>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," AFTER MORE THAN A YEAR, THE GOVERNOR IS LIFTING COVID RESTRICTIONS.

>> WE HAVE LET DATA DRIVE OUR DECISIONS.

>> BUT IS IT TOO SOON?

A HEALTH EXPERT JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT NEW INFECTIONS, COVID VARIANTS AND VACCINES.

>>> NEW GUIDANCE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GIVES CAREGIVERS THE GREEN LIGHT TO VISIT THEIR LOVED ONES IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES BUT SOME FAMILIES SAY THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH STRICT POLICIES THAT MAKE IT HARD TO COORDINATE VISITS.

>> THEY SHOULD WANT US TO BE ABLE TO SEE OUR LOVED ONES AND THEY SHOULD WANT TO HAVE THE RESIDENTS HAPPY.

>> RESTAURANTS HAVE SUFFERED HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LOSSES SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT INDUSTRY LEADERS ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT THINGS ARE TURNING AROUND.

AHEAD, THE PANDEMIC'S TOLL ON LOCAL RESTAURANTS, AND HOW NEW FEDERAL AID COULD HELP THOSE STRUGGLING TO KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN.

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

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, ALL HOOSIERS OVER THE AGE OF 16 WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO SIGN UP FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

FOR WEEKS, STATE HAS GRADUALLY BEEN EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY IN FIVE-YEAR INCREMENTALS.

CURRENTLY HOOSIERS 40 AND OLDER CAN RECEIVE THE SHOT.

IT'S BEEN ON REDUCING HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS BY FOCUSING ON THOSE MOST AT RISK.

NOW THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE VACCINE SUPPLY IS INCREASING.

SO IT'S TIME TO OPEN IT UP TO EVERYONE.

>> THERE ARE FEDERAL PARTNERS TOLD STATES TO EXPECT LARGE INCREASES IN THE AMOUNT OF VACCINE THAT WILL BE FLOWING TO US BEGINNING LAST WEEK OF.

>> STATE ANNOUNCED ON THURSDAY THAT MORE THAN 1 MILLION HOOSIERS ARE CONSIDERED FULLY VACCINATED.

THAT'S ABOUT 15% OF THE STATE'S POPULATION.

WELL, IN ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WEAR A MASK EVERYWHERE YOU GO.

THE GOVERNOR IS ROLLING BACK STATE'S COVID PROTECTION MEASURES STARTING APRIL 6th.

BRANNON SMITH REPORTS.

>> THE STATE IS REPLACING THE MASK REQUIREME REQUIREMENT WITHN ADVISORY BUT THE SCIENCE REMAINS THE SAME.

>> WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT FOR THE MOST M PART ACROSS THE STAT, WEARING OUR MASKS TO PREVENT VES FROM BECOMING INFECTED.

>> MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED IN STATE GOVERNMENT BUILDING AND COVID-19 TESTING AND VACCINATION, AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

HOLCOMB SAYS BUSINESSES SHOULD KEEP COVID RESPONSE PLANS THAT INCLUDE SAFEGUARDS AND LOCAL OFFICIALS CAN STILL IMPOSE TOUGHER RULES IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES IF THEY DECIDE THAT'S BEST.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AS WE CONTINUE TO DO THESE FEW THINGS, THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL BECOMES BRIGHTER AND BRIGHTER.

>> GOVERNOR HOLCOMB SAYS STATE'S STEEP DECLINES IN CORONAVIRUS HOPPIZATIONS AND DEATH RATES, AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED JUSTIFY HIS DECISION.

>> WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED, MEANING, I.C.U.

DOCTORS, BEDS, ET CETERA.

WE HAVE A VACCINE, THREE OF THEM AS A MATTER OF FACT.

>> INDIANA CORONAVIRUS, AND HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE FALLEN BY MORE THAN 80% SINCE THE DECEMBER PEAKS.

THERE'S ABOUT 10 DEATHS PER DAY.

THE STATE'S PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARATION WILL REMAIN IN PLACE THROUGH APRIL.

THAT WILL ALLOW STATE TO PIVOT IF THE CASES TAKE A TURN FOR THE WORST.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BRANDON SMITH.

>>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY DR. RICHARD FELDMAN WHO WAS STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER UNDER DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR FRANK O'BANNON.

WELCOME DR. FELDMAN.

THE GOVERNOR HAS FACED A LOT OF CRITICISM FROM WITHIN HIS OWN PARTY ABOUT THE COVID RESTRICTIONS HE'S IMPOSED.

DO YOU THINK THE DECISION TO LIFT RESTRICTIONS IS BASED ON SCIENCE AND THE BEST ADVICE FROM HEALTH EXPERTS OR IS IT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED?

>>> WELL, BEFORE I CRITICIZE THE GOVERNOR, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT FOR A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR IN A VERY CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN STATE, I THINK GOVERNOR HOLCOMB HAS DONE REALLY A REASONABLE JOB IN TERMS OF THE MITIGATION MEASURES AND PROTECTING OUR -- OUR STATE, THE CITIZENS OF OUR STATE.

HOWEVER, I THINK THIS IS UP FORTUNATELY -- UNFORTUNATELY POLITICALLY MOTIVATED MORE THAN BASED ON THE ADVICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS, AND THE SCIENCE.

IT'S PREMATURE.

AND IT'S REALLY UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE WE'RE ALMOST THERE.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE VACCINATING.

WE HAVE HAD -- INDIANA HAS HAD ONE OF THE BEST VACCINATION SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY, AND WE'RE ALMOST THERE.

JUST A FEW MORE MONTHS OF MITIGATION, MASK WEARING, SOCIAL DISTANCING, WASHING YOUR HANDS WOULD BE SO MUCH BETTER THAN OPENING UP THINGS, I THINK, PREMATURELY.

EVEN THOUGH THE CASE NUMBERS AND THE DEATH RATES HAVE PLUMMETED THAT'S WONDERFUL NEWS, IT'S STILL UNACCEPTABLY HIGH.

AND I THINK WE HAVE A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY BECAUSE THINGS DECREASE SO MUCH, BUT THEY ARE STILL AT AN UNACCEPTABLY HIGH LEVEL.

>> YOU JUST MENTIONED ABOUT THE DEATHS.

THEY DECREASED.

IT WAS AN 80% DROP FROM DECEMBER.

HOW SIGNIFICANT ARE THOSE NUMBERS TO YOU?

>> WELL, THEY ARE SIGNIFICANT.

THINGS ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE ARE READY TO OPEN UP.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, HIS DECISION IS A -- IS A PUNT TO LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, FOR THEM TO TAKE THE POLITICAL HEAT, AS WELL AS -- THINK ABOUT THIS -- BUSINESSES.

BUSINESSES WERE OPERATING UNDER A STATE MANDATE FOR MITIGATION STANDARDS, INCLUDING MOST IMPORTANTLY, MASK WEARING.

NOW, IT'S UP TO -- STILL UP TO THE BUSINESSES, BUT NOW THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY RATHER THAN THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT, DOCTOR.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE FOR NOW.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> WELL, EARLIER THIS MONTH, INDIANA AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENDED PANDEMIC INDUCED LOCKDOWNS AND VISITATION RESTRICTIONS IN NURSING HOMES, AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES BUT INTERPRETATION VARIES GREATLY EVEN AMONG INDIVIDUAL FACILITIES.

BROCK TURNER HAS THE STOREY.

>> THE INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MET WITH BOTH HOPE AND OPTIMISM, BUT TWO WEEKS AFTER REGULATORS INSTRUCTED FACILITIES TO REMOVE VISITATION RESTRICTIONS, MANY CAREGIVERS SAY LITTLE HAS CHANGED.

THROUGHOUT INDIANA, LONG-TERM CARE VISITATION POLICIES VARY WIDELY.

SOME ARE ADHERING TO THE GUIDANCE.

OTHERS REMAIN FULLY CLOSED TO UNVACCINATED OUTSIDE VISITORS.

A MEMO FROM THE CENTER FROM THE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES INSTRUCTS FACILITIES SHOULD ALLOW INDOOR VISITATION AT ALL TIMES AND FOR ALL RESIDENTS, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS, EXCEPT FOR A FEW CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN VISITATION SHOULD BE LIMITED DUE TO A HIGH-RISK OF COVID-19 TRANSMISSION.

NOTE, COMPASSIONATE CARE VISITS SHOULD BE PERMITTED AT ALL TIMES.

THOSE CONDITIONS HAVE TO DO WITH THE CURRENT FACILITY OUTBREAKS.

IN THE COUNTY WHERE A FACILITY IS LOCATED HAS A HIGH POSITIVITY RATE OR IN THE RESIDENT IS CURRENTLY IN QUARANTINE AFTER EXPOSURE.

WHILE SOME VARIATION IS EXPECTED, AND CERTAIN VISITATION RESTRICTIONS ARE COMMON, CAREGIVERS SAY THEY ARE LOSING PATIENTS.

LAST WEEK STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER DR. CHRISTINA BOX SAID FAMILIES CAN FILE COMPLAINTS WITH INDIANA'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IF THEIR LOVED ONE'S FACILITY IS NOT FOLLOWING STATE OR FEDERAL GUIDANCE.

>> VISITATION INSIDE SHOULD BE OPEN PRETTY MUCH AT ALL TIMES.

IT SHOULDN'T BE JUST A HALF HOUR VISIT ANYMORE.

AND IF YOU ARE HAVING STRUGGLES WITH THAT, OUR WEBSITE WILL HAVE THIS INFORMATION, AND HOW WE HAVE DIRECTED THE LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

>> BOX ALSO INSISTS OMBUDSMAN CAN BE A VALUABLE RESOURCE.

MARY CHARLESTON IS THE PRIMARY CAREGIVER FOR HER MOTHER, ALSO NAMED MARY.

HER FACILITY RESTRICTS VISITING HOURS AND THAT MAKES HER TWICE DAILY VISITS COMPLICATED.

SHE HAS TO RUSH HOME AFTER HER SCHOOL BUS HOME ROUTE TO MAKE SURE SHE CAN MAKE THE FINAL APPOINTMENT.

>> K424, BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY RIGHT NOW.

THANK GOD MY MOM IS ONLY A LITTLE OVER THREE MILES FROM MY HOUSE.

>> THISS A PLACE THAT MY MOM IS GOING TO BE PROBABLY FOR REST OF HER LIFE.

SO WHAT I -- WOULD I WANT TO BURN ANY BRIDGES?

NO.

NO.

DO I FEEL THAT THE EMPLOYEES IN THERE ARE -- CARE FOR MY MOM AND LOVE MY MOM?

YES.

>> CHARLESSON DOESN'T BLAME THE FACILITY STAFF AND INSISTS THEY PROVIDED GOOD CARE FOR HER MOM, BUT SHE WISHES THE IF A SATELLITITY'S CORPORATE OWNERS -- FACILITY'S CORPORATE OWNERS WOULD PROVIDE MORE CLARITY ON VISITATION POLICY.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE INDIANA HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION AND INDIANA CENTER FOR ASSISTED LIVING BELIEVES THE FACILITIES WILL MEET THE GUIDANCE AS THEY HAVE WITH PAST POLICY CHANGES.

>> VISITATION WAS NEVER AN ISSUE PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC AND I THINK EVERYONE IS EAGER TO RETURN TO NORMALCY WITH THE THE FACILITIES BEING OPEN AND WELCOMING COMMUNITIES.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE COMING OUT OF A YEAR'S LONG RESTRICTION WITH A LOT OF STILL NUANCED GUYANCE THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW.

SO I THINK JUST A LITTLE BUILT OF GRACE FOR FOLKS AS THEY FIGURE OUT THESE INTRICACIES OF WHAT IS RESTRICTED AND WHAT IS ALLOWED BASED ON THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GUIDANCE IS HELPFUL.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS PURPOSEFULLY DRAGGING THEIR FEET.

>> CHARLESTON LARGELY DEGREES BUT STRUGGLES TO UNDER THE LOGIC.

HER MOM IS FULLY VACCINATED AND SHE SAYS SHE WILL SOON RECEIVE HER SECOND DOSE.

>> SHE SHOULD WANT US TO BE ABLE TO SEE OUR LOVED ONES AND THEY SHOULD WANT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE -- HAVE THE RESIDENTS HAPPY.

>> CHARLESTON'S MOP RESIDES IN A -- MOM RESIDES IN A FACILITY OWNED AMERICAN SENIOR OWNED.

THEY SAY THAT THE FACILITIES WERE NOT ALLOWING IN-ROOM VISITATIONS AND OTHER FACILITIES BY THE SAME GROUP SAID IN-ROOM VISITS WERE PERMITTED FROM 8 A.M. TO 1 P.M. AND ONE FACILITY WAS ALLOWING IN-ROOM VISITS TO ONLY THOSE VACCINATED.

THE COMPANY PROVIDED A STATEMENT, BUT DID NOT ADDRESS THE VARIATION OR A SPECIFIC FACILITY'S POLICY.

IT'S NOT JUST AMERICAN SENIOR COMMUNITIES, CAREGIVERS IN OTHER FACILITIES DESCRIBE VASTLY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES WHEN COORDINATING VISITS WITH LOVED ONES.

CHARLTON BELIEVES REGULATORS SHOULD PUBLISH MORE STRICT GUIDANCE.

>> THEY ARE NOT MAKING IT MANDATORY.

SO THEN IF A FACILITY DECIDES TO GO AHEAD AND DO THIS, AND SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT IT ESCALATES, THEN IT'S THEIR PROBLEM.

>> SHE SAYS HER AND HER MOTHER LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN THEY ARE ABLE TO GO OUTSIDE FOR A WALK, OR ENJOY A CARRY-OUT PIZZA FROM THE NEARBY PIZZA HUT.

>> SHE WILL ASK ME, YOU KNOW, IF SHE CAN GO SOMEWHERE WITH ME AND I HAVE TO ALWAYS TELL HER, NO, YOU CAN'T.

YOU CAN'T GO WITH ME, MOM.

I'M SORRY.

WE HAVE TO WAIT.

>> BUT FOR NOW, CHARLESTON JUST GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HUG AND SING TO HER IN PERSON AND NOT THROUGH A WINDOW ON A STEP LADDER.

>> ARE YOU FEELING SAD AND LONELY.

ALL YOU GOTTA DO IS -- >> SHOUT AND I WILL BE HERE.

>> YEAH.

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

>>> COMING UP NEXT, ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE PANDEMIC HAS TAKEN A DEVASTATING TOLL ON THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

AHEAD, HOW NEW FEDERAL MONEY COULD HELP EASE THE BURDEN FOR SOME.

AND U.S. FOREST SERVICE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ARE WORKING TO ERADICATE THE INVASIVE GARLIC MUSTARD PLANT FROM THE HOOSIER NATIONAL FOREST.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, NO INDUSTRY HAS FACED IF MANY HARDSHIP MORE THAN RESTAURANTS.

RECENTLY PASSED AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT IS MAKING A CONSIDERABLE EFFORT TO SAVE THESE BUSINESSES WITH MORE THAN $28 BILLION OF FEDERAL MONEY.

BUT AS OUR ETHAN BURKS REPORTS, THE HELP CAME TOO LATE NOR SOME LOCAL -- FOR SOME LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

>> THE STANDARD GRAIN RESTAURANT OPENED JUST NORTH OF BLOOMINGTON'S DOWNTOWN SQUARE WITH A GOAL OF BRINGING A VARIETY OF NEW FLAVORS INTO TOWN.

>> WE OPENED EIGHT DAYS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND YOU CAN'T PREDICT A PANDEMIC AND THERE'S NOTHING WE COULD HAVE DONE ABOUT THAT.

BUT WE O OPENED FULL FLEDGED.

WE HAD A GRIT FIRST TWO WEEKS -- GREAT FIRST TWO WEEKS OPENING.

FANTASTIC SALES.

TONS OF FEEDBACK.

>> WITHOUT ANY NOTICE, BAYER AND HER STAFF WERE VULNERABLE TO THE COVID-19 SHUTTION AND ECONOMIC COLLAPSE THAT AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESSES WERE FACING EVERYWHERE.

>> WE THOUGHT ABOUT DELIVERY.

IT JUST WASN'T GOING TO WORK.

WE HAD SUCH A SMALL STAFF.

IT WAS REALLY DISHEARTENING TO LET A FEW PEOPLE GO, BUT TO IN ORDER TO SURVIVE, WE HAD TO DO WHAT WE HAD TO DO.

>> BAYER SAYS AFTER A FEW MONTHS PASSED, BUSINESS BEGAN TO PICK UP AND FROM MAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER, THINGS WEREN'T LOOKING TOO BAD BUT THEN WINTER SET IN.

COVID CASES HIT NEW HIGHS AND BUSINESS PLUMMETED.

BAYER AND HER TEAM DECIDED TO CLOSE FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND IN EARLY 2021.

>> OUR DECISION WAS BASED SOLELY OFF THE FACT THAT WE WERE PLANNING ON A P.P.P.

LOAN, AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THAT, BECAUSE WE WERE NOT OPEN IN 2019, AND COULD NOT SHOW A LOSS FOR 2019.

>> THE WAY THE GOVERNMENT AND BANKS DISTRIBUTE LOANS IS MOSTLY BASED OFF OF PAST AND PROJECTED REVENUES, WHICH IS SOMETHING STANDARD GRAIN HAD NEITHER OF.

>> MANY BUSINESSES, ESPECIALLY FOOD BUSINESSES LIVE PRETTY CLOSE TO THE GROUND.

THEY ARE NOT CHECK-TO-CHECK, BUT THERE'S JUST NOT A LOT OF CUSHION IN FOOD SERVICE OPERATIONS.

>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON LAUNCHED ITS OWN PROGRAM TO HELP BUSINESSES STAY AFLOAT.

THE $2 MILLION FUND CAME OUT OF THE LOCAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX MONEY THAT WAS SET ASIDE TO BUILD A NEW MONROE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER.

>> INITIALLY WE CONCEIVED OF THIS AS A BRIDGE PROGRAM TO HELP GET CASH INTO THE HANDS OF LOCAL BUSINESSES WHILE THEY AWAITED THEIR LARGER FEDERAL SUPPORT.

>> ONE OF THE LONGEST STANDING LOCAL RESTAURANTS, NICK'S ENGLISH HUT WAS ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS OF THOSE LOANS.

>> WHEN YOU ARE NOT EXPECTING TO GO INTO DEBT AND FORCED TO GO INTO DEBT AND DON'T KNOW HOW YOU HAVE THE REVENUE TO EQUATE TO PAYING IT BACK, IT'S SCARY.

>> NICK HAS BEEN A BLOOMINGTON STAPLE FOR NEARLY A CENTURY, BUT BRIGHT SAID IT DOESN'T MAKE IT EASE ERR.

>> EVER -- EASIER.

>> EVERYBODY IS LIKE, NICK'S IS OKAY.

NO, WE HAVEN'T HAD A PROFIT.

IT'S DEVASTATING GUYS.

RESTAURANTS ARE UP THE CREEK!

>> BRIGHT SAYS HER RESTAURANT REVENUE IS DOWN 50%.

AND IT WASN'T UNTIL LAST WEEK THAT NICK'S WAS APPROVED FOR I FOR ASECOND ROUND OF P.P.P.

LOA.

>> I SEE A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT AT THEN OF THIK DUNNEL FOR THE RESTAURANTS -- TUNNEL FOR THE RESTAURANTS THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PARTAKE IN THE LOANS AND GRANTS AND BE WISE AND SPEND MORE FRUGALLY.

>> NICK'S HAS BEEN GIVEN MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN LOANS AND GRANTS OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST YEAR.

AND WITH THE WEATHER WARMING UP, BRIGHT FINALLY SEES AN OPPORTUNITY TO STAY AFLOAT WITHOUT GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.

>> NICK'S AND OTHER DOWNTOWN RESTAURANTS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF USING KIRKWOOD AVENUE FOR MORE OUTDOOR SEATING ON THE SIDEWALKS AND STREET, TO GET MORE PEOPLE DOWN HERE TO EAT THIS IS A MEASURE THE CITY STARTED LAST YEAR, AND WILL CONTINUE THIS WEEKEND FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

>> BUT FOR BAYER AND HER RESTAURANT, IT'S TOO LATE.

THE TIMING AND THE FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES JUST DIDN'T WORK OUT.

>> IT'S A HARD MARKET TO FIND AN OPPORTUNITY, BUT I HAVE COMPLETE FAITH THAT SOMETHING WILL OPEN WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN BURKS.

>>> THE INDEPENDENT RESTAURANT COALITION CONFIRMS THE INDUSTRY IS SLOWLY RECOVERING, AND EVEN THOUGH BUSINESS IS STILL BELOW PREPANDEMIC LEVELS, INDIANA IS THE TOP STATE IN THE MIDWEST IN SALES AND REVENUE.

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED RESTAURANTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR FUNDS THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN IN EARLY APRIL.

ALL BARS AND RESTAURANTS WITH FEWER THAN 20 LOCATIONS ARE ABLE TO APPLY.

>>> WELL, A NEW STUDY IS OUT ACCORDING TO THE NEWEST GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND AS REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, ARSENIC NATURAL OCCURS IN THE GROUND, BUT LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO THE METAL IN DRINKING WATER CAN INCREAS YOUR RISK FOR ALL KINDS OF HEALTH PROBLEMS.

>> THE USGS ESTIMATES MORE THAN 2 MILLION PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY ALREADY HAVE UNHEALTHY LEVELS OF ARSENIC IN THEIR PRIVATE WELLS BUT UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS THAT NUMBER GOES UP TO ABOUT 4 MILLION.

USGS HYDROLOGIST MELISSA LOMBARD SAYS INDIANA HAS LARGE AMOUNT OF ARSENIC IN THE GROUND WATER AND LARGE NUMBER OF PRIVATE WELLS.

>> THOSE TWO IN COMBINATION RESULT IN INDIANA BEING AT HIGHER RISK THAN A LOT OF OTHER STATES.

>> A DROUGHT MIGHT CAUSE THE WATER TO MOVE DIFFERENTLY IN AN AQUIFER OR CHANGE THE CHEMISTRY, RESULTING IN MORSE ARSENIC SHH.

>> IF YOU RUN OUT OF WATER, THAT'S A PROBLEM, BUT WE'RE ONLY REALLY STARTING TO THINK ABOUT HOW THAT MIGHT IMPACT -- THE DROUGHT MIGHT IMPACT THE WATER QUALITY.

AND HUMAN HEALTH.

>> THE MIDWEST IS EXPECTED TO EXPERIENCE MORE PERIODS OF DROUGHTS IN THE FUTURE.

THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RECOMMENDS TESTING YOUR PRIVATE WELL AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.

I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> IT'S OFFICIALLY SPRING AND HOOSIERS WHO WANT APRIL EXCUSE TO GET OUTSIDE ARE IN LUCK.

THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE NEEDS HELP FIGHTING INVASIVE SPECIES.

GEORGE HEALTH FOLLOWED A SPECIALIST HUNTING ONE PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS PLANT AT THE HOOSIER NATIONAL FOREST.

>> U.S. FOREST SERVICE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ARMED WITH GLOVES AND PLASTIC BAGS WERE OUT SATURDAY, PULLING UP GARLIC MUSTARD BY THE ROOT.

THE WEED CAN GROW UP TO 6 FEET TALL, BUT FOREST OFFICIALS TRY NOT TO LET IT GET THAT FAR.

>> SO IF IT'S CHEMICAL IN THE SOIL INHIBITING OTHER PLANTS IN THE SOIL WHICH IS BAD AND IT SHADES THEM OUT.

EESPECIALLY HEREAROUND A HORSE E HORSES ARE EATING EVERYTHING, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT PICKING UP THAT GARLIC MUSTARD WHICH IS BAD FOR THE HABITAT AND TAKING IT SOME ELSE >> SATURDAY'S VOLUNTEER DAY WAS FIRST OF THE YEAR AND THE OFFICIALS WILL BE WORKING ON GARLIC MUSTARD IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF FOREST THROUGHOUT THE SPRING.

PHELPS SAYS VOLUNTEERS DON'T NEED TO KNOW MUCH ABOUT INVASIVE SPECIES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> I WISH I COULD SAY IT'S REALLY HARD TO FIND THEM, BUT IT'S PRETTY COMMON, AND THEY -- AND IN THE SPRING, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE ONE THE ONLY THINGS THAT'S GREEN RIGHT NOW.

SO IT'S REALLY EASY TO FIND NEXT AND ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WHERE YOU HEAV STREAMS, YOU HAVE TRAILS, YOU HAVE ROADS, YOU ARE GOING TO FIND IT ABOUT EVERYWHERE.

>> WE JUST PULL 'EM OUT OF THE GROUND.

MANY OF CARRY A LITTLE TROWEL SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE WE GET THE WHOLE ROOT AND THAT IT WON'T RESPROUT, AND THEN WE PUT THEM IN BAGS AND REMOVE THEM FROM THE FOREST.

>> OWEN JAKEHEART WAS OUT VOLUNTEER SATURDAY, A FORMER BOTANIST FOR HOOSIER NATIONAL FOREST, SHE SAYS THE BIANNUAL PRODUCES TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SEEDS DURING THE SECOND YEAR.

>> ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT MNDAY ROLE COUNTY ARE ALL THE -- MONROE COUNTY ARE ALL THE WOODED, NATURAL AREAS AND IN THE NEXT MONTH, YOU HAVE SPRING BEAUTY AND HARBINGER OF SPRING, AND BLUE FOX AND JACK IN THE PULPIT, BUT IF YOU HAVE GARLIC MUSTARD, T ALL YOU HAVE.

ONE BY ONE, IT TAKES OUT ALL OF THOSE OTHER SPECIES AND TAKES OVER THE ENTIRE GROUND LAYER.

>> EXPERTS SAY THE WEEDS SHOWED UP IN INDIANA IN THE 1950s OR SOONER, BUT DIDN'T REACH BLACKWELL FOR A FEW MORE DECADES.

JAKEHEART SAYS ONE IT ARRIVES IT'S HARD TO ERADICATE.

THEY HAVE TO STAY VIGILANT TO PROTECT THE FOREST.

>> I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME WE SAW HER, PROBABLY BROUGHT IN ON HORSE HOOVES AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL AND HERE WE ARE 20 YEARS LATER, STILL CHASING GARLIC MUSTARD AND TRYING TO KEEP IT FROM TAKING OVER THIS FOREST.

>> THE NEXT VOLUNTEER DATE IS MAY 10th.

I'M GGEORGE HA Le.

>> THE INDIANA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM REACHES THE SWEET 16.

>> IT'S ALL ABOUT DEFENSE FOR THE INDIANA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM.

IN THE FIRST TWO NCAA TOURNAMENT GAMES, THE HOOSIERS HAVE HELD THEIR OPPONENTS TO 80 POINTS COMBINED.

>> OUR KIDS KNOW WHO THEY ARE.

AND THEY KNOW WHY WE HAVE WON THE AMOUNT OF GAMES THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WIN THIS YEAR, AND IN YEARS PAST, IS BECAUSE WE DO ONE THING.

WE WORK EXTREMELY HARD ON THE DEFENSIVE END.

>> THE HOOSIERS ALLOWED JUST UNDER 60 POINTS A GAME THIS SEASON WHEN THEY CLIMBED INTO THE TOP TEN.

AND WITH A 20-5 RECORD, THEY EARNED A FOURTH SEED FOR THE HORDE.

THEY FACE NORTH CAROLINA STATE ON SATURDAY IN SAN ANTONIO.

>> I BELIEVE SO MUCH IN THIS GROUP, THAT I DO BELIEVE THAT WE GOT SOME MOMENTUM AND IT WILL CARRY OVER INTO THE NEXT ROUND.

OUR BEST BASKETBALL IS GOING TO BE AHEAD OF US.

>> INDIANA THOUGHT IT WOULD BE IN THIS POSITION LAST YEAR.

THEY FINISHED RANKED 22nd IN THE NATION AND SET A PROGRAM RECORD WITH 24 WINS.

BUT LESS THAN A WEEK BEFORE THE NCAA TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS WERE TO BE ANNOUNCED, THE PANDEMIC HIT AND POSTSEASON WAS CANCELED.

>> WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT LAST MARCH 11th WHEN THINGS GOT SHUT DOWN.

AND, YOU KNOW, JUST HOW DISAPPOINTED, YOU KNOW, WE WERE SITTING IN THAT LOCKER ROOM AND THAT BEING IT.

WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY TIME TO PREPARE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> THE CORE OF THAT TEAM, SENIOR ALLEY PAT BURG AND McKENZIE HOLMES RETURNED DETERMINED TO GET BACK TO THE TOURNAMENT AND MAKE MOST MOST OF IT.

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

[ CHEERS ] >> WELL, BUILDING THAT STOOD FOR ABOUT A CENTURY IN BLOOMINGTON CAME DOWN THIS WEEK.

YOU PRESIDENT OB PROBABLY KNOW E FORMER PLAYER'S PUB BUT IT WAS HOME TO BOXMAN'S RESTAURANT FROM 1929 TO 1958.

OWNER HENRY BOXMAN WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO DISPLAY A NEON SIGN AND INSTALL AIR CONDITIONING IN THE BLOOMINGTON RESTAURANT.

THE PLAYER'S PUB OCCUPIED THE BUILDING FROM 2005 TO 2018.

THE BUILDING'S CURRENT OWNER SAYS IT WAS IN NEED OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REPAIRS.

HE GOT PERMISSION TO TEAR IT DOWN BUT SAYS HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY PLANS FOR THE PROPERTY.

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: