>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A JUDGE BLOCKS INDIANA'S ABORTION BAN A WEEK AFTER IT TOOK EFFECT.

JUST AHEAD, WHY THE JUDGE TEMPORARILY ATED THE BAN -- HALTED THE BAN AND A LEGAL EXPERT JOINS US TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT.

>>> INDIANA SUMMERS ARE ONLY GETTING HOTTER AND THOSE HIGH HEAT DAYS ARE DANGEROUS FOR FARM WORKERS.

COMING UP, DO INDIANA WORKERS MORE LAWS TO PROTECT THEM FROM EXTREME HEAT.

>>> AND A SCHOLARSHIP FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES BUT SOME PEOPLE THE PROGRAM WILL HURT PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING.

>> ANY TIME THOSE PROGRAMS EXPAND, IT CHIPS AWAY AT THE FUNDING THAT'S AVAILABLE FOR THE OVER 90% OF CHILDREN WHO ARE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>>> WE'LL HAVE THESE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, A JUDGE HAS TEMPORARILY HALTED INDIANA'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN, JUST FOUR DAYS AFTER LAWSUIT HEARINGS BEGAN CHALLENGING THE LEGALITY OF THE BAN.

BRANDON SMITH HAS THIS REPORT.

>> ARTICLE 1, SECTION 1 OF THE INDIANA CONSTITUTION SAYS THAT ALL PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO LIBERTY.

JUDGE KELSON HANLON HAS RECOGNIZED THAT A RIGHT TO BOD ILY AUTONOMY IS PART OF THAT AND SHE SAYS INDIANA'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN GOES TOO FAR IN RESTRICTING THAT RIGHT, MAKING IT CONTINGENT UPON FIRST EXPERIENCING EXTREME SEXUAL VIOLENCE OR SIGNIFICANT HEALTH OR DEATH.

THE BAN ON CLINICS PERFORMING ABORTIONS RESTRICTING TO HOSPITALS WILL LIMIT AVAILABILITY AND IS UNLIKELY TO INCREASE SAFETY OF HOOSIER WOMEN AND GIRLS.

THE RULING MEANS THAT FOR NOW, ABORTION IS LEGAL FOR FOR ANYONE UP TO 20 WEEKS WITHOUT PROVIDING A REASON.

STATE IS LIKELY TO APPEAL THE DECISION AND WILL LIKELY ASK FOR THE IMPACT TO BE HALTED, MEANING THE ABORTION BAN MIGHT TAKE EFFECT AGAIN SOON.

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

>> NOW, THIS COMES A WEEK AFTER THE ABORTION BAN TOOK EFFECT IN THE STATE OF INDIANA AND THREE DAYS AFTER HEARING BEGAN IN STATE REGARDING THE BAN.

NOW, WE'RE JOINED BY IUPUI MCKINNEY SCHOOL OF LAW PROFESSOR, JENNIFER DROBAC WHO SPECIALIZES IN SEXUAL HARASSMENT, JUVENILE LAW AND FAMILY LAW, WHICH INCLUDES ABORTION LAW.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, PROFESSOR.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> LET'S JUST START ABOUT THE PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AGAINST THE BAN.

WHAT IS THE JUDGE GOING BY?

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT IT?

>> SO THE JUDGE IN THIS CASE FOCUSED ON LIBERTY WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE IT'S A VERY BROAD DECISION WHICH REALLY GUARANTEES THE RIGHT OF ALL HOOSIERS, NOT JUST WOMEN WHO ARE GOING TO BECOME PREGNANT, AND IT SAYS THAT WE ALL HAVE A RIGHT OF LIBERTY, BUILT INTO OUR CONSTITUTION, WHICH INCLUDES THE RIGHT OF BODILY INTEGRITY.

AND SHE INCLUDES FAMILY PLANNING AND SAYS NO MATTER WHETHER YOU SAY IT'S PRIVACY OR BODILY AUTONOMY OR A BUNDLE OF RIGHTS, IT'S LIBERTY.

AND WE ENJOY THAT HERE IN INDIANA.

>> SO THE ABORTION BAN WAS ENFORCED JUST LAST WEEK.

IS THIS UNUSUAL FOR INJUNCTION TO OCCUR SO SOON AFTER?

>> NOT NECESSARILY.

SOME INJUNCTIONS GO INTO EFFECT BEFORE THE LAW EVEN TAKES EFFECT AND THEY ARE STOPPED BEFORE THEY GO INTO EFFECT.

IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THERE WAS A DELAY.

SO THE LAW WENT INTO EFFECT.

IT'S POSSIBLE THAT AFTER THIS DECISION IS APPEALED, THAT THE LAW WILL GO INTO EFFECT AGAIN, BUT IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT WHEN LAWMAKERS OR JURISTS AND COURTS ALLOW FOR THE FLIP FLOPPING OF ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN, BECAUSE IT PUTS PEOPLE IN JEOPARDY, PARTICULARLY THE DOCTORS WHO DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE IN THE LIMBO OF BACK AND FORTH, AND THEY COULD BE SUBJECT TO SERIOUS CRIMINAL PENALTIES IF THEY GET IT WRONG.

>> MM-HMM.

SO THIS IS A PRELIMINARY HOLD.

DOES THIS INDICATE ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT THE RULING WILL EVENTUALLY SAY?

>> WELL, IT'S SUPPOSED TO.

AND THE JUDGE ISSUED HER DECISION BASED ON HER BELIEF IN FOUR DIFFERENT FACTORS THAT THE PLAINTIFFS WERE LIKELY TO PREVAIL ULTIMATELY.

SO SHE WOULDN'T HAVE PUT THE INJUNCTION AND ENJOIN THE LAW UNLESS SHE THOUGHT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT POSSIBILITY THAT THE PLAINTIFFS WOULD WIN THROUGH THESE VARIOUS PROCEDURAL CHALLENGES.

SO I THINK THAT'S GOOD NEWS ON THE ONE HAND.

ANOTHER REASON WHY I THINK THERE'S A POSSIBILITY FOR ULTIMATE SUCCESS IS WHO CAN ARGUE WITH LIBERTY?

YOU MIGHT CHALLENGE HOW LIBERTY IS DEFINED, BUT LIBERTY INCLUDE BODILY INTEGRITY AND SELF-DETERMINATION.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

THERE'S ANOTHER LEGAL CHALLENGE THAT SEEKS TO STOP THE ABORTION LAW.

>> RIGHT THERE ARE A VARIETY OF CHALLENGES.

THIS IS NOT THE ONLY ONE.

THIS ONE WILL LIKELY GET APPEALED AND ALL OF THESE WILL LIKELY PERCOLATE UP TO THE SUPREME COURT, AND IT'S ANYONE'S GUESS AS TO WHETHER A COURT WILL RELEASE THE LAW TO GO BACK INTO EFFECT BUT I HOPE IT DOES NOT.

>> OKAY, PROFESSOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> WELL, BEFORE WE HEAD INTO THE FALL, IT'S HARD TO FORGET INDIANA SUMMERS ARE ONLY GETTING HOTTER.

AND THOSE HIGH HEAT DAYS ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS FOR FARM WORKERS OTHER PEOPLE WHO WORK OUTSIDE BUT AS INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, RIGHT NOW THERE ARE FEW LAWS TO PROTECT INDIANA FARM WORKERS FROM EXTREME HEAT.

>> IN AUGUST, FARM WORKERS FILED INTO THE BASEMENT OF A FORMER CHURCH IN ODON AT THE END OF A LONG DAY OF PICKING WATERMELONS.

IT'S STILL ABOUT 90 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND FEELS EVEN HOTTER.

EVEN IN THIS SMALL ROOM, A FAN IS STRUGGLING TO KEEP EVERYONE COOL.

ONCE THE WORKERS GET SETTLED MIRIAM SOUNDERBURG, THE NONPROFIT, PROTEUS STARTS A TRAINING IN HEAT.

SHE ASKS FOR A VOLUNTEER TO LAY DOWN ON THE FLOOR LIKE SOMEONE WHO JUST PASSED OUT FROM THE HEAT.

SONDERBORG BRINGING HIM WATER AND ASK HIM QUESTIONS TO MAKE SURE HE'S OKAY.

>> QUE DIA ES HOY?

>> SONDERBORG TELLS THEM THEY NEED TO TAKE BREAKS AND DRINK WATER AND WATCH OUT FOR EACH OTHER.

SOUNDS EASY, RIGHT?

BUT SOME FARM ARE WORKERS FEEL LIKE THEY CAN'T DO THESE THINGS.

>> THEY BELIEVE THAT DRINKING MORE WATER WILL MAKE THEM GO TO THE BATHROOM MORE OFTEN AND TAKING MORE BREAKS MEANS LESS HOURS WORKED, MEANING LESS HOURS PAID OR EVEN GET IN THE MINDSET OF THE EMPLOYER, KNOWING THAT, LIKE, OH, THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TAKE BREAKS TOO LONG, SO I WON'T EMPLOY THEM AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

>> BUT NOT TAKING A BREAK COULD MEAN RISKING YOUR LIFE.

THERE ARE FEW LAWS TO PROTECT FARM WORKERS IN EXTREME HEAT AND THOUGH PROTEUS' HEAT TRAINING IS FREE, IT'S NOT MANDATORY.

AGRICULTURAL WORKERS ARE 30% TIMES SMORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM HEAT IN OTHER TREES.

A YOUNG MAN NAMED JORGE COLLAPSED IN THE HEAT.

HE CAME TO INDIANA TO WORK ALONGSIDE HIS DAD.

IT WAS ONLY HIS SECOND DAY ON THE JOB.

>> FROM WHAT I UNDERSTOOD, THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE, MEANING THAT, YOU KNOW, THREE GO IN, THREE COME OUT.

YOU KNOW, FIVE GO IN, FIVE COME OUT.

AND HE STARTED GETTING SICK, AND HE DID TELL SOMEONE THAT HE WASN'T FEELING GOOD.

AND BY THE TIME THEY FOUND HIM, HE HAD -- I MEAN, BY THE TIME IT CAME TO IT, EVEN WHEN THE PARAMEDICS, YOU KNOW, GOT -- HE WAS ALREADY -- HE WAS ALREADY GONE.

>> RIVERA WAS A FARM WORKER HERSELF.

SHE SAYS IT CAN BE HARD FOR CORN DETASSELLERS TO EVEN BREATHE WITH THE HEAT AND ALL THE CLOTHING THEY WEAR AND SOME OF THEM MIGHT FEEL PRESSURED BY THE EMPLOYER TO WORK THROUGH BREAKS TO MEET DEADLINES.

RESEARCHERS AT EMORY UNIVERSITY FOUND THAT ABOUT HALF THE FARM WORKERS THEY STUDIED IN FLORIDA HAD BODY TEMPERATURES AT OR ABOVE 100 DEGREES.

ESSENTIALLY A FEVER.

>> AND OFTENTIMES THE SYMPTOMS THAT THEY REPORT ARE, YOU KNOW, MUSCLE PAIN, NAUSEA.

VERY MUCH THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT WE HAVE WHEN WE HAVE A FEVER.

>> CHICKA SAYS SOME WORKERS ALREADY HYDRATED SO OFTEN, IT DOES SHORT-TERM DAMAGE TO THEIR KIDNEYS.

IT COULD BE CAUSING CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE BUT RESEARCHERS AREN'T SURE.

RIGHT NOW CALIFORNIA, WASHINGTON AND OREGON, ARE THE ONLY STATES THAT HAVE LAWS THAT SPECIFICALLY PROTECT OUTDOOR WORKERS FROM EXTREME HEAT.

SEVERAL OTHER STATES HAVE TRIED TO PASS SUCH LAWS AND FAILED.

CHICKA SAYS PEOPLE IN THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY SOMETIMES ARGUE THESE CHANGES WOULD BE TOO DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT AND THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE WAYS OF KEEPING THEIR WORKERS SAFE.

>> BUT IF THEY WERE ALREADY PUT IN PLACE BY THE GROWERS AND THE BUSINESSES THAT THEY REPRESENT, THEN WE WOULDN'T HAVE THESE STATISTICS THAT SAY THAT PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM HEAT-RELATED DEATHS AT SUCH ALARGING ALARMING RATE.

>> INDIANA CAN'T HAVE RULES STRICTER THAN FEDERAL ONES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ONLY HAS GUIDELINES RIGHT NOW.

THAT LEAVES MANY FARM WORKERS IN INDIANA UNPROTECTED.

OSHA IS WORKING ON FEDERAL HEAT STANDARDS, BUT CHICKA SAYS THERE HAS NO TELLING WHEN OR IF THOSE WILL COME OUT.

IN THE MEANTIME, SHE SAYS, FARM WORKERS CONTINUE TO DIE IN THE HEAT.

THE UNITED STATES NEEDS FARM WORKERS.

WITHOUT THEM, WE WOULDN'T EAT.

WE SPOKE WITH A MAN FROM MEXICO.

HE SAYS IT'S NOT EASY WORKING IN THIS HEAT.

AND IF WE VALUE THAT WORK, WE NEED TO START VALUING WORKERS' LIVES.

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

>> FARM WORKERS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS CAN FIND RESOURCES THROUGH INDIANA LEGAL SERVICES AND ITS WORKERS RIGHTS PROTECTION PROJECT.

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

HELLO, HOLDEN.

>> HELLO, JOE.

BLOOMINGTON MISS ARRESTED ELI SWARTENRUBER, HE FLED INTO A STORM DRAIN AND THREATENED POLICE.

HE WAS ARMED AND SAID HE WOULD SHOOT.

THE SUSPECT IS IN MONROE COUNTY JAIL AND HE'S CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED BATTERY WITH A DEADLY WEAPON.

THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING AND MORE CHARGES COULD BE HELD ON.

>> A 20-YEAR-OLD I.U.

STUDENT DIED FROM HIS INJURIES.

THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE, 22-YEAR-OLD MADELINE HOWARD WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND CHARGED WITH THREE FELONIES, LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT, CAUSING DEATH WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE WHILE INTOXICATED AND RECKLESS HOMICIDE.

SHE'S CURRENTLY OUT ON BAIL AND HER HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 30th.

>>> THE INDIANA GRADUATE WORKERS COALITION COORDINATING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED TO MEMBERS FRIDAY THAT THEY VOTE NO ON THEIR UPCOMING VOTE TO STRIKE THIS SUNDAY.

AND STILL THEY RECOMMENDED GRANTING THE COMMITTEE AUTHORITY TO SET A FUTURE STRIKE DEADLINE SHOULD THE NEGOTIATIONS FAIL.

>> THAT A ONE-TIME RAISE IS NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION.

THIS WAS FIRST RAISE FOR MANY GRADUATE WORKERS THE PREVIOUS ARE A RAISE WAS THE FIRST RAISE IN TEN YEARS.

>> MORE THAN 100 PROFESSORS HAVE SIGNED A PETITION REFUSING TO SCAB OR MAKE CONTINGENCY PLANS IF GRAD WORKERS DECIDE TO STRIKE.

>>> SEVERAL STATES LOOKING TO PASS ANTIABORTION RIGHTS LEGISLATION REPORTED UPTICKS IN WOMEN VOTER REGISTRATION THIS SUMMER.

INDIANA ALSO SAW INCREASES COUNTING NEARLY 16,000 NEW VOTER REGISTRATIONS THIS MAY, COMPARED TO MORE THAN 3,500 THE MONTH BEFORE.

MONROE COUNTY ELECTION CENTRAL COUNTED 96 NEW VOTER REGISTRATIONS THE MONDAY FOLLOWING ROES ROE vs. WADE BEING OVERTURNED.

SEVERAL BLOOMINGTON ORGANIZATIONS ARE SPLITTING A 15,000 GRANT FROM THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN TO FUND VOTER REGISTRATION AND TURN OUT CAMPAIGN.

I.U.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT LEADERS SAY THAT STUDENTS DO HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN BEING REPRESENTED IN LOCAL POLITICS.

>> MOST BLOOMINGTON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS DON'T HAVE A SINGLE STUDENT SERVING ON THEM.

IF BLOOMINGTON STUDENTS TURNED OUT TO VOTE, IT'S A GOOD CHANCE THAT OUR CITY WOULD ACTUALLY REFLECT THE VALUES AND THE POLICY CHANGES THAT STUDENTS WANT TO SEE.

>> THE GRANT WILL FUND PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND TRANSLATION SERVICES.

>>> THE BLOOMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED THE NATIONAL CALEA REACCREDITATION AWARD, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THEIR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICING.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE B.P.D.

HAS BEEN AWARDED THIS TIER ONE ACCREDITATION STATUS.

ONLY ABOUT 5% OF UNITED STATES LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE CALEA ACCREDITED.

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

BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT THANKS, HOLDEN.

COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES HAS SOME CONCERNED IT WILL HURT PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING.

AND ALTHOUGH I.U.

BLOOMINGTON IS NAMED ONE OF THE BEST LGBTQ FRIENDLY UNIVERSITIES, IT DOESN'T MEAN THE CAMPUS IS DONE IMPROVING.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE HAS ALLOTTED $10 MILLION FOR A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP PAY FOR STATE APPROVED SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES.

PATRICK McGERR HAS THIS STORY.

>> HOOSIER STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS HAVE A NEW PROGRAM TO HELP PAY FOR STATE APPROVED EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

THE INDIANA EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNT PROGRAM NOW GIVES PARENTS 90% OF THE STATE FUNDING THAT WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL THEIR CHILD COULD HAVE ATTENDED.

THE LEGISLATURE ALLOTTED $10 MILLION FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF THE SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNT PROGRAM.

EACH STUDENT'S AMOUNT IS BASED ON SPECIAL NEED STATUS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

AMOUNTS RANGE FROM JUST UNDER $6,000 TO JUST OVER $18,000.

THESE TAX-FREE FUNDS MAY BE USED FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INCLUDING TUTORING, CLASSES, AND THERAPIES.

THOUGH FUNDS MAY BE USED TO BUY SERVICES FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS, STUDENTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE IF THEY ARE ENROLLED IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL FOR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL.

REPRESENTATIVE BOB BEHNING BEHNING WROTE THE BILL.

>> COVID KIND OF OPENED UP THINGS AND REALLY SHARED WITH THE WORLD THAT WE HAVE SOME STRUGGLING HERE, A MEAN A NUMBER OF FRONTS.

CLEARLY OUR ACADEMIC PROGRESS ISN'T WHERE WE -- I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO SEE AND ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS IN POVERTY THAT WE CLEARLY HAVE TO DO MORE.

>> JACLYN GUGLIELMO IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PROGRAM.

SHE SAYS IT HELPS PARENTS WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING TO AFFORD EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR THEIR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS.

>> IT'S REALLY A BLESSING FOR THEM BECAUSE NOW THEY CAN AFFORD TO ACCESS TUTORING, OTHER EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, CLASSES, COURSES, EVEN TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THERAPIES.

>> THE PROGRAM RECEIVED INPUT FROM SEVERAL INDIANA GROUPS, INCLUDING SCHOOL CHOICE ORGANIZATION EDCHOICE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ADVOCACY GROUP, THE ARC OF INDIANA.

ROBERT ENLO IS THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF EDCHOICE HE SAYS ROUGHLY 270 STUDENTS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM NOW.

>> WHAT THIS IS ALLOWING US TO DO IS CREATE MORE AND MORE TOOLS FOR MORE AND MORE FAMILIES TO INDIVIDUALIZE AND CUSTOMIZE THE EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

>> HANNAH CARLOCK DIRECTS PUBLIC POLICY FOR THE ARC OF INDIANA.

IT REMAINED NEUTRAL WHEN THE BILL CAME BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.

>> WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS STILL HAD ENOUGH FUNDS TO KEEP SPECIAL EDUCATION ON THE TABLE AND THAT STUDENTS WERE RECEIVING THE FULLEST SPECIAL EDUCATION EXPERIENCE THEY COULD.

>> SOME OBSERVERS ARE CONCERNED, INCLUDING FORMER STATE SUPERINTENDENT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION JENNIFER McCORMICK.

>> IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE STRUGGLING FOR MONEY, AND I KNOW YOU CAN SAY WE NEVER HAVE ENOUGH, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF SCHOOLS OUT THERE THAT ARE JUST REALLY TRYING TO MAKE IT WORK.

>> AND CARLOCK SAID SOME PARENTS ARE STRUGGLING WITH ALL THE DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MED.

>> IT'S AI LITTLE DAUNTING FOR PARENTS.

SO WE HAD ONE PARENT GIVE A GREAT ANALOGY OF WHEN I WAS SENDING MY CHILD TO SCHOOL, IT WAS ORIGINALLY JUST LIKE ME GETTING IN THE CAR AND DRIVING.

BUT NOW I HAVE TO BUILD MY CAR BEFORE I DRIVE IT.

>> WHILE SUPPORTERS SAY THIS IS ANOTHER TOOL FOR PARENTS, SOME HOOSIERS BELIEVE IT WILL HURT PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING.

>> AND HERE'S A PICTURE OF CODY ON PAJAMA DAY AT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL AND THIS IS OUR -- THE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOG, THE THERAPY DOG THAT THE KIDS GET TO SEE.

>> INDIANAPOLIS RESIDENT KARLA SCHMID HAS A SON WITH AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS.

A FORMER EDUCATOR HERSELF, SHE CONSIDERS IT THE NEWEST EXAMPLE OF A DECADE OF POLICIES CHIPPING AWAY AT PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING.

>> ANY TIME THERE IS A PROGRAM LIKE THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS ACCOUNTS OR INCREASE IN VOUCHERS OR INCREASED FUNDING FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS, ANY TIME THOSE PROGRAMS EXPAND, IT CHIPS AWAY AT THE FUNDING THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR THE OVER 90% OF CHILDREN WHO ARE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND FIRST ONES THAT ARE HARMED ARE OUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN.

IT'S HARD ENOUGH TO FIND ASSISTANCE RIGHT NOW IN THE CLASSROOM TO HEM HELP SUPPORT OUR SPECIAL NEEDS KIDDOS.

>> SCHMID IS THRILLED WITH THE ADVANCEMENT HER SON HAS MADE.

>> HE'S IN A MAINSTREAM CLASS RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO OUR SCHOOLS AND THE MECHANISM AND ACCOUNTABILITY IS WORKING.

HE SPEAKS.

HE'S DOING HIS HOMEWORK.

HE'S GETTING, LIKE A.s AND B.s.

HE'S TALKING EVERY MORE EVERYDAY.

>> JAN IS AN IUPUI PROFESSOR, HER SON HAS AUTISM.

HER SON ATTENDS AN I.P.S.

PUBLIC SCHOOL WHERE HE HAS A TEAM OF AUTISM SPECIALISTS, THERAPISTS AND TEAM TRAINED IN SPECIAL NEEDS.

JANE SAYS THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM DOES NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR WHAT HUXLEY RECEIVES NOW?

>> HUXLEY IS A VERY EXPENSIVE KID.

PUBLIC SCHOOL IS THE ONLY OPTION FOR HIM.

THE EDUCATORS AND SPECIALISTS WHO WITH HIM.

THEY ARE OUTSTANDING, DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS, AND THEY JUST CAN'T DO THEIR JOBS IF THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING CONTINUES TO BE INCREASINGLY STALLED.

>> JAN SAYS THAT THIS PROGRAM IS PART OF A LARGER TREND TO DEFUND PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND THAT NO PRIVATE SCHOOL COULD OFFER ALL THE SERVICES HER SON RECEIVES FROM HIS PUBLIC SCHOOL.

SHE SAYS HUXLEY WAS SUSPENDED FROM ONE PRIVATE SCHOOL AND EXPELLED FROM ANOTHER PRIVATE SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY WERE UNWILLING TO PUT MORE RESOURCES TO MEETING HIS NEEDS.

>> McCORMICK WARNS THAT MORE SCHOOL CHOICE IN VOUCHER SESSIONS WILL COME UP IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> I THINK WE WILL HAVE A VOUCHER THAT WILL OPEN THIS WIDE OPEN TO ANYBODY.

>> IN RESPONSE TO CONCERNS ABOUT THE TRENDS, BEHNING TOLD WFIU IN A STATEMENT THIS THESE ACCOUNTS, QUOTE EMPOWER PARENTS TO SELECT SERVICES THAT MEET THEIR CHILD EDUCATION NEEDS, WHETHER IT'S A TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL, NONPUBLIC SCHOOL OR OTHER PROVIDERS.

HE ADDED THAT PARENTS CHOOSE DIFFERENT EDUCATION OPTIONS FOR MANY REASONS, INCLUDING ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES SUCH AS BULLYING.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PATRICK McGERR.

>>> NOW, BEHNING SAYS THAT EVERY FAMILY SHOULD HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES FOR THEIR STUDENT REGARDLESS OF INCOME OR ZIP CODE.

I.U.

BLOOMINGTON HAS BEEN NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BEST LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES BY CAMPUS PRIDE BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE CAMPUS IS DONE IMPROVING.

CALI LICHTER HAS THIS REPORT.

>> CAMPUS PRIDE IS A NATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WHICH LAST MONTH CHOSE I.U.

BLOOMINGTON AS ONE OF THE 40 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO RECEIVE THIS RECOGNITION.

THIS IS NOT FIRST TIME I.U.B.

HAS BEEN ON CAMPUS PRIDE'S LIST BUT MANY STUDENTS ON CAMPUS FEEL THAT I.U.B.

SHOULDN'T BE ON THIS LIST, ESPECIALLY AS AN INDIANA-RUN UNIVERSITY IN THE WAKE OF TRANSGENDER SPORT CONTROVERSIES IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

>> I THINK IF THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT RECEIVING THIS AWARD THERE IS NO LEVEL OF ANTI-LGBTQ ISSUES ON THIS CAMPUS IS A FALSE ASSUMPTION.

>> BRUCE SMAIL, THE DIRECTOR OF THE LGBTQ+ CULTURE CENTER HAS BEEN WITH THE CENTOR SINCE THE BEGINNING.

>> IT WAS A HUGE PROTEST BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

THEY DID NOT WANT TO USE ANY STATE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE LAUNCH OF THIS CENTER.

>> BUT NOW, HE SAYS THE CAMPUS CAN STAND UP TO INTOLERANCE.

>> I THINK THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT WE DO HAVE SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS ON THE CAMPUS.

>> FOR HIM, THE CENTER ALLOWS STUDENTS A PLACE TO NOT ONLY FIND LGBTQ+ RESOURCES, BUT ALSO A PLACE TO ADDRESS INTERSECTIONALITY IN THESE COMMUNITIES.

>> BEING A PERSON OF COLOR RUNNING THE CENTER, IT ALSO KIND OF CREATES OPPORTUNITIES TO REALLY RUN THE CENTER FROM A VERY INTERSECTIONAL KIND OF OPPORTUNITY.

>> OUT OF THOUSANDS OF U.S.

UNIVERSITIES, THE I.U.

LGBTQ+ CULTURAL CENTER IS ONE OF THE ONLY 300 SUCH COLLEGIATE CENTERS ACCORDINGACCORDING TO LGBTQCAMPUS.ORG.

THERE'S SEVEN STATES WITHOUT AN INSTITUTION THAT HAS AN LGBTQ+ CULTURE CENTER.

>> WHAT IS LIFE LIKE FOR STUDENTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE LGBTQ+ CENTER ON THEIR CAMPUS?

YOU KNOW, WHERE DO THEY GO FOR SUPPORT?

>> THE LGBTQ+ CULTURE CENTER HOSTS SUPPORT GROUPS AND PROGRAMS, ALONG WITH A LIBRARY THAT HOUSES LGBTQ+ MEDIA.

SMAIL SAYS IT TAKES EVERYONE TO CREATE CHANGE.

>> WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO ON OUR END IS KIND OF MAKE SURE THE BLOOMINGTON AND THE I.U.

CAMPUS IS RECEPTIVE AND OPEN TO THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M CALI LICHTER.

>> AND AFTER THREE STRAIGHT COME FROM BEHIND VICTORIES TO OPEN THE SEASON, THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM HITS THE ROAD THIS WEEKEND.

THE HOOSIERS WILL BE FACING THEIR TOUGHEST TEST OF THE SEASON TOMORROW, WHEN THEY FACE CINCINNATI, A TEAM THAT MADE THE BCS PLAYOFFS LAST SEASON.

>> THIS WILL BE OUR FIRST ROAD GAME, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT THING FOR US TO BE ABLE TO SHOW THAT WE CAN HANDLE THAT ENVIRONMENT AND HANDLE THE TRIP AND BE AT OUR VERY, VERY BEST.

>> INDIANA LOST TO CINCINNATI AT HOME BY TWO TOUCHDOWNS LAST YEAR.

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

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

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