KENTUCKY AS SOME OF THE COUNTIES WITH THE WORST COVID HOT SPOTS IN THE COUNTRY AS THE GOVERNOR WARNS OF A SHORTAGE OF ICU BEDS.

THE NATIONAL GUARD ASSISTS OVERBURDEN HEALTH CARE WORKERS AT HOSPITALS AROUND THE STATE.

QUICK DECISIONS ABOUT FACE COVERINGS AS MOST LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS KEEP RULES IN PLACE.

DESPITE THE PANDEMIC, UK AND SOME OTHER KENTUCKY COLLEGES SEE RECORD ENROLLMENT AS THE DAYS GET SHORTER AND THE LINES GET LONGER.

"COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M LAWRENCE SMITH OF WDRB NEWS FILLING IN FORE BILL BRIGHTEN AND WELCOME ON "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND AS BILL SAYS, THE GUESTS ON OUR MANLY WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE: DEBORAH YETER, REPORTER FOR CUR JOURN.

JOE RAGUSA POLITICAL REPORTER FOR SPECTRUM NEWS ONE.

AND JOHN CHEVES, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, A STRIKE CONTINUES AT A KENTUCKY BOURBON MAKING FACILITY, AND IT TURNS OUT MAMMOTH SAVE LARGER THAN WE PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT.

BUT FIRST WE KNEW THE COVID CRISIS WAS BAD IN KENTUCKY BUT, DEBBIE, NEW YORK TIMES GAVE US AN IDEA THIS WEEK OF JUST HOW BAD IT IS.

WHAT DID THIS DATA TELL US?

>> Deborah: THEY DO THE RANKINGS OF COUNTIES WITH THE FASTEST RATE OF INCREASE OF COVID CASES IN THE COUNTRY, AND ON MONDAY KENTUCKY HAD SIX IN THE TOP TEN.

PERRY COUNTY WAS FIRST IN THE NATION.

CLAY COUNTY, THE HOME OF SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS WAS THIRD.

AND THEN THERE WERE SIX ALTOGETHER IN THE TOP TEN, FOUR IN EASTERN KENTUCKY, I BELIEVE.

>> Lawrence: AND THE NUMBERS TODAY, THE CASE NUMBERS STILL BAD.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

THE CASE NUMBERS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS HAVE BEEN ANYWHERE FROM 4,000 TO 5,000 A DAY.

TODAY 2S 5,133 NEW CASES.

45 DEATHS, A LITTLE BIT LOWER THAN YESTERDAY WHICH WAS 62 BUT WE STILL HAVE A FAIRLY HIGH NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL.

IT WAS AROUND 2400 TODAY.

>> Lawrence: AND IN FACT, GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SAYS THE STATE IS RUNNING OUT OF ICU BEDS.

HERE'S THE GOVERNOR FROM THURSDAY'S BRIEFING.

>> OUR HOSPITALS ARE HIT SO HARD HARD.

AS OF TODAY, AND THIS ALWAYS FLUCTUATES DAY TO DAY, WE HAVE 93 TOTAL ADULT ICU BEDS LEFT.

WE'VE ONLY BEEN UNDER 100 THREE TIMES IN THIS PANDEMIC.

THEY'VE ALL BEEN RECENT.

>> Lawrence: SO, DEB, IF ICU BEDS DO FILL UP, WHAT HAPPENS THEN?

>> Deborah: WELL, THEY ARE GETTING TIGHT.

THE CHART ON THE STATE WEBSITE TODAY SHOWED THEM FAIRLY TIGHT AGAIN IN ALMOST ALL REGIONS OF THE STATE, AND IF THEY RUN OUT, I KNOW SOME HOSPITALS HAVE TRIED TO EXPAND THEIR CAPACITY, BUT IF WE END UP LIKE TEXAS AND FLORIDA, SOME OF THE OTHER STATES THAT WERE JUST OVERRUN WITH COVID CASES, TRYING TO FIND BEDS IN OTHER STATES I WOULD PRESUME AND THEY WOULD END UP HAVING TO FLY PEOPLE ON IT OR TRANSPORT THEM BY AMBULANCE WHEREVER THEY CAN FIND A CLOSE BED BUT THOSE ARE DECREASING ARENAS AS WELL.

>> Lawrence: SURROUNDING STATES ARE ALSO HAVING OUTBREAKS SO FINDING A BED MIGHT BE TOUGH.

>> Deborah: I WENT TO VIRGINIA WHEN A DIFFERENT RANK CAME FROM THE TENNESSEE POST.

TENNESSEE WAS THE WORST IN THE NATION WITH COVID CASES FOLLOWED BY WEST VIRGINIA AND THEN KENTUCKY WAS THIRD.

SO WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR SOME OTHER BORDER STATES.

>> Lawrence: U.K. HEALTHCARE AS WELL AS UofL I BELIEVE, BOTH THOSE HOSPITALS SEEING A HUGE NUMBER OF COVID CASES.

>> Deborah: YEAH, UK HAD AVAILABILITY.

THEY TALKED ABOUT THEIR SITUATION.

THEY EVER HAD 160.

AND UofL HAS BEEN RUNNING IN THE FIVE HOSPITALS THEY HAVE IN THE LOUISVILLE AREA.

THESE ARE HOSPITALS THAT HAD MAYBE A HANDFUL OF CASES BACK IN JUNE SO YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT'S JUMPED.

>> Lawrence: THERE'S A POPULAR TREATMENT CALLED MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES.

TELL US WHAT THOSE ARE AND TELL US WHY THE GOVERNOR SAYS ARE THERE NOW A SHORTAGE THAT OF TREATMENT.

>> Deborah: THAT'S INCREASINGLY POPULAR FOR PEOPLE WHO CONTRACT COVID, AND IT'S AIMED AT GIVING THEM ANTIBODIES AGAINST THE VIRUS TO KEEP THEM FROM GETTING CIRCUMSTANCER AND TO KEEP THEM FROM POSSIBLY GOING INTO THE HOSPITAL.

AND IT HAS BEEN PROVEN FAIRLY EFFECTIVE AND IT'S BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD THROUGHOUT THE STATE, BUT APPARENTLY THE DEMAND NATIONWIDE IS SURGING SO NOW THE FEDS HAVE STARTED DIRECTING IT TO STATES AND SEVERAL RATION BASES AND STATES HAVE WILL HAVE TO RATINGS TO THE HOSPITALS AND OTHER PROVIDERS WHO ARE ABLE TO ADMINISTRATOR THIS TREATMENT.

>> Lawrence: WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE OVERBURDENED HEALTH CARE WORKERS, NOW MORE NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS HAVE BEEN SENT IN TO HELP ACROSS THE STATE.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> Deborah: THAT'S RIGHT.

THEY'RE HELPING OUT IN HOSPITALS IN NON-MEDICAL CAPACITIES.

THEY'RE DOING EVERYTHING FROM COMPUTER WORK, DATA ENTRY, SECURITY SCREENINGS AT DOORS, FOOD SERVICE, CLEANING, WHATEVER -- MECHANICAL WORK IF THEY'RE CAPABLE OF MAINTENANCE.

HOSPITALS, THE PRESIDENT AT BAPTIST IN LOUISVILLE SAID NOT ONLY IS THERE A NURSING SHORTAGE, THERE'S AN OVERALL WORKFORCE THORNELL SHORTAGE, AND THEY'RE SHORT IN ALL THOSE AREAS, SO THESE FOLKS ARE ABLE TO HELP OUT IN WHATEVER CAPACITY THAT THEY NEED THEM.

IT WAS RATHER STARTENING TO SEE 45 UNIFORMED TROOPS COME INTO BAPTIST HOSPITAL ON TUESDAY AND KIND OF JUMP IN AND GET READY TO GO TO WORK.

THERE ARE 400 STATEWIDE AT 25 HOSPITALS.

>> Lawrence: DESPITE THAT WORKER SHORTAGE, SOME HOSPITALS ARE ACTUALLY THREATENING TO FIRE UNVACCINATED WORKERS.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> THEY'RE DOING MORE THAN THREATEN.

SOME ARE ACTUALLY FIRING THEM.

IT'S TRUE.

MOST OF THE HOSPITAL CHAINS IN KENTUCKY, MOST OF THE MAJOR CHAINS ARE PASSING MANDATES FOR VACCINATION.

IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE WORKING THERE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE WORKING WITH PATIENTS YOU'VE GOT GET COVID VACCINE, AND THIS WEEK THE DEADLINE CAME DUE AT MANY OF THESE PLACES.

MY COLLEAGUE ALEX ACQUISTA AT THE HERALD-LEADER CALLED AROUND AT MANY OF THE HOSPITALS AND ASK, SO WHAT HAPPENED?

AND THE ANSWER IS HUNDREDS OF HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES GOT FIRED THIS WEEK.

IN OTHER CASES, LIKE AT U.K. HEALTHCARE, THEY'RE STARTING LESS THAN FIRING.

THEY'RE STARTING WITH WRITTEN REPRIMANDS AND THEY'RE GOING TWO WORK THEIR WAY UP THE DISCIPLINARY CHAIN TO FIRING.

IF PEOPLE DON'T GET VACCINATED.

SO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FIRED.

NOBODY WANTS THAT.

THE WORKERS DON'T WANT TO LOSE THEIR JOBS.

HOSPITALS DON'T WANT TO LOSE PEOPLE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THURSDAY THAT OUT OF THE 96 ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS IN KENTUCKY, MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS ARE ALREADY UNDERSTAFFED.

OTT ON THE OTHER HAND, THOUSANDS OF HOSPITAL WORKERS APPARENTLY HAVE GOTTEN VACCINATED SINCE THESE MANDATES CAME ONLINE.

THAT IS WHAT THE HOSPITALS DO WANT BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT COVID BEING SPREAD AROUND BY THEIR EMPLOYEES, THEY DON'T WANT THEIR EMPLOYEES GETTING SICK OR GOD FORBID DYING, THEY DON'T WANT HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES GOING ON QUARANTINE AND NOT BEING AVAILABLE SO THAT'S THE TRADEOFF.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FIRED VERSUS THOUSANDS FINALLY AGREE TO TAKE THE SHOT.

>> Lawrence: THE SITUATION OF REALLY NO GOOD CHOICES HERE.

YOU NEED THE PEOPLE BUT YOU'VE GOT DEEP EVERYTHING SAFE.

>> John: THE ONLY GOOD CHOICE AT THIS POINT I THINK WOULD BE GO AHEAD AND GET VACCINATED.

>> Lawrence: JOE, COVID FEIGN SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE AND THEY'VE HAD TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER TO WEAR A MASK.

>> Joe: THIS IS FALL OUGHT FROM SENATE BILL 1 WHICH PASSED IN SPECIAL SESSION LAST WEEK.

IT PROHIBITED THE STATE FROM IMPLEMENTING A STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE WHICH BESHEAR HAD AT AND BESHEAR HAD TRIED TO DO UNTIL A COURT TOLD HIM HE COULDN'T AND THE KDE'S MANDATE ALSO WENT AWAY, BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING A MAJORITY OVERWHELMING LIR IMPLEMENTING MASK MANDATES ON THEIR OWN.

THERE ARE ONLY ABOUT SIX DISTRICTS WITH AN OPTIONAL MANDATE AT THIS POINT IN TIME, AND KIND OF MORE CENTRALIZED IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF, THERE'S ONE DISTRICT IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY THAT'S DOING THAT AS WELL.

AND DEPENDING ON HOW THINGS GO, WE'LL SEE HOW THAT NUMBER CHANGES, BUT A LOT OF DISTRICTS, DESPITE MAYBE A LOT OF PUSHBACK, MAYBE CERTAIN AREAS THE PUSHBACK IS EVEN HARD ORE THOSE SCHOOL BOARDS TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS, BUT DESPITE THE KIND OF CONTROVERSY AROUND MASKS AND THE KIND OF HEATED PUSH AGAINST THEM, A LOT OF THESE DISTRICTS, 96% OF THEM ARE DECIDING TO GO WITH THEM.

>> Lawrence: BUT THERE ARE A FEW HOLD-OUTS AND SOME DISTRICTS EVEN SAYING THEY'LL REVISIT THE QUESTION AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK.

>> Joe: YEAH, AND THIS IS ALL -- IT'S ALL KIND OF NEW FOR THESE SCHOOL BOARDS.

THEY ALL ARE UNDER A IS ASSUMPTION THIS WAS GOING TO BE MAIN DATE FROM THE STATE.

BEFORE THE MANDATE WAS PUT INTO PLACE, WE SAW A ACCIDENT AMOUNT OF DISTRICTS THAT WERE OPTIONAL AND THAT WAS ALSO BEFORE THE NUMBERS -- THE NUMBERS WERE SPIKING DURING THAT POINT ANYWAY BUT THEY CONTINUED TO SPIKE.

IT HASN'T REALLY GONE DOWN.

NOE NOW IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN IT WAS BEFORE BESHEAR ANNOUNCED HIS MASK MANDATE BUT IT'S A SITUATION OF FLUX.

IT WILL DEPENDS ON WHERE THE NUMBERS ARE AT AND HOW THE DISTRICTS FEEL AND HONESTLY THE PRESSURE THEY FEEL FROM OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT IT.

>> Lawrence: THE GOVERNOR DID HAVE PRETTY TOUGH WORDS THIS WEEK FOR DISTRICTS THAT ARE NOT REQUIRING MASKS.

>> IF YOU ARE A SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT IS NOT REQUIRING UNIVERSAL MASKING, YOU ARE DIRECTLY ENDANGERING THE CHILDREN, THE STAFF, THE FACULTY, EVERYBODY WHO IS IN EACH OF YOUR BUILDINGS, AND IT IS AN INEXCUSABLE DECISION.

>> Lawrence: PRETTY CLEAR WHERE HE STANDS.

>> Joe: IT'S CLEAR WHERE HE STOOD TO BEGIN WITH.

I THINK BEFORE, YOU KNOW, HIS POWER WAS ESSENTIALLY STRIPPED TO DO THIS SORT OF THING, HE KNEW THAT HE COULD ESSENTIALLY IMPLEMENT THESE AND TAKE THE HEAT HIMSELF, BUT NOW THANK HE DOESN'T HAVE THAT MUCH POWER, YOU KNOW HE WANTS TO RATCHET UP THE INTENSITY BECAUSE IT'S, YOU KNOW, HE KNOWS WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE STATEWIDE.

HE HAS TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING ON A STATEWIDE PERSPECTIVE, AND IF THERE ARE THESE POCKETS OF DISTRICTS WHERE THEY AREN'T DOING THIS SORT OF THING, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE CASES IN THOSE AREAS PRICE.

>> Lawrence: HE'S EVEN SAYING IS THAT SCHOOLS WOULD BE COULD BE HELD LIABLE.

>> Joe: THAT'LL BE AN INTERESTING THING TO SEE.

I THINK THERE WAS SOME LEGISLATION PASSED DURING THE PREVIOUS SESSION THAT KIND OF, YOU KNOW, DEALT WITH SOME OF THAT LITIGATION AND WHETHER OR NOT JUDGES WILL BE WILLING TO ACTUALLY HOLD SCHOOLS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT SORT OF THING, BUT I MEAN HE'S MORE OF A LAWYER THAN I AM SO I GUESS HE COULD COMMENT ON THAT MORE.

>> Lawrence: WE'RE ALSO HEARING ABOUT MORE SCHOOL STAFF WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY THIS WEEK ACROSS THE STATE, ONE IN HART COUNTY, A TEACHER, AND AS A CUSTODIAN IN LEE COUNTY.

>> Joe: AND THE CUSTODIAN IN LEE COUNTY WHAT IS THE SECOND EMPLOYEE IN THAT SMALL DISTRICT TO PASS AWAY.

THERE WAS A FIFTH GRADE TEACHERS AIDE WHO PASSED AWAY IN LATE AUGUST AS WELL SUSPECT SO THESE DISTRICTS ARE SEEING THE EFFECTS OF COVID.

THEY ARE SEEING WHAT EVERYBODY WAS WORRIED ABOUT IN REGARDS TO BRINGING KIDS BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM, BRINGING ADULTS BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM, AND I KNOW WHEN BESHEAR WAS TALKING ABOUT THIS AND A LOT OF THE EDUCATION OFFICIALS WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS, A LOT OF THESE DISTRICTS AREN'T THAT -- THE BUILDINGS AREN'T THAT WELL VENTILATED THERE ARE ISSUES -- THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH BEING ABLE TO SPACE THEM OUT PROPERLY, AND IT'S -- WHY ARE YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ISSUES I KNOW THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY IS WORRIED ABOUT IN REGARD THIS, AND THAT'S WHY A MAJORITY OF THEM WENT BACK TO THE MASK CAN MANDATE BECAUSE THAT'S ONE THING UNIVERSALLY THEY CAN DO TO TRY TO STOP THE SPREAD.

>> Deborah: REMEMBER, KIDNEYS 12 CAN'T BE VACCINATED YET.

>> Joe: AND YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF THOSE KIDS AND BE KIDS WEREN'T EXACTLY THE CLEANEST TO BEGIN WITH, SO YOU HAVE TO KIND OF DEAL WITH THAT AS WELL.

I MEAN, IT'S -- IT'S A BAD PLACE TO DEAL WITH THIS SORT OF THING.

>> Lawrence: JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAID IT HAD WILL REQUIRE STAFF TO GET VACCINATED OR GET REGULAR TENSION.

DEB, DO WE GET THE SENSE THIS IS GOING TO BE A TREND ACROSS THE STATE?

>> Deborah: I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED.

I THINK THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS AND AS CASES CONTINUE TO GROW, AND THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE STAFF AND THE KIDS, THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE STEPS SINCE THEY HAVE A LIMITED OPTION OF NON-TRADITIONAL INSTRUCTION.

REMOTE LEARNING THEY CAN USE.

>> Lawrence: IN FACT, THE LEGISLATURE TOOK CARE OF THAT ISSUE.

>> Deborah: YEAH.

>> Lawrence: DEALT WITH THAT ISSUE IN THE LAST SPECIAL SESSION P. THERE'S ONLY SO MANY REMOTE AND NTI DAYS THEY CAN USE.

>> Joe: THEY TOOK CARE OF THE IN A WAY THAT BESHEAR AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER JASON GLASS, AND I KNOW MARTY POLIO AND THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS AS WELL DISAGREED WITH BECAUSE 20 REMOTE LEARNING DAYS THAT, YOU KNOW, ARE TIED TO EACH INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT I, I MEAN, IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO REMOTE LEARNING IN ANY OF THOSE BUILDINGS.

, THAT'S ONE DAY.

I IMAGINE A LARGE DISTRICT LIKE JCPS IF THINGS ARE BAD ENOUGH, THEY COULD BURN THROUGH THOSE IN THREE WEEKS OR FOUR WEEKS OR HOWEVER LONG THAT IS.

AND EVEN IN THE SMALLER DISTRICTS GOING BACK TO LEE COYNE COUNTY, THEY ONLY HAVE TWO BILKED MEANING PUNISH -- AND THE SUPERINTENDENT WHEN I TALKED TO HER WITH THE SITUATION AFTER THE CUSTODIAN DIED, SHE WAS WORRIED THAT BECAUSE IF THEY HAVE TO CLOSE ONE BUILDING, IT'S ONE REMOTE LEARNING DAY, BUT IF THEY HAVE TO CLOSE THE SECOND BUILDING WHICH IS THE HIGH SCHOOL, THE MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL, THEN THAT'S AN NTI DAY AND THEY'VE ALREADY BURNED THROUGH THE NTI DAYS WHICH ARE TOP OF THE REMOTE LEARNING DAYS.

THEY WANTED TO KEEP NTI TO TRY TO MAKE IT DISTRICT WIDE AND TRY TO GIVE SCHOOLS THESE FLEXIBLE OPTIONS FOR REMOTE LEARNING, BUT AT LEAST FROM A DECENT AMOUNT OF THE SUPERINTENDENTS THAT I'VE SPOKEN TO AND THEFT EDUCATION OFFICIALS I'VE SPOKEN TO, THEY'RE ANXIOUS TO SAY THE LEAST.

>> Lawrence: REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS DO POINT OUT THAT THEY KIND OF SWITCHED THE CALENDAR AND GAVE THEM HOURS TO WORK WITH INSTEAD OF A SET NUMBER OF DAYS TO KIND OF LOOSEN THAT CALENDAR.

BUT, JOHN, YOU WROTE AN INTRIGUING STORY ABOUT LAWSUITS FILED BY COLLEGE STUDENTS SEEKING REFUNDS AFTER THEIR CAMPUSES WERE SHUT DOWN LAST YEAR.

>> John: THAT'S TRUE.

ONE LEXINGTON ATTORNEY ANDRE REGARD, FILED EIGHT LAWSUITS ON BEHALF 27 COLLEGE STUDENTS AGAINST UK AND THE OTHER PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES, UofL, WESTERN, EASTERN, YOU KNOW THE LIST, SEEKING $729 MILLION IN TUITION AND MANDATORY FEES THAT THEY SAY THEY PAID IN SPRING 2020 SEMESTER THAT THEY DIDN'T GET THE FULL VALUE OF BECAUSE THE CAMPUS WAS ALL CLOSED IN MARCH 2020 ONCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED SPREADING.

EVERYONE SWITCHED TO ONLINE.

THEY ALL GOT KICKED OFF CAMPUS AND SENT TIE WEBSITE, AND THEY SAID THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY PAID FOR.

NOW, I DON'T THINK ANYONE REALISTICTILY EXPECTS ANYONE IS GOING PAY $729 MILLION THE QUESTION IS WILL ANY OF THE UNIVERSITIES PAY ANY REFUND.

THEY DIDN'T GET THE REAL LIVE EXPERIENCE THEY PAID FOR, AND IN FACT ONE SMALL PRIVATE COLLEGE DOWN IN MIAMI THIS MONTH DID AGREE TO PAY A COUPLE MILLION DOLLARS IN REFUND FOR STUDENTS, SO WILL THERE BE ANY REFUND?

WE WILL HAVE WAIT AND SEE.

IT'S GOING TO BE A COUPLE OF YEARS BEFORE IT GETS THROUGH THE COURT.

>> Lawrence: NOW SOME CAMPUSES ARE OPEN.

SOME UK STUDENTS WANT A VACCINE MANDATE.

>> John: NEACE TRUE.

A COUPLE THOUSAND FACULTY, STAFF AT UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY SIGNED A OPEN WILL THE ON PRESIDENT ELI CAPILOUTO AND THEY WANT TO MANDATE TO PROTECT SAFETY, AND HONESTLY UK IS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.

NUMBERS I GOT 83% OF THE STUDENTS ARE VACCINATED, 93% OF THE FACULTY, 88% OF THE STAFF.

BUT THEY SAY WE WOULD FEEL BETTER IF THERE WAS A VACCINE MANDATE IN PLACE.

I THINK THE RULE RIGHT NOW IS YOU'VE GOVERNMENT MASKS IF YOU'RE NOTE VACCINATED.

YOU HAVE TO SHOW A WEEKLY TEST.

PRESIDENT CAPILOUTO HAS SAID A VACCINE MANDATE IS NOT OFF THE TABLE IF HE FEELS CONDITIONS REQUIRE IT.

>> Lawrence: DEBBIE, AN INTERESTING POLL RELEASED THIS WEEK BY THE FOUNDATION FOR A HEALTHY KENTUCKY WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THERE ARE SOME, SOME BREAKING DOWN A VACCINE HESITANCY.

>> Deborah: THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S EDGING UP A LITTLE BIT.

WHEN THE FOUNDATION POLLED IN MARCH, THEY HAD ABOUT 29% OF KENTUCKIANS WHO RESPONDED SAID THEY EITHER WOULD NOT GET THE SHOT OR PROBABLY WOULD NOT GET THE VACCINE.

THEY POLLED AGAIN MORE RECENTLY AND THE RESULTS RELEASED I THINK JUST YESTERDAY SHOWED THAT 20% OF PEOPLE NOW SAY THEY WILL NOT OR PROBABLY WILL NOT GET THE VACCINE.

BUT VACCINES ARE EDGING UP AND THEY'RE STARTING TO SEE A PICKUP OF RATE OF VACCINATIONS AROUND THE STATE, AND I THINK GOVERNOR BESHEAR INDICATED THAT I THINK 59% OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD AT LEAST THEIR FIRST SHOT.

>> Lawrence: I WOULD IMAGINE SOME OF THAT IS A RESULT OF THIS NEW OUTBREAK OF THE DELTA VARIANT SCARING PEOPLE.

>> Deborah: YEAH, WHEN YOU SEE IMAGES ON TV OF PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL WITH DELTA BEGGING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED AND THEY WISH THEY HAD, THAT MAY SHAPE PUBLIC OPINION.

I HOPE SO LAUNCH BEFORE WE LEAVE THE SUBJECT OF PANDEMIC, WE CAN'T IGNORE THE CONTINUING POLITICS OF COVID.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS PUNCHING BACK AT THE GOVERNOR'S CRITICISM OF SENATE BILL 1.

ABOUT.

>> BUT THE MASKING DECISION, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MADE WAS WRONG, AND IT WAS ALSO A PUNT.

LIKE I SAID, I'VE BEEN WILLING TO MAKE THE CALLS TO TAKE THE HITS, TO MAKE THE PLAYS, AND THE LEGISLATURE ASKED TO GO IN, TO GO IN AT QB, AND WHAT DID THEY DO?

THEY POUND FIRST DOWN.

>> EVERYTHING THAT WAS DONE IN THIS STATE WAS DONE BASED ON WHAT ONE PERSON THOUGHT.

AND THAT WAS THE GOVERNOR ONLY.

SO FOR WHATEVER POSITION WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW, IT IS BASED ON THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION.

SO HE SAYS WE PUNTED.

I WILL GIVE YOU A SPORTS ANALOGY.

HE WAS RUNNING OUT THE CLOCK.

>> Lawrence: SO, JOE, EVEN AFTER THE SPECIAL SESSION IT'S OBVIOUS THAT SOME EMOTIONS AND SOME FEELINGS ARE STILL PRETTY LAW.

>> Joe: YEAH, IT SEEMS LIKE THE ONLY THING THEY CAN AGREE ON IS TO SIGHT FOOTBALL ANALOGIES INDEPENDENCE A CONTINUATION OF THE POLITICS THAT WE'VE SEEN BLACK AND FORTH BETWEEN BESHEAR AND THE REPUBLICAN-LED LEGISLATURE.

I MEAN, THERE'S A REASON WHY REPUBLICANS WANTED TO PUT LIMITS ON BESHEAR'S POWERS BECAUSE THEIR CONSTITUENTS FELT LIKE HE WAS DOING WAY TOO MUCH, AND WHEN THEY DID THAT, IT WAS SUBJECT TIE COURT BATTLE.

BESHEAR THROUGH THE HIS LEGAL OPTIONS AS MUCH AS HE COULD AND THEN THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT RULED THAT LAWMAKERS HAVE THE POWER TO ADJUST THE EMERGENCY POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR, AND BY THAT TONIGHT YOU SAW BESHEAR'S RHETORIC CHANGE LITTLE BIT AND GET A LITTLE MORE HEATED BECAUSE HE KNEW HE WENT THE ONLY PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THOSE DECISIONS, AND TO HIS CREDIT HE TOOK A LOT OF -- HE SHOULDERED A LOT OF THOSE CRITICISMS, BUT NOW THAT, YOU KNOW, THE LAW OF THE LAND IS BASICALLY WHAT LEGISLATORS SAY, HE'S PUSHING BACK HARD.

>> Lawrence: STIVERS ALSO BEHIND THE THAT THERE COULD BE ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION, A ONE-DAY SESSION.

WHAT COULD THAT BE ABOUT?

>> Joe: WELL, THIS IS ABOUT THE IDEA OF HELPING HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES RECRUIT MORE STAFF BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY I MEAN THERE WERE STAFFING SHORTAGES BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND BEFORE ANYTHING REALLY THAT WE'VE BEEN FACING AT ALL, SO THEY WANT TO USE MONEY FROM THE AMERICAN -- THE APRIL A BILL, APRILA, $81 MILLION TO HELP THESE HOSPITALS, REVIEW THE AND FIRE MORE STAFF, AND IT WAS SOMETHING THAT THEY BROUGHT UP DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION, AT LEAST IT WAS FILED BUT THEY COULDN'T ACTUALLY ACT ON IT BECAUSE THE DAUGHTER SPECIAL SESSION WAS LIMITED AND DIDN'T INCLUDE THAT SPECIFIC MEASURE.

SO FROM WHAT STIVERS SAID, FROM WHAT SENATOR DAIMON THAYER TOLD US TODAY AS WELL, IT SEEMS LIKE THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION IS OPEN TO THAT IDEA.

WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S ACTUALLY THE MONEY FOR IT IS ANOTHER QUESTION.

BUT IT COULD HAPPEN.

AND LAWMAKERS HAVE SHOWN THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO THROW OUT THE PROCEDURAL RULES THAT REQUIRE THEM TO DO THREE READINGS OF THE BILL IN EACH CHAMBER, SO -- AND EVEN THREE READING IN THE SAME DAY EVEN, YOU KNOW, TO GET THINGS DONE.

ADMITTEDLY REPUBLICANS WANT TO SAVE MONEY.

THAT'S THE ENTIRE DRIVER OF IT.

THEY WANT TO SAVE MONEY.

THEY WANT TO GET THESE BILLS THROUGH, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ALL AGREE ON IT ANYWAYS, YOU MIGHT AS WELL TRY GET OUT THROUGH ACCEPT EXCEPT THE EDUCATION BILL.

THEY EVENTUALLY GOT THAT ONE THROUGH.

BUT THEY KNOW THEY CAN DO IT AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S AN ILLEGAL THING TO DO.

IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE ANYBODY IS RAISING THAT QUESTION.

WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN, WE'LL SEE.

>> Lawrence:ION, ANOTHER BILL THAT PASSED THROUGH THE SPECIAL SESSION WAS THE ONE WITH THANK SET ASIDE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR A HAVE EVER FOR A MYSTERY PROJECT IN HARDIN COUNTY, AND YOU'VE DISCOVERED THERE'S A CONNECTION TO THE BARBER ADMINISTRATION.

>> Joe: THERE IS.

LEHRER HAYES IS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY.

HE'S BEEN IN STATE GOVERNMENT SINCE THE 80sNESSES A NUMBER OF HIGH PROFILE JOBS.

MR. HAYES OWNS AN INTEREST IN 8-1/2 ACRES IN GLENDALE, A HARDIN COUNTY COMPLIANCE WITH THE OFF INTERSTATE 65.

AT THAT SAME SPOT THE STATE OWNS 1500 ACRES OF LAND THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO PUT A MYSTERIOUS COMPANY OR MAYBE TWO.

THE LEGISLATURE JUST PASSED $410 MILLION STATE INCENTIVES PACKAGE TO RECRUIT SAID COMPANY X, MAYBE TO THE GLENDALE SITE.

IF COMPANY X GETS MOVED THERE ANYBODY WHO OWNS LAND IN THE GLENDALE AREA IS GOING FIND IT IS WORTH MORE.

ER MR. HAYES OWNS A WAREHOUSE BUSINESS A FEW MILES UP THE YEAR.

IS IT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR A GUY WHO RUNS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHILE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS TRYING TO BOOST THE GLENDALE SITE?

THEY SAY NO.

JUDGE FOR YOURSELF.

>> Lawrence: AND HAS HAYES SAID ANYTHING?

>> >> John: MR. HAYES SAID HE'S KEEPING STRICTLY OUT OF DECISIONS THAT WOULD IMPACT HIS PROPERTY THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD THAT WOULD OFFER THE STATE INCENTIVES.

HE IS A NON-VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD.

AND SO FORTH AND SO ON.

THAT HE WOULD NOT DIRECTLY MAKE ANY DECISION THAT WOULD IMPACT THIS.

A CRITIC OF THIS MEMBER OF, A WATCHDOG GROUP SAID IT WOULD BEST IF MR. HAYES SOLD HIS PROPERTIES IN THEY'RE IF WE WANTED TO CONTINUE IN HIS STATE JOB.

>> Lawrence: DEBBIE, A LONG-RUNNING LAWSUIT INVOLVING A BAPTIST CHILDREN'S AGENCY HAS FINALLY BEEN SETTLED P. HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON?

>> Deborah: 20 YEARS.

IT'S BEEN A LONG-RUNNING DISPUTE INITIALLY BETWEEN A WORKER WHO ALLEGED SHE WAS FIRED BECAUSE SHE WAS GAY, A YOUTH WORKER, AND THE SUIT SORT OF EVOLVEDOVER THE YEARS INTO MORE OF A DISPUTE ABOUT WHETHER SUNRISE SERVICES, WHICH IS AFFILIATED WITH THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION, IS PROSELYTIZING OR INDOCTRINATING CHILDREN IN ITS CARE WITH RELIGION, AND THIS HAS -- THEY FOUGHT IT OUT FOR 20 YEARS IN COURT AND FINALLY REACHED A SETTLEMENT BETWEEN SOME OF THE PARTIES, INCLUDING THE ACLU AND ANOTHER GROUP AND THE STATE.

HOWEVER, AND THE JUDGE DISMISSED THE CASE, AGREED IT WAS SETTLED AND THE STATE IS GOING TO DEVELOP RECESSION THAT PROHIBIT ANY PRIVATE PROVIDER FROM ENGAGING IN RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES THAT MIGHT CROSS THE LINE IN PROSELYTIZING CHILDREN.

HOWEVER, SUNRISE OPPOSES THEZ.

THEY WANT A JUDGMENT IF THEIR FAVOR AND THEY HAVE DECLARED THAT THEY'RE GOING TO APPEAL.

SO IT COULD GO ON.

>> Lawrence: AND SUNRISE RECENTLY HAD THEIR LICENSE RENEWED AFTER SOME CONTROVERSY.

>>> HAVE.

>> Deborah: YEAH, THERE I WAS CONTRACT WITH THE STATE IN DISPUTE BECAUSE THE STATE WAS STEEN INCLUDE ANTI-LGBTQ DISCRIMINATION LANGUAGE IN THE CONTRACT ITSELF, WHICH IS IN ALL THE CONTRACTS BUT SUNRISE HAS BEEN ACADEMY FROM THIS BECAUSE THEY OBJECTED TO IT, BUT THE STATE ENDED UP DROPPING AFTER THAT A RECENT SUPREME COURT DECISION THAT APPEARED TO FAVOR SUNRISE'S POSITION.

>> Lawrence: JOHN, AND UNIVERSITIES COLLEGES ACROSS THE STATE ARE REPORTING RECORD ENROLLMENT.

32,000 AT UK.

ITS LARGEST EVER.

SOME SMALLER COLLEGES ALSO SEEMINGLY BURSTING AT THE SEAMS.

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH KIDS GOING TO SCHOOL DESPITE THE PANDEMIC?

>> John: THIS IS TRUE.

AFTER A NATIONAL DROP LAST YEAR OF ABOUT 3-1/2% IN COLLEGE ENROLLMENT DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN THEY CALL GOT KICKED OFF CAMPUS, THIS YEAR A COUPLE THINGS.

MOST COLLEGES OR MANY OF EM THERE ARE REPORTING RECORD ENROLLMENTS THIS YEAR.

TWO FACTORS, ONE IS THE COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS THAT COLLEGES ARE TAKING, SEEM TO BE MAKING KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE GOING BACK TO CAMPUS, MASKING 1 VACCINES, THAT KIND OF THING.

TWO IS COST.

AFTER HEARING A LOT ABOUT STUDENT LOAN DEBT AND RISING TUITION, A LOT OF COLLEGES INCLUDING HERE IN KENTUCKY KEPT A LID ON THE TUITION INCREASES THIS YEAR AND THEY MAY FEEL A LITTLE BETTER ABOUT ENROLLING.

>> Lawrence: STAYING ON YOU, AS WE SPEAK WORKERS AT DISTILLERY IN BARDSTOWN ARE OH STRIKE.

>> John: THE UNITED WORKERS DID GO ON STRIKE.

THE ISSUE IS SCHEDULE THAN PAY.

THEY HAVE A PROPOSED FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT IN FRONT OF THEM AND THEY'RE WORKING REALLY HARD AND THIS CONTRACT WOULD APPARENTLY REQUIRED THEM TO WORK THE WEEKENDS THEY SAY WITHOUT EXTRA PAY TO COMPENSATE THEM FOR THE TIME AWAY FRATERNAL ORDER THEIR FAMILIESY.

THEY SAY DURING THE PANDEMIC THEY'VE BEEN MAKING EXTRA BOOZE, HAND SANITIZER.

REMEMBER THE ALCOHOL AND THE DISTILLERIES KICKED IN, AND THEY WANT MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THEIR GHOULS.

THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING WORKED TO DEATH.

HAVEN HILL ARE RESPONDED WITH A STATEMENT SAYING THEY SUPPORT THEIR WORKERS AND THEY'RE CONFIDENT THEY'RE GOING TO WORK THROUGH TO A GOOD PACKAGE.

>> Lawrence: JOE, THE YOU'LL HAVE SECRETARY THIS WEEK WHAT WAS HIS MESSAGE?

>> A COUPLE THINGS.

ONE HE WANTS TO PROMOTE PRESIDENT BIDEN'S 3-1/2 TRILLION DOLLARS INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN THE PROPOSAL THAT WOULD SPEND THAT MONEY OVER TEN YEARS.

HE HAS BEEN PUSHING THAT REALLY HARD, TRYING TO EMPHASIZE HOW MUCH IT COULD ACTUALLY HELP LABOR NEEDS ESPECIALLY, AND THAT WAS PART OF THE DISCUSSION.

NOUVEL AS HE WAS VISITING A FEW PLACES.

I KNOW WE FOLLOWED HIM AT THE -- AT DAWES HIGH SCHOOL TO SEE THEIR WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM, THE ACADEMY OF LOUISVILLE THEY HAVE 15 SCATTERED ACROSS THE DISTRICT TRAINING ITS KIDS TO GET THEIR CERTIFICATION AND TO GET THEIR PROPER TRAINING FOR THESE JOBS PRETTY MUCH RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, GE APPLIANCES FOR THE VARIOUS PLANTS THAT NEED EMPLOYEES THAT ARE DESPERATE FOR WORKERS.

AND THAT WAS THE OTHER PART OF THE MESSAGE, WAS TRYING TO IMPLEMENT THAT SORT OF A SYSTEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY BECAUSE THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF WORKERS PRETTY MUCH THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND PART OF HIS MESSAGE WAS, WELL, IT WAS ALSO EMPHASIZING INFRASTRUCTURE AND EMPHASIZING BEING ABLE TO BE RELIANT ON MANUFACTURING IN THE COUNTRY AS OPPOSED TO BEING RELIANT ON FOREIGN MANUFACTURING.

>> Lawrence: WE NEED TO MENTION A HISTORIC DATE CHURCHILL DOWNS WHERE STATUES OF JOHN ASHER AND MATT WINN WERE UNVEILED.

EIGHT MOREPHILES MULES MAMMOTH CAVE HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED RECENTLY, AND, THE NATIONAL PARK IN BOWLING GREEN WITH ONE OF KENTUCKY'S BIGGEST ATTRACTION AND NOW IT'S A BIT BIGGER.

BE SURE TO DUNE INTO KET SUNDAY NIGHT 8 JERKS EASTERN FOR TO