[♪♪] >> Bill: REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HAVE CHOSEN THEIR CANDIDATES IN THE KENTUCKY PRIMARY.

WITH A TURNOUT OF LESS THAN 13%, THERE WERE UPSETS AND SOME CONTESTS THAT WENT AS EXPECTED AS THE RACES ARE SET FOR THE FALL.

LOUISVILLE IS INVESTIGATING OFFICERS INVOLVED IN ARRESTING THE WORLD'S TOP GOLFER.

A MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION BY PRESIDENT BIDEN WILL SEND MONEY TO AREAS DEALING WITH RECOVERY FROM APRIL STORMS.

HEADING INTO MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] >> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND ANALYSIS ST WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JUSH LISTS TONIGHT ARE, McKENNA HORSLEY.

MARIO ANDERSON, ANCHOR AND REPORTER FOR SPECTRUM NEWS 1.

AND AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LATINX TO BE HERALD LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT ADVOCATES AND OPPONENTS START TO DIG IN ON A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WILL BE ON THE BALLOT THIS FALL.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT.

RIGHT TO THE KENTUCKY PRIMARY.

MOST WILLING SLAVE INCUMBENTS WON THEIR PRIMARIES BUT A HANDFUL LOST THEIR SEATS IN FRANK FORWARD INCLUDING ADRIAN SOUTHWORTH.

HOUSE MEMBERS HEATH AND TIMONY ALSO LOST THEIR SEATS IN THE PRIMARY.

LET'S START THERE.

SOUTHWORTH ENDED UP RUNNING THIRD IN THE G.O.P.

PRIMARY SHE FILED MORE BILLS THAN ANY OTHER LAWMAKER DURING THE LAST SESSION AND NONE PASSED.

McKENNA, WAS SHE IN DISFAVOR WITH LEADERSHIP TO THE POINT THAT THAT DOOMED THE HER CHANCES OF REELECTION?

>> I THINK SOUTHWORTH IN THE SENATE HAD A TURS RELATIONSHIP WITH LEADERSHIP IN THAT CHAMBER.

WE SAW IT ON THE FLOOR IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THIS MOST RECENT SESSION SHE CHALLENGED LEADERSHIP PARTICULARLY SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS ON THE RULES WHICH THE DEMOCRATS CALLED TO VOTE ON A BILL FOR EXCEPTIONS ON THE KENTUCKY ABORTION BAN.

SHE IS NOT FOR MORE ABORTION ACCESS BUT MORE WITH ADHERING TO THE RULES OF THE CHAMBER WAS HER ARGUEMENT IN AT THAT TIME MOMENT.

AND THROUGHOUT THIS CAMPAIGN CYCLE WE'VE SEEN STIVERS BACK AN OPPONENT IN THAT RACE.

GALLING RAIN DID COME IN SECOND TO THE UNOFFICIAL RESULTS THE WINNER BARRING A RECANVAS IS AARON REED IN THAT DISTRICT.

>> Bill: THERE MAY HAVE BEEN OTHER FACTORS?

>> I THINK SO.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN POLITICS SAY THEY WILL BE AN INDEPENDENT THINKER.

AND THAT MAY BE TRUE OF MOST OF THEM THEY THINK INDEPENDENTLY BUT THEY DON'T NECESSARILY ACT INDEPENDENTLY WHICH ADRIAN SOUTHWORTH DID, ABSOLUTELY.

LIKE McKENNA SAID WITH THE RULES KERFUFFLE THERE.

SHE WAS SORT OF, I THINK, DISADVANTAGED ON TWO FRONTS BY LEADERSHIP.

THEY WERE LITERALLY PUTTING MONEY BEHIND ED GALLREIN AND IN 2022 AFTER THEY HAD SPARRED OVER A LOT OF ANTICS, PARTICULARLY RELATED TO ELECTIONS SHE HAS SOME CONSPIRATORIAL VIEWS OR HAS EXPRESSED SOME IN THE PAST.

AND THAT CAUSED A LOT OF PROBLEMS AND THEY REDISTRICTED HER DISTRICT ENTIRELY.

THEY REALLY LIKE ROTATING THAT DISTRICT COUNTER CLOCKWISE TO INCLUDE BRAND NEW COUNTIES AND CONSTITUENCY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF HER COUNTY WHICH THEY CAN'T TAKE HER OUT OF HER OWN COUNTY.

SHE WAS VERY DISADVANTAGED FROM THE GET GO.

>> Bill: SENATOR SOUTHWORTH WORKED HARD AND FILED A LOT OF BILLS BUT NONE GOT TRACTION.

>> NO TRACTION AT ALL SHE IS FROM LAWRENCEBURG AND HER DISTRICT IS HENRY, JEFFERSON COUNTY AND SHELBY COUNTY AND WAS AT ODDS WITH MICHAEL AD ADAMS BECAUSE OF HER BILLS AND HE WAS OUTSPOKEN AGAINST HER TIME BEING IN THE SENATE AND BEING CAMPAIGN FOR REELECTION.

YEAH, SHE DID NOT FARE WELL IN THE PRIMARY.

SHE WAS IN THIRD PLACE.

THE TOP VOTE GETTER WAS AARON REED WHO WILL MOVE FORWARD SHE RECEIVED 22% IN HER OWN PRIMARY AND LOST HER HOME COUNTY OF ANDERSON COUNTY.

>> Bill: WE'LL WATCH THE RECANVAS UP COMING THERE.

SENATOR SOUTH WERTH 0 WILL FINISH HER TERM AND MOVE ON.

IN THE HOUSE, REPRESENTATIVE TIMONY WAS SEEN AS A MODERATE BY MANY.

AND HE WAS VERY PRO PUBLIC EDUCATION.

HE HAD CONSIDERABLE MONEY FOR THE PRIMARY.

HIS OPPONENT THOMAS JEFFERSON SAID HE WOULD BE MORE CONSERVATIVE.

IS THAT WHAT HAPPENS AUSTIN IN A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IF SOMEONE IS CLOSER TO THE MIDDLE ON ISSUES?

>> I THINK IT'S WHAT HAPPENS IN A LOT OF REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES.

AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THAT LOGIC EXTENDING TO PLACES WHERE I DON'T THINK PEOPLE WOULD ASSUME IT WOULD.

THIS IS A SUBURBAN DISTRICT AND ALSO POLITICALLY PURPLE.

BUT, OF COURSE, WHEN YOU ARE RUNNING IN A CLOSE PRIMARY YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT PURPLE YOU CARE ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF RED VOTES YOU CAN GET.

AND THOMAS JEFFERSON RAN ON SCHOOL CHOICE.

HE ALSO JUST CONTINUALLY LARGELY OUTSIDE GROUPS CONTINUALLY BASHED TIMONY ON HIS VOTES AGAINST LEGISLATION THAT MANY CONSIDERED TO BE ANTI-TRANS, YOU COULD SAY.

GOING SO FAR AS TO CALL HIM A GROOMER, WHICH IS A VERY OUT THERE KIND OF ATTACK AND IT CLEARLY STUCK.

TIMONY SAID HE WAS ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT TRANSGENDER ISSUES FROM PEOPLE HE HAD KNOWN FOR 20 YEARS.

A DAY BEFORE THE POLLS OPENED UP.

SO THIS IS A REALLY STICKY ISSUE FOR REPUBLICANS IN PARTICULAR IF YOU BUCK SOCIAL ISSUES LIKE TRANS, TRANSGENDER BILLS.

>> Bill: MARIO YOU'VE INTERVIEWED REPRESENTATIVE TIMONY DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION, HE SAW THIS COMING TO SOME EXTENT?

>> HE SAID HE WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE HE WAS CONFIDENT WITH HIS TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE AND PROUD OF HIS SET ROES AND STOOD BY WHAT HE HAS ADVOCATED FOR.

HE SAID THAT THE OUTSIDE GROUPS AND THE PACS FROM OUTSIDE OF KENTUCKY ARE BEING ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS RACE.

AND HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE OUTCOME WOULD BE.

BUT ALSO HE SAID HE WOULD BE AT PEACE WITH WHATEVER THE DECISION WAS.

HE STILL HAS A FULL-TIME JOB AND HE IS GOING TO WORK THE NEXT DAY.

>> Bill: DEMOCRATS BELIEVE THEY HAVE A STRONG CANDIDATE IN THE 45TH THAT INCLUDES PART OF LEXINGTON AND JESSAMINE COUNTIES.

ADAM MOORE COULD SCHOOL CHOICE BE A MAJOR ISSUE IN THAT RACE?

>> I THINK SCHOOL CHOICE WAS AN.

USE TYPICALLY IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY THAT WAS A STICKING POINT THAT THOMAS JEFFERSON'S CAMPAIGN USED AGAINST TIMONY WHO VOTED AGAINST THAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO THAT IF APPROVED THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD ALLOW THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO GIVE PUBLIC DOLLARS TO NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS OUTSIDE OF THAT COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.

BUT ADAM MOORE WHO IS THE DEMOCRAT IN THIS RACE HE SPENT THE PRIMARY NOT CAMPAIGNING AGAINST ANOTHER DEMOCRAT.

SO HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO BUILDUP HIS RAPPORT WITH VOTERS WITHOUT KNOWING WHO THE REPUBLICAN HE WILL FACE WILL BE.

BUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER WINNING, HE IS MAKING HIS CASE AGAINST THOMAS JEFFERSON.

HE SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT HE WAS CULLING JEFFERSON AN EXTREMIST ON HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, AND WORKERS RIGHTS.

AND THAT COULD BE A KEY ROUTE FOR HIM TO GET SOME OF THOSE MODERATE VOTES THAT MAYBE WOULD HAVE FAVORED TIMONY OVER JEFFERSON IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, I LOOKED UP SOME OF THE DATA AND FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IN 2020 HE WON THE DISTRICT AND ANDY BESHEAR WON IT IN 2023 IT'S FLIPPED BACK AND FORTH.

>> Bill: WELL, ONE TO WATCH OBVIOUSLY.

MARROW, RICHARD HEATH WHO HAS BEEN A CHAMPION OF AGRICULTURE ISSUES AND IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR YEARS AN FOR AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER TWICE.

LOST HIS SEAT IN WESTERN KENTUCKY TO KIM HALLWAY.

>> IT WAS A CLOSE RACE DECIDED BY 161 VOTES BETWEEN RICHARD HEATH IN THE AGRICULTURE CHAIR IN THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IT WAS A HYPER LOCAL RACE.

HEGHTD WAS CAMPAIGNING AND TALKING ABOUT HOW HE SECURED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR RECOVERY EFFORTS IN MAYFIELD IMPACTED BY THE TORNADOES IN WITH 2021.

BUT HIS OPPONENT SHARED HE HAS NOT DONE ENOUGH IN HER OPINION POUR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OF MAYFIELD AND THAT AREA AGAIN RICHARD HEATH REPRESENTS GRAVES COUNTY AND MCCRACKEN COUNTY AND PADUCAH.

>> AND TO ADD A POINT THERE, I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THIS IS KIND OF A COUNTER TO THE IDEA OF TRANSACTIONAL POLITICS LIKE BRING HOME THE BACON POLITICS IF THERE'S ANY DISTRICT WHERE YOU WANT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE FOR AGRICULTURE CHAIR IS A FAR WEST KENTUCKY DISTRICT LIKE THE GRAVES COUNTY CENTRIC ONE THAT RICHARD HEATH REPRESENTED.

THAT WAS INTERESTED.

AND ALSO KIM HALLWAY IS UNABASHEDLY SAID SHE IS PART OF THIS LIBERTY WING OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES IS MORE INSURGENT PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO DOWN-PLAY THAT BUT IT IS A WIN FOR THEM.

>> Bill: YOU WROTE ABOUT THE LIBERTY REPUBLICANS TODAY AND ALL OF US, OF COURSE, HAVE WATCHED THAT TREND.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT DEPENDS WHO YOU ASK.

EVEN WITHIN THAT GROUP OF REPUBLICANS, YOU KNOW TYPICALLY THEY ARE KIND OF ON THE SURFACE MORE HARDER RIGHT THAN YOUR AVERAGE REPUBLICAN IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY PRIDE THEMSELVES ON THEIR ADHERENCE TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM AND ALSO HOLDING OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE THAT MAY BE AREN'T AS FOR THAT PARTY PLATFORM.

WE HAVE SEEN THIS PLAY OUT OVER THE LAST FEW LEGISLATIVE CYCLES.

SESSIONS WHERE THERE IS A SMALL GROUP OF LAWMAKERS WHO ARE IN THIS LIBERTY CAUCUS, WHICH DOES THEIR UNOFFICIAL NAME.

BUT THEY WILL CHALLENGE LEADERSHIP ON THINGS SUCH AS RULES, HOW WE TALKED ABOUT SOUTHWORTH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW.

THAT IS A STYLE WE SEE THERE WHERE THESE DEBATES THAT MAY BE WITHIN A CAUCUS WOULD TYPICALLY HAPPEN IN A CLOSED DOOR CAUCUS MEETING MAKE THEIR WAY OUT INTO THE PUBLIC EYE ON THE CHAMBER FLOOR.

>> McKENNA IS RIGHT IT IS A SMALL GROUP.

I THINK IF JEFFERSON WINS AND HALLWAY IS LIKELY TO WIN, IF NOT SHE MIGHT NOT HAVE A DEMOCRATIC OPPONENT I CAN'T REMEMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD THAT IS 10 DEEP IN THE HOUSE OUT OF 80-PERSON CAUCUS.

BUT HAVING SAID THAT, I THINK AN IMPORTANT PART OF THIS MOVEMENT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE SORT OF ASSUME THAT IT'S LIBERTARIAN AND IT DOES HAVE ROOTS IF LIBERTARIANISM THERE IS NO DOUBT.

BUT THIS GROUP IS KIND OF TRYING TO BIND TOGETHER THAT WING OF THE PARTY WHO CLEARLY DEFINES THEMSELVES AS LIBERTY WITH MORE HARDCORE SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES THE PREACHER CAUCUS AND THERE ARE DIFFERENT FLAVORS OF THAT.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PREACHERS IN THE HOUSE CAUCUS AND TRYING TO BRING THOSE TWO GROUPS TOGETHER NOT ON EVERYTHING, BUT FOR CERTAIN MEASURES.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY MADDOX IS ONE OF THE ONES IN THE LEGISLATURE THE MOST OUTSPOKEN AND IS THE ONE THAT WILL BRING THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE GROUPS AND SHE HOW SHE PROGRESSES.

>> Bill: THE MOVEMENT IS LARGELY NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND THE ATTEMPT IS TO SPREAD IT.

>> MADDOX IS ONE I INTERVIEWED AND SHE DOESN'T IDENTIFY AS A LIBERTY REPUBLICAN BUT KNOWS PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN HER THAT TERM FOR KIND OF FALLING IN THAT STYLE OF THIS REPUBLICANISM.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT IS GROWING OUTSIDE OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

AND THEY ALREADY DO HAVE MEMBERS OUTSIDE OF THAT.

JOSH CALLOWAY IS ONE NAME THAT CAME UP IN MY REPORTING.

AS WELL AS CANDY MAZARI AND THEY DO WELL IN THEIR PRIMARIES.

>> Bill: IN LOUISVILLE GERALD KNEEL WON OVER ATTICA SCOTT AND CONVINCINGLY IN THAT RACE.

>> AND ATTICA SCOTT WAS ARGUING THERE NEEDED TO BE A NEW VOICE REPRESENTING THAT DISTRICT.

EVEN THOUGH NEAL WAS SEEKING THIS 12TH TERM AND HE WAS ELECTED BACK IN 1988.

HE WAS ABLE TO WIN HIS PRIMARY WITHOUT DIFFICULTY.

AND ATTICA SCOTT THIS IS HER SECOND TIME HAVING A RECENT LOSS FOR CONGRESS A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND DIDN'T ADVANCE THERE.

BUT SHE MAY RUN AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.

>> Bill: FORMER LONG TIME STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARY LOU MARZIAN WANTS TO RETURN TO FRANKFORT AND SHE WILL FACE COTTRELL IN NOVEMBER.

APPEARS EAGER TO GET BACK SHE WAS IN THE REDISTRICTING SHUFFLE.

>> SHE WAS.

YES.

THEY REDISTRICTED HER WITH JOSIE RAYMOND AND RAY BEYOND EXITED THE LEGISLATURE.

AND SHE WON 70-30.

IT WAS AT LEAST TWO TO ONE MARGIN.

THE LOUISVILLE DEMOCRATS DO SEEM TO LIKE THEIR FAMILIAR NAMES WITH GERALD NEAL AND MARY LOU MARZIAN THERE WAS A LOT OF ENERGY IN INTERPARTY CIRCLES AROUND RICK ADAMS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IN DEMOCRATIC POLITICS THAT WAS MARY LOU MARZIAN'S OPPONENT WHO ARE EXCITED ABOUT HIM.

BUT IT GOES TO SHOW IT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE PEOPLE ON THE INSIDE OF THE CIRCLE THAT DETERMINE WHO WINS IN A RACE.

>> Bill: STATE REPRESENTATIVE KULKANRI WON THEIR PRIMARY AFTER THE EFFORT TO STAY ON THE BALLOT.

THE STATE SUPREME COURT RULED AFTER THE EARLY VOTING WAS OVER.

>> WITHIN A MONTH OF THIS BEING IN JEFFERSON COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

THIS CASE MOVED QUICKLY.

THIS CASE WAS FILED BY DENNIS A FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN THAT DISTRICT.

IT'S THE 40TH HOUSE DISTRICT.

AND HE WAS CHALLENGING THE VALIDITY OF CULL CARNEY'S OWE HE AUTO KULKANRI'S PAPERWORK.

BEFORE THE FILING DEAD LIGHT SHE HAD TWO WITNESSES SIGN AND ONE WAS NOT A DEMOCRAT AND SHE NEEDED TWO DEMOCRATS TO FOIL AND THAT WITNESS DID LATER CHANGE HER PARTY REGISTRATION FROM REPUBLICAN TO DEMOCRAT AFTER THE FILING DEADLINE.

SO NOBODY REALLY DISPUTES THE FACTS IN THIS CASE IT'S JUST WONDERING WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS.

BUT SHORTLY BEFORE THE PRIMARY, THIS SUPREME COURT DID ALLOW KULKANRI TO STAND AS A CANDIDATE ON TUESDAY.

BUT, THE RESULTS OF THIS ELECTION WILL BE CERTIFIED AFTER ORAL ARGUMENTS ON JUNE 6TH.

>> Bill: WE'LL KEEP WATCH ON THE TA.

NINE OPEN SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND HIGH PROFILE DEPARTURES AND INTERESTING RACES IN THE FALL AHEAD.

KENTUCKIANS WERE PICKING NOMINEES FOR SEATS IN WASHINGTON IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL RACE IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

LONG TIME REPUBLICAN ANDY BARR NOW KNOWS WHO HE IS WILL FACE CRAVENS WON A CLOSE RACE FOR THE NOMINATION.

>> ANDY BARR LOST SIGHT WHAT IT MEANS TO SIT AT A KITCHEN TABLE IN KENTUCKY.

AND THEY ARE THE FIGHTS AND STRUGGLES THEY ARE LIVING THROUGH TODAY.

AND THEY ARE FIGHTS AND STRUGGLES THAT ANDY BARR LOST SIGHT OF AS HE IS WORKING WITH THE BANKS AND THE FINANCE INDUSTRY ON CAPITOL HILL.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

AUSTIN, CRAVENS FACES AN UPHILL BATTLE AGAINST AN INCUMBENT AND A CANDIDATE WITH PLENTY OF MONEY.

BUT IT IS A PURPLE DISTRICT IN THE 6TH DISTRICT AND PATTERNS ANDY BESHEAR CARRIED IT LAST NOVEMBER.

COULD CRAVENS MAKE A RACE OF IT?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK SO.

HAVING SAID THAT, WE DID HAVE A LEGITIMATE CANDIDATE IN 2020, AND 2022 THE CANDIDATE DID NOT HAVE THE BACKING OF THE PARTY OR BESHEAR.

WE HAD A CANDIDATE IN JOSH HICKS AND HE GOT THUMPED BY ANDY BARR.

HE HAD A LOT OF MONEY AND THE BACKING OF THE BIG-NAMED DEMOCRATS BUT IT WASN'T ENOUGH AND THAT IS WHEN THE DISTRICT WAS A LITTLE MORE BLUE THAN IT IS NOW.

THEY HAD FRANKLIN COUNTY.

HAVING SAID THAT DEMOGRAPHICS ARE SHIFTING TOWARDS BLUE.

FAYETTE COUNTY IT'S SAFE TO SAY IS SLIGHTLY MORE DEMOCRATIC THAN JEFFERSON NOW.

IT COULD GET INTERESTING.

>> SO ANDY BARR IS A MULTITERM CONGRESSMAN IN THIS DISTRICT AND VOTERS FAVOR THE INCUMBENT WHEN THEY HEAD TO THE POLLS AND THEY SEE A NAME THEY RECOGNIZE.

HE HAS THAT WORKING FOR HIM.

HE STILL HAS STRONG REPUBLICAN TIES WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY.

OVER THE WEEKEND, AT THE STATE CONVENTION FOR REPUBLICANS, HE WAS ONE OF THE SPEAKERS AND SPOKE TO THE CROWD.

AND GOT A WARM RECEPTION AFTER HE TALKED ABOUT UNIFYING DIFFERENT FACTIONS OF REPUBLICANS.

>> AND ANDY BARR THE CLOSEST HE GOT TO LOSING A SEAT RUNNING AGAINST ANDY McGRATH.

IT WAS VERY PURPLE AND HE WON AND SINCE THAT ELECTION HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO RED AND THAT COUNTY I'M SURE THAT CRAVENS WILL START POKING AT HIS STATUS AND WHETHER HE WANTS TO STAY IN THE SEAT.

>> Bill: I THINK BARR HAS $4 MILLION AS FAR AS A WAR CHEST AND CAN START RAISING MONEY.

WE'LL WATCH THAT.

IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT THOMAS MASSIE RENOPE GATED BY REPUBLICANS.

IT WAS A CONVINCING WIN IN THE PRIMARY.

>> YEAH, NO SURPRISE HERE.

HE IS ANOTHER LONG TIME INCUMBENT AND HE JUST SORT OF COASTED.

>> IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT HAL ROGERS THE DEAN OF THE U.S. HOUSE RENOMINATED FOR A 23rd TERM HE GOT 82% OF THE VOTE.

HE WILL TURN 87 ON THE LAST DAY OF THIS YEAR.

ROGERS SAYS THERE'S MORE TO BE DONE.

>> AND HE FIRST STARTED IN CONGRESS IN 1981.

AND IS CONSIDERED THE DEAN OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HE IS THE LODGEST SERVING PERSON THERE.

WE'LL SEE WHAT ELSE HE HAS TO ACCOMPLISH AND FOLLOW IT THROUGH THE POTENTIAL FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM.

>> Bill: THESE ARE THE LAST PART OF THE PARTISAN LOUISVILLE CITY ELECTIONS?

SY.

WE ARE ANTICIPATING JANUARY 1, 2025 THEY PUT THE CLAUSE IN THE FINAL BILL THAT WILL BE CHANGED STARTING NEXT YEAR.

>> Bill: LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FALL PRESIDENT TRUMP GOT 85% OF THE G.O.P.

VOTE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN EASILY WON KENTUCKY'S PRIMARY WITH 71%.

THE TURNOUT WAS INCREDIBLY LOW.

IS THERE AN ANSWER TO THE CONTINUING DISINTEREST IN KENTUCKY'S CLOSED PARTISAN PRIMARIES?

>> I SPOKE A BIT ABOUT THIS VOTER TURNOUT BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE PRIMARY WITH SECRETARY OF STATE ADAMS.

HE IS EXPECTING A MUCH HIGHER VOTER TURNOUT FOR THE PRIMARY -- THIS PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN NOVEMBER.

TYPICALLY VOTERS THAT'S ALWAYS ON THEIR RADAR.

HE IS EXPECTING PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T VOTED IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS TO BE BACK AT THE POLLS.

>> Bill: AND THE SCHOOL CHOICE AMENDMENT WILL BE ON THE BALLOT AND WE'RE SEEING THE SIDES ORGANIZED TO PUSH AND TRY TO DEFEAT THAT AMENDMENT.

>> SHORTLY AFTER THE PRIMARY CONCLUDED, PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS KENTUCKY WHICH IS A NEW POLITICAL ISSUE COMMITTEE, HELD A KICKOFF EVENT AT A ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN HAZARD.

WITH VARIOUS PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPPORTERS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

THE SPEAKER'S HIGHLIGHTED HOW PUBLIC EDUCATION AFFECTED THEM.

AND WHAT IT BRINGS TO THAT COMMUNITY.

ESPECIALLY AFTER DEVASTATING FLOODS WENT THROUGH THAT REGION.

SO I THINK WE'LL SEE THIS COMMITTEE HAVE MORE EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH AND PICK UP STEAM.

>> Bill: WE EXPECT BOTH SIDES TO RUN HARD ON THAT.

THE ARRAIGNMENT OF GOLFER SCOTTY SHEFFLER IS POSTPONED AFTER JOHN MILLS WAS HIT AND KILLED BY A SHUTTLE BUS.

VIDEOS NOW RELEASEDDED THE OFFICER IS BEING DISCIPLINED FOR NOT HAVING HIS BODY CAM ROLLING AND THERE'S DISCUSSION AMONG THE TOP BRASS ABOUT THIS.

BRING US UP-TO-DATE ON THE SITUATION.

>> THIS WEEK THE LOUISVILLE MAYOR AND THE POLICE CHIEF HELD A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE WHERE THEY DISCUSSED THE ARREST OF THE PRO GOLFER SCOTTY SHEFFLER AND RELEASED THE TWO VIDEOS FROM THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP THE SECOND DAY OF THAT CHAMPIONSHIP EARLY MORNING.

AND THE CHIEF THERE SHE ADMITTED THE DETECTIVE VIOLATED LMPD POLICY BY NOT ACTIVATING HIS BODY-CAMERA AND HE DID RECEIVE CORRECTIVE ACTION BUT THEY DID NOT SPECIFY WHAT THE ACTION WAS.

AND IT WAS BASICALLY NO QUESTIONS ALLOWED THE FROM THE MEDIA BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO LET THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY CONTINUE HIS LEGAL PROCESS.

THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DISCUSS IT ANYMORE BUT THEY SAY THE DETECTIVE DISCIPLINED AND THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD.

AND THAT'S THE END WITH THAT.

>> Bill: JUNE 3 IS THE ARRAIGNMENT AND SHEFFLER IS EXPECTED TO APPEAR IN PERSON.

>> HIS ATTORNEY SAID THAT HE'S WILL BE THERE IN-PERSON FOR THE ARRAIGNMENT AND THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE WAITING BUT THERE'S BACK AND FORTHWITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY THERE.

SCOTTY SHEFFLER IS EXPECTED TO RETURN IN JUNE.

>> Bill: A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCHING THAT.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCED AN EXPANSION OF A NETWORK OF EV CHARGES STATIONS AROUND THE STATE THE GOAL TO HAVE THEM WITHIN 50 MILES ON KENTUCKY'S INTERSTATES AND PARKWAYS.

>> THIS WILL MEAN WHERE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO BRING THEIR TOURISM DOLLARS AND WHERE CERTAIN CONVENTIONS WILL COME, WHERE PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF THIS INDUSTRY WILL MOVE THEIR BUSINESS, THAT THEY WILL SEE KENTUCKY IS A PLACE WHERE IF IT YOU WANT TO DRIVE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE YOU CAN DRIVE ALL OVERALL OUR STATE PARKS EVERY PART OF KENTUCKY AND BE ABLE TO CHARGE THAT VEHICLE.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

KENTUCKY CONTINUES TO PREPARE FOR MORE EV'S RIGHT?

>> YES.

AND HE IS RIGHT.

THAT IS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR I ALLOT OF PEOPLE AND A NICE FEATHER IN HIS CAP FOR IF HE WERE TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

HE COULD GET TO SAY THAT KENTUCKY REALLY PRIORITIZED ELECTRIC VEHICLES BECAUSE THAT IS A BIG ISSUE IN NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC POLITICS.

>> Bill: THERE IS A MAJOR FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION FOR 11 COUNTIES FROM FORDS AND STORMS IN APRIL.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR INDICATES MORE COUNTIES CAN BE ADDED.

>> AND BESHEAR APPRECIATED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR MAKING THIS DECLARATION.

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PEOPLE CAN INCLUDE GRANTS FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING AND HOME REPAIRS.

TO LEARN MORE AND MAKE AN APPLICATION PEOPLE CAN GO TO DISASTER ASSISTANCE.GOV OR CALL FEMA.

NOOFER.

>> Bill: DECLARED JUNE TENT AS A HOLIDAY.

>> HE MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT DURING THE UPDATE AND HAD LEADERS IN THE LEGISLATURE TO JOIN HIM FOR THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT SPECIFICALLY FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

>> Bill: REMEMBER ALL THE HEADLINES WITH THE PROBLEMS OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE SYSTEM BACK DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED TODAY THERE WILL BE A NEW ONE.

IT WILL BE REPLACED AND IT WILL BE IN OPERATION BY LATE THIS DECADE.

>> YES.

THE STATE HAS A CONTRACT WITH DELOITTE, THE POPULAR CONSULTING FIRM WHICH DOES HAVE 'OFFICE IN FRANKFORT IT DIDN'T HURT FOR THEM AND THE PROBLEMS WERE WIDELY PUBLICIZED AND THIS IS THEM TRYING TO TURN THE PAGE.

>> AND MARROW YOU'VE INTERVIEWED MARK MELT CALF AND PEOPLE HAVE UNCLAIMED PROPERTY AND HE IS TRYING TO GET IT BACK TO THEM.

>> IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF OFFICE HE TURNED $10 MILLION BACK TO KENTUCKIANS ACROSS THE STATE AND HOPES TO RETURN MOREOVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT YEAR.

>> Renee: BOURBON COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL BAN CELLPHONES AND GAMING DEVICES IN CLASSROOMS STARTING NEXT YEAR AND WE'LL SEE IF OTHER DISTRICTS MONTHLY.

MEMORIAL DAY IS A CHANCE TO HONOR THOSE WHO DIED WHILE SERVING OUR COUNTRY IN THE ARMED FORCES.

IT'S ALSO THE UNOFFICIAL BEGINNING OF SUMMER WITH LOTS OF PEOPLE HITTING THE ROAD FOR TRAVEL.

SO CERTAINLY BE CAREFUL IF YOU ARE OUT THERE.

13 BILLION DOLLARS IS KENTUCKY'S HAUL FOR TOURISM THESE DAYS.

THAT IS COMMENT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.