IN TEXAS RENEWS DEBATES ABOUT GUNS, MENTAL HEALTH AND MASS SH SOME LOOK TO KENTUCKY SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL FOR A SIGNAL ON MOVING FORWARD.

FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR ROBERT GOFORTH PLEADS GUILTY TO HEALTH CARE FRAUD.

KENTUCKY AND OHIO JOINTLY APPLY FOR MONEY FOR THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE CORRIDOR.

THE BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE AND A KENTUCKY-BASED JIF PEANUT BUTTE RECALL PRESENT CHALLENGES.

HEADING INTO MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON K. GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT AN SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEW IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR RYLAND BARTON, MANAGING EDITOR FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO WITH STATIONS IN MURRAY, BOWLING GREEN, LOUISVILLE AND RICHMOND.

DEBORAH YETTER, REPORTER FOR TH AND BILL ESTEP, SOUTHERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY REPORT FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, A PATCHWORK OF RAYS FOR KENTUCKY TEACHERS AFTER THE LEGISLATURE MADE PAY HIKES A LOCAL DECISION.

AND IT PIERCE REPUBLICANS ARE ABOUT TO GET ANOTHER CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

BUT FIRST, THE HORRIBLE SCHOOL SHOOTING IN A SMALL TEXAS TOWN HAS LED TO A LOT OF CUSHION THIS WEEK.

KENTUCKY IS NO STRANGER TO SCHOOL SHOOTINGS.

THOSE AROUND CARTER COUNTY, PADUCAH AND MARSHALL COUNTY KNOW THAT ALL TOO WELL.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL ADDRESSED THE SHOOTING ON THE U.S. SENATE FLOOR.

>> THE ENTIRE NATION'S HEARTS ARE BROKEN FOR THE VICTIMS AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

WORDS SIMPLY FAIL.

>> Bill: WELL, DEBBIE, THIS ONE ONCE AGAIN HAS JARRED THE COUNTRY AND BROUGHT BACK TOM PAGEFUL MEMORIES HERE IN KENTUCKY AS WELL AS SOME CALLS FOR ACTION.

>> Deborah: THAT'S TRUE.

KENTUCKY HAS HAD ITS SHARE OF EXPERIENCE WITH THIS, AND I THINK ALL OF US REMEMBER THE HEATH HIGH SHOOTING IN 1997 WHERE THREE STUDENTS WERE KILLED.

AND AGAIN IN MARSHALL COUNTY IN 2018 WHERE TWO STUDENTS WERE KILLED AND OTHERS INJURED, BOTH BY TEENAGE STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL.

AND EVERY TIME, YOU KNOW, AS WITH THIS ONE, THERE ARE CALLS FOR ACTION, CALLS FOR CHANGE, BUT VERY LITTLE HAS BEEN DONE TO CHANGE GUN LAWS OVER THE YEARS, EVEN AFTER SANDY HOOK.

SO MANY ARE SKEPTICAL THAT THIS WILL RESULT IN A CHANGE, TOO, DESPITE WHAT POLITICIANS MIGHT BE SAYING.

>> Bill: AND YET, RYLAND, THERE IS A DEBATE AT LEAST DISCUSSIONS UNDERWAY.

TO WHAT EXTENT IS SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL IN THE SPOTLIGHT ON THIS ISSUE?

AND HOW WILL HE STEER THE SHIP WITH CLEAR DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT AND A FEW REPUBLICANS WHO ARE SEEKING SOME SOLUTIONS?

>> Ryland: HE CERTAINLY IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

I BELIEVE IT WAS THAT EVENING, GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS BASKETBALL COACH STEVE KERR KIND OF LAID IT AT HIS FEET, THAT THE U.S. SENATE CALLED OUT MITCH McCONNELL TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

THIS IS KIND OF A FAMILIAR PATTERNED WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST ALTERNATIVELY YEARS, THAT IT SEEMS THAT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS ARE OTHER SORT OF MASS SHOOTINGS HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

THERE'S A PERIOD OF PEOPLE CALLING FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE, AND THEN -- IN WHICH THERE IS A RESPONSE THAT WE SHOULD NO TAKE THE TIME TO POLITICIZE THIS ISSUE AT THIS PARTICULAR MOMENT, AND PEOPLE WONDER, WELL, WHEN DO WE POLITICIZE IT AND THINK THE MOMENT RIGHT NOW, IT'S -- LATER THIS WEEK SENATOR McCONNELL SAID THAT HAS LEFT THE DOOR OPEN SAYING THAT HE HAD INSTRUCTED JOHN CORNAN, TEXAS SENATOR, TO WORK WITH DOMS A COMPROMISE ON SOME SORT OF GUN LEGISLATION WITH NO SPECIFICS, BUT FELT A LITTLE FAMILIAR TO 2019 OF A A DAYTON AND EL PASO MASSACRES IN AUGUST WHEN MITCH McCONNELL SAID THAT RED FLAG LAWS AND ALSO BACKGROUND CHECKS WOULD BE ON THE TABLE, AND WE WAITED A FEW WEEKS, AND THEN EVENTUALLY HE TOWED THE HOT POTATO TO SOMEBODY ELSE.

THEN PAHRUMP TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

AND IN THE END NO DECIDED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY LEGISLATION.

SO THERE'S A BIT OF A PATTERN IN TERMS OF RHETORIC WE SEE AFTER SOME OF THESE ROAR ITCHING SHOOTINGS, AND I GUESS WE'LL SEE HOW FAMILIAR THAT PATTERN BECOMES.

>> Bill: THERE'S ALWAYS THE GUN DEBATE AND THAT OFTEN COMES FIRST.

BUT THEN THERE ARE THOSE WHO SUPPORT OTHER APPROACHES, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SECURITY ISSUES AT THESE SCHOOLS.

>> Deborah: ONCE AGAIN, THAT BREAKS DOWN ON PARTY LINES.

THE DEMOCRATS URGING BETTER RESTRICTION OR LIMITING ACCESS TO SOME OF THESE HIGH CALIBER FIREARMS LIKE AR FANCY.

REPUBLICANS ON THE OTHER HAND ARE REFERRING TO THINGS LIKE BETTER SERVICES FOR MENTAL HEALTH, HARDENING, AS THEY SAY, THE SCHOOLS, INCREASING SECURITY, PUTTING MORE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS IN PLACE, THAT SORT OF THING.

>> Bill: RYLAND, THERE WAS A PROPOSAL FOR A STATE RED FLAG LAW IN KENTUCKY.

IT WOULD TEMPORARILY TAKE GUNS AWAY FROM PEOPLE JUDGED TO HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS OR ANOTHER CRISIS.

THAT DID NOT PASS.

>> Ryland: THIS THAT WAS ALSO UNTIL THE INTERIM SUMMER OR EARLY FALL OF 2019, AND IT WAS A BARN PROPOSAL.

REPUBLICANS ON THAT WHEN SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS AND ALSO PIANO PAUL MORE THAN-BACK.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT REPUBLICANS JUST ARE AT LEAST THE LARGER GROUP OF REPUBLICAN IN LEGISLATURE REALLY WANT ABLE TO GET BEHIND, AND YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE POLITICAL BACKLASH TO IT PRETTY IMMEDIATELY.

SOME OF THE LEGISLATORS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THAT, I BELIEVE ESPECIALLY SENATOR HORN BABB, HE GOT A LOT OF FLACK -- HORNBACK HE GOT FLACK FROM OTHER CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS, EVEN CONSTITUENTING CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSEY WAS CHALLENGING HORNBACK ON THAT.

I THINK IT WAS PROBABLY ONE OF MANY FACTORS THAT LED HIM TO ULTIMATELY ULTIMATELY NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION THIS YEAR.

IT'S A POLICY THATS HAS NOT GOTTEN MUCHING FRAC IN THE REPUBLICAN-LED LEGISLATURE.

>> Bill: BILL, THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE DID PASS A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER'S LAW THAT SAYS THAT ALL SCHOOLS MUST HAVE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER BY AUGUST 1st OF THIS YEAR.

BUT THE LEGISLATURE DID NOT FUND THAT.

THEY'RE TO DO IT OUT OF THE LOCAL FUNDS.

BUT THEY SAID THAT IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT, YOU CAN CONTACT THE STATE.

>> Bill Estep: YEAH, AND THAT SORT OF STILL AT THIS POINT THERE WAS NO MONEY ATTACHED SPECIFICALLY TO PAY FOR THOSE WHICH WOULD LEAVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS -- AND THOSE HAVE TO BE ARMED SROs, BY THE WAY, BUT THERE WAS NO MONEY ATTACHED TO PAY NOOR SPECIFICALLY.

THAT WOULD LEAVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO TRY TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY FROM SOME OTHER SOURCE.

THERE'S BEEN SOME TALK.

YOU IF YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY, TALK TO THE STATE.

WE'LL TRY TO WORK OUT A PLAN BUT IT'S AMORPHOUS WHAT THAT WOULD BE.

IN THE ABSENCE OF THAT, I WAS TALKING THIS WEEK WITH JOHN WILL CITY'S WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE JUDGE IN MORTON COUNTY.

AND A STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

HE WAS GOING TO MOVE THIS WEEK TO HAVE THE PHIL FISCAL COURT, THE COUNTY GIVE $160,000 TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO PAY FOR SRO MS. FOUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THAT DIDN'T HAVE THEM OTHERWISE SO THERE ARE PEOPLE TRYING TO WORK ON THIS SITUATION AND WORK IT OUT BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S UNRESOLVED FOR SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> Bill: CAN THOSE SCHOOLS COLLABORATE WITH THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS THEMSELVES?

>> Bill Estep: SOME OF THE ONES THERE ARE THAT YOU ARE OFFICERS THAT ARE EMPLOYED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, FOR INSTANCE WITH DEPUTIES THAT DO THAT FUNCTION AND THEY'RE MABEL MAYBE PAID TO A COMBINATION OF SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE SCHOOL,Y IS, YEAH, THEY'RE ALLOWED TO COOPERATE WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> A ARE.

>> Ryland: IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT SROs NOT NECESSARILY A SLAM DUNK FOR SCHOOL STATE OF P PI THERE'S PLENTY OF SITUATIONS AS WE HAVE SEEN EVEN IN THE E U VALDY SITUATION WHERE THERE WERE POLICE PRESENTED GATHER OUTSIDE THAT DIDN'T MAKE THEIR WAY INTO THE SCHOOL.

SO THERE'S GOT TO BE A LOT OF THINKING TO GO INTO THIS TO TRY FIGURE IT OUT WITH THAT TWO MAKE A SCHOOL SAFER INSTEAD OF HOPEFULLY IDEAS PUTTING LAW ENFORCEMENT THERE TO TRY AND PROTECT EVERYTHING.

>> Deborah: THERE'S AN SRO AT PARKLAND AT THE DAMAGELY.

>> Bill Estep: MARGELY STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, WE TALKED ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH ASPECT OF THIS AND SO MANY OTHER CHALLENGES THAT ARE OUT THERE TODAY, WE KNOW.

IT COMES AS THE FEDS ARE LOOKING INTO HOW LOUISVILLE DEALS WITH THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> Deborah: IT WAS VERY INTERESTING AND IT KIND OF CAUGHT PEOPLE BY SURPRISE THIS WEEK.

THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO LAUNCH A CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION INTO WHETHER PEOPLE IN THE LOUISVILLE AREA WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS GETTING ADEQUATE HELP AND WERE NOT BEING STEERED UNNECESSARILY INTO CONTACTS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OR INTO INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS.

THERE IS SORT OF A PERCEPTION THAT SOME PEOPLE CYCLE THROUGH WITHOUT REALLY GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED.

ALSO THE CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION ALREADY IS IN LOUISVILLE INVESTIGATING LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE SKINS THE SHOOTING DEATH OF O'BRIAN, AND THERE'S SOME SPECULATION THAT MAYBE THIS AROSE FROM SOME OF THEIR FINDING.

BREONNA TAYLOR.

JUST THE OVERALL SITUATION OF THE COMMUNITY BUT ALSO THE THOUGHT THAT THE DEATHS AT THE JAIL MAY HAVE ATTRACTED THEIR ATTENTION SINCE SEVERAL WERE SUICIDES AND TWO WERE DRUG OVERDOSES.

>> Bill: I THINK THE SENATE IS ON MEMORIAL DAY VACATION FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS SO I TAKE IT THAT THE DELEGATION WILL BE HOME IN KENTUCKY AND THEY'LL BE HEARING FROM FOLKS ON THIS AND OTHER USUALS.

AS YOU KNOW, THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDE RAISES TO MOST STATE EMPLOYEES DUTY DID NOT GUARANTEE RAISES TO TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE ALLOCATED EXTRA MONEY TO SPEND AS THEY CHOOSE.

AND NOW THERE'S A PATCHWORK OF PAY SCENARIOS.

MERCY COUNTY IS GIVING 10% RAISES WHILE SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS SAY THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO GIVE MORE THAN 2% OR MAYBE 3%, SOME CASES LESS.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN BABE FORMER TEACHER, SAID IN AN INTERVIEW WITH MY THIS WEEK THAT IT WAS INTENTIONAL ON THE PART OF THE LEGISLATURE.

>> THE GOVERNOR INCLUDED A SIGNIFY RACE FOR TEACHERS IN THE BUDGET.

IT WAS TAKEN OUT.

A SIGNIFICANT RAISE FOR TEACHERS.

AND WHEN THE LEGISLATURE SAYS THAT REPUBLICANS LEADER IN LEGISLATURE SAY THEY LEFT IT UP TO LOCAL DECISIONS, THEY DIDN'T.

THEY TOOK THE RAISE OUT OF THE BUDGET, AND SCHOOLS, MOST SCHOOLS CANNOT MEET THE THRESHOLD TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE RAISES.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, AS SCHOOLS PUT THEIR BUDGETS TOGETHER FOR THE NEW YEAR AND THEY CONSIDER SECURITY THAT WE TALKED WITH AND CURRICULUM AND PROGRAMS AND RAISES, SCHOOL BOARDS ARE ARRIVING AT DIFFERENT CONCLUSIONS.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

I KNOW IN JEFFERSON COUNTY ITALY THE STARTING POINT, OUR EDUCATION REPORTER TOLD US ITS A 1.5% RAISE BUT THEY DO HAVE COMPETING DEMANDS ON BUDGETS ESPECIALLY IN SMALLER DISTRICTS WHICH IN A NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES.

>> Bill: BILL, NOT A SURPRISE THAT AS WE SAID THERE IS A PATCHWORK OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill Estep: THERE IS.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY, FOR INSTANCE AND BE SOME PARTS OF WESTERN KENTUCKY THEY'RE LOSING ENROLLMENT, IMPEACHING MOVING OUT IN EASTERN KENTUCKY AND WESTERN KENTUCKY.

THEY'VE BEEN HURT BY THE DECLIENT OF COAL INDUSTRY.

SO THEIR RESOURCES ARE DOWN.

AND YEAH, THEY HAVE A LOT OF DEMANDS THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO MEET.

AND SO IT'S TOUGH TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

>> Bill: IT'S CLEARLY A POLITICAL ASPECT HERE AS WELL.

>> Deborah: IT'S NO SURPRISE BESHEAR A DEMOCRAT HAD THE FULL SUPPORT OF MOST OF THE STATE'S TEACHERS WHEN HE WAS ELECTED, AND MATT BEVIN, THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED GENERAL ASSEMBLY, DID EXEMPT TEACHERS AND DID TAKE THE RAISE FOR THEM OUT OF THE BUDGET, SO SOME VIEW THAT AS PART OF A SMACK A TEACHERS WHO HELPED BESHEAR GET IN OFFICE.

>> Bill: AND COLEMAN, HOSE THE GLOVER WHO ALSO TOLD ME IN THAT -- LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SHE DOES EXPECT TO BE GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S RUNNING MATE NEXT YEAR, ALSO IS STOKING THAT, KEEPING THAT GOING.

>> Deborah: FORMER TEACHER HERSELF.

SHE'S GOT A VOICE THE IN MATTER.

>> Bill: FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GOFORTH WHO GOT ALMOST 39 PERCENT OF THE VOTE IN THE 2019 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR WHOSE PLEADED GUILTY TO HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING.

BILL, THIS INVOLVES, WHAT,.

$207MILLION.

HOW DID THIS PLAY OUT?

>>> DIDN'T $2.7 MILLION.

>> Bill: HE OWNED A PHARMACY IN MAN CHEST WHERE REPRESENTATIVE GOFORTH WAS A TRAINED PHARMACIST.

HAD SEVERAL PHARMACY.

HUNDRED IN MANCHESTER WHERE A STATE INVESTIGATOR NOTIFIED HIM THERE WAS REASON TO BELIEVE WAS SOME FRAUD GOING ON WHERE IT INVOLVED IN A SITUATION WHERE A CUSTOMER DIDN'T PICK UP A PRESCRIPTION, THE PHARMACY WOULD GO AHEAD AND BILL THE INSURANCE COMPANY ANYWAY AND PUT THE MEDICINE BACK ON THE SHELF AND SELL IT AGAIN.

AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAID THAT BETWEEN 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 2016 WHEN HE SOLD THE SARM L. FARM IS IT INVOLVED $2.7 MILLION IN OVERBILLING ETCH MOST OF TO ITS TO MEDICARE, MEDICAID WHICH ISIBLE.

UNDER FUND UPPED BUT ZOOM TO PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

>> Bill: AT SOME POINT HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE WAS WADE MADE AWARE OF IT?

>> Bill Estep: HE WAS MADE AWARE OF THAT HE LOOKED INTO AND IT UNDERSTOOD THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND DIDN'T FIXED IT, AND FROM THAT POINT FORWARD IT WAS ABOUT $1.3 BILLION 1.3 I MILLION DOLLARS IN MILLION DOLLARS WHEN HE GAME CARE OF ME.

PLEAD GUILTY TO ONE COUNT OF HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND ONE COUNT RELATED TO MONEY LAUNDERING.

HE LAUNDERED MONEY ESSENTIALLY.

AND HE HAS AGREED HE WILL NOT APPEAL ANY SENTENCE OVER 37 MONTHS IF THE JUDGE HANDS DOWN NOTHING MORE THAN 37 MONTHS, HE CAN APPEAL THAT, BUT THE REST OF IT, THE CONVICTION AND ANY LOWER SENTENCE HE WON'T APPEAL THAT.

>> Bill: WE KNOW HE GOT 39% ALMOST IN THE PRIMARY.

>> Bill Estep: HE SHOWED WELL.

MATT BEVIN WENT ON TO LOSE THAT RACE IN FALL WHEN EVERY OTHER REPUBLICAN TICKET WON OVERWHELMINGLY, SO IT KIND OF SHOWED THAT HE WAS VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF HIS ATTACKS ON TEACHERS AND SOME OTHER PROBLEMS, SO GOFORTH SAW THAT.

I COVERED HIS ANNOUNCEMENT WHEN HE ANNOUNCED.

HE SAID THAT 57 HAD BEEN SO ANTAGONISTIC THAT PEOPLE WERE TIRED OF.

THAT.

HE RAN WITH MIKE HOGAN AS HIS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RUNNING MATE WHO THAT WAS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IN CANCEROUS LAWRENCE COUNTY.

IT'S INTERESTING SINCE THEN THEY'VE BOTH PLEADED GUILTY ON FEDERAL FRAUD CHARGES.

MR. HARBORING ALREADY SENTENCES IN JULY ON A THEFT CHARGE.

>> Bill: SO WE MOVE IN THAT GOVERNOR'S RACE TO THE NEXT ONE THAT IS COMING UP.

RYLAND, IT LOOKS LIKE THE REPUBLICANS ARE ABOUT TO GET ANOTHER CANDIDATE, CONSERVATIVE NORTHERN KENTUCKY STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAVANNAH MADDOXCH NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

SHE HAS SCHEDULED WHAT SHE BILLS AS A BIG EVENT FOR JUNE 6th.

WHAT WOULD THEY ARE ENTRY DO TO THIS CROWD FIELD?

>> Ryland: SHE IS PROMOTING THIS ON TWITTER, AND THE EVENT IS GOING TO IN BURLINGTON IN BOONE COUNTY WHICH IS KIND OF BECOMING A BIT OF A POLITICAL EPICENTER FOR THE LIBERTY, SO-CALLED LIBERTY MOVEMENT IN KENTUCKY, PARTICULAR BRAND OF REPUBLICAN, MORE CONSERVATIVE ON SOME ISSUES.

REPRESENTATIVE MA DOCCS HAS PUSHED FOR ANTI-MASK AND ANTI-VACCINE MANDATES, A COUPLE OF BILLS THAT WOULD HAVE DONE THAT, AND THE LEGISLATURE ULTIMATELY WERE SUCCESSFUL, SHE WAS ONE OF THE MAIN -- ONE OF THE MAIN POLITICIANS KIND OF BANGING THE DRUM AGAINST GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE.

AND, YEAH, THIS IS A -- IT'S AN INTERESTING DIVISION THAT'S KIND OF HAPPENING WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I MEAN, THAT WAS ALREADY HAPPENING IN LEGISLATURE.

I THINK SAVANNAH MADDOX WAS -- AND SHE WAS REALLY TRYING TO BUCK SOME OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP, ESPECIALLY IN THE HOUSE.

SHE'S ABOUT TO GET A COUPLE MORE LIBERTY, SO-CALLED LIBERTY OF HAD MINDED COLLEAGUES AFTER SOME -- OR PROBABLY WILL AFTER THE PRIMARY.

>> WAS SHE ENCOURAGED BY THOSE WINDS IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY?

>> Ryland: I IMAGINE SHE IS AND I IMAGINE SHE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT DURING HUR ANNOUNCEMENT.

I THINK THAT ANYBODY WHO IS KIND OF WATCHING THIS CAN SEE THAT THERE IS A POINT IN WHICH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS KIND OF GOTTEN SO LARGE IN KENTUCKY THAT YOU START TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SOME OF THE FACTIONS.

WE'RE JUST LOOKING AT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WE HAVE 75 OUT OF 100 REPUBLICAN SEATS.

INEVITABLY THERE IS SOME PRESSURE WHEN YOU GET ENOUGH PEOPLE TO START FORMING LIKE-MIND GROUPS.

AND SAVANNAH MADDOX HAS BEEN TRYING TO DO THAT.

GRANTED, SHE'S GOING TO BE HOPPING INTO AN INCREASINGLY CROWDED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RACE FOR GOVERNOR, WHICH WE'RE LOOKING A THIS IS 2023, AND THERE'S PROBABLY ONE OR TWO OTHER PEOPLE AT LEAST THAT WILL HOP INTO THAT RACE, AND MAYBE AT LAS ONE OF THEM BEING A VERY WELL-FUNDED CANDIDATE.

>> Bill: BILL, A MAN WHO RECEIVED A KNEW CASE FROM FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON.

>> Bill Estep: THIS IS DAYTON JONES.

HE WAS CONVICTED IN STATE COURT OF TAKING MART IN A SEXUAL ASSAULT OOH AN UNCONSCIOUS 15-YEAR-OLD AT A PARTY.

GOVERNOR BEVIN PARDONED HIM.

IT WAS ONE OF HIS -- HE PARDONED SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE IN THE FINAL DAYS OF OIS- IN HIS TERM IN 2019.

SOME OF THEM WERE REALLY CONTROVERSIAL.

THIS WAS ONE OF THEM.

JONES HAD SERVED ABOUT THREE YEARS I THINK OF A 15-YEAR SENTENCE.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT A FEW MODS LATER INDICTED HIM ON A CHARGE -- HE TOOK A VIDEO OF THIS ASSAULT AND POSTED ON IT SNAPCHAT SO THEY CHARGED HIM WITH PRODUCTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND HE WAS RESENTENCED RECENTLY IN FEDERAL COURT.

HE WAS -- HE WAS ARGUING THAT HE SHOULD GET CREDIT FOR THE TIME HE SERVED IN STATE COURT, BUT THE FEDERAL JUDGE DID NOT GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR THAT.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT KENTUCKY'S INTERESTING FEDERAL DELEGATION.

RYAN TANNEHILL, THIS ONE RYLAND, THIS ONE GOES TO ALABAMA WHERE THERE'S A BIG SENATE RACE.

BE CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS, A CAPED, WILL BE HEADING INTO A JUNE RUNOFF PRIMARY.

HE PROMISES TO OPPOSE SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL AS GOP LEADER.

McCONNELL SENT MONEY TOWN TO ALABAMA TO OPPOSE HIM.

BUT SENATOR RAND PAUL CAMPAIGNED FOR HIM IN MANY BA.

>> Ryland: IT'S ANOTHER ONE OF THESE BIG PROXY WARS WHERE THE BIG INTERESTS ARE NOT IN THE STATE BUT THEY'RE SUPPORTING OR TRYING TO KEEP A CANDIDATE FROM GETTING ELECTED.

SO, YEAH, MO BROOKS, HE WAS VERY ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNING AGAINST McCONNELL REALLY.

HE WOULD HOLD THESE "FIRE McCONNELL" TOWN HALLS AND TRYING TO RALLY SUPPORT.

IT GETS A LITTLE BIT BACK TO THE LIBERTY DISCUSSION WE WERE HAVING BEFORE.

MITCH McCONNELL IN TURN, ONE OF HIF SUPPORTIVE PACS DROPPED ABOUT $2 MILLION TO TRY TO PREVENT HIM FROM WINNING THAT PRIMARY RACE.

THIS IS A PRIMARY RACE, REPUBLICAN GOING AGAINST EACH OTHER.

MEANWHILE KENTUCKY'S JUNIOR SENATOR RAND PAUL WAS CAMPAIGNING ON BEHALF OF MO BROOKS.

A LOT OF INSULATION BETWEEN KENTUCKY'S TWO REPUBLICAN U.S.

SENATORS.

BUT IT'S -- I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT REPUBLICAN POLITICS IN KENTUCKY, THAT OUR TWO SENATORS KIND OF REPRESENT A LITTLE BIT OF OPPOSITE SIDES OF THEIR OWN PARTICULAR PARTY.

>> Bill: THINK SPLIT ON THE UKRAINE VOTE AID AS WELL.

>> Ryland: AND ANY OTHER AM THOUGH THINGS ARE.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, THE COURIER-JOURNAL HAS SAID THERE IS A REASON THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS NOT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS FOR THE EASTERN OR WESTERN DISTRICT KENTUCKY.

>> Deborah: YES.

APPARENTLY IT COMES DOWN TO IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S SORT OF HEAD TOWARD POINTING AT McCONNELL.

TYPICALLY THE -- WHOEVER THE TOP CONGRESSIONAL PERSON IS OF THE PRESIDENT'S PARTY GETS TO BRING FORWARD A NOMINATION, AND FOR A LONG TIME McCONNELL CONTROLLED ALL THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS.

BUT NOW IT FALLS TO JOHN YARMOUTH, THE STATE'S ONLY DEMOCRAT.

AND SO YARMOUTH HAS NOMINATED, RECOMMENDED FOR NOMINATION A COUPLE OF PEOPLE, HIGHWAY McCONNELL IS OPPOSED TO THEM AND HIS HIS OWN SLATE.

YARMOUTH SAID McCONNELL IS OBSTRUCTING IT BECAUSE HE'S KEEPING THINGS FROM ADVANCING IN THE SENATE.

SO THERE YOU GO.

>> Bill: SO THOSE WHO WERE IN PLACE, BILL, ARE CONTINUING AT THIS TIME.

>> Bill Estep: IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AND CARLTON IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT MOVED FROM ACTING TO ACTUALLY U.S.

ATTORNEYS.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, KENTUCKY'S NEW ABORTION LAW IS ON HOLD BY A FEDERAL JUDGE.

IF ROE VERSUS WADE IS STRUCK DOWN AS A LEAKED DOCUMENT SUGGESTS IT WILL BE, WHEN IS THAT LIKELY TO COME?

WHAT WOULD BE THE IMMEDIATE IMPACT IN KENTUCKY?

>> Deborah: MOST OBSERVERS EXPECT THE SUPREME COURT TO LUOL ON THIS BY JUNE 30th, WHICH WOULD BE THE END THEIR CURRENT TERM.

THEY'VE GOT ABOUT FIVE CONSECUTIVE WEEKS BEFORE THEN IN WHICH THEY CAN ISSUE OPINIONS AND ORDERS AND SO IT COULD COME ANY TIME, BUT OFTEN THEY SAVE THE BIGGEST FOR LAST.

THEY COULD EVEN GO INTO -- ADD A FEW MORE DAYS TO THEIR CALENDAR AND PUSH IT FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD, BUT THEY THINK MOST OBSERVERS THINK IT'S GOING TO BE BY THE END OF JUNE.

>> Bill: THE BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE HAS BEEN FELT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

THERE IS HOPE THAT WILL IMPROVE SOON BUT A LOT OF FRUSTRATION AMONG PARENTS.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

I.

THERE'S AT LEAST IN KENTUCKY IN THE LOUISVILLE AREA, PEOPLE ARE STILL ABLE TO GET IT.

THEY JUST HAVE TO WORK HARDER TO GET IT.

AND THE GOVERNMENT, THE FEDS TRYING TO DO WHAT NEXT.

IT ALL GOES BACK TO SHUT DOWN OF THIS BIG PLANT IN MINNESOTA, THE ABBOTT PLANT, FOR BASICALLY CONTAMINATION PROBLEMS.

AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SUPPLY HAS COME TO A STANDSTILL, SO THE FEDS ARE TRYING TO, A, IMPORT IT IN-YEAR SEAS, AND, B, LOOSENING RESTRICTIONS TO WHAT EM WITH CAN BUY WITH WIC WHICH IS THE INFANT AND WOMEN PROGRAM WHICH FUNDS A LOT.

>> Bill: THE JIF PEANUT BUTTER RECALL HITS EVERYBODY.

IT'S THE LARGEST PEANUT BUTTER PLANT IN THE WORLD.

>> Bill Estep: THERE WAS A LAWYER, SOME LAWYERS THAT WERE QUICK TO JUMP ON THAT.

THERE WAS A LAWSUIT FILED IN LEXINGTON.

A GUY FROM SOUTH CAROLINA FILED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST JIF FOR CONTAMINATION AND THE PEANUT BUTTER HE BOUGHT.

>> Bill: COVID NUMBERS CLIMBING AGAIN.

WE'RE WATCHING SEVERAL COUNTIES IN THE RED ZONE.

>> Deborah: STATE'S POSITIVITY RATE AT ANY TIME .5% WHICH IS WAY HIGHER THAN THE 5% THEY LIKE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND THERE ARE NOW FOUR COUNTIES THE IN RED, THREE IN EASTERN WIE AND ONE IN MCCRACKEN, THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COVID SPREAD.

HOWEVER, BESHEAR AT HIS PRESS CONFER THURSDAY, EVER GO BESHEAR NOTED THAT HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE STILL RELATIVELY LOW COMPARED TO WHERE THEY WERE AT SOME POINT AND HOPES THAT THAT MEANS PEOPLE AREN'T GETTING AS SICK BECAUSE THEIR VACCINATED.

>> Bill: DEB, LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE DEATH OF A 25-YEAR-OLD MARTY CRYER.

HE WAS SHOT BIAL FEDERAL AGENTS BUT WAS NOT WANTED ON FEDERAL CHARGES.

>> Deborah: RIGHT, AND THAT'S LEFT PEOPLE QUESTIONING WHY THE U.S.

MARSHALS WERE INVOLVED WITH LOUISVILLE POLICE AND GOING AFTER A GUY WHO WAS BEING SOUGHT ON SOME STATE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES, AND HE WAS A BLACK MAN.

HE WAS FATALLY SHOT BY THE MARSHALS.

AND THE VIDEO THEY RELEASED THIS WEEK SHOWED APPARENTLY THAT HE HAD A FIREARM.

IT'S NOT CLEAR WHETHER HE ACTUALLY USED IT OR THREATENED THE PEOPLE PURSUING HIM.

AND LMPD, LOUISVILLE POLICE SAID THEY ROUTINELY WORK WITH MARSHALS WHEN THEY'RE SEEKING FUGITIVES.

THEY HAVE A FUGITIVE TASK FORCE.

>> Bill: BILL, THE HARLEY HEARD IS AMONG THE ORGANIZATIONS TRYING TO MAKE ANY SENSE AMONG THE CONTINUED VIOLIN IN ELECTRICS.

11 HOMICIDES SO FAR THIS MONTH.

>> Bill: INGE 11 THIS MONTH, 21 SO FAR THIS YEAR.

MAY WAS A REALLY BAD MONTH.

WE TALKED POLICE.

THE POLICE REPORTER CHRIS LEECH.

THERE WERE VARIOUS REASONS FOR THIS.

ONE THREAD WAS THAT FIVE OF 11 IN MAY WERE DOMESTICS.

ONE CASE A MAN KILLED HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTERS AND IN ANOTHER CASE A WOMAN KILLED HER TWO DAUGHTERS.

I MEAN, MAYBE THAT GOES BACK TO THE MENTAL HEALTH DISCUSSION WE'VE BEEN HAVING.

BUT, YEAH, FIVE OF THE 11 WERE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS.

>> Bill: YOU HAVE TOUGH TREND.

YOU RYLAND, OHIO'S GOVERNOR MIKE DeWINE HAVE SIGNED A JOINT FOR MONEY FOR THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE CORRIDOR PROJECT.

THAT'LL BE A MASSIVE PROJECT BUT EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO GET THEIR DUCKS IN A ROW.

>> Ryland: THIS IS SUPPOSED TO POSTER CHILD OF THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

THEY'RE ASKING FOR $2 MILLION TO PUSH THIS OVER THE LINE.

THIS HAS BEEN APRON THAT EVERYBODY HAS WANTED TO HAPPEN FOR A LONG TIME.

IT'S BUN ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATE ARTS.

COUNTRY.

SUPPOSEDLY 3% OF THE COUNTRY'S GDP CROSSES THOSE BRIDGES EVERY YEAR, SO THE WHOLE PLAN IS TO GUILD A COMPANION BRIDGE NEXT TO THE EXISTING ONE.

SO IT WILL STILL BE AROUND.

THERE WILL US?

BE MORE LANES.

>> Bill: THERE WAS A BIG CELEBRATION THIS WEEK AFTER KENTUCKIAN NOAH THOMAS WON THE 20th SEASON OF AMERICAN IDOL.

HE WOWED THE AUDIENCE WITH THE SONG "ONE DAY TONIGHT."

THAT'S TOPPING THE CHARTS.

HE'S FROM LOUISA.

HE'S FROM KENTUCKY'S MUSIC HIGHWAY.

THAT MEANS HE JOINS COUNTRIES STABLETON, LAUREN LYNN, CHILLED DRESS AND RICKY SKAGGS AND OTHERS.

>> Ryland: YES, THAN THE KONG A PROUD TRADITION IN KENTUCKY, AND YOU'VE GOT TO SHOUT OUT OTHER PARTS.

WESTERN KENTUCKY HAVE YOU'VE GOT THE EVERLY BROTHERS, MERLE TRAVIS.

WE HAVE THEM FROM ALL OVER THE STATE.

CERTAINLY THAT POCKET IN LAWRENCE COUNTY IS ESPECIALLY PROLIFIC.

>> Bill: BILL MONROE FROM ROSE EVEN.

LOTS OF OTHERS.

AND IT WAS A MOMENT OF BRIDE.

BILL, REAL QUICKLY A COUPLE INITIATIVES IN MANCHESTER CLAY COUNTY TO RECRUIT BUSINESS.

>> Bill Estep: THEY'RE TRYING TO REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN P 37 THEY PAINTED MURALS AND HAVE LOCAL GROUPS THAT DID A LOT OF GOOD WORK PUT THEY'VE GOTTEN A FEDERAL GRANT TO BUILD A NEW FARMERS MARKET DOWNTOWN AND TRY THE ATTRACT MORE BUSINESS AND TOURISM.

>> Bill: REGGIE WARFORD HAS DIED.

THE UNIVERSITY KENTUCKY'S FIRST BLACK PLAYER TO HAVE A FOUR-SEASON CAREER AND GRADUATE.

HE CAME TO UK AFTER GROWING UP IN MULE BORG COUNTY.

HE WAS THE FIRST SIGN E. OOH.

WARFORD COACHED THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS.

HE HAD HEALTH PROBLEMS BUT RAPED CLOSE TO A LOT OF KENTUCKIANS.

HE WAS 67.

SATURDAY MARKS THE 45th ANNIVERSARY OF BEVERLY HILLS SUPPER CLUB FIRE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

ONE 65 PEOPLE DIED THAT NIGHT IN SOUTH GATE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND LARS AND LIVES WERE CHANGED ON THAT AWFUL NIGHT.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

BELIEVER