOWS WHO COULD WIN AND BY HOW FEW VOTES THAT COULD HAPPEN.

SO IT REALLY I THINK PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYONE REALLY TO BIN WIN A VERY NARROW VICTORY INCLUDING CANDIDATES WHO MIGHT COME OUT OF A TIE DIFFERENT WINK OF THE PARTY.

>> Bill: JOHN, TODAY JACK BRAMMER REPORTER FOR THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY TRIBUNE THAT SENIOR ADVISER ROCKY ADKINS IS WEIGHING A BIT FOR AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER.

DO THE DEMOCRATS SEE BENEFITS IN PUTTING TOGETHER A SLATE TOP TO BOTTOM, IF THEY COULD, IN TERMS OF HELPING BESHEAR AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET?

>> John: IT COULD ONLY HELP THE DEMOCRATS IF THEY COULD FIND ENOUGH CANDIDATES TO FILL A SLATE, AND THAT'S SORT OF THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW.

ANDY BESHEAR IS STILL RELATIVELY POPULAR AROUND THE STATE, BUT OTHER THAN THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF, THEY DON'T SEEM TO REALLY HAVE A DEEP BENCH TO FILL ALL THOSE DOWN TICKET SLOTS, LIKE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER, SO I'M SURE THEY'D BE DELIGHTED TO FIND OTHER DEMOCRATS TO RUN FOR THOSE SEATS.

>> Bill: ROCKY ADKINS HAS RETURN FOR GOVERNOR BEFORE.

HE HAS TALKED ABOUT RUNNING FOR OTHER OFFICES.

>> John: AND OBVIOUSLY ROOKIE WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE IN THE STATE HOUSE FOREVER, VERY POPULAR IN EASTERN KENTUCKY, AND HAS -- IS FREQUENTLY BEEN SPOKEN OF FOR OTHER SEATS, AND WE'LL SEE IF HE ACTUALLY THROOTION AND RUNS FOR THIS.

>> Bill: AND HE SAYS HE COULD BE INTERESTED, HE SAYS, THAT OTHERS HAVE BROUGHT IT UP TO HIM.

>> John: SURE.

>> Bill: AND THERE IS A CONSIDERATION AT THIS POINT.

THE INFLATION GRIPPING THE NATION CAN TRIGGER OTHER THINGS INCLUDING AN UNPRECEDENTED HIKE IN TOLLS FOR THE OHIO RIVER BRIDGES AT LOUISVILLE.

MARCUS, THAT COULD MEAN A HIKE OF OVER 8% ACROSS THE RIVER.

>> Marcus: THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS GOES BACK TO AN AGREEMENT THAT KENTUCKY AND INDIANA REACHED BEFORE TOLLING BEGAN IN LATE 2016.

THEY SET ULD RULES THAT GOVERNED HOW THE ANNUAL TOLL INCREASE WOULD HAPPEN, AND THEY AGREED THAT IT WOULD RISE AT THE THE HIRE OF THE TWO RATES, EITHER THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ANNUAL RATE OR 2.5%.

WELL, SINCE TOLLING BEGAN IT'S ALWAYS RISEN AT THAT 2.5% BUT, OF COURSE, THE INFLATIONARY MEASURES OVER THE LAST YEAR MEAN THAT AUTOMATICALLY STARTING JULP 8.3%.

THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE TO 63, AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR, SECRETARY GRAIFT TRANSPORTATION CABINET WANT THERE TO BE A ONE-YEAR MORATORIUM ESSENTIALLY TO WHERE THE RATE IS ONLY INCREASE TODAY 2.5% BUT INDIANA IS RELUCTANT TO GO TAKING A LOOK ALONG WITH THAT BECAUSE THEY ALSO HAVE ANOTHER TOLL ROAD IN NORTHERN INDIANA THAT THEY ARE FACING A 9% INCREASE THERE AND THE GOVERNOR THERE DOES NOT BELIEVE IT'S CONSISTENT TO HAVE ONE TOLL SYSTEM RAISE RATES BY ONE NUMBER AND ANOTHER AT ANOTHER SO HE JUST SAID, NO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT.

THERE'S STIM PRESSURE BEING PUT ON INDIANA BUT IT SEEMS THEY'RE NOT WILLING TO BUDGE FROM THEIR POSITION.

>> Bill: IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO IN A SITUATION LIKE THAT ESPECIALLY.

UP THE RIVER IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY THERE WILL APPARENTLY BE FEDERAL MONEY TO TAKE CARE OF THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE CORRIDOR.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CALLS OUT OF LOUISVILLE THAT WERE PRETTY LOUD A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO FOR SOMEELL FEDERAL MONEY TO OFFSET TOLLS THERE?

>> Marcus: THEY WERE VERY LOUD BUT THEY REALLY HAVEN'T GONE ANYWHERE& I THINK THE RECENT KENTUCKY-INDIANA'S DISABLE OVER A RATE INCREASE HAS UNDERSCORED HOW I HAVE DIFFICULT IT MIGHT TO BE GET BOTH STATES ON BOARD TO HOW DO YOU UNTANGLE VARIOUS AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS TO.

I GIVE THAT I LONG SHOT POSSIBILITY AT THIS POINT.

>> Bill: AND WITH GASOLINE PRICES HIGH, GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS ASKINGTEPA TO SUS PEN THE GAS REQUIREMENTS IN FORMER LOUISVILLE AREA.

>> Marcus: THIS IS A CLEANER BURNING GAS THAT IS SOLD DURING STURM MONTHS IN JEFFERSON AND OLD HAM COUNTIES.

IT'S MEANT TO REDUCE OZONE AND OTHER POLLUTANTS TO MAKE AT A LITTLE BIT HEALTHIER FOR PEOPLE DURING THOSE SUMMER MONTHS.

THE REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE HAVE CALLED ON THIS RFG REQUIREMENT TO BE PLICHTD THE GOVERNOR IS ONBOARD AS WELL.

THEY'RE BOTH GOING IN THE SAME DWREKS SO IT WILL BE A 20-DAY REPRIEVE P THE LETTER WAS SENT TO THE EPA THIS WEEK.

WHAT DOES IT MAN PRACTICALLY?

THE GOVERNOR AND THE REPUBLICANS SEEM TO SAYITES IT WILL BE BETWEEN 20 AND 22 CENTS PER GALLON GALLON DECREASING.

SOME POTENTIAL SAISKS.

>> Bill: SO IT DOES RUN HIGHER IN THE LOUISVILLE AREA.

>> Marcus: IT DOES RUN HIGH PER THE EXCHANGE BASICALLY IS YOU PAY MORE FOR IT WAS TBUFT THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS.

>> Bill:ING JO, THE GOVERNOR ALSO SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PRY TO PREVENT PRICE GOWNING ON BABY NORM LAW BUT HE SAID WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT IN KENTUCKY YET.

>> John: HE DID.

TIS DECLARATION IS PAIDZ ON THE NATION'S BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE.

HE ADDED WE'VE NOT SEEN THAT HAPPEN, GOUGING IN KENTUCKY.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THEN SENT OUT A RELEASE SAYING IF ANYONE DOES SEE PRICE GOUGING IN BABY FORMULA, LEASE LET THE ATTORNEY GENERAL KNOW ABOUT IT.

>> Bill: AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THIS WEEK APPOINTED A GROUP TO OVERSEE SOME OF THE ALMOST HALF A BILLION DOLLARS THAT KENTUCKY IS GETTING IN FEDERAL MONEY TO FIGHT THE OPIOID CRISIS.

LOCAL COUNTIES DECIDE ON HALF OF IT.

>> John: RIGHT.

KENTUCKY IS GETTING $483 BILLION FROM A $26 BILLION SETTLEMENT WITH JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND THREE OF MAJOR DRUG DISTRIBUTORS.

THIS IS PART OF THE OPIOID ADDICTION EPIDEMIC SETTLEMENT, AND HALF THE MONEY, AS YOU SAY WEEKS TO THE CITIES AND COUNTIES, HALF GOES TO THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON NAMED THE KENTUCKY OPIOID ABATEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION THAT'S GOING TO START MEETING TOO SOON TO DECIDE HOW KENTUCKY SHOULD SPEND ITS HALF OF THAT NEARLY $500 MILLION ON INTERVENTION, TREATMENT, RECOVERY.

>> Bill: JUNETEENTH IS STILL NOT A STATE HOLIDAY DESPITE PROMISES FROM LAW NAIRKS IN 2020 TO DO I HAVE OBSERVE THE END OF SLAVERY.

JOHN, LAST YEAR SENATE PRESIDENT ROSH STIERS SAYS THE 2021 SESSION WAS RUSHED AND THAT IT SLIPPED THROUGH IF CRACKS.

THIS WEEK A SPOKESPERSON SAID THE SENATOR DID THE NO FEEL COMPELLED TO COMMENT ON WHY IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET.

IT WAS IT SIMPLY LOST IN THE SHUFFLE AGAIN IN THIS YEAR'S SESSION?

>> John: IT'S HARD TO SEE HOW.

THIS WAS A LONGER 60-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN 2022.

WE HAD 230 BILLS THAT BECAME LAW, NOT ALL OF WHICH, QUITE FRANKLY, WERE OF EARTH SHAKING IMPORTANCE, SO IF THEY WANTED TO PASS A JUNETEENTH LAW, THEY WOULD HAVE.

I.

HAVE EXOCH A LOT OF PLIERT EMPLOYERS INCLUDING MY OWN LORI ELECTRICS ELECTRICS DECLARED AT A HOLIDAY.

IT TOOK 15 YEARS LOBBYING TO GET MARTIN LUTHER KING JEARS BIRTH DECLARED A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.

>> Bill: YOU BROUGHT UP LOBBYING.

LOBBYISTS SPENT MORE THAN EVER TRYING TO INFLUENCE LAWMAKERS THIS SESSION, TOTALED UP TO MORE THAN $11 MILLION FOR THE 60s-DAY SESSION.

LOBBYIST I.S SAY THEY PROVIDE INFORMATION.

THEIR SUCCESS RATE IS PRETTY HIGH IN KENTUCKY.

>> John: THEIR THEY ARE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BIGGEST.

THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CIGARETTE MARRYING ALTRIA, PACE-O-MATIC WHICH DID THOSE BURNING BARRELS, GREAT MARKET MACHINES THAT ALMOST BUT NOT QUITE GOT BAN PED, THEY GENERALLY GET WHAT THEY WANT FROM THE LEGISLATURE IN TERMS OF 911 HAVE MONEY IN THE BOWRGT REGULATIONS TO GO THEIR WAY.

ONLY THE KENTUCKY ACLULU INTENDED TO BE I WOULDN'T WANT TO SAY A LOSER ACROSS THE BOARD BUT THEY DIDN'T GET WHAT THEY WANTED MOST OF THE TIME.

EAST CLASS YEAST TELLS US THE RACE IS NOT TO THE SWIFT AND THE BATTLE TO THE STRONG, BUT IN FRANKFORT THE PROCESS DOES TEND TO SMILE ON THOSE WHO HAVE THE BEST CONNECTED LOBBYISTS AND THOSE LOBBYISTS AREN'T CHEAP.

>> Bill: IT LOOKS LIKE TEACHERS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY WILL GET A RAISE.

THE UNION APPROVED A PROFESSIONAL.

>> Marcus: YES, A 4% RAISE WHICH WILL BE IF LARGEST IN 14 YEARS ACCORDING TOTED UNION AND THERE ARE OTHER FINANCIAL INCENTIVES INCLUDING WITH THAT.

A $1,000 BONUS THAT WOULD TAKE EFFECT NEXT SCHOOL YEAR AND AN $8,000 AND GROWING STYE BEND THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO TEACHERS WHO COULD GO TWHOG INTO SCHOOLS IN WHAT ARE NOW CALLED CHOICE ZONES.

THESE ARE NEW ZONES THAT ARE MASTER THE JCPS STUDENT ASSIGNMENT RECENTLY APPROVED, AND THOSE ARE SCHOOLS IN THE WEST END AND LOUISVILLE.

MORE OF AN INCENTIVE TO GO INTO SOME OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS.

BUT, YES, GOOD NEWS FOR TEACHERS WHO ARE ALSO FACING INFLATIONARY PRESSURES LIKE THE REST OF US.

>> Bill: AND A TEACHER SHORTAGE AS WE KNOW.

YOU UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY PRESIDENT ELI COMPLIEWPT IS (A $5.6 BILLION BUDGET BUDGET.

HE SAID HE IS SETTING ASIDE THE MOST FOR FINANCIAL SAID.

>> WE'RE INCREASING OUR BUDGET TO $160 MILLION NEXT YEAR OF FINANCIAL SAID THAT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PAID BACK.

WE RECOGNIZE IF YOU SHRINK THE GAP BETWEEN THE TOTAL COST OF ATTENDANCE AND THIS FINANCIAL AID TO LESS THAN $5,000 ANNUALLY, STUDENTES ASK INCREASES.

>> Bill: JOHN, WE KNOW THAT THE COST OF EDUCATION IS SOMETHING THAT YOUNG PEOPLE REALLY CONSIDER THESE DAYS.

CAPILOUTO SAYS HE WANTS TO LESSEN THAT AS A FACTOR IN THE CHOICES THAT STUDENTS MAKE.

>> John: RIGHT.

AND UK GAVE $14 MILLION MORE FOR SCHAMP AND GRANTS IN THIS BUG, AND IT HELD TUITION INCREASE TO 2%.

IT'S 2%, BUT THERE'S A LOWER RATE OF TUITION INCREASES THAN WE WERE SEEING A UK A DECADE AGO.

AND MAYBE THAT'LL HELP MAKE COLLEGE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO KENTUCKY FAMILIES.

>> Bill: HE SAYS HEALTH IS THE BIG AREA OF GROWTH ON CAMPUS.

>> John: IT IS.

U.K. HEALTHCARE HOSPITAL REVENUES GROWN 200% OVER THE LAST DECADE IN A LOT OF WAYS.

UK IS AN ENORMOUS HOSPITAL SYSTEM WITH A SMALL COLLEGE ATTACHED, AND A BASKETBALL TEAM.

>> Bill: JOHN, YOU REPORTED THE DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES IN KENTUCKY HAD 42 INCIDENTS OF CHALLENGED MATERIALS AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

WHAT'S THE RESPONSE?

>> John: RIGHT.

OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS.

USUALLY THE LIBRARY BOARDS, WHICH ARE LARGELY INDEPENDENT, BACK UP THEIR LIBRARY DIRECTORS, AND THEY SAY WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THESE CHALLENGE MATERIALS ON THE SHELVES EVEN IN BULLITT COUNTY THIS LAST WINTER WHERE A LOCAL STATE OF REPRESENTATIVE MADE A BIG TO DO ABOUT A BOOK CALLED GENDERQUEER AND GOT THE COMMUNITY AND ALL WHIPPED UP ABOUT IT.

THE CONCERN NOW, IS THE LEGISLATURE CHANGED IT THROUGH AIR SENATE BILL HOW THE LIBRARY BOARDS CAN BE CHOSEN.

NOW THE COUNTY JUDGE/EXECUTIVE IS GOING TO PINT WHOEVER THEY WANT TO THE LIBRARY BOARDS IF THEY WANT TO.

Y IS THE CONCERN IS GOING FORWARD WHEN PEOPLE PUT PLEASURE PRESSURE ON LIBRARIES TO CENSORSHIP MATERIAL, THE LIBRARY BOARDS CAN BE REVASMED TO BE MORE SENSITIVE TO COMMUNITY PRESSURES.

>> Bill: IN WASHINGTON SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL HAS BEEN SAYING ALL WEEK LONG THAT SENATE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE WORKING A BILL TO A ADDRESS MASS SHOOTINGS.

HE ALSO TOOK TO THE SENATE FLOOR WHEN A MAN WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH TRYING TO KILL SUPREME COURT JUSTICE JOHN CAVANAUGH THIS WEEK.

AS THEY WORK ON THAT BIRNTS BIPARTISAN BILL, YOU ALSO LOOKED AT THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NRA TO KENTUCKY'S DELEGATION.

>> JOYCE EVANS, CLERK: THE NRA OVER THE LAST THREE ELECTION SCIECTS HAS GIVEN $153,800 TO KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL AND CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR HAVE LENGTH WERE THE BIGGEST RECIPIENTS.

THE NRA PRAISED McCONNELL AND BARR IN PARTICULAR FOR SUPPORTING THE RATE TO CARRY CONCEALED GUNS, IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON SEMI AUTISM GUNS AND MAGAZINES THAT HOLD MORE THAN -- AUTOMATIC GUNS AND MAG SEES THAT HOLD MORE THAN TEN ROUNDS AND UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.

>> Bill: THIS WEEK UofL BROKE GROUND ON A MAJOR EXPANSION.

QUIJ ON THAT.

>> Marcus: THE TOWER IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE WITH THE ABILITY TO ADD TWO MORE STORIES AND A SIGNIFICANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR LOUISVILLE HEALTH.

>> Bill: THERE'S SOME CONCERN OF HEPATITIS.

SIX CASES REPORTED IN KIDS SO FAR.

THE STATE SAYS THERE IS NO MAJOR CONCERN RIGHT NOW BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS TRACKING PITTED KENTUCKY BOURBON STAIRLS STRONG.

JANET PATTEDON REPORTS FOREIGN THE HERD LEARLD.

BROWN-FORMAN HAS HAD NEARLY $4 BILLION IN NET SALES FOR THE YEAR, UP 14%, LED BY 20 WERS WORLDWIDE FOR JACK DANIELS WHILE OLD FORESTER AND WOODFORD JUMPED 17%.

TUNE IN NONDZ FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

RENEE SHAW THE HOST A DISCUSSION