>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," IN SOME PARTS OF THE STATE, THE COVID VACCINATION RATE IS HOVERING AROUND 15%.

AND LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE HEADWAY.

>> WE'RE IN THE POSITION OF, HEY, YOU KNOW, HERE'S THE INFORMATION.

TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.

BUT DON'T GET YOUR INFORMATION ON HEALTHCARE FROM THE LOCAL STEEL CUTTER.

>> AHEAD, THE UPHILL CLIMB TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED AS THE HIGHLY INFECTIOUS DELTA VARIANT TAKES HOLD IN THE STATE.

>>> INDIANA'S HOUSING MARKET IS ON FIRE!

IT'S A DREAM FOR SELLERS AND A NIGHTMARE FOR BUYERS.

>> SUPPLY IS LOW AND DEMAND IS HIGH.

AND THAT DRIVES PRICE UP.

>> AND POLICE OFFICERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY GATHERED IN TERRE HAUTE THIS WEEK TO REMEMBER A VETERAN POLICE OFFICER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

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

>> AND MANY OF US WOULD HAVE -- ♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE STATE HAS REPORTED MORE THAN 500 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 FOR THE PAST FOUR DAYS.

REVERSING A TREND FROM THE PAST TWO MONTHS.

AND ALMOST HALF OF THE NEW CASES ARE OF THE DELTA VARIANT, WHICH OFFICIALS SAY IS UP TO 40 TIMES MORE TRANSMISSIBLE THAN THE ORIGINAL STRAIN.

MORE THAN 2.8 MILLION HOOSIERS HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19, BUT THAT'S STILL LESS THAN 50% OF THOSE ELIGIBLE IN THE STATE.

>> THESE VARIANTS HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE MORE INFECTIOUS, AND MAY CAUSE MORE SEVERE ILLNESS AND THE VACCINE IS STILL THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOL THAT WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE WE LOVE.

>> INDIANA AND ITS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE ENTERING A NEW STAGE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19, BUT IN THE STATE'S LEAST VACCINATED COUNTY, IT'S AN UPHILL CLIMB.

BROCK TURNER BRINGS US FIRST OF TWO REPORTS ON WHAT THE STATE IS DOING TO GET SHOTS IN ARMS.

>> IN LaGRANGE COUNTY, INDIANA, ONE IN FIVE RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

FOR HEALTH OFFICIALS, THE HOPES OF HERD IMMUNITY VIA A VACCINE IS JUST THAT.

>> I THINK GETTING HERD IMMUNITY THROUGH VACCINE IS A FOOL'S ERRAND IN OUR COUNTY.

>> DR. THOMAS PECHIN IS THE COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER AND HAS PRACTICED MEDICINE FOR 30 YEARS.

MOUNTAIN CHALLENGES HE -- MANY OF THE CHALLENGES HE FACES ARE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> WE HAVE ACCESS TO VACCINE AND PLENTY OF INFORMATION SHARED WITH PEOPLE AND BASICALLY PEOPLE ARE MAKING THEIR OWN DECISIONS AND THAT'S THE WAY AMERICA SHOULD WORK.

WE HAVE A GREAT HOSPITAL SYSTEM THAT CAN TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE SICK.

SO WE'RE IN THE POSITION OF, HEY, YOU KNOW, HERE'S THE INFORMATION.

TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.

BUT DON'T GET YOUR INFORMATION ON HEALTHCARE FROM THE LOCAL STEEL CUTTER.

OKAY?

GET IT FROM SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS WHAT THE HECK THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> ONE OF THE OTHER LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES IS THE OWNER OF TOPEKA PHARMACY, TREVOR THAIN.

>> I BOUGHT THE STORE IN 2018 AND THEN MY WIFE AND I GOT MARRIED AND SHE'S A PHARMACIST AS WELL.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING HERE AND RUNNING IT FOR THREE AND A HALF YEAR.

>> THAIN PLAYED AN INTEGRAL PART OF A STATE PROGRAM THAT FUNNELED COVID VACCINES TO PHARMACIES THAT WERE AVAILABLE.

HE BELIEVES IT WAS SUCCESSFUL, BUT DEMAND HAS DRIED UP.

>> IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO, I HAVE SEEN A SHARP DECLINE IN THE DEMAND FOR THE SHOTS.

INSTEAD OF DOING 60 OR 70 A DAY AND ORDERING 300 OR 400 DOSES A WEEK, WE ARE GETTING MAYBE 100 DOSES A WEEK.

AND JUST TEN APPOINTMENTS HERE OR THERE ON A DAY AND TAKING WALK-INS NOW.

>> THAIN SAYS HE HAS MADE HOUSE CALLS AND STAYED AFTER HOURS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SCHEDULING OR OR COMMENTS BUT YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT IN.

IN MULTI LaGRANGE ZIP CODES 15% ARE VACCINATED.

A LARGE AMISH POPULATION RESIDES HERE.

LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THEY STRUGGLED VACCINATED AND FIGHTING FACTUALLY QUESTIONABLE INFORMATION IN THE COMMUNITY.

A GROUP THAT SERVE AS THE LIAISON DECLINED TO COMMENT FOR THE STORY, BUT IT CAN'T BE BLAMED EXCLUSIVELY ON ANY SINGLE GROUP.

LAST MONTH CDC GROUPS TOURED THE COUNTY BUT LOCAL LEADERS SAY FEDERAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES DIDN'T OFFER ANY REAL SOLUTIONS.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S A UNIVERSAL MAGIC BULLET THAT WILL FIX ANYTHING.

THERE'S SO MANY THINGS INTERTWINED INTO THIS THING, WHETHER IT'S POLITICS, RELIGIOUS, CULTURE.

ALL OF THAT SOMEHOW GOT MIXED INTO SOMETHING THAT'S JUST BLACK AND WHITE SCIENCE.

YOU KNOW, AND IT'S REALLY TOUGH.

>> INDIANA RANKS IN THE BOTTOM HALF OF DOSES ADMINISTERED BY STATE PER 100,000 RESIDENTS.

>> SO OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE DISAPPOINTED.

WE WOULD RATHER BE HIGHER WITH OUR PERCENTAGE OF FULLY VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS.

>> LAST WEEK THE STATE'S TOP HEALTH OFFICIALS ADMITTED THE VACCINATED EFFORTS HAVE HIT A WALL.

>> WE KNEW THERE WOULD COME A TIME WHEN WE WOULD GO FROM PEOPLE VERY, VERY ANXIOUS TO GET THE VACCINE AND OUR NOT HAVING ENOUGH TO A TIME WHEN WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO GET THAT NEXT INDIVIDUAL TO BE VACCINATED.

>> FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN LaGRANGE COUNTY, THAT'S A DAILY FIGHT.

>> I HAVE MORE BAGS UNDER MY EYES AND GRAY HAIR -- ACTUALLY JUST LESS HAIR THAN WHEN I STARTED THIS BACK BEFORE MARCH OF LAST YEAR.

>> THAIN AND PECHIN BOTH WORRY ABOUT A VARIANT LIKE DELTA THAT'S MORE TRANSMISSIBLE, SPREADED HERE AMONG THE UNVACCINATED.

A SURGE IN CASES COULD OVERWHELM THE LOCAL HOSPITAL, BUT BOTH INSIST THEY ARE INVESTED AND IN SPITE OF THE STRUGGLES THEY WILL CONTINUE TO WORK FOR WHAT THEY KNOW IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF RESIDENTS.

>> BECAUSE IF WE DON'T DO IT, NOBODY WILL.

AND THAT'S -- YOU KNOW WE HAVE A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE VERY LIKE-MINDED WITH ME ON THAT.

>> IT'S MY COMMUNITY.

THESE ARE PEOPLE I KNOW.

AND THEY ARE VERY GOOD PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, THEY JUST HAVE MISINFORMATION.

AND, YOU KNOW, MY CHALLENGE IS TO TRY TO CORRECT THAT AND IT'S BEEN -- IT'S BEEN A REAL UPHILL CLIMB.

IT'S JUST -- AND IT'S NOT OVER YET.

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

>>> NEXT WEEK, WE'LL LOOK AT HOW ONE COUNTY IS TAKING AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH IN TRYING TO GET ITS RESIDENTS VACCINATED.

>>> NOW FOR HEADLINES WE GO OVER TO ETHAN BURKS WHO HAS THE LATEST ON THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES.

>> THANKS, JOE.

INDIANA OFFICIALS SAY MORE ANALYSIS IS NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND THE FULL ACADEMIC IMPACT OF COVID-19 DURING THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR.

STATEWIDE ILEARN DATA SHOWS JUST UNDER 29% OF THE STATE'S THIRD THROUGH EIGHTH GRADERS PASSED THE MATH AND ENGLISH PORTIONS.

EDUCATION SECRETARY KATIE JENNER SAYS THE RESULTS SHOULDN'T BE USED TO CRITICIZE SCHOOLS OR EDUCATORS IN UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> THIS DATA CANNOT BE AN INDICTMENT ON ANYONE, ON ANYTHING, ON ANY SCHOOL.

THE REALITY IS ALL OF US HAD A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

>> THE STATE IS IN THE FIRST PHASE OF THE A COVID-19 ACADEMIC STUDY.

AEXPERTS SAY LOOKING AT STUDENT RATE OF LEARNING IS KEY TO UNDERSTANDING RECOVERY.

IT WILL LIKELY TAKE AT LEAST ONE YEAR OF SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE TO GET BACK ON TRACK IN MATH.

>>> DAYANA MEDINA FLORES WAS SENTENCED FOR 65 YEARS IN PRISON FOR THE MURDER OF HAD 12-YEAR-OLD ACCEPTSON.

HER HUSBAND LUIS POSSO IS CHARGED AND HIS CASE IS BEING APPEALED.

>> RIGHT NOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS WORKING ON ITS BRIEF, WHICH IS DUE TO BE FILED AUGUST 2nd.

>> 2019, DEPUTIES DISCOVERED THE COUPLE AND THEIR SON STAYING AT THE BLOOMINGTON ECONOMY INN ON STATE ROAD 37 SOUTH.

THEY FOUND A BOX CONTAINING CONSTRAINTS AND A K-9 SHOCK COLLAR IN THE MOTEL ROOM.

BOTH WERE USED ON THE CHILD, WHICH LED TO HIS DEATH.

>> THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IS CONSIDERING REGULATING PFAS AND MORE THAN 60 OTHER CONTAMINANTS IN DRINKING WATER.

PFAS IS FOUND IN EVERYTHING FROM NONSTICK PANS TO FIREFIGHTING FOAMS THAT POLLUTED GROUNDWATER AT MILITARY BASES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS.

>> EXPOSURE TO PFAS HAS BEEN LINKED TO HEALTH PROBLEMS WITH THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, INFANT BIRTH WEIGHTS AND IN SOME CASES CANCER.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR JACKIE McDONALD GIBSON IS STUDYING PFAS IN RURAL WATER IN INDIANA AND THREE OTHER STATES.

SHE SAYS SOME STATES THAT HAVE TRIED TO REGULATE PFAS HAVE FACED LAWSUITS FOR MANUFACTURERS.

DRINKING WATER UTILITIES ALSO HAVE INSTALL NEW EXPENSIVE SYSTEMS TO REMOVE THEM.

>> TO BE SUCCESSFUL, ANY NEW REGULATIONS WOULD REALLY HAVE TO COME WITH AN ENORMOUS INCREASE, I THINK IN FEDERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

>> JUST BECAUSE A CONTAMINANT GETS ON THE EPA'S CANDIDATE LIST DOESN'T MEAN THE AGENCY WILL CONTROL IT IN DRINKING WATER.

IN THE PAST, THE EPA HAS LOOKED INTO REGULATING HUNDREDS OF CHEMICALS IN WATER BUT HAS ONLY CHOSEN A HANDFUL FROM EACH PREVIOUS LIST.

>> THERE'S DEAF DEFINITELY A NEED TO CONTROL PFAS IN DRINKING WATER.

THEY ARE VERY WIDE SPREAD.

A RECENT STUDY SUGGESTED THAT THESE CONTAMINANTS ARE PRESENT IN AS MANY AS TWO-THIRDS OF U.S.

DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES.

>> FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> HOOSIERS WILL GET A REFUND WHEN THEY FILE THEIR TAXES NEXT YEAR.

THAT'S BECAUSE STATE FINISHED THE YEAR WITH A LOT MORE REVENUE THAN EXPECTS TRIGGERING INDIANA'S AUTOMATIC TAXPAYER REFUND.

IN JUST OF THE LAST THREE MONTHS, INDIANA BROUGHT IN $1.2 BILLION MORE THAN EXPECTED.

THE EXACT AMOUNT PER PERSON WILL NOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL LATER THIS YEAR.

>>> A FEDERAL JUDGE IN SOUTH BEND SAYS HE WILL VERY SOON COME UP WITH A DECISION IN A LAWSUIT BROUGHT ON BY EIGHT STUDENTS AGAINST INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S COVID-19 VACCINE POLICY.

THE STUDENTS ARE CHALLENGING THE LEGALITY OF THE POLICY, WHICH MANDATES STUDENT, STAFF AND FACULTY TO BE VACCINATED BEFORE RETURNING TO CAMPUS NEXT MONTH.

THEY ARE QUESTIONING THE REQUIREMENTS THAT THEY PLACE ON EXEMPTED INDIVIDUALS, RESTRICTIONS SUCH AS FACE MASKS WEARING ON CAMPUS AND INCREASED MITIGATION TESTING.

>>> BLOOMINGTON'S OL' K-MART LOCATION ON EAST 3rd STREET IS BEING CONVERTED INTO 340 NEW APARTMENTS, BUT SOME CITY OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT INCREASED TRAFFIC.

>> IT COULD BE LOOKED AT IN THE FUTURE IF TRAFFIC GETS TO BE WORSE, TO PUT IN FOUR-WAY STOPS, YOU KNOW THAT JUST KIND OF DEPENDS ON TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS AND COUNTS.

>> THE COMPLEX CALLED DISTRICT AT LATIMER SQUARE WILL HAVE OVER 900 BEDROOMS IT INCLUDES 535 PARKING SPACES, AS WELL AS 378 SPACE PARKING GARAGE ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE PROPERTY.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY JULY 2023.

A BEE MICROBE THAT LIVES INSIDE QUEEN HONEYBEES PROTECTS THEM FROM DEADLY FUNGUSES ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH FROM I.U.

THEY HOPE THE DISCOVERY WILL LEAD TO MEDICINE THAT COULD HELP WORKER BEES ANTIFUNGAL TREATMENTS FOR PEOPLE, AND PREVENT FOOD FROM SPOILING.

I.U.

STUDENT DELANEY MILLER IS THE LEAD AUTHOR OF THE STUDY.

>> AND SO THERE'S THE POTENTIAL THAT ONCE WE IDENTIFY THE STRUCTURE OF THIS METABOLITE THAT IT COULD BE DEVELOPED AS A PESTICIDE FOR AGRICULTURE THAT WE KNOW WOULD NOT BE DAMAGING IN ANY WAY TO THE POLLINATORS.

>> SEVERAL INSECTICIDES MEANT TO KILL PESTS ON FARMS ALSO HARM HONEYBEES AND OTHER POLLINATORS.

MORE THAN 48% OF HONEYBEE COLONIES DIE EACH YEAR.

AND THAT THREATENS THE COUNT.

NOW BACK TO YOU, JOE.

>> ETHAN THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," LOW PLIES AND SUPPLIES AND HIGH DEMANDS HAVE MADE HOUSE BUYING AN ADVENTURE.

AND THE STATE IS RESUMING EXTRA FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IT SHUT OFF LAST MONTH.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR UNEMPLOYED HOOSIERS.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE CITY OF TERRE HAUTE AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY ARE GRIEVING THE LOSS OF ANOTHER POLICE OFFICER SKILLED IN KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CAME OUT TO REMEMBER DETECTIVE GREG FERENCY THIS WEEK.

>> THIS IS A MEMORIAL SET UP FOR GREG FERENCY.

ON TUESDAY HE WAS LAID TO REST, ALMOST A WEEK AFTER HE WAS SHOT TO DEATH NEAR THE FBI HEADQUARTERS HERE IN TERRA HAUTE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AROUND INDIANA CAME TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS.

THE BODY OF FALLEN TERRE HAUTE POLICE OFFICER GREG FERENCY MAKES THE FINAL JOURNEY PAST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE HE SERVED FOR ALMOST THREE DECADES.

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND BYSTANDERS STOPPING TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS.

>> I WAS JUST DEVASTATED TO THINK ANOTHER ONE OF OUR OFFICERS HAD BEEN KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

>> SUSAN MARDIS HAD A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO FERENCY'S FAMILY.

SHE WAS THE PRINCIPAL AT WOODROW WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL WHERE FERENCY'S TWO CHILDREN ATTENDED A FEW YEARS BACK.

>> I ALSO KNOW GREG'S PARENTS, DOTTIE AND MIKE AND THEN I HAD THE CHILDREN IN SCHOOL.

AND JUST TO THINK OF THEM LOSING THEIR FATHER, JUST AS THEY HAVE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

>> IN ADDITION TO HIS DUTIES AS A TERRE HAUTE POLICE OFFICER, FERENCY WORKED OUT OF THE CITY'S LOCAL FBI OFFICE WHERE HE ASSISTED THE AGENCY WITH THE BREAKING OF JUDGE AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING NETWORKS.

CALLINGS TO EULOGIZE SAYING HE WAS METICULOUS ABOUT HIS WORK BUT ALSO KIND AND PROFESSIONAL.

>> UNASSUMING, HUMBLING DOWN TO EARTH.

HE COULD AND WOULD TALK TO ANYONE.

SOME PEOPLE HE EVEN CAME BACK TO THANK HIM FOR SOCK KIND BEING SO KIND AND PROFESSIONAL WHILE HE ARRESTED THEM.

>> FERENCY DIED AFTER CONFRONTING A MAN WHO THREW A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL INTO THE FBI OFFICE.

THE SUSPECT SHOT HIM BEFORE LEAVING THE SCENE.

>> IT'S HEART BREAKING TO THINK THAT SOMEBODY THAT IS TRYING TO KEEP US SAFE LOSES THEIR LIFE DOING WHAT IS RIGHT, WHAT WE NEED.

AND IT JUST AFFECTS -- IT'S LIKE A RIPPLE.

YOU KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS, IT JUST RIPPLES OUT.

>> THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN THE PAST DECADE A TERRE HAUTE POLICE OFFICER HAS LOST HIS LIFE IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

IT'S A TREND THAT WORRIES TERRE HAUTE'S MAYOR.

>> EVERYONE WILL TELL YOU THERE'S COPS OUT THERE WHO HAVE MADE BAD DECISIONS AND THEY NEED TO BE DEALT WITH, BUT THAT IS SUCH A SMALL MINORITY OF POLICE OFFICERS, VERY SMALL.

AND WE JUST NEED TO GET BACK TO THAT LAW AND ORDER SENSE.

>> THE SUSPECT IN THIS CASE SHANE MEEHAN WAS CHARGED WITH MURDERING A FEDERAL OFFICER.

THAT'S BECAUSE DETECTIVE FERENCY SERVED ON AN FBI TASK FORCE HERE IN TERRE HAUTE.

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

>> WELL, BUYING A HOME IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST DECISIONS YOU CAN MAKE BUT A LACK OF SUPPLY HAS COMPLICATED THE PROCESS FOR MANY.

MITCH LEGAN REPORTS.

>> A YEAR AGO, THE AVERAGE HOUSE IN MONROE COUNTY WENT FOR $266,000.

TODAY, THE AVERAGE SALE PRICE IS $303,000.

IT'S A SELLERS DREAM AND IT'S BEEN A NIGHTMARE FOR MANY BUYERS.

FOR REALTOR STEVE SMITH, IT'S SIMPLE ECONOMICS.

>> IT'S SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

AND SUPPLY IS LOW AND DEMAND IS HIGH.

AND THAT DRIVES PRICE UP, AND IT'S A LITTLE BIT LIKE A FEEDING FRENZY.

>> THE INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS SAYS ALMOST 50% FEWER HOMES ARE FOR SALE NOW COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

IN MONROE COUNTY, THERE ARE 150 FEWER HOUSES ON THE MARKET, DOWN 30%.

NEARBY BROWN, LAWRENCE AND MORGAN COUNTIES TELL A SIMILAR STORY.

THE LACK OF SUPPLY, INCREASED DEMAND, RECORD LOW MORTGAGE RATES AND PANDEMIC LOCKDOWNS CREATED THE PERFECT HOUSING FRENZY.

BUYERS ARE DOING JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING TO SECURE HOMES.

>> THIS CAME ON THE MARKET AT NOON.

I NOTICED IT, AND AT 2 P.M.

I WAS IN THE CAR, FOR A 7:30 P.M.

SHOWING AND PUT THE OFFER IN AT 10 P.M. >> AIKEN LIVED IN CHICAGO FOR DECADES BUT BEGAN THINKING DURING THE PANDEMIC OF MOVING BACK HOME TO PLUMINGTON.

WHEN -- BLOOMINGTON.

WHEN HE TOOK HIS HOME IN CHICAGO HE TOOK HIS TIME AND COMPARED OFFERS.

>> BACK THEN YOU NEGOTIATED, AND YOU THREW IN AN OFFER BELOW ASKING, OF COURSE, AND THEN YOU WORKED IT DOWN, WORKED IT DOWN.

HERE IT'S MAYBE YOU START AT ASKING, BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT IT, YOU GO ABOVE ASKING.

>> WITH POTENTIAL BUYERS WILLING TO GO THOUSANDS OVER ASKING PRICE, THE MEDIAN HOME PRICE IN THE STATE HAS JUMPED MORE THAN $30,000 IN THE LAST YEAR.

BUYERS ARE WILLING TO PAY CASH, WAIVE APPRAISALS AND SKIP INSPECTIONS.

>> IT WAS JUST SO CRAZY, BECAUSE YOU WOULD GO TO THESE HOUSE VIEWINGS AND THIS WOULD BE THREE OR FOUR OTHER FAMILIES THERE AND REAL ESTATE AGENTS WITH THEIR CELL PHONES DOING VIRTUAL TOURS.

>> McGUIRE AND HER HUSBAND LANDED A HOUSE IN FISHERS AFTER MONTHS OF SEARCHING AND ARE PACKING UP TO MOVE.

SHE SAID THEY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OUT BID THE COMPETITION.

IT WAS A HANDWRITTEN LETTER THAT SEALED THE DEAL FOR THEM.

>> THE REAL ESTATE AGENT SAID THEY DID RECEIVE, YOU KNOW, FULL OFFERS.

YOURS WAS NOT THE BEST, BUT THEY LOVED YOUR LETTER.

AND THEY WANT TO, YOU KNOW, COUNTEROFFER X, Y, Z AND THEY WILL GIVE IT TO YOU.

>>> NOT EVERYONE LOOKING FOR A HOME WILL LUCK OUT WITH A LETTER.

THE SERIOUS PRICE HIKES AND SUPPLY SHORTAGES ARE LEAVING MANY FIRST-TIME BUYERS ON THE SIDELINES.

THERE WAS AN UNDER BUILDING GAP OF NEARLY 6 MILLION HOUSING UNITS SINCE 2001.

>> YOU LOOK AT THE INVENTORY OF HOMES ON THE MARK, A MONTH'S SUPPLY OF INVENTORY.

RIGHT NOW THAT MEASURE IS BELOW ONE MONTH, AND REALLY THE -- KIND OF THE RULE OF THUMB FOR AN EVEN HOUSING MARKET IS ABOUT SIX MONTHS OF SUPPLY.

>> BOTH KINGHORN AND SMITH AGREE THE SOLUTION IS MORE HOUSING, BUT THE PRICE OF BUILDING MATERIALS HAS INCREASED SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

AND WITH THE MARKET ON FIRE AS IT IS, IT MAKES MORE SENSE FINANCIALLY TO BUILD MORE EXPENSIVE HOMES.

>> WE ARE STARTING IT TO SEE MORE CONSTRUCTION AND HOPEFULLY WITH THAT CONSTRUCTION, WE START TO SEE IT MORE THAT KIND OF STARTER HOME END OF THE MARKET RATHER THAN THE HIGHER END OF THE MARKET BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO KIND OF BRING SOME NORMALCY BACK TO THE MARKET.

>> SMITH SAYS IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A HOUSE, THE KEY IS PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE.

THE MARK HAS SHOWN MARKET HAS SHOWN SIGNS OF POSSIBLY EASING IN THE DISTANT FUTURE BUT IT WILL STAY HOT AS THE SUMMER CONTINUES.

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

>>> FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE AGAIN FLOWING TO UNEMPLOYED HOOSIERS THIS WEEK AFTER AN INDIANA COURT OF APPEALS RULING.

THE COURT SAID INDIANA MUST FOLLOW A LOWER COURT'S FORCING IT TO RESTART A FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES AN EXTRA $300 A WEEK IN UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

THE STATE ENDED THAT BENEFIT AND OTHER COVID-19 RELIEF PROGRAMS LAST MONTH.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S JUSTIN HICKS WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THIS STORY.

HELLO, JUSTIN.

WELCOME.

SO FEDERAL BENEFITS BENEFITS ARE RESTARTING TODAY.

WHY IS THE STATE CHANGING THE POLICIES ON THE BENEFITS.

>> SO TO PUT IT BLUNTLY, THERE'S A COUPLE OF JUDGES AND DECISIONS THAT JUDGES MADE ARE MAKING THEM DO THAT.

THERE'S A LINE THAT SAYS STATE MUST CONFER ALL THE RIGHTS AND BENEFITS OF FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT TO HOOSIERS.

SO A GROUP OF PRO BONO LAWYERS FROM INDIANA LEGAL SERVICES TOOK THEM TO COURT SAYING THIS VIOLATES LAW.

THE CASE HAS NOT BEEN DECIDED YET BUT THEY DID GET AN EMERGENCY INJUNCTION AFFIRMED BY TWO DIFFERENT COURTS NOW, THAT SAYS THE STATE CANNOT END BENEFITS BECAUSE THEY NEED TO FIGURE OUT THE CASE ESSENTIALLY.

SO, I MEAN I KIND OF LIKEN THIS TO, YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE A FOOTBALL FAN, IT'S KIND OF LIKE YOU REALLY JUST NEED TO KICK A FIELD GOAL HERE.

THAT INJUNCTION WAS LIKE THE FIELD GOAL.

ITS NOT QUITE THE TOUCHDOWN, BUT IT'S THE FIELD GOAL AND THAT'S ENOUGH TO WIN THE GAME POTENTIALLY AND THEN TO RUN OUT THE CLOCK UNTIL SEPTEMBER WHEN THE BENEFITS WOULD END ANYWAYS.

>> EXACTLY WHAT ARE THE FEDERAL BENEFITS THAT ARE RESTARTING?

IS IT JUST SOME OF THE NEW PROGRAMS?

>> IT'S THESE NEW FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS, ONE IS P.U.A., THAT'S FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED FOLKS, GIG WORKERS, FOLKS WHO MAYBE OTHERWISE WOULDN'T BE ELIGIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

THAT WILL COME ONLINE.

P.E.U.C.

WHICH GIVES PEOPLE EXTRA WEEKS OF ELIGIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND IN INDIANA, THEY GET 26 WEEKS IN THE PROGRAM.

SO THIS WILL GIVE AN EXTRA 12 WEEKS, I BELIEVE, TO THAT.

AND ANOTHER ONE, AND THIS IS THE ONE I THINK YOU HIGHLIGHTED BEFORE, THE $300, THE EXTRA $300 BENEFIT WILL BE COMING BACK AS WELL.

AND THAT GOES FOR ANYBODY.

ANYBODY ON P.U.A., ON U.I., REGULAR U.I.

IF YOU MAKE AT LEAST $1 OF BENEFITS, IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE NOR THAT, YOU WILLELIGIBLEFOR THAT, YOU WILL GET AN EXTRA $300.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COVERAGE.

>> OF COURSE.

THANK YOU.

>> NEARLY 160 YEARS AGO THE SOUTHERN INDIANA TOWN OF NEWBURGH ETCHED ITS PLACE WHEN CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS CAPTURED THE TOWN WITHOUT FIRING A SHOT.

MITCH LEGAN HAS MORE.

>> IT WAS JULY 18th, 186, 2, ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS PRESIDENT AND EVERY DAY THEY FELL DEEPER INTO THE CIVIL WAR AND ALONG THE OHIO RIVER, CONFEDERATOR RAIDER, ADAM RANKIN USED A CHARRED LOG AND A STOVEPIPE.

THE HEADLINE READS GUERRILLA INVASION.

ABOUT 30 CONFEDERATE RAIDERS LED BY ADAM JOHNSON CROSSED THE OHIO RIVER FROM KENTUCKY TO CAPTURE THE PORT TOWN OF NEWBURGH AND ITS SUPPLIES.

WHEN THE RAIDERS LANDED IN UNION TERRORTERRITORY, NOBODY STOPPED THEM.

>> THEY WERE AT LUNCH.

NOBODY WAS GUARDING THE WAREHOUSE.

NOBODY WAS GUARDING ANYTHING DOWNTOWN.

>> ODDS ARE, THEY HAD SOME HELP FROM CONFEDERATE SYMPATHIZERS IN TOWN.

THEY SCRAMBLED UP THE RIVERBANK AND QUICKLY CAPTURED A WAREHOUSE FULL OF GUNS AND AMMUNITION.

>> AFTER JOHNSON TOOK THE MAKESHIFT ARMORY, HE AND SOME MEN CAME TO THIS BUILDING AND SECURED IT BEFORE SETTING OUT TO SEE WHAT ELSE THEY COULD FIND.

>> THE CONFEDERATES RAIDED NEWBURGH IN A MATTER OF HOURS AND WARNED IF ANYONE TRIED TO STOP THEM, THERE WERE CANNONS READY TO SHELL THE TOWN TO THE GROUND.

>> BEHIND ME ACROSS THE RIVER IS BASICALLY WHERE THE TWO CANNONS WERE LOCATED, AND THAT BASICALLY, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, ONE WAS A STOVEPIPE WHICH IS BLACK AND THE OTHER WAS A BURNT LOG WHICH WAS BLACK AND THEN THEY MOUNTED THEM ON WAGON WHEELS.

THEY WORKED AND THEY MADE OFF WITH WEAPONS, HORSES, FOOD, AND AND THE LEADER HAD A NEW NICKNAME, STOVEPIPE JOHNSON.

>> IT'S UNIQUE, IN THAT NO SHOTS WERE FIRED, UNTIL LATER.

>> WITHIN DAYS A THOUSAND TROOPS WERE DISPATCHED THERE TO PROTECT THE TOWN AND RETURN SOME OF THE GOODS BUT IT DIDN'T SAVE NEWBURGH TO BE THE FIRST TOWN TO SURRENDER TO A STOVEPIPE.

>> THE NEWBURGH MUSEUM IS OPEN FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS FROM 11 A.M. TO 3 P.M. THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT AT WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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