>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," STUDENTS RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM NEXT WEEK, BUT THEY'LL HAVE TO WEAR MASKS ACCORDING TO THE LATEST MCCSC GUIDE LINES.

BUT MANY WANT MASKS TO BE OPTIONAL.

>> IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE AND DATA, I KINDLY ASK YOU TO LET STUDENTS UNMASK.

>> AND THE VALUE OF THE PRESSURE METALS OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS.

>> WHEN WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO SAID THERE'S SOMEONE UNDERNEATH A CAR.

WE WENT OUT AND FOUND THEM IN THE INITIAL STAGES.

THEY WENT AWAY QUICKIE THERE.

>> AHEAD, HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CAR.

>>> AND WE VISIT WITH THE BLOOMINGTON NONPROFIT THAT'S ACTIVELY RECRUITING OUT-OF-STATE REMOTE WORKERS TO THE CITY.

>> WE WANT AS MANY COOL, SMART PEOPLE DOING INTERESTING THINGS HERE AS POSSIBLE.

>>> THOSE STORIES PLUS THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB OPTED TO NOT REIMPOSE ANY COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS BUT HE DID EXTEND THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY FOR ANOTHER MONTH.

INDIANA, LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS IN THE MIDST OF A SURGE IN CASES DUE TO THE DELTA VARIANT, WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN 90% OF SAMPLED CASES THIS MONTH.

THE STATE HAS REPORTED MORE THAN 1,000 NEW DAILY CASES EACH OF THE PAST FOUR DAYS, INCLUDING NEARLY 1500 NEW CASES TODAY.

THE STATE'S SEVEN DAY POSITIVITY RATE IS UP TO 6.8%.

IT'S BEEN STEADILY RISING SINCE A LOW OF 1.9% LAST MONTH.

>> THE STATE OF INDIANA IN GENERAL IS VERY MUCH A STATE THAT VERY MUCH FEELS THAT THE CONTROLS SHOULD BE IN THE HANDS OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, BECAUSE THEY WERE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE.

>> WITH A NEW SCHOOL YEAR STARTING WEDNESDAY FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, MITCH LEGAN HAS THIS REPORT ON THE MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM'S UPDATED COVID-19 PROTOCOLS.

>> MCCSC STUDENTS WILL BE MASKED UP AND BACK IN CLASSROOMS FOR THE START OF THE 2021 STOOL 2021 SCHOOL YEAR.

THEY MODIFY THE GUIDELINES CURRENTLY IN PLACE AND CLOSELY FOLLOW UPDATED GUYANCE FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION.

>> I GREATLY APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK AND THE SUPPORT AND SO, I PRESENT TO YOU A REENTRY PLAN ADJUSTMENTS.

>> AT MCCSC SCHOOLS, ALL STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS.

SO WILL UNVACCINATED STAFF MEMBERS AND VISITORS.

BUT FULLY VACCINATED STAFF DON'T HAVE TO WEAR MASKS IF THEY SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION.

>> IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE AND DATA, I KINDLY ASK THAT YOU PLEASE LET US UNMASS INCOME SCHOOL YEAR.

>> MANY ASKED THE MEETING TO MAKE MASKS OPTIONAL FOR STUDENTS.

THEY SAY ADULTS WHO WANT A VACCINE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET ONE AT THIS POINT AND THE DATA SHOWS CORRID IS NOT A GREAT THREAT -- COVID IS NOT A GREAT THREAT.

>> I HAVE A .05% CHANCE OF GETTING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

I HAVE A GREATER CHANCE OF BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING THAN DYING OF THIS VIRUS.

>> WITH THE RISE OF THE OF THE HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE DELTA VERIAN, THEY OPTED FOR THE MASKS.

THEY WILL CONTINUE MEETING THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR TO DETERMINE CHANGES TO PROTOCOLS SO MASKS COULD COME OFF IN THE FUTURE.

>> HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THE DELTA VARIANT, THESE THINGS A LITTLE MORE UNDER CONTROL AND THEN MAYBE WE CAN REVISIT THESE AND GET SOME WHO ARE VACCINATED AND THE MASKS COME OFF.

>> OTHER SCHOOL CHANGES INCLUDE CLASSES BEING BACK IN CLASSROOM.

LAST YEAR, MANY CLASSES WERE HELD IN GYM AND LUNCH ROOMS TO ALLOW FOR EXTRA DISTANCE.

SCHOOL LIBRARIES WILL BE OPEN AGAIN AND STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO EAT IN CAFETERIA.

THE CORPORATION OFFERED ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTION TO HELP THES WHO MIGHT HAVE FALLEN BEHIND BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THEY WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TARGETED INSTRUCTION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>> SO WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE ARE PUTTING IN PLACE.

WE WANT TO REALLY DOT BEST THAT WE CAN TO ACCELERATE LEARNING FOR EVERY STUDENT.

CERTAINLY THOSE STUDENTS WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AS ACTIVELY ENGAGED AS WE WANTED THEM TO BE.

>> THE PANDEMIC FORCED MCCSC TO PROVIDE IN-PERP ONLINE AND HYBRID LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES LAST YEAR.

MANY STUDENTS FOUND ONLINE LEARNING DIFFICULT, AND SOME REALLY DIDN'T PARTICIPATE AT ALL.

MCCSC WILL OFFER AN ONLINE OPTION AGAIN THIS YEAR BUT THIS TIME, FOR STUDENTS WHO EXCELLED WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING OR THOSE WITH MEDICAL CONCERNS.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE'RE SO CLOSE FOR GLOBAL VACCINATING THAT JUST SUDDENLY LETTING THEM BE WITH 600 CHILDREN WOULD KIND OF DEFEAT WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR THE LAST YEAR.

>> MCCSC EXPECTS OVER 1 # UP -- 100 STUDENTS TO GO ONLINE FOR THE SEMESTER.

THE SCHOOL BOARD REOPENED ONLINE REGISTRATION AFTER THE MASK ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> ON OUR WEBSITE THERE'S A PHONE NUMBER AND DETAILS AND THEY CAN REACH OUT TO ANYONE AT OUR OFFICE AND WE WILL GET THEM TO THE RIGHT PLACE.

>> EVEN WITH LATE ADDITIONS THE NUMBER OF ONLINE STUDENTS WILL BE A BIG DROP FROM THE 3,000 WHO PARTICIPATED LAST YEAR.

THAT WILL MEAN SMALLER CLASSES, WHICH WILL ALLOW FOR MORE INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION.

BUT IF YOU ASK STUDENTS THEY ARE GETTING READY TO GET BACK TO NORMAL.

MISSING A YEAR HAS NOT ONLY HURT THEM ACADEMICALLY BUT HAS AFFECTED THEIR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH.

>> ARE YOU READY TO GET BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM?

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH?

ARE YOU READY TO GET YOUR VACCINE?

>> YEAH.

>> ARE YOU SCARED OF NEEDLES?

>> YEAH.

[ LAUGHTER ] >>> BUT YOU WILL GET THE VACCINE IF THAT MEANS YOU CAN GO BACK TO SCHOOL?

>> YEAH.

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

>> WELL, AS FOR WHEN VACCINATIONS FOR KIDS 12 AND UNDER WILL BE AVAILABLE, PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS SUGGESTED IT COULD BE WEEKS BUT THEY LIKELY WON'T BE AVAILABLE UNTIL WE ARE WELL INTO FALL OR WINTER AT THE EARLIEST.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY RETURNS TO IN-PERSON CLASSES NEXT MONTH WITH ALMOST 85% OF ITS STUDENTS, FACTSTUDENTS,FACULTY AND STAFF VACCINATED.

>> I.U.

IS SAFER TODAY THAN IT WAS WHEN THE ALPHA VARIANT WAS ON THE RISE AND WHEN WE OPENED UP CAMPUS LAST YEAR.

WE ARE GOING TO MONITOR.

WE WILL WATCH.

WE ARE GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON EVERYTHING.

>> WHILE VACCINES ARE NOT 100% EFFECTIVE, CARROLL SAYS THEY ARE PROVE INTO REDUCE SYMPTOMS OF BREAKTHROUGH CASES.

I.U.

WILL CONTINUE TO TEST UNVACCINATED PEOPLE AND ADJUST ITS POLICY AS NEEDED BUT WILL NOT FORCE EXEMPTED INDIVIDUALS TO WEAR MASKS.

>>> WELL, NEW FISCAL ANALYSIS OF BLOOMINGTON'S ANNEXATION PROPOSAL SHOWS MONROE COUNTY COULD LOSE ALMOST $900,000 MORE THAN THE CITY PROJECTED.

COUNTY OFFICIALS HELD THE FIRST OF THREE ANNEXATION FORUMS WEDNESDAY NIGHT TO PRESENT THEIR OWN REPORT BY ACCOUNTING FIRM BAKER TILLY MUNICIPAL ADVISORS.

THE CITY PRESENTED ITS FISCAL REPORT IN MAY.

IT INDICATED THE COUNTY WOULD LOSE $1.8 MILLION IN FUNDING BY YEAR TWO, THAT'S WHEN THE TAX SHIFT WOULD HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT, BUT THE BAKER TILLY REPORT INDICATES THAT NUMBER TO BE CLOSER TO $2.7 MILLION.

>> THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE WAS 3.8% PER YEAR?

THAT'S VERY REASONABLE.

THE INCREASES IN LOCAL TAX OF 3% ARE REASONABLE.

WE RESTATED BASED ON THOSE REASONABLE ASSUMPTIONS USED IN THE REPORT.

>> THE COUNTY HAS TWO MORE PUBLIC FORUMS ON THE ANNEXATION.

THE FIRST IS SUNDAY AT 2:00 AT THE MONROE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS.

THERE'S ANOTHER MEETING MONDAY AT 6:00 AT THE PERRY CLEAR CREEK FIRE STATION.

>>> THE CLEVELAND INDIANS ARE CHANGING THEIR NAME TO THE CLEVELAND GUARDIANS FOR THE 2022 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SEASON, AND SOME ARE SAYING IT'S TIME FOR INDIANAPOLIS MINOR LEAGUE TEAM TO FOLLOW SUIT.

HOLDEN ABSHIER REPORTS.

>> INDIGENOUS PEOPLE SAY THE INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS BASEBALL TEAM SHOULD CHANGE ITS NAME ALONG WITH THE CLEVELAND GUARDIANS.

CAROLINA CASTORENO-SANTANA IS AN AMERICAN INDIAN CENTER DIRECTOR AND SAYS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DO NOT SUPPORT THE TEAM'S NAME.

>> WE ARE LITERALLY OVERWHELMINGLY SAYING WE ARE NOT MASCOTS.

WE ARE HUMANS.

PICK SOMETHING ELSE.

>> INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE AGENCY IN THE NAME OF A SPORTS TEAM, NOR IS THE MASCOT PARTICULARLY SYMBOLIC OF INDIANA.

COMPARED TO THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AND INDIANA PACERS IT SINGLES OUT A SINGLE COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT IS IT ABOUT COLTS, BABY HORSES THAT IS EMBLEMATIC OF INDIANA OVER OTHER LOCATIONS?

IT'S A NICKNAME OR A MASCOT.

WE'RE STILL GOING TO BE INDIANAPOLIS AT THE END OF DAY.

>> JESSIE STEINFELDT IS A SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST AT THE I.U.

BLOOMINGTON SCHOOL OF EDUCATION WHO HAS RESEARCHED THE EFFECTS OF NATIVE THEMED MASCOT AND LOGOS AND NICKNAMES.

HE SAYS THE TEAMS FEEL LITTLE TO NO IMPACT WHEN CHANGING A MASCOT.

>> WHAT WE SEE OVER TIME, THE DONATIONS FROM THE FAN BASE DOESN'T CHANGE AND THE FAN FERVOR DO NOT CHANGE.

THE WAY PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW THE TEAM WHO THEY IDENTIFY WITH, WHO THEY LOVE, WHO THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT, IT DOESN'T CHANGE OVER TIME.

>> STEINFELDT SAYS TEAMS LIKE THE CLEVELAND GUARDIANS WILL BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY 20 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

WHILE THE NAME CHANGE MAY ANNOY THE OCCASIONAL FAN, HE SAYS IT WILL ULTIMATELY DO MORE FOR NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.

SPECIFICALLY, CHILDREN.

>> MASCOTSMASCOTS ACTIVATE STEREO TYPICAL REPRESENTATIONS AND THE IDEA OF NOBLE SAVAGE OR THE SAVAGE WARRIOR, THINGS THAT DON'T REPRESENT WHO AND WHAT CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN INDIAN PEOPLE ARE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M HOLDON ABSHIER.

>> A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE INDIANAPOLIS TEAM SAYS A NICKNAME COMMITTEE WAS FORMED LAST SUMMER AND DISCUSSIONS ARE ONGOING REGARDING CHANGING THE NAME.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A BLOOMINGTON COMPANY HAS BEGUN A PROGRAM AIMED AT ACTIVELY RECRUITING OUT-OF-STATE REMOTE WORKERS TO THE CITY.

AND THIEVES ARE STEALING CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FROM CARS FOR THEIR PRECIOUS METALS.

AHEAD, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PROTECT YOUR CARS.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

AN INVASIVE INSECT CALLED THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY HAS ARRIVED IN INDIANA.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING REBECCA THIELE REPORTS IT POSES A THREAT TO WINERIES AND ORCHARDS IN INDIANA INCROSS THE -- ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY, THEY PRODUCE A STICKY SUGARY SUBSTANCE CALLED HONEY DUE WHICH CAN ATTRACT MOLD AND OTHER PESTS.

JIM BUTLER CO-OWNS BUTLERS WINES.

HE'S BEEN WATCHING THE INVASIVE SPECIES SPREAD WEST.

HE SAYS UNIVERSITIES ON THE EAST COAST ARE RESEARCHING THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY.

>> THEN THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT THE LIFE CYCLE AND WHEN DO YOU ATTACK IT?

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY?

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP IT?

SO THEY'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT.

WE'RE JUST HOPING THAT'S FIGURED OUT BEFORE IT BECOMES A MAJOR PROBLEM HERE.

>> INDIANA HAS MORE THAN 100 WINERIES.

MEGAN ABRAHAM SAYS IT'S ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE STATE KEEPS THE INSECOND FROM SPREADING TO MUCH BIGGER WINE PRODUCING STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA, WASHINGTON AND OREGON.

>> SO SOME OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS FOR INDIANA HONESTLY ARE GOING TO BE IN CONTINUING TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TRADE GOES UNHAMPERED OUT OF INDIANA TOWARDS SOME OF OUR WESTERN STATES.

>> ABRAHAM SAYS SPOTTED LANTERNFLY EGGS ARE EASILY MISTAKEN FOR MUD ON THINGS LIKE R.V.s AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO CLEAN VEHICLES GOING IN AND OUT OF THE STATE.

ADULT SPOTTED LANTERN NIGH WITH GRAYISH WITH BLACK SPOTS AND BLIGHT RED HIND WINGS.

ITS NYMPH IS BRIGHT RED WITH WHITE SPOTS.

IF YOU SEE A SPOTTED LANTERNFLY CONTACT THE DNR AT-866-NO-EXOTIC.

>> WHETHER IT'S GAS OR AIRFARE, PENT UP DEMAND IS DRIVING UP THE COST OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT.

INCLUDES ITEMS ON THE BLACK MARKET.

ADAM PINSKER TELLS US WHY THIS MEANS DRIVERS SHOULD BE EXTRA VIGILANT WHEN LEAVING THEIR VEHICLES UNATTENDED.

>> THE SUMMER OF 2021 MAY GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE BUSIEST FOR THE FOLKS AT BECK SERVICE CENTER IN SOUTHPORT.

>> WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW OURSELVES ONE SHOP, ON AVERAGE PROBABLY SIX TO EIGHT CONVERTERS STOLEN PER WEEK.

>> MANAGER STALLINGS IS TALKING ABOUT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WHICH ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN THE PAST 30 YEARS.

>> IT'S THE DEVICE OR UNIT ON YOUR CAR THAT IS TO REMOVE THE NOCUOUS GASES FROM THE ATMOSPHERE.

>> BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN MIND WHEN THEY STEAL THE DEVICES.

THEY CONTAIN PRECIOUS METALS INCLUDING RHODIUM, AND PLATINUM.

EVEN A SMALL AMOUNT OF THESE METALS ARE WORTH HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS.

PEOPLE HAVE GONE TO GREAT LENGTHS TO STEAL THEM.

A CRACK WAS TARGETING VEHICLES IN THE PARKING LOT -- A CROOK WAS TARGETING VEHICLES IN THE PARKING LOT EARLIER THIS SUMMER.

>> A CUSTOMER CAME IN AND SAID THERE'S SOMEONE UNDERNEATH A CAR.

WE CAUGHT HIM IN THE INITIAL STAGES.

THEY CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR AND GOT IN THEIR TRUCK AND WENT AWAY QUICKLY.

>> HOW DO YOU KNOW IF SOMEONE STOLE YOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER?

WELL, WHEN YOU START YOUR CAR, IT WILL SOUND LIKE THIS.

>> COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE WILL COVER ALL OF IT.

BUT IF YOU ARE UNDERINSURED OR NOT INSURED AT ALL, THE COSTS CAN RANGE FROM 400 $400 TO $1,200.

SOME OF STALLINGS CUSTOMERS ARE NOT LEAVING THEM TO CHANCE.

>> WE ARE BUILDING A METAGE CAGE AROUND THE CONVERTER SO THEY DON'T HAVE THE EASY ACCESSES TO MAKE THE CUTS AND DROP THE CONVERTER OUT.

>> THE VEHICLES HIGH UP FROM THE GROUND ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE.

IT ONLY TAKES A FEW MOMENTS FOR SOMEONE TO EXTRACT ONE UNDER A VEHICLE.

THE CRIMINALS DON'T JUST OPERATE IN URBAN AREAS.

THEY ALSO TARGET VEHICLES PARKED IN PEOPLE'S DRIVEWAYS AND THEN SPARSELY POPULATED AREAS.

>> THERE'S NO DOUBT VEHICLES SETTING AROUND, SETTING IDLE IN SOME FARM LOT SOMEWHERE THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN PILLAGED AND THEY'RE NOT YET AWARE OF IT.

>> CLARK IS IN HIS SECOND TERM AS SULLIVAN COUNTY SHERIFF.

HE'S NOTICED AN UPTICK IN CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS IN HIS 20,000 RESIDENTIAL TERRITORY.

>> I WOULD SAY AT LEAST THREE TO FOUR REPORTS PER MONTH.

AND WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT NOT EVERYBODY CALLS THE POLICE.

>> THE SHERIFF SAYS SOME OF THE SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN THESE THEFTS AREN'T FROM SULLIVAN COUNTY, LIKEWISE SOME SULLIVAN COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUGHT STEALING CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IN OTHER COUNTIES AND IT'S NOT JUST CATALYTIC CONVERTERS.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF PRECIOUS METALS STOLE FRIEND UTILITY COMPANIES, -- STOLEN FROM UTILITY COMPANIES, ELECTRICITY PROVIDERS, ENERGY COMPANIES, HAVE VERY UNIQUE METALS AND COPPERS AND STAINLESS STEAL.

>> A LOT OF THEM END UP AT SCRAP YARDS.

THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO ASK THE SELLERS FOR I.D.

AND A CEREAL -- SERIAL NUMBER.

SIGNAL IFIF A SCRAP YARD WOULD SAY, IS THIS STOLEN?

THEY WOULD SAY NO.

>> THE RASH OF CONVERTER THEFTS IS CAUSING A RIPPLE EFFECT WELL BEYOND HIS SHOP.

>> OBVIOUSLY THERE'S SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS NOW, BUT THE CONVERTERS, THE NUMBER OF CONVERTER THEFTS ARE SO HIGH, THAT THE MANUFACTURERS CAN'T KEEP UP WITH PRODUCING THE CONVERTERS.

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

>>> THE MILL IN BLOOMINGTON RECENTLY LAUNCHED A PROGRAM TO ATTRACT REMOTE WORKERS TO THE CITY.

HOLDEN ABSHIER HAS THE STORY.

>> FOR SOME PEOPLE, THE MAIN ADVANTAGE OF AREMOTE JOB IS BEING ABLE TO WORK FROM YOUR OWN HOME.

FOR OTHERS, IT'S BEING ABLE TO CONTROL WHICH CITY YOU CALL HOME.

THAT'S WHY THE MILL, A NONPROFIT CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAUNCHED BLOOMINGTON REMOTE LAST MONTH, TO ATTRACT OUT-OF-STATE REMOTE WORKERS TO THE CITY.

>> THE REASON WE STARTED THIS PROGRAM IS BECAUSE WE WANT AS MANY COOL, SMART PEOPLE DOING INTERESTING THINGS HERE AS POSSIBLE.

>> HE SAYS MOST PEOPLE WITH REMOTE JOBS ARE TECH FORWARD INDIVIDUALS.

SOME OF THEM ARE LOOKING TO LEAVE LARGE CITIES AND OTHERS THINK BLOOMINGTON WILL BE A GOOD PLACE TO RECRUIT STUDENTS.

UNLIKE OTHER REMOTE PROGRAMS AROUND THE COUNTRY BLOOMINGTON REMOTE DOES NOT OFFER CASH INCENTIVES.

INSTEAD, IT OFFERS PARTICIPANTS OPPORTUNITIES TO FEEL CONNECTED SUCH AS A BOARD OBSERVER SEAT WITH A LOCAL NONPROFIT AND A LIFELONG MEMBERSHIP TO THE MILL.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT BLOOMINGTON IS AWESOME ENOUGH ON ITS OWN THAT YOU WANT TO MOVE HERE ON YOUR OWN.

>> SO FAR, THE THEORY IS CORRECT.

ABOUT ONE PERSON APPLIES TO THE PROGRAM EVERY DAY.

HALF OF THEM HAVE NEVER EVEN VISITED BLOOMINGTON!

>> IT'S BEEN REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE APPLICANTS COME IN AND SEE WHO IS APPLYING, WHAT AGES, WHY DO YOU LIKE BLOOMINGTON?

WHAT INTERESTS YOU?

>> FROM ACTUAL STACK DEVELOPERS TO TV CASTING PRODUCERS, ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO RELOCATE.

IF ALL GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN, TEN PEOPLE WILL MOVE TO BLOOMINGTON BEFORE JUNE 2022.

HOWEVER, SOME PEOPLE THINK THE PROGRAM IS A BAD IDEA GIVEN BLOOMINGTON'S ONGOING HOUSING CRISIS.

HE SAYS IT'S NOT A MAJOR FACTOR WITH SUCH A SMALL GROUP MOVING TO TOWN.

>> TEN PEOPLE IS NOT GOING TO SHIFT THINGS SO DRAMATICALLY.

THESE FOLKS ON AVERAGE THROUGH OUR PROGRAM AND OTHER PROGRAMS, THEIR AVERAGE SALARY IS ABOUT $90,000 A YEAR.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M HOLDON ABHOLDEN ABSHIER.

>> A BLOOMINGTON BOOK SHOP FROM THE '90s RETURNED THIS WEEK.

BEN BENTE BOUTHIER.

>> MORGENSTERN THOUGHT MONDAY WOULD BE A SOFT OPENING.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT IS EXCITING TO ME, WALKING THE SALES FLOOR AND SHAKING PEOPLE'S HANDS AND HEARING THAT THEY'RE EXCITED THAT WE'RE BACK.

AND I PROBABLY -- WE HAVE BEEN OPEN FOR TWO AND A HALF DAYS.

I WOULD SAY WITHOUT EXAGGERATION, I HEARD THAT A HUNDRED TIMES.

>> THE SUPPORT THIS WEEK AFFIRMS THAT THE BOOKSHOP DID SOMETHING RIGHT THE FIRST TIME AROUND, THAT LEFT AN IMPRESSION ON THE COMMUNITY.

THE STORE HAS SOME OF ITS PREVIOUS FEATURES SUCH AS COMMUNITY SPACE THAT CAN BE RESERVED AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT.

>> I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT TWO THINGS IMMEDIATELY POPPED INTO MY HEAD.

FILLING OUR BOOK SHELVES WITH AS MANY TITLES AS WE CAN GET ON THE SHELVES AND AFFORD IT.

AND CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR EVENTS.

>> HIS LIST INCLUDES BOOK SIGNINGS, POETRY READINGS AND SATURDAY, MONTHING CHILDREN'S STORY HOUR.

TALK OF MORGENSTERN STARTED IN 2019, WHEN BARNES & NOBLE CLOSED THEIR DOORS.

MORGENSTERN SAYS THE BOOKSHOP NEEDS CONSISTENT SUPPORT TO SUCCEED AND REMAIN OPEN, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMPETING WITH A DIGITAL MARKET.

>> IT'S A TOUGH ROAD FOR A PHYSICAL STORE TO MAKE IT.

SO IF THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO WANT TO KEEP US HERE, THEY HAVE TO COME SPEND THEIR MONEY HERE.

THAT'S ALL THERE IS DO IT.

>> SOME NEW FEATURES INCLUDE A CAFE AND SELLING LOCAL ARTISAN GOODS.

SAM EADS IS A CO-OWNER WITH HER HUSBAND.

SHE EXCITED WHAT MORGUEN STERN BRINGS TO BLOOMINGTON.

>> WHEN YOU GO TO A BOOKSTORE, IT'S MORE THAN JUST GETTING A BOOK.

YOU GO IN TO LEARN SOMETHING, TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE.

>> SHE ADDS THOSE THERE ARE OTHER BOOKSTORES IN TOWN, MORGENSTERN CREATES A COMMUNITY SPACE FOR PEOPLE.

MORGENSTERN AGREES EMPHASIZING THAT COMMUNITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN PART OF THE STORY'S GOALS.

>> WE ARE SO BLESSED TO EARLY ON HERE CREATE THE SAME SPIRIT WE HAD IN THE LEGACY STORE, OF THE '90s.

>> HE SAYS THE DIFFERENCE THIS TIME AROUND IS BEING MORE INTENTIONAL WITH DESIGN THE AESTHETIC OF THE SPACE.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BENTE BOUTHIER.

>> THE INDIANA STATE FAIR RETURNS TODAY IN INDIANAPOLIS, A YEAR AFTER IT WAS CANCELED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE WORLD WAR II, DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

THERE WILL NOT BE ANY COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED OPEN GUESTS, BUT FAIR OFFICIALS ARE ASKING THOSE NOT FULLY VACCINATED TO FOLLOW CURRENT CDC GUIDELINES.

NOW TO SPREAD OUT ATTENDANCE THEY ADDED A WEEKEND ON TO THE NORMAL SCHEDULE BUT IT WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS.

THE STATE FAIR RUNS THROUGH AUGUST 22nd.

>>> TODAY IS INTEREST NATIONAL FRIENDSHIP DAY AND WE VISITED A GROUP OF 70-YEAR-OLDS WHO HAVE KEPT THEIR FRIENDSHIP TOGETHER FOR DECADES.

PAT BEANE REPORTS.

>> JESSE LOWRY, JAMES STUFF PARKS AND ED WHARTON-HE WILLEL HAVE BEEN FRIENDS.

>> WE NEVER GOT OUT OF CONTACT, NO MATTER WHERE WE WERE.

>> THE NOW 73-YEAR-OLDS GATHER REGULARLY AT THE LINCOLN SQUARE PANCAKE HOUSE IN DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS.

>> WE SAID, WELL, YOU KNOW, LET'S START INVITING SOMEONE ELSE AND WE INVITED OUR OTHER FRIEND GARLAND.

AND NOW WE HAVE ABOUT 40 GUYS.

AND WE COME TOGETHER ONCE A MONTH AND WE HAVE BREAKFAST.

>> ON THIS DAY, THE TRIO WAS JOINED BY JERRY DAWG ALLEN AND HIS COUSIN STEVE ALLEN.

THEY BECAME FRIENDS WHEN THEY MOVED INTO LOCKFIELD GARDENS THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE CITY.

IT WAS BUILT EXCLUSIVELY FOR LOW-INCOME AFRICAN AMERICANS.

>> YOU TALKING ABOUT LOCKFIELD GARDENS WHERE THEY PUT US ALL TOGETHER, HOPEFULLY NOBODY SUCCEEDED BUT WE ALL DID.

A LOT OF US DID, MORE THAN OTHERS.

>> NOT ONLY DID THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS BOND BUT THEIR PARENTS DID TOO AND THE PARENTS WATCHED OVER EACH OTHER'S KIDS.

JERRY ALLEN SAID HE MAY HAVE RECEIVED MORE SPANKINGS FROM OTHER PARENTS THAN HIS OWN.

>> THEY WERE AUTHORIZED.

IF YOU SEE HIM DOING IT, DO HIM AND THEN, LIKE, TELL ME ABOUT IT AND I WILL GET HIM AGAIN.

>> YOU WILL GET IT AGAIN.

>> WE WENT TO CHURCH.

WE WERE CHURCH MEMBERS.

SO WE CALL IT BEING BLESSED AND NOT FORTUNATE.

WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE TRENDS LIKE THIS AND TO GROW UP TO WHERE WE GREW UP AT.

SOME PEOPLE COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT IN LOCKFIELD, YEAH, WE'RE BLESSED TO BE IN THAT.

>> THE MAYO CLINIC FINDS THAT OLDER ADULTS WITH AN ACTIVE SOCIAL LIFE ARE LIKELY TO LIVE LONGER THAN THOSE WHO DON'T SOCIALIZE AS MONTH.

FRIENDS CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING BAD TIMES AND PREVENT LONELINESS AND OFFER NEEDED COMPANIONSHIP.

>> HE'S HAD CANCER.

I'VE HAD CANCER.

BAD CASE OF DIABETES, LOST HIS VISION.

BUT WE -- WE -- EVEN THROUGH ALL OF IT, WE WERE RIGHT THERE THROUGH EVERYTHING.

>> WE DO EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO BE DONE.

I MEAN, GROCERIES.

JUST EVERYTHING.

WE CLEAN HIS HOUSE.

WE TAKE HIM TO ALL OF HIS DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> BUT THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS DO FOR EACH OTHER.

SO MUCH SO THAT IT GOES BEYOND FRIENDSHIP.

>> YOU KNOW, WE'RE A FAMILY.

FRIENDS COME AND GO, BUT FAMILY MEMBERS, AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE.

A FAMILY.

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

>> 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: