>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A DECISION TO LOWER THE STATE'S AGE REQUIREMENT TO RECEIVE THE COVID-19 VACCINE HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK BECAUSE OF WINTER STORMS THIS WEEK.

>> WE HAVE EXPERIENCED DELAYS IN VACCINE SHIPMENTS DUE TO THE BAD WEATHER.

WE HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED OUR MODERNA VACCINES FOR THIS WEEK.

>> AHEAD, MORE ON THE VACCINE AND PLANS TO DELIVER IT TO HOMEBOUND HOOSIERS.

>>> LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXPAND THE ELIGIBILITY OF STATE-FUNDED PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS FOR FAMILIES PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

BUT FORMER STATE SUPERINTENDENTS ARGUE THE BILL WOULD DIVERT FUNDS FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>> WE'RE IN THE THROES OF A PANDEMIC, WHICH CHALLENGES TECHNOLOGY, TEACHING TECHNIQUES, STUDENT AND PARENT SUPPORT.

>> AND WE VISIT AN AIRPORT IN SEYMOUR THAT WAS A TRAINING GROUND FOR THE HISTORY-MAKING TUSKEGEE AIRMEN DURING WORLD WAR II.

THOSE STORIES AND THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK"!

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

INDIANA STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY CANCELLATIONS BECAUSE OF THE RECENT SNOWSTORMS HAVE CAUSED A DELAY IN EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

MORE THAN 43,000 VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS WERE IMPACTED BY THE SEVERE WEATHER THIS WEEK.

THE STATE HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED DELAYS IN GETTING ITS SHIPMENT OF THE VACCINE DUE TO THE BAD WEATHER AND HAS YET TO RECEIVE ITS ALLOTMENT OF THE MODERNA VACCINE.

NOW THAT MEANS STATE WON'T BE OPENING ELIGIBILITY TO HOOSIERS AGE 60 AND OLDER THIS WEEK.

>> VACCINE WILL CONTINUE TO REMAIN A PRECIOUS RESOURCE FOR SOME TIME.

BUT WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT OUR APPROACH WILL PROTECT THOSE WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE AND PUT INDIANA IN A STRONG POSITION TO EMERGE FROM THIS PANDEMIC.

>> NOW WEAVER EXPECTS STATE TO LOWER THE MINIMUM AGE TO GET THE VACCINE TO 60 NEXT WEEK.

>>> INDIANA'S COVID-19 NUMBERS CONTINUE TO TREND DOWNWARD.

TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE FALLEN BELOW 1,000 FOR FIRST TIME SINCE OCTOBER, AND THE STATE HAS RECORDED VIEWER THAN 1,000 NEW POSITIVE TESTS EVERY DAY THIS WEEK.

INDIANA REPORTED JUST 29 NEW DEATHS ON THURSDAY, ALL BUT TWO INDIANA COUNTIES ARE IN THE BLUE OR YELLOW RANGE, WHICH MEANS SEVEN-DAY POSITIVITY RATES OF LESS THAN 9%.

THE STATE'S OVERALL SEVEN DAY POSITIVITY RATE, 4.5%.

>> THIS IS ALL POSITIVE NEWS.

WE CONTINUE TO MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT PLEASE, PLEASE, CONTINUE TO WEAR YOUR MASKS, STAY SOCIALLY DISTANCED AND STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK.

AND GET TESTED.

>> THE STATE HAS REPORTED MORE THAN 12,000 DEATHS FROM COVID-19, INCLUDING BOTH CONFIRMED AND CLINICALLY DIAGNOSED DEATHS, SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

>> WELL, THERE ARE MANY IN THE STATE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINATION BUT CAN'T GET TO A VACCINATION SITE.

PAT BEANE REPORTS ON A SITE THAT TAKES THE VACCINE TO HOMEBOUND HOOSIERS.

>> THERE ARE NOW ALMOST 400 SITES AROUND STATE FOR ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS TO RECEIVE THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

BUT JUST GETTING TO A SITE CAN BE AN ISSUE FOR SOME HOOSIERS.

>> MANY OF OUR PEOPLE ARE NOT MOBILE, AND THEY ARE AMBULATORY, THEY ARE ON WALKER OR CRUTCHES OR IN A WHEELCHAIR.

SO THEY MAY HAVE SOME DIFFICULTY GETTING INTO A SITE TO GET THAT VACCINE.

>>> THAT'S WHERE THE STATE'S HOMEBOUND HOOSIER PORTAL PROJECT COMES IN.

PORTAL IS A PLACE FOR AREA AGENCIES ON AGING TO ENROLL PERSONS THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED WHO MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA TO HAVE THE VACCINE ADMINISTERED IN THEIR HOMES.

>> KIND OF A NATURAL PROGRESSION TO PARTNER WITH THE AREA AGENCIES BECAUSE WE ALREADY KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT MIGHT HAVE DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VACCINE.

AND ARE IN THOSE PRIORITY DEMOGRAPHICS TO GET THE VACCINE FIRST.

>> THE PROJECT PARTNERS WITH LOCAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE COMPANIES WHO ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO THE PORTAL.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE E.M.S.

COMPANY WILL GATHER UNUSED VACCINES FROM LOCAL CLINICS AND CONTACT THOSE IN THE PORTAL TO COORDINATE IN-HOME VACCINATVACCINATIONS.

THRIVE ALLIANCE, BASED IN COLUMBUS, WENT LIVE WITH THE PROGRAM ON MONDAY, AND THE FIRST IN-HOME VACCINATION IN THAT AREA WAS ADMINISTERED THAT AFTERNOON.

THE AREA 10 AREA AGENCY ON AGING HAS REGISTERED ALMOST 50 INDIVIDUALS IN THE PORTAL BUT NEITHER COUNTY HAS ENACTED THE PROGRAM YET.

ROAMER HAS BEEN TOLD THAT THEY WILL UTILIZE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT E.M.S.

WHEN THE FIRE PROGRAM IS UP AND RUNNING.

THE AGENCY IS MAINTAINING CONTACT WITH THE PERSONS NORTHAL IN THE MEANTIME.

>> IF THEY END UP GETTING A CALL FROM ONE OF THOSE E.M.S.

PROVIDERS, STATING, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE VACCINE DOSE, COULD WE COME BY AND VACCINATE YOU THIS EVENING, THEN WE CAN GET THAT FEEDBACK AND KIND OF KNOW THAT IT'S REALLY KICKED OFF AND IT'S ACTUALLY IN PLAY.

>> TO QUALIFY FOR THE PORTAL, INDIVIDUALS MUST MEET TWO ESTABLISHED CRITERIA.

FIRST, THE INDIVIDUAL MUST NEED SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION OR THE ASSISTANCE OF ANOTHER PERSON TO LEAVE THEIR HOME, OR THEY HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION THAT MAKES LEAVING HOME AN ISSUE.

IF THE PERSON MEETS EITHER OF THOSE, THEY MUST MEET BOTH OF THE SECOND CRITERIA, A NORMAL INABILITY TO LEAVE THE HOME AND LEAVING HOME MUST REQUIRE A CONSIDERABLE EFFORT.

THE AREA AGENCIES ON AGING ARE GO-TOES AND WITH THE MINIMUM AGE OF 65, AREA 10 AND THRIVE ALLIANCE ARE THERE TO HELP.

>> WE DID TAKE A LOT OF CALLS INITIALLY TO GET PEOPLE REGISTERED.

THEN WE KEPT AN ONGOING LIST OF WHO NEEDS AN IN-HOME VACCINE.

>> AND THRIVE IS THE AREA FOR 11, WHICH INCLUDES THESE COUNTIES.

THRIVE ALLIANCE HAS BEEN GETTING OLDER HOOSIERS SET UP TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> WE TOOK OVER 650 CALLS FOR PEOPLE WANTING TO GET A VACCINATION, AND THAT WAS EITHER IN-HOME OR, YOU KNOW TO A WALK-IN CLINIC IF THERE WAS ONE AVAILABLE.

>> AND WHILE HOMEBOUND HOOSIERS DON'T COME IN CONTACT WITH AS MANY INFECTION POINTS, GETTING THEM VACCINATED REMAINSMAINS IMPORTANT.

>> THEY NEED PEOPLE TO COME TO THEM TO PROVIDE CARE.

AND SO IF THEY ARE VACCINATED, THEN THAT CAN HELP, YOU KNOW, PROTECT THEM IN THE EVENT THAT, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE THAT'S COMING TO HELP THEM, YOU KNOW, MIGHT BE SOMEONE THAT'S A CARRIER.

>> ROAMER IS EAGER TO GET THE PROGRAM UP AND RUNNG IN AREA 10.

>> SO, YES, IT WILL BE WONDERFUL TO CONNECT WITH SOME COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO GET THOSE VACCINES IN THE HOME.

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

>>> TO REGISTER FOR THE VACCINE, GO TO OURSHOT.IN.GOV.

CALL 211 OR YOUR LOCAL AREA AGENCY ON AGING.

>> AND OUTRAGE OVER THE WORDING IN A JOB DESCRIPTION AS GEORGE HEALTHHEALTHREPORTS, IT COMES AFTER OF STAFF MEMBERS AT NEWFIELDS AND THE INDIANA MUSEUM OF ART CIRCULATED A PETITION CALLING FOR HIM TO LEAVE.

>> THE PETITION FOLLOWS A JOB POSTING FOR A NEW MUSEUM DIRECTOR POSITION THAT REFERENCED MAINTAINING THE INDIANAPOLIS MUSEUM OF ART'S QUOTE, CORE WHITE ART AUDIENCE.

IT HAS SINCE BEEN CHANGED TO SAY THE MUSEUM SEEKS TO WELCOME AND EMBRACE A MORE DIVERSE AUDIENCE, WHILE MAINTAINING ITS TRADITIONAL CORE ART AUDIENCE.

>> THAT IS -- THAT IS VERY UNIQUE TO THE INSTITUTION.

LIKE, THERE'S NOT A -- THERE'S NOT A REAL FINGER, YOU KNOW, ON THE PULSE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING, YOU KNOW, IN THE BROADER ART WORLD AND THE BROADER AMERICAN SOCIETY.

EVEN IN INDIANAPOLIS, AS A CITY, YOU KNOW WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES, YOU KNOW, AROUND RACE OR ANTIRACISM OR WHITE SUPREMACY AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

>> MORGAN SAID SHE LEFT IN 2020 OVER WHAT SHE CALLED A TOXIC CULTURE THAT ALIENATED PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND IGNORED THEIR CONCERNS.

SHE SAYS THE PROBLEM IS LEADERSHIP.

EVEN BEFORE THE LATEST CONTROVERSY ERUPTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SHE WAS HEARING FROM FORMER COLLEAGUES WHO RAISED OBJECTIONS TO THE DESCRIPTION.

>> THAT'S THE OTHER THING, IS LIKE STAFF HAS BEEN PUSHING AGAINST THIS STUFF INTERNALLY FOR YEARS.

>> ON SATURDAY, THE INSTITUTION EXPRESSED REGRET FOR THE JOB LISTING, SAYING, QUOTE, IT WILL BE OUR CHALLENGE FOR YEARS TO CONTINUE BUILDING OUR DIVERSITY, EQUITYITY AND INCLUSION.

NEWFIELD'S OFFICIALS INITIALLY SAID THEIR INTENTION WAS TO EMPHASIZE THE AMBITION OF GROWING NONWHITE AUDIENCES WITHOUT ALIENATING THE PRESENT WHITE VISITORS.

>> THE WHOLE IDEA -- YOU KNOW, JUST STARTING AT THE ROOT OF THIS THING, LIKE, RIGHT, THE WHOLE IDEA THAT BEING INCLUSIVE SOMEHOW EXCLUDES YOUR WHITE AUDIENCE, YOU KNOW -- ONE IS RACIST IN AND OF ITSELF.

TWO, IT ASSUMES THAT YOUR WHITE AUDIENCE IS ALSO RACIST.

>> THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND GOVERNORS ON WEDNESDAY, SAID THAT AN INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE WOULD CONDUCT A REVIEW OF ITS LEADERSHIP, CULTURE AND BOARDS.

FOR WTIU NEWS, I'M GEORGE HALE.

>>> NOW, OFFICIALS THERE ALSO SAY THEY'LL EXPAND EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMMING FOR AND BY BLACK AND OTHER MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, AND CONDUCT ANTIRACISM TRAINING.

>>> WELL, PLANNERS ARE NARROWING DOWN A LIST OF FOUR POTENTIAL ROUTES LINKING SOUTHERN INDIANA TO CENTRAL INDIANA IN WHAT IS BEING CALLED THE MIDSTATE'S CORRIDOR PROJECT.

AS ADAM PINSKER REPORTS, THEY EXPECT TO IDENTIFY A PREFERRED ROUTE THIS FALL.

>> JUST A KNEW HOURS SOUTH OF THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF INDIANAPOLIS, DRIVING THROUGH SOUTHERN INDIANA MAKES FOR A SCENIC TRIP, NO MALTER WHAT TIME OF YEAR, BUT THE ROLLING HILLS AND FARMLAND WILL BE MORE ACCESSIBLE IN THE FUTURE WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE MIDSTATE'S CORRIDOR.

>> IT'S TRAVEL TIME.

IT'S LOGISTICS.

IT'S CONNECTIVITY.

IT'S TALKING ABOUT IMPROVED CONNECTIONS AND WHEN YOU HAVE IMPROVED CONNECTIONS FOR BOTH PEOPLE AND GOODS, IT GENERALLY LEADS TO MORE OPPORTUNITIES.

SNOOP THERE ARE FOUR POTENTIAL ROUTES, ALL OF THEM BEGINNING IN THE SOUTHERN INDIANA TOWN OF ROCKPORT AND PROGRESSING THROUGH JASPER.

EACH PROPOSED ROUTE ENDS SOMEWHERE ALONG I-69 BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND BLOOMINGTON.

THE EXACT SPOT IS UP IN THE AIR.

>> THE PROJECT TEAM EXPECTS TO IDENTIFY A PREFERRED CORRIDOR THIS FALL.

>> TO REDUCE COSTS THEY ELIMINATED THE POSSIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING A FREEWAY.

INSTEAD, THEY WILL CONSIDER A EXPRESSWAY WHICH HAS TWO LANES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS OR A SUPER TWO.

>> A SUPER TWO IS ONE TRAVEL LANE IN EACH DIRECTION AND THEN A PASSING OR AUXILIARY LANE OR WIDER SHOULDER WHERE APPROPRIATE THROUGHOUT THAT ROUTE.

>> THE PROJECT TEAM IS EXAMINING COMBINATIONS OF ALIGNMENTS AND CONSIDERING UPGRADES TO THE EXISTING U.S. 231, WHICH ALREADY MAKES UP A GOOD CHUNK OF THE PROPOSED ROUTES.

MIDSTATE'S CORRIDOR OFFICIALS PLAN NO HOLE PUBLIC HEARINGS THIS FALL TO DISCUSS THE PREFERRED ROUTE.

>> EVEN WHEN WE HAVE A PREFERRED CORRIDOR THIS FALL, AS I SAID, THERE'S MORE WORK TO DO.

TIER 2 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES WILL FOLLOW.

THOSE ARE MUCH MORE DETAILED AND THOSE WILL IDENTIFY THE SPECIFIC ALIGNMENTS WITHIN THAT PREFERRED CORRIDOR.

>> IT COULD TAKE TWO YEARS TO FINISH THE TIER TWO STUDY BEFORE ANY CONSTRUCTION CAN BEGIN, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS TO SIGN OFF ON THE FINAL PLANS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ADAM PINSKER.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE REPUBLICAN-LED HOUSE PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXPAND ELIGIBILITY OF STATE-FUNDED PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

AHEAD, WHAT THAT MEANS FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>>> AND WE VISIT AN AIRFIELD IN SEYMOUR THAT WAS A TRAINING SITE FOR THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN YOU ARE DIDDING DOCTOR DURING WORLD WAR II.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF THE PROPOSED STATE FUNDING HIKE FOR INDIANA SCHOOLS COULD GO TOWARDS STATE'S PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM UNDER A REPUBLICAN-BACKED PLAN THAT COULD BOOST THE PROGRAM'S COST BY NEARLY 50% OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

REPUBLICANS TOUT THE VOUCHER EXPANSION PROGRAM AS GIVING PARENTS MORE VOICES OVER HOW TO -- CHOICES OVER HOW TO EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN, WHILE DEMOCRATS AND OTHER OPPONENTS ARGUE THAT IT FURTHER DRAINS FUNDING FROM TRADITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO DIVERT ANY OF OUR FUNDING FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION WHERE 94% OF OUR STUDENTS ARE EDUCATED.

WE'RE IN THE THROES OF A PANDEMIC WHICH CHALLENGES TECHNOLOGY, TEACHING TECHNIQUES, STUDENT AND PARENT SUPPORTS, AND WORKFORCE ISSUE ISSUES.

>> THE BILL IS HEADED TO THE SENATE FOR FURTHER DEBATE.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY STEVE HENIFELD, AN ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR AT THE INDIANA MEDIA SCHOOL, WHO WRITES ABOUT K-12 EDUCATION FOR THE INDEPENDENT SITE, SCHOOL MATTERS, HELLO, STEVE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

SCHOOL VOUCHERS, AGAIN,' HOT TOPIC AT THE STATE HOUSE.

NOW PROPONENTS OF THE SCHOOL CHOICE EXPANSION BILL SAY, IT GIVES PARENTS MORE CONTROL OVER THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

ISN'T THAT A GOOD THING?

>>> WELL, IT'S CERTAINLY A GOOD THING FOR PARENTS TO BE MORE INVOLVED WITH AND MORE ENGAGED WITH THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION, AND, YOU KNOW, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE FOR PARENTS TO BE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

I THINK THERE ARE QUESTIONS FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE THAT YOU CAN RAISE ABOUT WHETHER PARENTS SHOULD HAVE ABSOLUTE CONTROL OVER THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION, WHETHER IT'S FUNDED -- WHEN IT'S FUNDED BY THE PUBLIC AND THOUGHT OF AS A PUBLIC GOOD OR A PUBLIC BENEFIT, SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS ALL OF US AND NOT JUST AN INDIVIDUAL BENEFIT FOR THE PARENT OR THE CHILD.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES DEMOCRATS HAVE WITH THE BILL?

>> WELL, I THINK, YOU KNOW, AS YOU MENTIONED, THE COST IS A REALLY MAJOR ISSUE, THAT THIS WOULD EAT UP ABOUT A THIRD -- ACTUALLY MORE THAN A THIRD, I THINK CLOSE TO 40% OF THE BUDGETED INCREASE IN FUNDING FROM SCHOOLS.

IT'S ALL ONE POT, POT OF MONEY AND SO THE MORE MONEY THAT'S GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS THROUGH VOUCHERS, THE LESS MONEY THAT'S GOING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SO THAT'S A BIG PART OF IT.

AND THEN THE OTHER PART OF IT IS JUST, I THINK, THE POLICY QUESTION OF WHETHER ITS APPROPRIATE FOR THE STATE TO BE FUNDING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, PRIVATE EDUCATION THAT IT DOESN'T REALLY HAVE THAT MUCH IS NOT AS MUCH ACCOUNTABILITY AND IT WILL GO TO MIDDLE AND UPPER-INCOME FAMILIES AND NOT TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

>> WE JUST HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT.

STATE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A DECADE.

HAS IT BEEN A SUCCESS?

>> IT'S BEEN A SUCCESS AT HELPING PRIVATE SCHOOLS, MOST OF WHICH ARE RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS, HELPING FAMILIES WHO WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO HAVE A RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, AT THOSE PARTICULAR SCHOOLS, ACADEMICALLY, NOT SO MUCH SO RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THE STUDENTS WHO GET VOUCHERS ARE NOT DOING AS WELL AS STUDENTS WHO REMAIN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> ALL RIGHT, STEVE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

>>> WELL, TENSIONS FLARED IN THE INDIANA HOUSE CHAMBER THURSDAY AFTER REPUBLICANS BOOED AND HECKLED DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS WHO VOICED CONCERNS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION IN A BILL.

THE LEGISLATION WOULD ALLOW A St. JOSEPH COUNTY TOWNSHIP TO LEAVE THE RACIALLY DIVERSE SOUTH BEND SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR NEARBY SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT IS OVERWHELMINGLY WHITE.

AN ARGUMENT ENSUED OUTSIDE THE CHAMBER AND INDIANA BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS CHAIR ROBIN SHACKLEFORD SAYS REPRESENTATIVE SEAN EBERHART HAD TO BE RESTRAINED FROM GOING AFTER VANESSA SUMMONS.

>> FOR A MEMBER TO TAKE IT TO A VIOLENT SITUATION AND LOOK LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO HIT A MEMBER AND HAVE TO BE PULLED AWAY FROM A MEMBER AND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S A WHITE MALE VERSUS A BLACK FEMALE, THEN WE HAVE SOME SERIOUS ISSS THERE.

>> WELL, SHACKLEFORD SAID SHE ASKED HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HOUSTON LAST YEAR TO REQUIRE ALL HOUSE LAWMAKERS TO UNDERGO IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING AND REPEATED THAT REQUEST TO HIM ON THURSDAY.

>>> WELL, GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB HAS SIGNED SENATE BILL ONE WHICH GIVES BUSINESSES AND INSTITUTIONS LIABILITY PROTECTIONS NOR MOST COVID-19 LAWSUITS.

THE BILL REQUIRES AN INDIVIDUAL FILING THE SUIT TO SHOW EVIDENCE OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

HOLCOMB SAYS HE BELIEVES THE MOST HOOSIER BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN DOING THE BEST THEY CAN TO PROTECT THEIR EMPLOYEES, AND CUSTOMERS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE LAW RETROACTIVELY PROTECTS BUSINESSES DATING BACK TO MARCH OF LAST YEAR, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH 2024.

>>> THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY TO DECLARE DISASTER EMERGENCIES WOULD BE RESTRICTED UNDER LEGISLATION APPROVED BY A SENATE COMMITTEE.

>> SO THAT PEOPLE DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY WERE LEFT LEFT OUT OR DON'T FEEL THEY HAD ANY INPUT INTO THE ORDERS THAT AFFECTED TOM PEOPLE.

>>> SENATOR GLICK'S BILL WOULD ONLY ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO DECLARE A WIDE-SPREAD EMERGENCY FOR 45 DAYS WITHOUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY GETTING TO WEIGH IN.

IF THE THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, THE EMERGENCY COULD GO FOR 60 DAYS, BUT AFTER THAT, ONLY LAWMAKERS COULD EXTEND THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION FURTHER.

THE BILL ALSO GIVES THE LEGISLATURE MORE AUTHORITY ON HOW TO SPEND FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT COME TO THE STATE DURING AN EMERGENCY.

>>> INDIANA -- OR BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD GIVE MORE PROTECTIONS TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THE ORDINANCE WOULD REQUIRE THE CITY TO GIVE A 15-DAY NOTICE BEFORE REMOVING ENCAMPMENTS FROM PUBLIC PARKS AND SPACES AND ALLOW PEOPLE TO CLAIM ANY NON-PERISHABLE BELONGINGS.

IT'S IN RESPONSE TO THE MAYOR ORDERING THE REMOVAL OF TENTS ALAST MONTH FROM SEMINARY PARK WHERE PEOPLE WERE SLEEPING.

THE PROPOSAL WOULD ALSO FORBID THE CITY FROM REMOVING ANY CAMP IF SUFFICIENT HOUSING IS NOT AVAILABLE.

>>> WE CONTINUE OUR LOOK BACK ON BLACK HISTORY IN SOUTHERN INDIANA, BY TURNING OUR ATTENTION TO SEYMOUR, WHERE THE CITY'S CONNECTION TO THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CONTINUES TO INSPIRE.

MITCH LEGAN REPORTS.

>> TO SEYMOUR AND BACK, EASILY NO REFUELING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> GROWING UP IN SEYMOUR, HE WAS OFTEN AT THE LOCAL AIRPORT WHERE HE WOULD SPEND HOURS WATCHING PLANES FLY IN?

>> EVERY SO OFTEN, MY DAD WOULD TAKE ME OUT HERE AND CHECK OUT THE PLANES AND ANYTHING THAT'S OUT ON THE TARMAC.

>> AS HE GREW OLDER, HE LEARNED THE HISTORY OF THE SMALL AIRPORT AND WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN DURING WORLD WAR II, IT WAS HOME TO AN AIR BASE AND TUSKEGEE AIRMEN WHO SET THE EXAMPLE FOR BLACK AMERICANS FIGHTING SEGREGATION, RIGHT HERE IN INDIANA.

>> I NOTICED A PLAQUE OUTSIDE THE MUSEUM AND I REALIZED THAT THAT PLAQUE WASN'T ENOUGH TO HONOR THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN.

YOU KNOW, IT WAS GOOD THAT THE PLAQUE WAS THERE, BUT IT JUST REALLY DIDN'T BRING OUT HOW SIGNIFICANT THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN WERE.

>> FOR THE EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT HE CONSTRUCTED A PLAZA OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT HONORING THE AIRMEN.

>> I KNEW IT WAS FREEMAN FIELD, ARMY AIRFIELD.

>> AND IS NOW COLLECTING FUNDS TO PLACE TWO STATUES NEARBY.

>> TAKE THAT BUSH OUT AND PUT A STATUE RIGHT THERE AND THEN ONE ON THIS BUSH AND THEY WOULD BOTH BE LIFE-SIZED STATUES.

>> IN HAD MARCH OF 1945, A BLACK AIR UNIT THE 4 477th BOMBARDMENT ARRIVED AND LEARNED TO FLY LARGE BOMBERS.

>> IN REALITY, EVERYTHING WAS WIDELY SEGREGATED.

AND SO NO BASE REALLY WANTED THES GUYS.

THERE INADEQUATE TRAINING KINKED AND MEMBERS OF THE 477th WERE TOLD NOT TO STEP FOOT IN THE OFFICE'S CLUB FOR SUPERVISORS AND INSTEAD USE THE CLUB FOR TRAINEES.

>> THIS WAS A THINLY VEILED ATTEMPT TO FURTHER SEGREGATION ON BASE BUT ARMY REGULATIONS PROHIBITED SEGREGATION IN MILITARY BUILDINGS LIKE THE ONE BEHIND ME AND THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT THE 4 # 77th WAS AWARE OF.

>>> 477th WAS AWARE OF.

>> SOME OF THESE WERE COMBAT VETERANS AND THEY HAVE FLOWN IN EUROPE ALREADY.

THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR THE CRAP ABOUT THE INFERIOR FACILITIES AND THEY DECIDED IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA TO INTEGRATE THE WHITE HOWEVERS HOWEVER -- THE WHITE OFFICERS CLUB.

>> THERE WAS AN ARREST OF 61 AIRMEN.

BASE LEADERSHIP DEMANDED THE SOLDIERS SIGN AN ORDER SAYING THEY UNDERSTOOD THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CLUB.

101 REFUSED AND WERE ARRESTED.

>> THERE IS A DELIBERATE CALCULATION TAKING PLACE, TRADING BLOOD FOR CITIZENSHIP.

HOW DO YOU DENY BASIC CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO PEOPLE WHO FOUGHT TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION?

>> NEWSOF WHAT BECAME AS THE FREEMAN MUTINY QUICKLY SPREAD ACROSS THE COUNTRY, MAKING IT LOOK HIP TOE CRITICAL AT HOME -- -- LIPPO HYPOCRITICAL AT HOME.

>> IT BECAME FIRST TIME THAT AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WAS IN CHARGE OF A MILITARY BASE IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES.

>> THE MUTINY WAS KEY IN THE DESEGREGATION IN THE MILITARY WHICH WOULD OCCUR THREE YEARS LATER BUT IT WAS ALSO ONE OF THE EARLIEST AND BEST EXAMPLES OF AFRICAN AMERICANS USING NONVIOLENT PROTEST IN HAD THEIR FIGHT FOR RACIAL JUSTICE.

>> FREEMAN FIELD MUTINY WAS AN EXAMPLE OF NONVIOLENT PROTESTS THAT BECAME A MODEL FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS IN THE '50s AND '60s.

>> NOW THAT MANY AIRMEN ARE NO LONGER WITH US, DUVALLA IS WORKING TO KEEP THEIR LEGACY ALIVE AND HIGHLIGHT THE DEEP TIES TO THE HOOSIER STATE.

>> THIS ISN'T A MATTER OF WHAT SOMEONE ELSE DID WRONG.

THIS WAS WHAT THE AIRMEN DID THAT WAS RIGHT.

AND HAVING THE COURAGE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY THOUGHT COULD HAPPEN.

THEY DID THE RIGHT THING WITHOUT EXPECTING AN IMMEDIATE REWARD.

>> WITH HIS LEADERSHIP, A STRETCH OF I-65 NEAR SEYMOUR SEYMOUR WAS DESIGNATED THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN HIGHWAYHIGHWAY IN 2016.

TIM HAS COLLECTED HALF THE FUNDS BUT STILL HAS ABOUT $40,000 TO GO.

>> THE STORY IS MUCH GREATER THAN JUST FLYING AIRPLANES.

IT'S ABOUT WANTING TO SERVE ONE'S COUNTRY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATTAINING THE GREATER BENEFITS OF WHAT OUR COUNTRY AND CONSTITUTION HAVE PROVIDED.

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

>>> AND WITH WINTER WEATHER GRIPPING THE NATION, PEOPLE ARE STILL TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE OUTDOORS.

VIDEOGRAPHER, JOY MENDOLIA, CAUGHT UP WITH A PAIR OF SKATERS AT GRIFFY LAKE.

>> THE ICE RINK HERE IN BLOOMINGTON HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE NOVEMBER.

WE HAD TO SKATE IN INDIANAPOLIS.

WE HAD TO SKATE IN COLUMBUS.

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A POND TO FREEZE SO THAT WE COULD MAYBE SKATE SOMEWHERE CLOSER TO HOME.

THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME.

WE TRIED TO MAKE IT IN BEFORE THE SNOW STARTS UP AGAIN.

THIS ONE IS QUARANTINED NOW FOR SCHOOL.

SO HE CAN'T BE WITH HIS TEAM PRACTICE.

WE THOUGHT HE'S FEELING GOOD AND WE BROUGHT HIM OUT A LITTLE BIT TO GET HIS LEGS UNDERNEATH HIM.

>> JUST TO GET OUT HERE FOR MAYBE 30 MINUTES, SKATE AROUND AND GET MY LEGS UNDER ME AFTER BEING LOCKED AT HOME.

IT BRINGS BACK SOME OLD MEMORIES AND IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

I USED TO LIVE UP IN GIESE, AND BACK IN 2010, WE HAD A BIG ICE STORM.

SO FOR ABOUT A WEEK, I COULD SKATE IN THE BACKYARD.

SO THIS KIND OF FEELS LIKE THAT.

>> 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: