>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS FROM COVID-19 ARE AT RECORD LEVELS FOR 2021, AND THAT HAS OFFICIALS SOUNDING THE ALARM.

>> OUR CURRENT TOTAL HOSPITAL CENSUS IS CURRENTLY THE HIGHEST IT'S BEEN IN FIVE YEARS AND WE ARE OVER 1,500 PATIENTS HIGHER THAN OUR PEAK LAST YEAR.

>> STATE HEALTH AND BUSINESS LEADERS CONTINUE TO URGE EVERYONE WHO HASN'T TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> BUT THE END OF 2021 COMES THE END OF SCOTT COUNTY'S NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM AFTER SIX YEARS.

>> I THINK WE HAVE AN AMAZING PROGRAM HERE, AND THAT IT WORKS.

I THINK WE'VE HAD AN AMAZING SUCCESS HERE.

>> BUT ADVOCATES OF THE PROGRAM ARE WORKING TO START UP AN INDEPENDENT EXCHANGE.

>>> AND AN INCREASE IN TOXIC ALGAE BLOOMS IN THE STATE'S WATER SUPPLY MEANS COULD YOU END UP PAYING MORE FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER.

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

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

WELL, COVID-19 IS ENDING THE YEAR WITH A BANG AS CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO SOAR.

THE STATE SET A SINGLE DAY RECORD FOR 2021 THURSDAY WITH MORE THAN 12,000 NEW POSITIVE CASES RECORDED.

HOSPITALIZATIONS TOPPED 3,000 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE LAST DECEMBER AND ONLY 9% OF I.C.U.

BEDS IN THE STATE ARE AVAILABLE.

>>> 90% OF THOSE HOSPITALIZED IN THE STATE ARE UNVACCINATED.

>> NO MATTER WHAT YOU BELIEVE REGARDING VACCINATIONS, ONE THING IS TRUE, VACCINATED PEOPLE DO BETTER THAN UNVACCINATED WHEN THEY CONTRACT THE VIRUS IN ANY FORM.

>> AS THE YEAR ENDS, ALMOST 18,400 HOOSIERS HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19.

>>> SCOTT COUNTY'S NEEDLE EXCHANGE WILL CLOSE ITS DOORS TODAY DESPITE IT BEING CREDITED WITH SLOWING THE 2015 HIV OUTBREAK.

BUT AS MITCH LEGAN REPORTS A GROUP OF ADVOCATES IS WORKING TO ENSURE THE COUNTY ISN'T WITHOUT AN EXCHANGE FOR LONG.

>> SIX YEARS AGO, SCOTT COUNTY BECAME THE FIRST PLACE IN THE STATE TO SET UP A NEEDLE EXCHANGE.

AT THE TIME, DRUG USERS WERE SHARING NEEDLES AND IT LED TO THE WORST HIV OUTBREAK IN THE STATE'S HISTORY.

>> AND THESE ARE SYRINGES.

>> THE EXCHANGE HAS BEEN CALLED THE COUNTRY'S GOLD STANDARD AND CREDITED WITH GETTING THE OUTBREAK UNDER CONTROL.

BUT BECAUSE OF THAT, THE COUNTY DECIDED IT SERVED ITS PURPOSE.

>> I THINK WE HAD AN AMAZING PROGRAM HERE AND THAT IT WORKS.

>> KELLY HANS WAS IN CHARGE EXCHANGE FOR THE LAST FOUR AND A HALF YEARS.

SHE ALWAYS KNEW THERE WAS A CHANCE THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COULD PULL THE PLUG BUT IT STILL STUNG.

>> I WORKED WITH MY PEOPLE HERE FOR THE LAST ALMOST FIVE YEARS AND TO THINK THAT THEY WON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO, ANYWHERE SAFE TO GO, WAS JUST REALLY DISHEARTENING FOR ME.

>> SO HANS QUIT HER JOB AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND STARTED A NONPROFIT WITH HOPE OF RUNNING A SIMILAR PROGRAM.

SHE WAS MEETING WITH OTHER ADVOCATES THAT WITHOUT A NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM, THE COUNTY WILL FIND ITSELF BACK IN 2015.

WILLIAM COOKE WAS THE ONLY PHYSICIAN PRACTICING IN THE TOWN.

>> WE WENT FROM NEARLY 200 NEW CASES OF HIV THAT YEAR IN 2015 TO ONLY ONE LAST YEAR AND A BIG REASON FOR THAT IS THE SYRINGE SERVICE PROGRAM.

>> THE PROGRAM PROVIDES DRUG USERS WITH CLEAN NEEDLES AND A PLACE TO DISSUPPOSE OF USED ONES BUT THE ONE IN AUSTIN QUICKLY BECAME MORE THAN THAT.

>> I HAVE BEEN THAT PERP THAT'S PICKED THEM -- PERSON THAT PICKED THEM UP OFF THE STREET.

THANK GOD I DIDN'T CATCH NOTHING BAD.

BUT WITH THIS PLACE BEING OPEN, YOU CAN COME AND GET A CLEAN NEEDLE.

THEY FEED YOU, THEY GIVE YOU ALL TYPES OF RESOURCES.

>> STAFF THIS OFFERED VACCINES AND TESTING AND CONNECTED PEOPLE WITH INSURANCE OR OTHER HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

THE EXCHANGE EVENTUALLY BECAME A CORNERSTONE OF SOUTHEAST INDIANA'S RECOVERY COMMUNITY.

CONNECTINGHUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH ADDICTION SERVICES.

>> 14 MONTHS AGO, I WAS LIVING IN A CAMPER, STRUNG OUT ON DRUGS, AND TODAY, I'VE GOT 14 MONTHS CLEAN.

I HAVE MY OWN HOME, MY OWN CAR.

>> COOKE SAYS THE EXCHANGE CREATED RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT'S OFTEN HARD TO CONNECT WITH.

WITHOUT AN EXCHANGE, HE WAS AFRAID THAT COULD BE LOST.

>> IT'S HARD FOR A PHYSICIAN LIKE ME, WANTING TO HELP PEOPLE OVERCOME THEIR ADDICTION, TO EVEN FIND PEOPLE SOMETIMES.

BUT THROUGH A SYRINGE SERVICE PROGRAM, WE HAVE UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS TO PEOPLE FOR THE FIRST TIME TO OFFER THEM THAT HOPE, THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> COOKE, HANS AND OTHER ADVOCATES DOESN'T WANT TO SEE THAT PROGRESS GO TO WASTE.

>> I HATE TO CALL IT A LOOPHOLE BECAUSE IT CLEARLY STATES THAT IT IN THE LAW BUT WE FELT WE HAD AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.

>> THE SECTION.

CODE ALLOWS THE SKI YOU HAVE BODY OF A COUNTY OR A LEGISLATIVE BODY OF A MUNICIPALITY TO APPROVE ONE, AS LONG AS IT OPERATES WITHIN CITY LIMITS.

IN NOVEMBER, HANS AND THE ADVOCATES WENT TO THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL WITH THE PLANS FOR AN INDEPENDENT NEEDLE EXCHANGE, THE COUNCIL GAVE IT A GREEN LIGHT FOR WITH A 3-2 VOTE.

>> TO POTENTIALLY HAVE THE SAME ISSUES RESURFACE AGAIN, ON TOP OF DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC AS WELL, I JUST DON'T KNOW IF WE COULD HAVE HANDLED THAT AS A COUNTY, AS A COMMUNITY, AS A CITY.

>> NOW, THE REAL WORK STARTS.

THE CITY NEEDS TO FIND AN ORGANIZATION TO RUN THE PROGRAM AND HAVE THE STATE APPROVE IT.

AND THE NEW PROGRAM WOULD HAVE TO FIND FUNDS.

MOST LIKELY THROUGH STATE AND FEDERAL MONEY.

MANY IN THE COMMUNITY HOPE THE CITY GOES WITH HANS AND HER NEW NONPROFIT.

>> I CAN REMEMBER COMING INTO RECOVERY AND, YOU KNOW, THEY TOLD ME THAT I CAN DO ANYTHING THAT I WANT TO, YOU KNOW?

JUST PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER AND I CAN KEEP DOING IT.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING.

THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING AND THAT'S THE REST OF US ARE DOING IN THE RECOVERY COMMUNITY.

>> BUT HEADING IN THE NEW YEAR, THE FUTURE OF THE EXCHANGE IS STILL UNCERTAIN.

THE CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO PUT OUT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS BUT CITY COUNCILMEMBERS DON'T HAVE A TIMELINE FOR WHEN THAT WILL HAPPEN.

IN THE MEANTIME, SCOTT COUNTY WILL BE WITHOUT A NEEDLE EXCHANGE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SIX YEARS.

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

>> THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION FUND IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM TO EXPEND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES.

SARAH VAUGHAN REPORTS ON HOW CDFI FRIENDLY BLOOMINGTON IS MAKING AN IMPACT LOCALLY.

>> AN EXPANSIVE RENOVATION IS GOING ON OF WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A 7500 SQUARE FOOT BLOCK IN BLOOMINGTON'S NEAR WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT WHEN BLOOMINGTON'S COOPERATIVE LIVING, THERE WILL BE 18 BEDROOMS AND TWO FULL KITCHENS AND LIVING ROOMS, A COOPERATIVE LIVING SPACE FOR FAMILIES.

BLOOMINGTON COOPERATIVE LIVING BOARD SAYS THE LOCATION IS FANTASTIC, BUT SAYS THE LARGE HOUSE DIDN'T SELL BECAUSE THE RENOVATION COST AS A SINGLE FAMILY HOME WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE.

FUNDING THE PROJECT HAD ITS CHALLENGES, DONOVAN SAID BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE A RISKY PROJECT AND BANKING AND LENDING IS ABOUT TRUST AND PROFIT.

>> IT'S JUST REALLY DIFFERENT TRYING TO CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE NOT -- THAT YOU ARE A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE, YOU KNOW, THE CAPABILITY OF RUNNING AN ORGANIZATION, EVEN THOUGH NOBODY IS GETTING PAID TO DO IT.

>> DUNNY VIN SAID HE PUT ROUGHLY 400 HOURS INTO RUNNING THIS WITH CDFI FRIENDLY BLOOMINGTON.

THEY PARTNERED WITH A MASSACHUSETTS CDFI KNOWN AS LEAF.

TOGETHER THEY FINANCED THE MULL BEING OF THE MORTGAGE.

CDFI FRIENDLY BLOOMINGTON ALSO SUBSI THE REP KNOW VACATION COSTS.

>> -- SUBSIDIZED THE RENOVATION COSTS.

>> THEY PUT IN THE TIME.

>> SO WHAT IS THE CDFI FRIENDLY BLOOMINGTON.

>> WE ARE A NONPROFIT CORPORATION AND OUR MISSION IS TO SNAKE AFFORDABLE FINANCING AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, RIGHT?

SO THAT CAN MEAN A LOT OF THINGS BUT TIP TYPICALLY IT MEANS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PUBLIC FACILITY OR NONPROFIT CAPACITY BUILDING, THINGS THAT HAVE IMPORTANT IMPACTS FOR THE PUBLIC THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY TERRIBLY PROFITABLE FOR THE LENDER.

>> NATIONALLY THE CDFI INDUSTRY HAS MORE THAN $190 BILLION IN ASSETS, BUT THEY ARE FOUND MOSTLY IN BIGGER CITIES AND NOT SO MUCH IN RURAL AREAS.

>> SO IT'S MY JOB AND OUR ORGANIZATION'S JOB TO ORGANIZE OUR MARKET, PROMOTE THE BORROWING OPPORTUNITIES AND THE PROJECTS THAT NEED MONEY OUT TO THE CDFI TO FIND A FIT, AND TO DO THE SAME FOR THE CDFIs.

>> IN ADDITION TO BEING A MATCHMAKER, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

AND THROUGH ITS OWN LOAN ENHANCEMENT FUND, PAYNE SAYS THE ORGANIZATION CAN ADD CAPITAL, MITIGATING SOME OF THE RITZ BEING -- MISS BEING FOR SMALLER CDFIs.

MOST OF THE FUNDING HAS GONE TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUT SOME UNIQUE LOCAL BUSINESSES HAVE ALSO BEEN HELPED.

>> OLA.

>> BLOOMINGTON'S CENTER FOR GLOBAL CHILDREN IS A SPANISH-LANGUAGE IMMERSION PRESCHOOL.

IN THE RECEPTION AREA, HAND-COLORED DAY OF THE DEAD MASKS GREET MITTORS.

CENTER BOARD MEMBER, CRYSTAL LOVE SAYS THEY SORELY NEEDED A HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM UPGRADE AFTER THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DIED LAST SUMMER.

>> IT HEATED UP THE TODDLER ROOMS SO HIGH, AND WE HAD TO SEND THE KIDS HOME.

YOU CAN'T HAVE THE ROOMS GET OVER 78 DEGREES.

>> THE PRESCHOOL LANDED A MATCHING GRANT FROM THE CITY TO UPGRADE THE HVAC SYSTEM, AS WELL AS TRANSITION TO MORE ENERGY-EFFICIENT L.E.D.

LIGHTING.

OVER THE CITY'S NEW TRADES DISTRICT GARAGE, COLORLY LIT PANELS OF TEXTURED TILES BRIGHTEN DULL STAIRWELLS.

THE INSTALLATION'S CREATOR REMEMBERS FEELING OVERWHELMED AT THE PROSPECT OF FUNDING HIS FIRST PUBLIC ART PROJECT.

>> I HAD TO PUT DOWN, LIKE $12,000 THAT I OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T HAVE.

LIKE, IN CASH.

>> CDFI FRIENDLY BLOOMINGTON PROVIDED A VERY LOW-INTEREST LOAN AND HELPED HIM GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND OF INDIANA.

THE ARTIST HAS ALREADY PAID BACK HIS LOAN.

CDFI FRIENDLY BLOOMINGTON IS NOT ITSELF A FEDERALLY CERTIFIED CDFI YET BUT A RECENT $125,000 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY WILL SUPPORT ITS EFFORTS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M SARAH VAUGHAN.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE 75th SAFE HAVEN BABY BOX IN THE STATE WAS UNVEILED THIS WICK AT THE LINTON FIRE DEPARTMENT, GIVING MOTHERS A PLACE TO SAFELY SURRENDER INFANTS.

>>> AND RESIDENTS COULD END UP PAYING MORE FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER AS AN INCREASE IN TOXIC ALGAE IS FOULING SOME OF THE STATE'S WATER SUPPLY.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

GREENE COUNTY NOW HAS A BABY BOX FOR MOTHERS TO LEGALLY AND SAFELY SURRENDER NEWBORNS THEY ARE UNABLE TO CARE FOR.

PAT BEANE REPORTS.

>> MONICA KELSEY'S 17-YEAR-OLD MOTHER ABANDERED ABANDONED HER TWO HOURS AFTER GIVING BIRTH.

AFTER LEARNING HER STORY, SOME HE FOUNDED THE BABY BOXES.

MOTHERS CAN ANONYMOUSLY SURRENDER THEIR BABIES.

>> I'M SO PROUD TO BE ON THE FRONT-LINES ENSURING THAT WOMEN HAVE A SAFE OPTION TO PLACE THEIR CHILD IN THEIR MOMENT OF CRISIS THAT MY BIRTH MOTHER DID NOT HAVE.

>> TWO BABIES V BEEN SURRENDER IN GREENE COUNTY BEFORE THE BOX WAS INSTALLED INCLUDING ONE AT THE LINTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.

SO THE FIRE CHIEF JUMPED AT THE CHANCE TO HAVE A BABY BOX AT THE FIRE STATION.

>> IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT SOME OF THESE YOUNG GIRLS THAT DON'T HAVE -- DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS.

>> BABY BOXES ARE CLIMATE-CONTROLLED AND ACCESSED THROUGH A DOOR ONOUTSIDE WALL OF THE STATION.

ONCE A BABY IS PLACED INSIDE AND THE DOOR CLOSED, ALARMS ALERT THE AUTHORITIES THAT A BABY HAS BEEN PLACED INSIDE.

THE BOXES COST AROUND $15,000.

THE OPENING OF THE BOX ON LINTON CAME ON THE 7th BIRTHDAY OF BABY AMELIA WHO WAS FOUND ABANDONED AT EAGLE CREEK PARK.

SHE WAS THE LAST DECEASED INFANT FOUND ABANDONED IN THE STATE.

>> WE USED TO FIND TWO TO THREE DEAD BABIES IN OUR STATE EVERY YEAR.

NOW WE DON'T FIND THOSE BABIES AND THEY ARE IN OUR BOXES.

>> SIX BABIES WERE SURROUNDERED IN BABY BOXES IN 2020 AND FOUR MORE THIS YEAR, ONE SURRENDERED IN IN FEBRUARY OF 2019 WAS ON HAND ON TUESDAY.

MAGNOLIA HIGGS WAS THERE.

SHE SAID THERE'S NO SHAME OR BLAME FOR THE MOTHERS WHO SURRENDER THEIR BABIES.

>> IT'S SUCH A BLESSING AND IT WILL GIVE THAT CHILD A FOREVER HOME AND A FOREVER FAMILY THAT WE'LL JUST LOVE THEM UNCONDITIONALLY.

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

>> THERE ARE CURRENTLY 92 SAFE HAVEN BABY BOXES IN SIX STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> AS WE GET MORE WARM WEATHER AND HEAVY RAIN EVENTS IN INDIANA, WE CAN SEE MORE TOXIC ALGAE BLOOMS AFFECTING STATE'S WATER SUPPLY.

AND AS REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, IF THINGS DON'T CHANGE, HOOSIERS WILL LIKELY BE PAYING MORE TO KEEP THEIR WATER SAFE.

>> SAMANTHA BETTINGER IS A DOCTORAL STUDENT AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

LATE THIS SUMMER, SHE NOTICED THE WATER TASTED KIND OF LIKE DIRT.

FIRST SHE THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE WATER AT HER WATER COMPLEX.

>> I COME TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS EVERYWHERE IN THE BLOOMINGTON THAT I WENT TO, AND I NOTICED IT WAS REALLY STARTING TO TASTE FUNNY AND SMELL FUNNY.

>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON SAID THE WATER WAS SAFE TO DRINK, JUST UNPLEASANT.

BUT BETTINGER DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES.

THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS WENT WITHOUT CLEAN WATER FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS IN MICHIGAN.

>> I ACTUALLY HAD THIS EXPERIENCE BEFORE WHERE WE WENT UNDER A WATER BOIL ADVISORY BECAUSE THE LEVELS WERE SO HIGH AND THAT SPECIFIC ALGAE CAN CAUSE LIVER DAMAGE.

SO WE WERE PRETTY CONSCIOUS ABOUT NOT DRINKING IT ESPECIALLY DURING THAT BOIL ADVISORY.

>> WITH THAT EXPERIENCE IN MIND, BETTINGER STARTED BUYING WATER JUGS TO DRINK FROM AT HOME.

>> I KEEP BOTTLED WATER IN MY CAR, JUST SO IF I'M OUT IN PUBLIC, IF I GO TO A RESTAURANT OR I'M OUT WITH PEOPLE, I HAVE ACCESS TO BETTER TASTING WATER.

>> BETTINGER WASN'T ALONE.

MANY BLOOMINGTON RESIDENTS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WATER THE CITY GETS FROM THE LAKE MONROE RESERVOIR.

NICK KELSON IS THE WATER DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON.

HE SAID THE ODD SUMMER CONDITIONS CREATED MORE BLUE-GREEN ALGAE ON THE LAKE.

>> IT WAS VERY, VERY SUNNY, AND VERY, VERY DREW.

>> BLUE-GREEN ALGAE CAN MAKE PEOPLE SICK AND JUST AFFECT THE SMELL AND TASTE LIKE IN BLOOMINGTON.

AND DEALING WITH THEM IS EXPENSIVE.

KELSON SAID THE CITY USED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH TASTE AND ODOR EVERY SUMMER.

>> YES, THEY EUSKARIAN GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON.

THE CITY ADDED EVEN MORE THIS SUMMER.

>> IF WE START TO HAVE MORE OF THESE KINDS OF INCIDENTS, WE MAY HAVE TO INVEST IN ADDITIONAL HARDWARE, ADDITIONAL CHEMICALS, ADDITIONAL TRAINING.

WE HAVE TO BE MORE VIGILANT.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS COST MONEY.

>> KELSON SAYS FORTUNATELY, THE CITY HAS LOTS OF CUSTOMERS TO HELP SPREAD OUT THAT COST.

SO THOSE BIG PRICE TAGS FOR THE UTILITY BECOME JUST PENNIES MORE FOR BLOOMINGTON RESIDENTS.

BUT ALGAE TREATMENT IS NOT ALL CUSTOMERS ARE PAYING FOR.

WATER EWE AISLITIES UTILITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE LEAD PIPES.

WALTER RATES IN THE U.S. HAVE GONE UP MORE THAN 40% IN THE PAST DECADE, RISING 23569ER THAN ANY OTHER HOUSEHOLD UTILITY BILL.

EDWARD MOORE IS THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC UTILITIES FOR TOLEDO.

HE SAYS SINCE 2014, THE CITY HAS PUMPED ABOUT $500 MILLION INTO ITS WATER INFRASTRUCTURE TO PREVENT ANOTHER CATASTROPHE.

>> WE CAN GO TO THE STATE AND GET GRANTS FOR ROAD PROJECTS TO THE TUNE OF 80, 90%, THEY WILL PAY FOR IT.

AND I KNOW THERE'S A HIGHWAY TAX AND ALL THAT STUFF ASSOCIATED WITH IT, BUT IF I DO A WATER OR SEWER PROJECT, THAT -- THE COST OF THAT ENTIRE PROJECT IS PASSED TON TO THE RATEPAYER.

THIS IS NO GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY FOR THAT.

>> MOORE HOPES THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL RECENTLY SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN WILL HELP TO TAKE SOME OF THE PRESSURE OFF LOWER-INCOME TOLEDO RESIDENTS.

>> WHEN SEE SEE WE SEE INCREASES IN UTILITY RATES IT DEFINITELY AFFECTS PEOPLE WHO ARE LOWER INCOME THE MOST.

AND OTHER SITUATIONS IT CAN AFFECT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> THAT'S ANNE SCHECHINGER, THE MIDWEST DIRECTOR THAT TRIES TO TRACK ALGAE BLOOMS.

SCHECHINGER SAYS THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY DOESN'T ACTUALLY REQUIRE UTILITIES TO REMOVE TOXIC ALGAE FROM DRINKING WATER.

>> ANY TIME A UTILITY REMOVES ALGAE THAT'S TOXIC FROM THEIR DRINKING WATER, IT'S BECAUSE THEY CARE ABOUT RESIDENTS THAT THEY ARE SERVING WATER TO.

SO THE EPA IS NOT DOING ENOUGH HERE.

>> THE EPA DID REQUIRE SOME UTILITIES TO TEST FOR ALGAE, BUT THAT REQUIREMENT EXPIRED LAST YEAR.

BECAUSE OF THIS, SCHECHINGER SAYS PEOPLE COULD BE GETTING SICK FROM CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT.

SHORT-TERM, IT MAY JUST FEEL LIKE A STOMACH BUG BUT SOME CHEMICALS FROM THE ALGAE CAN CAUSE LIVER DAMAGE AND SOME HAVE LINKED IT TO BRAIN DISORDERS.

>> SO OVER TIME, EXPOSURE CAN BE REALLY SCARY FOR YOUR HEALTH.

>> THE EPA'S INTERNAL WATCHDOG GROUP, THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, SAYS THE ALBERTSONS NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A PLAN FOR HOW TO HAND -- SAYS THE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A PLAN FOR HOW TO HANDLE THE ALGAE BLOOMS.

MAGGIE SULLIVAN IS THE LAKE MONROE WATERSHED COORDINATOR AND PART OF THE FRIENDS OF LAKE MONROE.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT WHAT HAPPENS ON THEIR PROPERTY COULD BE END UP IN THE WATERSHED.

>> THERE'S PEOPLE THAT ARE IN NORTHWESTERN JACKSON COUNTY AND WHAT THEY DO ON THEIR PROPERTY IMPACTS LAKE MONROE, AND THEY MAY NOT EVEN HAVE LAKE MONROE ON THEIR RADAR AT ALL.

>> BUT THERE ARE THINGS INDIVIDUALS CAN DO RIGHT NOW TO PREVENT MORE ALGAE BLOOMS ON THE SOURCES DRINKING WATER SOURCES THAT INDIANA CITIES RELY ON.

THAT INCLUDES TAKING CARE OF YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM AND PLANTING COVER CROPS ON FARM FIELDS AND TREES AND SHRUBS ALONG STREAMS AND USING FERTILIZER ONLY WHEN NECESSARY.

JANE MARTIN CHAIRS OF THE BOARD OF THE LATE MONROE WATER FUND WHICH FUNDS WATER PROJECTS UPSTREAM.

SHE SAYS WATER FROM LAKE MONROE IS THE PINNACLE OF BLOOMINGTON AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY, AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

IT'S HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE AND ONE THE TOP PLACES FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION IN THE AREA.

>> LAKE MONROE WAS BUILT IN 1964, WHEN I.U.

RAN OUT OF WATER AND THREATENED TO MOVE OUT.

SO LAKE MONROE IS ALL WE HAVE.

WE CAN'T USE LAKE LEMON ANYMORE OR GRIFFY OR WHAT USED TO BE CALLED UNIVERSITY LAKE.

>> IF THE LAKES, RIVERS AND RESERVOIRS BECOME TOO POLLUTED TO DRAW WATER FROM, IT'S NOT CLEAR WHAT OTHER OPTIONS INDIANA'S LARGER CITIES MIGHT HAVE.

MARTIN SAYS THAT'S WHY PEOPLE IN THE LAKE MONROE WATERSHED AND AROUND THE STATE HAVE TO ADDRESS ISSUES LIKE ALGAE NOW AND NOT WAIT UNTIL THERE'S A WATER EMERGENCY.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> WELL, AS 2021 COMES TO A CLOSE, WE LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE TOP STORIES OF THE YEAR.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AS WE CONTINUE TO DO THESE FEW THINGS, THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL COMES BRIGHTER AND BRIGHTER.

>> I'M NOT SAYING COVID IS NOT REAL, BUT IT DEFINITIVELY IS NOT ANYWHERE NEAR AS DANGEROUS AS THEY SAY.

>> WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED, MEANING, I.C.U.

BEDS, DOCTORS, ET CETERA.

WE HAVE A VACCINE, THREE OF THEM.

>> AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE NEEDED, WAS SOMETHING -- SOMEBODY TO COME IN AND AT LEAST GIVE US A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF AN EXTRA SET OF HANDS THAT WE WANTED TO DO BUT HAVEN'T GOTTEN A CHANCE TO DO.

>> NORMALLY WE HAVE PATIENTS AND YOU ARE WITH THEM TWO OR THREE DAYS AND COVID PATIENTS WE ARE WITH THEM FOR EVERY DAY FOR A MONTH OR BETTER AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T GET TO GO HOME.

>> IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE WORST THINGS I HAVE SEEN DONE TO A HUMAN MAYBE.

>> I SEE MYSELF AS BEING BRUISED, BUT SHE IS BROKEN.

>> SHARE THE CONVICTION.

>> THE LAW MATTERS.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

>> I TOOK AN OATH UNDER GOD!

UNDER GOD!

>> PEOPLE ARE DISPERSING TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY, AND THAT'S WHAT WE WERE AFRAID OF, THAT PEOPLE WOULD FIND MORE CAMPSITES THAT ARE HIDDEN AND LESS ACCESS TO THEM AND LESS ABILITY TO KEEP AN EYE ON THEM.

>> WE GAIN FOUR, WE LOSE FOUR.

NOBODY IS REALLY COMING IN FOR JOBS RIGHT NOW.

IT'S A HUGE STRUGGLE.

>> THEY ARE UNABLE TO TELL YOU THAT THEY ARE OUT OF A PRODUCT UNTIL THEY ARE AT YOUR DOOR DELIVERING IT AND THEY SAY, OH, BY THE WAY, WE DON'T HAVE THIS.

WE DON'T HAVE THIS AND WE DON'T KNOW WHEN WE WILL GET IT.

>> RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE OUT.

AND 60 MORE DAYS WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT LOT FULL AGAIN.

EVERYTHING IS WAY OUT OF TOUCH.

WAY OUT OF TOUCH.

>> I'M ASSUMING IF YOU ARE UNDERGROUND, FOR 17 YEARS AND IT'S TIME TO COME OUT AND, YOU KNOW, MAKE FRIENDS AND POPULATE, WOULD YOU MAKE A LOT OF NOISE AS WELL.

>> I WANT PEOPLE TELLING ME HOW THIS WILL BENEFIT ME AND MY WIFE AS HOMEOWNERS HERE.

I THINK IT WILL FAVOR THE CITY MORE THAN IT FAVORS THE HOMEOWNERS.

>> I THINK THE QUESTION REALLY IS, WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY OF BLOOMINGTON?

>> THOSE PEOPLE CAME AND HELPED US OUT BIG TIME.

AND I MEAN, THEY SAVED OUR LIVES.

>> THE FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENT THAT I BELIEVE 10, 20, 30 YEARS FROM NOW, THAT THIS DAY IS GOING TO MARK IS FULFILLING THAT ACADEMIC MISSION.

>> MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME THROUGH THIS LAST YEAR WERE PEOPLE THAT WENT UP AND DOWN 37, BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW GOOD OF A DOWNTOWN WE HAVE.

>> IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE.

IT'S ALSO ABOUT PEOPLE TREATING YOU LIKE A HUMAN BEING.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS WE DO AS A COUNTRY.

SO NOT JUST REUNITING FAMILIES BUT GIVING PEOPLE A NEW HOME AND A NEW CHANCE AT LIFE.

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

>> TEN, NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN -- >> IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING AND NOW HERE WE ARE SEEING THE FRUITS OF THOSE LABORS.

>> TWO, ONE!

[ CHEERS ] >> AND AS ALWAYS, MORE NEWS AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT AND SAFE NEW YEAR'S WEEKEND.

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: