[♪♪] >> Bill: THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR GET ENDORSEMENTS AS THEY BEGIN THEIR MARTYRED NOVEMBER.

KENTUCKY SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL TELLS EVERYBODY TO RELAX AS DEALING TALKS CONTINUE.

BUT SOME WANT McCONNELL MORE ACTIVE IN THE TALKS.

FORD ROLLS OUT KENTUCKY MADE SUPER DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS.

SOME EARLY HANDS IN SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT MAY BE COMING UP IN THE 2024 KENTUCKY LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND COMMON IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND ANALYSIS OF THE NEWS IN OUR COMMONWEALTH ANDED GUESTS ARE ALEX ACQUISTO, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER AND IS CHRIS OTTS, AND MARK VANDERHOFF.

LOUISVILLE RELEASES DETAILS IN A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REPORT, ANOTHER KENTUCKY OFFICER IS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND THE A.C.L.U.

OF KENTUCKY ASKS FOR STOPPING BILL 150 ON GENDER AFFIRMING CARE.

THE GOVERNOR'S RACE GOT ROLLING DAYS AFTER THE PRIMARY.

ANDY BESHEAR WRAPPED UP A BUS TOUR OF KENTUCKY OVER THE WEEKEND AND ALSO GOT THE ENDORSEMENT OF UNION MINERS AND COAL OPERATORS.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL SAYS HE WOULD CAMPAIGN WITH THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE, ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON WHO ALSO HAS THE BACKING OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

MARK, LET'S BEGIN THERE.

IT'S EARLY THE BESHEAR CAMPAIGN ROLLED OUT QUICKLY AND ROLLED OUT TV SPOTS, PACS ARE DOING THEIR ADS.

BESHEAR'S ADS ARE WARM AND FUZZY AND ABOUT THE LAST THREE YEARS AND THE HIGHLIGHTS.

THE PAC ADDS ARE ATTACKS MOSTLY ON CAMERON?

>> THAT IS A GREAT STRATEGY IT MAKES THE CANDIDATE LOOK GOOD AND LET THE OTHER GUY DO THE DIRTY WORK AND A STRATEGY THAT DANIEL CAMERON AND KELLY CRAFT USED IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

YOU GET THAT ARM'S LENGTH FROM THE ATTACKS AND THEY ARE LEGALLY NOT SUPPOSED TO BE COORDINATING WITH THE PACS ANYWAY.

SO I THINK IT WORKS OUT FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Bill: IS THAT DO PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IS REALLY TRUE?

WE KNOW THAT'S THE LAW.

BUT DO THE CAMPAIGNS AND THESE PACS HAVE NO IDEA WHAT EACH OTHER IS UP TO?

>> MAYBE WE SHOULD ASK THE CANDIDATES WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU TALKED TO YOUR PAC?

>> .

>> Bill: WELL, AND UP TIMES WHEN THERE WILL BE THE PERCEPTION THAT A PAC AD AND THE CANDIDATE WILL SAY THAT GIVES THEM THE DISTANCE?

>> YOU HAVE TO WONDER.

EVERYBODY THINKS THEY COORDINATE TO SOME DEGREE.

BUT YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF CANDIDATES EVER GET CAUGHT FLATFOOTED THAT A PAC COMES OUT THAT THEY MAYBE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THEY THAT THEY DON'T COORDINATE SOMEHOW.

>> Bill: MITCH McCONNELL SAYS HE SUPPORTS DANIEL CAMERON FOR GOVERNOR AND PREDICTED A REPUBLICAN VICTORY AND SAID HE WOULD CAMPAIGN WITH CAMERON.

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ENFORCED CAMERON IS EXPECTED TO STUMP FOR HIM AS WELL.

WILL TRUMP AND McCONNELL REPUBLICANS COME TOGETHER IN THE FALL?

>> YEAH, I HAVE NO DOUBT THEY WILL.

IN THE PRIMARY, CAMERON HAD TO THREAD THAT NEEDLE BETWEEN TRUMP SUPPORTERS AND McCONNELL SUPPORTERS.

YOU SAW HIM TOUTING HIS ENDORSEMENT FROM TRUMP BUT DID NOT HEAR HIM TALKING ABOUT McCONNELL EVEN THOUGH McCONNELL WAS HELPING HIM BEHIND THE SCENES.

I DON'T THINK THAT WILL BE AN ISSUE IN THE FALL HE DOESN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE OTHER REPUBLICAN OPPONENTS.

IT'S ALL ABOUT BEATING ANDY BESHEAR.

>> .

>> Bill: HE WENT TO EVERY REGION OF THE STATE AND PICKED UP THE UNITED MINE WORKERS ENDORSEMENT AND THE BACKING OF COAL OPERATORS.

HOW KEY IS THAT, CHRIS, GIVEN THAT THE NARRATIVE HAS BEEN THAT DEMOCRATIC BACK RELIGIONLATION OF COAL HAS BEEN TROUBLING TO THE COAL COUNTRY?

>> WELL WITH RESPECT TO ONE PART OF THAT I DON'T THINK IT IS A SURPRISE THAT A UNION IS ENDORSING A DEMOCRAT ALMOST ALL UNIONS GENERALLY SUPPORT DEMOCRATS EXCEPT FOR POLICE UNIONS.

SO IN THAT RESPECT, I'M NOT SURE IT HAS ANY IMPACT.

>> Bill: AND YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS HAVE PUSHED BACK IT LOOKS LIKE ALREADY OUT WITH AN AD THAT FEATURES HILLARY CLINTON, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH CIRCULATION THAT HAS AT THIS POINT, BUT THEY ARE TRYING TO ENJOY THE COAL ISSUE?

>> I THINK YOU WILL HEAR IT FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

TRUMP CARRIED KENTUCKY BY A HUGE MARGIN.

THE BEST STRATEGY THAFD OF THEY HAVE IS TO TIE ANDY BESHEAR WHO IS REALLY WORKED HARD TO WALK THAT TIGHT ROPE IN KENTUCKY.

THE BEST STRATEGY THEY HAVE IS TO CONNECT THEM TO DC LIBERALS.

>> Bill: AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR USED IN AN EVENT ABOUT THE FORD SUPER DUTY TRUCKS TO TALK ABOUT THE GROWING AUTO SECTOR IN KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY AND THE JOB CREATION.

>> I'M OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE SEEN THREE KENTUCKY GOVERNORS WRAP THEMSELF UP TO THE FORD EXECUTIVES AND FEEL THE WARM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB ANNOUNCEMENTINGS.

WHAT HAPPENED IN LOUISVILLE NOTHING WE DIDN'T KNOW THEY STARTED BUILDING THE NEW SUPER DUTY TRUCK WHICH IS BIG WORK TRUCKS THEY SELL THEM UPWARDS OF 100,000, 120,000 AND THEY STARTED THE BUILDING THE NEW ONE IN JANUARY.

THE AUTO INDUSTRY IS MOVING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES BUT THESE TRUCKS ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE THERE'S NO EV EQUIVALENT FOR THEM.

IT'S BEEN A HUGE PART OF THE JOB GROWTH IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AT THE KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT.

SO THEY WERE CELEBRATING THAT AND YOU HEARD THE GOVERNOR SAY YOU KNOW, LET ME REMIND YOU ABOUT THE BATTERY PLANTS GOING IN LET ME REMIND YOU ABOUT THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE INVESTMENTS AND I'M ALSO GOING TO BE HAPPY TO TAKE CREDIT FOR ALL OF THESE BIG TRUCKS THAT ARE BEING MADE HERE, TOO.

WE WILL HEAR ABOUT JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER.

>> Bill: IN THAT CASE HE IS DOING AN OFFICIAL EVENT AS GOVERNOR.

THAT IS SORT OF ONE OF THE POWERS OF THE INCUMBENCY.

>> IT WAS NOT BILLED AS A CAMPAIGN EVENT.

HE JUST SPOKE ABOUT THE MOMENTUM OF THE STATE AS PREVIOUS GOVERNORS HAVE.

>> Bill: AS YOU KNOW THE REPUBLICANS POINT OUT THAT KENTUCKY HAS A LOW WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE AT 56%.

CAN KENTUCKY FILL THESE JOBS COMING INTO THE AUTO PLANTS AND THE BATTERY PLANTS AND OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE?

>> LET'S TAKE THE BATTERY PLANTS GOING NEAR E TOWN.

THAT IS 5,000 JOBS IS WHAT IS PROJECTED THERE.

I DON'T THINK FORD AND THEIR KOREAN PARTNER SK WOULD BE INVESTING $6 BILLION IN THE STATE IF THEY THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE A WORKFORCE PROBLEM.

BUT IT DOES RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT ALL THE OTHER BUSINESSES THAT EMPLOY THE TYPES OF PEOPLE THAT WILL WORK AT THESE BATTERY PLANTS AND WHETHER IF THEY MOVE OVER, WHAT DO THEY DO?

AND SO PERHAPS IT COULD RAISE THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE UP A BIT.

THERE IS AN EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT TO THESE NEW BATTERY PLANTS.

BUT I THINK A LOT OF THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION ISSUE IS DEMOGRAPHICS IT'S DISABILITY, IT'S POVERTY, THINGS THAT ARE SORT OF ENDEMIC TO KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: AND MARK YOU ARE GETTING INDICATIONS THAT IT'S LIKELY PEOPLE WILL BE MOVING IN FOR THOSE JOBS?

>> THE LAST TIME I TALKED TO FOLKS FROM THE CITY AND THEY SAID THEY HAD APPLICATIONS FOR THOUSANDS OF NEW APARTMENT UNITS.

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THOUSANDS OF DIFFERENT APARTMENT BUILDINGS BUT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF UNITS SPREAD OUT OVER THE DIFFERENT APARTMENT COMPLEXES IS CLEAR THIS WILL PROBABLY BE SOMETHING WHERE YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THREE, FOUR HOURS AWAY THEY MIGHT COMMUTE IN FOR THE WEEK AND STAY IN AN APARTMENT IN E TOWN AND GO HOME AND BE WITH THEIR FAMILY ON THE WEEKEND.

>> Bill: WE'VE SEEN WHAT HAPPENED TO GEORGETOWN.

>> THAT IS THE ANALOGUE FOR THIS, THE INVESTMENT BY TOYOTA HERE IN THE STATE.

THREE SOMETHING FOUR DECADES AGO.

>> Bill: BEFORE WE BACK OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, FORMER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, KELLY CRAFT, WAS HEARD FROM AGAIN THIS WEEK.

AND SHE RELEASED A VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT TALKED ABOUT HER CAMPAIGN AND IT ENDS WITH THE WORDS STAY TUNED.

>> AND MY LOVE FOR KENTUCKY IS STRONG AND EVERLASTING.

THIS MOVEMENT HAS JUST STARTED.

>> Bill: WHAT IS THAT INTENDED TO CONVEY, MARK?

>> I MEAN WHEN YOU'VE GOT THAT KIND OF MONEY YOU CAN RUN FOR WHATEVER OFFICE YOU WANT TO.

IT WOULD BE A PLOT TWIST IF SHE BECAME THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RUNNING MATE.

BUT YOU KNOW I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF OPTIONS IN THE FUTURE.

MAYBE SHE WILL RUN FOR McCONNELL'S SEAT.

>> Bill: NO VEILED PROMISE IN THERE JUST FUEL FOR SPECULATION.

>> I WANT TO FACT CHECK IT COULD BE A MOVEMENT IF YOU GET 17% OF THE VOTE OR WHAT, SHE CAME IN THIRD.

>> Bill: IT'S INTERESTING, RIGHT?

PART OF THE EQUATION.

THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE TODAY RELEASED A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICE AND THE CONCERNS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY OVER THERE.

AND MARK THERE WAS A STORY YOU WORKED FOR WLKY THIS EVENING.

>> THE DOJ CAME OUT WITH THE REPORT IN MARCH WITH 60 INCIDENTS OF CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY LMPD OFFICERS AND SINCE THEN COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THE NAMES OF THE OFFICER NRS THAT REPORT.

TODAY WE GOT THEM.

>> AND THIS GOES TO A PUSH REALLY BY MAYOR GREENBURG, THE NEW MAYOR OF LOUISVILLE TO ONE OF THE THINGS HE TALKED ABOUT IN THE CAMPAIGN IS TRANSPARENCY.

AND I THINK HE'S DONE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT HAVE MOVED LOUISVILLE IN A MORE TRANSPARENT DIRECTION ESPECIALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

HE ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT HE'S MAKING MOVES TO CURE THE BACKLOG OF OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS THAT THE CITY HAS.

THAT'S THERE'S NO POLITICAL POINTS FOR DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT HE IS MOVING FORWARD WITH IT.

AND HE SAID TODAY THAT NO OTHER COMMUNITY WHO -- THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMMUNITIES THAT THE HAVE HAD THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COME IN AND WRITE THESE SCATHING INDICTMENTS OF THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENTS BUT HE DOESN'T BELIEVE ANY OTHER COMMUNITY HAS PUT TOGETHER TRIED TO REENGINEER WHAT HAPPENED IN THE REPORTS AND WHETHER THE OFFICERS WERE DISCIPLINED OR WHETHER THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION AT ALL.

AND MAKE A LIST AND PUT ALL THAT THEY HAVE OUT THERE.

HE BELIEVES THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED STEP TOWARDS TRANSPARENCY.

>> IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE, BILL, THAT HE SAID THEY ARE GOING TO GO BACK AND REVIEW ALL OF THE CASES THAT DID NOT HAVE INVESTIGATIONS AFTER THE COMPLAINTS AND SO WE MIGHT SEE FUTURE DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

>> Bill: IT AND INCLUDES THE RELEASE PUBLICLY, OF THE BODY-CAM FOOTAGE, RIGHT?

>> WE EXPECT THAT WITHIN 60 DAYS.

THEY SAID REDACTING ALL THAT FOOTAGE AS YOU CAN IMAGINE IS A BIG JOB.

SO THAT PART IS TAKING A LITTLE WHILE LONGER.

>> Bill: LET'S CHECK ALEX INTO THE GAME.

THE AA.C.L.U.

IS ASKING FOR AN INJUNCTION AGAINST PART OF THE NEW SENATE BILL 150 THAT ADDRESSES YOUTH TRANSGENDER ISSUES THE LAWSUIT ARE TARGETED, RIGHT?

>> THEY ARE.

SO MAYBE TO START WE CAN RECAP WHAT IS IN SENATE BILL 150 THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.

IT TAKES FULL EFFECT AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH BUT THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

MOST NOTABLY IT BANS GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FOR ALL MINORS TARGETED AT TRANS MINORS.

IT REGULATES CERTAIN CURRICULUM ABOUT GENDER IDENTIFY AND SEXUALITY.

IT REQUIRES SCHOOLS TO DRAFT POLICIES THAT KEEP TRANS KIDS OUT OF BATHROOMS THAT CORRESPOND WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.

THE A.C.L.U.

FILED A MOTION FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION TO BLOCK THE MEDICAL PORTION OF THE LAW.

THEY ARE ASKING THE STATE TO NOT ENFORCE THE GENDER AFFIRMING CARE BAN ONCE THAT TAKES EFFECT.

INSTEAD THEY ARE SAYING LET THE LARGER LAWSUIT THAT WE HAVE FILED, FILED EARLIER THIS MONTH.

WIND THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM.

THEY FILED A LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF SEVEN UNNAMED TRANS KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN KENTUCKY.

ARGUING THAT THE LAW IS A VIOLATION OF THEIR 14TH AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND THEIR PARENTS' 14TH AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

AND SO THE JUDGE HASN'T RESPONDED YET BUT THEIR GOAL IS TO ELICIT A RESPONSE BEFORE THE LAW IS SET TO TAKE EFFECT.

>> Bill: AND THERE IS A BROADER LAWSUIT AS WELL, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

WELL, AND I EXPLAINED THAT BUT BASICALLY ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT THEY HAVE IS THEY ARE SAYING THE LAW IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL ON BEHALF OF THE CHILDREN THEY ARE ARGUING THAT THE LAW BLATANTLY DISCRIMINATES BASED ON THEIR SEX WHICH IS A VIOLATION OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

FOR PARENTS IT VIOLATES THEIR ABILITY TO SEEK ESTABLISHED MEDICAL CARE FOR THEIR KIDS.

WHO KNOWS HOW LONG THAT LAWSUIT WILL TAKE BUT IT'S BROAD.

>> Bill: YOU DROPPED A STORY AFTER TALKING TO 13 FAMILIES WHO HAVE A TRANSGENDER CHILD AND HOW THEY ARE PLANNING TO MOVE FORWARD IN THIS NEW LANDSCAPE.

>> RIGHT, THE FUTURE FOR THEM IS UNCERTAIN.

AND IT'S BLEAK FOR A LOT OF THEM.

IT'S NOT HYPERBOLIC TO SAY THAT.

I ENDED UP PROFILING THREE KIDS ONE OF WHOM IS 17 TURNS 18 IN AUGUST.

HIS ACCESS TO TESTOSTERONE IS BEING CUTOFF.

IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT GENDER AFFIRMING CARE IS EVIDENCE-BASED AND IT'S ENDORSED BY MAJOR MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS.

AND SO WE'VE HAD HANDFUL OF KENTUCKY DOCTORS SPEAK OUT AGAINST THIS.

IF YOU ARE A TEENAGER DEPENDING HOW OLD YOU ARE YOU WILL BE TOUCHED BY PROBABLY MULTIPLE IF NOT DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF THIS LAW BECAUSE YOU ARE STILL IN SCHOOL.

MAYBE YOU WERE ON PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION AND MAYBE NOT.

I TRIED TO HUMANIZE WHAT THE IMPACT OF THIS IS ON KIDS AND FAMILIES AS THEY ARE TRYING TO LIVE IN A FIELD HOSTILE TO THEIR WELL-BEING.

>> Bill: JOSH CALLAWAY WAS CRITICIZED THIS WEEK AFTER HE ACCUSED CHILDREN WHO WANT TO TRANSITION AND THE PARENTS WHO SUPPORT THEM OF BEING MENTAL MEY ILL.

THERE WAS A PUSHBACK.

>> PEOPLE CALLED IT OUT BECAUSE THEY FELT LIKE IT WAS AGGRESSIVE RHETORIC AND THEY ARE INAPPROPRIATE.

HE HAS A VIDEO PODCAST.

HE STARTED BY KIND OF COMPLAINING ABOUT TARGET WHICH WE HEARD A LOT THIS WEEK FOR THE LGBTQ FRIENDLY SWIM LINE.

HE SAID THAT TARGET IS TRYING TO MAINSTREAM MINOR PER VERSION.

REPRESENTATIVE CALLAWAY HAS BEEN OF WAS ONE OF THE CONSERVATIVES THAT BACKED THE BILL NOT GETTING PASSED THAT WOULD HAVE BANNED DRAG SHOWS AND A PROPONENT OF SENATE BILL 150.

HE GOT CALLED OUT AND HE DOUBLED DOWN ESSENTIALLY.

AND DIDN'T APOLOGIZE.

HE BELIEVES IN A CAPITAL T TRUTH THAT MEN AND WOMEN WERE CREATED BY GOD AND HE IS GOING TO SINCERELY DEFEND THAT.

>> Bill: MARK, DISCUSSION IS LIKELY TO GO ON, RIGHT?

I MEAN IN TERMS OF ON THE KENTUCKY POLITICAL LANDSCAPE?

>> YES, IT'S BECOME A HUGE ISSUE RECENTLY.

AND I THINK IT IS A HUGE ISSUE ON TWO FRONTS: ONE I DO BELIEVE LIKE ALEX SAID FOR A LOT OF REPUBLICANS THIS IS A SINCERELY HELD BELIEF.

I THINK IT'S OFTEN PAINTED AS AN ATTACK THAT IS ONLY DONE FOR POLITICAL BENEFIT.

BUT I THINK FOR THE FOLKS LIKE CALLAWAY THEY ARE TRUE BELIEVERS.

AND I'M SURE SOME PEOPLE SEE IT AS A WINNING ISSUE IN THE FALL OR THE CAMPAIGN SEASON AS WELL.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY UNLIKE IT'S NOT TO PSYCHO ANALYZE POLITICIANS JOSH CALLAWAY IS A CHRISTIAN BUT THE RHETORIC IS ALSO HARSH ON HIS PODCAST HE CALLED LGBTQ PEOPLE A DISEASE AND THEN HE MODIFIED THAT TO SAY THE IDEOLOGY IS A DISEASE.

AND SO YOU KNOW WHETHER OR NOT HIS BELIEFS ARE SINCERE IT'S STILL AGGRESSIVE RHETORIC.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WELL TO WASHINGTON WITH ALL OF OUR KENTUCKY CONNECTIONS.

SENATE REPRESENT LEADER MITCH McCONNELL WANTS EVERYBODY TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH AS THE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE DEALING TALKS ARE DRAGGING ON APPEARING IN LEXINGTON TO ANNOUNCE A MAJOR GRANT FOR U.K.'S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, McCONNELL SAID IT WILL ALL WORKOUT.

>> I THINK EVERYBODY NEEDS TO RELAX.

THE LAST 10 TIMES THE LAST 10 TIMES WE RAISED THE DEALING THERE WERE THINGS ATTACHED TO IT.

THIS IS NOT THAT UNUSUAL.

AND IT'S ALMOST ENTIRELY REQUIRED WHEN YOU HAVE DIVIDED GOVERNMENT.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT MAY BE SAID ABOUT THE TALKS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS, THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS WILL REACH AN AGREEMENT.

>> Bill: MARK, McCONNELL IS OPTIMISTIC SOMETHING WILL BE WORKED OUT?

>> THAT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SOUNDBYTES OF THE WEEK.

THE NEGOTIATIONS IS LIKE A GAME OF CHICKEN AND THE TWO SIDES ARE DRIVING TOWARDS EACH OTHER AND AS THEY GET CLOSER AND CLOSER THERE'S MORE ALARM.

WE ALL KNOW IN THE END, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO CRASH INTO EACH OTHER THEY WILL SWERVE AT THE LAST-MINUTE AND THEY WILL NEGOTIATE A DEAL.

AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT McCONNELL HAS SEEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

>> Bill: IS McCONNELL LIKE THE FIRE ALARMS IN CASE A FIRE BREAK GLASS?

THEY WOULD BRING HIM INTO THE NEGOTIATIONS AT THE LAST-MINUTE IF THAT IS WHAT IT TAKES?

>> I'LL BET HE IS ALREADY IN THE NEGOTIATIONS WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

>> Bill: DOESN'T TALK ABOUT IT.

ALEX THIS REACHED A POINT WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION WHO NORMALLY WOULDN'T AND THERE ARE CONCERNS OF COURSE HOW IT WOULD HIT BUSINESSES AND ALSO GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY NET PROGRAMS OUT THERE.

>> IF YOU ARE ON GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE I'M SURE YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION BECAUSE THE EFFECTS OF THIS SHUTDOWN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THEY SEEM ABSTRACT.

BUT IMPACTS LIKE THIS ARE AS PERSONAL AS YOU CAN GET.

IF YOU ARE AFFECTED YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION.

>> I WILL SAY, BILL, THAT THE WALL STREET AND THE STOCK MARKET RALLIED TODAY AND IT APPEARS THAT THEY SENSE AN AGREEMENT IN THE OFFING.

>> Bill: THEY AGREE WITH MARK IT CAN'T HAPPEN.

OK. TOYOTA ANNOUNCED IT'S GOING TO PURCHASE SOLAR POWER FROM A RECLAIMED MINING SITE IN NORTHEASTERN KENTUCKY THEY OBVIOUSLY WANT TO USE A LOT MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY.

>> YES, THEY DO.

AND THE SITE IS ACTUALLY IN MARTIN COUNTY.

SO IT'S 150 MILES AWAY FROM TOYOTA'S GEORGETOWN FACTORY WHICH IS THEIR LARGEST IN THE WORLD.

SO THEY WON'T BE USING THE ELECTRONS THAT ARE GENERATED BY THIS PLANNED SOLAR SITE IN THEIR MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY.

INSTEAD IT IS A FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT WHERE THEY ARE BASICALLY INSURING THAT THIS PLANT HAS THE REVENUE WHEN IT PRODUCES THE POWER AND THEN THEY ARE ACTING ALMOST AS A WHOLESALER SEND TO GO OUT ON THE BROADER GRID AND THE RENEWABLE POWER WILL BE PUT INTO SIFT OF EXISTENCE AND SOMEBODY WILL USE IT AND IT WILL NECESSARILY DISPLACE OTHER FOSSIL-FUEL POWER.

TOYOTA HAS A COMMITMENT TO MAKE THEIR OPERATIONS A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE RENEWABLE BY A CERTAIN TIME AS DO MANY BIG BUSINESSES FORD AS WELL.

AND SO THIS IS PART AND PARCEL OF THAT.

AND ALSO FORMER STATE AUDITOR, A FORMER BIG VOICE IN POLITICS, IS INVOLVED IN THIS.

HE IS ON A SORT OF MISSION TO SHOW THAT APPALACHIAN CAN BE A GREEN ENERGY HUB.

THE THING ABOUT SOLAR PANELS IS THEY DON'T CREATE AS MANY JOBS AS A COAL MINE DOES NOT NEARLY AS MANY.

VERY FEW IN FACT BUT DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE IT COULD MEAN HUNDREDS OF JOBS.

>> Bill: WE'VE WATCHING CHALLENGES FOR HARVEST, THE COMPANY THAT PRODUCE TOMATOES AND PRODUCTS AND THEY HAVE HAD CHALLENGES.

>> YES.

THIS IS THE BIG COMPANY THAT WENT PUBLIC IN 2021.

THEY HAD A VALUATION OF NEARLY $4 BILLION AT THE PEAK.

BUT THEY HAVE HAD CHALLENGES.

THEY BUILT FOUR OF THESE HIGH-TECH GREENHOUSES TO GROW LEAFY GREENS AND TOMATOES AND STRAWBERRIES.

BUT THE REVENUE HASN'T BEEN AS FAST TO MATERIALIZE.

AND SO THEY ARE BASICALLY TRYING TO AVOID RUNNING OUT OF MONEY.

AND THEY WILL NEED TO MAKE ADDITIONAL FINANCING MOVES WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS OR SO TO KEEP IN BUSINESS.

>> Bill: YOU'VE DONE REMEMBERING ON KENTUCKY NEW SPORTS BETTING LAW AND BENEFITS FOR THE HORSE TRACKS.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I NOTICED IN LAW AND I WAS AT A LUNCHEON A BUSINESS LUNCHEON WHERE THE CHILL HILL DOWNS -- CHURCHILL DOWNS WAS MAKING AN APPEARANCE AND HE TALKED ABOUT THIS AND USED A PHRASE INFINITE RETURN.

HE MEANT ACCORDING TO THE LAW THE DRAFT KINGS AND FANDUELS OF THE WORLD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE HORSE TRACKS TO GET THEIR LICENSE TO OPERATE ON-LINE SPORTS BETTING IN KENTUCKY.

SO IT IS A GREAT DEAL FOR THE HORSE TRACKS.

BUT IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO HOW OTHER STATES SET THIS UP, TOO.

THAT HAVE CASINOS WILL TIE THE ON-LINE BETTING TO SUBSIDIZE THEIR CASINO INDUSTRY.

IT'S NOT THAT UNUSUAL.

BUT IT WAS A GOOD SESSION FOR THE HORSERACING INDUSTRY.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

ANOTHER TRAGEDY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, SCOTT COUNTY DEPUTY KALEB CONNELLY WAS 35 AND LEAVES BEHIND A WIFE AND YOUNG CHILDREN.

CHARGES ARE PENDING AGAINST THE SUSPECT.

ANDY BESHEAR SAYS FLAGS WILL BE LOWERED NEXT WEEK UNTIL THE FUNERAL ON JUNE FIRST.

>> SADLY ON MONDAY NIGHT, SCOTT COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF KALEB CONNELLY WHILE HE WAS PROTECTING OUR PEOPLE, OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, WE WILL BE ADDING HIS NAME TO THIS MONUMENT NEXT YEAR.

DEPUTY CONNELLY WAS A FOUR-YEAR VETERAN OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND A U.S. ARMY VETERAN.

A MAN WHO KNEW THE DEFINITION OF SELFLESS SERVICE.

>> Bill: ALEX LAW ENFORCEMENT IS A TOUGH CAREER.

>> IT IS.

YOU DECIDE TO BE A POLICE OFFICER KNOWING THAT THIS IS A RISK.

IT'S ONE THAT MANY POLICE OFFICERS ESCAPE.

BUT I MEAN HE WAS ONLY 3 FIVE.

IT'S TRAGIC.

>> Bill: FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN'S WIFE FILED FOR DIVORCE.

THE PETITION SAYS THE MARRIAGE WAS INRETRIEVABLY BROKEN THEY HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FOR OVER A YEAR ACCORDING TO THE FILING.

ALEX, YOU KNOW, AN INTERESTING CHAPTER HERE FOR THE FORMER GOVERNOR AND FIRST LADY.

>> IT IS.

THEY HAVE BEEN MARRIED SINCE 1996.

MOST OF THEIR KIDS ARE GROWN THEY HAVE TWO MINORS.

THE SOLUTION OF A MARRIAGE IS A SAD THING.

>> Bill: WE'RE GETTING HINTS ABOUT THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE MAJORITY CAUCUS ANNOUNCED COMMITTEES AND TIVES THAT WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POTENTIAL LAWS.

ALEX A GOOD LOOK AT THE BENEFITS CLIFF FOR ONE THING WHERE IF SOMEBODY GETS A RAISE THEY MIGHT LOSE THEIR BENEFITS SO THEREFORE THAT INCENTIVE IS LOST?

>> RIGHT, THEY ARE GOING TO LOOK HOW TO MAKE IT MORE GRADUAL AS OPPOSED TO BEING ABRUPT IF YOU GET A NOMINAL INCREASE IN SALARY HOW TO NOT LET THAT BE HARD HITTING TO YOUR FAMILY.

>> Bill: AND MARK THERE IS A GROUP GOING TO LOOK AT JAILS AND CORRECTIONS WHICH HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS A LOT IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH JUVENILE JUSTICE, THE LEGISLATURE IS PUTTING THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS.

THEY PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THAT WHETHER IT'S JUVENILE JUSTICE OR ADULT PRISONS, IT IS A LOT OF MONEY THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT RIGHT.

>> Bill: AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY WILL HAVE MONEY BECAUSE WE ARE RUNNING A SURPLUS HERE AS WE HEAD TOWARD THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR.

CHARLES COTTON NASH DIED THIS WEEK 60 YEARS AFTER HE PLAYED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IN THE EARLY 1960s IS IS STILL ON THE RECORD BOOKS FOR SCORING AND REBOUNDS AFTER HE FILLED THE SEATS IN BASKETBALL AND THREWED DISDISCUSS IN TRAFFIC AND FIELD AND PLAYED IN THE NBA AND MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WHAT AN ATHLETE.

COTTON NASH WAS 83.

AAA SAYS HALF A MILLIKEN KENYANS WILL BE TRAVELING OVER THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

BE CAREFUL IF YOU ARE OUT THERE.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD WOKE AHEAD.

GOOD WEEK AHEAD.