KENTUCKY'S ONLY DEMOCRATIC MEMBER OF CONGRESS WON'T RUN AG THAT SETS OFF A CANDIDATE SCRAM GOVERNOR BESHEAR SEEKS LEGISLATIVE COOPERATION ON A BONUS PLAN FOR ESSENTIAL WORKER THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HEARS ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON'S PLEA TO DEFEND A KENTUCKY LAW RESTRICTING ABORTI SOME OPTIMISM ABOUT APPALACHIA' FUTURE AFTER THIS WEEK'S SOAR S SOME STORMS AND A CHILLY CHANGE ON THIS OCTOBER 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 PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR PHILLIP BAILEY, LOUISVILLE BASE NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDEN FOR USA TODAY.

MORGAN WATKINS, CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER FOR TH AND JACK BRAMMER, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, COVID NUMBERS CONTINUE TO COME DOWN FROM THE LATE SUMMER SPIKE, AND KENTUCKY'S CHIEF JUSTICE DECIDES IT'S ABOUT TIME FOR HIM TO SET ASIDE THE GAVEL.

BUT FIRST, CONGRESSMAN JOHN YARMOUTH TOOK A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE IN KENTUCKY AND IN WASHINGTON BY SURPRISE THIS WEEK WHEN HE ANNOUNCED HE WON'T BE RUNNING AGAIN IN 2022.

>> THIS TERM WILL BE MY LAST.

WHILE I AM IN EXCELLENT HEALTH -- KNOCK ON WOOD -- I KNOW THE SIGNIFICANT L DEMANDS OF THE JOB WILL ONLY BECOME MORE CHALLENGING.

I WILL BE 75 WHEN MY CURRENT TERM ENDS, AND THE DESIRE TO HAVE MORE CONTROL OF MY TIME IN THE YEARS I HAVE LEFT HAS BECOME A PRY PRIORITY.

>> Bill: PHILIP, YARMOUTH SAYS IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY TIME AND HIS OWN STAGE IN LIFE AND THAT HE NEVER INTENDED TO STAY IN DC EVEN THIS LONG.

>> Phillip: I THINK ALL OF US KNEW THAT JOHN YARMOUTH WAS A SORT OF YEOMAN CONGRESSMAN.

HE RAN IN THE EARLY BUSH ERA AGAINST THE WAR IN IRAQ.

HE ALWAYS SAID, I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG I'M REALLY GOING TO BE HERE.

BUT IT'S JUST SO UNUSUAL, BILL, IN WASHINGTON CULTURE, HE MENTIONS BEING 75 AT THE END OF THIS TERM.

ALL THE LEADERSHIP IN BOTH SIDES OF CONGRESS, DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN, ARE IN THEIR 80s.

IT'S UNUSUAL FOR SOMEONE TO SAY, I'M BUDGET CHAIRMAN WITH THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS, DEMOCRATIC SENATE, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT, AND I'M GOING TO JUST LEAVE AND GO BACK HOME.

SO I THINK CONGRESSMAN YARMOUTH WAS PUT A LOT OF GOODWILL WITH CONSTITUENTS OF BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS IN LOUISVILLE AND THE MEDIA.

I THINK MOST OF US TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT'S HOW HOW IT'S BEING VIEWED NATIONALLY AND THAT'S NOT HOW DEMOCRATS LOOK AT IT NATIONALLY EITHER.

>> Bill: MORGAN, YOU AND PHILLIP I THINK MET YARMOUTH AIRPORT WHEN HE WAS LOUISVILLE AND WHAT IS INSIGHTFUL.

>> Morgan: SHOWER.

HE HANSED A LOT OF QUESTIONS, WHICH THERE WERE PLENTY ABOUT HIS DESIST MAKING AND WHAT HAPPENS NOW THAT HE'S OPENING THE SEAT UP.

I MEAN, HE SAID THAT HE -- HE INDICATED THAT THIS IS VERY MUCH A DECISION HA HE MADE HIMSELF.

HE MENTIONED WHEN WE WENT TO TELL HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI, SHE DIDN'T KNOW IN ADVANCE.

LEE CAME TO HER AFTER HE HAD ALREADY MADE THE DECISION, SO IT CERTAINLY SEEMED LIKE HE WAS KEEPING HIS OWN COUNSEL ON THIS.

>> Bill: AND YARMOUTH ALSO SAYS THAT REDISTRICTING DID NOT PLAY INTO HIS DECISION.

THAT WILL BE DONE BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE AT SOME POINT HERE BEFORE THE FILING DEADLINE AND THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE WILL BE DRAWING UP THOSE DISTRICTS.

JEFFERSON COUNTY COULD OBVIOUSLY BE SPLIT IN SOME WAY.

THERE WAS A CONGRESSMAN GENE SNYDER AND THERE IS A GENE SNYDER FREEWAY BECAUSE THE LINES USED TO BE DIFFERENT.

BUT REDISTRICTING IS COMING.

WITH THE YARMOUTH RETIREMENT, WILL REPUBLICANS RETHINK ANY OF THE MAP DRAWING?

>> >> Phillip: CERTAIN CONGRESSMAN YARMOUTH ADMITTED HE'S WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

HE MADE IT CLEAR, OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN REPORTING ON THIS, THAT SENATOR McCONNELL AND OTHERS ARE BACKING OFF HAVE LUOL OF THE OTHER SURROUNDING LEGISLATOR IN KENTUCKY DON'T WANT THOSE LARGE CHURN OF VOTERS IN THEIR DISTRICT.

THE IDEA WAS LET THE DEMOCRATS HAVE THEIR ONE SEE THE IN LOUISVILLE, KEEP IT CONTIGUOUS.

NOW THAT THE POPULAR INCUMBENT IS REITERRING, STATE LEGISLATORS AND OTHER REPUBLICANS AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE SAYING WHY NOT.

WHY NOT MAKE THIS A LITTLE BIT EASIER FOR REPUBLICANS.

WE ALSO HAVE TO REMEMBER, BILL, THAT SOME OF THE MOST PROMINENT WEALTHY REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE LIF IN LOUISVILLE, AND FOR THEM POLITICALLY, IF YOU DIDN'T -- YOU'RE CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO RUN FOR METRO GOVERNMENT OFFICE.

YOU CAN RUN FOR STATE LEGISLATIVE OFFICE, BUT YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE AN OPTION TO RUN THE IN KENTUCKY THREE FOR CONGRESS BECAUSE IT'S SO OVERWHELMINGLY DEMOCRAT.

SO I DO THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW TO WE MAKE THIS EASIER FOR REPUBLICANS OR DO WE CHANGE A FEW PRECINCTS AROUND.

I THINK EVERYONE IS 28 TO SEE.

YARMOUTH HAS THEN ALL OF US INTO FLUX BASICALLY.

>> Morgan: I WILL SAY IT DOES SEEM AT THIS POINT LIKE YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN'T NECESSARILY EXPECT THERE TO BE A PUSH SUDDENLY BECAUSE YARMOUTH IS OUT TO DRAW -- REDRAW THE DISTRICT INTO SOME CRAZY PRETZEL SHAPE THAT'S GOING TO GET A LAWSUIT.

I TALKED WITH SENATOR DAMON THAYER WHO IS IN LEADERSHIP IN THE KENTUCKY SENATE, AND HE SAID, YES, THAT HE'S BEEN GETTING PHONE CALLS FROM PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF THE STATE AFTER YARMOUTH ANNOUNCED HE WAS RETIRING SAYING, MAYBE WE SHOULD TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT HIS DISTRICT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME HE SAID THAT FOR THEM IT'S WHAT ARE WE CONSTITUTIONALLY AND LEGALLY HAVE TO DO, ESPECIALLY IF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS DON'T -- YOU KNOW, ARE KIND OF PROTECTIVE OF THEIR DISTRICTS THEMSELVES.

BUT THERE WILL HAVE TO BE SOME KIND OF CHANGES MADE.

THE QUESTION IS, YEAH, IS IT MORE -- CAN WE MAKE AT A LITTLE BIT EASIER FOR REPUBLICANS.

YOU CHANGE A COUPLE OF THINGS.

>> Jack: I THINK THERE DEFINITELY BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT REDISTRICTING REDRAWING THE LINES OF 3rd CONGRESS OL DISTRICT, BUT I THINK THAT CONVERSATION REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT REPUBLICANS EMERGE AS LIKELY CANDIDATES, PEOPLE WHO WILL PUT THEIR NAMES ON THE BALLOT.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAD SOMEONE LIKE RUSSELL COLEMAN, THE FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY, IF HE DECIDED HE WANTED TO RUN, HE USED TO WORK FOR U.S.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL.

McCONNELL LIKES HIM.

I.

AND PROBABLY WOULD BE A STRONG CANDIDATE, ALREADY SOME NAME RECOGNITION AND PROBABLY BE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO DETAIN TO HIM SO THAT HE CAN HE COULD BE COMPETITIVE MONEY-WISE.

SO I THINK YOU MIGHT SEE THE CHANGES IF YOU GET A FAIRLY STRONG REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE.

>> Bill: SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS IS MENTIONED, WOULD SORT OF BE IN THE ANN NORTHROP 17.

>> Phillip: SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS IS ANOTHER NAME.

THE PROBLEM FOR ANY REPUBLICAN RUNNING, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SELL YOURSELF AS A MODERATE, SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO HAVE A MORE MODERATE TONE THAN YOUR AVERAGE REPUBLICAN, BUT THE PROBLEM FOR THAT IS AGAIN THERE'S THE NATIONAL SHADOW OVER THIS.

HOW ARE MODERATES BEING TREATED IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

CAUCUSES.

LIZ CHENEY BEING KICKED OUSTED LEADERSHIP FOR OPPOSING THE IDEA THAT THE ELECTION WASN'T STOLEN.

YOU HAVE MANY REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED FOR IMPEACHMENT IMPEACHMENT RUN OUT OF PRIMARY OR PRIMARY CHALLENGES.

YOU SAY YOU'RE A MODERATE HERE IN LOUISVILLE BUT YOU'RE CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO BE A WELCOME MODERATE WHEN YOU GO TO WARRANT.

>> Jack: TRUE, BUT IF YOU TAKE ODOM COUNTY WITH REPUBLICANS AND TAKE THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE AND PUT IN IT BRETT GUTHRIE'S DISTRICT, YOU MAY NOT HAVE TO BE THAT MODERATE.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE I CAN'T SCRAMBLE ALL AROUND, AND ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE WE KNOW THAT STATE REPRESENTATIVE ATTICA SCOTT HAD ALREADY ANNOUNCED AND WITHIN MINUTES, YOU TOLD ME NINE MINUTES OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM YARMOUTH, DEMOCRATIC SENATE STATE LEADER MORGAN McGARVEY QUICKLY STARTED RAISING MONEY AND RELEASING NAMES OF SUPPORTERS OF HIS POTENTIAL BID OR OBVIOUSLY BID THAT HE'S ANNOUNCED NOW.

HOW DOES IT APPEAR THINGS STACK UP?

IS THAT THE FIELD OR WILL IT GROW?

>> Morgan: IT COULD 100% GROW.

I MEAN, INNER IN BUT THERE'S -- I CAN'T KEEP TRACK OF THE NAMES OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BOTH SAID ON THE RECORD THAT THEY'RE CONSIDERING AND THEN THAT YOU'RE HEARING ARE CONSIDERING JUST FROM OTHER FOLKS.

I MEAN, JOHN YARMOUTH'S SON AARON YARMOUTH TOLD ME HE'S CONSIDERING A RUN BUT HASN'T DECIDED ONE WAY OR THE OTHER YET.

REPRESENTATIVE JOSIE RAYMOND IS SOMEONE WHO SAID SHE IS CONSIDERING A RUN.

ANOTHER STATE LAWMAKER MCKENZIE CANTRELL.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKING AT THIS RACE AND THINKING ABOUT IT.

SO WE COULD TOTALLY END UP WITH A CROWDED DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY OR MAYBE NOT.

MAYBE EVERYBODY THINKS ABOUT IT AND THEN SAYS, YOU KNOW WHAT?

LET'S JUST LET McGARVEY AND SCOTT GO FOR IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS AND MAYBE I RUN IN '24.

>> BILL: >> Bill: THERE A FRONTRUNNER RIGHT NOW?

>> Phillip: YOU CAN'T SAY THERE'S A FRONTRUNNER.

I THINK THERE IS A GREAT WEEK FORE EXOT.

THAT'S BEEN RUNNING AGAINST A WHITE LEADERSHIP.

THAT'S HER CLAIM TO FAME AS A STATE LAWMAKER.

MORGAN McGARVEY SUDDENLY KNOWS EXACTLY HOW TO RUN AND HAS A WEBSITE AND EVERYTHING FILLED OUT.

ALMOST LIKE A HANDOFF EVEN THOUGH WHEN YARMOUTH AND SCOTT TALKED ABOUT THAT, YARMOUTH HAD TOLD HER EARLIER IN THE YEAR, MAYBE I'LL RETIRE IN '24.

THAT OBVIOUSLY HIM COULD HAVE BEEN PUSHING HER BACK BECAUSE YOU'RE CHALLENGING.

I AM.

BUT ATTICA SCOTT'S POINT IN THIS RACE OFTEN IS, LOOK, THIS IS SORT OF ESTABLISHMENT THAT THINKS THAT IT OWNS THIS SEAT.

CERTAIN FAMILIES THINK THEY OWN THIS SEAT.

CERTAIN PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY OWN IT PARTICULARLY FOLKS IN THE CHEROKEE TRACK TRIANGLE.

AND TO HAVE TWO OF THE BORN ON BASE LIBERAL WHITE BOYS SAY I'M INTEREST IN RUNNING, I'M GETTING THIS HANDED OFF TO ME, THAT UNDERSCORES HER ENTIRE POINT.

>> Bill: LET ME ASK A WILDCARD QUESTION.

WOULD CHARLES BOOKER RETHINK HIS OR NOT ONGOING BID FOR THE U.S. SENATE AND TURN AROUND AND ENTER THIS HOUSE RACE?

>> Phillip: PROGRESSIVE VOTERS WILL CERTAINLY WANT HIM TO.

MANY THAT HAVE TALK TO ME SAY, LOOK, ATTICA AND MORGAN, THEY HAVE THE BEST QUALITIES OF CHARLES SPLIT UP.

HE HAS THE ELEMENT CHARLES BOOKER DOES OF ALL HER LEFT WING SORT OF CHECKLIST, HER PASSION ABOUT CERTAIN VIEWS AND CERTAIN ISSUES ON THE LEFT, AND THE AUTHENTICITY.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME HE HAS, CHARLES HAS MORGAN'S LIKABILITY AND HIS CONNECTIONS TO PARTY LEADERSHIP.

CHARLES' FIRST JOB IN APPLICATION WAS WORKING FOR CONGRESSMAN JOHN YARMOUTH.

BUT I DON'T THINK CHARLES BOOKER CAN CAN.

HE'S PUT TOO MANY EGGS IN THIS FACT.

HE IS SELLING A BOOK.

HE'S MADE MISS ENTIRE ESSENCE I'M GOING TO CHALLENGE RAND PAUL, AND EVEN IF IT'S A LONG SHOT RACE, I THINK IT WOULD BE DISINGENUOUS FOR HIM TO SUDDENLY BACK OUT AND A I'M GOING TO RUN FOR CONGRESS.

>> Bill: CAN JA, IF McGARVEY WERE TO RUN AS A NOMINEE AND GET ELECTED, IS IT CLEAR WHO WOULD LEAD THE DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE SENATE?

>> Jack: I HAVEN'T HEARD THAT DISCUSSION.

I THINK THERE ARE ONLY EIGHT IN THE STATE SENATE, EIGHT DEMOCRATS.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP BESIDES McGARVEY, THAT'S SENATOR REGINALD THOMAS UM IN LEXINGTON AND I BELIEVE SENATOR DENNIS PARROT DOWN IN HARDIN COUNTY.

>> Bill: WE TOUCHED ON IT, BUT WHAT IS THE REACTION IN WASHINGTON TO WHERE DEMOCRATS ARE HOPING TO HOLD ON NEXT YEAR, AT LOSING A KEY FIGURE WHO WAS PRETTY MUCH A SHOE-INFOR RE-ELECTION?

>> Phillip: I THINK THIS IS WHERE WASHINGTON GMS AND KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS ARENER EVER ON THE SAME PAGE.

KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS SAYEGH WOO KNOW CONGRESSMAN JOHN YARMOUTH.

WE LIKE MINIMUM WE BELIEVE HE'S TRULY DOING THIS BECAUSE HE WANTS TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS GRANDSON AND HE'S RETURNING HOME.

BUT IN WASHINGTON I CAN TELL YOU THAT'S NOT HOW IT'S BEING PERCEIVED.

YOU'RE THE BUDGET CHAIRMAN.

YOU'RE ONE OF THE IMPORTANT CHAIRS IN THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE OF CONGRESS PUNCH A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT, MAJORITY IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE MARGINALLY, BARELY BUT STILL A MAJORITY AND BE YOU'RE LEAVING?

AND AGAIN, CONGRESSMAN YARMOUTH IS SAYING I'M 75, KIND OF OLD AND RETIRING.

CHUCK GRASSLEY OF IOWA IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION AT 88.

MOST OF THE HOURS LEADERS ARE IN THEIR 80s.

THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU USUALLY SEE PEOPLE DO.

>> Bill: YOU KNOW WHAT STRUCK ME FROM A LOUISVILLE PERSPECTIVE ON THIS, ROMANO MAZZOLI LEFT RELATIVELY YOUNG AND ENJOYED A LONG AND -- >> >> Phillip: THIS IS EXACTLY IN 1994.

WE'RE HAVING THIS LONGTIME CONGRESSMAN LEAVE.

ALL THIS SPECULATION, THERE ARE 12 CANDIDATES OR SO THAT RAN IN THAT PRIMARY.

WHAT HAPPENED?

ANN NORTHROP EVENTUALLY -- MIGHT HAVE WON THAT SEAT BUT ANN NORTHROP TOOK OVER.

>> Morgan: IT'S INTERESTING YARMOUTH ADDRESSED THAT.

HE BROUGHT UP HOW SOME OF THE LEADERS ARE AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.

HE SAID, LOOK, MOST PEOPLE IF THIS WAS ANY OTHER KIND OF JOB, IF YOU SAY YOU'RE RETIRING AT 75 PEOPLE ARE LIKE, WELL, YEAH, OBVIOUSLY, OF COURSE, YOU'RE DOING THAT.

BUT IN CONGRESS IT'S A WEIRD SCENARIO WHERE EVEN AT THOSE UPPER AGES PEOPLE I THINK STILL THINK IT'S POPPED IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THE REACTION WAS PEOPLE SAW IT AS -- IT'S LIKE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL PEOPLE ARE READ 10 TEA LEAVES.

OH, THIS IS BECAUSE HE THINKS THE HOUSE IS GOING TO FLIP, AND HE PUSHED BACK AGAINST THAT AND SAID, LOOK, I ACTUALLY AM UNBEFORE THE MORE OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT WE HAVE AT LEAST A 50/50 SHOT OF HOLDINGS ONTO THE HOUSE.

THIS IS REALLY A PERSONAL THING.

BUT THE SCEPTICISM IS NOT WITHOUT HISTORICAL REASONS, LIKE TYPICALLY YOU DO SEE A LOT OF SENIOR MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WILL RETIRE BEFORE A MID-TERM THAT THEIR PARTY IS PROBABLY GOING TO LOSE BECAUSE THEIR PARTY HAS THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

IT'S GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING OBVIOUSLY, AND WE'LL KEEP FOLLOWING.

OUR MINDS ARE CLEAR ON THAT ISSUE RIGHT NOW.

WE'LL MOVE ALONG HERE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT BIG NEWS IN FRANKFORT THIS WEEK.

JACK, GOVERNOR BESHEAR SEEKING LEGISLATIVE COOPERATION IN PASSING HIS VERSION OF A BONUS FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

HE PROPOSED A WORKING GROUP THAT WOULD INCLUDE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS.

>> Jack: THE GOVERNOR IS TALKING ABOUT SETTING ASIDE $400 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO PROVIDE BONUSES FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT INCLUDES JOURNALISTS.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYBODY MENTION THAT, PHILIP.

OF COURSE IT WOULD INCLUDE PEOPLE LIKE NURSES WITH POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, GROCERY STORE WORKERS, FARMWORKERS, AND EDUCATORS.

AND THAT LIST PROBABLY WILL GROW.

SO HE'S SEEKING INPUT FROM THE LEGISLATURE, AND HE ASKED THE YOU LEGISLATIVE LEADERS THIS WEEK IF EACH WOULD PROVIDE TWO REPUBLICANS AND ONE DEMOCRAT FROM EACH CHAMBER OF COURSE MORE REPUBLICANS BECAUSE THEY HOLD THE MAJORITY IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO GET TOGETHER, HASH SOMETHING OUT AND HAVE LEGISLATION IN THE 2022 GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT BEGINS IN JANUARY.

>> Bill: BESHEAR FACES RE-ELECTION IN 2023.

ARE THERE SOME ADVANTAGES FOR HIM GETTING OUT FRONT WITH THIS PROPOSED BONUS?

>> Morgan: I MEAN, SURE.

IT'S IF PEOPLE LIKE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS.

THAT HELPS WITH VOTERS DEFINITELY, AND HE HAS DEFINITELY TRIED TO PROTECT ENT A PERSON WHO, WHILE HE IS MADE SOME COMES UP THAT HAVE BEEN CRITICIZED WITH ESPECIALLY WITH PEOPLE ON THE RIGHT, SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT HOW PEOPLE ARE DOING, SO THE IDEA OF PUSHING THESE BONUSES, I MEAN, THAT DEFINITELY FITS WITH KIND OF THE OVERALL PERSONA THAT HE'S TRIED TO PROJECT THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

>> Phillip: I AM INTERESTED, THOUGH, IF THE REASON GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS DOING THIS IS BECAUSE HE GOT CRITTIZED NOT BRINGING IN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS EARLY ENOUGH DURING HIS COVID DECISION MAKING.

THAT WAS A CONSTANT COMPLAINT FROM SENATOR ROBERT STIVERS AND OTHERS.

I'M WONDERING IF THAT'S PART OF HIS THINKING, LET'S BRING THESE FOLKS IN NOW.

>> Jack: POSSIBLY.

>> Phillip: AND I WONDERED IF THERE'S ANY RESENTMENT FROM LEGISLATOR ON NOT BRINGING THEM IN ON COVID, NOW THAT YOUR RE-ELECTION IS ON THE HEELS YOU WANT TO MAKE A DEAL WITH US.

>> Jack: HE DID MAKE A LOUD CRY ABOUT THAT IN THE LAST PART OF THE SPECIAL SESSION.

BUT I THINK YOU CAN SAY HE ONE UPPED THEM WITH THIS BUT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO WORK ALONG WITH HIM BECAUSE, AS MORGAN SAID, IT'S GOOD TO GIVE AWAY MONEY.

>> Bill: THE EARLY LOOK WOULD SAY THAT THAT WOULD BE AN AREA OF ATTACK WHEN HE FOR INSTANCE IN '23, AND HE WAS LIKELY TO RUN ON JOB CREATION IS WHAT -- IF YOU JUST LOOK AT WHAT HE'S SAYING RIGHT NOW.

>> Jim GRAY: >> Jack: HE WANTS TO REWARD WORKERS WHO STAYED FROM THE WHOLE PANDEMIC FROM MARCH 2020 TO MARCH 2022 AND JUST DIDN'T LEAVE, AND SO I THINK THAT HELPS HIS CAUSE.

>> Bill: JACK, THE KYNECT WEBSITE IS LIVE FOR FOLKS RIGHT NOW TO BROWSE.

THE OPEN ENROLLMENT WILL BEGIN ON NOVEMBER 1st.

THE STATE EXCHANGE ESTABLISHED BY FORMER GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR, SHUT DOWN BY FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN, AND NOW IT'S BACK.

>> Jack: THAT'S WHEN WE FIRST HEARD ABOUT IT, WHEN GOVERNOR ANDY'S FATHER BROUGHT IT ABOUT DURING THE FEDERAL AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, ALSO KNOWN AS OBAMACARE.

BEVIN DIDN'T LIKE IT.

I DON'T THINK HE LIKED ANYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA.

SO IT'S REST WRECKED NOW.

THE GOVERNOR TODAY WITH HELP FROM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, XAVIER BECERRA, HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE AND SAID, THE WEBSITE IS UP.

THE ENROLLMENT IN THIS WILL BEGIN NOVEMBER 1st AND LAST THROUGH JANUARY 15th.

WE HAVE ABOUT 280,000 KENTUCKIANS NOW WHO ARE UNINSURED, AND THE GOVERNOR THINKS THIS WILL PUT A BIG DENT INTO THIS WITH A $15 MILLION SAVINGS.

I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT'S GOING TO COME ABOUT, BUT THAT'S WHAT HE PROCLAIMED.

>> Bill: JACK, AT LAST WE ARE SEEING SOME ENCOURAGING NUMBERS ON COVID AFTER THE HORRIBLE DELTA VARIANT SPIKE OF RECENT WEEKS.

STILL MINDFUL THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKIANS HOSPITAL -- IT'S 1300 OR SO HOSPITALIZED RIGHT NOW, CLOSE TO THAT.

DEATH TOLL HAS TOPPED 9,000.

TODAY WE GOT WORD THAT CLARK COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE CHRIS PACE DIED OF COMPLICATIONS OF COVID.

WE HAVE HAD HIS IMAGE ON THE SCREEN.

HE WAS 44 YEARS OLD.

A LOT OF OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE HAD VERY TOUGH LOSSES.

>> Jack: YEAH, WE'RE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET, AND PEOPLE THINK THEY CAN RUN HITHER AND THAT, BUT I STILL PERSONALLY, WHAT MY DOCTOR TELLS ME, YOU NEED TO WEAR A MASK INDOORS IN LARGE CROWDS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S A BIG BURDEN ON ANYONE TO TRY TO DO THAT.

MY PERSONAL OPINION.

BECAUSE THE POSITIVITY RATE DID GO UP A LITTLE BIT.

WE'RE HEADING INTO THE FALL AND WINTER SEASON WHERE COVID, THE VIRUSES SEEM TO SPREAD MORE IN COOL, DRY AIR, AND WE MAY SEE MORE THIS WINTER.

>> Bill: BIG ASSIST WITH THE KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD PRESSED INTO SERVICE AT HOSPITALS.

THEY'RE NOW IN A POSITION IT LOOKS LIKE TO BEGIN PULLING OUT AND HAVE IN SOME CASES.

>> JOSHUA: >> Jack: THEY'VE BEEN VERY VALUABLE TO THE HOSPITALS.

THE GOVERNOR DEPLOYED OVER 500 AT ABOUT 29 HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Phillip: AS YOU POINT OUT, A SIGN OF GOOD NEWS IS THAT KENTUCKY'S DOSAGE RATE OF AT LEAST ONE PERSON RECEIVED A COVID.

, AT LEAST ONE DOSE IS ON PAR.

UNITED STATES.

MORGAN.

>> Morgan: 62%.

>> Phillip: AND COUNTRY IS 64%.

THIS IDEA THAT KENTUCKY IS SOMEHOW FAR, FAR BEHIND THEES ARE OF THE COUNTRY IS NOT TRUE.

KENTUCKIANS DOING THEIR PART.

>> Bill: ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON'S TEAM MADE LET CAMERON CHALLENGE A ABORTION RESTRICTION AND IT WAS STRUCK DOWN THE IN SUPREME COURT.

>> Morgan: IT'S BUNCH THOSE THANK THIS IS A PROCEDURAL THING.

HE IS ARGUING BEFORE THE COURT THAT HE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CHALLENGE THIS 2018 LAW THAT WAS PASSED AND BEFORE HE WAS ATTORNEY GENERAL ESSENTIALLY, SO THIS DEFINITELY FITS 2 WHAT ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON, HE'S BEEN VERY STRONG ON ANTI-ABORTION ISSUES.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HE TALKS A LOT ABOUT AND GETS INVOLVED IN CASES ABOUT, SO THIS DEFINITELY FITS WITH THAT.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE COURT DECIDES.

Q.

INTEREST INTERESTINGLY THAT CAUSED CHARLES BOOKER'S CAMPAIGN TO CRITICIZE.

>> Fiachra: NEVER LEAVE A CULTURE WAR UNTURNED.

CHARLES BOOKER WANTS PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY AND IN KENTUCKY TO KNOW WHERE HE STANDS.

ABORTION IS BEAN INJECTED INTO NALS POLITICS AFTER A VERY RESTRICTIVE LAW IN TEXAS.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THE SUPREME COURT HEAR THAT CASE.

MISSISSIPPI THE SUPREME COURT MIGHT CHIP AWAY ON ABORTION RIGHTS.

LET'S NOT FORGET THAT IN 2022 THERE IS GOING TO BE GOING TO BE A BALLOT NISH TO HAVE IT BALLOT ALONG WITH SENATOR PAUL AND PERHAPS REPRESENTATIVE BOOKER IN THAT GENERAL REACTION.

SO ABORTION IS GOING TO BE FRONT AND CENTER AND CHARLES IS SHOWING AGAIN HE'S NOT RUNNING AWAY FROM LIQUOR LEFT WING POSITIONS.

>> Bill: SPEAKING OF COURTS, CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN MINTON HAS ANNOUNCED HE WILL RETIRE THIS YEAR.

69 YEARS OLD FROM BOWLING GREEN.

BEEN ON THE COURT SINCE 2006.

IS HIS PLACE IN HISTORY ENHANCED BECAUSE HE-YEAR SAW KENTUCKY'S COURT SYSTEM DURING THIS PANDEMIC?

>> Jack: I THINK THAT WILL BE PART OF HIS LEGAL IS I P. HE IS KNOWN FOR HIS ABILITY.

HE'S A VERY QUIET MAN AND YOU DO NOT HEAR MUCH SCREAMING FROM HIM AT ALL.

BUT HE ALSO HAS DONE SOME OTHER THINGS LIKE IN FAMILY COURT LAW THAT DOESN'T GET AS MUCH ATTENTION, AND LEGAL AID, HE'S WORKED ON THAT AND EVEN CUSHING PRISON CUSHING CURBING PRISON COSTS.

THINK DON'T SCREAM HEAD LINES BUT VERY IMPORTANT WORK.

>> Bill: THE SOAR IT?

WAS HELD IN CORBIN WITH RECORD ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION.

SHAPING OUR APPALACHIAN REGION.

THERE WAS ENTHUSIASM ABOUT WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED IN REGION BOTH FROM THOSE IN ATTENDANCE AND THOSE WHO SPOKE TO HEM.

>> IF THERE'S ONE THING THAT THE COVID PANDEMIC REVEALED IN OUR COMMUNITIES, IT WAS THE BEST URGENCY FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR STUDENTS TO HAVE RELIABLE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET SERVICE.

>> IT'S AN ERA WHERE I THINK WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT PROSPERITY REACHES EVERY ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, INCLUDING NEIGHBORHOODS AND CITIES THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND FAR TOO MANY TIMES.

WE ARE LIVING THROUGH A HISTORIC MOMENT THAT WE CANNOT ONLY GET RIGHT BUT ELIMINATE EVERY BAUERIER THAT HAS EVER HELD US BACK.

>> Bill: JACK, SOME OPTIMISM IN AP LA IS THAT YOU.

I TALKED TO SOARES EXECUTIVE COLLECTOR COLBY HALL, A BIG EMPHASIS ON BOON THAT WAS CERTAINLY UNDERSCORED DURING THE PANDEMIC, ALSO IN CONVINCING YOUNG PEOPLE TO STAY IN THE REGION OR TO COME BACK HOME ONCE THEY MAYBE GET THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATION.

>> Jack: THE ANNUAL SOAR SUMMIT IS GREAT LIGHT OF OPTIMISM.

I THINK CONGRESSMAN ROGERS HAS BEEN CARRYING THE BANNER FOR INCREASED INTERNET FOR A LONG TIME IN THAT AREA, AND NOW WE'RE SEEING PART OF THAT DEVELOP.

>> Bill: A COUPLE OF THEY ARE ECONOMIC ANNOUNCE PS MARSHALL COUNTY POSITIONING ITSELF FOR INDUSTRIAL GROWTH WITH A SOUTHWEST 1 INDUSTRIAL PARK.

BIG JOBS ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE SIMPSONVILLE, A LOUISVILLE COMPANY.

KENTUCKY CURB IS BUILDING A FACILITY, 700 JOBS AND MAYBE MORE LATER.

JACK, THE STATE JOURNAL IN FRANKFORT, THOUGH, REPORTED THE CITY OF FRANKFORT APPARENTLY LOST ALMOST $2 MILLION IN OCCUPATIONAL TAXES BECAUSE STATE WORKERS WERE SENT HOME AND WORKED REMOTELY SO THEY WERE NOT WORKING THE IN CITY OF FRANKFORT.

>> Jack: THE SEAT OF OUR STATE GOVERNMENT DOES HAVE A LOT OF STATE WORKER THERE, AND SO THEY HAVE TO PAY A -- I BELIEVE IT'S A 1.92 PERCENT OCCUPATIONAL TAX.

THAT MONEY WASN'T FORTH COMING.

THE CITY IS LOSING ABOUT $2 MILLION OUT OF A $35 MILLION BUDGET, SO THAT'S A BIG HIT, AND THEY'RE GETTING SOME FEDERAL PAID, I BELIEVE, THROUGH THE CARES ACT, BUT STILL IT'S NOT CERTAIN HOW THEY'RE GOING TO HANDLE IT.

>> Bill: SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL HAS GOTTEN SOME GOP BLOWBACK FOR AGREEING TO A TEMPORARY DEBT CEILING INCREASE.

WE TALKED LAST WEEK ABOUT HIS MOVE FOR THAT TO TRY TO AVOID A FINANCIAL CLIFF FOR THE COUNTRY, AT LEAST POSTPONE WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

IS McCONNELL ON STRONG FOOTING IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS OR WILL THAT COST HIM?

>> Morgan: HE ALWAYS SEEMS LIKE HE'S ON STRONG FOOTING THERE.

THERE SEEMS TO BE, EVEN IF THERE'S DISAGREEMENTS ON MEMBERS OF HIS CAULK WHO DON'T LIKE SOME PARTICULAR THING THAT THEY'RE DOING LIKE WITH THE DEBT CEILING, HE HAS LED THEM THROUGH A OF THE LO STUFF, MEDIA A LOT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT THEY'RE HAPPY WITH.

MAYBE IT MEANS HE'S GOT TO DO A LITTLE MORE LEGWORK TO GET SOMETHING LIKE THE DEBT CEILING FIX PASSED BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SOME BIG MASSIVE PROBLEM.

>> Phillip: MY MONEY'S ALWAYS ON MITCH.

REALLY IT'S NOT A REPUBLICAN BLOWBACK, THOUGH, IT'S GRUMP'S BLOWBACK.

EVERY TIME PRESIDENT TRUMP -- FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVESTIGATING A SENATOR McCONNELL HE DOES IT A RALLY IS AND PRESS RELEASES.

BUT I THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP IS LEARNING WHAT MANY OPPONENTS AND DRIVES OF SENATOR McCONNELL.

HE HAS AN ICY.

HE DOESN'T SHOW HIS HANDS, SHOW HIS.

AND IN A THE LOVE WAYS HE AND TRUMP ARE HAVING PRIMARY WARS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN PARTICULAR IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, AND I THINK MANY REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE CAUCUS WILL SAY THAT SENATOR McCONNELL'S STRATEGY WAS THE CORRECT ONE, NOT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S OF CONTINUING TO THROW DOUBT ON THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN VOTING WHICH ULTIMATELY COST REPUBLICANS THOSE TWO SENATE SEATS JA.

>> Jack: ASSUME NOTHING IN POLITICS.

ASSUME NOTHING IN LIFE.

BUT WE WILL KNOW COME DECEMBER THIS DEBT CEILING QUESTION WILL COME AGAIN, AND McCONNELL WILL BE FACED, DO YOU LET THE NATION POTENTIALLY WREAK HAVOC ON THE ECONOMY OR DO YOU TRY TO DO WHAT DONALD TRUMP SAYS.

>> Phillip: THAY SENATOR McCONNELL WON'T BLINK, AND I THINK HE DOESN'T LISTEN TO THINKING THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS SAYING OUT THERE.

>> Bill: FORMER POLICE SERGEANT MADDINGLY HAS FOUND A PUBLISHER FOR HIS BOOK ABOUT THE NIGHT BREONNA TAYLOR DIED.

>> Phillip: HATERS ARE GOING TO HATE HIM.

HE WAS PUSHED 2 SIMON AND SCHUSTER.

OTHERS ARE SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THIS BOOK ASSESS BASICALLY SERGEANT MATTINGLY IS PROFITING OFF THE DEATH OF BRIANNA TAYLOR BUT HE WILL SEE THAT BOOK SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY.

>> Bill: NATIONAL,ED THE A GRAMS WAS NAMED CONDUCTOR OF YEAR BY MUSICAL AMERICA UP.

IN CONGRATULATING HIM NAIR GREG FISCHER SAID, IF YOU KNOW TEDDY, YOU KNOW WHAT HE DOES IS ABOUT HIS HEART AND LIFTING UP PEOPLE.

AFTER THE PANDEMIC CANCELED SO MANY EVENTS THIS YEAR SOME FALL TRADITIONS ARE BACK.

KENTUCKY'S OLDEST FESTIVAL COURT DAYS IN MOUNT EARN STERLING IS UNDERWAY THIS WEEKEND.

IT DATES BACK TO THE 1800S.