"INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF HOOSIERS HAVE GOTTEN THE COVID-19 VACCINATION WITH MANY MORE WAITING THEIR TURN.

AHEAD, THE LATEST ON WHO CAN SIGN UP NOW, AND THE STATE'S TIMELINE FOR OPENING UP ELIGIBILITY TO MORE GROUPS.

>>> JUST ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THE CITY REMOVED A HOMELESS CAMP FROM A BLOOMINGTON PARK, VOLUNTEERS MOBILIZED TO OPEN A NEW SHELTER AND GET PEOPLE OUT OF THE COLD.

>> WE REALIZED THAT THERE JUST WEREN'T ENOUGH SHELTER BEDS THIS WINTER.

WE FELT A STRONG NEED TO KIND OF KIND A WAY TO RESOLVE THAT PROBLEM AND CHALLENGE AND STEP IN AND KIND OF HELP.

>> THE LIBERTARIANS HAD A STRONG SHOWING IN INDIANA IN NOVEMBER.

COMING UP, HOW THE PARTY IS WORKING TO CAPITALIZE ON THAT MOMENTUM.

>> THIS IS OUR MOMENT.

THIS IS THE TIME WHEN WE CAN REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN INDIANA.

>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S FAILURE TO PRODUCE A NATIONAL STOCKPILE OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE IS PREVENTING INDIANA FROM MOVING ITS VACCINE DISTRIBUTION PLAN FORWARD.

HOOSIERS 70 AND OLDER CURRENTLY ARE ALLOWED TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS TO GET THE VACCINE.

THE NEXT TIER WAS SUPPOSED TO BE 60 AND OLD.

NOW IT WILL BE THOSE AT LEAST 65.

THAT'S BECAUSE STATE'S ALLOTMENT OF VACCINES HAS NOT INCREASED BEYOND THE ROUGHLY 80,000 DOSES A WEEK IT IS ALREADY GETTING.

INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER DR. LINDSEY WEAVER SAYS THE STATE IS MAINTAINING ITS AGE-BASED DISTRIBUTION PLAN IN FAVOR OF ONE THAT PRIORITIZES FRONT-LINE WORKERS LIKE TEACHERS OR GROCERY STORE CLERKS.

>> AT THIS TIME, WE MUST CONTINUE TO CONCENTRATE ON VACCINATING THOSE PEOPLE AT THE HIGHEST RISK OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS.

EVEN PEOPLE WITH VERY MINIMAL RISK OF EXPOSURE STILL HAVE A MUCH HIGHER RISK OF HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH, COMPARED TO YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO HAVE A VERY HIGH RISK OF EXPOSURE.

>> NOW TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VACCINE, GO TO OURSHOT.IN.GOV OR CALL 211.

WHEN STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK A VARIATION OF COVID-19 HAD BEEN FOUND IN INDIANA, IT WAS NOT WHAT A PANDEMIC-WEARY PUBLIC NEEDED TO HERE, BUT AS PAT BEANE REPORTS, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY BAD NEWS.

>> THE NEWS OF THE NEW STRAIN OF THE VIRUS WAS NOT UNEXPECTED.

VIRUSES ALWAYS MUTATE THIS MUTATION WAS FIRST IDENTIFIED IN GREAT BRITAIN LAST FALL.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT IT'S SHOWN TO BE NO MORE LETHAL THAN THE ORIGINAL STRAIN, WHICH HAS CAUSED 2 MILLION DEATHS WORLDWIDE, BUT IT IS MORE CONTAGIOUS, AT LEAST 50% SO.

AND THAT MEANS IT COULD BE TIME TO DOUBLE DOWN ON MEASURES, WEARING MASKS, WASHING HANDS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD USE MORE PROTECTIVE MASKS.

ISOLATION MASKS, N-95s ARE MORE PROTECTIVE.

MAYBE THEY ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THEY WERE BEFORE.

>> THE CONCERN WITH ANYTHING MORE CONTAGIOUS, IT MEANS MORE CASES AND MORE CASES MEANS MORE DEATH.

UNITED STATES SURPASSED 400,000 FATALITIES THIS WEEK.

>> IT'S GOING TO INCREASE THE REPRODUCTIVE RATE OF THAT DISEASE, AND MAKE IT HARDER TO CONTROL.

AND SO I THINK IT'S A CONCERN WHEN WE HAVE JUST THIS MUCH SHEER SPREAD ALREADY.

>> IT'S NOT THE ONLY MUTATION OUT THERE AND IT WON'T BE THE LAST.

AKEEM SAYS TWO VARIATIONS WERE FOUND IN OHIO AND ANOTHER IN CALIFORNIA.

>> THERE'S ONE IN SOUTH AFRICA THAT SEEMS TO BE CONCERNING, AND HAS A MUTATION THAT THEY CALL AN ESCAPE MUTATION.

THEY THINK THAT IT WOULD ALLOW IT TO EVADE AN ANTIBODY MEDICATION OR IT MAY BE A VACCINE, BUT THE GOOD THING OVERALL, THESE VACCINES DO APPEAR TO BE SAFE, ARE AFFECTIVE AGAINST THIS VARIANTS.

>> AKEEN IS HOPEFUL THAT THE NEW ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON CAN RAMP UP DISTRIBUTION AND HELP WITH THE BACKLOG OF GETTING SHOTS INTO ARMS.

AND WITH THE VACCINE NOW IN CIRCULATION TO COMBAT COVID, IS HECOVID-19,HE THINK IT MAY HAVE REACHED THE APEX.

>> DEATHS HAVE DECREASED IN 18 STATES IN THE LAST WEEK.

THERE'S SOME RAYS OF SUNSHINE HERE.

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

>> INDIANA HAS CROSSED ANOTHER COVID-19 MILESTONE, AND OOZE -- EVEN AS NUMBERS TREND DOWNWARD.

THE STATE ECLIPSED THE 600,000 CASE PARK THIS WEEK BUT THE SEVEN DAY POSITIVITY RATE IS DOWN TO 10.8%.

THE LOWEST RATE IN MORE THAN TWO MONTHS.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE ALSO AT THEIR LOWEST NUMBERS SINCE EARLY NOVEMBER AND THE MOVING DAILY DEATH RATE IS DOWN TO 43.

SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, MORE THAN 9200 HOOSIERS HAVE DIED FROM THE VIRUS.

>>> GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB WANTS TO CREATE A REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE THAT HE SAYS WILL HELP THE STATE RECOVER FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDING SMITH REPORTS.

>> GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB BEGAN HIS 2021 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ON TUESDAY WITH A SOMBER REFLECTION ON THE TOLL THAT COVID-19 HAS HAD ON INDIANA.

>> IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO CALCULATE THE FAR-REACHING RIPPLE EFFECT OF THE PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY LOSS OF LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS.

>> AFTER THAT, THE USUAL TALKING POINTS.

HIS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED BUDGET REPOSAL WHICH INCLUDES HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS TO SPEND DOWN STATE DEBT, AND A $377 MILLION K-12 SCHOOL FUNDING INCREASE.

IMPROVEMENTS IN JOB CREATION AND TRAINING, INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS, THE STATE'S COVID-19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND MORE.

THEN A NEW ANNOUNCEMENT, A REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THROUGH THE INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

>> THE I.E.D.C.

WILL WORK WITH REGIONS THAT COLLABORATE TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF PLACE.

ADVANCE INDUSTRY SECTOR DEVELOPMENT, AND GROW WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES AMONG REGIONS AND EDUCATORS AND EMPLOYERS AND OUR STATE'S WORKFORCE.

>> INDIANA DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAY HOLCOMB'S STATE OF THE STATE FELL SHORT IN ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF WORKING CLASS HOOSIERS.

MISSING WERE ANY GUARANTEES TO INCREASE TEACHER PAY.

>> THIS IS THE THIRD STATE OF THE STATE IN A ROW THAT I HEARD THE GOVERNOR MAKE PROMISES TO HOOSIER EDUCATORS THAT AN INCREASE IN PAY IS ON THE WAY.

I KNOW HOOSIER EDUCATORS ARE TIRED OF EMPTY PROMISES.

>> FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M BRANDON SMITH.

>>> FORMAL VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE IS MOVING BACK TO INDIANA THIS SUMMER BUT HE'S NOT SAYING WHAT IS NEXT FOR HIS CAREER.

PENCE AND HIS WIFE KAREN ARRIVED BACK IN COLUMBUS ON WEDNESDAY, FOLLOWING JOE BIDEN'S INAUGURATION.

A SMALL GROUP OF SUPPORTERS GREETED THEM AT THE AIRPORT.

PENCE SPOKE TO THE CROWD THANKING GOD, HIS FAMILY, THE INDIANA REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS VICE PRESIDENT.

>> SERVING AS YOUR VICE PRESIDENT WAS THE GREATEST HONOR OF MY LIFE.

BUT NOW THAT THAT SEASON OF SERVICE HAS COME TO AN END, WE JUST HAD TO COME HOME.

>> PENCE TOUTED TRUMP FOR THE STEPS HE TOOK TO STRENGTHEN THE NATION'S MILITARY AND ECONOMY, WHILE ALSO APPOINTING CONSERVATIVE JUDGES.

>>> WELL, DURING LAST TWO WEEKS, THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS HAS TAKEN CENTER STAGE IN BLOOMINGTON.

THE MAYOR DIRECTED CITY WORKERS TO REMOVE A HOMELESS ENCAMP FROM SEMINARY PARK DESPITE OCCASIONS FROM LOCAL OFFICIALS AND ORGANIZATIONS.

THAT LEFT DOZENS OF PEOPLE SLEEPING IN THE MARK WITH NO PLACE TO GO -- PARK WITH NO PLACE TO GO, BUT THE COMMUNITY RALLIED.

AND A NEW SHELTER OPENED THIS WEEK.

>> TWO WEEKS AGO THE CITY PUT UP SIGNS IN SEMINARY PARK WARNING THOSE CAMPING OVERNIGHT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO SEEK SHELTER ELSEWHERE, BECAUSE IT WAS AGAINST THE LAW.

THAT'S WHEN THIS MAN KNEW SOMETHING NEEDED TO BE DONE AND FAST.

>> WE REALIZED THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH SHELTER BEDS THIS WINTER AND SO WE FELT A STRONG NEED TO KIND OF FIND A WAY TO RESOLVE THAT PROBLEM AND CHALLENGE AND STEP IN HAD AND KIND OF HELP THE SITUATION.

>> GILMORE AND OTHER HOUSING ADVOCATES ASKED FOR A MORATORIUM ON THE REMOVAL BUT ON JANUARY 14th, THE CITY SENT POLICE OFFICERS INTO THE PARK TO ENFORCE THE 11 P.M.

CURFEW.

GILMORE MOVED QUICKLY TO FIND A LOCATION FOR A TEMPORARY SHELTER TO GET IT INSPECTED AND READY TO WELCOME IN PEOPLE.

THE LOCATION HE FOUND WAS A 4,000 SQUARE FOOTWEAR HOUSE ALONG THE B LINE TRAIL NEAR SWITCH YARD PARK WITH THE CAPACITY FOR 49 BEDS.

>> THIS IS INTENDED TO BE A SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY WINTER SHELTER.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE WINTER SEASON.

SO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A TARGET DATE OF KEEPING IT OPEN UNTIL APRIL 15th.

>> IT'S A LOW BARRIER SHELTER AND ANYONE CAN COME IN UNDER ANY CONDITION.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF PEOPLE ARE INTOXICATED, AS LONG AS THEY DON'T HAVE ANY ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES IN THEIR POSSESSION.

IT'S THE ONLY SHELTER THAT ALLOWS COUPLES TO STAY TOGETHER.

>> WE HEARD THAT WAS A BARRIER IN TERMS OF BEING INSIDE AND SLEEPING IN A SHELTER.

IT OFFERS PEOPLE A PLACE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT AND FOOD, BUT IT DOESN'T SOLVE THE OVERALL ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE LONG TERM.

♪ EVERYBODY'S GOT A RIGHT ♪♪ >> TENSIONS WERE ON DISPLAY EARLIER IN THE WEEK WHEN PEOPLE MARCHES THROUGH THE STREETS OF BLOOMINGTON ON MARTIN LUTHER KING.

FOLKS SET OUTSIDE AND SHOUTED THROUGH A MEGA PHONE.

>> THEY DON'T WANT US TO LIVE.

THEY WANT US TO EXIST.

AND THEY WANT US TO EXIST HOW THEY SAY WE SHOULD EXIST.

>> HAMILTON SAYS IT'S ONE OF HIS GOALS TO PROVIDE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND GET PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OFF THE STREETS.

>> WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE LIVING OUTSIDE, BUT SOME PEOPLE DO.

NOW, YOU DON'T GET TO JUST CHOOSE WHEREVER YOU WANT TO LIVE OUTSIDE IN THIS CITY.

WE DO NOT ALLOW ENCAMPMENTS IN THE DOWNTOWN PUBLIC PARK.

YOU CAN'T DO IT IN THE MIDDLE OF A SIDEWALK.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE GET INTO SAFE SPACES OUTSIDE OF THE ELEMENTS, WHICH CAN BE FATAL.

>> THE MAYOR SAYS THE CITY HAS INVESTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TOWARDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING DURR HIS HIS TENURE.

AT THIS YEAR'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING, HE CRITICIZED THE COUNCIL FOR NOT APPROVING THE TAX INCREASE THAT HE SAYS WOULD HAVE ALLOCATED MORE MONEY FOR THE HOUSING INITIATIVES.

>> I URGED THAT WE ENACT NEW REVENUE LAST FALL.

YOU WEREN'T READY TO TAKE THAT STEP THEN.

I BELIEVE THE NEED CONTINUES AND, INDEED, MAY BE GROWING.

>> THE TAX INCREASE WOULD HAVE EARMARKED $250,000 FOR SERVICES TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, STARTING IN THE YEAR 2022 THROUGH AT LEAST THE YEAR 2026.

BUT AS FOR SOLVING THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS ALL TOGETHER, HAMILTON SAYS HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THAT PRICE FIGURE WOULD LOOK LIKE.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN BURKS.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," LIBERTARIANS IN INDIANA ARE ENERGIZED AFTER A POSITIVE SHOWING IN LAST FALL'S ELECTION.

AHEAD, WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE STATE'S THIRD PARTY.

WE LOOK BACK AT THE LIFE OF ANGEL, A BURMESE MOUNTAIN THERAPY DOG WHO TOUCHED THOUSANDS OF LIVES IN MONROE COUNTY.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

POLITICAL CONVERSATIONS IN 2020 WERE UNSURPRISINGLY DOMINATED BY THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE, BUT THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY QUIETLY HAD ONE OF THE ITS BEST YEARS EVER, AND MUCH OF THAT SUPPORT OCCURRED RIGHT HERE IN INDIANA.

MITCH LEGAN REPORTS ON THE PARTY'S WORK TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM ROLLING IN 2020.

>> EAN McMAHON HAS BEEN WORKING FOR THIS FOR A DECADE.

>> WESTERLY TALKING 20 OR 30 CAMPAIGNS -- WE ARE TALKING 20 OR 30 CAMPAIGNS THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON.

>> McMAHON STARTED VOLUNTEERING WITH INDIANA LIBERTARIANS IN 2010.

NOW HE'S ONE OF THE PARTIES TOP CAMPAIGN EXPERTS AND HELPED TO OVERSEE THE BEST STATEWIDE FINISH FOR A LIBERTARIAN FOR THE STATE'S HISTORY.

>> MY NAME IS DONALD DRAINWATER AND I'M RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

I BELIEVE THAT YOU KNOW BEST HOW TO MAKE THE DECISIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

>> HIS MESSAGE OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES RESONATED IN A SOLIDLY CONSERVATIVE STATE AND HE HAD 11% OF THE VOTE.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU BELIEVE WE ARE GOING TO WIN THIS THING, BUT I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO WIN THIS THING!

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THE PARTY'S PLATFORM OF LIMITED GOVERNMENT POWER CAUGHT ON WITH HOOSIERS WHO THOUGHT THE GOVERNOR WAS OVERSTEPPING HIS AUTHORITY WITH HIS CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY MANDATES.

>> TOMORROW I WILL SIGN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WILL MANDATE THAT HOOSIERS WEAR MACE COVER -- FACE COVERINGS DURING SPECIFIC TIMES AND IN SPECIFIC PLACES.

>> WE LIVE IN A CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC WHERE WE SHOULD TELL GOVERNMENT WHAT WE WANT, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

>> HE DIDN'T WIN THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE, BUT GOSH, IF HE DIDN'T HAVE AN INCREDIBLE INCREDIT TURNOUT BUT IT WAS A VICTORY FOR THE LIBERAL TEARIAN PARTY.

THEY NEED TO -- LIBERTARIAN PARTY.

THEY NEED TO LEVERAGE THAT.

>> THEY WANT TO CAPITALIZE ON THE GROUND SWELL OF SUPPORT.

IS THAT POSSIBLE YEARS FROM NOW WHEN THE PANDEMIC IS HOPEFULLY A DISTANT MEMORY.

>> MY FIRST RESPONSE WAS THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO THE MASK MANDATES.

THE ANGER THAT THEY FEEL TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT THAT CONTINUES TO VIOLATE THE THINGS THAT THEY SAID THEY BELIEVED IN ISN'T GOING TO GO AWAY.

>> HE'S SPENDING 14 HOURS A DAY, MAKING CALLS AND POURING THROUGH ELECTION DATA AND ORGANIZING AFFILIATES IN PARTIES THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY LACKING.

IT SEEMS TO BE PAYING OFF.

THERE WAS SO MUCH INTERESTED IN ORGANIZING THAT THE PARTY VIRTUALLY HELD ITS FIRST EVER AFFILIATION DAY BACK IN DECEMBER.

>> WE JUST APPOINTED YOU TO ORGANIZE YOUR FIRST MEETING.

GET PEOPLE INVOLVED AND AT THAT MEETING, THEY WILL ACCEPT OR ADOPT YOUR LOCAL BYLAWS.

>> 25 OF THE STATE'S 92 COUNTIES HAD ACTIVE LIBERTARIAN PARTIES AND WITH McMAHON'S WORK, THINGS ARE TRENDING TOWARDS HAVING AFFILIATES IN HALF THE COUNTIES BY FEBRUARY.

AND IN HIS PERFECT WORLD, THERE WILL BE ACTIVE PARTIES IN EVERY COUNTY BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> IF YOU ARE TOILING IN THE WILDERNESS IN A MINOR PARTY, AND YOU SEE THIS KIND OF PROGRESS, IT'S VERY, VERY PROMISING.

>> PARTY LEADERSHIP FEELS A STRONG SHOWING IN THE 2022 SECRETARY OF STATE ELECTION WILL PUT THEM IN THE POSITION TO MAKE A REAL RUN TELL LEGISLATURE OR A STATEWIDE OFFICE BY THE END OF THE DECADE.

BUT EXPERTS LIKE DION SAYS THEY COULD HAVE MORE SUCCESS INFLUENCING FUTURE POLICY.

>> MAYBE TO GET THE OTHER PARTIES OR THE OTHER CANDIDATES TO SHIFT OR MOVE THEIR PLATFORMS IN SOME WAYS, AND TYPICALLY THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS.

IF THERE'S A THIRD PARTY THAT'S REALLY PROMISING AND THEY ARE RUNNING ON A SET OF ISSUES THAT ARE ALL OF A SUDDEN VERY APPEALING TO THE PUBLIC.

>> AND THAT CAN HAPPEN SOONER THAN ONE MIGHT THINK.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS ALREADY DISCUSSING BILLS TO LIMIT THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS.

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

>>> 2020 TIED FOR THE HOTTEST YEAR ON RECORD GLOBALLY, THOUGH IT WASN'T THE HOTTEST YEAR FOR INDIANA, IT MARKED THE SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW THAT TEMPERATURES WERE ABOVE NORMAL.

AS INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, WE ARE ALREADY SEEING THE DAMAGING EFFECTS OF THAT WARMING.

>> AS TEMPERATURES RISE IN INDIANA, WE ARE SEEING MORE HEAVY RAIN EVENTS.

SOME OF WHICH CAUSED FLOODING IN PARTS OF THE STATE LAST YEAR.

SEAN SUBLET IS A METEOROLOGIST WITH THE NONPROFIT CLIMATE CENTRAL.

HE SAYS THE U.S. HAS GOTTEN BETTER AT PREVENTING DEATHS DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER.

>> BUT IT CAN TEAR APART FAMILIES.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT.

CARBON DIOXIDE WILL NOT JUST COME OUT OF THE ATMOSPHERE BY ITSELF.

>> SUBLET SAYS THE FACT THAT THE EARTH CONTINUES TO HIT THESE NEW HEAT RECORDS SHOWS THE NEED TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE FAST.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, INDIANA IS ALSO EXPECTED TO HAVE MORE HEAT-RELATED DEATHS, CROP LOSSES AND ILLNESSES FROM TICKS AND MOSQUITOES DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> THE BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER IS HEMORRHAGING MONEY IN THE WAKE OF COVID-19.

THE COUNTY EXTENDED THE CENTER A LIFELINE THIS WEEK BUT AS BROCK TURNER REPORTS, THERE'S DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER IT WILL BE A ENOUGH TO KEEP THE NEW VENUE AFLOAT.

>> THE BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER OPENED IN LATE 2019.

IT HAD ALREADY HOSTED SEVERAL EVENTS AND WAS ALREADY TURNING A PROFIT.

BUT THE CORONAVIRUS HALTED SHOWS AT THE 2,000 SEAT VENUE IN MARCH.

SINCE THEN IT WAS USED AS A COVID-19 TESTING SITE AND VARIOUS COURT HEARINGS.

THE DIRECTOR CHRISTIAN WEBB SAYS IT COSTS ABOUT $10,000 A DAY TO OPERATE THE FACILITY.

>> AGAIN, WE DIDN'T KNOW, AND AT THE TIME WE SIGNED THIS, EVERYONE WAS RUNNING AND DUCKING FOR COVER.

PEOPLE WEREN'T ALLOWED OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOUSE OR THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER.

WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WHAT THE VENUE ULTIMATELY WOULD BE USED FOR.

>> THE BROWN COUNTY COUNCIL VOTED THIS WEEK TO TRANSFER $239,000 OR ABOUT HALF OF ITS FEDERAL CARES ACT MONEY TO THE CENTER.

WEBB SAYS THE MONEY IS FOR SERVICES CONDUCTED IN 2020, AND SHOULD KEEP THE CENTER AFLOAT FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 2021.

DURING MEETING, WEBB CLAIMED THE COUNTY IS GETTING A DEAL BECAUSE THE CENTER IS PROVIDING SO MANY COVID-RELATED SERVICES.

BUT DURING THE PLANNING AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE VENUE, PUBLIC OFFICIALS MADE MULTIPLE PROMISES THAT THE TAXPAYER MONEY WOULD NOT BE USED TO SUPPORT THE MUSIC CENTER AND SOME RESIDENTS WHO SPOKE OUT AT THE MEETING SAY THEY WORRY IT WILL LIMIT THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO RESPOND TO OTHER UNEXPECTED ITEMS TO THE CORONAVIRUS.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CAN SPEND 50% OF OUR MONEY WHEN WE DON'T HAVEN'T LOOKED AT WHAT IS UPCOMING.

>> OTHER AVENUES TO ASSIST THE CENTER LIKE USING THE INNKEEPERS TAX DON'T COVER THE CENTER'S EXPENSES.

>> YOU RECALL AT THE BEGINNING OF 2020, THE GUIDANCE THAT WE WERE HEARING FROM UP ABOVE IN INDIANAPOLIS, WAS THAT REVENUES WERE GOING TO FALL DRAMATICALLY, 80, 90%.

>> THEY ISSUED A TEMPORARY LOAN TO THE CENTER THAT HELPED TO COVER INTEREST LOAN PAYMENTS.

THEY ARE NOT PAYING ANYTHING ON THE PRINCIPAL TO THE LOAN THAT THE BANK HAS ISSUED.

MOST EVENTS HAVE BEEN RESCHEDULED BUT HEALTH EXPERTS SAY IT WILL LIKELY BE FALL AT THE EARLIEST BEFORE ATTENDING.

S LIKE CONCERTS IS SAFE.

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

>>> THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN OFFICIALLY BROUGHT AN END TO THE 2020 ELECTION SAGA.

THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE WAS PUT IN THE SPOTLIGHT ONCE AGAIN, BUT THERE WOULD BE NO ELECTORAL COLLEGE IF ONE SENATOR SENATOR HAD HIS WAY.

HERE'S MITCH LEGAN WITH ANOTHER HISTORY THROUGH HEADLINES SEGMENT.

>> IT WAS NOVEMBER 7th, 1968, THE FIRST SEASON OF "MR. ROGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD" WAS OVER AND "THE BEATLES" HEY JUDE "WAS AT THE TOP OF THE CHARTS.

AND PRESIDENT NIXON WAS ELECTED WHICHELECTEDIN A RACE WHICH INCLUDED GEORGE WALLACE.

THE HEADLINE READS CLOSE CONTEST POINTS TO NEED FOR ELECTION REFORM.

AFTER LOSING THE 1964 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, WALLACE LAUNCHED A THIRD PARTY CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT IN '68, AND WON FIVE STATES IN THE SOUTH.

>> PEOPLE WERE CONCERNED IF HE HAD DONE A LITTLE BETTER OR IF NIXON HAD DONE A LITTLE WORSE, THAT YOU WOULD HAVE HAD AN ELECTION THROWN INTO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THEN, YOU KNOW, WALLACE WOULD HAVE MORE OR LESS BEEN ABLE TO EXTRACT ALL SORTS OF CONCESSIONS.

>> SO INDIANA SENATOR BIRCH BAYH, WHO WAS CHAIR OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS BEGAN RALLYING SUPPORT FOR A PROJECT HE WAS WORKING ON, AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD CALL FOR THE DIRECT ELIMINATION OF THE PRESIDENT, ELIMINATING THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

>> IF YOU ARE NOT IN ONE OF THOSE 18 OR 20 STATES THAT ARE IN PLAY ON ELECTION DAY, IT REALLY DOESN'T MAKE MUCH DIFFERENCE WHETHER YOU GET OUT TO VOTE OR NOT, AND I THINK THAT'S TERRIBLE.

>> A 1968 GALLUP POLL SHOWED # 0% OF AMERICANS -- 80% OF AMERICANS LIKED BAYH'S PROPOSAL AND IT PASSED THE HOUSE IN 1969, BUT SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS FILIBUSTERS THE BILL.

>> AND WALLACE WAS NOT ABLE TO RUN AGAIN IN THE WAY THAT THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT.

SO THEN PEOPLE LOST INTEREST IN ELECTORAL COLLEGE REFORM.

YOU KNOW?

UNTIL 2000.

>> BAYH WOULD CONTINUE PUSHING TO ELIMINATE THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE FOR THE REST OF HIS TIME IN THE SENATE AND AFTER, BUT 1969, IS THE CLOSEST HE WOULD GET.

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

>>> AND ANGEL, THE BURMESE MOUNTAIN DOG TOUCHED THOUSANDS OF LIVES IN MONROE COUNTY AS A VOLUNTEER THERAPY DOG BEFORE SHE PASSED AWAY IN THE FALL.

IN 2015 ANGEL WAS AT THE BLOOMINGTON FARMER'S MARKET WITH HER SAD STEVEN COOPER SMITH WHEN SHE MET REBECCA WARREN, DIRECTOR OF THE HUMANE ASSOCIATION.

KAREN COOPERSMITH REMEMBERS HEARING ALL ABOUT IT.

REBECCA THOUGHT THAT ANGEL WAS JUST ADORABLE AND ANGEL WAS COZYING UP TO HER.

SHE SAID, DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE THERAPY PROGRAM.

>> THE MCHA ANIMAL THERAPY PROGRAM AIMS TO IMPROVE MENTAL, PHYSICAL, AND COGNITIVE HEALTH THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY WITH INTERACTIONS WITH ANIMALS.

BY FEBRUARY OF 2016, ANGEL AND KAREN COOPERSMITH HAD GONE THROUGH TRAINING TO BE A THERAPY TEAM FOR THE PROGRAM.

ANGEL WAS ALREADY PRETTY MUCH AN OBEDIENT DOG BUT SHE LEARNED SOME NEW SCHOOLS SKILLS FOR THE ALL NEW ENVIRONMENT SHE WOULD BE?

>> IF WE WERE GOING INTO A NURSING HOME AND A PILL WERE DROPPED ON THE FLOOR, YOU DON'T WANT THE DOG TO PICK UP THE PILL AND EAT IT.

SO THEY HAVE TO LEARN LEAVE IT.

>> I.U.

STUDENTS AT WELLS LIBRARY DURING FINALS WEEK, RESIDENTS IN NURSING HOMES AND STRUGGLING READERS AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY WERE PEOPLE THAT ANGEL WORKED WITH.

SHE SPENT TIME WITH DEMENTSIA PATIENTS AND VISITED SUZIE'S PLACE, WHERE SHE WOULD SIT AND PLAY WITH CHILDREN BEFORE THEY WENT INTO FORENSIC INTERVIEWS.

>> SHE HAD AN INNATE FEELING FOR GOING TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEEDED HER.

AND THAT WAS VERY, VERY SPECIAL.

I ALSO HAD SOME THERAPISTS SAY THAT SHE WOULD LOOK INTO YOUR SOUL.

>> ONCE WHEN ANGEL WAS VISITING COLLEGE MALL TO CHEER UP SHOPPERS, A SECURITY GUARD USHERED ANGEL AND KAREN OVER TO A WOMAN WHO WENT INTO SHOCK.

ANGEL WAS ABLE TO BRING HER OUT OF SHOCK BEFORE ANYONE CALLED AN AMBULANCE.

SHE BECAME ANGEL'S MOM INSTEAD OF JUST KAREN.

SHE RECEIVED EMAILS, TEXTS, CARDS AND FLOWERS FROM COUNTLESS PEOPLE WHO ADORED ANGEL.

ONE WOMAN WHO ONLY MET ANGEL A COUPLE OF TIMES WITH HER CHILDREN WROTE KAREN THIS NOTE.

>> WE LOVED ANGEL.

WE HAD SEEN HER IN THE MALL A COUPLE OF TIMES.

ANYONE THAT EVER MET ANGEL WOULD REMEMBER HER.

SHE WAS SUCH A CALM AND SWEET DOG.

SHE LOVED BEING MET AND PET AND LOVED HER TREATS.

I CAN SAY WITHOUT A DOUBT IN MY MIND, SHE WAS TRULY AN ANGEL.

THIS.

>> THEY RECENTLY ADOPTED BARLEY, A 15-MONTH-OLD BURMESE MOUNTAIN DOG WHO NEEDED TO BE REHOMED.

HE'S TOO YOUNG AND RAMBUNCTIOUS TO BE A THERAPY DOG, BUT IT MIGHT BE IN HIS FUTURE.

HE LOVES PEOPLE, AFTER ALL, JUST LIKE ANGEL.

>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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