>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BAN BUSINESSES FROM REQUIRING VACCINES FOR EMPLOYEES.

BUT IT'S BEING MET WITH RESISTANCE.

>> FROM A STRICTLY BUSINESS SIDE OF IT, IF I HAVE AN UNVACCINATED EMPLOYEE WHO GETS COVID, THEY ARE OUT WAY LONGER THAN A VACCINATED EMPLOYEE.

I'M SHORT STAFFED.

>> WE WILL TALK WITH A JUDICIAL EXPERT ABOUT THE LEGISLATION AND THE COURT CHALLENGE TO MANDATES.

>>> DRIVEN BY THE OMICRON VARIANT, INDIANA IS SETTING RECORDS FOR NUMBER OF COVID CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>> IT'S NOT A SURPRISE, BUT IT IS A SAD OCCURRENCE.

>>> NEARLY THE ENTIRE STATE HAS MOVED INTO THE RED ADVISORY LEVEL.

>>> AND A BOOMING R.V.

BUSINESS HAS HELPED TO MAKE THE HOUSING BUSINESS IN ELKHART ONE OF THE HOTTEST IN THE NATION.

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

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

WELL, THE RAPID TRANSMISSIBILITY OF THE OMICRON VARIANT HAS PUSHED COVID-19 POSITIVE CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IN INDIANA TO RECORD LEVELS AND NEARLY THE ENTIRE STATE IS NOW IN THE RED ADVISORY LEVEL.

PAT BEANE REPORTS.

>> INDIANA SET A RECORD THURSDAY WITH MORE THAN 16,500 NEW POSITIVE CASES OF COVID-19.

THAT BRINGS THE TOTAL TO MORE THAN 1.4 MILLION HOOSIERS WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN NEARLY THREE YEARS AGO AND THAT TOTAL IS LIKELY LOWER THAN THE ACTUAL NUMBER.

>> THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE TESTING IN CLINICS AND SITES, RIGHT?

SO IT DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE DOING HOME TESTS OR WHO AREN'T ABLE TO GET A TEST AT THIS TIME.

>> STATEWIDE, MORE THAN ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE TESTED FOR COVID-19 ARE TESTING POSITIVE.

IN MONROE COUNTY, A RECORD 379 PEOPLE TESTED POSITIVE THURSDAY.

AND THE COUNTY'S WEEKLY CASES WE ARE 100,000 JUMPED FROM 230 LAST WEEK TO 1,081 THIS WEEK.

THE COUNTY'S POSITIVITY RATE HAS CLIMBED TO 21.5%.

>> IT'S NOT A SURPRISE, BUT IT IS A SAD OCCURRENCE.

>> CALDWELL SAYS PATIENCE IS THE KEY FOR THOSE TRYING TO GET TESTED.

>> TESTING SITES ARE UNDERSTANDABLY OVERWHELMED.

TURNAROUND TIMES ARE RISING AND SECURING TESTING CAN BE DIFFICULT.

>> IT'S JUST NOT POSITIVE CASES THAT ARE RISING.

A RECORD 3,467 HOOSIERS WERE.

HOSPITALIZED WITH THE VIRUS ON WEDNESDAY, AND WITH THE STATE'S POSITIVITY RATE AT ALMOST 29%, THOSE NUMBERS ARE UNLIKELY TO DROP DRAMATICALLY SOON.

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

>>> THE STATE ADDED 75 NEW COVID-19 DEATHS THURSDAY, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 19,393.

>>> HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAY THEIR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY THIS SESSION IS ENDING THE GOVERNOR'S COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, AND THEY HAVE FAST TRACKED A BILL TO DO JUST THAT, BUT AS MITCH LEAGUE APREPORTS, A -- LEGAN REPORTS A SECTION OF THE BILL IS CONCERNING PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS AND BUSINESSES.

>> STRANGE BREW COFFEE IN GREENWOOD IS ONE OF THE COUNTLESS INDIANA BUSINESSES HIT HARD BY THE LATEST SURGE IN OMICRON CASES.

>> IT'S A LOT OF STRESS.

WE ARE OPERATING ON A SMALLER STAFF THAN WE SHOULD BE, LIKE RIGHT NOW WE ARE ACTUALLY ONLY OPEN UNTIL NOON A FEW DAYS BECAUSE WE HAVE EMPLOYEES OUT WITH COVID.

>> THE CHANGE IN HOURS SHOULD ONLY BE TEMPORARY, THANKS TO THE UPDATED CDC GUIDE LINES FOR VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS.

SHE WOULD LIKE TO REQUIRE NEW EMPLOYEES TO BE VACCINATED FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR HEALTH AND KEEPING BUSINESS OPERATIONS SMOOTH.

BUT A BILL QUICKLY MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WOULD EFFECTIVELY BAR HER FROM DOING SO.

>> WHAT HAPPENS, AM I NO LONGER ALLOWED TO ASK SOMEONE IF THEY ARE VACCINATED?

AM I NO LONGER ALLOWED TO HIRE SOMEONE IF THEY ARE NOT VACCINATED.

>> HOUSE BILL 1001 WOULD END THE GOVERNOR'S HEALTH EMERGENCY.

TODD HOUSTON IS MAKING THE BILL HIS TOP PRIORITY THIS SESSION.

LAST NOVEMBER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PLANNED TO RETURN TO THE STATE HOUSE FOR A SPECIAL ONE-DAY SESSION TO PASS THE BILL, BUT THEY DELAYED ACTION AFTER PUSHBACK FROM BUSINESS AND HEALTHCARE OFFICIALS WHO WERE CONCERNED WITH I A SECTION OF THE BILL THAT WOULD COMPEL EMPLOYERS TO ACCEPT EXEMPTIONS.

>> 1001, IN THE SIMPLEST FUND IS AN HOOSIER EMPLOYEE PROTECTION BILL.

>> MATT LEHMAN AUTHORIZED THE BILL, WHO IS CON CONVINCED OF THE EXEMPTIONS.

>> I PUT SOMETHING TO GOOD GUARANTEE THAT THE EMPLOYEE IS PROTECTED WHILE NOT TRAMPLING ON THE RIGHTS OF THE EMPLOYER.

>> ANY BUSINESS CAN REQUIRE COVID VACCINES FOR EMPLOYEES BUT IF THEY DO, THEY HAVE TO ACCEPT EXCEPTIONS FOR FOUR REASONS, MEDICAL CONCERNS, RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, NATURAL IMMUNITY OR THE EMPLOYEE COULD CHOOSE TO TEST FOR COVID WEEKLY AT THE EMPLOYER'S EXPENSE.

CARR SAYS SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRICE OF WEEKLY TESTING.

THAT COULD INCLUDE LOSING STAFF IF SHE WERE TO HIRE SOMEONE WHO IS UNVACCINATED.

>> I KNOW THAT WOULD HAPPEN.

I ABSOLUTELY KNOW THAT WOULD HAPPEN.

THEY WANT THE PERSON WHO IS STANDING 2 FEET AWAY FROM THEM TO BE VACCINATED BECAUSE THAT MAKES THEM FEEL SAFER.

>> AN AMENDMENT WHO REQUIRE BUSINESSES TO RECOUP SOME OF THE COST OF TESTS, BUT BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ARE NOT IN LOVE WITH THE IDEA OF THE STATE TELLING THEM WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T DO.

>> I THINK THE HOUSE IS TRYING TO MAKE THE BILL BETTER FROM THEIR PROSPECTABLE TO MAKE IT MORE PALATABLE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE OPPOSE GOVERNMENT MANDATES.

>> TAM HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ABILITY TO TEST EMPLOYEES.

LEHMAN SAYS THOSE CONCERNS WILL BE ADDRESSED AS THE BILL CONTINUES THROUGH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

>> WE ARE HEARING FROM THE FEDS WE WILL SEND OUT 500 MILLION TESTS, WHATEVER IT WAS.

IT KIND OF TELLS ME ON ONE HAND WE HAVE ALL THE CAPACITY WE NEED, ON THE OTHER HAND, I DO HEAR IT.

WE HEAR IT VERY LOUD AND CLEAR.

WHAT DO WE DO WITH THIS?

THAT'S AN ISSUE WE ARE LOOKING AT AS WELL.

>> HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE BILL'S MESSAGING IS NOT HELPFUL.

WITH 52% OF RESIDENTS FULLY VACCINATED, INDIANA RANKS NEAR THE BOTTOM NATIONALLY.

SHANDY DEARTH WHO RUNS THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE AT IUPUI SAYS BUSINESS MANDATES HAVE BEEN INTEGRAL.

>> THESE MANDATES HELP THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T CARE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

I KEEP THINKING ABOUT THIS BILL AND THE INDIANA LOGO.

IT SAYS INDIANA, A STATE THAT WORKS.

FOR US TO GO TO WORK, WE NEED TO BE HEALTHY AND IF WE GET VACCINATED WE WILL BE A LOT LESS LIKELY TO MISS WORK BECAUSE OF COVID.

>> SHE'S HOPING TO EXPAND TO A NEW LOCATION, WHICH WOULD MEAN HIRING NEW EMPLOYEES, BUT IF THE BILL PASSES, SHE SAYS THAT MIGHT HAVE TO BE PUT ON HOLD AS SHE NAVIGATES THE NEW REALITY.

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

>>> THE BILL COULD BE UP FOR A VOTE IN THE HOUSE AS SOON AS TUESDAY, IF IT PASSES WHICH IT'S LIKELY TO, IT WILL HEAD TO THE SENATE FOR FURTHER DEBATE.

>>> WE ARE NOW JOINED BY JODY MADEIRA, A PROFESSOR OF LAW AT THE MAURER SCHOOL OF LAW.

HELLO, PROFESSOR, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> SUPREME COURT SHOT DOWN PRESIDENT BIDEN'S MANDATE FOR VACCINES FOR TESTING FOR EMPLOYERS WITH OVER 100 EMPLOYEES ON THURSDAY.

MANY LEGAL EXPERTS EXPECTED IT BE TO BE UPHELD.

WHY DID IT FAIL?

>> I THINK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HYGIENE ADMINISTRATION, JUST EXCEEDED ITS AUTHORITY.

EVERY FEDERAL AGENCY CAN BASICALLY DO ONLY AS MUCH AS THE CONGRESSIONAL GRANT OF AUTHORITY GIVES IT LEASH FOR.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE CONSERVATIVE JUSTICES DETERMINED THAT THEY HAD EXCEEDED THAT LIMIT.

>> SO AS YOU MENTIONED, THE COURT SIX CONSERVATIVE JUSTICES SIDED AGAINST THE THREE LIBERAL JUSTICES IN THE DECISION.

DENYING MANDATES HAS BEEN A MAJOR POLITICAL PUSH FOR REPUBLICANS.

SO IS THERE CONCERN THE COURT IS ALMOSTING AS PARTISAN AS CONGRESS -- BECOMING AS PARTISAN AS CONGRESS OR THE COUNTRY.

>> I DON'T THINK THE COURT IS AS PARTISAN AS THE COUNTRY SUSPECTS IT IS.

WE ARE ALL CONSERVATIVE, LIBERAL OR MODERATE FOR A REASON AND THOSE FEELINGS ARE INEXTRICABLE FROM WHAT WE VIEW AS JUSTICE, FROM WHAT WE VIEW AS FREEDOM, FROM THE AUTHORITIES AND THE LIMITS OF GOVERNMENT.

>> LET'S GET TO INDIANA HOUSE BILL 1001, IF THAT PASSES IT ALLOWS BUSINESSES TO MANDATE VACCINES, BUT ALSO IT MUST ALLOW FOR FAIRLY BROAD EXEMPTIONS.

SO COULD A BUSINESS CHALLENGE THE BILL, THAT BILL IN COURT AND IF SO, WHAT KIND OF CASE WOULD THEY HAVE?

>> I BELIEVE THAT THEY COULD.

OF COURSE, IT'S UNDER THE INDIANA CONSTITUTION, THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

YOU CAN ALWAYS BRING A CHALLENGE, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THAT STRONG OF A CASE BECAUSE, OF COURSE, THE POWER OF EXEMPTIONS REALLY, YOU KNOW, TAKES AWAY ANY KIND OF MANDATE.

AND, YOU KNOW, FOR SOME REASON, ONE MIGHT WONDER HOW MUCH EFFECT THE BILL WILL HAVE, GIVEN THOSE BROAD EXEMPTIONS.

>> SO LANGUAGE IN THE BILL SAYS THAT WORKERS WHO LOSE THEIR JOB BECAUSE OF THEIR DENIED VACCINE EXEMPTIONS ARE ELIGIBLE, THOUGH, FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

HOW ABOUT THAT PART?

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT COULD HOLD UP IN COURT?

>> I BELIEVE IT COULD BE, BUT, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN OPTIONAL MEDICAL PROCEDURE, AND SO, YOU KNOW, EITHER YOU CAN GET THE VACCINE OR YOU CAN OPT FOR TESTING, OR YOU CAN TRY FOR AN EXEMPTION, AND SO PERSONALLY, I THINK THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT CONCENTRATION IS GOING A LITTLE BIT TOO FAR.

>> ONE MORE QUESTION.

DOES THE SUPREME COURT RULING OPEN WORMS FOR ALL THE VACCINES THAT ARE ALREADY REQUIRED?

>> WELL, ONE WONDERS EXACTLY WHAT IS SO DIFFERENT ABOUT THE COVID VACCINE, TO BE DIFFERENT FROM MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA, DIPHTHERIA, ET CETERA.

AND SOME EMPLOYERS HAVE A ROBUST LEGACY OF REQUIRING THESE VACCINES.

THEY ARE NOT EVEN EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION FROM THE FDA ANY MORE.

THEY ARE FULLY APPROVED.

AND SO I DO THINK THAT THIS OPENS THE DOOR TO FUTURE CHALLENGES ON VACCINE MANDATES.

>> ALL RIGHT, PROFESSOR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GOVERNOR ERR I CAN HOLCOMB GAVE HOOSIERS A PROGRESS REPORT ON TUESDAY, BUT NO NEW ANNOUNCE.

S OR SURPRISES IN HIS ANNUAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

HE CHOSE INCOME GROWTH AND TEACHER PAY RAISES AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.

HE ALSO PITCHED FUTURE PLANS AND PROPOSED BUSINESS TAX CUT THIS YEAR IN MAJOR SPENDING IN 2023, INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> DESPITE OUR CHALLENGES, THIS IS A TIME OF UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH, CONNECTIONS, MOMENTUM, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL HOOSIERS.

>> INDIANA HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE ADVANCING A BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE $1 BILLION IN TAX CUTS.

THEY MAINTAIN THE CUTS WILL ATTRACT BUSINESS TO THE STATE, BUT SOME MAYORS ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUNITIES AND ARE PLANNING TO FIGHT THE CUTS.

>> COLUMBUS MAYOR JIM LIENHOOP SAYS THE BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX HAS BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES.

IT'S A TAX BUSINESS OWNERS PAY FOR GOODS, SUCH AS FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT.

>> NOBODY FROM CALIFORNIA OR GERMANY, OR JAPAN, OR ANY PLACE THAT'S LOOKING AT COLUMBUS, INDIANA, HAS EVER SAID, WELL, YOUR BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX IS TOO HIGH.

THAT'S JUST NOT BECOME PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

>> LEGISLATORS ARE CONSIDERING HOUSE BILL 1002, WHICH WOULD ELIMINATE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE TAX THROUGH STATE TAX CREDITS AND OTHER PROVISIONS.

>> WE CAN'T DO WITHOUT THE REVENUE.

I MEAN, IT'S BUILT INTO OUR BUDGET THAT WE HAVE FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS AWAY, THEN THAT'S OKAY, BUT, YOU KNOW, FIND SOME WAY TO REPLACE IT.

>> THIS IS A THEME ACCELERATE MUNICIPALITIES IS REPEATING, REPLACE, DON'T ERASE.

COMPANIES ARE LOOKING AT OTHER ITEMS SUCH AS PARKS, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SCHOOLS WHEN CHOOSING TO RELOCATE.

TERRE HAUTE MAYOR DUKE BENNETT SAYS HE SAT ON A SUMMER STUDY COMMITTEE A FEW YEARS AGO AND WILL BE BACK AT THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR REPLACEMENT REVENUE.

>> WE'RE LOSING $13 MILLION THIS YEAR THAT WE CAN'T COLLECT BECAUSE OF THE TAX CAPS, OKAY?

WE HAVE DEALT WITH THAT.

WE HAVE ALL FOUND A WAY TO DEAL WITH THAT.

IF YOU BRING IN THIS PIECE, FROM A FEW YEARS AGO, IT WAS 5 OR $6 MILLION HIT TO THE CITY BUDGE ♪ THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO RAISE FEES OR CUT STAFF TO MAKE UP FOR THE CUTS.

A HOUSE COMMITTEE CLEARED THE BILL WEDNESDAY.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>>> THE HOUSE COMMITTEE REJECTED SEVERAL CHANGES THAT DEMOCRATS ARGUED WOULD DO MORE TO HELP STRUGGLING FAMILIES.

>>> A CONTROVERSIAL SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND PARENT TRANSPARENCY BILL ADVANCED IN THE INDIANA HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY.

HOW BILL 1134 INCREASES PARENT'S AUTHORITY OVER SCHOOL CONTENT AND WOULD LIMIT HOW TEACHERS TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE RACE, RELIGION AND POLITICS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS.

THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MADE MINOR CHANGES BEFORE VOTING ON THE BILL AFTER GOP SENATOR SCOTT BALDWIN MADE NATIONAL HEADLINES URGING NEUTRALITY FROM TEACHERS AS THEY TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE MARXISM AND NAZIISM.

>> PAGE 7, LINES 29 THROUGH 30, CLARIFIES THAT SCHOOLS CAN AND SHOULD TEACH THAT NAZIISM IS BAD.

>>> COOK IS THE BILL'S AUTHOR AND IT NOW GOES BEFORE THE FULL HOUSE.

>>> THE 9th DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN, TREY HOLLINGSWORTH WROTE A LETTER FOR THE "INDIANAPOLIS STAR."

HE HINTED AT A RUN FOR FUTURE OFFICE AND SAYS HE WILL FIGHT FOR THE DISTRICT IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

INDIANA'S CURRENT GOVERNOR, ERIC HOLCOMB IS TERM LIMITED AND WILL LEAVE OFFICE AT 2024.

AARON HAWCHIN IS THE LEADER.

SEVERAL DEMOCRATS INCLUDING I.U.

PROFESSOR HAVE DECLARED THEIR CANDIDACY.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," ELKHART HAS ONE OF THE HOTTEST HOUSING MARKETS IN THE NATION, THANKS TO A BOOMING RECREATIONAL VEHICLE INDUSTRY.

>>> AND PET STORES WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO SELL CATS AND DOGS BEGINNING JANUARY OF 2023 IN BLOOMINGTON.

>>> THOSE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

A RECENT INDEX COMPILED BY THE WALL STREET JOURNAL AND REALTOR.COM FOUND ELKHART IS THE TOP REAL ESTATE MARKET IN THE COUNTRY.

WHILE THE NEWS WAS SURPRISING TO SOME, MANY ATTRIBUTE THE UPWARD TREND TO THE REGION'S ECONOMY.

BROCK TURNER HAS MORE.

>> DRIVING THROUGH ELKHART, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE MUCH TROUBLE FINDING WORK.

MANY OF THE R.V.

MANUFACTURERS THAT MAKE THE NORTHERN INDIANA CITY THE.

R.V.

CAPITAL OF THE WORLD ARE SEARCHING FOR WORKERS AND LOTS OF THEM.

IT'S ONE OF THE FEW CITIES OR TOWNS LEFT WHERE OPPORTUNITIES ARE PLENTIFUL FOR WORKERS WITHOUT CREDENTIALS OR ADVANCED DEGREES.

>> YOU DON'T NEED A COLLEGE DEGREE.

YOU CAN MAKE VERY GOOD MONEY AND A VERY GOOD LIFESTYLE.

RIGHT NOW, THE PROBLEM IS THERE'S A HOUSING SHORTAGE.

>> FEW UNDERSTAND THIS NEED BETTER THAN CORY WHITE.

>> HALF THE HOMES WE SOLD LAST YEAR WERE IN FIVE DAYS OR LEFT.

SO I FEEL TERRIBLE FOR BUYERS.

I FEEL TERRIBLE FOR BUYERS' AGENTS.

>> HE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN ELKHART AND HAS BEEN A REALTOR HERE FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS.

HE SAYS IDEALLY THIS MARKET WOULD HAVE BETWEEN 600 AND 800 HOMES AVAILABLE AT ANY GIVEN TIME BUT THAT MANY HOMES HAVEN'T BEEN FOR SALE HERE IN YEARS.

>> 202, IS WE HAD 1 -- 2021, WE HAD 100 HOMES ON THE MARKET.

AND BOTTOMED OUT IN APRIL AT 62 UNITS.

FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2021, WHEN YOU LISTED SOMETHING, YOU WOULD HAVE 20 TO 30 SHOWINGS ON IT THE DAY AFTER YOU LISTED T. WOULD YOU GET 10 TO 15, TO 20 OFFERS ON IT.

AT THAT POINT, JUST BEING QUALIFIED AS A BUYER IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

>> WHITE SAYS IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR BUYERS TO SEARCH FOR MONTHS FOR A HOME THAT FITS THEIR NEEDS.

DARLENE HENNION WAS BUN ONE OF THEM.

>> I WAS ON THE COMPUTER EVERY DAY TO SEE WHAT WAS NEW AND POPPED UP.

>> SHE SPENT MONTHS AND PLACED AT LEAST THREE OFFERS BEFORE GETTING THIS ONE?

>> GOOD SIZED.

I THINK THIS WAS 14 BY 20.

>> BUT IT IS FARTHER FROM HER DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER AND OUTSIDE OF ELKHART.

>> NOT TO BE CONDESCENDING, THEY WERE DUMPY AND NEEDED FIXING UP, WHICH I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REDO A KITCHEN FOR A BATHROOM OR A ROOF.

SO I WAS KIND OF NERVOUS THERE.

>> WHITE DOESN'T SEE THIS AS A BUBBLE.

HE SAYS INFLATION AND GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES ARE LIMITING THE NUMBER OF NEW HOMES THAT CAN BE BUILT.

THAT'S A BIG REASON WHY MANY WORKERS MIGRATE TO ELKHART COUNTY FOR WORK.

>> MORE THAN 30% OF OUR INVENTORY SELLS ABOVE ASKING.

SEVERAL PRICE POINTS IT'S OVER HALF OF OUR PRICE POINTS SELL SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE ASKING.

AND THAT'S WHAT KEEPS PUSHING PRICES UP.

>> THE PRICES SEEN IN ELKHART OR EASILY OUT PACING OTHER INDIANA COMMUNITIES.

THE MEDIAN SELLING PRICE IN ELKHART WAS UP MORE THAN 22% IN 2021, WHICH IS 62% HIGHER THAN STATE'S INCREASE.

>> WHEN PEOPLE HAVE MONEY TO BLOW, THEY BUY R.V.s, AND OTHER FANCY, LARGE TICKET ITEMS.

LIKEWISE, WHEN THE ECONOMY STARTS TO SCALE BACK AND PEOPLE GET MORE CONSERVATIVE, WE ARE ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS TO SHUT OFF.

SO IT'S ALWAYS BEEN FEAST OR FAMINE HERE.

>> RESIDENTS SAY THERE'S A BACKLOG OF ORDERS FOR R.V.s.

THAT PAIRED WITH THE NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF WORKERS IS INFLATING DEMAND.

WHITE SAYS THIS CYCLE IS NOT NEW.

RIGHT NOW THE MARKET SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DESPITE RISING INFLATION.

HENNION BEGAN LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME WHEN THE PRICE OF HER RENT CONTINUED TO INCREASE BEYOND WHAT SHE COULD AFFORD.

SHE'S RETIRED AND WIDOWED AND FACED SIMILAR ISSUES WHEN SEARCHING FOR A HOME TO BUY.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER INCOME, BUT ME.

I DON'T HAVE ANYBODY ELSE TO HELP OR FALLBACK ON.

SO THAT WAS A PROBLEM.

>> THOSE ARE THE BUYERS' WHITEERS ERS THAT WHITE FEELS FOR THE MOST.

>> NOW BECAUSE THE DOLLAR IS WORTHLESS, SHE'S SCREWED.

>> ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS WAGES IN ELKHART COUNTY WERE UP 22% IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2020 AND 2021, THAT'S COMPARED TO A 5.4% INCREASE STATEWIDE.

DESPITE AVERAGE WAGE INCREASES, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE FOR THOSE LIKE HENNION ON FIXED INCOMES.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BROCK TURNER.

>>> THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELEASED GUIDANCE TO CLARIFY HOW UTILITIES SHOULD HANDLE TOXIC COAL ASH WASTE, WHICH CAN SEEP INTO GROUNDWATER AND POLLUTE THE INDIANA DRINKING WATER SOURCES.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES SAY THE EPA IS ENSURING SAFER COAL ASH DISPOSAL IN INDIANA.

>> AMONG OTHER THINGS THE EPA SAID THE UTILITIES CAN'T ALLOW CLOSED COAL ASH PONDS TO COME IN CONTACT WITH GROUNDWATER OR RELY ON DILUTION IN THE WATER TO CONTROL POLLUTION.

ENDURE FRANK SAYS THE AGENCY ALSO COLLAR CLARIFIED WHICH COAL ASH PONDS THAT.

INCLUDES TWO PONDS AT DUKE'S PLANT NEAR NEW ALBANY.

>> HERE IN INDIANA, SOME OF OUR UTILITIES HAVE CONVINCED IDEM THAT THEY COULD DODGE PARTS OF THE FEDERAL COAL ASH LAW BY MISINTERPRETING IT.

>> THE EPA ALSO DENIED INDIANA, KENTUCKY ELECTRIC CORPORATION'S REQUEST FOR MORE TIME TO CLOSE UNLINED COAL ASH PONDS AT THE CHRISTIE GREEKCHRISTIE CREEK PLANT.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> IN AN EMAIL STATEMENT, DUKE ENERGY INDIANA SAYS THE CLOSURE PLANS FOR THE TWO COAL ASH PLANS AT THE FORMER R. GALLAGHER PLANT WERE APPROVED BY THE STATE AND APPROVED BY INDUSTRY STANDARDS AT THE TIME.

>>> BLOOMINGTON PET SHOPS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SELL CATS AND DOGS BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR.

THE CITY COUNCIL PASSED THE ORDINANCE IN DECEMBER, LEAVING TWO LOCAL SHOPS WITH ONE YEAR TO CHANGE BUSINESS MODELS.

HOLDEN ABSHIER REPORTS.

>> THE COUNCIL'S ORDINANCE 21-45 DIRECTLY AFFECTS ANTHONY'S PETS IN COLLEGE MALL AND DELILA'S PET SHOP ON WEST THIRD STREET.

LEGISLATION SPONSORS SAY IT'S ONE STEP IN THE LARGER ATTEMPT TO DEPRIVE PUPPY AND KITTEN MILLS OF CUSTOMERS.

THESE MILLS ARE COMMERCIAL BREEDERS WHO PRIORITIZE PROFIT OVER AN ANIMAL'S WELL-BEING.

THESE BREEDERS MAY PASS AS REPUTABLE WHEN THEY ARE NOT.

>> I THINK THAT A LOT OF THESE PUPPY MILLS -- I MEAN NOT ONLY DO THEY MISTREAT THEIR ANIMALS, BUT THEY ARE NOT VERY UP FRONT ABOUT THE CONDITIONS.

>> DELILAH'S PET SHOP OWNER IS AGAINST THE ORDINANCE AND SAYS THE STORE IS ALREADY SELECTIVE WHEN SELECTING DOG BREEDERS.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU DO IT RIGHT OR NOT.

>> ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS DISAGREE AND SAY THERE'S NO ETHICAL SALE IN A PET SHOP, BECAUSE REPUTABLE BREEDERS DO NOT SELL TO THIRD PARTIES.

>> THEY WANT YOU TO MEET THE PARENTS OF THE PUPPY IN WHICH YOU ARE PURCHASING AND THEY WILL WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT PUPPY IS A GOOD FIT FOR YOUR FAMILY.

>> KIDWELL RESPONDS THAT DELILAH'S EMPLOYEES WORK HARD TO PAIR EACH PUPPY WITH A PROPER OWNER.

CUSTOMERS, OFTEN STUDENTS COME IN TO PLAY WITH THE PETS WHICH SOCIALIZES THEM AND PREPARED THEM FOR A FUTURE HOME.

>> A LOT OF THE PETS OVER THE YEARS THAT HAVE LIVED HERE AND MAYBE MOVED AWAY SOMEWHERE, THAT HAD ORIGINALLY BROUGHT A PUPPY FROM US, HAVE COME BACK AND BOUGHT PUPPIES FROM US BECAUSE THEY LIKED THE WAY THEY WERE HANDLED.

>> KIDWELL SAYS THE STORE WILL CONTINUE SELLING PET FOOD AND TOYS AS WELL AS OFFERING GROOMING SERVICES.

HOWEVER, SHE'S CONCERNED THAT MIGHT KNOT BRING -- NOT BRING IN ENOUGH MONEY.

BUT THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF UNITED STATES, SAYS STORES LIKE DELILAH'S ARE IN A GOOD POSITION TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM PET SALES.

>> WE HAVE MANY BOUTIQUE PET STORES THAT SELL FOOD, COLLARS, BEDS, OFFER GROOMING SERVICES, AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE COMING BACK FOR TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

IT'S NOT JUST A ONE-TIME PURCHASE OF A DOG OR A CAT.

>> WHILE SELLING A DOG OR A PET IN A PET SHOP WILL BE ILLEGAL, THEY CAN PARTNER WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND HOUSE ANIMALS FOR ADOPTION.

HOWEVER, THE SHOP CANNOT FINANCIALLY PROFIT FROM THE ADOPTION ITSELF.

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

>> AND THE 73-YEAR-OLD JOHNSON CREAMERY SMOKE STACK IN DOWNTOWN BLOOMINGTON IS UNSAFE.

THE CITY OFFICIALS ARE ORGANIZING THE OWNER TO REPAIR IT.

THE AREA AROUND THE SMOKE STACK IS CLOSED INCLUDING A PORTION OF THE B LINE TRAIL.

AN INSPECTION DETERMINED THE SMOKESTACK TO BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND PROPERTY OWNERSERS PEERLESS CAPITAL OF CHICAGO WERE ASKED TO FIX THIS WITHIN 100 DAYS.

>> THAT'S THE END OF TODAY'S PROGRAM BUT THE NEWS CONTINUES ONLINE AT WTIUNEWS.ORG THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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