[♪♪] >> Bill: LOUISVILLE'S POLICE CHIEF RESIGNS AND THE INTERIM CHIEF ISSUES NEW SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICIES.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR BASKS INTO THE NATIONAL SPECULATION ABOUT HIS FUTURE.

ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSEL COLEMAN CHALLENGES THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AGAIN SAYING THE WHITE HOUSE IS TRYING TO RUN GASOLINE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD.

KENTUCKY GETS THE GREEN LIGHT TO SPEND OVER A BILLION DOLLARS TO EXPAND BROADBAND SERVICE.

ON THE LAST WEEKEND OF JUNE 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 ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ REPORTER FOR WHAS11 IN LOUISVILLE.

ALEX ACQUISTO REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER AND LIAM NIEMEYER REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN AND DOCTORS AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR CALL FOR THE REPEAL OF THE STATE'S ABORTION BAN ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DAUBACHS DECISION AND A REPORT SAYS KENTUCKY'S INCARCERATION RATE IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.

WE DO WANT TO BEGIN WITH THIS.

CONDOLENCES ARE POURING IN AFTER THE DEATH OF RHONDA MASSIE, WIFE OF THOMAS MASSIE.

NO DETAILS ABOUT THE CAUSE OF HER DEATH WERE PROVIDED BUT THE CONGRESSMAN CALLED HER THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE OF MORE THAN 35 YEARS.

THEY WERE HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS WHO WENT TO PROM TOGETHER.

SHE HELD A MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEGREE FROM M.I.T.

AND DEVOTED HER LIFE TO THEIR FAMILY.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY ISSUED A STATEMENT ASKING FOR PRAYERS FOR THE CONGRESSMAN AND FOR THE MASSIE FAMILY.

LIAM THIS HAS BEEN BIPARTISAN IN THE RESPONSES COMING IN.

>> THERE HAS BEEN BIPARTISAN CONDOLENCES OUTREACH.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR ISSUED A STATEMENT.

I'M REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU ARE WHETHER YOU ARE A CONGRESSMAN OR WHETHER YOU ARE JUST SOMEONE WHO IS NOT AN ELECTED OFFICIAL LOSING SOMEONE THAT CLOSE TO YOU IS A TRAGIC AND CHALLENGING SITUATION.

AND OBVIOUSLY IT WAS AT LEAST SOMETHING TO SEE BIPARTISAN OUTREACH AND SUPPORT FOR OUR REPRESENTATIVE MASSIE.

>> Bill: OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE FAMILY AS WELL.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN LOUISVILLE THIS WEEK WHERE THE LMPD CHIEF RESIGNED AFTER SUSPENDED AND THE INTERIM CHIEF UNDERLINED SEXUAL HARASS MENTD POLICIES.

>> CULTURE TRUMP'S POLICY ANY DAY.

WE CAN CHANGE ALL THE POLICIES THAT WE WANT, BUT WE HAVE TO REINFORCE THOSE THROUGH THE CULTURE OF THE DEPARTMENT.

WE ARE DEDICATED TO CREATING A CULTURE OF RESPECT.

WHERE EVERY INDIVIDUAL FEELS BOTH VALUED AND SAFE TO DO THEIR JOB.

>> Bill: ISAIAH, A LOT HAPPENED WITH LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE?

>> IT SEEMS CRAZY IT WAS JUST A FEW DAYS AGO IT SEEMS LONGER, JUST TUESDAY WE HEARD FROM THE NOW NAMED INTERIM CHIEF PAUL HUMPHREY WHO HAS A LOT ON HIS PLATE.

THE CHIEF THAT RESIGNED JACKIE, SHE WAS ONLY IN THAT PERMANENT SPOT FOR 11 MONTHS.

SHE SERVED AS THE INTERIM PRIOR TO THAT.

NOT A LONGTIME HERE.

AND SHE HAD A LOT OF INITIATIVES SHE BROUGHT FORWARD AFTER ALL THE LAWSUITS OVER THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS IT'S BEEN A MESS.

YOU COULD ARGUE THE LAWSUITS THE ALLEGATIONS AND THE MAYOR WAS LOOKING INTO HER POTENTIAL HANDLING OF SEXUAL ASSAULT CLAIM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

INVOLVING OFFICERS.

AND IT SEEMS ONE THING LED TO ANOTHER AND ULTIMATELY THERE IS A NEW MAN IN CHARGE WITH A LOT ON HIS PLATE.

>> Bill: HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS POLICE CHIEF PICK NOW FOR MAYOR CRAIG GREENBURG GOING FORWARD?

HE HAD TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THIS ISSUE?

>> HE RAN ON PUBLIC SAFETY.

HE REMAINS TODAY THAT THAT IS HIS NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR HIS ADMINISTRATION IS IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY IS IS YOUR MAIN PRIORITY AND YOUR POLICE CHIEF THAT WAS HAND SELECTED AND I WANT TO MENTION THAT SELECTION PROCESS WAS HIGHLY SCRUTINIZED AND CRITICIZED BY SOME HAPPENING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

NOW SHE'S GONE.

AS REPRESENTATIVES STATE REPRESENTATIVE 19 MISS PUT IT YOU CANNOT GET THIS WRONG THE PICK HAS TO BE RIGHT ESPECIALLY AS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CONTINUES TO NEGOTIATE ON THIS FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE.

SO YOU CAN ARGUE THAT A LOT RIDES ON THIS PICK.

PAUL HUMPHREY, AGAIN, HAS TO CHANGE CULTURE.

HE IS AN 18-YEAR VETERAN AND THERE ARE QUESTIONS WHETHER SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN THERE FOR SO MANY YEARS CAN CHANGE THE CULTURE.

AND VIOLENT CRIME IS STILL HIGH.

FOR THE MAYOR THIS IS IMAGE FOR A POTENTIAL SECOND TERM.

>> Bill: DO WE KNOW IF HE IS A CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB PERMANENTLY IS THIS.

>> THE WAY THE MAYOR SAID IT HE SAID THERE'S NO SEARCH GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

HE REASONS THAT TO BE BECAUSE PAUL HUMPHREY, HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MAIN ONES AT THE TABLE NEGOTIATING WITH THE DOJ SO HE FEELS LIKE GIVEN THE FACT THIS CONSENT DECREE COULD BE IN THE MONTHS TO COME THAT PAUL HUMPHREY IS THE BEST PERSON GIVEN HIS EXPERIENCE.

AT LEAST FOR THE SHORT-TERM.

BUT WE HAVE A FEELING THIS WILL BE THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

>> Bill: STABILITY NEEDED.

SPEAKING OF LOUISVILLE, THE SUPREME COURT HAS RULED IN FAVOR OF AN OREGON CITY'S BAN ON PUBLIC CAMPING.

DURING THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED HOUSE BILL 5 CREATING A CRIME OF UNLAWFUL CAMPING THAT SOME SAY TARGETS THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE, HOMELESS ADVOCATES WERE LOUDLY PROTESTED THIS.

HOW WILL THIS SUPREME COURT RULING POTENTIALLY PLAY OUT IN THE KENTUCKY LAW?

>> I WOULD IMAGINE IT NARROWS THAT ADVOCACY GROUPS THAT WANT TO CHALLENGE THIS LAW HAVE TO CHALLENGING THE LAW.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN I'M NOT NECESSARILY A LAWYER, OF COURSE, BUT THERE'S REPORTING IN THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER TODAY MENTIONING HOW SOME OF THE GROUPS AGAINST THE LAW WERE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE ARRESTED UNDER THE STATUTE TO THEN BECOME A PLAINTIFF IN A LAWSUIT.

OF COURSE, IT'S REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHEN THAT CHALLENGE WILL HAPPEN.

BUT DEFINITELY PROBABLY NARROWS IT.

>> IT'S INTERESTING TOO, THE BILL'S SPONSOR WHICH IS SET TO GO INTO LAW, BILL, IN THE NEXT MONTH SOONER JULY 15TH, HE CAME OUT WITH A STATEMENT AND SAYS THIS UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING SURE THAT HOUSELESS FOLKS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TREATMENT AND SHELTER.

SO THIS HAS BEEN THE REPUBLICAN'S STATEMENT ON THIS BILL.

THIS ALLOWS FOLKS TO REALLY SEEK OUT THE MEDICAL HELP THAT THEY NEED AND THAT LETTING THEM LIVE AND POTENTIALLY SLEEP AND CAMP OUT ON THE STREETS OVERNIGHT DOES NOTHING TO HELP THEM.

>> Bill: AND THIS, ALEX, IS QUITE A STATE-WIDE ISSUE IT GOES BEYOND LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON AND THE LARGER METRO AREAS BECAUSE NOW SMALLER CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ARE DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE AS WELL?

>> CERTAINLY IT'S THE MOST ACUTE IN YOUR METROPOLITAN AREAS AND CERTAINLY THOSE PLACES ARE MOST EQUIPPED TO RESPOND TO THOSE BIG POPULATIONS.

SURE IT IS A STATE-WIDE ISSUE.

THIS WAS ONE OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL BILLS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND WHEN HOUSE BILL 5 WAS BEING DELIBERATED WE WOULD HEAR FROM ADVOCATES WHO WORK WITH THIS POPULATION SAYING CRIMINALIZING THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER.

IT IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES INFRASTRUCTURAL DAMAGES -- INFRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES.

SO THE SUPREME COURT RULINGS TODAY AS LIAM SAID IT DOESN'T MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE BUT IT MAKES IT HARD TO CONSTITUTIONALLY CHALLENGE THIS WHICH I'M SURE THAT ADVOCATES ARE NOT PLEASED ABOUT.

>> Bill: SOMETHING WE'LL OBVIOUSLY CONTINUE TO WATCH AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS AND SEE WHAT IMPACT THAT SUPREME COURT RULING MAY HAVE HERE IN KENTUCKY.

MAYOR GREENBURG DID ANNOUNCE A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT IN LOUISVILLE BUT IT WOULD APPEAR HE WANTS TO KEEP THAT SEPARATE FROM THIS HOMELESSNESS ISSUE.

>> AS HE DOES ANYTIME THERE IS A BIG ECONOMIC DRIVER IN THE CITY.

WE HAD THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE KENTUCKY DERBY.

HE VERY MUCH LIKES TO KEEP THOSE TOPICS SEPARATE IF YOU WILL.

HE IS A BUSINESSMAN BY TRADE.

THIS BOARD WILL BE VERY INTERESTING HERE FOR THIS PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THIS ECONOMIC ALLIANCE.

HE SAID TODAY THAT HE BELIEVES THAT LOUISVILLE HASN'T HAD AN ADEQUATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN IN THE CITY FOR ABOUT A DECADE AND HE BELIEVES THIS PRIVATE PUBLIC MODEL IS A NATIONWIDE BEST PRACTICE.

HE SAYS HE'S SEEN IT WORK IN PLACES LIKE CINCINNATI AND HOPES IT WILL BE THE NEXT STEP TO PUT LOUISVILLE ON THE NATIONAL MAP HERE.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

ON THE POLITICAL SCENE AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF THAT, GOVERNOR BESHEAR GOT NATIONAL ATTENTION INCLUDING AN ARTICLE IN THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" IN LIGHT OF LAST NIGHT'S PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE, REPUBLICAN SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS TWEETED ABOUT A POTENTIAL BESHEAR PRESIDENCY.

ISAIAH SPOKE TO ADAMS TODAY AND HERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT HE SAID.

>> I OBVIOUSLY WAS JOKING ABOUT THE BESHEAR CANDIDACY.

BUT ONLY HALF JOKING BECAUSE I THINK IT'S TELLING HE IS ALREADY GOING TO IOWA NOW.

I THINK YOU DON'T SEE FIVE-YEAR CAMPAIGNS FOR PRESIDENT THEY TEND TO START LATER THAN THAT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

WHO IS A REPUBLICAN.

WE WILL MENTION.

>> HALF JOKING HE SAID.

HE POINTED THIS OUT IN A VERY BALANCED WAY.

NOT JUST COMING FROM A REPUBLICAN BUT FROM A POLITICAL PUNDIT.

HE ARGUED THAT HE SAID IT WAS SMART FOR HIM QUOTE SMART FOR HIM TO GET IN THE CONVERSATION NOW AND IT SEEMS THE GOVERNOR REALLY DOESN'T HAVE TO DO A LOT TO DO THAT.

WE'RE SEEING ON X FORMERLY KNOWN AS TWITTER IT WAS TESSA DUVALL'S TWEET SAYING LOOK UP KEYWORDS ANDY BESHEAR AND SEE WHAT COMES UP.

YOU ARE SEEING PEOPLE FROM MARYLAND AND GEORGIA TWEETING ABOUT THIS SHORT LIST OF POTENTIAL NEXT STARS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHO COULD MAYBE SAVE THEM GIVEN THE PRESIDENT'S PERFORMANCE LAST NIGHT.

AND BESHEAR HIS NAME WAS MENTIONED FROM PEOPLE NOT FROM KENTUCKY.

VERY INTERESTING.

>> Bill: IS THERE A WAY TO SLOWLY WADE INTO PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS?

OR DO EVENTS DICTATE WHAT HAPPENS?

>> WELL, I MEAN WITH THE DEBATE LAST NIGHT, THERE'S PLENTY OF CHATTER, PLENTY OF CHATTER.

I THINK JUST TODAY THE NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD CALLED FOR BIDEN TO STEP ASIDE AND PLENTY OF DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS THAT ARE WORRIED ABOUT BIDEN'S CHANCES THE WAY THAT HE CAN PRESENT HIMSELF NOT NECESSARILY DOUBTING THAT HE CAN GOVERN BUT IF HE CAN CAMPAIGN EFFECTIVELY.

AND BUT IT SEEMS THAT FOR THE TIME BEING, KEY STAKEHOLDERS SURROUNDING BIDEN INCLUDING FORMER PRESIDENTS BILL CLINTON AND BARACK OBAMA SEEM TO BE STICKING WITH HIM.

>> Bill: IS THERE A SCENARIO WHERE MAYBE IT WOULD NOT BE BESHEAR AT THE TOP OF A TICKET?

THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF POSSIBILITIES HERE OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS?

>> I'M THINKING ABOUT TWO POSSIBLE SCENARIOS.

REGARDLESS, I THINK GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS FOR SURE PLAYING A LONG GAME IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT HIS END ASPIRATION IS.

HE COULD BE VYING FOR MORE VISIBILITY AS A VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE.

HE ALSO COULD BE VYING FOR SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL'S SEAT IF HE DOESN'T RUN AGAIN.

REGARDLESS HE IS POPPING UP IN STATES HE WILL NOT SAY MAYBE HE HAS TOLD YOU ALL WHETHER HE IS GOING TO SPEAK AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION NEXT MONTH IN CHICAGO BUT HE IS ON THE LECTURE CIRCUIT AND IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.

HE IS TALKING A LOT ABOUT ABORTION.

AND HE IS TAKING HADLEY DUVAL WHO HE RAN IN THOSE CAMPAIGN COMMERCIALS THAT WENT VIRAL DURING THE REELECTION CAMPAIGN, THE YOUNG WOMAN RAPED AND I AM PREGNANTED BY HER STEPFATHER, THE IMPORTANCE OF RESTORING AT BARE MINIMUM RAPE AND INCEST EXCEPTIONS AND NONVIABLE PREGNANCIES AND SHE IS GETTING A LOT OF PLAYING TIME.

SHE APPEARED WITH JILL BIDEN AND VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS BOTH ARE SATURATING THE PUBLIC MARKET.

AND THIS IS THE ISSUE THAT HE IS PRIORITIZING WHEN HE IS IN FRONT OF THOSE PEOPLE.

>> Bill: INTERESTING.

>> INTERESTING YOU BRING UP HADLEY DUVAL SHE HAS A NEW FOREIGN NUMBER.

SAFE TO SAY SHE IS GETTING A LOT OF CALLS PROBABLY A LOT OF MESSAGES FROM FOLKS NATIONWIDE.

>> Bill: WE'LL TALK ABOUT RULING ON THE ABORTION HERE IN A LITTLE BIT THAT CAME DOWN THIS WEEK.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE RAND PAUL SAYS HE IS STOPPING SHORT OF ENDORSING FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR ANOTHER TERM FOR NOW.

HE IS FOR TRUMP BUT HE HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT DEFICIT SPENDING DURING TRUMP'S FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE AND CRITICAL OF STILL CHECKS SENT OUT FOLLOWING COVID.

>> WHILE I'M SUPPORTIVE OF DONALD TRUMP I HAVE NOT DECIDED TO GO OUT AND CAMPAIGN OR FORMALLY ENDORSE HIM I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEBT WE ADDED DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOCKDOWNS.

I DIDN'T LIKE CLOSING ALL THE BUSINESSES.

I DIDN'T LIKE PASSING FREE CHECKS OUT THAT WE HAD TO BORROW TO SEND PEOPLE CHECKS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE.

>> Bill: AND PAUL WANTS THE PRESIDENT TO PROMISE THAT HE WOULD HELP THE SENATOR GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHERE COVID CAME FROM.

ALEX, PAUL HAS CONTENDED THE VIRUS LEAKED FROM A LAB IN CHINA HE WANTS TRUMP TO HELP HIM GET INFORMATION ABOUT THAT.

>> RIGHT.

HE SAYS HE WANTS A GUARANTEE THAT TRUMP WILL SUPPORT HIS INVESTIGATION WHICH RECEIVED A SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING THIS MONTH.

THIS INVESTIGATION IS NOW BIPARTISAN.

I THINK SENATOR PAUL HAS GOTTEN THE SUPPORT FROM A DEMOCRAT FROM MICHIGAN.

HE HAS BEEN VOCAL THIS IS A CONSISTENT POINT FOR HIM HE HAS BEEN DISPLEASED WITH TRUMP IN THESE WAYS AND HE WANTS TO SEE HIM SUPPORT THIS INVESTIGATION AND GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE ORIGIN OF COVID AND HE IS BEING VOCAL ABOUT IT.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY'S REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSEL COLEMAN IS CHALLENGING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AGAIN THIS TIME ON RULES THAT WOULD REQUIRE INCREASED FUEL EFFICIENCIES FOR CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS.

THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS HALF OF ALL NEW VEHICLES TO BE EV'S BY 2030.

AND SO LIAM, COLEMAN NOTES LESS THAN 1% OF THE VEHICLES REGISTERED IN KENTUCKY ARE EV'S HE SAYS IT WOULD BE BEYOND BURDENSOME TO PUT THE EMISSION STANDARDS IN PLACE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

>> YEAH.

IT IS A STANDARD FROM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION THE AM CROW IN MY OPINION IS THE COFFEE STANDARD ONE OF A LITANY OF LAWSUITS FROM REPUBLICAN, MAINLY REPUBLICAN AG'S SUCH AS COLEMAN OR MORRISSY IN WEST VIRGINIA CHALLENGING EPA RULES AND STANDARDS.

COLEMAN AND MORRISSEY WORRY THAT SUCH STANDARDS FOR INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY OF PASSENGER CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS COULD BE UNSUSTAINABLE OVER THE COURSE OF A DECADE.

AND BE MORE OR LESS A DE FACTO FOR EV'S.

THE U.S. TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT SECRETARY HE WOULD CONTEND THERE IS NOT AN EV MANDATE AND THE U.S.

NEEDS TO MAKE SURE IT IS A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE EV SPACE IN PRODUCING EV'S AND ADOPTING EV'S WITH HOW CHINA HAS COME ON AND PUT TONS OF INVESTMENTS IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

>> Bill: AND KENTUCKY HAS A MAJOR STAKE IN PRODUCING EV'S GOING FORWARD.

THERE IS A MOVEMENT TOWARD MORE SOLAR AND HYDROPOWER IN KENTUCKY AND POTS OF MONEY AVAILABLE TO GIVE THAT A BOOST.

>> CORRECT.

THE MAJOR FUNDING BILLS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S FIRST TERM ONE BEING THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT THE MONEY IS STILL BEING ROLLED OUT.

AND THERE WAS ABOUT $375 MILLION DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

A GOOD AMOUNT WENT TO KENTUCKY.

$16 MILLION IS GOING IN A PARTIALLY FORGIVABLE LOAN IS GOING TOWARDS A NEW SMALL HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT ON THE KENTUCKY KIFER.

AND THEN THERE'S LOANS AND GRANTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

I TALKED WITH A FARMER IN HANCOCK COUNTY THAT IS USING A GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT ROOFTOP SOLAR ON HIS FARM FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

A JUDGE IN FRANKFORT UPHELD A LAW THAT BANS GREEN MACHINES IN THE STATE WHICH WAS PASSED IN 2023.

LIAM YOU COVERED THAT.

GIVE US QUICK BACKGROUND MACHINES THAT ARE KIND OF IN-BETWEEN AS FAR AS THE LAW IS CONCERNED.

>> CORRECT.

THEY ARE NOT ACTUALLY -- WELL, NOT NECESSARILY PHYSICALLY GRAY, GRAY IS REFERRING TO THE MURKY LEGAL AREA OF THE LAW THAT THEY WERE EXISTING.

>> Bill: OR THE CHANCE OR SKILL.

>> EXACTLY.

THEY ARE OFTEN THESE MACHINES ARE ARE SLOT MACHINES.

THEY ARE OFTEN APPEARING IN GAS STATIONS AND PROPONENTS OF SUCH MACHINES SAY THEY HELP SMALL BUSINESSES WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING ESPECIALLY COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST IT, SAY THAT IT IS A LEGAL GAMBLING THAT ANYONE COULD BE COME ACROSS THESE MACHINES AND GET HOOKED ON THEM NECESSARILY.

AND LAWMAKERS IN 2023 THEY PASSED A HOUSE BILL 594 TO BAN SUCH MACHINES.

IT WAS INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE.

I THINK IN A LITTLE OVER TWO MONTHS DURING THAT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, NEARLY 600,000 DOLLARS IN ADS WERE SPENT ON THAT.

IT DIVIDED THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

BUT THIS RULING BY FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE SHEPHERD IS PROBABLY THE FIRST IN MAYBE A FEW APPEALS CONSIDERING HOW MUCH MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT JUST ON THIS ISSUE.

>> Bill: SO WE'LL WATCH MONEY FOR APPEALS WOULD BE AVAILABLE YOU WOULD THINK.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOBBS DECISION SOME KENTUCKY DOCTORS CALLED FOR A REPEAL OF THE ABORTION BAN AS DID THE GOVERNOR.

ALEX SEVERAL RULINGS IMPACTED ABORTION.

>> ABORTION HAS BEEN A LEGAL NEARLY IN KENTUCKY FOR TWO YEARS SINCE ROE WAS OVERTURNED OUR EXCEPTIONS ARE IF THE LIFE OF THE PREGNANT PERSON IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER.

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS THAT HAVE SPOKEN PUBLICLY SINCE THE BAN BECAME LAW TALKED ABOUT THE HARMS IT CAUSES THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST AND NO EXCEPTIONS FOR NONVIABLE PREGNANCIES.

DOCTORS REUPPED THAT CONVERSATION ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF DOBBS.

A MOBILE MEDIA CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED TO CONVINCE LAWMAKERS TO PASS EXCEPTIONS.

LAWMAKERS HAVE HAD TWO CHANCES AND WE'VE HAD TWO SESSIONS SINCE THE BAN WENT INTO EFFECT AND THEY HAVE NOT PASSED THEM.

AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS GOING AROUND TO DIFFERENT STATES INCLUDING TENNESSEE LAST FRIDAY, TALKING ABOUT HOW HE SAID IT IS A TEST OF BASIC HUMAN DECENCY WHY THESE EXCEPTIONS NEED TO BE RESTORED.

HE IS TALKING WITH HADLEY DUVAL AS I MENTIONED.

IT'S SOMETHING THEY ARE TRYING TO REUP ATTENTION TO.

DOUBTFUL IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE WITH REPUBLICANS.

>> Bill: ARE THERE POLITICAL REALITIES THAT IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT GIVEN THE MAKEUP OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR THEM TO PASS THESE EXCEPTIONS OBVIOUSLY?

>> AND, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THE R OR THE D MAKES THE DIFFERENCE WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICAL PARTY.

WE SAW TWO NOTABLE BILLS THAT HAD OR MADE EXCEPTIONS TO THE CURRENT ABORTION BAN POSSIBLE.

ONE WAS BY DEMOCRAT DAVID YATES OUT OF LOUISVILLE AND THE OTHER WAS KEN FLEMING A REPUBLICAN OUT OF LOUISVILLE.

AND THEY BOTH TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR THIS.

WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT WOULD BE TO PROVIDE THE EXCEPTIONS.

HOWEVER, BOTH BILLS DID NOT GET I DON'T BELIEVE EITHER GOT HEARD IN A COMMITTEE.

RIGHT NOW THAT IS WHERE WE STAND IS FOLKS SAY THEY ARE FOR IT BUT THEN WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING ACTION DONE HERE IN KENTUCKY IT'S NOT HAPPENING.

>> Bill: THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AGREED TO HEAR TENNESSEE'S BAN ON GENDER AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE SIMILAR TO A BAN IN KENTUCKY THAT IMPACTS TRANS YOUTH.

WHAT WILL BE DECIDED BY THE HIGH COURT?

>> ESSENTIALLY THE SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO LOOK AT WHETHER STATES THAT BAN THIS CAN DO IT CONSTITUTIONALLY.

IN OTHER WORDS, IF THEY ARE VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF TRANS INDIVIDUALS AS PLAINTIFFS IN KENTUCKY'S LAWSUIT ALLEGE.

AND IT'S SIGNIFICANT AND WILL HAVE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT POTENTIALLY ON KENTUCKY BECAUSE KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE'S CASES WERE CONSOLIDATED AT THE SIXTH CIRCUIT THE CASE BROUGHT BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT THIS BIGGER QUESTION AND DECIDING WHETHER TO OVERTURN THE RULING.

BUT IT GETS AT A LARGER ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN ANSWERED BY THE COURTS WHICH IS IS THIS CONSTITUTIONAL WHEN STATES BAR TRANS INDIVIDUALS IN THIS CASE MINORS FROM ACCESSING WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY ACCESSIBLE GENDER AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE AND THAT ANSWER HAS NOT QUITE BEEN ANSWERED PROVIDED YET.

AND SO THE PLAINTIFFS WHO SUED THE A.C.L.U.

SUED THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SUPREME OCCUR WEIGHING IN.

IF THEY REVERSE THE DECISION, POTENTIALLY, OUR LAW, AGAIN, COULD BE IMMEDIATELY BLOCKED IN KENTUCKY.

BUT THEY WON'T DO THAT UNTIL THE FALL.

>> Bill: THE NEXT TERM.

I INTERVIEWED U.K. PRESIDENT EEL EEL WHO RESPECTS ADVICE FROM THE FACULTY DESPITE A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE AFTER HE PUSHED TO TAKE POWER FROM THE FACULTY SENATE.

CAP LIEU TOW SAYS CAPILOUTO SAYS THE UNIVERSITY WILL BENEFIT FROM HEARING MORE VOICES.

>> HOW IMPORTANT IS FACULTY ADVICE TO YOU?

>> FACULTY ADVICE IS EXTRAORDINARILY IMPORTANT.

WE LISTEN CAREFULLY.

WE MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.

WE ALSO THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE RECOGNIZE HOW VALUABLE THE VOICE OF 25,000 PLUS STAFF ARE, 35,000 STUDENTS.

IT TAKES THAT KIND OF COMMUNITY TO DO TO COME TOGETHER TO ADVISE, WORK TOGETHER, TO ADVANCE KENTUCKY IN EVERYTHING WE DO.

>> Bill: AND LIAM CAPILOUTO SAYS THIS GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENT PUTS U.K.

IN ALIGNMENT WITH PEER INSTITUTIONS?

>> CORRECT.

BUT WITH IN TERMS OF PAST CONCERNS BY THE FACULTY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY THEY ARE AFRAID OF WHAT HAPPENED AT OTHER PEER INSTITUTIONS MAINLY POINTING TO WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY AND THE CUTS THEY IMPLEMENTED TO SOME DEPARTMENTS OVER THERE.

>> Bill: A REPORT BY A NONPARTISAN GROUP CALLED PRISM POLICY SAYS YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE INCARCERATED IN KENTUCKY THAN MOST PLACES IN THE WORLD.

THE U.S. HAS THE HIGHEST INCARCERATION RATE OF ANY DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD AND KENTUCKY IS ONE OF THE STATES WITH THE HIGHEST RATES.

AN INTERESTING DISTINCTION FOR KENTUCKY.

IT LOOKS TO BE A TREND THAT WILL ONLY CONTINUE, RIGHT?

>> WHAT A TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS?

BRINGING THIS FULL CIRCLE WE TALK ABOUT THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT THERE ARE FEARS FROM ADVOCACY GROUPS THAT THAT WILL INCREASE INCARCERATION RATES.

AND I CAN SAY LOUISVILLE'S JAIL IS OVERCROWDED OR HAS BEEN IN YEARS PAST.

SO SAFE TO SAY THAT THE RESOURCES THERE THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE OF THEM.

A LOT OF GROUPS WOULD ARGUE AND RIGHT NOW WITH JAILS BEING OVERCROWDED IT IS AN ISSUE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT.

>> KENTUCKY SECURED OVER A BILLION DOLLARS FOR BROADBAND UNLOCKED?

>> IT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVED KENTUCKY'S PLAN TO ROLL OUT AND DISTRIBUTE GRANTS.

$1 BILLION WORTH.

THEY APPROVED KENTUCKY'S PLAN ANY SORT OF BROADBAND PROVIDER THAT TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THIS MONEY HAS TO PROVIDE A LOW COST OPTION FOR PEOPLE TO AFFORD BROADBAND.

CAN GO ANYWHERE UP TO I THINK 75 DOLLARS.

BUT LOTS OF MONEY.

>> Bill: AND MAYFIELD IS GETTING $25 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING AND STATE MONEY TO REBUILD THE DOWNTOWN AREA AFTER THE DEVASTATING TORNADOES OF 2021.

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IS DOCTORING Dr. DORIS K. WILKINSON ONE OF THE FIRST BLACK UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AT U.K. AND BECAME A FULL-TIME FACULTY AND TOOK ON NATIONAL ROLES.

PRESIDENT CAPILOUTO CALLED WILKINSON POWERFUL, INFLUENTIAL AND AT TIMES, LARGER THAN LIFE.

SHE DIED AT THE AGE OF 88 IN LEXINGTON WHERE SHE WAS BORN.

A PIONEERING BLACK KENTUCKY JOURNALIST DIED.

HE SPENT THERE 5 YEARS WITH THE COURIER JOURNAL I WAS REPORTER AND EDITOR HE WAS ACTIVE ON CIVIL RIGHTS.

HE HAD RECEIVED THE Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. FREEDOM AWARD.

HE WAS 86 YEARS OLD.

IT WILL BE BUSY OUT THERE THIS WEEK AHEAD WITH TRAVEL AND BE SAFE WITH THE FIREWORKS AND THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

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