>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS CONVERGED ON DUNN MEDCO DOE THURSDAY -- MEADOW THURSDAY, DEMANDING THAT THEY DIVEST FROM ENTITIES IN ISRAEL AS THE WAR IN ISRAEL CONTINUES.

[ CROWD CHANTING ] >> THE IT'S A PRO PALESTINIAN PROTESTERS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

>> BROWN COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE ASKING VOTERS TO PASS A REFERENDUM THEY SAY IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE CORPORATION FROM COUNT COUNTY CUTS.

>>> COUNTY VOTERS TURN DOWN A REFERENDUM IN THE LAST ELECTION.

>> AND WE TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT TO EXPECT IN NEXT WEEK'S TRIAL ABOUT ANNEXATION IN BLOOMINGTON.

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

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

WELL, PROTESTERS RALLYING AGAINST THE ISRAEL HAMAS WAR ARE DIGGING IN AT THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON CAMPUS, THAT DESPITE A HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE AND DOZENS OF PROTESTERS ARRESTED.

HIGHER EDUCATION REPORTER AUBREY WRIGHT JOINS US FROM DUNN MEADOW WHERE THEY ARE -- PROTESTERS ARE CONTINUING TO CLASH WITH POLICE.

>> I'M HERE AT DUNN MEADOW.

THERE'S ABOUT 100 PROTESTERS BEHIND ME, THEY HAVE ABOUT TEN TENTS SET UP.

PROTESTERS SAY THEY DO EXPECT A POLICE PRESENCE TODAY.

I WAS HERE YESTERDAY, AND TODAY PROTESTERS SEEM MORE ENERGIZED AND ORGANIZED.

THE PROTESTERS ARE WITH THE I.U.

DIVESTMENT COLLISION MADE UP OF THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY.

THEY SET UP ABOUT 15 TENTS IN DUNN MEADOW YESTERDAY MORNING.

THEY WANT I.U.

TO DIVEST FROM WEAPONS MANUFACTURERS AS THE ISRAEL HAMAS WAR CONTINUES AND THEY WANT TOP LEADERS INCLUDING THE I.U.

BLOOMINGTON PROTOAST -- PROVOST AND PRESIDENT WHITTEN TO RESIGN.

>> DUE TO THE WAY THAT, YOU KNOW IT FUNDS AND MATERIALS BEING SENT TO ARM THE GENOCIDE.

>> HUNDREDS GATHERED ON CAMPUS IN DUNN MEADOW, BEFORE THE POLICE CAME, THE GROUP WAS CHANTING, MAKING SIGNS AND PITCHING TENTS.

>> I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS COULDN'T HAVE BEEN HANDLED BY ONE ARMED INDIVIDUALS SIMPLY STATING WHAT THE RULES WERE AND WHEN WE WERE VIOLATING THEM.

I CAN'T FATHOM WHERE NONVIOLENT DEMONSTRATORS ARE TO BE MET WITH SHIELDS AND POLICE BATONS.

>> THEY FORMED A BARRICADE TO CLEAR OUT.

AFTER NEITHER LINE BUDGED, THE TROOPERS STARTED MOVING FORWARD, COMING HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH THE PROTESTERS.

TROOPERS THREW PROTESTERS TO THE GROUND AND PLACED THEM IN TEMPORARY CUFFS, POLICE TACKLED SOME PROTESTERS WHO TRIED TO FLEE.

A FEW OTHERS WERE DRAGGED FROM TENTS, UNWILLING TO LEAVE AFTER THE TROOPERS MARCHED 40.

THOMAS WAS ONE OF THOSE DETAINED.

>> I WAS HIT IN THE HEAD BY A SHIELD AND I BELIEVE POSSIBLY A GUN.

IT'S A LITTLE BLURRY IN MY MIND.

IT WAS VERY FAST.

I GOT PULLED OUT BY THE POLICE BY MY SHOULDER AND PUSHED DOWN MULTIPLE TIMES AND PULLED AWAY.

>> THEY WERE BOOKED ON SUSPICION OF CRIMINAL TRESPASS AND LATER RELEASED.

SHE SAYS THEY ARE BANNED FROM CAMPUS.

>> THIS IS OUR RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE AND THEY ARE ADVOCATING FOR GAZA THIS WILL DAMPER, LIKE, MY PERSONAL ABILITY TO PROTEST, BUT REALLY, WE'RE HERE AS A WHOLE MOVEMENT.

>> THE CAMP AT I.U.

FOLLOWS A NATIONAL TREND OF STUDENTS PROTESTING FOR PALESTINE.

ACROSS THE U.S.

THEY ARE CREATING ENCAMPMENTS AND CALLING ON UNIVERSITIES TO CUT TIES WITH ISRAEL.

MANY PROTESTS ARE ALSO MET WITH ARRESTS AND FORCED REMOVAL.

>> ALL OF THESE STUDENTS AND ALL OF THESE SCHOOLS ARE ASSERTING THEIR POWER AND VOICE AND DEMANDS FROM THE UNIVERSITY.

>> WHITTEN EMAILS FACULTY YESTERDAY SAYING THE UNIVERSITY PROTECTS FREE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND CIVIL PROTESTS, BUT SHE SAYS AFTER THE UNIVERSITY LEARNED ABOUT THE PROTEST TWO DAYS AGO, PROVOST RAHUL SHRIVASTAV CREATED AN AD HOC COMMITTEE THAT CHANGED THE POLICY THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY.

TEMPORARY STRUCTURES, INCLUDING TENTS AND PROSTERS -- POSTERS MUST BE APPROVED IN ADVANCE.

THEY REACTED TO THURSDAY'S PROTEST BY STAGING A PROTEST OF THEIR OWN THIS MORNING OUTSIDE OF BRYAN HALL.

>> BECAUSE WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS SUCH A VIOLATION OF THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL TRUST THAT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR FAMILIES PLACE IN US.

>> PROTESTERS HAVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE NO PLANS TO STOP ANY TIME SOON.

THOSE WHO WERE ARRESTED YESTERDAY ARE NOT PERMITTED ON CAMPUS, BUT THAT DIDN'T STOP SOME.

AS FOR THE OTHERS, IT'S UNCLEAR IF THEY'LL BE CAMPING OUT IN DUNN MEADOW OVERNIGHT.

>> OKAY, AUBREY, THANKS SO MUCH.

I KNOW YOU WILL HAVE MORE ONLINE LATER.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE JOINED BY DAN CONKLE, A PROTESTOR OF LAW EMERITUS AT I.U.

'S MAURER SCHOOL OF LAW.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

>> A TWO-PART QUESTION I WANTED TO START WITH RIGHT AWAY.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE UNIVERSITY SEEMINGLY CHANGING THE FREE SPEECH POLICY THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EVENT, BUT ALSO SEEMINGLY TARGETING IT TO A SPECIFIC EVENT?

>> WELL, THAT'S THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM THE UNIVERSITY FACES FROM A FIRST AMENDMENT STANDPOINT.

THE UNIVERSITY WOULD BE FREE IF IT DID SO WITHOUT REGARD TO CONTENT TO PROSPECTIVELY IMPOSE A RULE, SUCH AS NO STRUCTURES, NO TENTS.

THE PROBLEM HERE, AS YOUR QUESTION SUGGESTS IS THAT THE UNIVERSITY BY THE ADMISSION OF THE PRESIDENT SPECIFICALLY WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROTEST, WHICH AT LEAST RAISES THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT COULD BE -- THAT THE NEW CHALLENGE COULD BE CHALLENGED BASED ON THE CONTENT OF THE PROTEST, WHICH IS HIGHLY PROBLEMATIC.

ONE OTHER PROBLEM, WITH THE NEWLY ADOPTED LAST-MINUTE CHANGE IN POLICY, IT DOES NOT CONTAIN SPECIFIED CRITERIA FOR THE PERMITTING OF SUCH STRUCTURES WHICH THE NEW POLICY PURPORTS TO PERMIT.

THE CONSTITUTION WOULD REQUIRE SPECIFICATION OF CRITERIA THAT ARE NOT BASED ON CONTENT, AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO DO THAT.

>> SO THERE WERE NEARLY THREE DOZEN ARRESTS YESTERDAY, MANY GIVEN TRESPASS VIOLATIONS, ALSO ORDERED TO STAY OFF CAMPUS FOR A YEAR.

IS THERE ANY PRECEDENT FOR THAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S PRECEDENT FOR IT, BUT IN MY VIEW, THOSE TRESPASS NOTICES SHOULD BE UNENFORCEABLE.

IN OTHER WORDS, AS TO I.U.-AFFILIATED PERSONNEL, FACULTY ON THE ONE HAND, STUDENTS ON THE OTHER, THOSE NOTICES ARE TANTAMOUNT TO A ONE-YEAR SUSPENSION, MAYBE UNDER AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAW THAT GIVES RISE TO THE PRESS PASS PROSECUTION IN THE FIRST PLACE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE, WITHOUT ANY DUE PROCESS IN MY VIEW THAT IS RATHER PLAINLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

AS TO UNAFFILIATED, THOSE UNAFFILIATED WITH I.U., THESE KINDS OF TRESPASS NOTICES HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE PAST AND THEY RAISE MUCH LESS SIGNIFICANT ISSUES.

>> SO WE ARE SEEING THIS UNFOLD ACROSS THE COUNTRY AT OTHER UNIVERSITIES, ARE OTHER UNIVERSITIES DOING SIMILAR TO I.U.?

>> I THINK TO SOME EXTENT, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HAD A CLEAR OUT SITUATION WITH POLICE.

I DON'T KNOW BUT, YOU KNOW, IN MY HISTORY AT I.U., FOR SURE, THE IDEA OF HEAVILY ARMED POLICE WITH ASSAULT WEAPONS REMOVING PROTESTERS AND TENTS BASED ON -- EVEN IF IT IS A VIOLATION OF A LAWFUL TENT POLICY, TO ME IS TRULY EXTRAORDINARY.

AN OVERREACH BY THE UNIVERSITY AND I HOPE THAT THE DECISION-MAKERS, IN FACT, CAN TRY TO DEFEND THIS BASED ON THE CLAIMS OF SAFETY CONCERNS.

WHY YOU WOULD GO AFTER TENTS IF THERE IS A SERIOUS THREAT OF A SAFETY PROBLEM, I THINK WOULD HAVE TO BE EXPLAINED TO ME.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW THAT LOGIC WORKS.

>> ONE MORE QUESTION.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

DO YOU EXPECT THE TRUSTEES TO GET INVOLVED?

>> I HOPE THEY DO.

THEY MAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN INVOLVED.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER PRESIDENT WHITTEN ACTED ON HER OWN, WHETHER THIS WAS WITH THE AUTHORITIEN -- AUTHORITY AND THE APPROVAL OF THE TRUSTEES.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE TRUSTEES OUGHT TO, IN FACT, AUTHORIZE AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF THIS EPISODE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS, WHAT THE RATIONALE WAS, AND WHETHER OR NOT THIS TYPE OF EPISODE SHOULD BE PREVENTED IN THE FUTURE.

I JUST WALKED OVER HERE.

THERE'S MORE TENTS RIGHT NOW IN DUNN MEADOW.

WILL THE POLICE BE BACK LATER TODAY TO DO THE SAME THING?

I WORRY ABOUT THAT.

>> PROFESSOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

>>> WELL, WHOEVER WINS THE MAY 7th GOP GUBERNATORIAL WILL BE THE FAVORITE IN NOVEMBER'S GENERAL ELECTION.

THIS WEEK'S DEBATE WAS LAST TO BE TELEVISED BEFORE THE PRIMARY VOTE.

FIVE OF INDIANA'S SIX REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES.

U.S.

SENATOR MIKE BRAUN OPTED TO STAY IN WASHINGTON, D.C., FOR A FOREIGN AID VOTE.

SARA WITTMEYER, THEY DIDN'T FOCUS ON THE FRONT-RUNNER'S ABSENCE, INSTEAD THEY PUSHED THEIR OWN PLATFORMS.

>> WHOEVER WINS THE MAY 7th GOP GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY WILL BE THE FAVOR FAVORITE IN NOVEMBER'S GENERAL ELECTION.

WITH BRAUN ABSENT, MANY WERE AIMED AT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SUZANNE CROUCH, A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON THOSE ATTACKS WAS HER CAMPAIGN'S ISSUE, A PLEDGE TO ELIMINATE INDIANA'S INCOME TAX.

FORMER INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL CURTIS HILL SAID THE STATE NEEDS A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO TAX REFORM.

>> THE INCOME TAX, THE AX THE TAX PROPOSAL IS A GIMMICK.

ITS NOT REALISTIC.

>> FORMER STATE COMMERCE SECRETARY BRAD CHAMBERS SAYS CROUCH IS NOT CREDIBLE ON THE ISSUE.

>> IN THE 50 YEARS OF COMBINED SERVICE, PUBLIC SERVICE, HAVE RAISED TAXES 50 TIMES.

>> AND AT THAT, CROUCH HIT BACK.

>> MY OPPONENTS ARE ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN OPINIONS, BUT THEY ARE NOT ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN FACTS.

I CUT TAXES A DOZEN TIMES.

>> CROUCH IS A FAMILIAR NAME SINCE SHE RAN TWICE ALONGSIDE CURRENT GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB.

HOLCOMB IS BARRED BY TERM LIMITS FROM SEEKING REELECTION.

CANDIDATES HAVE OFTEN ATTACKED HOLCOMB'S TENURE, PARTICULARLY OVER RESTRICTIONS HE IMPLEMENTED DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC.

HILL ATTACKED CROUCH OVER MASK MANDATES SAYS SHE DESERVES BLAMES FOR BACKING THEM TO.

>> WHEN THE HOLCOMB-CROUCH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THE MASK MANDATE IN 2020, AS YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL, I PUT A STOP TO IT.

>> ONCE A RISING STAR IN INDIANA POLITICS, HILL HAS STRUGGLED TO KEEP UP WITH OTHER CONTENDERS.

THEY LOST THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOLLOWING ALLEGATIONS THAT HE GROPED.

AND ALSO RUNNING IS JAMIE REITENOUR, WHO PROMISED TO PROMOTE THE MOMS FOR LIBERTY AS THE STATE EDUCATION.

>> WE WILL RESTORE THE FOCUS ON ACADEMICS, UNLIKE WHAT WAS SAID UP HERE ON STAGE.

IT'S TAKING UP CLASSROOM TIME.

>> CHAMBERS' LEADERSHIP ON THE INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PUT HIM IN OPPONENTS' SITES SEVERAL TIMES.

>> THE I.E.D.C.

IS A SHADOW GOVERNMENT.

ALL OF THESE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT BRAD TALKS ABOUT, THAT'S FINE IF YOU ARE PLAYING ABOVE BOARD.

>> FORMER HEAD OF THE INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, ERIC DODEN IS THE ONE CANDIDATE WHO DIDN'T ARGUE WITH HIS FELLOW CANDIDATES.

HE REMAINED FOCUSED ON HIS CAMPAIGN TALKING POINTS.

>> AND WE HAVE MORE PLANS IN WRITING THAN EVERYONE ON THIS STAGE COMBINED.

>> BRAUN IS CONSIDERED THE FRONT-RUNNER.

OUTGOING GOVERNOR HOLCOMB HAS NOT ENDORSED A CANDIDATE.

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

>>> THE LARGEST TEACHERS UNION IS PUTTING ITS RESOURCES BEHIND DEMOCRAT JENNIFER McCORMICK IN THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

THE HEAD OF THE INDIANA STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION SAYS TEACHERS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS WANT A GOVERNOR WITH A FORWARD-THINKING AND INCLUSIVE MESSAGE BUILT BY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN SCHOOLS.

NOW, THEY SAY McCORMICK WILL PROVIDE THAT.

>> THAT MESSAGE WILL GET OUT, AND THAT, IN TURN, IS WHAT WE BELIEVE WILL HELP DRIVE POLICY CHANGE.

>> McCORMICK SAYS SHE WILL BE A COMMON SENSE VOICE FOR BIPARTISANSHIP IN THE STATE HOUSE.

>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO SURVIVE AS A STATE IF WE ARE UNEDUCATED AND UNHEALTHY.

WE HAVE GOT TO FIGHT FOR OUR TEACHERS AND OUR KIDS.

>> McCORMICK IS UNOPPOSED IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON WILL BE IN COURT NEXT WEEK DEFENDING THE DECISION TO ANNEX TWO AREAS OF THE COUNTY.

AND BROWN COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE ASKING COUNTY RESIDENTS TO APPROVE A REFERENDUM THEY SAY IS NEEDED TO PREVENT CUTS.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE FIVE-DAY ANNEXATION BENCH TRIAL OF AREAS ON BLOOMINGTON'S SOUTHWEST SIDE BEGIN ON MONDAY.

NATHAN NIKIRK WILL HEAR ARGUMENTS FROM ANNEXATIONS OF 1A AND 1B.

THOSE ARE THE TWO PROPOSED ANNEXED AREAS THAT HAD MORE THAN 51% OF REMONSTRANT SIGNATURES BUT LESS THAN THE 65% NEEDED TO OVERTURN ANNEXATION.

>> THE LONGER THIS GOES ON, THE MORE DIVISIVE IT HAS BECOME, AND THAT'S NOT BECAUSE OF EFFORTS BY US.

IT'S JUST A UNILATERAL, BY DEFINITION, ININVOLVE ANNEXATION.

>> IN 2021, FORMER MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON CALLED THE ANNEXATION HISTORIC STEPS TO RIGHT-SIZE THE CITY AFTER 17 YEARS.

MAYOR KERRY THOMSON SAYS FURTHER ACTION FROM HER ADMINISTRATION MAY NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THE LAWSUITS ARE RESOLVED.

THE OTHER AREAS REACHED THE 65% TO AVOID ANNEXATION, BUT THOSE AREAS ARE BEING CHALLENGED BY THE CITY IN A SEPARATE CASE CLAIMING A 2019 STATE LAW ABOUT REMONSTRANT'S VALIDITY IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> THE TRIAL BEGINS 9 A.M. ON MONDAY MONTANA -- MONDAY AT THE MONROE COURTHOUSE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, PAUL.

>> IT'S GREAT TO BE ON.

>> IT'S A BUSY SHOW.

WE ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

WE WANTED TO SEE A LITTLE BIT -- TALK ABOUT THE ANNEXATION FOR SO LONG.

WE JUST HEARD FROM RESIDENTS AGAINST IT.

WHAT'S THE CITY GOING TO HAVE TO PROVE.

>> WELL THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING LAWSUIT, BECAUSE THE LAW CHANGED IN THE MID-20 TEENS.

WHEN THEY HAD TO ANNEX, THAT THEY COULD PROVIDE SERVICES.

AND AROUND 2015, THE STATE LEGISLATURE SAID, NO, IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS, THE CITY HAS TO SHOW THAT IT'S IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE.

I'M NOT SURE THERE'S EVER BEEN A TRIAL THAT DEALS WITH THE BEST INTERESTS.

SO THE CITY WILL TRY TO TALK ABOUT WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE YOU BETTER SERVICES THAN YOU HAVE NOW, AND THAT THIS WILL HELP THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY RESPOND TO THREATS, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES.

>> AND THEN THOSE AGAINST ANNEXATION ARE GOING TO SAY -- >> YEAH, THEY WILL SAY THE OPPOSITE.

THEY WILL SAY WE'RE HAPPY WITH WHAT WE'VE GOT.

WE DON'T WANT TO PAY ANY HIGHER TAXES.

THIS COULD AFFECT COUNTY GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO PROVIDE SOME SERVICES, TOWNSHIP ABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES, AND JUST LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS.

SO IT'S REALLY TWO DIFFERENT VISIONS OF WHAT I I A -- A COMMUNITY SHOULD LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE.

>> WHAT WILL THE JUDGE BE LOOKING FOR FROM BOTH SIDES?

IS THERE A PRECEDENT TO LOOK AT FOR THE JUDGE.

>> THERE'S NOT REALLY A PRECEDENT IN INDIANA.

THE BEST INTEREST STANDARD IS PRETTY NEW.

AND SO HOW DO YOU JUDGE WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST?

AND THIS IS WHERE I THINK THE CITY WILL BE LOOKING AT THE BROADER SCOPE OF THINGS.

YOU KNOW, IT'S 20 YORES -- 20 YEARS FOR US TO ANNEX AND FOR US TO GROW AND PROSPER AND THRIVE, WE NEED TO EXPAND OUR BOUNDARIES, TO REFLECT THE DEMOGRAPHIC REALITY.

BUT THE FOLKS WHO ARE THERE ARE GOING TO SAY THEY'RE FIND WHERE WE ARE.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE A PART OF THE CITY.

>> ONE MORE QUICK QUESTION, DOES ANNEXATION LAW NEED TO CHANGE IN INDIANA?

YOU ARE NO STRANGER TO THE ANNEXATION.

>> I ANNEXED A LOT OF AREAS WHEN I WAS MAYOR OF FORT WAYNE.

I THINK FORT WAYNE IS DOING WELL TODAY BECAUSE OF THOSE ANNEXATIONS.

I THINK THESE ARTIFICIAL BOUNDARY LINES SHOULD REFLECT WHERE PEOPLE LIVE AND WORK AND HOW THEY DO BUSINESS.

AND THAT MEANS THE LINES SHOULD CHANGE, IN MY MIND, WHEN PEOPLE START LIVING IN THOSE AREAS, THERE'S A LOT OF SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF TOO.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A FULL WEEK.

>> I THINK IT WILL BE A BUSY FIVE DAYS OF TRIAL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

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

HI, CALI.

>> HI, JOE.

A MISSISSIPPI MAN BEING HELD IN THE JACKSON COUNTY JAIL DIED TUESDAY EVENING.

INDIANA INDIANA STATE POLICE SAY 35-YEAR-OLD ANTONEIO FOX COLLAPSED IN A HOLDING CELL WHEEL SPEAKING TO JAIL PERSONNEL.

THEY ADMINISTERED LIFE-SAVING MEASURES AND HOSPITAL STAFF LATER PRONOUNCED FOX DEAD.

IT'S THE THIRD DEATH AT THE JAIL IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.

THE OTHER TWO DIED WITHIN MONTHS OF EACH OTHER IN 2021.

>>> THE MCCSC BOARD OF TRUSTEES PASSED A RESOLUTION THAT WILL MERGE TRIALS AND TEMPLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN THE 2025 AND 2026 SCHOOL YEAR.

THE GOAL OF THE MERGER IS TO CREATE A BETTER SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS BALANCE BETWEEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.

STUDENTS IN PRE-K THROUGH SECOND GRADE WOULD ATTEND CHILDS, WHILE TEMPLETON WILL GET THIRD THROUGH SIXTH GRADES.

PARENTS HAVE BEEN WORRIED ABOUT TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS UNDER THIS PLAN.

>> HOW CAN WE TRUST YOU THAT YOU CAN MERGE TWO SCHOOLS WHEN YOU HAVE PROMISED TO SHARE RESEARCH AND YOU HAVEN'T AND WHEN YOU PROMISED TO PUBLISH A WEB PAGE AND HAVEN'T.

>> PLANS FOR THE MERGER HAVE BEEN COMPLICATED BY A FEBRUARY RESOLUTION TO EXAMINE OPTIONS FOR REDISTRICTING ALL MCCSC SCHOOLS.

THE MCCSC BOARD HAS APPOINTED MARKY WINSTON THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT.

SHE WILL SERVE JULY THROUGH NEXT JUNE AS THE BOARD LOOKS TO SUCCEED JEFF HAUSWALD.

HE HAD THREE TUMULTUOUSOUS YEARS AS SUPERINTENDENT.

>> I PROMISE TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND AS I STRIVE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEEDS OF OUR TEACHERS, OUR PARENTS, OUR ADMINISTRATORS, OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND OUR TALENTED STUDENTS.

>> WINSTON IS CURRENTLY DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION.

SHE HAD BEEN CONSIDERED FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT JOB WHEN HAUSWALD WAS HIRED IN 2021.

>>> WITH JUST UNDER TWO WEEKS TO GO UNTIL VOTERS TAKE TO THE POLLS, SCHOOL OFFICIALS IN BROWN COUNTY ARE DOING ALL THEY CAN TO PASS A REFERENDUM TO INCREASE STUDENT AND STAFF SALARIES WITHIN THE SCHOOL CORPORATION.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH SPOKE WITH SCHOOL OFFICIALS TO LEARN MORE.

>> IN A PRESENTATION TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON MONDAY EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT EMILY TRACY SAID THE 10-CENT REFERENDUM PASSING IS CRUCIAL TO KEEPING TALENT WITHIN THE COUNTY.

>> THERE'S AN INCREDIBLE GAP IN WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE OUR TEACHERS AND WE ARE LOSING THE BEST OF THE BEST BECAUSE THEY CAN DRIVE 15 MINUTES AWAY AND MAKE 20,000 PLUS MORE.

>> THEY ATTEMPTED TO RENEW A REFERENDUM APPROVED IN 2016.

THAT VOTE FAILED BY 333 VOTES AND ON DECEMBER 31st, LAST YEAR, THE REFERENDUM EXPIRED.

THE LARGEST CAUSE OF CONFUSION IS HOW THE PUBLIC QUESTION IS PHRASED ON THE BALLOT.

>> PEOPLE READ IT AND LITERALLY THINK THE FAXES WILL GO UP 28.61%.

THAT'S JUST THE SCHOOL'S PORTION THAT THEY ARE GETTING WITH THIS 10-PENNY REFERENDUM.

>> THE SCHOOL BOARD SAYS THE CONTINUED WAGE FREEZES AND LARGER CLASS SIZES FOR STUDENTS AND CUTS TO ATHLETICS, ACADEMICSEN ATHE ARTS -- ACADEMICSEN ATHE -- AND THE ARTS ARE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK.

AT THE PRESENTATION ON MONDAY, SCHOOL OFFICIALS SHARED DATA THAT BROWN COUNTY HAS 8th LOW EST TAX RATE TO THOSE IN SUPPORT OF THE REFERENDUM AND THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT IT PASSES, BECAUSE MY KIDS ATTEND THIS SCHOOL AND WILL FOR MANY YEARS.

SO I WANTED TO COME TONIGHT SO THAT I BETTER UNDERSTOOD IN CASE SOMEONE WERE TO ASK ME, WELL, WHY ARE YOU VOTING YES?

>> FINDLEY SAYS THAT THOSE OPPOSING THE MEASURE ARE NOT LOOKING AT THE ISSUE DEEP ENOUGH.

>> THEY ARE STRICTLY LOOKING AT THE DOLLAR SIGNS OF THE MINUSCULE AMOUNT THAT'S GOING TO INCREASE THEIR TAXES, AND IF THEY HAVE THE EDUCATION BEHIND THAT INCREASE, ONE, THEY WOULD SEE THAT IT'S VERY MINIMUM.

AND TWO, THEY WOULD SEE IT'S WORTH WHILE.

>> TRACY HOPES THEY WERE ABLE TO INFORM VOTERS AS BEST AS THEY CAN BEFORE MAY 7th.

BROWN COUNTY'S KIDS ARE WORTH IT.

JUST LIKE OTHER DISTRICTS ARE WORTH IT.

WE ARE SITTING IN A SMALL RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND WE HAVE GIANTS SURROUNDING US.

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

>> ELLETSVILLE IS FUNDING RURAL TRANSIT THROUGH 2024.

THE TOWN COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A $43,000 APPROPRIATION THIS WEEK TO KEEP THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE AREA 10 AGENCY ON AGING GOING.

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

>>> A PAIR OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS CAME UP WITH AN IDEA FOR A CLOTHING BRAND THAT WOULD DRAW ATTENTION FOR AN ISSUE CLOSE TO BOTH OF THEIR HEARTS, LEARNING DIFFERENCES, GRACE MAROCCO HAS THIS STORY.

>> THESE SENIORS MET THROUGH MUTUAL FRIENDS AND THEY WERE BOTH DIAGNOSED WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

>> WHETHER IT WAS A LONG LIST OF FROM MY MOM, OR PAYING ATTENTION IN CLASS, THEY WERE HARDER.

I WAS ABLE TO HAVE THAT ACCESS TO RESOURCES THAT ALLOWED ME TO LEARN COPING MECHANISMS AND DIFFERENT SKILLS TO KIND OF COUNTERACT THAT.

>> FOR THEM, WHAT STARTED AS AN IDEA QUICKLY TURNED INTO TWICE EXCEPTIONAL, A LINE OF HOODIES, HATS AND T-SHIRTS.

>> FOR US, IT WAS THE PERFECT THING.

IT WAS DROPPED INTO OUR LAPS AND WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT.

>> THE BRAND IS ONE FEW GRANTED A LICENSE UNDER I.U.

TO USE THE UNIVERSITY'S LIKENESS.

THAT'S WHY THEIR LATEST HOODY DESIGN FEATURED SEVERAL I.U.

ICONS ON THE BACK.

THEY HAVE ALSO PARTNERED WITH I.U.

'S ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION SERVICES TO SEND PORTIONS OF THEIR SALES TO HELP STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES.

>> FOR US IF WE ARE EVEN ABLE TO IMPACT A HANDFUL OF STUDENTS, THAT'S INCREDIBLE FOR US, AND JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE IMPACT WE WANT TO HAVE.

>> BEAN AND ARONOW HOE TO EXPAND TO A -- HOPE TO EXPAND TO A STORE FRONT.

THEY WANT TO END THE STIGMA SURROUNDING LEARNING DIFFERENCES.

>> WE ARE PRIDING OURSELVES AND CREATING A COMMUNITY OF THOSE ALIKE YET VASTLY DIFFERENT.

EVERY TIME YOU PUT ON A HOODY, IT'S YOUR FAILURES AND TRIUMPHS THAT'S WHAT MAKES YOU TWICE EXCEPTIONAL.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M GRACE MOROCCO.

>> 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!

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