>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS SWOOP IN AND BUY UP LOCAL NEWSPAPERS?

IN SOUTHERN INDIANA, IT HAS MEANT STAFF CUTS AND SHUTTERED NEWSROOMS.

>> WE HAVE A PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT FUND THAT OWNS THE NEWSPAPER.

IT HAS NO SENSE OF MISSION, EXCEPT TO ENLARGE ITSELF.

>> AHEAD, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT THE SALES HAVE HAD ON LOCAL MEDIA.

>>> A PROGRAM ESTABLISHED THROUGH ESKENAZI HEALTH CONNECTS STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES TO FULL-TIME PAID INTERNSHIPS IN INDIANAPOLIS.

>> THE OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE FEHRIBACH CENTER ARE QUITE FRANKLY LIFE CHANGING.

>> MORE THAN 200 STUDENTS HAVE RECEIVED INTERNSHIPS THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

AND WE TALK WITH THE GARDEN EXPERT ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF BUYING LIVING CHRISTMAS TREES.

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

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THIS YEAR MARKS OUR TENTH SEASON OF BRINGING YOU "INDIANA NEWSDESK" FROM WTIU STUDIO 6 ON THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS.

TODAY, WE'RE JOINED BY A STUDIO AUDIENCE OF DONORS AND VIEWERS WHO MAKE THIS SHOW POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

WELL, LOCAL NEWSPAPERS IN SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA, INCLUDING THE HERALD-TIMES RIGHT HERE IN BLOOMINGTON HAVE SEEN STEEP CIRCULATION AND STAFFING DECLINES SINCE BEING PURCHASED BY COMPANIES WITH STRONG PRIVATE EQUITY TIES.

BUT WHAT HAVE THE OWNERSHIP CHANGES MEANT FOR THE COMMUNITIES BEING SERVED BY THESE HOOSIER NEWSPAPERS?

THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE POYNTER INSTITUTE, OUR REPORTERS LOOK TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION IN A PROJECT WE CALL PAPER CUTS.

THE FIRST SIX OF 12 CHAPTERS ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE, WITH NEW CHAPTERS BEING ADDED DAILY THROUGH NEXT WEEK.

FOR MORE ON THE PROJECT AND WHAT WE'VE UNCOVERED, WE ARE JOINED BY FORMER HERALD-TIMES EDITOR BOB ZALTSBERG.

BOB HAS BEEN WORKING AT WTIU SINCE RETIRING FROM THE NEWSPAPER, AND SPEAR HEADED THE PROJECT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> HOW DID YOU COME TO TAKE ON THIS PROJECT?

>> WE LEARNED OF A GRANT OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE FOR LOOKING INTO PRIVATE EQUITY AND WHAT PRIVATE EQUITY DOES TO INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITIES.

IT'S NOT JUST NEWSPAPERS AND LOCAL NEWS.

IT COULD ALSO BE HOSPITALS, HEALTHCARE, REAL ESTATE, BUT, OF COURSE, I'M VERY INTERESTED IN LOCAL NEWS AND SO IS THE NEWSROOM.

SO WE DECIDED TO CHECK OUT WHAT THE LOCAL EQUITY OWNERSHIP -- FIRM OWNERSHIP MEANT FOR SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA.

>> WHY HAVE PAPERS BECOME TARGETS OF PRIVATE EQUITY?

WHAT'S IN IT FOR THEM?

>> WELL, PRIVATE EQUITY COMPANIES LOOK FOR DISTRESSED INDUSTRIES, AND BEFORE -- BEFORE I RETIRED EVEN, THE NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY WAS KIND OF IN A DISTRESSED STATE.

AND SO PRIVE ITA EQUITY COMPANIES ARE LOOKING -- PRIVATE EQUITY COMPANIES ARE LOOKING TO COME IN AND MAKE A LOT OF CUTS AND INCREASE THEIR PROFIT.

WE TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE ABOUT THIS, INCLUDING NIKLAS HUTHERNIKLASHUTHER FROM THE KELLEY SCHOOL, AND HERE'S WHAT NIKLAS HAD TO SAY.

>> THEY ARE PROFIT MAXIMIZERS AND THEY HAVE EVERY INCENTIVE IN THE WORLD TO MAXIMIZE -- LIKE, YOU KNOW, TO SQUEEZE OUT THE FINANCIAL RETURN.

>> SO WHY DOES LOCAL OWNERSHIP MATTER?

>> WELL, I THINK LOCAL OWNERSHIP MATTERS BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO ARE LOCAL OWNERS WANT TO INVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT MAKING THEIR COMMUNITIES THE BEST THEY CAN BE AND WE DID TALK TO ONE OF THE SURES FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE SALE, AND THAT'S WHAT HE TOLD US, THAT THEY HAD A MISSION TO MAKE MONEY, OF COURSE, BUT THEY ALSO HAD A MISSION TO TRY TO HELP THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AND A LOT OF -- A LOT OF UNIVERSITIES HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS, AND THEY SHOW THAT WHEN THAT LOCAL OWNERSHIP LEAVES, AND PRIVATE EQUITY COMES IN, IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF OVERSEEING GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION THAT MIGHT GO ON, TAXPAYER -- SPENDING TAXPAYER MONEY, LACK OF PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS, ALL OF THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

SO WE HAVE A CLIP ALSO FROM FORMER MAYOR MARK KRUZAN WHO I THINK SAYS IT VERY WELL.

>> I THINK THE BIGGER PROBLEM THAN JUST THE ACQUISITION OF LOCAL MEDIA BY EQUITY FIRMS, A BIGGER PROBLEM IS PEOPLE NOT REALIZING IT'S A BIG PROBLEM.

>> SO WHERE ARE THESE COMMUNITIES NOW EXPECTED TO TURN FOR LOCAL NEWS.

>> WELL, THERE'S STILL A LOT OF LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS BUT THEY ARE NOT IN ONE PUBLIC.

PUBLIC MEDIA IS ONE PLACE TO GO, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER ENTREPRENEURS WHO HAVE STARTED WHO ARE DOING START-UPS MAINLY ONLINE.

YOU CAN FIND THE NEWS, BUT IT'S JUST MORE DIFFICULT.

>> ALL RIGHT, BOB, THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT CHAPTERS COMING UP, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

COMING UP.

THROUGH NEXT THURSDAY.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

>> MM-HMM.

THANK YOU.

>> NOW, WE ARE JOINED BY CALI LICHTER FOR HEAD HYNES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, CALI -- HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, CALI.

>> A GROUP OF ANONYMOUS WOMEN ARGUED OVER ABORTION IN THE STATE'S RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION ACT OR RFRA BEFORE A PANEL OF APPEALS COURT JUDGES.

A STATE LAW CAN SUBSTANTIALLY BURDEN THE EXERCISE OF THE RELIGIOUS BELIEF IF THE LAW IS ADVANCING A COMPELLING INTEREST AND DOES SO IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE WAYS POSSIBLE.

THEY ASKED JAMES BARTA HOW THE STATE CAN HAVE A COMPELLING INTEREST TO BAN ABORTION, WHEN IT HAS EXCEPTIONS TO THAT BAN.

>> IF THIS COURT LOOKS MORE BROADLY TO FEDERAL CASES, NONE OF CASES HAVE SAID SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE'S AN EXCEPTION, STATE DOESN'T HAVE A COMPELLING INTEREST.

>> ACLU OF INDIANA LEGAL DIRECTOR KEN FALK REPRESENTING THE ANONYMOUS WOMEN WAS ASKED WHETHER THE RELIGIOUS EXERCISE WAS REALLY BEING BURDENED WHEN NONE OF THE WOMEN ARE PREGNANT OR SEEKING ABORTIONS.

>> IT'S THE CHANGE IN THEIR SEXUAL BEHAVIOR.

THEY HAVE TAKEN STEPS TODAY SOLELY BECAUSE OF THIS STATUTE, SOLELY BECAUSE OF THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

>> THERE'S NO TIMETABLE FOR THE APPEALS COURT DECISION, AND ANY RULING WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE APPEALED TO THE STATE SUPREME COURT.

>>> JACKSON COUNTY PAID THE ESTATE OF JOSH McLEMORE, BROUGHT AFTER McLEMORE DIED AT THE JACKSON COUNTY JAIL IN 2021.

ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, 29-YEAR-OLD McLEMORE WHO SUFFERED FROM PSYCHOTIC EPISODES, DIED OF MALNUTRITION AND DEHYDRATION.

THEY ALLEGED THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT McLEMORE'S MENTAL STATE AND BEHAVIOR BUT NEVER CALLED IN A DOCTOR OR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR HIM.

>>> THE IUPUI FACULTY COUNCIL SAYS INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ARE UNDERMINING SHARED GOVERNANCE.

THEY SAY WHEN I. U.

AND PURDUE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED THE CAMPUS WOULD SPLIT, IUPUI FACULTY WERE NOT CONSULTED.

THAT GOES AGAINST I.U.

POLICY.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE EXISTING POLICIES THAT ARE THIS TO GOVERN SUCH THINGS AS THIS AND TO RESPECT THE LONG TRADITION OF SHARED GOVERNANCE OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

PURDUE IS SUPPOSED TO ABSORB COMPUTER SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY FACULTY, BUT THE LETTER SAYS THE MAJORITY OF TENURE AND TENURE TRACK FACULTY WERE DENIED MEMBERSHIP IN THEIR HOME DEPARTMENTS AT PURDUE.

THE FACULTY COUNCIL ASKS WHITTEN TO GIVE THE EDUCATORS NEW JOBS AND INCLUDED IN FUTURE DECISION-MAKING.

>>> HALF THE COUNTRY IS NOW IN SLIGHTLY WARMER HARDINESS ZONES THAN THEY WERE A DECADE AGO.

THIS SHOWS THE AVERAGE OF THE COLDEST TEMPERATURES ON THE COLDEST NIGHT FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS.

REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, THE UPDATED HARDINESS ZONE MAP CAN HELP HOOSIERS KNOW MA PLANTS ARE LIKELY TO SURVIVE THE WINTER IN THEIR AREA.

>> MOST OF THE NORTHERN HALF OF STATE MOVED FROM 5B TO 6A AND SOME OF THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE STATE IS IN A BRAND NEW WARMER ZONE FOR INDIANA.

JOELEN MYERS SHARP, ALSO KNOWN AS THE HOOSIER GARDENER HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT GARDENING IN THE STATE FOR 30 YEARS.

EXPERIENCED GARDENERS ARE NOTICING THAT THE COLDS ARE NOT AS COLD AS THEY USED TO BE.

IT GIVES PEOPLE A LICENSE TO EXPERIMENT.

SHE PLANTED SOME CANNAS THIS YEAR, LARGE TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS OFTEN WITH RED OR YELLOW FLOWERS.

>> I WILL DUMP SOME LEAVES ON THEM AND SEE IF THEY COME BACK NEXT YEAR, BECAUSE THEY REALLY AREN'T HARDY HERE.

>> BUT IF YOU ARE NOT THE GAMBLING TYPE, PURDUE UNIVERSITY EXPERTS RECOMMEND PLANTING FOR A ZONE COLDER THAN WHERE YOU ARE.

WHILE YOU COULD TRY PLANTING A LITTLE EARLIER THIS' NO GUARANTEE TEMPERATURES WON'T GET DOWN LOW ENOUGH TO KILL SOME PLANTS.

>> EVEN THOUGH THERE'S CHANGES IN THE HARDINESS MARK, IT WON'T DRAMATICALLY CHANGE HOW WE GARDEN.

>> FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON'S ADMINISTRATION STILL WANTS TO SELL THE THIRD STREET POLICE STATION FOR PRIVATE USE.

BUT THE RELATIVE OF A FAMILY THAT SOLD THE LAND TO THE CITY SAYS THE DEED REQUIRES IT TO BE KEPT IN PUBLIC USE.

SEVERAL COUNCILMEMBERS SAY THEY FEEL BLINDSIDED BY THE POSSIBLE DEED RESTRICTION.

THAT INFORMATION WAS NOT SHARED WITH THEM BEFORE THEY APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF THAT PART OF CITY HALL FOR THIS PROJECT.

MAYOR-ELECT KERRY THOMSON SAYS HAMILTON IS RUSHING THE PROJECT.

>> WITH ONLY 27 DAYS OR SO LEFT IN HIS ADMINISTRATION, IT DOES SEEM LIKE WE'RE RUSHING WHEN WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE DETAILS.

>> THE SALE STILL REQUIRES APPROVAL FROM CITY COUNCIL.

THE COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON THAT NEXT WEEK.

>>> MONROE COUNTY AND THE TOWN OF ELLETTSVILLE ARE COLLABORATING TO ENSURE RURAL TRANSIT CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE CERTAIN TRIPS IN 2024.

THE STATE INFORMED RURAL TRANSIT EARLIER THIS YEAR, IT WOULD NO LONGER SUBSIDIZE TRIPS BETWEEN TWO URBANIZED AREAS BUT THE COUNTY APPROVED $88,000 IN COVID-19 RELIEF DOLLARS FOR TRANSIT AGENCY.

ELLETSVILLE WILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH $132,000.

SOME OF THAT WILL COME FROM OPIOID SETTLEMENT MONEY.

>> RURAL TRANSIT IS A TRUSTED PUBLIC SERVICE, PROVIDER OF TRANSPORTATION IN MONROE COUNTY.

WE CAN PROVIDE THAT TRANSPORTATION SERVICE.

WE JUST NEED TO HAVE THE LOCAL FUNDS TO SUPPORT THAT.

>> STATE INFORMED RURAL TRANSIT EARLIER THIS YEAR IT WOULD NO LONGER SUBSIDIZE TRIPS BETWEEN TWO URBANIZED AREAS.

RURAL TRANSIT HAD ALREADY BEEN DOING SO AND THE TOWN COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON RURAL TRANSIT FUNDING ON DECEMBER 11th.

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF ANNEXATION TAKES HOLD OF THAT.

THAT IS A WHOLE OTHER BALANCE OF WAX, THOUGH.

THANKS CALY.

>> THANKS, JOE.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A PROGRAM CREATED BY THE FEHRIBACH CENTER AT ESKENAZI HELPS TO FIND INTERNSHIPS FOR DISABLED COLLEGE STUDENTS.

>>> AND BUYING A LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE IS A MORE SUSTAINABLE OPTION THAN A FAKE OR PRECUT ONE.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE GREGORY S. FEHRIBACH CENTER AT ESKENAZI HEALTH CREATED AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES.

IT BEGAN WITH ONE INTERNSHIP IN 2013, AND HAS GROWN TO MORE THAN 400 THIS YEAR.

HIGHER EDUCATION REPORTER AUBREY WRIGHT REPORTS ON THE PROGRAM'S WORK AND IMPACT.

>> LIKE ALL COLLEGE SENIORS, PAIGE MOORE IS A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT LIFE POST-GRADUATION.

WHAT IS SHE GOING TO DO?

>> THAT'S ALWAYS THE BIG SCARY QUESTION.

>> A NEUROSCIENCE MAJOR AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY, SHE WANTS TO STUDY HOW DIET IMPACTS THE BRAIN AFTER COLLEGE.

MOORE USES A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER IN ALL OF HER CLASSES.

>> I SAY I'M HARD OF HEARING.

>> IT'S A STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY, SHE SAYS SHE DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS FOR PAID EXPERIENCE.

BUT THEN SHE FOUND THE GREGORY S. FEHRIBACH CENTER.

>> AND SO IT FELT LIKE THE PERFECT MATCH BECAUSE I'M -- AS A HARD-OF-HEARING STUDENT, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP ME CONNECT AND FIND MORE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> THE FEHRIBACH CENTER IS CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES TO FULL-TIME, PAID INTERNSHIPS IN INDIANAPOLIS.

MOORE COMPLETED THREE INTERNSHIPS WITH RESEARCH AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE.

MORE THAN 50I.U.

STUDENTS, INCLUDING MOORE HAVE COMPLETED THESE INTERNSHIPS.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT FOR THE STUDENTS, THE OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE FEHRIBACH CENTER ARE QUITE, FRANKLY, LIFECHANGING.

>> GERBER WORKS WITH THE ACCESSIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO GET STUDENTS INVOLVED WITH THE CENTER.

THEY HELP CONNECT STUDENTS WITH ACCESSIBLE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.

GERBER ALSO HELPS STUDENTS REVIEW APPLICATION MATERIALS AND RESUMES BEFORE SUBMITTING THEM TO THE FEHRIBACH CENTER.

>> WE ALL KNOW EXPERIENCE IS THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT HELPS STUDENTS AND ANYBODY TO GET THOSE POST-GRADUATION OPPORTUNITIES.

>> HER OFFICE HOSTS FEHRIBACH CENTER DIRECTOR LARRY MARKLE AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, CARLOS TAYLOR.

THEY VISIT COLLEGE CAMPUSES TO DRUM UP INTERESTED STUDENTS AND SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

THE CENTER WORKS WITH STUDENTS FROM 40 COLLEGES.

>> THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE FEHRIBACH CENTER'S INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IS TO MAKE SURE REALLY HIGHLY TALENTED, QUALIFIED COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES GET ACCESS TO QUALITY INTERNSHIPS.

>> MARKLE SAYS THAT BY GETTING THESE STUDENTS INTERNSHIPS, THEY BECOME BETTER CANDIDATES FOR EMPLOYMENT AFTER GRADUATION.

ABOUT 1 IN 5 COLLEGE STUDENTS REPORT HAVING A DISABILITY AND WHEN THEY FINISH COLLEGE, JOBS ARE TYPICALLY HARDER TO FIND.

THE EMPLOYMENT RATE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IS ABOUT HALF OF PEOPLE WITHOUT DISABILITIES.

>> THERE'S A PERCEPTION THAT EXISTS IN GENERAL THAT INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AREN'T CAPABLE OF -- OR NOT FULLY CAPABLE OF PERFORMING OR BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE JOB-RELATED TASKS IN A WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT.

>> THE CENTER PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THEIR DISABILITY.

STUDENTS MAY HAVE DISABILITY RELATING TO SIGHT, HEARING, MOBILITY OR ORTHOPEDICS.

INTERNS HAVE ACCESS TO ACCOMMODATIONS SUCH AS ASSISTIVE WORKPLACE TECHNOLOGY, AND FREE TRANSPORTATION.

>> WE HOPE TO FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES WHERE THE DISABILITY IS -- IS NOT THE PRIMARY FOCUS.

>> SOME STUDENTS LIKE MOORE ARE CONNECTED WITH SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS.

IT WAS SOMETHING SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SETTING UP.

THE CENTER TOOK CARE OF IT.

MOORE'S FAVORITE PART ABOUT HER INTERNSHIPS WAS FREE HOUSING ON IUPUI'S CAMPUS.

SHE SAYS SHE FOUND COMMUNITY THERE, WHERE THEY ALL HAD TO OVERCOME A DISADVANTAGE.

>> WE ALL SHARED A SIMILAR STRUGGLE GOING OUT IN THE WORLD, BUT WE WERE ALL KIND OF UNITED IN THAT.

>> CENTER ALSO TAKES CARE OF SOMETHING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY.

WHEN AND HOW THEY TELL PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS ABOUT THEIR STATUS.

MARKLE SAYS THE CENTER'S 39 PARTNERS DON'T MIND.

THEY INCLUDE COMPANIES LIKE ELI LILLY, THE INDIANA PACERS, AND ESKENAZI HEALTH.

THEY'VE ASKED FOR MORE INTERNS AND HIRED SOME AFTER GRADUATION.

>> WE'RE SEEING A HIGH RATE OF STUDENTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM, FIND EQUITABLE EMPLOYMENT AFTER THEIR INTERNSHIP.

>> MOORE SAYS SHE HAS SOME CONCERNS ABOUT WORKING AFTER GRADUATION BEFORE GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL, BUT SHE'S BUILT UP HER RESUME.

>> THE FEHRIBACH PROGRAM HAS GIVEN ME TOOLS TO WORK THROUGH THAT AND TO NAVIGATE THAT JOB SEARCH.

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

>> MORE THAN 200 COLLEGE STUDENTS HAVE COMPLETED THESE INTERNSHIPS SINCE IT WAS CREATED A DECADE AGO AT BALL STATE.

TODAY, 36 COLLEGES ARE INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM.

>>> THERE'S BEEN A LONG DEBATE OVER WHICH IS BETTER FOR THE PLANET, A PLASTIC CHRISTMAS TREE OR FRESHLY CUT ONE, BUT THERE'S A THIRD OPTION THAT'S MORE SUSTAINABLE.

REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, LIVING CHRISTMAS TREES CAN BE PLANTED OUTSIDE AFTER THE HOLIDAY IS OVER, BUT THEY'RE A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT THAT'S NOT FOR EVERYONE.

>> AARON BISHAY SELLS FRESH CUT AND LIVING TREES.

SHE SAYS FOR THE PRICE OF A TALL, FRESH CUT TREE THAT ONLY LASTS ONE SEASON, YOU CAN BY A 5 OR 6-FOOT LIVING TREE THAT WILL LAST DECADES.

BISHAY SAYS IT'S A FAMILY TRADITION FOR MANY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS.

>> AND THEY HAVE 10, 15, 20 TREES IN A ROW THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO SEE INSTALLING ONE EACH YEAR AND SEEING THEM GROW AND CHANGE THROUGHOUT THEIR PROPERTY THROUGH TIME.

>> THEY ALSO HELP TO COOL THE PLANET BY PROVIDING SHADE AND ABSORBING CARBON DIOXIDE BUT LIVING TREES REQUIRE SOME EFFORT.

KYLE DAVIS IS A NURSING AND LANDSCAPING SPECIALIST WITH PURDUE UNIVERSITY.

HE SAYS QUICK CHANGES IN TEMPERATURE CAN DAMAGE A LIVING TREE.

SO DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER AND SPECIES OF TREE, YOU SHOULD ONLY HAVE IT INSIDE FOR ABOUT 3 TO 5 DAYS AND A FEW DAYS IN THE GARAGE BEFORE AND AFTER BEING INDOORS TO HELP IT ADJUST.

THEN YOU NEED TO FIND A GOOD PLACE TO PLANET IT.

DANIEL SAYS MOST CONIFERS NEED FULL SUN.

>> MOST OF THEM CANNOT TOLERATE WET FEET.

YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT IT IN A LOW AREA THAT HOLDS A LOVE THE WATER.

>> AND MAKE SURE IT'S NOT TOO CLOSE TO YOUR HOME OR POWER LINES.

WE WILL HAVE MORE INFO OR HOW TO PLAN FOR AND CARE FOR A LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE ON OUR WEBSITE.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> NOW, YOU CAN FIND THOSE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PLANT AND CARE FOR LIVING TREES ON OUR WEBSITE, WTIUNEWS.ORG.

AS WE CELEBRATE 10 YEARS AND MORE THAN 500 EPISODES OF "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE IMPORTANT STORIES WE'VE BROUGHT TO YOU.

VIDEOGRAPHER DEVAN RIDGEWAY PUT TOGETHER THIS PIECE.

♪ >> HELLO, I'M JOE HREN AND WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WE COME TO YOU FROM STUDIO 6 OF THE I.U.

RADIO AND TELEVISION CENTER IN BLOOMINGTON.

"INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS THE CULMINATION OF PLANNING AND HARD WORK WITH NOT ONLY OUR STAFF AND GREW BUT THE MERGER OF THE WFIU AND WTIU NEWSROOMS A FEW YEARS AGO.

>> I WAS LOOKING OUT THE BACK WINDOW BACK THERE AND I SAW A TREE GET RIPPED UP OUT OF THE GROUND, ROOTS AND ALL.

KIND OF SWINGING BETWEEN THE HOUSES GOOD IT DOESN'THOUSES.

>> IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.

THEY COULD GO UP THREE OR FOUR MILES UP THE ROAD AND NOT DESTROY A HOME.

>> THE PEOPLE WHO CAME TO US, CAME TO US BECAUSE THEY FELT THEY HAD NO OTHER CHOICE.

THEY WERE IN A SITUATION WHERE IF THEY STAYED HOME, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SOME DANGERS OF SOME OF THEM DEVELOPING HYPOTHERMIA.

>> DECADES OF HISTORY WERE DAMAGED WHEN MARY LAMBBRIGHT IGNORED POSTED WEIGHT LIMIT SIGNS AND CARRIED A SEMI OVER THE BRIDGE.

>> THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

>> THE PEOPLE TEND TO EXCEL IN THE AREAS WHICH ARE OPEN TO THEM.

SO THAT AT THAT TIME, A BLACK WAS EXPECTED TO PLAY RELIGIOUS MUSIC, RHYTHM AND BLUES, ROCK 'N' ROLL OR JAZZ.

>> IT'S OVER WITH, FOLKS.

IT'S OVER WITH, AND THEN WE FOCUS ON HILLARY CLINTON.

>> NO NORMAL DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE UNDER A PRESIDENT WHO RAN A CAMPAIGN PROMISING HATE AND FEAR AND VIOLENCE AGAINST CERTAIN COMMUNITIES.

>> THIS IS WHY I VOTED FOR MR. TRUMP.

I AGREE TO THAT.

>> BUT SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHY HER HUSBAND IS AMONG THOSE BEING DETAINED.

SHE SAYS HE'S AN UPSTANDING BUSINESS OWNER WHO IS IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR I AGREEN CARD -- A GREEN CARD, NOT A CRIMINAL.

>> POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCHOOL JUST AFTER 9:00 THIS MORNING FOR A REPORT OF SHOTS FIRED.

>> IF THEY NEED TO USE THAT FORCE, THEN GOOD, BECAUSE THEY WILL BE PROTECTING MY CHILDREN AND MY FRIENDS' CHILDREN.

>> BLOOMINGTON'S INTERNET FAMOUS CAT LITTLE BUB DIED TODAY.

THE CAT WITH A PERPETUALLY STUCK OUT TONGUE WAS ADOPTED IN 2011 AND BECAME AN INTERNET SENSATION AMASSING 2 MILLION FOLLOWERS.

>> PIZZA KING IS NOT A FRANCHISE BUT HAS A SUPPLY AGREEMENT.

>> WE CAN'T TELL YOU HOW TO RUN YOUR BUSINESS.

YOU BUY CORE PRODUCTS FROM US.

YOU ARE STILL YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND YOU GET TO USE THE PIZZA KING LOGO AND THE RECOGNITION OF THE PIZZA KING MAN.

EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT IT IS.

>> A RESEARCH MODEL USED BY THE WHITE HOUSE HAS INCREASED PREDICTED COVID-19 DEATHS IN INDIANA, RAISING THE NUMBER BY MORE THAN 5,000.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AS WE CONTINUE TO DO THESE FEW THINGS, THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL BECOMES BRIGHTER AND BRIGHTER.

>> PLEASE, LET HIM GO.

PLEASE LET HIM GO.

>> BOOKER SAYS THEY PINNED HIM AGAINST A TREE AND AT ONE POINT THREATENED TO GET A NOOSE.

>> AT THAT POINT, A LADY YELLED, YOU ARE GOING TO KILL HIM AND I HAD THE VERY SURREAL EXPERIENCE OF THINKING OF GEORGE FLOYD.

>> WE ALSO SELL THEIR WAXES AND MOON ROCKS, WHICH WOULD BE DELTA 8 FLOWER WRAPPED WITH DELTA 8 WAX AND COVERED WITH DELTA 8KEIF.

>> I THOUGHT THAT MY FUTURE ALSO WILL BE GOOD, BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL IN AFGHANISTAN.

THEY HAVE NO FUTURE.

>> THE COMPANY SAYS ON TWITTER, IT WILL ENSURE ITS COFFEE IS NOT KOSHER CERTIFIED AND THE PRODUCTS ARE MADE, QUITE, FOR OUR PEOPLE BY OUR PEOPLE.

♪ >> I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN RAPED.

IT'S AWFUL!

WE NEED TO ASK OURSELVES IF THE BABY SHOULD BE PUNISHED BY HAVING ITS LIFE TAKEN AWAY.

>> WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY.

WE BELIEVE WOMEN SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THEIR BODIES.

>> THE LAST GIFT THAT YOU WILL GIVE YOUR CHILDREN IS TEACHING THEM HOW TO DIE WELL.

THIS ALTERNATIVE WAY OF APPROACHING IT HAS A VERY SPIRITUAL AND SACRED CROWNING OF YOUR LIFE.

I THINK IT COULD BE VERY HEALING.

♪ >> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

THANKS AGAIN TO OUR STUDIO AUDIENCE AND EVERYONE WATCHING AT HOME.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

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