>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," AROUND 300 PEOPLE AGE OUT OF FOSTER CARE EVERY YEAR IN INDIANA, BUT MANY STRUGGLE TO MAKE THE TRANSITION TO LIVING ON THEIR OWN.

>> THE PROBLEM IS WE'VE REMOVED ALL THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND I HAVE SEEN SO MANY CHILDREN FAIL WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN APARTMENT.

>> AHEAD, WE VISIT WITH A WOMAN FOSTERING TWO TEENS AND THEIR CHILDREN.

>>> I.U.

HAD GRAND PLANS FOR THE CROSS-TOWN SHOPPING CENTER WHEN IT BEGAN TEARING BUILDINGS DOWN IN 2018, BUT THE PANDEMIC PUT THEM ON OLD.

>> THE UNIVERSITY HAS LONG-TERM PLANS FOR THAT SITE.

IT EXISTS IN OUR MASTER PLAN BUT WE HAVE NOTHING ON THE SHORE-TERM HORIZON.

>> NOW ONLY THREE BUSINESSES OCCUPY THE REMAINING BUILDING IN THE ONCE BUSTLING AREA.

>>> AND WE TALK WITH THE PSYCHOLOGIST ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO SPEAK TO CHILDREN ABOUT THE RECENT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS.

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

♪ ♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, AS DEBATE OVER GUN CONTROL REGULATION RAGES ACROSS THE NATION, THE CITY OF UVALDE, TEXAS, HAS BEEN BURYING THE 19 CHILDREN AND TWO TEACHERS KILLED IN A SCHOOL SHOOTING TWO WEEKS AGO.

IT WAS THE 27th SCHOOL SHOOTING THIS YEAR, AND THE DEADLIEST SINCE 2012 WHEN 26 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 20 6 AND.

-YEAR-OLDS WERE KILLED.

GUN VIOLENCE HAS REPLACED CAR ACCIDENTS KILLING CHILDREN FROM THE AGES OF 1 THROUGH 19.

FOR MORE ON HOW THIS IS AFFECTING OUR NATION'S CHILDREN, WE ARE JOINED BY BETH TRAMMELL AT I.U.

EAST IN RICHMOND.

SHE'S AN EXPERIENCED CLINICIAN WHO HAS WORKED WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FOR OVER 15 YEARS.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, PROFESSOR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SO I WOULD IMAGINE CHILDREN ARE ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SHOOTING.

WHAT'S BEST APPROACH TO TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS AND WHO SHOULD BE DOING IT?

>> YEAH, SO, YOU KNOW, I REALLY FEEL LIKE ANY ADULT WHO IS AROUND KIDS AND, YOU KNOW, IF KIDS ARE GOING TO BE ASKING QUESTIONS, I THINK OUR ROLE AS GROWNUPS IS TO BE PREPARED.

AND SO I USUALLY TELL FOLKS TO KIND OF FOLLOW A PROCESS.

I HAVE THIS FRAMEWORK OF FIRST PREPARING FOR THE CONVERSATION BY GATHERING FACTS.

AND THEN REFLECTING ON WHAT THE CHILD NEEDS TO KNOW, BASED ON THEIR, YOU KNOW, AGE, BUT ALSO THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL LEVEL AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, THEIR MENTAL WELLNESS.

I WOULD START THE CONVERSATION BY ASKING THEM WHAT THEY HAVE HEARD OR WHAT THEY KNOW, BECAUSE THAT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO, YOU KNOW, CORRECT ANY MISINFORMATION.

AND THE LAST THING IS TO AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN REASSURE THEM FOR SAFETY IN WAYS THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE THEMSELVES SAFE.

>> YOU SHOULD LIMIT HOW MUCH CHILDREN SEE ABOUT THE SHOOTINGS, YOU KNOW, DOES SEEING THAT ON TV OVER AND OVER KIND OF DRIVE UP THAT ANXIETY.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, MOST ANXIETY IS CUE BASED, MEANING WE SEE SOMETHING OR WE EXPERIENCE SOMETHING INTERNALLY THAT CAUSES US TO HAVE A SPIKE IN ANXIETY.

AND SO SEEING THINGS ON OUR DEVICES OR ON THE NEWS OVER AND OVER IS BASICALLY LIKE A TRIGGER OVER AND OVER FOR US TO BE REMINDED OF THAT ANXIETY.

SO IF FOLKS WANT TO WATCH THE NEWS, I USUALLY TELL THEM TO KIND OF WATCH IT AT A PRESCRIBED TIME, WHERE THEY CAN PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR A POTENTIAL SPIKE IN ANXIETY, AND IF YOUR KIDS ARE GENERALLY ANXIOUS, THEN I WOULD PROBABLY KEEP THEM AS MUCH AS YOU CAN KIND OF, YOU KNOW, AWAY FROM WATCHING THOSE CONTINUED STORIES.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU SEE CHILDREN WHOSE CLASSMATES WERE SHOT BEING INTERVIEWED AND OH, YOU ARE JUST STRUCK BY HOW RESILIENT THEY SEEM.

SO HOW DO KIDS WHO ARE 7, 8, 9, COPE WITH THE CRISIS LIKE THAT?

>> IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO THINK ABOUT THIS, EVEN AS GROWNUPS.

AND SO IT'S UNIMAGINABLE FOR US TO THINK ABOUT OUR KIDS.

I THINK KIDS ABSOLUTELY ARE RESILIENT, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY ARE UNIMPACTED BY THIS.

I BELIEVE ALL OF OUR KIDS WILL BE FOREVER SCARRED, WHETHER THAT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT WHERE THEY THINK ABOUT COULD THIS HAPPEN TO ME AT THIS SCHOOL?

JUST WHEN THEY STEP ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS OR IN THEY HAVE KIND OF DEVELOPED -- DEBILITATING, YOU KNOW, ANXIETY AND FEAR.

ALL OF OUR KIDS ARE EXPERIENCING IT.

ALL OF OUR KIDS ARE RESILIENT BUT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE CUES OF OUR KIDS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE CONTINUING TO BE OKAY.

>> OKAY, PROFESSOR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> APPRECIATE YOU.

>> WELL, NATIONALLY MORE THAN 20,000 CHILDREN AGE OUT OF FOSTER CARE ANNUALLY, INCLUDING AROUND 300 IN INDIANA.

BENTE BOUTHIER SAT DOWN WITH A FOSTER CARE MOM AND A COUPLE YOUNG WOMEN LIVING WITH HER AND SHARES THEIR STORY.

>> A HOUSE TUCKED AWAY IN A SUBURB OF NOBLESVILLE IS FILLED WITH ACTIVITY AT 5:30 P.M.

IT'S DINNER TIME AND LEFTOVERS ARE ON THE MENU.

SARAH MICHAELS SERVES UP PIZZA FOR TWO OF HER FOSTER KIDS CATTIA, BOTH 18, AND THEIR CHILDREN WHO ARE 1 AND 2 YEARS OLD.

MICHAELS IS FOCUSED ON HELPING THEM TRANSITION OUT OF FOSTER CARE AND CARE FOR THEIR OWN CHILDREN.

>> THIS ONE IS HER BED.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SERVICES HAS A PROGRAM WHICH HELPS YOUTH AGING OUT GET AN APARTMENT BUT MICHAELS SAYS MANY YOUNG ADULTS SHE WORKS WITH, NEED MORE GUIDANCE.

>> WHERE OUR SYSTEM FAILS THE OLDER YOUTH, WE HAVE A GREAT CONCEPT OF GETTING KIDS INTO APARTMENTS ONCE THEY TURN 18 YEARS OLD AND THE WHYED IS TO HELP KIDS LIVE -- THE IDEA IS TO HELP KIDS LIVE INDEPENDENTLY.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS WE REMOVE ALL OF THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND I HAVE SEEN SO MANY CHILDREN FAIL WHEN THEY ARE GIVEN AN APARTMENT AND NOW ON THEIR OWN.

>> MICHAELS WANTS TO SEE DCFS MAKE IT EASIER TO FOSTER OLDER YOUTH.

FROM 2020 TO 2021, THE NUMBER OF THE FOSTER HOMES AVAILABLE DROPPED BY NEARLY 5% IN THE STATE.

>> THE HARDEST THING IS THE HOMES THAT WOULD TAKE TEENAGERS ARE ALWAYS AT CAPACITY.

WE ARE CONSISTENTLY GETTING EXCEPTIONS APPROVED TO GO ABOVE CAPACITY.

>> SHE HAS THE THREE OLDER YOUTH AND HAVE HOUSED MORE THAN 40 IN HER SIX YEARS AS A FOSTER PARENT.

IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR HER TO HOUSE FIVE GIRLS AT A TIME.

THESE ARE PARTICIPATING IN COLLABORATIVE CARE WHICH IS PART OF STAYING WITH MICHAELS.

THEY WILL OFFICIALLY AGE OUT AT 21, BUT CAN VOLUNTARILY RECEIVE SERVICES UNTIL 23.

MICHAELS WANTS TO SEE KIDS RECEIVE HELP FOR LONGER, BUT McALLISTER SAYS REMAINING IN THE SYSTEM FEELS LIKE DCS IS HOVERING OVER HER.

>> AS WE'RE 18 AND GROWING OUT OF SYSTEM AND VOLUNTARILY STAYING HERE, THEY ARE TRYING TO BE MORE INTO OUR BUSINESS INSTEAD OF LETTING US BE AN ADULT AND LETTING US LEARN ON OURSELVES.

SHE HAS TO DEFEND HERSELF IN A WAY THAT MOST YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A FAMILY THAT HAS LOST ALL THEIR KIDS AND ADDICTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, NOW THEY ARE DOING THE SAME THING TO ME, ALONG WITH PARLEY, JUST TRYING TO GET AS MUCH AS THEY CAN, NO MATTER WHAT.

>> SHE JUST FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL, AND HAS A JOB.

SHE WAS PREGNANT WHILE IN SCHOOL AND HAD TO GO TO HER DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS ON HER OWN.

>> MARCUS AND HER 2-YEAR-OLD MOVED IN WITH MICHAELS IN APRIL.

SHE SAID SHE LEFT HER FAMILY BECAUSE SHE WAS BEING SEXUALLY ABUSED BY A RELATIVE.

WHEN SHE ENTERED FOSTER CARE, SHE FOUND OUT SHE WAS NOT TECHNICALLY A U.S. CITIZEN.

SHE WANTS TO ATTEND COLLEGE AND WORK BUT IS WAITING ON A SPECIAL JUVENILE IMMIGRATION STATUS TO BE APPROVED.

>> I'M A STAY-AT-HOME MOM, MOSTLY BECAUSE I CAN'T REALLY GO TO SCHOOL WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET.

I CAN'T GET A JOB.

THE IMMIGRATION IS MOVING FORWARD BUT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR NINE MONTHS WHEN IT WOULD USUALLY TAKE A MONTH, AND IT REALLY HAS HIT ME REALLY HARD, BECAUSE IT'S REALLY HARD BEING IN THIS SITUATION AND NOT FEELING STUCK.

>> HER DREAM IS TO BE A PEDIATRIC NURSE OR A TEACHER.

MICHAELS SAYS PROVIDING FAMILY SUPPORT WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO YOUNG ADULTS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE LAST THREE YEARS SAW THE LARGEST POPULATION OF YOUNG ADULTS EVER MOVE BACK IN WITH THEIR PARENTS.

KIDS IN FOSTER CARE DIDN'T HAVE THAT OPTION.

AND MICHAELS EXPECTS IT WILL GET HARDER TO MEET SPECIFIC NEEDS FOR PEOPLE LIKE McALLISTER AND MARQUEZ AS FEDERAL FUNDING EXPIRES IN SEPTEMBER.

INITIALLY THE NUMBER OF YOUTH STRUGGLING TO AFFORD NECESSITIES DROPPED BECAUSE OF EXTRA FUNDS AVAILABLE.

>> SO NOW THE YOUTH ARE GOING TO BE FEELING THE EFFECTS OF NORMAL LIFE AGAIN, YOU KNOW, AND THERE ARE STILL THE RESIDUAL EFFECTS FROM THE PANDEMIC THAT ARE STILL HAPPENING.

>> SHE ADDED 25% OF PEOPLE WHO AGE OUT OF FOSTER CARE EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS AND ARE FAR LESS LIKELY TO EARN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA IN FOUR YEARS THAN THEIR PEERS.

MARQUEZ AND McALLISTER ARE ALREADY BEATING THE ODDS WITH THE SUPPORT OF MICHAELS.

>> I THINK COMING TO SARA'S HOUSE WAS FIRST HOUSE WHERE I KNOW THAT IT'S NOT ONLY GOING TO BE GOOD IN THE BEGINNING, LIKE, JUST SARAH IS SUCH A WONDERFUL PERSON AND TO HAVE A FOSTER PARENT WHO WILL -- WHO WILL GIVE EVERYTHING FOR YOU, AND TREAT YOU LIKE YOU ARE THEIR OWN.

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

>> ACCORDING TO DCS, 332 FOSTER YOUTH IN THE STATE RECEIVED VOLUNTARY SERVICES IN 2021.

THAT'S UP FROM 266 THE YEAR BEFORE.

>>> AND FOR MORE ON THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES, HERE'S HOLDEN ABSHIER.

>> THANKS, JOE.

LUIS PLAZO PLEADED GUILTY AT THE MONROE COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER ON TUESDAY.

IN EXCHANGE FOR CHANGING HIS PLEA TO GUILTY, THE PROSECUTORS DROPPED ALL OTHER CHARGES AND HE FACES 40 TO 65 YEARS IN YALE.

HE -- IN JAIL.

HE WAS ARRESTED IN 2019 AFTER HE BROUGHT HIS BATTERED AND EMACIATED SON TO I.U.

HOSPITAL.

IT WAS FOUND THAT HE AND HIS WIFE LOCKED THE BOY IN A BATHROOM WHERE THEY REFUSED TO FEED HIM AND SHOCKED HIM WITH A DOG COLLAR.

>>> THE CENTS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION HAS RELEASED THE PROVISIONAL REPORT ON OVERDOSE DEATHS IN THE U.S. LAST YEAR AND AS MITCH LEGAN REPORTS, INDIANA SAW RECORD NUMBER FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR.

>> THE SYNTHETIC OPIOID FENTANYL CONTINUES TO DEVASTATE PEOPLE ACROSS INDIANA.

THERE WAS ANOTHER RECORD SAID IN 2021.

>> 85% OF THOSE ARE DUE TO FENTANYL, THAT IS -- THAT IS NOT JUST IN THE MARKET BUT LACED INTO OTHER DRUGS AS WELL.

>> FENTANYL WAS INITIALLY CREATED TO TREAT PAIN FROM CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES.

TRAVIS JESTER IS THE DIRECTOR FOR A RECOVERY SERVICE FOR 12 COUNTIES IN EASTERN INDIANA.

THEY ARE SEEING FENTANYL, MIXED WITH COCAINE AND HEROIN OR PRESSED INTO PILLS TO LOOK LIKE OTHER DRUGS.

>> AND WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THIS AREA IS AN UPTICK OF THE WHITE FENTANYL.

THAT STUFF WILL KILL YOU.

STAY AWAY FROM THAT AND AS A PERSON IN RECOVERY, YOU KNOW WHEN I WAS DOING HEROIN, IT WAS ALWAYS BROWN.

AS SOON AS I HEARD ABOUT WHITE STUFF, THAT'S NOT HEROIN.

>> INDIANA WILL RECEIVE $506 MILLION FROM DRUG MANUFACTURERS FOR THEIR ROLE IN THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

HUNTSINGER SAYS IT WILL BE PUT TO DIFFERENT RECOVERY PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE.

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

>>> A NEW ELECTRONIC BILLBOARD IS BEING REVIEWED BY THE BLOOMINGTON PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THE NEW ELECTRONIC SCREEN COMPLIES WITH MUNICIPAL CODE.

THE BILLBOARD WAS GRANTED A VARIANCE IN 2010, ALLOWING IT TO ADVERTISE BUSINESS OFFSITE.

>> WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT THE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE CONTINUE TO BE CODE COMPLIANT.

>> THE BILLBOARD IS BY THE CORNER OF THE BYPASS AND OLD STATE ROAD 37.

IT WAS A REGULAR BILLBOARD BEFORE BEING RECENTLY UPDATED WITH AN ELECTRONIC SCREEN.

SIGN OWNER LAMAR ADVERTISING DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO AI REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

>>> A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT RULED THAT THE PUBLIC CAN STILL USE THE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE IN FRONT OF PRIVATE PROPERTY.

THE PROPERTY OWNERS ARGUED THE INDIANA SUPREME COURT TOOK PART OF THEIR PROPERTY WHEN IT MADE AN EARLIER RULING.

CHRIS KAISER IS AN ATTORNEY WITH THE PACIFIC LEAGUE FOUNDATION, A NONPROFIT REPRESENTING THE PROPERTY OWNERS.

HE SAID THE RULING CHANGED HIS CLIENTS' BEACH EXPERIENCE.

>> BEFORE THE DECISION, THERE WAS MORE WILLINGNESS ON THE LOCAL -- ON THE PART OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO ENFORCE THE RIGHT TO EXCLUDE ALONG THE BEACH.

AND NOW, THEIR EXPERIENCE IS THAT THIS ENTIRE STRETCH OF BEACH IS TREATED AS PUBLIC.

>> BUT THE APPEALS COURT SAID THAT YOU CAN'T HAVE SOMETHING TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU THAT WAS NEVER YOURS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>>> THE ANNUAL TASTE OF BLOOMINGTON FOOD FESTIVAL WILL NOT HAPPEN AS PLANNED THIS MONTH.

THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE CITED INCREASED SUPPLY COSTS AND LABOR SHORTAGES, AS WELL AS OTHER ONGOING EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC.

EVERYONE WHO PURCHASED ADVANCED TICKETS WILL BE REFUNDED BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

>>> AND THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR HEADLINES, JOE.

SO BACK TO YOU.

>> WHEN WAS THE LAST TASTE OF BLOOMINGTON?

>> WELL, LAST YEAR'S EVENT WAS TO GO ONLY AND IN 2020, THE EVENT WAS CANCELED.

SO THE LAST REGULAR ONE WOULD HAVE BEEN 2019.

>> HOPEFULLY BACK NEXT YEAR.

>> HOPEFULLY FOR 2023.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," MCCOC, SAYS THEY WILL BE PUSHED OFF A FINANCIAL CLIFF IN A NEW REFERENDUM IS NOT PASSED IN THIS FALL'S ELECTION.

AND THE PANDEMIC SHELVED PLANS FOR THE CROSSTOWN SHOPPING CENTER AREA ON 10th STREET.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

2022 IS THE YEAR OF LOCAL TAXES IN MONROE COUNTY, AND ALL EYES ARE NOW ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

HOLDEN ABSHIER HAS THE STORY.

>> MONROE COUNTY RESIDENTS WILL ALREADY PAY MORE IN LOCAL INCOME, AND MOST WILL PAY MORE IN PROPERTY TAXES NEXT YEAR.

VOTERS MUST ALSO DECIDE WHETHER TO REACH DEEPER INTO THEIR POCKETS FOR THE LARGEST PUBLIC SCHOOL REFERENDUM SINCE 2010.

AND THE DECISION DOESN'T COME WITHOUT HOMEWORK.

[ BELL ] >> THE SCHOOL'S POINT OF VIEW, ALL OF THESE EXTRA TAXES THAT PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE PAYING AND ACTUALLY ARE PAYING DON'T DO ANY GOOD.

THEY STILL HAVE THE SAME NEED AND IF YOU ARE IN THE SIXTH YEAR OF YOUR OPERATING REFERENDUM, IT'S LIKELY TO BE RUNNING OUT PRETTY QUICK.

>> AND THAT'S THE POSITION THAT THE MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL COMMISSION IS PUT IN.

IT WOULD BE PUSHED OFF A CLIFF.

IN 2010, VOTERS APPROVED A 14-CENT LEVY ON $100 OF NET ASSESSED PROPERTY VALUE WHICH GENERATED $7.3 MILLION ANNUALLY.

IN 2016, VOTERS RENEWED THE SAME INVESTMENT AND ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION, THAT MONEY WOULD BE WORTH $9.6 MILLION TODAY.

YET, THE DISTRICT IS SEEKING MORE THAN THAT.

IT WANTS $15.5 MILLION ANNUALLY.

>> WE CAN DO SO MUCH MORE WITH THAT MONEY.

>> HE SAYS FACULTY AND STAFF PAY WILL INCREASE AND THE DISTRICT WILL INVEST $1.2 MILLION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, PERFORMING ARTS AND STEM.

>> THOSE NEEDS ARE NOT GETTING ADDRESSED FROM STATE FUNDING.

>> MCCSC ESTIMATES HOMEOWNERS WITH A NET ASSESSED VALUE OF $100,000 WILL PAY ABOUT $125 IN ADDITIONAL TAXES EACH YEAR.

AND WHILE LOCAL REFERENDUMS PASSED WITH 60% AND 80% SUPPORT IN 2010, IN 2016, RESPECTIVELY, OSWALD SAYS HE'S NOT WORRIED ABOUT THIS YEAR.

>> PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE TOLD US OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT THEY SUPPORT K-12 PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IT'S AN INVESTMENT.

IT INCREASES THE OVERALL HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, OF QUALITY OF LIFE, BUSINESS ATTRACTION, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, ASSESSED PROPERTY VALUES, ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE ENHANCED WHEN YOU INVEST IN K-12 EDUCATION.

>> THIS WILL APPEAR AS A 34% INCREASE, BUT IT'S ONLY AN INCREASE TO THE PORTION OF THE BILL PAID TO SCHOOLS.

THINK OF THE ISSUE LIKE A LADDER AND EACH RUNG IS A REFERENDUM.

WITH THE FEET ON THE GROUND, MCCSC HAS A BASE RATE THAT IT TAXES.

IN 2010, VOTERS ALLOWED THE DISTRICT TO GO ONE STEP UP.

THEN IN 2016, THE VOTERS ALLOWED THE DISTRICT TO STAY ON THAT SAME LEVEL.

NOW MCCSC WANTS TO GO UP ANOTHER STEP.

IF YOU CALCULATE THE JUMP FROM THE FIRST STEP TO THE SECOND STEP, MCCSC IS ONLY PROPOSING A 15% INCREASE.

BUT UNDER STATE LAW, THE PERCENTAGE IS CALCULATED USING THE JUMP BETWEEN THE FLOOR AND THE PROPOSED TOP STEP.

AND DeBOER SAYS THIS CAN BE MISLEADING FOR VOTERS.

>> AND THE ONLY SOLUTION IS DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU GO INTO THE VOTING BOOTH.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M HOLDEN ABSHIER.

>>> MCCSC'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL MEET LATER THIS MONTH TO OFFICIALLY PLACE THE REFERENDUM ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

>>> WELL, IN 2018, BUSINESSES IN BLOOMINGTON'S 10th STREET CROSS TOWN TRAFFIC CENTER BEGAN TO DISPERSE IN ADVANCE OF A NEW DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE SITE, BUT SARAH VAUGHAN REPORTS THE SITE IS HALF FULL NOW AND NO SIGNS OF CONSTRUCTION.

>> THIS WAS A TIME WHEN THE CROSSTOWN SHOPPINGENT WAS A BUSTLEs PLACE, HOME TO MANY BUSTLING RESTAURANTS AND SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPLEXES.

POPULARITY MADE PARKING CHALLENGING.

THAT CHANGED IN THE FALL OF 2018, W.S.

PART GROUP ANNOUNCED PLANS TO REDEVELOP THE PROPERTY FOR INDIANA UNIVERSITY INTO A MULTISTORY MIXED-USE, HOUSING RESIDENTIAL AND OFFICE SPACE.

NOW THE SHOPPING CENTER IS HALF THE SIZE, THE EASTERN HALF A GRASSY EMPTY LOSS.

ONLY PIZZA X AND SUBWAY ARE LEFT IN THE BUILDING STANDING.

MANY BLOOMINGTONIANS ARE WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED.

>> THE CROSSTOWN PLAZA IS NOT ANYTHING THAT WE ARE -- THE UNIVERSITY NOR THE I.U.

FOUNDATION IS REDEVELOPING AT THE CURRENT TIME.

THE UNIVERSITY HAS LONG-TERM PLANS FOR THAT SITE.

IT EXISTS IN OUR MASTER PLAN, BUT WE HAVE NOTHING ON THE SHORT-TERM HORIZON.

>> MORRISON SAID COVID WAS THE PROJECT'S UNDOING.

IN THE INITIAL MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC, STUDENTS WERE NOT ON CAMPUS, AND REVENUES WERE DOWN.

>> WE HAD TO LOOK AT, RIGHT AWAY, WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD BE FINANCIALLY STABLE.

AND SO THERE WERE A NUMBER OF CAPITAL PROJECTS AT THE TIME THAT WE PUT ON HOLD.

THIS WAS ONE OF THEM.

>> THE PROJECT IS ALSO A CASUALTY OF PANDEMIC INDUCED CHANGES IN THE UNIVERSITY'S OPERATIONAL LIFE.

PERSONNEL FROM THE I. U.

SERVICES DEPARTMENTS WHO WOULD HAVE LIKELY MOVED TO THE NEW CROSSTOWN STATION NOW WORK REMOTELY OR HAVE BEEN ACCOMMODATED IN UNIVERSITY PROPERTIES ELSEWHERE.

BACK IN 2018, THE PLAN WAS TO BRING THE PROJECT TO FRUITION IN TWO STAGES, STARTING WITH THE CENTER'S EAST SIDE.

ONCE EAST BUILDING WAS FINISHED, TENANTS NEST BUILDING COULD MOVE TO THE NEW BUILDING AND THE CONSTRUCTION COULD WIN, ON THE WEST SIDE.

PIZZA X'S IS IN THE ORIGINAL LOCATION AND CONTINUES TO OPERATE THERE BUT OWNER JEFF MEESE PREDICTS BUILDING A NEW BUILDING WOULD MEAN THREE YEARS, POSSIBLY CREATING CONFUSION OF WHETHER LENNY'S WAS STILL OPERATING THERE AND AND PARKING WOULD HAVE BEEN AN EVEN BIGGER MESS.

>> SO WE ARE LOOKING FOR A WAY THAT I COULD SAY AS A RESTAURANT OPERATOR TO A DEVELOPER, YOU WILL BULLDOZE OUR OLD RESTAURANT SO YOU CAN BUILD A NICE NEW BUILDING BUT WE DON'T NEED A NEW RESTAURANT.

OUR RESTAURANT IS WORKING FINE.

>> MEESE OPTED TO RELOCATE TO DOWNTOWN ON KIRKWOOD AVENUE.

IT COST ABOUT HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.

ABOUT HALF OF WHAT MEESE ESTIMATES IT WOULD HAVE MEANT TO STAY AT CROSSTOWN.

WHEN ASKED IF HE WAS ABLE TO RECOUP THE COST OF THE MOVE, MEESE SAYS IF YOU PLUGGED ALL THE NUMBERS INTO AN INCOME STATEMENT, LENNY'S PROBABLY WOULDN'T LOOK LIKE IT MADE ANY MONEY, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE PANDEMIC, WHEN IT WAS TEMPORARILY CLOSED.

>> YEAH SO THESE THINGS TAKE A LONG TIME.

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE THE LONG VIEW ON RESTAURANTS, IN A SMALL -- IN A SMALL MARKET LIKE THIS.

>> THINGS HAVE WORKED OUT, THOUGH.

>> ARGUABLY NOW, WE ARE IN THE BEST RESTAURANT LOCATION IN BLOOMINGTON.

I MEAN, IT REALLY JUST STEPS FROM THE SANBORN GATES AND WE HAVE A NICE WOOD-FIRED OVEN AND IT'S A GREAT BUILDING.

GREAT LOCATION.

>> PARKING, HOWEVER, IS STILL A CHALLENGE.

I.U.

'S MORRISON SAYS NEED IS THE NUMBER ONE DRIVER OF CAPITAL PROJECTS AND RIGHT NOW THE UNIVERSITY DOESN'T NEED THE CROSSTOWN SPACE.

HE SAYS UNIVERSITY WILL CONTINUE RENOVATION AND REHABILITATION PROJECTS INCLUDING THE FERGUSON INTERNATIONAL BUILDING AND THE COLLINS RESIDENTIAL HALL RENOVATION BUT THE CURRENT VIEW OF CROSSTOWN IS THERE WON'T BE MUCH MORE THAN SIMPLE UPKEEP TO THE PROPERTY.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M SARAH VAUGHAN.

>>> MORRISON SAID HE EXPECTS DEMOLITION OF THE POPULARS BUILDING ON 7th STREET TO BE DONE THIS SUMMER.

UNIVERSITY HAS NO IMMEDIATE PLANS FOR THE PROPERTY, AND WILL LEAVE IT AS GREEN SPACE.

>>> CLIMATE CHANGE CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE, BUT IS IT POSSIBLE TO ADDRESS IT WITHOUT ALSO ADDRESSING CONSUMERISM?

AN EXPERT TOLD INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE, WE DO NEED TO CHANGE HOW WE CONSUME TO HELP THE PLANET AND IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS TO DO IT.

>> ZACH'S RANK AS A SOCIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF INDIANA SOUTH BEND.

HE SAYS THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE YOUR IMPACT.

YOU CAN BUY THINGS THAT ARE USED AND SHARE ITEMS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR AND BUY FROM COMPANIES THAT CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT.

BUT JUST BY BEING IN AN AFFLUENT SOCIETY IN THE U.S., WE CONSUME MORE AND WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE GREENER CHOICES.

IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE OF MAJOR CITY, YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GO WITHOUT A CAR.

IF YOUR SMARTPHONE BATTERY DIES, YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO REPLACE IN YOURSELF AND HAVE TO GET A WHOLE NEW PHONE.

>> IT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ENTITIES THAT ARE MAKING THESE THINGS AND GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE REGULATING THE PRODUCTION AND SALES OF THESE THINGS SO THAT CONSUMERS HAVE GOOD OPTIONS.

>> THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION LAB, HE SAYS WHILE EXCESS CONSUMERISM IS A BAD THING, THE IDEA THAT YOU HAVE TO SEVERELY LIMB YOURSELF TO SAVE THE PLANET IS NOT HELPFUL.

>> WE HURT OURSELVES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND OH, YOU HAVE TO ELIMINATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING NOW.

THAT'S NOT FAIR BECAUSE PEOPLE WON'T GET ON BOARD.

ALL WE'RE SAYING IS YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE WAYS YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THING.

>> IT'S DIFFICULT TO CHANGE THE WAY WE CONSUME AND PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO WORK COLLECTIVELY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS THE OPTION TO MAKE GREENER CHOICES.

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

>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM BUT THE WORK CONTINUES ONLINE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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