>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE STATE IS EXPECTED TO LOWER THE AGE REQUIREMENT FOR HOOSIERS SEEKING TO RECEIVE THE COVID-19 VACCINE SOONER THAN LATER.

>> WE'LL CONTINUE TO CLAMOR FOR MORE UP UNTIL EVERY SINGLE PERSON -- HOOSIER GETS THE VACCINATION THAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR.

>> AHEAD, WHAT THAT MEANS AND WHAT PRECAUTIONS YOU SHOULD STILL TAKE AFTER GETTING THE VACCINE.

PASSING COVID-19 LIABILITY PROTECTIONS IS A PRIORITY FOR REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS, BUT SOME WORRY IT COULD TRIP THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS.

>> AND BASICALLY SAY I'M GOING TO TRUST AN EMPLOYER TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE THEY COULD DO, I DON'T -- I JUST DON'T AGREE WITH THAT.

>> WITH OPIOID DEATHS ON THE RISE DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE INDIANA STATE MUSEUM HAS CREATED AN EXHIBIT ABOUT THE DRUG AND ITS EFFECT ON USERS.

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

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

INDIANA OFFICIALS SAY THE STATE WILL BEGIN RECEIVING MORE COVID-19 VACCINE DOSES BUT NOT ENOUGH TO OPEN UP APPOINTMENTS TO MORE PEOPLE.

FEDERAL OFFICIALS TOLD THE STATE THIS WEEK TO EXPECT THE BOOST OF ABOUT 13,000 DOSES A WEEK.

THIS IS CURRENTLY GET ABOUT 8,000 A WEEK.

THE ONLY THOSE WHO CAN SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS ARE THOSE AGE 70 AND OLDER.

>> WE HAVE IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 4,500 INDIVIDUALS, AGE 70 AND OLDER WHOSE FIRST DOSE APPOINTMENT IS SCHEDULED AFTER MARCH 1st.

THE PARTNERS AT 211 WILL BE REACHING OUT TO THOSE PEOPLE VIA EMAIL AND PHONE CALLS TO HELP THEM SCHEDULE AN EARLIER APPOINTMENT.

>> GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB SAYS THE STATE HOPES TO OPEN APPOINTMENTS TO THOSE AGE 65 TO 69, WITHIN DAYS, NOT WEEKS.

>> WELL, HAVING ENOUGH OF THE VACCINE CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE PANDEMIC.

PAT BEANE REPORTS ON WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GETTING THE VACCINE AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR RETURNING TO NORMALCY.

>> THE SLOW ROLL OUT OF THE VACCINE ACROSS THE NATION HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING FOR THOSE LONGING FOR AN END TO THE PANDEMIC THAT HAS BEEN RAGING FOR THE PAST YEAR.

IN INDIANA, WAIT TIMES TO GET THE VACCINE CAN BE UP TO A MONTH.

AND THE STATE IS STILL VACCINATING HEALTHCARE WORKERS, FIRST RESPONDERS AND THOSE 70 AND OLDER.

EVEN WITH THE PROMISED INFLUX OF MORE DOSES ON THE HORIZON, LANA DEBABO, THE DIRECTOR OF THE VACCINE INITIATIVES FOR THE COVID-19 MEDICAL RESPONSE TEAM SAYS IT WILL BE MONTHS BEFORE ENOUGH PEOPLE CAN BE VACCINATED TO REACH A HERD IMMUNITY.

>> THE FASTER WE CAN DO THIS, THE BETTER WE ARE OFF AS A COUNTRY, SO THAT WE CAN START OUR, YOU KNOW, TRAJECTORY OR OUR JOURNEY BACK TO NORMAL.

>> SHE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE VACCINES HAVE SHOWN TO BE 95% EFFECTIVE, THEY DON'T REACH THAT LEVEL OF PRO TECHION UNTIL TWO WEEKS -- PROTECTION UNTIL TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SECOND SHOT.

WHILE YOU MAY BE PARTIALLY PROTECTED AFTER FIRST DOSE AND MORE SO AFTER THE SECOND, YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THE CDC GUIDELINES OF USING PREVENTATIVE MEASURES AGAINST THE VIRUS.

>> I'M MORE THAN TWO WEEKS AFTER MY SECOND DOSE AND I CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME, WORK FROM HOME, SOCIAL DISTANCE AND WEAR A MASK.

AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE NOT TO THINK OF IT, OKAY, WELL, THE VACCINE DIDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING.

IT ACTUALLY DOES.

IT MAKES ME PERSONALLY NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO GETTING SEVERELY ILL AND THAT'S A HUGE STEP FORWARD.

>> THE NEXT STEP IN THE STATE'S IMMUNIZATION PLAN IS FOR THOSE 65 AND OLDER TO GET THE VACCINE.

GOVERNOR HOME COME HOLCOMB HOPES THAT WILL HAPPEN WITHIN DAYS.

>> THEY WILL NEVER GET A SECOND CHANCE AT THIS.

SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT APPROACH.

>> SHE SAYS GETTING EVERYONE ON BOARD WITH GETTING THE VACCINE IS CRITICAL TO REACHING A HERD IMMUNITY.

AND WHILE SHE SAYS THAT THE VACCINE BEARS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO RELAX IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19.

>> IT'S MORE IMPORTANT NOW TO PRACTICE THIS BECAUSE WE HAVE NEW VARIANTS AND NEW MUTANTS THAT ARE RISKY THAT HAVE HIGHER TRANSMISSION RATES, AND WHEN WE SEE HIGHER TRANSMISSION, WE ALWAYS -- THAT ALWAYS FOLLOWS -- IT'S FOLLOWED BY HIGHER DEATHS.

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

>>> THERE ARE MANY LOCATIONS TO GET THE VACCINE, INCLUDING KROGER STORES, HOWEVER, THE SAME AGE RESTRICTIONS STILL APPLY.

>>> MEANWHILE, THE VIRUS OUTLOOK IN INDIANA IS IMPROVING.

THE STATE'S SEVEN DAY POSITIVITY RATE FELL BELOW 9% THIS WEEK FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE MID-OCTOBER.

BEGINNING MONDAY, THE GOVERNOR IS RELAXING THE STATE'S CROWD SIZE LIMITS.

>> WE CAN CONTROL THE THINGS THAT WE CAN CONTROL, AND WE CAN MANAGE OUR WAY THROUGH THIS.

WE KNOW WHAT WORKS, BUT WE -- IT IS A CONSTANT BALANCE OF OUR LIVES AND OUR LIVELIHOODS.

>> THE STATE WILL CONTINUE TO USE ITS COLOR-CODED COUNTY MAP TO DETERMINE CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS.

HOLCOMB SAYS GATHERINGS IN RED AND ORANGE COUNTIES CAN BE UP TO 25% OF THE FACILITY'S CAPACITY.

ALL THE STATE'S 92 COUNTIES ARE CURRENTLY UNDER RED OR ORANGE RESTRICTIONS.

>> NOW, THE U.S. PENITENTIARY IN TERRE HAUTE IS MAKING HEADLINES AGAIN THIS WEEK.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REVEALED WEDNESDAY THAT THE BUREAU OF PRISONS FAILED TO DISCLOSE TWO JOURNALISTS COVERING EXECUTIONS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

THE BUREAU KNOWINGLY WITHHELD THAT INFORMATION FROM OTHER JOURNALISTS, WHO WERE POTENTIALLY EXPOSED AND CONDUCTED NO CONTACT TRACING.

THOSE TWO JOURNALISTS ARE MY COLLEAGUES, ADAM PINSKER AND GEORGE HALE.

SINCE THIS SUMMER, THEY HAVE BEEN COVERING THE FEDERAL EXECUTIONS IN TERRE HAUTE.

GEORGE JOINS US NOW FROM HIS HOME WHERE HE'S BEEN ISOLATING FOR TEN DAYS.

GEORGE, I UNDERSTAND YOU WERE THE FIRST TO TEST POSITIVE.

HOW DID YOU FIND OUT?

>> I FOUND OUT THROUGH ROUTINE TESTING THAT INDIANA UNIVERSITY CONDUCTS AS PART OF OUR, YOU KNOW, WAY TO PROTECT THE CAMPUS AND AS PART OF OUR OFFICE'S WAY TO PROTECT THE NEWSROOM FROM, YOU KNOW, INFECTING OTHERS.

SO WE ALWAYS MAKE SURE WE GET TESTED WHEN WE RETURN TO BLOOMINGTON.

AND, YEAH, I GOT TESTED THE FINAL TUESDAY AFTER THE FINAL EXECUTIONS AND FOUND OUT TWO DAYS.

>> DO YOU KNOW HOW YOU WERE EXPOSED.

>> THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT REGISTERED MY SYMPTOMS AS THE SATURDAY WE RETURNED FROM TERRE HAUTE.

THAT MEANS IT COULD HAVE BEEN SOONER THAN THE EXECUTIONS, OR DURING THE EXECUTIONS.

WE WERE THERE FOR FIVE DAYS COVERING THREE DIFFERENT EXECUTIONS.

>> WHEN DID YOU NOTIFY THE PRISON BUREAU ABOUT THAT TEST?

>> ABOUT FOUR HOURS AFTER I RECEIVED IT.

>> SO WERE YOU ABLE TO FIND OUT WHY THE GOVERNMENT DIDN'T TAKE ANY ACTION AND ARE OTHER REPORTERS CONCERNED?

>> YES.

SO THE -- THE PRISON BUREAU SAID IT WOULD HAVE CONDUCTED A CONTACT TRACING PROCEDURE IF THERE -- IF WE HAD NOTIFIED THEM WITHIN TWO DAYS OF TESTING -- YOU KNOW, OF THE SYMPTOMS BEING FELT, AND SO SINCE THE TEST WAS THREE OR FOUR DAYS AFTER THE LAST EXECUTION, IN THEIR VIEW, IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO INFORM ANYONE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, THOUGH, THAT -- TO POINT OUT THAT SINCE MY SYMPTOMS TERM NICKALLY SYMPTOMS TECHNICALLY STARTED ABOUT 12 HOURS AFTER THE LAST EXECUTION, I SORT OF GOT ILL.

SO THEORETICALLY I WAS EXPOSING PEOPLE TO THE VIRUS THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS THERE DURING THAT FINAL EXECUTION.

WE WERE OBVIOUSLY VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELL-BEING OF THE OTHER JOURNALISTS AND EVEN THE STAFF.

>> WE'RE JUST UNDER 30 SECONDS.

YOU HAVE BEEN REPORTING ON THE EXECUTION-RELATE COVID OUTBREAKS IN PARTICULAR, HOW DOES THIS CONNECT TO LITIGATION OVER THE PRISON'S COVID POLICY?

>> YEAH, AND, YOU KNOW, IT ACTUALLY WAS THE -- SORT OF JUST THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN A LONG SORT OF STRING OF ISSUES WHERE THE BUREAU OF PRISON HAS BEEN CLAIMING THEY WERE TAKING PRECAUTIONS, WHILE, YOU KNOW, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS AND JOURNALISTS LIKE MY INSISTSELF INSIST THEY ARE NOT.

>> WELL, GEORGE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON BACK IN THE NEWSROOM.

>> THANKS, JOE.

>> AFTER THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S WEEK-LONG PAUSE AMID SECURITY CONCERNS.

THEY ARE TRYING TO PASS COVID-19 LIABILITY PROTECTIONS FOR BUSINESSES.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT MANY STATES HAVE CONSIDERED AND PRO BUSINESS GROUPS SUPPORT.

AS BROCK TURNER EXPLAINS, SOME OF THE HOUSE VERSION COULD SEVERELY LIMIT THE RIGHTS OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

>> DAVID BRIDE AND HIS FAMILY HAVE BEEN UNION WORKERS FOR DECADES.

HE WORKS FOR THE CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS, AND HIS WIFE IS A NURSE.

REMOTE WORK IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD WAS NEVER IN THE CARDS.

>> THE WORKERS PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE, LIKE MY WIFE, OR MY GRANDSON, WHO WORKS AT THE GROCERY STORE, A UNION EMPLOYEE.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO ALWAYS HAVE A VOICE.

WELL, WE CAN SAY, HEY, THIS IS NOT SAFE.

>> BRIDE, HIS WIFE AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER ESSENTIAL WORKERS HAVE KEPT WORKING SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

ESTIMATED FROM THE UNITED WAY SHOW MORE THAN HALF OF INDIANA'S WORKERS ARE CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL, WHILE SOME ARE ABLE TO WORK REMOTELY, MANY LIKE BRIDE DON'T HAVE THAT LUXURY, AND THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT EXTENDING BROAD COVID-19 LIABILITY PROTECTIONS TO EMPLOYERS.

BRIDE, WHO ALSO SERVES AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE CENTRAL INDIANA AFL-CIO SAYS HIS EMPLOYER ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS ARE TAKING THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS, BUT HE KNOWS THAT IS NOT THE CASE EVERYWHERE.

>> IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT IF YOU ARE AN ESSENTIAL WORKER, THAT YOU FEEL THAT YOUR JOB, YOUR EMPLOYER IS GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE SAFE.

>> EXPERTS HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ON HOW LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE COULD AFFECT WORKERS AND BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE.

THE SENATE BILL AUTHORIZED BY VET TRAPVETERAN GOP LAWMAKERS WOULD, AMONG OTHER THINGS PREVENT CIVIL TORT CASES THAT DON'T MEET THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE THRESHOLD.

JODY MADEIRA, A PROFESSOR AT THE MAURER SCHOOL OF LAW SAYS THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS FREE TO COMSTRAIN THE TYPES OF HARM OF WHICH YOU CAN SUE.

IT STRIKES A BALANCE BETWEEN COMPETING INTERESTS.

>> IT GOES BACK TO THE FACT THAT THIS DOESN'T PREVENT LAWSUITS ALL TOGETHER, RIGHT?

BUSINESSES WILL STILL HAVE TO DEFEND AND SAY THIS IS WHAT WE DID THAT WAS REASONABLE.

>> BUT THERE COULD BE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

>> SO I DO THINK IT WOULD HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT, PARTICULARLY, YOU KNOW, PLAINTIFFS THEMSELVES MIGHT THINK THAT THEY CAN'T WIN THE LAWSUIT, BUT LAWYERS MIGHT NOT TAKE THESE SORTS OF SUITS.

>> SPECIFICALLY A CAUSE FOR MADEIRA'S CONCERN ARE PLACES LIKE LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN RAVAGED BECAUSE OF THE POLICIES.

>> THOSE BUSINESSES OR ORGANIZATIONS WHERE PEOPLE ARE NOT ALLOWED IN.

IF THE NURSING HOME OR THE LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY IS SEALED AND YOU CAN'T HAVE VISITORS, IT'S GOING TO BE HARD BECAUSE NO ONE KNOWS HOW GRANDPA OWN OR GRANDMA GOT COVID.

NO ONE SEES GRANDPA OR GRANDMA AND NO ONE SEES THE NURSING AIDES THAT COME IN AND REALLY THERE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE WILL BE PREMISESSED ON THE SHEER VOLUME OF CASES THAT COME UP AND PERHAPS THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT STATE AUTHORITIES WOULD DO, BUT ONE WOULD HAVE TO FILE A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST TO GET ACCESS TO THAT INFORMATION.

>> INDIANA HAS IMPLEMENTED FACILITY FIRST POLICIES THROUGHOUT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC WHICH HAS LED TO DISDAIN FROM CAREGIVERS.

WHILE A CADRE OF INDUSTRY GROUPS TESTIFIED IN FAVOR OF THE BILL, NOT EVERYONE IS ON BOARD.

NEIL GAFF IS AN ATTORNEY THAT REPRESENTS THE AFL-CIO, A GROUP THAT ADVOCATES FOR MORE THAN 50,000 HOOSIER WORKERS.

HE WORRIES THE BILL IS SET TOO HIGH FOR WORKERS.

EXPERTS SAY THE MANDATES COULD STILL BE ARGUED, BUT IT WOULD BE MORE DIFFICULT FOR PLAINTIFFS.

ADDITIONALLY HOUSE LANGUAGE WOULD REQUIRE PLAINTIFFS TO FIND AN INDIANA OR SURROUNDING STATE PHYSICIAN TO TESTIFY ON THEIR BEHALF.

FOR GAFF, THIS LANGUAGE PLACES THE NEEDS OF BUSINESSES OVER THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS.

>> IF SOMEONE FOLLOWED THE RULE AND, YOU KNOW, DID THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS WE THINK THEY HAVE AN ARGUMENT FOR IMMUNITY.

IF SOMEONE DIDN'T FOLLOW THE PRECAUTIONS, WHY SHOULD THEY GET IMMUNITY FOR THAT?

>> WHILE MA DEERA.

SUPPORTS MOST PROTECTIONS, SHE BELIEVES REQUIRING PHYSICIAN IT WILL COULD CREATE INCONSISTENT RULINGS OR A COTTAGE INDUSTRY.

BOTH SHE AND GAFF SAY COURTS WILL HAVE TO DETERMINE WHAT LANGUAGE WILL BE PASSED.

>> THEY HAVE TO SHOW A HIGH LEVEL OF NEGLIGENCE BY SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE.

SO IT WOULD -- IT WOULD BE MULTIPLE HIGH HURDLES.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE VERY CERTAIN FACTS, BOTH MEDICALLY AND IN TERMS OF EXPOSURE, AND CARELESSNESS IN ORDER TO MEET THAT KIND OF BURDEN.

>> BRIDE UNDERSTANDS THE NEED TO PROTECT BUSINESSES, BUT GRAPPLES WITH HOW IT AFFECTS THEM.

>> SO THEY ARE IN THESE ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE RIPE AND FOR YOU TO TAKE THAT AWAY AND BASICALLY SAY, I'M GOING TO TRUST AN EMPLOYER TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE THEY COULD DO, I DON'T -- I JUST DON'T AGREE WITH THAT.

>> HE WORRIES THE LEGISLATURE WILL SIDE WITH BUSINESSES, AND IGNORE THE RIGHTS OF HOOSIER WORKERS.

>> THIS IS NOT SAFE.

IF YOU PUT SOMETHING IN PLACE, WHERE EMPLOYER DOESN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS, THEN THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR INDIANA.

>> LEGISLATORS AND TRADE GROUPS SAY THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO LIMIT WORKER RIGHTS BUT RATHER SHIELD BUSINESSES FROM BURDENSOME LAWSUITS.

MORE THAN A DOZEN STATES HAVE PASSED SOME TYPE OF COVID-19 LIABILITY PROTECTIONS.

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

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," OPIOID DEATHS IN THE STATE ARE ON THE RISE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AHEAD, THE INDIANA STATE MUSEUM HAS CREATED AN EXHIBIT ABOUT THE DRUG AND ITS EFFECT ON USERS.

THE CITY IS REVIEWING AN HISTORIC DESIGNATION FOR THE PLAYER'S PUB.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE BUILDING WHICH HAS A COMPLACATED RACIAL HISTORY, AS WELL AS A DETERIORATING INFRASTRUCTURE?

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WE'RE GOING RIGHT OVER TO NEWS HEADLINES.

ETHAN BURKS JOINS US WITH THE LATEST ON THIS WEEK AGE REQUIREMENT TOP STORIES.

>> LAWMAKERS ARE PREPARING FOR A SPECIAL SESSION THIS SUMMER TO DRAW NEW MAPS FOR CONGRESSIONAL AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS.

DATA FOR LAST YEAR'S CENSUS IS DELAYED AND WON'T BE DONE UNTIL LATE APRIL WHEN THE SESSION ADJOURNS.

THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU IS AIMING TO DELIVER POPULATION FIGURES USED TO DIVVY UP CONGRESSIONAL SEATS BY THE END OF APRIL WITH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT INFORMATION SOMETIME AFTER JULY.

>>> INDIANA BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SAYS IT'S PLEASED WITH PROGRESS SO FAR THIS SESSION ON ITS AGENDA FOR POLICE REFORM.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDON SMITH REPORTS ON THE STATUS OF 20-21 CRIME BILL.

>> THIS IS SUPPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND KEY ORGANIZATIONS IN BLACK COMMUNITIES, THE MEASURE REQUIRES DEESCALATION TRAINING FOR ALL POLICE OFFICERS.

IT TREATS CHOKEHOLDS AS DEADLY FORCE.

AND IT ALLOWS THE STATE TRAINING BOARD TO DECERTIFY OFFICERS WHO CONDUCT MISCONDUCT.

OTHER PARTS OF THE BLACK CAUCUS INCLUDE A BILL FOR A LAW ENFORCEMENT MISCONDUCT AND THE EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT AMNESTY PROGRAM ALLOWING DRIVERS TO MORE EASILY GET THEIR LICENSES BACK.

CONVERSATIONS WITH REPUBLICAN LEADERS HAVE BEEN PRODUCTIVE, AND SHE'S PLEASED TO SEE GOVERNORRIC HOLCOMB'S ADMINISTRATION, WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE ISSUE, THOUGH SHE WISHES HE WAS MORE OUT FRONT TOO.

>> HE WILL PUT A FACE ON THE ISSUE AND LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE LEADER OF THE STATE IS BEHIND MOST OF THIS AGENDA AND WILLING TO HELP OUT, I THINK THAT WOULD GREATLY HELP.

>> SHACKLEFORD SAYS SHE HOPES THE MAJOR POLICE REFORM BILL REMAINS UNCHANGED AS IT MOVES THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M BRANDON SMITH.

>>> NEARLY HALF OF THE INMATES AT THE BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY JAIL HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS IN THE LAST WEEK.

A STRIKE TEAM CAME TO THE JAIL TO TEST INHALES AND INMATES AND STAFF.

FOUR INMATES WHO REFUSED TO BE TESTED WERE PUT IN QUARANTINE.

THEY ARE UNDER LOCKDOWN.

INHALES WITH FEWER THAN 30 DAYS LEFT -- INHALES WITH FEWER THAN 30 DAYS LEFT WILL BE RELEASED EARLY IF THEY ARE NOT DEEMED A THREAT TO THE PUBLIC.

>>> AND TWO BILLS FOR FUNDING FOR THE SCHOOLS.

THE PROPOSAL WOULD FULLY FUND TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS FOR ANY VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION DURING THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR.

THE VIRTUAL SCHOOL SUPPORTERS ARE ASKING WHY REDUCED FUNDING WILL EXIST AT ALL FOR REGULAR FULL-TIME VIRTUAL SCHOOLS.

THE CURRENT LAW CAPS PER PUPIL FUNDING WHO TAKE HALF OF THEIR CLASSES AT 85% OF FULL IN-PERSON STUN FUNDING.

IT'S TEMPORARY FIXES BECAUSE THEY WOULD EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER.

>>> THE STATE SENATE BILL THAT WOULD RECOMMEND -- THAT WOULD REMOVE PROTECTIONS FOR STATE REGULATED WETLANDS IN INDIANA PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL SAY THE STATE'S UNNECESSARY WETLAND REGULATIONS HAVE DRIVEN UP SOME HOME PRICES AND CAUSED HEADACHES FOR FARMERS.

THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OPPOSES THE BILL AND SAYS STATE HAS ALREADY LOST ABOUT 85% OF ITS WETLANDS, WHICH PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN INDIANA.

>> FLOOD REDUCTION, WATER STORAGE, WATER QUALITY AND WILDLIFE HABITAT.

WETLANDS ALSO ABSORB SNOW MELT AND SEASONAL RAIN FOR REPLENISHING GROUNDWATER.

>> THERE'S SOME THAT REGULATE THE POLLUTION IN WETLANDS BUT BECAUSE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CHANGED THE WATERS OF UNITED STATES RULE, NOW THE MAJORITY OF WETLANDS IN INDIANA AREN'T REGULATED UNDER THE RULE.

>>> AND THIS WEEK BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL REVIEWED TWO PROPERTIES FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION.

THE CORE AND THE PLAYERS PUB BUILDING.

THE CORE BUILDING RECEIVED POSITIVE FEEDBACK AS THEY BELIEVE IT COULD BE TURNED INTO A HOUSING COMPLEX AFTER THE NEW HOSPITAL SITE IS REDEVELOPED IN THE FUTURE.

BUT THE PLAYER'S PUB DID NOT.

THE BUILDING HAS A COMPLICATED RACIAL HISTORY, AS WELL AS A DETERIORATING INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> SOMETIMES THESE RACE-RELATED OR HISTORICAL RACE CONVERSATIONS ARE VERY DIFFICULT, BUT I THINK THEY ARE NECESSARY.

>> BEFORE BECOMING WHAT MOST PEOPLE KNOW TODAY AS THE PLAYER'S PUB, IT WAS BOXMAN'S RESTAURANT FROM 1929 TO 1958, AND LIKE MANY RESTAURANTS IN BLOOMINGTON DURING THAT TIME, PEOPLE OF COLOR NOT ALLOWED TO DINE THERE.

THE COUNCIL SAYS THAT TROUBLING HISTORY MIXED WITH THE BILLING'S POOR CONDITION MEANS IT SHOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE NOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

BOTH BILLINGS WILL BE UP FOR A FINAL -- BOTH BUILDINGS WILL BE UP FOR A FINAL VOTE NEXT WEEK.

THAT'S THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> HOPOIDOPIOID USAGE HAS SKYROCKETED IN INDIANA.

THERE IS AN EXHIBIT CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY AT THE MUSEUM.

>> MORE THAN 800 HOOSIERS DIED FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2020 ACCORDING TO INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PRELIMINARY DATA.

THAT'S A 41.4% INCREASE COMPARED TO THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2019.

EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS DUE TO OVERDOSES WERE UP 52.7%.

BUT EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, THE OPIOID CRISIS WAS TAKING HUNDREDS OF LIVES EVERY YEAR IN INDIANA.

MUSEUM C.E.O.

KATHY FARI TOOK NOTICE AND ASKED HOW THE MUSEUM COULD HELP.

THEY SENT FEEDBACK TO OPEN THE EXHIBIT.

THE MUSEUM EXHIBIT DEVELOPER SAYS KATHLEEN DONNELLY SAYS THE EXHIBIT INFORMS VISITORS ABOUT THE DRUGS AND THE EFFECTS ON USERS.

THE EXHIBIT IS ALSO INTENDED TO REDUCE THE STIGMA OF OPIOID ADDICTION.

>> THERE'S SO MUCH STIGMA AROUND THE DISEASE.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A DISEASE.

TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE AND RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE HAVE THAT EMPATHY TO REACH OUT AND HELP OTHER PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY IF THEY HAVE A LOVED ONE OR A NEIGHBOR OR A FRIEND WHO IS SUFFERING FROM OPIOID USE DISORDER.

>> WALKING INTO THE EXHIBIT, VISITORS LEARN ABOUT THE SCIENCE BEHIND OPIOIDS AND THE HISTORY OF THEIR USE.

ALTHOUGH IT CAN'T BE CONFIRMED MARY TODD LINCOLN IS THOUGHT TO HAVE SUFFERED FROM AN OPIOID USE DISORDER.

>> IT'S SURPRISING TO MANY PEOPLE TO REALIZE THAT IT GOES WAY BACK TO THE CIVIL WAR.

WHEN PEOPLE WERE ACTUALLY -- PARTICULARLY VETERANS RETURNING FROM THE WAR HAD EXPERIENCE WITH OPIOIDS AND THEN IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO -- FOR THEM TO RECOVER FROM THAT AND THAT KIND OF BALLOONED INTO THE CRISIS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE TODAY BUT IT WAS WELL OVER 100 YEARS AGO.

>> ANOTHER CORNER OF THE EXHIBIT HELPS KIDS UNDER PAIN.

PEOPLE ARE SOMETIMES PRESCRIBED OPIOIDS FOR PAIN RELIEF, BUT ACCORDING TO THE MAYO CLINIC, THEY ARE SAFEST WHEN USED FOR THREE DAYS OR LESS TO AVOID ADDICTION.

>> YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM IS FINE TUNED TO PAIN, REACTING FASTER THAN YOUR CONSCIOUS THOUGHTS.

READY THIS KEEP YOUR HAND HON THE SPHERE.

DON'T -- HAND ON THE SPHERE.

DON'T MOVE.

JUST ONE SECOND.

HERE IT COMES!

JUST KIDDING.

YOU WEREN'T REALLY SHOCKED.

>> THROUGHOUT THE EXHIBIT, STORY BOOTHS ALLOW VISITORS TO LISTEN TO THE STORIES OF 16 PEOPLE WHO ARE IN RECOVER FROM AN OPIOID ADDICTION OR HAVE A LOVED ONE WHO WAS AFFECTED.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT I CAN MAKE IT THROUGH THIS WITHOUT A LITTLE BIT OF HELP.

>> I DID NOT HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS, BUT CERTAINLY, MEETING THE PEOPLE WHO CAME IN FOR THE INTERVIEW, WE DID A LOT OF INTERVIEWS AND IT -- THE STORIES WERE REALLY AMAZING.

AND THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO -- FOR THE MOST PART, LIKE I SAID ARE IN RECOVERY AND THEY HAVE OVERCOME ENORMOUS ODDS TO GET WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.

>> THE LAST PART OF THE EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS THE RECOVERY PROCESS.

INTERACTIVE AREAS FOR YOGA, MUSIC THERAPY, BREATHING EXERCISES AND CREATIVE ART SHOW VISITORS DIFFERENT METHODS FOR HANDLING STRESS.

A KEY LESSON IN THE RECOVERY PROCESS.

THE FOUR DIMENSIONS OF RECOVERY ARE MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES, HAVING PURPOSE, HAVING STABLE HOUSING, AND BEING IN COMMUNITY WITH OTHERS.

DONNELLY SAID THE EXTREME INCREASES IN OVERDOSES IN INDIANA DURING THE PANDEMIC MAY BE LINKED TO PEOPLE NOT HAVING ACCESS TO SOME OF THESE KEY FOUNDATIONS.

FOR DONELY, TALKING TO PEOPLE IN RECOVERY HAS GIVEN HER A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE OPIOID CRISIS AND HOPE FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION.

>> IT'S A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT INSURMOUNTABLE, THAT IS TREATABLE AND HOPE IS THERE.

>> ONE WAY THE EXHIBIT URGES THE PUBLIC TO HELP IS THROUGH TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATING NALOXONE.

THE MUSEUM LISTS UPCOMING TRAININGS HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE ON THE EXHIBIT'S WEBSITE AT INDIANAMUSEUM.ORG.

THE CONSISTTHE EXHIBIT WILL RUN THROUGH OCTOBER 1st, 2021.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M LILY SAINT ANGLO.

>> AND 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 WEEKEND.

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