[♪♪] >> Bill: ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS LEAD THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PREDICT A HUGE KENTUCKY TURN OUT.

CANDIDATES AND AMENDMENT ACTIVISTS WORK HARD TO MAKE THEIR CASES BEFORE VOTERS DECIDE.

A TOUCH OF THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN HAS DEMOCRATIC VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TIM WALZ MAKES A BRIEF STOP IN LOUISVILLE.

EASTERN KENTUCKY REMEMBERS JOHNNY TURNER WHO DIED THIS WEEK AFTER AN EARLIER ACCIDENT.

ON THIS WEEK BEFORE HALLOWEEN, AND OUR ENTRY TO NOVEMBER, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] >> Bill: 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 PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ, SENIOR REPORTER FOR WHAS11 IN LOUISVILLE.

MCKENNA HORSLEY POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN AND AUSTIN HORN POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

JCPS STARTS GETTING A GAME PLAN TOGETHER FOR PICKING THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT AND AS THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE COMES INTO VIEW ISSUES START TO APPEAR.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT THIS TIME NEXT WEEK WALK IN VOTING WILL BE WELL UNDERWAY AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE ADAMS SAID THERE WERE 131,000 ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS HE IS PREDICTING A HUGE OVERALL TURNOUT AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA ADAMS SAID FOR GOD'S SAKE VOTE EARLY THAT IS A QUOTE.

FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE TO THE AMENDMENTS TO LOCAL RACES, THE ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS WE CAN SEE FROM THAT SHOWS US THAT THERE IS A LOT OF INTEREST, AUSTIN, IN THESE RACES.

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK ONE KIND OF IRONIC THING THAT PEOPLE MENTIONED TO ME WHEN I SAY THAT I'M A JOURNALIST, YOU MUST BE BUSY BECAUSE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

KENTUCKY IS A RED STATE WHERE THE QUESTION IS REALLY JUST HOW MUCH IS TRUMP GOING TO WIN BY ON THE PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE THING ABOUT THIS CYCLE IS THAT THERE IS A LOT OF WEIRD NONPARTISAN STUFF GOING ON.

AMENDMENT 2 IS NONPARTISAN AND THAT IS SUCKING UP A LOT OF THE ATTENTION AND MONEY.

YOU'VE GOT THE LOCAL MEDICAL MARIJUANA BALLOT INITIATIVES.

YOU'VE GOT THIS ABSOLUTELY INSANE EASTERN KENTUCKY RACE THAT IS 11 WRITE IN CANDIDATES WE'LL GET TO THAT LATER.

BUT THE WEIRDNESS OF IT ALL IS WHAT I APPRECIATE.

BEING A KENTUCKY POLITICS REPORTER.

>> Bill: LIKE THERE ARE MOVING PARTS OUT THERE.

A LOT TO WATCH.

>> YES, THERE IS A LOT TO WATCH AND ONE THING I'M LOOKING AT THIS ELECTION CYCLE IS MORE PARTISAN BUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RACES ALL OF THE HOUSE SEATS ARE ON THE BALLOT AND A THIRD OF SENATE SEATS ARE AS WELL.

I THINK WHAT WE'LL SEE ON ELECTION NIGHT IS THAT REPUBLICANS MAINTAIN THEIR SUPER MAJORITY HERE IN KENTUCKY.

BUT DEMOCRATS ARE HOPING IN THE DAYS AHEAD TO FLIP A COUPLE OF SEATS TO THEIR CAUCUS AND GROW THEIR POWER IN FRANKFORT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> BILL, SOMETHING THAT IS INTERESTING TO ME, LOOKING AT SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS BREAKDOWN THE ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS HE IS SAYING WE GOT A LOT OF THESE.

51% WERE DEMOCRATS, 40% REPUBLICANS.

YOU MIGHT SAY THAT MAKES SENSE BUT THEY ARE NARROWING THAT GAP TO SOMETHING THAT GENERALLY REPUBLICANS IT'S TAKEN THEM LONGER TO WARM-UP TO.

IN 2020 I ASKED MICHAEL ADAMS HE SAID IT WAS 64% DEMOCRATS AND 29% REPUBLICANS.

WE'RE SEEING MORE PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES WARM-UP TO THIS.

AND OPT TO VOTE THAT WAY.

>> Bill: YOU COULD HEAR IN HIS COMMUNICATION TO THE PUBLIC THIS WEEK THAT SECRETARY OF STATE ADAMS SEEMS CONCERNED THAT POLLING PLACES WILL GET CLOGGED UP ON ELECTION DAY UNLESS VOTERS TURN UP FOR THE THREE DAYS OF NO EXCUSE VOTING OCTOBER 31, NOVEMBER 2 AND THIRD THIS THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

SO HE SEEMS TO HAVE A WORRY ABOUT THAT, McKENNA, THAT THINGS COULD BE BUSY GIVEN ALL OF THESE ITEMS ON THE BALLOT?

>> RIGHT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF RACES TO BE DECIDED IN KENTUCKY THE FROM PRESIDENTIAL TO AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGISLATIVE RACES AND LOCAL RACES THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.

BUT ADAMS IN GENERAL IS SUPPORTIVE OF EARLY VOTING POLICIES.

THAT HAS BEEN A HALLMARK OF HIS TIME AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

WHEN HE CAME INTO OFFICE, IT WAS RIGHT BEFORE COVID.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING HE POINTS TO WORKING WITH ANDY BESHEAR IN A BIPARTISAN WAY TO INCREASE VOTING ACCESS DURING COVID.

DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC.

AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT HE HAS CONTINUED TO HIGHLIGHT THROUGHOUT HIS TERM AHEAD OF THIS YEAR'S PRIMARY HE TOLD ME ADAMS TOLD ME IF WE DON'T USE EARLY VOTING WE COULD LOSE IT.

IF MORE ARE USING EARLY VOTES, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENTSES AS WELL, THEN THAT SHOWS THE LEGISLATURE A NEED TO KEEP THESE POLICIES IN PLACE.

>> Bill: THERE WAS AN ATTEMPT IN THE LEGISLATURE TO DO AWAY WITH IT.

>> .

>> RIGHT BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS INTEREST IN EARLY VOTING THAT WAS A REASON THAT DID NOT BECOME SUCCESSFUL.

>> THE MORE PEOPLE THAT USE EARLY VOTING AND THE MORE PEOPLE, BILL, THAT CONNECT IT TO HIM, THE BETTER IT LOOKS FOR HIM ON HESS RESUME.

MICHAEL ADAMS SAID HE IS MULLING A RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

YEARS DOWN THE LINE BUT BIG PICTURE THIS IS ONE OF HIS CALLING CARDS IF THIS CAN BE SOMETHING THAT VOTERS CAN CONNECT WITH HIM IT BODES WELL WITH WHAT COULD BE A BUSY G.O.P.

SIDE OF THE RACE.

>> Bill: WE MENTIONED THAT KENTUCKY DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THE NATIONAL RACE, THERE WAS PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS IN KENTUCKY WEDNESDAY.

DEMOCRATIC VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TIM WALZ STOPPED IN LOUISVILLE.

THAT WAS FOR A FUNDRAISER NOT FOR RETAIL CAMPAIGNING.

AUSTIN, WERE YOU THERE, WHAT WERE YOUR OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THAT VISIT?

>> YEAH, THE FACT HE WAS HERE GOES TO SHOW THAT MONEY IS EVERYWHERE.

IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY JUST HINGE ON WHETHER A STATE IS RED OR BLUE AND PURPLE.

I WOULD SAY HE HIT THE USUAL BEATS.

YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A FOLKSY JOKE HOW HE DID NOT THINK DONALD TRUMP COULD BUY A GUN AT A BASS PRO SHOP BECAUSE OF HIS FELONY CONVICTIONS IN NEW YORK AND TALKED ABOUT THE HARRIS ADMINISTRATION.

THE LINE THAT STUCK OUT THE MOST WAS WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT WE'RE PURSUING POLICIES TO HELP PEOPLE WHO WON'T VOTE FOR US, A DIRECT ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT KENTUCKY ISN'T NECESSARILY FERTILE GROUND FOR DEMOCRATS PRESIDENTIALLY BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S NOT WORTH TALKING ABOUT AND WORTH SAYING IN THE SAME BREATH THAT DONALD TRUMP AND J.D.

VANCE DID FUNDRAISING EVENTS HERE IN KENTUCKY IN LEXINGTON WHEREAS WALZ WAS IN LOUISVILLE.

FITS THE PROFILE OF WHERE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICAN HUBS ARE IN THE STATE.

>> IT WAS INTERESTING THE FIRST THING THAT CAME TO MY MIND WHY LOUISVILLE?

WHY IS HE COMING TO KENTUCKY WHETHER IT BE A PIT STOP OR WHATEVER.

AND I TEXTED THE FORMER CONGRESSMAN AND HE SAID QUOTE GENERATED GOOD FEELINGS ABOUT NATIONAL DEMOCRATS BECAUSE THEY NORMALLY IGNORE US.

THAT WAS THE OVERALL MESSAGE.

NO MATTER HOW YOU DIVVY THIS UP IT WAS NOT AN EVENT FOR THE PUBLIC.

IT WAS SPECIFICALLY HELD BY PROMINENT LOUISVILLE FAMILIES FOR FUNDRAISING.

>> Bill: AND TO AUSTIN'S POINT THEY LEFT WITH $2 MILLION FOR THE CAMPAIGN.

ALSO ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL FOR THE HARRIS-WALZ TICKET, HADLEY DUVAL THE 22-YEAR-OLD A NATIONAL FIGURE FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND SHE HELD AN EVENTED IN HENDERSON, KENTUCKY LAST NIGHT SPOKE AT A FUNDRAISER FOR THE LOCAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY SHE HAS BEEN EVERYWHERE IN RECENT MONTHS.

>> THE HARRIS CAMPAIGN HAVE USED HADLEY DUVAL A TON, BILL, ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ARIZONA IS ONE THAT STICKS OUT TO ME.

SHE WAS THERE FOR REPUBLICANS FOR HARRIS EVENT.

BUT IT'S NOTABLE TO SEE HER MAKING APPEARANCES WITHIN THE STATE SHE HAS BECOME A NATIONAL FIGURE GIVEN HER HISTORY AND WHAT SHE STANDS FOR.

>> ALSO, SHE'S GAINING THE NATIONAL PROFILE IN HER OWN RIGHT BY BEING PART OF THE HARRIS CAMPAIGN BEFORE WHEN BIDEN WAS IN THE RACE SHE DID A CAMPAIGN AD FOR HIM BEFORE HE DROPPED OUT.

AND LAST YEAR, SHE WAS CAMPAIGNING WITH THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR THAT IS HER NOTABLE RISE TO FAME IS THE AD SHE DID FOR HIM ON ABORTION IN KENTUCKY.

AND WON.

WHICH I THINK A LOT OF DEMOCRATS NATIONWIDE PAID ATTENTION TO.

SO SHE IS BUILDING A SPOTLIGHT FOR HERSELF AND IF SHE WANTS TO JOIN POLITICAL OFFICE IN THE FUTURE AND MAKE A RUN HERSELF THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING SHE IS CONSIDERING.

>> Bill: INTERESTING TO SEE IF SHE CASHES IN POLITICAL CURRENCY AT SOME POINT.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL SAID THIS WEEK THAT HE EXPECTS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE TO BE A CLIFFHANGER AND SAYS HE HAS NO IDEA WHO WILL WIN.

McCONNELL WAS SHARPLY CRITICAL OF TRUMP AFTER JANUARY 6, HE APPARENTLY QUOTED IN A BOOK COMING UP NEXT WEEK USING TOUGH LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE TRUMP AFTER 2020.

THEN McCONNELL ENDORSED TRUMP THIS YEAR.

HERE IS WHAT HE SAID ABOUT THE RACE WHEN HE WAS ASKED IN LOUISVILLE.

>> VERY, VERY CLOSE.

AND I HOPE WE'LL HAVE A HIGH TURNOUT AND EVERYBODY WILL PARTICIPATE.

WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD THAT ALLOWS EVERYBODY TO PARTICIPATE AND I HOPE PEOPLE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> Bill: SO, McKENNA, THERE'S THE ANSWER BUT IT'S NOT DEFINITIVE WHERE HE THINKS THIS RACE WILL GO.

>> McCONNELL AROUND SUPER TUESDAY OF THIS YEAR IS WHEN HE FORMALLY ENDORSED DONALD TRUMP.

HE SAID THAT THAT SHOULD HAVE CAME AS NO SURPRISE BECAUSE HE WAS ALWAYS GOING TO SUPPORT WHOEVER THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE WAS.

AND IT BECAME APPARENT IT WAS GOING TO BE DONALD TRUMP AGAIN.

BUT IN WASHINGTON D.C., THESE TWO HAVE OFTEN ABOUT AT ODDS WITH EACH OTHER.

AFTER JANUARY 6, McCONNELL BLAMED THE FORMER PRESIDENT FOR DISGRACEFUL ACTS AS HE PUT IT.

THAT SPARKED THE ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL.

AND THEN THIS YEAR, TRUMP SAID IN FEBRUARY HE WAS UNSURE IF HE COULD WORK WITH McCONNELL IF HE WINS AND DAYS LATER McCONNELL ANNOUNCED HE IS STEPPING DOWN AS THE SENATE REPUBLICAN FLOOR LEADER.

SIGNALING A SHIFT THERE.

>> Bill: YEAH.

AND WE KEEP HEAR BEING THIS BOOK AND TOUGH LANGUAGE.

>> CHOICE WORDS.

ONE OF THEM BEING I WON'T GET INTO ALL OF THEM, HE CALLED TRUMP A NARCISSIST WE KNOW THEY HAVE NOT AGREED AND DON'T SEE EYE TO EYE ON TARIFFS AND FOREIGN AID.

HE DID SAY WHO KNOWS WHO IS GOING TO WIN THAT IS HARDLY A FULL THROATED GUARANTEE.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE BUT ULTIMATELY HE IS PUTTING PARTY FIRST.

>> HEADING INTO THE ELECTION, TRUMP NEEDS MORE OF A COMMITMENT FROM McCONNELL THAN McCONNELL NEEDS FROM TRUMP RIGHT NOW.

THE POWER HERE IS WITH McCONNELL THIS SITUATION.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AMENDMENT 2 FOR MONTHS NOW.

IT WOULD ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO SPEND THE TAX DOLLARS ON PRIVATE OR CHARTER SCHOOLS.

YOU KNOW, HAS EITHER SIDE REALLY CHANGED THEIR MESSAGING IN ANYWAY OR MADE A STRONG CLOSING ARGUMENT AS VOTERS ARE ABOUT TO MAKE THEIR DESIRES KNOWN 0 ON THAT AMENDMENT?

>> I CAN'T THINK OF ANY HUGE DIVERGENCES.

I'M INTERESTED IN THE WAY THE RACE HAS BECOME MORE OF A SEMI PROXY WAR BETWEEN ANDY BESHEAR AND SENATOR RAND PAUL.

RAND PAUL HIS AFFILIATE PAC PROTECT FREEDOM PAC FUNDED LARGELY BY THE PENNSYLVANIA HEDGE FUND JEFF YAS SUPPORTIVE OF SCHOOL CHOICE AS AIRED MANY COMMERCIALS FEATURING RAND PAUL AND HIS WIFE.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, BESHEAR STARS IN HIS OWN COMMERCIAL AND PUTTING MONEY FROM HIS OWN PAC AND DARK MONEY GROUP INTO DEFEATING THIS AMENDMENT.

THAT HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING, I THINK, WAY THAT IT'S STARTED TO PLAY OUT.

OR THAT IT'S ENDING UP.

>> Bill: AND YOU SEE BOTH SIDES REACHING OUT FOR EVIDENCE FROM SURROUNDING STATES AS WELL.

MOST OF THE STATES BORDERING KENTUCKY HAVE SOME FORM OF PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR PRIVATE OR CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> SO MANY PEOPLE SEE THIS LEADING TO SCHOOL VOUCHERS TO PUSH IN THAT DIRECTION.

WE'VE SEEN IN INDIANA, THERE IS AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE THE THRESHOLD FOR WHAT FAMILIES QUALIFY.

I BELIEVE AT THIS POINT IT'S UNDER $400,000 A LOT OF FOLKS WILL SAY IS QUITE THE NUMBER.

UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS THAT IS A BIG FEAR FROM FOLKS HERE IF GWEN KEN GOES IN THAT -- KENTUCKY GOES IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> Bill: IF THIS AMENDMENT PASSES THE DISCUSSION COMES UP IN 2025?

>> YES.

THAT IS THE PLAN.

WHEN I SPOKE WITH REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, ROBERT STIVERS AND SPEAKER OSBORNE, THEY SAID THAT THE DISCUSSION HASN'T BEEN HAD YET, BUT THEY THINK THERE WILL BE A ROBUST DEBATE HAD WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK ONCE THAT IS DECIDED ON ELECTION DAY, IF IT PASSES, WE'LL SEE THAT COME UP.

>> Bill: A LOT OF MONEY BEING SPENT ON THAT AMENDMENT 2.

>> THE DOLLARS RAISED IS NEARING $17 MILLION.

IF YOU COUNT FEDERAL AND STATE PACS, TOO.

I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE THIS CROSS THE $20 MILLION THRESHOLD.

>> WE'RE ALSO GOING TO SEE RALLIES IN THE COMING DAYS FOR AND AGAINST THIS AMENDMENT.

SENATOR RAND PAUL AND HIS WIFE KELLY AND FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON WILL BE AT A RALLY FOR THE AMENDMENT IN BOWLING GREEN NEXT WEEK AND WE'LL SEE PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS WHICH IS HAS BECOME THE PROMINENT ANTI-PAC FOR THIS AMENDMENT WILL BE HAVING RALLIES AS WELL.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WE WILL BE WATCHING THOSE AMENDMENTS.

THOSE RESULTS AS THEY COME IN ON THAT NIGHT.

WELL, STATE SENATOR JOHNNY TURNER DIED THIS WEEK AFTER YOU EVER SUFFERING AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A LAWN MOWER.

HIS COLLEAGUES AND CONSTITUENTS SAID HE ALWAYS STOOD UP HARD FOR EASTERN KENTUCKY.

TURNPIKER HAD SERVED IN THE HOUSE SOME YEARS AGO AND WAS ELECTED TO THE SENATE IN 2020.

AND SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL SAID HE REMEMBERS SEEING TURNER ANKLE DEEP IN MUD READY TO HELP THE FLOOD VICTIMS AFTER THAT HAPPENED IN 2022.

MANY DESCRIBED HIM AS A MAN OF THE PEOPLE, AUSTIN, SO THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THOSE WHO KNEW HIM IN FRANKFORT AND PERSONALLY BACK HOME?

>> YES.

I THINK THAT IS A FAIR CHARACTERIZATION.

I DID NOT INTERACT WITH HIM A TON.

BUT I DO REMEMBER SITTING WITH HIM AFTER THE FLOODS AND HE WAS TELLING ME ALL ABOUT ALL THE EQUIPMENT THAT HE WAS BRINGING IN.

BACKHOE, EXCAVATOR, ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.

AND HE FITS THIS BILL OF LIKE A MOUNTAIN LAWYER.

A LOCAL LAWYER WHO PEOPLE KNOW, THEY FEEL LIKE SORT OF A PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY EVEN BEFORE HE WAS A SENATOR.

>> THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CALLED HIM ALMOST THAT LEGAL LION OF THE MOUNTAINS AN ATTORNEY BY TRADE.

THE PICTURE SPECIFICALLY OF HIM WORKING IN EASTERN KENTUCKY SHOW YOU HOW WHEN YOU HAVE DISASTERS THAT IS ONE OF THE FEW CASES WHERE PARTISANSHIP GOES TO THE SIDE.

AND IT WAS APPARENT.

>> Bill: HIS FUNERAL IS SET FOR NEXT WEEKEND NOT THIS WEEKEND.

SO NOW, THE PROCESS OF REPLACING SENATOR TURNER IS COMPLICATED BY THE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE A WRITE IN CANDIDATE WHO WINS THE SEAT AND THAT HAS BEEN COMPLICATED AND THIS STORY WAS BREAKING FRIDAY BECAUSE THE DEADLINE TO FILE IS WRITE IN CANDIDATE WAS 4:00 P.M. AND YOU HAD THE PARTIES STEPPING IN AND TRYING TO PUT THEIR THUMBS ON THE SCALE AS WELL.

>> YES.

SO WE ARE AT ABOUT 11 OFFICIAL WRITE IN CANDIDATES AT THIS POINT FOR THE SEAT.

AND IT'S NOTABLE BECAUSE TURNER WAS SEEKING REELECTION AND WAS UNOPPOSED BEFORE HIS DEATH OCCURRED.

SO IT'S BROUGHT IN A LOT OF NEW PLAYERS.

EARLIER TODAY, THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN CAUCUS COMMITTEE ENDORSED PINEVILLE MAYOR SCOTT MADEN AS A WRITE IN CANDIDATE SO THEIR CAMPAIGN ON HIS BEHALF AND AFTER THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND JACQUELINE COLEMAN THE TWO TOP DEMOCRATS IN KENTUCKY ENDORSED JUSTIN NOBLE A LAWYER IN THE REGION.

AS THE OTHER WRITE IN CANDIDATE.

>> Bill: THE NAMES DO NOT APPEAR ON THE BALLOT.

>> NO.

THE TWO NAMES THAT WILL APPEAR ARE TURNER'S AND THEN DAVID SIR AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE WHO WITHDREW MAYBE A WEEK BEFORE TURNER PASSED.

I WONDER HOW HE IS FEELING RIGHT NOW, HONESTLY.

SO THERE ARE 11 TOTAL PEOPLE.

YOU HAVE THE TWO THAT McKENNA MENTIONED AND THERE ARE OTHER QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TOO, WE'VE GOT VALERIE HORN IN WHITESBURG THERE IS NOT A RELATION BETWEEN MYSELF AND HER.

SHE WON A JAMES BEARD AWARD WHICH I'M INFORMED IS A BIG DEAL IN THE CULINARY WORLD FOR HER FOOD SERVICE AFTER THE FLOODS THAT HIT EASTERN KENTUCKY IN 2022.

YOU HAVE TYLER WARD WHO IS THIS RENAISSANCE MAN, ATTORNEY WHO STARTED MULTIPLE BUSINESSES.

IT IS A REALLY HIGH QUALITY I DON'T THINK IT'S SUBJECTIVE OF ME TO SAY THAT IT IS A HIGH QUALITY POOL OF CANDIDATES ALL AROUND.

AND IT MAKES YOU THINK, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE THE KIND OF CANDIDATES THAT WE WOULD GET IF WE HAD SHORTER CAMPAIGN SEASONS THAT THIS CAMPAIGN SEASON WHO KNOWS IT LIKELY WON'T GET NEGATIVE.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY PARTISAN.

EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THE PARTISAN ACTORS COME IN.

THERE IS NOT AN R OR D BESIDE THESE PEOPLE'S NAMES.

THE ONE CATCH THAT EVERYBODY DOES HAVE TO REMEMBER, IT'S THE LAST NAME THAT MATTERS AND YOU CAN MISSPELL IT BUT THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO KNOW WHAT THE NAME IS.

>> Bill: THAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

ADDITIONAL COMPLICATION TO ELECTION DAY IN THAT SENATE DISTRICT.

>> PENMANSHIP BECOMES IMPORTANT.

I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD PASS IT.

HOPEFULLY THE FOLKS WILL.

>> Bill: OTHER RACES TO WATCH, SENATOR DAMON THAYER, THE MAJORITY LEADER IS STEPPING DOWN AFTER 20 YEARS IN FRANKFORT HE REPRESENTS PORTIONS OF FAYETTE AND CANTON.

THE CANDIDATES ARE REPUBLICAN MATT NUN AND DEMOCRAT KEY ONNA FIELDS.

>> I WANT TO BE SOMEONE WHO HELPS UNITE PEOPLE AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

IDEALLY WE ARE ABLE TO BUILD CONSENSUS AROUND IDEAS AND THAT IS WHAT I'VE DONE MY ENTIRE CAREER INTEREST I AM A CANDIDATE THAT UNDERSTANDS HOW TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT AND MULTIPLY THAT.

IN THE BEST INTERESTS FOR THE PEOPLE AND NOT JUST FOCUSING ON PARTISANSHIP AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE'VE GOT TO FOCUS ON.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SENATOR THAYER MAY NOT BE DONE WITH POLITICS BUT HE IS STEPPING ASIDE FOR NOW.

INTERESTING INTERVIEWS OVER THE YEARS.

AUSTIN WHEN WE TALKED WITH HIM.

IT'S SHOES TO FILL.

>> THE MOST ACCESSIBLE PERSON IN FRANKFORT I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY.

IT IS A QUESTION BOTH WHO FILLS HIS ACTUAL SEAT AND WHO FILLS THAT ROLE OF BEING THE SPOKESPERSON, THE PERSON WHO TAKES ALL THE SLINGS AND ARROWS FOR THE CAUCUS WHICH HE DID.

>> ANOTHER GUY WHO COULD RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

>> Bill: LOUISVILLE HOUSE RACES A COUPLE SEATS YOU ARE WATCHING.

>> THERE ARE 2 THAT HAVE BEEN HELD BY DEMOCRATS EMILY CALLOWAY'S DISTRICT, SOUTHERN JEFFERSON COUNTY AS WELL AS KEN FLEMINGS DISTRICT.

REPRESENTATIVE FLEMING IS THE PERSON WHO SPONSORED THE RESOLUTION THAT CREATED THIS TASK FORCE TO LOOK AT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

HE ALSO FILED AN ABORTION EXCEPTIONS BILL THAT DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE.

HE IS NOT TALKED ABOUT IT WHEN BEEN ASKED ABOUT IT NOW.

HIS OPPONENT KATE FARROW IS RUNNING HARD ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

CALLOWAY'S DISTRICT HER OPPONENT IS FORMER JCPS AND SHE IS A FORMER EDUCATOR.

WE ARE SEEING THE EDUCATION AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHT THEMES IN THOSE RACES.

>> Bill: ASHLEY HOPES TO HOLD ON TO HER FAR EASTERN KENTUCKY HOUSE SEAT.

>> RIGHT.

SHE IS ONE OF THE DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS WHO IS CONSIDERED VULNERABLE.

SHE IS ONE OF THE REMAINING TWO LEGISLATIVE EASTERN KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS.

IF SHE HOLDS ON TO HER SEAT THAT KEEPS THAT THEM A FOOTHOLD IN THE MOUNTAIN AREA.

BUT IF SHE DOESN'T, IT'S A SIGN THAT THAT IS BECOMING A MORE RED AREA OF THE STATE.

>> Bill: AUSTIN 45TH IN THE LEXINGTON AREA COULD BE COMPETITIVE?

>> YEAH, THAT SOUTHERN FAYETTE COUNTY, NEAR DUNBAR, BEAUMONT CIRCLE AND JESSAMINE THAT IS KILIAN'S OLD SEAT HE GOT BEAT BY THOMAS JEFFERSON IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY AND THE DEMOCRATS FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR CANDIDATE ADAM MOORE.

>> Bill: A REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER PUSHING TO HAVE KENTUCKY END ITS REQUIREMENT THAT LOCAL SYSTEMS PUT DPLOR RIDE IN THEIR WATER -- FLUORIDE IN THEIR WATER.

>> SPEAKING BEFORE THE INTERIM JOINTS COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT THIS WEEK, HART WANTS TO UNDO AN UNFUNDED MANDATE ACCORDING TO MY COLLEAGUE SARA LAD WHO COVERED THIS.

AND HE IS HOPING TO GIVE COMMUNITIES A CHOICE WHETHER THEY CONSUME WATER WITH ADDED FLUORIDE HE WOULD REINTRODUCE THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN JANUARY.

HOWEVER, THE COMMITTEE HEARD FROM HEALTH ADVOCATES WHO SENT THE COMMITTEE A LETTER ASKING LAWMAKERS TO KEEP FLUORIDE IN COMMUNITY WATER.

AND THIS INCLUDES PEOPLE LIKE DELTA DENTAL OF KENTUCKY, THE KENTUCKY DENTAL ASSOCIATION AND MANY MORE.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

REPRESENTATIVE CHADDAL PROPOSES THAT SCHOOLS HAVE SILENT PANIC ALARMS.

>> THIS IS THE ONE THAT AVOIDED MORE LIVES IN GEORGIA BEING LOST IN THAT GEORGIA SCHOOL SHOOTING.

WE KNOW IN MEADE COUNTY THEY ARE IMPLEMENTING SOMETHING SIMILAR IT'S GROWING IN POPULARITY BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING.

>> Bill: YOU HAVE BEEN COVERING THE RETRIAL LOTS OF WITNESS TESTIMONY?

>> .

>> AND BRETT FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT TRIAL WILL BE TESTIFYING IN HIS OWN DEFENSE.

HE HAS GOTTEN EMOTIONAL IN PAST TRIALS AND APOLOGIZED TO THE FAMILY.

HIS BULLETS DID NOT SPECIFICALLY HIT OR KILL BREONNA TAYLOR THIS IS THE WHOLE CASE.

HIS WERE SHOT ON THE SIDE OF HER APARTMENT.

THEY ARE SAYING HE VIOLATED THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF TAYLOR AND HER NEIGHBORS ENDANGERING THEM AND WILLFULLY DOING IT.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT DOES THE TESTIMONY LOOK LIKE?

HE IS 2-0.

BECAUSE HE WAS ACQUITTED.

AND THEN THERE WAS A MISTRIAL.

THE BIG QUESTION THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME WHAT DOES HIS TESTIMONY LOOK LIKE AND WHAT DOES THE JURY DECIDE.

>> Bill: JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS SEARCHING FOR A NEW SUPERINTENDENT AFTER Dr. POLIO ANNOUNCED HE WILL RETIRE NEXT SUMMER.

IS THAT GOING TO BE A NATIONWIDE SEARCH?

OR INSIDE CANDIDATES AS WELL?

>> BOTH.

THEY WILL LOOK NATIONWIDE ACCORDING TO THE BOARD CHAIRPERSON.

THEY ARE ALSO GOING TO LOOK WITHIN THE DISTRICT THEY HOPE TO HAVE THE JOB POSTED BY FEBRUARY.

BIG PICTURE WHO WANTS THIS JOB?

A LOT OF PRESSURE WITH A HUGE COUNTY AND THE TASK FORCE LOOKING INTO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AMENDMENT 2, MORE PRESSURE ADDED TO THE POSITION.

>> Bill: A LOT OF SCRUTINY ON THE POSITION AT ALL TIMES?

>> CERTAINLY AFTER THE BUS DISASTER AS IT WAS DESCRIBED.

THERE IS A MAGNIFYING CLASS GLASS ON JCPS.

>> Bill: THERE IS A SITE CALLED BONUS FINDER AND KENTUCKY IS ONE OF THE MOST HAUNTED IN THE STATES.

RANKED THIRD?

DOES THAT SURPRISE ANYBODY?

>> ATTICS AND CELLARS I HAVE BEEN IN.

>> Bill: YOU SAID YOU ARE AFRAID OF HAUNTED HOUSES?

>> YOU'VE BEEN TO THE SANITORIUM IN LOUISVILLE THEY HAVE A HAUNTED HOUSE EVERY YEAR AND IT BENEFITS THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE SANITORIUM AND UPKEEP IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE AND A GOOD SCARE AS WELL.

>> OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE.

>> I DID NOT HAVE AN OUT-OF-BODY EXPERIENCE BUT IT'S DEFINITELY DARK IN SOME PLACES SO WATCH YOUR STEP.

>> Bill: IT IS A FUN OBSERVATION.

ALL RIGHT WE WANT TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY GETTING A NEW PARK PROJECT.

THE GROUNDBREAKING WAS THIS WEEK IT WILL BE A 1,000 ACRE, MULTIFUNCTIONAL AREA IN THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY CITY TO BE CALLED ADVENTURE PARK.

THE MAYOR SAYS IT WILL COME IN PHASES.

THEY WILL BEGIN WITH A DOG PARK AND OTHER THINGS.

THE FUNDING A COMBINATION OF GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.