>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," BLOOMINGTON'S WHEELER MISSION FOR WOMEN CLOSED ITS DOORS THIS WEEK, LEAVING THE CITY WITHOUT A LOW-BARRIER SHELTER FOR ONLY WOMEN.

>> I DID NOT REALIZE HOW MANY FEMALES WERE HOMELESS UNTIL I GOT HERE.

AND I WAS VERY SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER.

>> WHEELER HAS BEEN WORKING PAST MONTH ON RELOCATING THEIR GUESTS.

>> A QUARTER OF INDIANA'S SCHOOLS ARE LISTED AS RURAL AND RURAL KIDS ARE FAR LESS LIKELY TO COMPLETE COLLEGE THAN THOSE FROM URBAN AREAS.

>> I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT I WAS DOING.

I WENT IN BLIND.

I HAD NO RESOURCES.

>> SCHOOLS LIKE I.U.

AND IVY TECH HAVE PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO MAKE THE TRANSITION SMOOTHER.

>>> AND THE I.U.

FOOTBALL TEAM KICKS OFF A NEW SEASON THIS WEEKEND WITH A LOT OF NEW FACES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL.

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

>>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

OF I'M JOE HREN.

BLOOMINGTON'S WHEELER SHELTER FOR WOMEN CLOSED ITS DOORS TODAY, LEAVING THE CITY WITHOUT A LOW-BARRIER SHELTER DEDICATED SOLELY TO WOMEN.

OUR BENTE BOUTHIER SPOKE WITH A PAIR OF WOMEN WHO WERE STAYING AT THE SHELTER ABOUT WHAT THEIR OPTIONS ARE NOW.

GOOD THE BUNKS AT THE WHEELER WOMEN'S SHELTER IN BLOOMINGTON HAS CAPACITY TO SHELTER 40 WOMEN BUT ARE NOW EMPTY.

FLOW HEPBURN AND KELLIE ERVIN.

HAPPENHEPBURN AS STAYED AT WHEELER SINCE APRIL.

SHE'S ON SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME, SO WHAT SHE CAN AFFORD IS LIMITED.

>> I STARTED APPLYING BEFORE I GOT TO WHEELER, TO SOME OF THESE PLACES.

BUT THE WAITING LISTS ARE SIX MONTHS TO UP TO A YEAR AND A HALF.

AND THAT'S RIDICULOUS.

TO BE HONEST.

>> TO HER, THE SHELTER'S CLOSURE IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T FEEL SAFE SHELTERING WITH MEN.

>> I JUST DON'T TRUST MEN.

PERIOD.

I HAVE GOT TO REALLY KNOW THEM BEFORE I CAN TRUST THEM.

>> ERVIN MOVES TO WHEELER IN EARLY JULY OF A DOUBLE HERNIA SURGERY THAT PREVENTED HER FROM WORKING.

>> I DID NOT REALIZE HOW MANY FEMALES WERE HOMELESS TILL I GOT HERE.

AND I WAS VERY SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER, BUT IN OUR ECONOMIC DAYS NOW, I MEAN, THE PRICE OF RENT, PRICE OF GROCERIES, THE PRICE OF, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING IS JUST -- IT'S HARD TO SURVIVE!

>> SHE'LL STAY WITH FAMILY MEMBERS DOWN SOUTH AND THE PLANS TO HELP HER FIND A PLACE OF HER OWN BY OCTOBER.

SHE'S AWAITING ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INCOME TO BE APPROVED.

>> WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO -- WE'RE LOOKING AT INCOME-BASED HOUSING, SENIOR, 60 AND ABOVE HOUSING.

>> SHE SAYS FINDING OPTIONS HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE.

SHE'S GRATEFUL FOR THE CASE MANAGEMENT AND HEALTHCARE ACCESS SHE RECEIVED AT WHEELER.

>> THE MEDICAL TEAM THAT CAME HERE GOT ME A NEBULIZER.

SO I CAN DO MY OWN BREATHING TREATMENTS NOW AND TAKE CARE OF THAT ASPECT, WHERE BEFORE ON MY HEALTH INSURANCE, I COULDN'T GET ONE.

ERVIN AND HEPBURN ARE WORRIED ABOUT HOW FAR SOME WOMEN STAYING AT WHEELER HAVE TO TRAVEL TO RELOCATE.

THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATE ENGAGEMENT SERVICES DAYNA JONES SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN FOCUSED FOR THE LAST MONTH ON RELOCATING THEIR GUESTS.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO ASSURE THEM THAT THE NEXT STEPS IS POSITIVE AND WE CAN MOVE THEM ON TO THE NEXT AREA.

AND SO RIGHT NOW WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE WITH BEING ABLE TO RELOCATE A LOT OF OUR GUESTS.

>> IN 2020, THE WOMEN WHEELER SHELTER CLOSED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BECAUSE OF A LACK OF MONEY.

BUT THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON AND UNITED WAY PROVIDED FUNDS FOR IT TO REOPEN.

WHEELER MISSION'S 2020 TAX FILING STATES ITS TOTAL REVENUE THAT YEAR WAS $23 MILLION.

THE YEAR BEFORE, ITS TOTAL REVENUE WAS $28 MILLION.

THE CLOSURE NOW COMES AS BLOOMINGTON WHEELER WORKS ON STRATEGIC PLANS AND IT DIDN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO CONTINUE SHELTERING WOMEN.

JOAN SAYS OPERATIONS WERE MORE EXPENSIVE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> FROM SOCIAL DISTANCING TO MASKS, ALL THE PROTOCOLS OF MAKING SURE PEOPLE REMAIN SAFE IN CONGREGATE SHELTERING DURING THAT PANDEMIC.

IT REALLY DRESSED US ABOUT AS FAR AS IT COULD GET.

>> FROM NOVEMBER OF 2020 TO THIS MONTH, THEY SHELTER NEARLY 1400 MEN, ABOUT FOUR TIMES THE NUMBER OF WOMEN, WHICH IS SOMETHING THEY TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TURN AROUND AND SPEND A LOT OF EFFORT AND CREATING AND DEEPENING OUR PROGRAMS FOR MEN BY DEEPENING OUR CASE MANAGEMENT AVAILABILITY BY DEEPENING OUR RESOURCES, OUR LONG-TERM PROGRAMS SO THAT WE WILL SEE SUCCESS WITHIN THOSE PROGRAMS.

>> FORREST GILMORE WITH BEACON INC. SAYS THE OVERNIGHT SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND MEN ARE ADDING MORE BEDS FOR WOMEN AND ARE READY TO SHELTER AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE ARE NOW THE ONLY EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR WOMEN IN OUR COUNTY.

AND WE TAKE THAT CHALLENGE AND NEED WITH A LOT OF SERIOUSNESS.

IT'S A -- IT'S A BIG RESPONSIBILITY.

>> BEACON HAS CONSIDERED SHIFTING ITS OVERNIGHT SERVICES COMPLETELY TO WOMEN IN THE LGBTQ GUESTS AND IS MONITORING BED NEED CLOSELY.

>> WE ARE STILL PLAYING THAT IDEA OUT, AND REALLY EXPLORING THAT OPTION.

I THINK DEMAND IS GOING TO DETERMINE TO A BIG DEGREE WHAT WE SEE AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO AS A COMMUNITY.

>> NEITHER HEPBURN OR ERVIN KNOW WHERE THEY WOULD BE WITHOUT THE WHEELER WOMEN'S SHELTER.

BOTH SAY THEY WANT TO SEE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SHELTER OPTIONS CREATED.

NO ARE "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BENTE BOUTHIER.

>>> WHEELER SAYS IT HAS NO PLANS AS OF NOW ON WHAT TO DO WITH THE BUILDING THAT'S HOUSED THE WOMEN'S SHELTER.

>>> AFTER SPENDING MORE THAN A WEEK IN MAUI SEARCHING FOR WILDFIRE VICTIMS, INDIANA TASK FORCE ONE HAS RETURNED BACK TO INDIANAPOLIS.

WHAT THEY SAW LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION.

SARAH MOLINA HAS THIS REPORT.

>> RESILIENT.

THAT'S THE WORD INDIANA TASK FORCE ONE LEADER JAY SETTERGREN USED TO DESCRIBE THE PEOPLE OF MAUI WHO HAVE SLOWLY BEEN PIECING THEIR LIVES BACK TOGETHER FROM THE DEADLY FIRES FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS NOW.

SETTERGREN HAS BEEN A FIREFIGHTER FOR 34 YEARS BUT HE SAYS HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

>> IT WAS -- IT WAS JUST A VERY NEH , INTENSE MOVING FIRE -- VERY FAST, INTENSE MOVING FIRE.

IT'S SHOCKING, THE VIDEO THAT YOU SEE ON THE NEWS DOESN'T DO IT JUSTICE.

IT COMPLETELY BURNED EVERYTHING OUT THERE'S NOTHING LEFT.

>> THE HOOSIER HEROES WERE DEPLOYED WITH FIVE OTHER TASK FORCES FROM DIFFERENT STATES GIVEN THE MISSION OF SEARCHING THE AFTERMATH FOR MISSING LOVED ONES.

SETTERGREN PREPARED HIS TEAM AS BEST AS HE COULD, BUT HE KNEW IT WOULD BE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY STRESSFUL.

ALTHOUGH THE ISLANDERS THEMSELVES ARE STILL GRIEVING, THEY WERE ABLE TO GIVE TASK FORCE MEMBERS SOME COMFORT AND A LOT OF INSPIRATION.

>> I LOOK AT IT A LOT LIKE I DO THE HOOSIERS.

YOU KNOW, THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP TO HELP EACH OTHER.

AND EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ALL SUFFERING IN SOME KIND OF WAY WITH SOME PARTICULAR LOSS TIED TO THIS FIRE, THEY DIDN'T GIVE UP.

>> AT LEAST 115 PEOPLE DIED AND 2,000 STRUCTURES WERE DESTROYED, MAKING THIS THE DEADLIEST FIRE IN THE U.S.

IN OVER A CENTURY.

AS HAWAIIAN NATIVES TRY TO RETURN TO A SENSE OF NORMALCY, ALL MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE HAVE RETURNED HOME FOR MUCH-NEEDED REST, BUT THEIR HEARTS ARE STILL WITH THE PEOPLE OF MAUI.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M SARAH MOLINA.

>> TEAM MEMBERS WERE MET WITH IMMENSE SUPPORT, PREPARING TO GO BACK TO WORK HERE IN THE HOOSIER STATE.

>>> INDIANA HAS LOST MORE THAN 260 ACRES OF WETLANDS SINCE LAWMAKERS REMOVED PROTECTIONS FOR MOST OF THEM IN 20 2021, THAT'S ACCORDING TO STATE WETLAND ADVOCATES.

REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, THAT MEANS FEWER ACRES THAT PROTECT WILDLIFE, REDUCE FLOODING, FILTER WATER AND STORE CARBON EMISSIONS.

>> SINCE THE LAW TOOK EFFECT, THE STATE HAS ISSUED PERMITS TO BUILD ON NEARLY 350 ACRES OF WETLANDS IN THE STATE AND ONLY A QUARTER OF THOSE WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT ELSEWHERE.

THOSE LOST WETLANDS COULD STORE UP TO 390 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER, WHICH MEANS THOSE AREAS WILL BE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLOODING.

>> THE STORMWATER MANAGERS IN OUR CITIES AND COUNTIES ARE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO PICK UP THE LOSS OF THAT WATER STORAGE.

>> AND THAT COULD LEAD TO HIGHER WATER BILLS FOR RESIDENTS.

THIS WEEK THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REMOVED SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL PROTECTIONS FOR WETLANDS AS A RESULT OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING.

FRANK SAYS THE DATA DOESN'T SHOW WHERE EACH WETLAND LOSS OCCURRED, BUT THERE ARE SOME SLEWS BASED ON STATE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO REPLACE WETLANDS.

>> IT APPEARS WETLAND LOSS IS HAPPENING FASTEST IN CENTRAL INDIANA, IN THE UPPER WHITE RIVER WATERSHED.

>> IT'S LIKELY INDIANA WILL LOSE MORE WETLANDS IN THE FUTURE.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DECLINED TO COMMENT.

>>> WE ARE JOINED WITH CALI LICHTER FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM ARENDT STATE.

HELLO, -- AROUND THE STATE.

>> HELLO, JOE.

THE THOMSON PROPERTY IS A POTENTIAL SITE FOR A NEW COUNTY JAIL.

LUCAS GONZALES HAS THE STORY.

>> THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, COUNCILMEMBERS AND SHERIFF ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO DECIDING WHERE TO PUT A NEW JAIL.

AT A TUESDAY MEETING, THEY ALL SEEMED TO AGREE, THAT THE FACILITY SHOULD BE BUILT AT THE THOMSON SITE.

SEVERAL AT THE MEETING, INCLUDING DEPUTY PROSECUTOR, APRIL WILSON, SAID THEY WANT TO HE SO THE JAIL CLOSE TO THE COURTS AND OTHER SERVICES.

>> SEPARATION OF COURTS, ATTORNEY OFFICES, PROBATION OR ANY PLACE WHERE A DEFENDANT IS REQUIRED TO REPORT, CREATES NEW BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION.

>> SHERIFF RUBEN MARTE SUPPORTS BUILDING THE JAIL AT THE COUNTY-OWNED SITE BUT HE ALSO WANTS THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO INVEST IN STAFFING AND TREATMENT AT THE CURRENT FACILITY BEFORE A NEW ONE IS BUILT.

>> AT WHAT POINT DO WE HAVE TO TURN AWAY A PROGRAM, KNOWING THAT IT COULD BE HELPFUL BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE SPACE.

>> WENDI GOODLETT, THE C.E.O.

FOR MONROE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

SHE THINKS BUILDING A JAIL COULD IMPACT THE RESIDENTS OF LOW-INCOME HOUSING NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> I IMPLORE YOU TO INCLUDE ALL NEIGHBORS OF THE THOMSON PROPERTY AS PART OF THE DISCUSSION BEFORE YOU MAKE A DECISION.

OF.

>> THE COUNTY GOOD HEED TO SURVEY THOSE RESIDENT -- THE COUNTY AGREED TO SURVEY THOSE RESIDENTS BEFORE THE MASTER PLAN BEGINS.

THEY WILL DO TECHNICAL RESEARCH ON THE SITE.

I'M LUCAS GONZALES.

>>> BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON WANTS NEW CIVILIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES TO RESPOND TO MORE 911 CALLS AS THE DEPARTMENT GRAPPLES WITH A STAFFING SHORTAGE.

HIS PLAN IS TO USE MONEY FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET TO HIRE FIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE SPECIALISTS TO RESPOND TO CALLS SUCH AS WELFARE CHECKS AND NOISE COMPLAINTS.

>> WE'RE JUST EXPANDING WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE SPECIALISTS AND USING THAT UNSPENT MONEY TO HAVE THEM RESPOND TO MINOR CALLS THAT WE HAVE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

>> COMMUNITY SERVICE SPECIALISTS ARE NON-SWORN DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES WHO RESPOND TO LOW-RISK CALLS.

THEY CAN TAKE CASE REPORTS BUT CANNOT CARRY FIREARMS OR MAKE ARRESTS.

THEY MAY TEMPORARILY RESPOND TO WELLNESS CHECKS AND OTHER LOW-RISK CALLS.

THE LOCAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE UNION OPPOSES THE IDEA.

>> IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE CIVILIAN ASPECT OF IT.

WE THINK THAT'S VERY RISKY AND THERE'S SOME DANGER INVOLVED WITH WHAT HE PROPOSED.

IT'S REALLY TAKING MONEY FROM UNUSED OR UNFILLED POLICE POSITIONS RIGHT NOW.

>> DECOFF SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THE UNION'S CONCERNS.

THE POTENTIAL RISK OF 911 CALLS WILL BE DETERMINED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.

>>> SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE WILL RECEIVE NEARLY $30 MILLION THIS YEAR TO SPEND ON SAFETY MEASURES THROUGH THE SECURED SCHOOL SAFETY GRANT.

THE GRANT PROVIDES MATCHING FUNDS UP TO $100,000 TO SCHOOLS.

THIS YEAR, MORE THAN 450 SCHOOLS COMMITTED SAFETY PROJECTS.

-- SUBMITS SAFETY PROJECTS.

THE LARGEST ITEM IS SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

MORE THAN $19 MILLION WILL GO TOWARDS PLACING SROs AND LEOs IN SCHOOLS.

THE TWO LOWEST SPENDING CATEGORIES WERE BULLYING PREVENTION AND POST-INCIDENT COUNSELING SERVICES.

>>> THE NEW HANKS PIZZA MAC LOCATION IS NOW TEMPORARILY CLOSED AFTER BEING OPEN FOR ONE DAY.

HANK'S TOOK OVER OVER THE FORMER AVERS PUB LIST HOUSE AUGUST 10th AND OPENED AUGUST 25th.

THE GENERAL MANAGE EVERIES WHO PREVIOUSLY WORKED FOR AVERS WANTED TO PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH GREAT FOOD BUT WERE UNABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.

THEY WALKED OFF THE JOB ON FIRST DAY.

THE RESTAURANT IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

IT'S ON COLLEGE MALL ROAD.

>>> INDIANA REPUBLICAN SENATOR CHIP PERFECT ANNOUNCED HE WILL RESIGN FROM HIS SEAT NEXT MONTH, ARE LESS THAN A YEAR INTO HIS FOUR-YEAR TERM.

IN A STATEMENT, PERFECT SAYS HE'S RESIGNING FOR BUSINESS, FAMILY AND PERSONAL OBLIGATIONS.

THE LEGISLATURE IS PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF PERFECT NORTH SLOPES, A KEYING RESORT IN SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA.

A PRIVATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS WILL CHOOSE A REPLACE TO SERVE OUT THE REMAINDER OF PERFECT'S TERM.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY IN BLOOMINGTON SET AN ENROLLMENT RECORD FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR THIS FALL, WITH 47,527 STUDENTS.

THAT INCLUDES 9,550 INCOMING FRESHMEN AND MORE THAN 10,000 GRADUATE STUDENTS.

THIS YEAR IS THE MOST DIVERSE IN I.U.

'S HISTORY WITH ABOUT 32% BEING STUDENTS OF COLOR.

WHILE BLOOMINGTON'S CAM BUS CAMPUS IS BLOOMING, MOST OF THE REGIONAL I.U.

CAMPUSES HAVE DECLINED IN ENROLLMENT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CALI.

COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," ONLY 18% OF HOOSIERS FROM RURAL HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE GRADUATED COLLEGE.

AND SCHOOLS ARE LOOKING AT WAYS TO RAISE THAT NUMBER.

>>> AND PANTRY 279 IN ELLETSVILLE IS MOVING INTO A NEW HOME, TRIPLING ITS SIZE AND ALLOWING FOR MORE OFFICE SPACE AND A RETURN TO INDOOR SHOPPING.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

PANTRY 279 MOVED INTO ITS NEW LOCATION AT THE SMITH PIKE PLAZA TUESDAY AS CLAYTON BAUMGARTH REPORTS, THE NEW 4,000 SQUARE FOOT STORE FRONT IS THREE TIMES THE PREVIOUS LOCATION AT TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH.

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CINDY CHAVEZ SAYS THE NEW LOCATION ALLOWS MORE ROOM FOR OFFICE SPACE AND NEW PRODUCTS.

>> WE HAVE A CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLDS AREA WHICH WE NEVER HAD BEFORE.

WE HAVE A REPACK ROOM, WHERE PEOPLE CAN JUST REPACK.

WE HAVE A BREAK ROOM.

WE NEVER HAD ONE OF THOSE BEFORE.

>> CHAVEZ SAYS PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE MOVE BACK TO INDOOR SHOPPING.

WITH THE NEW LOCATION, THOUGH, THEY WILL NOT BE OFFERING A DRIVE THRU OPTION.

>> BUT PEOPLE WHO JUST DON'T WANT TO GET OUT OF THEIR CAR, THEY CAN STAY IN THE CAR, PARK IN THE PARKING LOT AND SAY, HEY, I'M PARKING SPACE WHATEVER, BLUE CAR AND WE WILL BRING YOU A PREPACKED BOX.

>> THE MOVE COMES AFTER STRUGGLING TO FIND A LANDLORD WILLING TO RENT TO THEM AND GETTING PROPER PERMITS APPROVED BY THE MONROE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

>> IT WAS NOT EASY AT ALL.

NOBODY WANTS TO RENT TO US.

THEY SAID WE SERVE TOO MANY PEOPLE.

>> OVERALL CHAVEZ IS EXCITED AND NERVOUS FOR THE NEW LOCATION.

>> IT'S A BIG STEP.

WE GO FROM NO RENT TO RENT.

WE GO FROM ALMOST NO BILLS TO BILLS.

AND IT'S BIGGER.

I MEAN, THERE'S A HUGE, HUGE, HUGE AMOUNT OF SPACE WE NOW HAVE TO FILL WITH FOOD.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>> THE PANTRY WILL BE OPEN FOR REGULAR DISTRIBUTION SEPTEMBER 5th.

>>> A QUARTER OF INDIANA K-12 SCHOOLS ARE RURAL.

THESE STUDENTS ARE LESS LIKELY TO ENROLL IN AND COMPLETE COLLEGE.

HIGHER EDUCATION REPORTER AUBREY WRIGHT LOOKS INTO ONE RURAL STUDENT WHO EARNED HIS COLLEGE DEGREE AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY, AND WHAT OTHERS MIGHT EXPERIENCE.

>> LOGAN GINGRICH IS SENDING OUT ART THERAPY BOOKS FOR VETERANS.

HE'S WORKED AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S CENTER FOR RURAL ENGAGEMENT SINCE HIS SENIOR YEAR AT I.U.

>> WE HAVE A BOOK, AND SO WE PACKAGE IT UP WITH AN ART KIT.

>> AFTER A PROFESSOR NOTICED HIS PASSION FOR RURAL HEALTHCARE, HE BEGAN VOLUNTEERING AT WELLNESS FAIRS.

NOW, HE WORKS FOR THE CENTER'S CREATIVE ARTS FOR VETS PROGRAM.

IT'S A MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT FOR MILITARY VETERANS AND SERVICE MEMBERS.

>> IT TALKS ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES, ARE LIKE WHAT THEIR EXPERIENCES MIGHT HAVE BEEN, LIKE, WHEN THEY WERE ON ACTIVE DUTY AND THEY WERE DEPLOYED.

>> GINGRICH IS FROM ODEN, INDIANA, A SMALL TOWN IN DAVIESS COUNTY, MAYBE KNOWN BEST FOR ITS MEAT LOCKER.

HIS GRADUATING CLASS HAD ABOUT 69 PEOPLE.

HE SAYS HE KNEW EVERYONE.

>> I KNEW THEM BY THEIR FIRST AND LAST NAME.

I KNEW THEIR PARENTS.

I KNEW THEIR DOGS.

LIKE, I KNEW EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM.

>> GINGRICH WAS VALEDICTORIAN AT NORTH DAVIESS HIGH SCHOOL IN 2018.

HE HAD A 4.0 G.P.A.

AND WAS SET FOR THE PREMED TRACK AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

BUT NO ONE HE KNEW HAD A COLLEGE DEGREE.

HE SAYS PEOPLE IN ODEN BECAME FARMERS OR MAYBE TEACHERS.

OF HE LEARNED HOW TO GO THROUGH COLLEGE ALL ON HIS OWN.

>> I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE WHAT I WAS DOING.

I WENT IN BLIND.

I HAD NO RESOURCES.

>> GINGRICH EARNED HIS COLLEGE DEGREE IN 2022, AND NOW HE'S A GRADUATE STUDENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.

LIKE MANY OTHER STUDENTS FROM RURAL AREAS, IT WASN'T ALWAYS EASY GETTING HERE.

IN INDIANA, STUDENTS FROM RURAL SCHOOLS HAVE LOWER COLLEGE ENROLLMENT RATES THAN SUBURBAN AND URBAN STUDENTS, EVEN WHEN THEY DO THE SAME OR BETTER IN HIGH SCHOOL.

ONLY 18% OF HOOSIERS IN RURAL AREAS HAVE COMPLETED COLLEGE.

THIS IS A NATIONAL TREND.

>> THE REALITY IS THAT RURAL STUDENTS ARE NOT ATTAINING AT THE SAME RATE, ATTAINING A DEGREE AT THE SAME RATE THAT THE GENERAL POPULATION IS OR THE URBAN POPULATION IS.

>> COURTNEY BROWN IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE IMPACT AND PLANNING AT THE LUMINA FOUNDATION.

RURAL STUDENTS TEND TO BE LOW-INCOME OR FIRST IN THEIR FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE.

SOME NEED MORE HELP THAN SCHOLARSHIPS CAN PROVIDE.

>> POVERTY IS AN INCREDIBLE FACTOR.

SO, YOU KNOW, EVEN IF THEY GET GRANTS TO HELP PAY THEIR TUITION, THEY STILL NEED MONEY TO GET -- ACTUALLY GET TO A CAMPUS TO DRIVE TO I ACAM -- A CAMPUS.

SO THAT'S GAS MONEY.

THEY MAY NEED TO LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE.

THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR THAT.

>> IVY SECOND TECH IS INDIANA'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.

THE BLOOMINGTON CAMPUS SERVES EIGHT COUNTIES.

SOME TRAVEL MORE THAN 25 MILES TO GET TO CLASS.

THEY ARE WORKING TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT RURAL STUDENTS FACE THAT.

MIGHT LOOK LIKE PROVIDING BUSSING AND LAPTOPS OR TAILORING WORKFORCE PROGRAMS TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK WHAT IS REALLY UNIQUE AND SPECIAL ABOUT OUR SYSTEM IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN SO FLEXIBLE AND NIMBLE IN TRYING TO ADJUST AND ADAPT TO THE VARIOUS NEEDS THAT OR COMMUNITIES DO HAVE.

>> BROWN SAID MENTORSHIP AND SUPPORT FOR RURAL HIGH SCHOOLERS COULD LEAD TO BETTER ENROLLMENT NUMBERS IVY TECH AND I.U.

CENTER FOR RURAL ENGAGEMENT WORKS IN K-12 SCHOOLS TO SHOW STUDENTS THAT HIGHER EDUCATION IS POSSIBLE.

I.U.

COLLABORATES WITH RURAL SCHOOLS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.

>> WE REALLY THINK A LOT OF THOSE ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS ARE GOING TO HELP HOOSIER STUDENTS REALLY SEE THE POSSIBILITIES THAT THEY CAN ACCESS THROUGH POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.

>> THOMSON SAYS I. U.

SHOULD CONTINUE OUTREACH TO RURAL STUDENTS TO BEST REPRESENT ALL OF INDIANA.

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

>>> WELL, AOF A MONTH OF FALL PRACTICE, IT'S FINAL GAME WEEK FOR THE INDIANA BASKETBALL TEAM AND AS PAT BEANE REPORTS, THE HOOSIERS WILL BE TESTED RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE.

>> FULL PADS.

FULL EFFORT.

EVERYTHING WE DO.

>> EFFORT HAS NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THE TEAM.

BUT TALENT AND INJURIES HAVE BEEN.

WHEN THE HOOSIERS OPENED THE 2023 SEASON ON SATURDAY, THERE AGAIN WILL BE PLENTY OF NEW FACES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL.

NOT ONLY THAT THEY WILL BE FACING THIRD RANKED OHIO STATE, A TEAM THAT INDIANA HAS NOT BEATEN SINCE 1987.

>> I'M EXCITED FOR THAT.

WE HAVE A CHANCE TO GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

AND GO AGAINST THE VERY, VERY BEST FROM WEEK ONE ON.

I'M EXCITED FOR OUR FOOTBALL TEAM AND WE WILL BE READY.

>> ONE OF THE BIG QUESTIONS IS WHO WILL START AT QUARTERBACK, BRENDAN SORSBY, OR TENNESSEE TRANSFER TAYVEN JACKSON, THE YOUNGER BROTHER OF TRACE JACKSON DAVIS.

THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE EARLIER BUT IT WON'T BE ANNOUNCED UNTIL BEFORE THE GAME.

ALLEN DOESN'T WANT HIM LOOKING OVER HIS SHOULDER.

>> I WANT HIM TO BE CONFIDENT AND PLAY WITH DECISIVE DECISION-MAKING, YOU KNOW, AND YOU TRY SKI -- SCHEMATICALLY TO HELP IN THAT REGARD.

>> THE RECEIVING CORPS COULD BE AI STRENGTH FOR THE HOOSIER WAS WITH VETERANS CAM CAMPER AND E.J.

WILLIAMS LEADING THE WAY.

ALLEN SAYS OF McCAULEY, IF HE PLAYS WITH CONFIDENCE, HE WILL BE AN ELITE RECEIVER.

>> WHEN THAT BALL IS IN THE AIR, IT'S YOUR BALL.

I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE PLAYING AGAINST, I DON'T CARE ABOUT COVERAGE.

WHEN THAT BALL IS ANYWHERE NEAR YOU, YOU COME DOWN WITH IT.

>> I.U.

WILL BE DOING WHATEVER IT CAN TO GET THE HANDS IN THE BALL OF JAYLIN LUCAS WHO RUSHED FOR 271 YARDS AND TWO TOUCHDOWNS LAST SEASON.

HE AVERAGED 28.1-YARD AS A KICK RETURNER, EARNING SEVERAL FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN NODS.

>> WHAT CAN WE DO TO CREATE SPACE TOUCHES FOR J-LU.

HOW DO HE WITH MAKE SURE THAT WHEN HE DOES POSSESS THE BALL, IT'S IN THE RIGHT SPOT.

>> THE DEFENSE WILL HAVE AN ALMOST ENTIRELY NEW LOOK.

THERE'S DEFENSIVE LINEMAN ANDRE CARTER AND PHILIP BILDI AND COLBY MINOR AND JAMEER JACKSON.

ALLEN IS HOPING TO SEE IMPROVEMENT FROM A YOUNG THAT RANKED LAST OR NEAR THE BOTTOM IN SEVERAL DEFENSIVE CATEGORIES LAST YEAR.

THEY WILL BE TESTED BY A TEAM THAT HAS BEATEN HOOSIERS 121-10 IN THE LAST TWO SEASONS.

BUT ALLEN WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY.

>> I THINK IT ACCELERATES YOUR GROWTH.

THERE MAY BE SOME GROWING PAINS BUT THERE'S NOTHING LIKE BEING TESTED BY THE VERY, VERY BEST.

[ WHISTLE ] >> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>>> 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: