>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A LEAKED SUPREME COURT DECISION THAT WOULD OVERTURN THE LANDMARK ABORTION CASE ROE vs. WADE HAS SOME CONCERNED WHAT OTHER RIGHTS COULD BE IN JEOPARDY.

>> A RIGHT WING SUPREME COURT MAJORITY WILLING TO DO THIS SEEMS CAPABLE OF POTENTIALLY DOING ANYTHING.

>> ABORTION RIGHTS GROUPS ARE RALLYING AGAINST THE IMPENDING DECISION.

THE WAR IN UKRAINE IS IMPACTING LOCAL FARMERS AS BANDS OF RUSSIAN OIL AND GAS ARE CAUSING FERTILIZER PRICES TO SOAR.

>> DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU'RE AT, IN THE MIDWEST, ANHYDROUS AMMONIA PRICES HAVE GONE UP 300 TO 500%.

>> AND THAT'S LED TO FARMERS PLANTING MORE SOYBEAN THAN CORN THIS YEAR.

>>> AND COLLEGE OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO REVERSE A DECISION OF DROPPING ENROLLMENT AT HIGHER INSTITUTIONS AROUND THE STATE.

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

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, A LEAKED DRAFT OF THE SUPREME COURT DECISION OVERTURNING THE LANDMARK ROE vs. WADE CASE MEANS ABORTION COULD BECOME ILLEGAL IN VARIOUS STATES IN THE U.S.

THE DECISION HAS SENT SHOCK WAVES AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND HAS SOME WONDERING IF OTHER RIGHTS COULD BE IN JEOPARDY.

PAT BEANE REPORTS.

>> IF THE SUPREME COURT'S FINAL DECISION MIRRORS THAT OF THE LEAKED DRAFT, IT COULD END A NEARLY 50-YEAR NATIONWIDE GUARANTEE OF A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO AN ABORTION.

>> THIS IS AN EARTHQUAKE.

I MEAN, NEVER BEFORE HAS THE SUPREME COURT ROLLED BACK AN INDIVIDUAL, PERSONAL RIGHT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION LIKE THIS.

THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS FOOT DECISION WOULD ALLOW EACH STATE TO DECIDE THE LEGALITY OF ABORTIONS.

STATES SUCH AS TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA LIKELY WOULD ELIMINATE ABORTION ALL TOGETHER.

HE BELIEVES INDIANA COULD FOLLOW THEIR LEAD.

700 PROTESTERS MOSTLY PROCHOICE, RALLIED AROUND MONUMENT CIRCLE WEDNESDAY EVENING.

>> MAKE SURE THAT THEY WE EXPECT TO BE PROTECTED AND DO THEIR JOBS AS IT RELATES TO US.

SO AT THE STATE LEVEL, WE NEED THEM TO TAKE CONTROL BECAUSE THE FEDERAL LEVEL HASN'T.

>> SANDER SAYS THE REVERSAL OF ROE COULD LEAD STATES TO FILE CASES TO OVERRULE RIGHTS SUCH AS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

>> I WOULD HAVE SAID A YEAR AGO THAT I DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS FEASIBLE.

NOW I'M NOT SO SURE.

YOU KNOW, A RIGHT WING SUPREME COURT MAJORITY WILLING TO DO THIS SEEMS CAPABLE OF POTENTIALLY DOING ANYTHING.

>> BECAUSE WHAT WAS LEAKED WAS A DRAFT OPINION WRITTEN BY JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO, AND IT WILL LIKELY UNDERGO CHANGES.

>> IT MAKES SENSE HE WOULD SWING FOR THE FENCES IN WRITING THIS.

IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT'S WHAT THE OPINION WOULD HAVE LOOKED LIKE, YOU KNOW WHEN IT WAS FINALLY ISSUED.

NOW, WE'LL SEE.

>> THE COURT'S FINAL DECISION IS NOT EXPECTED UNTIL JUNE.

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

>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY BRANDON SMITH, WHO COVERS THE STATE HOUSE FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOR WHAT THE DECISION COULD MEAN FOR INDIANA.

BRANDON, WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW.

>> THANKS, JOE.

>> SO DO YOU EXPECT LAWMAKERS TO CALL FOR SPECIAL -- A SPECIAL SESSION TO INTRODUCE ABORTION LEGISLATION AFTER THE SUPREME COURT RELEASES ITS DECISION?

>> LAWMAKERS CAN'T CALL FOR A SPECIAL SESSION THEMSELVES.

ONLY THE GOVERNOR CAN CALL A SPECIAL SESSION BUT THEY ALREADY ASKED HIM TO DO THAT.

100 REPUBLICANS OUT OF 110 SENT A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR IN MARCH SAYING IF AND WHEN THE SUPREME COURT RULES ON ABORTION, AS THEY ARE EXPECTED TO DO IN A COUPLE MONTHS OR ABOUT A MONTH FROM NOW, THEY WOULD LIKE THE GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION SO THEY CAN ENACT LEGISLATION.

>> NOW, SOME STATES COULD BAN ABORTION ALL TOGETHER, AND EVEN CRIMINALIZE IT.

SO HOW FAR DO YOU THINK INDIANA LEGISLATORS WILL GO?

WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD?

>> I THINK LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AREN'T SAYING EXACTLY WHAT THEY'LL SWING FOR AT THIS POINT.

THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE FINAL DECISION FROM THE SUPREME COURT, BUT I WOULD EXPECT THEM TO GO AS FAR AS THE SUPREME COURT LETS THEM IN BANNING ABORTION.

>> AND NOW WE'LL HEAR FROM GOVERNOR HOLCOMB IN JUST A BIT, BUT DO YOU EXPECT HIM TO SIGN ANYTHING THAT COMES ACROSS HIS DESK?

>> MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THAT HE WOULD, ALTHOUGH RIGHT NOW HE'S NOT SAYING MUCH.

HE'S ONLY SAYING THAT HE WANTS TO WAIT FOR WHAT THE SUPREME COURT'S FINAL DECISION SAYS AND WHEN PRESSED ABOUT HIS PERSONAL OPINION ON ABORTION, HE SAID THIS.

>> I HAVE A HARD TIME BEING THE PERSON THAT'S PART OF TAKING OF A LIFE.

AND I'LL REVIEW THE DECISION THAT HAS IMPACT ON THAT.

>> YOU KNOW, BRANDON, THERE'S THINKING THAT OTHER RIGHTS SUCH AS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE COULD BE THE NEXT TARGET BY THE RIGHT.

SO WHERE DOES THE INDIANA GOP STAND ON THAT ISSUE?

>>> I THINK MANY LEGISLATORS WOULD TRY TO BAN, REBAN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN INDIANA.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WOULD LIKE TO DO.

I THINK THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT AND IT'S UNCLEAR HOW FAR THEY WOULD GO.

>> ALL RIGHT, BRANNON, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IAPPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

>> IMAGES COMING FROM THE UKRAINE ARE UNPRECEDENTED AND HEART BREAKING, BUT AS THE U.S. AND OTHER COUNTRIES PUNISH RUSSIA WITH SANCTIONS, SOME OF THE IMPACTS ARE BEING FELT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC HERE AT HOME.

BROCK TURNER REPORTS.

>> JOHN CARNAHAN IS EAGERLY AWAITING A STRING OF DRY DAYS TO GET HIS CROP IN THE GROUND.

THE COST OF HIS INPUTS ARE MORE THIS YEAR, IN PART BECAUSE OF INFLATION AND BROADER ECONOMIC FACTORS.

BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE.

THINGS LIKE FUEL, FERTILIZERS AND HERBICIDES ARE SOME OF THE COSTLIEST INVESTMENTS YEAR TO YEAR IN AGRICULTURE.

A REPORT LAST MONTH ESTIMATES THAT MARGINS WILL BE TIGHTER THIS YEAR.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT CARNAHAN KNOWS WELL.

>> TOTAL FARM INCOME WILL BE REDUCED OVER WHAT IT WAS LAST YEAR.

THE MARGIN IS JUST A LOT TIGHTER.

>> AFTER A STRING OF GOOD YEARS THIS YEAR APPEARS DIFFERENT.

ONE OF THE SINGLE LARGEST LINE ITEMS FOR CARNAHAN AND OTHER FARMERS IS NITROGEN WHICH IS CRITICAL FOR CORN.

>> WE PURCHASED THAT BACK IN THE FALL.

SO WE ACTUALLY INCREASED OUR CORN ACRES HERE ON OUR FARM.

SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT THE PRICE WAS TOO HIGH FOR SOME OF THOSE INPUTS SO THEY MAY HAVE CHOSEN TO SWITCH TO SOYBEANS WHICH REQUIRE LESS INPUTS.

>> THAT'S NOT JUST ANECDOTES.

HE'S ANOMALY AMONG INDIANA FARMERS.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE INDIANA FROM THE INTENTIONS THAT CAME OUT THE 1st OF MARCH WERE GOING TO PLANT ABOUT 300,000 LESS CORN ACRES AND 300,000 MORE SOYBEAN ACRES AND WE ARE OFF TO A PRETTY SLOW START.

>> FROM SILVER'S PERSPECTIVE, THERE'S A REASON.

>> WE'RE SEEING HIGH FERTILIZER COSTS.

SOMETIMES AT ALL-TIME HIGHS.

>> THE WAR'S IMPACT ON THESE AREAS MIGHT BE ABSECURE, BUT IT TAKES -- OBSCURE BUT IT TAKES SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL TO PRODUCE THOSE FERTILIZERS.

BOB WHITE, WITH THE INDIANA FARM BUREAU SAYS TIGHTER GLOBAL, HAS PUSHED THE PRICE OF L.P. GAS HIGHER.

THAT'S HAVING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON FERTILIZERS THAT FARMERS RELY ON.

>> DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE AT IN THE U.S., ANHYDROUS AMMONIA PRICES HAVE GONE UP 300 TO 500%.

SO THERE'S A HUGE INCREASE IN THE NITROGEN.

>> CARNAHAN AND OTHER FARMERS PREPURCHASE THEIR INPUTS BEFORE THE GROWING SEASON BEGINS.

THAT'S ALLOWED HIM TO PLANT FOR CORN THIS YEAR, BUT WHITE WORRIES IN THE CONFLICT DRAGS ON, PROBLEMS COULD PERSIST.

>> LOOKING OUT A YEAR FROM NOW OR INTO, LET'S SAY, DECEMBER, EARLY NEXT YEAR, WHERE'S THOSE FERTILIZER PRICES GOING TO BE?

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE PLENTY OF IT.

>> BUT IF THE DESTRUCTION FROM RUSSIA CONTINUES OTHER COUNTRIES COULD HAVE PROBLEM SECURING GRAIN AND OTHER COMMODITIES FROM UKRAINE.

GRAIN EXPORTS FROM THERE ARE EXPECTED TO PLUMMET THIS YEAR.

>> WE KNOW A LOT OF EXPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IS RECEIVING HEAVY DAMAGE, ALONG THE OCEAN SHIPPING PORTS.

IT TAKES TIME TO REBUILD THAT KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO THAT WILL CERTAINLY BE IMPACTING UKRAINE'S ABILITY TO EXPORT GOING FORWARD, EVEN IF THIS CONFLICT WERE RESOLVED TODAY.

>> WHILE EXPERTS SAY THE U.S.

DOES NOT DEPEND ON LARGE QUANTITIES OF GRAIN FROM THE UKRAINE, OTHER COUNTRIES ARE NOT AS FORTUNATE, BUT IT'S UNLIKELY YOU WILL SEE GRAIN FROM INDIANA ON BARGES HEADED THERE.

>> WE DO EXPORT SOME CORN TO THE GLOBAL MARKET, BUT INDIANA'S SHARE OF THE GLOBAL EXPORT MARKET IS PRETTY SMALL.

SAME IS TRUE OF SOYBEANS.

INDIANA'S SOYBEAN CROP IS USED PRIMARILY HERE IN INDIANA.

>> EXPERTS SAY BECAUSE OF THAT, THE FOOD SUPPLY HERE AT HOME IS LIKELY SECURE, ASSUMING THIS AREN'T SIGNIFICANT WEATHER EVENTS.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT STORY FROM WHAT FARMERS ARE FACING IN UKRAINE.

>> THE FARMERS, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE WEARING BALLISTIC, BULLETPROOF VESTS, AND BALLISTIC HELMETS AS THEY ARE ON THEIR TRACTORS TRYING TO GET THEIR SPRING WHEAT CROP AND CORN CROP PLANTED.

DODGING BULLETS, MISSILES, AERIAL ATTACKS.

>> REPORTS SAY RUSSIA WHAT IS PILLAGED TRACTOR DEALERSHIPS AND GRAIN STORAGE FACILITIES AND HAS PLANS TO DESTROY UKRAINIAN CROPS.

>> IF YOU ARE WORRIED YOU DON'T HAVE THIS CHOICE OR THAT CHOICE, THERE'S A LOT DIFFERENT THAN ARE THERE BOMBS GOING OFF IN THE BACKYARD?

>> EVERYONE INTERVIEWED AGREES HIGHER PRICES AND LIMITED SUPPLIES ARE A SMALL AND WORTH WHILE PRICE TO PAY.

A WORLD AWAY FROM THE DEVASTATING LOSS OF LIFE OCCURRING IN THE UKRAINE.

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

>> WELL, ERIN HOUCHIN DEFEATED A CROWDED FIELD OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ON TUESDAY TO PAVE HER WAY IN THE 9th 9th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

HOUCHIN IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR FROM SEYMOUR, SHE WILL FACE DEMOCRAT MATT FYFE, A TEACHER AT BLOOMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL NORTH IN THE FALL.

HOUCHIN TOUTS HERSELF AS PRO PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> I BELIEVE HIS BOLLIES POLICIES WERE GOOD FOR AMERICA AND WE WERE CERTAINLY BETTER UNDER TRUMP THAN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

>> REPUBLICAN TREY HOLLINGSWORTH HAS HELD THE SEAT SINCE 2017, BUT DECIDED NOT TO RUN FOR REELECTION THIS YEAR.

IN ANOTHER CLOSELY WATCHED RACE IN SOUTHERN INDIANA, REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT, BRUCE BORDERS HELD OFF A CHALLENGE BY JEFF ELLINGTON IN DISTRICT 45.

ELLINGTON IS THE REPRESENTATIVE IN DISTRICT 62 BUT REDISTRICTING LED TO OVERLAP OF THE TWO DISTRICTS.

>> I THINK HE WAS JUST SIMPLY CARPET BAGGING, LOOKING FOR FRIENDLIER POLITICAL TURF THAN WHAT HE MIGHT HAVE EXPERIENCED IN DISTRICT 62.

>> AS OF NOW, BORDERS WILL BE UNOPPOSED IN THIS FALL'S GENERAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 8th.

>>> WELL, GRADUATE STUDENT WORKERS AT I.U.

VOTED TO EXTEND THEIR STRIKE THROUGH GRADUATION WEEKEND, AND INTO NEXT WEEK.

THE UNIVERSITY SPOKESPERSON SAID I.U.

WILL BE PUTTING TOGETHER A TASK FORCE TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES HEADING INTO THE FALL SEMESTER.

BUT Ph.D.

CANDIDATE NORA WEBER SAYS A TASK FORCE ENDORSED BY THE UNIVERSITY IN 2019 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR ISSUES WAS INEFFECTIVE.

>> THAT TASK FORCE CAME UP WITH CLEAR RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE TASK FORCE OUTLINED SPECIFIC WAYS IN WHICH I.U.

IS FALLING BEHIND, AND THEN THE UNIVERSITY REFUSED TO TAKE ANY MEANINGFUL ACTION.

>> THE GRADUATE STUDENT COALITION WILL VOTE SUNDAY ON NEXT STEPS AND WHETHER TO CONTINUE THE STRIKE INTO THE SUMMER.

BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A .0.69 INCREASE INCOME TAX.

IT RAISES THE L.I.T.

TO 2.035%.

BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON ORIGINALLY PROPOSED AN INCREASE OF 0.855 POINTS.

>> BUT SOMETIMES THERE ARE NO SOLUTIONS.

THERE ARE ONLY TRADEOFFS.

AND THIS IS THE CLASSIC EXAMPLE.

ALL OF US HAVE GIVEN UP SOMETHING THAT WE FELT VERY STRONGLY ABOUT IN THIS PROCESS.

>> UNDER THE ADOPTED INCREASE, THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD WOULD PAY ABOUT $286 IN ADDITIONAL TAXES.

THE INCREASE WILL GENERATE ABOUT $14.5 MILLION IN ANNUAL REVENUE FOR BLOOMINGTON.

THE NEW RATE WILL TAKE EFFECT OCTOBER 1st.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," COLLEGE ENROLLMENTS HAVE DECREASED 6% OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, AND OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO REVERSE THAT TREND.

>>> AND A WOMAN FROM TERRE HAUTE WILL BE RUNNING HER 100th HALF MARATHON AT THIS WEEKEND'S INDY MINI MARATHON.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

EARLIER SPRING TEMPERATURES AND LONGER SUMMERS ARE MAKING SEASONAL ALLERGIES WORSE IN INDIANA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE INDEPENDENT RESEARCHING, CLIMATE CENTRAL.

>> THE INDIANA STUDY HAD EIGHT MORE DAYS ABOVE FREEZING LAST YEAR THAN THEY DID IN 1970, BUT THAT DOESN'T JUST MAKE THE ALLERGY SEASON LAST LONGER.

IT MAKES IT MORE INTENSE.

MELISSA WIDHALM IS THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AND REGIONAL CLIMATOLOGIST WITH THE MIDWESTERN REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTER.

SHE SAYS EXCESS CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE ATMOSPHERE NOT ONLY BOOSTS THE CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT IT CAN BOOST GROWTH OF RAGWEED AND OTHER PRODUCTS.

>> THEY ARE JUST GOING TO GET BIGGER.

THEY ARE JUST GOING TO PRODUCE MORE POLLEN.

>> POLLEN CAN TRIGGER AN ASTHMA ATTACK.

FOR MORE THAN HALF THE ASTHMA SUFFERS.

BLACK AND OTHERS ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE AS ARE LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD ALLERGY MEDICATION.

>> IF YOU STOP TAKING THE MEDICATIONS, THE INFLAMMATION THAT LEADS TO ASTHMA CAN RETURN RELATIVELY QUICKLY.

AND SO IT -- HAVING ACCESS AND HAVING THE SUPPORT TO GET THAT ACCESS IS REALLY VERY IMPORTANT.

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

>>> WIDHALM SAYS CURBING CARBON EMISSIONS FROM CARS AND POWER PLANTS WILL HELP ALLERGIES LONG TERM BUT SHE'S SAYS WE'RE LIKELY TO SEE WORSE ALLERGY SEASONS IN THE FUTURE DECADES.

>>> INDIANA'S COLLEGE ATTENDANCE RATES DROPPED 6 PERCENTAGE POINTS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WITH SHARP DECLINES HAPPENING IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, EDUCATORS ACROSS STATE ARE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE DOWNWARD TRENDS AS ANOTHER CLASS OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS PREPARE TO GRADUATE.

>> HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND COLLEGE RECRUITERS MINGLE IN MARTINSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM FOR A COLLEGE AND CAREER FAIR.

SOME STUDENTS SUCH AS HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR OLIVIA NICOLOFF HAVE REVISED THEIR PLANS SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

ORIGINALLY SHE THOUGHT SHE WOULD GET A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS.

SHE GOT A JOB AT STARBUCKS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND NOW PLANS TO TAKE THE COMPANY UP ON ITS OFFER TO PAY FOR HER TO GO TO SAW ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY WHERE SHE WILL ATTEND ONLINE.

>> FOR THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY FOR COLLEGE, OR THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO DO THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN OBSERVED IN THE DATA.

FORMER COMMISSIONER ON HIGHER EDUCATION, TERESA LUBBERS SAID IN THE FINAL ADDRESS BEFORE STEPPING DOWN THAT THE BIGGEST DROPS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED IN MINORITY STUDENTS, GRADUATES ENROLLING IN TWO-YEAR DEGREES AND LOW-INCOME GROUPS.

>> THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE SEEN IN THE DROP OF ENROLLMENTS.

PROBABLY THOSE MORE ADVERSELY IMPACTED BY COVID.

>> IN THE PAST, IT WAS PEOPLE WITH HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS FUELED THE ECONOMY.

BUT WHILE THE NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION IS DROPPING, THE NUMBER OF INDIANA JOBS THAT REQUIRE A COLLEGE DEGREE ROSE BY 7% IN THE LAST YEAR.

AND THAT'S BEEN ON KARL WAGNER'S MIND WHEN HE ORGANIZES CAREER AND COLLEGE EVENTS.

HE COUNSELS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MARTINSVILLE ABOUT THEIR GRADUATION PLANS.

HE DOESN'T NECESSARILY THINK COLLEGE IS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR EVERY STUDENT BUT WANTS KIDS TO BE AWARE THAT THEY HAVE OPTIONS.

>> IF YOU ARE GOING TO COLLEGE, YOU OUGHT TO KNOW WHY YOU ARE GOING.

IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MAJOR PICKED OUT, BUT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW THAT WHATEVER YOU WILL DO WILL TAKE A COLLEGE DEGREE.

>> HE SEES SCHOOLS TRYING TO MAKE EFFORTS TO BRING STUDENTS IN BUT ISN'T SURE IT WILL BE ENOUGH TO MAKE ENROLLMENT TICK BACK UP.

INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY'S VICE PROVOST FOR ENROLLMENT, JASON TRAINER AGREES WITH WAGNER.

THEIR ENROLLMENT IS DOWN MORE THAN 11% FROM LAST SPRING.

I.S.U.

IS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC BUT IT'S HORDE HARD TO PREDICT WHAT THE FALL WILL LOOK LIKE.

>> WE BELIEVE THERE WILL BE SOME SORT OF RECOVERY.

I THINK MOST OF US WOULD HAVE AN EXPECTATION THAT IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO ACTUALLY GET BACK TO A PRE-COVID TYPE OF NUMBERS.

AND IN SOME OF THAT IS JUST BASED ON THE WORKFORCE.

THERE'S A LOT MORE -- A LOT MORE INCENTIVES AND A LOT MORE PUSH FOR STUDENTS TO GO DIRECTLY INTO THE WORKFORCE.

WE HAVE TO KIND OF UNDERSTAND THAT AND MAKE A STRONGER CASE IN TERMS OF THEIR LONG-TERM CAREER, AND LONG-TERM EARNING POTENTIAL.

>> HE SAYS I.S.U.

IS RESPONDING TO STUDENTS' SHIFTING NEEDS TRYING TO KEEP TUITION AFFORDABLE AND GUARANTEEING THAT PELL GRANT ELIGIBLE STUDENTS WITH A 3.0 G.P.A.

HAVE ANY GAPS IN TUITION COVERED AND PROVIDING EVERY I.S.U.

STUDENT WITH $3,000 TOWARDS AN OUT-OF-CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE.

HE ADDED I.S.U.

IS HAVING TO COMPETE WITH LARGER STATE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE LOWERED TEST SCORE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION.

NICOLOFF WANTS TO MAJOR IN MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT AT ARIZONA STATE.

>> I FEEL THAT WILL REALLY HELP WITH GROWING MORE IN STARBUCKS AND SOMETHING THAT'S ALWAYS INTERESTED ME.

SO I'M EXCITED TO TO START THAT.

>> ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE RESEARCH CENTER, HIGHER EDUCATION ENROLLMENT FELL 2.7% IN THE FALL OF 2021 FOLLOWING A DROP OF 2.5% THE YEAR WHERE.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," IMBENTE BOUTHIER.

>>> IT'S GRADUATION WEEKEND ON I.U.

'S BLOOMINGTON'S CAMPUS.

MORE THAN 21,000 GRADUATES WILL RECEIVE THEIR DIPLOMAS THERE.

AND AT I.U.

'S REGIONAL CAMPUSES THIS YEAR.

>>> THIS WEEKEND WILL MARK THE 46th RUNNING OF THE 500 FESTIVAL MINI MARATHON IN INDIANAPOLIS.

FOR ONE TERRE HAUTE WOMAN, THE 13.1-MILE JOURNEY FROM DOWNTOWN TO THE SPEEDWAY WILL BE A MILESTONE.

CALGARYY LICHTER HAS THIS STORY.

-- CALI LICHTER HAS THIS STORY.

>> SUSAN SKELETON HAS DONE THIS ROUTE MANY TIMES.

SHE RAN THE INDY MINI IN 1997, 1998, AND 1999.

SHE THOUGHT '99 WOULD BE HER FINAL RACE BUT ON SATURDAY, SHE'S RACING UP HER SHOES ONE MORE TIME.

WHY?

>> WELL, THE INDY MINI WAS MY FIRST ONE.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN MAKE IT NUMBER 100.

>> WHEN THE TERRE HAUTE NATIVE CROSSES THE FINISH LINE ON SATURDAY, IT WILL MARK HER 100th INDIANA HALF MARATHON.

INSPIRED BY HER TUESDAY TRAINING FOR A TRIATHLON, SHE DECIDED TO GET BACK INTO RUNNING.

>> AND I KIND OF RESEARCHED HALF MARATHONS AND TOTALLY FELL DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE OF EVERYTHING THAT'S OUT THERE.

>> BY 2014, SKELETON RAN HER 50th ALL-TIME HALF MARATHON IN FISHERS.

SHE COMPLETED OVER 314 RACES WITH DISTANCES FROM ONE MILE TO A FULL MARATHON.

>> I WOULD SAY, IT DEFINITELY CAN BE ADDICTION.

>> IT WASN'T UNTIL 2018 THAT SKELETON REALIZED THE NUMBER OF HALF MARATHONS SHE DID IN INDIANA.

SHE WANTED TO COMPLETE THE 50 STATES CHALLENGE OR A ONE HALF MARATHON IN EACH OF THE STATES.

SHE REALIZED THAT SHE WAS AT 92 HALF MARATHONS IN INDIANA.

>> BUT THERE'S SOMETHING MAGICAL ABOUT THAT 100.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU THINK YOU GET A 100 ON A TEST, THAT'S A PERFECT.

>> FOR HER, THE INDY MINI HAS ALL THE BEST PARTS OF A RACE, FROM THE AID STATIONS AND THE FANS AND THE CLOGGERS AND THE COURSE.

SKELETON LOVES HOW VISUALLY STIMULATING IT IS.

>> BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU ARE APPROACHING THE LAST THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILE, HEADED BACK INTO DOWNTOWN AND YOU'VE GOT THOSE CHECKERED FLAGS.

I MEAN, I'M GETTING GOOSEBUMPS TALKING ABOUT IT.

>> THIS WILL BE THE THIRD RACE BACK AFTER SHOULDER SURGERY LAST YEAR.

SO SHE WILL BE RUN-WALKING THE COURSE.

>> RUN WHEN YOU CAN.

IF YOU CAN'T RUN, WALK.

WALK WHEN YOU CAN.

AND IF YOU CAN'T WALK, CRAWL.

BUT JUST KEEP FORWARD MOTION UNTIL YOU GET IT DONE.

>> SKELETON AND HER BLACK AND WHITE CHECKERED TUTU ARE WARMED UP AND READY FOR THE RACE.

AS OF NOW, SHE THINKS IT WILL BE HER LAST INDIANA HALF MARATHON UNTIL THE 50th RUNNING OF THE RACE IN 2026.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M CALI LICHTER.

>> SHE'S HOPING TO COMPLETE THE 50 STATE HALF MARATHON CHALLENGE ON HER 60th BIRTHDAY IN 2025.

>>> IN INDIANA 600 HORSES ARE BRED FOR BRACING, RACING, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM MAKE IT TO THE TRACK.

ONE INDIANA ORGANIZATION HELPS RETIRED RACEHORSES FIND NEW CAREERS.

>> BECAUSE SO MANY RACEHORSES ARE RETIRED EACH YEAR, BUYERS CAN BE PICKY AND DON'T TYPICALLY BUY HORSES OFF THE TRACK THAT COULD INCUR EXTRA COSTS.

THAT'S WHERE THE NONPROFIT FRIENDS OF FERDINAND COMES IN.

IT HAS LOCATIONS IN SOUTHERN INDIANA AND OHIO, WHERE RETIRED RACEHORSES CAN BE SENT IF THEY NEED A TRANSITION PERIOD.

THE ONE IN INDIANA RUN BY BRANDON FORTNER FOCUSED ON WESTERN DISCIPLINES AND TRAIL RIDING.

HE HELPS REHABILITATE RACEHORSES AND FIND THEM OWNERS.

>> THEY SEE A LOT AND EXPERIENCE A LOT AT THE TRACK.

I MEAN, SOME OF IT IS JUST EXPOSURE TO THINGS OUTSIDE.

YOU KNOW, LETTING THEM GO OUT IN THE PASTURE AND BE A HORSE.

>> SARA BUSBICE SAYS ANYONE WHO WANTS TO ADOPT WITH THEM HAS TO MEET THE HORSE FIRST.

>> THEY HAVE PERSONALITIES.

THEY HAVE LIKES.

THEY HAVE DISLIKES.

SOME OF THEM ARE MORE TOLERABLE THAN OTHERS.

YOU KNOW?

AND SO WE WANT TO MATCH THE RIDER TO THE HORSE.

AND SET EVERYBODY UP FOSSICKS.

>> FRIENDS FOR FERDINAND WILL TAKE A -- EVERYBODY UP FOR SUCCESS.

FRIENDS OF FERDINAND WILL TAKE IN HORSES IF THEY DON'T WORK OUT.

>> OUR NUMBERS ARE REALLY DICTATED BY THE NEEDS OF HORSES THAT WE GET.

>> HORSES RACE UNTIL ABOUT THE AGE OF 7, BUT CAN LIVE UP TO 30 YEARS.

BUT WITHOUT FORTNER AND BUSBICE THEY COULD BE RETIRED TO A PASTURE OR EXPORTED FOR SLAUGHTER.

>> THESE HORSES HAVE A REALLY GOOD WORK ETHIC.

A REALLY GOOD MINDSET.

THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING.

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

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S A BIG WEEKEND FOR HORSE RACING IN LOUISVILLE, WITH THE 148th RUNNING THE KENTUCKY DERBY, KICKING OFF THE TRIPLE CROWN SEASON ON SATURDAY.

WELL, 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: