>> Bill: THE U.S. SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN ROE VERSUS WADE ALLOWING STATES TO YACHT OUTLAW ABORTION.

ITS IMPACT IN KENTUCKY IS MARYLAND.

WILL WOMEN SEEK GO ABORTIONS IN KENTUCKY NOW TRAVEL OUT OF STATE?

WILL ILLEGAL PROCEDURES TAKE PLACE?

SENATOR McCONNELL'S INFLUENCE HELPED SHAPE THE COURT THAT HAND DOWN TODAY'S DECISION.

SCHOOL SAFETY LEADERS INDICATE THEY WILL NOT BE READY TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT FOR ARMED OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS BY AUGUST.

"COMMENT" IS NEXT ON TET.

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 AR: ALEX A QUESTIONS TO OF THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

DEBORAH YETTER FROM THE LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL.

AND CHRIS OTTS OF WDRB IN Louis ALSO TONIGHT ONE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE ARE FOR GOVERNOR ROUNDS UP MORE THAN 100 ENDORSEMENTS, AND THE OWNERS THAT OF CANDLE FACTORY DESTROYED BY THE MAYFIELD TORNADO REVERSE COURSE AND MR. LEVERIDGE NOW REBUILD.

SO THERE'S A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT.

WE BEGIN WITH TODD LANDMARK SUPREME COURT DECISION OVERTURNING THE ROE VERSUS WADE DECISION.

DEBBIE, FAIR TO SAY THERE ARE CHEERS AND JEERS GOING UP ON THIS DECISION THAT IS EMOTIONAL AND DIVISIVE AND VERY IMPORTANT IN OUR SOCIETY?

>> Deborah: WELL, ABSOLUTELY.

I BROUGHT THE OPINION WITH ME AND ALL 200 SOME PAGES OF IT WHICH INCLUDE THE OPINION, CON CONSENSUS AND A DISSENT BY THE THREE LIBERAL JUSTICES ON THE COURT WHO WERE NOT IN FAVOR UNDER THE 6-3 DECISION.

BUT THE IMPACT THAT IT EFFECTIVELY ENDS ACCESS TO ABORTION IN KENTUCKY IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE ECONOMY IS ONE OF 13 STATES WITH A TRIGGER LAW, AND SOME STATES IT'S NOT IMMEDIATE BUT KET KENTUCKY'S IS SHOULD ROE V. WADE BE STRUCK DOWN, IT ENDS ABORTION AS THE LAW SAYS, IMMEDIATELY, AND SO KENTUCKY'S ONLY TWO ABORTION PROVIDERS EVER PROVIDERS THAT IS HAVE SUSPENDED SERVICES ONE IS EMW IN LOUISVILLE AND THE OTHER IS PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

>> Bill: LET'S POINT OUT THIS TRIGGER LAW WAS PASSED IN 2019 AND SIGNED WANT BY FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN INTO LAW.

>> Deborah: IT SEEMED SPECULATIVE AT THE TIME.

I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE THOUGHT THIS DAY WOULD ACTUALLY EVER GET HERE BUT THE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE SUPER MAJORITIES IN BOTH CHAMBER WANTED TO BE READY SO THEY DID PASS THE LAW, AND AS A RESULT KENTUCKY'S ONE OF THE FIRST STATES TO SHUT DOWN BASICALLY ALL ABORTION SERVICES.

THE ONLY EXCEPTION IN THE TRIGGER LAW IS TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER OR PREVENT MAJOR DISABILITY.

OTHERWISE, IT'S -- ARE THERE NO EXEMPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST OR ANY OF THE THINGS YOU MIGHT TYPICALLY SEE IN ABORTION LAWS OF PAST.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY PROVIDERS HAVE DECIDED TO CLOSE THE DOORS.

>> RIGHT.

BECAUSE THEY FACE A FELONY CHARGE IF THEY DON'T.

I WANTED TO READ FROM THE LAW BECAUSE I THINK IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE KENTUCKY'S LAW UNLIKE OTHER LAWS IN THE COUNTRY, IT CRIMINALIZES PHYSICIANS TO PERFORM ABORTIONS BUT IT DOES NOT CRIMINALIZE WOMEN FROM GETTING AN ABORTION.

EVEN IF YOU GET AN ABORTION LEGALLY IN KENTUCKY, A WOMAN WOULD NOT BE PUNISHED BUT THE PHYSICIAN WHO PROVIDED IT WOULD BE.

SO BASICALLY IT BARS SURGICAL/MEDICAL ABORTIONS, AND AS DEB SAID, THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST OR FOR TEENS WHO ARE REGULATE WHO WANT AN ABORTION WHO PREVIOUSLY COULD GET ONE WITH THEIR PARENTS' PERMISSION OR THROUGH A PROCESS CALLED JUDICIAL BYPASS WHERE YOU GET A JUDGE'S PERMISSION IN LIEU PARENTS.

REALLY BECAUSE THE END OF ABORTION WAS SO ABRUPT TODAY, THE OPTION FOR PEOPLE, UNLESS WANTS DEB SAID, YOU FACE DEATH OR I THINK THE WORDING OF THE LAW IS INJURY, SEVERE INJURY TO A BOD RI ORGAN, YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL TO ANOTHER STATE.

RIGHT NOW THE BIGGEST STATE THAT'S RELIABLE IS ILLINOIS.

THAT DOESN'T HAVE STATE LAWS THAT THREATEN THEIR ABORTION ACCESS.

>> Deborah: INDIANA AND TENNESSEE HAVE NOT YET ENDED ABORTION ACCESS BUT INDIANA HAS A SPECIAL SESSION PLANNED TO TRY TO DO THAT AND TENNESSEE IS I THINK MOVING FORWARD ON THAT AS WELL, AND MISSOURI ENDED ABORTION SERVICES TODAY WITH THEIR TRIGGER LAW.

SO, YEAH, THERE AREN'T MANY OPTIONS IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA OUTSIDE OF KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: TALL THIS HAS BEEN DEBATED FOR YEARS, AS YOU SAID, IN THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE THOSE LAWS WERE FINALLY PASSED, AND THERE WERE OTHER RESTRICTIONS PASSED THIS YEAR WITH THE LEGISLATURE NOT KNOWING THAT THIS RULING WOULD COME.

>> Deborah: WALKERS THERE WAS HOUSE BILL 3, WHICH IS THE SO-CALLED OMNIBUS BILL THAT JUST IMPOSE AID HUGE ARRAY OF NEW RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION INCLUDING ESPECIALLY MEDICATION ABORTIONS BECAUSE THOSE ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY USED TO TERMINATE PREGNANCIES UP TO TEN WEEKS, IN WHICH YOU TAKE A SERIES PILLS TO END THE PREGNANCY.

THE KENTUCKY HOUSE BILL 3 JUST PILED A BUNCH NEW REGULATIONS ON THAT.

BUT AGAIN, IF ABORTION IS ILLEGAL IN KENTUCKY, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO DO THAT, ALTHOUGH IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO POLICE.

YOU CAN GET THOSE PILLS BY MAIL OR PATIENTS CAN GO OUT OF STATE IN A STATE THAT ALLOWS IT AND GET THEM THERE.

>> Alex: IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING IN KENTUCKY.

I WAS LOOKING BACK AND, DEB, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE COUNTED THE LAWS BEFORE, BUT BASICALLY SINCE 2016 KENTUCKY HAS INCREASINGLY, INCREASINGLY WHITTLED DOWN ACCESS.

>> Deborah: IT'S MORE THAN 12.

>> Alex: IT'S MORE THAN A DOZEN.

SO WHAT ROE HAS DONE IS PREVENT STATES FROM BARRING ABORTION COMPLETELY, AND SO STATES LIKE KENTUCKY CAN MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCESS THROUGH, YOU KNOW, PASSING LAWS THAT LIMIT IT AT 15 WEEKS EVEN THOUGH PREVIOUSLY THAT VIOLATED ROE WHY BASICALLY BUDGET PUTTING A LOT OF BUREAUCRAT RED TAPE HIGHLY REGULATING IT.

P WE WENT FROM HAVING DOUBLE, EVER DIGIT ABORTION CLINICAL IMAGES TO NOW HAVING TWO CLINICS BOTH IN LOUISVILLE WHICH MEANS BEFORE NOW EVEN IF YOU LIVED IN FAR EASTERN KENTUCKY IT WAS LARD TO GET AN ABORTION.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

ADVOCACY GROUPS AND CLINICS KNOW THAT THE STATE HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN HOSTILE TO ABORTION.

BUT THERE'S SOMETHING THAT HITS DIFFERENTLY WITH THE, LIKE FORMALIZATION OF IT HAPPENING TODAY AND KNOWING THAT EMW I THINK PARTICULARLY PROBABLY HAD PEOPLE WAITING IN ITS CLINIC TO GET ABORTIONS, AND THEY JUST HAD TO TURN THEM AWAY.

>> Deborah: THEY LIKELY HAD APPOINTMENTS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW BECAUSE THEY DO A LOT OF WORK ON SATURDAY.

>> JUST SORRY TO ADD.

ONE OF OUR REPORTERS ACTUALLY CONFIRMED THAT SOMEBODY THERE THAT THEY CANCELED ABOUT 20 APPOINTMENTS TODAY AFTER THIS DECISION CAME DOWN.

>> Alex: AND SO PROBABLY WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS TRYING TO COORDINATE CARE OUT OF STATE.

DEB AND I HAVE BOTH WRITTEN ABOUT ADVOCACY GROUPS IN KENTUCKY, THE KENTUCKY HEALTH JUSTICE NETWORK IN THE A FUND WHICH BASICALLY HELPS SUPPLEMENT COSTS FOR WOMEN WHO CANNOT IF A FOR ABORTIONS BECAUSE ANOTHER THING WE DON'T ALLOW IN KENTUCKY IS INSURANCE TO PAY FOR ABORTION AND THEY RANGE FROM 700 DOLLARS TO $1,000 AND YOU HAVE TO PAY OUT OF BIOTIC SO THERE ARE GROUPS THAT HELP WOMEN COVER WHATEVER THEY WANT COVER, AND NOW ON TOP OF THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HELP THEM GOVERNOR GAS MONEY, HOTEL STAY PROBABLY BECAUSE THE CLOSEST CLINIC IN ILLINOIS, FOR EXAMPLE, FROM LOUISVILLE IS A FOUR-HOUR DRIVE.

SO IT WAS ALREADY COST PROHIBITIVE AND IT ONLY BECOMES MORE SO WHICH IS A REAL WORLD IMPACT OF THE RULING.

>> Bill: THERE WAS SOME INDICATION TODAY THAT SEVERAL COMPANIES WILL PROVIDE EXPENSES FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES FOR ITS EMPLOYEES.

>> Deborah: COMPANIES ARE COMING FORWARD SAYING THEY WILL HELP THEIR EMPLOYEES PAY FOR OUT OF STATE ABORTIONS.

DISNEY, MACY'S, I THINK DICK'S, THE SPORTING GOODS STORE WERE AMONG A NUMBER OF CORPORATIONS THAT SAID THEY'RE GOING TO DO THAT.

SO THAT'S PROBABLY HELPFUL TO SOME PEOPLE BUT STILL A PROBLEM IS JUST LOGISTICAL.

TRAVELING TO ANOTHER STATE, GETTING AWAY FROM YOUR JOB, RA ARRANGING CHILD CARE, HAVING TO EXPLAIN WHY YOU'RE GOING OUT OF STATE.

THIS IS A PRIVATE MATTER FOR A LOT OF WOMEN.

THEY'RE NOT PARTICULARLY EAGER TO GO INTO IT ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE IN SORT OF UNFORTUNATE RELATIONSHIPS.

SO IT'S GOING TO -- THAT WILL HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE BUT IT'S STILL PROBLEMATIC.

>> Alex: EVER GO BESHEAR WHO VETOED HOUSE BILL 3, WHICH WAS ACTUALLY WRAPPED UP IN THE COURTS IS BLOCKED BY A FEDERAL JUDGE FROM TAKING EFFECT, CALLED THE TRIGGER BAN TODAY EXTREMIST BECAUSE IT DOES NO LEAVE ROOM FOR EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST.

ALREADY PROPHECIES HAVE STARTED IN LOUISVILLE AND ELECTRICS EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON AFTERNOON.

THEY'RE GOING ON RIGHT UP.

IN LOUISVILLE, THERE ARE SOME SITTING MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS TALKING ABOUT BASICALLY I THINK IT WAS MORGAN McGARVEY AND REPRESENTATIVE CA TERRA HERRON SAID BASICALLY IF -- MORNING SAID IF MY DAUGHTER OR A CHILD WAS RAPED RIGHT NOW BY A FAMILY MEMBER, SHE COULD NOT GET AN ABORTION IN KENTUCKY AND KET YURA SAID THE SAME THING ABOUT HERS.

IF HE IS WERE RAPED SHE TWO IN THE CAN ABLE TO GET AN ABORTION IN KENTUCKY BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ROOM FOR THAT.

IN A LOT OF WAYS REPUBLICANS, WE HEARD FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON RON, PRAISE THE BILL, BUT THE REAL WORLD IMPACT IS SIGNIFICANT REGARDLESS OF -- >> Deborah: ONE THING YOU SHOULD MENTION, AND I'VE HEARD THIS OVER AND OVER TO THESE GROUPS WHO ALEX AND I TALK TO THAT HELP WOMEN ARRANGE ABORTIONS, IS AFFLUENT WOMEN WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO GET AN ABORTION NEM JUST FLY OR DRIVE TO ANOTHER STATE.

THEY CAN GET TIME OFF WORK.

THEY HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT.

THIS HITS ESPECIALLY LOW-INCOME WOMEN AND DISPROPORTIONATELY ON WOMEN OF COLOR.

>> Bill: AS WE SAID, THE REACTION TODAY CERTAINLY WAS STRONG AND MIXED IN KENTUCKY.

LET'S LOOK AT SOME OF THAT THAT CAME DOWN TODAY.

THIS CAME FROM MORGAN McGARVEY, THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER, AND AS WELL THE MINORITY LEADER JONI JENKINS AS WELL AS THE SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN McGARVEY, GIANT STATEMENT FROM THEM SAYING, "THIS ABHORRENT RULING ERASES 50 YEARS OF THE COURT'S RULING RISKING WOMEN'S REDEDUCTIVE RIGHTS AND RIGHTS TO CONCEPTION BACK TO THE 1700S."

THERE WAS ALSO A STATEMENT TODAY THAT WAS MADE BY SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS WHO LEADS THE REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE SENATE.

HE SAID, "THE RULING TODAY IS A VICTORY FOR THE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT AND RESPECTS FOR STATES RIGHTS.

THE ISSUE OF ABORTION IS BEST SUIT FOR STATE LEGISLATURES TO ADDRESS."

AND ALEX MADE REFERENCE TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID EARLIER TODAY, AND HERE IS THE TWEET FROM GOVERNOR BESHEAR FROM EARLIER THAT SAID TODAY'S DECISION TRIGGERS AN EXTREMIST KENTUCKY LA JOLLA THAT CREATES A TOTAL BAN IN KENTUCKY THAT WILL ELIMINATE ALL OPTIONS FOR VICTIMS OF RAPE OR INCEST.

KENTUCKY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON RON IS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR NOW AND HE ALSO MADE A STATEMENT TODAY, AND I THINK WE WILL HEAR THAT NOW.

>> BUT OUR WORK IS NOT DONE.

WE NOW ENTER A NEW ERA AND A NEW ERA CALLS FOR A NEW COMMITMENT.

WE MUST CONTINUE TO ADVANCE AND ADVOCATE FOR LEGISLATION THAT STANDS UP FOR THE BABIES WHO CANNOT STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES.

WE MUST COMMIT TO DEFENDING AND IMPLEMENTING THOSE LAWS.

I FOR ONE WILL DO MY PART IN THIS ROLE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> Bill: CHRIS, YOU COVERED SOME OF CAMERON'S STATEMENTS TODAY.

>> Chris: WATCHED IT AND HELPED WRITE.

DURING THAT PRESS CONFERENCE THERE WAS AN ATTEMPT TO ASK ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON HIS VIEW, I BELIEVE, ON THE LACK OF A RAPE AND INCEST EXCEPTION IN THE LAW, AND HE ACTUALLY, INSTEAD OF RESPONDING TO THAT DIRECTLY, TURNED IT AROUND AND CRITICIZED THE GOVERNOR, THE STATEMENT THAT YOU JUST READ ABOUT CALLING IT EXTREMIST, SAYING THAT IN FACT MANY DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE, INCLUDING ROCKY ADKINS, WHO IS NOW A SENIOR ADVISER TO THE GOVERNOR, HAD VOTED FOR IT, AND SO BY IMPLICATION THE GOVERNOR IS SURROUNDING HIMSELF WITH EXTREMIST PEOPLE.

ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON ALSO JUST SAID WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT THIS WAS FOR THE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT, ONE THAT WAS REALLY A LONG TIME COMING, AND HE SAID THAT THEIR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED AND ALL THE WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE OVER THE YEARS HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION, AND SO THERE WAS A BIT OF JOY AND REFLECTION IN HIS REMARKS THAT HE GAVE TODAY.

>> Bill: SENATOR McCONNELL PRAISED THE RULING TODAY.

--, TO WHAT EXTENT WILL SENATOR McCONNELL SET THE TABLE FOR TODAY'S RULING?

>> Deborah: I THINK SENATOR McCONNELL CAN CLAIM A GREAT DEAL OF CREDIT FOR IN IN THAT HE HELPED SHEPHERD THROUGH THE NOMINATIONS OF THE THREE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES WHO ADDED TO THE CONSERVATIVE BENCH.

IT'S NOW ABOUT 6 TO 3.

AND HE ALSO DELAYED THE OR BASICALLY STALLED AND HELD UP THE NOMINATION BY OBAMA OF MERRICK GARLAND, A SO THAT LEFT HIM WITH POSITIONS TO FILL UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, AND HE HAS, AND NOW THERE'S A SOLID CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY THE ON COURT.

AND ONE OF THE SORT LITMUS TEST THINGS THAT THE PRESIDENT ALLUDED TO WHILE THE JUSTICES WOULD DEMUR ON THAT WAS THEY WANTED TO STRIKE DOWN ROE V. WADE.

>> Bill: A HEX, THE ACLU OF KENTUCKY INDICATED IT WILL SUE IN STATE COURT.

THERE IS ALSO A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS THAT IS ON THE BALLOT THAT COURTS WILL DECIDE TO AD RATIFY OR REJECT IN NOVEMBER THAT COULD ALSO PLAY INTO THIS WHOLE SNARY QUO.

>> Alex: RIGHT.

SO WHAT HAPPENS FROM HERE IS THE ACLU AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD HAVE BOTH SAID THAT THEY PLAN TO FILE A LAWSUIT.

BASICALLY SUING, CLAIMING THAT KENTUCKY'S CONSTITUTION DOES LEAVE ROOM FOR THE RIGHT FOR AN ABORTION.

CONSTITUTIONALLY SORT OF LIKE THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION USED TO UNDER THE 14th AMENDMENT BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT RIGHT TO PRIVACY.

AND SO THEY PLAN TO SUE, AND THEY WANT TO DO THAT AND GET IT RESOLVED BEFORE NOVEMBER WHERE THERE IS A STATEWIDE REFERENDUM FROM A 2021 BILL PASSED BY REPUBLICANS THAT SEEKS TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO -- I WROTE IT DOWN -- TO PROTECT HUMAN LIFE, NOTHING IN THIS CONSTITUTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO SECURE OR PROTECT A RIGHT TO AN ABORTION OR REQUIRE THE FUNDING OF AN ABORTION.

BASICALLY, SEAL THE DEAL ON ROE IS OVERTURNED RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE A TRIGGER LAW.

IF WE AMEND OUR STATE CONSTITUTION, THAT REALLY ETCHES IT IN STONE, THAT IT IS NO LONGER AN OPTION IN KENTUCKY.

>> Deborah: IT REALLY CLOSES OFF AN AVENUE FOR THAT SORT OF LEGAL CASE.

>> Bill: CHRIS, WERE THERE OTHER SIGNALS FROM THE COURT TODAY BEFORE WE MOVE ON THE A COUPLE OF OTHER TOPICS?

>> Chris: I THINK ONE BIG QUESTION TO WATCH MOVING FORWARD IS WHETHER THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF THIS DECISION HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS THAT HAVE LONG BEEN SETTLED, SUCH AS THE RIGHT TO HAVE A SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIP AND OTHERS.

AND SO THE MAJORITY IN THE OPINION SAID FIRMLY, THIS IS ABOUT ABORTION AND NO OTHER RIGHTS.

THEY WANTED TO SEEM TO FORECLOSE THAT.

HOWEVER, JUSTICE THOMAS, PERHAPS THE MOST CONSERVATIVE JUSTICE ON THE COURT, SAID EXPLICITLY THAT IT'S TIME FOR THE SUPREME COURT TO REVISIT SOME OF THOSE OTHER DECISIONS.

>> Deborah: IT ALSO INCLUDED CONTRACEPTIVES AND SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

>> Chris: YES.

I FORGOT, YES.

>> Bill: SO CERTAINLY THIS STARE WILL CONTINUE TO UNFOLD AND WE'LL WATCH AS IT DEVELOPS THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

DEB, LATE THIS AFTERNOON THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH CONFIRMED A MONKEYPOX CASE IN KENTUCKY.

>> Deborah: THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN OVER MONKEYPOX WHICH IS A RELATIVE NEW VIRUS SPREADING APPARENTLY AROUND THE WORLD AND NOW IN THE UNITED STATES, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCED THEY HAD IDENTIFIED FIRST CASE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

THE PERSON IS DOING WELL AND IN ISOLATION AND THEY'RE TRYING TO TRACK DOWN ANY CONTACTS THE INDIVIDUAL HAD BUT DIDN'T RELEASE MUCH.

>> Bill: COVID VACCINES NOW AVAILABLE FOR KIDS FIVE AND UNDER.

>> LAURA: >> Alex: IT'S HUGE.

IT'S SOMETHING PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A LONG TIME.

IT'S HERE JUST IN TIME FOR THE SUMMER.

THE STATE OF COVID IN KENTUCKY IS OUR POSITIVITY RATE IS STILL ABOVE 12%.

IT'S NOT GOING UP AS INCREMENTALLY AS IT WAS BUT IT'S STILL HIGH.

SO THIS IS THE LAST POPULATION THAT WE ARE AWAITING FOR TO HAVE ACCESS TO A VACCINE.

NOW THEY HAVE ACCESS ON IT.

>> Bill: THE YOUNGEST OF THE KIDS HAVE TO HAVE IT GIVEN BY A PHYSICIAN, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: YEAH, YOU CAN'T TO GO A PHARMACY UP THROUGH AGE THREE.

YOU HAVE TO GO TO A PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE OR CLINIC.

BUT AFTER AGE FOUR AND UP YOU CAN GO TO A PHARMACY APPARENTLY.

IT'S SOME KIND OF STATE REGULATION OR LAW.

I'M NOTE SURE WHAT -- >> Bill: SOME OF OUR CASE NUMBERS OR SOME OF OUR COUNTIES MOVING BACK INTO RED.

SOME ARE SHIFTING OUT OF IT AS WELL.

>> Alex: RIGHT.

I THINK IT'S JUST WITH THE SPREAD.

WE HAVE SEEN IT LIKE SEVERAL WEEKS OF RISING CASE NUMBERS, RISING POSITIVITY RATE.

BUT THERE I WAS WHILE WE WERE IN THE GREEN, NOW WE ARE NOT, AND PEOPLE ARE DOING THINGS.

SO IT'S SPREADING.

>> Bill: THERE I WAS CONFERENCE AT THE CENTER FOR SCHOOL SAFETY IN RICHMOND THIS WEEK AND IT WAS THE CONSENSUS THAT MANY KENTUCKY SCHOOLS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ARMED OFFICERS AT EACH SCHOOL BY THE AUGUST 1st DEADLINE.

DEB, THIS WAS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

NOW SCHOOLS ARE SCRAMBLING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO COMPLY.

SOME OF THEM ARE GOING TO BE SETTING UP THEIR OWN SCHOOL POLICE DEPARTMENT IT LOOKS LIKE.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

THAT CAME OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE ON SCHOOL SAFETY, AND THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE THEM SOME LEEWAY AND WORK WITH THEM BUT THERE'S STILL COME DISTRICTS STAY THEY SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE MAIN TO PUT AN ARMED OFFICER IN EVERY SCHOOL.

JEFFERSON COUNTY HAD WORKED OUT A PLAN WHERE THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE ROAMING OFFICERS AT VARIOUS SCHOOLS BUT THE LEGISLATURE NIXED THAT AND SAID IT HAD TON AN INDIVIDUAL AT EACH SCHOOL.

>> Bill: AND APPARENTLY THOSE SCHOOLS WHO SAY THEY HAVE TROUBLE CAN CONTACT THE STATE AND THEY WILL ASSIST THEM.

>> Deborah: AND WE WILL SEE IF NECESSITY GET ANY MONEY.

>> Bill: THE U.S. SENATE PASSED A LIMIT GUN CONTROL PASSAGE AND THEN IT WAS PASSED IN THE HOUSE TODAY IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT MAGS SHOOTINGS.

IT'S THE MOST SWEEPING LEGISLATION ON GUNS IN NEARLY 30 YEARS.

KENTUCKY SENATOR RAND PAUL VOTED AGAINST IT.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL SET THE STAGE TO PUT THE BILL TOGETHER AND VOTED FOR IT.

HE SAID IT WAS COMMON SENSE LEGISLATION THAT WILL NOT DEPRIVE ANYONE OF THEIR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

>> SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A VIOLENT CRIME OR ADJUDICATED AS MENTALLY ILL WILL NOT HAVE THEIR RIGHTS AFFECTED.

ONE IOTA.

>> Bill: McCONNELL AND SOME OTHER REPUBLICANS WERE WILLING TO RISK THEth WERE OF THE NRA AND OTHER CONSERVATIVE GROUPS TO GO IN FAVOR OF SOME GUN GUIDELINES.

>> Deborah: RIGHT, AND THIS WAS I THINK THE BUFFALO SHOOTING IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK, AT THE GROCERY GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION, BUT THEN WHEN IT WAS FOLLOWED BY THE ONE AT THE SCHOOL IN TEXAS, THAT REALLY I THINK RATCHETED UP THE PRESSURE TO DO SOMETHING.

PEOPLE WERE ALARMED THAT THESE ASSAULT RIFLES ARE NO EASILY AVAILABLE.

THE BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE MINIMAL AND THEY'RE OFTEN USED IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS.

SO THEY CAME UP WITH SOCOM MINIMAL RESTRICTIONS THAT EVERYONE COULD AGREE ON AND IT PASSED TODAY.

>> Bill: SENATOR RAND PAUL VOTED NO.

HE'S FACING CHARLES BOOKER THE DEMOCRAT AS HE RUNS FOR RE-ELECTION.

DOES PAUL'S OPPOSITIONS TO THIS BIPARTISAN BILL HELP OR HURT HIM IN ANY WAY?

>> Deborah: I DOUBT IT WILL HURT HIM IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: CHRIS, BY THE THE WAY, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK.

YOU WERE OFF GETTING SOME CONTINUING EDUCATION, RIGHT?

>> Chris: FELLOWSHIP AT COLUMBIA, YES.

IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> Bill: SECURITY AND VIOLENCE, AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT IN THE CONTEXT OF SCHOOLS, CERTAINLY COMPANIES DEAL WITH THIS RIGHT NOW.

LAST WEEKEND YOU HAD THE MAYOR OF LOUISVILLE PUNCHED IN THE FACE IN PUBLIC.

IT'S PART OF OUR LIVES RIGHT NOW.

>> Chris: YEAH, AND IF YOU WATCH THAT VIDEO, I MEAN, IT'S PRETTY STRIKING.

THE GENTLEMAN JUST MAKES A BEELINE FOR THE MAYOR AND PUNCHES HIM SOMEWHERE RIGHT AROUND UP HERE SORT OF AROUND THE NECK OR FACE AREA.

THE MAYOR, TO HIS CREDIT, SEEMED TO TAKE IT IN STRIDE, SAID HE WAS GLAD HE COULD STILL TAKE A PUNCH.

HE HAS TAKEN A LOT OF THEM TOWARDS THE END OF HIS TENURE IN LOUISVILLE.

BUT, YES, IT'S AN ISSUE FOR COMPANIES, SCHOOLS, EVERYWHERE.

>> Bill: A SUSPECT READY AND HAS PLED NOT GUILTY.

>> Chris: YES.

>> Bill: WE ALL KNOW THAT THE PRY HIGH PRICES OF GASOLINE ARE CAUSING PEOPLE TO SHIFT AROUND THEIR PLANS AND PURCHASES.

TALK IN WASHINGTON MAY BE PAUSING THE FEDERAL GAS TAX FOR A TIME.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS TEMPORARILY EASED THE INCREASE IN THE GAS TAXES IN KENTUCKY.

IS THAT ENOUGH TO REALLY GIVE ANYBODY RELIEF?

>> Chris: THOSE TWO CENTS REALLY GOING TO GO A LONG WAY.

NO, THAT WAS THE SCHEDULED INCREASE THAT WAS GOING FORWARD, AND I BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT IT WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, A LOT MORE DOABLE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FOREGO GAS TAXES SINCE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN RUN A BUDGET DEFICIT AND DOES SO ROUTINELY AUTOMATIC TIME, WHEREAS STATES HAVE TO BALANCE THEIR BUDGET, AND KENTUCKY DOES HAVE ROADS THAT NEED TO BE BUILT AND FIXED AND POTHOLES, ET CETERA, AND SO THAT GAS TAX REVENUE IS IMPORTANT.

THERE'S ANOTHER ISSUE IN LOUISVILLE WITH THIS FUEL CALLED RFG THAT WE HAVE FOR CLEANER BURNING AIR THAT MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPENSIVE.

E. ESTIMATES FROM 10 CENTS TO 25 CENTS OR SO.

AND THE GOVERNOR ACTUALLY ASKED THE EPA FOR A WAIVER ON THAT, AND APPARENTLY THE EPA HAS NOT PUT IN IT WRITING BUT APPARENTLY THEY'VE SAID NO.

IT SEEMS REALLY THE REASON FOR THE WAIVER IS JUST GAS PRICES ARE REALLY HIGH RIGHT NOW, AND SO THAT'S APPARENTLY NOT A GOOD ENOUGH REASON.

>> Bill: LAST WEEK WE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE POSSIBLE IMPACT OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT DANIEL CAMERON RON'S CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR.

THIS WEEK AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES RELEASED A LONG LIST OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ENDORSING HIM.

SO THE ENDORSEMENT BATTLE WE KNOW IS ON AHEAD OF FANCY FARM.

>> Deborah: IT'S COMING UP HERE IN AUGUST.

THE AG COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES IS ONE OF SEVER CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR AND IS NOT AS HIGH PROFILE POSSIBLY AS CAMERON.

DOESN'T HAVE THE FLASHY ENDORSEMENT OF TRUMP.

SO I GUESS MAYBE HE'S TRYING TO GO LOCAL AND SHOW THAT HE'S GOT A LOT OF STATE LAWMAKERS AND LOCAL OFFICIALS BEHIND HIM.

>> Bill: CHRIS, YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING INTO THE LONG DRAMA ABOUT A VACANT LOT OVER IN WEST LOUISVILLE THAT HAS FOR 20 YEARS THEY'VE TRIED TO WORK SOMETHING OUT.

>> Chris: YES.

IT'S BEEN THROUGH MANY FITS AND STARTS, AND ACTUALLY IT'S A GOOD REMINDER.

I WON'T BORE YOU WITH THE WHOLE STORY BUT THERE'S STILL THIS FIGHT AMONGST THE INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT WANT TO PROVIDE MEDICAID IN KENTUCKY CALLED MCOs ABOUT WHO ACTUALLY GETS A CONTRACT.

ONE THEM A NEW END TO THE MARKET McCONNELL IS SUPPOSED TO TAKE OVER THIS LONG VACANT SITE THAT WAS GOING TO BE THE HEADQUARTERS OF PASSPORT, AND THE STORY JUST LOOKED AT EVERYTHING IN THAT SITUATION HAS OVER 2020 YEARS, THE FAILURE TO DEVELOP THAT PROPERTY WHILE IT WAS PRIVATIZED AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Bill: THE CANDLE FACTORY IN MAY FIELD THAT WAS DESTROYED IN THE TORNADO, A TERRIBLE SCENE THERE, WILL BE REBUILT AND WILL ACTUALLY EXPAND.

>> Chris: YES.

THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED A $33 MILLION PROJECT, 500 JOBS.

IT'S A VERY BIG DEAL FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY AND GRAVES COUNTY.

AND UNFORTUNATELY THAT WAS THE SITE OF I BELIEVE EIGHT DEATHS RIGHT IN THE PATH OF THE TORNADO, AND THE OWNERS OF THE BUSINESS ARE STILL DEALING WITH LIABILITY ISSUES FROM THAT, BUT DEFINITELY VERY POSITIVE NEWS.

>> Bill: WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT TIMOTHY CA BONY IS OUT ON WHAT KEY ALLS THE BIG RED TOUR OF KENTUCKY AND IN AN INTERVIEW WITH ME THIS WEEK HE TOUTED THE UNIVERSITY AND THE MERITS OF A COLLEGE DEGREE AND UNDERSCORED THAT MANY YOUNG MEN ARE SKIPPING THE OPPORTUNITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

>> WE ARE ALMOST 60% FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES, AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT THAT DOES IN THE CLASSROOM, WHAT THAT DOES DO THE TO THE DINE NICKS ON A CAMPUS, WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE CULTURE A CAMPUS, IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO AS A STATE AND AS A NATION.

WE ARE LEAVING BEHIND A GENERATION OF YOUNG PLEN WHO FOR SOME REASON DON'T THINK THAT COLLEGE IS IN THEIR FUTURE, AND WE'VE GOT TO CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE.

>> Chris: CHRIS, THIS PHENOMENA IS REAL.

MORE YOUNG MEN ARE OPTING OUT OF COLLEGE.

>> Chris: IT IS.

LISTEN, DID DOING LONG-TERM PRICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION HAS BALLOONED, AND I THINK THWING THAT'S GOING ON, IT'S HARD TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND THIS, BUT EASY AVAILABILITY OF JOBS, LOTS OF JOBS THAT APPEAL TO MEN, MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION, WAREHOUSE WORK, COUPLE THAT WITH THE BIG PRICE OF A COLLEGE DEGREE, PERHAPS MORE AND MORE ARE SAYING IT'S NOT WORTH IT.

THEY'RE JUST GETTING STARTED WORKING COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL INSTEAD OF CHOOSING THE COLLEGE PATH.

>> Bill: THERE I WAS TRAGIC FIRE THAT DESTROYED BUILDS IN MISSIONARYBURG IN BOURBON COUNTY PFM WE HAVE VIDEO OF THAT AWFUL SCENE.

THERE ARE PLANS TO REBUILD, AND THE FOLKS IN THAT SMALL TOWN ARE DETERMINED CERTAINLY.

SOUTHERN GROCERY STORE GIANT PUBLIX ENTERING WE'LL HAVE STORES IN LOUISVILLE AND ELECTRICS TO BEGIN.

P ABOUT PUBLISHED IS FADES IN FLORIDA.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S MEDICAL TASK FORCE HELD ITS FIRST MEETING THIS WEEK THEY WILL SEEK INPUT IN FORUMS ACROSS THE STATE.

THE AND A GROUNDBREAKING THIS WEEK FOR THE I-69 CROSSING OF THE OHIO RIVER THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY CONNECT HENDERSON WITH EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.

CONSTRUCTION IS SUPPOSED TO BEGIN ON THAT IN 2027.

THAT'S "COMMENT" ON KENTUCKY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.