>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MOVED TO RECLASSIFY MARIJUANA, BUT THAT WON'T LIKELY MAKE A DIFFERENCE SOON IN INDIANA, WHERE IT REMAINED ILLEGAL.

>> YOU COULD CONCEIVABLY DO A LOT OF TIME OVER MARIJUANA, WHERE YOU DRIVE ONE STATE OVER, AND IT'S COMPLETELY LEGAL.

>> ONE VETERAN'S GROUP HOPES THE MOVE OPENS THE DOOR FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS USE.

>> A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER A TORNADO TORE THROUGH McCORMICK CREEK STATE PARK, MUCH OF THE PARK REMAINS OFF LIMITS.

>> THE BACK OF THE PARK, WHERE THE TORNADO WENT THROUGH, THAT WILL BE A WORK IN PROGRESS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

>> THIS YEAR THE MARK ANNOUNCED TRAILS TWO AND THREE HAVE REOPENED.

AND THIS MONTH, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IN EVANSVILLE, DEDICATED THE 600th HOME BUILT IN THE CITY.

WE WILL HAVE THESE STORIES PLUS THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH, SITTING IN FOR JOE HREN.

THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING TO RECLASSIFY CANNABIS FROM A SCHEDULE ONE TO A SCHEDULE THREE SUBSTANCE, MAKING IT EASIER TO DO RESEARCH ON A DRUG THAT IS LEGAL IN SOME FORM IN ALMOST 40 STATES.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY BENTE BOUTHIER WHO HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS STORY.

HEY, BENTE.

>> INDIANA REMAINS ONE OF THE FEW STATES WHERE MARIJUANA IS ILLEGAL AND PEOPLE BE CAN INCARCERATED FOR POSSESSION.

I SPOKE TO ADVOCATES ABOUT THE CHANGES IN CLASSIFICATION, AND THEY HAD VARYING OPINIONS ON WHAT IT WILL MEAN FOR THE STATE.

THE RECLASSIFICATION DOES NOT LEGALIZE CANNABIS.

IT TAKES CANNABIS OFF THE D.E.A.

SCHEDULE ONE LIST, WHICH INCLUDES SUBSTANCES IT SAYS HAVE THE HIGHEST POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPENDENCE AND MOVES IT TO SCHEDULE THREE, WHICH THE D.E.A.

SAYS ARE SUBSTANCES WITH MODERATE TO LOW POTENTIAL FOR PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPENDENCE.

THE CHANGE IS EXACTLY WHAT JEFF STAKER HAS BEEN ASKING FOR SINCE 2016, WHEN HE STARTED HOOSIER VETERANS FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS.

HE'S WORKED WITH GROUPS LIKE THE AMERICAN LEGION AND AMVETS ON RESOLUTIONS THAT ASK THE D.E.A.

TO RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS USE.

>> I DID THAT AFTER I WAS JUST GETTING OFF OF OPIATES FROM NEARLY TEN YEARS OF BEING PRESCRIBED THAT THROUGH THE V.A.

AND I WAS RUNNING THE RISK OF -- YOU KNOW, I WAS HAVING TO TAKE MORE LATER ON, WHAT A LITTLE DID AT THE BEGINNING.

>> THE OPIATES WERE FOR CHRONIC BACK PAIN.

SINCE 2012, THE VETERANS ASSOCIATION STARTED TO GET PATIENTS OFF OPIATES.

BECAUSE OF A RISE IN ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSES.

STAKER SAYS CANCELING PEOPLE'S PRESCRIPTIONS SOMETIMES PUSHED THEM TO SEEK OUT STREET DRUGS OR EXPERIENCE DANGEROUS WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS.

HE SAYS ACCESS TO MEDICAL CANNABIS COULD HAVE MEDIATED THESE NEGATIVE EFFECTS.

HE HAS A MEDICAL CANNABIS CARD AND SAYS HE HAS SHOWN IT TO HIS LOCAL PROSECUTOR.

>> IT GIVES ME A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE AND IN DOING SO, OBVIOUSLY, I TAKE IT FOR CHRONIC BACK PAIN, AND NOW I'M STARTING TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF GETTING OLDER.

>> IN 2022, PRESIDENT BIDEN ASKED THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FOR A SCIENTIFIC REVIEW OF CANNABIS SCHEDULING, AND IT DETERMINED THE SUBSTANCE HAS MEDICAL VALUE.

THE D.E.A.

NOTICE THIS MONTH SAYS THE RECLASSIFICATION MOVES TO MAKE ITS SCHEDULING CONSISTENT WITH THAT STANCE.

BUT FOR DRUG LEGALIZATION ADVOCATES, THE CHANGE DOESN'T REVERSE HARMS DONE SINCE THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT PASSED IN 1970.

THE NATIONAL COALITION FOR DRUG LEGALIZATION HELD A COMMUNITY PANEL AT THE BUSKIRK-CHUMLEY THEATER IN BLOOMINGTON, THIS MONTH.

WHERE AN ATTENDEE ASKED ABOUT THE RECLASSIFICATION.

NICHOLAS BOYLES TOLD THE ATTENDEES THAT A RECLASSIFICATION IN MEDICAL CANNABIS WOULD BENEFIT THE PEOPLE WHO QUALIFY FOR THE CARD AND THAT'S IF AND WHEN INDIANA DECIDES TO CHANGE ITS RULES.

>> IT'S DOING NOTHING TO DISCUSS -- YOU KNOW, TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN LOCKED UP FROM THIS HORRIBLE SCHEDULING OF A DRUG THAT WAS ONLY SCHEDULED TO HURT A CERTAIN RACE CLASS.

>> HE DOESN'T ANTICIPATE THE RESCHEDULING WILL CHANGE A LOT FOR PEOPLE HE WORKS WITH.

AND AND WANTS FULL LEGALIZATION.

THREE OF FOUR NEIGHBORS HAVE DECRIMINALIZED CANNABIS.

>> LET'S SAY YOU GET CAUGHT THREE OR FOUR TIMES THEN YOU ARE HABITUAL.

THEN YOU HAVE A MANDATORY FIVE YEARS ON TOP OF THE OTHER YEARS.

COULD YOUSON SEVE -- YOU COULD CONCEIVABLY DO A LOT OF TIME OVER MARIJUANA AND YOU CAN DRIVE ONE STATE OVER AND IT'S COMPLETELY LEGAL.

>> POSSESSION OF 30 GRAMS OF CANNABIS WHICH WEIGHS AS MUCH AS A SMALL BOWL OF CEREAL IS A MISDEMEANOR AND ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT CAN RESULT IN A FELONY CHARGE.

ENOUGH RESEARCH IS AVAILABLE TO PROVE ITS BENEFITS AND ITS INDIVIDUALIZED WHO BENEFITS FROM MEDICAL USE.

RESEARCHERS SAY RESCHEDULING WILL MAKE CONDUCTING RESEARCH LIKE CLINICAL TRIALS EASIER.

KEN MACKIE IS AMONG A TEAM OF I.U.

NEUROSCIENTISTS STUDYING CANNABINOIDS.

HE SAYS HIS LAB GETS A SURPRISE VISIT BY THE D.E.A.

EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS.

UNDER SCHEDULE THREE, HIS LAB'S RECORD KEEPING, INSPECTION, SCORAGE REQUIREMENTS AND LICENSING WOULDN'T BE AS RIGOROUS.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT CANNABINOID DRUGS THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT.

ADDING THEM IS A TIME CONSUMING PROCESS AND THIS WILL MAKE THAT FASTER WHICH WILL HAVE THE NET EFFECT OF SPEEDING UP RESEARCH ON THEM.

>> BECAUSE CANNABIS HAS NOT BEEN DECRIMINALIZED IN INDIANA, IT MAKES IT HARD TO DO RESEARCH OR INTERVIEW PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR USE.

>> IF YOU ASK THEM, YOU KNOW, DO YOU USE CANNABIS, YOU ARE POTENTIALLY HAVING THEM ADMIT TO A CRIME AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> HE SAYS RECLASSIFICATION WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR RESEARCHERS WHO HAVE SHORTER QUESTIONS THEY WANT ANSWERED ON CANNABIS BUT DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES OR TIME TO GET A SCHEDULE ONE LICENSE.

INDIANA GOVERNOR ERIC HOLE HOLCOMB AND OTHER LAWMAKERS SAY THEY WILL NOT CHANGE THE RULES ON CANNABIS UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

STAKER THINKS THE RECLASSIFICATION MEANS THAT INDIANA WILL CHANGE ITS LAWS.

HE SAYS INDIANA WILL HAVE A NEW GOVERNOR NEXT YEAR AND CANDIDATE MIKE BRAUN EXPRESSED HIS SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS DURING THE DEBATE THIS SPRING.

>> DURING THE MARINES, I WAS A SNIPER.

I WAS TRAINED TO OBSERVE AND, YOU KNOW, TAKE MY TIME WITH THINGS AND LOOK AT THE BATTLEFIELD AND TO ASSESS WHAT IS GOING ON AND STUFF.

SO I THINK -- I THINK IN '25, WE WILL SEE SOMETHING HAND.

AND WITH THIS -- THIS RESCHEDULING, MOST DEFINITELY IT WILL HAPPEN.

100%.

INDIANA WILL HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO -- TO FACILITATE THIS MEDICINE FOR OUR CITIZENS AND OUR VETERANS.

>> THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY HAS NOTIFIED TO RECLASSIFY, THE COMMENTS CAN BE SUBMITTED TO THE FEDERAL FEDERAL ERULEMAKING PORTAL.

>> THANK YOU, BENTE.

AND NOW FOR HEADLINES.

CONSTRUCTION IN THE SUMMIT STRICT PROPROJECT WHICH COULD BRING MORE THAN 4200 HOMES TO BLOOMINGTON'S SOUTH SIDE COULD START AS EARLY AS NEXT YEAR.

>> WE NOW GET TO ACTUALLY DESIGN THE CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS FOR THE ROADS, STREETS, THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WILL COME WITH THAT.

>> HE SAYS THIS COULD TAKE ABOUT THREE OR FOUR MONTHS.

AFTER THAT COMES PERMITTING, WHICH HE SAYS COULD LAST NINE TO 12 MONTHS.

THE PROJECT INCLUDES FIVE NEIGHBORHOODS.

HE ESTIMATES FIRST TWO WILL RESULT IN A COMBINED 1,000 UNITS AND TAKE THREE TO FOUR YEARS TO BUILD.

>> WE CAN DEVELOP THE THIRD NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN 50% OF EACH OF THE FIRST TWO ARE DEVELOPED.

SO WE THINK THOSE WILL TAKE ABOUT THREE YEARS.

SO WE WOULD ANTICIPATE IN ABOUT TWO YEARS, WE'D BE ABLE TO START ON THE THIRD NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE A TOTAL OF 10 TO 12 YEARS TO DEVELOP.

>>> THE BLOOMINGTON REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION IS ACCEPTING A $1.2 MILLION OFFER PLANNED FOR A BOUTIQUE HOE LEGAL.

ALUWIN AND BURE DEVELOPMENT PLAN IS PLANNING TO BUILD A 150-ROOM HOE HOTEL COMPLETE WITH MEETING SPACES AND A RESTAURANT AND BAR.

THEY REJECTED A $.4 MILLION OFFER OFFER FROM M.H.G.

HOTELS.

THE CITY STAFF WILL NEGOTIATE A PROJECT AGREEMENT WITH THE DEVELOPERS WHICH MUST BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE R.D.C.

FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

>>> MONROE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION LEADERS ARE DOWN TO THREE OPTIONS FOR SITE SELECTION.

THAT'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD ELIMINATED THE NORTH SIDE, KNOWN AS THE BUNGER AND ROBERTSON PROPERTIES DURING THE MONTHLY MEETING WEDNESDAY.

THE REMAINING OPTIONS GO EAST, WEST AND SOUTH OF THE CONVENTION CENTER.

A JOINT SESSION OF THE MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL, COMMISSIONERS AND CITY COUNCIL ALONG WITH MAY MAYOR KERRY THOMSON IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY: >> WE CAN BE A LITTLE BIT LIKE KIDS AT CHRISTMAS WITH OUR -- WITH OUR WISH LISTS, BUT REALLY, WE'RE BUILDING ONE CONVENTION AND CIVIC CENTER, AND ONE HOTEL.

>> THE C.I.B.

HAS RECEIVED SIX RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FOR HOTELIERS.

THAT SELECTION PROCESS WILL CONTINUE AFTER SITE SELECTION.

>>> NEARLY $5 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING IS GOING TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND HOSPITALS IN INDIANA TO ADDRESS THE STATE'S PERSISTENT DISPARITIES IN INFANT AND MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES.

THE FIVE ORGANIZATIONS IN INDIANA RECEIVING HEALTHY START FUNDING WILL FOCUS ON A VARIETY OF AREAS INCLUDING DOULAS AND BARRIERS TO POSTPARTUM CARE.

>> THE VALUE TO US, OF BEING ABLE TO DIRECTLY DRIVE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO NEIGHBORHOODS IN INDIANA IS THAT YOU KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE.

YOU KNOW WHAT THE NEEDS ARE, AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO HELP ADDRESS WHAT WOMEN IN YOUR COMMUNITY NEED.

>> THE FUNDING WILL PROVIDE MONEY EVERY YEAR FOR FIVE YEARS, AS LONG AS CONGRESS CONTINUES FUNDING THE PROGRAM.

>>> THE RATE OF DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS IN THE COUNTRY DECREASED BY ABOUT 3% IN 2023, MARKING FIRST ANNUAL DECREASE IN 2018.

OVERDOSE DEATHS IN INDIANA DECREASED BY ABOUT 18% WHICH WAS THE SECOND LARGEST DECREASE IN THE COUNTRY.

INDIANA WAS ONE OF THE ONLY FOUR STATES TO SHOW A DECREASE OVER 15%.

OVERDOSE DEATHS IN OHIO AND ILLINOIS DECREASED BY ABOUT 8%, AND DEATHS IN MICHIGAN DECREASED BY ABOUT 3%.

>>> THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS MAKING CHANGES TO A NEW LITERACY ENDORSEMENT AFTER EDUCATORS SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE REQUIREMENTS.

THE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT PLANS TO OFFER MORE FLEXIBLE TRAINING OPTIONS AND ADJUSTED WHICH TEACHERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO GET THE ENDORSEMENT.

EDUCATORS WITH CERTAIN PRE-K AND SIXTH GRADE WHO DO NOT TEACH LITERACY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ENDORSEMENT.

THOSE WHO TEACH LITERACY INSTRUCTION MUST COMPLETE THE TRAINING.

>>> WHILE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP EASILY WON INDIANA'S REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY EARLIER THIS MONTH.

NIKKI HALEY GARNERED ABOUT 22% OF THE VOTE.

THAT'S DESPITE THE FACT SHE DROPPED OUT OF THE RACE TWO MONTHS EARLIER, BEFORE HOOSIERS STARTED VOTING.

HALEY DID INVEST IN INDIANAPOLIS AND THE NORTHERN SUBURBS AREAS WHERE THE DEMOCRATS HOPE TO CAPITALIZE IN THE FALL IN RACES FURTHER DOWN THE BALLOT.

>> ARE TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND CERTAINLY THOSE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES WITH RACES IN THOSE COUNTIES AND IN THE SUR ROUNDING AREAS -- SURROUNDING AREAS, IT DOES PROVIDE MAYBE A SENSE OF HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY THAT THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY DIEHARD TRUMP COUNTRY.

>> WILSON SAYS THE PRIMARY RESULTS WILL HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE PRIMARY RACE IN INDIANA WHERE ITEM SUBPOENA ALMOST GUARANTEED TO WIN -- TRUMP IS ALMOST GUARANTEED TO WIN EASILY.

>>> NOW THAT SUMMER IS HERE, THE THREAT OF WEST NILE VIRUS IS A THREAT IN THE STATE.

SYMPTOMS INCLUDE FEVER, HEADACHES, BODY ACHES, VOMITING AND RASH.

>> MOST PEOPLE WON'T HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS.

OVER 80% OF PEOPLE WHO ARE INFECTED WITH WEST NILE WILL HAVE NO SYMPTOMS.

>> CHRISTIAN CHRISTIANSEN SAYS PREVENTION IS THE KEY.

YOU SHOULD PICK A REPELLENT WITH DEET AS AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT AND WEAR LONG SLEEVES.

GET RID OF STANDING WATER AROUND YOUR HOME.

THAT'S WHERE MOSQUITOES BREED.

>>> AND IT'S MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, WHICH MEANS BLOOMINGTON CITY POOLS AT BRYANT PARK AND MILLS PARK AND THE I. U.

POOL WILL BE OPENED.

POOLS AT BROWN COUNTY AND SPRING MILLS STATE PARK ALSO WEAPON THIS WEEKEND.

IF YOU WANT TO SWIM AT LAKE MONROE, YOU HAVE TO WAIT A BIT.

HIGH WATER LEVELS HAVE FORCED THE OFFICIALS TO CLOSE THE BEACHES INDEFINITELY.

THERE'S PLENTY TO DO AT THE LAKE, INCLUDING HIKING AND BOATING.

IF YOU ARE SWIMMING OFF A BOAT TO BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," TWO TRAILS AT McCORMICK'S CREEK HAVE REOPENED A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER A LETHAL TORNADO TORE THROUGH THE STATE PARK.

>>> AND THE INDIANAPOLIS ZOO NEW CHIMPANZEE COMPLEX OPENS TO THE PUBLIC THIS WEEKEND.

>>> THESE STORIES AND MORE, COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

IT'S BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR SINCE A POWERFUL EF-3 TORNADO TORE THROUGH McCORMICK CREEK STATE PARK, DEVASTATING MUCH OF THE PARK AND KILLING TWO CAMPERS.

THEY HAVE CLEARED SOME OF THE DEBRIS AND THEY REOPENED TWO HIKING TRAILS THIS WEEK.

ETHAN SANDWEISS HAS MORE ON THE PROGRESS AT THE PARK.

>> SWATHS OF THE PARK HAVE BEEN CLOSED SINCE MARCH 31st, 2023.

A TORNADO APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF FOUR BASKETBALL FIELDS DESTROYED ALMOST -- FOUR FOOTBALL FIELDS DESTROYED 400 ACRES.

TWO CAMPERS WERE KILLED.

THEY WILL OPEN TRAILS TWO AND THREE.

>> THE FIRST HALF OF THE PARK IS GOING TO LOOK THE SAME AND SEPARATE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE IN THE PAST.

THE BACK OF THE PARK AND THE NORTH SECTION OF THE PARK WHERE THE TORNADO WENT THROUGH, THAT WILL BE A WORK IN PROGRESS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

>> THE FALLEN TREES THAT BLOCKED TRAIL TWO ARE MOSTLY GONE NOW WITH STRAY TRUNKS AND ROOT BALLS LAYING NEARBY.

A STAIRCASE ON TRAIL THREE SUFFERED MINOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AND THE PATH HAD TO BE CLEARED TO THE CREEK.

ACROSS THE PARK.

EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS REMOVED THOUSANDS OF DEAD CREES TREES -- TREES IN THE PAST YEARS SOME WERE STACKED SIX TO EIGHT FEET DEEP.

IT'S BEEN A MATTER OF SETTING PRIORITIES.

>> WHAT WE TRIED TO FOCUS ON AND WHAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON IS THE OPPORTUNITY THAT THIS -- THIS GIVES US TO IMPROVE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, AND IMPROVE OUR CAMPGROUND AND MAKE IT MORE ENJOYABLE FOR THE PUBLIC.

>> THERE'S $5 MILLION IN THE STATE BUDGET FOR CAMPGROUND RESTORATION.

OTHER RECOVERY FUNDS COME FROM SELLING FALLEN SIM BETTER, PRIVATE DONATION -- TIMBER, PRIVATE DONATIONS AND THE STATE PARK'S BUDGE ET CETERA.

$1.4 MILLION HAVE BEEN SPENT SO FAR ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

THAT INCLUDES REPAIRING CABINS AND SEWER LINES AND DESIGNING A NEW CAMPGROUND.

>> YOU HAVE THE THOUSANDS OF TREES AND THE ROOT BALLS AND THE TOPS OF TREES THAT ARE THERE.

YOU HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE, UTILITY DAMAGE.

ALL OF THAT WILL HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE WE CAN EVEN REBUILD.

HAMILTON SAYS THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF TRAIL REOPENING HAS BROUGHT MUCH INTEREST FROM VISITORS M. TRAILS REMAIN CLOSED INCLUDING THOSE AROUND THE CAMPGROUND AND WOLF CAVE NATURE PRESERVE.

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

>> SOME OF THE FELLED TREES FROM THE TORNADO ARE BEING REPURPOSED FOR USE AT ANOTHER STATE PARK.

DOWNED POPULAR TREES FROM THE TREE HAVE BEEN CUT AND TREATED AND WILL BE USED TO REBUILD THE FLUME TO THE GIFT MILL -- GRISTMILL AT GRISTMILL STATE PARK.

>>> BUILDING HOMES IN A SINGLE UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE HOMES AND A BOOST TO THE SURROUNDING RESIDENTS.

AS TIMPF PBS MEMBER STATION WNIN TELLS US, THIS AREA, LIKE MOST OF THE STATE, NEEDS MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> FOR THE PAST YEAR, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF EVANSVILLE HAS FOCUSED ON BUILDING HOMES IN THE TEPEE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE HOUSING AND A BOOST TO THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO FAR, 12 NEW HOMES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED IN TEPEE PARK.

THE HOME OF SINGLE MOTHER DIAMOND GOLD IS NEARLY COMPLETE.

>> VERY EXCITED ABOUT DOING THIS, ABOUT BEING PART OF THIS.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE JOURNEY.

>> ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT, EVANSVILLE COULD USE MORE THAN 3,000 NEW HOMES IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

ABOUT 300 ARE NEEDED FOR HOUSEHOLDS MAKING LESS THAN $40,000.

TEPEE PARK IS ACTUALLY THE SECOND NEIGHBORHOOD OF FOCUS FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY EVANSVILLE.

FIRST IS THE JACOBSVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> SO TEPEE PARK, IT'S A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS THE SECOND HIGHEST POVERTY RATE IN OUR CITY OF ANY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

JACOBSVILLE IS NUMBER ONE, TEPEE PARK IS NUMBER TWO.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT ENERGY AROUND REVITALIZING THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

[ HAMMERS POUNDING ] >> THE GOAL WAS TO BUILD 24 HOMES IN TEPEE PARK, BUT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE 28 IN VARIOUS STAGES OF COMPLETION.

HERE AN ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS ARE BUILDING THE SUBFLOOR OF A WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE HOME, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE A.A.R.P.

THE CITY ALSO NEEDS MORE NEW HOMES ACCORDING TO THE SAME HOUSING NEEDS REPORT.

>> THREE, TWO, ONE!

[ CHEERS ] >>> RECENTLY THE EVANSVILLE HABITAT DEDICATED THEIR 600th HOME.

THIS IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT, ONLY 25 OTHER HABITAT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ACHIEVED, AND NONE HAVE BEEN THIS SMALL AN ORGANIZATION OR MARKET.

THIS HOME WILL BE OWNED BY 22-YEAR-OLD CAMERON HALEY.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING BUT I'M EXCITED.

I GET TO MOVE IN AND DECORATE MY SON'S ROOM AND DECORATE THE HOUSE, PERSONALIZE IT, OUTSIDE, INSIDE THAT I WANT TO DO.

IT'S SITING BEING 22 AND ABLE -- IT'S EXCITING BEING 22 AND ABLE TO HAVE A HOME.

>> IT'S DIFFICULT TO QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM, DIAMOND GOULD APPLIED ABOUTIVE IF TIMES AND WAS DENIED.

GOULD SAYS SHE THOUGHT LIKE SOME OTHERS MIGHT, THAT HABITAT PROVIDES FREE HOMES.

>> NOT KNOWING THE BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS THAT YOU PUT INTO THIS.

SOMETIMES YOU ARE JUST READY TO THROW IN THE TOWEL, LIKE YORK WANT TO DO IT -- LIKE, I DON'T WANT TO DO IT NO MORE BUT YOU KEEP PUSHING.

>> YOU HAVE TO PUT IN 300 HOURS OF SWEAT EQUITY THIS INCLUDES BUILDING THEIR OWN HOME AND THE HOMES OF OTHER FAMILY.

THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF EDUCATION, INCLUDING FINANCIAL COUNSELING.

HOMES HAVE A 0% INTEREST MORTGAGE, WITH A BUILD COST OF ABOUT $160,000.

STATE DIRECTOR FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GINA LEKRIN, ANECDOTALLY, HABITAT HOMES CAN ELEVATE NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> THEY WILL NOTICE OTHER HOMEOWNERS START FIXING UP THEIR HOUSE.

WE ACTUALLY INSPIRE PEOPLE TO BEAUTIFY NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE ALSO FIND AN INCREASE IN PROPERTY VALUES BECAUSE WE RAISE UP THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY'S VALUE WITH THE NEW HOUSES THAT WE PUT IN TERMS OF INFILL HOUSING.

>>> THREE, TWO, ONE... [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> BOTH GOULD AND HALEY PLAN TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS.

GOULD ALREADY KNOWS THE NAMES OF EVERYONE NEARBY.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS HOME BEING MORE OF A PLACE OF -- A PLACE OF PEACE OR SAFE HAVEN.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT BEING OUR FOREVER HOME, ME AND MY KIDS.

WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH.

WE HAVE OVERCAME SO MUCH, JUST MOVING FROM HOME TO HOME, APARTMENT TO APARTMENT.

>> FOR WNIN NEWS I'M TIM JAGALO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WAS FOUNDED IN 1976 AND IS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS ALL 50 STATES IN THE U.S. AND 70 COUNTRIES, ATHE WORLD.

>>> VISITORS TO THE INDIANAPOLIS ZOO WILL BE GETTING AN UP CLOSE LOOK AT OUR SPECIES CLOSEST LIVING RELATIVE WELL OPENING THE INTERNATIONAL CHIMPANZEE COMPLEX THIS WEEKEND.

THE COMPLEX WILL HOUSE ALMOST TWO DOZEN OF THE GREAT APES PAT BEANE HAS THE STORY.

>> BEN, HE'S SOMETHING ELSE.

HE'S A CHARMER.

SUE, ONE OF OUR FEMALE CHIMPANZEES, SHE LOVES THE ATTENTION.

SHE'S -- SHE'S THE SUPERSTAR.

>> BEN AND SUE ARE JUST TWO OF THE 21 CHIMPANZEES AT THE ZOO WHO HAVE NEW PLACES TO EXPLORE.

IT FEATURES THREE BUILDINGS CONNECTED BY A QUARTER MILE LONG CHIMPANZEE COMPLEX CHIMPANZEE COMPLEX -- CHIMPANZEE HUB.

>> THE PURPOSE OF THE TRAIL IS TO GIVE THEM CHOICE AS TO WHERE THEY WANT TO GO, WHERE THEY WANT TO BE, WHO THEY WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH.

THAT CONNECTS FROM THE COMMUNITY HUB TO THE COGNITION CENTER.

>> THE COMMUNITY HUB AND CULTURAL CENTER WILL GIVE VISITORS A GLIMPSE.

>> THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND THE COGNITION CENTER, VISITORS CAN WATCH AND TAKE THE SAME COGNITIVE TEST AS THE CHIMPANZEES USING TOUCH SCREENS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES HOUSING CHIMPANZEES.

THIS IS CENTRAL TO THE ZOO'S MISSION.

>> WE CREATED INTERNATIONAL CHIMPANZEE COMPLEX TO RECREATE THE FUNCTIONAL NATURALISM OF CHIMPANZEE IN THE WILD.

>> THEY CAME FROM BIOMEDICAL LABS AND OTHER PRAISES -- PLACES.

CHIMPANZEES WERE A MATTER OF GETTING USED TO ONE ANOTHER.

>> IT WAS A MATTER OF MAKING THE THE INTRODUCTIONS.

THEY DON'T KNOW EACH OTHER.

THERE'S THE ELEMENTS, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE MALES OF ESTABLISHING WHO IS THE DOMINANT ONE.

WHO ARE THE FEMALES?

AND WHO GRAVITATES TOWARDS WHO.

>> AND THEY HAVE BEEN ACCLIMATING THEMSELVES TO THEIR NEW ENVIRONMENT AND THEY CAN BE SEEN EXPLORING THE CHIMPANZEE TRAIL.

>> WATCHING THEM WALK ACROSSES THE TRAIL ABOVE YOU, IT'S SOMETHING ELSE.

IT'S UNWORLDLY.

IT'S VERY COOL.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>>> THE ZOO OPENS DAILY AT 9 A.M.

IT CLOSES AT 5 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY AND OPEN TO 7:00 ON FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

>>> THE MONTH OF MAY AT THE INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY WRAPS UP SUNDAY WITH THE 108th RUNNING THE INDIANAPOLIS 500.

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN WILL START THIS YEAR'S RACE FROM THE POLE WITH A QUALIFYING SPEED OF A LITTLE MORE THAN 234 MILES PER HOUR.

2018 WINNER WILL POWER AND DEFENDING CHAMPION JOSEPH NEWGARDEN WILL BE ALONGSIDE McLAUGHLIN IN ROW ONE.

MORE THAN 300,000 ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE RACE WHICH WILL AIR ON NBC AND PEACOCK AND WILL BE BLOCKED OUT LOCALLY.

IT WILL BE REBROADCAST LOCALLY 8:30 ON SUNDAY NIGHT.

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

WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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