>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," BLOOMINGTON'S MAYOR ADDRESSES THE $1.1 MILLION GATEWAY PROJECT AND ITS CONTROVERSIAL 40-FOOT MONOLITH.

>> THE ACTUAL GATEWAY IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR DONE NOW.

THE PHYSICAL PIECE THAT'S GOING TO STAND THERE.

>> THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE PROJECT UP IS THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.

>>> THE COOK COMPANY IS GETTING INTO THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS TO HELP ITS EMPLOYEES FIND HOMES NEAR WORK.

>> PERSONS REALLY SHOULD BE PAYING NO MORE THAN 30% OF THEIR INCOME ON HOUSING AND THAT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO DO.

>> A LACK OF AFTER FORWARDABLE HOUSING AND THE IMPACT ON EMPLOYERS COMING UP.

>>> AND IT'S BEEN A WEEK SINCE SOME AUTOWORKERS WENT ON STRIKE.

AHEAD, WHERE NEGOTIATIONS STAND.

THOSE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

OF.

I'M JOE HREN.

THE UNITED AUTOWORKERS HAS ESCALATED THE STRIKE AGAINST THE BIG THREE AUTOMAKERS CALLING FOR AN ADDITIONAL 38 FACILITIES ACROSS 20 STATES TO GO ON STRIKE.

LAST WEEK, THE U.A.W.

CALLED FOR TARGETED STRIKES AT JUST THREE FACILITIES, ONE EACH FOR FORD, G.M.

AND STELLANTIS, WHICH MAKES CHRYSLER AND DODGE PRODUCTS, BUT LIKE LAST WEEK WHEN THE STRIKE BEGAN, NO FACILITIES IN INDIANA WERE CALLED ON TO HIT THE PICKET LINES THIS TIME.

FOR MORE ON THE STRIKE, WE'RE JOINED BY INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S ADAM YAHYA RAYES WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE STORY.

ADAM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

THE U.A.W.

HAS NOT CALLED FOR A NATIONWIDE STRIKE.

WHAT IS THE UNION STRATEGY?

>> SO THE UNION IS DOING THIS TARGETED OR STAND UP STRIKE, SORT OF REMINISCENT OF THE SIT-DOWN STRIKES THAT ORIGINATED WITH THE U.A.W., SORT OF A PLAY ON THAT IDEA.

AND THE IDEA IS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HIT THE COMPANY WHERE IT HURTS MOST, AND WHERE THE COMPANY LEAST EXPECT IT, AND KEEP ON APPLYING PRESSURE GRADUALLY, RATHER THAN ONE BIG PUSH THAT RESULTS IN THE U.A.W.

SPENDING A BUNCH OF MONEY ON STRIKE PAY AT ALL OF THESE FACILITIES AT ALL THREE COMPANIES AT ONCE.

THIS TIME AROUND, FORD WAS LEFT OUT OF THE ADDITIONAL STRIKES, BECAUSE THE UNION SAID THAT THEY HAD MADE MORE MEANINGFUL PROGRESS IN NEGOTIATIONS THAN THE OTHER TWO.

SO IT ALSO SORT OF ALLOWS THE UNION TO REWARD ONE COMPANY WHILE SORT OF SETTING AN EXAMPLE WITH THE OTHERS.

AND EVEN EVERYBODY ON THE GROUND ARE LOCAL, YOU KNOW, UNION CONTACTS, KEEPS EVERYBODY GUESSING.

NOBODY REALLY KNOWS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN UNTIL THE MOMENT IT'S BEEN ANNOUNCED.

>> WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

ARE THEY MAKING ANY PROGRESS IN NEGOTIATIONS?

>> WITH FORD IN PARTICULAR, YES.

AND G.M.

HAS ALSO MOVED ON A COUPLE OF KEY ITEMS.

TIERS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORKERS OUTSIDE OF PRODUCTION.

SO THE FACILITIES THAT ARE ON STRIKE RIGHT NOW ARE PARTS DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES, RESPONSIBLERESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING AFTER-MARKET PARTS TO CUSTOMERS AND DEALERS FOR MAINTENANCE.

AND THE WORKERS AT THOSE FACILITIES WERE SET ON VERY DIFFERENT WAGE SCALES DEPENDING ON WHEN THEY WERE HIRED, ALSO DIFFERENT WAGE SCALES THAN WORKERS AT PRODUCTION FACILITIES.

AND SO G.M.

AND FORD HAVE SORT OF MADE DEALS TO PUT ALL OF THOSE WORKERS ON ONE TIER RATHER THAN HAVING SEPARATE TIERS.

FORD HAS MADE PROGRESS TOWARDS COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS BUT GENERAL MOTORS AND STELLANTIS ARE BEHIND ON THAT AND A FEW OTHER KEY ITEMS THAT THE UNION SAYS IT'S NOT WILLING TO COMPROMISE ON, BUT WE'LL SEE WHERE THINGS GO.

>> RIGHT.

SO DO YOU EXPECT INDIANA PLANTS TO BE IMPACTED AT ANY -- AT SOME POINT SOON?

>> WE HAVE SEEN SOME IMPACT AT INDIANA PLANTS.

SO CITY LAND IS TSE LANDIS STELLANTIS HAS ANNOUNCED TO LAY OFF PEOPLE.

THE PARTS ARE MOVING TO THE TOLEDO PLANT.

THEY DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO ANYMORE AND NOW THE UNION IS -- OR THE COMPANY IS NOW PLANNING TO DO SOME HEYOFFS TO SORT OF -- LAYOFFS TO REDUCE PRODUCTION THERE.

WE ARE NOT SURE WHEN AND IF ANY PLANTS IN INDIANA WILL GO ON STRIKE.

>> HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THIS CAN KEEP GOING ON AND DRAG ON.

>> IT DEPENDS.

I THINK THE WAY THE UNION IS SPENDING MONEY.

IT CAN PROBABLY AFFORD TO GO ON A LOT LONGER.

HOW LONG THE COMPANIES CAN AFFORD TO GO ON BEFORE THEY GIVE IN IS AN OPEN QUESTION.

THE LAST STRIKE IN 2019 AT G.M., THAT WAS JUST G.M.

ALONE.

ALL THE G.M.

PLANTS SIMULTANEOUSLY LASTED 40 DAYS.

WE HAVE TO SEE IF THE STRIKE STRATEGY IS SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THE UNION TO DEAL AT ONCE OR IF WE WILL BE AT THIS FOR A WILL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTING ON THIS.

I'M SURE WE WILL HEAR MORE AS TIME GOES ON.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY REJECTED AN ORDINANCE MAKING IT EASIER FOR THE CITY TO REMOVE ITEMS BLOCKING SIDEWALKS, STREETS AND ROADS.

LUCAS GONZALESs GONZALES REPORTS IT'S BEEN LARGELY SEEN AS A WAY TO PREVENT HOMELESS PEOPLE FROM PARKING IN PUBLIC SPACES.

>> THE STREETS ARE USUALLY TEEMING WITH PEOPLE WHEN CLASSES ARE IN AND STUDENTS FLOCK DOWNTOWN.

BUT THE CITY SAYS THOSE SPACES AREN'T ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE AS SOMETIMES STRAY ITEMS PREVENT PEOPLE FROM USING THEM AS INTENDED.

THAT'S WHY THE CITY TRIED TO ENACT LEGISLATION MAKING IT EASIER TO FORCIBLY REMOVE ITEMS BLOCKING THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY.

CITY ATTORNEY MIKA ROOKER SAID IT WAS PROMPTED AFTER SOMEONE REFUSED TO MOVE THEIR BELONGINGS FROM THE RIGHT-OF-WAY THE STAFF REACHED OUT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO THAT UNTIL THIS WAS A MEASURE DETERMINED WHEN THE CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY WAS BLOCKED.

THAT WOULD ALLOW THE CITY TO REMOVE OBSTRUCTIONS MORE EASILY.

THE ORDINANCE MAKES NO MENTION OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS BUT THE COUNCILMEMBERS AND RESIDENTS ALIKE SEE IT AS A RESPONSE TO HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS IN PUBLIC SPACES.

ROOKER SAYS PEOPLE GENERALLY REMOVE THEIR BELONGINGS WHEN ASKED BUT IN THE CASE EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE CITY CONSIDERED GETTING A COURT ORDER SINCE THE CODE DOES NOT DEFINE A RIGHT-OF-WAY OBSTRUCTION.

>> WE HAVE TO HAVE A MECHANISM IN OUR CODE IN THAT CIRCUMSTANCE WHICH IS ADMITTEDLY RARE BUT NONETHELESS IS VERY POSSIBLE AND SOMETHING WE HAVE EXPERIENCED.

>> SOME CRITICIZED THE CITY FOR PERCEIVED LACK OF CONSISTENCY WHEN IT COMES TO OBSTRUCTIONS LIKE SCOOTERS WHICH CONTINUE TO BLOCK SIDEWALKS DESPITE MULTIPLE MEASURES INTENDED TO REGULATE THEM.

EVEN THOUGH ROOKER FRAMED THE ORDNANCE AS AN ISSUE OF ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES.

ONE COUNCILMEMBER CHALLENGED THAT.

>> THIS IS ABOUT HAVING THE LEGAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOLS TO USE AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED WHO DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER PLACE TO KEEP THEIR BELONGINGS EXCEPT WITH THEM.

>> ROUGHLY A DOZEN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SPOKE AT THE MEETING.

MOST SPOKE AGAINST THE ORDINANCE, SAYING IT TARGETS HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT OFFERING THEM ANY SOLUTIONS.

NICK ANGELOS WAS ONE OF FOUR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MUTUAL AID ORGANIZATION HELP OURSELVES, WHO SPOKE.

>> HE SAYS THE CITY SHOULD CONSIDER SANCTIONED SPACES FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS TO STAY AT.

>> WE HAVE PLENTY OF VACANT LOTS, WE HAVE PLENTY OF RESOURCES TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

I JUST DON'T THINK THAT WE HAVE SEEN THE WILL IN THE GOVERNMENT SO FAR.

>> BUT COUNCILMEMBER SUE SCAMBALARI SAYS THEY ARE ALREADY INVESTING IN LONG-TERMS ISSUE WITH HOMELESSNESS.

>> I DON'T THINK THE CITY IS HEARTLESS.

I THINK THE TENSION EXISTS AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR A LONG-TERM BASED SOLUTION APPROACH, WE ALSO HAVE REALTIME CHALLENGES TO DEAL WITH.

>> THE ORDINANCE CAME BEFORE THE COUNCIL AFTER THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS HAD A NONBINDING RESOLUTION OF THE SAME NATURE.

THAT PASSED THE SAME WAY THAT THE PARK APPROVED A BAN ON TENTS AND APPROVED STRUCTURES DURING THE DAY TIME.

CAMPING THE AT PARKS OVERNIGHT WAS BANNED IN EARLY 2021.

HAD THE ORDINANCE PASSED, THE CITY SAYS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO FAILS TO REMOVE AN OBSTRUCTION WHEN ASKED TO WOULD BE CONSIDERED TRESPASSING.

ROOKER SAYS THE CITY WOULD ONLY PURSUE PUNITIVE MEASURES AS A LAST RESORT.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M LOOK USE GONZALES.

>> THE CITY'S LEGAL DEMENTATES THE COURT ORDER IS NOT REQUIRED TO REMOVE TEMPTS OR OTHER ITEMS FROM PARKS OR PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY.

>>> WE ARE JOINED NOW BY CALI LIMITER FOR THELESTER FOR THE RATEST HEADLINES FROM AROUND STATE.

>> BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN JOHN HAMILTON SAYS THE MONOLITH IS ALREADY BUILT.

HE SAYS THE PLANS FOR THE $1.1 MILLION GATEWAY ARE FUNDED BY BISEN BICENTENNIAL BONDS IN 2018.

IT WASN'T UNTIL A RECENT PUBLIC WORKS MEETING THAT PEOPLE STARTED SPEAKING OUT AGAINST IT.

THAT PROMPTED THE BOARD TO TABLE A VOTE ON SIGNING OFF ON LANE AND SIDEWALK CLOSURES TO BEGIN THE PROJECT.

>> THIS HAS BEEN LONG VETTED.

IT'S FUNDED.

IT'S PLANNED.

AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT AND I'M ACTUALLY CONFIDENT THAT WHEN IT'S DONE, PEOPLE WILL GET USED TO IT, LOVE IT, AND ACTUALLY TAKE A LOT OF PICTURES BY IT.

>> THE PARKS BOARD IS EXPECTED TO TAKE A VOTE ON ALLOWING THE LANE CLOSURES AT SEPTEMBER 26th.

>>> HAMILTON EXPLAINED THE CITY'S DECISION TO DROP THE ANNEXATION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE.

HE SAYS THAT ALLOWS THE CITY TO FOCUS ON A LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST IT BY TWO OF THE SEVEN AREAS THAT BLOOMINGTON WANTED TO ANNEX.

RESIDENTS IN 1A.

AND 1B.

ON THE WEST SIDE, CITING THE PAP DEMIC WANT MORE TIME -- PANDEMIC WANT MORE TIME TO GET SIGNATURES.

>> THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT.

WHERE WE DROP A PIECE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL LITIGATION AND SAY, LET'S JUST GO TO TRIAL ON 1A.

AND 1B., WE'RE CONFIDENT THE COURT WILL SAY YES.

>> REMAINING IN THE LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE COULD DELAY THE ANNEXATION PROCESS BY YEARS.

>>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON SAYS IT'S ON TRACK TO MEET ITS EMISSION GOALS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE 2022 GREEN HOUSE GAS INVENTORY TRACK SOURCE OF PLANET WARMING GASES WITHIN THE CITY.

IT'S THE SECOND COMPILED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT SINCE BLOOMINGTON'S SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN WAS LAID OUT IN 2018.

THE INVENTORY ESTIMATED ANNUAL EMISSIONS OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS, WHICH THE CITY SAYS SHOWS A POSITIVE TREND.

>> WE WERE HAPPY TO PRESENT WHEN WE GAVE THE PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL THAT WE ARE ON A DOWNWARD TRAJECTORY.

WE ARE ON TRACK TO KIND OF MEET THOSE TARGETS.

>> EMISSIONS HAVE DECREASED 16% SINCE 2008, AND THE POPULATION HAS GROWN BY THE SAME PERCENTAGE.

THE REPORT ESTIMATES A 28% PER CAPITA DECREASE SINCE 2008.

THE CITY HOPES TO REDUCE TOTAL EMISSIONS 25% BY 2030.

>>> THE EASTERN GREENE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED IN JUNE 2022 TO START A HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER TEAM AND THIS WEEK THE THUNDERBIRDS PLAYED THEIR FIRST HOME CAME EVERY.

SARAH MOLINA HAS THIS STORY.

>> EASTERN GREENE HAS HAD A JUNIOR HIGH SOCCER PROGRAM FOR THREE YEARS BUT WITHOUT A HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM, THERE WAS NOWHERE FOR THE KIDS TO CONTINUE PLAYING, UNTIL NOW.

THANKS TO A DONATION OF A NEW SOCCER FIELD BY THE CARLY AND MARCIE COOK FAMILY, THEY WERE ABLE TO ADD A VARSITY PROGRAM.

>> ONCE WE FINALLY, LIKE, GOT THE GO-AHEAD AND I SAW THE DUMP TRUCKS PULLING UP AND MOVING STUFF.

I THOUGHT THIS IS GOING TO GOING TO BE A FUN THREE YEARS.

>> MARCY AND HER CARL HAVE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

CURTIS MOVE MOFFIT SAYS THEY HAVE GIVEN BACK FOR YEARS.

>> I SAW THEIR EYES GETTING BIG.

WOW, WE HAVE SOMETHING HERE.

THERE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL.

THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR SOMETHING AMAZING.

AND I THINK THEY WANTED TO INVEST INTO THAT.

>> AND NOW THAT THEY HAVE A FIELD TO PLAY ON, MOFFIT IS EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE PRIME MINISTER.

>> -- FOR THE PROGRAM.

>> HAVING A FIELD WHERE I CAN WATCH THESE GUYS POUR INTO THE NEXT GENERATION IS REALLY NEAT.

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

>>> AND JOE, THE THUNDERBIRDS ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THEIR FIRST WIN AFTER LOSING THEIR HOME OPENER MONDAY TO BLOOMINGTONFIELD 6-4.

>>> STILL VERY EARLY IN THE SEASON, I'M SURE THEY WILL BE FINE.

>> MM-HMM.

>> THANKS CALI.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE 30th ANNUAL LOTUS WORLD MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL RETURNS TO BLOOMINGTON NEXT WEEK.

AND WE VISIT A HOUSING ADDITION IN SPENCER BUILT FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE COOK COMPANY.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

IN JUST ONE SHORT WEEK, THE 30th ANNUAL LOTUS WORLD MUSIC ARTS FESTIVAL WILL KICK OFF IN BLOOMINGTON.

IT WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES FROM OVER 20 INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS AND A NEW DANCE HALL.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI HAS THIS REPORT.

>> CATERKATARINA KOCH IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

THEY STARTED RECRUITING ARTISTS FOR THE FIVE DAY FESTIVAL IN THE SPRING.

THE FESTIVAL IS WELL-NOPE IN THE WORLD MUSIC -- WELL-KNOWN IN THE WORLD MUSIC COMMUNITY.

>> WE HAVE BEEN THROUGHOUT THE LAST 30 YEARS A PLACE WHERE ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THEIR BREAK HERE.

THEY'VE GONE ON TO DO INCREDIBLE THINGS IN THEIR CAREERS AFTER COMING TO THE LOTUS FESTIVAL.

>> KOCH IS ESPECIALLY EXCITED FOR THE NEW DANCE HALL OPPORTUNITIES WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE JOHN WALDRON CENTER.

RANGING FROM SALSA AND IRISH AND FOLK MUSIC DANCES.

>> I THINK MUSIC AND ART BUILD COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT REALLY IS EXCITING AND IT'S CELEBRATORY AND FULL OF JOY AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE WANT TO BE EXPERIENCING AS PEOPLE LIVING TOGETHER IS LAUGHTER AND FUN, AND VIBRANT ENERGY FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THE LOTUS IN THE PARK EVENT WILL HAVE AN ART CAMP GEARED MORE TOWARDS KIDS, OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE AND THE MERCHANDISE TENT.

>> THEY WILL FEATURE ACOUSTIC AND LOCAL ARTISTS EVERY EVENING OF THE FESTIVAL.

THERE WILL BE YOGA CENTERS AT THE FAR CENTER.

>> WE LOVE TO SEE YOUNG PEOPLE COMING OUT ENJOYING THE MUSIC, HAVING A GOOD TIME WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND BEING ABLE TO JUST -- JUST ENJOY THE VIBRANCY OF THE DOWNTOWN LIFE.

>> THE FESTIVAL IS RUN HEAVILY ON VOLUNTEERS.

ALMOST 250 VOLUNTEERS HAVE HELPED WITH THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL SO FAR.

THE FESTIVAL RECEIVES OVER $150,000 IN TICKET SALES TO HELP FUND FUTURE FESTIVALS.

THE REST OF THE MONEY COMES FROM DONATIONS, SPONSORS AND GRANTS.

OVER 12,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE FESTIVAL PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

THOUGH ATTENDANCE HAS DROPPED SINCE THEN, THE KOCH HOPES TO WELCOME OVER 5,000 PEOPLE THIS YEAR.

>> THE LOTUS WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL IS ONLY HERE IN BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA, HOWEVER THERE ARE WORLD MUSIC FESTIVALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THOUGH WE ARE REALLY PROUD TO BE THE LARGEST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL IN THE MIDWEST.

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

>> THE FESTIVAL WILL RUN SEPTEMBER 28th THROUGH OCTOBER 1st.

THE TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED ON THE LOTUS WEBSITE.

DISCOUNTED TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS AND SENIORS.

>>> EMPLOYEES ARE STARTING TO MOVE INTO THE AFFORDABLE HOMES BEING BUILT BY COOK GROUP, THE PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY IN MONROE COUNTY.

THE COMPANY SAID LAST YEAR IT WOULD BUILD 300 HOMES.

CONSTRUCTIONS STARTED WITH HOMES IN ORANGE COUNTY BUT NOW ITS DEVELOPMENT IN SPENCER IS UNDERWAY.

BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS.

>> HEADED WEST ON STATE ROAD 46 THROUGH SPENCER, DRIVERS PASS BY LANDMARKS TYPICAL OF A TOWN OF 2400.

SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES SUCH AS MAIN STREET COFFEE AND KITCHEN AND CHAIN STAPLES LIKE WALMART.

I.U.

GRAD MOLLY CUNNINGHAM CALLS IT HOME.

YOU CAN'T FIND HER ADDRESS ON GOOGLE MAPS BUT SHE MOVED INTO A BUDDING NEIGHBORHOOD BUILT BY COOK MEDICAL FOR ITS EMPLOYEES.

SHE'S WORKED WITH COOK SINCE 2019, WHEN SHE FINISHED SCHOOL.

SHE RENTED AN APARTMENT WITH HER HUSBAND IN BLOOMINGTON, BUT RENT WAS GOING UP EACH YEAR.

>> IT WAS GETTING REALLY FRUSTRATING PAYING THAT MUCH MONEY AND NOT REALLY UNDERSTANDING WHERE IT WASSING TO, OTHER THAN JUST TO THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY.

>> SHE STARTED LOOKING FOR HOUSES BUT THOUGHT SHE WOULD HAVE TO GET AN OLDER HOME TO STAY WITHIN BUDGET.

>> WE KNEW OUR NEXT STEP WOULD BE OWNING A HOME, BUT IT JUST -- A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, IT DOESN'T SEEM VERY ATTAINABLE.

JUST WITH -- YOU KNOW, WITH THE PANDEMIC AND EVERYTHING, LIKE, THE HOUSING MARKET GOING CRAZY BECAUSE OF IT, AND IT JUST WAS A PIPE DREAM.

>> SHE HEARD ABOUT COOK'S PLANS TO CREATE WORKER HOUSING ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

SHE AND HER HUSBAND APPLIED AND GOT PREAPPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE.

THEY CLOSED ON THE HOUSE OVER THE SUMMER.

RON WALKER IS PRESIDENT OF COOK'S WORKFORCE HOUSING.

HE SAYS HOUSING IS A CHALLENGE FOR COMPANY RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

COOK HEARD SIMILAR CONCERNS FROM A SPECTRUM OF EMPLOYEES, FROM SINGLE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS MAKING ABOUT $40,000 A YEAR TO DUAL INCOME HOUSEHOLDS MAKING $120,000.

>> THAT WAS KIND OF OUR TARGET GROUP, BECAUSE THAT'S A GROUP WE THOUGHT IS -- HAS THE ABILITY TO OWN A HOME.

MANY OF THEM HAVE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN OWNING A HOME, BUT YET THE -- THE WAGE LEVELS COMPARED TO THE WAY THE HOUSING COSTS AND PRICES HAVE GONE UP, IT'S JUST BECOMING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT.

>> THESE HOUSES COST ABOUT $200,000.

COOK HAS BUILT 14 TO FAR AND SOLD SEVEN, ONE BEING THE CUNNINGHAMS.

THE IDEA IS TO TAKE MONEY FROM ONE HOUSE AND PUT IT INTO THE NEXT.

WALKER SAYS THE PROJECT RECEIVED READY GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE.

THE DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN DONE IN AN UNOFFICIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH SPENCER WHICH BROUGHT WATER AND WASTEWATER TO THE AREA.

COOK VOLUNTARILY AN ANNEXED THE DEVELOPMENT INTO THE TOWN.

THEY USED READY GRANT FUNDS IN THE STATE REVOLVING FUND TO PAY FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

HE SAYS SPENCER'S POPULATION WAS AGING AND NOT SEEING MUCH MIGRATION IN, CAUSING ECONOMIC TROUBLES FOR THE TOWN.

>> IS THE CONTRACTORS WERE TENDING TO WORK IN THE MONROE COUNTY AREA AND OTHER HIGH DENSITY LOCATIONS, RATHER THAN HERE.

>> COOK LOCATED IN MONROE COUNTY NEEDED SPACE FOR EMPLOYEES.

LAUREN SAYS SPENCER JUST A TOWN OVER WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT.

60% ARE COST BURDENED.

MEDIAN RENT IS $1,500 A MONTH, AND ALMOST TWICE THE STATE MEDIUM.

SAMANTHA St. PETERSBURGEL SAYS ISSUES OF AFFORDABILITY AND AVAILABILITY ARE COMMON STATEWIDE BUT NEEDS AND SOLUTIONS VARY BY REGION.

>> PERSONS SHOULD REALLY BE PAYING NO MORE THAN 30% OF THEIR INCOME ON HOUSING, AND THAT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO DO.

>> STATEWIDE, 40% OF RENTERS ARE COST BURDENED.

MEDIAN HOME VALUES STATEWIDE WENT FROM $160,000 TO $227,000 IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

SHE SAYS ECONOMIC AND HOUSING POLICY ARE CONNECTED.

PEOPLE NEED OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE WEALTH THROUGH WAGE GROWTH AND EDUCATION.

BUT IF PROJECTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING DOESN'T KEEP PACE WITH DEMAND, PRICES GO UP FOR EVERYBODY.

>> THE NEEDS IN AN URBAN POPULATION MAY VARY GRATELY FROM RURAL.

THERE MAY NOT BE THE NEED FOR THE SAME LEVEL OF PRODUCTION IN A MORE RURAL AREA.

THERE MAY BE NEED TO ADDRESS EXISTING HOUSING STOCK IN A RURAL COMMUNITY.

>> SHE SAYS COOK'S INITIATIVE TO BUILD IN SPENCER WILL HAVE LONG-TERM BENEFITS FOR THE EMPLOYEES THE TOWNS.

>> THE MONTH'S LONG PROCESS WILL BE WORTH IT.

>> TO FEEL SETTLED AND DECORATE A LITTLE BIT.

FIGURE OUT HOW TO MANAGE THIS YARD SITUATION.

I DO NOT HAVE A GREEN THUMB.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE QUITE THE PROCESS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO YARD WORK.

SO THAT'S -- YARD WORK.

GETTING USED TO SPENCER AND DISCOVERING WHAT'S HERE.

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

>>> THOUGH THE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY DIDN'T SUPPORT THIS DEVELOPMENT SPECIFICALLY, IT'S PARTNERED WITH FOUR EMPLOYERS SINCE 2019 TO SUPPORT WORKFORCE HOUSING HE INITIATIVES.

THAT INCLUDES ONE FOR THE FRENCH LICK RESORT IN ORANGE BE COUNTY WHICH IS ALSO OWNED BY COOK.

>>> A NEW DINING SPOT, THE VAULT PUB OPENED ITS DOORS AT THE INDIANA MEMORIAL UNION BUT AS CALI LICHTER REPORTS, IT'S THE FIRST OF ITS KIND ON THE I.U.

CAMPUS.

>> WHAT SETS THE VAULT PUB APART FROM THE OTHER EATERIES ON CAMPUS?

PATRONS WILL BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC, EAT LOCALLY SOURCED FOODS AND DRINK LOCAL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

WHILE HAVING A PUB ON CAMPUS IS A FIRST FOR I.U., OHIO STATE, PURDUE AND MICHIGAN STATE ALREADY RUN PUBS ON THEIR CAMPUSES.

>> WE HAVE A HOTEL HERE.

BUT TRAVELERS COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AND STAY WITH US.

AND ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS WE GET IS WHERE IS A PUB?

>> THE PUB TOOK THE LOCATION OF THE FORMER DUNN MEADOW CAFE AND WAS PART OF THE INDIANA MEMORIAL RENOVATION THAT TOOK PLACE DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

IT'S MORE THAN FOOD.

IT'S ABOUT I.U.

TRADITION.

THE HOOSIER SPIRIT IS FELT IN EVERY CORNER OF THE PUB FROM THE JAILANT PHOTO OF THE ORIGINAL -- PHOTO TO THE SIGNED POSTERS FROM ACTS THAT PERFORMED ON CAMPUS.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF TRADITION AROUND THIS ROOM.

THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY AROUND THIS ROOM.

IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO HANG OUT AND BE AT.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," ARE I'M CALI LICHTER.

>>> THE VAULT PUB IS OPEN THURSDAYS FROM 4 TO 10 P.M., FRIDAYS FROM 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT AND SATURDAYS FROM NOON TO MIDNIGHT.

>>> NOW, THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM LOOKS TO EVEN ITS RECORD AT 2-2 WHEN THEY HOST AKRON SATURDAY NIGHT AT MEMORIAL STADIUM.

THE ZIPS ARE 1-2 AND COMING OFF A 35-3 LOSS AFTER KENTUCKY.

>> WE'VE GOT AN IMPORTANT GAME COMING UP HERE AT HOME AGAINST AKRON TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OUR TEAM, BUILD OUR TEAM, AND THEN GET BETTER IN ALL THREE UNITS.

SO IT'S AN IMPORTANT WEEK FOR US TO LOCK?

>> ALLEN SAYS HE WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE LEADERSHIP FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK TAYVEN JACKSON SHOWED IN HIS FIRST GAME AS THE STARTER LAST WEEK.

>> I THINK THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW THROUGHOUT THE SEASON, AND I THINK YOU CAN SEE THAT THE GUYS, YOU KNOW, THEY BELIEVE IN HIM AND HIS ABILITY TO MAKE PLAYS IN THOSE SITUATIONS.

AND THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW.

>> THE HOOSIERS WILL BE WEARING ALL BLACK UNIFORMS FOR THE GAME, WHICH KICKS OFF 7:30 P.M. ON THE BIG 10 NETWORK.

>>> 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: