May 19, 2025 • 26 mins
Journalists from around the state discuss the news of the week with host Bill Bryant, including political activities relating to upcoming 2026 elections for Congress. Guests: Tessa Duvall, Lexington Herald-Leader; Hannah Pinski, Louisville Courier Journal; and Liam Niemeyer, Kentucky Lantern.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:02):
[♪♪]
>> Bill (00:08):
THE WILL BATTLE BEGINS
FOR A RARE OPEN U.S. HOUSE SEAT?
KENTUCKY.
U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE DANIEL
CAMERON QUESTIONS THE TIMING OF
AN INVESTIGATION INTO A PREVIOUS
CAMPAIGN.
GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS HEADING TO
FLORIDA FOR A MAJOR POLITICAL
EVENT.
A GROUP CALLS ON FORD TO ADDRESS
ACCUSATIONINGS OF UNION
(00:28):
AVOIDANCE AT A BATTERY PLANT.
AS THE CICADAS START TO EMERGE,
COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.
[♪♪]
GOOD EVENING.
I'M BILL BRYANT.
AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT
(00:50):
ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AT AND
SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS
IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF
WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS
TONIGHT ARE, HANNAH PINSKI,
POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE
COURIER JOURNAL.
LIAM NIEMEYER REPORTER FOR THE
KENTUCKY LAND EARN AND JOINING
US REMOTELY IS TESSA DUVALL
POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
(01:12):
EDITOR FOR THE LEX TOLD
HERALD-LEADER.
WE TAPED THIS EDITION OF COMMENT
AHEAD OF STRONG STORMS AND WE
BEGIN, WE HAVE HAD OUR SHARE OF
TOUGH WEATHER IN THE RECENT
MONTHS IN KENTUCKY.
>> I MEAN IT'S BEEN AT TIMES IT
FEELS A BIT UNRELENTING.
WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE
(01:33):
RECOVERY PROCESS FROM THE
FLOODING IN APRIL.
AND WE'RE FACING NOW POTENTIAL
STRONG STRAIGHT LINE WINDS UP TO
OVER 70-MILES-PER-HOUR.
MAYBE THE POTENTIAL FOR A STRONG
TORNADO OR TWO IF ISOLATED
SUPERCELLS CAN GET GOING.
JUST NOT REALLY A GREAT WEATHER
(01:54):
YEAR SO FAR NOOF REPORTS SUGGEST
INCREASINGLY WARM CLIMATE THAT
THE RAINS THAT LED TO THE
FLOODING IN APRIL.
>> THERE WAS A GROUP CALLED
WORLD WEATHER ATTRIBUTION THAT
THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THESE
STUDIES FOR A WHILE NOW WHERE
THEY TAKE A LOOK AT EXTREME
WEATHER EVENTS AND TRY TO
(02:14):
CONNECT IT TO THE BROADER TREND
OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
THEIR MOST RECENT STUDY FOCUSED
ON THE APRIL FLOODING NOT ONLY
KENTUCKY BUT OTHER STATES AND
FOUND THAT CLIMATE CHANGE A
WARMER CLIMATE, INCREASED THE
INTENSITY OF THE RAINFALL BY 9%.
I KNOW THAT IS A SMALL NUMBER
BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT
(02:36):
MARGINAL INCREASES IN FLOODING
AND RAINFALL THAT CAN BE A
DIFFERENCE WHEN WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT WHETHER A RIVER CRESTS A
BANK OR A BARRIER.
AND IN KENTUCKY WE SAW A FEW
RIVERS THAT GOT CLOSE TO RECORD
CRESTS, INCLUDING IN FRANKFORT.
THERE'S TO BE A BREAK
OVER THE WEEKEND AND ANTICIPATED
(02:59):
MORE POTENTIALLY TOUGH WEATHER
EARLY IN THE WEEK IS THE
FORECAST.
LIAM AS OF THIS WEEK, MORE
COUNTIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE
APRIL FLOODING.
>> THERE IS ABOUT --
24 MORE COUNTIES ARE ELIGIBLE
FOR ASSISTANCE ON TOP OF THE
COUNTIES THAT WERE ALREADY
PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE.
(03:20):
THEY COVER EVERYWHERE FROM
CALLOWAY TO BRECKINRIDGE, IT
JUST SHOWS THE STATE-WIDE IMPACT
THAT THIS FLOODING HAD.
IT FELT LIKE IT WAS MOST OF THE
STATE.
WE DO HAVE ENCOURAGING
NEWS ABOUT KENTUCKY'S COMMITTEE.
KENTUCKY HAS MORE PEOPLE WORKING
(03:41):
THAN EVER.
TESSA, KENTUCKY HAS BEEN
CHALLENGED WITH WORKFORCE
PARTICIPATION.
IT'S POSITIVE CERTAINLY TO SEE
THE NUMBERS ARE COMING UP.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
SO THERE'S JUST ABOUT TWO
MILLION PEOPLE EMPLOYED AND THE
LABOR FORCE 2.1 MILLION.
THIS SHOWS NOT ONLY IS OUR
ECONOMY FULLY RECOVERED FROM THE
(04:04):
COVID-19 PANDEMIC, IT'S ALSO AT
A HIGHER LEVEL THAN IT'S EVER
BEEN.
THERE'S BEEN HAND WRINGING IN
KENTUCKY OVER LABOR FORCE
PARTICIPATION IN YEARS PAST.
PEOPLE OPTING OUT FOR A NUMBER
OF REASONS AND THIS IS SEEN AS
AN ENCOURAGING SIGN THAT MORE
PEOPLE ARE LOOK AND GETTING BACK
TO WORK.
(04:25):
ALSO SAYS INCENTIVIZED
HOURLY WAGES TOPPED $26 AN HOUR
FOR THREE YEARS FOR THE FIRST
TIME.
>> RIGHT.
THE GOVERNOR'S MADE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT A BIG PART OF HIS
PLATFORM.
TEAM KENTUCKY UPDATES WE SEE NEW
JOBS COMING TO KENTUCKY ALL THE
TIME.
YEAH, THIS IS CERTAINLY
(04:45):
SOMETHING THAT HE FEELS PROUD OF
AND ALSO THE LEGISLATURE DOES AS
WELL.
LIAM WE NOTE THE
NUMBERS ARE ENCOURAGING THERE
ARE PEOPLE STILL STRUGGLING IN
THE COMMONWEALTH.
>> SURE.
THERE WAS RECENTLY A REPORT A
NATIONAL REPORT LOOKINGALITY
FOOD INSECURITY ACROSS THE
COUNTRY THAT THE LEADER OF
(05:06):
LOUISVILLE'S FOOD BANK THE DARE
TO CARE FOOD BANK SHOWING RISING
FOOD INSECURITY ACROSS THE
COUNTRY.
MEANING THAT MORE PEOPLE DON'T
KNOW WHEN THEIR NEXT MEAL IS
GOING TO COME FROM.
OR DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN
GENERAL.
IN LOUISVILLE, THE FOOD BANK
LEADER MENTIONED ONE IN SEVEN
VEN PEOPLE DEAL WITH INSECURITY
(05:27):
AND ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN.
SO WE'VE SEEN IN RECENT YEARS
WITH STRONG ECONOMIC NUMBERS AND
STRONG WORKFORCE NUMBERS THERE
IS AT TIMES THERE IS A DISTANCE
HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THE
ECONOMY AND SAY TRADITIONALLAL
NUMBERS TO SEE HOW WELL THE
ECONOMY IS DOING HOW THAT
(05:48):
DIFFERS.
SO EVEN IF THERE IS STRONG
WORKFORCE NUMBERS, THERE'S STILL
SOME PEOPLE WITH TIGHTER
BUDGETS.
HANNAH, THE
ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING CREDIT
FOR THE WORKFORCE NUMBERS.
THEY DID THE RELEASE AND THE
LEGISLATURE ALSO WANTS CREDIT
FOR CREATING A GOOD ENVIRONMENT
FOR BUSINESS, INCLUDING LOWERING
THE STATE INCOME TAX.
(06:09):
>> YEAH, I THINK LOWERING THE
INCOME TAX IS SOMETHING THAT THE
SUPER MAJORITY WANTS TO TAKE
CREDIT FOR.
WE SAW THIS PAST SESSION THEY
PASSED A BILLOWER WITHING THE
STATE'S INCOME TAX AFTER THE
TRIGGERS WERE MET.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE IT WAS A
BIPARTISAN EFFORT.
BESHEAR DID SIGN THAT BILL INTO
(06:30):
LAW AND MOVING FORWARD IT WILL
BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE
STATE INCOME TAX LEGISLATURE
PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE IT
EASIER FOR SMALLER INCREMENTS
WITH THE STATE INCOME TAX TO
LOWER.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
HOW THAT AFFECTS KENTUCKY'S
ECONOMY.
IT WAS HALF A PERCENT
AT A TIME AND NOW IT CAN BE A
(06:51):
10TH.
>> IT CAN BE NO BETWEEN 1.AND
15.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING
TO SEE.
LET'S GET TO POLITICS.
REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN ANDY
BARR'S DECISION TO RUN FOR THE
SENATE SEAT MEANS HIS HOUSE SEAT
IS UP FOR GRABS.
IT'S RARE TO HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE
SEAT IN KENTUCKY AND FORMER
(07:14):
DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE
CHERLYNN STEVENSON JUMPED INTO
THE RACE.
SHE HOPES TO BECOME THE FIRST
WOMAN TO HOLD THE SEAT AND THE
FIRST DEMOCRAT TO BE ELECTED
THERE IN MORE THAN A DOZEN
YEARS.
>> MY NAME IS CHERLYNN
STEVENSON.
AND I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT
I AM RUNNING TO BECOME CENTRAL
KENTUCKY'S NEXT U.S.
(07:35):
REPRESENTATIVE.
[APPLAUSE]
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT.
HANNAH PINSKI, SHE IS OFF AND
RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.
>> I DON'T THINK THE
ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AS A SURPRISE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPECTED HER TO
RUN IT WAS A MATTER WHEN SHE WAS
GOING TO ANNOUNCE.
SHE HELD THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT A
DISTILLERY WHICH WAS A STRATEGIC
(07:55):
CHOICE BECAUSE PART OF HER
MESSAGING SHE WANTS TO FIGHT
AGAINST THE TARIFFS THAT ARE
HURTING KENTUCKY'S BOURBON
INDUSTRY AND FIGHT AGAINST THE
MEDICAID CUTS WHICH COULD AFFECT
KENTUCKY'S POPULATION.
SHE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING VET
ARABS AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
AND SHE RELEASED A LIST OF
ENDORSEMENTS.
EVERYONE FROM CURRENT STATE
(08:18):
LEGISLATORS AND OTHERS, IT WILL
BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF SHE
GETS ANDY BESHEAR'S ENDORSEMENT
BECAUSE THAT COULD BE A SIGN
THAT OTHER NAMES THAT POPPED UP
LIKE LIEUTENANT JACQUELINE
COLEMAN AND HIS SENIOR ADVISER
ROCKY ADKINS ARE LESS LIKELY TO
RUN IN THIS RACE.
THERE'S BACK AND FORTH
BETWEEN THE PARTIES WHETHER THE
SIXTH DISTRICT IS TRUMP OR
(08:40):
BESHEAR COUNTRY BOTH CARRIED THE
REGION.
>> I THINK PART IS BECAUSE OF
THE MAKEUP OF THE DISTRICT.
YOU HAVE LEXINGTON AND FAYETTE
COUNTY, WHICH LEANS LIBERAL.
BUT YOU HAVE OTHER COUNTIES LIKE
SCOTT COUNTY WHICH HAS
REPUBLICAN HOLD.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW IT PLAYS
OUT NEXT YEAR.
AND THE REPUBLICANS
(09:02):
QUICKLY POUNCED.
THEY WENT AFTER STEVENSON.
>> THEY DID, INDEED.
I THINK THEY WENT AFTER HER
BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS
MADE.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW IT PLAYS
OUT.
THEIR ARGUMENT IS THE SIXTH
DISTRICT HAS A STRONG REPUBLICAN
HOLD.
BARR HAS REPRESENTED THAT SEAT
FOR A DOZEN YEARS.
WILL THE MARGINS BE AS TIGHT AS
(09:24):
THE DEMOCRATIC EXPECT TO BE
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.
TESSA, STEVENSON LOST A
HOUSE RACE AND NOW HOPES TO WIN
IN THIS LARGER CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICT.
DOES HER LOSS IMPACT HER FUTURE?
>> I DON'T THINK SO.
IF LOSING OFFICE WAS A
DISQUALIFICATION WE'D SEE
(09:45):
DIFFERENT POLITICAL SCENE IN OUR
STATE AND COUNTRY.
PRESIDENT TRUMP, OF COURSE, RAN
AND LOST IN 2020 AND HE IS BACK
IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
NO, I DON'T THINK THAT
NECESSARILY HURTS HER.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS
RACE IS IT IS A MUCH BIGGER AREA
THAT SHE'S CAMPAIGNING IN.
WHEREAS SHE HAD A STATE HOUSE
DISTRICT THERE'S SIX DISTRICTSES
(10:07):
IN KENTUCKY AND THIS IS A LARGER
AREA.
WHILE THE REPUBLICANS SAY SHE IS
A GLUT TON FOR PUNISHMENT,
DEMOCRATS ARE CONFIDENT THEY SAY
CHERLYNN STEVENSON HAS A REALLY
STRONG GROUND GAME SHE EXCELS
SHE WORKS HARD AND MEETS VOTERS
AND KNOCKS ON DOORS.
AND THIS IS A CHANCE FOR HER TO
INTRODUCE HERSELF TO VOTERS WHO
(10:29):
ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH HER YET.
REPUBLICAN
REPRESENTATIVE RYAN DOTSON
JUMPED INTO THE RACE.
DOTSON PLANS A KICKOFF IN
WINCHESTER.
HE IS BOTH SOCIALLY AND FISCALLY
CONSERVATIVE, RIGHT?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THAT IS HIS TRACK RECORD IN
FRANKFORT IS BEING REALLY
(10:50):
CONSERVATIVE THROUGH AND
THROUGH.
AND HE HAS PROMISED IF HE MAKE
IT IS TO CONGRESS AND REPRESENTS
THIS DISTRICT HE IS GOING TO
WORK IN LOCK STEP SUPPORT
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S MAKE AMERICA
GREAT AGENDA AGAIN.
AND WE HEAR NAMES?
>> SURE, THERE'S BEEN NAMES
FLOATED SUCH AS DAMON THAYER,
(11:14):
AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE, AND SO
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE NECESSARILY
WHO COMES OUT AND ULTIMATELY
RUNS.
BUT THERE'S OTHER NAMES FLOATING
BUT THE RACE IS STILL COMING
TOGETHER.
SO WE DON'T KNOW THERE
MAYBE TWO AGGRESSIVE PRIMARIES
ON BOTH SIDES.
WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT.
(11:34):
SPEAKING OF THE DISTRICT AND THE
MAKEUP WE TALKED THAT IT IS
LIBERAL IN SOME AREAS AND
CONSERVATIVE IN OTHERS.
44% OF THE DISTRICT IS IN
DEMOCRATIC LEANING LEXINGTON.
BUT THAT IS NOT HALF OF THE
DISTRICT.
IT IS A CHALLENGE FOR EITHER
SIDE TO KIND OF THREAD THAT
NEEDLE.
>> SURE.
(11:55):
I MEAN DEMOCRATS NATIONALLY
LISTED THE DISTRICT AS ONE OF
THE DISTRICTS THEY WERE
TARGETING FOR THE MIDTERMS.
AND DEMOCRATS RESPONDED GO AHEAD
AND WASTE YOUR MONEY BECAUSE
THEY DON'T THINK THE DISTRICT IS
IN REACH.
I WILL SAY IN THE LAST
RESTRICTING CYCLE THERE WAS
CONTENTION OVER THE REMOVAL OF
FRANKLIN COUNTY FROM THE
(12:16):
DISTRICT AND PUTTING INTO THE
DISTRICT OF U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
JAMES COMER.
FRANKLIN COUNTY, HOME TO THE
STATE CAPITOL IS MORE DEMOCRATIC
LEANING COMPARED TO KENTUCKY AS
A WHOLE.
SO ARGUABLY THE REMOVAL OF
FRANKLIN COUNTY FROM THE
DISTRICT MADE THE DISTRICT A
LITTLE BIT MORE REPUBLICAN
LEANING.
IT WAS A DIFFERENT
(12:39):
TIME.
AS AN INDEPENDENT IN 2002.
PROBABLY NOBODY IS LIKELY TO
REPEAT THAT.
BUT IT SHOWS AN INDEPENDENT
COULD SCRAMBLE THE DYNAMIC IN A
RACE.
IT IS A LOT TO WATCH A FUN ONE
TO COVER IN SOME WAYS.
>> DEFINITELY.
AND ONE THING TO NOTE WE ARE IN
(12:59):
MAY 2025 THE PRIMARIES ARE NOT
UNTIL MAY 2026 WE HAVE THE
CANDIDATES ANNOUNCING THEY ARE
GOING TO RUN, THE FILING PERIOD
DOESN'T START UNTIL NOVEMBER AND
ENDS IN JANUARY WE COULD SEE A
TON OF OTHER PEOPLE RUN FOR THIS
RACE.
THE REPUBLICAN RACE FOR
THE U.S. SENATE SEAT REMAINS A
BATTLE BETWEEN BARR AND DANIEL
CAMERON.
(13:19):
THIS WEEK CAMERON QUESTIONED THE
TIMING OF A PROBE INTO HIS 2023
RACE FOR GOVERNOR.
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS
COMMISSION IS LOOKING INTO
WHETHER CAMERON USED HIS
POSITION AS ATTORNEY GENERAL TO
PRESS A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO
DO A FUNDRAISER FOR HIM.
AND CAMERON CALLS THE CHARGE
BOGUS.
>> CHARGE ME WITH AN ETHICS
(13:39):
VIOLATION OVER A BOGUS
TWO-YEAR-OLD CLAIM FOR AN
INVESTIGATION I RECUSED FROM AND
CAMPAIGN DONATIONS I REFUNDED.
THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF
POLITICAL PETITIONER CALLINGS.
IT'S THE SAME THING THEY TRIEDED
TO TO PRESIDENT TRUMP BUT I
WON'T LET THE LEFT BEAT ME.
TESSA, CAMERON SAYS HE
(14:00):
IS LEADING IN WILL POOING AND
SUDDENLY THE COMMISSION WANTS TO
LOOK AT A TWO-YEAR-OLD CASE.
>> RIGHT THERE'S LIMITED POLLING
AVAILABLE AS HANNAH NOTED WE ARE
FAR AWAY FROM ANY PRIMARY.
YES, WHAT LIMITED POLLING WE
HAVE SEEN DANIEL CAMERON IS
LEADING.
AND IN PART THAT IS BECAUSE WAS
THE FIRST CANDIDATE OUT OF THE
GATE.
HE RAN FOR A STATE-WIDE OFFICE
(14:21):
BEFORE WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT
ANDY BARR CANNOT SAY.
GOING BACK TO BECAUSE YOU HAVE
LOST AN OFFICE DOESN'T MEAN YOU
ARE NOT A VIABLE CANDIDATE IN
THE FUTURE.
DANIEL CAMERON DID NOT WIN THE
GOVERNOR'S RACE IN 2023 BUT HE
APPEARED ON A STATE-WIDE BALLOT
TWICE NOW WHEN HE RAN FOR
ATTORNEY GENERAL BEFORE THAT.
VOTERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH HIM.
HE HAS HIGHER NAME RECOGNITION.
(14:43):
YES, HE DOES SAY THIS TIMING IS
SUSPICIOUS GIVEN THIS IS TWO
YEARS IN THE PAST, A DIFFERENT
CAMPAIGN.
BUT YOU KNOW, HE'S NOT RUNNING
AWAY FROM IT AS WE SAW WITH THE
VED.
HE'S USING THAT AS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO TIE HIMSELF TO
PRESIDENT TRUMP IN A WAY.
AND ETHICS PROBE WOULD
(15:04):
PLAY OUT WITH THE POTENTIAL IF
THE FINDINGS WERE AGAINST HIM OF
A FINE, RIGHT?
>> RIGHT.
THERE COULD BE UP TO A $5,000
FINE THIS WILL PLAY OUT WITH A
JUDGE LOOKING INTO IT AND GOING
BACK AND MAKING A RECOMMENDATION
FROM THE COMMISSION WHO GETS TO
MAKE A DECISION FROM THERE.
WE KNOW THAT CANDIDATES
ARE MOVING AROUND THE STATE.
(15:26):
CAMERON AND BARR ENTERED INTO
SUMMER SET HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE
EARLY STOPS IN THE CAMPAIGN?
>> I THINK IT'S EQUALLY
IMPORTANT FOR BARR AND CAMERON
FOR SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT REASONS.
FOR CAMERON HE COULD BE
SOLIDIFYING CONNECTIONS HE MADE
WHEN HE DID RUN FOR GOVERNOR.
HE COULD BE SEEKING ENDORSEMENTS
(15:46):
AND RAISING MONEY LOOKING FOR
DONATIONS.
AND FOR BARR I THINK WHILE
ENDORSEMENTS AND CAMPAIGN
FUNDRAISING IS IMPORTANT, ONE OF
THE BIGGEST CRITICISMS I'VE
HEARD ABOUT HIM DO PEOPLE KNOW
HIS NAME OUTSIDE OF HIS
DISTRICT?
SOMERSET IS A STRONG REPUBLICAN
COUNTY, I THINK THAT WOULD BE
IMPORTANT FOR HIM TO GO OUT
(16:07):
THERE AND MAKE SURE THE
REPUBLICANS THERE KNOW HIM.
YOU DID A STORY WHETHER
McCONNELL'S SUCCESSOR WILL
STAY AS LONG AS HE HAS.
HE IS THE LONGEST SERVING
SENATOR EVER FROM KENTUCKY.
AND YOU LOOKED AT THE BENEFITS
AND THE DRAWBACKS OF THAT.
>> YEAH, IT'S SERVING IN THE
(16:29):
SENATE FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF
TIME IS NOT UNIQUE TO KENTUCKY.
I THINK ONE OF THE BENEFITS
AFTER TALKING WITH POLITICAL
SCIENCE PROFESSORS IS THAT
STAYING IN OFFICE LONGER MEANS
YOU CAN CLIMB THAT POLITICAL
LADDER AND GAIN POWER LIKE BEING
CHAIR OF NOTABLE COMMITTEES.
THEY TOLD ME IT'S HARD TO HAVE A
BIG LEGISLATIVE IMPACT IF YOU
(16:50):
HAVE A SHORT CAREER.
AND WITH THINGS LIKE BEING CHAIR
OF COMMITTEES GAINING POLITICAL
POWER YOU CAN BRING BACK
BENEFITS TO YOUR STATE.
SUCH AS FUNDING FOR
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS LIKE
McCONNELL HAS DONE.
ONE OF THE DRAWBACKS IT HAS THE
POTENTIAL AS THE NATIONAL
LEGISLATURE AVERAGE AGE GETS
(17:10):
OLDER DO THEY FEEL CONNECTED TO
VOTERS ON SPECIFIC ISSUES AND
EVOLVING ISSUES.
PAMELA STEVENSON IS THE
ONLY CANDIDATE IN THE DEMOCRATIC
PRIMARY FOR NOW.
DO WE THINK THAT IS LIKELY TO
HOLD OR HEARING OTHER RUMBLING.
>> OTHER BIG NAMES THAT CAME UP
WHEN McCONNELL ANNOUNCED HIS
(17:33):
RETIREMENT WAS LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN AND
ANDY BESHEAR SAID ON-LINE THEY
HAVE NO INTEREST IN RUNNING FOR
THIS SEAT.
PEOPLE SAY THEY WOULD BE THE
ONES WITH THE BIGGEST NAME ID
AND PUT UP THE GREATEST CHANCE
TO BEAT A REPUBLICAN.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WE HAVE A LOT
OF TIME BEFORE THE FILING PERIOD
BEGINS.
KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF
(17:53):
COMMERCE PRESIDENT ASHLI WATTS
WILL BE THE FIRST WOMAN TO EMCEE
THE FANCY FARM SPEECHES AUGUST 2
IN FANCY FARM IN WESTERN
KENTUCKY AND THIS WEEK SHE TOLD
ME SHE IS EXCITED FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY.
>> I WOULD SAY WHEN THEY CALLED
ME A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I WAS
NERVOUS AND EXCITED WHICH IS
WHAT I SHOULD BE AS A LIFELONG
KENTUCKIAN AND NETWORKED IN
(18:14):
POLITICS FOR YEARS, FANCY FARM
IS THE SUPER BOWL OF POLITICS IT
IS AN HONOR TO BE ASKED TO BE
EMCEE.
I'VE GOTTEN OPINIONS FROM PEOPLE
AND SUGGESTIONS I'VE GOTTEN
JOKES FROM PEOPLE.
WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES BUT I'M
EXCITED AND HOPE TO BRING A FUN
TENOR TO FANCY FARM THIS YEAR.
(18:35):
WE DON'T HAVE A LIST OF
SPEAKERS BUT THE U.S. SENATE
CANDIDATES WILL BE ALLOWED TO
SPEAK DURING AN OFF YEAR, AND
YOU COVERED WESTERN KENTUCKY IN
RADIO YEARS AGO, IT COULD BE
INTERESTING THAT WE'RE LOOKING
AHEAD TO 26 AND 27.
>> SURE.
FANCY FARM HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY
(18:56):
IN YEARS WHERE THERE'S NOT MAJOR
MIDTERM OR FOUR YEAR TYKELE
RACES FOR CANDIDATES TO TEST OUT
MESSAGES AND TEST OUT HOW
BETWEEN THE JOKES AND THE
ZINGERS, TO TEST HOW THE MESSAGE
RESONATES WITH AN AUDIENCE OF
SOME BEING PARTISAN SUPPORTERS
(19:17):
BUT ALSO GENERAL PEOPLE OUT IN
GRAVES COUNTY.
THE FANCY FARM PICNIC IS JUST AS
MUCH AS A CHURCH PICNIC AS IT IS
A PLATFORM FOR POLITICS TO GET
OUT THERE AND SEE WHAT WORKS AND
WHAT DOESN'T.
BUT, YEAH, IT SHOULD BE EYE WAY
TO PREVIEW WHAT IS GOING TO
HAPPEN NEXT YEAR.
(19:38):
IT WILL BE A HOT DAY ON
THE STAGE NO MATTER WHAT.
IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.
>> LOTS OF SWEATING.
AS WE MENTIONED ONE WHO
IS SKIPPING THE SENATE RACE
DESPITE THE URGINGS IS GOVERNOR
ANDY BESHEAR.
BESHEAR SPENT PART OF MOTHER'S
DAY ON TV AND IT WAS ANNOUNCED
HE WILL ATTEND A MAJOR POLITICAL
(20:00):
EVENT IN FLORIDA.
AND COREY BOOKER WILL
CO-HEADLINE THE LEADERSHIP BLUE
GALA HELD IN HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA.
BESHEAR CONTINUES TO TRY TO
BUILD NAME RECOGNITION AND HIS
BRAND OUTSIDE OF KENTUCKY.
>> I THINK YES, DEFINITELY.
HE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE
PAST YEAR CONSISTENTLY MAKING
(20:20):
NATIONAL MEDIA APPEARANCES.
HE HAS A PODCAST AS WELL AND
MAKING APPEARANCES AT DEMOCRATIC
EVENTS.
IT'S SAFE TO SAY PEOPLE ARE
EXPECTING HIM TO MAKE A 2028
PRESIDENTIAL RUN.
AND IT'S BEEN INTERESTING TO SEE
HOW THE NATIONAL MEDIA AND
OTHERS ARE REACTING.
I BELIEVE IT WAS A LITTLE BIT
(20:41):
AGO THAT ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK
MENTIONED HIM IN A PODCAST
SAYING HE IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST
DEMOCRATS TO BEAT.
WE'LL SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT AND
HOW BESHEAR CONTINUES BUILDING
HIS NAME-BRAND.
AND HE SHARPENED HIS
ATTACKSES ON MEDICAID CUTS,
FRAMES IT AS AN ATTACK ON RURAL
AMERICA.
>> HE MENTIONED THIS WITH THREE
(21:04):
OTHER DEMOCRAT GOVERNORS AND HE
FOCUSED ON RURAL COMMUNITIES AND
RURAL AMERICA NOT JUST IN
KENTUCKY BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
HIS ARGUMENTS WAS CUTS COULD
SHUT DOWN CLINICS AND
SPECIFICALLY IN KENTUCKY HE SAID
RURAL HOSPITALS ARE THE SECOND
LARGEST EMPLOYERS OF THESE
COMMUNITIES.
SO PEOPLE COULD LOSE JOBS IF THE
CLINICS SHUT DOWN.
(21:25):
AGAIN, HE'S CONSISTENTLY
DEFENDED MEDICAID NOT JUST ON
THE PRESS CALL BUT ACROSS THE
SOCIAL MEDIA.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH
HIS MOVEMENTS IN STATE AND OUT.
YOU REPORTED ON A GROUP THAT IS
ACCUSING FORD OF ALLOWING UNION
AVOIDANCE ACTIVITIES THAT THE
NEW AUTO BATTERY PLANT IN HARDIN
COUNTY.
(21:45):
>> CORRECT.
THERE IS A FAITH BASED INVESTOR
GROUP OUT OF NEW JERSEY THAT
REPRESENTS VARIOUS FAITH
CONGREGATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
THAT TRY TO USE THEIR OWN WORDS
TRY TO USE INVESTMENTS IN
COMPANIES AS A LEVERAGE FOR
ADVANCING WHAT THEY SEE AS THEIR
MISSION OF BEING CONCERNED ABOUT
(22:06):
WORKERS' RIGHTS, CLIMATE CHANGE
AND WHAT THEY SAY IS THE COMMON
GOOD.
THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT GENERALLY
NATIONAL REPORTING THAT'S BEEN
DONE.
CLAIMS BY UNITED AUTO WORKERS
THAT SAY ANTIUNION CONSULTANTS
HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN TO DISSUADE
(22:26):
WORKERS TO NOT VOTE TO UNIONIZE.
THERE IS A UNION ELECTION THAT
HAS BEEN FILED AND UP COMING AND
YOU KNOW THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT
WHAT THE U.S. ANTIUNION
MATERIALS BEING DISTRIBUTEDDED
TO WORKERS THERE.
LOUISVILLE SK GENERALLY TOLD ME
(22:46):
THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO
WORKERS MAKING THEIR OWN
DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT
THEY WANT TO UNION OR NOT.
NOT ADDRESSING THE CLAIMS OF
UNION AVOIDANCE.
WE'LL KEEP WATCH THERE.
A JUDGE HEARD ARGUMENTS AND
TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT THE
SCHOOL EQUITY BEING ADDRESSED
(23:08):
AGAIN.
WE'RE BACK WHERE WE WERE BEFORE
THE STATE SUPREME COURT STRUCK
DOWN THE SYSTEM OF COMMON
SCHOOLS IN THE LATE 1980s IF
THIS MOVES FORWARD, TESSA, THE
STATE WANTS IT DISMISSED.
IS THIS EVER GOING TO GO
ANYWHERE?
>> WELL, THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN
IT'S IN THE HANDS OF A JUDGE.
THERE ARE THINGS UP FOR
(23:28):
CONSIDERATION.
ONE DO THE STUDENTS HAVE
STANDING TO BRING THE LAWSUIT IN
THE FIRST PLACE?
AND THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS THE
SENATE PRESIDENT AND THE SPEAKER
OF THE HOUSE ARE ASKING FOR IT
TO BE DISMISSED.
THESE ARE THE THINGS WE'RE
WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE JUDGE
DECIDES AND THAT WILL EITHER IT
WILL END THERE OR KEEP GOING.
ALLISON BALL IS SUING
THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION AGAIN
(23:48):
SHE SAYS THIS IS OVER A KINSHIP
CARE A LAW PASSED LAST YEAR THAT
THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE
LEGISLATURE DIDN'T FUND.
>> RIGHT.
SO THERE'S BEEN THIS BACK AND
FORTH BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE
AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S
ADMINISTRATION.
THE LEGISLATURE SAYING WE SAID
TO DO THIS.
YOU NEED TO DO IT.
WHY RESPECTED'S YOU?
(24:08):
IT'S UNACCEPTABLE THAT YOU ARE
NOT ON THE FLIP SIDE THE
ADMINISTRATION IS SAYING THE
FUNDING WAS NOT PROVIDED AND IT
IS THE LEGISLATURE'S DUTY TO
FUND THE GOVERNMENT.
SO NOW IT'S HEADING TO COURT IT
SEEMS.
EASTERN KENTUCKY
UNIVERSITY ADOPTED INSTITUTIONAL
VIEWPOINT NEUTRALITY AND VOTED
TO COMPLY WITH HOUSE BILL 4 THAT
(24:32):
OUTLAWED DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND
INCLUSION THE WORDS DIVERSE AND
INCLUSIVITY ARE REPLACED IN THE
STATEMENTS ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY.
TESSA, THE SCHOOLS HAVE NO
CHOICE BUT TO COMPLY WITH THAT
LAW, RIGHT?
>> RIGHT.
WE KNOW THAT HOUSE BILL 4 TAKES
EFFECT THIS SUMMER.
WE'RE SEEN OTHER UNIVERSITIES
MAKE SIMILAR MOVES.
(24:52):
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY AND
NORTHERN KENTUCKY MADE MOVES TO
ELIMINATE D.E.I. OFFICES.
BECAUSE THAT IS NOW WHAT IS
GOING TO BE REQUIRED OF THEM.
DO YOU ANTICIPATE THIS
WILL COME BACK AS AN ISSUE IN
THE LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR?
WILL THERE BE FURTHER D.E.I.
LEGISLATION?
>> I THINK WE HAVE TO SEE HOW
THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAYS OUT FOR
(25:14):
THE REST OF THE UNIVERSITIES.
I BELIEVE EKU WAS THE FIRST TO
MAKE A CHANGE IN COMPLIANCE WITH
HB4.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF OTHER
UNIVERSITIES LIKE UNIVERSITY OF
KENTUCKY, UNIVERSITY OF
LOUISVILLE MAKE THESE CHANGES IF
THAT'S ENOUGH FOR THE
LEGISLATORS AND IF THEY ARE
SATISFIED WITH THAT.
U.K. MADE SHIFTS AS
(25:35):
WELL AND EVERYBODY IS HEADED
TOWARD THE BUDGET TIME.
LIAM, CICADAS ARE STARTING TO
EMERGE IT HAPPENS EVERY 17 YEARS
AND THIS IS CALLED THE BOURBON
BROOD.
>> IF THERE'S ANYTHING
CONSISTENT IT'S DEATH, TAXES AND
CICADAS, MAYBE.
YOU KNOW, YEAH, THEY ARE COMING
(25:57):
BACK.
AND WATCH OUT FOR THEM.
WELL, AND THIS COULD BE
A SWEET OPPORTUNITY FOR THE
COMMONWEALTH.
THERE IS A NEW STUDY FROM U.K.'S
MARTIN GIGAWATT EN COLLEGE OF
AGRICULTURE SUGGESTING THAT
MAPLE SYRUP COULD BOOST THE
STATE'S ECONOMY.
IT IS A GOOD PLACE TO DO THAT.
THE STUDY FINDS STATE-WIDE MAPLE
(26:17):
SYRUP PROION HAS THE CAPACITY TO
BE A $25 MILLION INDUSTRY AND
CREATE MORE THAN 1300 NEW JOBS.
WE'LL SEE IF THERE'S FOLLOW
THROUGH WITH THAT.
THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".
HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.
[♪♪]
>> Bill (00:08):
THE WILL BATTLE BEGINS
FOR A RARE OPEN U.S. HOUSE SEAT?
KENTUCKY.
U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE DANIEL
CAMERON QUESTIONS THE TIMING OF
AN INVESTIGATION INTO A PREVIOUS
CAMPAIGN.
GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS HEADING TO
FLORIDA FOR A MAJOR POLITICAL
EVENT.
A GROUP CALLS ON FORD TO ADDRESS
ACCUSATIONINGS OF UNION
(00:28):
AVOIDANCE AT A BATTERY PLANT.
AS THE CICADAS START TO EMERGE,
COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.
[♪♪]
GOOD EVENING.
I'M BILL BRYANT.
AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT
(00:50):
ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AT AND
SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS
IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF
WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS
TONIGHT ARE, HANNAH PINSKI,
POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE
COURIER JOURNAL.
LIAM NIEMEYER REPORTER FOR THE
KENTUCKY LAND EARN AND JOINING
US REMOTELY IS TESSA DUVALL
POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
(01:12):
EDITOR FOR THE LEX TOLD
HERALD-LEADER.
WE TAPED THIS EDITION OF COMMENT
AHEAD OF STRONG STORMS AND WE
BEGIN, WE HAVE HAD OUR SHARE OF
TOUGH WEATHER IN THE RECENT
MONTHS IN KENTUCKY.
>> I MEAN IT'S BEEN AT TIMES IT
FEELS A BIT UNRELENTING.
WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE
(01:33):
RECOVERY PROCESS FROM THE
FLOODING IN APRIL.
AND WE'RE FACING NOW POTENTIAL
STRONG STRAIGHT LINE WINDS UP TO
OVER 70-MILES-PER-HOUR.
MAYBE THE POTENTIAL FOR A STRONG
TORNADO OR TWO IF ISOLATED
SUPERCELLS CAN GET GOING.
JUST NOT REALLY A GREAT WEATHER
(01:54):
YEAR SO FAR NOOF REPORTS SUGGEST
INCREASINGLY WARM CLIMATE THAT
THE RAINS THAT LED TO THE
FLOODING IN APRIL.
>> THERE WAS A GROUP CALLED
WORLD WEATHER ATTRIBUTION THAT
THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THESE
STUDIES FOR A WHILE NOW WHERE
THEY TAKE A LOOK AT EXTREME
WEATHER EVENTS AND TRY TO
(02:14):
CONNECT IT TO THE BROADER TREND
OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
THEIR MOST RECENT STUDY FOCUSED
ON THE APRIL FLOODING NOT ONLY
KENTUCKY BUT OTHER STATES AND
FOUND THAT CLIMATE CHANGE A
WARMER CLIMATE, INCREASED THE
INTENSITY OF THE RAINFALL BY 9%.
I KNOW THAT IS A SMALL NUMBER
BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT
(02:36):
MARGINAL INCREASES IN FLOODING
AND RAINFALL THAT CAN BE A
DIFFERENCE WHEN WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT WHETHER A RIVER CRESTS A
BANK OR A BARRIER.
AND IN KENTUCKY WE SAW A FEW
RIVERS THAT GOT CLOSE TO RECORD
CRESTS, INCLUDING IN FRANKFORT.
THERE'S TO BE A BREAK
OVER THE WEEKEND AND ANTICIPATED
(02:59):
MORE POTENTIALLY TOUGH WEATHER
EARLY IN THE WEEK IS THE
FORECAST.
LIAM AS OF THIS WEEK, MORE
COUNTIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE
APRIL FLOODING.
>> THERE IS ABOUT --
24 MORE COUNTIES ARE ELIGIBLE
FOR ASSISTANCE ON TOP OF THE
COUNTIES THAT WERE ALREADY
PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE.
(03:20):
THEY COVER EVERYWHERE FROM
CALLOWAY TO BRECKINRIDGE, IT
JUST SHOWS THE STATE-WIDE IMPACT
THAT THIS FLOODING HAD.
IT FELT LIKE IT WAS MOST OF THE
STATE.
WE DO HAVE ENCOURAGING
NEWS ABOUT KENTUCKY'S COMMITTEE.
KENTUCKY HAS MORE PEOPLE WORKING
(03:41):
THAN EVER.
TESSA, KENTUCKY HAS BEEN
CHALLENGED WITH WORKFORCE
PARTICIPATION.
IT'S POSITIVE CERTAINLY TO SEE
THE NUMBERS ARE COMING UP.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
SO THERE'S JUST ABOUT TWO
MILLION PEOPLE EMPLOYED AND THE
LABOR FORCE 2.1 MILLION.
THIS SHOWS NOT ONLY IS OUR
ECONOMY FULLY RECOVERED FROM THE
(04:04):
COVID-19 PANDEMIC, IT'S ALSO AT
A HIGHER LEVEL THAN IT'S EVER
BEEN.
THERE'S BEEN HAND WRINGING IN
KENTUCKY OVER LABOR FORCE
PARTICIPATION IN YEARS PAST.
PEOPLE OPTING OUT FOR A NUMBER
OF REASONS AND THIS IS SEEN AS
AN ENCOURAGING SIGN THAT MORE
PEOPLE ARE LOOK AND GETTING BACK
TO WORK.
(04:25):
ALSO SAYS INCENTIVIZED
HOURLY WAGES TOPPED $26 AN HOUR
FOR THREE YEARS FOR THE FIRST
TIME.
>> RIGHT.
THE GOVERNOR'S MADE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT A BIG PART OF HIS
PLATFORM.
TEAM KENTUCKY UPDATES WE SEE NEW
JOBS COMING TO KENTUCKY ALL THE
TIME.
YEAH, THIS IS CERTAINLY
(04:45):
SOMETHING THAT HE FEELS PROUD OF
AND ALSO THE LEGISLATURE DOES AS
WELL.
LIAM WE NOTE THE
NUMBERS ARE ENCOURAGING THERE
ARE PEOPLE STILL STRUGGLING IN
THE COMMONWEALTH.
>> SURE.
THERE WAS RECENTLY A REPORT A
NATIONAL REPORT LOOKINGALITY
FOOD INSECURITY ACROSS THE
COUNTRY THAT THE LEADER OF
(05:06):
LOUISVILLE'S FOOD BANK THE DARE
TO CARE FOOD BANK SHOWING RISING
FOOD INSECURITY ACROSS THE
COUNTRY.
MEANING THAT MORE PEOPLE DON'T
KNOW WHEN THEIR NEXT MEAL IS
GOING TO COME FROM.
OR DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN
GENERAL.
IN LOUISVILLE, THE FOOD BANK
LEADER MENTIONED ONE IN SEVEN
VEN PEOPLE DEAL WITH INSECURITY
(05:27):
AND ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN.
SO WE'VE SEEN IN RECENT YEARS
WITH STRONG ECONOMIC NUMBERS AND
STRONG WORKFORCE NUMBERS THERE
IS AT TIMES THERE IS A DISTANCE
HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THE
ECONOMY AND SAY TRADITIONALLAL
NUMBERS TO SEE HOW WELL THE
ECONOMY IS DOING HOW THAT
(05:48):
DIFFERS.
SO EVEN IF THERE IS STRONG
WORKFORCE NUMBERS, THERE'S STILL
SOME PEOPLE WITH TIGHTER
BUDGETS.
HANNAH, THE
ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING CREDIT
FOR THE WORKFORCE NUMBERS.
THEY DID THE RELEASE AND THE
LEGISLATURE ALSO WANTS CREDIT
FOR CREATING A GOOD ENVIRONMENT
FOR BUSINESS, INCLUDING LOWERING
THE STATE INCOME TAX.
(06:09):
>> YEAH, I THINK LOWERING THE
INCOME TAX IS SOMETHING THAT THE
SUPER MAJORITY WANTS TO TAKE
CREDIT FOR.
WE SAW THIS PAST SESSION THEY
PASSED A BILLOWER WITHING THE
STATE'S INCOME TAX AFTER THE
TRIGGERS WERE MET.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE IT WAS A
BIPARTISAN EFFORT.
BESHEAR DID SIGN THAT BILL INTO
(06:30):
LAW AND MOVING FORWARD IT WILL
BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE
STATE INCOME TAX LEGISLATURE
PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE IT
EASIER FOR SMALLER INCREMENTS
WITH THE STATE INCOME TAX TO
LOWER.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
HOW THAT AFFECTS KENTUCKY'S
ECONOMY.
IT WAS HALF A PERCENT
AT A TIME AND NOW IT CAN BE A
(06:51):
10TH.
>> IT CAN BE NO BETWEEN 1.AND
15.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING
TO SEE.
LET'S GET TO POLITICS.
REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN ANDY
BARR'S DECISION TO RUN FOR THE
SENATE SEAT MEANS HIS HOUSE SEAT
IS UP FOR GRABS.
IT'S RARE TO HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE
SEAT IN KENTUCKY AND FORMER
(07:14):
DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE
CHERLYNN STEVENSON JUMPED INTO
THE RACE.
SHE HOPES TO BECOME THE FIRST
WOMAN TO HOLD THE SEAT AND THE
FIRST DEMOCRAT TO BE ELECTED
THERE IN MORE THAN A DOZEN
YEARS.
>> MY NAME IS CHERLYNN
STEVENSON.
AND I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT
I AM RUNNING TO BECOME CENTRAL
KENTUCKY'S NEXT U.S.
(07:35):
REPRESENTATIVE.
[APPLAUSE]
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT.
HANNAH PINSKI, SHE IS OFF AND
RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.
>> I DON'T THINK THE
ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AS A SURPRISE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPECTED HER TO
RUN IT WAS A MATTER WHEN SHE WAS
GOING TO ANNOUNCE.
SHE HELD THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT A
DISTILLERY WHICH WAS A STRATEGIC
(07:55):
CHOICE BECAUSE PART OF HER
MESSAGING SHE WANTS TO FIGHT
AGAINST THE TARIFFS THAT ARE
HURTING KENTUCKY'S BOURBON
INDUSTRY AND FIGHT AGAINST THE
MEDICAID CUTS WHICH COULD AFFECT
KENTUCKY'S POPULATION.
SHE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING VET
ARABS AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
AND SHE RELEASED A LIST OF
ENDORSEMENTS.
EVERYONE FROM CURRENT STATE
(08:18):
LEGISLATORS AND OTHERS, IT WILL
BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF SHE
GETS ANDY BESHEAR'S ENDORSEMENT
BECAUSE THAT COULD BE A SIGN
THAT OTHER NAMES THAT POPPED UP
LIKE LIEUTENANT JACQUELINE
COLEMAN AND HIS SENIOR ADVISER
ROCKY ADKINS ARE LESS LIKELY TO
RUN IN THIS RACE.
THERE'S BACK AND FORTH
BETWEEN THE PARTIES WHETHER THE
SIXTH DISTRICT IS TRUMP OR
(08:40):
BESHEAR COUNTRY BOTH CARRIED THE
REGION.
>> I THINK PART IS BECAUSE OF
THE MAKEUP OF THE DISTRICT.
YOU HAVE LEXINGTON AND FAYETTE
COUNTY, WHICH LEANS LIBERAL.
BUT YOU HAVE OTHER COUNTIES LIKE
SCOTT COUNTY WHICH HAS
REPUBLICAN HOLD.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW IT PLAYS
OUT NEXT YEAR.
AND THE REPUBLICANS
(09:02):
QUICKLY POUNCED.
THEY WENT AFTER STEVENSON.
>> THEY DID, INDEED.
I THINK THEY WENT AFTER HER
BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS
MADE.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW IT PLAYS
OUT.
THEIR ARGUMENT IS THE SIXTH
DISTRICT HAS A STRONG REPUBLICAN
HOLD.
BARR HAS REPRESENTED THAT SEAT
FOR A DOZEN YEARS.
WILL THE MARGINS BE AS TIGHT AS
(09:24):
THE DEMOCRATIC EXPECT TO BE
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.
TESSA, STEVENSON LOST A
HOUSE RACE AND NOW HOPES TO WIN
IN THIS LARGER CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICT.
DOES HER LOSS IMPACT HER FUTURE?
>> I DON'T THINK SO.
IF LOSING OFFICE WAS A
DISQUALIFICATION WE'D SEE
(09:45):
DIFFERENT POLITICAL SCENE IN OUR
STATE AND COUNTRY.
PRESIDENT TRUMP, OF COURSE, RAN
AND LOST IN 2020 AND HE IS BACK
IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
NO, I DON'T THINK THAT
NECESSARILY HURTS HER.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS
RACE IS IT IS A MUCH BIGGER AREA
THAT SHE'S CAMPAIGNING IN.
WHEREAS SHE HAD A STATE HOUSE
DISTRICT THERE'S SIX DISTRICTSES
(10:07):
IN KENTUCKY AND THIS IS A LARGER
AREA.
WHILE THE REPUBLICANS SAY SHE IS
A GLUT TON FOR PUNISHMENT,
DEMOCRATS ARE CONFIDENT THEY SAY
CHERLYNN STEVENSON HAS A REALLY
STRONG GROUND GAME SHE EXCELS
SHE WORKS HARD AND MEETS VOTERS
AND KNOCKS ON DOORS.
AND THIS IS A CHANCE FOR HER TO
INTRODUCE HERSELF TO VOTERS WHO
(10:29):
ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH HER YET.
REPUBLICAN
REPRESENTATIVE RYAN DOTSON
JUMPED INTO THE RACE.
DOTSON PLANS A KICKOFF IN
WINCHESTER.
HE IS BOTH SOCIALLY AND FISCALLY
CONSERVATIVE, RIGHT?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THAT IS HIS TRACK RECORD IN
FRANKFORT IS BEING REALLY
(10:50):
CONSERVATIVE THROUGH AND
THROUGH.
AND HE HAS PROMISED IF HE MAKE
IT IS TO CONGRESS AND REPRESENTS
THIS DISTRICT HE IS GOING TO
WORK IN LOCK STEP SUPPORT
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S MAKE AMERICA
GREAT AGENDA AGAIN.
AND WE HEAR NAMES?
>> SURE, THERE'S BEEN NAMES
FLOATED SUCH AS DAMON THAYER,
(11:14):
AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE, AND SO
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE NECESSARILY
WHO COMES OUT AND ULTIMATELY
RUNS.
BUT THERE'S OTHER NAMES FLOATING
BUT THE RACE IS STILL COMING
TOGETHER.
SO WE DON'T KNOW THERE
MAYBE TWO AGGRESSIVE PRIMARIES
ON BOTH SIDES.
WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT.
(11:34):
SPEAKING OF THE DISTRICT AND THE
MAKEUP WE TALKED THAT IT IS
LIBERAL IN SOME AREAS AND
CONSERVATIVE IN OTHERS.
44% OF THE DISTRICT IS IN
DEMOCRATIC LEANING LEXINGTON.
BUT THAT IS NOT HALF OF THE
DISTRICT.
IT IS A CHALLENGE FOR EITHER
SIDE TO KIND OF THREAD THAT
NEEDLE.
>> SURE.
(11:55):
I MEAN DEMOCRATS NATIONALLY
LISTED THE DISTRICT AS ONE OF
THE DISTRICTS THEY WERE
TARGETING FOR THE MIDTERMS.
AND DEMOCRATS RESPONDED GO AHEAD
AND WASTE YOUR MONEY BECAUSE
THEY DON'T THINK THE DISTRICT IS
IN REACH.
I WILL SAY IN THE LAST
RESTRICTING CYCLE THERE WAS
CONTENTION OVER THE REMOVAL OF
FRANKLIN COUNTY FROM THE
(12:16):
DISTRICT AND PUTTING INTO THE
DISTRICT OF U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
JAMES COMER.
FRANKLIN COUNTY, HOME TO THE
STATE CAPITOL IS MORE DEMOCRATIC
LEANING COMPARED TO KENTUCKY AS
A WHOLE.
SO ARGUABLY THE REMOVAL OF
FRANKLIN COUNTY FROM THE
DISTRICT MADE THE DISTRICT A
LITTLE BIT MORE REPUBLICAN
LEANING.
IT WAS A DIFFERENT
(12:39):
TIME.
AS AN INDEPENDENT IN 2002.
PROBABLY NOBODY IS LIKELY TO
REPEAT THAT.
BUT IT SHOWS AN INDEPENDENT
COULD SCRAMBLE THE DYNAMIC IN A
RACE.
IT IS A LOT TO WATCH A FUN ONE
TO COVER IN SOME WAYS.
>> DEFINITELY.
AND ONE THING TO NOTE WE ARE IN
(12:59):
MAY 2025 THE PRIMARIES ARE NOT
UNTIL MAY 2026 WE HAVE THE
CANDIDATES ANNOUNCING THEY ARE
GOING TO RUN, THE FILING PERIOD
DOESN'T START UNTIL NOVEMBER AND
ENDS IN JANUARY WE COULD SEE A
TON OF OTHER PEOPLE RUN FOR THIS
RACE.
THE REPUBLICAN RACE FOR
THE U.S. SENATE SEAT REMAINS A
BATTLE BETWEEN BARR AND DANIEL
CAMERON.
(13:19):
THIS WEEK CAMERON QUESTIONED THE
TIMING OF A PROBE INTO HIS 2023
RACE FOR GOVERNOR.
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS
COMMISSION IS LOOKING INTO
WHETHER CAMERON USED HIS
POSITION AS ATTORNEY GENERAL TO
PRESS A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO
DO A FUNDRAISER FOR HIM.
AND CAMERON CALLS THE CHARGE
BOGUS.
>> CHARGE ME WITH AN ETHICS
(13:39):
VIOLATION OVER A BOGUS
TWO-YEAR-OLD CLAIM FOR AN
INVESTIGATION I RECUSED FROM AND
CAMPAIGN DONATIONS I REFUNDED.
THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF
POLITICAL PETITIONER CALLINGS.
IT'S THE SAME THING THEY TRIEDED
TO TO PRESIDENT TRUMP BUT I
WON'T LET THE LEFT BEAT ME.
TESSA, CAMERON SAYS HE
(14:00):
IS LEADING IN WILL POOING AND
SUDDENLY THE COMMISSION WANTS TO
LOOK AT A TWO-YEAR-OLD CASE.
>> RIGHT THERE'S LIMITED POLLING
AVAILABLE AS HANNAH NOTED WE ARE
FAR AWAY FROM ANY PRIMARY.
YES, WHAT LIMITED POLLING WE
HAVE SEEN DANIEL CAMERON IS
LEADING.
AND IN PART THAT IS BECAUSE WAS
THE FIRST CANDIDATE OUT OF THE
GATE.
HE RAN FOR A STATE-WIDE OFFICE
(14:21):
BEFORE WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT
ANDY BARR CANNOT SAY.
GOING BACK TO BECAUSE YOU HAVE
LOST AN OFFICE DOESN'T MEAN YOU
ARE NOT A VIABLE CANDIDATE IN
THE FUTURE.
DANIEL CAMERON DID NOT WIN THE
GOVERNOR'S RACE IN 2023 BUT HE
APPEARED ON A STATE-WIDE BALLOT
TWICE NOW WHEN HE RAN FOR
ATTORNEY GENERAL BEFORE THAT.
VOTERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH HIM.
HE HAS HIGHER NAME RECOGNITION.
(14:43):
YES, HE DOES SAY THIS TIMING IS
SUSPICIOUS GIVEN THIS IS TWO
YEARS IN THE PAST, A DIFFERENT
CAMPAIGN.
BUT YOU KNOW, HE'S NOT RUNNING
AWAY FROM IT AS WE SAW WITH THE
VED.
HE'S USING THAT AS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO TIE HIMSELF TO
PRESIDENT TRUMP IN A WAY.
AND ETHICS PROBE WOULD
(15:04):
PLAY OUT WITH THE POTENTIAL IF
THE FINDINGS WERE AGAINST HIM OF
A FINE, RIGHT?
>> RIGHT.
THERE COULD BE UP TO A $5,000
FINE THIS WILL PLAY OUT WITH A
JUDGE LOOKING INTO IT AND GOING
BACK AND MAKING A RECOMMENDATION
FROM THE COMMISSION WHO GETS TO
MAKE A DECISION FROM THERE.
WE KNOW THAT CANDIDATES
ARE MOVING AROUND THE STATE.
(15:26):
CAMERON AND BARR ENTERED INTO
SUMMER SET HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE
EARLY STOPS IN THE CAMPAIGN?
>> I THINK IT'S EQUALLY
IMPORTANT FOR BARR AND CAMERON
FOR SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT REASONS.
FOR CAMERON HE COULD BE
SOLIDIFYING CONNECTIONS HE MADE
WHEN HE DID RUN FOR GOVERNOR.
HE COULD BE SEEKING ENDORSEMENTS
(15:46):
AND RAISING MONEY LOOKING FOR
DONATIONS.
AND FOR BARR I THINK WHILE
ENDORSEMENTS AND CAMPAIGN
FUNDRAISING IS IMPORTANT, ONE OF
THE BIGGEST CRITICISMS I'VE
HEARD ABOUT HIM DO PEOPLE KNOW
HIS NAME OUTSIDE OF HIS
DISTRICT?
SOMERSET IS A STRONG REPUBLICAN
COUNTY, I THINK THAT WOULD BE
IMPORTANT FOR HIM TO GO OUT
(16:07):
THERE AND MAKE SURE THE
REPUBLICANS THERE KNOW HIM.
YOU DID A STORY WHETHER
McCONNELL'S SUCCESSOR WILL
STAY AS LONG AS HE HAS.
HE IS THE LONGEST SERVING
SENATOR EVER FROM KENTUCKY.
AND YOU LOOKED AT THE BENEFITS
AND THE DRAWBACKS OF THAT.
>> YEAH, IT'S SERVING IN THE
(16:29):
SENATE FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF
TIME IS NOT UNIQUE TO KENTUCKY.
I THINK ONE OF THE BENEFITS
AFTER TALKING WITH POLITICAL
SCIENCE PROFESSORS IS THAT
STAYING IN OFFICE LONGER MEANS
YOU CAN CLIMB THAT POLITICAL
LADDER AND GAIN POWER LIKE BEING
CHAIR OF NOTABLE COMMITTEES.
THEY TOLD ME IT'S HARD TO HAVE A
BIG LEGISLATIVE IMPACT IF YOU
(16:50):
HAVE A SHORT CAREER.
AND WITH THINGS LIKE BEING CHAIR
OF COMMITTEES GAINING POLITICAL
POWER YOU CAN BRING BACK
BENEFITS TO YOUR STATE.
SUCH AS FUNDING FOR
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS LIKE
McCONNELL HAS DONE.
ONE OF THE DRAWBACKS IT HAS THE
POTENTIAL AS THE NATIONAL
LEGISLATURE AVERAGE AGE GETS
(17:10):
OLDER DO THEY FEEL CONNECTED TO
VOTERS ON SPECIFIC ISSUES AND
EVOLVING ISSUES.
PAMELA STEVENSON IS THE
ONLY CANDIDATE IN THE DEMOCRATIC
PRIMARY FOR NOW.
DO WE THINK THAT IS LIKELY TO
HOLD OR HEARING OTHER RUMBLING.
>> OTHER BIG NAMES THAT CAME UP
WHEN McCONNELL ANNOUNCED HIS
(17:33):
RETIREMENT WAS LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN AND
ANDY BESHEAR SAID ON-LINE THEY
HAVE NO INTEREST IN RUNNING FOR
THIS SEAT.
PEOPLE SAY THEY WOULD BE THE
ONES WITH THE BIGGEST NAME ID
AND PUT UP THE GREATEST CHANCE
TO BEAT A REPUBLICAN.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WE HAVE A LOT
OF TIME BEFORE THE FILING PERIOD
BEGINS.
KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF
(17:53):
COMMERCE PRESIDENT ASHLI WATTS
WILL BE THE FIRST WOMAN TO EMCEE
THE FANCY FARM SPEECHES AUGUST 2
IN FANCY FARM IN WESTERN
KENTUCKY AND THIS WEEK SHE TOLD
ME SHE IS EXCITED FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY.
>> I WOULD SAY WHEN THEY CALLED
ME A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I WAS
NERVOUS AND EXCITED WHICH IS
WHAT I SHOULD BE AS A LIFELONG
KENTUCKIAN AND NETWORKED IN
(18:14):
POLITICS FOR YEARS, FANCY FARM
IS THE SUPER BOWL OF POLITICS IT
IS AN HONOR TO BE ASKED TO BE
EMCEE.
I'VE GOTTEN OPINIONS FROM PEOPLE
AND SUGGESTIONS I'VE GOTTEN
JOKES FROM PEOPLE.
WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES BUT I'M
EXCITED AND HOPE TO BRING A FUN
TENOR TO FANCY FARM THIS YEAR.
(18:35):
WE DON'T HAVE A LIST OF
SPEAKERS BUT THE U.S. SENATE
CANDIDATES WILL BE ALLOWED TO
SPEAK DURING AN OFF YEAR, AND
YOU COVERED WESTERN KENTUCKY IN
RADIO YEARS AGO, IT COULD BE
INTERESTING THAT WE'RE LOOKING
AHEAD TO 26 AND 27.
>> SURE.
FANCY FARM HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY
(18:56):
IN YEARS WHERE THERE'S NOT MAJOR
MIDTERM OR FOUR YEAR TYKELE
RACES FOR CANDIDATES TO TEST OUT
MESSAGES AND TEST OUT HOW
BETWEEN THE JOKES AND THE
ZINGERS, TO TEST HOW THE MESSAGE
RESONATES WITH AN AUDIENCE OF
SOME BEING PARTISAN SUPPORTERS
(19:17):
BUT ALSO GENERAL PEOPLE OUT IN
GRAVES COUNTY.
THE FANCY FARM PICNIC IS JUST AS
MUCH AS A CHURCH PICNIC AS IT IS
A PLATFORM FOR POLITICS TO GET
OUT THERE AND SEE WHAT WORKS AND
WHAT DOESN'T.
BUT, YEAH, IT SHOULD BE EYE WAY
TO PREVIEW WHAT IS GOING TO
HAPPEN NEXT YEAR.
(19:38):
IT WILL BE A HOT DAY ON
THE STAGE NO MATTER WHAT.
IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.
>> LOTS OF SWEATING.
AS WE MENTIONED ONE WHO
IS SKIPPING THE SENATE RACE
DESPITE THE URGINGS IS GOVERNOR
ANDY BESHEAR.
BESHEAR SPENT PART OF MOTHER'S
DAY ON TV AND IT WAS ANNOUNCED
HE WILL ATTEND A MAJOR POLITICAL
(20:00):
EVENT IN FLORIDA.
AND COREY BOOKER WILL
CO-HEADLINE THE LEADERSHIP BLUE
GALA HELD IN HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA.
BESHEAR CONTINUES TO TRY TO
BUILD NAME RECOGNITION AND HIS
BRAND OUTSIDE OF KENTUCKY.
>> I THINK YES, DEFINITELY.
HE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE
PAST YEAR CONSISTENTLY MAKING
(20:20):
NATIONAL MEDIA APPEARANCES.
HE HAS A PODCAST AS WELL AND
MAKING APPEARANCES AT DEMOCRATIC
EVENTS.
IT'S SAFE TO SAY PEOPLE ARE
EXPECTING HIM TO MAKE A 2028
PRESIDENTIAL RUN.
AND IT'S BEEN INTERESTING TO SEE
HOW THE NATIONAL MEDIA AND
OTHERS ARE REACTING.
I BELIEVE IT WAS A LITTLE BIT
(20:41):
AGO THAT ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK
MENTIONED HIM IN A PODCAST
SAYING HE IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST
DEMOCRATS TO BEAT.
WE'LL SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT AND
HOW BESHEAR CONTINUES BUILDING
HIS NAME-BRAND.
AND HE SHARPENED HIS
ATTACKSES ON MEDICAID CUTS,
FRAMES IT AS AN ATTACK ON RURAL
AMERICA.
>> HE MENTIONED THIS WITH THREE
(21:04):
OTHER DEMOCRAT GOVERNORS AND HE
FOCUSED ON RURAL COMMUNITIES AND
RURAL AMERICA NOT JUST IN
KENTUCKY BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
HIS ARGUMENTS WAS CUTS COULD
SHUT DOWN CLINICS AND
SPECIFICALLY IN KENTUCKY HE SAID
RURAL HOSPITALS ARE THE SECOND
LARGEST EMPLOYERS OF THESE
COMMUNITIES.
SO PEOPLE COULD LOSE JOBS IF THE
CLINICS SHUT DOWN.
(21:25):
AGAIN, HE'S CONSISTENTLY
DEFENDED MEDICAID NOT JUST ON
THE PRESS CALL BUT ACROSS THE
SOCIAL MEDIA.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH
HIS MOVEMENTS IN STATE AND OUT.
YOU REPORTED ON A GROUP THAT IS
ACCUSING FORD OF ALLOWING UNION
AVOIDANCE ACTIVITIES THAT THE
NEW AUTO BATTERY PLANT IN HARDIN
COUNTY.
(21:45):
>> CORRECT.
THERE IS A FAITH BASED INVESTOR
GROUP OUT OF NEW JERSEY THAT
REPRESENTS VARIOUS FAITH
CONGREGATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
THAT TRY TO USE THEIR OWN WORDS
TRY TO USE INVESTMENTS IN
COMPANIES AS A LEVERAGE FOR
ADVANCING WHAT THEY SEE AS THEIR
MISSION OF BEING CONCERNED ABOUT
(22:06):
WORKERS' RIGHTS, CLIMATE CHANGE
AND WHAT THEY SAY IS THE COMMON
GOOD.
THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT GENERALLY
NATIONAL REPORTING THAT'S BEEN
DONE.
CLAIMS BY UNITED AUTO WORKERS
THAT SAY ANTIUNION CONSULTANTS
HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN TO DISSUADE
(22:26):
WORKERS TO NOT VOTE TO UNIONIZE.
THERE IS A UNION ELECTION THAT
HAS BEEN FILED AND UP COMING AND
YOU KNOW THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT
WHAT THE U.S. ANTIUNION
MATERIALS BEING DISTRIBUTEDDED
TO WORKERS THERE.
LOUISVILLE SK GENERALLY TOLD ME
(22:46):
THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO
WORKERS MAKING THEIR OWN
DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT
THEY WANT TO UNION OR NOT.
NOT ADDRESSING THE CLAIMS OF
UNION AVOIDANCE.
WE'LL KEEP WATCH THERE.
A JUDGE HEARD ARGUMENTS AND
TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT THE
SCHOOL EQUITY BEING ADDRESSED
(23:08):
AGAIN.
WE'RE BACK WHERE WE WERE BEFORE
THE STATE SUPREME COURT STRUCK
DOWN THE SYSTEM OF COMMON
SCHOOLS IN THE LATE 1980s IF
THIS MOVES FORWARD, TESSA, THE
STATE WANTS IT DISMISSED.
IS THIS EVER GOING TO GO
ANYWHERE?
>> WELL, THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN
IT'S IN THE HANDS OF A JUDGE.
THERE ARE THINGS UP FOR
(23:28):
CONSIDERATION.
ONE DO THE STUDENTS HAVE
STANDING TO BRING THE LAWSUIT IN
THE FIRST PLACE?
AND THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS THE
SENATE PRESIDENT AND THE SPEAKER
OF THE HOUSE ARE ASKING FOR IT
TO BE DISMISSED.
THESE ARE THE THINGS WE'RE
WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE JUDGE
DECIDES AND THAT WILL EITHER IT
WILL END THERE OR KEEP GOING.
ALLISON BALL IS SUING
THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION AGAIN
(23:48):
SHE SAYS THIS IS OVER A KINSHIP
CARE A LAW PASSED LAST YEAR THAT
THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE
LEGISLATURE DIDN'T FUND.
>> RIGHT.
SO THERE'S BEEN THIS BACK AND
FORTH BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE
AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S
ADMINISTRATION.
THE LEGISLATURE SAYING WE SAID
TO DO THIS.
YOU NEED TO DO IT.
WHY RESPECTED'S YOU?
(24:08):
IT'S UNACCEPTABLE THAT YOU ARE
NOT ON THE FLIP SIDE THE
ADMINISTRATION IS SAYING THE
FUNDING WAS NOT PROVIDED AND IT
IS THE LEGISLATURE'S DUTY TO
FUND THE GOVERNMENT.
SO NOW IT'S HEADING TO COURT IT
SEEMS.
EASTERN KENTUCKY
UNIVERSITY ADOPTED INSTITUTIONAL
VIEWPOINT NEUTRALITY AND VOTED
TO COMPLY WITH HOUSE BILL 4 THAT
(24:32):
OUTLAWED DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND
INCLUSION THE WORDS DIVERSE AND
INCLUSIVITY ARE REPLACED IN THE
STATEMENTS ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY.
TESSA, THE SCHOOLS HAVE NO
CHOICE BUT TO COMPLY WITH THAT
LAW, RIGHT?
>> RIGHT.
WE KNOW THAT HOUSE BILL 4 TAKES
EFFECT THIS SUMMER.
WE'RE SEEN OTHER UNIVERSITIES
MAKE SIMILAR MOVES.
(24:52):
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY AND
NORTHERN KENTUCKY MADE MOVES TO
ELIMINATE D.E.I. OFFICES.
BECAUSE THAT IS NOW WHAT IS
GOING TO BE REQUIRED OF THEM.
DO YOU ANTICIPATE THIS
WILL COME BACK AS AN ISSUE IN
THE LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR?
WILL THERE BE FURTHER D.E.I.
LEGISLATION?
>> I THINK WE HAVE TO SEE HOW
THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAYS OUT FOR
(25:14):
THE REST OF THE UNIVERSITIES.
I BELIEVE EKU WAS THE FIRST TO
MAKE A CHANGE IN COMPLIANCE WITH
HB4.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF OTHER
UNIVERSITIES LIKE UNIVERSITY OF
KENTUCKY, UNIVERSITY OF
LOUISVILLE MAKE THESE CHANGES IF
THAT'S ENOUGH FOR THE
LEGISLATORS AND IF THEY ARE
SATISFIED WITH THAT.
U.K. MADE SHIFTS AS
(25:35):
WELL AND EVERYBODY IS HEADED
TOWARD THE BUDGET TIME.
LIAM, CICADAS ARE STARTING TO
EMERGE IT HAPPENS EVERY 17 YEARS
AND THIS IS CALLED THE BOURBON
BROOD.
>> IF THERE'S ANYTHING
CONSISTENT IT'S DEATH, TAXES AND
CICADAS, MAYBE.
YOU KNOW, YEAH, THEY ARE COMING
(25:57):
BACK.
AND WATCH OUT FOR THEM.
WELL, AND THIS COULD BE
A SWEET OPPORTUNITY FOR THE
COMMONWEALTH.
THERE IS A NEW STUDY FROM U.K.'S
MARTIN GIGAWATT EN COLLEGE OF
AGRICULTURE SUGGESTING THAT
MAPLE SYRUP COULD BOOST THE
STATE'S ECONOMY.
IT IS A GOOD PLACE TO DO THAT.
THE STUDY FINDS STATE-WIDE MAPLE
(26:17):
SYRUP PROION HAS THE CAPACITY TO
BE A $25 MILLION INDUSTRY AND
CREATE MORE THAN 1300 NEW JOBS.
WE'LL SEE IF THERE'S FOLLOW
THROUGH WITH THAT.
THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".
HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.