INDIANA NEWSDESK MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> COMING UP ON INDIANA NEWSDESK, SOME RESIDENTS ARE WORRIED BLOOMINGTON IS LOOSING IT'S CHARACTER WITH ALL THE DOWNTOWN CONSTRUCTION.

>> WHY THOSE TRADEOFFS, ONE FOR THE OTHER, MORE METAL, IS IT EMBOSSED?

DOES IT HAVE ANY KIND OF CHARACTER.

>> MORE THAN 5,000 NEW UNITS HAVE BEEN APPROVED SINCE 2016.

A NEW HEADSTART PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP SUPPORT CHILDREN OF SEASONAL MIGRANT WORKERS.

>> WE GET THE CHILDREN READY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL, WE HAVE SCHOOL READINESS, AND THEY HAVE LOTS OF FUN HERE.

>> THE PROGRAM ONE OF SEVEN AROUND THE STATE RUNS FROM JULY THROUGH OCTOBER.

AND WE LOOKED BACK AT THE CAREER OF U.S. REPRESENTATIVE JACKIE WALORKSKI.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT NOW FROM INDIANA NEWSDESK.

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

INDIANA REPRESENTATIVE JACKIE WALORSKI AND TWO STAFF MEMBERS WERE KILLED IN A CAR CRASH IN ELKHART COUNTY THIS WEEK.

THE 58-YEAR-OLD WALORSKI HAD REPRESENTED INDIANA'’S 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SINCE 2013.

SHE SERVED ON THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, CO-CHAIRED THE HOUSE HUNGER CAUCUS AND WAS ACTIVE ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD POLICY IN CONGRESS.

>> MR. SPEAKER, NO ONE IN THIS NATION SHOULD GO HUNGRY AND THAT'’S WHY HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE A PLAN.

A BETTER WAY TO FIGHT POVERTY.

OUR PLAN PUTS NEW IDEAS TO THE TEST SO WE CAN STOP THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND END HUNGER IN AMERICA.

>> WALORSKI WAS A DEPENDABLE REPUBLICAN VOTE ON THE HILL.

SHE VOTED AGAINST ACCEPTING ELECTORAL VOTES FROM ARIZONA AND PENNSYLVANIA FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN EVEN AFTER THE CAPITOL INSURRECTION.

AND SHE WAS AN OUTSPOKEN PRO-LIFE SUPPORTER.

>> AS MANY TIMES AS IT TAKES, I WILL STAND HERE TO REJECT THE ATTACKS ON LIFE AND I'’LL VOTE NO ON TAXPAYER FUNDED SERVICES INCLUDING THE WICKED PROPOSAL TO PERMIT ABORTION ON DEMAND AT ANY TIME BANKROLLED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> WALORSKI WAS UNOPPOSED IN THE G-O-P PRIMARY IN THE SPRING AND WAS SEEKING RE-ELECTION FOR A SIXTH TERM THIS FALL.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY MICHAEL WOLFE, A PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR AT PURDUE FORT WAYNE, FOR MORE ON REPRESENTATIVE WALORSKI.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, PROFESSOR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> REPRESENTATIVE THE WALORKSKI WAS IN HER 5th TIME.

TALK ABOUT HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

>> SHE BEGAN IN AN ERA THAT THE TEA PARTY, SHE LOST HER FIRST ELECTION, BUT WON IN 2012 AND PROBABLY CHASED A MODERATE OUT OF THE RACE, BUT AS THE THROUGH-LINE SAID HERE, SHE BEGAN WITH AGRICULTURAL ISSUES AND WAS ON A FOOD STAMP PROGRAM VERY EARLY ON, BUT HER CAREER REALLY ALSO MENTIONED, GAINED MORE STRENGTH, BEING ON WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AS PART OF ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL COMMITTEES IN THE U.S. HOUSE, IN PARTICULAR SHE WAS ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND OTHER TYPES OF TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT ARE EXTRAORDINARILY POWERFUL.

SHE WAS RESPECTED ENOUGH BY CERTAINLY THE LEADERSHIP TO BE PUT ON THE ETHICS COMMITTEE, NOT THE MOST FUN JOB IN WASHINGTON TO BE SURE.

WITH THE JANUARY 6 STUFF COMING UP AND MEMBERS BEING BROUGHT INTO THAT, IT WAS AN INDICATION OF HOW TRUSTED SHE WAS AMONG THE HOUSE JUDICIARY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

>> WE HEARD SHE VOTED AGAINST PRESIDENT BIDEN'S ELECTION HAS BEEN AN OUTSPOKEN PRO LIFE AND PRO 2nd AMENDMENT PROPONENT.

HOW DO YOU THINK SHE'LL BE REMEMBERED IN THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.

>> SHE IS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NOW, SHE WAS BACK IN 2010 WHEN SHE FIRST RAN.

THIS IS THE KIND OF NAME BRAND INDICATOR OF WHAT IT IS.

BUT SHE'S STOOD UP AT TIMES AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ON SOME ISSUES, CHILD SEPARATION AT THE BORDER, TARIFFS AGAINST AUTO PARTS.

I THINK HER CAREER, IF YOU GO BACK IN TIME AND LOOK, SHE BEGAN BY HELPING CO-AUTHOR THE VOTER ID LAW IN INDIANA.

SO THERE'S A THROUGH-LINE OF REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVE POLITICS BUT A WILLINGNESS TO STAND UP AND HOUR DISTRICT AS SHE DECIDED AT A STATE LEGISLATOR AS WELL.

>> A VERY SAD SITUATION.

WHAT'S THE PROCESS FOR SELECTING A REPLACEMENT FOR REPRESENTATIVE WOLARSKI ON THE BALLOT THIS FALL?

>> VERY COMPLEX HERE.

THE U.S. CONSTITUTION GIVES THE GOVERNOR THE ABILITY TO CALL A SPECIAL ELECTION.

AND THE GOVERNOR IS GIVEN A LOT OF LATITUDE.

IT SHOULDN'T BE CALLED UNLESS IT'S WITHIN 74 DAYS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION, ALTHOUGH HISTORY HAS SHOWN THAT THESES ARE LIKELY TO RUN SIMULTANEOUSLY.

THERE WILL BE AN ELECTION FOR --- FINISHING OUT THE TERM.

AND ON ELECTION DAY TO FILL THE NEXT TERM FOR THE U.S. CONGRESS.

AND THE PARTY WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE -- HONESTLY THEY'RE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME RIGHT NOW THE CHAIR OF THE PARTY IN THE COUNTY HAS TO CONSENT AS DWELL.

A VERY DIFFICULT TIME TO GET THEIR NEXT NOMINEE FOR THIS OFFICE.

>> PROFESSOR WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS FOR BEING ON THE SHOW TODAY, WE APPRECIATE IT, THANK YOU, JOE.

>>> ACCORDING TO THE 2020 BLOOMINGTON HOUSING STUDY, THE CITY NEEDED TO BUILD MORE THAN 25-HUNDRED UNITS TO KEEP UP THE ROUGHLY 1 PERCENT ANNUAL GROWTH.

BUT AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, SOME RESIDENTS WORRY RAPID DEVELOPMENT DETRACTS FROM THE TOWN'’S CHARACTER.

>> MORE THAN 5,100 UNITS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR DEVELOPMENT SINCE 2016-— WHICH MAKES FOR ABOUT 75 SEPARATE PROJECTS.

STANDING DOWNTOWN, LOOKING AT NEW DEVELOPMENT NEXT TO OLDER BUILDINGS, THE GROWTH IS SOMETHING JAMI SCHOLL NOTICED.

SHE THINKS THE DEVELOPMENT MEANS BLOOMINGTON HAS ALREADY LOST SOME OF ITS CHARACTER.

>> RATHER THAN LOOKING AT THE ARCHITECTURAL INTEGRITY OF SAY, ONE BUILDING THAT WE HAVE IN THE MIDDLE, THE FLEENOR BUILDING HERE, AND IT'S ALL BRIGHT, BUT IT HAS CHARACTER IN IT SHOWS OUR HISTORY.

>> SHE SAYS A LOT OF THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS BUILT DOWNTOWN LOOKS VERY SIMILAR, AND DOESN'’T INVITE MUCH IN THE WAY OF COMMUNITY FEEL.

>> WE DON'T HAVE A PIAZZA, SOMETHING WHERE WE COULD ALL MINGLE IN REGARDS TO CITY PLANNING WOULD BE WONDERFUL.

>> SHE WANTS THE CITY TO ENCOURAGE DEVELOPERS TO BUILD WITH PRESERVATION IN MIND, POSSIBLY BY APPOINTING SOMEONE TO REVIEW A BUILDING'S EFFECT ON A NEIGHBORHOOD BASED ON DESIGN.

>> BECAUSE THE BUILDING DOESN'T EXIST IN A VACUUM.

IT'S LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE SPACE.

SO HOW DOES THAT BUILDING FIT WITHIN THE ENTIRE SPACE?

>> THE CITY DOES HAVE AN ARCHITECT ON RETAINER TO PROVIDE DEVELOPERS WITH FEEDBACK.

PART OF DEVELOPMENT DOWNTOWN HAS BEEN IN RESPONSE TO THE STUDENT POPULATION.

SINCE 2011, IU BLOOMINGTON'’S FALL STUDENT HEADCOUNT HAS JUMPED FROM 42,718 TO MORE THAN 45,000.

SCOTT ROBINSON IS THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION.

>> I DO KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL LIKE ALTHOUGH NEW BUILDINGS COME IN LOOK AND FEEL THE SAME.

AND I THINK IT'’S IS PROBABLY TRUE FOR IN ANY ERA THAT WE LOOK BACK IN TIME THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A CURRENT TREND OF BUILDING PATTERNS AND DESIGNS.

>> THE CITY HAS DESIGN GUIDELINES IN ITS UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE DEVELOPERS HAVE TO FOLLOW-— LIKE VARIATIONS IN DESIGN EVERY FORTY FEET, BEING SOLAR READY, AND PRIMARY AND SECONDARY BUILDING MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS.

SOME PRIMARY MATERIALS ARE MASONRY, STONE, AND TRANSPARENT GLASS.

SECONDARY ONES INCLUDE WOOD AND METAL.

BEFORE RECENT AMENDMENTS TO THE UDO, SOME MATERIALS COULD BE WAIVED IF THE DEVELOPER ALLOTTED AFFORDABLE UNITS OR MET SUSTAINABILITY REQUIREMENTS.

NOW, BUILDING MATERIALS REQUIREMENTS CAN'’T BE WAIVED, BUT MORE FLOORS CAN BE ADDED TO A DEVELOPMENT.

SOME DEVELOPMENTS, LIKE THE RUBICON ON KIRKWOOD, DEVELOPED BEFORE STANDARDS SET BY THE UDO.

SO, IT HAS MORE METAL THAN WHAT CURRENT STANDARDS ALLOW.

ROBINSON SAYS PEOPLE HAVE A SENTIMENTALITY ATTACHED TO BUILDINGS-— REFERENCING THE CHOCOLATE MOOSE AND VILLAGE DELI AS EXAMPLES.

>> BUT IF YOU ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE SITE ITSELF, HAD NO LANDSCAPING, VERY AUTO CENTRIC, A ONE STORY DESIGN AND THE DOWNTOWN ARCHITECTURE, MAYBE, YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON YOUR FEELING MAY NOT MAY NOT HAVE FIT IN A DOWNTOWN ENVIRONMENT.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE FELT LIKE WE'RE LOSING THAT CHARACTER OF THE COMMUNITY WITH THAT NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT CAME IN THERE.

>> UNLIKE BLOOMINGTON, COLUMBUS DOESN'’T HAVE SPECIFIC DESIGN CODES FOR BUILDINGS -— DESPITE ITS REPUTATION FOR MODERN ARCHITECTURE.

JEFF BERGMAN, THE COLUMBUS CITY PLANNER, ATTRIBUTES A LOT OF THE TOWN'’S AESTHETIC TO THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY'’S HISTORY OF INVESTMENT IN MODERN ARCHITECTURE.

HE SAYS COLUMBUS DIDN'’T WANT TO IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS THAT WOULD DISCOURAGE CREATIVITY.

COLUMBUS DID REVIEW AND WORK WITH DEVELOPERS ON DESIGN PLANS FOR THE COLE DOWNTOWN BECAUSE THEY HELPED FUND THE BUILDING.

A SIMILAR ARRANGEMENT IS SET FOR WHEN THEY BRING AN URBAN GROCER IN FOR DEVELOPMENT.

>> EACH COMMUNITY HAS A DIFFERENT HISTORY WITH DESIGN.

AND EACH COMMUNITY HAS DIFFERENT GOALS FOR DESIGN.

AND THOSE TWO THINGS ARE GOING TO WORK HAND IN HAND, AS EACH COMMITTEE THINKS ABOUT ITS OWN FUTURE.

>> SCHOLL SAYS THE BLOOMINGTON DEVELOPMENTS DON'’T ENCOURAGE LONG-TERM RESIDENCE OR FAMILY LIVING.

SHE DOESN'’T AGREE WITH A SET OF CODES DETERMINING WHAT GETS BUILT, AND DOESN'’T THINK DESIGN SHOULD BE COMPROMISED FOR AFFORDABILITY, SUSTAINABILITY, OR SPEED.

>> WHY ARE THOSE TRADEOFFS?

ONE FOR THE OTHER?

BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY, YOU KNOW, SO MORE METAL?

IS THE METAL EMBOSSED?

DOES IT HAVE ANY KIND OF CHARACTER?

HAS IT HAD BEEN TOUCHED BY ANYONE LOCALLY TO ETCH IT?

OR DOES IT HAVE ANY KIND OF STAINED GLASS?

OR ANY KIND OF BEVELED?

GLASS?

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT?

THAT'S THE AESTHETIC, THAT'S NOT JUST WHAT'S BEEN CHECKED OFF.

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

>> THE BLOOMINGTON HOUSING STUDY SAYS TO KEEP UP WITH A PROJECTED POPULATION OF 90-THOUSAND BY 2030, TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIX UNITS NEED TO BE BUILT A YEAR.

>>> I-U ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK IT WILL INCREASE MINIMUM STIPENDS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT WORKERS AND COVER BOTH THEIR MANDATORY AND COURSE FEES.

THE MOVE COMES AS GRADUATE STUDENTS PLAN TO RESUME THEIR STRIKE THIS FALL.

HALEY RYAN HAS THE STORY.

>> PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN AND PROVOST RAHUL SHRIVASTAV MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT BASED ON THE ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE TASK FORCE ON GRADUATE EDUCATION.

MINIMUM STIPENDS IN BLOOMINGTON FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS WHO HOLD PART-TIME TEACHING OR RESEARCH APPOINTMENTS WILL INCREASE TO $22,000.

THE UNIVERSITY WILL ALSO COVER NEARLY FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS IN MANDATORY FEES.

THE NEW AMOUNT IS A FORTY-SIX PERCENT INCREASE OVER THE MINIMUM STIPEND OF FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS OFFER LAST FALL.

THE INCREASE MOVES THE CAMPUS FROM THE BOTTOM OF BIG TEN UNIVERSITIES TO THE TOP HALF.

>> IT MADE SENSE TO DO THE STIPEND AND THE FEE PIECE, BECAUSE IT COULD BE DONE, THE REST WE'’LL IMPLEMENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.

>> THE PROVOST PLANS A REVIEW OF GRADUATE STIPENDS EVERY TWO YEARS AND MORE DETAILED OFFER LETTERS FOR PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS.

THE INDIANA GRADUATE WORKERS COALITION, WHO WENT ON STRIKE IN APRIL, SAYS THESE VICTORIES WERE WON BY THE COLLECTIVE ACTION OF GRADUATE WORKERS.

THE COALITION SUSPENDED ITS STRIKE JUST BEFORE THE END OF THE SPRING SEMESTER, BUT PLAN TO RESUME IT THIS FALL.

>> IT'S REALLY A CLEAR SIGN TO OUR MEMBERS OF WHAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO ACHIEVE AS WE CONTINUE TO TAKE ACTION IN THE FALL.

>> SHRIVASTAV SAYS OTHER TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE ADDRESSED IN THE FUTURE.

FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M HALEY RYAN.

>>> BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A HANDFUL OF TRAFFIC CHANGES WEDNESDAY, INCLUDING TWO NEW STOP LIGHTS ON NORTH WALNUT STREET THAT WERE BUILT WITHOUT COUNCIL'S APPROVAL.

>> IT JUST RUBS ME THE WRONG WAY WHEN WE'’VE ALREADY INSTALLED AN INTERSECTION AND THEN IT COMES TO CITY COUNCIL.

IT'’S UNUSUAL FOR TITLE 15 ORDINANCES TO GET MUCH PUSHBACK AT THIS LEVEL, BUT YOU NEVER KNOW.

>> THE NEW LIGHTS ARE AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF NORTH WALNUT AND 11TH AND 14TH STREETS.

THE SIGNAL AT 11TH IS UP AND RUNNING, BUT THE 14TH STREET SIGNAL HAS YET TO BE ACTIVATED.

>>> THE GOVERNOR'’S PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION GAVE DOZENS OF RECOMMENDATIONS THURSDAY FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN INDIANA'’S PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM.

AS VIOLET COMBER-WHYLEN EXPLAINS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS HOPE THIS FINAL REPORT INFLUENCES LEGISLATORS TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE STATE'’S CURRENT SYSTEM.

>> THE GROUP RECOMMENDED MORE THAN 240 MILLION DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS PROPOSALS.

A MAJOR THEME OF THE REPORT IS A LACK OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND A LACK OF COORDINATION BETWEEN STATE, REGIONAL AND LOCAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS.

STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER DR. KRIS BOX SAYS IMPROVING THESE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEMS IS IMPORTANT.

SHE EMPHASIZED THAT TRAUMA AND INJURY IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH IN INDIANA.

>> THAT EMS GROUP THAT PICKS YOU UP, HOW QUICKLY THEY GET TO YOU, HOW TRAINED THEY ARE TO STABILIZE YOU, AND GET YOU TO A HOSPITAL MAKES A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR LIFE, AND YOUR DEATH, AND YOUR PERMANENT DISABILITY.

>> OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED ENHANCED DATA ANALYTIC TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, A COMPREHENSIVE STATE WORKFORCE PLAN, AND AN INCREASED CONNECTION BETWEEN LOCAL AND STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M VIOLET COMER-WHYLEN.

>>> A SURVEY SHOWS THE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE SEEN THE LARGEST DECLINE OF YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE IN INDIANA IN MORE THAN THREE DECADES.

MORE THAN 90,000 RESPONSES FROM CHILDREN IN GRADES SIX THROUGH TWELVE FROM 323 SCHOOLS IN INDIANA WERE INCLUDED IN THE BIENNIAL SURVEY.

OFFICIALS SAY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FINDS ARE THAT ALCOHOL, CIGARETTE AND MARIJUANA USE ARE AT A 30-YEAR LOW.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON INDIANA NEWSDESK A HEADSTART PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP CHILDREN OF MIGRANT WORKERS PREPARE FOR SCHOOL.

A PLAN TO PLACE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS AROUND THE STATE IS MET WITH SOME RESISTANCE.

>> THESE STORIES AND MORE HERE ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>> WAKE UP TO THE WORLD.

>> TO THE MARVELS.

>> THE MAYHEM.

>> THE MUSIC.

>> WAKE UP TO THE WOWS,.

>> THE WHOAS.

>> THE WONDER.

>> WAKE UP TO THE COMMOTION, TO THE BEAUTY.

>> TO THE HUMANITY.

>> TO THE HOPE.

>> WAKE UP EVERY MORNING FULLY AWAKE.

>> NPR MORNING EDITION.

>> TUNE INTO YOUR LOCAL STATION OR DOWNLOAD THE NPR APP.

>> YOUR FAVORITE MEMBER BENEFIT IS GETTING BETTER AND BIGGER.

>> THIS IS WONDERFUL.

>> OVER THE NEXT YEAR, PASSPORT IS ADDING NEW SHOWS AND DOUBLING A NUMBER OF EPISODES FOR YOU TO STREAM.

>> THAT'S ALL WE'VE GOT.

>> FROM YOUR FAVORITE COOKING AND TRAVEL STORIES TO HISTORY SPECIALS AND AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARIES.

BETTER AND BIGGER.

>> THAT REALLY IS THE FUN PART.

>> STREAM ON ANY DEVICE WITH PASSPORT ON PBS VIDEO APP.

>>WELCOME BACK TO INDIANA NEWSDESK.

INDIANA HAS DRAFTED PLANS FOR WHERE TO PLACE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS IN THE STATE AS PART OF A FEDERAL PROGRAM TO CREATE A NATIONWIDE CHARGING NETWORK.

BUT AS REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, A COALITION SAYS WE WON'’T HAVE ENOUGH FAST CHARGERS TO MAKE THE TRANSITION TO E-VS WITHOUT THE HELP OF PRIVATE BUSINESSES -— AND RIGHT NOW MANY CAN'’T AFFORD FAST-CHARGERS.

>> THE CHARGE AHEAD PARTNERSHIP SAYS WHEN FUNDING FOR THE FEDERAL PROGRAM RUNS OUT, BUSINESSES LIKE GAS STATIONS AND OTHER RETAIL STORES MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD PAYING UP TO 200 THOUSAND DOLLARS PER CHARGER.

DOUG KANTOR WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONVENIENCE STORES SAYS D-C FAST CHARGERS ALSO REQUIRE A LOT OF ENERGY AND UTILITIES CAN ADD FEES FOR HIGH DEMAND.

>> JUST ONE EV DRIVER CHARGING UP AT ONE OF THESE FAST CHARGERS CAN ADD HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO THE MONTHLY ELECTRICITY BILL OF THAT RETAIL OUTLET.

>> AND UNLIKE INDIANA UTILITIES, PRIVATE BUSINESSES CAN'’T RECOVER THE COST OF PUBLIC CHARGING STATIONS FROM RATEPAYERS.

BUSINESSES COULD PARTNER WITH UTILITIES OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO SHARE THE COST OF CHARGERS.

>> WE HAVE TRIED TO -— I THINK TRY TO BE A SORT OF AGNOSTIC AND BE AS OPEN AND FLEXIBLE AS WE CAN TO ALLOW THE MARKET TO IDENTIFY PARTNERSHIPS THAT MAKE SENSE.

>> BUT THE INDIANA FOOD AND FUEL ASSOCIATION SAYS IT'’S UNCLEAR IF UTILITIES WOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE THE PROFITS EQUITABLY.

>> UTILITIES MAY WANT TO USE SOME LAND ON A CONVENIENCE STORE AT ONE OF MY RETAILERS WITHOUT SHARING ANY OF THE PROFIT THAT WOULD COME FROM THAT LAND.

I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY OF OUR MEMBERS WOULD BE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT ARRANGEMENT.

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

>> INDIANA UTILITIES ARE HEADING UP ANOTHER PROGRAM TO INSTALL E-V CHARGERS IN THE STATE THROUGH A SETTLEMENT WITH VOLKSWAGEN FOR AIR QUALITY VIOLATIONS.

>>> EVERY SUMMER, THOUSANDS OF MIGRANT AND SEASONAL WORKERS FLOCK TO SOUTHWESTERN INDIANA TO HELP IN THE HARVEST OF MELONS AND OTHER SPECIALTY PRODUCE.

AND WITH THESE WORKERS, COME THEIR FAMILIES.

AND WHILE THEIR LOVED ONES ARE WORKING-- THE CHILDREN ALSO NEED TO BE TENDED TO.

VINCENNES PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S SHALEENA BARKER REPORTS ON AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THOSE CHILDREN.

>> CURRENT VINCENNES RESIDENT, RUBY VELÁZQUEZ IS NOT A STRANGER TO THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY.

THE JOB SHE'S DOING HAS A PERMANENT PLACE IN HER STORY.

>> I USED TO MIGRATE WITH MY FAMILY SINCE I WAS YOUNG AT ABOUT 12 YEARS OF AGE.

I MIGRATED UPSTREAM.

I WORKED SUGAR BEETS, ONIONS, WATERMELON, CANTALOUPE.

THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN PART OF MY LIFE.

>> VELÁSQUEZ'S FAMILY WAS ONE OF THE MANY MIGRANT COMMUNITIES WHO TRAVEL FROM STATE TO STATE FOLLOWING HARVESTS.

THESE WORKERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HARVESTING ANYTHING FROM THE STRAWBERRY FIELDS IN FLORIDA, THE APPLE ORCHARDS IN WASHINGTON AND HERE IN KNOX COUNTY MELONS.

VELÁZQUEZ, WHO GOT HER START IN THE FIELDS PICKING CROPS WHEN THEY WERE READY.

SHE WAS ABLE TO FURTHER HER EDUCATION THROUGH A SPECIAL PROGRAM.

>> IT WAS WHEN I WAS 18 THAT I STARTED WORKING WITH FAMILY HEAD START.

I STARTED AS A BUS AIDE, AND THEN I BECAME A TEACHER AND NOW I'M A FAMILY HEALTH COORDINATOR.

>> VELÁZQUEZ IS THE FAMILY HEALTH COORDINATOR FOR THE EAST COAST MIGRANT HEAD START PROGRAM, WHICH SERVES 3000 MIGRANT AND SEASONAL CHILDREN ACROSS 49 CAMPUSES IN 10 STATES, INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN VINCENNES.

ITS GOAL?

TO EDUCATE THE CHILDREN OF MIGRANT WORKERS AND GIVE PEOPLE LIKE VELÁZQUEZ, A CHANCE TO GROW.

>> WE GET THE CHILDREN READY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL.

WE HAVE SCHOOL READINESS AND THEY HAVE LOTS OF FUN HERE.

THEY LEARN A LOT.

>> THE EAST COAST MIGRANT HEAD START PROGRAM RUNS FROM JULY THROUGH OCTOBER.

IT HELPS CHILDREN FROM SIX WEEKS OF ABLE THROUGH SIX YEARS OLD.

>> OUR DAY STARTS FROM ABOUT 7:30 UNTIL 3 PM.

WE PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS MEALS TO THE CHILDREN.

THROUGHOUT THE DAY WE HAVE FUN ACTIVITIES.

IT IS NOT A DAYCARE, IT'S CHILDCARE BUT WE FOLLOW A CURRICULUM.

>> BERNICE MALAGON IS THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE EAST COAST MIGRANT HEAD START PROGRAM.

MALAGON STARTED HER CAREER IN TV NEWS BEFORE LATER SWITCHING GEARS TO A MISSION VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO HER HEART.

>> I'M A MOTHER.

MY DAUGHTER IS 8 YEARS OLD AND FOR ME SHE IS EVERYTHING.

WHEN I KNEW ABOUT THIS MISSION TO HELP CHILDREN, IT MADE SENSE.

>> MALAGON SAYS, WHILE THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THE PROGRAM PROVIDES IS IMPORTANT, IT ALSO SERVES ANOTHER PURPOSE.

>> I WANT YOU TO IMAGINE WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO A CHILD IF THEY DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY.

THEY WILL END UP WORKING IN THE FIELDS WITH THEIR PARENTS OR THEY WILL END UP STAYING AT HOME PROBABLY WITH THE SUPERVISION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT PROFESSIONAL.

>> WHILE GIVING CHILDREN A SAFE PLACE TO LEARN IS ONE OF THE PROGRAM'S MAIN GOALS, THERE ARE RESOURCES IN PLACE TO HELP THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

>> WE CAN ASSIST FAMILIES TRYING TO GET THEIR GED, GOING TO SCHOOL.

THERE'S FUNDS, THERE'S PROGRAMS FOR THESE PARENTS TO BETTER THEMSELVES IN LIFE.

OUR GOAL IS TO, WE WANT THEM TO GET OUT OF THE FIELDS AND DO BETTER.

>> WE HAVE SOME FAMILIES THAT RECEIVE THEIR DACA THROUGH OUR LEGAL SUPPORT SO IT IS AMAZING.

WE ARE TRYING NOT ONLY TO EDUCATE THE CHILDREN BUT HELPING THE FAMILIES WITH OTHER KINDS OF SERVICES EVEN WITH ECONOMIC CONCERNS.

>> OFFICIALS WITH THE EAST COAST MIGRANT HEAD START PROGRAM SAY 24 PERCENT OF ITS STAFF ARE FORMER HEAD START PARENTS.

>> I'VE SEEN MANY PARENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, THEY GET EDUCATED.

THEY GET THEIR GED'S THEY START WORKING FOR EAST COAST MIGRANT HEAD START.

>> REAL MILESTONES FOR MIGRANT FAMILIES.

FOR VELAZQUEZ QUEZ, IT'S AN EXPERIENCE SHE KNOWS ABOUT FIRSTHAND.

>> I COME FROM A MIGRANT FAMILY.

I KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE OUT THERE.

MY PARENTS WORKED FROM SUNUP TO SUN DOWN.

I WAS ABLE TO GET RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY.

I WAS ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL, TO COLLEGE AND BE ABLE TO WORK NOW FOR THE PROGRAM.

>> OFFICIALS SAY MAKING PROGRAMS LIKE THESE A SUCCESS IS A COMMUNITY EFFORT.

PEOPLE CAN HELP BY VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME, APPLYING TO TEACH AND EVEN JUST SPREADING THE WORD.

MALAGON SAYS IT'S THE LEAST THE COMMUNITY CAN DO FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HELP PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE OF MANY AMERICANS.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN BRINGING US FOOD EVEN IN THE MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS OF THE PANDEMIC AND OUR TEACHERS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM ALL OF THE TIME.

SO FOR ME, ITS A BEAUTIFUL MISSION.

I REALLY INVITE YOU TO JOIN US.

>> VELÁZQUEZ SAYS HELPING WITH SUCH AN IMPORTANT MISSION HAS BEEN VERY REWARDING.

>> IT MAKES ME FEEL VERY PROUD.

IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I'VE MADE A DIFFERENCE.

I'VE IMPACTED THIS FAMILY'S LIFE, THIS CHILD'S LIFE.

I'VE WORKED WITH VERY HUMBLE FAMILIES WHO AT THE BEGINNING ARE VERY HUMBLE EVEN IN ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS SO IT DOES MAKE ME VERY PROUD TO SEE FAMILIES SUCCEED AND DO BETTER.

>> SHOWING THE BENEFITS OF THE FUTURE TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

REPORTING FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M SHALEENA BARKER.

>>> MONROE COUNTY'’S CONVENTION CENTER BUSINESS IS BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS AND CITY LEADERS ARE LOOKING TO REVIVE THE STRUGGLING EXPANSION PROJECT.

BLOOMINGTON WANTS TO TAKE OVER THE PROJECT BY PURCHASING THE EXISTING BUILDING AND LAND FROM THE COUNTY.

>> THE CITY IS WILLING TO REASONABLY COMPENSATE THE COUNTY IN ORDER TO DO THIS.

THIS WILL PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED RESOURCES FOR COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO PURSUE OTHER HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS, SUCH AS THE NEW QUARRY PARK THAT WE'’RE EXCITED ABOUT.

>> MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL PASSED A FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX INCREASE IN 2017 TO FUND THE EXPANSION.

SINCE THEN, IT'’S TAKEN IN MORE THAN $14 MILLION DOLLARS -— MOST OF WHICH GOES TO THE CITY.

NO DOLLAR AMOUNTS WERE GIVEN IN THE CITY'’S OFFER TO BUY THE ASSETS.

SPOONMORE SAYS MORE DETAILS WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING NEXT WEEK.

THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIU NEWS DOT ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> INDIANA NEWSDESK MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY...