>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," BLOOMINGTON HOSPITAL WILL MOVE THIS WEEKEND FROM ITS LOCATION ON SECOND STREET WHERE IT HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST 75 YEARS.

>> WHEN THE EMERGENCY ROOM OPENS HERE, THAT IS WHEN ALL THE OTHER EVENTS GET SET INTO MOTION.

>> WE GET A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE NEW I.U.

HEALTH FACILITY ON THE BYPASS.

>>> CONSTRUCTION ON I.69 HAS ROUTED TRAFFIC THROUGH MARTINSVILLE FOR THE LAST YEAR, BUT IT'S HAD ONE POSITIVE SIDE EFFECT.

>> WE CAPTURED A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I NEVER CAME DOWNTOWN.

YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN, THEY SAY.

YEAH, IT'S BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME.

YOU ARE JUST NOW REALIZING IT.

>> THE PORTION OF THE INTERSTATE PROJECT THROUGH THE CITY IS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.

>>> AND STATE LAWMAKERS WANT TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR BUSINESSES TO ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO OPT OUT OF COVID-19 MANDATES.

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

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, AFTER NEARLY 75 YEARS DOWNTOWN, STAFF AT I.U.

HEALTH BLOOMINGTON HOSPITAL ARE PREPARING TO MOVE TO THE FACILITY, THE NEW LOCATION ON THE BYPASS THIS WEEKEND.

THE MOVE HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR SIX YEARS.

BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS ON THE PREPARATIONS AT BOTH SITES TO ENSURE THE PROCESS GOES AS SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOSPITAL SOUTH CENTRAL REASON, BRIAN CHETNEY'S DAYS HAVE BEEN CONSUMED BY THE DETAILS OF THE MOVE.

HE SAYS IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

>> FIVE YEARS.

IT'S BEEN A LABOR OF LOVE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> HE SAYS HE'S READY FOR OPERATIONS TO BEGIN AT THE NEW BUILDING, AND THE MOVE WILL HELP CENTRALIZE HEALTHCARE AND IMPROVE EDUCATION FOR THE I.U.

HEALTH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

>> SOMETHING THAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO NOW THAT WE TRULY ARE BECOMING ONE ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTER HERE IN THIS REGION, IS WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO GOING FORWARD.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO HERE IS NOT ONLY PARTNER WITH I.U., AND THEIR SCHOOL OF NURSING TO EXPAND THAT PROGRAM, BUT FROM THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AS WELL AND BRING SOME ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS HERE TO THIS REGION THAT HAVE BEEN DREAMED ABOUT, ACTUALLY, FOR 20, 25 YEARS.

>> THE HOSPITAL'S REGIONAL ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTER IS A DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC OF THE NEW BUILDING.

AND CAMERON McCLAINE, A LIFE LONG BLOOMINGTON RESIDENT AND NOW I.U.

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE STUDENT SAYS THE NEW SITE WAS A BIG PART OF THE DECISION TO STAY LOCAL AND CONTINUE HIS EDUCATION.

>> THE ONLY CLASSES WE HAD IS ANATOMY, BUT IT'S A BRAND NEW ANATOMY LAB.

SO IT'S NOT GRIMY AND DIRTY YET.

>> CLASSES STARTED BEING HELD IN THE REGIONAL ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTER WING OF THE BUILDING A YEAR AGO.

THE CLASSROOMS HAVE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY.

STUDENTS LEARN WITH SIMULATORS WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO MIMIC LIFE PASSIONS, HOW TO PRIORITIZE AND TREAT PATIENT NEEDS.

THE NEW HOSPITAL IS 80,000 MORE SQUARE FEET THAN THE CURRENT I.U.

HOSPITAL.

THE NEW EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, IT OPENS WITH A TRIAGE SPACE, WHERE A NURSE INTAKE WILL RECEIVE PEOPLE BEFORE MOVING THEM BACK TO THE RAPID ASSESSMENT AREA.

>> IT'S A VERY QUICK TRIAGE, A ONCE OVER LOOK AT YOU, LET'S SAY YOUR OXYGEN LEVEL IS AND YOUR HEART RATE.

>> FROM THERE THE PATIENTS ARE SORTED INTO ROOMS BASED ON ACUITY.

THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT HAS A ROOM DEDICATED TO TREATMENT OF VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND THE SPACE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT HAS DOUBLED.

THE NEW HOSPITAL'S PERRY PERINATAL AND NEONATAL.

IT INCLUDES AN 18-BED NICU AND OBED, 12 LABOR ROOMS AND 24 POSTPARTUM ROOMS.

>> IT'S A MINI HOSPITAL IN A HOSPITAL THAT'S DESIGNED TO SERVE OUR PARENTS AND OUR FAMILIES.

>> A LOT OF PREPARATIONS TO RECEIVE PATIENTS AND STAFF FROM THE DOWNTOWN LOCATION ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY.

EVEN AS THE PAINT IS STILL DRYING AND THE ROOMS ARE BEING CLEANED.

BUT A LOT OF THE WORK WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THIS WEEKEND.

ON SUNDAY, THE DOWNTOWN HOSPITAL WILL KEEP ITS EMERGENCY ROOM OPENED WHILE THE NEW ONE STARTS OPERATIONS ON THE EAST SIDE.

>> THAT IS ACTUALLY THE BEGINNING OF THE TRIGGER.

WHEN THE EMERGENCY ROOM OPENS HERE, THAT IS WHEN ALL THE OTHER EVENTS GET SET INTO MOTION.

>> MOVING WILL RUN ALL DAY, STARTING IN THE EARLY HOURS OF MORNING AND RUN UNTIL EARLY EVENING.

OFFICIALS SAY THE GOAL IS TO COMPLETE THE TRANSFER DURING ONE SHIFT OF STAFF, WHICH IS 12 HOURS.

I.U.

HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY ALL LIFE LYNNE LINE MEASURES WILL BE AVAILABLE THAT DAY.

SHOCKNEY IS LOOKING AT THE LASTING IMPACT IT WILL HAVE ON SOUTH ENAND CENTRAL INDIANA REGION.

>> WE LOOK AT THE CLASS AND WE LOOK AT THE LIMESTIEN -- THE GLASS AND THE LIMESTONE AND ALL THE SHINY THINGS AND THE PATIENT CARE, BUT REALLY THE FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENT THAT I BELIEVE 10, 20, 30 YEARS FROM NOW, THAT THIS DAY IS GOING TO MARK IS FULFILLING THAT ACADEMIC MISSION.

>> I THINK RAISING PEOPLE THAT CAN TRAIN HERE AS WELL WILL MAKE THEM MORE LIKELY TO STAY AND I THINK THAT WILL, YOU KNOW, PRODUCE BETTER PHYSICIANS THAT ARE MORE CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON PURCHASED THE OLD HOSPITAL SITE, WHICH WILL BE CONVERTED INTO HOUSING, GREEN SPACE AND OTHER RESIDENT USES AFTER DEMOLITION OF THE OLD SITE IS COMPLETED.

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

>>> WELL, THE LATEST VARIANT OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE U.S., ALMOST TWO WEEKS AFTER THE FIRST CASES APPEARED IN EUROPE.

THE NEW STRAIN HITS AS CASES OF THE DELTA VARIANT INCREASE IN THE STATE.

INDIANA ANNOUNCED MORE THAN 6,000 NEW COVID-19 CASES WEDNESDAY.

THAT'S THE MOST SINCE MID-JANUARY.

THE STATE HAS ALSO PASSED THE 1 MILLION MARK FOR POSITIVE CASES AND THE DEATH TOLL SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC NOW TOPS 17,000.

WE'RE JOINED NOW ON SET BY GRAHAM McKEEN, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

HELLO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S NICE TO HAVE GUESTS IN PERSON AND NOT ON ZOOM, AS WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST, BUT NOW NUMBERS TRENDING THE WRONG DIRECTION.

A NEW VARIANT.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT OMICRON?

>> WELL, MORE UNKNOWNS THAN KNOWNS, OF COURSE, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THIS PARTICULAR VARIANT HAS 50 MUTATIONS, 32 WHICH ARE ON THE SPIKE PROTEIN AND A NUMBER OF THEM ARE CONCERNING FOR WHAT WE PREVIOUSLY KNOW ABOUT OTHER VARIANTS AND THE TERMS OF BEING MORE TRANSMISSIBLE.

THE SCIENCE SIDE, WE DON'T HAVE MUCH.

WE HAVE ONE PREPRINT STUDY SAYS THAT THE RISK INFECTION MAY BE 2.5 TIMES MORE HIGHER.

IT'S PROBABLY MORE TRANSMISSIBLE THAN DELTA.

STILL YET TO SEE HOW SEVERE THE VIRUS IS AND HOW IT STACKS UP AGAINST EXISTING TREATMENTS AND VACCINES.

>> PEOPLE WILL WANT TO KNOW WILL THE CURRENT VACCINES ANY INDICATION THAT THE CURRENT VACCINES WILL PROTECT US FROM THE NEW VARIANT.

>> THERE'S NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THEY WON'T CONTINUE TO PROTECT AGAINST SEVERE SI -- SEVERE HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATHS.

IT COULD CREATE SYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS BUT HOPEFULLY THOSE ARE MOSTLY MILD.

THAT'S WHAT WE HEARD SO FAR WITH THE OMNI KRON CASES.

>> WHAT DOES THIS MEAN HEADING INTO THE WINTER, MOST ACTIVITIES INSIDE.

I THINK WE HAVE BEEN HEARING THE SAME TYPE OF PREVENTATIVE MEASURES; IS THAT RIGHT?

>> IT'S THE SAME STUFF WITH THIS ONE AS WELL, OBVIOUSLY GET VACCINATED IF YOU ARE NOT VACCINATED, GET BOOSTERED NOW IF YOU ARE NOT BOOSTERED AND CONTINUE TO MASK INDOORS, USE VENTILATED SPACES AND BE SMART ABOUT YOUR ACTIVITIES AND USES AND PREVENTATIVE STRATEGIES.

>> ANY WORD ABOUT THE SPREAD IN THE U.S.

RIGHT NOW?

>> IT'S PRETTY DIFFUSE.

WE HAVE CASES FROM HAWAII TO CALIFORNIA TO NEW YORK.

IT'S ASSUMED THAT IT'S HERE.

BUT RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DELTA SURGE.

WE ARE SEEING THE HIGHEST CASES IN INDIANA SINCE JANUARY.

THE HIGHEST POSITIVITY RATE IN JANUARY, AND THE HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE INCREASING VERY QUICKLY.

>> MORE VARIANTS ON THE HORIZON?

I MEAN, WILL THIS SEND?

>> I DON'T THINK WE'LL EVER ERADICATE COVID-19, BUT I THINK IT WILL BECOME A MORE ENDEMIC VIRUS AND MORE LIKE A COMMON COLD.

IF IT'S LESS SEVERE AND MORE TRANSMISSIBLE THEN IT MAKES IT MORE EASILY MANAGEABLE VIRUS AND DISEASE.

>> ONE MORE QUESTION, BECAUSE WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE PANDEMIC FATIGUE, AND IT'S BEEN GOING ON A YEAR AND A HALF.

WHAT CAN WE DO OR WHAT CAN ANYBODY DO TO KEEP THIS, YOU KNOW, STILL PEOPLE USING THESE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES.

>> I THINK AGAIN, JUST PROTECTING YOURSELF AND OTHERS, THROUGH THE VACCINATIONS, THROUGH THE BOOSTERS AND JUST CONTINUE TO BEAR WITH US AS WE FINALLY GET TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE WITH THIS VIRUS BECOMING MORE ENDEMIC.

>> I KNOW YOU ARE VERY BUSY.

LOTS TO DO.

SO REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME.

COME IN HERE TODAY.

>> THANK YOU JOE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>>> WELL, FEDERAL COURTS IS TEMPORARILY BLOCKED SEVERAL OF JOE BIDEN'S REQUIREMENTS.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S JUSTIN HICKS REPORTS SOME EMPLOYEES OBJECTING TO VACCINE REQUIREMENTS HAVE FILED RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION AS AS WAY OUT AND THE NEW STATE LAW MIGHT MAKE THAT EVEN EASIER TO DO.

>> CURRENTLY MOST EMPLOYERS KNOLL GUIDANCE FROM THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION.

IT SAYS FOR JUST ABOUT EVERY WORK REQUIREMENT COMPANIES SHOULD BE OPENED TO MAKING RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS.

BUT THAT PROCESS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN INTERACTIVE CONVERSATION, NOT AN ORDER FROM THE EMPLOYEE.

NAVIGATING THOSE CONVERSATIONS UNDER FEDERAL LAW CAN BE TRICKY, IF NOT HANDLED THE RIGHT WAY, THE E.E.O.C.

COULD IMPOSE STIFF PENALTIES FOR DISCRIMINATION.

RAGEEL OLLIEIER, HE IS UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SAYS THERE'S STILL REASONS THAT EMPLOYERS COULD REFUSE RELIGIOUS REASONS.

>> UNDUE HARDSHIP IS TYPICALLY MEASURED IN TERMS OF COST.

SO IF A COMPANY CAN PROVE AN EXEMPTION SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTS THEIR BOTTOM LINE, IT CAN GET THROWN OUT.

ANOTHER REASON THE E.E.O.C.

SAYS RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS CAN BE REFUSED IF THEY GET IN THE WAY OF WORKPLACE SAFETY.

>> SO I CAN CLEARLY SEE MANY EMPLOYERS NOW SAYING, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T GRANT THIS EXEMPTION BECAUSE IT WILL COST TOO MUCH IF WE HAVE TO BE QUARANTINING, YOU KNOW, IN IT CAUSES US TO CLOSE DOWN SORE CAUSES PEOPLE TO WEAR P.P.E.

SO, YOU KNOW, RIGHT AWAY, YOU CAN SEE THE COST -- THE POTENTIAL COST TO THE BUSINESSES ARE VERY LIKELY TO JUSTIFY ANY REFUSAL TO GRANT AN EXEMPTION.

>> NOW, ON TOP OF THOSE RULES, ADDING NEW LAYER OF COMPLEXITY FOR EMPLOYERS.

INDIANA REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS HAVE SIGNALED THEY WANT TO HAVE STATE LAWS ON EMPLOYERS AND VACCINES.

A RECENT BILL WOULD FORCE ALL EMPLOYERS TO GRANT RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS.

CHRISTOPHER SCHRADER HANDLES GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS FOR THE INDIANA SOCIETY OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

HE SAYS THE WAY THAT THE DRAFT IS CURRENTLY WORDED COULD REMOVE AN EMPLOYER'S ABILITY TO REFUSE EXEMPTIONS OR EVEN ASK QUESTIONS TO DETERMINE HOW IT COULD AFFECT THE WORKPLACE.

>> YOU KNOW, THIS IS THEM TRYING TO NAVIGATE AROUND A LOT OF STUFF.

AND SO I'M NOT WILLING TO STEP OUT AND SAY THEY TOOK IT OUT.

I MEAN, THIS IS A WORKING PAPER.

THIS IS THE ROUGHEST OF ROUGH DRAFTS.

AT BEST -- IT'S AT BEST IT'S A STATEMENT OF INTENT.

>> SCHRADER SAYS THERE'S A LOT TO JUGGLE BETWEEN PROPOSED ACTION FROM STATE LAWMAKERS IN JANUARY AND A FEDERAL VACCINE OR TEST RULE HANGING IN LEGAL LIMBO.

HE'S WORRIED FOR COMPANIES THAT DON'T HAVE STRONG HUMAN RESOURCE TEAMS OR NONE AT ALL.

>> IT TAKES MORE THAN A LITTLE EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICE KNOWLEDGE TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE WHAT IS ON ONE SIDE A HIGHLY POLITICIZED ISSUE, WHICH IS ALSO A MEDICAL ISSUE, WHICH IS NOW GOING TO GET DRAGGED INTO THE RELIGIOUS REALMS.

SKILLED H.R.

WILL HANDLE IT.

AND THE OTHER FOLKS WILL STEP ON LAND MINES.

>> AS STATE AND FEDERAL RULES AROUND VACCINES AND EXEMPTIONS SEEM POISED TO CHANGE, HIS BEST ADVICE TO HUMAN RESOURCE WORKERS TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL, STAY TUNED AND STAY PREPARED.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M JUSTIN HICKS.

>>> WHILE THE LEGISLATURE WORKS TO CURTAIL VACCINE MANDATES, GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB THIS WEEK SIGNED THE 21st MONTH LONG EXTENSION OF THE STATE'S PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

HOLCOMB'S EMERGENCY ORDER SAYS ABOUT 95% OF RECENT COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS AND 75% OF DEATHS IN THE STATE INVOLVED UNVACCINATED PEOPLE AND STATED THAT, QUOTE THE VIRUS REMAINS A THREAT TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF ALL RESIDENTS OF INDIANA.

THE EXECUTIVE ORDER CONTAINS A HANDFUL OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS BUT NO BUSINESS OR CROWD RESTRICTIONS.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I-69 CONSTRUCTION HAS MADE DRIVING THROUGH MARTINSVILLE DIFFICULT AT TIMES.

WE LOOK AT THE CITY AND WHERE THE PROJECT STANDS.

AND THE NUTCRACKER BALLET IS BACK AT I.U., AND IT'S JUST IN TIME FOR ITS LONG-TIME CHOREOGRAPHER.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

BLOOMINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL WILL OFFER FINGER PRICK BLOOD TESTING ON SATURDAY FOR ANY RESIDENT CONCERNED ABOUT ELEVATED LEAD LEVELS AFTER THE NOVEMBER 5th CONTROLLED BURN ON SOUTH HIGH STREET.

THE TESTING IS SCHEDULED FROM 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M. AT THE BFD HEADQUARTERS ON SOUTH COLLEGE AVENUE.

ADDITIONAL TESTING MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE IF DEMAND WARRANTS.

TEST RESULTS THIS WEEK OF BLOOD SAMPLES COLLECTED IF FIREFIGHTERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE CONTROLLED BURN SHOWED NO DEDEKIBLE LEAD LEVELS.

THE BURN RAIN LEAD-TAINTED PAINT CHIPS OVER A NEIGHBORHOOD.

>>> IT'S WELCOMED NEWS.

THE STRETCH OF INTERSTATE 69 NEAR MARTINSVILLE IS ON TRACK TO OPEN AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

FOR THE LAST YEAR, CONSTRUCTION HAS UP ENDED LIFE THERE, AS TRAFFIC WAS DIVERTED THROUGH THE CITY.

MITCH LEGAN REPORTS ON THE PROJECT'S TIMELINE AND WHY CITY LEADERS SAY THERE'S A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE FUTURE.

>> I-69 CONSTRUCTION HAS LEAD TO THOUSANDS OF NEW COMPUTERS TRAVELING THROUGH DOWNTOWN MARTINSVILLE.

IT'S BEEN A HEADACHE FOR RESIDENTS AND BOOM FOR BUSINESSES AND SOME ARE HOPING THAT CONSTRUCTION NEVER ENDS.

THE MARTINSVILLE CANDY KITCHEN IS FAMOUS FOR THE HAND MADE CANDY CANES.

EVERY HOLIDAY SEASON, HOOSIERS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE, FLOCK TO JOHN BADGER'S STORE.

>> SATURDAY WE MADE 900 CANDY CANES.

FRIDAY NIGHT WE MADE 800.

>> BADGER HAS GOTTEN AN INFLUX OF FIRST-TIME CUSTOMERS WHO DISCOVERED THE STORE THIS YEAR.

HE SAYS SOME ARE JUST NOW REALIZING THAT MARTINSVILLE HAS A DOWNTOWN.

HE AND OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS ON THE TOWN SQUARE CREDIT THE NEW SHOPPERS TO I-69 CONSTRUCTION.

>> THEY SAID THEY THOUGHT THEY MIGHT BE DONE AT THE END OF NOVEMBER.

I SAID, WELL, I HOPE NOT.

CHRISTMAS IS OUR TIME, AND I WANTED TO KEEP THE PEOPLE COMING THROUGH MARTINSVILLE SO THAT THEY COULD SEE WHAT WE DID HAVE.

>> IN JANUARY THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BEGAN THE FINAL STRETCH OF CONVERTING STATE ROAD 37 INTO INTERSTATE 69.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAST PHASE IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS THERE'S A FIVE-MILE STRETCH THROUGH MARTINSVILLE AND THEN THE REMAINING STRETCH NORTH OF MARTINSVILLE TO 465 IN INDIANAPOLIS.

AND THEN THEY WILL BE CONNECTED BY AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY.

TO FINISH THE PROJECT QUICKER, INDOTS IT OFF NEAR MARTINSVILLE AND DIVERTED THE TRAFFIC THROUGH THE CITY.

>> IMPLEMENTING THE FULL CLOSURE IN MARTINSVILLE IS SAVING AN ENTIRE YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION FOR THE I-69 PROJECT SPECIFICALLY THERE IN MARTINSVILLE.

>> MAYOR KENNY COSTON KNEW THE TRAFFIC CHANGE WOULD BE A PAIN AND IT WAS.

THERE WERE ACCIDENTS AND WAY MORE TRAFFIC.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, HE HELPED OUT A TRUCK DRIVER WHO GOT TURNED AROUND LOOKING FOR I-69.

>> I SAID IF YOU GET THAT RIG DOWNTOWN, YOU ARE GOING TO TEAR DOWN OUR LIGHTS AND YOU ARE GOING TO CAUSE ALL KINDS OF TROUBLE.

SO PLEASE JUST FOLLOW ME AND LET ME GET YOU OUT OF TOWN.

>> AND RESIDENTS AND COMMUTERS HAD TO DEAL WITH MAJOR BACK MAJOR BACKUPS AS PEOPLE GOT ON OR OFF THE DETOUR.

YOU COULD GET PAST THE CLOSURE IF THEY WENT THROUGH THE MARTINSVILLE DOWNTOWN.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAID IT WAS GREAT FOR BUSINESS.

>> AS IT'S WORKED OUT THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC THAT IS COMING THROUGH HAS OPENED A LOT OF PEOPLE'S EYES TO MARTINSVILLE.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO CAME THROUGH IN THE LAST YEAR WERE PEOPLE THAT WENT UP AND DOWN 37 37, BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW GREAT OF A DOWNTOWN WE HAVE.

>> I HAD PEOPLE FROM FRANKLIN, FROM BEDFORD FROM ZIONSVILLE.

WE DROVE THROUGH HERE ON OUR WAY TO BLOOMINGTON LAST WEEK BUT THIS WEEK WE CAME BACK JUST TO SHOP.

>> NOT EVERY SHOP IN TOWN HAS BENEFITED.

LACK OF TRAFFIC ON 37 HAS MET A LACK OF CUSTOMERS FOR THOSE LOCATED PAST THE CLOSURE.

>> I THINK IT'S DEVASTATING.

THERE USED TO BE A STOP LIGHT ON 37.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO LOOK ON SIGNAGE AFTER WE GET OPENED, HOW TO DIRECT THE PEOPLE WHO WILL DIRECTLY BE ON 69.

>> WHEN THE SECTION OF I-69 THROUGH MARTINSVILLE OPENS, IT WON'T BE ENTIRELY FINISHED.

INDOT SAYS THEY CAN DRIVE ON THE ROAD.

>> THERE COULD BE SOME LANE CLOSURES POSSIBLE, YOU KNOW, AS WE COMPLETE, YOU KNOW, POSSIBLY FINAL STRIPING, ADJUSTMENTS TO CABLE BARRIER, GUARDRAIL, THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> GARRETT SAYS THE EXTRA WORK WILL LIKELY LAST UNTIL SUMMER.

THERE AREN'T PLANS FOR ANOTHER FULL CLOSURE ON 37 37, BUT ROLLING CONSTRUCTION NORTH OF STATE ROAD 144 WILL CONTINUE.

THE GOAL IS TO HAVE I-69 COMPLETED BY 2024.

>> SURE THERE ARE DAYS THAT YOU ARE BANGING YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE WALL, THINKING GOODNESS, WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE DONE?

THIS HAS BEEN A PAIN.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ENTIRE WHOLE PICTURE, IT HAS BEEN GOOD FOR THE CITY.

>> HE FEELS THE LAST YEAR'S EXPOSURE AND THE FUTURE COMPLETION OF THE HIGHWAY WILL SET MARTINSVILLE UP FOR FUTURE GROWTH.

AT THE CANDY KITCHEN, BADGER IS HOPING THIS NEW WAVE OF CUSTOMERSDAY COVERED THEIR NEW -- CUSTOMERS HAVE DISCOVERED THEIR NEW HOLIDAY TRADITION.

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

>> ONCE COMPLETED I-69 WILL SHAVE 11 MINUTES OFF THE COMPUTER BETWEEN MARTINSVILLE AND INDIANAPOLIS.

IF YOU MAKE THAT TRIP FIVE DAYS A WEEK, YOU WILL SAVE ABOUT TWO HOURS.

>>> A LAWYER WHO SAYS THE FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL DRUNKENLY GROPED THEM ARE ARGUING THEIR LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE OVER HIS ACTIONS SHOULD GO FORWARD ON THE GROUNDS THAT THEY WERE STATE EMPLOYEES.

A LOWER COURT JUDGE BLOCKED THE THREE WOMEN FROM SUING THE STATE FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT, RULING THAT THEY WORKED FOR THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND THEN THAT THEN ATTORNEY GENERAL CURTIS HILL HAD NO EMPLOYMENT AUTHORITY OVER THEM.

AN ATTORNEY FOR THE WOMEN SAYS THE RULING COULD CREATE A LOOPHOLE ALLOWING THE STATE TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY.

THE STATE'S ATTORNEY ARGUES COURTS HAVE LONG HELD THAT INDIANA HOUSE AND SENATE OFFICIALS HAVE THE DIRECT AUTHORITY TO HIRE AND FIRE EMPLOYEES.

>>> WELL, WINTER IS IN THE NORTHEAST U.S. AND GREAT LAKES STATES ARE WARMING FASTER THAN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

ACCORDING TO THE INDEPENDENT RESEARCHING AND REPORTING COLLABORATION, CLIMATE CENTRAL, INDIANA'S AVERAGE WINTER TEMPERATURES HAVE RISEN BY MORE THAN 5 DEGREES BY 1970.

REBECCA THIELE HAS THIS REPORT.

>> WARMER WINTERS CAN SHORTEN THE CHILLING TIME THE APPLE TREES NEED TO PRODUCE FRUIT FOR THE NEXT SEASON.

ERIN STERLING AND HER FAMILY OWN THIS ORCHARD IN CENTRAL INDIANA.

WHILE THEY HAVEN'T NOTICED THAT, THERE'S ANOTHER REASON THEY ARE LOSING APPLES.

>> WE HAD THOSE COLD SNAPS RIGHT AFTER BLOOM, WHEN WE'RE IN BLOOM.

AND THAT KILLS THE APPLE FLOWERS AND APPLE BLOSSOMS, THE APPLE BUDS.

THAT'S HAPPENED THREE YEARS IN A ROW.

>> WARMER WINTERS CAN CAUSE FRUIT TREES TO BLOOM EARLIER AND THEY ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO SPRING FROST.

BY LATE IN THE CENTURY, WE WILL PROBABLY GET HALF AS MUCH SNOW AS IN THE PAST.

IF THAT PRECIPITATION BECOMES RAIN INSTEAD, THAT COULD MEAN MORE FLOODING IN THE WINTER.

>> WE SEE THE WATER GOING INTO THE CREEKS MORE QUICKLY, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR THEM TO RISE FASTER AND HAVE DOWNSTREAM CONSEQUENCES.

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

>>> THOUGH THE U.S. IS EXPECTED TO HAVE SOME COLDER DAYS THIS WINTER, OVERALL THE WINTER SEASON IS WARMER THAN IT WAS 50 YEARS AGO.

>>> BLOOMINGTON IS PROHIBITING PET STARS FROM SELLING DOGS AND CAT -- PET STORES FROM SELLING DOGS AND CATS.

IT WILL TAKE EFFECT IN JANUARY OF 2023.

THE NEW LAW WILL DIRECTLY IMPACT ANTHONY'S PETS IN COLLEGE MALL AND DELILAH'S PET SHOP ON WEST THIRD STREET.

FOR EACH VIOLATION THE ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL DEPARTMENT COULD FINE SHOPS $500.

THE COUNCIL SAYS THE LEGISLATION IS AN ATTEMPT TO ELIMINATE PUPPY MILL CUSTOMERS.

>>> HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS ARE GOING UP AS THE COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS BEGINS.

BLOOMINGTON LIT UP THE DOWNTOWN SQUARE THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING.

THE CELEBRATION WAS CANCELED LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF COVID.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO CROWDED THE SQUARE WERE EAGER TO SEE THE CANOPY OF LIGHTS TRADITION CONTINUE.

>> I JUST THINK SEEING THE LIGHTS ON AT THE COURTHOUSE AND EVERYTHING.

THIS IS OUR COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

THIS IS WHAT STARTED BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA, RIGHT HERE.

JUST THE BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS OF IT.

>>> THE CANOPY OF LIGHTS CELEBRATION DATES BACK TO 1986.

THE LIGHTS WILL BE UP ON THE SQUARE THROUGH THE NEW YEAR.

>>> AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S NUTCRACKER BALLET IS RETURNING JUST IN TIME FOR ONE MORE PERFORMANCE BY ITS LONG-TEEM CHOREOGRAPHER.

>> MICHAEL VERNON IS THE FORMER CHAIR OF THE BALLET DEPARTMENT AND HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY TRADITION SINCE 2007.

>> WITH, THEBY, THE WAY, YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THE AUDIENCE.

DON'T LOOK AT HIM.

ALL THE AUDIENCE WILL SEE IS THIS.

YOU WANT TO SHOW THEM YOUR FACE.

YOUR LOVELY FACE.

>> HE SAYS ALTHOUGH THE PRODUCTION IS LIGHT YEARS PAST, HE HAS TO WORK WITH THE NEW CLASS OF I.U.

DANCERS.

>> BASICALLY, IT'S TO ACCOMMODATE THE FACT THAT NOT EVERY STEP IS SUITABLE FOR EVERY DANCER.

SO IT'S REALLY AN ARTISTIC DECISION.

>> VERNON SAYS AFTER A YEAR OFF DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, A RENEWED SENSE OF ENERGY SURROUNDS THIS YEAR'S PRODUCTION.

THE SHOW INCLUDES ABOUT 60 CHILDREN FROM THE SCHOOL'S PRECOLLEGE PROGRAM, 62 DANCERS AND 70 ORCHESTRA MEMBERS, NOT TO MENTION THE PRODUCTION CREW AND FACULTY.

>> STAY ON BALANCE.

AND NOW GO.

DON'T BE LATE.

FIVE, SIX.

YES, CARLIN.

LOVELY!

GOOD, ALEXIS.

OKAY.

LET'S -- GOOD.

GOOD.

>> VERNON SAYS HE'S NOT PLANNING TO RETIRE YET.

IT'S JUST TIME FOR BLOOMINGTON TO HAVE A NEW NUTCRACKER.

>> THINGS HAVE TO DEVELOP IN THE BALLET WORLD.

WE CAN'T ALWAYS BE SO TRADITIONAL.

SO I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT'S GOING TO COME IN THE FUTURE AND I THINK THAT'S HOW THE ART FORM LIVES.

IT'S PUFFY, AND IT'S SO HARD WITH THE MASKS.

>> IT IS A LITTLE BIT.

>> I KNOW.

>> THE NUTCRACKER BALLET RUNS THROUGH THE WEEKEND AT THE MUSICAL ARTS CENTER.

THERE MIGHT BE A FEW TICKETS LEFT BUT IF YOU CAN'T GET TICKETS YOU CAN WATCH A LIVE STREAM OF THE PRODUCTION FROM THE JACOBS SCHOOL OF MUSIC AT I. U.MUSIC LIVE WEBSITE.

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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