>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE CITY HAS EVICTED A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT ON BLOOMINGTON'S WEST SIDE.

IT'S THE SECOND ENCAMPMENT CLEARED UNDER NEW MAYOR KERRY THOMSON.

>> THIS REALLY WAS AN URGENT SITUATION, AND WE NEEDED TO MOVE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> TWO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED AT THE ENCAMPMENT IN THE LAST SIX WEEKS.

PARENTS SAY MONROE COUNTY SCHOOLS PROPOSAL TO MERGE CHILDS AND PEOPLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS JUST ONE MORE DISRUPTION.

>> MCCSC SAYS THE MERGER IS AN EFFORT TO BALANCE SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS LEVELS AMONG SCHOOLS.

AND WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME BILLS MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE STATE HOUSE.

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

>>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON CLEARED A HOMELESS CAMP FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE MAYOR KERRY THOMSON TOOK OFFICE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

THE CAMP RAISED THURSDAY HAD BEEN THE SITE OF TWO SKILLINGS IN -- KILLINGS IN THE PAST SIX WEEKS LUCAS GONZALEZ HAS THIS REPORT.

>> POLICE AND CITY STAFF GATHERED ON THE WEST SIDE THURSDAY TO CLEAR PEOPLE'S BELONGS.

THOMSON WAS THERE AND SAYS THE CITY WAITED TO CLEAR THE CAMP BECAUSE OF RECENT WEATHER, EVEN THOUGH A TRESPASS NOTICE WAS POSTED A WEEK AGO.

>> TODAY WAS REALLY THE FIRST DAY WITHOUT THE COLD AND THE RAIN THAT WE COULD -- WE COULD ASSIST IN MOVING THINGS WITHOUT RUINING THEM.

>> THOMSON ALSO APPEARED IN PERSON WHEN THE CITY VACATED ANOTHER CAMP ON THE CITY'S SOUTHWEST SIDE EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THOMSON SAYS THIS CAMP WAS CLEARED BECAUSE OF TWO RECENT HOMICIDES THERE.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, A MAN WAS SHOT TO DEATH, AND IN DECEMBER, A MAN WAS KILLED WITH A MACHETE.

>> THIS REALLY WAS AN URGENT SITUATION AND AFTER THAT SECOND MURDER, YOU KNOW, SERVICE PROVIDERS AND -- AND OUR DEPARTMENTS REALLY FELT LIKE WE NEEDED TO MOVE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> PEOPLE AT THE CAMP WERE GIVEN 72 HOURS TO MOVE OR FACE ARREST AND HAVE THEIR BELONGINGS SEIZED.

THE LAST TIME THE CITY CLEARED A CAMP, PEOPLE WERE GIVEN 48 HOURS NOTICE.

THOMSON SAID THE CITY GAVE MORE ADVANCED NOTICE THIS TIME, BASED ON CONVERSATIONS WITH LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS.

>> PEOPLE NEED ADEQUATE NOTICE IN ORDER TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR BELONGINGS AND START MOVING THEM.

AND SO WE'RE COMMITTED TO GIVING AS MUCH NOTICE AS WEEK.

>> BY THURSDAY MORNING, ONLY A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN STAYING AT THE CAMP WERE SKILL SKILL -- STILL THERE.

SEVERAL BATTERED TENTS REMAIN SCATTERED IN VARIOUS PARTS OF PARTS OF THE AREA, ALONG WITH TRASH BAGS, EMPTY CANS AND BOTTLES, TIRES AND OTHER STRAY ITEMS.

THOMSON SAYS SHE SPOKE TO AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE AT THE CAMP AND ONE FOUND ANOTHER PLACE TO STAY WHILE TWO OTHERS WERE NOT SURE WHERE THEY WERE GOING.

>> WE NEED TO BE AT A PLACE WHERE WE CAN SAY TO EVERYBODY WHO IS FROM BLOOMINGTON, WE CAN OFFER YOU A PLACE WITH A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD AND SERVICES SO THAT YOUR HEALTH NEEDS CAN BE MET.

>> THOMSON SAYS THE CITY HAD DONE OUTREACH WORK AT THE CAMP FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, WHICH INVOLVED HELPING PEOPLE KEEP THEIR LIVING AREAS TIDY, CHECKING ON THEIR WELL-BEING, HELPING CONNECT THEM WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND HELPING THEM FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO GO.

THE CITY OFFERS STORAGE SPACE FOR PEOPLE STAYING AT A CAMP TO KEEP THEIR BELONGINGS IN WHENEVER A CAMP IS CLEAR.

THOMSON SAYS THIS IS PART OF HER APPROACH TO ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS, WITH DIGNITY, COMPASSION AND SAFETY.

SHE ALSO SAYS SHE'S MET WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOCAL FAITH COMMUNITY TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.

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

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION IS ADVANCING A PROPOSAL TO MERGE TWO OF ITS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

THE DISTRICT SAYS IT'S PART OF AN EFFORT TO BALANCE THE SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS LEVELS OF SCHOOLS, BUT SOME PARENTS SAY IT'S A BAND-AID AND NOT A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.

BENTE BOUTHIER EXPLAINS WHAT IS NEXT IN THE PROCESS AND HOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN GIVE INPUT.

>>> TRAVELING DOWN EAST HILLSIDE AND HIGH STREET, TEMPTON AND CHILDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ARE LESS THAN TEN MINUTES APART BY CAR AND 11 BY BIKE.

IF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PROPOSAL GOES FORWARD, THE TWO SCHOOLS COULD MERGE, CHILDS HOSTING PREK THROUGH SECOND GRADE AND TEMPTON GRADES 3 THROUGH 6.

THE PARENTS SPOKE TO THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR OVER CONCERNS ABOUT THE MERGER.

KATIE KING HAS KIDS IN TELL TELL WILLTON'S -- TEMPLETON'S MULTIAGE GROUP.

>> THE KIDS WILL BE IMPACTED BY THIS PROPOSED SCHOOL CHANGE.

THEY DID NOT RECEIVE PRESCHOOL, AND DID KINDERGARTEN ON THE EYE PAD AND HAD TO -- I PAD AND COULD NOT BE ROUGH AND TUMBLE ON THE PLAYGROUND.

>> IT'S PART OF AN EFFORT TO BALANCE SOCIOECONOMIC SAT TUESDAY LEVELS AMONG SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.

KING SAYS THE DISTRICT NEEDS TO ADDRESS DISPARITIES BUT WANTS LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS AND A CONCRETE PLAN.

>> EVEN THE BASICS AND LOGISTICS IN TRANSPORTATION AND WHAT THAT MEANS.

I FEEL THE BENEFIT OF A K-6 SCHOOL AND THE POWER OF THAT AND THE ROLE MODELING OF THAT.

>> THE SCHOOL CORPORATION MEASURES SOCIOECONOMIC DISPARITIES BY USING RATES OF STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH AT ITS 14 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

CHILDS IS ONE OF THE LOWEST RATES AT 15% OF STUDENTS QUALIFYING.

TEMPLETON HAS ONE OF THE HIGHER RATES AT 64%.

IN DECEMBER, THE BOARD ALSO HEARD A PROPOSAL TO COMBINE UNIVERSITY AND FAIRVIEW SCHOOLS.

IT SCRUBBED THAT MERGER IDEA TUESDAY AFTER PARENT FEEDBACK AT THE MEETING CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION AND AN ONGOING TRANSITION OF THE DISTRICT'S ADVANCED LEARNING PROGRAM TO FAIRVIEW.

JASON WINTERS ATTENDED TUESDAY'S MEETING.

HE SAYS THE BOARD'S ACTIONS DON'T FEEL TRANSPARENT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF WE LOOKED AT ALL THE REASONABLE METHODS FOR BALANCING S.C.S.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS THE BEST METHOD TO IDENTIFY AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE TO SAY THAT THIS IS THE BEST.

THEY DO NEED TO ADDRESS EQUITY BUT WANT TO HAVE OUTLINED GOALS AND EXPECTED OUTCOME WHICH WOULD BE REQUIRED IN A REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

>> THEY DON'T HAVE A GREAT PLAN FOR UNDERSTANDING WHAT OUTCOMES THEY WILL MEASURE AND HOWL THEY MEASURE THOSE.

THEY ARE BASING EVERYTHING ON S.C.S.

>> SOME PARENTS AT TUESDAY'S MEETING SAID SCHOOL REDISTRICTING WOULD BE A MORE EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR BALANCING SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS.

APRIL HEN NECESSARIY IS SAYS MERGERS AND REDISTRICTING ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE AND REDISTRICTING CAN TAKE A LONG TIME.

>> SOME OF THE REASONS WHY WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH SMALLER SCALE MERGERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT IS BECAUSE YOU CAN CREATE INTEGRATION BY MERGING SCHOOLS AND WHILE IT MIGHT NOT BE IDEAL, THE PROSPECT THE REDISTRICTING IN A COMMUNITY THAT HAS OFTEN BEEN RESISTANT TO THAT IS -- IS DIFFICULT.

>> BRANDON SHURR SAYS THIS HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE IN THE PAST AND FEELS HESITANT THAT IT'S COMING UP NOW WHEN THERE'S A PROPOSED CHANGE.

>> I'M EXCITED THAT EVERYONE IS EXCITED FOR REDISTRICTING BUT I'M A LITTLE BIT LEERY THAT THE SUPPORT IS NOT THERE, IT'S TO DISTRACT FROM MAYBE THE CHANGE THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT POSSIBLY MAKING.

KING, A CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER SAYS SHE'S GLAD THE BOARD IS RECEPTIVE TO REDISBE STRICTING AND DOESN'T THINK -- REDISTRICTING DOESN'T THINK IT WILL FIX DISTRICT-WIDE ISSUES.

>> I LOVE THAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT HAVING MEETINGS AT EACH OF THE SCHOOLS TO GET MORE OF THE PARENTS INVOLVED.

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

>>> THE BOARD PLANS TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION ON SCHOOL AMERICANERS AND REDIS -- MERGERS AND REDISTRICTING AND WILL ADDRESS BOTH AT ITS MARCH MEETING.

>>> THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY APPROVED A PERMIT FOR CONSTRUCTION ON A CONTROVERSIAL PROJECT TO STORE CARBON EMISSIONS UNDERGROUND IN VIGO AND VERMILION COUNTIES.

THE PERMIT WILL ALLOW WABASH VALLEY RESOURCES TO MAKE LOW CARBON FERTILIZER WHICH IT SAYS WOULD OPEN UP INDIANA CORN GROWERS TO NEW MARKETS THAT REQUIRE MORE CLIMATE-FRIENDLY PRACTICES.

BUT MORE THAN 1,000 RESIDENTS HAVE COME OUT AGAINST THE PROJECT, AMONG OTHER THINGS THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR PIPELINE LEAKS AND EARTHQUAKES AND THAT THE C.O.2 COULD MIGRATE.

WABASH VALLEY RESOURCES CAN NOW SECURE FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT AND START DRILLING THE INJECTION WELLS BUT THE COMPANY CAN'T ACTUALLY START STORING C.O.2 UNTIL THE EPA INSPECTS THOSE WELLS.

THE COMPANY HOPES TO ACCOMPLISH ALL OF THAT THIS YEAR.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE KINSEY INSTITUTE IS HOSTING LISTENING SESSIONS ABOUT ITS FUTURE ON THE I.U.

CAMPUS AFTER THE STATE CUT ITS FUNDING.

>>> AND BLOOMINGTON UNVEILED A NEW DESIGNED FOR A LANDMARK AT MILLER SHOWERS PARK AFTER PUBLIC OUTCRY FORCED THE CITY TO ABANDON THE ORIGINAL PLANS.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK AT THE STATIONSTATE HOUSE AS LOU MAKE -- LAWMAKER PASS BILLS.

LAWMAKERS WANT TO TACKLE HIGH HEALTH CAN HEALTHCARE COSTS BY TARGETING MONOPOLIES THROUGH A NOTIFICATION PROCESS WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

IT WOULD REQUIRE HOSPITALS TO NOTIFY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR AN ANTITRUST REVIEW IF AN ACQUISITION OR CONSOLIDATION EXCEEDS $10 MILLION.

THE INDIANA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION OPPOSES THE BILL, SAYING IT WOULD DUPLICATE FEDERAL EFFORTS.

DESPITE THOSE OBJECTIONS, THE BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

>>> A BILL THAT WOULD FURTHER REDUCE PROTECTIONS FOR WETLANDS IN INDIANA PASSED THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

IT WOULD LOWER THE NUMBER OF WETLANDS THAT COULD FALL INTO CLASS THREE, INDIANA'S MOST PROTECTED GROUP OF WETLANDS.

AND THE ONLY CLASS THAT DIDN'T LOSE SIGNIFICANT PROTECTIONS WHEN THE STATE CHANGED ITS WETLANDS LAW IN 2021.

IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO DEVELOPERS, TO PROTECT SOME WETLANDS.

NOW, PROPONENTS SAY IT STRIKES A GOOD COMPROMISE BETWEEN BUILDERS AND THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, BUT SOME CALL THE BILL A MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

>> TO REALLY LOOK AT WHAT IS DRIVING THIS -- THIS CONFLICT BETWEEN THOSE WHO WANT TO DEVELOP OUR LAND AND THOSE WHO WANT TO PROTECT IT.

>> ERRINGTON SAYS THE BILL DOESN'T ADDRESS WHAT MOST OF THE DEVELOPERS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN ABOUT.

INDIANA IS CONFUSING WETLAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM.

SHE AIMED TO SIMPLIFY THE WESTLAND CLASSIFICATION BY ALIGNING THAT WITH THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS BUT THAT AMENDMENT FAILED.

>>> A BILL MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE STATE HOUSE AIMS TO MAKE MORE LAND AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING IN MONROE COUNTY BY ALLOWING DEVELOPERS TO BUILD ON STEEPER SLOPES.

THE LEGISLATION WOULD INCREASE THE MAXIMUM SLOPE FROM 15% TO 25%.

THERE IS AN EXEMPTION FOR LAND THAT -- FOR LAND THAT DRAINS INTO DRINKING WATER RESERVOIRS, LIKE LAKE MONROE BUT ALLOWING DEVELOPMENT ON STEEPER SLOPES COULD SEND SEDIMENT POLLUTION INTO STREAMS AND OTHER AREAS.

BLOOMINGTON REPRESENTATIVE PAT PIERCE SAYS THE WATER SHED NEEDS STRONGER PROTECTIONS AND THIS BILL TAKES THAT OUT OF THE HANDS OF LOCAL OFFICIALS.

>> SEXUAL CY LENS SURVIVORS ARE -- VIOLENCE SURVIVORS SURVIVORS WANT TO REMOVE THE LIMITATION ON SEX CRIMES IT.

GENERALLY HAS TO HAPPEN WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF THE CRIME BEING COMMITTED.

IF IT'S A CRIME AGAINST A CHILD, THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS RUNS UNTIL THE VICTIM TURNS 31.

>> WE MUST ALLOW VICTIMS THE TIME TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES IN ORDER TO ADDRESS TRAUMA THAT THEY ENDURED.

TO EXPECT A CHILD AT 13-YEAR-OLDS TO NAVIGATE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS JUST CRUEL.

>>> A SENATE COMMITTEE IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON THE BILL NEXT WEEK, AND THE MEASURE WILL LIKELY CHANGE.

>>> A HOUSE BILL WOULD PUT CAMERAS IN SOME AREAS OF SCHOOLS WHERE KIDS ARE PUT IN SI RESOLUTIONSECLUSIONAND TIME-OUT.

SOME SAY THAT CAMERAS ARE NECESSARY TO PROTECT STUDENTS AND STAFF, PARTICULARLY CHILDREN UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE.

THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS WORRY ABOUT THE COST OF CAMERAS AND THE VIDEO STORAGE FEEDS.

>>> A BILL THAT WOULD CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF TOXIC PFAS TO EXCLUDE CHEMICALS, INDIANA MANUFACTURERS WANT TO CONTINUE USING PASSED THE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

PFAS IS USED TO MAKE A VARIETY OF WATERPROOF AND STAIN RESISTANT PRODUCTS BUT EXPOSURE TO THE CHEMICAL HAS BEEN LINKED TO KIDNEY CHANCE, -- CANCER, PROBLEMS WITH THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN.

CHANGING THE DEFINITION ALLOWS NONESSENTIAL ITEMS TO CONTINUE TO MAKE PEOPLE SICK.

>>> CARS AND THEIR TECHNOLOGY ARE IMPROVING, AND SO IT'S TIME TO CONSIDER INCREASING THE SPEED LIMITS ON RURAL HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES TO 75 MILES PER HOUR.

>> WE HAVE SENSORS, THE STEERING IS SO MUCH TIGHTER.

THE CARS ARE SO MUCH BETTER.

THE ENGINEERING IS SO MUCH BETTER.

>> SMALTZ CALLED HIS BILL THAT IS THE START OF A CONVERSATION THAT COULD LAST UNTIL NEXT SESSION.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAID THAT AVERAGE SPEEDS HAVE INCREASED EVERY YEAR SINCE 2018.

>>> A LOT OF STATE HOUSE STUFF.

THANKS FOR HANGING IN THERE CALI.

YOUR TURN.

HOW ABOUT SOME HEADLINES.

>> I'M GLAD TO GET TO IT, JOE: SOME BLOOMINGTON CITY HALL TENANTS DO NOT WANT TO MOVE EARLY TO MAKE WAY FOR PROPOSED POLICE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS.

CITY DEVELOPERS SAID 8 OF THE 14 TENANTS IN SHOWERS WEST ARE WILLING TO END THEIR LEASES EARLY BUT THE REMAINING SIX ARE NOT.

NEGOTIATIONS WITH THOSE TEENTHS ARE ONGOING -- TENANTS ARE ONGOING.

>> TO THE EXTENT WE NEED THAT SQUARE FOOTAGE FOR SOME PUBLIC PURPOSE, WE WANT TO WORK WITH THEM TO TRY TO, YOU KNOW, NEGOTIATE SO THAT IT'S MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL.

>> RICE SAYS THE CITY KNEW ABOUT THE TENANTS' WISHES SINCE LAST YEAR WHEN JOHN HAMILTON WAS MAYOR.

THE SHOWERS WEST PROJECT STARTED UNDER HAMILTON AND IS BEING REVIEWED BY MAYOR THOMSON.

NO,THOMSON IS EXAMINING THE PROJECT AND PLANS TO USE THE SPACE FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE, EVEN IF SHE TAKES THE PROJECT IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

>> THAT HAS NOT BEEN FINALIZED IN TERMS OF WHAT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE.

STAFF IS STILL EVALUATING THAT.

THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IS EVALUATING THAT.

SO THERE WILL BE MORE CONSIDERATIONS.

>> IN THE MEANTIME, THE CITY SAYS IT WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH EARLY LEASE TERMINATIONS FOR THE TENANTS WILLING TO MOVE.

>> A FEDERAL GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED THREE FORMER ADMINISTRATORS FROM TROUBLED VIRTUAL SCHOOLS FOR AN ALLEGED SCHEME TO DEFRAUD INDIANA.

INDIANA FUNDS SCHOOLS BASED ON ENROLLMENT AND THE OFFICIALS ARE ACCUSED OF LYING ABOUT HOW MANY STUDENTS WENT TO THE SCHOOLS.

THE INDICTMENT SAYS OFFICIALS AT INDIANA VIRTUAL PATHWAYS ACADEMY AND INDIANA VIRTUAL SAID THAT MANY OF THE STUDENTS THAT THEY REPORTED TO THE STATE WERE NOT ACTUALLY ENROLLED.

AS A RESULT OF THE SCHEME, THE VIRTUAL SCHOOLS RECEIVED MORE THAN $44 MILLION THEY WEREN'T ENTITLED TO.

>>> MANY PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED A RECENT LISTENING SESSION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE KINSEY INSTITUTE SAY THEY ARE FRUSTRATED BY WHAT THEY CALL A LACK OF SUPPORT FROM THE UNIVERSITY.

INDIANA LAWMAKERS VOTED LAST SPRING TO BLOCK STATE FUNDS FROM THE INSTITUTE, WHICH STUDIES HUMAN SEXUALITY, GENDER AND RELATIONSHIPS.

I.U.

ADMINISTRATORS THEN ADOWNSED -- ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO SEPARATE THE INSTITUTE FROM THE UNIVERSITY.

THE LISTENING SESSIONS ARE MEANT TO GATHER INSTITUTE.

AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

>> THE UNIVERSITY IS LOOKING TO MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW, IDEALLY WHILE SATISFYING KINSEY STAKEHOLDERS.

JUSTIN GARCIA, DIRECTOR OF THE KINSEY INSTITUTE ACKNOWLEDGED THE ANXIETY AND THE FEAR EXPERIENCED BY MANY OF THOSE WHO ATTENDED.

>> IT'S AN UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION THAT FACULTY AND STAFF AND STUDENTS AT THE INSTITUTE HAVE SUFFERED, INDESCRIBABLE HARASSMENT.

>> THE LISTENING SESSIONS ARE MEANT TO GATHER INPUT FROM STAKEHOLDERS BUT MANY ATTENDEES HAD UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

JUDITH ALLEN PRESSED ON WHETHER THE WORKING GROUP HAD BEEN GIVEN AN EXPLANATION FOR THE UNIVERSITY'S ORIGINAL PLAN TO SEPARATE FROM THE INSTITUTE.

>> HAS ANYBODY ARTICULATED ANYTHING THAT MAKES ANY SENSE?

>> AGAIN, I -- I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM, BUT OUR GOAL TODAY IS TO WORK -- IS TO -- >> I KNOW WHAT YOUR GOAL IS.

>> I DO NOT HAVE AN ANSWER ON THAT ONE TODAY.

>> SO YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANYONE.

>> SOME KINSEY RESEARCHERS AND STAFF ALSO SAY THEY FEEL UNSAFE AS MISINFORMATION ABOUT KINSEY SPREADS.

>> IT SHOULD NOT BE MY LAB MANAGER WHO HAS TO FACE SOME ANGRY PERSON WHO SHOWS UP.

>> UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN SAYS SHE SPORTS KINSEY'S MISSION -- SUPPORTS KINSEY'S MISSION.

THEY WANT FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> THE WORKING GROUP'S REPORT WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE I.U.

TRUSTEES AND UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS NEXT MONTH.

>>> A FIVE-YEAR DIGITAL EQUITY PLAN THAT WILL SERVE AS A ROADMAP TO HELP INCREASE HOOSIER ACCESS TO HIGH-SPEED INTERNET WAS UNVEILED THIS WEEK.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH REPORTS ON WHO STILL DOESN'T HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND AND PLANS TO GET IT TO THEM.

>> ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, 24.7% OF INDIANA HOUSEHOLDS DO NOT HAVE HOME INTERNET ACCESS OR RELY SOLELY ON MOBILE INTERNET.

PURDUE V.P.

FOR ENGAGEMENT SAYS THEY ARE SURPRISED ON WHO HAS HOME PAID INTERNET ACCESS.

>> WE FOUND A LOWER SHARE OF WHITES SUBSCRIBE TO PAID HOME INTERNET OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS COMPARED TO MINORITIES.

WE WERE NOT EXPECTING THAT FINDING.

>> ANOTHER NOTEWORTHY FINDING THE TOP REASON FOR NOT PAYING HOME INTERNET OVER THE LAST YEAR IS THE COST OF DESKTOPS AND LAPTOPS, FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY THE SERVICE ITSELF.

IT PARALLELS, THE $42.45 BILLION CONGRESS INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM BRINGING INTERNET TO RURAL AREAS.

>> DIGITAL EQUITY LOOKS AT SPECIFIC GROUPS WHICH ARE CALLED COVERED POPULATIONS TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND DEVICES AND SKILLS TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE ONLINE ECONOMY.

>> THE PLAN INCLUDES JUST OVER 80 OBJECTIVES TO COMPLETE THE PLAN'S MAIN GOAL SUCH AS PROVIDING CONNECTIVITY AND DEVICES THAT ARE AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE, RELIABLE AND EQUITABLE.

I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>> AFTER A 30-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ENDS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL PUBLISH GUIDELINES ON FUNS FUNDS THAT CAN BE USEDUSE USE THE PLAN.

>> A FLOCK OF 13,000 BIRDS IN DAVIESS HAS BEEN TESTED POSITIVE FOR AVIAN FLU.

THE STATE OFFICIALS SAY IT DOESN'T POSE A FOOD SAFETY RISK.

>> FOLKS DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEIR EGGS OR THEIR CHICKEN OR ANY OF THEIR POULTRY MEAT AT THE GROCERY STORE BECAUSE BEFORE ANY OF THAT GOES TO PROCESSING TO GET PACKAGED TO THE STORE, ALL OF THOSE FLOCKS GET TESTED AND ONLY HEALTHY BIRDS GO IN OUR FOOD SUPPLY.

>> THE STATE HAS SET UP A SIX MILE CONTROL AREA THAT INCLUDES 45 COMMERCIAL FLOCKS AND 48 HOBBY AND BACKYARD FLOCKS.

A 12-MILE SURVEILLANCE ZONE THAT INCLUDES DAVIESS MARTIN AND GREEN COUNTIES.

>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON SAYS IT'S GETTING CLOSER TO FINALIZING A NEW DESIGN CONCEPT FOR A GATEWAY LANDMARK IN MILLER SHOWERS PARK.

IT'S STILL WORKING WITH A DESIGN IT FIRST REVEALED IN NOVEMBER.

HORIZONTALLY STACKED LIMESTONE WITH LETTERS ON THE SIDE SPELLING OUT WORD "BLOOMINGTON.

THE CITY NOW SAYS THE DESIGN WILL INCLUDE AN ART INSTALLATION, BUT DETAILS SUCH AS COST, DESIGN AND DIMENSION, WON'T BE DETERMINED UNTIL THE BLOOMINGTON ART COMMISSION SELECTS A CONCEPT.

>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO DETERMINE WHAT SPECIFICALLY THAT PIECE OF PUBLIC ART IS.

THAT WILL BE TO THE BLOOMINGTON ARTS COMMISSION AND I'M EXCITED TO WORK WITH THEM ON THIS AND THEIR FULL CAPACITY.

>> STREET SAYS THE NEW DESIGN IMPLEMENTS FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS WOULD CRITICIZED THE LANDMARK'S ORIGINAL DESIGN, A 40-FOOT TALL ALUM ANY MONOLITH.

-- ALUMINUM MONOLITH.

THE WORK NEEDED WILL BE PAID THROUGH BICENTENNIAL BONDS APPROVED IN 2018.

ABOUT $1.25 MILLION WAS SET ASIDE FOR THE PROJECT.

>>> INDIANA GETS A FAILING GRADE IN NEARLY EVERY CATEGORY FOR ITS TOBACCO PREVENTION EFFORTS.

THE REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION LOOKS AT HOW WELL STATES ARE PREVENTING YOUTH FROM USING TOBACCO AND HELPING ADULTS QUIT.

THE LUNG ASSOCIATION WAS CRITICAL OF THE STATE'S TOBACCO TAXES WHICH HAVEN'T GONE UP IN MORE THAN 15 YEARS AND THE LACK OF MONEY THE STATE INVESTS IN PREVENTION PROGRAMS.

>>> THE STATE COMMISSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION PLANS TO RESEARCH WHAT FACTORS ARE CONTRIBUTING TO INDIANA'S POOR COLLEGE ENROLLMENT.

INDIANA RANKS 31ST IN THE NATION IN THE COLLEGE-GOING RATE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

THE COMMISSION WANTS INDIANA TO BECOME A TOP TEN STATE IN POST-HIGH SCHOOL TRAINING AND EDUCATION BY 2030.

THE RESEARCH FINDINGS WILL INFORM THE COMMISSION'S STRATEGIC PLAN AND 2025 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

>>> THE BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER IS DONATING MORE THAN A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS TO THE BROWN COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND THE BROWN COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.

THE DONATION MARKS FIRST TIME THE MUSIC VENUE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DONATE ITS EXCESS PROFITS AS WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED WHEN THE VENUE WAS BUILT IN 2019.

>> TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS AND IT'S SUCH A LARGE NUMBER, AGAIN, COMPLETELY PROUD AND HONORED TO BE A PART OF IT, AND FRANKLY, IT'S GOING TO BE THE FIRST OF MANY.

>> THE CENTER WAS CLOSED FOR 650 DAYS DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC AND WAS NOT PROFITABLE IN 2022.

THE COMMISSION GETS 75% OF THE MONEY AND WILL SPLIT IT BETWEEN A LONG-TERM ENDOWMENT AND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS OR COMMUNITY PROJECTS.

JOE, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WITH USE THEIR 25% SHARE ON WHATEVER PROJECTS THEY PRIORITIZE, SUCH AS ROAD RESURFACING OR SEWER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS.

>> DON'T GO ANYWHERE.

DO YOU HEAR THAT SOUND?

IT'S SI CADEIES!

TWO DIFFERENT -- CICADAS.

TWO DIFFERENT BROADS WILL EMERGE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1803.

ONE THAT LIVES ON A 13-YEAR CYCLE AND ONE THAT LIVES ON A 17-YEAR CYCLE.

BLOOMINGTON AND SURROUNDING AREAS ARE SAFE FROM THESE NOISY INSECTS BUT SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE STATE WILL SEE THEM AS WELL AS SOME OF THE INDIANA'S NORTHERN COUNTIES CLOSER TO LAKE MICHIGAN.

THE EMERGENCES WILL NOT BE SYNCED UP AGAIN FOR ANOTHER 221 YEARS.

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: