June 23, 2025 • 26 mins
Journalists from around the state discuss the news of the week with host Bill Bryant, including state lawmakers' reactions to the murder of a Minnesota state representative and her husband. Panelists: Isaiah Kim-Martinez, WHAS11 in Louisville; Tessa Duvall, Lexington Herald-Leader; and Melissa Patrick, Kentucky Health News.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:02):
[♪♪]
>> Bill (00:09):
KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS
CONSIDER SAFETY AFTER LAST
WEEK'S ATTACKS ON LEGISLATORS IN
MINNESOTA.
CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR TALKS
ABOUT HIS BID FOR THE U.S.
SENATE AND HOPES FOR PRESIDENT
TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT.
AND A SUPREME COURT RULING
UPHOLDING ANTI-TRANSGENDER LAWS.
GOVERNOR BESHEAR NAMES A NEW
(00:30):
STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER AND
HEAT ARRIVES AS SUMMER
OFFICIALLY BEGINS AND "COMMENT"
IS NEXT ON KET.
[♪♪]
GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.
AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT
ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND
(00:55):
ANAL THIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN
THE COMMONWEALTH.
AND OUR GUESTS ARE TESSA DUVALL,
POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
EDITOR FOR THE LEXINGTON
HERALD-LEADER.
MELISSA PATRICK, EDITOR FOR
KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.
AND ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ, SENIOR
REPORTER FOR W WHVMENT AS11 IN
LOUISVILLE.
KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS ARE
(01:15):
CONSIDERING THEIR OWN SECURITY
AFTER THE ATTACKS THAT KILLED
THE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER AND HER
HUSBAND IN MINNESOTA.
A STATE SENATOR AND HIS WIFE ARE
ALSO ATTACKED THERE.
AND THERE WAS A LIST OF OTHER
POSSIBLE TARGETS.
KENTUCKY SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT
STIVERS SAYS THE SECURITY OF
LAWMAKERS IS BEING ASSESSED HERE
IN KENTUCKY.
AND WITH SO MANY DIVISIVE ISSUES
(01:37):
OUT THERE, SOME KENTUCKY
LAWMAKERS ARE TALKING ABOUT
RESOLVING THEM WITHOUT VIOLENCE.
>> I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT UPON
US AS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO FOCUS
ON TURNING DOWN THAT RHETORIC.
>> WE ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING TO
AGREE.
WE DON'T AGREE WITH OUR OWN
FAMILY MEMBERS THAT IS LIFE.
BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO GET TO THE
(01:58):
POINT AS SATURDAY, IT'S TRAGIC
AND UNCALLED FOR AND IN MY
OPINION PREVENTIBLE.
THIS IS STARTLING AND
ATTENTION GETTING WE HAVE SEEN
SO MANY ISSUES IN RECENT YEARS
BECOME EMOTIONALLY CHARGED.
>> AND THAT WORD STRUCK ME
PREVENTABLE THAT HAS CHANGED
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
(02:18):
WE'RE COMING UP ON ONE YEAR
SINCE THEN, PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATE, DONALD TRUMP, WAS
SHOT AT A CAMPAIGN RALLY IN
PENNSYLVANIA.
AND THEN, OF COURSE, YOU HAVE
GOVERNOR SHAPIRO OF PENNSYLVANIA
A COUPLE MONTHS AGO WHERE THE
GOVERNOR'S MANSION WAS SET ON
FIRE.
THAT WAS AN ACT WHERE THEY WERE
(02:39):
LOOKING AT POTENTIAL POLITICAL
VIOLENCE WHAT WERE THE MOTIVES?
AND THEN I TALKED ABOUT THIS
WITH CONGRESSMAN MORGAN MCGARVEY
HE RECOUNTS MOMENTS IN THE STATE
HOUSE IN FRANKFORT AND TALKED
ABOUT THE FEARS HIM AND HIS
FAMILY HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHEN
THEY QUESTION WHETHER CERTAIN
THREATS WERE CREDIBLE WHEN HE
WAS IN THE STATE HOUSE.
(02:59):
IT'S FAIR TO SAY ON BOTH SIDES
OF THE AISLE THEY CAN AGREE THE
THREAT ENVIRONMENT CHANGED AND
THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE
APPROACH THAT IN THIS DAY AND
TIME.
YET, THERE'S ALSO
PRESSURE AND AN EXPECTATION AT
THAT TIME LAWMAKERS BE VISIBLE,
THAT THEY COME AND ADDRESS
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN FRONT OF
VOTERS AND THAT IS AN ISSUE OUT
(03:20):
THERE AS WELL.
>> IT IS A HUGE PART WITH YOUR
CONSTITUENCY THEY WANT YOU TO
SHOW UP AND SHAKING HANDS.
THE PROBLEM IS WHEN YOU HAVE THE
BIG ENVIRONMENTS YOU'VE HEARD
AUTHORITIES SAY BE CAREFUL WITH
THE BIG GATHERINGS.
IN MINNESOTA AUTHORITIES WERE
SAYING AS THEY WERE LOOKING FOR
THE SUSPECT AS THE MANHUNT WAS
(03:41):
ON, LISTEN IF YOU LIVE IN THESE
AREAS AND YOU GET A KNOCK ON
YOUR DOOR FROM A POLICE OFFICER,
CALL 911 AND VERIFY THAT THAT
OFFICER IS, INDEED, AN OFFICER.
THAT IS SIGNIFICANT.
AND QUITE A BIT DIFFERENT THAN
WHAT WE HAVE BEEN USED TO IN THE
PAST.
THERE IS SECURITY AT
(04:01):
THE STATE CAPITOL BUT IN THIS
MINNESOTA SITUATION IT HAPPENED
IN THE LAWMAKERS' HOMES SO
OBVIOUSLY AUTHORITIES NEED
INFORMATION IF ANYBODY SUSPECTS
THERE'S A FLASHPOINT OUT THERE.
THERE JUST ARE ALL KINDS OF
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES THESE DAYS
AND ONE TOUGH TOPIC WAS
REVISITED THE SUPREME COURT
UPHELD A TENNESSEE LAW THAT
(04:24):
FORBIDS MEDICAL PROFERLS FOR
PROVIDING GENDER AFFIRMING CARE
FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH.
>> THIS DECISION SHOULD BE
CELEBRATED BY ANYONE THAT WANTS
TO SEE KIDS PROTECTED AND
SCIENCE UPHELD AND SEE COMMON
SENSE RULE THE DAY.
>> THE OUTCOME IS EXPECTED IF
(04:45):
NOT DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING AND
UNCONSCIONABLE THAT THE SUPREME
COURT WOULD REST AWAY PARENTS'
RIGHTS IN THIS SITUATION TO
OBTAIN THE PRESCRIBED BEST
PRACTICE MEDICAL CARE FOR THEIR
KIDS.
KENTUCKY ATTORNEY
RUSSELL COLEMAN APPLAUDED THE
(05:06):
RULING HE SUBMITTED A BRIEF IN
SUPPORT OF THE TENNESSEE LAW.
THE RULING MEANS SENATE BILL 150
PASSED IN KENTUCKY IN 2023
STANDS IT GIVES GUIDANCE TO
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN THE
STATE IT AS TO WHAT THE RULES
ARE.
>> IT CLEARLY DEFINES THAT
GENDER AFFIRMING CARE TO PEOPLE
WHO ARE 18 AND UNDER CANNOT
(05:29):
RECEIVE GENDER AFFIRMING CARE
SUCH AS HORMONES OR PUBERTY
BLOCKERS NOR CAN THEY RECEIVE
ANY SURGERIES.
GENDER TRANSITION SURGERIES.
IS THAT COMMONLY DONE?
>> NO.
THOSE SURGERIES ARE RARELY
RECOMMENDED FOR YOUTH.
AND A STUDY CAME OUT JUST
RECENTLY, THAT SAID ONE IN A
(05:51):
THOUSAND U.S. ADD DECENTS --
ADOLESCENTSES RECEIVE GENDER
AFFIRMING CARE.
AND IT CANNOT HAPPEN IN
KENTUCKY AND THIS WAS A LONG,
EMOTIONAL DEBATE IN 2023.
>> IT WAS.
I THINK SENATE BILL 150 AND THE
POLICY THAT BANS GENDER
AFFIRMING CARE FOR YOUTH, WAS
(06:11):
THE DEFINING ISSUE OF THAT
SESSION.
I MEAN WE SAW A LOT OF REALLY
PASSIONATE COMMITTEE TESTIMONY
FROM TRANS YOUTH OR TRANS ADULTS
THEIR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES
FROM MEDICAL PROVIDERS.
WE ALSO HEARD A LOT OF
PASSIONATE SPEECHERS FROM
LAWMAKERS.
AND OF COURSE THERE WERE
WIDESPREAD PROTESTS THROUGHOUT
(06:31):
THAT SESSION.
BUT ESPECIALLY ON THE DAY THAT
THE HOUSE VOTED ON IT.
19 OR 20 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED
FOR INTERRUPTING THE PROCEEDINGS
OF THE HOUSE.
IT WAS CERTAINLY A VERY DEFINING
ISSUE OF THAT SESSION.
AND ONE THAT PEOPLE FEEL
STRONGLY ABOUT AS WELL.
>> I'VE SPOKEN WITH TRANSGENDER
YOUTH IN LOUISVILLE ONE WHO IS
(06:53):
ACTUALLY A TRANSGENDER WOMAN NOW
AND TALKED ABOUT HOW THEY
EXPECTED THIS TO HAPPEN GIVEN
THE COURT'S CONSERVATIVE 6-3
MAJORITY.
SO IT EVEN THE DECISION
OBVIOUSLY MAKES, YOU KNOW, THE
HEADLINES NOW, BASED ON FOLKS
I'VE TALKED TO THERE WAS AN
EXPECTATION THIS WAS GOING TO BE
THE RULING.
(07:13):
IS IT UNDERSTOOD TO BE
SETTLED LAW OR DOES IT CONTINUE
AS AN ISSUE?
>> I MEAN WHEN THE SUPREME COURT
RULES ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS, I
MEAN WHEN IT COMES TO STATE
LAWS, YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT
REPUBLICANS ARE PROBABLY SAYING
OKAY, THE JOB IS FINISHED.
ALL RIGHT.
WE TALK A LOT WHAT IS HAPPENING
IN TWO CAPITOLS THAT AFFECT US
(07:34):
HERE IN KENTUCKY.
FRANKFORT AND IN WASHINGTON WASH
AND HOUSE RESOLUTION ONE THE BIG
BEAUTIFUL BILL IS STILL UNDER
DEBATE IN THE U.S. SENATE AFTER
IT PASSED IN THE HOUSE.
MEDICAID EXPANSION HERE IN
KENTUCKY WHICH WAS DONE A FEW
YEARS AGO MEANS THAT KENTUCKY
KIDS HAVE RELATIVELY HIGH RATES
(07:54):
OF HEALTHCARE COVERAGE IN THE
STATE.
SOME CONCERNS HAVE BEEN RAISED
ABOUT WHETHER CUTS MAY IMPACT
THAT POTENTIALLY.
ALSO, SOME RURAL HOSPITALS ARE
REALLY WATCHING THINGS CAREFULLY
IN THIS PACKAGE.
>> CHILDREN ADVOCATES ARE ALWAYS
CONCERNED WHEN FEWER OF OUR
(08:16):
CHILDREN HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.
RIGHT NOW, 97% OF OUR KIDS HAVE
SOME FORM OF HEALTH INSURANCE.
AND WE WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.
BUT THE STUDIES WILL SHOW THAT
WHEN PARENTS LOSE HEALTH
INSURANCE, SO OFTEN THEIR
CHILDREN DO TOO.
WHETHER IT'S FROM RED TAPE OR
INCONVENIENCE OR FOR WHATEVER
(08:37):
REASON, THAT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO
BE TRUE OVER AND AGAIN.
AND THIS HOUSE RESOLUTION IS
PROJECTED TO CAUSE 200,000
KENTUCKIANS TO LOSE THEIR HEALTH
INSURANCE SO THAT ALSO WE START
WORRY BEING THE KIDS WHO MIGHT
FOLLOW.
OTHER CONCERNS ARE ACCESS TO
CARE.
(08:58):
IF A FEWER --
IF OUR DOCTORS WHO PROVIDE
MEDICAID CARE ARE NOT MAKING THE
SAME SALARY THAT THEY WERE OR
GETTING THE SAME REIMBURSEMENTS
WHAT WILL THAT DO TO THEIR
DECISION TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH
MEDICAID?
PROVIDER TAX THAT MAYBE
CHANGED.
>> YES.
AND THAT IS THE BIGGEST CONCERN
OF THE HEALTH HOSPITALS IS THAT
(09:20):
THE SENATE VERSION OF THIS
RESOLUTION SAYS THAT THE
PROVIDER TAX WHICH IS USED AS
THE MATCH, THE MONEY THAT COMES
IS USED FOR A MATCH TO GET
FEDERAL MEDICAID FUNDS THAT
THEIR PLAN IS TO LOWER IT TO
3.5% OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS AND
THAT WILL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO
HAVE DEVASTATING EFFECTS ON OUR
(09:42):
HOSPITALS.
>> TALK ABOUT THE RURAL
HOSPITALS, RIGHT?
BILL, YOU RAN A STORY ABOUT
SENATE DEMOCRATS CHUCK SCHUMER
HAD THE LIST OF RURAL HOSPITALS
WHICH STATES IMPACTED THE MOST.
I BELIEVE THEY PUT A NUMBER 35
IN KENTUCKY.
SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS
SAID HE HASN'T HEARD FROM HIS
(10:05):
DISTRICT RURAL DISTRICT AROUND
MANCHESTER ANY COMPLAINTS FROM
HOSPITALS THERE.
BUT I SPOKE WITH A U OF L DOCTOR
ABOUT THOSE CONCERNS WILL
HOSPITALS IN RURAL AREAS CLOSE
IN LOUISVILLE.
AND THE DOCTOR TOLD ME THEY ARE
ALREADY OPERATING UNDER A RAZOR
THIN MARGIN IN HIS WORDS IF
FEWER PEOPLE GO REVENUE GOES
(10:25):
DOWN IT WILL TIP THEM OVER.
THE COUNTER ARGUMENT IS A LOT OF
THESE FOLKS ARE CAPABLE OF
WORKING, SHOULD BE WORKING AND
THAT THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE TO
GET.
AND TESSA, THERE ARE
MANY WHO SAY THIS NEEDS TO BE
DONE TO KEEP THE PROGRAM VIABLE.
CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR AND HAL
ROGERS SAYS THEY ARE PROTECTING
MEDICAID.
FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT BY CUTTING
(10:48):
THE ROLLS AND THE WASTE SO IT'S
AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT.
>> RIGHT THAT IS HOW THEY'RE
EXPLAINING THEIR VOTES.
ROOTING OUT WASTE, FRAUD AND
ABUSE AND NO ONE IS AGAINST
THAT.
BUT WHAT WE HEAR FROM PEOPLE WHO
OPPOSE THIS BILL AND OPPOSE THE
DECISION TO CUT MEDICAID WHEN
YOU ARE CUTTING THAT AMOUNT OF
MONEY AND THAT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE
OUT OF THE PROGRAM IT GOES WELL
(11:09):
BEYOND WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE
YOU ARE GOING TO START CUTTING
PEOPLE WHO NEED THOSE SERVICES
IS WHAT CRITICS SAY.
AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER
THAT KENTUCKY AS A WHOLE IS A
MEDICAID RELIANT STATE BUT
ESPECIALLY ROGERS DISTRICT THAT
IS ONE OF THE MOST RELIANT
(11:30):
DISTRICTS IN THE NATION AND YOU
THINK ABOUT THE RURAL HOSPITALS
IT WOULD AFFECT A LOT OF PEOPLE
LIVING IN THAT DISTRICT.
AND THE DOWNSTREAM EFFECTS OF
HOSPITALS CLOSING.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ACCESS TO
CARE.
THERE ARE ALSO MASSIVE EMPLOYERS
IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
SO IF JOBS GO AWAY THEN THAT
CONTRIBUTES TO THE ECONOMIC
ISSUES THAT ARE ALREADY
(11:51):
AFFECTING A LOT OF COMMUNITIES
IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.
>> I BELIEVE FEDERAL DOLLARS
MAKEUP 75% OF KENTUCKY MEDICAID
BUDGET.
IF WE LOSE INDIVIDUALS FROM THE
ROLLS, DEFINITELY THAT WILL
IMPACT OUR HOSPITALS.
CONGRESSMAN BARR AND
WE'LL TALK ABOUT HIS CAMPAIGN IN
A LITTLE BIT, BUT I INTERVIEWED
(12:13):
HIM, HE INDICATED VERY MUCH IT
IS ON HIS RADAR THIS CONCERN
ABOUT RURAL HOSPITALS AND HE
MIGHT SEE SOME WAY TO MAYBE EVEN
IF THIS BUDGET PASSES THEY GO
BACK AND DO SOMETHING TO TRY TO
ADDRESS THIS IT IS A MAJOR
ISSUE.
KENTUCKY HAS A NEW HEALTH
COMMISSIONER Dr. JOHN
LANGEFELD, WILL BE FILLING THE
(12:34):
POST HE SPENT DECADES IN PUBLIC
HEALTH LEADERSHIP.
JOHN LANGEFELD IS A KENTUCKY
NATIVE A BEREA COLLEGE GRADUATE
AND GOT HIS MEDICAL DEGREE FROM
THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
MEDICAL SCHOOL.
MELISSA, HE BRINGS EXPERIENCE.
WE SAW WITH Dr. STACK'S TENURE
WHEN HE WAS FACING THE COVID
PANDEMIC AFTER JUST WEEKS ON THE
(12:56):
JOB, THAT YOU NEVER KNOW WITH A
JOB LIKE THAT?
>> NO.
AND Dr. JOHN LANGEFELD IS
COMING INTO THIS POSITION AS A
MEASLES OUTBREAKS ARE HAPPENING
ALL OVER THE NATION.
AND KENTUCKY HAS LOW VACCINATION
RATES.
WE ALSO HAVE LOW WHOOPING COUGH
RATES AND WE ARE ALL --
(13:16):
WE HAVE ALREADY SHOWN INCREASES
IN THOSE CASES.
VACCINATION RATES ON
WHOOPING COUGH.
>> AND INCREASES IN CASES OF IT.
ON TOP OF THAT, WE'VE GOT THESE
CHANGES COMING FROM AROUND
MEDICAID.
AND SOME OF THOSE INVOLVE PEOPLE
WILL LIKELY INVOLVE PEOPLE
LOSING THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE.
(13:37):
ALL OF A SUDDEN WE ARE IN A
LANDSCAPE THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN
IN FOR SOME YEARS WHERE PEOPLE
ARE UTILIZING THE HEALTH
DEPARTMENT'S MORE MAYBE GOING TO
THE EMERGENCY ROOMS MORE.
HE WILL HAVE TO MANAGE THAT.
THERE'S NO TELLING WHAT IS IN
STORE FOR HIM IN THE NEXT FEW
YEARS.
HE WILL BE A GUIDING
PUBLIC HEALTH.
WE KNOW WE HAVE HIGH RATES OF
(13:58):
DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE AND
CANCER, LOW VACCINATION RATES AS
YOU SAID FOR KIDS.
THERE IS A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN
THE NATIONAL RANKING OF KENTUCKY
MOVING TO 37TH PLACE IN MENTAL
HEALTH ACCESS AND DRUG ABUSE
TREATMENT IN THE STATE.
>> WELL, AND YOU KNOW FULL
CIRCLE MUCH OF THAT SUCCESS HAS
(14:18):
COME FROM THE EXPANSION OF
MEDICAID.
AND SO ONCE AGAIN, WE'VE HAD
THOSE SUCCESSES BUT WHAT DOES
THE NEXT --
WHAT WILL THE NEXT FIVE YEARS
HOLD IF WE LOSE FUNDING FOR
THAT.
KENTUCKY'S EXTENSION
FOR AUTOMATIC MEDICAID
ENROLLMENT FOR KIDS WILL END
(14:39):
THIS MONTH.
ELIGIBILITY CHECKS WERE PAUSED
DURING THE PANDEMIC.
>> RIGHT.
SO PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHILDREN WHO
HAVE BEEN PARTICIPANTS OF
MEDICAID OR WHAT WE CALL K CHIP
HAVEN'T HAD TO REENROLL FOR FIVE
YEARS THEY HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF
THAT HABIT.
SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY KEEP
AN EYE ON THE MAILBOXES OR
(15:00):
INBOXES FOR THE NOTICES FOR WHEN
IT'S THEIR TIME TO REGISTER.
BECAUSE THEY WILL BE DISENROLLED
OVER WISE.
FOLKS LIKE TO HEAR
ABOUT HORSERACE POLITICS AND
ANDY BARR IS RUNNING FOR THE
REPUBLICAN NOMINATION TO FILL
THE SEAT THAT LONG TIME SENATOR
MITCH McCONNELL WILL RETIRE
FROM NEXT YEAR.
(15:20):
I DID A INTERVIEW WITH HIM THIS
WEEK AND HE TOLD ME HE COULDN'T
THINK OF AN ISSUE WHERE HE
DISAGREES WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP
ON.
HE MADE IT CLEAR THAT HE HOPES
FOR THE PRESIDENT'S ENDORSEMENT
IN THE PRIMARY WHERE HE FACES
FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL
CAMERON.
>> DO YOU PREDICT HE WILL
SUPPORT YOU IN THIS PRIMARY?
>> HE HAS ENDORSED ME IN MY
(15:41):
RACES IN THE PAST AND I'VE
ENDORSED HIM.
WE HAVE A CLOSE WORKING
RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM
PERSONALLY.
I'VE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS
ABOUT THIS OPEN SENATE SEAT WITH
HIM.
AND HE KNOWS THAT I'M NOT JUST
TALKING ABOUT SUPPORTING HIM BUT
I'M FIGHTING FOR HIM.
I'M FIGHTING FOR HIM ON THE ONE
BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL AND EXTENDING
(16:03):
MAKING PERMANENT TAX CUTS.
I VOTED FOR THE TAX CUTS IN
2017.
TESSA, BARR IS HITCHED
TO THE TRUMP TRAIN OBVIOUSLY HE
POINTS OUT THAT THE PRESIDENT
CAMPAIGNED FOR HIM IN 2018 AND
HE HAS ALWAYS ENDORSED TRUMP.
>> THAT IS RIGHT.
HE IS WORKING HARD FOR THIS
ENDORSEMENT.
WE SAW IT WITH HIS CAMPAIGN
(16:24):
VIDEO WHEN HE LUNCHED.
AND IT WAS ALL ABOUT WHEN I GET
TO THE SENATE I'M GOING TO
SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S
AGENDA.
AND THAT HAS BEEN A TALKING
POINT OF THE SPEECH AT THAT TIME
HE LAUNCHED AND WE SEE IT ON
SOCIAL MEDIA AND RECENT COMMENTS
WE WILL GET INTO ABOUT IRAN AND
ISRAEL.
HE IS REALLY COURTING THE
PRESIDENT'S ENDORSEMENT IN THIS
RACE.
(16:44):
BUT, OF COURSE, WHAT IS
COMPLICATED, WITH HIS CHANCES OF
GET TO GO IS THAT FORMER
KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL
CAMERON IS ALSO RUNNING AND HE
HAS ALSO PREVIOUSLY BEEN
ENDORSED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.
HE WAS ENDORSED IN THE 2023
GOVERNOR'S RACE, OF COURSE, THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL WENT ON TO LOSE
TO GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.
AND SO THERE'S QUESTIONS OF DOES
(17:06):
TRUMP BACK AWAY FROM THAT?
BECAUSE DANIEL CAMERON LOST AND
THAT WAS EMBARRASSING FOR HIM.
OR DOES HE DOUBLE DOWN HE IS A
WINNER, I'M GOING TO STICK WITH
HIM BECAUSE I BACKED HIM BEFORE.
OR YOU KNOW, DOES HE ENDORSE
BARR BECAUSE BARR IS COMING INTO
THIS WITH QUITE A WAR CHEST AND
THE QUESTION MARK IS WHAT DOES
(17:29):
NATURE CONSERVANCY DO AND HOW
DOES THAT SHAKE UP THE RACE
GIVEN TIES TO JD VANS AND THE
POSSIBILITY THAT TRUMP SAYS THEY
ARE ALL GREAT YOU CANNOT GO
WRONG.
>> DONE IT BEFORE.
>> HE'S DONE IT BEFORE.
>> IT'S INTERESTING YOU
MENTIONED NATE MORRIS AND SCOTT
JENNINGS IS A NAME THAT IS WHAT
(17:50):
IS THE WORD EDUCATED
SPECULATION.
IS HE STILL OUT THERE
IN THE OFFING?
>> HE TOOK A TRIP TO THE MIDDLE
EAST IN THE MIDST OF ALL THIS.
PRESIDENT TRUMP REPRESENTS GUTS
AND PEOPLE THAT CAN HANDLE
THEMSELVES.
SCOTT JENNINGS ON THE NETWORK
(18:11):
LEVEL DOES THAT.
SCOTT HAS BEEN SOMEBODY THAT HAS
BEEN WITH THE PRESIDENT I
BELIEVE IN MICHIGAN A COUPLE
MONTHS AGO AND THE PRESIDENT
WELCOMED AND SAID SCOTT YOU'VE
BEEN A GUY WHO HAS BEEN WITH ME.
HE HAS A BOOK COMING OUT IN THE
WINTER THAT HAS PRESIDENT
TRUMP'S FACE BIG FRONT AND
CENTER.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING ACTUALLY
I INTERVIEWED SCOTT JENNINGS AND
(18:33):
THIS WAS HAVING MORE TO DO WITH
THE SENATE RACE BEFORE SENATOR
McCONNELL ANNOUNCED THAT HE
WOULDN'T BE SEEKING REELECTION
ON FEBRUARY 14TH.
AND I ASKED HIM OUT OF CURIOSITY
WOULD YOU RUN AND HE SAID ME?
AND VERY SORT OF HUMBLE AND HE
SAID NOT PLANNING TO.
HE DID GO ON TO SAY AS HE WAS
THINKING IT OUT LOUD HE CALLED
(18:54):
TO DO AN INTRIGUING IDEA
ANDIZATION HE CANNOT RULE OUT
THINGS LIKE THESE.
THAT WAS BEFORE THE SENATOR
ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT.
IF IT'S THESE TWO WHO
ARE IN CAMERON RELEASED POLLING
INDICATING HE HAS A LEAD AND
BARR CLAIMS HIS POLLING SHOWS
THAT WHERE HE IS KNOWN HE LEADS.
(19:15):
BUT HE DOES CONCEDE THAT CAMERON
HAS A SUBSTANTIAL NAME ID
ADVANTAGE.
>> DANIEL CAMERON HAS BEEN ON A
STATE-WIDE BALLOT BEFORE
MULTIPLE TIMES AND
REPRESENTATIVE BARR HAS NOT.
HE HAS BEEN IN THE ONE DISTRICT.
YES HE HAS NAME ID WHERE PEOPLE
VOTED FOR HIM BUT THEY HAVE NOT
(19:36):
VOTED FOR HIM IN FAR WEST OR
EAST KENTUCKY.
HE WOULD HAVE TO DO SOME NAME
BUILDING.
BUT THAT'S WHERE THE WAR CHEST
COMES IN HANDY.
SO PLUS IT'S IMPORTANT TO
REMEMBER THAT THIS PRIMARY IS
NEARLY A YEAR 11 MONTHS AWAY.
SO WHILE WE'RE THINKING ABOUT IT
A LOT I, A LOT OF THE PEOPLE
(19:57):
CASTING VOTES COME NEXT MAY ARE
NOT EVEN REMOTELY PAYING
ATTENTION YET.
>> ON DANIEL CAMERON QUICK, I
DON'T THINK REPUBLICANS ARE
DOWN-PLAYING THAT LOSS TO
GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.
I TALKEDDED WITH STATE SENATOR
WHEELER HE WAS AT CONGRESSMAN
BARR'S LAUNCH PARTY FOR SENATE.
AND HE SAID IT PRETTY MUCH
(20:18):
WITHOUT REALLY MINCING WORDS
THAT LOSS IS ON THE MINDS OF
PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO NOT JUST
ENDORSEMENTS BUT THE CHANCE HE
HAS IN A PRIMARY.
THE RACE FOR BARR'S
SEAT IS UNDERWAY.
CHERLYNN STEVENSON AND DAVID
KLOIBER ARE IN AND RYAN DOTSON
IS IN.
WE REASON HEARING OTHER NAMES.
(20:41):
AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE AND
REPRESENTATIVE DEANNA FRASER
GORTON.
THOSE ARE TWO OF THE NAMES THAT
KEEP POPPING UP IN THE
DISCUSSION.
>> AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE HAS BEEN
SOMEONE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING
ABOUT FROM THE COMBINING AND SHE
IS NOT DENYING ANYTHING.
I TEXTED HER TODAY AND I SAID
WAS CURIOUS WHETHER YOU ARE
PLANNING TO ANNOUNCE A RUN FOR
(21:03):
THE SIXTH DISTRICT AND SHE SAID
THE NEW QUARTER WAS JULY FIRST
AND I SAID HINT, HINT.
NOT SOON AND LOTS OF GOOD
CONVERSATIONS JUST GETTING MY
KIDS IN LINE.
WE'LL SEE IN THE NEXT QUARTER IF
WE SEE ANYTHING HAPPEN.
THAT COULD BE AN
INTERESTING PRIMARY SITUATION.
>> I THINK THE DEMOCRAT AND THE
REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES COULD BE
(21:23):
INTERESTING WHO KNOW WHO ELSE
THROWS THEIR HAT IN THE RING.
>> CHERLYNN STEVENSON GOT AN
ENDORSEMENT FROM LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN
INTERESTING SHE WEIGHED IN SO
EARLY.
>> IT IS.
ESPECIALLY SINCE THE GOVERNOR
HAS NOT DONE SO YET BUT IT
SIGNALS THAT SHE IS NOT
INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR THE
SEAT.
SOME PEOPLE WONDERED IF SHE
(21:43):
MIGHT BE AND IF SHE IS ENDORSING
SOMEONE ELSE SHE HAS RULED
HERSELF OUT.
>> HEALTH ISSUES COME INTO PLAY
IN THE CAMPAIGNS AHEAD FOR THE
NATIONAL AND MAYBE STATE OFFICES
NEXT YEAR?
>> WELL, WE WILL KNOW HOW THIS
BUDGET RESOLUTION HAS RESOLVED
WELL BEFORE THAT.
(22:04):
AND IF THE FALLOUT FROM THAT IS
WHAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT IT SAY THAT IT
WILL BE, THEN, YEAH, THERE HAS
TO BE REPERCUSSIONS.
WE WILL BE WATCHING.
YOU DID REPORTING THIS WEEK THAT
BOTH MORGAN MCGARVEY OF
LOUISVILLE HERE AT HOME AND THE
(22:24):
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CHAIR SAY
THAT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR
SHOULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT.
>> KEN MARTIN WAS IN OWENSBORO A
WEEK AGO TODAY OR WEEK AGO
AROUND THIS TIME AND I ASKED HIM
I SAID, DO YOU THINK HE SHOULD
RUN?
DOES HE HAVE THE CREDENTIALS TO
RUN?
KEN MARTIN SAYS IF HE WANTS TO
(22:46):
HE SHOULD AND SAID THAT MULTIPLE
TIMES AND HE WAS WEARING A PIN
HERE THAT SAID BESHEAR AND IT
WAS A MAP OF THE UNITED STATES
AROUND.
HE SAID NOT TO READ TOO MUCH
INTO IT.
AND MORGAN MCGARVEY COUNTERED IT
AND SAYS HE BELIEVES THE
GOVERNOR SHUN THE GOVERNOR OF
AMERICA.
A LOT OF BESHEAR'S
(23:07):
MESSAGES SEEM TO BE AIMED BEYOND
THE BORDER AT TIMES?
>> RIGHT.
HE HASN'T SAID THAT HE DOESN'T
WANT TO BE PRESIDENT.
AND HE IS POPPING UP AT SPEAKING
EVENTS AS HE HAS BEEN FOR A
WHILE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND
CONTINUING TO BUILD MORE OF A
NATIONAL PROFILE.
BUT 2028 IS A LONGTIME AWAY.
WITH THE ISSUES AROUND
(23:29):
THE WORLD, TWO KENTUCKIANS IN
CONGRESS EXPRESS HOPES THAT THE
U.S. STAY OUT OF THE CONFLICT
BETWEEN IRAN AND ISRAEL.
TESSA DUVALL RAND PAUL IS
HOPEFUL THE U.S. STAYS OUT OF
INVOLVEMENT.
AND THOMAS MASSIE OFFERED A
RESOLUTION TO SAY NO INVOLVEMENT
WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL
AND CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR SAYS
HE OPPOSES THAT APPROACH.
(23:51):
>> YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT
REPRESENTATIVE BARR IS SEEKING
THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT AND SAID
PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOULD HAVE THE
LEEWAY TO DO WHAT HE SEES FIT
WHEREAS THOMAS MASSIE AND PAUL
ARE CONSISTENT IN THE OPPOSITION
INTO FOREIGN INTERVENTION AND
BELIEF THAT THE CONSTITUTION
SHOULD BE FOLLOWED IN THIS
INSTANCE AND THAT WOULD REQUIRE
(24:13):
CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL TO GO TO
WAR.
YOU SPOKE WITH MILITARY
FAMILIES AT FORT KNOX WHO SAID
THEY ARE ON HIGH ALERT AS THE
CONFLICT ESCALATES.
>> AND THEY HAVE DONE TANGIBLE
THINGS DIFFERENTLY.
WE CAN'T PROVE IT'S FOR ANY ONE
REASON OR OTHER.
THEY HAVE HEIGHTENED THE
SECURITY ON THE BASE.
AND PUT THEIR TRAVELER PROGRAM
(24:35):
ON HOLD EXTENDING THOSE WAIT
TIMES.
BUT IT IS A REALITY.
I TALKED TO FOLKS WHO USED TO
WOKE AT FORT KNOX IN AN
ADMINISTRATIVE ROLE AND YOU
NOTICE TENSIONS RISE WHEN THINGS
LIKE THIS ARE HAPPENING
WORLDWIDE YOU NOTICE TRAININGS
START TO RAMP UP.
I WILL NOTE TODAY WE HAVE NO
PROOF AS TO WHY THIS WAS, BUT
(24:56):
SENATOR McCONNELL WAS SUPPOSED
TO BE AT FORT KNOX FOR A
GROUNDBREAKING ON A NEW
CHILDCARE CENTER THAT THEY ARE
CONSTRUCTING AND HE WAS NOT
THERE.
AND HIS STATE DIRECTOR CAME UP
AND TOLD THE CROWD THAT THE
DELAY WAS DUE TO THE REASON HE
COULDN'T BE THERE WAS BECAUSE OF
WORK IN WASHINGTON.
>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
NOMINATED CHAD MEREDITH TO SERVE
(25:16):
AS THE FEDERAL JUDGE FOR EASTERN
KENTUCKY.
HE WAS SOLICITOR GENERAL DURING
THE MATT BEVIN ADMINISTRATION
N2022 PRESIDENT BIDEN CONSIDERED
NOMINATING MEREDITH.
>> AND IT GOT A LOT OF
CONTROVERSY FROM THE LEFT
BECAUSE OF MEREDITH'S STANCES ON
ABORTION SPECIFICALLY.
IT WAS INTERESTING SENATOR RAND
PAUL WAS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE
(25:38):
FOLKS WHO BASICALLY, BLEW THIS
UP.
HE WAS A BIG REASON WHY THE
NOMINATION DID NOT GO THROUGH.
HE NOW SAID HE WOULD SUPPORT IT.
AND I ASKED THE TEAM WHAT HAS
CHANGED?
AND THEY TOLD ME HE GLADLY
RECOMMENDED CHAD MEREDITH AND
APPRECIATES PRESIDENT TRUMP
NOMINATING HIM AND LOOKS FORWARD
TO VOTING FOR HIM IN THE SENATE.
(26:00):
NO EXPLANATION.
TALK OF A SPECIAL
SESSION CONTINUES WE ARE NOT
HEARING DATES?
>> IF YOU HEAR DATES LET ME
KNOW.
QUICKLY, TAKE A LOOK AT
AN IMAGE RELEASED BY THE
GOVERNORS OF OHIO AND KENTUCKY
OF THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE
COMPANION PROJECT THE VIDEO THAT
INDICATES WHAT WILL HAPPEN THERE
(26:20):
AND THAT MORE THAN $3 BILLION
PROJECT.
IT'S EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATER
THIS YEAR.
EXPECTED TO TAKE SEVEN YEARS TO
FINISH BUT IT IS A MAJOR PROJECT
THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY"
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.
[♪♪]
>> Bill (00:09):
KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS
CONSIDER SAFETY AFTER LAST
WEEK'S ATTACKS ON LEGISLATORS IN
MINNESOTA.
CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR TALKS
ABOUT HIS BID FOR THE U.S.
SENATE AND HOPES FOR PRESIDENT
TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT.
AND A SUPREME COURT RULING
UPHOLDING ANTI-TRANSGENDER LAWS.
GOVERNOR BESHEAR NAMES A NEW
(00:30):
STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER AND
HEAT ARRIVES AS SUMMER
OFFICIALLY BEGINS AND "COMMENT"
IS NEXT ON KET.
[♪♪]
GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.
AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT
ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND
(00:55):
ANAL THIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN
THE COMMONWEALTH.
AND OUR GUESTS ARE TESSA DUVALL,
POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
EDITOR FOR THE LEXINGTON
HERALD-LEADER.
MELISSA PATRICK, EDITOR FOR
KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.
AND ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ, SENIOR
REPORTER FOR W WHVMENT AS11 IN
LOUISVILLE.
KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS ARE
(01:15):
CONSIDERING THEIR OWN SECURITY
AFTER THE ATTACKS THAT KILLED
THE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER AND HER
HUSBAND IN MINNESOTA.
A STATE SENATOR AND HIS WIFE ARE
ALSO ATTACKED THERE.
AND THERE WAS A LIST OF OTHER
POSSIBLE TARGETS.
KENTUCKY SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT
STIVERS SAYS THE SECURITY OF
LAWMAKERS IS BEING ASSESSED HERE
IN KENTUCKY.
AND WITH SO MANY DIVISIVE ISSUES
(01:37):
OUT THERE, SOME KENTUCKY
LAWMAKERS ARE TALKING ABOUT
RESOLVING THEM WITHOUT VIOLENCE.
>> I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT UPON
US AS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO FOCUS
ON TURNING DOWN THAT RHETORIC.
>> WE ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING TO
AGREE.
WE DON'T AGREE WITH OUR OWN
FAMILY MEMBERS THAT IS LIFE.
BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO GET TO THE
(01:58):
POINT AS SATURDAY, IT'S TRAGIC
AND UNCALLED FOR AND IN MY
OPINION PREVENTIBLE.
THIS IS STARTLING AND
ATTENTION GETTING WE HAVE SEEN
SO MANY ISSUES IN RECENT YEARS
BECOME EMOTIONALLY CHARGED.
>> AND THAT WORD STRUCK ME
PREVENTABLE THAT HAS CHANGED
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
(02:18):
WE'RE COMING UP ON ONE YEAR
SINCE THEN, PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATE, DONALD TRUMP, WAS
SHOT AT A CAMPAIGN RALLY IN
PENNSYLVANIA.
AND THEN, OF COURSE, YOU HAVE
GOVERNOR SHAPIRO OF PENNSYLVANIA
A COUPLE MONTHS AGO WHERE THE
GOVERNOR'S MANSION WAS SET ON
FIRE.
THAT WAS AN ACT WHERE THEY WERE
(02:39):
LOOKING AT POTENTIAL POLITICAL
VIOLENCE WHAT WERE THE MOTIVES?
AND THEN I TALKED ABOUT THIS
WITH CONGRESSMAN MORGAN MCGARVEY
HE RECOUNTS MOMENTS IN THE STATE
HOUSE IN FRANKFORT AND TALKED
ABOUT THE FEARS HIM AND HIS
FAMILY HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHEN
THEY QUESTION WHETHER CERTAIN
THREATS WERE CREDIBLE WHEN HE
WAS IN THE STATE HOUSE.
(02:59):
IT'S FAIR TO SAY ON BOTH SIDES
OF THE AISLE THEY CAN AGREE THE
THREAT ENVIRONMENT CHANGED AND
THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE
APPROACH THAT IN THIS DAY AND
TIME.
YET, THERE'S ALSO
PRESSURE AND AN EXPECTATION AT
THAT TIME LAWMAKERS BE VISIBLE,
THAT THEY COME AND ADDRESS
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN FRONT OF
VOTERS AND THAT IS AN ISSUE OUT
(03:20):
THERE AS WELL.
>> IT IS A HUGE PART WITH YOUR
CONSTITUENCY THEY WANT YOU TO
SHOW UP AND SHAKING HANDS.
THE PROBLEM IS WHEN YOU HAVE THE
BIG ENVIRONMENTS YOU'VE HEARD
AUTHORITIES SAY BE CAREFUL WITH
THE BIG GATHERINGS.
IN MINNESOTA AUTHORITIES WERE
SAYING AS THEY WERE LOOKING FOR
THE SUSPECT AS THE MANHUNT WAS
(03:41):
ON, LISTEN IF YOU LIVE IN THESE
AREAS AND YOU GET A KNOCK ON
YOUR DOOR FROM A POLICE OFFICER,
CALL 911 AND VERIFY THAT THAT
OFFICER IS, INDEED, AN OFFICER.
THAT IS SIGNIFICANT.
AND QUITE A BIT DIFFERENT THAN
WHAT WE HAVE BEEN USED TO IN THE
PAST.
THERE IS SECURITY AT
(04:01):
THE STATE CAPITOL BUT IN THIS
MINNESOTA SITUATION IT HAPPENED
IN THE LAWMAKERS' HOMES SO
OBVIOUSLY AUTHORITIES NEED
INFORMATION IF ANYBODY SUSPECTS
THERE'S A FLASHPOINT OUT THERE.
THERE JUST ARE ALL KINDS OF
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES THESE DAYS
AND ONE TOUGH TOPIC WAS
REVISITED THE SUPREME COURT
UPHELD A TENNESSEE LAW THAT
(04:24):
FORBIDS MEDICAL PROFERLS FOR
PROVIDING GENDER AFFIRMING CARE
FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH.
>> THIS DECISION SHOULD BE
CELEBRATED BY ANYONE THAT WANTS
TO SEE KIDS PROTECTED AND
SCIENCE UPHELD AND SEE COMMON
SENSE RULE THE DAY.
>> THE OUTCOME IS EXPECTED IF
(04:45):
NOT DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING AND
UNCONSCIONABLE THAT THE SUPREME
COURT WOULD REST AWAY PARENTS'
RIGHTS IN THIS SITUATION TO
OBTAIN THE PRESCRIBED BEST
PRACTICE MEDICAL CARE FOR THEIR
KIDS.
KENTUCKY ATTORNEY
RUSSELL COLEMAN APPLAUDED THE
(05:06):
RULING HE SUBMITTED A BRIEF IN
SUPPORT OF THE TENNESSEE LAW.
THE RULING MEANS SENATE BILL 150
PASSED IN KENTUCKY IN 2023
STANDS IT GIVES GUIDANCE TO
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN THE
STATE IT AS TO WHAT THE RULES
ARE.
>> IT CLEARLY DEFINES THAT
GENDER AFFIRMING CARE TO PEOPLE
WHO ARE 18 AND UNDER CANNOT
(05:29):
RECEIVE GENDER AFFIRMING CARE
SUCH AS HORMONES OR PUBERTY
BLOCKERS NOR CAN THEY RECEIVE
ANY SURGERIES.
GENDER TRANSITION SURGERIES.
IS THAT COMMONLY DONE?
>> NO.
THOSE SURGERIES ARE RARELY
RECOMMENDED FOR YOUTH.
AND A STUDY CAME OUT JUST
RECENTLY, THAT SAID ONE IN A
(05:51):
THOUSAND U.S. ADD DECENTS --
ADOLESCENTSES RECEIVE GENDER
AFFIRMING CARE.
AND IT CANNOT HAPPEN IN
KENTUCKY AND THIS WAS A LONG,
EMOTIONAL DEBATE IN 2023.
>> IT WAS.
I THINK SENATE BILL 150 AND THE
POLICY THAT BANS GENDER
AFFIRMING CARE FOR YOUTH, WAS
(06:11):
THE DEFINING ISSUE OF THAT
SESSION.
I MEAN WE SAW A LOT OF REALLY
PASSIONATE COMMITTEE TESTIMONY
FROM TRANS YOUTH OR TRANS ADULTS
THEIR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES
FROM MEDICAL PROVIDERS.
WE ALSO HEARD A LOT OF
PASSIONATE SPEECHERS FROM
LAWMAKERS.
AND OF COURSE THERE WERE
WIDESPREAD PROTESTS THROUGHOUT
(06:31):
THAT SESSION.
BUT ESPECIALLY ON THE DAY THAT
THE HOUSE VOTED ON IT.
19 OR 20 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED
FOR INTERRUPTING THE PROCEEDINGS
OF THE HOUSE.
IT WAS CERTAINLY A VERY DEFINING
ISSUE OF THAT SESSION.
AND ONE THAT PEOPLE FEEL
STRONGLY ABOUT AS WELL.
>> I'VE SPOKEN WITH TRANSGENDER
YOUTH IN LOUISVILLE ONE WHO IS
(06:53):
ACTUALLY A TRANSGENDER WOMAN NOW
AND TALKED ABOUT HOW THEY
EXPECTED THIS TO HAPPEN GIVEN
THE COURT'S CONSERVATIVE 6-3
MAJORITY.
SO IT EVEN THE DECISION
OBVIOUSLY MAKES, YOU KNOW, THE
HEADLINES NOW, BASED ON FOLKS
I'VE TALKED TO THERE WAS AN
EXPECTATION THIS WAS GOING TO BE
THE RULING.
(07:13):
IS IT UNDERSTOOD TO BE
SETTLED LAW OR DOES IT CONTINUE
AS AN ISSUE?
>> I MEAN WHEN THE SUPREME COURT
RULES ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS, I
MEAN WHEN IT COMES TO STATE
LAWS, YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT
REPUBLICANS ARE PROBABLY SAYING
OKAY, THE JOB IS FINISHED.
ALL RIGHT.
WE TALK A LOT WHAT IS HAPPENING
IN TWO CAPITOLS THAT AFFECT US
(07:34):
HERE IN KENTUCKY.
FRANKFORT AND IN WASHINGTON WASH
AND HOUSE RESOLUTION ONE THE BIG
BEAUTIFUL BILL IS STILL UNDER
DEBATE IN THE U.S. SENATE AFTER
IT PASSED IN THE HOUSE.
MEDICAID EXPANSION HERE IN
KENTUCKY WHICH WAS DONE A FEW
YEARS AGO MEANS THAT KENTUCKY
KIDS HAVE RELATIVELY HIGH RATES
(07:54):
OF HEALTHCARE COVERAGE IN THE
STATE.
SOME CONCERNS HAVE BEEN RAISED
ABOUT WHETHER CUTS MAY IMPACT
THAT POTENTIALLY.
ALSO, SOME RURAL HOSPITALS ARE
REALLY WATCHING THINGS CAREFULLY
IN THIS PACKAGE.
>> CHILDREN ADVOCATES ARE ALWAYS
CONCERNED WHEN FEWER OF OUR
(08:16):
CHILDREN HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.
RIGHT NOW, 97% OF OUR KIDS HAVE
SOME FORM OF HEALTH INSURANCE.
AND WE WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.
BUT THE STUDIES WILL SHOW THAT
WHEN PARENTS LOSE HEALTH
INSURANCE, SO OFTEN THEIR
CHILDREN DO TOO.
WHETHER IT'S FROM RED TAPE OR
INCONVENIENCE OR FOR WHATEVER
(08:37):
REASON, THAT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO
BE TRUE OVER AND AGAIN.
AND THIS HOUSE RESOLUTION IS
PROJECTED TO CAUSE 200,000
KENTUCKIANS TO LOSE THEIR HEALTH
INSURANCE SO THAT ALSO WE START
WORRY BEING THE KIDS WHO MIGHT
FOLLOW.
OTHER CONCERNS ARE ACCESS TO
CARE.
(08:58):
IF A FEWER --
IF OUR DOCTORS WHO PROVIDE
MEDICAID CARE ARE NOT MAKING THE
SAME SALARY THAT THEY WERE OR
GETTING THE SAME REIMBURSEMENTS
WHAT WILL THAT DO TO THEIR
DECISION TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH
MEDICAID?
PROVIDER TAX THAT MAYBE
CHANGED.
>> YES.
AND THAT IS THE BIGGEST CONCERN
OF THE HEALTH HOSPITALS IS THAT
(09:20):
THE SENATE VERSION OF THIS
RESOLUTION SAYS THAT THE
PROVIDER TAX WHICH IS USED AS
THE MATCH, THE MONEY THAT COMES
IS USED FOR A MATCH TO GET
FEDERAL MEDICAID FUNDS THAT
THEIR PLAN IS TO LOWER IT TO
3.5% OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS AND
THAT WILL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO
HAVE DEVASTATING EFFECTS ON OUR
(09:42):
HOSPITALS.
>> TALK ABOUT THE RURAL
HOSPITALS, RIGHT?
BILL, YOU RAN A STORY ABOUT
SENATE DEMOCRATS CHUCK SCHUMER
HAD THE LIST OF RURAL HOSPITALS
WHICH STATES IMPACTED THE MOST.
I BELIEVE THEY PUT A NUMBER 35
IN KENTUCKY.
SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS
SAID HE HASN'T HEARD FROM HIS
(10:05):
DISTRICT RURAL DISTRICT AROUND
MANCHESTER ANY COMPLAINTS FROM
HOSPITALS THERE.
BUT I SPOKE WITH A U OF L DOCTOR
ABOUT THOSE CONCERNS WILL
HOSPITALS IN RURAL AREAS CLOSE
IN LOUISVILLE.
AND THE DOCTOR TOLD ME THEY ARE
ALREADY OPERATING UNDER A RAZOR
THIN MARGIN IN HIS WORDS IF
FEWER PEOPLE GO REVENUE GOES
(10:25):
DOWN IT WILL TIP THEM OVER.
THE COUNTER ARGUMENT IS A LOT OF
THESE FOLKS ARE CAPABLE OF
WORKING, SHOULD BE WORKING AND
THAT THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE TO
GET.
AND TESSA, THERE ARE
MANY WHO SAY THIS NEEDS TO BE
DONE TO KEEP THE PROGRAM VIABLE.
CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR AND HAL
ROGERS SAYS THEY ARE PROTECTING
MEDICAID.
FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT BY CUTTING
(10:48):
THE ROLLS AND THE WASTE SO IT'S
AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT.
>> RIGHT THAT IS HOW THEY'RE
EXPLAINING THEIR VOTES.
ROOTING OUT WASTE, FRAUD AND
ABUSE AND NO ONE IS AGAINST
THAT.
BUT WHAT WE HEAR FROM PEOPLE WHO
OPPOSE THIS BILL AND OPPOSE THE
DECISION TO CUT MEDICAID WHEN
YOU ARE CUTTING THAT AMOUNT OF
MONEY AND THAT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE
OUT OF THE PROGRAM IT GOES WELL
(11:09):
BEYOND WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE
YOU ARE GOING TO START CUTTING
PEOPLE WHO NEED THOSE SERVICES
IS WHAT CRITICS SAY.
AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER
THAT KENTUCKY AS A WHOLE IS A
MEDICAID RELIANT STATE BUT
ESPECIALLY ROGERS DISTRICT THAT
IS ONE OF THE MOST RELIANT
(11:30):
DISTRICTS IN THE NATION AND YOU
THINK ABOUT THE RURAL HOSPITALS
IT WOULD AFFECT A LOT OF PEOPLE
LIVING IN THAT DISTRICT.
AND THE DOWNSTREAM EFFECTS OF
HOSPITALS CLOSING.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ACCESS TO
CARE.
THERE ARE ALSO MASSIVE EMPLOYERS
IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
SO IF JOBS GO AWAY THEN THAT
CONTRIBUTES TO THE ECONOMIC
ISSUES THAT ARE ALREADY
(11:51):
AFFECTING A LOT OF COMMUNITIES
IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.
>> I BELIEVE FEDERAL DOLLARS
MAKEUP 75% OF KENTUCKY MEDICAID
BUDGET.
IF WE LOSE INDIVIDUALS FROM THE
ROLLS, DEFINITELY THAT WILL
IMPACT OUR HOSPITALS.
CONGRESSMAN BARR AND
WE'LL TALK ABOUT HIS CAMPAIGN IN
A LITTLE BIT, BUT I INTERVIEWED
(12:13):
HIM, HE INDICATED VERY MUCH IT
IS ON HIS RADAR THIS CONCERN
ABOUT RURAL HOSPITALS AND HE
MIGHT SEE SOME WAY TO MAYBE EVEN
IF THIS BUDGET PASSES THEY GO
BACK AND DO SOMETHING TO TRY TO
ADDRESS THIS IT IS A MAJOR
ISSUE.
KENTUCKY HAS A NEW HEALTH
COMMISSIONER Dr. JOHN
LANGEFELD, WILL BE FILLING THE
(12:34):
POST HE SPENT DECADES IN PUBLIC
HEALTH LEADERSHIP.
JOHN LANGEFELD IS A KENTUCKY
NATIVE A BEREA COLLEGE GRADUATE
AND GOT HIS MEDICAL DEGREE FROM
THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
MEDICAL SCHOOL.
MELISSA, HE BRINGS EXPERIENCE.
WE SAW WITH Dr. STACK'S TENURE
WHEN HE WAS FACING THE COVID
PANDEMIC AFTER JUST WEEKS ON THE
(12:56):
JOB, THAT YOU NEVER KNOW WITH A
JOB LIKE THAT?
>> NO.
AND Dr. JOHN LANGEFELD IS
COMING INTO THIS POSITION AS A
MEASLES OUTBREAKS ARE HAPPENING
ALL OVER THE NATION.
AND KENTUCKY HAS LOW VACCINATION
RATES.
WE ALSO HAVE LOW WHOOPING COUGH
RATES AND WE ARE ALL --
(13:16):
WE HAVE ALREADY SHOWN INCREASES
IN THOSE CASES.
VACCINATION RATES ON
WHOOPING COUGH.
>> AND INCREASES IN CASES OF IT.
ON TOP OF THAT, WE'VE GOT THESE
CHANGES COMING FROM AROUND
MEDICAID.
AND SOME OF THOSE INVOLVE PEOPLE
WILL LIKELY INVOLVE PEOPLE
LOSING THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE.
(13:37):
ALL OF A SUDDEN WE ARE IN A
LANDSCAPE THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN
IN FOR SOME YEARS WHERE PEOPLE
ARE UTILIZING THE HEALTH
DEPARTMENT'S MORE MAYBE GOING TO
THE EMERGENCY ROOMS MORE.
HE WILL HAVE TO MANAGE THAT.
THERE'S NO TELLING WHAT IS IN
STORE FOR HIM IN THE NEXT FEW
YEARS.
HE WILL BE A GUIDING
PUBLIC HEALTH.
WE KNOW WE HAVE HIGH RATES OF
(13:58):
DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE AND
CANCER, LOW VACCINATION RATES AS
YOU SAID FOR KIDS.
THERE IS A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN
THE NATIONAL RANKING OF KENTUCKY
MOVING TO 37TH PLACE IN MENTAL
HEALTH ACCESS AND DRUG ABUSE
TREATMENT IN THE STATE.
>> WELL, AND YOU KNOW FULL
CIRCLE MUCH OF THAT SUCCESS HAS
(14:18):
COME FROM THE EXPANSION OF
MEDICAID.
AND SO ONCE AGAIN, WE'VE HAD
THOSE SUCCESSES BUT WHAT DOES
THE NEXT --
WHAT WILL THE NEXT FIVE YEARS
HOLD IF WE LOSE FUNDING FOR
THAT.
KENTUCKY'S EXTENSION
FOR AUTOMATIC MEDICAID
ENROLLMENT FOR KIDS WILL END
(14:39):
THIS MONTH.
ELIGIBILITY CHECKS WERE PAUSED
DURING THE PANDEMIC.
>> RIGHT.
SO PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHILDREN WHO
HAVE BEEN PARTICIPANTS OF
MEDICAID OR WHAT WE CALL K CHIP
HAVEN'T HAD TO REENROLL FOR FIVE
YEARS THEY HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF
THAT HABIT.
SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY KEEP
AN EYE ON THE MAILBOXES OR
(15:00):
INBOXES FOR THE NOTICES FOR WHEN
IT'S THEIR TIME TO REGISTER.
BECAUSE THEY WILL BE DISENROLLED
OVER WISE.
FOLKS LIKE TO HEAR
ABOUT HORSERACE POLITICS AND
ANDY BARR IS RUNNING FOR THE
REPUBLICAN NOMINATION TO FILL
THE SEAT THAT LONG TIME SENATOR
MITCH McCONNELL WILL RETIRE
FROM NEXT YEAR.
(15:20):
I DID A INTERVIEW WITH HIM THIS
WEEK AND HE TOLD ME HE COULDN'T
THINK OF AN ISSUE WHERE HE
DISAGREES WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP
ON.
HE MADE IT CLEAR THAT HE HOPES
FOR THE PRESIDENT'S ENDORSEMENT
IN THE PRIMARY WHERE HE FACES
FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL
CAMERON.
>> DO YOU PREDICT HE WILL
SUPPORT YOU IN THIS PRIMARY?
>> HE HAS ENDORSED ME IN MY
(15:41):
RACES IN THE PAST AND I'VE
ENDORSED HIM.
WE HAVE A CLOSE WORKING
RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM
PERSONALLY.
I'VE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS
ABOUT THIS OPEN SENATE SEAT WITH
HIM.
AND HE KNOWS THAT I'M NOT JUST
TALKING ABOUT SUPPORTING HIM BUT
I'M FIGHTING FOR HIM.
I'M FIGHTING FOR HIM ON THE ONE
BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL AND EXTENDING
(16:03):
MAKING PERMANENT TAX CUTS.
I VOTED FOR THE TAX CUTS IN
2017.
TESSA, BARR IS HITCHED
TO THE TRUMP TRAIN OBVIOUSLY HE
POINTS OUT THAT THE PRESIDENT
CAMPAIGNED FOR HIM IN 2018 AND
HE HAS ALWAYS ENDORSED TRUMP.
>> THAT IS RIGHT.
HE IS WORKING HARD FOR THIS
ENDORSEMENT.
WE SAW IT WITH HIS CAMPAIGN
(16:24):
VIDEO WHEN HE LUNCHED.
AND IT WAS ALL ABOUT WHEN I GET
TO THE SENATE I'M GOING TO
SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S
AGENDA.
AND THAT HAS BEEN A TALKING
POINT OF THE SPEECH AT THAT TIME
HE LAUNCHED AND WE SEE IT ON
SOCIAL MEDIA AND RECENT COMMENTS
WE WILL GET INTO ABOUT IRAN AND
ISRAEL.
HE IS REALLY COURTING THE
PRESIDENT'S ENDORSEMENT IN THIS
RACE.
(16:44):
BUT, OF COURSE, WHAT IS
COMPLICATED, WITH HIS CHANCES OF
GET TO GO IS THAT FORMER
KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL
CAMERON IS ALSO RUNNING AND HE
HAS ALSO PREVIOUSLY BEEN
ENDORSED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.
HE WAS ENDORSED IN THE 2023
GOVERNOR'S RACE, OF COURSE, THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL WENT ON TO LOSE
TO GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.
AND SO THERE'S QUESTIONS OF DOES
(17:06):
TRUMP BACK AWAY FROM THAT?
BECAUSE DANIEL CAMERON LOST AND
THAT WAS EMBARRASSING FOR HIM.
OR DOES HE DOUBLE DOWN HE IS A
WINNER, I'M GOING TO STICK WITH
HIM BECAUSE I BACKED HIM BEFORE.
OR YOU KNOW, DOES HE ENDORSE
BARR BECAUSE BARR IS COMING INTO
THIS WITH QUITE A WAR CHEST AND
THE QUESTION MARK IS WHAT DOES
(17:29):
NATURE CONSERVANCY DO AND HOW
DOES THAT SHAKE UP THE RACE
GIVEN TIES TO JD VANS AND THE
POSSIBILITY THAT TRUMP SAYS THEY
ARE ALL GREAT YOU CANNOT GO
WRONG.
>> DONE IT BEFORE.
>> HE'S DONE IT BEFORE.
>> IT'S INTERESTING YOU
MENTIONED NATE MORRIS AND SCOTT
JENNINGS IS A NAME THAT IS WHAT
(17:50):
IS THE WORD EDUCATED
SPECULATION.
IS HE STILL OUT THERE
IN THE OFFING?
>> HE TOOK A TRIP TO THE MIDDLE
EAST IN THE MIDST OF ALL THIS.
PRESIDENT TRUMP REPRESENTS GUTS
AND PEOPLE THAT CAN HANDLE
THEMSELVES.
SCOTT JENNINGS ON THE NETWORK
(18:11):
LEVEL DOES THAT.
SCOTT HAS BEEN SOMEBODY THAT HAS
BEEN WITH THE PRESIDENT I
BELIEVE IN MICHIGAN A COUPLE
MONTHS AGO AND THE PRESIDENT
WELCOMED AND SAID SCOTT YOU'VE
BEEN A GUY WHO HAS BEEN WITH ME.
HE HAS A BOOK COMING OUT IN THE
WINTER THAT HAS PRESIDENT
TRUMP'S FACE BIG FRONT AND
CENTER.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING ACTUALLY
I INTERVIEWED SCOTT JENNINGS AND
(18:33):
THIS WAS HAVING MORE TO DO WITH
THE SENATE RACE BEFORE SENATOR
McCONNELL ANNOUNCED THAT HE
WOULDN'T BE SEEKING REELECTION
ON FEBRUARY 14TH.
AND I ASKED HIM OUT OF CURIOSITY
WOULD YOU RUN AND HE SAID ME?
AND VERY SORT OF HUMBLE AND HE
SAID NOT PLANNING TO.
HE DID GO ON TO SAY AS HE WAS
THINKING IT OUT LOUD HE CALLED
(18:54):
TO DO AN INTRIGUING IDEA
ANDIZATION HE CANNOT RULE OUT
THINGS LIKE THESE.
THAT WAS BEFORE THE SENATOR
ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT.
IF IT'S THESE TWO WHO
ARE IN CAMERON RELEASED POLLING
INDICATING HE HAS A LEAD AND
BARR CLAIMS HIS POLLING SHOWS
THAT WHERE HE IS KNOWN HE LEADS.
(19:15):
BUT HE DOES CONCEDE THAT CAMERON
HAS A SUBSTANTIAL NAME ID
ADVANTAGE.
>> DANIEL CAMERON HAS BEEN ON A
STATE-WIDE BALLOT BEFORE
MULTIPLE TIMES AND
REPRESENTATIVE BARR HAS NOT.
HE HAS BEEN IN THE ONE DISTRICT.
YES HE HAS NAME ID WHERE PEOPLE
VOTED FOR HIM BUT THEY HAVE NOT
(19:36):
VOTED FOR HIM IN FAR WEST OR
EAST KENTUCKY.
HE WOULD HAVE TO DO SOME NAME
BUILDING.
BUT THAT'S WHERE THE WAR CHEST
COMES IN HANDY.
SO PLUS IT'S IMPORTANT TO
REMEMBER THAT THIS PRIMARY IS
NEARLY A YEAR 11 MONTHS AWAY.
SO WHILE WE'RE THINKING ABOUT IT
A LOT I, A LOT OF THE PEOPLE
(19:57):
CASTING VOTES COME NEXT MAY ARE
NOT EVEN REMOTELY PAYING
ATTENTION YET.
>> ON DANIEL CAMERON QUICK, I
DON'T THINK REPUBLICANS ARE
DOWN-PLAYING THAT LOSS TO
GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.
I TALKEDDED WITH STATE SENATOR
WHEELER HE WAS AT CONGRESSMAN
BARR'S LAUNCH PARTY FOR SENATE.
AND HE SAID IT PRETTY MUCH
(20:18):
WITHOUT REALLY MINCING WORDS
THAT LOSS IS ON THE MINDS OF
PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO NOT JUST
ENDORSEMENTS BUT THE CHANCE HE
HAS IN A PRIMARY.
THE RACE FOR BARR'S
SEAT IS UNDERWAY.
CHERLYNN STEVENSON AND DAVID
KLOIBER ARE IN AND RYAN DOTSON
IS IN.
WE REASON HEARING OTHER NAMES.
(20:41):
AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE AND
REPRESENTATIVE DEANNA FRASER
GORTON.
THOSE ARE TWO OF THE NAMES THAT
KEEP POPPING UP IN THE
DISCUSSION.
>> AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE HAS BEEN
SOMEONE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING
ABOUT FROM THE COMBINING AND SHE
IS NOT DENYING ANYTHING.
I TEXTED HER TODAY AND I SAID
WAS CURIOUS WHETHER YOU ARE
PLANNING TO ANNOUNCE A RUN FOR
(21:03):
THE SIXTH DISTRICT AND SHE SAID
THE NEW QUARTER WAS JULY FIRST
AND I SAID HINT, HINT.
NOT SOON AND LOTS OF GOOD
CONVERSATIONS JUST GETTING MY
KIDS IN LINE.
WE'LL SEE IN THE NEXT QUARTER IF
WE SEE ANYTHING HAPPEN.
THAT COULD BE AN
INTERESTING PRIMARY SITUATION.
>> I THINK THE DEMOCRAT AND THE
REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES COULD BE
(21:23):
INTERESTING WHO KNOW WHO ELSE
THROWS THEIR HAT IN THE RING.
>> CHERLYNN STEVENSON GOT AN
ENDORSEMENT FROM LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN
INTERESTING SHE WEIGHED IN SO
EARLY.
>> IT IS.
ESPECIALLY SINCE THE GOVERNOR
HAS NOT DONE SO YET BUT IT
SIGNALS THAT SHE IS NOT
INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR THE
SEAT.
SOME PEOPLE WONDERED IF SHE
(21:43):
MIGHT BE AND IF SHE IS ENDORSING
SOMEONE ELSE SHE HAS RULED
HERSELF OUT.
>> HEALTH ISSUES COME INTO PLAY
IN THE CAMPAIGNS AHEAD FOR THE
NATIONAL AND MAYBE STATE OFFICES
NEXT YEAR?
>> WELL, WE WILL KNOW HOW THIS
BUDGET RESOLUTION HAS RESOLVED
WELL BEFORE THAT.
(22:04):
AND IF THE FALLOUT FROM THAT IS
WHAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT IT SAY THAT IT
WILL BE, THEN, YEAH, THERE HAS
TO BE REPERCUSSIONS.
WE WILL BE WATCHING.
YOU DID REPORTING THIS WEEK THAT
BOTH MORGAN MCGARVEY OF
LOUISVILLE HERE AT HOME AND THE
(22:24):
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CHAIR SAY
THAT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR
SHOULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT.
>> KEN MARTIN WAS IN OWENSBORO A
WEEK AGO TODAY OR WEEK AGO
AROUND THIS TIME AND I ASKED HIM
I SAID, DO YOU THINK HE SHOULD
RUN?
DOES HE HAVE THE CREDENTIALS TO
RUN?
KEN MARTIN SAYS IF HE WANTS TO
(22:46):
HE SHOULD AND SAID THAT MULTIPLE
TIMES AND HE WAS WEARING A PIN
HERE THAT SAID BESHEAR AND IT
WAS A MAP OF THE UNITED STATES
AROUND.
HE SAID NOT TO READ TOO MUCH
INTO IT.
AND MORGAN MCGARVEY COUNTERED IT
AND SAYS HE BELIEVES THE
GOVERNOR SHUN THE GOVERNOR OF
AMERICA.
A LOT OF BESHEAR'S
(23:07):
MESSAGES SEEM TO BE AIMED BEYOND
THE BORDER AT TIMES?
>> RIGHT.
HE HASN'T SAID THAT HE DOESN'T
WANT TO BE PRESIDENT.
AND HE IS POPPING UP AT SPEAKING
EVENTS AS HE HAS BEEN FOR A
WHILE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND
CONTINUING TO BUILD MORE OF A
NATIONAL PROFILE.
BUT 2028 IS A LONGTIME AWAY.
WITH THE ISSUES AROUND
(23:29):
THE WORLD, TWO KENTUCKIANS IN
CONGRESS EXPRESS HOPES THAT THE
U.S. STAY OUT OF THE CONFLICT
BETWEEN IRAN AND ISRAEL.
TESSA DUVALL RAND PAUL IS
HOPEFUL THE U.S. STAYS OUT OF
INVOLVEMENT.
AND THOMAS MASSIE OFFERED A
RESOLUTION TO SAY NO INVOLVEMENT
WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL
AND CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR SAYS
HE OPPOSES THAT APPROACH.
(23:51):
>> YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT
REPRESENTATIVE BARR IS SEEKING
THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT AND SAID
PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOULD HAVE THE
LEEWAY TO DO WHAT HE SEES FIT
WHEREAS THOMAS MASSIE AND PAUL
ARE CONSISTENT IN THE OPPOSITION
INTO FOREIGN INTERVENTION AND
BELIEF THAT THE CONSTITUTION
SHOULD BE FOLLOWED IN THIS
INSTANCE AND THAT WOULD REQUIRE
(24:13):
CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL TO GO TO
WAR.
YOU SPOKE WITH MILITARY
FAMILIES AT FORT KNOX WHO SAID
THEY ARE ON HIGH ALERT AS THE
CONFLICT ESCALATES.
>> AND THEY HAVE DONE TANGIBLE
THINGS DIFFERENTLY.
WE CAN'T PROVE IT'S FOR ANY ONE
REASON OR OTHER.
THEY HAVE HEIGHTENED THE
SECURITY ON THE BASE.
AND PUT THEIR TRAVELER PROGRAM
(24:35):
ON HOLD EXTENDING THOSE WAIT
TIMES.
BUT IT IS A REALITY.
I TALKED TO FOLKS WHO USED TO
WOKE AT FORT KNOX IN AN
ADMINISTRATIVE ROLE AND YOU
NOTICE TENSIONS RISE WHEN THINGS
LIKE THIS ARE HAPPENING
WORLDWIDE YOU NOTICE TRAININGS
START TO RAMP UP.
I WILL NOTE TODAY WE HAVE NO
PROOF AS TO WHY THIS WAS, BUT
(24:56):
SENATOR McCONNELL WAS SUPPOSED
TO BE AT FORT KNOX FOR A
GROUNDBREAKING ON A NEW
CHILDCARE CENTER THAT THEY ARE
CONSTRUCTING AND HE WAS NOT
THERE.
AND HIS STATE DIRECTOR CAME UP
AND TOLD THE CROWD THAT THE
DELAY WAS DUE TO THE REASON HE
COULDN'T BE THERE WAS BECAUSE OF
WORK IN WASHINGTON.
>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
NOMINATED CHAD MEREDITH TO SERVE
(25:16):
AS THE FEDERAL JUDGE FOR EASTERN
KENTUCKY.
HE WAS SOLICITOR GENERAL DURING
THE MATT BEVIN ADMINISTRATION
N2022 PRESIDENT BIDEN CONSIDERED
NOMINATING MEREDITH.
>> AND IT GOT A LOT OF
CONTROVERSY FROM THE LEFT
BECAUSE OF MEREDITH'S STANCES ON
ABORTION SPECIFICALLY.
IT WAS INTERESTING SENATOR RAND
PAUL WAS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE
(25:38):
FOLKS WHO BASICALLY, BLEW THIS
UP.
HE WAS A BIG REASON WHY THE
NOMINATION DID NOT GO THROUGH.
HE NOW SAID HE WOULD SUPPORT IT.
AND I ASKED THE TEAM WHAT HAS
CHANGED?
AND THEY TOLD ME HE GLADLY
RECOMMENDED CHAD MEREDITH AND
APPRECIATES PRESIDENT TRUMP
NOMINATING HIM AND LOOKS FORWARD
TO VOTING FOR HIM IN THE SENATE.
(26:00):
NO EXPLANATION.
TALK OF A SPECIAL
SESSION CONTINUES WE ARE NOT
HEARING DATES?
>> IF YOU HEAR DATES LET ME
KNOW.
QUICKLY, TAKE A LOOK AT
AN IMAGE RELEASED BY THE
GOVERNORS OF OHIO AND KENTUCKY
OF THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE
COMPANION PROJECT THE VIDEO THAT
INDICATES WHAT WILL HAPPEN THERE
(26:20):
AND THAT MORE THAN $3 BILLION
PROJECT.
IT'S EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATER
THIS YEAR.
EXPECTED TO TAKE SEVEN YEARS TO
FINISH BUT IT IS A MAJOR PROJECT
THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY"
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.
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