>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," PROGRESS ON A NEW MONROE COUNTY JAIL IS MOVING AT A SNAIL ACE PACE IN PART BECAUSE OF FRICTION AMONG COMMUNITY LEADERS.

>> WE WANT REAL JUSTICE REFORM, I THINK WE NEED TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY.

>> THE SHERIFF GIVES US A TOUR OF THE CURRENT JAIL FACILITY AND WHAT HE CALLS THE INEXCUSABLE CONDITIONS.

>>> BANS ON MEDICAL CARE FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH ARE SAILING THROUGH LEGISLATURES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING HERE IN INDIANA.

AHEAD, WE BREAK DOWN INDIANA'S PROPOSED BAN AND DETERMINES WHETHER IT PROTECTS CHILDREN OR DENIES THEM ACCESS TO PROVEN CARE.

>> AND YOU WANT TO MEET HELEN GUTHRIE.

>> HOW OLD ARE YOU?

>> TOO HOLD!

>> IN HONOR OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, WE TALKED TO THIS WORLD WAR II VETERAN ABOUT HER SERVICE IN A NAVY INTELLIGENCE UNIT.

THOSE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

EVERYONE SEEMS TO AGREE THAT MONROE COUNTY NEEDS A NEW JAIL.

BUT OFFICIALS CAN'T AGREE ON NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING ONE.

LUCAS GONZALEZ IS HERE TO EXPLAIN WHERE THINGS STAND AND WHY LEADERS AREN'T ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> HI, JOE.

MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF RUBEN MARTE TOOK US ON A TOUR OF THE CURRENT FACILITY IN DOWNTOWN BLOOMINGTON RECENTLY.

IT DEFINITELY BACKED UP THE COMPLAINTS WE HEARD ABOUT THE FACILITY.

HERE'S WHAT WE SAW AND WHAT OFFICIALS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT BUILDING A NEW ONE.

SET FOOT IN THE MONROE COUNTY JAIL AND ONE THE FIRST THINGS YOU WILL NOTICE IS THE SMELL.

THOUGH IT'S HARD TO DESCRIBE, SEWAGE COMES TO MIND.

THE ODOR IS JUST ONE OF MANY PROBLEMS AT THE JAIL, ALONG WITH DETIREIORATING INFRASTRUCTURE, FILTHY COMMON AREAS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY HAZARDS TO NAME A FEW.

SHERIFF RUBIN MARTE IS FULLY AWARE OF THE ISSUES AND WANTS OTHERS AS WELL.

>> I'M OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND CLEAN ENVIRONMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THERE, IN THE JAIL.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE CONDITIONS THAT I FOUND THE JAIL IN ARE INEXCUSABLE.

I KNOW WE COULD DO BETTER THAN THAT.

>> MARTE SAYS HIS OFFICE IS STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP, DESPITE ITS BEST EFFORTS.

HE'S VOICED THOSE CONCERNS TO THE COMMUNITY JUSTICE RESPONSE COMMITTEE, A GROUP OF COUNTY OFFICIALS DISCUSSING BUILDING A NEW JAIL.

THE GROUP'S DISCUSSIONS ARE BEING LED BY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

MARTE RECOGNIZES THE NEED FOR A NEW JAIL, BUT SAYS IT'S JUST AS IMPORTANT TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING ONE.

THE JAIL IS IN A BETTER STATE THAN IT WAS IN JANUARY, WHEN MARTE DELIVERED A PRESENTATION TO THE COMMITTEE, DETAILING EXTREME FILTH AND DECAY THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY.

MARTE SAYS THERE'S STILL A LONG WAY TO GO, HOWEVER.

HE SAYS WHEN INMATES LIVE IN POOR CONDITIONS, A RIPPLE EFFECT BEGINS.

>> HOW CAN I BRING IN PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE IN NEED WHERE THEY ARE AT RIGHT NOW, IF IT'S NOT CLEAN?

HOW CAN SOMEONE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES AND WANT TO DO BETTER FOR THEMSELVES IF THE PLACE IS NOT SANITIZED AND CLEAN?

>> MARTE IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LAUNDRY ROOM, WHERE LEAKING WATER GETS SOMETIMES DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO EXPOSED WIRES.

A MAKESHIFT SHIELD HAS BEEN MADE TO DIVERT WATER AWAY FROM THE WIRES, BUT THE ROOM STILL FLOODS.

>> THERE ARE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED THAT WE CAN'T DO ON OUR OWN THAT NEED TO BE FIXED.

WHEN I MENTION SUPPORT, I MEAN THINGS I CANNOT DO ON MY OWN.

>> SPECIFICALLY MARTE SAYS HE WANTS MORE HELP FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

HE LAID BARE HIS FRUSTRATIONS IN A RECENT EMAIL IN WHICH HE SAID HE WOULD CONTINUE HIS WORK WITH OR WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT.

COMMISSIONER PENNY GIFFINS HAS PUSHED BACK AGAINST MARTE'S CRITICISMS.

>> WE ARE ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS THAT A, WE HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT; AND B, THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

>> MEANWHILE, OFFICIALS ARE OPERATING UNDER PRESSURE FROM A LAWSUIT BY THE ACLU.

KEN FAULK, THE LEGAL DIRECTOR OF THE ACLU OF INDIANA SUED MONROE COUNTY IN 2008, CHARGING CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS DUE TO OVERCROWDING AT THE JAIL.

THAT PART HAS BEEN ADDRESSED AS PART OF A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE ACLU.

THE LAWSUIT HAS NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DISMISSED, HOWEVER, AS THE DEADLINE KEEPS GETTING EXTENDED.

FOR NOW GRIFFIN SAYS THE COUNTY MUST DEMONSTRATE PROGRESS TO THE ACLU BEFORE THE NEXT DEADLINE IN JANUARY OF 2024, BUT NOT EVERYONE IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE EFFORT TO BUILD A NEW JAIL, INCLUDING MAX SMITH, A FORMER INMATE.

SMITH SPENT YEARS INCARCERATED INCLUDING AT THE MONROE COUNTY JAIL FOR DRUG POSSESSION AND RELATED CHARGES.

>> SO FOR ME, IT WAS A LIFECHANGING THING BECAUSE MY FREEDOM BEING TAKEN AWAY WAS SOMETHING I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED BEFORE.

IT WAS A PRETTY HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE, ALL OF IT.

>> TODAY SMITH WORKS AS A GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND OVERSEES THE COOPERATIVE LIVING SPACES IN BLOOMINGTON.

HE SAYS MANY INCARCERATED PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND JAILING THEM IS NOT A SOLUTION.

>> LOCKING THEM UP, IS TO ME THE WORST THING THAT WE CAN DO.

AND SO TO BUILD ANOTHER FACILITY TO DO THAT, IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S JUST THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING IN THE WORLD.

>> MANY ADDICTS RELAPSE, EVEN AFTER SERVING TIME, SMITH SAYS.

HE CREDITS HIS REHABILITATION PRIMARILY TO NEW LEAF, NEW LIFE, A LOCAL NONPROFIT THAT SUPPORTS CURRENT AND FORMER INMATES IN MONROE COUNTY.

NEW LEAF OFFERS PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE, LIFE SKILLS AND EDUCATIONAL THERAPY.

ALL TO HELP INDIVIDUALS HAVE SUCCESSFUL LIVES AFTER INCARCERATION.

SMITH SAYS THE PROGRAM CHANGED HIS LIFE, AND HOPES TO SEE CONTINUED IF A NEW JAIL IS BUILT.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE JAIL WAS LIKE PRIOR TO ME BEING IN THERE OR NEW LIFE.

I IT'S A MORE HUMANE PLACE, PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY'S INVOLVEMENT THERE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M LUCAS GONZALES.

>> WE REACHED OUT TO FORMER MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF BRAD SWAIN FOR COMMENT.

HE SAYS THE JAIL WAS DETERIORATING FOR SOME TIME AND IS SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRESS MADE UNDER HIS ADMINISTRATION.

>> SO THIS IS STALLED IN COMMITTEE.

WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE.

THE REASON IT'S STALLED IS PEOPLE JUST BASICALLY HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT HOW THEY SHOULD MOVE IT FORWARD.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THEY THINK THEY SHOULD SPLIT UP INTO SUBGROUPS.

THERE ARE FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT ONES, I BELIEVE.

AND FOR EXAMPLE, DEPUTY PROSECUTOR APRIL WILSON FELT THIS WAS A LACK OF COLLABORATION WITHIN THAT COMMITTEE.

HERE'S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

>> I THINK WE'RE ALL HERE IN GOOD FAITH TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION, TO MAKE THE SYSTEM BETTER.

SO IF WE WANT REAL JUSTICE REFORM, I THINK WE NEED TO START WORKING COLLABORATIVELY.

>> THERE'S BEEN CONTENTION AMONG THE COMMUNITY JUSTICE RESPONSE COMMITTEE THERE TOO, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE SEEN A LOT OF IN RECENT CJRC, COMMUNITY JUSTICE RESPONSE MEETINGS.

AND THIS PAST WEEK, PENNY GIFFINS WENT TOE-TO-TOE WITH WILSON WHO WE JUST HEARD FROM.

THERE ARE WAS ONE POINT IN THE MEETING IN WHICH WILSON WAS TRYING TO BASICALLY DEFER HER TIME TO SOME OF HER OTHER COLLEAGUES ON THE COMMITTEE.

GIFFINS TOOK THAT PERSONALLY.

IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS EXCLUSIVE TO JUST THAT ONE MEETING.

IT'S NOT LIKE IT WAS JUST AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.

IT'S SORT OF JUST REFLECTIVE OF THE NATURE OF THESE TALKS, THESE COMMITTEE CONVERSATIONS.

SO HERE'S NICOLE BOLDEN, ACTUALLY.

SHE TOOK ISSUE WITH THE FACT THAT RUBEN MARTE AND JENNIFER CROSLEY HAVE BEEN TARGETED BY THE COMMISSIONers' COMMENTS.

>> WHILE I HOPE THAT IT IS NOT THE INTENT OF THOSE ENGAGING IN THIS BEHAVIOR TO INDICATE ANY BIAS, THE FACT REMAINS THAT THE ONLY TWO ELECTED OFFICIALS OF COLOR IN THIS ROOM HAVE BEEN TREATED TO A HIGH LEVEL OF DISRESPECT, THAT DOES NOT TRACK WITH THE TREATMENT OF OTHERS IN THIS ROOM.

>> OKAY.

SO NOW, WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP?

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

>> YEAH, SO THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FOR AN ARCHITECTURE FIRM TO CREATE A MASTER PLAN AND BUILD A NEW FACILITY.

THEY HAVE NOT VOTED YET.

SO THAT WILL COME AT THEIR NEXT MEETING ON 22nd.

IN THE MEANTIME, THERE WILL BE AN UPCOMING CJRC MEETING BEFORE THAT.

WE WILL JUST HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE WHAT THEY TALK ABOUT THEN.

>> THANK YOU, LUCAS, SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTING.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE ARE JOINED BY LIZ DESTAN TIS FORSTANIS FOR THE LATEST HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE.

>> WASTE IMPORTED FROM THE EAST TRAIN DERAILMENT DOES NOT CONTAIN HIGH LEVELS OF DIOXANES.

DYE OX AND LEVELS ARE WITHIN WHAT THE EPA CONSIDERS AN ACCEPTABLE RANGE.

IT'S BEING SENT TO THE HERITAGE LANDFILL IN ROACHDALE, DESPITE SOME OBJECTIONS FROM THE HOOSIERS, STATE SAYS IT DOESN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PREVENT FACILITIES FROM ACCEPTING MATERIALS THEY ARE PERMITTED TO DISPOSE.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS ALL LOADS COMING TO ROACHDALE WILL CONTINUE TO BE TESTED.

>>> HOOSIERS WHO GET FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP PAY THEIR ELECTRIC AND GAS BILLS MAY FACE SHUTOFFS AFTER THIS COMING WEDNESDAY.

THAT'S WHEN THE WINTER MORATORIUM ON UTILITY DISCONNECTIONS ENDS, THE MORATORIUM ONLY APPLIES TO PEOPLE WHO EITHER RECEIVE HELP THROUGH THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR THE LOCAL E.A.P.

OFFICE NOTIFIES THE PERSON'S UTILITY THAT THEY QUALIFY.

THE FIVE MAJOR INDIANA ELECTRIC UTILITIES MORE THAN 19,000 HOUSEHOLDS HAD BILLS THAT WERE PAST DUE IN DECEMBER AND WERE ELIGIBLE FOR THE AT SIFTANCE.

MORE THAN 5 -- THE ASSISTANCE.

MORE THAN 54,000 HOOSIER HOUSEHOLDS WERE ON PAYMENT PLANS.

>>> A NEW VOLUNTARY COST SHARE PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE IN THE LAKE MONROE WATERSHED.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH HAS THE STORY.

>> FRIENDS OF LAKE MONROE WILL FUND UP TO 75% OF THE COST TO A MAXIMUM OF $10,000 TO IMPLEMENT PRACTICES LIKE PLANTING COVER CROPS, FENCING LIVESTOCK OUT OF STREAMS AND MORE.

LAKE MONROE WATERSHED COORDINATOR SAYS IT WILL FUND A FINITE WATERSHED RESIDENTS.

>> IN TERMS OF HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, IF WE CAN GET 30 OR 40, THAT WOULD BE GREAT!

IN TERMS OF HOW MANY PEOPLE WE REACH WITH EDUCATION, WE'RE HOPING THAT NUMBER IS A LOT BIGGER IN THE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS.

>> THE PROGRAM IS PART OF THE 2022 LAKE MONROE WATER SHED MANAGEMENT PLAN, WHICH AIMS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SEDIMENT, NUTRIENT, FECAL CONTAMINATION BY PURSUING MULTIPLE PROJECTS ACROSS THE WATERSHED.

THE COST SHARE PROGRAM WILL WORK PRIMARILY WITH FARMERS TO ADDRESS FECAL AND FOREIGN MATERIAL CONTAMINATION.

>> WE KNOW IT'S FARMERS SINCE THEY ARE ACTIVELY TILLING THE SOIL, OR PUTTING DOWN FERTILIZER AND ANIMALS PUTTING DOWN MANURE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T GET INTO THE WATER.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>> INTERESTED LANDOWNERS CAN LEARN MORE AT THE FRIENDS OF LAKE MONROE WEBSITE.

WITH FUNDS BEING AWARDED AS A RE-IMBURSEMENT AFTER WORK IS COMPLETED.

>>> BLOOMINGTON'S MAYOR WANTS THE CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER MAKING A PORTION OF OLD STATE ROAD 37 THAT RUNS THROUGH LOWER CASCADES PARK PEDESTRIAN ONLY.

MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON WANTS TO GET THE MATTER BEFORE THE COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR.

>> FOR MAYOR HAMILTON WHO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROPONENT OF THIS PROJECT, RECOGNIZES THAT THERE'S BEEN OPINIONS ON BOTH SIDES ABOUT WHETHER TO OPEN IT OR TO CLOSE IT.

>> HAMILTON'S REQUEST GOES AGAINST A 2021 RECOMMENDATION BY THE PARK COMMISSION TO REOPEN THE ROAD FOR MOTORISTS FOLLOWING A 15-MONTH PILOT STUDY TO EXAMINE TEMPORARY RESTRICTING IT.

THEY SAID THE CLOSURE LIMITED THEIR ACCESS TO THE PARK.

WHEELER MISSION IN BLOOMINGTON HAS OPENED A NEW SPACE ADJACENT TO ITS PROPERTY ON WEST PLEX AVENUE.

AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORT, THE EXPANSION DOES NOT INCREASE THE 116-BED CAPACITY BUT IT ADDS SPACE FOR MORE SOCIAL SERVICES AND OUTSIDE AGENCIES.

>> BLOOMINGTON WHEELER SHELTER FOR MEN HAS A NEW BUILDING.

IT PROVIDES 24-HOUR LOW BARRIER SHELTER WITH 84 BEDS, SHOWERS AND A LIVING ROOM.

THE ORIGINAL SHELTER NEXT DOOR WILL KEEP 32 BEDS FOR LONG-TERM SHELTER AND EXPAND SERVICES.

BLOOMINGTON DIRECTOR DAYNA JONES SAYS THE GROUP CAN NOW ADD AN DOWNSIDE SITE FOR HEALTH NET, WHICH PROVIDES MEDICAL CARE TWICE A WEEK AT WHEELER THE HEALTH NET WAS PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE.

IT ADDS OFFICE SPACE FOR OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS.

>> BY RENOVATING A CENTER FOR MEN, WE NOW WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THROUGH AN INTRAAGENCY WORK.

>> SEVERAL NEARBY BUSINESSES VOICED CONCERN WHEN WHEELER BOUGHT THE BUILDING IN 2021.

JONES SAYS HE'S WORKED WITH THEM AND THE CITY TO HANDLE FUTURE ISSUES.

>> THE CITY COULD HAVE INSTALLED A FENCE IN ONE AREA FOR ONE OF OUR BUSINESS OWNERS, AND GOT PRETTY ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN HELPING OUT HERE.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STARTED EARNING SOME ADDITIONAL PATROLS.

>> THE GOAL OF EXPANDING SPACE FOR SOCIAL SERVICES IS TO DECREASE CLIENT TIME IN SHELTERS.

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

>>> I.U.

ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK THAT LOCAL RECORDING ARTIST JOHN MELON CAMP IS DONATING HIS PERSONAL ARTIFACTS AND MEMORABILIA FROM HIS NEARLY HALF CENTURY LONG CAREER TO THE UNIVERSITY.

MOLLY MURPHY HAS THIS REPORT.

>> JOHN MELLENCAMP FAMOUSLY SAYING ABOUT GROWING UP IN THE SMALL TOWN OF SEYMOUR AND HE SPENT MOST OF HIS ADULT LIFE LIVING IN BLOOMINGTON.

SO THE 71-YEAR-OLD ROCKER SAYS IT DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT TO ARCHIVE HIS -- TO HOUSE HIS ARCHIVES ANY OTHER PLACE THAN HERE.

>> THIS IS WHERE I LIVED MY ENTIRE LIFE.

I ALWAYS COME BACK HERE.

AND I AM A HOOSIER.

>> THE COLLECTION WILL INCLUDE HIS CREATIVE WORKS, PHOTOGRAPHS, INSTRUMENTS AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT MEMORABILIA.

>> IT'S NOT SO MUCH, OH, LOOK, THERE ALLEGATION THE ORIGINAL WRITING OF -- THERE'S THE ORIGINAL WRITING OF "SMALL TOWN" IT'S MORE THAN THAT.

I WANT IT TO BE LIKE A LEARNING CENTER.

>> I.U.

PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN ALSO ANNOUNCED A STATUE OF MELLENCAMP WILL BE BUILT, AND HIS PAINTINGS WILL BE ATINGS WILL BE THERE.

>> THERE SHOULD BE A LOT OF MELLENCAMP MEMORABILIA.

HE RELEASED 23 STUDIO ALBUMS AND INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN 2008.

>> THANK YOU, LIZZIE.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WE'LL DISCUSS THE NUMBER OF ANTI-LGBTQ BILLS MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING ONE THAT BANS GENDER AFFIRMING CARE.

AND WE TALK WITH A WORLD WAR II VETERAN ABOUT HER TIME IN THE NAVY, AS SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO HER 106th BIRTHDAY THIS SPRING.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

INDIANA LAWMAKERS FILED ABOUT TWO DOZEN ANTI-LGBTQ BILLS THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, TRIPLING PREVIOUS YEARS.

THIS SLATE OF ANTI-LGBTQ LEGISLATION LARGELY FOLLOWS A SIMILAR TREND NATIONWIDE.

THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 350 ANTI-LGBTQ BILLS FILED SO FAR ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BILLS FILED IN INDIANA FALL INTO FOUR MAIN CATEGORIES, EDUCATION, GENDER AFFIRMING CARE BANS, PARENTAL RIGHTS AND IDENTITY DOCUMENTS, MIRRORING WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED IN RED STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE JOINED NOW BY INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCAST'S LAUREN CHAPMAN FOR MORE ON THE BILLS MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE STATEHOUSE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, LAUREN.

>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME, JOE.

>> SO A COUPLE OF BILLS MOVING FORWARD DEAL WITH GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH.

WHAT DO LEGISLATORS WANT TO ACCOMPLISH HERE?

>> YEAH, SO FIRST IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT GENDER AFFIRMING CARE IS.

IT COVERS SOCIAL, MENTAL, MEDICINAL AND SURGICAL CARE FOR THE TREATMENT OF GENDER DYSPHORIA, ALTHOUGH IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT NOT ALL TRANSGENDER PEOPLE EXPERIENCE GENDER DYSPHORIA.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, PSYCHIATRISTS, ET CETERA, RECOGNIZE THIS STRESS AS CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT.

SO THE TREATMENT IS ALSO, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

THERE ARE TWO BILLS MOVING FORWARD.

THE FIRST ONE DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO DEAL WITH TRANSGENDER TEENS.

THIS IS A BILL THAT WOULD BASICALLY LIMIT WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE.

IT WAS ORIGINALLY VERY SIMILAR TO THE ONE FOR TRANSGENDER TEENS WHERE IT BANNED MEDICINAL AND SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR INCARCERATED TRANSGENDER HOOSIERS.

HOWEVER, THE MEDICINAL BAN WAS DROPPED BECAUSE OF CONCERNS ABOUT CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT, WHICH TAKES US TO THE BAN ON GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FOR TRANSGENDER TEENS.

THE BILL ITSELF BANS A NUMBER OF TREATMENTS, SURGERIES, ET CETERA, BUT SPECIFICALLY ONLY IF THE PERSON HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH GENDER DYSPHORIA.

LAWMAKERS -- ONE OF THE MISCONCEPTIONS THAT LAWMAKERS HAVE POINTED TO IS THE CONCERN THAT TEENS AND CHILDREN IN INDIANA ARE RECEIVING GENDER AFFIRMING SURGERIES.

THAT GOES AGAINST NATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL GUIDANCE AND PROVIDERS THAT TESTIFIED, AND THAT I TALKED TO BOTH IN INDIANA AND NATIONWIDE, SIMPLY DON'T PROVIDE THAT TREATMENT IN INDIANA.

THE OTHER ASPECT IS, OF COURSE, THAT MEDICINAL COMPONENT, WHICH SPECIFICALLY TARGETS PUBERTY BLOCKERS AND HORMONE THERAPY.

THEY -- LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN POINTING TO SAFETY CONCERNS WITH PUBERTY BLOCKERS WHICH SIMPLY ARE NOT BACKED UP BY ANY SCIENCE OR STUDY.

PUBERTY BLOCKERS ALLOW PEOPLE TO PUT A PAUSE ON PUBERTY BEFORE THEY EXPERIENCE IT.

SO THEY HAVE POINTED TO THIS INEQUALITY FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH.

IT PA LOUS ALL ALLOW -- IT ALLOWS ALL OF THOSE TREATMENTS AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT IDENTIFIED ATRANSGENDER.

THEY CALLED INTO QUESTION WHY THAT WAS.

>> ARE YOU REALLY TRYING TO PROTECT CHILDREN?

OR ARE YOU ACTUALLY TRYING TO DEMONIZE CHILDREN?

>> LAUREN, WE JUST HAVE UNDER 30 SECONDS LEFT, BUT WHO IS PUSHING FOR THIS LEGISLATION?

>> THIS IS PART OF A LARGE NATIONAL PUSH THAT IS BEING DONE BY A LOT OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS.

THE ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM HAS TESTIFIED ON THE VAST MAJORITY OF ANTI-TRANS BILLS CURRENTLY BEING HEARD AT THE STATEHOUSE AND THEY ARE A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HATE GROUP THAT ARGUED FOR THE FORCED STERILIZATION FOR TRANSGENDER EUROPEANS.

>> I APPRECIATE REPORTING.

>> DOCTORS REPORTED INCREASED REPORTS OF BURN INJURIES AMONG CHILDREN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE NUMBER OF SCALED INJURIES.

THEY REPORTED ON ONE WHO WAS TREATED FOR SK SCALDS SHARED HER STORY.

>> SHE WAS SCALDED WHILE MAKING MACARONI AND CHEESE.

SHE HAD BURNS ON HER UPPER BACK AND TORSO AND HAD TO HAVE TWO DIFFERENT SKIN GRAFTING SURGERIES.

BUHLER SWIMS FOR BLOOMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL NORTH AND HAS SWUM SINCE SHE WAS EIGHT BUT SHE HAD TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER FOR THREE MONTHS AFTER SURGERY.

>> IT FELT -- WHILE BEING WEIRD, IT FELT KIND OF FREEING TO, LIKE, BE BACK IN THE WATER, AND, LIKE, BE BACK IN MY ELEMENT.

>> SHE DIDN'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT BURNS BEFORE, AND WANTS PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF WAYS TO PREVENT THEM.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR I.U.

HEALTH'S BURN UNIT SAYS THEY TREATED 60 INPATIENTS AND 180 OUTPATIENTS FOR SCALDS LAST YEAR IN THE PEDIATRIC BURN UNIT.

>> AND THE OTHER THING IS ALWAYS TURN YOUR POT HANDLES TO THE INSIDE SO KIDS CAN'T REACH UP AND GRAB THEM OR THEY GET BUMPED AND SPILL.

>> LAST MONTH WAS THE STATE SWIM MEET.

BUHLER DIDN'T GET TO COMPETE THIS TIME AROUND, BUT HAS HER EYES SET ON NEXT YEAR.

>> RECOVERY CAN BE REALLY LONG, DEPENDING ON WHAT TYPE OF BURN, BUT JUST KNOW THAT YOU ARE VERY BRAVE AND YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS.

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

>> AND IN RECOGNITION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY THIS WEEK, WE ARE BRINGING YOU THE STORY OF A WORLD WAR II VETERAN FROM SPENCER.

IN 1943, HELEN GUTHRIE ENLISTED IN THE NAVY, AND NOW AT 105 YEARS OLD, SHE CALLS HER TIME IN THE SERVICE THE BEST YEARS OF HER LIFE!

SARA WITTMEYER REPORTS.

>> PICTURES SITTING ON EVERY TABLE, SHELF, AND MANTLE IN HELEN GUTHRIE'S HOUSE SHOW PROOF OF A LIFE WELL-LIVED.

IN THE SUMMER OF 1945, GUTHRIE WAS SITTING ON THE FRONT STEPS OF HER GRANDPARENT'S HOUSE WITH A COUPLE OF NAVY RECRUITERS APPROACHED.

>> AND THEN THEY STARTED IN.

WELL, WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS JOIN THE NAVY.

I SAID, I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING.

I MIGHT AS WELL.

I MIGHT AS WELL JOIN THE NAVY.

>> GUTHRIE LEFT HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WENT TO HUNTER COLLEGE IN THE BRONX FOR INDOCTRINATION.

FROM THERE, SHE WENT TO YEOMAN'S SCHOOL AT OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY.

GUTHRIE SAYS THEY CHOSE THE TOP 40 STUDENTS FROM HER CLASS TO FORM A NEW INTELLIGENCE UNIT CALLED SPECIALIST Q.

>> EVERYBODY WOULD SAY TO ME, WHAT IN THE WORLD IS A SPECIALIST Q?

AND THEY SAID, NOW YOU TELL PEOPLE, SPECIALIST Q WAS A PERSON WHO WORKS WITH CODES AND CIPHERS.

>> SHE WORKED IN A SECURED BUILDING IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

HER SERVICE LASTED 28 MONTHS IN 1947, GUTHRIE MARRIED AN ARMY VETERAN NAMED RALPH.

THEY MOVED TO IRVINGTON AND HAD ONE CHILD NAMED GENE.

GUTHRIE LIVES WITH GENE NOW IN HIS HOME ON SOUTH SIDE OF INDIANAPOLIS.

MINUS HAVING TROUBLE WITH HER VISION, GUTHRIE IS HEALTHY.

SHE'S ACTIVE IN HER CHURCH AND THE LOCAL V.A.

>> WHEN I GO FOR MY -- TO MY DOCTOR, SHE ALWAYS SAYS, YOU'RE PERFECTLY HEALTHY.

I WILL SEE YOU IN SIX MONTHS.

>> GUTHRIE WILL TURN 106 NEXT MONTH.

>> IT'S JUST A HUMAN NATURE THAT YOU -- THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GO AS LONG AS AS YOU CAN.

>> HER ADVICE TO OTHERS, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> ENJOY LIFE.

>> JUST AS GUTHRIE SAYS, SHE ALWAYS HAS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M SARA WITTMEYER.

>>> NOW, HELEN WAS BORN IN 1917, AND IF YOU WANT TO THINK ABOUT HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED OVER HER LIFETIME, CONSIDER THIS.

IN 1917, GAS WAS 15 CENTS A GALLON.

LOAF OF BREAD 7 CENTS.

THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A CAR WAS $400.

AND THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A HOME WAS JUST $5,000.

WELL, THE NCAA WILL ANNOUNCE THE FIELDS FOR THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.

THE I.U.

WOMEN ARE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE ONE OF THE TOP FOUR SEEDS AFTER FINISHING THE SEASON 27-3 AND WINNING THE FIRST BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE 1983.

NOW INDIANA'S MEN WHO TIED FOR SECOND IN THE BIG 10 ARE PREDICTED TO BE A FOURTH SEED.

THE MEN'S TOURNAMENT BEGINS ON TUESDAY AND THE WOMEN'S ON WEDNESDAY WITH PLAY-IN GAMES.

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!

AND IT'S TIME TO SPRING FORWARD.

SO DON'T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR SATURDAY NIGHT.

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