KEEPS KENTUCKIANS ELIGIBLE FOR ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AS REPUBLICANS AND MANY BUSINESSES WANT THEM DROPPED.

A REPORT IS IN BUT NOT PUBLIC ABOUT HOW KENTUCKY PENSION FUND ARE INVESTED.

SENATOR MITCH MCC CHANGES HIS MIND AND OPPOSES A JANUARY 6th COMMISSION TO LOOK INTO THE RIOTS AT THE U.S. CAPI KENTUCKY'S COURT SYSTEM REOPENS BUT JUDGES HAVE TO DEAL WITH BI A PREVIEW OF SUMMER HEAT IN THIS WEEKEND.

"COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT, AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH, AND SOME ANALYSIS.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR DANIEL DESROSIERS, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR TO LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, AND STIRRING UP JOE SONKA, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

WES SWIETEK, MANAGING EDITOR FO THE BOWLING GREEN DAILY NEWS.

AND LISA BENSON, PUBLISHER FOR LOUISVILLE BUSINESS FIRST.

ALSO TONIGHT, KENTUCKY'S CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM AND A BAPTIST GROUP CLASH OVER CLAUSES IN A PROPOSED NEW contract AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WANTS A .

RECENT SUPREME COURT URL RULING ON DUI CASES RECONSIDERED.

FIRST A BALANCE ON WHEN AND HOW TO OPEN KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY ON THE LINE.

AND ALSO AT A TIME WHEN BUSINESSES ARING TO FIND WORKERS.

LISA BENSON LEADS OFF OUR DISCUSSION ON THIS.

LEASE, A THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

THE GOVERNOR IS STING WITH HIS TIME FRAME TO REOPEN ON JUNE 11TH AND THIS WEEK THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OSBORNE AND SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS CALLED FOR IMMEDIATE REOPTIONS ONCE AGAIN.

DOES THERE SEEM TO BE ANY CONSENSUS AS YOU READ IT AMONG BUSINESS LEADERS OUT THERE WHETHER THEY'RE PREPARED TO GO RIGHT NOW WITH EVERYTHING OR THEY WOULD RATHER WAIT?

>> Lisa: THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON THE SHOW JOIN.

I THINK WHICH IT COMES TO COVID-19 IT'S HARD TO FIND CONSENSUS ON MANY FRONTS.

IT'S CLEAR BUSINESSES WANT TO GET BACK TO NORMAL AND GIVE THE ECONOMY WHAT IT NEEDS TO REGAIN STEAM BUT I ALSO HAVE HEARD SOME FRUSTRATION ABOUT THE SPEED OF CHANGE AND THE NEED SOLVE TO HAVE SOME RAMP-UP TIME.

FORE THE RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS ESPECIALLY THEY SIMPLY ARE NOT ABLE TO STAFF A OPERATION AT FULL CAPACITY BECAUSE THE WORKFORCE JUST ISN'T THERE RIGHT NOW.

AND FOR OTHER BUSINESSES I'VE HEARD ABOUT HOW TO OPERATIONALIZE NEW CHANGES BIKE THE CDC MASK GUIDANCE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF EMPLOYERS CAUGHT BY SURPRISE WITH THE CDC NEWS, HAD TO PROCESS IT WITH PROVIDE A POLICY AND COMMUNICATE IT TO EMPLOYEES, AND BUSINESSES ARE STILL WAITING ON FINAL NOTICE FROM OSHA, THAT'S WORKPLACE STANDARDS.

THINK IT IS EYE IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT BUSINESSES AT DIFFERENT SIZES MOVE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT COMPANIES HAVE TO THINK ABOUT ABOUT REOPENING.

IT'S NOT AS SIMPLE AS FLIPPING A SWITCH.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT MASKS IN PARTICULAR.

KENTUCKY BUSINESSES OBVIOUSLY FACE PRESSURE ON ALL SIDES ON THAT ISSUE.

KROGER FELT TOM PUSHBACK FROM CUSTOMERS AND SOME OF ITS EMPLOYEES THIS WEEK WHEN THEY CHANGED THEY'RE MASK POLICY SUDDENLY AT MID-WEEK.

>> Lisa: THAT'S RIGHT.

SINCE KROGER INITIAL CAME OUT AND SAID IT WOULD CONTINUE TO REQUIRE MASKS AND THEN A FEW DAYS LATER DID AN ABOUT FACE AND CHANGED ITS POLICY FOR THOSE WHO ARE VACCINATED, AND AFTER THAT IT'S THE UNION, THE UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS, RESPONDED WITH A STATEMENT THAT URGED CAUTION AGAINST THE TREND OF RAILS DROPPING THEIR MASKS REQUIREMENTS.

THEY POINT THAT MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE NOT VACCINATED AND EMPLOYEES FACE RISKS.

THE UNION WANTS RETAILS LYING KROGER TO TAKES ACTION TO REASSURE THAT THE MAJORITIES OF THOSE IN THE PUBLIC WILL STIP KEEP THEIR MASKS.

IT'S VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR RETAILERS TO TELL WHO IS OR IS NOT VACCINATED.

>> Bill: LISA, WE MENTIONED EARLIER BUSINESSES ARE DESPERATELY TRYING TO FIND CORKS WORKERS.

SOME PLAME THE ENHANCED FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, THE EXTRA $300.

THIS WEEK SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL ADDED HIS VOICE TO THAT.

THE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WE KNOW IS PUSHING BEHIND THE SCENES TO GET THAT LIFTED BEFORE IT'S SET TO EXPIRE IN SEPTEMBER.

AS YOU TALK TO BUSINESS OWNERS, I MEAN, ARE THEY FACING ISSUES ON SEVERAL FRONTS WITH THIS WORKER SHORTAGE?

>> Lisa: CERTAINLY SOME EMPLOYERS ARE FEELING THE PINCH FROM THAT SEGMENT OF THE WORKFORCE THAT'S SITTING ON THE SIDELINES AND RIDING OUT THOSE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

RECENT NUMBERS SHOW THE GAP BETWEEN KWE'S LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE AND THE NATIONAL VATE ALMOST A FULL POINT WIDER THAN IT WAS BEFORE THING PANDEMIC SO IT'S REALLY A GROWING PROBLEM FOR THE STATE.

ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CERTAINLY PLAYS A PART IN THAT BUT I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE LACK OF AVAILABLE CHILD CARE AND HOW THAT IMPACTS THE ABILITY TO RETURN TO WORK, ESPECIALLY NOW MOVING INTO THE SUMMER MONTHS.

THE PANDEMIC HAS REALLY IMPACTED WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE TO THE A MUCH LARGER DEGREE THAN MEN WITH FEMALE PARTICIPATION OF IN THE WORKFORCE AT THE LOWEST LEVEL SINCE 1988.

YOU DID SEE INDIANA MOVE END PARTICIPATION IN THE FEDERAL PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE JUNE 19th, AND SO YOU MIGHT SEE KENTUCKY FOLLOW SUIT IF THERE'S ENOUGH PRESSURE FROM EMPLOYERS, BUT THE CHILD CARE PROBLEM IS ONE THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE ANDREASED FOR MANY WORKERS.

>> Bill: LISA BENSON FROM LOUISVILLE BUSINESS FIRST.

THANKS AS ALWAYS FOR BEING WITH US ON "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

>> Lisa: ALES A PLEASURE, BILL, THANK YOU.

>> Bill: NOW LET'S BRING IN AIR ONLY OF DAN DEROBBER BE, WES 73 BECK AND JOE SOFTENING A AND FURTHER EXPLORE KENTUCKY POLITICS AND IF ECONOMY.

THE THERE WAS I A PIECE IN THE SEARCH THAT SOME PEOPLE OVER THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC THAT HAVE TIME TO TAKE STOCK OF THEIR LIVES AND JUST ARE NOT INTERESTED IN GOING BACK TO THEIR JOBS.

>> Daniel: I THINK THAT THIS WHOLE UNEMPLOYMENT QUESTION VEIL COMPLICATED AND WE HAVE ONLY SEEN THAT ONE JOBS REPORT THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT LOWER THAN EXPECTED AND WE WILL HAVE TO SEE WHERE THIS GOES IN THE FUTURE.

AND REPUBLICANS CERTAINLY FANNING THIS ARGUMENT.

THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN OVERSPENDING AND YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT INFLATION AND YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT PEOPLE SPAYING HOME ON UNEMPLOYMENT.

AT THE SAME TIME IT'S CREATING A MASSIVE SHAKE-UP TO THE WAY THAT THINGS OF HAVE FUNCTIONED FOR SOME OF THESE LOWER WAGE JOBS AND THE STATUS QUO HAS BEEN THOSE LOW WAGE JOBS HAVE BEEN PRETTY STAGNANT FOR A REALLY LONG TIME, AND THIS MIGHT START TO CHANGE THAT PARADIGM A LITTLE BIT.

>> Bill: THOSE WAGES MIGHT BE COMING UP.

>> Daniel: AND THOSE WORKERS MIGHT ABLE TO GET PAID A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN THEY HAVE FOR A LONG TIME.

>> Bill: JOE, ON THE SUBJECT OF ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ONLY SOME GOVERNORS HAVE ENDED ONLY REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR.

NO DEMOCRATIC DVR EVER GOVERNOR THAT IS DONE THAT.

WE KNOW GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS HEARING FROM LOTS OF EMPLOYERS.

IS SHE SHOWING SIGNS OF RELENTING ON THAT EXTRA $300?

>> Joe: IS ANSWER IN THE SHORT TERM IS NO.

SHE HAD MONDAY THAT IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO END THOSE BENEFITS, AND HE SAID IT WOULD HURT THE ECONOMY.

HE SAID THOSE PEOPLE ARE USING THOSE $300 CHECKS TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE, GO TO THE RESTAURANT AND KEEP THE ECONOMY HUMMING, BUT HE DID SAY THAT HE WOULD CONSIDER ENDING THE BENEFIT BEFORE IT IS SET TO EXPIRE IN SEPTEMBER OF.

HE -- HIS EXACT WORDS, IT'S AN INEXACT SCIENCE FOR WHEN THE RIGHT TIME WOULD BE TO END THOSE.

BUT REPUBLICANS AND FRANKFORT WANT TO END THAT IMMEDIATELY.

A COUPLE REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN CAME OUT THIS WEEK AND SAID PEOPLE ARE UNINSPIRE TO WORK BECAUSE OF THOSE $300 AND THE TIME TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES IS NOW TO END IT.

>> Bill: WES, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE IN THE BOWLING GREEN AREA, ARE PEOPLE RUSHING TO RETURN TO NORMAL?

I MEAN -- OR IS THERE SOME SORT OF A SENSE OF CONTINUING CAUTION OUT THERE?

>> Wes: WELL, IT'S A MIXED BAG.

I THINK THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE STILL CAUTIOUS.

ONE THING THAT I HAVE NOTICED EVEN TODAY GOING OUT A LITTLE BIT IN BOWLING GREEN WAS YOU SEE SIGNS ON BUSINESSES WHICH HAD MASK MANDATES FOLLOWING THE STATE MANDATE.

THEY HAVE SIGNS ON THEIR DOORS SAYING "IF YOU'VE BEEN VACCINATED ONE DO NOT HAVE TO WEAR A MASK INSIDE THE BUSINESS."

SO I THINK AGAIN YOU'RE SEEING CERTAINLY FAR FEWER MASKS THAN YOU HAVE HISTORICALLY IN THE THE LAST FEW MONTHS OBVIOUSLY, BUT I DO THINK THAT YOU'RE SEEING I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE RAPIDLY KIND OF ACCEPTING IN NEW GUIDANCE AND LOOKING TO MOVE ON AND MOVE ON WITHOUT MASKS, HOPEFULLY IF THEY'RE VACCINATED, AND SO AGAIN IT'S A MIXED BAG, BUT I DO THINK YOU SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT, WITH THAT NEW GUIDANCE AND TAKING IT TO HEART, AND SAYING WE'RE KIND OF DONE WITH MASKS FOR RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: DO YOU SEE A LOT OF HELP WANTED AND HIRING SIGNS IN THAT REGION OF THE STATE AS WELL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE HEARING THE SAME THINGS PEOPLE ARE HEARING AROUND THE STATE.

WE'RE VAGUE HARD TIME FINDING PEOPLE WILLING TO WORK, YOU KNOW, AND, OF COURSE, THERE'S A LOT OF ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE ABOUT WHY THAT IS, BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE BLAMING, AS WAS DISCUSSED, THE $300 EXTRA BENEFIT.

OTHER PEOPLE ARE SAYING PEOPLE JUST DECIDED THINK IT'S NOT WORTH IT OR THEY'RE STILL WORRIED ABOUT THE PANDEMIC, AND THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE RETURNING TO THE WORKFORCE.

SO -- BUT WE'RE DEFINITELY SEEING THE SAME SORT OF ISSUES WHERE BUSINESSES ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING EMPLOYEES.

>> BILL: >>> THE I EVER.

>> Bill: DAN, IN KENTUCKY THE TOTAL VACCINATION OF APPROACHES 2 MILLION.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME AREAS THAT HAVE LOW VACCINATION RATES AND HIGHER CASE NUMBERS SO IT APPEARS THERE IS SOME CORRELATION THERE.

>> Daniel: THE FORMULA IS AT THE PACE WE'RE GOING IN MAY, ON JUNE -- OR I'M SORRY -- YEAH, JUNE 28th OR MAY 28th, MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IS WHEN WE GET CLOSE.

>> Bill: WE'RE CLOSE.

>> Daniel: YEAH, WE'RE GETTING CLOSE.

THE WIDER THING IS, YEAH, WE'RE STARTING TO SEE -- WE KNOW THAT THESE VENES WORK SO WHERE WE'RE GOING TO SEE CLUSTERS AND OUTBREAKS MOVING FORWARD WOULD BE IN PLACES WHERE EITHER THE POPULATION DOESN'T HAVE NATURAL IMMUNITY OR EVERYONE IS VACCINATED, SO WE MIGHT CONTINUE TO SEE THESE OUTBREAKS CONTINUE TO POP UP OVER THE COURSE OF THE SUMMER BUT-YEAR ALL WE'RE SEEING THIS LARGER DECLINE.

>> Bill: LEXINGTON THAT IS A PROGRAM WHERE THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING DOOR TO DOOR TO SEE IF PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED, KNOCKING ON DOORS AND OFFERING THEM A SHOT THEN AND THERE, I GUESS, RIGHT?

>> Daniel: YEAH, WE'RE NOW HITTING THE HARDER POPULATION TO REACH SO HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE DOING AS MUCH AS THEY CAN TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE AS VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE EVEN IF THAT MEANS GOING TO THEIR DOOR.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT PERCENTAGE YOU ARE GOING TO HIT WHERE THEY SAY, NO, I DON'T WANT THE VACCINE AT ALL.

I'M NOT GOING TO DO THIS.

AND THAT'S KIND OF THE BALANCE WE'RE GOING TO SEE MOVING FORWARD, AND THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT WE HIT THAT ORIGINAL 2.5 MILLION GOAL THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAD SET.

>> Bill: JOE, SOME EFFORTS LIKE THAT ALSO IN THE LARGEST METROPOLITAN AREA IN THE STATE THERE IN LOUISVILLE, RIGHT, WHERE THEY HAVE SOME MOBILE VACCINE CLINICS OUT AND ABOUT.

>> Joe: YES.

LOUISVILLE HEALTH DEPARTMENT NOW HAS A MOBILE VACCINATION CLINIC WHERE THEY WILL COME TO YOU.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR DR. SARAH MOIER IS PRETTY FRUSTRATED THAT LESS THAN 39% OF THE POPULATION HAS BEEN VACCINATED, AND THEY'RE TRYING TO COME UP WITH NEW WAYS TO GET MORE PEOPLE -- GET MORE SHOTS IN ARMS.

ONE HEALTH OFFICIAL SAID THAT IT COULD BE A REALLY ROUGH FALL WITH THEY DON'T PICK UP THEIR VACCINATION RATE THERE.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SO WE REALLY HAVE FITS AND STARTS WITH THE REOPENING HERE, AND IT'S IN LOTS OF AREAS.

THE COURT SYSTEM HAS REOPENED UNDER AN ORDER FROM THE KENTUCKY CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN MINTON.

JUDGES STILL HAVE A LOT OF SAY OVER HOW THEY WANT TO PROCEED IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL COURTS.

JOE, DOES IT APPEAR THAT MOST WILL THROW OPEN THE DOORS OR WILL THERE BE A LOT OF VIRTUAL HEARINGS FROM NOW ON?

IS THIS HERE TO STAY.

>>> YES.

>> I THINK IN THE SHORT TERM IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE MIXED P. THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCRESS GIVEN TO JUDGES HA THEY COULD SIDE TO HAVE EVERYTHING IN PERSON AND MOW MASK REQUIREMENTS IN THEIR COURTROOM.

OTHER JUDGES COULD DECIDE TO HAVE MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES AND CONDUCT A LOT OF THEIR PROCEEDINGS REMOTELY.

JUST ON WEDNESDAY I WAS DOING A REMOTE DEALING OF A WHOLE DAY OF -- THE WHOLE DOCKET IN LAUREL COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, AND THERE WERE SOME PARTICIPATING REMOTELY BUT MOST PEOPLE WERE THERE IN PERSON.

IN FACT, THERE WAS AN ENTIRE JURY TRIAL WITH THE FULL JURY IN PERSON WHERE ALL THE WAY FROM THE JURY SELECTION ALL THE WAY TO A VERDICT EVERYONE AND WAS IN PERSON AND IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL AND THE JUDGE NOTED THAT THEY WERE A LITTLE RUSTY BECAUSE THEY HADN'T DONE THAT IN WELL OVER A YEAR, SO YOU MAY SEE IT, DEPENDING ON THE REGION, BUT IT SHOULD BE A MIX IN THE SHORT TERM THE.

>> Bill: WE'LL GET TO WHY YOU WERE LOOKING INTO THAT LAUREL COUNTY CASE IN A LITTLE BIT.

WES, A LOT OF TRIALS HAVE BEEN PUT ON HOLD.

GRAND JURIES AS WELL.

I MEAN, HOW DO JUDGES -- HOW IN THE WORLD DO THEY NOW GO ABOUT TRYING TO CLEAR UP THAT BACKLOG?

>> Wes: WELL, I DON'T THINK THERE'S A SIMPLE ANSWER TO THAT.

AS YOU MENTIONED, THE GRAND JURY HAS ALSO NOT BEEN MEETING FOR A WHILE BUT THEY RESTARTED HERE IN WARREN COUNTY AND WE'RE SEEING A HUGE NUMBER OF INDICTMENTS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD A REPRIEVE FOR A FEW MONTHS WHILE THE GRAND JURY WAS NOT MEETING, SO THEY'RE BACK AT IT.

WE HAVE HAD SOME TRIALS AS WELL THAT HAVE BEEN IN PERSON AS WELL, AND THEY'RE -- BUT THERE'S SOME WITNESSES THAT ARE APPEARING REMOTELY, AND THERE ARE SOME MOTIONS THAT WE HAVE SEEN FROM ESPECIALLY DEFENSE LAWYERS SAYING, YOU KNOW, OUR TRIAL -- OUR DEFENDANT'S NOT GETTING A SPEEDY TRIAL THAT HE'S ENTITLED TO SAYING EVIDENCE THAT IS NOT BEEN PROCESSED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND THEY'RE MAKING THE CASE THAT THE COVID PANDEMIC AND THE SLOW DOWN AND THE DELAYS IN HAVING THESE IN-PERSON TRIALS HAVE HURT THEIR CLIENTS, SO YOU THE WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW IT SHAKES UP OUT.

I JUST IMAGINE THAT THIS BACKLOG IS GOING TO CONTINUES FOR A WHILE.

>> Bill: AND WE DO HAVE THE ANDERSON JURIES THAT MEET.

IS IT LIKELY THAT SOME CASES COULD BE DISMISSED OR NO INDICTMENTS RETURNED BECAUSE EVIDENCE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, HAS BEEN LOST OR NOT PRESERVED, WITNESSES NO LONGER ARE AVAILABLE OR CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED?

>> Wes: 83 YEAH, IT'S GOING TO BE UP TO THE JUDGES ULTIMATELY TO DECIDE WHETHER A DELAY HAS HARMED THE DEFENDANT.

IF THE EVIDENCE HESITANCY BEEN PROCESSED IN A TIMELY MANNER, AGAIN, IT'S -- HASN'T BEEN PROCESSED IT'S GOING TO ADD TO THE BAG LOCK.

THE JUDGES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER THIS HURT THE DUE PROCESS SYSTEM OR NOT.

I THINK THE WHOLE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS KIND OF TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT AS WE SPEAK.

WE JUST RECENTLY REOPENED, AS WE SAID, THE FIRST IN-PERSON TRIALS IN THE LAST WEEK OR TWO, SO I THINK THEY'RE KIND OF IN A WAIT-AND-SEE ATTITUDE AS WELL ON SEE HOW IT SHAKES OUT.

>> Bill: WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT RETORT P THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON IS NOW HOPING THAT THE STATE SUPREME COURT WILL REASSESS A RECENT DUI CASE RULING.

JOE.

>> John: YEAH, THREE WEEKS AGO THE.

>> Joe: THREE WEEKS AGO THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT RULED THAT NOT ONLY CAN POLICE NOT TAKE THE BLOOD OF SOMEONE FOR A SAMPLE IN A DUI REST ARREST WITHOUT A WE'RE NOT BUT THAT PERSON'S REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO THAT BLOOD TEST WITHOUT A WARRANTS CAN NOT BE USED AS EVIDENCE AGAINST THEM BY PROSECUTORS IN COURT.

PROSECUTORS DID NOT LIKE THIS BECAUSE THEY NOTE THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND HUES DRUGS AND NOT ALCOHOL WOULD NOT BE DETECTABLE WITH A BREATHALYZER, BUT ALSO STATE LAW PROHIBITS LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM -- OR PROHIBITS JUDGES FROM ISSUING A WARRANT FOR BLOOD, PEOPLE IN DUI CASES, UNLESS IT INVOLVES THE DEATH OR A SERIOUS INJURY.

SO PROSECUTORS SAY THIS WOULD MAKE IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PROSECUTE A LOT OF DUI CASES.

AND DANIEL CAMERON MADE THE -- FILED THE PETITION ON WEDNESDAY TO GO ALONG WITH THOSE PROSECUTORS, AND HE'S GOING TO SEEK A REVERSAL OF THAT DECISION.

>> Bill: JOE WANT WAS THAT A FACTOR IN A DU I CASE INVOLVING A STATE LAWMAKER THIS WEEK?

>> Joe: YES, IT WAS.

IT WAS ACTUALLY THE SAME THAT IT ATTORNEY GENERAL FILED THAT PETITION.

LAST YEAR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DEREK LEWIS, A REPUBLICAN FROM LONDON, WAS ARRESTED FOR A DUI DRIVING HOME FROM THE LAST DAY OF SESSION, LAST YEAR.

ACCORDING TO THE THE CITATION, HE REFUSED A FIELD SOBRIETY TEST, THE BREATHALYZER AND THE BLOOD TEST.

BUT DURING HIS -- BEFORE HIS TRIAL, HIS ATTORNEY FILED THE MOTION TO SUPPRESS THE FACT THAT HE HAD REFUSED THE BLOOD TEST, CITING THAT SUPREME COURT CASE.

HE WAS SUCCESSFUL AND PROSECUTION WAS NOT ABLE TO BRING THAT UP.

THOUGH THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY IN HIS CLOSING ARGUMENTS WAS NOT ALLOWED TO BRING UP, HEY, THERE'S NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE HERE TO SHOW THAT MY CLIENT WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

AND REPRESENTATIVE LEWIS WAS ACQUITTED BY THE JURY AFTER JUST 30 MINUTES.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

BEGAN DAN, SUNRISE CHILDREN'S SERVICES WANTS TO RENEW ITS CONTRACT WITH THE STATE.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT AGREED TO THAT.

DO LGBTQ PROTECTIONS AND PRAYER SEEM TO BE THE STICKING POINTS HERE?

ALTHOUGH NOBODY'S REALLY EXACTLY SAYING WHAT IT IS.

>> Daniel: THAT'S THE THING, IS THAT THE EXACT LINE HESITANCY BEEN LEASED THE THAT SAID, DEBBIE YETTER AT THE COURIER-JOURNAL DID VERY GOVERNOR BESHEAR IF THE LINE HAD TODAYTEAUD WITH SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID YES.

BASICALLY, STANCE OF THE KENTUCKY BAPTIST CONVENTION IS THAT HOMOSEXUALITY IS A SIN, AND SO WITH THE RECENTLY BOW STOCK VERSUS CLINTON COUNTY RULING BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IN 2020, PEOPLE NOW HAVE PROTECTIONS FOR SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.

WE STILL DON'T HAVE IT NECESSARILY IN TERMS OF HOUSING OR PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS.

THAT WOULD BE TO BE COVERED WYE A FAIRNESS ORDINANCE.

SO IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND THIS TYPE OF CONTRACT THAT THEY DEAL WITH THERE'S APPARENTLY OR A LEGEND AISHA LINE IN THERE THAT WOULD PREVENT THE SUNRISE CHILDREN'S SERVICE FROM DISCRIMINATING PEOPLE BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY AND THAT SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM.

>> Bill: AMONG THEIR EMPLOYEES, RIGHT?

>> Daniel: WE DON'T KNOW.

IT COULD BE JUST AMONG THEIR EMPLOYEES BUT IT COULD BE IN PLACING KIDS INTO LGBTQ HOUSES.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WORKS.

CHRIS HARTMAN OF THE FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN SAID RIGHT NOW HE'S NOT HURE HOW SAFE LGBTQ KIDS ARE IN THE SUNRISE'S CARE BECAUSE OF THE HIGHER SUICIDE RATE AMONG LGBTQ YOUTH.

>> Bill: LAST THE ADMINISTRATION INDICATED IT IS TRYING TO LITTLE BIT LINE WITH SOME FEDERAL GUIDELINES?

>> Daniel: YES.

WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT FEDERAL GUIDE LISTEN THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT BOSTOCK DAYS CHASE.

ALSO IN TOUCHDOWN 1 A WOMAN WAS FIRED AFTER THEY FOUND OUT SHE WAS A LEB LESBIAN AND THERE'S BEEN A LAWSUIT ABOUT THAT EVER SINCE.

THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME MOVE THE IN THE SETTLEMENT WITH THE THE STATE BUT NOT NECESSARILY THE KENTUCKY BAPTIST KAINE CONVENTION, AND THAT'S CONFUSING THING.

THE HARDEST PART IN REPORTING ALL THIS PEOPLE ARE BEING CAGING IN HOW THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT IT, AND SO THE INFORMATION IS A LOT OF BEHIND-THE-SCENES STUFF.

THEY'RE NOT STANDS YOU CAN UP THERE AND SAYING THIS IS WHITES.

IT'S EUPHEMISMS WILL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

>> Bill: EVER.

>> Bill: AFTER FIRST INDICATING HE WAS OPEN ON IT TO IT, SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL OPPOSED THE CREATION OF JANUARY 6th COMMISSION.

HE EXPLAINED WHERE HE STOOD ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE NO SHORTAGE, NO SHORTAGE OF ROBUST INVESTIGATIONS BY TWO SEPARATE BRANCHES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO, MR. PRESIDENT, IT'S NOT AT ALL CLEAR WHAT NEW FACTS OR ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION YET ANOTHER COMMISSION COULD ACTUALLY LAY ON TOP OF EXISTING EFFORTS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CONGRESS.

>> Bill: DAN, AT FIRST McCONNELL SAID HE WASN'T SURE, BUT BY MID-WEEK HE WAS FIRMLY OPPOSED TO THIS JANUARY 6th COMMISSION.

>> Daniel: WE'RE HEARING SIMILAR TARGETS THERE WERE AGAINST THE 9/11 COMMISSION IN 2002 AND 2001.

IT'S BECOME A POLITICAL ARGUMENT.

REPUBLICANS WANT TO BE FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE, 2022 AND WINNING BACK THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

THE FEAR WITH REPUBLICANS IS THAT IF YOU HAVE THIS COMMISSION, TALKING ABOUT JANUARY 6th, IT COULD DRAG THINGS DOWN, IT COULD IMPLICATE TRUMP, IT COULD REHASH THE 2020 ELECTION IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T ALLOW THEM TO MOVE FORWARD AND STAY FOCUSED ON WINNING THE NEXT ELECTION.

>> Bill: WES, THE BUDGET IN THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN IS GROWING DESPITE THE PANDEMIC, RIGHT?

>> Wes: YEAH, THEY WERE VERY CAUTIOUS CRAFTING LAST YEAR'S FISCAL BUDGET BECAUSE OF OBVIOUSLY THE PANDEMIC, BUT THE ECONOMY KEEPS HUMMING ALONG AND WE KEEP GETTING JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS OF NEW FACILITIES BEING BUILT HERE IN BOWLING GREEN, AND THAT'S LED TO THE CITY PROPOSING A BUDGET THAT CALLS FOR -- THEY'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT 15% INCREASE IN THEIR OCCUPATIONAL TAX, WHICH IS NANE SOURCE OF REVENUE, ABOUT $54 MILLION.

AND THAT'S GOING TO READ TO MORE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WHICH WERE PUT ON HOLD AMID THE PANDEMIC.

THESE ARE THINGS LIKE SIDEWALKS, ROAD REPAINT PAVING, PARKS IMPROVEMENTS AND WHATNOT.

YEAH, THE PANDEMIC DEFINITELY TOOK HAITI ON THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN, BUT IT'S ROARING BACK TO LIFE AND AGAIN YOU ALMOST WOULD HAVE KNOWN -- NOT KNOWN THAT ANYTHING HAD HAPPENED THE WAY THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE BUDGET FOR THIS COMING YEAR.

>> Bill: AND AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IT'S SORTS OF A PASS-THROUGH FOR FEDERAL MONEY.

THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN HAS FINANCE FINANCIALLY HELPED 500 BUSINESSES THERE?

>> Wes: SURE P THE ODDS NUMBER OF 49MAN TO BE EXACT.

THE CITY TOOK A LOT OF THE CARES ACT MONEY AND CREATED A PROGRAM CALLED BG CARES.

THEY PUT IN SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS OF THEIR CARES ACT FUNDING INTO A PROGRAM THAT WAS DESIGNED TO HELP BUSINESSES WITH 50 OR FEWER DEGREES EMPLOYEES THEY GOT GRANTS AGAIN $3,000 AND $15,000 FOR PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING, UTILITIES, MORTGAGE, PPE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO THAT WAS A PROGRAM THAT WAS TOUTED AS A PRETTY BIG SUCCESS GETTING A LOT OF THAT CARES ACT MONEY INTO THE COMMUNITY, INTO THE HANDS OF SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES IN A VERY RAPID WAY.

>> Bill: WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY REPORTS FACING ABOUT AN $8 MILLION SHORTFALL.

HOW ARE THEY HANDLING THAT?

>> Wes: WELL, III THEY'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING CAMPUS WIDE.

THEY'RE LETTING THE DEANS AND FACULTY HEADS KIND OF DECIDE HOW TO DO IT.

IT'S GOING TO PROBABLY BE PIECEMEAL, NOT AS FILLING SOME JOP OPENINGS, TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THIS IS ON TOP OF THE UNIVERSITY OFFERING BUY-OUTS TO THEIR SENIOR EMPLOYEES, AND OVER 100 ACCEPTED THOSE BUY-OUTS, SAVING IN EXCESS OF OVER $1 MILLION AS WELL, BUT EVEN ON TOP OF THAT WITH THE CONTINUING DWINDLING OF SUPPORT PRESIDENT STATE, THEY'RE LOOKING AT A 2.2% TUITION HIKE AND WE'RE HEARING THE SAME SORT OF THING FROM UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY THAT THE FALLEN ROLLMENT IS A QUESTION MARK.

STUDENTS MIGHT BE LEERY GOING WALK TO CAMPUS BASED ON THEIR EXPERIENCES LAST CALL U.

FALL OR JUST WANT A BREAK.

NOW THAT THE ECONOMY IS OPENING UP, RESTRICTIONS ARE OPENING UP, THERE'S A QUESTION MARK OF WHETHER ENROLLMENT IS GOING TO DECLINE QUITE RAPIDLY IN THE FALL.

SO THAT'S ON TOP OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT THEY'VE HAD.

SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT KIND OF -- TO KEEP AN EYE ON FOR SURE.

>> Bill: JOE, YOU'RE SPILL TRYING TO GET YOUR HANDS ON A REPORT ABOUT HOW SOME OF KENTUCKY'S PENSION FUNDS ARE INVESTED.

>> Joe: YES.

BUT THE PENSION SYSTEM CONTRACTED A NEW YORK LAW FIRM FOR $1.2 MILLION TO INVESTIGATE ANY POTENTIAL ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO ITS INVESTMENTS.

AND THIS ALL IS A LONG AND WINDING ROAD OF LITIGATION GOING BACK TO 2017 WHEN RETIREES YOU'D THE PENSION SYSTEM.

SOME FORMER OFFICIALS AND LARGE WALL STREET HEDGE FUND FIRMS FOR MAKING WHAT THEY SAID WERE RISKY INVESTMENTS AND MISMANAGING THE ASSETS OF THE SYSTEM.

LAST YEAR THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT SENT THAT BACK TO FRANKLIN CIRCUIT SAYING THOSE PLAINTIFFS DIDN'T HAVE STANDING.

THAT'S WHEN ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON JUMPED IN AND WANTED TO INTERVENE AS THE PLAINTIFF AND SEEK DAMAGES FOR THE STATE.

CAMERON WAS HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THE KENTUCKY PUBLIC PENSION AUTHORITY TO FINALLY PRODUCE THAT REPORT.

THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK WHERE THEY DELIVERED IT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, BUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS NOT -- HAS NOT RELEASED THAT TO THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

THEY TURNED DOWN THE OPEN RECORDS REQUEST SAYING IT'S A PRELIMINARY DOCUMENT AND IT WOULD BREAK ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE.

>> Bill: YOUR EFFORTS CONTINUE.

ALL RIGHT.

2022 SENATE RACE DAN, EXPLORE SENATE CHARLES BOOKER WANT DEMOCRAT, RAISED HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.

IS THAT IMPRESSIVE?

>> Daniel: I THINK ANY CANDIDATE WOULD SAY HA HE WANTS TO RAISE MORE.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN RANDS PAUL RAISED LAST QUARTER.

HE RAISED 600,000 AIDS MONTH OVER THE COURSE OF THAT.

>> Bill: JOE, QUICKLY, STATE SENATOR WILL SCHROEDER SAID HE WON'T RUN AGAIN AFTER TWO TERMS.

HE'S A REPUBLICAN FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

>> Joe: YES.

HE SAYS HE'S GOING TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS WIFE AND KIDS.

IT WAS JUST TWO YEARS AGO WHERE HE WAS IN A FAIRLY CLOSE PRIMARY WITH DANIEL CAMERON FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THAT'S WHEN A SUPER PAC CAME IN THAT SUPPORTED CAMERON AND FILLED THE AIRWAVES WITH ATTACK ADS ON -- AGAINST SCHROEDER AND MAILERS, AND HE CAME UP ABOUT 10 POINTS SHORT.

SCHROEDER WAS -- YEAH.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

REPORTS OF THE SOX ALL AROUND CICADAD.

DAN HAS ANGERED SOME PEOPLE ON TWITTER.

KEENELAND AND KENTUCKY DOWNS HAVE NAMED THEIR HISTORICAL RACING FACILITY IN WILLIAMSBURG.

GROUNDBREAKING SCHEDULE NEXT MONTH FOR CUMBERLAND MINT.

SHORTLY AFTER THAT CONSTRUCTION WILL START A RACETRACK IN CORBIN.

BOTH FACILITIES TO OPEN ETHICS SUMMER.

TUNE IN FOR THE KET FORUM EXAMINING VIOLENT CRIME IN LOUISVILLE.

RENEE SHAW SPEAKS WITH LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEADERS ABOUT HOW TO REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME.