>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," LAWMAKERS INCLUDED AN AMENDMENT IN THE NEW STATE BUDGET THAT BARS INDIANA UNIVERSITY FROM USING STATE MONEY TO FUND THE KINSEY INSTITUTE.

>> WELL, I THINK IT OPENS THE DOOR TO THE CULTURE WARS WHICH ARE ALREADY PRETTY WIDE OPEN.

>> STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT PIERCE BLAMES AN EXTREMIST WING OF THE GOP FOR THE NEW LAW.

>>> BLOOMINGTON OFFICIALS ARE SEEKING INPUT ON DOWNTOWN TRANSPORTATION PLANS THAT COULD INCLUDE MAKING COLLEGE AND WALNUT TWO-WAY STREETS.

>> THERE ARE BETWEEN 100 AND 200 CRASHES A YEAR ALONG THIS STRETCH THAT WE'RE EXAMINING FROM THE BYPASS TO ALLEN STREET.

>> THE CITY HAS SEVERAL WALK AND TALK EVENTS PLANNED THROUGH JUNE.

AND WE TALKED TO ONE OF THE TWO MINISTERS WHO SUED FEDERAL PRISON OFFICIALS SEEKING INCREASED CONTACT WITH DEATH ROW PRISONERS.

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.

AN AMENDMENT TO THE STATE BUDGET INTRODUCED IN FEBRUARY THAT WOULD BLOCK INDIANA UNIVERSITY FROM USING STATE FUNDING FOR THE KINSEY INSTITUTE HAS NOW BECOME LAW.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT PIERCE SAYS THIS COULD BE A WATERSHED MOMENT FOR INDIANA POLITICS.

ETHAN SANDWEISS HAS MORE.

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S KINSEY INSTITUTE HAS ATTRACTED BOTH ADMIRATION AND CONTROVERSY OVER THE LAST 75 YEARS.

ITS RESEARCH INTO SEXUALITY, GENDER AND SEXUAL HEALTH HAS EARNED IT A SPOT IN THE CENTER OF A GLOBAL DEBATE.

BUT A PROVISION IN THE INDIANA STATE BUDGET FINALIZED THIS MONTH WILL BLOCK STATE FUNDING FOR THE INSTITUTE.

THE AMENDMENT WAS INTRODUCED BY FRESHMAN REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER LORISSA SWEET OF WABASH.

SHE ALLEGED WITHOUT EVIDENCE THAT THE INSTITUTE'S FOUNDER ALFRED KINSEY SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN AND INSINUATED THAT KINSEY RESEARCHERS CONTINUE TO ENABLE CHILD ABUSE.

>> COULD THEY BE HIDING CHILD PREDATORS?

IS THIS A PLACE -- IF THERE'S ANY PLACE WHERE CHRIS HANSON NEEDS TO BRING TO CATCH A PREDATOR, IT IS INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

>> SWEET'S PROVISION WAS MET WITH IMMEDIATE PUSHBACK.

>> THIS AMENDMENT IS BASED ON OLD, UNPROVEN ALLEGATIONS OF CONSPIRACIES THAT DID NOT EXIST.

THAT DID NOT HAPPEN.

THESE ARE WARMED OVER INTERNET MEMES THAT KEEP COMING BACK.

>> IT WAS SHOCKING WHEN THE AMENDMENT PASSED INTO LAW.

THE BLOOMINGTON-BASED LEGISLATOR HAS REPRESENTED THE 61st 61st DISTRICT SINCE 2002.

HE REMEMBERS A SESSION TWO DECADES AGO WHEN REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ATTEMPTED THE SAME MOVE BUT WERE BLOCKED BY MEMBERS OF THEIR OWN PARTY.

>> I AM SURPRISED.

I THOUGHT FOR SURE THE SENATE WOULD JUST TAKE THAT OUT IN THEIR INITIAL DRAFT OF THE BUDGET THAT IT WOULD PASS OUT OF COMMITTEE.

>> THEY DID NOT TAKE AMENDMENT TWO OUT OF THE INITIAL DRAFT AND IT WAS NOT REMOVED IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

IT WAS IN THE STATE BUDGET WHEN IT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW ON MONDAY.

PIERCE SAYS THE INCLUSION OF AMENDMENT TWO INDICATES A SHIFT IN THE INDIANA REPUBLICAN PARTY IN FAVOR OF A MORE EXTREME FACTION.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE FOR A MINUTE THAT THE LEADERSHIP REALLY WANTED THAT PROVISION IN THE BILL AND THOUGHT IT WAS NECESSARY, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY COULDN'T BRING THEMSELVES TO SAY NO TO THIS RISING BASE OF POWER WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> PRACTICALLY ENFORCING THE NEW BUDGET RESTRICTIONS WILL BE A CHALLENGE FOR I. U. FORMFORMERLY, A UNIVERSITY AFFILIATE, IT WAS INTEGRATED INTO I.U.

IN 2016.

NO SEPARATE LINE ITEM FOR KINSEY IN THE BUDGET.

MOST OF THE KINSEY INSTITUTE FUNDS COME FROM GRANTS AND DONATIONS NOT TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

AMENDMENT TWO BLOCKS STATE FUNDING FOR PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING KINSEY RESEARCHERS COULD USE FROM ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS TO UTILITIES, BUT KINSEY RESEARCHERS WORK ACROSS CAMPUS IN MANY DEPARTMENTS.

AFTER THE INDIANA BUDGET PASSED I.U.

PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN ISSUED A STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE KINSEY INSTITUTE.

THE OFFER IS UNIVERSITY IS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD LIMIT THE ABILITY OF PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO PURSUE RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP THAT BENEFITS PEOPLE AND IMPROVES LIVES.

THE UNIVERSITY DECLINED FURTHER REQUESTS FOR COMMENT.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK" I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>>> THE KINSEY INSTITUTE WAS FOUNDED IN 1947 BY I.U.

ENTOMOLOGIST TURNED SEXUALITY RESEARCHER, ALFRED KINSEY.

IT'S LOCATED ON CAMPUS IN LINDLY HALL.

>>> KERRY THOMSON WILL LIKELY BE THE NEXT MAYOR OF BLOOMINGTON AFTER WINNING A THREE-WAY RACE IN TUESDAY'S PRIMARY ELECTION.

A LITTLE MORE THAN 8,000 BLOOMINGTON RESIDENTS VOTED AND THOMSON RECEIVED 44% OF THE THEIR VOTE.

CITY COUNCILMEMBER SUSAN SANDBERG WAS SECOND WITH 33%.

FORMER DEPUTY MAYOR DON GRIFFIN WAS THIRD WITH 24% OF THE VOTE.

>> I FEEL AMAZING.

I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE OF BLOOMINGTON HAVE REALLY SPOKEN, THAT THEY'RE READY FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER, AND HAVE A FRESH APPROACH AND A GOVERNMENT THAT REALLY STAYS POSITIVE AND INCLUDED EVERYBODY.

>> THOMSON RAN ON A PLATFORM FOCUSED ON HELPING LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS TO STAY HOUSED AND CREATING MORE HOUSING FOR MIDDLE-INCOME RESIDENTS.

HER OTHER ISSUES WERE COMMUNITY SAFETY AND EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP, A PEOPLE-FIRST LEADERSHIP STYLE ALLOWING THE CITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.

>> I THINK WE GOT THE WORD OUT.

WE HAVE NOT -- ALMOST 13,000 DOORS NOW.

AND REALLY WOVEN A VISION FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAT WAS BASED ON MANY HAD LISTENING SESSIONS AND MANY CONVERSATIONS AT THE DOORS.

>> NO REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE HAS COME FORWARD FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER, BUT THOMSON WILL FACE INDEPENDENT JOSEPH DAVIS.

>>> THE BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE A NEW BLOCK NEXT YEAR LOOK NEXT YEAR.

ONLY FOUR WILL BE BACK.

ISABEL PIEDMONT-SMITH WON IN DISTRICT ONE.

AND KATE ROSENBERGER BEAT SUE SGAMBELLURI IN DISTRICT TWO AND HOPI WON DISTRICT THREE.

DAVID WOLF BENDER IN DISTRICT SIX WERE UNOPPOSED.

DEMOCRATS CURRENTLY CONTROL ALL NINE SEATS ON THE COUNCIL.

>>> ONE OF THE ISSUES THE NEW MAYOR WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH IS POTENTIAL CHANGES TO COLLEGE AND WALNUT, THE TWO MAIN NORTH-SOUTH ROADS THROUGH BLOOMINGTON.

RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN ON THE BOOKS SINCE 2018, WHEN THE CITY CONTRACTED WITH TOOLE DESIGN GROUP.

BUT AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, THE CITY DECIDED A CORRIDOR STUDY FOR THE AREA WAS NEEDED FIRST.

>> BLOOMINGTON'S 2019 TRANSPORTATION PLAN LISTS FOUR CORRIDOR STUDIES.

ONE OF THEM BEING COLLEGE AND WALNUT.

THIS STUDY IS NOW UNDERWAY IN THE BEGINNING PHASES OF PUBLIC INPUT.

THE CITY'S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION BETH ROSENBERGER IS LEADING THAT EFFORT WITH GUIDED TOURS CALLED STROLL AND DISCUSSES.

>> WE WANT TO MEET PEOPLE OUT ALONG THE CORRIDOR, ALONG COLLEGE AND WATT WALNUT, AND WHAT IS WORKING FOR THEM AND WHAT IS NOT WORKING FOR THEM.

>> SHE STANDS AT THE INTERSECTION OF COLLEGE AND 4th STREETS WATCHING TRAFFIC.

TOOLE DESIGN GROUP'S 2018 RECOMMENDATION WAS TO CHANGE THE PARALLEL ONE-WAY STREETS INTO TWO TWO-WAYS TO REDUCE DRIVING SPEEDS.

THAT IDEA IS NOT OFF THE TABLE, BUT ROSENBERGER SAYS THE CITY WANTS AS MUCH PUBLIC INPUT AS POSSIBLE AND TO KEEP THE OPTIONS OPEN.

PARTICIPANTS TOUR JUST OVER A MILE OF THE STREET ON STROLL AND DISCUSS EVENTS.

>> SO FAR THE EVENTS ARE RELATIVELY LOW ATTENDED, BUT WE ARE HAVING GREAT CONVERSATIONS.

SO WE DO WANT MORE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THEM.

>> YES THIS PART OF TOWN ALMOST SEEMS FORGOTTEN, AND, LIKE, ZONING DIDN'T OCCUR.

>> MEMBERS OF THE CITY'S BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY COMMISSION ATTENDED ONE LAST FRIDAY, WALKING THE NORTHERN LEG FROM MILLER SHOWERS PARK TO 17th 17th STREET.

COMMISSION MEMBER AND I.U.

GRADUATE STUDENT PAULY TARRICONE USED TO LIVE NEAR MILLER SHOWERS PARK BUT HE DOESN'T COME TO THE AREA NOW THAT HE'S MOVED.

>> I GET AROUND BY BIKE MOSTLY, AND GOING ANYWHERE ELSE MEANS I HAVE TO REALLY PLAN OUT WHAT ROUTE I'M GOING TO TAKE, HOW I'M GOING TO INTERACT WITH TRAFFIC, WHAT PLACES ARE GOING TO BE SAFEST, WHAT PLACES ARE GOING TO BE MORE RISKY AND THIS AREA HAS BEEN THE KIND OF PLACE THAT'S LIKE MORE TROUBLE THAN IT'S WORTH.

>> STROLL AND DISCUSS ATTENDEES NOTED SPEED LIMIT, HOW SAFE THEY FELT NEAR THE ROAD, CURB HEIGHT AND SIDEWALK CONNECTIVITY.

EHREN BINGAMAN, A MANAGING PRINCIPAL AT TRANS PRO CONSULTING SAYS GETTING PUBLIC INPUT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IS IMPORTANT FOR COMMUNITY BUY-IN.

HE SAYS SUSTAINABLE STREET PLANNING INVOLVES MATERIAL CONSTRUCTION, REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT, AND PRIORITIZING PEOPLE IN A SPACE RATHER THAN VEHICLES.

>> MY HOPE IS THAT THEY WOULD BE OBVIOUSLY THINKING ABOUT SAFETY, THAT IS A PRIORITY ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.

DISTRACTED DRIVING, REALLY IS AN EPIDEMIC.

HOW CAN YOU -- SO HOW CAN YOU MITIGATE DISTRACTED DRIVING?

HOW CAN YOU MAYBE MAKE A CALMER STREET EXPERIENCE SO IT'S SAFER FOR SOMEBODY WALKING AND BIKING?

>> THE 2019 TRANSPORTATION STUDY SAYS COLLEGE AND WALNUT MAKE UP SOME OF THE DENSEST AREAS FOR CRASHES BETWEEN CARS AND BIKES AND CARS AND PEDESTRIANS.

ROSENBERGER SAYS A LARGE CONCENTRATION OF CAR CRASHES HAPPEN IN THE AREA TOO.

>> SO WHEN WE LOOK AT COLLEGE AND WALL WALNUT THERE ARE BETWEEN 100 AND 200 CRASHES A YEAR ALONG THIS STRETCH THAT WE'RE EXAMINING FROM THE BYPASS TO ALLEN STREET.

SHE SAYS THE CITY ALSO NEEDS TO RECONSIDER STREET DESIGN WITH CLIMATE CHANGE IN MIND.

INCREASING SHADE AND GREENERY TO REDUCE EXTREME HEAT EXPECTED.

TARRICONE SAYS ATTENDING THE STROLL AND DISCUSS MADE THEM RECONSIDER THE AREA.

>> THE BIGGEST SURPRISE FOR ME ARE HOW MANY ARE HERE ON COLLEGE SOUTH OF 17th.

IT SEEMED LIKE ALL THE PLACES THAT ARE AROUND HERE, ALL THE HOUSING, YOU KNOW ALL THE BUSINESSES, LIKE, IT REALLY COULD BE SO MUCH MORE INVITING THAN IT FEELS.

ESPECIALLY WITH THIS PARK KIND OF AT THE CENTER OF ALL OF IT.

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

>>> THE CITY HAS MORE DISCUSS AND STROLLS PLANNED THROUGH MAY.

THEN THROUGH THE WEEK OF JUNE 12th, THERE WILL BE A WEEK-LONG ENGAGEMENT PROCESS COLLECTING INPUT AND CREATING CONCEPTUAL DESIGNS FOR THE STREETS.

FORMER STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION JENNIFER McCORMICK LAUNCHED A BID FOR GOVERNOR ON THURSDAY.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCAST'S BRANDON SMITH REPORTS, McCORMICK IS RUNNING AS A DEMOCRAT.

>> McCORMICK WHO HAS BEEN TOURING THE STATE FOR MONTHS SAYS SHE'S RUNNING BECAUSE SHE BELIEVES HOOSIERS ARE READY FOR CHANGE.

>> EVERYWHERE I VISIT, NO MATTER WHERE I GO, ONE THING IS CLEAR, HOOSIERS DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE OUT-OF-TOUCH DIVISIVENESS COMING OUT OF THE STATE HOUSE.

>> McCORMICK SAID STRENGTHENING PUBLIC EDUCATION, PAUSING THE STATE GAS TAX AND REDUCING TAXES IS KEY PART OF HER PLATFORM.

SHE WOULD HAVE TO WORK WITH LARGE REPUBLICAN MAJORITIES.

SHE SAYS SHE'S REALISTIC ABOUT THAT, BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR COMMITTEES AND FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS AND FOR THAT PLATFORM TO REALLY REPRESENT HOOSIERS.

>> A DEMOCRAT HASN'T WON THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR IN MORE THAN TWO DECADES.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>> NOW McCORMICK SPOKE AT AN EVENT IN BLOOMINGTON ON THURSDAY NIGHT, AFTER HER ANNOUNCEMENT.

SHE SAYS SHE'S CONFIDENT SHE CAN MOBILIZE VOTERS EVEN THOUGH INDIANA IS A REPUBLICAN STRONGHOLD.

>> THIS RACE WILL TAKE ALL OF US.

WE CAN DO THIS!

SO I AM READY TO BE THAT LEADER WHO WILL BE A PUBLIC SERVANT, NOT A POLITICIAN.

>> McCORMICK WOULD BE THE STATE'S FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR SHOULD SHE WIN: RUNNING ON THE REPUBLICAN SIZE ARE MIKE BRAUN, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SUZANNE CROUCH AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ERIC DODAN.

RAINWATER HAS ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY AS WELL.

SEVERAL ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS WILL SEE A FUNDING BOOST IN THE STATE'S NEW BUDGET.

REBECCA THIELE REPORTS THE HOOSIER ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL SAYS THE LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR LAND AND CONSERVATION AND TRAILS, THOUGH A LOT LESS THAN IT WAS HOPING FOR.

>> INDIANA PLANS TO GIVE $10 MILLION TO THE PRESIDENT BENJAMIN HARRISON CONSERVATION TRUST FUND.

H.E.C.

IT'S NOT THE $25 MILLION THAT THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED BUT STILL THE MOST THE STATE HAS EVER APPROPRIATED TO THE TRUST WITHOUT THE HELP OF FEDERAL DOLLARS.

THEY EMARKED $30 MILLION FOR TRAILS.

SAM CARPENTER SAYS A LOT OF PEOPLE VISIT INDIANA'S STATE PARKS AND TRAILS DURING THE PANDEMIC'S STAY STAY AT HOME ORDERS THAT DEMAND REMAINS STRONG.

>> THESE ARE INVESTMENTS THAT HELP RETAIN AND ATTRACT TALENT IN INDIANA, AND I KNOW THAT'S A BIG FOCUS FOR THE LEGISLATORS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AS WELL AS FOR OUR, YOU KNOW, CORPORATE BUSINESSES.

OF.

>> LAWMAKERS INCREASED FUNDING FOR STAFF AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.

LOW PAY HAS CAUSED THE AGENCY TO LOSE EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES AND HASN'T ENCOURAGED NEW PEOPLE TO APPLY.

>> THE PRIOR SALARY LEVELS PREVENTED THEM TOOLE TO DO SO.

IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO RAISE A FAMILY.

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

>> THE HOOSIER ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL WAS ONE THE ORGANIZATIONS ASKING THEM TO NOT SET STRICTER COAL ASH RULES THAN FEDERAL ONES.

THEY SAYS BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NOT FINALIZED GUIDELINES, THE BILL COULD CALL INTO INTO QUESTION THE FLY ASH RULES.

>> THE REPUBLICAN DOMINATED LEGISLATURE ADVANCED THE BILL ALLOWING BROADER ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION MONTHS AFTER ENACTING A STATEWIDE ABORTION BAN THAT HAS BEEN BLOCKED WHILE THE INDIANA SUPREME COURT WEIGHS ARGUMENTS THAT IT VIOLATES THE NEW STATE CONSTITUTION.

THE NEW BIRTH CONTROL ALLOWS WILL TAKE PLACE JULY 1st.

IT WILL ALLOW PHYSICIANS AND PHARMACISTS TO PRESCRIBE THE PATCH AND THE PILL.

COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WE SIT DOWN WITH LOCAL MINISTER, BILL BREEDEN WHO HAS SUED TO LAY HANDS ON DEATH ROW INMATES.

>>> AND HELPING AFGHAN REFUGEES MAKE THE TRANSITION TO LIVING IN THE U.S.

EASIER.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

TWO MONROE COUNTY MINISTERS ARE SUING FEDERAL PRISON OFFICIALS FOR THE RIGHT TO TOUCH PEOPLE ON DEATH ROW WHEN THEY PRAY.

THE LAWSUIT FILED BY THE ACLU OF INDIANA ASKS A FEDERAL JUDGE IN TER AHAUTETERRE HAUTE TO LET THEM HAVE CONTACT FOR WHOM THEY SERVE AS SPIRITUAL ADVISORS AND THEY WANT CONTACT DURING THEIR EXECUTIONS IF THEY OCCUR.

THE PRISON POLICY OF ALLOWING VISITS WITH SPIRITUAL ADVISORS ONLY THROUGH THICK GLASS VIOLATES THE RELIGION FREEDOM RESTORATION ACT.

WE ARE JOINED BY ONE OF THE MINISTERS WHO FILED LAWSUIT, BILL BREEDEN OF THE UNITEARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

WELCOME SO MUCH TO THE SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> I'M HONORED TO BE HERE.

OF.

>> BRIEFLY, TELL US WHAT DOES THIS LAWSUIT HOPE TO ACHIEVE?

>> WELL, WE HOPE THAT MINISTERS OF RECORD ON THE ROW WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, AS LAWYERS DO, TO HAVE CONTACT VISITS.

I DON'T KNOW OF ANY RELIGIOUS TRADITION THAT DOES NOT SEE THE NEED OF HUMAN CONTACT TO BE FULLY HUMAN.

AND, OF COURSE, IN MY FAITH, OUR FIRST PRINCIPLE IS AFFIRMING THE DIGNITY AND THE WORTH OF EVERY HUMAN BEING AND I HAVE BEEN VISITING CHAD FOLKS FOR 1 14 YEARS AND NEVER TOUCHED HIM.

WHEN I VOLUNTEERED TO BE CORY JOHNSON'S MINISTER OF RECORD AND GO TO THE DEATH CHAMBER WITH HIM, I HAD PROBABLY SOMEWHERE AROUND 25 HOURS OF VISITATION WITH HIM IN THE WEEKS BEFORE HE WAS KILLED.

AND IT WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE.

THE WORST I'VE EVER HAD WAS IN THE DEATH CHAMBER BUT I NEVER REALLY GOT TO TOUCH HIM UNTIL HE WAS DEAD.

AND TO ME, THAT IS A VIOLATION OF HIS RIGHTS AND MY RIGHTS AS A MINISTER, BECAUSE WE ARE -- YOU KNOW, I KNOW THE BIBLE QUITE WELL AND WE'RE LAYING ON OF HANDS IS THE WAY YOU HEAL PEOPLE, NOT JUST PHYSICALLY, BUT THEIR SPIRIT AND PSYCHE.

SO TO HAVE TO TALK TO THEM THROUGH GLASS, YOU BEGIN WITH AN ASSUMPTION BY SOMEONE THAT THEY ARE DANGEROUS ANIMALS.

AND THEY'RE NOT.

THEY'RE HUMAN BEINGS.

SO WE HOPE TO GET THIS RIGHT FOR EVERY MINISTER ON THE ROLL.

SO THAT WE CAN HOLD THEIR HANDS WHEN WE PRAY FOR THEM, WE CAN AFFIRM THEIR WORTH AND DIGNITY, AND IF WE HAVE TO GO TO THE DEATH CHAMBER, WE ARE ALSO ASKING THE RIGHT TO TOUCH THEM BEFORE AND DURING THE EXECUTION.

>> SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A SPIRITUAL ADVISOR.

DO YOU HAVE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES?

I KNOW THERE'S ALSO A CHAPLAIN TOO.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

>> WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO?

>> WELL, THE CHAPLAIN SERVES THE RELIGIOUS SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PROVIDES RELIGIOUS SERVICES.

TO GET TO BE AN M.R.O., A MINISTER OF RECORD IS WHAT THEY CALL IT.

THEY USED TO CALL IT SPIRITUAL ADVISORS.

BUT IT IS MINISTER OF RECORD.

YOU HAVE TO BE ORDAINED AND WE HAVE TO BE ASKED BY THE PRISONERS THEMSELVES.

I STARTED THIS 1 14 YEARS AGO WHEN A PRISONER GOT MY NAME FROM ANOTHER PRISONER.

AND CORY JOHNSON WAS IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR 29 YEARS WITHOUT A VISITOR.

THE ONLY HUMANS WHO TOUCHED CORY JOHNSON FROM THE TIME HE WAS 19 TO 49, THE ONLY PEOPLE WAS TO PUT CUFFS ON HIM OR PRISON EMPLOYEES.

AND HE WAS VERY KIND, VERY WARM, EVERYBODY ON THE ROW CALLED HIM THE GENTLE GIANT.

NOBODY EVER HEARD HIM RAISE HIS VOICE.

A MAN I CAME TO LOVE VERY DEEPLY.

I HAD TO END CTA STAND 6 FEET AWAY AND WATCH THEM KILL HIM.

AND ALTHOUGH I KNOW THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN STOP THAT AT THAT POINT, I THINK YOU CAN COMFORT THEM BY TOUCH AND, YOU KNOW, THE LEAST WE CAN BE IS HUMANE.

WE DO THIS FOR OUR ANIMALS WHEN WE PUT THEM TO SLEEP.

WE HOLD THEM WHEN WE EUTHANIZE THEM, AND IT'S PAINLESS.

WE NEED TO -- IF WE'RE GOING TO EXECUTE PEOPLE, WHICH I'M TOTALLY OPPOSED TO, BUT IF WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTE PEOPLE, AT LEAST WE CAN BE AS HUMANE AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME ON THE SHOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> ALMOST TWO YEARS AFTER THE FALL OF KABUL TO THE TALIBAN SOME REFUGEE FAMILIES ARE SETTLING LIFE INTO THE U.S.A. WOMEN'S SEWING GROUP IN INDIANAPOLIS IS HELPING TO MAKE THE TRANSITION EASIER.

LIZ DeSANTIS HAS MORE.

>> EXODUS REFUGEE GROUP IN INDIANAPOLIS IS OFFERING A PASHTO LANGUAGE SEWING CLASS.

SHEKILA IS A MEMBER OF THAT CLASS.

SHE AND HER FAMILY MOVED TO INDIANA ONLY SEVEN MONTHS AGO.

BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS FOR FAMILIES STILL IN AFGHANISTAN, SHE'S ONLY IDENTIFIED BY HER FIRST NAME.

THE TRANSITION TO THE LIFE IN THE U.S. HAS BEEN DIFFICULT, BUT THIS CLASS HAS BEEN A LIFELINE.

IT'S LIKE IF SOMEONE IS DROWNING IN WATER AND SOMEONE IS TRYING TO SAVE HIM AND BRING LIMIT TO TO -- HIM TO A DRY PLACE.

WE ARE SO HAPPY THAT THE EXODUS HAS HELPED SO MANY IMMIGRANTS.

THEY HELPED US SO MUCH.

>> IN AFGHANISTAN, SHEKILA LEARNED TO SHOW ON I AHAND-CRANKED SEWING MACHINE AND IT HELPS HER TO EXPAND HER SKILL SET TO LEARN MORE COMPLEX STITCHES.

WITH A DONATION THIS PAST MONTH OF 20 SEWING MACHINES THEY CAN PRACTICE THEIR SKILLS AT HOME.

SHEKILA HAS GOTTEN THE HANG OF USING THESE ELECTRONIC MACHINES PRETTY QUICKLY.

SHE SHOWED US A DRESS SHE MADE JUST LAST NIGHT.

IN ABOUT HALF AN HOUR, I CAN CUT THE WHOLE DRESS AND SEW IT ALL.

SHE SEES THESE CLASSES AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A BUSINESS SELLING HER DRESSES BY OPENING A SHOP OF HER OWN ONE DAY.

>> IF I CAN FIND THE MATERIAL, I WANT TO SEW THE SAME AFGHAN-STYLE OF CLOSING BUT ALSO CLOTHING THAT IS MORE AMERICAN IN STYLE.

I HOPE I CAN TAKE THEM TO A MARK AND SELL THEM.

>> SHEKILA IS ABOUT 300 AFGHANS WHOM EXODUS HAS HELPED TO BUILD A NEW LIFE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

SHE'S ABOUT ONE OF 15 OTHER WOMEN IN THE CLASS WORKING ON THEIR SEWING SKILLS.

EXODUS DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT CASSANDRA SANBOURN SAYS THAT THE SKILLS LEARNED IN THIS CLASS CAN TRANSLATE TO NEW WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WOMEN.

>> WE'VE HAD OTHER WOMEN IN THE PAST AS WELL WHO HAVE GONE ON TO EMPLOYMENT IN PLACES LIKE BRIDAL SHOPS OR OTHER PLACES WHERE THEY CAN DO ALTERATIONS.

WE ARE HOPING THIS COULD TURN INTO AN INCOME-GENERATING STREAM FOR WOMEN, WHATEVER THAT PARTICULAR WOMAN DECIDES IS BEST FOR HER AND HER FAMILY.

EXODUS OFFICIALS SAY THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO ROLL OUT AN ONLINE SHOP TO ALLOW THE WOMEN TO MAKE EXTRA MONEY FROM THEIR CREATIONS.

THE PROGRAM ALREADY SELLS SOME OF THE ITEMS AT CRAFTS FAIRS WITH PRICES RANGING FROM $10 TO $40.

>> AND THEN ROUGHLY HALF OF THE SALE OF EACH ITEM GOES BACK DIRECTLY TO THE WOMAN WHO MADE IT, AND THE OTHER HALF GOES BACK INTO THE PROGRAM FOR THINGS LIKE IF WE NEED ADDITIONAL FABRIC OR NEEDLES OR ANY REPAIRS ON THE SEWING MACHINES OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> ASIDE FROM TEACHING WOMEN A MARKETABLE SKILL, SAND BORN SAYS THAT THE CLASS HELPS TO BUILD A RELIABLE COMMUNITY TO MAKE THEIR INTEGRATION SMOOTHER.

SHE SAYS THAT SOMETIMES THESE RELATIONSHIPS CAN BE A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE OF BASIC SKILLS.

>> MAYBE HAVE YOU BEEN REALLY STRUGGLING TO FIGURE OUT THE BUS SYSTEM AND MAYBE ANOTHER WOMAN HAS GOT THAT DOWN PAT BUT MAYBE SHE NEEDS HELP FIGURING OUT SOMETHING AT THE GROCERY STORE AND MAYBE YOU KNOW THAT.

SO WE CAN FACILITATE A LOT OF SHARED KNOWLEDGE AMONG THE WOMEN WHO ARE COMING TO CLASS.

>> EXODUS ONLY OFFERS THE SEWING INSTRUCTION IN PASHTO FOR A SMALL GROUP OF WOMEN RIGHT NOW.

BUT THEY HOPE TO EXPAND THE OFFERINGS TO DARA LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION AS WELL.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M LIZ DeSANTIS.

>> EXODUS REFUGEE ORGANIZATIONS IS ACCEPTING DONATIONS BOTH OF CLOTHES AND SEWING MATERIALS FOR THE WOMEN'S SEWING CLASS AT EXODUSREF FEWEXODUSREFUGEE.ORG.

>>> THE U.S.D.A.

SAYS 20% OF CORN AND 18% OF SOYBEANS HAVE BEEN PLANTED SO FAR, DESPITE THE CHALLENGING WEATHER.

LIKE MANY IN INDIANA, VINCENNES FARMER, DENNIS CARNAHAN IS WORRIED HOW THE COLD TEMPERATURES WILL AFFECT HIS CROPS.

>> WE WILL STILL NOT HAVE ANY OF THE PLANTED CROP THAT'S BEEN OUT THERE FOR DAYS THAT HAVE EMERGED YET AND THAT'S A CONCERN.

COLD AND DAMP WEATHER IS NOT CONDUCIVE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE CORN CROP.

>> IF CROPS IN THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN MOST PART OF THE STATE DON'T EMERGE SOON, SOME FORMERS MAY HAVE TO REPLANT.

THE NATIONAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS THIS MAY 1st REPRESENTED THE FOURTH COLDEST ON RECORD.

THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM.

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: