>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE HIGHEST INFLATION IN 30 YEARS IS HITTING CONSUMERS IN THE POCKETBOOKS, ESPECIALLY WITH HOLIDAY SHOPPING AROUND THE CORNER.

>> MY WIFE AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT MAYBE NOT EVEN BUYING SO MUCH CHRISTMAS AT ALL.

SO -- >> AHEAD, WE TALK WITH AN ECONOMIST ABOUT RISING PRICES AND THE REASONS BEHIND IT.

>>> THE CITY CONTINUES TO CLEAN UP AREAS AFFECTED BY A CONTROLLED BURN THAT RAINED LEAD-CONTAMINATED DEBRIS ON A CORE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>>> HONESTLY, THIS IS NOT -- WE DON'T INTEND TO CAUSE HARM.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

WE ARE HERE TO SAVE PEOPLE.

>> THE BLOOMINGTON FIRE CHIEF SAYS THERE WILL BE NO MORE PRACTICE HOUSE BURNS IN THE CITY WHILE HE'S IN CHARGE.

>>> AND BLOOMINGTON CITY PLANNERS ARE PROPOSING A NEW METHOD FOR PRIORITIZING SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY.

THOSE STORIES PLUS THE LATEST NEWS EDNEWS HEADLINES RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ ♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, NEARLY TWO YEARS INTO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, SHORTAGES HAVE BECOME A NORM AND INFLATION IS HITTING 30-YEAR HIGH.

A CONVERGENCE OF ISSUES IS SETTING THE TABLE FOR THE MOST EXPENSIVE THANKSGIVING YET.

>> I'M MAKING TACOS, A CHICKEN CASSEROLE.

>> WE MET UP WITH DARCY TEAGUE, AS SHE UNPACKED HER HALL FROM HER LATEST TRIP TO THE BEDFORD WALMART.

>> THE BEEF WAS, I THINK, ALMOST $5 AND BEFORE -- $5 PER POUND AND BEFORE I WAS PAYING PROBABLY ABOUT $2.53.

>> LIKE MANY HOOSIERS GROCERY RUNS HAVE BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE FOR TEAGUE.

A TRIP THAT WOULD HAVE FED HER FAMILY OF FIVE FOR A WEEK USED TO COST $150.

>> NOW IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT $200, $250 A WEEK.

SOMETIMES MORE IF WE GET TOILETRY STUFF.

>> THE JUMP IN GROCERY PRICES IS THE BIGGEST IN THE DECADE.

MILK UP 4% AND MEAT, POULTRY AND EGGS UP ALMOST 12% FROM LAST YEAR.

>> THE JUMP IN PRICES MEANS TEAGUE IS SEARCHING FOR DEALS.

>> WHAT I MAKE NOW, I HAVE TO MAKE THINGS THAT ARE MORE AFFORDABLE.

SO I'M COOKING MORE CHICKEN NOW INSTEAD OF BEEF.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO TURKEY, SHE HAS EXTRA REASON TO BE THANKFUL.

HER IN-LAWS ARE HOSTING THANKSGIVING AND IT WON'T BE CHEAP.

THE AVERAGE COST OF THIS YEAR'S TURKEY DINNER IS ABOUT $53.

THE PRICE HIKES IN SEYMOUR ARE CAUSING SOME PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS.

>> MY WIFE AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT MAYBE NOT EVEN BUYING TOO MUCH CHRISTMAS AT ALL.

>> THE LAST CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SHOWED OVERALL INFLATION AT ITS HIGHEST SINCE THE 1990s.

>> THE BIGGEST PART OF IT, I WOULD SAY, IS THE SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS THAT WE ARE SEEING AND SOME OF THE CHALLENGES IN THE LABOR MARKET.

>> ANDERSON POINTS TO ISSUES WITH SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

MANY FAMILIES BOUGHT LESS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

AS GOVERNMENT STIMULUS CHECKS ROLLED, IN THEY STARTED SPENDING.

>> PEOPLE HAVE HELD OFF OF SPENDING, OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF.

SO THAT'S CAUSING THERE TO BE MORE DEMAND FOR GOODS AND SERVICES THAN WE CAN PROVIDE RIGHT NOW.

AND THE RESULT IS HIGHER PRICES.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, PRODUCERS AND MANUFACTURERS HAD TO SLOW DOWN PRODUCTION.

WHEN PEOPLE STARTED SPENDING AGAIN, THEY WEREN'T READY TO MEET THE SPIKE IN DEMAND.

MANY HAVE HAD TO BUMP UP WAGES TO CONVINCE PEOPLE TO COME BACK TO WORK.

THAT'S LED TO INCREASES IN SHIPPING COSTS AND PRODUCTION DELAYS.

AND WHEN ONE PART OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN IS AFFECTED, EVERYTHING IS AFFECTED.

>> THERE WAS PRODUCT IN THE U.S.

WAREHOUSES WERE STILL FULL.

NO THERE AREN'T STOCKED WAREHOUSES.

WE HAVE KIND OF RUN THROUGH THAT.

SO PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO BRING THINGS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE STATES IN.

>> AT GOODS FOR COOKS, SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS HAVE SENT SHIPPING COSTS UP BY 50% IN SOME CASES.

LAST MONTH, THERE WAS AN ORDER OF TOASTERS THAT SHE HAD PLACED THE PREVIOUS OCTOBER.

>> EVENTUALLY SOMETHING HAS GOT TO GIVE AND IT GETS PASSED ON.

SOMETIMES TEMPORARY, AND SOMETIMES NOT.

>> MANY ECONOMISTS SAY THE INFLATION IS TRANSITORY OR TEMPORARY BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN IT WILL BE FIXED ANY TIME SOON.

>> I THINK A LOT OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES ARE LIKELY TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE NEXT FOUR TO SIX MONTHS, WE SHOULD SEE SOME ALLEVIATION THERE IN TERMS OF PRICING PRESSURE, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY LIKELY THAT THE MARKET WILL BE IMPACTED INTO 2022, BECAUSE OF THIS.

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

>>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY ANDREW BUTTERS, AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR I.U.

'S KELLEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, HELLO AND WELCOME.

THANKS FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> SO INFLATION AT ITS HIGHEST IN 30 YEARS, IS IT ACCURATE TO COMPARE TODAY'S ECONOMY TO WHAT IT WAS 30 YEARS AGO?

ARE THERE TOO MANY UNIQUE EVENTS RIGHT NOW?

>> I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT HARD TO COMPARE THE TWO INFLATIONARY EPISODES, ONE THAT WE ARE HAVING HERE AS OPPOSED TO THE PREVIOUS ONES IN HISTORY.

I THINK A LOT OF THAT IS DUE TO THE FACT IT'S COMING OFF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

SO A LOT OF THE FACTORS THAT ARE VERY MUCH UNIQUE TO THE CURRENT SITUATION I THINK ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE DIFFICULT TO THEN SAY AN APPLES-TO-APPLES COMPARISON RELATIVE TO TIMES PAST, JUST ONE TO POINT TO.

WE ARE IN A VERY DIFFERENT INTEREST RATE ENVIRONMENT THAN WE WERE 30 YEARS AGO.

I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT TOO HARD TO MAKE THOSE COMPARISONS, I THINK.

>> SURE.

HOW ABOUT THE RECENTLY SIGNED INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, DOES THAT HAVE ANY EFFECT NOW ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN THAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS ABOUT?

>> SO I THINK IT COULD CERTAINLY HELP A LITTLE BIT, I WOULDN'T WANT TO GIVE ANYONE THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WILL BE THE MAGIC SILVER BULLET TO ADDRESS ALL THE ISSUES.

WHAT WE ARE REALLY EXPERIENCING ARE THE PRESSURES WE ARE FACING FROM A GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN, AND SO A LOT OF THE, YOU KNOW, ELEMENTS OF THE BILL ARE GOING TO BE VERY MUCH FOCUSED TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THIS COUNTRY, WHICH WILL CERTAINLY HELP WITH GOODS AROUND THIS COUNTRY, BUT I THINK IT WILL BE LIMITED IN TERMS OF HOW CAN TO RELEASE THE PRESSURES THAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW?

>> YOU KNOW SHOULD PEOPLE BE CONCERNED OVERALL ABOUT THE ECONOMIES?

PRICES ARE UP, BUT SO IS CONSUMER CONFIDENCE.

>> MY OWN TAKE IS I'M CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.

I HAD HOUSEHOLD SAVINGS HAS REALLY BEEN HIGH AS OF LATE.

WE SAW THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE COME DOWN QUITE A BIT AND WE HAVE SEEN REALLY PRETTY STRONG GROWTH.

I KNOW Q3 G.D.P.

WAS A LITTLE BIT DEPRESSED BUT WE SAW A NICE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION AND I THINK Q4 AND GOING INTO '22 TO BE REALLY STRONG PATH FOR THE ECONOMY.

>> YEAH.

UNEMPLOYMENT IS UNDER 5%.

JOBLESS CLAIMS ARE DOWN BUT EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK, THERE'S STILL HELP WANTED SIGNS.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE OTHER PRESSURES WE ARE SEEING IN ADDITION TO THE SUPPLY CHAIN IS THAT THE LABOR MARKET RIGHT NOW IS REALLY, REALLY TIGHT.

A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT WE ARE STILL SEEING LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION VERY MUCH DEPRESSED.

SO THERE'S STILL, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF SORT OF MISSING HOOSIERS IN THE LABOR MARKET AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE GOING FORWARD HOW MANY OF THOSE END UP RETURNING TO THE WORKFORCE AND HELPING OUT, TO CONTINUE THIS GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> OKAY, WE NOW GO TO MY COLLEAGUE, HOLDEN ABSHIER FOR THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM ARENDT STATE.

>> THANKS, -- AROUND THE STATE.

>> THANKS, JOE.

TERRE HAUTE IS BACK ON TRACK TO GET A CASINO MORE THAN TWO YEARS AFTER THE LEGISLATURE MADE IT POSSIBLE.

THE INDIANA GAMING COMMISSION CHOSE CHURCHILL DOWNS AS THE OPERATOR OF THE NEW FACILITY.

THE PROPOSAL HAD THE BIGGEST CAPITAL INVESTMENT, $239 MILLION, AND THE LARGEST COMPLEX, INCLUDING THREE RESTAURANTS AND A 125-ROOM HOTEL.

IT ALSO PLANS TO HAVE 1,000 SLOT MACHINES AND 50 TABLE GAMES, WHICH NO OTHER PROPOSAL TOPPED.

ABOUT 60 HOMES IN THE AREA AFFECTED BY THE CONTROLLED BURN EARLIER THIS MONTH ON SOUTH HIGH STREET HAVE BEEN REMEDIATED.

THE CITY SAYS WORK WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE AREA IS FREE OF LEAD CONTAMINATED PAINT FLAKES.

PAT BEANE REPORTS.

>> ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP CREWS HAVE BEEN IN THE SOUTH MAXWELL NEIGHBORHOOD AREA SINCE NOVEMBER 9th.

THEY HAVE BEEN VACUUMING UP LEAD CONTAMINATED PAINT FLAKES AND OTHER DEBRIS THAT RAINED DOWN.

THEY TESTED THE AIR.

THE FIRE CHIEF JASON MOORE SAYS THEY WERE IN THE IMMEDIATE AND SECONDARY REMEDIATION AREAS MAPPED OUT BY THE CITY AND THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT.

>> THEY ARE ALSO STARTING TO WORK OUT INTO THAT OUTLYING AREA AND, AGAIN, AS WE ARE GOING THROUGH ALONG THIS MAP, THEY ARE CHECKING THE PROPERTIES NEXT TO IT TO SEE IF THEY ARE SEEING SIGNS OR ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE REMEDIATED.

>> MOORE SAID NO ONE ANTICIPATED THE PROBLEM OF LEAD CONTAMINATED PAINT FLAKES UNTIL AFTER THE NOVEMBER 5th TRAINING BURN OF THE HOUSE AT 1213 SOUTH HIGH STREET HAD BEGUN.

A RESIDENT WHO HAD COME TO WATCH THE BURN NOTICED THE PAINT FLAKES AND TESTED THEM FOR LEAD.

>> ORIGINALLY, WE HAD PLANNED ON ALLOWING THAT FIRE TO KIND OF BURN ITSELF OUT.

SO WE IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISHED IT INSTEAD OF LETTING IT BURN.

>> MOORE SAYS IN HINDSIGHT THE DEPARTMENT AND THE PROPERTY OWNER WOULD HAVE WALKED AWAY FROM THE AGREEMENT HAD THEY KNOWN ABOUT THE LEAD PAINT ISSUE.

>> HONESTLY, WE WILL REGRET THIS.

WE DON'T INTEND TO CAUSE HARM.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

WE ARE HERE TO SAVE PEOPLE.

>> MOORE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT DO ANY MORE PRACTICE BURNS UNDER HIS WATCH.

>> YOU KNOW, WE DID RECEIVE SOME VERY VALUABLE TRAINING OUT OF THIS, BUT IT'S NOT WORTH THE RISK.

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

>>> BLOOMINGTON CITY LEADERS OPENED THE SEVEN LINE WITH A BICYCLE PROCESSION LED BY MAYOR HAMILTON.

IT INCLUDES TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT COLLEGE AVENUE AND WALNUT STREET FOR CYCLISTS.

>> 7th STREET ISN'T NEW.

WE DIDN'T SAY LET'S MAKE A NEW STREET.

BUT OUR EXPERIENCES WITH IT WILL BE.

>> AND CONSTRUCTING THE BIKE LANE IN JUNE AND MADE SEVERAL TRAFFIC CHANGES ALONG THE WAY.

INCLUDING THE REMOVAL OF STOP SIGNS AND A BUS STOP.

THE PATH IS CURRENTLY THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILE LONG BUT THE SEVEN LINE COULD BE LONGER AS PLANS COME TOGETHER TO CONTINUE IT EAST.

>>> THE BLOOMINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION GRANTED SECONDARY PLAT APPROVAL OF THE FIRST PHASE OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY'S NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR THE RCA COMMUNITY PARK THIS WEEK.

THE COMMISSION INITIALLY APPROVED THE DESIGNS FOR THE 12.5-ACRE DEVELOPMENT AT 650 WEST GUY AVENUE LAST NOVEMBER.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD WILL BE NAMED OSAGE PLACE AND FEATURE 69 SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AND 7 COMMON AREA LOTS IN TOTAL.

THE FIRST PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION WILL COVER 5.3 ACRES AND INCLUDE 30 RESIDENTIAL HOMES AND THREE COMMON AREA LOTS.

>> WE THINK IT CHECKS ALL THE BOXES IN TERMS OF WHAT THE CITY NEEDS, WITH THIS SPECIFIC TYPE OF HOUSING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WORKING FAMILIES, LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

>> FERRARA SAYS PHASE ONE WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN THREE YEARS.

>>> FAMILY, FRIENDS AND SOCIAL ACTIVISTS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE EARLIER THIS WEEK TO CALL FOR JUSTICE FOR A BLACK WOMAN WHO DIED WHILE IN THE CUSTODY OF THE JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE THIS SUMMER.

PAT BEANE REPORTS ON THE CASE OF THAT NESHIA CHAPPELL.

>> WE ARE GOING TO GET YOUR JUSTICE AT THE TANESHA CHAPPELL.

>> IT'S BEEN FOUR MONTHS SINCE SHE DIED AT THE JACKSON COUNTY JAIL AND HER FAMILY IS STILL LOOKING FOR ANSWERS.

>> MY BABY WAS MURDERED THIS HAPPENED IN THE HANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I WANT TO KNOW WHY.

WAS IT BECAUSE OF HER TATTOOS?

THE TONE OF HER VOICE?

OR THE COLOR OF HER SKIN?

WHY DID THIS HAPPEN TO MY DAUGHTER?

>> THE 23-YEAR-OLD CHAPPELL DIED IN CUSTODY JULY 16th, TWO MONTHS AFTER HER ARREST AFTER LEADING POLICE ON A CHASE THROUGH THREE COUNTIES.

SHE DIED BY TOXICITY OF AN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE.

HER SISTER, AND OTHERS AT THE RALLY ON THE STEPS OF THE JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN BROWNSTOWN BELIEVE THE SHERIFF SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THEY ALSO WATCH VIDEO SURVEILLANCE OF THE JAIL RELEASED.

>> JACKSON COUNTY JAIL, AND ANY OTHER PARTICIPANT IN MY SISTER'S DEATH MUST FACE CHARGES.

>> JUSTICE FOR LOUISVILLE ORGANIZED THE RALLY AND CHARTERED A BUS TO HOLD THE OFFEND.

THEY INCLUDED MEMBERS OF UNTIL FREEDOM A SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION BASED IN NEW YORK CITY.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH PAIN A BLACK WOMAN HAS TO BE FOR SOMEONE TO BELIEVE THAT SHE DESERVES SOME HEALTHCARE.

>> CHAPPELL'S 10-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER LETTER SAID SHE MISSED HER MOTHER?

>> SHE WAS ONE OF A KIND.

SHE WAS THE BEST MOM IF YOU ASK ME.

>> THEY ALL WANT TO MAKE SURE CHAPPELL IS NOT GOTTEN AS A STATE POLICE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

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

>>> THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DID NOT RETURN CALLS FOR THIS STORY.

THE CHAPPELL FAMILY HAS FILED A $30 MILLION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE JAIL AND STAFF.

>>> WITH TWO GAMES REMAINING IN THE INDIANA FOOTBALL SEASON, HEAD COACH TOM ALLEN IS WONDERING WHERE IT ALL WENT WRONG.

THE HOOSIERS WERE COMING OFF THEIR MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASON IN MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY, RANKED NUMBER 17 IN THE PRESEASON POLL, AND THERE WAS TALKS OF COMPETING FOR THE BIG TEN TITLE.

THEY LOST SIX STRAIGHT GAMES AND IS IN DANGER OF GOING WINLESS IN THE BIG TEN.

>> I ENVISIONED THEM BEING IN THE HUNT FOR A BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP.

THAT'S WAS MY VISION AND THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE.

I DON'T GO BACK TO, OH, MAY MAN, I MISSED IT ON THAT.

>> JOE, INDIANA PLAYS THE FINAL HOME GAME ON SATURDAY AGAINST MINNESOTA.

>> ALL RIGHT, HOLDEN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," LAWMAKERS GATHERED IN INDIANAPOLIS THIS WEEK TO PREPARE THEIR AGENDAS FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION.

OUR BRANDON SMITH WILL TERM US WHAT -- TELL US WHAT TO EXPECT.

>>> AND CITY PLANNERS WANT TO CHANGE HOW THEY PRIORITIZE SIDEWALK PROJECTS AROUND BLOOMINGTON TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE PRIORITIES FOR THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL MOST LIKELY INCLUDE TAX CHANGES, VACCINE MANDATES AND WHETHER THE LEGISLATORS START THE SESSION EARLY.

LAWMAKERS GATHERED AT THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK FOR ORGANIZATION DAY.

THAT'S THE ANNUAL MEET UP WHERE THEY HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE ISSUES THEY ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON WHEN THEY RECONVENE FOR THE REGULAR SESSION IN JANUARY.

WE ARE JOINED NOW BY INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATE HOUSE REPORTER BRANDON SMITH FOR MORE.

HELLO, BRANDON.

YOU KNOW, ONE THE BIG DEBATES COULD BE ABOUT CUTTING TAXES, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN REPORTING THE TWO REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES DON'T SEEM TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

EVERYBODY AGREES THAT THE TWO REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES, YOU KNOW, DEMOCRATS EVEN, THERE HAVE BEEN UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS OF REVENUE, SURPLUSES IN THE LAST YEAR OR TWO HERE IN INDIANA, BUT THE FEDERAL STIMULUS DOLLARS THAT HAVE BEEN FLOWING INTO EVERY STATE PLAY A BIG ROLE IN THAT.

AND SO SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE KIND OF SAYING, LET'S WAIT TO SEE HOW SOME OF THIS SETTLES OUT OVER THE NEXT YEAR AND MAYBE TALK ABOUT TAX CUTS IN 2023, WHEN LAWMAKERS WILL WRITE A NEW STATE BUDGET BUT HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HOUSTON WANTS TO GO AHEAD AND EXPLORE THAT IDEA NOW.

HE'S LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY CUTTING THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX, AS WELL AS THE BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX.

>> YOU HELP A TON OF THE SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESSES IN INDIANA, AND I THINK IT'S EXACTLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I THINK IT'S THE LAST BAD BUSINESS TAX WE HAVE.

>> SO INDIANA LAWMAKERS ARE DISCUSSING COMING BACK INTO SESSION IN DECEMBER.

WHY IS THAT?

>> YES, SO THEY AND GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB WANT TO END THE STATE'S PUBLIC EMERGENCY AS IT RELATES TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

AND GOVERNOR HOLCOMB HAS TOLD LAWMAKERS THAT HE NEEDS THREE THINGS TO DO THAT.

HE NEEDS TO CHANGE STATE LAW IN THREE WAYS SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO GET ENHANCED FEDERAL FOOD BENEFITS THAT WE HAD THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC AND ENHANCED MEDICAID AND ALLOW THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO MORE EASILY GIVE VACCINES TO 5 TO 11-YEAR-OLDS.

LAWMAKERS ARE EXPLORING HOW TO DO THAT AND THEY MIGHT COME BACK IN DECEMBER TO GET THOSE THINGS DONE QUICKLY SO THAT THAT EMERGENCY DECLARATION CAN END FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE MARCH OF 2020.

>> ANOTHER PRIORITY LOOKING TO COUNTERACT FEDERAL VACCINE REQUIREMENTS SET TO GO INTO EFFECT IN JANUARY.

>> YES, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S MUCH THAT THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE CAN DO ABOUT THE FEDERAL MANDATES BUT THEY ARE LOOKING AT THEIR OWN STATE LAW AND CONTEMPLATING THE IDEA OF BANNING PRIVATE BUSINESSES FROM IMPOSING THEIR OWN PERSONAL VACCINE MANDATES AND THAT'S SOMETHING THE INDIANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND ITS PRESIDENT ARE OPPOSED TO.

>> OUR POSITION IS THAT EMPLOYERS ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO DETERMINE WHAT'S BEST FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES, THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND THEIR PATIENTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, BRANDON.

OUT OF TIME.

WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

>>> BLOOMINGTON CITY PLANNERS ARE PROPOSING A NEW METHOD FOR PRIORITIZING SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

HOLDON ABSHIER REPORTS.

>> IT'S BEEN SAID SIMPLY LOOKING TO THE GROUND CAN REVEAL THE EXTENT TO WHICH CITIES VALUE INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION.

THAT'S WHY BLOOMINGTON CITY PLANNERS HOPE TO CHANGE THE WAY THE COMMUNITY PRIORITIZES SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

>> WE HAVE EXTREMELY LONG SECTIONS OF ROADS OR ROADS THAT SEE A LOT OF TRAFFIC, SEE A LOT OF HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC THAT ARE MISSING IN THESE AREAS THAT ARE LOW-INCOME, LOW ACCESS, AND HAVE A HIGH NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITHOUT ACCESS TO A CAR.

>> RICK BIO PRESENTED A NEW REPORT DURING CITY COUNSEL'S REPORT.

INSTEAD OF ONLY USING A REQUEST-BASED SYSTEM TO LOG IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, RICK BILE SAYS THE CITY SHOULD PRIORITIZE ALL PROJECTS BASED ON TEN DIFFERENT DATA LENSES LIKE WALK POTENTIAL, POPULATION DENSITY AND TRANSIT TO WORK SCORE.

THIS WAY THE CITY CAN PRIORITIZE PROJECTS THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN PUSHED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CURRENT LIST.

>> WE KNOW THAT A REQUEST-BASED SYSTEM HAS AN INHERENT BIAS TOWARDS PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE TIME, WHO HAVE THE SOCIAL CONNECTION, HAVE THE EDUCATION, HAVE THE PERSEVERANCE TO CONTACT THE RIGHT PERSON AT THE CITY.

>> HOWEVER, THERE'S AN EASY WAY TO IDENTIFY WHICH PARTS OF TOWN ARE IN THE MOST NEED OF NEW SIDEWALKS.

A DESIRE PATH IS A SPACE IN THE GRASS WHERE YOU CAN SEE EROSION BECAUSE OF FOOT TRAFFIC.

>> AND THAT IS PROBABLY THE BEST PHYSICAL INDICATOR THAT WE CAN SEE, THAT THERE IS AN INTUITIVE PATH THAT PEDESTRIANS WANT TO TAKE, BUT PEDESTRIAN FACILITY SIMPLY DOESN'T EXIST.

>>> RICK BILE WAS INSPIRED BY AN EVENT THE COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY ACCESSIBILITY HOSTED IN JUNE, WHERE IT GROUPS CITY PLANNERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND CITIZENS OF VARIOUS PHYSICAL ABILITIES TOGETHER FOR A WALK ON ONE OF SEVEN ROUTES NEAR SWITCH YARD PARK.

>> IT WAS VERY EYE OPENING AND I LOVED THAT PEOPLE REALLY CARED ABOUT, LIKE, IS THIS COMFORTABLE FOR YOU?

IS THIS WIDE ENOUGH FOR YOU?

IS THIS BUMP BAD?

BECAUSE THAT NEVER HAPPENS OTHERWISE.

>> SIZER ATTENDED.

EVENT AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER IN A WHEELCHAIR.

SHE SAYS BLOOMINGTON HAS BECOME MORE ACCESSIBLE OVER THE LAST 16 YEARS, BUT SHE STILL FACES ISSUES IN FRONT OF HER OWN HOME ON EAST RUBY LANE.

>> WELL, MY OWN -- MY OWN BLOCK, WE DON'T HAVE SIDEWALKS WHERE I LIVE.

>> REALLY?

>> SO I HAVE TO GO IN THE STREET.

>> SIZER SAYS THERE ARE ALSO ISSUES WITH BLOCKING EXISTING SIDEWALKS.

SPECIFICALLY, IN THE WINTER WHEN SNOW IS PLOWED INTO HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES NEAR THE SIDEWALK.

>> PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO HAVE A RAMP VAN, WE NEED THOSE SPOTS BECAUSE THOUGH BLUE STRIPED SPOTS ARE SO THAT WE CAN LOWER THE RAMP AND GET OFF THE RAMP AND TURN.

AND THEY SEEM TO THINK THOSE ARE JUST LIKE EMPTY SPOTS.

>> TO BEST UNDERSTAND EXISTING BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THE SIDEWALK EQUITY REPORT CALLS FOR FOCUS GROUPS AND MAPPING EXERCISES AMONG OTHER THINGS.

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

>>> INFLATION AND SUPPLY ISSUES ARE HAVING LOCAL FOOD BANKS HEADING INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

MITCH LEGAN HAS THIS REPORT.

>> YAMS.

YAMS ARE A PAIN.

THEY ARE THE BANE OF MY LIFE.

>> CINDY CHAVEZ IS GETTING READY FOR HER BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR AND SHE'S HAVING TROUBLE FINDING YAMS.

>> THIS TIME -- LAST YEAR YAMS, THEY WERE $1.79 A BIG CAN AND NOW $3.69 ON SALE.

>> PRICE INCREASES FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING HAS MADE FINDING FOOD DIFFICULT FOR ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS PANTRY 279.

CHAVEZ SAYS GROCERY STORES THAT WERE ONCE ABLE TO PROVIDE PALLETS OF FOOD ARE RUNNING LOW ON SUPPLY.

THE DISCOUNTED RATES ARE STILL DISCOUNTED BUT HIGHER THAN BEFORE.

>> YOU WANT A RIDE SO THE EGGS DON'T GET CRACKED OR ANYTHING?

THERE YOU GO.

>> THE PANTRY WILL GIVE OUT 2,000 THANKSGIVING BOXES THAT WILL END UP FEEDING 18,000 PEOPLE IN MONROE AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

>> WE ARE HAVING A REAL ISSUE WITH THE TURKEY PROBLEM WITH THANKSGIVING.

>> LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO SECURE 500 TURKEYS FROM HOOSIER HILL FOOD BANK.

THEY WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE THEIR FOOD IN THE SPRING.

>> AND I THINK WE HAVE GOT SOME TURKEYS IN HERE STILL.

YEP.

OH, YEAH.

>> I THINK RIGHT NOW, IF WE FRIED TO ACCESS FOOD THERE WOULD BE A LONG WAIT FOR A LOT OF THE POPULAR ITEMS.

>> BOTH ALONZO AND CHAVEZ SAYS PRICE HIKES HAVE CUT DOWN ON DONATIONS.

LAST YEAR, MANY PEOPLE HAD INCREASED SAVINGS AND STIMULUS PAYMENTS AND WERE EAGER TO HELP.

>> ALL OF THOSE DRIED UP.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN USING THEIR SAVINGS.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, TO PAY THEIR BILLS.

THEY ARE STARTING TO GET WORRIED, THE FORMAL PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO GET WORRIED, LET ALONE THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE EVICTED NOW THAT WERE NOT EVICTED LAST YEAR.

>> THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT PANTRY 279 SERVES HAS DIPPED BELOW LAST YEAR'S WORD HIGHS BUT STILL ABOVE THE PREPANDEMIC AVERAGE.

WITH SUPPLY SHORTAGES EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH NEXT YEAR, CHE CHEZCHAVEZ SAYS MEETING DEMAND WILL BE DIFFICULT.

I'M MITCH LEGAN.

>>> IN THE PAST TWO YEARS RESTAURANTS HAVE FACED STAFFING SHORTAGES AND LIMITED BUSINESS DURING PARTS OF THE PANDEMIC.

GRAY BROTHERSERS CAFETERIA IN MOORSVILLE IS NO EXCEPTION.

>> FAMILY MEMBER AND MANAGER ANDY GRAY SAYS THE RESTAURANT HAD TO DOWNSIZE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

THEY ARE STILL STRUGGLING WITH STAFF RETENTION AND FEW HAVE APPLIED FOR JOBS THIS.

>> WE GAIN FOUR, WE LOSE FOUR.

NOBODY IS REALLY COMING IN FOR JOBS RIGHT NOW.

IT'S A HUGE STRUGGLE.

>> THROUGHOUT, GRAY BROTHERS CAFETERIA HAS OFFERED ITS FAMOUS VARIETY OF PIES.

RESTAURANT IS A PART OF THE HOOSIER PIE TRAIL, ONE THE MOST POPULAR CULINARY TRAILS OFFERED BY THE INDIANA FOODWAYS ALLIANCE.

THE INDIANA FOODWAYS ALLIANCE IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT CELEBRATES AND PRESERVES INDIANA FOOD CULTURE.

21 TRAILS SPAN THE STATE.

BUT ALLIANCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LINDSEY SCENE SAYS MANY RESTAURANTS HAVE STRUGGLED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

SKEIN SAYS RESTAURANT OWNERS SHE TALKED TORE EXTREMELY DEDICATED BUT MAY BE OVER EXTENDED.

>> SO MANY TIMES I HEAR RESTAURANT OWNERS, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE GIVEN THEIR ALL TO THEIR RESTAURANT AND THIS IS WHAT THEY DO.

IT'S NOT A SIDE GIG.

IT'S THEIR LIVES.

>> 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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