>> INDIANA NEWSDESK MADE POSSIBLE BY SMITHVILLE, STREAMING TV, HOME SECURITY AN AUTOMATION IN SOUTHERN INDIANA, MORE INFORMATION AT SMITHVILLE.COM.

>> COMING UP ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

DEMOCRATS ARE DECRYING THE DELAY OF A SPECIAL SESSION SCHEDULED THIS WEEK AT THE STATEHOUSE SO THE GOP COULD CRAFT ABORTION LEGISLATION.

>> WE ARE ABOUT TO CRIMINALIZE HEALTH CARE.

WE ARE ABOUT TO CRIMINALIZE WOMEN.

THAT'S NOT TOO DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT?

>> AHEAD WE SPEAK WITH THE LAWYER REPRESENTING THE NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE COMMITTEE.

THE SECONDHAND APPAREL MARKET HAS BEEN TAKING OFF IN THE LAST DECADE.

LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS ARE GETTING IN ON THE ACTION.

>> SIMILAR VINTAGE STORES CARRY IT IN BIGGER CITIES LIKE NEW YORK AND CHICAGO.

IN TERMS OF INDIANA, THERE WASN'T MUCH.

>> IT WAS ONE INDUSTRY THAT WAS BOTH HURT AND HELPED BY THE PANDEMIC.

WE TOUR CAVE SYSTEMS IN THE INDIANA TO SHEDD LIGHT ON ONE OF STATE'S PRIZED EXPORTS.

MORE ON THESE STORIES AND THE LATEST NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>> WELCOME TO INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M JOE HREN.

DOZENS OF HOOSIERS RALLIED OUTSIDE THE STATEHOUSE WEDNESDAY TO "“KEEP THE FIRE BURNING"” IN SUPPORT OF ABORTION RIGHTS.

THE RALLY MARKED THE DAY INDIANA LAWMAKERS WERE SUPPOSED TO MEET IN A SPECIAL SESSION.

BUT THAT WAS PUSHED BACK AS REPUBLICANS CRAFT AN ABORTION BAN.

PROTESTERS SAY THE DELAY WAS MEANT TO QUIET SOME OF THE OPPOSITION TO THE IMPENDING ANTI-ABORTION MEASURE.

>> BUT IT'’S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

WE'’RE NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

WE BELIEVE THAT WOMEN SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THEIR BODIES.

>> LEGISLATORS PLAN TO RETURN TO THE STATEHOUSE FOR THE SPECIAL SESSION BEGINNING JULY 25, AND HEALTH OFFICIALS AND LEGAL EXPERTS ARE WAITING TO SEE HOW FAR INDIANA LEGISLATURE WILL GO.

>> WE ARE ABOUT TO CRIMINALIZE HEALTH CARE.

WE ARE ABOUT TO CRIMINALIZE WOMEN.

WHAT, THAT'’S NOT TOO DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT?

>> TIPPECANOE COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER DR. GREG LOOMIS SAYS AN ABORTION BAN IN THE STATE WILL HAVE CLEAR, NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON HEALTHCARE - PARTICULARLY ON FETAL INFANT MORTALITY.

HE SAYS EVEN IF THE LEGISLATURE ALLOWS EXCEPTIONS TO ABORTION BANS TO PROTECT THE LIFE OF A MOTHER - THERE WILL BE COMPLICATIONS.

>> THAT'S TYING DOCTORS HANDS, TAKING MEDICAL DECISION-MAKING OUT OF DOCTORS AND NURSES AND PHARMACISTS HANDS AND TYING THEM UP BECAUSE OF A POLITICAL IDEOLOGY.

>> THE NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE COMMITTEE, ONE OF THE OLDEST ANTI-ABORTION GROUPS IN THE COUNTRY, HAS PROPOSED A MODEL ABORTION LAW FOR STATES TO ADOPT THAT WOULD INCLUDE PROSECUTING THOSE WHO PERFORM OR AID IN ABORTIONS.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY TERRE HAUTE-BASED ATTORNEY JAMES BOPP JUNIOR, THE GENERAL COUNSEL FOR THE NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE COMMITTEE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SO THE NRLC IS PROPOSING A POST-ROE MODEL ABORTION LAW FOR STATES TO ADOPT.

BRIEFLY, WHAT DOES THAT MODEL LOOK LIKE?

>> WELL, NOW THAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS CORRECTLY NOTED THAT THERE'S NO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ABORTION THAT MEANS THE STATES ARE FREE TO ADOPT THEIR OWN PUBLIC POLICY REGARDING PROTECTING UNBORN LIFE.

THE RIGHT TO LIFE MOVEMENT BELIEVES THAT ABORTIONS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO ONLY PREVENTING THE DEATH OF THE MOTHER.

IT IS CERTAINLY A PRO LIFE POSITION TO HAVE EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INGEST, WITH PROPER SAFEGUARDS, AND WE HAVE PROPOSED THOSE.

WE BELIEVE THAT WOMEN SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED IN ANY WAY FOR ABORTION.

WE HAVE HAD -- BEFORE ROE VERSUS WADE, WE HAD ALMOST 150 YEARS WHERE ABORTION WAS ILLEGAL IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER AND NO ONE WAS EVER PROSECUTEED.

NOR HAS ANY LAW SINCE THEN PENALIZED THE WOMAN.

SO THAT'S THE BASIC SUBSTANCE OF THE LAW.

>> HOW FAR DO YOU EXPECT INDIANA'S ABORTION LAW TO GO WHEN THEY MEET IN SPECIAL SESSION LATER THIS MONTH.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

YOU KNOW, THEY -- OF COURSE WE ALL KNOW THEY'RE WORKING ON AN APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION THAT WILL MEET THEIR POLICY VIEWS, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WILL DO.

>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHO SEE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS AS GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE IN THE DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP?

>> WELL, I'M VERY DISTRESSED THAT THEY THINK KILLING ONE OF THEIR PATIENTS IS SIMPLY SOME ROUTINE MATTER THAT THEY OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO DECIDE TO DO.

AN UNBORN LIFE FROM CONCEPTION IS AN INDIVIDUAL HUMAN BEING, AND ENTITLEED TO, CERTAINLY AMERICAN LAW TO FULL LEGAL PROTECTION AS A PERSON.

NOW, ABORTION CAN BE JUSTIFIED, AS I'VE EXPLAINED AND I THINK AS A MORAL IMPERATIVE IF THE WOMAN'S LIFE IS IN DANGER, AND -- BUT THIS IS NOT JUST SIMPLY A MATTER OF PHYSICIANS DECIDING ON MEDICAL TREATMENT.

THIS IS PHYSICIANS DECIDING ON KILLING A PATIENT.

THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT A PHYSICIAN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO.

>> ARE YOU ANTICIPATING PROSECUTORS, DA'S WILL TRY TO AVOID CHARGING PERSONS WHO GET ABORTIONS OR DOCTORS WHO PERFORM THEM?

>> WE ALREADY HAVE THE MARION COUNTY PROSECUTOR HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL NOT ENFORCE ANY CRIMINAL ABORTION LAWS IN INDIANA ONCE THEY ARE PASSED.

AS A RESULT, THE MODEL LAW, IT TAKES THAT INTO ACCOUNT, AND IT PROVIDES CIVIL REMEDIES, INJUNCTIONS, RECOMMENDS THAT OTHER PEOPLE BE GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO BRING CRIMINAL CHARGES SUCH AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

YOU KNOW, THESE ARE LAWLESS, RADICAL DEMOCRAT PROSECUTORS WHO ARE USING THEIR DISCRETION TO DECIDE WHAT THE LAW IS IN THEIR COUNTY.

THEY'RE NOT THE KING.

THAT'S THE JOB OF THE LEGISLATURE, NOT THE PROSECUTOR, AND THE MODEL LAW DEALS WITH THAT BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL REMEDIES.

>> WE JUST HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT.

VERY QUICKLY, IT'S BEEN A 50-YEAR EFFORT TO OVERTURN ROE, WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE PRO LIFE MOVEMENT?

>> WELL, NOT ONLY RESTORING LEGAL PROTECTION FOR FOR THE UNBORN, BUT PROVIDING THE SERVICES, THE SUPPORT, THE HELP THAT REALLY IS GOING TO BE NECESSARY FOR WOMEN WHO FACE A CRISIS PREGNANCY AND NOW WE'LL BE GIVING BIRTH TO THEIR -- NOW WILL BE GIVING BIRTH TO THEIR CHILD.

BOTH PARTS OF THAT EQUATION NEED TO BE VERY SERIOUSLY ADDRESSED AND I HOPE AND EXPECT THE LEGISLATURE OF INDIANA TO DO THAT.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, APPRECIATE IT.

>> THE ALMOST THREE-WEEK DELAY DEMOCRATS CRITICIZING REPUBLICANS FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE INFLATION RELIEF FOR THE STATE.

DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR A SUSPENSION OF INDIANA GAS TAXES FOR MONTHS.

THEY ARE ALSO PUSHING FOR THE PROPOSED 225-DOLLAR INFLATION RELIEF CHECKS TO GO TO ALL HOOSIERS, NOT JUST THOSE WHO FILED TAX RETURNS LAST YEAR.

REPRESENTATIVE CHERRISH PRYOR SAYS THE G-O-P PLAN WOULD LEAVE OUT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

>> EVERY HOOSIER HAS VALUE AND DESERVES TO LEAD THEIR LIVES WITH DIGNITY.

>> GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB HAS SAID EXPANDING HIS INFLATION RELIEF PLAN WOULD BE TOO COMPLICATED FOR A SPECIAL SESSION.

>>> A 20-22 THRED-UP REPORT SAYS NORTH AMERICA HAS THE FASTEST GROWING SECONDHAND APPAREL MARKET IN THE WORLD.

AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, THE NUMBER OF CONSUMERS WHO HAVE OR ARE OPEN TO SHOPPING SECONDHAND FOR CLOTHES DURING THE PANDEMIC JUMPED FROM 67 TO 74 PERCENT.

>> PARTICIPATION AND INTEREST IN THE SECONDHAND APPAREL MARKET HAS BEEN GROWING SINCE 2013, AND RESALE IS PROJECTED TO DRIVE MARKET GROWTH.

THRIFT AND DONATION'’S ROLE IN THE MARKET IS UP TOO, BUT REMAINS MUCH STEADIER.

IT'’S SOMETHING A 2019 IU FASHION AND APPAREL DESIGN GRADUATE NOTICED AND CAPITALIZED ON.

DAISY MAY FOUNDED HER OWN CLOTHING BRAND, REBLOOMED DESIGN, FROM SECONDHAND AND RE-SOURCED MATERIALS FROM HER HOME STUDIO IN BLOOMINGTON.

>> IT'S BASED OFF OF FEELINGS OF NOSTALGIA, COMFORT, SAFETY.

THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT I LOOK FOR IN THE MATERIALS THAT I SOURCE, THAT KIND OF HELPED CREATE GARMENTS THAT CARRY EMOTIONAL FEELING, WHILE ALSO ARE MADE WITH QUALITY.

OH, MY GOSH, THE WAY THIS MADE ME FEEL IS JUST INCREDIBLE.

>> INITIALLY HER BUSINESS TOOK A HIT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> BUT RIGHT NOW I AM SELLING ENOUGH TO WHERE I'M SUSTAINING MYSELF.

AND THAT'S ALL I WANT IN LIFE IS LIKE, I DON'T NEED THIS TO GROW AND BE BIGGER AND HAVE A MILLION SEAMSTRESS ON MY TEAM.

>> MAINLY, SHE SOURCES QUILTS, LINENS, AND BEDSHEETS TO REPURPOSE INTO CLOTHES.

SHE SELLS THEM ONLINE, AT STOREFRONTS IN PLACES LIKE NEW YORK, AND LOCALLY AT THE BLOOMINGTON ANTIQUE MALL.

>> I THINK WHAT TRULY STARTED THE LIKE SECONDHAND REVOLUTION, AS I WOULD SAY, IS THIS MINDSET WHERE PEOPLE REALIZED THAT OVERCONSUMPTION AND JUST CONTINUALLY BUYING NEW THINGS THAT END UP FALLING APART, IN A YEAR OR SO WASN'T SUSTAINABLE AND WASN'T WORTH THE MONEY THAT INDIVIDUALS WERE PUTTING INTO IT.

>> THE FAST FASHION CLOTHING INDUSTRY IS THE SECOND MOST POLLUTING INDUSTRY BEHIND OIL DRILLING, ACCORDING TO A 2019 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA REPORT.

>> SOURCING IS ONE OF THE MOST TIME CONSUMING ASPECTS BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO FIND.

>> JUST WEST OF MAYS STUDIO IS THE VINTAGE STORE SLCT STOCK FOUNDED BY NICK AYALA, A 2016 IU KELLEY SCHOOL GRADUATE.

THE STORE'’S ORIGINAL LOCATION WAS ON INDIANA AVENUE SHARING SPACE WITH BUFFALOUSIE'’S IN 2018.

THE BUSINESS GREW AND HE MOVED TO NORTH WALNUT STREET.

>> WE WERE DEFINITELY ON THE CUSP OF A NEW TYPE OF STORE IN INDIANA THERE WAS SIMILAR VINTAGE STORES THAT WERE CURATED IN BIGGER CITIES LIKE NEW YORK AND CHICAGO BUT IN TERMS OF INDIANA, THERE WASN'T MUCH.

>> HE SAYS INITIALLY PEOPLE WERE CONFUSED TO SEE USED T-SHIRTS PRICED AT $20-30, BUT CURATING QUALITY CLOTHES TAKES TIME.

PEOPLE BRING CLOTHES TO HIS STORES TO SELL.

HE'’LL PAY SELLERS UPWARDS OF $10 DEPENDING ON THE SHIRT.

>> WE MIGHT GIVE THEM 100 BUCKS, IF IT'’S A SUPER RARE SHIRT.

>> HE OPENED A STORE IN BOULDER, COLORADO IN 2019 AND HAS A STORE IN EAST VILLAGE, NEW YORK TOO.

>> I WANT PEOPLE TO COME INTO THE STORE AND YOU KNOW, THERE'LL BE SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY.

IT'S GONNA HAVE LIKE A $10 RACK IN NEW YORK, WHICH WE HAVE $5 BINS AND INDIANA AND COLORADO TO WHICH PEOPLE LOVE.

COLLEGE KIDS ARE VERY THRIFTY.

BUT HAVING SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN NEW YORK'S USUALLY UNHEARD OF JUST BECAUSE OF HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS.

>> GROWTH IN SECONDHAND APPAREL HAS BEEN NOTED FOR YEARS.

BUT THE PANDEMIC PUSHED THE INDUSTRY FORWARD, AS MORE PEOPLE OPTED TO CLEAN THEIR CLOSETS, AND TOOK TIME TO RESELL THEIR OWN CLOTHES, THREDUP REPORTED.

HIS STOREFRONTS TOOK A HIT AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT BUSINESS PICKED BACK UP AND PEOPLE MOVED ONLINE.

BUT NOW, AYALA SAYS HE WANTS TO FOCUS ON GROWING THE STOREFRONTS.

>> DEFINITELY MORE STORES IN THE FUTURE.

IT MIGHT BE THE MIDWEST AND MIGHT BE OUT WEST CALIFORNIA.

I'M NOT 100% SURE YET, BUT WE DEFINITELY WANT TO GROW THE BRAND A LITTLE BIT BIGGER IN THE US AND KIND OF SPREAD OUR TASTE OF WHAT WE DO.

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

>>> AN ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION SURVEY SHOWS NEARLY 30 PERCENT OF HOOSIER HOUSEHOLDS FORGO FOOD OR MEDICINE TO PAY THEIR ENERGY BILLS, KEEP THEIR HOMES AT UNHEALTHY TEMPERATURES, OR HAVE RECEIVED A DISCONNECTION NOTICE.

REBECCA THIELE REPORTS A STATE AGENCY REPRESENTING CONSUMERS WANTS MORE DATA ON HOOSIERS STRUGGLING TO PAY BILLS AND GETTING THEIR POWER SHUT OFF.

>> DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS OF THE PANDEMIC, THE STATE REQUIRED SEVERAL INDIANA UTILITIES TO REPORT THAT INFO.

WITH NATURAL GAS PRICES LEADING TO BIG, TEMPORARY RATE INCREASES FOR MANY HOOSIERS AS WELL AS INFLATION, THE INDIANA OFFICE OF UTILITY CONSUMER COUNSELOR SAYS WE NEED TO START COLLECTING THAT DATA AGAIN.

>> WHAT'S THE IMPACT ON CUSTOMERS BEING SHUT OFF?

WHAT'S THE IMPACT ON CUSTOMERS' ABILITIES TO PAY THEIR BILLS AND STAY CURRENT ON THEIR ACCOUNTS?

WE DON'T KNOW THAT WITHOUT SEEING DATA.

>> THE E-I-A DATA SHOWS INDIANA HOUSEHOLDS HAVE MORE ENERGY INSECURITY THAN ALL BUT SEVEN STATES IN THE COUNTRY.

ANOTHER STUDY SHOWED INDIANA HAS HAD THE THIRD MOST SHUTOFFS OF ANY STATE DURING THE PANDEMIC SO FAR.

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

>>> INDIANA COUNTIES ARE FINALLY GETTING MONEY FROM THE STATE TO ADD A CRITICAL ELECTION SECURITY MEASURE TO THEIR ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'’S BRANDON SMITH REPORTS THE STATE IS USING FEDERAL FUNDS TO PAY FOR VOTER VERIFIABLE PAPER AUDIT TRAILS.

>> NEARLY 60 PERCENT OF INDIANA COUNTIES USED ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES THAT WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH PAPER BACKUP SYSTEMS IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

AND ELECTION SECURITY EXPERTS AGREE THAT ELECTRONIC MACHINES WITHOUT PAPER BACKUPS ARE VULNERABLE.

LAWMAKERS THIS YEAR MOVED UP THE DEADLINE -— FROM 2030 TO 2024 - FOR COUNTIES TO INSTALL PAPER BACKUPS.

AND NOW, THE STATE BUDGET COMMITTEE APPROVED 12 MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO ENSURE COUNTIES CAN MEET THAT DEADLINE.

>> THE PURPOSE IS TO BOTH INCREASE VOTER CONFIDENCE AND ALSO PROVIDE A PAPER TRAIL, SO THAT WHEN RECOUNTS AND POST-ELECTION AUDITS ARE CONDUCTED, THEY'’RE ABLE TO SEE THE PAPER TRAIL.

>> SOME VOTER ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE CRITICAL OF THE EFFORT, ARGUING INDIANA SHOULD MOVE AWAY FROM ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES ENTIRELY TO PAPER BALLOTS.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M BRANDON SMITH, AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>>> FIBER INTERNET IS COMING TO ALMOST ALL OF BLOOMINGTON IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

THE CITY TOOK FINAL STEPS THIS WEEK TO SOLIDIFY ITS AGREEMENT WITH THE PARIS BENEFIT CORPORATION, MERIDIAM.

MERIDIAM'’S NETWORK WILL PROVIDE ONE GIGABIT PER SECOND THROUGH A YET-TO-BE-NAMED INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER EXCLUSIVELY FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS.

>> NOT ONLY ARE THEY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR BOTTOM LINE FOR THEIR INVESTORS, BUT THEIR BOTTOM LINE INCLUDES ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GOALS AND UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.

>> MERIDIAM WILL INVEST FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS IN THE NETWORK BUT RECEIVE ALMOST ELEVEN MILLION IN TAX BREAKS OVER 20 YEARS.

THE COMPANY SAYS IT HOPES TO ANNOUNCE A CONTRACT THIS MONTH.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.•.

>> LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE GETTING IN ON THE BOOMING SECONDHAND CLOTHING MARKET, AND WE VISIT A BIG CAT RESCUE CENTER AS THE STATE ENACTS NEW LAWS AIMED AT OCCUR CONTAINING ROADSIDE ZOOS.

THESE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT HERE ON INDIANA NEWSDESK!

>> PUBLIC MEDIA'S ROLE NOW IS MORE THAN EVER TO GET THE FACTS OUT TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE AND TO TELL THE TRUTH AS WE KNOW IT.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION OUT THERE.

IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT YOU CAN BELIEVE.

WHICH IS WHY I THINK PEOPLE TURN TO US AGAIN AND AGAIN.

>> IT'S PUBLIC MEDIA'S ROLE TO TRY TO HELP EDUCATE AND ENLIGHTEN.

>> PBS CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF THE MOST TRUSTED INSTITUTIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WE REALLY DO GO OUT AND MEET THE MOMENT AS IT'S HAPPENING.

>> WE ARE THERE AT THE FRONT LINES ASKING TOUGH QUESTIONS AND GETTING IMPORTANT AND ROBUST ANSWERS.

>> WE ARE PLAYING A MAJOR ROLE IN COMBATING LIES, FAKE NEWS.

>> AS JOURNALISTS WE ARE TRYING TO BRING THE MOST FAIR COVERAGE AS WE CAN.

>> IT'S ABOUT DIGGING DEEPER AND TALKING TO THE POWERFUL AND THE POWERLESS.

>> PUBLIC MEDIA IS THE PLACE WHERE YOU CUT THROUGH ALL THE NOISE.

>> WE MOVE FORWARD BY STAYING TRUE TO OUR VALUES.

>> AND ON BBC NEWS IS HUMAN.

>> WELCOME BACK TO INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY'’S KELLEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IS PARTNERING WITH GLOBAL E-RETAILER SHEIN.

THE SCHOOL'’S CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH IN RETAIL ANNOUNCED THE PARTNERSHIP IN MARCH.

BUT THE NEWS WASN'’T MET WITH UNANIMOUS SUPPORT.

AS HALEY RYAN REPORTS, STUDENTS AND ALUMNI HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT SHEIN AND ITS BUSINESS PRACTICES.

>> SHEIN MARKETS ITSELF AS A PRODUCER OF FASHIONABLE, TRENDY CLOTHES AT INEXPENSIVE PRICES.

SHU MEI HUANG, A MASTER'’S STUDENT AT THE O'’NEILL SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS WONDERS IF THE KELLEY SCHOOL KNOWS THAT SHEIN IS KNOWN AS AN ULTRA FAST FASHION COMPANY.

>> AND THAT THEY'RE UNDERPAYING THEIR LABOR AND ALSO LIKE, PRODUCING LOW QUALITY STUFFS IN A QUICK WAY.

>> ULTRA-FAST FASHION IS QUICK AND DISPOSABLE FOR SHOPPERS ON A BUDGET.

MICA CAINE, A KELLEY ALUM AND CO-FOUNDER OF A SUSTAINABLE FASHION MADE TO MEASURE MARKETPLACE START-UP, SAYS THE FAST-FASHION BUSINESS MODEL IS INHERENTLY UNSUSTAINABLE BECAUSE SO MANY STYLES ARE MADE SO QUICKLY.

>> HAVING THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF STYLES, BEING ADDED TO THE SITE EVERY WEEK, IT JUST SPEAKS TO HOW EXPLOITIVE THAT IS.

>> SHEIN HAS MORE THAN 2,000 ITEMS ON ITS SITE THAT COST LESS THAN $5.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH FORBES A SHEIN EXECUTIVE SAID THE COMPANY RELEASES 700-1000 NEW STYLES A DAY.

THE SINGAPORE-BASED RETAILER WORKS WITH MORE THAN 6,000 SUPPLIERS TO PRODUCE PRODUCTS AND SOURCES ADDITIONAL THIRD-PARTY ITEMS TO SELL ON ITS PLATFORM.

IT DOESN'’T HAVE ANY PHYSICAL STORES.

SHEIN SAYS IT PAYS FAIR WAGES, OVERTIME AND LEGALLY MANDATED BENEFITS IN THE COUNTRIES WHERE IT OPERATES.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT JUST HATE FAST FASHION, THEY JUST THINK THAT IT'S ABHORRENT.

AND IT -- YOU KNOW, THERE'S, THERE'S NO REASON FOR IT TO EXIST.

BUT THERE'S NOTHING ILLEGAL ABOUT THAT.

>> AND REVIEWS OF THE COMPANY ARE MIXED.

PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE PROBLEMS, POOR QUALITY CLOTHES, SHEIN'’S REFUND POLICY, SHIPPING DELAYS AND MISSING ORDERS.

TALBOTT IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH IN RETAIL.

HE HOPES TO BE ABLE TO HELP SHEIN FROM INSIDE THE COMPANY.

>> MY VIEWPOINT IS, I'M NOT GOING TO CALL JUDGMENT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I CERTAINLY HAVE FEELINGS ABOUT THAT.

BUT I'D RATHER BE IN TRYING TO HELP AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> SHEIN IS CURRENTLY SUPPORTING 5 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN SUMMER FELLOWSHIPS.

THEY'’RE WORKING ON MARKETING, CYBER SECURITY AND GOVERNANCE-- AMONG OTHER THINGS.

FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'’M HALEY RYAN.

>> SHEIN DECLINED A REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW FOR THIS STORY.

>>> THE CAVE SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA ARE A DELICATE SUBTERRANEAN WORLD, AND CAVE TOURS CAN SHOW LIMESTONE IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT.

TIM JAGIELO HAS MORE ON ONE OF THE STATE'S IMPORTANT EXPORTS.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO TWIN CAVE BOAT TOURS, I'M LUCAS, BACK HERE IS ANDREW.

WE'LL BE TAKING YOU 500 FEET INTO UPPER TWIN CAVE, WHICH YOU SEE IN FRONT OF US.

>> TWIN CAVES IS ONE OF SEVERAL CAVES WE HAVE HERE AT SPRING MILL STATE PARK.

TWIN CAVES IS A PART OF A FIVE-MILE CAVE SYSTEM CALLED THE SHAWNEE CAVE SYSTEM.

SO WE HAVE THREE PARTS, THREE ZONES IN A CAVE, ENTRANCE ZONE AND TWILIGHT ZONE, WHERE YOU'LL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT, BUT DO NOT SEE THE ENTRANCE, THEN OUR DARK ZONE IS THE DARKEST PART OF OUR CAVE, NO LIGHT WHATSOEVER, IT IS SO DARK, IN FACT, EVEN NIGHT VISION GOGGLES WON'T WORK IN IT.

>> REALLY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE TO HEAR THAT VERY, VERY SILENCE IN THE CAVE SYSTEM.

>> MOST CAVES IN THE WORLD ARE FORMED FROM LIMESTONE, WHICH IS A BASIC MINERAL, CALCIUM CARBONATE.

>> IT'S AN IMPORTANT COMMODITY HERE IN INDIANA.

THIS IS WHAT BUILDING MATERIALS ARE MADE FROM AND QUARRIED ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA.

>> USED IN CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDINGS FROM THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING TO THE PENTAGON, TO INDIANA STATE COURTHOUSE.

LIMESTONE MAKES UP ALMOST ALL OF THE AREAS NEAR MONROE COUNTY, LAWRENCE COUNTY AND SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA, IT'S VERY EXTENSIVE.

>> WE ARE IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT HAS A LOT OF SINK HOLES, UNDERGROUND STREAMS AND CAVES.

>> YOU HAVE THESE ROLLING HILLS AND SINKS ASSOCIATED WITH LIMESTONE AS IT DISSOLVES AWAY AND COLLAPSES INTO CALF VERN SYSTEM.

>> WE HAVE THESE BLACK BUMPS UP HERE.

THAT IS FOSSILIZED CORAL.

>> THIS IS A PRETTY COOL SIMPLE, THIS IS ANOTHER LIMESTONE FROM INDIANA.

THIS HAS LOTS OF FOSSILS IN IT.

YOU CAN KIND OF SEE MOST LIMESTONES ARE RICH IN FOSSILS.

>> CAVE SYSTEMS REALLY SENSITIVE.

SO BECAUSE IN CARR SYSTEMS, ANY RAIN WATER, ANY WATER ON THE SURFACE, IMMEDIATELY WILL GO UNDERGROUND AND SO WHATEVER SURFACE CONTAMINATION TAKES PLACE COULD END UP IN GROUNDWATER AND PEOPLE CAN DRINK THAT AND BECOME SICK OR ILL. >> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT THESE SPECIAL DELICATE SO SYSTEMS.

BY HAVING A DAY WHERE WE CELEBRATE IT AND GET PEOPLE OUT HERE, THEY GET TO EXPERIENCE THE CAVES, LEARN ABOUT WHAT KIND OF CREATURES LIVE WITHIN THE CAVES AND GIVE THEM A GOOD EXPERIENCE SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE DOING UP HERE ON THE SURFACE AFFECTS THE SUBTERRANEAN WORLDS.

>> CAVERN SYSTEMS ARE REALLY INTERESTING, REALLY COOL.

YOU GET A REAL APPRECIATION OF THAT TYPE OF UNDERGROUND SETTING SETTING.

>> A NEW INDIANA LAW TOOK EFFECT JULY 1 PROHIBITING PUBLIC CONTACT WITH BIG CATS AND BEARS.

THE REGULATION IS MEANT TO PROHIBIT ROADSIDE ZOOS AND BIG CAT BREEDING OPERATIONS.

ETHAN SANDWEISS HAS THIS REPORT.

>> HOW'S MY BOY?

>> WHEN JOE TAFT FOUNDED THE EXOTIC FELINE RESCUE CENTER IN CLAY COUNTY THREE DECADES AGO, HE HAD JUST THREE BIG CATS ON THE PROPERTY.

TODAY, HE HAS MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED EXOTIC FELINES AND RUNS ONE OF THE LARGEST FELINE RESCUE CENTERS IN THE NATION.

TAFT SAYS NEARLY ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS THE NEW LAW WAS DESIGNED FOR HAVE ALREADY BEEN SHUT DOWN.

>> MOST OF THE REAL PROBLEM COLLECTION OF BIG CATS IS NO LONGER IN THE STATE.

, YOU KNOW, WE COULD HAVE USED THIS LAW 15 YEARS AGO.

NOW MOSTLY THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED OTHER WAYS.

>> ONE PART OF THE LAW THAT WILL AFFECT THE CENTER IS A REQUIREMENT FOR ADDITIONAL BARRIERS AROUND ENCLOSURES.

THE EXTRA LAYER OF SECURITY IS MEANT FOR KEEPING HUMANS AWAY FROM CATS, NOT FOR KEEPING CATS IN.

TAFT SAYS THE CENTER HAS OTHER SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE WHICH HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS.

>> WE HAVE WORKED ON THAT PRETTY MUCH NONSTOP FOR THE PAST TWO AND A HALF MONTH, AND THAT'’S WORK I WOULD'’VE MUCH RATHER PUT DIRECTLY INTO IMPROVING THE LIVES AND CONDITIONS OF THE CATS.

>> INDIANA LAWS CURRENTLY ALLOW PRIVATE CITIZENS TO OWN ANY TYPE OF EXOTIC ANIMAL WITH THE PROPER PERMIT.

THE STATE HAS SEEN ITS SHARE OF EXOTIC ANIMAL OWNERS AND BREEDERS, SUCH AS A PRIVATE ZOO MADE FAMOUS IN THE NETFLIX SERIES, TIGER KING, THAT WAS SHUT DOWN IN 2020.

>> OUR KEEPERS AND WE HAVE SIX OF THEM ARE ALL PROFESSIONALS.

THEY ALL HAVE GOOD REASON BIOLOGY OR ZOOLOGY.

SO, IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE PICKING -- SO THIS IS A PROFESSIONAL CAREER PURSUIT FOR THEM.

SO, IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE PICKING UP PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS OR AS AS IN THE TIGER, NETFLIX TIGER KING, WE'RE NOT PICKING UP TRANSIENTS AT THE BUS STATION.

>> MOST CATS AT THE EXOTIC FELINE RESCUE CENTER COME FROM OUT OF STATE.

ROADSIDE ZOOS HAVE BEEN CONDEMNED BY ENVIRONMENTAL AND ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS FOR ABUSE AND SAFETY VIOLATIONS.

FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'’M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> THE EXOTIC FELINE RESCUE CENTER OFFERS GUIDED TOURS TO THE PUBLIC SEVEN DAYS AWEEK.

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