INDIANA NEWSDESK IS POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> COMING UP ON INDIANA NEWSDESK, AFTER MORE THAN 15 YEARS OF I-69 CONSTRUCTION CONNECTING EVANSVILLE TO INDIANAPOLIS, THE END IS FINALLY IN SIGHT.

>> PEOPLE CAN DEFINITELY LOOK FORWARD IS TO IS MORE -- >> FOR SOME HOOSIERS INTERSTATE CONSTRUCTION MEANS LOSS OF PROPERTY AND EASE OF ACCESS.

WITH RECENT ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS THREATENING WATERWAYS WE ASKED HOW SAFE IS THE WATER SOURCE FOR MONROE COUNTY.

>> WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF HEAVY INDUSTRY UPSTREAM FROM US, SO THE WATER IS RELATIVELY CLEAN TO START WITH.

>> BLAKE MONROE WAS CREATED 60 YEARS AGO AND ALSO PROVIDES WATER FOR PARTS OF BROWN COUNTY.

AND WE LOOK BACK AT THE LIFE OF LEGENDARY PIANIST AND IU PROFESSOR PRESSLER WHO PASSED AWAY LAST WEEKEND AT 99.

WE'LL HAVE THESE STORIES PLUS THE LATEST NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW ON INDIANA NEWSDESK!

>> WELL ONLY COME TO INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M JOE WREN.

ARE AFTER MORE THAN THREE YEARS THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY EXPIRED THURSDAY AT MIDNIGHT ...

MEANING VACCINES, TESTS AND TREATMENTS WON'T NECESSARILY BE FREE GOING FORWARD.

FREE VACCINES WILL LIKELY LAST THROUGH THE SUMMER DUE TO A LARGE FEDERAL STOCKPILE, BUT IT MAY BECOME HARDER TO GET A VACCINATION AS EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATIONS FOR PHARMACISTS COULD SOON EXPIRE.

FEWER THAN 200 AMERICANS ARE DYING FROM COVID-19 EVERY WEEK, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE VIRUS IS GONE FOR GOOD.

>> WE'RE KIND OF BETWEEN, LIKE THIS EMERGENCY PHASE OF A PANDEMIC, AND WHAT I WOULD CALL KIND OF A MORE PREDICTABLE ENDEMIC PHASE.

BUT THIS VIRUS HAS REALLY KIND OF YET TO SETTLE INTO THAT KIND OF PREDICTABLE OR SEASONAL PATTERN.

>> THE C-D-C AND MANY STATES WILL ALSO NO LONGER BE TRACKING NEW INFECTIONS ON A WEEKLY OR DAILY BASIS, MEANING IT MAY BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO LEARN ABOUT OUTBREAKS NEARBY.

>> WE'RE LOSING A LOT OF ACTIONABLE LOCAL DATA, AND IT'S ALREADY BEEN GETTING HARDER TO KIND OF SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN REAL TIME.

>> AND, THAT'S GONNA GET EVEN HARDER AFTER TODAY.

SO I THINK IT'S A PROBLEM.

>> THE C-D-C WILL CONTINUE TO REPORT ON HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS, DO GENETIC ANALYSIS TO REPORT WORRISOME VARIANTS, AND MONITOR SPREAD THROUGH WASTEWATER SURVEILLANCE.

>>> THE FINISH LINE FOR THE COMPLETION OF I-69 FROM EVANSVILLE TO INDIANAPOLIS IS IN SIGHT WITH FIVE OF THE SIX SECTIONS NOW COMPLETE.

THE 15-YEAR PROJECT HAS DECREASED TRAVEL TIMES AND MADE SOUTHWESTERN INDIANA MORE ACCESSIBLE, BUT FOR SOME, CONSTRUCTION OF THE INTERSTATE MEANT THE LOSS OF LAND AND ACCESS.

ETHAN SANDWEISS HAS THIS REPORT.

>> I-69 WILL BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF 2024, ACCORDING TO THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

CONSTRUCTION HAS TAKEN 15 YEARS AND COST AROUND FOUR BILLION DOLLARS.

AT TIMES CONTROVERSIAL FOR CONSTRUCTION DELAYS AND ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS, SOME FORMERLY FRUSTRATED HOOSIER COMMUTERS ARE EXCITED FOR THE FINAL PRODUCT.

>> IT'S SO FAST.

AND IT'S SO CONVENIENT.

AND I DON'T MIND IT AT ALL NOW, BECAUSE NOW THE FEAR IS GONE.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

IT'S EASY.

>> CATHLEEN HARDY HANSEN RIDES I-69 DAILY FOR HER JOB AT THE INDIANA INSTITUTE ON DISABILITY AND COMMUNITY .

SHE SAYS DELAYS USED TO GET IN THE WAY, BUT NOW IT'S EASIER TO COMMUTE FOR HER JOB AND HER FAMILY.

>> I PERSONALLY HAVE A 28-YEAR-OLD SON WHO HAS CEREBRAL PALSY.

SO IF I CAN GET HIM OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY, THAT'S REALLY GREAT.

>> FIVE OF THE SIX SECTIONS OF ROAD BETWEEN EVANSVILLE AND INDIANAPOLIS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

KILEY KRAMER IS THE PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR GREENFIELD.

SHE SAYS ALL THAT REMAINS AS A SECTION IN JOHNSON AND MIRIAM COUNTIES.

>> THE FEEDBACK THAT WE'VE BEEN GETTING IS OVERALL REALLY EXCITING.

WITH THIS PROJECT IN GENERAL, I THINK IF YOU TOOK A LOOK AT THE WEBSITE, OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH HAS BEEN OVER OVERWHELMINGLY AMAZING.

>> I-69 IS PART OF A NATIONAL HIGHWAY INTENDED TO CONNECT CANADA TO MEXICO THROUGH SEVEN STATES.

BUT CRAMER SAYS INDOT'S FOCUS IS THE IMPACT ON INDIANA.

>> IT ALLOWS OUR BLOOMINGTON STUDENTS TO COME TO INDIANAPOLIS AND A FASTER ROUTE AND A MORE EFFICIENT AND PEOPLE CAN TRUST THAT THEIR KID IS GOING TO BE GETTING TO AND FROM INDIANAPOLIS SAFE.

AND IF THAT'S ALL IT DOES, AT THE END OF THE DAY, I KNOW THAT WE'D BE HAPPY WITH THAT.

>> BUT FOR SOME HOOSIERS, I-69'S LEGACY WILL BE REMEMBERED AS ONE OF DESTRUCTION.

JOE JACKSON RAISES HORSES ON A FARM NORTH OF BLOOMINGTON.

HIS WIFE GREW UP HERE, AND IT BECAME HIS HOME AS WELL WHEN THEY MARRIED IN 1971.

TOGETHER THEY BUILT A HOUSE ON THE 80-ACRE LOT.

>> IT HAS A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, MEANING TO THIS.

JUST NOT LIKE BUYING SOMETHING, WE ACTUALLY BUILT IT.

AND THEN OF COURSE, WHEN THEY COME THROUGH, IT JUST REALLY TOOK A TURN.

>> JACKSON REMEMBERS THE DAY INDOT CAME TO HIS HOME AND TOLD HIM THEY WOULD BUILD AN I-69 ACCESS ROAD STRAIGHT THROUGH HIS PROPERTY, CUTTING IT IN HALF.

>> WELL THEY COME DOWN, SIT DOWN AT YOUR TABLE AND JUST BASICALLY JUST GO WITH EVERYTHING AND BASICALLY JUST TELL YOU WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE AND GIVE YOU THE PROPOSAL.

AND LIKE I SAID, YOU GOT 30 DAYS TO ACCEPT IT OR NOT ACCEPT IT.

WE DIDN'T ACCEPT IT.

>> CRAMER SAYS INDOT PRIORITIZES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, BUT THE STATE AND PROPERTY OWNERS DON'T ALWAYS SEE EYE-TO-EYE.

SOME CONVERSATIONS ARE HARDER THAN OTHERS, OF COURSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO FARMLAND AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE DO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

SO WE'RE NOT JUST GONNA PLOW THROUGH SOMEONE'S FARMLAND WITHOUT THEM AT LEAST KNOWING ABOUT IT.

>> JACKSON WAS COMPENSATED FOR THE ACRES HE LOST BUT SAYS HE INCURRED DAMAGES FROM A DRAINAGE DITCH INDOT CONSTRUCTED THROUGH HIS YARD.

HE SAYS HE REACHED AN OUT OF COURT SETTLEMENT WITH THE STATE.

>> IT JUST KEPT WASHING OUT AND WASHING DOWN.

I KEPT PUTTING ROCKS THERE AND TRYING TO STOP IT, AND WHEN THEY FIRST DID IT, OUR BASEMENT ACTUALLY FLOODED TWO OR THREE TIMES.

>> CONSTRUCTION HAS ENDED, BUT JACKSON MISSES THE QUIET NIGHTS HE USED TO ENJOY AND SAYS HE FEELS UNSAFE TAKING HIS HORSES ACROSS THAT ACCESS ROAD BETWEEN HIS PASTURES.

>> THE SPEED LIMIT IS 40 MILE AN HOUR.

OF COURSE, NOBODY DOES THE SPEED LIMIT.

SO, WHEN THEY COME AROUND THAT CURVE, IT'S KIND OF A BLIND CURVE.

SO, IF YOU START ACROSS THE ROAD, AND A CAR COMES ROUND THERE, THERE YOU ARE, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND YOU JUST HOPE THAT THEY SEE YOU.

>> JACKSON AND HIS WIFE NOW SPEND MOST OF THEIR TIME IN MADISON, INDIANA, BUT HIS GRANDDAUGHTER AND GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER LIVE ON THE FARM.

DESPITE THE NEW ROAD, HE SAYS HE'S GLAD HE CAN PASS IT ON TO THEM.

JACKSON UNDERSTANDS THAT I-69 WILL IMPROVE THINGS FOR MANY HOOSIERS, BUT HE WANTS COMMUTERS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HIS FAMILY WENT THROUGH.

>> THE PEOPLE THAT'S ACTUALLY IN THE --IN THE PART THAT LOSES THE PROPERTY AND STUFF LIKE THAT - THEY REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TRAUMATIC IT IS TO 'EM.

AND IT IS PRETTY TRAUMATIC, REALLY.

IT REALLY IS.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> IN-DOT ESTIMATES THAT, WHEN COMPLETED, THE FINAL PHASE OF THE PROJECT BETWEEN MARTINSVILLE AND INDIANAPOLIS WILL SAVE COMMUTERS 11 MINUTES.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY LIZ DESANTIS FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, LIZ.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

<<< THE MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL PLANS TO ESTABLISH A FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE COMMUNITY'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE NEEDS.

COUNCIL MEMBERS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED FOR THE COMMITTEE TUESDAY, JUST UNDER THREE WEEKS AFTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SUSPENDED MEETINGS OF THE JAIL PLANNING GROUP.

THE NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL GATHER INFORMATION FROM LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS AND MAKE BUDGETARY RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

COUNCIL MEMBERS HOPE THE BAXTER INTERNATIONAL HAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT THIS WEEK TO SELL ITS BIOPHARMA SOLUTIONS BUSINESS TO A PAIR OF PRIVATE EQUITY AND GROWTH INVESTORS.

THE COMPANY EMPLOYS ABOUT 700 PEOPLE IN BLOOMINGTON, WHERE IT HAS OPERATED FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES AT ITS FACILITIES ON SOUTH CURRY PIKE.

IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTRY SPECIALIZING IN INJECTABLE PHARMACEUTICALS.

UNDER THE DEAL, BAXTER WILL RECEIVE 4 POINT 25 BILLION DOLLARS FROM ADVENT INTERNATIONAL AND WARBURG PINCUS.

>>> INDIANA INDUSTRIES EMITTED NEARLY 27 PERCENT FEWER GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THAN A DECADE AGO.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS COAL PLANT CLOSURES LARGELY DROVE THAT DECLINE.

>> POWER PLANTS IN INDIANA CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN HALF OF ALL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN THE STATE; A QUARTER COMES FROM STEELMAKERS LIKE U-S STEEL AND CLEVELAND CLIFFS.

SO, IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT COAL PLANT CLOSURES AFFECTED EMISSIONS.

AND THERE'S THE POSSIBILITY FOR MORE DECREASES IN THE NEXT DECADE.

SIX COAL PLANTS IN THE STATE ARE EXPECTED TO RETIRE BY 2028.

>> THINGS ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION - WHICH I THINK IS NOTABLE PARTICULARLY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF POLICY PUSH INSIDE THE STATE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

>> BUT MANY INDIANA UTILITIES PLAN TO REPLACE COAL PLANTS WITH AT LEAST SOME NATURAL GAS - WHICH STILL EMITS A LOT OF CARBON DIOXIDE.

GAS PIPELINES CAN ALSO LEAK METHANE - A MORE POTENT GREENHOUSE GAS THAN C-O-2.

>> I THINK THAT EVENTUALLY MAY HAPPEN.

BUT I THINK REPLACING THEM WITH NATURAL GAS IS REALLY JUST A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION RATHER THAN A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO THE CO2 EMISSIONS.

>> KONISKY SAYS IF WE WANT A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY, WE'LL NEED TO STOP ADDING NEW GAS PLANTS AND SWITCH TO RENEWABLES LIKE WIND AND SOLAR AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> THERE WAS A SLIGHT UPTICK IN INDIANA GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM 2020 TO 2021, LIKELY AS INDUSTRY RAMPED BACK UP FROM PANDEMIC LOCKDOWNS.

>>> THE STATE'S GASOLINE TAX WILL GO UP BY ONE CENT TO 34 CENTS ON JULY 1ST UNDER AN ANNUAL INCREASE THAT REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS VOTED TO EXTEND BY THROUGH 20-27.

THAT INCREASE HAS BEEN ALLOWED EACH JULY SINCE 2017 WHEN A REPUBLICAN-SPONSORED PLAN BOOSTED THE GAS TAX TO 28 CENTS FROM 18 CENTS.

THE STATE GAS LEVY ALSO INCLUDES A 7% SALES TAX THAT WILL STAND AT 20.3 CENTS A GALLON DURING MAY.

>>> THE NUMBER OF HOOSIER VICTIMS OF IDENTITY THEFT HAS NEARLY DOUBLED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ACCORDING TO FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION DATA.

WHILE CYBERCRIME HAS STEADILY INCREASED ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IN INDIANA CRIMES LIKE IDENTITY THEFT ARE 50% FASTER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

INDIANA STATE POLICE SAYS THEY'VE INVESTIGATED AN INCREASED NUMBER OF INCIDENTS TARGETING CHILDREN.

>> WE'VE SEEN A VERY BIG UPTICK OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION, AND EXTORTION RELATED TO MINORS.

IN OTHER WORDS, SUSPECTS ARE ACCESSING, AND COMMUNICATING WITH MINORS WITH CHILDREN.

>> INDIANA RANKED 11TH NATIONALLY FOR THE GREATEST RATE OF INCREASE IN CYBERCRIME.

>>> A PURDUE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR SAYS PASSENGERS WILL BENEFIT FROM A DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROPOSAL TO REQUIRE AIRLINES TO COMPENSATE PASSENGERS EXPERIENCING CANCELED OR DELAYED FLIGHTS.

PASSENGERS COULD BE COMPENSATED IF THEIR FLIGHTS ARE INTERRUPTED BY CONTROLLABLE FACTORS-- SUCH AS MAINTENANCE ISSUES OR CREW SCHEDULING - BUT THE PROPOSED MEASURE WILL NOT APPLY TO PASSENGERS DELAYED BY WEATHER.

>> I CAN FORESEE THE AIRLINES KIND OF TRYING TO SORT OF BLAME AS MUCH OF A DELAY ON EXTERNAL FACTORS AS POSSIBLE.

>> AND, JOE, BILOTKATCH SAYS FARES COULD INCREASE BY A SMALL AMOUNT.

HE EXPECTS THE D-O-T TO ENACT THE POLICY AHEAD OF THE WINTER HOLIDAY TRAVEL SEASON.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

COMING UP NEXT ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

WE LOOK AT THE LIFE OF LEGENDARY PIANIST PRESSLER WHO DIED LAST WEEKEND.

AND WE EXPLORE SHE WATER QUALITY AT LAKE MONROE, WHICH IS THE SOURCE OF WATER FOR ALL OF MONROE AND PARTS OF BROWN COUNTY.

THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT HERE ON INDIANA NEWSDESK!

>> WE CARE ABOUT THINGS THAT AFFECT THE LIVES OF EVERY AMERICAN.

>> WE ARE THERE AT THE FRONT LINES.

>> TO GET TO THE HEART OF WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN EVERY ISSUE.

>> THIS COUNTRY HAS NOT SEEN THIS IN 80 YEARS.

>> THIS EXTRAORDINARY MOMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY... >> MAKING SUCH A HUGE IMPACT.

>> TRUST IS AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO.

>> LIFE IS FULL OF CHOICES AND RIGHT NOW YOUR FAVORITE MEMBER BENEFIT PASSPORT IS OFFERING MORE CHOICES FOR YOU TO STREAM.

>> WELCOME TO THE CLUB.

>> IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING.

>> WITH COOKING.

>> KEEP WANTING TO SWEAR.

>> TRAVEL.

>> AND HERE WE ARE!

>> DOCUMENTARIES.

>> I REALIZE I CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.

>> AND SO MUCH MORE.

>> THE CHOICE IS YOURS WITH PASSPORT ON PBS VIDEO APP.

>> WELCOME BACK TO INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>>> INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED PIANIST MENAHEM PRESSLER DIED SATURDAY IN LONDON AT THE AGE OF 99.

WHILE SMALL IN STATURE, PRESSLER WAS A GIANT IN THE CLASSICAL MUSIC WORLD.

PRESSLER WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE BEAUX ARTS TRIO, AN AWARD- WINNING PERFORMER AND CHAMBER MUSICIAN, AND FACULTY MEMBER AT IU'S JACOBS SCHOOL OF MUSIC.

SARA WITTMEYER HAS THIS REMEMBRANCE: ♪ [ MUSIC ] ♪ >> MENAHEM PRESSLER STARTED PLAYING MUSIC WHEN HE WAS 5 OR 6 YEARS OLD.

IN A 2013 INTERVIEW WITH WFIU HE SAID MUSIC WAS TRULY WHAT MADE HIM FEEL ALIVE.

>> MY FATHER WOULD ALWAYS SAY TO ME AFTER HE CAME HOME FROM A DAY OF WORK, 'DIDN'T YOU HAVE ENOUGH OF PRACTICING NOW?'

I NEVER HAD ENOUGH.

>> IN 1939 PRESSLER FLED NAZI GERMANY AND IMMIGRATED TO ISRAEL WITH HIS FAMILY.

HIS GRANDPARENTS AND AUNTS AND UNCLES WERE KILLED IN AUSCHWITZ.

HE CAME TO THE UNITED STATES IN 1946 TO, HE SAID, FIND OUT HOW GOOD HE WAS.

AT THE DEBUSSY INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION IN SAN FRANCISCO, HE WON FIRST PRIZE AND INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION.

>> I STILL FEEL THAT FEELING WHICH I HAD GOING INTO THE TELEGRAM OFFICE AND SENT HOME A TELEGRAM SAYING I WON.

THAT WAS A GREAT GREAT THRILL.

>> SOON AFTER, PRESSLER MADE HIS NEW YORK DEBUT WITH THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA.

HE WOULD GO ON TO TOUR THE WORLD AND PERFORM WITH ORCHESTRAS IN PARIS, DALLAS, LONDON, CLEVELAND AND MANY OTHERS.

IN 1955, PRESSLER BEGAN HIS TEACHING CAREER AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND STARTED THE BEAUX ARTS TRIO.

HE MADE MORE THAN 50 RECORDINGS WITH THE BEAUX ARTS TRIO, WHICH HAS BEEN CALLED BY MANY THE BEST TRIO OF ALL TIME.

THE GROUP TOOK ITS FINAL BOW IN 2008.

BUT PRESSLER CONTINUED TO TEACH AT IU.

HE VIEWED IT AS A WAY TO STAY YOUNG AND LEAVE SOMETHING BEHIND WHEN HE WAS GONE.

>> TEACHING HAS BEEN MY LIFE'S AND THAT HAS BEEN MOSTLY CONCENTRATED AT IU.

I HAVE HAD MANY MANY OFFERS TO LEAVE WITH LESS WORK AND MORE PAY, AND WHO WOULDN'T LEAVE?

I DIDN'T.

I WAS HAPPY HERE.

>> RETIRED MUSIC SCHOOL DEAN HENRY UPPER SAYS THE WORD "RETIREMENT WAS NOT PART OF PRESSLER'S VOCABULARY.

>> MENACHEM WAS ABLE TO BUILD AN INTERNATIONAL CAREER - A VERY BUSY INTERNATIONAL CAREER - AND BE ONE OF THE FOREMOST CHAMBER MUSICIANS THAT THE COUNTRY HAS EVER KNOWN OR MAYBE THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN TO ALSO, THEN, BE AWAY AND COME BACK.

I SAID MANY TIMES MENAHEM WOULD LAND AT THE INDIANAPOLIS AIRPORT, BE BROUGHT TO BLOOMINGTON, AND COME RIGHT TO THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC - NOT EVEN BOTHERED TO DROP BAGGAGE AT HOME, COME TO THE SCHOOL OF >> UPPER CALLS PRESSLER A WONDERFUL FAMILY MAN TO HIS WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN.

HE SAYS PEOPLE WERE ALWAYS SURPRISED BY HIS ENERGY, HIS DRIVE AND HIS DESIRE FOR LIFE.

>> WHEN I PLAY, I DON'T FEEL OLDER THAN 50.

AND I TEACH, I DON'T FEEL OLDER THAN 40.

BUT WHEN I WALK UP THE STAIRS, I FEEL MY AGE.

>> UP UNTIL HIS DEATH, PRESSLER CONTINUED TO TEACH.

>> HE WAS SOMEONE WHO IS KNOWN NOT ONLY FOR THE HIS INCREDIBLE MUSICALITY AND PIANO PLAYING BUT ALSO FOR HIS GOODNESS AND KINDNESS.

>> THAT'S JACOBS SCHOOL DEAN ABRA BUSH.

>> AND JUST THE WAY HE WENT THROUGH THE WORLD WAS REMARKABLE.

>> PRESSLER PERFORMED IN BLOOMINGTON EVERY YEAR.

AND HE CALLED IT HIS MOST DAUNTING VENUE BECAUSE HIS STUDENTS WERE IN THE AUDIENCE.

DURING PRESSLER'S CAREER, WHICH SPANNED MORE THAN 70 YEARS, HE RECEIVED NUMEROUS AWARDS AND HONORS INCLUDING SIX GRAMMY NOMINATIONS, SEVERAL HONORARY DOCTORATES AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS FROM GERMANY, SPAIN AND FRANCE.

>> IT'S NOT A PROFESSION.

WHEN YOU SEE MUSIC, WHEN YOU HEAR A GREAT PIANIST - TRULY A GREAT PIANIST - YOU KNOW IT'S A CALLING.

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

♪ [ MUSIC ] ♪ >>> LAKE MONROE WAS CREATED SIXTY YEARS AGO TO PROVIDE DRINKING WATER FOR BLOOMINGTON, MONROE COUNTY, AND EVEN SOME OF BROWN COUNTY.

BUT HOW SAFE IS IT FROM FROM CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, AND PHYSICAL TOXINS THAT CAN AFFECT WATER SOURCES?

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH HAS THE ANSWER.

>> PEOPLE ARE UNDERSTANDABLY ON-EDGE ABOUT TOXINS.

IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, AMERICANS HAVE CONTENDED WITH MULTIPLE TOXIC SPILLS AND BURNS, INCLUDING THE CLEANUP AND REMOVAL OF THOSE HAZARDOUS WASTES TO NEIGHBORING STATES.

AND A HEAVILY CONTESTED SCHEDULED BURN AND LOGGING PROJECT IN HOOSIER NATIONAL FOREST HAS PEOPLE CONCERNED FOR THE SUSTAINED WATER QUALITY OF THE LAKE.

SO HOW IS LAKE MONROE, THE SOLE DRINKING SOURCE FOR OVER 128,000 CITIZENS PROTECTED FROM TOXINS?

>> WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF HEAVY INDUSTRY UPSTREAM FROM US.

SO THE WATER IS RELATIVELY CLEAN TO START WITH.

AND THEN WE HAVE OUR WATER OPERATORS HERE 24/7 365 THAT ARE CONSTANTLY TESTING THE WATER, TWEAKING OUR TREATMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S OPTIMAL FOR WHATEVER IS COMING IN FROM THE LAKE THAT DAY.

>> MCLAUCHLIN TAKES ME ON A TOUR SENIORS SAYS THEY TREAT THE WATER IN THREE DIFFERENT WAYS.

THEY HAVE TO REMOVE ANY DEBRIS FROM THE WATER >> WE USE BAR SCREENS, WEIRS, DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIA LIKE SAND AND GRAVEL, REALLY ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY TO GET THAT STUFF OUT OF THE WATER.

>> THE CHEMICAL ALUM IS ALSO ADDED IN THE STEP TO CLUMP PHYSICAL MATERIALS TOGETHER, WHICH IS LATER SCOOPED OUT AND DISPOSED OF.

NEXT, THEY TAKE BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS OUT OF THE EQUATION.

>> SO YOUR E COLI, THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND WE USE CHLORINE BASICALLY FOR THAT.

>> AND THEN FINALLY THEY PROTECT THE WATER FROM GETTING PIPE MATERIALS IN IT WHILE ALSO DISINFECTING THE WATER.

>> WE ADD ANOTHER CHEMICAL TO MAKE CHLORAMINE, WHICH KEEPS IT DISINFECTED ALL THE WAY UP TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

>> THROUGH THESE STEPS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY 24/7 MONITORING AND TWEAKING BY WATER WORKS STAFF, THE CITY SAYS THE WATER IS KEPT SAFE.

BUT WHO PROTECTS THE ACTUAL LAKE?

ACCORDING TO FRIENDS OF LAKE MONROE PRESIDENT SHERRY MITCHELL-BRUKER THE CITY DOESN'T ACTUALLY MANAGE THE LAKE.

THEY ARE PERMITTED TO USE THE LAKE THROUGH THE US ARMY COPR OF ENGINEERS, THE PEOPLE WHO CREATED THE LAKE IN THE 60'S.

>> THERE'S NO ONE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION THAT CAN PROTECT THE LAKE.

IT'S UP TO OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES ON FARMS, FOREST, ROADS, COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, PRIVATE PROPERTIES, ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE POTENTIAL TO DEGRADE WATER QUALITY IN THE LAKE.

>> HER ORGANIZATION IS FOCUSED ON PROTECTING THE LAKE AND HAS DEVELOPED THE MONROE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS.

AND WHILE THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON WILL ALWAYS WORK HARD TO TREAT THE WATER, MITCHELL-BRUKER SAYS THAT THE REAL SOLUTION LIES IN PROTECTING THE DRINKING WATER AT ITS SOURCE.

>> IT'S JUST WAY BETTER TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM AT THE SOURCE RATHER THAN TRYING TO ADD A BUNCH OF CHEMICALS.

AND EVERY TIME YOU ADD A NEW CHEMICAL, THEN THERE'S ANOTHER REACTION THAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF.

AND SO --AND THEN ALL OF THAT COMES AT COST FINANCIALLY TOO.

>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THEY OFTEN RUN INTO IS PULLING TOGETHER ALL THE DIFFERENT GROUPS THAT HAVE A SAY IN WHAT HAPPENS TO PROTECT THE LAKE.

>> ALL OF THE FEDERAL AGENCIES, THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS, AND THE HOOSIER NATIONAL FOREST, THEY DO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY, BUT THEN SO DOES THE STATE, AND SO DOES THE COUNTY.

AND, AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY EASY TO SAY, OH, IT'S THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.

>> FRIENDS OF LAKE MONROE IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY GROUPS THAT SUED THE FOREST SERVICE OVER CONCERNS THAT THEIR CONTROLLED BURN IN HOOSIER NATIONAL FOREST WOULD AFFECT WATER QUALITY.

>> WE'RE ALSO ENCOURAGING LOCAL LAWMAKERS TO PETITION THE HOOSIER NATIONAL FOREST TO SET ASIDE THE LAKE MONROE WATERSHED AS AN AREA THAT HAS AS RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES AND TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY.

>> THEY ALSO WORK ON SPONSORING TRASH CLEANUPS AND YOUTH TRIPS TO THE LAKE.

>> SASSAFRAS AUDUBON SOCIETY HAS PROVIDED US WITH FUNDS TO SPONSOR KAYAK TRIPS, WE TAKE YOUTH, UNDERSERVED YOUTH AND OTHERS OUT ON THE LAKE TO HAVE A FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE OF THE LAKE.

AND WE HOPE THAT THAT WILL INSPIRE THEM TO TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT THE LAKE.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWS DESK, I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>> LAKE MONROE IS THE LARGEST LAND-LOCKED LAKE IN THE STATE WITH A SURFACE AREA OF NEARLY ELEVEN THOUSAND ACRES.

IT'S AVERAGE DEPTH IS SEVENTEEN FEET.

>>> OLIVER WINERY AND VINEYARDS NORTH OF BLOOMINGTON IS UNDERGOING A 12.3 MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION TO MEET GROWING NATIONAL DEMAND.

LIZ DESANTIS HAS MORE.

>> DESPITE NOT BEING LOCATED IN WHAT IS TYPICALLY CONSIDERED WINE COUNTRY, THE HOOSIER BUSINESS OLIVER WINERY HAS GROWN TO DISTRIBUTE IN 42 STATES.

>> WE SELL A LOT OF WINE AND HAVE A LOT OF GROWTH THESE DAYS IN TEXAS, AND IN FLORIDA AND GEORGIA.

SO, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO BRING MORE WINES TO THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY.

>> THE WINERY IS USING ITS EXPANSION TO HIRE MORE THAN 21 WORKERS AND ADD TO ITS FACTORY LINES AND WAREHOUSES.

>> WE HAD A 45,000 SQUARE FOOT WAREHOUSE AND THIS WAS HALF AGAIN 20,000 MORE SQUARE FEET FOR US FOR CASEGOODS STORAGE.

>> THE FACILITIES HERE ARE PRODUCING 200 BOTTLES A MINUTE.

THAT'S 5,000 OF THESE CASES A DAY, BUT THE PRODUCTION MANAGER THEY'RE READY TO START RAMPING THINGS UP.

>> WE ARE NOT RUNNING MULTIPLE SHIFTS, NOT RUNNING FIVE DAYS A WEEK QUITE YET, BUT WE ARE WELL PREPARED TO HANDLE QUITE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF GROWTH, DOUBLE WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY.

THEY CATER TO YOUNGER WINE DRINKERS.

>> NEW CONSUMERS TO WINE CAN OFTEN FIND IT INTIMIDATING AND WE REALLY LIKE TO LEAD WITH THESE KINDS OF WINES AND FEEL LIKE THAT NEWER, YOUNGER CONSUMERS, AS WELL AS A BROAD VARIETY OF CONSUMERS, THE FLAVORS APPEAL TO THEM.

>> ADAMS SAID IT OWES ITS GROWTH TO ITS INNOVATIONS, A SWEET ROSE CALLED MELON MINT MOSCATO.

>> YOU CAN SEE CASES OF KEY LIME PIE.

THAT WILL BE OUR LATEST SEASONAL WINE WE BRING OUT >> AND, ALTHOUGH THE FIFTY-YEAR-OLD VINEYARD IS QUICKLY EXPANDING NATIONWIDE, THE COMPANY IS STILL PROUD OF ITS ROOTS.

>> WE'VE ALWAYS STAKED A CLAIM IN THAT PART OF THE WINE WORLD, WE FEEL LIKE IT FITS WITH OUR INDIANA HERITAGE.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M LIZ DESANTIS.

>> OLIVER WINERY IS THE 28TH LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY AND HAS BEEN RANKED ONE OF THE TOP 25 WINERIES TO VISIT IN THE U.S. THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIU NEWS DOT ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> INDIANA NEWSDESK IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY...