[♪♪] >> Bill: DEI RETURNS TO THE CONVERSATION IN FRANKFORT AS UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS ARE CALLED IN TO TESTIFY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR BANS CONVERSION THERAPY BY EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR UNDERAGE KENTUCKIANS HE SAYS HE WILL PUSH FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION AND SOME LAWMAKERS PUSHBACK.

A MANHUNTS ENDS FOR THE I-75 SHOOTER AFTER COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS WERE ON EDGE.

DEMOCRATS CALL FOR LOUISVILLE STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL GROSSBURG TO RESIGN AFTER NEW ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT.

ON THE WEEKEND WHERE WE SLIP INTO FALL, 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 IT HAS BEEN A BUSY WEEK IN THE NEWS AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ, SENIOR REPORTER FOR WHAK11 IN LOUISVILLE.

JESS CLARK REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING AND MONICA HARKINS ANCHOR AND REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

ALSO TONIGHT A KENTUCKY DEPUTY IS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND A SHERIFF IS CHARGED IN THE JUDGE'S DEATH.

LMPD IS NAMING ANOTHER NEW POLICE CHIEF BUT THIS ONE IS FAMILIAR TO THE FORCE AND TO THE COMMUNITY.

A LOT HAPPENING.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS LATE THIS WEEK, THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER REPORTED NEW ALLEGATIONS OF INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR TOWARD WOMEN BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL GROSSBURG.

THE REPORTS LED ANDY BESHEAR TO CALL FOR GROSSBURG'S RESIGNATION AND THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS VOTED TO PERMANENTLY EXPEL HIM.

>> I WANT TO ONCE AGAIN STATE CLEARLY THAT REPRESENTATIVE GROSSBURG SHOULD RESIGN.

HE SHOULD RESIGN.

>> Bill: STARK CALL FROM THE GOVERNOR THIS MORNING IN A HASTILY CALLED NEWS CONFERENCE.

THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST GROSSBURG ARE SUBSTANTIAL.

>> IT WAS INTERESTING GOVERNOR BESHEAR FOR A WHILE THERE WERE SOME WHO CALLED ON HIM TO CALL ON REPRESENTATIVE GROSSBURG TO RESIGN A BIT AGO, BILL, WEEKS AGO.

NOW YOU HEAR THIS STARK CHANGE IN WORDING IT GOES FROM I SUGGEST HE LOOKS AT THE BIG PICTURE SAYING FLAT OUT THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.

WE'VE SEEN THIS WEEK, TWO, I BELIEVE, TWO KENTUCKY YOUNG DEMOCRATS PART OF THAT ORGANIZATION COME OUT AND DETAIL SOME OF THEM DIFFICULT TO SEE AND HEAR, SITUATIONS SPECIFICALLY ALLEGEDLY ENCOUNTERS WITH REPRESENTATIVE GROSSBURG.

HE AND HIS ATTORNEY DENIED ALL OF IT SAYING HIS STATEMENTS QUOTE WERE TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT HERE.

BIG PICTURE MOVING FORWARD, THE GOVERNOR DETAILED THIS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE REPRESENTATIVE RESIGNS OR NOT HE CALLED ON THE LEGISLATIVE ETHICS CODE TO SEE A REVIEW HERE.

HE SAID THAT THE POLICY RIGHT NOW IS EITHER WEAK OR IS NOT BEING ENFORCED STRONG ENOUGH.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE MOVING FORWARD WHAT CHANGES THERE.

>> Bill: HAS GROSSBURG GIVEN ANY INDICATION THAT HE WILL RESIGN AT THIS POINT?

>> HE AT THIS POINT HAS SAID NO AND THE ATTORNEY OUTLINED THAT TODAY THAT IS NOT THE PLAN.

HOWEVER AS YOU SEE THIS MOUNTING PRESSURE, THE GOVERNOR TOUCHED ON IT TODAY, YOU SEE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE COME OUT AND SAY IT YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE BY NEXT YEAR AND YOU USE YOUR COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS AND EXPELLED FROM THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS WHAT CAN YOU DO AS A LAWMAKER?

THAT WILL BE UP TO HIM.

IMPEACHMENT WOULD BE THE ONLY OTHER ROUTE THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T SAY HE WOULD CALL A SPECIAL SESSION TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> Bill: REACTIONS FROM DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS?

>> WE'VE SEEN IT BIPARTISAN, YEAH, IT'S NOT JUST THE DEMOCRATS.

>> .

>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE CAUCUS FOR THE DEMOCRATS SAYING BEFORE BESHEAR DID THAT THIS BEHAVIOR IF IT'S TRUE OR NOT THESE ARE ALLEGATIONS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

AND WITH BESHEAR STEPPING HIS FOOT IN NOW THAT IS MAKING A MAJOR CHANGE.

AS FAR AS REPUBLICANS I HAVE NOT SEEN SO MUCH OF A RESPONSE BUT IN A STICKY SITUATION THAT DOESN'T INVOLVE THEM, I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY WOULD BE OUT TO SAY SO.

>> AND SOMETHING THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THEY CONTROL SO MUCH OF BOTH CHAMBERS FOR THEM.

THEY HAVE THEIR EYES ON DEI WHICH WE'LL TALK ABOUT.

IF DEMOCRATS ARE SHOOTING THEMSELVES IN THE FOOT WHICH WE'VE SEEN IN RECENT WEEKS NOT JUST WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE GROSSBURG CASE BUT OTHER REPRESENTATIVES SOME UP FOR REELECTION THEY WILL LET THAT PLAY OUT.

>> Bill: AND CERTAINLY IN THE LEGISLATURE.

TOPIC THAT IS GETTING A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE SITUATION WITH REPRESENTATIVE GROSSBURG IS DEI.

PROPOSALS TO BAN THAT AT PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

LAST MONTH THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ENDED ITS EFFORTS AND LAWMAKERS ASKED U.K. PRESIDENT TO EXPLAIN THE INS AND OUTS HOW HE IS RIDDING HIS CAMPUS OF SUCH INITIATIVES.

>> SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT MAYBE A SUBJECT OF INQUIRY IN A CLASSROOM, A FAIR DEBATE BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE PART OF TRAININGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT WE DO.

>> Bill: SO MONICA, THIS TOPIC SEEMS TO REMAIN A PRIORITY FOR REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS AFTER U.K. AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY AT LEAST ENDED THEIR PROGRAMS.

>> OH, YEAH, AND THE FUNNY THING IS TIMING REALLY MATTERS.

WE SAW THE CUTTINGS IN THE LAST SESSION AND IT DIDN'T GET PUSHED THROUGH.

ALL OF A SUDDEN MAJOR UNIVERSITIES IN KENTUCKY HAVE TO COME UP WITH A NEW PLAN.

AND THE PRESIDENT FOR U.K., CAPILOUTO AS WELL AS UL'S PRESIDENT SAYING DISCUSSIONS WERE HAD WITH REPRESENTS AND SENATORS ON THIS COMMITTEE ABOUT OKAY WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

THEN THEY ARE CALLED IN FRONT OF THE PANEL IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC TO SAY WE HAD THESE DISCUSSIONS TELL US WHAT YOU DID.

WHEN WE FIRST COVERED U.K. ALL WE FEW THEY REMOVED THE OFFICE.

WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID.

AND THIS WAS THAT OPPORTUNITY.

THESE COMMITTEEMEMBERS PUSHED HIM ON WHAT DID HE DO.

>> Bill: A TRUST BUT VERIFY SITUATION.

>> THAT IS EXACTLY HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.

THIS WAS A TEST.

REPUBLICANS WOULDN'T HAVE CALLED PRESIDENT CAPILOUTO TO FRANKFORT UNLESS THEY WERE TRYING TO PROVE SOMETHING.

DEI IS BEING DISMANTLED AT THE UNIVERSITIES.

THEY CAME AND BROUGHT THEM TO TESTIFY IN FRANKFORT TO ASK THE QUESTIONS OF ARE YOU SURE THIS IS NOT JUST A NAME CHANGE YOU GET RID OF THE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY BUT THE INITIATIVES ARE SPRINKLED IN DIFFERENT UNITS THAT WAS WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO PRESS AND BIG PICTURE NEXT YEAR, I WAS TOLD BY SENATOR STEVEN WEST WHO CHAIRS THAT COMMITTEE THEY STILL HAVE THEIR EYES SET ON I ABILL TARGETING DEI NEXT YEAR.

>> Bill: AND JESS IF THERE IS THIS ROBUST DISCUSSION AND A STRONG WILL THAT IS PROPOSED ON THIS SUBJECT, MIGHT IT ALSO INCLUDE SECONDARY SCHOOLS?

>> I THINK IT IS A POSSIBILITY.

THERE WERE TALKS OF INCLUDING SECONDARY K-12 EDUCATION LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SO YEAH, THAT'S A POSSIBILITY.

>> Bill: SENATOR REGGIE THOMAS DEMOCRAT OF LEXINGTON TOLD A GROUP OF UNIVERSITY REGENTS HE EXPLAINED HOW AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND DEI EFFORTS CAME TO BE IN THE FIRST PLACE AND HE SAYS HE LIVED THROUGH MUCH OF THAT.

AND HE MAKES THE CASE IT SHOULDN'T BE THREATENING.

>> THOMAS IS MAKING THE ARGUMENT THAT DEI EFFORTS ARE THE CONTINUATION OF A LEGACY OF DESEGREGATION IN THE 1950s AND MORE TRUE INTEGRATION IN THE 1980s WHEN SENATOR THOMAS WAS RECRUITED TO WORK FOR U.K.

IN 1980 IN ATTEMPT TO DIVERSIFY THE STAFF AND BRING MORE BLACK FACULTY ONBOARD AND IT GOES BACK TO THE ARGUMENT YOU CAN DESEGREGATE, OPEN THE DOORS AND SAY EVERYBODY CAN ENROLL, EVERYBODY IS ALLOWED TO WORK HERE REGARDLESS OF RACE.

BUT IF THOSE PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING MICRO AGGRESSIONS OR RACIAL BIAS OR DISCRIMINATION ON CAMPUS, IS IT TRULY A PLACE THAT IS WELCOMING AND OPEN TO ALL.

>> THERE'S CONCERN FROM DEMOCRATS AND ADVOCATES I TALKED WITH THE FORMER LOUISVILLE URBAN LEAGUE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

THEY REMEMBER A TIME WHEN THEY WERE AT U.K. OR U OF L WHERE THEY WERE ONE OF TWO A SMALL GROUP OF BLACK MEN AND WOMEN IN THESE CLASSES AND THEY ARE AFRAID ANY DPDS THEY HAVE MADE UP WILL POTENTIALLY REVERT BACK TO POTENTIALLY WHERE THEY WERE THE THING THAT IS REALLY ON THEIR MINDS RIGHT NOW.

>> THE ARGUMENT IS CAN YOU TEACH SOMEONE TOO MUCH OR IS IT INDOCTRINATION OF GIVING THEM THIS THOUGHT THAT INDOCTRINATION WORD HAS BEEN USED HEAVILY FROM SOME AND I WOULD ARGUE MOST REPUBLICANS WHO SAY DEI NEEDS TO GO BECAUSE IT'S A WAY OF PUTTING TOO MUCH OF ONE SIDE.

AND WE NEED TO HAVE BOTH SIDES.

>> Bill: I THINK IT WAS INTERESTING PRESIDENT CAPILOUTO MADE THE REFERENCE TO BE POLITICALLY BALANCED ON CAMPUS.

>> HE DIRECTLY ADDRESSED IT AND SAID U.K. WEBSITES HE FELT OR THE GROUP GOING THROUGH AND MAKING THE SWEEP REMOVED POLITICALLY ONE-SIDED CONTENTS FROM THE WEBSITINGS.

HE SAID SPECIFICALLY WE ARE AN EDUCATION FACILITY, WE ARE NOT HERE TO TELL PEOPLE HOW TO THINK.

WE ARE HERE TO PRESENT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS AND LET PEOPLE LEARN AND GROW.

AND HE ALSO ADDED HE DOES NOT WANT THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE AWAY THE ABILITY TO TEACH AND DO RESEARCH AT U.K. >> QUICK IT UPPING ON THE OTHER SIDE THERE IS A MONEY FACTOR TO THIS TOO AND THIS WAS A QUESTION DIRECTLY ASKED OF ELI CAPILOUTO HOW MUCH DID IT COST TO EMPLOY ALL THESE PEOPLE FOR THE OFFICE OF INSURANCE CONSTITUTIONAL DIVERSITY WHEN IT WAS UP AND RUNNING.

HE SAID I'LL GET YOU THE ANSWER AT SOME POINT BUT THAT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THERE WAS A LOT OF DUPLICATIVE ROLES COSTING A LOT OF MONEY THEY DNTSD'S FEEL LIKE WAS NECESSARY.

>> Bill: AND THE POLLINGSES STILL HAVE JOBS AT THE UNIVERSITY.

>> NO JOBS WERE LOST AND CAPILOUTO MADE THAT CLEAR THE PEOPLE WERE SHIFTED TO OTHER UNITS.

>> Bill: WE ALL SEE THIS IS LIKELY TO BE A ROBUST DISCUSSION IN THE UPCOMING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THIS WEEK GOVERNOR BESHEAR BANNED CONVERSION THERAPY FOR MINORS BY EXECUTIVE ORDER.

THE GOVERNOR SAID ATTEMPTS TO CHANGE A YOUNG PERSON'S GENDER OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION HAVE NO BASIS IN MEDICINE.

THERE WERE LEGISLATIVE ATTEMPTS TO BAN THE PRACTICE EARLIER AND THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS TIME FOR HIM TO ACT.

>> THE EXECUTIVE ORDER IS LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL.

IT'S BEEN DONE IN OTHER STATES.

THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT REFUSED TO REVIEW WASHINGTON'S BAN ON CONVERSION THERAPY LEAVING IT IN PLACE.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS A PRACTICE THAT EVERY MAJOR MEDICAL ORGANIZATION SAYS IS UNETHICAL AND THAT IT HARMS KIDS.

>> Bill: MONICA, BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION HAD BEEN PROPOSED IT DID NOT PASS.

NOW BESHEAR USING HIS EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY.

>> YEAH, THIS IS A BAN THAT TAKES THE WORD AND USES THE ONLY LIMITED POWERS THAT BESHEAR SAYS THAT HE HAS.

IT TAKES THE CONCEPT OF WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO USE STATE OR FEDERAL FUNDS FOR CONVERSION THERAPY AND GIVES THE STATE LICENSURE BOARD OVER PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE PERFORMING THESE TYPES OF CON VERY, THERAPIES IF THEY ARE CAUGHT DOING IT THEY CAN FACE REPERCUSSIONS AND HOPEFULLY THAT INTIMIDATION FACTOR THAT WE'VE SEEN BUT THAT IS WHAT THE BAN ENTAILS.

SOME OF THE BACKLASH IS NOT ALL BIPARTISAN THERE ARE SOME REPUBLICANS SAY THIS IS TAKING AWAY A PARENTS RIGHT TO CHOOSE HOW TO RAISE THEIR KID.

BESHEAR GOING BACK TO THE MAJOR MEDICAL EXPERTS THOSE BEING BIG NAMES THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION BOTH AGREEING THAT CONVERSION THERAPY IS HARMFUL TO KIDS AND LEADS TO HIGHER RATES OF DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE.

>> PIGGY BACKING OFF THAT POINT I'VE COUNTED 11 HOUSE REPUBLICANS SINCE 2020 WHO HAVE CO-RESPONSED A BILL TO BAN CON VERY, THERAPY ON KIDS IN KENTUCKY WHY HASN'T IT MADE IT TO A COMMITTEE.

I SAW STATE REPRESENTATIVE KILIAN A REPUBLICAN AT THAT NEWS CONFERENCE, BILL, WITH GOVERNOR BESHEAR, HE WAS IN THE BACK, I SAW RIGHT AFTER I WENT WITH MY PHONE AND SAW HIM SHAKE GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S HAND AND SAID RARE SIGN OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND THANK YOU FOR HIS EFFORT AND I TALKED WITH HIM HE BELIEVES MOST REPUBLICANS SUPPORT BANNING THIS FOR MINORS THEY ARE NOT COMING FORWARD AND ACTING ON IT.

>> Bill: AND MAKE IT CLEAR THIS IS MINORS ONLY UNDER THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER.

>> YEAH.

THE REAL TEETH IN THE EXECUTIVE ORDER IS LIKE MONICA SAID WITH THE LICENSURE BOARDS THERE'S LOTS OF RESEARCH SHOWING THAT CONVERSION THERAPY IS HARMFUL TO KIDS AND DEBUNKED AS A MEDICAL FARCE.

>> Bill: BESHEAR WANTS THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE IT LAW AND PUSHBACK WAS SWIFT IN SOME CASES REPRESENTATIVE JOSH CALLOWAY INDICATED HE WILL FIGHT THE MOVE.

IS THIS ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE BATTLE THAT MAYBE ON THE WAY?

>> OH, YEAH.

AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES WE'VE POINTED OUT IS SENATOR STIVERS SAYING HE ISN'T FOR WHAT HAPPENED.

BUT I THINK ISAIAH, THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY WITH SPEAKER OSBORNE NOT SIGNING ON.

>> HE WAS NOT ON THAT LIST, MONICA IS CORRECT.

THE HOUSE RELEASED THEIR STATEMENTS IT WAS LENGTHIER OPPOSING THE WAY THE GOVERNOR WENT ABOUT THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER BUT UNLIKE SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS WHO SIGNED TO THE SENATE'S STATEMENT DAVID OSBORNE WAS NOT ON THERE WHICH IS NOTABLE BECAUSE OF THE MAJORITY OF BILLS THAT HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO MAKE THIS BAN HAVE BEEN IN THE HOUSE.

>> Bill: WE'LL NOTE THAT LOUISVILLE, LEXINGTON AND COVINGTON HAD LOCAL ORDINANCES IN PLACE IN THIS ISSUE.

SO ANOTHER THING TO WATCH AS THE SESSION APPROACHES.

>>> AFTER A DOZEN DAYS AND NIGHTS OF TENSION IN SOUTHEASTERN 10 KENTUCKY THE MANHUNT FOR THE SUSPECTED I-75 SHOOTER CAME TO AN END.

12 VEHICLES WERE HIT BY GUNFIRE AND FIVE PEOPLE HIT AND SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED AND AS POLICE WERE LOOKING FOR JOSEPH COUCH.

AS OF LATE WEDNESDAY IT APPEARS COUCH'S BODY WAS LOCATED VERY NEAR WHERE THE SHOTS CAME FROM.

AND WE GOT POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION ON FRIDAY.

>> IT'S INTERESTING HOW THIS STARTED WITH DATE NIGHT.

I KNOW THAT SOUNDS WEIRD.

WE HAD A COUPLE WHO LIVES OUT THERE IN THAT AREA, OF LAUREL COUNTY NEAR LONDON, KENTUCKY WHO SAID THAT AS THEY WATCHED THIS SEARCH THEY WANTED TO TAKE MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS AND GO AND ACTUALLY LOOK FOR JOSEPH COUCH.

AND THEY ACTUALLY FOUND THEY POST TO DO THEY LIVE STREAMED THIS THEY WERE THE FIRST ONES TO FIND THE BODY AND I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO TOO MANY DETAILS BUT IT WAS HEAVILY DECOMPOSED AND WE HAVE THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE THAT HAS BEEN ABLE TO TIE THE DNA TO JOSEPH COUCH THEY SAID IT WAS A SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT WOUND AND WAITING FOR THE TOXICOLOGY.

>> Bill: AND WHY WE MAY NEVER KNOW.

THIS WAS DISRUPTIVE TO SCHOOLS SEVERAL WENT TO ON-LINE LEARNING AND THREATS TO WILL SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN CONTINUING REPORTS OF WEAPONS ON CAMPUS AND OTHER THREATS.

THIS HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR SCHOOLS WHO ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON ABSENTEEISM.

>> CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IS A REAL PROBLEM IN KENTUCKY AND ACROSS THE NATION.

THIS MANHUNT ENDED UP SHUTTING DOWN 12 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY.

SO THAT'S THOUSANDS OF KIDS WHO WENT ALMOST A WEEK WITHOUT IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION.

AND I ALSO IMAGINE IT WAS A PRETTY ANXIOUS TIME FOR THE FAMILIES THEY WERE SHELTERING IN PLACE.

AND THEN AS WELL, THE HOAXES, EVEN IF THEY TURNOUT TO BE A HOAX THEY ARE VERY SCARY FOR KIDS.

IT'S NOT A HOAX UNTIL YOU KNOW.

SO THERE IS A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE YOU ARE SCARED.

AND ANXIETY IS ONE OF THE MAJOR FACTORS IN CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM WHY WE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS CRISIS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

NONE OF THIS WAS HELPFUL.

>> IT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT CANNOT DO ANYTHING FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT I'VE TALKED TO ALL THEY CAN DO WE'VE SEEN THE THREATS COME FROM KIDS THAT GO TO THESE SCHOOLS.

LAW ENFORCEMENT SAYS WE'RE GOING TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO BE PREPARED ABOUT OUT WHAT REALLY NEED TO DO IS EDUCATE THE KIDS, EDUCATE THE PARENTS.

THIS COULD BE A TERRORISTIC THREAT CHARGE A REAL REPERCUSSIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO PUT THESE THINGS ON-LINE AND TEACH THE KIDS HOW SERIOUS IT IS.

>> Bill: MUCH MORE SERIOUS.

RUSSELL COUNTY A DEPUTY SHERIFF WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

JOSH PHIPPS AND A SUSPECT WERE KILLED IN THAT SITUATION.

>> WE KNOW THEY WERE IN A MOBILE HOME PARK IT WAS AFTERNOON IT WASN'T DARK.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT A MOBILE HOME AND SEARCHING FOR A SUSPECT YOU TURN ANY CORNER AND YOUR LIFE IS ON THE LINE AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

THE SUSPECT SHOOTS THE DEPUTY.

AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BUT HE DOESN'T SURVIVE.

HIS FUNERAL IS SATURDAY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR CALLING FOR RESPECT, PRAYERS AND FLAGS LOWERED ON HIS BEHALF BUT THIS REALLY SHOWS EVERYDAY OUR POLICE OFFICERS PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE.

>> Bill: AND KENTUCKY CONTINUED TO BE IN THE NATIONAL NEWS LATER IN THE WEEK.

DISTRICT JUDGE KEVIN MULLEN SHOT THE LOCAL SHERIFF IS THE ACCUSED GUNMAN AND THAT STORY IS STILL UNFOLDING.

>> THE SITUATION ITSELF, BILL, IS TRAGIC AND HONESTLY SAD.

I TALKED WITH AN ATTORNEY TODAY WHO IS AS EXPERIENCED AS THEY COME WHO TOLD ME HE'S NEVER SEEN A SITUATION LIKE THIS.

YOU DON'T HAVE SHOOTINGS IN GENERAL INSIDE COURTHOUSES THEY ARE FAIRLY SECURE.

THERE'S METAL DETECTORS OF MANY OF THEM.

WE HAVE HEARD, I BELIEVE IT'S THE COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY SAYING THAT COURTHOUSE DIDN'T.

IN THIS CASE, ALLEGEDLY, IT WAS THE SHERIFF WHO IS, OF COURSE ALLOWED TO BE THE SECURITY THERE.

ALLOWED TO HAVE A FIREARM.

THERE ARE A LOT OF RUMORS CIRCULATING THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT IT LET THE INVESTIGATORS GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS.

BUT BOTTOM LINE THIS IS A TRAGIC SITUATION AND ONE WHERE YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE THE MOTIVE HERE, THE QUESTION IS IS THAT GOING TO LEAD TO A POLICY DIFFERENCE?

IS THERE SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO MAYBE NOT AVOID THE SHOOTING BUT WHERE THIS MAY HAVE STARTED.

THERE WAS AN ARGUMENT THAT WAS HAD BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.

>> Bill: LOUISVILLE HAS A NEW POLICE CHIEF PAUL HUMPHREY HAS GOTTEN THE JOB PERMANENTLY.

>> AND THE COMMUNITY IS RALLYING BEHIND HIM BECAUSE HE IS BORN AND RAISED IN LOUISVILLE.

THIS IS A PERSON THAT STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM AND NOW AT THE TOP.

HE EVEN SAID I NEVER WANTED TO BE THE CHIEF.

THAT WASN'T MY GOAL.

HE'S TWO YEARS AWAY FROM RETIREMENT AND HE TOOK A BIG ROLE WHEN THINGS STARTED TO GO AWRY WITH OLD NATIONAL BANK SHOOTING HE WAS THE FRONT GUY.

WE SAW HIM FRONT AND CENTER.

AND THEN WHEN THIS CAME UP AFTER JACQUELINE ROYAL IT WAS CLEAR HE STEPPED IN NATURALLY AND HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED.

HE LIVES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

HE KNOWS THE PEOPLE.

HE WALKS THE STREETS THAT EVERYBODY ELSE DOES AND IT'S BEEN A GREAT RECEPTION SO FAR.

>> AND THERE WAS A SENSE HE WAS THE GUY, BILL, FROM A WHILE AGO.

>> Bill: YOU SAID THAT A COUPLE MONTHS AGO.

>> HE WAS THE PICK.

I TALKED WITH FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE WELL CONNECTED THAT NOT ONLY SUPPORTED HIM BUT FELT HE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO MADE SENSE.

AND THERE WAS THIS INVESTIGATION THAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR THE WHOLE CHANGE OF STAFF.

THE THE FORMER CHIEF WAS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR HER HANDLING OF ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT NOT BY HER BUT COMMAND STAFF WITHIN LMPD AND THAT REPORT WAS RELEASED TODAY AND IT CONFIRMED SHE DIDN'T HANDLE IT CORRECTLY.

THAT IS HOW HUMPHREY GOT HERE AND YOU GOT A SENSE WITH MY CONVERSATION FROM THE MAYOR HE WAS WAITING FOR THE REPORT.

PAUL HUMPHREY TO BE CLEAN, NO BAGGAGE AND THEN PUTTING HIM IN THE SPOT.

>> Bill: I'M SURE EVERYBODY IS WISHING THE CHIEF WELL.

MONICA, YOUR REPORTING SHOWS LOUISVILLE IS A LONGTIME AWAY FROM OPENING UP THE JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY THAT IS SO NEEDED.

>> AND IT STARTED OUT ON A $6 MILLION BUDGET NOW $38.9 MILLION.

THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THE PLAN IS ON BUDGET.

THE SCHEDULE OFF THE RAILS.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO OPEN THIS SUMMER.

NOW WE'RE TALKING JUST TWO YEARS FOR CONSTRUCTION THAT HASN'T STARTED AND WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT COMPANY IS GOING TO DO IT.

>> Bill: JCPS LIEUTENANT WAS UNDER OAT ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION MELTDOWN ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

POLIO SAYS HE TEXTED TOP STAFF DURING THAT BUT THE PUBLIC IS NOT SEEING THAT.

>> THIS WAS THE DEPOSITION IN OUR CASE AT LOUISVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA AGAINST JCPS WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE TEXTS FROM THAT FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL LAST YEAR AND HELP US UNDERSTAND THE MINUTE BY MINUTE HOW OFFICIALS HAMMED THIS DISASTER AND MAYBE HELP THE PUBLIC HAVE A MORE TRANSPARENT UNDERSTANDING.

SO FAR JCPS TOLD US THEY ARE NOT GOING TO TURNOVER THE TEXTS THEY ARE NOT IN THEIR POSITION BECAUSE THEY ARE STORED ON POLIO'S PHONE AND OTHER EMPLOYEES PHONES.

WE THINK THEY ARE PUBLIC RECORDS AND SHOULD BE TURNED OVER.

DURING DEPOSITION, HE ADMITTED HE WAS MOSTLY TEXTING ON THAT DAY.

IF HE WASN'T TALKING TO PEOPLE IN-PERSON.

WE KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF TEXT MESSAGES THAT EXIST IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DELETED.

AND YEAH, THE CASE IS MOVING FORWARD.

>> Bill: THERE ARE FEWER STUDENTS BE TRANSPORTED NOW, BUT IS IT GOING MORE SMOOTHLY THIS YEAR?

>> IT'S GOING MORE SMOOTHLY THIS YEAR IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE YOUR TRANSPORTATION CUT.

A MAGNET STUDENT AND YOU DON'T HAVE A RIDE IT'S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR.

BUT IT IS GOING MORE SMOOTHLY FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF KIDS IN SCHOOLS.

>> Bill: IN WASHINGTON AS CONGRESS IS WRANGLING OVER A SPENDING BILL, MITCH McCONNELL WARNED OF POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES IF THERE IS A GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN.

>> ONE THING YOU CANNOT HAVE IS A GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN.

IT WOULD BE POLITICALLY BEYOND STUPID FOR US TO DO THAT RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION, BECAUSE CERTAINLY WE'D GET THE BLAME.

AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE OLD SAYINGS IS THERE'S NO EDUCATION IN THE SECOND KICK OF A MULE.

WE'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE.

I'M FOR WHATEVER AVOIDS A GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN.

>> Bill: McCONNELL BELIEVES REPUBLICANS WOULD GET THE BLAME IF IT HAPPENS?

>> LOOK HOW FREELY HE IS TALKING.

BOTTOM LINE HERE THEY HAVE WHAT?

11 MORE DAYS 10 MORE DAYS?

THEY HAVE BEEN PLAYING WITH THIS DEADLINE OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

WE SAW THE HOUSE SPEAKER HIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO AVOID IT FAILED CRASHED AND BURNED.

YOU GET A SENSE AT THE SENATOR IS SICK OF THE NONSENSE AND WANTS THEM TO COME TOGETHER.

>> HADLEY DUVAL IS FEATURED IN A KAMALA HARRIS CAMPAIGN AD.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

I WAS A CHILD.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANT TO BE PREGNANT AT ALL.

BUT I HAD OPTIONS.

BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP OVERTURNED ROE VS. WADE GIRLS AND WOMEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY HAVE LOST THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

>> Bill: JESS, WE KNOW THAT HADDADI DUVAL CAME ON THE KENTUCKY POLITICAL RADAR IN BESHEAR'S CAMPAIGN AND NOW SHE IS NATIONALLY PROMINENT.

>> BECAUSE HER STORY WAS POWERFUL IN GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S REELECTION.

SO NOW, I THINK THEY ARE ALSO HOPING THAT THAT WILL BE A POWERFUL MESSAGE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

>> AND SHE IS NOT AFRAID.

SHE WILL TALK TO ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO HEAR HER STORY AND WHEN YOU HAVE THAT RAW OF A STORY, YOU CAN'T BE AFRAID.

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE YOU WILL SEE MORE OF HER.

WE HAD A CONVERSATION SHE ACTUALLY WENT TO CINCINNATI WHEN I WAS THERE TALKING TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

>> TO THE DNC.

>> POST DNC WHEN I MET HER FOR THE FIRST TIME.

SHE IS GOING TO BE PART OF THE HARRIS' CAMPAIGN POTENTIALLY BEYOND ELECTION DAY.

WE'VE SEEN HER TRAVEL ACROSS STATE LINES TO CAMPAIGN.

>> Bill: WE KNOW THE STATE IS MANDATING VISION CHECKS FOR RENEWING DRIVER'S LICENSES THAT WILL BE EFFECTIVE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

THE SIGHT OF THE BEVERLY HILLS SUPPER CLUB FIRE THIS WEEK THE APARTMENTS OPENED ON THE SIDE OF THE DEADLY FIRE.

THE FIRE KILLED 165 PEOPLE IN 1977.

THE APARTMENT COMPLEX BUILT NEXT TO THE SPOT WHERE THE SUMMER CLUB STOOD AND THE OWNER NAMED IT MEMORIAL POINT AND ERECTED A MONUMENT TO REMEMBER THOSE LOST.

THAT'S ALL FOR "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.