>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN WILL TAKE EFFECT IN TWO WEEKS, AND SOME QUESTION THE NEW LAW'S WORDING.

>> SO I THINK IT'S MORE OF A PHILOSOPHICAL AND RELIGIOUS QUESTION THAT LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION AND WE NEED TO KEEP THAT OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT.

>>> MONROE COUNTY LEADERS DEBATE HOW TO EXPAND THE CONVENTION CENTER, TERRE HAUTE AND COLUMBUS HAVE FORGED AHEAD WITH PLANS FOR THEIRS.

>> WE HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO OFFER TERRE HAUTE.

WE WILL GET IN ON THAT CIRCUIT.

>> TERRE HAUTE OPENED THE NEW CONVENTION CENTER IN APRIL.

>>> AND WE TALK WITH A POLITICAL SCIENCE EXPERT ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S SPEECH SAYING DONALD TRUMP AND MAGA REPUBLICANS ARE A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.

WE WILL HAVE THESE STORIES AND THE LATEST NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

PRESIDENT BIDEN LASHED OUT AT FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND THE MAGA WING OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN A PRIME TIME SPEECH IN FRONT OF INDEPENDENCE HALL LAST NIGHT.

BIDEN SAYS THE MOVEMENT POSES A GRAVE THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.

>> THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TODAY IS DOMINATED, DRIVEN AND INTIMIDATED BY DONALD TRUMP AND THE MAGA REPUBLICANS.

AND THAT IS A THREAT TO THIS COUNTRY.

>> BIDEN'S SPEECH COMES WITH TRUMP UNDER MULTIPLE INVESTIGATIONS AND TWO MONTHS BEFORE AMERICANS HEAD TO THE POLLS AND BITTERLY CONTESTED MIDTERM ELECTIONS THAT BIDEN CALLS A CROSSROADS FOR THE NATION.

FOR MORE ON THE BIDEN SPEECH AND THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY, WE'RE JOINED BY JEFFREY ISAAC, A PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, PROFESSOR.

>> THANK YOU.

NICE TO BE HERE.

>> YOU WROTE A RESPONSE TO BIDEN'S SPEECH LAST NIGHT, STATING IT WAS PERFECT.

CAN YOU EXPOUND ON THAT FOR A LITTLE BIT?

>> WELL, SURE.

I FULLY AGREE WITH HIS MESSAGE AND I THINK IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR HIM TO SAY WHAT HE SAID WHEN HE SAID IT.

AT A MOMENT WHEN I DO THINK IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT -- THAT DEMOCRACY REALLY IS UNDER THREAT.

I ALSO THOUGHT HIS DELIVERY WAS EXCELLENT, MUCH BETTER THAN THE TYPICAL JOE BIDEN DELIVERY.

>> CRITICS ON THE RIGHT SAY HE'S LABELING HALF THE COUNTRY AS FASCISTS.

DO YOU SEE HIS SPEECH LEADING TO MORE POLARIZING OR WILL IT BE A MORE DEFINING MOMENT?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I DON'T THINK HE USED THE WORD FASCIST IN THAT SPEECH BUT HE HAS USED THE TERM SEMIFASCIST RECENTLY.

HE WAS CRITICIZING MAGA REPUBLICANS -- HE VERY CLEARLY DISTINGUISHED BETWEEN THAT AND REPUBLICAN VOTERS, ALTHOUGH HE ALSO MADE CLEAR RIGHTLY IN MY VIEW THAT MAGA REPUBLICANISM CONTROLS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT HALF THE COUNTRY.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S MAYBE HALF OF HALF THE ELECTORATE, LIKE A QUARTER OF THE COUNTRY, MAYBE, IN TERMS OF VOTERS.

AND TRUMP-STYLE CANDIDATES.

SO I DON'T THINK HE WAS DEMONIZING OUR OTHERING LIKE MASSES OF AMERICANS.

HE WAS TRYING TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT AN IDEOLOGY AND A MOVEMENT AND A LEADER AND CERTAIN VERY SPECIFIC KINDS OF CONVICTIONS ARE DANGEROUS.

NOT THAT EVERYONE WHO VOTES IS DANGEROUS.

>> NOW, HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU ABOUT THE THREAT TO DEMOCRACY?

>> I'M VERY CONCERNED.

I HAVE BEEN TEACHING ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS AND WRITING ABOUT THIS INCESSANTLY FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

PLEASETHING TWO COURSES ON THE TOPIC NOW.

AND I TAUGHT THESE TWO COURSES LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE THAT AND THE YEAR BEFORE THAT.

I COULDN'T BE MORE CONCERNED.

I'M 65.

IN MY LIFETIME, I BELIEVE SUBSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY -- CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY IN THE U.S. HAS NEVER BEEN IN MORE DANGER THAN IT IS RIGHT NOW.

>> SO THIS SPEECH, HOW WILL IT BE SEEN BY HISTORY?

HAVE OTHER PRESIDENTS HAD TO SPEAK OUT SO FORCEFULLY AGAINST A PERCEIVED THREAT TO DEMOCRACY?

>> YOU KNOW, THE PUNDITS TALKING ABOUT THE SPEECH, TALK ABOUT LINCOLN, TALK ABOUT FDR, AND I DO THINK THAT THE MOMENT HAS PARALLELS TO THOSE EARLIER MOMENTS OF REAL CRISIS BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR, OR BASICALLY IN THE PERIOD -- BASICALLY LEADING UP TO WORLD WAR II, WHEN THERE WAS THE DANGER OF THE DEFEAT OF LIBERAL DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD.

SO I DO THINK THERE ARE MOMENTS THAT WERE SIMILAR TO THIS MOMENT, WHEN PRESIDENTS ROSE TO THE OCCASION AND MADE IMPORTANT ADDRESSES.

I DON'T KNOW HOW HISTORY IS GOING TO JUDGE THIS PARTICULAR SPEECH.

I HOPE THAT HISTORIANS CAN LOOK BACK AND SAY THAT THIS SPEECH REALLY MOBILIZED PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT DEMOCRACY TO TAKE -- TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY.

>> WE HAVE JUST ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT, MIDTERMS TWO MONTHS AWAY, WHAT KIND OF IMPACTS WILL DEMOCRATS GOING ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST MAGA WING HAVE?

>> I'M HOPEFUL, BECAUSE I THINK THAT MAGA WING CONTROLS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THIS IS WHAT REPUBLICANS ARE RUNNING ON.

AND BY THE WAY, I THINK HE VERY EFFECTIVELY LINKED THE QUESTION OF DEMOCRACY TO THE QUESTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES, WHICH INCLUDE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND I THINK THE DOM DOM THE -- THE DOBBS DECISION IS GOING TO MOBILIZE A LOT OF VOTERS.

THE STRICT TOTAL BANS AND CRUELTY TOWARDS PREGNANT PEOPLE, I THINK MOST AMERICANS DON'T WANT TO GO THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT, PROFESSOR, WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> WELL, THE BATTLE FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FOR HOOSIERS CONTINUES JUST WEEKS BEFORE SENATE BILL 1 BECOMES LAW.

THINGS ARE HEATING UP AS COLLEGE STUDENTS RETURN TO CAMPUS AND HEALTH OFFICIALS FIGHT FOR ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTIVES AND ABORTION SUPPORTERS FIGHT THE BAN IN COURT.

>> LAST MONTH STATE LAWMAKERS MET IN SPECIAL SESSION TO PASS A NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN.

INDIANA BECAME THE FIRST STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO PASS NEW LEGISLATION REGARDING ABORTIONS, FOLLOWING THE OVERTURNING OF ROE vs. WADE.

THE NEW LAW, WHICH TAKES EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 15th ALLOWS FOR A FEW EXCEPTIONS.

ABORTIONS ARE PERMITTED IN THE CASE OF RAPE AND INCEST BEFORE 10 WEEKS POST-FERTILIZATION.

TO PROTECT THE LIFE AND THE PHYSICAL HEALTH OF THE PREGNANT WOMAN AND IF A FEET US IS DIAGNOSED WITH A LETHAL ANOMALY.

TASE NEW REALITY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO ARE ON SUMMER BREAK WHEN THE LAWMAKERS PASSED THE BA BAN.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY BAD.

>> CONSTITUENTS ARE DIVIDED AND ALSO CONCERNED WITH THE WORDING OF THE BILL.

ONE QUESTION RAISED BY STUDENTS, WHAT EXACTLY DOES TO PROTECT THE LIFE AND THE PHYSICAL HEALTH OF THE PREGNANT WOMAN ENTAIL?

AND WHERE DOES THE LINE BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE STATE BEGIN AND END?

>> I JUST THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF GRAY AREA ALSO.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO KEEP RELIGION OUT OF GOVERNMENT.

I THINK THAT'S KIND OF ISSUE HERE.

>> I THINK IT'S MORE OF A PHILOSOPHICAL AND RELIGIOUSLY ANSWERED QUESTION THAT LIFE MIGHT BEGIN AT CONCEPTION AND WE NEED TO KEEP THAT OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE BELIEVES THE SAME THING.

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY STUDENT GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN STEPS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS.

I.U.S.G.

IS COVERING THE COST OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVES FOR ALL I.U.

BLOOMINGTON STUDENTS THIS YEAR.

STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO PIG PICK UP PLAN B AT THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER FREE OF CHARGE.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF DEBATE ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

>> IN THE CURRENT STATE, WHAT WE ARE SEEING, IS ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION IS A CONCERN AND IT DOES DECREASE ABORTIONS.

>> DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION, RITA FLEMING INTRODUCED AN AMENDMENT TO A SPENDING BILL THAT WOULD ALLOWED PHARMACISTS TO WRITE A PRESCRIPTION FOR CONTRACEPTIONS WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION FROM A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.

>> THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT THE INDIANA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION SUPPORTED AND AS PHARMACISTS WE WERE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> THE INDIANA RIGHT TO LIFE HAS LOBBIED AGAINST ALLOWING PHARMACISTS TO PRESCRIBE BIRTH CONTROL BUT FLEMING SKILL EXPECTS THE BILL TO COME UP DURING THE REGULAR SESSION IN JANUARY.

FOR VERONICA VERNON, IT WOULD HAVE HELPED WITH A COVERAGE GAP.

>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CONTRACEPTIVE DESERTS.

THESE ARE LOCATIONS IN THE STATE WHERE IT IS CHALLENGING FOR WOMEN TO GET ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION OR THERE'S NO ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION, WHICH THAT'S CONTRACEPTION THEY CAN GET FROM A PHARMACY, LIKE A PILL, OR A PATCH THAT CAN BE PLACED ON THE BODY OR OTHER FORMS.

>> MOST RECENTLY, INDIANA ABORTION PROVIDERS HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST SB-1, CLAIMING THAT THE LAW VIOLATES THE INDIANA CONSTITUTION.

THE LAW WILL LIMIT ABORTIONS TO HOSPITALS AND SURGICAL CENTERS OWNED BY HOSPITALS.

IT BANS ABORTION CLINICS.

ABORTION PROVIDERS, INCLUDED PLANNED PARENTHOOD ARGUES THAT THE LAW IS DISCRIMINATORY AND THEY SAY IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONALLY VAGUE.

ACLU OF INDIANA IS HELPING TO ED LA THE LAWSUIT.

IN A STATEMENT, LEGAL DIRECTOR SAYS IMPOLICE KNIT THIS RIGHT IS THE RIGHT FOR -- IMPLICIT IN THIS RIGHT IS THE RIGHT FOR WOMEN TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR OWN HEALTH.

IT WILL LEAD TO LIFE-ALTERING CONSEQUENCES AND SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS.

INDIANA RIGHT TO LIFE IS CONFIDENT THE SUIT WON'T BE SUCCESSFUL, SAYING STATE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT GRANT THE RIGHT TO AN ABORTION, AND ACTUALLY STATES LIFE IS AN INALIENABLE RIGHT.

REGARDLESS OF YOUR TEAMINGS, I.U.

STUDENT A.J.

PORTER SAYS IT DOES NOT REFLECT WHAT MOST PEOPLE IN INDIANA WANT.

>> MOST PEOPLE ARE VERY MODERATE ON ABORTION.

THEY ARE NOT SUPER, SUPER PRO LIFE OR SUPER, SUPER PRO CHOICE.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>> NOW KANSAS PUT THE ABORTION QUESTION TO VOTERS IN THE FORM OF A BALLOT REFERENDUM LAST MONTH.

INDIANA REPUBLICANS DISMISSED EFFORTS BY DEMOCRATS TO ADD A PUBLIC QUESTION ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

>>> INDIANA'S LARGEST HEALTHCARE SYSTEM SAYS IT'S PREPARED TO CONTINUE OFFERING LEGAL ABORTION CARE AFTER THE STATE'S BAN TAKES EFFECT SEPTEMBER 15th.

I.U.

HEALTH LEADERS SAY THEY SPENT THE LAST MONTH DEVELOPING GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FOR PROVIDERS AND EVALUATING WHERE ABORTIONS MIGHT BE PROVIDED.

>> ALL OF OUR SITES ARE PREPARED FOR THAT.

AND WE'RE DETERMINING WHAT'S THE BEST ACCESS POINT BASED ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS FOR OUR PATIENTS SEEKING CARE.

>> I.U.

HEALTH HAS CREATED A 24/7 RAPID RESPONSE TEAM THAT IS PREPARED TO ANSWER PROVIDER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO DO UNDER THE BAN.

>>> WE ARE JOINED NOW BY HOLDEN ABSHIER FOR LATEST HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE.

HELLO HOLDEN.

>> HELLO, JOE.

BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL IS LOOKING AT A NEW CITY BUDGET AND IT COULD COME WITH ELECTRIC SCOOTER ENFORCEMENT.

BLOOMINGTON HAS CONTRACTS WITH THREE SCOOTER COMPANIES, EACH PAYING THE CITY $10,000 PER YEAR AND 15 CENTS PER RIDE.

SINCE 2018, THAT'S GENERATED ABOUT $200,000 FOR THE CITY.

NOW I.U.

TYPICALLY IMPOUNDS 60 TO 80 ILLEGALLY PARKED SCOOTERS EACH MONTH BUT COLLECTED MORE THAN 200 SCOOTERS IN AUGUST.

>> WE AS A CITY HAVE DONE A TERRIBLE JOB IN ENFORCING OUR SCOOTER RULES FOR PARKING AND ROUTE.

>> ELIZA PAVALKO: INGPARKING --PARKING AND SCHOOLERS SCOOTERS ON PROPERTY.

>> IT'S UP ABOUT $22 MILLION FROM 2022.

NOW THAT PROPOSED BUDGET DOES NOT INCLUDE RAISES FOR UNION MEMBERS IN DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS.

THAT'S BECAUSE CITY ADMINISTRATION PAUSED CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS SEVERAL WEEKS AGO.

♪ >> PRESIDENT BRADLEY RUSHTON SPOKE TO UNION MEMBERS OUTSIDE CITY HALL TUESDAY TO ENCOURAGE BLOOMINGTON ADMINISTRATION TO RESUME NEGOTIATIONS BEFORE THE BUDGET IS ADOPTED.

>> WE FEEL THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO BACK US INTO THE CORNER, WHERE THEY GO AHEAD AND GET THE BUDGET HEARINGS CONCLUDED AND THEN WHATEVER THEY DEEM NECESSARY TO GIVE US ASK IS WHAT WE WILL GET, EITHER IT TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.

THAT'S NOT FAIR AND IN GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS.

>> IT'S UNSURE IF THE NEGOTIATIONS WILL BE CONCLUDED BY BUDGET ADOPTION IN OCTOBER.

>>> AN ALLIANCE DEMANDS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REJECT INDIANA'S ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING PLAN DUE TO EQUITY CONCERNS.

AND AS REP REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, THEY ASKED PETE BUTTIGIEG TO TOUR PLACES WHERE CHARGERS SHOULD BE PLACED AND SEE WHAT OPPORTUNITIES IT WOULD OPEN FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> THE INDIANA ALLIANCE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

FEW CHARGERS WOULD BE PLACED IN RACIALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> HIGHWAYS WOULD GOING THROUGH BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS DESTROYING HOMES AND BUSINESSES AND UPROOTING FAMILIES, AND POISONING THE AIR THAT WE BREATHE.

>> AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE ALLIANCE WANTS STATE TO COMMIT TO PLACING CHARGERS IN RACIALLY AND ETHNICALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND AT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES.

>> UNITED STATES SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG HAS NOTED THE INHERENT RACISM IN AMERICA'S INTERSTATE AND HIGHWAY SYSTEMS.

A LONG HISTORY, HE SAID, THAT'S NOT BEEN FULLY EXCAVATED.

WE AGREE.

>> IT ALSO WANTS INDOT TO COMMIT TO HIRING AND TRAINING A DIVERSE WORKFORCE FOR THE E.V.

PROCESS.

SO FAR INDOT HAS NOT RESPONDED TO ANY OF THE REQUESTS.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S NEW MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY ANNOUNCED HE'S RESIGNING.

EDWARD HERMANN ATTRIBUTES HIS DECISION IN THE LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE VISION OF THE MUSEUM FRED CATE.

THEY PLAN TO OPEN IN THE FALL OF 2023.

A NATIONAL SEARCH FOR A NEW DIRECTOR WILL BE LAUNCHED SOON.

>>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON UTILITY OFFICIALS SAY THE LAKE-LIKE TASTE AND SMELL OF DRINKING WATER FACES NO PROBLEMS.

IT'S DUE TO MIB AND GEOSMIN, BOTH ARE PRODUCED BY BLUE-GREEN ALGAE BLOOMS IN LAKE MONROE.

HIGH, DRY WEATHER CAN INCREASES THE LEVELS OF BOTH COMPOUNDS.

UTILITY OFFICIALS SAY THEY CAN DO NOTHING BEYOND THEIR CURRENT TREATMENT PROCESSES TO COMPLETELY REMOVE THE TASTE.

>>> WELL, THAT'S ALL WE HAVE FOR HEADLINES THIS WEEK, JOE.

NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT THANKS, HOLDEN.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," AS BLOOMINGTON AND MONROE COUNTY LEADERS DEBATE A NEW CONVENTION CENTER, THEY COULD LOOK TO TERRE HAUTE FOR INSPIRATION.

>>> AND INMATE OVERCROWDING AND A LACK OF RESOURCE OFFICERS ARE PLACING BURDENS ON JAILS ACROSS THE STATE.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, PURDUE UNIVERSITY HAS LED A PROGRAM TO BREED ENDANGERED EASTERN HELLBENDERS IN CAPTIVITY AND RELEASE THE CAL AMAND -- SALAMANDERS INTO INDIANA STREAMS.

A NEW PROJECT WILL ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE A HEALTHY HABITAT WHERE THEY CAN SURVIVE.

>> HELLBENDERS ARE THE LARGEST SALAMANDERS IN THE U.S., KNOWN FOR THE WRINKLY SKIN ON THEIR SIDES.

THEY ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO POLLUTION, LIKE RUNOFF FROM FARM FIELDS BUT FARMERS CAN HELP TO KEEP THAT SOIL IN PLACE THROUGH CONSERVATION PROCESSES LIKE COVER CROPS AND PLANTING BUFFERS ALONG STREAMS.

A HERPETOLOGY PROFESSOR SAYS.

>> WE ARE TALKING WITH THE PART OF THE STATE WHERE THE HELLBENDERS OCCUR.

FARMERS ARE EAGER TO IMPLEMENT CONSERVATION PROCESSES ON THEIR FARM.

>> NOW WITH $2.7 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING, FARMERS WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THINGS LIKE COVER CROP SEED AND THAT COULD BENEFIT FARMERS TOO BY SAVING MONEY ON FERTILIZER, REDUCING WEEDS AND KEEPING THE SOIL MOIST.

>> WHAT THIS HAS DONE IS REALLY FILL, IN MY OPINION, AND THE OPINION OF ALL OF OUR PARTNERS REALLY CRITICAL CONSERVATION PIECE, WHICH IS MINIMIZING SEDIMENTATION THAT'S GOING INTO THE RIVER, WHILE MAXIMIZING THOSE ATTRIBUTES OF THE LAND THAT BENEFIT FARMERS AND THEIR LIVELIHOOD.

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

>>> MONROE COUNTY AND BLOOMINGTON LEADERS HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO EXPAND THEIR CONVENTION CENTER, BUT TWO OTHER INDIANA CITIES ARE JUST GETTING INTO THE BUSINESS.

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

OTHER CITIES ARE USING THAT FORM OF TAX AND NEW FUNDING MECHANISMS.

TERRE HAUTE IS USING $4.3 MILLION FROM A RECENTLY AWARDED STATE READY GRANT TO HELP FUND A NEW PARKING GARAGE.

IT WILL SERVE THE CONVENTION CENTER AND A NEW HOTEL.

>> WE'RE ALREADY TURNING BUSINESS AWAY AT THE CONVENTION CENTER THAT THEY NEED ANOTHER COUPLE OF HUNDRED HOTEL ROOMS AND SO THAT'S OUR NEXT FOCUS AND EFFORT IS TO GET THOSE HOTELS BUILT.

>> TERRE HAUTE OPENED THE NEW $35 MILLION DOWNTOWN CONVENTION CENTER IN APRIL.

BENNETT SAYS THE NEW CENTER GIVES THE CITY A TOOL IT'S NEVER HAD BEFORE.

>> I THINK IT'S GREAT FOR ALL OF OUR INDIANA COMMUNITIES.

PEOPLE GO EXPERIENCE SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BUT WE HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO OFFER TERRE HAUTE.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO BRING AS MANY DIFFERENT THINGS AND GET IN ON THAT CIRCUIT.

>> LEADERS THERE SAY NEW AND EXPANDED CONVENTION CENTER SPACE IN THE STATE WON'T HURT BUSINESS.

>> I THINK IT ADDS, YOU KNOW.

IT ADD ASS A LOT OF VALUE AND WITH WHAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH AND WITH WHAT EVERYBODY HAS GONE THROUGH FINANCIALLY THROUGH COVID, I THINK THAT MORE MEETING PLANNERS WILL START LOOKING AT SMALLER CITIES BECAUSE WE ARE MORE AFFORDABLE.

>> COLUMBUS LEADERS WERE READY TO SIGN A DEVELOPER AND HOTEL CHAIN UNTIL THE PANDEMIC HIT.

THE CITY RECENTLY HIRED A CONSULTANT TO SEE IF A HOTEL CONFERENCE CENTER MAKES SENSE.

>> THE CONSULTANT SAID, YEAH, THAT THE WORLD HAS CHANGED.

BUSINESS TRAVEL HAS CHANGED.

BUT THE CONVENTION BUSINESS THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, THE NUMBER OF VISITORS AND SO FORTH, YOU KNOW, IT STILL CONTINUES TO SUPPORT WHAT WE WANTED TO DO.

>> AND THE CONSULTANT SUGGESTED THEY BUILD IT A LITTLE BIT BIGGER.

IT'S GIVING THE PROJECT MOMENTUM.

MEANWHILE THE MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL MET WEDNESDAY TO HEAR THE CITY'S PROPOSAL.

THE COMMISSIONERS AREN'T ON BOARD AND SAY THE CITY'S PROPOSAL TO TAKE OVER THE CONVENTION CENTER ISN'T WORTH MUCH.

>> AND OUR PAST COLLEAGUES HAVE SPENT, A QUARTER OF A CENTURY INVESTING IN BUILDING UP AND ENSURING THE CONVENTION CENTER OPERATIONS, AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY I WOULD WANT A C.I.B.

>> DISCUSSIONS ARE ONGOING.

>>> WELL, PERFECT STORM OF JAIL CROWDING AND DISINTEREST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREERS IS CREATING A BURDEN FOR OFFICERS AND TENSION FOR INMATES AT JAILS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

EVANSVILLE PUBLIC BROADCASTING, TIM JAGIELO HAS THIS REPORT FROM THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY JAIL.

>> RIGHT NOW, OUR STAFFING LEVELS ARE AT A CRITICALLY LOW DISPOSITION.

>> IT'S A CRISIS THAT LEADS TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT CHALLENGES FOR THE PEOPLE, THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE CALLED TO DO THIS JOB.

>> THEY ARE OVERWHELMED WITH THE NUMBER OF HOURS THAT THEY ARE FORCED TO WORK.

AND THE UNEXPECTED TIMES THEY ARE CALLED TO WORK AND IT'S PUTTING A HECK OF A BURDEN ON THE ENTIRE OFFICE.

THE MAIN FUNCTION OF THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE JAIL DIVISION IS TO SAFELY HOUSE PEOPLE WHILE THEY AWAIT A DISPOSITION OF ANYWHERE A -- OF THEIR ARREST AND THAT CAN COME QUICKLY OR IT CAN BE A LENGTHY PROCESS.

THE NUMBER ONE JOB THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR RIGHT NOW IS THE CONFINEMENT OFFICER THAT WORKS THE FLOOR EACH AND EVERY DAY.

>> ANYTHING THAT GOES ON IN THE DAILY LIVES OF THE INMATES IN THIS FACILITY, WE COORDINATE AS CONFINEMENT STAFF.

>> I AM PROCESSING INMATE PROPERTY FROM A FRESH ARREST THAT JUST CAME IN TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED AND SEALED IN THE PROPERTY ROOM.

>> FEEDING, CLOTHING EXCHANGE, COURT APPEARANCES.

>> WE ARE AT LEAST 25 OFFICERS SHORT PRESENTLY AND THAT MEANS EACH AND EVERY SHIFT IS AT LEAST FIVE OR MORE OFFICERS SHORT.

>> I HAVE WORKED HERE FOR FIVE YEARS AND IT'S PROGRESSIVELY GONE DOWN.

YOU SEE THE STRESS AND THE TURNOVER INCREASE BECAUSE OF THE MORE DIFFICULTY WITH KEEPING STAFF AROUND.

YOU GET A LITTLE BIT MORE STRESSES AND HAVE A LOT MORE INMATES PER PERSON.

>> YOU COME INTO A PLACE WHERE THERE'S A CONFINEMENT AND YOU ARE KIND OF CONFINED YOURSELF BAZ YOU ARE IN -- BECAUSE YOU ARE INSIDE A LOCKED UP INSTITUTION.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO BE HERE.

YOU HAVE AGGRESSIVE PEOPLE.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> YOU KNOW, OUR FACILITY CONSISTENTLY OPERATES OVER 700 INMATES IN A CAPACITY THAT WE CAN REALLY IS BUILT FOR ABOUT 550.

TENSIONS GET HIGHER WHENEVER YOU HAVE MORE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR CARE.

>> SOMETIMES, LIKE IF A GIRL IS REALLY UPSET, YEAH, THEY WILL GET TO HITTING ON THE WALLS AND YELLING AND HAVE AN ATTITUDE AND THEN THAT AFFECTS SOMEONE ELSE IF THEY ARE SLEEPING AND THEY WAKE UP AND GET VERY UPSET AND THAT CAN CAUSE A FIGHT.

I THINK IF WE DO GET FULL STAFF AGAIN, IT WOULD STOP A LOT OF THE FIGHTS THAT GO ON AND THE ARGUING AND A LOT OF THE CHAOS.

>> AND IT'S NOT A LOCAL PROBLEM.

IT'S ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

PEOPLE JUST AREN'T ATTACKED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSIGNMENTS ANYMORE.

>> THEY ARE LOW ON MANPOWER AND I KNOW IT -- IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT REALLY AFFECTS MUCH OF THE EVERYDAY ROUTINE OF THE JAIL, BUT IT DOES AFFECT US.

>> WE'RE HAVING TROUBLE RECRUITING APPLICANTS AND WE CHANGED OUR HIRING PRACTICES AND WE LOWERED OUR STANDARDS AND WE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY SEEKING AND ATTRACTING NEW APPLICANTS.

>> ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD ABOUT STAFFING HERE?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD OFFICERS HERE.

THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD DEPUTIES.

WE NEED MORE OF THEM.

>> AND THE I.U.

FOOTBALL TEAM OPENS A NEW SEASON TONIGHT WHEN THEY HOST ILLINOIS AT MEMORIAL STADIUM.

THERE'S A LOT OF UNKNOWNS FOR THE HOOSIERS WHO ARE COMING OFF A SEASON WHERE THEY ONLY WON TWO GAMES AND WENT 0-9 IN THE BIG TEN.

>> PROBABLY THE MOST NUMBER OF NEW FACES WITHOUT QUESTION THAT WILL BE PLAYING OPENING NIGHT WITH SUCH A HIGH CALIBER OPPONENT.

AND NOT HAVING ANY PRESEASON GAMES OR ANYTHING, OTHER THAN OUR SCRIMMAGES.

SO, YEAH, DEFINITELY A LOT OF UNKNOWN.

>> YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE BIG UNKNOWNS IS AT QUARTERBACK WHERE EITHER VETERAN JACK TUTTLE OR MISSOURI TRANSFER, KYLE BAZELAK.

THEY WILL BE FACING AN ILLINI TEAM WITH A GAME UNDER ITS BELT.

THEY ROUTED WYOMING, THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR THE HOOSIERS BEGIN THEIR SEASON WITH A BIG 10 OPPONENT.

>> DEFINITELY ADVANTAGES TO OPENING WITH SUCH A HIGH CALIBER OPPONENT AND THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT IT CREATES SO MUCH, YOU KNOW, POSITIVITY TOWARDS YOUR PROGRAM IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM.

OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

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