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AND BY WTIU MEMBERS, THANK YOU.

>> COMING UP ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

MONROE COUNTY AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY REIMPOSED INDOOR MASK MANDATES THIS WEEK AS THE NUMBER OF POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES ACROSS THE NATION CONTINUES TO RISE.

>> THETHE VIRUS IS SPREADING AMONG ALL AGES AND A LARGE NUMBER OF THE COMMUNITY IS STILL SUSCEPTIBLE BECAUSE THEY ARE UNVACCINATED.

>> IT APPLIESES TO THE UNVACCINATED AND THE VACCINATED.

INTRODUCTION BOOKER VOWS TO FIGHT CHARGES FROM WHAT HE TERMS AN ATTEMPTED LYNCHING LAST JULY 4.

>> I AM NOT GOING TO BACK DOWN FROM THIS.

>> TWO WHITE MEN HAVE ALREADY BEEN CHARGED IN THE INCIDENT.

AND WE CHECK IN ON THE IU FOOTBALL TEAM, WHICH OFFICIALLY OPENED CAMP TODAY WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON.

THOSE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST NEWS HEAD LINES, RIGHT NOW ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

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

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE POINTING TO THE DELTA VARIANT AS THE MAIN DRIVER OF INDIANA'’S RECENT CLIMB IN NEW COVID-19 CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS.

THE DELTA VARIANT NOW ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN 80 PERCENT OF SAMPLED POSITIVE CASES IN INDIANA.

THE STATE REPORTED -- 2,058 NEW POSITIVE CASES TODAY.

THE MOST SINCE EARLY APRIL.

AND THE NUMBER OF PERSONS HOSPITALIZED IN THE STATE IS NEARING A THOUSAND - THE HIGHEST SINCE MID--FEBRUARY.

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE HOOSIERS TO GET VACCINATED, BUT DON'T WANT TO YEP ACT NEW STATEWIDE RESTRICTIONS LIKE WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST.

BUT SOME COUNTIES ARE CHOOSING TO ENACT NEW HEALTH ORDERS.

AS ETHAN BURKS REPORTS, THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OFFICIALLY -REINSTATED A LOCAL MASK MANDATE THIS WEEK.

>> Reporter: SURGING COVID-19 CASES, STAGNANT VACCINATION RATES, AND THE SPREAD OF THE EASILY TRANSMISSIBLE DELTA VARIANT ALL CONTRIBUTED TO THE COUNTY'S DECISION TO AGAIN MANDATE MASKS.

>> WHEN WE REMOVED THE HEALTH REGULATIONS EARLIER THIS SUMMER, VACCINATION ARE WERE RISING AND CASES WERE DROPPING, AND WE FULLY EXPECTED THAT TO CONTINUE.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAS NOT.

>> Reporter: OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, THE COUNTY HAS GONE FROM A BLUE ADVISORY ON THE STATE'S COVID-19 DASHBOARD TO YELLOW, TO NOW ON THE BORDER OF BECOMING ORANGE.

THIS IS WHAT THE CDC DEFINES AS A SUBSTANTIAL RISK FOR COMMUNITY SPREAD.

>> THE VIRUS IS SPREADING AMONG ALL AGES AND WE HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF THE COMMUNITY STILL SUSCEPTIBLE BECAUSE THEY ARE UNVACCINATED.

>> Reporter: 57 PERCENT OF THE COUNTY'S ELIGIBLE POPULATION IS FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST THE VIRUS CAUDILL SAYS THE NUMBER IS NOT HIGH ENOUGH, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE PROMINENCE OF THE NEW DELTA VARIANT.

THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REPORTS NEARLY 90 PERCENT OF ALL COVID TEST SAMPLES WITHIN THE LAST MONTH CONTAINED THE DELTA VARIANT.

THE CDC CONSIDERS THIS TYPE OF THE CORONAVIRUS TO BE AS CONTAGIOUS AS THE CHICKEN POX.

DESPITE THIS SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, STATE OFFICIALS STILL CONTEND THEY WILL NOT REIMPOSE ANY COVID RESTRICTIONS.

>> WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO ALLOW AND HAVE HEARD CLEARLY FROM OUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND FROM OUR SCHOOLS, THAT THEY WANT TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS LOCALLY.

THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE DECISIONS, AND SO WE ARE GIVING STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS, STRONG GUIDANCE AND GIVING THE SCIENCE BEHIND THOSE STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDANCE.

>> Reporter: DR.

BOX SAYS THE SCIENCE SHOWS EVERYONE SHOULD GET VACCINATED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, AND THAT'S SOMETHING LOCAL HEALTH EXPERTS HAVE BEEN EMPHASIZING FOR MONTHS.

>> DELTA IS MORE EASILY TRANSMITTED BUT DOESN'T REALLY PROVIDE ANY GREATER DANGER TO THOSE WHO ARE VACCINATED.

IT IS NOT AS IF IT IS INCREASING HOSPITALIZATIONS OR MAKING THINGS REALLY BAD FOR THOSE WHO ARE VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: IN EXTREMELY RARE INSTANCES, FULLY VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED WITH BREAKTHROUGH CASES, BUT THE DATA INDICATES IT VERY UNUSUAL.

>> ACROSS THE STATE OF INDIANA TO DATE ONLY 132 PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED, WHICH IS 0.005 PERCENT OF FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS REQUIRING ALL STUDENTS, STAFF AND FACULTY TO BE FULLY VACCINATED BEFORE THE FALL SEMESTER BEGINS.

AND THE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED I -- THIS WEEK IT'S ALSO FOLLOWING THE COUNTY'S LEAD AND REQUIRING MASKS INDOORS.

IT'S PERFECTLY FINE TO TAKE YOUR MASK OFF WHEN YOU'RE OUTDOORS, BUT INSIDE ANY IU CAMPUS BUILDINGS, YOU MUST PUT ON A MASK AGAIN, EVEN IF YOU'RE FULLY VACCINATED.

DR. CAROL SAYS HE EXPECTS IU WILL STILL HAVE IN-PERSON CLASSES, FULL DORMITORY CAPACITY AND LIVE SPORTING EVENTS WITH FANS IN THE STANDS THIS FALL.

HE MAINTAINS THAT THE VACCINE REQUIREMENT MAKES THE BLOOMINGTON CAMPUS ONE OF THE SAFEST PLACES TO BE IN THE STATE.

>> YOUR CHANCE OF CATCHING COVID FROM AN IU CONSTITUENT IS LOWER THAN ALMOST ANYWHERE ELSE YOU'LL GO, SUPERMARKET, RESTAURANT, BAR, ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU MIGHT DO BECAUSE MOST OF US ARE VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY HAS SET A ROUGH ESTIMATE FOR THE MANDATE TO END SOMETIME AROUND THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

THAT'S WHEN HEALTH OFFICIALS WILL MEET AGAIN TO EXAMINE THE LOCAL DATA.

>> I EXPECT IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS, AND EVERYONE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS AND FOLLOWING REGULATIONS IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THIS, AND TO DO IT QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: FOR INDIANA NEWS DESK, I'M ETHAN BURKS.

BOTH THE COUNTY AND IU WILL NOT PLUS ANY ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS SUCH AS GATHERING SIZE LIMITS OR A REQUIRED SIX FEET OF DISTANCE BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS INDOORS.

>>> K-12 STUDENTS WENT BACK TO SCHOOL THIS WEEK IN MONROE COUNTY, AND UNDER NEW MCCSC POLICY, ALL STUDENTS, STAFF AND VISITORS HAVE TO WEAR MASKS REGARDLESS OF THEIR VACCINATION STATUS.

AND AS HOLDEN ABSHIER REPORTS, PARENTS ARE DIVIDED OVER THE MANDATE.

>> REPORTER: IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND A HALF SINCE SOME STUDENTS HAVE BEEN INSIDE A CLASSROOM.

JAKE LOUDENBARGER HAS A FIRST GRADER AT ROGERS ELEMENTARY.

HE WAS HOPING THINGS WOULD BE COMPLETELY BACK TO NORMAL THIS YEAR.

>> I'M PROBABLY MORE BUMMED ABOUT IT THAN THE KIDS ARE, HE DOESN'T REALLY KNOW ANY DIFFERENT, AND I THINK THE TEACHERS ARE TRYING THEIR BEST S WITH IT.

>> REPORTER: LOUDENBARGER SAYS HIS SON HAS ONLY EXPERIENCED SCHOOL DURING THE PANDEMIC.

STILL, HE IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT COVID 19 TRANSMITTING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS.

OTHER PARENTS SAY MASKING UP IS ESSENTIAL FOR CLASSES LIKE 6TH GRADE, WHERE THERE ARE 11-YEAR-OLDS AND 12-YEAR-OLDS TOGETHER.

IN THIS CASE, VACCINATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE 12 YEARS AND OLDER.

>> I WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE BECAUSE MOST OF THEM AREN'T.

YEAH, HE'S IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THEY'RE NOT EVEN ELIGIBLE YET.

>> REPORTER: IN MONROE COUNTY, JUST UNDER 76,000 PEOPLE ARE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID -19.

12-15 YEAR OLD'S MAKE UP ABOUT 2,350 OF THEM.

>> I THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, TAKING ANY PRECAUTION, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE KIDS AREN'T VACCINATED, AND WE DEFINITELY DON'T HAVE THIS UNDER CONTROL YET.

SO WE'RE THRILLED WITH THE DECISION.

>> Reporter: OTHER PARENTS ARE INDIFFERENT ABOUT MASKS, THEY'RE JUST GRATEFUL THEIR KIDS ARE RETURNING TO IN-PERSON SCHOOL.

>> I'M GRATEFUL THAT THEY'RE IN SCHOOL, EVEN WITH MASKS OR WITHOUT THEM, THAT THEY'RE AT LEAST ABLE TO INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER, SPEND TIME WITH EACH OTHER, AND LEARN!

LEARNING ONLINE IS HARD, EVEN FOR ADULTS SOMETIMES.

>> Reporter: FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M HOLDEN ABSHIER.

MCCSC SAID IT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR METRICS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR TO DETERMINE NECESSARY CHANGES.

WE'RE JOINED BY DR. TOM HRISMALOSM.

A SPECIALIST IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES WITH IJ HEALTH.

THE HOSPITALIZATIONS TRIPLED ACROSS THE PAST MONTH.

IS IU HEALTH SEEING THAT KIND OF INCREASE AND HOW BAD DO YOU EXPECT THIS WILL BE?

>> YES, WE HAVE SEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE.

OUR HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE PROBABLY DOUBLED, BUT THEY WERE JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, SO WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT INCREASE IN NUMBER.

I THINK MONROE COUNTY WAS REPORTING 57 CASES PER 100,000 LAST WEEK, UP TO 97 PER 100,000 THIS WEEK, I WOULD EXPECT THAT NUMBER TO CONTINUE TO DOUBLE ON A WEEKLY BASIS FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

HOW CONCERNED SHOULD WE BE FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12 WHO STILL CAN'T BE VACCINATED, BUT NOW RETURNING BACK TO SCHOOL?

>> CERTAINLY A CONCERN.

FORTUNATELY, KIDS IN GENERAL HAVE MILD ILLNESS.

KIDS ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITY, AND THEY INTERACT WITH ADULTS, THEY INTERACT WITH GRANDPARENTS AND WITH TEACHERS, AND SO PROTECTING THEM AND PROTECTING THE PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVE CONTACT WITH IS IMPORTANT.

THE INDOOR MASK MANDATES THAT WE JUST REPORTED ON, HOW BENEFICIAL WILL THAT BE NOW THAT THEY'VE BEEN REIMPOSED?

>> THE CONCERN FROM THE CDC WAS ABOUT THE BREAKTHROUGH CASES IN VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS IN PARTICULAR, THAT'S WHY THE MASK MANDATE WAS FOR VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED.

ALTHOUGH SYMPTOMATIC IS VERY LOW, WELL LESS THAN 1 PERCENT, WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS MAY BECOME INFECTED ASYMPTOMATIC AND CARRY THAT AND SPREAD THAT.

SO A VACCINE MANDATE TO EVENT SPREAD FROM ANYONE MAKES SENSE.

LOCALLY, THEY ALSO WEIGHED THE FACT THAT THE HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE DOUBLED, KIDS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY UNVACCINATED AND BUSINESSES AND ESTABLISHMENTS AND RESTAURANTS, THEY DON'T KNOW WHO HAS BEEN VACCINATED AND WHO HASN'T.

AND SO THAT'S WHY THAT RECOMMENDATION CAME ABOUT.

DOCTOR, WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU BET.

>>> WITH THE 7-LINE NEARING COMPLETION AND ONE TRAFFIC LANE REMOVED FROM STATE ROAD LAST SUMMER, THE CITY LIMITS DESK RECEIVED A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER BLOOMINGTON PLANS TO LICENSE OR TAX BICYCLISTS.

HOLDEN ABSHIER HAS THE REPORT.

>> REPORTER: THERE ARE 234 MILES OF STREETS IN BLOOMINGTON, AND CITY PLANNERS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO CHIP AWAY AT THEM TO BOOST SAFE, MULTIMODAL ACCESS FOR BICYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS.

>> OUR WHOLE FOCUS IS WHAT I WOULD CALL A COMPACT URBAN FORM, WHICH MEANS A LIVABLE FORM - A LIVABLE, WALKABLE, BIKEABLE FORM WHERE YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE AN AUTOMOBILE.

>> REPORTER: MARTIN SAYS ONE SUCCESS STORY IS THE STATE ROAD 46 RESURFACE PROJECT FROM CLARIZZ BOULEVARD TO STATE ROAD 446.

CITY ENGINEERS SUGGESTED REMOVING ONE TRAFFIC LANE AND ADDING BIKE LANES AFTER THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (INDOT) SURVEYED THE CORRIDOR IN 2018.

>> NARROWING THE TRAVEL LANES, ADDING A CONTINUOUS LEFT TURN LANE FOR THE VEHICLES DOING ALL OF THE DRIVEWAY CUTS IN THAT AREA, AND THEN BY ADDING THE BICYCLE LANES, THEY'VE INCREASED SAFETY SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> REPORTER: INCREASED SAFETY IS NOT THE CITY'S ONLY GOAL; IT'S AIM IS MUCH HIGHER.

"VISION ZERO" IS THE IDEA THAT NO ONE SHOULD DIE IN TRAFFIC CRASHES AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO SERIOUS INJURIES FROM OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

>> ONE STRATEGY IS ACTUALLY TO INCREASE THE USE OF OTHER TRANSPORTATION MODES AND TO REDUCE THE SHARE OF DRIVING IN A COMMUNITY.

SO, THE FEWER MOTOR VEHICLES MOVING AROUND, YOU ARE GOING TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF CRASHES.

>> REPORTER: ROSENBARGER SAYS ABOUT 2/3 OF THE POPULATION DO NOT FEEL SAFE BIKING ANYWHERE EXCEPT DEDICATED AND PROTECTED MULTI MODAL SUCH AS THE B LIN AND UPCOMING 7 LINE UPCOMING FROM THE DO YOU WANT THE IU CAMPUS.

>> THE B-LINE IS WONDERFUL, BUT THINK OF IT AS A SPINE, AND WE NEED CONNECTIONS OFF OF THAT TO HELP PEOPLE CONNECT AS A NETWORK THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: FOR INDIANA NEWS DESK, I'M HOLDEN ABSHIER.

>> JOE: COMING UP NEXT!

BLACK ACTIVIST VAUHXX BOOKER VOWS TO FIGHT CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR HIS ROLE IN WHAT HE SAYS WAS A RACIALLY MOTIVATED ATTACK LAST JULY 4.

>>> AND THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM OPENS FALL PRACTICE WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS AFTER A SUCCESSFUL 2020 SEASON.

THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT HERE ON INDIANA NEWS DESK!

>> STAY CLOSE TO INDIANA NEWSDESK AS WE TRACE EDUCATION ISSUES ALL THE WAY FROM THE CAPITOL TO YOUR CHILD'S CLASSROOM.

SO MANY TOPICS THAT ARISE EACH YEAR IN THE STATEHOUSE, AFFECT WHAT HAPPENS EVERY DAY IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE.

WTIU NEWS TEAM IS COMMITTED TO HELPING YOU STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT YOUR FAMILY'S FUTURE.

KEEP YOURSELF INFORMED, TUNE IN TO INDIANA NEWSDESK, YOUR SOURCE FOR REGIONAL AND STATE IN DEPTH NEWS.

>> WAKE UP.

>> WAKE UP TO THE WORLD.

>> TO THE MARVELS.

THE MAYHEM.

>> THE MUSIC.

>> WAKE UP TO THE WOWS.

>> THE WOES.

>> THE WONDER.

>> WAKE UP TO THE COMMOTION.

TO THE BEAUTY.

>> TO THE HUMANITY.

>> TO THE HOPE.

>> WAKE UP EVERY MORNING FULLY AWAKE.

>> NPR MORNING EDITION.

>> TUNE IN TO YOUR LOCAL STATION OR DOWNLOAD THE NPR APP.

WELCOME BACK TO INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>>> WE TURN NOW TO THE THAN BURKS, WHO IS IN THE NEWSROOM FOR THE LATEST HEAD LINES.

HELLO, ETHAN.

THANKS, JOE.

WE START WITH BLOOMINGTON ANNEXATION.

THE CITY COUNCIL PLANS TO CONTINUE TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION AT ITS MEETING NEXT WEEK.

MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE ATTENDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S ZOOM MEETING, AND MOST OF THOSE WHO GOT TO SPEAK WERE AGAINST ANNEXATION.

BLOOMINGTON'S MAYOR WANTS TO ANNEX MORE THAN 9,000 ACRES AND 14,300 PEOPLE INTO CITY LIMITS BY 2024.

ANDREW BRIGGS LIVES IN THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION AREA ONE A IN THE FIELDSTONE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND SAYS THE ANNEXATION PROCESS IS TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.

>> I THINK YOU OUGHT TO MAKE A REFERENDUM ON NEXT YEAR'S MID-TERM ELECTION.

I APPRECIATE THE CONCERN OF THE WOMAN WHO WOULD LIKE TO GET PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, BUT TO FORCE THIS THING DOWN PEOPLE'S THROAT, A RESISTANT TAXPAYERS THROAT, IT'S NOT A THING OF INTEGRITY.

>> Reporter: MARK FIGG SAYS HIGH -- HIGHER ANNEXATION TAXES ARE BETTER THAN INCREASES IN STAGGERING HOUSING PRICES.

>> THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN THEIR ANTIDEVELOPMENT VOTING AND ANTIDEVELOPMENT PLAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT HAVE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

THE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE IS ANCIENT.

>> Reporter: MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONER PENNY GITHENS ASKED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO CONSIDER HOW MUCH THE LOCAL INCOME TAX RATE WILL GO UP TO THOSE ALREADY LIVING IN CITY LIMITS TO FUND THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.

>> THE CITY WILL NEED TO BOND FOR APPROXIMATELY $24 MILLION TO PAY FOR THE COSTS OF ANNEXATION.

WILL MY TAXES INCREASE TO PAY FOR THIS BOND?

>> Reporter: THE COUNCIL WILL RECONVENE THE PUBLIC HEARING NEXT WEDNESDAY AT 6 P.M. COUNCIL WILL ALSO BEGIN TO DISCUSS AMENDMENTS TO THE ANNEXATION ORDINANCES.

PROPOSED ANNEXATION AREAS COULD CHANGE AFTER CITY COUNCIL VOTES ON THE PROPOSED BOUNDARIES FOR ANY OF THE EIGHT AREAS DURING PROCEEDINGS IN SEPTEMBER.

>>> THE EIGHT STUDENTS SUING INDIANA UNIVERSITY HAVE ASKED THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TO PREVENT IU FROM ENFORCING ITS COVID VACCINATION MANDATE WHILE THEIR APPEAL IS PENDING.

THE FEDERAL APPEALS COURT RULED EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT IU CAN PROCEED WITH ITS PLAN TO REQUIRE STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED FOR THE VIEWERS.

-- VIRUS.

IT'S THE HIGHEST COURT DECISION REGARDING COLLEGE IMMUNIZATION MANDATES.

THE CHICAGO-BASED APPEALS COURT UPHELD AN INDIANA DISTRICT COURT JUDGE'S RULING THAT FOUND THAT THE UNIVERSITY WAS ACTING REASONABLY IN PURSUING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ITS CAMPUS COMMUNITIES.

THE STUDENTS CLAIM THE MANDATE WOULD VIOLATE THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS BY FORCING THEM TO RECEIVE UNWANTED MEDICAL TREATMENT.

>>> U.S.

SENATORS TODD YOUNG AND MIKE BRAUN OF INDIANA ARE ASKING THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TO OVERTURN ITS LONG STANDING PRECEDENT THAT LEGALIZES ABORTION NATIONWIDE.

THE HOOSIER LAWMAKERS JOINED THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEIR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS ON A BRIEF IN A CASE THAT THREATENS PEOPLE'S ACCESS TO ABORTIONS.

A MISSISSIPPI LAW BANS ABORTIONS AFTER SIX WEEKS.

SUCH LAWS HAVE TYPICALLY BEEN STRUCK DOWN.

BUT THE CONSERVATIVE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION TO TAKE THE CASE HAS LED MANY TO BELIEVE A FULL OVERTURNING OF THE LANDMARK 1973 ROE VERSUS WADE CASE IS POSSIBLE.

>> THEY RECOGNIZE THIS IS GOING TO REALLY EXCITE THEIR BOSS.

I THINK THEY ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT ITS REALLY GOING TO EXCITE THE PROGRESSIVE BASE.

BUT THEY UNDERSTAND THEIR BASE IS BIGGER THAN THE PROGRESSIVE BASE.

>> THERE'S LIMITED PUBLIC POLLING ON ABORTION IN INDIANA, BUT WHAT POLLS THERE ARE SUGGEST HOOSIERS ARE SPLIT CLOSE TO EVEN ON WHETHER ABORTION SHOULD BE LEGAL IN MOST CASES.

>>> MONROE COUNTY IS AMONG THE 84 INDIANA COUNTIES ELIGIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S EXTENSION OF THE EVICTION MORATORIUM, WHICH WAS SET TO EXPIRE AUGUST 1.

THIS IS THE THIRD EXTENSION FOR THE PROGRAM SINCE IT BEGAN IN MARCH 2020.

IT WILL KEEP TENANTS WHO CAN'T PAY THEIR RENT SAFE FROM EVICTION FOR AT LEAST THREE MORE MONTHS.

HOWEVER, MONROE SMALL CLAIMS COURT JUDGE CATHERINE STAFFORD SAYS THE MORATORIUM COULD BE LIFTED SOONER.

>> IF WE FAIL TO BE AT SUBSTANTIAL OR HIGH RATES OF TRANSMISSION FOR A PERIOD OF 14 CONSECUTIVE DAYS, THEN WE'RE NO LONGER SUBJECT TO THE MORATORIUM AND A LANDLORD COULD EVICT SOMEONE EVEN IF THEY HAD A VALID CDC DECLARATION THAT HAD BEEN TURNED IN TO THE LANDLORD OR FILED IN COURT.

>> BECAUSE OF A NEW MANDATORY EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAM PUT INTO PLACE BY THE COUNTY, LANDLORDS WOULD HAVE TO GIVE TENANTS AT LEAST 20 DAYS NOTICE BEFORE FILING AN EVICTION.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR HEADLINES, BACK TO YOU, JOE.

THANKS, ETHAN.

>>> ATTORNEYS FOR BLACK ACTIVIST VAUHXX BOOKER SAY THEY WILL CHALLENGE CHARGES FILED AGAINST THEIR CLIENT LAST WEEK STEMMING FROM A FIGHT LAST SUMMER AT LAKE MONROE.

PAT BEANE HAS THE REPORT.

>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR SINCE ACTIVIST VAUHXX BOOKER CLAIMED A GROUP OF WHITE MEN JUMPED HIM AND THREATENED TO HANG HIM WHILE HE WAS AT LAKE MONROE CELEBRATING THE 4th OF JULY.

BUT LAST FRIDAY, SPECIAL PROSECUTOR SONIA LEERKAMP CHARGED BOOKER WITH MISDEMEANOR TRESPASSING AND FELONY BATTERY FOR HIS PART IN THE INCIDENT.

MONDAY, BOOKER AND HIS LEGAL TEAM AND REPRESENTATIVE SPOKE AT A NEWS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE THE MONROE COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

>> ONCE AGAIN, THERE'S NOTHING MORE AMERICAN THAN CHARGING A BLACK MAN IN HIS OWN ATTEMPTED LYNCHING.

>> REPORTER: TWO WHITE MEN INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT - SEAN PURDY AND JERRY COX - WERE CHARGED WITH FELONY CRIMINAL CONFINEMENT AND BATTERY LAST SUMMER AFTER AN INVESTIGATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, WHICH HAS JURISDICTION AT THE LAKE.

THE DNR ALSO RECOMMENDED CHARGES AGAINST BOOKER, BUT THE LOCAL PROSECUTOR DECLINED TO CHARGE HIM IN THE INCIDENT.

LAWYERS FOR THE TWO PARTIESES HAVE BEEN MEETING FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE THROUGH RESTORATIVE JUSTICE.

WHEN THAT FAILED, LEERKAMP BROUGHT CHARGES AGAINST BOOKER.

>> BUT FOR BOOKER BEING BLACK, NO ONE WOULD HAVE SUGGESTED THAT HE WAS THE CRIMINAL.

THIS IS SYSTEMIC RACISM IN ACTION.

IF THE BLACK MAN WON'T GO ALONG WITH LETTING THE WHITE ASSAILANTS OFF THE HOOK, HE WILL BE PUNISHED.

>> REPORTER: BOOKER SAYS HE WOULD HAVE HAD TO AGREE TO A CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT, TO NOT PURSUE CHARGES AGAINST PURDY AND COX AND HOLD A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE PUBLICLY FORGIVING THE TWO.

DAVID HENNESSY, THE ATTORNEY REPRESENTING PURDY AND COX, DECLINED TO COMMENT ON THE CHARGES AGAINST BOOKER, BUT SPOKE LAST SUMMER ABOUT THE INCIDENT.

HIS CLIENTS MAINTAIN THAT BOOKER WAS THE INSTIGATOR.

THEY SAY THEY ESCORTED BOOKER AND HIS FRIENDS OFF THEIR PRIVATE PROPERTY AND THINGS WERE CORDIAL.

>> HOURS LATER, MR. BOOKER COMES BACK.

HE TELLS THE MEDIA TO SMOOTH THINGS OVER, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING TO SMOOTH OVER.

BUT HE COMES AND ASSERTS HE'S A COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND SAYS HE'S GOING TO FINE THESE PEOPLE AND RUIN THEIR LIVES.

>> REPORTER: IT WAS AFTER THAT - THEY SAY - WHEN BOOKER'S FRIENDS STARTED FILMING THE CELLPHONE VIDEO THAT'S NOW BEEN VIEWED MORE THAN 8 MILLION TIMES.

THAT'S WHEN, ALLEGEDLY, FINGER POINTING, SHOVING AND PUNCHES BEING THROWN OCCURRED, AND BOOKER ENDED UP RESTRAINED AGAINST A TREE.

>> MR. BOOKER SAYS HE SURVIVED A NEAR-LYNCHING.

YET HE STAYS TO VIDEO-TAPE PEOPLE AS HE RACE-BAITS THEM, "WHITEY," AND THEN HE GETS ONE OF THEM TO SAY RACIALLY INSENSITIVE STUFF.

>> REPORTER: BOOKER SAYS HE WAS TRYING TO JOIN FRIENDS ON THE BEACH NEAR THE CUTRIGHT BOAT RAMP JUST OFF THE CAUSEWAY OVER LAKE MONROE.

HE DOESN'T DENY THAT HE CROSSED PRIVATE LAND TO ACCESS THE BEACH NOR DOES HE DENY PUNCHING PURDY.

BUT HE MAINTAINS HE TRIED TO DE-ESCALATE THE SITUATION.

>> WHEN I WALKED AWAY, MY RESPONSIBILITY WAS DONE.

IT WAS HIS FRIENDS' DECISION TO RUN ME DOWN AND BEAT ME LIKE AN ANIMAL.

>> REPORTER: BOOKER NO LONGER LIVES IN BLOOMINGTON, BUT SAYS HE IS STILL LIVING WITH THE INCIDENT.

>> I HAD JUST MOVED TO A NEW CITY, I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO STARTING A NEW JOB, TO MOVING FORWARD WITH MY LIFE AND I'M DRAGGED BACK INTO THIS MOMENT.

FOR SOME FOLKS, IT WAS A YEAR AGO.

FOR ME, IT'S HAPPENED EVERY DAY.

>> REPORTER: FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M PAT BEANE.

BOOKER'S LAWYER FILED A MOTION THURSDAY REQUESTING A NEW JUDGE IN THE CASE.

TODAY PURDY'S LAWYER FILED A MOTION TO DISMISS THE CASE.

>>> FALL CAMP IS UNDER WAY FOR IU FOOTBALL AS THE TEAM HEADS INTO A NEW SEASON WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS.

LAST YEAR THE HOOSIERS TIED A RECORD FOR BIG TEN WINS AND HOPES TO BUILD ON THAT MOMENTUM.

>> Reporter: THE 2020 PANDEMIC SHORTENED COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON TURNED OUT TO BE ONE OF IU'S BEST IN PROGRAM HISTORY.

SIX BIG TEN WINS AND A BERTH IN A NEW YEAR'S DAY BOWL GAME.

NOT TO MENTION BREAKING INTO THE TOP TEN IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1969.

BUT THOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS DON'T SATISFY HEAD COACH TOM ALLEN.

HE WANTS TO USE IT AS FUEL TO GO FARTHER.

>> WE FINISHED SECOND IN THE BIG TEN EAST LAST YEAR, AND OUR GOAL IS TO PLAY IN THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AND WIN THE GAME.

>> REPORTER: MUCH OF THE TEAM'S SUCCESS WILL FALL ON QUARTERBACK MICHAEL PENIX, JUNIOR.

THE LEFT HANDED GUNSLINGER HAS ALREADY BEEN NAMED TO SEVERAL PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN WATCH LISTS, DESPITE TEARING HIS ACL LAST NOVEMBER IN THE GAME AGAINST MARYLAND.

>> I HAVE A GREAT SUPPORT SYSTEM.

THIS WHOLE TEAM, THEY ALL PICKED ME UP IN THOSE HARD TIMES.

THEY KEPT ME LEVEL HEADED AND KEPT ME POSITIVE, AND WHEN I'M IN THE TRAINING ROOM, WE GOT GREAT TRAINERS HERE THAT ARE HELPING ME OUT.

THEY GIVE ME A LOT OF CONFIDENCE EVERY DAY.

>> REPORTER: ALLEN SAYS HIS QUARTERBACK IS ON SCHEDULE TO START THE SEASON OPENER IN FOUR WEEKS.

>> ANY TIME IT'S A LOWER LEG INJURY, LOWER BODY INJURY, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT CAN THEY ACCELERATE, CAN THEY SLOW DOWN, CAN THEY MOVE THE WAY THEY NEED TO MOVE?

THOSE ARE ALL CYCLICAL.

YOU HAVE A PROGRESSION YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> REPORTER: JOINING PENIX BACK ON THE FIELD THIS SEASON IS THE REIGNING BIG TEN WIDE RECEIVER OF THE YEAR, TY FRYFOGEL.

AFTER TESTING THE NFL DRAFT WATERS, HE DECIDED TO RETURN FOR HIS SENIOR SEASON.

>> HE FELT LIKE HE HAD UNFINISHED BUSINESS, AND YOU CAN DEFINITELY SEE THAT IN HIM WHEN HE WORKS OUT EVERY DAY.

ALL OFFSEASON HE'S BEEN WORKING EXTREMELY HARD, TRYING TO MAKE SURE HE STAYS STRONG AND JUST PERFECTS HIS CRAFT.

>> REPORTER: BUT PENIX AND FRYFOGEL ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES GAINING NATIONAL ATTENTION.

A TOTAL OF 10 HOOSIERS ARE ON PRESEASON WATCH LISTS AND CONSIDERED SOME OF THE MOST TALENTED AT THEIR POSITIONS THIS YEAR IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

ALLEN SAYS THIS IS ONE OF HIS BEST-LOOKING TEAMS HEADING INTO FALL CAMP.

>> DO WE HAVE TALENT?

YES, WE HAVE TALENT.

DO WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD PLAYERS?

YES, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD FOOTBALL PLAYERS, AND I LOVE OUR COACHING STAFF.

BUT HOW WELL THIS 2021 TEAM MESHES TOGETHER, THE CHEMISTRY THAT WE CREATE AND HOW HARD WE PLAY FOR EACH OTHER AND WITH EACH OTHER.

>> REPORTER: THE HOOSIERS WILL GET THEIR FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE THE CULMINATION OF THEIR HARD WORK DURING THE SEASON OPENER SEPTEMBER 4 ON THE ROAD AGAINST THE IOWA HAWKEYES.

FOR INDIANA NETWORK, I'M ETHAN BURKS.

THE TOKYO OLYMPIC GAMES WRAP UP THIS WEEKEND, AND IT WAS A SUCCESSFUL ONE FOR CURRENT AND FORMER INDIANA UNIVERSITY ATHLETES.

HOOSIERS COLLECTED 11 TOTAL MEDALS AT THE GAMES.

ZACH APPLE AND BLAKE PIERONI EACH WON GOLD IN THE 400 FREE STYLE RELAY AND 400 MEDLEY RELAY.

LILLY KING EARNED TWO SILVERS AND A BRONZE SWIMMING THE BREASTSTROKE.

JESSICA PARRATTO EARNED SILVER IN SYNCHRONIZED PLATFORM DIVING AND MICHAEL HIXON AND ANDREW CAPOBIANCO WON SILVER IN THE THREE-METER SYNCHRONIZED DIVING.

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.

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