[♪♪] >> IN THE KENTUCKY GOVERNOR'S RACE, A FORUM TURNS FIERY AS SOME REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ATTACK EACH OTHER JUST AHEAD OF THE MAY PRIMARY.

CAMPAIGN AND PACT FUNDRAISING NUMBERS CAN SHOW WHO CAN AFFORD THE MEGA PHONE.

THE A.C.L.U.

FILES A LEGAL CHALLENGE TO PART OF SENATE BILL 150.

THERE IS CONTROVERSY HITTING INTO THE SPLENDOR OF KENTUCKY DERBY WEEKEND.

THE KENTUCKY OAKES FINISHED UP AND "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

>> 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 ARE RYLAND BARTON, MANAGING EDITOR FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO WITH STATIONS IN MURRAY, BOWLING GREEN, LOUISVILLE AND RICHMOND.

JANET PATTON, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

AND O.J.

OLEKA POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE O.J.

OLEKA OTHER ELECTIONS THAT WE WILL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON.

THE WINNER OF THE KENTUCKY OCTOBERS IS MISCHIEVOUS.

AND IT GAME BEFORE A HUGE CROWD THIS EVENING AS THE 149TH KENTUCKY DERBY WEEKEND IS OFF AND RUNNING WITH FANS AND FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

AND WE WILL ALSO BE TALKING ABOUT CONTROVERSIES THAT THE CAME UP BEFORE THIS DERBY WEEKEND LATER.

FIRST, EARLY VOTING BEGINS NEXT THURSDAY AND IT CONTINUES FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AND ON MAY 16TH ALL PRECINCTS WILL BE OPEN IN THE KENTUCKY PRIMARY AND SPARKS FLEW IN THE REPUBLICAN RACE FOR GOVERNOR WHEN INVITED CANDIDATES APPEARED ON A 90-MINUTE EDITION OF "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" WITH RENEE SHAW.

THE CANDIDATES TALKED ABOUT THE ISSUES AND SOMETIMES ABOUT EACH OTHER.

>> AS I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A COORDINATION ISSUE WITH YOUR HUSBAND JOE CRAFT AND THAT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION RIGHT NOW.

BACK TO THE REAL POINT.

>> WE ARE GOING TO LEAVE MY HUSBAND OUT OF IT.

>> THE WHOLE STATE OF KENTUCKY IS FILLED WITH A BUREAUCRATIC MESS I WILL GO IN THERE AND TEAR IT ALL APART AND FIX IT.

>> WE NEED TO LOOK BEYOND A KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD MENTALITY.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A LONG-TERM GROWTH SET FIX PROBLEMS.

>> I UNDERSTAND EDUCATION.

I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF REMOVING THE WOKE IDEOLOGIES OF REMOVING ANYTHING THAT IS AN OBSTACLE BETWEEN OUR CHILDREN, OUR TEACHES AND OUR PARENTS.

>> KELLY, AGAIN HAS SPENT $10 MILLION ATTACKING ME.

WHEN I'M THE NOMINEE I HOPE SHE WILL BE WILLING TO PART WITH THAT MONEY TO HELP ME BEAT ANDY BESHEAR IN NOVEMBER.

>> KENTUCKY HAS NOT REACHED ITS POTENTIAL AND ALL KENTUCKIANS THAT AND WE ARE NOT REACHING WHAT WE ARE CAPABLE OF IT OF.

>> KENTUCKIANS DESERVE CIVIL DISCOURSE.

>> YOU RUN NEGATIVE ADS AND YOU DON'T LIKE WHEN SOMEBODY CALLS ON YOU.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

NOBODY SEEMED TO TAKE NEW POSITIONS DURING THAT FORUM.

BUT CRAFT AND CAMERON TOOK SWIPES AT EACH OTHER.

CAMERON IS GOING AFTER THE MONEY THAT CRAFT IS SPENDING IF THE RACE MOST OF IT HER OWN MONEY.

MEANWHILE CRAFT TRIED TO TIE CAMERON TO THE ESTABLISHMENT CRITICIZING HIM FOR SAYING HE APPRECIATED THE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR COMING TO LOUISVILLE AND ADDRESSING POLICING ISSUE.

RYLAND YOUR TAKEAWAYS?

>> IT WAS AN INTERESTING DEBATE AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT ALL THE MAJOR CANDIDATES WERE ON THE STAGE FOR A TELEVISED DEBATE FORUM WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.

AND THIS IS THE MOMENT IN WHICH THE GLOVES CAME OFF IN-PERSON.

THEY HAVE BEEN GOING AFTER EACH OTHER IN COMMERCIALS AND POLITICAL GROUPS HAVE BEEN DOING THAT DIRTY WORK FOR THEM.

THIS WAS THE TIME THEY HAD TO CARRY THOSE ACCUSATIONS THEMSELVES.

WE SAW THERE THE DEBATE CRAFT GOING AFTER CAMERON FOR HIS -- FOR A DONATION HE GOT FROM A GAMBLING MACHINE COMPANY THAT HIS OFFICE IS DEFENDING A LAW THAT BANS THE MACHINES THAT THAT COMPANY MAKES FROM OPERATING IN KENTUCKY.

AND CAMERON GOING AFTER CRAFT FOR HER HUSBAND'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO A GROUP THAT HAS BEEN AIRING ATTACK ADS ABOUT CAMERON.

>> Bill: AND THE TERM COORDINATION IN THERE.

>> HE IS ACCUSED OF COORDINATION BECAUSE THE GROUPS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO COORDINATE WITH THE CAMPAIGNS THAT WOULD BE WRONG AND HER HUSBAND, IS GIVING 1.5 MILLION OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME TO THAT UP WITH GROUP GOING AFTER CAMERON.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THE FREE RADICAL HERE OF ERIC DETERS WHO HAS NOT BEEN AS PREVALENT STATE-WIDE, BUT HE WAS OBVIOUSLY VERY LOUD AND TAKING UP A THE OF THE TIME IN THIS DEBATE, LEVYING ACCUSATIONS AGAINST CRAFT.

CAMERON GOT AN ASSIST FROM HIM DURING THAT.

SO THERE WERE UNPREDICTABLE MOMENTS.

PLUS THAT DEBATE WAS FORUM WAS 90-MINUTES LONG MODERATED BY RENEE SHAW EXPERTLY THAT WAS A LONGTIME TO SEE THE CANDIDATES HAVING TO TALK THROUGH THE ISSUES AND.

AND ALSO WE'RE SEEING THEM ON THEIR FEET RESP RESPONDING REALE TO POLICIES AND ACCUSATIONS.

>> I THINK IT WAS WILD.

IT WAS FREEWHEELING.

MAINLY BECAUSE THE PAST FEW LIKE MAJOR STATE-WIDE DEBATES FORUMS HAVE BEEN FORUMS AND THEY HAVE BEEN VERY STRICT ON TIME AND POLICY FOCUSED THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE CROSS TALK AND YELLING AT EACH OTHER AND THE INSANITY.

IT WAS INTERESTING TO WATCH THAT HAPPEN FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> Bill: JANET, DO THESE TYPES OF FORUMS AND DEBATES HELP VOTERS DECIDE?

>> YOU KNOW, IT WAS KIND OF STRANGE I FEEL LIKE LIVING HERE IN LEXINGTON MAYBE IT'S DIFFERENT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE BUT HERE IN LEXINGTON THERE'S SOME ENGAGEMENT I DON'T FEEL LIKE THE VOTERS ARE ENGAGED IN THIS.

THERE ARE NO SIGNS UP.

MAYBE PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY DECIDED AND THEY DON'T BOTHER PUTTING UP SIGNS.

MAYBE THAT IS A SIGN THAT NOBODY IS PAYING ATTENTION.

>> AND HUGE PART OF THIS IS THAT THERE'S LOW VOTER TURNOUT IN THE OFF YEAR PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

LAST TIME WE HAD A BIG CROWDED RACE WITH IT WAS BACK IN 2015.

WHEN THE FOUR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES AND TURNOUT WAS ONLY 13% AMONG VOTERS THAT YEAR.

A LOT OF FOLKS THEY GET THEIR SIGNALS ABOUT WHETHER AN ELECTION IS HAPPENING FROM NATIONAL NEWS OUTLETS THEY MIGHT BE CLUED INTO AND THIS IS NOT TOUCHING THE RADAR OF NATIONAL NEWS OUTLETS.

IT'S OPERATING UNDER THE RADAR FOR THE MOMENT.

YOU WILL SEE A COMMERCIAL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT THERE IS NOT LOT OF SIGNS, YOU MIGHT FIND A POCKET IN THE STATE BUT THIS PRIMARY ELECTION IS RUNNING UNDER THE RADAR AND THERE IS A DANGER FOR FOLKS NOT TO SHOW UP AND THAT IS WHEN THE RESULTS CAN BE UNWIELDLY.

THE LAST POLL 20% OF VOTERS STILL UNDECIDED.

WHEN YOU HAVE THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE UNCERTAIN ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

>> Bill: AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHILE HE IS NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE DROPPED AN OFFICIAL OBJECTION YET HE AS SAID 15% IS LIKELY TURNOUT.

85% OF PEOPLE WHO STAY HOME?

>> 85 OF PEOPLE -- 85% OF THE PEOPLE STAY HOME AND DEMOCRATS ARE INCLUDED AND A LOT DEMOCRATS THERE'S NOT COMPETITIVE RACES AND BESHEAR DOESN'T HAVE CHALLENGERS ALTHOUGH THERE ARE OTHER COMPETITIVE RACES DOWN THE BALLOT BUT IT IS NOT FRONT OF MIND AND NOT ROLLING ACROSS THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDS OR AND OFTENTIMES THEIR TV FEEDS.

>> RYLAND DO YOU THINK CANDIDATES COME INTO A SITUATION WITH PREPARED ATTACKS?

THEY WERE LED TO BELIEVE AND THEY WERE ASKED DIRECT QUESTIONS ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR POSITIONS AND THEN ALL OF THEM ASKED RANGE ISSUES THAT OUT THERE IN THE RACE.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ATTACKS?

ARE THEY READY?

>> ABSOLUTELY THEY ARE READY WITH THEM.

AND ONCE THEY KNEW WHO ELSE WAS REQUESTING TO BE ON THE STAGE THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO AND PREPARING TO CERTAIN EXTENT WHAT MIGHT BE COMING FROM THEM.

I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE UNUSUALNESS OF HAVING ERIC DETERS ON THE STAGE I DON'T THINK TOO MANY KNEW WHERE HE WOULD BE COMING FROM WITH ATTACKS AND HE LAID INTO THEM THE WHOLE 90 MINUTES.

>> OLIVIA, ALAN KECK THE SOMERSET MAYOR SAID THE LAST 10 MINUTES IS WHY PEOPLE ARE TURNED OFF TO POLL KICKS.

HE AND RYAN QUARLES HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PLAY THAT CARD WHEN THEY ARE OUT THERE.

IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT THAT WORKS?

OR ARE YOU PLAYING IT TOO SAFE?

OR DO PEOPLE LIKE SAY RYAN QUARLES' CALM DEMEANOR.

>> I THINK IT IS A TOSS UP.

I THINK SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE UPSET ABOUT HOW THAT WHOLE THING PLAYED OUT.

AND KECK IS RIGHT.

THIS IS WHY PEOPLE ARE TURNED OFF FROM POLITICS.

SO THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE DRAWN TO THEM BASED OFF OF THAT.

AND I ALSO WHEN YOU ARE IN A SITUATION LIKE THAT YOU'VE MADE YOUR CASE YOU WILL NOT GO NEGATIVE, YOU WILL BE LIKE THE ADULT IN THE ROOM, YOU LOSE OUT ON AIR TIME.

SO IT'S KIND OF PEOPLE DON'T NOTICE THE QUIET KID.

>> Bill: EVERYBODY DECLARED VICTORY AFTER IT WAS OVER.

SO DID ANYBODY WIN?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY IF ANYBODY WINS ONE OF THESE THINGS.

THERE'S ADDED WITH FANCY FARM YOU CAN ONLY THE MEMORABLE MOMENTS ARE USUALLY THE TIMES WHEN SOMEBODY CREW SCREWS UP AND THERE IS A SIMILAR EFFECT WITH THE TELEVISED DEBATES AND SOMETIMES WHY CANDIDATES ARE HESSTANT TO APPEAR IN SO MANY OF THEM.

I THINK SOMETHING WE SAW THERE WAS RYAN QUARLES AND ALAN KECK STRATEGY OF YOU KNOW, STAY OUT OF THE FRAY.

THERE'S LOTS OF MOMENTS COMMERCIAL WORTHY MOMENTS OF CAMERON OR CRAFT GOING AFTER ONE ANOTHER AND WINCING A LITTLE BIT AND HAVING TO RESPOND GETTING ON THEIR HEELS A LITTLE BIT AND TRYING THEIR BEST TO RESPOND IN A KIND OF CIVIL AND SENSIBLE WAY.

AND MEANWHILE YOU HAD RYAN QUARLES AND ALAN KECK TRYING TO PROVIDE A POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR KENTUCKY.

AND I THINK THERE IS A VERSION OF EVENTS IN WHICH THIS COULD BENEFIT THEM.

THERE'S SOME PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE 2015 MATT BEVIN PLAYBOOK LET OTHERS GO AFTER EACH OTHER AND BEVIN IN THE MIDDLE TOWARDS THE END AND WINNING BY 83 VOTES.

THAT IS A HARD THING TO PLAN FOR WHEN THERE'S SO MUCH MONEY AND ENERGY WITH THE FRONT RUNNING CANDIDATES.

>> Bill: WINNERS WHAT DID YOU THINK?

JANET?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS A WINNER.

I THINK THE UNFORTUNATE THING FOR RYAN QUARLES IS THAT ALAN KECK WAS THERE.

BECAUSE RYAN QUARLES IS A KNOWN QUANTITY HE IS THE SAME GUY AND THE REST OF THEM CAN LOOK AT THE OTHERS AND SAY, TURN ME OFF I WANT SOMEBODY SANE.

AND ALAN KECK IS SITTING THERE HE IS NEW.

THE ONLY UPSIDE FOR KECK REALLY TO ME.

>> Bill: OLIVIA?

>> I DON'T THINK THERE WAS A WINNER.

I THINK THERE WAS A LOSER AND THE UNDECIDED REPUBLICAN VOTER.

WHO THIS WAS ONE OF THE THEIR LAST CHANCES TO GET TO KNOW THE CANDIDATES.

AND I DON'T THINK THEY GOT THAT.

>> Bill: MAYBE RENEE SHAW WAS THE WINNER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> .

>> Bill: SHE DID A GREAT JOB.

AND THIS MAYBE A MEDIA CENTRIC OBSERVATION AND QUESTION, WHY DO CANDIDATES IT'S HARD TO SET THE DEBATES UP.

AND VARIOUS OUTLETS TRY TO HAVE EVENTS AND GET THOSE ISSUES AND CANDIDATES OUT THERE, AND THE CANDIDATES OFTEN RESIST OR WON'T BE ON IF ONE OTHER CANDIDATE IS ON OR THIS SORT OF THING.

WHY WOULD ANY CANDIDATE DECLINE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET IN FRONT OF THAT MANY VOTERS?

>> I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF SOUL SEARCHING ON THIS TOPIC AMONG FOLKS IN THE JOURNALISM WORLD AND AMONG CANDIDATES.

BECAUSE AS THERE'S YOU KNOW, THERE'S LESS AND LESS COVERAGE AND ATTENTION PAID TO LOCAL RACES, AS TIME GOES ON, THERE IS YOU KNOW THERE'S MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CANDIDATES TO JUST CONTROL THE MESSAGE THEMSELVES THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AND THROUGH ADVERTISING.

AND I THINK WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF CASES WITH POLITICIANS IN RECENT YEARS WHERE THEY ARE DECLINING TO REALLY JOIN IN ON THE CONVERSATION.

THE PEOPLE WHO LOSE OUT IN THE EVENTS ARE THE VOTERS ARE THE CITIZENS OF KENTUCKY AND THE COUNTRY.

AND YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT FOLKS NEED TO HOLD THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND POLITICIANS ACCOUNTABLE FOR DEMAND TO HEAR WHERE THEY STAND ON CERTAIN ISSUES AND THAT THEY SHOW UP.

THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF THE THINGS RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S NOT READING A LOT OF TIMES AND CANDIDATES KNOW IT AND SO AND THERE ARE MORE AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY ARE DECLINING TO DO THAT AND NOT ACCOUNTABLE FOR IT.

>> Bill: NEW ADS IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE SOME PAID BY CANDIDATES AND PACS, AND CAMERON HAS A NEW AD THAT SEEMS MORE POINTED AT THE FALL CRITICIZING PRESIDENT BIDEN AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYING HE WORKED TO BLOCK THEIR POLICIES.

>> HELP BIDEN AND BESHEAR ACCOUNTABLE OVER ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, ABORTION, THE WAR ON COAL, AND OF COURSE WE STOP THEIR VACCINE MANDATES.

WHEN BIDEN AND BESHEAR VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION I FIGHT BACK.

>> Bill: JANET, CAMERON HAS RAISED $1.5 MILLION.

IS HE LOOKING BEYOND THE PRIMARY?

OR IS HE TRYING TO POSITION HIMSELF IN THAT AD IN A WAY THAT REPUBLICANS WOULD WANT HIM TO BE THEIR NOMINEE.

>> HE IS SPRINTING STRAIGHT TO THE FINISH LINE.

HIS TARGET WAS NOT KELLY CRAFT IT WAS ANDY BESHEAR.

>> Bill: THE LATE STRATEGY GOING ON.

KELLY CRAFT WILL HAVE A SURROGATE IN THE STATE NEXT WEEKEND.

TEXAS SENATOR TED CRUZ WILL DO A GET OUT THE VOTES EVENT.

CRUZ DID WELL IN THE PRESIDENTIAL CAUCUS IN KENTUCKY.

CRAFT'S COUNTING ON THAT TO PROVIDE A BOOST, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

TED CRUZ OBVIOUSLY HAS A TON OF NAME RECOGNITION.

AND YOU CAN EASILY ARGUE AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE THAT KELLY CRAFT DOES NOT HAVE THAT NAME RECOGNITION AND THAT HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE FOR HER.

ANYTIME YOU CAN HAVE THAT KIND OF BOOST I THINK IT WOULD HELP.

>> Bill: A CHALLENGE TO CRAFT'S RESIDENCY WAS DISMISSED BY A JUDGE.

>> ERIC DETERS THE SUSPENDED NORTHERN KENTUCKY CANDIDATE, WHO IS FEATURED IN THE DEBATE ON MONDAY, ON THAT SAME DAY FILED A COMPLAINT ALLEGING THAT KELLY CRAFT IT DOES NOT CURRENTLY RESIDE IN KENTUCKY A JUDGE RULED AGAINST THAT AND HE ACCORDING TO THE COURT FILING AGREED AS WELL.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISQUALIFYING THING FOR HER BUT THINGS WILL PROCEED AS NORMAL.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR GETS THE SPOTLIGHT OF THE DERBY HE WILL PRESENT THE TROPHY ON NATIONAL TELEVISION.

HE EXPECTS TO COME AWAY EASILY WITH THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION.

HE RAISED ALMOST $7 MILLION FOR THE FALL CAMPAIGN.

DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE HIM GET ROLLING AS SOON AS THE PRIMARY IS OVER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HE IS SITTING BACK WAITING BIDING HIS TIME BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, HE DOESN'T HAVE TO BREAK A SWEAT.

>> Bill: DOWN BALLOT RACES WE ARE WATCHING A COUPLE OF THOSE CERTAINLY THERE ARE CONTESTED REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES FOR STATE TREASURER AND AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER.

>> IF THERE WASN'T ENOUGH INTERESTING ON THE TOP OF THE BALLOT IN THE TREASURER'S RACE OFTEN A THIS IS A RACE THAT PEOPLE HAVE RUN FOR OFFICE FOR TREASURER SAYING THEY WANT TO ABOLISH IT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T DO A LOT.

THE THREE CANDIDATES IN THE RACE HASN'T BEEN EXPENSIVE, A BIG AD ATTACK AD RACE.

ACCUSING EACH OTHER OF BEING TOO WOKE.

MARK METCALF THE ATTORNEY, HE DROPPED ABOUT $200,000 ON ADVERTISING THIS WEEK.

O O.J.

OLEKA A FORMER STAFFER IN THE TREASURER'S OFFICE HE HAS BEEN DEFENDING AGAINST ATTACKS FROM COOPER WRITER AN ELECTION DENIER AND ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO IS GOING AFTER ANDY BESHEAR DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IT'S BECOME A MESSY AFFAIR.

I THINK ALSO IN THE.

>> AG RACE?

>> THE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RACE.

>> EAST-WEST THERE.

>> HOUSE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER REPUBLICAN IN KENTUCKY WHO IS CREDITED WITH RECRUITING A LOT OF THE CANDIDATES FOR WHEN REPUBLICANS WON CONTROL OF THE HOUSE IN 2016 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY A CENTURY, HE LOST A PRIMARY ELECTION BACK IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR AMID TEACHER PROTESTS TO A REPUBLICAN TEACHER.

HE IS RUNNING AGAINST RICHARD HEATH A REPUBLICAN STATE LEGISLATOR FROM MAYFIELD WHO WANT FOR AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER IN 2015.

THESE ARE FORMER COLLEAGUES.

THEY ARE ALSO ON THE AIR WITH LOTS OF AD TSZ.

JONATHAN SHELL HELPED MANAGE MITCH McCONNELL'S REELECTION CAMPAIGN HE IS TRYING TO GET BACK INTO THE RACE AND TO POLITICS.

YES, HE IS FROM GARRET COUNTY, EASTERN SIDE OF THE STATE AND HEATH FROM MAYFIELD.

>> Bill: SECRETARY OF STATE FACES A PRIMARY.

>> TRUE.

INCUMBENT MIKE ADAMS WHO HAS BEEN GIVEN PRAISE FOR BIPARTISAN WORK IN RUNNING ELECTIONS IN KENTUCKY, ESPECIALLY DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, WORKING WITH DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR BESHEAR IN MAKING IT EASIER TO VOTE BUT ALSO AS HE WOULD POINT OUT MORE SECURE AS WELL.

HE IS RUNNING AGAINST A PERENNIAL CANDIDATE STEVE NIPPER A FORMER STAFFER FOR FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAMPTON.

ALSO ANOTHER PERSON WHO HAS BEEN DENYING THE RESULTS OF THE 2020 ELECTION AND RAISING CONSPIRACY THEORIES ABOUT THE ELECTION BUT GETTING A LOT OF SUPPORT AMONG THE LIBERTY WING OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THE HERALD LEADER DID A STORY WITH SECRETARY OF STATE ADAMS WHICH HE IS SAYING LISTEN I COULD LOSE THIS RACE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE DOWN BALLOT RACES AND THIS IS CRITICAL OFFICE THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER.

>> Bill: AND COINCIDING WITH A AFTER Dr. RALPH WENT TO TENNESSEE TO RUN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

>> THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER THERE.

THIS IS IN THE CENTRAL KENTUCKY WINCHESTER AREA.

SO THERE'S ROBERT SAINT THE DEMOCRAT, GREG ELKINS THE REPUBLICAN AND INDEPENDENT RICHARD HENDERSON.

THIS IS ONE IN THE PAST DEMOCRATS USED TO FEEL LIKE THEY HAD A CHANCE IN WINNING THIS RACE.

I THINK IT DID BECOME MORE SAFER FOR REPUBLICANS AFTER REDISTRICTING THIS LAST GO AROUND.

BUT THIS WILL BE ANOTHER ELECTION ON THE BALLOT FOR FOLKS IN THE LEXINGTON, WINCHESTER CENTRAL KENTUCKY AREA.

>> Bill: ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING AREAS MADISON COUNTY WILL HAVE A COUNTY WIDE ALCOHOL VOTE AND THAT WILL MAKE A DECISION FOR EVERYBODY THERE.

RICHMOND IS FULLY WET.

MARIA HAS BEEN WET.

>> VERSUS A COLLEGE TOWN, TOO.

BUT THE REST OF THE COUNTY COULD PUSH THEM TO BECOME WET AND THE REST OF THE COUNTY COULD BE OPENED UP FOR MORE DEVELOPMENT OUTSIDE OF THOSE CITIES.

>> Bill: WE'LL WATCH THAT.

EVERYBODY KNEW IT WAS COMING AND THIS WEEK THE A.C.L.U.

OF KENTUCKY FILED A LEGAL CHALLENGE TO CONTROVERSIAL SENATE BILL 150, THAT LAW DEALS WITH YOUTH TRANSGENDER ISSUES FROM PRONOUNS TO BATHROOM RULES TO DISCUSSIONS THAT ARE BARRED IN CLASSROOMS AND IT ALSO ADDRESSES GENDER AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE PROCEDURES IN THE STATE.

OLIVIA, IS THAT THE AREA THAT THAT LAWSUIT ZEROED IN ON?

>> YEAH, IT DOESN'T JUST TALK ABOUT ALL OF THE SECTION OF THE BILL DEALING WITH GENDER AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE IT SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT HORMONE THERAPY AND PUBERTY BLOCKERS.

THERE IS A SECTION BANNING SURGICAL PROCEDURES.

THEY ARE NOT CHALLENGING THAT.

SO IT'S JUST A TINY SUBSECTION OF THE LAW THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO BLOCK.

>> Bill: THEY DID NOT FILE FOR AN INJUNCTION BUT CANDIDATED THAT COULD BE COMING?

>> RIGHT THEY HAVE NOT DONE THAT YET AND SAID IN A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK THEY ARE EXPECTING TO DO THAT OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>> Bill: WE WILL BE WATCHING THAT.

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY IS ENORMOUS CLOSE TO $400 MILLION IN SPENDING AND $50 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE AS FANS VISIT OUR STATE, STAY IN HOTELS AND EAT, DRINK AND ENJOY ALL THAT THE REGION HAS TO OFFER.

JANET, IT'S HARD TO OVER STATE THE ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DERBY INCLUDING THE EXPOSURE FOR THE STATE?

>> YEAH.

I THINK PEOPLE FORGET OUTSIDE OF KENTUCKY, THIS IS THE ONLY HORSERACE THAT EXISTS.

I MEAN I THINK WE JUST SORT OF FEEL LIKE -- TO THE REST OF THE WORLD THIS IS THE ONLY ONE.

I MEAN I'M -- IN ENGLAND THEY HAVE SOME TOO BUT THIS IS IT.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR WAS CAPITALIZING ON THAT AND THE EQUINE INDUSTRY GENERATES 6.5 BILLION MORE THAN 60,000 JOBS.

THAT SEEMS A LITTLE BIT HIGH.

I'M SURE IT IS A LOT.

AND A LOT OF MONEY IS BET.

A RECORD AMOUNT WAS BET LAST YEAR ON PARRA MUTUAL.

WE DON'T YET HAVE SPORTS WAGERING YET BUT IT SHOULD BE NEXT YEAR.

AND OF COURSE, ALMOST ALL OF THE HORSES IN THE RACE ARE BORN AND BRED RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: A POINT OF PRIDE.

THERE IS A DARK SIDE UNFORTUNATELY GOING INTO THE JOYOUS WEEKEND SEVERAL HORSES ARE DIED AND THE INDUSTRY IS WORKING TO DEAL WITH THAT?

>> RIGHT, HERE IS CHURCHILL THAT WANTED TO DEBUT THE NEW GRANDSTAND ON THE FIRST TURN AND KICKOFF THE 150TH DERBY CELEBRATION.

AND WHAT HAPPENS IS FIVE HORSES DIED OVER THE LAST WEEK OR SO INCLUDING ONE HORSE THAT WAS IN THE DERBY GOING TO BE IN THE DERBY WHO SUFFERED AN INJURY HAD TO BE EUTHANIZED AND TWO HORSES FROM ONE TRAINER JUST DROPPED DEAD.

WHICH I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE IS VERY BAD.

AND LOOKS REALLY BAD.

SO CHURCHILL AND THE STATE COLLECTIVELY MADE THE DECISION TO TAKE THE REMAINING HORSE THAT HE HAD OUT OF THE DERBY CAN'T RUN ANY HORSES BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN LIVE ON NBC ON SATURDAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Bill: CONGRESS PASSED THE HORSERACING INTEGRITY AND SAFETY ACT BUT IT HAS NOT ROLLED OUT?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

IT KEPT FACING COURT CHALLENGES BUT THE F.C.C.

SAID IT WILL KICK IN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE DERBY AND IT WILL MAKE A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR ANTI-DOPING AND PENALTIES.

>> Bill: WE SWIFTED TO WASHINGTON FOR A MOMENT AND MITCH McCONNELL HOPING THAT SPEAKER McCARTHY AND PRESIDENT BIDEN WORK SOMETHING OUT ON THE FEDERAL DEBT CEILING.

>> SO FAR McCONNELL HAS BEEN INSISTENT THAT THE PRESIDENT NEEDS TO BE NEGOTIATING WITH THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

McCONNELL IS IN CONTROL OF THE SENATE.

WHY DID YOU NEED TO BE NEGOTIATING THROUGH ME?

BUT BIDEN HAS BEEN WANTING McCONNELL TO COME TO THE TABLE THEY HAVE A HISTORY OF NEGOTIATING TOGETHER.

AND PLUS, REPUBLICANS ARE DEALING WITH A VERY SLIM MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RIGHT NOW.

CALLING FOR THERE IS A WING OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT IS CALLING FOR SPENDING CUTS.

THEY ARE OUT OF STEP WITH PERFECT THE PRESIDENT IS AT.

SO WE'RE GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE DEADLINE I'M SURE THAT McCONNELL WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE HE IS TRYING TO GET OTHER FOLKS INVOLVED.

>> Bill: NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE IT WOULD NOT BE GOOD.

JANET, NELSON COUNTY VOTED TO TEMPORARILY BLOCK A BOURBON WAREHOUSE CONSTRUCTION.

>> IT IS A STRIKING MOVE TO SEE THE HOME OF BOURBON PUMP THE BRAKES ON THIS FOR 30-60 DAYS WHILE THEY REEVALUATE THE ZONING AND MAY PUT RESTRICTIONS WHERE WAREHOUSES CAN GO THAT WOULD BE MEANINGFUL FOR HEAVEN HILL, AND JIM BEAM AND THE OTHER DISTILLERS IN THE AREA.

>> Bill: AND YOU WERE BREAKING A STORY ABOUT McGEE'S BAKERY.

>> SAD NEWS IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO TOMORROW GO TO MAIN STREET McGEE'S IS CLOSING AFTER 67 YEARS IN BUSINESS.

BUT THEY WILL BE OPEN ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AS LONG AS THE BISCUITS HOLD OUT YOU CAN STOP BY AND SAY GOOD-BYE.

>> Bill: AND THEY ARE DONE AFTER THIS WEEKEND.

ALL RIGHT.

DERBY WINNERS.

OLIVIA YOU SAID YOU WILL TELL US WHO WILL WIN THE DERBY.

>> I'M HESITANT BECAUSE I'M NOT A HORSE GIRL AND THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY ISSUES AND SCRATCHES.

BUT RIGHT NOW I'M GOING FOR ROCKET CAN BECAUSE IT IS A ROCKET CAN AND NOT A ROCKET CANNOT.

>> I'M SO ASHAMED I HAVE NOT DONE MY LAST-MINUTE CRAMMING THE DERBY SHEET BUT I WILL BE TOMORROW MORNING.

MORNING.

>> Bill: JANET?

TAPIT TRICE, FORTE AND MAYBE SOMEBODY OUTSIDE LIKE DISARM.

I GO FOR THE STORYLINE THAT I WANT TO WIN.

AND -- >> I'M TAKING JANET'S PICKS.

>> .

>> Bill: I HEARD FORTE.

THIS IS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SECRETARIATE AND THE 35 ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAST TIME A PHILLY WON WINNING COLORS WAS A FAVORITE HORSE OF TRAINING D. WAYNE LUCAS BECAUSE SHE GAVE HIM HIS FIRST DERBY WIN.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.