>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THE INDIANA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM EARNED A TOP SEED FOR THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

>> TO ACTUALLY SEE THAT, THAT NUMBER ONE NEXT TO OUR NAME, I MEAN, IT'S SOMETHING THAT LOOKING BACK ON IT, YOU KNOW, I NEVER MIGHT NOT HAVE THOUGHT POSSIBLE.

>> THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS WILL BE HOSTING FIRST AND SECOND ROUND GAMES THIS WEEKEND.

>>> RURAL SCHOOLS ARE WORKING TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR POSTGRADUATE LEARNING, OFFERING MORE COLLEGE PREP AND ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES.

>> WE ARE MORE THAN A SCHOOL IN THE MIDDLE OF A CORNFIELD AND WE WANTED MORE THAN THAT REPUTATION.

>> HOWEVER, RURAL STUDENTS STILL HAVE A LOWER COLLEGE COMPLETION RATE THAN URBAN STUDENTS.

>>> AND WE LOOK AT WAYS SOME SCHOOLS ARE TRYING TO COMBAT CHILDHOOD OBESITY, WHICH SAW A SPIKE DURING THE PANDEMIC AS STUDENTS STAYED HOME.

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

>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH SITTING IN FOR JOE HREN.

DOES MIAMI, OKLAHOMA STATE, AND TEXAS TECH FANS AROUND BLOOMINGTON OR IN TOWN FOR THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

AS PAT BEANE REPORTS, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THEY WILL BE DOING IT AS THE NUMBER ONE SEED.

[ CHEERS ] >> THE INDIANA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM EARNED ITS FIRST NUMBER ONE SEED EVER WAS PRETTY MUCH A GIVEN.

AFTER ALL, THE HOOSIERS WENT 27-3, WON THEIR FIRST BIG TEN TITLE SINCE 1983, AND ARE CURRENTLY RANKED NUMBER TWO IN THE NATION.

>> WE HAD A PRETTY GOOD IDEA THAT WE WOULD PROBABLY BE A ONE SEED, BUT I THINK TO ACTUALLY SEE IT ON THE BIG SCREEN, ACTUALLY SEE THAT, THAT NUMBER ONE NEXT TO OUR NAME, I MEAN, IT'S SOMETHING THAT LOOKING BACK ON, IT YOU KNOW, I NEVER MIGHT NOT HAVE THOUGHT WAS POSSIBLE.

>> WHEN BERGER ARRIVED ON CAMPUS, THE HOOSIERS HAD BEEN TO THE TOURNAMENT TWICE SINCE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.

SINCE THEN, THEY MADE THE LAST FOUR NCAA FIELDS AND THEY WENT TO THE ELITE EIGHT AND THE SWEET 16 IN THE PAST TWO SEASONS.

>> IT'S REALLY SPECIAL.

LIKE I SAY ALL THE TIME, JUST TO SEE WHERE WE CAME FROM WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE IN 2018, TO WHERE WE ARE NOW.

IT'S DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS WHERE IT KIND OF FEELS SURREAL.

>> BERGER HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE RISE TO THE TOP, SECOND IN SCORING, FIRST IN ASSISTS AND ARGUABLY THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE TEAM.

>> FIVE YEARS AGO -- SIX YEARS AGO, MAYBE, SHE BELIEVED.

AND THIS PROGRAM, SHE BELIEVED IN ME, AND THE VISION.

AND FOR THAT, I WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES.

>> IF BERGER IS THE HEART AND SOUL, THE TEAM GETS ITS STRENGTH FROM 6'3" MACKENZIE HOLMES.

SHE AVERAGES 7.3 REBOUNDS A GAME TO LOAD THE HOOSIERS AND NAMED THE BIG TEN DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

SHE HELPED I.U.

TO A 16-2 RECORD IN THE CONFERENCE AND THE FIRST TITLE IN YEARS.

THE BIG TEN IS REALLY GOOD.

A RECORD SEVEN TEAMS MADE THE NCAA FIELD, INCLUDING A PAIR OF NUMBER TWO SEEDS AND THE NUMBER THREE SEED.

>> OBVIOUSLY THE BIG TEN IS THE BEST CONFERENCE IN THE COUNTRY.

SO WE ARE GOING AGAINST TOURNAMENT-READY TEAMS EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.

SO I THINK THAT THAT HELPS US ALONG WITH OUR PAST EXPERIENCE BEES IN THE TOURNAMENT AS WELL.

>> THIS WILL BE I.U.

'S FIFTH TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE UNDER MOREN.

IT WOULD BE SIXTH BUT THE 2020 TOURNAMENT WAS CANCELED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

SHE GUIDED I.U.

TO A WNIT TITLE IN 2018.

MOREN BECAME THE SCHOOL'S ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACH, THE NEXT WIN WILL BE THE 200th AT THE SCHOOL.

SHE'S EAGER TO GET THE TOURNAMENT GOING.

>> YOU KNOW, TO BE SELECTED FIRST, BUT ALSO TO GET THAT NUMBER ONE SEED WHICH HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN THIS PROGRAM IS, YOU KNOW, BOTH THRILLING BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE VERY HUMBLED BY IT AND JUST GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT'S AHEAD OF US.

>> THAT OPPORTUNITY COULD LEAD TO A FIRST NCAA TITLE FOR INDIANA.

MOREN SAYS IT'S UP TO THE HOOSIERS AS TO HOW FAR THEY GO IN THE TOURNAMENT.

>> BECAUSE OF THE BALANCE, BECAUSE OF THE TALENT, BECAUSE OF THE THEIR COMPETITIVENESS, HOW BUSINESS-LIKE THEY APPROACH EACH GAME, THAT, YOU KNOW, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR THIS GROUP.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK" -- >> MOORE McNEIL FOR THREE.

>> I'M PAT BEANE.

>> WE ARE JOINED ABOUT AMY METHENY.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, AMY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> IT'S BEEN 40 YEARS SINCE THE LAST BIG TEN TITLE FOR THE WOMEN.

DID YOU THINK IT WOULD TAKE THIS LONG TO SEE ANOTHER ONE?

>> UM, NO.

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME, AND AS -- WHEN WE REALIZED IT WAS 40 YEARS ONE OF MY TEAMMATES WAS LIKE IT'S BIBLICAL.

IT HAS TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

SO -- >> TERI MOREN CERTAINLY SEEMS TO HAVE BUILT A PROGRAM THAT CAN SUSTAIN SUCCESS AT I.U.

>> TERRI HAS DONE IT THE RIGHT WAY AND WHEN SHE CAME IN, SHE WAS VERY CLEAR THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

AND I HOPE PEOPLE CAN SEE, YOU KNOW, WE LIVE IN A CULTURE THAT WANTS INSTANT SUCCESS, BUT IF YOU WANT SUSTAINED SUCCESS, LIKE COACH MOREN HAS DONE, RIGHT, I THINK FOR WHAT, SEVEN, OR EIGHT YEARS AND OVER 20 WINS A YEAR, YOU HAVE TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

YOU HAVE TO BUILD A CULTURE, RIGHT?

NOT JUST A TEAM BUT YOU HAVE TO BUILD A CULTURE THAT SUSTAINED ITSELF YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HOW NEAT IS IT TO SEE THE PROGRAM NOW AT THE POINT WHERE 10,000 FANS PER GAME IS NOT OUT OF THE NORM, AND THEY EVEN SOLD OUT THE SEASON FINALE.

>> YEAH.

I -- I AM -- I DON'T HAVE WORDS TO EXPRESS IT.

I WOULD HAVE GIVEN ANYTHING TO PLAY IN FRONT OF A CROWD LIKE THIS.

I HAD SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, I THINK OUR LAST -- OUR BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, WE PLAYED AT HOME AGAINST OHIO STATE.

THIS WAS EXACTLY 40 YEARS AGO.

MARCH 11th, ACTUALLY, ONE OF MY TEAMMATES REMEMBERED THE DATE.

AND WE HAD, I THINK 25 TO 3,000 FANS WHICH WAS THE BIGGEST CROWD WE HAD HAD.

WE THOUGHT THAT WAS GREAT!

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE ALSO OVER THE YEARS HAD SEEN WHAT THE MEN COULD DO.

WE JUST KNEW IF WOMEN HAD GOT THE OPPORTUNITY, FOR PEOPLE TO SEE THE KIND OF GAME THAT THEY PLAYED, THEY WOULD LIKE IT.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, TERI HAS PUT A COACHING STAFF AND A TEAM TOGETHER THAT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE -- I'M ON THE BOARD OF INDIANA BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME AND SO, YOU KNOW, THE AVERAGE AGE IS ABOUT A DECADE OLDER THAN ME.

AND THESE ARE GUYS THAT HAVE BEEN WATCHING BASKETBALL FOREVER UNDER THE COACH KNIGHT ERA, DEFENSIVE FIRST, MOVE THE BALL, BE SMART.

AND I MEAN, THEY ARE TEXTING ME.

THEY ARE EMAILING ME GOING, THIS WOMEN'S TEAM IS AMAZING!

LIKE, THEY ARE FUN TO WATCH.

YOU KNOW?

I SAY THEY ARE LIKE WATCHING A CLINIC SOMETIMES.

THEY ARE SO SMART.

THEY DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY.

YOU JUST HAVE TO CHEER FOR THEM.

THEY ARE JUST GREAT KIDS!

THEY REALLY ARE.

>> COACH MOREN SAYS THE SKY'S THE LIMIT FOR THIS TEAM.

HOW FAR IN THE TOURNAMENT DO YOU SEE THEM GOING?

>> WELL, I TELL YOU WHAT, THAT NUMBER TWO OVERALL SEED IS -- WAS EARNED THIS YEAR.

AND A HEALTHY TEAM, YOU KNOW, IT ALWAYS TAKES A LITTLE LUCK AND YOU NEVER KNOW, BUT WE'RE BUILT TO -- AS TERI SAID, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT, BECAUSE WE ARE A DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM AND WE CAN GET STOPS IF WE NEED TO.

WE HAVE MULTIPLE PEOPLE.

SO IF WE ARE HEALTHY ACROSS THE BOARD, WE CAN BEAT -- THIS TEAM CAN COMPETE WITH ANYBODY.

>> AMY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.

THANKS FOR COVERING THE WOMEN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND DON'T FORGET THE I. U.

MEN'S TEAM PLAYS AS NCAA FIRST ROUND GAME TONIGHT AGAINST 13th 13th SEEDED KENT STATE IN ALBANY, NEW YORK.

>>> FOR SOME RURAL SCHOOLS ARE OFTEN VIEWED AS INFERIOR TO THE URBANIZED COUNTERPARTS BUT EVEN THOUGH A TEACHER SHORTAGE AND TIGHTENING BUDGETS RURAL SCHOOLS IN INDIANA ARE WORKING HARD TO GIVE STUDENTS A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE IN INDIANA IS EVOLVING AND NOT JUST IN LARGER SCHOOLS.

WEST WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL IN CAMPBELLSBURG HAS AN ENROLLMENT OF 265.

THAT'S AN AVERAGE OF 66 STUDENTS PER GRADE.

IT'S ALSO ABOUT AS RURALLY LOCATED AS YOU CAN IMAGINE WITH THE SCHOOL SITTING IN THE VAST SWATH OF FARMLAND.

>> WE ARE MORE THAN JUST A SCHOOL IN THE MIDDLE OF A CORNFIELD AND WE WANTED MORE THAN THAT REPUTATION.

IF I'M GOING TO TEACH MY KIDS JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE IN WEST WASHINGTON, DESERVE JUST AS GOOD AN EDUCATION AS IF THEY ARE SITTING IN CARMEL, INDIANA.

>>> WEST WASHINGTON HAS BEEN ADDING TO THE COLLEGE PERHAP FOR YEARS AND NOW HOME TO A VARIETY OF PATHWAYS THAT STUDENTS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE?

THE INDIANA COLLEGE PROGRAM, AND PATHWAYS LIKE BUSINESS AND MARKETING, TV AND RADIO, HEALTH SCIENCES OR PREENGINEERING ABOUND!

LOOKING TO JOIN A TRADE?

CHECK OUT THE IN-HOUSE VOCATIONAL PROGRAM WITH OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS TO GET HANDS ON WITH WORKING IN A GREENHOUSE, GETTING THEIR COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE, AND SOON WORKING AS DIESEL MECHANICS.

>> I HAVE PREACHED AND PREACHED AND PREACHED TO MY CLASSES DON'T GO OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL AND THINK THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET INTO THE JOB FIELD AND IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY.

YOUR PARENTS MIGHT HAVE DONE IT.

IT'S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT WORLD BACK THEN.

>> AND IN A TIME OF TEACHER SHORTAGES AND TIGHTENING BUDGETS, IT'S SURPRISE THAT THEY CAN HAVE THIS MANY OFFERINGS FOR STUDENTS.

IT'S THANKS TO PARTNERSHIPS WITH AREA UNIVERSITIES AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES, AS WELL AS THE DEDICATED STAFF THAT MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE.

>> OUR SCHOOL IS UNIQUE IN THE WAY THAT IT'S SET UP BECAUSE WE HAVE A STAFF THAT REALLY STRIVES FOR EXCELLENCE IN THEMSELVES, AND I THINK THIS PUSHES ON TO THE STUDENTS.

IT IS A TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT THERE.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS SCHOOLS FACE IS HAVING FACULTY WITH THE RIGHT QUALIFICATIONS TO TEACH COLLEGE LEVEL COURSES.

I.U.

AND OTHER UNIVERSITIES HAVE PROGRAMS IN PLACE THAT ALLOW TEACHERS TO GET ACCREDITED AT NO CHARGE TO THEM.

>> SOMETIMES A TEACHER MIGHT JUST NEED SIX OR NINE GRADUATE HOURS TO HAVE I A MASTER'S AND WORK ALREADY.

SOME TEACHERS NEED AN ENTIRE MASTER'S DEGREE.

>> IN EITHER CASE, I.U.

WILL FOOT THE BILL TO GET MORE DUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES INTO HIGH SCHOOLS.

>> WE HAVE ROUGHLY 800, 850 HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS, TEACHING OUR DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM, WHICH IS CALLED THE ADVANCED COLLEGE PROJECT, A.C.P.

THEY ARE LOCATED IN ABOUT 290 HIGH SCHOOLS, AND WE SERVE EACH YEAR ABOUT 20,000 STUDENTS.

>> SINCE UNIVERSITIES STARTED OFFERING DUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES IN 1982, MORE AND MORE SCHOOLS HAVE SWITCHED FROM THE POPULAR A.P.

PROGRAM.

DUAL CREDIT DIFFERS FROM THE A.P.

PROGRAM IN THAT STUDENTS RECEIVE THE CREDIT ON WHETHER THEY PASS OR FAIL THE COURSE.

IN A.P., STUDENTS MUST PASS AN EXAM AT THE END OF THE COURSE TO GET THE CREDIT.

>> ONE THE REASONS DUAL CREDIT HAS GROWN OVER THE PAST 10 TO 15 YEARS, IN PARTICULAR, IS THIS ASPECT THAT FOR SOME STUDENTS AN A.P.

EXAM MIGHT BE TOO HIGH OF A HIGH STAKES OF AN EXPERIENCE.

>> THE OTHER DIFFERENCE IS THAT TEACHERS NEED TO BE MORE ACCREDITED TO TEACH DUAL CREDIT CLASSES.

USUALLY, THAT WOULD BE A HURDLE FOR SMALLER SCHOOLS TO GET OVER.

BUT THANKS TO A.C.P., THE DOOR IS OPEN FOR TEACHERS IN THE STATE TO BRING DUAL CREDIT OPTIONS TO THEIR CLASSROOMS.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT IF EARNING THE INDIANA COLLEGE CORE PROVIDES STUDENTS AN ADVANTAGE, THEN WE THINK THAT ADVANTAGE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS.

>> STILL, THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT SOME RURAL SCHOOLS RUN INTO WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDING OPTIONS TO STUDENTS.

>> THERE'S A LOWER COLLEGE COMPLETION RATE IN MANY RURAL PARTS OF INDIANA.

SO IF I WANT TO FIND SOMEBODY WHO COULD BE DUAL CREDITS CERTIFIED IF PHYSICS OR CHEMISTRY, I WILL HAVE A TOUGHER ISSUE DOING THAT, JUST BECAUSE I HAVE LESS PEOPLE WHO HAVE A BACHELOR'S.

>> THE INDIANA SMALL AND RURAL SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION IS AN ADVOCACY GROUP FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THAT STATEWIDE EDUCATION POLICIES AREN'T LEAVING OUT THE LITTLE GUYS.

THE ORGANIZATION STAYS BUSY, CONSIDERING HOW MANY PARTS OF THE STATE FALL UNDER THEIR UMBRELLA.

>> WE DID A REVIEW A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND 220 OUT OF THE 290 DISTRICTS HAVE SOME PART OF THE DISTRICT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CLASSIFIES AS RURAL.

>> WHILE WEST WASHINGTON HAS FAIRED WELL THROUGH THE TEACHER SHORTAGE, MANY SCHOOLS HAVE NOT.

FIGHTING THAT ISSUE, AS WELL AS ENSURING SCHOOLS HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING IS A FREQUENT BATTLE.

>> WE DO HAVE TO GET MORE CREATIVE IN WAYS TO PROVIDE CONTENT.

YOU KNOW, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME SPECIALIZED FUNDING BECAUSE WE DO KNOW IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE TO EDUCATE KIDS IN A LOW DENSITY AREA.

>> IN THE END, IT'S ALL ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE PREPARED AS POSSIBLE FOR THE NEXT STEP IN THEIR LIVES.

>> I THINK THAT IT'S JUST BEEN AN INCREDIBLE THING FOR OUR COMMUNITY, OUR STUDENTS, AND IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY I WISH I WOULD HAVE HAD BACK IN THE DAY.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS ISSUED NEW GUIDELINES TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND WE LOOK AT HOW SCHOOLS ARE DOING THEIR PART.

>>> AND GO BEHIND THE SCENES AS I.U.

'S MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND ARCHAEOLOGY PREPARES TO OPEN ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC THIS FALL.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE BLOOMINGTON BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS HAS DENIED AGAIN TURNING POINT U.S.A.'S APPLICATION TO PAINT THE PHRASE "ALL LIVES MATTER" DOWNTOWN.

THE 3-0 VOTE CAME AFTER THE CITY UPDATED THE POLICY ON PUBLIC ARTS RULE.

THE UPDATE CAME AFTER A FEDERAL JUDGE RULED THE CITY LIKELY VIOLATED TURNING POINT'S FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS THE FIRST TIME IT DENIED THE APPLICATION.

PRESIDENT OF TURNING POINT U.S.A. AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY KYLE REYNOLDS SAYS HE PLANS TO RAISE THE MATTER IN FEDERAL COURT A SECOND TIME.

ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO SPOKE IN OPPOSITION SAYS THE PHRASE "ALL LIVES MATTER" DIMINISHING RACIAL INEQUALITY AN OPPRESSION.

>> ALLOWING AN "ALL LIVES MATTER" MURAL TO BE PRINTED ON PUBLIC PROPERTY WOULD BE AN INSULT AND WOULD CONSTITUTE OPPRESSION TO ANY MINORITY POPULATION.

>> IN 2020, AND 2021, THE BOARD APPROVED REQUESTS TO DISPLAY THREE BLACK LIVES MATTER STREET MURALS AROUND TOWN.

>>> A BILL TO MAKE IT EASIER TO COURTCOURT-MARTIAL AND PUNISH INDIANA GUARD TROUPES IS HEADING TO THE -- TROOPS IS HEADING TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

MOST OF THE CONTROVERSY CENTERS ON A PROVISION TAKING AWAY TROOPS RIGHTS TO REQUEST A COURT-MARTIAL WHEN FACED WITH ADMINISTRATIVE PUNISHMENTS FOR LOWER LEVEL OFFENSES.

DESTINY WILLIAMS TESTIFIED IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.

>> I HAVE SEEN THEM AT THEIR BEST AND I HAVE SEEN THEM AT THEIR WORST.

AND I THINK THAT WE ALWAYS HAVE TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR THE WORST BECAUSE WE OWE THAT TO SOLDIERS AND SERVICE MEMBERS.

AND THE WORST IS THAT YOU HAVE A COMMANDER WHO ABUSES THE PROCESS.

>> THE GOVERNOR CAN NOW SIGN THE BILL, VETO IT, OR LET IT BECOME LAW WITHOUT HIS SIGNATURE.

>>> SO FAR INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON POLICE HAVE RECORDED 24 RAPE REPORTS FOR THE 2022 AND 2023 ACADEMIC YEAR.

THAT ALREADY MATCHES THE COUNT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND EXCEEDS THE NUMBER OF REPORTS FROM EACH OF THE LAST SIX YEARS.

REPORTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT HAVE BEEN ON THE RISE AT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SINCE 2009, THOUGH THEY DECLINED DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN MORE CLASSES MOVED ONLINE.

>>> INDIANA IS CLOSER THAN EVER TO PUTTING SPEED CAMERAS IN A FEW HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONES ACROSS THE STATE.

A BILL TO CREATE A PILOT PROGRAM IS JUST A COUPLE OF STEPS AWAY FROM THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

THE PROGRAM WOULD SET UP CAMERAS IN FOUR HIGHWAY WORK SITES.

DRIVERS WOULD BE TICKETED IF THEY GO AT LEAST 11 MILES PER HOUR OVER THE LIMIT, ONLY WHEN WORKERS ARE PRESENT.

THE BILL IS HEADED FOR THE SENATE FLOOR.

>>> THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS HAS PUBLISHED NEW STANDARDS TORE TREATING CHILDHOOD OBESITY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN TEN YEARS GIVING THE OKAY FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND SURGERY.

DOCTORS SAY THE GUIDE LINES ADD MUCH NEEDED TOOLS FOR TREATMENT, BUT AS OUR BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, THERE'S MORE TO BE DONE TO PREVENT THE RISING RATES OF THE DISEASE.

>> ELEMENTARY STUDENTS FROM INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS RUN THROUGH THE OBSTACLE COURSES AT ULTIMATE NINJAS INDIANAPOLIS AND THE HAMILTON COUNTY SPORTS COMPLEX.

THIS GROUP COMES ONCE WEEKLY, AND THREE OTHER GROUPS OF I.P.

S. STUDENTS COME ON OTHER WEEKDAYS.

DENAY, A FOURTH GRADER SAYS SHE LIKES THE MONKEY BARS AT ULTIMATE NINJAS AND WISHES SHE COULD FIT THE WHOLE AREA IN HER BACK YARD.

>> I LIKE COMING HERE BECAUSE IT'S, LIKE, FUN, AND YOU LOVE -- YOU LIKE TO SEE, LIKE, YOUR OTHER FRIENDS.

AND THERE'S MANY DIFFERENT COURSES OVER HERE.

LIKE, THEY ARE ALL VERY FUN.

>> HER P.E.

TEACHER ANDREW BARTOW LICHI SAYS AFTER THE SPARK IN WEIGHT AFTER THE PANDEMIC, PROGRAMS LIKE THIS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.

>> WE HAD A COUPLE OF STUDENTS WHO CAME BACK PREDIABETIC.

>> THEY TRY TO CREATE ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE ATHLETIC TRAINING.

>> THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL SPORTS THAT YOU WOULD FINE IN A MIDDLE SCHOOL OR A HIGH SCHOOL LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOUR BASKETBALL TEAMS, YOUR SOCK SOCCER TEAMS.

>> HE SEES THEM AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE BY.

MEDICATION AND SURGERY FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH SEVERE OBESITY.

DR. SARA NARAMORE WORLD TRADE CENTER RILEY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SAYS THES FOR OBESITY OR COMPLEX AND CAN'T BE DISTRIBUTED TO ONE FACTOR LIKE DIET OR EXERCISE.

THE HOSPITALS HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO INCORPORATE THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS OWN MEDICATION AND SURGERY, THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN USING MEDICATION OFF LABEL FOR YEARS.

NARAMORE SAYS THE NEW GUIDELINES HELP DESTIGMATIZE TREATMENT AND MANY PHYSICIANS WILL BE ABLE TO PRESCRIBE MEDICATIONS MORE EASILY.

>> WE HAVE BEEN USING A VARIETY OF MEDICATIONS, NOW WITH THEM FDA APPROVAL, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE MORE MEDICATIONS MORE OFTEN.

HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO TREAT A FEW MORE PATIENTS.

>> MATCHING THE NEW STANDARDS, THIS YEAR THE FDA APPROVED THE USE OF WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATIONS FOR KIDS AS YOUNG AS 12, WITH A B.M.I.

IN THE 95th PERCENTILE FOR THEIR AGE AND SEX.

AND THE STANDARDS RECOMMEND BARIATRIC SURGERY BE CONSIDERED FOR KIDS AS YOUNG AS 16 IF THEY HAVE A B.M.I.

IN THE 95th 95th PERCENTILE.

>> IT'S ONE DATA POINT WE WILL USE, BUT NOT THE ONLY CONSIDERATION.

WE WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT MUSCLE MASS AND HOW ACTIVE KIDS ARE, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF.

>> NARAMORE SAYS THESE ARE NECESSARY TOOLS FOR TREATING OBESITY, BECAUSE OF THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS THE DISEASE CAN HAVE ON QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> THE KIDS MAY HAVE SNORING.

THEY MAY WAKE UP THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND JUST NOT FEEL REAL RESTED FOR THE DAY.

AND BOTH OF THOSE THEN IMPACT THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.

SO MAYBE HARDER FOR THEM TO FOCUS DURING THE DAY AS WELL.

AND THEN AS THEY GET OLDER, THEY ARE AT A HIGH RISK FOR OTHER COMPLICATIONS.

>> THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS STUDY SHOWS THAT EARLY INTERVENTIONS WITH SURGERY AND MEDICINE DO HELP KIDS LOSE WEIGHT AND PREVENT THE HEALTH LISTS THAT ACCOMPANY OBESITY.

BUT THE TREATMENTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE.

ABOUT 60% OF THE PATIENTS IN RILEY'S WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ARE ON MEDICAID, WHICH DOESN'T COVER THE WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS OR THE SURGERY.

SOME CAN COST MORE THAN $1,600 PER MONTH BEFORE INSURANCE.

THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS 1 IN 6 HOOSIER CHILDREN ARE CLASSIFIED AS OBESE, ABOUT 65% OF HOOSIER ADULTS ARE OVERWEIGHT.

JULIE BURNS AT JUMPING FOR HEALTHY KIDS SAYS MORE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR HEALTH INITIATIVES ARE NEEDED OR MORE CHILDREN WILL CONTINUE TO BE DIAGNOSED.

>> IT BECOMES REALLY IMPORTANT TO HELP FAMILIES AND KIDS UNDERSTAND THE BASICS ABOUT NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, REALLY FROM ABOUT THE TIME THEY ARE BORN, UNTIL THEY ARE 14.

THAT'S OUR BEST OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE AND HELP THEM CREATE THE HEALTHY HABITS.

>> SHE'S HOPEFUL MORE RESOURCES WILL BE GEARED TOWARDS PREVENTION AS LAWMAKERS DISCUSS PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING AT THE STATEHOUSE THIS SESSION.

I.P.S.

WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR NONTRADITIONAL SPORTING ACTIVITIES TO OFFER KIDS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AS A WAY OF SHOWING THEM WHAT IS AVAILABLE.

>> THIS IS AI PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS FOR -- A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS FOR ANY KID, ANY SIZE, OR SHAPE, ALLOW THEM TO FIND SUCCESS AND ALL OF MY STUDENTS HAVE FOUND SUCCESS AND HAVE PERSEVERED AND SMILED AND LAUGHED AND HAD A GREAT TIME HERE.

THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO ALL KIDS, NO MATTER WHAT DISTRICT THEY LIVE, IN NO MATTER WHAT CITY THEY LIVE IN, JUST BECAUSE THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS SO IMPORTANT.

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

>> INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS USE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS TO HELP PAY FOR THE TIME SPENT AT ULTIMATE NINJAS.

>>> I.U.

'S MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND ARCHAEOLOGY IS OPENING THIS OCTOBER.

IT WILL HAVE OVER 5 MILLION ARTIFACTS.

SARA MOLINA HAS THIS.

>> THE MUSEUM IS ORGANIZED IN AN INSIDE OUT APPROACH, SAYS THE DIRECTOR.

THIS MEANS THE VISITORS WILL HAVE BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACCESS TO COLLECTIONS, VIRTUAL REALITY OPPORTUNITIES AND PROGRAMMING SPACES FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.

>> WHEN PEOPLE VISIT US, WE HOPE THAT WE CAN OFFER THEM NEW WAYS OF THINKING ABOUT NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, QUOTE/UNQUOTE OTHER PEOPLE, BUT ALSO ABOUT HOW WE OURSELVES ARE REFLECTIONS OF, AGAIN, OUR CULTURAL ENVIRONMENTS, YOU NO HE?

>> THE -- YOU NO HE.

>> THE PRIMARY EXHIBIT IS A VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE, GIVING VISITORS A CHANCE TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES INTO THE HISTORIC ANGEL MOUNDS WHICH DATE BACK TO 1250 AS MANY AS 1250 C.E.

THE THERE'S ANCIENT CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES, INSTRUMENTS AND MORE.

MOST OBJECTS ARE CONTAINED IN GLASS CASES TO HIGH WILL LIGHT THEMES FROM CERTAIN I.U.

CLASSES.

THE LOWER FLOOR FEATURES COLLECTIONS OF ARTIFACTS STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE CATEGORIZING INTO THE MUSEUM'S ARCHAEOLOGY LAB.

BECAUSE THE I.U.M.A.A.

IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE GLEN A.

BLACK LABORATORY OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE MATHERS MUSEUM OF WORLD CULTURES, IT STRIVES TO BRING PUBLIC AUDIENCES TOGETHER WITH THE INDIGENOUS DESCENDANTS OF FEATURED ARTIFACTS.

>> WE OPENED UP THE INSTITUTION TO NOT JUST OUR AUDIENCES, TO COME AND SEE IT, BUT ALSO TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THEIR LEGACIES REPRESENTED HERE.

AND THAT'S WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO US.

>> THE MUSEUM WILL FEATURE AN AUDITORIUM FOCUSED ON EDUCATION, WHERE IT WILL HOST WORKSHOPS TO EXPLAIN ARTIFACTS TO VISITORS.

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

>>> UNTIL IT OPENS IN THE FALL, THE MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY IS OFFERING TOURS TO CLASSES WHILE IT CONTINUES TO PREPARE EXHIBITS.

>>> 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.

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