1 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:34,166 2021 HAS BEEN A YEAR OF TRAGEDY 2 00:00:33,466 --> 00:00:34,700 AND SOME HIGH POINTS FOR 3 00:00:34,166 --> 00:00:35,866 KENTUCKY. 4 00:00:34,700 --> 00:00:36,866 TONIGHT WE LOOK BACK. 5 00:00:35,866 --> 00:00:38,000 NATURAL DISASTER STRUCK HARD 6 00:00:36,866 --> 00:00:38,900 FROM ICE STORMS AND FLOODING TO 7 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:40,166 THE HORRIBLE TORNADO OUTBREAK 8 00:00:38,900 --> 00:00:40,533 THAT HAS TEMPERED THE JOY OF THE 9 00:00:40,166 --> 00:00:41,366 HOLIDAYS. 10 00:00:40,533 --> 00:00:42,500 SOME KENTUCKIANS WERE CHARGED IN 11 00:00:41,366 --> 00:00:43,666 THE JANUARY 6 ATTACK ON THE U.S. 12 00:00:42,500 --> 00:00:44,633 CAPITOL. 13 00:00:43,666 --> 00:00:45,766 COVID REFUSED TO LET GO AS 14 00:00:44,633 --> 00:00:46,366 OMICRON THREATENS AS WE HEAD 15 00:00:45,766 --> 00:00:47,100 TOWARD A NEW YEAR. 16 00:00:46,366 --> 00:00:48,000 ON THIS CHRISTMAS EVE, WE BRING 17 00:00:47,100 --> 00:00:53,200 YOU A SPECIAL EDITION OF COMMENT 18 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:54,400 NEXT ON KET. 19 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:55,500 GOOD EVENING ON THIS CHRISTMAS 20 00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:56,700 EVE, I'M BILL BRYANT. 21 00:00:55,500 --> 00:00:58,200 WE WELCOME TO YOU COMMENT ON 22 00:00:56,700 --> 00:01:00,100 KENTUCKY AS WE LOOK BACK ON 23 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:01,200 2021. 24 00:01:00,100 --> 00:01:03,066 AND ON THE REMARKABLE CAREERS OF 25 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:04,733 TWO OF OUR LONG TIME PANELISTS 26 00:01:03,066 --> 00:01:06,700 WHO HAVE DECIDED IT'S TIME FOR 27 00:01:04,733 --> 00:01:09,300 THE NEXT CHAPTER. 28 00:01:06,700 --> 00:01:10,766 WE TAPED THIS PROGRAM TUESDAY, 29 00:01:09,300 --> 00:01:12,566 DECEMBER 21, TO GIVE OUR PANEL 30 00:01:10,766 --> 00:01:14,200 AND THE CREW HERE AT KET A 31 00:01:12,566 --> 00:01:15,733 CHANCE TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAY. 32 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:21,066 AND OUR GUESTS TONIGHT ARE 33 00:01:15,733 --> 00:01:22,700 LAWRENCE SMITH, REPORTER FOR 34 00:01:21,066 --> 00:01:24,000 WDRB IN LOUISVILLE, DEBORAH 35 00:01:22,700 --> 00:01:25,066 YETTER, REPORTER FOR THE 36 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,066 "COURIER JOURNAL" AND JACK 37 00:01:25,066 --> 00:01:29,133 BRAMMER, BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE 38 00:01:27,066 --> 00:01:30,366 LEXINGTON "HERALD-LEADER." 39 00:01:29,133 --> 00:01:32,600 LET'S START WHERE WE ARE BEFORE 40 00:01:30,366 --> 00:01:33,866 GOING BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF 41 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:35,966 THE YEAR, THE DEADLY TORNADOES 42 00:01:33,866 --> 00:01:37,266 IN WESTERN KENTUCKY WERE TRAGIC 43 00:01:35,966 --> 00:01:37,966 AND YET BROUGHT THE STATE 44 00:01:37,266 --> 00:01:40,666 TOGETHER AND WE ARE MINDFUL OF 45 00:01:37,966 --> 00:01:43,266 THE MANY HARD SHIPS FOR MANY. 46 00:01:40,666 --> 00:01:52,933 IT IT IS GOING TO BE A LONG ROAD 47 00:01:43,266 --> 00:01:54,900 BACK FOR MANY. 48 00:01:52,933 --> 00:01:56,666 YOU KNOW, BILL, WE THREW AROUND 49 00:01:54,900 --> 00:01:58,466 THE WORD UNPRECEDENTED A LOT, 50 00:01:56,666 --> 00:02:00,800 BUT THIS IS TRULY UNPRECEDENTED, 51 00:01:58,466 --> 00:02:02,533 THE WORST NATURAL DISASTER IN 52 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:04,400 THE HISTORY OF THE STATE. 53 00:02:02,533 --> 00:02:05,266 AND YOU'VE HAD THAN TIRE 54 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:07,033 COMMUNITIES DEVASTATED. 55 00:02:05,266 --> 00:02:08,766 THREE QUARTERS OF DAWSON SPRINGS 56 00:02:07,033 --> 00:02:10,866 IS GONE. 57 00:02:08,766 --> 00:02:12,633 SECTIONS OF MAYFIELD, 58 00:02:10,866 --> 00:02:13,000 NEIGHBORHOODS IN BOWLING GREEN 59 00:02:12,633 --> 00:02:13,933 FLATTENED. 60 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:18,633 THERE ARE MANY DECISIONS THAT 61 00:02:13,933 --> 00:02:19,933 MUST BE MADE ABOUT WHAT IS 62 00:02:18,633 --> 00:02:23,333 REBUILD, HOW TO REBUILD IT AND 63 00:02:19,933 --> 00:02:24,533 HOW TO GET PEOPLE-- HOW TO GET 64 00:02:23,333 --> 00:02:24,933 THEIR LIVES BACK TOGETHER, 65 00:02:24,533 --> 00:02:26,400 ESSENTIALLY. 66 00:02:24,933 --> 00:02:27,300 >> THERE COMES THE QUESTION, IS 67 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:28,900 THERE GOOD REASON TO BELIEVE 68 00:02:27,300 --> 00:02:31,200 THAT THERE IS HOPE THAT THERE 69 00:02:28,900 --> 00:02:32,766 WILL BE THAT SUSTAINED EFFORT 70 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:34,466 OVER TIME THAT IS NOT WEEKS OR 71 00:02:32,766 --> 00:02:37,000 MONTHS BUT MAYBE YEARS? 72 00:02:34,466 --> 00:02:39,333 >> THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION. 73 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:41,266 WHEN THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN, 74 00:02:39,333 --> 00:02:43,266 THERE IS USUALLY A LARGE 75 00:02:41,266 --> 00:02:45,000 OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT AND 76 00:02:43,266 --> 00:02:46,733 ATTENTION EARLY ON. 77 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:47,833 BUT THIS IS GOING TO GO ON FOR 78 00:02:46,733 --> 00:02:50,733 MONTHS AND YEARS AND THE 79 00:02:47,833 --> 00:02:53,100 QUESTION IS WILL THAT SUPPORT-- 80 00:02:50,733 --> 00:02:54,533 WILL THAT STRUCTURE BE THERE 81 00:02:53,100 --> 00:02:55,600 DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THESE FOLKS 82 00:02:54,533 --> 00:02:56,433 ARE STILL TRYING TO PUT THEIR 83 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:58,633 LIVES BACK TOGETHER? 84 00:02:56,433 --> 00:03:00,266 >> YOU KNOW, THE COOPERATION 85 00:02:58,633 --> 00:03:01,933 THAT WE'VE SEEN IN KENTUCKY HAS 86 00:03:00,266 --> 00:03:04,433 BEEN HEART WARMING, BOTH FROM A 87 00:03:01,933 --> 00:03:05,600 GOVERNMENT STANDPOINT AND 88 00:03:04,433 --> 00:03:07,433 EVERYDAY KENTUCKIANS WHO HELPED 89 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:09,933 IN LOTS OF WAYS FROM SENDING 90 00:03:07,433 --> 00:03:12,133 SUPPLIES AND GOODS TO JUST GOING 91 00:03:09,933 --> 00:03:13,900 OUT THERE AND IN SOME CASES 92 00:03:12,133 --> 00:03:15,533 GOING OUT THERE AND PICKING UP A 93 00:03:13,900 --> 00:03:17,600 SHOVEL AND LITERALLY HELPING. 94 00:03:15,533 --> 00:03:17,866 IT HAS BEEN SOMETHING TO SEE, 95 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:18,600 DAN. 96 00:03:17,866 --> 00:03:22,000 >> IT IS REMARKABLE. 97 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:24,633 I THINK GOVERNOR BESHEAR STARTED 98 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:26,533 A FUND FOR FOLKS EARLY ON AND 99 00:03:24,633 --> 00:03:27,700 IT'S PICKED UP TO MORE THAN 100 00:03:26,533 --> 00:03:29,566 $21 MILLION LAST I HEARD, WHICH 101 00:03:27,700 --> 00:03:31,666 IS GOING TO BE USED INITIALLY 102 00:03:29,566 --> 00:03:32,900 FOR FUNERAL EXPENSES FOR THE 76 103 00:03:31,666 --> 00:03:35,466 PEOPLE LOST IN THE TORNADO. 104 00:03:32,900 --> 00:03:38,000 AND THEN THEY WILL START HELPING 105 00:03:35,466 --> 00:03:39,433 PEOPLE WHO WERE UNINSURED, 106 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,833 REBUILDING THEIR HOUSES BECAUSE 107 00:03:39,433 --> 00:03:42,600 A NUMBER OF FOLKS DOWN THERE DID 108 00:03:40,833 --> 00:03:46,866 NOT HAVE INSURANCE AND I THINK 109 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:48,833 FEMA PAYS A MAX OF 35,000 IN 110 00:03:46,866 --> 00:03:51,966 THOSE CASES SO THEY'RE CLEARLY 111 00:03:48,833 --> 00:03:54,033 GOING TO NEED MORE. 112 00:03:51,966 --> 00:03:55,066 >> AND THE TOY DRIVE BY THE 113 00:03:54,033 --> 00:03:57,233 FIRST LADY. 114 00:03:55,066 --> 00:03:59,666 THEY WERE INUNDATED WITH TOYS 115 00:03:57,233 --> 00:04:00,700 FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY COMING 116 00:03:59,666 --> 00:04:02,333 IN BY TRUCK LOAD. 117 00:04:00,700 --> 00:04:07,200 IT REMINDS OF WHAT A TOUGH TIME 118 00:04:02,333 --> 00:04:09,766 OF THE YEAR THIS WAS. 119 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:12,000 PEOPLE JUST WANTED TO GET INTO A 120 00:04:09,766 --> 00:04:13,633 TRUCK AND MOVE IN AND I 121 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:15,600 UNDERSTAND THAT FEELING THAT YOU 122 00:04:13,633 --> 00:04:16,833 WANT TO RESPOND THAT WAY. 123 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:19,200 I THINK A RESPONSE LIKE THIS HAS 124 00:04:16,833 --> 00:04:19,633 TO BE ORGANIZED AND YOU CAN'T 125 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:21,300 JUST GO. 126 00:04:19,633 --> 00:04:22,400 THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS YOU 127 00:04:21,300 --> 00:04:24,033 NEED RIGHT NOW AND CERTAIN 128 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:27,066 THINGS YOU NEED LATER. 129 00:04:24,033 --> 00:04:28,833 IT WILL BE A TRICK TO COORDINATE 130 00:04:27,066 --> 00:04:33,000 ALL THAT FOR THE LONG HAUL. 131 00:04:28,833 --> 00:04:33,966 >> JACK, THERE HAS BEEN A 132 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:35,500 TREMENDOUS GOVERNMENTAL 133 00:04:33,966 --> 00:04:36,266 COOPERATION THAT MAY HAVE 134 00:04:35,500 --> 00:04:37,900 SURPRISED SOME THAT WE COULD 135 00:04:36,266 --> 00:04:39,533 HAVE COME TOGETHER IN THIS WAY 136 00:04:37,900 --> 00:04:41,633 WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE SEE 137 00:04:39,533 --> 00:04:41,933 THIFNTION IN RED OR BLUE THESE 138 00:04:41,633 --> 00:04:43,766 DAYS. 139 00:04:41,933 --> 00:04:45,133 >> THAT'S THE MOST SATISFYING 140 00:04:43,766 --> 00:04:46,033 ASPECTED OF THIS TRAGEDY THAT 141 00:04:45,133 --> 00:04:47,533 WE'VE WITNESSED. 142 00:04:46,033 --> 00:04:48,866 I'VE OFTEN SAID ON THIS SHOW 143 00:04:47,533 --> 00:04:50,366 THAT TWO WEEKS IN POLITICS CAN 144 00:04:48,866 --> 00:04:52,333 BE AN ETERNITY AND IT'S BEEN 145 00:04:50,366 --> 00:04:55,433 ABOUT TWO WEEKS NOW. 146 00:04:52,333 --> 00:04:57,366 AND WE HAVE SEEN A GOVERNOR, 147 00:04:55,433 --> 00:04:59,233 ANDY BESHEAR, IN MY OPINION, HIS 148 00:04:57,366 --> 00:04:59,900 STATURE HAS INCREASED 149 00:04:59,233 --> 00:05:01,266 TREMENDOUSLY. 150 00:04:59,900 --> 00:05:03,133 JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY I'VE TALKED 151 00:05:01,266 --> 00:05:06,000 TO GIVE HIM HIGH MARKS FOR THE 152 00:05:03,133 --> 00:05:09,100 WAY HE HAS BEEN ADMINISTRATOR OF 153 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:11,366 THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE 154 00:05:09,100 --> 00:05:12,133 TO PEOPLE HOOS LIVES WERE JUST 155 00:05:11,366 --> 00:05:15,666 TORN APART. 156 00:05:12,133 --> 00:05:18,233 HE HAS BEEN ON THE SCENE, THE 157 00:05:15,666 --> 00:05:19,300 COUNTLESS HOURS AND EVEN HAD A 158 00:05:18,233 --> 00:05:21,033 REPUBLICAN FRIEND IN LOUISVILLE 159 00:05:19,300 --> 00:05:22,766 LAST WEEK TELL ME, WELL, I GUESS 160 00:05:21,033 --> 00:05:23,033 HE IS GOING TO WIN REELECTION 161 00:05:22,766 --> 00:05:24,433 NOW. 162 00:05:23,033 --> 00:05:25,100 I SAID THAT'S FARTHER THAN TWO 163 00:05:24,433 --> 00:05:26,866 WEEKS AWAY. 164 00:05:25,100 --> 00:05:30,800 THERE IS STILL A LOT TO HAPPEN. 165 00:05:26,866 --> 00:05:32,333 BUT I THINK HE HAS-- HE DESERVES 166 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:32,700 HIGH MARKS FOR THE WAY HE 167 00:05:32,333 --> 00:05:33,866 PERFORMED. 168 00:05:32,700 --> 00:05:35,600 >> THAT IS GOING TO BE PART OF 169 00:05:33,866 --> 00:05:38,333 WHAT HE IS JUDGED ON, PART OF 170 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:40,733 HIS LEGACY SO TO SPEAK IS BEING 171 00:05:38,333 --> 00:05:42,700 THE CRISIS GOVERNOR, FIRST WITH 172 00:05:40,733 --> 00:05:44,733 COVID AND NOW WITH THIS. 173 00:05:42,700 --> 00:05:46,033 >> PRESIDENT BIDEN QUICKLY 174 00:05:44,733 --> 00:05:48,433 DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY 175 00:05:46,033 --> 00:05:51,166 AND HE WAS IN KENTUCKY AS WELL 176 00:05:48,433 --> 00:05:54,133 AND CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMBER, A 177 00:05:51,166 --> 00:05:56,733 FREQUENT CRITIC OF THE PRESIDENT 178 00:05:54,133 --> 00:05:57,466 WAS ON AIR FORCE 1 AND TOURED 179 00:05:56,733 --> 00:05:58,933 THE AREA WITH THE PRESIDENT. 180 00:05:57,466 --> 00:06:01,566 >> I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY 181 00:05:58,933 --> 00:06:02,966 POLITICAL BICKERING THROUGHOUT 182 00:06:01,566 --> 00:06:03,333 THIS ORDEAL DURING THE 183 00:06:02,966 --> 00:06:07,266 TORNADOES. 184 00:06:03,333 --> 00:06:07,633 >> THEY WERE SILENT AND PRAISE 185 00:06:07,266 --> 00:06:10,133 WORTHY. 186 00:06:07,633 --> 00:06:12,333 A SENATE REPUBLICAN PRAISED 187 00:06:10,133 --> 00:06:15,733 GOVERNOR BESHEAR THAT DANNY 188 00:06:12,333 --> 00:06:16,933 CAROL FROM PADUCAH, WHO IS A 189 00:06:15,733 --> 00:06:19,533 FREQUENT CRITIC OF GOVERNOR 190 00:06:16,933 --> 00:06:20,633 BESHEAR WAS PRAISING HIM FOR HIS 191 00:06:19,533 --> 00:06:21,166 RESPONSE IN THE COMMITTEE 192 00:06:20,633 --> 00:06:23,600 MEETING LAST WEEK. 193 00:06:21,166 --> 00:06:25,166 >> AND GOOD FOR CONGRESSMAN 194 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:28,633 COMBER TO PUT POLITICAL 195 00:06:25,166 --> 00:06:31,266 DISAGREEMENTS ASIDE FOR THE SAKE 196 00:06:28,633 --> 00:06:34,333 OF A DISPLAY OF UNITY AGAINST 197 00:06:31,266 --> 00:06:34,800 THE TORNADO AND SUPPORTING THE 198 00:06:34,333 --> 00:06:37,266 DISASTER RELIEF. 199 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:38,266 GOOD FOR HIM FOR DOING THAT. 200 00:06:37,266 --> 00:06:39,566 >> WELL, OUR THOUGHTS ARE 201 00:06:38,266 --> 00:06:40,300 CERTAINLY WITH THE FOLKS WHO ARE 202 00:06:39,566 --> 00:06:41,466 STILL OR DEALING WITH THAT AND 203 00:06:40,300 --> 00:06:44,000 HAVE A LONG ROAD BACK. 204 00:06:41,466 --> 00:06:46,400 IT WAS A WILD YEAR IN WEATHER, 205 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:47,966 EVEN BEFORE THE AWFUL TORNADOES. 206 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:49,866 WE HAD THREE ICE STORMS EARLY IN 207 00:06:47,966 --> 00:06:51,966 THE YEAR; FLOODING ISSUES BACK 208 00:06:49,866 --> 00:06:53,066 IN THE SUMMER, LOTS OF 209 00:06:51,966 --> 00:06:54,933 CHALLENGES FROM MOTHER NATURE. 210 00:06:53,066 --> 00:06:56,500 AS WE LOOK BACK AT 2021, LET'S 211 00:06:54,933 --> 00:06:58,533 GO BACK TO THE FIRST OF THE YEAR 212 00:06:56,500 --> 00:06:59,000 AND HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE EVENTS 213 00:06:58,533 --> 00:07:00,800 AND CHALLENGES. 214 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:02,533 FIRST OF ALL, COVID CHASED US 215 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:05,400 RIGHT INTO 2021. 216 00:07:02,533 --> 00:07:06,366 BUT WE WERE ALSO JUST GETTING 217 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:08,433 VACCINES AVAILABLE. 218 00:07:06,366 --> 00:07:09,533 AND THE ROLLOUT GAVE MANY 219 00:07:08,433 --> 00:07:11,200 KENTUCKIANS SOME MORE FREEDOM, 220 00:07:09,533 --> 00:07:14,133 AT LEAST FOR I TIME. 221 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:15,566 THEN CAME THE DELTA STRAIN AND 222 00:07:14,133 --> 00:07:15,900 OMICRON STRAIN IS ROLLING 223 00:07:15,566 --> 00:07:17,433 THROUGH. 224 00:07:15,900 --> 00:07:18,200 BUT ONCE THE VACCINES WERE 225 00:07:17,433 --> 00:07:20,066 AVAILABLE, THERE WAS A 226 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:20,433 TREMENDOUS EFFORT TO GET PEOPLE 227 00:07:20,066 --> 00:07:21,800 IMMUNIZED. 228 00:07:20,433 --> 00:07:22,700 THERE WAS SOME RELUCTANCE AND 229 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:25,633 THAT BECAME PART OF THE STORY 230 00:07:22,700 --> 00:07:27,966 LINE AS WELL. 231 00:07:25,633 --> 00:07:29,700 >> WE ARE A YEAR AWAY FROM WHEN 232 00:07:27,966 --> 00:07:30,233 THE VACCINES FIRST CAME TO 233 00:07:29,700 --> 00:07:33,233 KENTUCKY. 234 00:07:30,233 --> 00:07:34,400 AND THERE WAS GENERAL EUPHORIA 235 00:07:33,233 --> 00:07:35,433 THEY FIRST GOT HERE AND THE 236 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:37,033 GREAT HOPE THAT IT WOULD GET US 237 00:07:35,433 --> 00:07:37,333 TO THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF 238 00:07:37,033 --> 00:07:38,700 COVID. 239 00:07:37,333 --> 00:07:40,733 IT HASN'T REALLY WORKED OUT. 240 00:07:38,700 --> 00:07:42,366 WE HAVE, AFTER A YEAR OF REALLY 241 00:07:40,733 --> 00:07:43,800 MONUMENTAL EFFORT, WE'VE GO THE 242 00:07:42,366 --> 00:07:45,000 ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE STATE 243 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:47,533 VACCINATED AT THIS STATE BUT 244 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:50,600 IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT AND THEY'VE 245 00:07:47,533 --> 00:07:51,800 HAD TO FIGHT A LOT OF 246 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:53,000 MISINFORMATION, THE CONTROVERSY, 247 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:54,633 VACCINES HAVE BECOME POLITICAL. 248 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:56,200 THAT STILL DRAGS ON. 249 00:07:54,633 --> 00:07:57,633 AND THE LONGER THAT GOES, PEOPLE 250 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:59,233 SAY THE MORE CHANCES WE HAVE FOR 251 00:07:57,633 --> 00:08:00,300 MORE OF THESE PESKY VARIANTS 252 00:07:59,233 --> 00:08:02,133 THAT KEEP COMING AROUND. 253 00:08:00,300 --> 00:08:03,366 >> THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WAS 254 00:08:02,133 --> 00:08:04,233 REALLY STRAINED AND CHALLENGED 255 00:08:03,366 --> 00:08:05,666 AS WELL THROUGH THE YEAR. 256 00:08:04,233 --> 00:08:07,233 >> DURING A COUPLE OF THE REALLY 257 00:08:05,666 --> 00:08:08,633 BAD SPIKES OF LAST WINTER AND 258 00:08:07,233 --> 00:08:10,233 THEN AGAIN IN THE SUMMER, THERE 259 00:08:08,633 --> 00:08:12,500 WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE 260 00:08:10,233 --> 00:08:14,600 HOSPITALS AND WE ARE ALREADY 261 00:08:12,500 --> 00:08:16,133 SUFFERING A NURSING SHORTAGE AND 262 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:18,200 THEY WERE INUNDATED WITH PEOPLE 263 00:08:16,133 --> 00:08:18,866 DURING SOME OF THE BAD SPIKES OR 264 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:20,866 SURGES OF COVID. 265 00:08:18,866 --> 00:08:22,266 >> THE NATIONAL GUARD BEING 266 00:08:20,866 --> 00:08:23,300 DEPLOYED TO HOSPITALS, WHO 267 00:08:22,266 --> 00:08:23,600 THOUGHT THEY WOULD SEE THAT, 268 00:08:23,300 --> 00:08:25,133 RIGHT? 269 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:27,333 >> IT WAS A STARTLING IMAGE WHEN 270 00:08:25,133 --> 00:08:28,633 I SAW THE TROOPS AT BAPTIST 271 00:08:27,333 --> 00:08:29,833 HOSPITAL HEALTH SYSTEMS IN 272 00:08:28,633 --> 00:08:31,400 LOUISVILLE COMING IN TO PITCH IN 273 00:08:29,833 --> 00:08:32,533 BECAUSE THE HOSPITAL SHORT 274 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:34,100 STAFFED IN ALL AREAS AND THEN 275 00:08:32,533 --> 00:08:34,533 THE SAME WAS TRUE THROUGHOUT 276 00:08:34,100 --> 00:08:38,433 KENTUCKY. 277 00:08:34,533 --> 00:08:39,833 >> DEB DEBBIE, IT MADE READILY 278 00:08:38,433 --> 00:08:41,500 APPARENT THE NURSING SHORTAGE. 279 00:08:39,833 --> 00:08:43,633 NOT ONLY IS IT ACUTE RIGHT NOW 280 00:08:41,500 --> 00:08:45,266 WITH WAS IS GOING ON, BUT IT'S 281 00:08:43,633 --> 00:08:45,766 OBVIOUS WE HAVE A LONG-TERM 282 00:08:45,266 --> 00:08:47,500 CHALLENGE THERE. 283 00:08:45,766 --> 00:08:48,766 >> RIGHT, THE NURSING SHORTAGE 284 00:08:47,500 --> 00:08:50,700 HAS BEEN BUILDING UP FOR YEARS 285 00:08:48,766 --> 00:08:52,333 AND THIS JUST KIND OF EXPOSED 286 00:08:50,700 --> 00:08:55,400 IT, I THINK. 287 00:08:52,333 --> 00:08:56,800 AND DURING THE PANDEMIC, THAT 288 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:58,566 ACCELERATED THE DEPARTURE OF 289 00:08:56,800 --> 00:09:00,600 NURSES INTO OTHER FIELDS THAT 290 00:08:58,566 --> 00:09:02,566 MAYBE THAT PAID BETTER, MORE 291 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:03,966 ADMINISTRATIVE WORK, A LOT OF 292 00:09:02,566 --> 00:09:05,300 PEOPLE JUST RETIRED OR LEFT FOR 293 00:09:03,966 --> 00:09:08,466 OTHER OCCUPATIONS BECAUSE IT WAS 294 00:09:05,300 --> 00:09:11,466 JUST SO INCREDIBLY STRESSFUL. 295 00:09:08,466 --> 00:09:13,100 >> AND RECENTLY A COUPLE MONTHS 296 00:09:11,466 --> 00:09:14,133 AGO NOW ON A BRIEFING BY THE 297 00:09:13,100 --> 00:09:16,266 KENTUCKY NURSES ASSOCIATION, 298 00:09:14,133 --> 00:09:18,133 THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW 299 00:09:16,266 --> 00:09:19,000 NURSES ARE VIEWED MORE 300 00:09:18,133 --> 00:09:19,866 DIFFERENTLY NOW THAN THE 301 00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:21,333 BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC. 302 00:09:19,866 --> 00:09:22,433 THEY WERE HAILED AS HEROES AT 303 00:09:21,333 --> 00:09:24,133 THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC 304 00:09:22,433 --> 00:09:28,000 BUT AS IT DRAGGED ON AND 305 00:09:24,133 --> 00:09:31,566 ESPECIALLY AS NURSES ARRIVEED 306 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:33,200 AND NURSE-- MASK MANDATES AND 307 00:09:31,566 --> 00:09:34,700 THINGS LIKE THAT, THE PUBLIC 308 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:36,533 OPINION HAS CHANGED. 309 00:09:34,700 --> 00:09:38,200 BUT THE NURSES HAVE DONE 310 00:09:36,533 --> 00:09:39,266 FANTASTIC JOB UNDER IMPOSSIBLE 311 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:39,800 CONDITIONS, THEY NEED TO BE 312 00:09:39,266 --> 00:09:40,233 APPLAUDED FOR THAT. 313 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:43,400 >> NO DOUBT. 314 00:09:40,233 --> 00:09:44,633 >> YOU HAVE TO FEEL FOR NURSES 315 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:46,133 AND OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS 316 00:09:44,633 --> 00:09:47,766 WITH THE OMICRON VARIANT 317 00:09:46,133 --> 00:09:56,166 SPREADING SO QUICKLY AND WHAT 318 00:09:47,766 --> 00:09:57,900 ELSE IS GOING TO HAPPEN I THINK 319 00:09:56,166 --> 00:09:59,900 NEXT YEAR'S COMMENTS, THEY WILL 320 00:09:57,900 --> 00:10:03,166 BE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE 321 00:09:59,900 --> 00:10:04,933 BEEN RELUCTANT TO GET VACCINATED 322 00:10:03,166 --> 00:10:07,333 AND GET THEIR BOOSTERS. 323 00:10:04,933 --> 00:10:10,166 >> I THINK WE ARE ALSO SPEAKING 324 00:10:07,333 --> 00:10:11,800 TO SOME OF THE YOUNG FOLKS AND 325 00:10:10,166 --> 00:10:13,000 THEIR PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS 326 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:14,000 SAY MAYBE YOU OUGHT TO LOOK AT 327 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,666 THE NURSING FIELD BECAUSE THOSE 328 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:16,700 JOBS ARE GOING TO BE IN DEMAND. 329 00:10:15,666 --> 00:10:21,033 >> DEFINITELY. 330 00:10:16,700 --> 00:10:26,300 >> GOING FORWARD. 331 00:10:21,033 --> 00:10:27,666 >> LAWRPS, AS 2020 WE REMEMBER 332 00:10:26,300 --> 00:10:28,800 IN TERMS OF COVID AND THE 333 00:10:27,666 --> 00:10:30,500 GOVERNOR'S BRIEFINGS AND THE 334 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:33,133 LOCK DOWNS AND ALL OF THAT. 335 00:10:30,500 --> 00:10:34,733 WHAT DO WE REMEMBER 2021 FOR IN 336 00:10:33,133 --> 00:10:36,633 THE FIGHT WITH COVID? 337 00:10:34,733 --> 00:10:38,033 >> WELL, I THINK INITIALLY, IN 338 00:10:36,633 --> 00:10:39,966 THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, THE 339 00:10:38,033 --> 00:10:41,433 REACTION TO ALL THAT, BY THE 340 00:10:39,966 --> 00:10:43,066 GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE REPUBLICAN 341 00:10:41,433 --> 00:10:45,133 LAWMAKERS REACTING TO THE 342 00:10:43,066 --> 00:10:46,700 ACTIONS THE GOVERNOR TOOK AND 343 00:10:45,133 --> 00:10:51,066 SEVERELY RESTRICTING HIS ABILITY 344 00:10:46,700 --> 00:10:54,133 TO ACT UNILATERALLY TO COMBAT 345 00:10:51,066 --> 00:10:54,800 THE PANDEMIC, REDUCING HIS 346 00:10:54,133 --> 00:10:57,000 EMERGENCY POWERS. 347 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:59,266 HIM NEEDING TO GET PERMISSION TO 348 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:00,666 EXTEND EMERGENCY ORDERS SO I 349 00:10:59,266 --> 00:11:01,733 THINK THE BIG THING IS THE 350 00:11:00,666 --> 00:11:02,833 REACTION TO THAT FROM 351 00:11:01,733 --> 00:11:05,100 REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE AND 352 00:11:02,833 --> 00:11:06,566 SENATE TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR DID 353 00:11:05,100 --> 00:11:06,933 DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE 354 00:11:06,566 --> 00:11:08,933 PANDEMIC. 355 00:11:06,933 --> 00:11:10,066 >> AND THAT LED TO A KENTUCKY 356 00:11:08,933 --> 00:11:12,566 SUPREME COURT DECISION, WHERE 357 00:11:10,066 --> 00:11:14,433 ALL THE JUSTICES, UNANIMOUSLY 358 00:11:12,566 --> 00:11:19,333 AGREED WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND 359 00:11:14,433 --> 00:11:19,700 THEY DID CURB THE POWERS OF THE 360 00:11:19,333 --> 00:11:21,000 GOVERNOR. 361 00:11:19,700 --> 00:11:22,100 >> AND THE GOVERNOR THEN CALLED 362 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:24,166 A SPECIAL SESSION AND HE KNEW 363 00:11:22,100 --> 00:11:24,833 WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THAT 364 00:11:24,166 --> 00:11:25,500 SESSION, RIGHT? 365 00:11:24,833 --> 00:11:27,400 >> HE DID. 366 00:11:25,500 --> 00:11:28,700 >> HE DIDN'T PUT IT ON THE 367 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:30,033 AGENDA TO CURTAIL HIS POWER BUT 368 00:11:28,700 --> 00:11:31,200 HE KNEW IT WAS COMING. 369 00:11:30,033 --> 00:11:32,133 >> HE HAS SAID NOW THE RESPONSE 370 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:33,366 IS ON THEM. 371 00:11:32,133 --> 00:11:35,800 I'VE DONE WHAT I CAN DO. 372 00:11:33,366 --> 00:11:37,066 NOW IT'S ON THE REPUBLICANS. 373 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:38,833 >> THEY DID CURTAIL HIS POWER 374 00:11:37,066 --> 00:11:41,466 BUT I STILL SAY HE IS FRONT AND 375 00:11:38,833 --> 00:11:44,433 CENTER OF THE STATE'S BATTLE 376 00:11:41,466 --> 00:11:46,500 AGAINST COVID, BY VIRTUE OF HIS 377 00:11:44,433 --> 00:11:47,566 WEEKLY NEWS CONFERENCES. 378 00:11:46,500 --> 00:11:48,466 >> BIWEEKLY SOMETIMES. 379 00:11:47,566 --> 00:11:49,466 >> SCHOOLS IN PARTICULAR 380 00:11:48,466 --> 00:11:51,500 STRUGGLED WITH HOW TO WORK IN 381 00:11:49,466 --> 00:11:53,300 THE ERA OF COVID, MOST WERE SHUT 382 00:11:51,500 --> 00:11:55,700 DOWN THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND THEN 383 00:11:53,300 --> 00:11:59,333 THEY TRIED TO RETURN TO NORMAL 384 00:11:55,700 --> 00:12:00,266 WITH MIXED APPROACHES AND SOME 385 00:11:59,333 --> 00:12:02,433 MIXED SUCCESS AS WELL. 386 00:12:00,266 --> 00:12:04,800 >> I THINK WE ARE STILL SEEING 387 00:12:02,433 --> 00:12:08,066 SOME OF THE IMPACT OF KIDS BEING 388 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:10,166 OUT OF SCHOOL, LEARNING REMOTELY 389 00:12:08,066 --> 00:12:11,566 FOR A YEAR, BOTH IN ACADEMIC 390 00:12:10,166 --> 00:12:12,233 PERFORMANCE BUT ALSO IN 391 00:12:11,566 --> 00:12:13,666 BEHAVIORAL ISSUES. 392 00:12:12,233 --> 00:12:18,100 A LOT OF THE SCHOOLS ARE HAVING 393 00:12:13,666 --> 00:12:20,366 ISSUES WITH STUDENTS FIGHTING 394 00:12:18,100 --> 00:12:22,000 AND SERIOUS AS THAT TO NOT 395 00:12:20,366 --> 00:12:24,100 PAYING ATTENTION AND BEING ABLE 396 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:26,166 TO CATCH UP ACADEMICALLY. 397 00:12:24,100 --> 00:12:27,166 WE SEE FOWLT FROM THAT A YEAR-- 398 00:12:26,166 --> 00:12:28,600 FAULT FROM THAT A YEAR LATER. 399 00:12:27,166 --> 00:12:32,566 >> THERE WAS A REFERENCE ALONG 400 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:33,566 THE WAY TO A TWINDEMIC THE COVID 401 00:12:32,566 --> 00:12:35,533 CRISIS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 402 00:12:33,566 --> 00:12:37,933 ANOTHER THING GETTING WORSE AND 403 00:12:35,533 --> 00:12:38,833 THAT'S THE AWFUL BATTLE WITH THE 404 00:12:37,933 --> 00:12:39,200 OPIOID ADDICTION WE HAVE IN 405 00:12:38,833 --> 00:12:40,333 KENTUCKY. 406 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:41,366 >> THAT DEFINITELY DID SPIKE 407 00:12:40,333 --> 00:12:42,800 DURING THE PANDEMIC. 408 00:12:41,366 --> 00:12:44,766 IN FACT LAST YEAR WE HIT A 409 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:45,666 RECORD NUMBER OF OVERDOSE DEATHS 410 00:12:44,766 --> 00:12:48,966 AND IT'S REALLY TOUGH. 411 00:12:45,666 --> 00:12:50,700 I KNOW ONE THING, DURING THE 412 00:12:48,966 --> 00:12:51,066 SHUTDOWN, PEOPLE LOST ACCESS TO 413 00:12:50,700 --> 00:12:52,233 MEETINGS. 414 00:12:51,066 --> 00:12:53,866 A LOT OF PEOPLE LOST JOBS. 415 00:12:52,233 --> 00:12:55,933 THEY WERE MORE ISOLATED SO IT 416 00:12:53,866 --> 00:12:57,700 LED TO A LOT OF THE FACTORS THAT 417 00:12:55,933 --> 00:13:00,166 MIGHT TRIGGER PEOPLE TO RELAPSE 418 00:12:57,700 --> 00:13:00,466 AND START USING SUBSTANCES 419 00:13:00,166 --> 00:13:02,166 AGAIN. 420 00:13:00,466 --> 00:13:03,733 SO I KNOW THE STATE IS 421 00:13:02,166 --> 00:13:05,333 DEFINITELY FOCUSED AND THEY'RE 422 00:13:03,733 --> 00:13:07,100 TRYING TO GET MORE FEDERAL AND 423 00:13:05,333 --> 00:13:08,166 STATE MONEY INTO PREVENTION AND 424 00:13:07,100 --> 00:13:09,366 TREATMENT, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE, 425 00:13:08,166 --> 00:13:11,566 I THINK, A HARD ROAD BACK. 426 00:13:09,366 --> 00:13:13,200 >> YOU KNOW, THE SOCIAL WORKER 427 00:13:11,566 --> 00:13:15,833 SHORTAGE REALLY CAME TO BEAR. 428 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:16,133 MORE THAN 600 HAVE LEFT THIS 429 00:13:15,833 --> 00:13:17,700 YEAR. 430 00:13:16,133 --> 00:13:19,300 >> IT WAS VERY STARTLING. 431 00:13:17,700 --> 00:13:20,966 600 LEFT OUT OF THE WORKFORCE SO 432 00:13:19,300 --> 00:13:24,133 MAYBE AROUND 4,000 SOMETHING 433 00:13:20,966 --> 00:13:27,000 HAVE LEFT OVER THIS PAST YEAR, 434 00:13:24,133 --> 00:13:27,633 CALENDAR YEAR, JUST CITING THE 435 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,000 INCREDIBLE STRESS. 436 00:13:27,633 --> 00:13:29,333 MOST OF THEM WENT TO WORKING 437 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:30,633 REMOTE. 438 00:13:29,333 --> 00:13:32,666 THEY HAD TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO 439 00:13:30,633 --> 00:13:34,300 MEET WITH FAMILIES, MAYBE 440 00:13:32,666 --> 00:13:35,166 OUTSIDE OR REMOTELY. 441 00:13:34,300 --> 00:13:36,366 THAT WAS HARD. 442 00:13:35,166 --> 00:13:39,333 CASES WERE PILING UP. 443 00:13:36,366 --> 00:13:40,833 AND IT JUST LED TO AN EXODUS OF 444 00:13:39,333 --> 00:13:41,600 RETIREES OR YOUNGER WORKERS 445 00:13:40,833 --> 00:13:43,033 FINDING, ESPECIALLY WITH JOBS 446 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:44,133 BEING OFFERED RIGHT NOW IN OTHER 447 00:13:43,033 --> 00:13:45,900 AREAS, THAT THEY COULD GO TO 448 00:13:44,133 --> 00:13:47,866 WORK IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR 449 00:13:45,900 --> 00:13:50,066 HOSPITALS, FOR NURSING HOMES, 450 00:13:47,866 --> 00:13:51,466 FOR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES 451 00:13:50,066 --> 00:13:53,233 THAT NEED SOCIAL WORKERS, AND 452 00:13:51,466 --> 00:13:54,000 MAKE MORE MONEY AND HAVE WAY 453 00:13:53,233 --> 00:13:57,300 LESS STRESS. 454 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:58,166 >> WE'VE SEEN IN IN A LOT OF 455 00:13:57,300 --> 00:13:59,266 PROFESSIONAL AND 456 00:13:58,166 --> 00:14:00,733 NON-PROFESSIONAL CAREERS CALLED 457 00:13:59,266 --> 00:14:01,866 THE GREAT RESIGNATION. 458 00:14:00,733 --> 00:14:04,700 NURSES AS YOU MENTIONED. 459 00:14:01,866 --> 00:14:06,333 WE SEE IT IN PUBLIC ADVOCATES. 460 00:14:04,700 --> 00:14:08,866 WE'VE SEEN IT IN CORRECTIONS, 461 00:14:06,333 --> 00:14:09,200 JAIL, WARDENS AND IT'S A 462 00:14:08,866 --> 00:14:10,500 PROBLEM. 463 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:12,233 YOU GO TO ALMOST ANY RESTAURANT 464 00:14:10,500 --> 00:14:16,633 AND YOU ARE GOING SEE A SIGN OUT 465 00:14:12,233 --> 00:14:18,633 FRONT SAYING NOW HIRING. 466 00:14:16,633 --> 00:14:20,066 >> CITIES AND COUNTIES HAVE TO 467 00:14:18,633 --> 00:14:21,500 COME UP WITH WAYS TO REHIRE SOME 468 00:14:20,066 --> 00:14:22,133 OF THE PEOPLE, TO HIRE NEW 469 00:14:21,500 --> 00:14:23,200 POLICE OFFICERS. 470 00:14:22,133 --> 00:14:25,066 THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE 471 00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:27,900 THE PAY, DO MORE INCENTIVES TO 472 00:14:25,066 --> 00:14:28,466 GET THE JOBS FILLED BECAUSE THEY 473 00:14:27,900 --> 00:14:31,433 HAVE TO BE FILLED. 474 00:14:28,466 --> 00:14:32,500 >> AT A TIME LEXINGTON AND 475 00:14:31,433 --> 00:14:34,233 LOUISVILLE HAVING A REAL PROBLEM 476 00:14:32,500 --> 00:14:36,900 WITH CRIME RATE, THE VIOLENT 477 00:14:34,233 --> 00:14:38,333 CRIME, RECORD HOMICIDES IN BOTH 478 00:14:36,900 --> 00:14:39,600 THE STATE'S TWO LARGEST CITIES. 479 00:14:38,333 --> 00:14:42,933 >> RECORD HOMICIDE RATES AND 480 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:43,333 POLICE SHORTAGES, A BAD 481 00:14:42,933 --> 00:14:45,366 COMBINATION. 482 00:14:43,333 --> 00:14:47,766 >> SO IT'S KIND OF A SIDE TO 483 00:14:45,366 --> 00:14:48,633 THAT, RAMIFICATIONS FROM THE 484 00:14:47,766 --> 00:14:51,900 BREONNA TAYLOR CASE CONTINUED 485 00:14:48,633 --> 00:14:52,533 THIS YEAR AND NO KNOCK WARRANTS 486 00:14:51,900 --> 00:14:53,300 WERE ADDRESSED DURING THE 487 00:14:52,533 --> 00:14:55,066 GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE TASK 488 00:14:53,300 --> 00:14:56,766 FORCE WAS PUT TOGETHER BY THE 489 00:14:55,066 --> 00:14:58,866 ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON 490 00:14:56,766 --> 00:15:00,900 WHEN REPORTED SOME 491 00:14:58,866 --> 00:15:02,733 RECOMMENDATIONS AND LISTENED TO 492 00:15:00,900 --> 00:15:04,966 PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE. 493 00:15:02,733 --> 00:15:06,000 >> YEAH, THEY WERE BASICALLY 494 00:15:04,966 --> 00:15:07,000 EIGHT RECOMMENDATIONS HAVING TO 495 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:08,866 DO WITH TRAINING OF POLICE 496 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:11,500 OFFICERS IN DOING THESE WARRANTS 497 00:15:08,866 --> 00:15:13,666 AND ALSO TRACKING ESSENTIALLY, 498 00:15:11,500 --> 00:15:15,000 HOW THESE WARRANTS ARE ISSUED, 499 00:15:13,666 --> 00:15:16,200 WHO ISSUES THEM, RESTRICTING 500 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:17,533 WHEN THEY CAN BE ISSUED. 501 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:18,600 THOSE KINDS OF RECOMMENDATIONS 502 00:15:17,533 --> 00:15:20,333 THAT WILL HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED 503 00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:23,000 BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUT IT 504 00:15:20,333 --> 00:15:23,400 WAS ALL A RESULT OF THE BREONNA 505 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:24,500 TAYLOR CASE. 506 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:26,700 >> WE TALK ABOUT THE WORKFORCE 507 00:15:24,500 --> 00:15:28,333 ISSUES AND THE CHALLENGES ARE 508 00:15:26,700 --> 00:15:30,066 REALLY APPARENT IN THE DAYCARE 509 00:15:28,333 --> 00:15:31,533 INDUSTRY, RIGHT? 510 00:15:30,066 --> 00:15:32,800 WHICH IS PART OF WHY IT IS HARD 511 00:15:31,533 --> 00:15:33,800 TO GET SOME PEOPLE BACK TO WORK. 512 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:37,433 >> DEFINITELY. 513 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:38,800 FOR ONE THING, IT'S REALLY HARD 514 00:15:37,433 --> 00:15:41,366 FOR WORKERS, BEFORE VACCINES 515 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:41,700 WERE AFRAID TO GET OUT AND GET 516 00:15:41,366 --> 00:15:45,233 EXPOSED. 517 00:15:41,700 --> 00:15:46,566 BUT IT PAYS, DOESN'T PAY WELL. 518 00:15:45,233 --> 00:15:48,300 WORKERS ARE FINDING THEY CAN DO 519 00:15:46,566 --> 00:15:50,733 OTHER THINGS AND IT'S REALLY 520 00:15:48,300 --> 00:15:51,766 CREATING A CRISIS IN THE FIELD 521 00:15:50,733 --> 00:15:53,400 BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED CHILD CARE 522 00:15:51,766 --> 00:15:55,166 THEY CAN AFFORD SO THEY CAN GO 523 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:57,833 TO WORK AND THAT'S HURTING THE 524 00:15:55,166 --> 00:16:00,433 WORKFORCE ISSUES AS WELL. 525 00:15:57,833 --> 00:16:02,733 >> 2021, YOU HAVE TO LOOK BACK 526 00:16:00,433 --> 00:16:05,600 EARLY IN THE YEAR, JANUARY 6, 527 00:16:02,733 --> 00:16:07,666 THE INSURRECTION OF THE U.S. 528 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:08,566 CAPITOL, SEVERAL KENTUCKIANS 529 00:16:07,666 --> 00:16:10,166 WERE EVENTUALLY CHARGED. 530 00:16:08,566 --> 00:16:11,800 >> I REMEMBER WATCHING THAT. 531 00:16:10,166 --> 00:16:13,033 THE JAW DROPPED TO SEE WHAT WAS 532 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:14,233 HAPPENING AT THE CAPITOL. 533 00:16:13,033 --> 00:16:15,866 BUT WHAT HAS BEEN INTERESTING 534 00:16:14,233 --> 00:16:17,500 NOW, ALMOST A YEAR LATER, IS TO 535 00:16:15,866 --> 00:16:21,000 SEE HOW THIS IS BEING FRAMED 536 00:16:17,500 --> 00:16:22,000 DIFFERENTLY BY DIFFERENT 537 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:24,166 POLITICAL PARTIES. 538 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:25,933 YOU HAVE TRUMP ALLIES TRYING TO 539 00:16:24,166 --> 00:16:28,300 DOWNPLAY THIS THING, WAS NOT 540 00:16:25,933 --> 00:16:31,100 REALLY AN ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL. 541 00:16:28,300 --> 00:16:33,400 THERE IS OF COURSE, A COMMISSION 542 00:16:31,100 --> 00:16:35,900 INVESTIGATING THIS THE IN HOUSE 543 00:16:33,400 --> 00:16:38,333 AND LIZ CHENEY FOR ONE IS ONE OF 544 00:16:35,900 --> 00:16:42,133 THE FEW REPUBLICANS WHO ARE 545 00:16:38,333 --> 00:16:43,700 ACTUALLY GOING TO DIG INTO THIS. 546 00:16:42,133 --> 00:16:45,433 BUT CERTAINLY A YEAR AFTER IT 547 00:16:43,700 --> 00:16:46,833 HAPPENED, IS STILL SHAPING 548 00:16:45,433 --> 00:16:48,133 POLITICS, STILL SHAPING OPINIONS 549 00:16:46,833 --> 00:16:50,733 AT THE CAPITOL AND BEYOND. 550 00:16:48,133 --> 00:16:51,833 >> LEER IN KENTUCKY ON THAT DAY, 551 00:16:50,733 --> 00:16:53,466 JANUARY 6, WE REPORTERS WERE 552 00:16:51,833 --> 00:16:55,433 PREPARING TO HEAR ANDY BESHEAR 553 00:16:53,466 --> 00:16:56,100 AS GOVERNOR, GIVE HIS FIRST 554 00:16:55,433 --> 00:16:56,433 STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH 555 00:16:56,100 --> 00:16:59,366 ADDRESS. 556 00:16:56,433 --> 00:17:03,500 AND BECAUSE OF THE MAYHEM IN THE 557 00:16:59,366 --> 00:17:04,400 NATION'S CAPITOL, THAT WAS 558 00:17:03,500 --> 00:17:06,033 POSTPONED A NIGHT. 559 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:07,666 >> WE SHOULD SAY THIS AS WELL, 560 00:17:06,033 --> 00:17:08,500 SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL A FEW 561 00:17:07,666 --> 00:17:11,166 DAYS AGO SAID THIS IS SOMETHING 562 00:17:08,500 --> 00:17:14,600 THAT NEED TO BE LOOKED INTO. 563 00:17:11,166 --> 00:17:15,133 SO HE IS SPLIT FROM FORMER 564 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:18,733 PRESIDENT ON THIS. 565 00:17:15,133 --> 00:17:19,433 >> WHICH WAS ALWAYS SORT OF A 566 00:17:18,733 --> 00:17:21,033 FRAGILE ALIGNS THERE. 567 00:17:19,433 --> 00:17:24,233 >> YOU CAN SAY THAT. 568 00:17:21,033 --> 00:17:25,233 >> BUT THEY REALLY FELL OUT OVER 569 00:17:24,233 --> 00:17:26,133 THERE,-- OVER THIS, RIGHT. 570 00:17:25,233 --> 00:17:27,633 >> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS 571 00:17:26,133 --> 00:17:29,266 BEEN TRYING TO GET SENATOR 572 00:17:27,633 --> 00:17:30,933 McCONNELL OUSTED AS THE 573 00:17:29,266 --> 00:17:32,766 MINORITY LEADER, UNSUCCESSFULLY. 574 00:17:30,933 --> 00:17:34,400 HE STILL HOLDS SOLID SUPPORT 575 00:17:32,766 --> 00:17:36,166 AMONG REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE, 576 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:38,600 BUT IT'S OBVIOUS THAT 577 00:17:36,166 --> 00:17:39,033 RELATIONSHIP, SUCH AS IT WAS, IS 578 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:42,300 GONE. 579 00:17:39,033 --> 00:17:45,033 >> WELL, HE HAD SOME OTHER, YOU 580 00:17:42,300 --> 00:17:45,600 KNOW, HE BOOKED REPUBLICAN 581 00:17:45,033 --> 00:17:47,533 CONSERVATIVES ON THE 582 00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:48,833 INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH HE CALLED A 583 00:17:47,533 --> 00:17:50,366 GOD SEND FOR KENTUCKY WHEN THAT 584 00:17:48,833 --> 00:17:53,033 PASSED AND THE FUNDING OF THE 585 00:17:50,366 --> 00:17:54,233 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT A COUPLE OF 586 00:17:53,033 --> 00:17:55,300 COMPROMISES THAT HE WORKED OUT 587 00:17:54,233 --> 00:17:56,900 ALONG THE WAY. 588 00:17:55,300 --> 00:17:59,300 >> AND McCONNELL, YOU KNOW, 589 00:17:56,900 --> 00:18:00,633 GOT WHAT HE WANTED DURING THE 590 00:17:59,300 --> 00:18:01,400 TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, AND THAT 591 00:18:00,633 --> 00:18:03,466 WAS JUDGES. 592 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:06,133 HE GOT JUDGES APPOINTED 593 00:18:03,466 --> 00:18:09,733 INCLUDING SUPREME COURT JUDGES. 594 00:18:06,133 --> 00:18:13,500 SO THAT CERTAINLY IS PART OF THE 595 00:18:09,733 --> 00:18:14,566 REASON THAT SENATOR McCONNELL 596 00:18:13,500 --> 00:18:16,633 WORKED WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP BUT 597 00:18:14,566 --> 00:18:17,766 THAT RELATIONSHIP AS WE KNOW HAS 598 00:18:16,633 --> 00:18:18,900 BEEN FRACTURED. 599 00:18:17,766 --> 00:18:20,766 >> WELL, THE STATE LEGISLATURE 600 00:18:18,900 --> 00:18:22,200 DURING A SHORT OF SHORTENED 601 00:18:20,766 --> 00:18:23,700 SESSION BECAUSE OF COVID OR AT 602 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:26,900 LEAST THEY HAD TO REALLY 603 00:18:23,700 --> 00:18:27,900 EXPEDITE THINGS, THEY DID PASS A 604 00:18:26,900 --> 00:18:30,500 ONE-YEAR BUDGET AND THE REVENUE 605 00:18:27,900 --> 00:18:30,800 HAS COME IN TO FAR EXCEED THAT 606 00:18:30,500 --> 00:18:32,033 PLAN. 607 00:18:30,800 --> 00:18:33,233 >> THERE IS A GROUP OF 608 00:18:32,033 --> 00:18:35,533 ECONOMISTS THEY MEET AND 609 00:18:33,233 --> 00:18:37,200 FORECAST HOW MUCH MONEY WILL BE 610 00:18:35,533 --> 00:18:37,533 AVAILABLE FOR THE NEXT TWO-YEAR 611 00:18:37,200 --> 00:18:38,800 BUDGET. 612 00:18:37,533 --> 00:18:39,633 IT'S CALLED THE CONSENSUS 613 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:42,866 FORECASTING GROUP AND THEY'RE 614 00:18:39,633 --> 00:18:44,600 LOOKING AT A $2 BILLION SURPLUS. 615 00:18:42,866 --> 00:18:48,900 SO THERE WILL BE SOME MONEY 616 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:49,866 THERE TO BE SPENT. 617 00:18:48,900 --> 00:18:50,133 >> AND EXTRAORDINARY DEMAND FOR 618 00:18:49,866 --> 00:18:52,066 IT. 619 00:18:50,133 --> 00:18:53,466 >> AND THE TORNADO SITUATION 620 00:18:52,066 --> 00:18:55,566 PLAY INTO THAT AS WELL. 621 00:18:53,466 --> 00:18:55,933 >> I THINK THAT WILL FACTOR INTO 622 00:18:55,566 --> 00:18:57,666 IT. 623 00:18:55,933 --> 00:19:00,633 BESHEAR SAID RECENTLY THAT THAT 624 00:18:57,666 --> 00:19:04,366 WILL FIGURE INTO HIS BUDGET 625 00:19:00,633 --> 00:19:06,600 PROPOSAL FOR NEXT YEAR, OR AT 626 00:19:04,366 --> 00:19:06,900 LEAST IT IS THOUGHT THAT IT 627 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:09,866 WOULD. 628 00:19:06,900 --> 00:19:12,300 >> THERE WAS SO MUCH MONEY 629 00:19:09,866 --> 00:19:16,633 AVAILABLE IS A LOT OF MONEY. 630 00:19:12,300 --> 00:19:18,300 >> WHY IS THE MONEY FLOWING IN? 631 00:19:16,633 --> 00:19:19,533 >> I THINK A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO 632 00:19:18,300 --> 00:19:21,066 WITH THE FEDERAL RELIEF FROM 633 00:19:19,533 --> 00:19:22,333 COVID THAT HAS FLOWED INTO 634 00:19:21,066 --> 00:19:24,033 STATES INCLUDING KENTUCKY IN 635 00:19:22,333 --> 00:19:25,333 ADDITION TO A LOT OF DIRECT 636 00:19:24,033 --> 00:19:26,533 SUPPORT FOR STATE PROGRAMS AND 637 00:19:25,333 --> 00:19:28,100 BUSINESSES AND HOSPITALS AND 638 00:19:26,533 --> 00:19:30,200 OTHER THINGS THAT HAS GIVEN 639 00:19:28,100 --> 00:19:31,366 PEOPLE MORE MONEY TO SPEND 640 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:32,800 THROUGH UNEMPLOYMENT AND OTHER 641 00:19:31,366 --> 00:19:38,100 ASSISTANCE THAT HAS HELPED THE 642 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:39,600 ECONOMY KEEP GOING, I THINK. 643 00:19:38,100 --> 00:19:41,600 >> THERE HAS BEEN A PROPOSAL BY 644 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:43,400 ONE SECTOR TO REDUCE THE PENSION 645 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:45,266 STATE THE STATE HAS, BUT I THINK 646 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:47,600 THERE ARE SO MANY DEMANDS BY THE 647 00:19:45,266 --> 00:19:49,966 SOCIAL WORKERS AND TEACHERS, 648 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:51,166 TROOPERS, OTHER ESSENTIAL 649 00:19:49,966 --> 00:19:53,333 WORKERS, THAT THEY ARE GOING TO 650 00:19:51,166 --> 00:19:55,533 NEED SOME KIND OF PAY INCREASE. 651 00:19:53,333 --> 00:19:57,233 >> THERE WERE SOME MAJOR BRIGHT 652 00:19:55,533 --> 00:19:57,733 SPOTS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE 653 00:19:57,233 --> 00:19:59,000 KENTUCKY ECONOMY. 654 00:19:57,733 --> 00:20:01,666 FORD PICKED THE BLUEGRASS STATE 655 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:03,233 FOR A MAJOR BATTERY PLANT. 656 00:20:01,666 --> 00:20:04,266 TOYOTA HAD A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT. 657 00:20:03,233 --> 00:20:05,833 SO REALLY KENTUCKY HAS BEEN PUT 658 00:20:04,266 --> 00:20:08,166 IN THE FOREFRONT OF PRODUCING 659 00:20:05,833 --> 00:20:09,166 WHAT LOOKS TO BE A FUTURE OF 660 00:20:08,166 --> 00:20:16,300 ELECTRIC VEHICLES, RIGHT? 661 00:20:09,166 --> 00:20:18,266 >> I THINK THE ECONOMY IS ON 662 00:20:16,300 --> 00:20:19,466 FIRE. 663 00:20:18,266 --> 00:20:20,233 CERTAINLY ALMOST $10 BILLION 664 00:20:19,466 --> 00:20:23,633 WORTH OF INVESTMENT THIS YEAR. 665 00:20:20,233 --> 00:20:25,633 >> WELL, IF CRISES ARE ONE PART 666 00:20:23,633 --> 00:20:28,133 OF THE BESHEAR LEGACY, THE OTHER 667 00:20:25,633 --> 00:20:29,000 PART IS GOING TO BE ECONOMIC 668 00:20:28,133 --> 00:20:32,066 DEVELOPMENT, RECORD NUMBER OF 669 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:33,266 PROJECTS LAUNCHED THIS YEAR SO 670 00:20:32,066 --> 00:20:34,266 WE'LL SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT 671 00:20:33,266 --> 00:20:37,433 DOWN THE ROAD AS FAR AS THE 672 00:20:34,266 --> 00:20:38,300 NUMBER OF JOBS CREATED. 673 00:20:37,433 --> 00:20:40,166 AND REVENUE PRODUCED. 674 00:20:38,300 --> 00:20:42,033 >> WE HAD A KENTUCKY DERBY 675 00:20:40,166 --> 00:20:44,433 FILLED WITH CONTROVERSY. 676 00:20:42,033 --> 00:20:46,200 THE WINNER TESTED POSITIVE FOR 677 00:20:44,433 --> 00:20:47,533 STEROIDS, MEDINA SPIRIT DIED 678 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:51,000 LATER IN THE YEAR WITH SOME 679 00:20:47,533 --> 00:20:51,566 QUESTIONS, MAYBE STILL UP IN THE 680 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:53,233 AIR. 681 00:20:51,566 --> 00:20:57,600 >> MEDINA SPIRIT HAD ILLEGAL 682 00:20:53,233 --> 00:21:00,666 SUBSTANCES IN HIS SYSTEM. 683 00:20:57,600 --> 00:21:01,933 BOB BAFFORT SUSPENDED BY 684 00:21:00,666 --> 00:21:03,700 CHURCHILL DOWNS FOR TWO YEARS. 685 00:21:01,933 --> 00:21:04,900 LATER IT CAME OUT IT WAS A 686 00:21:03,700 --> 00:21:06,233 TOPICAL APPLICATION, NOTHING 687 00:21:04,900 --> 00:21:07,800 INJECTED BUT THERE IS STILL NO 688 00:21:06,233 --> 00:21:09,400 RULING YET BY THE HORSE RACING 689 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:11,166 COMMISSION AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, 690 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:16,300 WHAT HAPPENS TO THE KENTUCKY 691 00:21:11,166 --> 00:21:17,833 DERBY, WHETHER MEDINA SPIRIT'S 692 00:21:16,300 --> 00:21:18,133 WIN IS SUSPENDED OR PUSHED 693 00:21:17,833 --> 00:21:19,700 ASIDE. 694 00:21:18,133 --> 00:21:24,733 THAT'S AN ONGOING CONTROVERSY. 695 00:21:19,700 --> 00:21:26,166 AT THIS POINT, BOB IS OUT OF THE 696 00:21:24,733 --> 00:21:29,666 NEXT COUPLE KENTUCKY DERBY. 697 00:21:26,166 --> 00:21:31,533 >> A BAD OUTCOME FOR THE FIRST 698 00:21:29,666 --> 00:21:32,033 KENTUCKY DERBY WITH FANS BACK IN 699 00:21:31,533 --> 00:21:33,266 THE STAND AGAIN. 700 00:21:32,033 --> 00:21:35,666 >> ONE OF THE SURPRISES OF THE 701 00:21:33,266 --> 00:21:37,100 YEAR CAME FROM LONG TIME 702 00:21:35,666 --> 00:21:39,600 LOUISVILLE CONGRESSMAN JOHN 703 00:21:37,100 --> 00:21:40,866 YARMOUTH, THE ONLY DEMOCRAT IN 704 00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:42,133 THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IN 705 00:21:40,866 --> 00:21:43,733 THE COMMONWEALTH ANNOUNCED HIS 706 00:21:42,133 --> 00:21:45,200 RETIREMENT AND THAT SET OFF A 707 00:21:43,733 --> 00:21:45,900 SCRAMBLE THAT BECAME APPARENT 708 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:48,900 VERY QUICKLY. 709 00:21:45,900 --> 00:21:50,100 >> ATICUS SCOTT, STATE 710 00:21:48,900 --> 00:21:51,433 REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCED SHE WAS 711 00:21:50,100 --> 00:21:54,166 GOING TO CHALLENGE HIM AND THEN 712 00:21:51,433 --> 00:21:56,233 WHEN HE STEPPED ASIDE, QUICKLY 713 00:21:54,166 --> 00:21:58,300 STATE SENATOR MCGARVEY GOT IN 714 00:21:56,233 --> 00:21:58,600 THE RACE AND HAS RAISED LOTS OF 715 00:21:58,300 --> 00:22:00,566 MONEY. 716 00:21:58,600 --> 00:22:01,566 THOSE ARE THE TWO MAIN 717 00:22:00,566 --> 00:22:01,866 COMBATANTS RIGHT NOW FOR THE 718 00:22:01,566 --> 00:22:03,100 POST. 719 00:22:01,866 --> 00:22:05,733 THE REPUBLICANS HAVEN'T PUT UP A 720 00:22:03,100 --> 00:22:07,233 BIG NAME YET, BUT IT'S RIGHT NOW 721 00:22:05,733 --> 00:22:08,733 THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION IS 722 00:22:07,233 --> 00:22:11,966 BETWEEN SCOTT AND MCGARVEY. 723 00:22:08,733 --> 00:22:13,200 >> 2021 DIDN'T HAVE THE 724 00:22:11,966 --> 00:22:14,000 ELECTIONS EXCEPT FOR THREE 725 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:15,233 SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS 726 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:17,733 BECAUSE OF VARIOUS REASONS. 727 00:22:15,233 --> 00:22:19,933 BUT NEXT YEAR IS GOING TO BE 728 00:22:17,733 --> 00:22:21,666 FILLED WITH ELECTIONS, 729 00:22:19,933 --> 00:22:24,400 CONGRESSIONAL, U.S. SENATE, 730 00:22:21,666 --> 00:22:25,200 LEGISLATIVE, JUDGES, LOCALS EVEN 731 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:26,833 VERY BUSY. 732 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:28,566 >> TOP TO BOTTOM. 733 00:22:26,833 --> 00:22:32,533 WELL, THIS IS VERY BITTERSWEET 734 00:22:28,566 --> 00:22:34,166 NIGHT FOR US AS WE NOTED A 735 00:22:32,533 --> 00:22:35,933 COUPLE OF OUR GIANTS ON THIS SET 736 00:22:34,166 --> 00:22:37,133 ARE LEAVING KENTUCKY JOURNALISM. 737 00:22:35,933 --> 00:22:40,733 JACK AND LAWRENCE BOTH PLANNING 738 00:22:37,133 --> 00:22:41,833 TO TURN THE PAGE IN THEIR LIVES. 739 00:22:40,733 --> 00:22:44,266 KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT JUSTICE 740 00:22:41,833 --> 00:22:46,533 JOHN MINTON RECENTLY PRAISED 741 00:22:44,266 --> 00:22:48,933 JACK FOR HIS DECADES OF WORK. 742 00:22:46,533 --> 00:22:50,933 >> IF THE MEDIA IS THE FOURTH 743 00:22:48,933 --> 00:22:52,533 ESTATE IN GOVERNMENT, THEN JACK 744 00:22:50,933 --> 00:22:54,200 BRAMMER IS ONE OF THE STATE'S 745 00:22:52,533 --> 00:22:55,633 FINEST STATESMEN. 746 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:58,233 HIS REPORTING HAS INFORMED THE 747 00:22:55,633 --> 00:23:00,900 PUBLIC AND HAS HELPED MAKE OUR 748 00:22:58,233 --> 00:23:02,033 INSTITUTIONS MORE ACCOUNTABLE. 749 00:23:00,900 --> 00:23:03,366 MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THOSE THAT 750 00:23:02,033 --> 00:23:05,200 THE GOVERNMENT SERVES. 751 00:23:03,366 --> 00:23:08,000 JACK'S REPORTING HAS, AT ONE 752 00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:09,100 POINT OR ANOTHER, SHAKEN UP 753 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:11,066 EVERY BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, 754 00:23:09,100 --> 00:23:14,000 INCLUDING THIS ONE. 755 00:23:11,066 --> 00:23:14,400 BUT MADE IT MORE OPEN AND MORE 756 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:16,400 RESPONSIBLE. 757 00:23:14,400 --> 00:23:19,366 >> JACK, YOU ANNOUNCED YOUR 758 00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:20,966 RETIREMENT A FEW WEEKS AGO. 759 00:23:19,366 --> 00:23:21,333 WE KIND OF SAW IT COMING THROUGH 760 00:23:20,966 --> 00:23:22,966 THE YEAR. 761 00:23:21,333 --> 00:23:25,033 YOU WERE HINTING ABOUT IT MAYBE. 762 00:23:22,966 --> 00:23:25,933 BUT YOU LEAVE THE LEXINGTON 763 00:23:25,033 --> 00:23:27,466 "HERALD-LEADER" NEXT WEEK AFTER 764 00:23:25,933 --> 00:23:29,100 MORE THAN 40 YEARS COVERING 765 00:23:27,466 --> 00:23:30,100 FRANKFORT AND OTHER THINGS THAT 766 00:23:29,100 --> 00:23:32,933 CAUGHT YOUR ATTENTION. 767 00:23:30,100 --> 00:23:34,000 I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN AWAY 768 00:23:32,933 --> 00:23:35,866 ABSOLUTE PILLAR OF THIS PROGRAM 769 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:37,333 FOR MANY, MANY YEARS AND TIMES 770 00:23:35,866 --> 00:23:38,400 HAVE CHANGED, RIGHT? 771 00:23:37,333 --> 00:23:39,200 >> IT HAS. 772 00:23:38,400 --> 00:23:40,166 THAT'S A GOOD THING. 773 00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:43,800 IF THEY DIDN'T CHANGE, WE 774 00:23:40,166 --> 00:23:44,800 WOULDN'T HAVE NEWS. 775 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:46,633 >> THAT'S TRUE. 776 00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:47,766 >> I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR THE 777 00:23:46,633 --> 00:23:52,400 CHIEF JUSTICE'S KIND COMMENTS. 778 00:23:47,766 --> 00:23:53,700 I'M VERY THANKFUL TO KET, 779 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:56,333 HONORED TO HAVE ME ON THIS 780 00:23:53,700 --> 00:23:57,933 PROGRAM FOR SO MANY YEARS WITH 781 00:23:56,333 --> 00:23:58,500 BRILLIANT JOURNALISTS LIKE GABBY 782 00:23:57,933 --> 00:24:00,333 AND LAWRENCE. 783 00:23:58,500 --> 00:24:02,166 AS FOR MYSELF, I LIKE TO SAY 784 00:24:00,333 --> 00:24:04,900 THAT I DRANK FROM THE SAUCER OF 785 00:24:02,166 --> 00:24:06,800 LIFE BECAUSE GOD HAS OVERFILLED 786 00:24:04,900 --> 00:24:08,233 MY CUP WITH SO MANY BLESSINGS. 787 00:24:06,800 --> 00:24:11,300 I'M A VERY BLESSED MAN AND TO 788 00:24:08,233 --> 00:24:13,166 QUOTE THE GREAT PHILOSOPHER 789 00:24:11,300 --> 00:24:14,066 DR. SUESS, DON'T CRY BECAUSE 790 00:24:13,166 --> 00:24:15,900 IT'S OVER. 791 00:24:14,066 --> 00:24:17,333 SMILE BECAUSE IT HAPPENED. 792 00:24:15,900 --> 00:24:17,866 >> WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO 793 00:24:17,333 --> 00:24:19,966 AFTER THIS? 794 00:24:17,866 --> 00:24:22,066 >> HOPE TO BE A FREELANCE WRITER 795 00:24:19,966 --> 00:24:22,366 IF ANYBODY NEEDS A WRITER OUT 796 00:24:22,066 --> 00:24:24,033 THERE. 797 00:24:22,366 --> 00:24:26,133 I WILL WRITE FOR FOOD. 798 00:24:24,033 --> 00:24:27,566 SO A LITTLE PLUG THERE. 799 00:24:26,133 --> 00:24:30,866 MY ONLY REGRET ON THE SHOW, 800 00:24:27,566 --> 00:24:34,433 BILL, IS THAT I DIDN'T MENTION 801 00:24:30,866 --> 00:24:36,633 ENOUGH THE TOWN OF MAYSVILLE. 802 00:24:34,433 --> 00:24:37,000 >> ONE MORE TIME FOR THE GOOD 803 00:24:36,633 --> 00:24:37,966 TIMES. 804 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:39,500 LAWRENCE, YOU TOOK US BY 805 00:24:37,966 --> 00:24:41,033 SURPRISE THIS WEEK ANNOUNCING 806 00:24:39,500 --> 00:24:42,100 THAT YOU ARE LEAVING AND GOING 807 00:24:41,033 --> 00:24:43,800 IN ANOTHER DIRECTION. 808 00:24:42,100 --> 00:24:45,433 WE SURE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ON 809 00:24:43,800 --> 00:24:50,033 THIS PROGRAM, INCLUDING HOSTING 810 00:24:45,433 --> 00:24:51,333 IT OVER THESE YEARS. 811 00:24:50,033 --> 00:24:52,600 WE HOPE TO HAVE YOU BACK ONE 812 00:24:51,333 --> 00:24:55,033 MORE TIME BEFORE YOU LEAVE TV. 813 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:57,266 >> LET ME SAY FIRST, I CAN'T 814 00:24:55,033 --> 00:24:59,133 HOLD JACK BRAMMER'S PEN. 815 00:24:57,266 --> 00:24:59,400 IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE WITH 816 00:24:59,133 --> 00:25:00,833 HIM. 817 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:01,933 I'M LEAVING THE TELEVISION NEWS 818 00:25:00,833 --> 00:25:03,466 BUSINESS AND GOING TO BE THE 819 00:25:01,933 --> 00:25:05,000 COMMUNICATION NEWS DIRECTOR FOR 820 00:25:03,466 --> 00:25:06,966 THE KENTUCKY BAPTIST CONVENTION. 821 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:08,766 I WILL STALE HAVE ONE FOOT IN 822 00:25:06,966 --> 00:25:10,566 NEWS BECAUSE THERE IS A NEWS ARM 823 00:25:08,766 --> 00:25:12,000 FOR THE CONVENTION CALLED 824 00:25:10,566 --> 00:25:13,433 KENTUCKY TODAY AND I WILL BE 825 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:15,000 EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF THAT SITE. 826 00:25:13,433 --> 00:25:17,066 SO I WILL STILL BE DOING SOME 827 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:22,066 NEWS. 828 00:25:17,066 --> 00:25:23,733 BUT OF A DIFFERENT KIND. 829 00:25:22,066 --> 00:25:25,800 >> I REFUSE TO HOLD UP A MIRROR 830 00:25:23,733 --> 00:25:26,100 RIGHT NOW BUT WE WISH THESE GUYS 831 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:27,233 WELL. 832 00:25:26,100 --> 00:25:31,600 >> DEFINITELY. 833 00:25:27,233 --> 00:25:32,033 THEY BOTH HAVE BEEN SOLID IN THE 834 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:36,500 PRESS CORPS. 835 00:25:32,033 --> 00:25:38,666 I LIKE LIKE TO CALL THEM THE 836 00:25:36,500 --> 00:25:41,000 GENTLEMEN JOURNALISTS. 837 00:25:38,666 --> 00:25:42,300 >> WE HAVE CHRONICLED A LOT OF 838 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:43,700 CHANGES OVER THE YEARS AND JACK, 839 00:25:42,300 --> 00:25:44,200 WE WILL SEE YOU ALONG THE WAY, 840 00:25:43,700 --> 00:25:45,633 ALL RIGHT? 841 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:47,133 >> I HOPE SO. 842 00:25:45,633 --> 00:25:48,700 AND LAWRENCE, I'M TRYING TO GET 843 00:25:47,133 --> 00:25:49,800 THAT COMMITMENT, ONE MORE SHOW 844 00:25:48,700 --> 00:25:51,066 BEFORE YOU GO, ALL RIGHT? 845 00:25:49,800 --> 00:25:52,633 >> HEY, I'M GOOD. 846 00:25:51,066 --> 00:25:53,933 I'M GOOD FOR IT. 847 00:25:52,633 --> 00:25:55,566 >> WE APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US 848 00:25:53,933 --> 00:25:56,733 FOR THIS SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVE 849 00:25:55,566 --> 00:25:58,666 EDITION OF COMMENT ON KENTUCKY. 850 00:25:56,733 --> 00:26:00,066 IT IS A TRUE HONOR TO HOST THIS 851 00:25:58,666 --> 00:26:02,466 PROGRAM AND TO TALK ABOUT THE 852 00:26:00,066 --> 00:26:03,133 ISSUES FACING OUR COMMONWEALTH 853 00:26:02,466 --> 00:26:05,200 EACH WEEK. 854 00:26:03,133 --> 00:26:06,833 AND WE TRULY APPRECIATE THE VERY 855 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:07,933 INFORMED PANELISTS WHO MAKE IT A 856 00:26:06,833 --> 00:26:09,700 RELEVANT DISCUSSION, INCLUDING 857 00:26:07,933 --> 00:26:11,500 THOSE HERE TONIGHT AND WE WISH 858 00:26:09,700 --> 00:26:13,133 YOU AND YOURS THE VERY BEST IN 859 00:26:11,500 --> 00:26:18,933 THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND IN THE 860 00:26:13,133 --> 00:26:18,933 NEW YEAR AHEAD OF 2022.