>> Bill: KENTUCKIANS GATHER FOR THANKSGIVING AND REFLECT ON A YEAR OF UPS AND DOWNS.

COVID TAKES AN AWFUL TOLL DESPITE A REBUS VACCINATION EFFORT.

KENTUCKY SEES RECORD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REVENUE IS COMING IN STRONG.

EYES TURN TOWARD HOLIDAY SHOPPING AND A BUSY 2022 ON THE HORIZON IN FRANKFORT.

GRAB SOME LEFTOVERS AND MAYBE YOUR FAVORITE CHAIR.

"COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT, AND WE WELCOME YOU TO A SPECIAL THINKING OF WEEKEND EDITION OF "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

WE'LL LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR AND TAKE A PEEK AT WHAT'S AHEAD RIGHT AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.

THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKS FOR OUR PROGRAM TONIGHT are: RYLAND BARTON, CAPITOL BUREAU CHIEF FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO WITH STATIONS IN MURRAY, BOWLIN GREEN, LOUISVILLE AND RICHMOND.

ALEX ACQUISTO, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON-HERALD LEADER.

AND LAWRENCE SMITH, REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

ALSO, LISA BENSON, PUBLISHER FOR LOUISVILLE BUSINESS FIRST.

WILL JOIN US FOR A SEGMENT.

WE WANT TO NOTE THIS PROGRAM WAS TAPED ON NOVEMBER 19th IN ORDER TO GIVE THE STAFF AT KET AND AIR GUESTS A CHANCE TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAY.

WE'LL COVER ANY MAJOR NEWS FROM THIS WEEK WHEN WE RETURN LIVE ON DECEMBER 3rd, SO TONIGHT WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS YEAR SO FAR, AND THE LEAD-UP TO WHAT IS LIKELY TO BE A LIVELY 2022 HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

ALEX, LET'S START WITH THIS.

WE BEGIN BY KIND OF TAKING STOCK OF WHERE WE ARE.

MANY OF US DID NOT GET TO EVEN GET TOGETHER WITH FAMILIES FOR THANKSGIVING LAST YEAR.

IF YOU DID, IT WAS A WORK-AROUND.

I SAT 25 FEET AWAY FROM MY PARENTS' HOUSE ON THE PATIO AT A LITTLE CARD TABLE THAT WAS SET UP FOR ME WITH FOOD.

I KNOW YOU DIDN'T GO HOME.

>> Alex: RIGHT.

I DIDN'T GO TO MY FAMILY.

>> Bill: YET THERE'S A BIT OF A RETURN TO NORMAL AND STILL WE KNOW WE'RE IN A TROUBLE ZONE HERE.

>> Alex: RIGHT.

CERTAINLY THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE THIS YEAR IS THAT WE HAVE A VACCINE, RIGHT?

SO THE AVAILABILITY OF THAT IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE, FOR EXAMPLE, I'M GETTING TOGETHER WITH MY FAMILY BECAUSE WE'RE ALL VACCINATED.

BUT WE'RE ALSO -- AND, YOU KNOW, LOOKING BACK THIS TIME LAST YEAR, THE POSITIVITY RATE WAS ABOVE 9%.

RIGHT NOW NOVEMBER 19th IT'S 6.24%, WHICH IS LOWER, BUT UNLIKE LAST YEAR WHERE WE HAD A SURGE IN WINTER, NOW WE'RE COMING OFF OF WHAT HAS BEEN THE DEADLIEST SINCE SO FAR MOST DESTRUCTIVE SURGE OF PANDEMIC AND WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET, AND SO WHILE THERE ARE IMPROVEMENTS, WE'RE SORT OF TEETERING ON THE EDGE.

WE SAW CASE INCREASES LAST WEEK.

POSITIVITY RATE IS ON THE RISE, LOPZATIONS ARE UP SLIGHTLY, AND WE STILL HAVE A GOOD PORTION OF THE STATE THAT ISN'T VACCINATED.

NOW, BESHEAR WAS PUSHING THIS WEEK BOOSTERS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED TO GET THAT ADDED LAYER OF PROTECTION, BUT WE'RE STILL IN A PRECARIOUS SPOT.

AS THESE INFECTION RATES GO, WE HAVE NOT FALLEN SIGNIFICANTLY.

WE'VE BEEN IN A FREEFALL FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS BUT WE HAVE NOT FALLEN TO THE DEPTHS THAT WE FELL POST LAST YEAR'S WINTER SURGE.

AND AGAIN I MEAN WE'VE BEEN IN A PLATEAU, THINGS ARE TUCKING UP, SO I THINK UNFORTUNATELY -- TICKING UP, SO I THINK UNFORTUNATELY EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE MORE TOOLS AVAILABLE, THANKSGIVING COULD PRODUCE ANOTHER SPEWING, AND WE'LL KNOW IN A WEEK OR TWO.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE, JUST AS WE START TO FEEL THAT THINGS ARE GETTING NORMAL AND WE START ACTING NORMALLY, WE SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS DELTA VARIANT THAT CAME THROUGH SOME WEEKS AGO IN LATE SUMMER AND EARLY FALL.

I MEAN, IT REALLY HIT US HARD.

>> Lawrence: YEAH, AND IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE BOOSTER SHOTS GO.

WE KNOW HOW MUCH OF A STRUGGLE IT WAS TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IN THE NUMBER OF VACCINATIONS, SO THE QUESTION IS HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE WILLING NOW TO GET THAT THIRD SHOT.

THAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

THE GOVERNOR OBVIOUSLY HAS BEEN PUSHING GET BOOSTERS, GET BOOSTERS.

IN FACT, AS WE TAPE THIS COMING WEEKEND HE'S GOING TO BE APPEARING IN LOUISVILLE TO PROMOTE BOOSTER SHOTS, SO IT IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF IT'S GOING TO BE AS MUCH OF A STRUGGLE TO GET BOOSTERS DONE AS IT WAS TO GET THE FIRST AND SECOND DOSES DONE.

>> Alex: AND I THINK TO A DEGREE IT'S STRATEGIC, YOU KNOW, THIS WEEK THE CDC CAME OUT WITH ITS FULL-THROATED ENDORSEMENT OF BOOSTERS WHEN.

WHEN WE FIRST LEARNED ABOUT BOOSTERS, WE WEREN'T SURE IF THEY WERE GOING TO BE A REQUIREMENT OR IF IT WAS SOMETHING -- NOT A REQUIREMENT BUT SOMETHING A WAS OPTIONAL.

NOW WE KNOW THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT SEEMS NECESSARY.

WE KNOW THAT IMMUNITY FROM THE VACCINE WANES OVER TIME.

AND SO BESHEAR, AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON, IS SORT OF PUSHING, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THINKING THAT IF YOU ARE FULL OFY VACCINATED YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET A BOOSTER DOSE AS OPPOSED TO SOMEBODY WHO ISN'T VACCINATED AT YOU WILL TO GET A VACCINE.

WE KNOW THAT UNVACCINATED PEOPLE ARE STILL THE BIGGEST DRIVER EVER CASES IN THIS STATE BUT I THINK THIS COULD BE AN ADDED TOOL TO HELP LIMIT SPREAD IF MORE VACCINATED PEOPLE WOULD GET A BOOSTER.

>> Lawrence: WHAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING, THOUGH, THE QUESTION IS WHAT ROLE NATURAL IMMUNITY MIGHT LAY IN ALL THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME, MOST NOTELY SENATOR RAND PAUL, WHO DOESN'T OPPOSE THE VACCINE BUT HE SAYS, YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAVE NATURAL IMMUNITY, THAT'LL -- IT'S ACTUALLY STRONGER IN SOME CASES THAN GETTING THE SHOT.

SO WHAT ABOUT THE KIND OF MESSAGING THAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> Alex: I THINK NATURAL IMMUNITY CERTAINLY EXISTS, RIGHT?

I THINK OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS WHEN WE HAD THIS PEAK SURGE, I THINK A COMBINATION OF FACTORS CAUSED US TO SORT OF HIT THE PEAK AND DROP AGAIN.

I THINK ENOUGH PEOPLE TESTING POSITIVE AND DEVELOPING NATURAL IMMUNITY PLAYED A PART, BUT ALSO ENOUGH PEOPLE GETTING THE VACCINE PLAYED PROBABLY A BIGGER PART.

FROM WHAT WE KNOW, NATURAL IMMUNITY WANES OVER TIME.

THE BEST WAY TO KEEP EXTENDED IMMUNITY FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME IS THE KEENE BUT THOSE TWO DEFINITELY, THEY GO HAND IN HAND.

>> Bill: RYLAND, HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN SO SLAMMED THIS YEAR, AND THIS WEEK I TALKED WITH A WOMAN WHO JUST HAD TO TAKE A BREAK FROM HEALTH CARE.

SHE WAS WORKING AS A BREES A IN A COFFEE BARISTA IN A COFFEE SHOP BECAUSE SHE SAID SHE HAD SEEN SO MANY THINGS THAT COULDN'T BE UNSEEN.

WILL WE APPRECIATE OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS ANY MORE AFTER THAT?

ARE WE SHOWING APPROPRIATE APPRECIATION FOR ALL THEY'VE BEEN DOING?

>> Ryland: I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT EVERYBODY APPRECIATES OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS, AND I'M SURE THAT THERE'S A LOT MORE THAT WE CAN DO TO TRY AND APPRECIATE THEM MORE.

THIS IS, IN MY OPINION, THIS IS THE HARDEST JOB IN AMERICA OVER THE LAST YEAR.

THE THINGS THAT THE PEOPLE -- THESE PEOPLE HAVE SEEN, THE LONG HOURS THAT THEY'VE HAD TO WORK, WITH THE LACK OF SUPPORT, THE PEOPLE SHOWING UP INCREASINGLY POLITICALLY SCREAMING AT THEM, SPITTING AT THEM HOW DOES OF HOSPITALS, WHICH IS JUST UNCONSCIONABLE.

HOW COULD THAT HAPPEN OVER THIS LAST YEAR WHEN, AGAIN, THESE OUR FRONTLINE OF FRONTLINE WORKERS.

SO THERE'S BEEN LOTS OF TALK OF TRYING TO MAKE THAT -- MAKE THAT AN EASIER JOB FOR THESE FOLKS.

ONE HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO HIRE MORE -- HIRE MORE HEALTH CARE WORKERS, HIRE MORE NURSES AND PHYSICIANS ASSISTANTS ASSISTANTS.

THERE HAVE BEEN PROPOSALS BOTH FROM LEGISLATURE AND FROM GOVERNOR BESHEAR TO HAVE SOME HERO PAY TO HELP REWARD SOME OF THESE WORKERS OR TO JUST IF I AM A LITTLE BIT OF THAT HOLE THAT HAS BEEN DUG OVER THE LAST YEAR.

IT'S A POLITICAL FOOTBALL THAT'S GONE BACK AND FORTH OVER THE COURSE OF THIS FALL BUT IT'S.

DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO COME BACK UP IN THIS UPCOMING ECLECTIC SESSION.

SUPPOSEDLY 1st $400 MILLION AROUND.

THAT'S WHAT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SUGGESTED EXTRA AMERICAN CARE PLAN WORKERS TO GO TO FRONT LYE AND OTHER HELICOPTER WORKERS AS WELL.

THAT'LL BE TAKEN UP IN JANUARY.

>> Bill: YOU MENTIONED SOME POLITICS IN THERE SO LET'S SHIFT SOME GEARS TO THAT AS THIS YEAR IN PROPOSING UP, 2022 IS GOING TO BE AN EXCITING POLITICAL YEAR.

WE HAVE RACES FROM U.S. SENATE DOWN TO LEGISLATIVE AND LOCAL CONTESTS, MAYORS AND SHERIFFS AND COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTIVES AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS BEING VOTED FOR AND ON NEXT YEAR.

SO I GUESS THE SENATE RACE IS ONE WE'LL WATCH CERTAIN BUT, LAWRENCE, THAT 3rd DISTRICT U.S. HOUSE RACE, THE OPEN SEAT WILL BE ONE THAT WILL BE AN EXCITING RACE.

>> Lawrence: YEAH, THAT'S INTERESTING.

REPRESENTATIVE ATTICA SCOTT JUMPED IN THAT RACE EARLY ON AND MANY OF US WONDERED WHY IS SHE CHALLENGING JOHN YARMOUTH.

THAT'S ALMOST A SUICIDE MIDGETS MIGHT SEEM BUT NOW SHE LOOKS SMART BECAUSE JOHN YARMOUTH SAID HE'S NOT GOING TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

SO SHE IS IN THE RACE.

ALSO THE CURRENT STATE LEADER MORGAN McGARVEY JUMPED IN RAISE P A LOT OF MONEY.

THAT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING RACE, AND ONE IN WHICH DEMOCRATS BECAUSE OF THE REG EDGES IN THEIR DISTRICT ARE GOING TO HAVE AN DISTINCT SAN FRANCISCO TO KEEP THAT SEAT.

>> Ryland: >> Billy: RYLAND, TUESDAY SENATE RACE IS LIKELY TO BE INTEREST IN STATE AND GET NOTED OUT OF STATE.

>> Ryland: AT THIS POINT IT THAT PIERCE TO BE WON FOR CHARLES BOOKER AND CURRENT REPUBLICAN SENATOR RAND PAUL.

CHARLES BOOKER IS THE MOST PROMINENT DEMOCRAT IN THE RACE SO FAR.

THERE'S A LOT OF SPECULATION OVER THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR WHETHER ANOTHER BIG DEMOCRAT WOULD TRY AND GET INTO THIS RACE.

THERE IS STILL A LULL MORE TIME UNTIL JANUARY SO WE COULD SEE.

IT WAS INTERESTING, EARLIER IN NOVEMBER CONGRESSMAN YARMOUTH ENDORSED CHARLES BOOKER, SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF A BIT OF A FIELD-CLEARING MOVE.

IT MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT -- MIGHT MAKE SOME DPS WHO ARE ON THE SIDELINES A LITTLE BIT MORE WARY OF TOSSING THEIR HATS INTO THE RING.

BUT, YEAH, THIS ONE'S BEEN TYPED FOR A WHILE SO WE'RE LOOKING AT A CHARLES BOOKER-RAND PAUL 2022 RACE.

>> Lawrence: WE ALSO SHOULD MENTION THERE ARE A BIG MAYOR IN LOUISVILLE.

GREG FISCHER IS TERMED OUT.

THAT SEAT IS GOING TO BE OPEN.

THERE'S A BIG BATTLE PARTICULARLY AMONG DPS FOR THAT SEAT, AND THERE'S A REPUBLICAN MAYOR OF J-TOWN IS ALSO IN THAT RACE.

SO REPUBLICANS HOPE THEY CAN MAYBE TAKE THE MAYOR'S RACE BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY, VERY UPHILL CLIMB AGAIN BECAUSE OF REGISTRATION IN LOUISVILLE.

>> Ryland: BEFORE WE LEAVE THE LOUISVILLE POLITICS TOPIC, IT'S IMPORTANT TO MENTION REPORTERS HAVE EITHER GOTTEN CLOSE IN RISERS IAN HELD SEATS.

ANN NORTHROP WAS CONGRESS ARE YA MOTH'S PREDECESSOR SHE'S A REPUBLICAN.

>> Billy: HAL HEINER.

>> Ryland: GREG FISCHER, 2010.

SO REPUBLICANS ARE ALWAYS FRYING TO WIN THIS SEAT, AND THEIR BEST CHANCE, AT LEAST IN A CONGRESSIONAL RACE OR A MAYORAL ELECTION, IS WHEN THERE'S AN OPEN SEAT BUNCH LET'S LOOK AT THIS.

THE.

PARTY REGISTRATION THE TRENDLINE HAS WEAN NARROWINGS.

MORE KENTUCKIANS ARE REGISTERING AS REPUBLICAN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE LEAVING THE PARTY.

DPS HAVE HISTORICALLY DOMINATED THE REGISTRATION.

THEY STILL LEAD BUT YOU CAN SEE FROM THESE NEW NUMBERS FROM THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, DEMOCRATIC REGISTRATION NOW OUTPACES REPUBLICAN REGISTRANTS BY JUST ABOUT 55,000 VOTERS.

LAWRENCE, WOULD IT APPEAR THAT REPUBLICANS WILL SOON OUTNUMBER DEMOCRATS IN KENTUCKY?

>> Lawrence: CERTAINLY IF THAT TREND CONTINUES, THEY WILL.

IT'S BEEN GOING THAT DIRECTION FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, WHICH IS AMAZING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN COVERING POLITICS IN KENTUCKY FOR A LONG TIME.

DEMOCRATS DOMINATED IN REGISTRATION FOR SO LONG, AND NOW THAT NUMBER IS NARROWING DOWN TO THE POINT WHEREAS SOME POINT IT SEEMED THAT REPUBLICANS WILL OVERTAKE THEM IN REGISTRATION, BUT EVEN THOSE WHO ARE REGISTERED DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN VOTING REPUBLICAN FOR A LOANING TIME ANYWAY, SO THE REGISTRATION IS BEGINNING TO MATCH HOW THEY VOTE IN THE POLLS.

>> Bill: I WITH AN TO HAVE A QUICK DISCUSSION ON THIS.

NATIONAL POLITICS IS SO DIVISIVE AND SO UBIQUITOUS THESE DAYS THAT IT MAKES ITS WAY INTO THANKSGIVING CONVERSATIONS -- THAT MAY HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE THERE FOR YOU -- AND GEORGETOWN MAYOR TOM PRATHER WHO IS NOT RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR TOLD ME IN AN INTERVIEW FOR KWYT THAT TOO OFTEN IT IS SEEPING INTO PREVIOUSLY NON-PARTISAN PLACES LIKE MANY OF OUR CITY HALLS.

>> IT'S BECOME A VERY TROUBLING TREND, BILL.

WE SEE THE INTENTS PARTISAN NATURE OF POLITICS THAT EXISTS ON THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL BECOMING MORE AND MORE PREVALENT IN OUR LOCAL ISSUES.

I'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS THE PLACE WHERE WE LOOK FOR LOCAL SOLUTIONS.

NOT POLITICAL SOLUTIONS OR PARTY AFFILIATED SOLUTIONS.

>> Bill: SO WE ARE SEEING MAYOR PRATHER'S CONCERNS THAT SEEM TO BE PLAYING OUT AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AND COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND THESE NATIONAL NARRATIVES, LAWRENCE, ARE GETTING MIXED INTO THE LOOK AT HOW TO DEAL WITH THE SIDEWALKS.

>> Lawrence: YEAH, I THINK FUELED IN PART BY, OF COURSE, 24-HOUR NEWSCHANNEL BUT ALSO BY SOCIAL MEDIA.

THESE ISSUES GET INTERMINGLED WITH SOME LOCAL ISSUES BUT I THINK AT THIS POINT I THINK POLITICIANS ARE AT THEIR PERIL TO DISMISS THESE CONCERNS.

THEY HAVE TOADLESS THEM WHEN THEY COME UP IN CITY HALL FOR TO ADDRESS THEM WHEN THEY COME UP IN CITY HALL OR IN SCHOOL BOARDS BECAUSE WE SAW IN VIRGINIA THAT THAT'S WHAT FUELED A REPUBLICAN WIN THERE IS CONCERNS ABOUT EDUCATION, AND TEACHING THEM WHAT IS BELIEVED TO BE CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THEY'RE COMING UP AND POLITICIANS CAN'T IGNORE IT.

IT'S THERE.

>> Bill: AND SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO REMOVE IT FROM THE FACT THAT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, FOR INSTANCE, VOTED ON FOR BY DEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON IS NOW COMING TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVELS TO BE SPENT.

THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH THAT MONEY, AND IT APPEARS THEY WILL EXTEND IT, RIGHT?

>> Lawrence: SURE.

IT'S GOING TO BE UP TO STATE GOVERNMENTS BUT ALSO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO DECIDE HOW TO SPEND THIS MONEY, AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF HANDS OUT WANTING TO GET SOME OF THIS FEDERAL MONEY.

>> Ryland: ESPECIALLY DURING A PANDEMIC WHEN ALL THIS RELIEF MONEY IS COMING IN, I THINK THAT ANY REPUBLICAN LEADER WHO WINDS UP WITH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SPEND TO THE BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR THEIR STATE IS GOING TO THINK WISELY ABOUT HOW TO TRY AND DO THAT.

>> Lawrence: AND YOU'RE GOING FOR A LOFTY POLITICIANS WANTING TO TAKE CREDIT FOR THIS BRIDGE THAT WAS BUILT OR THIS ROAD THAT WAS PAVED, SO THAT'LL BE A FACTOR AS WELL.

>> Bill: ON THE ECONOMY, LAWRENCE, WE HAVE A RECORD $10 BILLION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS YEAR, EVEN AS WE HAVE THESE WORKFORCE ISSUES IN KENTUCKY, BUT ARE WE EARNING A PLACE AS A -- AS A GOOD SPOT TO DO BUSINESS?

>> Lawrence: WELL, THIS IS THE ISSUE THAT ANDY BESHEAR, THE GOVERNOR, IS GOING TO RUN ON.

HE'S SAID IT A THOUSAND TIMES, THAT THE ECONOMY IN KENTUCKY IS ON FIRE.

SO THIS IS GOING TO BE HIS BIG ISSUE, ALONG WITH COVID, BUT THE BIG ISSUE HE'S GOING TO RUN ON IS ALL THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS HE'S ATTRACTED TO THE STATE WITH FOREMOST BEING THE BIG FORD BATTERY PLANT THAT IS BEING BUILT IN HARDIN COUNTY.

YEAH, THIS IS SOMETHING THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO -- IT WASN'T TO TAKE CREDIT FOR, IS TAKING CREDIT FOR AND IS GOING TO RUN HARD ON.

>> Bill: AS WE HIT THE HOLIDAYS STORE KEEPERS AND INVESTORS KNOW THE TRENDS ARE STRONG OUT THERE BUT THERE ARE SOME REAL CHALLENGES WITH SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND FINDING OF STAFF.

LISA BENSON FROM LOUISVILLE BUSINESS FIRST JOINS US NOW.

LISA, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME, BILL.

>> Bill: AS THIS PROGRAM RUNS ON BLACK FRIDAY, WHAT ARE SOME TRENDS THAT RETAILERS WATCHING AS THEY TRY TO STOCK THEIR SHELVES AND HOPE TO RING UP THOSE SALES?

>> WELL, I HOPE YOU HAVE YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING ALREADY DONE, BILL BECAUSE THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION CAME OUT WITH ITS HOLIDAY SALES FORECAST AND THEY'RE SAYING THAT SPENDING IS EXPECTED TO BE UP BETWEEN 8.5 AND 10.5% OVER 2020 AND REACH AS HIGH AS ABOUT 859 BUILDINGS THIS YEAR SO THAT WOULD RANK AS THE HIGHEST HOLIDAY RETAIL SALES ON RECORD.

AND RETAILERS HAVE BEEN REALLY RAMPING UP IN PREPARATION FOR THAT, INVESTING IN THEIR SUPPLY CHAINS AND ENSURING THAT THEY CAN KEEP PRODUCTS ON THE SHELVES.

WALMART, TARGET AND HOME DEPOT HAVE REALLY BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS DOING A HUGE A AMOUNT OF PREBUYING PRIOR TO THE HOLIDAYS AND THEY GET A LOT OF VIP TREATMENT TO MAKE SURE THEIR STORES WILL BE WELL STOCK BUT WHERE IT'S LIKELY TO BE A LOT TOUGHER IS ON THE SMALL BUSINESS SIDE.

HALF OF ALL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SAY THEY EXPECT INVENTORY SHORTAGES COOKED TO DOOLING.COM AND THE BUSINESSES I TALKED TO TELL ME JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING MAKES ITS WAY TO TAKE LONGER THROUGH THE CHAIN, PRICES BEGIN TO ESCALATE AND THEY'RE FACING EXTREME CHALLENGES TO THE LABOR SIDE AND THE NUMBER OF BUSINESSES THAT REPORTED UNPHILADELPHIA JOB OPTION IS THE HIGHEST IN THAT BE FIVE YEARS.

>> Bill: LET'S JUMP TO THE WORKER SHORTAGE THAT IS REALLY IN KENTUCKY WE HAVE ONE OF THE MIEST QUIT RATES IN THE NATION.

SO HOW ARE KENTUCKY BUSINESSES HANDLE THAT?

TRYING TO GET ENOUGH PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, TO GET THOSE ORDERS FILLED OR CUSTOMERS SERVED.

>> IT'S A DELICATE BALANCE.

WE'VE BEEN HEARING FOR MONTHS ABOUT THIS GREAT RESIGNATION AND IT'S PITTING SOME STATES PARTICULARLY HARD, KENTUCKY AS YOU MENTIONED.

THERE'S THAT DATA FROM PAYROLL COMPANY GUSTO WHICH HAS BEEN TRACKING THOSE QUIT RATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

KENTUCKY SAW A QUIT RATE AT 4% SO THAT PUTS US OUTSIDE THE TOP TEN FOR WORKERS QUITTING THEIR JOBS.

IT'S A TOUGH TIME FOR BUSINESSES TO BE DEALING WITH THIS AS WE HEAD INTO THE HOLIDAYS.

COMPANIES LIKE APES THAT NEED TO MYER A LOT OF SEASONAL WORKERS ARE TRYING TO EP THE UP THEIR WAGES AND BENEFITS TO COMPETE.

LOUISVILLE AMENDS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS AND NEEDS TO HIRE 1500 FOR THE SEASON SO IT'S STARTING WAGE A $18, GIVING SIGN ONE-BLOCK BONUSES OF $3,000 AND SOMETIMES TACKING ON ANOTHER $3 A SHIFT.

>> Bill: SO THERE'S COMPETITION OUT THERE FOR THOSE WORKERS.

THERE IS GOOD NEWS FOR LOUISVILLE AND SOME OF THIS FEDERAL MONEY THAT'S COMING IN, MORE THAN $1 BILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED 9th STREET REIMAGINED THAT MAY BE GETTING SOME HELP?

>> YEAH, WE ALWAYS LIKE TO RECORD ON A STORY THAT HAS THE "B" WORD IN IT, AND THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT LOUISVILLE COULD SEE A BILLION DOLLARS THE NEXT FIVE YEARS DEPENDING ON HOW IT LEVERAGES THE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED ALREADY AND WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING TO GET.

MAYOR GREG FISCHER WAS AT THE WHITE HOUSE RECENTLY WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED THE JOBS ACT AND LOUISVILLE IS WPDE TO RECEIVE $5 MILLION.

NEACE IN A BIGS TO THE MONEY ALREADY RECEIVED FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AND CARES ACT.

SO THAT'S ABOUT $1 MILLION TO RESHAPE OUR CITY.

AND ONE PROJECT BEING CONSIDERED IS SOMETHING CAUD THE 9th STREET REIMAGINED PROJECT THAT WOULD -- THE 9th STREET WHICH HAS HISTORICALLY SEPARATED WEST LOUISVILLE AND DOWNTOWN, SO THIS EFFORT WOULD REWORK THAT CORRIDOR TO MAKE IT MORE PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY, CREATE MORE GREEN SPACE AND PUBLIC ART.

>> Bill: LOUVRE BUSINESS FIRST HAS ITS OWN NICHE PROJECT UNDERWAY.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE COVERING INNOVATION IN KENTUCKY, RIGHT?

>> THEY'RE.

KENTUCKY I KNOW HAS A BLAND NEW INITIATIVE TO COVER INNOVATION NEWS HAPPENINGS RADIOS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

IT'S DIGITAL PLATFORM ABOUT START-UP BUSINESSES, ENTREPRENEURS ENTREPRENEURS, TRENDS IMPACTING INNOVATION ACROSS THE STATE IT.

IT HAD COVERS OUT OF THE LOUISVILLE AREA AND INTO THE STATE FOR THE FIRST TYPE.

>> Bill: QUICKLY YOU'VE DONE A STORY ABOUT THE CHALLENGE THAT FEMALE BUSINESS FOUNDERS FACE IN KENTUCKY.

IT CAN BE AN UPHILL CLIMB.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

OUR REPORTER HALEY COPEN TOOK A LOOK A TRENDS IN CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND 20 WAS A BANNER YEAR FOR THESE STARTUPS ACROSS THE BOARD LANDING 16% MORE VENTURE DOLLARS THAN 2019 BUT UNFORTUNATELY FEMALE-LED INVESTMENTS SAW THEIR COMPANIES FALL BY 3% AND -- THE REASONS THAT ARE UNDER LYING THAT DISPARATE AND TALKED TO A NUMBER OF WOMEN ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE RAISING MONEY FOR THEIR STARR-UP IN KENTUCKY.

IT REVEALED THAT FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS CAN STRUGGLE WITH MAKING CONNECTIONS.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SUPPORTS AVAILABLE TO HELP REVERSE THAT TREND.

THESE ARE THE KIND OF STORIES WE'RE WORKING ON.

>> Bill: LISA BENSON, THANK YOU FOR JOINING FOURS LOUISVILLE BUSINESS FIRST.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE, BILL.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Bill: WITH OUR HANDLE OF LAWRENCE SMITH, ALEX ACQUISTO AND RYLAND BARTON.

ALEX, WE'RE MENTIONING THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON NOW UNDERWAY BUT MANY ARE HAVING TO WATCHNER BASIC EXPENSES.

DO YOU THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF KENTUCKIANS OUT THERE WITH REAL CONCERNS EVEN ABOUT THE COST OF HEATING THIS WINTER?

>> Alex: DEFINITELY.

I THINK THERE ALWAYS ARE.

AND I THINK EVEN THOUGH THE PANDEMIC UPSET, WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, I THINK THE PANDEMIC ROILED A LOT OF FINANCES FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WILL TAKE THEM A LONG TIME TO RECOVER FROM, AND SO I THINK EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND PEOPLE HAVE MORE ACCESS TO JOBS NOW THAN THEY DID AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, IT'S STILL SOMETHING THAT WILL TAKE PEOPLE A WHILE TO SORT OF GET THEIR BEARINGS AGAIN.

>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE WILL ROLL INTO FRANKFORT JUST A FEW WEEKS FROM RIGHT NOW IN EARLY JANUARY.

WILL THERE BE ENOUGH BANDWIDTH TO DEAL WITH THE STATE BUDGET REQUIRED BY THE STATE CONSTITUTION, REDISTRICTING RIDER I.

REQUIRED BY THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, INFRASTRUCTURE WITH THE FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN, AND A MYRIAD OF OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE OUT THERE COMPETING FOR ATTENTION RIGHT NOW?

>> Ryland: WE'LL SEE.

THIS IS THE LONG YEAR.

THIS IS THE 60 THE WORKING DAY SESSION, THE BUDGET WRITING SESSION SO THEY DO HAVE A LITTLE MORE ADVERTISEMENT, AND GRANTED I THINK ANY LEGISLATIVE OBSERVER CAN SEE MOST OF THE WORK GETS DONE THE IN LAST MINUTES OR THE LAST DAYS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION RIGHT BEFORE THE FINAL DEADLINE, SO I THINK THAT THIS WILL BE BUSIER THAN USUAL.

THERE ARE SO MANY MORE PRIORITIES, AND A LOT OF THAT'S GOING TO BE FROND FRONTED LOADED BECAUSE OF REDISTRICTING.

THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO BE GETTING THAT OUT OF THE WAY PRETTY QUICKLY JUST SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHAT SEATS THEY'RE GOING TO BE RUNNING FOR.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME IN QUICKLY, DELAY THAT FILING DEADLINE TO SOME TIME LATER IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE DON'T KNOW WHEN.

AND THEN, YEAH, THEN CANDIDATES PASS MAPS OR TRY TO AT LEAST MAPS WILL FINALLY BE PUBLISH SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THE DISTRICTS LOOK LIKE AND WHATNOT.

THEN THERE'S THIS WHOLE STATE BUDGET TO DEAL WITH, BIG OLD EXTRA MONEY FOR THE STATE BUDGET FROM TAX REVENUES AND A BUDGET SURPLUS LAST YEAR TO KEHL DEAL WITH, SO IT WILL BE A VERY BUSY SESSION.

>> Lawrence: I'LL SAY THIS AS WELL AS WELL.

YOU'RE RIGHT IT'S GOING TO BE A BEADS SESSION, BUT THE BIG PRIORITY STUFF WILL GET DONE FAIRLY EARLY ON INCLUDING I THINK THE BUDGET BECAUSE THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE TIME TO OVERRIDE ANY VETOES BY THE GOVERNOR, SO SOME STUFF WILL WAIT IN THE LAST MINUTE BUT OTHERS WILL NOT.

>> Bill: WE MENTIONED THE SOCIAL WORKERS.

WE LOST 600 OF THOSE THIS YEAR.

THEY OPENLY SAY THAT THEY HAVE SO MANY CASES, THEY CAN'T KEEP TRACK.

WE DO ANTICIPATE THAT WOULD BE ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WOULD LIKELY GET SOME DISCUSSION.

>> Alex: DEFINITELY.

THIS WEEK A NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORKERS PROTESTED ON THE STEPS OF THE CAPITOL.

UPON HEARING THE NEWS THAT BESHEAR WAS ALLOCATING MONEY TO FUNDRAISES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FOR KENTUCKY STATE POLICE, BASICALLY SOCIAL WORKERS ARE IN AS DIRE OF STRAITS IF NOT MORE DIRE.

A LOT OF EM HAVEN'T GOTTEN RAISES IN YEARS AND SO THEY WANT A CUT OF THE PIE AND THEY SORT OF DESERVE IT.

AND BESHEAR TOLD OUR COLUMNIST LINDA BLACKFORD THAT HE IS GOING TO INCLUDE RAISES FOR THEM IN HIS BUDGET.

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF WHETHER LAWMAKERS APPROVE IT.

>> Bill: MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

THERE'S A PROPOSAL FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEMES THAT IS NARROWLY TAILORED.

>> Ryland: ANOTHER NARROWLY TIRED MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL.

IT BECOMES MORE AND MORE NARROWLY TIRED EVERY YEAR AND SEEMS TO GET MORE SUPPORT.

IT PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

2020 WHEN THAT HAPPENED, AND THERE'S LOTS -- AS THERE IS NOR EVERY LEGISLATIVE SESSION, PEOPLE SAY THIS IS THE YEAR THAT IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME SUPPORT, MORE SUPPORT THAN THERE WAS BEFORE BUT IT'S ALWAYS THE SENATE.

THE STATE SENATE HAS BEEN RELUCTANT.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE, THERE'S TALK OF AN OME ANY BUS ABORTION BILL.

>> Lawrence: REPRESENTATIVE NANCY TATE THE PRIMARY SPONSOR OF THAT.

IT DEMOCRATS' WITH MAKING SURE MINORS DON'T GET ABORTIONS, THAT THEY HAVE PARENTAL EXTENT AND REGULATING CHEMICAL ABORTIONS.

THAT IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE.

THERE IS PROBABLY BROAD SUPPORT MOST OF THE TIME IN THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE.

EVEN SOME DEMOCRATS WILL SUPPORT MEASURES THAT OPPOSE ABORTION.

>> Bill: IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING SESSION, ISN'T IT?

>> Lawrence: INTERESTING IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT I THINK.

>> Bill: I THINK SO TOO.

OVER THIS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY I WANT TO THANK OUR PANELISTS FOR COMING IN AND ALL OF THEM HOE TAKE PART IN OUR PROGRAM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS PROGRAM AND MAKES IT SO SPECIAL, SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

>> Ryland: THANK YOU FOR HOSTING IT HAD.

>> Lawrence: HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

>> Bill: AND TO ALL ON IT THERE HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

HOPE YOU HAVE A CONTINUING NICE WEEKEND.

WE DO RETURN LIVE ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 5th WITH "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.

AND YOU MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.