>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," MORE THAN 600,000 HOOSIERS HAVE GOTTEN THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE, AND ANOTHER 170,000 ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

>> IT'S INCREDIBLY GRATIFYING GRATIFYING TO SEE THE OVERWHELMING INTEREST IN THE VACCINE.

JUST OVER TWO MONTHS AGO, WE DIDN'T HAVE A VACCINE.

>> INDIANA SENATOR TODD YOUNG WILL BE ONE OF THE JURORS IN NEXT WEEK'S SENATE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

HE VOTED LAST WEEK TO DECLARE THE TRIAL UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> I'M HEARING THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS -- IS NOW A PRIVATE CITIZEN.

OF THERE ARE OTHER AVENUES.

>> FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

AND WE SPOTLIGHT THE TOWN CLOCK CHURCH IN NEW ALBANY, A STOP ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

THE CITY RAISED HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO KEEP THE HISTORY ALIVE.

THOSE STORIES AND HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

INDIANA'S COVID DEATH TOLL IS EVEN WORSE THAN STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS THOUGHT.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FATALITIES JUMPED MORE THAN 15% AFTER AN AUDIT FOUND ABOUT 1500 MORE CORONAVIRUS-RELATED FAY TALLY FATALITIES.

IT INCLUDES 300 DEATHS FROM JANUARY.

>> INDIANA SURPASSED 11,000 CONFIRMED COVID-19 DEATHS WITH THE STATE'S AUDIT.

AND IT ADDED 28 NEW SUSPECTED COVID-19 DEATHS BRINGING THE OVERALL TOTAL BEYOND 11,500.

STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER DR. CHRIS BOX SAID IT REQUIRED MATCHING DEATH CERTIFICATES WITH POSITIVE COVID-19 TESTS.

>> PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT NEVER BEFORE HAVE LOCAL AND STATE DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH HAD TO PRESENT DATA IN REALTIME BEFORE IT WAS FULLY VETTED.

>> THE NEW DATA PAINTED A BLEAKER PICTURE OF THE EXPONENTIAL CLIMB IN INDIANA'S DEATH RATE.

THEY AVERAGED MORE THAN 27 DEATHS PER DAY IN OCTOBER, 64 IN NOVEMBER, AND 94 IN DECEMBER.

THE 302 NEWLY REPORTED DEATHS IN JANUARY BROUGHT ITS DAILY AVERAGE TO 57 DEATHS PER DAY.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M LAUREN CHAPMAN.

>>> INDIANA IS THE ADMINISTERING ABOUT 35,000 COVID VACCINATIONS PER DAY.

THAT INCLUDES BOTH FIRST AND SECOND SHOTS OF THE VACCINES.

NOW THE STATE HAS 259 SITES AROUND THE STATE TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE, INCLUDING SIX IN MONROE COUNTY.

HOOSIERS AGE 65 AND OLDER ARE NOW ELIGIBLE TO GET THE VACCINE AS WELL AS HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

>>> WELL, BEGINNING MONDAY, MOST TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WON'T HAVE NO QUARANTINE AFTER A POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE IN THE CLASSROOM.

HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY TEACHERS AND STUDENTS STILL MUST REMAIN 3 FEET APART AND WEAR MASKS.

>> DATA FROM INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS AND THE U.S.

INDICATES IT'S RARE FOR STUDENT INFECTIONS TO OCCUR DUE TO EXPOSURE IN THE CLASSROOM WHEN ALL PARTIES ARE MASKED.

>> BOX SAYS THE NEW GUIDELINES ONLY APPLIES TO THE CLASSROOM AND NOT TO THE LUNCHROOM, ATHLETICS BAND OR ANY OTHER SCHOOL SETTING WHERE STUDENTS MAY GATHER.

THE STATE WILL ALSO SOON SEND MORE THAN 1 MILLION KN95 MASKS TO HOOSIER SCHOOLS, ENOUGH FOR TEN MASKS EACH FOR TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF.

>>> WELL, INDIANA WOULD REQUIRE ALL NURSING HOMES TO ALLOW AT LEAST SOME LIMITED VISITATION FOR ANYWHERE RESIDENTS EVEN DURING A PANDEMIC UNDER LEGISLATION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY A SENATE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

THE BILL PROPOSES CREATION OF AN ESSENTIAL FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM.

UNDER THE MEASURE, A PERSON COULD ONLY BE DESIGNATED AN ESSENTIAL FAMILY CAREGIVER IF THEY REGULARLY ENGAGED WITH THE NURSING HOME RESIDENT AT LEAST TWO TIMES A WEEK BEFORE ANY LOCKDOWN ORDER.

INDIANA NURSING HOMES CUT OFF VISITATION DURING THE PANDEMIC, LEAVING MANY HOOSIERS ISOLATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES.

>> IT IS TOO LATE FOR MY MOM.

BUT YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE BY REQUIRING ESSENTIAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS ACCESS INTO THE HOMES WHERE THEIR LOVED ONES ARE WAITING.

>> THE LEGISLATION ALSO REQUIRES NURSING HOMES TO ALLOW FAMILY MEMBERS AND CLERGY TO VISIT RESIDENTS IN COMPASSIONATE CARE SITUATIONS EVEN DURING LOCKDOWN.

WELL, NURSING HOMES HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE DURING THE PANDEMIC, ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT HALF OF COVID-19 DEATHS.

DR. KATHLEEN MOP ROW, MONROE, THE CENTER FOR AGING, RESEARCH JOINS US NOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR, FOR BEING HERE.

YOU KNOW, THE BILL WE MENTIONED EARLIER WOULD REQUIRE A VISITATION PROGRAM, BUT THERE'S NOT MUCH THE STATE COULD DO IF A FACILITY DECIDES NOT TO DESIGNATE AN INDIVIDUAL AS ESSENTIAL.

SO WHAT WOULD A FAMILY MEMBER HAVE TO DO TO ENSURE VISITATION?

>> SO I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE LEGISLATION ITSELF, BUT WE ALREADY HAVE POLICY ON THE BOOKS THROUGH REGULATIONS, THROUGH OUR DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REGARDING ESSENTIAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS.

AND WHAT THAT POLICY STATES IS THIS IS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS OR OTHER SUPPORTIVE CAREGIVERS OF NURSING HOME OR FACILITY LIVING RESIDENTS WHO WOULD COME INTO A FACILITY AND CARING SUPPORT.

THIS COULD BE SETTING UP MEALS AND GROOMING AND JUST COMPANIONSHIP AND WOULD COME IN ONCE TO TWICE A WEEK AT LEAST, FOR UP TO TWO HOURS AT A TIME.

SO WE ARE ACTUALLY ONE OF ONLY ABOUT A DOZEN STATES THAT ALREADY HAS REGULATIONS AROUND ESSENTIAL FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.

PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, WHEN NOT JUST INDIANA, BUT NATIONALLY, ALL NURSING HOMES HAD TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS, WE DIDN'T NEED LEGISLATION LIKE THIS, I DON'T THINK.

YOU KNOW, NURSING HOMES WERE MUCH MORE OPEN FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN AND OUT OF.

>> SO IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE FAMILY VISITATION CONTRIBUTED TO THE SURGES THAT WE SAW EARLIER THIS SPRING AND SUMMER IN THESE LONG CARE FACILITIES?

>> THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE.

IN FACT, INDIANA HAS ALLOWED A BIT MORE VISITATION THAN OTHER STATES, BUT STILL, AS YOU CAN HEAR BY THE ANGUISH IN THE PERSON'S VOICE WHO SPOKE, YOU KNOW, IT HAS STILL BEEN VERY LIMITED.

SO NO, THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THAT THE VISITATION THAT HAS OCCURRED HAS CONTRIBUTED TO SPREAD.

>> AND DOCTOR, WE JUST HAVE A FEW SECONDS, WHAT CAN WE TAKE AWAY FROM THIS PANDEMIC WITH NURSING HOMES?

>> PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES WERE ALREADY ISOLATED FROM THE COMMUNITY.

THE PANDEMIC HAS MADE THAT A THOUSAND TIMES WORSE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF MAKING UP TO DO.

AFTER VACCINATION, I HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE MUCH MORE OPENING UP OF NURSING FACILITIES, NURSING HOME RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES DO NEED TO BE RECONNECTED.

>> DOCTOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>>> WELL, NEXT WEEK THE U.S. SENATE WILL VOTE FOR A SECOND TIME TO CONVICT FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMPMENT DONALDDONALDTRUMP.

-- FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

TRUMP'S LEGAL TEAM IS EXPECTED TO ARGUE THAT HE CAN NO LONGER BE IMPEACHED SINCE HE NO LONGER HOLDS THE OFFICE.

REPORTER BROCK TURNER HAS MORE.

>> AFTER BEING BANNED FROM TWITTER AND VOTED OUT OF OFFICE, FORMAL PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP REMAINS IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

NEXT WEEK, THE SENATE WILL HEAR ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST FOR THE TWICE IMPEACHED PRESIDENT.

WHETHER THEY WILL SECURE THE VOTES FROM 17 REPUBLICANS IS UNKNOWN.

INDIANA SENATOR TODD YOUNG CLAIMED THIS WEEK HE LISTENED TO BOTH SIDES BUT QUESTIONS THE CONSTITUTIONALITY.

>> IT'S AMBIGUOUS.

IT WAS WRITTEN AMBIGUOUSLY, BUT THERE'S SERIOUS LEGAL QUESTIONS, AS I ENTER WHAT WE NOW KNOW WILL BE A TRIAL, AND THOSE WILL BE BRIEFED BEFORE US.

>> PAUL HELMKE, THE FORMER REPUBLICAN MAYOR OF FORT WAYNE BELIEVES THAT FORMER OFFICE HOLDERS CAN BE BARRED.

>> ONCE YOU HAVE REMOVED SOMEONE FROM OFFICE, THEY ARE BY DEFINITION A FORMER OFFICE OLDER.

A YEAR AGO, THE SENATE HAD CONVICTED THEM AND HAVE REMOVED THEM FROM OFFICE.

THEY COULD HAVE VOTED ON WHETHER DISQUALIFY FROM HOLDING HIM FROM OFFICE, AND HE WOULD HAVE BEEN BY DEFINITION FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> YOUNG ECHOED SENTIMENTS FROM TRUMP'S LEGAL BRIEFS SUBMITTED EARLIER THIS WEEK, CLAIMING THE FORMER PRESIDENT IS A PRIVATE CITIZEN, AND THUS IS NOT ABLE TO BE IMPEACHED.

>> I'M HEARING THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS NOW A PRIVATE CITIZEN.

THERE ARE OTHER AVENUES FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO -- YOU KNOW, HOLD HIM TO CERTAIN CHARGES.

THERE ARE OTHER VENUES FOR THAT.

>> HELMKE SEES IT DIFFERENTLY AND INSISTS THE COURTS CAN'T BAR A CITIZEN FROM RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

>> IF THERE'S A CONCERN THAT DONALD TRUMP COULD RUN AGAIN, AND HE'S MADE NOISES TO THAT EFFECT AND IF THERE IS A CONCERN THAT BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS DONE, PARTICULARLY AROUND THE JANUARY 6th EVENT, MAKES HIM A FUTURE DANGER, THE ONLY WAY TO BARTRUM.

-- BAR TRUMP FROM GETTING BACK INTO OFFICE IS TO TRY HIM UNDER THE IMPEACHMENT PROVISION, TO CONVICT HIM UNDER THE IMPEACHMENT PROVISIONS AND THEN TO BAR HIM FROM HOLDING OFFICE IN THE FUTURE.

>> IF ALL SENATE DEMOCRATS VOTE TO CONVICT, 17 REPUBLICANS WOULD NEED TO JOIN THEM TO RESULT IN CONVICTION.

THEN THE SENATE COULD DECIDE TO BAR HIM FROM RUNNING AGAIN.

HELMKE DOUBTS THAT WOULD HAPPEN BUT HE SAYS HE WOULD VOTE TO CONVICT.

>> I THINK A LOT OF THEM WILL JUST TAKE AN EASY ESCAPE AND SAY, GEE, I DON'T LIKE WHAT TRUMP DID.

WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE, YOU KNOW WHAT ROLE TRUMP PLAYED IN THIS, BUT, YOU KNOW, SINCE HE'S OUT OF OFFICE, IT'S TOO LATE FOR US TO WEIGH IN.

I THINK THEY WILL TRY THE PROCEDURAL DODGE.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK THEY WILL DO THAT?

>> I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF ELECTED OFFICIALS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE THAT ARE STILL AFRAID OF DONALD TRUMP AND ARE AFRAID OF HIM STIRRING UP THEIR VOTERS.

AND SO THEY -- YOU KNOW, THIS WAY, THEY CAN SORT OF VOTE ON TRUMP'S SIDE BUT WITHOUT SAYING THAT THEY WOULD NECESSARILY DEFEND WHAT HAPPENS.

>> INDIANA'S OTHER REPUBLICAN SENATOR, MIKE BRAUN, WHO HAS EMBRACED UNVERIFIED ELECTION FRAUD CLAIMS FROM THE 2020 ELECTION DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

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

>> NOW, YOUNG WAS AMONG TEN GOP SENATORS WHO MET WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN EARLIER THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS DIFFERENCES ON THE COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS PROPOSING $1,400 CHECKS AND YOUNG WANTS THEM TO BE 1,000.

HE WILL CITES A STUDY FROM HARVARD ECONOMIST ROG CHETTI.

>> IF YOU HAVE A HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF $75,000 OR GREATER, DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH OF THAT 600 WAS SPENT ON AVERAGE?

14.

>> THE STIMULUS PACKAGE IS EXPECTED TO PASS ALONG PARTY LINES.

>>> WELL, BLOOMINGTON IS ONE OF NINE CITIES IN INDIANA THAT WILL WORK ON PROJECTS TO REDUCE THEIR IMPACT ON THE PLANET.

AS INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, THEY ARE TAKING THE NEXT STEP AFTER COMPLETING THEIR GREEN HOUSE GAS INVENTORIES OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

>> BY THE END OF THE YEAR, NEARLY 40 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS COVERING ALMOST HALF OF THE STATE'S POPULATION WILL BE WORKING ON SOME KIND OF EMISSIONS REDUCTION STRATEGY.

ANDREA WEBSTER IS THE IMPLEMENTATION MANAGER FOR INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE INSTITUTE, WHICH CREATED THE PROGRAM.

>> IT'S JUST SO EXCITING TO SEE THIS HAPPENING IN A STATE LIKE INDIANA, THAT HAS BEEN BEHIND FOR A WHILE.

AND WE'RE CATCHING UP.

>> THE CITIES TAKING PART IN THE NEXT STEP OF THE PROJECT WILL WORK WITH THE R.I. TO MAKE THEIR COMMUNITIES ELECTRIC VEHICLE FRIENDLY, LESSEN BARRIERS FOR SOLAR PROJECTS AND FIND MORE EFFICIENT WAYS TO TREAT WASTEWATER WHICH IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST SOURCES OF EMISSIONS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.

WEBSTER SAYS CITIES STILL HAVE TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THIS YEAR'S PROGRAM.

FOR INDIANA, PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WE BEGIN OUR LOOK AT BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH THE TRIB TO NEW ALBANY, WHERE THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO RESTORE A CHURCH THAT WAS A STOP ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

>>> AND THE PANDEMIC HAS LED TO A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT WHETHER IT'S SAFE TO BRING REUSABLE BAGS INTO GROCERY STORES.

AHEAD, THE RISK OF SPREADING COVID WITH REUSABLE BAGS.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE PANDEMIC HAS LED TO A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT WHETHER IT'S SAFE TO BRING REUSABLE BAGS INTO GROCERY STORES.

NOW, WHILE SOME STORES ALLOW THEM, OTHERS DON'T.

AS INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, THE SCIENCE ON HOW THE VIRUS SPREADS HAS EVOLVED.

>> IT'S A PRETTY DAY.

>> THE ENVIRONMENT HAS BEEN IMPORTANT TO CLAIRE OF INDIAN LIST FOR A LONG TIME.

SHE'S VEGETARIAN.

SHE RECYCLES AND, OF COURSE, SHE ALWAYS BRINGS HER REUSABLE BAGS TO THE GROCERY STORE.

>> THIS IS MY AARP BAG.

THERE'S A NICE LITTLE POUCH ON IT.

>> SINCE THE PANDEMIC, SHE'S BEEN FORCED TO USE PLASTIC BAGS.

SHE SAYS HER GROCERY STORES DO ALLOW REUSABLE BAGS AT THE SELF-CHECKOUT BUT SHE HAS TROUBLE PUTTING ITEMS ON THE CONVEYOR BELT.

SHE HAS >> THE CLERKS DON'T WANT TO TOUCH MYSELF BECAUSE, I GUESS THEY THINK I COULD PICK UP THE VIRUS THAT WAY.

IT HAS TO BE THEIR.

>> OF THE GROCERY STORE CHAINS WE FOUND IN THE STATE, ABOUT HALF OF THEM NO LONGER ALLOW REUSABLE BAGS OR LIMIT WHERE CUSTOMERS CAN USE THEM.

BUT JUST HOW LIKELY IS IT THAT A REUSABLE BAG COULD SPREAD COVID-19?

>> WHEN THE PANDEMIC FIRST HIT THE U.S., SCIENTISTS WERE NOT AS SURE ABOUT HOW THE VIRUS SPREADS AS THEY ARE TODAY.

THEY THOUGHT TOUCHING AN INFECTED SURFACE AND THEN TOUCHING YOUR EYES OR MOUTH COULD BE A BIG CONTRIBUTOR.

KEVIN SLATE IS A CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND DIRECTS THE INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE LAB.

HE SAYS NOW WE KNOW THE MAIN WAY COVID-19 SPREADS IS FROM PERSON-TO-PERSON.

SO WHEN AN INFECTED PERSON COUGHS ARECOUGHS OR TALKS AND NOT ELECTRIC TOUCHING SOMETHING LIKE A GROCERY BAG.

>> THEY NEED TO A HOST TO LIVE AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

SO WHEN THE VIRUS IS DEPOSITED, THE SERVICES ARE NOT VERY TABLE.

>> ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS LIKE TEMPERATURE AND AIR FLOW ALSO WEAKEN THE VIRUS.

>> WHAT I WOULD SAY THE RISK IS LOW.

IS THIS A RISK?

YES.

IS IT A PRIMARY ROUTE OF EXPOSURE, NO.

>> EVEN SO, THE SCIENCE ON COVID-19 IS EVOLVING ALL THE TIME.

SLATE SAYS GROCERY STORES ARE LIKELY ACTING OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION TO KEEP THEIR EMPLOYEES SAFE.

WE REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL GROCERY STORE CHAINS IN INDIANA, BUT ALL OF THEM DECLINED TO BE INTERVIEWED.

BUT THIS PERCEPTION OF SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAGS AS MORE SANITARY HAS HAD A MUCH WIDER IMPACT THAN GROCERY STORES ALONE.

IN MID-MARCH, THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ASKED THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST PLASTIC BAG BANS WHICH THEY SAID WAS PUTTING THE SAFETY'S AT RISK, AND SOME STATES HAVE PUT THEIR PLASTIC BAG BANS ON HOLD BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THAT'S CAUSED SOME CONCERN AMONG GROUPS TRYING TO REDUCE PLASTIC WASTE.

MIRIAM GORDON IS THE POLICY DIRECTOR FOR UPSTREAM.

HER GROUP HAS SPEND THE PAST 15 YEARS ADVOCATING FOR LAWS THAT ENCOURAGE THE USE OF REUSABLE BAGS.

>> WE SAW THIS AS A BIG THREAT TO ALL THE PROGRESS THAT WE HAD MADE.

>> BUT GORDON SAYS MANY OF THE STATES THAT INITIALLY HALTED THEIR PLASTIC BAG BANS BUT THEM BACK INTO EFFECT.

AND SHE FEELS CONFIDENT THAT ONCE THE BAN PANDEMIC IT OVER, THEY WON'T SEE THE NEED TO RESTRICT THE USE OF REUSABLE BAGS.

THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT THE SPREAD.

>> I ENCOURAGE YOU TO USE THE GROCERY BAGS MADE OUT OF COTTON OR WASHABLE FABRIC.

AS LONG AS IT'S ABLE TO BE WASHED IN A WASHING MACHINE AT A HIGHER TEMPERATURE.

>> SINCLAIR SAYS YOU SHOULD ALSO TRY TO LEAVE YOUR BAGS IN YOUR CART, INSTEAD OF PUTTING THEM ON THE CHECKOUT COUNTER WHICH IS A BREEDING GROUND FOR ALL KINDS OF GERMS.

>> AND THEN THE OTHER THING ON TOP OF ALL OF THIS IS WASH YOUR HANDS, BEFORE AND AFTER YOU COME OUT OF THE GROCERY STORE.

IT'S A HUGE PLACE AND IT'S GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVING THROUGH IT.

SO THE BEST THING TO DO IS WASH YOUR HANDS.

>> NEITHER THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, NOR THE STATE OF INDIANA HAS RELEASED GUIDANCE ON WHETHER OR NOT REUSABLE BAGS SHOULD BE USED IN THE GROCERY STORE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

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

>> THE STATE'S FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE ARE TRYING TO GET THE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT A BILL THAT WOULD TURN ALMOST ANYONE WHO PARTICIPATES IN A PROTEST THAT TURNS VIOLENT INTO CRIMINALS.

THE LEGISLATION IS AIMED AT LAST SUMMER'S BLACK LIVES MATTERS PROTEST.

AMONG THE BILL'S PROVISIONS IS MAKING VIOLATING CURFEW A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR AND IT SAYS IF ANYONE AT A RIOT IS KILLED ALL THE RIOTERS COULD BE CHARGED WITH FELONY MURDER.

AND IF THE PROTEST TURNS VIOLENT, ANYONE AT THE PROTEST CAN BE CHARGED WITH A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR.

>> COMMON SENSE.

IT'S NEEDED.

IT'S NEEDED.

IT'S NEEDED YEARS AGO AND EVEN MORE NECESSARY TODAY.

>> THE INDIANA PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S COUNCIL, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER COUNCIL, AND HOOSIER PRESS OPPOSED THE BILL.

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION HIRED JEFF HAUSWALD.

HE SERVED IN THE SAME ROLE FOR THE KOKOMO SCHOOL DISTRICT SINCE 2010.

HE WAS APPROVED BY A 4-1 VOTE.

HE WILL SUCCEED JUDY DEMUTH.

HE SAYS HE'S READY TO GET TO WORK.

>> HOW DO WE MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL LEARNERS BUT PARTICULARLY, IN AN EQUITABLE WAY FOR OUR STUDENTS?

SO THERE'S SO MANY CHALLENGES FACING US, BUT I'M CONFIDENT WITH THE EXPERTS AROUND THAT THEY'LL HAVE NO TROUBLE MEETING THOSE CHALLENGES.

>> HAUSWALD OFFICIALLY TAKES OVER ON JULY 1st.

UNTIL THEN, HE WILL SPEND SOME TIME IN THE COMMUNITY TO GET TRANSITIONED INTO HIS NEW ROLE.

>>> IN THE HISTORIC CITY OF NEW ALBANY, ONE LANDMARK TOWERS ABOVE THE REST.

A 170-YEAR-OLD CHURCH CHURCH THAT WAS ONCE A STOP ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

MITCH LEGAN REPORTS ON THE DEDICATION TO KEEPING THE BLACK HISTORY ALIVE.

>> THE REVEREND E LEROY MARSHALL DIDN'T REALLY WANT THE JOB WHEN HE FIRST APPLIED.

>> I DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT, AND THEN THEY CALLED ME BACK AND ASKED ME TO COME BACK.

I CAME BACK AGAIN AND KICKING AND SCREAMING, I BECAME PASTOR.

>> THEN ASIFTANT ASSISTANT BAPTIST, MARSHALL DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE OLD RUN DOWN CHURCH JUST A FEW MILES NORTH OF THE OHIO RIVER.

>> IT WAS A MESS.

>> BUT HE TOOK A JOB AT THE CHURCH.

HE'S GLAD HE DID.

IF HE HADN'T, HE SAYS ONE OF INDIANA'S MOST IMPORTANT HISTORICAL LOCATIONS WAS ON ITS WAY TO BEING CONDEMNED.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE KEYS TO THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN THIS AREA.

AND YOU CAN'T UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS CONGREGATION.

>> THE BUILDING IS CALLED UP TO CLOCK CHURCH, BECAUSE ITS 160-FOOT CLOCK TOWER.

IT WAS BUILT IN 1852 FOR A CONGREGATION, A PRESBYTERIAN OF ABOLITIONISTS, ALBANY'S LOCATION MADE IT A HUB FOR COMMERCE AND SHIPBUILDING AND THE POSITION RIGHT ON THE MASON-DIXON LINE MADE IT A HUB FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN ACTIVITY.

>> IT WAS JUST AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AREA, BECAUSE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER HELPING EACH OTHER, AND THEN THE CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNITY HERE AND THE NEW SCHOOL PRESBYTERIANS AT THIS PARTICULAR PLACE.

>> SINCE NEW ALBANY DEPENDED ON BUSINESS WITH KENTUCKY, THE CITY HAD A REPUTATION FOR BEING PRO SLAVERY, BUT THE PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION WENT OUT OF ITS WAY TO HELP ESCAPED BLACKS AND THE CHURCH BECAME AN INTEGRAL STOP ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

>> SO THE IDEA MAY BE TO GIVE THEM SHELTER HERE FOR A NIGHT, MAYBE DOWN HERE, MAYBE NOT.

I MEAN, SANCTUARY IS CALLED SANCTUARY FOR A REASON.

>> PETERSON SENS THE CHURCH ITSELF WAS LIKELY MORE OF AN ORGANIZING PLACE FOR LOCAL ABOLITIONISTS AND MUCH OF THE ACTUAL WORK HAVE OCCURRED AT MISSIONS ESTABLISHED ON THE RIVERBANK.

>> THEY HELPED THEM THERE WITH FOOD, WITH CLOTHING, WITH -- YES, WITH A WAY TO GET OUT OF THIS DANGEROUS OHIO RIVER VALLEY.

>> THOSE WHO MADE IT TO NEW ALBANY WERE NOT SAFE BY ANY MEANS.

SLAVE CATCHERS WERE IN HOT PURSUIT AND IT MEANT RETURNING ENSLAVED PEOPLE TO SOUTHERN OWNERS COULD BE LUCRATIVE AND WHILE THE END GOAL WAS TO GET TO THE WILDERNESS NORTH OF SALEM, THOSE WHO SAW THE SOARING CLOCK TOWER KNEW FREEDOM WAS WITHIN REACH.

>> WORD PASSED AROUND WITH THEM THAT THIS WAS A PLACE OF SAFETY, THAT IF THEY COULD JUST GET OVER HERE, IT WAS LIKE A POT OF GOLD.

IF THEY COULD JUST GET ACROSS TO THAT -- OVER THAT RIBBON OF WATER TO THAT CHURCH).

>> 2012, WHEN THE CHURCH WAS NEARING LAST LEG, FIN, MARSHALL, THEY FORMED FRIENDS OF THE TOWN CLOCK CHURCH.

THEY COLLECTED $350, BUT THEY ESTIMATED IT WOULD TAKE ALMOST HALF A MILLION TO REFURBISH THE CHURCH.

>> MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHEN THEY HEARD $480,000, SAID WE ARE CRAZY.

THERE'S NO WAY THAT WOULD HAPPEN.

>> BUT IT DID AND IT SHATTERED EXPECTATIONS.

TODAY THE CHURCH HAS RECEIVED NEARLY $1 MILLION, ENOUGH TO REPLACE THE STEEPLE THAT HAD BURNED IN 1915.

AND THERE ARE EVEN PLANS TO BILL AN UNDERGROUND RAILROAD CENTER NEXT DOOR.

>> IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO TELL THE STORY OF PEOPLE WHO WERE WILLING AND COURAGEOUS ENOUGH TO DO THE RIGHT THING EVEN IN THE FACE OF GREAT DANGER.

>> MARSHALL AGREES AND SAYS IN LIGHT OF EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST YEAR, TOWN CLOCK CHURCH PROVIDES AN EXAMPLE OF AMERICANS COMING TOGETHER FOR A BIGGER CAUSE.

WHETHER WE ARE DISCUSSING EVENTS FROM CENTURIES AGO OR EVEN ONES THIS DECADE.

>> A LOT OF TIMES WE TALK ABOUT DOING CERTAIN THINGS, ALONG RACIAL LINES, AND IMPROVING RACIAL TENSIONS AND THAT KIND OF THING.

BUT THIS COMMUNITY, FOR 12 YEARS, HAS BEEN HERE WITH US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

SO IT CAN BE DONE.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWS DESK, I'M MITCH LEGAN.

>> 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.

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