[♪♪] >> CHURCHILL DOWNS WILL MOVE ITS RACES TO ELLIS PARK IN HENDERSON AMIST AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO 12 RACE HORSES THIS SEASON.

THE CANDIDATINGS FOR GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN AND MAKE NEWSTH THEIR DAY JOBS.

KENTUCKY'S POPULATION IS SHIFTING OLDER A TREND THAT IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AND IT BRINGS OTHER CHALLENGES TO LIGHT.

A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE ELECTION IS SET AND A DEMOCRAT BEGINS A CAMPAIGN TO BECOME KENTUCKY'S FIRST TRANSGENDER LAWMAKER.

IT FEELS LIKE SUM 34ER AS WE ROLL INTO JUNE 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 AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

SARAH LADD, REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

AND RYLAND BARTON MANAGING EDITOR FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO WITH STATIONS IN MURRAY, BOLLING GREEN, LOUISVILLE AND RICHMOND.

ALSO TONIGHT KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY NAMES ITS NEW PRESIDENT.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR APPOINTS TWO MEMBERS TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THE NEWS OUT OF CHURCHILL DOWNS, CHANGE IS COMING TO THE RACETRACK AFTER THE DEATHS OF A DOZEN HORSES THIS SEASON.

THE HORSERACING INTEGRITY AND SAFETY AUTHORITY RECENTLY HELD AN EMERGENCY SUMMIT TO DISCUSS THE DEATHS.

NOW THE TRACK ANNOUNCED THEY ARE MOVING ALL SPRING AND SUMMER RACES TO ELLIS PARK IN HENDERSON.

THE SURPRISING MOVE, RYLAND AND A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE STORY TODAY.

WHAT DO WE KNOW?

>> THIS COMES AFTER THE SERIES OF HORSE DEATHS THAT TOOK PLACE FROM LATE APRIL UNTIL EARLY MAY INCLUDING DURING WHAT I IMAGINE IS THE HIGHEST PROFILE WEEK IN HORSERACING WHICH IS THE KENTUCKY DERBY WEEK.

SEVERAL HORSES DIED DURING THAT WEEK.

THE WORLD WAS WATCHING THE KENTUCKY DERBY WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON.

AND I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN A THE OF QUESTIONS OUT THERE FOR CHURCHILL DOWNS AND THE HORSERACING COMMUNITY TO TRY AND ANSWER HERE.

THE SOLUTION AND THE PROBLEM HASN'T BEEN IDENTIFIED YET.

THERE ARE QUESTIONS AS TO WHETHER THE TRACK WAS THE PROBLEM.

THEY HAVE NOT BEEN TABLE TO IDENTIFY THAT YET.

THE SPRING MEET IS CONTINUING UNTIL JULY THIRD AND WHAT THEY'VE DECIDED IS TO MOVE IT TO HENDERSON THEY WILL PAUSE AT CHURCHILL DOWNS AND INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION.

THERE ARE SEVERAL SAFETY MEASURES THAT WERE IMPLEMENTED THIS WEEK BY THE HORSE SAFETY.

>> Bill: AND THAT WAS ANNOUNCED BEFORE THIS TRANSFER.

>> INTERESTING, TOO THEY ANNOUNCED THE CHANGES FOR CHURCHILL DOWNS TO IMPLEMENT AND THEN A DAY LATER, THEY ENDED UP MOVING ALL OF THE REST OF THE RACES FOR THE SPRING MEET OUT TO HENDERSON.

SOME OF THE MEASURES INCLUDE THERE WILL BE INCEPT ADVISING TRAINERS DIFFERENTLY.

HORSE OWNERS DIFFERENTLY.

INSTEAD OF EVERY HORSE THAT PARTICIPATES IN A RACE GETTING ESSENTIALLY REWARDED FOR FINISHING THE RACE NOW IT'S JUST THE TOP FIVE.

THERE IS DIFFERENCES IF A HORSE FINISHES MORE THAN 12 HORSE LINKS BEHIND IN FIVE RACES, THEN THAT HORSE IS GOING TO BE DISCONTINUED FROM RACING UNLESS APPROVED BY AN OFFICIAL.

THERE ARE A FEW THINGS IMPLEMENTED BUT THIS IS A SEISMIC THING FOR ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS HORSE TRACKS IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Bill: IT IS A DECISION THAT MUST NOT HAVE BEEN TAKEN LIGHTLY AT ALL AND FOLKS HAD PLANS TO GO TO CHURCHILL DOWNS FOR THE WEEKS.

>> HENDERSON'S SUMMER MEET BEGINS IN JULY AND IT WILL BEGIN JUST AFTER THIS SPRING MEET THE REGULAR CHURCHILL DOWNS SPRING MEET ENDS THEY WILL HAVE A SUMMER FULL OF HORSERACING.

HENDERSON IS 134 MILES AWAY FROM LOUISVILLE.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF A DRIVE BUT THERE WILL BE MORE PEOPLE HEADING OUT TO THE TRACK.

>> Bill: THIS IS A FLUID STORY AND APPARENTLY THE STATE RACING COMMISSION STILL HAS TO APPROVE THIS MOVE, RIGHT?

>> I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE DETAILS OF THAT.

THAT IS THE REGULATORY INDUSTRY OF REGULATORY BED FOR HORSERACING IN KENTUCKY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR DOES APPOINT THE MEMBERS TO THE HORSERACING COMMISSION.

I'M SURE THEY HAVE A SAY BUT THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY CHURCHILL DOWNS AS IF THIS IS SET IN STONE.

>> Bill: THE GOVERNOR WOULD BE INVESTED SOME IN THIS BECAUSE HE APPOINTS THE RACING COMMISSION, RIGHT?

>> I THINK ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE'VE SEEN JUST LOOKING THROUGH THE DONOR FILES, I THINK, THAT THE GOVERNOR STILL HAS STRONG TIES TO THE HORSE INDUSTRY HERE.

SO I THINK GETTING IT RIGHT EVEN THOUGH HE'S NOT THE ONE DIRECTLY OVERSEEING WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY IN KENTUCKY AS YOU GUYS POINTED OUT HE DOES APPOINT THOSE MEMBERS.

SO I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE TIED TO HIM WHETHER IT'S POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE.

AND SOME KIND OF OBLONG WAY.

>> Bill: COMING UP ON THE 150TH DERBY AND THEY WANT TO HAVE A BIG CELEBRATION NEXT YEAR.

THERE IS AMPLE INCENTIVE TO GET THINGS RIGHT.

>> AND THERE IS A FALL MEET AS WELL.

THERE IS A BIT OF TIME AND THEY WILL BE TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THESE DAYS IT IS HARD TO TELL WHERE THE CANDIDATES OFFICIAL DUTIES LEAVE OFF AND THE CAMPAIGNING BEGINS.

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND REPUBLICAN NOMINEE ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF AND THE CHALLENGE OF MIXING POLITICKING WITH THE OFFICIAL DUTIES AND THAT PLAYED OUT AGAIN THIS WEEK.

>> ANNOUNCED A $591 MILLION INVESTMENT THAT WILL INSURE 700 GOOD-PAYING JOBS AT THE GEORGETOWN FACILITY THAT IS NOW GOING TO ASSEMBLE A THREE ROW ELECTRIC S.U.V.

THAT IS GOING TO HIT THE MARKET IN 2025.

>> Bill: SO RYLAND, OBVIOUSLY THE GOVERNOR IS PLAYING UP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT SEEMS TO BE THE LANE HE SEES CLEAREST FOR HIM?

>> RIGHT AND THAT IS WHAT ANY GOVERNOR RUNNING FOR REELECTION DOES WHAT MATT BEVIN DID IN THIS 2019 RACE AS WELL.

THIS IS A HUGE DEAL.

TOYOTA THE PLANT THE TOYOTA PLANT IN GEORGETOWN IS THE LARGEST TOYOTA PLANT IN THE COUNTRY.

IF NOT THE WORLD.

YES.

AND IT'S BEEN AROUND SINCE THE MID-80s AND THIS INSURES ITS LIFE WILL CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE.

THEY ARE TRANSITIONING TO THE NEW ELECTRIC MODEL THAT WILL BE RELEASED UNDER A QUICK TIME-FRAME TO BE RELEASED IN 2025 AND IT INSURES THE 9,000 WORKERS WILL REMAIN EMPLOYED THEM AND IT IS A FEATHER IN THE GOVERNOR'S CAP WHEN IT COMES TO NOT ONLY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUT SPECIFICALLY THIS ELECTRIC CAR BATTERY FUTURE.

SO THERE'S THAT ANNOUNCEMENT WITH THE FORD PLANT IN HARDEN COUNTY TO BUILD THE CAR BATTERIES AND HOPKINSVILLE FOR AN ELECTRIC CAR COMPANY.

KENTUCKY FOR A LONGTIME HAD A BIG ROLE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AND IT'S TRYING TO AND THE GOVERNOR'S TRYING TO POSITION THE STATE TO HAVE A ROLE IN IT IN THE FUTURE AS IT TRANSITIONS TO AN ELECTRIC MODEL.

>> Bill: AND YOU HAVE THE PARALLEL CAMPAIGNS AND THEY HAVE DAY JOBS WITH A LOT OF VISIBILITY WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENTS THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE AND THE THINGS THEY ARE ABLE TO GET INVOLVED IN, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT, ABSOLUTELY.

WE SAW ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON WHO IS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR, RECENTLY JOIN IN A FLORIDA LAWSUIT ABOUT EITHER IMMIGRATION OR THE BORDER I FORGET WHICH EXACTLY.

AND IT KIND OF REFLECTS THE TWO SORT OF BENTS THAT I THINK WILL EXPECT FROM THESE CAMPAIGNS.

BESHEAR IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT HYPER LOCAL ISSUES OF I HELP MY ADMINISTRATION HELPED MAKE THIS TOYOTA REVAMP HAPPEN.

AND CAMERON MEANWHILE, I THINK, FROM THE TEA LEAVES THAT WE SEE IT MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL FOR HIM TO FOCUS ON MORE NATIONALIZED ISSUES SUCH AS IMMIGRATION.

REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH THAT HAS TO DO WITH KENTUCKY.

AND MAYBE KELLY CRAFT'S CAMPAIGN INDICATED THAT IMMIGRATION WASN'T THE STRONGEST MESSAGE TO WORK ON.

BUT I EXPECT HIM TO WORK ON OTHER SORT OF ISSUES THAT ARE DISCUSSED MORE ON TELEVISION.

>> Bill: AGAIN IT WAS AN OFFICIAL ACT TO FURTHER INVOLVE KENTUCKY IN THAT LAWSUIT.

BUT HE IT RAISES THAT ISSUE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Bill: CAMERON MADE STOPS ON FRIDAY AND HAS OTHERS THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND HE IS NOW ON THE ROAD MUCH LIKE GOVERNOR BESHEAR WAS LAST WEEKEND ROLLING OUT HIS CAMPAIGN.

WHERE DOES IT APPEAR CAMERON IS HEADED WITH THE HIS RACE?

>> I THINK CAMERON LIKE BESHEAR AND I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PARALLELS BETWEEN HIM AND BESHEAR.

IT IS A DISCIPLINED GUY.

I STOPPED BY A CAMPAIGN TOP THAT HE HAD IN RICHMOND TODAY.

AND I REALLY DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING SUPER NEW OR SUPER SORT OF OUT OF THE NORM FOR HIM TO SAY.

A LOT OF THE SAME MESSAGING FROM THE PRIMARY HIT BESHEAR ON EDUCATION WITH JASON GLASS THE CURRENT COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION.

HAVING SAIDNA THE PAST THAT HE THINKS TEACHERS SHOULD RESPECT TRANSGENDER STUDENT PRONOUNCE.

AND THAT HAS BEEN A COMMON LINE OF ATTACK.

ASIDE FROM JUST BEING THE NOMINEE AND TOUTING THE FACT HE IS THE NOMINEE AND HAS A SORT OF UNITY AROUND HIM FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHICH I THINK TO AN EXTENT IS TRUE.

HIS WIN WE CAN'T UNDER STATE HOW DOMINANT IT WAS.

>> Bill: HE GOT THE ENDORSEMENT OF ERIC DETERS WHO SUPPORTED BESHEAR IN 19.

>> BESHEAR DID -- DETERS DID SUPPORT BESHEAR IN 19 FOR PERSONAL REASONS.

BUT I THINK THAT'S ACTUALLY IMPORTANT, RIGHT, THAT CAMERON IS ABLE TO BRING IN I THINK YOU COULD REASONABLY CALL DETERS A FURTHER RIGHT FIGURE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AS OPPOSED TO THOSE SORTS OF FIGURES WHO HAVE AN AUDIENCE, POO-POO HIM LIKE THEY DID WITH BEVIN.

>> Bill: WE CONTINUE TO GET SIGNALS THIS IS THE MARQUEE NATIONAL RACE.

WE ARE IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH THIS KENTUCKY GOVERNOR'S RACE, RIGHT?

>> I THINK THAT'S SAFE TO SAY.

THE OTHER RACE THAT I WOULD LOOK AT THAT THE TWO THAT WE HAVE GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME AS US ARE LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI.

I WOULD PROBABLY LOOK AT MISSISSIPPI TO SUCK UP SOME OF THE ATTENTION FROM US.

YOU'VE GOT GOVERNOR REEFS THERE WHO HAS BEEN IN A COUPLE DIFFERENT CONTROVERSIES BUT MISSISSIPPI IS A MORE RED STATE THAN KENTUCKY.

AND KENTUCKY'S ALREADY DARN RED.

SO I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE THE ONE THAT GETS THE MOST NATIONAL ATTENTION.

>> Bill: BEFORE WE LEAVE THIS TOPIC AND THIS COMPARISON BECAUSE IT'S FASCINATING THE OFFICIAL DUTIES THAT PLAY INTO THE CAMPAIGN.

ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON IS INVOLVED IN SOME HIGH PROFILE LITIGATION.

JUDGE SHEPHERD OF THE FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT RECUSED HIMSELF IN A CASE AND THE AG'S OFFICE WILL BE PROSECUTING A MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING DEPUTY KALEB CONNELLY THAT MIGHT BE A LOCAL PROSECUTION.

DO THOSE EVENTS BRING MORE ATTENTION TO CAMERON?

>> THEY DO IT IS A CRASS POLITICAL POINT BY BEING THE INCUMBENT, BEING AN INCUMBENT GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OR AN OFFICIAL IN OFFICE, YOU ARE OUTDOING THING THAT ARE IMPORTANT WHETHER IT'S PROSECUTING CASES OR DEFENDING STATE LAWS.

>> Bill: AND HE WAS ASKED TO DO THAT TO TAKE THE PROSECUTION.

>> BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ESPECIALLY AS AN ATTORNEY GENERAL STATE'S TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THIS IS SOMETHING THEY ARE EXPECTED TO DO AND VOTERS LOOKING AT A CANDIDATE'S RECORD ARE EXPECTING TO SEE THEM DO.

AND I THINK WE CAN ALSO EXPECT TO SEE CERTAINLY ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL BUT IN THE COURTROOM AS WELL, CAMERON CONTINUE TO DEFEND KENTUCKY'S NEAR TOTAL BAN ON ABORTION.

WE SAW THIS AMICUS BRIEF THAT HE FILED IN IMMIGRATION IN FLORIDA BY THE WAY.

THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT THE STATE'S TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND STATE'S ATTORNEY CAN DO TO JOIN AND KEEP HIS HEADLINES IN THOSE AND KEEP HIS NAME IN THE HEADLINES.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

AND THIS COMES AS WE GET A BETTER LOOK WHERE KENTUCKY'S POPULATION IS HEADED.

THE STATE IS AGING FEWER BABIES ARE BEING BORN AND ONE EXPERT SAYS THAT 20% OF THE POPULATION COULD SOON BE OVER 65.

THAT COULD TRIGGER ALL KINDS OF CHANGES AND CHALLENGES.

AND THAT WAS WHAT GOT US INTERESTED IN HAVING SARAH HERE.

FIRST AS TO HOW THIS IS HAPPENING.

SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, DEATHS ARE EXCEEDING BIRTHS IN THE COMMONWEALTH?

>> EXACTLY FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS WE HAVE HAD MORE DEATHS THAN BIRTHS THAT NUMBER FLUCTUATED A LITTLE BIT.

BUT DEATHS ARE OUTPACING BIRTHS.

FROM 2010-2020 WE'RE SEEING THE MEDIAN AGE FOR A KENTUCKIAN IS 39 INSTEAD OF 38.

AND THE PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION THAT 65 AND OLDER JUMPED QUITE A LOT FROM 13% TO 17%.

AND WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE THAT HIT 20% IN THE COMING NEXT FEW YEARS.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT TOTALLY UNEXPECTED.

THE PEOPLE BORN AT THE PEAK OF THE BABY BOOM ARE 66 YEARS OLD.

THAT IS AN AGING POPULATION NOT AN UNSURPRISING STATISTIC.

BUT WHAT WE ARE SEEING ALSO ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT IS WOMEN ARE WAITING UNTIL THEY ARE OLDER TO START A FAMILY BIOLOGICAL FAMILY.

AT THE MEDIAN AGE FOR THAT INCREASED FROM 27.1 TO 27.3.

YOU ARE GETTING CLOSE TO THE AGE OF 30 AND IT MAYBE HARDER TO CONCEIVE A CHILD.

SO YOU HAVE MORE DEATHS THAN BIRTHS WHICH COULD SIGNAL THAT AS YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE LEAVING THE WORKFORCE YOU HAVE SMALLER GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE READY TO COME INTO IT.

AND IT'S ALSO CHALLENGING IF YOU LOOK AT THE OLDER POPULATION 65 AND OLDER, MORE LIKELY TO HAVE CHRONIC ILLNESSES.

>> Bill: ALL KINDS OF IMPLICATIONS AND HEALTHCARE IS A BIG ONE.

>> THAT IS A BIG ONE BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE CHRONIC ILLNESSES AND OFTENTIMES THEY HAVE MORE THAN ONE SO THEY NEED GOOD ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE AND THAT IS SOMETHING KENTUCKY DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH OF IN TWOOTD 94% OF OUR COUNTIES WERE PRIMARY CARE SHORTAGE AREAS.

YOU HAD DESERTS OF CARE WHILE PEOPLE WILL NEED THEM MORE.

MAYBE YOU ARE DRIVING AN HOUR TO GET TO THE DOCTOR WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE YOU?

WE DID SEE LEGISLATION COME UP THAT COULD HELP WITH THAT GIVING NURSE PRACTITIONERS MORE FREEDOM TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

>> Bill: I WAS AMAZED AT THE GROUND YOU WERE ABLE TO COVER IN THAT ONE ARTICLE ON KENTUCKY LANTERN.COM.

BECAUSE YOU ALSO LOOKED AT HOUSING TRENDS AND THEY ARE SHIFTING, RIGHT?

>> WE'RE SEEING MORE SINGLE PERSON HOUSEHOLDS AND WE'RE SEEING THAT IN RURAL AREAS, PARTICULARLY WEST AND WESTERN KENTUCKY AND THEN EASTERN KENTUCKY SINGLE PERSON HOUSEHOLDS TEND TO BE OLDER AND THEN IN URBAN AREAS LIKE LEXINGTON, LOUISVILLE, BOWLING GREEN THEY ARE YOUNGER.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT PEOPLE GOING TO COLLEGE SO YOU HAVE A YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENT IN AN APARTMENT ALONE.

MAYBE THEY LEFT A PARENT BACK HOME.

THAT IS INTERESTING.

BUT IT ALSO IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS DATA DEPOSE UP TO 2020 SO IT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE FLOODS AND THE TORNADOES AND COVID-19.

COVID KILLED OLDER ADULTS.

FLOODS DESTROYED HOMES AND THE TORNADOES DID AS WELL.

>> Bill: AND MAYBE THE EVENTS EXCESS -- EXACERBATED THIS AND THAT IS WE SAW PEOPLE MOVING OUT OF EASTERN AND WESTERN KENTUCKY YOUNG PEOPLE AND GOING TO THE MORE METROPOLITAN AREAS.

>> WE SAW THAT AND WE SAW CONSOLIDATION.

JUST ANECDOTALLY WHEN I WOULD REPORT IN EASTERN KENTUCKY AFTER THE FLOODS AND THE ANNIVERSARIES WHAT YOU WOULD HEAR IS THAT A FAMILY THAT LIVED ALL OVER TOWN THEIR HOMES GOT DESTROYED SO THEY CAME TOGETHER AND LIVED UNDER ONE ROOF.

I SUSPECT WE WILL SEE SINGLE PERSON HOUSEHOLDS CHANGE AND YOU HAVE MORE PEOPLE UNDER A ROOF THAN YOU DID BEFORE IN THIS DATA BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE POOLING RESOURCES IN THAT WAY AS WELL.

>> Bill: AUSTIN HOW DOES AN AGING POPULATION PLAY OUT IN POLITICS?

>> NORMALLY, FROM WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN PAST, AGING IS BETTER FOR REPUBLICANS.

IT USUALLY IS THE CASE AND IT'S BECOME A TROPE THAT THE OLDER AMERICAN IS THE MORE CONSERVATIVE THEY ARE.

AND WE'VE SEEN THAT TO BE TRUE WITH PRETTY MUCH ANY GENERATION INCLUDING "THE NEW YORK TIMES" HAD A STORY OUT THE OTHER DAY THAT ZOOMERS ARE GETTING GEN Z ARE GETTING MORE CONSERVATIVE AS THEY AGE AND THAT IS EXTREMELY TRUE FOR BABY-BOOMERS AND MILLENNIALS AND GENEX.

NOT AS TRUE FOR THE SILENT GENERATION THEY ARE THE MOST RESILIENTLY DEMOCRAT IN A WEIRD WAY.

BUT, YEAH, I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY THE BIG POLITICAL TAKEAWAY.

>> Bill: INTERESTING.

NOW WE'RE MOVING BACK TO POLITICS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR CALLED A SPECIAL ELECTION TO COINCIDE WITH THE GENERAL LATINXION IN LEXINGTON WHERE STATE DEPARTMENT EILEEN SWAN DOWD EMMA CURTIS ANNOUNCED HER CANDIDACY FOR THE JOB AND SHE WOULD BE KENTUCKY'S FIRST TRANSGENDER LAWMAKER.

>> SHE WOULD, YEAH.

SHE'S NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO VIE FOR A LAWMAKER POSITION.

I BELIEVE THAT IS RAMONA HARRIS IN LOUISVILLE IN 2020 WHO TRIED TO PRIMARY CHARLIE MILLER.

EMMA CURTIS IS VISIBLE IN FRANKFURT THIS PAST SESSION.

SHE WAS LOBBYING EXTRAORDINARILY HARD AGAINST NIB 150 PASSED NIB SENATE BILL 150.

AND A BILL CALLED ANTI-TRANS OR WHOLE LOT OF PROVISIONS IN THERE THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT SOME OTHER TIME AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.

BUT SHE'S BEEN A BIG FACE AND THE PROCESS IS INTERESTING, TOO.

>> Bill: THEY DO IT IN A MEETING RIGHT?

IT IS NO PRIMARY.

WHICH BY THE WAY THE SPECIAL ELECTION WILL COINCIDE WITH THE GENERAL ELECTION.

>> HE CALL TO DO FOR NOVEMBER 7 SO TURNOUT WILL BE GOOD COMPARED TO OTHER SPECIAL ELECTIONS.

WITH SPECIAL ELECTIONS IT IS A LITTLE ODD THE PARTIES SELECT -- THE PARTIES WITHIN THE DISTRICT SELECT PRECINCT LEVEL CAPTAINS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE PARTY IN THAT DISTRICT SELECT THEIR NOMINEE ON THE DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN SIDE.

PERSONALLY, EMMA CURTIS FILING AT THIS TIME OR AT LEAST ANNOUNCING HER CANDIDACY AT THIS TIME IS A LITTLE BIT ODD.

YOU USUALLY DON'T SEE THAT NORMALLY IT'S WORKED OUT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW WHO ALL VIED FOR IT.

SO IT'S I THINK POTENTIALLY IT IS A SAVVY POLITICAL MOVE.

>> Bill: VERY PUBLIC.

>> ON HER PART TO STAKE OUT THE HISTORIC ELEMENT OF HER CANDIDACY.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT SHE IS WELL AWARE OF BEING THE FIRST TRANSGENDER REPRESENTATIVE WOULD MAKE HISTORY SHE IS CAMPAIGNING ON REAL MEAT AND POTATOES PROGRESSIVE ISSUES.

>> Bill: IT IS A NEW DISTRICT WE SAW THE POLITICAL TILT LAST NOVEMBER WHEN A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE OUTSPENT SWAN SEVERAL TIMES OVER.

>> IT WAS MORE THAN SEVEN TO WIN.

KYLE WHELAN RAN AGAINST HIM AND I WOULD NOT BE SHOCKED IF HE RAN AGAIN.

BUT IT IS A PLUS 17 I BELIEVE BIDEN DISTRICT AND SWAN WON IT BY EIGHT DESPITE BEING OUTSPENT BY A TON.

IT IS SAFE TO EXPECT WHOEVER THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE IS HERE, IS LIKELY TO BE THE REPRESENTATIVE.

BUT THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES.

>> Bill: BOTH PARTY ALSO MAKE THEIR CHOICES AND WE'LL KEEP WATCH.

SARAH, THE OPIOID CRISIS CONTINUES TO JUMP INTO EVERY CAMPAIGN THAT WE HAVE IN KENTUCKY BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A CHALLENGE.

THE OPIOID ABATEMENT COMMISSIONS A NEWS CONFERENCE ABOUT THE PSYCHIATRIC DRUG AND THAT'S USED TO TREAT OPIOID USE DISORDER?

>> YES.

SO WE KNOW AND THIS COMES OUT OF MELISSA PATRICK'S REPORTING.

YES WE KNOW THIS IS AN ILLEGAL IN THE UNITED STATES, PSYCHEDELIC DRUG AND THEY WANT TO SPENT $42 MILLION TO STUDY ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND THAT IS NOT AN IMMEDIATE THING.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A MEETING ON JUNE 12TH AND PUBLIC FORUMS IN THE FALL IT'S NOT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW BUT IT'S SOMETHING THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT AND USING IT TO TREAT PEOPLE IN WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS AND YES THE OPIOID CRISIS OBVIOUSLY IS A HUGE DEAL.

WE LOST MORE THAN 2,000 KENTUCKIANS IN 2021 AND 2022.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WELL IT CONTINUES TO BE ON THE RAY DOOR NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

RADAR NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

THE DEALING CRISIS AVERTED.

AMERICA WILL PAY ITS BILLS.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL HAD TO WRANGLE REPUBLICANS TO GET THE DEAL ACROSS THE FINISH LINE IN THE SENATE AND SENATOR McCONNELL AND SENATOR PAUL HAVE A VAST DISAGREEMENT ON THIS.

LET'S LISTEN TO WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY AND WE'LL DISCUSS THAT.

>> THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT WAS A CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES OF A DEFAULT ON OUR NATION'S DEBT AND JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, IT MAKES THE MOST SERIOUS HEADWAY IN YEARS TOWARD CURBING WASHINGTON DEMOCRATS' RECKLESS SPENDING ADDICTION.

>> WE THREATEN DEFAULT AND SCARE THE MARKETS AND SAY NO WE'LL DEFAULT IN THE DEALING DOES NOT COME UP.

WE WOULD DEFAULT IF WE REFUSE TO CUT SPENDING WE SPEND MORE THAN A TRILLION THAT COMES IN A YEAR.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

>> Bill: SO RYLAND, ONCE AGAIN WE HAVE McCONNELL VOTING YES AND PAUL VOTING NO.

>> ONE OF THE ODDEST COUPLES IN CONGRESS.

AND YES, REALLY THIS IS McCONNELL TRIED TO STAY ON THE SIDELINES DURING THE NEGOTIATION PROCESSION BUT CERTAINLY HE AND HIS PEOPLE HE SUPPORTS OR WORKS WITH WERE PART OF IT AND IT WAS A COMPROMISE BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

THERE'S SOME IN THE REPUBLICAN THAT FELT IT DIDN'T CUT SPENDING ENOUGH.

THERE'S A COUPLE INTERESTING THINGS IN THERE.

THERE ARE TWEAKS TO SNAP BENEFITS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IT RAISES THE AGE WHICH PEOPLE ON SNAP WILL BE REQUIRED TO SHOW THAT THEY ARE WORKING OR TRYING TO GET WORK IN ORDER TO RECEIVE BENEFITS BUT IT ALSO ADDS PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS, RECENT FOSTER PEOPLE AGE OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND VETERANS TO BE BEING ELIGIBLE FOR SNAP IT IS A NET INCREASE FOR PEOPLE WHO WILL BE ON SNAP LIKELY.

SO IT IS A BIG OLD BILL AND LOTS IN THERE.

>> Bill: IT'S GETTING SIGNED OVER THE WEEKEND.

AUSTIN, KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY WILL HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT AND HE WON'T HAVE TO MOVE FAR.

HE SERVES AS PRESIDENT AT BLUEGRASS COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE NOW.

>> YES.

HE HAS BEEN THERE FOR I BELIEVE FOUR YEARS.

AND IT'S GROWN QUITE A BIT UNDER HIS TENURE.

IF YOU RECALL THE LAST PRESIDENT WAS Dr. CHRISTOPHER BROWN WHO I THINK HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS BUT ONE OF THOSE WAS SORT OF INCONSISTENCY AND MAYBE NOT BEING ALWAYS ON CAMPUS.

HE TOOK SEVERAL VACATIONS ON THE UNIVERSITY DIME AND ADMINISTERED TO A CHURCH IN LAS VEGAS ON THE WEEKENDS.

AND THE DOCTOR DOES NOT FIT THAT MOLD AT ALL I WOULD SAY.

HE HAS BEEN HERE FOR FOUR YEARS AND HE'S RAN A STATE DEPARTMENT IN OHIO AND HE HAS HBCU EXPERIENCE.

SO I'D SAY AT LEAST ON PAPER THIS IS A GOOD GET.

>> Bill: SO THEY ARE EXCITED TO GET HIM.

RYLAND GOVERNOR BESHEAR APPOINTED TWO MEMBERS TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

IT COMES AS REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN ACCUSING HIM OF NOT FOLLOWING THE LAW WHEN IT COMES TO PARTISAN BOARDS.

>> THIS COMES AFTER THE COURIER JOURNAL POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNOR LEFT THE SEATS VACANT FOR A LONGTIME AND REPUBLICANS STARTED TO APPLY PRESSURE ON BESHEAR TO FILL THOSE VACANCIES.

HE NEEDED TO FILL ONE REPUBLICAN AND ONE DEMOCRAT.

I THINK BOTH HAD TO BE WOMEN BOTH THE APPOINTEES WERE.

AND SO EVERYTHING IS REBALANCED AGAIN BUT I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE GOING AFTER BESHEAR FOR MEDDLING WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND ADDING ON TO WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WHO REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT IN THAT JOB ANYMORE.

>> Bill: SARAH WE'RE GETTING ENCOURAGING REPORTS ABOUT THE LOUISVILLE OFFICER NICHOLAS WILT INJURED IN THE BANK SHOOTING.

>> THE LAST UPDATE MAY 25 SAID HE COULD SAY A WORD OR TWO.

HE WAS BRUSHING HIS TEETH.

HE COULD RESPOND TO YES OR NO YES, SIR AND HE WAS STARTING TO WALK AGAIN WITH THE HELP OF A HARNESS.

>> Bill: WE'RE ALL CONTINUING TO PULL FOR HIM.

STATEHOOD DAY WAS THURSDAY.

THE STATE TURNED 231 ON JUNE FIRST, 1792.

KENTUCKY ENTERED THE UNION AS THE 15TH AMERICAN STATE.

WE HAD NINE COUNTIES THAT WOULD GROW TO 120 AND THE MOST COUNTIES OF ANY STATE EXCEPT FOR TEXAS AND GEORGIA.

THE FESTIVAL AND OTHER EVENTS ARE FILLING UP HOTELS IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY IT'S BUSY ALL OVER AND FEELING LIKE SUMMER.

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE.

THAT IS COMMENT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

[♪♪]