[♪♪] >> Bill: KENTUCKY'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAND SCAPE TAKES SHAPE AS LICENSES ARE AWARDED TO THE FIRST DISPENSARIES IN A WAVE OF INTEREST.

A KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN WORRIES TARIFFS CAN HURT KENTUCKY'S BOURBON INDUSTRY AND VOWS TO FIGHT FOR AN EXCEPTION OF THE SPIRITS.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOLIDAYS MEANS THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS COMING SOON.

EASTERN KENTUCKY VOTERS CONFUSE GOING TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT BUT DEFEATING A PRO TRUMP CANDIDATE IN A LEGISLATIVE RACE.

ON THIS COLD THANKSGIVING WEEKEND, 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 PANT OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE, MONICA HARKINS, ANCHOR AND REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

TESSA DUVALL, POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS EDITOR FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

AND JOINING US VIA SKYPE RUSS CASSIDY EDITOR OF APPALACHIAN NEWSPAPERS.

ALSO TONIGHT BIG MOVES INVOLVING HEALTHCARE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

WE TAPED THIS PROGRAM, BY THE WAY, ON TUESDAY EVENING NOVEMBER 26.

SO THE KET STAFF AND OUR PANEL COULD ENJOY THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

WE'LL CATCH UP ON ANY IMPORTANT NEWS THAT DEVELOPED AFTER THAT ON OUR PROGRAM WHEN WE RETURN LIVE NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT.

AS WE'RE HEADING INTO DECEMBER TONIGHT, IT GIVES US A CHANCE TO CONSIDER WHERE WE ARE WITH A FEW WEEKS LEFT IN THE YEAR AND LOOK AHEAD TO THE CHANGES COMING IN EARLY 2025.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THIS.

WE HAVE A BETTER HANDLE HOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA WILL ROLL OUT 36 DISPENSARIES WERE AWARDED LICENSES FROM AMONG TO USES OF APPLICANTSES.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYS LIMITING THE NUMERAL ON IS INTENTIONAL.

>> WE PROMISED TO DO THIS SAFELY.

AND WE PROMISE TO DO IT IN A SMART WAY.

WE CAN ALWAYS EXPAND DISPENSARIES BUT WHAT WE SAW WITH HEMP WITH THE LICENSES IT CRASHED THE MARKET HAVING TOO MANY INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE LICENSED IN THE VERY BEGINNING.

SO WE THINK WE'VE GOT IT GENERALLY RIGHT.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT IT IS A LOT EASIER TO BUILD IF THE DEMANDS IS BIGGER THAN TO CONTRACT AND TO HAVE THOSE THAT ARE PART OF OUR FIRST LAUNCH STRUGGLE.

>> Bill: AND THE DISPENSARY LICENSES FOR THE LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON METRO AREAS WILL COME IN A LATER LOTTERY TO BE HELD IN DECEMBER.

THESE ARE THE FIRST ONE AS WARDED AND THERE WAS A LOT OF INTEREST FROM INSTATE AND OUT OF STATE.

TESSA.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

THE LOTTERY FOR MOST OF THE REGIONS IN THE STATE THE STATE IS CARVED UP INTO 11 REGIONS THE LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON AREAS HAVE NOT HAD THEIR LOTTERIES BUT EVERYWHERE ELSE THEY HAD THE DRAWINGS.

THE WAY THAT THE PROGRAM IS SETUP, THERE CAN BE FOUR OF THESE DISPENSARIES PER DISTRICT.

BUT ALSO NO MORE THAN ONE PER COUNTY.

WE DOPTSD'S EXACTLY KNOW WHERE ALL OF THE DISPENSARIES WILL GO AT THIS TIME BECAUSE THERE ARE A COUPLE DRAWN FROM THE SAME COUNTY THAT HAS TO BE REWORKED BEFORE WE START TO SEE THINGS FIRM UP A LITTLE BIT.

>> Bill: THOSE WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER COUNTY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Bill: IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THE GOVERNOR MADE MENTION AND CONTRAST WITH HEMP AND THE WAY IT WAS ROLLED OUT AND THERE'S MAYBE EDUCATION IN THAT?

>> YES, I THINK WHAT WE'RE SEEING WITH THIS IS KENTUCKY IS REALLY BUILDING SOMETHING FROM SCRATCH.

AND THAT IS ALSO PART OF THE REASON THAT WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF INTEREST FROM OUT OF STATE ENTITIES.

WHEN YOU THINK OF THE TIMELINE IT'S BEEN FAST.

THIS LEGISLATION LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA WAS ONLY PASSED AT THE VERY END OF THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND THE START DATE IS JANUARY FIRST, 2025.

THAT'S NOT A LONG TURN AROUND ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A KENTUCKY ENTITY YOU ARE BUILDING FROM SCRATCH.

BECAUSE IT'S NOT LEGAL.

EVEN WITH THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER ALLOWING PEOPLE WITH CERTAIN QUALIFYING CONDITIONS TO USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA, THAT IS ALL PURCHASED OUT OF STATE BECAUSE IT IS NOT IT LEGAL TO PRODUCE IT AND SELL IN STATE.

SO OUT OF STATE ENTITIES WHO HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED BECAUSE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAMS AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN AROUND MUCH LONGER THAN KENTUCKY.

KENTUCKY WAS A LATE ADOPTER TO THIS.

THEY HAVE A BIT OF A LEG UP WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING IN AND TRYING TO GET ON THE GROUND LEVEL OF THIS.

>> AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROVIDERS ARE THE ONLY ONES READY IF YOU WILL.

MAYBE THEY ARE NOT ALL THE WAY READY BUT THE BACKBONE FOR IT.

BECAUSE THAT PORTAL WHERE PEOPLE CAN PRO FIND PROVIDERS COMES OUT ON SUNDAY.

THAT IS A MONTH AHEAD OF THIS JANUARY FIRST LEGALIZATION.

ALMOST THE ONLY THING THAT SEEMS TO BE ON TIME OR SUPPOSEDLY ON TIME.

>> Bill: ESSENTIALLY, A PATIENT COULD HAVE A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD BEFORE THE PROGRAM EVEN BEGINS JANUARY 1?

>> THAT IS THE IDEA.

THE QUESTION IS NOW THEY APPLY.

HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET APPROVAL.

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT IS INSTANT OR MIGHT TAKE A MONTH.

IS IT GOING TO BE FLOODED WITH INTEREST.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE A BACKLOG WE HAVE SEEN BACKLOG IN KENTUCKY WHEN IT COMES TO APPLICATIONS THROUGH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

>> AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE GOVERNOR IS KEEPING HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER IN PLACE ALLOWING THAT PURCHASE AND USE OF OUT OF STATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA THROUGHOUT THE TRANSITION BECAUSE OF THE RECOGNITION THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE 100% UP AND RUNNING COME JANUARY FIRST.

>> Bill: JANUARY FIRST THEY COULD PURCHASE OUT OF STATE?

>> THAT IS HOW MY UNDERSTANDING HOW THE EXECUTIVE ORDER WORKS.

IF YOU CAN TRAVEL TO A STATE LIKE OHIO WHERE MEDICAL IS LEGAL YOU CAN BRING IT BACK AND YOU HAVE THAT CARD THAT PREEMPTIVE PARDON IF YOU WILL TO KEEP YOU OUT OF THE LEGAL TROUBLE FOR ACCESSING THAT MEDICATION.

>> Bill: BEEF TIME TO NAIL DOWN THE DETAILS BEFORE JANUARY ONE.

RUSS, A LOT OF DECISIONS THAT WILL HAVE TO BE MADE BY EMPLOYERS AND OTHERS, THE HAZARD CITY COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO FORBID THE USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS BY ITS EMPLOYEES, RIGHT?

>> YES, IT'S ONE OF THE FIRST AGENCIES THAT DEALT WITH THIS ISSUE.

AND IT'S SOMEWHAT NOT SURPRISING THEY HAD TO CONFRONT IT.

YOU KNOW, THEY DO EMPLOY AND OVERSEE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS.

SO THERE WAS CONCERN ABOUT CREATING DIFFERENT CLASSES OF EMPLOYEES WHO SOME WERE AND SOME WEREN'T ABLE TO.

AND SO THEY ARE RESPONSE WAS TO THE TO BAN IT ALL.

THE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THIS IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE AS IT ROLLS OUT HERE, YOU KNOW, IT WAS ON THE BALLOT IN SEVERAL COMMUNITIES AS TO WHETHER MEDICAL MARIJUANA SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE SOLD IN THOSE MUNICIPALITIES.

AND EVERYONE ON THE BALLOT IT WAS APPROVED.

BUT I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THAT IS GOING TO LOOK AND WHETHER THAT IS GOING TO RECEIVE APPROVAL FROM EMPLOYERS AND IN THIS CASE, A PUBLIC ENTITY.

>> Bill: WOULD WE EXPECT OTHER LOCALITIES CITIES AND COUNTIES TO MAKE POLICIES AS WELL, ESPECIALLY AS IT REGARDS TO THE PUBLIC AND SAFETY EMPLOYEES, WHICH WE UNDERSTAND THAT WAS THE INITIAL DISCUSSION IN HAZARD BEFORE THEY DECIDED TO MAKE IT FOR ALL CITY EMPLOYEES.

>> YEAH.

I HAVE NO DOUBT THIS IS GOING TO BE BROUGHT UP BY SEVERAL ENTITIES AND EVEN THE PRIVATE EMPLOYERS WILL BE LOOKING AT THIS.

I'M HEARING RUMBLINGS OF QUESTIONS YOU MENTIONED THAT OUT OF STATE COMPANIES WERE AMONG THE BIG COMPANIES THAT INTERESTED IN THESE LICENSES.

YOU KNOW IN OUR REGION THAT WE COVER, ALL THE COMPANIES WERE OUT OF STATE OR OUT OF THE AREA THAT RECEIVED THE LICENSES TO SELL THIS.

THERE IS A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT HAVE TO BE ANSWERED ABOUT WHETHER THAT'S GOING TO WORK OR NOT.

>> Bill: TESSA, TO RUSS' POINT PRIVATE EMPLOYERS CAN SET THEIR OWN POLICIES ON THE USE OF CANNABIS, AND WE ASSUME THAT SOME WILL.

>> ABSOLUTELY OF THE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN KENTUCKY IT'S SOMEWHAT UNCHARTERED TERRITORY.

THESE PROGRAMS ARE ESTABLISHED AROUND THE COUNTRY.

OTHER STATES OTHER EMPLOYERS INTO THOSE STATES HAVE HAD A LONGTIME TO RECKON THIS AND RECKON WITH THIS.

SO KENTUCKY IS NOW REACHED THAT PHASE OF ITS MEDICAL MARIJUANA IMPLEMENTATION.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO FOLLOW THE ROLLOUT HERE IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.

PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP INDICATED HE WILL USE TARIFFS AS A NEGOTIATING TOOL WHEN HE TAKES OFFICE.

HERE IN KENTUCKY THE BOURBON INDUSTRY IS RAISING CONCERNS WHAT COULD MEAN FOR THE IMPORTANT SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY.

AND CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR SAYS HE HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY THE SPIRITS INDUSTRY AND HE SHARES THEIR CONCERNS.

>> SO MARCH OF 2025 IS WHEN THOSE TARIFFS ARE SET TO SNAP BACK AT 50%.

THAT WOULD BE DEVASTATING FOR THE KENTUCKY BOURBON EXPORT MARKET.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE WORK WITH THE NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS PROMISED TO USE TARIFFS AS A NEGOTIATING TOOL.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE EXTRICATE THE SPIRITS BUSINESS FROM THE OTHER TARIFFS SO WE DON'T HAVE THE TARIFFS COME BACK.

I WILL BE HAVING SERVICES WITH THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION ABOUT HOW TO DO THAT.

>> ARE YOU HOPEFUL YOU WILL BE HEARD?

>> I THINK I WILL.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SO MONICA, BARR SEEMS TO REALIZE IT COULD BE DELICATE TO EXTRICATE THE BOURBON INDUSTRY FROM THE LANDSCAPE OF TARIFFS, WHICH THE PRESIDENT-ELECT VERY MUCH INDICATES HE WILL USE TO GET SOME BEHAVIORS HE WANTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.

>> YEAH, HE MADE IT CLEAR AT THAT TIME TARIFFS SEEM TO BE THE WAY HE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND REALLY SCALE EVERYTHING IN, IF YOU WILL.

BUT ANDY BARR HIS ARGUMENT STEMS FROM ACTUAL DATA.

ACTUAL TARIFFS THAT ALREADY OCCURRED UNDER THE PREVIOUS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND TESSA, I BELIEVE, YOU SAID IT WAS 30%.

I WILL LET YOU SHARE THAT DATA.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT AN ARGUMENT A LOT OF TIMES WHEN YOU HAVE DATA BEHIND YOUR ARGUMENT YOU ARE MORE EFFECTIVE IN GETTING PEOPLE ON YOUR SIDE.

>> SO WHEN THE TARIFF WAS PREVIOUSLY 25% BEFORE THIS AGREED UPON SUSPENSION, AMERICAN WHISKEY EXPORTS FELL 30%.

AND WE ARE LOOKING AT A 50% TARIFF THINK OF WHAT THAT CAN DO TO KENTUCKY'S BOURBON INDUSTRY IT IS A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY IN KENTUCKY.

OBVIOUSLY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I'M SURE CONGRESSMAN BARR AND OUR ELECTEDS IN WASHINGTON WILL BE THINKING ABOUT.

>> AND LIKE YOU SAID WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT WHISKEY IN AMERICA A LOT ABOUT BOURBON.

WHICH IS MADE HERE IN KENTUCKY.

IT'S SPECIFIC TO THIS STATE.

AND I THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE PART OF THE ARGUMENT IS HEY, YOU ARE CRIPPLING A SPECIFIC STATE HERE LET'S TAKE A CLOSE GLANCE ON WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> Bill: AGAIN SOMETHING WE'LL WATCH.

THE ELECTION PROVIDED INTERESTING OUTCOMES IN KENTUCKY.

AS YOU KNOW, BARR WON LEXINGTON THOUGH VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS CARRIED LEXINGTON IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE AND IN EASTERN KENTUCKY NATIONAL OBSERVERS ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO EXPLAIN THE TRENDS OR LACK OF TRENDS.

PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP OVERWHELMINGLY CARRIED THE REGION BUT DEMOCRAT ASHLEY LAUGHERTY HELD ON TO HER SEAT AGAINST A PRO TRUMP REPUBLICAN.

RUSS, FASCINATION WITH EASTERN KENTUCKY'S VOTING PATTERNS, ESPECIALLY FROM OUTSIDERS WHO ARE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, RIGHT?

>> OH, YEAH.

IT'S ACTUALLY A SPORT OF MINE.

I LIKE TO WATCH TWITTER AFTER ELECTIONS TO SEE HOW WRONG THEY GET EASTERN KENTUCKY'S ELECTORATE.

IF YOU WERE TO LOOK AT THE RESULTS THAT TRUMP TOOK, HE ROLLED TO VICTORY IN EVERY EASTERN KENTUCKY COUNTY.

IF YOU WERE TO LOOK AT THAT AND EXTRAPOLATE THAT IT WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE BECAUSE YOU HAD ASHLEY WHO IS THE ONLY HOUSE MEMBER WHO IS A DEMOCRAT, AND REMAINING IN THE HOUSE.

SO YOU KNOW, YOU HAD HER WINNING OVER A PRO TRUMP CANDIDATE.

YOU HAD A REJECTION OF AMENDMENT 2 WHICH WAS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS BILL.

THAT WAS SUPPOSED BY REPUBLICANS AND THAT WAS REJECTED.

AGAIN IT'S ALWAYS FUNNY SEEING HOW WRONG THEY GET EASTERN KENTUCKY AND HOW LITTLE THEY UNDERSTAND HOW NUANCED OUR ELECTORATE IS.

>> Bill: OKAY.

INTERESTING.

DID ASHLEY CAMPAIGN VERY WELL?

WAS THAT THE KEY TO HER VICTORY?

>> SHE IS A POPULAR CANDIDATE.

AND YOU KNOW HER VOTING RECORD DOES TEND TO REFLECT I AMORE CONSERVATIVE RECORD.

IT'S NOT THAT SHE IS NOT NECESSARILY SEEN AS CONNECTED TO THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHICH I THINK IS WHAT A LOT OF THE PEOPLE AROUND HERE WHO ARE SWITCHING REPUBLICAN ARE REJECTING.

>> Bill: THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS A NON-BUDGET YEAR BUT IT MAYBE ONE TO WATCH.

MONICA, REPRESENTATIVE KIM BAN TA A REPUBLICAN FROM FORT MITCHELL WILL FILE A BILL TO HOLD PARENTS ACCOUNTABLE FOR GUN VIOLENCE.

WDRB REPORTED ON A DEATH OF A TEENAGER IN A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING WHICH TWO OTHER TEENAGERS WERE CHARGED.

>> THAT WAS SHOCKING IT WAS SEPTEMBER 2021.

A TEENAGER WAITING THE THE BUS STOP EARLY MORNING AND HE WAS SHOT AND KILLED WAITING TO GO TO SCHOOL.

POLICE SAID HE WAS NOT THE INTENDED TARGET.

NOW THAT VICTIM'S MOTHER IS GETTING INVOLVED, SAYING SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE, SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE IF THE LAW CAN'T CONTROL THE KIDS, CAN THE PARENTS?

AND THAT'S THE QUESTION.

AND REPRESENTATIVE KIM BAN TA IS SAYING THAT THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY TO CRIMINALLY PROSECUTE AGAINST PARENTS BUT TO CIVILLY HOLD THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE AND ALLOW FAMILIES TO THEN SUE IF THERE IS A CRIMINALLY INVOLVED TEEN FACING MURDER CHARGES FOR INSTANCE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE THAT YOU JUST KNOW FOR A FACT IS ANY KIND OF LEGISLATION THAT ADDRESSES GUNS IN A WAY THAT CAN BE SEEN AS CRACKING DOWN ON THEM OR RESTRICTING, PENALIZING THEM THEIR OWNERS AND USERS IT FACES AN UPHILL BATTLE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THOUGH THIS ISN'T GUN CONTROL OR RESTRICTION OR CRIMINAL CHARGES, IT'S STILL LIKELY TO FACE AN UPHILL CLIMB EVEN WITH A REPUBLICAN SPONSOR.

WE SAW IN THE 2024 SESSION THERE WAS AN EFFORT TO CREATE A EMERGENCY PROVISION TO REMOVE GUNS FROM PEOPLE IN CRISIS.

AND IT GOT ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE.

AND A NUMBER OF GUN RELATED BILLS IN THE LEGISLATURE HAVE FACED SIMILAR FATES.

IT CERTAINLY WILL BE ONE TO WATCH.

BUT TOUGH SELL.

>> ARGUABLY HARD TO EVEN HOLD THESE PARENT AS COUNTABLE, TOO.

I TALKED TO NOW 20-YEAR-OLD WHO WAS CRIMINALLY INVOLVED GOT TIED UP IN GUN VIOLENCE, HE WAS HOMELESS.

SO THAT COULD BE AN EXAMPLE OF OKAY, YES THERE ARE TEENS INVOLVED IN GUN VIOLENCE.

BUT THERE ARE ALSO TEENS WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE A PRESENT PARENT LET ALONE A PARENTING FIGURE AT ALL.

>> Bill: AND YOU CAN IMAGINE A ROBUST DISCUSSION ABOUT PROVING THAT THE GUN BELONGED TO THE PARENTS AND THERE WAS A NEGLIGENCE SO WE WILL WATCH IF THAT DISCUSSION GOES ON.

TESSA, WE KNOW THAT REDUCING THE STATE INCOME TAX ANOTHER TICK IS CERTAINLY A PRIORITY OF THE REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE MARTYRED ELIMINATING THE INCOME TAX IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY SOMETHING THE LEGISLATORS ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT, FOCUSED ON.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN THE NEXT SESSION IT IS NOT A BUDGET YEAR A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL MOVE THE STATE INCOME TAX RATE FROM 4% TO 3.5%.

AND SO WITH REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY I EXPECT THAT TO PASS EASILY.

>> AND THE WORKFORCE COMMITTEE IS SAYING THIS COULD HELP WITH TENNESSEE WORKERS THAT ALONE THAT HUGE BORDER ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE THOSE PEOPLE THEY MIGHT HAVE A CHOICE AND THEY MIGHT SAY THE STATE INCOME IS GOING TO MAKE THEM FLIP TO THE TENNESSEE BORDER.

>> Bill: THAT IS A STRONG ARGUMENT IN THE YEARS.

RUSS, WE KNOW THE HOUSING SHORTAGE IS STATE-WIDE.

IT'S PROFOUND WHETHER YOU ARE IN A METROPOLITAN AREA OR A RURAL AREA.

DO WE FORESEE LEGISLATION THAT MIGHT TRY TO ADDRESS THAT CHALLENGE?

>> I WOULD IMAGINE ESPECIALLY WITH IT BEING A NON-BUDGET SESSION.

THAT THIS IS THE KIND OF ISSUE THAT SHOULD GET ATTENTION.

I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED.

HERE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY WE WERE DEALING WITH THE HOUSING SHORTAGE AND THEN YOU ADD THE 2022 FLOODING AND IT JUST EXACERBATED THAT PROBLEM.

I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE LEGISLATION TO TRY TO ADDRESS THAT STATE-WIDE.

>> Bill: THE HOUSING FUNDS SETUP AFTER THE TORNADOES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AND THE FLOODING THERE.

BUT YOU KNOW, YOU ALSO HEAR TALK OF A MORE SUSTAINED EFFORT AND RADIOACTIVENIZING HOW SHORT WE ARE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE HAVE REPORTED ON ALL OF THE CHALLENGES FOR KENTUCKY'S JUVENILE JAILS AND MOST DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO REGULAR THERAPISTS AND EXPERTS SAY THAT COULD BE THE KEY TO KEEPING KIDS OUT OF JAIL.

MONICA, YOU'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT ON THIS SUBJECT AND YOU FOUND THAT IT'S TWO OF SEVEN JUVENILE FACILITIES THAT HAVE QUALIFIED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ON STAFF?

>> IT'S SO INTERESTING.

OF THE SEVEN THAT ARE THESE JUVENILE GRAIL L JAILS IT IS A DETENTION CENTER WHAT YOU WOULD THINK OF AN ADULT JAIL.

THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF.

SERIOUS CRIMES.

AND WHEN WE THINK ABOUT HOW THEY GET OUT, AND THEY HAVE TO GO BACK INTO SOCIETY.

THE WAY THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO BETTER ASSIMILATE IS ADDRESSING THEIR MENTAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS BUT THAT CANNOT BE DONE IF THERE IS NOT STAFF TO DO SO.

AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE DJJ KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM.

THEY SAY THEY ARE TRYING TO FIX IT.

BUT WHEN YOU HAVE SUCH HIGH NEEDS AND HIGH THEY CALL IT HIGH ACUITY IS WHAT THEY USE IN FRANKFORT LANGUAGE MEANING THESE ARE REALLY, REALLY, BROKEN INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE SEEN THE UNIMAGINABLE.

THESE ARE KIDS THAT HAVE SEEN MURDERS AND CRIMES BEFORE MAYBE 16.

SO IN ORDER TO ADDRESS IT, THERAPY IS THE KEY.

THE FORMER JUVENILE JUSTICE DIRECTOR FOR LOUISVILLE'S PREVIOUS JAIL SAID THIS IS HOW WE STOP RECIDIVISM AND HOW WE STOP THE KIDS FROM CONTINUING ON A LIFE OF CRIME.

AND WE KNOW THAT MENTAL HEALTH TRAUMAS CAN BE SO INTENSE THINGS THAT I WOULD NEVER IMAGINE.

>> RIGHT.

WE KNOW ALL THE STUDIES TELL US THAT CHILDHOOD TRAUMA IS A HUGE CONTRIBUTOR TO CHILDREN GETTING INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

IF YOU COME FROM A HAPPY, HEALTHY WELL ADJUSTED HOUSEHOLD WHERE YOUR EMOTIONAL NEEDS AND PHYSICAL NEEDS, YOU'RE FED AND CLOSED, YOU GO TO A SCHOOL WHERE YOUR TEACHERS SUPPOSE YOU, IF YOU HAVE THESE THINGS YOUR CHANCES OF ENDING UP IN ONE OF THESE FACILITIES ARE PRETTY LOW.

ON THE FLIP SIDE WE KNOW THE KIDS WHO ARE ENDING UP COMMITTING THE CRIMES WHEN THEY ARE 15, 16, 17, THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH SIGNIFICANT THINGS IN THEIR LIFE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE IN KENTUCKY OR ANYWHERE WAS NEVER DESIGNED TO BE A LOCK THEM UP THROW AWAY THE KEY.

REHABILITATION REALLY IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE FIRST GOAL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS.

BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUNG PEOPLE THEY ARE NOT BEING PUT AWAY FOR LIFE.

THEY ARE GOING TO GET OUT.

SO WHAT KIND OF PERSON DO WE WANT THEM TO BE WHEN THEY GET OUT WHICH GOES TO THE POINT OF THIS REPORTING AND IS THAT MENTAL HEALTHCARE IS A HUGE PART OF REHABILITATION AND BREAKING THAT CYCLE.

>> AND THE NEXT STEP IS HONESTLY A FACILITY THE DISCUSSION HAS BEEN STARTED AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL FOR THOSE UNDER 18.

THERE ARE ADULT MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALS.

THE WAY YOU GO ABOUT THE CARE IS DIFFERENT.

DID IT MAKE IT IN THE LEGISLATURE?

IT SUPPOSEDLY SET TO BE BROUGHT UP AGAIN WITHOUT SENATOR WESTERFIELD CONTINUING THAT PUSH IT'S NOT CLEAR HOW MUCH STRENGTH THAT WILL HAVE.

>> Bill: A SHORT-TERM ANSWER TO GET THERE UNTIL TO STAFF THESE EXISTING FACILITIES.

>> YOU WOULD HOPE.

THERE ALREADY IS A THIRD PARTY COMPANY TRYING TO STAFF THESE FACILITIES.

BUT SO FAR, THE TWO WE MENTIONED ONE OF THEM IS TWO PART-TIME WORKERS FULFILLING A FULL-TIME POSITION.

THAT'S HOW THEY ARE ABLE TO STAFF THE ONE FACILITY.

I DO WANT TO BRING UP THAT IS A DARE, JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER IF YOU FOLLOW THE NEWS DARE HAS HAD THE ISSUES IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS MAYBE THE ONE WITH THE MOST ISSUES DOES HAVE SOME HELP BUT WE HAVE LOTS OF OTHER KIDS IN OTHER CENTERS.

>> AND AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ALL THIS LET'S NOT FORGET AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS LOOKING INTO THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE.

SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FINALITY RESULT OF THAT MAYBE OR HOW THAT MAY CHANGE WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

BUT THAT IS ALSO GOING ON IN THE BACKGROUND OF ALL OF THIS.

THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT NEW.

AND THEY ARE NOT GOING AWAY SOON EITHER.

>> Bill: A LOT OF FOCUS ON OUR PROBLEMS.

RUSS, THERE IS POSITIVE NEWS.

REGARDING EDUCATION IN EASTERN KENTUCKY THIS YEAR AND THE UNIVERSITY OF PIKEVILLE CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAY IN SOME AREAS IT SOUNDS LIKE.

ESPECIALLY IN HEALTHCARE, HEALTHCARE REALM.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK BACK ON 2024 IN SOME WAYS PAYING ATTENTION YOU CAN CALL IT THE YEAR OF EDUCATION IN SOME WAYS.

YOU HAD THE DISCUSSION OVER WHETHER EASTERN KENTUCKY NEEDS A PUBLIC FOUR YEAR INSTITUTION WHICH IS GOING TO RESULT IN SOMETHING.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT BUT THERE WILL BE A EXPANSION OF FOUR YEAR DEGREES.

THE UNIVERSITY OF PIKEVILLE HAS ANNOUNCED EXPANSION OF THE OS PATHIC MEDICAL SCHOOL IT'S IN PROCESS ESTABLISHING A DENTAL SCHOOL.

IT'S RESEARCH PROJECTS AND COLLUDING THE RESOURCE RECEIVED A GRANT THAT WILL ESTABLISH THE APPALACHIAN CENTER FOR PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE.

AND SPEAKING WITH THE PRESIDENT HE SAID TO ME, THAT APPALACHIA'S PROBLEMS THE SOLUTION WILL COME FROM APPALACHIA.

AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE TAKING THAT SERIOUSLY.

THERE IS THIS KIND OF REALLY CONCERTED EFFORT AND YOU HAVE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE PIKEVILLE MEDICAL CENTER JOINING IN AND PUSHING TO TRY TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TAKING ON MEDICAL FIELDS AND HOW CHILDREN EVEN AS YOUNG AS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ARE BEING EXPOSED TO THE POITY OF -- POSSIBILITY OF TAKING ON THE MEDICAL FIELDS AS THEY GROW UP.

IT IS VERY MUCH-NEEDED PUSH HAPPENING.

>> Bill: RUSS, ARE THEY SUCCESSFUL AT KEEPING THE GRADUATES IN THE REGION OR AT LEAST IN PRACTICING IN RURAL AREAS?

>> WELL, YEAH, THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT GO INTO THAT.

FOR EXAMPLE THE MEDICAL SCHOOL HAS CERTAIN STRUCTURES BUILT INTO IT THAT EVEN IF THOSE STUDENTS DON'T END UP PRACTICING IN EASTERN KENTUCKY THEY DO TYPICALLY END UP IN RURAL OR UNDERSERVED AREAS.

AND THEN THE EXPANSION OF THE RESEARCH WILL OBVIOUSLY HELP TO ATTRACT MORE STUDENTS.

MORE MEDICAL PERSONNEL.

I MEAN, THE MORE THAT THE COLLEGE AND FOR EXAMPLE, MEDICAL CENTER CAN DO IN THE FIELD OF RESEARCH THE MORE IT CAN ATTRACT HERE.

IT IS A SELF FULFILLING THING.

>> Bill: ALLIED RESOURCE PARTNERS ANNOUNCING 280 JOBS LOST IN PIKE COUNTY.

COAL MINING IN A LONG-TERM DOWNTURN, NO SUGAR COATING THAT IS A TOUGH BLOW, RUSS?

>> OH, IT IS RIGHT AT THE HOLIDAYS.

I MEAN IT'S TERRIBLE.

BUT YOU KNOW, WE SPOKE WITH OUR JUDGE EXECUTIVE HERE HE IS NOT 100% SURE IF IT IS THE BIGGEST OPERATION IN PIKE COUNTY BUT IT HAS TO BE AMONG THEM.

WE'VE LOST SO MANY THOUSANDS OF JOBS IN THE COAL INDUSTRY.

YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO REPLACE THOSE JOBS WITH ANYTHING AT THIS POINT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

AN ESTIMATED ONE MILLIKENIANS WILL BE ON THE MOVE THIS THANKSGIVING WEEKEND SO KEEP THAT IN MIND AND PACK YOUR PATIENCE IF YOU ARE OUT THERE.

MONICA, THIS IS A TRUE MAKE IT OR BREAK IT TIME FOR RETAIL BUSINESSES AND THE LOCALS COMPETING WITH THE NATIONALS AND ALL OF THAT?

>> AND EVEN E-COMMERCE WE KNOW THAT AMAZON IS THE GIANT BIG RELABELLER WITH ONE CLICK PURCHASING AND I WOULD BE LYING IF I SAID I DIDN'T DO IT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS IT GETS YOU AND THE LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE HAVING TROUBLE FIGHTING BACK WITH THE QUICKNESS WHICH THE PRODUCTS CAN BE FULFILLED.

SHOP SMALL SATURDAY IS A BIG PUSH THIS YEAR.

>> Bill: KEEP THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES IN MIND AND THE MAIN STREETS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL IS AUCTIONING OFF ALCOHOL TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITIES.

THE ON-LINE AUCTION RUNS THROUGH DECEMBER 11.

A NEW STATE LAW ALLOWS PRODUCTS CONFISCATED FROM CLOSED CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS BY THE ABC TO BE AUCTIONED AND THIS YEAR'S AUCTION INCLUDES 32 RARE BOTTLES.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

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