[♪♪] >> Bill: KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS CONSIDER SAFETY AFTER LAST WEEK'S ATTACKS ON LEGISLATORS IN MINNESOTA.

CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR TALKS ABOUT HIS BID FOR THE U.S. SENATE AND HOPES FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT.

AND A SUPREME COURT RULING UPHOLDING ANTI-TRANSGENDER LAWS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR NAMES A NEW STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER AND HEAT ARRIVES AS SUMMER OFFICIALLY BEGINS AND "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND ANAL THIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND OUR GUESTS ARE TESSA DUVALL, POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS EDITOR FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

MELISSA PATRICK, EDITOR FOR KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.

AND ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ, SENIOR REPORTER FOR W WHVMENT AS11 IN LOUISVILLE.

KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING THEIR OWN SECURITY AFTER THE ATTACKS THAT KILLED THE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER AND HER HUSBAND IN MINNESOTA.

A STATE SENATOR AND HIS WIFE ARE ALSO ATTACKED THERE.

AND THERE WAS A LIST OF OTHER POSSIBLE TARGETS.

KENTUCKY SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SAYS THE SECURITY OF LAWMAKERS IS BEING ASSESSED HERE IN KENTUCKY.

AND WITH SO MANY DIVISIVE ISSUES OUT THERE, SOME KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS ARE TALKING ABOUT RESOLVING THEM WITHOUT VIOLENCE.

>> I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US AS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO FOCUS ON TURNING DOWN THAT RHETORIC.

>> WE ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING TO AGREE.

WE DON'T AGREE WITH OUR OWN FAMILY MEMBERS THAT IS LIFE.

BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO GET TO THE POINT AS SATURDAY, IT'S TRAGIC AND UNCALLED FOR AND IN MY OPINION PREVENTIBLE.

>> Bill: THIS IS STARTLING AND ATTENTION GETTING WE HAVE SEEN SO MANY ISSUES IN RECENT YEARS BECOME EMOTIONALLY CHARGED.

>> AND THAT WORD STRUCK ME PREVENTABLE THAT HAS CHANGED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

WE'RE COMING UP ON ONE YEAR SINCE THEN, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, DONALD TRUMP, WAS SHOT AT A CAMPAIGN RALLY IN PENNSYLVANIA.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, YOU HAVE GOVERNOR SHAPIRO OF PENNSYLVANIA A COUPLE MONTHS AGO WHERE THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION WAS SET ON FIRE.

THAT WAS AN ACT WHERE THEY WERE LOOKING AT POTENTIAL POLITICAL VIOLENCE WHAT WERE THE MOTIVES?

AND THEN I TALKED ABOUT THIS WITH CONGRESSMAN MORGAN MCGARVEY HE RECOUNTS MOMENTS IN THE STATE HOUSE IN FRANKFORT AND TALKED ABOUT THE FEARS HIM AND HIS FAMILY HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHEN THEY QUESTION WHETHER CERTAIN THREATS WERE CREDIBLE WHEN HE WAS IN THE STATE HOUSE.

IT'S FAIR TO SAY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE THEY CAN AGREE THE THREAT ENVIRONMENT CHANGED AND THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE APPROACH THAT IN THIS DAY AND TIME.

>> Bill: YET, THERE'S ALSO PRESSURE AND AN EXPECTATION AT THAT TIME LAWMAKERS BE VISIBLE, THAT THEY COME AND ADDRESS CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN FRONT OF VOTERS AND THAT IS AN ISSUE OUT THERE AS WELL.

>> IT IS A HUGE PART WITH YOUR CONSTITUENCY THEY WANT YOU TO SHOW UP AND SHAKING HANDS.

THE PROBLEM IS WHEN YOU HAVE THE BIG ENVIRONMENTS YOU'VE HEARD AUTHORITIES SAY BE CAREFUL WITH THE BIG GATHERINGS.

IN MINNESOTA AUTHORITIES WERE SAYING AS THEY WERE LOOKING FOR THE SUSPECT AS THE MANHUNT WAS ON, LISTEN IF YOU LIVE IN THESE AREAS AND YOU GET A KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR FROM A POLICE OFFICER, CALL 911 AND VERIFY THAT THAT OFFICER IS, INDEED, AN OFFICER.

THAT IS SIGNIFICANT.

AND QUITE A BIT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE HAVE BEEN USED TO IN THE PAST.

>> Bill: THERE IS SECURITY AT THE STATE CAPITOL BUT IN THIS MINNESOTA SITUATION IT HAPPENED IN THE LAWMAKERS' HOMES SO OBVIOUSLY AUTHORITIES NEED INFORMATION IF ANYBODY SUSPECTS THERE'S A FLASHPOINT OUT THERE.

THERE JUST ARE ALL KINDS OF CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES THESE DAYS AND ONE TOUGH TOPIC WAS REVISITED THE SUPREME COURT UPHELD A TENNESSEE LAW THAT FORBIDS MEDICAL PROFERLS FOR PROVIDING GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH.

>> THIS DECISION SHOULD BE CELEBRATED BY ANYONE THAT WANTS TO SEE KIDS PROTECTED AND SCIENCE UPHELD AND SEE COMMON SENSE RULE THE DAY.

>> THE OUTCOME IS EXPECTED IF NOT DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING AND UNCONSCIONABLE THAT THE SUPREME COURT WOULD REST AWAY PARENTS' RIGHTS IN THIS SITUATION TO OBTAIN THE PRESCRIBED BEST PRACTICE MEDICAL CARE FOR THEIR KIDS.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY ATTORNEY RUSSELL COLEMAN APPLAUDED THE RULING HE SUBMITTED A BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF THE TENNESSEE LAW.

THE RULING MEANS SENATE BILL 150 PASSED IN KENTUCKY IN 2023 STANDS IT GIVES GUIDANCE TO HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN THE STATE IT AS TO WHAT THE RULES ARE.

>> IT CLEARLY DEFINES THAT GENDER AFFIRMING CARE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE 18 AND UNDER CANNOT RECEIVE GENDER AFFIRMING CARE SUCH AS HORMONES OR PUBERTY BLOCKERS NOR CAN THEY RECEIVE ANY SURGERIES.

GENDER TRANSITION SURGERIES.

>> Bill: IS THAT COMMONLY DONE?

>> NO.

THOSE SURGERIES ARE RARELY RECOMMENDED FOR YOUTH.

AND A STUDY CAME OUT JUST RECENTLY, THAT SAID ONE IN A THOUSAND U.S. ADD DECENTS -- ADOLESCENTSES RECEIVE GENDER AFFIRMING CARE.

>> Bill: AND IT CANNOT HAPPEN IN KENTUCKY AND THIS WAS A LONG, EMOTIONAL DEBATE IN 2023.

>> IT WAS.

I THINK SENATE BILL 150 AND THE POLICY THAT BANS GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FOR YOUTH, WAS THE DEFINING ISSUE OF THAT SESSION.

I MEAN WE SAW A LOT OF REALLY PASSIONATE COMMITTEE TESTIMONY FROM TRANS YOUTH OR TRANS ADULTS THEIR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES FROM MEDICAL PROVIDERS.

WE ALSO HEARD A LOT OF PASSIONATE SPEECHERS FROM LAWMAKERS.

AND OF COURSE THERE WERE WIDESPREAD PROTESTS THROUGHOUT THAT SESSION.

BUT ESPECIALLY ON THE DAY THAT THE HOUSE VOTED ON IT.

19 OR 20 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED FOR INTERRUPTING THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE.

IT WAS CERTAINLY A VERY DEFINING ISSUE OF THAT SESSION.

AND ONE THAT PEOPLE FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT AS WELL.

>> I'VE SPOKEN WITH TRANSGENDER YOUTH IN LOUISVILLE ONE WHO IS ACTUALLY A TRANSGENDER WOMAN NOW AND TALKED ABOUT HOW THEY EXPECTED THIS TO HAPPEN GIVEN THE COURT'S CONSERVATIVE 6-3 MAJORITY.

SO IT EVEN THE DECISION OBVIOUSLY MAKES, YOU KNOW, THE HEADLINES NOW, BASED ON FOLKS I'VE TALKED TO THERE WAS AN EXPECTATION THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE RULING.

>> Bill: IS IT UNDERSTOOD TO BE SETTLED LAW OR DOES IT CONTINUE AS AN ISSUE?

>> I MEAN WHEN THE SUPREME COURT RULES ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS, I MEAN WHEN IT COMES TO STATE LAWS, YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT REPUBLICANS ARE PROBABLY SAYING OKAY, THE JOB IS FINISHED.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WE TALK A LOT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN TWO CAPITOLS THAT AFFECT US HERE IN KENTUCKY.

FRANKFORT AND IN WASHINGTON WASH AND HOUSE RESOLUTION ONE THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL IS STILL UNDER DEBATE IN THE U.S. SENATE AFTER IT PASSED IN THE HOUSE.

MEDICAID EXPANSION HERE IN KENTUCKY WHICH WAS DONE A FEW YEARS AGO MEANS THAT KENTUCKY KIDS HAVE RELATIVELY HIGH RATES OF HEALTHCARE COVERAGE IN THE STATE.

SOME CONCERNS HAVE BEEN RAISED ABOUT WHETHER CUTS MAY IMPACT THAT POTENTIALLY.

ALSO, SOME RURAL HOSPITALS ARE REALLY WATCHING THINGS CAREFULLY IN THIS PACKAGE.

>> CHILDREN ADVOCATES ARE ALWAYS CONCERNED WHEN FEWER OF OUR CHILDREN HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.

RIGHT NOW, 97% OF OUR KIDS HAVE SOME FORM OF HEALTH INSURANCE.

AND WE WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

BUT THE STUDIES WILL SHOW THAT WHEN PARENTS LOSE HEALTH INSURANCE, SO OFTEN THEIR CHILDREN DO TOO.

WHETHER IT'S FROM RED TAPE OR INCONVENIENCE OR FOR WHATEVER REASON, THAT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE TRUE OVER AND AGAIN.

AND THIS HOUSE RESOLUTION IS PROJECTED TO CAUSE 200,000 KENTUCKIANS TO LOSE THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE SO THAT ALSO WE START WORRY BEING THE KIDS WHO MIGHT FOLLOW.

OTHER CONCERNS ARE ACCESS TO CARE.

IF A FEWER -- IF OUR DOCTORS WHO PROVIDE MEDICAID CARE ARE NOT MAKING THE SAME SALARY THAT THEY WERE OR GETTING THE SAME REIMBURSEMENTS WHAT WILL THAT DO TO THEIR DECISION TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH MEDICAID?

>> Bill: PROVIDER TAX THAT MAYBE CHANGED.

>> YES.

AND THAT IS THE BIGGEST CONCERN OF THE HEALTH HOSPITALS IS THAT THE SENATE VERSION OF THIS RESOLUTION SAYS THAT THE PROVIDER TAX WHICH IS USED AS THE MATCH, THE MONEY THAT COMES IS USED FOR A MATCH TO GET FEDERAL MEDICAID FUNDS THAT THEIR PLAN IS TO LOWER IT TO 3.5% OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS AND THAT WILL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO HAVE DEVASTATING EFFECTS ON OUR HOSPITALS.

>> TALK ABOUT THE RURAL HOSPITALS, RIGHT?

BILL, YOU RAN A STORY ABOUT SENATE DEMOCRATS CHUCK SCHUMER HAD THE LIST OF RURAL HOSPITALS WHICH STATES IMPACTED THE MOST.

I BELIEVE THEY PUT A NUMBER 35 IN KENTUCKY.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SAID HE HASN'T HEARD FROM HIS DISTRICT RURAL DISTRICT AROUND MANCHESTER ANY COMPLAINTS FROM HOSPITALS THERE.

BUT I SPOKE WITH A U OF L DOCTOR ABOUT THOSE CONCERNS WILL HOSPITALS IN RURAL AREAS CLOSE IN LOUISVILLE.

AND THE DOCTOR TOLD ME THEY ARE ALREADY OPERATING UNDER A RAZOR THIN MARGIN IN HIS WORDS IF FEWER PEOPLE GO REVENUE GOES DOWN IT WILL TIP THEM OVER.

THE COUNTER ARGUMENT IS A LOT OF THESE FOLKS ARE CAPABLE OF WORKING, SHOULD BE WORKING AND THAT THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE TO GET.

>> Bill: AND TESSA, THERE ARE MANY WHO SAY THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE TO KEEP THE PROGRAM VIABLE.

CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR AND HAL ROGERS SAYS THEY ARE PROTECTING MEDICAID.

FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT BY CUTTING THE ROLLS AND THE WASTE SO IT'S AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT.

>> RIGHT THAT IS HOW THEY'RE EXPLAINING THEIR VOTES.

ROOTING OUT WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE AND NO ONE IS AGAINST THAT.

BUT WHAT WE HEAR FROM PEOPLE WHO OPPOSE THIS BILL AND OPPOSE THE DECISION TO CUT MEDICAID WHEN YOU ARE CUTTING THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THAT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE OUT OF THE PROGRAM IT GOES WELL BEYOND WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE YOU ARE GOING TO START CUTTING PEOPLE WHO NEED THOSE SERVICES IS WHAT CRITICS SAY.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT KENTUCKY AS A WHOLE IS A MEDICAID RELIANT STATE BUT ESPECIALLY ROGERS DISTRICT THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST RELIANT DISTRICTS IN THE NATION AND YOU THINK ABOUT THE RURAL HOSPITALS IT WOULD AFFECT A LOT OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THAT DISTRICT.

AND THE DOWNSTREAM EFFECTS OF HOSPITALS CLOSING.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ACCESS TO CARE.

THERE ARE ALSO MASSIVE EMPLOYERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

SO IF JOBS GO AWAY THEN THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE ECONOMIC ISSUES THAT ARE ALREADY AFFECTING A LOT OF COMMUNITIES IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

>> I BELIEVE FEDERAL DOLLARS MAKEUP 75% OF KENTUCKY MEDICAID BUDGET.

IF WE LOSE INDIVIDUALS FROM THE ROLLS, DEFINITELY THAT WILL IMPACT OUR HOSPITALS.

>> Bill: CONGRESSMAN BARR AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT HIS CAMPAIGN IN A LITTLE BIT, BUT I INTERVIEWED HIM, HE INDICATED VERY MUCH IT IS ON HIS RADAR THIS CONCERN ABOUT RURAL HOSPITALS AND HE MIGHT SEE SOME WAY TO MAYBE EVEN IF THIS BUDGET PASSES THEY GO BACK AND DO SOMETHING TO TRY TO ADDRESS THIS IT IS A MAJOR ISSUE.

KENTUCKY HAS A NEW HEALTH COMMISSIONER Dr. JOHN LANGEFELD, WILL BE FILLING THE POST HE SPENT DECADES IN PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP.

JOHN LANGEFELD IS A KENTUCKY NATIVE A BEREA COLLEGE GRADUATE AND GOT HIS MEDICAL DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE MEDICAL SCHOOL.

MELISSA, HE BRINGS EXPERIENCE.

WE SAW WITH Dr. STACK'S TENURE WHEN HE WAS FACING THE COVID PANDEMIC AFTER JUST WEEKS ON THE JOB, THAT YOU NEVER KNOW WITH A JOB LIKE THAT?

>> NO.

AND Dr. JOHN LANGEFELD IS COMING INTO THIS POSITION AS A MEASLES OUTBREAKS ARE HAPPENING ALL OVER THE NATION.

AND KENTUCKY HAS LOW VACCINATION RATES.

WE ALSO HAVE LOW WHOOPING COUGH RATES AND WE ARE ALL -- WE HAVE ALREADY SHOWN INCREASES IN THOSE CASES.

>> Bill: VACCINATION RATES ON WHOOPING COUGH.

>> AND INCREASES IN CASES OF IT.

ON TOP OF THAT, WE'VE GOT THESE CHANGES COMING FROM AROUND MEDICAID.

AND SOME OF THOSE INVOLVE PEOPLE WILL LIKELY INVOLVE PEOPLE LOSING THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE.

ALL OF A SUDDEN WE ARE IN A LANDSCAPE THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN FOR SOME YEARS WHERE PEOPLE ARE UTILIZING THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S MORE MAYBE GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOMS MORE.

HE WILL HAVE TO MANAGE THAT.

THERE'S NO TELLING WHAT IS IN STORE FOR HIM IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

>> Bill: HE WILL BE A GUIDING PUBLIC HEALTH.

WE KNOW WE HAVE HIGH RATES OF DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE AND CANCER, LOW VACCINATION RATES AS YOU SAID FOR KIDS.

THERE IS A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN THE NATIONAL RANKING OF KENTUCKY MOVING TO 37TH PLACE IN MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS AND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT IN THE STATE.

>> WELL, AND YOU KNOW FULL CIRCLE MUCH OF THAT SUCCESS HAS COME FROM THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID.

AND SO ONCE AGAIN, WE'VE HAD THOSE SUCCESSES BUT WHAT DOES THE NEXT -- WHAT WILL THE NEXT FIVE YEARS HOLD IF WE LOSE FUNDING FOR THAT.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY'S EXTENSION FOR AUTOMATIC MEDICAID ENROLLMENT FOR KIDS WILL END THIS MONTH.

ELIGIBILITY CHECKS WERE PAUSED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> RIGHT.

SO PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN PARTICIPANTS OF MEDICAID OR WHAT WE CALL K CHIP HAVEN'T HAD TO REENROLL FOR FIVE YEARS THEY HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF THAT HABIT.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY KEEP AN EYE ON THE MAILBOXES OR INBOXES FOR THE NOTICES FOR WHEN IT'S THEIR TIME TO REGISTER.

BECAUSE THEY WILL BE DISENROLLED OVER WISE.

>> Bill: FOLKS LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT HORSERACE POLITICS AND ANDY BARR IS RUNNING FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION TO FILL THE SEAT THAT LONG TIME SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL WILL RETIRE FROM NEXT YEAR.

I DID A INTERVIEW WITH HIM THIS WEEK AND HE TOLD ME HE COULDN'T THINK OF AN ISSUE WHERE HE DISAGREES WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP ON.

HE MADE IT CLEAR THAT HE HOPES FOR THE PRESIDENT'S ENDORSEMENT IN THE PRIMARY WHERE HE FACES FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON.

>> DO YOU PREDICT HE WILL SUPPORT YOU IN THIS PRIMARY?

>> HE HAS ENDORSED ME IN MY RACES IN THE PAST AND I'VE ENDORSED HIM.

WE HAVE A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM PERSONALLY.

I'VE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS OPEN SENATE SEAT WITH HIM.

AND HE KNOWS THAT I'M NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT SUPPORTING HIM BUT I'M FIGHTING FOR HIM.

I'M FIGHTING FOR HIM ON THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL AND EXTENDING MAKING PERMANENT TAX CUTS.

I VOTED FOR THE TAX CUTS IN 2017.

>> Bill: TESSA, BARR IS HITCHED TO THE TRUMP TRAIN OBVIOUSLY HE POINTS OUT THAT THE PRESIDENT CAMPAIGNED FOR HIM IN 2018 AND HE HAS ALWAYS ENDORSED TRUMP.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

HE IS WORKING HARD FOR THIS ENDORSEMENT.

WE SAW IT WITH HIS CAMPAIGN VIDEO WHEN HE LUNCHED.

AND IT WAS ALL ABOUT WHEN I GET TO THE SENATE I'M GOING TO SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S AGENDA.

AND THAT HAS BEEN A TALKING POINT OF THE SPEECH AT THAT TIME HE LAUNCHED AND WE SEE IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND RECENT COMMENTS WE WILL GET INTO ABOUT IRAN AND ISRAEL.

HE IS REALLY COURTING THE PRESIDENT'S ENDORSEMENT IN THIS RACE.

BUT, OF COURSE, WHAT IS COMPLICATED, WITH HIS CHANCES OF GET TO GO IS THAT FORMER KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON IS ALSO RUNNING AND HE HAS ALSO PREVIOUSLY BEEN ENDORSED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

HE WAS ENDORSED IN THE 2023 GOVERNOR'S RACE, OF COURSE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WENT ON TO LOSE TO GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.

AND SO THERE'S QUESTIONS OF DOES TRUMP BACK AWAY FROM THAT?

BECAUSE DANIEL CAMERON LOST AND THAT WAS EMBARRASSING FOR HIM.

OR DOES HE DOUBLE DOWN HE IS A WINNER, I'M GOING TO STICK WITH HIM BECAUSE I BACKED HIM BEFORE.

OR YOU KNOW, DOES HE ENDORSE BARR BECAUSE BARR IS COMING INTO THIS WITH QUITE A WAR CHEST AND THE QUESTION MARK IS WHAT DOES NATURE CONSERVANCY DO AND HOW DOES THAT SHAKE UP THE RACE GIVEN TIES TO JD VANS AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT TRUMP SAYS THEY ARE ALL GREAT YOU CANNOT GO WRONG.

>> DONE IT BEFORE.

>> HE'S DONE IT BEFORE.

>> IT'S INTERESTING YOU MENTIONED NATE MORRIS AND SCOTT JENNINGS IS A NAME THAT IS WHAT IS THE WORD EDUCATED SPECULATION.

>> Bill: IS HE STILL OUT THERE IN THE OFFING?

>> HE TOOK A TRIP TO THE MIDDLE EAST IN THE MIDST OF ALL THIS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP REPRESENTS GUTS AND PEOPLE THAT CAN HANDLE THEMSELVES.

SCOTT JENNINGS ON THE NETWORK LEVEL DOES THAT.

SCOTT HAS BEEN SOMEBODY THAT HAS BEEN WITH THE PRESIDENT I BELIEVE IN MICHIGAN A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AND THE PRESIDENT WELCOMED AND SAID SCOTT YOU'VE BEEN A GUY WHO HAS BEEN WITH ME.

HE HAS A BOOK COMING OUT IN THE WINTER THAT HAS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FACE BIG FRONT AND CENTER.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING ACTUALLY I INTERVIEWED SCOTT JENNINGS AND THIS WAS HAVING MORE TO DO WITH THE SENATE RACE BEFORE SENATOR McCONNELL ANNOUNCED THAT HE WOULDN'T BE SEEKING REELECTION ON FEBRUARY 14TH.

AND I ASKED HIM OUT OF CURIOSITY WOULD YOU RUN AND HE SAID ME?

AND VERY SORT OF HUMBLE AND HE SAID NOT PLANNING TO.

HE DID GO ON TO SAY AS HE WAS THINKING IT OUT LOUD HE CALLED TO DO AN INTRIGUING IDEA ANDIZATION HE CANNOT RULE OUT THINGS LIKE THESE.

THAT WAS BEFORE THE SENATOR ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT.

>> Bill: IF IT'S THESE TWO WHO ARE IN CAMERON RELEASED POLLING INDICATING HE HAS A LEAD AND BARR CLAIMS HIS POLLING SHOWS THAT WHERE HE IS KNOWN HE LEADS.

BUT HE DOES CONCEDE THAT CAMERON HAS A SUBSTANTIAL NAME ID ADVANTAGE.

>> DANIEL CAMERON HAS BEEN ON A STATE-WIDE BALLOT BEFORE MULTIPLE TIMES AND REPRESENTATIVE BARR HAS NOT.

HE HAS BEEN IN THE ONE DISTRICT.

YES HE HAS NAME ID WHERE PEOPLE VOTED FOR HIM BUT THEY HAVE NOT VOTED FOR HIM IN FAR WEST OR EAST KENTUCKY.

HE WOULD HAVE TO DO SOME NAME BUILDING.

BUT THAT'S WHERE THE WAR CHEST COMES IN HANDY.

SO PLUS IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THIS PRIMARY IS NEARLY A YEAR 11 MONTHS AWAY.

SO WHILE WE'RE THINKING ABOUT IT A LOT I, A LOT OF THE PEOPLE CASTING VOTES COME NEXT MAY ARE NOT EVEN REMOTELY PAYING ATTENTION YET.

>> ON DANIEL CAMERON QUICK, I DON'T THINK REPUBLICANS ARE DOWN-PLAYING THAT LOSS TO GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.

I TALKEDDED WITH STATE SENATOR WHEELER HE WAS AT CONGRESSMAN BARR'S LAUNCH PARTY FOR SENATE.

AND HE SAID IT PRETTY MUCH WITHOUT REALLY MINCING WORDS THAT LOSS IS ON THE MINDS OF PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO NOT JUST ENDORSEMENTS BUT THE CHANCE HE HAS IN A PRIMARY.

>> Bill: THE RACE FOR BARR'S SEAT IS UNDERWAY.

CHERLYNN STEVENSON AND DAVID KLOIBER ARE IN AND RYAN DOTSON IS IN.

WE REASON HEARING OTHER NAMES.

AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE AND REPRESENTATIVE DEANNA FRASER GORTON.

THOSE ARE TWO OF THE NAMES THAT KEEP POPPING UP IN THE DISCUSSION.

>> AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE HAS BEEN SOMEONE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FROM THE COMBINING AND SHE IS NOT DENYING ANYTHING.

I TEXTED HER TODAY AND I SAID WAS CURIOUS WHETHER YOU ARE PLANNING TO ANNOUNCE A RUN FOR THE SIXTH DISTRICT AND SHE SAID THE NEW QUARTER WAS JULY FIRST AND I SAID HINT, HINT.

NOT SOON AND LOTS OF GOOD CONVERSATIONS JUST GETTING MY KIDS IN LINE.

WE'LL SEE IN THE NEXT QUARTER IF WE SEE ANYTHING HAPPEN.

>> Bill: THAT COULD BE AN INTERESTING PRIMARY SITUATION.

>> I THINK THE DEMOCRAT AND THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES COULD BE INTERESTING WHO KNOW WHO ELSE THROWS THEIR HAT IN THE RING.

>> CHERLYNN STEVENSON GOT AN ENDORSEMENT FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN INTERESTING SHE WEIGHED IN SO EARLY.

>> IT IS.

ESPECIALLY SINCE THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT DONE SO YET BUT IT SIGNALS THAT SHE IS NOT INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR THE SEAT.

SOME PEOPLE WONDERED IF SHE MIGHT BE AND IF SHE IS ENDORSING SOMEONE ELSE SHE HAS RULED HERSELF OUT.

>> HEALTH ISSUES COME INTO PLAY IN THE CAMPAIGNS AHEAD FOR THE NATIONAL AND MAYBE STATE OFFICES NEXT YEAR?

>> WELL, WE WILL KNOW HOW THIS BUDGET RESOLUTION HAS RESOLVED WELL BEFORE THAT.

AND IF THE FALLOUT FROM THAT IS WHAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT SAY THAT IT WILL BE, THEN, YEAH, THERE HAS TO BE REPERCUSSIONS.

>> Bill: WE WILL BE WATCHING.

YOU DID REPORTING THIS WEEK THAT BOTH MORGAN MCGARVEY OF LOUISVILLE HERE AT HOME AND THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CHAIR SAY THAT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SHOULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

>> KEN MARTIN WAS IN OWENSBORO A WEEK AGO TODAY OR WEEK AGO AROUND THIS TIME AND I ASKED HIM I SAID, DO YOU THINK HE SHOULD RUN?

DOES HE HAVE THE CREDENTIALS TO RUN?

KEN MARTIN SAYS IF HE WANTS TO HE SHOULD AND SAID THAT MULTIPLE TIMES AND HE WAS WEARING A PIN HERE THAT SAID BESHEAR AND IT WAS A MAP OF THE UNITED STATES AROUND.

HE SAID NOT TO READ TOO MUCH INTO IT.

AND MORGAN MCGARVEY COUNTERED IT AND SAYS HE BELIEVES THE GOVERNOR SHUN THE GOVERNOR OF AMERICA.

>> Bill: A LOT OF BESHEAR'S MESSAGES SEEM TO BE AIMED BEYOND THE BORDER AT TIMES?

>> RIGHT.

HE HASN'T SAID THAT HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE PRESIDENT.

AND HE IS POPPING UP AT SPEAKING EVENTS AS HE HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND CONTINUING TO BUILD MORE OF A NATIONAL PROFILE.

BUT 2028 IS A LONGTIME AWAY.

>> Bill: WITH THE ISSUES AROUND THE WORLD, TWO KENTUCKIANS IN CONGRESS EXPRESS HOPES THAT THE U.S. STAY OUT OF THE CONFLICT BETWEEN IRAN AND ISRAEL.

TESSA DUVALL RAND PAUL IS HOPEFUL THE U.S. STAYS OUT OF INVOLVEMENT.

AND THOMAS MASSIE OFFERED A RESOLUTION TO SAY NO INVOLVEMENT WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL AND CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR SAYS HE OPPOSES THAT APPROACH.

>> YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT REPRESENTATIVE BARR IS SEEKING THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT AND SAID PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOULD HAVE THE LEEWAY TO DO WHAT HE SEES FIT WHEREAS THOMAS MASSIE AND PAUL ARE CONSISTENT IN THE OPPOSITION INTO FOREIGN INTERVENTION AND BELIEF THAT THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE FOLLOWED IN THIS INSTANCE AND THAT WOULD REQUIRE CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL TO GO TO WAR.

>> Bill: YOU SPOKE WITH MILITARY FAMILIES AT FORT KNOX WHO SAID THEY ARE ON HIGH ALERT AS THE CONFLICT ESCALATES.

>> AND THEY HAVE DONE TANGIBLE THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

WE CAN'T PROVE IT'S FOR ANY ONE REASON OR OTHER.

THEY HAVE HEIGHTENED THE SECURITY ON THE BASE.

AND PUT THEIR TRAVELER PROGRAM ON HOLD EXTENDING THOSE WAIT TIMES.

BUT IT IS A REALITY.

I TALKED TO FOLKS WHO USED TO WOKE AT FORT KNOX IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE ROLE AND YOU NOTICE TENSIONS RISE WHEN THINGS LIKE THIS ARE HAPPENING WORLDWIDE YOU NOTICE TRAININGS START TO RAMP UP.

I WILL NOTE TODAY WE HAVE NO PROOF AS TO WHY THIS WAS, BUT SENATOR McCONNELL WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AT FORT KNOX FOR A GROUNDBREAKING ON A NEW CHILDCARE CENTER THAT THEY ARE CONSTRUCTING AND HE WAS NOT THERE.

AND HIS STATE DIRECTOR CAME UP AND TOLD THE CROWD THAT THE DELAY WAS DUE TO THE REASON HE COULDN'T BE THERE WAS BECAUSE OF WORK IN WASHINGTON.

>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP NOMINATED CHAD MEREDITH TO SERVE AS THE FEDERAL JUDGE FOR EASTERN KENTUCKY.

HE WAS SOLICITOR GENERAL DURING THE MATT BEVIN ADMINISTRATION N2022 PRESIDENT BIDEN CONSIDERED NOMINATING MEREDITH.

>> AND IT GOT A LOT OF CONTROVERSY FROM THE LEFT BECAUSE OF MEREDITH'S STANCES ON ABORTION SPECIFICALLY.

IT WAS INTERESTING SENATOR RAND PAUL WAS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE FOLKS WHO BASICALLY, BLEW THIS UP.

HE WAS A BIG REASON WHY THE NOMINATION DID NOT GO THROUGH.

HE NOW SAID HE WOULD SUPPORT IT.

AND I ASKED THE TEAM WHAT HAS CHANGED?

AND THEY TOLD ME HE GLADLY RECOMMENDED CHAD MEREDITH AND APPRECIATES PRESIDENT TRUMP NOMINATING HIM AND LOOKS FORWARD TO VOTING FOR HIM IN THE SENATE.

NO EXPLANATION.

>> Bill: TALK OF A SPECIAL SESSION CONTINUES WE ARE NOT HEARING DATES?

>> IF YOU HEAR DATES LET ME KNOW.

>> Bill: QUICKLY, TAKE A LOOK AT AN IMAGE RELEASED BY THE GOVERNORS OF OHIO AND KENTUCKY OF THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE COMPANION PROJECT THE VIDEO THAT INDICATES WHAT WILL HAPPEN THERE AND THAT MORE THAN $3 BILLION PROJECT.

IT'S EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR.

EXPECTED TO TAKE SEVEN YEARS TO FINISH BUT IT IS A MAJOR PROJECT THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" THANKS FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.