>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA LAWMAKERS ARE WRAPPING UP THE 2023 SESSION WITH THE NEW STATE BUDGET FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

AND NOT EVERYONE IS HAPPY.

>> I MEAN, EXPANSION OF VOUCHERS AT THAT MAGNITUDE IS DESPICABLE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.

>> AHEAD, WE WILL LOOK AT SOME OF THE NEW LAWS GOING IN THE BOOKS.

>>> BLOOMINGTON OFFICIALS ARE FACING PUSHBACK FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT PLANS TO CLOSE THE STRETCH OF ROAD THROUGH LOWER CASCADES PARK ON THE CITY'S NORTH SIDE.

>> WHAT IS IT HURTING?

WHAT GOAL DO YOU HAVE FOR CLOSING IT DOWN?

>> THE MAYOR HOPES TO DELIVER FINAL PLANS ON THE PROJECT TO CITY COUNCIL BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

>>> AND WE SIT DOWN WITH FORMER BLOOMINGTON COUNCILWOMAN CHARLOTTE ZITLO WHOSE NEW BOOK EXPLORES THE DEMOCRATIC'S PARTY RISE TO POWER IN THE 1971 ELECTION.

WE WILL HAVE TEASE THESE STORIES AND NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK"!

>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M JOE HREN.

INDIANA LAWMAKERS WRAPPED UP THE 2023 SESSION IN THE EARLY HOURS THIS MORNING, WITH THE PASSAGE OF A TWO-YEAR, $44.5 BILLION SPENDING PLAN.

REPUBLICANS HAILED THE SESSION AS ONE THAT SAW GENERATIONAL INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

DEMOCRATS AND EDUCATORS DECRIED THE INCREASE IN THE STATE'S SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM.

THE BUDGET PASSED LARGELY ALONG PARTY LINES AND HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK FOR SIGNING.

WE ARE JOINED NOW BY OUR STATE HOUSE REPORTER BRANDON SMITH FOR MORE ON THE BUDGET AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR HOOSIERS.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I KNOW, BRANDON, YOU HAD A LATE NIGHT LAST NIGHT.

>> YES, I THINK IT'S ONE BIG BLUR, DAY AND NIGHT.

>> LET'S START WITH EDUCATION, THE SCHOOL VOUCHERS BEING A BIG TALKING POINT.

>> THE DRAMATIC SCHOOL VOUCHER EXPANSION MEANS A FAMILY OF FOUR EARNINGS UP TO $220,000 IS NOW ELIGIBLE TO GET TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO HELP PAY FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS WITH NO OTHER GUARDRAILS OR RESTRICTIONS.

THAT ATE UP A BIG CHUNK OF THE EDUCATION FUNDING INCREASE CAUSING SENATE REPUBLICANS TO BALK AND THAT ULTIMATELY LED TO AN ADDITIONAL $312 MILLION FOR K-12 SCHOOLS.

OF COURSE, DEMOCRATS LIKE GREG PORTER TAKENNED TAKENNED -- CONTINUED TO RAIL AGAINST VOUCHER SPENDING.

>> EXPANSION OF VOUCHERS AT THAT MANAGE ANYTUDE ANY -- MAGNITUDE IS DESPICABLE.

>> ERIC HOLCOMB DIDN'T GET EVERYTHING THAT HE WANTED.

WHAT WAS IN THE FINAL BUDGET?

>> WELL, THE FINAL FUNDING NUMBER FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH OVERHAUL IS $225 MILLION.

MUCH LESS THAN HOLCOMB AND HIS PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION WANTED BUT IT STILL AMOUNTS TO A PRETTY GOOD START AND CAN BE USED TO HELP PROVE THAT THE PARADIGM SHIFT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, AS REPUBLICAN SENATOR ED SHARBONO PUT IT, IS WORTH FUNDING IN THE FUTURE.

>> IT WILL NEVER CHANGE.

WE WILL NEVER BEND THAT CURVE UNTIL WE START TREATING PEOPLE PREVENTING THEM FROM GETTING SICK.

>> LEGISLATORS ALSO GAVE THEMSELVES AND OTHER OFFICIALS A RAISE.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT?

>> YES, THAT WAS A SURPRISE AT THE END OF THE SESSION, SHOWING UP IN THE PUBLIC WITHOUT PUBLIC DISCUSSION OR DEBATE.

STATE-WIDE ELECTS OFFICIALS IN PARTICULAR WILL GET A BIG PAY RAISE, 39 TO 60% MORE.

SENATE REPUBLICANS WHO WERE THE ONES WHO PUT IT IN THE BUDGET SAYS IT'S A LONG IGNORED ISSUE THAT NEEDED TO BE RIGHT SIZED.

>> A MEASURE TO DEFEND THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY KINSEY INSTITUTE ALSO MADE IT INTO THE FINAL BUDGET WHAT DOES THAT DO?

>> IT SAYS NO PUBLIC FUNDING CAN BE USED FOR KINSEY INSTITUTE.

THERE'S A REAM FOUNDER ABOUT -- REAL QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THEY CAN TRACK WHAT DO WILL A ARES ARE BEING USED.

>> AND HOW DID THE PARTY LEADERS REACT TO THE INN TOOAL FINAL BUDGET.

>> THE REPUBLICANS SAID THEY WERE THRILLED WITH THE GENERATIONAL INVESTMENTS WHILE THE DEMOCRATS FOCUSED HEAVILY ON THE VOUCHER SPENDING AND THE FACT THAT LAWMAKERS DID NOT FULLY FUND PUBLIC AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.

>> ALL RIGHT, BRANDON THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND ALL OF YOUR REPORTING THIS SESSION.

>>> A BILL THAT WOULD LIMIT DISCUSSION OF HUMAN SEXUALITY AND PRE-K THROUGH THIRD GRADE AND WOULD REQUIRE TEACHERS TO NOTIFY PARENTS IF A STUDENT CHANGES THEIR NAME OR PRONOUNS PASSES ON TO THE GOVERNOR.

SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENTS THROUGHOUT THE SESSION CHANGED THE LANGUAGE TO SOLELY PROHIBIT HUMAN SEXUALITY, WHICH MEANT OPPONENTS SAY IS A VAGUE DEFINITION.

OPPONENTS ARGUE THE BILL IS HARMFUL TO LGBTQ YOUTH AND WILL CREATE A CHILLING EFFECT FOR TEACHERS AND WHAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO DISCUSS.

>>> A BILL THAT AIMS TO CUT TIES BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WITH CERTAIN E.S.G.s IS ALSO HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

E.S.G.s ARE POLICIES THAT CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL OR SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THEIR INVESTMENTS.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, LAWMAKERS HAVE DEBATED WHETHER THE BILL WOULD KEEP POLITICS OUT OF THE STATE POSSESSIONS OR ADD IT IN.

>> THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE THE STATE TREASURER TO MAKE A LIST OF FINANCIAL INVESTMENT MANAGERS WITH E.S.G.s AND PROVIDE EVIDENCE AS TO WHY THE STATE SHOULDN'T INVEST THE PENSION FUNDS WITH THEM.

WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS, THE INDIANA PUBLIC RETIREMENT SYSTEM THEN WOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THOSE MANAGERS.

THE AUTHOR OF THE BILL, REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE ETHAN MANNING SAYS THIS IS DISCRIMINATING AGAINST INDIANA BUSINESSES LIKE COAL COMPANIES AND FIREARM MAKERS.

>> E.S.G.

SUPPRESSES A FREE MARKET BY TARGETING INDUSTRIES FOR WHAT THEY ARE, WITHOUT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPACT ON FINANCIAL RETURNS, WHICH IS WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE FOCUSED ON.

>> BUT DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE RYAN HATFIELD SAYS IF IT PASSES, STATE PENSIONERS WILL SUFFER FOR A POLITICAL MESSAGE.

HE QUESTIONED WHY THE HOUSE VOTED DOWN AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED THE STATE TO LOOK AT THE RATE OF RETURN ON E.S.G.

INVESTMENTS.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT MESSAGE THAT NO MATTER WHAT WE DID IN THIS BUILDING, THAT WE WERE GOING TO PROTECT HOOSIER RETIREES.

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

>> ANOTHER BILL HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK WOULD PROVIDE STATE FUNDING FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES IN DISTRICTS WHERE TEACHERS CAN CARRY FIREARMS.

REPRESENTATIVE BILL LUCAS IS THE BILL'S AUTHOR, AND A PREVIOUS COMMIT DISCUSSION OF THE BILL, HE SAID HE WANTS TO AVOID MANDATES BUT WANTS TO OFFER THIS OPTION AS A WAY FOR TEACHERS WHO DO CARRY TO FEEL SAFER.

>>> THIS TRAINING CLASS 40 PLUS HOURS IS DESIGNED TO TAKE THE AVERAGE PERSON ON THE STREET AND GET THEM TO A LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION, THEY WILL AT LEAST HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES AND THOSE AROUND THEM IF THEY SO CHOOSE.

>> OPPONENTS OF THE BILL ARGUE THAT HAVING MORE GUNS IN SCHOOLS COULD DECREASE SAFETY FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF.

>>> SUPPORTERS HELD A PRAYER CIRCLE AT MARTINSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL FOR LOCAL EDUCATOR WHO CAME UNDER FIRE AFTER DISCUSSING SENSITIVE CURRICULUM MATERIAL, AND A SECRETLY RECORDED VIDEO RELEASED NATIONWIDE.

ETHAN SAND WEISS SAND SANDWEISS REPORTS.

>> THE VIDEO WAS TAPED BY ACTIVISTS POSING AS PARENT WHILE WORKING FOR ACCURACY IN MEDIA.

THE VIDEO WAS LATER BROADCAST ON FOX NEWS.

ONE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS IN THE VIDEO WAS JENNY OAKLEY, DIRECTOR FOR eLEARNING AND LITERACY AT THE METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MARTINSVILLE.

>> WE WANT THIS IN OUR CURRICULUM.

SO IF YOU COULD JUST NOT SAY SPECIFICALLY THIS, THEN IT WON'T CAUSE A RED FLAG WITH THE COMMUNITY AND I HATE THAT WE HAVE TO DO THAT, ARE BUT THAT WAY IT'S STILL THERE AND THEY WOULD SUPPORT IT, IF JUST THE CONTENT WAS THERE.

IT'S THE TITLE.

>> THE CLIP DIDN'T INCLUDE THE QUESTION POSED TO OAKLEY OR SPECIFY WHAT CONTENT SHE WAS REFERRING TO.

BUT SOME ON THE INTERNET INTERPRETED IT AS DECEPTION AGAINST PARENTS IN AN ENDORSEMENT OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

>> WE ARE UNDER ATTACK FOR "TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD" AND I COULD GO ON AND ON.

THOSE HAVE NOW COME HOME TO ROOST HERE.

>> SOME WERE DISTURBED BY THE CONTENT OF THE VIDEO.

>> SEEING THAT VIDEO, I FEEL THAT PARENTS ARE.

>> I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>>> TWO OF THE SIX EDUCATORS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE SECRETLY TAPED MEETING HAVE BEEN PLACED ON SUSPENSION BY THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>>> THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IS FACING PUSHBACK FROM BLOOMINGTON RESIDENTS OVER PLANS TO ALTER TRAFFIC PATTERNS THROUGH LOWER CASCADES PARK ON THE CITY'S NORTH SIDE.

LUCAS GONZALEZ EXPLAINS THE HISTORY AND THE REASONS BEHIND THE EFFORT.

>> BLOOMINGTON RESIDENT DEE ROBERTSON HAS VISITED THE PARK FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

ROBERTSON, A NATIVE OF UPSTATE NEW YORK SAYS THE PARK REMINDS HER OF HOME.

>> TO ME, IT'S A PRECIOUS PLACE.

IT'S ALMOST A SACRED PLACE.

>> MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON, WANTS CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER CLOSING A HALF MILE STRETCH OF OLD STATE ROAD 37 BETWEEN CLUB HOUSE DRIVE AND NORTH COLLEGE AVENUE TO DRIVERS.

THAT PART OF THE ROAD, WHICH RUNS THROUGH THE PARK, INSTEAD WOULD BE USED AS A TRAIL FOR BIKERS AND PEDESTRIANS.

>> I'M GOING TO BE RECOMMENDING THAT WE CLOSE THE ROAD TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, EITHER COMPLETELY OR 95% OF THE TIME IF WE WANT TO HAVE OCCASIONAL USE, THAT MAY BE POSSIBLE.

>> THE IDEA IS NOT A NEW ONE.

IN 2020, THE CITY CONDUCTED A PILOT STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF TEMPORARILY RESTRICTING PART OF THE ROAD TO DRIVERS.

RESIDENTS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED LEAVING THE ROAD OPEN, WHICH IS WHAT THE CITY'S BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS ALSO RECOMMENDED.

ROBERTSON SAYS SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE POINT OF REVISITING THE ISSUE.

ROBERTSON IS A CARE TAKER AND FREQUENTLY WORKS WITH HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUALS.

SHE SAYS BRINGING HER PATIENTS TO LOWER CASCADES IS THERAPEUTIC AND SHE'S WORRIED ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO DO THAT ANYMORE.

>> WHAT IS IT HURTING?

WHAT GOAL DO YOU HAVE FOR CLOSING IT DOWN?

WE ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH PARKS.

EVERY OTHER PARK YOU CANNOT DRIVE THROUGH.

>> THE PROPOSED CLOSURE IS PART OF THE CITY'S PLAN TO ESTABLISH A BIKER PEDESTRIAN PATH RUNNING THROUGH LOWER CASCADES AND UP TO GRIFFY LAKE NATURE PRESERVE.

THE CITY HAS CONSIDERED DIFFERENT PLANS FOR ACCOMPLISHING THAT, INCLUDING ONE TO CLOSE A SINGLE LANE OF STATE ROAD 37 TO VEHICLES AND CONVERTING THE OTHER ONE INTO A BIKE OR PEDESTRIAN PATH.

HAMILTON SAID HE WANTED TO PURSUE THAT PLAN INITIALLY BUT ENGINEERS SAID IT WOULDN'T BE SAFE BECAUSE THE ROAD IS TOO NARROW.

>> SO THEN THE CHOICE IS EITHER YOU BUILD A BRAND NEW BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN PATH FROM MILLER SHOWERS PARK ALL THE WAY UP TO GOLF COURSE DRIVE, CLUB HOUSE DRIVE OR YOU USE THE ROAD.

>> CLOSING THE ROAD COULD SAVE THE CITY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, ACCORDING TO HAMILTON.

ADDITIONALLY, HE SAYS OLD STATE ROAD 37 IS NO LONGER A HIGH-VOLUME ROAD FOR TRAFFIC.

THE CITY'S SECOND DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES LOWER CASCADES PARK.

SHE SAYS THE ROAD IS A VITAL ACCESS POINT FOR RESIDENTS ON THE FAR NORTH SIDE.

>> ON EVENT WEEKENDS WHEN WE HAVE FOOTBALL GAMES OR GRADUATION OR WHATEVER, HAVING AN ALTERNATIVE WAY FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO GET TO AND FROM DOWNTOWN BECOMES REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> ON TOP OF THAT, SHE SAYS THE PARK CANNOT EASILY BE ACCESSED BY FOOT.

LIKE THOSE WHO LIVE NEAR THE PARK, SHE SAYS CLOSING THE ROAD HAS BEEN DISCUSSED AT GREAT LENGTH.

SHE SAYS THE CITY SHOULD INSTEAD LEAVE STATE ROAD 37 OPEN, AND CONSIDER ADDITIONAL PATHWAYS.

>> WE CLOSE THE ROAD, WHAT PROBLEM ARE WE TRYING TO SOLVE?

IS THIS PARK IMPASSABLE TO BIKES?

IS IT IMPASSABLE TO PEDESTRIANS?

I THINK THE ANSWER THERE IS NO.

SO I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR THE MAYOR TO ANSWER GOING FORWARD.

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

>> THE COUNCILMEMBERS SAY THEY ARE OPPOSED TO HAMILTON'S PLAN.

HAMILTON TOLD WTIU NEWS HE'S WORKING OUT THE DETAILS OF PROPOSAL BUT HOPES TO PRESENT IT TO THE COUNCIL BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," FORMER BLOOMINGTON COUNCILWOMAN CHARLOTTE ZIETLOW'S NEW BOOK EXPLORES THE DEMOCRATIC'S RISE TO POWER IN THE 1971 CITY ELECTION.

WHILE IT'S A YEAR AWAY, BLOOMINGTONIANS ARE MAKING PREPARATIONS TO BE IN THE DIRECT PATH OF A TOTAL ECLIPSE OF SUN.

>>> THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK"!

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE THREE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR BLOOMINGTON MAYOR CLASHED MONDAY AT A FORUM ON LABOR HOSTED BY THE CITY'S POLICE, FIREFIGHTER AND UNIONS.

LUCAS GONZALES HAS THE STORY.

>> QUESTIONS FOR MAYORAL HOPEFULS DON GRIFFIN, SUSAN SANDBERG AND KERRY THOMPSON FOCUSED ON TOPICS SUCH AS CONTRACTS, WAGES, STAFFING, MORAL AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT.

THEY DIVERGED ON THE SLOW RESPONSE TIME DUE TO STAFFING SHORTAGES.

GRIFFIN, THE FORMER DEPUTY MAYOR SAYS THE CITY IS DOING THE BEST IT CAN.

HIS OPPONENTS DISAGREE.

CITY COUNCILMEMBER SANDBERG PRAISED FIRST RESPONDERS BUT SAYS SLOWER RESPONSE TIMES ARE INEVITABLE DUE TO LOW STAFFING AND BURNOUT.

>> SO IF WE WANT TO DO A BETTER JOB AND BE MORE RESPONSIVE AND KEEP RATINGS THAT WE ARE SO PROUD OF.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP THEM VERY LONG BECAUSE THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

>> THOMSON TOOK A DIG AT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND CITY COUNCIL, FOR APPROVING A BUDGET WHEN THE CITY HAS NOT HAD AN AUDIT SINCE 2020.

>> THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS BRAGGED ABOUT NEARLY DOUBLING THE BUDGET JUST IN THIS ADMINISTRATION'S TIME.

YET WE HEAR THAT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY WORKERS ARE UNDERPAID.

HOW IS IT THAT WE CAN HOLD BOTH OF THESE TRUTHS.

>> GRIFFIN CALLED INTO QUESTIONS THOMSON'S EXPERTISE ON CITY BUDGETING.

>> YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

WE HAD ONE IN 2020, JUST LIKE I SAID BEFORE.

WE DON'T -- THE COUNCIL, NEITHER THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IS GOING TO PASS A BUDGET THAT IS NOT APPROPRIATE.

>> IN RESPONDING TO GRIFFIN, THOMSON SAID SHE MANAGED MULTIMILLION DOLLARS BUDGETS FOR YEARS AS C.E.O.

OF MONROE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M LUCAS GONZALEZ.

>>> AS USUAL IN BLOOMINGTON, ALL THE ACTION IN NEXT WEEK'S PRIMARY IS ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, BUT THAT'S NOT ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE.

OUR BOB ZALTSBERG TALKS WITH CHARLOTTE ZIETLOW "HOW WE WON," HOW THE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER IN A WATERSHED ELECTION IN 1971.

>> CHARLOTTE ZIETLOW REMEMBERS WHEN SHE AND HER HUSBAND PAUL HAD MOVED TO BLOOMINGTON.

SHE WAS ACTIVE IN ANN ARBOR AND WANTED TO BE ACTIVE IN HER NEW CITY.

SOMEONE CAME TO HER DOOR AND ASKED HER TO REGISTER TO VOTE.

>> I SAID IS THERE A DEMOCRATTING PARTY?

SHE SAID NOT TOO MUCH.

>> BUT REPUBLICANS CONTROL BLOOMINGTON IN 1968.

THAT YEAR, CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE VIETNAM WAR WERE ISSUES THAT BURNED HOT.

THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY INSIGHTED DEMOCRATIC EMOTIONS AND PROPELLED A BUNCH OF INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS ZIETLOW TO TARGET UPCOMING ELECTIONS.

ZIETLOW WAS NOT FOND OF BLOOMINGTON THEN, SEEING IT AS A TOWN WITH DISMISSIVE TOP DOWN LEADERSHIP AND LITTLE CIVIC ENTHUSIASM.

SHE DECIDED TO RUN FOR CITY COUNCIL, AFTER SEEING A CONTROVERSIAL ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

>> THEY MARCHED IN AND SAT DOWN AND THEY STARTED READING -- HAVING THE ORDINANCES ORDINANCES READ BY TITLE ONLY SO NOBODY KNEW WHAT WAS REALLY GOING ON.

AND PEOPLE WERE GOING LIKE THIS.

THEY WANTED TO GET ATTENTION OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS.

AND THEY WERE IGNORED.

THE PEOPLE WERE IGNORED.

THEY WERE ANGRY AND FUMING.

AND I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, I COULD DO BETTER THAN THIS.

>> ZIETLOW THOUGHT THERE WAS A BETTER WAY TO CONDUCT GOVERNMENT BUSINESS.

SHE SOON FOUND OUT OTHERS FELT THE SAME WAY.

>> MY MAIN CONCERN IS PEOPLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK.

THAT WAS MY MAIN CONCERN.

AND SO THAT WAS MINE.

AND THEN IT TURNED OUT THERE WERE EIGHT OR NINE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO LIVED IN DIFFERENT PLACES IN TOWN, AND WHO HAD COME HERE FROM OTHER PLACES.

ALL OF US CAME FROM SOME PLACE ELSE.

AND WE BROUGHT WITH US THE POSITIVE THINGS THAT WE REMEMBERED ABOUT WHERE WE CAME FROM.

>> THIS COLLECTION OF PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW EACH OTHER WHEN THEY BEGAN THINKING ABOUT RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

THIS MOTLEY CRUE, AS ZIETLOW CALLS HER FELLOW CANDIDATE, INCLUDE A MINISTER, A MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY COMPUTING CENTER AND POVERTY ACTIVIST AND TWO HAD WITNESSED HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE SOUTH.

EACH HAD SPECIFIC INTERESTS FROM PLAN ARING AND ZONING TO ENVIRONMENTAL -- PLANNING AND ZONING AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND SUBSTANDARD HOUSING.

THEY ALL PARTICIPATED IN PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY.

>> WE ALL REALLY WANTED PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK OUT AND TO HAVE A PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY WAS THE -- THE SLOGAN.

PEOPLE WHO GET TO PARTICIPATE IN IT.

SO THAT BECAME OUR MUTUAL GOAL.

AND BROUGHT US TOGETHER.

THAT'S -- IT SEEMS SO SIMPLE NOW.

>> BUT THIS IS NOT JUST A SIMPLE STORY ABOUT NEWCOMERS THROWING OUT THE OLD GUARD.

THIS WAS THE FIRST MUNICIPAL ELECTION AFTER 18-YEAR-OLDS WERE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

NATIONAL MEDIA, INCLUDING THE "LOS ANGELES TIMES," THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE," AND "THE NEW YORK TIMES" PAID ATTENTION.

WHAT WOULD THE YOUTH VOTE MEAN?

AFTER THE ELECTION, A "NEW YORK TIMES" STORY SUGGESTED THAT IT SWEPT THE MAYOR CANDIDATE AND EIGHT CITY COUNCILMEMBERS INTO OFFICE.

>> WHAT THEY WERE CONVINCED OF, MANY PEOPLE WERE CONVINCED OF, THE STUDENTS WOULD VOTE AND THEN THEY WOULD TAKE OVER THE TOWN.

AND THEN WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO US, POOR THINGS.

>> NOW WITH SIX DECADES OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT BEHIND HER, ZIETLOW SAYS THOSE ELECTED IN 1971 CAN BE PROUD OF MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

FOR EXAMPLE, AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, SOCIAL SERVICES, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND PUBLIC HEALTH.

SHE SAYS ELECTED OFFICIALS HAD A LOT OF HELP.

>> WE ENGAGE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY TO COME AND HELP US SOLVE OUR ISSUES.

>> SHE SAYS THAT'S A MESSAGE OF HER BOOK, ALONG WITH THE IDEA YOU CAN WORK WITH PEOPLE YOU DISAGREE WITH, AND GET THINGS DONE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BOB DISCALSBERG.

ZALTSBERG.

>> TUESDAY IS PRIMARY ELECTION DAY FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICES.

YOU CAN VOTE EARLY THROUGH MONDAY AT THE MONROE COUNTY ELECTION SITE ON SOUTH WALNUT STREET BLOOMINGTON.

STY WATCHERS GOT A -- SKY WATCHERS GOT A TREAT.

THE AURORA BOREY BORIEALIS WAS VISIBLE.

BLOOMINGTON WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO VIEW THE NEXT TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE OVER NORTH AMERICA.

MILEY MURPHY HAS THIS REPORT.

>> IN LESS THAN A YEAR, BLOOMINGTON'S POPULATION COULD DOUBLE FROM PEOPLE COMING INTO TOWN TO BE IN THE ECLIPSE'S PATH OF TOTALITY.

THE LAST TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE ACROSS THE U.S. WAS IN 2017, BUT BLOOMINGTON WAS OUTSIDE THE PATH OF TOTALITY AND WAS NOT IN THE ECLIPSE'S DIRECT PATH IN OVER 150 YEARS.

>> INSIDE THE PATH, THE ALIGNMENT BETWEEN THE SUN AND THE MOON AND YOU, THE OBSERVER, IS EXACT.

AND SO THE MOON COMPLETELY COVERS THE SUN AND YOU ARE IN THE MOON'S DARK SHADOW.

>> IT WILL TAKE OVER AN HOUR FOR THE ECLIPSE TO REACH TOTALITY WHICH WILL BEGIN AROUND 3:06 P.M. AND ONLY LAST 3 MINUTES AND 4 SECONDS.

>> ONCE THE SUN'S CRESCENT BECOMES A REAL THIN SLIVER, IT'S GETTING NOTICEABLY DARK.

THE SKY DARKENS TO THE POINT OF TWILIGHT AND SO YOU CAN SEE THE BRIGHTEST PLANETS THAT HAPPEN TO BE OUT.

FOR THIS ECLIPSE, VENUS WOULD BE UNMISTAKABLE.

IT'S SO BRIGHT.

AND JUPITER WILL BE VERY BRIGHT TOO.

>> THERE'S SO MUCH TO SEE DURING AN ECLIPSE THAT FEINBERG SAYS ENTHUSIASTS LIKE HIM KEEP GOING BACK TO SEE MORE.

HE SAYS THE SUN'S CORONA IS THE COOLEST PART TO SEE DURING AN ECLIPSE.

>> WHEN YOU SEE THE SHAPE OF THE SUN'S MAGNETIC FIELD, YOU WILL SEE LOOPS AND YOU WILL SEE LONG STREAMERS AND YOU WILL SEE LITTLE HAIR-LIKE SPIKES AT THE NORTH AND SOUTH POLES.

AND IT'S REALLY EXCEPTIONALLY DRAMATIC AND BEAUTIFUL.

>> SOLAR ECLIPSE, THEY ARE NOT AT ALL RARE.

THEY OCCUR SOMEWHERE ON EARTH EVERY SIX MONTHS BUT IN 2024, NORTH AMERICA WILL BE THE ONLY CONTINENT TO GET A TOTAL ECLIPSE.

AND THAT WILL BE THE LAST ONE WE'LL SEE HERE UNTIL 2044.

OF WHICH MAKES BLOOMINGTON ONE OF THE PLACES TO BE NEXT APRIL.

>> OUR DIVISION KNEW WE SHOULD TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY BECAUSE FOLLOWING THE 2017 ECLIPSE, JUST A MONTH AFTER THAT ONE FINISHED, WE STARTED GETTING PHONE CALLS AT OUR INNS AND LODGES FOR PEOPLE WANTING TO MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR 2024.

>> LAKE LEMON IS IN THE CENTER OF THE PATH AND RIDDLE POINT PARK ON THE LAKE WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO VIEW THE ECLIPSE.

VISIT BLOOMINGTON, BLOOMINGTON'S TOURISM INFORMATION CENTER IS ADDING ECLIPSE EVENTS TO THE ONLINE CALENDAR.

>> THIS WILL BE A HUGE BOONE, FOR THE RESTAURANTS AND THE SMALL BUSINESSES IN TOWN, FOR THE UNIVERSITY, FOR EVERYBODY!

EVEN IF IT'S JUST FOR A 4-MINUTE EVENT, WE WANT TO TRY TO KEEP THEM AROUND FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M MOLLY MURPHY.

>>> KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MORE INFORMATION IN THE COMING MONTHS FOR MORE ABOUT EVENTS PLANNED FOR THE ECLIPSE.

>>> NEITHER THE INDIANA MEN OR WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAMS FARED WELL IN MARCH BADNESS, BUT THEY DID IN MERCH MADNESS.

I.U.

'S TRACE JACKSON DAVIS, GRACE BURGER WERE THE TOP TEN OVERALL EARNERS IN THE N.I.L.

STORE DURING THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

THAT'S DESPITE NEITHER TEAM MAKING IT PAST THE 8 SECOND ROUND.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO SUPPORT YOUR OWN, HOPEFULLY.

WIN OR LOSE, AND FOR US, WE ALWAYS SAY AROUND HERE, LIKE, WINNING IS NOT A MARKETING STRATEGY.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE SAW THAT WITH THE ATHLETES AS WELL.

>> I.U.

'S MACKENZIE HOLMES WAS AMONG THE TOP 10 MALE AND FEMALE.

IT'S SOMETHING THEY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO BEFORE THE NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS POLICY BEGAN TWO YEARS AGO.

>> NOBODY'S FLYING PRIVATE ANYWHERE OFF OF THEIR SALES OVER A COUPLE OF WEEKS, BUT IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE THEIR MONTH'S A LITTLE BIT MORE ENJOYABLE, THAT'S FOR SURE.

>> ANGEL REESE OF NCAA CHAMPION L.S.U.

WAS THE TOP OVERALL EARNER ON THE LIST, WHILE PURDUE'S ZACK EAD EDIE WAS THE TOP MALE EARNER.

WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

"INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: