>> A WEEK OF EMOTIONAL PROTESTS
AND DRAMA ENDS WITH A COUNTY
CLERK JAILED FOR CONTEMPT OF
COURT AND HER OFFICE NOW ISSUING
MARRIAGE LICENSES.
THE ISSUE OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
LICENSES MAKES ITS WAY INTO THE
GOVERNOR'S RACE AND LEADS TO
CALLS FOR A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE
SESSION.
MORE THAN 30,000 KENTUCKY SCHOOL
STUDENTS ARE CONSIDERED
HOMELESS.
AND IT'S DOWN TO TWO FINALISTS
FOR KENTUCKY EDUCATION
COMMISSIONER.
MANY ARE ON THE MOVE AND SOME
ARE RELAXING FOR THE LABOR DAY
WEEKEND, AND "COMMENT" IS NEXT
ON KET.
A week of emotional protests
GOOD EVENING.
I'M BILL BRYANT.
WELCOME TO "COMMENT ON
KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT THE
WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
OUR GUESTS ARE LAWRENCE SMITH,
REPORTER FOR WDRB-TV IN
LOUISVILLE, BETH MUSGRAVE,
REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON
HERALD-LEADER, AND ADAM BEAM,
KENTUCKY STATE HOUSE REPORTER
FOR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
WELL, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY LOUD
AND EMOTIONAL AND DIVISIVE WEEK
IN KENTUCKY AS OPPOSING CAVED
DUG IN ON THE ISSUE OF SAME-SEX
MARRIAGE,-SPECIFIC SPECIFICALLY
THE ISSUE OF ISSUING LICENSES.
THEN OF THE WEEK A COUNTY CLERK
IS IN JAIL FOR CONTEMPT FEDERAL
COURT.
ROWAN COUNTY ISSUED MARRIAGE
LICENSES TODAY.
ALL THREE OF OUR PANELISTS WERE
IN ASHLAND FOR THAT FEDERAL
COURT HEARING ON THE ISSUE OF
CONTEMPT COURT.
ADAM 1 YOUR ASSOCIATED PRESS
STORIES HAVE BEEN SEEN AROUND
THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD AND I
THINK LAWRENCE YOU HAVE BEEN
SEEN ON VIDEOS AROUND THE
NATION, THE POINT BEING THE
SPOTLIGHT WAS ON KENTUCKY DURING
ALL OF THIS, AND ALL OF YOU WERE
THERE.
BETH, YOU WERE OUTSIDE.
THAT WAS YOUR BEAT ON THAT DAY
TO WHATEVER WHAT WAS GOING ON.
DESCRIBE THAT SCENE.
>> THERE ARE HUNDREDS PROTESTERS
AND DEMONSTRATORS FROM BOTH
SIDES, PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT KIM
DAYS OF, THOSE WHO DID NOT.
IT GOT HEATED AT SOME POINTS AND
NOTHING EVERY BECAME PHYSICAL
BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF SHOUTING,
A LOT OF CHANTING THROUGHOUT THE
DAY UNTIL THE JUDGE ISSUED THE
ORDER SENDING DAVIS TO JAIL.
>> WHEN YOU SAY CHANTING AND
YELLING, I MEAN, PEOPLE WERE
LITERALLY --
>> THEY WERE IN EACH OTHER'S
FACES AT TIMES, AND A LOT OF
TIMES WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WOULD BE
A SIDEWALK PREACHER WOULD COME
OVER AND START LIKE A STORM
SERMON AND SOMEBODY FROM THE
OTHER SIDE WOULD COME OVER AND
START CHANTING IN HIS FACE OR --
AND THEN THE PREACHER WOULD WALK
AWAY.
LIKE I SAID, IT NEVER REALLY
GOT -- IT WAS VERY PASSIONATE
AND HEATED BUT I NEVER GOT TOO
TERRIBLY TENSE.
>> DID THE PROTESTERS SEEM TO
MAINLY BE FROM KENTUCKY?
DID THEY COME FROM ELSEWHERE?
>> YES, THERE WERE SOME THAT
CAME FROM OUT OF STATE.
THOSE THAT SUPPORT KIM DAVIS,
THEY WERE -- THERE ARE SOME
FOLKS THAT I TALKED TO THAT CAME
FROM NORTH CAROLINA, SOME PEOPLE
WHO HAD COME FROM TEXAS, AND
THERE WERE SOME ALSO ON THE
OTHER SIDE THAT HAD DRIVEN
PRETTY FAR DISTANCES IN ORDER TO
COME.
>> COULD YOU HEAR WELL ENOUGH TO
CONDUCT INTERVIEWS AND ALL OF
THAT.
>>
>> YEAH.
>> WE WERE HAVING DIFFICULTY,
YOU KNOW, WE HAD A SPECIAL
REPORT ON WKYT AND WE WERE
TRYING TO HEAR OUR REPORTERS
RELAY THE STORY, AND IT WAS
DIFFICULT TO HEAR THEM FOR THE
SHOUTS OF THE CROWD.
>> DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU WERE
STANDING.
SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AT THE
FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, ON THE LEFT
WAS THE KIM DAVIS SUPPORTERS AND
ON THE RIGHT WERE THE FOLKS THAT
OPPOSED HER, AND SO IT WAS RIGHT
IN FRONT OF THE STAIRWELL WHERE
THE TWO SIDES WOULD COMBINED.
SO IF YOU WERE RIGHT THERE IT
BECAME LOUD AND OBNOXIOUS BUT ON
THE RIGHT OR FAR LEFT IT WAS
FINE.
>> ADAM AND LAWRENCE, YOU WERE
BOTH IN THE COURTROOM, AND SO
THAT IS WHERE IT ALL PROCEEDED
THEN, AND JUDGE DAVID BUNNING,
PRESIDED OVER THAT CON DEMENT OF
REPORTER HEARING.
WHAT WAS THAT LIKE.
>>
>> LET ME GO OUTSIDE THE
COURTROOM FIRST.
I'VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG
TIME, NEVER QUITE SEEN ANYTHING
LIKE THIS, BOTH SIDES
PASSIONATELY BELIEVING THAT
THEY'RE RIGHT AND YELLING AT
EACH OTHER.
IT WAS AMAZING THE NUMBER OF
PEOPLE WHO GOT INVOLVED IN THIS,
BOTH AT THE COURTHOUSE IN
ASHLAND BUT ALSO IN ROWAN
COUNTY.
THERE HAVE BEEN PROTESTERS THERE
FOR DAYS ON BOTH SIDES.
SO THIS HAS TOUCHED A NERVE
AMONG LOTS OF PEOPLE AND BOTH
SIDES ARE TRYING THEIR BEST TO
BE HEARD.
>> AND NOW AT THE DETECTION
FACILITY WHERE KIM DAVIS IS
BEING HELD IN CARTER COUNTY IT'S
BEEN THE SITE OF PROVOSTS EVERY
DAY.
>> THERE HAVE BEEN ALREADY AND
THERE BE THERE WILL BE COMING UP
THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
>> NOW TO THE PROCEEDINGS AND
WHAT WENT ON THAT DAY.
>> WELL, IT WAS JUST A STUNNING
DECISION FROM JUDGE BUNNING TO
PUT HER IN JAIL.
ALL THE REPORTING WE DID BAND
OF, ALL THE EXPERTS SAID, PELL
YOU WHAT, HE'S NOT GOING TO PUT
HER IN JAIL, PROBABLY FINE LEB
WITH ALL THIS STUFF.
I THINK THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE
GASP FROM THE COURTROOM WHEN HE
DID THAT BUT HIS REASONING, IT
MADE SENSE BECAUSE HE ASKED HER
DIRECTLY, IF I WERE TO FINE YOU,
WILL YOU COMPLY WITH THE ORDER?
HE SAID, MY GOAL HERE IS NOT TO
GET MONEY FOR THE FEDERAL
JUDICIARY.
MY GOAL IS TO GET COMPLIANCE
WITH THIS ORDER THAT I HAVE
ISSUED.
AND IF I WERE TO ISSUE FINES FOR
YOU, WOULD YOU COMPLY WITH THAT
ORDER?
AND SHE SAID NO.
AND HE HE SAID, YOU KNOW, I FEEL
LIKE IF I WERE TO ISSUE THESE
FINES BECAUSE THE GAY COUPLES,
THEY DIDN'T ASK FOR PRISON TIME,
THEY SPECIFICALLY ASKED HIM NOT
TO SENTENCE HER TO JAIL, BUT HE
SAID IF I WERE TO DO THAT, I
DON'T THINK IT WOULD WORK, AND
SO HE THEN ORDERED HER FOR
REMANDED TO THE CUSTODY MARSHALS
IS THE WORDING HE USED.
>> AT ONE POINT HE ASKED HERE
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CONTACTING HER
TO HELP PAY HER FINE FROM
OUTSIDE SOURCES, AND SHE SAID
SHE HAS NOT SOLICITED ANYTHING
BUT THAT PEOPLE HAD CONTACT HER
SO THAT MAY HAVE PLAYED A ROLE
AS WELL.
ALTHOUGH HE SAID THE FINE IS NOT
GOING TO BE IMPORTANT.
IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP YOU AS
SHE INDICATED SHE SAID SHE WOULD
DO IT ANYWAY, SO HE SAID YOU'RE
IN CUSTODY MAR AND ALWAYS THERE
WAS AN AUDIBLE GASP THERE.
>> AND THEN AFTER HE DID THAT,
THEN HE HAULED UP ALL OF HER
EMPLOYEES AND HE SAID, HE DIDN'T
SAY THIS BUT IT WAS CLEAR, DO
YOU SEE WHAT JUST HAPPENED HERE?
THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU
IF YOU DON'T COMPLY WITH MY
ORDER P AND IT WAS STRESSFUL.
SOME OF THEM WERE SHAKING AND
CRYING.
AN HOUR OR SO INTO IT, BUNNING
DECIDED HE WOULD LET KIM DAVIS
OUT OF JAIL IF SHE WOULD AGREE
NOT TO INTERFERE WITH HER
WORKERS FOR COMPLYING WITH HIS
ORDER.
>> NOW, DOES HE BRING HER BACK
TO THE COURTROOM?
>> HE BROUGHT HER BACK TO THE
COURTROOM.
SHE DID NOT ENTER THE COURTROOM.
HER ATTORNEY SAID WE WANT TO
SPEAK WITH HER FIRST, AND THEN
HER ATTORNEYS CAME AND AND SAID,
YOUR HONOR, WE DON'T SEE A
REASON TO BRING HER BACK IN HERE
BECAUSE THE ANSWER IS NO.
HE SAID I DON'T SEE A REASON TO
BRING HER IN, EITHER.
SO SHE BASICALLY REJECTED THAT
OFFER.
AND SHE HAS TESTIFIED -- SHE'S
BEEN VERY CONSISTENT THROUGH
THIS WHOLE THING.
SHE SAID IT DOESN'T MATTER IF
SOMEBODY ELSE DOES WE'LL BE
RIGHT BACK DOESN'T MATTER IF
SOMEBODY ELSE ISSUES IT AND MY
NAME IS NOT EVEN ON IT BECAUSE
UNDER THE LAW THAT LICENSE SAID,
UNDER MY AUTHORITY, AND THAT'S
WHAT SHE CAN'T HAVE, AND THAT'S
THE PROBLEM HERE.
THE ONLY TWAY THAT THEY CAN
CHANGE THAT TO SATISFY HER IS 50
LAW CHANGES.
AND THE ONLY WAY THAT CAN HAPPEN
IS THE STATE LEGISLATURES HAS
GOT TO MEET AND THEY'RE NOT
GOING TO MEET UNTIL JANUARY.
THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR STEVE
BESHEAR HAS SAID HE'S NOT GOING
TO CALL THEM BACK.
SO I THINK YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AT
A SITUATION WHERE SHE COULD BE
IN JAIL FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS.
>> THE GOVERNOR HAS REPEATEDLY
SAID THAT, THAT HE DOES NOT
INTEND TO CALL A SPECIAL 11:00
SESSION AND YET YOU HAVE THE
DEMOCRATIC HOUSE SPEAKER GREG
STUMBO SAYING HE WOULD LIKE A
SESSION CALLED SO THAT THIS
MATTER COULD BE HANDLED AS WELL
AS THE SENATE REPUBLICAN
LEADERSHIP INCLUDING THE SENATE
PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS CALLING
FOR A SPECIAL SESSION.
THEY SAY THEY COULD DO SOMETHING
IN ABOUT FIVE DAYS AND GET OUT
OF TOWN.
IS THERE ANY INDICATION THAT THE
GOVERNOR WILL CHANGE HIS MIND
WHO THAT?
>> THEY REPEATED THAT AGAIN THIS
WEEK, BOTH STIVERS AND STUMBO
SAID THEY WANTED A SPECIAL
SESSION.
STUMBO SAID HE'S TALK TO THE
GOVERNOR.
THE GOVERNOR WILL NOT DO IT.
THE GOVERNOR CITES THE COST, BUT
SAYS IT'S NOT DUSH GUESS HE
DOESN'T CONSIDER IT AN EMERGENCY
THAT THIS CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF
ONCE THE LEGISLATURE CONVENES IN
JANUARY.
>> I WAS SURPRISED BY THAT.
>> SOME THINK IT IS AING
EMERGENCY.
>> I WAS SURPRISED BY THAT.
>> HE ALSO SAID, LOOK WEEK WE
HAVE 117 COUNTY CLERKS THAT HAVE
NO PROBLEM WITH THIS.
SO WHY ARE WE CALLING A SPECIAL
SESSION FOR THREE PEOPLE WHO
HAVE REFUSED TO ISSUE THESE
LICENSES?
THAT DOESN'T MAKE EXPENSE THAT'S
NOT A GOOD IDEA NOR THE
TAXPAYERS.
>> DOES -- YOU SAID WE DON'T
KNOW HOW LONG THIS WILL LAST.
DOES NUB KNOW HOW LONG CLERK
DAVIS IS PREPARED TO STAY BEHIND
BARS?
>> I TALKED TO HER HUSBAND
TODAY, JOE DAVIS, AND HE SAID
IT'S NEFFTABLE THAT SHE'S NOT
GOING TO CHANGE HER MIND AND
SHE'LL STAY THERE AS LONG AS SHE
NEEDS TO STAY THERE.
THERE'S NO TIME LIMIT ON THIS.
SHE'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE HER
MIND ACCORDING TO HER HUSBAND
AND ACCORDING TO HER ATTORNEYS,
SO THIS COULD BE DRAGGED OUTING
FOR A LONG TIME.
AS ADAM SAID WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK
COULD BE UNTIL THE LAW IS
CHANGED.
>> THE COUNTY SAID, TOO, THAT
SHE'S IN ISOLATION IN THIS JAIL
CELL AT THE CARTER COUNTY
DETENTION CENTER WITH HER BIBLE
AND SHE'S READING HER BIBLE AND
SHE SAID -- THEY SAID SHE WAS IN
GREAT SPIRITS AND SHE SAID ALL
IS WELL.
SHE KEPT SAYING THAT OVER AND
OVER.
SHE SEEMS PREPARED TO STAY.
>> AS POINTED OUT FIVE OR SIX
DEPUTIES AGREED TO ISSUE
LICENSES AND THEY USED SOME
VERSION OF A LICENSE THAT WAS
ISSUED THAT I THINK YOU GOT A
LOOK AT TODAY, LAWRENCE, AND YOU
DID NOT SEE HER NAME ON THAT
CERTIFICATE.
>> RIGHT.
I PERSONALLY SAW THREE PEOPLE,
THREE COUPLES PICK UP THEIR
LICENSES, AND I SAW WITH IT MY
OWN EYES ONE OF THOSE LICENSES,
AND THAT WAS THE ONE THAT WAS
OBTAINED BY APRIL MILLER AND
KAREN ROBERTS WHO ARE TWO OF THE
PLAINTIFFS IN THE, AND I THAT
LICENSE DID NOT CONTAIN THE NAME
OF KIM DAVIS.
IT CONTAINED BRIAN MASON'S NAME
WHO IS THE DEPUTY CLERK WHO
ISSUED ALL THREE OF THOSE
LICENSES BUT DID IT NOT CONTAIN
THAT I COULD SEE AND APRIL
MILLER READ THE ENTIRE THING
PRACTICALLY, WE COULD NOT SEE OR
FIND KIM DAVIS' NAME ON THAT.
>> AND DAVIS' ATTORNEYS HAVE
SAID SINCE THEN THAT THAT
LICENSE IS NOT, QUOTE, NOT WORTH
THE PAPER IT'S WRITTEN ON.
THEY SAID SHE HAS REFUSED TO
GIVE THEY ARE AUTHORITY FOR
THOSE LICENSES, AND THOSE
LICENSES ARE VOID.
NOW, CECIL WATKINS, THE COUNTY
ATTORNEY, DISAGREES WITH THAT.
HE SAYS THEY ARE LEGAL.
THE GAY COUPLES' ATTORNEYS SAY
THEY ARE VALID AND LEGAL.
DAVID BUNNING THE JUNG SAID SHE
DIDN'T KNOW IF THEY ARE LEGAL OR
NOT.
HE DIDN'T CARE.
HE JUST WANTS THEM TO BE ISSUED.
>> THIS IS MOVING ITS WAY TO THE
CAMPAIGN TRAIL AS WELL DURING
THIS STATEWIDE ELECTION YEAR.
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR
GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN IS DURING
ADJUSTING HELP HE'S ASKING
GOVERNOR BESHEAR TO DO IT BUT
SAID HE WOULD DO IT IMMEDIATELY
IF HE IS ELECTED GOVERNOR.
>> HE SAID HE WOULD DO THAT AND
HE IS ON THE SIDE OF KIM DAVIS.
HE HAS NOT BEEN ON CAMERA SAYING
THAT.
PERHAPS A MISSED DIDN'T YOU FOR
HIM ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL BUT HE
HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING HE
IS ON HER SIDE AND WOULD MAKE
CHANGES IMMEDIATELY UPON BEING
ELECTED GOVERNOR.
>> AND DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE JACK
CONWAY HAS NOT COMMENTED MUCH
EXCEPT TO SAY IT IS A NATION OF
LAWS.
A FEDERAL JINX ORDER HAS TO BE
FOLLOWED, HE SAID, AND HE HAS
ALSO INDICATED, THOUGH, HE COULD
ALSO SUPPORT AN APPROACH THAT
REMOVES THE LOCAL CLERK'S NAME
FROM THE LICENSE, RIGHT?
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO
OF THEM, BETWEEN CONWAY AND
BEVIN IS THAT BENCH SAYS IT IS
UTTERLY RIDICULOUS THAT SHE IS
IN JAIL AND CONWAY SAID SHE
DISOBEYED A FEDERAL JUDGE'S
ORDER.
THIS IS THE CONSEQUENCES.
NORMALLY YOU THINK AN ISSUE LIKE
THIS WOULD REALLY BENEFIT.
REPUBLICAN, BENEFIT BEVIN, BUT
IT ALSO KIND OF EXPOSES I THINK
A WEAKNESS OF HIS CAMPAIGN IN
THAT SHE -- HE SHOULD BE UP ON
STATEWIDE TV NOW.
HE SHOULD HAVE ADS UP ERRWHERE
AND HE DOESN'T YET I DON'T KNOW
IF THAT'S BECAUSE HE HASN'T
RAISED THE MONEY FOR IT OR WHAT
BUT IT SEEMS LIKE HE'S MISSING A
CHANCE TO GET OUT THERE AND GET
IN FRONT OF THIS.
>> HE DID RELEASE A STATEMENT
AND ALSO A TELEPHONE CONFERENCE.
THAT'S ALL HE'S DONE.
>> LIKE YOU SAID, HE'S NOT AGAIN
BEEN IF FRONT OF YOUR CAMERA TO
TALK ABOUT IT.
>> WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS IN
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CASE
WHERE THIS REPUBLICAN NOMINEES
WHITNEY WESTERFIELD AND THE
DEMOCRATY IS ANDY BESHEAR, THE
SON OF GOVERNOR?
>> A LOT OF THE PROTESTERS
YESTERDAY SAID THEY WOULD TAKE
THIS OUT ON ANDY BESHEAR BUT
THERE'S A REAL QUESTION WITH
ABOUT ABOUT THE WHETHER THOSE
PROTESTERS WOULD VOTE FOR ANDY
BESHEAR IN THE FIRST PLACE.
I SEE THIS AS AN ISSUE THAT'S
DEFINITELY GOING TO COME UP IN
THAT RACE BETWEEN WESTERFIELD
AND ANDY BESHEAR.
>> THIS IS ALSO MOVED ITS WAY
INTO THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.
THIS HAS BEEN PAY NATIONAL STORY
ALL WEEK AS WEAVE SAID.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT FORMER
ARKANSAS GOVERNOR MIKE HUCKABEE
IS COMING TO KENTUCKY NEXT WEEK.
>> YEAH, AT LEAST THREE OF THE
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES HAVE
INDICATED SUPPORT FOR KIM DAVIS.
MIKE HUCKABEE HAS, RON CALL --
RAND PAUL HAS, AND ONE OTHER
ONE.
>> YOU CAN'T REMEMBER, EITHER.
>> IT WILL COME TO ME.
BUT --
>> TED CRUZ I THINK.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
BUT HUCKABEE IS COMING TO
KENTUCKY ON TUESDAY.
WE DON'T KNOW WHEN OR EXACTLY
WHAT FORM IT IS GOING TO TAKE
BUT HE'S COMING IN SUPPORT OF
HER.
>> I THINK HE INDICATED THAT
HE'S GOING TO MEET WITH HER OR
TRYING TO.
I THINK HE IS GOING TO TRY TO
ACTUALLY MEET WITH HER IN THE
JAIL AND THEN COME OUT AND HAVE
A RALLY.
>> BOBBY JINDAL, THE LOUISIANA
GOVERNOR, ALSO GAVE HIS SUPPORT
IN THAT.
ALL RIGHT.
WELL, OBVIOUSLY THIS IS AN ISSUE
THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE, AND
WE'LL SEE WHERE IT ALL GOES.
BETH, YOU HAVE DONE AN EXTENSIVE
PIECE ABOUT HOMELESS SCHOOL
STUDENTS IN KENTUCKY NUMBERING
MORE THAN 30,000.
WE APPARENTLY HAVE THE HIGHEST
RATE IN THIS COUNTRY OF STUDENTS
WHO ARE GOING TO SCHOOL WHO
DON'T HAVE A REGULAR PLACE TO GO
HOME AT NIGHT.
>> YEAH, RIGHT NOW IT'S RUNNING
AT ABOUT 5%, AND IN SOME
COUNTIES IN EASTERN KENTUCKY
IT'S BASICALLY ONE IN FIVE
STUDENTS, AND SO -- AND IT HAS
NEARLY DOUBLED IN THE LAST SIX
OR SEVEN YEARS, AND THEY THINK
THAT ONE OF THE REASONS BEHIND
THE INCREASE IS BOTH THE
RECESSION AND LOSS OF JOBS, BUT
A LOT OF IT DOES HAVE TO DO WITH
KENTUCKY'S HIGH RATE OF
ADDICTION THAT HAS SORT OF
DECIMATED FAMILY UNITS.
A LOT OF KIDS THAT ARE BEING
BOUNCED FROM FEY FAMILY MEMBER
TO FAMILY MEMBER ON TO FAMILY
MEMBER WHICH TECHNICAL UNDER
THAT DEFINITION THAT COUNTS AS
HOMELESS.
>> OR THEY'VE BEEN REMOVED FROM
THE HOME BY THE COURT.
>> OR BEEN REMOVED FROM THE
HOME.
>> HOW ARE STUDENTS CLASSIFIED
AS HOMELESS?
>> WELL, UNDER THE FEDERAL
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DEFINITION OF HOMELESSNESS IS
ANYONE WHO IS LIVING ON THE
STREET, IN A SHELTER, IN A CAR,
IN A HOTEL OR MOTEL OR IF
THEY'RE LIVING WITH WHAT'S
CALLED DOUBLED UP, SO IF, FOR
EXAMPLE, YOUR FAMILY LOSES THEIR
HOUSE AND YOU MOVE IN WITH YOUR
GRANDMOTHER OR ANOTHER FAMILY
MEMBER THEN YOU'RE CONSIDERED
HOMELESS AS WELL, SO THAT'S
WHERE YOU SEE THE BIG GROWTH
NUMBERS IS IN THAT DOUBLE UP
NUMBER.
>> ARE THERE ANY PROPOSED
SOLUTIONS?
I KNOW YOU INTERVIEWED OUT OF
PIKE COUNTY I THINK IT WAS WHERE
THERE HAD BEEN A STUDENT WHO
JUST GRADUATED THIS YEAR WHO
THERE WAS A HELPFUL SCHOOL FOUR
WHO GOT INVOLVED.
>> RIGHT.
WELL, WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY
THAT KENTUCKY NEEDS MORE OF ARE
ACTUALLY HOMELESS EDUCATION
COORDINATORS WHO CAN DEVOTE
FULL-TIME TO THE EDUCATION OF
THOSE HOMELESS STUDENTS AND ONLY
EIGHT SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN
KENTUCKY ACTUALLY HAVE FULL-TIME
HOMELESS EDUCATION COORDINATORS.
SO PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A
WHO THE MORE OF THOSE DESIGNATED
FOR EACH DISTRICT AND, OF
COURSE, MORE MONEY WOULD ALWAYS
HELP BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY ONLY
HAVE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR
HOMELESS STUDENTS.
>> THE RAMIFICATIONS ARE
OBVIOUSLY THAT UNSTABLE
SITUATION IS DIFFICULT FOR THEM
TO LEARN AND THRIVE IN SCHOOL.
>> WELL, THE TEST SCORES BOTH
FROM FAYETTE COUNTY AND
STATEWIDE SHOW BASICALLY IF
YOU'RE HOMELESS, THAT IS ONE OF
THE MAIN REASONS WHY YOU FAIL AT
SCHOOL, AND THE DROPOUT OF
SCHOOL.
>> WELL, ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO
WILL BE ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE
AND OTHERS IS ABOUT TO BE
CHOSEN.
WE'RE DOWN TO TWO FINAL ITS
LOOKS LIKE, LAWRENCE, FOR
KENTUCKY EDUCATION COMMISSIONER.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THEM?
>> OUR WDRB EDUCATION REPORTER
TONY CANNES HAS BEEN TRACKING
THIS DOWN, AND BY PROCESS OF
ELIMINATION SHE'S GOTTEN TWO
FINALISTS.
I'M GOING TO READ THEIR NAMES
BECAUSE THIS IS HER REPORTING.
STEVEN PROSTITUTE IS A FORMER
JUDGE OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICIAL NOW WITH A NON-PROFIT
REFORM ORGANIZATION, AND
CHRISTOPHER COOK, WHO IS FROM
ILLINOIS, INTERIM PRESIDENT OF
THE COUNCIL FOR ACCREDITATION OF
EDUCATION PREPARATION --
WHATEVER THAT IS -- BUT BOTH ARE
BASED IN WASHINGTON, AND SO
THOSE ARE THE TWO FINALISTS
APPARENTLY, AND THERE WAS ONLY
ONE KENTUCKIAN EVEN IN THE HUNT
AS FAR AS THE FINAL FIVE, AND
THAT WAS BUDDY BARRY WHO IS
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE VERY
ACCLAIMED SCHOOL SYSTEM IN
EMINENCE BUT IT APPEARS TO TWO
WASHINGTON-BASED INDIVIDUALS ARE
THE FINALISTS NOW FOR THAT
POSITION.
>> DO YOU THINK THE SEARCH WAS
COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT
TERRY WHO WILL A-DAY'S
RETIREMENT HAS COME IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE STATEWIDE ELECTION
YEAR WHEN THE GOVERNOR'S GOING
TO BE CHOSEN AND THE DIRECTION
OF EDUCATION IN THE STATE COULD
GO IN DIFFERENT WAYS?
>> ABSOLUTELY, I BELIEVE THAT'S
A FACTOR BECAUSE IF MATT BEVIN
WINS, HE HAS PROMISED SOME
SWEEPING REFORMS IN EDUCATION
FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
TO COLLEGE EDUCATION,
EXPERIMENTING WITH DIFFERENT
KINDS OF SCHOOLS, SO THIS
CERTAINLY HAS AN IMPACT, THIS
PROSPECT OF A NEW GOVERNOR,
ESPECIALLY IF IT'S REPUBLICAN
MATT BEVIN, ON THE WORK OF THIS
NEW EDUCATION COMMISSIONER.
>> AND THIS COMMISSIONER WILL
COME INTO OFFICE AND MEL FACE
THAT CHANGE IN GOVERNOR WITHIN A
MONTH OR TWO?
POTENTIALLY.
YES WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WILL BE
CHANGED.
MOUCH HOW MUCH OF A CHANGE WILL
BE DEPENDS ON WHO WINS.
>> WE DON'T KNOW THE TIME FRAME
EXACTLY WHEN THE STATE BOARD OF
EDUCATION WILL -- THEY'RE DOING
BACKGROUND CHECKS.
>> VERY STEFAN.
THEY HAD ONE PREVIOUS MISCUE
BEFORE THEY CHOSE THE CURRENT
COMMISSIONER.
>> ADAM YOU COVERED AN EVENT
THIS YEAR WHERE THERE WAS TALK
OF FIBER AND FASTER INTERNET
BEING AN ANSWER TO EASTERN
KENTUCKY'S WOES OF THE ECONOMIES
SPECIFICALLY WITH THE PRODUCTION
OF COAL, WHICH IS SO DOWN AT
THIS POINT FROM OF SOME YEARS
AGO.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
TO ME THIS IS A REALLY
FASCINATING STORY BECAUSE YOU
LOOK AT EASTERN KENTUCKY WHERE
SO MANY PEOPLE, THOUSANDS OF
PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS
BECAUSE OF THE DECLINE THE IN
COAL INDUSTRY AND THERE'S BEEN
NOTHING COME IN TO REPLACE THAT
YET AND POLITICIANS,
ENTREPRENEURS, EVERYBODY HAS
BEEN TRYING ON COMING UP WITH
SOMETHING REPLACE THAT, AND THE
SOLUTION THEY THINK IS HIGH
SPEED ♪.
AND KENTUCKY AS A STATE, EASTERN
KENTUCKY IN PARTICULAR, DREADFUL
RATES, DREADFUL ACCESS TO HIGH
SPEED INTERNET.
THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT INTERNET
THAT'S FAST TOUGH TO SUN EVER
SUSTAIN COMPANIES THAT DO HIGHER
TECHNOLOGIC WORK.
SO KENTUCKY JUST KICKED OFF
CONSTRUCTION FOR SOMETHING LIKE
3,400 MILES OF FIBEROPTIC
CABLES.
THESE TINY CABLES THAT ARE
UNDERGROUND THAT CAN CARRY
INFORMATION AT SPEEDS 30 TIMES
FASTER THAN WHAT THEY HAVE
ACCESS TO RIGHT NOW.
AND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT
THEY'RE GOING TO LAY AND CONNECT
DIRECTLY TO PEOPLES HOMES.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE
GOING TO LAY DOWN, IT'S LIKE THE
INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM, AND
THEY NEED BUSINESSES AND
GOVERNMENT TO BUILD THE EXIT
RAMPS OFF THESE FIBEROPTIC
NETWORKS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO
BUILD TO GO INTO NEIGHBORHOODS,
TO GO INTO PEOPLES HOME TO
FINISH IT OUT.
WHAT'S REALLY INTERESTING IS
TAXPAYERS, ONLY GOING TO BE ON
THE HOOK FOR $50 MILLION.
I KNOW YOU THINK ONLY
$50 MILLION.
THAT'S STILL A LOT MON.
THE WHOLE PROJECT IS SOMETHING
LIKE $350 MILLION.
SO PRIVATE INVESTMENT IS GOING
TO PAY FOR THE MAJORITY OF THIS
PROJECT THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
I WAS AT AN EVENT MONDAY IN
HAZARD.
THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE
THERE, GOVERNOR BESHEAR WAS
THERE, REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN
HAL ROGERS WAS THERE, AND THEY
REALLY THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE
THE FUTURE FOR EASTERN KENTUCKY,
AND IS NOT JUST CONCERN KENTUCKY
BUT THE STATE AS A WHOLE.
>> IT'S VERY INTERESTING AND
WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT GOES.
BETH, LEXINGTON TALKING ABOUT
RAISING ITS LOCAL MINIMUM WAGE,
A MOVE THAT LOUISVILLE MADE
EARLIER IN THE YEAR AFTER OF A
LOT OF DEBATE.
DOES IT LOOK LIKE THAT THAT HAS
MOMENTUM TO HAPPEN?
>> WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE
WILL BE MORE DEBATE.
THEY WILL HAVE ANOTHER MEETING
ON THURSDAY AND IT'S NOT
EXPECTED THAT THEY'RE GOING TO
TAKE A VOTE P THIS IS THE FIRST
TIME THAT THE URBAN COUNTY COINS
WHO IS HAD A CHANCE TO ASK GUESS
BUT ON THE OTHER HAND WHICH IS
QUITE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT
LOUISVILLE HAD PASSED BECAUSE IT
INCLUDES TIPPED EMPLOYEES AND
THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES
INVOLVED, SO WE'RE NOT EXPECTING
A VOTE ON THURSDAY BUT WE ARE
EXPECTING A LOT OF DEBATE.
>> ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT YOU
HEAR IS THAT WHAT ABOUT THE FACT
THAT SURROUNDING COUNTIES MIGHT
NOT DO THAT AND THEREFORE YOU
CAN GET CHEAPER LABOR IN
SURROUNDING COUNTIES.
>> THAT'S BEEN -- THAT'S BEEN A
CONCERN THAT HAS BEEN RAISED
QUITE A BIT.
THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE TIPPED
EMPLOYEES, AND LOUISVILLE DIDN'T
DO THAT, AND BECAUSE A LOT OF
RESTAURANT OWNERS COME BACK AND
SAY, WELL, OUR TIPPED EMPLOYEES
ARE OUR HIGHEST PAID EMPLOYEES
SO WHY RAISE THEIR MIN NUMB?
SO THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS
THAT STILL NEED TO BE ANSWERED
ABOUT THAT.
MEANWHILE OTHER EXTENSIVE PASSED
IT.
BIRMING HAPPEN PASSED IT.
I BELIEVE ST. LOUIS JUST PASSED
AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE.
SO -- AND LOUISVILLE HAS HAD IT
IN PLACE SINCE JULY, I BELIEVE.
>> IT'S A THREE-YEAR PHASE-IN.
>> DOES THAT CONTINUE TO BE
CONTROVERSIAL OVER THERE?
>> THERE'S NOT MUCH TALK ABOUT
IT NOW.
THERE IT WAS VERY CONTROVERSIAL
BEFORE IT WAS PASSED, THE SAME
CONCERNS ABOUT RESTAURANTS AND
ABOUT OTHER COUNTIES NOT
ADOPTING THIS AND MAKING
LOUISVILLE UNCOMPETITIVE.
BUT THAT'S WHY THE MAYOR DECIDED
TO CAP IT I THINK IT WAS $9 AN
HOUR INSTEAD OF $10.15 AS SOME
WANTED AND IT WILL BE PHASED IN
OVER THREE YEARS.
>> HERE'S ANOTHER ISSUE.
LEXINGTON ALSO STARTED A NEEDLE
EXCHANGE TODAY WITH THE IDEA, OF
COURSE, BACKED BY THE STATE
LEGISLATURE THAT GAVE
COMMUNITIES A LOCAL OPTION TO
TRY TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF IV
DRUG USE DISEASES BY IV DRUG
USERS.
LOUISVILLE HAD DONE THAT
EARLIER.
I WANT TO GET BOTH OF YOUR TAKES
ON THIS.
FIRST OFF, HOW IS IT GOING IN
LEXINGTON AND, LAWRENCE, IN
LOUISVILLE THERE WAS SOME
CRITICISM EARLY ON THAT A LOT
MORE LOT MORE MIDDLE EAST WERE
GOING OUT THAN COMING IN.
>> LEXINGTON JUST START THIS
THIS AFTERNOON.
IT IS STILL VERY, VERY EARLY ON.
BUT I KNOW LEXINGTON OFFICIALS
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO
GET MORE OF A ONE-FOR-ONE RATIO,
THAT THERE IS A TRUE EXCHANGE,
THAT IS THEIR GOAL OF THE
PROGRAM HERE.
THEY HAVE LEARNED A LITTLE BIT
FROM WHAT LOUISVILLE HAS DONE.
>> AND THE NUMBERS HAVE
IMPROOFED OR THE RATIO IMPROVED.
>> ESPECIALLY REPUBLICANS IN THE
SENATE WERE CONCERNED THAT
LOUISVILLE DIDN'T HAVE A NEEDLE
EXCHANGE BUT THE NEEDLE
DISPENSARY BECAUSE SO MANY MORE
WERE GOING OUT THAN COMING
INABLE THOUGH THE LATEST
NUMBERS, AND I DON'T HAVE THOSE
NUMBERS IN FRONT OF ME, BUT THAT
GAP APPARENTLY IS NARROWING AS
HEALTH OFFICIALS IN LOUISVILLE
SAID IT WOULD.
>> WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF
LEGISLATION BE PREFILED AS THE
LEGISLATURE WILL MEET ABOUT IF
FOUR MONTHS ANDA LOT OF
DISCUSSION TO BE HAD.
OF COURSE, THEY PASS THE STATE
BUDGET FOR THE TWO YEARS MAPPED
A NEW GOVERNOR WILL BE IN CHARGE
AT THAT TIME.
AND THERE ARE INTERESTING
FILINGS.
ONE IS ABOUT WHETHER KENTUCKY
SHOULD BECOME ONE OF THOSE
STATES THAT REGULATES DRONES.
WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THAT.
THERE WAS ONE SHOT DOWN BY A MAN
OVER HIS PROPERTY IN BULLITT
COUNTY.
>> THERE WAS ONE SHOT DOWN.
THE GUY SAID IT WAS HOVERING
OVER HIS HOUSE AND TAKING
PICTURES OF HIS DAUGHTER, AND
THE GUY SAID IT WAS TOO HIGH TO
BE DOING ANYTHING, AND IT WAS
BASICALLY SHOT AT, SHOT DOWN.
SO THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF
PROBLEMS THAT EMERGE.
>> BETH, A DRONE LANDED ON THE
TALLEST BUILDINGS IN LEXINGTON A
COUPLE WEEKS AGO.
>> A COUPLE SATURDAYS AGO, AND I
THINK IN THE LEGISLATURE
REPRESENTATIVES ST. ONGE HAS
FILED A BILL THAT WOULD LOOK AT
JUST DRONE USE BY LAW
ENFORCEMENT AND WHEN THEY CAN
USE DRONES.
THE URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL IN
LEXINGTON HAS ACTUALLY PUT THE
WHOLE DRONE ISSUE ALSO INTO
COMMITTEE IN PART BECAUSE OF
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE FIFTH THIRD
BUT THEY ALSO WANT TO LOOTING
THIS WHOLE ISSUE OF WHERE DRONES
CAN FLY WHEN IT COMES TO
AIRPORTS BECAUSE WE KEEP SEEING
MORE AND MORE AND MORE OF THEM.
SO AS, YOU COMMERCIAL DRONE
OPERATOR TOLD ME, IT'S LIKE --
GETTING TO BE LIKE THE WILD WEST
OUT THERE.
>> SUMMERSET POLICE ARE NOW
CERTIFIED TO USE DRONES.
THEY HAVE BECOME THE FIRST
POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY HAVE
THEY HAVE TENSIONS USING ABOUT A
THREE POUND PLANE THAT WOULD FLY
AROUND.
WHAT WOULD IT DO?
>> THEY'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT
THEY WILL ONLY USE IT IF THEY
HAVE'S SEARCH WARRANT AND THAT
IT IS NOT INTENDED FOR ANY SORT
OF FISHING EXPEDITION OR TO SPY
ON PEOPLE.
BUT WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY
THINK THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT
SHOULD USE THOSE DRONES FOR ARE
FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSIONS.
>> AND THE LOUISVILLE FIRE
DEPARTMENT DOES USE IN IT
FIREFIGHTING AS WELL.
THEY HAD A BIG FIREFIGHT
DOWNTOWN IN WHICH A DRONE WAS
USED TO SEE WHAT FIREFIGHTERS
COULDN'T SEE.
>> POLITICIANS RUSE USE THEM,
TOO, I'VE SEEN THEM AT CAMPAIGN
KICK OFF VENTS, THEY GET A
SWEEPING VIDEO.
>> THEY NEED TO LEARN THESE
RULES ABOUT WHERE YOU CAN AND
CANNOT.
YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO FLY THEM.
>> TO COVER THE NEWS.
>> YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO THREE
THEM OVER CROWDS.
THE FAA SAID IT'S REALLY
CONFUSING.
>> OBVIOUSLY CLARITY IS GOING TO
HAVE TO COME SOONER OR LATER ON
THAT.
SPEAKER STUMBO HAS COME UP WI
DIFFERENT APPROACH THAT WOULD
TRY TO GET EXPANDED GAMING THAT
WOULD EARMARK WHERE THE PROCEEDS
COULD GO AND SPELL OUT SOME
THINGS IN AN AMENDMENT.
>> SIX CASINOS RUN BY THE
KENTUCKY LOTTERY, 60% EDUCATION,
30% UNIVERSITIES, 10% TO
RACETRACKS, EDUCATION BEING
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION,
BUT AT A APPARENTLY NOT IS NOT
GOING TO GO ANYWHERE BECAUSE THE
SENATE LEADERS OF ALREADY SAID
IT PROBABLY WILL DIE.
>> DAMON THAYER HAS SAID IT'S
NOT GOING TO GO ANYWHERE.
>> I'LL READ FROM TOM LOFTUS'
REPORT.
A CONCERN OF MULTI-MILLION
DOLLAR DEBT IN THE KENTUCKY
PENSION SYSTEM, STANDARD AND
POOR'S LOWERED ITS RATING FOR
KENTUCKY FROM A+ TO AA MINUS.
SO IT'S DOWN TO ANA PLUS.
ONLY MAKERS AND ILLINOIS HAVE A
LOWER RATE P FROM S&P.
AIR FORCE CAPTAIN MATTHEW DID
ROLAND OF LEXINGTON WILL BE LAID
TO REST IN THE ARLINGTON
NATIONAL CEMETERY NEXT WEEK.
HE WAS KILLED IN PATCHING HE IS
REMEMBERED AS AN EAGLE SCOUT AND
AS A BORN LEADER BY THOSE WHO
KNEW HIM.
CAPTAIN ROLAND WAS JUST 27 YEARS
OLD.
THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."
WE WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH
FOR JOINING US.
CERTAINLY HOPE YOU HAVE A NICE
LABOR DAY AND A WONDERFUL WEEK
AHEAD.