[♪♪] >> Bill: GOVERNOR BESHEAR AS SPECIAL LEGISLATION SESSION AS KENTUCKY RECOVERS FROM TORNADOES.

A LONGTIME STATE SENATOR SWITCHES PARTIES.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR PLANS MORE OUT OF STATE TRAVEL.

DOES HE HAVE A LANE IN THE 2028 PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST?

NEW LEADERSHIP FOR KENTUCKY'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT WHAT IS AHEAD FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT AND FOR 96,000 STUDENTS?

HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND THAT TAKES US TO JUNE COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

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

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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE BILL ESTEP, SOUTHERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

JESS CLARK, EDUCATION REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING.

AND PHILLIP BAILEY LOUISVILLE BASED CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPOND END FOR "USA TODAY".

FRIDAY BEGAN WITH MORE DEADLY WEATHER IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

A TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN WASHINGTON COUNTY TAKING ONE LIFE AND INJURING AT LEAST A DOZEN PEOPLE.

THE LOCAL LEADERS WERE RESPONDING TO THAT EARLY TODAY.

>> THIS IS A REMOTE AREA OF OUR COUNTY CLOSE TO THE COUNTY LINE AND THERE IS NO TORNADO SIRENS IN THAT AREA BECAUSE IT IS SO REMUTE AND SPARSELY POPULATED.

A GOOD THING FOR THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE ONLY TWO HOMES WERE AFFECTED.

WE HAVE TORNADO ALERTS THAT THE COUNTY SENDS OUT ON CELLPHONES BUT THE RESIDENTS HAVE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THOSE.

AND THE NUMBERS ARE REGISTERED.

AND FURTHERMORE, THE WARNINGS WENT OUT VERY BRIEFLY BEFORE THE STORM HIT.

SO IT SURPRISED A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Bill: SEEMS LIKE THE STORMS JUST KEEP COMING.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ADDS TO THE DANGERS IS OFTENTIMES THE DISASTERS ARE HITTING WHEN PEOPLE ARE ASLEEP.

ANOTHER TOUGH DAY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY.

DAMAGE ALSO IN MERCER COUNTY THIS WAS A STRONG ONE WAS WELL.

>> IT WAS RATED AN EF-2 WINDS 130-MILES-PER-HOUR.

I THINK THERE WAS -- THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF LEAD TIME ON THE WARNING.

THIS COMES TWO WEEKS AGO TODAY THAT TORNADOES HIT RUSSELL, PULASKI AND LAUREL COUNTIES AND KILLED 19 PEOPLE THERE.

IT'S BEEN A LOT OF BAD WEATHER AND TRAGEDY LATELY.

>> Bill: THE RECOVERY IN LAUREL CONTINUES WHERE 20 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES AND MANY LOST THEIR HOMES IN THE HUNDREDS.

NOW GOVERNOR BESHEAR INDICATES THERE MAYBE A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND LAWMAKERS HAVE INDICATED THEY ARE READY TO ANSWER THE CALL IF AND WHEN THAT COMES.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: CERTAINLY BEFORE WE SET ANY DATE WE WOULD TALK TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY I WILL NOT CALL A SESSION UNLESS LEADERSHIP IS FOR IT.

AND MAKE SURE IF WE DO IT IT'S SUCCESSFUL AND THAT THEY FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE ENOUGH TO BE CONFIDENT IN IT.

>> I'M GOING TO LEAVE THAT UP TO THE LEADERSHIP, THOSE DECISIONS ARE MADE BY HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP.

AGAIN, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS SHOWN WE CAN REACT QUICKLY WE'VE HELPED WITH THE WESTERN KENTUCKY ISSUES AND THE EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOODING AND THIS ISSUE WOULD BE ABLE TO BE DEALT WITH AS WELL.

>> Bill: WE'VE BEEN PRACTICED IN THIS.

BILL, TWO WEEKS LATE EARTH, LONG-HAUL AND PULASKI COUNTIES CONTINUE THEIR RECOVERY.

BUT IT IS A LONG ROAD BACK, RIGHT?

>> YES, THE DESTRUCTION IS SO WIDESPREAD.

I LIVE IN PULASKI COUNTY AND IN SOMERSET THERE ARE 20 BUSINESSES, I MEAN, ONE GOOD THING THERE THE TORNADO HIT AT NIGHT.

IF IT HIT IN THE DAY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE BUSINESSES.

AND IT WAS AT NIGHT IT HIT LAUREL COUNTY THAT SAME NIGHT AND WHEN PEOPLE HAD GONE TO BED SO YOU HAD 17 PEOPLE KILLED JUST IN LONDON.

AND, YEAH, THE DESTRUCTION BESHEAR ESTIMATED AND THE NUMBER WILL CHANGE IN HIS REQUEST 1500 HOMES DAMAGED OR DES ROYED A LOT CONCENTRATED IN THE THREE COUNTIES.

THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

WITH THE BULK OF THEM IN LAUREL COUNTY.

THE SCALE OF IS JUST IS HARD TO IMAGINE.

AND I WAS OUT YESTERDAY IN PULASKI AND THEY WERE RESTORING UTILITIES TWO WEEKS AGO TRYING TO GET THOSE BACK ON.

>> Bill: YOU ARE A CRUSTY NEWSMAN WERE YOU PREPARED FOR WHAT YOU SAW?

>> I DON'T WANT -- I'VE SEEN A LOT OF THIS I'VE DONE IT FOR 40 YEARS AND SEEN FLOODS AND TORNADOES BUT YOU NEVER GET USED TO HOW BAD IT SEEMS AND TALKING TO PEOPLE.

I WAS TALKING TO A YOUNG COUPLE THAT HAD BEEN MARRIED A FEW MONTHS AND HAD A NEW HOME AND IT WAS STRIPPED DOWN TO THE SUBFLOOR.

THEY HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY POSSESSIONS THEY WERE BLOWN SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND YOU ARE DEALING I HAVE TO TALK TO PEOPLE WHOSE LOVED ONES DIED.

THAT IS HARD.

I SPENT SEVERAL HOURS WITH A GENTLEMAN WHOSE WIFE DIED.

>> Bill: MOST PEOPLE WANT TO REBUILD WHERE THEY ARE.

>> WE A THAT AFTER THE FLOODS IN 2022 IN EASTERN KENTUCKY NOT PERRY, WERE THE HARDEST HIT.

SOME PEOPLE MOVED AWAY BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ANOTHER OPTION MOST PEOPLE WANTED TO STAY THERE.

>> Bill: AND MAYBE THERE IS A SLAB TO BEGIN WITH.

>> THAT IS THEIR HOME WHERE THEY WANT TO BE.

>> Bill: PHILLIP, ANY SURPRISE THAT THERE IS SOME TALK OF A SPECIAL SESSION GIVEN THERE ARE CAPS ON WHAT A GOVERNOR CAN DO NOW IN AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE?

>> WELL, NO, I'M NOT SURPRISED.

LOOK, ANDY BESHEAR'S BREAD AND BUTTER AND I THINK KENTUCKIANS REFER TO HIM AS ANDY BECAUSE HE SHOWS UP.

AND HE IS MAKING IT ONCE AGAIN A MARK HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS AS BILL SAID NOT ONLY TO SCALE BUT THESE AS FOLKS OF LITTLE MEANS.

AND THERE'S ONE ISSUE WHERE KENTUCKIANS FEEL THAT ANDY BESHEAR HAS THEIR BACK IS WHEN DISASTER STRIKES AND HE WILL SHOW UP FOR THEM AND CALL THE LEGISLATURE TO DO THE SAME.

>> Bill: AND THEY INDICATE THEY COULD GO ALONG THIS COULD BE A QUICK SESSION AND IN AND OUT IN TWO OR THREE DAYS.

>> I DON'T ANTICIPATE A LOT OF HAMMERING ON THIS.

KENTUCKIANS KNOW KENTUCKIANS NEED TO SHOW UP.

>> I'VE SEEN BESHEAR AND ROBERT STIVERS THE SENATE PRESIDENT, ACTUALLY SPENT PART OF HIS YOUTH IN LONDON CLOSE TO THE AREA WHERE ONE OF THE SUBDIVISIONS WAS HIT AND I THINK THEY ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.

THIS ONE OF SENATOR PAUL'S FIELD REPS SAID DISASTER IS BIPARTISAN.

AND I THINK THAT'S HOW THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR ARE GOING TO HANDLE THIS.

>> Bill: JESS, THERE'S BEEN REPORTING ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF FIRST-RESPONDERS.

A CHALLENGE NOT UNLIKE THAT OF THOSE WHO ARE SURVIVORS OF THE DISASTER.

THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PROCESS WHAT HAS HAPPENED FOR PEOPLE.

>> YES, IT IS.

A LOT OF FIRST-RESPONDERS EXPERIENCE SOMETHING CALLED SECONDARY TRAUMA.

ALL SORTS OF FIRST-RESPONDERS EXPERIENCE THIS.

POLICE, EMS, FIREFIGHTERS, FOLKS RESPONDING TO TORNADOES LIKE THE ONE WE SAW.

AND JOURNALISTS EXPERIENCE SECONDARY TRAUMA.

AND IT'S DIFFICULT YOU MAY NOT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EVENT FIRSTHAND BUT TALKING WITH PEOPLE ABOUT THE DETAILS OF WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM.

OR SEEING VERY TRAUMATIC INJURIES THOSE THINGS CAN PRODUCE TRAUMA RESPONSES IN PEOPLE INCLUDING PTSD.

>> Bill: AND CAN IT BE HELPFUL TO DISCUSS THINGS OPENLY AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS A TOUGH TIME.

>> YES.

I THINK THERE'S BEEN SO HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN AREAS THAT REACHED OUT TO FOLKS TO SAY, HEY, IF YOU ARE EITHER A SURVIVOR OR FIRST-RESPONDER WE'RE OPENING UP MORE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOU.

>> Bill: THE POLITICS IN THIS PROGRAM ARE WEAVING IN AND OUT OF OUR DISCUSSION.

HERE IT IS IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE DISASTER RESPONSE IS SOMETHING WE'VE SAID GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS BEEN ALL TOO PRACTICED AT, HE OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT WANT THE HARDSHIP ON PEOPLE BUT COULD IT BE A USEFUL IMAGE AS HE PURSUES THE PRESIDENCY POTENTIALLY?

>> WELL, I THINK THE OLD LIKE IS YOUR PRESIDENT IS HERE WHEN DISASTER STRIKES.

AND DISASTERS CAN BE HARMFUL FOR PRESIDENTS LIKE ABOUT GEORGE H.W.

BUSH AND HURRICANE KATRINA.

I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO THESE DISASTERS, BILL, THE EXECUTIVE IS WHERE THE ACTION IS FOR GOVERNORS THIS IS WHERE THEY DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES MORE THAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

THERE'S NO PARTISANSHIP HERE YOU GET TO MEET WITH YOUR PEOPLE THEY GET TO SEE YOU IN ACTION.

ALSO THERE IS A NATIONAL CONVERSATION THANKS TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ABOUT FEMA.

IN "USA TODAY" IN NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR STEIN CRITICIZED FEMA SAY TO GO NEEDS TO BE REWORKED.

FEMA SHOWS UP TOO LATE OR NOT ENOUGH.

AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS MADE PAST CRITICISMS OF FEMA I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT IS HIS VISION OF WHAT FEMA SHOULD LOOK LIKE IN FUTURE.

>> Bill: AND BESHEAR IS HEADED TO FLORIDA AND WILL SHARE THE STAGE WITH COREY BOOKER WHAT DO YOU READ INTO THAT?

>> DEMOCRATS WANT TO FLIP AND MAKE FLORIDA A SWING STATE AGAIN.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS GOING TO BE THE HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION NEXT YEAR SO HE IS GOING TO BE IN A PREMIER SEAT TO DO THAT.

HE MET WITH THE FLORIDA DELEGATION DURING THE DNC CONVENTION WHERE HE PROMISED THEY WOULD ELECT A DEMOCRAT IN FLORIDA.

LOOK, I THINK FOR ANDY BESHEAR THIS IS WHERE HE IS GOING TO BE TESTED AND GOING AROUND THE COUNTRY IN THE GUBERNATORIAL RACES LIKE THE DNC CHAIR HE IS GOING TO BE A FACE OF REBRANDING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND YOU ARE SEEING HIM IN FLORIDA MAKING HIS FIRST MARK THERE.

>> Bill: DOES HE APPEAR TO HAVE A LANE EARLY IN THE RACE?

THERE ARE EIGHT OR NINE PEOPLE AND SOMETIMES HE IS MENTIONED AND SOMETIMES HE ISN'T.

>> EVERY DEMOCRAT WHO IS MENTIONED AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE LIKE STEVEN A. SMITH IS TRYING TO FIND WHAT IS THEIR LAND.

FOR GAVIN GAVIN NEWSOM, IS ANDY BESHEAR IS TRYING TO RECONCILE.

WHAT I HEAR FROM NATIONAL DEMOCRATS FOR ANDY BESHEAR HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO OVERCOME AND HIS PODCAST WITH HIS KIDS PART OF THAT STRATEGY THE CHARISMA GAP.

A LOT OF DEMOCRATS SAY HE DOESN'T EXCITE ME LIKE OTHER DEMOCRATS YOU WILL HAVE TO SEE ANDY BESHEAR EXPAND HIS WINGS AND SHOW A FUN ANIER BRIGHTER SIDE OUTSIDE OF THE STRAIGHT LACED POLITICS.

>> Bill: RAND PAUL WAS IN IOWA THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.

IT IS NOT LOST ON ANY POLITICAL OBSERVERS THAT THAT IS THE HOME OF THE IOWA CAUCUSES.

THE FIRST CONTEST OF THE 2028 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND HE RAN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2016.

>> DESPITE PRESIDENT TRUMP FLIRTING WITH THE IDEA OF A THIRD TERM THERE IS NOT TRACTION ON THAT.

FOR RAND PAUL WHO CRITICIZED THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL THAT PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE HE IS REMAINING CONSISTENT THAT THIS BILL WHICH RIGHT NOW THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN WOULD ADD $3.1 TRILLION TO THE NATIONAL DEBT.

WE KNOW HOW RAND PAUL AND THOMAS MASSIE AND OTHERS FEEL ABOUT THAT.

I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO EARLY TO TALK ABOUT RAND PAUL AS A POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.

I THINK YOU SEE HIM AND HE DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF WHETHER ON TARIFFS THE DEBT HE IS NOT GOING TO FALL AND BE FILTHY TO DONALD TRUMP HE IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THE DEBT AND THE FISCAL CRISIS NO MATTER WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAYS.

>> Bill: WE'LL TALK ABOUT THINGS HAPPENING IN STATE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NEW JCPS SUPERINTENDENT.

THE STATE'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT.

JESS, WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING ABOUT THE NEW LEADER FOR THE SCHOOLS IN LOUISVILLE?

>> SO, HIS NAME IS BRIAN YEARWOOD.

HE IS YOU ORIGINALLY FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, A COUNTRY IN THE CARRIBBEAN.

AND HE MOVED TO THE U.S. AT 17 AS A ON A TENNIS SCHOLARSHIP.

HE BEGAN AS A TEACHER IN THE TEXAS SCHOOL SYSTEMS A COUPLE SMALL SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN TEXAS AND BECAME A PRINCIPAL AND ADMINISTRATOR.

AND THEN EVENTUALLY MOVED TO COLUMN COLUMBIA, MISSOURI.

WHERE HE WAS THE SUPERINTENDENT FROM TWUN-2024.

HE LEFT IN 2024 UNDER SOMEWHAT MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.

HE KIND OF ABRUPTLY LEFT AFTER THE BOARD HAD RENEWED HIS CONTRACT FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS AND HE SIGNED AN NDA.

SO HE HASN'T SPOKEN OUT ABOUT WHY HE LEFT.

HE SAYS THAT NDA PREVENTS HIM FROM SPEAKING ABOUT IT.

AND HE TOOK A BUYOUT FOR $667,000.

SO THERE IS SOME CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WE DON'T KNOW THE FULL ALL THE REASONS BEHIND HIS DEPARTURE THAT MADE SOME PEOPLE NERVOUS.

BOARD MEMBERS, FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAY THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

THEY THINK HE WAS FORCED OUT FOR POLITICAL REASONS AND THERE'S NOTHING TO SEE THERE.

AND THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT HIM.

HE RAISED TEST SCORES FAIRLY SIGNIFICANTLY IN COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN MISSOURI.

AND HAS A LONG TRACK RECORD AS AN EDUCATOR.

>> Bill: THERE IS A SHORTFALL AND THEY BELIEVE HE IS SKILLED IN THAT AREA AS WELL?

>> YES.

THE DISTRICT IS FACING $100 MILLION SHORTFALL NEXT YEAR BECAUSE OF ALL THE PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDING EXPIRING.

AND SO THEY WANTED SOMEONE WITH GOOD FINANCIAL CHOPS TO COME AND AND THEY BELIEVE HE IS THE GUY TO DO IT.

>> Bill: HE WAS NOT THE CHOICE OF A TEACHERS' UNION IN A SURVEY THEY DID AFTER THE FORUM FOR THE CANDIDATES?

>> YES, HE WAS BY FAR NOT THE CHOICE IN A SURVEY OF AROUND 800 TEACHERS WHICH IS ABOUT 15% OF THE TEACHERS' UNION MEMBERSHIP, HE ONLY ABOUT 9% OF TEACHERS SAID THEY PREFERRED HIM OVER THE OTHER CANDIDATES.

THREE TIMES AS MANY TEACHERS SAID THEY'D PREFER ANY OTHER CANDIDATE THAN THESE TWO FOLKS.

AND MOST OF THEM PREFERRED ANOTHER FINAL LIZ WHO DID NOT GET THE JOB.

AND YEARWOOD HE KNOWS THAT.

REPORTERS WE ASKED HIM ABOUT THAT DURING A CALL AND HE SAID YES, I'VE SEEN THE POLL AND I'M GLAD PEOPLE WERE HONEST ABOUT THEIR OPINION AND IT SHOWS I HAVE WORK TO DO TO BUILD TRUST.

>> Bill: HE THINKS HE WILL HAVE TO EARN IT.

THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECENTLY PASSED A RESOLUTION TO CUT EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE FUNDING BY $330 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

A LOT OF KENTUCKY SCHOOLS DEPEND ON THE FEDERAL FUNDING.

>> KENTUCKY SCHOOLS GET ABOUT $2 BILLION A YEAR IN FEDERAL FUNDING.

MOST OF THAT IS FOR THINGS LIKE THE SCHOOL MEALS, BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.

FOR LOW INCOME STUDENTS.

ANOTHER BIG PORTION IS TITLE ONE FUNDING FOR STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

AND THEN ANOTHER BIG PORTION IS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

SO IT'S NOT CLEAR HOW THEY WOULD MAKE THESE CUTS WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE BUT WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT CUTTING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR DISTRICTS THAT REALLY RELY ON IT IT'S GOING TO MAKE PEOPLE NERVOUS.

>> Bill: IT MIGHT BE WORTH NOTING IT'S PROBABLY EASIER FOR THE URBAN DISTRICTS TO RAISE LOCAL MONEY THAN IT IS IN THE RURAL AREAS AND THE POORER AREAS OF THE STATE.

>> IT IS.

I'VE BEEN UP IN EASTERN KENTUCKY OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND TALKED TO SUPERINTENDENTS.

THERE'S SOME CONCERN THAT THIS WILL FALL DISPROPORTIONATELY ON SOME OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO RAISE MONEY AS MUCH MONEY LOCALLY AS YOU WOULD HAVE IN MORE AFFLUENT DISTRICTS.

>> Bill: FAYETTE COUNTY SUDDENLY DOING AN OCCUPATIONAL TAX INCREASE IF THEY CAN GET THAT THROUGH.

>> THEY ARE STUDYING THAT AND THERE IS A CONCERN SOME COUNTIES DON'T HAVE THAT SAME CAPACITY TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> Bill: AND LONG TIME STATE LAWMAKER, STATE SENATOR ROBIN WEBB OF CARTER COUNTY IS SWITCHING PARTIES FROM DEMOCRAT TO REPUBLICAN.

SHE SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT SHE RELEASED TODAY SHE DIDN'T FEEL LIKE SHE WAS LEAVING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, SHE SAID IT LEFT HER.

THIS IS AN IMAGE OF HER CHANGING HER AFFILIATION.

THERE SHE IS WITH SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS A REPUBLICAN AND WITH A REPUBLICAN SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS WHO QUICKLY WELCOMED HER TO THE PARTY.

WHAT DOES THIS REFLECT?

>> THIS COULDN'T COME AT A WORSE TIME FOR KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS.

A FEW DAYS AGO THEY WERE FEATURED IN A NATIONAL STORY FEATURING KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR COLMON ELRIDGE ON HIS LISTENING TOUR OF EASTERN KENTUCKY.

IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT YOU HAVE A STATE LAWMAKER FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY SAYING THE PARTY LEFT ME I DON'T WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEMOCRATIC BLAND AND IT GOES INTO NATIONAL ISSUES FOR GOVERNOR BESHEAR AS HE IS MENTIONED FOR A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.

PART OF HIS PITCH TO THE NATIONAL PARTY LOOK I AM A DEMOCRAT IN A TRUMP AREA I KNOW HOW TO TALK TO REPUBLICANS AND WIN OVER PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP.

IN YOUR HOME STATE, GOVERNOR, YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO EXPAND THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT HAD LUCK AT ALL AND LOST ROOTS IN LARGE SWATHS OF THE STATE WHETHER IT'S STATE-WIDE OFFICES OR THE LEGISLATURE.

THE TIMING IS NOT BAD FOR THE KDP BUT UNDERCUTS ONE OF ANDY BESHEAR'S CHIEF ARGUMENTS.

>> Bill: ROBIN WEBB IS KNOWN TO BE MORE MODERATE WAS THERE A FINAL STRAW?

WE SAW I THINK IN HER STATEMENT SHE MADE REFERENCES TO COAL POLICY AND ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> COAL POLICY AND OTHERS.

I DON'T THINK THERE WAS AN EXPLANATION WHAT THAT MEANT.

THERE HAVE BEEN FOLKS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY WHO FELT LIKE DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATIONS UNDERMINE THE COAL INDUSTRY.

AND YOU SAW TRUMP A COUPLE MONTHS AGO SIGN EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT WERE GOING TO HELP THE COAL INDUSTRY A LOT OF ANALYSTS SAY IT WON'T DO MUCH AS LEAST THEY ARE PUTTING THE FOCUS ON.

DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT IN THE NATIONAL LEVEL IT'S THE DEMOCRATIC BRAND THAT IS HAVING A PROBLEM FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY ALL THE WAY TO THE BRONX.

>> Bill: BOTH PARTIES SEEM TO BE BOLSTERING THEIR KENTUCKY OPERATIONS RIGHT NOW.

WE MADE REFERENCE A MOMENT AGO TO COLMON ELRIDGE WHO HAS BEEN ON THAT LISTENING TOUR.

AND THE KENTUCKY REPUBLICAN PARTY ANNOUNCED ZACK JORDAN IS THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HE WAS PART OF THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN IN ARIZONA BUT HE IS A GRADUATE OF WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY CLEARLY BOTH PARTIES KNOW NEXT YEAR IS BIG FOR THE LEGISLATIVE RACES AND IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES.

>> I THINK YOU WILL SEE INVESTMENT HERE.

I'M INTERESTED TO SEE HOW IN 2026 THE TWO PARTIES ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT POLITICS IN KENTUCKY.

JUST MENTIONED ABOUT EDUCATION FUNDING WHETHER IT'S MEDICAID WHAT IS THE EFFECT TO RURAL COMMUNITIES AND FOOD STAMPS AND MEDICAID AND OTHER PLACES YOU HAVE LAWMAKERS BY JOSH HOLLY SAYING THIS IS GOING TO HURT RURAL AREAS IN PARTICULAR.

HUFF'S HAD THE PRESIDENT BE WARNED BY THE PRESIDENT'S SUPPORTERS LIKE STEVE BENNETT SAYING MORE MAGA FOLKS ARE ON THESE PROBLEMS IN THE URBAN AREAS.

I'M INTERESTED TO SEE HOW IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES THESE CANDIDATES AND INCUMBENTS WILL DECIPHER WHAT HELPS AND HURTS COMMUNITIES.

>> Bill: DO THOSE BECOME THE ISSUES AND DOES EDUCATION FIND ITS WAY INTO A U.S. SENATE PRIMARY FOR INSTANCE?

>> I MEAN, I THINK EDUCATION HAS BEEN A HOT BUTTON ISSUE IN LARGER POLITICAL RACES IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

IT'S ALWAYS EASY TO MAKE A CULTURE WAR ISSUE A BIG DEAL IN ANY RACE.

BUT, YEAH, I MEAN I COULD SEE THAT BEING AN ISSUE ESPECIALLY AS PHILLIP MENTIONED WHEN YOU HAVE FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS ON THE TABLE THAT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WOULD MAKE IT INTO A SENATE RACE.

>> A LOT OF THOSE STATES ARE RELIANT ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LIKE IN GEORGIA, THEY ARE NOT HAVING TO DEFEND THE PRESIDENT ELIMINATING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THEY HAVE TO DEFEND THAT IN 2026.

>> Bill: IS THIS SENATE RACE IN KENTUCKY GOING TO BE BETWEEN DANIEL CAMERON AND ANDY BARR OR DO YOU EXPECT THAT FIELD TO EXPAND?

>> NATURE MORRIS HE -- NATURE CONSERVANCY IS TALKING -- NATE MORRIS IS TALKING ABOUT IF HE IS A CANDIDATE.

IF NOT THEN WE WILL HAVE A RACE BETWEEN BARR AND CAMERON WHO IS THE MORE MODERATE AND ESTABLISHMENT IF ANYONE THAT CAN THROW BOMBS IN THE RACE IT'S NATE MORRIS.

>> Bill: THE CANDIDATES THOSE TWO CAMERON AND BARR HAVE BEEN IN THE SOMERSET AREA THEY SEEM TO BE REALIZING THAT STILL THE OLD FIFTH AS WE CALL IT IS VERY IMPORTANT IN A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

>> THE OLD FIFTH WAS CENTERED AROUND SOMERSET, LONDON, CORBIN AND CARTER WAS FROM MONROE COUNTY, FOR MANY YEARS AND HAL ROGERS HAS BEEN THE CONGRESSMAN SINCE SELECTED IN THE 1980s.

THE OLD FIFTH CENTERS AROUND THERE AND IT STILL MATTERS IN REPUBLICAN POLITICS DESPITE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE REST OF THE STATE.

>> Bill: WE GOT EARLY HINTS ABOUT THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION FIVE TASK FORCES WERE SETUP.

ONE IS MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN KENTUCKY TASK FORCE AND WE KNOW KENTUCKY HAS SOME OF THE WORST HEALTH OUTCOMES IN THE COUNTRY.

HIGH DIABETES, CANCER AND HEART DISEASE RATES AMONG THOSE.

ARE LAWMAKERS PREPARED TO WADE INTO THAT AND MAKE THE INVESTMENTS YOU HAVE TO MAKE TO CHANGE THOSE NUMBERS?

>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT.

I THINK WHEN YOU SAW LAWMAKERS TALKING ABOUT THIS TASK FORCE, THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT SKEPTICISM AROUND PHARMACEUTICALS, SKEPTICISM EVEN AROUND VACCINES.

AND SO THAT AND TALK ABOUT LIKE REINING IN THE TYPES OF DRUGS BILLED THROUGH MEDICAID THAT DOESN'T SPEAK TO A POTENTIAL INVESTMENT.

AND BUT THEY ARE IN THE BILL THEY DO TALK ABOUT EXPANDING TRYING TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD, EXPANDING EDUCATION AROUND HEALTHY EATING.

THAT KIND OF THING.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW, THIS LEGISLATURE HAS SEEMED MORE INTERESTED IN CUTTING SNAP BENEFITS AND CUTTING MEDICAID.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WOULD BE PREPARED TO MAKE BIG MONETARY INVESTMENTS.

>> Bill: RECOMMENDED BEHAVIORAL CHANGES MAYBE.

PHILLIP ANOTHER TASK FORCE FOR FOCUSES ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

THAT IS JUST PART OF LOTS OF CONVERSATIONS THESE DAYS.

AND TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO SORT OF GOVERN THAT IS A CHALLENGE?

>> I THINK WE'RE SEEING THAT AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

WE SAW THE FIRST LADY DO A LAP AFTER A BILL SHE WAS SUPPORTIVE OF TO BAN SEXUALLY EXPLICIT IMAGES GENERATED BY A.I.

AND I THINK WE SEE WITH THE TASK FORCE STARTED BY AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE, I THINK WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IS TENSION PERHAPS ON THE RIGHT BETWEEN THE LEGISLATORS AND THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS.

IN THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE A LOT FROM NOW TO THE FINAL VERSION BUT THERE'S $500 MILLION DOLLED OUT FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS TO MODERNIZE IT.

PART OF THE BILL IS THAT THERE IS A PROVISION WHICH WOULD BLOCK STATES FROM REGULATING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

AT A TIME WHEN MANY STATES ARE TRYING TO DO SO.

I'M INTERESTING TO SEE WITH THE TASK FORCE HOW MUCH ARE WE GOING TO SEE KENTUCKY SAY WITH CERTAIN JOB INDUSTRIES AND ATTACKED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WE MAY WANT TO GO IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

>> Bill: BILL, TOUGH NEWS FOR US HERE YOU'RE RETIRING AFTER 40 YEARS AT THE HERALD-LEADER.

I KNOW IT WAS A TOUGH DECISION AND I KNOW IT'S BEEN HARD WORK BUT IT'S BEEN A REWARDING CAREER.

AND YOUR READERS HAVE BENEFITED FROM IT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HE YOU LOOK BACK?

>> I APPRECIATE THAT.

IT'S BEEN A LOT.

I THINK HE'S BEEN A HONOR TO SERVE IN THAT CAPACITY IN MY HOME STATE.

I'VE HAD CHANCES TO GO ELSEWHERE AND I DON'T CARE ABOUT COVERING THOSE PLACES LIKE I CARE ABOUT WHERE I GREW UP AND MY FAMILY IS HERE.

IT'S JUST BEEN A TREMENDOUS HONOR TO GET TO COVER THIS PLACE.

>> Bill: WHO WILL DIG UP THE THINGS YOU'VE FOUND IN THE COURT RECORDS?

>> THEY WILL FIND SOMEBODY ELSE TO DO THE WORK.

>> Bill: IF THEY HEARD EXCESS IN THE HOUSE, PEOPLE BEGAN TO KIND OF SCRAMBLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, BILL.

>> WE KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WRITE.

>> I WILL TRY TO DO FREELANCING AND STORIES.

I DON'T WANT TO SIT AND DO NOTHING.

>> Bill: GO WRITE A BOOK.

>> I DON'T THINK I HAVE THAT MUCH MOTIVATION.

>> Bill: TWO TIME PULITZER PRIZE WINNER IN KENTUCKY JOURNALISM BILL LUSTER DIED HE WAS A PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE CURE CURE COURIER-JOURNAL 42 YEARS HE CAPTURED ICONIC IMAGES OVER THE YEARS GAINING ACCESS TO THE WHITE HOUSE UNDER SEVERAL PRESIDENTS.

BILL LUSTER WAS 80 YEARS OLD.

SUNDAY IS STATEHOOD DAY IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

KENTUCKY JOINED THE UNION AS THE 15TH STATE ON JUNE 1, 1792.

WE'RE CELEBRATING 233rd BIRTHDAY.

WAS THE WESTERN FRONTIER AND 4.6 MILLION PEOPLE CALL KENTUCKY HOME.

THAT IS COMMENT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.