>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

SINCE THE STATE BEGAN AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLING STUDENTS IN THE 21st CENTURY SCHOLARS PROGRAM ON JULY 1st JULY 1st, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HOOSIERS ARE BENEFITING.

>> I DON'T THINK I WOULD BE ABLE TO DO ANY OF THAT OR EVEN GO TO COLLEGE IF IT WAS NOT FOR 21st CENTURY.

>> THE STATE IS HOPING THE CHANGE IN THE PROGRAM WILL HELP BOOST COLLEGE ATTENDANCE.

>>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON SPENT NEARLY $200,000 ADDING A BIKE LANE TO A SHORT STRETCH OF HENDERSON STREET NEAR CAMPUS, TURNING IT INTO A ONE-LANE ROAD.

IT'S LEFT SOME RESIDENTS WONDERING WHAT WAS THE POINT?

>> IT WAS ALREADY BEING SHARED WITH BICYCLES FAIRLY SUCCESSFULLY.

SOMETIMES IT MIGHT BE TO ACTUALLY DO NOTHING THAN DO SOMETHING.

>> AND THE BLOOMINGTON NEWSPAPER IS AUCTIONING OFF ITS BOUND VOLUMES TO HELP SUPPORT A NONPROFIT LOCAL NEWS FUND.

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.

READING COMPETENCY FOR INDIANA'S THIRD GRADERS IS STAGNANT AND REMAINS NEAR THE LOWEST POINT IN A DECADE.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE LATEST IREAD TEST.

THE RESULTS FROM LAST YEAR'S TEST SHOWS NEARLY 1 IN 5 STUDENTS LACK CRUCIAL PHONICS AND COMPREHENSION.

>>> THE DATA ALSO SHOWS LONG-STANDING DISPARITIES CONTINUE INCLUDING THE PERSISTENT ACHIEVEMENT GAPS FOR BOTH RACE AND INCOME LEVELS.

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SAYS PASSING THE THIRD GRADE READING TEST IS A CRUCIAL MILESTONE BECAUSE IT SHOWS WHETHER A STUDENT CAN LEARN FROM READING AND COMPREHENDING TEXT.

WE ARE JOINED BY ERIC WEDDLE WHO COVERS EDUCATION FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, ERIC.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO WHICH GROUPS ARE LAGGING THE MOST WHEN IT COMES TO TEST RESULTS?

>> SURE.

WELL, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO FIRST POINT OUT THAT, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE IS FAR BEHIND THE STATE'S HIGHEST RATE THEY PASSED WHICH IS 91.4% TEN YEARS AGO.

AND NO ONE IS GETTING NEAR THAT.

THEY SLID BACK, BUT AMONG THE STUDENT GROUPS THAT HAVE LONG STRUGGLED, YOU KNOW, EVEN BACK THEN, WHO ARE STRUGGLING TODAY THE MOST, WE HAVE HISPANIC STUDENTS, BLACK STUDENTS, AND THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE LEARNING ENGLISH IN ADDITION TO THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE.

AND THE DATA IS SHOWING THAT THEY ARE NOT LEARNING AS FAST AS THEIR READING SKILLS AS OTHER STUDENTS ARE.

AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT TOO, ONE OF THE LARGEST GAPS THAT WE'RE SEEING NOW IS BETWEEN STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH WHICH IS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE IDENTIFY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND THOSE STUDENTS WHO DO NOT QUALIFY.

SO THERE'S A LARGE INCOME GAP THAT'S LEADING TO A LACK OF PROFICIENCY IN READING.

>> SO THE DECLINE IN LITERACY LATES PREDATES THE PANDEMIC THOUGH, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

SO, I MEAN, YOU'VE HEARD THE PANDEMIC BEING GIVEN AS A REASON FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT ACADEMIC CHALLENGES, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT THAT DATA I MENTIONED TEN YEARS AGO, WE WERE AT 91% RATE OF PASSAGE.

IT'S GONE DOWN SINCE THEN.

IT'S NOT JUST THE IREAD TEST.

WE HAVE SEEN IT HAPPENING IN NATIONAL TESTS AND OTHER STATE TESTS THAT THE READING SCORE HAS SLID.

AND THIS WEEK, I FEEL IS ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES THAT WE HAVE SEEN STATE LEADERS SUCH AS KATIE JENNER REALLY COME OUT AND SAY THIS IS NOT LIKE -- THIS IS NOT A PANDEMIC-RELATED ISSUE.

IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE AND SCHOOLS REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON ADDRESSING IT.

>>> WHAT IS THE STATE TRYING TO DO TO ADDRESS THE LITERACY ISSUE.

>> SURE.

WELL, YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR WE SAW A LARGE INVESTMENT FROM PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATIONS TO SUPPORT COLLEGES, TEACHER PREP PROGRAMS, TO BEGIN TEACHING SOMETHING CALLED THE SCIENCE OF READING, WHICH IS -- IS A KIND OF SCIENCE-BASED METHOD OF LITERACY THAT INCLUDES PHONICS AND VOCABULARY, AND AWARENESS OF SOUNDS AND WORDS AND HOW THEY WORK TOGETHER.

AND THIS YEAR, AT THE STATE HOUSE, THEY PASSED A LOU THAT'S GOING TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO ADOPT THAT KIND OF CURRICULUM IN SCHOOLS STARTING NEXT YEAR.

SO THERE'S A HOPE THAT THIS NEW TYPE OF TEACHING OF READING WILL BE BETTER AND SERVE STUDENTS MORE.

IT'S BEEN IDENTIFIED AS DOING IMPROVEMENTS IN OTHER STATES SUCH AS MISSISSIPPI.

AND SO THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THE STATE IS PUTTING BEHIND IT.

THEY WILL BE TRAINING TEACHERS IN THE NEXT YEAR, AND THE GOVERNOR HAS -- HAS SET A VERY AMBITIOUS GOAL OF 95% READING PROFICIENCY BY 2027.

>> ALL RIGHT, ERIC.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE 21st CENTURY SCHOLARS PROGRAM AUTO ENROLLED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS QUALIFYING MORE FOR FREE IN-IN STATE TUITION AND BOOSTING COLLEGE-GOING RATES.

IT PROVIDES A SCHOLARSHIP TO PROVIDE ALL TUITION AND FEES FOR ALL INDIANA PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

AUBREY WRIGHT HAS THE REPORT.

>> ALEX SOLANI HAS KEPT BUSY SINCE HE ROLLED IN INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S JACOB SCHOOL OF MUSIC.

HE WAS A MEMBER OF A LATIN JAZZ BAND AND HE PLAYED WITH THE UNIVERSITY'S SOUL BAND.

♪ HE'S DABBLED IN MUSIC EDUCATION AND PERFORMED STAND-UP COMEDY.

BY ALL ACCOUNTS, HE'S SUCCEEDING IN COLLEGE.

GROWING UP IN BLOOMINGTON, HE SAYS HE WAS TOLD GOING TO COLLEGE WITHOUT A FULL RIDE WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

HIS FAMILY WAS ON FOOD STAMPS AT ONE POINT.

>> I DON'T THINK I WOULD BE ABLE TO DO ANY OF THAT OR EVEN GO TO COLLEGE IF IT WAS NOT FOR 21st CENTURY.

>> THE COST OF HIS TUITION AND FEES IS COVERED ENTIRELY THROUGH THE 21st CENTURY SCHOLARS PROGRAM.

STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A PROGRAM THAT ELIGIBLE STUDENTS HAD TO OPT INTO BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL, BUT STARTING JULY 1st, THAT NOW HAPPENS AUTOMATICALLY.

THIS YEAR, 40,000 EIGHTH GRADERS WERE ADDED.

THAT'S DOUBLE LAST YEAR'S NUMBER.

>> IF THEY MISSED THE 7th 7th AND 8th GRADE CUTOFF, THAT WAS THE COMMON STORY, THE STUDENTS WERE -- AND THE PARENTS WERE LIKE, I WISH WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY AND IN SOME CASES THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY, AND IN SOME CASES THEY JUST DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE BENEFIT OF THE PROGRAM AT THE TIME.

>> THE COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION HAS PUSHED FOR THE CHANGE FOR YEARS.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT SIMPLIFYING THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS, REALLY OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS BUT THE AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT REALLY KIND OF GAINED TRACTION IN SUMMER OF '22 WHEN WE RELEASED WHAT WAS CALLED THE COLLEGE READINESS REPORT.

>> THE REPORT SHOWED THAT WHILE INDIANA'S COLLEGE-GOING RATES SUFFERED AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, 21st 21st CENTURY SCHOLARS ENROLLED IN COLLEGE AT HIGHER RATES THAN NON-SCHOLARS AND WERE MORE LIKELY TO FINISH THEIR DEGREES ON TIME.

>> WE ARE VERY HOPEFUL AND CERTAINLY EXPECT THAT BY HAVING MORE STUDENTS AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLED INTO THE PROGRAM, BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORTS WRAPPED AROUND THE STUDENTS THAT WE WILL SEE THE COLLEGE RATE CONTINUE TO GO UP.

>> THE SCHOLAR PROGRAM REQUIRES STUDENTS TO COMPLETE 12 STEPS BEFORE COLLEGE, SUCH AS FILING FOR FEDERAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID AND RECEIVING A CORE 40 DIPLOMA.

SCHOLARS ALSO PLEDGED NOT TO USE ILLEGAL DRUGS AND NOT TO COMMIT A CRIME.

JEREMY KAPIN IS A COLLEGE SCHOLAR.

>> I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE BIGGEST BENEFIT I HAD OF THE PROGRAM AND I THINK THAT WAS IT, WAS IT KEPT ME OUT OF TROUBLE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HE NOW WORKS AS AN ACCOUNTANT IN GREENWOOD.

>> I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF KIDS WITH SINGLE MOMS OR, YOU KNOW, LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS THAT THEY CAN GO THAT DIRECTION, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING TO HELP STEER ME IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

>> 21st CENTURY SCHOLARS MUST MEET REQUIREMENTS IN COLLEGE TOO, INCLUDING TAKING 30 CREDIT HOURS A YEAR AND CONTINUING TO FILE FOR FAFSA.

THEY HAVE TO KEEP THEIR GRADES UP AS WELL.

VINCENT ISOM WORKS AT I.U.

BLOOMINGTON TO HELP SCHOLARS REACH GRADUATION.

>> WE ARE HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THEM.

WE ARE HERE TO NAVIGATE THEM DURING TOUGH TIMES, RED TAPE OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

>> ISOM SAYS THE KEY IS GETTING MORE LOW-INCOME STUDENTS COLLEGE DEGREES, CONNECTING THEM WITH FUTURE CAREERS AND ADDING TO THE STATE'S SUPPLY OF SKILLED WORKERS.

>> IT'S GOOD FOR THE STATE.

IT'S GOOD FOR OUR INSTITUTIONS.

IT'S GOOD ARE TO THE FAMILIES.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M AUBREY WRIGHT.

>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY LUCAS GONZALES FOR THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW, LUCAS.

>> THANKS, JOE.

>> FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE ADDRESSED THE LATEST INDICTMENT OF DONALD TRUMP ON WEDNESDAY AND SAYING NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW AND TRUMP DESERVES THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE.

INDIANA PUBLIC'S BROADCASTING BRANDON SMITH REPORTS THAT PENCE SPOKE TO REPUBLICANS AT A NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE IN INDIANAPOLIS.

>> THE LATEST TIME IS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA WITH TRUMP AND OTHERS ACCUSED OF A CONSPIRACY TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION RESULTS THERE IN 2020.

PENCE DIDN'T DIRECTLY SAY WHETHER HE THINKS TRUMP IS GUILTY BUT HE ALSO DIDN'T SHY AWAY FROM CRITICIZING HIM EITHER.

>> DESPITE WHAT THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND HIS ALLIES HAVE SAID FOR NOW MORE THAN TWO AND A HALF YEARS, AND CONTINUE TO INSIST AT THIS VERY HOUR, THE GEORGIA ELECTION WAS NOT STOLEN AND I HAD NO RIGHT TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION ON JANUARY 6th.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> PENCE SAID HE HOPED THAT JUDGMENT OF TRUMP'S CONDUCT AROUND THE 2020 ELECTION WOULD BE LEFT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND TO HISTORY.

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

>> AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, PENCE SAYS HE WANTS TO RETURN POWER TO THE STATES.

THE FORMER INDIANA GOVERNOR SAYS HIS PLAN IS ABOUT RESTORING FEDERALISM AND REDUCING THE REACH OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> YOU HIRE ME ON AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, WE'RE GOING TO TRUST STATES EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> ELEMENTS OF HIS PROPOSAL INCLUDE ELIMINATING THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SENDING HOUSING AND WELFARE DOLLARS TO THE STATES WITHOUT ANY FEDERAL GUIDELINES AND GIVING UP FEDERALLY OWNED LAND.

PENCE ALSO SAYS THAT HEALTHCARE SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE STATES, BUT THAT DOESN'T APPLY TO ABORTION, AS HE'S PROPOSED A NATIONAL ABORTION BAN.

>> SEYMOUR'S TRISH WHITCOM HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO CHALLENGE THE HOUSE DISTRICT 69 SEAT IN 2024.

WHITCOM IS THE DAUGHTER OF EDGAR D. WHITCOM WHO WAS THE GOVERNOR FROM 1969 TO 1973.

HER FATHER WAS A REPUBLICAN BUT WHITCOM IS RUNNING AS A DEMOCRAT.

SHE WORKED IN INDIANA POLITICS IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES, INCLUDING AS PRESIDENT OF THE INDIANA FEDERATION OF DEMOCRATIC WOMEN.

DISTRICT 69 COVERSES PARTS OF BARTHOLOMEW, SCOTT AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES.

>>> A NEW DEVELOPER IS LOOKING AT ANOTHER LOCATION FOR THE PROPOSED COLUMBUS CONFERENCE CENTER.

A PREVIOUS COMPANY WAS INTERESTED IN THE PARKING LOT NORTH OF THE COUNTY JAIL.

JOE HREN HAS THIS REPORT.

>> COLUMBUS MAYOR JIM JIM LIENHOOP SAYS THEY REACHED AND AGREEMENT AND THEY ARE NOW IN THAT YOU CANS WITH DORA HOTEL COMPANY.

>> WE ARE TAKING THE PROVERBIAL STEP BACKWARDS AND TAKE A DEEPER LOOK OR A BROADER LOOK AS TO JUST WHERE THIS WOULD GO AND, AGAIN, HOW MUCH IT'S REALLY GOING TO COST.

>> HE SAYS A CONSULTANT STUDY INDICATED A CONFERENCE CENTER IS STILL A VIABLE AMENITY AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

DORA DEVELOPERS ARE LOOKING AT A SITE NEAR THE DOWNTOWN POST OFFICE.

>> HE'S ALREADY GOT A HOTEL OVER THERE, YOU KNOW?

AND THERE'S AN EXISTING PARKING GARAGE OVER THERE, YOU KNOW.

THE PROJECT THAT WE CONTEMPLATED WOULD REQUIRE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PARKING GARAGE.

>> HE SAYS THERE ARE ALSO EXISTING SURFACE LOTS THAT COULD HELP WITH PARKING BUT ALL THE LOGISTICS WILL NEED TO BE WORKED OUT, ESPECIALLY HOW TO CONNECT THE HOTEL WITH THE CONFERENCE CENTER.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M JOE HREN.

>>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON IS TAKING STEPS THIS WEEK TO PREVENT CAMPING IN STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND PUBLIC PARKS.

THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO BAN TENTS AND ENCLOSE STRUCTURES FROM PARKS DURING THE DAY TIME BEGINNING AUGUST 23rd.

THEY ARE ALREADY BANNED OVERNIGHT.

A MEMBER OF THE COUNTY'S HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION SAYS THE CITY SHOULD WORK TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR BLOOMINGTON'S UNHOUSED POPULATION BEFORE PASSING NEW RULES.

>> WHILE THAT CONSIDERATION IS BEING MADE, IF THERE COULD BE MORE PUBLIC AVAILABILITY WHERE PEOPLE CAN FIND THE GARBAGE BAGS AND THE TRASH CANS AND THE RECEPTACLES IN THE PUBLIC BATHROOM, I THINK THAT WOULD HELP WITH THE WASTE SITUATION AS WELL.

>> THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PASSED A SEPARATE RESOLUTION PAVING THE WAY FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO RESTRICT CAMPING ON SIDEWALKS, STREETS AND ROADS.

THE CITY SAYS THE RESOLUTION IS NOT MEANT TO TARGET INDIVIDUALS BUT TO PREVENT ANY ITEMS FROM OBSTRUCTING THE RIGHT-OF-WAY.

>> THIS IS A MATTER OF EQUITY, AND IT'S A MATTER OF ACCESSIBILITY AND WE WANT BLOOMINGTON TO BE AS ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE.

AND SO WE GIVE OUR FULL THROTTLE SUPPORT.

>> THAT RESOLUTION IS CURRENTLY NONBINDING.

THE COUNCIL WILL BE ABLE TO ALTER ITS WORDING BEFORE VOTING ON THE MATTER.

>>> AND BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1st, BLOOMINGTON RESIDENTS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM FEEDING DEER WITHIN CITY LIMITS.

FINES BEGIN AT 50 FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE.

THE AMOUNT WILL DOUBLE WITH EACH SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE FIRST.

THE HOPE IS TO REDUCE LARGE DEER CONGREGATIONS IN THE CITY.

>> WHERE THERE ARE LARGER GROUPS OF DEER, THERE'S ACTUALLY AN INCREASE RISK OF DISEASE SPREAD BETWEEN THOSE DEER.

AND ALSO THE FEED IS NOT PART OF THEIR NATIONAL DIET WHICH CAN CAUSE HEALTH CONCERNS FOR THE DEER.

>> THE ORDINANCE INCREASES THE FINES FOR ANIMAL SURRENDERS ADOPTIONS AND ANIMAL MONITORING AND HOW THE CITY CLASSIFIES DANGEROUS ANIMALS.

>>> MORE THAN 160 RESIDENTS PACKED A ROOM IN TERRE HAUTE ON THURSDAY TO OPPOSE A STATE PILOT PROJECT THAT WOULD STORE CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS UNDERGROUND.

REBECCA THIELE REPORTS THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY DRAFTED A PERMIT TO ALLOW WABASH VALLEY RESOURCES TO INJECT THE CO2.

>> AMONG OTHER CONCERNS RESIDENTS WORRY THE PROJECT COULD TRIGGER AND EARTHQUAKE.

IT'S CLOSE TO FAULT LINES AND BANDONNED MINE -- ABANDONED MINES.

A CO2 PIPELINE RUPTURED AND PUT HOUR THAN 40 PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL.

BENJAMIN LINDERMAN WANTS TO KNOW HOW THEY WILL KEEP KEEP KIDS AT A LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SAFE?

>> ARE WE GOING TO PROVIDE OXYGEN MASKS TO THE CHILDREN?

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE THOSE THINGS AVAILABLE IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY?

WHAT SAFETY PROTOCOLS ARE IN PLACE FOR THE KIDS.

>> THE EPA SAYS IT DOESN'T OVERSEE THOSE PIPELINES BUT THAT THE GAS WILL BE INJECTED SO FAR IN THE GROUND THAT IT'S UNLIKELY TO LEAK OR MIGRATE.

IT ALSO SAYS THE FAULT LINES ARE NORTH THE SITE AND THAT THE RISK OF AN EARTHQUAKE IS LOW.

CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN AT THIS SCALE.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> AND JOE, WABASH VALLEY RESOURCES WILL HOST A PUBLIC MEETING AT FAYETTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON TUESDAY AT 6 P.M. >> VERY INTERESTING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, LUCAS.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE CITY ELIMINATED ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC ON A BUSY STREET NEAR CAMPUS FOR A BIKE LANE, AND RESIDENTS ARE ASKING WHY.

AND NOWHERE LEFT TO STORE THEM, THE NEWSPAPER IS AUCTIONING OFF OLD BOUND NEWSPAPERS.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THOUSANDS OF HISTORICAL BLOOMINGTON NEWSPAPERS WILL SOON BE UP FOR AUCTION.

THE BOUND VOLUMES HAVE BEEN IN TEMPORARY STORAGE SINCE THE HERALD TIMES SOLD ITS PROPERTY ON THE CITY'S SOUTH SIDE LATE LAST YEAR.

GEORGE HALE HAS THIS STORY.

>> CONTAINED IN ALMOST 1,000 LARGE BOUND BOOKS, THE BLOOMINGTON HERALD TIMES ARCHIVES STARTS IN THE 1950s AND RUNS THROUGH 2013.

>> OF COURSE, THERE'S THE NATIONAL NEWS OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON AND NEW YORK.

>> JANICE RICH EARTH WAS AN EDITOR FOR FOUR DECADES.

THEY USED THE BOOKS FOR RESEARCH UNTIL LAST YEAR WHEN THE H.T.

SOLD THEIR BUILDING.

>> THERE WAS NO PLACE STORE THESE.

WE CHECKED WITH SEVERAL MUSEUMS AND NOBODY HAD SPACE FOR THEM.

WHAT WE DECIDED TO DO WAS SELL THEM.

>> THE ARCHIVE DOCUMENTS DAY-TO-DAY LIFE IN MONROE COUNTY.

IT'S NOT ALL MUNDANE.

ONE 1954 HEADLINES DECLARES BLOOMINGTON THE COLOR TV CAPITAL.

AND BOB KNIGHT TAKES OVER INDIANA BASKETBALL IN 1970s.

AND A MASSIVE BLIZZARD SHUTS DOWN THE CITY.

AND THE CONNECTION TO INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL CITIES, SUCH AS THE MUNICH OLYMPICS.

AN H.T.

REPORTER WAS THERE COVERING INDIANA UNIVERSITY SWIMMER MARK SPITZ.

OR MORE RECENTLY HOW AN I.U.

GRAD STUDENT CLASS ESCAPED THE PENTAGON ON SEPTEMBER 11th, 2001.

THE SALES BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BLOOMINGTON AND MONROE COUNTIES LOCAL NEWS FUND.

>> SO WE ARE ESTABLISHING THIS FUND TO HELP CREATE SOME NONPROFIT MONEY TO HELP MAKE SURE LOCAL REPORTING CONTINUES TO HAPPEN IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> THE FOUNDATION PLANS TO DISTRIBUTE FUNDS TO JOURNALISTS AND OUTLETS LOCALLY.

WREN CAMPBELL IS AN AUCTIONING SPECIALIST.

>> THIS COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED AT OUR SITE, THE LOCATION.

THE STORAGE WAS VAST.

AND IT HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE BUILDING.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M GEORGE HALE.

>>> THE AUCTION HOUSE IS ORGANIZING AN PHOTOGRAPHING THE BOOKS FOR DISPLAY ONLINE.

PROSPECTIVE BUYERS CAN REGISTER LATER THIS MONDAY AT EDSINDIANA.COM.

THE AUCTION ENDS SEPTEMBER 13th.

>>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON IS MAKING PROGRESS OVER THE SUMMER ON ITS TRANSPORTATION PLAN, WHICH AIMS TO SUPPORT THE EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAYS.

THE CITY RECENTLY SHELLED OUT ALMOST $200,000 TO BUILD A NEW BIKE LANE NEAR CAMPUS.

THAT'S SUPPOSED TO PROMOTE BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, BUT IT'S CAUSING SOME CONFUSION FOR BIKERS AND MOTORISTS ALIKE.

>> I'M STANDING OUT HERE AT THE END OF THE HENDERSON WHERE THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON BUILT A NEW BIKE LANE TO PROMOTE TRAVEL FOR BIKERS AND FELDS.

IT ELIMINATES ONE -- AND PEDESTRIANS.

IT ELIMINATES ONE OF TWO LANES FOR DRIVERS.

THEY ARE CONFUSED AS TO HOW AND WHY A NEW BIKE LANE WAS BUILT AT THE END OF HENDERSON.

SO WE ASKED PROJECT ENGINEER NEIL HAPPENNER TO EXPLAIN HOW THE NEW -- NEIL HOPPER TO EXPLAIN HOW THE NEW BIKE LANE WORKS.

>> THERE MAY BE SOME PEOPLE WHO IT'S NOT INTUITIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME THEY COME THROUGH.

BUT I DON'T HAVE A -- I DON'T HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT IT.

OF.

>> THIS STRETCH OF HENDERSON USED TO BE A TWO-LANE ONE-WAY ROAD FOR CARS TRAVELING TRAVELING NORTH UP HENDERSON.

NOW THE LEFT LANE IS CLOSE TO CARS AND RESTRICTED TO BIKERS AND PEDESTRIANS.

THE LANE RUNS FOR TWO BLOCKS.

THE FIRST BLOCK PROVIDES SPACE FOR BIKERS TO TRAVEL SOUTH DOWN HENDERSON.

THE SECOND BLOCK IS BUILT LIKE A SIDEWALK.

>> IT'S A BIDIRECTIONAL FACILITY.

SO SOMEBODY WALKING OR BIKING COULD BE GOING EITHER DIRECTION ON THAT SIDEWALK.

>> EVEN THOUGH THE LEFT LANE IS NOW FULLY DESIGNATED FOR BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN USE, CARS STILL HAVE TO SHARE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH BIKERS TRAVELING NORTH UP HENDERSON.

>> IT SEEMS A LITTLE CONFUSING AND WORRISOME.

>> THAT'S JAMES SHANAHAN.

HE LIVES AROUND THE CORNER FOR THE NEW BIKE LANE.

>> I RIDE UP THAT HILL EVERY MORNING AND, YOU KNOW, A FEW WEEKS AGO IT WAS JUST BLOCKED OFF.

>> SHANAHAN DOESN'T USE THE NEW BIKE LANE.

HE THINKS IT WILL BE HARDER FOR CARS TO PASS AROUND HIM, SINCE THERE'S NOW JUST ONE LANE FOR CARS.

>> BE CAREFUL THERE, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I WORRY THAT A CAR WILL GET IN THE BIKE LANE GOING THE WRONG WAY.

>> SHANAHAN THINKS THERE SHOULD BE MORE CLEAN SIGNAGE IN THE AREA TO BETTER EXPLAIN HOW TO USE THE BIKE LANE.

ONEBETH IS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AT THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON.

HE IS SAYS THE BIKE LANE ADDITION IS PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN.

THE COUNCIL APPROVED IT IN 2019 AND THE PLAN INCLUDES SEVERAL BIKE IMPROVEMENTS ALONG HENDERSON.

>> HENDERSON IS A NARROW AND CHALLENGING STREET AND WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING AT HOW MUCH SPACE IS AVAILABLE AND HOW TO MAKE -- HOW TO MAKE THAT SPACE WORK FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WALKING, BICYCLING, TAKING TRANSIT AND DRIVING.

>> THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS RATED BLOOMINGTON AS A GOLD LEVEL BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY.

ROSEN BARGER SAYS IT WILL NOT BOOST THE CITY'S RATING BUT CONTRIBUTE TO THE EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE RATING.

>> THE WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF THE PARTS AND THAT'S WHERE WE LOOK AT A NETWORK AND HOW WE IMPROVE OUR NETWORK ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.

OF THIS PROJECT IS A PART OF IMPROVING A NETWORK FOR BICYCLING.

>> SHANAHAN IS NOT SURE IT WAS NECESSARILY AN IMPROVEMENT.

>> IT WAS ALREADY BEING SHARED WITH BICYCLES FAIRLY SUCCESSFULLY, I THINK.

SO SOMETIMES IT MIGHT BE THAT IT'S BETTER TO ACTUALLY DO NOTHING.

THAN DO SOMETHING.

>> ROSENBARGEER SAYS IT WILL TAKE LESS TIME FOR STUDENTS TO GET USE TO THE NEW BIKE LANE AS THEY COME AND GO EVERY FOUR YEARS.

IT WILL BE A BIGGERRAN JUSTMENT FOR LONG-TERM RESIDENTS.

>> HONESTLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE LONG-TERM RESIDENTS, CHANGE CAN BE A LITTLE MORE CHALLENGING.

>> YOU DIDN'T EVEN USE THE BIKE LANE!

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ISABELLA VESPIRINI.

>> THE MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS ADDED A MURAL TO THE JAIL IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE INMATE EXPERIENCE.

THE PAINTING IS IN THE JAIL'S SALLYPORT WHICH IS USED TO TRANSFER INMATES TO THE BUILDING.

IT CONTAINS ONE WORD "HOPE."

>> IF YOU THINK OF HOPE NOW, WE THINK OKAY, MAYBE THERE IS A WAY FOR ME TO CHANGE MY LIFE AND MY SITUATION.

NOW YOU HAVE A GOAL.

BUT THEN YOU HAVE TO HAVE EFFORT TO GET TO THAT GOAL.

>> MARTE SAYS IT'S PART OF AN ONGOING EFFORT TO MAKE THE FACILITY MORE HUMANE.

HE COMMISSIONED LOCAL ARTIST ADAM LONG TO PAINT THE MURAL WHICH LONG SAYS REFLECTS THE SHERIFF'S GOAL.

>> I DON'T THINK WE COULD GO ANY FASTER HERE IN MONROE COUNTY TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND I THINK THE SHERIFF HAS PUT TOGETHER A PRETTY AMAZING APPROACH TO INCLUDING EVERYONE IN THAT, IN THE COUNTY.

>> CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS MEANWHILE ARE NARROWING OPTIONS FOR A SITE TO BUILD A NEW COUNTY JAIL.

MARTE SAYS HE SUPPORTS USING THE COUNTY-OWNED THOMPSON PROPERTY ON BLOOMINGTON'S SOUTHWEST SIDE.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY BEGAN SURVEYING ITS ATHLETIC STAKEHOLDERS THIS WEEK ABOUT WAYS TO IMPROVE MEMORIAL STADIUM AND ENHANCE THE FOOTBALL GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE.

THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT PARTNERED WITH NATIONS GROUP TO SEND OUT AN ONLINE SURVEY TO FANS, TICKET BUYERS, DONORS AND BUSINESS LEADERS.

SURVEY TOPICS INCLUDE A REIMAGINED CONCOURSE, NEW SOCIAL GATHERING SPACES, UPGRADED CONCESSIONS AND REST ROOMS AND A SERIES OF ENHANCES PREMIUM SEATING OPTIONS AND LOCATIONS.

IT WOULD BE THE THIRD RENOVATION PROJECT FOR MEMORIAL STADIUM WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN 1960.

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!

♪ >> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: