>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA IS ONE OF SIX STATES IN WHICH CHILDREN INVOLVED IN WELFARE CASES ARE NOT GUARANTEED LEGAL REPRESENTATION.

>> THEY DON'T NECESSARILY ALWAYS FEEL THAT THEY ARE HEARD.

I MEAN WE HAVE HEARD YOUNG PEOPLE SAY THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THEIR REPORT HEARING WAS HAPPENING.

>> A BILL TO REMEDY THAT FAILED AT THE STATE HOUSE THIS YEAR, BUT ITS AUTHOR VOWS TO TRY AGAIN.

>>> STAFFING AGENCIES OFFER FED UP NURSING HOME WORKERS A WAY TO REMAIN IN THE PROFESSION BUT WITH BETTER HOURS AND HIGHER PAY.

>> WE ARE GAINING THAT POWER BACK.

WE ARE UNDERSTANDING OUR WORTH AND KNOWING OUR POWER AND WE ARE NEGOTIATING THAT.

>> NATIONWIDE, MORE THAN 1 IN 4 NURSING HOMES ARE FACING WORKER SHORTAGES.

>>> AND A NEW REPORT BY THE ENVIRONMENT INTEGRITY ROE PROJECT SAYS INDIANA HAS THE MOST POLLUTED RIVERS AND STREAMS IN THE NATION.

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

♪ ♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, INFLATION REMAINS AT LEVELS NOT SEEN IN 40 YEARS AND HOOSIERS ARE FEELING THE EFFECTS.

GAS REMAINS ABOVE $4 A GALLON, ALMOST $2 HIGHER THAN A YEAR AGO.

MEAT PRICES ARE UP 20% OVER THE PAST YEAR.

AND THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A NEW CAR IS UP $5,000 SINCE 2020.

IN THE U.S., THE INFLATION RATE IS AT 7.9%.

THAT'S MORE THAN FOUR TIMES HIGHER THAN IN 2020.

TO TRY TO STIFLE INFLATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE LAST WEEK RAISED INTEREST RATES FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018.

SO WE'RE JOINED NOW BY KRISTOPH KRISTOPH KLEINER, WITH THE KELLEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

FOR MORE, WELCOME SO MUCH TO THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THE FEDERAL RESERVE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO RAISE RATES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

HOW DOES THAT DRIVE DOWN INFLATION?

>> SURE, SO THE INTEREST RATE IS KIND OF A GAS PEDAL OF THE ECONOMY.

SO WHEN INTEREST RATES ARE LOW, WE'RE ABLE TO BUY MORE ON OUR CREDIT CARDS.

WE ARE ABLE TO BUY CARS.

WE ARE ABLE TO BUY NEW HOUSES.

THAT'S GREAT, BUT WHAT IT ALSO MEANS IS THERE'S PRESSURE ON OUR GOODS AND SERVICES.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THOSE PRICES.

SO WHEN THE FEDERAL RESERVE STEPS IN, THEY ARE GOING TO INCREASE THE INTEREST RATES AND THE AMOUNT CHARGED ON BANKS THAT WILL BE PASSED DOWN TO US ON MORTGAGES AND AUTO LOANS AND EVENTUALLY WE'LL LIKELY BUY A LITTLE BIT LESS AND THE PRICES WILL STABILIZE.

>> PRICES IN GENERAL ARE UP.

LOAN RATES ARE GOING UP.

MORTGAGE RATES ARE GOING UP.

WHAT KIND OF IMPACT DOES THAT HAVE TO THE AVERAGE HOOSIER, ESPECIALLY THOSE LOW-INCOME, THOSE WHO ARE LIVING PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK.

>> SURE.

SO INFLATION WILL AFFECT US KIND OF IN TWO WAYS.

FIRST IS THAT IF YOUR WAGES ARE NOT INCREASING QUITE AS MUCH AS THESE PRICES ON SERVICES, AND ON GOODS, THEN WE'LL JUST BE ABLE TO BUY LESS.

THAT WILL ESPECIALLY AFFECT ANYONE LIVING PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK.

IF THE FEDERAL RESERVE INCREASES THE INTEREST RATES, WITH DEVELOP TO PAY MORE ON HOME AND CAR LOANS.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF FINGER POINTING GOING ON.

>> I THINK FOR ANY ECONOMIST, INFLATION IS MOSTLY ABOUT SUPPLY AND DEMAND, BUT I THINK THE CHANNEL HERE IS IMPORTANT.

FIRST, THE LAST FEW YEARS WE ARE SEEING THE ECONOMY KIND OF BOOMING.

AND AS A RESULT, BUSINESSES REALLY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FULLY KEEP UP WITH DEMANDS.

IN ADDITION, THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE HAVE ACTUALLY GOTTEN A FEW STIMULUS CHECKS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT'S INCREASED OUR ABILITY TO BUY EVEN MORE AND THEN THIRD, ESPECIALLY IN REGARDS TO ENERGY AND GAS PRICES, WE HAVE SEEN A REALIZE DUE TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA.

>> DO YOU EXPECT INFLATION TO LEVEL OUT OR IS IT GOING TO CONTINUE TO RISE?

>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE HAS A PERFECT ANSWER HERE.

HERE'S MY GUESS.

THIS REALLY IS ABOUT BUSINESSES NOT BEING ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND.

EVENTUALLY THEY WILL BE ABLE TO INCREASE THEIR OUTPUT.

ONCE THAT HAPPENS, HOPEFULLY PRICES WILL INCREASE -- OR STABILIZE, AND WE'LL SEE IN A YEAR IF THAT'S RIGHT.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE FEDERAL, STATE GOVERNMENTS CAN DO AT THIS POINT?

>> SO, IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT INFLATION IS JUST KIND OF THE MEASURE OF PRICES ON AVERAGE FOR THE GOODS AND SERVICES WE BUY EACH MONTH.

AND SO BECAUSE PRICES ARE LARGELY DECIDED BY THE BUSINESSES THAT PRODUCE THOSE GOODS, IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BE ABLE TO DIRECTLY IMPACT THEM.

THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT OFFERING ADDITIONAL CASH STIMULUS TO HOUSEHOLDS, BUT THAT'S GOING TO INCREASE PRICES EVEN FURTHER AS WE SEE AN INCREASE THIS DEMAN.

THAT'S ACTUALLY WHY THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS SO IMPORTANT.

EVEN THOUGH THIS IS AN INDIRECT CHANNEL BY CHANGING INTEREST RATES, IT'S THE BEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE CHANNEL WE HAVE IN THE GOVERNMENT.

>> PROFESSOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WELL, INDIANA IS ONE OF THE SIX STATES THAT DOESN'T GUARANTEE LEGAL COUNSEL FOR CHILDREN IN A WELFARE CASE.

THAT MEANS IN MANY CASES, CHILDREN WHO ARE FACING LEGAL ISSUES DON'T HAVE AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THEM IN COURT.

NOW, ONE LAWMAKER IS TRYING TO REMEDY THAT.

BENTE BOUTHIER HAS THE STORY.

>> THE ISSUE IS ONE THAT'S CLOSE TO JOSHUA CHRISTIAN OSWALD'S HEART.

ADOPTED AS AN ADULT AIMING OUT IN 2020, HE FEELS HAVING A COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY AS PART OF HIS TEAM GROWING UP WOULD HAVE HELPED HIM.

>> I REALLY WASN'T EDUCATED ON WHAT THE OUTCOMES COULD BE, WHETHER THAT'S ADOPTION, REUNIFICATION OR KINSHIP, OR SOMEBODY THAT IS WITH A TRUSTED LOVING ADULT.

>> OSWALD SAYS AS A TEENAGER, IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO GET AHOLD OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS LIKE HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATES.

>> LEGAL DOCUMENTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY AS THEY ARE ABOUT TO AGE OUT AND BE ON THEIR OWN AND HAVE TO NAVIGATE LIFE WITH VERY LITTLE SOCIAL CAPITAL.

>> MAGGIE STEVENS WAS FOSTER SUCCESS, AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR FOSTER YOUTH 14 AND UP SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL DURING A JANUARY HEARING BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES.

>> THEY DON'T NECESSARILY ALWAYS FEEL THAT THEY ARE HEARD.

I MEAN WE HAVE HEARD YOUNG PEOPLE SAY THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THERE WERE COURT HEARINGS HAPPENING, LET ALONE BEING GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THIS.

THEY JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THEM AFTERWARDS THAT ALL THE OTHER PARTIES CAME TOGETHER, SPOKE ABOUT IT AND A RULING WAS MADE.

>> STEVENS SAYS A LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE CAN PETITION FOR A YOUNG PERSON TO GIVE TESTIMONY IN CLOSED CHAMBERS SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF THEIR FOSTER FAMILY OR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS.

SENATE BILL 180'S LANGUAGE WAS AMENDED TO REQUEST THAT THE BILL BE ASSIGNED TO AN INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE.

THE REASON IT WAS CHANGED WAS BECAUSE OF PROJECTED COSTS, WHICH LAWMAKERS WERE RELUCTANT TO BUDGET FOR DURING A NON-BUDGET SESSION.

THE BILL WAS PASSED 46-0 IN THE SENATE, BUT DIED IN THE HOUSE COMMITTEE.

THE BILL'S AUTHOR SENATOR JOHN FORD WHO HAS BEEN IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM HIMSELF SAYS HE AND OTHER LEGISLATORS SUBMITTED A LETTER TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ASKING THE BILL BE ASSIGNED TO A STUDY COMMITTEE.

FORD SAYS THEY ARE WAITING ON AN ANSWER WHICH WILL COME IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.

WHETHER THE BILL WAS PASSED IN THE HOUSE OR NOT HAS NO SWAY ON IF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DECIDES TO APPROVE THE BILL FOR STUDY.

CHILDREN IN INDIANA'S FOSTER CARE SYSTEM HAVE A TEAM OF ADVOCATES WHICH CAN INCLUDE GUARDIAN ADHEIDT UM AND SOCIAL WORKERS.

A CASA IS APPOINTED TO ADVOCATE FOR A CHILD'S BEST ISSUE IN COURT CASES CASES.

FORD'S BILL DOESN'T CONSIDER SOME IMPORTANT LOGISTICAL ISSUES, PARTICULARLY IN SETTING AN AGE LIMIT ON WHO IS GUARANTEED LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND HOW TO COVER THAT COST.

>> THERE ARE GUIDELINES ON THESE ATTORNEYS ARE TRAINED TO REPRESENT CHILDREN OR IN FAMILY LAW.

AND ALSO, IF THEY ARE REQUIRED TO SEE THE CHILDREN.

ONE FEAR WE HAVE IS THAT THE ONLY TIME THEY MIGHT SEE THE CHILD IS OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM, RIGHT BEFORE THEY GO IN.

AND THAT'S A CONCERN.

>> SHE EMPHASIZES THAT CASA IS NOT AGAINST THE BILL BUT HOPES LAWMAKERS CONSIDER SOME OF THESE ISSUES WHEN THEY LOOK AT THE BILL AGAIN.

IN CHILD WELFARE CASES, JUDGES CAN APPOINT LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO JUVENILES AND KIDS CAN REQUEST COUNSEL THEMSELVES.

PROJECTIONS SAY SENATE BILL 180 WOULD COST THE STATE UPWARDS OF $11 MILLION AND $38 MILLION IN LOCAL EXPENSES.

OSWALD SAYS PROVIDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR ALL CHILDREN IN NEED OF SERVICES, ESPECIALLY IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM IS IMPORTANT.

>> I THINK LEGAL REPRESENTATION CAN HELP ANY YOUNG PERSON ACHIEVE LEGAL PERMANENCY, MORE SO IN A TIMELY MANNER.

BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU ARE AN ATTORNEY, YOU SIGNED AN OATH TO BEST REPRESENT THE WISHES OF A YOUNG PERSON WITHOUT SUBSTITUTING YOUR OWN JUDGMENT.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE'S VOICES ARE HEARD AND THEIR WISHES ARE PRESENTED TO THE COURT AND THOSE WISHES TO BE CONSIDERED TO THE COURT.

>> HE SAYS EVEN YOUNGER KIDS WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE REPRESENTATION.

HE PLANS TO HELP WITH SENATE BILL 180 MOVING FORWARD.

SENATOR FORD SAYS HE WILL BRING THE ISSUE UP IN THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

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

>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY HOLEN HOLDEN ABSHIER FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STAY.

>> HI, JOE.

GOVERNOR EAR I CAN HOLCOMB VETOED A BILL THAT WOULD BAN TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM GIRLS SPORTS BUT THE DEBATE IS FAR FROM OVER.

FELLOW REPUBLICANS CRITICIZED THE VETO WHICH PUT THE GOVERNOR AT ODDS WITH CONSERVATIVE LAWS BUT THE IHSAA, WHICH HAS A TRANSGENDER LAW IN PLACE.

THEY SIGNALED PLANS TO OVERRIDE THE LEGISLATURE WHEN THE LEGISLATURE RECONVENES ON MAY 24th FOR TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS DAY.

HOLCOMB DID SIGN THE SO-CALLED PER MITTLESS CARRY LAW.

THE HOOSIERS WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO GET A PERMIT TO CARRY A HANDGUN.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS PEOPLE CURRENTLY BARRED FROM CARRYING IN PUBLIC WILL STILL BE BARRED AFTER THE LAW TAKES EFFECT.

THE STATE POLICE WERE OPPOSED TO THE BILL.

>> INDIANA REPUBLICAN U.S.

SENATOR MIKE BRAUN SAYS THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WAS WRONG TO LEGALIZE INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE NATIONWIDE.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDON SMITH REPORTS BRAUN'S COMMENTS TUESDAY CAME AS HE DISCUSSED WHAT HE'S LOOKING FOR AS EVALUATED KETANJI BROWN JACKSON.

>> AS THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARINGS FOR JUDGE JACKSON.

SENATOR BRAUN SAYS SHE'S WELL-QUALIFIED AND HE SAYS AS HE EVALUATES HER RECORD, HE WANTS SOMEONE WOULD IS NOT APRIL ACTIVIST.

>> STICK WITH INTERPRETING THE LAW.

DON'T LEGISLATE FROM THE BENCH.

>> HE SAYS THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD NOT HOMOGENIZE ISSUES NATIONWIDE INSTEAD LEAVING THEM UP TO INDIVIDUAL STATES TO DECIDE WHICH EXTENDS WHEN ASKED TO INCLUDE INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE.

>> IF YOU ARE NOT WANTING THE SUPREME COURT TO WEIGH IN ON ISSUES LIKE THAT, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO.

I THINK THAT'S HYPOCRITICAL.

>> BRAUN THINKS A FEW REPUBLICANS MAY VOTE TO APPROVE BROWN JACKSON.

>> BRAUN LATER ISSUES A STATEMENT WALKING BACK HIS COMMENTS.

HE SAID HE MISUNDERSTOOD A LINE OF QUESTIONING AND EMPHASIZED THAT HE CONDEMNS RACISM IN ANY FORM.

>>> THE NEW TERRE HAUTE CONVENTION CENTER IS EXPECTED TO OPEN NEXT MONTH, AND CITY LEADERS HOPE THE PROJECT HAVE A LONG-TERM ECONOMIC IMPACT.

>> THEY WILL HAVE DINNERS, YOU KNOW, AT THE RESTAURANTS.

THEY WILL GO TO NIGHT LIFE, HOPEFULLY TAKE IN, YOU KNOW A BASKETBALL GAME OR PLAY, AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND, YOU KNOW, WE REALLY HOPE THAT THEY WILL BRING THEIR FAMILIES TOO AND MAYBE TURN THOSE MEETINGS INTO STAYCATIONS.

>> THE CONVENTION CENTER WILL ALSO INCLUDE A LARRY BIRD MUSEUM THAT WILL OPEN AT A LATER DATE.

THE CITY IS HOSTING A RIBBON CUTTING ON APRIL 9th.

>>> A SENIOR AT BLOOMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH EARNED A $100,000 SCHOLARSHIP FOR A MATHEMATICAL DISCOVERY THAT COULD AID IN ENCRYPTION.

PAT BEANE REPORTS.

>> EVERYONE WANTS TO BELIEVE THEIR ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSACTIONS ARE SECURE.

THE WAY COMPANIES SECURE THEM IS THROUGH CRYPTO GRAPHIC ALGORITHMS WHICH USE REALLY LARGE PRIME NUMBER AS THEIR KEYS BUT THERE ARE SOME THAT MIRROR PRIMES.

>> THESE NUMBERS WHICH ARE CALLED CARMICHAEL NUMBERS SHOW UP AS PRIMES EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT ACTUALLY PRIME.

AND THAT LEADS TO WEAKER ENCRYPTIONS.

>> SO LARSON WENT TO WORK ON UNDERSTANDING CARMICHAEL NUMBERS BASED ON A 19th CENTURY FINDING ON THE LARGE GAPS BETWEEN CONSECUTIVE PRIME NUMBERS.

>> AND WHAT IT SAYS, IN PARTICULAR, IS THAT FOR EVERY X, THERE EXISTS A PRIME AND BETWEEN X AND 2X, AND SO I SHOWED THAT THE ANALOGOUS RESULT IS TRUE FOR CARMICHAEL NUMBERS INSTEAD OF PRIMES.

>> AND THAT SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO FILTER CARMICHAEL NUMBERS OUT OF THE EQUATION, AND MAKE YOUR TRANSACTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS MORE SECURE.

LAST WEEK, LARSON MADE HIS PRESENTATION AT THE PRESTIGIOUS REGENERON TALENT SEARCH IN D.C. AND OUT OF THE 40 HIGH SCHOOL, HE PLACED FOURTH AND EARNED $100,000 SCHOLARSHIP.

JUST MAKING IT TO THE NATION'S OLDEST AND SCIENCE MATH COMPETITION IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.

MORE THAN 1800 ENTERED.

FORMER COMPETITORS HAVE GONE ON TO WIN 13 NOBEL PRIZES AND LEADERS IN THE INDUSTRY.

>> IT'S NOT SURPRISING THAT A LOT OF THEM BECAME VERY IMPORTANT SCIENTISTS BUT, OF COURSE, IT IS STILL, LIKE, COOL SEEING YOURSELF IN THE SAME COMPETITION THAT ALL OF THESE GREAT SCIENTISTS WERE.

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

>>> LARSON HAS BEEN ACCEPTED AT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, BUT IS WAITING TO HEAR FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES BEFORE MAKING HIS FINAL DECISION ON WHERE TO ATTEND COLLEGE.

>>> OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF A MONDAY NIGHT FIRE THAT DESTROYED AT LEAST TWO NASHVILLE SHOPS.

THE FIRE BROKE OUT AT WISHFUL THINKING AND SPREAD TO A SIGN SHOP NEXT DOOR.

NASHVILLE TOWN COUNCIL PRESIDENT NANCY CROCKER SAYS THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE FIRE AT THE CORNER OF SOUTH OLD SCHOOL WAY AND PITMAN HOUSE LANE WITHIN MINUTES AFTER A CALL FROM A PUBLIC RESTROOM ATTENDANT.

>> MAN, WERE WE LUCKY, BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL, IT WAS NOT A WINDY NIGHT.

IT WAS A NICE, CALM NIGHT.

AND OUR NASHVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAPPENED TO BE AT THE STATION FOR A MEETING.

>> THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR HEADLINES THIS WEEK, JOE.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, HOLDEN.

COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," NURSING HOME WORKERS ARE TURNING TO STAFFING AGENCIES TO FIND JOBS THAT OFFER MORE FLEXIBLE HOURS AND GREATER PAY.

>>> AND THE INDIANA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM HAS REACHED THE NCAA TOURNAMENT SWEET 16 FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

INDIANA HAS THE MOST POLLUTED RIVERS AND STREAMS OF ANY STATE, THAT A'S CORDING TO A NEW -- ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT.

REBECCA THIELE SAYS IT SHOWS AFTER 50 YEARS OF CLEAN WATER ACT, WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO PROTECT OUR WATER WAYS.

>> INDIANA HAS THE MOST MILES OF RIVERS AND STREAMS THAT ARE DEEMED TOO POLLUTED TO SWIM IN.

ERIC SHAFFER IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT.

HE SAYS THE MAIN CULPRIT IS THE MANURE RUNNING OFF OF LARGE ANIMAL FARMS CALLED CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS, A TYPE OF POLLUTION THE CLEAN WATER ACT WASN'T DESIGNED TO HANDLE.

>> IT WAS ORIENTED TO DEALING WITH DISCHARGES THAT COME OUT OF PIPES, THAT YOU CAN SEE AND MEASURE.

AND THAT'S NOT TYPICALLY WHAT YOU GET.

>> THOUGH, THERE ARE MANY LARGE LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN THE STATE, MOST OF THE ANIMALS ARE RAISED UNDER A CONTRACT FOR JUST A FEW MAJOR COMPANIES LIKE TYSON AND JBS.

SHAFFER SAYS THOSE CORPORATIONS SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM AND REGULATED LIKE ANY OTHER INDUSTRY.

>> THEY DON'T REQUIRE THE BIG COMPANIES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE AMOUNT OF MANURE THAT THIS KIND OF FACTORY FARM WILL GENERATE.

AND THAT'S JUST FUNDAMENTALLY UNFAIR.

>> INDIANA HAS MONITORED MORE OF ITS RIVERS AND STREAMS IN THE PAST DECADE THAN MANY OTHER STATES WHICH SUGGEST THEY COULD HAVE MORE POLLUTED WATERWAYS THAN WHAT THE DATA SHOWS.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> THURSDAYING TOMORROW STAFF FED UP WITH LOW PAY AND LONG HOURS ARE LEAVING AND THEN COMING RIGHT BACK.

JUSTIN HICKS EXPLAINS HOW THESE WORKERS ARE ABLE TO MAKE A LOT MORE MONEY FOR THE ACT SAME WORK.

>> MONICA CUMMINGS IS A LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE IN ELKHART.

SHE SAYS EVEN BEFORE COVID, NURSING HOME WORK WAS HARD AND OFTEN THANKLESS.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO WORK OURSELVES TO DEATH FOR PEANUTS ANYMORE.

AND, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF NURSES THAT HAVE LEFT AND SAID I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH IT PAYS.

I CAN'T DO IT ANYMORE.

AND THAT'S SAD.

>> ADD COVID CHALLENGES TO THAT AND IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY WORKERS ARE LEAVING NURSING HOMES IN DROVES.

IN INDIANA, ABOUT 16% OF NURSING HOMES REPORT NURSING SHORTAGES.

NATIONALLY, IT'S ABOUT 1 IN 4.

MANY WORKERS LIKE CUMMINGS, WHO ARE STICKING AROUND ARE GOING TO STAFFING AGENCIES.

THEY OFFER FLEXIBLE, SHORT-TERM CONTRACTS AND LATELY PAY A LOT MORE.

ANOTHER NURSE IN NORTHERN INDIANA SAYS RIGHT NOW SHE CAN MAKE ROUGHLY $20 AN HOUR MORE THAN WHEN SHE WAS A NURSING HOME STAFF MEMBER.

>> WE ARE GAINING THAT POWER BACK.

WE ARE UNDERSTANDING OUR WORTH AND KNOWING OUR POWER AND WE ARE NEGOTIATING THAT.

>> BUT SOME NURSING HOME OFFICIALS SAY THE RISING RATES THEY ARE HAVE TO PAY STAFFING AGENCIES AMOUNT TO PRICE GOUGING.

A COMPANY WITH LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES ACROSS THE MIDWEST.

>> TO BE BLUNT, I FEEL TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, NOT EVEN CLOSE TO A FAIR MARKET VALUE AM I BEING ASKED TO PAY, AND THAT PRICE JUST IS -- IT'S UNSUSTAINABLE.

>> NICK GUINNESS SAYS HE WANTS TO PAY HIS NURSES BETTER AND COMPETE WITH STAFFING AGENCIES, BUT HE RELIES ON REIMBURSEMENTS FROM MEDICARE AND MEDICAID, WHICH HAVEN'T KEPT UP.

SO HE'S AT A DISADVANTAGE.

>> WE HAVE SEEN OUR COSTS GO UP, YOU KNOW, 10, 11% EACH YEAR DURING THIS PANDEMIC IN THE LABOR STANDPOINT AND SOME MARKETS EVEN MORE.

REIMBURSEMENT DOES NOT GO UP 10 AND 11% A YEAR.

>> SO McGUINNESS WANTS LAWMAKERS TO STEP IN AND DO SOMETHING TO CONTROL THE RISING COSTS.

CHRIS MADDEN HEADS THE STAFFING AGENCY NETWORKS CONNECT.

HE'S NOT OPPOSED TO STAFFING WAGE REGULATIONS BUT SAYS THAT ALONE WON'T FIX THE LIMITED SUPPLY AND HIGH DEMAND DRIVING UP PRICES.

>> THE VILLAIN IS COVID.

THE VILLAIN IS COVID HERE.

AND IT'S JUST THE SILENT VILLAIN THAT YOU CAN'T TALK TO.

YOU CAN'T REASON WITH AND WE ARE JUST ALL -- NOBODY KNOWS WHAT TO DO.

>> MADDEN SAYS STAFFING AGENCIES HAVE TO COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER FOR FEWER NURSES DEMANDING BIGGER PAY CHECKS.

CAN YOU BLAME THEM?

THEY ARE JUST SAYING IF THIS IS WHAT THE MARKET IS PAYING, THEN I WANT TO GET PAID THAT TOO.

THEY ARE NOT HOLDING THEIR CARE.

THEY ARE JUST SAYING, I WANT TO BE COMPEN SACRAMENTOED FOR IT.

>> -- COMPENSATED FOR IT.

>> THE FEDERAL CARES ACT MONEY GOING TO NURSING HOMES HAS HELPED SOMEWHERE THERE ARE RECENT SPIKES IN LABOR COST, BUT THAT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE.

>> THIS CONTINUES ON THIS WAY, YOU WILL SEE A LARGE NUMBER OF NURSING HOMES THAT MIGHT HAVE TO DECLARE BANKRUPTCY.

OR THE OTHER OPTION IS POLITICALLY, THAT YOU HAVE TO INCREASE REIMBURSEMENT AND A LOT OF STATES DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

>> A HANDFUL OF STATES INCLUDING MINNESOTA AND MASSACHUSETTS HAVE PUT WAGE CAPS ON HOW MUCH STAFFING AGENCIES CAN PAY NURSES BUT IN INDIANA, THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION HAS PASSED.

AND LAWMAKERS DIDN'T DISCUSS ANY SOLUTIONS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK" PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M JUSTIN HICKS.

>>> SOME OFFICIALS IN LOUISVILLE OR TRYING TO GET THE GOVERNORS OF INDIANA AND KENTUCKY TO USE FEDERAL FUNDS TO REMOVE TOLLS ON THE RIVERLINK BRIDGES ACROSS THE HIGH EYE RIVER.

KAYAN TARA HAS THIS REPORT.

>>> TOLLING IS A PLACE ON THREE BRIDGES CONNECTING LOUISVILLE METRO AND SOUTHERN INDIANA.

ONE OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS SPONSORING THE BILL, DAVID JAMES, SAID THAT WHILE INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE, THE RESOLUTION HELPS TO ASK THE INDIANA AND KENTUCKY GOVERNORS TO CHANGE THE TOLL PAYMENTS ON THE THREE BRIDGES.

>> SO THIS IS A RESOLUTION ASKING THE GOVERNORS TO CONSIDER ALONG WITH THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY BRIDGE, TO THINK ABOUT USING SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING TO EITHER REDUCE, MODIFY, ELIMINATE TOLLS.

>> JAMES IS ONE OF THE SEVEN METRO COUNCILMEMBERS SPONSORs THIS BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

>> I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE.

POLITICS IS A CONTACT SPORT.

SO WE WILL SEE HOW IT TURNS OUT.

>> THE THREE BRIDGES THIS WOULD AFFECT ARE THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN BRIDGE AND THE JOHN F. KENNEDY MEMORIAL BRIDGE.

THE I-65 NORTH AND SOUTH BRIDGES OVER THE OHIO RIVER.

AND THE LEWIS AND CLARK BRIDGE WHICH CONNECTS PROSPECT, KENTUCKY, AND UTICA INDIANA.

THE MOVE COMES WEEKS AFTER KENTUCKY AND OHIO ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO SEEK UP TO $2 BILLION FOR A TOLL-FREE BRIDGE NEAR THE BRENT SPENCER BRIDGE BETWEEN CINCINNATI AND COVINGTON.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M KAYAN TARA.

>>> AND THE INDIANA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM IS IN THE NCAA SWEET 16 FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON.

NOW, THIS TIME THEY WILL BE FACING PERHAPS THE GAME'S MOST STORIED PROGRAM, PAT BEANE REPORTS.

>> INDIANA'S REWARD FOR REACHING THE SWEET 16 SATURDAY IS A DATE WITH NUMBER TWO SEED CONNECTICUT LESS THAN 90 MINUTES FROM THE HUSKIES' CAMPUS.

CONNECTICUT HAS WON A RECORD 11 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS AND PLAYING IN 28th STRAIGHT SWEET 16.

I.U.

IS THRILLED TO BE MAKING BACK-TO-BACK APPEARANCES.

>> FOUR YEARS AGO, WE WERE STRUGGLING TO GET INTO THE TOURNAMENT.

THEN WE GOT THE WIN.

NOW TO SEE US GET TO THE SWEET 16 TWO YEARS IN A ROW, YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY SPECIAL.

>> BURGER.

>> BERGER IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THEY ARE IN THE FINALS.

SHE AND PATBERG HAVE LED I.U.

TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

IT WOULD BE FOUR STRAIGHT BUT TO THE 20 TOURNAMENT WAS CANCELED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> THERE'S NOBODY THAT DESERVES IT MORE THAN ALI PATBERG, OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE OF THE PLAYER SHE IS AND WHAT SHE'S DONE FOR THE PROGRAM.

THE PERSON SHE IS OFF THE COURT, BUT IT REALLY IS TRUE.

JUST HOW SHE'S TAKING EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US UNDER HER WING AND ALLOWED US TO HAVE INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS.

>> DO OVER INSTRUMENTAL IN THE ONE-POINT WIN ON MONDAY NIGHT.

BERGER HIT THE GO-AHEAD BASKET WITH 28 SECONDS LEFT AND PAT BERGER HAD THE GAME SEALING STEAL.

THEY OUTLASTED 7th SEED.

>> OVER THE YEARS, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE KIND OF MADE IT SEEM COMMONPLACE, BUT, YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY, THESE GAMES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DIFFICULT.

THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TOUGH.

>> THIRD SEEDED INDIANA IS HOPING TO MAKE THIS ONE TOUGH TOREFOR UCONN TOO.

>> WE HAVE BEEN IN A LOT OF CLOSE GAMES IF THERE'S TIME ON THE CLOCK, WE WILL ALWAYS GIVE OURSELVES A CHANCE.

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

>> SATURDAY'S GAME TIPS OFF AT 2 P.M. ON ESPN.

AND 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.

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