[♪♪] >> Bill: FRANKFORT PLANS FOR INAUGURATION DAY AND SOME CHANGES IN THE SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF ANDY BESHEAR.

COUNTDOWN TO THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHERE THE ISSUES INCLUDE A STATE BUDGET, POSSIBLE EXCEPTIONS TO THE STATE ABORTION BAN, AND SCHOOL CHOICE.

KENTUCKY'S AUTO INDUSTRY LOOK AS HEAD AFTER A MAJOR STRIKE IS SETTLED.

BATTERIES MAY GET CHEAPER AND TOYOTA FOCUSES ON HYBRIDS.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING OFF AND RUNNING.

HOW WILL THE STATE'S RETAILORS DO THIS SEASON?

PUT OUR THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS.

COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

>> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

A LOOK BACK AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND ON THIS THANKSGIVING EDITION, A CHANCE TO TAKE STOCK OF THE YEAR AND TO LOOK AHEAD.

THIS PROGRAM WAS TAPED TUESDAY NIGHT NOVEMBER 21, TO GIVE THE KET STAFF AND OUR PANELISTS A CHANCE TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAY.

AND THE GUESTS ARE ON PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS ARE McKENNA HORSLEY POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LAND LEARN.

ALEX ACQUISTO REPORTER FOR THE ALEX ACQUISTO LEADER.

AND CHRISTIAN MCDANIEL REPORT CHOS OTTA.

REMEMBERING ROSILYN CARTER INCLUDING A TRIP TO BUILD HOUSES IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

BUT FIRST, PLANNING FOR KENTUCKY'S INAUGURATION DAY ON DECEMBER 12TH IS UNDERWAY AND IT WILL MIX TRADITION WITH NEW THINGS.

McKENNA, THIS IS A SECOND INAUGURATION FOR ANDY BESHEAR.

THERE SEEMS TO BE THIS EFFORT TO MAKE IT A BIG DAY AND SHOWCASE FRANCE FOR THE BUT AT THE SAME TIME REALIZE THIS IS A CONTINUATION.

>> RIGHT.

SO DOWN BALLOT IN SOME OF THOSE OFFICES ON THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH WILL SEE SOME CHANGE.

BUT THE HEAD OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH WILL BE STAYING THE SAME.

WE'LL SEE BESHEAR TAKE A SECOND OATH OF OFFICE AND IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE IN 2019, THE THEME WAS ABOUT UNITY AND TEAM KENTUCKY.

AND THIS TIME IT'S FORD TOGETHER.

I THINK -- FORWARD TOGETHER.

I THINK WE'LL SEE BESHEAR'S SECOND TERM MESSAGE COME OUT.

>> Bill: A POSTER CONTEST KIDS 6-17 ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN AND THE WINNERS WILL BE INVITED TO THE CAPITOL THAT DAY.

>> RIGHT.

THAT IS PART OF THE FESTIVITIES.

THERE IS A PARADE AND OTHER FESTIVITIES THAT GO ON IN FRANKFORT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO NOT JUST FOCUS ON THE STATE GOVERNMENT BUT THE COMMUNITY IN FRANKFORT AS WELL.

>> Bill: WELL, ALEX, THERE WILL BE CHANGES IN THE ADMINISTRATION.

JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMISSIONER VICTORY READ IS MOVING ON AND THE DIRECTOR GOING TO WORK FOR FEMA.

THESE ARE TWO TOUGH JOBS.

>> THEY ARE HIGH PROFILE JOBS, TOO.

BOTH APPOINTED BY BESHEAR, HE REPLACED DAWSET AS BEING ON A LOT OF UPDATES LAST YEAR AFTER THE TORNADOES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

JUVENILE JUSTICE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS IN KENTUCKY JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, REPORTED SEXUAL ASSAULTS, RIOTS ABUSE AND MISCONDUCT.

BESHEAR APPOINTED HER WITH FAITH IN HER A LOT AFTER IT WAS AIRED CALLED FOR A RESIGNATION AND SHE IS STEPPING DOWN.

THERE'S TURNOVER IN THESE POSITIONS BUT THAT IS THE MORE HIGH PROFILE.

WE'LL SEE WHO HE IS POINTS IN THEIR PLACE.

>> Bill: HE SHOWED UP AND WORKED HARD AND INHERITED ISSUES BUT WHEN IT HAPPENS UNDER YOUR WATCH YOU HAVE TO BLAME SOMEBODY.

>> Bill: CHRIS MOST OF THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FOR A SECOND TERM.

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY JIM GRAY IS GOING TO STAY.

HE LOVES THE WORK, FIND IT IS INCREDIBLY REWARDING.

HIS BACKGROUND IS CONSTRUCTION.

ESPECIALLY BEING ABLE TO DO THE BRIDGE PROJECT AND THE EXTENSION OF THE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY THOSE ARE TWO THINGS THAT FASCINATED HIM AND KEEP HIM GOING?

>> AND THEY ARE TWO THINGS THAT EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEE.

HE'S GOT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND AS YOU MENTIONED HIS MIX OF POLITICAL ELECTED OFFICE EXPERIENCE AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCE CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE MAKE HIM A PRETTY LOGICAL FIT FOR THAT POSITION.

>> THE BRIDGE PROJECT WAS NOT EASY TO PUT TOGETHER?

>> NO.

IT'S FUNDED BY THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW, I BELIEVE.

AND, OF COURSE, IMPORTANTLY WITHOUT TOLLS.

>> Bill: ALEX, BESHEAR WAS PLUNGED INTO THE COVID CRISIS JUST WEEKS INTO HIS FIRST ADMINISTRATION.

AND HAD TO DEAL WITH THE HISTORIC CHALLENGES WE'VE MENTIONED OF THE TORNADOES AND THE FROODS.

DO YOU IMAGINE THAT HE MIGHT BE NOW LOOKING FOR THAT TERM WHERE HE CAN SORT OF SET THE AGENDA RATHER THAN REACT TO CRISIS SITUATIONS?

>> I WOULD ASSUME SO, PARTICULARLY SINCE IT'S HIS SECOND AND LAST TERM.

PROBABLY A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE AND WE HEARD THIS THROUGH REPORTING VOTED FOR BESHEAR BECAUSE OF HIS CALM, COOL HEADED COLLECTIVENESS THROUGHOUT THINGS THAT WERE CONSISTENTLY THROWN AT HIM FROM THE BEGINNING AS YOU SAID.

COVID, SERIES OF NATURAL DISASTERS.

BUT YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE THAT IN HIS POSITION HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF AGENDA THAT HE COULD CARRY OUT RATHER THAN JUST BE REACTIONARY EVEN IF IT HELPED HIM GET REELECTED.

>> AFTER THE ELECTION SOME OF THE DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS THAT I SPOKE TO SAID THAT BESHEAR IS NOW IN A POSITION TO HAVE MORE LEVERAGE WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BECAUSE HE IS NOT BEHOLDENNED TO A REELECTION HERE IN KENTUCKY.

HE CAN TAKE MORE RISKS IF HE WANTS.

BUT HE'S MADE IT CLEAR SOME OF HIS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES INCLUDE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND EXPANDING HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND BROADBAND ACCESS AS WELL.

>> Bill: IT OPENS TO THE DOOR TO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS HOW WILL BESHEAR AND THE LEGISLATURE GOT ALONG AND WE TALKED ABOUT HOW LAWMAKERS SAY THEY WANT MORE COOPERATION AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS IT'S UP TO THE GOVERNOR AND HIS TEAM TO MAKE THAT MOVE.

HE ALSO WE KNOW THE LEGISLATURE IGNORED THE GOVERNOR'S FIRST BUDGET PROPOSAL, PRESENTED THEIR OWN NUMBERS BEFORE HE DID HIS ADDRESS.

SO IS THERE ANY REASON TO BELIEVE, McKENNA, THERE WILL BE MORE COOPERATION?

YOU STILL HAVE THE REPUBLICANS WITH THE SUPER MAJORITY AND KENTUCKIANS HAVE REELECTED A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.

>> RIGHT.

AND THAT'S THE REASON WE'VE SEEN BESHEAR COME OUT WITH HIS BUDGET PROPOSALS EARLY ON IN THE REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

HE IS GETTING OUT AHEAD OF TIME FOR SOME OF THE PAST INSTANCES AS WELL.

BUT, AS FAR AS COOPERATION GOES, YOU KNOW, IS THERE AN INCENTIVE FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO WORK WITH BESHEAR?

NO.

I MEAN, THEY CAN VETO -- IF HE PUTS FORTH A VETO THEY CAN OVERRIDE IT.

>> Bill: WELL, YOU KNOW, GO AHEAD.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY IT'S INTERESTING FROM THE GET GO I REMEMBER DURING COVID THEN CURRENT REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SORT OF BEMOANING THE FACT THAT BESHEAR HAD THE PRESS CONFERENCES HE WOULD TALK ABOUT THINGS AND HEAR DIRECT COMMUNICATION FROM HIM IT IS A NARRATIVE THAT CONTINUED.

AND SENATE PRESIDENT AND HOUSE SPEAKER OSBORNE TOLD US, TOO, I BELIEVE IT WAS OSBORNE THAT SAID WHEN BESHEAR'S DAD WAS GOVERNOR, HE WOULD CALL HIM EVERY TWO WEEKS TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND TOUCH BASE.

THEY WANT HIM TO CURRY FAVOR WITH THEM AS SHE SAID THERE'S LITTLE INCENTIVE FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE SUCH POWER AND SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING WHO ACQUIESCES AND IF THAT CHANGES IN HIS SECOND TERM.

>> Bill: AS WE WATCH THIS OUT IN KENTUCKY, THE LEGISLATURE SAYS IT IS UP TO BESHEAR, HE HAS SAID I TRY TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW IT'S INTERESTING FOR THE CITIZENS OUT HERE TO LOOK AT IT AND THEN TO WONDER, DOES IT MATTER?

WHETHER THEY GET ALONG BECAUSE THE NUMBERS ARE WHAT THEY ARE.

>> THAT IS MY QUESTION.

WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT DOES THE GOVERNOR GET ALONG WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND WHO IS IT THAT MADE THE FIRST CALL, ARE THEY TALKING TO HIM.

IS HE NOT TALKING TO THEM?

HONESTLY, LIKE WHAT DOES -- FOR THE REASONS YOU LAID OUT, THEY'VE GOT THEIR SUPER MAJORITY AND HE'S WELL RUNNING THINGS WHEN THEY ARE NOT IN SESSION.

AND WHAT IS THE INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO WORK TOGETHER?

THE ONLY THING I DID THINK OF IS PERHAPS IS THERE A HORSE TRADING THAT CAN BE DONE.

CAN BESHEAR OFFER APPOINTMENTS THAT HE MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE DO OR FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE IN ORDER TO GET SOME LEGISLATIVE WINS.

BUT THAT'S PURE SPECULATION.

>> Bill: SHARING CREDITS SEEMS TO BE THE BIGGEST AND BESHEAR WAS RUNNING A REELECTION CAMPAIGN TO THE FACT THAT HE TOOK A LOT OF CREDIT FOR THINGS THAT THE LEGISLATURE SAID THAT THEY ESSENTIALLY DID OR WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THEM, KIND OF FIGURES INTO THE CALCULUS OF A REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

>> YEAH, AND PERHAPS THERE'S LESS IMPETUS WITH NO REELECTION CAMPAIGN AHEAD FOR BESHEAR, BUT I THINK ALSO THAT'S JUST SORT OF WHAT COMES WITH THE TERRITORY IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

YOU TAKE CREDIT FOR THE GOOD THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AND GET BLAMED FOR THE BAD THINGS.

>> Bill: AND IT IS THE BULLYPULPIT HE CALLS THE NEWS CONFERENCE AND REPORTERS SHOW UP.

>> YES.

>> HE DOES IN HIS FIRST NEWS CONFERENCE AFTER HE WAS REELECTED I BELIEVE, AGAIN, THAT OSBORNE AND STIFFERS WERE SOME TOP REPUBLICANS SAID THEY DIDN'T WATCH IT.

>> Bill: McKENNA WE KNOW ONE ISSUE THAT BESHEAR WILL PUSH IS THE EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN.

WILL THAT BE A TOUGH CHALLENGE IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ALTHOUGH IT MAY HAVE FACTORED IN THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION?

>> ABORTION AND ADDING EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY ABORTION BAN IN CASES OF RAPE AND INCEST WAS SOMETHING THAT BESHEAR CAMPAIGNED ON.

AND HE ALSO RENEWED THAT CALL IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE SEEN THE LEGISLATURE BRIEFLY TAKE UP.

BUT LEGISLATION HAS NOT MOVED FORWARD REPRESENTATIVE JASON DEEM MUST DID PROPOSE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HAVE ADDED THOSE EXCEPTIONS BUT THAT BILL DID NOT MOVE ANYWHERE.

HE SAID AFTER THE ELECTION RESULTS CAME IN, THAT HE BELIEVES THAT SOME PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY DO BELIEVE IN THESE EXEMPTIONS AND LAWMAKERS SHOULD CONSIDER THEM AT SOME POINT.

>> Bill: ALEX YOU HAVE A THOUGHT?

>> IN A STORY THAT AUSTIN HORN AND I WROTE TALKED TO OSBORNE AND STIFFERS AND BOTTOM-DID NOT EQUIVOCATE BUT THEY MENTIONED HOW MEMBERS OF THE CAUCUS WHO WANT TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT ADDING EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST OF WHICH THERE ARE NONE IN KENTUCKY THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO LEGALLY GET AN ABORTION IS IF THE LIFE OF THE PREGNANT PERSON IS IN DANGER.

SOMETHING THAT BESHEAR, A DEMOCRAT HAMMERED CAMERON HARD ON AND WE HAVE POLLING FROM THE POLL BEFORE NOVEMBER 7TH THAT ASKED A THOUSAND KENTUCKIANS WHETHER THEY SUPPORTED THE CURRENT ABORTION BAN AS IS WITH NO RAPE AND INCEST EXCEPTIONS.

55% SAID THEY OPPOSED IT.

IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE AS WE'RE SEEING THE QUESTIONS CROP UP IN STATE-WIDE REFERENDUMS ACROSS STATES, ALL STATES WHO HAVE VOTED ON THIS HAVE VOTED ON THE SIDE OF EITHER LESSENING ABORTION RESTRICTIONS OR INCREASING ACCESS IN SOME WAY INCLUDING KENTUCKY LAST NOVEMBER.

AND SO YOU WONDER IF REPUBLICANS IN THIS MOMENT WILL EQUIVOCATE TO ADMIT THE POLICY THEY HAVE PASSED DOES NOT REPRESENT PUBLIC OPINION ON ABORTION IN KENTUCKY AND LAST THING, LAST SESSION, WHEN AS McKENNA SAID WHEN THE BILL WAS FILED THE QUESTION OF THE COURT CHALLENGE, CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE TRIGGER LAW WHEN THE LACK OF EXCEPTIONS WAS STILL BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES HAD NOT WEIGHED IN YET.

A LOT OF REPUBLICANS SAID LET'S NOT DO ANYTHING QUICK LET'S WAIT-AND-SEE WHAT THE COURT SAYS.

NOW THEY DON'T HAVE THAT EXCUSE.

THE ONUS IS ON THEM TO DO SOMETHING.

>> Bill: TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE HIGH PRIORITIES WILL BE A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT.

DO WE AN ANTICIPATE A DISCUSSION ON SCHOOL CHOICE?

THERE SEEMS TO BE MOMENTUM TO GET AN AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT?

>> WE'VE HEARD IT WILL BE A LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY FOR REPUBLICANS.

WE'VE HAD SENATOR JOSH CALLAWAY, AND LINDSEY TISHNER AT A FAMILY FOUNDATION EVENT IN OCTOBER MENTION THEY WANT TO FILE A SCHOOL CHOICE BILL AGAIN BEFORE WE AIRED McKENNA REMINDED ME THAT CALLAWAY FINDED SOMETHING AND IT DID NOT GO ANYWHERE.

THIS IS A MOVEMENT ON THE PART OF SOME REPUBLICANS TO COMBAT WHAT THEY CALL LEFTIST INDOCTRINATION THEY WANT TO DIVERT PUBLIC FUNDS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THEY TRIED TO DO IT IN 2021 AND THE SUPREME COURT WEIGHED NON-SAID IT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

SO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO NOW IS PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT LET VOTERS VOTE WHETHER THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW THE FUNDING OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THIS WAY.

AND I THINK THAT THAT IS GOING TO BE A BIG PUSH THIS SESSION.

>> Bill: THAT COULD GO TO THE BALLOT ON THE FALL OF NEXT YEAR?

>> RIGHT.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.

>> Bill: AND ANOTHER THING WE'RE WATCHING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPARENTLY IS CLOSE TO NAMING A SEARCH COMMITTEE AS IT LOOKS FOR A NEW KENTUCKY EDUCATION COMMISSIONER.

WE THOUGHT THEY WERE THERE ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO BUT THEN THEY WENT BACK AND TOOK THOSE OFFED TABLE.

>> SHORTLY BEFORE THE ELECTION, THE SCHOOL BOARD DECIDED TO FOREGO ANY OF THOSE PROPOSALS THAT THEY RECEIVED FOR A SEARCH FIRM.

AND THEY WILL MEET NEXT WEEK TO CONSIDER A NEW ROUND OF PROPOSALS FOR WHO THAT SEARCH FIRM WILL BE.

AND THIS IS A PROCESS THAT THEY'VE DONE BEFORE WHEN THEY WERE SEARCHING FOR AN EDUCATION COMMISSIONER LAST TIME.

THEY REJECTED THE FIRST ROUND AND THEN SELECTED SOMEBODY FROM THE SECOND.

>> Bill: CHRIS, WORKFORCE ISSUES CLEARLY CONTINUING CONCERN IT IS A HIGH PRIORITY FOR BUSINESS GROUPS INCLUDING THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER.

WE SEE IT IN NURSING, IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TEACHING AND RETAIL AND OTHER AREAS.

ONE KEY IS CHILDCARE.

AND WE KNOW THAT THERE WERE SOME EMERGENCY MONEY AVAILABLE AFTER COVID THAT IS NOW GONE.

CHILD ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE HOPING TO PUSH FOR MORE IN THAT AREA.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR WANTS UNIVERSAL PRE-K. IS CHILDCARE LIKELY TO BE A BIG DISCUSSION?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF WE COULD SAY BIG DISCUSSION BUT I THINK A DISCUSSION CERTAINLY.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS HAPPENING WHICH YOU ELUDED TO IS ALL OF THIS FEDERAL MONEY THAT FLOODED INTO STATES FROM THE PANDEMIC RELIEF BILLS RELATED TO PROPPING UP THE CHILDCARE SECTOR IS EITHER EXPIRED OR EXPIRING IN 2024.

AND THAT LEAVES A BIG HOLE AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ARE GOING TO BE RAISING PRICES.

IT ALREADY HAPPENED I AM A CONSUMER OF CHILDCARE AND WENT UP FROM 220 A WEEK TO 240 A WEEK.

I KNOW THE NUMBERS WELL AND THAT WAS EARLIER THIS YEAR.

AND THE OTHER THING IS THAT THE LEGISLATURE PUT IN A NEW PROGRAM FOR CHILDCARE WHICH I REPORTED ON EARLIER THIS YEAR, THAT RELIES ON EMPLOYERS AND SAYS TO EMPLOYERS IF YOU MAKE CHILDCARE A BENEFIT FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES, THE STATE WILL MATCH WHATEVER THAT BENEFIT IS.

AND THEY'VE HAD A LITTLE UPTAKE IN THAT PROGRAM.

THEY WILL BE LOOKING AT THAT.

AND ARE THERE TWEAKS AVAILABLE, HOW WILL THAT 15 MILLION THAT THEY APPROPRIATED GET REAPPROPRIATED ELSEWHERE OR CONTINUE ON.

THESE DISCUSSIONS ARE LIKELY COMING.

>> Bill: AND YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT YOUR FIGURES FROM THE LOUISVILLE AREA KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES ALSO IN THE KIDS COUNT IDENTIFIED SEVERAL AREAS IN KENTUCKY THAT ARE CHILDCARE DESERTS WHERE THERE'S WOULD BE NO AVAILABILITY.

>> IT'S JUST A HARD BUSINESS, BILL.

AND THE MAIN REASON IS THERE'S A LOT OF LIABILITY INVOLVED AND IT'S MAINLY THE WAGES OF THE PEOPLE WHO DO THE WORK.

AND THOSE HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN REALLY LOW WAGES FOR WHAT IS A HARD JOB.

I LOOK AT THE DAYCARE WORKERS THAT I LEAVE MY KIDS WITH I COULDN'T LAST IN THEIR JOBS FOR A DAY.

AND THEY DO NOT MAKE VERY MUCH MONEY.

THEY MAKE MORE MONEY NOW IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, SALARIES HAVE GONE UP SOMETHING LIKE $20 AN HOUR IN LOUISVILLE IS WHAT I'M SEEING IS COMMON.

BUT THAT IS REALLY THE MAIN ISSUE WITH CHILDCARE IS JUST THAT WITHOUT SOME SORT OF SUBSIDY IT'S HARD TO MAKE THE MARKET FOR IT CLEAR.

>> Bill: THE UAW STRIKE IS BEHIND US THERE WILL NOT BE AUTO WORKERS ON THE PICKET LINES DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

IT WAS A TOUGH NEGOTIATION AND HAD IMPLICATIONS IN KENTUCKY.

>> IT DID, YEAH.

IN LOUISVILLE IS THE BIGGEST CONCENTRATION OF ASSEMBLY WORKERS THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS.

AND THE NEGOTIATIONS HAD RIPPLE EFFECTS AFFECTS AS WELL.

IN GEORGETOWN THERE WAS A DOCUMENT LEAKED THAT SHOWED THEY ARE RAISING THEIR WAGES AROUND THIS TIME.

THAT IS PRESUMABLY BECAUSE THE UAW WANTS TO USE THESE GAINS THAT THEY'VE GOTTEN OUT ST BIG THREE CAR COMPANIES TO EXPAND THEIR TENT AND ORGANIZE THESE FOREIGN NONUNION AUTOMAKERS OR TESLA FOR EXAMPLE.

IN THE NEW EV START-UPS.

>> Bill: THERE WAS A REPORT AT THAT TIME ELECTRIC BATTERIES FOR CARS MAY GET CONSIDERABLY LESS EXPENSIVE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

IS THAT PROMISING FOR KENTUCKY'S GROWING EV SECTOR?

>> WE ARE IN A LOT OF WAYS BOTH AT THE CURRENT POINT OF THE AUTO INDUSTRY WHERE THE INDUSTRY IS TODAY AND THE FUTURE.

SO THERE'S GOING TO BE AN EV COMING TO GEORGETOWN.

WE'VE REPORTED THAT LOUISVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT IS SLATING TO GET AN EV AND THE TWO BATTERY PLANTS GOING UP IN HARDEN COUNTY.

AND FORD HAS PUSHED PAUSE ON ONE OF THEM AND SAID WE'RE NOT SURE WHEN WE ARE GOING TO TURN IT ON.

THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE TIMING OF THIS TRANSITION.

BUT THE TRANSITION IS STILL HAPPENING TONIGHT DOES DEPEND ON BATTERIES BECOMING CHEAPER AND CHEAPER.

>> Bill: AND THE GEORGETOWN TOYOTA PLANT, CAMRY, THE TOYOTA GOING REALLY IN A HYBRID DIRECTION WITH THE CAMRY.

SPLITTING THE MIDDLE THERE.

>> WELL, YES.

SO TOYOTA TO THEIR CRITICS THEY ARE A LAGGERT ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT IS A SMART STRATEGY BUT THEY ARE THE LEADERS IN HYBRID TECHNOLOGY.

THIS IS WHERE YOU HAVE A TRADITIONAL GAS ENGINE WITH A LITTLE SMALL BATTERY THAT SUPPLEMENTS AND WHAT WE LEARNED JUST THIS MONTH, IS THAT THE CAMRY WHICH IS MADE IN GEORGETOWN, IS GOING TO BE HYBRID ONLY STARTING IN 2025.

THAT IS A BIG STEP.

ONLY 11% OF THE CAMRY'S THAT TOYOTA MAKES ARE HYBRID VERSION CURRENTLY.

SO THEY ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPENSIVE ABOUT A THOUSAND TO 2,000 DOLLARS PER VEHICLE.

BUT THE GAS MILEAGE SAVINGS ARE TREMENDOUS AND TOYOTA IS EVIDENTLY BETTING THAT A LOT OF THE FUTURE IS IN THIS INTERMEDIATE STEP TO HYBRIDS.

>> Bill: THE POLITICAL FILING DEAD LIKE IS APPROACHING JANUARY FIFTH WE WILL BE BACK INTO ANOTHER CYCLE AND DOZENS OF CANDIDATES SIGNED UP FOR LEGISLATIVE SEATS AND THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES LOCAL RACES.

McKENNA WHAT WILL YOU BE WATCHING FOR AS FAR AS THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AND WHAT IT MAY HAVE SHOWN AS FAR AS ANY TRENDS OUT THERE THAT COULD HAPPEN?

>> YES, I THINK A LOT OF DEMOCRATS WERE CELEBRATING THE FACT THAT BESHEAR GOT MORE SUPPORT IN RURAL COUNTIES THAN HE HAD IN THE PREVIOUS ELECTION AND THEY WILL BE LOOKING TO THOSE AREAS TO MAYBE FLIP SEATS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I WILL SAY AS OF THIS WEEK WHEN I CHECKED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE OF THE 30 SOME CANDIDATES FILED, FIVE WERE DEMOCRATS.

>> Bill: WE'LL WATCH ON THAT.

Dr. RYAN QUARELS HAS AN AD AN INTERESTING YEAR HE RANKED SECOND IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR AND CHOSEN FOR A JON THAT PAYS MORE THAN TWICE AS MUNICIPAL AS GOVERNOR DOES.

ALEX, THIS WEEK HE PARDONED TURKEYS TO CALL ATTENTION TO THAT INDUSTRY IN KENTUCKY.

HE ALSO POSTED ABOUT HARVESTING A DEER AND DONATING TO A FOOD BANK.

BUT AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF OVERSEEING AGRICULTURE AND FOCUSING ON RURAL ISSUES IT IS A NEW CHAPTER FOR HIM AS HE WILL BE THE PRESIDENT OF KCTCS THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM IS THAT A NEW GROOVE FOR QUARELS?

>> I THINK SO.

AS YOU MENTIONED YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF THIS WAS HIS SECOND CHOICE HE CAME IN SECOND IN THE G.O.P.

PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR.

IF HE HAD GOTTEN THAT JOB HE PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE APPLIED TO THIS ONE.

BUT I WAS GOING THROUGH HE HAS A VARIETY OF DEGREES AND I FORGOTTEN THAT HE HAS A MASTERS DEGREE IN HIGHER EDUCATION FROM HARVARD.

IT IS NOT FOREIGN TO HIM TO BE IN THIS REALM.

AND HE CALLED IT A LIFELONG DREAM WHEN HE GOT THE JOB.

YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF THIS IS SORT OF MAYBE FULL LIFELONG JOB THAT HE WANTS TO HAVE.

BUT HE CERTAINLY SEEMS HAPPY ABOUT IT AND THE PAY IS MORE.

>> Bill: CHRIS, LMPD CLOSED ITS INVESTIGATION INTO THE OLD NATIONAL BANK SHOOTING WHAT DID THEY FIND?

>> WELL, THIS WAS THE HORRIFIC SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED IN APRIL, FIVE PEOPLE DIED.

A YOUNG MAN WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES BROUGHT A GUN IN AND CARRIED OUT THE HORRIFIC ATTACK.

WHAT WAS -- THERE WAS NO DOUBT ABOUT WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE OR WHETHER THE OFFICERS ACTED PROPERLY IN RESPONDING TO IT.

BUT THE CASE IS NOW FORMALLY CLOSED AND THAT HAS BROUGHT OUT THE RECORDS THE PUBLIC RECORDS ABOUT THE CASE, INCLUDING THE WRITINGS OF THE SHOOTER.

AND WHAT THEY REVEAL IS SIMPLY THAT HE WAS STRUGGLING WITH DEPRESSION AND OTHER MENTAL ILLNESS AND IN FACT HE WROTE THAT PART OF THE REASON HE DID THIS IS TO SEND A MESSAGE ABOUT HOW EASY IT IS FOR PEOPLE WITH HIS HISTORY OF MENTAL ILLNESS TO BUY A FIREARM.

>> Bill: McKENNA, KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WAITS TO SEE IF THE SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS THE DISTRICT LINES BUT CANDIDATES ARE ALREADY FILING AND IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF WE END UP WITH MAYBE ONE OR TWO COMPETITIVE RACES.

>> YES.

SO OF CURRENT CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS WE'VE SEEN REPRESENTATIVE McGARVEY FILE AND HOW ROGERS SO THEY WILL BE RUNNING AGAIN.

IT'S LIKELY ALL OF THE SITTING MEMBER ALSO FILE AGAIN AS WELL, I BELIEVE.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK DEMOCRATS ARE LOOKING AT THE GENERAL ELECTION LIKE WE JUST MENTIONED A FEW MINUTES AGO, I THINK BESHEAR OVERPERFORMED AT SOME OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS SO THAT GIVES DEMOCRATS HOPE IF THEY CAN FIND COMPETITIVE CANDIDATES MAYBE THEY COULD HAVE A CHANCE AT THE ELECTIONS AS WELL.

>> NORTON HEALTHCARE, CHRIS, WILL NO LONGER SUE TO COLLECT BILLS.

>> GOOD REPORTING BY LOUISVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA ABOUT THIS IS ONE OF THE BIG NONPROFIT HOSPITAL SYSTEMS IN LOUISVILLE.

AND THEY WERE TAKING PEOPLE TO COURT FOR SMALL AMOUNTS OF MONEY AT A RATE THAT IS HIGHER THAN THEIR TWO PEERS IN LOUISVILLE THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE AND BAPTIST HEALTH.

AND THEY HAVE DECIDED THAT THAT IS NO LONGER THE RIGHT THING TO DO OR WORTH THE BANG FOR THE BUCK.

AND SO THEY'RE STOPPING THAT.

>> Bill: IT USED TO BE THAT MANY BUSINESSES COUNTED ON HOLIDAY SALES TO MAKE IT FOR THE YEAR.

THE TERM BLACK FRIDAY CAME ALONG WHEN BUSINESSES WOULD BE IN THE BLACK FOR THE YEAR.

THAT SEEMS TO BE DIFFERENT THESE DAYS.

BUT WE'RE STRUCK HOW IMPORTANT KENTUCKY IS REALLY IN MOVING GOODS THROUGH THE STATE WITH U.P.S.

HUB AND THE AMAZON HUB HERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE THE BACKYARD ON-LINE SHOPPING AND IN LOUISVILLE U.P.S.

IS HIRING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND EVERYONE WHO WORKS THERE AT THEIR AIR HUB ALREADY IS WORKING LONG HOURS LOTS OF OVERTIME THIS TIME OF YEAR.

THEY ARE BENEFITING FROM HIGHER WAGES THAT THE THEY NEGOTIATED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> Bill: FORMER FIRST LADY ROSILYN CARTER DIED.

SHE VISITED KENTUCKY WITH HER HUSBAND TO BUILD HOMES WITH KENTUCKY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

THERE SHE IS.

THE CARTERS STAYED IN THE DORM AT WHAT WAS PIKEVILLE COLLEGE WITH VOLUNTEERS.

AND TURNED DOWN MORE COMFORTABLE SPACES IN HOMES.

THE CARTERS ALSO ATTENDED A DERBY EVE EVENT IN 1983.

THE GOVERNOR WAS AMONG THOSE THERE FOR THAT.

IT ALSO INCLUDED FUTURE PRESIDENTS, GEORGE P. W. BUSH AND DONALD TRUMP AND CARTER IS REMEMBERED FONDLY ACROSS THE NATION AND TO HER CONNECTIONS HERE IN KENTUCKY AND THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> SHE WAS NO STRANGER TO KENTUCKY AND NEITHER WAS HER HUSBAND.

AND WHEN YOU LIVE AS LONG AS SHE DID AND HAVE A PUBLIC PRESENCE, EVEN AFTER HER HUSBAND LEFT OFFICE PEOPLE FEEL FONDLY OVER YOU.

>> THE 9-8-8 LINE IS OPEN AND IS VERY BUSY.

>> VERY BUSY.

AND THIS IS A MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE TO PEOPLE, MILLIONS OF PEOPLE CALL IT.

AND IT SPIKES AROUND THE HOLIDAYS.

AND THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH STAFFING SHORTAGES BUT THEY HAVE GOTTEN MILLIONS OF CALLS AND THEY ARE HELPFUL.

>> ALWAYS THERE.

AS THIS PROGRAM IS IN THE 50TH YEAR ON AIR WE ARE THANKFUL THAT YOU JOIN US FOR FRIDAY NIGHTS AS WE TALK ABOUT IMPORTANT KENTUCKY ISSUES.

"COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" WILL RETURN LIVE NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT WHICH BELIEVE IT OR NOT WILL BE DECEMBER FIRST.

THAT'S OUR PROGRAM.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

[♪♪]