>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," AS COVID-19 COVID-19 REMAIN NEAR RECORD LEVELS, MANY HOSPITALS ARE TURNING TO THE INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD FOR HELP.

>> THE LAST FEW WEEKS ARE VERY DIFFICULT.

IF WE ARE CALLING IN THE NATIONAL GUARD, IT'S ALL HANDS ON DECK RIGHT NOW.

>> AHEAD WE VISIT ONE RURAL INDIANA HOSPITAL THAT'S FACING STAFFING SHORTAGES BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

RURAL CHILD CARE PROVIDERS HAVE NOT BEEN IMMUNE TO THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19, BUT THEY WERE ALREADY FACING A NUMBER OF ISSUES BEFORE THE VIRUS HIT.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE NO LONGER WILLING TO WORK FOR POVERTY LEVEL WAGES AND WHEN THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE PAYING, IT REALLY CAUSES A FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT.

>> HOWEVER, NEW PARTNERSHIPS ARE HELPING ADDRESS SOME OF THE CHALLENGES.

AND WITH RUSSIAN TROOPS AMASSED ON THE UKRAINE BORDER, WE TALK TO AN EXPERT ABOUT WHAT COULD BE IN STORE FOR THE REGION.

THOSE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST NEWS HEAD LINES, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK"!

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

INDIANA ADDED MORE THAN 16,000 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 THURSDAY, PUSHING THE TOTAL ABOVE 1.5 MILLION IN THE STATE SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

NEARLY 75% OF SAMPLED CASES ARE THE OMICRON VARIANT WHICH HAS DRIVEN THE DAILY AVERAGE OF NEW CASES FROM 2700 IN NOVEMBER, TO AROUND 12,000 THIS MONTH.

BUT THERE ARE SOME EARLY POSITIVE SIGNS INDIANA IS APPROACHING ITS OMICRON PEAK.

THE STATE'S TWO LARGEST COUNTIES ARE STARTING TO SEE CASES DROP.

>> WHILE THIS COULD BE A GOOD SIGN THAT THINGS MIGHT BE STABILIZING A LITTLE BIT, IT ALSO MAY BE A RESULT OF DELAYED RESULTS COMING IN.

>> THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REPORTED 137 NEW DEATHS THURSDAY, PUSHING THE STATE TOTAL TO JUST UNDER 20,000.

ALMOST 860,000 AMERICANS HAVE DIED FROM COVID.

WORLDWIDE THAT NUMBER IS MORE THAN 5.5 MILLION.

>>> INDIANA HOSPITALS HAVE CALLED ON THE NATIONAL GUARD REPEATEDLY TO PROVIDE CLINICAL AND NONCLINICAL SUPPORT AS COVID-19 CONTINUES TO OVERWHELM THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

BROCK TURNER VISITED ONE RURAL INDIANA HOSPITAL AND HAS THIS REPORT.

>> HOSPITAL ISOLATION UNITS ACROSS INDIANA ARE FULL OF UNVACCINATED COVID-19 PATIENTS.

>> THE SPREAD OF COVID THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY IS THE WORST WE HAVE SEEN SO FAR.

>> HOSPITALS USUALLY HAVE MORE PATIENTS DURING THESE MONTHS, BUT THIS SURGE IS DIFFERENT.

IN ADDITION TO HIGH PATIENT COUNTS, INDIANA HOSPITALS ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND WORKERS.

>> AS A CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL, WE'RE NOT USED TO BEING AT CAPACITY ALL THE TIME.

SO WE DON'T STAFF TO BE AT CAPACITY.

>> REITZ SAYS THE HOSPITAL HAS SET RECORD FOR TEAM MEMBERS OUT SICK AND QUARANTINING AND THAT'S NOT EVEN THE MOST CHALLENGING PART.

>> WE HAVE 60 POSITIONS POSTED RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD SO MUCH STAFF RESIGN, AND IT'S NOT RESIGNING BECAUSE OF THE VACCINE.

THEY ARE RESIGNING BECAUSE THEY ARE BURNT OUT.

>> THAT'S A BIG REASON WHY HER HOSPITAL REQUESTED NATIONAL GUARD SUPPORT.

THAT HELP IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FREQUENT EXTENSION OF AN EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM INDIANA GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB.

A GROUP OF SIX NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ARRIVED IN GREEN COUNTY TWO WEEKS AGO.

SERGEANT JOHN NELSON LEADS THEM.

>> WE HAVE TWO MEDICS, I'M A MEDIC IN THE NATIONAL GUARD AND THEN WE HAVE FOUR PEOPLE FROM OTHER ARMY M.O.S.s OR JOBS.

SO THE GENERAL SUPPORT GUYS DO ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.

WE'VE GOT ONE RIGHT NOW THAT WORKS WITH THE KITCHEN STAFF, HELPING THEM.

WE'VE GOT ONE THAT SATURDAY SOME COMPUTER WORK AND MORE CLERICAL, AND THEN MYSELF AND THE OTHER MEDIC AT THIS PARTICULAR HOSPITAL, I'M DOING STUFF IN THE E.R.

AND THE LABS, DOING LAB DRAWS, AND SHE'S HELPING IN THE CLINIC THAT THEY HAVE ATTACHED TO THE HOSPITAL AS WELL.

>> NELSON'S TEAM IS ONE OF THE 13 DEPLOYED ACROSS THE STATE.

EACH HAS TWO CLINICAL STAFF, AND FOUR GENERAL SUPPORT.

INITIALLY TEAMS COULD SUPPORT A HOSPITAL FOR ONLY TWO WEEKS.

LAST MONTH, THAT TIME WAS DOUBLED AS CASES SURGED AND THE NUMBER OF NEW STAFF QUARANTINE CLIMBED.

NELSON WHO HAS SERVED ON VARIOUS CORONAVIRUS-RELATED ITEMS, THIS IS NOTHING LIKE HE'S EXPERIENCED.

>> IT'S HAPPENING TO FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AND PEOPLE IN OUR STATE, AND NOT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY.

IT PUTS ALL THE STATISTICS INTO VIEW.

>> HAVE YOU EVER HAD A DEPLOYMENT LIKE THIS?

>> NO, I HAVE BEEN IN 13 YEARS AND THIS IS THE -- THE ONLY TIME I HAVE DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

>> THE MEMBERS OF HIS TEAM ECHO THOSE SENTIMENTS.

FOR SERGEANT KERRY WASCOM, THIS IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

SHE'S FROM LYNNTON, POPULATION 5400 AND THANKFUL TO HELP HER HOMETOWN HOSPITAL.

>> IT DEFINITELY HITS HOME, SEEING THAT THE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN MY COMMUNITY DAILY ARE STRUGGLING SO MUCH SOMETIMES, AND OVERWHELMED.

>> EVERYONE REITERATED THAT THE SITUATION HERE IN LYNNTON AND ACROSS INDIANA IS DIRE.

>> IT IS THAT BAD.

HOSPITALS ARE RUNNING OUT OF THE VENTS.

I WORKED IN A HOSPITAL THAT DID -- WE PUT SOMEBODY ON THE LAST VENT WE HAD, AND THERE'S PEOPLE SEVERELY SICK WITH COVID, PEOPLE SEVERELY SICK WITHOUT COVID, BUT THE BIGGEST FACT IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO PROVIDE THE CARE THAT'S NEEDED.

>> DURING OUR INTERVIEWS, A PATIENT SUSPECTED OF HAVING COVID-19 WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM HERE IN IN AN AMBULANCE.

THE HOSPITAL HAS ONLY ONE NEGATIVE AIR FLOW ROOM IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

AND LUCKILY IT WASN'T IN USE.

UPSTAIRS THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT HAS ONLY A HANDFUL OF NEGATIVE AIR FLOW ROOMS, EACH OF THEM IS FULL, THAT'S WHY AN ENTIRE HALLWAY IS SECTIONED OFF.

>> THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHERE THE VIRUS CAME FROM?

THIS IS NOT HOW THE VIRUS IS MUTATING.

IF YOU ARE SICK, STAY HOME.

IF YOU ARE REALLY SICK, COME TO THE HOSPITAL AND WE'LL TAKE CARE OF.

>> YOU HOSPITAL EXECUTIVES ACROSS THE STATE A MITT THE LEVEL OF CARE IS DIFFERENT NOW.

WITH RECORD NUMBERS OF STAFF SICK OR QUARANTINE, REITZ SAYS EVEN HER ROLE AS C.E.O.

HAS CHANGED.

>> THE LAST FEW WEEKS HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFICULT AND IF YOU ARE CALLING IN THE NATIONAL GUARD, I FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO HAVE THE MESSAGE, IT IS ALL HANDS ON DECK RIGHT NOW.

SO I WALK THE HOSPITAL IN SCRUBS BECAUSE IF SOMEONE TELLS ME THEY NEED HELP, WHETHER IT'S, YOU KNOW, HELPING GET A PATIENT UP FROM THE BEDSIDE OR TAKE THE AMBULANCE THAT'S COMING IN THE DOOR, I'M A NURSE AND I CAN DO THAT.

>> REITZ SAYS THE DIVISIVENESS THAT HAS LARGELY DEVINEED THE PANDEMIC SERVED LITTLE PURPOSE, CERTAINLY NOT HERE IN THE E.R.

>> ALL OF THIS DEBATE THAT HAPPENS, NONE OF THAT IS REALLY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS ROOM AT THE BEDSIDE OF CAREGIVERS AND THE DOCTORS AND NURSES THAT ARE RIGHT HERE, CARING FOR YOU.

WE ARE, AND ALWAYS WILL BE LOOKING OUT FOR THAT PATIENT'S BEST INTERESTS.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE FACTS AND DATA AND THE NUMBERS THAT ARE ABOUT YOU.

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

>> AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS WEEK, THE NATIONAL GUARD HAD SENT TEAMS TO 30 HOSPITALS AROUND THE STATE.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY BRIAN TABOR, PRESIDENT OF THE INDIANA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

BRIAN, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO WE JUST HEARD ABOUT THE STRESS COVID HAS PUT ON ONE SMALL RURAL HOSPITAL.

IS IT SAFE TO SAY IT'S A STORY THAT'S JUST BEING ECHOED ACROSS THE STATE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE 170 MEMBERS AND I THINK EVERYONE IS FEELING IT.

WE'RE SEEING THE IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC, NOT JUST PATIENTS WITH COVID, BUT PATIENTS WHOSE HEALTH IS DECLINED BECAUSE CARE WAS PUT OFF.

WE ARE SEEING THE EFFECTS OF COVID, REALLY THE PANDEMIC AND THE LENGTH OF THIS PANDEMIC ON HOOSIERS' MENTAL HEALTH AS WELL.

SO OUR BER BEHAVIORAL HOSPITALS ARE ALSO VERY BUSY.

>> WE ARE ABOUT TO ENTER A THIRD YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC.

HOW DO YOU KEEP THAT MORALE UP FOR THOSE WHO ARE ON THE FRONT LINES THERE?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S HARD.

IT'S HARD TO KEEP MORALE UP.

WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN.

I THINK SOME OF THE RESOURCES THAT HAVE COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME TEAMS THAT HAVE COME TO INDIANA, THE NATIONAL GUARD, THE RESOURCES THAT THE STATE HAS HELPED TO DEPLOY, THAT'S A MORALE BOOST.

I THINK THIS IT SAYS TO THOSE MEN AND WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINES IN INDIANA HOSPITALS THAT THE POLICYMAKERS AND LEADERS DO RECOGNIZE HOW MUCH THEY NEED THAT HELP RIGHT NOW, AND SO I THINK THAT'S A MORALE BOOSTER TO HAVE SOME OF THAT SUPPORT AND GET A LITTLE BREAK FROM THOSE FOLKS, AND WE'RE ALSO DOING WHAT WE CAN TO PROVIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND MINDFULNESS EXERCISES, OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN DO, ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP IMPROVE RESILIENCE RIGHT NOW, WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

>> DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS TOO?

I'M TALKING, YOU KNOW, POST COVID, HOPEFULLY THAT HAPPENS, AND HOSPITALS DUE TO THE BURNOUT AND SO MANY NURSES AND DOCTORS THAT WE HEAR ARE LEAVING THE INDUSTRY.

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THE HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY, AND A NURSE LEADER RECENTLY SAID THAT THERE WAS A PROJECTION OR A REPORT THAT CAME OUT THAT SPECULATED WE MAY NEED FIVE YEARS TO GET BACK TO 75% OF THE HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE THAT WE HAD BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND THAT WAS A COUPLE MONTHS AGO.

THAT WAS REALLY BEFORE THIS LATEST SURGE.

SO I THINK THAT'S OPTIMISTIC.

I THINK IT WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT THAN THAT.

WE NEED HELP FROM POLICYMAKERS, OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO HELP US INCREASE THE HEALTHCARE EDUCATION PIPELINE, TO HELP CELEBRATE OUR CAREGIVERS AND EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO REALLY NEED TO COMPLETELY REBUILD THE WORKFORCE.

>> ALL RIGHT, BRIAN, WE ARE OUT OF TIME RIGHT NOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT GOING ON.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

>>> THE INDIANA HOUSE VOTED THIS WEEK TO EFFECTIVELY BLOCK PRIVATE COMPANIES FROM ENFORCING COVID-19COVID-19 MANDATES.

THEY HAVE TO GRANT EXCEPTIONS FROM GETTING THE VACCINE TO EMPLOYEES WHO REQUEST THEM ON A MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS BASIS OR WHO HAVE CONTRACTED THE VIRUS WITHIN SIX MONTHS.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE ED DELANEY SAYS THE BILL IS JUSTIFYING THE ANGER OF A FEW AT THE EXPENSE OF MANY.

>> THIS ATTACK IS LED BY THOSE WHO PROCLAIM THEIR LOVE AND DEVOTION TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

>> LEAVE 'EM ALONE!

LEAVE THE BUSINESSES ALONE!

>> THE MEASURE ALSO SAYS IF SOMEONE IS FIRED AFTER REQUESTING A COVID VACCINE EXEMPTION, THEY CAN RECEIVE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

THE BILL NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

>> DR. JEROME ADAMS SAYS HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR ANOTHER HIV OUTBREAK IN SOUTHEAST INDIANA, NOW THAT SCOTT COUNTY HAS CLOSED ITS NEEDLE EXCHANGE.

ADAMS IS THE FORMER STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER, AND U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL.

HE PRAISES THE COUNTY'S NEEDLE EXCHANGE FOR KEEPING HIV CASES LOW, AND CONNECTING DRUG USERS TO RECOVERY SERVICES.

BUT HE SAYS MANY DRUG USERS WON'T BE CONNECTED WITH THOSE SERVICES ANYMORE.

>> THE SIMPLE TRUTH FROM A PURELY SCIENTIFIC POINT OF VIEW IS THAT ALL THE INGREDIENTS STILL EXIST IN SCOTT COUNTY FOR US TO HAVE ANOTHER VERY RAPID AND VERY LARGE EXPLOSION OF HIV.

>> THERE ARE EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO START A PRIVATELY RUN NEEDLE EXCHANGE IN THE COUNTY, BUT THE TIMELINE FOR WHEN IT WOULD BE APPROVED AND OPERATIONAL IS UNCERTAIN.

>> COMING UP NEXT, ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WITH RUSSIAN TROOPS AMASSED ON THE UKRAINIAN BORDER, WE TALKED WITH AN EXPERT ABOUT THE THREAT BEING POSED TO DER MOCK RAYSY IS IN THE REGION.

-- DEMOCRACY IN THE REGION.

AND CHILD CARE CRISIS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

TENSION IS MOUNTING EVERY DAY BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA, AS THE RUSSIANS HAVE ASSEMBLED AROUND 100,000 TROOPS AT THE COUNTRY'S BORDER WITH UKRAINE.

THE HOUSE HAS SENT U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTHONY BLINKEN TO MEET WITH THE UKRAINIAN LEADS, HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART AND NATO ALLIES IN AN EFFORT TO DIFFUSE THE SITUATION.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYS IF RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE, IMPOSING SANCTIONS WOULD BE EFFECTIVE IN CURTAILING RUSSIA'S AGGRESSION.

WE HAVE THE SENIOR PROGRAM FOR FREEDOM HOUSE, PRO DEMOCRACY THAT TRACKS THREATS GLOBALLY.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, CARISSA.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO FREEDOM HOUSE LISTS UKRAINE IS PARTLY FREE AND AS A TRANSITIONAL OR HYBRID REGIME.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS?

>> YES, SO EVERY YEAR FREEDOM HOUSE PUBLISHES FREEDOM OF THE WORLD, WHICH MEASURES THE STATE OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY GLOBALLY.

WE USE MULTIPLE INDICATORS TO ASSIGN EACH COUNTRY AS FREE, PARTLY FREE OR NOT FREE.

UKRAINE IS A DEMOCRATIC AND RELATIVELY FREE COUNTRY THEY MADE SOME GREAT PROGRESS ON DEMOCRATIC REFORMS SINCE 2014, THOUGH THERE ARE SOME QUITE POWERFUL, CORRUPT SPECIAL INTERESTS PUSHING BACK ON THAT.

THERE'S AN INCREDIBLY VIBRANT CIVIL SOCIETY AND ACTIVIST COMMUNITY THAT IS FIGHTING HARD FOR DEMOCRATIC PROGRESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS.

UKRAINE IS A DEMOCRACY, HOWEVER IMPERFECT.

THE PEOPLE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WANT TO KEEP THAT DEMOCRACY AND EXPAND THEIR FREEDOMS.

THEY WANT TO ALIGN MORE CLOSELY WITH WESTERN EUROPE AND NOT WITH UNDER PUTIN'S SHADOW.

>> SO HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE THAT THE COUNTRY NOT FALL BACK UNDER THAT UMBRELLA OF RUSSIA?

>> VERY.

THEY ARE TRYING TO HAVE VETO POWERS OVER A SOVEREIGN STATE.

UKRAINIAN'S FUTURE SHOULD BE DONE BY UKRAINE.

MORE THAN 10,000 UKRAINIANS HAVE DIED IN THE DONBAS NOT TO MENTION THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE.

PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTIVISTS, LAWYERS AND MONITORING GROUPS TAKING GREAT RISK TO WORK IN THE OCCUPIED AREAS, ADVOCATING FOR THE RIGHTS OF POLITICAL PRISONERS, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE ARE FIGHTING VERY HARD FOR THEIR FREEDOM, WHICH THEY WOULD LOSE UNDER RUSSIAN CONTROL.

>> IS THERE -- WOULD YOU SAY THERE'S A CONCERN THAT IF UKRAINE IS INVADED THAT OTHER DEMOCRACIES IN THE REGION, WHICH WERE UNDER THE OLD SOVIET EMPIRE COULD BE AT RISK TOO?

>> IT'S OBVIOUS THAT PUTIN FEELS THREATENED BY DEMOCRATIC PROGRESS LIKE UKRAINE, GEORGIA, AND ARMENIA.

THEY VIEW THIS AS AN OBSTACLE TO THE CONTINUED AUTHORITARIAN CONTROL OF RUSSIAN AND THINGS ARE NOT GOING WELL DOMESTICALLY, POLITICALLY OR ECONOMICALLY OR WITH THE PANDEMIC.

PUTIN IS PROBABLY USING THIS AGGRESSIVE POSTURING TO DISTRACT AND INTIMIDATE THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE WITH THE KREMLIN'S PROPAGANDA NARRATIVE WHICH IS THAT THE WEST IS BENT ON DESTROYING RUSSIA WHICH IS JUST NOT THE CASE AT ALL.

WHEN DISCUSSING THAT, IN KAZAKHSTAN LAST WEEK, PUTIN SUGGESTED THAT HE WOULD NOT ALLOW COLOR REVOLUTIONS TO TAKE PLACE.

>> JUST ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

CAN YOU BRIEFLY TELL ME MORE ABOUT PUTIN'S BROADER EFFORTS TO SPREAD AUTHORITARIANISM OUTSIDE OF RUSSIA?

>> YEAH.

I WOULD SAY, LIKE, THE WORST IS THE TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION WHICH IS WHAT WE CALL IT WHEN GOVERNMENTS REACH BEYOND THEIR BORDER TO TARGET THEIR CRITICS LIVING ABROAD, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE KREMLIN REACHED ALL THE WAY TO SALISBURY, U.K. TO POISON SOMEONE IN 2018 AND THEN WHEN THEY DID THE SAME THING LAST YEAR IN GERMANY, THE FAMOUS DISSOW DENTDISSIDENT THAT "TIME" MAGAZINE JUST CALLED THE MAN PUTIN FEARS AND THEN JUST LAST YEAR, WHEN THEY FORCED AN AIRPLANE ON THE WAY TO GREECE TO LITHUANIA TO LAND IN BELARUS, TO ARREST A PERSON ON BOARD.

ALL OF THESE ARE SIGNS OF THE TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION.

>> CARISSA, WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> COVID-19 HAS ONLY ADDED CHALLENGES MANY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS FACE, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS.

NEW PARTNERSHIPS ARE HELPING SOME ADDRESS CHALLENGES LIKE STAFFING AND FUNDING TO MAKE MORE HIGH-QUALITY CARE AVAILABLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

BUT INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S JANEY LINDSEY REPORTS, RURAL PROVIDERS ARE MOSTLY ON THEIR OWN.

>> THE SOUNDS COMING FROM INSIDE PERRY PRESCHOOL AND CHILD CARE ON THIS BRISK FALL MORNING SUGGEST JUST HOW HECTIC THINGS ARE TODAY.

>> I DON'T WANT TO!

>> TWO STAFF CALLED IN AND A THIRD IS TAKING A PRE-PLANNED DAY OFF.

>> NO!

>> PAIGE SHANK IS THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR THE TELL CITY ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT BUT TODAY SHE'S USING VACATION TIME TO VOLUNTEER AT THE CENTER.

>> SO I WAS IN AN 8:00 MEETING, THE MEETING GOT OVER AND I TOLD MY BOSS, THANKFULLY HE'S VERY, VERY UNDERSTANDING.

AND I HAVE BEEN HERE THE LAST THREE HOURS IN RATIO.

>> THAT RATIO IS IMPORTANT.

LICENSING RULES LIMIT THE NUMBER OF KIDS PER STAFF MEMBER IN EACH ROOM.

WITHOUT SHANK HERE,, THE CENTER WOULD HAVE BEEN FORCED TO TURN FAMILIES AWAY.

>> THE WORLD STOPS AND YOU'RE LIKE THIS IS WAY MORE IMPORTANT THAN I THOUGHT IT WAS AT FIRST.

>> NO, THAT'S JUST FINE.

>> ERIN EMERSON IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE PERRY PRESCHOOL AND CHILD CARE BOARD.

THERE'S A SENSE OF DESPAIR AND EXHAUSTION IN HER VOICE AS SHE DESCRIBED WHAT IT'S BEEN LIKE RUNNING THE CENTER LATELY.

>> COVID ADDED AN ENTIRELY NEW LAYER OF DIFFICULTY TO SOMETHING THAT WAS ALREADY IMPOSSIBLY DIFFICULT.

>> ESSENTIALLY IT BOILS DOWN TO TWO THINGS, A LACK OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT, AND A COMPLEX WEB OF LICENSING RULES.

AND THAT MAKES IT TOUGH TO FIND AND KEEP STAFF.

IN PERRY COUNTY, FINGERPRINTING FOR POTENTIAL HIRES IS DONE JUST ONCE A WEEK.

EMERSON SAYS THAT MEANS IN SOME CASES IT COULD TAKE AT LEAST A MONTH TO PROCESS EVERYTHING.

AND FOR $9 AN HOUR, PEOPLE AREN'T STICKING AROUND ANYMORE.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE NO LONGER WILLING TO WORK FOR POVERTY LEVEL WAGES AND WHEN THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE PAYING, IT REALLY CAUSES A FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT.

>> IT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW LIMITED SERVICES IN THE RURAL COUNTY COME WITH MAJOR CONSEQUENCES.

UNPREDICTABLE CLOSURES MEAN WORKING PARENTS LIKE SHANK HAVE TO LEAN ON THEIR WORKPLACES AND FAMILY MEMBERS.

SOME PARENTS QUIT THEIR JOBS.

ONE FAMILY IS CONSIDERING SELLING THEIR HOUSE TO MOVE SOMEWHERE WITH MORE OR ANY OPTIONS.

EMERSON DOESN'T BLAME FAMILIES FOR WANTING TO LEAVE.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR EVERYTHING IT TAKES TO KEEP THE CENTER OPEN.

>> IT'S REALLY EXCITED WHEN YOU GET A CENTER GOING AND YOU RAISE THE MONEY TO GET UP AND GOING AND YOU OPEN THE DOORS AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU SOLVED IT.

BUT THAT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING, AND YOU STILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO KEEP IT IN OPERATION EVERY SINGLE DAY, ACCORDING TO LICENSING GUIDELINES, WHILE ALSO RUNNING A TREMENDOUS ANNUAL OPERATING LOSS.

>> LOOK AT ME.

>> SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT THE ANSWER IS FINDING MORE WAYS TO SHARE THE LOAD.

>> ADAM ALISON IS IN JASPER COUNTY WHICH PLANS TO OPEN I ASSENTER IN 2022.

HE SAYS STRONG -- A CENTER IN 2022.

HE SAYS STRONG PARTNERSHIPS IS WHY IT CAN WORK.

A LOCAL COMMUNITY PROVIDED START-UP FUNDING AND EXPERIENCED CHILD CARE NONPROFIT WILL MANAGE THE CENTER AND THAT ALLOWS BOARD MEMBERS TO FOCUS ON RAISING MONEY BECAUSE RURAL CHILD CARE DOESN'T MAKE MONEY.

>> IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND THE BUILDING, WHICH WE HAVE.

AND IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FUND THE ANNUAL OPERATING LOSS THAT THE CENTER WILL GENERATE.

>> ALISON SAYS GOVERNMENT FUNDING AND A REVIEW OF LICENSING RULES SPECIFICALLY FOR RURAL CHILD CARE COULD HELP OTHER CENTERS, LIKE PERRY STAY OPEN, BUT ULTIMATELY, HE SAYS, IT'S UP TO RURAL COMMUNITIES TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT IT OR NOT.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, FEDERAL FUNDING DOESN'T GET TO RURAL AREAS.

STATE FUNDING DOESN'T NECESSARILY GET TO RURAL AREAS IN JASPER AND NEWTON COUNTIES.

AND SO IN ORDER FOR US TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, WE HAVE TO SOLVE IT LOCALLY.

>> PAIGE SHANK, THE C.F.O.

FROM PERRY COUNTY AGREES.

AND SHE SAYS, WITHOUT LOCAL SUPPORT, IT WON'T JUST BE PERRY PRESCHOOL AND CHILD CARE AT RISK OF CLOSING FOR GOOD.

>> YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT THE KIDS OF THE COMMUNITY IF YOU WANT YOUR COMMUNITY TO GROW.

BECAUSE IF YOU ARE NOT GROWING, YOU ARE DYING.

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

>> PURDUE UNIVERSITY HAS STARTED A PROGRAM TO LEARN HOW TO DIVERSIFY CROPS GROWN IN THE CORN BELT.

THEY WANT TO MAKE IT RESILIENT TO EXTREME HEAT AND NATURAL DISASTERS.

>> WHEN A FARMER GROWS ONE OR TWO CROPS, IT'S EASY FOR A SINGLE WEATHER EVENT TO WIPE OUT AN ENTIRE FIELD.

THEY ARE HOPING TO ENGAGE WITH HUNDREDS OF FARMERS IN INDIANA, IOWA AND ILLINOIS, TO FIND THE BEST WAYS TO DIVERSIFY WHAT THEY GROW.

EIGHT YEARS AGO, LIZ BROWNLEE STARTED CONVERTING HER FAMILY FARM FROM CORN AND SOYBEANS TO NATIVE GRASSES AND POLLINATOR HABITAT.

>> THEY ARE BRINGING UP DIFFERENT MINERALS FROM THE SOIL AND THEY ARE GROWING BEST AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR.

AND SO THERE'S ALWAYS FOOD FOR OUR ANIMALS BECAUSE WE PLANTED A DIVERSITY OF PLANTS.

>> PURDUE RESEARCHERS SAY ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS THEY GROW CORN AND SOYBEANS IS BECAUSE THEY RECEIVE MORE FEDERALLY SUBSIDIZED INSURANCE.

>> IT'S VERY, VERY RATIONAL FOR THE FARMERS TO CONTINUE TO FARM ONLY CORN AND SOYBEANS BECAUSE OF THAT GUARANTEE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND WE'RE ARGUING THAT THAT'S REALLY NOT THE BEST THING FOR FARMERS OR FOR THE COUNTRY, QUITE FRANKLY.

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

>> FARMERS CAN FIND OUT HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROJECT THROUGH THIS STORY PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE.

GAMBLERS IN INDIANA WAGERED NEARLY $4 BILLION ON SPORTS LAST YEAR.

AS MITCH LEGAN REPORTS, THE STATE'S SPORTS BETTING INDUSTRY FOUND ITS FOOTING AFTER A ROCKY 2020.

>> HOOSIERS BET $3.8 BILLION ON SPORTS LAST YEAR.

MORE THAN DOUBLE 2020'S TOTAL.

THE BETTING BLITZ NETTED THE STATE ABOUT $29 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE, ACCORDING TO PLAY INDIANA WHICH TRACKS THE STATE'S GAMBLING INDUSTRY.

JAKE GARZA SAYS THE NUMBERS ARE UP.

THEY HAD TO PAUSE, SHORTEN OR CANCEL THEIR SEASONS IN 2020.

THE FIRST FULL YEAR THAT SPORTS GAMBLING WAS LEGAL IN INDIANA.

>> HOOSIERS COULD ONLY BET ON KOREAN BASEBALL AND TABLE TENNIS IN BELARUS FOR A WHILE, WHICH REALLY TOOK A HIT TO THE NUMBERS.

IF NOT FOR THE BAN PANDEMIC, 2020, MAY HAVE LOOKED LIKE 2021.

BASKETBALL WAS THE FAVORITE SPORT, FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY FOOTBALL.

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

>>> 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.

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