>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE FIRST MAJOR FEDERAL GUN LEGISLATION IN TWO DECADES IS ADVANCING.

HELPED IN PART BY ONE OF INDIANA'S U.S.

SENATORS WHO SIGNED ON TO THE BIPARTISAN BILL.

AHEAD, WHAT'S INDIANA DOING TO KEEP KIDS SAFE?

>> OUR MISSION IS TO TEACH AND CARE FOR KIDS.

IT IS A BURDEN, BUT IT'S NECESSARY NOW.

>> 98% OF HOPS, ONE THE MAIN INGREDIENTS IN BEER ARE GROWN IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, BUT AS THE CLIMATE CHANGES, A NEW VARIETY OF THE CROP FOUND IN MONROE COUNTY COULD OPEN UP THE DOOR TO OTHER GROWING REGIONS.

>> IF SOMETHING CAN GROW HERE, THEN THERE'S NO WAY THAT WE COULDN'T MODIFY IT TO GROW IT WHEREVER WE WANTED TO GROW IT.

>> AND AFTER MANY DELAYS, OFFICIALS IN TERRE HAUTE BROKE GROUND ON A NEW CASINO.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THAT, PLUS LATEST NEWS HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M SARA WITTMEYER, IN THIS WEEK FOR JOE HREN.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HAS OVERTURNED ROWTURNED ROE vs. WADE.

THE LEGALITY OF ABORTIONS IS NOW UP TO INDIVIDUAL STATES, AND THE RULING IS EXPECTED TO LEAD TO ABORTION BANS IN ROUGHLY HALF THE STATES.

PEOPLE HAVE DEEP CONVICTIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE, BUT THE RULING HELPS INDIANA REPUBLICANS ACHIEVE A LONG-TIME GOAL WHICH HAS BEEN STEADILY INCREASING ABORTION REGULATIONS IN THE PAST DECADE.

EVEN BEFORE TODAY'S RULING, LAWMAKERS HAD ASKED THE GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION SO THEY COULD ACT IN THE EVENT THAT ROE WAS OVERTURNED.

OUR DOMINICK HEYOB IS AT THE STATE HOUSE WITH THIS REPORT.

>> YES, SARA, I'M IN FRONT OF THE INDIANA STATE HOUSE WHERE GOVERNOR HOLCOMB ANNOUNCED HE WOULD CALL A SPECIAL SESSION TO DEAL WITH INFLATION RELIEF ON JULY 6th.

IN A STATEMENT TODAY, HE SAID HE EXPECTS LAWMAKERS TO TAKE UP ABORTION DURING THAT SESSION AS WELL.

THE GOVERNOR WAS QUOTED AS SAYING WE HAVE APRIL OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE PROGRESS IN PROTECTING THE SANCTITY OF LIFE, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE WILL DO.

THE ACLU OF INDIANA HAS BEEN TWEETING THAT ABORTION IS STILL LEGAL IN INDIANA.

AS THERE'S TO TRIGGER LAW IN PLACE THAT WOULD SET IN PLACE AN IMMEDIATE BAN.

STATE CONGRESSMAN LIKE JIM BANKS ARE PRESSURING STATE LAWMAKERS TO MEET AND ENACT A BAN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

GOVERNOR HOLCOMB SAID ALL OPTIONS WERE ON THE TABLE IN REGARD TO ABORTION RESTRICTIONS.

INDIANA RIGHT TO LIFE APPLAUDED THE COURT RULING, SAYING IT DOESN'T BAN ABORTION BUT REMOVES THE DECISION ABOUT ABORTION LAWS FROM THE HANDS OF UNELECTED OFFICIALS.

A BALL STATE SURVEY SAYS THAT ONLY 17% OF HOOSIERS THINK ABORTION SHOULD BE ILLEGAL IN ALL CASES.

AS TO BE EXPECTED DEMOCRATS ARE IN SUPPORT OF LEGALIZING ABORTION BUT THE REPUBLICANS HOLD THE SUPERMAJORITY IN THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE.

BACK TO YOU SARA.

>> THANK YOU, DOMINICK.

WE ARE JOINED NOW BY STEVE SANDERS, A PROFESSOR OF LAW AT THE I.U.

MAURER SCHOOL OF LAW.

CAN YOU START BY TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE FALLOUT WILL BE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN INDIANA.

>> I THINK THERE WILL BE A VARIETY OF TYPES OF FALLOUT.

ONE, WE WILL SEE STATES STATES LEGISLATING NEW RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION AND SECOND, I THINK WE WILL SEE OTHER STATES SAYING THEY WOULD WELCOME WOMEN ELECTRIC MORE RESTRICTIVE STATES TO COME AND ACCESS ABORTION IN THOSE STATES.

AND THIRD, I THINK INEVITABLY, WE WILL SEE SOME WOMEN SUFFER SERIOUS, GRAVE CONSEQUENCES FROM ILLEGAL ABORTIONS OR BOTCHED ABORTIONS.

I THINK THE FALLOUT IS GOING TO TAKE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT FORMS.

>> SO WHAT THIS DECISION DID WAS GIVE THE POWER BACK TO THE STATES.

SO IN ALL LIKELIHOOD, WE WILL HAVE A PATCH WORKWORK OF LAWS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THEY WILL HAVE A CHOICE FOR COMPLETELY ILLEGAL ABORTION, A EIGHT-WEEK PERIOD, A TEN-WEEK PERIOD, IT WILL BE ENTIRELY UP TO STATES TO DECIDE AND WE WILL HAVE A PATCHWORK, THAT'S CORRECT.

>> AND I'M ASSUMING STATES LIKE ILLINOIS ARE PROBABLY PREPARING FOR A FLOOD OF PEOPLE FROM INDIANA AND ACROSS THE MIDWEST COMING THERE TO ACCESS ABORTION.

>> I THINK ILLINOIS POSITIONED WHERE IT IS IN THE MIDWEST WILL BECOME A SORT OF MIDWEST ABORTION HAVEN.

MEDICATION ABORTIONS AND OTHER NONSURGICAL PROCEDURES, I THINK WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR THESE STATES TO ABSORB MORE CLIENTS, POTENTIALLY.

THERE'S PROBABLY -- INDIANA WOULD BE ABLE TO LEGISLATE WHAT CAN HAPPEN IN THE STATE OF INDIANA, BUT INDIANA WOULD HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME PREVENTING ITS CITIZENS FROM GOING ELSEWHERE TO ACCESS MEDICAL SERVICES LIKE ABORTION.

>> AND THAT'S WHAT PRESIDENT BIDEN SPOKE ABOUT A LITTLE EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON, SAYING THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE LEGAL AND HE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER.

>> THERE'S A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO TRAVEL.

STATES CAN PROHIBIT THEIR CITIZENS FROM DOING THINGS WITHIN THAT STATE'S BORDERS.

THEY CAN'T PROHIBIT THEIR CITIZENS FROM TRAVELING OUT OF STATE TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES THAT ARE LEGAL IN THOSE STATES OR UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

>> OKAY.

AND NOW, SOME STATES HAD THESE TRIGGER LAWS IN EFFECT.

SO IMMEDIATELY, ABORTION BECAME ILLEGAL.

>> AS OF TODAY THE LAW HAS CHANGED IN SOME STATES, THAT'S CORRECT.

>> BUT IN INDIANA, IT WILL REQUIRE THE SPECIAL SESSION?

>> INDIANA DOES NOT HAVE A TRIGGER LAW.

AND SO AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE LAW HAS NOT CHANGED, BUT AS SOON AS THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR AGREE TO SOMETHING, THEY COULD HAVE THE LAW TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

>> OKAY.

I WANT TO BROADEN THIS OUT JUST A LITTLE BIT TO TALK ABOUT THE COURT, BECAUSE PRESIDENT BIDEN DID -- HE CALLED IT A SAD DAY FOR THE COURT TODAY, WHEN HE WAS SPEAKING.

CAN YOU JUST TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS SAYS ABOUT THE DIRECTION THE COURT IS POTENTIALLY HEADED?

>> I THINK THIS SHOWS THAT THE CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY ON THE COURT IS SO BRAZEN THAT IT BELIEVES IT CAN DO WHAT IT WANTS TO DO.

I'M A BELIEVER IN A SIRI OF CONSTITUTIONAL INTERPRETATION THAT SAYS THE COURT SHOULDN'T GET TOO FAR OUT AHEAD OF OR BEHIND WHERE THE PUBLIC IS.

WITH THE DECISION ON GUNS AND NOW ABORTION, I THINK WE SEE A SUPREME COURT BECOMING DANGEROUSLY OUT OF LINE WITH WHERE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS ARE.

>> OKAY.

AND MAYBE IT MAY BE TOO EARLY TO SPECULATE ON THIS I KNOW IN 2016, THERE WAS TALK ABOUT ADDING JUSTICES WHEN PEOPLE SAW THE COURT GOING MORE CONSERVATIVE WHAT DO YOU THINK?

IS THAT A REAL POSSIBILITY?

>> I DON'T THINK ANYTHING LIKE THAT COULD HAPPEN UNLESS THE SENATE FILIBUSTER IS ADDRESSED.

I THINK YES, THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE PUSHES FOR REFORM OF THE SUPREME COURT.

NOTHING LIKE THAT HAS A SERIOUS PROSPECT OF HAPPENING, UNTIL YOU CHANGE THE SENATE RULES THAT NOW REQUIRE 60 VOTES IN ORDER TO DO ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT.

>> WE ONLY HAVE A FEW SECONDS, BUT I HAVE TO ASK ABOUT JUSTICE THOMAS' OPINION.

HE SORT AFTER LEWDED TO THE FACT THAT WE MAY SEE -- OF ALLUDED TO THE FACT THAT WE MAY SEE SOMETHING ABOUT SAME-SEX AND INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE.

>> JUSTICE THOMAS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LONE WOLF, OFF ON HIS OWN PROJECT.

I DON'T THINK THAT WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE THAT IMMEDIATELY.

I THINK THE MAJORITY OPINION WENT TOO FAR OUT OF ITS WAY TO GIVE ASSURANCES THAT OTHER AREAS OF LAW LIKE MARRIAGE OR SODOMY LAWS OR CONTRACEPTION WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED.

I THINK EVEN THIS MAJORITY WOULD BE TOO RETICENT TO DO THAT IMMEDIATELY.

>> ALL RIGHT, WELL THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

INDIANA SCHOOLS ARE SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS TO PROTECT KIDS FROM GUN VIOLENCE IN THE WAKE OF THE LATEST SCHOOL SHOOTING IN UVALDE, TEXAS, THAT KILLED 19 CHILDREN AND TWO TEACHERS IN MAY.

SCHOOLS HAVE INCREASED SECURITY EFFORTS IN THE LAST DECADE BUT AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, SOME SCHOOL OFFICIALS FEEL THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH THEY CAN DO TO PROTECT KIDS IN CLASSROOMS.

>> SOME SCHOOLS ARE FOCUSED ON MAKING THEIR SCHOOLS MORE SECURE.

JAY COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION APPROVED PLANS IN 2018 THAT INVOLVED PREVENTION HARDENING AND ARMING ITS BUILDING, ARMING MEANT GIVING SOME TEACHERS ACCESS TO GUNS.

SUPERINTENDENT JEREMY GOALIE SAYS THE MEASURE WAS NECESSARY IN THEIR RURAL DISTRICT, WHERE POLICE RESPONSE TIMES ARE SLOWER.

>> WE HAVE SCHOOLS THAT POLICE OFFICERS ARE NOT GOING TO GET TO IN TIME, AND WE KNOW THAT.

SO WE PROVIDED AN ARMED RESPONSE CAPABILITY WITH TRAINED STAFF WHO VOLUNTEERED FOR THAT PURPOSE IN SCHOOLS TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS A FIREARM AND STOP THE KILLING.

>> THE MEASURE IS CONTROVERSIAL BUT GOALIE FEELS THERE'S NO OTHER CHOICE.

>> OUR MISSION IS TO TEACH AND CARE FOR KIDS.

SO IT IS A BURDEN, BUT IT'S NECESSARY NOW, IN THE WORLD WE'RE LIVING IN, AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP KIDS SAFE.

>> JAY COUNTY GOT GRANT FUNDING FROM THE STATE THAT COVERED SOME OF THE COSTS.

THEY RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND OUTSIDE GROUPS LIKE SANDY HOOK PROMISE.

GOALIE SAYS THEIR ANONYMOUS REPORTING SYSTEM IS A SURPRISING SUCCESS.

HE ADDED MORE THAN 500 TIPS WERE SENT IN SINCE IMPLEMENTATION FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> IN OUR OWN DISTRICT, I CAN PROBABLY ASSESS ABOUT HALF A DOZEN STUDENTS WHO WE WERE ABLE TO INTERVENE THROUGH -- THEY HAD MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

SO A SUICIDAL IDEATION, SUICIDAL ATTEMPT.

WHEN AN ATTEMPT COMES IN THAT'S LIFE SAVING, IT GOES STRAIGHT TO THE COUNTY 911 CENTER AND OFFICERS CAN BE DISPATCHED TO A HOME TO HELP WHOEVER NEEDS HELP.

>> OTHER MEASURER ARE SIMPLER, LIKE HAVING ROOM NUMBERS VISIBLE ON THE HALLWAY, RATHER THAN ON A DOOR.

GOALIE ISN'T IS ALONE IN HIS DESIRE TO HARDEN SCHOOLS TO MAKE THEM MORE SECURE.

PAOLI JUNIOR SEEN R SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, SAYS IT'S A FINE LINE.

>> IT'S WHERE KIDS FEEL COMFORTABLE.

>> THE STATE OFFERS INDIANA SCHOOLS METAL DETECTOR WANDS.

HE ROUTINELY USES THESE AS KIDS ARE GETTING OFF OFF BUSES TO CATCH POCKET KNIVES AND VAPE ITEMS.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN EFFECTIVELY USE A WAND ON ALL OF THOSE KIDS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, I'M JUST BEING REALISTIC.

>> THE SCHOOL HAS A CAMERA SYSTEM AND WAGNER CAN SEE THE FEED FROM HIS OFFICE.

CASE LATED SMOKE DETECTORS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE BATHROOM.

THEY CAN PEOPLE UP PICK UP ON RAISED VOICES AND ALARM.

AND HE WANTS AN ALARM WHERE BALLS ARE PROPPED OPEN.

WHEN THEY SHOULDN'T BE.

THIS IS A FORMER SUPERINTENDENT.

HE SEES THESE EFFORTS AS EARNEST BUT THEY MISS THE MARK.

>> WE WILL TAKE ANY TYPE OF SAFETY MEASURE FROM SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, TO CAMERAS, TO, YOU KNOW, HAVING ONLY A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DOORS BEING OPENED IN THE SCHOOLS BUT IT'S NOT REALLY GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.

THE ROOT.

PROBLEM ARE THE PROLIFERATION OF GUNS IN OUR OWE SOCIETY.

>> HE DOESN'T AGREE WITH ARMING TEACHERS AND WANTS THE SOLUTIONS ON CENTERED ON PEOPLE, BUT RELYING ON GRANT FUNDING MEAN THE SCHOOLS COULDN'T PLAN LONG TERM.

THE INCOMING PRESIDENT FOR THE INDIANA SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER ASSOCIATION, JULIE WITNESSENBERRY ALSO PREFERS INVESTING IN PEOPLE.

SHE REQUIRES TRAINING FOR S. R.O.s ENCOURAGING.

>> IT'S SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS TO KNOW THOSE THINGS AND HOW IT IS THAT WE SHOULD WORK ALONGSIDE OF STUDENTS THAT HAVE ENDURED TRAUMA AND ARE CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH VARIOUS TRAUMAS AND HOW WE CAN COME ALONGSIDE THEM OF AND HELP.

NOT AGGRAVATE A PROBLEM, BUT TO HELP.

>> THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLISHED SCHOOL SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS IN 2018, WHICH INCLUDED INCREASING AVAILABILITY OF GRANT FUNDING TO BE SPENT ON SCHOOL SECURITY.

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

>> MORE THAN $13 MILLION WAS ADMINISTERED THIS YEAR THROUGH SCHOOL SAFETY GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

THAT'S ABOUT $8 MILLION MORE THAN WAS SPENT ON EQUIPMENT.

>>> COMING UP NEXT, ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," TERRE HAUTE BROKE GROUND ON A NEW CASINO THIS WEEK THAT $260 MILLION PROJECT WILL CREATE 500 JOBS WHEN IT OPENS LATE NEXT YEAR.

>>> AND A MONROE COUNTY FARMER HAS A PATENTED VARIETY OF HOPS THAT COULD REVOLUTIONIZE THE INDUSTRY IN THE STATE.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

STATE LEGISLATORS, LOCAL OFFICIALS AND CASINO REPRESENTATIVES BROKE GROUND THIS WEEK ON THE NEW QUEEN OF TERRE HAUTE CASINO RESORT.

HALEY RYAN HAS THIS REPORT.

>> BACK IN 2001, THE INDIANA GAMING COMMISSION SELECTED CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED FOR A CASINO IN VIGO COUNTY.

CHURCHILL DOWNS IS GOING TO DO ITS BEST TO BUILD GREAT RELATIONSHIPS AND FOCUS ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL CONTRACTORS AND FIND TEAM MEMBERS FROM THE TERRE HAUTE COMMUNITY.

>> COMMUNITY FIRST IN EVERYTHING WE DO, FROM CONSTRUCTION TO TEAM MEMBERS, TO RELATIONSHIPS.

>> TERRE HAUTE MAYOR DUKE BENNETT SAYS THE CASINO'S IMMEDIATE CONSTRUCTION IMPACT WILL PUT 1,000 LOCAL PEOPLE TO WORK FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS.

HE SAYS THE CASINO CASINO WILL HIRE 500 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES, WHICH IS HUGE FOR THE CITY'S EMPLOYMENT FRONT.

>> THERE WILL BE OTHER GROWTH THAT WILL BE OUT HERE NEAR THE CASINO TRAFFIC.

IT LEADS TO A LOT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

IT'S A HUGE STATE THE ARM.

>> INDIANA ONLY ALLOWS GAMING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND THAT THE GOAL OF CASINO DOLLARS IS TO USE THEM TO GROW COMMUNITIES.

>> MY HOPE IS WE'LL USE IT HERE FOR QUALITY OF LIFE THINGS, LIKE ARTS AND TRAILS, AND WE'LL USE IT FOR HOUSING AND OTHER GRANT OPPORTUNITIES TO REALLY DRAW PEOPLE TO TERRE HAUTE TO GROW.

>> THE $240 MILLION INVESTMENT WILL INCLUDE 1,000 SPOTS, 50 TABLE GAMES, 125 LUXURY HOTEL ROOMS, FIVE RESTAURANTS AND BARS AND TWIN SPIRES SPORTS BETTING.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M HALEY RYAN.

>>> CHURCHILL DOWNS IS HOPING TO OPEN THE CASINO IN LATE NEXT YEAR.

>>> HOPS, ONE THE MAIN INGREDIENTS IN BEER, ISN'T A CROP USUALLY FOUND IN INDIANA, BUT ONE MONROE COUNTY FARMER IS RECENTLY PATENTED A UNIQUE VARIETY OF THE PLANT AND AS MITCH LEGAN REPORTS, HE SAYS IT COULD REVOLUTIONIZE THE STATE'S HOPS INDUSTRY.

>> THIS FARM IN NORTHERN MONROE COUNTY HAS HAD HOPS GROWING FOR A CENTURY BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL RECENTLY SOMEONE DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING WITH THEM.

>> PART OF THE JOB IS COMING OUT HERE EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS AND WRAPPING THEM.

>> MIKE BAKER HAS FARMED THIS PORTION OF THE MONROE COUNTY FOR THE LAST 43 YEARS.

WHEN HE BOUGHT THE LAND HE INITIAL THOUGHT THE HOPS WERE WEEDS THAT WOULDN'T LET THE SHED ALONE.

I SAID THAT A HOPS PLANT.

WE CAN'T GET RID OF THE HOPS.

SO WE DUG IT AND TRANSPLANTED IT AND MOVED IT IN TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT PLACES.

I GUESS SHE GETS CREDIT FOR THAT, AND IT'S BEEN GROWING.

>> THEY DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF THE HOPS PLANTS UNTIL 2017, WHEN TRAVIS WADE ENTERED THE PICTURE.

THE TWO GOT TO TALKING ABOUT THE PLANTS AND WADE TOOK A SAMPLE BACK TO HIS AETNAIC -- TO HIS GENETICS LAB, IT DIDN'T MATCH UP WITH OTHER HOPS VARIETIES AND THEY GOT THE SAME ANSWER THERE.

>> WE IMMEDIATELY KNEW THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING VERY REEL THAT WE HAD TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

THEY DEVELOPED A PATENT FOR CV-12 HOPS.

IT HAS A DISTINCT SPICY, PINEY, CITRUS FLAVOR WHICH WOULD BEAR WELL WITH OTHER VARIETY OF HOPS.

>> SO EACH ONE OF THESE POLES IS A DIFFERENT VARIETY, SO TO SPEAK, DIFFERENT GENETIC MAKEUP.

>> BUT THE REAL DEVELOPMENT IS THE VIGOR WITH WHICH THE HOPS GROW IN SOUTHERN INDIANA'S HOT, HUMID CLIMATE.

98% OF HOPS ARE GROWN IN WASHINGTON, IDAHO AND OREGON, WHERE THE GROWING DAYS ARE LONGER AND THE CLIMATE IS NOT AS HARSH.

>> THE IDEA IS IF SOMETHING CAN GROW HERE, THEN THERE'S NO WAY THAT WE COULDN'T MODIFY IT TO GROW WHEREVER WE WANT IT TO GROW IT.

>> THE VARIETY HAS CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF HOP GROWERS OF AMERICA, A GRADE GROUP THAT REPRESENTS HOPS GROWERS.

WITH THE WILDFIRES AND THE HEAT DOME AFFECTING THE PRODUCTION IN THE PACIFIC IN THE.

>> IF THIS VARIETY PROVES TO BE MORE RESIMMENT TO HEAT TOLERANT AND HEAT STRESS AND OTHER FEST PRESSURES, I THINK THAT OUR GROWERS WILL FIND THAT VERY INTEAGUING ANDINTRIGUING AND SOMETHING THEY WANT TO EXPLORE ON THEIR OWN OPERATIONS.

>> THEY NOTE THE VARIETY INCREASED CONE SIZE.

IT ALSO REACHES THE FLOWERING STAGE QUICKER AND AT A SHORTER RIGHT THAN OTHER VARIETIES.

>> I WASN'T PREPARED FOR HOW MANY INTERNATIONAL PEOPLE WERE INTERESTED IN THIS.

BECAUSE IT SEEMS THAT THIS KIND OF OPENS UP A LOT OF OTHER GROWING REGIONS.

>> THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IS ALSO KEEPING AN EYE ON THE DEVELOPMENT.

PUBLIC HOPS BREEDER, KAYLA ATENDORFF SAYS IT'S TOO EARLY WHETHER THE VARIETY WILL BE A GAME CHANGER JUST YET?

>> IN PLANT BREEDING, WE HAVE THIS THING CALLED GEE KNOW CALLED GENOTYPE, IT'S HARD TO SAY HOW WELL IT WILL DO OUTSIDE OF THAT ENVIRONMENT OR EVEN IN JUST THE NEXT COUNTY OVER BUT THE NEWS IS ENCOURAGING.

SHE WILL BE LOOKING TO SEE WHAT KIND OF YIELDS THE PLANT GETS AND HOW THE VARIETY HOLDS UP AGAINST STRESS AND OTHER PESTS.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO TEST IT WIDELY.

IN THE TARGET GROWING REGION AND IF THERE'S INTEREST, WE WOULD NEED TO TEST IT.

>> BAKER AND WADE EXPECT ANYWHERE FROM 4 TO 12 POUNDS OF HOPS THIS HARVEST.

THEY START FLOWERING AT THE SUMMER SOLSTICE AND GENERALLY READY TO PICK AROUND SEPTEMBER.

AFTER, THAT THE CLEARVIEW CREW WILL CREATE A BEER CENTERED ARENDT NEWCENTERED --AROUND THE NEW HOPS.

>> IT WILL BE A BLONDE.

I THINK A GREAT NAME IS INDIANA BLONDE.

WE ARE HOPING TO GET ENOUGH HOPS FOR THEM TO MAKE, 10, 20, 30 GALLONS.

>> BAKER IS IMAGINE A FUTURE WHERE HOOSIER HOPS GROW ACROSS THE MIDWEST.

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

>>> SEVERAL ELECTRIC AND GAS UTILITIES IN INDIANA WANT TO MAKE BIG TEMPORARY RATE INCREASES TO ACCOUNT FOR THE HIGH COST OF FUEL.

AS REBECCA THIELE REPORTS A CONSUMER ADVOCACY GROUP SAYS THIS IS JUST ANOTHER REASON WHY UTILITIES NEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM SOURCES LIKE NATURAL GAS AND COAL QUICKLY.

>> DUKE ENERGY WANTS TO RAISE RATES BY MORE THAN $20 A MONTH FOR THE AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL.

NIPSCO BY $13.

UTILITIES SAY DERUPTIONS FROM THE WAR IN -- DISRUPTIONS FROM THE WAR IN EWE CREAN AND OTHER ISSUES ARE CAUSING PRIZES TO INCREASE.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO RELY ON FUEL.

>> WE GO BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN COAL AND GAS AND COAL AND GAS, WHEN THE REALITY IS WE SHOULD BE MOVING TO MUCH MORE SUSTAINABLE MODELS THAT ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THESE TYPES OF SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS AND VOLATILITY.

>> THE STATE SHOULD CONSIDER MAKING UTILITIES ABSORB THE RISK OF THEIR FUEL DECISIONS AND NOT CUSTOMERS.

IF APPROVED MOST OF THESE RATE INCREASES WOULD ONLY LAST A FEW MONTHS, BUT AS THE WAR AND THE PANDEMIC LIKELY AREN'T STOPPING ANY TIME SOON.

HIGHER ENERGY BILLS PROBLEMY THERE WON'T EITHER.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> FORMER MIKE PENCE AIDE UPSAID HOLLY SULLY VAN TO EARN THE GOP NOMINATION FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

AS OUR STATE HOUSE REPORTER BRANDON SUPPORT, MORALES' BID WAS VIEWED BY MANY AS A CHALLENGE TO THE GOVERNOR, AND THE SO-CALLED REPUBLICAN ESTABLISHMENT.

>> MORALES HAS PREVIOUSLY PUSHED THE BIG LIE THAT THE 2020 ELECTION WAS STOLEN FROM DONALD TRUMP.

HE'S CRITICIZED INDIANA'S ELECTION SECURITY ARGUING THE STATE NEEDS TO DO MORE TO PREVENT NONCITIZENS FROM VOTING AND HE WANTS TO CUT IN HALF THE NUMBER OF EARLY VOTING DAYS BEFORE EACH ELECTION FROM 28 DAYS TO SHH.

>> FIRST OF -- TO 14.

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE WILL BE EFFICIENT.

NUMBER TWO, WE WILL SAVE TAXPAYERS MONEY.

>> AFTER HIS WIN, MORALES PREACHED UNITY DURING HIS PARTY.

MANY BOOED AND HECKLED CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE HOLLY SULLIVAN.

>> THIS GROUP WILL COME TOGETHER AND, YOU KNOW, WE WILL DO THE WORK WE DO ON EVERY STATEWIDE ELECTION AND WE WILL GET OUR VOTE OUT.

WE WILL GET OUR MESSAGE OUT.

>> DEMOCRATIC SECRETARY OF STATE CANDIDATE DESTINY WELLS CALLS MORALES A FAR RIGHT ELECTION DENIER CONSPIRACY THEORIST.

I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>>> COVID VACCINES ARE NOW AVAILABLE ACROSS THE STATE FOR HOOSIERS SIX MONTHS TO 5 YEARS OLD.

VACCINES FOR CHILDREN 5 TO 11 HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED IN THE U.S.

SINCE OCTOBER.

BUT ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, FEWER THAN 40% HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

THE PROJECTION FOR FAMILIES GETTING CHILDREN UNDER FIVE VACCINATED IS EVEN LOWER, AT ONLY 20%.

>> THE CHILDREN THAT ARE ACTUALLY AT HIGHER RISK OF SERIOUS DISEASE AND DEATH APPEARS TO BE THAT INFANT TO 4 TO 5-YEAR-OLD AGE RANGE.

EVEN THOUGH THAT INCIDENT IS LOW, IT'S HIGHER THAN THE OTHER AGE RANGES.

>> THE STATE'S ROLLOUT OF THE VACCINE WILL BE STAGGERED.

THAT MEANS FAMILIES PLANNING FOR WALK-IN APPOINTMENTS SHOULD CALL AHEAD TO MAKE SURE THE VACCINE IS AVAILABLE.

>>> U.S.

SENATOR TODD YOUNG JOINED 14 OTHER REPUBLICANS THURSDAY NIGHT TO HELP PASS WHAT WILL BE THE FIRST MAJOR FEDERAL GUN REFORM IN ALMOST TWO DECADES.

THE BILL PROVIDES MONEY FOR STATES TO IMPLEMENT RED FLAG LAWS, AND BOOST SCHOOL SAFETY RESOURCES.

IT WOULD ALSO CLOSE THE SO-CALLED BOYFRIEND LOOPHOLE FOR DOMESTIC ABUSERS WOULD WANT TO PURCHASE GUNS AND ENHANCE BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR GUN BUYERS UNDER 21 YEARS OLD.

INDIANA'S MIKE BRAUN VOTED NO.

HE SAID HE RECEIVED OVERWHELMING FEEDBACK FROM HOOSIERS TO VOTE AGAINST THE BILL, WHICH NOW MOVES ON TO THE HOUSE.

>>> GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB IS ASKING LEGISLATORS TO SEND A COLLECTIVE $1 BILLION BACK TO HOOSIERS IN ORDER TO COMBAT INFLATION.

UNDER HOLCOMB'S PLAN, EACH TAXPAYERS WOULD RECEIVE ABOUT $225.

IT COMES AS THE GAS SALES TAX WILL RISE ANOTHER 5 CENTS NEXT MONTH, PUSHING THE STATE TAX HOOSIERS PAY ON A GALLON OF GAS TO A RECORD 62 CENTS A GALLON.

>>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS WEEK'S 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: