ISSUES A FLURRY OF VETOES.

WILL THE LEGISLATURE OVERRIDE THEM?

A KENTUCKY SENATE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IS HELD FOR THE FIRST TIM SINCE THE 1800S.

IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, MORE ATTACK ADS AGAINST REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON.

AND AG COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES CALLS FOR MORE TAX CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS IN FOSTER CARE.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY TAKES MAJOR STEPS TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

ON THIS FIRST WEEKEND OF SPRING "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT.

WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEW IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR MARK PAYNE, GOVERNMENT AND POLITIC REPORTER FOR LINK NKY.

JESS CLARK, EDUCATION REPORTER FOR LOUISVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA.

AND TESSA DUVALL, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE LEXINGTON ALSO TONIGHT, ASHLAND IS CHOSEN TO HOST PEOPLE FROM 13 STATES A A MAJOR APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION EVENT.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE VETO RECESS PERIOD THAT WE'RE IN RIGHT now.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS BEEN SIGNING LOTS OF BILLS INTO LAW, INCLUDING SOME THIS WEEK TO ADDRESS WORKFORCE ISSUES IN SCHOOLS AND HEALTH CARE.

BUT TODAY THE GOVERNOR ISSUED VETOES ON SOME OF THE YEAR'S MOST CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION, HE HAD SIGNALED HIS INTENTION TO VETO SENATE BILL 150 YESTERDAY BEFORE DOING THAT TODAY.

>> I BELIEVE SENATE BILL 150 TEARS AWAY THE FREEDOM OF PARENTS TO MAKE IMPORTANT AND DIFFICULT MEDICAL DECISIONS FOR THEIR KIDS.

IT TEARS AWAY THE FREEDOM OF PARENTS TO DO WHAT THOSE PARENTS BELIEVE IS BEST FOR THEIR KIDS AND INSTEAD HAS BIG GOVERNMENT MAKING THOSE DECISIONS FOR EVERYONE.

>> Bill: TESSA, TO CALL THIS A DIVISIVE ISSUE UNDERPLAYS IT.

IT HAS REALLY BEEN QUITE A DISCUSSION IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND BOTH SIDES TALK ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AND SO ON.

>> Tessa: AND PROTECTING CHILDREN, RIGHT.

AND VETOING THIS IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE YESTERDAY, GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID ALL OF THE THESE MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS SAY THAT THIS WILL BE HARMFUL TO TRANS YOUTH.

HE CITED SOME STATISTICS ABOUT TRANS SUICIDE, ALMOST 20% OF TRANS AND NON-BINARY YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN THE LAST YEAR, AND HE REFERRED BACK TO ORGANIZATIONS OF DOCTORS, PEDIATRICIANS SAYING, THIS IS THE KIND OF LEGISLATION THAT MAKES THINGS LIKE THIS WORSE, AND WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT TO KENTUCKY CHILDREN.

AND SO HE VETOED THIS TODAY.

THE FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN PUT OUT A STATEMENT AND SAID, YOU KNOW, THIS IS CEMENTS HIS LEGACIES KENTUCKY'S MOST PRO-EQUALITY GOVERNOR IN HISTORY.

OF COURSE, THAT'S AN LGBTQ RIGHTS ORGANIZATION.

HE OFTEN, HE BEING THE GOVERNOR, ATTENDS THE FAIRNESS RALLY EACH YEAR.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ALSO PUT OUT A STATEMENT REALLY JUMPING ALL OVER THIS FROM A VERY POLITICAL ANGLE SAYING GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION IN CALIFORNIA OR KENTUCKY?

SAYING THAT THIS IS THE KIND OF POLICY THAT WILL MAKE SURE THAT HE LOSES COME NOVEMBER AND ACTUALLY EVEN SAID THAT THIS MAY BE THE DAY THAT, YOU KNOW, HE LOST HIS RE-ELECTION.

AND, OF COURSE, THIS PLAYS INTO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AS WELL.

>> Bill: VERY QUICKLY JUMPED INTO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

>> Tessa: YES, BECAUSE THE SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 50 IS SENATOR MAX WISE WHO IS THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RUNNING MATE OF KELLY CRAFT, AND SO THIS IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING THAT HER CAMPAIGN HAS A LOT OF CONNECTION TO AND STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT, AND THE CAMPAIGN AND SENATOR WISE BOTH HAVE PUT OUT STATEMENTS BASICALLY SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, BESHEAR IS AN OUT-OF-TOUCH LIBERAL PUSHING WOKE IDEOLOGIES, AND THAT'S WHY HE DID THIS.

>> Bill: STATEMENTS ALSO CAME FROM DANIEL CAMERON AND FROM RYAN QUARLES THIS AFTERNOON BOTH INDICATING THEY WOULD HAVE SIGNED THE BILL INTO LAW.

>> Deborah: VERY CLEARLY SAYING THEY WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED THIS AND SAYING THE GOVERNOR IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH KENTUCKY FAMILIES AND PARENTS BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT MORE IN THIS BILL THAN JUST A BAN ON GENDER-AFFIRMING HEALTH CARE FOR TRANS YOUTH.

IT ALSO GETS INTO A LOT OF ISSUES IN SCHOOLS RELATING TO PRONOUNS, THE KIND OF CONTENT THAT CAN BE TAUGHT, BATHROOM RESTRICTIONS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Bill: ASSUMING, JESS, THAT THERE IS AN OVERRIDE OF THIS COMING UP ON WEDNESDAY, SCHOOLS WILL HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS.

RIGHT?

>> Jess: RIGHT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PROVISIONS IN HERE THAT WILL REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO WRITE THEIR OWN POLICIES, THAT WILL, YOU KNOW, BE KIND OF THE ANTITHESIS OF SOME OF THE POLICIES THAT SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN USING THAT ARE VERY LGBTQ INCLUSIVE.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, SCHOOLS WILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH NEW POLICIES THAT WILL KEEP TRANS STUDENTS FROM USING BATHROOMS THAT CORRESPOND TO THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.

THEY'LL ALSO HAVE TO COME UP WITH PROTOCOLS FOR INFORMING PARENTS TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE ABOUT ANY CURRICULUM THAT TOUCHES ON ANY ASPECTS OF HUMAN SEXUALITY.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THESE MANDATES ARE GOING TO COME DOWN ON LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN SCHOOLS TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE IMPLEMENT THIS, AND THEN, OF COURSE, A LOT OF ADMINISTRATORS WHO WANT TO SUPPORT LGBTQ STUDENTS ARE GOING TO TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO WE DO THIS AND WITH THE LEAST HARM POSSIBLE.

>> Bill: IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING SUMMER AS THEY MAKE LOTS OF DECISIONS.

MARK, FIRST OF ALL, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

OUT OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

IS IT A FOREGONE CONCLUSION THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL OVERRIDE THIS VETO COMING UP?

WE KNOW THEY HAVE THE NUMBERS.

>> Mark: YEAH, THEY CERTAINLY HAVE THE NUMBERS.

THEY HAVE SUPER MAJORITIES IN BOTH THE SENATE AND HOUSE.

81 IN THE HOUSE.

41 SENATE.

THERE WILL BE SOME DEBATE OVER IT.

I'M SURE THERE WILL BE SOME DISCUSSION.

I NO LGBT ADVOCATES PLAN ON HOSTING SOMETHING AT THE CAPITOL ON.

WEDNESDAY TO SPUR THIS DEBATE BUT HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERSHIP HAVE THE MAJORITY SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PUSH IT THROUGH EASILY.

>> Tessa: I WOULD AGREE.

WE DID SEE A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICANS THAT BROKE RANKS.

SENATOR DANNY CARROLL WAS THE LONE SENATOR TO VOTE AGAINST THE COMMITTEE SUB OF THAT THE BILL 150 THAT INCLUDED ALL THESE ANTI-TRANS MEASURES, AND I BELIEVE WE SAW THREE REPUBLICANS IN HOUSE ULTIMATELY VOTE AGAINST THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 150, WHEREAS WE SAW ONE DEMOCRAT IN THE SENATE AND ONE DEMOCRAT IN THE HOUSE VOTE IN FAVOR.

SO VERY, VERY LITTLE SWITCHING TEAMS, IF YOU WILL.

>> Bill: WE'LL BE WATCHING THAT CERTAINLY, AND SOMETHING THAT MAY NOT BE THAT FAR REMOVED FROM THIS DEBATE WAS ALSO THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF SENATE BILL 107.

THAT BILL WOULD HAVE REQUIRED SNOOT CONFIRMATION OF FUTURE EDUCATION COMMISSIONERS.

AND WE KNOW THAT THE CURRENT EDUCATION COMMISSIONER HAD SOME THINGS TO SAY ABOUT 150 AND OTHER LEGISLATION.

>> RIGHT.

COMMISSIONER JASON GLASS HAD ONE OF THE STRONGEST STATEMENTS I HAVE EVER HEARD HIM.

HE CALL SB 150 TERRIFYING, THAT IT SENT THE LEGISLATURE DOWN PATH OF WHAT WE SEE OF VERY AUTHORITARIAN REGIMES.

IT WAS A VERY STRONG STATEMENT.

AND SO GLASS HAS, THROUGHOUT HIS TENURE, SUPPORTED PRO-LGBTQ POLICIES LIKE ALLOWING STUDENTS TO USE THEIR PREFERRED PRONOUNS OR THEIR CORRECT PRONOUNS AT SCHOOL, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CONSERVATION HAVE REALLY LATCHED ONTO TO REALLY KIND OF PUT GLASS AS THIS ENEMY OF CONSERVATIVES AND CONSERVATIVE PARENTS.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS WHO ARE PUSHING THIS BILL SAY THIS IS ABOUT TAKING POLITICS OUT OF EDUCATION BECAUSE IT ALLOWS ANOTHER BODY TO HAVE A CHECK ON THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

BUT DEMOCRATS ARE LOOKING AT IT LIKE, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, IT CERTAINLY LOOKS MORE POLITICAL THAN APOLITICAL.

>> Bill: THE BILL LEAVES IT UP TO THE TEACHER ON PRONOUNS, RIGHT?

>> Jess: YES.

SENATE BILL 150 WOULD ALLOW TEACHERS TO USE WHATEVER PRONOUNS THEY WANT FOR CHILDREN.

>> Bill: WE, MARK, ALSO WATCHED OTHER VETOES THAT CAME DOWN TODAY.

AS WE SAID, A FLURRY OF ACTION THIS AFTERNOON OR ABOUT MIDDAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> Mark: YEAH, ABSOLUTELY, AND ANOTHER ONE WAS SENATE BILL 126 WHICH WOULD ALLOW COURT CASES TO BE MOVED OUT OF FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT.

OF COURSE, THE LEGISLATURE IS IN FAVOR OF THAT BILL.

THEY'VE BEEN SOMEWHAT UNHAPPY WITH THE WAY THAT FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES HAVE RULED IN SOME OF THE CASES.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE SAW THAT PLAY OUT IN THE FALL WHEN REPUBLICANS RAN A HUGE CAMPAIGN USING REPUBLICAN JOE BILBY AGAINST FRANKLIN CIRCUIT CHIEF JUDGE PHILLIP SHEPHERD AND THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW THEM TO ESSENTIALLY MOVE CASES OUTSIDE OF FRANKLIN CIRCUIT WITH WHICH I THEY'RE CERTAINLY IN FAVOR.

>> Bill: TESSA, OTHER BILLS THAT YOU WATCHED FOR OVERRIDES IN THIS WEEK AHEAD.

>> Tessa: FOR OVERRIDES, I MEAN, THERE'S STILL A LOT THAT'S KIND OF PENDING OUT THERE.

I THINK MORE THAN 100 BILLS WERE PASSED THAT LAST WEEK.

>> Bill: AND I KNOW YOU SPENT ALL DAY TODAY WORKING ON IT.

>> Tessa: ALL DAY ON BILL 150, YES.

>> Bill: THERE ALSO HAVE BEEN MORE BILLS SIGNED THAN HAVE BEEN VETOED, AND SO ONE OF THOSE WOULD BAN TIK TOK ON STATE DEVICES, RIGHT?

>> Tessa: YES.

SO THE GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED THAT BILL, WHICH WOULD PREVENT TIK TOK FROM BEING ACCESSED ON STATE-OWNED DEVICES, AND LIKE STATE NETWORKS, SO IF YOU'RE A KENTUCKIAN THAT YOU DON'T WORK FOR THE GUSTAVO, YOU CAN STILL GET ON TIK TOK ON YOUR PHONE.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME CONFUSION ABOUT THAT.

BUT WE'RE INCREASINGLY SEEING A LOT OF SCRUTINY ON TIK TOK.

IT'S JUST A CONGRESSIONAL HEARING ABOUT TIK TOK EARLIER THIS WEEK.

SO THAT IS PRETTY BIPARTISAN ISSUE.

>> Bill: JESS, THERE'S GOING TO BE A STATEWIDE RESEARCH READING CENTER THAT'S CREATED BY SENATE BILL 156.

WE KNOW A LOT OF STUDENTS HAVE FALLEN BEHIND AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

>> Jess: YES, THAT'S TRUE.

KENTUCKY, THE MOST RECENT MAPE COURSE NAEP WHICH IS THE NATIONAL READING ASSESSMENT ONLY ABOUT 31% OF FOURTH GRADERS WERE TESTING AT PROFICIENT OR BETTER.

IT SOUNDS PRETTY LOW.

THAT'S ACTUALLY ABOUT ON PAR WITH THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, SO NATIONALLY WE'RE NO DOING VERY WELL A TEACHING READING, AT LEAST BY THIS METRIC.

AND KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS SAY THEY WANT US TO DO BETTER.

AND ONE THING THAT'S BEEN HOLDING THE STATE BACK IS ESSENTIALLY WE'VE BEEN TEACHING READING WRONG FOR THE PAST COUPLE DECADES, RELYING ON APPROACHES THAT DE-EMPHASIZE PHONICS, THAT AREN'T RESEARCH-BASED.

THERE WAS A VERY GOOD CAREER JOURNAL INVESTIGATION THAT CAME OUT ABOUT THIS.

AND SO WHILE LAWMAKERS WANT TO DO IS THEY WANT TO CREATE A NEW STATEWIDE READING RESEARCH CENTER THAT WILL PUT OUT STRATEGIES TO TEACHERS THAT ARE BASED IN PHONICS, THAT ARE BASED IN SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN METHODS FOR TEACHING READING.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

LAWMAKERS COME BACK FOR TWO DAYS TO CONSIDER VETOES AND CAN PASS OTHER BILLS, AND WE'RE WATCHING SOME OF THOSE THAT COULD MOVE QUICKLY THROUGH.

SPORTS BETTING IS ONE OF THOSE PARTICULAR INTERESTS.

I KNOW, MARK, IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY ON THAT, BECAUSE YOU'RE ON THE BORDER, RIGHT?

>> Mark: ABSOLUTELY.

IN JANUARY OHIO PASSED A SPORTS BETTING LAW THAT ALLOWS FOLKS TO PLACE BETS IN CINCINNATI, AND SO, YOU KNOW, CITIZENS FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY ARE GOING OVER AND PLACING BETS IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

SO IT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL.

I KNOW THAT THE REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MEREDITH WHO SPONSORED THE SPORTS BETTING BILL THIS YEAR POINTED OUT THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO PULL SOME OF THAT REVENUE IN THAT KENTUCKY IS POTENTIALLY LOSING GOING TO THE OTHER STATES, OHIO BEING ONE AND INDIANA BEING ANOTHER ONE.

KENTUCKY WANTS TO KEEP SOME OF THAT MONEY.

>> Bill: TESSA, WHAT ELSE COULD ZIP THROUGH IN THOSE TWO DAYS?

>> Tessa: MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS THE WIG BUN ONE THAT PEOPLE ARE WATCHING.

THAT PASSED THE SENATE BEFORE THE RECESS, AND IT WAS A HUGE DEAL BECAUSE THE HOUSE HAS PASSED SIMILAR LEGISLATION IN PREVIOUS SESSIONS BUT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN HUNG UP IN THE SENATE, AND SO THIS WAS THE YEAR THAT IT FINALLY GOT THROUGH THE SENATE.

IT GOT ITS FIRST READING IN THE HOUSE ALSO ON THURSDAY.

SO IN THEORY THIS STILL COULD PASS, AND LAWMAKERS ARE, OF COURSE, COUNTING ON THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN IT IN THAT CASE.

A COUPLE OF OTHER BIG THINGS THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE PENDING, THE ANTI-DRAG SHOW BILL.

SO DRAG SHOWS IN PUBLIC WHERE ISSUE CHILDREN CAN SEE THEM, THAT GOT ITS FIRST READING LAST THURSDAY AS WELL.

THAT KIND OF FLEW UNDER THE RADAR.

OF COURSE, THE GOVERNOR COULD VETO THAT ONE AND THE LEGISLATURE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OVERRIDE IT BUT IT IS STILL ALIVE.

AND THE BOURBON BARREL TAX, WHICH IS, OF COURSE, A BIG ISSUE FOR A LOT OF LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENTS.

THAT IS ALSO STILL OUT THERE.

>> Bill: SOME THINGS THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT THIS SESSION.

ABORTION EXCEPTIONS HAD BEEN TALKED ABOUT.

THE CROWN ACT ON NATURAL HAIRSTYLES HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

JUNETEENTH STILL NOT A STATE PIDDLE HOLIDAY, ALTHOUGH THE REPUBLICAN SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS INDICATED A COUPLE OF SESSIONS AGO THAT THAT WOULD BE MADE INTO LAW.

SO THOSE DIDN'T GET ENOUGH BANDWIDTH.

>> Tessa: RIGHT, YEAH.

THERE WERE SEVERAL BILLS FILED ABOUT ABORTION, WHETHER THAT IS EXCEPTIONS OR EVEN KIND OF UPPING THE PUNISHMENT ON THEM AND OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WAS FILED IN REGARD TO ABORTION.

THOSE ALL REALLY WENT NOWHERE.

ADDITIONALLY, CAMPUS CARRY, THAT WAS PUT FORTH BY REPRESENTATIVE SAVANNAH MADDOX THAT GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN IT WAS ONE OF THOSE SHELL BILL COMMITTEE SWAPS THAT WAS UP IN THE ORDERS OF THE DAY AND THE HOUSE SEVERAL TIMES, AND SHE FINALLY SAID THIS IS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT, BUT THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED PEOPLE TO CARRY CONCEALED WEAPONS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES, SO OBVIOUSLY THAT WAS SOMETHING UNIVERSITIES IN KENTUCKY FELT VERY STRONGLY ABOUT.

>> Bill: MARK, ON THOSE SHELL BILLS GOVERNOR BESHEAR EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THAT AND LAWMAKERS DID AS WELL IN THAT IT DOESN'T GIVE YOU A LOT OF TIME TO READ LEGISLATION.

THOSE BILLS GET FILED UNDER ONE NAME AND HEN THEY GET FILLED LATER.

>> Mark: YEAH, GOVERNOR BESHEAR WAS KIND OF TALKING ABOUT SENATE BILL 150 THIS WEEK.

OF COURSE, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF OTHER EXAMPLES OF SHELL BILLS THIS SESSION AND ALL OTHER SESSIONS, RIGHT?

BUT SPECIFICALLY SENATE BILL 150, BESHEAR EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT LEGISLATOR ARE GETTING THESE BALES AND THEN THEY GET COMMITTEE -- BILLS AND THEN THEY GET COMMITTEE SUBS RIGHT BEFORE THE COMMITTEE AND DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ THEM AND THEY'RE FORCED TO VOTE ON THEM.

IT GIVES LEGISLATORS LITTLE TIME TO READ THE BILLS BEFORE THEY VOTE, AND IT'S GIVING THE PUBLIC LITTLE TO NO TIME TO BE ABLE TO READ THESE BILLS.

YEAH, HE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT IT.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY'S FIRST IMPEACHMENT TRIAL SINCE 1888 WAS HEARD HEARD THIS WEEK.

SENATORS HEARD ENDS HAVE EVIDENCE BEANS HOE WAS A ATTORNEY.

HE HAD RESIGNED FROM THAT POSITION.

ONE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEYS FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY TESTIFIED.

>> Mark: KENTON COUNTY COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY ROB SANDERS TESTIFIED DURING THE HOUSE PORTION OF THAT IMPEACHMENT, AND HE TOLD THAT COMMITTEE, IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO IMPEACH A COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY FOR WHAT HAPPENED IN RONNIE GORDY'S CASE, IN THIS CASE HE WAS ESSENTIALLY TRADED LEGAL FAVORS FOR NUDE PHOTOS, SANDERS WAS LIKE, IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO IMPEACH HIM FOR THIS, WHAT ELSE WOULD WE IMPEACH ANOTHER COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY FOR?

IS THAT WENT TO HEARING THIS WEEK.

GORDY DIDN'T SHOW UP AND HAD LEGAL REPRESENTATION, AND WE SHOULD BE HEARING ABOUT THAT EARLY NEXT WEEK.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IN THAT CROWDED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

THERE'S ANOTHER ATTACK AD AGAINST ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON FROM A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE THAT SUPPORTS FORMER UN AMBASSADOR KELLY CRAFT.

>> WITH IGLESIAS AND DEADLY DRUGS FLOWING ACROSS BIDEN'S OPEN BORDERS, WHO WOULD KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE?

A STRONG KENTUCKY CONSERVATIVE GOVERNOR?

OR CAREER POLITICIAN DANIEL CAMERON.

KENTUCKY'S SOFT ON CRIME TEDDY BEAR.

>> Bill: SO THE TEDDY BEAR RETURNED.

THE TWO PAC ADS AND TWO ADS FROM THE CRAFT CAMPAIGN SO FAR TAKING DANIEL CAMERON.

>> Tessa: RIGHT, WHAT I WEEK FOR TEDDY BEARS.

LIKE THE ADDITION OF THE TEDDY BEAR IN THE MOW WALK AND I CLU SHIRT.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS NICE TOUCH.

SO THIS IS GOING AFTER DANIEL CAMERON WORKING WITH THE SMART ON CRIME INITIATIVE WHICH IS THE KIND OF THING THAT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

AND THEN I BELIEVE WE'RE ALSO GOING TO SHOW THIS ONE, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THERE'S ANOTHER AD FROM KELLY CRAFT'S CAMPAIGN RELATING TO COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS.

>> Bill: YEAH, LET'S LOOK A THAT AD, THIS ONE FROM THE CRAFT CAMPAIGN.

>> DANIEL CAMERON HAD A CHANCE TO KEEP A COAL FIRE PLANT RUNNING THAT SERVICED 165,000 KENTUCKIANS.

INSTEAD HE DECIDED TO CLOSE IT, SIDING WITH OBAMA, BIDEN, BESHEAR AND EVEN THE SIERRA CLUB.

6.

>> Bill: NOW, CAMERON'S CAMPAIGN PUSHED BACK HARD ON THAT ONE.

THE STATEMENT READS IN PART, "KELLY CRAFT IS IN PANIC MODE.

HER CAMPAIGN WENT FULL NEGATIVE TRYING TO LINK DANIEL CAMERON TO OBAMA.

KELLY CRAFT NEEDS TO EXPLAIN TO KENTUCKY CONSERVATIVES WHY HER HAD FAMILY GAVE OBAMA AND LIBERAL DEMOCRATS $50,000."

SO THAT ONE BROUGHT A STRONG RESPONSE.

>> Tessa: RIGHT.

YEAH, DIFFERENT KIND OF APPROACH THAN HE'S A TEDDY BEAR THAT WE'RE SEEING FROM THE PAC.

SO KELLY CRAFT HAS TO MAKE GAINS SOMEWHERE.

SO THE POLLING WE'VE SEEN INDICATES THAT DANIEL CAMERON IS THE FRONTRUNNER, THAT HE IS PRETTY FAR AHEAD OF ANYONE ELSE IN THIS VERY CROWDED REPUBLICAN FIELD.

11 OTHER CONTENDERS.

AND SO ONE OF THE WAYS THAT SHE CAN GAIN POINTS, YES, SHE COULD WIN OVER UNDECIDED VOTERS, BUT TAKE THEM OFF THE FRONTRUNNER, AND SO THAT'S CLEARLY WHAT WE'RE SEEING HAPPEN HERE, AND IN A FUNNY KIND OF WAY, THIS CONTEST BETWEEN THESE TWO FRONTRUNNERS IS REALLY TURNING INTO WHO IS THE BIGGER SECRET LIB, WHICH I JUST DID NOT SEE THAT COMING.

>> Bill: DID SOMEBODY BENEFIT FROM THIS WHO IS NOT ONE OF THOSE TWO?

AS THAT FIGHT IS GOING ON, WHAT IS APPARENTLY THE TOP OF THE POLLING RIGHT NOW.

>> I THINK RYAN QUARTERLIES PROBABLY THINKS HE BENEFIT FROM THAT.

>> Bill: TO HIS POINT QUARLES JUST KEEPS MAKING WEEKLY POLICY STATEMENTS, STAYING GENERALLY CALM AND QUIET ALTHOUGH HE'S TRAVELING THE STATE VERY HARD.

I KNOW HE'S BEEN TO NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

>> Mark: THERE'S PANE QUITE A FEW GOING TO NORTHERN KENTUCKY THROUGHOUT THE ELECTION.

KELLY CARAT.

RYAN QUARLES, ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON HAS BEEN UP FROM AS WELL AS SOMERSET MAYOR ALAN KECK HAS MADE THE TRIP QUITE A BIT.

>> Bill: DOES THE PACT THAT THERE'S FINALLY A PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE, DOES THAT BENEFIT GOVERNOR BESHEAR IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY?

>> Mark: ABSOLUTELY.

I SHOULD SAY NO CANDIDATE HAS BEEN UP TO NORTHERN KENTUCKY MORE THAN GOVERNOR BESHEAR OVER THE PAST YEAR.

BUT LAST FEBRUARY GOVERNOR BESHEAR CAME TO THE COVINGTON CONVENTION CENTER AND SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH OHIO GOVERNOR MIKE DeWINE THAT THE TWO STATES WOULD WORK TOGETHER TO GET FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE BRIDGE, AND, OF COURSE, NOW WE KNOW THAT THE STATES HAVE GOT THAT FEDERAL FUNDING.

BUT ON THAT SAME DAY GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THAT HE WANTS TO BREAK GROUND IN 2023 ON THAT PROJECT.

HE WAS PUTTING HIS STAMP DOWN, AND IFEE HE WERE TO BREAK GROUND ON THAT PROJECT THIS YEAR, IT WOULD BE A HUGE CAMPAIGN TALKING POINT FOR HIM AS WELL AS A LOT OF POLITICIANS HAVE PROMISED NORTHERN KENTUCKIANS AND CINCINNATIANS AND WHOEVER TRAVELS ALONG THAT CORRIDOR THAT WE WOULD BE GETTING THE BRIDGE FOR A YOU VERY LONG TIME, AND IF HE CAN BE THE ONE THAT DELIVERS IT OR AT LAS THE ONE THAT TAKES CREDIT FOR IT, IT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL.

>> Bill: HOW MUCH TIME ARE THEY FOR EXAMPLE,?

NORTHERN KENTUCKY?

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A DEBATE UP THERE.

>> Mark: YEAH, WE ARE.

LINCOLN KY IS HAVING A DEBATE WITH ALL GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES.

>> Bill: THAT WOULD BE THE REPUBLICANS.

>> Mark: APRIL 25TH 25TH AND 26th AT THE LINCOLN SCHOLAR HOUSE IN COVINGTON, AND WE ARE WORKING WITH WPCO, A STATION IN CINCINNATI AND THE KENTON COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY AND WE'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO MEET WITH THOSE CANDIDATES.

>> Bill: TESSA, DO PEOPLE TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE OR DO WE WAIT UNTIL DERBY DAY WHEN PEOPLE WILL BE PAYING ATTENTION?

>> Tessa: I'LL BE PAYING MORE ATTENTION, THAT'S FOR SURE.

YEAH, I THINK SO.

I THINK THAT THE SENATE BILL 150 AND SORT OF ALL OF THESE LGBTQ PARENT RIGHTS ISSUES HAVE SUCKED A LOT OF AIR OUT OF THE ROOM.

THEY'VE TAKEN UP A LOT OF PEOPLE'S ATTENTION.

AND SO, YES, I DO THINK THAT IN THE NEXT MONTH WE WILL SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE KIND OF TURN TO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AND START GOOGLE, WHO IS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR?

WHAT DO THEY BELIEVE ABOUT THIS?

>> Bill: WE'LL SEE.

LET'S TALK A COUPLE OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY ISSUES.

AMENDS HUB WORKERS PLANNING TO TAKE THING UNIONIZATION EFFORT NATIONAL.

>> Mark: NAS WITH A BIG DEAL THIS WORK.

WORKERS WERE OUT THERE PROTESTING AND HOLDINGS AN EVENT TO WORK WITH THE NATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION.

THEY EVENTUALLY WANT TO GET TO A POINT WHERE THEY CAN ISSUE A VEET ON OR NOT THEY WANT TO BE IN A UNION.

THEY'RE REQUESTING CERTAIN THINGS.

WORKERS WANT TO START AT $30 AN HOUR.

THEY WANT 180 HOURS PAID TIME OFF.

AND THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

CBG HAS THE BIGGEST AIRPORT IN THE REGION.

>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES HAS GIVEN GUIDANCE TO CITIES ABOUT HOW TO ASSESS HOMELESS ISSUES AND NOT DENY THAT IT IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE ALMOST EVERY CITY IN THE STATE HAS AN ISSUE AND GROWING FOR MANY.

BUT I SEE COVINGTON HAS OPENED UP A NEW FACILITY THAT CAME ONLINE TODAY AND THERE'S SOME MORE FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN TO HELP THAT PROBLEM IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

>> Mark: YEAH, SO WELCOME HOUSE IS IN COVINGTON IT.

WILL ESSENTIALLY PROVIDE SERVICES TO HOMELESS FOLKS LIVING IN THE REGION THAT CAN SLEEP THERE AND GET OTHER HELP.

AND THEN THERE'S $2 MILLION IN ARPA FUNDS THAT WENT TO BELLEVUE AND DAYTON AND OTHERRERLINGER AND NEWPORT IS IN THERE AS WELL.

BUT WE'RE A METRO REGION AND THAT'S CERTAINLY AN ISSUE JUST LIKE IT IS ELSEWHERE AND HOPEFULLY THOSE FUNDS HELP WITH SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.

>> Bill: DOES THE PROXIMITY TO CINCINNATI MAKE IT MORE OF A CHALLENGE?

>> Mark: YEAH, I THINK IT DOES.

CINCINNATI IS A LARGE CITY AND SO WE GET CERTAINLY FOLKS COMING OVER THE RIVER TO NORTHERN KENTUCKY THAT ARE HOMELESS.

BUT WE'VE HAD HOUSING ISSUES JUST LIKE ANYWHERE IN THE STATE.

AREAS THAT ARE SEEING HEAVY GENTRIFICATION, AND THAT'S CAUSING SOME OF THE HOMELESS ISSUE AS WELL.

>> Bill: THE PUBLIX GROCERY STORE CHAIN IS MAKING A MOVE INTO KENTUCKY AND WE KNOW STORES ARE COMING IN LEXINGTON AND LOUISVILLE, AND NO THERE'S A LOT OF SPECULATION BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE SEEN A PLANNING DOCUMENT ABOUT POTENTIAL'S PUBLIX IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

>> Mark: I WANT TO SAY ESPECIALLY THE FOLKS IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY THAT IT IS PURE SPECULATION.

>> Bill: EXACTLY.

PUBLIX SAID NOTHING TO SHARE.

>> Mark: NO BREAKING NEWS HERE TONIGHT.

SO THAT SPECULATION IS COMING FROM A DEVELOPER THAT HAS WORKED ON OTHER PUB LICKS STORES AND IT'S AROUND 56,000 SQUARE FEET, WHICH IS THE SAME SIZE AS SOME OTHER PUBLIX STORES THROUGHOUT THE STATE, AND SO FOLKS ARE GATHERING THAT THAT COULD POTENTIAL BE A PUBLIX STORE AND IT'S IN CROWING AREAS BACKYARD.

THAT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL.

>> Bill: YOUR FINDING YOUR HOME AREA INTERESTING TO COVER.

MAJORITY OF GREW UP IN BELLEVUE AND I'M FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY, AND TO GET A CHANCE TO COVER THAT REGION IN POLITICS IS AN HONOR.

I'M HAPPY TO BE BACK THERE.

>> Bill: AN AUDIT OF KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY OUTLINED SOME FINANCIAL CHALLENGES THERE.

THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE LOOKED AT FINANCES OVER SEVERAL YEARS AND THEY FOUND QUESTIONABLE SPENDING FOR RECORD KEEPING AND FINDING THAT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDS COULD HAVE TO BE PAID BACK.

>> Tessa: YEAH, IT WAS A PRETTY SEVERE AUDIT, NOT REFLECTING VERY WELL ON THE UNIVERSITY.

LIKE YOU SAID, A LOT OF FAILURES TO ACCOUNT FOR A LOT OF MONEY ACCURATELY, AND SO THE AUDITOR IS ACTUALLY REFERRED THIS OUT TO STATE AND FEDERAL PROSECUTORS FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION.

THAT'S HOW SERIOUSLY THEY'RE TAKING THIS.

>> Bill: JESS, AS IF SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CHALLENGES, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS COMING ON.

I MEAN, HOW IS THERE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY IF STUDENTS CAN SAY, WRITE MY PAPER?

>> Jess: THAT'S THE QUESTION.

I THINK YOU'RE REFERRING TO A CHAT GBT.

>> Bill: THAT'S ONE OF THEM AND OTHERS.

>> Jess: THAT'S THE ONE I'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT, AND IF SURES HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT IT, IT'S IS THIS C. VICINITYING TECHNOLOGY WHERE YOU CAN ESSENTIALLY SAY, WRITE ME AN ESSAY OF 400 WORDS ABOUT WHY THE BRUSH COLONIES DECLARED INDEPENDENCE IN 1776 IN LANGUAGE AN EIGHTH GRADER CAN UNDERSTAND.

AND TEACHERS HAVE FOUND IT PRETTY HARD TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN WHAT THE COMPUTER WRITES AND WHAT THEIR EIGHTH GRADERS ARE WRITING, SO THAT RAISES ALL SORTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT ACADEMIC INTEGRITY, AS YOU MENTIONED, BUT THEN SOME TEACHERS SAY LIKE, HEY, THIS IS THE FUTURE.

LIKE THIS IS GOING TO BE AROUND.

WE'VE GOT TO LEARN HOW TO TEACH WITH THIS AND NOT AGAINST IT.

>> Bill: SOMETHING ELSE TO FIGURE OUT.

WELL, THE CITY OF ASHLAND WILL HOST THE 2023 APPALACHIAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE THAT WILL BE HELD AT THE DELTA MARRIOTT HOTEL IN TOUCHDOWN ASHLAND.

LEADERS FROM 13 STATES WILL BE THERE FOR THE EVENT IN SEPTEMBER.

ASHMOND BEAT OUT SEVERAL OTHER CITIES FOR THE CHANCE TO HOST THE EVENT THAT IS BEING CALLED APPALACHIA RISES, SINGLES, STRENGTH AND TRANSFORMATION.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL TELLING COLLEAGUES HE'S EAGER TO RETURN TO THE CAPITOL.

HE'S BEEN RECOVERING FROM A FALL AND DOING PHYSICAL THERAPY.

HIS COLLEAGUES SAY HE CAN'T WAIT TO GET BACK TO WORK.

THAT'S "COMMENT."

HAVE A GOOD WEEK