September 22, 2025 • 26 mins
Journalists from around the state discuss the news of the week with host Bill Bryant, including two new candidates joining the Democratic Party field competing for the open U.S. Senate seat in 2026. Panelists: Mario Anderson, Spectrum News 1; McKenna Horsley, Kentucky Lantern; and Todd Faulkner, WPSD Local 6 in Paducah.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:04):
[♪♪]
>> Bill (00:08):
KENTUCKY'S REVENUE IS
LIKELY TO FALL MORE THAN $300
MILLION SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS.
MORE CANDIDATES COME FORWARD FOR
THE SENATE SEAT THAT MITCH
McCONNELL PLANS TO LEAVE NEXT
YEAR.
WESTERN KENTUCKY LEADERS FLY TO
WASHINGTON PUSHING FOR FUTURE
PROJECTS THAT MAY INCLUDE
NUCLEAR ENERGY.
AN AUDIT ALLEGES KENTUCKY
(00:29):
MISMANAGED MEDICAID FUNDS THE
STATE HEALTH SECRETARY CALLS IT
A REHASH ON THIS WEEKEND THAT
LEADS TO FALL.
COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.
[♪♪]
GOOD EVENING I'M BILL
BRYANT AND WE WELCOME YOU TO
(00:51):
"COMMENT 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 MCKENNA HORSLEY,
POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE
KENTUCKY LANTERN.
MARIO ANDERSON, ANCHOR AND HOST
OF IN FOCUS KENTUCKY ON SPECTRUM
NEWS ONE.
AND JOINING US IS TODD FAULKNER,
(01:15):
ANCHOR FOR WPSD LOCAL 6 IN
PADUCAH.
THE STATE'S TWO LARGEST SCHOOL
DISTRICTS FACE FINANCIAL
CHALLENGES AND THE CITY OF
NEWPORT ASSUMES OWNERSHIP OF THE
PURPLE PEOPLE BRIDGE.
LET'S BEGIN WITH POLITICS IN
KENTUCKY'S WATCHED U.S. SENATE
RACE THE RACE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC
(01:35):
NOMINATION GOT MORE CROWDED WHEN
A FORMER SECRET SERVICE AGENT
AND A FORMER C.I.A. AGENT JOINED
PAMELA STEVENSON ON THE TRAIL.
THEY ARE LOGAN FORSYTHE AND JOEL
WILLETT.
>> LOOK, I'M NOT A BILLIONAIRE
OR A POLITICIAN.
MOST FOLKS DON'T MAKE IT OUT OF
A PLACE LIKE LYON COUNTY MUCH
(01:57):
LESS RUN FOR SENATE.
AND MAYBE THAT IS THE PROBLEM.
POLITICS LIVING ON EASY STREET
DON'T UNDERSTAND THE HARDSHIPS.
I'VE BEATEN THE ODDS BEFORE AND
WITH YOUR HELP I WILL DO IT
AGAIN.
I'M LOGAN FORSYTHE AND I LOOK
FORWARD TO EARNING YOUR VOTE.
>> SORRY DONALD, ACTUALSY AND
THE REST OF YOU I AM RUNNING FOR
(02:18):
THE SENATE TO TAKE DOWN THE
SYSTEM THAT SCREWS EVERYONE
ELSE.
I'M JOEL WILLETT I AM NOT A
BILLIONAIRE OR A POLITICIAN JUST
A KENTUCKY GUY WHO FOUGHT LIKE
HELL TO GET HERE.
IF YOU GIVE ME THE CHANCE I WILL
FIGHT LIKE HELL FOR YOU.
DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT WON
(02:39):
A U.S. SENATE SEAT IN KENTUCKY
SINCE 1992.
THAT WAS WENDELL FORD'S FINAL
VICTORY UNTIL NOW MOST OF THE
ACTION HAS BEEN ON THE
REPUBLICAN SIDE.
AND ALL OF THE PUNDITS PAINT
KENTUCKY BRIGHT RED ON THE MAP
AND THAT IS NOT STOPPING WHAT
COULD BE A CONTEST FOR THE
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION.
>> THAT IS RIGHT.
(03:00):
SINCE THE FILING DEADLINE IS NOT
UNTIL JANUARY OF SEX YEAR,
JANUARY THE 9TH, PLENTY OF TIME
FOR PEOPLE TO ENTER THIS RACE
WHETHER THEY ARE DEMOCRATS OR
REPUBLICANS.
AND MANY MORE CANDIDATES MAY
STEP UP.
THERE ARE SEVERAL ON BOTH SIDES
BUT TIME WILL TELL WHO ELSE WILL
JUMP INTO THE RACE.
>> YES, IT'S HARD TO KNOW IF
(03:22):
IT'S WE STILL HAVE CANDIDATES
MAYBE COMING IN OR ANOTHER SHAKE
UP IN THE RACE THAT MAY AFFECT
THIS ON BOTH SIDES.
DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO WATCH.
AND IT IS AN ADVANTAGE TO TAKE
AS MUCH TIME AS THEY CAN TO
BUILDUP A NAME ID AND BOTH
CANDIDATES ARE DOING AND WE'VE
SEEN IT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.
(03:43):
IT'S INTERESTING AS WE
SAID NO DEMOCRAT HAS WON A U.S.
SENATE RACE IN KENTUCKY IN 33
YEARS IT WILL BE THIS FALL.
BUT THESE CANDIDATES SEEM TO BE
CONFIDENT THAT THEY CAN BE
CONTENDERS.
>> THEY ARE CONFIDENT.
BUT THEY PROBABLY ALSO KNOW IT
IS AN UPHILL CLIMB.
ESPECIALLY AS A DEMOCRAT IN SUCH
(04:04):
A RED STATE AS THE COMMONWEALTH
BUT WE ARE IN THE EARLY STAGES
OF THIS.
SO AS THE OTHERS MENTIONED WE'RE
IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE
TRYING TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES
AND GET NAME RECOGNITION AND
INTRODUCE THEIR PLATFORM TO
POTENTIAL VOTERS.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT
THE CANDIDATES?
POT HAVE STARK ANNOUNCEMENTS OF
FORSYTHE SAYING HE WOULD HAVE
(04:25):
TAKEN A BULLET FOR A PRESIDENT
WHILE WITH THE SECRET SERVICE.
WILLETT SAYS HE THINKS HE LOST
SECURITY CLEARANCE FOR TALKING
ABOUT RUNNING FOR THE SENATE.
>> LOGAN FORSYTHE IS FROM LYON
COUNTY.
HE IS LIVING IN LEXINGTON BUT IS
AN ATTORNEY AND A FORMER SECRET
SERVICE AGENT AND GOT INTO THE
(04:45):
RACE HE WAS CRITICAL OF THE ONE
BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FEDERAL TAX
CUT AND SPENDING PLAN AND SOME
OF THE THINGS HE WANTS TO
SUPPORT TERM LIMITS AS WELL.
BUT JOEL WILLETT IS A MILITARY
VETERAN AND EXC.I.A. OFFICER AND
WAS IN THE WHITE HOUSE WITH
(05:05):
BARACK OBAMA IN THE SITUATION
ROOM BUT SAYS HE HAS HAD
CONCERNS WITH THE CURRENT
ADMINISTRATION AND ALSO THE U.S.
DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL
INTELLIGENCE ACTUALSY GABBARD
AND HER DECISION MAKING JOEL
WILLETT HAD SECRET SERVICE
NATIONAL CLEARANCE AND HE SAYS
THAT ACTUALSY GABBARD PULLED
(05:26):
THAT.
HE IS WANTING TO MAKE A NAME FOR
HIMSELF AS WELL.
THERE WERE ALLEGATIONS
IT COULD BE USED FOR POLITICAL
PURPOSES.
PAMELA STEVENSON RUN ONE
STATE-WIDE RACE AND LOST.
IS THAT AN ASSET FOR HER MOVE
BEEN OUT THERE ON THE CAMPAIGN
TRAIL ACROSS THE STATE BEFORE?
(05:47):
OR DOES IT BRING SOME TARNISH TO
HER EFFORT THAT SHE LOST A RACE?
>> IT CAN BE A LITTLE BIT OF
BOTH.
THAT 2023 RACE FOR ATTORNEY
GENERAL SHE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY
TO CAMPAIGN STATE-WIDE, CAMPAIGN
WITH OTHER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
AND GET HER NAME OUT AND HERSELF
OUT IN FRONT OF VOTERS IN
(06:08):
KENTUCKY.
ITS NOT TOO FAR TOGETHER AGO
THAT THAT HAPPENED.
THERE MIGHT BE NAME RECOGNITION
THAT SHE CAN BUILD OFF THERE.
BUT, YOU FOR, SHE DID LOSE A
HIGH PROFILE RACE IN ATTORNEY
GENERAL TO RUSSELL COLEMAN OUR
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
REPUBLICANS DO HAVE THAT TO USE
AGAINST HER IN THE RACE IF SHE
(06:29):
BECOMES THE NOMINEE FOR SENATE.
THESE ARE LARGELY
UNKNOWN CANDIDATES YOU HAVE
STEVENSON WITH THE ONE RUN.
I DON'T THINK SHE SA PEERED IN
FANCY FARM IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.
YOU HAVE CANDIDATES THAT TO
INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.
>> THEY HAVE TO GET OUT AND
EXPLAIN WHAT THEY STAND FOR AND
(06:49):
HOW THEY ARE GOING TO HELP ANY
KENTUCKIAN SHOULD THEY BE IN
OFFICE.
ADDITIONALLY THEY WILL TRY AND
SEARCH OUT AN ENDORSEMENT BY
DEMOCRATIC "GOVERNOR'S AWARD IN
THE ARTS."
WHETHER HE WILL DO THAT, HAS YET
TO BE SEEN.
HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE PERCEIVED
(07:09):
AS PUTTING HIS THUMB ON THE
SCALE ESPECIALLY AS HE FLIRTS
WITH A POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL
RUN.
AND THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY CAME OUT WITH A COUNTDOWN
CUTS CLOCK.
THAT'S CALLING ATTENTION TO THE
SLOW ROLL OUT OF THE FEDERAL
BUDGET CUTS?
>> RIGHT.
AND WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT
THIS WEBSITE THAT IT GOES TO
(07:31):
COUNTY BY COUNTY DATA ABOUT HOW
MANY KENTUCKIANS IN THOSE AREAS
WILL ARE POTENTIALLY COULD LOSE
MEDICAID FUNDING, FOOD
ASSISTANCE, AFTER THE SPENDING
CUTS GO INTO EFFECT AFTER THE
ELECTION.
BUT WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT
THIS IT'S LOCALIZING A NATIONAL
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM THAT WE'RE
(07:52):
SEEING HEADING INTO THE MIDTERMS
WHICH IS OPPOSITION OF THE ONE
BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT.
WE WILL BE WATCHING THE
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY AND THE
REPUBLICANS ARE IN THE RACE FOR
THEIR NOMINATION AND IT IS A
TOUGH CONTEST.
CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR FORMER
ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON
AND BUSINESSMAN NATE MORRIS
CONTINUE TO BATTLE IT OUT.
TODD, WHAT ARE YOU SEEING FROM
(08:12):
THE G.O.P. CANDIDATES IN WESTERN
KENTUCKY?
AND DOES IT SEEM THAT ANYBODY
MAYBE BUILDING AN ADVANTAGE?
>> IT IS UNCLEAR WHO HAS THE
ADVANTAGE.
OF COURSE, DANIEL CAMERON HAS
THE NAME RECOGNITION BECAUSE OF
HIS FAILED BID FOR GOVERNOR.
BUT RIGHT NOW, PEOPLE MAYBE
FAMILIAR WITH ANDY BARR HE IS A
CONGRESSMAN.
NATE MORRIS PERHAPS.
(08:34):
THEY JUST SEEM DISCONNECTED A
LOT HERE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.
SO NO ONE REALLY HAS AN EDGE AT
THIS POINT SO EARLY ON.
SHORT OF A TRUMP
ENDORSEMENT DO WE SEE ANYTHING
THAT COULD SHAKE UP THE G.O.P.
RACE OR A GRIND FOR THE TV ADS
UNTIL WE GET TO THE MAY PRIMARY?
>> I THINK IT WILL BE A GRIND
(08:55):
UNTIL THE MAY PRIMARY.
THIS PRIMARY AS A SUCCESSOR TO
THAT 12-CANDIDATE G.O.P. PRIMARY
WE HAD FOR GOVERNOR A COUPLE
YEARS AGO THAT WAS INTENSE
SPENDING CAMPAIGNING BETWEEN THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY CANDIDATES.
SO THAT WILL BE SOMETHING WE'LL
SEE HEADING INTO THIS ONE.
(09:16):
MARIO NOT ALL THE ADS
COMES FROM THE CANDIDATES
THEMSELVES THERE ARE GROUPS THAT
ARE RUNNING ADS AS WELL.
AND THEN SOMETIMES THE
CANDIDATES DON'T LIKE WHAT THOSE
ARE SAYING.
>> THE PACS OUT THERE ARE
SEPARATE USUALLY FROM THE
CANDIDATE THAT IS RUNNING AND
ANDY BARR RUNNING IN THE THAT
RACE HE ACTUALLY SENT A LETTER
(09:40):
TO TWO CONSERVATIVE PACS THAT
OPPOSE HIS RUN FOR SENATE AND
THE LETTER CENTERED AROUND AN AD
ACCUSED OF ANDY BARR HAVING
LEGISLATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT
GENDER TRANSITION CARE FOR
MINORS AND THE BARR CAMPAIGN
SAID THE AD IS FALSE AND
DEFAMATORY AND AGAINST THAT.
(10:01):
WHEN THEY ARE INVESTING MONEY
INTO THE RACE THEY HAVE NOT
ENDORSED THE REPUBLICAN
CANDIDATES YET.
AND THEY ARE DOING
RETAIL CAMPAIGNING AS WELL.
>> A LOT OF SHAKING HANDS AND
SLAPPING BACKS.
WESTERN KENTUCKY
LEADERS WERE IN WASHINGTON THIS
WEEK AND MANY IN THE DC DELEGATE
MET WITH THEM AND TODD YOU WERE
ALONG FOR THE TRIP AND SENATOR
(10:23):
PAUL NOT RUNNING NEXT YEAR
LIKELY WILL IN 2028 FOR
SOMETHING, HINTED TWO RACES
MAYBE A PRESIDENTIAL BID AND FOR
THE SENATE.
BUT WE'LL SEE.
HE DID THAT IN 2016.
WHAT WERE YOUR TAKEAWAYS IN
TALKING WITH SENATOR PAUL?
>> WE'LL SEE ON THE PRESIDENTIAL
BID PLAYS OUT.
(10:43):
BUT IN TALKING WITH HIM AND
SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT WHAT
HE IS DOING ON CAPITOL HILL FOR
KENTUCKY, HE EXTOLED THE VIRTUE
OF CAPITALISM, FREE MARKET TRADE
AND HIS GOAL IS ALWAYS TO
PREVENT ANY SORT OF GOVERNMENT
OVERREACH OR RED TAPE THAT COULD
STYMIE ANY DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT NOT ONLY IN WESTERN
(11:04):
KENTUCKY BUT ALL OF KENTUCKY.
AND MY CONVERSATION WITH HIM, I
ASKED HIM TO WEIGH-IN IF HE HAD
A FAVORITE FOR THE KENTUCKY
SENATE PRIMARY.
HE SAID NO.
AND HE WASN'T GOING TO COMMENT.
BUT HE DID SAY THAT HE WANTED TO
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES.
AND SPECIFICALLY, THAT WHOEVER
DOES WIN THE PRIMARY, HE SAID
HOPES THAT THAT INDIVIDUAL HAS
(11:24):
THE GUTS TO STAND UP FOR WHAT
THEY BELIEVE N. WHICH MAY MEAN
SEPARATING FROM THE PARTY THE
PARTY LINE IF NECESSARY.
THAT WILL BE
INTERESTING AND SENATOR PAUL
ALSO APPEARED WITH MARIO ON IN
FOCUS KENTUCKY AND THEY COVERED
LOTS OF TOPICS INCLUDING
TARIFFS.
>> WITHOUT QUESTION TARIFFS ARE
TAXES AND THE CONSTITUTION SAYS
(11:45):
THAT TAXES SHOULD ORIGINATE IN
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GO
TO THE SENATE AND BE SIGNED BY
THE PRESIDENT.
THERE IS NO PROVISION IN THE
CONSTITUTION FOR THE PRESIDENT
TO JUST ENACT TAXES ON HIS OWN.
THE TARIFFS WILL BE PAID BY THE
PEOPLE WHO IMPORT THINGS MANY
ARE AMERICANS THEY ARE NOT PAID
IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES THEY ARE
PAID AS IT ENTERS INTO OUR
(12:07):
COUNTRY.
DID SENATOR PAUL
CONTINUE TO PUT DISTANCE BETWEEN
HIMSELF AND THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION ON SOME ISSUES?
>> HE DID ON SEVERAL ISSUES
INCLUDING THE OPPOSITION TO
TARIFFS AND REAR MINING HOW
PEOPLE ACROSS KENTUCKY THAT HE
CANNOT SUPPORT EMERGENCY POWERS
TO GET MORE FEDERAL FUNDING.
HE IS WANTING TO STAND TALL ON
(12:27):
THAT.
AND ALSO THE APPROPRIATIONS BILL
THAT GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN
POTENTIAL WOULD BE LOOMING
SEPTEMBER 30TH IS THE DATE.
AND SENATOR PAUL SAYS HE IS NOT
WANTING TO SHUT THE GOVERNMENT
DOWN BUT IS WILLING TO STAND UP
TOE-TO-TOE TO ENSURE THAT MONEY
IS SPENT AS IT IS SET IN THE
CONSTITUTION.
WE'LL SEE HOW SENATOR PAUL
(12:48):
PROGRESSES WITH THAT.
THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET
THAT THROUGH THE SENATE.
THERE WAS A HOUSE BILL THAT DID
GO AND CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE
VOTED AGAINST IT, ONE OF TWO
REPUBLICANS WHO JOINED DEMOCRATS
ON THAT.
WE NOTE THAT MASSIE AND SENATOR
PAUL WILL MAKE JOINT APPEARANCES
NEXT WEEK.
WHAT IS LIKELY TO COME FROM
THAT?
>> THEY WILL BE TRAVELING TO
(13:09):
THREE CITIES ACROSS KENTUCKY.
AND THEY HAVE KEPT THE TOPIC OF
DISCUSSION VERY VAGUE BUT WE
ANTICIPATE THEY WILL BE
CONTINUING TO TALK ABOUT THE
ISSUES THEY HAVE BEEN
COMMUNICATING ABOUT ON THE
NATIONAL SCENE.
A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES AND
GIVING FEEDBACK FROM REPUBLICAN
VOTERS HERE IN THE STATE.
ALL RIGHT.
(13:29):
TODD, I WANT TO SAY WE'RE
DELIGHTED YOU COULD JOIN US FROM
WESTERN KENTUCKY IT'S BEEN BUSY
YOU HAD THE FLY IN TRIP BY THE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
WHAT WERE THE MAIN GOALS OF THAT
TRIP?
>> 10,000 FOOT VIEW SO EVERYONE
IS AWARE IT'S IMPRESSIVE THE
PADUCAH CHAMBER GOES FOR THE DC
(13:49):
FLY IN, 80 PEOPLE OF ELECTED
OFFICIALS, BUSINESS OWNERS AND
OTHERS.
WHEN THEY GO THEY HAVE A LIST OF
FEDERAL PRIORITIES.
PRIORITIES IN ASKING FOR
SUPPORT, FINANCIALLY AND
OTHERWISE FOR INITIATIVES BACK
IN WEST KENTUCKY.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOST
IMPORTANT MEETINGS WITH
LAWMAKERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
ENERGY, IS ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
(14:10):
OF ENERGY PADUCAH SITE AND THE
POTENTIAL THERE.
REMEMBER THAT RIGHT NOW, THERE
ARE PLANS AND STUDIES FOR
REINDUSTRIALIZATION OF THAT SITE
THE FORMER PADUCAH GAS DIFFUSION
PLANT AND THOSE PLANS INCLUDE
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, DATA
CENTER THERE'S PLANS INCLUDE AN
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FACILITY
(14:31):
THAT WILL COST $40 MILLION.
AND THE POTENTIAL FOR NUCLEAR
ENERGY.
SO THOSE ARE THE BIG TALKING
POINTS DURING AT LEAST ONE OF
THE DAYS WE WERE THERE IN DC.
DO YOU THINK THE
BUSINESS LEADERS AND POLITICAL
LEADERS HEARD WHO THEY HOPED TO
FROM PEOPLE LIKE SENATOR
McCONNELL AND JAMES COMER?
>> ABSOLUTELY DID.
AND THIS IS A YEAR'S LONG EFFORT
(14:53):
IT'S PAVING THE ROAD OF FIVE
YEARS AGO, AND LOOKING FIVE
YEARS AHEAD.
AND THE LAWMAKERS THEMSELVES
HAVE SAID AND I BELIEVE IT TO BE
GENUINE, THE PADUCAH CHAMBER
WHEN THEY SHOW UP IT'S BIGGER
THAN LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON
THEY KNOW WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.
IS WHAT THE CHAMBER WILL TELL
(15:13):
YOU.
CONGRESSMAN COMER CALLED THE
DIRECTOR A SQUEAKY WHEEL AND
THEY GET THE OIL.
SO THEY ARE OPEN TO THE
CONVERSATIONS.
AND THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE WHAT
HAS ALLOTTED THE CONTINUED
FUNDING FOR THE CLEANUP AND
OTHER PROJECTS.
WE DO SEE INCREASING
(15:34):
INDICATIONS THAT KENTUCKY WILL
EMBRACE NUCLEAR ENERGY.
THE LEGISLATURE HAS DIRECTED THE
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMERCE TO STUDY
IT AND THEY ARE DOING THAT.
IS WESTERN KENTUCKY PARTICULARLY
WELL POSITIONED GIVEN ITS TRACK
RECORD FOR THAT?
>> WELL POSITIONED AND I WILL
TELL YOU WHY BECAUSE THEY HAVE
BEEN DOING THE RIGHT WORK IN THE
(15:55):
STATE LEGISLATURE TO PREPARE.
THEY'VE ALSO BEEN PREPARING AT
THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO REMEMBER
PADUCAH, KENTUCKY, IS BEING
TALKED ABOUT AT THE FEDERAL
LEVEL FOR ITS ABILITY TO HAVE
THIS MASSIVE CAMPUS AND
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR COMPANIES TO
COME IN AND INVEST, BUILD, AND
TALK ABOUT NUCLEAR ENERGY.
(16:17):
SOMETHING THAT I HEARD FROM
LAWMAKERS SENATOR PAUL,
McCONNELL, REPRESENTATIVE
COMER IN WASHINGTON.
BUT THE GROUND WORK HAS BEEN
LAID.
NOW IT'S JUST HURRY UP AND WAIT
AND GET THE COMPANIES TO COME IN
AND START.
IS ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE DATA CENTER A DONE
DEAL FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY?
(16:39):
>> NOT A DEAL DEAL UNTIL WE SEE
IT BUILT AND OPERATIONAL.
IT'S ON THE WAY.
PADUCAH, KENTUCKY WAS ONLY FOUR
LOCATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.
ONE OF FOUR TO BE SELECTED.
AND SO I THINK THAT SAYS A LOT
ABOUT WHAT COULD BE CREATED HERE
IN PADUCAH.
AND THE ENERGY BEHIND THIS
(17:01):
GROWING BE ME MOTH ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE.
SOUNDS LIKE A PURPOSE
DRIVEN TRIP.
HERE IN KENTUCKY THE REVENUES
LIKELY TO FALL $300 MILLION
SHORT OF THE SPENDING PLAN FOR
THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR THAT IS
THE NEW ESTIMATE.
IT IS MORE MANAGEABLE BECAUSE
THERE IS AN ALMOST $4 BILLION
RAINY DAY FUND BUT McKENNA
(17:23):
THIS IS ATTENTION GETTING?
>> YES, IT IS THE NUMBERS CAME
OUT DURING A FOUR-HOUR MEETING
THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL ANNEX
FROM THE FORECASTING GROUP.
BUT AS YOU NOTED WE DO HAVE THE
RAINY DAY FUND.
NOW MORE NUMBERS MAY COME OUT
TOWARD DECEMBER MORE SOLID AND
MORE KNOWN.
(17:43):
BUT, THIS INFORMATION IS LEADING
INTO THE NEXT BUDGET SESSION FOR
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN '26.
AND THE CONSENSUS
FORECASTING GROUP WILL MEET IN
DECEMBER AND GIVE THEIR BEST
ESTIMATE THEN WHAT TO TRY TO
PLAN FOR, FOR THE TWO-YEAR
BUDGET.
>> AND LAWMAKERS RETURN TO
FRANKFORT IN JANUARY.
THAT ALL COMES AS SOME
(18:04):
GROUPS ARE CALLING FOR MORE
SPENDING IN EDUCATION GROUP
WANTS MORE THAN 700 MILLION FOR
SCHOOLS.
BUSINESS GROUPS AND OTHER
ADVOCATES WANT COMMITMENTS FOR
CHILDCARE.
SOME ARE PUSHING THE STATE TO
MAKEUP SOME OF THE FEDERAL CUTS.
COULD THERE BE A LOT OF PRESSURE
THERE, PARTICULARLY IF THE
REVENUES SHRINKING SOME?
>> A TALL TASK AND WE'LL SEE HOW
(18:27):
THINGS SHAKE OUT.
THIS IS A 60-DAY SESSION AND IT
STARTS IN JANUARY OVER FOUR
MONTHS.
AND THE LEGISLATURE THEIR GOAL
IS TO SET A BUDGET FOR TWO YEARS
FOR STATE GOVERNMENT.
SO THERE IS A LOT OF ASK OUT
THERE FROM THE VARIOUS
STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS INDUSTRIES
THAT ARE ASKING FOR A PIECE OF
THE PIE AND DOING LOBBYING AND
ADVOCATING A LOT OF RALLIES THAT
(18:49):
WILL BE HELD LEADING UP TO THE
SESSION STARTING ONCE THE
SESSION GOES ON WE ANTICIPATE
DAILY EVENTS FROM PEOPLE IN
GROUPS WANTING TO ADVOCATE FOR
STATE DOLLARS.
AND SPEAKING OF TRYING
TO INFLUENCE THE LEGISLATURE,
JOE DURBIN --
JOE ZONK ASPENT MONEY BETWEEN
(19:12):
APRIL AND AUGUST.
THAT'S THOSE NUMBERS.
I THINK MORE WAS SPENT SINCE THE
SESSION THAN WAS SPENT DURING
THE SESSION?
>> RIGHT.
IN THE INTERIM SESSION IS WHEN A
LOT OF IDEAS ARE FLUSHED OUT
BETWEEN LAWMAKERS.
WE SEE COMMITTEES HAPPENING AND
BILLS ARE BEING HEARD ALREADY
FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
(19:33):
THOSE HAVEN'T BEEN OFFICIALLY I
WILL FILED BUT THEY ARE GETTING
LAWMAKERS TALKING AND PUTTING
TOGETHER LEGISLATION FOR THE
NEXT SESSION.
ALLISON BALL RELEASED A
REPORT SAYING THE STATE
MISMANAGED $800 MILLION IN
TAXPAYER FUNDS BY PAYING OUT
CLAIMS PAID IN OTHER STATES.
Dr. STACK, THE AGENT L
(19:56):
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY
SERVICES REACTED.
>> HE CALL TO DO A REHASH WHAT
FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS FOUND IN
'22 STATES MADE PAYMENTS FOR
MEDICAID RECIPIENTS ENROLLED IN
TWO STATES.
SO THIS IS A BACK AND FORTH
BETWEEN THE CABINET AND THE
AUDITOR.
THE STATE AUDITOR WILL
BE LOOKING INTO THE FINANCIAL
(20:17):
SITUATION WITH THE FAYETTE
COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SEPTEMBER.
DEMETRUS LIGGINS TESTIFIED IN
FRANKFORT THIS WEEK BEFORE
LAWMAKERS ABOUT A $16 MILLION
SHORTFALL AND EFFORTS TO ADDRESS
IT AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED SOME
FRUSTRATION.
>> THERE ARE COUNTLESS THINGS I
COULD SAY THAT I WISH WOULD HAVE
HAPPENED, SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED,
(20:38):
THAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN, AND I
KNOW THAT HINDSIGHT IS ALWAYS
2020.
AND I WISH I HAD DONE MORE.
AND I REGRET THAT WE ARE IN THE
POSITION THAT WE'RE IN TODAY.
MARIO, THE STATE'S TWO
LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS
JEFFERSON AND FAYETTE ARE TRYING
(20:58):
TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DEAL WITH
DIGGING OUT OF DEFICITS.
IN FAYETTE COUNTY THERE IS A LOT
OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW IT
HAPPENED?
>> THAT IS RIGHT.
SUPERINTENDENT LIGGINS HE SHARED
THAT IT IS THE RIGHT APPROACH
BUT I RECOGNIZE THE PATH HAS
CREATED CONCERN AND THE CONCERNS
ARE RELATED TO TRANSPARENCY AND
(21:19):
PUBLIC FAMILIES, PARENTS
SPEAKING OUT WITH QUESTIONS
ABOUT HOW WAS THERE BUDGET
SHORTFALLS HOW IS THERE A
DEFICIT THE NUMBERS FLUCTUATED
OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS ON
ACTUALLY HOW MUCH MONEY IS THE
DEFICIT IN FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
THE LATEST NUMBERS ARE 16
MILLION AND THEN ALSO IN
(21:40):
JEFFERSON COUNTY THEIR DEFICIT
IS 188 MILLION.
THE SUPERINTENDENT IS WORKING ON
ISSUES THERE.
IN FAYETTE COUNTY, MORE
QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS AND WE'LL
SEE WHAT HAPPENS AS AUDITS START
BEGINNING.
AND INTERESTING THE
LEGISLATURE IS NOW ASKING THE
QUESTIONS.
McKENNA YOU DID A STORY
UPDATING SENATE BILL 207,
(22:02):
SCHOOLS OF INNOVATION.
>> RIGHT.
SO SENATOR WEST REPUBLICAN
BROUGHT FORTH THIS BILL THAT
PASSED THE LEGISLATURE.
IT IS A LAW BUT IT'S SOMETHING
THAT SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY
WANT TO TAKE PART IN.
IT WOULD ALLOW LOCAL SCHOOL
BOARDS OF EDUCATION TO APPLY FOR
(22:22):
WAIVERS FROM THE STATE BOARD OF
EDUCATION FOR SCHOOLS OF
INNOVATION.
AND YOU COULD SUBCONTRACT THE
MANAGEMENT OUT OF THOSE LIKE A
CHARTER SCHOOL.
A FEW DEMOCRATS ASKED IS THIS
NOT JUST A CHARTER SCHOOL?
AND SENATOR WEST SAID THAT HE
FILED THIS BILL AFTER AMENDMENT
TWO FAILED LAST YEAR, THE BILL
(22:43):
THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO JUST FUND
NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS.
SO IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE HOW
THIS WILL TAKE SHAPE.
THERE IS ALSO A CHARTER SCHOOL
LAWSUIT AGAINST IN FRONT OF THE
STATE SUPREME COURT RIGHT NOW.
IT'S INTERESTING HOW THIS WILL
PLAY OUT.
WHAT OTHER ISSUES DO
(23:03):
YOU SEE EMERGING BEFORE THE
SESSION?
>> ANOTHER BILL I WROTE ABOUT
WOULD BE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS
FROM REPUBLICAN MARIAN PROCTER.
IT SEEKS TO DEFINE WHAT GROOMING
IS AFTER A MINOR AND OUTLAW THAT
PRACTICE.
ONE THING THAT THE COMMITTEE
HEARD WAS THAT ONE ISSUE THAT
(23:24):
PROSECUTORS ARE SEEING IS THAT
THEY SEE THIS HISTORY OF INTENT
TO GROOM A CHILD TO HAVE SOME
KIND OF SEXUAL ACT IN THE FUTURE
BUT THERE IS NOT A WAY TO GO
AFTER AND PROSECUTE THAT ACT.
SO THE COMMITTEE WAS FAVORABLE
FOR IT ON BOTH SIDES.
BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THERE WERE
(23:45):
ISSUES LAWMAKERS DID NOT WANT TO
HASH OUT BEFORE SESSION.
TODD WHAT IS HAPPENING
IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AND THE
JACKSON PURCHASE AND ARE THERE
PRIORITIES FOR FRANKFORT OUT
THERE RIGHT NOW?
>> WELL, THERE ARE A COUPLE
THINGS MAKING HEADLINES
ESPECIALLY TODAY THE
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE GREATER
PADUCAH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
GROUP 60 MEGAWATT SOLAR FACILITY
(24:07):
IS COMING TO MCCRACKEN COUNTY
THEY WILL BREAKDOWN IN 2027, IT
WILL CREATE 150 JOBS AND CREATE
$7 MILLION IN REVENUE.
THERE'S ALSO CALLS TO SEE TO
COME TO FRUITION A VETERINARY
SCHOOL AT MURRAY STATE
UNIVERSITY.
BUT THERE ARE HICCUPS THERE IN
(24:29):
TERMS OF HOW IS IT GOING TO BE
FUNDING AND THE STAFFING GOING
TO WORK AND DEBATE OVER THE
TEACHING MODEL ITSELF.
BUT THERE ARE STEPS THAT HAVE
BEEN TAKEN OVER THE PAST SIX
MONTHS THAT LOOK LIKE IT IS ON
TRACK TO POSSIBLY HAPPEN IN THE
FUTURE.
IT LOOKS LIKE U.K. IS
GOING TO BE OFFERING AN
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MAJOR.
(24:50):
IT'S INTERESTING THE STATE'S
FLAGSHIP UNIVERSITY IS FLANKING
FOR THE FUTURE IN THAT WAY.
>> AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE SEEING
THIS BEING TALKED ABOUT AT THE
LEGISLATIVE LEVEL AS WELL.
AN A.I. TASK FORCE FOR A COUPLE
OF YEARS.
FOR U.K. OFFER TO THIS MAJOR
THERE IS ACCREDITATION APPROVAL
NEEDED.
MARIO, THE CITY OF
(25:11):
NEWPORT ASSUMED OWNERSHIP OF THE
PURPLE PEOPLE BRIDGE.
IT'S FUN TO SAY THAT.
NEWPORT LEADERS DECIDED THAT
NEEDS TO BE PUBLIC PROPERTY.
>> PUBLIC PROPERTY AND ALSO
UTILIZING A LOCAL REGIONAL
PARTNERSHIPS TO ENHANCE AND MAKE
PAYERS TO THE EXISTING STRUCTURE
THE LEADERS SAY THE BRIDGE IS
STILL SAFE.
(25:32):
AND STURDY BUT THEY WANT TO
ENHANCE AND MAYBE LOOK AT ADDING
MORE PAINT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE
OTHER EVENTS.
PURPLE PAINT.
OKAY.
WE DO WANT TO LEAVE TONIGHT WITH
THIS...
LONG TIME KENTUCKY JOURNALIST
ANDY WOLFSON DIED.
HE SPENT MORE THAN 44 YEARS AT
(25:53):
THE COURIER-JOURNAL AND THE
LOUISVILLE TIMES.
MANY HAVE COMMENTED ON HIS
DETERMINED SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH.
IN FACT, WOLFSON WON TWO
PULITZER PRIZES FOR COVERING THE
CARROLLTON BUS CRASH IN THE
1980s, AND THEN THE PARDONS
ISSUED BY GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN HE
WON IN 2020.
(26:13):
ANDY WOLFSON WAS 70 YEARS OLD.
AND FINALLY RAIN IN THE FORECAST
AND ACROSS KENTUCKY WE HAVE ALL
NEEDED THAT.
THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".
WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
AND WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD
WEEK AHEAD.
[♪♪]
>> Bill (00:08):
KENTUCKY'S REVENUE IS
LIKELY TO FALL MORE THAN $300
MILLION SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS.
MORE CANDIDATES COME FORWARD FOR
THE SENATE SEAT THAT MITCH
McCONNELL PLANS TO LEAVE NEXT
YEAR.
WESTERN KENTUCKY LEADERS FLY TO
WASHINGTON PUSHING FOR FUTURE
PROJECTS THAT MAY INCLUDE
NUCLEAR ENERGY.
AN AUDIT ALLEGES KENTUCKY
(00:29):
MISMANAGED MEDICAID FUNDS THE
STATE HEALTH SECRETARY CALLS IT
A REHASH ON THIS WEEKEND THAT
LEADS TO FALL.
COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.
[♪♪]
GOOD EVENING I'M BILL
BRYANT AND WE WELCOME YOU TO
(00:51):
"COMMENT 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 MCKENNA HORSLEY,
POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE
KENTUCKY LANTERN.
MARIO ANDERSON, ANCHOR AND HOST
OF IN FOCUS KENTUCKY ON SPECTRUM
NEWS ONE.
AND JOINING US IS TODD FAULKNER,
(01:15):
ANCHOR FOR WPSD LOCAL 6 IN
PADUCAH.
THE STATE'S TWO LARGEST SCHOOL
DISTRICTS FACE FINANCIAL
CHALLENGES AND THE CITY OF
NEWPORT ASSUMES OWNERSHIP OF THE
PURPLE PEOPLE BRIDGE.
LET'S BEGIN WITH POLITICS IN
KENTUCKY'S WATCHED U.S. SENATE
RACE THE RACE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC
(01:35):
NOMINATION GOT MORE CROWDED WHEN
A FORMER SECRET SERVICE AGENT
AND A FORMER C.I.A. AGENT JOINED
PAMELA STEVENSON ON THE TRAIL.
THEY ARE LOGAN FORSYTHE AND JOEL
WILLETT.
>> LOOK, I'M NOT A BILLIONAIRE
OR A POLITICIAN.
MOST FOLKS DON'T MAKE IT OUT OF
A PLACE LIKE LYON COUNTY MUCH
(01:57):
LESS RUN FOR SENATE.
AND MAYBE THAT IS THE PROBLEM.
POLITICS LIVING ON EASY STREET
DON'T UNDERSTAND THE HARDSHIPS.
I'VE BEATEN THE ODDS BEFORE AND
WITH YOUR HELP I WILL DO IT
AGAIN.
I'M LOGAN FORSYTHE AND I LOOK
FORWARD TO EARNING YOUR VOTE.
>> SORRY DONALD, ACTUALSY AND
THE REST OF YOU I AM RUNNING FOR
(02:18):
THE SENATE TO TAKE DOWN THE
SYSTEM THAT SCREWS EVERYONE
ELSE.
I'M JOEL WILLETT I AM NOT A
BILLIONAIRE OR A POLITICIAN JUST
A KENTUCKY GUY WHO FOUGHT LIKE
HELL TO GET HERE.
IF YOU GIVE ME THE CHANCE I WILL
FIGHT LIKE HELL FOR YOU.
DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT WON
(02:39):
A U.S. SENATE SEAT IN KENTUCKY
SINCE 1992.
THAT WAS WENDELL FORD'S FINAL
VICTORY UNTIL NOW MOST OF THE
ACTION HAS BEEN ON THE
REPUBLICAN SIDE.
AND ALL OF THE PUNDITS PAINT
KENTUCKY BRIGHT RED ON THE MAP
AND THAT IS NOT STOPPING WHAT
COULD BE A CONTEST FOR THE
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION.
>> THAT IS RIGHT.
(03:00):
SINCE THE FILING DEADLINE IS NOT
UNTIL JANUARY OF SEX YEAR,
JANUARY THE 9TH, PLENTY OF TIME
FOR PEOPLE TO ENTER THIS RACE
WHETHER THEY ARE DEMOCRATS OR
REPUBLICANS.
AND MANY MORE CANDIDATES MAY
STEP UP.
THERE ARE SEVERAL ON BOTH SIDES
BUT TIME WILL TELL WHO ELSE WILL
JUMP INTO THE RACE.
>> YES, IT'S HARD TO KNOW IF
(03:22):
IT'S WE STILL HAVE CANDIDATES
MAYBE COMING IN OR ANOTHER SHAKE
UP IN THE RACE THAT MAY AFFECT
THIS ON BOTH SIDES.
DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO WATCH.
AND IT IS AN ADVANTAGE TO TAKE
AS MUCH TIME AS THEY CAN TO
BUILDUP A NAME ID AND BOTH
CANDIDATES ARE DOING AND WE'VE
SEEN IT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.
(03:43):
IT'S INTERESTING AS WE
SAID NO DEMOCRAT HAS WON A U.S.
SENATE RACE IN KENTUCKY IN 33
YEARS IT WILL BE THIS FALL.
BUT THESE CANDIDATES SEEM TO BE
CONFIDENT THAT THEY CAN BE
CONTENDERS.
>> THEY ARE CONFIDENT.
BUT THEY PROBABLY ALSO KNOW IT
IS AN UPHILL CLIMB.
ESPECIALLY AS A DEMOCRAT IN SUCH
(04:04):
A RED STATE AS THE COMMONWEALTH
BUT WE ARE IN THE EARLY STAGES
OF THIS.
SO AS THE OTHERS MENTIONED WE'RE
IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE
TRYING TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES
AND GET NAME RECOGNITION AND
INTRODUCE THEIR PLATFORM TO
POTENTIAL VOTERS.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT
THE CANDIDATES?
POT HAVE STARK ANNOUNCEMENTS OF
FORSYTHE SAYING HE WOULD HAVE
(04:25):
TAKEN A BULLET FOR A PRESIDENT
WHILE WITH THE SECRET SERVICE.
WILLETT SAYS HE THINKS HE LOST
SECURITY CLEARANCE FOR TALKING
ABOUT RUNNING FOR THE SENATE.
>> LOGAN FORSYTHE IS FROM LYON
COUNTY.
HE IS LIVING IN LEXINGTON BUT IS
AN ATTORNEY AND A FORMER SECRET
SERVICE AGENT AND GOT INTO THE
(04:45):
RACE HE WAS CRITICAL OF THE ONE
BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FEDERAL TAX
CUT AND SPENDING PLAN AND SOME
OF THE THINGS HE WANTS TO
SUPPORT TERM LIMITS AS WELL.
BUT JOEL WILLETT IS A MILITARY
VETERAN AND EXC.I.A. OFFICER AND
WAS IN THE WHITE HOUSE WITH
(05:05):
BARACK OBAMA IN THE SITUATION
ROOM BUT SAYS HE HAS HAD
CONCERNS WITH THE CURRENT
ADMINISTRATION AND ALSO THE U.S.
DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL
INTELLIGENCE ACTUALSY GABBARD
AND HER DECISION MAKING JOEL
WILLETT HAD SECRET SERVICE
NATIONAL CLEARANCE AND HE SAYS
THAT ACTUALSY GABBARD PULLED
(05:26):
THAT.
HE IS WANTING TO MAKE A NAME FOR
HIMSELF AS WELL.
THERE WERE ALLEGATIONS
IT COULD BE USED FOR POLITICAL
PURPOSES.
PAMELA STEVENSON RUN ONE
STATE-WIDE RACE AND LOST.
IS THAT AN ASSET FOR HER MOVE
BEEN OUT THERE ON THE CAMPAIGN
TRAIL ACROSS THE STATE BEFORE?
(05:47):
OR DOES IT BRING SOME TARNISH TO
HER EFFORT THAT SHE LOST A RACE?
>> IT CAN BE A LITTLE BIT OF
BOTH.
THAT 2023 RACE FOR ATTORNEY
GENERAL SHE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY
TO CAMPAIGN STATE-WIDE, CAMPAIGN
WITH OTHER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
AND GET HER NAME OUT AND HERSELF
OUT IN FRONT OF VOTERS IN
(06:08):
KENTUCKY.
ITS NOT TOO FAR TOGETHER AGO
THAT THAT HAPPENED.
THERE MIGHT BE NAME RECOGNITION
THAT SHE CAN BUILD OFF THERE.
BUT, YOU FOR, SHE DID LOSE A
HIGH PROFILE RACE IN ATTORNEY
GENERAL TO RUSSELL COLEMAN OUR
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
REPUBLICANS DO HAVE THAT TO USE
AGAINST HER IN THE RACE IF SHE
(06:29):
BECOMES THE NOMINEE FOR SENATE.
THESE ARE LARGELY
UNKNOWN CANDIDATES YOU HAVE
STEVENSON WITH THE ONE RUN.
I DON'T THINK SHE SA PEERED IN
FANCY FARM IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.
YOU HAVE CANDIDATES THAT TO
INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.
>> THEY HAVE TO GET OUT AND
EXPLAIN WHAT THEY STAND FOR AND
(06:49):
HOW THEY ARE GOING TO HELP ANY
KENTUCKIAN SHOULD THEY BE IN
OFFICE.
ADDITIONALLY THEY WILL TRY AND
SEARCH OUT AN ENDORSEMENT BY
DEMOCRATIC "GOVERNOR'S AWARD IN
THE ARTS."
WHETHER HE WILL DO THAT, HAS YET
TO BE SEEN.
HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE PERCEIVED
(07:09):
AS PUTTING HIS THUMB ON THE
SCALE ESPECIALLY AS HE FLIRTS
WITH A POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL
RUN.
AND THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY CAME OUT WITH A COUNTDOWN
CUTS CLOCK.
THAT'S CALLING ATTENTION TO THE
SLOW ROLL OUT OF THE FEDERAL
BUDGET CUTS?
>> RIGHT.
AND WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT
THIS WEBSITE THAT IT GOES TO
(07:31):
COUNTY BY COUNTY DATA ABOUT HOW
MANY KENTUCKIANS IN THOSE AREAS
WILL ARE POTENTIALLY COULD LOSE
MEDICAID FUNDING, FOOD
ASSISTANCE, AFTER THE SPENDING
CUTS GO INTO EFFECT AFTER THE
ELECTION.
BUT WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT
THIS IT'S LOCALIZING A NATIONAL
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM THAT WE'RE
(07:52):
SEEING HEADING INTO THE MIDTERMS
WHICH IS OPPOSITION OF THE ONE
BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT.
WE WILL BE WATCHING THE
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY AND THE
REPUBLICANS ARE IN THE RACE FOR
THEIR NOMINATION AND IT IS A
TOUGH CONTEST.
CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR FORMER
ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON
AND BUSINESSMAN NATE MORRIS
CONTINUE TO BATTLE IT OUT.
TODD, WHAT ARE YOU SEEING FROM
(08:12):
THE G.O.P. CANDIDATES IN WESTERN
KENTUCKY?
AND DOES IT SEEM THAT ANYBODY
MAYBE BUILDING AN ADVANTAGE?
>> IT IS UNCLEAR WHO HAS THE
ADVANTAGE.
OF COURSE, DANIEL CAMERON HAS
THE NAME RECOGNITION BECAUSE OF
HIS FAILED BID FOR GOVERNOR.
BUT RIGHT NOW, PEOPLE MAYBE
FAMILIAR WITH ANDY BARR HE IS A
CONGRESSMAN.
NATE MORRIS PERHAPS.
(08:34):
THEY JUST SEEM DISCONNECTED A
LOT HERE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.
SO NO ONE REALLY HAS AN EDGE AT
THIS POINT SO EARLY ON.
SHORT OF A TRUMP
ENDORSEMENT DO WE SEE ANYTHING
THAT COULD SHAKE UP THE G.O.P.
RACE OR A GRIND FOR THE TV ADS
UNTIL WE GET TO THE MAY PRIMARY?
>> I THINK IT WILL BE A GRIND
(08:55):
UNTIL THE MAY PRIMARY.
THIS PRIMARY AS A SUCCESSOR TO
THAT 12-CANDIDATE G.O.P. PRIMARY
WE HAD FOR GOVERNOR A COUPLE
YEARS AGO THAT WAS INTENSE
SPENDING CAMPAIGNING BETWEEN THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY CANDIDATES.
SO THAT WILL BE SOMETHING WE'LL
SEE HEADING INTO THIS ONE.
(09:16):
MARIO NOT ALL THE ADS
COMES FROM THE CANDIDATES
THEMSELVES THERE ARE GROUPS THAT
ARE RUNNING ADS AS WELL.
AND THEN SOMETIMES THE
CANDIDATES DON'T LIKE WHAT THOSE
ARE SAYING.
>> THE PACS OUT THERE ARE
SEPARATE USUALLY FROM THE
CANDIDATE THAT IS RUNNING AND
ANDY BARR RUNNING IN THE THAT
RACE HE ACTUALLY SENT A LETTER
(09:40):
TO TWO CONSERVATIVE PACS THAT
OPPOSE HIS RUN FOR SENATE AND
THE LETTER CENTERED AROUND AN AD
ACCUSED OF ANDY BARR HAVING
LEGISLATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT
GENDER TRANSITION CARE FOR
MINORS AND THE BARR CAMPAIGN
SAID THE AD IS FALSE AND
DEFAMATORY AND AGAINST THAT.
(10:01):
WHEN THEY ARE INVESTING MONEY
INTO THE RACE THEY HAVE NOT
ENDORSED THE REPUBLICAN
CANDIDATES YET.
AND THEY ARE DOING
RETAIL CAMPAIGNING AS WELL.
>> A LOT OF SHAKING HANDS AND
SLAPPING BACKS.
WESTERN KENTUCKY
LEADERS WERE IN WASHINGTON THIS
WEEK AND MANY IN THE DC DELEGATE
MET WITH THEM AND TODD YOU WERE
ALONG FOR THE TRIP AND SENATOR
(10:23):
PAUL NOT RUNNING NEXT YEAR
LIKELY WILL IN 2028 FOR
SOMETHING, HINTED TWO RACES
MAYBE A PRESIDENTIAL BID AND FOR
THE SENATE.
BUT WE'LL SEE.
HE DID THAT IN 2016.
WHAT WERE YOUR TAKEAWAYS IN
TALKING WITH SENATOR PAUL?
>> WE'LL SEE ON THE PRESIDENTIAL
BID PLAYS OUT.
(10:43):
BUT IN TALKING WITH HIM AND
SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT WHAT
HE IS DOING ON CAPITOL HILL FOR
KENTUCKY, HE EXTOLED THE VIRTUE
OF CAPITALISM, FREE MARKET TRADE
AND HIS GOAL IS ALWAYS TO
PREVENT ANY SORT OF GOVERNMENT
OVERREACH OR RED TAPE THAT COULD
STYMIE ANY DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT NOT ONLY IN WESTERN
(11:04):
KENTUCKY BUT ALL OF KENTUCKY.
AND MY CONVERSATION WITH HIM, I
ASKED HIM TO WEIGH-IN IF HE HAD
A FAVORITE FOR THE KENTUCKY
SENATE PRIMARY.
HE SAID NO.
AND HE WASN'T GOING TO COMMENT.
BUT HE DID SAY THAT HE WANTED TO
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES.
AND SPECIFICALLY, THAT WHOEVER
DOES WIN THE PRIMARY, HE SAID
HOPES THAT THAT INDIVIDUAL HAS
(11:24):
THE GUTS TO STAND UP FOR WHAT
THEY BELIEVE N. WHICH MAY MEAN
SEPARATING FROM THE PARTY THE
PARTY LINE IF NECESSARY.
THAT WILL BE
INTERESTING AND SENATOR PAUL
ALSO APPEARED WITH MARIO ON IN
FOCUS KENTUCKY AND THEY COVERED
LOTS OF TOPICS INCLUDING
TARIFFS.
>> WITHOUT QUESTION TARIFFS ARE
TAXES AND THE CONSTITUTION SAYS
(11:45):
THAT TAXES SHOULD ORIGINATE IN
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GO
TO THE SENATE AND BE SIGNED BY
THE PRESIDENT.
THERE IS NO PROVISION IN THE
CONSTITUTION FOR THE PRESIDENT
TO JUST ENACT TAXES ON HIS OWN.
THE TARIFFS WILL BE PAID BY THE
PEOPLE WHO IMPORT THINGS MANY
ARE AMERICANS THEY ARE NOT PAID
IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES THEY ARE
PAID AS IT ENTERS INTO OUR
(12:07):
COUNTRY.
DID SENATOR PAUL
CONTINUE TO PUT DISTANCE BETWEEN
HIMSELF AND THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION ON SOME ISSUES?
>> HE DID ON SEVERAL ISSUES
INCLUDING THE OPPOSITION TO
TARIFFS AND REAR MINING HOW
PEOPLE ACROSS KENTUCKY THAT HE
CANNOT SUPPORT EMERGENCY POWERS
TO GET MORE FEDERAL FUNDING.
HE IS WANTING TO STAND TALL ON
(12:27):
THAT.
AND ALSO THE APPROPRIATIONS BILL
THAT GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN
POTENTIAL WOULD BE LOOMING
SEPTEMBER 30TH IS THE DATE.
AND SENATOR PAUL SAYS HE IS NOT
WANTING TO SHUT THE GOVERNMENT
DOWN BUT IS WILLING TO STAND UP
TOE-TO-TOE TO ENSURE THAT MONEY
IS SPENT AS IT IS SET IN THE
CONSTITUTION.
WE'LL SEE HOW SENATOR PAUL
(12:48):
PROGRESSES WITH THAT.
THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET
THAT THROUGH THE SENATE.
THERE WAS A HOUSE BILL THAT DID
GO AND CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE
VOTED AGAINST IT, ONE OF TWO
REPUBLICANS WHO JOINED DEMOCRATS
ON THAT.
WE NOTE THAT MASSIE AND SENATOR
PAUL WILL MAKE JOINT APPEARANCES
NEXT WEEK.
WHAT IS LIKELY TO COME FROM
THAT?
>> THEY WILL BE TRAVELING TO
(13:09):
THREE CITIES ACROSS KENTUCKY.
AND THEY HAVE KEPT THE TOPIC OF
DISCUSSION VERY VAGUE BUT WE
ANTICIPATE THEY WILL BE
CONTINUING TO TALK ABOUT THE
ISSUES THEY HAVE BEEN
COMMUNICATING ABOUT ON THE
NATIONAL SCENE.
A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES AND
GIVING FEEDBACK FROM REPUBLICAN
VOTERS HERE IN THE STATE.
ALL RIGHT.
(13:29):
TODD, I WANT TO SAY WE'RE
DELIGHTED YOU COULD JOIN US FROM
WESTERN KENTUCKY IT'S BEEN BUSY
YOU HAD THE FLY IN TRIP BY THE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
WHAT WERE THE MAIN GOALS OF THAT
TRIP?
>> 10,000 FOOT VIEW SO EVERYONE
IS AWARE IT'S IMPRESSIVE THE
PADUCAH CHAMBER GOES FOR THE DC
(13:49):
FLY IN, 80 PEOPLE OF ELECTED
OFFICIALS, BUSINESS OWNERS AND
OTHERS.
WHEN THEY GO THEY HAVE A LIST OF
FEDERAL PRIORITIES.
PRIORITIES IN ASKING FOR
SUPPORT, FINANCIALLY AND
OTHERWISE FOR INITIATIVES BACK
IN WEST KENTUCKY.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOST
IMPORTANT MEETINGS WITH
LAWMAKERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
ENERGY, IS ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
(14:10):
OF ENERGY PADUCAH SITE AND THE
POTENTIAL THERE.
REMEMBER THAT RIGHT NOW, THERE
ARE PLANS AND STUDIES FOR
REINDUSTRIALIZATION OF THAT SITE
THE FORMER PADUCAH GAS DIFFUSION
PLANT AND THOSE PLANS INCLUDE
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, DATA
CENTER THERE'S PLANS INCLUDE AN
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FACILITY
(14:31):
THAT WILL COST $40 MILLION.
AND THE POTENTIAL FOR NUCLEAR
ENERGY.
SO THOSE ARE THE BIG TALKING
POINTS DURING AT LEAST ONE OF
THE DAYS WE WERE THERE IN DC.
DO YOU THINK THE
BUSINESS LEADERS AND POLITICAL
LEADERS HEARD WHO THEY HOPED TO
FROM PEOPLE LIKE SENATOR
McCONNELL AND JAMES COMER?
>> ABSOLUTELY DID.
AND THIS IS A YEAR'S LONG EFFORT
(14:53):
IT'S PAVING THE ROAD OF FIVE
YEARS AGO, AND LOOKING FIVE
YEARS AHEAD.
AND THE LAWMAKERS THEMSELVES
HAVE SAID AND I BELIEVE IT TO BE
GENUINE, THE PADUCAH CHAMBER
WHEN THEY SHOW UP IT'S BIGGER
THAN LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON
THEY KNOW WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.
IS WHAT THE CHAMBER WILL TELL
(15:13):
YOU.
CONGRESSMAN COMER CALLED THE
DIRECTOR A SQUEAKY WHEEL AND
THEY GET THE OIL.
SO THEY ARE OPEN TO THE
CONVERSATIONS.
AND THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE WHAT
HAS ALLOTTED THE CONTINUED
FUNDING FOR THE CLEANUP AND
OTHER PROJECTS.
WE DO SEE INCREASING
(15:34):
INDICATIONS THAT KENTUCKY WILL
EMBRACE NUCLEAR ENERGY.
THE LEGISLATURE HAS DIRECTED THE
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMERCE TO STUDY
IT AND THEY ARE DOING THAT.
IS WESTERN KENTUCKY PARTICULARLY
WELL POSITIONED GIVEN ITS TRACK
RECORD FOR THAT?
>> WELL POSITIONED AND I WILL
TELL YOU WHY BECAUSE THEY HAVE
BEEN DOING THE RIGHT WORK IN THE
(15:55):
STATE LEGISLATURE TO PREPARE.
THEY'VE ALSO BEEN PREPARING AT
THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO REMEMBER
PADUCAH, KENTUCKY, IS BEING
TALKED ABOUT AT THE FEDERAL
LEVEL FOR ITS ABILITY TO HAVE
THIS MASSIVE CAMPUS AND
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR COMPANIES TO
COME IN AND INVEST, BUILD, AND
TALK ABOUT NUCLEAR ENERGY.
(16:17):
SOMETHING THAT I HEARD FROM
LAWMAKERS SENATOR PAUL,
McCONNELL, REPRESENTATIVE
COMER IN WASHINGTON.
BUT THE GROUND WORK HAS BEEN
LAID.
NOW IT'S JUST HURRY UP AND WAIT
AND GET THE COMPANIES TO COME IN
AND START.
IS ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE DATA CENTER A DONE
DEAL FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY?
(16:39):
>> NOT A DEAL DEAL UNTIL WE SEE
IT BUILT AND OPERATIONAL.
IT'S ON THE WAY.
PADUCAH, KENTUCKY WAS ONLY FOUR
LOCATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.
ONE OF FOUR TO BE SELECTED.
AND SO I THINK THAT SAYS A LOT
ABOUT WHAT COULD BE CREATED HERE
IN PADUCAH.
AND THE ENERGY BEHIND THIS
(17:01):
GROWING BE ME MOTH ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE.
SOUNDS LIKE A PURPOSE
DRIVEN TRIP.
HERE IN KENTUCKY THE REVENUES
LIKELY TO FALL $300 MILLION
SHORT OF THE SPENDING PLAN FOR
THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR THAT IS
THE NEW ESTIMATE.
IT IS MORE MANAGEABLE BECAUSE
THERE IS AN ALMOST $4 BILLION
RAINY DAY FUND BUT McKENNA
(17:23):
THIS IS ATTENTION GETTING?
>> YES, IT IS THE NUMBERS CAME
OUT DURING A FOUR-HOUR MEETING
THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL ANNEX
FROM THE FORECASTING GROUP.
BUT AS YOU NOTED WE DO HAVE THE
RAINY DAY FUND.
NOW MORE NUMBERS MAY COME OUT
TOWARD DECEMBER MORE SOLID AND
MORE KNOWN.
(17:43):
BUT, THIS INFORMATION IS LEADING
INTO THE NEXT BUDGET SESSION FOR
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN '26.
AND THE CONSENSUS
FORECASTING GROUP WILL MEET IN
DECEMBER AND GIVE THEIR BEST
ESTIMATE THEN WHAT TO TRY TO
PLAN FOR, FOR THE TWO-YEAR
BUDGET.
>> AND LAWMAKERS RETURN TO
FRANKFORT IN JANUARY.
THAT ALL COMES AS SOME
(18:04):
GROUPS ARE CALLING FOR MORE
SPENDING IN EDUCATION GROUP
WANTS MORE THAN 700 MILLION FOR
SCHOOLS.
BUSINESS GROUPS AND OTHER
ADVOCATES WANT COMMITMENTS FOR
CHILDCARE.
SOME ARE PUSHING THE STATE TO
MAKEUP SOME OF THE FEDERAL CUTS.
COULD THERE BE A LOT OF PRESSURE
THERE, PARTICULARLY IF THE
REVENUES SHRINKING SOME?
>> A TALL TASK AND WE'LL SEE HOW
(18:27):
THINGS SHAKE OUT.
THIS IS A 60-DAY SESSION AND IT
STARTS IN JANUARY OVER FOUR
MONTHS.
AND THE LEGISLATURE THEIR GOAL
IS TO SET A BUDGET FOR TWO YEARS
FOR STATE GOVERNMENT.
SO THERE IS A LOT OF ASK OUT
THERE FROM THE VARIOUS
STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS INDUSTRIES
THAT ARE ASKING FOR A PIECE OF
THE PIE AND DOING LOBBYING AND
ADVOCATING A LOT OF RALLIES THAT
(18:49):
WILL BE HELD LEADING UP TO THE
SESSION STARTING ONCE THE
SESSION GOES ON WE ANTICIPATE
DAILY EVENTS FROM PEOPLE IN
GROUPS WANTING TO ADVOCATE FOR
STATE DOLLARS.
AND SPEAKING OF TRYING
TO INFLUENCE THE LEGISLATURE,
JOE DURBIN --
JOE ZONK ASPENT MONEY BETWEEN
(19:12):
APRIL AND AUGUST.
THAT'S THOSE NUMBERS.
I THINK MORE WAS SPENT SINCE THE
SESSION THAN WAS SPENT DURING
THE SESSION?
>> RIGHT.
IN THE INTERIM SESSION IS WHEN A
LOT OF IDEAS ARE FLUSHED OUT
BETWEEN LAWMAKERS.
WE SEE COMMITTEES HAPPENING AND
BILLS ARE BEING HEARD ALREADY
FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
(19:33):
THOSE HAVEN'T BEEN OFFICIALLY I
WILL FILED BUT THEY ARE GETTING
LAWMAKERS TALKING AND PUTTING
TOGETHER LEGISLATION FOR THE
NEXT SESSION.
ALLISON BALL RELEASED A
REPORT SAYING THE STATE
MISMANAGED $800 MILLION IN
TAXPAYER FUNDS BY PAYING OUT
CLAIMS PAID IN OTHER STATES.
Dr. STACK, THE AGENT L
(19:56):
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY
SERVICES REACTED.
>> HE CALL TO DO A REHASH WHAT
FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS FOUND IN
'22 STATES MADE PAYMENTS FOR
MEDICAID RECIPIENTS ENROLLED IN
TWO STATES.
SO THIS IS A BACK AND FORTH
BETWEEN THE CABINET AND THE
AUDITOR.
THE STATE AUDITOR WILL
BE LOOKING INTO THE FINANCIAL
(20:17):
SITUATION WITH THE FAYETTE
COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SEPTEMBER.
DEMETRUS LIGGINS TESTIFIED IN
FRANKFORT THIS WEEK BEFORE
LAWMAKERS ABOUT A $16 MILLION
SHORTFALL AND EFFORTS TO ADDRESS
IT AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED SOME
FRUSTRATION.
>> THERE ARE COUNTLESS THINGS I
COULD SAY THAT I WISH WOULD HAVE
HAPPENED, SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED,
(20:38):
THAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN, AND I
KNOW THAT HINDSIGHT IS ALWAYS
2020.
AND I WISH I HAD DONE MORE.
AND I REGRET THAT WE ARE IN THE
POSITION THAT WE'RE IN TODAY.
MARIO, THE STATE'S TWO
LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS
JEFFERSON AND FAYETTE ARE TRYING
(20:58):
TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DEAL WITH
DIGGING OUT OF DEFICITS.
IN FAYETTE COUNTY THERE IS A LOT
OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW IT
HAPPENED?
>> THAT IS RIGHT.
SUPERINTENDENT LIGGINS HE SHARED
THAT IT IS THE RIGHT APPROACH
BUT I RECOGNIZE THE PATH HAS
CREATED CONCERN AND THE CONCERNS
ARE RELATED TO TRANSPARENCY AND
(21:19):
PUBLIC FAMILIES, PARENTS
SPEAKING OUT WITH QUESTIONS
ABOUT HOW WAS THERE BUDGET
SHORTFALLS HOW IS THERE A
DEFICIT THE NUMBERS FLUCTUATED
OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS ON
ACTUALLY HOW MUCH MONEY IS THE
DEFICIT IN FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
THE LATEST NUMBERS ARE 16
MILLION AND THEN ALSO IN
(21:40):
JEFFERSON COUNTY THEIR DEFICIT
IS 188 MILLION.
THE SUPERINTENDENT IS WORKING ON
ISSUES THERE.
IN FAYETTE COUNTY, MORE
QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS AND WE'LL
SEE WHAT HAPPENS AS AUDITS START
BEGINNING.
AND INTERESTING THE
LEGISLATURE IS NOW ASKING THE
QUESTIONS.
McKENNA YOU DID A STORY
UPDATING SENATE BILL 207,
(22:02):
SCHOOLS OF INNOVATION.
>> RIGHT.
SO SENATOR WEST REPUBLICAN
BROUGHT FORTH THIS BILL THAT
PASSED THE LEGISLATURE.
IT IS A LAW BUT IT'S SOMETHING
THAT SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY
WANT TO TAKE PART IN.
IT WOULD ALLOW LOCAL SCHOOL
BOARDS OF EDUCATION TO APPLY FOR
(22:22):
WAIVERS FROM THE STATE BOARD OF
EDUCATION FOR SCHOOLS OF
INNOVATION.
AND YOU COULD SUBCONTRACT THE
MANAGEMENT OUT OF THOSE LIKE A
CHARTER SCHOOL.
A FEW DEMOCRATS ASKED IS THIS
NOT JUST A CHARTER SCHOOL?
AND SENATOR WEST SAID THAT HE
FILED THIS BILL AFTER AMENDMENT
TWO FAILED LAST YEAR, THE BILL
(22:43):
THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO JUST FUND
NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS.
SO IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE HOW
THIS WILL TAKE SHAPE.
THERE IS ALSO A CHARTER SCHOOL
LAWSUIT AGAINST IN FRONT OF THE
STATE SUPREME COURT RIGHT NOW.
IT'S INTERESTING HOW THIS WILL
PLAY OUT.
WHAT OTHER ISSUES DO
(23:03):
YOU SEE EMERGING BEFORE THE
SESSION?
>> ANOTHER BILL I WROTE ABOUT
WOULD BE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS
FROM REPUBLICAN MARIAN PROCTER.
IT SEEKS TO DEFINE WHAT GROOMING
IS AFTER A MINOR AND OUTLAW THAT
PRACTICE.
ONE THING THAT THE COMMITTEE
HEARD WAS THAT ONE ISSUE THAT
(23:24):
PROSECUTORS ARE SEEING IS THAT
THEY SEE THIS HISTORY OF INTENT
TO GROOM A CHILD TO HAVE SOME
KIND OF SEXUAL ACT IN THE FUTURE
BUT THERE IS NOT A WAY TO GO
AFTER AND PROSECUTE THAT ACT.
SO THE COMMITTEE WAS FAVORABLE
FOR IT ON BOTH SIDES.
BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THERE WERE
(23:45):
ISSUES LAWMAKERS DID NOT WANT TO
HASH OUT BEFORE SESSION.
TODD WHAT IS HAPPENING
IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AND THE
JACKSON PURCHASE AND ARE THERE
PRIORITIES FOR FRANKFORT OUT
THERE RIGHT NOW?
>> WELL, THERE ARE A COUPLE
THINGS MAKING HEADLINES
ESPECIALLY TODAY THE
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE GREATER
PADUCAH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
GROUP 60 MEGAWATT SOLAR FACILITY
(24:07):
IS COMING TO MCCRACKEN COUNTY
THEY WILL BREAKDOWN IN 2027, IT
WILL CREATE 150 JOBS AND CREATE
$7 MILLION IN REVENUE.
THERE'S ALSO CALLS TO SEE TO
COME TO FRUITION A VETERINARY
SCHOOL AT MURRAY STATE
UNIVERSITY.
BUT THERE ARE HICCUPS THERE IN
(24:29):
TERMS OF HOW IS IT GOING TO BE
FUNDING AND THE STAFFING GOING
TO WORK AND DEBATE OVER THE
TEACHING MODEL ITSELF.
BUT THERE ARE STEPS THAT HAVE
BEEN TAKEN OVER THE PAST SIX
MONTHS THAT LOOK LIKE IT IS ON
TRACK TO POSSIBLY HAPPEN IN THE
FUTURE.
IT LOOKS LIKE U.K. IS
GOING TO BE OFFERING AN
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MAJOR.
(24:50):
IT'S INTERESTING THE STATE'S
FLAGSHIP UNIVERSITY IS FLANKING
FOR THE FUTURE IN THAT WAY.
>> AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE SEEING
THIS BEING TALKED ABOUT AT THE
LEGISLATIVE LEVEL AS WELL.
AN A.I. TASK FORCE FOR A COUPLE
OF YEARS.
FOR U.K. OFFER TO THIS MAJOR
THERE IS ACCREDITATION APPROVAL
NEEDED.
MARIO, THE CITY OF
(25:11):
NEWPORT ASSUMED OWNERSHIP OF THE
PURPLE PEOPLE BRIDGE.
IT'S FUN TO SAY THAT.
NEWPORT LEADERS DECIDED THAT
NEEDS TO BE PUBLIC PROPERTY.
>> PUBLIC PROPERTY AND ALSO
UTILIZING A LOCAL REGIONAL
PARTNERSHIPS TO ENHANCE AND MAKE
PAYERS TO THE EXISTING STRUCTURE
THE LEADERS SAY THE BRIDGE IS
STILL SAFE.
(25:32):
AND STURDY BUT THEY WANT TO
ENHANCE AND MAYBE LOOK AT ADDING
MORE PAINT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE
OTHER EVENTS.
PURPLE PAINT.
OKAY.
WE DO WANT TO LEAVE TONIGHT WITH
THIS...
LONG TIME KENTUCKY JOURNALIST
ANDY WOLFSON DIED.
HE SPENT MORE THAN 44 YEARS AT
(25:53):
THE COURIER-JOURNAL AND THE
LOUISVILLE TIMES.
MANY HAVE COMMENTED ON HIS
DETERMINED SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH.
IN FACT, WOLFSON WON TWO
PULITZER PRIZES FOR COVERING THE
CARROLLTON BUS CRASH IN THE
1980s, AND THEN THE PARDONS
ISSUED BY GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN HE
WON IN 2020.
(26:13):
ANDY WOLFSON WAS 70 YEARS OLD.
AND FINALLY RAIN IN THE FORECAST
AND ACROSS KENTUCKY WE HAVE ALL
NEEDED THAT.
THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".
WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
AND WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD
WEEK AHEAD.
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