>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WHAT BEGAN AS A TRAINING EXERCISE FOR THE BLOOMINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAME A HEADACHE AFTER LEAD-TAINTED PAINT FLAKES RAINED DOWN ON NEARBY NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> THERE WAS SORT OF A SNOWFALL OF PAINT CHIPS.

>> THE CITY EXPECTS TO SPEND MORE THAN $100,000 ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP.

MANY PEOPLE ARE USING THE RELIGIOUS EXCEPTION TO AVOID GETTING THE COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATED BY SCHOOLS AND EMPLOYERS.

>> THEY COULD DECIDE TO BE VERY LIGHT TOUCH WHEN IT COMES TOUGHIECOMES TOREVIEWING PEOPLE'S REQUEST.

>> AHEAD, WHY THE EMPLOYER COULD DETERMINE THE STATUS OF ONE'S RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION.

>> AND U.S.

SENATOR MIKE BRAUN IS FACING ALLEGATIONS THAT HE VIOLATED FEDERAL ELECTION LAWS.

THOSE STORIES AND MORING MORE RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP OF THE AREA AROUND A CONTROLLED BURN ON SOUTH HIGH STREET IN BLOOMINGTON LAST WEEK COULD COST THE CITY MORE THAN $100,000.

PAT BEANE REPORTS ON THE CONTINUED FALL OUT FROM THE FIRE THAT RAINED LEAD TAINTED PAINT CHIPS AND ASH ON THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> ONE WEEK AGO RESIDENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OFF SOUTH HIGH STREET GATHERED TO WATCH THE BLOOMINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT BURN DOWN A HOUSE FOR PRACTICE.

THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE EXTENT OF IT.

BUT AS FLAMES ENGULFED THE HOUSE, THE RESIDENTS NOTICED A TOXIC SMELL AND BURNING IN THEIR THROATS.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS FUN AND INTERESTING AND THEN QUICKLY GOT A WHIP OF THE PAINT BURNING ONCE THE FIRE DROPPED DOWN INTO THE MAIN BODY OF THE HOUSE, AND SADLY RECOGNIZED THE SMELL.

I HAD BEEN A CONTRACTOR FOR DECADES.

>> THAT SMELL WAS LEAD PAINT BURNING, AND IT HAS BEEN BANNED FOR CONSUMER USE SINCE 1978 AND THE SMELL WAS NOT ALL.

>> IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRE, THERE WAS A SNOWFALL OF PAINT CHIPS.

>> HE PURCHASED SOME LEAD PAINT TEST KITS.

EVERY SAMPLE WAS POSITIVE FOR LEAD.

HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR MURPHY AND OTHERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE ISSUE MIGHT HAVE FLAMED OUT BUT MURPHY GATHERED PAINT FLAKES FROM 40 DIFFERENT SAMPLES AND TOOK THEM TO GABE FILLIPPELLI.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS AN OVERREACTION BEFORE I DID ANY OF THE ANALYSES.

AND THEN I DID THE ANALYSES AND IT WAS VERY CLEARLY NOT AN OVERREACTION.

>> HIS LAB TEST AND THOSE DONE BY THE CITY, CONFIRMED HIGH AMOUNTS OF LEAD IN THE PAINT FLAKES.

>> THE AVERAGE WAS ABOUT 4% LEAD, AND THE MEDIAN VALUE WAS 2.5% LEAD.

SO THESE ARE EXTREMELY HIGH LEAD VALUES.

>> THE LAB IS DISTRIBUTING 500 TEST KITS IN THE AREA THAT THAT WILL ALLOW RESIDENTS TO COLLECT SOIL SAMPLES AND WORMS FROM THEIR YARDS FOR TESTING.

WHY THE CITY DOESN'T EXPECT THERE TO BE LEAD FALLOUT FROM THE BURNING OF A HOUSE BUILT IN 1951 IS NOT CLEAR.

WHILE THE MAYOR'S OFFICE DECLINED AN INTERVIEW, IT POINTED TO THE FACT THAT THE CITY SUBMITTED BURN PLANS FROM THE STATE OF INDIANA.

THEY HAD TO REMOVE VINYL SIDING AND OTHER ITEMS PRIOR TO THE BURN BY I.D.M.

>> WE SAW THE APPROVAL DOCUMENTS AND THE APPROVAL DOCUMENTS DON'T INDICATE ANYTHING ABOUT LEAD, ANYTHING ABOUT LEAD PAINT.

BUT THIS IS AN ENORMOUS OVERSIGHT.

AND I THINK THAT THIS PERMITTING PROCESS NEEDS TO BE AMENDED IMMEDIATELY.

>> ROLLO SAYS HE'S CONTACTING STATE OFFICIALS TO MAKE LEAD PAINT A CONSIDERATION IN THE PROCESS?

>> I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS SIMPLY NOT CONSIDERED.

>> ONCE IT KNEW OF THE PROBLEM, THE CITY REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH SERVEPRO TO CLEAN UP THE AFFECTED AREA BUT THAT DEAL FELL THROUGH AFTER LITTLE WORK WAS DONE, AND IT WASN'T UNTIL TUESDAY AFTERNOON THAT ANOTHER COMPANY, ENVIRONMENTAL ASSURANCE COMPANY INCORPORATED OF INDIANAPOLIS, BEGAN VACUUMING UP PAINT FLAKES FROM THE AREA.

THE CITY ALSO CONTRACTED WITH VET ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING TO MONITOR THE AIR QUALITY DURING THE PROCESS.

>> WE ARE NOT SURE HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE.

WE TAKE AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO DO IT RIGHT.

>> BOTH HAVE COST RESTRAINTS BUILT IN.

THE BILL SHOULD NOT EXCEED AROUND $118,000, BUT THE CITY EXPECTS THE FINAL COST COULD BE LOWER.

THAT MONEY WILL COME OUT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET.

>> THAT'S SECONDARY TO THE MATTER AT HAND, WHICH IS PUTTING THINGS RIGHT.

>> MORE THAN 150 RESIDENTS HAVE FILED REMEDIATION FORMS WITH THE CITY AND AROUND 100 HOMES HAVE BEEN EVALUATED SO FAR BY EACI AND VET.

PAINT FLAKES HAVE BEEN FOUND AWAY AS MUCH AS 1 MILE.

THEY ARE BREAKING IT DOWN TO THE NUMBER OF FLAKES FOUND.

THE CITY RELEASED THE MAPS.

ALONG WITH RELEASING TOXIC PARTICLES, THE RESIDENT TOOK ISSUE WITH THEM BURNING A LARGE STRUCTURE INSIDE THE CITY RESIDENCE.

>> HOW CAN A HOUSE THAT'S SO OLD BE ABLE TO BE BURNED IN SUCH A DENSE POPULATED AREA OF BLOOMINGTON.

I UNDERSTAND IT WAS FOR TRAINING, FIREFIGHTER TRAINING, BUT IT'S AFFECTED EVERYTHING.

>> ROLLO ALSO TOOK NOTE OF THE ORDINANCE THAT PROHIBITS BURNING OF ANY KIND INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS.

>> IT'S A DEEP IRONY THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY, EXCEPT THAT IT SHOULDN'T OCCUR IN THE FUTURE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY MARTA VENIER, AND OFFAL CHEMIST AND A -- AN ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTIST WITH O'NEILL ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS SCHOOL.

WE HEARD ABOUT THE HIGH CONCENTRATION OF LED LEAD FLAKES FROM THE BURN, SO WHAT TYPE OF DANGERS DO THEY POSE TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE LEVELS THAT WERE MEASURED IN THE PAINT CHIPS ARE SPREAD ACROSS A LARGE AREA IN BLOOMINGTON ARE PRETTY HIGH.

UNFORTUNATELY LEAD, IS TOXIC.

ANYTHING ABOVE ZERO IS CONSIDERED TOXIC.

>> SO IT RAINED YESTERDAY.

DOES THAT HELP ANYTHING?

>> SO IT HELPS AND IT DOESN'T.

IN THE SENSE THAT THE BRAIN BROUGHT ALL THE PARTICLES -- THE RAIN BROUGHT ALL THE PARTICLES ALL THE LED THAT WAS ON THE LEAVES DOWN TO THE SOIL AND IT MIGHT HAVE BROKEN DOWN MOUNTAIN PAINT CHIPS BUT THEN IT WENT INTO THE SOIL.

>> SO THE CITY HAS CONTRACTED TO HAVE THE PAINT FLAKES VACUUMED UP.

WHAT SHOULD THE RESIDENTS DO IF THEY COME ACROSS THEM?

>> DON'T TOUCH THEM, UNLESS YOU ARE WEARING GLOVES.

SO I WOULD HONESTLY LEAVE THEM BE.

AND WHAT THEY CAN DO IS LEAVE THEIR SHOES OUT AND HAVE DOOR MATS AND LEAVE EVERYTHING FROM THE OUTSIDE OUT AND NOT BRING IT INSIDE.

AND DON'T LET THE KIDS PLAY WITH THE LEAVES THAT WE ALL HAVE SITTING IN OUR BACKYARDS.

>> YEAH.

AND WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE -- THOSE FLAKES THAT ARE EVERYWHERE, WHAT ABOUT THE AIR IN THAT AREA?

IS THAT SAFE?

>> I THINK THE AIR IS OKAY.

IT'S IN THE PARTICLES AND THE RAIN HAS WASHED THEM DOWN.

I THINK RAIN WAS A GOOD THING FROM THAT RESPECT.

>> NOW, WHAT ABOUT IF PEOPLE HAVE ANY TYPE OF VEGETABLE GARDENS IN THEIR BACKYARD?

CAN THEY STILL USE THEM OR ARE THEY CONTAMINATED?

>> I WOULDN'T EAT THEM.

THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED AND YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCE WHEN LEAD IS INVOLVED, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNGER KIDS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NOW, THE CITY HAS SET UP A WEBSITE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE BURN.

SAFETY PROCEDURES AND HOW TO REQUEST REMEDIATION THE ABLOOMINGTON.IN.GOV/BFDBURNINFO.

WELL, $47 BILLION AND THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BUILD WILL GO TO MAKE COMMUNITIES IN THE U.S. MORE RESILIENT TO THINGS LIKE FLOODING, DROUGHT AND EXTREME HEAT.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS IT'S THE LARGEST SUCH INVESTMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY BUT INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE SAYS IT'S GOOD A HELP.

>> GABRIELLE FILLIPPELLI, HE SAYS MONEY FROM THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL COULD GO TOWARDS A NUMBER OF PROJECTS IN INDIANA.

>> BETTER FLOOD PROTECTION MAPS WHICH ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED IN INDIANA.

HOPEFULLY SOME -- SOME FUNDING FOR IDENTIFYING AND MAPPING OUT URBAN HEAT ISLAND IMPACTS AND WAYS TO MITIGATE THOSE.

>>> BUT LAST YEAR ALONE, THE U.S.

SUFFERED ALMOST $100 BILLION WORTH OF DAMAGE FROM EXTREME WEATHER AND CLIMATE-RESEARCHEDRELATED DISASTERS.

>> NO, IT'S NOT ENOUGH IN THE LONG RUN.

JUST BECAUSE IT PALES IN COMPARISON TO THE CLIMATE COSTS, CLIMATE DISASTER COSTS, BUT IT'S -- IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING, AND IT'S A GREAT FIRST STEP.

>> AND FILLIPPELLI SAYS RESISTANCE ONLY GOES SO FAR.

THEY HAVE TO STOP BURNING FOSSIL FUELS.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> VAUHXX BOOKER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR HIS OWN LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN FUTURE COURT PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO LAST YEAR'S INCIDENT AT LAKE MONROE.

THE MONROE COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE FILED A MOTION EARLIER THIS WEEK SAYING, BOOKER MIGHT NOT MEET THE DEFINITION INDIGENSY.

THE JUDGE AGREED AND SAID HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A PUBLIC DEPENDER.

AFTER HE WENT PUBLIC, THAT HE WAS NEARLY LYNCH, HIS FRIENDS SET UP AI GO FUND ME THAT RAISED CLOSE TO $36,000 TO PUT TO MEDICAL COSTS, DAY-TO-DAY COSTS AND LEGAL FEES.

BOOKER CAN APPEAL THE DECISION.

COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," BEING GRANTED A RELIGIOUS EXCEPTION EXEMPTION COULD DEPENDING WHO YOU WORK FOR AND IF YOU COME ACROSS A STRAY PIANO, FEEL FREE TO SIT DOWN AND START PLAYING.

THESE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

U.S.

SENATOR MIKE BRAUN FACES ALLEGATIONS THAT HE VIOLATED FEDERAL ELECTION LAWS BY ACCEPTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF IMPROPER LOANS DURING HIS 2018 CAMPAIGN.

THEY ALLEGED THAT BRAUN TOOK $7 MILLION IN LOANS FROM BANKS DURING HIS CAMPAIGN WITHOUT PROOF OF COLLATERAL, WHICH IS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE REGULATIONS.

THE AGENCY ALSO SAID BRAUN ILLEGALLY TOOK A $1.5 MILLION LOAN FROM HIS OWN COMPANY.

GRESSCHRIS GOBER FOR BRAUN SAYS THEY PROVIDED EVIDENCE THAT THE BANK LOANS WERE ABOVE BOARD.

>> WE NONETHELESS TRUST THAT THE INFORMATION WE PROVIDED TO THE COMMISSION SHOULD SUFFICIENTLY PUT TO REST THE AUDIT DIVISION'S ERRONEOUS POSITION THAT THESE WERE NOT SENATOR BRAUN'S PERSONAL FUNDS.

>>> THE AUDITORS AND COUNCIL MAINTAIN THE DOCUMENT PROVIDED BY THE BRAUN CAMPAIGN STILL DO NOT MEET NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS.

WE ARE JOINED NOW BY PAUL HELMKE, THE CURRENT DIRECTOR OF THE CIVIC CENTER AT THE O'NEILL SCHOOL.

>> IT'S GREAT TO BE ON.

>> WE HEARD BRAUN ALLEGEDLY VIOLATED THESE ELECTION LAWS.

WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT?

>> ELECTION LAWS ARE COMPLICATED AND WE HAVE ELECTION LAWS BECAUSE, NUMBER ONE, WE DON'T WANT CORPORATE MONEY COMING INTO POLITICS AND WE WANT TO CAP THE AMOUNT THAT AN INDIVIDUAL CAN GIVE.

WHAT SENATOR BRAUN IS BEING ACCUSED OF IS, FIRST OF ALL, GETTING $7 MILLION IN IMPROPER LOANS FROM BANKS.

BANKS ARE ALLOWED TO LOAN MONEY TO A CANDIDATE BUT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE.

USUALLY THEY GET A SECOND MORTGAGE ON THEIR HOME TO GET MORE MONEY.

APPARENTLY BRAUN GOT $7 MILLION IN LOANS WITHOUT ANY SECURITY BEHIND IT.

THE BRAUN CAMPAIGN ARGUES THAT HE IS SO WEALTHY THAT THE BANKS KNEW THEY DIDN'T NEED TO GET ANY SECURITY THAT JUST SORT OF HIS WORD WAS GOOD ENOUGH.

THE F.E.C.

SAYS THEY NEED TO SEE MORE THAN THAT.

THEY WILL MIGHT NOT REQUIRE SECURITY, BUT THEY WANT TO SEE WATT NOTE WAS, WHAT THE INTEREST RATE WAS -- WHAT THE NOTE WAS, WHAT THE INTEREST RATE WAS, AND THE REPAYMENT TERMS WAS.

IF YOU HAVE $7 MILLION GOING INTO SOMEBODY'S CAMPAIGN, WITHOUT A GOOD EXPECTATION THAT YOU WILL MIGHT GET PAID BACK, THAT WOULD CLEARLY BE AN ILLEGAL CORPORATE LOAN.

THE OTHER ISSUE, THOUGH IS HIS OWN CORPORATION PUT $1.5 MILLION INTO THE CAMPAIGN.

AND THIS IN A WAY COULD BE EVEN MORE SERIOUS, BECAUSE, WELL, IT'S BEEN THE LAW FOR OVER 100 YEARS NO CORPORATE MONEY LEGALLY IN THE CAMPAIGNS.

THE BRAUN CAMPAIGN IS ARGUING FIRST THEY SAID IT WAS A LOAN OR A STOCK CASHOUT OR COMPENSATION.

THE STORY HAS CHANGED AND IT MAKES IT WEAKER WHAT IS PROBLEMATIC FOR THE BRAUN CAMPAIGN, THE MONEY APPARENTLY WENT DIRECTLY INTO THE CAMPAIGN INSTEAD OF GOING TO HIM AND THEN INTO THE CAMPAIGN.

IF IT HAD BEEN COMPENSATION OR A STOCK PAYOUT, IT WOULD HAVE GONE TO HIM FIRST.

SO, AGAIN, THEY ARE GOING TO ARGUE THAT MAYBE THEY SIGNED THE CHECK AND JUST SIGNED IT OVER TO THE CAMPAIGN, BUT THAT'S WHERE THE F. E.C.

WANTS MORE INFORMATION.

>> SO WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES FOR BRAUN AND HIS CAMPAIGN NOW?

>> WELL, THIS IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTIONS, THE F.E.C.

DOESN'T HAVE VERY MUCH POWER ANYMORE.

YOU CAN GET FINED, SOME SERIOUS FINES, BUT THE F.E.C., THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION IS BALANCED POLITICALLY AND WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING OVER THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS THE REPUBLICANS VOTE ONE WAY.

THE DEMOCRATS VOTE THE OTHER WAY AND THERE WILL BE A STALEMATE AND NO FINES ENTERED OR VERY MINIMAL FINES ENTERED.

THE PUBLICITY, THE FALLOUT BACK HERE IN INDIANA MIGHT BE WORSE THAN THE FINE HE GETS FROM THE F.E.C.

BUT THEY COULD HAVE SOME SERIOUS FINES TO THE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.

>> SO JUST ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

BRAUN HAS BEEN PRETTY VOCAL ABOUT ELECTION SECURITY.

DOES THIS LOOK GOOD?

>> I DON'T THINK IT LOOKS GOOD.

THEY ARE ARGUING THAT THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN ALL OF THEIR DOCUMENTS IN YET, AND IT WILL BE ALL STRAIGHTENED OUT AND THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OTHER SMALLER VIOLATIONS THAT THE F.E.C.

AUDIT CAME UP WITH.

IT MAKES IT LOOK BAD FOR SOMEBODY.

>> PAUL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>>> FORMER SENATE MINORITY LEADER TIM LANANE SAYS HE'S NOT SEEKING REELECTION.

HE HAS REPRESENTED DISTRICT 25 SINCE 1997, BUT HIS DISTRICT WAS REDRAWN OVER THE SUMMER AND NOW INCLUDES THE AREA OF ANOTHER SITTING LAWMAKER, REX CAN MIKE GASKILL WHO SAYS HE WILL RUN.

>>> JIM BANKS IS BACK ON TWITTER TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM LOCKED HIM OUT.

BANKS IS A REPUBLICAN WHOSE DISTRICT INCLUDES FORT WAYNE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.

HIS ACCOUNT WAS LOCKED OCTOBER 24th, AFTER HE POSTED A TWEET DECRYING THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. RACHEL LEVINE AS THE ASSISTANT U.S. SECRETARY OF HEALTH.

LEVINE IS A TRANSGENDER FEMALE, BANKS HAS FREQUENTLY DRAWN ATTENTION FOR THE RIGHT WING SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS STANDS BY HIS REMARKS.

>>> WORKERS NAVIGATING COVID-19 VACCINE REQUIREMENTS ARE AT A CROSS ROADS.

THAT'S BECAUSE RECEIVING AN EXEMPTION TO A VACCINE MANDATE LIKELY DEPENDS ON YOUR EMPLOYER.

BROCK TURNER HAS THE TORY.

>> TRACI STALEY IS LOSING PATIENCE.

>> I LOVED MY JOB AND THE DIRECTION THAT THEY ARE GOING IS -- IS DISGUSTING.

I MEAN, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF US WANT TO SEE.

>> MOST HEALTH FACILITIES ACCEPTING MONEY FROM THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A PLAN FOR STAFF VACCINATION.

PROVIDERS GENERALLY OFFER EXEMPTIONS FOR THOSE REQUESTING THEM.

>> I HAVE HAD RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION FOR THE FLU SHOT VACCINE SINCE I STARTED IN 2015.

THIS WAS THE FIRST COMPANY I EVER HAD TO APPLY FOR ONE BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST ONE THAT MANDATED.

>> STALEY WHO ALSO HAS A RELIGIOUS EXCEPTION FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINE HAS BECOME AN ADVOCATE FOR OTHERS WHO HAVEN'T BEEN AS SUCCESSFUL GAINING EXEMPTIONS.

SHE MAINTAINS A WEBSITE THAT PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR THOSE SEEKING THEM.

ACCORDING TO INTERNAL DOCUMENTS OBTAINED BY WFIU AND WTIU NEWS, INDIANA'S LARGE HEALTH SYSTEM, I.U.

HEALTH HAS GRANTED EXEMPTIONS TO 1 IN 12.

IT WROTE THAT THE ORGANIZATION HAS GIVEN MORE RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS THAN MEDICAL.

MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS ARE REVIEWED BY MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND FOLLOW THE PRODUCT INFORMATION SHEET FOR THE VACCINE.

THE SCIENCE ALLOWS US TO BE CLEAR ON THE DECISION.

RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS ARE REVIEWED DIFFERENTLY.

EMPLOYEES MAKE EXEMPTION REQUESTS BASED ON SINCERELY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND THEIR BELIEFS ARE HONORED, END QUOTE, BUT RECEIVING AN EXEMPTION COULD DEPEND SOLELY.

THIS IS THE CAMPUS PASTOR IN NOBLESVILLE.

BECKWITH SAYS HE'S HELPED HUNDREDS APPLY FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS.

OFTEN HE CITES 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19 AND 20, WHICH SAYS THE BODY IS A TEMPLE THAT SHOULD BE HONORED.

OTHER HEALTH SYSTEMS HAVE TAKEN A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

BECKWITH IS A MEMBER OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHO MADE AN UNSUCCESSFUL BID FOR A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT IN 2020.

HE CONTINUES TO HELP THOSE SEEKING EXEMPTIONS.

>> I HAVE THE NO HEARD ONE PERSON -- AND I HAVE HAD A LOT OF THIS EX REACH BACK OUT TO ME, ONE PERSON THAT I KNOW HAS GOTTEN APPROVED FOR A RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS.

AND THEN OTHER PEOPLE I HAVEN'T HELPED JUST IN CONVERSATION WHO FILED FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION, THEY SAID THEY ARE GETTING DENIED AS WELL.

>> WHILE EXPERTS SAY SAFEGUARDS SUCH AS VACCINE MANDATES ARE BOTH CONSTITUTIONAL COMMON, WIDE VARIATION AMONG PRIVATE EMPLOYERS IS TO BE EXPECTED.

>> THIS COULD BE LIGHT TOUCH WHEN IT COMES TO REVIEWING PEOPLE'S REQUESTS OR HAVE A HIGHER STANDARD, AS LONG AS THEY WERE NOT DISCRIMINATING.

>> BUT THAT QUICKLY BECOMES COMPLICATED.

GARNET SAYS COURTS HAVEN'T ADOPTED A DEFINITION FOR WHAT DISCRIMINATION IS IN THIS ARENA, AT LEAST NOT YET.

>> IT WOULD MAKE LIFE EASIER IF THERE WERE A LINE OR A LITMUS TEST, THERE ISN'T.

IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND, YOU KNOW THIS IS TRUE IN FEDERAL LAW AND ALL KINDS OF CONTEXT, YOU CAN ASK ABOUT SINCERITY AND THE KINDS OF INVESTIGATIONS THAT THAT MIGHT INVOLVE, AGAIN, THERE WON'T BE ONE RIGHT ANSWER HERE.

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF I.U.

HEALTH EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

STILL STALEY, WHO WORKS IN A NONCLINICAL ROLE BELIEVES THE TREATMENT SHE AND OTHER UNVACCINATED ARE DISCRIMINATORY.

>> THEY ARE NOT RESPECTING THEIR EMPLOYEES' RIGHTS AND A LOT OF THAT UNFORTUNATELY COMES FROM FUNDING, AND THEY HAVE PRIORITIZED THAT OVER THEIR EMPLOYEES.

IT'S REALLY SICKENING THE DIRECTION THAT HEALTHCARE AND EMPLOYMENT IN GENERAL HAS TAKEN.

>> STALEY BELIEVES WORKERS REGARDLESS OF THEIR VACCINATION STATUS SHOULD BE MORE VALUED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS.

BOTH SHE AND BECKWITH AGREED THE POLITICALIZATION OF THE ISSUE SURPRISED THEM.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST THING IS WE'VE GOT TO STOP LOOKING AT THE SIDES AND PICKING SIDES AND SAYING THAT PERSON'S EVIL BECAUSE THEY DON'T WEAR A MASK, THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN VACCINATED OR THAT PERSON IS EVIL BECAUSE THEY HAVE GOTTEN VACCINATED OR THEY ARE WEARING A MASK.

I THINK THERE'S -- THERE'S VERY CLEAR LINES OF RIGHT AND WRONG, AND WE CAN CERTAINLY CALL OUT RIGHT AND WRONG.

I'M NOT SAYING DON'T HAVE PRINCIPLES.

>> THREE SAFE, EFFECTIVE AND APPROVED VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE.

YET ALMOST HALF OF ELIGIBLE HOOSIERS REMAIN UNVACCINATED.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BROCK TURNER.

>> IF YOU STUMBLE ACROSS A PIANO DOWNTOWN, FEEL FREE TO SIT DOWN AND START PLAYING, THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE THERE FOR.

MITCH LEGAN HAS THIS REPORT.

>> IF YOU HAVE WALKED AROUND BLOOMINGTON RECENTLY, YOU HAVE PROBABLY SEEN THEM.

OR MAYBE YOU HAVE HEARD THEM.

♪ >> MORE THAN 10 PIANOS PAINTED AND DECORATED BY ARTISTS HAVE BEEN PLACED IN PUBLIC AND FREE TO PLAY.

THEY ARE PART OF THE B TOWN PIANO PROJECT.

♪ >> CHANDLER BRIDGES WOULD RUNS THE PROJECT HOPES THE PIANOS WILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T PLAYED IN A WHILE TO SIT DOWN AND PLAY A PIECE OR INSPIRE THOSE WHO ARE CURIOUS TO LEARN TO PLAY.

>> I HEARD ABOUT SOMEONE THE OTHER DAY THAT SAT DOWN AT THE PIANO AND HASN'T PLAYED SINCE 10th GRADE AND THEY FOUND SO MUCH JOY TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES.

>> HE SAYS MUSIC CAN BE AIL RELIEF FOR MANY PEOPLE -- A RELIEF FOR MANY PEOPLE.

IT ALLOWS ARTISTS TO HAVE THEIR WORK DISPLAYED PUBLICLY.

>> WE HAVE ONE IN FRONT OF THE HOAGY CARMICHAEL SIGN OVER BY BUFFALOUIE'S.

THEY DRESSED UP THE PIANO WITH A DISCO BALL HANGING FROM IT.

>> TWO OF THE PIANOS WILL BE IN THE LOBBY OF THE MONROE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY THIS WEEKEND.

KEVIN McDOWELL IS LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> SO MANY TIMES IN MY 40-SOME YEARS, I FOUND A PIANO OUT IN THE WORLD I WANTED TO PLAY AND I COULDN'T AND IT'S A WONDERFUL CONTRAST TO BE INVITED TO PLAY IT WITH NO RULES.

>> HE SAYS MOST OF THE TIME, WHEN HE SEES A PIANO OUT IN PUBLIC HE HE'S ASKED NOT TO TOUCH IT.

HE APPRECIATED THAT THESE PIANOS OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY WHATEVER.

McDOWELL WILL PLAY A MINI CONCERT AT THE LIBRARY THIS SATURDAY AT 11 A.M.

THE PIANOS WILL BE OPEN TOT PUBLIC -- TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M MITCH LEGAN.

>>> PEST ASIDE THAT'S APPLIED TO CORN CAN SOMETIMES FIND ITS WAY ON TO WATERMELON PLANTS HARMING POLLINATORS THAT WATERMELONS NEED.

PURDUE UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS FOUND REDUCING PESTICIDE CAN INCREASE YIELDS AND SAVE FARMERS MONEY.

>> APPLYING PESTICIDES TO SEEDS OR WHOLE FIELD MIGHT BE CONVENIENT AND SEEMINGLY CHEAP, BUT IT HARMS POLLINATORS IN THE AREA AND DOESN'T DO MUCH NOR YIELD.

RESEARCHERS FOUND USING PESTICIDES AS NEEDED DIDN'T CHANGE CORN YIELDS AND WATERMELON YIELDS WENT UP.

JACOB IS A GRADUATE STUDENT AT PURDUE AND THE LEAD AUTHOR OF THE STUDY.

HE SAYS HIS TEAM SAW MORE THAN A DOZEN NATIVE BEES FLOCKED THE FIELDS THAT HAD LEFT PESTICIDE.

>> EVEN AFTER THE FIRST YEAR OF PUTTING THE FIELDS, IN THE WILD BEES WERE DOING A LOT OF THE HEAVY LIFTING AS FAR AS POLLINATION SERVICES.

>> HE SAYS THE MONEY SAVED BY USING FEWER PESTICIDES BALANCES OUT THE TIME OR MONEY IT MIGHT TAKE FOR FARMERS TO APPLY THEM MORE STRATEGICALLY ON THEIR FIELDS AND IT CAN CURTAIL NATURAL PREDATORS.

>> IF YOU SPRAY ONLY WHEN YOU NEED TO, THE POLLINATORS ARE SO MUCH HAPPIER AND THAT CAN LEAD TO IMPROVEMENTS IN CROP YIELDS JUST BY THE POLLINATORS VISITING MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> AFTER DEALING WITH INJURIES AT QUARTERBACK MOST OF THE SEASON, INDIANA WILL HAVE ALL THREE AVAILABLE FOR SATURDAY'S HOME GAME AGAINST RUTGERS.

INDIANA COACH TOM ALLEN SAYS STARTER MICHAEL PENIX AND JACK TUTTLE BOTH PRACTICED THIS WEEK.

>> YES, DEFINITELY HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES, MORE REPS THIS WEEK THAN LAST WHICH IS VERY POSITIVE AND WE WILL HAVE MULTIPLE QUARTERBACKS READY TO PLAY ON SATURDAY.

>> KICKOFF TIME IS AT NOON.

WE HAVE MORE ONLINE WTIUNEWS.ORG.

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: