>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE STATE LOWERED THE MINIMUM AGE TO RECEIVE THE COVID-19 VACCINE TO 60 YEARS OLD THIS WEEK BUT SOME RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE FACING AN UPHILL BATTLE TO ADMINISTER THE VACCINE.

>> WITHOUT OUR VOLUNTEER STAFF IN GREEN COUNTY, WE WOULD BE VACCINATING 100 A WEEK.

AND WE'RE VACCINATING 500.

SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S MORE THAN DOUBLED.

>> AS PART OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WE LOOK AT HOW RACIALLY RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AND PROPERTY DEEDS LIMITED ACCESS FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS TO GET A HOME IN BLOOMINGTON DURING THE 20th CENTURY.

>> I TOLD THEM I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO BUY A HOUSE, BUT TRE'S NO REALTOR THAT WOULD SELL MEL ME A HOUSE.

>> AND WHAT BILLS ARE AND ARE NOT MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AT THE INDIANA STATE HOUSE, INCLUDING A MEASURE THAT WOULD LIMIT THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS.

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

♪ >> WELL, WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

ABOUT A MILLION HOOSIERS HAVE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE IS COVID VACCINE AND ABOUT HALF MILLION ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

MONROE COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE ADMINISTERING ABOUT 800 DOSES OF THE VACCINE EACH WEEK.

ONE OF THE CLINICS IS AT THE MONROE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER.

THIS WEEK, I GOT TO TAKE A TOUR TO SEE HOW THE PROCESS IS GOING.

BLOOMINGTON RESIDENT RICHARD WILSON SHOWED UP FOR HIS SECOND SHOT WEDNESDAY.

HE SAID IT WAS A LITTLE DEVIL TO REGISTER AT -- A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO REGISTER AT FIRST, BECAUSE ALL THE TIME SLOTS WERE BOOKED.

>> I FEEL VERY RELIEVED.

MY WIFE IS YOUNGER THAN I WAS, AND HER'S IS ON MARCH 31st.

>> HOOSIERS CAN SIGN UP FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE VACCINE.

THE PROCESS IS SIMPLE.

AFTER A QUICK TEMPERATURE CHECK, YOU ARE USHERED TO A TABLE.

AND FIVE TEMPORARY CUBICLES ARE SET UP TO ADMINISTER THE SHOT AND MAKE A RETURN APPOINTMENT.

>> YOU WANT IT RIGHT THERE?

>> YES.

>> JUST PUT IT RIGHT THERE.

>> THE PROCESS TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES INCLUDING A 15-MINUTE WAIT TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE EXPERIENCES A VERSE REACTIONS.

>> THE MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS ARE REALLY JUST A SORE ARM.

YOU COULD GET A LOW GRADE FEVER, AND A LITTLE BIT OF ACHINESS BUT THAT'S YOUR BODY ARE MAKING ANTIBODIES.

>> COUNTY SIDES ARE USING THE MODERNA AND THE HOSPITAL SITES ARE USING PFIZER.

THE MODERNA CAN BE STORED FOR 30 DAYS IN A REFRIGERATOR AND THE PFIZER MUST BE KEPT IN ALL TRA COLD STORAGE.

THEY -- ULTRA COLD STORAGE.

THEY RECEIVE ABOUT 1 MILLION DOSES BUT THAT NUMBER COULD GO UP NEXT WEEK.

THEY EXPECT TO RECEIVE THE VIALS OF THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

WILSON SAYS WHEN IT'S YOUR TURN TO VACCINATED, SIGN UP.

>> DON'T WAIT.

DO IT.

>> THE CONVENTION CENTER SITE HAS BEEN TAKING APPOINTMENTS SIN EARLY JANUARY ON MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND HALF DAY ON SATURDAYS, WITH HOPES TO EXPAND AS MORE VACCINE BECOMES AVAILABLE.

>> NOW, MONROE COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY ONCE THE WEATHER IMPROVES AND AGE RESTRICTIONS DECREASE, THEY HOPE TO SET UP DRIVE THRU CLINICS AND OUTREACH PODS.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS ARE ALSO EVER OFFER A SITE ONCE VACCINES BECOME MORE AVAILABLE.

>> AS RURAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS CONTINUE TO DISTRIBUTE VACCINES MANY ARE RUNNING INTO ISSUES BEYOND JUST HESITANCY.

BROCK TURNER HAS MORE ON THE UPHILL BATTLE SOME HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE FACING.

>> FOR SHERRY LEWIS THIS PAST YEAR IS BEYOND BE TRYING.

FOR MONTH SHE AND HER HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE FACED LIMIT BUDGETS AND HELPING SCHOOLS STAY OPENED.

WHILE VACCINES OFFER HOPE, IT'S ALSO ANOTHER TASK THAT TAXES THE LOCAL OFFICIALS.

DONATIONS FROM THE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION, RURAL RESIDENTS VIEW THEM AS A PERSONAL CHOICE AND LESS LIKELY TO BE WORRIED ABOUT CONTRACTING COVID-19.

PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCES AND STAFF TEND TO BE LIMITED IN THESE AREAS.

>> WE STARTED SLOW FOR THE FIRST TWO WEEKS.

JANUARY 11th, WE WERE VACCINATING EVERY OTHER DAY WITH ONE VACCINATOR.

>> BUT LEWIS AND HER TEAM WOULD QUICKLY RAMP UP THEIR EFFORTS, THANKS TO A GROUP OF 20 VOLUNTEERS.

>> WITHOUT OUR VOLUNTEER STAFF, WE WOULD BE VACCINATING 100 PEOPLE A WEEK AND NOW WE ARE VACCINATING 500.

THAT'S MORE THAN DOUBLED.

>> AMONG THOSE VOLUNTEERS ARE RETIRE NURSE PEGGY WOLF.

SHE'S VOLUNTEERED FOR OTHER DISASTERS.

SHE SAID A CALL FROM THE STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER PROVIDED THE INCENTIVE THAT SHE NEEDED TO HELP THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

>> I DECIDED TO HELP OUT AFTER DR.

BOX ASKED TO BE A HOOSIER HERO.

I HAVE DONE THINGS LIKE THIS BEFORE.

I SAID THAT'S ENOUGH.

AND THEN I JUST STARTED VOLUNTEERING DOING CONTACT TRACING WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

AND THEN -- AND THEN WE WENT FROM THERE TO SORT OF FORM VOLUNTEER ARMY FOR THIS VACCINE CLINIC.

SO -- >> WHILE WOLF INSISTS SHE'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE, OTHER VOLUNTEERS MIGHT NOT BE SO GIVING OF THEIR TIME.

IF ANY RURAL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS LACK THE STAFFS AND RESOURCES TO FULLY FUND THEIR OWN CLINICS.

BEFORE THESE VOLUNTEERS STEPPED UP, GREEN COUNTY COULD ONLY DEDICATE ONE STAFF MEMBER TO ITS VACCINE CLINIC.

SIMILAR CHALLENGES ARE FELT ACROSS STATE.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO KERRY THOMPSON, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR RURAL ENGAGE.

SHE SAYS THE CENTER AND OTHER THOUGHT LEADERS ARE DOING THEIR BEST, BUT RESOURCES TARGETED FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE RARE.

>> WE'RE ALL IN THIS ALONE ALMOST.

AND IF WE COULD DEVELOP SOME BEST PRACTICES AND DISSEMINATE THEM QUICKLY, IN A TRUSTED MANNER, AND ALLOW THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND WHO ARE INNOVATIVE WELL TO SHARE WHAT'S WORKING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, THEN I THINK THAT WE -- WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN A FASTER RESPONSE, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD LEARN FROM.

>> THOMPSON AND LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS AGREE MORE FUNDING FROM STATE COULD UNLOCK NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH MORE RESIDENTS.

>> FEDERAL AND STATE AID ARE GOING TO BE MADE AVAILABLE.

IT WILL BE PUT TO GREAT USE.

AND AT THE CENTER, WE ALWAYS -- WE ARE FIRM BELIEVERS THAT COMMUNITIES KNOW WHAT THEY NEED BEST.

>> LATE LAST YEAR, INDIANA SENT FUNDS TO LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS IN HOPES OF BOLSTERING STAFFING.

UP TO $40,320 TO INDIANA'S SMALLEST COUNTIES BUT IN MANY, RESOURCES ARE STILL SCARCE.

BOX INSISTED ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND MEMBERS FROM THE INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD ARE AVAILABLE FOR A VACCINE ADMINISTRATION.

LEWIS IS SEARCHING FOR FUNDING FROM ANYWHERE TO COMPENSATE HER VOLUNTEERS.

>> THEY ARE COMING.

THEY ARE SPENDING 20 HOURS OR MORE IN THE CLINIC AT, YOU KNOW, COMPLETELY FREE, LIKE TOTALLY VOLUNTEERING.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO BE IN A POSITION TO AT LEAST, YOU KNOW, COMPENSATE THEM FOR GAS, FOR LUNCH, YOU KNOW, SOME TYPE OF STIPEND.

>> WHILE SOME HEALTH DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STAFF CLINICS, SEVERAL LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS ADMIT THEY COULD BE VACCINATING MORE PEOPLE IF MORE FUNDING WAS AVAILABLE.

WOLF WILL CONTINUE TO VOLUNTEER AT THE POP UP VACCINE CLINIC IN GREEN COUNTY.

SHE'S TAKEN UP LOBBYING HER NEIGHBOR.

>> I HAVE A NEIGHBOR WHO IS ON THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND I HAVE -- I SOLICITED HIM TO SAY, YOU NEED TO GET THEM MORE MONEY SO WE CAN, YOU KNOW, HELP OUT WITH EITHER GAS OR JUST EVEN -- EVEN PERKS.

WE HAVE A WONDERFUL TEAM HERE THAT IT'S ALMOST LIKE A HOME MAKERS CLUB BECAUSE EVERYBODY BRINGS IN FOOD FOR US.

AND THE VOLUNTEERS BRING IT IN.

>> LEWIS INSISTS THE VOLUNTEERS úHAVE MADE A FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE AND GIVEN THIS COMMUNITY A SHOT IN THE ARM.

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

>> COVID-19 VACCINATIONS ARE RAMPING UP ACROSS INDIANA, BUT THE STATE CONTINUES TO LIMIT WHO CAN GET THE VACCINE.

PAT BEANE REPORTS.

>> WHILE INDIANA LOWERED THE MINIMUM AGE TO 60-YEAR-OLDS THIS WEEK, IT ALSO BEGAN CRACKING DOWN ON SITES IT SAYS ARE VACCINATING INELIGIBILITY HOOSIERS.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN A RARE INSTANCE, I WOULD SAY, WHERE INDIVIDUALS HAVE REALLY GONE WAY OUTSIDE THE GUIDELINES AND VACCINATING IS A SITUATION WHERE WE ASKED THAT THEY WOULD -- WE BASICALLY SAID THEY WOULD NO LONGER RECEIVE FIRST DOSES FROM US.

>> A RECENT LETTER TO STATE SAID PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ALREADY ELIGIBLE OR WITHOUT A QUALIFYING MEDICAL CONDITION SHOULD NOT SIGN UP FOR ANY WAIT LIST THAT.

HAS ELIMINATED THE ONLY AVENUE FOR TEACHERS UNDER 60 TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE.

>> EDUCATOR SHANNON BROWN CALLED THREE DIFFERENT PHARMACIES TO REGISTER FOR THE STANDBY LIST ABOUT A WEEK AGO LAST WEEK, SHE RECEIVED A CALL SAYING SHE WAS REMOVED FROM THE LIST.

>> A SECOND PHARMACY CALLED ME AND SAID THEY WERE NOT PRIORITIZING TEACHERS ACCORDING TO THE STATE'S ORDERS AND THEREFORE I WAS NOT ON THE LIST.

>> SHE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE.

SEVERAL TEACHERS AND SCHOOL LEADERS HAVE USED THE WAIT LIST TO GET THE SHOTS.

THEY ARE FRUSTRATED BY THE PUSH TO REOPEN SCHOOLS WITHOUT VACCINATING TEACHERS.

>> I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE THE STATE CARES.

I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE GOVERNOR HOLCOMB IS BEING REAL WITH US.

>> TANNER HAS ALREADY RECEIVED HER FIRST DOSE SO SHE WILL BE ABLE TO GET HER SECOND AS WELL.

BOX SAID SITES THAT VIOLATE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS WILL RECEIVE NO MORE FIRST DOSES UNTIL THEY COME INTO COMPLIANCE.

>> WHEN CLINICS DON'T FOLLOW THOSE GUIDELINES WHETHER IT'S FOR OVERALL ELIGIBILITY OR FOR THEIR WAIT LIST THEY CREATE INEQUITIES AROUND THE STATE OR EVEN WITHIN INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES.

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

>> INDIANA SURPASSED 12,000 CONFIRMED COVID-19 DEATHS THIS YEAR.

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE AN ADDITIONAL 425 SUSPECTED COVID-19 DEATHS.

NOW, THE STATE AVERAGED MORE THAN 96 DEATHS IN DECEMBER, 66 IN JANUARY, SO FAR IN FEBRUARY, STATE IS AVERAGING ABOUT 24 DEATHS PER DAY.

>> FROM WHERE WE WERE A MONTH AGO TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY, HAS BEEN AND I -- I DON'T USE THAT WORD LOOSELY, REMARKABLE.

>> WHILE ALMOST HALF THE STATE HAS MOVED INTO THE LOWEST BLUE ADVISORY RANGE, HOLCOMB EXTENDED THE COVID EMERGENCY PLAN FOR ANOTHER MONTH.

HE CITES AN INFLUX OF FANS INTO THE STATE FOR THE UPCOMING BIG 10 AND NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS AS A REASON TO REMAIN CAUTIOUS.

>> A GROUP OF BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ARE PROPOSING A NEW LAW TO PROTECT PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND CAMPING IN CITY PARKS.

AS ETHAN BURKS REPORTS, NOT ALL CITY OFFICIALS ARE ON BOARD.

>> BLOOMINGTON'S LONG-STANDING QUARREL WITH THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS CAME TO AN BOIL WHETHER AN ENCAMPMENT BEGAN IN SEMINARY PARK.

THE CITY THEN DECIDED TO ENFORCE PARK RULES THAT PROHIBIT OVERNIGHT SLEEPING.

THE CAMP WAS REMOVED TWICE IN EARLY DECEMBER AND THEN AGAIN IN MID-JANUARY.

BUT NOW THE CITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD GIVE CERTAIN PROTECTIONS TO THESE TYPES OF ENCAMPMENTS.

>> IT'S NOT AN IDEAL STEP.

IT IS NOT IDEAL FOR ANYBODY TO BE CAMPING OUTSIDE IN THIS WEATHER.

HOWEVER, PEOPLE ARE DOING IT AND PEOPLE WILL DO IT REGARDLESS BECAUSE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE PEOPLE WHO CANNOT GO TO A HOMELESS SHELTER.

>> PIEDMONT SMITHA LONG WITH FELLOW COUNCILMEMBERS, ARE COSPONSORING ORDINANCE 21-06.

THE LAW WOULD REQUIRE THE CITY TO GIVE A 15-DAY NOTICE BEFORE REMOVING ANY FUTURE ENCAMPMENT, AS WELL AS TO STORE PEOPLE'S PERSONAL BELONGINGS FOR UP TO 60 DAYS FOR RETRIEVAL.

>> THE CURRENT POLICIES CRIMINAL HOMELESSNESS AND VIOLATES THE RESIDENT'S RIGHTS AND DIGNITY THIS IS A WAY TO STOP DOING THAT.

>> IT WOULD LET THE CITY CHOOSE WHERE AN ENCAMPMENT ALLOWS BUT UNDER TWO CONDITIONS THAT IT MUST BE WITHIN MILE OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES MEALS FIVE TIMES PER WEEK AND THAT IT MUST HAVE ACCESS TO A PUBLIC RESTROOM.

BLOOMINGTON HAS THREE ARE PLACES THAT PROVIDE THESE SERVICES, WHEELER MISSION, BEACON AND THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN.

AN ENCAMPMENT WOULD HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE WITHIN THESE ZONES.

>> IT CITIES A PATH TO PROPER HUMANE WAYS OF GETTING EVERYTHING THEY WANT WHILE HONORING THE OBVIOUS NEEDS OF OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS.

IT WILL CLEARLY ESTABLISH A ZONE THAT WILL NOT AFFECT BUSINESS OR RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

>> BUT NOT EVERYONE SUPPORTS THE PROPOSED LAW.

CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ARE SPLIT ON THE DECISION AND MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON AND HIS ADMINISTRATION ARE AGAINST IT.

>> I'M NOT SURE IT'S IN THE CITY'S CORE SERVICE AREA TO LOCATE A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FOR A PLACE TO STAY.

>> 9 CITY DOES NOT HAVE THE STAFF TO MAINTAIN A 24-7 ENCAMPMENT, NOR IS IT QUALIFIED TO DO SO.

HE SAYS IT'S THE CITY'S JOB TO KEEP WORKING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

THE GREATER BLOOMINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING IT DOES NOT SUPPORT THE LAW EITHER DUE TO SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM BUSINESSES NEAR SEMINARY PARK AND BLOOMINGTON BARKS AND RECREATION IS -- PARKS AND RECREATION IS WHERE IT WOULD RESULT IN ATED COSTS FOR ITS DEPARTMENT.

>> TO BUILD A BRAND NEW RESTROOM IN AN AREA THAT DOES NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A RESTROOM IS UPWARDS TO $175,000.

>> ANOTHER KEY POINT OF DEBATE WAS THE LANGUAGE OF THE ORDINANCE ITSELF, WHICH SAYS A CAMP MAY NOT BE REMOVED IF SUFFICIENT HOUSING ISN'T AVAILABLE.

THE COUNCIL AS A HOLE IS WHOLE IS ASKING FOR MORE CLARIFICATION AND SAYS IT CAN NOT MAKE A DECISION UNTIL THOSE DETAILS ARE STRAIGHTENED OUT.

>> I THINK IT'S FLAWED ON MANY LEVELS NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH THE FISCAL IMPACT THAT HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFULLY STUDIED AND PRESENTED TO US AND THAT'S ONE OF OUR BIGGEST RESPONSIBILITIES UP HERE.

>> THE ISSUE WILL BE DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

NOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN BURKS.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE STATE LEGISLATURE MARKED THE HALFWAY POINT OF ITS SESSION THIS WEEK.

AHEAD, WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BILLS IN THE WORKS.

AND AS PART OF THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WE TAKE A LOOK AT COVENANTS AND DEEDS THAT PREVENTED AFRICAN AMERICANS FROM BUYING OR RENTING HOMES IN BLOOMINGTON.

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

ARE.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE EDUCATION SAYS STANDARDIZED TESTING IS AI A GOOD THIS SPRING AFTER BEING CANCELED LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF COVID-19.

THE GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING STATES SOME FLEXIBILITY IN HOW THOSE TESTS ARE ADMINISTERED AND HOW THE DATA IS USED IN THE FEDERAL AND STATE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS.

BUT MONROE COUNTY COMMUNICATE SCHOOL CORPORATION -- COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION, MARKAY WINSTON QUESTIONS THE VALUE OF THE TESTS.

>> WE DON'T THINK THAT ASSESSING OUR CHILDREN IN THE MIDST OF THIS PANDEMIC IS GOING TO GIVE US ACCURE ATE ACCURATE AND RELIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STILLS THAT OUR CHILDREN POSSESS.

>> WHILE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS OFFICIALLY AT THE HALFWAY POINT, INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING BRANDON SMITH JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE BILLS MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH BOTH HOUSES.

HELLO, BRANDON.

THE HOUSE APPROVED A TWO-YEAR, $36 BILLION BUDGET THIS WEEK.

WHAT ARE A COUPLE OF REPUBLICANS SELLING POINTS?

>> WELL, REPUBLICANS TOUT 378 MILLION NEW DOLLARS FOR K-12 TUITION SUPPORT, THOUGH MORE THAN A THIRD OF THAT MONEY WOULD GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

THEY ALSO POINT TO GRANTS THEY CREATED FOR SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY, STUDENT LEARNING LOSS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, TRAINING AND FACILITIES AND REGIONAL VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT.

NOW DEMOCRATS, LIKE INDIANAPOLIS REPRESENTATIVE ED DELANEY, SAY THAT THE BUDGET IS FAILING TO ADDRESS MANY OF THE STATE'S CRITICAL NEEDS.

>> WILL WE CONTINUE TO BE OVERWEIGHT WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND LOW COLLEGE GRADUATION RATES S. THAT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO?

CONTINUE TO PAY OUR TEACHERS $10,000 LESS THAN THEY SHOULD BE MAKING?

THIS BUDGET IS ABSOLUTELY DEVOID OF ANY VISION.

>>> DEMOCRATS ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE FACT THAT REPUBLICANS REJECTED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEIR AMENDMENTS TO THE BUDGET, INCLUDING SMALL AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR FOOD BANKS, WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES AND PRE-K EDUCATION.

>> OVER IN THE SENATE, REPUBLICANS PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO TAKE UP CASES LOCAL PROSECUTORS DELINED TO.

WHAT SOME ARE ISSUES THAT LED TO THAT ACTION?

WELL, IF YOU LISTEN TO THE BELL'S AUTHOR, REPUBLICAN SENATOR MIKE YOUNG, HE POINTS TO PROSECUTORS IN OTHER PARTS THE COUNTRY, WHO HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WON'T BE CHARGING CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF CRIMES WHICH IS WHAT THIS BILL WOULD COVER.

BUT, OF COURSE, EVERYONE ELSE THINKS AND BELIEVES THAT MIKE YOUNG IS DOING THIS BECAUSE HE DISAGREED WITH INDIANAPOLIS PROSECUTOR RYAN MOORES DECISION NOT TO CHARGE PEOPLE IF THEY POSSESS SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA AN OUNCE OR LESS.

>> BOTH CHAMBERS ARE CONTROLLED BY LARGE REPUBLICAN MAJORITIES.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT THE DEMOCRATS WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN ADDRESSED.

>> NOT JUST LARGE, BUT SUPERMAJORITIES.

SO DEMOCRATS LITERALLY DON'T HAVE MUCH OF A SAY IN ANYTHING.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO GET TO A LOT OF ISSUES THAT REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT TO GET TO.

EXPANSION OF VOTING RIG BUT ONE THING THAT THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, LED BY GREG TAYLOR REALLY POINTS TO IS HELP FOR BOOKING HOOSIERS.

>> DON'T THOSE WORKERS WHO IN THE TIMES OF PANDEMIC HAD TO GO TO WORK, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AND KEEP THE FREEDOMS WE HAVE TODAY, DON'T THEY DESERVE AN INCREASED MINIMUM WAGE?

>> ALL RIGHT.

BRANDON THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OUT OF TIME BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT HAPPENS IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SESSION.

>>> THANK YOU, JOE.

>> WITH BLACK HISTORY MONTH COMING TO A CLOSE, A LOOK BACK AT AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN BLOOMINGTON, WHERE MITCH LEGAN STANDS BY WITH THE LATEST INSTALLMENT OF CITY LIMITS.

>> I'M HERE ON JACKSON STREET IN BLOOMINGTON'S NEAR WEST SIDE.

THE AREA AROUND ME WAS HOME TO SOME SOME OF THE EARLIEST BLACK COMMUNITY.

>> I THINK THE MAIN THING THAT STRIKES ME IS THAT THERE'S SO MUCH WE DON'T KNOW AND IT'S VERY EASY FOR US NOT TO KNOW?

>> THE MOST BASIC SENSE, COUGH NEXTS IS A PRIVATE AGREEMENT THAT THEAGREEMENTBUYER OF A PROPERTY.

IT COULD COVER EVERYTHING FROM HOW TALL THE FENCE IS AND WHAT COLOR THE HOUSE IS PAINTED AND IN THE PAST WHO COULD LIVE THERE.

>> AT FIRST I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

AND THEN I TOTALLY COULD BELIEVE IT.

>> AS THE MONROE COUNTY RECORDER, ERIC SCHMIDT COMES ACROSS THE COVENANTS REGULARLY IN HIS WORK, SO MUCH THAT HIS OFFICE BEGAN A PROJECT LAST YEAR TO COLLECT AND IDENTIFY DOCUMENTS CONTAINING THE RACIAL LANGUAGE.

>> SOMETIME IN THE '20s WAS THE EARLIEST ONE I WAS ABLE TO FIND.

>> ONE LOCAL HISTORIAN TRACED THE COVENANT TO 1917, WHEN WAS INSERTED INTO A DEED.

THE REAL ESTATE SHALL NEVER BE RENTED TO A COLORED PERSON OR SOLD TO A COLORED PERSON.

TODAY THAT AREA SITS OFF 7th 7th STREET ACROSS FROM DUNN MEADOW.

>> AND BASICALLY, THEY -- THEY THRIVED AND THEY HELPED TO DEFINE AND DETERMINE THE WAY THAT AMERICA SUBURBIA LOOKED.

THE RECORDER'S OFFICE HAS IDENTIFIED AT LEAST 10 BLATTS 10 10 PLATS CONTAINING THE -- 10 PLATS CONTAINING THE LANGUAGE.

THE CITY'S NUMBER IS LIKELY MUCH HIGHER.

>> I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR SPREADSHEET AGAIN.

HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS HOW MANY THERE ARE IN THE MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS.

>> THEY CONTINUED THROUGH 1948, WHEN THE SUPREME COURT RULED THEM UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> IT SIMPLY SAID THEY ARE UNENFORCEABLE AS CONTRACTS.

WE ARE NOT SAYING YOU HAVE TO GET RID OF THEM.

WE ARE NOT SAYING YOU HAVE TO WIPE THEM OUT.

WE ARE NOT SAYING YOU COULD SUE SOMEBODY FOR TRYING TO PUT IT IN THERE.

WE ARE JUST SAYING THAT THE COURTS WILL WASH THEIR HANDS OF IT JUST BECAUSE THE COVENANTS WERE MADE ILLEGAL, IT DIDN'T MAKE BUYING A HOUSE ANY EASIER.

THE SOCIAL PRESSURE KEPT HOMEOWNERSHIP A PRIMARILY WHITE VENTURE.

>> SOCIAL PRESSURE IS -- IS AS SIGNIFICANT AS LEGAL PRECEDENT.

>> JUST ASK KEN THOMAS WHO LOVED TO BLOOMINGTON IN 1965.

DESPITE HAVING A GOOD JOB AND BEING A KOREAN WAR VETERAN, THOMAS WAS UNABLE TO FIND A HOME TO BUY.

>> IT WAS AWFUL.

AND THERE WAS ONE REALTOR THAT STICKS IN MY MIND.

HE ABSOLUTELY TOLD ME THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING A PERSON OF COLOR COULD BUY.

>> HE SPENT HIS FIRST MONTHS IN TOWN REPRESENTING, WHILE GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM LOCAL REALTORS UNTIL ONE DAY, A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS NOTICED THOMAS' OUT-OF-TOWN LICENSE PLATE AND THEY GOT TO TALKING.

I SAID I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO BUY A HOUSE BUT THERE'S NO REALTOR THAT WOULD SELL ME A HOUSE.

AND HE SAID, WELL, I'M A BUILDER.

HE SAID, IF YOU BUY A LOT, I WILL BUILD YOU A HOUSE.

>> OTHERS GOT AHEAD.

ISSUE BEFORE IT COULD BECOME A PROBLEM.

GENE DEVEIN WAS FRIENDS WITH A WHITE LAWYER WHO ENSURED EVERYTHING WENT SMOOTHLY.

>> HAVING GROWN UP IN THE SOUTH AND UNDERSTANDING THE UNWRITTEN RULES, I DECIDED TO CIRCUMVENT THAT.

I HEARD COMPLAINTS FROM FRIENDS OF OURS WHO TRIED TO GET HOMES AND WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL WITH IT?

>> THE FAIR HOUSING ACT OF 1968, PUT MECHANISMS IN PLACE TO ENSURE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN HOUSING, BUT BLOOMINGTON DIDN'T DIFFER MUCH WHEN IT CAME TO RACIAL COVENANTS.

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

>>> INDIANA IS AMONG TEN STATES THAT EXPERIENCED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN GAS PRICES OVER THE PAST WEEK.

ADAM PINSKER TELLS US WHY THE WINTER STORM IS NOT THE ONLY REASON NOR THE SPIKE.

>> THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR A GALLON OF GAS WENT UP 13 CENTS DURING THE PAST WEEK.

HOOSIERS ARE PAYING 16 ENTER CONSIDERS MORE PER GAME THAN THEY DID LAST WEEK, HOWEVER THE NATIONAL AND STATEWIDE AVERAGE FOR A GALLON OF UNLEADED GAS IS $2.063.

>> THEY ARE NOT GOING DOWN ANY TIME SOON.

AT LEAST NOT DRASTICALLY GOING DOWN ANY TIME SOON.

>> A WINTER STORM THAT TOOK OUT 40% OF THE NATION'S REFINERIES IS PARTLY TO BLAME.

THE STORM DUMPED RECORD AMOUNTS OF SNOW.

EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE ARE DRIVING LESS, THE PRODUCT OF CRUDE OIL IS INCREASING.

>> WHAT IS DRIVING CRUDE OIL PRICES IS THE PROMISE OF VACCINATION.

WE STARTED TO SEE THE CRUDE OIL PRICES AROUND THE ELECTION.

>> IT WILL NOT REACH THE LEVELS SCENE DURING PRECOVID-19 SUMMER TRAVEL SEASONS.

>> THE MARKET IS OPTIMISTIC THAT, YES, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TRAVEL THIS SUMMER AND ARE PEOPLE GOING TO SNOWFALL TRAVEL?

YES?

BUT WE DON'T ANTICIPATE IT BEING ANYWHERE THAN A TYPICAL SUMMER.

>> IN THE MARCH OF 2020, THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A GALLON OF GAS IN INDIANA WAS $1.084 AND $1.099 NATIONALLY.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK" I'M ADAM PINSKER E. >> AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY PLANS TO RETURN TO ALL PERSON LEARNING.

MICHAEL McROBBIE SAYS THE DECISION WAS MADE WITH THE ADVICE OF THE SCHOOL'S MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS AND THAT COVID-19 CASES ON CAMPUS REMAIN MANAGEABLE.

HE ADDED A RETURN TO NORMALCY IN THE FALL RELIES ON STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF GETTING VACCINATED AS SOON AS THEY BECOME ELIGIBLE.

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: