>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE NUMBER OF DEAD SONGBIRDS IS SOARING ACROSS THE STATE.

AND INVESTIGATORS ARE SCRAMBLING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT.

>> WE DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT IS AT THIS POINT.

>> COMING UP, THE LATEST ON STATE'S INVESTIGATION AND WHY POULTRY FARMERS ARE ON HIGH ALERT AS WELL.

>>> A HOST OF NEW LAWS TOOK EFFECT THIS WEEK AND OTHERS WERE PUT ON HOLD WHILE THE COURTS CONSIDER WHETHER THEY ARE LEGAL.

A FULL RUNDOWN JUST AHEAD.

>>> AND THE ONGOING AMMUNITION SHORTAGE IS NOT JUST AFFECTING RECREATIONAL GUN OWNERS.

POLICE DEPARTMENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN SMALLER COMMUNITIES, CAN'T GET ENOUGH AMMO.

>> I CALLED AROUND SOUTHWEST INDIANA, YOU KNOW, LOOKING FOR AMMUNITION.

THERE WAS NONE ON THE SHELVES.

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

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M JOE HREN.

RESEARCHERS ACROSS INDIANA ARE WORKING TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF A MYSTERY ILLNESS THAT CAUSES SONGBIRDS TO ACT STRANGELY AND DIE.

EMMA ATKINSON REPORTS.

>> IN LATE SPRING, A WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR IN MONROE COUNTY NOTICED SONGBIRDS DISPLAYING CONCERNING SYMPTOMS, SWOLLEN CRUSTY EYES, TREMORS AND ODD BEHAVIOR.

MANY OF THESE BIRDS APPEARED SICK AND SOME DIED.

NOW HUNDREDS OF SICK AND DYING BIRDS WITH THESE SAME SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN MORE THAN 50 COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE.

INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICIALS SAY THE OFFICIAL REPORTS ARE LIKELY CONSERVATIVE COMPARED TO THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF AFFLICTED BIRDS.

AND IT'S NOT JUST INDIANA.

SICKENED BIRDS HAVE BEEN REPORTED AS FAR EAST AS WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICIALS ARE ASKING PEOPLE STATEWIDE TO TAKE DOWN THEIR OUTDOOR BIRD FEEDERS TO HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF THE MYSTERY ILLNESS.

>> WE ARE ENFORCING SOCIAL DISTANCING ON BIRDS THEMSELVES.

ONCE YOU GET 20 OR 30, 50 BIRDS AROUND YOUR FEEDERS IN A GIVEN DAY, TAKING THOSE FEEDERS DOWN WILL REDUCE THE ODDS OF A SICK BIRD COMING INTO CONTACT WITH AN UNINFECTED BIRD.

>> TESTING HAS RULED OUT WEST NILE VIRUS AND AVIAN FLU, TWO COMMON KILLERS OF BIRDS.

BECAUSE SCIENTISTS DON'T YET KNOW WHAT THE DISEASE IS, THE STATE BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH HAS ALSO ASKED THE OWNERS OF SMALL POULTRY FLOCKS, SMALL FARMS AND HOBBY BIRD OWNERS TO WATCH THEIR BIRDS AND HAVE BIOSECURITY MEASURES.

>> CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES AND YOUR BOOTS.

IF YOU HAVE YOUR BIRDS OUT IN AN OPEN AREA, BRING THEM IN AT NIGHT, INTO THE SHED OR THE COOP OR BARN, THAT WAY THEY ARE NOT OUT AT NIGHT AND THAT MINIMIZES SOME OF THE NIGHTTIME CONTACT THEY MAY HAVE.

>> DERER SAYS NO REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE ILLNESS IS SPREADING TO POULTRY BUT IF IT DID, COMMERCIAL POULTRY FARMS WOULD FACE LITTLE RISK BECAUSE OF THEIR OFTEN HEIGHTENED DISEASE PRECAUTIONS.

DNR OFFICIALS SAY LABORATORY TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ILLNESS IS ONGOING.

NOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M EMMA ATKINSON.

>>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY BRAD BUMGARDNER OF THE INDIANA AUDUBON SOCIETY WHO HAS BEEN TRACKING THE SITUATION.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS.

>> NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE DIE OFF.

SOME EVEN SPECULATING IT COULD BE RELATED TO THE CICADAS LAST MONTH.

COULD THAT BE A FACTOR.

>> THAT'S CERTAINLY ONE OF THE ISSUES.

SINCE WE DON'T KNOW RIGHT NOW, OOZE EASY TO SPECULATE AND JUMP TOP A LOT OF DIFFERENT CONCLUSIONS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CORRELATION AND CAUSATION.

SOME OF THE SICK BIRDS WERE BEFORE THE SI CICADAS CAME OUT.

WE HAVE TO SEARCH INTO IT MORE AND WE STILL NEED MORE DATA BEFORE WE CAN REALLY MAKE THAT CONNECTION.

>> AND THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW.

SO WHAT'S THE PROCESS FOR TRACKING THE SICK AND DYING BIRDS ALL OVER THE STATE?

>> YES, CERTAINLY CAN FEEL LIKE IT'S A WAITING GAME.

THE BEST WAY RIGHT NOW IS THE DNR, THE INDIANA DNR HAS A TRACKING REPORTING TOOL.

YOU CAN REPORT SICK BIRDS, INJURED BIRDS AND DEAD BIRDS AND THAT WILL ALLOW US TO GET A FULL PICTURE OF NOT ONLY HOW WIDE SPREAD THIS MIGHT BE AND THERE ARE LOCAL CLUSTERS AND HOTSPOTS TOO.

>> HOW CONCERNING IS IT ABOUT THE BIRD ILLNESS TO YOU AND COULD THERE BE SOME LASTING RAMIFICATIONS?

>> YEAH, AS A BIRD ENTHUSIAST AND ORRINING TOIST, IT'S VERY CONCERNING.

MY BIGGEST CONCERNS ARE RIGHT NOW ARE BIGGER BIRDS, THINGS LIKE HAWKS AND OWLS THAT YOU SEE.

THESE ONLY HAVE ONE OR TWO EGGS A YEAR.

ANY TYPE OF HIT ON THEIR POPULATIONS WILL TAKE A LOT MORE FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO RECOVER AND REBOUND.

THERE'S MORE RISK FOR THEM THAN THE SMALLER BIRDS THAT MIGHT HAVE FIVE OR SIX EGGS IN A NEST EVERY TIME THEY DO BUILD A NEST.

SO AS WE ARE KIND OF WATCHING THIS SPREADING AND THAT'S WHERE THE REPORTING CAN COME IN.

WE CAN LOOK FOR OWLS AND HAWKS AND EAGLES THAT MIGHT GET AFFECTED.

THAT'S MUCH OF MORE OF A CONCERN FOR ME.

>> THANK YOU, BRAD.

SOMETHING THAT WE WILL DEFINITELY CONTINUE TO FOLLOW.

>> YES, SOMETHING WE ARE TOO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

>>> WELL, THIS SUNDAY IS THE 4th OF JULY AND IT ALSO MARKS A YEAR SINCE BLOOMINGTON ACTIVIST VAUHXX BOOKER WAS THE VICTIM OF WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS AN ATTEMPTED LYNCHING NEAR LAKE MONROE.

MITCH LEGAN HAS BEEN UPDATE AS TO WHERE THE CASE STANDS TODAY.

>> IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE VAUHXX BOOKER FOUND HIMSELF SURROUNDED AND PINNED AGAINST A TREE.

>> WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET OUT OF HERE, GUYS.

WE ARE JUST TRYING TO GET OUT OF HERE.

>> ON JULY 4th LAST YEAR, BOOKER AND A GROUP OF FRIENDS WENT TO LAKE MONROE TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY.

THE DETAILS OF WHAT HAPPENED NEXT DEPEND ON WHO YOU ASK.

>> PLEASE LET HIM GO.

PLEASE LET HIM GO.

WE'RE GOING TO, AS SOON AS YOU LET HIM GO.

>> NO, YOU GO.

>> BOOKER SAYS A GROUP OF WHITE MEN JUMPED HIM AND THREATENED TO HANG HIM WITH A NOOSE AFTER THEY APPROACHED THE GROUP TO TO TALK.

>> AND WHITE MEN SAY THEY GOT IN THE FACE OF SEAN PURDY'S GIRLFRIEND, BEFORE PUNCHING PURDY.

PURDY'S LAWYER DIDN'T RESPOND TO WTIU'S REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

HERE'S BOOKER BACK IN MARCH.

>> I HAD A MILD CONCUSSION, SOME ABRASIONS.

YOU KNOW, THERE WERE SOME CHUNKS OF HAIR THAT WERE RIPPED OUT OF MY HEAD.

AND BASICALLY JUST KIND OF BEAT UP.

I THINK THE DEEPER WOUNDS WERE THE MENTAL ASPECTS.

>> BOOKER TOOK TO FACEBOOK TO TELL HIS STORY AND IT WENT VIRAL.

THE POST WAS SHARED OVER 200,000 TIMES, AND THE VIDEOS THAT CAPTURED SOME OF THE INCIDENT NOW HAVE OVER 8 MILLION VIEWS.

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS OUTLETS PICKED UP THE STORY.

>> THE MAN WHO SAYS HE WAS THE VICTIM OF A RACIALLY MOTIVATED ATTACK AT AN INDIANA LAKE IS TALKING TO CBS NEWS ALONG WITH AN EYEWITNESS.

>> IN BLOOMINGTON, THE INCIDENT SET OFF A WEEK OF ACTIVISM, CALLING FOR JUSTICE FOR BOOKER.

AND A GO FUND ME FORUM RAISED OVER $24,000.

>> THESE VAUHXX SIGNS HAVE MADE ME EMOTIONAL.

I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO ASK FOR JUSTICE FOR ONE MORE NAME.

>> ERICA OLIPHANT CHARGED PURDY WITH CRIMINAL BATTERY AND CRIMINAL CONFINEMENT AND CHARGED PURDY.

OLIPHANT RECUSED HERSELF FROM THE CASE.

IT'S NOW UNDER THE PURVIEW OF A NEW JUDGE AND PROSECUTOR.

BOTH SIDES HAVE BEEN TRYING TO USE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE INSTEAD OF GOING TO TRIAL.

THE FBI IS ALSO INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT AS A HATE CRIME.

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

>>> REMOTE WORKING TOOK OFF IN THE PANDEMIC, AND IN RESPONSE MORE COMMUNITIES ARE LURING REMOTE WORKERS WITH CASH AND OTHER INCENTIVES.

NOW A GROUP IN INDIANA IS GETTING IN ON THE TREND.

AS INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S JUSTIN HICKS REPORTS, SOME RESEARCHERS QUESTIONS WHETHER LURING REMOTE WORKERS IS THE BEST STRATEGY NOR GROWTH.

>> CAMPUS TOURS HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY, BUT ONE RECENTLY WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

INSTEAD OF FRESH-FACED HIGH SCHOOLERS, THEY ARE ACTIVELY RECRUITING ADULTS WITH JOBS THAT ALLOW THEM TO WORK REMOTELY.

>> THIS IS THE WORLD-FAMOUS PURDUE BELL TOWER.

>> AND HERE'S WHAT THEY ARE OFFERING.

STIPENDS OF UP TO $5,000, PLUS WHATEVER CAMPUS AMENITIES ONE COULD IMAGINE, AS LONG AS THEY WORK REMOTELY FROM THE SCHOOL'S CAMPUS IN WEST LaFAYETTE FOR ONE YEAR.

CHRISTIAN AND ZOIE MARTIN, A MARRIED COUPLE FROM LOS ANGELES DON'T REMEMBER WHERE THEY HEARD OF THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM, BUT THEY DO REMEMBER ALL THE FLASHY ADS THEY SAW WHEN THEY STARTED LOOKING INTO REMOTE WORKING PROGRAMS.

>> AND THEY SAY, OH, THIS PROGRAM WILL GIVE YOU $5,000.

THIS PROGRAM WILL GIVE YOU $10,000.

THIS PROGRAM WILL GIVE YOU $20,000 AND WHEN WE STARTED DOING THE RESEARCH, ARE THESE REAL?

>> IT TURNS OUT THESE PROGRAMS ARE VERY REAL.

CHRISTIAN AND ZOIE STARTED APPLYING FOR ALL THE ONES THEY COULD FIND.

>> WE ARE VISITING ANOTHER REMOTE LOCATION AFTER THIS.

WE ARE GOING DOWN TO THE SHOELS IN ALABAMA, AND THAT'S LIKE A DIFFERENT REMOTE PROGRAM.

WE'RE GOING TO CHECK OUT AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER AND KIND OF GO WITH AN OPEN MIND.

>> AND ALREADY THEY ARE NOTICING SOMETHING.

THEY ARE BEING COMPETED FOR.

>> THAT FEELS A LITTLE STRANGE, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE JUST, LIKE, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST WORKING.

>> EVAN HAWK, CO-FUNDER OF INDIANAPOLIS-BASED MAKE MY MOVE.COM HELPS PLACES START INCENTIVE PROGRAMS INCLUDING THIS ONE AT PURDUE.

HE SAYS PEOPLE LIKE THE MART WHOSEMARTINSWHO CAN KEEP THEIR GOOD PAYING JOBS AND CAN LIVE ANYWHERE ARE A HUGE UNTAPPED ARM.

>> THERE WERE 5 MILLION REMOTE WORKERS IN JANUARY OF LAST YEAR.

THERE ARE NOW NORTH OF 60 MILLION REMOTE WORKERS.

AND MANY OF THEM WILL STICK AROUND AND STAY REMOTE EVEN POST-PANDEMIC.

>> HAWK EXPECTS IT WILL OUTWEIGH THE COSTS OF THESE INCENTIVES.

THEY WILL PAY TAXES, BUY HOUSES, EAT AT OUR RESTAURANTS BE THE GENERAL MODEL CITIZENS THAT BOOST THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

THOSE SPLASHY GIMMICKS LIKE THE MONEY AND MOUNTAIN BIKES IS JUST THE BAIT TO START A CONVERSATION.

FOR INSTANCE, PURDUE'S PROGRAM IS ACTUALLY ONLY PAYING UP TO TEN PEOPLE, EVEN THOUGH 15 TO 20 ARE EXPECTED TO MOVE.

AND HAWK POINTS OUT THIS IDEA OF COMPETING FOR JOBS IS NOT NEW.

FOR DECADES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BATTLED EACH OTHER TO OFFER ALL SORTS OF INCENTIVES THAT CREATE JOBS.

BUT IT WAS ALMOST ALWAYS GEARED TOWARDS COMPANIES.

>> THE SAME THEORY THAT SAYS, HEY, IF AMAZON BRINGS THAT JOB, THAT'S WORTH X NUMBER OF DOLLARS TO MY COMMUNITY, APPLIES TO THE REMOTE WORKER.

LIKE, WE'RE SEEING AMERICAN LIFE SORT OF SHIFTING.

>> BUT NOT EVERYONE IS SO EAGER TO JUMP INTO THIS BOLD NEW FUTURE OF REMOTE WORKER INCENTIVES.

>> A SENIOR ECONOMIST IS SKEPTICAL.

HE SAYS THERE'S NO PROOF THESE PROGRAMS ARE ACTUALLY AS EFFECTIVE AS PROPONENTED CLAIM.

>> THERE ARE TWO ISSUES ABOUT REMOTE WORKER INKRENTZIVES.

THE FIRSTISH -- INCENTIVES.

THE FIRST ISSUE IS DO THEY HAVE ANY EFFECTS ON MIGRATION.

THE SECOND IS, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THAT VERSUS THE COST?

>> BARTIC SAYS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MIGHT FIND IT ATTRACTIVE BECAUSE LANDING OUT MONEY TO NEW RESIDENTS IS EASIER THAN OTHER MORE POLITICALLY INTENSIVE STRATEGIES.

STRATEGIES LIKE REMOVING BARRIERS FOR FOREIGN IMMIGRANTS ARE INVESTING IN SCHOOLS.

HE WARNS IF IT DOESN'T HAVE A NOTICEABLE EFFECT OPEN THE ECONOMY, IT COULD ALIENATE THE COMMUNITY WHO LIVES IN COMMUNITIES FOR YEARS WHO NEVER EVEN GOT AN INCENTIVE TO LIVE THERE.

>> WHY IS THIS GOOD?

IT'S GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE WHO MIGRATE, OTHERWISE THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN THE OFFER.

WHY IS IT GOOD FOR THE LOCAL POPULATION?

THE LOCAL RESIDENTS?

I MEAN WHY SHOULD LOCAL RESIDENTS PAY HIGHER TAXES TO PAY FOR THESE THINGS?

>> EVAN HAWK WITH BALLOON MAKE MY MOVE.COM SAYS THEY PLAN TO GATHER DATA ON THESE PROGRAMS BUT HOOSIERS CAN EXPECT TO SEE MORE OF THEM IN INDIANA.

FRENCH LICK, JASPER, AND BLOOMINGTON ARE ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING THEIR OWN INCENTIVE PROGRAMS.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M JUSTIN HICKS.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK,"."

AMMUNITION HAS BEEN HARDER TO COME BY AND MORE EXPENSIVE SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

AND THAT'S AFFECTING THE BOTTOM LINE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

AND THE MONROE COUNTY FAIR IS IN FULL SWING.

AHEAD WE TALK TO A PAIR OF BROTHERS SHOWING OFF THEIR PIGS.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

INDIANA LEGISLATURE HAS CREATED MORE THAN 200 NEW LAWS THIS YEAR AND MOST OF THEM WENT INTO EFFECT ON JULY 1st.

SEVERAL MEASURES WERE IN REACTION TO EVENTS LAST YEAR, INCLUDING LANDMARK POLICE REFORM IN THE STATE.

THERE ARE ALSO CONTROVERSIAL LAWS ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND ABORTION.

WE'RE JOINED BY INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATE HOUSE REPORTER BRANDON SMITH FOR MORE.

HELLO, BRANDON.

NOW, AFTER A TUMULTUOUS 2020 AROUND THE COUNTRY, POLICE REFORM BIG ISSUE THIS SESSION.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE CHANGES WITH THAT NEW LAW?

>> SURE.

THE INDIANA POLICE REFORM BILL WHICH WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED IN BOTH CHAMBERS, WHICH WAS PRETTY SHOCKING AND HISTORIC, IT DOES SEVERAL THINGS FOR POLICE.

IT REQUIRES ALL POLICE IN INDIANA TO UNDERGO DEESCALATION TRAINING.

IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR OFFICERS WHO DECERTIFY OFFICERS.

THEY CAN'T SERVE AS COPS ANY MORE, ANYWHERE IN THE STATE.

IT ALSO MADE IT A LITTLE BROADER AS FAR AS WHAT IS DEFINED AS MISCONDUCT.

IT USED TO REQUIRE A CRIMINAL CONVICTION.

BAD COPS A LITTLE EASIER TO IDENTIFY.

IT ALSO REQUIRES POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO SHARE MORE INFORMATION WITH EACH OTHER WHEN IT COMES TO HIRING PRACTICES SO THAT AS THE STATE POLICE PUT IT, BAD COPS CAN'T JUMP FROM ONE DEPARTMENT TO ANOTHER TO ANOTHER.

>> PROTECTIONS FOR WETLANDS TOOK A BIG HIT THIS YEAR.

WHAT WAS BEHIND THAT?

>> SURE.

THIS WAS REALLY STEMMED FROM CONFLICTS BETWEEN FARMERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORS.

THEY WERE UNHAPPY WITH THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT.

THEY TOOK AWAY ALL STATE PROTECTIONS FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF WETLANDS IN INDIANA.

THE ESTIMATES SAY IT COULD BE ABOUT 80%.

>> NOW, A MAJOR PART OF THE STATE'S LATEST ANTIABORTION BILL HAS BEEN SINCE BLOCKED BY THE COURTS.

WHAT DID IT DO AND WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BILL?

>> SO THIS DEALT WITH WHAT'S CALLED ABORTION REVERSAL.

SO IT SAID THAT DOCTORS IN INDIANA HAD TO REQUIRE -- OR WERE REQUIRED TO TELL THEIR PATIENTS THAT A MEDICATION ABORTION COULD BE REVERSED HALFWAY THROUGH.

NOW, THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS A LOT OF LEADING MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS SAY THAT IS UNPROVEN AND UNETHICAL.

A FEDERAL JUDGE STRUCK IT DOWN.

THIS WILL BE A LENGTHY APPEALS PROCESS.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT IS NEXT FOR THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> WE HAVE A LITTLE TIME LEFT.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER KEY BILLS THAT ARE TAKING EFFECT THIS MONTH?

>> A BIG ONE WAS AN OVERWEIGHT TRUCKS BILL.

BEFORE NOW, MOST TRUCKS IN THE STATE COULD ONLY HAUL UP TO ABOUT 80,000 POUNDS.

NOW MOST TRUCKS CAN HAUL UP TO 120,000 POUNDS.

THAT WAS PASSED DESPITE SOME CONCERNS OVER ROADWAYS AND SAFETY.

>> ALL RIGHT, BRANDON, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WELL, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC COMBINED WITH THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAUSED A PERFECT STORM THAT LED TO A TRAUMATIC SPIKE IN THE COST OF AMMUNITION.

IT'S LEAVING SHOOTING RANGES AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS SCRAMBLING FOR AMMO.

ADAM PINSKER REPORTS.

>> THE TOWN OF LOOGOOTEE IS NESTLED ON THE EDGE OF MARTIN COUNTY WITH A POPULATION OF LESS THAN 3,000 PEOPLE.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF CRIME.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF DRUG ADDICTION.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S A PREVALENT PROBLEM.

THAT'S PROBABLY OUR MAIN CRIMINAL ACT RIGHT NOW.

>> JIM FLOYD HAS BEEN POLICE CHIEF SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, AND HE'S FACING ANOTHER PROBLEM.

LACK OF AMMUNITION FOR THE 10 10 FULL-TIME AND TWO PART-TIME OFFICERS.

>> I CALLED AROUND SOUTHWEST INDIANA LOOKING FOR AMMUNITION AND THIS WAS NONE THE SHELVES.

>> HE PURCHASED AMMUNITION FROM A STORE IN RUSHVILLE ABOUT AN HOUR AWAY.

NEARLY TWO HOURS AWAY IN COLUMBUS, THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS SECURING AMMUNITION FOR THE 88 OFFICERS.

>> WE PLACED OUR ORDER FOR 2022 AND WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THAT IS GOING TO ARRIVE.

SO RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT LEAST A YEAR OUT FROM GETTING SOMETHING THAT USED TO TAKE US THREE TO FOUR WEEKS.

>> COLUMBUS POLICE SPOKESPERSON LIEUTENANT MATT HARRIS SAYS THE DEPARTMENT GOT THE 2020 AMMUNITION SHIPMENT LAST DECEMBER.

THE STATE OF INDIANA REQUIRES ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO TAKE A FIREARM QUALIFICATIONS COURSE TWICE A YEAR AT MINIMUM.

>> WE WANT TO ALLOW THE OFFICERS TO HAVE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO GO OUT AND RECEIVE EXTRA TRAINING BECAUSE IN OUR EYES, JUST GOING OUT A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

>> BOTH THE COLUMBUS AND THE LOOGOOTEE POLICE DEPARTMENT SAY THE SURGE IN AMMUNITION PRICES IS TAKING A BITE OUT OF THEIR BUDGETS.

>> I ASKED FOR AN ADDITIONAL $2,500.

THERE WAS ONLY $500 IN THE BUDGET.

AND I ASKED FOR AN ADDITIONAL $2,500, BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION WE WERE IN.

>> THE SHORTAGE IS ALSO AFFECTING PRIVATE GUN RANGES AND GUN SHOPS.

VISITORS TO UNCLE RUDY'S FIREARMS IN EVANSVILLE WILL PAY MORE THAN DOUBLE FOR A BOX OF BULLETS.

>> A BOX OF 9-MILLIMETER AMMUNITION THAT WAS A VERY POPULAR TRAINING ROUND, WOULD HAVE BEEN RETAILING FOR ABOUT $13 TO $14 BEFORE COVID.

AND NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT CLOSE TO $50 A BOX.

>> RUDOLPH SAYS IT'S SIMPLY AN ISSUE OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

HE SAID PRICES FOR AMMUNITION STARTED GOING UP A FEW MONTHS INTO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND HAVE NOT DROPPED SINCE.

>> MY DISTRIBUTORS AND WHOLESALERS, THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING TO COME BACK TO NORMAL UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR AT THE EARLIEST.

>> HE ATTRIBUTES MOUNTAIN SPIKE ATTRIBUTES SOME OF THE SPIKE, TO THE BIDEN WIN.

>> THE JOKE IS THAT BIDEN WAS BEST GUN SALES IN OUR INDUSTRY.

WE WANT TO SEE PEOPLE PRACTICE WITH THEIR FIREARMS IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS TO PRACTICE.

>> AND PRACTICING IS WHAT THE CHIEFS OF COLUMBUS AND LOOGOOTEE SAY THEIR OFFICERS WILL CONTINUE TO DO EVEN AS THEY NAVIGATE THE DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING AMMUNITION AND PUBLIC SAFETY WILL NOT BE IN JEOPARDY.

>> IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, WE ARE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH IT AS NECESSARY.

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

>> AFTER BEING CANCELED IN 2020, THE MONROE COUNTY FAIR RETURNS THIS WEEK WITH PLENTY OF LIVESTOCK.

HOLDEN ABSHIER REPORTS.

>> TO THE AVERAGE VISITOR, THE COUNTY FAIR MEANS FRIED FOOD, RIDES AND THE DEMOLITION DERBIES.

BUT FOR NOSE IN 4-H, IT'S A CULMINATION OF A YEAR'S HARD WORK.

THIS IS A 10-YEAR-OLD WHO SHOWS SWINE AND CATTLE EVERY YEAR.

HE SAYS A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT TAKES TO RAISE AN ANIMAL FOR COMPETITION.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD SAY, IT'S LIKE -- LIKE -- JUST LIKE FEED SLOP AND JUST LET THEM LAY IN THE MUD, BUT, NO.

NOT REALLY.

IT'S LIKE WALK 'EM.

FEED 'EM.

WATER THEM.

RINSE THEM.

>> JOHN K ALE'S OLDER BROTHER JACE SAYS THEY KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO RAISE A STRONG PIG.

>> THE GOAL IS TO GET THEM TO HAVE BIG LEGS.

YOU WANT THEN TO BE NICE AND BIG SO THEY HAVE A LOT OF MEAT AND MUSCLE.

>> BUT RAISING A PIG TO BE PHYSICALLY STRONG IS ONLY HALF OF THE PROCESS.

ALSO YOU HAVE TO TRAIN IT TO BEHAVE IN COMPETITION.

WHICH IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS.

>> YOU'VE GOT TO LOOK AT THE JUDGE.

YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP YOUR PIG MOVING.

YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP ITS HEAD UP.

>> IN ORDER TO KEEP THE PIG MOVING, THE PERSON SHOWING IT HAS TO LIGHTLY WHIP THE PIGS RIBS AND CHINS.

THEY ARE TREATED LIKE FAMILY PETS AT HOME.

THEY EVEN HAVE TIME TO DO ESSENTIAL PIG THINGS.

>> WHEN WE RINSE THEM, THERE'S A MUD HOLE TO THE SIDE TV AND THEY WILL LIKE -- THEY WILL LIKE LAY IN IT AND STUFF.

>> JOHN KALE AND JACE WILL CONTINUE TO SHOW THEIR ANIMALS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER WITH ANOTHER STOP AT THE INDIANA STATE FAIR NEXT MONTH.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M HOLTON ABSHIER.

>> THE FAIR RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY AT THE MONROE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS NEAR THE AIRPORT.

WELL, MOVE OVER, KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE, INDIANA IS GETTING INTO THE WHISKEY GAME.

A NEW LAW REGULATING THE ADVERTISING, LABELING AND SALE OF INDIANA RYE WHISKEY IS NOW IN EFFECT AND HARD TRUTH HILLS IN NASHVILLE IS UNVEILING ITS VERSION OF THIS INDIANA SPIRIT.

♪ >> I HAVE BEEN A BIG FAN OF CREATING NICE TASTY THINGS.

BOTH MY GREAT GRANDFATHERS WERE WHISKEY MAKERS ILLEGALLY IN THEIR TIME.

RYE WHISKEY AND QUALITY RYE WHISKEY, A GREAT MAJORITY OF IT HAS BEEN MADE IN INDIANA FOR 15 OR 20 YEARS.

MANY PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH KENTUCKY -- TENNESSEE WHISKEY AND KENTUCKY BOURBON.

WE BROUGHT THE IDEA TO CHRIS MAY ABOUT CREATING A CLASS DESIGNATION FOR INDIANA RYE WHISKEY.

THIS MAKES THE TERM INDIANA RYE WHISKEY WHEN IT'S ON A LABEL, IT MAKES IT PROTECTED TO WHERE YOU CAN'T PUT THAT ON THE LABEL UNLESS IT MEETS CERTAIN CRITERIA.

SO FOR INDIANA RYE WHISKEY, THE WHISKEY BE MASHED, FERMENTED, DISTILLED AND AGED FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

THE MAIN FLAVOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RYE WHISKEY AND SAY LIKE A BOURBON WHISKEY.

BOURBON GETS MORE SWEETNESS FROM CORN.

RYE WHISKEY IS SPICY.

IT'S NOT SPICY LIKE HOT ON YOUR TONGUE.

RYE GROWS IN THE FIELD, DRIES, THEY HARVEST IT.

AS FAR AS THE PROCESS OF HOW WE GET FROM THAT TO THIS, FIRST YOU MILL IT TO FLOUR.

AND THEN WHEN YOU ARE MASHING, YOU ARE JUST BASICALLY BOILING IT WITH WATER OR HEATING IT UP WITH WATER.

AND THEN YOU COOL IT DOWN AND YOU THE ADD YEAST.

WHEN YOU ADD YEAST, THE STARCHES ARE CONVERTED TO SUGAR AND THEN THE YEAST EATS THAT SUGAR.

THEN WE GO TO THE STILL.

THEN WE WATER IT DOWN TO 110 PROOF AND WE STICK IT IN A NEW CHARRED WHITE OAK AMERICAN BARREL.

WITH THIS PROTECTION FOR INDIANA RYE WHISKEY, WHAT THIS WILL ALLOW US TO DO IS REALLY GET PARTICIPATION FROM THE STATE OF INDIANA, CELEBRATING SOMETHING THAT IS ALREADY THERE AND SHOULD ALREADY BE CELEBRATED.

IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE AN ECONOMIC BOOM.

IT HAS POTENTIAL TO BE FOR ALL THE DISTILLERS IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

>> 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, SAFE AND HAPPY JULY 4th WEEKEND.

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