[♪♪] >> Bill: THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES A CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION OF KENTUCKY JUVENILE DETEPBG CENTERS.

>> AS LOUISVILLE HOLDS HIGH PROFILE EVENTS THE CITY DEALS WITH VIOLENCE.

>>> EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY IN KENTUCKY'S PRIMARY.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE TALKS ABOUT TURNOUT AND SECURITY.

>>> AND COULD A UNION VOTE IN ALABAMA HAVE IMPLICATIONS AT KENTUCKY AUTO PLANTS?

AS OUR UNUSUALLY WET SPRING CONTINUES, 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 CHRIS OTTS, REPORTER FOREWDRB IN LOUISVILLE, ALEX ACQUISTO REPORTER NOT LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER AND MARK VANDERHOFF REPORTER FOR WLKY IN LOUISVILLE.

ALSO TONIGHT A DEATH AT VAL HALA GOLF COURSE AND THE TOP GOLFER IS ARRESTED AND HUMANA TURNS TO A KENTUCKY NATIVE FOR THE NEW CHOSE.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S PROBE OF KENTUCKY'S JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THE CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION WANTS TO KNOW IF INMATES ARE SAFE AND IF THEY GET SERVICES TO AVOID FUTURE FAILURES.

>> WE WILL REVIEW WHETHER THERE ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONDITIONS INCLUDING USE OF UNREASONABLE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL FORCE BY STAFF, INAPPROPRIATE USE OF ISOLATION, FAILURE TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE, AND ADEQUATE MENTAL HEALTHCARE.

>> Bill: ALEX THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO THAT THEY HAVE REACHED NO CONCLUSION BUT THEY INDICATE THIS WILL BE A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION AND WE KNOW NEWS OUTLETS HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO THIS AND REPORTING THIS DRIP BY DRIP FOR SOMETIME.

>> RIGHT.

AND MY COLLEAGUE HAS BEEN PRODUCING A NUMBER OF PIECES ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

DOCUMENTING INSTANCES OF EXCESSIVE FORCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE AND DEATH IN ONE WAYS.

YESTERDAY WE HEARD THE NEWS AT THE DOJ IS INVESTIGATING.

IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS IF NOT A YEAR BUT IT'S A SERIOUS CHARGE AS IT COMES WHEN IT COMES TO INVESTIGATING A STATE AGENCY RUN THING LIKE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTERS.

>> Bill: IT'S INTERESTING, CHRIS, THEY WANT TO KNOW NOT JUST THESE JUDGE OFFENDERS BEING MISTREATED BUT ARE THEY GETTING ADEQUATE EDUCATION OR TRAINING SO THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO TURN THEIR LIVES AROUND.

>> YEAH.

THIS SEEMS TO BE A TOP TO BOTTOM SORT OF LOOK AT HOW THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE BEING TREATED IN THESE DETENTION FACILITIES.

AND YOU KNOW, PERHAPS THAT IS WELCOME BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON IN THERE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE POINTS KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES MADE IN THEIR STATEMENT ABOUT ALL THIS.

THAT UNLIKE THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM, THERE'S REALLY NOT VERY MUCH ACCESS FOR ADVOCATES TO SEE INSIDE AND UNDERSTAND THE PRACTICES THERE.

IT IS A CLOSED SYSTEM.

SO HOPEFULLY THIS REPORT WILL SHED SOME LIGHT ON WHAT IS HAPPENING.

>> Bill: AND MARK, YOU HAD HISTORY HERE.

WE HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE?

>> THAT'S RIGHT N1995 GOVERNOR JONES SIGNED A FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE AND THAT IS HOW WE GOT THE MODERN DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE WE HAVE TODAY.

AND WHEN YOU GO ON THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WEBSITE THEY HAVE A LIST A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF ALL THE STATES THAT HAD CONGRATULATES OR INVESTIGATION CONSENT DECREES OR INVESTIGATIONS AND THEY INCLUDE OUR NEIGHBORS TO THE SOUTH TENNESSEE, SOUTH CAROLINA, MISSOURI, QUITE A FEW STATES.

>> Bill: WHO OWNS THE PROBLEM?

IT WAS MENTIONED THAT BY THE KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES THAT 10 YEARS AGO, KENTUCKY WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A MODEL FOR OTHER STATES.

>> AND THEIR PERSPECTIVE IS THAT EVERYONE IN ELECTED OFFICE OWNS THE PROBLEM.

I SAW SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAYING I HOPE THIS IS A WAKE-UP CALL FOR THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION.

WELL, THEIR VIEW IS THAT THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT MOVED QUICKLY ENOUGH TO ENACT REFORMS.

THEY HAVE BEEN MUCH TOO INCONSENT DECREE.

AL AND THE LEGISLATURE LEFT GOOD IDEAS AND PACKAGES ON THE TABLE THAT COULD HAVE MADE A REAL IMPACT HERE.

BOTH PARTIES EVERYONE IN OFFICE OWNS A PIECE OF THIS APPARENT FAILURE.

>> Bill: ALEX, YOU MENTIONED JOHN CHIEFS HARD WORK ON THIS INCLUDING USING THE OPEN RECORDS ACT TO GET HANDWRITTEN LETTERS OF TEENAGERS DESCRIBING THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES IN THOSE FACILITIES.

>> CORRECT.

I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO MUCH TO SAY THAT HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THE REPORTING THAT HE DID WITHOUT THAT.

HE'S WON MULTIPLE AWARDS FOR IT.

HIS REPORTING TRIGGERED A STATE AUDIT WHICH ELEVATED THIS FAILURE TO THE STATE LEVEL.

AND GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION MANY AND NOW HAS GARNERED THE AEVENING IT OF THE DOJ.

>> Bill: WHY HAS IT BEEN KICKING THE CAN SORT OF WORK HERE WITH THIS?

ANYBODY?

>> IT IS A MASSIVELY EXPENSIVE PROSPECT.

WE'VE SEEN A ROTATING DOOR OF DOJ COMMISSIONERS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

IT IS AN EXPENSIVE SOLUTION TO FIX.

YOU KNOW, THESE DETENTION FACILITIES GENERALLY KENTUCKY'S DETENTION FACILITIES ARE CHRONICALLY UNDERFUNDED.

IT IS A BIG PROBLEM TO FIX.

I THINK IT'S EASY TO TURN A BLIND EYE.

>> Bill: WAS THERE A REQUEST FOR MORE MONEY?

>> THERE WAS.

I THINK IT WAS $165 MILLION PACKAGE THAT WAS NOT PASSED.

>> ADD TO THAT, BILL, IN GENERAL THERE IS A LOT OF WORKFORCE CHALLENGES IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

SO I DON'T KNOW THIS SPECIFICALLY BUT I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THAT IS ALSO PART OF THE ISSUE I'M SURE THERE'S TURNOVER.

I'M SURE THERE'S DIFFICULTY FINDING GOOD EMPLOYEES WHO WILL STAY AND KNOW AND SO THERE'S PROBABLY ISSUES WITH THAT AS WELL WITH STAFFING.

>> Bill: SO WE KNOW IN LOUISVILLE, MARK THE LMPD IS OPERATING UNDER A CONSENT DECREE FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

WHAT MIGHT THAT LOOK LIKE IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN IN THIS CASE WITH JUVENILE JUSTICE STATE-WIDE?

>> WE ACTUALLY HAVEN'T GOTTEN ALL THE DETAILS ON THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE AND EVERYTHING.

THE INK HAS NOT BEEN SIGNED ON THAT YET.

BUT WHAT I SUSPECT WILL HAPPEN IT WILL BE A SIMILAR PROCESS TO WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH WITH LMPD IT WILL TAKE A WHILE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO ISSUE FINDINGS AND THEN IT WILL TAKE A WHILE FOR THE DOJ TO PROPOSE A CONSENT DECREE AND THERE HAS TO BE BACK AND FORTH NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE FEDS AND THE STATE AND THEN HOPEFULLY BY THAT POINT, JUST AS LOUISVILLE AND LMPD HAVE DONE THE STATE WILL HAVE MADE THE REFORMS THEY NEEDED TO MAKE AND THEY WILL SIGN THE DEAL AND HOPEFULLY BY THAT POINT THEY WILL HAVE ALREADY MADE A LOT OF THE REFORMS THAT THE DOJ IS ASKING FOR.

>> Bill: LONG-TERM PROSPECT.

AND LOUISVILLE ON A TIME OF HIGH VISIBILITY WITH THE KENTUCKY DERBY AND THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AND ALL THE POSITIVE PUBLICITY THAT BRINGS BUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT THE CITY IS DEALING WERE SHOOTINGS AND OTHER VIOLENCE.

AND MARK, MAYOR GREENBERG DIRECTLY APPEALED TO RESIDENTS OVER THE WEEKEND A VERY TOUGH WEEKEND IN LOUISVILLE TO SPEAK UP.

>> YEAH.

13 PEOPLE WERE SHOT.

SIX DIED AND 10 SEPARATE SHOOTINGS.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS ABOUT MAY.

MAYBE IT'S THE LONGER DAYS THE WARMER DAYS.

BUT WE ALWAYS EVERY FEW YEARS SEEM TO HAVE THE FLARE-UPS OF VIOLENCE LIKE THIS.

AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND THE MAYOR COME OUT AND MAKE THESE APPEALS AND I THINK IN THE SPECIFIC CASE, YOU KNOW, YOU STILL HAVE A LOT OF FEAR IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES OF RETRIBUTION IF PEOPLE SPEAK OUT.

YOU STILL HAVE DISTRUST OF THE POLICE.

AND SO THEIR MESSAGE WHEN THEY CAME OUT THIS WEEK WE NEED TO SHARE THE INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE WITH US.

AND A MESSAGE TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY EVERYBODY IN THE CITY AND NEIGHBORHOODS WHO AREN'T AS AFFECTED AS MUCH THEY HAVE TO PITCH IN AS WELL.

IT IS AN ALL HANDS ON DECK SOLUTION.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, AS WE PREPARE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK FOR THIS PROGRAM, WE DID NOT KNOW THAT COME DAWN TODAY THERE WOULD BE A STORY DEVELOPMENT THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP IS PLAYING AT VALHALLA GOLF CLUB IN LOUISVILLE GOLF IS NOT THE BIGGEST STORY.

A VENDOR WAS KILLED BY A SHUTTLE BUS AND THE WORLD'S TOP-RANKED GOLFER WAS ARRESTED.

CHRIS, JUST DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED TODAY.

>> SO APPARENTLY IT WAS ABOUT 5:00 A.M. LOOKS LIKE THE SUN WAS NOT UP YET.

IT WAS DARK.

THIS STRETCH OF SHELBYVILLE ROAD BY THE GOLF COURSE IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH IT, IS NOT A PLACE ANYONE WANTS TO WALK.

I MEAN THIS IS AN AUTO-CENTRIC WORLD THERE IS NOT A LOT OF PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE THERE.

AND APPARENTLY, THERE WAS A FATALITY WHERE A VOLUNTEER SADLY FOR THE EVENT WAS KILLED BY I SHUTTLE BUS.

AND THE POLICE HAD THE ROAD SORT OF BLOCKED OFF THEY WERE WORKING THIS SCENE.

AND IT TURNS OUT THAT THE WORLD'S NUMBER ONE GOLFER, SCOTTY CHEFLER WAS ATTEMPTING TO REACH HE WAS DRIVING HIMSELF AND ATTEMPTING TO REACH THE GOLF COURSE.

AND TO HEAR HIM TELL IT THERE WAS CONFUSION ABOUT HOW HE WAS BEING DIRECTED WITH THE TRAFFIC.

AND HE WENT FORWARD WHEN THE POLICE SAID THAT THEY HAD TOLD HIM NOT TO.

AND THAT HE DISOBEYED THEIR INSTRUCTIONS.

AN OFFICER INVOLVED IN THIS WAS APPARENTLY HAD MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT OF SH*EFLER MOVING HIS VEHICLE FORWARD.

THEY TOOK HIM OUT AND ARRESTED HIM AND BROUGHT HIM DOWNTOWN HE SPENT A COUPLE HOURS IN JAIL AND WAS RELEASED AND RETURNED ABOUT 9:00 A.M., I BELIEVE, TO THE COURSE.

AND WENT ON WITH THE DAY.

SO IT'S BEEN A BIG STORY.

>> Bill: AND, MARK, WHAT WAS REACTION?

YOU WERE THERE TODAY AND THIS WAS THE TALK?

>> OH, MOST DEFINITELY.

I FOLLOWED CHEFLER AROUND FROM HOLE TO HOLE AND FOLLOWED THE MASSIVE CROWD WITH HIM.

WE'RE TALKING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE.

MANY OF THEM WHO ARE AVID GOLFERS BIG FANS OF HIM, THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE THE NEWS.

AND MANY OF THEM THINK THAT IT WAS ALL PROBABLY A MISUNDERSTANDING.

WE'LL SEE HOW THINGS SHAKE OUT IN THE LONG-RUN.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME KIND OF EXPLANATION HOW EVERYTHING SORT OF YOU KNOW, BY EITHER A SERIES OF MISFORTUNE THAT EVENTS THERE HAS TO BE AN EXPLANATION.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW MORE DETAILS ABOUT WHAT WENT DOWN.

>> Bill: THE EVIDENCE WILL COME OUT AS THIS MOVES ALONG, RIGHT?

>> APPARENTLY.

I THINK THERE'S QUESTIONS WAS THERE BODY-CAMERA.

IS THERE OTHER EVIDENCE OF WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED HERE THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN YET THAT COULD SHED LIGHT ON, YOU KNOW, WHICH PERSON HERE IS MAYBE EXAGGERATING WHAT HAPPENED.

>> Bill: WE WILL WATCH THIS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

>>> KENTUCKY PRIMARY ELECTION IS UNDERWAY.

EARLY VOTING RUNNING THROUGH SATURDAY.

AND A FULL DAY OF VOTING ON TUESDAY.

SECRETARY OF STATE ADAMS IS PREDICTING A TURNOUT OF 15%.

HE SEEMS TO HOPE THAT IS NOT TOO OPTIMISTIC.

HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT KENTUCKIANS CAN BE PROUD OF THE SECURITY OF OUR BALLOT FOR THE ELECTIONS.

>> I THINK WE HAVE THE BEST LAWS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND ALSO SOME OF THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY.

NOT JUST ME WORKING HERE WE HAVE AN ARMY OF 15,000 PEOPLE THAT IT TAKES TO RUN THE ELECTION.

COUNTY CLERKS WITH INTEGRITY.

POLL WORKERS WHO VOLUNTEER AND HAVE INTEGRITY.

PLENTY OF CHECKS AND BALANCES.

>> Bill: MARK, ADAMS MAKES THE CASE THAT SPREADING THE VOTE OUT OVER SEVERAL DAYS MAKES IT EASIER TO DETECT ANY IRREGULARITIES?

>> SECRETARY ADAMS IS KNOWN FOR SAYING HE WANTS TO MAKE IT EASY TO VOTE AND HARD TO CHEAT.

ELECTION SECURITY HAS BEEN A TOP PRIORITY FOR HIM.

ESPECIALLY TO ASSUAGE CONCERNS OVER PROBLEMS WITH ELECTIONS THAT WE SEE SO MUCH THESE DAYS.

HIS POINT IS THAT IF SOMEBODY WAS TRYING TO DO SOMETHING LIKE VOTE BUYING AND IT WAS FOCUSED ON ONE DAY, THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET AWAY WITH WITH IT IF THEY ARE TRYING TO BUY OVER SEVERAL DAYS.

>> Bill: FOR HIS EFFORTS, ADAMS IS GETTING AND AAWARD FROM THE JOHN F. KENNEDY FAMILY FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE WITH ELECTIONS IN KENTUCKY.

HE AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR REDID THE WAY WE DO ELECTIONS IN 2022 DURING THE PANDEMIC AND SOME OF THAT HAS STUCK.

>> HE HAS BEEN A STAUNCH ADVOCATE FOR EXPANDING VOTING RIGHTS AND AS YOU MENTIONED CALLED THE PROFILE IN COURAGE LAUDED HIM FOR STANDING UP FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS DESPITE PARTY OPPOSITION AND DEATH THREATS FROM ELECTION DENIERS.

HE HAS GARNERED ATTENTION BECAUSE HE IS A REPUBLICAN WHO HAS CLEARLY PUSHED BACK AGAINST PEOPLE WITHIN HIS PARTY CLAIMING INTERFERENCE WHEN TRUMP WASN'T REELECTED IN 2020.

AND HE IS VERY ACCESSIBLE.

I TALKED TO HIM ON THE PHONE AND HE SAID HIS APPROACH IS TO EXPLAIN THE PROCESS SIMPLY TO EXPLAIN WHY ELECTIONS ARE SECURE.

TO EXPLAIN WHAT CLERKS DO TO SECURE THEM AND ABSENTEE VOTING IS AS SECURE AS IN-PERSON VOTING.

IT'S INTERESTING.

HE HAS BEEN VOCAL ABOUT HOW HE THINKS THE CURRENT STATE OF POLITICS DOES NOT REWARD STATESMEN LIKE POLITICIANS AND I THINK HE SEES HIMSELF THAT WAY.

AND THIS AWARD HAS BEEN GIVEN TO FORMER PRESIDENTS OBAMA, GEORGE W. BUSH IT IS A BIG DEAL.

>> Bill: HE PUSHED BACK AGAINST THE AEMPTY IT IN THE LEGISLATURE TO DO AWAY WITH THE EARLY VOTING.

>> A CHARGE LED BY SOME IN HIS PARTY.

YET HE REMAINS WELL LIKED ACROSS PARTY LINES.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PRIMARY.

IT'S QUIET FOR NOW.

AND I GUESS THE QUESTION BECOMES, CHRIS, WILL THE FALL BE JUST AS LIVELY AS THE PRIMARY SEASON HAS BEEN QUIET?

>> PERHAPS.

>> Bill: FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS IN LEXINGTON TO RAISE MONEY.

>> YEAH.

EXACTLY.

I DON'T THINK WE WOULD EXPECT TO SEE HIM ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IN KENTUCKY HE HAS THAT ONE IN THE BAG BUT WHEN IT COMES TIMES TO RACE FUNDS EVEN DEALING WITH A CRIMINAL TRIAL, KENTUCKY IS A GOOD PLACE AND THAT PRIVATE DINNER I BELIEVE WAS HOSTED BY THE CRAFTS, KELLY CRAFT A FORMER U.N.

AMBASSADOR AND CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

SO EVIDENTLY NO DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEM THERE OVER HIS ENDORSEMENT OF DANIEL CAMERON.

THAT IS PROBABLY WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE I'M SURE.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK SOME OF THE PRIMARIES.

LOUISVILLE STATE REPRESENTATIVE WAS DISQUALIFIED FROM THE BALLOT.

THAT WAS A LATE DEVELOPMENT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND ORIGINALLY, IN THE CIRCUIT COURT LEVEL THE JUDGE SIDED WITH HER ON THIS ISSUE AND THE APPEALS COURT SAID NO, WE DON'T THINK THAT THIS PERSON WHO HAD SIGNED HER ORIGINAL PAPERWORK WAS QUALIFIED TO DO THE SIGNATURES.

SO THIS IS A LATE BREAKING DEVELOPMENT.

SHE SAID SHE IS GOING TO APPEAL IT ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPREME COURT.

BUT AT THIS POINT, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THE SUPREME COURT CAN STEP IN THAT QUICKLY.

>> Bill: AND A COUPLE OF PRIMARIES IN LOUISVILLE THAT ARE INTERESTING.

>> QUITE A FEW.

TWO I CAN POINT OUT WOULD BE FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE AT KA SCOTT IS CHALLENGING GERALD NEAL.

NEAL IS A CIVIL RIGHTS ICON AND KNOWN FOR, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH THE REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY TO TRY TO MAKE STEPS IN GETTING DEMOCRATIC PRIORITIES MOVED FORWARD.

BUT REPRESENTATIVE FORMER REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT SHE IS KNOWN AS A FARTHER LEFT PERSON WHO IS SAYING WE DON'T NEED TO BE WORKING WITH REPUBLICANS WE NEED TO BE RAISING OUR VOICES AND PUSHING FOR OUR PRIORITIES.

AND THEN THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER INTERESTING PRIMARY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY AGAIN, DEPUTY COUNSEL FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY RICK ADAMS.

YOUNGER GUY.

HE IS RUNNING AGAINST MARY LOU WHO WAS A STATE LAWMAKER FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

STEPPED ASIDE AFTER REDISTRICTING BUT IS NOW GOING BACK FOR HER OLD SEAT.

THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO HAS A LOT OF NAME RECOGNITION.

AND HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONGTIME.

AND SOMEBODY WHO SAYS WE NEED A CHANGE OF STRATEGY.

WE NEED A FRESH FACE.

AND WE NEED TO BE DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

>> Bill: ALEX YOU WROTE ABOUT THE SIXTH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL RACE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

THE WINNER WOULD TAKE ON ANDY BAR WHO IS WELL FUNDED BUT IT DOESN'T APPEARED DEMOCRATS RAISED MUCH MONEY?

>> BAR IS SEEKING HIS SEVENTH TERM.

YOU KNOW, NOBODY SINCE AMY McGRAPH HAS RAISED THAT MUCH MONEY.

THE FILINGS FOR THREE OF THE FIVE CANDIDATES HAVE TOTALED ONLY OVER 100,000.

McGRAF RAISED $3 MILLION.

NOT THE FUNDING TO UNSEAT ANDY BAR.

>> Bill: POLLING PLACES OPEN 6:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. LOCAL TIME ON TUESDAY.

SOME ENCOURAGING NEWS U.S. DRUG DEATHS DECREASED ABOUT 3% LAST YEAR FROM 2022, STILL HIGHER THAN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

BUT ALEX, ANYTIME YOU GET ANY ENCOURAGING NEWS ON THE OPIOID CRISIS IN KENTUCKY IT IS A GOOD THING.

>> FOR SURE.

LAST YEAR WE SAW KENTUCKY'S OPIOID DEATHS DROP BY I BELIEVE 5%.

WHICH WAS THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018.

PRELIMINARY NUMBERS I BELIEVE THE C.D.C.

SHOWED KENTUCKY'S DEATHS AND THESE ARE PRELIMINARY AND INCOMPLETE DROPPING BY 7 OR 8% WHICH IS SUBSTANTIAL.

MEANWHILE, OVERDOSE DEATHS THAT THE ARE COCAINE AND METHAMPHETAMINE RELATED ARE INCREASING SLIGHTLY.

WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT A COUPLE THOUSAND PEOPLE.

BUT CONSIDERING WE SAW THE PEAK DURING COVID OVER 2200, SMALL STEPS.

>> Bill: GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS GOING TO TENNESSEE FOR AN EVENT TO SPEAK AGAINST THE VOLUNTEER STRAIGHT'S STRICT ABORTION BAN.

MARK, WE DISCUSSED BESHEAR'S POSSIBLE NATIONAL AMBITIONS NEXT WEEK.

IS HE DOING MORE AND MORE TRIPS TO BECOME KNOWN OUTSIDE KENTUCKY'S BORDERS?

>> WELL, IT COULD BE POSSIBLE THAT TENNESSEE'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY WANTS TO TAP INTO HIS POPULARITY AND HIS TACTICS.

BUT IT SURE DOES SEEM LIKE SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF OTHER GOVERNORS AND OTHER STATES HAVE DONE WHEN THEY ARE GETTING READY TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT OR U.S. SENATE OR SOMETHING BIG LIKE THAT.

I THINK IT'S INTERESTING HE TOOK THAT TRIP TO GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND.

HE COULD HAVE SENT HIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM TO DO THAT BUT HE PERSONALLY WENT THERE AND NOW TALKING ABOUT GOING TO JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA.

IT SEEMS LIKE THE THINGS THAT SOMEBODY WITH AMBITIONS MIGHT DO.

>> Bill: WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE HE WILL SAY ABOUT THE ABORTION?

>> PROBABLY SIMILAR THAT HE SAID WHEN SENATOR YATES INTRODUCED HIS BILL WHICH DID NOT PASS.

HE WILL HAVE DUVAL WITH HIM THAT BESHEAR CAMPAIGNED WITH.

SHE I AM PREGNANTED BY RAPE AS A TEENAGER BY HER STEPFATHER.

THIS IS THE THIRD STATE THAT BESHEAR WILL TRAVEL TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE.

IN KENTUCKY HE WILL TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF RESTORING ABORTION ACCESS BUT HE NEVER TALKED AT AN EVENT LIKE THIS IN KENTUCKY YET HE IS IN TENNESSEE.

>> Bill: WE KNOW A UNION VOTE FAILED AT THE MERCEDES PLANTS IN ALABAMA.

COMPANY EXECUTIVES PUSHED BACK SAYING GIVE US A CHANCE.

AND APPARENTLY 56% OF WORKERS THERE VOTED AGAINST IT.

DOES THAT SEND SIGNALS?

OR IS IT A SETBACK FOR UNIONS TRYING TO ORGANIZE?

>> FIRST, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE UAW IT IS A SETBACK.

THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE OFFENSE.

THEY JUST ORGANIZED THEIR FIRST PLANT IN THE SOUTH VOLKSWAGEN IN TENNESSEE.

AND SO THEY ARE TRYING TO SORT OF CREATE MOMENTUM.

AND THEY'VE IDENTIFIED THE TOYOTA PLANT IN GEORGETOWN AS A TARGET.

SO THIS IS THEY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE THEIR WORK.

CONTINUE ORGANIZING AT MULTIPLE PLANTS BUT IT'S NOT THE RESULT THAT THEY WANTED TO SEE.

>> Bill: YOU WENT IN AND ASKED A LOT OF QUESTIONS OF TOYOTA?

WHEN THEY WERE SHOWING OFF THEIR HYBRID VEHICLE?

>> YES, I TOOK MY ONE CHANCE TO ASK THE PLANT MANAGER ABOUT WHETHER THERE MIGHT BE A UNION THERE.

AND HE SAID SOMETHING VERY STANDARD WHICH IS THAT IT'S UP TO THE WORKERS.

WHICH IS THAT IS WHAT A LAWYER WOULD TELL YOU TO SAY.

HE ALLOWED HE IS SURE THAT SOME WORKERS ARE INTERESTED IN THE UAW BUT HE DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A UNION AT TOYOTA ALTHOUGH HE IS NOT ANTIUNION.

SO THAT WAS THE BRIEF COMMENT THERE.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH.

THEY HAVE NOT REVEALED DETAILS HOW FAR ALONG THEY ARE WITH THAT CAMPAIGN.

IT MAYBE SOMETHING THAT COMES UP SOON OR MAYBE SOMETHING WE DON'T HEAR ABOUT FOR YEARS IT'S HARD TO TELL.

>> Bill: LOUISVILLE BASED HUMANA WILL BE GETTING A C.E.O.

WHO IS A KENTUCKY NATIVE.

>> JIM RECOLLECTTON IS HIS NAME.

HUMANA IS AT A CROSSROADS.

THE MAIN BUSINESS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE IS UNDERGOING A SQUEEZE.

THEIR STOCK IS DOWN ABOUT A FOUR-YEAR LOW.

HE IS TAKING OVER AT A TIME WHEN THE COMPANY NEEDS A TURNAROUND.

HE IS A KENTUCKY NATIVE, BILL, BUT ONE THING WE'RE WATCHING WILL HE BE A LOUISVILLE RESIDENT.

HUMANA SAID HE CAN LIVE IN DC OR LOUISVILLE AND THEY HAVE NOT SAID IF HE HAS CHOSEN BETWEEN THE TWO.

HE WILL BE TRAVELING A LOT.

THE CITY'S CONNECTION TO THE COMPANY IS SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING FOR A WHILE.

>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY COUNCIL POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION SAYS MORE KENTUCKIANS ARE COMPLETING UNDERGRAD WORK DEBT FREE DOWN 21% SINCE 2012 AND FOR THOSE WITH DEBT THE BALANCES ARE COMING DOWN.

THAT HAS TO BE ENCOURAGING.

>> IT'S GOT TO BE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY STUDENTS THAT APPLIES TO BE BUT IT'S GOT TO BE THOUSANDS, 21% IS SIGNIFICANT.

THEY ATTRIBUTE IT TO INCREASED FINANCIAL LITERACY, MODEST INCREASES IN TUITION COSTS.

REGARDLESS IT MEANS MORE STUDENTS ARE GRADUATING WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT PAYING OFF THEIR COLLEGE.

>> Bill: A STUDY SHOWS HUNGER IS INCREASING IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN KENTUCKY AN ESTIMATED 265,000 PEOPLE ARE CONSIDERED FOOD INSECURE.

THE FEEDING AMERICA STUDY SHOWS 20% YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASE IN THE LATEST NUMBERS.

MIKE HALLIGAN WITH TKWOD'S PANTRY TALKED TO ME ABOUT THE CHALLENGE.

>> THIS IS THE WORST DATA I'VE SEEN.

IT IS A HIGHER NUMBER THAN WE'VE SEEN HERE IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN KENTUCKY IN A DECADE.

IT'S THE SINGLE HIGHEST YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASE THAT WE'VE SEEN SINCE THE GREAT RECESSION OF 2008.

THE MEAL GAP IS APPROACHING 50 MILLION MEALS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN KENTUCKY.

I'VE NEVER SEEN A NUMBER THAT LARGE.

AND I WORRY THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE FULL IMPACT OF INFLATION YET.

BECAUSE THE DATA WE'RE ANALYZING IS 2022 DATA.

>> Bill: ALEX, THIS IS BASIC, RIGHT?

THIS IMPACTS PEOPLE IN MANY WAYS AND WE ARE NOT TALKING NUTRITIONAL FOOD HAVING ENOUGH FOOD AT ALL.

>> FOOD IN GENERAL.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MANY TEACHERS AND SOME OF THE FOOD INSECURE DISTRICTS DEALT WITH FOR A WHILE.

ONE THING WHEN KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL AND GET MEALS PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

THIS IS A TIME AS THE SCHOOL YEAR COMES TO A CLOSE TEACHERS WORRY ABOUT MEALS THAT STUDENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE ACCESS TO WHEN THEY ARE NOT AT SCHOOL ANYMORE.

>> Bill: CHRIS, SEVERAL CITIES INTERVENED IN A LAWSUIT THERE'S BEEN A RULING IN FAVOR OF HAZARD ALLOWING THEM TO HAVE A RESTAURANT TAX AND MAYBE THIS WILL ALLOW OTHERS.

ALTHOUGH THE LEAGUE OF CITIES SAYS BE CAUTIOUS BECAUSE IT'S NOT FINAL.

>> YES.

I THINK THE ISSUE IS THAT SOME CITIES IN KENTUCKY ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE A RESTAURANT TAX.

BASICALLY A SALES TAX ON EATING OUT.

AND OTHER CITIES ARE NOT.

I CAN TELL YOU MANY LOUISVILLE MAYORS HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN HAVING A RESTAURANT TAX.

I THINK THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE REPUBLICANS WHO RUN THE LEGISLATURE IS THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE BIGGER CITIES LIKE LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON ANOTHER TAX WITHOUT SOME OTHER FORM OF TAX RELIEF AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

BUT, REMEMBER, LOCAL TAX REFORM IS SOMETHING THAT IS STILL UNDONE AND A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION.

>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY DATA CENTER SAYS ELIZABETHTOWN IS THE FASTEST GROWING CITY IN KENTUCKY.

NO SURPRISES, RIGHT?

>> I BELIEVE IT EVERY TIME I GO DOWN TO DO SOMETHING AT THE BATTERY PLANT IT IS AMAZING HOW MANY HOMES AND APARTMENT BUILDINGS THEY ARE BUILDING DOWN THERE.

>> Bill: THE PERSONAL BELONGS OF JULIAN CARROLL ARE BEING AUCTIONED ON-LINE.

ACTIVE TONIGHT.

KENTUCKY HAS COMPLICATED RULES ABOUT THE CITIES.

BETTY LEE WAS TON IS BEING MEMBERED.

SHE WAS WELL-KNOWN FOR CHAMPIONING HISTORIC PRESERVATION DURING A 50-YEAR AREAR.

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY HOLDS 100 BOXES OF HER PAPERS.

SHE WAS 97.

THAT'S COMMENT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.