LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – On the latest edition of Kentucky Newsmakers, WKYT’s Bill Bryant talks with Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams and God’s Pantry Food Bank CEO Michael Halligan.

First, Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams is here as voters have been going to the polls for early voting before Tuesday’s primary.

Later, we’ll get an update from God’s Pantry Food Bank CEO Michael Halligan on hunger in Kentucky and their efforts to address it.

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Now that Mark Pope has mostly finished putting together his 2024-25 roster, he will shift his focus to recruiting the 2025 class. What better place is there to start than with the number one overall player? 

Yesterday, Coach Pope offered AJ Dybantsa, who is the number one overall player in the 2025 class. Dybantsa was a member of the 2026 class but reclassified and will look to be a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. 

Coach Pope and many other top coaches were at the EYBL event in Indianapolis, where Dybantsa and many other top prospects were. It sounds like Dybantsa really does want to play at Kentucky so Pope will have a chance here. It sounds like Coach Calipari will try and get him to Fayetteville and Bruce Pearl is trying to pull him to Auburn but Coach Pope will make a run at the classes top prospect. 

If Coach Pope is going to succeed at Kentucky, he will need to have the perfect mix of veteran stars and one-and-done McDonald’s All-American type of player. If he is able to land Dybantsa, he can achieve that balance. 

This is definitely a recruitment Kentucky fans need to keep an eye on.  

Here is On3’s scouting report on Dybantsa, “AJ Dybantsa is a lengthy and wiry 6-foot-7, maybe 6-foot-8 wing. He has a slippery and smooth handle in the open floor that allows him to attack the basket downhill. He is a bouncy athlete at the rim, finishing high above in transition. Dybantsa has a smooth jump shot and can create his own shots off the bounce. He has the length and upside to be very good when he is locked in on the defensive end. With a 2007 birthday, he has the foundation of all the tools; it will simply be about continuing to get stronger and developing the vast skill base. He is tracking as one of the top players in his class.”

Kentuckians will choose candidates for several federal, state and local races in the 2024 primary election. To help voters get to the polls Tuesday, the Ride to Vote initiative will allow passengers to ride all TARC routes and TARC3 paratransit services to any destination, including polling locations, at no cost.

“Helping our community get out to vote is another great tradition this agency offers, and exemplifies the value TARC provides to the public,” TARC’s Interim Executive Director Ozzy Gibson said in a news release. “We’re proud to help our fellow citizens exercise their right to vote.”

Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw, who also chairs the Board of Elections, said in the news release that Ride to Vote will ensure voters have access to transportation to polling locations.

“TARC’s initiatives play a crucial role in enabling eligible voters to exercise their fundamental American right to vote and have their voices heard,” Holsclaw said in the news release. “Safeguarding the integrity of our elections demands collective effort within our community, and TARC’s commitment to providing fare-free services significantly contributes to this endeavor.”

In this year’s primary, the ballot includes races for U.S. Representative, Kentucky House and Senate, and Louisville Metro Council, among others.

“It’s really critical for voters to come out and take advantage of these primary elections and pick their nominees for the two parties,” said Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, who cast his ballot during early voting last week.

Polling locations in Jefferson County will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday. Voters can find where to vote online. They must provide proof of identification to vote.

For more information on primary candidates, check out the LPM’s 2024 Kentucky Primary Voter Guide.

Justin Hicks contributed to this reporting.