[♪♪] >> Bill: THE WILL BATTLE BEGINS FOR A RARE OPEN U.S. HOUSE SEAT?

KENTUCKY.

U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE DANIEL CAMERON QUESTIONS THE TIMING OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS HEADING TO FLORIDA FOR A MAJOR POLITICAL EVENT.

A GROUP CALLS ON FORD TO ADDRESS ACCUSATIONINGS OF UNION AVOIDANCE AT A BATTERY PLANT.

AS THE CICADAS START TO EMERGE, 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, HANNAH PINSKI, POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE COURIER JOURNAL.

LIAM NIEMEYER REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LAND EARN AND JOINING US REMOTELY IS TESSA DUVALL POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS EDITOR FOR THE LEX TOLD HERALD-LEADER.

WE TAPED THIS EDITION OF COMMENT AHEAD OF STRONG STORMS AND WE BEGIN, WE HAVE HAD OUR SHARE OF TOUGH WEATHER IN THE RECENT MONTHS IN KENTUCKY.

>> I MEAN IT'S BEEN AT TIMES IT FEELS A BIT UNRELENTING.

WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE RECOVERY PROCESS FROM THE FLOODING IN APRIL.

AND WE'RE FACING NOW POTENTIAL STRONG STRAIGHT LINE WINDS UP TO OVER 70-MILES-PER-HOUR.

MAYBE THE POTENTIAL FOR A STRONG TORNADO OR TWO IF ISOLATED SUPERCELLS CAN GET GOING.

JUST NOT REALLY A GREAT WEATHER YEAR SO FAR NOOF REPORTS SUGGEST INCREASINGLY WARM CLIMATE THAT THE RAINS THAT LED TO THE FLOODING IN APRIL.

>> THERE WAS A GROUP CALLED WORLD WEATHER ATTRIBUTION THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THESE STUDIES FOR A WHILE NOW WHERE THEY TAKE A LOOK AT EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND TRY TO CONNECT IT TO THE BROADER TREND OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

THEIR MOST RECENT STUDY FOCUSED ON THE APRIL FLOODING NOT ONLY KENTUCKY BUT OTHER STATES AND FOUND THAT CLIMATE CHANGE A WARMER CLIMATE, INCREASED THE INTENSITY OF THE RAINFALL BY 9%.

I KNOW THAT IS A SMALL NUMBER BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT MARGINAL INCREASES IN FLOODING AND RAINFALL THAT CAN BE A DIFFERENCE WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHETHER A RIVER CRESTS A BANK OR A BARRIER.

AND IN KENTUCKY WE SAW A FEW RIVERS THAT GOT CLOSE TO RECORD CRESTS, INCLUDING IN FRANKFORT.

>> Bill: THERE'S TO BE A BREAK OVER THE WEEKEND AND ANTICIPATED MORE POTENTIALLY TOUGH WEATHER EARLY IN THE WEEK IS THE FORECAST.

LIAM AS OF THIS WEEK, MORE COUNTIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE APRIL FLOODING.

>> THERE IS ABOUT -- 24 MORE COUNTIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE ON TOP OF THE COUNTIES THAT WERE ALREADY PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE.

THEY COVER EVERYWHERE FROM CALLOWAY TO BRECKINRIDGE, IT JUST SHOWS THE STATE-WIDE IMPACT THAT THIS FLOODING HAD.

IT FELT LIKE IT WAS MOST OF THE STATE.

>> Bill: WE DO HAVE ENCOURAGING NEWS ABOUT KENTUCKY'S COMMITTEE.

KENTUCKY HAS MORE PEOPLE WORKING THAN EVER.

TESSA, KENTUCKY HAS BEEN CHALLENGED WITH WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION.

IT'S POSITIVE CERTAINLY TO SEE THE NUMBERS ARE COMING UP.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO THERE'S JUST ABOUT TWO MILLION PEOPLE EMPLOYED AND THE LABOR FORCE 2.1 MILLION.

THIS SHOWS NOT ONLY IS OUR ECONOMY FULLY RECOVERED FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, IT'S ALSO AT A HIGHER LEVEL THAN IT'S EVER BEEN.

THERE'S BEEN HAND WRINGING IN KENTUCKY OVER LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION IN YEARS PAST.

PEOPLE OPTING OUT FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS AND THIS IS SEEN AS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE LOOK AND GETTING BACK TO WORK.

>> Bill: ALSO SAYS INCENTIVIZED HOURLY WAGES TOPPED $26 AN HOUR FOR THREE YEARS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> RIGHT.

THE GOVERNOR'S MADE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT A BIG PART OF HIS PLATFORM.

TEAM KENTUCKY UPDATES WE SEE NEW JOBS COMING TO KENTUCKY ALL THE TIME.

YEAH, THIS IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT HE FEELS PROUD OF AND ALSO THE LEGISLATURE DOES AS WELL.

>> Bill: LIAM WE NOTE THE NUMBERS ARE ENCOURAGING THERE ARE PEOPLE STILL STRUGGLING IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> SURE.

THERE WAS RECENTLY A REPORT A NATIONAL REPORT LOOKINGALITY FOOD INSECURITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT THE LEADER OF LOUISVILLE'S FOOD BANK THE DARE TO CARE FOOD BANK SHOWING RISING FOOD INSECURITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

MEANING THAT MORE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHEN THEIR NEXT MEAL IS GOING TO COME FROM.

OR DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN GENERAL.

IN LOUISVILLE, THE FOOD BANK LEADER MENTIONED ONE IN SEVEN VEN PEOPLE DEAL WITH INSECURITY AND ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN.

SO WE'VE SEEN IN RECENT YEARS WITH STRONG ECONOMIC NUMBERS AND STRONG WORKFORCE NUMBERS THERE IS AT TIMES THERE IS A DISTANCE HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND SAY TRADITIONALLAL NUMBERS TO SEE HOW WELL THE ECONOMY IS DOING HOW THAT DIFFERS.

SO EVEN IF THERE IS STRONG WORKFORCE NUMBERS, THERE'S STILL SOME PEOPLE WITH TIGHTER BUDGETS.

>> Bill: HANNAH, THE ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING CREDIT FOR THE WORKFORCE NUMBERS.

THEY DID THE RELEASE AND THE LEGISLATURE ALSO WANTS CREDIT FOR CREATING A GOOD ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESS, INCLUDING LOWERING THE STATE INCOME TAX.

>> YEAH, I THINK LOWERING THE INCOME TAX IS SOMETHING THAT THE SUPER MAJORITY WANTS TO TAKE CREDIT FOR.

WE SAW THIS PAST SESSION THEY PASSED A BILLOWER WITHING THE STATE'S INCOME TAX AFTER THE TRIGGERS WERE MET.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE IT WAS A BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

BESHEAR DID SIGN THAT BILL INTO LAW AND MOVING FORWARD IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE STATE INCOME TAX LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR SMALLER INCREMENTS WITH THE STATE INCOME TAX TO LOWER.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT AFFECTS KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY.

>> Bill: IT WAS HALF A PERCENT AT A TIME AND NOW IT CAN BE A 10TH.

>> IT CAN BE NO BETWEEN 1.AND 15.

>> Bill: IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

LET'S GET TO POLITICS.

REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR'S DECISION TO RUN FOR THE SENATE SEAT MEANS HIS HOUSE SEAT IS UP FOR GRABS.

IT'S RARE TO HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE SEAT IN KENTUCKY AND FORMER DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHERLYNN STEVENSON JUMPED INTO THE RACE.

SHE HOPES TO BECOME THE FIRST WOMAN TO HOLD THE SEAT AND THE FIRST DEMOCRAT TO BE ELECTED THERE IN MORE THAN A DOZEN YEARS.

>> MY NAME IS CHERLYNN STEVENSON.

AND I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT I AM RUNNING TO BECOME CENTRAL KENTUCKY'S NEXT U.S. REPRESENTATIVE.

[APPLAUSE] >> Bill: SO THERE YOU HAVE IT.

HANNAH PINSKI, SHE IS OFF AND RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.

>> I DON'T THINK THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AS A SURPRISE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPECTED HER TO RUN IT WAS A MATTER WHEN SHE WAS GOING TO ANNOUNCE.

SHE HELD THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT A DISTILLERY WHICH WAS A STRATEGIC CHOICE BECAUSE PART OF HER MESSAGING SHE WANTS TO FIGHT AGAINST THE TARIFFS THAT ARE HURTING KENTUCKY'S BOURBON INDUSTRY AND FIGHT AGAINST THE MEDICAID CUTS WHICH COULD AFFECT KENTUCKY'S POPULATION.

SHE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING VET ARABS AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND SHE RELEASED A LIST OF ENDORSEMENTS.

EVERYONE FROM CURRENT STATE LEGISLATORS AND OTHERS, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF SHE GETS ANDY BESHEAR'S ENDORSEMENT BECAUSE THAT COULD BE A SIGN THAT OTHER NAMES THAT POPPED UP LIKE LIEUTENANT JACQUELINE COLEMAN AND HIS SENIOR ADVISER ROCKY ADKINS ARE LESS LIKELY TO RUN IN THIS RACE.

>> Bill: THERE'S BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE PARTIES WHETHER THE SIXTH DISTRICT IS TRUMP OR BESHEAR COUNTRY BOTH CARRIED THE REGION.

>> I THINK PART IS BECAUSE OF THE MAKEUP OF THE DISTRICT.

YOU HAVE LEXINGTON AND FAYETTE COUNTY, WHICH LEANS LIBERAL.

BUT YOU HAVE OTHER COUNTIES LIKE SCOTT COUNTY WHICH HAS REPUBLICAN HOLD.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT NEXT YEAR.

>> Bill: AND THE REPUBLICANS QUICKLY POUNCED.

THEY WENT AFTER STEVENSON.

>> THEY DID, INDEED.

I THINK THEY WENT AFTER HER BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

THEIR ARGUMENT IS THE SIXTH DISTRICT HAS A STRONG REPUBLICAN HOLD.

BARR HAS REPRESENTED THAT SEAT FOR A DOZEN YEARS.

WILL THE MARGINS BE AS TIGHT AS THE DEMOCRATIC EXPECT TO BE WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

>> Bill: TESSA, STEVENSON LOST A HOUSE RACE AND NOW HOPES TO WIN IN THIS LARGER CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

DOES HER LOSS IMPACT HER FUTURE?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

IF LOSING OFFICE WAS A DISQUALIFICATION WE'D SEE DIFFERENT POLITICAL SCENE IN OUR STATE AND COUNTRY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP, OF COURSE, RAN AND LOST IN 2020 AND HE IS BACK IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

NO, I DON'T THINK THAT NECESSARILY HURTS HER.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS RACE IS IT IS A MUCH BIGGER AREA THAT SHE'S CAMPAIGNING IN.

WHEREAS SHE HAD A STATE HOUSE DISTRICT THERE'S SIX DISTRICTSES IN KENTUCKY AND THIS IS A LARGER AREA.

WHILE THE REPUBLICANS SAY SHE IS A GLUT TON FOR PUNISHMENT, DEMOCRATS ARE CONFIDENT THEY SAY CHERLYNN STEVENSON HAS A REALLY STRONG GROUND GAME SHE EXCELS SHE WORKS HARD AND MEETS VOTERS AND KNOCKS ON DOORS.

AND THIS IS A CHANCE FOR HER TO INTRODUCE HERSELF TO VOTERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH HER YET.

>> Bill: REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE RYAN DOTSON JUMPED INTO THE RACE.

DOTSON PLANS A KICKOFF IN WINCHESTER.

HE IS BOTH SOCIALLY AND FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT IS HIS TRACK RECORD IN FRANKFORT IS BEING REALLY CONSERVATIVE THROUGH AND THROUGH.

AND HE HAS PROMISED IF HE MAKE IT IS TO CONGRESS AND REPRESENTS THIS DISTRICT HE IS GOING TO WORK IN LOCK STEP SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGENDA AGAIN.

>> Bill: AND WE HEAR NAMES?

>> SURE, THERE'S BEEN NAMES FLOATED SUCH AS DAMON THAYER, AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE, AND SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE NECESSARILY WHO COMES OUT AND ULTIMATELY RUNS.

BUT THERE'S OTHER NAMES FLOATING BUT THE RACE IS STILL COMING TOGETHER.

>> Bill: SO WE DON'T KNOW THERE MAYBE TWO AGGRESSIVE PRIMARIES ON BOTH SIDES.

WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT.

SPEAKING OF THE DISTRICT AND THE MAKEUP WE TALKED THAT IT IS LIBERAL IN SOME AREAS AND CONSERVATIVE IN OTHERS.

44% OF THE DISTRICT IS IN DEMOCRATIC LEANING LEXINGTON.

BUT THAT IS NOT HALF OF THE DISTRICT.

IT IS A CHALLENGE FOR EITHER SIDE TO KIND OF THREAD THAT NEEDLE.

>> SURE.

I MEAN DEMOCRATS NATIONALLY LISTED THE DISTRICT AS ONE OF THE DISTRICTS THEY WERE TARGETING FOR THE MIDTERMS.

AND DEMOCRATS RESPONDED GO AHEAD AND WASTE YOUR MONEY BECAUSE THEY DON'T THINK THE DISTRICT IS IN REACH.

I WILL SAY IN THE LAST RESTRICTING CYCLE THERE WAS CONTENTION OVER THE REMOVAL OF FRANKLIN COUNTY FROM THE DISTRICT AND PUTTING INTO THE DISTRICT OF U.S. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES COMER.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, HOME TO THE STATE CAPITOL IS MORE DEMOCRATIC LEANING COMPARED TO KENTUCKY AS A WHOLE.

SO ARGUABLY THE REMOVAL OF FRANKLIN COUNTY FROM THE DISTRICT MADE THE DISTRICT A LITTLE BIT MORE REPUBLICAN LEANING.

>> Bill: IT WAS A DIFFERENT TIME.

AS AN INDEPENDENT IN 2002.

PROBABLY NOBODY IS LIKELY TO REPEAT THAT.

BUT IT SHOWS AN INDEPENDENT COULD SCRAMBLE THE DYNAMIC IN A RACE.

IT IS A LOT TO WATCH A FUN ONE TO COVER IN SOME WAYS.

>> DEFINITELY.

AND ONE THING TO NOTE WE ARE IN MAY 2025 THE PRIMARIES ARE NOT UNTIL MAY 2026 WE HAVE THE CANDIDATES ANNOUNCING THEY ARE GOING TO RUN, THE FILING PERIOD DOESN'T START UNTIL NOVEMBER AND ENDS IN JANUARY WE COULD SEE A TON OF OTHER PEOPLE RUN FOR THIS RACE.

>> Bill: THE REPUBLICAN RACE FOR THE U.S. SENATE SEAT REMAINS A BATTLE BETWEEN BARR AND DANIEL CAMERON.

THIS WEEK CAMERON QUESTIONED THE TIMING OF A PROBE INTO HIS 2023 RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS COMMISSION IS LOOKING INTO WHETHER CAMERON USED HIS POSITION AS ATTORNEY GENERAL TO PRESS A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO DO A FUNDRAISER FOR HIM.

AND CAMERON CALLS THE CHARGE BOGUS.

>> CHARGE ME WITH AN ETHICS VIOLATION OVER A BOGUS TWO-YEAR-OLD CLAIM FOR AN INVESTIGATION I RECUSED FROM AND CAMPAIGN DONATIONS I REFUNDED.

THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF POLITICAL PETITIONER CALLINGS.

IT'S THE SAME THING THEY TRIEDED TO TO PRESIDENT TRUMP BUT I WON'T LET THE LEFT BEAT ME.

>> Bill: TESSA, CAMERON SAYS HE IS LEADING IN WILL POOING AND SUDDENLY THE COMMISSION WANTS TO LOOK AT A TWO-YEAR-OLD CASE.

>> RIGHT THERE'S LIMITED POLLING AVAILABLE AS HANNAH NOTED WE ARE FAR AWAY FROM ANY PRIMARY.

YES, WHAT LIMITED POLLING WE HAVE SEEN DANIEL CAMERON IS LEADING.

AND IN PART THAT IS BECAUSE WAS THE FIRST CANDIDATE OUT OF THE GATE.

HE RAN FOR A STATE-WIDE OFFICE BEFORE WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT ANDY BARR CANNOT SAY.

GOING BACK TO BECAUSE YOU HAVE LOST AN OFFICE DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE NOT A VIABLE CANDIDATE IN THE FUTURE.

DANIEL CAMERON DID NOT WIN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IN 2023 BUT HE APPEARED ON A STATE-WIDE BALLOT TWICE NOW WHEN HE RAN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL BEFORE THAT.

VOTERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH HIM.

HE HAS HIGHER NAME RECOGNITION.

YES, HE DOES SAY THIS TIMING IS SUSPICIOUS GIVEN THIS IS TWO YEARS IN THE PAST, A DIFFERENT CAMPAIGN.

BUT YOU KNOW, HE'S NOT RUNNING AWAY FROM IT AS WE SAW WITH THE VED.

HE'S USING THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TIE HIMSELF TO PRESIDENT TRUMP IN A WAY.

>> Bill: AND ETHICS PROBE WOULD PLAY OUT WITH THE POTENTIAL IF THE FINDINGS WERE AGAINST HIM OF A FINE, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

THERE COULD BE UP TO A $5,000 FINE THIS WILL PLAY OUT WITH A JUDGE LOOKING INTO IT AND GOING BACK AND MAKING A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COMMISSION WHO GETS TO MAKE A DECISION FROM THERE.

>> Bill: WE KNOW THAT CANDIDATES ARE MOVING AROUND THE STATE.

CAMERON AND BARR ENTERED INTO SUMMER SET HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE EARLY STOPS IN THE CAMPAIGN?

>> I THINK IT'S EQUALLY IMPORTANT FOR BARR AND CAMERON FOR SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT REASONS.

FOR CAMERON HE COULD BE SOLIDIFYING CONNECTIONS HE MADE WHEN HE DID RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

HE COULD BE SEEKING ENDORSEMENTS AND RAISING MONEY LOOKING FOR DONATIONS.

AND FOR BARR I THINK WHILE ENDORSEMENTS AND CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING IS IMPORTANT, ONE OF THE BIGGEST CRITICISMS I'VE HEARD ABOUT HIM DO PEOPLE KNOW HIS NAME OUTSIDE OF HIS DISTRICT?

SOMERSET IS A STRONG REPUBLICAN COUNTY, I THINK THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT FOR HIM TO GO OUT THERE AND MAKE SURE THE REPUBLICANS THERE KNOW HIM.

>> Bill: YOU DID A STORY WHETHER McCONNELL'S SUCCESSOR WILL STAY AS LONG AS HE HAS.

HE IS THE LONGEST SERVING SENATOR EVER FROM KENTUCKY.

AND YOU LOOKED AT THE BENEFITS AND THE DRAWBACKS OF THAT.

>> YEAH, IT'S SERVING IN THE SENATE FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME IS NOT UNIQUE TO KENTUCKY.

I THINK ONE OF THE BENEFITS AFTER TALKING WITH POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS IS THAT STAYING IN OFFICE LONGER MEANS YOU CAN CLIMB THAT POLITICAL LADDER AND GAIN POWER LIKE BEING CHAIR OF NOTABLE COMMITTEES.

THEY TOLD ME IT'S HARD TO HAVE A BIG LEGISLATIVE IMPACT IF YOU HAVE A SHORT CAREER.

AND WITH THINGS LIKE BEING CHAIR OF COMMITTEES GAINING POLITICAL POWER YOU CAN BRING BACK BENEFITS TO YOUR STATE.

SUCH AS FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS LIKE McCONNELL HAS DONE.

ONE OF THE DRAWBACKS IT HAS THE POTENTIAL AS THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE AVERAGE AGE GETS OLDER DO THEY FEEL CONNECTED TO VOTERS ON SPECIFIC ISSUES AND EVOLVING ISSUES.

>> Bill: PAMELA STEVENSON IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR NOW.

DO WE THINK THAT IS LIKELY TO HOLD OR HEARING OTHER RUMBLING.

>> OTHER BIG NAMES THAT CAME UP WHEN McCONNELL ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT WAS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN AND ANDY BESHEAR SAID ON-LINE THEY HAVE NO INTEREST IN RUNNING FOR THIS SEAT.

PEOPLE SAY THEY WOULD BE THE ONES WITH THE BIGGEST NAME ID AND PUT UP THE GREATEST CHANCE TO BEAT A REPUBLICAN.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WE HAVE A LOT OF TIME BEFORE THE FILING PERIOD BEGINS.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT ASHLI WATTS WILL BE THE FIRST WOMAN TO EMCEE THE FANCY FARM SPEECHES AUGUST 2 IN FANCY FARM IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AND THIS WEEK SHE TOLD ME SHE IS EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> I WOULD SAY WHEN THEY CALLED ME A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I WAS NERVOUS AND EXCITED WHICH IS WHAT I SHOULD BE AS A LIFELONG KENTUCKIAN AND NETWORKED IN POLITICS FOR YEARS, FANCY FARM IS THE SUPER BOWL OF POLITICS IT IS AN HONOR TO BE ASKED TO BE EMCEE.

I'VE GOTTEN OPINIONS FROM PEOPLE AND SUGGESTIONS I'VE GOTTEN JOKES FROM PEOPLE.

WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES BUT I'M EXCITED AND HOPE TO BRING A FUN TENOR TO FANCY FARM THIS YEAR.

>> Bill: WE DON'T HAVE A LIST OF SPEAKERS BUT THE U.S. SENATE CANDIDATES WILL BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK DURING AN OFF YEAR, AND YOU COVERED WESTERN KENTUCKY IN RADIO YEARS AGO, IT COULD BE INTERESTING THAT WE'RE LOOKING AHEAD TO 26 AND 27.

>> SURE.

FANCY FARM HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY IN YEARS WHERE THERE'S NOT MAJOR MIDTERM OR FOUR YEAR TYKELE RACES FOR CANDIDATES TO TEST OUT MESSAGES AND TEST OUT HOW BETWEEN THE JOKES AND THE ZINGERS, TO TEST HOW THE MESSAGE RESONATES WITH AN AUDIENCE OF SOME BEING PARTISAN SUPPORTERS BUT ALSO GENERAL PEOPLE OUT IN GRAVES COUNTY.

THE FANCY FARM PICNIC IS JUST AS MUCH AS A CHURCH PICNIC AS IT IS A PLATFORM FOR POLITICS TO GET OUT THERE AND SEE WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T.

BUT, YEAH, IT SHOULD BE EYE WAY TO PREVIEW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT YEAR.

>> Bill: IT WILL BE A HOT DAY ON THE STAGE NO MATTER WHAT.

IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

>> LOTS OF SWEATING.

>> Bill: AS WE MENTIONED ONE WHO IS SKIPPING THE SENATE RACE DESPITE THE URGINGS IS GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.

BESHEAR SPENT PART OF MOTHER'S DAY ON TV AND IT WAS ANNOUNCED HE WILL ATTEND A MAJOR POLITICAL EVENT IN FLORIDA.

AND COREY BOOKER WILL CO-HEADLINE THE LEADERSHIP BLUE GALA HELD IN HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA.

BESHEAR CONTINUES TO TRY TO BUILD NAME RECOGNITION AND HIS BRAND OUTSIDE OF KENTUCKY.

>> I THINK YES, DEFINITELY.

HE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE PAST YEAR CONSISTENTLY MAKING NATIONAL MEDIA APPEARANCES.

HE HAS A PODCAST AS WELL AND MAKING APPEARANCES AT DEMOCRATIC EVENTS.

IT'S SAFE TO SAY PEOPLE ARE EXPECTING HIM TO MAKE A 2028 PRESIDENTIAL RUN.

AND IT'S BEEN INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE NATIONAL MEDIA AND OTHERS ARE REACTING.

I BELIEVE IT WAS A LITTLE BIT AGO THAT ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK MENTIONED HIM IN A PODCAST SAYING HE IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST DEMOCRATS TO BEAT.

WE'LL SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT AND HOW BESHEAR CONTINUES BUILDING HIS NAME-BRAND.

>> Bill: AND HE SHARPENED HIS ATTACKSES ON MEDICAID CUTS, FRAMES IT AS AN ATTACK ON RURAL AMERICA.

>> HE MENTIONED THIS WITH THREE OTHER DEMOCRAT GOVERNORS AND HE FOCUSED ON RURAL COMMUNITIES AND RURAL AMERICA NOT JUST IN KENTUCKY BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

HIS ARGUMENTS WAS CUTS COULD SHUT DOWN CLINICS AND SPECIFICALLY IN KENTUCKY HE SAID RURAL HOSPITALS ARE THE SECOND LARGEST EMPLOYERS OF THESE COMMUNITIES.

SO PEOPLE COULD LOSE JOBS IF THE CLINICS SHUT DOWN.

AGAIN, HE'S CONSISTENTLY DEFENDED MEDICAID NOT JUST ON THE PRESS CALL BUT ACROSS THE SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> Bill: WE'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH HIS MOVEMENTS IN STATE AND OUT.

YOU REPORTED ON A GROUP THAT IS ACCUSING FORD OF ALLOWING UNION AVOIDANCE ACTIVITIES THAT THE NEW AUTO BATTERY PLANT IN HARDIN COUNTY.

>> CORRECT.

THERE IS A FAITH BASED INVESTOR GROUP OUT OF NEW JERSEY THAT REPRESENTS VARIOUS FAITH CONGREGATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT TRY TO USE THEIR OWN WORDS TRY TO USE INVESTMENTS IN COMPANIES AS A LEVERAGE FOR ADVANCING WHAT THEY SEE AS THEIR MISSION OF BEING CONCERNED ABOUT WORKERS' RIGHTS, CLIMATE CHANGE AND WHAT THEY SAY IS THE COMMON GOOD.

THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT GENERALLY NATIONAL REPORTING THAT'S BEEN DONE.

CLAIMS BY UNITED AUTO WORKERS THAT SAY ANTIUNION CONSULTANTS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN TO DISSUADE WORKERS TO NOT VOTE TO UNIONIZE.

THERE IS A UNION ELECTION THAT HAS BEEN FILED AND UP COMING AND YOU KNOW THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THE U.S. ANTIUNION MATERIALS BEING DISTRIBUTEDDED TO WORKERS THERE.

LOUISVILLE SK GENERALLY TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKERS MAKING THEIR OWN DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO UNION OR NOT.

NOT ADDRESSING THE CLAIMS OF UNION AVOIDANCE.

>> Bill: WE'LL KEEP WATCH THERE.

A JUDGE HEARD ARGUMENTS AND TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT THE SCHOOL EQUITY BEING ADDRESSED AGAIN.

WE'RE BACK WHERE WE WERE BEFORE THE STATE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN THE SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOLS IN THE LATE 1980s IF THIS MOVES FORWARD, TESSA, THE STATE WANTS IT DISMISSED.

IS THIS EVER GOING TO GO ANYWHERE?

>> WELL, THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IT'S IN THE HANDS OF A JUDGE.

THERE ARE THINGS UP FOR CONSIDERATION.

ONE DO THE STUDENTS HAVE STANDING TO BRING THE LAWSUIT IN THE FIRST PLACE?

AND THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE ARE ASKING FOR IT TO BE DISMISSED.

THESE ARE THE THINGS WE'RE WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE JUDGE DECIDES AND THAT WILL EITHER IT WILL END THERE OR KEEP GOING.

>> Bill: ALLISON BALL IS SUING THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION AGAIN SHE SAYS THIS IS OVER A KINSHIP CARE A LAW PASSED LAST YEAR THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE LEGISLATURE DIDN'T FUND.

>> RIGHT.

SO THERE'S BEEN THIS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S ADMINISTRATION.

THE LEGISLATURE SAYING WE SAID TO DO THIS.

YOU NEED TO DO IT.

WHY RESPECTED'S YOU?

IT'S UNACCEPTABLE THAT YOU ARE NOT ON THE FLIP SIDE THE ADMINISTRATION IS SAYING THE FUNDING WAS NOT PROVIDED AND IT IS THE LEGISLATURE'S DUTY TO FUND THE GOVERNMENT.

SO NOW IT'S HEADING TO COURT IT SEEMS.

>> Bill: EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY ADOPTED INSTITUTIONAL VIEWPOINT NEUTRALITY AND VOTED TO COMPLY WITH HOUSE BILL 4 THAT OUTLAWED DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION THE WORDS DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVITY ARE REPLACED IN THE STATEMENTS ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY.

TESSA, THE SCHOOLS HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO COMPLY WITH THAT LAW, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

WE KNOW THAT HOUSE BILL 4 TAKES EFFECT THIS SUMMER.

WE'RE SEEN OTHER UNIVERSITIES MAKE SIMILAR MOVES.

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY MADE MOVES TO ELIMINATE D.E.I.

OFFICES.

BECAUSE THAT IS NOW WHAT IS GOING TO BE REQUIRED OF THEM.

>> Bill: DO YOU ANTICIPATE THIS WILL COME BACK AS AN ISSUE IN THE LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR?

WILL THERE BE FURTHER D.E.I.

LEGISLATION?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO SEE HOW THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAYS OUT FOR THE REST OF THE UNIVERSITIES.

I BELIEVE EKU WAS THE FIRST TO MAKE A CHANGE IN COMPLIANCE WITH HB4.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF OTHER UNIVERSITIES LIKE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE MAKE THESE CHANGES IF THAT'S ENOUGH FOR THE LEGISLATORS AND IF THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH THAT.

>> Bill: U.K. MADE SHIFTS AS WELL AND EVERYBODY IS HEADED TOWARD THE BUDGET TIME.

LIAM, CICADAS ARE STARTING TO EMERGE IT HAPPENS EVERY 17 YEARS AND THIS IS CALLED THE BOURBON BROOD.

>> IF THERE'S ANYTHING CONSISTENT IT'S DEATH, TAXES AND CICADAS, MAYBE.

YOU KNOW, YEAH, THEY ARE COMING BACK.

AND WATCH OUT FOR THEM.

>> Bill: WELL, AND THIS COULD BE A SWEET OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMONWEALTH.

THERE IS A NEW STUDY FROM U.K.'S MARTIN GIGAWATT EN COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE SUGGESTING THAT MAPLE SYRUP COULD BOOST THE STATE'S ECONOMY.

IT IS A GOOD PLACE TO DO THAT.

THE STUDY FINDS STATE-WIDE MAPLE SYRUP PROION HAS THE CAPACITY TO BE A $25 MILLION INDUSTRY AND CREATE MORE THAN 1300 NEW JOBS.

WE'LL SEE IF THERE'S FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THAT.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.