INDIANA NEWSDESK IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> COMING UP ON INDIANA NEWSDESK, A COURT HAS TEMPORARILY HALTED PRESIDENT BIDEN'S STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM THAT COULD AFFECT 40 MILLION AMERICANS SADDLED WITH LOANS.

>> I'M 71, AND MOST PEOPLE MY AGE DON'T HAVE STUDENT DEBT.

>> EXPERTS SUGGEST YOU SHOULD STILL APPLY FOR FORGIVENESS WHILE THE COURT MULLS A DECISION.

PROTESTORS RALLIED OUTSIDE ELI LILLY COMPANY IN INDIANAPOLIS DEMANDING IT MAKE THE COST OF INSULIN MORE AFFORDABLE.

>> NOT ONE MORE PERSON SHOULD HAVE TO RATION THEIR INSULIN OR DIE FROM BEING UNABLE TO AFFORD THEIR INSULIN.

>> LILLY IS ONE OF THREE MAJOR COMPANIES NATIONWIDE THAT PRODUCES THE DRUG AND WE SIT DOWN WITH TWO OF THE THREE CANDIDATES LOOKING TO SUCCEED REPUBLICAN HOLLY SULLIVAN AS INDIANA SECRETARY OF STATE.

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.

EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY ACROSS INDIANA AND TURNOUT IN MONROE COUNTY IS INCREASING DAILY.

ELECTION SUPERVISOR KAREN WHEELER SAYS 330 PEOPLE VOTED ON THE FIRST DAY OF EARLY VOTING, WHICH WAS OCTOBER 12.

THAT NUMBER HAS GRADUALLY INCREASED SINCE.

EARLY VOTING ENDS AT NOON ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, TIME SCHEDULE CANNOT FOUND ON MONROE COUNTY'S WEBSITE.

WITH ELECTION SEASON UPON US, MANY ARE ASKING WHAT VOTING RIGHTS DO THOSE IN NURSING HOMES AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES HAVE?

AS INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'’S VIOLET COMBER-WILEN REPORTS THESE HOOSIERS HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS OTHERS.

>> KRISTIN DULANEY IS THE SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER WITH INDIANA DISABILITY RIGHTS.

>> FOLKS WHO LIVE IN A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY, WHETHER THAT'S A NURSING HOME, ASSISTED LIVING, MEDICAL OR EVEN A LOCKED UNIT STILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> SHE SAYS THERE ARE EXTRA MEASURES SUCH AS PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION, VOTE BY MAIL AND ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WITH PRINT DISABILITIES, THAT EXPAND THEIR OPPORTUNITIES TO VOTE.

DULANEY EMPHASIZES THOSE WITH ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA ALSO HAVE THE SAME VOTING RIGHTS.

>> VOTERS WITH ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA MAY BRING NOTES WITH THEM INTO THE POLLS.

I KNOW THAT YOU DO RESEARCH AHEAD OF TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHO YOU WANT TO CAST YOUR BALLOT FOR.

FOLKS ARE ABSOLUTELY ABLE TO BRING THAT WITH THEM SO THEY CAN REMEMBER HOW THEY WANTED TO CAST THEIR BALLOT.

AND THEN THEY'RE ALSO ABLE TO HAVE ASSISTANCE IN THE BOOTH AS WELL.

>> SHE SAYS THE ASSISTANTS IN THESE BOOTHS MAY NOT BE AN EMPLOYER OR UNION REPRESENTATIVE AND CAN ONLY SERVE TO HELP READ AND UNDERSTAND THE BALLOT.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M VIOLET COMBER-WILEN >> WE'LL HAVE MORE ON ELECTIONS LATER IN THE SHOW WHEN WE SIT DOWN WITH CANDIDATES FOR INDIANA SECRETARY OF STATE.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'’S PROPOSED STUDENT LOAN RELIEF PROGRAM IS TEMPORARILY PAUSED- AND THAT MEANS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE'’S ACADEMIC DEBT ARE IN LIMBO.

BUT APPLICATIONS FOR RELIEF ARE STILL OPEN AT STUDENT AID DOT GOV.

HOLDEN ABSHIER HAS THIS REPORT.

>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S PROPOSED STUDENT PLAN RELIEF PROGRAM WOULD FORGIVE $400 BILLION FOR ALMOST 45 MILLION PEOPLE, THAT INCLUDES MORE THAN 900,000 HOOSIERS.

FOR PEOPLE MAKING LESS THAN $125,000 PER YEAR, UP TO 10,000 OR $20,000 IN FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS CAN BE FORGIVEN.

>> NOW, LESS THAN A WEEK, CLOSE TO 22 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY GIVEN US THE INFORMATION TO CONSIDER THIS LIFE-CHANGING RELIEF.

>> LIFE-CHANGING FOR PEOPLE LIKE CYNTHIA SCHULTZ WHO TOOK AN ALTERNATE ROUTE TO COLLEGE.

>> I DIDN'T COME FROM A COLLEGE OF COLLEGE GRANTS, I'M THE FIRST PERSON TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE.

>> SCHULTZ RETURNED TO COLLEGE WHEN HER CHILDREN WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND SHE EVENTUALLY GRADUATED WITH $50,000 WORTH OF DEBT, DEBT SHE'S STILL PAYING.

>> I'VE BEEN RETIRED SIX YEARS, I'M 71, AND MOST PEOPLE MY PAGE DON'T HAVE STUDENT DEBT.

I HAD SOME HEALTH CHALLENGES MID-CAREER THAT MEANT WE DIDN'T HAVE AS MUCH SAVINGS AS WE HAD PLANNED FOR.

>> HOWEVER, SOME PEOPLE SAY THE PROGRAM FUNDAMENTALLY ISN'T FAIR FAIR.

>> PEOPLE TAKE MATTERS OF FINANCIAL FAIRNESS PERSONALLY.

SO IT'S NOT, OH, THIS IS UNFAIR TO SOMEONE.

IT'S UNFAIR TO ME.

>> PEOPLE OPPOSED TO THE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM ARGUE THAT DEBT IS JUST BEING REDISTRIBUTED TO PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T GO TO COLLEGE OR DIDN'T CHOOSE TO TAKE OUT STUDENT LOANS.

>> NOT EVERYTHING IS FAIR.

THERE'S LOTS OF GOVERNMENT ACTIONS THAT, LIKE, AS SOMEONE WHO WAS A PACIFIST MIGHT NOT AGREE WITH THE MILITARY BUDGET.

IT'S NOT FAIR TO THEM.

>> CURRENTLY SIX STATES ARE SUING BECAUSE PEOPLE CONSOLIDATED FEDERAL FAMILY EDUCATION LOANS TO QUALIFY FOR FORGIVENESS.

STATES HOLD OR SERVICE LOANS WHICH MEANS SMALLER LOAN VOLUME AND LESS REVENUE.

THE WHITE HOUSE HAD NOT FINALIZED THE DETAILS OF THE PROGRAM YET.

AS OF SEPTEMBER 29, THE SAME DAY THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED, PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T ALREADY CONSOLIDATE THE LOANS NO LONGER QUALIFIED.

>> THIS ESSENTIALLY RENDERED THE CLAIMS THAT THE STATES HAD BEEN HARMED MOOT.

>> THE FEDERAL JUDGE DISMISSED THE CASE, BUT THE STATES APPEALED TO THE 8th CIRCUIT COURT.

A JUDGE LAST FRIDAY TEMPORARILY BLOCKED THE PLAN AS IT WAITS TO ISSUE A RULING ON AN INJUNCTION.

>> THE STAY ONLY PREVENT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FROM ISSUING THE FORGIVENESS.

IF THEY ARE READY TO GO, THEY COULD RESUME AS SOON AS THAT STAY IS LIFTED.

>> DOES THE PRESIDENT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN STUDENT DEBT?

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS USER THE HEROS ACT OF 2003 TO AUTHORIZE THE PROGRAM.

BUT KANTROWITZ SAYS THE COURT COULD POTENTIALLY INVOKE THE MAJOR QUESTIONS DOCK TRAIN, WHICH SAYS FOR AGENCY ACTIONS THAT HAVE MAJOR CONSEQUENCES, LIKE COSTING $400 BILLION, THERE SHOULD BE EXPLICIT AUTHORIZATION BY CONGRESS.

>> THAT DOESN'T GIVE THE ADMINISTRATION CART BLANCHE TO IMPLEMENT WHAT THEY COULDN'T GET THROUGH CONGRESS THROUGH EXECUTIVE ACTION.

>> HOWEVER, KANTROWITZ SAYS THE LEGALITY OF WHAT THE PRESIDENT DID IS A SEPARATE ISSUE.

FOR A COURT TO RULE ON THAT PROGRAM, SOMEONE MUST FIRST SHOW HARM.

>> UNTIL PLAINTIFFS ARE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY HAVE LEGAL STANDING AND SO FAR NONE HAVE, AND I DON'T THINK ANY WILL, THE COURTS CAN'T CONSIDER WHETHER WHAT THE PRESIDENT DID PASSES LEGAL MUSTER.

>> REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME OF THE APPEALS COURT, ONE SIDE IS LIKELY TO PUSH THE ISSUE ALL THE WAY TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.

FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M HOLDEN AEBISCHER.

>> KANTROWITZ SAYS HE EXPECTS THE COURT TO ACT QUICKLY, BUT THE DECISION COULD TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS.

>>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY CALI LICHTER FOR THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE AREA.

HI, CALI.

>> HI JOE.

THE MAIN ROW COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION HAS APPROVED A BUDGET FOR 2023 THAT IS NEARLY FIFTEEN MILLION DOLLARS MORE THAT THE CURRENT YEAR.

THE INCREASE IS BASED ON COUNTY RESIDENTS PASSING A REFERENDUM ON THE BALLOT THIS FALL THAT WILL GENERAL SEVENTEEN-POINT-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

PLANNED INCREASES WILL FOCUS ON TEACHER AND STAFF SALARIES.

THE MINIMUM HIRINGR ATE FOR DISTRICT STAFF WILL INCREASE BY MORE THAN TWO DOLLARS, AND TEACHERS WILL RECEIVE A FORTY-FIVE HUNDRED-DOLLAR SALARY INCREASE.

IF THE REFERENDUM FAILS, M-C-C-S-C SAYS IT WILL HAVE TO ELIMINATE SOME STAFF POSITIONS.

THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS LAUNCHED THE PILOT OF A NEW STATEWIDE TUTORING GRANT PROGRAM CALLED INDIANA LEARNS.

THE GOAL IS TO USE SOME FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP STUDENTS RECOVER FROM LEARNING LOSS THAT WAS CAUSED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THE PROGRAM OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED ON OCT. 15 AND FAMILIES CAN SCHEDULE SERVICES STARTING NOV. 4.

>> EVERYONE IS RALLYING AROUND THE FACT THAT WE ARE BUILDING COMMUNITY AND STRENGTHENING THE LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS, AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE A PART OF A GOOD THING.

AND THIS IS A GOOD THING.

>> FOURTH- AND FIFTH-GRADE STUDENTS WHO LAST YEAR SCORED BELOW PROFICIENT IN BOTH MATH AND READING ON THE ILEARN TEST AND MEET OTHER REQUIREMENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM.

>>> ADVOCATES WANT INSULIN MANUFACTURERS TO DO MORE TO LOWER THE PRICE OF THE LIFE-SAVING DRUG.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'’S VIOLET COMBER-WILEN REPORTS DIABETES ADVOCACY GROUP T-1 INTERNATIONAL LED A MARCH MONDAY TO ELI LILLY'’S INDIANAPOLIS HEADQUARTERS.

>> WHAT DO WE NEED?

>> INSULIN FOR ALL.

>> WHEN DO WE NEED IT?

>> NOW!

>> ELI LILLY IS ONE OF THREE MAJOR COMPANIES NATIONWIDE THAT PRODUCES INSULIN.

T-1 INTERNATIONAL IS CALLING FOR LILLY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO MAKE INSULIN MORE AFFORDABLE.

NOAH REEF IS AN ADVOCACY MANAGER WITH THE GROUP.

HE SAYS THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO PROTEST BECAUSE THE EFFORTS LILLY HAS MADE TO LOWER INSULIN PRICES FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS ARE NOT ENOUGH.

>> NOT ONE MORE PERSON SHOULD HAVE TO RECOGNITION THEIR INSULIN OR DIE FROM BEING UNABLE TO AFFORD THEIR INSULIN.

>> OTHER ADVOCATES CALLED LILLY'S ATTEMPTS TO CUT INSULIN PRICES PR STUNTS THAT DO NOT ADDRESS STRUCTURAL ISSUES.

>> BIG PHARMA CAN OFFER PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN OFFER COPAYMENT CAP FOR THE MINORITY OF PEOPLE ON THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH INSURANCE, THESE ARE HALF MEASURES AND DO NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE STRUCTURAL PROBLEM OF THE HIGH COST OF INSULIN.

>> IN AN E-MAIL A SPOKESPERSON SAID THE COMPANY IS COMMITTED TO AFFORDABLE INSULIN AND OFFERS MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M VIOLET COMBER-WILEN.

>> IN AN EMAIL, A LILLY SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE COMPANY IS COMMITTED TO AFFORDABLE INSULIN AND OFFERS MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH PAYMENTS.

>>> THE LEAFS ARE CHANGING IN SOUTHERN INDIANA, WHICH MEANS PEAK COLORS AND PEAK TOURISM IN BROWN COUNTY.

NASHVILLE TOWN COUNCIL PRESIDENT NANCY CROCKER SAYS THE WEEKENDS ARE PARTICULARLY CROWDED, AND THE BEST TIME FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND AVOID CROWDS IS DURING THE WEEK.

>> IT HAS BEEN INSANE.

THE TRAFFIC HAS BEEN BACKED UP FOR MILES TRYING TO GET INTO TOWN.

ALL OF OUR HOTELS ARE BOOKED, RESTAURANTS HAVE AT LEAST AN HOUR WAIT.

>> TOURISM IS THE MAIN INDUSTRY IN BROWN COUNTY.

BRINGING IN MORE THAN $40 MILLION TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY EACH YEAR.

INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES HAS AWARDED OVER $350,000 TO 80 VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

THE FUNDS WILL GO TOWARDS TRAINING, AND THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT.

SMALL VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST FIRE -- AND DO MOST OF THEIR WORK INDEPENDENT OF THE DNR.

>> I SAY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS TAKE CARE OF MORE THAN 95 PERCENT OF THE FIRES I HEAR ABOUT.

THEY CALL US WHEN THEY ARE HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS AND HAVE THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS WORKING ON IT.

>> JOE, THERE ARE 831 VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE STATE, ACCORDING TO THE INDIANA VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

COMING UP NEXT ON INDIANA NEWSDESK... BRANDON SMITH SITS DOWN WITH THE DEMOCRAT AND OTHER CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

ACTRESS KATE MULGREW STOPS BY BLOOMINGTON TO SEE A STATURE COMMEMORATING THE BIRTH PLACE OF CAPTAIN JANEWAY.

>> PUBLIC TELEVISION'S MISSION IS TO CREATE A MORE INFORMED AND ENGAGED PUBLIC WITH INSPIRING PRACTICAL PROGRAMS, COMPELLING NEWS, WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT A TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS, ENGINEERS AND ADMINISTRATORS MAKING IT HAPPEN ON THE AIR AND BEHIND THE SCENES, WANT TO WORK FOR WTIU, FIND THE LATEST JOB POSTINGS ON OUR WEBSITE, DETAILS AT WTIU.ORG/JOBS.

>> LIFE IS FULL OF CHOICES, RIGHT NOW YOUR FAVORITE MEMBER PASSPORT IS OFFERING MORE CHOICES TO STREAM.

>> IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING.

>> WITH COOKING.

>> KEEP WANTING TO SPILL IT.

>> TRAVEL.

>> HERE WE ARE.

>> DOCUMENTARIES.

>> I REALIZED I CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.

>> SO MUCH MORE.

>> THE CHOICE IS YOURS WITH PASSPORT ON PBS VIDEO APP.

>> WELCOME BACK TO INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>>> ELECTION SECURITY -— AND THE VALIDITY OF ELECTION RESULTS THEMSELVES -— ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF INDIANA'’S RACE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'’S BRANDON SMITH SAT DOWN WITH TWO OF THE THREE CANDIDATES VYING FOR THE JOB, WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, OVERSEES ELECTIONS IN THE STATE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, BRANDON.

>> THANKS, JOE.

DEMOCRAT DESTINY WELLS IS A MILITARY VETERAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICER AND AN ATTORNEY.

SHE'’S ALSO CALLED HERSELF THE ONLY "“PRO-DEMOCRACY CANDIDATE"” IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE RACE - HERE'S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A PRO-DEMOCRACY CANDIDATE?

>> IT MEANS UPHOLDING OUR POLITICAL NORMS, NORMS THAT WE HAVE HAD FOR DECADES THAT MAKE US A FUNCTIONING DEMOCRACY.

IT MEANS ALLOWING FREE AND FAIR ACCESS TO THE POLLS WHILE STILL HAVING SAFE AND SECURE ELECTIONS.

>> FOR HOOSIER VOTERS, IS THE LEGITIMACY OF THE 2020 ELECTIONS AN ISSUE IN THE 2022 ELECTION?

>> I BELIEVE THAT IT IS AN ISSUE, AND I HEAR IT OUT ON THE TRAIL.

I HAVE QUESTIONS FROM VOTERS ASKING ME IF THEY THINK THERE IS FRAUD IN ELECTIONS.

I REMIND THEM THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 50 COURT CASES THAT HAVE LITIGATED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO CONCERTED EFFORT FOR FRAUD.

AND SO, AS SECRETARY OF STATE, IT IS OUR MORAL OBLIGATION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE INFORMING AND EDUCATING HOOSIERS AND ALWAYS BEING FACT-BASED IN THE INFORMATION THAT WE PUT OUT.

>> IS THERE MORE WE COULD BE DOING TO SHORE UP ELECTION SECURITY?

>> THERE ARE ALWAYS IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE BECAUSE SECURITY IS ALWAYS EVOLVING.

THERE ARE ALWAYS NEW THREATS.

THAT ARE EMERGING.

PEOPLE ARE SMART, THEY FIGURE OUT SYSTEMS AND SO IT IS IMPERATIVE TO ALWAYS HAVE THAT AS A PRIORITY IN THE OFFICE.

>> ARE THERE CHANGES NEEDED TO INDIANA'S EARLY VOTING PROCESS AND WHAT SHOULD THOSE CHANGES BE, IF SO?

>> WELL, WE HAVE 28 DAYS OF EARLY VOTING RIGHT NOW.

INDIANA IS A BIT FRIENDLY WHEN IT COMES TO EARLY VOTING, AND MY OPPONENT HAS SAID ON THE RECORD HE WANTS TO LIMIT THAT TO 14 DAYS INSTEAD OF 28 DAYS AND NOW HE'S FLIP-FLOPPED POSITIONS.

AND I WOULD SAY THAT IS JUST TO PLACATE THE MODERATE VOTER WHO HE KNOWS HE NEEDS COME ELECTION DAY.

AND SO I WANT TO MAINTAIN OUR EARLY VOTING, 28 DAYS.

>> WE DO NOT HAVE NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING BY MAIL IN INDIANA.

THERE ARE SOME, AGAIN, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT OPENED UP.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S A STEP INDIANA SHOULD TAKE?

>> I THINK THAT THE STATES THAT HAVE NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING ARE DOING MUCH BETTER THAN INDIANA IN THEIR VOTER TURNOUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE MADE VOTING MORE ACCESSIBLE.

NOW, WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I BELIEVE IN ADVOCATING FOR THE NEWEST BEST PRACTICES STILL SAFE AND SECURE.

>> ELECTIONS ARE NOT THE ONLY THING THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE DOES, OBVIOUSLY.

WHEN YOU'RE OUT ON THE TRAIL TALKING TO VOTERS ABOUT YOUR RACE, HOW MUCH OF IT IS YOU TELLING THEM, HEY, BY THE WAY, THIS OFFICE ALSO DOES THESE OTHER THINGS.

DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THAT OFFICE WORKS?

>> I DON'T THINK THAT THEY'RE AWARE HOW THE OFFICE WORKS UNTIL THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TO USE IT.

SO I HEAR FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SMALL BUSINESSES, SOME OF THEIR CONCERNS.

THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN HELP HOOSIERS.

I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE VENDORS WHO SUPPLY THE TECHNOLOGY THAT HOOSIERS USE, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH INBIZ.COM, THAT HAS NOT HAD A NEW ROLLOUT IN A VERY LONG TIME.

AND SO THERE ARE WAYS FOR THE SECRETARY OF STAY TO IMPLEMENT NEW TECHNOLOGY, TO BE INNOVATIVE AND TO BEST SERVE HOOSIERS.

>> HOW SHOULD HOOSIERS, RATHER, EXPECT YOU, AS A DEMOCRAT, TO BE ABLE TO GET THINGS YOU WANT FOR HOOSIERS FROM A REPUBLICAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

>> RIGHT.

WELL, PEOPLE, THEY ASK ME, IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE A DEMOCRATIC SECRETARY OF STATE, HOW WILL YOU GET BUSINESS DONE WITH REPUBLICANS?

AND I TELL THEM WE WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE A ONE-PARTY SYSTEM.

WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A TWO-PARTY SYSTEM, TO HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE.

AND SO THAT RELATIONSHIP IS GOING TO BE TWO-FOLD.

ONE, IT'S GOING TO BE BROKERING RELATIONSHIPS, BIPARTISAN ACTION, THE OTHER EDUCATING HOOSIERS WHEN THE SYSTEM IS NOT BEST SERVING THEM AND SHINING A LIGHT ON SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT A SUPERMAJORITY REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT HAS NOT BEEN NECESSARILY COMMUNICATING TO THEM BEFORE.

>> I ALSO SPOKE WITH LIBERTARIAN JEFF MAURER.

HE'’S A TECH ENTREPRENEUR AND CURRENTLY SERVES IN THE INDIANA AIR NATIONAL GUARD.

LIBERTARIANS ARE HOPING THEY CAN HAVE A BIGGER IMPACT THAN USUAL IN THIS YEAR'’S RACE.

HERE'S MY INTERVIEW WITH MAURER.

AS YOU TALK TO HOOSIERS, WHAT DO YOU TELL THEM ABOUT THE RESULTS OF THE 2020 ELECTION?

>> FIRST, LET ME BE CLEAR, I FULLY ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THE 2020 ELECTION.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE CAN'T AUDIT IT, WE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.

SO IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO PROVE OR NOT BE ABLE TO PROVE THERE WAS FRAUD.

WE HAVE TO PROVE THAT THERE WAS NO FRAUD.

THAT HAS TON DONE IN THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION.

THAT'S A MUCH HIGHER BURD OF PROOF.

>> IMPROVING OUR ELECTIONS, HERE IN INDIANA, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?

>> FIRST IS A RECEIPT.

THERE'S A PIECE OF DOCUMENTATION THAT CONFIRMS A TRANSACTION.

WE HAVE THAT EVERY DAY, FROM EVERY PLACE THAT WE GO TO.

THINK ABOUT THIS, BRANDON, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU PURCHASED SOMETHING AND THAT VENDOR REFUSED TO GIVE YOU A RECEIPT.

THE OTHER SIDE IS AUDITING.

IN INDIANA WE HAVE A VERY LIMITED PROCESS THAT IS CALLED ON AD IT, BUT REALLY WOULD BE NO GOOD IF YOU WERE RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS AND HAD A CASH REGISTER OPEN.

SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS AUDIT ALL 92 COUNTIES, WE NEED AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT AND NEED THAT COMPLETED BEFORE THE ELECTIONS ARE CERTIFIED.

>> RECEIPTS FOR EVERY HOOSIER WHO VOTED AND A FULL AUDIT AFTER EVERY LEAKS WOULD COST A LOT MORE MONEY THAN WE ARE CURRENTLY PUTTING INTO ELECTIONS.

HOW DO WE PAY FOR IT?

>> AUDITING IS NOT FREE.

YOU PROBABLY PAY INSURANCE FOR YOUR CAR YOUR HOUSE OR WHATEVER ASSETS YOU OWN AND THAT'S NOT FREE EITHER.

BUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS PAYING FOR PROTECTION.

YOU'RE PAYING FOR PROTECTION IN CASE SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPENS.

>> I WANT TO ASK ABOUT VOTING GENERALLY.

DO YOU THINK IT'S EASY ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE IN INDIANA?

>> INDIANA, COMPARED TO OTHER STATES, IS A GOOD PLACE TO VOTE.

ARE THERE THINGS THAT WE COULD DO TO MAKE IT EASIER?

SURE, AND TO BE CLEAR ON THE RECORD, ONE I'M NOT PROPOSING ANY CHANGES TO EARLY VOTING DAYS.

TWO, I'M NOT PROPOSING ANY CHANGES TO THE 11 EXEMPTIONS FOR ABSENTEE VOTING.

AND THEN, WHAT WE SHOULD FOCUS ON IS MAKING PAPER AND MAKING THE EXCEPTIONS THE EXCEPTION, NOT THE RULE.

IF WE DO THAT, THEN THE AUDITING PROCESS WILL BE BETTER, IT WILL BE MORE A ACCURATE.

FOR NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT AS SECRETARY OF STATE, WOULD BE GOOD FOR INDIANA, THAT WE OPEN UP AB SENT TEE VOTING.

>> SO THERE ARE A FEW STATES NECESSARY HAVE HAD NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING.

I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S CORRECT.

I DON'T BELIEVE MY NEIGHBORS WANT THAT, I AM NOT CHAMPIONING NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE.

>> WHY DON'T YOU THINK THAT'S GOOD FOR INDIANA?

>> I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE TRUST IN THE SYSTEM WE HAVE FIRST BEFORE ADDING A NEW VARIABLE.

>> ELECTION ADMINISTRATION IS NOT THE ONLY THING, OF COURSE, SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE DOES.

HOW MUCH OF -- AS YOU TALK TO HOOSIERS, BY THE WAY, THIS OFFICE DOES THESE OTHER THINGS?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF THAT.

ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS I GET IS WHAT DOES THIS PERSON DO.

THERE ARE FOUR DIVISIONS, FIRST IS ELECTIONS DIVISION.

THE SECOND IS THE BUSINESS SERVICES DIVISION, WHICH LICENSES OR WRITES BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS INTO EXISTENCE LEGALLY.

THE THIRD IS AUTO DEALER'S SERVICES DIVISION AND THE FOURTH THE SECURITIES DIVISION WHICH INVESTIGATES SECURITIES FRAUD, MORE LIKE BERNIE MADOFF PONZI SCHEMES.

>> I'M CURIOUS HOW YOU VIEW THE BUSINESS SERVICES PART OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT A UNIFORM OPINION, BUT A LOT OF LIBERTARIANS DON'T THINK BUSINESSES SHOULD BE LICENSED, FOR EXAMPLE.

HOW DO YOU APPROACH A PART OF THE OFFICE YOU PERSONALLY DON'T AGREE WITH?

>> WE NEED, UNIFORM VOICE, ONE REGISTRATION, TO SAY THIS IS A BUSINESS, THIS IS NOT A BUSINESS, IT DOES SERVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THAT SENSE.

THE PURPOSE IS NOT TO BECOME BURDENSOME TO BUSINESSES.

IN THAT OFFICE, MY GOAL IS TO DO THE VERY BEST TO KEEP GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY OF BUSINESSES, OF ENTREPRENEURS, OF HOOSIERIERS RUNNING THEIR BUSINESSES.

>> SO, THERE IS A THIRD CANDIDATE IN THE RACE WHO DECLINED TO BE INTERVIEWED -REPUBLICAN DIEGO MORALES.

WHAT SAY YOU ABOUT HIM?

>> FOR WEEKS, DIEGO MORALES HAS LARGELY REFUSED -— OR DOESN'’T RESPOND TO -—INTERVIEW REQUESTS.

HE'’S AVOIDED CANDIDATE FORUMS AND DEBATES.

HIS CAMPAIGN HAS ALSO BEEN DOGGED BY CONTROVERSIES.

HE BASELESSLY CALLED THE 2020 ELECTION A SCAM.

HE WAS FIRED FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE'’S OFFICE AT LEAST ONCE.

AND HE'’S COME UNDER FIRE FOR PROPOSING GREATER RESTRICTIONS TO EARLY IN-PERSON AND MAIL-IN VOTING (WHICH HE'’S BACKED AWAY FROM) AND ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT BY TWO WOMEN HE WORKED WITH MORE THAN A DECADE AGO (WHICH HE DENIES).

>> BRANDON, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK ON THESE, APPRECIATE IT.

>>> GROWTH IN THE ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION SECTOR MAY HAVE PULLED INDIANA OUT OF ITS SLUMP IN CLEAN ENERGY JOBS, ACCORDING TO A GREEN BUSINESS ADVOCACY GROUP.

AS REBECCA THIELE TELLS US CLEAN ENERGY JOBS GREW BY NEARLY 7PERCENT IN THE STATE.

>> THAT'S A REBOUND FROM 2020, WHERE INDIANA LOST NEARLY 3 PERCENT OF ITS CLEAN ENERGY WORK FORCE.

NATALIE KING IS THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF DUNAMIS CHARGE WHICH MANUFACTURES ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS IN DETROIT.

>> WE WANTED TO TAP INTO A WORK FORCE THAT WE KNEW WAS SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED IN CREATING THE BEST IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.

>> LIKE MICHIGAN, INDIANA IS ONE OF THE TOP STATES FOR AUTO MANUFACTURING.

THE REPORT SAYS FUNDING FROM THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT COULD CREATE THOUSANDS MORE CLEAN ENERGY JOBS IN INDIANA IN THE COMING YEARS.

>> THERE'S NEVER BEEN MORE STABILITY AND CERTAINTY IN THE MARKET.

CLEAN ENERGY COMPANIES KNOW THAT THEY CAN AND SHOULD SET UP SHOP AND STAY HERE IN THE U.S. AND THE INDUSTRY IS DESTINED TO GROW.

>> TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THAT, THE REPORT SAYS THE STATE NEEDS TO DEVELOP WORK FORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS AND CLEAN ENERGY POLICIES.

INDIANA'S RENEWABLE ENERGY GOALS ARE VOLUNTARY AND MUCH LOWER THAN SEVERAL OTHER STATES.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> ACTRESS INDICATE MULGREW BEAMED IN TO VISIT THE STATUE HONORING THE BIRTH PLACE OF ONE OF HER MOST FAMOUS CHARACTERS, CAPTAIN KATHERINE JANEWAY.

PAT BEAN HAS THIS REPORT.

>> THE STATUE HONORING THE FIRST FEMALE DAN IN A STAR TREK SERIES WAS ORIGINALLY DEDICATED IN OCTOBER OF 2020.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, INDICATE MULGREW WAS ABLE TO APPEAR ONLY BY VIDEO.

BUT LAST SUNDAY, MULGREW WAS ABLE TO VISIT THE FICTITIOUS BIRTH PLACE OF THE CHARACTER LOW CHANGED HER LIFE.

>> I GOT THE JOB ON A THURSDAY AND WENT TO WORK MONDAY AT 5:00, NOTHING HAS BEEN THE SAME EVER SINCE.

SHE TRANSCENDS EVERYTHING, AND SHE DID IN MY LIFE.

AND IN MY CAREER.

I'VE ALWAYS PREFERRED FARM COUNTRY, MYSELF BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA, YOUR HOMETOWN.

>> MULGREW SAID SHE BEGAN TO WONDER WHERE JANEWAY'S HOUSE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ALTHOUGH CAPTAIN WON'T BE BORN FOR ANOTHER 314 YEARS.

>> COULD IT BE THAT, MY FATHER WOULD HAVE LOVED THAT.

AND SUDDENLY I WAS IN HER HEAD AND IN HER HISTORY AND I THOUGHT, OF COURSE IT'S BLOOMINGTON.

>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, OUR WORK CONTINUES AT WTIU NEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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