>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," OHIO LEGALIZED MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA, MEANING ALL FOUR STATES BORDERING INDIANA HAVE SOME FORM OF MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION.

>> I THINK OHIOANS HAD SEEN OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS THAT THE REGULATED MARKETS WORK.

THEY HAVE BEEN TO MICHIGAN.

THEY HAVE BEEN TO ILLINOIS.

>> AHEAD, WILL INDIANA EVER LEGALIZE THE DRUG AS HOOSIERS CROSS STATE LINES TO PURCHASE IT?

>>> THE STATE'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN HAS THROWN A WRENCH INTO INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S OB-GYN TRAINING PROGRAM.

>> I THINK IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO HAVE EXPOSURE TO THOSE PROCEDURES.

>> ONE HAS THEM GOING TO ILLINOIS WHERE ABORTION IS LEGAL.

>>> AND THE UPCOMING YOUTH HUNTING WELCOME, AND HONING THEIR SKILLS.

WE'LLHAVE THESE STORIES PLUS THE LATEST NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK"!

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

BLOOMINGTON MAYOR-ELECT KERRY THOMSON IS ASKING MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON TO NOT MAKE CERTAIN STRATEGIC DECISIONS FOR REST OF HIS TERM.

THOMSON SENT A LETTER WITH THAT REQUEST TO HAMILTON AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS WEDNESDAY.

THOMSON WILL TAKE OFFICE JANUARY 1st.

THE COUNCILMEMBER SUSAN SANDBERG SAYS SHE SUPPORTS THE LETTER AND THINKS HAMILTON IS TRYING TO FAST TRACK CERTAIN PROJECTS BEFORE HE LEAVES.

>> I THINK SHE'S WELL WITHIN HER RIGHTS AS THE NEW MAYOR-ELECT COMING IN TO BE A PART OF THE TRANSITION AND IT'S CLEAR FROM THAT LETTER THAT SHE HASN'T BEEN.

>> NOW, HAMILTON RESPONDED WITH A LETTER OF HIS OWN.

HE CALLS THOMSON'S REQUEST INAPPROPRIATE AND IMPOSSIBLE.

THOMSON SAYS HER LETTER WAS PROMISED BY THE SHOWERS WEST PROJECT WHICH SEEKS TO MOVE THE BLOOMINGTON POLICE FROM THEIR THIRD STREET HEADQUARTERS TO CITY HALL.

>> I THINK IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE TO SELL THE CURRENT THIRD STREET HEADQUARTERS OUT FROM UNDER US UNTIL WE HAVE ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND BETTER CLARIFICATION ON THE FISCAL STATUS OF SHOWERS WEST.

>> HAMILTON DECLINED TO COMMENT FOR THE STORY, AND THOMSON WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR AN INTERVIEW.

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION PROJECT IS TAKING ANOTHER STEP FORWARD.

BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON SIGNED AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT THIS WEEK FOR HOW THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD OVERSEEING THE PROJECT IS RUN.

THE BOARD WILL MANAGE THE DESIGN AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CONVENTION CENTER AND THE CITY COUNCIL WILL OVERSEE FUNDING.

>> THE KEY THING IS IT BASICALLY LINES THE C.I.B.

UP TO BUILD THE NEW CONVENTION CENTER IN THE YEARS AHEAD AND TO DO THAT IN STRICT AND STRONG COORDINATION WITH CITY COUNCIL WHICH HAS THE FUNDING.

>> CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT THIS WEEK.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY COUNCIL ALSO NEED TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT.

>>> OHIOANS VOTED THIS MONTH TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

CHALLENGES LIE AHEAD IN THE OHIO STATE HOUSE, BUT IF THE REFERENDUM BECOMES LAW, INDIANA WILL BE SURROUNDED ON THREE SIDES BY RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA STATES.

ETHAN SANDWEISS DIGS INTO HOOSIER REACTS AND WHY INDIANA HAS BEEN SLOW TO FOLLOW ITS NEIGHBORS.

>> IN BLOOMINGTON'S EXCLUSIVE SMOKE AND VAPE, SHOPPERS CAN FIND ALL SORT OF MARIJUANA ACCESSORIES AND LEGAL ALTERNATIVES BUT NO MARIJUANA.

CANNABIS REMAIN FULLY ILLEGAL IN INDIANA.

SOME HAVE GONE TO OUT OF STATE TO SMOKE.

>> I HAVE GONE TO DENVER, COLORADO, TO PURCHASE IT BEFORE ILLINOIS WAS LEGAL.

>> HE USED IT TO MANAGE PAIN AND CHRONIC PTSD.

HE WATCHED THE OHIO VOTE CLOSELY.

>> I SAW THEM LEGALIZE IT.

I READ THE REPORT.

I THOUGHT INDIANA IS WAY BEHIND ALL THE OTHER STATES.

>> LIKE HOOSIERS, OHIOANS HAVE BEEN POURING MONEY INTO DISPENSARIES ACROSS STATELINES.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WORKED WITH THE COALITION SO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO TRAVEL.

>> I THINK OHIOANS HAD SEEN THAT THE REGULATED MARKETS WORK.

THEY'VE BEEN TO MICHIGAN.

THEY'VE BEEN TO ILLINOIS.

>> STATES HAVE BEEN MOVING FAST TO CREATE LEGAL MARKETS.

THIS YEAR ALONE, DELAWARE AND MINNESOTA LEGALIZED MARIJUANA AND KENTUCKY STARTED ALLOWING MEDICAL USE.

INDIANA DID NOT.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S AN UNPOPULAR IDEA.

A STUDY BY BALL STATE UNIVERSITY AND INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING LAST YEAR SHOWED 85% OF HOOSIERS WANT MARIJUANA TO BE LEGAL IN SOME FORM.

>> THE REASON OHIO HAS BEEN LEGALESED, IS BECAUSE THEY PUT IT TO -- LEGALIZED IS BECAUSE THEY PUT IT TO THE VOTERS.

AGAIN, I WOULD ASK, WHAT ARE WE AFRAID OF?

WHY DON'T WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY DEFINITIVELY ON AN ISSUE?

>> INDIANA IS ONE OF THE 24 STATES THAT DON'T ALLOW REFERENDA.

LAST SESSION NUMEROUS LAWMAKERS, MOSTLY REPUBLICANS INTRODUCED BILLS AT THE STATE HOUSE THAT WOULD LEGALIZE MARIJUANA IN SOME FORM.

NONE OF THEM MADE IT TO A VOTE.

JOHNSON WAS ONE OF THOSE LAWMAKERS.

>> WHAT I'M ASKING FOR IS A DEBATE ON THE FLOOR.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC REVENUE.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING ANYONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT ON THIS DEBATE.

LET'S HAVE A VOTE AND SEE WHERE IT LANDS.

>> THEY ARE DISCUSSING MARIJUANA BUT NOT ON THE FLOOR.

MEMBERS OF A STUDY COMMITTEE CONVENED AT THE STATE HOUSE ON JUNE 1st.

LEGALIZATION WOULD REDUCE CONVICTION RATES AND INCREASE TAX REVENUES.

ASHTON ELLER SPOKE AGAINST LEGALIZATION, CITING WORKPLACE SAFETY CONCERNS FOR CANNABIS USERS AT INDUSTRIAL JOBS.

>> THESE WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS, THESE WORKPLACE INJURIES, THEY COST EMPLOYERS MONEY.

IF WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO SCREEN FOR EMPLOYEES, PREEMPLOYMENT AND POST-ACCIDENT AND RANDOM IF NECESSARY, THAT IS A HUGE HINDRANCE TO EMPLOYMENT IN INDIANA.

>> AFTER SEVEN HOURS, THE COMMITTEE FAILED TO REACH A CONVENN US ISCON -- CONSENSUS OR REACH ANY RECOMMENDATIONS THE MARKET IS GROWING QUICKLY.

SOME LEGISLATORS BELIEVE LEGALIZATION IS INEVITABLE.

JOHNSON WORRIES THAT TAKING TOO LONG TO ACT COULD DISADVANTAGE HOOSIERS.

>> OUR BUSINESS OWNERS, OUR FARMERS WILL NOT HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>>> MARIJUANA REMAINS FEDERALLY RESTRICTED AND GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB HAS SAID HE WON'T SUPPORT LEGALIZATION UNTIL THAT LAW IS CHANGED.

WELL, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY CALI LICHTER FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, CALI.

>> HI, JOE.

THE INDIANA FARM BUREAU RELEASED ITS ANNUAL THANKSGIVING MARKET BASKET SURVEY AND HOOSIERS CAN EXPECT LOWER THANKSGIVING DINNER PRICES THAN LAST YEAR.

ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY, HOOSIERS ARE PAYING AN AVERAGE OF $54.64 FOR A THANKSGIVING DINNER OF TEN PEOPLE OR $5.46 PER PERSON.

THAT'S ABOUT 10% LESS AT THE GROCERY STORE THAN IN 2022.

>> AMIDST ALL OF THIS INFLATION THAT WE HAVE A LOW POINT FOR OUR THANKSGIVING MEAL, SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE AND BE THANKFUL FOR.

SO WE'VE ACTUALLY GONE DOWN OVER LAST YEAR'S PRICES.

>> THE INDIANA MARKET BASKET PRICE IS 11% LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE COST OF THE PROJECTED THANKSGIVING DINNER MEAL.

THE MAIN CONTRIBUTOR WAS A LOWER COST OF TURKEY DUE TO AVIAN FLU CASES IN THE U.S. >>> THE HOOSIER TICKET PROJECT HAS BEEN SENDING FANS AND FAMILIES TO INDIANA UNIVERSITY GAMES FOR FREE SINCE 2021.

THE NONPROFIT LOOKS TO EXPAND THE REACH IN THE FUTURE.

AUBREY WRIGHT HAS THE STORY.

>> THE NONPROFIT HAS SENT OVER 1,000 PEOPLE TO I.U.

FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, AND BASKETBALL GAMES SINCE 2021.

COFOUNDER AND C.E.O.

JOSH BRIUK SAYS THE HOOSIER TICKET PROJECT WAS CREATED FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO GO TO GAMES.

THE PROJECT IS FUNDED BY DONATIONS FROM HOOSIER FANS.

>> I THINK WE ALL WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THIS PLACE IN OUR OWN WAY, SHAPE OR FORM.

I THINK WE ARE A RESOURCE AND OUTLET FOR PEOPLE TO DO THAT.

C.O.O., JASON GEARDOM SAYS THEY GAVE AWAY $75,000 WORTH OF TICKETS LAST YEAR.

TICKETS GO TO FAMILIES, LONG-TIME FANS, PEOPLE WHO ARE NOMINATED BY FRIENDS OR ANYONE ELSE WHO DESERVES TO SEE THE HOOSIERS.

>> THAT'S REAL MONEY THAT PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY DIDN'T HAVE TO SPEND TO GO TO GAMES AND WE'RE NOW MAKING THAT POSSIBLE FOR THEM.

>> BRIUK SAYS THE NONPROFIT HAS GROWN BECAUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND WORD OF MOUTH.

WHAT STARTED OUT AS A TWEET FROM MARTHA THE MOP LADY TURNED INTO A TEAM OF EIGHT PEOPLE WITH PLANS TO GROW EVEN BIGGER.

>> LAST YEAR, FOR EXAMPLE, THE PROJECT SENT 700 FANS TO SEE THE I.U.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM PLAY.

THE PROJECT ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE WOMEN FOR AN AUTOGRAPH SESSION.

>> THE STUDENT-ATHLETES WERE SO GREAT ABOUT WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO AND OUR MISSION, AND TREATING THE KIDS THAT CAME TO BALL IN THE HALL LIKE THEY WERE THE MOST IMPORTANT FANS IN ATTENDANCE THAT DAY.

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

>>> GEARDOM AND BRIUK SAY THEY HOPE TO EXPAND THE HOOSIER TICKET PROJECT TO INCLUDE SPORTS CAM SCHOLARSHIPS.

>>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON WILL GIVE OUT 45 VOUCHERS TO PURCHASE ELECTRONIC BIKES LOCALLY.

THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROGRAM IS $30,000 AND WILL BE PAID FOR THROUGH THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND.

30 VOUCHERS WILL BE WORTH $500 AND 15 MORE WILL BE WORTH $1,000 EACH AND AVAILABLE ONLY TO LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS.

>> OVERALL, I WOULD SAY THE CITY IS CONTINUING TO WORK TOWARDS EXPANDING BIKING INFRASTRUCTURE, DOING THINGS LIKE THE STUDIES LIKE THE ONE, THE CORRIDOR STUDDIE TO SEE HOW WE CAN EXPAND BIKING INFRASTRUCTURE TO MAKE SAFETY A REAL PRY PRIORITY.

THEY CAN BE USED AT REVOLUTION BIKE AND BEAN ON 10th STREET AND BICYCLE GARAGE ON KIRKWOOD AVENUE.

>>> INDIANA'S COLLEGE GOING RATE AND ENROLLMENT HAVE BEEN DECLINING FOR OVER A DECADE.

THIS YEAR THE DATA IS PROVING MORE PROMISING.

>> 53% OF THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS OF 2021 ENROLLED IN COLLEGE RIGHT AFTER GRADUATION, ACCORDING TO THE INDIANA COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

THAT RATE IS NOW STEADY.

AFTER DECLINING FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

2023 WAS THE FIRST TIME IN 13 YEARS THAT COLLEGE ENROLLMENT IN INDIANA HAS INCREASED AND IT DID SO BY NEARLY 5,000 STUDENTS.

INDIANA'S FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS WERE RANKED SIXTH BEST IN THE NATION AT HOLDING THE LINE ON TUITION AND MANDATORY FEES.

>> SO WHEN I TELL PEOPLE, LOOK, WE'RE SIXTH BEST, THEY GO, REALLY?

I GO, YEAH, WE ARE!

AND THEN WHEN YOU START LOOKING AND COMPARING US TO OTHER STATES, WE'RE VERY COMPETITIVE FROM A -- YOU KNOW, TUITION FEE PERSPECKY.

>> BUT LOWRY SAYS THERE'S MUCH MORE ROOM TO IMPROVE.

HE HOPES TO SEE MORE INCREASES IN COLLEGE ENROLLMENT, COMPLETION AND GRADUATE RETENTION BY 2030.

>> AS I LIKE TO SAY OFTENTIMES, I'M PLEASED BUT NOT SATISFIED.

WE SHOULD BE A TOP TEN.

IN FACT, I WOULD LOVE FOR US TO BE THE TOP STATE IN TERMS OF COMPLETION RATES.

HE SAYS THE IMPROVEMENTS EVER AS A RESULT OF POLICY CHANGES SUCH AS THE NEW 21st CENTURY SCHOLARS AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT AND THE PERFORMANCE-BASED FUNDING TOREFUNDING FOR SCHOOLS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M EMMA HERWAY.

>>> TWO ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS SAY IF AN INDIANA ALUMINUM SMELLER DOESN'T CLEAN UP ITS ACT, THEY WILL SUE.

THEY ANNOUNCED THE INTENT TO SUE ALCOA IF THEY DON'T STOP PUTTING MORE POLLUTION.

THEY'VE HAD MORE THAN 100 WATER VIOLATIONS IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS INCLUDING RELEASING MORE MERCURY THAN ALLOWED AT LEAST 30 TIMES.

>> SO WE'D LIKE TO SEE THOSE GOALS IMPLEMENTED AT THE WARWICK FACILITY THERE'S NO REASON THEY SHOULDN'T BE MAKING THE SAME EFFORT FOR THE PEOPLE OF INDIANA THAN THE OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE THEY HAVE SMELTERS.

>> MERCURY IS A TOXIC HEAVY METAL THAT CAN BUILD UP IN FISH IN THE RIVERS, AND POISONING THE BIRDS AND PEOPLE THAT REIT THEM.

>>> A COMMITTEE OF LAWMAKERS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED ON SEVEN LAWMAKERS TO ADDRESS THE HIGH HEALTHCARE COSTS.

THE FINAL REPORT BY THE HEALTHCARE COST OVERSIGHT TASK FORCE COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF POLICY TOPICS.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOCUSED ON INCREASED TRANSPARENCY.

>> THE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE STANDARDIZING PRIOR AUTHORIZATION, INCREASING TRANSPARENCY FOR HEALTHCARE MERGERS AND ADDRESSING PRACTICES THAT DRIVE HIGHER COSTS.

SENATOR CHRIS GARDEN IS THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE.

HE SAYS THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION ARE A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AMONG LAWMAKERS AND THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY.

>> NO MATTER WHICH GROUP SUGGESTED A GIVEN IDEA OR WHAT ULTIMATELY MADE IT INTO THE FINAL REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS, EVERYTHING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS FOCUSED SQUARELY ON DRIVING DOWN COSTS FOR HOOSIERS.

>> THE FINAL REPORT FOLLOWED TESTIMONY BY DOZENS OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING PROVIDERS, POLICY EXPERTS, EMPLOYERS AND ENTER ARIVES FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M ABIGAIL RUEMEN.

>> 13 INDIANA COUNTIES, MOSTLY IN THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE STATE, INCLUDING MONROE COUNTY, ARE UNDER BURN BANS T. RESTRICTS OUTDOOR BURNS SUCH AS LEAVES OR ANY OTHER OUTDOOR FIRES.

IT'S AS A RESULT OF RECENT DRY WEATHER, THAT WOULD ALLOW A FIRE TO SPREAD QUICKLY.

>> WITH THE WEATHER LOOKING VERY DRY FOR THE NEXT WEEK OR SO WE COULD SEE ADDITIONAL COUNTIES GO UNDER A BURN BAN HERE IN THE NEXT WEEK, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CONDITIONS BEING, YOU KNOW, VERY DANGEROUS HERE THE NEXT TWO DAYS WITH THE DRY AIR AND WIND.

>> BURN BANS ARE MANAGED AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND, JOE, STATE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WORKS WITH INDIVIDUAL COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGERS TO DECIDE WHEN IT IS UNSAFE TO BURN.

>> I HOPE THIS RAIN HELPS A LITTLE BIT.

>> OH, YEAH, ME TOO EXAMINE.

>> THANKS, CALI.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA'S YOUTH HUNTING WEEKENDS ALLOW YOUNG HUNTERS TO LEARN AND PRACTICE THEIR SKILLS BEFORE ADULTS ARE ALLOWED OUT.

>>> AN WE LOOK AT THE IMPACT THE STATES NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN IS HAVING ON INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S OB-GYN TRAINING PROGRAM.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES HOLDS TWO YOUTH HUNTING WEEKENDS A YEAR.

FIRST ONE WAS IN SEPTEMBER AND THE SECOND WILL BE ON NOVEMBER 25th AND 26th.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI TALKED TO AN INDIANA FAMILY ABOUT THEIR HUNTING EXPERIENCES.

>> ZACHARY IS A CONSERVATION FOR THE DNR.

WALKER'S DAD TAUGHT HIM HOW TO HUNT.

>> HE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO PASS IT ALONG TO ME.

>> WALKER SAID HE'S HUNTED EVER SINCE AND TAUGHT HIS TWO DAUGHTERS HOW TO HUNT WHEN THEY WERE 5.

BOTH GIRLS, LILIANA AND GRACIE GOT THEIR APPRENTICE LICENSES AND TOOK THEIR HUNTER EDUCATION LAST YEAR BEFORE GETTING THEIR OFFICIAL HUNTING LICENSES.

>> IT'S ONE OF THOSE FAMILY TRADITIONS THAT'S PASSED ON, BUT IT ALSO IS ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER OUTSIDE, LEARNING ABOUT NATURE.

IT'S MORE THAN JUST THE HUNT.

>> WALKER IS STILL TEACHING HIS DAUGHTERS THE LOGISTICS AND SAFETY OF THE HUNTING AND IS LEARNING MORE HIMSELF ALONG THE WAY.

HE SOMETIMES BRINGS DOUGHNUTS, CHOCOLATE MILK AND COLORING BOOKS TO KEEP GRACIE AND LILIANA ENTERTAINED WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THE ANIMALS.

>> IT'S A GAME OF CHESS BUT MORE ENCOMPASSING IS THE EXPERIENCE.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART TO ME OR EXCITING PART IS WATCHING IT THROUGH MY KIDS' EYES AND WATCHING THEM DEVELOP AND -- AND MASTER THOSE SKILLS AND IT'S BEEN -- THAT, TO ME, IS PROBABLY MOST CHALLENGING AND REWARDING.

>> THE INDIANA YOUTH HUNTING WEEKENDS GIVE THE KIDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE HUNTING WHEN THEY WERE NOT ON HIGH ALERT.

>> IT GIVES THE KIDS A HEAD START ON WHAT THE HUNTING SEASON, BEFORE THE ADULTS GET RELEASED.

>> ONE OF HIS DAUGHTERS, GRACEY, IS 8 YEARS OLD.

SHE AND HER SISTER SHOT A TURKEY FIRST TIME HUNTING.

SHE FINDS SQUIRRELS THE HARDEST TO HUNT AND THE DOVES THE EASIEST.

>> WE USUALLY GET UP REALLY EARLY AND THEN GET OUR HUNTING CLOTHES ON.

WE GO TO THE SPOT WE WANT AND WE HAVE A TENT PROBABLY THERE AND, LIKE, WE HAVE OUR STAND AND WE HAVE SOME CHAIRS.

>> GRACEY LIKES HUNTING BECAUSE SHE CAN SPEND TIME OUTSIDE WITH HER FAMILY AND LEARN TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR HERSELF.

HER FAMILY USUALLY HUNTS FOR A FEW HOURS AT A TIME.

>> WE USUALLY BRING PEANUT BUTTER CRACKERS AND SOMETIMES DOUGHNUTS.

>> LILIANA IS 10 YEARS OLD.

SHE WAS SCARED TO LEARN TO HUNT A DEER FOR FIRST THYME.

>> WE WERE -- FIRST TIME.

>> WE WERE OUT THERE WAITING FOR HOURS AND WE WERE LISTING TO THIS OWL IN FRONT OF US.

>> LILIANA, SAYS HUNTING HAS TAUGHT HER PATIENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY.

SHE PLANS TO CONTINUE HUNTING IN THE FUTURE.

>> I ENJOYED IT FOR A LONG TIME AND I WANT TO CONTINUE ENJOYING IT.

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

>> ADULT HUNTERS ARE ABLE TO ASSIST PEOPLE 17 YEARS AND YOUNGER.

THOSE 17 AND YOUNGER DO NOT NEED TO HAVE A LICENSE TO HUNT DURING YOUTH HUNTING WEEKEND.

>>> INDIANA'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN PASS COMPLICATED INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S OB-GYN PROGRAM.

RESIDENTS CAN'T GET REQUIRED TRAINING IN THE STATE ANYMORE, AND THAT'S LEFT IT TO SCHOOL LEADERS TO FIGURE OUT THE LOGISTICS OF OUT-OF-STATE TRAINING.

AUBREY WRIGHT REPORTS ON HOW I.U.

IS WORKING WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE NEW LAW TO EDUCATE FUTURE DOCTORS.

>> DR. NICOLE SCOTT IS FACING NEW CHALLENGES AS THE LEADER OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S OB-GYN RESIDENCY PROGRAM.

IT'S ONE OF THE LARGEST OB-GYN PROGRAMS IN THE MIDWEST.

BASED IN INDIANAPOLIS, SCOTT LEADS TRAINING IN AREAS LIKE PREGNANCY MANAGEMENT, CHILD BIRTH AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

THAT GOT MORE COMPLICATED AFTER INDIANA PASSED A NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN IN AUGUST.

THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO PROTECT A MOTHER'S LIFE OR IN CASES OF RAPE OR INCEST BEFORE 20 WEEKS.

BUT WHERE IS AND WHEN SOMEONE CAN GET AN ABORTION IS STRICTLY LIMITED.

THAT'S A PROBLEM FOR I.U.

MEDICAL RESIDENTS.

TO REMAIN ACCREDITED, OB-GYNs MUST HAVE TRAINING IN ABORTION CARE AND PREGNANCY LOSS.

>> I THINK IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO HAVE EXPOSURE TO THOSE PROCEDURES.

>> SCOTT SAYS RESIDENTS NEED THIS TRAINING SO THEY ARE PREPARED WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG.

INDIANA HAS THE THIRD HIGHEST MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE IN THE COUNTRY, AND IT'S GETTING WORSE.

ON TOP OF THAT, MISCARRIAGES ARE VERY COMMON.

MORE THAN A QUARTER OF PREGNANCIES END IN MISCARRIAGE.

>> ABORTION PROCEDURE IS JUST AS SAFE AS THE MISCARRIAGE PROCEDURE AND IT'S THE EXACT SAME PROCEDURE.

AND SO IF OB-GYN RESIDENTS HAVE ADEQUATE TRAINING IN ABORTION PROCEDURES, THEY WILL BE EVEN MORE SKILLED WITH MISCARRIAGE MANAGEMENT.

>> SCOTT AND RESIDENCY LEADERS FOUND A SOLUTION, SEN SEND RESIDENTS AND FACULTY TO ILLINOIS FOR A FIVE-WEEK FAMILY PLANNING ROTATION.

IT'S NOT EASY TO TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH, AND IT'S EXPENSIVE.

ABOUT $20,000.

>> THEY WILL GO TWO DAYS OUT OF THE WEEK TO PERFORM PROCEDURES AND WE WILL KIND OF FULLY FUND THEIR TRAVEL, LODGING, AND FOOD.

>> GETTING A LICENSE TO PRACTICE IN ILLINOIS IS ALSO A HURDLE.

>> BUT WE HAD SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS AS FAR IN ADVANCE AS SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE ROTATION AND THEY STILL DIDN'T HAVE THEIR LICENSE.

>> DR. KUMAR IS A THIRD YEAR RESIDENT.

SHE COMPLETED THE ROTATION LAST YEAR IN INDIANA AND WILL TAKE IT AGAIN AS AN ELECTIVE.

KUMAR SAYS THE ROTATION WAS EASIER BEFORE THE NEW LAWS.

SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO TRAVEL AS FAR, AND SHE FELT SAFE DOING HER JOB.

SHE WAS INSPIRED TO CONTINUE IN FAMILY PLANNING AFTER HER RESIDENCY.

>> I THINK THE MAIN THINGS THAT INFLUENCED ME ARE THE GREAT STAFF THAT WE HAVE, WHO ARE TRAINED IN FAMILY PLANNING.

>> KUMAR GOT THE TRAINING SHE NEEDED AND EXPERIENCE SHE LOVED.

EXPERTS WORRY THAT LEARNERS IN RESTRICTED STATES WON'T HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES.

NORTH CAROLINA OB-GYN DR. JENNA BECKHAM ANALYZED THE IMPACTS OF ABORTION RESTRICTIONS ON MEDICAL EDUCATION.

SHE SAYS BEST PRACTICES OFTEN CONFLICT WITH WHAT IS LEGAL.

>> IT'S A TREMENDOUS ETHICAL CONUNDRUM BURDEN FOR PHYSICIANS TO CARRY AND PARTICULARLY FOR JUNIOR PHYSICIANS WHO ARE REALLY EARLY IN THEIR CAREERS.

>> BECKHAM AND HER TEAM EXPECT TRAINING WILL LAG IN STATES WITH MORE RESTRICTIONS.

SHE SAYS DOCTORS LIKELY WON'T WANT TO LIVE AND PRACTICE IN STATES WITH MORE RESTRICTIONS.

AND CARE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN WILL LIKELY ONLY GET WORSE.

>> WHAT IS THAT GOING TO LOOK LIKE, FIVE TEN YEARS INTO THE FUTURE WHERE WE HAVE LESS AND LESS PHYSICIANS AND PROVIDERS WHO ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE FULL SPECTRUM REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE?

>> KUMAR SAYS SHE WILL ATTEND A FELLOWSHIP IN FAMILY PLANNING AFTER I.U.

ANOTHER TWO YEARS OF STUDYING.

THERE'S NO OPTIONS FOR THAT IN INDIANA.

SO SHE'S FIGURING OUT WHERE TO HEAD TO NEXT, KEEPING STATE LAWS IN MIND.

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

>>> MORE THAN 5700 PERCUSSIONISTS DESCENDED ON INDIANAPOLIS LAST WEEK FOR ONE OF THE LARGEST SUCH GATHERINGS IN THE WORLD.

AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS THE PERCUSSIVE ARTS SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION HAS BEEN HELD IN INDIANAPOLIS SINCE 2016.

♪ >> THE MUSICIANS CONVENED AT THE INDIANAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER FOR THE SOCIETY'S 48th ANNUAL MEETING.

IT'S THE LARGEST MEMBER ASSOCIATION OF PERCUSSIONISTS IN THE WORLD.

>> THESE FOUR DAYS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FOUR DAYS OF -- FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF RESEARCH, PERFORMANCE, EDUCATION, BUT ALSO WE'RE ALSO A LARGE FAMILY.

>> THE SCHEDULE WAS FILLED WITH DIFFERENT GENRES OF PERFORMERS, SPEAKERS AND PERCUSSION COMPETITIONS FOR STUDENT GROUPS.

THESE TWO ARE IN THE ENSEMBLE GROUP THAT WON THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION.

THEY WERE EXCITED TO COME AND WIN.

>> IT'S AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE.

>> THEY ARE PLEASED TO SEE FAMOUS PERCUSSIONISTS.

>> IT'S LIKE THE NBA ALL-STAR GAME.

ANYONE WHO IS ANYBODY IN PERCUSSION IS HERE.

THE PERCUSSION FOR "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE," SHE SAYS IS PROBABLY HER 20th SOCIETY EVENT.

>> THE NETWORKING -- NOT ONLY PERSONAL NETWORKING OR SOCIAL NETWORKING, BUT JUST THE EDUCATION AND PASSING OF INFORMATION AND, OF COURSE, THE ENJOYMENT OF GREAT MUSIC.

THAT'S VERY SPECIAL.

>> IT'S NOT AN ACCIDENT THE EVENT HAPPENS IN INDIANAPOLIS ACCORDING TO SIMONS.

IT'S A CONCERTED EFFORT ON SIT'S PART TO BRING EVENTS AND TOURISM THROUGH CONVENTIONS.

BEFORE 2016, THE SOCIETY ROTATED CITIES.

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

>> THE TRAVEL TEAM LISTS INDIANAPOLIS AS ONE THE TOP TEN CITIES IN THE U.S. FOR CONVENTIONS ALONG WITH ATLANTA AND MIAMI.

>>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM.

A REMINDER, WE WON'T HAVE A SHOW NEXT WEEK.

YOU CAN FOLLOW OUR WORK ONLINE AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND A HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN DECEMBER 1st.

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