INDIANA NEWSDESK IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... COMING UP ON INDIANA NEWSDESK...

LEGISLATION MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE STATEHOUSE WOULD HELP ALLEVIATE A DIRE NEED FOR NURSES IN THE STATE WHICH NOW HAS AROUND 4,000 OPEN POSITIONS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO NEED 5,000 MORE NURSES ON TOP OF THAT IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

>> WE TALKED TO THE PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE INDIANA NURSING ASSOCIATION.

RISING RENTAL RATES ARE MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR PERSONS JUST GETTING OUT OF JAIL TO FIND HOUSING.

>> A LOT OF GUYS THAT GET OUT THAT TONIGHT GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN A POSITION TO WORK AND HAVE HOUSING, IT'S JUST -- YOU FALL BACK INTO THE SAME TRAP.

>> PROGRAMS SUCH AS ROBIN AND TRICIA'S HOUSE AND NEW LEAF, NEW LIFE ARE HELPING TO MAKE THE TRANSITION TO FREEDOM EASIER.

LGBTQ ADVOCATES RALLY AT THE STATE CAPITOL THIS WEEK AS THE SENATE DEBATES A BILL THAT WOULD BAN TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM GIRLS SPORTS.

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

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

>>> AN ALREADY CONCERNING SHORTAGE OF NURSES IN THE STATE HAS BECOME EVEN MORE DIRE DURING THE PANDEMIC AS NURSES FLEE THE PROFESSION DUE TO BURNOUT AND EXHAUSTION.

PAT BEANE REPORTS ON EFFORTS TO REBUILD THE WORKFORCE,INCLUDING PROPOSED LEGISLATION.

>> ONI THOMAS ISN'T DETERRED BY THE CURRENT STATE OF THE NURSING PROFESSION.

SHE WAS ACCEPTED INTO THE IVY TECH NURSING PROGRAM JUST AS THE PANDEMIC WAS BEGINNING TWO YEARS AGO.

>> I KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE GOING INTO THE PROFESSION WERE KIND OF HESITANT, BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

BUT, REALLY, IT MADE ME WANT TO DO IT MORE, BECAUSE I JUST WANTED TO HELP PEOPLE.

>> NATIONAL STUDIES SHOW THAT ONE IN FIVE HEALTH CARE WORKERS HAVE LEFT THE PROFESSION SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

THEY OFTEN CITE THE ADDED STRESS OF RECORD HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS DUE TO COVID-19.

AND A SURVEY BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CRITICAL-CARE NURSES REPORTED TWO-THIRDS OF INTENSIVE CARE NURSES HAVE CONSIDERED LEAVING THEIR JOBS.

BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS ESTIMATES NEARLY A HALF MILLION NURSES ARE EXPECTED TO RETIRE.

>> I THINK FATIGUE, BURNOUT, COMPASSION FATIGUE.

I TELL MY STUDENTS YOU'RE GOING TO SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE WORST DAY OF THEIR LIVES.

AND WHEN YOU DO THAT EVERY DAY, IT TAKES A TOLL.

>> THAT'S MONTRA REINHARDT, DEAN OF IVY TECH'S SCHOOL OF NURSING.

SHE'S BEEN AT THE SCHOOL SINCE 1984 AND SAYS THE DEMAND FOR MORE NURSES HAS BEEN CONSTANT.

>> BUT I THINK IT'’S GOTTEN A LOT WORSE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, YOU KNOW.

THE NEED IS GREATER BECAUSE SOCIETY AS A WHOLE IS AGING, WHICH MEANS THE BABY BOOMERS NEED MORE HEALTH CARE AND MORE EXTENDED CARE, SO WE DO NEED MORE PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ETHAN MANNING IS LEADING THE PUSH AT THE STATE LEVEL.

HE SAYS FOUR THOUSAND NURSING JOBS ARE NOW OPEN.

>> WE'’RE GOING TO NEED ABOUT 5,000 MORE NURSES ON TOP OF THAT IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF RETIRING NURSES PLUS THE EXISTING NEED.

SO TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO HAVE 1,350 ADDITIONAL GRADUATES FROM OUR NURSING SCHOOLS EACH YEAR FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

>> MANNING, A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING DISTRICT 23, AUTHORED HOUSE BILL 1003.

IT LOOSENS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS, ALLOWS MORE SIMULATION TRAINING, AND LOWERS THE NUMBER OF REQUIRED FULL-TIME FACULTY AT A NURSING SCHOOL.

THE BILL PASSED THROUGH THE HOUSE WITH NEAR-UNANIMOUS SUPPORT AND IS NOW IN THE SENATE.

MANNING SAYS HE EXPECTS SOME AMENDMENTS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OF FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITIES AND THE INDIANA NURSING ASSOCIATION, BUT NOTHING TO KEEP IT FROM BECOMING LAW.

>> IT'’S BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME, BUT IT'’S GOTTEN EVEN WORSE DUE TO THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC.

SO, I DO ANTICIPATE IN FUTURE YEARS WE'’LL HAVE MORE LEGISLATION LIKE THIS.

BUT THIS IS A GREAT FIRST STEP.

>> THOSE IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY ARE HAPPY THE STATE IS GETTING INVOLVED.

>> WE HOPE THAT HOUSE BILL 10-03 CAN BE THE FIRST STEP IN REALLY A MOONSHOT APPROACH TO HOW WE ADDRESS OUR HEALTHCARE WORKER SHORTAGES.

AS FAR AS BIG TICKET ITEMS, DOLLAR AMOUNTS, LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR WHEN THE BUDGET IS DONE.

I'M HOPEFUL WE'LL A REAL INVESTMENT THERE.

>> THE GOOD NEWS IS MORE PEOPLE ARE APPLYING TO STATE NURSING SCHOOLS THAN CAN BE ACCOMMODATED.

REINHARDT SAYS IVY TECH TURNED AWAY 300 STUDENT APPLICANTS STATEWIDE LAST YEAR.

IVY TECH ENROLLS ABOUT 160 NURSING STUDENTS ON ITS BLOOMINGTON CAMPUS.

>> THERE'’S A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY NOW FOR PEOPLE TO GET INTO THE FIELD.

BUT IT'’S A PROFESSION THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF TRAINING, SO WE'’RE DOING WHAT WE CAN WITH SOME LEGISLATION HERE IN INDIANA AND THE STATEHOUSE TO TRY TO HELP EXPAND THE PIPELINE.

BUT THE CAVALRY IS NOT RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER; IT'’S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

>> BUT BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE, NURSING JOBS ARE THERE FOR THE TAKING.

>> WE HAVE SO MANY EMPLOYERS WHO ARE ASKING, "CAN WE SPEAK TO YOUR GRADUATES?

CAN WE COME TO YOUR CLASSES?"

MORE THAN WE CAN ACTUALLY ACCOMMODATE, BUT OUR GRADUATES ALWAYS HAVE JOBS.

>> SHE SAYS IVY TECH HAS RECEIVED POSITIVE FEEDBACK FOR EXPANDING ITS PROGRAMS TO HELP FILL NURSING NEEDS IN MORE PLACES THAN JUST HOSPITALS.

>> THE MILITARY MEDIC, THE PARAMEDIC AND THE MEDICAL ASSISTANT, THEY'’RE VERY EXCITED WE'’RE OFFERING THOSE TRACKS, ESPECIALLY THE MILITARY MEDIC TO ASN PROGRAM.

THAT TRACK MAY KEEP SOMEBODY IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD WHO NORMALLY MIGHT NOT HAVE STAYED IN HEALTH CARE.

>> NOW A SENIOR, THOMAS SAYS SHE'’S EAGER TO BE PART OF A MUCH-NEEDED NEW WAVE OF NURSES.

>>I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LIKE, I DON'’T WANT TO DO THIS.

BUT, I'’M JUST LIKE,LET'’S GO, LET'’S REBUILD THIS, LET'’S GET IT GREAT AGAIN, BECAUSE NURSING IS SUCH A GREAT PROFESSION.

AND IT'’S ALWAYS GOING TO BE NEEDED.

>> NOW, MORE THAN EVER.

FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M PAT BEANE.

>> WE'RE JOINED NOW FOR MORE ON THIS STORY BY BRIAN ARWOOD, THE PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE INDIANA STATE NURSING ASSOCIATION.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, BRIAN.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> AS WE JUST HEARD, A SHORTAGE OF NURSES IS NOTHING NEW, BUT IT'S REALLY BEEN EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM NURSES?

>> WE AS NURSES, YOUR WE'RE TIRED.

WE HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT LINE OF THIS PANDEMIC FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

WE WANT HELP, WE WANT PEOPLE TO TRUST IN SCIENCE AND TAKE PRECAUTIONS AND BE SAFE.

OUR NURSING WORK FORCE IS FACING BURNOUT, INCREASING RETIREMENT ERS, PROLONGED HIGH PATIENT ARE PATIENT VOLUMES AND CREATING THIS STAFFING CRISIS.

WE ARE DEDICATED TO WORKING TOWARDS STATEWIDE STEPS TO PROVIDE GREATER SUPPORT FOR NOT ONLY FOR THE NURSING WORK FORCE PIPELINE, BUT ALSO FOR NURSING WORK FORCE CURRENTLY IN PRACTICE.

IN RESPONSE TO THE NURSE STAFFING CRISIS, WE ENCOURAGE INNOVATIVE CHANGE WHILE REMAINING VIGILANT OF LONG TERM REPURR CUSHOULD NOTESES FOR THE.

>> THE AUTHOR OF HOUSE BILL 1003 SAID FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES AND THE NURSING ASSOCIATION HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE BILL THAT STILL NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

WHAT WOULD THOSE BE?

>> WELL, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE INTENT OF THE BILL IS TO HELP PROVIDE MORE NURSES TO THE STATE OF INDIANA, WHICH IS SORELY NEEDED.

MANY NURSES ARE CONCERNED THAT LOOSENING RESTRICTION ON NURSE PROGRAMS, NURSE EDUCATION PROGRAMS CAN HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION THAT NURSING STUDENTS RECEIVE.

WE ARE HOPEFUL THERE'S MORE OF A BALANCING WITH ENROLLMENT EXPANSION, AGAINST QUALITY SAFEGUARDS, WE ARE OBVIOUSLY VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE ATTENTION THE BILL HAS BROUGHT TO THE CURRENT STAFFING SHORTAGE, TO BOTH INDIANA LEGISLATURE AND THE PUBLIC.

WE HOPE THAT EVERYBODY DOES UNDERSTAND HOUSE BILL 1003 DOESN'T FULLY SOLVE THE STAFFING CRISIS THAT WE ARE IN.

THE STAFFING SHORTAGE AND WE NEED TO HAVE CONTINUED CONVERSATIONS AND THEY'RE CRUCIAL FOR THE NURSING LANDSCAPE.

FUTURE POLICY DISCUSSIONS ARE NEEDED TO FURTHER IMPROVE OUR NURSING WORK FORCE PIPELINE AND PROVIDE GREATER SUPPORT FOR OUR NURSING WORK FORCE.

>> WE HEAR A LOT NOW ABOUT NURSES WHO WILL CONTRACT FOR TRAVEL JOBS, WORKING A NUMBER OF MONTHS AT ONE HOSPITAL AND MOVING ON TO ANOTHER.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU ENCOURAGE OR IS GOOD FOR THE PROFESSION?

>> WELL, IT'S NEITHER GOOD NOR BAD IN AND OF ITSELF.

TRAVEL NURSES ARE TAKING OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL, TO GET NOVEL EXPERIENCES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, ACROSS THE WORLD IN SOME INSTANCES.

THEY'RE GETTING REALLY INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE.

TRAVEL NURSING POSITIONS, AND THE PREVALENCE AS WHICH WE ARE SEEING THUMB CURRENTLY, THAT'S INDICATIVE OF THE SHORTAGE OVERALL, AND THEY FILET NEED.

THEY SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE AND HAVE TO BE EXPERIENCED NURSES TO PROVIDE THIS CARE.

THAT THEY ARE JUST SO PREVALENT RIGHT NOW IS A SYMPTOM OF THE SHORTAGE.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, APPRECIATE IT.

>>> PRESSURE IS MOUNTING FOR HOOSIER LAWMAKERS TO TOSS OUT A BILL THAT WOULD BAN TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM GIRLS SCHOOL SPORTS.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S JEANIE LINDSAY REPORTS, L-G-B-T-Q ADVOCATES RALLIED AT THE STATEHOUSE AHEAD OF THE BILL'S HEARING IN A SENATE COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY.

>> LAWMAKERS IN THE SENATE WERE FACED WITH A GROUP OF PROTESTERS RALLYING OUTSIDE THE CHAMBER AHEAD OF THE BILL'S SECOND PUBLIC HEARING.

>> WHEN THOSE KIDS ARE UNDER ATTACK, WHAT TO WE DO?

>> MANY OF THE CRITICISMS HAVE REMAINED THE SAME; LIKE CONCERNS ABOUT HOW IT WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF -— AND LIMIT OPPORTUNITIES FOR-— TRANSGENDER CHILDREN.

CONNIE THOMPSON IS A TRANSGENDER WOMAN FROM MARTINSVILLE, AND SAYS ATHLETES HAVE ALL KINDS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS REGARDLESS OF THEIR ASSIGNED SEX AT BIRTH.

>> THERE'S NO WAY TO SEPARATE OUT TRANS GIRLS WITHOUT EXCLUDING A LOT OF CIS GIRLS TOO.

>> THE COMMITTEE HEARD HOURS OF TESTIMONY -— MOSTLY AGAINST THE BILL -— BUT DID NOT VOTE ON IT.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M JEANIE LINDSAY.

>>> ACTIVISTS PROTESTED AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS THIS WEEK TO DEMAND I-U STOP INVESTING IN FOSSIL FUELS.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, SUNRISE BLOOMINGTON SAYS OTHER UNIVERSITIES HAVE ALREADY SHOWN IT CAN BE DONE.

>> ALL TOGETHER ♪ THE PEOPLE WILL RISE, THE PEOPLE WILL RISE, THE PEOPLE WILL RISE ♪ >> BURNING OIL, COAL, AND NATURAL GAS RELEASES GREENHOUSE GASES INTO THE AIR AND LEADS TO MORE INTENSE FLOODING AND HEAT WAVES IN INDIANA.

SUNRISE BLOOMINGTON WANTS I-U TO GET RID OF ITS FOSSIL FUEL INVESTMENTS AND REINVEST THAT MONEY IN BUSINESSES THAT PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY.

ALYSON ALDE IS STUDYING FOR HER MASTER'S IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AT I-U.

SHE SAYS THE UNIVERSITY CLAIMS IT'S CREATING A MORE PROMISING FUTURE.

>> IF THEY'RE SENDING THEIR MONEY TO FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRIES, THEY'RE NOT ONLY NOT ALLOWING FOR A LIVABLE FUTURE BUT THEY'RE DESTROYING THE IDEA OF EVEN HAVING A LIVABLE FUTURE.

>> HARVARD, GEORGETOWN, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ARE JUST SOME OF THE COLLEGES THAT HAVE ALREADY DIVESTED THEIR FUNDING.

>> THERE'S A PRECEDENT THAT'S ALREADY BEEN SET FOR THIS BEING DONE AND SO I-U HAS NO EXCUSE TO NOT BE PART OF THAT MOVEMENT.

>> THE I-U FOUNDATION HASN'T DISCLOSED HOW MUCH MONEY THE UNIVERSITY INVESTS IN FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRIES.

A FINANCIAL AUDIT SHOWS THE FOUNDATION INVESTS SOME MONEY IN "PRIVATE ENERGY, MINING AND MINERALS."

MIKE HEAR THE VOICES OF MY GENERATION SAYING WE MUST DIVEST NOW ♪ >> FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.•.

>> HIGHER RENTALS RATES ARE JUST ONE MORE OBSTACLE FACING THOSE TRYING TO MAKE THE TRANSITION TO LIFE AFTER INCARCERATION.

THE BLOOMINGTON ANNEXATION BATTLE COULD END UP IN THE COURTS.

THESE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT HERE ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>> YEAR AFTER YEAR, PBS HAS BEEN BRINGING YOU THE NEWS YOU CAN TRUST.

>> WE CARE ABOUT THE THINGS THAT AFFECT THE LIVES OF EACH AND EVERY AMERICAN.

>> THE IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS YOU NEED.

>> WHAT WE NORMALLY SEE IN THESE BIG CRISES.

>> THE TRUE STORIES THAT HAVE TO BE TOLD.

>> WE ARE A PLACE PEOPLE CAN COME NOT JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED BUT WHY IT MATTERS.

>> THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU AND STAY TUNED TO AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED NETWORK.

>> WAKE UP.

>> WAKE UP TO THE WORLD.

>> THE MARVELS, THE MAYHEM.

>> THE MUSIC.

>> WAKE UP TO THE WOWS.

>> THE WONDER.

>> WAKE UP TO THE COMMOTION, TO THE BEAUTY.

>> TO THE HUMANITY.

>> TO THE HOPE.

>> WAKE UP EVERY MORNING, FULLY AWAKE.

>> NPR MORNING EDITION.

>> TUNE INTO YOUR LOCAL STATION OR DOWNLOAD THE NPR APP.

>> WELCOME BACK TO INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>>> ONE REPORT SAYS APARTMENT PRICES IN INDIANAPOLIS ARE UP BY AS MUCH AS 10 PERCENT SINCE 2019.

FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST BEEN RELEASED FROM JAIL OR PRISON, THIS, COMPOUNDED WITH ADJUSTING TO LIFE IN A PANDEMIC, MAKES FINDING HOUSING MORE DIFFICULT THAN EVER.

BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS.

>> ROBIN AND TRISHA'’S HOUSE TRIES TO MITIGATE THAT CHALLENGE.

SINCE OPENING LAST SPRING, THE ORGANIZATION HAS PROVIDED HOUSING FOR 6 MEN WHO HAVE JUST BEEN RELEASED FROM INCARCERATION.

JOSHUA NORTH IS ONE OF THESE MEN.

HE WAS RELEASED FROM WABASH VALLEY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY LAST MONTH AND MOVED STRAIGHT IN ROBIN AND TRISHA'’S.

HE SAYS HAVING THE HOUSING SUPPORT OFFERED THROUGH ROBIN AND TRISHA'’S MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE'’S CHANCES FOR SUCCESS.

>> YOU GO BACK TO WHAT YOU KNOW, RIGHT?

GO BACK TO WHAT IS EASY FOR YOU AND A LOT OF GUYS WHO DON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN A POSITION TO WORK AND HAVE HOUSING, IT'S JUST YOU FALL BACK INTO THE SAME TRAP YOU GET OUT AND SAY I'M GOING TO DO IT THIS WAY, WHEN YOU GET OUT INTO THE SAME ENVIRONMENT AND SAME SITUATION, 99 PERCENT OF THE TIME, YOU'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO THE LIFESTYLE.

>> RIGHT NOW, HE'’S WORKING IN COMMERCIAL SERVICES THROUGH GOODWILL AND IS LOOKING FOR LONG-TERM HOUSING.

NORTH SAYS IT'’S TOUGH TO FI ND A LANDLORD WHO WILL GIVE HIM A CHANCE, ESPECIALLY WHEN APPLYING FOR APARTMENTS HAS GONE MOSTLY ELECTRONIC AND HE HAS A FELONY ON HIS RECORD.

>> THE TECHNOLOGY SITUATION HAS BEEN A HURDLE FOR ME.

YOU NO, BECAUSE IT'S JUST -- LAST TIME I WAS ON THE STREETS, THERE WAS FLIP PHONES.

IT WAS JUST DIFFERENT.

NOW EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEE YOU VIA THE PHONE AND A LOT OF PLACES THAT I CALL, IT GOES DIRECTLY TO VOICE MAIL AND THEY'LL GET BACK AT YOU AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS YOU JUST KIND OF LOSE HOPE.

>> TO BE RELEASED FROM PRISON, YOU MUST PROVIDE AN ADDRESS WHERE YOU WILL BE STAYING-—THOUGH THAT CAN BE A SHELTER.

AND IN INDIANA, IT IS LEGAL FOR LANDLORDS TO REJECT HOUSING APPLICANTS BASED ON CRIMINAL RECORD.

KATIE NORRIS FOUNDED ROBIN AND TRISHA'’S.

SHE SAYS THE SURGE IN RENTAL PRICES MAKES LANDLORDS MORE SELECTIVE.

THE GOAL OF HER ORGANIZATION IS TO FIND PEOPLE HOUSING WITHIN THREE MONTHS, WHICH THEY'VE MET SO FAR.

>>THERE'’S GUYS WHO COME IN WHO DON'’T NEED THE WHOLE.•THEY'’LL BE OUT WITHIN A MONTH.

OR THEY NEED A MONTH, MONTH AND A HALF.

THEN THERE'’S SOME GUYS TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

CRIMINAL RECORDS MAKE IT THE HARDEST, CRIMINAL RECORDS AND EVICTIONS.

THAT'’S WHAT MAKES IT TAKE THE LONGEST TO FIND HOUSING.

>> THE PANDEMIC HAS CREATED MORE BARRIERS TO PEOPLE GETTING HELP.

ONE EXAMPLE IS NEW LEAF NEW LIFE, WHICH PROVIDES SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE OR HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED.

THEY HAD TO HALT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN THE MONROE COUNTY JAIL DURING THE PANDEMIC, THOUGH THEY STILL CORRESPOND WITH INMATES THROUGH LETTER WRITING.

NEW LEAF NEW LIFE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR STACY FLYNN ADDS THERE ARE HUGE BACKLOGS FOR PEOPLE HOPING TO GET PAPERWORK LIKE BIRTH CERTIFICATES, ESPECIALLY FOR MARION COUNTY.

>> FOR INSTANCE I HAD WAITED SINCE JULY FOR A CLIENTS'’ BIRTH CERTIFICATE THAT JUST CAME IN LAST WEEK.

>> THAT CAN CREATE FURTHER DELAYS FOR PEOPLE IN THE PROCESS OF REENTRY AS THEY LOOK FOR STABLE HOUSING AND BEING ABLE TO AFFORD A PLACE TO LIVE.

AND THERE'’S BEEN FEWER NONPROFIT AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

JENNIFER ORTIZ IS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF CRIMINOLOGY AT IU SOUTHEAST AND SITS ON A BOARD THAT HELPS PEOPLE FIND RESOURCES WHEN THEY'’RE RELEASED.

SHE SAYS A LOT OF NONPROFIT HOUSING OPTIONS STOPPED ACCEPTING NEW PEOPLE TO PREVENT SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN THEIR HOUSING.

MITCH DONICK IS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR THE PAROLE DIVISION AT THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

HE SAYS HOUSING IS JUST ONE FACTOR THAT CONCERNS HIS DEPARTMENT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO RECIDIVISM.

>> THERE'’S SO MANY BARRIERS WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE THAT ARE REENTERING SOCIETY.

BUT TRANSPORTATION, EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING AND SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT OR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT ARE REALLY THE BIG ISSUES THAT WE DEAL WITH ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> RECIDIVISM IS DEFINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AS RETURNING TO JAIL WITHIN THREE YEARS OF AN OFFENDER'’S DATE OF RELEASE.

THAT NUMBER IS ON THE RISE, FROM JUST UNDER 37 PERCENT IN 2019 TO JUST OVER 38 PERCENT IN 2020.

NORTH SAYS HE DOESN'’T WANT ANYONE TO GO THROUGH WHAT HE EXPERIENCED DURING INCARCERATION AND WANTS TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> AS I SAT IN PRISON AND I SEEN YOUNGSTERS COME IN, AND COME BACK,AND COME BACK, I FELT LIKE MAN IF I HAD SOMEONE COME TO ME AT 13, 14 YEARS OLD, WHEN I STARTED TO REBEL, IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE.

AND I REALLY WANT TO HELP THESE KIDS TO NOT GO DOWN THE PATH THAT I WENT DOWN.

>> CRIME IN BLOOMINGTON DECREASED NINE PERCENT LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE CITY'S ANNUAL PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT RELEASED WEDNESDAY.

HOLDEN ABSHIER REPORTS.

>> VIOLENT CRIME DROPPED ONE PERCENT IN BLOOMINGTON LAST YEAR, BUT GUN VIOLENCE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BEGINNING JULY.

IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS OF THE YEAR, THE BLOOMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THIRTY-FOUR INCIDENTS INVOLVING GUN FIRE.

IN RESPONSE, THE DEPARTMENT BEGAN WORKING WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT EXAMINED EVIDENCE FOR CONNECTIONS TO OTHER CRIMES.

>> WE STARTED TO SEE THE SAME INDIVIDUALS WERE INVOLVED IN SOME OF THE DIFFERENT SHOOTINGS WE HAD AROUND THE COMMUNITY, AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FOCUSED OUR ATTENTION ON THEM SO THAT WE COULD STOP SOME OF THE GUN VIOLENCE.

>> MAJOR CRIMES SUCH AS MURDER, ROBBERY, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, BURGLARY, LARCENY, AND VEHICLE THEFT DECREASED LAST YEAR.

HOWEVER, THERE WAS A SIX PERCENT INCREASE IN REPORTED RAPES.

BLOOMINGTON ALSO REPORTED ZERO FIRE FATALITIES FOR THE SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW.

HOWEVER, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO MORE THAN FIFTY-FIVE HUNDRED CALLS, WHICH IS AN INCREASE OF NEARLY FIFTEEN HUNDRED FROM 2020.

>> TALKING TO MY PEERS AROUND THE NATION, EVERYONE HAS SEEN A SLIGHT INCREASE, GENERALLY SOMEWHERE IN THE REALM OF 17-20 PERCENT.

SO, 37 PERCENT IS NOT SOMETHING WE WERE EXPECTING.

>> MOORE SAID THE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY HAS FOUR STATIONS IN NEED OF REPAIR, INCLUDING STATION ONE DOWNTOWN, WHICH WAS DAMAGED BY FLOODWATERS IN JUNE LAST YEAR.

FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M HOLDEN ABSHIER.

>>> IT LOOKS LIKE THE CITY AND COUNTY WILL HAVE DIFFERENT SETS OF BLOOMINGTON ANNEXATION REMONSTRANCE NUMBERS AFTER OFFICIAL RESULTS ARE ANNOUNCED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

STATE LAW SAYS 65 PERCENT OF RESIDENTS IN AN AREA NEED TO FILE VALID PETITION SIGNATURES TO VOID ANNEXATION.

BUT MANY OF THE SIGNATURES ARE INVALID DUE TO REMONSTRANCE WAIVERS.

THOSE ARE AGREEMENTS PROPERTY OWNERS SIGNED THAT PROHIBIT THEM FROM CHALLENGING ANNEXATION IN EXCHANGE FOR CITY SERVICES, SUCH AS WATER AND SEWER.

THE CITY SAYS IT'’S COUNTING ALL WAIVERS DESPITE A 2019 STATE LAW THAT INVALIDATES WAIVERS MORE THAN 15-YEARS OLD.

BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON SAYS THAT LAW IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND THE ISSUE COULD BE DECIDED IN COURT.

MONROE COUNTY AUDITOR CATHERINE SMITH SAYS SHE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO FOLLOW STATE LAW AND WILL VOID WAIVERS THAT ARE OLDER THAN 15 YEARS.

THAT RESULTS IN ONLY ONE AREA, 1B, BEING ANNEXED.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS INDICATE THE ONLY AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEFEAT ANNEXATION BY BOTH COUNTS ARE AREAS 3, 4, AND 5 -— THE SMALLER ISLAND AREAS INSIDE THE CITY.

HAMILTON SAYS THE ISSUE COULD BE DECIDED IN COURT.

SMITH HAS 15 BUSINESS DAYS FROM FEBRUARY 4 TO REPORT THE FINAL COUNT.

PLANS ARE UNDER WAY TO BUILD A HISTORIC CENTER NEXT TO 170-YEAR-OLD CHURCH AT THE HISTORIC TONE OF NEW ALBANY, AS WE CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WE REVISIT A STORY BUT MITCH LEGAN ON THE TOWN CLOCK CHURCH ONCE A STOP ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

>> THE REVEREND LEROY MARSHALL DIDN'T REALLY WANT THE JOB WHEN HE FIRST APPLIED.

>> I DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT, AND THEN THEY CALLED ME BACK AND ASKED ME TO COME BACK.

AND CAME BACK AGAIN KICKING AND SCREAMING, AND I BECAME PASTOR.

>> THEN ASSISTANT PASTOR OF A BAPTIST CONGREGATION IN LOUISVILLE, MARSHALL DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE OLD RUN-DOWN CHURCH JUST A FEW HUNDRED YARDS NORTH OF THE OHIO RIVER.

>> IT WAS A MESS.

>> BUT HE TOOK THE JOB AT THE CHURCH, WITH ITS BROKEN WINDOWS AND LEAKY ROOF, AND IS GLAD HE DID.

IF HE HOSPITAL, ONE OF INDIANA'S MOST IMPORTANT HISTORICAL LOCATIONS COULD'VE BEEN CONDEMNED IN 2012.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE KEYS TO THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN THIS AREA.

AND YOU CAN'T UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS CONGREGATION.

>> THE BUILDING IS CALLED "TOWN CLOCK CHURCH" BECAUSE OF ITS 1660-FOOT CLOCK TOWER.

IT WAS BUILT IN 1852 FOR A CONGREGATION OF PRESBYTERIAN ABOLITIONISTS.

NEW ALBANY'S LOCATION ON THE OHIO RIVER MADE IT A HUB FOR COMMERCE AND SHIPBUILDING.

AND ITS POSITION RIGHT ON THE MASON-DIXON LINE MADE IT A HUB FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN ACTIVITY.

>> IT WAS JUST AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AREA BECAUSE OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER, HELPING EACH OTHER.

AND THEN THE CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNITY HERE AND THE NEW SCHOOL PRESBYTERIANS AT THIS PARTICULAR PLACE.

>> SINCE NEW ALBANY DEPENDED ON BUSINESS WITH KENTUCKY, THE CITY HAD A REPUTATION FOR BEING PRO-SLAVERY.

BUT CONVINCED OF SLAVERY'’S EVIL, THE PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION WENT OUT OF ITS WAY TO HELP ESCAPED BLACKS, AND THE CHURCH BECAME AN INTEGRAL STOP ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

>> THE IDEA MAY HAVE BEEN TO GIVE THEM SHELTER HERE FOR A NIGHT,MAYBE DOWN HERE, MAYBE NOT.

I MEAN, '‘SANCTUARY'’ IS CALLED SANCTUARY FOR A REASON.

>> PETERSON SAYS THE CHURCH ITSELF WAS LIKELY MORE OF AN ORGANIZING PLACE FOR LOCAL ABOLITIONISTS, AND MUCH OF THE ACTUAL WORK WOULD'’VE OCCURRED AT MISSIONS ESTABLISHED ON THE RIVERBANK.

>> THEY HELPED THEM THERE WITH FOOD, WITH CLOTHING.

WITH, YES, A WAY TO GET OUT OF THIS DANGEROUS OHIO RIVER VALLEY.

>> THOSE WHO MADE IT TO NEW ALBANY WEREN'’T SAFE BY ANY MEANS.

SLAVECATCHERS WERE OFTEN IN HOT PURSUIT, AND THE NATION'’S FUGITIVE SLAVE LAWS MEANT RETURNING ENSLAVED PEOPLE TO SOUTHERN OWNERS COULD BE LUCRATIVE.

AND WHILE THE END GOAL WAS TO GET TO THE WILDERNESS NORTH OF SALEM, THOSE WHO SAW THE CHURCH'’S SOARING CLOCK TOWER KNEW FREEDOM WAS WITHIN REACH.

>> WORD PASSED AROUND WITH THEM THAT THIS WAS A PLACE OF SAFETY,THAT IF THEY COULD JUST GET OVER HERE IT WAS LIKE A POT OF GOLD.

IF THEY COULD JUST GET ACROSS TO THAT, OVER THAT RIBBON OF WATER TO THAT CHURCH.

>> SO IN 2012, WHEN THE CHURCH WAS NEARING ITS LAST LEGS, FINN, MARSHALL AND A GROUP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS FORMED "“FRIENDS OF THE TOWN CLOCK CHURCH.

"” EARLIER FUNDRAISING EFFORTS COLLECTED $350 AUCTIONING COMMEMORATIVE BRICKS, BUT THE GROUP ESTIMATED IT'’D TAKE ALMOST HALF A MILLION TO REFURBISH THE CHURCH.

>> MOST PEOPLE WHEN THEY HEARD $480,000 SAID WE ARE CRAZY,'‘THERE'S NO WAY THAT WOULD HAPPEN.

>> BUT IT DID.

AND IT SHATTERED EXPECTATIONS.

TO DATE, THE CHURCH HAS RECEIVED NEARLY $1 MILLION, ENOUGH TO REPLACE THE STEEPLE THAT HAD BURNED IN 1915.

AND THERE ARE EVEN PLANS TO BUILD AN UNDERGROUND RAILROAD CENTER NEXT DOOR.

>> IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO TELL THE STORY OF PEOPLE WHO WERE WILLING AND COURAGEOUS ENOUGH TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND EVEN IN THE FACE OF GREAT DANGER.

>> MARSHALL AGREES, AND SAYS THAT IN LIGHT OF EVERYTHING THAT'’S HAPPENED THE PAST YEAR, TOWN CLOCK CHURCH PROVIDES AN EXAMPLE OF AMERICANS COMING TOGETHER FOR A BIGGER CAUSE -— WHETHER WE'’RE DISCUSSING EVENTS FROM CENTURIES AGO.•OR EVEN ONES THIS DECADE.

>> A LOT OF TIMES WE TALK ABOUT DOING CERTAIN THINGS ALONG RACIAL LINES, IMPROVING RACIAL TENSIONS, THAT KIND OF THING.

BUT THIS COMMUNITY FOR 12 YEARS, HAS BEEN IN HERE WITH US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

SO IT CAN BE DONE.

>>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 WTIU NEWS DOT ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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