February 24, 2025 • 26 mins
Journalists from around the state discuss the news of the week with host Bill Bryant, including U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell's announcement that he would not seek an eighth term. Guests: Mario Anderson, Spectrum News 1; Sarah Ladd, Kentucky Lantern; and Bill Estep, Lexington Herald-Leader.
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(00:08):
Kentucky's longest-serving
senator ever. Mitch McConnell
won't run again and it sets off
a scramble, deadly and
destructive flooding. Then snow
and bitterly cold weather hits
Kentucky hard in Frankfort.
More bills are filed just under
the deadline for the 2025
session. Its other proposals
are discussed. KFC is moving
its headquarters out of
Louisville. What the jobs
(00:30):
heading to Texas. Finally a
chance to dry out and clean up
this weekend. And comment is
next on KET.
♪
♪
Good evening. I'm Bill Bryant
and we welcome you to comment
(00:51):
on Kentucky. A look back and
and some analysis of the week's
news in the Commonwealth.
And some of our panel of
working Kentucky journalists
tonight are.
>> Bill Lee Stepp Southern and
eastern Kentucky reporter for
the Lexington Herald-Leader
Sarah Ladd Health and policy
reporter for the Kentucky
Lantern and Mario Anderson
anchor and host of in Focus,
(01:13):
Kentucky Spectrum News one.
We begin our discussion tonight
with Senator Mitch McConnell's
decision to step aside after
this term, McConnell is
completing his 7th term in
Washington. He's Kentucky's
longest serving senator ever.
>> Representing our
Commonwealth's has been to they
(01:38):
I will not see this on him.
They take on. Well current term
>> So, Mario, it really wasn't
surprising, but maybe it's
still jarring that to, you
know, McConnell had stepped
down as the longest-serving a
(01:59):
party leader in the Senate ever
just a few months ago. We noted
he is Kentucky's longest
serving
senator ever.
>> But it's a real political
reality for Kentucky to adjust
to right to stage without which
McConnell sure is, especially
since again,
he's been in Washington, D.C.,
he was elected back in 19.
(02:19):
EIGHTY-FOUR took office in
1985. It has been there
consistently through multiple
administrations to the White
House's multiple governors here
in Kentucky but has had a major
impact with the securing
federal funding to come to
Kentucky. But also, of course,
other states across the
country. I was at a wide
ranging impact and koreshan.
(02:40):
He started initially as a
judge. Kind of give you a
second back in Jefferson County
back in the day. But many
people who have come through
the ranks in the political
circles do tribute their rise
and politics based off Mitch
McConnell and what he had done
for Kentuckyian
their perspective. And there's
been a politicians that do
credit their success in entry
into politics because of his
(03:01):
leadership and a lot of things
have been able to be created,
but also a careers have been
started because of Mitch
McConnell and his a time in
Washington, D.C., advocating
for Kentucky's benefit becomes
legacy will be both in
Washington and here in Kentucky
(03:21):
where he the help shape
history.
>> He also bill really help
shape the Kentucky Republican
Party and build it into the
powerhouse. It is.
>> Yeah, I mean, I looked up
some numbers today when the
year that Mitch McConnell was
elected to U.S. 84.
There were 7 Easton in the
Kentucky S representatives.
There were 77 Democrats and
(03:42):
23 Republicans and they've been
that way for many years of a
lopsided edge. And he started
working on building that of
getting folks around those
sorts of things. But 2015, it
was 54 Democrat. 46 course in
2016 when Trump was elected.
That was a big flip. It
flipped. And in the 2017
session it was 36. 64, a
(04:04):
Republican. But Mitch McConnell
got a party that point where
they can start capitalizing
on that. Talk to Congressman
And he said that the Kentucky
GOP was put more in line with
southern states under McConnell
that that was kind of a
strategy. So.
>> That was the U.S. and
McConnell got he in. They
(04:24):
worked on getting people to
run, worked on, you know,
positions and issues and just
got the party to the point
where it could begin building,
especially in Western that, you
know, Western Kentucky at one
time was that was called a job.
All the Gibraltar of the
Democrats main. It was rock
solid for the Democrats and
now there's not a Republican is
not a Democrat. Representative.
Other than in Louisville,
(04:45):
anywhere in the West and even
the Western into the state west
of Lexington.
>> Sarah McConnell talk about
too many of the projects that
he had a hand in in Kentucky.
A lot of the different things
sustaining funding for the blue
Grass, Army Depot. Over the
years. The flood control things
that he said he brought money
to the state with, but he's
(05:05):
also going to be remembered on
the national landscape as well.
>> Yes, and what stands out to
me as someone who's cover
health for half a decade is
there have been several key
moments where there was this
big intersection of politics
and public health and McConnell
usually was a voice in those
times that I think back to when
the COVID vaccines came out,
they were there's a lot of
(05:26):
misinformation floating around
McConnell who survived polio,
you know, was one of those
voices who encourage people to
get vaccinated. Qantas build
menace. That came up and even
recently with the confirmation
of RFK Junior for Health and
Human Services, he said in his
statement saying while he
wouldn't support that, I won't
condone the re litigation of
(05:48):
proving care. So he's kind of
been a public health voice in
that way as well. And I think
it can't be lost that
McConnell, part of his legacy
is helping to shape the
judiciary which overturned the
constitutional right to
abortion and is now tasked with
figuring out what abortion
access looks like in the
future.
>> 10 till to the courts a much
(06:08):
more concerted But yeah, I mean
river, he held open easily,
remember hope holding open that
the the Supreme Court seat so
Trump can make the nomination
and then at the end of of
Trump's term rushing through
another nomination so that they
can put another person on the
court. He's a guy, you know,
he's campaign finance has been
the cause of his in the
beginning. Then he's changed
(06:29):
the way that we did in terms
of the influence of money in
politics. A lot of where we are
now paying for Mitch McConnell
so, you know, if he was never a
real show a
>> But it would seem to have
that that that line, that work
just at the right time. I
remember asking a question one
time. And he said, well, it is
much interest in land is there
(06:51):
is state playing. You know, he
was always good at Fancy Farm.
Me get on the on the podium
there giving speeches. Mario
also and Bill and I've been
around long enough to remember
that first campaign. But I was
just getting ready to go on air
was working behind the scenes,
awk it in 1984. On election
night and the was physically
(07:11):
told to switch the cameras and
the audio from Dee Huddleston
headquarters in Louisville to
Mitch McConnell.
>> It even to this day is a
surprise to many that he pulled
that off the Hound dog and and
the.
>> Some of the fact that he had
worked many years to get into
positions it to be known across
the state. But it was still
(07:35):
a feat and he's
>> very known. He's very
calculated. Every move that he
makes every decision he's has
been a part of the words that
he's he says his team has been
around. Everything is I thought
out to that. He and that's kind
of been he's one of the reason
he's been able to be successful
is because he's been able to
KET a tight ship, if you will,
and then also even leading up
until he made that
(07:56):
announcement, even as a team.
No, they wouldn't acknowledge
that he wasn't even not
considering running for
reelection. There's no
discussion. It was just he
currently serving as his seat
as is and that's that's a
period on the conversation.
Thank you. Made a very good
point. Very disciplined bill
that he was in the required to
staff to be.
>> Very disciplined.
>> And not written, not well
(08:18):
liked among a lot of Kentucky
Republicans these days, there's
been some discussion about
whether he would, you know,
indoors, Daniel Cameron who
used to work for him.
>> And some in if he does
understand, that's not a good
thing for Cameron. So at the
end, I mean, he's had a
tremendous impact on the end is
not well liked by a lot of
people in his own party in
Kentucky or let's go down.
The passage set off a scramble
(08:38):
is no doubt about that. And the
Mario, we're hearing the Bill
mentioned the former attorney
General Daniel Cameron. He
jumped in minutes after
McConnell announced that he was
dropping out.
>> Congressman Andy Barr then
took a swipe at Cameron.
There's been an interest group
that took a swipe at Morrow
this week and we hear other
names in the in the mix as
well.
(09:01):
>> Yeah, a lot of and again,
the primary isn't until May
of 2026, but we're talking in
February of 2025 and already if
things are buzzing pretty
quickly. But he had
Daniel Cameron one minute after
McConnell to deliver his speech
on the Senate chamber during
a Cameron had a social media
post saying that it's time for
a new generation of leadership
in the U.S. Senate. Any bar has
(09:22):
continuing has been saying that
because of encouraging from
others he's seriously
considering running for this
office. But then also at a
Lexington, there's a
businessman has been pretty
successful through the years.
Nate Morris eyes also I've been
very active on social media
talking about how he is
interested potentially running
for U.S.. Senate would also be
looking at the governor's race
(09:45):
in 2027. He has personal ties
to Vice President JD Vance,
but also he's a pretty frequent
down and sort our law, though
and hanging out with the Trump
family and Donald Trump junior
has posted on social media
publicly saying that he
supports Nate Morrison,
whatever he looks in to do in
the future, they all seem to be
looking for a Trump endorsement
(10:05):
crime. That's something that
at this point the other
Republican Party's officially
shifting.
>> It could do the Democrats.
Do they see themselves as
having a realistic chance of
winning their first U.S. Senate
race in Kentucky since 1992
Bill, 1, 1, bill forward and
won his last term.
>> Well, I mean, given the way
the states trending, it's
obviously going uphill battle.
(10:26):
But Andy Beshear showed you
showed you can win twice
statewide as governor and they
are not running for the Senate
is not running and it's
intended. Governor is not
running blades of taking
themselves out of the running.
But but I would note also mean
so much in politics depends
on timing and move move and
your opponent, Andy Beshear
benefited from having opponent
is first time around who was?
(10:46):
Not well-liked and Matt Bevin.
Of and Cameron has been the
last time around made some
stumbles kind of Wofford on
abortion. It seemed like to
some people so.
You know, that play that
matters as well. So but ensures
so you can you can you can win
statewide is a Democrat.
But you have to have some of
(11:07):
the things that the lineup for
you to do that with Stevenson
is the candidate whose has
files and papers file papers to
start fundraising. Now she's
the House Minority Leader.
>> And the General Assembly.
So she's already said that
she's she's and 2 the part of
the primary. But, you know,
there's still interest on who
may also want to join that race
and well, they've also been
mentioning a Rocky Adkins.
(11:28):
Will he consider going back
into statewide politics and
we'll see if he ends up a look
into that any further. All
right. Well, a reminder that
Senator McConnell will remain
in the Senate through.
>> This term. Let's move on
now and discuss the tragic
whether the death toll from
last weekend's flooding in
Kentucky has reached 15, many
(11:48):
Kentucky communities were under
water. Homes and businesses
were washed away and there were
more than 1000 rescues of
people who are trapped in the
flood. And once again, Governor
Beshear found himself leading
Kentucky in a disaster and
reaching out for federal help.
In fact, it was in Washington
today and helping Kentucky's
plea directly to the Trump
administration.
(12:11):
>> We are grateful for the
local, the state, the national
and even the crews coming in
from other places that are
helping our people find safety
and find shelter during what
is continuing to be one of the
most challenging weather events
that we have faced.
>> And just as the rivers and
creeks started going down, more
tough weather rolled in snow
(12:32):
and bitter cold bill. Again, a
very challenging time for
eastern Kentuckyian beyond one
of the flood victims you
interviewed had the line them.
>> I wasn't in Hazard on Monday
which got flooded and Pike
Fulland Coal run village in
other places. Verjee on in on
(12:52):
Tuesday and does a lot of
damage, not as many deaths as
in 2022. In some ways then the
river that replaces the came up
very quickly and people to have
time to get out. There was no
warning this time. But the
damage may be more widespread
in more places.
>> This are a lot of the
weather-related tragedies
during this week. You know,
those who tried to drive
through flood waters of that,
you a man and a woman in
(13:13):
Louisville who apparently froze
to death.
>> Yeah, it really was this
horrible situation where you
had this really bad weather
saying would you have all this
flooding and before you can
either or even really pick
yourself up from the the
temperatures plummeted. And so
of the 15 doesn't believe
flood-related except the 2 who
(13:33):
died of hypothermia in
Louisville. And so as those
temperatures got really cold, I
mean, the messaging was, if
you can heat your house, you
need to leave and get shelter
somewhere else. But then there
were all these barriers of
could you access somewhere
else? Because the roads were
flooded and had barriers.
So so really bad, really bad
situation.
>> Mario, President quickly
approved the initial request
(13:54):
for a federal disaster aid.
The governor is now seeking
more funds, including
individual assistance to
victims.
>> He is. And he's been talking
this week. The governor has
that has been in contact with
Homeland Security Secretary
Kristi Noem and also the acting
director of FEMA to request
this additional assistance that
would allow people to apply for
further individual assistance
(14:16):
worth up to $42,000 and and
also, you know, Governor
Beshear said that, hey,
actually traveling to
Washington, D.C., to the White
House action to for the
National Governors
Association's meeting. It was
going to be talking directly
with the federal leaders to be
able to request this in person
and hopefully get some quick
decisions made so he could be
able to sure that news here
in Kentucky for Kentuckyian has
(14:36):
been through so much in the
last 5 years. COVID the
tornadoes.
>> 2 major rounds of flooding.
Now, do you get tougher or does
this really take an emotional
toll on people out there?
>> I think it's both of those
things and it's also the 3rd
item is needing actual physical
(14:56):
resources to recover. But, you
know, you think about people
will say repeatedly that if
you've lived through a
traumatic weather event,
tornado flooding, whatever it
is and then it starts to happen
again. I mean, there's some
PTSD there. There's anxiety.
Start. It starts raining and
you're having a dramatic
response to that. So there's
definitely mental health
crisis. When you look at that
(15:20):
and then you also Kentucky ends
are resilient, but they also
need help. And there are so
many nonprofits and
organizations that are, you
know, getting food, getting
items, getting money to people
who need it. So you recommend
people, you know, Google.
Yeah, Google Place where you
can donate and you're right.
There's been a lot of good done
by people as well.
>> Bill, a lot of schools had
no choice but to close or go to
(15:41):
more NTI days. A lot of the
schools are run out of NTI days
have gone to the legislature.
The one bill is moving. That
appears to give them some
relief.
>> I think the last count there
were something like 40
districts have already run out
there in 2 days for the year.
They've maxed out. So there is
a bill moving right now passed
the House today that would give
them 5 more. Disaster days,
(16:02):
20 days. It goes the Senate
now. So there's district that
are hoping to get that kind
of relief.
>> Let's move on. Talk about
the legislature was a busy week
in Frankfort. The deadline
passed for new legislation to
be filed. Dozens of new bills
are now
proposed to bill. It would
require state universities and
colleges to have a performance
review and that could open the
door. Determination is under
(16:24):
consideration Mario, the bill
sponsor James Tipton says it is
not about eliminating tenure,
but some faculty members and
others a fear that it could
try. And he's a Republican
member in the House
representatives. And he said
that his bill would require
the public college and
university professors to
undergo performance.
>> And protect productivity
(16:44):
reviews, at least every 4
years. And he said also, you
know, this bill actually passed
the House committee along party
lines, but it would allow
institutions to dismiss talk of
the faculty who fail to meet
the performance standards that
are established 1080 bills up
for consideration of this
30 day session.
>> Mario of the so there was
(17:05):
a flurry of bills this weekend.
Senate Bill one was finally
revealed that the priority
legislation would establish
Kentucky film Office of Promote
in the Courtenay Kentucky's
film industry and the sponsor
of that. Senator Phillip
Wheeler says Kentucky has the
talent, the landscapes and the
resources to me. A top
destination for film making.
That's right. There's multiple
(17:25):
parts of this particular
legislation. Senate Bill, one.
>> One and as you mentioned,
it's tab Lish that sticky film
Leadership Council. They're
being executive director who
would oversee this process.
I would also they're looking to
enhance the film industry as
a whole that also provide
funding and oversight to play
$500,000 would be set aside
initially for this particular
(17:46):
a process to start. But then
also they want to position
Kentucky for success in office
to Kentucky through the years
has been a part of various
various cities using Kentucky's
backdrops and the horse farms
in green grass is part of
various films and we'll see how
that progress in the
Legislature.
>> That may be where Saint
Guillen. Kentucky already has
(18:07):
an incentive to try to attract
filmmaking and movie
productions to the state that
Governor Bevin tried to kill
off several years ago because
he and other members of this
racial said it wasn't worse
at the because the snow didn't.
That wasn't a benefit from the
calls. So the legislature
turned that down actually game.
I okay did more money back and
that time. But there are some
folks are saying that these
(18:28):
kind of incentives don't
battle, don't bring a lot of
economic benefit. Okay, where
we'll watch this. He had goes
Sarah Bill that would license
businesses that sell tobacco
and vaping products is
sponsored by Senator Jimmy
Higdon.
>> So there's been a lot of
discussion over the last couple
years about minors, vaping and
use having access to vape son
(18:49):
concerned that maybe there are
some businesses that are bad
actors as h***. The sponsor
will say it who are selling to
minors and they should not be.
So basically he wants to
license these facility. Are
these retail stop shop
stores, whatever, and give the
ABC's sort of the same kind of
authority they would have over
alcohol shops. You could come
and you could do inspections.
(19:11):
But a really key part of the
bill is that it would find both
the clerk that sold to a minor
and the shop owner. And there's
like the vines get higher and
higher as it goes along and
then you lose your license for
2 years. And so the money from
those fines would half would go
to enforcement and half would
(19:31):
go to a youth prevention
organization. Someone doing
work to KET us from vaping or
recovery. So it's been well
received so far. People have a
really common and talked
against to use, have spoke in
favor of it and said that it's
not anti-business because it's
only targeting people who are
breaking the law. Already.
There were several bills filed
aimed to vaccines and vaccine
(19:51):
requirements. Yeah. The one
that got the most attention I
think was saying hospitals
shouldn't be allowed to
transfer use basically blood
came from a donor who had
gotten the COVID-19 vaccine
and then the sponsor did come
back later, though, and say
that that was in the state
didn't want to limit blood
donations, which is important.
(20:12):
You know, Kentucky usually has
uploaded shortage of needs
blood donation. So that could
complicate that.
>> And there's a Senate bill.
111, it relates to juvenile
justice. You follow that?
>> Yes. So the part of its that
that's moving now is to design
for 5 million dollars, a mental
health facility that would
basically House hi Cutie.
You so used to really are in
(20:32):
the system and they need a
higher level of care than what
exists for them right now.
Next year, the senator Senator
Danny Carroll wants to come
back and spend 90 million
building 2 different facilities
for female juveniles. But there
doesn't look like they're going
to open the budget for that
this year, but it's still a
goal of the legislation and
(20:52):
they'll just look at that next
year. But one of the
contentious debates of the week
had to do with gender affirming
care for those held in custody
in Kentucky.
>> We are called to make sure
that our taxpayer dollars are
spent. In ways that benefit
the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
And in my opinion and I'm sure
(21:13):
the opinion of many other
folks. In this commonwealth,
those are not services that
benefit the Commonwealth of
Kentucky are the citizens of
Kentucky.
>> We are spending more
standing here.
>> On the floor talking about
this subject that we did in
(21:36):
the last year giving the 67
people their hormone
replacement therapy. We have
lights in the state.
>> We have we'll serious
issues.
>> And this is nothing.
>> But could she KET which
>> They're obviously a very
(21:56):
lively debate.
>> That was so what the bill
does is says you can't use
public funds so Medicaid or
other whatever.
>> Public tax dollars, you
can't use it to give
incarcerated people hormone
treatments for transgender
treatments and you can't give
the gender affirming care,
including surgeries. They're
currently 67 inmates on hormone
(22:18):
treatments in Kentuckyian part
of the criticism was wife focus
on such a small population when
there are bigger populations
to think about Senator Karen
Berger who called it a witch
hunt, her transgender son
actually died 2 years ago.
And so she was obviously very
critical of it as were other
(22:39):
Democrats as well.
>> Our own amendment was added
to a bill that would be a
pretty much state employees
from being able to work from
home.
>> That's right. It's I filed
by Lindsay to share. She's from
Henry County in basically
wanting to strip the ability
of many state employees to work
from home with limited
exceptions and the others about
(23:02):
60,000 state employees, though,
would be impacted the, you
know, various forms of the or
60,000 employees that work for
state government. So we'll see
how that progress. The general
public people watching the
federal cuts of the Trump
administration very closely.
The University of Louisville
announced today they are
implementing a hiring freeze
until at
least summer.
>> Bill, you know it at least
(23:23):
there is that uncertainty out
there across the state. Well,
meaning the Trump
administration's a month and
there's a lot of uncertainty
about what they're going to the
federal workforce mean. We've
heard talk about, you know,
Forest Service employees and
others being laid off in
Kentucky or notify they be laid
off. But
>> the fact is that the
administration is not providing
much information at all about
what kind of cuts are being
made in the federal workforce
(23:45):
in Kentucky.
All right. Another major
headline of this week is it KFC
which used to be Kentucky Fried
Chicken and was started by
Colonel Sanders in Corman has
been headquartered in
Louisville for decades.
>> And now it's moving out.
Mario, an economic blow, sort
of a symbolic blow for
Kentuckyian certainly for
Louisville and given the
(24:05):
Kentucky connection. That's
right. And I even a governor
at Greg Abbott out of Texas, he
actually a chair on social
media. Welcome to Texas,
colonel in company and maybe
you'll consider name like Texas
Fried Chicken may be changing
the name. I think you may have
been joking, but you know,
surely we'll see. We'll see
what happens.
>> They are. But many companies
(24:26):
from KFC. Papa back in 2020
Brown-Forman most recently a is
laying off of lot employees
decreasing staff Humana in
downtown The building there
closing at that spot there.
So a lot of the transition
happening in the Kentucky's
largest city. They're going to
leave their foundation. And I
think some other employees as
well build it. KFC, though,
(24:48):
moving its headquarters to
Texas
>> A long way from Colonel
Sailors cafe there in Coeur.
But, yeah, I mean, you know
where it all started with her
husband and their mean, it's
it. It's become something
that's symbolic of Kentucky.
I mean, it's got I mean,
there's 30,000 some KFC
restaurant around the world.
So it's been a it's been a
symbol of Kentucky around the
world for a long time. And it
(25:09):
just seems Huerta that even
though it's no longer Kentucky
Fried chicken, it's KFC.
We all know what really stood
for that will be moving out
of state.
So although it was a quarter
one time in Nashville, John
White Brown junior bought it,
brought it to Kentucky. So I
guess is just another part of
the evolution. All right.
And should post on X from
Senator Rand Paul this week
says he didn't endorse
(25:29):
President Trump during the
campaign. But this last
Wednesday night he said he was
wrong to withhold his support
and now says he does endorsing
Trump. Mario.
>> Hey said he regrets not
coming out sooner for that.
But he's all in on President
Trump and also some of the
efforts to look to downsize the
federal government and says
he supports the efforts by
Doe's Show and Elon Musk in
(25:53):
their efforts to continue re
review. Had a look at
downsizing the federal
government.
>> Georgetown is remembering a
3 term mayor who died this week
and before he got into
politics, Everett Varney was
a standout basketball player
at Berea College and then a
coach and Scott County High
School. But as mayor of our Nia
cast, the tie breaking vote for
(26:15):
a smoking ban and then lost a
reelection race after that.
But in 4 years later in 20 to
anyone again and returned to
the mayor's office and
regarding was 86, that's
comment on Kentucky. Have a
good week ahead.
Kentucky's longest-serving
senator ever. Mitch McConnell
won't run again and it sets off
a scramble, deadly and
destructive flooding. Then snow
and bitterly cold weather hits
Kentucky hard in Frankfort.
More bills are filed just under
the deadline for the 2025
session. Its other proposals
are discussed. KFC is moving
its headquarters out of
Louisville. What the jobs
(00:30):
heading to Texas. Finally a
chance to dry out and clean up
this weekend. And comment is
next on KET.
♪
♪
Good evening. I'm Bill Bryant
and we welcome you to comment
(00:51):
on Kentucky. A look back and
and some analysis of the week's
news in the Commonwealth.
And some of our panel of
working Kentucky journalists
tonight are.
>> Bill Lee Stepp Southern and
eastern Kentucky reporter for
the Lexington Herald-Leader
Sarah Ladd Health and policy
reporter for the Kentucky
Lantern and Mario Anderson
anchor and host of in Focus,
(01:13):
Kentucky Spectrum News one.
We begin our discussion tonight
with Senator Mitch McConnell's
decision to step aside after
this term, McConnell is
completing his 7th term in
Washington. He's Kentucky's
longest serving senator ever.
>> Representing our
Commonwealth's has been to they
(01:38):
I will not see this on him.
They take on. Well current term
>> So, Mario, it really wasn't
surprising, but maybe it's
still jarring that to, you
know, McConnell had stepped
down as the longest-serving a
(01:59):
party leader in the Senate ever
just a few months ago. We noted
he is Kentucky's longest
serving
senator ever.
>> But it's a real political
reality for Kentucky to adjust
to right to stage without which
McConnell sure is, especially
since again,
he's been in Washington, D.C.,
he was elected back in 19.
(02:19):
EIGHTY-FOUR took office in
1985. It has been there
consistently through multiple
administrations to the White
House's multiple governors here
in Kentucky but has had a major
impact with the securing
federal funding to come to
Kentucky. But also, of course,
other states across the
country. I was at a wide
ranging impact and koreshan.
(02:40):
He started initially as a
judge. Kind of give you a
second back in Jefferson County
back in the day. But many
people who have come through
the ranks in the political
circles do tribute their rise
and politics based off Mitch
McConnell and what he had done
for Kentuckyian
their perspective. And there's
been a politicians that do
credit their success in entry
into politics because of his
(03:01):
leadership and a lot of things
have been able to be created,
but also a careers have been
started because of Mitch
McConnell and his a time in
Washington, D.C., advocating
for Kentucky's benefit becomes
legacy will be both in
Washington and here in Kentucky
(03:21):
where he the help shape
history.
>> He also bill really help
shape the Kentucky Republican
Party and build it into the
powerhouse. It is.
>> Yeah, I mean, I looked up
some numbers today when the
year that Mitch McConnell was
elected to U.S. 84.
There were 7 Easton in the
Kentucky S representatives.
There were 77 Democrats and
(03:42):
23 Republicans and they've been
that way for many years of a
lopsided edge. And he started
working on building that of
getting folks around those
sorts of things. But 2015, it
was 54 Democrat. 46 course in
2016 when Trump was elected.
That was a big flip. It
flipped. And in the 2017
session it was 36. 64, a
(04:04):
Republican. But Mitch McConnell
got a party that point where
they can start capitalizing
on that. Talk to Congressman
And he said that the Kentucky
GOP was put more in line with
southern states under McConnell
that that was kind of a
strategy. So.
>> That was the U.S. and
McConnell got he in. They
(04:24):
worked on getting people to
run, worked on, you know,
positions and issues and just
got the party to the point
where it could begin building,
especially in Western that, you
know, Western Kentucky at one
time was that was called a job.
All the Gibraltar of the
Democrats main. It was rock
solid for the Democrats and
now there's not a Republican is
not a Democrat. Representative.
Other than in Louisville,
(04:45):
anywhere in the West and even
the Western into the state west
of Lexington.
>> Sarah McConnell talk about
too many of the projects that
he had a hand in in Kentucky.
A lot of the different things
sustaining funding for the blue
Grass, Army Depot. Over the
years. The flood control things
that he said he brought money
to the state with, but he's
(05:05):
also going to be remembered on
the national landscape as well.
>> Yes, and what stands out to
me as someone who's cover
health for half a decade is
there have been several key
moments where there was this
big intersection of politics
and public health and McConnell
usually was a voice in those
times that I think back to when
the COVID vaccines came out,
they were there's a lot of
(05:26):
misinformation floating around
McConnell who survived polio,
you know, was one of those
voices who encourage people to
get vaccinated. Qantas build
menace. That came up and even
recently with the confirmation
of RFK Junior for Health and
Human Services, he said in his
statement saying while he
wouldn't support that, I won't
condone the re litigation of
(05:48):
proving care. So he's kind of
been a public health voice in
that way as well. And I think
it can't be lost that
McConnell, part of his legacy
is helping to shape the
judiciary which overturned the
constitutional right to
abortion and is now tasked with
figuring out what abortion
access looks like in the
future.
>> 10 till to the courts a much
(06:08):
more concerted But yeah, I mean
river, he held open easily,
remember hope holding open that
the the Supreme Court seat so
Trump can make the nomination
and then at the end of of
Trump's term rushing through
another nomination so that they
can put another person on the
court. He's a guy, you know,
he's campaign finance has been
the cause of his in the
beginning. Then he's changed
(06:29):
the way that we did in terms
of the influence of money in
politics. A lot of where we are
now paying for Mitch McConnell
so, you know, if he was never a
real show a
>> But it would seem to have
that that that line, that work
just at the right time. I
remember asking a question one
time. And he said, well, it is
much interest in land is there
(06:51):
is state playing. You know, he
was always good at Fancy Farm.
Me get on the on the podium
there giving speeches. Mario
also and Bill and I've been
around long enough to remember
that first campaign. But I was
just getting ready to go on air
was working behind the scenes,
awk it in 1984. On election
night and the was physically
(07:11):
told to switch the cameras and
the audio from Dee Huddleston
headquarters in Louisville to
Mitch McConnell.
>> It even to this day is a
surprise to many that he pulled
that off the Hound dog and and
the.
>> Some of the fact that he had
worked many years to get into
positions it to be known across
the state. But it was still
(07:35):
a feat and he's
>> very known. He's very
calculated. Every move that he
makes every decision he's has
been a part of the words that
he's he says his team has been
around. Everything is I thought
out to that. He and that's kind
of been he's one of the reason
he's been able to be successful
is because he's been able to
KET a tight ship, if you will,
and then also even leading up
until he made that
(07:56):
announcement, even as a team.
No, they wouldn't acknowledge
that he wasn't even not
considering running for
reelection. There's no
discussion. It was just he
currently serving as his seat
as is and that's that's a
period on the conversation.
Thank you. Made a very good
point. Very disciplined bill
that he was in the required to
staff to be.
>> Very disciplined.
>> And not written, not well
(08:18):
liked among a lot of Kentucky
Republicans these days, there's
been some discussion about
whether he would, you know,
indoors, Daniel Cameron who
used to work for him.
>> And some in if he does
understand, that's not a good
thing for Cameron. So at the
end, I mean, he's had a
tremendous impact on the end is
not well liked by a lot of
people in his own party in
Kentucky or let's go down.
The passage set off a scramble
(08:38):
is no doubt about that. And the
Mario, we're hearing the Bill
mentioned the former attorney
General Daniel Cameron. He
jumped in minutes after
McConnell announced that he was
dropping out.
>> Congressman Andy Barr then
took a swipe at Cameron.
There's been an interest group
that took a swipe at Morrow
this week and we hear other
names in the in the mix as
well.
(09:01):
>> Yeah, a lot of and again,
the primary isn't until May
of 2026, but we're talking in
February of 2025 and already if
things are buzzing pretty
quickly. But he had
Daniel Cameron one minute after
McConnell to deliver his speech
on the Senate chamber during
a Cameron had a social media
post saying that it's time for
a new generation of leadership
in the U.S. Senate. Any bar has
(09:22):
continuing has been saying that
because of encouraging from
others he's seriously
considering running for this
office. But then also at a
Lexington, there's a
businessman has been pretty
successful through the years.
Nate Morris eyes also I've been
very active on social media
talking about how he is
interested potentially running
for U.S.. Senate would also be
looking at the governor's race
(09:45):
in 2027. He has personal ties
to Vice President JD Vance,
but also he's a pretty frequent
down and sort our law, though
and hanging out with the Trump
family and Donald Trump junior
has posted on social media
publicly saying that he
supports Nate Morrison,
whatever he looks in to do in
the future, they all seem to be
looking for a Trump endorsement
(10:05):
crime. That's something that
at this point the other
Republican Party's officially
shifting.
>> It could do the Democrats.
Do they see themselves as
having a realistic chance of
winning their first U.S. Senate
race in Kentucky since 1992
Bill, 1, 1, bill forward and
won his last term.
>> Well, I mean, given the way
the states trending, it's
obviously going uphill battle.
(10:26):
But Andy Beshear showed you
showed you can win twice
statewide as governor and they
are not running for the Senate
is not running and it's
intended. Governor is not
running blades of taking
themselves out of the running.
But but I would note also mean
so much in politics depends
on timing and move move and
your opponent, Andy Beshear
benefited from having opponent
is first time around who was?
(10:46):
Not well-liked and Matt Bevin.
Of and Cameron has been the
last time around made some
stumbles kind of Wofford on
abortion. It seemed like to
some people so.
You know, that play that
matters as well. So but ensures
so you can you can you can win
statewide is a Democrat.
But you have to have some of
(11:07):
the things that the lineup for
you to do that with Stevenson
is the candidate whose has
files and papers file papers to
start fundraising. Now she's
the House Minority Leader.
>> And the General Assembly.
So she's already said that
she's she's and 2 the part of
the primary. But, you know,
there's still interest on who
may also want to join that race
and well, they've also been
mentioning a Rocky Adkins.
(11:28):
Will he consider going back
into statewide politics and
we'll see if he ends up a look
into that any further. All
right. Well, a reminder that
Senator McConnell will remain
in the Senate through.
>> This term. Let's move on
now and discuss the tragic
whether the death toll from
last weekend's flooding in
Kentucky has reached 15, many
(11:48):
Kentucky communities were under
water. Homes and businesses
were washed away and there were
more than 1000 rescues of
people who are trapped in the
flood. And once again, Governor
Beshear found himself leading
Kentucky in a disaster and
reaching out for federal help.
In fact, it was in Washington
today and helping Kentucky's
plea directly to the Trump
administration.
(12:11):
>> We are grateful for the
local, the state, the national
and even the crews coming in
from other places that are
helping our people find safety
and find shelter during what
is continuing to be one of the
most challenging weather events
that we have faced.
>> And just as the rivers and
creeks started going down, more
tough weather rolled in snow
(12:32):
and bitter cold bill. Again, a
very challenging time for
eastern Kentuckyian beyond one
of the flood victims you
interviewed had the line them.
>> I wasn't in Hazard on Monday
which got flooded and Pike
Fulland Coal run village in
other places. Verjee on in on
(12:52):
Tuesday and does a lot of
damage, not as many deaths as
in 2022. In some ways then the
river that replaces the came up
very quickly and people to have
time to get out. There was no
warning this time. But the
damage may be more widespread
in more places.
>> This are a lot of the
weather-related tragedies
during this week. You know,
those who tried to drive
through flood waters of that,
you a man and a woman in
(13:13):
Louisville who apparently froze
to death.
>> Yeah, it really was this
horrible situation where you
had this really bad weather
saying would you have all this
flooding and before you can
either or even really pick
yourself up from the the
temperatures plummeted. And so
of the 15 doesn't believe
flood-related except the 2 who
(13:33):
died of hypothermia in
Louisville. And so as those
temperatures got really cold, I
mean, the messaging was, if
you can heat your house, you
need to leave and get shelter
somewhere else. But then there
were all these barriers of
could you access somewhere
else? Because the roads were
flooded and had barriers.
So so really bad, really bad
situation.
>> Mario, President quickly
approved the initial request
(13:54):
for a federal disaster aid.
The governor is now seeking
more funds, including
individual assistance to
victims.
>> He is. And he's been talking
this week. The governor has
that has been in contact with
Homeland Security Secretary
Kristi Noem and also the acting
director of FEMA to request
this additional assistance that
would allow people to apply for
further individual assistance
(14:16):
worth up to $42,000 and and
also, you know, Governor
Beshear said that, hey,
actually traveling to
Washington, D.C., to the White
House action to for the
National Governors
Association's meeting. It was
going to be talking directly
with the federal leaders to be
able to request this in person
and hopefully get some quick
decisions made so he could be
able to sure that news here
in Kentucky for Kentuckyian has
(14:36):
been through so much in the
last 5 years. COVID the
tornadoes.
>> 2 major rounds of flooding.
Now, do you get tougher or does
this really take an emotional
toll on people out there?
>> I think it's both of those
things and it's also the 3rd
item is needing actual physical
(14:56):
resources to recover. But, you
know, you think about people
will say repeatedly that if
you've lived through a
traumatic weather event,
tornado flooding, whatever it
is and then it starts to happen
again. I mean, there's some
PTSD there. There's anxiety.
Start. It starts raining and
you're having a dramatic
response to that. So there's
definitely mental health
crisis. When you look at that
(15:20):
and then you also Kentucky ends
are resilient, but they also
need help. And there are so
many nonprofits and
organizations that are, you
know, getting food, getting
items, getting money to people
who need it. So you recommend
people, you know, Google.
Yeah, Google Place where you
can donate and you're right.
There's been a lot of good done
by people as well.
>> Bill, a lot of schools had
no choice but to close or go to
(15:41):
more NTI days. A lot of the
schools are run out of NTI days
have gone to the legislature.
The one bill is moving. That
appears to give them some
relief.
>> I think the last count there
were something like 40
districts have already run out
there in 2 days for the year.
They've maxed out. So there is
a bill moving right now passed
the House today that would give
them 5 more. Disaster days,
(16:02):
20 days. It goes the Senate
now. So there's district that
are hoping to get that kind
of relief.
>> Let's move on. Talk about
the legislature was a busy week
in Frankfort. The deadline
passed for new legislation to
be filed. Dozens of new bills
are now
proposed to bill. It would
require state universities and
colleges to have a performance
review and that could open the
door. Determination is under
(16:24):
consideration Mario, the bill
sponsor James Tipton says it is
not about eliminating tenure,
but some faculty members and
others a fear that it could
try. And he's a Republican
member in the House
representatives. And he said
that his bill would require
the public college and
university professors to
undergo performance.
>> And protect productivity
(16:44):
reviews, at least every 4
years. And he said also, you
know, this bill actually passed
the House committee along party
lines, but it would allow
institutions to dismiss talk of
the faculty who fail to meet
the performance standards that
are established 1080 bills up
for consideration of this
30 day session.
>> Mario of the so there was
(17:05):
a flurry of bills this weekend.
Senate Bill one was finally
revealed that the priority
legislation would establish
Kentucky film Office of Promote
in the Courtenay Kentucky's
film industry and the sponsor
of that. Senator Phillip
Wheeler says Kentucky has the
talent, the landscapes and the
resources to me. A top
destination for film making.
That's right. There's multiple
(17:25):
parts of this particular
legislation. Senate Bill, one.
>> One and as you mentioned,
it's tab Lish that sticky film
Leadership Council. They're
being executive director who
would oversee this process.
I would also they're looking to
enhance the film industry as
a whole that also provide
funding and oversight to play
$500,000 would be set aside
initially for this particular
(17:46):
a process to start. But then
also they want to position
Kentucky for success in office
to Kentucky through the years
has been a part of various
various cities using Kentucky's
backdrops and the horse farms
in green grass is part of
various films and we'll see how
that progress in the
Legislature.
>> That may be where Saint
Guillen. Kentucky already has
(18:07):
an incentive to try to attract
filmmaking and movie
productions to the state that
Governor Bevin tried to kill
off several years ago because
he and other members of this
racial said it wasn't worse
at the because the snow didn't.
That wasn't a benefit from the
calls. So the legislature
turned that down actually game.
I okay did more money back and
that time. But there are some
folks are saying that these
(18:28):
kind of incentives don't
battle, don't bring a lot of
economic benefit. Okay, where
we'll watch this. He had goes
Sarah Bill that would license
businesses that sell tobacco
and vaping products is
sponsored by Senator Jimmy
Higdon.
>> So there's been a lot of
discussion over the last couple
years about minors, vaping and
use having access to vape son
(18:49):
concerned that maybe there are
some businesses that are bad
actors as h***. The sponsor
will say it who are selling to
minors and they should not be.
So basically he wants to
license these facility. Are
these retail stop shop
stores, whatever, and give the
ABC's sort of the same kind of
authority they would have over
alcohol shops. You could come
and you could do inspections.
(19:11):
But a really key part of the
bill is that it would find both
the clerk that sold to a minor
and the shop owner. And there's
like the vines get higher and
higher as it goes along and
then you lose your license for
2 years. And so the money from
those fines would half would go
to enforcement and half would
(19:31):
go to a youth prevention
organization. Someone doing
work to KET us from vaping or
recovery. So it's been well
received so far. People have a
really common and talked
against to use, have spoke in
favor of it and said that it's
not anti-business because it's
only targeting people who are
breaking the law. Already.
There were several bills filed
aimed to vaccines and vaccine
(19:51):
requirements. Yeah. The one
that got the most attention I
think was saying hospitals
shouldn't be allowed to
transfer use basically blood
came from a donor who had
gotten the COVID-19 vaccine
and then the sponsor did come
back later, though, and say
that that was in the state
didn't want to limit blood
donations, which is important.
(20:12):
You know, Kentucky usually has
uploaded shortage of needs
blood donation. So that could
complicate that.
>> And there's a Senate bill.
111, it relates to juvenile
justice. You follow that?
>> Yes. So the part of its that
that's moving now is to design
for 5 million dollars, a mental
health facility that would
basically House hi Cutie.
You so used to really are in
(20:32):
the system and they need a
higher level of care than what
exists for them right now.
Next year, the senator Senator
Danny Carroll wants to come
back and spend 90 million
building 2 different facilities
for female juveniles. But there
doesn't look like they're going
to open the budget for that
this year, but it's still a
goal of the legislation and
(20:52):
they'll just look at that next
year. But one of the
contentious debates of the week
had to do with gender affirming
care for those held in custody
in Kentucky.
>> We are called to make sure
that our taxpayer dollars are
spent. In ways that benefit
the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
And in my opinion and I'm sure
(21:13):
the opinion of many other
folks. In this commonwealth,
those are not services that
benefit the Commonwealth of
Kentucky are the citizens of
Kentucky.
>> We are spending more
standing here.
>> On the floor talking about
this subject that we did in
(21:36):
the last year giving the 67
people their hormone
replacement therapy. We have
lights in the state.
>> We have we'll serious
issues.
>> And this is nothing.
>> But could she KET which
>> They're obviously a very
(21:56):
lively debate.
>> That was so what the bill
does is says you can't use
public funds so Medicaid or
other whatever.
>> Public tax dollars, you
can't use it to give
incarcerated people hormone
treatments for transgender
treatments and you can't give
the gender affirming care,
including surgeries. They're
currently 67 inmates on hormone
(22:18):
treatments in Kentuckyian part
of the criticism was wife focus
on such a small population when
there are bigger populations
to think about Senator Karen
Berger who called it a witch
hunt, her transgender son
actually died 2 years ago.
And so she was obviously very
critical of it as were other
(22:39):
Democrats as well.
>> Our own amendment was added
to a bill that would be a
pretty much state employees
from being able to work from
home.
>> That's right. It's I filed
by Lindsay to share. She's from
Henry County in basically
wanting to strip the ability
of many state employees to work
from home with limited
exceptions and the others about
(23:02):
60,000 state employees, though,
would be impacted the, you
know, various forms of the or
60,000 employees that work for
state government. So we'll see
how that progress. The general
public people watching the
federal cuts of the Trump
administration very closely.
The University of Louisville
announced today they are
implementing a hiring freeze
until at
least summer.
>> Bill, you know it at least
(23:23):
there is that uncertainty out
there across the state. Well,
meaning the Trump
administration's a month and
there's a lot of uncertainty
about what they're going to the
federal workforce mean. We've
heard talk about, you know,
Forest Service employees and
others being laid off in
Kentucky or notify they be laid
off. But
>> the fact is that the
administration is not providing
much information at all about
what kind of cuts are being
made in the federal workforce
(23:45):
in Kentucky.
All right. Another major
headline of this week is it KFC
which used to be Kentucky Fried
Chicken and was started by
Colonel Sanders in Corman has
been headquartered in
Louisville for decades.
>> And now it's moving out.
Mario, an economic blow, sort
of a symbolic blow for
Kentuckyian certainly for
Louisville and given the
(24:05):
Kentucky connection. That's
right. And I even a governor
at Greg Abbott out of Texas, he
actually a chair on social
media. Welcome to Texas,
colonel in company and maybe
you'll consider name like Texas
Fried Chicken may be changing
the name. I think you may have
been joking, but you know,
surely we'll see. We'll see
what happens.
>> They are. But many companies
(24:26):
from KFC. Papa back in 2020
Brown-Forman most recently a is
laying off of lot employees
decreasing staff Humana in
downtown The building there
closing at that spot there.
So a lot of the transition
happening in the Kentucky's
largest city. They're going to
leave their foundation. And I
think some other employees as
well build it. KFC, though,
(24:48):
moving its headquarters to
Texas
>> A long way from Colonel
Sailors cafe there in Coeur.
But, yeah, I mean, you know
where it all started with her
husband and their mean, it's
it. It's become something
that's symbolic of Kentucky.
I mean, it's got I mean,
there's 30,000 some KFC
restaurant around the world.
So it's been a it's been a
symbol of Kentucky around the
world for a long time. And it
(25:09):
just seems Huerta that even
though it's no longer Kentucky
Fried chicken, it's KFC.
We all know what really stood
for that will be moving out
of state.
So although it was a quarter
one time in Nashville, John
White Brown junior bought it,
brought it to Kentucky. So I
guess is just another part of
the evolution. All right.
And should post on X from
Senator Rand Paul this week
says he didn't endorse
(25:29):
President Trump during the
campaign. But this last
Wednesday night he said he was
wrong to withhold his support
and now says he does endorsing
Trump. Mario.
>> Hey said he regrets not
coming out sooner for that.
But he's all in on President
Trump and also some of the
efforts to look to downsize the
federal government and says
he supports the efforts by
Doe's Show and Elon Musk in
(25:53):
their efforts to continue re
review. Had a look at
downsizing the federal
government.
>> Georgetown is remembering a
3 term mayor who died this week
and before he got into
politics, Everett Varney was
a standout basketball player
at Berea College and then a
coach and Scott County High
School. But as mayor of our Nia
cast, the tie breaking vote for
(26:15):
a smoking ban and then lost a
reelection race after that.
But in 4 years later in 20 to
anyone again and returned to
the mayor's office and
regarding was 86, that's
comment on Kentucky. Have a
good week ahead.
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