>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," SOME FACULTY SAY THE FUTURE OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S KINSEY INSTITUTE IS IN JEOPARDY.

>> UNIVERSITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN STRONGLY IN SUPPORT OF THE KINSEY INSTITUTE AND ITS WORK.

WHAT'S GOING ON NOW IS THAT SUPPORT IS NOT FULL THROATED.

>> JUST AHEAD, THE LARGER IMPACT ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM.

ONCE IN DANGERED, OTTERS ARE THRIVING IN INDIANA!

>> WE'VE HAD SEVERAL SIGHTINGS FROM LAKE MONROE AND FROM SURROUNDING AREA.

>> AHEAD, WHAT THE STATE IS DOING TO MAINTAIN WHAT IT CALLS A HEALTHY WILDLIFE POPULATION.

>>> AND AN INNOVATIVE WAY TO THINK ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS.

HOW FUTURE HOUSING COULD EVOLVE 3D.

PRINTING AND MUD.

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

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

FOR 75 YEARS, THE WORLD-RENOWNED KINSEY INSTITUTE, FAMOUS FOR ITS STUDY OF HUMAN SEXUALITY HAS BEEN A DISTINGUISHING FEATURE OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY, BUT THAT CONNECTION COULD SOON CHANGE AND KINSEY COULD BE LEFT TO STAND ON ITS OWN.

MY COLLEAGUE, ETHAN SANDWEISS JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

HI, ETHAN.

>> HI, JOE THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES HAD PLANNED TO DISCUSS SEPARATING FROM THE KINSEY INSTITUTE AT ITS MEETING TODAY.

BUT THEY DECIDED TO TABLE THE ISSUE.

ALL OF THIS HAS HAPPENED REALLY QUICKLY AND FACULTY ARE PLEADING WITH I.U.

ADMINISTRATORS TO CONSIDER THE IRREPARABLE HARM THEY COULD DO TO THE UNIVERSITY AND THE ACADEMIC FREEDOM.

IT HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL FROM THE BEGINNING WHEN ALFRED KINSEY STARTED WRITING ABOUT HUMAN SEXUALITY IN 1947.

PROTESTERS PRESSURED DONORS TO END THEIR SUPPORT AND GOVERNMENT SEIZINGS SEIZING DEFENDING BECAME A REALITY WHICH LORISSA SWEET, PUSHED TO END ANY FUNDS TORE KINSEY.

KINSEYSHE CLAIMS THAT KINSEY RESEARCHERS ARE CONDUCTING RESEARCH ON CHILDREN.

>> PAT PIERCE WHO REPRESENTS THE DISTRICT SAYS THE FALSE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN LONG DEBUNKED.

>> THIS AMENDMENT IS BASED ON OLD, UNPROVEN ALLEGATIONS OF CONSPIRACIES THAT DID NOT EXIST.

>> MOST OF THE INSTITUTE'S MONEY COMES FROM GRANTS, AND RECEIVES AROUND $2 MILLION A YEAR FROM THE UNIVERSITY.

I.U.

SAYS ANY IF MANY IF MANY FINANCIAL IMPACT FROM THE NEW LAW IS NEGLIGIBLE.

EVEN SOW THEY ARE CONSIDERING SPLITTING FROM THE KINSEY.

THEY ARE CONSIDER MAKING IT A NONPROFIT THAT WOULD NOT OPERATE WITH ANY OFFER MONEY.

IT'S A PARTIAL DIVORCE THAT'S GENERATED A LOT OF PROTEST.

RECENTLY DEMONSTRATORS, A GROUP OF RESEARCHERS, BLOOMINGTON CITY OFFICIALS AND STUDENTS GATHERED AROUND A BRONZE STATUE OF ALFRED KINSEY ON THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS.

KEEPING THE KINSEY INSTITUTE PART OF THE UNIVERSITY IS IMPORTANT.

>> I THINK THAT WE CAN'T CONSIDER OURSELVES THE SAME WAY IF WE GOT RID OF THE KINSEY INSTITUTE AS PART OF I.U.

>> THE ORGANIZER OF THE PROTEST, JENNIFER BASS WORKED AT THE KINSEY INSTITUTE FOR 20 YEARS.

SHE SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION IS SIMPLY CAVING TO POLITICAL PRESSURE.

SHE HELPED ORGANIZE A PETITION DRIVE, AND HELD A SCROLL CONTAINING THE NAMES OF 5500 PEOPLE WHO OPPOSED THE PLAN.

>> SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.

I -- I APPRECIATE THAT.

YOU KNOW, IT'S TOO LATE TO GO BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE AND SAY, NO, WE DON'T WANT -- WE DON'T WANT THIS BILL.

BUT I -- I BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO DO THAT, OTHER THAN SEPARATING THE INSTITUTE.

>> KINSEY RESEARCHERS LIKE PROFESSOR ZOE PETERSON SAY THEY WERE NOT TOLD ABOUT THE PROPOSAL UNTIL TWO WEEKS AGO AND THEY STILL HAVE LOTS OF QUESTIONS.

>> IT'S REALLY NOT CLEAR TO US, AT LEAST, THAT SEVERING THE KINSEY INSTITUTE FROM I.U.

IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW.

>> IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT MONEY BUT ACADEMIC FREEDOM.

THE PROVOST UNDERSTANDS THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE OF THIS IDEA.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MISSION OF KINSEY REMAINS INTACT AND WE REMAIN COMPLIANT WITH THE LAW AS IT STANDS.

>> CLAUDE COOKMAN WHO SERVED ON THE BOARD OF THE KINSEY INSTITUTE FOR MANY YEARS SAYS KINSEY NEEDS OUTSPOKEN SUPPORT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION NOW MORE THAN EVER.

>> THE LEGISLATOR WHO BROUGHT THIS BILL, HAS SAID SHE'S STILL COMING AFTER KINSEY.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO QUIT.

SO IF -- WHATEVER I.U.

DOES IN ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH KINSEY, I.U.

ITSELF IS THREATENED BY PEOPLE LIKE THIS.

>> SO ETHAN, YOU HAVE AN UPDATE FOR US.

WHY DID THE TRUSTEES DECIDE NOT TO VOTE TODAY?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY.

UNTIL THIS MORNING, I THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO VOTE.

I WAS ON MY WAY TO INDIANAPOLIS AND THEN I RECEIVED WORD THAT THEY HAD TABLED THE VOTE.

ALLEGEDLY, IT'S TO GIVE MORE TIME TO RERISE THIS REVISE THIS PLAN THAT THEY HAVE, THEY'VED A LOT OF COMMENTS.

NOW QUINN BUCKNER MADE A STATEMENT TODAY.

HE SAID THAT AGAINST THIS BACKDROP AND TO PERMANENTLY ENSURE THE KINSEY INSTITUTE AND ITS MISSION, INDIANA UNIVERSITY REQUIRES A MECHANISM TO FUND AND OPERATE THE SMALL PIECE OF KINSEY INSTITUTE OPERATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY'S GENERAL FUND.

BASICALLY, WHAT HE'S SAYING THERE IS THEY NEED SOME WAY TO SUPPORT KINSEY INSTITUTE WITHOUT DIRECTING POTENTIALLY MONEY FROM THE STATE TOWARDS IT.

PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN OF I.U.

ALSO SPOKE TO THIS TODAY.

SHE SAID TO QUINN BUCKNER, YOUR DECISION THIS MORNING WILL PROVIDE US INVALUABLE TIME TO WORK TOGETHER WITH OUR FACULTY, STAFF, WITH ALUMNI AND FRIENDS AND OTHER KEY STAKEHOLDERS.

WE WILL CONSIDER HOW BEST TO CONTINUE THE LEGACY OF THE KINSEY INSTITUTE WHILE COMPLYING WITH STATE LAW.

>> ALL RIGHT, ETHAN, WHAT IS NEXT?

>> WELL, PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN SAYS THAT SHE'S GOING TO GET BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD WITH THIS, WORK THIS OVER WITH THE LEGAL COUNSEL, FOLKS AT KINSEY AND THE PROVOST AND THEY WILL COME UP WITH ANOTHER PLAN TO HOPEFULLY ENSURE COMPLIANCE WHILE CONTINUING THE KINSEY INSTITUTE CONTINUES TO DO RESEARCH AND THE TRUSTEES WILL MOST LIKELY DISCUSS THIS AT THEIR NEXT MEETING IN FEBRUARY.

>> FEBRUARY, ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, ETHAN.

APPRECIATE YOUR REPORTING.

>>> NOW FOR THE LATEST ON THIS WEEK'S TOP TOP STORIES.

CALI LICHTER JOINS US WITH NEWS HEADLINES.

HI, CALI.

>> HI, JOE.

FORMER EMPLOYEE AT THE I.U.

FOUNDATION WILL SERVE A YEAR IN PRISON FOR EMBEZZLING MORE THAN $300,000.

TERESA MANNERS ADMITTED TO STEALING THE MONEY OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT FOUR YEARS.

MANNERS PLEADED GUILTY THIS WEEK TO WIRE FRAUD.

>>> VOTERS IN SEVERAL COMMUNITIES VOTED A NEW MAYOR, COLUMBUS, TERRE HAUTE, AND BLOOMINGTON WILL ALL HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP STARTING IN JANUARY.

SARA WITTMEYER REPORTS.

>> KERRY THOMSON'S VICTORY WAS ALL BUT ASSURED AFTER WINNING THE THREE-WAY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY IN MAY.

THOMSON DIDN'T HAVE A REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

>> I NEVER DREAMED I WOULD BE ELECTED MAYOR OF THIS CITY THAT I VERY SURPRISINGLY FELL IN LOVE WITH ON A CROSS-COUNTRY BICYCLING TRIP.

>> SHE LED THE BLOOMINGTON BRANCH OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FOR TWO DECADES AND MOST RECENTLY SERVED AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER OF RURAL ENGAGEMENT ON I.U.

CAMPUS.

SHE USED THIS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA, HOW ARE WE FEELING TONIGHT?

[ CHEERS ] >> AN UPSET IN TERRE HAUTE.

NEWCOMER BRANDON SAKBUN DEFEATED INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN DUKE BENNETT.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID, OH, YOU WILL NOT DO IT AND THEY WERE VERY NEGATIVE IN JANUARY.

A LITTLE BIT MORE POSITIVE IN FEBRUARY AND WE JUST BUILT DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY THE MOMENTUM.

AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP FIGHTING AND TURN TERRE HAUTE AROUND.

>> SAKBUN HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF FORWARD-THINKING AND PROGRESS FOR THE CITY.

HE SAYS FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS TACKLING HOUSING ISSUES.

BENNETT CONGRATULATED SAKBUN AND ASSURED HIM THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSITION WILL BE A SMOOTH AND EFFICIENT ONE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD OF WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE LAST 16 YEARS.

I THINK WE HAVE DONE A LOT.

A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THINGS HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY THE TEAM I'VE HAD HAS BEEN AWESOME.

THE SUPPORT GROUP I'VE HAD HAS BEEN AWESOME.

WE OBVIOUSLY TONIGHT, ENDS THAT RUN.

>> SAKBUN IS OFFICIALLY THE YOUNGEST MAYOR OF TERRE HAUTE AND FIRST DEMOCRATIC MAYOR SINCE 2008.

IN COLUMBUS, THE MAYOR'S SEAT WAS OPEN AFTER JIM LIENHOOP, WHO HELD THE OFFICE SINCE 2016 ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR HE WOULD NOT RUN FOR A THIRD TERM.

REPUBLICAN MERRY MARY FERDON EASILY WON AND WILL TAKE THE OFFICE IN JANUARY.

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

>>> THE REFERENDUM FOR THE MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION WAS A NAIL BITER.

THE MEASURE PASSED BUT BY A LITTLE OVER 100 VOTES.

IT WILL BE USED TO EXPAND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

>>> BOTH THE INDIANA DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PARTIES HAD REASONS TO CELEBRATE TUESDAY'S ELECTION RESULTS.

DEMOCRATS FLIPPED SEVERAL MAYORAL SEATS AND REPUBLICANS CONTINUED TO STRENGTHEN THEIR ADVANTAGE IN RURAL INDIANA.

IT'S HARD TO PREDICT MUCH ABOUT 2024 FROM 2023'S RACES.

>> POTHOLES ARE NOT DEALT WITH AT THE STATE LEVEL.

PICKING UP LEAVES AND REMOVING SNOW, THOSE ARE NOT DEALT WITH AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> DOWNS DID SAY THAT BOTH PARTIES CAN FOCUS ON AREAS WHERE THEY SCORED KEY VICTORIES AND LOOK TO BUILD FROM THOSE BASES OF SUPPORT FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> MICROPLASTICS IN LAKES AND PONDS CAN CAUSE ALGAE TO GROW OUT OF CONTROL.

THAT'S ACCORDING ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH BY PURDUE UNIVERSITY.

MICROPLASTICS CAN GET ORGANISMS AND CAUSING GUT BLOCKAGES THAT LIMIT HOW MUCH ALGAE THEY CAN EAT.

>> IT'S NOT SIMPLY THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND IT'S KIND OF ALARMING THAT THEY ARE THERE, BUT THEY ARE ACTUALLY HAVING -- NOT ONLY DIRECT BUT ALSO INDIRECT EFFECTS ON HOW ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS FUNCTION.

>> TOO MUCH ALGAE IN WATER CAN DEPRIVE FISH OF THE OXYGEN THAT THEY NEED TO SURVIVE.

IT CAN RELEASE TOXIC CHEMICALS THAT MAKES THE WATER UNSAFE FOR PEOPLE AND ANIMALS ALIKE.

IT WILL LIKELY GET WORSE SINCE GLOBAL PLASTIC PRODUCTION IS GOING UP.

ARE.

TERRAN ROBOTICS A BLOOMINGTON-BASED COMPANY IS TACKLING THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTEN WENT TO THEIR LAB TO LEARN WHAT TERRAN HOPES WILL BE THE FUTURE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF 3D PRINTED HOMES BUT WHAT ABOUT 3D PRINTED HOMES MADE FROM MUD?

THAT'S EXACT WHAT TERRAN ROBOTICS IS ATTEMPTING TO CREATE OUT OF THE LAB IN BLOOMINGTON TO COMBAT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS NICE WE KNEW WE WANTED TO SOLVE IT.

MY BACKGROUND IS IN A.I.

AND ROBOTICS AND MY COFOUNDER'S IS IN CONSTRUCTION.

HOW CAN WE BRING THESE TWO TOGETHER AND SOLVE THE ANSWER?

>> THEIR ANSWER RETURNING TO EARTH.

HOMES MADE IN THIS WAY ARE NATURALLY FIREPROOF, SOUNDPROOF, BULLETPROOF, INSULATED AND NON-RESOURCE INTENSIVE.

>> THE REASON THESE MATERIALS ARE NOT USED IN MUCH OF THE GLOBAL NORTH ANYMORE IS BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL LABOR.

AND IT'S OFTEN BACK-BREAKING LABOR AND LABOR, OF COURSE, IN AMERICA, AND WESTERN INDUSTRIALIZED WORLD IS EXPENSIVE.

>> THROUGH ROBOTIC MACHINE RUNS AUTONOMOUSLY VIA A.I., LAYING CLAY AND DIRT IN PLACE AND COMPACTING IT, ULTIMATELY LOWERING LABOR COSTS.

LATER IT CAN BE MADE TO LOOK LIKE DRY WALL OR PAINTED ORGANICALLY.

>> WE LIKE IT WHEN IT'S RAW EARTH, ESPECIALLY HERE IN INDIANA.

WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL CLAY.

IT'S OFTEN RED, SOMETIMES A YELLOW.

YOU CAN ALWAYS COLOR IT.

>> THE TEAM NOTED THAT BEING BASED IN THE MIDWEST IS A HUGE PLUS FOR THEM AND IF THEY CAN GET THIS PROCESS TO WORK IN INDIANA'S VARIED CLIMATE, THEY CAN GET IT WORKED ANYWHERE.

>> I THINK WE ARE PROUDLY MIDWESTERN.

I THINK WE ARE HOPING TO SHOW THAT THE MIDWEST IS STILL DOING SOME FORWARD-THINKING PROGRESSIVE STUFF, WHICH I BELIEVE WE ARE.

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

>> AND JOE, TERRAN SAYS IT CURRENTLY HAS PERMITS FOR TWO PROJECTS AND THREE HOUSES COMING UNDER CONTRACT IN COLUMBUS IN THE NEXT YEAR.

>> WOW!

FASCINATING STUFF.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," OTTER TRAPPING SEASON IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.

LEAD, WHY THE STATE SAYS IT'S CRITIC -- AHEAD, WHY THE STATE SAYS IT'S CRITICAL TO MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WILDLIFE POPULATION.

>>> AND PLANS FOR COLUMBUS' RIVER FRONT PROJECT ARE TAKING SHAPE.

A LOOK AT THE DESIGNS JUST AHEAD.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PLANS TO INSTALL BIKE LANES TO STATE ROAD 45 OR 10th STREET ON BLOOMINGTON'S EAST SIDE.

AS LUCAS GONZALEZ REPORTS, THE PROJECT HAS RECEIVED MIXED REACTIONS, EVEN AMONG SOME BICYCLISTS.

>> ANYONE WHO HAS EVER SPENT TIME ON 10th STREET BY THE COLLEGE MALL KNOWS IT'S USUALLY CRAWLING WITH MOTOR VEHICLES BUT THERE'S NOT MUCH BIKE OR PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE THERE.

IN-DOT WANTS TO ADD AN EAST AND WESTBOUND PAINTED BIKE LANE FROM THE STATE ROAD 46 BYPASS TO WHERE 10th STREET INTERSECTS WITH PETE ELLIS DRIVE AND DISCOVERY PARKWAY.

>> BLOOMINGTON IS A COMMUNITY THAT HAS A LOT OF PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC, THAT WOULD HAVE A LOT OF THAT BIKE TRAFFIC.

SO WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT, THAT'S WHAT THINGS WE CONSIDERED.

>> BRIAN SAYS PROJECTS LIKE THIS ARE SOMEWHAT UNIQUE TO BLOOMINGTON BECAUSE MANY OF MANY OF THE STUDENTS RESIDENTS ARE STUDENTS AND THEY ARE LIKELY TO BIKE OR WALK TO CAMPUS.

IN 2020, IT INSTALLED BIKE LANES ON 1.4-MILE STRETCH ON THAT ROAD.

>> OUR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ARE DONE TO HELP SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS WHY WE'RE DOING SOMETHING.

>> OTHER PLAN CHANGES TO 10th STREET INCLUDE NEW SIDEWALKS, MORE CROSSWALKS AND PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS AND EXCLUSIVE TURN LANES FOR DRIVERS.

>> IN-DOT SAYS THE $9.8 MILLION PROJECT WILL REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND IMPROVE SAFETY FOR BIKERS AND PEDESTRIANS BUT NOT EVERYONE SEES IT THAT WAY.

>> THE TRAFFIC IS ALREADY SO CONGESTED IN THIS AREA, THAT PEOPLE DON'T PAY ATTENTION AS IT IS.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF WRECKS ALREADY.

AND JUST TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING SPOTS HERE, THE PARKING ITSELF IS JUST -- IT'S A HORRIBLE PLACE FOR ANYBODY TO BE RIDING A BIKE, EVEN WALKING IS KIND OF DANGEROUS AROUND HERE.

>> SCAGGS OWNS A ACCU-WEATHERER REPAIR SHOP.

HE DOESN'T THINK THE -- A COMPUTER REPAIR SHOP.

HE DOESN'T THINK THE BIKE LANES WON'T BE SAFE.

>> THE PROBLEM WITH BEING WITH TRAFFIC, PEOPLE DON'T PAY ATTENTION.

>> DEBRA COCHRANE FEELS THE SAME WAY.

>> I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD BE RIDING THEIR BIKES OUT THERE.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND FOR JUST A FEW BIKE RIDERS THAT GO OUT THERE.

>> EVEN SOME CYCLISTS DON'T THINK IT'S PERFECT.

WHILE HE WOULD STILL USE THE BIKE LANES IF INSTALLED THEY WOULDN'T BE HIS FIRST CHOICE.

>> IT MIGHT CAUSE SOME CONFUSION AS TO WHERE A BICYCLE IS SUPPOSED TO GO.

IS A BICYCLE SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE MULTIUSE PATH OR THE BIKE LANES?

>> BUT STILL HE CALLS THE PROJECT A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> YOU CAN'T BUILD BRAND NEW INFRASTRUCTURE ALL AT ONCE.

BUT I THINK IF WE'RE WIDENING THAT ROAD, IT PROBABLY MAKES SENSE TO PUT IT IN.

>> SOME RESIDENTS, INCLUDING ALAN ROSE ONLY GETS AROUND BY BIKE.

ROSE SAYS THE BIKE LANES ARE NEEDED FOR EASTSIDE RESIDENTS WHO CAN'T AFFORD CARS.

>> MORE AND MORE THE RENT RESIDENTIALS MOVED OUT.

YOU WILL HAVE MORE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THAT AS THEIR MAIN MODE OF TRANSIT.

>> HE SAYS THIS IS A LEAP FORWARD.

>> SOME DRIVERS SAY THEY DON'T SEE MANY BIKERS USE 10th 10th STREET AS IT IS.

OTHERSDON'T THINK THEY EVEN SHOULD.

THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE PROJECT SAY THE NEW BIKE LANES WILL ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO BIKE THERE.

THEY OFTEN SAY BIKERS USE 10th TO GET DOWNTOWN FROM THE EAST.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M LUCAS GONZALEZ.

>> IN-DOT WANTS TO START CONSTRUCTION ON THE PROJECT IN NOVEMBER OF 2024.

>>> COLUMBUS LEADERS SAY THE CITY CAN FINALLY PROCEED WITH THE DOWNTOWN RIVER FRONT REDEVELOPMENT.

THE CITY SEES THE RIVER FRONT AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.

THE PROJECT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS SINCE 2016, MAINLY GOING THROUGH REGULATORY HOOPS.

EROSION ON BOTH SIDES THE RIVER AND CENTURY OLD DAM MUST BE FIXED.

BUT THE CITY SEES THE AREA AS A FRONT DOOR THAT'S BEEN NEGLECTED FOR FAR TOO LONG.

PLANS INCLUDE MORE GREEN SPACE, TRAILS, BEAUTIFICATION, AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

THE APPROVAL OF THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS MEANS THE CITY CAN COMPLETE THE PROJECT AS DESIGNED.

NEXT STEPS ARE FUNDING APPROVAL BY THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL AND THEN BIDDING AND BUILDING.

>> WE KNOW THAT A LOT HAS CHANGED.

WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SIGNIFICANT INFLATION WITH RESPECT TO BUILDING MATERIALS, CONCRETE BEING NO EXCEPTION AND THERE'S A LOT OF CONCRETE IN THIS DESIGN.

>> ORIGINAL COST ESTIMATES WERE MORE THAN $8 MILLION.

THE CITY HIRED URBAN ECONOMIST JAMES LIMA TO SEE IF THOSE NUMBERS STILL WORK.

>> WE BELIEVED WHEN WE PROPOSED THE PROJECT ORIGINALLY THAT IT HAD A SOUND BUSINESS CASE, THAT IT MADE SENSE FOR US TO DO THIS FROM AN ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE, AS WELL AS A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, AND AMENITY PERSPECTIVE AND RECREATIONAL PERSPECTIVE.

>> THE STATE HAS SECURED NEXT READY AND TRAILS GRANTS.

>> NOVEMBER 15th WILL MARK THE START OF ONE OF INDIANA'S LESSER KNOWN CONSERVATION EFFORTS, RIVER OTTER TRAPPING SEASON.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH MET WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCE OFFICERS AND HOBBYIST TRAPPERS TO DETERMINE WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY WILDLIFE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> IN 1995, INDIANA BEGAN RESTORING THE RIVER OTTER POPULATION BY INTRODUCING 303 OTTERS AT 12 SITES LOCATED ALL AROUND THE STATE.

OTTERS HAVE BEEN ON THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST DUE TO UNREGULATED HUNTING AND RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES.

IT WAS SO SUCCESSFUL THAT IN 2005, NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTERS WERE TAKEN OFF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST AND WITH INCREASED POPULATION NUMBERS COME INCREASED PROBLEMS FOR HOOSIERS.

>> I'VE GOT PONDS ON OUR FAMILY FARM NEXT TO THE RIVER AND USED TO BE GREAT FISHING WHEN I WAS A KID.

THE OTTER GOT INTO THEM AND IT'S TERRIBLE NOW.

>> THEY PROVIDE EDUCATION TO THOSE INTERESTED IN THE HOBBY.

IN 2015, THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OFDEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OPENED THE FIRST OTTER TRAPPING SEASON TO ALLOW FOLKS LIKE ERNY TO TRAP UP TO TWO OTTERS TO CURB THE POPULATION.

IT RUNS UNTIL 750 OTTERS ARE TRAPPED THROUGHOUT STATE OR MARCH 15th WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.

>> I THINK THEY ARE FAIR NUMBERS.

OBVIOUSLY DOWN HERE IN OUR PART OF THE STATE, IT'S VERY EASY TO CATCH YOUR TWO.

AND WE TRY TO AVOID THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE UNTIL THE FUR BECOMES REALLY NICE IN THE WINTERTIME.

>> ERNY ACCIDENTALLY HAPPENS ACROSS OTTERS.

HE'S OFTEN FOUND AN OTTER CAUGHT IN A BEAVER OR RACCOON'S.

>> I CAUGHT SO MANY INCIDENTAL-WISE.

I DON'T TARGET THE OTTER IN INDIANA BECAUSE WE WILL PICK OUR TWO UP WHILE WE ARE BEAVER TRAPPING.

WE HAVE A LOT OF BEAVER ISSUES.

THEY LIVE IN THE SAME PLACES AND ODDS ARE WHILE YOU ARE BEAVER TRAPPING, OILCAMP YOU WILL CATCH AN OTTER AS WELL.

THE MEAT FROM THE OTTER CAN BE EATEN, BUT OFTEN ISN'T.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO.

THEY'VE GOT A REALLY BAD FISHY SMELL TO THEM.

THERE'S TO WAY I'M EATING THAT!

>> THE CARCASSES ARE DEPARTMENT BY THE DNR IN ORDER TO COLLECT DATA ON LOCAL POPULATIONS.

>> WE TAKE THAT CARCASS AND COLLECT DATA FROM IT, ABOUT THINGS LIKE AINGE AND AGE AND THAT HELPS US TRACK OUR MODELS AND WE CAN LOOK AT DISEASES.

>> PELTS TURNED IN RECEIVE A CITES TAG IT STANDS FOR CONVENTIONAL ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND WILD FAUNA AND FLORA.

IT'S A SOURCE FROM A NON-ENDANGERED SPECIES AND THEY CAN BE SOLD.

>> THIS MARKS THE FUR BEARERS AS TWO LAYERS OF FUR.

THAT ADDS A LOT OF VALUE AND WHY THEIR FUR SO GOOD FOR THE WARM CLOTHING.

>> THIS IS ONLY OTTER SPECIES IN THE WORLD LISTED AS NOT BEING AT RISK FOR THE POPULATION AND ALLOWING THEM TO BE SOLD IN THIS WAY.

>> OUR RIVER OTTERS ARE DO THE BEST OF ALL OTTERS IN THE WORLD, YAY BUT WE TAKE THOSE THINGS VERY SERIOUSLY.

WE WANT TO HELP OTTER CONSERVATION INTERNATIONALLY AND WE TAG ALL OF THOSE RIVER OTTERS.

>> IF YOU ARE NOT A TRAPPER, YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT SOME ARE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.

>> WE HAVE HAD SOME SIGHTINGS IN LAKE MONROE, AND BEAN BLOSSOM CREEK, JUST IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

>> THE OTTER POPULATION IN LAKE MONROE IS SMALL, THOUGH.

SO SMALL THAT MONROE COUNTY MONROE COUNTY, OTTER TRAPPING IS CLOSED IN MONROE.

PACK LOOK FOR PILES OF SCATS OR LATRINES OR CERTAIN TRAILS IN THE KNOW.

>> THEY LIKE TO DO THIS THING OVER LAND WHERE THEY ARE SLIDE ON THEIR BELLY.

THEY BOUND, BOUND SLIDE AND.

SO THEIR TRACKS ESPECIALLY IN SNOW CAN BE REALLY EASY TO TELL.

IF YOU ARE SEEING A LONG SLIDE AND THEN SOME BOUNDING, THAT'S AN OTTER.

>> THE TRAPPING SEASON IS IMPORTANT NOT JUST FOR RESEARCH AND POPULATION CONTROL.

THE LIMITED SEASON ALLOWS TRAPPERS TO MAINTAIN POSITIVE VALUES AROUND OTTERS.

>> THEY DON'T THINK OF THEM AS JUST A NUANCE AND SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE GOTTEN RID OF AND WHY DID WE REINTRODUCE THESE DUMB THINGS.

THEY FEEL LIKE THERE ARE OPTIONS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY HAVE IT AND THEY CAN KEEP A MORE POSITIVE IMAGE OF THE SPECIES AS A RESULT.

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

>>> NOVEMBER 15th NOT ONLY MARKS THE START OF OTTER TRAPPING SEASON BUT ALSO BEAVER, MUSS MUSKRAT AND LONG-TAILED WEASEL.

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: