>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE RED WAVE DID NOT MATERIALIZE ON THE NATIONAL STAGE IN TUESDAY'S MIDTERM ELECTION, BUT IN INDIANA REMAINED UNDER SOLID REPUBLICAN CONTROL.

>> I AM CONSERVATIVE.

THIS DISTRICT IS PRETTY CONSERVATIVE BUT FOR THOSE WHO DIDN'T VOTE FOR ME, I HOPE THAT THEY WILL WATCH WHAT WE ARE DOING AND THAT THEY WILL BE PLEASED.

>> THE GOP WON SEVEN OF NINE U.S. HOUSE DISTRICTS AND MAINTAINED ITS SUPERMAJORITY IN BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE STATE HOUSE.

>> BLOOMINGTON AND MONROE COUNTY LEADERS MET THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS EXPANDING THE CONVENTION CENTER.

AN IDEA THAT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR YEARS.

>> EVERYTHING REQUIRES COMPROMISE AND, YOU KNOW, COMPROMISE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A DIRTY WORD.

>> BUT THE TWO SIDES HAVE DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO MANAGING ANY EXPANSION.

>>> AND I.U.

RECEIVED A GRANT TO STUDY THE RACIAL DISPARITIES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE OPIOID OVERDOSE DRUG NALOXONE.

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.

WHILE AN ANTICIPATED RED WAVE DID NOT SWEEP ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN TUESDAY NIGHT'S MIDTERM ELECTIONS, INDIANA REMAINED IN FIRM REPUBLICAN CONTROL.

THE GOP KEPT ITS SUPERMAJORITY IN BOTH CHAMBERS UNDER DISTRICTS REDRAWN AFTER THE 2020 CENSUS, REPUBLICANS WILL HAVE AT LEAST 70 OF THE STATE'S 100 HOUSE SEATS AND 40 OF THE 50 SENATE SEATS.

AND WITH THE GOVERNOR AND ATTORNEY GENERAL POSITIONS NOT ON THE BALLOT, THE RACE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE TOOK CENTER STAGE STATEWIDE.

THERE, REPUBLICAN DIEGO MORALES MADE HISTORY BY BECOMING THE FIRST HISPANIC OFFICIAL ELECTED IN A STATEWIDE RACE.

>> MORALES' CAMPAIGN HAD BEEN DOGGED BY CONTROVERSY BUT HE WAS DEFIANT IN VICTORY AS HE CRUISED TO A COMFORTABLE WIN.

>> THE TRUTH ALWAYS WE PREVAILS.

LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN, THE TRUTH ALWAYS PREVAILS.

DESTINY WELL'S CONCESSION SPEECH WAS.

>> WE MUST SLAY EVERY EFFORT TO TEAR DOWN OUR DEMOCRACY, REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, LIBERTARIANS, INDEPENDENTS ALL OF US.

WE MUST FIGHT TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN AND RE-ENFORCE OUR ELECTORAL SYSTEM.

>> DEMOCRATS HAVEN'T WON THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE SINCE 1990.

>> TODD YOUNG WON A DECISIVE REELECTION VICTORY AND WILL HEAD BACK TO WASHINGTON FOR ANOTHER SIX YEARS.

YOUNG SAYS HE'S READY TO FIGHT THE FRED'S -- PRESIDENT'S AGENDA WHEREVER HE CAN.

YOUNG TUCKED ABOUT EARNING HOOSIER'S TRUST OVER HIS NEXT TERM.

>> I WILL WORK TIRELESSLY OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS TO ENSURE I LIVE UP TO YOUR HIGH EXPECTATIONS, TO ENSURE THAT WE YIELD THE SORT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT YOU DESERVE.

NOT RHETORIC, BUT RESULTS.

>> YOUNG'S DEMOCRATIC OPPONENT TOM McDERMOTT VOICED A SIMILAR VOTE OF BIPARTISANSHIP IN DEFEAT.

>> I DIDN'T WANT IT TO TURN OUT THE WAY IT DID TODAY, BUT NOW THAT IT DID TURN OUT THIS WAY, IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT WE GET BEHIND SENATOR YOUNG AND SUPPORT HIM AND TRY TO MOVE AMERICA FORWARD BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE HELD THIS SEAT FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

>>> REPUBLICAN ERIN HOUCHIN IS THE WINNER OF THE 9th 9th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEAT, PREVIOUSLY HELD BY TREY HOLLINGSWORTH, WHO DID NOT SEEK REELECTION.

>> ERIN HOUCHIN IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR FROM SALEM WHO REPRESENTED DISTRICT 47 IN 2014 TO 2022.

SHE PREVIOUSLY RAN FOR THE SAME SEAT IN 2020, BUT IN LOST IN THE PRIMARY TO HOLLINGSWORTH.

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ENDORSED HER.

>> I'M PLEASED TO BE REPRESENTING THIS DISTRICT IN WASHINGTON, D.C..

I'M READY.

I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JANUARY 3rd.

>> SHE OPPOSES ABORTION AND PRO SECOND AMENDMENT.

>> THIS DISTRICT IS PRETTY CONSERVATIVE BUT FOR THOSE WHO DIDN'T VOTE FOR ME, I HOPE THAT THEY WILL WATCH WHAT WE ARE DOING AND THAT THEY WILL BE PLEASED WITH OUR GOVERNANCE WHEN WE FINALLY GET TO WASHINGTON.

>> SHE DEFEATED DEMOCRAT MATT FYFE, A HIGH SCHOOL MATH TOO MUCHER FROM BLOOMINGTON.

>> I THINK WE HAVE -- MATH TOO MUCHER FROM BLOOMINGTON.

>> WE HAVE TO ADVOCATE FOR HEALTHCARE AND RAISING HEALTHY FAMILIES AND MAKING SURE OUR WORKERS, THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND ARE GETTING THE WAGES, THE BENEFITS THAT MAKE SENSE FOR THEM.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>>> NOW, WITH HOUCHIN'S WIN, REPUBLICANS MAINTAIN THEIR 7:2 ADVANTAGE IN CONGRESSIONAL HOUSE SEATS THAT HOPE TO PICK UP THE DISTRICT 1 SEAT IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE STATE, BUT INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT FRANK MRVAN HELD OFF JENNIFER-RUTH GREEN.

ONE STATE LEGISLATIVE RACE THAT IS YET TO BE DETERMINED IN DISTRICT 62 WHERE THREE DOZEN VOTES SEPARATE THE TWO CANDIDATES.

HALL HAD BEEN PROJECTED THE WINNER AFTER HE LED BY MORE THAN 1,0001 VOTES, BUT AFTER NEW MONROE COUNTY TOTALS WERE SENT TO THE INDIANA SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE WEDNESDAY, THAT MARGIN IS DOWN TO 37.

OFFICIALS HAD ORIGINALLY NOT COUNTED THE RESULTS FROM THE LAST WEEK OF EARLY VOTING.

>> THERE ARE PROVISIONAL BALLOTS THAT WILL HAVE TO BE REVIEWED BY THE ELECTION BOARD, AND WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL ACCEPT ANY OR ALL OF THEM AND THAT IS ACROSS ALL THREE COUNTIES.

>> GIBBONS HAS UNTIL NOVEMBER 22nd TO FILE FOR A PETITION TO ASK FOR A RECOUNT.

>>> FOUR OF THE EIGHT INDIANA SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH BALLOT QUESTIONS TO APPROVE PROPERTY TAX LEVIES FAILED TO PASS IN THE MIDTERM ELECTION.

ONE THAT DID PASS WHERE MONROE COUNTY, THEY DECIDED TO SUPPORT SCHOOL CORPORATION.

ITS EXPECTED TO GENERATE $15 MILLION WHICH WILL GO TO FACULTY AND TEACHER PAY INCREASES.

THE BALLOT FAILED IN BROWN COUNTY AND JACKSON COUNTY.

>>> COLUMBUS MAYOR JIM LYNUP SAID HE WILL NOT RUN FOR REELECTION.

HE SAYS IT COMES DOWN TO TWO THINGS, FAMILY AND DESIRE TO RETIRE.

>> I HAVE TWO MORE MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY THAT I DIDN'T HAVE WHEN I STARTED THIS JOB.

I HAVE TWO GRANDCHILDREN NOW, A LITTLE BOY AND A LITTLE GIRL, AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SPEND A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME WITH THEM.

>> LINEUPLYNUP JOINED THE CITY COUNCIL IN 2012.

HE RAN UNCONTESTED IN THE 2015 MUNICIPAL ELECTION, AS WELL AS IN 2019.

>> I HAVE A DEEP AFFINITY FOR COLUMBUS, AND I FELT AT THE TIME THAT IT WASN'T BEING VERY WELL LED AND I FELL LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE COULD IMPROVE ON THAT.

>> LYNUP SAYS HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH HIS GOALS WITH WIDE SPREAD SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

>>> IT'S NOT A BALLOT ISSUE BUT PLENTY OF POLITICS AT PLAY AS BLOOMINGTON AND MONROE COUNTY TRY TO SORT OUT A WAY TO BUILD A NEW CONVENTION CENTER.

WE ARE JOINED BY HOLDEN ABSHIER.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

THE DEBATE OVER THE MONROE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER CONTINUES FOUR YEARS AFTER THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX STARTED TO COLLECT MONEY FOR THE PROJECT.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE PROPOSED A PATH FORWARD BUT THE CITY LEADERS MUST DECIDE WHETHER TO JUMP ON BOARD.

THE MONROE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER IS A POP HARR POPULAR PLACE.

IT'S BOOKED THROUGH 2024.

>> THINGS ARE GETTING BACK TO NORMAL AND IN A NORMAL YEAR WE'LL DO ABOUT 500 EVENTS.

>> FOR CONFERENCES, THE CENTER CAN HOST UP TO 250 PEOPLE, WHICH INCLUDES MULTIPLE SIZES OF ROOMS AND BREAKOUT ROOMS.

HOWEVER, COPPOCK SAYS SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CENTER HOLD 500 PEOPLE.

IF IT HOSTED 40 OF THESE CONFERENCES EACH YEAR, IT COULD MAKE UP TO 19 MILLION TO $25 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT.

>> WE'RE THE SECOND MOST DESIRED LOCATION, BUT WE ARE THE SMALLEST CONVENTION CENTER IN THE STATE.

>>> WHILE MONROE COUNTY OWNS THE CONVENTION CENTER, THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON IS SITTING ON 90% OF THE MONEY DEDICATED TO THE EXPANSION WHICH IS CURRENTLY $15 MILLION.

THE PROJECT RESURFACED THIS SUMMER WHEN THE CITY OFFERED TO PURCHASE AND LEAD THE PROJECT BUT THE COMMISSIONERS DIDN'T THINK IT WAS SUFFICIENT.

LAST MONTH, THE CITY ANNOUNCED IT WOULD PROCEED WITH OR WITHOUT THE COUNTY'S SUPPORT, HOWEVER, JUST THIS WEEK, HOURS BEFORE A PRESCHEDULED INTERGOVERNMENTAL MEETING, MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD OR C.I.B.

THE C.I.B.

IS A MECHANISM INDIANA COUNTY GOVERNMENTS USE TO MANAGE LARGE PROJECTS.

>> THE IDEA IS THAT YOU GET THE POLITICIANS OUT OF THE PROCESS ON THESE BIG, LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS AND YOU APPOINT EXPERTS AS KIND OF THE MANAGERS ON THE BOARD THAT WOULD MANAGE THE PROJECT GOING FORWARD.

>> OTHER CONVENTION CENTERS AROUND THE STATE ARE ALSO MANAGED BY C.I.B.s, SUCH AS FORT WAYNE, TERRE HAUTE AND INDIANAPOLIS.

>> EVERYTHING REQUIRES COMPROMISE AND, YOU KNOW, COMPROMISE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A DIRTY WORD.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO GIVE SOME THINGS UP TO GET THE BEST OUTCOME.

>> MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON'S ADMINISTRATION SAYS THEY ARE SHOCKED THAT THEY ELECTED A C.I.B.

HE WANTS A NONPROFIT TO BUILD AND MANAGE THE EXPANSION.

HE EVEN SAYS HIS ADMINISTRATION WILL UNVEIL DETAILS IN THE COMING WEEKS FOR A FULLY INTEGRATED FACILITY OPENED BY LATE 2025.

>> IT'S BEEN A LITTLE FRUSTRATING ALL YEAR NOT BEING ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND TALK IN DETAIL AND THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A KIND OF A MEETING WITH AN AGENDA SET BY OTHERS, AND IT'S NOT AN EASY PLACE FOR GIVE AND TAKE.

>> HOWEVER, COMMISSIONER PENNY GIFFINS PUSHED BACK TO THE MAYOR.

>> WE OFFERED MULTIPLE MEETINGS, MR. MAYOR AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU SHOWED UP.

SO LET'S STOP THAT.

>> NOT EVERYONE FROM THE CITY IS ON THE SAME PAGE.

THE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT FULLY SUPPORTS THE C.I.B.

AND SPOKE AGAINST MAYOR HAMILTON'S PROPOSITION.

>> I DON'T SEE IT AS ANY KIND OF DISRESPECT.

I WAS TAKEN ABACK BY THE 501(c)(3) PROPOSAL.

WE ARE DONE MEETING AND LET'S JUST DONE IT OUR WAY.

I WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THAT AND I STILL AM.

>> THE COUNTY IS AGAINST THIS BECAUSE THE NONPROFITS DON'T HAVE THE STATEMENT RULES.

>> WE SHOULD DO IT WITH A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD, WHICH MEETS PUBLICLY AND TAKES PUBLIC COMMENTS AND HAS THEIR BEINGS REVIEWED BY AT LEAST ONE ELECTED BODY.

>> HAMILTON SAYS THE TRANSPARENCY ISSUE CAN BE FIXED BY CREATING BYLAWS THAT BIND THE NONPROFIT THROUGH PUBLIC BODIES, HOWEVER, HIS OFFICE REITERATED THAT THE COUNTY WAS NOT TRANSPARENT IN ESTABLISHING A C.I.B., WHICH HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF CONVERSATIONS SINCE 2019.

>> WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT AT THE LAST MEETING.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE.

I DON'T SEE -- THIS ISN'T NEW.

THIS IS NOT NEW.

>> COMMISSIONERS SAY THEY PASSED THE C.I.B.

TO PUT A CONCRETE OFFER ON THE TABLE, AND THAT THEY ARE ASKING BOTH THE CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR'S OFFICE TO TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ON THE PROPOSAL BY JANUARY 1st.

>> SO HOLDEN, WE HAVE BEEN COVERING THIS FOR QUITE A WHILE.

IT JUST SEEMS TO BE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO MEASURE ANY PROGRESS THAT'S HAPPENING HERE.

IN THE MEANTIME, YOU HAVE THE PRESIDENT WHO IS WORRIED ABOUT TIME.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO THE CHAMBER IS WORRIED THAT WE'RE UNDER THE GUN AND IN THE CROSS HAIRS OF LEGISLATURE HERE.

THEY ARE UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT STATE LEGISLATURES ARE GOING TO WRITE A BILL TO SUNSET THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX NEXT YEAR, AND IN THE PROCESS, THEY HAVE TWO MOTIVATIONS FOR IT.

THE FIRST WOULD BE TO HOLD LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ACCOUNTABLE FOR NOT USING TAX DOLLARS THAT THEY PROMISED THEY WOULD, AND, YOU KNOW, THE SECOND TO CREATE A MORE UNIFORMED PROCESS ACROSS THE BOARD AND IN DOING THAT, IT COULD LIMIT HOW THE COUNTIES USE THAT MONEY.

>> THE LAST TIME I TALKED WITH MAYOR HAMILTON, A FEW WEEKS AGO, HE SAID HE WOULD BE FINE WITH THE COMMISSIONERS BUT THEY ARE NOT JUST FULLY INVESTED.

HE DOESN'T WANT TO INCLUDE THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FULLY INVESTED IN THIS PROJECT.

SO NOW HERE WE GO.

I FEEL LIKE WE ARE GOING BACK AND FORTH AGAIN.

WHAT IS NEXT?

>> IT CAN FEEL LIKE A BIT OF A CIRCLE AND IF YOU WATCH CLOSELY, YOU CAN FEEL DIZZY.

THERE WAS A TALK ABOUT A ENTHUSIASM GAP BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COMMISSIONER.

THE COMMISSIONERS SAID THEY HAVE SPOKEN WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THEY HAVE DECIDED THOSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WANT THIS MOVE FORWARD.

AND SO THEY PASSED THE C.I.B.

IN THE INTEREST OF THE TAXPAYERS, AND NOW THAT MEANS THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR HAVE 60 DAYS TO ACT ON THAT PROPOSAL, BUT I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE THAT THE MAYOR IS ON BOARD WITH IT.

HE IS STILL HINTING AT HIS ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN TO GO THEIR OWN WAY.

HE EVEN SAID IN THE COMING WEEKS THERE COULD BE AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS NONPROFIT PLAN.

>> ALL RIGHT, HOLDEN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A DECISION TO CONVERT THE COAL PLANT IN PETERSBURG TO NATURAL GAS IS BEING MET WITH MIXED REACTIONS.

>>> AND I.I.U.

RECEIVED A FEDERAL GRANT TO INVESTIGATE RACIAL DISPARITIES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE NALOXONE.

OF.

>>> THESE.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

A LACK OF COMPETITION FOR HEALTHCARE AND INSURANCE PROVIDERS IN THE STATE IS A COMPLEX ISSUE, NOT UNIQUE TO INDIANA.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S VIOLET CUMBER WILEN HAS THIS REPORT.

>> THIS IS THE EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATE DEAN AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S FAIRBANKS SCHOOL AT IUPUI.

HE DESCRIBES IT AS A CAT AND MOUSE GAME BETWEEN HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES AND PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS.

>> ONE IS ALWAYS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HAVE A MARKET ADVANTAGE FOR WHAT IT SORT OF VALUES MOST IN TERMS OF HOW HEALTHCARE SHOULD BE ORGANIZED AND PAID FOR.

>> HE SAYS THIS OFTEN PUSHES PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS LIKE HOSPITALS AND PHYSICIAN PRACTICES TO BAND TOGETHER.

HE EXPLAINS THIS HELPS THEM WHEN NEGOTIATING WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES.

>> BANDING TOGETHER JUST STRENGTHENS YOUR ABILITY TO HAVE THOSE NEGOTIATIONS.

>> HE ADDS THESE ORGANIZATIONS ALSO BAND TOGETHER TO CREATE A SORT OF ONE-STOP SHOP FOR CARE.

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

>>> A.E.S., INDIANA PLANS TO CONVERT THE PETERSBURG COAL PLANT TO NATURAL GAS ARE BEING MET WITH MIXED REACTIONS.

WHILE PIKE COUNTY IS HAPPY THE PLANT WILL STAY OPEN, ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT THE UTILITY IS NOT MAKING A FASTER TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

>> ASHLEY WILLIS IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE PIKE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, WHICH IS WORKING TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES IN THE AREA IN ANTICIPATION OF THE PETERSBURG PLANT CLOSINGS.

WITH THE PLANT NOW EXPECTED TO CONVERT TO NATURAL GAS, SHE SAYS PIKE COUNTY WILL LOSE FEWER WORKERS AND LESS TAX REVENUES FOR THE SCHOOLS AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

>> ALL IN ALL, EVERYONE IS FEELING GOOD ABOUT THAT.

THERE'S STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY, AS IT RELATES TO HOW THIS IS GOING TO UNFOLD IN THE FUTURE, BUT OVERALL, I THINK EVERYONE IS FEELING REALLY POSITIVE.

>> ACTIVISTS SAY THE UTILITY IS DRAGGING ITS FEET IN TRANSITION TO THE RENEWABLE ENERGY.

THE SI IRRELEVANT AA CLUB'S BEYOND COAL CAMPAIGN ALL PASSED RESOLUTIONS CALLING ON A.E.S.

TO REPLACE THE PLANT WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY.

>> REPLACING FOSSIL FUELS WITH MORE FOSSIL FUELS AND METHANE WHICH IS A POWERFUL CLIMATE DISRUPTING FOSSIL FUEL IS NOT THE ANSWER, YOU KNOW, TO OUR PROBLEM TO OUR SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT WE'RE FACING, IN TERMS OF THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

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

>>> A.E.

IS INDIANA SAYS CONVERTING THE PLANT TO NATURAL GAS AND ADDING 1300 MEGA WATTS OF RENEWABLES IS THE MOST RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE OPTION FOR ITS CUSTOMERS, BUT ACTIVISTS SAY THAT'S HARD TO BELIEVE GIVEN THE HIGH PRICE OF NATURAL GAS RIGHT NOW.

>>> THE I.U.

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN BLOOMINGTON WILL STUDY RACIAL DISPARITIES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF NALOXONE, THE LIFE-SAVING MEDICATION THAT REVERSES AN OPIOID OVERDOSE.

KAYAN TERRA REPORTS THAT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN INDIANAPOLIS SEEMS TO BE HIT THE HARDEST.

>> THE $1.7 MILLION GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WILL FUND AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ROLE STRUCTURAL RACISM PLACES IN STIGMA AND DEATH FROM OPIOID USE IN THE INDIANAPOLIS AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

SCHOOLSCHOOLSCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSOR WILL HEAD THE STUDY.

HE SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS IN AN OPIOID CRISIS DUE TO METHAMPHETAMINE-RELATED OVERDOSES.

>> THE OVERDOSE CRISIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND WE ARE INCREASINGLY SEEING EVIDENCE OF RACIAL DISPARITIES, WHERE BLACK PEOPLE ARE MORE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY OVERDOSE DEATHS.

>> BLACK AMERICANS ARE ABOUT TWICE AS LIKELY TO DIE FROM OPIOID-RELATED OVERDOSES COMPARED TO WHITE AMERICANS.

THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION SAYS THAT 14% OF PEOPLE WHO DIE OF OPIOIDS WERE TREATED FOR SUBSTANCE MISUSE, BUT ONLY 8% OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WERE TREATED.

THE LOWEST OF ALL GROUPS.

ONE COMMUNITY PARTNER ON THIS STUDY IS THE OVERDOSE LIFE LINE, A NONPROFIT THAT EDUCATES ABOUT PREVENTATIVE MEASURES AGAINST SUBSTANCE MISUSE.

THE ORGANIZATION NOTED RACIAL DISPARITIES WHEN DISTRIBUTING NALOXONE IN LOCAL INDIANA COMMUNITIES.

>> WE DID, LIKE 35,000 DOSES OF NALOXONE AND ONLY ONE PERSON IDENTIFIED AS BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN, WHICH WAS A PROBLEM FOR ME.

>> CRABTREE IS THE PROGRAM AND OFFICE ASSISTANT AT OVERDOSE LIFELINE.

SHE SAYS RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE BUT PEOPLE NEED TO BE REACHED BEFORE THEY OVERDOSE.

>> ALTHOUGH WE DISTRIBUTE NALOXONE AND WE DISTRIBUTE IT FREE, WHEREVER YOU ARE AT, YOU CAN PUT IN A REQUEST, WE WILL PUT IT IN THE MAIL.

IF YOU ARE NERVOUS AND DON'T WANT YOUR NAME ON IT, WE'LL SEND IT TO CURRENT RESIDENT OR WHATEVER, BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON, WE'RE NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE AND REACHING OUR PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE REACHED.

>> JUSTIN PHILLIPS IS ACUTELY AWARE THAT IT TAKES SECONDS FOR SOMEONE TO OVERDOSE IF LIFE-SAVING METHODS OR NOT IMPLEMENTED.

SHE LOST HER SON AARON TO AN OVERDOSE IN 2013.

THIS PROMPTED HER TO START OVERDOSE LIFELINE.

PHILLIPS SAYS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IS SUCH A JUDGED AND STIGMATIZED CHRONIC DISEASE THAT PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP.

>> ALL OF THOSE THINGS JUST, I THINK, CREATE A BARRIER FOR PEOPLE TO BE WILLING TO ASK FOR HELP AND IF I DON'T THINK I NEED IT, I DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE INFORMATION.

>> JOHN AGLEY IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AT I.U.

'S PREVENTION INSIGHTS.

HE SAID THAT BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE TO UNDERSTAND HOW OPIOID USE AFFECTS INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES IS IMPERATIVE TO SOLVING THE ISSUE.

>> WHILE MANY COMMUNITIES MAY HAVE SPECIFIC KINDS OF HARMS ASSOCIATED WITH OPIOID OVERDOSE, THE THINGS THAT LEAD TO THOSE HARMS AND THE THINGS THAT COULD PROTECT AGAINST THOSE HARMS ARE DIFFERENT.

AND SO IF WE TRY TO JUST TAKE GENERIC IDEAS AND BRING THEM INTO A SINGLE COMMUNITY, ARE SOME OF THAT MAY WORK, AND SOME MAY NOT.

>> OVERDOSE FROM OPE IDENTIFY -- OPIOID USE CAN BE DONE BY BETTER EDUCATION.

>> THAT CAN BE VERY EASILY PREVENTED.

EVEN, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN STOP PEOPLE FROM DYING BY ADMINISTERING NALOXONE WITHIN THREE OR FOUR MINUTES.

SO THAT IS REALLY, YOU KNOW, AWAKENING ME AND, YOU KNOW, BECAME MORE AND MORE INTERESTED IN THIS AREA.

>> TORE "INDIANAFOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M KAYAN TERRA.

>> NALOXONE IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION IN ALL STATES.

INDIVIDUALS CAN GO TO NALOXBOX.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.

AND THE I.U.

KELLEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN STATE AND NATIONAL ECONOMIES.

KELLEY PRESENTED THE OUTLOOK AT IVY TECH ON THURSDAY.

THE FIRST OF 10 SUCH PRESENTATIONS AROUND THE STATE.

CALI LICHTER HAS THIS REPORT.

>> INDIANA BUSINESS RESEARCH CENTER DIRECTOR CAROL ROGERS SAYS NATIONAL FORECASTS OF AI POSSIBLE RECESSION WOULD HIT INDIANA FIRST.

WITH INFLATION AND RISING INTEREST RATES, A SQUEEZE WILL BE PUT ON THE OUTPUT OF DURABLE GOODS MANUFACTURING, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT INDIANA RELIES ON.

IT'S A TOUGH SITUATION TO MONITOR WITH THE SHORTAGE OF WORKERS IN INDIANA'S LABOR FORCE.

SHE SAYS THE STATE'S SLOW POPULATION GROWTH IS A FACTOR.

>> WE'RE NOT REPLACING OURSELVES.

AND I DON'T MEAN TO SOUND MORBID, BUT WE'RE EXPERIENCING MORE DEATHS THAN BIRTHS.

THE PANDEMIC DIDN'T HELP.

IT ACCELERATED SOMETHING THAT WAS ALREADY HAPPENING.

>> BUT THAT'S NOT THE ONLY REASON.

>> WE ARE NOT ATTRACTING ENOUGH YOUNG PEOPLE TO STATE OF INDIANA.

>> ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BUSINESS ECONOMICS AND PUBLIC POLICY ANDREW BUTTERS SAYS THE LABOR MARKET HAS YET TO RECOVER TO PREPANDEMIC LEVELS.

>> BASICALLY, THERE'S TWO JOB POSTINGS FOR ANY ONE INDIVIDUAL LOOKING FOR A JOB.

THE LABOR MARKET IS INCREDIBLY, INCREDIBLY TIGHT RIGHT NOW AND WHAT PARTLY IS CONTRIBUTING TO THAT WE HAVE SEEN A MASSIVE REDUCTION OR VERY DEPRESSED LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATES.

>> WITH INFLATION AT A 40-YEAR HIGH AND UNEMPLOYMENT LOW AND GDP GROWING, TRYING TO PREDICT THE ECONOMY IS TRICKY.

>> THE ROSY VIEW WILL BE HOPEFULLY THAT WE CAN FIND THE CRUISING ALTITUDE AT A SITUATION WHERE THE LABOR MARKET BECOMES A LITTLE BIT NICER AND ENERGY AND FOOD PRICES HAVE INFLATION RATES THAT COME DOWN JUST A BIT AND WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE THAT SORT OF SOFT LANDING IF YOU WILL.

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

>>> THE KELLEY SCHOOL HAS PRESENTED AN ANNUAL BUSINESS OUTLOOK FORECAST SINCE 1972.

>>> WELL THINGS DON'T GET ANY EASIER THIS WEEKEND FOR AN INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM THAT'S LOST THE LAST SIX GAMES.

THE HOOSIERS WILL TRAVEL TO OHIO STATE TO FACE THE SECOND RANKED TEAM IN THE NATION.

THE BUCKEYES ARE FAVORED BY MORE THAN FIVE TOUCHDOWNS.

>> I GET IT.

THEY ARE HIGHLY FAVORED AND I UNDERSTAND THAT, AND WHY THEY ARE, AND SO -- BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T -- YOU NEVER, YOU KNOW, SURRENDER TO ANYTHING WITHOUT QUESTION.

>> INDIANA WILL HAVE STARTING QUARTERBACK CONNOR BAZELAK AFTER HE MISSED LAST WEEK'S GAME DUE TO INJURY.

BUT JACK TUTTLE WHO STARTED LAST WEEK WILL MISS THE REST OF THE SEASON WITH A SHOULDER INJURY.

>> DEFINITELY HEALTHIER AND BACK TO MORE LIKELY WE EXPECT HIM TO BE AND IN TERMS OF THE VELOCITY OF THE BALL AND EVERYTHING ELSE WITH HIS ABILITY AND TO BE HEALTHY.

SO PROTECT THE FOOTBALL.

>> INDIANA HAS TWO GAMES REMAINING AFTER THIS ONE AFTER MICHIGAN STATE AND AT HOME AGAINST PURDUE.

>>> 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.

♪ >> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: