[♪♪] >> Bill: ACCUSATIONS FLY IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AS THE CAMPAIGNS CHASE MONEY TO FUEL THEIR MESSAGES.

PAST OF A CONTROVERSIAL KENTUCKY LAW IS PUT ON HOLD BY A FEDERAL JUDGE BUT DOZENS OF NEW MEASURES ARE THE LAW OF THE LAND VMENT SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL DEFLECTS A QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT HE WILL RUN FOR AN 8TH TERM AND KENTUCKY GETS A BILLION TO EXPAND BROADBAND AND MONEY FOR PROJECTS.

AFTER THE WILDFIRE SMOKE IS CLEARING HEAT AND STORMS CHASE US INTO THE WEEKEND BEFORE THE FOURTH.

AND COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

>> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE McKENNA HORSLEY, POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

ALEX ACQUISTO, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER AND JOE SONKA FRANKFURT BURR BUREAU CHIEF FOR.

AND KENTUCKY IS ENDING WITH A SURPLUS AND IMPROVED CREDIT RATING AND BLUEGRASS FANS ARE REMEMBERING WOULD BEBY OSBORNE.

TO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE THERE ARE CALLS FOR FEDERAL INVESTIGATIONS OF BOTH CAMPAIGNS.

DANIEL CAMERON SOLICITED THEN REIF FUNDED DONATIONS FROM A ADDICTION RECOVERY CENTER UNDER INVESTIGATION BY HIS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AFTER CAMERON'S TEAM CALLED FOR A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION LAST WEEK OF GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S ANTI-DEPRESSANT AND DEMOCRATS AFTER $200 THOUSAND WERE RETURNED TO DONORS.

WE ARE HEADING WITH MORE TALK ABOUT THE MONEY IN THE CAMPAIGNS AND NOT ISSUES FACING KENTUCKIANS.

CAN RON SAYS HIS IS TO REVIEW, RECUSE AND REFUND WHILE BESHEAR'S CAMPAIGN TOOK AND RETURNED.

>> THIS IS WHERE BESHEAR'S CAMPAIGN CAME UNDER FIRE FOR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND NOW CAMERON IS UNDER FIRE THIS WEEK FOR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS THAT HE RECEIVED FROM EDGE WATER RECOVERY SERVICES.

THIS IS A RECOVERY CENTER THAT HIS OFFICE OF MEDICAID FRAUD BEGAN INVESTIGATING LAST YEAR.

BUT THE CAMERON CAMPAIGN WAS SOLICITING AND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THAT SAME COMPANY AND IN FACT DANIEL CAMERON CAME OUT THIS WEEK IN REPORTING FROM THE AP THAT THE COMPANY SAYS THAT CAMERON PERSONALLY SOLICITED THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS IN MARCH.

IT WASN'T UNTIL LATER MAY AND JUNE THAT HE RECUSED HIMSELF FROM THAT CASE AND REFUNDED THAT MONEY.

SO THE BESHEAR CAMPAIGN HAS JUMPED ON THAT AND SAID IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE.

LATER THIS WEEK, THE CAMERON CAMPAIGN SAYS THAT WELL, CAMERON DID NOT KNOW THAT HIS OFFICE WAS INVESTIGATING THIS COMPANY WHEN HE WAS SOLICITING THOSE IN MARCH.

IT'S AN EXCUSE FOR THE BEHAVIOR BUT ALSO SAYING THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HIS OWN OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING.

SO IT'S NOT A GREAT SITUATION EITHER WAY.

BUT THAT'S DEFINITELY BEEN THE STORY THIS WEEK WHERE THE BESHEAR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM RANDALL WETLE THE STORY LAST WEEK.

>> McKENNA, THE LOOKING INTO ALL OF THIS IS JUST BEGINNING APPARENTLY, RIGHT?

>> AND IT'S UNLIKELY WE'LL SEE THE END OF THIS BEFORE THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

WHICH IS NOT EVEN THAT FAR AWAY AT THIS POINT.

BUT AS JOE SAID, REALLY THIS WEEK WE'RE SEEING DEMOCRATS USE THE REPUBLICANS PLAYBOOK AGAINST THEM.

THEY ARE TAKING SIMILAR STEPS CALLING FOR THE F.B.I.

BUT THEY ARE GOING A STEP FURTHER BY THE LABOR GROUP WHO IS REFERRING TO OR WANTING AN ETHICS.

>> Bill: THE A.F.L.-C.I.O.

WANTED THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO IT AS WELL, RIGHT?

>> YES.

SO IT'S KIND OF ELEVATING IT, BUT YOU WOULD RATHER WANT THE ETHICS COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE YOU RATHER THAN THE F.B.I.

>> Bill: NOT AS MANY TEETH.

>> NOT AS MANY TEETH THERE.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE F.B.I., AND FIRST OF ALL I'M SKEPTICAL THAT BY NOVEMBER THAT BESHEAR CAMERON IS GOING TO GET HAULED AWAY IN HANDCUFFS BUT F.B.I.

TAKES A LONGTIME TO INVESTIGATE AND THEY WILL NOT TELL YOU THEY ARE INVESTIGATING.

YOU WILL FIND IT OUT WHEN SOMEONE IS INDICTED.

I DOUBT WE WILL HEAR ANYTHING CONCRETE COMES OUTFIELD OF THIS FROM THE F.B.I.

BUT UNTIL BY THE FALL, BUT YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW UNLESS THERE'S SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE FACTS IN FRONT OF US IT DOESN'T SUGGEST IT.

>> Bill: AND FOR BOTH CAMPAIGNS ANYTHING NEW ON THE $200,000 THAT BESHEAR AND THE DEMOCRATS RETURNED?

>> THERE WASN'T ANY NEW INFORMATION THIS WEEK AND THAT IS ONE PERSON OUTSIDE OF THE CAMPAIGN THAT MIGHT WANT TO BE MORE WARY OF THE F.B.I.

INVESTIGATION RANDALL WETLE THERE'S PUBLIC EVIDENCE THAT HE OBVIOUSLY PUT ALL OF THOSE DONATIONS ON HIS CARD AND OBVIOUSLY THAT IS WRONG ON MANY LEVELS.

SO THAT'S ONE PERSON THAT MIGHT NEED THE HAVE AN ATTORNEY PRESENT FOR THOSE F.B.I.

CONVERSATIONS.

>> ALEX, WE KNOW HERE WE ARE IN THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER AND JOHN BELLING CAN TURN VOTERS OFF.

BUT THIS CAMPAIGN IS NOT ABOUT THE ISSUES EVEN FACING VOTERS AT THIS POINT THERE'S SO MUCH TALK ABOUT THE MONEY AND SO ON.

DO VOTERS HAVE A LOT OF BAND W FOR THAT OR DO THEY WANT A CAMPAIGN ABOUT THEM AND THEIR CONCERNS?

>> I IMAGINE SOME VOTERS PAY ATTENTION.

OBVIOUSLY YOU KNOW, CAMPAIGN FINANCES ARE THINGS THAT JOURNALISTS HAVE TO REPORT ON.

I CAN'T IMAGINE MORE VOTERS WOULD BE KEENLY INTERESTED TO FOLLOW DEBATES THEY ARE MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT IMPACTS THEM AND WHAT EITHER CANDIDATE DID DO FOR THEM.

>> Bill: I WOULD SAY THIS ONE OBSERVATION THERE IS NO AGREED SET OF ISSUES OUT THERE, RIGHT?

CAMERON IS EMPHASIZED THE CULTURAL ISSUES BESHEAR WANTS TO TALK ABOUT JOB CREATION AND HIS RESPONSE TO DISASTERS.

AND NEITHER SIDE WANTS TO ENGAGE IN THE OTHER'S NARRATIVES ABOUT WHERE WE'VE BEEN AND WHERE WE'RE GOING IN KENTUCKY.

>> YES, BOTH CAMPAIGNS WANT TO PLAY ON THEIR HOME FIELD AND THE HOME FIELD IS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF AFDS WITH THEIR MESSAGE AND ATTACKING THE OTHER CANDIDATES ON THE MESSAGES THEY WANT.

WHEN IT COMES TO CAMERON, WEIGHING INTO ISSUE THAT BESHEAR DOESN'T WANT TO HE DOESN'T WANT TO GET INTO THAT BESHEAR WANTS AND VICE VERSA THAT IS SOMETHING THAT MIGHT ONLY GET FORCED OUT IN A DEBATE WHERE THEY ARE PUT ON THE SPOT IN FRONT OF A CAMERA AND WE ARE NOT SURE HOW MANY DEBATES THERE ARE GOING TO BE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, WHAT VOTERS ARE SEEING ARE THE ADS THAT ARE JUST NOW STARTING UP AND THEY ARE GOING TO GET MORE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I DO THINK DEBATE ALSO PLAY A PART IN THIS DEPENDING WHAT QUESTIONS ARE ASKED AND HOW CAMERON AND WHAT HERE IS DIFFER THEMSELVES ON DIFFERENT ISSUES.

IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THE 2019 ELECTION IT CAME ABOUT EDUCATION BUS OF TEACHERS PROTESTS AND PENSIONS AND THAT CAME THE THEME OF THAT RACE AND WE MIGHT SEE AN ISSUE EMERGE LIKE THAT.

>> Bill: THEY HAVE THEIR WAY ROLLING INTO THEIR OWN AND WE'LL SEE HOW THE CAMPAIGN GOES.

FANCY FARM ORGANIZERS STEVEN ELDER IS AWAITING CONFIRMATION ABOUT WHETHER HE WILL ATTEND THE PICNIC AND THE PARTY AND THE HAPPENINGS AND THE SPEAKING L ELDER SAYS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN HAS ASSURED A SPOT INVITED TO SPEAK.

DANIEL CAMERON'S CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN TOLD BOTH THE CANDIDATE AND HIS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE CAN SPEAK IF HE HAS CHOSEN A RUNNING MATE BY THEN?

>> ONCE AGAIN, BESHEAR IS THE QUESTION MARK HERE.

OBVIOUSLY HE IS HAS NOT BEEN AT FANCY FARM SINCE HE WAS THE GOVERNOR.

FIRST YEAR WAS CANCELED AND COVID GWEN HE WHERE BESHEAR DID NOT GO BECAUSE OF THAT AND LAST YEAR THERE WAS THE DEVIN KELLEY STATING FLOODING WITH THAT.

AND THE PAST COUPLE YEARS IT'S BEEN REPUBLICAN AFFAIR WHERE ALMOST EVERY SPEAKER IS REPUBLICAN.

REPUBLICANS ARE THE ONES THAT DOMINATE THAT IN THE PREVIOUS DECADE OR TWO, IT WAS REALLY SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICAN ARE RAUCOUS AFFAIR.

WE DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE GOING TO GET MORE BACK TO NORMAL.

IF BESHEAR IS GOING TO GO.

HE IS LOOKING INTO IT.

A QUESTION OF WHETHER IT'S GOING TO BE A RETURN TO NORMAL FOR FANCY FARM OR A REPUBLICAN DOMINANT.

>> Bill: ANY RUNNING MATE RUMORS OUT THERE?

ANYBODY IS HEARING?

>> IT'S REMARKABLY QUIET.

PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT RUNNING QUARELS BUT WE ARE NOT SURE IF HE WANTS THAT JOB.

THERE'S TALK ABOUT DAVID MEADE THE REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE.

RIGHT NOW IT'S QUIET AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE HAD THIS IN A LONGTIME.

USUALLY THEY HAVE TO ANNOUNCE THEIR RUNNING MATES WHEN THEY FILE FOR OFFICE.

NOW WE HAVE SUMMER INTRIGUE THAT WE USUALLY DON'T HAVE.

>> Bill: IT APPEARS FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP AND CAMERON WILL BE ATTENDING A CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL EVENT IN SEPTEMBER ORGANIZED BY ERIC DETERS WHO RAN FOR GOVERNOR AND SAYS HE IS LIKELY TO RUN FOR CONGRESS.

AND THAT NARRATIVE ALONE HAS SET OFF QUITE A STORY LATE THIS WEEK.

>> YES, THIS IS THE KIND OF RIFF THAT DANIEL CAMERON DOESN'T WANT.

HE WANTS TO UNITE ALL REPUBLICANS BEHIND HIM INTO THE GENERAL ELECTION.

AND THIS RALLY IS RUN BY ERIC DETERS, HE IS THE VERY OPINIONATED TO MAKE AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

SO HE IS OBVIOUSLY A BIG TRUMP GUY AND HE'S SAID THAT HE'S NOT 90% SURE HE IS GOING TO TAKE ON THOMAS MASSEY IN THE PRIMARY AND SAID HE IS GOING TO MAKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THIS RALLY.

MACY'S CAMP IS DISAPPOINTED WHEN THEY FOUND OUT THAT DANIEL CAMERON AGREED TO TAKE PART IN THIS RALLY.

THIS WEEK, ACTUALLY TODAY, THOMAS MASSEY SAYS WHOEVER IS ADVISING CAMERON IS COMMITTING POLITICAL MALPRACTICE AND THIS WAS AN UNFORCED ERROR, AND MADDOX AN IDEOLOGICAL ALLY WITH MASSEY CAME OUT WITH THE SAME STATEMENT SAYING THEY ARE HURTING THEIR EFFORTS TO GOING INTO THE GENERAL ELECTION BY DIVIDING ALL THOSE REPUBLICANS PARTICULARLY IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY WHICH HAVE A HISTORY OF FIGHTING WITH EACH OTHER AND DIFFERENT FACTIONS.

>> Bill: A LARGE GROUP OF VOTERS.

>> A LARGE GROUP OF VOTERSERS AND SOMETIMES THEY MAY AGREE ON THE ISSUE TH THEY DON'T GET ALOG WELL.

AND DETERS SAYS DONALD TRUMP IS COMING.

TRUMP'S PEOPLE HAVE NOT CONFIRMED HE IS COMING.

BUT THOMAS MASSEY ENDORSED RON DESANTIS AND THERE IS A FACTOR IF THEY ARE RUNNING AGAINST EACH OTHER IT CAN BE A PROXY WAR OF TRUMP AND DESANTIS.

>> Bill: McKENNA, WHAT ARE WE FEELING LIKE THE TRUMP FACTOR MAYBE THIS TIME?

WE KNOW IT'S LIKELY HE WAS QUITE A FACTOR IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION?

>> YES.

TRUMP HAS DEFINITELY BEEN A FACTOR IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

EVEN ON THIS STAGE KELLY CRAFT AND DANIEL CAMERON SPARRED OVER THAT ENDORSEMENT.

THAT WAS GIVEN TO CAMERON EARLY ON IN THIS RACE.

AND DAYS BEFORE THE PRIMARY ELECTION CAMERON HAD A TELERALLY WITH DONALD TRUMP WHERE HE SMOKE TO VOTERS OVER THE PHONE AND ENCOURAGED SUPPORT FOR CAMERON.

BUT SOMETHING WE'VE SEEN AFTER THE PRIMARY IS THAT CAMERON'S GONE AWAY FROM THAT ENDORSEMENT ON THE TRAIL NOT REALLY MENTIONING HIM IN SPEECHES AND THAT CAN BE AN EFFORT TO MAYBE GET HIS MESSAGE OUT TO SOME REPUBLICANS WHO AREN'T THE BIGGEST FAN OF TRUMP AND BRING THEM INTO THE FOLD.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SO THERE WE ARE IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE HEADING INTO JULY.

NOW, DOZENS OF NEW LAWS TOOK EFFECT THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY ON A RANGE OF ISSUES AND ONE IS PARTIALLY BLOCKED BY A FEDERAL JUDGE.

AND THIS AFFECTS SENATE BILL 150'S GENDER AFFIRMING CARE ASPECTS.

>> IT DOES.

HOURS BEFORE THE SENATE BILL 150 A FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCK TO DO FROM BEING ENFORCED.

THE PORTION OF THE LAW LEGALLY CHALLENGED AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE IS SPECIFICALLY THE BAN ON MEDICAL GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH IN KENTUCKY.

IN MAY, SEVEN UNNAMED PLAINTIFFS AND FAMILIES SUED ARGUING THE LAW VIOLATES THEIR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS UNDER THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

WITH A DAY LEFT TO SPARE A FEDERAL JUDGE IN KENTUCKY FOUND THEIR ARGUMENTS VALID AND PART OF THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE HE SAID THAT THE LAW WOULD BLOCK THEM FROM EVIDENCE-BASED STANDARD OF CARE.

CITING MAJOR MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR STAN ASHED OF CARE MORE THAN 20 SIGNED ON TO THE LAWSUIT IN SUPPORT OF IT.

AND IRONICALLY OR MAYBE NOT THAT SORT OF FINDING THIS IS THE EVIDENCE-BASED STANDARD OF CARE AGREED UPON BY MAJOR MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS IS THE VERY THING THAT PROPONENTS OF THE BILL REPUBLICANS SHUNTED WHEN PASSED THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

DEMOCRATS TRIED TO CALL ATTENTION TO IT.

SO THAT HAPPENED IT'S OBVIOUSLY A BLOW TO ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON WHO HAS BEEN A FIERCE DEFENDER OF THIS LAW.

IT ALSO YOU KNOW, JUDGE HAIL DIDN'T MINCE WORDS EITHER.

BASICALLY WHAT HIS ORDER MEANS THEY ASKED FOR A TEMPORARY INJUNE ACTIVE RELIEF WHICH MEANS BLOCKING THE LAW FROM BEING ENFORCED UNTIL IT CAN GO THROUGH THE COURTS.

HE ALSO DIDN'T MINCE WORD GLS THIS CRITICISM OF DANIEL CAMERON IN HIS CASE FOR WHY THE LAW SHOULD BE ENFORCED.

HE CALLED HIM OUT FOR UNNECESSARY INFLAMMATORY LANGUAGE IN HIS ORDER.

HE KIND OF DESTRUCTED SOME OF HIS ARGUMENTS AND FACT CHECKED HIM.

HE SAID THAT IT'S NOT MEDICAL PROVIDERS GOAL TO PUSH HORMONES OR PUBERTY BLOCKERS FOR FINANCIAL GAIN AND HE TRIED TO SAY THESE PARENTS DON'T WANT UNLIMITED ACCESS TO DRUGS FOR THEIR KIDS WITHOUT RESTRICTION THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON SAID THEY WANT THE STANDARD OF CARE AND ACCESS TO IT.

>> Bill: A SURGICAL STRIKE ON THAT PARTICULAR PART OF SENATE BILL 150.

>> THE SCHOOL PARTS OF THE BILL HOW SCHOOLS HAVE TO SET REGULATIONS ON NO SORT OF CURRICULUM FOR THAT HAS TO DO WITH SEXUALITY AND GENDER IDENTITY AND STUDENTS CANNOT USE BATHROOMS THAT CORRESPOND WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.

CAMERON APPEAL TO DO A DAY LATER AND NOW IT WILL GO TO THE 6TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS LIKELY AND UP AND UP UNTIL THE SUPREME COURT.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.

>> IT'S ALSO AN ISSUE THAT WILL SPILLOVER INTO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AFTER THE RULING CAME OUT PART OF CAMERON SAID ON TWITTER THAT THE ANDY BESHEAR SUPPORTS SEX CHANGE SURGERY FOR MINORS.

AND OF COURSE THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE LAWSUIT AT ALL.

THAT BAN REMAINS IN PLACE.

THERE WAS NEVER IN QUESTION THAT WAS GOING TO BE SOMETHING BLOCKED.

BESHEAR AND DEMOCRATS IN FRANKFURT THEY DON'T OPPOSE A BAN ON THAT.

BUT CAMERON'S RESPONSE SAYING BESHEAR SUPPORTS THAT GOES IN LINE WITH THE ATDS ARE YOU SEEING FROM THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION WHICH ARE TRYING TO SUGGEST THAT BESHEAR SUPPORTS THAT AND THEY LOVE THOSE CULTURE ISSUES AND THEY THINK THAT WILL TURNOUT THE BASE AGAINST BESHEAR.

>> AND HOW THE CANDIDATES ARE TALKING PAST EACH OTHER THIS WEEK WAS A TIME THAT THEY ADDRESSED ONE ANOTHER.

CAMERON SAID THAT BESHEAR IS FOR GENERAL MUTILATION OF KIDS.

THIS WEEK DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE WITH GOVERNOR BESHEAR HE ULTIMATELY THINKS IT IS A PARENTS' RIGHTS ISSUE AND DANIEL CAMERON DOESN'T.

IT WAS DIRECTED UNREST.

>> Bill: A JUDGE DISMISSED A CHALLENGE TO KENTUCKY'S TRIGG AREA BORINGS LAW THAT WAS REQUESTED BY THE A.C.L.U.

OF KENTUCKY WHO FILED THE SUIT.

>> THE HANDS WERE TIED AND IT DATES BACK TO WHEN THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT WEIGHED IN THIS WINTER AND ONE OF THE BIG FINDINGS THEY HAD WAS EMW AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD CANNOT SUE ON BEHALF OF THEIR PATIENTS.

THEY HAVE TO HAVE PLAINTIFFS WHO CAN PROVE INJURY TO THE LAWSUIT.

EMW CLOSED ITS DOORS SOLD THEIR BUILDING, THEY NO LONGER HAVE FIRST PARTY STANDING TO SAY THE TRIGGER LAW IMPACTS US.

DANIEL CAMERON CALLED THAT OUT THEY HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO DISMISS AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR PLAINTIFFS.

>> Bill: DOZENS OF NEW KENTUCKY LAWS DID TAKE EFFECT THAT INCLUDES GREEN MACHINES ARE ILLEGAL, McKENNA SO THERE IS A BIT OF A CHANGE IN THE GAMBLING LANDSCAPE INTO THE SPORTS BETTING A LOT GOING ON BUT THE GRAY MACHINES WERE A PROFIT CENTER FOR A LOT OF MOM AND POP TYPE STORES.

>> AND SO THESE MACHINES THEY MIGHT BE REFERRED TO AS GREEN MACHINES.

IF YOU DO SUPPORT THEM YOU CALL THEM SKILL GAMES.

THEY ARE NOW ILLEGAL IN THE STATE.

THEY ARE SLOT STYLE DEVICES COMMON IN MANY BARS OR GAS STATIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

BUT UNDER THE NEW LAW IF YOU ARE OWNING OR MANAGING ONE OF THOSE, YOU COULD BE SUBJECT TO A $25,000 FINE PER DEVICE.

>> Bill: THAT WOULD EAT THE PROFITS UP QUICKLY.

OTHER LAWS TOOK HOLD ALEX IN-HOME HIV TESTS ARE LEGAL IN KENTUCKY.

>> YOU CAN SELL, DISTRIBUTE AND BUY HIV TESTS AT HOME.

THIS WAS A RESULT OF A BIPARTISAN LAW PASSED THIS SESSION PART OF THE LAW, TOO, IS IT WAS A LAW THAT DATED BACK TO THE 90s.

BUT PREVIOUSLY, PEOPLE WHO WERE HIV POSITIVE WHO DONATED ORGAN TISSUE COULD BE CHARGED WITH A CLASS E FELONY.

THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE.

>> Bill: AND ADDRESSES THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AS WELL.

>> SOME OF THE MAJOR REFORMS OF THE BILL WILL NOT GO INTO EFFECT DID CREATE THE FUNDING FOR A YOUTH JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER TO REOPEN IN JEFFERSON COUNTY THAT WAS CLOSED BY THE CITY A FEW YEARS AGO BECAUSE THEY RAN OUT OF FUNDING THAT WILL REOPEN AND THEY ARE FUNDING FOR THE STATE TO OPERATE THAT FACILITY.

SO THE CONCERN HERE WAS THAT THERE WERE JUVENILE DETAINEES SHIPPED OVER THE STATE BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING IN LOUISVILLE TO HOUSE THEM.

NOW THEY HOPE THAT GETTING THAT BACK UP IS GOING TO LET THE KIDS STAY CLOSER TO THEIR FAMILY AND CLOSER TO SERVICES THAT TO KEEP THEM OUT OF TROUBLE.

>> Bill: A NEW LAW WILL GIVE EDUCATORS OPTIONS TO REMOVE STUDENTS FROM THE CLASSROOMS.

>> THIS WAS A REPUBLICAN BACKED BILL THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR SIGNED INTO LAW PREDICATED ON EVERYBODY HAS A FEAR ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY.

SO WITH PARTICULARLY PROBLEMATIC STUDENT IT IS ALLOWS TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO REMOVE THEM FROM THE BUILDING IF THEY ARE REMOVED SO MANY TIMES THE PRINCIPAL CAN SUSPEND THEM.

I THINK IT'S LARGELY SEEN AS A WAY TO HELP AVOID HIGH TURNOVER RATES AMONG TEACHERS BECAUSE OFTENTIMES THAT IS FUELED BY HAVING TAXING STUDENTS.

>> Bill: LOFTON'S LAW MAKES HAZING A FELONY.

>> YES.

SO UNDER THIS LAW, WHICH HAD SUPPORT IN BOTH HOUSES AND THE SIGNATURE OF GOVERNOR BESHEAR IT WILL MAKE FIRST DEGREE HAZING A CLASS D FELONY AND SECOND DEGREE A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.

IT WAS CREATED IN HONOR OF THOMAS LOFTON WHO DIED FROM ALCOHOL POISONING IN 2021.

AND WITH THIS, KENTUCKY BECOMES THE 14TH STATE TO CLASSIFY HAZING AS A FELONY.

>> Bill: AND THE DELTA 8THC SUBSTANCE COULD SEE NEW REGULATIONS.

>> THAT IS THE SIN THEN PARTICULAR PRODUCT SIMILAR TO MARIJUANA AND SOLD IN STORES.

THERE WAS AN EFFORT TO BAN IT BUT INSTEAD THEY ARE BANNING THE SALE OF IT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE AGED UNDER 21.

THERE ARE CERTAIN THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES IS IN CHARGE OF REGULATIONS RELATED TO THIS AND HOW IT'S SOLD.

THOSE WILL BE FINALIZED IN A MONTH OR SO.

BUT IT WILL DEAL WITH WHERE THOSE CAN BE PLACED WITHIN A STORE.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY IS ENDING WITH A SURPLUS AND A CREDIT RATING AGENCY UPGRADED KENTUCKY AND ANOTHER AGENCY TOOK NOTE OF THE STATE'S FINANCES AND ECONOMY.

THE LEGISLATURE'S RESTRAINED SPENDING REGULARLY FUNDING THE PENSIONS THE GOVERNOR IS ABLE TO ANNOUNCE JOBS AND OTHER BUSINESS INVESTMENTS.

WHO GETS THE CREDIT, JOE, THAT IS THE BATTLE, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS THE MOST OF THE DEBATE OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, IS THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR GET CREDIT OR THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE GET THE CREDIT AND WHO GETS THE BLAME FOR SUFFICIENT THAT IS GOING BAD.

THE LEGISLATURE IS THE ONE THAT SETS SPENDING POLICY, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR GOING AT RECRUITING BIG BUSINESSES LIKE FORD AND BATTERY PLANTS.

THEY SHARE SOME OF IT.

OBVIOUSLY THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A POINT WHEN THEY SAY THAT BESHEAR IS TAKING CREDIT FOR ALL OF THE GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPENED SINCE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT SET THE POLICIES.

BUT THERE IS A FLIP SIDE THE REASON THERE IS THIS BIG BUDGET SURPLUS A LARGE PART IS BECAUSE OF PRESIDENT BIDEN AND DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS FROM THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS THAT ALLOWED BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO COME INTO KENTUCKY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, FOR OTHER PROJECTS.

THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE ACT WHICH ALL THE REPUBLICANS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF McCONNELL VOTED AGAINST.

>> Bill: BUTTIGIEG CAME TO KENTUCKY THIS WEEK TO HIGHLIGHT FEDERAL PROJECTS INCLUDING A RAILROAD OVERPASS IN LEXINGTON, IMPROVEMENTS TO KENTUCKY 15 AND ALONG WITH BROADBAND PROJECTS.

BUTTIGIEG SAYS PUBLIC INVESTMENTS OFTEN LEAD TO PRIVATE INVESTMENTS THAT THE COULD CREATE JOBS AND BUILDUP COMMUNITIES.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE NOTICED IN ADDITION TO THE CONSTRUCTION JOBS YOU CAN UNLOCK A BETTER ECONOMY WHEN YOU HAVE BETTER STREETSCAPES AND ACCESS TO TRANSIT, SIDEWALKS IT GETS MORE FOOT TRAFFIC AND MEANS MORE SMALL BUSINESSES LIKELY TO THRIVE.

YOU SEE A GREAT PRIVATE SECTOR RESPONSE TO A GOOD PUBLIC SECTOR INVESTMENT.

>> Bill: BUTTIGIEG HAD A BUSY DAY IN KENTUCKY.

>> YEAH, WITH ALL THIS MONEY COMING IN I THINK IT'S ABOUT $33 MILLION THAT KENTUCKY WILL RECEIVE ACROSS COMMUNITIES AROUND THE STATE.

AND WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT SOME OF THIS MONEY IT'S GOING TO PROJECTS THAT AREN'T JUST FOR ROADS.

BUT FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AS WELL.

WE'RE SEEING SOME INVESTMENT IN COMPLETE STREET PROGRAMS.

AND HELPING PEDESTRIANS SHARE THE ROAD WITH MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVERS.

>> Bill: WE MENTIONED McCONNELL A COUPLE TIMES AND SENATOR McCONNELL SEEMED TO SIDESTEP A QUESTION WHETHER HE WILL SEEK AN 8TH TERM IN WASHINGTON.

THE 81-YEAR-OLD SENATE LEADER SAYS IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION FROM THE HERALD LEADER'S AUSTIN HORN THAT HE CANNOT PREDICT WHAT HE MIGHT DO THREE YEARS FROM NOW.

HERE IS THE RESPONSE TO AUSTIN'S QUESTION.

>> YOU ARE ASKING ME TO PREDICT WHAT I MIGHT DO THREE YEARS FROM NOW?

>> YEP.

>> I DON'T HAVE A PREDICTION ON THAT.

NO NEWS TO MAKE ON THAT SUBJECT.

>> Bill: NO NEWS TO MAKE.

AND WE ALL KNOW THE CHUCKLE.

>> THE CHUCKLE WHERE HE DOESN'T WANT TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> Bill: IN THE PAST, JOE, IT SEEMS McCONNELL HAS SEEMED READY TO TRANSITION FROM ONE CAMPAIGN TO THE NEXT AND START RAISING MONEY EARLY.

IS THIS AN INDICATION OF HESITATION?

>> HE IS A POLITICAL ANIMAL AND LOOKING TO REFRESH THE HIS CAMPAIGN CHEST.

McCONNELL IS 81 YEARS OLD.

IF HE HE IS REELECTED HE WILL BE 90 YEARS OLD AT THE END OF THAT TERM.

HE OBVIOUSLY HAD HEALTH ISSUES IN RECENT YEARS.

BUT THIS IS McCONNELL.

HE IS A POLITICAL ANIMAL AND I WOULDN'T COUNT HIM OUT AT THIS POINT THAT HE IS GOING TO RUN AGAIN.

HE DOES HAVE DONALD TRUMP WHICH MAKES HIS JOB A LITTLE HARDER OBVIOUSLY AS HE KEEPS TRYING TO TURN REPUBLICANS AGAINST AND POLLS SHOWED THE SUPPORT HAS GONE DOWN.

BUT I WOULDN'T COUNT HIM OUT YET.

>> Bill: WHAT WOULD HE DO IF HE LEFT?

>> INCREDIBLY BORED.

>> THE SMOKE FROM THE CANADIAN WILDFIRES WILL LEAVE US ALONE BUT THAT'S BEEN TOUGH AND ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WITH ANY COMPROMISED HEALTH.

>> IT'S BEEN INTENSE.

I DON'T HAVE ANY SORT OF COMPROMISED HEALTH BUT I CAN TELL A DIFFERENCE WHEN I GO OUTSIDE.

MAYBE PEOPLE NGHTSED HAZIER SUNRISES AND SUNSETS.

AIR QUALITY IS NOT GOOD.

>> Bill: AND THE HEAT IS ON FOR THE WEEKEND.

>> VERY, VERY HOT.

>> Bill: BLUEGRASS MUSIC FANS ARE MOURNING THE LOSS OF PERFORMER BOBBY OSBORNE.

HE WAS ONE-HALF OF THE OSBORNE BROTHERS.

HIS BROTHER SONY DIED IN 2021.

THE TWO NATIVES MADE KNOWN FOR TENNESSEE'S STATE SONG ROCKY TOP.

BOBBY OSBORNE LOVED TO SHARE BLUEGRASS MUSIC ANYWAY HE COULD INCLUDING TEACHING A COLLEGE COURSE FOR 15 YEARS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

THE WEBSITE BLUEGRASS TODAY SAID BOBBY'S DEATH LEAVES A GAPING HOLE IN THE HEARTS OF EVERY BLUEGRASS PLAN.

A MEMBER OF THE GRAND OBVIOUSLY OPRY SINCE 1964 WAS 91 YEARS OLD.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

[♪♪] H