>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," AREA NONPROFITS IS RECEIVED NEARLY $400,000 IN CARES PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> IN ALL OF MY YEARS WORKING IN THE NONPROFIT FIELD, I NEVER SEEN A PACKAGE LIKE THIS FOR THE -- FOR THE PANDEMIC, FOR THE CARES ACT.

>> SOME OF THE MONEY HAS GONE TO FIXING UP OFFICES AND BUYING NEW EQUIPMENT.

>>> FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS CAN NOW APPLY FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN'S ONE-TIME LOAN CANCELLATION PROGRAM.

BUT IN INDIANA, ANY RELIEF MONEY WILL BE TAXED.

>> THE ADVICE IS FILE ON TIME AND PAY AS MUCH AS YOU CAN BY THE DEADLINE.

>> BORROWERS HAVE UNTIL THE END OF 2023 TO APPLY.

AND WE SIT DOWN WITH THE THREE CANDIDATES LOOKING TO SUCCEED REPUBLICAN TREY HOLLINGSWORTH IN INDIANA'S REDRAWN 9th 9th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

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

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THIS WEEK, THOSE WITH FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN DEBT BECAME ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN'S ONE-TIME STUDENT LOAN CANCELLATION.

BUT AS INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S VIOLET COMER WILEN REPORTS, THEY ARE URGING BORROWERS TO PREPARE FOR THE TAX IMPLICATIONS FROM LOAN FORGIVENESS.

>> INDIANA IS ONE OF FOUR STATE THAT TAXES STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS, INCLUDING BIDEN'S RECENT ONE-TIME LOAN CANCELLATION.

ANDY NILSEN IS WITH THE POVERTY INSTITUTE.

HE SAYS BORROWERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF ANY STATE AND LOCAL TAXES ON THEIR LOANS.

HOOSIERS MAY BE VULNERABLE IF THEY OWE MORE THAN A CERTAIN THRESHOLD.

>> IF YOU GET ABOVE THAT $1,000 THRESHOLD, YOU MAY START BEING SUBJECT TO UNDERPAYMENT PENALTIES BY THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.

>> ANDREW VAN SINGEL SAYS BORROWERS NEED TO KEEP RECEIPT OF THEIR PAYMENTS WITH LOAN SERVICERS.

>> YOU HAVE TO BE YOUR BEST ADVOCATE, AND BE DILIGENT, AND KEEP DOCUMENTATION.

YOU MAY NEED TO PROVE THAT PAYMENTS WERE MADE OR CONVERSATIONS WERE HAD.

>> NIELSEN ADDS MAKING SMALL PAYMENTS TO AVOID GOING OVER THIS THRESHOLD ARE BETTER THAN KNOW PAYMENTS.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M VIOLET COMER WILEN.

>> THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR BIDEN'S ONE-TIME LOAN CANCELLATION IS DECEMBER 31st, 2023.

20 AREA NONPROFITS ARE MAKING USE OF $400,000 IN CARES FUNDING MADE AVAILABLE THIS FALL THROUGH THE SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM.

AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, THE AID IS WELCOME AS GROUPS CONTINUE TO MEET INCREASES IN COMMUNITY NEED FOR SERVICES.

>> INSIDE NEW HOPE FOR FAMILIES ON MORTON STREET KIDS IN EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS LAY DOWN FOR A NAP.

THE CENTER'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMILY PIKE SAID THE MONEY THAT CAME THROUGH SCCAP HELPED TO PAY FOR BASIC NEEDS.

>> PEOPLE BUY TOYS FOR US AND SOMETIMES WE NEED MORE BASIC THINGS.

>> SCCAP HAD $10,000 OF FEDERAL RELIEF TO NEW HOPE IN SEPTEMBER.

THEY USED THE MONEY TO BUY A LAWN MOWER AND ACOUSTIC PANELS.

>> AND SO OUR OLD SPACES WE HAD A COUPLE OF PUSH MOWERS WHICH MADE SENSE FOR WHAT WE ARE DOING.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE SPACE TO MOW OUT HERE.

>> THE PANELS HELP TO SOUNDPROOF HOUSES AND -- OFFICES AND HOUSING AREAS.

>> WE REALIZED SOME OF OUR CONFERENCE ROOMS, THE SOUND CARRIES TOO MUCH AND SO WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THOSE ROOMS.

>> PIKE SAID WORKING WITH SCCAP MADE THE PROCESS OF SPENDING THE MONEY EASIER AND LESS TIME CONSUMING.

SCCAP IS ALSO A NONPROFIT.

SO PIKE SAID SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN THE NEED FOR BASICS AND DIDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH A LENGTHY GRANT PROCESS.

SCCAP GOT ABOUT $580,000 OF THE $2.2 TRILLION CARES MONEY.

SOME OF THAT WAS SPENT ON SCCAP MONEY AND NEEDS.

THE REMAINING $400,000 IS WHAT GOT CONTRIBUTED.

>> SO IN ALL OF MY YEARS WORKING IN THE NONPROFIT FIELD, I NEVER SEEN A PACKAGE LIKE THIS FOR THE -- FOR THE PANDEMIC FOR THE CARES ACT MONEY.

>> A UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO REPORT SAYS NONPROFITS SEE INCREASED DEMAND FOR SERVICES DURING NATIONAL CRISIS.

>> SINCE THE PANDEMIC, THERE ARE NEW PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T STRUGGLED BEFORE THAT ARE NOW STRUGGLING.

PEOPLE THAT DID NOT EXPECT TO BE IN POVERTY, LIVING IN POVERTY.

>> RIOU ADDED THE ABILITY TO FILL A NEED FOR LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS WAS A GOOD WAY TO TOUCH BASE AND LOOK TO THE FUTURE.

>> IN TALKING TO OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS, I FEEL LIKE THERE'S AN ENERGY, AN ENERGY TO WANT TO COLLABORATE, TO WANT TO HELP THOSE THAT WE HAVE BEEN SERVING FOR YEARS.

>> GIRLS IN MONROE COUNTY RECEIVED $20,000.

MELISSA CHURCHILL SAYS THE MONEY ALLOWED THEM TO MAKE BIGGER PURCHASES LIKE A REFRIGERATOR THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PUTTING OFF.

THEY ALSO GOT ITEMS TO CREATE A CALM ROOM FOR THEIR FACILITY.

>> BECAUSE ALL KIDS NEED A LOT OF LOVE AND ATTENTION, AND JUST TLC BECAUSE THEIR EMOTIONS ARE QUITE -- QUITE LARGE RIGHT NOW.

>> IT ALSO PUT MORE RESOURCES INTO PROVIDING HEALTH PROGRAMS.

>> WE PUT ON OUR LIST BACKUP CLOTHES, TRAINING BRAS, SOCKS, UNDERWAY, TOOTH BRUSHES, TOOTHPASTE, ANYTHING FOR THE HEALTH ESSENTIALS TO FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THIS SPACE.

>> PIKE AND RIOU BOTH EXPRESS THE NEED FOR INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT NONPROFITS AND SAY THEY WILL BE WATCHING FOR MORE NONPARTISAN ACTION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> BUT INVESTMENTS IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES THAT IT TAKES TO RUN THESE SORTS OF SERVICES, AND INVESTMENTS IN THE VERY BORING THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE A BUILDING WORK.

AND THOSE -- THOSE CAN BE HARD BECAUSE THAT MONEY GETS SPENT AND THEN YOU WON'T NEED TO DO IT AGAIN.

>> NATIONALLY, THE LARGEST ALLOCATIONS OF CARES MONEY WENT TO INDIVIDUALS, LARGE CORPORATIONS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> IN THOSE EARLY PANDEMIC DAYS, THOSE WERE NOT MOMENTS WHEN FRIENDS AND FAMILY FELT SAFE OPENING THEIR HOME TO OTHER PEOPLE.

AND SO WE FOUND MORE FAMILIES WHO DIDN'T HAVE ANOTHER OPTION.

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

>>> TERRE HAUTE MAYOR DUKE BENNETT SAYS THE CITY BUDGET IS FACING THE BIGGEST IMPACT EVER FROM THE STATE'S TAX CAP LAW.

INDIANA LIMITS THE TAXES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN COLLECT ON PROPERTY.

BENNETT SAYS THAT MEANS THE CITY WILL HAVE TO FORGO $15 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL TAX DOLLARS WHICH WOULD HAVE HELPED FUND ITS $105 MILLION BUDGET.

>> WELL, WE GET ABOUT $25 MILLION A YEAR IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUE.

SO FOR ALL OF OUR FUNDS THAT GET PROPERTY TAXES.

IF YOU ADD THAT EXTRA $15 MILLION, YOU KNOW, YOU WOULD HAVE $40 MILLION YOU ARE COLLECTING.

>> TERRE HAUTE WAS HIT HARD BY TO THE 10 TAX CAPS AND TOOK YEARS TO ELIMINATE A MULTIMILLION DOLLARS DEFICIT.

STILL BENNETT SAYS 2023 IS THE CITY'S EIGHTH STRAIGHT YEAR OF HAVING A BALANCED BUDGET.

IT INCLUDES 4% EMPLOYEE RAISES AND MORE FUNDS FOR FUEL AND UTILITY COSTS.

>>> A BLOOMINGTON MAN MADE HEADLINES LAST MONTH FOR VANDALIZING THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT WITH PAINT.

NOW HE SAYS HE'S DYING ON THE STREETS OF D.C.

WAITING FOR SENTENCING.

44-YEAR-OLDSHAUN RAY DEATON SAID HE HAS A TERMINAL DIAGNOSIS OF CROHN'S DISEASE AND OTHER IMPLICATIONS.

>> I HEARD YOU ARE NOTHING.

YOU HAVE NO POWER, AND NO MONEY, YOU HAVE TO GET ATTENTION SOMEHOW.

>> DEATON PLED GUILTY ON MONDAY TO DESTRUCTION OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY.

A D.C.

CIRCUIT COURT IS CONSIDERING 4 TO 10 MONTHS OF INCARCERATION AND A FINE OF BETWEEN $10,000 AND $20,000.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," OUR HOLDEN ABSHIER SITS DOWN WITH THE THREE CANDIDATES VYING FOR INDIANA'S 9th DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL SEAT IN NEXT MONTH'S MIDTERM ELECTION.

THEY SHARE THEIR VIEWS ON ELECTION SECURITY, ABORTION, THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND MORE.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

INDIANA'S 9th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WILL HAVE A NEW REPRESENTATIVE NEXT YEAR AS REPUBLICAN TREY HOLLINGSWORTH ISN'T SEEKING REELECTION.

OUR HOLDEN ABSHIER SAT DOWN WITH EACH OF THE CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THE DISTRICT AND IS HERE TO SHARE THEIR STORIES.

WELCOME BACK, HOLDEN.

>> DISTRICT 9 WILL NOT ONLY HAVE A NEW REPRESENTATIVE, IT WILL LOOK A LOT DIFFERENT THAN IT DID WHEN HOLLINGSWORTH WON THE DISTRICT IN 2020.

THEY HAVE 17 AND ONE-THIRD COUNTIES AND IT USED TO CONNECT THE LOUISVILLE AREA TO BLOOMINGTON, BUT NOW IT FORMS MORE OF A TRIANGLE BETWEEN BLOOMINGTON, LOUISVILLE AND CINCINNATI.

I TALKED LAST WEEK WITH THE THREE CANDIDATES, REPUBLICAN FORMER STATE SENATOR ERIN HOUCHIN, DEMOCRAT MATT FYFE AND LIB TEARIAN TONYA MILLIS, ON A NUMBER OF TOPICS FROM INFLATION, ABORTION AND GUNS.

UP FIRST IS THE CONVERSATION WITH ERIN HOUCHIN.

SHE WON A PRIMARY IN MAY WITH MORE THAN 6,000 MONTHS AND AFTER FAILING TO SECURE THE NOMINATION IN 2020.

SHE'S PRO GUN AND PRO LIFE AND A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

WHAT MAKES YOU THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR THE 9th 9th DISTRICT?

>> I THINK IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, IN PARTICULAR, WHEN I'M OUT AND ABOUT TALKING TO VOTERS, THEY ARE ASKING FOR A CHECK AND BALANCE ON THIS ADMINISTRATION.

SO I CERTAINLY FIT THAT PROFILE TO BE A CHECK AND BALANCE AND I'M ALSO KNOWN AS A FIGHTER.

NOT JUST ON PARTISAN ISSUES, LIKE THE BROADBAND INITIATIVE, AND DYSLEXIA SCREENING AND HELPING CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF ISSUES THAT WE WORKED ON THAT NONPARTISAN THAT JUST TAKE A LOT OF HARD WORK AND WE CERTAINLY FIT THAT BILL.

>> I WANT TO TURN TO SOME MORE ISSUE-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.

LET'S START WITH ABORTION, THE TOPIC OF THE SUMMER MOSTLY.

CAN YOU GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS ON OVERTURNING OF ROE vs. WADE AND DO YOU THINK ABORTION IS A NATIONAL ISSUE THAT CONGRESS SHOULD ADDRESS?

>> WELL, I'M PRO LIFE AND I HAVEN'T SHIED AWAY FROM THAT IN MY SERVICE IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK THE DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE vs. WADE AND SEND IT BACK TO THE STATES WAS A CORRECT ONE.

I THINK THE GOVERNMENT CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE IS THE BEST.

WE HAVE THINGS LIKE THE HYDE AMENDMENT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES WEIGH IN.

IN GENERAL, I'M A FEDERALIST THAT BELIEVES THAT STATES MAKE THE BEST GOVERNMENT AND THE BEST GOVERNMENT IS CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE.

>> I KNOW YOU WERE NOT IN THE LEGISLATURE AT THE TIME OF THE SPECIAL SESSION.

DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS OR DO YOU SUPPORT INDIANA'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN?

>> I WOULD NOT CATEGORIZE IT AS A NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN.

THE REPUBLICANS ON THIS, DON'T HAVE A RADICAL POSITION.

THE RADICAL POSITION HAS BEEN HELD BY DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS THAT HAVE VOTED FOR ABORTION ALL THE WAY UP TO THE NINTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY.

I THINK THAT SENATE BILL 1 STRUCK A BALANCE, AS IT WAS FINALLY ENDED AND I WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR THAT LEGISLATION.

>> DO YOU FEEL THAT IN INDIANA, OR IN THE UNITED STATES, WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB TO PROTECT OR TO SECURE OUR ELECTIONS?

>> YES, I HAD SOME LEGISLATION ON THIS ISSUE.

IT WAS ABSENTEE BALLOT SECURITY.

WE ENDED UP PASSING LEGISLATION THAT DID REQUIRE VOTER I.D.

FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS WHEN THEY'RE ASKED FOR ONLINE.

I THINK WE COULD CONTINUE TO SECURE OUR ELECTIONS BY REQUIRING VOTER I.D.

FOR ALL TYPES OF VOTING.

WE DO HAVE IT FOR IN-PERSON VOTING.

WE HAVE HAD THAT FOR MANY YEARS.

WE MOST RECENTLY HAVE IT FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT VOTING ONLINE.

ONLINE REQUESTS, AND I THINK WE COULD ALSO STRENGTHEN OUR SECURITY BY REQUIRING VOTER IDENTIFICATION FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS BY MAIL.

>> LOOKING AT THE 2020 ELECTION, DO YOU BELIEVE JOE BIDEN IS THE RIGHTFULLY ELECTED PRESIDENT?

>> I THINK THERE WERE SOME IRREGULARITIES.

I THINK SOME PEOPLE MADE CHANGES, SECRETARY OF STATES AND GOVERNORS MADE CHANGES TO ELECTION LAW THAT WAS NOT CONSTITUTIONAL.

WE DID HAVE THAT ELECTION CERTIFIED.

I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD RELITIGATE THE PAST.

WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THE ELECTIONS MOVING FORWARD THAT THE PUBLIC HAS CONFIDENCE AND FAITH THAT THEY ARE THE OUTCOME THAT IS ESTABLISHED.

>> TURNING NOW TO THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

SOME STATISTICS FROM THE GUN VIOLENCE ARCHIVE, THEY REPORTED THAT THIS YEAR, 519 MASS SHOOTINGS MORE THAN 1200 ACCIDENTAL SHOOTINGS, MORE THAN 1,000 CHILDREN OR TEENAGERS WERE KILLED THIS YEAR, MORE THAN HALF OF THE GUN DEATHS WERE SUICIDE.

DO YOU AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM WITH GUN VIOLENCE AND HOW MIGHT WE ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.

>> I THINK WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SOFT ON CRIME POLICIES THAT END UP CONTRIBUTING TO THESE THINGS.

WE HAVE PROSECUTORS THAT AREN'T PROSECUTING MANY CASES.

WE HAVE PROGRAMS OR INITIATIVES TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

SO WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH BEING SOFT ON CRIME AND NOT HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

I THINK THAT CERTAINLY CONTRIBUTES TO THE VIOLENCE THAT WE SEE IN THE COUNTRY AND WE SHOULD FOCUS ON THOSE EFFORTS TO SUPPORT THE POLICE AND TO ENCOURAGE OUR PROSECUTORS TO FOLLOW THE LAW AND PROSECUTE CRIMINALS WHEN THEY COMMIT VIOLENT ACTS.

>> HOUCHIN'S PRIMARY HAD NINE PEOPLE VYING FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION, BUT DEMOCRAT MATT FYFE'S FIELD WASN'T AS CROWDED WITH ONLY THREE CONTESTANTS.

HE'S A MATH TEACHER FROM BLOOMINGTON WHO WON HIS PRIMARY BY ALMOST 6,000 VOTES.

HE'S A STRONG PROPONENT FOR EDUCATION AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS?

>> WHEN I -- MY FIRST YEAR TEACHING, I -- WE WERE TOLD THAT WE HAD TO RAISE TEST SCORES, OTHERWISE WE WOULD ALL GET FIRED.

AND WE DID IT.

WE -- WHICH WAS A POLICY SUCCESS, RIGHT?

BUT WE DID IT AT THE EXPENSE OF MUSIC CLASSES.

WE SPENT MONEY ON CALCULATORS, LIKE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

AND WE CUT THINGS LIKE CREDIT CARD UNITS THAT ACTUALLY GAVE STUDENTS WHAT I THINK WOULD BE REALLY VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.

AND THAT POLICY SUCCESS DIDN'T FEEL LIKE A SUCCESS FOR STUDENTS TO ME.

AND I THINK THAT GOT ME ON THE PATH, INTERESTED IN POLITICS IN GENERAL AND THESE POLICIES THAT DON'T SEEM TO BE WRITTEN FOR EVERYDAY PEOPLE.

>> IF YOU WERE ELECTED, WHAT SINGLE ISSUE OR TOPIC MIGHT RISE TO THE TOP OF YOUR AGENDA?

>> IF I -- SO I WILL ANSWER THAT IN TWO WAYS.

IF I COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND, IT WOULD BE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM.

IT WOULD BE REFORM IN GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL.

SO BY GETTING BETTER PEOPLE THIS TO BEGIN WITH, RANKED CHOICE VOTING, MAKING SURE THAT OUR POLITICIANS ARE NOT TRADING STOCKS, THAT SORT OF THING THAT KEEPS GOOD PEOPLE THERE, WE WILL HAVE BETTER POLICIES ACROSS THE BOARD.

MY PERSONAL ISSUE IS EDUCATION AND LABOR POLICY.

SO I THINK I WOULD SIT ON THE COMMITTEE OF EDUCATION AND LABOR, WAGES AND RETIREMENTS AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE GREAT SCHOOLS.

>> I WANT TO TURN AND TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF ISSUE-SPECIFIC TOPICS AND MOST OF THEM ARE MORE RECENT AND IN THE NEWS.

THE FIRST ONE, KIND OF THE TOPIC OF THE WHOLE SUMMER, ABORTION.

CAN YOU GIVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE OVERTURNING OF ROW ROE vs. WADE AND DO YOU THINK ABORTION IS AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY CONGRESS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL?

>> I DO IT.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME THAT GEOGRAPHY IS ABOUT TO DETERMINE YOUR HEALTHCARE.

IT SCARES ME THAT SOME STATES ARE GOING TO TOTAL ABORTION BANS, THAT SOME STATES ARE NOT ALLOWING VICTIMS WHO ARE RAPED TO GET ABORTIONS.

THIS SORT OF CARE IS ESPECIALLY IN INDIANA, WHERE WE ALREADY HAVE HIGH INFANT AND MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES IS GOING TO EVENTUALLY HURT FOLKS.

AND I HAVE HEARD THIS FROM PEOPLE ACROSS THE DISTRICT, THAT THEY'RE ANGRY ABOUT THIS, RIGHT?

THIS DECISION AND THIS REVERSAL IN THE TAKING AWAY THEIR RIGHTS.

I TALKED TO A WOMAN IN SCOTSBURG, INDIANA, SHE'S 21.

SHE'S NEVER VOTED BEFORE.

SHE HAS ONE CHILD AND SHE'S PREGNANT AND HAS ANOTHER ONE ON THE WAY.

SHE LOOKED AT ME IN THE EYE AND JUST SAID, I'M SCARED THAT IF THIS BILL PASSES AND I HAVE A COMPLICATION, I WILL LEAVE MY 1-YEAR-OLD CHILD BEHIND, MOTHERLESS.

AND THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF STORIES THAT GET ME.

AND THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF STORIES I DON'T NEED OUR GOVERNMENT TELLING OUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHEN IT IS OKAY TO PROVIDE CARE OR NOT.

THEY ARE GOING TO MUCK UP THE SYSTEM.

IT'S ADDING AN EXTRA LAYER AND IT'S MAKING IT UNSAFE FOR OUR FAMILIES.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK WE NEED TO CODIFY ROE FEDERALLY.

>> NOW A COMPLETE CHANGE OVER, LOOKING AT THE SECOND AMENDMENT NOW.

>> SURE.

>> A COUPLE OF STATISTICS I HAVE HERE FROM THE GUN VIOLENCE ARCHIVES.

519 -- AND THEY MAY BE OUTDATED.

THESE ARE AS OF THURSDAY.

519 MASS SHOOTINGS MORE THAN 1200 ACCIDENTAL SHOOTINGS, MORE THAN 1,000 CHILDREN OR TEENAGERS KILLED IN 2022.

OF MORE THAN HALF OF THE GUN DEATHS HAVE BEEN SUICIDE.

DO YOU THINK THAT AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM WITH GUN VIOLENCE?

>> UM, UNFORTUNATELY, YES.

I MEAN THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH VIOLENCE TO BEGIN WITH AND GUNS ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE FOR MANY AMERICANS WHO HAVE -- WHETHER IT BE VIOLENT TENDENCIES, MENTAL ILLNESS, I GREW UP HERE IN INDIANA.

I GREW UP IN RURAL INDIANA.

WE HAD GUNS IN OUR HOUSE.

OUR NEIGHBORS HAD GUNS.

SOME OF THEM USED THEM TO HUNT.

AND SOME OF THEM USED THEM FOR PERSONAL PROAL PROTECTION.

THEY STORE THEM SAFELY AND THEY TAKE THEM AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO AREN'T -- WHO ARE MENTALLY ILL, WHO AREN'T RIGHT IN THE HEAD.

>> DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS FACE OFF IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS, BUT THE LIBERTARIANS FIND THEIR CANDIDATE A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.

OVER THE SUMMER, INDIANA LIBERTARIAN PARTY NOMINATED TONYA MILLIS, A REAL ESTATE BROKER FROM MITCHELL.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SHE'S RAN FOR THE 9th DISTRICT AND SHE'S ADVOCATING FOR ROLLING BACK FEDERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS.

SHE'S PRO GUN AND PRO LIFE BUT WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE HOLES IN INDIANA'S ABORTION LAW.

WHY YOU DECIDED TO RUN FOR THE 9th DISTRICT AGAIN.

>> I GET TIRED OF YELLING AT THE TV.

THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM IS BROKE ON.

I WAS A LIFELONG REPUBLICAN AND NOW I'M A LIBERTARIAN AND IT MEANS I'M A CONSTITUTIONALIST.

OUR FOUNDING FATHERS ABSOLUTELY DID NOT WANT A TWO-PARTY SYSTEM, A TWO-PARTY MONOPOLY THAT WE CALL THE DUOPOLY AND EVEN JOHN ADAMS HAD WROTE THAT WAS ONE THE THINGS THAT HE DREADED THAT OUR REPUBLIC WOULD BECOME A TWO-PARTY SYSTEM.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK RIGHT NOW IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING VOTERS IN THE 9th DISTRICT?

>> RIGHT NOW THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS INFLATION.

GAS PRICES, PRICE OF FOOD, OUR NATIONAL DEBT JUST WENT UP TO $31 TRILLION.

THAT MEANS YOU, YOUR NEIGHBOR, YOUR NEIGHBOR'S KIDS, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US OWE $93,000 OF THAT DEBT.

THAT'S YOUR DEBT.

>> I DO WANT TO TURN NOW TO SOME MORE ISSUE-SPECIFIC TOPICS.

THE FIRST BEING ABORTION THIS SUMMER.

ROE vs. WADE WAS OVERTURNED.

DO YOU THINK ABORTION IS A NATIONAL ISSUE THAT CONGRESS SHOULD ADDRESS?

>> AGAIN, I'M A CONSTITUTIONALIST.

AND I DO FAVOR THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN AS FAR AS STATES' RIGHTS BECAUSE OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WANTED CERTAIN THINGS TO GO TO THE HEART OF THE PEOPLE AND BE DECIDED BY THE PEOPLE.

AND THE CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE ARE THE STATE REPRESENTATIVES, AT THE STATE LEVEL.

AND I KNOW IT DOES SEEM CONFUSING WHEN YOU HAVE ONE STATE DOING ONE THING AND ANOTHER STATE DOING ANOTHER, BUT EVENTUALLY SOME OF THE STATES THEY COME TOGETHER.

LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH MARIJUANA.

NOW WE'VE GOT 37, 38 STATES THAT SUPPORT MARIJUANA USE OR CANNABIS PRODUCTS.

INDIANA IS IN THE MINORITY ON THAT.

BUT I AM PRO LIFE.

BUT I ALSO DON'T THINK THAT BIG BROTHER IN WASHINGTON, D.C., SHOULD BE GETTING IN LITTLE SISTER'S BUSINESS OR LITTLE BROTHER'S BUSINESS FOR THAT MATTER.

>> MORE SPECIFIC TO INDIANA, I KNOW IT'S A STATE POLITIC ISSUE, BUT DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS OR DO YOU SUPPORT INDIANA'S ABORTION BAN, A NEAR TOTAL BAN?

>> THE WAY THE LAW WAS WRITTEN, IT NEEDS TO BE REVISED.

IT WAS RUSHED THROUGH, AND THERE'S A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH IT BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THEY SAY ABORTION IS -- IS APPROVED FOR THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER, OR IF THE BABY IS NOT VIABLE, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY, VERY HARD TO FIND AN OB-GYN DOCTOR WHO IS WILLING TO RISK LOSING THEIR LICENSE BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY GRAY AREAS.

THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR WOMEN AND THEN IF THEIR LIFE IS AT RISK, THEY STILL MAY HAVE TO GO ACROSS STATE LINES TO SAVE THEIR OWN LIFE.

AND SO THE LAW IS FLAWED IN MANY WAYS.

>> TURNING NOW TO THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND GUN CONTROL.

JUST SOME STATS COMING FROM THE GUN VIOLENCE ARCHIVE, 519 MASS SHOOTINGS THIS YEAR, 2HUNDRED, YEAR, 1200 ACCIDENTAL SHOOTINGS, MORE THAN HALF OF THE GUN DEATHS THIS YEAR HAVE BEEN SUICIDE.

DOES AMERICA HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GUN VIOLENCE?

>> I THINK OUR COUNTRY HAS A PROBLEM WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND ALSO DRUG ABUSE.

I'M A SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS PERSON.

I THINK THE SECOND AMENDMENT WAS THERE TO PROTECT THE FIRST AMENDMENT, AND THE RIGHT.

PEOPLE TO BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED, PERIOD, BUT I DO THINK THERE'S A PROBLEM WHEN SO MANY YOUNG MEN ARE -- DON'T THINK THEY HAVE A WAY OUT OF THE TROUBLES THAT THEY ARE IN AND THEY GO ON MASS SHOOTINGS AND -- AND -- WELL, YOU KNOW, THE TRAGIC STORIES THAT WE HEAR, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS.

WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB WITH HELPING THESE PEOPLE BEFORE THEY GET SO TROUBLED THAT THEY TURN TO VIOLENCE.

>> WELL, THOUGH, JOE, THOSE ARE THE CANDIDATES FOR THE 9th 9th DISTRICT.

THEY COME FROM A NUMBER OF BACKGROUNDS.

NO MATTER HOW THE ELECTIONS WILL TURN OUT, THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHERN INDIANA WILL HAVE A NEW REPRESENTATIVE.

FOR THE FULL INTERVIEWS GO TO WTIUNEWS.ORG.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, HOLDEN.

WE WILL HAVE SIT-DOWN INTERVIEWS FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

THE PRESEASON BASKETBALL POLLS HAVE THE I. U.

MEN RANKED 13th AND THE WOMEN AT 11.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME THE HOOSIER MEN HAVE BEEN RANKED IN THE PRESEASON SINCE 2016.

THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN PICKED TO WIN THE BIG TEN!

>> WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL AS A PLAYER, I NEVER BOUGHT IN TO THE RANKINGS AND, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE MEDIA WOULD SAY ABOUT OUR BALL CLUB.

YOU STILL GOT TO GO OUT AND PLAY THE GAME.

>> BEING RANKED IS NOTHING NEW FOR THE WOMEN, THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE TOP 25 IN 58 STRAIGHT POLLS!

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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