>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," AN ESTIMATED 300,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO DESCEND UPON BLOOMINGTON FOR NEXT MONTH'S TOTAL ECLIPSE.

TO GET A TASTE OF WHAT THE CITY IS IN STORE FOR, WE VISITED HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY, GROUND ZERO FOR THE 2017 TOTAL ECLIPSE.

>> IT WAS BUSY.

IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

IT WAS A -- AS FAR AS THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECLIPSE ITSELF, IT WAS PRETTY SPECTACULAR.

>> ANY NEW LAW OVERRIDES A MONROE COUNTY ORDINANCE ALLOWS BUILDING ON PROPERTIES SUCH AS AROUND LAKES WITH SLOPES UP TO 25%.

>> WHAT WE WERE REALLY LOOKING FOR IS JUST ANOTHER MECHANISM TO MAKE IT EASIER TO CONSTRUCT THE MUCH-NEEDED HOUSING THAT WE NEED HERE IN MONROE COUNTY.

>> BUT ONE STATE SENATOR SAYS THE BUILD BENEFITS MAINLY THE RICH.

>>> AND BLOOMINGTON POLICE SHOULD BE CARRYING TASERS AS EARLY AS NEXT MONTH AS PART OF A PILOT PROGRAM.

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

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, SEVEN YEARS AGO, HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY, HAD ITS MOMENT IN THE SUN.

IN 2017, THE SMALL TOWN ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF SOUTH OF EVANSVILLE WELCOMED OVER 100,000 VISITORS BECAUSE OF ITS SPOT IN THE PATH OF TOTALITY FOR THE LAST SOLAR ECLIPSE.

IN ANTICIPATION OF BLOOMINGTON'S ECLIPSE NEXT MONTH, OUR CALI LICHTER VISITED HOPKINSVILLE TO TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE BIG EVENT ON THE TOWN.

>> SOME CALL IT HOPKINSVILLE, OTHER CALL IT HOPTOWN, BUT IN 2017, THE TOWN GOT ANOTHER NICKNAME, ECLIPSEVILLE.

>> WE DID OFFICIALLY REBRAND OURSELVES AS ECLIPSEVILLE AND RAN WITH IT.

>> IT WAS DEEMED THE GREATEST ECLIPSE BY NASA IN THE 2017 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE WHICH HAD ECLIPSE CHASERS AND FAMILIES ALIKE RUSHING INTO THE AREA.

>> HOPKINSVILLE WHICH HAS A POPULATION OF AROUND 30,000 PEOPLE, NEARLY QUADRUPLED IN SIZE WITH 120,000 PEOPLE VISITING THE TOWN.

AND THAT'S JUST THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT OFFICIAL.

>> ON A DAY THE TOWN STOOD STILL FOR TWO MINUTES AND 41.2 SECONDS.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU REALLY REALIZE IT'S GOING TO BE DARK!

YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR SOUNDS YOU HEAR AT NIGHT.

>> I STILL GET COLD CHILLS.

>> WITH THAT MANY PEOPLE, EVERYONE IN HOPKINSVILLE HAD TO PLAN, AND PLAN, AND PLAN.

>> WE STARTED PLANNING A YEAR OUT WITH THAT DESIGNATED OF THE AREA OF GREATEST ECLIPSE.

THAT JUST MEANT THAT WE THOUGHT THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A LARGE INFLUX OF PEOPLE COMING IN AND WE HAD TO PLAN FOR ALL CONTINGENCIES.

ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN.

>> RANDY GRAHAM HAS BEEN THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR SINCE 2010.

THE DAY OF THE 2017 ECLIPSE WENT SMOOTHLY FOR HIM AND THE COUNTY'S FIRST RESPONDERS, THANKS TO THE PREP WORK THAT WENT INTO IT.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE DO IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

HE PLAN FOR THE WORST AND HOPE FOR THE BEST.

>> HE SAYS HE WAS LUCKY THEY HAD SUPPORT FROM STATE RESOURCES BUT ALSO THE STATE DRAWS IN MOSTLY ECLIPSE CHASERS AND FAMILIES.

FORMER MAYOR OF HOPKINSVILLE, CARTER HENDRICKS SAYS HE NOW UNDERSTANDS THE ECLIPSE-CHASING PHENOMENON THAT BROUGHT SO MANY INTO TOWN.

>> WE WANT TO BE PART OF THE NEXT TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE, IT'S AN INSPIRATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

>> NOW WITH THE SOUTHWESTERN KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, HENDRICKS SAID HE WORKED TWO YEARS MAKING SURE THE CITY WAS NOT THE OWN THING LEAVING A LASTING IMPRESSION ON VISITORS.

>> KNOT ONLY DID I ENJOY THE FULL PHYSICAL EXPERIENCE OF THE ECLIPSE, BUT THE HOSPITALITY THAT THE COMMUNITY PROVIDES.

>> INTEGRAL WAS DEBBIE LEVEL WHO WORKED WITH BROOK YOUNG.

LEVEL COORDINATED WITH ECLIPSE V.I.P.s AND COORDINATORS.

>> SHE SAYS COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME THE DAY OF.

>> IT DIDN'T STOP IN THE SKY.

LAYING DOWN MULCH ALSO HELPED IN THE BEAUTIFICATION EFFORT.

>> WE DID A LOT OF EXTRA THINGS TO REALLY SPRUCE UP HOPKINSVILLE.

>> BUT WHEN SHE PUT ON HER ECLIPSE SAFETY GLASSES AND TURNED HER EYES TO THE SKIES, IT WAS UNLIKE ANYTHING SHE HAD EVER SEEN.

>> IT WAS ALMOST LIKE AN OUT-OF-BODY EXPERIENCE BECAUSE YOU HEARD ABOUT IT, BUT I THINK YOU JUST DIDN'T REALIZE HOW IT WAS REALLY GOING TO BE.

>> AND FOR OTHERS, AN EXPERIENCE THEY WILL NEVER FORGET.

>> IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE KIND OF THOUGHT POSSIBLY WAS ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE.

>> MASTER DISTILLER A.J.

OPENED UP HIS CASEY JONES DISTILLERY ON ECLIPSE DAY.

HE SAID THE DRAW WAS PARTIALLY THANKS TO THE DISTILLERY'S TOTAL ECLIPSE MOONSHINE.

>> FOR US IT MEANT QUITE A BIT OF SALES.

WE HAD TRADEMARKED TOTAL ECLIPSE MOONSHINE.

HE FILLED THE PROPERTY WITH MUSIC, TENTS AND ROOM FOR CAMPING MAKING A WEEKEND OUT OF THE FESTIVITIES.

>> THE THING WE STARTED DOING WAS WE STARTED PLANNING ABOUT TWO YEARS BEFORE THE ECLIPSE BECAUSE WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

WE KNEW OUR LOCATION, AND THE STUDIES THAT WE DID ON IT, WE KNEW PEOPLE WERE GOING TO FLOCK TO THIS AREA.

>> BUT HE STILL HAD TIME TO SLOW DOWN AND TAKE IN THE PHENOMENON.

>> IT WAS BUSY.

IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

IT WAS -- AS FAR AS THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECLIPSE ITSELF, IT WAS PRETTY SPECTACULAR.

>> EVEN THOUGH THE PEOPLE OF ECLIPSEVILLE WERE SPREAD OUT ON THAT HOT, AUGUST DAY, THE COMMUNITY HAD NEVER BEEN MORE TOGETHER.

>> I TOOK MY STAFF, WHEN IT STARTED, WE -- WE CLOSED UP OUR BUSINESS DURING THE ECLIPSE AND I TOOK MY STAFF, ALL OF THEM, AND WE WENT DOWN BY THE LAKE AND TOOK SOME JUGS OF MOONARITA AND WEES WATCHED THE ECLIPSE DRINKING MOONARITA.

>> A LOT OF MY FRIENDS, THEIR FAMILIES ALL CAME IN.

THEY WERE ALL IN ANYWHERE YARDS.

>> FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN HOPKINSVILLE STOOD STILL.

>> IT'S A VISCERAL REACTION TO IT, A TRULY WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO IT.

>> WE ON THE RESPONDER SIDE, WE WERE SO WORRIED ABOUT WHAT COULD GO WRONG, DID I ADDRESS EVERYTHING?

YOU DON'T REALLY GET TO ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE OF IT, BUT WE DID FOR A FEW MINUTES.

>> THE 2024 ECLIPSE WILL NOT GO OVER ECLIPSEVILLE, BUT THE IMPACT THE EVENT HAD ON THE TOWN IS LONG LASTING.

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

>> BLOOMINGTON AND OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE PATH OF TOTALITY CAN LEARN A LOT FROM HOPKINSVILLE'S EXPERIENCE.

THEY EXPECT MORE THAN 300,000 PEOPLE TO VISIT BLOOMINGTON FOR THE ECLIPSE ON APRIL 8th.

AUBREY WRIGHT EXPLAINS HOW CITY AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY LEADERS PLAN TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

>> MAYOR KERRY THOMSON SAYS SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WILL BEGIN THE WEEKEND BEFORE THE ECLIPSE WHEN VISITORS ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE FOR THE ONCE IN A LIFETIME EVENT.

>> THERE'S NO BETTER PLACE TO WITNESS THE ECLIPSE THAN RIGHT HERE IN BLOOMINGTON.

>> SHE SAYS BLOOMINGTON POLICE ARE ALL HANDS ON DECK WITH MORE THAN 50 OFFICERS WORKING THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, EXTRA FIREMEN, TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS, AND SANITATION TEAMS WILL ALSO BE WORKING.

SCHOOLS AN I.U.

CANCELED CLASSES AND CITY BUILDINGS WILL BE CLOSED.

>> WE ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO PLAN AHEAD AND GO TO ONE OF THE DESIGNATED VIEWING SITES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

>> INDIANA'S ROADS WILL BE PACKED BEFORE AND AFTER THE ECLIPSE.

SERGEANT KEVIN GOETZ SAYS BLOOMINGTON IS NO EXCEPTION.

>> WE WILL HAVE A LARGE INFLUX OF PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

BE PATIENT.

>> HE SAYS PULLING OVER TO THE SIDES OF ROADS TO WATCH THE ECLIPSE COULD BLOCK EMERGENCY VEHICLES.

OFFICERS WILL STILL HAVE TO RESPOND TO CRIME AND EMERGENCY CALLS AND THEY NEED TO GET THROUGH HEAVY TRAFFIC.

>> THOSE CALLS ARE NOT GOING TO STOP JUST BECAUSE THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE.

>> BEN HUNTER SAYS PEOPLE SHOULD PREPARE FOR WEAK CELL AND INTERNET SERVICE.

FOR PARENTS AND PET OWNERS THAT MIGHT MEAN SORTING OUT MANS WITH CAREGIVERS AHEAD OF TIMES BECAUSE CALLS AND TEXTS MIGHT NOT GO THROUGH.

TRAVELERS SHOULD FILL UP ON GAS AND BRING FOOD, FOOD, WATER AND PRESCRIPTIONS WITH THEM?

>> IF YOU TRAVEL TO ANY EVENTS, PLAN TO ARRIVE EARLY, STAY WHERE YOU ARE AND GET HOME LATE.

>> AT I.U., HUNTER SAYS EVERY DIVISION IS WORKING TOGETHER.

THE UNIVERSITY IS HOSTING THE HOOSIER COSMIC CELEBRATION AT MEMORIAL STADIUM.

ON CAMPUS, THE I.U.

POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE EXTRA STAFF AND THREE FIRST AID STATIONS.

VISITORS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY ALERTS.

MORE PLANS FOR EMERGENCY WALKWAYS AND REUNIFICATION SITES WILL SOON BE ANNOUNCED.

>> OUR EXTENSIVE PREPARATION AND SO MANY STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS COMING TOGETHER WE ARE READY FOR AN ECLIPSE WELCOME.

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

>> IF YOU PLAN TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ON THE BIG DAY, YOUR OPTIONS WITH BLOOMINGTON TRANSIT WILL BE LIMITED.

B.T.

SAYS THEY WILL SUSPEND OPERATIONS BETWEEN 1:10 P.M. AND 5:10 P.M. >> WE ARE ANTICIPATING TRAFFIC IS GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY A NIGHTMARE BEGINNING AROUND NOON.

WE FEEL THE SUSPENSION OF SERVICE WILL ALLOW US TO BRING EVERYTHING BACK ON TRACK.

>> NOW, ONE POINT B.T.

CONSIDERED SUSPENDING SERVICE ALL DAY BUT DIDN'T DO SO BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE RELY ON BUSES TO GET TO WORK THE THE SUSPENSION WILL NOT AFFECT B.T.

ACCESS, DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE FOR PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY.

>>> NOW WE ARE JOINED BY LUCAS GONZALES FOR HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, LUCAS.

>> BLOOMINGTON POLICE OFFICERS COULD START CARRYING TASERS AS SOON AS NEXT MONTH.

THEY BEGAN RECEIVING THE DEVICES LAST MONTH AS PART OF A PILOT PROGRAM ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR.

THE CITY'S 85 SWORN OFFICERS CAN BEGIN CARRYING TASERS AFTER COMPLETING AN EIGHT-HOUR TRAINING COURSE.

>> THAT IS WHY WE WOULD GET A TOOL LIKE THIS, IS TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN KEEP OUR OFFICERS AND THE PUBLIC SAFE WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF FORCE POSSIBLE, AND THAT'S ALWAYS HOW WE ARE APPROACHING POLICING.

>> BLOOMINGTON POLICE OFFICERS ALSO USE PEPPER SPRAY, BATONS, SPONGE LAUNCHERS AND PEPPERBALL LAUNCHERS ALL OF WHICH ARE CONSIDERED LESS LETHAL THAN A GUN.

THE BLOOMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS THE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN MONROE COUNTY THAT DOESN'T HAVE ITS OFFICERS CARRY TASERS.

>>> ELLETSVILLE SAYS IT WILL HELP TO FUND RURAL TRANSIT PAST THE END OF THIS MONTH.

THE TOWN ALLOCATED $33,000 LAST YEAR TO FUND THE SERVICE THROUGH MARCH, BUT IT'S EXTENDING THAT DEADLINE UNTIL THOSE FUNDS ACTUALLY RUN OUT.

THE ELLETSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL SAYS IT'S WORKING ON A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.

>> THE ISSUE THAT WE'RE RUNNING INTO WITH THE TOWN OF ELLETSVILLE IS WHERE IS IT ON THE HIERARCHY ON PRIORITIES FOR THEM AND I UNDERSTAND IT SINCE THEY NEVER HAD TO CONTRIBUTE TO IT BEFORE.

>> MEYER SAYS $43,000 ARE STILL NEEDED TO FUND RURAL TRANSIT FOR THE REST OF 2024.

BASED ON LATEST RIDERSHIP DATA.

RURAL TRANSIT PROVIDES DOOR-TO-DOOR TRANSPORTATION ON DEMAND AND IN NONURBAN PARTS OF MONROE AND THREE OTHER COUNTIES.

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TO VOTE OUT A BUYOUT FOR SUPERINTENDENT JEFF HAUSWALD TOOK LESS THAN THREE MINUTES.

THE BOARD MET PRIVATELY FOR LESS THAN AN HOUR TO SETTLE ON THE CONDITIONS OF BUYOUT BEFORE THE SHORT PUBLIC MEETING, WHERE NO PUBLIC COMMENT WAS HEARD.

THE FINAL TWO YEARS OF HAUSWALD'S CONTRACT WERE VOIDED IN THE BUYOUT, BUT HAUSWALD WILL BE PAID HIS CONTRACTED SALARY OF $229,000.

>>> AND INDIANA'S POPULATION GROWTH IS ALMOST BACK IN LINE WITH ANNUAL INCREASES BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

ACCORDING TO A NEW ANALYSIS FROM I.U.

'S KELLEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

THE SCHOOL'S INDIANA BUSINESS RESEARCH CENTER REPORTS THAT INDIANA ADDED NEARLY 30,000 RESIDENTS LAST YEAR.

NEARLY 6.9 MILLION PEOPLE NOW LIVE IN INDIANA.

INDIANA'S LATEST GROWTH IS A RESULT OF EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH NET-IN MIGRATION.

OF MORE THAN 20,000 PEOPLE MOVED TO INDIANA IN 2023.

INDIANA'S SIX FASTEST GROWING COUNTIES ARE ALL IN THE INDIANAPOLIS METRO AREA.

THE BLOOMINGTON METRO AREA IS AMONG THREE THAT LOST POPULATION LAST YEAR.

>>> INDIANA U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ERIN HAUCHIN, WHICH AIMS TO AFFIRM AND PROTECT THE FIRST-AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF STUDENTS AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AT PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

KEY PROVISIONS OF BILL FOCUS ON FLEXIBILITY OF FACULTY SPONSOR REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT GROUPS, MAKING STUDENTS AND SECURITY FEES PUBLICLY AVAILABLE AND PROTECTING CAMPUS SPEAKERS.

SHE SAYS THE BILL ADDRESSES THE EROSION OF FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS FACED BY STUDENTS AND SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT ALL VOICES ARE REPRESENTED IN THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY.

>>> AND THE LARGEST SMALLMOUTH BASS EVER CAUGHT IN THE STATE WAS PLUCKED OUT OF LAKE MONROE EARLIER THIS MONTH.

REX REMINGTON, A JACKSON COUNTY RESIDENT WHO REGULARLY FISHES AT THE LAKE REELED IN AN 8-POUND FOUR OUNCE BASS, THAT'S A FULL POUND THAT WAS CAUGHT IN LaGRANGE COUNTY IN 1992.

AND JOE, AFTER D.N.R.

WEIGHED THE FISH, THEY SAY THAT HE RELEASED IT BACK INTO THE LAKE.

>> DO YOU FISH?

>> I DON'T, NO.

NOT PERSONALLY.

>> IF YOU DID, YOU COULD GO BACK TO SUMMER, CATCH IT AGAIN AND BREAK ANOTHER RECORD.

THANKS LUCAS.

>> THANKS.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," DEVELOPERS IN MONROE COUNTY CAN START BUILDING ON PROPERTIES WITH SLOPES UP TO 25%, THANKS TO A NEW LAW BEING ENACTED THIS YEAR.

>>> AND NEW LEGISLATION TAKING EFFECT JULY 1st WILL PROVIDE MORE FUNDING TO SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WITH NO BUDGET TO BE HAMMERED OUT IN THE 2024 INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, LAWMAKERS EXPECTED THIS YEAR'S SESSION TO FOCUS ON SMALL TWEAKS TO EXISTING POLICIES BUT THEY ENDED UP WITH BILLS WITH A LITTLE BIT MORE SUBSTANCE THAN MANY HAD IMAGINED.

REPUBLICANS TOUTED MEASURES TO EXPAND STATE EDUCATION PROGRAMS, ARE BAN ANTI-SEMITISM IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND PROVIDE BENEFIT ENHANCEMENTS FOR PUBLIC PENSION RECIPIENTS.

ALL WHILE STARTING THE SESSION LATER THAN USUAL, AND ENDING IT NEARLY A WEEK EARLY.

>> WE GOT A LOT OF THINGS DONE TO SAVE THE HOOSIER TAXPAYER MONIES.

>> HOUSE MINORITY LEADER SAYS REPUBLICANS DROPPED THE BALL BY CONTINUING A TAX ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND NOT STOPPING MEDICAID CUTS TO FAMILY WITH MEDICALLY COMPLEX CHILDREN.

STILL, HE SAID HIS CAUCUS HELPED TO STOP SOME BAD BILLS, INCLUDING EDUCATION PROVISIONS HE DEEMED ANTILABOR.

>> IF WE CAN SOLVE PROBLEMS AND RECOGNIZE THAT WE DO HAVE THINGS TO WORK ON AND STOP WHAT WE FEEL ARE BAD BILLS, WE FEEL LIKE IT'S A PRETTY GOOD SESSION FOR US.

>> BOTH LEADERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT LAWMAKERS THIS SESSION SET THEMSELVES UP FOR MAJOR WORK IN 2025.

WHILE GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB HAS SIGNED A SLEW OF BILLS INTO LAW, HE'S STILL WEIGHING WHETHER TO SIGN OTHERS OR NOT.

ONE IS A CONTROVERSIAL BILL TO DEFINE AND BAN ANTI-SEMITISM IN PUBLIC EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDON SMITH REPORTS, ON A LATE COMPROMISE THAT GOT THE BILL TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>> THE CRUX OF THE CONTROVERSY WAS THE BILL'S USE OF A DEFINITION OF ANTI-SEMITISM FROM THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST.

THE EXAMPLES EREQUEST KUWAIT CRITICISM OF ISRAEL WITH ANTI-SEMITISM.

THEY USED THE I.R.A.

DEFINITIONS BUT NOT THE EXAMPLES.

GOVERNOR HOLCOMB SAYS HE'S HEARING CONCERNS ABOUT EXCLUDING THE EXAMPLES WHICH COULD MAKE THE BILL COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.

THE DEADLINE FOR THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE A DECISION IS MARCH 19th.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>>> ANOTHER BILL HANGING IN THE BALANCE WOULD END THE CITY OF GARY'S 25-YEAR-OLD LAWSUIT AGAINST GUN MAKERS AND SELLERS.

THE BILL WOULD ONLY ALLOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND NO OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITY IN THE STATE TO SUE THE GUN INDUSTRY EVEN IF THEY DO SOMETHING ILLEGAL.

HOLCOMB SAYS HE'S REVIEWING ARGUMENTS FROM BOTH SIDES.

ANOTHER BILL SIGNED INTO LAW THIS WEEK, THAT WILL ALLOW MORE STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S KIRSTEN ADEER, SAYS IT WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS THAT CAN RECEIVE ROBOTICS GRANTS AND ALLOW THEM TO SPEND THAT MONEY TO PURCHASE ROBOT-BUILDING MATERIALS.

>> THE LAW ALLOWED SCHOOLS FOR K-12 ROBOTIC GRANT FUNDING FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS LIKE SUPPLIES TO BUILD ROBOTICS.

CURRENTLY THE FUNDS CAN ONLY BE USED TO PAY FOR ATTENDANCE COSTS.

IT AMENDS THE DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE TEAM TO INCLUDE COMPETITIVE COMMUNITY-BASED ROBOTICS TEAM.

CHURCH GOODRICH SAYS THE FUNDING EXPANSION TO NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL ALLOW ABOUT 75 MORE ROBOTICS TEAMS TO COMPETE.

THE DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS EXPRESSED CONCERNS THAT BARS ROBOTIC COACHES FROM COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, BUT IT WAS WILDLY SUPPORTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M KIRSTEN ADAIR.

>> HAPPY HOUR BACK TO THE STATE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES STARTING JULY 1st.

THE STATE BANNED -- HAD BANNED HAPPY HOUR IN 1985 IN A BID TO HELP REDUCE DRUNK DRIVING.

HE SIGNED A BILL LIFTING, HE SAYS IT EMPOWERS BUSINESSES TO SERVE RESPONSIBLY.

>> AND THAT'S WHAT THEY DO HERE AT THE WHISTLE STOP INN AND ALL OVER THE STATE OF INDIANA.

THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO NOT ONLY THEIR CONCERNS AND ADVOCACY, BUT ALSO TO THE CONSUMER.

>> THE BILL DOES MAINTAIN SOME RESTRICTIONS.

BARS AND RESTAURANTS CAN OFFER REDUCED PRICES FOR DRINKS FOR NO MORE THAN FOUR HOURS A DAY, AND 15 HOURS IN A WEEK, AND THOSE HAPPY HOURS CAN'T BE BETWEEN 9 P.M. AND 3 A.M. >>> AND MONROE COUNTY DEVELOPERS NO LONGER NEED APPROVAL TO GET APPROVAL TO BUILD ON A STEEPER GRADE SLOPES.

IT OPENS MORE LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT WHICH LOCAL AUTHORITIES WORRY COULD INCREASE EROSION.

ETHAN SANDWEISS HAS MORE.

>> SECLUDED AND NESTLED IN FORESTED SLOPES, THE SHORE OF LAKE LEMON IS ATTRACTIVE.

BUT IT CAN CREATE EXPENSES DURING CONSTRUCTION AND PROBLEMS WITH EROSION.

>> WE WORK WITH THE LAKE LEMON CONSERVANCY DISTRICT AND ONE OF THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE COSTS IS THAT THEY HAVE TO CONSTANTLY DREDGE THE LAKE FROM ALL OF THE SILTATION THAT IS COMING IN TO THE WATER BODY FROM DEVELOPMENT.

>> UNTIL THIS MONTH, MONROE COUNTY HAD AN ORDINANCE THAT LIMITED DEVELOPMENT ON SLOPES STEEPER THAN 15%.

HOUSE 1108 PREVENTS GOVERNMENT FROM PROHIBITING DEVELOP ELEMENT ON SLOPES LESS THAN 25%.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUPPORTED THE BILL.

>> WHAT WE WERE REALLY LOOKING FOR WAS ANOTHER MECHANISM TO CONSTRUCT THE MUCH NEEDED HOUSING WE NEED HERE IN MONROE COUNTY.

>> DAVE HALL SAYS HIS LAW WILL ADDRESS MONROE COUNTY'S AVAILABLE HOUSING SHORTAGE.

HIS DISTRICT INCLUDES PARTS OF THE COUNTY INCLUDING AREAS AROUND LAKE LEMON.

>> WE AIM TO FREE UP MORE LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WILL CREASE THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING TO LOWER HOUSING COSTS AND BRING THE DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP WITHIN REACH OF A GREATER NUMBER OF HOOSIERS.

>> HALL SAYS VOTERS BROUGHT UP THE SLOPE ISSUE WHEN HE WENT DOOR-TO-DOOR IN MONROE COUNTY BEFORE THE 2022 ELECTION.

THE OPPONENT SAYS HOUSE BILL 1108 IS THE FIRST SHE EVER HEARD OF PROBLEM.

>> I HAD PEOPLE TALKING TO ME ABOUT THE CONVENTION CENTER.

I HAD PEOPLE TALKING TO ME ABOUT GUNS.

I HAD PEOPLE TALKING TO ME ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

I NEVER HEARD A SINGLE PERSON SAY ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> GIFFIN AND OTHER COMMISSIONERS THE ORDINANCE EDITION IN 2015, FOLLOWING GUIDANCE FROM THE STATE EVEN EVEN.

STATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.

JOHN SAYS IT SAVES PROPERTY OWNERS COST OF A SOIL ANALYSIS.

>> WE HAVE A BLANKET 15% RESTRICTION ON STEEP SLOPE BUILDINGS SO THAT THEY CAN HOPEFULLY BUILD ON ANY SOIL TYPE, BUT WITHIN A CERTAIN PERCENT TO REDUCE THE RISK OF SOIL EROSION.

>> BUILDERS WHO WANTED TO CONSTRUCT ON SLOPES COULD APPLY FOR A VARIANCE OR WAIVER.

SINCE THE ORDINANCE WAS PAST, 57 VARIANCE REQUESTS WENT BEFORE THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS.

ONLY SIX WERE DENIED.

THE NEW LAW DOES NOT -- SUCH AS BUILDING AROUND A DRINKING SOURCE ORNATURE PRESERVE.

LAKE MONROE AND LAKE GRIFFY OR PROTECTED BUT LAKE LEMON ISN'T.

IT PASSED WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT BUT THEY QUESTIONED THE ACTUAL EFFECTS ON HOUSING PRICES.

>> MY WORDS MIGHT BE HARSH BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A WEALTHY PEOPLE'S BILL.

IF YOU WILL HAVE 25 TO 30 OR 40% SLOPE, WHO CAN AFFORD TO BUILD THAT UNLESS YOU REALLY HAVE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES?

>> I WOULD PREFER TO SEE THE PEOPLE WITH BOOTS ON THE GROUND IN THE AREAS THAT DEAL WITH THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS DEAL WITH THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS.

>> SPOONMORE HOPES THE NEW LAW WILL MAKE MONROE COUNTY AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE FOR WORKERS TO START A IF A FAMILY.

>> ANY TIME YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL COSTS THAT NEED TO MITIGATE, YOU KNOW, CERTAIN SLOPES OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE, THEN, YEAH, IT'S GOING TO, YOU KNOW, INCREASE THE OVERALL COST OF THE PROJECT.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE SEVERAL LAWS PASSED IN 2024 EMPOWERING DEVELOPMENT ON LAND PREVIOUSLY PROHIBITED BY ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.

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

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS BUILDING ON SLOPES GREATER THAN 15% SHOULD BE AVOIDED WHENEVER FEASIBLE AND BUILDING ON SLOPES GREATER THAN 25% SHOULD BE AVOIDED ALL TOGETHER.

>>> WELL, PAIRINGS FOR THE NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT ARE ANNOUNCED SUNDAY NIGHT, AND INDIANA IS HOPING TO HOST FIRST ROUND GAMES AGAIN THIS YEAR.

THE HOOSIERS FINISHED THE REGULAR SEASON WITH A 24-5 RECORD AND RANKED NUMBER 15 IN THE NATION, BUT LATE SEASON INJURIES, PARTICULARLY TO STAR CENTER MACKENZIE HOLMES CAUGHT UP TO I.U.

IN THE BIG TEN TOURNAMENT WHERE THEY LOST THEIR OPENER.

>> THIS IS NOT INDIANA AT FULL HEALTH RIGHT NOW, AND IT'S NOT A HEALTHY SQUAD, BUT I DO BELIEVE THIS, THAT COME TOURNAMENT TIME, IN TWO WEEKS, WE WILL HAVE A MUCH DIFFERENT LOOKING, HEALTHIER BASKETBALL TEAM.

>>> INDIANA EARNED A NUMBER ONE SEED LAST YEAR BUT LOST IN THE SECOND ROUND AT HOME TO MIAMI.

THE INDIANA MEN ARE NOT EXPECTED TO MAKE THE NCAA TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR.

THE HOOSIERS DID MAKE THE TOURNAMENT AND HEAD COACH MIKE WOODSON'S FIRST TWO SEASONS AS HEAD COACH.

WELL, THAT IS 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!

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