>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA IS NOT EXPANDING VACCINE ELIGIBILITY AS QUICKLY AS NEIGHBORING STATES, AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS PLACING THE BLAME ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> WHETHER WE HAVE VACCINE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE WHO IS ELIGIBLE, THOUGH, DEPENDS ON OUR SUPPLY OF VACCINE.

>> AHEAD A LOOK AT HOW FAR THE STATE IS LAGGIN BEHIND AND WHETHER IT WILL BE ABLE TO OPEN UP ELIGIBILITY TO EVERYONE ON MAY 1st.

>> LEGISLATION MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE HOUSE WOULD MAKE IT EASY TO SEND CONVICTED JUVENILES TO STATE PRISONS.

>> I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD PUSH THESE KIDS DIRECTLY INTO ADULT COURT WITHOUT TAKING A LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCE OF EX-CASE.

>> AND WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES ARE CASHING IN BUT OFTEN AT THE EXPENSE OF LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

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

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, INDIANA HAS BEGUN TO LAG BEHIND OTHER STATES IN GETTING PEOPLE VACCINATED FOR COVID-19.

OFFICIALS SAY THAT'S IN PART BECAUSE THE STATE ISN'T GETTING AS MANY DOSES.

THE STATE DID LOWER THE MINIMUM AGE TO GET THE VAC SEEP TO 45 -- VACCINE TO 45, BUT SOME NEIGHBORING STATES HAVE OPENED UP ELIGIBILITY TO ALL ADULTS.

KRIS BOX SAYS THEY HOPE TO HAVE IT OPEN TO ALL ADULTS MAY 1st.

>> WHETHER WE HAVE VACCINE AVAILABLE DEPENDS ON THE SUPPLY OF VACCINE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE CDC, ONLY 6 STATES HAVE RECEIVED FEWER DOSES PER 100,000 PEOPLE THAN INDIANA.

THE STATE'S POPULATION RANKS 17th IN THE NATION.

BOX SAYS THE STATE IS EXPECTING LARGER AMOUNTS OF THE VACCINE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LATE THIS MONTH AND INTO EARLY APRIL.

INDIANA GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB WILL DELIVER AN ADDRESS ON TUESDAY CHARTERING THE STATE'S PATH OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>>> LEGISLATION MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY COULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS TO SERVE TIME IN ADULT PRISONS.

ADAM PINSKER SPOKE WITH SOME ADVOCATES TRYING TO CHANGE THE LEGISLATION.

>> 17-YEAR-OLD ALEX PEREZ ADMITS HE'S NOT PERFECT.

>> I HAVE BEEN IN THE SYSTEM A COUPLE OF TIMES, BUT BESIDES THAT, REALLY I'M A HARD-WORKING YOUNG PERSON.

>> PEREZ IS ONE OF MANY TEENS REFERRED BY THE COURT SYSTEM TO VOICES, A COMMUNITY OUTREACH ORGANIZATION IN INDIANAPOLIS.

THE DAY REPORTING PROGRAM ALLOWS FOR STUDENTS TO COMPLETE THEIR SCHOOL WORK, EARN A G.E.D.

AND BUILD LIFE SKILLS.

>> SINCE WE HAVE STARTED DAY REPORTING, WE STARTED ALMOST 400 STUDENTS AND TWO-THIRDS OF THEM HAD A GUN CHARGE.

>> AND VOICE'S DIRECTOR IS WORRIED ABOUT HOUSE BILL 1369 WHICH REPEALS A LAW REQUIRING PEOPLE TO OBTAIN A PERMIT IN ORDER TO CARRY A HANDGUN IN INDIANA.

IT WOULD CREATE A NEW CRIME FOR MINORS CAUGHT CARRYING A GUN.

>> THEIR OFFENSE WOULD BE CALLED UNLAWFUL POSSESSION, AND IT'S A -- FOR THE MOST PART, IT'S A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR TO BEGIN WITH, BUT THERE ARE SOME FACTORS WHICH RAISE IT TO A LEVEL FIVE FELONY.

>> EXCEPTIONS FOR POSSESSING A HANDGUN AT HOME OR AT A FIRING RANGE ARE NOT CARVED OUT IN THE NEW BILL.

AND THAT CAN MEAN JAIL TIME FOR MINORS CARRYING THE HAND GUNS.

>> SOME OF THESE CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN THE EXACT SAME NEIGHBORHOODS AND ARE DEALING WITH VERY CONCERNING CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE NOT BEING PROTECTED BY THE ADULTS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND SOMETIMES WE'LL RESORT TO ACCESSING FIREARMS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

>> HE'S ALSO WORRIED ABOUT ANOTHER BILL THE LEGISLATURE IS DEBATING THAT WILL REQUIRE CONCERN CRIMES JUVENILES ARE CHARGED WITH BE AUTOMATICALLY CHARGED IN ADULT COURT.

ONE PROVISION EXTENDS THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON CHILD MOLESTATION.

A CHILD WHO COMMITTED A CRIME AT 14, COULD BE TRIED AS AN ADULT AT 18.

>> A 14-YEAR-OLD BOY AND 13-YEAR-OLD GIRLFRIEND.

THAT'S THE AGE DIVIDE.

THE 14-YEAR-OLD BOY AND THE 13-YEAR-OLD GIRLFRIEND ENGAGE IN CONDUCT THAT WOULD ON FONDLING.

>> WEINKE UNDERSTANDS THEY ARE TRYING TO LOOK OUT FOR CHILDREN, BUT IT COULD POSE UNINTENTIONAL CONSEQUENCES.

>> THE REALITY IS I DON'T THINK IT'S MAKING THIS WORLD SAFER BY USING THIS DIRECT FILE CONCEPT AND PUSHING THEM DIRECTLY INTO ADULT COURT WITHOUT TAKING A LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCE OF EACH CASE.

>> WEINKE AND RANDALL AGREE THAT ALLOWING MORE JUVENILE CRIMES TO ADULT COURT WILL HURT BLACK AND BROWN YOUTH MORE THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

THERE WAS A SURVEY OF 139 UNDER ADULT COURT SURVEY.

112 ARE DIRECT FILE CASES AND 27 WERE WAIVED MEANING THE JUVENILE COURT PASSED IT ALONG TO THE ADULT COURT.

BLACK JUVENILES CONSISTED OF 66%.

AND BLACK JUVENILES MADE UP 70% OF THE WAIVERS TO ADULT COURT COMPARED TO 19% OF WHITE DEFENDANTS.

>> THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND EVEN OTHER SYSTEMS LIKE EDUCATION, THESE SYSTEMS WERE BUILT TO BENEFIT WHITE PEOPLE.

THEY WERE NOT CEILATED -- CREATED TO BENEFIT PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> RANDALL WORRIES IF THE LEGISLATURE PASSES LAWS THAT ALLOWS MORE JUVENILE CRIMES TO BE TRIED IN ADULT COURT, IT WOULD PREVENT KIDS FROM PEREZ FROM COMPLETING THE VOICES DIVERSION PROGRAM.

>> IF LAWS LIKE THIS WERE PASSED, HE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN WITH US.

HE WOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN HIS G.E.D.

HE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE, YOU KNOW, SUCCESSFUL IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

>> PEREZ HE IS PURSUE A CAREER IN HEATING, VENTILATION CAREER.

SPEAKING TO KIDS YOUNGER THAN HIM ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE SYSTEM.

>> TELLING THEM, LIKE, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE IN A MESSED UP POSITION WITH THE SYSTEM.

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

>> THE INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY WILL CHOOSE A NEW STATE CHAIR SATURDAY AS CURRENT HEAD JOHN ZODI STEPS DOWN AFTER EIGHT YEARS AT THE HELM.

BRANDON SMITH REPORTS ON WHAT EXACTLY THE STATE CHAIR OF THE POLITICAL PARTY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR.

>> MILLPOLITICAL SCIENTIST SAYS THE PARTY CHAIR IS A DIFFICULT BUT VITAL POSITION.

YOU EXPERIENCE THEIR INFLUENCE THROUGH ELECTIONS.

THEY IDENTIFY AND RECRUIT CANDIDATES AND THEY ALSO DIRECT MONEY.

>> YOU ONLY HAVE SO MANY RESOURCES.

SO WHERE THAT MONEY GOES EVEN IN TERMS OF WHERE WILL THE TALENT, WHERE YOU ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO HIRE IN CERTAIN WAYS.

THEY ARE INFLUENCE THE ORGANIZATION OF CAMPAIGNS THEMSELVES.

>> BECOMING THE NEW CHAIR OF INDIANA DEMOCRATS WILL BRING PRESSURE.

>> THEY NEED TO PROVIDE A NEW FOCUS MOST LIKELY.

IT WILL ALIGN THE MESSAGING, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN RESONATING WITH HOOSIER VOTERS.

AND MOTIVATING PEOPLE.

>> THERE ARE TWO CANDIDATES FOR THE STATE DEM CHAIR.

I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>> INDIANA LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAY THEY WANT TO END THE 2021 SESSION MORE THAN A WEEK EARLY, AND THEY PLAN ON MOVING UP THEIR DEADLINES TO DO SO.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS UNTIL APRIL 29th TO FINISH ITS WORK BUT SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM SAYS LAWMAKERS HOPE TO WRAP UP BY APRIL 21st.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S MORE EFFICIENT AND SAVES STATE MONEY IF WE ARE NOT HERE A WEEK.

AND IF WE GET OUR BUSINESS DONE, I THINK WE GET BACK HOME AND MOST HOOSIERS WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.

>> LAWMAKERS OFTEN TRY TO END SESSION EARLY, BUT THEY ALMOST NEVER MOVE UP OTHER DEADLINES TO DO SO.

LAWMAKERS MUST STILL PASS A NEW STATE BUDGET AND LIKELY DECIDE HOW TO SPEND $3 BILLION IN NEW FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS.

>> WELL, IT'S MARCH MADNESS IN INDIANA AND HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL ENTERS SEMI STATE PLAY.

WHILE MANY FACILITIES ARE TAKING THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS, SOME HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE WORRIED THE LARGE CROWDS PACKING HIGH SCHOOL GYMS COULD POSE RISKS FOR REIGNITING AN OUTBREAK.

BROCK TURNER HAS MORE.

>> IMAGES OF CELEBRATIONS AND CROWDS LIKE THESE IN HIGH SCHOOL GYMS ACROSS INDIANA ARE COMMONPLACE PREPANDEMIC, BUTZ NOW THEY ARE CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

WHILE INDIANA AND COVID-19 POSITIVITY RATE AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE AT THE LOWEST LEVELS IN MONTHS, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE STILL SOUNDING ALARMS ABOUT LARGE CROWDS GATHERING FOR BASKETBALL.

>> I GET IT.

IT'S MARCH MADNESS, AND THIS IS INDIANA.

WE HAVE TO GET THROUGH ANOTHER ROUND OF BASKETBALL BEFORE WE CAN LET OUR GUARDS DOWN.

>> WHILE THE STATE IS HOSTING 68 TEAMS FOR THE NCAA MEN'S TOURNAMENT, RESTRICTIONS, DALE ILL TEST -- DAILY TESTING ARE TO PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION.

LAST YEAR HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL WAS THE SOURCE OF MULTIPLE SUPERSPREADER EVENTS.

EACH REQUIRES PREAPPROVAL, BUT OFFICIALS HAVE LITTLE WAY TO ENFORCE PLANS ONCE THEY ARE APPROVED.

>> WE ARE JUST NOT ABLE TO WITH THE AMOUNT OF STAFF WE HAVE.

RELY ON PEOPLE TO FOLLOW THE RULES AND DO WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO FOR THE MITIGATION AND M SURE THAT THEY ARE ENFORCING IT ON THEIR SIDE.

>> NORTH DAVIESS HIGH SCHOOL DID NOT RESPOND TO MULTIPLE REQUESTS FOR COMMENT ON THEIR PLAN AND ENFORCEMENT STRATEGIS.

AFTERRISMAGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA SHOWED NEARLY FULL STADIUMS WITH FEW PEOPLE WEARING MASKS BUT OTHER SCHOOLS ARE BEING MORE TRANSPARENT AND SOCIALLY DISTANT.

SEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL'S LLOYD E. SCOTT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY AND BEEN HOSTING ISHAA TOURNAMENT GAMES FOR DECADES.

>> OUR MAIN MISSION AS HOST IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE TEAMS -- WE DO WHAT WE CAN TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY, AS FAR AS MOVING ON TO THE NEXT WEEK.

>> ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, KIRK MANS SAYS THEY ARE LIMITING CELEBRATIONS AND CLEANING THE VENUE IN BETWEEN GAMES.

MANNS CREDITS THE CUSTODIAL STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL LOCAL OFFICIALS.

4,000 SPECTATORS HAVE NOT SHOWN UP TO ANY EVENT THUS FAR AND HE EXPECTS THAT WILL BE THE CASE THIS WEEKEND AS WELL.

>> AND WE ARE NOT GETTING TO HAVE CAPACITY RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE I JUST -- I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT READY TO COME OUT YET FOR WHATEVER REASON THAT IS.

AND SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO -- FOR FOLKS TO GAIN THAT TRUST BACK, AND TO WANT TO COME OUT AND INBOUND A CROWD.

MONTH MOST >> MOST ARE COMPLIANT.

WHILE THE ATMOSPHERE IS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR, HE INSISTS THE LEVEL OF PLAY IS STILL THE SAME, AS WELL AS THE COACHING AND THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL, ALL OF WHICH ARE HALLMARKS OF INDIANA BASKETBALL.

>> T CARRYINGS 50 UHL SPECTATOR RIGHT NOW -- THE CASUAL SPECTATOR, A LOT OF THEM ARE MAKING THE DECISION, NOT YET FOR ME.

AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS AND WE MOVE INTO HOPEFULLY BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, YOU KNOW, LLOYD E. SCOTT GYMNASIUM IS ON THE BRINK AGAIN FOR STATE TOURNAMENTS.

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

>>> COMING UP NEXT, ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE MILL IN BLOOMINGTON HAS LAUNCHED A NEW PROGRAM AIMED AT HELPING TO DEVELOP BUSINESS SKILLS FOR FORMERLY INCARCERATED PERSONS.

>>> AND DURING THE PANDEMIC, FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES ARE CASHING IN BUT OFTEN AT THE EXPENSE OF LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

VIOLENCE AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS HAS SEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF PANDEMIC LAST YEAR.

SARAH WHITE WHIT MYER HAS THIS REPORT.

IN JANUARY OF 2020, COVID-19 WAS NOT AN ISSUE ON MOST AMERICAN'S MINDS, BUT IN INDIANA UNIVERSITY HISTORY PROFESSOR ELLEN WOO SAID IT WAS SOMETHING THAT COULD ENDANGER THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY BEYOND JUST A VIRUS WAS COMING.

>> I REMEMBER TALKING TO MY FRIENDS, YOU KNOW, LAST LUNAR NEW YEAR, I HAD A REALLY BAD FEELING, BASED ON WHAT I KNOW, YOU KNOW, ABOUT U.S. HISTORY, THAT BAD THINGS WERE GOING TO HAPPEN TO ASIAN FOLKS, ASIAN AMERICANS.

>> NEW DATA SHOWS THAT HATE CRIMES AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS IN 16 LARGE AMERICAN CITIES SURGED NEARLY 150% LAST YEAR ALONE.

WOO IS A MEMBER OF THE INDIANA CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN WOMEN'S FORUM, AN ORGANIZATION WHICH JUST LAST WEEK SENT A PETITION TO GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB, ASKING FOR AN OFFICIAL RECOGNITION AND CONDEMNATION OF RACISM AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS.

REPRESENTATIVE J.D.

FORD SIGNED ON TO THE LETTER AND HE AUTHORED SENATE RESOLUTION 29, WHICH IS AN OFFICIAL DENOUNCEMENT OF RACISM AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS AND BIASED CRIMES RESULTING FROM COVID-19 IN INDIANA.

>> WE HAVE HEARD NATIONAL LEADERS, YOU KNOW, SAY THINGS LIKE THE CHINA VIRUS, AND THAT'S TRIGGERING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY, YOU KNOW, OUR ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS.

>> THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS PART SAYS RACISM AND ANTI-ASIAN DISCRIMINATION HAS NO PLACE IN INDIANA.

IT'S UP TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US TO BE A ROLE MODEL AND TO BE ABLE TO -- WITH OPEN ARMS SAY, WELCOME TO INDIANA.

GROW YOUR FAMILY.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS.

GROW YOUR LIVES HERE.

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY, BUTLER UNIVERSITY AND THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON ALSO SIGNED ON TO THE PETITION, WHICH WOO SAYS IS A GOOD FIRST STEP.

>> HAVING ANY KIND OF MAJOR INSTITUTION EVEN BEGIN TO TAKE THESE STEPS TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS -- THESE ARE ISSUES WORTH ADDRESSING, THAT -- THAT IN AND OFF OF ITSELF IS SIGNIFICANT.

>> ACCORDING TO THE U.S. CENSUS ABOUT 2.7% OF HOOSIERS ARE ASIAN OR PACIFIC ISLANDER.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M SARA WHIT MYER.

>> THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC MORE THAN DOUBLED BUSINESS FOR THE FOOD DELIVERY APPS BUT ORDERING FROM YOUR PHONE MAY NOT BE HELPING YOUR LAL RESTAURANT AS MUCH AS YOU THINK MITCH LEGAN REPORTS.

>> A GLOBAL PANDEMIC WAS NOT ON CHRIS FRANCIS' RADAR WHEN HE WILL SIGNED HIS LEASE AT 208 SOUTH DUNN.

AFTER RUNNING A CATERING SERVICE IN BLOOMINGTON FOR YEARS, HE WAS READY TO OPEN A RESTAURANT IN 2020.

AFTER TWO WEEKS AFTER HE SIGNED THE LEASE, THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY WAS FLIPPED DOWNSIDE DOWN.

>> WE WERE DEAD IN THE WATER AND IT TOOK A FEW MONTHS OF STILL PAYING RENT AND ALL THE UTILITIES AND EVERYTHING, BUTZ NOT MAKING ANY -- BUT NOT MAKING ANY MONEY OFF OF IT.

IT CAME TO A POINT WHERE WE HAD TO DECIDE, OKAY, DO WE JUST BITE THE BULLET AND NOT DO IT OR DO WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> HE HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET HIS FOOD OUT TO THE PUBLIC WHEN MANY DIDN'T WANT TO COME INSIDE.

IT DIDN'T HELP THAT FRANCIS WAS THE ONLY EMPLOYEE.

>> YOU ARE DOING EVERYTHING.

YOU ARE THE COOK.

YOU ANSWER THE PHONES.

YOU ARE THE HOSTESS.

>> HE DIDN'T HAVE THE FUNDS OR THE MANPOWER TO DELIVER FOOD AND WHEN HE STARTED RESEARCHING DELIVERY OPTIONS, THEY DIDN'T MAKE SENSE FOR A BUSINESS HIS SIDE.

>> AS A LOCAL ACCESS SHOW, WE WANT EVERYONE TO SUPPORT LOCAL RESTAURANTS, BUT WE WOULD NEVER MANIPULATE YOU THE WAY ALL OF THESE OTHER COMMERCIALS DO.

>> NATIONAL THIRD-PARTY DELIVERY SERVICES LIKE DOORDASH AND UBER EATS CREATE A CONUNDRUM.

THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DELIVER FOOD BUT PARTNERING WITH THEM IS EXPENSIVE.

CONTRACTS SEN UPSEND UP TO 3% TO THEM AND NOT THE LOCAL EAT EATERY.

>> THE FIRST ASPECT OF MY MIND, AND THE FIRST THOUGHT I HAD WAS THERE'S NO WAY.

>> AND SOME OF THE TACTICS THE COMPANIES USE RUB SOME THE WRONG WAY.

MARK MILLER BECAME OWNER OF DELANGUAGED'ANGELO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT.

HE GOT CALLS FROM DRIVERS TAKING THE FOOD TO GO.

>> FIRST OFF, IT'S A SALE.

OKAY.

WE'LL TAKE IT.

YOU KNOW, WE NEED THE BUSINESS JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE.

>> BUT AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS, THE CALLS STOPPED COMING?

>> WE STARTED GETTING EMAILS, PHONE CALLS.

HEY, THIS IS DOO ARE DASH, DID YOU LIKE -- DOORDASH, DID YOU LIKE HAVING ALL THE BUSINESS THAT WE SENT YOUR WAY?

HOW ABOUT SIGNING UP?

SIGNING UP?

WHY?

YOU WERE SENDING ORDERS MY WAY TO BEGIN WITH, WHY DO I NEED TO SIGN UP FOR SOMETHING NOW?

>> AT THE SAME TIME, THE SERVICES PROVIDED A QUICK BUCK FOR PEOPLE LIKE CAITLIN HOLT.

>> SO WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT, I NEEDED SOMETHING TO SUPPLEMENT MY INCOME.

>> THE SERVICES HAVE INCREASED IN POPULARITY DURING THE PANDEMIC AND ESPECIALLY IN A COLLEGE TOWN WITH BLOOMINGTON, WITH THE YOUNG TECH SAVVY POPULATION, HER HERE TO STAY.

>> WE ARE CREATURES OF HABIT.

IT'S EASIER FOR ME TO GRAB MY CELL PHONE, GRAB MY COMPUTER, ORDER FOOD, AND NOT HAVE TO LEAVE MY HOUSE.

>> FRANCIS SAYS AT BEST, HE WILL BREAK EVEN WITH THE DELIVERY SERVICES.

HE'S HOPING THE CHANGING WATER AND INCREASING VAC -- CHANGING WEATHER AND INCREASING VACCINES WILL LEAD PEOPLE BACK TO EATING OUT.

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

>> WELL, THE MILL IN BLOOMINGTON LAUNCHED A NEW ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAM LAST MONTH FOR THE FORMERLY INCARCERATED.

WE HAVE THE REPORT.

>> REBOOT IS A SIX-WEEK PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP PARENTANTS FOCUS THEIR BID -- PARTICIPANTS S THEIR BUSINESS IDEAS.

THIS IS THE MILK A NONPROFIT CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP, LOCATED IN THE SHOWERS BROTHER, MILL.

IT'S DESIGNED TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR AN UNDERSERVED POPULATION.

>> A LOT OF FOLKS DON'T GET TOLD YES, LIKE THEY ARE CONSTANTLY TOLD NO.

AND DON'T HAVE OPPORTUNITIES THAT OTHER FOLKS DO.

I WANTED THIS TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY YES.

AND GIVE FOLKS THE OPPORTUNITY TO -- TO BUILD SOMETHING.

>> AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS BECOME MEMBERS OF THE MILL FOR A YEAR.

THEY WILL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW AND EXPAND THEIR BUSINESS THROUGH PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS.

ONE THE FIRST SEVEN PARTICIPATE APES IS MICHELEAPES -- SEVEN PARTICIPANTS IS MICHELE BRECKY.

IT'S NOT BUSINESS, IT'S PERSONAL.

>> I MADE A PROMISE THAT I WOULD NOT TURN ANY HELP THAT WAS OFFERED TO ME.

>> SHE USED TO ASK HER BOSS FOR A RAISE ALMOST EVERY FRIDAY.

SHE WOULD JOKINGLY TELL HIM, YOU KNOW, I'M KIND OF A BIG DEAL.

BRECKY EVENTUALLY LEFT THE COMPANY, OPENED BIG DEAL PAINTING IN OCTOBER OF 2019, AND GAVE HERSELF THE RAISE SHE ALWAYS WANTED.

SHE SAYS BEING A PART OF THE REBOOT PROGRAM HAS NOT ONLY EXPANDED HER COMPANY, BUT ALSO GIVEN HER A NEW SENSE OF CONFIDENCE.

SHE SAYS SHE FINALLY FEELS LIKE A BIG DEAL.

>> JUST TO SEE THE PROGRESS FROM WEEK-TO-WEEK, TO KNOW THAT, LIKE, WHAT WE' DOING IS RESONATING AND EVERYBODY IS GETTING THINGS OUT OF IT IS -- IS AMAZING.

>> LAYMAN SAYS THE PROGRAM HAS ALREADY RECEIVED A LOT OF SUPPORT, INCLUDING SEVERAL GUEST SPEAKERS, WITH TWO WEEKS LEFT IN THE FIRST GROUP OF PARTICIPANTS, LAYMAN ANTICIPATES AN EXPANDED PROGRAM IN THE FALL.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT DIMENSIONMILL.ORG.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M HOLDEN APSHUR.

>> THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HAS COME UP WITH A PLAN TO CLEAN UP TOXIC PCE AND TCE IN MARTINSVILLE.

THE SAME CHEMICALS SUSPECTED OF CAUSING RARE CHILDHOOD CANCERS IN FRANKLIN.

AS INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, ONE LOCAL RESIDENT AND ACTIVIST SAYS THE EPA NEEDS TO ACT MORE QUICKLY.

>> THE EPA PLANS TO INJECT CHEMICALS INTO THE GROUND WALTER TO BREAK DOWN THE PCE AND THE TCE.

IT ALSO HOPES TO ADDRESS TOXIC VAPORS FROM THE SOIL THAT COULD BE SEEPINGPING INTO HOMES AND BUSINESSES.

TOM WALLIS IS A RETIRED ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER AND THE FOUNDER OF THE MARTINSVILLE, INDIANA, SUPERFUND SITE ASSOCIATION.

HE SAYS THE EPA'S WATER CLEANUP PLAN IS CLOSE TO WHAT THE CITY AND ITS RESIDENTS WANTED BUT HE PREFERS SOMETHING QUICKER AND HOPES THE AGENCY WILL KEEP AN OPEN MIND.

>> IT IS EFFECTIVE, BUT IT'S LONGER TERM, WE'RE TALKING 17 TO 30 YEARS IN MANY CASES.

AND LOOKING AT SOME OF THE PLUME STOP THINGS THEY HAVE DONE IT IN THREE YEARS OR LESS.

>> PLUME STOP IS WHAT IS BEING USED TO CLEAN FRANKLIN'S GROUNDWATER.

WALLIS SAYS AN ENTIRE GENERATION IN MARTINSVILLE HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO THESE HARMFUL KLEMMICALS.

THEY ARE WORKING WITH -- CHEMICALS.

THEY ARE WORKING WITH PURDUE TO FIGURE OUT HOW PCEs MAY BE AFFECTING THE CITY'S CHILDREN.

THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE OTHER AREAS OF GROUNDWATER POLLUTION IN MARTINSVILLE.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS SEARCHING FOR A NEW MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH AFTER IT FIRED ARCHIE MILLER EARLIER THIS WEEK.

PAUL BEANE REPORTS.

>> THE FIVE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP BANNERS HANGING IN SIMON SCOTT ASSEMBLY HALL OR REMINDERS OF EXPECTATIONS OF WINNING BASKETBALL AT INDIANA.

ARCHIE MILLER SIMPLY WASN'T DOING ENOUGH OF THAT FOR THE HOOSIERS.

>> IT'S A RESULTS-ORIENTED BUSINESS AND I FELT WE ULTIMATELY DIDN'T MAKE ENOUGH PROGRESS TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM UNDER ARCHIE'S LEADERSHIP.

>> MILLER HAD A 67-58 REPORT OVERALL AND THE HOOSIERS FAILED TO MAKE THE NCAA TOURNAMENT IN ANY OF HIS FOUR SEASONS.

INDIANA NEVER FINISHED FINISHED HIGHER THAN A TIE FOR SIXTH.

INDIANA FINISHED TIED FOR 10th IN THE BIG TEN THE PAST TWO SEASONS.

DOLSON SAYS THE $2.3 MILLION BUYOUT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE UNIVERSITY.

ANOTHER DONOR AGREED TO COVER THE COST OF THE TRANSITION TO FIND A NEW COACH.

DOLSON SAID THE HEAD COACHING POSITION AT INDIANA SHOULD BE AN ENVIABLE ONE.

>> WE HAVE ELITE FACILITIES AND ELITE FAN SUPPORT AND ELITE TRADITION AND I THINK IT'S REALLY JUST A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY TAKE THIS PROGRAM TO THE LEVEL WE ALL WANT TO.

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

>>> NOW INDIANA IS NOT PLAYING IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT, BUT ASSEMBLY HALL IS PLAYING HOST TO SIX EARLY ROUND GAMES THIS WEEK.

ASSEMBLY HALL IS ONE OF SIX VENUES BEING USED FOR THIS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT, WHICH WILL BE PLAYED ENTIRELY IN INDIANA DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

SOME VENUES ARE ALLOWING UP TO 25% CAPACITY FOR FANS, BUT I.U.

LIMITED THE CROWDS TO NO MORE THAN 500 FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF PLAYERS AND STAFF.

THE FINAL WILL BE PLAYED AT LUCAS OIL STADIUM IN INDIANAPOLIS.

>> AND INDIANA STATE NAMED JOSH SHERTZ THE NEW MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH.

AND HE WAS A FOUR-TIME NCAA DIVISION TWO BASKETBALL COACH AT LINCOLN MEMORIAL.

HE SUCK SOLDIER SUCCEEDS GREG LANSING WHO WAS LET GO LAST WEEK.

WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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