>> INDIANA NEWSDESK IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> COMING UP ON INDIANA NEWSDESK, A CONTROVERSIAL ROAD PROJECT IN BLOOMINGTON IS BACK ON THE TABLE.

>> IT'S NOT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE TO CLOSE IT, AND IT'S GOING TO HURT A LOT OF US, AND WE'RE GOING TO REALLY BE FRUSTRATED.

>> SHOULD PART OF OLD 37 BE LIMITED TO PEDESTRIANS AND BIKES OR STAY THE WAY IT IS AND BE OPEN TO VEHICLES AS WELL?

SCHOOLS CAN NOW USE STATE MONEY TO PROVIDE TEACHERS WITH FIREARMS TRAINING.

>> HOW MANY LIVES COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED HAD ANY OF THE TEACHERS AND STAFF HAD THE ABILITY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.

>> COMING UP THE DETAILS ABOUT THE NEW LEGISLATION AND WHY IT MIGHT BE HARD TO TRACK DOWN WHETHER YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE PROGRAM.

PLUS HOOSIERS OWE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO UTILITY COMPANIES.

A LOOK AT THE DEBT LOAD AND WHICH UTILITIES HAVE THE MOST CUSTOMERS BEHIND ON THEIR BILLS.

THESE STORIES PLUS THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>> WELCOME TO INDIANA NEWSDESK.

I'M JOE HREN.

BLOOMINGTON'S MAYOR AND SOME RESIDENTS ARE AT ODDS OVER WHETHER TO CLOSE A PORTION OF THE A RADIO TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO PROVIDE BETTER CONNECTIVITY TO THE PARKS.

THE MAYOR WANTS TO PUSH THROUGH CHANGES TO OLD STATE ROAD 37 BEFORE HE LEAVES OFFICE.

SOME RESIDENTS DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY HE'S REOPENING THE DEBATE OVER LOWER CASCADES PARK THEY THOUGHT WAS SETTLED.

THEY PRESENTED THEIR PROPOSAL TO CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK.

AS LUCAS GONZALEZ REPORTS, IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE SEEN THE PROPOSAL EXPLAINED ON PAPER.

>> HERE AT LOWER CASCADES PARK, MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON WANTS TO CLOSE A PORTION OF THIS ROAD AND MAKE IT A BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN TRAIL.

MANY PEOPLE SAY THEY LIKE IT THE WAY IT IS.

DOZENS OF PEOPLE GATHERED AT THE NORTHSIDE PARK SATURDAY TO VOICE OPPOSITION TO THE PLAN TO RESTRICT DRIVER ACCESS TO PART OF THE ROAD.

HAMILTON WANTS TO CLOSE A HALF MILE STRETCH BEHIND CLUBHOUSE DRIVE AND NORTH COLLEGE HAVENA FOR A NEW TRAIL.

IT'S PART OF HIS ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN TO ESTABLISH A PATH CONNECTING THE CITY'S MAJOR PARKS.

THE ROAD, WHICH RUNS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE LOWER CASCADES IS HOW MANY SAY THEY ACCESS THE PARK AND NAVIGATE THROUGH TOWN DURING MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS.

DAVID BOWDIN WHO ATTENDED THE RALLY SAID HAMILTON'S PLAN WOULD IMPEDE ACCESS FOR MOBILITY AND RESTRICTED PEOPLES.

>> WE ASK MAYOR HAMILTON TO CONSIDER THE FACT IT'S NOT -- IT WILL HURT A LOT OF US AND WE'RE GOING TO REALLY BE FRUSTRATED.

>> MANY BELIEVE HAMILTON'S PLAN FAVORS NONDRIVERS.

OTHERS SAY A PARTIAL ROAD CLOSURE WOULD IMPEDE FIRST RESPONDER'S ABILITY TO GET TO EMERGENCIES ON TIME.

ATTENDEE JAMIE SAYS HAMILTON IS NOT LISTENING TO THOSE WHO SAY THEY WANT THE ROAD UNTOUCHED.

>> THOSE LIKE MYSELF OFTEN FEEL THEY ARE IGNORED AND THOSE DO NOT WANT THE ROAD CLOSED.

>> HAMILTON'S PLAN GOES AGAINST HIS OWN STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION THAT FOLLOWED A COMMUNITY SURVEY AND PILOT STUDY ON CLOSING THE ROAD.

CRITICICKS SAY IT IGNORES THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY.

THEY WANT TO KEEP ALL LANES OF THE ROAD OPEN TO DRIVERS AS OPPOSED TO CLOSING ONE OR BOTH LANES.

MOST OF THE RALLY ATTENDEES OPPOSED HAMILTON'S PLAN AND SUPPORTED LEAVING THE ROAD AS IT IS, THERE WERE SOME DETRACTORS.

GREG A ALEXANDER SAID IT IS NOT SAFE FOR PEDESTRIANS.

>> I WANT THE PATH TO BE OPEN FOR MY KIDS BECAUSE MY KIDS HAVE COME TO THE PARK A LOT LESS THAN THEY COULD BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS BARRIER ABOUT A MILE ROADWAY THAT'S NOT A SAFE PLACE TO WALK.

>> ALEXANDER WAS THE ONLY ONE TO SPEAK SO ADAMANTLY ABOUT LEAVING IT OPEN.

OTHERS SPOKE FAVORABLY OF HAMILTON'S PLAN BUT DIDN'T EXPLICITLY REJECT THE OTHER OPTIONS.

SMITH TOOK THE PODIUM TO CLARIFY HAMILTON WANTS TO CLOSE ONLY PART OF THE ROAD TO DRIVERS, NOT ENTIRELY REMOVE DRIVER ACCESS TO THE PARK.

>> ACCESSIBILITY IS NOT JUST CARS, AND THE RIGHTS OF WAY ARE NOT JUST TO GET CARS AROUND, BUT TO GET PEOPLE AROUND IN VARIOUS WAYS THEY MIGHT CHOOSE TO GET AROUND.

>> AFTER PIEDMONT-SMITH SPOKE, OTHERS ARGUED AND SPOKE OVER HER ALL AT ONCE.

EVENTUALLY INTERRUPTED, URGING THE CROWD TO LET HER FINISH.

AT ONE POINT SHE RESPONDED TO AN ATTENDEE WHO ASKED HER TO STATE HER POSITION.

>> STAY WHAT YOU'RE FOR OR AGAINST, WHY WON'T YOU, YOU'RE ON THE COUNCIL?

>> I'M LOOKING OUT HERE AND I SEE PITCHFORKS.

>> TO DATE HAMILTON HAS NOT SUBMITTED A FORMAL PROPOSAL TO FOR HIS PLAN TO CITY COUNCIL.

THE RALLY ATTENDEES WANT THEM TO VOICE THEIR OPINION AT FUTURE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M LUCAS GONZALEZ.

>> NOW THE CITY PRESENTED FOUR OPTIONS FOR THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER AT THIS WEEK'S MEETING.

CONVERT THE ROAD TO A TRAIL, KEEP THE ROAD AS IT IS, MAKE IT PART ONE WAY FOR DRIVERS AND PART MULTI PURPOSE TRAYLOR BUILD A NEW SEPARATED PATH.

MANY OPPONENTS TO HAMILTON'S PLAN EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR BUILDING A SEPARATED MULTI PURPOSE STAFF.

THE CITY ESTIMATES THAT WOULD COST $3 MILLION AND SAYS A ROAD CONVERSION WOULD COST SIGNIFICANTLY LESS.

IT HAS NOT GIVEN A COST ESTIMATE.

THEY MAY GET THE WHEELS TURNING ON A VOTE.

HAMILTON BY SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL OR A COUNCIL MEMBER BY SPONSORING AN ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION.

NOW EITHER WAY, DRAFT LEGISLATION PROPOSED EITHER BY HAMILTON OR BY A COUNCIL MEMBER WOULD HAVE TO BE INTRODUCED IN A FIRST READING AT A LATER MEETING.

>>> HASORIES OWE NEARLY $46 MILLION TO THE STATE'S FIVE BIG UTILITY COMPANIES, A REPORTER WITH THE INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE AND A NEW STORY SHE PUBLISHED SHOWS HOW MANY HOOSIERS ARE BEHIND ON THEIR UTILITY BILLS AND WHICH COMPANIES HAVE THE MOST CUSTOMERS IN DEBT.

LESLIE JOINS US NOW FROM INDIANAPOLIS TO TALK ABOUT HER RECENT REPORTING.

THANK YOU FOR ENGINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU CRUNCHED NUMBERS FROM THE STATE'S OFFICE, AND CAME UP WITH 46.5 MILLION OWED TO UTILITIES.

BIG NUMBER.

YOUR REPORTING SHOWS THAT FIGURE DOESN'T PAINT THE WHOLE PICTURE, DOES IT?

>> YEAH, NO.

SO IT'S A ABOUT 186,000 PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE THAT OWE THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY, OR THEY DID IN MARCH, THE MOST RECENT MONTH WE HAVE DATA.

FOR THE UTILITIES.

BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, WE ONLY HAVE DATA FROM THOSE FIVE ELECTRIC NATURAL GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANIES.

SO THAT MEANS THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS LEFT OUT.

SO THAT'S PEOPLE THAT GET THEIR ELECTRIC AND NATURAL GAS SERVICE THROUGH MUNICIPAL ENTITIES AS WELL AS THROUGH RURAL ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP COOPERATIVES OR RMC'S, AND WE ARE ALSO NOT REALLY BEEN CONSIDERING WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE.

IT'S A LOT OF MONEY, BUT IT IS NOT EVERYONE.

>> SO CAN YOU PROVIDE SOME PERSPECTIVE OR CONTEXT AROUND THESE NUMBERS AND ARE THEY PRETTY AVERAGE?

DO THEY SHOW A DIFFERENT STORY?

>> WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CONTEXT, THAT'S ONLY THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE GOTTEN THIS DATA.

THE FIRST WAS DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN THE STATE WAS SHUTTING DOWN, PEOPLE WERE REALLY STRUGGLING, AND THE OFFICE OF UTILITY CONSUMER COUNSELOR, A STATE AGENCY THAT ADVOCATES SPECIFICALLY FOR UTILITY CUSTOMERS AND A COUPLE OF OTHER GROUPS ASKED STATE REGULATORS TO MANDATE REPORTING AND THEY DID.

THEY DID THAT AGAIN WHEN WE RECENTLY -- WHEN WE STARTED SEEING IT WAS HIGH INFLATION.

BUT YOU COULD COMPARE THE SECOND ROUND OF DATA TO THE FIRST, BUT WE REALLY DON'T HAVE HISTORICAL DATA BECAUSE WE DON'T REQUIRE REPORTING IN LIKE NORMAL PERIODS OF TIME.

>> THIS DATA HASN'T BEEN PUBLICLY AVAILABLE IN THE PAST.

WHY ARE WE GETTING IT NOW AND HOW IS IT INTENDED TO BE USED?

>> YEAH.

WHEN THEY MADE THE MOST RECENT FILING, THE OFFICE OF I TILT CONSUMER COUNSELOR CITED THE HIGH INFLATION AND I BELIEVE THAT COMMISSIONER REFERRED TO IT AS A PERFECT STORM OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.

SO THAT'S WHY WE ARE GETTING IT THIS TIME.

BUT IT ONLY GOES THROUGH MARCH OF 2024 AND THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT THAT IS LEADING TO THESE DATA SUBMISSIONS SAYS THAT THE OFFICE CAN'T EVEN APPLY TO LIKE ASK FOR, YOU MO, ANOTHER ROUND OF DATA UNTIL WE HIT THAT MARCH OF 2024 DEADLINE.

AND THEY'LL HAVE TO START IT AS A SEPARATE CASE.

SO IT'S POSSIBLE THAT WE COULD SEE MORE, BUT FOR NOW, THIS IS DEFINITELY TEMPORARY.

I WANT TO ADD THAT STATE LAWS -- SORRY, BILLS PROPOSING ACTION LIKE THIS HAVEN'T REALLY GOTTEN ANYWHERE.

SO THAT IS WHY WE DON'T HAVE, YOU KNOW, CONSISTENT -- LIKE IT'S A CASE BY CASE BASIS.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>>> BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON SAYS HE'S CONCERNED THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD WITHOUT AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT IN PLACE.

I TALKED WITH MAYOR HAMILTON ON THE BOARD THAT'S CHARGED WITH OVERSEEING THE MAIN ROW CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION PROJECT.

THE COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE BOARD A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

THREE OF THOSE APPOINTED BY THE CITY, THREE BY THE COUNTY AND ONE APPOINT BID THE CITY AND COUNTY APPOINTED MEMBERS.

HAMILTON SAYS THE BOARD NEEDS A PLAN BEFORE IT MOVES FORWARD.

>> I DID HAVE A MEETING LAST WEEK BEFORE LAST, WITH A COUNTY COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SIT DOWN FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

MORE THAN A YEAR AND TALK ABOUT OPTIONS AND SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT CAN CONTINUE.

>> A DRAFT INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT INCLUDES SOME TERMS CITY COUNCIL ASKED FOR LATE LAST YEAR.

THE MAYOR'S OFFICE DOESN'T SUPPORT IT.

>> THESE ARE COMPLICATED BIG PROJECTS.

I SOMETIMES REMIND THE COUNTY THAT YOU GUYS, YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO BUILD A JAIL AND FOCUS ON GETTING THAT DONE, THAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

IT'S ALSO COMPLICATED.

>> THE COMMISSIONER SAID THEIR DEADLINE FOR GETTING IT RATIFIED IS DECEMBER 1, BUT HOPE TO COMPLETE IT SOONER.

>>> COUNTY APPOINTMENTS CONFIRMED SO FAR KLETC CEO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ERIC SPOONMORE, FORMER COMMISSIONER JOYCE POLLING AND IVY TECH CHANCELLOR JAKE WIKEHART.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON INDIANA NEWSDESK, SCHOOLS CAN NOW USE STATE MONEY TO PROVIDE TEACHERS FIREARMS TRAINING.

A GOOD INVESTMENT IN SCHOOL SAFETY OR RECKLESS DECISION?

AND THE DOME AT THE HISTORIC WEST BADEN HOTEL WAS DAMAGED IN LAST MONTH'S STORM.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS.

>> THESE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT HERE ON INDIANA NEWS DESK.

>> I'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT PEOPLE ARE AT THE HEART OF EVERY STORY WE TELL.

>> ANY STORY OR INTERVIEW THAT MAKES PEOPLE WHO WATCH IT SAY, YOU KNOW, I HADN'T THOUGHT OF IT IN THAT WAY.

THAT FOR ME IS GOLD.

>> I LIKE TO BE ABLE TO LEAVE THE VIEWER WITH SOME SORT OF EMOTION, WHETHER IT'S OUTRAGE, WHETHER IT'S SOMEONE OVERCOMING LONG ODDS.

TELLING A BIG STORY THROUGH AN INDIVIDUAL STORY.

>> WHAT MAKES THE NEWS HOUR DIFFERENT, WE HAVE TIME TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THE STORIES WE TELL, THE VOICES WE INTEND TO ELEVATE.

>> I KNOW THE ROLE THAT GOOD JOURNALISM PLAYS IN MAKING ALL OF US FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER AND HELPING ALL OF US UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

I SEE THIS AS A MISSION AND I SEE THIS AS A SERVICE.

>> WELCOME BACK TO INDIANA NEWSDESK.

INDIANA STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ARE PREPARING TO HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL.

IT WILL BE THE FIRST FULL ACADEMIC YEAR SINCE LAWMAKERS PASSED LEGISLATION ALLOWING SCHOOLS TO GET STATE MONEY TO COVER THE COST OF FIREARMS TRAINING FOR TEACHERS.

AS CLAYTON REPORTS, THE LAWMAKER WHO PUSHED FOR THE NEW LEDGIZATION SAYS TRAINING TEACHERS WILL ULTIMATELY SAVE THE STATE MONEY BECAUSE THEY'LL NEED FEWER SAFETY RESOURCE OFFICER.

>> BEING A TEACHER IN 2023 WAS A FAR CRY FROM WHAT IT WAS.

>> PARENTS TODAY EXPECT IMMEDIATE RESPONSE ON HOW THEIR CHILD DID, ON ASSIGNMENTS AND TESTS.

IMMEDIATE RESPONSE.

WE USED TO BE ABLE TO STACK THE TESTS UP AND GET TO THEM.

>> TECHNOLOGY, TESTING, FUNDING, IT'S ALL DIFFERENT.

ANOTHER BIG CHANGE IS SCHOOL SAFETY.

STATE LAWMAKERS JUST APPROVED HOUSE BILL 1177 IN THE SPRING.

IT CREATES AN AVENUE FOR TEACHERS TO GO THROUGH FIREARM TRAINING AND HAVE IT PAID FOR THROUGH THE STATE'S SCHOOL SECURED SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM.

THAT'S A $23 MILLION POT OF MONEY THAT PAYS FOR EVERYTHING FROM SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS TO METAL DETECTORS.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE ANY GUNS IN THE SCHOOLS.

OTHER THAN A SECURITY GUARDS AND POLICEMEN THAT COME IN.

>> THE IDENTITIES OF THOSE ENROLL PARTICIPATE IN AND COMPLETE THE TRAINING ARE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.

THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE HOW MANY SCHOOL INTEND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRAINING.

BUT TEACHERS ARE ONLY ELIGIBLE IF THEIR DISTRICT ALLOWS THEM TO CARRY FIREARMS AT SCHOOL.

FOR MANY, LIKE ROMA, THE IDEA OF ARMING TEACHERS OPENS UP A PLETHORA OF NEW QUESTIONS.

HOW WOULD THE WEAPON BE STORED?

WOULD A TEACHER BE COMPELLED TO LEAP INTO ACTION IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY AND WOULD HAVING A GUN IN CLASS MAKE EVERYBODY SAFERES WOULDN'T TAKE MUCH FOR ANYBODY TO OVERPOWER A TEACHER IF THEY KNEW THAT YOU HAD A GUN ON YOU.

AND THEN IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE IT ON YOU, WOULD HAVE TO BE LOCKED UP, WOULD HAVE TO BE IN A LOCKED PLACE.

MOST CLASSROOMS DON'T HAVE VERY ADEQUATE PLACES TO LOCK THINGS UP.

>> REPRESENTATIVE JIM LUCAS OF SEYMOUR AUTHORED THE BILL.

THE SHOOTER WASN'T NEUTRALIZED FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR AND A HALF.

>> HOW MANY LIVES COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED HAD ANY OF THOSE TEACHERS AND STAFF HAD THE MEANS AND ABILITY TO DEFEND THEM.

>> THE TRAINING REQUIRED BY THE BILL IN ORDER TO RECEIVE GRANT MONEY WAS DEVELOP BID LUCAS WITH THE HELP OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO COVER THE SPECIFIC INSTANCE OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IN A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, ON TOP OF THE 40 HOURS OF FIREARM TRAINING.

>> TEACHERS AND STAFF THAT GO THROUGH THIS TRAINING, SOME COULD ARGUE BETTER QUALIFIED THAN A FRESHMAN, FRESH OUT OF THE ACADEMY, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

>> BY HIS ESTIMATES, LUCAS SAYS TRAINING TEACHERS TO USE FIREARMS IS CHEAPER THAN HIRING A SAFETY RESOURCE OFFICER.

>> A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER, THE AVERAGE SALARY AND BENEFITS IN AN SRO IS $65,000.

FOR THAT ONE YEAR SALARY, YOU CAN TRAINING APPROXIMATELY 40 TEACHERS AND STAFF.

SO YOUR DETER RENT FACTOR, YOU HAVE MAGNIFIED THAT BY A FACTOR OF 40 RIGHT THERE.

>> SCHOOLS MOST LIKELY TO BENEFIT ARE THOSE LOCATED IN RURAL AREAS WHERE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES ARE SPREAD THIN.

ACCORDING TO THE INDIANA SMALL AND RURAL SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION, THERE ARE ONLY, QUOTE, ONE OR TWO SCHOOLS THAT ALLOW TEACHERS TO CARRY A FEWER ARM ON CAMPUS.

ONE OF THOSE, RESPONDED TO OUR REQUEST TO INTERVIEW WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT.

AT THIS TIME, WE DO NOT CURRENTLY PLAN TO SEND ANY TEACHERS TO TRAINING.

HOWEVER, WE WILL CONSIDER THIS NEW GRANT FUNDED PROGRAM MOVING FORWARD FOR FUTURE TRAINING NEEDS.

FOR PAUL FARMER, TEACHER AND PRESIDENT OF THE MONROE COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, THERE ARE BETTER WAYS THE STATE MONEY COULD BE AL ALLOCATED.

>> THEY HAVE A $2 BILLION SURPLUS THIS PAST YEAR.

THEY'LL TAKE THE MONEY AND HELP PAY FOR POTENTIALLY TEACHERS HAVING HANDGUNS IN THE CLASSROOM.

MOST PEOPLE, I THINK, ANYWAY, AND ME PERSONALLY AS AN INDIVIDUAL WILL GO, WE COULD USE THIS MONEY BETTER.

>> SPECIFICALLY FARMER SAID THE MONEY COULD HELP FUND BETTER MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICING TO PREVENT SHOOTING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE AND THE ASSOCIATION AND TEACHERS WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE EMPHASIS PLACED ON HELP.

THE CRITICAL HELP OUR STUDENTS NEED TODAY.

>> FOR FARMER AND ROMA JEAN BRADBURN, LEGISLATION LIKE HOUSE BILL 1177 DOES LITTLE TO MAKE THEM FEEL SAFER.

IN FACT FOR ROMA ONLY ONE LAW WILL DO THAT.

>> THE ONLY THING THAT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM IS BAN ASSAULT RIFLES, AUTOMATIC RACHELS, AND GUNS.

ANYTHING THAT MAKES A GUN AUTOMATIC.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M CLAYTON BAUMSGARTH.

>> IN ADDITION TO FIREARMS TRAINING SCHOOLS CAN USE IN THE EVENT OF A SCHOOL SHOOTING TO PAY FOR COUNSELING FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.

>>> NOW FOR THE LATEST ON THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES, LUCAS GONZALEZ JOINS US FOR NEWS HEADLINES.

HELLO, LUCAS.

>> THANKS, JOE.

THE NUMBER OF COVID CASES IN INDIANA HAS BEEN RELATIVELY STABLE ALL SUMMER.

DEATHS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ALSO AREN'T SPIKING LIKE THEY DID AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

DATA REPORTED BY THE INSTITUTE SHOWS INDIANA COUNTED 47 COVID-19 DEATHS.

RESEARCHERS SAY IT'S LIKELY THESE DEATHS ARE PEOPLE WHO FALL INTO VULNERABLE CATEGORIES, OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH HEALTH CONDITIONS.

>> MAKING SURE THAT YOU'RE VACCINATED, YOU'RE PROTECTED ENOUGH MAKES A LOT OF SENSE FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

>> REAGAN STREET STAFF DASHBOARD SHOWS THE STATE'S SEVEN-DAY MOVING AVERAGE WAS AT 20 PERCENT, 34 POSITIVE TESTS.

WASTEWATER CONCENTRATION FOR COVID HAS BEEN ON THE RISE SINCE THE END OF JUNE, DOUBLED BETWEEN THE END OF JUNE AND TODAY.

>>> 2021 WAS A BIG YEAR FOR SOLAR, HALF OF ALL SOLAR CAPACITY HAS TODAY CAME ONLINE THAT YEAR.

THE STATE ADDED ONLY A THIRD AS MUCH LAST YEAR.

EXPERTS SAY AMONG OTHER THINGS, SO MANY RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS ASKING TO BE CONNECTED TO THE GRID AT ONCE IS CAUSING DELAYS.

ABOUT 6,000 MEGAWATTS OF SOLAR ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE STATE OR IN DEVELOPMENT.

>> IT'S BECOME A REAL BACKLOG AND BOTTLENECK FOR CLEAN ENERGY PLANTS TRYING TO COME ONLINE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, NOT JUST IN INDIANA.

IT'S TAKING THREE OR FOUR YEARS ON AVERAGE NOW.

>> 2022 WAS THE LAST YEAR HOOSIERS COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIGHER NET METERING RATES OR THE RATES RESIDENTS WITH SOLAR PANELS GET PAID FOR DELIVERING EXTRA ENERGY FOR THE GRID.

THEY SAY EARLY NUMBERS HE'S SEEN FROM INDIANA UTILITIES THIS YEAR SHOWED VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE SIGNING UP FOR SOLAR.

>>> INDIANA FARMERS HAVE PLANTED A RECORD 1.6 MILLION ACRES OF COVER CROPS THIS YEAR ACCORDING TO THE 2023 CONSERVATION SURVEY.

COVER CROPS INCLUDE RYE, LEGUMES AND CLOVER.

ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF INDIANA'S 12 MILLION ACRES OF FARMLAND HAS COVER CROPS.

COMPARED TO BARELY 1 PERCENT TEN YEARS AGO.

COVER CROPS HELP FARMERS IN SOUTHERN INDIANA WE RECOMMENDATION.

IN FLATTER LANDSCAPES, COVER CROPS HELP BUILD ORGANIC MATTER AND CONTROL WEED GROWTH.

>>> ON THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN TRAIL, MIKE PENCE IS TRYING TO REINVENT HIMSELF AS HE REINTRODUCES HIMSELF TO THE PEOPLE IN THE EARLY VOTING STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

HE LARGELY AVOIDED TALKING ABOUT HIS YEARS AS VICE PRESIDENT AND DID NOT UTTER TRUMP'S NAME AND INTRODUCED HIMSELF LIKE THIS.

I'M MIKE PENCE, I'M FROM INDIANA, AND I'M RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

>> I'M WELL KNOWN, BUT NOT KNOWN WELL.

I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO SETTINGS LIKE THIS AND SPEND THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS TRAVELING ACROSS NEW HAMPSHIRE AND AS WE HAVE BEEN TO STATES SINCE WE ANNOUNCED, IT'S SO ENCOURAGING TO ME TO HEAR PEOPLE CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT US, OUR FAMILY, OUR HEART.

>> PENCE HAS BEEN DRAGGED DOWN BY THE POWERFUL UNDERTOW OF TRUMPISM.

HE BARELY REGISTERED IN A NEW POLL RELEASED LAST WEEK AND ADMITTED HE DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH DONORS TO QUALIFY FOR THE OPENING PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE NEXT MONTH.

>>> JIM LUCAS IS NOT SERVING ON ANY INTERIM STUDIES COMMITTEES THIS YEAR AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO TWO MISDEMEANORS RELATED TO HIS DRUNKER DRIVING ARREST IN MAY.

HE HAS SAID HE HAS NO PLANS TO STEP DOWN.

LUCAS HAS A HISTORY OF CONTROVERSY AND IN 2020 THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE ALSO KEPT LUCAS OFF ALL COMMITTEES BECAUSE OF COMMENTS HE MADE ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT MANY CONSIDERED RACIST.

>>> THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY JEWISH CULTURE CENTER PLANS TO USE A NEW GRANT TO HELP COMBAT ANTISEMITISM THE CENTER'S DIRECTOR SAYS THE DONOR MADE THE GIFT IN RESPONSE TO THE RISE OF FAR RIGHT HATRED OF JEWISH PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ESPECIALLY ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

THEY PLAN TO HOST MORE EVENTS TO LET PEOPLE INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER.

AS WELL AS TAKE PART IN IU'S FIRST EXPERIENCE PROGRAM.

>> WHY DO YOU WANT TO ATTEND ANY SORT OF AN INTELLECTUAL OR IMPORTANT SORT OF THING WHEN THEY HAVE OTHER THINGS THEY GOT TO DO.

THEY HAVE SOCIAL LIVES.

THEY'VE GOT ACADEMIC, PROBABLY WORK LIVES, ALSO, THEY DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT.

IT COSTS MONEY WHEN IT COMES TO FUND THINGS AND THEY ARE REALLY APPRECIATIVE.

>> AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE REPORT PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY FOUND MOST MIDWESTERN JEWS SAY ANTISEMITISM IS A PROBLEM GETTING WORSE.

PART OF THE IU GRANT WILL FUND RESEARCH EFFORTS COUNTERING ANTISEMITISM.

>>> AN INDIANA UNIVERSITY GRADUATE KILLED IN A HELICOPTER CRASH IN ALASKA IS BEING REMEMBERED AS A BRILLIANT STUDENT AND CURIOUS SOUL.

TORI MOORE WAS FROM SOUTH BEND AND EARNED HER BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES FROM IU AND WENT TO ALASKA TO WORK FOR THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO WORK IN THE FIELD INSTALLING WEATHER STATIONS AND CATALOG INVENTORY.

>> TORI LOVED LIFE, SHE LOVED THAT SPIRIT OF INQUIRY, OF LOOKING INTO THINGS.

SHE PURSUED WHAT SHE REALLY, REALLY LOVED.

>> MOORE WAS AMONG THREE SCIENTISTS PLUS A PILOT WHO DIED IN THE CRASH.

THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD IS INVESTIGATING.

WORK ISN'T FINISHED, BUT THE WEST BADEN HOTEL ATRIUM IS REOPENED TO THE PUBLIC.

IT HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR THREE WEEKS AFTER SEVERE STORM DAMAGED MANY OF THE GLASS ROOF PANELS.

CREWS HAVE PUT UP COVERINGS ON THE WINDOWS WHILE THEY WAIT FOR CONSTRUCTION PLANS TO BE FINALIZED.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE ATRIUM HAS BEEN DEEMED SAFE.

>> EVERYBODY'S JUMPING IN, THEY KNOW THIS IS A HISTORIC LANDMARK AND WANT IT REPAIRED.

WE'LL GET IT REPAIRED, THEY WANT TO WORK WITH US.

EVERYBODY HAS BEEN FANTASTIC TO WORK WITH.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE GLASS PANELS IN THE ROOF, CREWS HAVE ALSO INSTALLED NEW CARPET IN THE ATRIUM, REPAIRED OTHER STRUCTURES ON THE PROPERTY, REPLACED SOME WINDOWS AND A FEW STREET LAMPS.

FRANZ HOPES CONSTRUCTION WILL BE COMPLETE BY WINTER.

AND JOE, FRANZ TOLD US HE DOESN'T YET KNOW HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO MAKE THE STORM REPAIRS.

>> THANKS, LUCAS.

>>> DANGEROUS HEATS SMOTHERING THE STATE WILL START TO MOVE OUT THIS WEEKEND.

TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN IN THE 90s THIS WEEK.

THE HEAT INDEX TOPPED 105 TODAY.

PART OF THE SAME HEAT DOME AFFECTING THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE COUNTRY FOR A WHILE.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS THE ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO DIP BACK TO SEASONAL AVERAGE BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK.

TEMPERATURES ARE PREDICTED TO BE CLOSER TO 80 DEGREES.

THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIU NEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

INDIANA NEWSDESK IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY...