FROM ENDING PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS AND A MAJOR INCENTIVE IS ROLLED OUT FOR THE THE FEDS INDICT AND ARREST A MA PARDONED ON STATE CHARGES BY FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN.

THE PANDEMIC TOOK ITS TOLL ON KENTUCKY TOURISM, BUT THERE ARE SIGNS OF A REBOUND.

HOW LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR SAY CREATING A JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY IN KENTUCKY FELL THROUGH THE CRACK ON THIS 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 AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWE.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE: MELISSA PATRICK, REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.

RYLAND BARTON, CAPITOL BUREAU CHIEF FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO WITH STATIONS IN MURRAY, BOWLIN GREEN, LOUISVILLE AND RICHMOND.

AND JOHN CHEVES, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON FILES SUIT AGAINST PHARMACY GIANT CVS, SAYING IT SHOULD HAVE DONE MORE TO PREVENT THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

AND I BILL IS FILED IN FRANKFORT THAT WOULD RESTRICT SOME TOPICS FROM BEING BROUGHT UP IN KENTUCKY'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

.

LET US BEGIN WITH THIS, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCING TODAY A MAJOR INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE TO GET OF A COVID SHOT.

IT APPLIES TO ANYBODY WHO HAS ALREADY GOTTEN THEIR VACCINE, RYLAND.

WHAT, $1 MILLION OR MAYBE SOME EDUCATION ON THE LINE.

>> Ryland: YEAH, IT'S A VACCINE LOTTERY.

SEVERAL OTHER STATES HAVE ALREADY CREATED SIMILAR INCENTIVE PROGRAMS.

BASICALLY HOE IT WORKS IS IF YOU HAVE GOTTEN THE VACCINE OR YOU GET A VACCINE IN THE FUTURE, YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN A DRAWING FOR $1 MILLION.

THERE'S GOING TO BE THREE KENTUCKIANS OVER AGE 18 WHO WILL WIN OUT OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.

AND THEN KENTUCKIANS AGE 12 THROUGH 17 THERE'S A OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO SIGN UP TO GET FREE COLLEGE TUITION, FIVE HAVE THOSE, AND SIMILARLY A RAFFLE FOR IT.

IT'S A LITTLE DYSTOPIAN IT SOUNDS LIKE TO TRY TO BE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET THIS VACCINE BY JOINING A LOTTERY, HOWEVER, I THINK THE STATE IS JUST TRYING TO -- THERE HAVE BEEN 2 MILLION PEOPLE VACCINATED SO FAR.

THEIR GOAL IS TO TRY TO GET TO 2.5 MILLION SO THE STATE IS JUST TRYING TO SHAKE A FEW MORE APPLES OUT OF THE TREE.

>> Bill: I THINK IT IS CALLED A SHOT IN A MILLION AND 15 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THOSE UNDER 18 WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO WIN THE CASH.

HOW DO YOU SIGN UP?

>> Ryland: IT'S AT SHOT@AMILLION.KY.GOV.

YOU HAVE TO RIGHT IN YOUR NAME AND WHERE YOU GOT YOUR VACCINE AND HEALTH OFFICIALS CAN GO AND VERIFY AND YOU END UP BEING A POTENTIAL WINNER.

>> Bill: INTERESTING IT DOES APPLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN VACCINATED.

JOHN, HAVE YOU SIGNED UP GET?

>> John: I SIGNED UP RIGHT AWAY.

>> Bill: WITH WE SEE YOU AGAIN?

>> John: YOU WILL NEVER SEE ME AGAIN.

IT WILL BE A WIN-WIN IF I GET MY MILLION DOLLARS.

>> Bill: EXCEPT US.

WE'LL MISS YOU.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYBODY OUT THERE.

MELISSA, WHAT A LONG HAUL THIS REALLY HAS BEEN, 14 MONTHS OF RESTRICTIONS, MORE THAN A YEAR OF A MASK MANDATE, MORE THAN 7,000 KENTUCKIANS HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES TO COVID, AND WE HAVE SOME WHO OBVIOUSLY HAVE LONG-TERM EFFECTS FROM THIS.

SOME ARE EMERGING FROM ANXIETY AND PROBLEMS, BUT WE WERE KNOW, I MEAN, WE'RE IN A BETTER PLACE THAN WE WERE BUT THERE ARE SOME ONGOING ISSUES.

>> Melissa: WELL, THERE ARE SOME ONGOING ISSUES.

ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT ABOUT 10% OF PEOPLE WITH COVID HAVE IS CALLED LONG HAULERS OR LONG COVID, AND THAT'S JUST AN ARRAY OF SYMPTOMS THAT VARY FROM PERSON TO PERSON AND THEY STILL -- THERE'S A LOT THEY NEED TO LEARN ABOUT THAT.

ANOTHER STUDY HAS FOUND THAT A LOT OF PATIENTS, WHEN THEY -- ABOUT HALF OF PATIENTS EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC THAT WERE RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL HAD FUNCTIONAL CHALLENGES.

THEY NEEDED CANES AND WHEELCHAIRS AND NUTRITION SUPPORT.

AND THOSE PATIENTS, TOO,, YOU KNOW, A YEAR HAS IPAD.

HOW ARE THEY DOING?

SO THERE NEEDS TO BE A LOT OF FOLLOW-UP.

>> Bill: PEOPLE NOT GO IN HAD TOES ISSUES AND CAME OUT WITH THAT.

>> Melissa: NO, THEY WENT IN HEALTHY AND CAME OUT WITH CHALLENGES.

THEN, OF COURSE, AS WE OPEN UP AND PUT OUR MASKS AWAY AND START SOCIALIZING AGAIN, YOU KNOW, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE GETS VACCINATED BECAUSE WE ALSO DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANOTHER VARIANT IN FRONT OF US THAT MIGHT NOT BE TREATABLE BY THE VACCINES WE HAVE.

SO THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS TO STILL THINK ABOUT AS WE COME OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> Bill: IT'S A REALLY BEEN A PATCH QUILT WHEN YOU LOOK ACROSS THE STATE IF YOU LOOK AT THE VACCINATION RATES.

YOU LOOKED AT A COUPLE OF COUNTIES THAT HAVE THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATES IN THE STATE AND VISITED ONE WITH SOME INTERESTING FINDINGS.

>> Melissa: WELL, I DID.

SO I WANTED TO JUST GO AND ASK THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN SPENCER COUNTY WHY THEIR VACCINE RATE WAS SO LOW.

IT'S ABOUT 16.4% FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE AROUND 20% WITH ONE DOSE, AND THAT'S PRETTY LOW.

WE HAVE ABOUT 21 COUNTIES IN THE STATE WITH VACCINE RATES FULLY VACCINATED RATES BELOW 25%.

AND SO WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF COUNTIES THAT NEED VACCINES.

BUT THOSE -- THE PEOPLE IN SPENCER COUNTY WERE JUST VERY EXCITED TO SHARE WITH ME WHY THEY WERE NOT GETTING VACCINATED.

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WAS MISTRUST OF THE GOVERNMENT.

THEY DIDN'T WANT THE GOVERNMENT TELLING THEM WHAT TO DO.

ANOTHER REASON IS JUST CONCERN ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS.

SOME PEOPLE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO GET A VACCINE AND HAVE THOSE FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS THAT PEOPLE GET ON THAT SECOND DAY.

AND THEN ANOTHER CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS A TIE TO ABORTIONS FOR SOME PEOPLE, AND THEY JUST WERE REALLY OPPOSED TO THAT.

AND WHAT THAT BOILS DOWN TO IS THAT FOR THE LAST 30 OR 40 YEARS SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN GROWING CELLS IN LABS FROM AN ABORTED FETUS IN THE '60s, '70s AND '80s, I GUESS IT WOULD BE, AND THEY HAVE A FEETAL CELL LINE THAT THEY USE FOR RESEARCH, AND BECAUSE BOTH OF THESE VACCINES HAVE JUST A VERY -- YOU KNOW, THE PFIZER AND MODERNA ONLY USED THE FETAL CELL LINE AFTER THE VACCINE WAS DEVELOPED TO SEE IF IT WORKED, AND THEN JOHNSON & JOHNSON ACTUALLY USED IT IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURING OF IT.

SO A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.

>> Bill: THAT CAME UP.

>> Melissa: IT CAME UP WITH ABOUT HALF THE PEOPLE I SPOKE TO.

>> Bill: JOHN, AS WE BEGIN TO BE ABLE TO LOOK BACK AT THIS HOPEFULLY, RIGHT, HOW DO YOU THINK HISTORY WILL RECORD OUR RESPONSE HERE IN KENTUCKY, WHICH HAS OBVIOUSLY REVEALED POLITICAL AND SOCIAL DIVISIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE?

>> John: I THINK WE WERE LARGELY UNITED IN KENTUCKY FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH, FOR ABOUT THE FIRST MONTH, MARCH GOING INTO APRIL.

LARGELY BECAUSE WE WERE SO SHOCKED THAT THIS WAS GOING ON IN FRONT OF US, AND WE WERE SCARED OF THE VIRUS, THIS STRANGE NEW THING.

I THINK THE FIRST TURNING POINT WAS PROBABLY EASTER SUNDAY OF LAST YEAR WHEN THE GOVERNOR HAD SAID WE WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO MEET INDOORS IN CROWDS BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION THREAT, AND A FEW CHURCHES DID HAVE EASTER SERVICES, AND SO THE STATE POLICE WENT OUT UNDER THE STATE'S ORDERS AND TOOK DOWN LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS, NOT TREECE PEOPLE OR CHARGE THEM BUT TO SEND OUT NOTICES SAYING THAT THÈ THE DRIVERS NEED TODAY QUARANTINE THEMSELVES, AND THAT CROSSED A PRETTY IMPORTANT LINE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE THESE ARE HOUSES OF WORSHIP, AND I THINK THAT'S WHEN YOU SAW THE FIRST EMERGENCE OF AN ANGRY RESISTANCE TO THE GOVERNOR'S RESTRICTIONS THAT JUST GREW FROM THERE TO ENCOMPASS MASKS AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON BARS AND RESTAURANTS, AND THAT WAS REALLY THE END OF OUR BEING UNIFIED.

>> Bill: RHODE ISLAND, WE'VE COVERED THIS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW.

WHAT DID WE LEARN ABOUT OURSELVES AS KENTUCKIANS, IN YOUR VIEW?

>> Ryland: I MEAN, I THINK ONE THING WE LEARNED IS HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO GET EVERYBODY TO ROW IN THE SAME DIRECTION WHEN WE'RE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT.

YOU KNOW, WE WERE ALL EXPERIENCING THIS VIRUS AND RESPONDING TO IT AT THE SAME TIME, AND THERE WERE JUST MASSIVE AGREEMENTS OVER HOW TO GO ABOUT RESPONDING TO THIS PANDEMIC.

I THINK A LOT OF US EXPECTED THAT IN A I STATE OF EMERGENCY WHEN THERE IS SOMETHING SO UNKNOWN, UNUSUAL AND DANGEROUS THAT EVERYONE WOULD KIND OF COME TOGETHER AND TRY TO HAVE SOME CONSENSUS ABOUT GOING ABOUT THINGS, BUT REALLY HOW VERY QUICKLY THINGS TURNED INTO SOME OF THE PRETTY FAMILIAR POLITICAL ENTRENCHMENT THAT WE HE ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES AND HAVE -- I DON'T KNOW -- SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS COUNTRY PROBABLY.

AND AT THE SAME TIME I THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME REALLY INSPIRATION A MOMENTS.

IT'S WILD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE VACCINE OVER THE COURSE OF WAY LESS THAN A YEAR, AND I THINK THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF TEACHABLE MOMENTS AND A LOT OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE WILL BE STUDYING GOING FORWARD, LEARNING ABOUT HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER BETTER, LEARNING HOW WE CAN REACH OUT TO PEOPLE BETTER AND BECOME BETTER COMMUNICATORS AND -- I DON'T KNOW -- BETTER DELIBERATES GOING FORWARD.

>> Bill: MELISSA, KENTUCKY HAS PLAYED A ROLE IN VACCINE TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE I THE BEGINNING AND NOW NORTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS TAKING TRIALS IN WHICH ISSUE UNDER THE AGE OF 12, RIGHT?

>> Melissa: YES, VERY EXCITING NEWS THERE.

THEY'RE ENROLLING THEIR FIRST PATIENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, AND THERE'S ABOUT 4500 TOTAL NATIONWIDE IN THIS STUDY, AND THEY'LL NEED 100 IN KENTUCKY.

THEY'LL NEED 100 VOLUNTEERS IN KENTUCKY.

AND THE CHILDREN WILL, ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE CHILDREN WILL GET THE VACCINE, AND -- IS THAT RIGHT?

OUT OF THREE CHILDREN IN THE TRIAL, ONE WILL GET A PLA SEIB SKO OWE AND TWO WILL GET THE VACCINE.

THEN WHEN THE TRIAL IS OVER THE CHILD THAT HAD THE PLACEBO WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE VACCINE IF THEY WANT IT.

>> WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.

THE KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION THIS WEEK SPOKE OUT WANTING ATHLETES 12 AND UP TO GET THE PFIZER VACCINE, WHICH IS THE ONE THAT'S APPROVED FOR THEM RIGHT NOW, BEFORE SUMMER PRACTICES BEGIN, AND THAT'S COMING QUICKLY BECAUSE IT WILL BE JULY.

THEY'RE SAYING THAT THAT IS A WAY TO KEEP THE GAMES GOING AND KEEP THE ATHLETES FROM BEING QUARANTINED.

>> Melissa: RIGHT.

AND JUST LIKE IN THE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT, YOU KNOW, WHEN A CHILD HAS HAD THEIR TWO DOSES OF THE PFIZER VACCINE, IF SOMEONE IN THE CLASSROOM GETS THE VIRUS, AT THIS -- UP UNTIL NOW THE ROOM WAS SHUT DOWN, QUARANTINED.

EVERYONE HAD TO GO HOME.

BUT NOW WHEN YOU HAVE THE VACCINE, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE QUARANTINED.

AND THAT PLAYS OVER INTO SPORTS AS WELL.

AND THAT WILL MEAN THAT PRACTICES, GAMES, EVERYTHING -- IT'S ONE MORE WAY FOR EVERYTHING TO GET BACK TO NORMAL.

>> Bill: RYLAND, THE RULES IN STATE GOVERNMENT WILL CHANGE NEXT FRIDAY, AND INDIVIDUALS OBVIOUSLY CAN STILL MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES ABOUT MASKS AND OTHER THINGS, WHAT THEY'RE COMFORTABLE WITH, AND DO YOU SUSPECT BUSINESSES MAY ALSO BE PRESSURED ONE WAY OR THE OTHER TO MAKE DECISIONS?

MOST OF THEM HAVE OPENED THE DOORS TO THOSE AT LEAST WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED TO NOT WEAR MASKS.

>> Ryland: YEAH, IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW, IF ANYTHING, CHANGES AFTER JUNE 11th, WHILE BUSINESSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO NO LONGER REQUIRE PEOPLE TO WEAR MASKS OR SOCIAL DISTANCE AND THINGS LIKE THAT, IT WILL CERTAINLY STILL BE THEIR PREROGATIVE TO.

THEY CAN IF THEY WANT.

AND I THINK THAT A LOT OF THAT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO WHAT THEIR CUSTOMERS WANT.

ARE -- DO THEIR CUSTOMERS FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WHEN PEOPLE ARE WEARING MASKS OR SOCIAL DISTANCING?

ARE THEY REALLY SICK OF SEEING THAT AT ALL?

AND I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GOING SEE PROBABLY A PATCHWORK OF DIFFERENT RESPONSES TO THAT ACROSS THE STATE AND IT'S GOING TO PROBABLY CHANGE A LITTLE BIT OVER TIME.

SO EVERYBODY IS PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP A MASK IN THEIR CAR BECAUSE ULTIMATELY IF A BUSINESS WANTS YOU TO WEAR A MASK, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THAT.

BUT IT'S NOT -- THE STATE MANDATES ARE GOING TO BE GONE.

THERE'S NO LONGER GOING TO BE THE MASK MANDATE.

INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE DAY BEFORE ALL OF THIS IS THE BIG STATE SUPREME COURT CASE OVER THE GOVERNOR'S -- OR REALLY OVER THE LEGISLATURE'S ABILITY TO RESTRICT THE GOVERNOR'S RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

THE LEGISLATURE PASSED SEVERAL LAWS, CHANGING HOW THE GOVERNOR CAN RESPOND IN SAFETIES EMERGENCY, REQUIRING THE GOVERNOR -- STATES OF EMERGENCY, REQUIRING THE GOVERNOR OR REQUIRING THE GOVERNOR TO GET HIS EXECUTIVE ORDERS RENEWED AFTER 30 DAYS BY THE LEGISLATURE OR ELSE THOSE EXECUTIVE ORDERS WOULD EXPIRE, SEVERAL OTHER THINGS WILL END UP BEING ARGUED IN THIS BIG SUPREME COURT HEARING.

AND IT'S INTERESTING THAT IT COMES THE DAY BEFORE ALL OF THESE ARE SET TO EXPIRE.

CERTAINLY AT THAT MOMENT WHEN ALL THE ARGUMENTS HAPPENING, IT MR. LEVERIDGE ALL STILL BE ACTIVE.

>>> >> Bill: RIGHT, BUT THE RULINGS LIKELY TO COME AFTER THEY HAVE EXPIRED.

>> John: THE COURT TRADITIONALLY DOESN'T RULE UNTIL MONTHS AFTER ORAL ARGUMENTS SO CONCEIVABLY, THE COURT COULD JUST COME BACK AND SAY, YOU KNOW, IT'S I EVER IRRELEVANT NOW.

WHAT YOU'RE ASKING TO US RULE OH, IT'S EXPIRED.

>> Bill: JOHN, REPUBLICANS ARE POINTING TO THE HELP WANTED SIGNS ACROSS THE STATE AND THE CLAMOR FOR $300 A WEEK FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT ENHANCEMENT TO BE PHASED OUT.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS NOT DONE THAT.

NO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR HAS DONE THAT AT THIS POINT.

IS HE SHOWING ANY SIGNS OF PHASING IT OUT BEFORE IT EXPIRES IN SEPTEMBER?

>> John: NO.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYS THAT THAT $300 A WEEK IN EXTRA UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS OFFERED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AMOUNTS TO $34 MILLION A WEEK PUMPED INTO KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY, NAMES ARE USING -- THEY'RE SPENDING ALMOST EVERY PENNY OF IT.

THEY'RE NOT PUTTING IT AWAY IN SAVINGS BECAUSE THESE FOLKS DON'TS OF MUCH MONEY.

THEY'RE SPENDING IT ON THINGS LIKE GROCERIES AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES.

IT'S KEEPING THEM OUT OF POVERTY, HE SAYS, AND IT'S KEEPING OUR ECONOMY HUMMING ALONG AND HELPING THE ECONOMY TO REMAIN STIMULATED.

HE DOES NOT BELIEVE, LIKE REPUBLICANS MITCHELL McCONNELL AND OTHERS DO, THAT THIS IS A DISCOURAGING FOLKS FROM SEEKING WORK.

HE THINKS IT'S KEYING THEM GOING.

IN SET UP WILL END ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

>> Bill: REPUBLICAN IRAQ COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES WHO MAKES NO SECRET SECRET OF THE FACT THAT HE IS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR IS PUSHING A BONE FOURS PEOPLE WHO DO GO BACK TO WORK.

HE PATTERNS THAT AFTER AN ARIZONA PROGRAM, I THINK.

>> John: RIGHT.

THE IN ARIZONA IF YOU TAKE A JOB THAT PAYS LESS THAN $25 AN HOUR, YOU GET A $2,000 HIRING BONUS IN PUBLIC FUNDS.

IF YOU KEEP THE JOB FOR CERTAIN SET PERIOD OF TIME, THE THOUGHT IS THEY REALLY WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO ACCEPT ANY GOOD JOB THAT YOU CAN FIND.

>> Bill: RYLAND, THE OPIOID CRISES CHASED KENTUCKY INTO THE COVID CRISIS AND APPARENTLY WORSENED DURING IT AND ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON IS GOING AFTER SARM PHARMACY GIANT CVS SAYING THEY SHOULD HAVE STOPPED SOME OF THE FLOW OF BILLS AT THE POINT OF SALE.

>> Ryland: YEAH, ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON SAID CVS ALLOWED MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF PILLS TO FLOOD INTO KENTUCKY DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR NOT DOING MORE ABOUT THAT.

CVS HAD THE UNIQUE POSITION OF BEING BOTH A PHARMACIST AND A DISTRIBUTOR OF OPIOID PILLS DURING THAT TIME.

HE HAD SOME PRETTY SHOCKING STATISTICS DURING -- IN THAT ANNOUNCEMENT BETWEEN 2:00 AND 2014, 151 MILLION OPIOID PILLS, BETWEEN 2006 AND 2014, CAME INTO KENTUCKY THROUGH CVS, AND SOME OF THEM INTO REALLY RELATIVELY UNPOPULATED, UNDERPOPULATED PLACES.

PERRY COUNTY THERE WAS 6.8 MILLION PILLS OVER THAT SAME TIME PERIOD.

THIS IS ONE OF SEVERAL LAWSUITS THAT GENERAL IN KENTUCKY OF FILED AGAINST BIG OPIOID AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.

THEN ATTORNEY GENERAL ANDY BESHEAR FILED SOME AGAINST MCKESSON, ALSO WALGREENS WHO HAD A SIMILAR DISTRIBUTOR AND PHARMACY ROLE.

SO THIS IS -- THESE LAWSUITS KEEP PILING UP AND THE STATE'S GOING TO SEE IF IT CAN GET ANY COMPENSATION FOR -- IT'S REALLY EXPENSIVE TO RESPOND TO -- TO RESPOND TO A PANDEMIC LIKE AND/OR AN EPIDEMIC LIKE THAT AND TRY AND ALLEVIATE THE SITUATION.

>> Bill: JOHN.

>> John: THE DATABASE IS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DETECT SUSPICIOUSLY HIGH OPIOID SALES, AND ACCORDING TO GENERAL CAMERON CVS PREVIOUSLY FAILED.

THEY'RE JUST TO REPEAT A NUMBER BACK THAT RYLAND GAVE US THERE, SO FROM 2007 TO 2014 WHILE ADDICTION WAS RAGING OUT OF CONTROL IN KENTUCKY, CVS REPORTED EXACTLY ZERO SUSPICIOUS ORDERS IN KENTUCKY.

ZERO FOR OPIOID DISTRIBUTION.

WHILE ITS STORES IN KENTUCKY WERE DELIVERING MORE THAN 150 MILLION DOSES OF OXYCODONE AND HYDROCODONE.

THAT JUST IS BEYOND BELIEF.

>> Bill: ARE PHARMACISTS EXPECTED A PLAY A BIGGER ROLE THAN EVER IN CONTROLLING IT?

>> John: I THINK EATS ONE OF THE POINTS OF HAVING THE DATABASE.

>> Bill: MELISSA, YOU DID A STORY ON THE DATABASE.

THE DATA IS NOT TIED TO WHAT WE'RE COMING OUT OF HERE WITH COVID, BUT OVERDOSE DEATHS APPARENTLY DECLINED IN SOME EASTERN KENTUCKY COUNTIES.

>> Melissa: WELL, THE STUDY WAS BETWEEN 2008 AND 2017, AND THEY BROKE THAT INTO FIVE-YEAR PERIODS AND FOUND THAT EIGHT EASTERN KENTUCKY COUNTIES WERE AMONG THE TEN NATIONALLY WITH THE GREATEST OVERDOSE DEATH DECLINE, AND ONCE THEY DISCOVERED THAT, THE RESEARCHERS WENT TO FIND OUT WHY, AND SO THEY MET WITH STAKEHOLDER AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND RECOVERY AND TREATMENT AND PROVIDER, AND THEY FOUND JUST A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS THAT, BECAUSE KENTUCKY'S BEEN SO AGGRESSIVE IN HOW IT'S APPROACHED THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND ALSO HOW IT'S -- THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS INVOLVED, IT'S ACROSS THE BOARD.

IT'S PROVIDERS.

IT'S TREATMENT, SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS.

ALL OF THAT TOGETHER IS WHAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THAT INDUSTRY -- AND BY INDUSTRY I MEAN PROVIDERS RECOVERY -- WHO DEAL WITH THAT SUBJECT, ALL OF THOSE THINGS TOGETHER RESULTED IN THIS DECLINE, AND MOST OF THEM COULD BE REPLICATED IN OTHER STATES.

>> Bill: SO WE LOOK FOR ANY ENCOURAGE TRENDS THERE.

JOHN MAIN PARDONED PARDON BY FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN IN THE DAYS BEFORE THE GOVERNOR LEFT OFFICE HAS NOW BEEN YOU INDICTED ON FEDERAL CHARGES.

>> John: THAT'S TRUE.

HIS NAME IS PATRICK BAKER AND HE IS ONE OF THE GUYS THAT GOT A PARDON FROM BEVIN ON BEVIN'S WAY OUT THE DOOR IN 2019.

IN TWENTY 19 MR. BAKER APPARENTLY WAS THE -- ONE OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN A HOMICIDE IN KNOX COUNTY DURING A HOME INVASION, A GUY NAMED DONALD MILLS WAS KILLED.

BAKER WAS SENT TO PRISON FOR 19 YEARS BUT HE ONLY SERVED TWO YEARS OF IT BECAUSE BERCH GAVE HAME PARDON, CALLING THE EVIDENCE SKETCHY.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE APPELLATE COURTS DID NOT FIND THE EVIDENCE SKETCHY AT ALL.

THEY FOUND THE GUILT OVERWHELMING.

THE BAKER WAS ONE OF BEVIN END MORE NOTORIOUS PARDONS BECAUSE MR. BAKER'S FAMILY HELD A POLITICAL FUNDRAISE FORE GOVERNOR BEVIN WHERE MORE THAN $21,000 WAS RAISE FORWARD THE GOVERNOR'S CAMPAIGN COFFERS.

NOW BURKINA FASO THE DEATH PENALTY INSTEAD OF THE 19 YEARS HE COULD HAVE FACED HAD HE BEEN LEFT IN PLACE.

>> Bill: RYLAND, QUICKLY ANY INDICATION WHERE THIS MAY BE GOING, IF IT'S ANY MORE WIDESPREAD THAN THESE INDICTMENTS?

>> Ryland: NO, NO INDICATION ABOUT MORE INDICTMENTS COMING COUN.

IT IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR FEDERAL PROSECUTORS TO BE REVIVING A CASE THAT IS ALREADY BEEN ZELD IN STATE COURT BUT THERE ARE LOOPHOLES OR WAYS IN WHICH THE FEDERAL PROSECUTORS DOODOO DOODOO THAT SOMETIMES, AND SOMETIMES IT IS -- IF THEY BELIEVE THAT THE RESULTS OF THE STATE PAIS CASE WAS DUE TO CORRUPTION.

>> Bill: LAST JUNE AT THE HEIGHT OF PROTESTS, KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR PROMISED TO MAKE JUNETEENTH A STATE HOLIDAY.

THAT NEVER HAPPENED.

THIS WEEK SOME TOP LEADERS SAY IT FELL THROUGH THE CRACKS DURING THE COVID CRISIS.

>> I THINK THAT A LOT WAS GOING ON IN THE LAST SESSION, INCLUDING COVID, WHEN IT HIT BUT THAT SHOULDN'T BE AN EXCUSE.

>>Y WE WERE CONGRESS ON SO MANY BIG ISSUES AND UNDER THE LIMIT CIRCUMSTANCES WE HAD AND SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, IT PROBABLY SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS, BUT I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT NOT GETTING THROUGH.

>> Bill: RYLAND, IT APPEARS THIS WILL RETURN AS AN ISSUE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORTED IN 2022.

>> Ryland: ALL THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS MADE THOSE PROMISES LAST SUMMER IN THE HEIGHT OF BIG RACIAL JUSTICE PROTESTS ACROSS THE NATION, AND IT REALLY JUST KIND OF FELL BY THE WAYSIDE AND LOST A LITTLE BIT OF ATTENTION AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

JUNETEENTH, IT'S JUNE 19th.

IT'S IT CELEBRATES WHEN ENSLAVED PEOPLE IN TEXAS FOUND OUT THAT ABRAHAM LINCOLN HAD EMANCIPATED THEM.

IT'S A REASON FOR EVERYONE IN AMERICA TO CELEBRATE.

>> Bill: JOHN, WE APPEAR TO HAVE SOME CULTURAL CLASH ISSUES ON THE HORIZON FOR THIS 202 THE SESSION.

REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPH FISCHER PROPOSING A BILL THAT WOULD RESTRICT SOME SUBJECTS FROM COMING UP IN CLASSROOMS.

>> John: IT'S CALLED CRITICAL RACE THEORY, AND IT'S THE IDEA THAT THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHOULD NOT BE TEACHING ESSENTIALLY SYSTEMIC RACISM.

THEY SHOULD NOT BE TEACHING THAT INSTITUTIONAL RACISM THAT FRANKLY THAT WHITE PEOPLE SHOULD FEEL GUILTY ABOUT RACISM THAT EXISTS IN OUR SOCIETY.

IT'S SORT OF ODD BECAUSE MOST NEWS ORGANIZATIONS CONTINUE TO PUBLISH STORIES ABOUT HOW RACISM DOES EXIST IN THE WORLD, BUT THE SCHOOL TEACHERS SHOULDN'T BE TEACHING IT TO THE KIDS, I GUESS.

>> Bill: JOHN, THE STATE TOURISM FOLKS SAY KENTUCKY LOST 2 TO 3 BILLIONDOLLARS ADORING COVID.

PEOPLE WEREN'T GOING ANYWHERE.

THEY'RE SEEKING SOME COVID RELIEF MONEY AND THERE ARE EVER OTHER ENCOURAGING SIGNS OUT THERE.

>> John: YES, THERE ARE.

FINALLY PEOPLE ARE MOVING AGAIN.

MUSIC FESTIVALS ARE BACK ON FOR THIS SUMMER AND FALL.

STAGE PLAYERS PLAYS ARE HAPPENING AGAIN.

PEOPLE ARE GOING BACK TO THE LAKES AND TO THE PARKS.

NOT ONLY IS THERE MONEY AVAILABLE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AS YOU POINT OUT, BUT END ZONE ANSWERED ARE COMFORTABLE OPENING THEIR WALLETS AND GOING PLACES ONE LIKE THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

>> Bill: IT APPEARS SCHOOLS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO SHARE IN COVID MONEY.

THERE'S A CALL FOR SUGGESTIONS AS TO HOW THAT MIGHT BE SPENT.

MELISSA, SOME SAY MAYBE IT SHOULD BE TIED TO HEALTH AND SAFETY BECAUSE IT'S MONEY THAT IS RESULTING FROM WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH HERE.

>> Melissa: WELL, I THINK KIND OF WHAT THE RUNNING THEME IS, IS THAT THERE'S A TREMENDOUS CONCERN ABOUT THE CHILDREN WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND AB EPIDEMICALLY BUT ALSO CONCERNS ABOUT INCREASE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR CHILD ABUSE OR ALL OF THOSE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT A LOT OF THESE CHILDREN AND ADULTS WILL DEAL WITH AS WE GET BACK OUT INTO THE WORLD, AND SO THERE'S CERTAINLY ROOM TO PROVIDE MONEY TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.

>> Bill: IS THERE CONCERN THAT KENTUCKIANS HAVE NOT DEALT WITH OTHER HEALTH SCREENINGS OR ISSUES THEY MAY HAVE BEEN FACING PRE-COVID AND THAT NOW MAY BE THE TIME TO GET ON THAT?

>> Melissa: OH, SURE.

THERE'S STUDIES THAT SHOW PREVENT CARE IN PARTICULAR, COLON CANCER SCREENINGS, BREAST, MAMMOGRAMS, THAT THOSE SCREENINGS HAVE DECLINED DURING COVID, AND IN CHILDREN JUST MAKING SURE THEY'RE CAUGHT UP WITH THEIR SCHOOL REQUIRED VACCINATIONS, AND SO ONCE AGAIN, PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR A LONG TIME THAT THEIR OFFICES ARE SAFE.

PLEASE COME IN.

GET THESE SCREENINGS DONE.

AND BECAUSE PREVENTION IS REALLY THE WAY TO GO.

>> Bill: RYLAND, QUICKLY ON THIS.

THE KENTUCKY DERBY BYRNE MEDINA A SPIRIT FAILED ANOTHER DRUG TEST.

DOES IT APPEAR THE TITLE WILL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE HORSE AND THE TRAINER?

>> Ryland: WE DON'T KNOW YET.

ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE THINGS ABOUT THAT IS THAT CHURCHILL DOWNS IN THAT STATEMENT SAID IT IS TAPPICES HORSE RANGES COMMISSION TO DETERMINE THAT.

SO CHURCHILL DOWNS IS NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

>> Bill: JEFFERSONTOWN MAYOR -- >> John: THE HORSE RANGES COMMISSION WILL DECIDE.

>> Bill: BILL IS RUNG FOA REPUBLICAN MAYOR FOR LOUISVILLE.

SOME ARE CALLING HUM THE FRONTRUNNER FOR THE GOP.

IN MOST OF KENTUCKY THE CITY ELECTIONS ARE NON-PARTISAN BUT THAT'S A LOCAL DECISION, AND IN LOUISVILLE IT IS STILL A CLASH BETWEEN THE ELEPHANTS AND THE DONKEYS.

STATEHOOD DAY WAS THIS WEEK ON JUNE 1st.

KENTUCKY IS NOW 229.

NEXT YEAR'S A BIG ONE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR