[♪♪] >> Bill: SPORTS BET SOMETHING NOW LEGAL IN KENTUCKY AND FANS ARE TAKING THEIR CHANCES.

NOW THAT WE'RE PAST LABOR DAY, THE PACE QUICKENS IN THE KENTUCKY'S GOVERNOR'S RACE WITH NEW ADS AND MORE TRAVEL.

AFTER RECENT HEALTH EPISODES SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL GOES BACK TO WORK IN WASHINGTON AND VOWS TO COMPLETE HIS TERM.

HOW MANY KENTUCKIANS ARE LEAVING THE STATE TO GET ABORTIONS?

IT STARTS TO FEEL MORE LIKE SEPTEMBER OUT THERE.

AND COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

>> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY", A LOOK BACK THE AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

OUR GUESTS ON THE PANEL OF KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS ARE, MARIO ANDERSON.

ALEX ACQUISTO, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER AND MARK VANDERHOFF REPORTER FOR WLKY IN LOUISVILLE.

THE CITY OF NEWPORT APPEARS ON THE VERGE OF PASSING AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING PEOPLE TO SECURE FIREARMS LEFT IN VEHICLES.

LET'S BEGIN, THOUGH, WITH A MAJOR STORY OF THE WEEK SPORTS BETTING STARTED THURSDAY AFTER YEARS OF ATTEMPTS TO PASS IT IN FRANKFURT.

SEEING AN OPPORTUNITY TO TIE HIMSELF TO A POPULAR ISSUE, GOVERNOR BESHEAR WAS UP EARLY TO PLACE THE FIRST BET AT CHURCHILL DOWNS.

>> TODAY IS REALLY FUN DAY.

IT IS A DAY THAT KENTUCKIANS DESERVE.

EVERYBODY OUT THERE DO IT RESPONSIBLY GO OUT AND MAKE YOUR FIRST BET AND ENJOY.

>> Bill: MARK, SPORTS BETTING FAILED FOR YEARS BEFORE PASSING IN THE LAST SESSION IN THE SPRING.

DID THE LONG WAIT DRIVE MORE ENTHUSIASM AS PEOPLE LINED UP THURSDAY?

>> SURE, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY BEEN PLACING BETS ON SPORTS GAMES.

BUT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IT BY DRIVING ACROSS THE RIVER OR STATE BORDER AND THEY'VE BEEN EAGER TO DO IT FROM THEIR HOME AND KEEP THE REVENUE IN THEIR OWN STATE.

>> Bill: WE DID SEE THE LINES.

MARIO THIS IS A NEW LAND SCAPE FOR KENTUCKY.

THERE WERE MANY IN THE LEGISLATURE WHO OPPOSED IT PART OF GET TO GO THROUGH WAS TO TAX IT AND TO PROMISE THAT SOME OF IT WOULD GO TOWARD PENSIONS.

WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN FOR PEOPLE TO SAY WELL, YEAH, THIS WORKED OUT?

>> WE NEED TO SEE THE NUMBERS AND THE REVENUE THAT IS GENERATED FROM SPORTS BETTING.

THEY WILL BE MONITORING OVER THE NEXT 30 DAYS, AND BEYOND AND OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

THEY ARE PROJECTING MINIMUM $23 MILLION TO COME IN FROM THIS.

BUT ALL EYES ARE ON WHAT WILL HAPPEN AND IF PEOPLE WILL BE GOING TO THE VARIOUS PLACES ACROSS THE STATE TO CAST THE WAGERS BUT THE GOVERNOR OBVIOUSLY WAS IN LOUISVILLE TO START THE DAY OUTDOING THAT FIRST WAGER AND THE SENATE REPUBLICANS AND OTHERS WERE IN LEXINGTON AROUND THE SAME TIME AT THE RED MILE DOING THEIR BETS AND ALSO TAKING CREDIT FOR THE SUCCESS OF THIS.

SO A LOT OF ATTENTION TOWARDS THAT AND ALSO DEMOCRATS ARE COMING OUT EARLY AND WEIGHING IN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ON THE NOMINEE ROBBY MILLS VOTED AGAINST SPORTS BETTING WHEN IT WAS UP DURING THE LEGISLATURE.

A LOT OF EYES ON IT BUT IT'S ELECTION SEASON, TOO.

>> Bill: IT CREPT INTO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

MARK ANOTHER ELEMENT IN GETTING SPORTS BETTING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE WAS TO TIE IT TO HORSERACING FACILITIES.

AND ARE THEY WORKING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT SITUATION?

>> OH, YOU BET.

SOME OF THE FIRST BETS WERE PLACED AT HORSE TRACKS.

BESHEAR AT CHURCHILL DOWNS.

FAIR AT RED MILE.

CHURCHILL DOWNS HAS A DERBY CITY GAMING FEEL IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE IN THE HEART OF THE TOURIST DISTRICT THAT WILL OPEN IN DECEMBER.

IT WILL HAVE HISTORICAL HORSERACING AND A SPORTS BAR WITH A SPORTSBOOK.

RED MILE GREAT VENUE, BUT YOU KNOW IT'S HARNESS RACING AND THEY'VE GOT HISTORICAL HORSERACING AND NOW A NICE SPORTSBOOK.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO HELP THEM OUT.

>> Bill: A LOT OF FACILITIES AROUND KENTUCKY WITH THE MINTS LOCATION IN SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY A COUPLE OF THEM THERE AROUND BOWLING GREEN AND OTHER AREAS.

>> AND THOSE CAN DRIVE BROADER TOURISM FOR THOSE REGIONS GIVING PEOPLE AN EXCUSE TO HIT UP A FEW DIFFERENT SPOTS IN BOWLING GREEN.

>> SOME OF THE TAX MONEY COLLECT WILLED GO TO FUND ADDRESSING ANY PROBLEMS THAT MAY COME UP AND EXPERTS ESTIMATE THERE'S 6% OF PEOPLE END UP HAVING AN ADDICTION PROBLEM WITH GAMBLING.

AND SOME ACTIVISTS SAY KENTUCKY NEEDS FAR MORE COUNSELORS THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE EFFORT TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF THIS.

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT NOW THE AGREEMENT IS THAT 2.5% OF ANNUAL REVENUE WHICH THEY ESTIMATE WILL BREAKDOWN TO $570,000 WILL GO TOWARD SUPPORTING STANDARD RECOVERY EFFORTS.

AS YOU WERE SAYING, ACTIVISTS IT'S NOT AN INSIGNIFICANT PROBLEM.

PEOPLE THAT HAVE WITH GAMBLING ADDICTION BUT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAID THAT'S GREAT BUT WE WOULD BASICALLY NEED DIB THAT TO RUN A STANDARD RECOVERY PROGRAM.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THAT CHANGES IN THE FUTURE.

BUT THE LEGALIZATION OF THE SPORTS BETTING WILL PROBABLY MAKE THAT WORSE FOR SOME PEOPLE.

>> Bill: I TALKED TO THE CANDIDATES FOR STATE AUDITOR WHO INDICATED THIS MAY BE AN AREA THEY NEED TO WATCH GOING FORWARD IN TERMS OF A LOT OF MONEY IS MOVING AROUND.

PRO AND AMATEUR ATHLETES AND UNIVERSITIES WITH THE PUBLIC MONEY IN SOME CASES AND ALL OF THIS MONEY SUPPOSED TO GO BACK TO SPECIFIED PLACES.

>> I COULD EASILY SEE THERE BEING A DEEP EXAMINATION OF WHERE THE MONEY'S GOING AND WHETHER EVERYBODY'S FOLLOWING THE RULES.

>> Bill: SO WE TALKED ABOUT BESHEAR BEING FRONT AND CENTER ON SPORTS BETTING.

THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IS THE MOST WATCHED CONTEST IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW AHEAD OF NEXT YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

ON LABOR DAY BESHEAR PUT OUT A STRONG PRO UNION STATEMENT AND HIS CAMPAIGN RELEASED INTERNAL POLING CLAIMING A LEAD IN THE RACE.

AND DANIEL CAMERON STARTED A NEW AD THAT ATTACKS BESHEAR ON CLOSING SCHOOLS AND PRISONER RELEASES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND HE ALSO TALKS ABOUT CAMERON WALKING ON AS A COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER.

>> I MADE IT IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL AS A WALK ON.

ALL THE HARD WORK TAUGHT ME TO LEAVE IT ON ALL THE FIELD.

AND THAT IS WHAT I WILL DO AS GOVERNOR.

>> Bill: WHAT IS HE TRYING TO DO WITH THAT AD?

>> I THINK IT PROJECTS STRENGTH FOR CAMERON.

HE IS A FOOTBALL PLAYER A HARD-WORKING FOOTBALL PLAYER WHAT IS MORE AMERICAN THAN FOOTBALL?

AND WHAT IS MORE AMERICAN THAN BEING A FAMILY MAN HE HAS HIS TODDLER AT THE END OF THE COMMERCIAL, I THINK THEY DID A GOOD JOB WITH IT.

>> HUMANIZE HIMSELF TO THE VOTERS ACROSS THE STATE.

120 COUNTIES SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL MEETING HIM FOR THE FIRST TIME AND THIS IS CONSIDERED A BIOGRAPHICAL CAMPAIGN AD TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHO DANIEL CAMERON IS AND, YES, TRY TO BRING OUT HIS SON AND INCORPORATE HIM TO LET VOTERS KNOW THAT HE IS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WITH A YOUNG FAMILIES OUT THERE.

ALL EYES ARE ON THAT RACE.

THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AS WE ARE 60 DAYS OUT FROM ELECTION DAY.

>> Bill: AND A COUPLE OF LINES TO PONDER LEAVE IT ON THE FIELD, DON'T KNOW WHAT HE MEANS.

>> SOMETHING HE HAS BEEN REPEATING AT CAMPAIGN STOPS.

HE WILL TELL VOTERS TO LEAVE IT ON THE FIELD POST ELECTION I DON'T KNOW IF THAT MEANS DON'T GET ANGRY IF HE DOESN'T WIN.

IT IS A FUNNY MESSAGE.

>> IT MEANS HE IS GOING TO TACKLE THE DEMOCRATS.

>> Bill: IT IS AN INTERESTING AD AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.

ALEX, AUSTIN HORN FROM THE HERALD LEADER DID A STORY HOW CAMERON HAS THE BACKING OF THE ENTIRE G.O.P.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND THEY ARE SAYING GOOD THINGS ABOUT CAMERON WHEN THEY CAN.

BUT HE IS NOT GETTING MUCH HELP FROM THOSE HE DEFEATED IN THE MAY PRIMARY.

>> THIS IS SLIGHTLY UNUSUAL BECAUSE TYPICALLY THE PERSON WHO EMERGES IS THE WINNER OF THE PRIMARY THE PEOPLE FALL IN LINE BEHIND HIM.

YOU WILL SEE RYAN QUARELS I THINK HE DOES SUPPORT CAMERON RUMORS WHY HE IS NOT PUBLICLY SUPPORTING HIM.

KELLY CRAFT YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF THERE'S BITTERNESS THERE.

ALAN KECK IS DOING HIS THING EACH PERSON MAY HAVE THEIR REASONS WHY BUT I HAVE TO THINK THERE IS AN ALLIANCE.

I BELIEVE IT WAS KELLY CRAFT THAT CALLED FOR UNITY AFTER THE PRIMARY ELECTION BUT WE HAVE NOT SEEN A TON OF IT.

>> Bill: AND YOU WONDER HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT THEY BE SEEN TOGETHER AND MAYBE BOTH SLATES DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TO DO TRAVELING TOGETHER LATE IN THE RACE.

>> THERE WERE PLANS AFTER THE PRIMARY FOR THE PRIMARY CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR ALL TO BE TOGETHER AS A UNITY UNIFIED UNIT BUT THAT I BELIEVE IT WAS CANCELED AND THEY WENT WITH THE DOWN TICKET CANDIDATES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE AND DANIEL CAMERON.

BUT, YEAH, THEY HAVE NOT SPOKEN PUBLICLY IN FAVOR OF DANIEL CAMERON.

SO THAT IS TELLING, I WOULD THINK FOR SOME.

BUT WE'RE STILL 60 DAYS OUT.

I'M SURE THEY WILL START SPEAKING UP.

>> Bill: THE BESHEAR CONTINUES TO RUN ADS FOR CAMERON NOT SUPPORTING EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY'S ABORTION BAN.

>> THIS IS BESHEAR'S FIRST ABORTION AD.

AND THE INFORMATION IN THE AD IS TRUE.

KENTUCKY'S TRIGGER LAW AND SIX-WEEK BAN DO NOT INCLUDE RAPE OR INCEST EXCEPTIONS.

CAMERON HAS DEFENDED LAWSUITS THAT HAVE TRIED TO CHALLENGE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THOSE LAWS.

IT'S INTERESTING TOO AS A DEMOCRAT RUNNING AN AD LIKE THAT IN A RED STATE SEEMS RISKY BUT THE SAME STATE THAT VOTED AGAINST CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TWO SOUGHT TO TAKE AWAY ABORTIONS AT A CONSTITUTIONAL LEVEL.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT AD THIS AD COMES DOWN TO THE LAST LINE THAT THE PROSECUTOR DELIVERS I'M PARAPHRASING SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF DANIEL CAMERON CARES MORE ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF THE RAPIST THAN OF THE VICTIM.

AND I JUST THOUGHT THAT WAS A POWERFUL LINE THAT DID TWO THINGS: ONE IT APPEALS TO MODERATE VOTERS WHO SUPPORT SOME EXCEPTIONS FOR ABORTION.

AND TWO, IT FLIPS THE SCRIPT ON CAMERON WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE THIS PUBLIC SAFETY LAW ENFORCEMENT CANDIDATE AND IT KIND OF SHOWS AN INSTANCE WHERE MAYBE HE'S NOT ON THE SIDE OF THE VICTIM.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY I THINK IT GETS TO THE SPECTRUM OF OPINION ON ABORTION IN A RED STATE IS MUCH MORE NUANCED THAN WE THINK OFTENTIMES.

AND I THINK BESHEAR'S MESSAGE WITH THAT IN PARTICULAR IS TO SORT OF FOCUS ON WHAT HE AND I BELIEVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK AS EXTREME AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS FOR IMPREGNATED MINORS.

PEOPLE WHO WOULD DESCRIBE THEMSELVES AS PRO-LIFE A LOT THINK THERE SHOULD BE EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST.

>> Bill: MARK YOU GIVE BOTH CAMPAIGNS FOR HAVING STRONG ADS ON THE AIR.

>> ESPECIALLY THE MOST RECENT ONES.

>> Bill: THE BESHEAR PUT OUT AN INTERNAL POLL BUT A POLITICAL OBSERVERS HAS A GOOD REPUTATION AND IT SHOWS BESHEAR UP 9 POINTS 51% INDICATING THEY PLAN TO VOTE FOR BESHEAR AND 42% OF THOSE QUESTIONED SUPPORT CAMERON FOR GOVERNOR.

MARIO, WHY OBVIOUSLY IT SHOWS THEM AHEAD DO THE BESHEAR FOLKS RELEASE NUMBERS LIKE THAT TO DAMPEN ENTHUSIASM ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT AND TO AGAIN, FOR PUBLIC PERCEPTION A LOT OF POTENTIAL VOTERS SEEING HEADLINES IF THEY SEE THE HEADLINE THAT BESHEAR IS UP BY 9 POINTS THAT MAY DRAW OUT THE BASE TO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE INCREASES MORE.

IT'S -- EVERYTHING IS STRATEGIC AND POLITICS AND ESPECIALLY AS WE'RE GETTING CLOSER TO ELECTION DAY AND THEY WANT TO REMIND THE VOTERS THE GOVERNOR IS THE INCUMBENT AND IS AHEAD ACCORDING TO THE POLL RELEASED.

>> I THINK IT COUNTERS, TOO, THAT AD THAT DANIEL CAMERON -- POLL THAT CAMERON'S CAMPAIGN RELEASED IN THE SPRING THAT SHOWED A DEAD HEAT.

THIS COUNTERS THAT NARRATIVE.

THERE WERE OTHER POLLS THAT CAME OUT IN THE SUMMER THAT SHOWED BESHEAR HAD AND SPEAKS TO MODERATE AND SWING VOTERS IT SAYS TO THEM LOOK MOST PEOPLE ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR BESHEAR YOU PROBABLY DO, TOO.

>> Bill: HOPING FOR THE BAND WAGON EFFECT.

MARK, IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE AHEAD IN AN ELECTION YOU WANT IT TO BE NOW.

YOU WOULD WANT THE POLLS OPEN TOMORROW.

WHAT ARE THE PITFALLS BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER?

WE HAVE DEBATES COMING UP AND OTHER PUBLIC APPEARANCES OR HIGH PROFILE FOR CAMERON AND BESHEAR.

WHAT DID THEY HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR?

>> BOTH OF THESE CANDIDATES ARE IN SOME INSTANCES HAVING TO WALK A TIGHT ROPE AND FOR BESHEAR THERE WILL BE TOPICS LIKE LGBTQ ISSUES WHERE HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHAT HE SAYS ABOUT THOSE THINGS.

SECOND AMENDMENT HE HAS TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT AND MAYBE COVID AND SCHOOL CLOSING ISSUES.

I THINK FOR CAMERON HE HAS TO BE CAREFUL WHAT HE SAYS ABOUT ABORTION BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, HOW YOU KNOW, THOUGH KENTUCKY IS A RED STATE, AMENDMENT 2 DID NOT PASS.

AND THEN ON EDUCATION, TOO, HE HAS TO BE CAREFUL HE DOESN'T FALL INTO THE TRAP WHERE HE CAN GIVE THE BESHEAR CAMPAIGN AMMUNITION TO CONTINUE PAINTING HIM AS BEVIN.

>> WITH THE DEBATE SEASON UNDERWAY AS WELL, THE GOVERNOR IS WANTING TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF TIMES THAT HE IS ON THE SAME STAGE WITH HIS CHALLENGER DANIEL CAMERON BUT DANIEL CAMERON WANTS TO BE ON THE SAME LEVEL AND APPEAR SO THEY'VE GOT COMPETING DEBATES THEY ARE PARTICIPATING IN.

THEY ARE DOING FORUMS WHERE ONE IS APPEARING AND ONE IS NOT.

AGAIN EVERYTHING IS STRATEGIC AND AGAIN WE'LL SEE HOW THINGS SHAKE OUT.

>> Bill: ALEX THOUGHTS ON THAT WHAT THEY SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT?

>> NO, ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE NGHTSED CAMERON'S AIM IS TO CONTRAST HIMSELF AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND NOT ALIENATE VOTERS WHO SUPPOSED BESHEAR IN THE PAST.

ON CAMPAIGN STOPS CAMERON FOCUSED ON SENATE BILL 150 THE LAW THAT PASSED BANNING TRANS GIRLS FROM PLAYING IN GIRLS SPORTS HE WENT HARD ON THE ISSUE AND SEEMS TO BE PULLING BACK FROM THAT SLIGHTLY AND I WONDER WHAT INTERNAL POLLING IS INFORMING THAT DECISION.

IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE THEM SHIFT DIRECTIONS SLIGHTLY.

>> Bill: AND EMPHASIS.

SO INTERESTING WEEKS AHEAD IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

IN WASHINGTON SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL RETURNED TO WORK AND VOWED TO FINISH HIS TERM.

AS FOR HIS LEADERSHIP POSITION, THERE WAS SOME JOCKEYING BEHIND THE SCENES, EVERYBODY, BUT REPUBLICAN SENATOR JOHN KENNEDY OF LOUISIANA SAID McCONNELL WOULD STEP DOWN WHEN DONKEY'S FLY.

AND McCONNELL ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RECENT ON CAMERA FREEZES FROM REPORTERS.

>> WHAT THE DOCTOR'S REPORT ADDRESSED WAS CONCERNS PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE FROM THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO ME, DID HAPPEN, THEY DIDN'T.

AND I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD TO THAT.

I THINK HE COVERED THE SUBJECT.

[ALL TALKING AT ONCE] >> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO ARE CALLING ON YOU TO STEP DOWN?

DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS TO RETIRE ANYTIME SOON?

>> I HAVE NO ANNOUNCEMENTS TO MAKE ON THAT SUBJECT.

>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE -- >> I WILL FINISH MY TERM AS LEADER AND I'M GOING TO FINISH MY SENATE TERM NOOCH AND HE WALKED AWAY THE MIKE DROP.

ALEX, WE KNOW HE HAS UNDERGONE MORE MEDICAL TESTING HE HAS THAT WRITTEN MESSAGE FROM THE CAPITAL DOCTOR.

WHO SAYS THE RECENT FREEZE UPS ARE NOT STROKES NOR SEIZURES NOR PARKINSON'S THEY ARE SOME CONTINUING EFFECTS OF HIS FALL AND CONCUSSION IN THE SPRING?

>> RIGHT.

I THINK THAT THERE'S BEEN BLAME ON IT BEING MAYBE A CONSEQUENCE OF DEHYDRATION ALSO.

IT'S ALMOST AT THE POINT WHERE THEY'VE HAPPENED ENOUGH PEOPLE WATCHED THEM HAPPEN ENOUGH TO THE POINT NOW WHERE IT'S ALMOST LIKE NOT NAMING THE THING IS ROUSING SUSPICION MORE AND YOU HAVE RAND PAUL COME OUT AND SAY SURE SEEMS LIKE A NEUROLOGICAL EVENT.

"NEW YORK TIMES" TALKED TO SEVEN NEUROLOGISTS ABOUT WHAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING.

BY YOU NOT NAMING IT MAYBE IT'S NOT A NEUROLOGICAL EVENT BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT, IT ONLY INCREASES SUSPICION.

DON'T BLAME IT ON DEHYDRATION THAT DOESN'T SEEM GOOD ENOUGH.

>> Bill: SO DOCTOR'S OPINIONS VERSUS DOCTOR'S OPINIONS AND THE EXPERTS ON THE TALK SHOWS AND ALL THAT.

MARIO, POLITICALLY THIS IS A CHAPTER THAT NOBODY SAW COMING AND McCONNELL WANTS THE CONCERNS TO GO AWAY.

>> HE DOES NOT MINCE WORDS AND DOES NOT HE IS A MATTER OF FACT TYPE OF PERSONALITY.

SO WHEN HE MADE THAT STATEMENT THAT HE IS GOING TO FINISH HIS TERM AS LEADER AND ALSO FINISH HIS SENATE TERM, I THINK HE WAS PUTTING A PERIOD ON THAT CONVERSATION AS HE WALKED OFF FROM THE MICROPHONE THE MIC DROP AS YOU SAID HE IS MAKING IT KNOWN I'M HERE TO STAY AND FINISHING THINGS OUT.

>> ALEX, YOU DID A STORE ARE I THAT CAME OUT TODAY LOOKING INTO STATISTICS ON KENTUCKY'S ABORTIONS.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON OUT THERE, BUT YOU DID THE BEST YOU COULD?

>> THE DATA IS INCOMPLETE BECAUSE THE ANNUAL DATA FROM THE KENTUCKY OFFICE OF VITAL STATISTICS HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET BUT THAT WILL BE LATER THIS MONTH.

I GOT DATA FROM JANUARY TO JULY OF THIS YEAR, TO SHOW THAT 13 ABORTIONS WERE PROVIDED IN KENTUCKY WHICH IS A REDUCTION OF 99.5% FROM TWO YEARS AGO.

2022 DATA IS NOT AVAILABLE.

AND IT IS A TREND WE'RE SEEING NATIONALLY.

A REPORT CAME OUT THIS WEEK THAT SHOWED IN STATES THAT HAVE BANNED ABORTION KENTUCKY IS ONE THERE'S BEEN A DRASTIC REDUCTION NO SURPRISE IN STATES THAT HAVEN'T, ABORTION RATES HAVE BALLOONED.

TO SHOW THAT YES SOME OF THESE LAWS ARE THWARTING PEOPLE FROM GETTING ABORTIONS BUT MOSTLY IT SEEMS THEY ARE TRAVELING TO OTHER STATES.

WE KNOW SO FAR THAT SEVERAL HUNDRED KENTUCKIANS HAVE I WAS ABLE TO COBBLE TOGETHER SOME DATA AND IT BEGS THE QUESTION OF ABORTION CARE IS A STANDARD OF HEALTHCARE BASED ON MAJOR MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS, WHEN YOU BAN IT IN A STATE IT BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT BUT IT DOESN'T STOP PEOPLE FROM ACCESSING THAT AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

>> Bill: IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL EXACTLY THE NUMBERS.

>> THE DATA WILL NEVER BE COMPLETE BECAUSE IT IS ILLEGAL AND CRIMINALIZED SO THE DATA WILL NOT BE EXACT BUT WE WILL HAVE A GREATER IDEA AS OTHER STATES AROUND US PUBLISH THEIR DATA AND THEY WILL SAY HOW MANY PEOPLE SOUGHT ABORTIONSTH THEIR STATE FROM KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE AND OHIO.

>> Bill: NARCAN BECAME OVER-THE-COUNTER IN MANY PHARMACIES A LIFELINE WITH KENTUCKIANS WE'RE SEEING MORE THAN 2,000 OVERDOSE DEATHS A YEAR LIKE LOSING A SMALL TOWN EVERY YEAR.

>> NARCAN CONTINUES TO BECOME MORE AVAILABLE.

IT IS A BIG MOVE OBVIOUSLY THAT HAPPENED.

NALOXONE REVERSES THE EFFECT OF AN OPIOID OVERDOSE I HAVE SOME IN MY CAR AND HOUSE.

I'VE KNOWN PEOPLE THAT ADMINISTERED TO IT PEOPLE.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS A TON OF STIGMA ATTACHED TO NARCAN BUT THE PROLIFERATION IS THE CONSENSUS SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

>> Bill: AND EXPERTS ARE URGING PEOPLE TO HAVE IT LIKE ASPIRIN.

>> MARIO THE RELIABILITY OF INTERNET IN KENTUCKY CAN RELY ON YOUR ZIP CODE.

AND THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED MORE MONEY FOR EXPANDED HIGH SPEED INTERNET WILL HELP PEOPLE IN 46 COUNTIES.

PART OF GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S BETTER KENTUCKY PLAN IS TARGETING UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO EXPAND INTERNET ACCESS.

HE CAMPAIGNED ON AS A CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR AND THIS WEEK HE SAID THAT HIGH SPEED INTERNET IS NOT A LUXURY IT IS A NECESSITY ESPECIALLY WITH PEOPLE MORE PEOPLE WORKING FROM HOME AND HAVE A REMOTE JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

OVER 300 MILLION DOLLARS BEING DISPERSED ACROSS THE STATE AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL MAKE A BIG IMPACT.

>> Bill: WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE BROAD THEMES EMERGE REPORTING THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND SCHOOL FUND SOMETHING UP FOR MAJOR DISCUSSION.

SOME SUPERINTENDENTS ARE MAKING A REAL PUSH FOR THE SEEK FUNDING TO BE BASED ON ENROLLMENT NOT ATTENDANCE.

AND THAT COMES OF COURSE AFTER THE REPORT SHOWS THE FUNDING GAP IS NOW GONE BEYOND WHAT IT WAS IN 1989 WHEN THE STATE SUPREME COURT SAID YOU'VE GOT TO REDO THE KENTUCKY SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOL.

>> THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY PUT OUT THIS REPORT AND WHAT THEY WERE SAYING IS THAT THERE'S LESS STATE FUNDING AND MORE RELIANCE ON LOCAL REVENUE.

AND NOW, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE PASSED HIGHER PER PUPIL FUNDING THAN EVER BEFORE.

BUT THAT'S IN CURRENT DOLLARS.

CRITICS WILL SAY IF YOU USE ADJUST INFLATION ADJUSTED DOLLARS THAT THE DISTRICTS ARE GETTING LESS MONEY WHAT THIS BOILS DOWN TO IF YOU ARE A COUNTY WITH A STRONG PROPERTY TAX BASE AND A HEALTHY ECONOMY YOU CAN PROBABLY DO A LOCAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT CAN'T DO THAT.

>> Bill: AND THE PROPERTIES WOULDN'T MAKE THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE.

THERE IS ALSO THIS MATTER OF THE STATE INCOME TAX AND OF COURSE, THE EFFORT BY THE LEGISLATURE TO SLOWLY CHIP AWAY AND EVENTUALLY DO AWAY WITH KENTUCKY INCOME TAX.

NOW THE STATE BUDGET DIRECTOR SAYS WE'VE MISSED A KEY TRIGGER TO DO THAT AGAIN.

IS ANYBODY TALKING ABOUT DOING IT ANYWAY?

OR WHERE IS THAT DISCUSSION GOING?

>> YEAH, I'VE DEFINITELY SEEN SOME REPUBLICANS SAYING WE NEED TO GET MORE AGGRESSIVE WITH THIS PLAN TO GET RID OF THE STATE INCOME TAX.

NOW, THE PEOPLE LIKE CHRIS McDANIEL, THE SENATE BUDGET CHAIR HE SAYS NO IT'S WORKED AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO.

THEY CAME UP WITH A CAUTIOUS PLAN SO IF WE HIT CERTAIN BENCHMARKS WE WOULD LOWER THE STATE INCOME TAX HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT A A TIME.

AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HAPPEN IS WHAT HAPPENED IN KANSAS YOU KNOCK IT TO ZERO INSTANTLY AND PUT YOUR STATE IN BIG TROUBLE AND YOU HAVE EGG ON YOUR FACE.

>> Bill: IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY THE CITY OF NEWPORT IS CONSIDERING AN ORDINANCE COULD REQUIRE PEOPLE TO SECURE THEIR FIREARMS THAT ARE LEFT UNATTENDED IN ANY VEHICLE.

LINK NKY REPORTS THAT MOST STOLEN FIREARMS WERE LEFT IN UNSECURED VEHICLES.

SO, MARK, APPARENTLY THIS WOULD ALLOW YOU TO LOCK IT UP IN A GLOVE BOX OR THE TRUNK TO BE SECURE.

CITY STATE-WIDE REPORTING A LOT OF GUNS STOLEN FROM VEHICLES AND SOME CITIES LIKE LOUISVILLE SAID THEY WANT TO DO MORE ON GUN RESTRICTIONS AND THE STATE LAW SAYS OTHERWISE?

>> I MEAN PEOPLE LEAVING THEIR GUNS UNSECURED IN THEIR CARS OVERNIGHT IS A BIG ISSUE.

IT IS A PROBLEM.

I JUST DON'T KNOW IF WHAT NEWPORT IS TRYING TO DO IS LEGAL.

LOUISVILLE MAYORS AND A LOT OF METRO COUNCIL DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN ASKING THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE THEM MORE POWER TO DO LOCAL GUN CONTROL ORDINANCES.

BUT THE WAY I LOOK AT STATE LAW,S CITIES CAN ONLY DO RESTRICTIONS ON WHETHER YOU CAN CARRY GUNS INTO CITY-OWNED BUILDINGS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY CAN ENACT THIS.

EVERYBODY IS WATCHING.

>> Bill: FOLKS AROUND HARDEN COUNTY WILL GET AN UPDATE TUESDAY ON THE BLUE OVAL SK BATTERY PART IN GLEN DAILY.

THE INVESTMENT IS SUPPOSED TO BRING THOUSANDS OF JOBS TO THE REGION THERE WILL BE A TOWN HALL MEETING AT THE HISTORIC STATE THEATER.

MARIO THAT REGION IS IN FOR CHANGES AND I'M SURE THERE WILL BE QUESTIONS.

>> FOR SURE ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A $5.8 BILLION PROJECT, BETWEEN FORD, SK BRINGING THE FORD FACILITY THE TWIN BATTERY PLANTS THERE.

AND THERE'S DISCUSSION ABOUT THE GLENDALE PIE PAST TROLL -- BY PAX THAT WOULD INTRODUCE THE BYPASS IN THE CENTER OF GLENDALE AND EMINENT DOMAIN PEOPLE LOSING THEIR HOMES, POTENTIAL CONSTRUCTION.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY.

SO MORE PUBLIC INPUT AND COMMENTS WILL BE HAPPENING NEXT WEEK.

>> Bill: MARK ANOTHER LOUISVILLE OFFICER WAS SHOT IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

YOU GOT UP EARLY TO COVER THAT STORY.

BRANDON HALEY IS IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION AND THE MAYOR SAID THEY ARE OPTIMISTIC HE IS GOING TO PULL THROUGH.

UNFORTUNATELY, THOUGH THEY'VE ARRESTED FOUR PEOPLE, THE CHARGES THOSE FOUR PEOPLE ARE FACING HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH WHO SHOT THE OFFICER.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO FIRED THOSE SHOTS.

>> Bill: THAT LOUISVILLE HOARDING HOUSE AT SOME POINT GOING TO BE BURNED WHERE IS THAT PLAN?

>> THE EPA SLOWED DOWN THE POSSESS A LITTLE BIT.

THEY HAD CONCERNS OBVIOUSLY YOU BLOW SOMETHING UP AND A LOT OF SMOKE IN THE AIR IT HAS TO GO THROUGH HURDLES.

>> AND ROY KID IS ENTERING HOSPICE CARE PEOPLE REMEMBERING HIS OUTSTANDING CAREER AND PUTTING EASTERN ON THE MAP DURING THIS 40 YEARS AS COACH AND MARIO, BOTH OF US SPENT TIME ON THAT CAMPUS, AND WE KNOW WHAT A MARK HE HAS BROUGHT TO EKU.

>> MAJOR IMPACT.

RICHMOND MADISON COUNTY AND THE FAMILY SAYS THEY ARE TAKING ALL THE COMFORT MEASURES TO BE WITH HIM AS HE IS HEADED NEXT TO HOSPICE AND WE'LL SEE THE PROCESS AFTER THAT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

WE DO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US AND WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

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