[♪♪] >> Bill: THE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE CHIEF IS SUSPENDED BY THE MAYOR.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A STATE REPRESENTATIVE WINS HER PARTY'S NOMINATION BUT IS NOW DISQUALIFIED BY THE COURTS?

KENTUCKY BETS ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES EVEN WITH TAX DOLLARS, BUT CUSTOMER INTEREST IN EV'S MAYBE DECLINING SOME.

A NEW KIDS COUNT REPORT SHOWS BIG CHALLENGES REMAIN.

HEADING INTO FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE MARK VANDERHOFF REPORTER FOR WLKY IN LOUISVILLE.

CHRIS OTTS REPORTER FOR W INDEX RB IN LOUISVILLE AND JOE SONKA ENTERPRISE STATE HOUSE REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO.

ALSO TONIGHT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY GOES THROUGH WITH CHANGES THAT PROMPTED A FACULTY VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN PRESIDENT CAPILOUTO LAST MONTH.

AND SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL IS AMONG THE SENATE REPUBLICANS WHO MET THIS WEEK WITH FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT.

WE'LL GET RIGHT TO THE SITUATION IN LOUISVILLE WHERE THE LMPD CHIEF IS SUSPENDED BY MAYOR CRAIG GREENBURG.

THIS STORY SEEMED TO COME OUT OF THE BLUE, WHAT HAPPENED?

>> WE FOUND OUT ABOUT IT THIS WEEK.

I WILL TAKE YOU BACK TO MAY 22.

THE POLICE CHIEF IS HAVING A MEETING WITH HER COMMAND STAFF.

WE HAVE A RECORDING OF THIS MEETING.

AND EARLY ON IN THE RECORDING SHE IS ADMONISHING HER STAFF FOR DISCORD THAT IS HAPPENING AND GETTING READY TO ANNOUNCE PROMOTIONS.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHO HERE HAS A PROBLEM WORKING WITH ANY OF THESE OTHER MAJORS.

AND SHE GOES AROUND TO EACH PERSON AND THEN SHE GETS TO MAJOR SHANNON LAUDER, WHO IS ATTENDING VIRTUALLY BECAUSE SHE WAS SICK THAT DAY AND THE ONE WHO RECORDED THE MEETING.

WHEN SHE GETS TO MAJOR LAUDER, MAJOR LAUDER SAYS I CANNOT WORK WITH MAJOR BRIAN KRUEGER BECAUSE HE SEXUALLY HA RATIONED AND ATTACKED ME.

THERE IS A 21-SECOND PERIOD OF DEAD SILENCE.

YOU CAN IMAGINE PEOPLE ARE SOAKING IN WHAT HAPPEN JUST WHAT HAPPENED.

AND THEN, THE CHIEF JUST GOES ON.

AND BEGINS TALKING TO EACH OF THE OTHER MAJORS WHO CAN YOU NOT WORK WITH?

AND ANNOUNCES HER PROMOTIONS INCLUDING A PROMOTION OF THE VERY MAN THAT MAJOR LAUDER JUST ACCUSED OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT.

SO WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAID SHE SHOULD HAVE STOPPED THE MEETING AND ADDRESSED THIS COMPLAINT MAYBE DISMISSED THE OTHER MAJORS.

NOW WE ARE AT THE POINT WHERE MAYOR CRAIG GREENBURG ANNOUNCED HE HAS PLACED HER ON LEAVE WHILE HER REACTION TO THIS COMPLAINT IS INVESTIGATED.

AND MAJOR KRUEGER IS ALSO INVESTIGATED FOR THESE ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT.

>> Bill: CHRIS YOU HAVE PERSPECTIVE ON THAT?

>> I DID FIND IT INTERESTING THAT THE MAYOR TOOK THIS STEP SO SWIFTLY THIS WEEK.

BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS POLICE CHIEF WHOM HE HIRED NOT TOO LONG AGO.

THERE WERE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER SHE GAVE FALSE TESTIMONY UNDER OATH ABOUT WHETHER SHE WAS WEARING A BODY-CAMERA DURING A CERTAIN INCIDENT.

AND THEN THERE WAS REPORTING THAT REVEALED THAT BACK IN ATLANTA, SOME TWO DECADES AGO, SHE GOT IN TROUBLE FOR ACCESSING A FILE RELATED TO AN INVESTIGATION THAT SHE WAS NOT PART OF BUT THAT CONCERNED I BELIEVE A FAMILY MEMBER.

SO PERHAPS THIS IS MORE OF A STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK SITUATION.

YOU COULD IMAGINE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY HAVING A DIFFERENT RESPONSE TO THIS WHERE THEY SAY SOMETHING LIKE WELL, NO, WE DO TAKE SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS SERIOUSLY IT WILL BE INVESTIGATED.

BUT THE MAYOR REALLY TOOK QUICK AND DECISIVE ACT HONEST IN RESPONSE.

>> Bill: WAS IT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE MAYOR?

DID HE MAKE HIMSELF AVAILABLE?

>> HE HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE LATE IN THE DAY THAT WAS A RESPONSE TO ANOTHER MEDIA REPORT.

>> YES, THERE WAS WAVE THREE HAD THE AUDIOTAPE AND THAT ASKED THE MAYOR QUESTIONS A COUPLE HOURS EARLIER THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THAT OBVIOUSLY SPURRED ON THE QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> Bill: JOE, THIS COMES AS LMPD IS UNDER THE EYES OF THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND READY TO ENTER INTO A CONSENT DECREE.

>> AND THESE THINGS HOW SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS AGAINST OTHER OFFICERS ARE HANDLED INTERNALLY.

THE OFFICER WHO IS BEING ACCUSED HANDLED AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS THAT LMPD.

THERE IS A HUGE PROBLEM HERE.

AND YOU HAVE THE ACTING CHIEF PAUL HUMPHREY WHO HAS BEEN NAMED ONE OF THE POINT PEOPLE IN WORKING WITH THE DOJ THROUGH THE CONSENT DECREE PROCESS.

HE IS SOMEONE WHO A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT HE NEEDS OUTSIDER TO RUN LMPD, SOMEONE NOT FROM HERE BUT IT HASN'T WORKED OUT.

WE'VE GONE THROUGH SIX CHIEFS IN THE SPAN OF FOUR YEARS.

HUMPHREY IS SOMEONE WHO SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT HERE LOCALLY.

SO WE'LL SEE IF HE CAN RIDE THIS OUT OR NOT AND GET THINGS BACK ON TRACK BUT IT IS A PROCESS THAT OF CHAOS OF THE PAST FOUR YEARS IN TERMS OF INTERNALLY AT LMPD.

>> Bill: ALL OF THIS WILL BE LOOKED INTO AND EVENTUALLY WE'LL SEE HOW THE MAYOR CHOOSES TO MOVE FORWARD, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

AND IT WILL DEPEND ON THIS INVESTIGATIVE REPORT THAT IS BEING DONE BY A FORMER F.B.I.

AGENT WHO HAS DONE OTHER INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE CITY.

AT THIS POINT WE'RE ALL WAITING TO SEE.

IT'S BEEN SO MUCH GOING ON IT'S ALMOST HARD TO KEEP TRACK OF IT ALL.

>> Bill: THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE SET FOR NOVEMBER BUT THERE'S CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN A SEAT IN THE STATE HOUSE FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY WHERE THE INCUMBENT WAS RENOMINATED AND NOW DISQUALIFIED BY THE COURT.

JOE, STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN MY OPINION MA KULKANRI DIDN'T KNOW SHE WOULD BE ON THE BALLOT AFTER THE EARLY VOTING WAS OVER.

AND HEADING TOWARD THAT ELECTION DAY.

SHE WAS THEN RULED ELIGIBLE TO BE ON THE BALLOT.

NOW SHE IS RULED INELIGIBLE.

HOW DID WE GET HERE AND WHERE DOES IT GO?

>> SHE WON WITH 78% OF THE VOTE IN THE PRIMARY.

BUT THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED TO AFFIRM THE APPEALS COURT DECISION WAS THAT BECAUSE SHE HAD A REPUBLICAN SIGNING HER CANDIDACY PAPERS UNDER LAW SHE COULD NOT BE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

THERE IS A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT HOW DEMOCRATS ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO CHOOSE A NOMINEE IN THIS RACE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE HOPING THAT THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT WOULD LAYOUT A FORMAL OPINION, LAYING OUT THE PROCESS GOING FORWARD HOW THAT WOULD BE DONE.

I TALKED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE ADAMS THIS WEEK AND HE WAS HOPING THAT WAS GOING TO BE THE CASE BECAUSE HE IS NOT SURE EITHER.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE THE SECOND PLACE FINISHER WHO IS WILLIAM GOOD NIGHTS WHO DID NOT RUN A CAMPAIGN I'M NOT SURE JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SPEAK WITH HIM.

BUT SOME SAY HE SHOULD BE THE NOMINEE BECAUSE HE FINISHED SECOND AND KULKANRI WAS DISQUALIFIED.

OTHERS SAY THERE SHOULD BE A VACANCY DECLARED AND THE LOCAL PARTY DETERMINES THE NOMINEE OR A SPECIAL ELECTION.

BUT UNTIL THE SUPREME COURT LAYS OUT GUIDANCE WE'RE NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> Bill: YOU WOULD THINK THIS HAPPENS IT WOULD BE A CLEAR PATH?

>> YOU WOULD THINK SO.

THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT CANDIDATE CHALLENGES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BUT THIS IS ONE THAT IS UNIQUE AND IT'S KIND OF ALTERED BECAUSE THERE WAS A BILL PASSED THIS SESSION THAT DEALT WITH DISQUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES AND THE TIMING OF WHETHER SHE WAS DISQUALIFIED BEFORE OR AFTER WHICH IS DETERMINING HOW THE NOMINEE SHOULD BE CHOSEN.

>> Bill: JOE, YOU DID A STORY FOR THE G.O.P.

NOMINEE FOR THE STATE SENATE AARON REED AFTER REPUBLICAN LEADERS BACKED ANOTHER CHALLENGER TO ADRIAN SOUTHWORTH.

HE SAYS WELL, HE DOESN'T OWE LEADERSHIP ANYTHING?

>> HE SAYS THAT HE'S NOT BEHOLDEN TO THEM AND HE DOESN'T HAVE TO COME ON BENDED KNEE AND DO THEIR BIDDING.

THIS IS INTERESTING BECAUSE REED IS ONE OF THOSE LIBERTY WING CHALLENGERS OF THE PARTY THAT LIKES CHALLENGING THE LEADERSHIP ON CERTAIN THINGS WANTING THE PARTY TO GO IN A SMALL GOVERNMENT DIRECTION IN SOME SENSE.

AND THIS IS WHAT SPEAKER OSBORNE IN THE HOUSE HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS NOW, REALLY THE SAVANNAH MADDOX WING THAT HAS GROWN TO 10 MEMBERS NOW.

IT'S INTERESTING IF REED GETS IN AND STARTS FORMING ALLIANCES WITH LIKE MINDED MEMBERS SO THE REPUBLICANS MAYBE HE STARTS GIVING ROBERT STIVERS AND THE SENATE THE SAME HEADACHES THAT OSBORNE IS HAVING.

>> Bill: WHILE WE ARE ON ELECTION, SECRETARY OF STATE ADAMS ACCEPTED AN AWARD HE IS A REPUBLICAN FROM THE JOHN F. KENNEDY FAMILY FOR HIS ELECTION INTEGRITY EFFORTS AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO THE BALLOT.

ADAMS WANTS A FUTURE IN POLITICS HE HAS SAID AS MUCH HE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE IN PUBLIC SERVICE.

IS HE A REPUBLICAN UNICORN BY FOR ACCEPTING AN AWARD FROM A DEMOCRATIC FAMILY AND PUSHING HARD FOR BALLOT ACCESS AS HE DOES?

>> WELL, IT FITS THE MOLD HE LAID OUT FOR HIMSELF.

REPUBLICANS KENTUCKY OBVIOUSLY HAVE A LOT OF POWER IN THE STATE AND THEY WILL FOR A LONGTIME.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT DIRECTION THE PARTY IS GOING TO GO IN AND IT'S OBVIOUS MICHAEL ADAMS WANTS THEM TO GO IN A MODERATE DIRECTION WHERE HE IS CALLING OUT CONSPIRACIES ON ELECTION FRAUD AND SAYING THE PARTY NEEDS TO NOT ABANDON THE VOTERS IN THE MIDDLE IT THEY ARE GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE.

ADAMS IS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT IS LOOKING AT 2027 WHETHER HE IS GOING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

AND THE QUESTION IS IS THE PARTY GOING TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION TOWARDS SOMEONE LIKE HIM OR MORE TO THE RIGHT, EITHER THE ESTABLISHMENT THAT IS RIGHT NOW OR TOWARDS THAT LIBERTY WING.

THERE IS A BATTLE OVER WHAT DIRECTION THE PARTY IS GOING TO GO IN.

AND ADAMS IS STAKING A CLAIM.

>> Bill: ADAMS DOES NOT PUSH HARD ON THIS BUT FAVORS OPEN PRIMARIES AS KENTUCKY'S INDEPENDENT REGISTRATION CONTINUES TO GROW WELL ABOVE 10%.

>> WHAT HE TOLD ME IS THAT ONE OF HIS BIGGEST PLATFORMS IS INCREASING VOTER PARTICIPATION.

WELL, YOU GOT THIS BIG BLOCK OF KENTUCKY'S VOTERS WHO CAN'T PARTICIPATE IN THE PRIMARIES.

IF YOU WANT TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN THE PRIMARIES OPEN IT UP TO INDEPENDENT VOTERS.

AND YOU WILL HAVE MORE VOTERS IN THE PRIMARIES.

>> AND IF YOU WERE TO DO THAT THAT WOULD BENEFIT A CANDIDATE LIKE MICHAEL ADAMS WHO HAS A LOT OF SUPPORT AMONG INDEPENDENTS AND DEMOCRATS IF THEY HAD A CHANCE OF VOTING FOR A REPUBLICAN NOMINEE WELL, THEY MIGHT WANT TO VOTE FOR SOMEONE LIKE HIM.

IT IS AN INTERESTING DYNAMIC TO THE QUESTION.

>> HE SAID IN GENERAL INDEPENDENT VOTERS WOULD MODERATE PRIMARIES INCLUDING HIS OWN, JUST BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE INDEPENDENTS TEND TO BE LESS RADICAL.

>> Bill: IF YOU HAVE THAT CHOICE, RIGHT?

>> I'M SURE LIKE MAYBE THE ATTICA SCOTT WING AND THE SAVANNAH MADDOX THAT SAYS YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE THAT BECAUSE THEY MIGHT NOT WANT THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATORS TO MOVE TOWARDS THE MIDDLE.

>> Bill: IT'S INTERESTING THAT TREND CONTINUES.

KENTUCKY IS BANKING ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES THERE IS $250 MILLION FOR TAX INCENTIVES FOR THE EV PLANTS THAT ARE BEING BUILT TO EMPLOY MORE THAN 5,000 PEOPLE.

CHRIS, WE HAVE THOSE SEEN RECENT RESEARCH THAT INDICATES FEWER PEOPLE AT THIS POINT IN THE SNAPSHOT SEE THEMSELVES BUYING AN EV.

BUT GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYS THAT'S NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

>> WELL, THE INDUSTRY, BILL, AS YOU KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT ON THIS PROGRAM A LOT OVER THE YEARS, THE AUTO INDUSTRY IS GUN HO IN 2021, 2022 WITH THE EV REVOLUTION.

AND THEY LAID DOWN PLANS INCLUDING WHAT IS UNFOLDING RIGHT NOW AS BEING REALLY COMING OUT OF THE GROUND AND LOOKS ALMOST COMPLETE IN HARDEN COUNTY THE TWO SIDE-BY-SIDE BATTERY PLANTS.

THE ISSUE IS THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF EV'S WHILE THEY ARE STILL A GROWING SHARE OF THE AUTO INDUSTRY, THEY WERE GROWING THE A FASTER CLIP EARLIER ON.

AND THAT'S WHEN WHAT ANALYSTS CALL EARLY ADOPTERS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY WERE BUYING THESE CARS.

TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, BILL, MOST REGULAR PEOPLE HAVE BIGGER FISH TO FRY IN TERMS WHETHER THEY HAVE A EV OR A GAS CAR OR A HYBRID AND THE CHALLENGE THE INDUSTRY HAS NOW IS CONVINCING MAINSTREAM CONSUMERS TO GO INTO THE ELECTRIC POWER TRAINS.

AND PERHAPS THE INDUSTRY GOT OVERINVESTED FORD AND OTHERS INCLUDED THAT IS WHY THEY PULLED BACK A LITTLE BIT.

ONE OF THE TWO BATTERY PLANTS GOING UP RIGHT NOW IS NOT HAVING ANY EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN IT AND WILL NOT BE HIRING OR STARTING PRODUCTION UNTIL A LATER DATE WHEN THE MARKET DEMANDS IT.

>> Bill: MARK, THE GOVERNOR'S TOLD YOU THAT THE MARKET WILL BE THERE, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND I ASKED HIM ABOUT IT BECAUSE I READ ARTICLES THAT TESLA MISSED THE PRODUCTION AND HE SAID GM JUST HAD THE BEST MONTH EVER ON EV'S.

FORD HAD A 95% INCREASE IN THE FORD LIGHTNING AND I HAD TO GOOGLE THAT AND THERE WERE ARTICLES TALKING ABOUT THAT VERY THING.

IT'S ALL A SMALL THING RIGHT NOW.

BUT I THINK THEY ARE UNDER EV'S UNDER AN INTENSE MICROSCOPE FOR GOOD REASON AND THEY HAVE SORT OF BECOME A POLITICAL THING AS WELL.

>> PART OF THE REASON FOR THE MICROSCOPE IS BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT IS GOING INTO PROMOTING SUBSIDIZING, FOSTERING THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF VEHICLE.

>> Bill: AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL ESPECIALLY AND SOME ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

>> Bill: DO THE PLANTS BEING BUILT IN HARDEN COUNTY WITH SKIN IN THE GAME OF THE TAX INCENTIVES DO THEY HAVE TO HIT THE TARGETS OF EMPLOYMENT IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THOSE INCENTIVES?

>> I WAS WONDERING THAT IS THE NATURE OF A STORE I DID.

KENTUCKY PAID $250 MILLION UP FRONT TO GET THOSE BLUE PLANTS THAT IS NOT NORMALLY HOW INCENTIVES WORK.

BUT THE MONEY SPEAKS TO MORE VALUE TO THE COMPANY SPEAKS TO THIS MEGA PROJECT AND HOW TRANSFORMATIVE IT WOULD BE FOR THE STATE AND ITS ECONOMY.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HALF OF THIS PROJECT IS ON HOLD IN LIMBO AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE JOBS ARE GOING TO MATERIALIZE?

IT TURNINGS OUT IN YOU LOOK IN THE FINE PRINT BLUE OVAL SK, THE COMPANY, DOES THEY CAN TAKE UNTIL THE END OF 2030 TO REACH THAT 5,000 JOB MARK AND NOT RISK OWING ANY OF THAT $250 MILLION BACK.

SO THEY'VE GOT A LONG GRADUAL RAMP UP THAT IS BUILT INTO THE AGREEMENT.

THE STATE SAYS THEY DID IT THAT WAY BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY AROUND THIS NEW INDUSTRY AND MANY INCENTIVE AGREEMENTS HAVE THIS LONG RAMP UP OF JOBS.

BUT WHEN ALL THIS WAS ANNOUNCED IN 2021 YOU MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT THOSE 5,000 JOBS WERE COMING A FEW YEARS SOONER THAN THEY MAY COME.

BUT THE GOVERNOR'S TAKE ON IT THIS ISN'T A MATTER OF IF, IT IS A MATTER OF WHEN IT COULD BE SOONER IT COULD BE LATER.

BUT YOU SEE THIS FACTORY COMING OUT OF THE GROUND.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO MOTHBALL IT FOREVER.

>> Bill: I WAS THINKING OF OTHER PLACES, DEVELOPED CERTAINLY, GROUNDBREAKING THIS WEEK FOR NEW INDUSTRIAL PARK IN MOUNT STERLING.

MARK, THEY HAD A BOOM ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO WITH A LOT OF INDUSTRY THAT CAME IN AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THAT LIGHTNING AGAIN?

>> YEAH.

THEY'VE GOT TWO INDUSTRIAL PARKS THAT TAKE UP A THOUSAND ACRES AND THEY ARE AT CAPACITY.

LOCAL LEADERS SAY MAYBE IT'S TIME TO OPEN MORE.

THEY HAVE 300 ACRES THEY ARE WORKING ON.

>> Bill: NEW SCHOOLS IN LOUISVILLE ONE WILL BE ON THE LOCATION OF THE WEST END TARGETED FOR A PROJECT AFTER PROJECT OVER THE YEARS.

WE FOLLOWED THAT.

>> THIS HAS HAD A SORDID HISTORY.

IT USED TO BE A CIGARETTE FACTORY IT WAS GIVEN TO LOUISVILLE 20 YEARS AGO.

AND THE CITY FRANKLY, HAS NOT MANAGED TO HAVE ANYTHING POSITIVE BUILT ON THIS SITE.

IT'S HAD A LOT OF IDEAS.

WALMART, PASSPORT HEALTH PLAN AND NOW IT'S OWNED BY A COMPANY IN CALIFORNIA AND THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE IT TO JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL.

A LOT OF FOLKS IN LOUISVILLE APPLAUDING THAT MOVE BY MOLINA TO RETURN THIS WEST LOUISVILLE PROPERTY WITH GREAT FRONTAGE ON BROADWAY BACK TO TAXPAYERS WITHOUT HAVING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HAVING TO BUY IT BACK.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

ON SCHOOLS, THE APPLICATION PERIOD FOR THE JCPS TASK FORCE SETUP BY THE LEGISLATURE IS NOW OPEN.

AND WHAT WILL THEY BE DOING?

>> WELL, THIS IS A TASK FORCE CREATED THIS YEAR BY A RESOLUTION.

SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE KEN FLEMING THEY WILL BE LOOKING AT THE GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF JCPS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IT'S JUST AN EXCUSE TO BREAK UP THE DISTRICT.

IN FACT, THE RESOLUTION HAD FAIRLY PLAIN LANGUAGE ABOUT LOOKING AT WHETHER THE DISTRICT IS TOO BIG.

BUT REPRESENTATIVE FLEMING SAID IT'S NOT A FIXED OUTCOME.

SO THEY'VE GOT THIS TASK FORCE 13 MEMBERS, SIX STATE LAWMAKERS, THERE WILL BE SOMEBODY APPOINTED BY AUDITOR BALL'S OFFICE, SOMEBODY APPOINTED BY MAYOR GREENBURG, JCPS AND FOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT WILL APPLY THE LRC WILL PICK, TWO PARENTS ONE BUSINESS PERSON AND ONE TEACHER.

>> Bill: AND THEY ARE TO GIVE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE?

>> JULY 15TH.

THEY WILL LOOK AT THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN LAID OUT IN THE RESOLUTION BY DECEMBER FIRST THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

IN WASHINGTON WE HAVE OUR HIGH PROFILE DELEGATION AND MITCH McCONNELL WAS AMONG THE REPUBLICANS WHO MET WITH FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ON THURSDAY.

APPARENTLY THE FIRST TIME THE TWO HAVE SPOKEN SINCE McCONNELL CRITICIZED TRUMP OVER THE EVENS OF JANUARY 6 IN 2021.

McCONNELL SAID HE WILL VOTE FOR TRUMP IN AND BLAMED TRUMP FOR THE ATTACK ON THE U.S. CAPITOL.

JOE?

>> YEAH, THIS SHOULDN'T REALLY BE SURPRISING TO ANYONE DESPITE THE FACT THAT TRUMP HAS BEEN HECKLING McCONNELL AND MAKING RACIST SLURS AGAINST HIS WIFE.

AND IT SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED McCONNELL ENDORSED TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT AND THE CAREER OF MITCH McCONNELL, HE IS WELL-KNOWN FOR MAKING THESE TRANSACTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE THAT HE EITHER DOESN'T SEE EYE TO EYE ON OR HE CAN'T STAND.

AND IF YOU GO BACK TO 2016 HE WAS NOT A TRUMP GUY.

BUT ONCE HE GOT THE NOMINATION HE DECIDED WE'RE GOING TO GET ALONG BECAUSE I WANT TO RESHAPE THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY AND I WILL PUSH THROUGH YOUR JUDICIAL NOMINEES AND RESHAPE THE SUPREME COURT THAT WORKED UNTIL JANUARY 6 WHERE THE RELATIONSHIP WENT SOUTH.

McCONNELL THOUGHT HE WAS DONE FOR BUT IT TURNED OUT NOT TO BE THE CASE.

AND McCONNELL DID THE SAME THING WITH RAND PAUL THEY MADE AN AGREEMENT AND THEY GOT ALONG FOR A LONGTIME UNTIL THAT STARTED TURNING SOUTH.

IT DEPENDS HOW OBVIOUSLY McCONNELL AND TRUMP ARE TRYING TO FORM SOME KIND OF CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP THE QUESTION IS HOW LONG THAT WILL LAST.

>> Bill: AND MARK, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT McCONNELL WILL DO WHETHER HE WILL WILL RETURN IN 2026.

DOES HE SEE SOME OTHER POSITION HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IN THE SENATE?

>> I THINK BOTH MEN ARE PROBABLY WAITING AND WATCHING, BECAUSE FOR McCONNELL, HE DOESN'T REALLY HAVE TO TAKE ANY ACTION UNTIL THE ELECTION.

OBVIOUSLY A REPUBLICAN SENATOR WANTS TO SEE A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE MUCH MORE OF THEIR POLICIES OBJECTIVES IF THEY HAVE A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT TO WORK WITH.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT BETWEEN THE TWO MEN BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.

AS FOR McCONNELL'S FUTURE HE IS PROBABLY WAITING UNTIL THE ELECTION TO MAKE A MANY FIRMER DECISION.

>> Bill: A NEW KIDS COUNT REPORTS CHALLENGES FOR KENTUCKY.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REMAINS A BIG ISSUE AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

>> THIS WAS A NATIONAL REPORT THAT COLLECTS DATA ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ABOUT THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN.

THEY LOOK AT EVERYTHING FROM OBESITY TO POVERTY, TEEN BIRTH RATES, EDUCATION.

THEY RANKED KENTUCKY 38TH IN CHILD WELL-BEING.

AND THE KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES SAY ONE OF THE BIG PROBLEMS IS CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IN KENTUCKY.

KENTUCKY ADVOCATES A NONPROFIT ARE RECOMMENDING SOME POSITIVE WAYS TO GET KIDS BACK ON TRACK, SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFYING KIDS THAT ARE ABSENT A LOT IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND THEN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR GETTING ON THEM, MAKING SURE THEY ARE GOING AND IF THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SCHOOL, YOU KNOW, COMING AT THEM WITH WRAP AROUND SERVICES.

>> Bill: JUNETEENTH IS COMING UP ON MONDAY.

IT IS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.

IT IS STILL NOT OFFICIALLY A KENTUCKY HOLIDAY, ALTHOUGH BY EXECUTIVE ORDER THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE IT A HOLIDAY FOR THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

JOE, ONCE AGAIN TODAY WAS SAID THAT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER BILL TO TRY TO GET IT PASSED IN THE LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR?

>> YES.

SO GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS MADE THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, BUT REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE BROWN DEMOCRAT OUT OF LEXINGTON SAID TODAY HE WILL BE FILING A BILL TO MAKE THAT A STATE LAW TO ENSURE THAT IT SURVIVES ANY ADMINISTRATION GOING FORWARD.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER HE IS GOING TO GET ENOUGH REPUBLICAN SUPPORT ONCE JANUARY COMES AROUND TO GET THAT THROUGH SINCE DEMOCRATS HAVE SUCH A SMALL MINORITY.

>> Bill: AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY TENSION AND SOME CELEBRATING.

THE BAD CATS ARE IN THE COLLEGE WORLD SERIES FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER THEY PLAY ON SATURDAY AND THE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES AGREED WITH PRESIDENT CAPILOUTO AND SHIFTED SOME OF THE POWER STRUCTURE.

CHRIS, EARLIER, HIS RECOMMENDATION OF THAT RESULTED IN A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE BY FACULTY MEMBERS.

SO TODAY'S VOTE MAKES THAT FINAL?

>> YES.

AND I MEAN RELY ON OUR FRIENDS AT THE KENTUCKY LANTERN FOR REPORTS ON THIS.

CAPILOUTO HE HAS HAD A LONG TENURE AT U.K. AND IT SEEMS LIKE HE WAS SORT OF TAKING ON A MODEL OF SHARED GOVERNANCE IS THE TERM IN ACADEMIA WHERE FACULTY AND STAFF SHARE IN THE GOVERNANCE AND THE DECISIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY.

BUT IT SEEMS LIKE HE IS LOOKING TO STREAMLINE THINGS A BIT AND MAKE DECISIONS A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

THE CONCERN BY THE FACULTY MEMBERS IS THAT THEIR POWER OVER ACADEMIC ISSUES MAYBE REDUCED BY THIS NEW STRUCTURE.

BUT I THINK THE SUPPORTERS OF IT WOULD SAY THAT HE'S MOVING THE UNIVERSITY TO A DIRECTION WHERE IT'S MORE COMMON IN TERMS OF UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> Bill: YOU EXPLAIN THINGS SO WELL.

AND WE HAVE BIT CUSTOMER SWEET NEWS REGARDING CHRIS OTTS WHO IS MOVING ON.

CONGRATULATIONS ABOUT A NEW JOB WITH THE WALL STREET JOURNAL WHERE YOU WILL BE COVERING THE AUTO INDUSTRY?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

MOVING UP TO DETROIT LATER THIS SUMMER.

SO IT'S DEFINITELY BITTERSWEET AND WE TALK ABOUT THE AUTO INDUSTRY EVERY TIME I'M ON THIS SHOW, BILL, AND I THINK KENTUCKIANS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THIS STATE HAS A MAJOR PRESENCE IN THE INDUSTRY AND THAT HAS GIVEN ME THE BACKGROUND TO TAKE ON THIS NEW JOB.

WE HAVE FORD'S BIGGEST PLANT AND TOYOTA'S BIGGEST PLANT AND THE FUTURE WITH TOYOTA'S FIRST EV AND THE BATTERY PLANTS AND THE TRADITIONAL INDUSTRY WITH THE SUPER DUTY TRUCKS OUT OF LOUISVILLE THAT MAKE THE MONEY FOR FORD.

KENTUCKY HAS A REAL BIG AND IMPORTANT PLACE IN THIS INDUSTRY.

AND THAT'S GIVEN ME THE, YOU KNOW, THE WHEREWITHAL TO MOVE ON.

>> Bill: IT'S BEEN A GOOD 20-YEAR STOP OVER IT.

HASN'T BEEN QUITE THAT LONG.

CLOSE IT IS MORE HOME THAN ANY OTHER PLACE HAS BEEN.

>> Bill: THE GUYS WANT TO RIB YOU SOME BUT WE WISH YOU THE VERY BEST.

AND LET'S PICK UP A PICTURE OF MARK.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR DAUGHTER WINNING AWARDS AT THE SAME EVENT THAT HAD TO BE SPECIAL.

>> I'M SO PROUD OF MY DAUGHTER.

SHE IS GOING TO DO WONDERFUL THINGS.

SHE IS A GREAT HUMAN BEING AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE YOU, BILL, FOR THE SILVER CIRCLE AWARD COMING FROM THE ACADEMY THAT GIVES OUT THE EMMY'S AND IT IS A BETTER AWARD THAN THE EMMY.

>> Bill: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ACROSS THE NATION PEOPLE ARE REMEMBERING JOURNALIST HOWARD FINEMAN WHO GOT HIS START AT THE COURIER JOURNAL IN 1973.

HE CONTINUED HIS INTEREST IN POLITICS AND, OF COURSE, KENTUCKY OVER THE YEARS.

HE WAS 75.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.