MCCONNELL TRAVELS KENTUCKY AND TALKS ABOUT A POSSIBLE WASHINGTON RESPONSE TO DEADLY MASS SHOOTINGS.

GASOLINE PRICES HIT NEW RECORDS, GOVERNOR BESHEAR FREEZES KENTUCKY'S STATE GAS TAX, A BOLD AND CONTROVERSIAL AD FROM DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE CHARLES BOOKER AS HE CHALLENGES GOP SENATOR RAND PAUL.

RYAN QUARLES ENTERS THE CROWDED REPUBLICAN RACE FOR GOVERNOR AND IT APPEARS OTHERS WILL FOLLOW.

HEADING INTO A PLEASANT FIRST WEEKEND OF JUNE, "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

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

JESS CLARK, EDUCATION REPORTER FOR WFPL IN LOUISVILLE.

AND ALEX ACQUISTO, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, JEFFERSON COUNTY ROLLS BACK A BUSING PROGRAM IN EFFECT SINCE THE 1970S.

AND COVID NUMBERS ARE CLIMBING, BUT IS IT MORE PREVALENT THAN REDUCED TESTING IS SHOWING?

A THROTT DISCUSS TONIGHT.

LET'S BEGIN WITH SENATOR McCONNELL'S PIVOTAL ROLE IN DETERMINING IF REPUBLICANS WILL PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN RESPONDING TO RECENT DEADLY MASS SHOOTINGS.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH ME FORE-WEEK WHY THE'S KENTUCKY NEWSMAKERS PROGRAM AIRING THIS MCCONNELL INDICATED REPUBLICANS ARE MORE LIKELY TO ACT ON OTHER ASPECTS OF RECENT ATTACKS RATHER THAN GUNS THEMSE.

>> BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THESE SHOOTINGS, THE PATTERN FOR ALMOST ALL OF THEM OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS HAS BEEN YOUNG PEOPLE WITH MENTAL PROBLEMS IN SCHOOLS, AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TO TARGET THE ACTUAL DIPLOMA AND SEE IF WE CAN COME UP WITH A BIPARTISAN PROPOSAL CONSISTENT WITH THE CONSTITUTION THAT ALLOWS US TO TACKLE IT, AND I'M HOPEFUL WE'LL GET THERE.

>> Bill: RYLAND, McCONNELL IS WALKING A HIGH WIRE HERE.

HE SEEMS TO WANT SOMETHING DONE.

HE KNOWS THE REPUBLICAN SENATE IS UNLIKELY TO PASS GUN CONTROL MEASURES, AND HE'S LOOKING AT WHAT OPTIONS MIGHT BE FEASIBLE.

>> Ryland: THIS IS ALL -- PEOPLE ARE STILL SHOCKED FROM THE SHOOTING THAT TOOK PLACE IN UVALDE TEXAS LAST MONTH, AND I THINK MOM IS STILL DEALING WITH THE POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS OF THAT, AND THERE ARE FRANKLY SOME REPUBLICANS WHO, YES, THEY WANT SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS AND CERTAINLY THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM WHO DO.

HE'S TRYING TO RANGEL A BIG CAUCUS OF REPUBLICANS WHO CAN KIND OF GO ONE WAY ON THE REPORTED OTHER ON THIS AND AS WE HAVE SEEN A FEW TIMES THIS WEEK LIMITING IT TO SOMETHING DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND SOMETHING STEALING DEALING WITH SCHOOL SAFETY, AS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, IT SOUNDS LIKE SOUNDS LIKE NICK TYPE OF GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION IS OFF THE TABLE.

WHICH IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE.

HE'S COME OUT AND SAID HE'S IN FAVOR OF RED FLAG LAWS OR AT LEASE SAID THAT'S ON TABLE OR BACKGROUND ECONOMICS.

GOING BACK TO SANDY HOOK HE SAID HE MIGHT DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE TIMING OF THIS AS MATTERS.

THE FARTHER THAT WE GET AWAY FROM THE INCIDENT, THE LESS POLITICAL PRESSURE THERE IS AND THE MORE THE DISCUSSION CHANGES INTO SOMETHING ELSE, SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WEEK WHEN THE SENATE COMES BACK FROM ITS BREAK TO SEE HOW SERIOUS THESE DISCUSSIONS ARE, HOW QUICK ANYTHING, HOW A PROPOSAL IS, JUST WHAT MATERIALIZES OUT OF THIS, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S NOTE -- IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ANYTHING GUN SAFETY RELATED.

>> >> Bill: FOR McCONNELL IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY DELICATE NEGOTIATION.

THE PRAGMATIST IN HIM SEEMS TO WANT TO DO SOMETHING BUT WE ALSO REALIZES THAT IN ORDER FOR HIM TO CONTINUE TO BE THE REPUBLICAN LEADER, HE HAS TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE CAUCUS.

>> Ryland: IT IS.

AND GUN RIGHTS HAVE BECOME OR 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS HAVE BECOME SUCH A CENTRAL ISSUE TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, SUCH A IDENTIFYING ISSUE, AND REALLY A VERY, A VERY EXTREME VERSION OF IT.

ANY LITTLE -- EVEN SOMETHING LIKE RED FLAG LAWS WHICH IS SOMETHING IN WHICH GUNS WOULD TEMPORARILY BE TAKEN AWAY FROM SOMEBODY WHO IS DEEMED TO BE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS, THAT THAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE AN INFRINGEMENT ON SOMEBODY'S 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHT AND THAT'S A SALIENT POINT AMONG REPUBLICANS.

YOU HEAR IT A LOT.

YOU HEARD IT IN PROTESTS DURING ANDY BESHEAR JUST DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PROTESTS.

THERE IS ALWAYS A KIND OF 2ND AMENDMENT EMPTY TO THIS.

THERE'S THIS MILITIA PRESENCE, AND YOU HEAR THAT, THIS OPPOSITION TO SOMETHING LIKE RED FLAG LAWS, AND THOSE ARE ALWAYS -- THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THE -- THE SMALL, THE EASIEST KIND OF GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION THAT GETS PROPOSED OUT THERE.

BUT REPUBLICANS ARE VERY QUICK TO SAY OR AT LEAST I SHOULD SAY 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS ADVOCATES ARE VERY QUICK TO SAY WELL, THAT'S THE SLIPPERY SLOPE THAT WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE LANDSCAPE HERE IN KWE.

ALEX, THE U.S. HOUSE IS WORKING ON SOMETHING CALLED THE PROTECTING OUR KIDS ACT.

IT WOULD RAISE THE AGE FOR PURCHASING GUNS, IT WOULD ESTABLISH REGULATIONS FORE GUN STORAGE, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

WE HAVE SEEN EFFORTS IN KENTUCKY PROPOSED AND FAILED OVER THE YEARS, INCLUDING RED FLAG LAWS.

THE STATE RESTRAINS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM TAKING ANY GUN CONTROL MEASURES ON THEIR OWN.

AND SENATOR McCONNELL IN THAT INTERVIEW THE WITH ME AND IN OTHER TALKS THAT HE'S GIVEN THIS WEEK AS HE'S TRAVELED THE STATE, TALKS ABOUT GUNS ARE PART OF THE CULTURE THE IN COMMONWEALTH.

>> THEY DEFINITELY ARE, AND HERE IN KENTUCKY WE ARE A PROUD 2ND AMENDMENT STATE EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE SORT OF SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT LAWS THAN A STATE LIKE TEXAS WHICH IS AN EXTREMELY PROUD 2ND AMENDMENT STATE.

THE LAST, IN TONIGHT 19 WHEN FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN WAS IN OFFICE, HE SIGNED INTO LAWMAKING IT SO THAT YOU COULD CONCEAL CARRY WITHOUT A PERMIT IF YOU'RE ABOVE 18, WHICH IS A BIG DEAL, SORRY, ABOVE 21.

AS RYLAND MENTIONED, A HANDFUL 6 TIMES AND THERE IS WITH A A BIPARTISAN EFFORT IN I BELIEVE 2020 AND THEN DEMOCRATS TRIED IN 2021 TO PASS SOMETHING LIKE RED FLAG LAWS.

IT IS A MINORITY OF RFPs THAT WANTED TO PROPOSE, REPUBLICANS THAT WANTED TO PROPOSE THAT AND WE HAVE THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM, A CHARGE LED BY PEOPLE LIKE SAVANNAH MADDOX WHO EXPOSED A REVOLUTION SPECIFIC WILL YOU AGAINST SOMETHING LIKE A RED FLAG LAW BECAUSE ANY SORT OF MEASURE LIKE THAT AT ALL, EVEN THOUGH PRESIDENT BIDEN LAST NIGHT IN HIS SPEECH TRIED TO APPEAL TEASPOON GUN OWNERS TO SAY, RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS DO NOT WANT FIREARM IN THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR OTHER PEOPLE.

WE KNOW IN KENTUCKY THAT OUR NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH BY GUNS IS SUICIDE, BUT YOU STILL HAVE THIS LARGE CONTINGENCY IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT REALLY PUSHED BACK AGAINST ANY REGULATION AT ALL.

>> Bill: SO POLITICALLY DIVISIVE TOPIC NO DUTY.

JESS, WE'RE AT A POINT WHERE SCHOOLKIDS ARE BEAGLE TAUGHT IN SCHOOL WHAT TO DO IN A SHOOTING SITUATION ALONG WITH THE MATH AND READING LESSONS.

>> Jess: IF YOU HAD A KID IN A SCHOOL SYSTEM THEY'RE DEFINITELY DOING A LOCKDOWN DRILL TWICE A YEAR.

THAT'S THE LAW IN KENTUCKY.

STAFF ONCE A YEAR ARE REQUIRED TO DO ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING WHERE THEY ACTUALLY LEARN HOW TO RESPOND AS STAFF IF THERE'S AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION.

>> Bill: WE KNOW THERE WERE SIGNIFICANT FAILURES IN THE SCHOOL SHOOTING SITUATION IN UVALDE, TECH, QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 911 CALLS HOW THOSE WERE HANDLED ABOUT THE DECISION TO GO IN OR NOT GO IN.

DOES IT STAND TO REASON THAT KENTUCKY SCHOOLS MAY SPEND PART OF THIS SUMMER CONSIDERING HOW TO RETOOL OR ENHANCE SECURITY?

WE HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF MEASURES IN RECENT YEARS.

>> Jess: WE REALLY HAVE.

KENTUCKY HAS INVESTED PRETTY HEAVILY INTO BEEFING UP ITS SCHOOL SECURITY, HARDENING SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE THE SCHOOL SAFETY ACT OF 2019 WHICH WAS A RESPONSE TO THE MARSHALL COUNTY SHOOTING OF 2019, AND THAT REQUIRED SCHOOLS TO DO THINGS LIKE BUY MORE HIGHER TECH DOORS THAT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY, THERE'S ALL THESE RULES ABOUT WHEN DOORS CAN OR CANNOT BE OPENED OR LOCKED OR UNLOCKED, AND ALONG WITH THAT LEGISLATION WAS THE PRESERVING THAT EACH SCHOOL CAMPUS MUST HIRE AN SRO, AN ARMED SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AS FUNDS AND PERSONNEL BECOME AVAILABLE.

AND SO IT'S INTERESTING THAT THE U UVALDI SHOOTING PRETTY MUCH IMMEDIATELY BECAME A SCHOOL POLICING DEBATE WHICH ALREADY HAPPENED HERE IN KENTUCKY VERY MUCH, AND IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE AS YOU MENTIONED, THE ROLE OF THE POLICING IN UVALDI WE'VE SEEN.

IT DOES NOT A APPEAR THAT THEY WERE EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING MASS DEATH.

SO PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY OPPOSED TO SROs IN SCHOOLS ARE VERY MUCH POINTING TO THAT SAYING, LOOK, THE ANSWER IS NOT POLICING.

IT'S SOMETHING ELSE.

AND A LOT OF -- A LOT OF -- AT THE SAME TIME WE'VE SEEN INVESTMENTS IN POLICING MADE ALREADY.

THE EDUCATORS THAT I'VE TALKED TO, A LOT OF THEM THINK THERE IS A ROLE FOR POLICE IN SCHOOLS, BUT A LOT OF THEM ARE REALLY SAYING THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO AR-15S AND ASSAULT RIFLES THAT THEY CAN BRING INTO SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND CAUSE MASS DEATH.

>> Bill: IT'S A DISCUSSION THAT WILL GO ON AND STRONG FEELINGS ON A LOT OF SIDES.

ALEX, THE HERALD-LEADER, BEFORE WE LEAVE THE DISCUSS ON GUNS, THEY DID AN ARTICLE IN RECENT DAYS ABOUT SOME GUNS FROM KENTUCKY ARE ENDING UP INVOLVED IN CRIME SCENES AND PLACES LIKE CHICAGO.

>> Alex: RIGHT.

THESE ARE GUNS THAT WERE LEGALLY PURCHASED THAT THEN BECOME WHAT THE ATF DUBS CRIME GUNS.

YOU KNOW, WE SORT OF CHARTED -- I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT NUMBER BUT IT WAS SEVERAL HUNDRED GUNS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN SOMETHING LIKE 48 STATES, PRACTICALLY ALL OF THEM, THAT ORANGELY CAME FROM KENTUCKY BECAUSE IN KENTUCKY IT'S EASIER TO BUY A GUN THAN IT IS IN OTHER STATES, EVEN LAWFULLY PURCHASED GUNS CAN SWITCH HANDS AND END UP PARTICIPATING OR HAVING A ROLE IN THESE CRIMES.

GLEAN FROM IT WHAT YOU WILL.

IT'S A BYPRODUCT OF LIVING IN A COUNTRY AND IN A STATE THAT IS ABSOLUTELY SATURATED WITH FIREARMS.

INEVITABLY THEY ARE GOING TO GET IN THE HAND OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO COMMIT CRIMES WERE THEM.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH THIS DEBATE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.

IN KENTUCKY'S U.S. SENATE RACE, DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE CHARLES BOOKER TOOK SOME PEOPLE BY SURPRISE THIS WEEK WHEN HE RELEASED AN AD IN WHICH HE HAD A NOOSE AROUND HIS NECK.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT PART OF IT, BUT A WARNING THAT VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

>> DO WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER?

OR DO WE LET POLITICIANS LIKE RAND PAUL FOREVER HOLD US BACK AND DRIVE US APART?

IN NOVEMBER WE WILL CHOOSE.

>> Bill: RYLAND, THIS I WAS WEB AD, NOT A, OF COURSE, THE AD ALTHOUGH IT HAS APPEARED ON TESTIFYING A LOT AS PART OF MEDIA COVERAGE, AND BOOKER TOLD REPORTERS IT WAS HIS DECISION AND THAT HE WANTED SOME UNCOMFORTABLE THAT MAY BE VALUABLE CONVERSATIONS TO START AS A RESULT.

>> Ryland: IT'S CERTAINLY GOTTEN SHARED A WHOLE LOT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT AND I FOR GOOD REASON.

I THINK ANYONE WHO WATCHES THAT COMES AWAY WITH A FEELING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

AND IT'S AN INTERESTING AD.

HE IS TRYING TO SKEWER RAND PAUL ON THIS ONE PARTICULAR ISSUE FROM 2020.

RAND PAUL VOTED AGAINST AN ANTI-LISTENERRING BILL.

PAUL SAID THAT IT WAS TOO EXPANSIVE.

ANTI-I LYNCHING BILL.

BUT PAUL CAME BACK AND PROPOSED A DIFFERENT ONE ALONG THE NEW JERSEY SENATOR CORY BOOKER THAT ULTIMATELY PASSED AS WELL.

SO THAT'S ONE THING THAT PAUL'S CAMPAIGN IS SAYING ABOUT THIS.

BUT THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING AD, POLITICALLY SPEAKING, CHARLES BOOKER HAS SAID A LOT.

HE WANTS TO RUN A DIFFERENT KIND OF CAMPAIGN THAN DEMOCRATS HAVE RUN IN KENTUCKY BEFORE.

THIS IS VERY MUCH A DIFFERENT KIND OF AD THAN KENTUCKIANS HAVE SEEN FROM EITHER PARTY.

AND IT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT'S GOTTEN PEOPLE TALKING.

I REALLY THINK THIS KIND OF COMES DOWN TO BOOKER REALLY WANTING TO DEBATE SOME OF THESE THINGS WITH RAND PAUL, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HE'S TRYING TO GET HIM TO COME OUT AND DO.

RAND PAUL IS DISABILITY -- WE WILL SEE IF THAT HAPPENS.

>> Bill: DO YOU THINK WE WILL SEE THAT?

>> Ryland: WE MAY, IN THE VERY FEW DAYS BEFORE THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER, AS OFTEN HAPPENS IN THESE KIND OF SITUATIONS.

>> Bill: BEFORE WE LEAVE THE FEDERAL RACES, THERE IS ALSO A POTENTIAL WRITE-IN CANDIDATE IN THE 6th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHERE JEFF YOUNG IS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE AND ANDY BARR, OF COURSE, THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR RE-ELECTION.

>> REASONED CRAVENS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED LATE TODAY AND I DON'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT ABOUT HIM.

JUST SAYING RANDY RAVENS IS PUTTING HIMSELF IN THERE AS WRITE-IN DEMOCRATIC PAINTED IN THE 6th CONGRESSIONALLAL DISTRICT IN THE CENTRAL KENTUCKY AREA.

THIS IS -- A LOT OF THIS IS BECAUSE JEFF YOUNG HAS DRAWN A LOT OF CONTROVERSY, THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE.

HE'S COME OUT AND REPEATED A LOT OF PROPAGANDA THAT VLADIMIR PUENTE HAS SAID THAT THE UKRAINIAN ARMY IS FULL OF NAZIS, AND I THINK A LOT OF DPS DIDN'T REALIZE THAT HE HELD THOSE SORTS OF VIEWS AND WERE SURPRISED ONCE THAT CAME TO BEAR AFTER HE WON THE NOMINATION, THE PRIMARY ELECTION, AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND DEMOCRATIC PARTY REFUSED TO ENDORSE HIM AT THAT POINT.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW FAR THIS WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN GOES.

>> Jonathan: THIS CANDIDATE NUPTIALLY WANTED TO RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT BUT I GUESS BECAUSE LEASE REG JERED AS A DEMOCRAT HE FOUND HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO -- >> Ryland: THERE'S A FILING DEADLINE ISSUE.

YOU HAVE TO SWITCH YOUR PARTIES AT A CERTAIN POINT IN THE CALENDAR.

HE'S STILL REGISTER DEMOCRAT AND CAN'T RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT.

>> Bill: JEFF, A FEDERAL FREE LUNCH PROGRAM THAT WAS EXPANDED EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC AND APPARENTLY MADE 30 MILLION KIDS ELIGIBLE WHEN THERE WAS 20 MILLION BEFORE IS SET TO EXPIRE JUNE 30.

WE'RE WATCHING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS ON THAT.

>> Jess: A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WATCHING IT, ESPECIALLY SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THIS WAIVER MADE IT A LOT EASIER TO FEED KIDS IN NON-CONGREGATE SETTING, SO CURB SIDE PICKUP, BRINGING MEALS TO KIDS, AND IT ALSO INCREASES.

THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING PER MEAL, SO IT REALLY EXPANDED THE REACH NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM BY 10 MILLION CHILDREN, AND IF IT EXPIRES, IT WILL MAKE IT A LOT HARDER FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO FEED KIDS.

>> Bill: WE'LL WATCH THAT.

GASOLINE PRICES HIT AN ALL-TIME HIGH THIS WEEK THE IN NATION AND HERE IN KENTUCKY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCED THAT HE IS HALTING A SCHEDULED HIKE IN THE STATE GASOLINE TAX.

IT IS NOW 26 CENTS A GALLON.

IT WAS SET TO INCREASE BY 2 CENTS A GALLON NEXT MONTH, SAYING EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS, THE GOVERNOR IS HOLDINGS OFF THE INCREASE.

>> WHILE IT IS PRIMARILY OUT OF OUR CONTROL AS A STATE TO DECREASE GAS PRICES, THIS IS A STEP THAT WE CAN AND WE MUST TAKE TO PREVENT THEM FROM FURTHER INCREASING.

>> Bill: HE SAYS THIS WILL SAVE KENTUCKIANS ABOUT $35 MILLION.

HE SAYS THAT IT WILL HIT THE ROAD FUND.

HE WILL ASK THE LEGISLATURE TO FILL THAT HOLE NEXT YEAR.

>> Ryland: SO ABOUT A 2-CENT PER GALLON IMPACT FOR KENTUCKIANS AT THE PUMP.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE CAME OUT QUICKLY TO SAY THAT THE -- QUESTIONING WHETHER THE GOVERNOR IS ALLOWED TO DO THIS UNDER I GUESS IT WAS AN EMERGENCY REGULATION THAT HE DID THIS THROUGH, BUT IT'S VERY UNLIKELY THAT SOMEBODY IS GOING TO COME OUT AND SUE TO TRY TO BLOCK THIS.

THAT WOULDN'T LOOK GOOD FOR ANYBODY.

BUT IT PROBABLY MEANS -- OPENS THE DOOR A LITTLE BIT FOR TRYING TO REVISE HOW KENTUCKY'S FUEL TAX WORKS DURING NEXT YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN HANGING IN THE BALANCE FOR A LITTLE BIT.

LAST TIME THEY ADJUSTED THAT, THEY SET A FLOOR TO IT OR CEILING TO IT SO HE THAN THE COO GO TOO MUCH HIGHER I BELIEVE BACK IN 2015.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT HOPEFULLY WILL HELP KENTUCKIANS A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT'S A LITTLE BIT.

>> Billy: AND ALEX, WE KNOW THAT KENTUCKIANS ARE ADJUSTING THEIR LIVES RIGHT NOW TO DEAL WITH GASOLINE PRICES.

>> Alex: DEFINITELY.

WHEN YOU HAVE TO PAY DISH FILLED UP MY TANK COMPLETELY AND IT'S JUST OVER $60, YOU RETHINK WHAT YOU WANT TO SPEND DRIVING TRIME ON BECAUSE NO LONGER CAN YOU SORT OF FILL IT ON A WHIM, AND IF YOU HAVE A DIESEL TRUCK OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT IT'S EVEN MORE COMPREHENSIVE.

IT'S COST PROHIBITIVE FOR MANY PEOPLE.

>> Bill: AND YOU WOULD THINK, JESS, SCHOOLS ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH INCREASED COSTS IN OTHER AREAS ARE ALSO KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THOSE GASOLINE PRICES AS THEY HAVE TO RUN ALL THOSE BUSES.

>> Alex: YEAH, THERE'S REALLY -- YOU CAN'T NOT -- I GUESS YOU COULD NOT TAKE KIDS TO SCHOOL BUT YOU HAVE TO BUS KIDS TO SCHOOL, SO YOU CAN'T NOT SPEND MONEY ON GASOLINE, SO IN THAT CASE YOU HAVE TO LOOK TO OTHER PLACES TO CUT.

AND THE LEGISLATURE, THE STATE LAWMAKERS DID GIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS A MODEST INCREASE IN OVERALL PER PUPIL SPENDING, BUT THAT'S BEEN COMPLETELY EATEN UP BY INFLATION COSTS AND DISTRICTS WERE ALREADY VERY MUCH FEELING THE CRUNCH OF A DECREASE IN EDUCATION SPENDING OVER THE LAST DECADE.

>> Bill: YOU DID A RECENT STORY AS WELL KENTUCKY'S RANKING FOR TEACHER PAY AND STUDENT SPENDING HAVE ACTUALLY DROPPED.

>> YES.

WE'VE DROPPED FROM 35TH TO 36th IN TEACH ABOUT A AND ALSO IN STUDENT UNDER SPENDING WE SPELL FELL IN THOSE RANKING.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES KICKED OFF HIS CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR IN HIS HOME DOWN OF GEORGETOWN THIS WEEK.

WHERE DOES HE FIT INTO THIS RISE, RYLAND, NOW THAT INCLUDES THREE STATE OFFICE HOLDERS, MAY INCLUDE OTHERS.

SAVANNAH MADDOX ANNOUNCING MONDAY IS WHAT IT APPEARS.

WE AWAIT WORD FROM KELLY CRAFT, SOME INDICATIONS THAT SHE IS VERY LIKELY TO ONE.

FORMER EVER GOVERNOR MEN OF STILL SAID TO BE EYEING THE POSSIBLE RACE.

>> Ryland: IT'S A CROWD RACE AND IT ONLY LOOKS TO GET MORE CROWDED.

HE'S TRYING TO STAKE HIS CLAIM IN IT, AND GRANTED HE'S ABOUT AN ONE OF THE STATEWIDE OFFICIALS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WHO HAS MADE A LOT OF HEADLINES AS BEING ONE OF THE TOP CRITICS OF GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.

THAT'S WHAT SO MUCH OF THIS REPUBLICAN RACE IS GOING TO BE, WHO CAN REALLY ASSUME THAT MANTLE AS THE BEST PERSON WHO CAN BEAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR WHEN HE RUNS FOR RE-ELECTION.

DURING HIS SPEECH HE SAID THAT HE WAS GOING TO BE THE WORKING -- THE WORKING PERSON'S CANDIDATE.

AT ONE POINT HE SAID THAT WE ARE WALMART AND DOLLAR GENERAL SHOPPERS.

AND REALLY CRITICIZE 10 GOVERNOR FOR BEING THE SON OF A FORMER GOVERNOR.

SO I THINK THAT WE CAN EXPECT TO HEAR THAT A LOT MORE AND THAT'S GOING TO BE HIS KIND OF RHETORICAL STRATEGY.

>> Bill: IN KENTUCKY WED WE HAVE THIS RUNOFF PROVISION FROM 1992 TO 2008 WHERE YOU HAD TO CLEAR 40% IN A PRIMARY OR THERE HAS TO BE A RUNOFF.

IT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BECAUSE THOSE CANDIDATES CLEARED THE THRESHOLD.

BUT IF YOU HAVE A NOMINEE WHO WINS WITH JUST A SLIVER OF SUPPORT, COULDN'T THAT AT LEAST BRING BACK THAT CONVERSATION?

>> Ryland: I THINK THAT PEOPLE WHO PAY ATTENTION TO POLITICS FOR SURE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HAVING SOMETHING LIKE THAT BECAUSE KENTUCKY GETS A LOT OF CRAZY PRIMARY ELECTIONS LIKE THAT.

2015 BEING THE GREATEST EXAMPLE OF ALL WHEN MATT BEVIN WHO WAS REALLY NOT FAVORED TO BE THE WINNER IN THAT PARTICULAR RACE KIND OF CAME OUT OF NOWHERE BECAUSE THAT RACE HAD GOTTEN SO CONTENTIOUS AND UGLY BETWEEN JAIME COMBER AND HAL HIRAM HEINER, THEY PRO ASSUMED FRONTRUNNERS MOST PEOPLE'S THINKING BEVIN HAS WAS ABLE TO SQUEAK THROUGH THE MIDDLE AND WIN BY 83 VOTES.

I THINK YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR HAVING A RUN OFF ELECTION.

>> Bill: FORMER U.S. STONER RUSSELL COLE 9 CONTINUING TO PILE UP MONEY AND ENDORSEMENTS FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

WE LEARNED THAT THE STATE JACKER CHAIRMAN WHITNEY WESTERFIELD WILL NOT RUN.

>> Ryland: WESTERFIELD RAN BACK IN 2015.

NARROWLY LOST THE RACE TO ANDY BESHEAR THAT YEAR.

BUT REALLY WHAT RUSSELL COLEMAN IS TRYING TO DO IS CLEAR THE FIELD HERE, RAISE A BUNCH MONEY AND MAKE A BUNCH OF PRESS RELEASES AND HOPE NO OTHER REPUBLICANS GET IN THERE.

SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS AS BEHIND THE HE WILL GET INTO THAT RACE BUT HE HAS NOT DONE SO.

>> Bill: ALEX, KENTUCKY THAT IS HAD NEARLY 16,000 DEATHS SINCE COVID BEGAN.

EVEN WITH THE HIGH PER NUMBERS THERE ARE HOPEFUL SIGNS THIS TIME AROUND.

>> Alex: THERE ARE.

THE STATE'S POSITIVITY RATE IS ABOVE 11% RIGHT NOW WHICH IS HIGH.

THE AT LEAST IN THE MAST WHEN WE HAD I'M AND DEALT WAVES THE HIGH POSITIVITY RATE AS WE KNOW IS I IS A PORTENDING FACTOR OF RISING HOSPITALIZATIONS.

THAT IS NOT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS REPEATED MULTIPLE TIMES THAT NO LONGER IS A HIGH POSITIVITY RATE OR EVEN HIGH RACES PROPORTIONAL TO HOSPITALIZATIONS, SO OUR POSITIVITY RATE IS BEFORE 11% ABOUT THE THERE ARE FEWER THAN 300 PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL.

JUST TO COMPARE DURING OMICRON WHEN IT WAS 12% THERE WERE ALMOST 1400 PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL.

DURING DELTA IN AUGUST AROUND 12%, THERE WERE ALMOST 1500 PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL.

SO IT'S GOOD, BUT THE VIRUS IS STILL ON IT THERE AND IT'S MORE PREVENT THAN WE THINK BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE AT HOME TESTS NOW.

>> Bill: AND IT'S NOW BEING REPORTED AND KIDS AREN'T BEING IN SCHOOL AND BEING TESTED AS A RESULT.

YOU'RE ALSO WATCHING FOR THE SUPREME COURT DECISION ON ABORTION, ALEX.

A LOWER COURT IS KEEPING KENTUCKY'S NEW RESTRICTIVE LAW FROM TAKING EFFECT RIGHT NOW.

>> Alex: RIGHT.

DURING THE SESSION REPUBLICANS PASSED A GIANT ANTI-ABORTION BILL CALLED HOUSE BILL 3.

IT IS A NUMBER OF THING BUT MOSTLY IT REQUIRES PHYSICIANS TO REPORT INFORMATION ABOUT ABORTIONS DIFFERENTLY THROUGH THE CABINET, THROUGH A DATABASE THAT DOESN'T EXIST.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND EMW WOMEN'S SURGICAL CENTER, THE THE TWO BOOSH PROVIDERS IN THE STATE SUED AND A FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKED MOST OF THE LALA FROM TAKING EFFECT.

THE SOME OF THAT BLOCKING INCLUDING THE 15 WEEK BAN IS CONTINGENT ON ROE WHICH WOULD BE DECIDED IN JUNE OR JULY, AND IF THAT HAS KENTUCKY IS A TRIGGER LAW WHICH IMMEDIATELY MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS.

>> Bill: JEFF, JEFFERS JEFFERSON SCHOOLS HAVE HAD BUSING SINCE THE 191ST BUT THERE'S A NEW SCHOOL CHOICE PLAN AND IT MAKES BIG CHANGES.

>> Jess: IF YOU GO BACK TO THE 1970S THAT'S WHEN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WAS CREATED AS WE KNOW IT TODAY AND EVERYONE WAS BUSSED, WHITE STUDENTS FROM THE EAST END WERE BUSSED WEST, BLACK STUDENTS FROM THE WEST END WERE BUSSED EAST.

THEY CALLED IT ONE-WAY BUSING.

SO FACING PRESSURE FROM TWITE FAMILIES, THEY ENDED MANDATORY BUSING FOR THE EAST END AND SOUTH END, BUT BLACK STUDENTS WERE STILL BUS TODAY SCHOOLS IN ORDER TO MAKE INTEGRATION KEEP HAPPENING, AND THAT'S ESSENTIALLY WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING UNTIL NOW.

AND THIS NEW PLAN WILL ALLOW STUDENTS IN THE WEST END WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN BUS TODAY SCHOOLS IN THE EAST END TO CHOOSE BETWEEN CONTINUING TO GO TO A MORE DIVERSE SCHOOL IN THE EAST OR SOUTH OR FOR THE FIRST TIME TO GO TO A SCHOOL CLOSE TO HOME IN THE WEST END.

CRITICS SAY -- I MEAN, EVEN PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THE PLAN ACKNOWLEDGE IT'S GOING TO WORSEIN' SEGREGATION IN THE DISTRICT, BUT THE DISTRICT SAYS THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN RESOURCE THOSE SEGREGATED SCHOOLS WELL ENOUGH SO THAT STUDENTS WILL HAVE WHAT THEY NEED.

>> Bill: QUICK ANSWER TO THIS.

YOU'VE RECENTLY RECORD ONLINE LEARNING IS HERE TO STAY IN ONE FORM IF AEROON THE AND JEFFERSON COUNTY IS OFFERING TUTORING OPPORTUNITIES IN THAT WAY.

>> Alex: YEAH, IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

THERE'S MORE OF AN APPETITE NOR ONLINE LEARNING AMONG PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT HOW TO SPEND THE DISTRICT'S HALF A BILLION DOLLARS INESSER FUNDING FROM THE FEDS.

-- IN.

YEAH, YOU HAVE THIS PROGRAM IT.

ALLOWS TEACHERS TO KIND OF OUTSOURCE THAT ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT TO AN ONLINE TUTOR, AND THE KIDS THAT I TALK TO REALLY LIKE IT, SO IT'S GOING TO STICK AROUND, THIS ONLINE STUFF.

>> Bill: RYLAND, FIRST INTERIM COMMITTEES WERE TODAY.

>> Ryland: YEP, THIS WEEK.

EACH COMMITTEE MEETS ONCE A MONTH AND THEY NET IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY, TALKED ABOUT THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE, SHORTAGE OF BABY FORMULA AND ALSO THE POSSIBLE ONE AGAIN DECREASE TO INCOME TAX THAT ANOTHER DECREASE COULD TAKE PLACE DEPENDING ON STATE REVENUES.

>> Bill: IN RECENT YEARS MANY KENTUCKY TOWNS HAVE EMBRACED THEIR HISTORY AND TURNED THAT ENTHUSIASM INTO PROFIT.

NOW THE KENTUCKY STEAM HERITAGE CORPORATION HAS RECEIVED A HALF MILLION DOLLAR FROM EPA.

THEY WILL TURN AN OLD RAIL YARD IN ESTELLE COUNTY INTO A TOURIST ATTRACTION.

WORK UNDERWAY ON 45 ACRES THERE IN IRANA TO REVITALIZE IT.

THEY WILL CALL IT "THE YARD."

TUNE IN MONDAY FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

RENEE SHAW WILL HOST A DISCUSSION ON MASS SHOOTINGS AND GUN LAWS.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.