>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," AS COVID NUMBERS DROP ACROSS THE NATION, NURSING HOMES AND OTHER FACILITIES THAT RECEIVED MEDICAID OR MEDICARE MUST STILL MEET FEDERAL VACCINATION GUIDELINES OR FACE FINDS.

>> YOU WILL STILL BE CITED AS NON-COMPLIANT IF YOU ARE BELOW 100% IN MARCH.

>> FINES WHICH VARY IN SEVERITY WILL BEGIN IN MAY.

>>> AMONG THE NUMBER OF WAYS THE PANDEMIC HAS AFFECTED SOCIETY IS A RISE IN ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION.

>> AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, IT WAS MORE OF A RELIEF.

A STRESS RELIEF IN THE EVENINGS WHEN I GET HOME.

>> THAT HAS RECOVERY EXPERTS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON PEOPLE'S FAMILIES AND JOBS.

>>> AND THE INDIANA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM IS HOSTING FIRST AND SECOND ROUND NCAA TOURNAMENT GAMES THIS WEEKEND FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!

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

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, IT'S NO SECRET THE PANDEMIC HAS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED AMERICANS' MENTAL HEALTH.

ACASES ANXIETY DEPRESSION HAVE SKYROCKETED.

MITCH LEGAN REPORTS THAT TWO YEARS INTO THE PANDEMIC, THAT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IS STILL UP, AND RECOVERY EXPERTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS.

>> THE BEGINNING OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC WAS A STRESSFUL TIME FOR AMERICANS, WITH PEOPLE STUCK AT HOME AND UNSURE OF THE FUTURE, MANY TURNED TO ALCOHOL TO COPE.

STUDIES REPORTED A 50% SPIKE IN DRINKING INITIALLY, WITH LEVELS REMAINING ELEVATED THROUGHOUT 2020, BUT ADDICTION EXPERTS SAY IT'S STILL AN ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES DOWN THE ROAD.

>> FOLKS PRESENTING IN EARLY WERE REFERRED TO OUR SERVICE.

IT HAS BEEN INCREASING.

>> SPENCER MEDCALF OVERSEES PEER RECOVERY SERVICES FOR EMERGENCY ROOMS ACROSS THE I. U.

HEALTH SYSTEM.

WHEN SOMEONE ARRIVES AT AN E.R.

WITH SUBSTANCE-RELATED ISSUES HE CONNECTS THEM WITH RECOVERY RESOURCES AND TREATMENT.

THE NUMBER OF CASES WITH ALCOHOL HAS SOARED, INCREASING 65% FROM 2019.

LAST MONTH'S HIGHERS WERE THE HIGHEST FOR A FEBRUARY SINCE THE PROGRAM STARTED.

>> PRIOR TO COVID, WHAT WE WERE SEEING WERE FOLKS THAT WERE DRINKING FIVE TO SIX BEERS OR MAYBE AT THAT LEVEL WHERE THEY DIDN'T REALLY NEED INPATIENT DETOX OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

NOW I WOULD SAY MOST PATIENTS WE ARE SEEING RELATED TO ALCOHOL ARE ALMOST SLAM DUNK CASES FOR DETOX.

>> THEY FALL INTO TWO MAIN GROUPS THOSE WHOSE RECOVERY WAS INTERRUPTED BY COVID OR THOSE WHO BEGAN DRINKING MORE BECAUSE OF IT.

>> REGULAR WITH THE CREAMER.

>> FOR MATT COCHRANE, THE PANDEMIC PUSHED HIM BACK TO THE BOTTLE.

HE WAS RECOVERING FROM ALCOHOLISM IN MARCH OF 2020 BUT HAD TROUBLE DEALING WITH THE STRESS OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> IT AT THE -- AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, IT WAS MORE OF A STRESS RELIEF, WHEN I GOT HOME.

IT GOT TO THE POINT THEN WHERE IT WAS -- I WAS A LOT MORE DEEND -- DEPENDENT ON IT.

>> COCHRANE WAS DRINKING THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND HE CHECKED HIMSELF INTO TREATMENT AT COMMUNITY FAIRBANKS FACILITY IN INDIANAPOLIS.

HE'S BEEN SOBER FOR SEVEN MONTHS NOW AND VOLUNTEERS COFFEE SHOP.

>> THE SCARIEST PLACE FOR AN ALCOHOLIC IS ISOLATING AND WE'RE AT HOME.

THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, YOU KNOW, TO REALLY DO.

SO WE DRINK.

>> AS FOR THOSE WHO STARTED DRINKING MORE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, STUDIES HAVE SHOWN WOMEN WERE IMPACTED MOST.

FOR MANY, IT WAS A WAY TO COPE WITH THE STRESSES OF WORKER CHILD CARE, AND FOR SOME, IT STILL HASN'T LET UP.

>> IF YOU COME HOME AND YOUR HUSBAND OR WIFE IS DOING COCAINE ALL OF A SUDDEN, THAT'S A HUGE ISSUE AND A RED FLAG, ET CETERA.

SEEING YOUR WIFE WITH A GLASS OF WINE ON A TUESDAY IS NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL, YOU KNOW?

LONG DAY.

I'M HAVING A GLASS OF WINE.

IT DOESN'T REGISTER IN THE SAME WAY.

>> GEORGE SAYS IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO FEEL THE FULL SCOPE OF THE DRINKING.

MUCH OF THE PANDEMIC DATA IS NOT AVAILABLE.

AS MORE PEOPLE RETURN TO WORK, MANY ARE RECONSIDERING THEIR DRINKING HABITS OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS.

>> MAYBE SOMEBODY USED TO START DRINKING AT 5 OR 6:00, STARTS DRINKING AT 2 OR 3:00, OR MAYBE SOMEBODY WHO USED TO HAVE AFTERNOON DRINKS IS HAVING A MORNING DRINK.

WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY, THERE'S BEEN NO CONSEQUENCE OR AWARENESS ABOUT IT.

THE IMPACTS CAN MEAN MORE MEDICAL ISSUES FOR HEAVY DRINKERS OR IMPACT THEIR JOBS AND FAMILY LIFE IF IT HASN'T ALREADY.

>> THERE'S NOT THE SAME RED FLAGS WOULD YOU HAVE WITH OTHER DRUG USE THAT, YOU KNOW, IMMEDIATELY SHOW HEY, WE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THIS BECAUSE ALCOHOL IS SO ACCEPTED, AND THERE'S OFTEN JUST SUCH A DELAY.

>> GEORGE SAYS HE'S BEEN THIS CONTACT WITH PEOPLE AT THE STATE HOUSE WHO ARE ACTIVELY MONITORING THE SITUATION.

THE HOPE IS WITH THINGS OPENING BACK UP, MORE COMMUNITY CENTER RECOVERY TREATMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE.

AND HOOSIERS WHO HAVE AN ISSUE WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

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

>>> ANYONE HAVING TROUBLE WITH ALCOHOL OR OTHER SUBSTANCES CAN CALL THE STATE'S ADDICTION HOTLINE.

PETITIONERS ARE CHALLENGING IN COURT THE TWO AREAS UP FOR ANNEXATION BY THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON.

COUNTY RESIDENTS AGAINST ANNEXATION FILED A PETITION IN MONROE CIRCUIT COURT ON WEDNESDAY AGAINST BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON, CITY COUNCIL AND MONROE COUNTY AUDITOR KATHERINE SMITH.

THE PETITIONERS ALSO WANT TO REVIEW THE REMONSTRATION SIGNATURES THAT WERE VOIDED BY SMITH'S OFFICE.

NOW RESIDENTS IN AREAS 1A.

AND 1B.

REACHED THE MORE THAN 51% OF REMONSTRATION SIGNATURES NEEDED TO APPEAL THE ANNEXATION IN COURT.

>> I FEEL THAT WE HAVE A STRONG CASE THAT WILL INFORM THE JUDGE THAT WILL ENABLE HIM TO MAKE A PROPER AND DELIBERATE JUDGMENT.

>> THE OTHER FIVE AREAS REACHED THE MORE THAN 65% THRESHOLD TO VOID ANNEXATION.

WELL, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY HOLDEN AB SHIRE FOR THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE AREA.

HELLO.

>> HI, JOE.

THE EPA HAS AWARDED THE MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION $160,000 TO PURCHASE FOUR NEW ELECTRIC VEHICLE BUSES TO LOWER DISTRICT COSTS AND EMISSIONS.

BENTE BOUTHIER HAS THIS REPORT.

>> MCCSC DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION NATHAN OLIVER SAYS THE FUNDS WILL HELP THE DISTRICT REACH ITS GOAL OF COVERING ALL GENERAL ROUTES WITH E.V.

BUSES IN THE NEXT SEVEN TO TEN YEARS.

THEY ALREADY HAVE THREE E.V.

VEHICLES IN THEIR NEAT IN ADDITION TO 145 DIESEL AND 10 GASOLINE-POWERED BUSES.

THE E.V.

BUSES ARE SAVING THEM $34 A DAY.

>> THAT'S MORE AIR POLLUTION, OR LESS AIR POLLUTION, BETTER AIR QUALITY FOR MONROE COUNTY AND THE DISTRICT IS SAVING FUNDS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, MONEY ON FUEL COSTS.

>> WHEN THE DISTRICT BEGAN USING THE FIRST E.V.

BUS TWO YEARS AGO, MCCSC SAVED MORE THAN 1,000 GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL AND AVOIDED 25 TONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE FIRST YEAR ALONE OLIVER SAYS.

THE NEW BUSES COME AS GAS PRICES ARE RISING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

OLIVER EXPECTS DIESEL PRICES FOR THE DISTRICT TO RISE TO $5 A GALLON BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

THAT MEANS SAVINGS FROM THE ADDITION OF THE NEW E.V.

BUSES COULD BE CLOSER TO $50 A DAY.

>> EVEN THE EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING THEY GET FROM RIDING ON THE BUS, BECAUSE THE E.V.

IS SO CLEAN, SO QUIET, THEY ARE NOT HAVING TO YELL OVER THE DIESEL ENGINE AS THEY GO THROUGH THE ROUTE.

SO IT'S A LOT CALMER, A LOT QUIETER ON THE BUS.

>> MCCSC WAS THE ONLY DISTRICT IN INDIANA TO RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE PROGRAM.

IT WAS ALSO THE DISTRICT TO RECEIVE THE GREATEST AWARD AMONG 21 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE MIDWEST.

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

>>> MCCSC PARENTS AND STUDENTS CAN EXPECT THE NEW BUSES TO GO INTO COMMISSION BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

>>> A WILDLIFE PARK IN PAOLI HAS BEEN FINED FOR MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT BY THE USDA, ALONG WITH $8,000 WORTH OF FINES, THE WILSTEM WILDLIFE PARK FACES VIOLATIONS FOR EUTHANIZING A LLAMA AND A LACK OF PROTECTION FOR GUESTS WHEN INTERACTING WITH ANIMALS.

PETA'S KLAYTON RUTHERFORD SAYS IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL.

>> THIS IS WILLFUL ANIMAL ABUSE.

THIS IS NOT A ONE OFF INCIDENT AND THE FACILITY HAS PROVEN THAT IT'S INCAPABLE OF KEEPING ANIMALS ALIVE, MUCH LESS PROPERLY CARING FOR THEM.

>> IN A STATEMENT, THE PARK ADMITTED PROPER PROTOCOLS HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED AND SAYS COLLECTIVE ACTION HAS BEEN IMMEDIATELY TAKEN.

THE PARK SAYS THAT SINCE PAYING THE FINES, THEY HAVE BEEN INSPECTED FOUR TIMES AND HAVE NO VIOLATIONS.

>>> INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA'S OFFICE SPENT $2,300 FOR HIS TRIP TO THE U.S.-MEXICAN BORDER IN JANUARY THAT INCLUDED A STOP AT A DONALD TRUMP RALLY ALONG THE WAY.

IT INCLUDED FLIGHT, GAS, RENTAL HOTEL FOR ROKITA AND TWO STAFFERS FOR THE TRIP, WHICH ROKITA JOINED SEVERAL OTHER REPUBLICAN STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR A BORDER SECURITY BRIEFING WITH TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT.

THE STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CRITICIZED ROKITA FOR SPENDING TAXPAYER MONEY ON WHAT IT CALLED A POLITICAL TRIP.

>>> GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB HAS SIGNED LEGISLATION INTO LAW THAT EXPANDS THE DEFINITION OF RAPE IN INDIANA TO INCLUDE THE ELEMENT OF CONSENT.

SEVERAL LAWMAKERS HAVE SPENT YEARS TRYING TO GET THE CRIMES DEFINITION WIDENED IN STATE LAW.

UNDER THE LONGSTANDING STATE DEFINITION OF RAPE, AN ASSAULT HAS TO INCLUDE THE THREAT OF FORCE, SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR INVOLVE DRUGS.

THE NEW LAW BROADENS THE DEFINITION OF RAPE TO INCLUDE ANY SEXUAL ACTIVITY DONE TO SOMEONE WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION THROUGH WORDS OR CONDUCT.

>> OUR PUBLIC POLICY HASN'T EVOLVED THE WAY THE GENERAL PUBLIC'S THINKING ABOUT RAPE IS CONCERNED.

>> ACCORDING TO STATE DATA, 1 IN 5 HOOSIER WOMEN HAVE EXPERIENCED SEXUAL ASSAULT.

>>> INDIANA GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB HAS VETOED A BILL AIMING TO LIMIT THE ABILITY OF STATE AGENCIES TO ADOPT NEW REGULATIONS, SAYING THAT IT INCLUDES PROVISIONS THAT WOULD THREATEN ABOUT $150 MILLION IN BROADBAND INTERNET PROJECTS.

THE BROADBAND PROJECTS WERE INCLUDED IN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT REQUESTS THAT ARE RECEIVING $500 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING.

HOLCOMB SAID IN HIS VETO LETTER THAT PROVISIONS IN THE BILL WOULD JEOPARDIZE WORK PLANNED IN AT LEAST 28 COUNTIES.

>>> THE BLOOMINGTON PLAN COMMISSION GRANTED APPROVAL FOR A 21,000 SQUARE FOOT OFFICE BUILDING IN THE PORTION OF THE EMPTY LOT DIAGONAL FROM THE MILL IN THE DOWNTOWN TRADES DISTRICT.

THE DEVELOPMENT WILL FEATURE OFFICE SPACE ON FIRST TWO FLOORS AND OUTDOOR TERRACE ON THE THIRD FLOOR.

THE CITY SAYS THE TECH CENTER IS MEANT AS A GRADUATION SPACE FOR THE MILL.

>> IT'S SPECULATIVE IN THAT WE DON'T HAVE TENANTS YET BUT WE ARE BUILDING IT FOR, YOU KNOW, POTENTIAL USERS THAT WE THINK ARE KIND OF NEXT IN LINE IN THE GROWTH CYCLE.

>> THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE CITY'S GOAL TO BUILD ON TO THE TRADES DISTRICT WITH A $3.5 MILLION CARES ACT RECOVERY ASSISTANCE GRANT AWARDED SEPTEMBER 3rd LAST YEAR.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH QUIETLY DONATED $416 MILLION TO THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

A MOVE THAT COMES AS THE STATE'S LARGEST HOSPITAL SYSTEM FACES PRESSURE TO LOWER ITS PRICES AND PROFITS.

THE DONATION WASN'T ANNOUNCED BY EITHER INSTITUTION, BUT WAS NOTED AS A CONTRIBUTION TO A RELATED ENTITY MADE DECEMBER 3rd IN I.U.

'S HEALTH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS RELEASED THIS MONTH.

THE INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL FIRST REPORTED THE GIFT.

I.U.

HEALTH IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT OPERATES 16 HOSPITALS AROUND THE STATE.

>>> OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF A FIRE AT THE CHARLES DERN WILDERNESS OVER.

MARION MASON SAID THE FIRE WAS OUT BY THE TIME AUTHORITIES ARRIVED TUESDAY MORNING, THANKS TO INCREASED HUMIDITY OVERNIGHT.

>> THE SUSPECTED CAUSE AT THIS POINT IS POTENTIALLY AN UNATTENDED CAMPFIRE.

>> PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES PUT THE FIRE'S IMPACT AT ABOUT 10 ACRES, NEAR PART OF THE GRUB RIDGE TRAIL, BETWEEN THE PENINSULA AND THE AXSOM TRAIL.

THE CREWS CLEARED TREES THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN UNSAFE FROM THE BLAZE.

THE TRAIL HAS SINCE REOPENED.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR HEADLINES, JOE, NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, HOLDEN.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," FACILITIES THAT DON'T MEET FEDERAL GUIDELINES FOR COVID VACCINATIONS COULD START FACING FINES SOON.

>>> AND THE INDIANA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM WILL BE HOME FOR THE FIRST TWO ROUNDS OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WELL, IN AN AGE WHERE THERE SEEMS TO BE TWO SIDES OF EVERY ISSUE, ONE QUESTION THAT GETS ASKED, WHY DO SOME PEOPLE THINK CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOT HAPPENING.

REBECCA THIELE ASKED AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY WHO STUDIES CLIMATE ENGAGEMENT.

>> NATHANIEL GEIGER SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT ONLY ABOUT 20 TO 25% OF HOOSIERS DON'T BELIEVE CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING OR JUST AREN'T SURE.

HE SAYS SOME PEOPLE REJECT SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS THAT THEY CAN'T SEE FOR THEMSELVES.

PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE EARTH IS FLAT, FOR EXAMPLE, USUALLY DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO INTO SPACE.

>> AND SIMILARLY, YOU KNOW, CLIMATE CHANGE IS COMPLEX ENOUGH, THE PHENOMENON IS COMPLEX ENOUGH THAT WHEN WE EXPERIENCE WARMER OR COOLER TEMPS, IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF THOSE.

>> YOU MIGHT ALSO REJECT THE IDEA OF CLIMATE CHANGE IF THE SOLUTIONS CONFLICT WITH YOUR WORLD VIEW.

IF YOU BELIEVE THE FREE MARKET IS THE BEST WAY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, YOU MIGHT HAVE TROUBLE WITH MORE REGULATIONS ON INDUSTRY TO CURB EMISSIONS.

BUT EVEN PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE SCIENCE CAN HAVE SOME DENIAL.

YOU MIGHT PUT CLIMATE CHANGE OUT OF YOUR MIND WHEN MAKING DECISIONS THAT COULD HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

>> HEY, IF WE TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE, THERE'S GOING TO BE ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT WILL CHANGE AND THAT WILL BE SCARY AND YOU DON'T WANT THAT.

SO LET'S NOT TAKE ACTION.

>> HE SAYS THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK WITH PEOPLE ABOUT IT, AND WHAT POSITIVE SOLUTIONS YOU WANT TO SEE.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE OR CLIMATE SOLUTIONS, SIGN UP ARE FOR THE INDIANA TWO WAY BY TEXTING INDIANA TO 73224.

DOZENS OF INDIANA NURSING HOMES COULD BE CITED AS NONCOMPLIANT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S VACCINE MANDATE.

PRODUCTBROCK TURNER HAS MORE ON HOW THE RULE COULD AFFECT THE HOMES.

>> FOR THE BUCKNERS IT WAS NOT A COMPLICATED DECISION.

>> FOR ONE THING, I DIDN'T WANT TO GET IT AND I DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE IT TO MY FAMILY.

AND IF I COULD DO ANYTHING THAT MIGHT STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING, THE VACCINATIONS WERE THE CHOICE.

IT'S A REALLY CRAZY VIRUS, AND IT'S BEEN GOING ON A LONG TIME.

>> THE BUCKNERS ARE IN GOOD COMPANY.

THEY'RE RESIDENTS AT SUGAR GROVE SENIOR LIVING IN PLAINFIELD.

AROUND 85% OF HOOSIERS RESIDING IN NURSING HOMES ARE FALLLY VACCINATED -- FULLY VACCINATED.

AFTER EXPERIENCING THE VIRUS FIRSTHAND, THEY WERE HAPPY TO RECEIVE THEIR VACCINES AND BOOSTER SHOTS.

>> I WAS SITTING DOWN THERE AND SAYS WE'LL TEST YOU.

AND I SAID, WELL, OKAY.

AND THEY DID THE TEST AND THEY SAID, SIR, YOU ARE POSITIVE!

WE'VE GOT TO TAKE YOU BACK TO YOUR ROOM.

AND IT SORT OF HIT ME, GEE, I'M A DANGEROUS PERSON.

>> HIS WIFE OMA WAS IMPACTED TOO.

>> I CAME BACK HERE AND THE IN URS CAME BY AND SAID -- THE NURSE CAME BY AND SAID, YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE PLAYING BINGO.

YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IN ISOLATION.

THAT'S SOMETHING I REALLY MISS IS PLAYING BINGO.

>> KEN NEVER EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS WHICH HE CREDITS TO HIS VACCINE AND BOOSTER EFFECTIVENESS.

HIS WIFE OMA NEVER TESTED POSITIVE.

THAT'S AN EXAMPLE THEY AND OTHER HEALTH EXPERTS POINT TO FOR THE EFFICACY OF VACCINES, HOWEVER, NOT ALL NURSING HOME STAFF MEMBERS ARE ON BOARD.

JUST OVER 78% OF STAFF ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

THAT MEANS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF WORKERS WHO STILL NEED TO BE VACCINATED OR FILE AN EXEMPTION IN ORDER FOR THEIR EMPLOYERS TORE COMPLIANT WITH FEDERAL RULES.

>> NOW IT'S MANDATORY ACROSS THE BOARD FOR EVERY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER OR SUPPLIER THAT PROVIDES SERVICES TO MEDICARE AND MEDICAID RESIDENTS.

>> FINES WHICH RANGE IN SEVERITY STARTS IN MAIN FOR STATES LIKE INDIANA THAT CHALLENGED THE RULE.

>> YOU ARE STILL CITED NONCOMPLIANT.

THEY WILL HOLD MONETARY ENFORCEMENT.

WE HAVE BUILDINGS THAT ARE 100%.

THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF THEM.

THEY ARE WORKING TOWARDS IT.

SO I DO BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF FACILITIES WILL EITHER BE AT THAT 100% COMPLIANCE LEVEL, AND CERTAINLY BE ABOVE 80% SO THAT THEY CAN AVOID FINANCIAL PENALTY AND CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS THAT 100% GOAL.

THAT WILL END UP BEING ULTIMATELY ENFORCED IN MAY.

>> SUGAR GROVE IS AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY AND NOT REQUIRED TO REPORT ITS DATA IT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE PARENT COMPANY SAYS IT SUPPORTED VACCINATIONS AND WORKING WITH STAFF TO ENSURE EVERYONE IS VACCINATED.

ERICA BOWMAN, AND HER FACILITY IS REQUIRED TO REPORT.

>> I WAS SURPRISED THAT THERE WAS AS MUCH RESISTANT.

>> 85% OF HER STAFF WERE COMPLIANT AS OF APRIL 22nd BUT THE RATE OF BOOSTED STAFF IS LOWER, WHICH COMMON ACROSS INDIANA.

75% OF RESIDENTS ARE BOOSTED.

>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSION OF OMICRON NOT BEING AS SEVERE VIRUS.

SO YOU ARE VACCINATED ALREADY.

YOU ARE ALREADY PROTECTED AND SO THE BOOSTER, WITH THIS LESS SEVERE STRAIN MAYBE IS NOT AS IMPORTANT.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THAT INFORMATION IS UNFORTUNATE, THAT BELIEF OR CHOICE IS UNFORTUNATE.

>> BOWMAN SAYS SHE SEES LESS RESISTANCE TO THE BOOSTER IN HER FACILITY WHICH IS ABOVE THE STATE'S AVERAGE AND PARTIALLY BLAMES THE TIMING OF WHEN STAFF RECEIVED SHOTS.

EDUCATION AND TRUST ARE KEY TOO.

>> HAVING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND TRUST, WHERE THE STAFF KNOWS IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS, THEY HAVE CONCERNS, THEY HAVE SOMEONE THAT IS THERE TO SUPPORT THEM AND TALK THEM THROUGH CONCERNS AND THAT KIND OF THING.

>> PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS DEGREE BUILDING TRUST IS AN EFFECTIVE BUT ARDUOUS TASK.

KEN BUCKNER AGREES.

>> ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES.

AND SO IT'S INFRINGING ON YOUR BENEFITS AND INFRINGING ON YOUR RIGHTS TO GET A SHOT.

BIG WOO.

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

>>> MAKING THE NCAA TOURNAMENT HAS BECOME A REGULAR OCCURRENCE FOR THE I.U.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS WEEKEND THE HOOSIERS WILL BE HOSTING OPENING GAMES AT SIMON SKJODT ASSEMBLY HALL.

>> SUCCESS THIS YEAR WAS NOT UNEXPECTED.

THE HOOSIERS STARTED THE SEASON RANKED NUMBER EIGHT IN THE NATION AND REACHED AS HIGH AS NUMBER FOUR BEFORE A LATE SEASON SLUMP LEFT THEM 11th IN THE FINAL ASSOCIATED PRESS POLL.

IT'S SOMETHING I.U.

HAS BEEN BUILDING UP TO SINCE TERI MOREN TOOK OVER.

>> WHEN WE ARRIVED EIGHT YEARS AGO, THIS IS REALLY WHAT WE ENVISIONED.

YOU KNOW, EVERY YEAR TO TAKE A STEP, ANOTHER STEP.

>> THE NEXT STEP THIS YEAR WAS EARNING A NUMBER THREE SEED IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT AND THE RIGHT TO HOST FIRST AND SECOND ROUND GAMES THIS WEEKEND.

INDIANA WILL PLAY NUMBER 14 SEED CHARLOTTE IN SATURDAY'S FIRST GAME, KENTUCKY AND PRINCETON MEET IN THE SECOND GAME WITH THE WINNERS PLAYING MONDAY FOR A CHANCE TO ADVANCE TO THE SWEET 16.

>> OUR FIELD IS REALLY G. PRINCETON IS A REALLY GOOD TEAM.

OBVIOUSLY KENTUCKY IS A REALLY GOOD TEAM.

FIRST THINGS FIRST FOR US.

WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS, YOU KNOW, ON CHARLOTTE AND WHAT WE HAVE TO DO TO GET TO THE NEXT ROUND.

>> INDIANA LIKELY WOULD HAVE HOSTED FIRST TWO ROUNDS LAST YEAR, BUT DUE TO COVID-19, THE ENTIRE TOURNAMENT WAS PLAYED IN SAN ANTONIO.

THERE, THE HOOSIERS CAME WITHIN A GAME OF REACHING THE FINAL FOUR.

MAKING THAT DEEP OF A RUN IN THE TOURNAMENT WAS NOT ONLY A LEARNING EXPERIENCE BUT A DRIVING FORCE THIS YEAR FOR I.U.

>> BUT WE ALSO REMEMBER LOSING IN THE ELITE EIGHT TOO.

AND SO JUST THE BIG FEEL OF THE STAGE THAT WE WERE ON.

WE KNOW WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE.

>> PATBERG IS TECHNICALLY IN HER SEVENTH SEASON.

SHE MISSED TWO YEARS BECAUSE OF INJURIES AND SET OUT A SEASON BECAUSE OF NCAA TRANSFER RULES AND HAS AN EXTRA SEASON BECAUSE OF COVID.

SHE CAME BACK FOR A CHANCE TO BUILD ON LAST YEAR.

>> THAT'S WHY WE PLAY ALL SEASON, OFOUSLY TO OBVIOUSLY TO GET INTO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

AND TO HOST.

THAT WAS A GOAL.

>> ALL FIVE STARTERS AVERAGED DOUBLE FIGURES IN SCORING LED BY GRACE BURGER'S 16 POINTS.

AN INJURY TO HER LATE IN THE YEAR THREATENED TO DERAIL THE SEASON.

THE HOOSIERS WERE 12-2 WHEN HOLMES HAD SURGERY AND MISSED THE NEXT EIGHT GAMES.

THE HOOSIERS STRUGGLED TO REGAIN THEIR FORM AND LOST FOUR OF THEIR FINAL FIVE GAMES AND THEY REACHED THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BEFORE FALLING TO IOWA.

>> WE BATTLED THAT ADVERSITY AND THOSE HARD TIMES AND WE'RE STILL A THREE SEED AND HOSTING AND WE GET ANOTHER CHANCE TO PLAY IN ASSEMBLY HALL, I THINK IT'S A MAJOR BLESSING AND I'M SUPER HAPPY ABOUT IT.

>> AS ARE ATHE FANS WHO GET TO -- AS ARE THE FANS WHO GET TO SEE THE HOOSIERS AT HOME AT LEAST ONE MORE TIME.

I'M PAT BEANE.

>> AND INDIANAPOLIS ELECTRONICS RECYCLER IS ONE OF 19 PLACES AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT WILL RECEIVE A FEDERAL GRANT TO TRAIN PEOPLE TO WORK WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE.

IT HELPS PEOPLE RECENTLY RELEASED FROM PRISON AND JAIL GET CERTIFIED TO DO A VARIETY OF JOBS IN THE FIELD.

>> THE $200,000 GRANT COMES FROM THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE LAW, RECYCLE FORCE OFFICIALS SAY IT WILL HELP THEM TRAIN AN ADDITIONAL 40 PEOPLE TO SAFELY HANDLE EWASTE LIKE COMPUTERS, TVs AND PHONES, AND OTHER HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TOO.

>> THAT'S GOLD RIGHT THERE.

>> RECYCLE FORCE HELPS TO KEEP TOXIC HEAVY METALS OUT OF THE LANDFILL.

ROB SMITH DIRECTS THE NONPROFIT BOARD.

>> WE ARE SAVING THE EARTH FOR THE KIDS, CHILDREN, TEACHERS, WHATEVER.

WE ARE EARTH SAVERS.

>> AS THEY WORK TO CLEAN UP MORE CONTAMINATED PROPERTIES AROUND THE COUNTRY, THEY WILL NEED MORE PEOPLE TRAINED TO DO THIS WORK.

TYRA JAMES HAS BEEN TRAINING FOR OVER A YEAR AT RECYCLE FORCE AND WEARS A MENTOR'S VEST.

>> I WANT TO OWN MY OWN BUSINESS ONE DAY AND THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE HELPING ME GET READY FOR TO BE A LEADER.

>> THE RECYCLE FORCE IS THE ONLY LOCATION IN INDIANA TO RECEIVE THE EPA GRANT THIS YEAR.

THE AGENCY WILL GIVE OUT A TOTAL OF $30 MILLION IN GRANTS OVER FIVE YEARS.

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

>>> 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: