>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," ADVOCATES ARE PUSHING FOR LAWMAKERS TO DRAW NEW LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT MAPS IN WHAT THEY CALL AN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT WAY.

>> UNFAIR MAPS BY EITHER PARTY LEAD TO LESS REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.

>> BUT REPUBLICAN STATE LAWMAKERS SAY THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO SPEND ANY MORE TIME COLLECTING COMMENTS, SINCE THE WHOLE PROCESS HAS ALREADY BEEN DELAYED BY LATE CENSUS DATA.

>>> THE DELTA VARIANT IS LEADING TO A SERGE IN NEW COVID CASES ACROSS THE STATE.

AHEAD HOW THE LATEST OUTBREAK IS AFFECTING SCHOOL MASKING DECISIONS.

>>> AND THOUSANDS FACE EVICTION WHEN THE MORATORIUM EXPIRES THIS FALL.

>> AND NOBODY WANTS TO PUT THE TIME IN TO HIRE ME BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID I WILL GO BACK TO WORK IN CONSTRUCTION.

>> WHAT SOME COUNTIES ARE DOING NOW TO AVOID A FUTURE EVICTION CRISIS.

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

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE NUMBER OF COUNTIES AT OR APPROACHING HIGH RISK FOR COMMUNITY SPREAD OF COVID-19 IS SURGING IN INDIANA, AS THE DELTA VARIANT SPREADS.

NEARLY HALF OF THE STATE'S ELIGIBLE POPULATION REMAINS UNVACCINATED.

ABOUT HALF OF THE STATE IS IN THE SECOND RISKIEST CATEGORY FOR THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.

THE NUMBER OF COUNTIES IN THE HIGHEST RISK RED CATEGORY, WHICH INDICATES VERY HIGH COMMUNITY SPREAD IS UP TO EIGHT.

40 COUNTIES ARE LISTED AS MODERATE RISK OR YELLOW.

INDIANA'S COLOR-CODED CORONA RISK VIRUS, INDICATES THE SEVEN DAY POSITIVITY RATE.

THE COUNTY RATINGS HAVE GONE DOWNHILL IN A MATTER OF WEEKS.

AT THE END OF JUNE, NEARLY ALL WERE IN THE LOWEST RISK BLUE CATEGORY.

>>> THE SURGE IN CASES IS CAUSING MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO REASSESS THEIR BACK-TO-SCHOOL PLANS.

BROWN COUNTY AND IN SCOTT COUNTY, SOME SCHOOLS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FORCED TO SWITCH TO VIRTUAL LEARNING BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE.

DOZENS OF OTHER DISTRICTS HAVE UPDATED THEIRUPDATED THEIR GUIDANCE TO COMPLY WITH MASKS AND AS ETHAN BURKS REPORTS SCHOOL LEADERS SAY IF HEALTH OFFICIALS WANT TO TRY TO REQUIRE THEM TO MASK UP, THEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE THEM TO COURT.

>> SEVEN OAKS CLASSIC SCHOOLS IN ELLETSVILLE OPENED THE DOORS FOR THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR WITH AN ENROLLMENT OF OVER 500 K THROUGH 12 STUDENTS.

THE SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE NOT REQUIRING CHILDREN TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS.

>> THIS IS A PARENTAL DECISION TO MAKE, AS OPPOSED TO A HEALTH DEPARTMENT DECISION TO MAKE.

>> ENGLISH SAYS THE SCHOOL BOARD MADE ITS DECISION BACK IN JUNE, THAT CLASSES WOULD RESUME THIS FALL UNDER REGULAR OPERATIONS.

HE SAYS REGULAR MEANS WITHOUT MASKS.

>> A GOOD PORTION OF THEM ARE UNMASKED.

A NUMBER OF THEM ARE MASKED, TAKING VERY SERIOUSLY THE HEALTH CONCERNS THAT THEY HAVE.

>> THE CDC MODIFIED ITS RECOMMENDATIONS IN LATE JULY TO SAY SCHOOLS IN HIGH-RISK AREAS OF COVID-19 SPREAD SHOULD MAKE THEIR STUDENTS WEAR MASKS.

>> THEY ARE DEFERRING TO PARENTS INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING THE CDC GUIDELINES, THEN THEY ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE LOCAL HEALTH ORDER.

>> MONROE COUNTY REINSTATED THE MASK MANDATE LAST WEEK AFTER AN INCREASE OF POSITIVE CASES MOVED THE COUNTY INTO THE YELLOW ADVISORY.

THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT THEN MADE THE CALL TO HAVE SCHOOLS ALIGN THEIR MASKING POLICY WITH THE CDC.

BUT ENGLISH SAYS THE SEVEN OAKS BOARD DOES NOT SEE A CREDIBLE THREAT OF THE VIRUS TO ITS STUDENTS AT THIS POINT.

>> THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER SHOWING BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THAT MASKING SMALL CHILDREN IS TO THEIR BENEFIT, AND NOT TO THEIR MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DETRIMENT.

>> ENGLISH SAYS IN THE EVENT OF A SCHOOLWIDE OUTBREAK, THE POLICY COULD CHANGE AND MASKS COULD COME BACK.

AS FOR THE COUNTY, IT IS WELL WITHIN THEIR LEGAL RIGHT TO PURSUE PENALTIES AGAINST THE SCHOOL.

>> WE WILL HANDLE THEM THE WAY WE HANDLE ANY COMPLAINT WE GET.

WE INVESTIGATE AND TRY TO GET VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE AND IF WE CAN'T, THEN, YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS HAVE THE OPTION OF ISSUING A FINE.

>> BRYCE SAYS THE FINE FOR VIOLATING THE MASK REQUIREMENT IS $500 PER DAY.

BUT THAT WOULD REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND POSSIBLY AN INJUNCTION FILED IN MONROE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

>> WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO CONCENTRATING ON EDUCATION AND NOT LITIGATION.

>> IN THE MEANTIME, SEVEN OAKS WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE MASKS OPTIONAL.

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

>>> THERE'S NOTHING CURRENTLY ON THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S AGENDA TO PUBLICLY ADDRESS SEVEN OAKS VIOLATING THE MASK MANDATE.

THE BOARD OF HEALTH IS SCHEDULED TO MEET ON AUGUST 23rd TO REEVALUATE MASKS IN SCHOOLS.

>>> REDISTRICTING ADVOCATES ARE HOPING FOR MORE PUBLIC MEETINGS AFTER LAWMAKERS WRAPPED UP A SEAR IS OF NINE HEARINGS TO -- SERIES OF NINE HEARINGS COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE PROCESS.

AS PITCH MITCH LEGAN REPORTS THEY WILL USE THE CENSUS DATA RELEASED THIS WEEK.

>> REDISTRICTING REFORM ADVOCATES HAD A CLEAR MESSAGE FOR LAWMAKERS.

DRAW COMPETITIVE LEGISLATIVE MAPS IN AN OPEN, TRANSPARENT WAY.

>> THERE ARE FAR MORE PEOPLE TODAY THAN THERE WERE TEN YEARS AGO WHO UNDERSTAND HOW TOXIC IT IS FOR OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> THE RALLY TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE STATE'S LAST MEETING TO SOLICIT FEEDBACK ON REDISTRICTING, BUT THE NECESSARY DATA FOR REDISTRICTING WEREN'T RELEASED UNTIL THURSDAY, THE DAY AFTER THE FINAL MEETING, AND MAPS AREN'T EXPECTED UNTIL SEPTEMBER.

>>> THAT'S LIKE ASKING SOMEONE TO SOLVE A JIGSAW PUZZLE AND USING THE WRONG PIECES.

IT'S NOT TRANSPARENT AND IT DOESN'T ALLOW FOR THE PUBLIC TO GIVE TRUE INPUT.

>> THOSE ATTENDING THE HEARINGS OVER THE LAST WEEK WERE WORKING OFF MAPS FROM A DECADE AGO.

THEY ARGUE THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO REVIEW THE PROPOSED MAPS AFTER THEY ARE UNVEILED SOMETIME NEXT MONTH.

>> WITHOUT GIVING THE PUBLIC THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE INPUT ON THE REPUBLICAN REDISTRICTING PROPOSAL, THE MEETINGS HELD THIS PAST WEEK AND TODAY WERE NOTHING -- IS NOTHING MORE THAN SIMPLY WINDOW DRESSING.

>> REPUBLICANS WERE IN CONTROL WHEN THE STATE COMPLETED REDISTRICTING BACK IN 2011.

BY 2012, THEY SECURED A SUPER MAJORITY IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE THAT'S ONLY CONTINUED TO GROW.

REFORM ADVOCATES SAY PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING HAS HAPPENED THE GOP GAIN MORE SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE THAN MERITED BY THE VOTE TOTALS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> BUT INDIANA REPUBLICANS DON'T PLAN ON HOLDING ANY MORE HEARINGS, SINCE THE PANDEMIC HAS ALREADY DELAYED THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

COUNTY CLERKS ACROSS THE STATE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE NEW DISTRICT MAPS LOOK LIKE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO PREPARE FOR NEXT YEAR'S ELECTIONS, BUT DEMOCRATS SUCH AS BLOOMINGTON'S REPRESENTATIVE MATT PIERCE DON'T BUY IT.

>> YOU CAN HAVE MORE HEARINGS AND GET THINGS DONE IN TIME FOR THE LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

>> THERE WILL LIKELY BE TWO MORE HEARINGS AT THE STATE HOUSE ONCE THE MAPS ARE UNVEILED NEXT MONTH, ONE IN THE HOUSE AND ONE IN THE SENATE.

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

>> MY COLLEAGUE BRANDON SMITH WAS AT THIS WEEK'S MEETING, AND BRANDON JOINS US NOW FROM INDIANAPOLIS.

LET'S RECAP WHAT IS HAPPENING.

LAWMAKERS HELD SEVERAL MEETINGS INCLUDING THE ONE THIS WEEK AT THE STATE HOUSE.

WHAT WERE THOSE MEETINGS LIKE SINCE THERE WEREN'T ANY MAPS YET THAT PEOPLE COULD PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON?

>>> YEAH, WELL, WE HEARD THAT VERY SUBJECT COME UP AT THESE MEETINGS WHICH IS PEOPLE SAYING, HEY, THESE MEETINGS ARE NICE, BUT YOU NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER ROUND OF MEETINGS ONCE WE HAVE ACTUAL MAPS TO LOOK AT.

WHAT WE DID HEAR BESIDES THAT AT THESE MEETINGS IS WHAT PEOPLE WANT OUT OF THE MAPS VERY BROADLY, THE SORT OF CRITERIA THEY WANT LAWMAKERS TO USE, TO KEEP COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST TOGETHER.

SO TRYING NOT TO SPLIT NEIGHBORHOODS OR CITIES OR COUNTIES WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

THAT SORT OF THING.

AND THEY ALSO TALKED ABOUT THEIR FRUSTRATIONS WITH THE MAPS THAT WERE DRAWN A DECADE AGO AND WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE DIFFERENTLY THIS TIME.

>> WE KNOW THE DELAYED CENSUS DATA HAS COMPLICATED THE PROCESS.

REMIND ME WHAT THIS LOOKED LIKE ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO.

DID LAWMAKERS DRAW MAPS AND THEN INVITE THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT?

>> YES.

IT WAS ACTUALLY NOT THAT DISSIMILAR FROM WHAT WE ARE SEEING THIS TIME.

WHAT WAS DIFFERENT WAS THE TIMELINE.

TEN YEARS AGO, THE LAWMAKERS DRAW NEW MAPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR NORMAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SO THEY WERE DRAWN IN APRIL AND WHAT WE SAW WAS ONCE LAWMAKERS DREW THE MAPS, THERE WAS ONLY A DAY OR TWO BETWEEN WHEN THE MAPS WERE UNVEILED PANE WHEN THE PUBLIC COULD COMMENT -- AND WHEN THE PUBLIC COULD COMMENT IN A LEGISLATIVE HEARING AND THE MAPS WERE APPROVED BY A COMMITTEE AND MOVING THROUGH THE NORMAL BILL CREATING PROCESS.

SO TIMELINE VERY DIFFERENT, BUT THE ACTUAL PROCESS SO FAR IS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR.

>> WE JUST HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN KIND OF WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

>> SURE.

LAWMAKERS WILL COME BACK IN MID- TO LATE SEPTEMBER AND HAVE THAT NORMAL LEGISLATIVE PROCESS JUST FOR THE BILLS ON REDISTRICTING THEMSELVES.

SO THEN UNVEIL THE MAPS AND PASS THAT LEGISLATION AND THEN IT WILL GO TO THE GOVERNOR.

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

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> PUBLIC HEARINGS ON BLOOMINGTON'S ANNEXATION PROPOSAL ENDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

NEARLY EVERY PERSON WHO COMMENTED SPOKE IN OPPOSITION TO BEING INCLUDED INTO THE CITY.

THEY SAY ANNEXATION WILL MEAN MORE TAXES MORE RESTRICTIONS AND MORE CITY SERVICES SOME COUNTY RESIDENTS DON'T NEED.

IN THE CITY LIMITS SEGMENT WE EXPLORE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

>> BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON IS PROPOSING ANNEXING 9200 ACRES AND 140300 PEOPLE INTO THE CITY LIMITS IN 2024.

THAT'S MORE THAN WEST LaFAYETTE AND MORE THAN THE COMMUNITIES OF BEDFORD AND MORGANTOWN COMBINED.

THEY URGED CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE AGAINST ALL EIGHT AREAS.

>> TO WORK WITH THE RESIDENTS IN EACH OTHER, MAYBE EVEN INDIVIDUAL NEIGHBORHOODS WITHIN A GIVEN AREA SO THAT VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION CAN OCCUR.

>> THE CITY'S LAST ANNEXATION TOOK PLACE IN 2004.

>> IT TOO SUSTAIN A POSITION, INDEED TO DO THAT KIND OF INCREMENTAL, A LITTLE BIT OF A TIME, YEAR BY YEAR REGULAR ANNEXATION THAT WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING FROM MY PERSPECTIVE OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES.

>> THE NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESS IS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO GO THROUGH EACH OF THE EIGHT PROPOSED ANNEXATION AREAS AND DRAFT ANY AMENDMENTS THEY THINK ARE NECESSARY.

THEN DURING PROCEEDINGS ON SEPTEMBER 15th, COUNCIL THE VOTE TO APPROVE, LIMB OR REVOKE THE PROPOSED BOUNDARIES.

LANDOWNERS WITHIN THE ANNEXATION AREA HAVE 90 DAYS TO FILE WITH THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO REMONSTRATE OR PROTEST THE ANNEXATION.

BUT CERTAIN PROPERTIES HAVE ANNEX REMONSTRATE WAIVERS.

IT PROHIBITS THE OWNERS FROM OPPOSING.

MANY DATE BACK YEARS AND STAND EVEN IF THE PROPERTY CHANGES HANDS.

BUT IN 2019, THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE PUT A 15-YEAR CAP ON THOSE WAIVERS.

THE CITY HAS IDENTIFIED 3200 PARCELS SUBJECT TO THOSE WAIVERS, ABOUT HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PARCELS UP FOR ANNEXATION.

>> THE PROBLEM IS THAT THEY DID NOT DELINEATE IN THIS REPORT WHICH OF THESE 3200 SEWER WAIVERS ARE EXPIRED.

>> THE CITY SAYS THE LAW IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND WAS PASSED AFTER THE STATE STOPPED THE ANNEXATION PROCESS IN 2017.

IF I THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS ANY ANNEXATION ORDINANCES AND ENOUGH RESIDENTS PETITION USING THE 2019 LAW, THE CITY COULD TAKE THE STATE AND GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB BACK TO COURT, CHALLENGING THOSE EXPIRED WAIVERS.

>> HAMILTON HAS ALREADY RECOMMENDED THE NORTHERN MOST PARCEL AREA SEVEN NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR ANNEXATION.

IT'S A RURAL AREA OF 900 ACRES NEAR I-69.

HAMILTON SAYS IT'S NOT POISED FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENT.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE LATEST EVICTION MORATORIUM IS SUPPOSED TO GIVE STATES ADDITIONAL TIME TO GET RELIEF MONEY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE FACING EVICTION.

AHEAD, WE LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON IN INDIANA, AND WHETHER THE MORATORIUM IS REALLY JUST A BAND-AID THAT'S DELAYING THE INEVITABLE.

>>> AND BUS DRIVERS, CUSTODIANS ARE TRYING TO UNIONIZE BUT THE SCHOOL LEADERS WON'T RECOGNIZE THEIR EFFORTS.

WHAT THE UNION IS DEMANDING AND WHY THE SUCCESS MAY DEPEND ON GETTING THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WELL, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS ONCE AGAIN EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS.

THIS TIME TO AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE COVID-19 CASES ARE HIGH.

STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DIVERSION PROGRAMS TO CLEAR THE BACKLOG OF EVICTION CASES.

ADAM PINSKER REPORTS.

>>> I DON'T NORMALLY LIVE LIKE THIS.

I APOLOGIZE.

>> THE PANDEMIC IS TAKING ITS TOLL ON JEREMY BUNDY.

>> I WOULD BE HORRIFIED IF I HAD CHILDREN LIVING IN SOMETHING LIKE THIS RIGHT NOW.

>> HE SAYS ON JULY 13th, DUKE ENERGY CUT OFF POWER TO HIS ARLINGTON VALLEY HOME, AFTER HE COULDN'T PAY THE BILL, EVEN THOUGH HE QUALIFIED FOR INDIANA'S RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

>> THE STATE TOLD ME TO CONTACT DUKE ENERGY AND GIVE THEM THAT WEBSITE NUMBER BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO BE PAYING MY LIGHT BILL FOR ME.

AND DUKE ENERGY TOLD ME ON THE PHONE THAT THAT WAS NOT THEIR JOB.

>> IN ADDITION TO WEATHERING SWELTERING TEMPERATURES WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING OR ELECTRICITY, BUNDY IS SWEATING OUT EVICTION PROCEEDINGS INITIATED BY HIS LANDLORD.

HE FELL BEHIND HIS HIS RENT AFTER LOSING HIS JOB IN CONSTRUCTION AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> I HAVE BEEN OUT AND PUT APPLICATIONS IN AND NOBODY WANTS TO PUT THE TIME IN TO HIRE ME BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID WHEN THE PANDEMIC IS UP, I WILL GO BACK TO WORK IN CONSTRUCTION.

>> ALMOST A YEAR AGO, THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION IMPOSED A FEDERAL MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS AS PEOPLE FELL ON HARD TIMES DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT HOUSING SECURITY WAS A PROBLEM BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

>> INDIANAPOLIS, IN FACT, IS NUMBER 14 IN THE COUNTRY OUT OF ALL METROPOLITAN AREAS, IT'S THE 14th EVICTION RATE.

FORT WAYNE, THEY ARE ALSO IN THE TOP, I THINK 20 AT LEAST.

>> EVEN THIS LATEST MORATORIUM IS TENUOUS AT BEST.

IF AN INDIANA COUNTY IS NOT AT A SUBSTANTIAL OR HIGH RATE OF TRANSMISSION FOR 14 STRAIGHT DAYS, THE MORATORIUM IN THAT COUNTY WILL END, AND THE EVICTIONS CAN RESUME.

>> HOWEVER, OUR OWE EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAM IS STILL IN PLACE.

IT DIRECTS THE LANDLORD TO COMPLETE THE EVICTION DIVERSION AFFIDAVIT 20 DAYS BEFORE FILING.

>> THE JUDGE UNVEILED THE DIVERSION PROGRAM.

IT REQUIRES LANDLORDS TO COMPLETE AN EVICTION DIVERSION AFFIDAVIT AT LEAST 20 DAYS BEFORE FILING WITH COURT.

>> IF IT'S AN EVICTION FOR NONPAYMENT, WE PUT IT ON THE LANDLORD TO NOTIFY THE TENANT OF THE DIVERSION PROGRAM.

WE PUT IT ON THE TENANT TO APPLY FOR ANYTHING THAT THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR.

>> THAT INCLUDES INDIANA EMERGENCY RENTAL FUNDS FOR ANYONE WHO HAS LOST INCOME DUE TO COVID-19, BUT BRANDON BEILER WITH INDIANA LEGAL SERVICES SAYS SOME STATES ARE STILL DISTRIBUTING THE FIRST ROUND OF EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE DOLLARS APPROVED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BY THE END OF 2020.

MANY OF THESE STATEWIDE PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE EMERGENCY HOUSING FUNDS ARE OVERWHELMED WITH REQUESTS.

>> EVERY TIME WE TALK TO A TENANT, AT LEAST THEY ARE CALLING OUR OFFICE, HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT RENTAL ASSISTANCE OR DIDN'T KNOW THEY COULD APPLY.

>> JUDGE STAFFORD SAYS THEY ARE FORCED TO WORK WITH THE LAND LORDS.

THEY ARE TO EXHAUST ALL OPTIONS BEFORE FILING AN EVICTION.

>> THERE'S NO WAY TO EXPUNK AN E -- EXPUNGE AN EVICTION AND PROSPECTIVE LANDLORD MAY NOT NOTICE WHETHER IT LED TO AN EVICTION OR NOT.

>> PERHAPS THERE COULD BE A PREFILING STATUS CONFERENCE, THAT JUST BRINGS BOTH PARTIES TO THE TABLE TO SAY, WHAT CAN WE DO?

LIKE, YOU KNOW, HOW -- WHAT CAN THE TENANT -- CAN THE TENANT PAY X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS PER WEEK TO START MAKING IT UP.

>>> JUDGE STAFFORD SAYS IT'S PREMATURE TO SEE IF MONROE COUNTY WILL CONTINUE THE EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAM AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS OVER.

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

>> DUKE ENERGY SAID IN A STATEMENT THEY HAVE TEMPORARILY TURNED JEREMY BUNDY'S POWER BACK ON, AND HAVE TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY SO FAR TO REACH HIM BY PHONE.

>>> WELL, AFTER BEING PRAISED AS ESSENTIAL DURING THE PANDEMIC, MANY SERVICE EMPLOYEES ARE PUSHING FOR IMPROVED WORKING CONDITIONS AND HIGHER PAY.

IN THE KOKOMO SCHOOL CORPORATION, BUS DRIVERS, CUSTODIANS AND OTHER SUPPORT STAFF WANT TO FORM A UNION TO MAKE CHANGES BUT AS INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S JEANIE LINDSAY REPORTS, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WON'T FORMALLY RECOGNIZE THE GROUP AND WORKERS DON'T HAVE MANY OPTIONS.

>> YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE A NICE -- >> RITA CLINE HAS LIVED IN KOKOMO HER WHOLE LIFE.

SHE'S WORKED AS A BUS MONITOR FOR NEARLY A DECADE.

THAT MEANS HELPING KIDS WITH HOMEWORK, KEEPING THEM SAFE ON THE BUS OR TALKING THEM THROUGH A ROUGH DAY.

>> I THINK IT WAS MY CALLING THROUGH GOD, YOU KNOW?

I -- I LOVE WORKING WITH KIDS.

>> SHE'S ONE OF SEVERAL TRANSPORTATION EMPLOYEES PRESSURING THE DISTRICT TO RECOGNIZE A NEWLY FORMED UNION.

SHE'S INVOLVED BECAUSE HER PAY HAS ONLY GONE UP BY ABOUT 20 CENTS OVER TIME.

IT'S LESS THAN $9 AN HOUR.

AND THIS YEAR, CLINE MISSED OUT ON HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN PAN PANDEMIC-RELATED CASH INCENTIVES OFFERED TO OTHER SCHOOL WORKERS.

HER JOB DOESN'T QUALIFY.

>> IT WAS LIKE A SLAP IN THE FACE.

IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS NOT RESPECTED.

>> IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT MONEY.

CLINE SAYS THE DISTRICT WON'T EXPLAIN TO HER WHY HER POSITION DOESN'T QUALIFY.

OTHERS POINT TO STAFF SHORTAGES AS A PERSISTING PROBLEM, CAUSING TENSION AND SAFETY CONCERNS FOR KIDS AND THEY WANT MORE COMMUNICATION FROM SCHOOL LEADERSHIP.

SO FAR, IT HASN'T GONE WELL FOR THEM.

PEOPLE DESCRIBE KOKOMO AS A STRONG UNION TOWN BUT THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED THIS SPRING NOT TO RECOGNIZE THE NEW UNION.

IT ESSENTIALLY MEANS THE SCHOOL WON'T RECOGNIZE A REPRESENTATIVE TO BARGAIN OR NEGOTIATE TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT WITH.

INDIANA LAW SAYS THE DISTRICT DOESN'T HAVE TO.

KENNETH DAU-SCHMIDT IS AN INDIANA UNIVERSITY EXPERT ON EMPLOYMENT LAWS.

HE SAYS THEY ARE ALLOWED TO ORGANIZE BUT THE DISTRICT ONLY BARGAINS IF IT WANTS TO AND GETS THE FINAL SAY ON SOMEWHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

>> THERE'S NO STATUTORY MECHANISM FOR THEM TO GAIN RECOGNITION AND THERE'S NO STATUTORY OBLIGATION ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYER TO BARGAIN WITH THEM.

>> THE KOKOMO EMPLOYEES ARE PUSHING BACK ON THE BOARD' DECISION, EVEN MONTHS LATER.

THEY HAVE SHOWN UP TO MEETINGS, ASKING TO PUBLICLY ADDRESS MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR NEEDS.

>> THE UNION WOULD AMPLIFY OUR VOICE.

>> THE SITUATION IN KOKOMO IS UNIQUE BUT NOT SURPRISING.

THE PANDEMIC IS CAUSING WORKERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO DEMAND MORE FROM THEIR EMPLOYER.

>> EMPLOYEES WOULD LIKE TO THAT YOU CAN ABOUT WHAT THE WAGES AND BENEFITS ARE, SUCH AS CHILD CARE AND FAMILY LEAVE AND MEDICAL BENEFITS.

>> UNIONS ALSO COME WITH INFLUENCE.

TEACHERS HAVE FLEXED THEIR UNION POWER FROM THE LOCAL TO THE NATIONAL LEVEL DURING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW TO REOPEN SCHOOLS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

KOKOMO BUS DRIVER HEATHER JACKSON SAYS SHE AND OTHER STAFF DESERVE A SEAT AT THAT TABLE.

>> WE ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT TEACHERS, TEACHERS, TEACHERS.

THEY ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

BUT WITHOUT US GETTING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL, THEY HAVE NO KIDS TO TEACH.

>> IT'S ABOUT WORKING BETTER WITH THE DISTRICT TO FIND SOLUTIONS.

JACKSON SAYS DRIVERS ARE LEAVING AND THAT STRAINS REMAINING STAFF AND LENGTHENS THE TIME THE KIDS SPEND ON BUSES OR WAITING AT A BUS STOP.

>> BECAUSE UP TO THIS POINT, WE HAVE TRIED AND TRIED AND TRIED TO GET A RAISE AND DIFFERENT THINGS AND UNTIL WE STARTED THIS EFFORT, NONE OF THAT HAS HAPPENED.

>> SO HOW DOES THIS IMPASSE RESOLVE?

DAU-SCHMIDT SAYS A CHANGE TO STATE LAW WOULD DO IT, BUT ISN'T LIKELY.

INSTEAD HE SAYS WHAT HAPPENS IS UP TO LOCALS, WHETHER IT'S THE BOARD DECIDING TO REVERSE COURSE OR EMPLOYEES CAMPAIGNING TO ELECT NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

THERE HAS NO TELLING WHAT, IF ANYTHING MIGHT SPUR THE BOARD TO REVERSE ITS ORIGINAL DECISION.

IT WAS BASED ON LEGAL ADVICE BUT WON'T SAY MORE ABOUT IT.

KOKOMO SCHOOL CORPORATION DECLINED TO PROVIDE COMMENT FOR THIS STORY.

EMPLOYEES ARE NOW TURNING TO THE PUBLIC FOR SUPPORT.

THEY ARE GATHERING SIGNATURES FOR A PETITION THEY PLAN TO SUBMIT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO GET A UNION FOR SOME OF THE WORKERS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> THEY ARE HOPING IT PRESSURES THE BOARD TO RECONSIDER.

CLINE, THE BUS MONITOR, SAYS SHE ALSO HOPES IT SHOWS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM THEY ARE SERIOUS.

>> WE ARE PUSHING, AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS KEEP PUSHING FORWARD, INSTEAD OF GOING BACK.

>> FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M JEANIE LINDSAY.

>>> FULLY REMOVING COAL ASH NEAR COAL PLANTS CREATES MORE JOBS AND BOOSTS LOCAL ECONOMIES BETTER THAN LEAVING THE ASH IN PLACE THAT'S ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT BY THE NONPROFIT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP EARTH JUSTICE.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE SAYS LOCAL ACTIVISTS HOPE NIPSCO WILL AMEND THE COAL ASH CLEANUP PLANS WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY THE STATE.

>> NIPSCO PLANS TO REMOVE COAL ASH AT THIS GENERATING SYSTEM, AND WILL KEEP COAL ASH FILL ON THE SITE.

EARTHJUSTJUSTICE SAYS REMOVING IT WOULD REDUCE THE POLLUTION TO LOCAL WATERWAYS AND CREATE SEVEN TIMES AS MANY JOBS AND ADD $8 MILLION TO THE AREA'S GDP.

ASHLEY WILLIAMS WITH JUST TRANSITION NORTHWEST INDIANA SAYS MICHIGAN CITY HAS LOST MANY OF THE INDUSTRIAL JOBS IN FAVOR OF RETAIL JOBS THAT DON'T PAY A LIVABLE WAGE.

>> WE SEE THIS AS ALL PART OF IT, IN TERMS OF REALLY BUILDING OUT THAT NEW ECONOMY, THAT REGENERATIVE ECONOMY FOR OUR REGION.

>> NIPSCO OFFICIALS SAY THE LEFTOVER COAL ASH DOESN'T PAY A RISK, AND COULD COST THEM MORE MONEY.

>> WE ARE DOING EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR.

IF THEY FOUND THAT THERE'S OTHER RISK, YOU KNOW, THEY WOULD LET US KNOW OF THAT.

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

>>> THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THE UTILITY BETTER ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN CLEANUP AND REDEVELOPMENT PLANS, EXPLORE WAYS TO REUSE THE COAL ASH AND MONITOR THE AIR AS THE TRANSPART COAL ASH TO A LANDFILL.

>>> WELL, THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS ALLOWING BIRD FEEDERS IN 70 COUNTIES.

THE MYSTERIOUS SONGBIRD DISEASE SEEMED TO BE LOLLIESED TO 16 COUNTIES INCLUDING, JOHNSON, MARION, MONROE AND MORGAN COUNTIES.

RESIDENTS IN THERE ARE STILL BEING ASKED TO KEEP THEIR FEEDERS DOWN WHILE THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

THE DNR HAS FOUND MORE THAN 500 CASES OF THE UNKNOWN DISEASE IN INDIANA.

BIRDS WITH THE DISEASE SHOW SYMPTOMS LIKE CRUSTY EYES, EYE DISCHARGE AND SOMETIMES NEUROLOGICAL ISSUES THAT CAN RESULT IN TREMORS OR ODD BEHAVIOR.

IF YOU SEE A BIRD WITH NOSE SYMPTOMS -- THOSE SYMPTOMS OR A DEAD BIRD, THE DNR ASKS YOU TO REPORT IT.

>>> 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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