HOLCOMB'S PICK FOR THE INDIANA SUPREME COURT.

COLLEGE-GOING HITS A NEW LOW IN INDIANA.

PLUS, MITCH DANIELS LEAVING PURDUE AND MORE ON INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING JUNE 17, 2022.

>> INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORTERS OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS.

STATE APPELLATE JUDGE DEREK MOLTER WILL BE INDIANA'S NEWEST SUPREME COURT JUSTICE.

GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB CHOSE MOLTER FROM AMONG THREE FINALISTS TO REPLACE RETIRING JUSTICE STEVEN DAVID.

HOLCOMB CALLS MOLTER A "FORWARD THINKER" WHO IS "HUMBLE AND CARING AND COLLABORATIVE."

>> SOMEONE WHO HAS LONG-TERM VISION FOR OUR STATE AND FOR THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

MOLTER WILL BECOME THE 111TH JUSTICE IN THE STATE'S HISTORY - 108 OF WHOM, INCLUDING MOLTER, ARE WHITE MEN.

ASKED WHETHER HOOSIERS SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT LACK OF DIVERSITY, MOLTER NOTED THAT THE CURRENT COURT HAS BEEN WORKING ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

DEREK MOLTER: THAT'S CERTAINLY AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COURT'S MISSION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING MY PART TO CONTINUE THAT LEGACY AND ADVANCE THAT BALL FORWARD >>MOLTER JOINED THE INDIANA COURT OF APPEALS LAST OCTOBER.

PRIOR TO THAT, HE WORKED IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

>> IS THIS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO DIVERSIFY THE BENCH?

IT'S THE FIRST QUESTION FOR OUR INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW PANEL DEMOCRAT GREG STOWERS REPUBLICAN MIKE O'BRIEN JON SCHWANTES, HOST OF INDIANA LAWMAKERS AND NIKI KELLY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF STATES NEWSROOM INDIANA I'M INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATEHOUSE REPORTER BRANDON SMITH MIKE O'BRIEN, DID THE GOVERNOR MISS A CHANCE HERE?

>> DIVERSITY IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

DIVERSITY FOR THE SAKE OF IT, IT COULD BE DAMAGING TO BOTH SIDES.

IT HAS TO BE BALANCED A LITTLE BIT AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN OPEN PROCESS WHERE YOU'RE ACTIVELY RECRUITING AND ENCOURAGING PEOPLE FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS TO APPLY.

THAT'S WHY I LIKE THE PROCESS WE HAVE IN INDIANA.

WE HAVE A NOMINATING COMMISSION, IT OPERATES IN PUBLIC.

ANYBODY WHO IS QUALIFIED CAN APPLY TO SERVE IN A VACANCY LIKE THIS.

THOSE INTERVIEWS ARE PUBLIC.

THE PUBLIC CAN GO ATTEND AND THEN THREE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE HANDED OFF TO THE GOVERNOR AND HE PICKS FROM ONE OF THEM.

AND OF THE THREE HE HAD TO CHOOSE FROM, TWO WHITE MEN AND A WHITE WOMAN, WHO ALL HAD GREAT EXPERIENCE AND GREAT BACKGROUNDS.

ONE CATEGORY I WOULD LIKE TO THINK OF IN TERMS OF DIVERSITY, SINCE THIS COUNTRY IS MAINLY RUN BY PEOPLE IN THEIR 80s RUNNING FOR REELECTION IS YOUTH.

DEREK MOLTER CHECKS THAT BOX.

I DO LIKE THE DIVERSITY IN YOUTH, IN AGE.

>> NIKI, TO MIKE'S POINT, WE TALKED TO THE GOVERNOR AFTER THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

HE SAID I HAD TO CHOOSE FROM WHO I HAD TO CHOOSE FROM.

HE POINTED TO 74 JUDGES ACROSS THE JUDICIARY AND FOCUSED ON HIS EFFORTS IN DIVERSITY IN THOSE RANKS.

THE GOVERNOR HAS THE POWER TO DO THAT.

>> HE HAS A GOOD RECORD ON THOSE IN TERMS OF GENDER, BUT WHEN I DID A STORY RECENTLY, THEY WEREN'T EVEN TRACKING ETHNICITY OF THE JUDGES HE APPOINTED.

SO, I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW THOSE 74 OF THEM.

BUT AGAIN, THE THREE PEOPLE THAT COME TO HIM ARE THE THREE PEOPLE WHO COME TO HIM.

THAT NOMINATING COMMISSION THAT MIKE MENTIONED IS MADE UP OF NOT ONLY ATTORNEYS, BUT SOME LAY PEOPLE, TOO.

SO, YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH SIDES LOOKING AT IT AND THEN HE HAS TO CHOOSE ONE OF THE THREE.

>> THE CHIEF JUSTICES TALKED A LOT, SHE TALKED ABOUT, SHE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NEEDING GREATER DIVERSITY, NOT JUST ON THE SUPREME COURT, BUT ACROSS THE COURT SYSTEM.

HOW BIG OF AN ISSUE SHOULD THAT BE FOR HOOSIERS TO BE THINKING ABOUT?

>> I THINK IT'S A BIG ISSUE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT ONLY SAYING WE'RE COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, BUT TAKING THOSE STEPS AND CREATING POOLS OF PEOPLE AND LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING THESE STEPS AND TRYING TO ASCEND TO THESE POSITIONS.

AS CORNY AS IT SOUNDS, IF YOU CAN'T SEE IT, YOU CAN'T BE IT.

IF WE LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THE SUPREME COURT, IT LOOKS ONE WAY, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO SEE THAT OPPORTUNITY IS OUT THERE.

>> JOHN, THINKING ABOUT ALL OF THE CANDIDATES THAT EVEN THE JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION HAD TO CHOOSE FROM, I THINK ONLY TWO OF THEM WERE PEOPLE OF COLOR OUT OF ABOUT A DOZEN OR SO.

SO, JUST GETTING PEOPLE TO APPLY IN THE FIRST PLACE SEEMS TO BE PART OF THE ISSUE HERE, TOO.

>> SURE, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE STATE BAR AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

>> IT TRICKLES DOWN TO THE COLOR OF STUDENTS IN LAW SCHOOL.

>> IT ALL HAS TO DO THE PIPELINE.

THE PROFESSION HAS CERTAINLY FOCUSED ON IT.

RUSH ON THE COURT AND OTHERS AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE FOCUSED ON IT.

THIS HAS ENSHRINED OUR MECHANISM.

MIKE IS RIGHT.

WE MAY BE 47, 48 IN A LOT OF THINGS.

BUT IF I HAD A FOAM FINGER WITH A BIG NUMBER ONE, I WOULD SAY WE'RE NUMBER ONE.

I LOVE THE WAY WE CHOOSE SUPREME COURT AND APPELLATE COURT JUDGES IN THIS STATE.

THERE ARE SOME STATES WHERE IT'S DONE BY THE LEGISLATURE.

CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT?

THERE ARE SOME STATES WHERE IT'S DIVVIED UP BY GEOGRAPHY.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE A DISTRICT.

SOME PLACES HAVE MOVED TO PARTISAN ELECTIONS, OTHER PLACES HAVE MOVED TO NON-PARTISAN ELECTIONS, QUOTE UNQUOTE.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT.

THIS HAS BEEN ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION SINCE '70-71.

>> I WASN'T BORN.

>> THAT YOUNG VOTE.

>> DID STUFF WHEN I WASN'T ALIVE.

[LAUGHING] >> THE NEW JUSTICE IS NUMBER 14, 13 OR 14 IN THAT SYSTEM.

EVERYBODY ON THE COURT NOW HAS BEEN PRODUCED THROUGH THAT MECHANISM.

I THINK YOU LOOK BACK AT PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED SINCE THIS WAS PUT IN PLACE, IT IS A HECK OF A GOOD COURT VIS-A-VIS THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

ALSO, LAST POINT, THERE ARE STATUTORY GUIDELINES ON WHAT THE COMMISSION IS SUPPOSED TO CONSIDER AMONG CANDIDATES.

THEY HAVE TO DO WITH THE EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.

THEY HAVE TO DO WITH THE PRACTICE OF LAW.

THEY HAVE TO DO WITH FINANCIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POTENTIALLY.

THE WRITING.

LEGAL WRITINGS.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT, AND THERE'S KIND OF A CATCH-ALL IN THERE THAT'S OTHER THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT.

BUT MAYBE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY I WOULDN'T BE HOLDING MY BREATH ON THAT.

>> COULD SAY THEY WANT TO MAKE A PRIORITY.

NOT A DEFINING FACTOR, BUT A PRIORITY, BECAUSE IT'S SILENT ON THAT NOW.

>> WELL, THE NUMBER OF INDIANA HIGH SCHOOLERS WHO WENT STRAIGHT TO COLLEGE FELL TO JUST OVER 50 PERCENT DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC.

FROM WFYI'S EDUCATION DESK, DYLAN PEERS MCCOY REPORTS THAT'S THE SHARPEST DECLINE IN AT LEAST A GENERATION.

>> INDIANA HAS A PROBLEM: NOT ENOUGH ADULTS HAVE COLLEGE DEGREES AND CREDENTIALS THAT PREPARE THEM FOR GOOD PAYING JOBS.

AND MANY HIGH SCHOOLERS DON'T THINK GOING TO COLLEGE IS WORTH IT.

ONLY 53 PERCENT OF HIGH SCHOOLERS WHO GRADUATED DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC WENT STRAIGHT TO COLLEGE - A 6 PERCENTAGE POINT DROP.

A NEW STATE REPORT SAYS IT'S PART OF AN ACCELERATING TREND OVER THE PRIOR FIVE YEARS.

INDIANA COMMISSIONER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION CHRIS LOWERY SAYS THE DECLINE IS "ALARMING" AND A THREAT TO THE STATE'S ECONOMY.

THE LARGEST DECLINE WAS AMONG BLACK STUDENTS, WHO SAW THE COLLEGE GOING RATE FALL TO ABOUT 43 PERCENT.

>> SO GREG, GOING TO COLLEGE IN THIS REPORT ISN'T JUST A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE.

IT'S A ONE-YEAR CERTIFICATE ALL THE WAY UP TO A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE.

IN LIGHT OF THAT, HOW TROUBLING ARE THESE NUMBERS?

>> THE NUMBERS ARE TROUBLING IN A GENERAL SENSE.

OBVIOUSLY, AS I LIKE AT THE NUMBER OF BLACK STUDENTS, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, RECENTLY THE INDIANA CHAPTER OF THE NAACP PUT OUT A REPORT WHERE THEY DETAILED 15 PIECES WHERE THE STATE OF INDIANA CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF RECRUITING AND PROMOTING BLACK STUDENTS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT GOING TO COLLEGE IS IMPORTANT, RIGHT?

AND SUCCESS DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT YOU HAVE TO GO TO COLLEGE, BUT THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE THAT SAME MINDSET IS WHAT KIDS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

WHEN I WAS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, I KNEW I WAS GOING TO COLLEGE.

SO, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT YOU CAN BE SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT GOING TO COLLEGE, WHICH STUDENTS ARE WE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT?

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS OF STUDENTS FROM MORE AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOODS TO POORER NEIGHBORHOODS, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT YOU DON'T NEED TO GO TO COLLEGE TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WHEN WE LOOK AT HOW SOME SORT OF ATTAINMENT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

EVERY NUMBER IN THE WORLD TELLS US IF YOU DON'T DO ANYTHING AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, YOU AREN'T GOING TO FIND A GOOD JOB, YOU AREN'T GOING TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY WITH THE RAREST OF EXCEPTIONS THAT WOULD BE AT BEST ANECDOTAL.

IN LIGHT OF THAT, WE TALKED SO MANY TIMES ON THIS SHOW ABOUT YES, THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED THINGS NEGATIVELY ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT THESE NUMBERS WERE ALREADY GOING DOWN OVER THE COURSE OF A DECADE.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

IT WAS A PROBLEM BEFORE.

THE STATE SPENT SO MUCH TIME TRYING TO CRACK THIS WORKFORCE PROBLEM, RIGHT?

AND PARTNER, WE TALKED ABOUT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, AND PARTNER WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

IT WAS, WHETHER YOU WERE HEADING TO COLLEGE NATIONALLY OR NOT, THE IDEA OF GOING TO COLLEGE IN 2020 SO YOU COULD STARE AT A COMPUTER AND NOT LEAVE YOUR ROOM WAS HORRIBLE, WHICH IS WHY MITCH DANIELS CHARTED A MUCH DIFFERENT PATH.

>> THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THIS NUMBER GOES UP IN 2021.

>> I AM NOT GOING TO BECOME A PLUMBER BECAUSE I AM GOING TO GO TO COLLEGE.

WE'LL SEE A REBOUND.

BUT THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO STEP BACK IN LIKE THEY DID LAST TIME AND PUT MONEY TOWARD LEARNING LOSS AND COVID.

WE HAVE LOST PROBABLY TWO SOLID YEARS OF GAINS FROM KIDS K-12 AND BEYOND THAT THE STATE IS FOCUSED ON CATCHING UP.

BUT LOOK A OTHER NUMBERS.

OUR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE IS INCREDIBLY LOW.

WE HAVE THIS REALLY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE PARTICIPATION RATE, IT CLOUDS IT BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T TRANSITIONING FROM HIGH SCHOOL INTO A CAREER OR COLLEGE.

>> TO MIKE'S POINT JUST NOW, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SPENT A BUNCH OF MONEY ON LEARNING LOSS IN THE 2021 SESSION.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SPENT EVEN MORE THAN THAT, OBVIOUSLY MAG MAGNIFIED BECAUSE IT'S THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

LOOKING AT THE 2023 BUDGET, THERE'S GOING TO BE MONEY SPENT ON EDUCATION, NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

BUT IS THERE SOME THAT NEEDS TO BE PINPOINTED TO HELPING PULL US BACK UP?

>> PROBABLY SO.

I MEAN AGAIN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT IS MONEY HAS ALREADY BEEN FLOWING PRETTY FEVERISHLY INTO THOSE COFFERS.

THERE IS AN ARGUMENT OF AT WHAT POINT IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH?

WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

WHAT I HAVE ALWAYS IN RECENT YEARS VOICED CONCERN ABOUT IS HAVING A SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION THAT HAS AN ASTERISK NEXT TO THAT PERSON, HIS OR HER NAME, WHEN HE OR SHE ENTERS THE WORKFORCE.

>> COVID.

>> YOU HEAR IT JOKED ABOUT IN THE PROFESSIONS.

MEDICINE.

YOU HAD A BUNCH OF PEOPLE WHO NEVER HAD THE RITE OF PASSAGE OF DEALING WITH AN ANATOMY CLASS WITH A CADAVER.

THERE WERE ADMISSION EXAMS WAIVED.

THERE WERE PROFESSIONAL LICENSING EXAMS WAIVED.

I DON'T WANT THESE FOLKS TO HAVE AN ASTERISK.

I WANT THEM TO FLOURISH LONG-TERM ECONOMICALLY.

IF IT TAKES MORE TIME, I DON'T WANT THIS TO DOG THEM FOR 40 YEARS OF A CAREER.

>> IT'S NOT JUST YOU NEED AN EDUCATION.

IF YOU WANT TO BE SET UP FOR SUCCESS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AND WHAT THE BEST GUESS IS OF WHAT THE ECONOMY OF THE FUTURE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE, YOU CAN'T JUST GO TO HIGH SCHOOL THE WAY YOU COULD 20, 30, 40 YEARS AGO.

>> YEAH, I HAVE A YOUNG DAUGHTER WHO HAD TO WRESTLE WITH THESE DECISIONS.

SHE DIDN'T WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE.

SHE THOUGHT IT WAS TOO EXPEN EXPENSIVE, WHICH IT IS, AND THE IDEA OF SITTING IN A FOUR-YEAR SCHOOL TO TAKE A BUNCH OF CLASSES THAT AREN'T ON TARGET FOR WHAT SHE IS DOING.

BUT PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND, YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME TRAINING.

I DON'T CARE WHAT IT IS.

BUT YOU NEED SOMETHING.

AND I DO THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY WE NEED TO REVIEW ALL THE MONEY THAT WE'VE PUT.

WE'VE HAD FOR YEARS THESE WORKFORCE READY GRANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT WHERE WE'RE PRACTICALLY DOING THESE CERTIFICATES AND THESE ASSOCIATE DEGREES, PAYING FOR THEM FOR FREE, BUT IT'S STILL APPARENTLY NOT MAKING MUCH DIFFERENCE.

OBVIOUSLY, THE WHOLE NATION SAW THIS DROP, BUT OUR DROP WAS STEEPER THAN THE REST OF THE NATION.

THERE'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING SYSTEMIC THERE.

>> PURDUE, SPEAKING OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

I DIDN'T EVEN DO THAT ON PURPOSE.

PURDUE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT MITCH DANIELS ANNOUNCED PLANS RECENTLY TO STEP DOWN AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

>> DANIELS HAS SERVED AS PURDUE'S PRESIDENT SINCE 2013, TAKING THE POSITION AFTER TWO TERMS AS THE GOVERNOR OF INDIANA.

DANIELS SAYS HE HAS NO PLANS FOR WHAT COMES NEXT•YET.

MITCH DANIELS: I THINK THERE WILL BE A NEXT, YOU KNOW• BUT MY DUTY IS RIGHT HERE FOR SEVEN MORE MONTHS DANIELS WILL BE REPLACED BY PURDUE'S OWN MUNG CHIANG, WHO CURRENTLY SERVES AS THE SCHOOL'S DEAN OF ENGINEERING.

HE SAYS HE'S HONORED TO STEP INTO THE ROLE.

MUNG CHIANG: IT IS WITH NO EXAGGERATION THE HIGHEST MOST HUMBLING HONOR THAT I COULD IMAGINE.

I LOVE PURDUE.

I LOVE THIS PLACE.

IT IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

CHIANG WILL OFFICIALLY REPLACE DANIELS ON JANUARY 1, 2023.

>> NIKI KELLY, WHAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE TO YOU FOR MITCH'S NEXT STOP?

>> OH, GOSH.

THE FUN PART IS ALL THE SPECULATION.

TOSS EVERYTHING OUT THERE.

COULD HE RUN FOR PRESIDENT?

COULD HE SEEK A THIRD TERM FOR GOVERNOR?

COULD HE TRY TO TAKE OVER THE NCAA AND BRING THAT BACK TO LIFE.

>> MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

>> I THINK HE WOULD LET PETE ROSE IN THE HALL OF FAME, TOO.

ANYWAYS, HE HAS ALL OF THESE CHOICES.

BUT YOU ALSO GOT TO REMEMBER WHAT SERVES HIM.

>> HE IS 73 NOW.

>> HE WAS AMAZING TO COVER AS A JOURNALIST AS A GOVERNOR, BUT I'M NOT SURE HOW HE WOULD TOP THOSE YEARS, BUT THAT'S AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION FOR HIM TO HAVE WITH HIS FAMILY ABOUT THOSE OPTIONS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES THE MOST SENSE FOR MITCH DANIELS TO DO NEXT?

>> HE HAS TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING.

>> HE DOESN'T HAVE TO.

>> HE DOESN'T HAVE TO.

I'M NOT SUGGESTING HE IS GOING TO BE HUNGRY.

HE'S NOT GOING TO BE IN ANY SOUP KITCHEN LINE.

BUT HIS MAKE-UP IS SUCH THAT HE HAS TO DO SOMETHING THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE DISCUSSION OR THE DEBATE.

NOT JUST SHEER POLITICAL DEBATE, BUT THE DEBATE OVER IDEAS.

HE'S ALWAYS BEEN A WONK.

IN TERMS OF BRAIN POWER TO MASS, THOSE AREN'T HIS WORDS EXACTLY, BUT I THINK IT WAS A COMPLIMENT ACTUALLY.

>> MIND TO MASS.

>> BETTER ALLITERATION THAN WHAT I SERVED UP HERE.

TOO VALUE TO THE STATE, TO HIGHER ED, TO SPORTS, TO WHATEVER ENDEAVOR TO JUST GO PLAY GOLF.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE A WASTE TO JUST HAVE HIM GO SIT ON A BUNCH OF BOARDS.

>> HIS MAKE-UP WON'T LET HIM DO THAT.

>> THERE IS INCREASING CHATTER ABOUT THE IDEA OF MITCH DANIELS RUNNING FOR A THIRD TERM AS GOVERNOR.

I THINK YOU CAN ONLY SERVE 8 YEARS IN A 12-YEAR PERIOD.

HE COULD RUN FOR TWO MORE TERMS IF HE REALLY, REALLY WANTED TO.

DO YOU THINK THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE FOR MITCH DANIELS TO DO?

>> I THINK, WELL, FIRST OF ALL LET ME SAY AS A MITCH ALUM, I LITERALLY OWE EVERYTHING GREAT IN MY CAREER TO THE YEARS 2004 AND THE YEARS THAT FOLLOWED, HAVING WORKED IN HIS OFFICE AND THE WORK AROUND HIM.

SITTING IN THIS PHYSICAL CHAIR BECAUSE OF HIM.

THE WORLD IS MUCH DIFFERENT.

IF THAT'S THE PATH HE'S GOING TO GO DOWN, THERE'S CERTAINLY A PATH FOR HIM, OF COURSE.

BUT THE PARTY IS SO DIFFERENT.

THE STATE ELECTORATE HAS FOLLOWED THE CHANGES.

THE ELECTORATE HAS CHANGED SUBSTANTIALLY.

THAT'S GOT TO BE THOUGHT OF.

HE HAS HAD TO SIT ON THE SIDELINE OF MAKING ANY KIND OF POLITICAL COMMENTARY AS PRESIDENT OF PURDUE.

THE BEST THING OF HIM RETIRING IN MY MIND IS HE GETS TO REENTER THAT IN A MAJOR WAY AND HOPEFULLY BREATHE SOME SENSE BACK INTO A REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT, A GREAT EXAMPLE THIS WEEK IS WATCHING JANUARY 6TH, AND THE REPUBLICANS BLOW IT OFF LIKE NO BIG DEAL.

>> ISN'T THAT A GREAT WAY TO DO THAT, AS THE MOUTHPIECE OF THE INDIANA REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> HE WAS A SAVIOR WHEN THE PARTY WAS IN THE WILDERNESS AND WE COULD NOT WIN.

BUT THE DYNAMICS OF HIM COMING BACK IN, IT'S A DIFFERENT SITUATION.

AM I FOR IT?

OF COURSE.

CAN WE JUST RINSE AND REPEAT AND GET BACK ON THE RV AND DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN?

NO.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST FIT FOR MITCH DANIELS GOING FORWARD?

>> I'M PERFECTLY FINE WITH GOVERNOR RIDING OFF INTO THE SUNSET, BUT I THINK WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF INDIANA, THE NEED FOR THAT MODERATE VOICE SPECIFICALLY WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK HE COULD PLAY A REALLY GREAT ROLE IN DOING THAT.

YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL TO DO THAT.

I THINK HE HAS DONE FAR ENOUGH TO BE THAT PERSON THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NEEDS.

>> I WANT TO, BEFORE WE MOVE OFF THIS TOPIC, I WANT TO ASK ABOUT A DIFFERENT PART OF THIS.

THIS WAS ALL DONE VERY QUIETLY.

I DON'T KNOW THE ENGINEER, THE DEAN OF THE ENGINEERING SCHOOL.

DEAN MUNG, I'M SURE HE WILL BE A GREAT CHOICE.

BUT FOR A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY, DO YOU QUESTION THE PROCESS FOR CHOOSING THIS REPLACEMENT?

>> YEAH, I HAVE NOT SEEN THAT.

IT WAS VERY SHOCKING THAT THEY ANNOUNCED IT ON THE SAME DAY.

I THINK IT'S FAIR FOR PEOPLE TO FEEL LIKE THEY WERE LEFT OUT OF THE PROCESS, BECAUSE THEY ABSOLUTELY WERE.

>> DOES IT MATTER MORE THAT IT'S A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY?

IF IT'S A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY YOU CAN DO WHATEVER THE HECK YOU WANT.

BUT AT A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY, SHOULD THE PROCESS HAVE BEEN MORE PUBLIC?

>> PROBABLY SO.

A LOT OF FACTORS AT WORK HERE.

THE ENGINEERING DEAN WAS A HOT COMMODITY.

>> I'M NOT QUESTIONING THE CHOICE.

I'M QUESTIONING THE PROCESS.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

A PUBLIC INSTITUTION, ANY INSTITUTION ABOUT SHARED GOVERNANCE.

REMEMBER THE FACULTY PROTESTS, THERE WERE PICKETS WHEN MITCH DANIELS WAS FIRST APPOINTED.

THAT HAD GONE AWAY.

BUT THEY WERE QUESTIONING IF HE, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE A TERMINAL DEGREE, J.D., PH.D., WE CAN DEBATE WHETHER ONE IS TERMINAL.

NOW, IRONICALLY, WE WILL HAVE PERHAPS OTHER PROTESTS AMONG THE FACULTY SENATE AND OTHERS SAYING WE NEED TO WEIGH IN.

IF YOU THINK STATE GOVERNMENT DEALS ON TASK FORCES AND COMMITTEES, THAT'S NOTHING COMPARED TO HIGHER >> THE NOTION OF A FACULTY-LED SEARCH COMMITTEE.

>> TIME NOW FOR VIEWER FEEDBACK.

EACH WEEK WE POSE AN UNSCIENTIFIC ONLINE POLL QUESTION AND THIS WEEK'S QUESTION IS SHOULD MITCH DANIELS RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE ONCE HE'S LEFT PURDUE?

A.

YES B.

NO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: IS GOV.

HOLCOMB'S PLAN TO SEND $225 TO HOOSIERS THE BEST WAY TO PROVIDE INFLATION RELIEF?

JUST 25% OF YOU SAY NO.

75% APPARENTLY READ MIKE HICKS' THING AND SAID NO.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE PART IN THE POLL GO TO WFYI.O IN THE POLL GO TO THE WEBSITE AND LOOK FOR THE POLL.

EXTREME HEAT COULD LEAD TO AN "ENERGY EMERGENCY" IN INDIANA AND 14 OTHER STATES THIS SUMMER AS PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES USE MORE ELECTRICITY FOR AIR CONDITIONING.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY THE NORTH AMERICAN ELECTRIC RELIABILITY CORPORATION.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS IT SAID THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ENERGY ON THE REGIONAL GRID TO MEET PEAK DEMAND.

>> THAT COULD MEAN BORROWING ENERGY FROM OTHER GRIDS, ASKING INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS TO USE LESS ENERGY, AND - WORST CASE SCENARIO - HAVING ROLLING BLACKOUTS.

THAT'S WHERE UTILITIES CUT POWER TO CERTAIN AREAS FOR SHORT AMOUNTS OF TIME TO PREVENT BIG, WIDESPREAD OUTAGES.

DANIELLE MCGRATH IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE INDIANA ENERGY ASSOCIATION.

SHE SAYS TRYING TO USE LESS ENERGY BETWEEN FOUR TO SIX PM IS HELPFUL IF YOU CAN, BUT HOOSIERS LIKELY WON'T HAVE TO CHANGE THEIR ENERGY USE.

DANIELLE MCGRATH: TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE'S AN ACTUAL CALL TO ACTION, THE COMPANIES WILL REACH OUT IF AND WHEN THAT WOULD NEED TO OCCUR.

>> ENERGY DEMAND IS UP SLIGHTLY SINCE LAST SUMMER AS BUSINESSES RETURN TO NORMAL SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

COAL PLANTS RETIRING EARLY HAS ALSO LED TO A SHORTFALL OF ENERGY THAT CAN BE DISPATCHED QUICKLY.

MCGRATH SAYS, BECAUSE OF THIS, SOME UTILITIES ARE BUILDING NEW POWER SOURCES OR POSTPONING COAL PLANT RETIREMENTS.

>> JON SCHWANTES, IS INDIANA ADEQUATELY PREPARED FOR THIS?

>> WELL, THE INDIANA UTILITY REGULATORY COMMISSION THROUGH A SPOKESPERSON SAYS NOTHING THAT IS 100%.

SO, THAT'S THE ENTITY, ONE OF THE ENTITIES THAT'S CHARGED WITH MAKING SURE WE CAN HAVE LIGHTS GO ON WHEN WE FLIP THE SWITCH.

AND WE CAN PROBABLY STIPULATE THAT THIS IS A SYSTEM PUT TOGETHER BY HUMANS.

MOTHER NATURE SERVES UP SOME SURPRISES FROM TIME TO TIME.

>> INDIANA ISN'T ON AN ISLAND HERE.

>> NO, IT'S NOT.

THE ELECTRICAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR A NUMBER OF STATES IN THE MIDWEST, SOMETHING THAT FLIES UNDER THE RADAR.

YOU KNOW ABOUT THE POWER COMPANIES, BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE THE REAL POWER IS SUPPLIED.

PUN INTENDED, I SUPPOSE.

>> VERY INTENDED.

>> VERY INTENDED.

THE PEOPLE WHO USED TO GET RIDICULED.

I MAY HAVE RIDICULED THEM A BIT, THE BACKERS OF THE MORATORIUM, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE TOO QUICKLY TO ALLOWING POWER GENERATORS TO ABANDON COAL AND FOSSIL FUELS BECAUSE THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT THE CAPACITY ISSUES.

HE IS PROBABLY SITTING THERE IN HIS AIR-CONDITIONED COMFORT SAYING THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.

>> BRACE YOURSELF FOR THIS.

CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS IN INDIANA ARE BLAMING JOE BIDEN FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM.

>> OF COURSE.

>> IS THERE BLAME TO GO ALL THE WAY AROUND?

>> THIS IS A NATIONAL ISSUE.

OBVIOUSLY, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT AND REMOVING COAL PLANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A BALANCING ACT BETWEEN RELIABILITY AND, YOU KNOW, THESE POLLUTERS THAT, YES, THEY HAVE GREAT AIR-CONDITIONING AND WE CAN ALL DO WHATEVER WE WANT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A GIVE AND TAKE ON THAT.

YEAH.

>> THERE ARE CRANK RADIOS THAT YOU CAN STILL LISTEN TO THIS SHOW.

>> '70 AND '71.

>> BACK IN THE DAY.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING THAT INDIANA CAN DO IN THE SHORT-TERM?

OR WILL IT HAVE TO RIDE OUT THE SUMMER AND HOPE FOR THE BEST?

>> I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY HOPE FOR THE BEST.

I THINK TO JOHN'S POINT, NOTHING IS 100% SURE.

MAYBE NOT FOR THE SHORT-TERM, BUT FOR THE LONG-TERM, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO INVEST IN GREEN ENERGY?

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO INVEST IN GREEN JOBS?

I'LL SAY IT AS THE DEMOCRAT ON THIS PANEL, CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL.

AND LUCKILY FOR US, TV DOESN'T HAVE TEMPERATURES, SO I THINK WE'RE FINE HERE.

BUT WE'RE SEEING THESE CASES AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE INVESTING IN THE LONG-TERM, NOT NECESSARILY THE SHORT-TERM, BUT THE LONG-TERM.

>> VERY QUICKLY, BUT GOVERNOR HOLCOMB KIND OF SAID THAT WHEN HE ASKED ABOUT THIS.

HE SAID WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DIVERSIFYING AND DRAWING FROM AS WIDE A POOL AS POSSIBLE.

BUT IT'S NOT A SHORT-TERM ANSWER.

>> WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKING ON TUESDAY.

BUT ONE THING IS TRANSITION TO RENEWALS, ONE THING WE DIDN'T ANTICIPATE IS LOCALS SAYING WE DON'T WANT THE SOLAR FARM.

WE SHUTTERED THE COAL PLANT AND STOPPED THE RENEWABLE PROJECT.

>> THAT'S OUR PANEL FOR THIS WEEK.

GREG, MIKE, JOHN, AND NIKI.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE A PODCAST OF THIS PROGRAM YOU CAN FIND IT AT WFYI.ORG/IWIR OR STARTING MONDAY YOU CAN STREAM IT OR GET IT ON DEMAND FROM XFINITY AND ON THE WFYI APP.

I'M BRANDON SMITH OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

JOIN US NEXT TIME BECAUSE A LOT ♪ >> THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE PANELISTS.

INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW IS A WFYI PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH INDIANA'S PUBLIC BROADCASTING