>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INCREASING FUNDING FOR K-12 EDUCATION IS A BUDGET PRIORITY THIS SESSION, BUT REPUBLICANS MAY BULK AT THE GOVERNOR'S PITCH FOR FREE TEXTBOOKS.

>> WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN GET TO THAT WITH THE TEXTBOOKS IS SOMETHING WE WILL TALK ABOUT IN OUR CAUCUS AND I'M SURE THE HOUSE WILL AS WELL.

>> THIS YEAR'S GENERAL SESSION AT THE STATE HOUSE BEGAN ON MONDAY.

>> THE LITTLE FREE LIBRARY IS A WORLDWIDE MOVEMENT.

>> GETTING BOOKS IN KIDS' HANDS, REALLY IS IMPORTANT AND I WANT TO DO THAT WHEREVER I CAN.

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL LITTLE LIBRARIES SCATTERED AROUND THE CITY AND COUNTY.

AND WE TALK WITH AN EXPERT ABOUT THE RASH OF PROBLEMS INCURRED BY THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY OVER THE PAST MONTH.

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.

THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION BEGAN THIS WEEK AND GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB USED HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TO URGE LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT HIS AMBITIOUS EXPENSIVE AGENDA.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDON SMITH REPORTS ON HOLCOMB'S SECOND TO LAST ADDRESS TO THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> HOLCOMB PROPOSES SPENDING 5.5 BILLION NEW DOLLARS IN THE BUDGET ON PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES THAT SPAN EDUCATION, PUBLIC HEALTH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

IN TRYING TO SELL THAT TO LAWMAKERS HE REPEATEDLY EMPHASIZED THE IMPACT IT COULD HAVE AND BROUGHT A PERSONAL TOUCH, FOR INSTANCE, HIGHLIGHTING A PARENT WHO PAID ABOUT $630 IN TEXTBOOK FEES THIS YEAR.

>> LET'S COVER THE FULL COST OF CURRICULUM FEES PAID FOR BY PARENTS SO THAT FOLKS LIKE MANDY DON'T HAVE TO PAY THIS DREADFUL BILL EVER AGAIN STARTING THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

>> THERE WAS A NEW ANNOUNCEMENT THE STATE WILL AWARD GRANTS TO HELP BUILD THE LONGEST TRAIL IN INDIANA, MORE THAN 60 MILES OF AN OLD RAILLINE IN SOUTHERN INDIANA.

>> ANOTHER GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE STATE HELPING TO MEET AND EXPLORE AND DISCOVER IN INDIANA, RIGHT IN OUR BACKYARDS.

>> HOLCOMB IS ASKING LAWMAKERS FOR ANOTHER $75 MILLION THIS YEAR FOR TRAILS AND LAND KOPP SEVENNATION.

I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATE HOUSE.

-- CONSERVATION.

I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>> LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WERE LARGELY SUPPORTIVE OF MANY OF HOLCOMB'S PRIORITIES OF THE ONE OF THE BIGGEST STICKING POINTS WITH THE FELLOW REPUBLICANS IS THE PLAN TO PROVIDE FREE TEXTBOOKS TO ALL K-12 PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN GET TO THAT WITH THE TEXTBOOKS IS SOMETHING WE'LL TALK ABOUT IN OUR CAUCUS AND I'M SURE THE HOUSE WILL AS WELL.

>> REPUBLICANS SEEMED MORE SUPPORTIVE OF AN UNPRECEDENTED INFUSION OF FUNDING FOR INDIANA'S PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM BUT HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HUSTON CAUTIONED THAT LAWMAKERS WILL LOOK AT NOT JUST DOLLARS BUT OUTCOMES.

GREG TAYLOR WAS STRUCK BY WHAT HE DIDN'T HEAR IN THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

>> WE STILL HAVE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD HOUSING, WHO CAN'T AFFORD CHILD CARE COSTS.

IT'S TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT HOUSEHOLDS AND NOT JUST BUSINESSES.

>> NOW, IN HIS STATEMENT, HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER REJECTED WHAT HE CALLED HOLCOMB'S ROSY ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE AND SAID DEMOCRATS STAND READY TO IMPROVE INDIANA.

>> ADVOCATES FOR CANNABIS LEGALIZATION ARE ALSO MAKING A RENEWED PUSH AT THE STATE HOUSE IN 2023 AND FOR SOME, THE GOAL IS PROGRESS OF ANY KIND, EVEN IF INCREMENTAL.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF MOMENTUM, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE NEW LAWMAKERS COMING IN BUT BECAUSE VOTERS ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE VOCAL ON WHAT THEY ARE EXPECTING FROM THEIR LEGISLATORS.

>> SWANSON IS A STATE HOUSE VETERAN, HAVING LOBBIED THIS FOR YEARS.

HE'S KEEPING HIS EXPECTATIONS REALISTIC.

HE WANTS AT LEAST THE COMMITTEE HEARING ON CANNABIS REFORM.

LEGISLATION IS BEING FILED IN BOTH CHAMBERS BY LAWMAKERS OF BOTH PARTIES THAT DEAL WITH ASPECTS OF CANNABIS REFORM.

>> I'M NOT SAYING WE HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS TODAY BUT WE DO NEED TO START HAVING THOSE DISCUSSIONS IN A PUBLIC SETTING SO WE CAN IDENTIFY WHERE THE RUBS ARE, THE FRICTIONS ARE AND TAKE CARE OF THEM IN THE BILL.

>> INDIANA IS BORDERED BY CANNABIS MIFF-FRIENDLY STATES.

MEDICAL AND RECREATION IS LEGAL IN MICHIGAN AND ILLINOIS.

YOU CAN'T BUY CANNABIS IN KENTUCKY BUT MEDICAL USERS ARE ALLOWED TO POSSESS IT.

>>> BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCILMEMBERS VOTED TO OVERRIDE MAYOR HAMILTON'S OF THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION PROJECT.

THEY H THE COUNCILMEMBER KATE ROSENBURGER VOTED NO BOTH TIMES.

HAMILTON CONTINUES TO BE IN FAVOR OF A NONPROFIT 501(c)(3) ENTITY TO RUB THE PROJECT WHICH HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR SEVEN YEARS.

WE ARE JOINED BY LUCAS GONZALEZ WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE STORY FOR MORE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE PROJECT?

>> THE BALL IS BASICALLY IN THE COUNTY'S COURT NOW.

BACK LAST YEAR, THE PAST COUNTY ORDINANCE WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF 2023, IT'S BECOME VOID, RIGHT?

SO NOW THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAS TAKEN THIS VOTE, IT'S UP TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO GET THIS DONE.

>> SO THERE'S MORE THAN ONE COUNCILMEMBER OPEN TO THAT 501(c)(3).

>> YEAH.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, COUNCILMAN STEVEN VOLAN EXPRESSED THAT HE WAS AGNOSTIC TO THE IDEA.

HE SAID THAT HE SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF A 501(c)(3) FOR POTENTIALLY OTHER CITY PROJECTS, NEVERTHELESS, HE WAS ONE OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS WHO VOTED IN SUPPORT OF THE CREATION OF A C.I.B.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN GONING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

THE SENSE I GOT IN COVERING THE MEETING IS, PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE JUST WANTS TO GET THIS DONE.

>> AT SOME POINT, IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A CONVENTION CENTER, WE HAVE TO FIND SOME WAY TO MANAGE IT.

THE 501(c)(3) COULD THEORETICALLY BE INVOLVED IN THE C.I.B.

I'M KIND OF AGNOSTIC AT THIS POINT.

>> SO HOW WILL THE PROJECT BE FUNDED?

>> THE PROJECT WELCOME FUNDED BY THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT STARTED COLLECTING FUNDS IN 2018.

IT WAS INTRODUCED IN 2017.

TO DATE, IT'S COLLECTED MORE THAN $14 MILLION IN TAXPAYER MONEY.

AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT THERE'S A BIT OF A TIME LIMIT ON, CONSIDERING THERE IS A BILL IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT COULD POSE A THREAT TO IT.

THIS IS STATE -- OR SENATE BILL 37, AND THE SENSE IS BASICALLY THEY NEED TO ACT AS SOON AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN TO PREVENT THIS FROM, YOU KNOW, MISSING THEIR OPPORTUNITY HERE.

SO -- >> I WILL BE VERY LOUD AND VERY PROUD IN MY URGING THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO RESCIND THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF A 501(c)(3) CORPORATION IS FORMED IN ORDER TO BUILD AND MANAGE A NEW CONVENTION CENTER.

>>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COVERAGE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO MORE.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> WELL, THE KEY ECONOMIC TENSION TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2023 WILL LIKELY BE THE BALANCE BETWEEN EMPLOYMENT LEVELS AND THE CAST OF LIVING.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S ADAM YAHYA RAYES REPORTS THE LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS STILL HISTORICALLY LOW DESPITE SOME INCREASES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE DATA FROM 2022 YET.

PURDUE COMMUNITY RESEARCH RACHEL BLAKEMAN SUGGESTS THAT INDIANA ENTERS 2023 WITH A RED HOT JOB MARKET.

>> A YEAR OR SO AGO, WE WERE IN A WHITE HOT JOB MARKET.

SO HAS IT SOFTENED A LITTLE BIT?

YES.

>> BUT BLAKEMAN SAYS MOST EMPLOYMENT DATA IS BETTER AT SHOWING BETTER WHERE WE HAVE BEEN THAN WHERE WE ARE GOING.

THAT MEANS PEOPLE COULD LOSE JOBS BUT THE COST OF MILK WILL GO BACK DOWN.

ECONOMISTS CONTINUEECONOMISTS CONTINUE CHUN LEE, WONDERS IF THAT'S THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> I CAN SQUEEZE AND I CAN TAKE ON THE COSTS AND I DON'T NEED TO DRIVE TO SERVE THE GUEST.

>> IT MAY NOT BE TOO BAD FOR WORKERS SINCE WE'RE COMING OFF A STRONG LABOR MARKET.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M ADAM YAHYA RAYES.

>>> THE CONCEPT OF LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES MAKES FREE BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR READERS OF ALL AGES.

ONE NEW CITY RESIDENT WONDERED WHY THERE COULDN'T BE A LITTLE FREE LIBRARY IN EVERY PARK.

OUR SARAH VAUGHAN LOOKED AT WHAT THAT TAKES TO CREATE A FREE LIBRARY AND WHO IS DOING IT?

>> IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD OF IT, LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES ARE BOOK BOXES PROVIDING ACCESS TO BOOKS 24/7.

THERE'S STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR POLITICALLING THE LIBRARY, INFORMATION FOR STEWARDING ONE AND A MAP TO FIND LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES WORLDWIDE.

KAREN KIMBRELL IS A RECENT TRANSPLANT TO BLOOMINGTON FROM CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, WHERE SHE WORKED AS A LIBRARY ASSISTANT.

ONE DAY SHE WAS WALKING IN HIGHLAND VILLAGE PARK.

>> AND I THOUGHT, THAT'S WHERE WE PUT LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES IS RIGHT WHERE THE KIDS ARE.

WE HAVE SO MANY KIDS THAT DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO BOOKS AT HOME AND THERE'S A LOT!

AND IT COULD REALLY BE VERY TELLING FOR ANYWHERE FUTURE SCHOOLING AND EMPLOYMENT, REALLY.

>> IN FACT, SHE THINKS EVERY LOCAL PARK WOULD BENEFIT FROM HAVING FREE ACCESS TO BOOKS FOR ALL AGES.

SOME BLOOMINGTON CITY PARKS DO HAVE AN OFFICIAL LITTLE FREE LIBRARY, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE'S ONE IN BRYAN PARK, WITH A LITTLE FREE PANTRY ATTACHED.

BUT THE PARK'S DEPARTMENT SIMPLY DOESN'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO PLACE A LIBRARY IN EVERY SINGLE PARK, ACCORDING TO JULIE RAMEY.

INSTEAD, IT'S WORKED WITH NONPROFITS AND BOY SCOUTS TO INSTALL THEIR PRECONSTRUCTED LIBRARIES.

THE FIRST STEP IS TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO THE PARKS AND RECS OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT.

PROPOSALS NEED TO INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT WHO WILL STEWARD THE LIBRARY AND A FIVE-YEAR MAINTENANCE PLAN.

THE ORGANIZATION, FRIENDS THE MONROE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SPEAR HEADED THE PLACEMENT OF MANY FREE LIBRARIES IN THE CITY AND THE LIBRARY INCLUDING WILL DETMER MARK.

THAT'S FUNDED BY THE MCLP CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE LITTLE FREE LIBRARY NONPROFIT TO ESTABLISH ONE.

RETIRED TEACHER ABBEY SEIFERS SAYS SHE'S ALWAYS WANTED KIDS TO HAVE BOOKS IN THEIR HANDS.

WHILE SHE WAS TEACHING, SHE NOTICED BOOKS AVAILABLE AT SCHOOL WEREN'T NECESSARILY AVAILABLE FOR KIDS TO TAKE HOME.

SO SHE CREATED HER OWN STASH WITH MULTIPLE COPIES IN CASE SOME DIDN'T COME BACK TO HER.

SHE CONTINUED THE EFFORT BY BUILDING HER OWN FREE LITTLE LIBRARY AND DEDICATED IT TO CHILDREN'S BOOKS.

>> TO ME, GETTING BOOKS IN KIDS' HANDS, WONDERFUL PICTURE BOOKS, GREAT CHAPTER BOOKS FOR THEM, THOSE WHO ARE READY FOR THAT, REALLY IS IMPORTANT AND I WANT TO DO THAT WHEREVER I CAN TO HELP.

>> SHE STOCKS IT WITH BOOKS SHE KNOWS FROM EXPERIENCE KIDS WILL LIKE, AS WELL AS SOME OF HER PERSONAL FAVORITES.

>> AND THEN THIS IS A FICTION BUT MORE OF A BEGINNER, LIKE END OF FIRST GRADE, SECOND GRADE KIND OF BOOK, BUT IT'S A CHAPTER BOOK AND THOSE KIDS, THEY ARE REALLY EXCITED TO READ CHAPTER BOOKS.

>> SEIFERS SAYS HER NEIGHBORS CONTRIBUTE BOOKS TOO.

>> AND SOMETIMES I WILL SEE THEM, THEY'LL SAY, OH, I SEE THE BOX IS GETTING KIND OF LOW.

I WILL GO THROUGH OUR STASH.

I'M, LIKE, YAY!

BECAUSE YOU WANT TO GET PEOPLE INVOLVED, YOU KNOW?

>> OVER THE HOLIDAYS, SEIFERS AND HER HUSBAND ROAMED THE CITY DONATING BOOKS TO LOCAL LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES THAT NEEDED PLUMPING UP.

>> I USED TO DO THAT IN CHARLOTTE, BUY THEM IN THE BOOK SALE AND SPRINKLE THEM AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

I GET A REAL KICK OUT OF DOING THAT.

>> SHE HOPES TO RENEW THAT HABIT HERE IN BLOOMINGTON.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M SARAH VAUGHAN.

>>> A MAP OF LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES ON THE NATIONAL WEBSITE SHOWS MORE THAN TWO DOZEN LITTLE LIBRARIES IN BLOOMINGTON.

>>> COMING UP NEXT, ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS LATELY, HIGH FARES, DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS.

AND A NEW PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE TEACHES SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT MUSIC.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WELL, THIS WEEK, THE FEDERAL AVIATION AUTHORITY GROUNDED ALL AIRPLANES FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 9/11 DUE TO AWE COMPUTER OUTAGE.

IT LED TO MORE THAN 2,000 CANCELLATIONS AND MORE THAN 4,000 DELAYS WEDNESDAY MORNING.

FLIGHTS RESUMED AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS BUT IT CAME ON THE HEELS OF A MELTDOWN OVER THE HOLIDAYS WHEN SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CANCELED ALMOST 17,000 FLIGHTS.

THOSE ISSUES AND RISING TICKET COSTS HAVE PEOPLE WONDERING, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY?

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY VOLODYMYR BILOTKACH, AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND AVIATION MANAGEMENT AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, PROFESSOR.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG FACED A LOT OF CRITICISM OVER WEDNESDAY'S GROUNDING.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN DO TO ADDRESS THE INDUSTRY'S ISSUES.

>>> NOW THAT WE KNOW MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

AT FIRST I THOUGHT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE BACKUP SYSTEM?

WAS THERE A BACKUP SYSTEM?

BUT NOW WE KNOW THAT ACTUALLY THERE WAS A BACKUP SYSTEM.

IT WAS PRESENT, BUT IT MALFUNCTIONED AS WELL.

SO IT LOOKS TO ME THAT IT HAS BEEN EITHER SORT OF AN UNFORTUNATE HUMAN ERROR OR OTHERWISE AN UNFORTUNATE TECHNOLOGICAL INCIDENT.

AND REALLY, I CANNOT THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE.

WELL, MAYBE A COUPLE OF TRAININGS WILL BE SORT OF -- WILL BE DONE AT THE F.A.A.

FOR PEOPLE WORKING WITH THAT SYSTEM.

BUT REALLY, IT WAS A VERY UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT.

THAT'S HOW IT KIND OF IS SHAPING OUT TO BE.

>> WHAT SORT OF RIGHTS DO PASSENGERS HAVE WHEN FLIGHTS ARE CANCELED?

WHO CAN THEY TURN TO?

>> WELL, IN THIS COUNTRY, UNFORTUNATELY, WELL, THEY ARE AT THE AIRLINE'S MERCY MORE OR LESS, RIGHT?

SO THERE ARE NO LAWS SUCH AS FOR INSTANCE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION, OR THE E.U., WHEN THE FLIGHTS ARE CANCELED AND THE AIRLINES HAVE TO COMPENSATE THE PASSENGERS TO SOME EXTENT.

THAT HAPPENED TO ME ONCE AND I GOT 250 EUROS FROM KLM AND IN ADDITION TO, THAT I SENT THEM MY HOTEL BILL, THE BILL FOR DINNER AND BREAKFAST AND EVERYTHING WAS REIMBURSED.

BUT OBVIOUSLY, THEY DID IT BECAUSE THEY WERE REQUIRED TO DO BY THE E.U.

REGULATIONS.

THERE'S NOTHING COMPARABLE HERE IN THIS COUNTRY.

SO ESSENTIALLY YOU ARE AT THE MERCY OF AN AIRLINE OR IF YOU HAVE PURCHASED A TRAVEL INSURANCE, THEN CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND SEE IF THEY CAN HELP YOU HERE.

AS A MATTER OF THE FACT, WHEN RETURNING FROM HOLIDAY, LAST WEEK, OUR FLIGHT WAS ALSO CANCELED AND THE AIRLINE REROUTED US.

WE SPENT TWO EXTRA DAYS ON THE ROAD.

SO SINCE WE DID NOT ACTUALLY HAVE TRAVEL INSURANCE ON THAT OCCASION, SO WE JUST HAD TO PAY FOR TWO EXTRA NIGHTS HOTEL AND WHATEVER WE SPENT ON MEALS.

>> THERE'S A REPORT IN NOVEMBER THAT SAYS THE COST OF AN AIRLINE TICKET UP 25%.

IS THAT INFLATION?

DO YOU EXPECT THAT TO COME DOWN ANY TIME SOON?

>> WELL, IT'S INFLATION AND ALSO THE FACT THAT DEMAND IS RECOVERING FASTER THAN SUPPLY.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA, YOU WILL SEE THAT THE PASSENGER NUMBERS, THE DEMAND IS AT MORE OR LESS 80 OR SO -- MORE OR LESS LIKE 90 OR SO PERCENT OF THE PREPANDEMIC LEVEL.

CAPACITY IS CURRENTLY AT AROUND 80% OR SO OF THE PREPANDEMIC LEVEL.

SO THERE'S A BIT OF A MISMATCH BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND AND THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO FLY RELATIVE TO THE NUMBER OF SEATS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

AND OBVIOUSLY PRICES ARE HIGHER THAN -- PRICES ARE HIGHER THAN THEY WERE.

AND IF WE -- WELL, ON TOP OF THIS, OF COURSE YOU HAVE INFLATION.

ON TOP OF THIS YOU HAVE LABOR SHORTAGES WHICH DO NOT ALLOW THE AIRLINES TO RETURN ALL THE CAPACITY BACK -- BACK TO THE MARKET.

AND I WOULD SAY THAT MAYBE FEBRUARY/MARCH, THAT'S WHEN WE START SEEING THE SITUATION STABILIZING.

>> ALL RIGHT, PROFESSOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>>> TSA AGENTS INTERCEPTED AT LEAST 6300 GUNS NATIONWIDE IN 2022.

OF THOSE, 68 WERE AT THE INDIANAPOLIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE NUMBER OF TSA FIREARM INTERCEPTIONS HAS STEADILY INCREASED SINCE 2010, EXCEPT FOR IN 2020, WHEN THERE WAS A SHARP DECLINE IN TRAVEL DUE TO COVID-19.

A TSA SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE STEADY INCREASE COULD BE THE RESULT OF GROWING GUN OWNERSHIP.

>> IT'S JUST SO INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS.

IT'S SUCH A TIME CONSUMING AND EXPENSIVE MISTAKE.

WE REALLY THINK THE ONUS IS ON THE PASSENGER TO JUST DO BETTER AND NOT BRING US THIS TO THE CHECKPOINT.

>> ANYONE WHO BRINGS A LOADED FIREARM TO A SECURITY CHECKPOINT MAY BE SUBJECT TO A FEDERAL CIVIL PENALTY.

>>> THE UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE HAS WRAPPED UP ITS INAUGURAL SEASON OF UNITED SOUND.

IT'S A PROGRAM THAT TEACHES SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE MUSIC.

HELPING BOTH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS GROW.

TIM JAGIELO OF WNIN IN EVANSVILLE HAS THIS REPORT.

>> READY?

ONE, TWO, ONE, TWO, READY GO.

♪ >> THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE WORKING WITH UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE STUDENT MENTORS TO GET READY FOR AN UPCOMING HOLIDAY CONCERT.

THIS NEW PROGRAM AT U.E.

IS CALLED UNITED SOUND.

THIS IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE CHAPTER.

>> THE PURPOSE OF UNITED SOUND IS TO HELP NEW MUSICIANS WHO ARE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MUSIC AND TO PERFORM IN CONCERT.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO US TO BE ABLE TO SPREAD MUSICAL EDUCATION BECAUSE MUSIC IS A GENUINE JOY THAT EVERYONE DESERVES TO EXPERIENCE.

SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO BRING THIS TO THE EVANSVILLE COMMUNITY.

>> UNITED SOUND IS A NATIONAL PROGRAM WITH ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL CHAPTERS AS WELL.

THIS GROUP HAS ONLY MET A FEW TIMES BUT IN LESS THAN A WEEK, THEY WILL BE PERFORMING RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER.

THEY DEVELOPED AN ELEGANT WAY TO TEACH THE MUSICAL NOTES.

>> MUSIC IS A VERY ABSTRACT CONCEPT AND RHYTHM IS AN EVEN MORE ABSTRACT CONCEPT.

AND WE LIKE TO BRING THINGS CLOSER TO THINGS THAT OUR NEW MUSICIANS ARE FAMILIAR WITH.

♪ >> SO INSTEAD OF SAYING, QUARTER NOTE OR HALF NOTE, WE'LL SAY SOMETHING LIKE CAKE OR SOOUP, WHICH IS EASIER TO UNDERSTAND.

>> U.E.

PEOPLE ARE CHUN-MING CHEN.

>> WE MOVED HERE JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND REALLY FOUND THERE WERE NOT A LOT OF PROGRAMS IN THE EVANSVILLE AREA JUST WITH PEOPLE WHO FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL AND ENTERING ADULTHOOD.

WE WERE EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.

KATE LOVES MUSIC AND SO IT'S BEEN FUN FOR HIM TO HAVE AN OUTLET FOR THAT.

WE ALWAYS JOKE THAT HE DOESN'T HAVE MUCH PITCH BUT HE HAS GOOD RHYTHM.

THIS PERCUSSION CLASS WAS PERFECT FOR HIM.

♪ >> YOU KNOW, COORDINATION, ALL OF THAT STUFF, IS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.

SO YOU ARE ACTIVATING THE BRAIN, THE MUSCLES, PHYSICAL THINGS ARE GOING ON, COGNITIVE THINGS ARE GOING ON, ASSOCIATE THINGS ARE GOING ON, AND IT'S ALSO FUN.

SO THERE'S THE EMOTIONAL SIDE OF THINGS TOO.

>> AS A MUSIC THERAPIST, YOU CAN TEACH SOME MUSICAL ASPECTS BUT A LOT OF TIMES IN MUSIC THERAPY, YOU ARE UTILIZING THE MUSIC TO GET A THERAPEUTIC PURPOSE ACROSS.

SO THIS WAS DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE WERE TEACHING MUSIC.

>> SO WHEN YOU GET TO YOUR CHAIR, ONE MENTOR ON THE LEFT AND ONE ON RIGHT.

AND WHEN YOU COME ON THE STAGE, ONE MENTOR WILL BRING THE INSTRUMENT.

>> MWAH!

>> TESS AND HOPE FULLER OF NEWBERG ARE HERE WITH THEIR PARENTS ANDY AND NINA.

>> WELL, THIS IS FIRST TIME THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ON STAGE WITH AN AN ORCHESTRA.

SO THAT'S BEEN PRETTY SPECIAL FOR THEM.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE GETTING BACK INTO EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND FINDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE ENGAGED IN THE COMMUNITY AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT NOT JUST FOR THE SPECIAL NEEDS OPERATION BUT THE NEURO TYPICAL POPULATION SO WE CAN LEARN TO DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS THROUGH PROGRAMS SUCH AS UNITED SOUND.

♪ >> WHILE THIS SEMESTER THE MUSIC AND THE INSTRUMENTS ARE KEPT PRETTY SIMPLE, UNITED SOUND CAN ACTUALLY MEET NEW MUSICIANS WHERE THEY ARE.

SOMETIMES THEY JUST NEED A LITTLE HELP BEFORE THEY CAN JOIN AN ENSEMBLE.

AND SOMETIMES THEY JUST PLAY ONE NOTE THE ENTIRE TIME.

♪ >> HELLO.

HELLO?

>> OKAY, I WILL ASK AGAIN.

YOU ARE ABOUT TO GO ON.

HOW DO YOU FEEL?

>> CONFIDENT.

>> AND SHE'S A GREAT SISTER.

[ APPLAUSE ] ♪ >> STARTING UNITED SOUND WAS A LONG PROCESS WITH A LOT OF OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME BUT IT WAS FULFILLING TO SEE THE MENTORS AND THE MUSICIANS UP THERE FINALLY GETTING GETTING TO SHARE THE MUSIC THAT WAS SO HARD TO PREPARE WITH THE AUDIENCE AND IT WAS EXCITING AND FULFILLING.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> LOOK FOR UNITED SOUND AGAIN FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER WITH MORE PERCUSSION AND THE ADDITION OF VIOLINS.

>> AND THE DONOR FOR I.U.

SAMPLE GATES, EDISON SAMPLE DIED LAST MONTH.

HE WORKED IN THE UNIVERSITY OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND PHIL JACKSON AID -- FINANCIALAID.

CURT SIMIC SAYS THAT SAMPLE WANTED TO HELP TO MAKE THE UNIVERSITY A WELCOMING PLACE AND HE WAS FOCUSED ON EQUALITY IN EDUCATION.

>> ALL THAT GOES TO SAY THAT HE WAS ENGAGED WITH STUDENTS.

HE WAS INTERESTED IN THEIR WELFARE.

HE WAS INTERESTED IN THEM FINDING A HOME HERE AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY THAT WOULD BE -- THAT WOULD BE EXCITING TO THEM, AND HOSPITABLE TO THEM AND SPECIAL TO THEM.

>> TODAY, THE GATES ARE ONE OF THE UNIVERSITY'S MOST RECOGNIZABLE LANDMARKS.

THE FAVORITE SPOT TO TAKE PICTURES.

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: