LARGEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENT EVER.

CAR BATTERIES WILL MEAN THOUSANDS OF JOBS FOR THE STATE AND A NEARLY $6 BILLI FINALLY ENCOURAGING SIGNS IN TH LATEST COVID SURGE.

EXHAUSTED HEALTH CARE WORKERS SEE SOME NUMBERS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIR A REPORT CARD SHOWS THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON OUR SCHOOLS.

AND WASHINGTON SHUTDOWN AVOIDED BUT WE'RE WATCHING KENTUCKY'S PLAYERS AS SPENDING DEBATES RAGE ON.

IN THIS FIRST WEEKEND IN OCTOBER, "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.

MY THANKS TO LAWRENCE SMITH FOR SITTING IN FOR ME FOR THE THE LAST TWO WEEKS AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURN TONIGHT ARE: MELISSA PATRICK OF HEALTH NEWS.

BILL ESTEP OF THE HERALD LEADER.

AND MARKUS GREEN OF WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

ALSO TONIGHT, GOVERNOR BESHEAR OFFICIALLY BEGINS HIS RE-ELECTION BID.

CHURCHILL DOWNS HAS BIG PLANS IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE, AND KENTUCKY SEEKS MONEY FROM A NEIGHBORING STATE' THE ATTENTION-GETTING STORY OF THIS WEEK WAS A MAJOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENT.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY BETTING ON KENTUCKY AS IT TRANSITIONS TO A FUTURE OF MORE ELECTRIC CARS.

IT'S INVESTING NEARLY $6 BILLI IN TWIN PLANTS IN HARDIN COUNTY TOWN OF GLENDALE JUST OFF I-65.

FORD SAYS IT WILL PROVIDE 5,000 SUPPLIERS AND LOGISTICAL SUPPOR COULD MEAN MORE IMPACT.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE WITH A SPLASH OUTSIDE THE STATE CAPITO.

>> WELL, IT STARTS JUST 90 MINUTES SOUTHWEST HERE IN GLENDALE WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A BATLY MANUFACTURING CAMPUS THAT WILL POWER A GENERATION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

>> THIS PROJECT NOT ONLY SETS THE BAR GLOBALLY FOR BATTERY PRODUCTION, IT BREAKS NEARLY ALL OF OUR PREVIOUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RECORDS.

THIS IS THE SINGLE LARGEST CAPITAL INVESTMENT EVER MADE AT THE COMMONWEALTH AT NEARLY $6 BILLION.

>> Bill: MARCUS, IT IS HISTORIC.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PROJECT AND WHAT IT WILL ENTAIL.

>> Marcus: IT'S AN HISTORIC INVESTMENT.

IT'S PART OF FORD'S PLAN TO INCREASE ITS ELECTRIC VEHICLE PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES.

SIMILAR BATTERY FACTORY OUTSIDE THE OF MEMPHIS IS PART OF THIS AS WELL.

BUT IN KENTUCKY IT'S GOING INTO A SITE THAT HAS LONG BEEN ENVISIONED FOR A I EVER MAJOR MANUFACTURER.

THIS WAS THE SITE THAT THE STATE TRIED TO GET HUNDAI TO BUILD ITS FIRST NORTH AMERICAN PLANT THERE IN 2002.

THAT FAILED.

THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER ATTEMPTS OVER THE YEARS.

THIS PROJECT, THOUGH, IN ITS SHEAR SIZE, 5,000 JOBS IF THAT'S WHAT IS ULTIMATELY CREATED, WOULD BE LARGER, FOR EXAMPLE, THAN ONE OF THE FORD PLANTS IN LOUISVILLE, THE LOUISVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT, SO A SIGNIFICANT JOBS ANNOUNCEMENT, A SIGNIFICANT OVERALL INVESTMENT, AND THAT DOESN'T EVEN BEGIN TO INCLUDE THE ANCILLARY JOBS, CONSTRUCTION, OTHER SPINOFF INDUSTRIES THAT MIGHT OCCUR, AND POTENTIAL SUPPLIER IN THE WORKS AS WELL IN THE REGION AND THE STATE.

>> Bill: AND THE LOCATION IS KEY.

>> Marcus: YES IT'S RIGHT OFF INTERSTATE 65.

THIS IS ABOUT A 45, 50 MINUTE DRIVE SOUTH OF LOUISVILLE, SOUTH OF ELIZABETHTOWN.

IT'S IN A RURAL AREA BUT IT'S GOT AN INTERCHANGE THAT THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET PLANS TO UPGRADE, AND I'M SURE THERE WILL BE OTHER UPGRADES TO INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE AREA AS WELL.

>> Bill: WHAT DOES IT STAY THAT I MAJOR AUTOMAKER LIKE FORD WOULD TAKE A PART OF ITS GREEN ENERGY FUTURE IN KENTUCKY?

>> Marcus: I THINK THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THING IS HAD PUTS KENTUCKY IN THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE GAME.

THERE HAVE BEEN MINOR ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT ARE CREATING JOBS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE, PROJECTS PLANNED FOR PLACES LIKE BEREA, BUT THIS IS ON PAR WITH SOME OF THE BIG BATTERY PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED IN STATES LIKE MICHIGAN AND OHIO, SO IT REALLY PUTS KENTUCKY FOR THE FIRST TIME INTO THE GAME FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN A MAJOR WAY.

>> Bill: HOW IMPORTANT WAS FORD'S LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP WITH KENTUCKY?

AS I UNDERSTAND, THERE ARE TIES THAT GO BACK 100 YEARS.

>> Marcus: WELL, THE TIES GO BACK A LONG WAY AND, OF COURSE, THERE ARE TWO MAJOR PLANTS IN LOUISVILLE, AND THOSE PLANTS GENERATE A LOT OF SALES AND A LOT OF CARS AND TRUCKS FOR FORD, BUT REALLY, AS FORD SAID IN MAKING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, IT'S ABOUT THE LOCATION.

AND THAT LOCATION IS CENTRAL.

IT'S A 1500-ACRE SITE.

AND I THINK WE SHOULDN'T ALSO DISMISS THE FACT 6 FACT THAT IF EITHER OF THESE FORD PLANTS SABLE TO PIVOT AND ADD ELECTRIC VEHICLES, WELL, YOU'VE GOT PLANTS JUST UP THE ROAD THAT CAN PRODUCE THOSE.

>> Bill: IT IS LOOKS LIKE THAT'S WHERE FORD WANTS TO GO AS WELL AS MANY AUTOMAKERS IS TOWARD THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES, AND THERE ARE SOME MAN DAYS THAT THAT HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.

>> Marcus: YEAH, IT'S COMBINATION OF GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES BUT ALSO CONSUMER CHOICE, AND A LOT OF THIS IS BEING DRIVEN BY CLIMATE CHANGE, AND WE COULD DEBATE THE MERITS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE TRULY CLIMATE FRIENDLY OVERALL, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE, WHILE IT'S A SMALL SHARE OF THE MARKET, ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE, THEY'RE GROWING VERY, VERY QUICKLY.

>> Bill: BILL, YOU AND I REMEMBER WHEN TOYOTA CAME TO GEORGETOWN IN THE 1980S AND GOVERNOR INCENTIVES WERE CONTROVERSIAL AT THAT TIME.

THEY'RE BEING USED HEAVILY IN THIS CASE AS WELL.

BUT FEW WOULD ARGUE NOW ABOUT WHAT THAT TOYOTA PLANT HAS MEANT, AT LEAST TO THE BLUEGRASS REGION.

>> Bill Estep: REALLY TO THE STATE AS A TOTAL.

BECAUSE YOU THINK ABOUT THERE'S 10,000 JOBS AT THE TOYOTA PLANT.

THERE'S HUNDREDS OF SUPPLIER PLANTS AROUND THE STATE THAT FEED INTO THAT.

YOU KNOW, THAT INCENTIVE, AND WHEN THAT PLANT WAS ANNOUNCED IN 1995 UNDER GOVERNOR COLLINS, THE ORIGINAL INCENTIVE PACKAGE WAS $108 MILLION FOR.

NOW YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AROUND $400 MILLION FORE A $6 BILLION INVESTMENT.

SO THE SCALE IS MUCH LARGER.

BUT THOSE INCENTIVES BACK THEN WERE CONTROVERSIAL.

PEOPLE FELT LIKE YOU WERE GIVING AWAY THE STORE, THAT THE JOBS -- I READ TODAY THERE WAS A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF OUR PAPER AT THAT TIME SAYING IT WOULD NOT CREATE ANY JOBS, THAT EVERY JOB THAT WAS CREATED THERE WOULD BE LOST IN MICHIGAN OR SOMEPLACE ELSE, WHICH TURNED OUT NOT TO BE TRUE, BUT THEY WERE -- THEY WERE CONTROVERSIAL, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CASE ANYMORE.

>> Bill: MARCUS, SOME SEEM TO BE SINGING OUT OF THE SAME HYMN BOOK THIS TIME.

THERE WOULD APPEAR TO BE POLITICAL CREDIT TO SPREAD AROUND FOR THIS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S TEAM NEGOTIATED WITH FORD, IMPRESSED THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS INCENTIVES, WHICH THEY DID.

THE LEGISLATURE ALSO PLAYED A ROLE IN PURCHASING THAT LAND.

>> Marcus: THERE IS A LOT OF CREDIT TO GO AROUND, AS YOU MENTIONED.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DID NEGOTIATE THE DEAL.

ROCKY ADKINS, THE GOVERNOR'S SAR ADVISER, WAS THE ONE WHO REALLY CARRIED INNOVATE LEGISLATURE DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION TO LEGISLATORS, BUT IT WAS THE REPUBLICAN-LED LEGISLATURE THAT PASSED THE BILL.

THE BILL RECEIVED OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

AND AGAIN THIS BILL ESSENTIALLY ALLOWED THE STATE TO DO WHAT SOME STATES CAN ALREADY DO, WHICH IS GIVE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF UPFRONT MONEY TO THESE MEGA PROJECTS, AND FORD TO BE RESOLVE PROBLEMS RECIPIENT IN THIS CASE OF POTENTIALLY P TO $250 MILLION IN WHAT AMOUNTS TO A LOAN THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY BACK IF THEY MEET GOALS, SO IT'S A VERY HEFT INCENTIVE FOR THEM.

>> Bill: WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME FOR TO FORD PLANT CONSTRUCTION AND BRING IT ONLINE?

>> Marcus: FORD WANTS TO HAVE THE BATTERIES BEING PRODUCED THERE IN 2025, SO IT'S A FAIRLY AGGRESSIVE TIMELINE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT FIELD, ESSENTIALLY IT'S A GREEN FIELD.

THERE'S NOTHING THERE.

SO THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF WORK HAVE TO BE DONE BETWEEN NOW AND 2025 BUT THAT'S THE GOAL.

>> Bill: BILL, THE FORD PROJECT HAS BROUGHT UP SOME OTHER QUESTIONS, INCLUDING SOME THAT ARE BEING LIAISON RAISED ABOUT SOME LAND YEAR THAT SITE THAT IS OWNED BY KENTUCKY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SECRETARIES LARRY HAYES.

>> Bill Estep: CONCERT CAN HAYES OWNS A A TRACT OF LAND.

>> A WAREHOUSE NEAR THAT SITE, AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO ASSUME WITH THE DEVELOPMENT GOING IN THERE, THAT THE VALUE OF THAT LAND WOULD GO UP.

MORE MR. HAYES WAS IN THE CABINET UNDER GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S FATHER, STEVE BESHEAR.

HE'S BACK IN THE CABINET NOW.

THE CABINET SAID THAT HE WOULD NOT MAKE ANY -- THAT HE'S A NON-VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD THAT WOULD APPROVE THOSE INCENTIVES, AND THEY SAID THAT HE WOULD KEEP HIS PRIVATE AND 6 PUBLIC INTERESTS SEPARATE.

>> BILL: FORMER BRAIDY INDUSTRIES GOT MONEY FROM THE STATE FOR THE PROMISE TO BUILD A LARGE ALUMINUM PLANT NEAR ASHLAND.

THAT IS NOT BEEN DONE.

NOW SAY THE SENATOR CHRIS MCDANIEL WANTS TO GET THAT MONEY BACK, AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYS HE WANTS KNOW HOW THE DEAL GOT STARTED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> SENATOR McDABBLEAL SAID TWO ADMINISTRATIONS NOW, BEVIN AND BESHEAR, AND THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN PLAYED FOR FOOLS WAS THE QUOTE THAT HE HAD.

THIS IS AN INCENTIVE PACKAGE OF $15 MILLION IN A PROJECT THAT'S $1.7 BILLION, SO IT'S NOT A BUNCH OF MONEY BUT IT'S THE PRINCIPLE THERE YES FOLKS MAKING A CONFISCATE IN THE INVESTMENT AT THE TIME BUT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN PUSHED FOR AND THE LEGISLATURE PASSED WITHOUT A LOT OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT ABOUT WHAT THE PROJECT WAS GOING TO BE AT THE TIME.

THE PROJECT NOW IS YEARS BEHIND WHAT THE ORIGINAL TIMETABLE WAS TO OPEN IT.

THEY HAVE NOT STARTED CONSTRUCTION.

I THINK THEY BUILT A FENCE.

BUT SENATOR MCDANIEL SAID HE'LL HAVE A BILL NEXT TIME TO RECOUP THAT MONEY, TAKE IT BACK.

>> Bill: MELISSA, LET'S GET YOU BUSY, AND FINALLY THERE ARE SOME ENCOURAGING SIGNS IN KENTUCKY'S RUN-IN WITH THE DELTA VARIANT OF COVID-19, RIGHT?

>> Melissa: IT'S BEEN A CAUTIOUSLY HOPEFUL WEEK AS CASES AND POSITIVITY RATES HAVE GONE DOWN, AND FINALLY THE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AND VENTILATOR NUMBERS ALSO LOOK TO BE ON A DECLINE, AND SO CAUTIOUSLY HOPEFUL BECAUSE THOSE NUMBERS ARE STILL TOO HIGH.

WE HAD MORE THAN 4,000 CASES TODAY, AND THE POSITIVITY RATES UNDER 10%.

9ING .67%.

BACK EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC THEY WANTED THAT LESS THAN 5 SO THERE'S A WAYS TO GO.

CAUTIOUSLY HOPEFUL.

IT'S NOT TIME TO TAKE OUR MASKS OFF WHEN WE'RE INDOOR PUBLIC PLACES, BUT IT'S HOPEFUL.

>> Bill: IN THE TREND CONTINUES, THOUGH, IT COULD CERTAINLY BRING SOME PRESSURE OFF OF THESE HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHO HAVE JUST BEEN OVERRUN IN RECENT WEEKS.

>> Melissa: OH, ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, THE HOSPITAL NUMBERS, AS CASE NUMBERS GO DOWN, AS TRANSMISSION RATES GO DOWN IN COMMUNITIES, SO WILL HOSPITAL PATIENTS, AND SURELY THAT WILL OFFER SOME RELIEF TO OUR HOSPITALS WHO HAVE BEEN SO OVERRUN, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO DMIT STAFFING ISSUES THAT THESE HOSPITALS HAVE HAD AREN'T NEW.

IT'S AN ONGOING PROBLEM.

SO IT'S A LONG-TERM -- THERE NEEDS TO BE A SHORT-TERM AND A LONG-TERM FIX.

>> WE SAW A REPORT THAT INDICATED THAT RURAL AREAS ARE GETTING HIT MUCH HARDER THAN OTHER PLACES.

>> Melissa: SURE.

THE DALE YONDER REPORTED THAT NATIONWIDE THERE'S BEEN A 14% DROP IN RURAL CASES OF CORONAVIRUS, BUT A 10% INCREASE IN DEATHS, AND ANOTHER STUDY SHOWED THAT THE RURAL DEATH RATES ARE ABOUT TWICE AS HIGH AS THOSE IN URBAN AREAS.

SO THEY CITE SEVERAL REASONS FOR THAT.

LOW VACCINATION RATES, INCREASED TRANSMISSION, BUT ALSO OLDER, SICKER POPULATION, AND ALSO A POPULATION THAT HAS LESS ACCESS TO CARE.

>> Bill: AND THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK SOME PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT WILL BE AIMED AT AREAS THAT ARE HARD HIT AND WILL MAKE USE OF SOME FAMILY MEMBERS OF UNVACCINATED VICTIMS.

>> Melissa: YOU KNOW, THE REAL HOPE THERE IS TO TOUCH PEOPLE'S HEARTS WHO HAVE SORT OF DUG THEIR HEELS IN TO NOT GET VACCINATED.

THAT NUMBER HAS HOVERED AROUND 20%.

THE HOPE IS THAT BY SHARING THESE REAL STORIES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN DESPAIR AND HAVE LOST LOVED ONES, THAT THAT MIGHT ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN-RESISTANT TO VACCINE TO GO AHEAD AND GET VACCINATED.

>> A LOT OF KENTUCKY BUSINESSES ARE MAKING TOUGH CALLS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE MANY HAVE PUT IN VACCINE REQUIREMENTS AND HERE AS WE HIT OCTOBER OR MAYBE THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH THERE, HITTING THEIR TARGET DATES FOR THOSE AND HAVING TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS.

>> Melissa: YEAH, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF REPORTING ON THAT THIS LAST WEEK, AND WHAT'S BEING SHARED IS THAT WHILE THESE REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE AND PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT IT WOULD BE A REASON FOR THEM TO LEAVE, THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY LEAVING.

AND THAT WAS ALSO CONFIRMED LOCALLY LAST WEEK STATEWIDE, I SHOULD SAY, WHEN OUR KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT SAID THAT VACCINATIONS -- THE REQUIRED VACCINATION WASN'T CREATING AN OPERATIONAL PROBLEM WITH THE HOSPITALS.

>> Bill: SO MOST BUSINESSES, MARCUS, HAVE ROLLED WITH THIS, IT SEEMS.

>> Marcus: MOST OF THEM HAVE, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOTE JUST BUSINESSES.

IT'S GOVERNMENTS.

LOUISVILLE MAYOR GREG FISCHER HAS BEEN ASKED REPEATEDLY ABOUT INSTITUTING A VACCINE REQUIREMENT FOR METRO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AND HE'S BEEN RELUCTANT TO DO THAT.

I THINK PART OF THE REASON IS THE PUBLIC SAFETY UNIONS, POLICE ESPECIALLY BOTH WHICH HAVE BEEN UNDER IMMENSE PRESSURE HAVE RELATIVELY LOW VACCINATION RATES OR THEY'VE DECLINED TO ANSWER THE MAYOR'S REQUEST TO SAY WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE VACCINATED, SO IT'S NOT JUST BUSINESSES THAT ARE INSTITUTING THESE BUT IT'S GOVERNMENTS WHO ARE WAVERING ON ACTUALLY PUTTING THEM INTO PLACE AS WELL.

>> Bill: AND THESE VACCINATION RATES ARE COMING UP SLOWLY STATEWIDE.

RIGHT?

>> Melissa: THEY ARE.

THEY INCREASED ABOUT 7% OVER LAST WEEK, AND THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.

IT'S GOOD BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

WITH THIS DELTA VARIANT BEING SO CONTAGIOUS, WE NEED MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED THAN ORIGINALLY THOUGHT TO CREATE WHAT THEY CALL COMMUNITY IMMUNITY OR HERD IMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, DR. STACK HAS SAID THAT NEEDS TO BE AROUND 90%, WHEREAS BEFORE IT HAD BEEN KIND OF HOVERING AROUND 70 TO 80 PERCENT.

SO WE JUST NEED MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED TO SLOW THESE TRANSMISSION RATES DOWN.

>> Bill Estep: THE SURGE OVER DELTA DID SCARE SOME FOLKS OR INFLUENCE SOME FOLKS TO GET VACCINATED WHO HADN'T, BUT THERE ARE STILL SOME COUNTIES THAT ARE UNDER 50%, AND WE HAVE TO -- WOULD HAVE TO WORK PRETTY HARD TO GET TO 50%.

>> Bill: MELISSA, THE PANDEMIC CLEARLY TOOK A TOLL ON DISRUPTING EDUCATION AS WELL.

AND WE SAW SOME RESULTS OF SOME FEDERALLY MANDATED TESTING THIS WEEK WHERE THERE WERE SLIPS IN GRADUATION RATES AND PROFICIENCY IN SOME AREAS.

THE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER, DR. JASON GLASS, OPPOSED THAT FEDERAL TESTING, AND HE INTERPRETS THIS AS -- WITH SOME GIVE AND TAKE IN LOOKING AT THE RESULTS.

>> Melissa: SURE.

YOU KNOW, IN HIS COMMENTS, HE SORT OF CAME AT IT FROM A BIT OF A GLASS HALF FULL, LOOKING AT WHAT I CALL LIFE SKILLS, THAT THESE STUDENTS HAVE ACQUIRED THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.

THEY'VE LEARNED TO DO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET IN A WAY THAT MAYBE THEY HADN'T BEFORE AND REALLY HONED THEIR WEB SKILLS.

THEY'VE LEARNED TO BE MORE SELF DISCIPLINED AND ORGANIZED BECAUSE THEY'VE HAD TO WORK MORE INDEPENDENTLY.

MAYBE THEIR DECISION MAKING SKILLS ARE A LITTLE BETTER AS FAR AS HOW TO MANAGE THEIR TIME AT HOME WITH ALL OF THE DISTRACTIONS AT THE HOUSE.

AND ALSO THEY'VE LEARNED TO COLLABORATE IN A MEDIUM THAT IS JUST PART OF OUR WORLD TODAY.

>> Bill: LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING, RIGHT?

>> Melissa: THAT'S HOW I READ THOSE COMMENTS, IS THAT THAT WAS A SILVER LINING.

>> Bill: MARKUS, THE DE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LOOKS AT THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE FORCED BUSINESSES TO CUT HOURS, CLOSE LOCATIONS.

WE ALL KNOW WE SEE THOSE SIGNS AND IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT FOR THEM.

KENTUCKY'S WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE IS AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE NATION FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

>> Marcus: IT IS ACCORDING TO THAT REPORT, AND ALSO INTERESTINGLY POLITICALLY ALREADY REPUBLICANS ARE STARTING TO SEIZE ON SOME OF THOSE FINDING WEEK INCLUDES THAT ONE AS A POTENTIAL PLANK AGAINST THE GOVERNOR IN HIS RE-ELECTION EFFORTS.

SO THERE ARE CLEARLY MANY, MANY REASONS WHY THE WORKFORCE IS WHAT IT IS, AND WE COULD SPEND AN ENTIRE HOUR TALKING ABOUT THAT, BUT THAT ONE STATISTIC THAT WAS ALREADY BEING USED AS KIND OF A POLITICAL TOOL RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill Estep: IT'S WORTH SAYING THAT THAT'S BEEN GOING DOWN FOR YEARS AND YEARS, NATIONALLY AND IN KENTUCKY.

THE LABOR PARTICIPATION RATE IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM.

>> Bill: AND IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO GET OUT OF IT.

MARCUS SORT OF OPENED THE DOOR THAT THE FACT THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR DID USE THE AFTERGLOW OF THE FORD ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE HAS STARTED HIS 2023 RE-ELECTION BID, APPARENTLY BEGINNING TO RAISE MONEY AND GET GOING.

STATE AUDITOR MIKE HARMON IS THE ONLY ANNOUNCED REPUBLICAN, BUT, BILL, SEVERAL OTHERS ARE CONSIDERING.

>> Bill Estep: WE'VE HEARD KELLY CRAFT, UN AMBASSADOR IS CONSIDERING THIS.

ZACH A MADDOX WHO IS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS GOING TO BE RUNG.

RYAN QUARTERLIES, AG COMMISSIONER.

SUMMERSET MAYOR ALLEN KECK HAS MENTIONED HIS INTEREST AS WELL.

THERE'S A POTENTIAL THAT A NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS WOULD GET IN THE RACE IN ADDITION TO THE STATE AUDITOR.

IT'S ALSO WORTH NOTING GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID HE WOULD DEEP LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN AS HIS RUNNING MATE.

IN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION THERE WAS DRAMA OVER WHO WOULD BE THE RUNNING MATE THE NEXT TIME AROUND.

>> Bill: THIS COULD BE A TOUGH COUPLE OF YEARS, THERE'S A-RUN TO THE 2023 ELECTION AND NOTHING IS CERTAIN FOR BESHEAR.

>> Bill Estep: GOVERNOR BESHEAR BARELY UNWON LAST TIME AGAINST AN UNPOPULAR CANDIDATE MATT BEVIN WHO MADE A LOT OF FOLKS MAD, SO REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY THIS TIME TO TAKE THAT OFFICE BACK.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR, ON THE OTHER HAND, HE GETS GOOD MARKS FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE, NOT NECESSARILY REPUBLICANS BUT FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE, ABOUT HIS HANDLING OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND HAVE BEEN YOU'VE GOT THIS -- HE ANNOUNCED THIS AFTER A WEEK OF NEWS ABOUT ALL THIS RECORD INVESTMENT THE IN COMMONWEALTH, SO HE'LL HAVE THAT RECORD TO RUN ON.

>> Bill: A LOT TO DEBATE.

MARCUS, SO THERE WAS A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT BY CHURCHILL DOWNS THIS WEEK THAT THEY ARE BUILDING A MAJOR FACILITY IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE.

>> Marcus: THAT'S RIGHT.

A HISTORICAL HORSE RACING, WHICH IS A SLOT MACHINE-LIKE GAME, OF COURSE, CASINO GAMING REMAINS ILLEGAL IN KENTUCKY AND SO HISTORICAL HORSE RACING, NOW THAT IT'S CLEARED SOME LEGAL CHALLENGES AND HAS GOTTEN THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE LEGISLATURE, CHURCHILL IS ADDING ITS SECOND HHR LOCATION IN LOUISVILLE DOWNTOWN RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE CONVENTION CENTER.

IT'S THEIR FOURTH IN THE STATE.

AND CHURCHILL IS ESSENTIALLY POSITIONING ITSELF TO MOVE INTO DOWNTOWN TO HAVE A FACILITY THAT'S NOT ONLY WILL HAVE THE GAMBLING, IT WILL HAVE SOME BARS, MERCHANDISE SHOP.

CHURCHILL, IT SHOULD BE NOTED ALSO, IS EMPHASIZING HOW IT'S TRYING TO PIVOT OFF OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO HIGHLIGHT ITS NEW COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION AND EQUITY IN HIRING.

THEY HAVE MADE SOME MINORITY CONTRACTING APPOINTMENTS AS PART OF THIS PROJECT.

AND THEY'VE AGREED TO PAY $1 MILLION, GIVE A $1 MILLION DONATION TOTE WEST END OPPORTUNITY PARTNERSHIP.

THAT'S THE WEST END INVESTMENT GROUP THAT WAS FORMED BY THE RECENTLY LEGISLATION THAT PASSED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS YEAR.

ON THE ONE HAND CHURCH SHILL MOVING INTO MORE HISTORICAL HORSE RACING BUT THEY'RE ALSO TRYING SHOW THAT THEY HAVE A MORE CIVICALLY MIND MISSION AS WELL.

THAT WAS A BIG EMPHASIS OF THEIR ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> Bill: A BIG CATALYST FOR DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE.

>> DOWN YOU DOWNTOWN SAVED LOT WITH NO EVENTS AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.

THE YUM!

CENTER.

LEADERS SEE IT WAS A MAJOR SHOT IN THE ARM.

>> Bill: SO THE BIPARTISAN PARRY A MUTUAL GAMING BILL THAT PASSED THE LEGISLATURE EARLIER THIS YEAR CLEARED THE WAY FOR THAT AND CLEARED THE WAY FOR OTHER PROJECTS THAT WE'RE SEEING ONGOING IN THE STATE.

>> Bill Estep: KEENELAND HAS PROJECTS RIGHT NOW.

IN WILLIAMSBURG AND IN CORBIN IN SOUTHERN KENTUCKY THEY'RE GOING TO BUILD A HORSE TRACK IN CORBIN THAT WOULD HAVE HISTORICAL RACING MACHINES WITH IT, AND THEY'RE BUILDINGS A FACILITY IN WILLIAMSBURG THAT WOULD JUST BE HISTORICAL RACING MACHINES.

I TALKED TO MAYOR OF WILLIAMSBURG TODAY RODDY HARRISON AND HE SAID HE WAS OVER THERE TODAY AND THEY ARE MOVING DIRT.

ACTUALLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

IN KEENELAND TOLD ME THEY FROM THE DESIGN ON THE TRACK.

>> Bill: BILL, YOU WROTE ABOUT KENTUCKY'S EFFORTS TO COLLECT MONEY FROM THE GOVERNOR OF WEST VIRGINIA, AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH SOME COAL MINING SITES, RIGHT.

>> Bill Estep: JIM JUSTICE HAS HAD IN HIS FAMILY, HAVE HAD COAL MINING OPERATIONS UP IN EASTERN KENTUCKY FOR YEARS.

AT ONE TIME -- AND GOVERNOR JUSTICE HAS HAD A HISTORIES IN KENTUCKY OF NOT PAYING TAXES, LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES OR PAYING VENDORS.

HE BOUGHT A BANKRUPT COAL COMPANY.

HE DID INHERIT THESE BUT AT ONE TIME THEY HAD HUNDREDS OF VIOLATION IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

MADE AN AGREEMENT IN 2014 TO FIX THOSE.

DIDN'T DO IT IS.

MADE ANOTHER AGREEMENT IN 2019 TO FIX THOSE.

NOW THE STATE HAS SAID THAT HE'S FAILED TO COMPLETE THAT AGREEMENT AND THEY'RE SUING TO TRY TO GET $3 MILLION.

>> Bill: SO THEY ESSENTIALLY WANT TO GET FINES OR IS THAT MONEY TO COMPLETE THE JOB?

>> Bill Estep: HE AGREED AS PART OF THAT 2019 DEAL THAT HE'D PUT A $3 BILLION LETTER OF CREDIT ON FILE, AND THE DEAL SAYS THAT IF HE DOESN'T EXECUTE, DOESN'T FINISH THE JOB AS HE'S SUPPOSED TO, THE STATE CAN PULL THAT, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE ASKING TO DO.

>> Bill: MARCUS, YOU CAN WERE A PART OF A TEAM AT WDRB THAT LOOKED AT KENTUCKY STATE POLICE NOT HAVING BODY CAMERAS.

MOST CITY POLICE DEPARTMENTS DO.

THE KSC CONSIDERING IT.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FINDINGS.

>> Marcus: YOU EVER TO REMEMBER THAT KENTUCKY STATE POLICE HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR SOME TIME IN CERTAIN STANCES FOR ITS LACK OF TRANSPARENCY WHEN IT COMES TO WITHHOLDING RECORDS OR TAKING NEWS ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING US, TO COURT TO TRY TO WITHHOLD RECORDS.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT, THOUGH, WAS WHAT KIND OF TRANSPARENCY DOES IT HAVE IN TERMS OF ITS POLICING COMPARED TO OTHER STATES.

WHAT DO HIGHWAY PATROLS AND STATE POLICE IN NEIGHBORING STATES HAVE IN TERMS OF DASH CAMS AND BODY CAMS.

AS IT RELATES TO BODY CAMERAS KENTUCKY IN THE MINORITY.

ALL OF THE SURROUNDINGS STATES EXCEPT FOR MISSOURI ORE VIRGINIA EITHER HAVE BODY CAMERAS OR ARE IMLEMENTING THEM.

INDIANA ROLLED A A $50 MILLION BODY CAMERA AT THE DIRECTION OF GOVERNOR.

WE TALKED TO E. DOUG CARTY OF THE INDIANA STATE POLICE.

HE IS A LONGTIME POLICE OFFICIAL HOO HOSS WAS RELUCTANT TO DO BODY CAMERAS BUT HE SAYS HE SUPPORTS THEM.

SO IN RESPONSE TO THAT, GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS SAID IN A STATEMENT TO US THAT HE IS CONSIDERING A BODY CAMERA FUNDING AS PART OF THE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS THAT ARE UNDERWAY, AS PART OF A POTENTIAL BUDGET REQUEST.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CONVENES WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED, IF IT WOULD BE A FULL ROLL OUT, IF IT WOULD BE PARTIAL BODY CAMERAS, BUT IT DOES SEEM STATE POLICE IS WILLING TO CONSIDER THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> Bill: AND IT CAN PROVIDE IMPORTANT EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PROCESSES, RIGHT?

>> Bill Estep: RIGHT.

AND AS DO YOU GO CARTY TOLD US THEY HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS COME IN AGAINST AT ANY RATE TROOPERS WHEN THE COMPLAINANT WAS BE PROTECTED WITH THE EVIDENCE OR TOLD, HEY, THERE'S BODY CAMERA THIS, THE PERSON BACKED YOU OF AND STOPPED THE COMPLAINT, SO IT'S REALLY A TRANSPARENCY ISSUES FOR ALL SIDES INVOLVED.

AND IT'S NOT PERFECT BUT IT'S ONE WAY OF PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL STEP OF TRANSPARENCY FOR POLICE.

>> Bill: AS WE KEEP WATCH ON WASHINGTON AND WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE AND ITS IMPACT ON KENTUCKY, NO GOVERNOR SHUTDOWN AT LEAST FOR NOW BECAUSE OF A LATE VOTE THAT HAPPENED ON THURSDAY NIGHT.

SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH McCONNELL SPOKE ON THE FLOOR ABOUT THAT AND THE BALLOTS TO COME.

>> THE CONCLUSION TO DRAW FROM THIS WEEK IS VERY CLEAR, COLUMNS EFFORTS AT PARTISAN JAMS DO NOT WORK.

WHAT WORKS IS WHEN THE MAJORITY ACCEPTS THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION.

WE ARE ABLE TO FUND THE GOVERNMENT TODAY BECAUSE THE MAJORITY ACCEPTED REALITY.

THE SAME THING WILL NEED TO HAPPEN ON THE DEBT LIMIT NEXT WEEK.

>> Bill: AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AVOID, AND THERE'S A BILL TO KEEP THINGS RUNNING, MELISSA, UNTIL DECEMBER YOU.

MIGHT IMAGINE THERE ARE A LOT OF KENTUCKIANS WHO BREATHED A SIGH OF RELIEF AT THAT NEWS.

>> Melissa: OH, SURE THAT'S REAL GOOD NEWS.

YOU KNOW, WHILE PROGRAMS LIKE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID AND FOOD STAMPS ARE PROTECTED, THE DISTRIBUTION OF THEM SOMETIMES IS A CHALLENGE AS THESE SHUTDOWNS GO ON FOR AN EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AND SO THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR KENTUCKIANS WHO USE THESE SOCIAL SERVICES AND ALSO JUST ON A FEDERAL LEVEL, JUST SO THAT THE COVID-19 VACCINATION WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING CAN CONTINUE.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE WORKING TO GET OUR FIVE TO 11-YEAR-OLDS VACCINATED, AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THAT IMPORTANT WORK CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> Bill: THE DEBT LIMIT DISCUSSION, THOUGH, WILL GO ON.

ECONOMISTS PREDICT THERE WOULD BE DIRE CONSEQUENCES, BILL, IF THE COUNTRY DEFAULTED ON THE DEPARTMENTS.

CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS SAYS THAT'S WON'T HAPPEN.

WHAT ARE WE SEEING IN OUR KENTUCKY PLAYERS IN THIS?

>> Bill Estep: I MEAN, MITCH McCONNELL HAS BEEN THE SAVVIEST AND SOME MIGHT SAY THE MOE MOST RUTHLESS POLITICS IN KENTUCKY WITHIN THE LAST 50 YEARS, VERY SMASHED, KNOWS HOW WASHINGTON WORKS.

I THINK HE PROBABLY WAS ABLE TO SCORE A VICTORY ON THIS ONE THIS WEEK, AND I WOULDN'T COUNT HIM OUT NEXT TIME AROUND EITHER.

>> Bill: AND A KENTUCKY ANGLE TO THE PAST, FROM THE BIDEN'S $3 BILLION BROADER BILL, THE COURIER-JOURNAL SENT A LETTER TO THE KENTUCKY OPPOSING ADDITIONAL TAX ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS FOR PAY FOR THE BILL.

>> THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY DOESN'T HAVE NEAR THE IMPACT IN KENTUCKY THAT IT DOESN'T ABOUT DID BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT MANY PEOPLE IN RURAL KENTUCKY REMEMBER AND THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE THOSE ADDITIONAL TAXES.

>> Bill: REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE SHELDON OF BOWLING GREEN SAID HE WON'T BE SEEKING RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR.

SHELDON SAYS HE AND HIS WIVES HAVE MOVED OUT OF DISTRICT AND DOWNSIZED.

THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IS MONDAY OCTOBER 4th.

ON NOVEMBER 2nd VOTERS WILL REPRESENTATIVE JOHN "BAM" CARNEY AND REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GOFORTH WHO RESIGNED.

SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS SAYS HE SAYS CLEANING UP THE VOTER ROLLS.

HE IS REMOVED ABOUT 11,000 MORE VOTERS.

MOST OF THEM ARE DEAD.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."