>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," BLOOMINGTON WILL CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE HISTORICAL MARKER NOTING AND UNDERGROUND RAILROAD STOP IN SWITCH YARD PARK.

>> THIS WAS THE MAIN ROAD, SOUTH ROGERS WAS THE MAIN ROAD UP INTO BLOOMINGTON, AND THEY -- THEY MADE THEIR WAY HERE.

THEY WERE GOOD TO GO.

>> THERE'S A PLAN FOR FOUR MORE MARKERS DENOTING HISTORIC BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY.

MONROE COUNTY PROSECUTORS HAVE DROPPED CHARGES AGAINST 55 PROTESTERS IN THE PRO GAZA DEMONSTRATIONS IN DUNN MEADOW.

>> THEY SEEM TO DELEGITIMIZE THE SCHOOL'S CASE FORTRESS PASSING OR VIOLATING THE RULES IN ANY WAY.

>> AND MONROE COUNTY OFFICIALS TOOK FEEDBACK FROM ELLETSVILLE RESIDENTS ABOUT A PROPOSAL TO PUT A NEW JAIL BETWEEN THEIR TOWN AND BLOOMINGTON.

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

>>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M PERRY METZ, SITTING IN FOR THE VACATIONING JOE HREN.

THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS HARPING IN INDIANA'S PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

70,000 STUDENTS USED A PUBLICLY FUNDED VOUCHER TO HELP PAY FOR TUITION AT A PRIVATE OR RELIGIOUS SCHOOL IN THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THAT'S A 31% INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AND THE LARGEST EVER JUMP IN A SINGLE YEAR.

THE STATE ALSO PUT A RECORD $439 MILLION IN TUITION GRANTS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THERE ARE NOW 387 SCHOOLS IN THE STATE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM.

FOR A LOOK BEHIND THE NUMBERS, WE ARE JOINED BY ERIC WEDDLE, THE MANAGING EDITOR OF WFYI'S EDUCATION DESK.

ERIC, WHAT WAS BEHIND THIS SURGE IN THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS USING THE VOUCHER PROGRAM THIS YEAR?

>> SURE.

I THINK YOU CAN BREAK IT DOWN TO, LIKE, THREE MAIN REASONS.

IN THE FIRST -- THE FIRST IS THERE USED TO BE EIGHT KIND OF PATHWAYS YOU HAD TO QUALIFY FOR ELIGIBLE FOR A VOUCHER.

AND THE ONLY BASIC REQUIREMENT IS THAT YOU HAVE TO BE AN INDIANA RESIDENT FROM THAT, THEY EXPANDED THE INCOME LEVEL.

SO NOW A FAMILY, IN THE PREVIOUS SCHOOL YEAR, MAKING UP TO $220,000 WAS ELIGIBLE FOR A VOUCHER, AND THAT IS, YOU KNOW, ALMOST NEARLY THE ENTIRE STATE.

ONLY I THINK 8% OF PEOPLE IN INDIANA MAKE MORE THAN THAT.

SO EFFECTIVELY, THE CHANGES IN THE LAW IN THE PAST YEAR MADE THIS A UNIVERSAL -- A UNIVERSAL VOUCHER FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

AND ON TOP OF THAT, I THINK WE ARE JUST SEEING A NEW INCREASED POPULARITY IN SCHOOL VOUCHERS AND SCHOOL CHOICE IN INDIANA.

THIS PROGRAM IS 13 YEARS OLD, AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE'RE HEARING MORE AND MORE ABOUT IT AS OTHER STATES ADOPT THESE LAWS AND THE DEBATE AMONG ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT IS PLAYING OUT.

>> WHAT IMPACT DO YOU THINK IT WILL HAVE -- THIS IS A MOVE OF ALMOST HALF A BILLION DOLLARS TO PRIVATE EDUCATION.

WHAT EFFECT WILL THAT HAVE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE STATE?

>> SURE.

THIS IS KIND OF A COMPLICATED QUESTION, I THINK TO GET AT A SIMPLE ANSWER.

WHEN THIS PROGRAM STARTED, YOU WERE SEEING MORE STUDENTS LEAVING A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND IN INDIANA, FUNDS FOLLOW THE STUDENTS.

SO WHEN THOSE STUDENTS LEFT A DISTRICT, THAT MONEY WENT AWAY.

AS THIS PROGRAM HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS, FEWER AND FEWER STUDENTS WHO EVER WENT TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL BEGAN -- BEGAN USING A VOUCHER.

NOT TO SAY THAT THAT DID NOT IMPACT SCHOOLS, BUT THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS BUDGETED IN THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR, PAST FISCAL BUDGET YEAR, ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER THE COST OF THE VOUCHERS, THE $439 MILLION.

IT'S ACTUALLY COMING IN UNDER BUDGET.

BUT WITH THAT MONEY BEING SPENT OPEN PRIVATE SCHOOLS, IT'S NOT AVAILABLE TO -- FOR INCREASES TO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND I THINK THAT'S A LOT OF CRITICISM THAT YOU HEAR, IS THAT A LARGER INCREASE IS GOING TOWARD THESE PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT IS NOT GOING TO TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> I'M WONDERING HOW THIS MAYS OUT IN YOUR AREA.

>> ALTHOUGH, IN THOSE REPORTS -- IN RURAL AREAS?

>> YES.

>> RURAL AREAS, THERE'S ONLY 63 COUNTIES IN THE STATE THAT HAVE PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

SO THAT IS LEAVING OUT, YOU KNOW, 230 OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SO WE ARE SEEING A LOT FEWER NUMBER OF RURAL STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO THE PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM.

THOSE STUDENTS USUALLY USE ANOTHER TYPE OF SCHOOL CHOICE WHICH IS TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT THAN THEIR OWN, BUT THERE ARE CURRENTLY A FEW ONLINE PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT THOSE SCHOOLS COULD USE -- THE STUDENTS COULD USE FOR THAT.

OVERALL, YEAH, THERE'S NOT AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES IN RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE TO USE THE VOUCHERS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, ERIC.

THAT WAS ERIC WEDDLE OF THE EDUCATION DESK AT WFYI IN INDIANAPOLIS.

>>> THE STATE IS PUSHING AHEAD WITH A NEW HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENT, EVEN AS INDIANA EDUCATORS CAUTION -- URGE CAUTION AND PATIENCE.

THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WANTS TO SUNSET THE CURRENT CORE 40 ACADEMIC AND TECHNICAL HONORS DIPLOMAS AND REPLACE THEM WITH TWO NEW VERSIONS, THE GPS AND GPS PLUS.

GPS STANDS FOR GRADUATE PREPARED TO SUCCEED.

EDUCATORS SAY THAT THAT DIPLOMA HAS TOO FEW REQUIREMENTS AND THAT THE GPS PLUS HAS TOO MANY.

>> THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS WOULD FIT BETWEEN THE TWO PROPOSED MODELS.

THEREFORE, STUDENTS HAVE A CHOICE OF A LOWER RIGORED DIPLOMA OR NEARLY UNATTAINABLE HIGHER LEVEL.

>> EDUCATORS SAY COLLEGES MAY FIND THE NEW DIPLOMAS CONFUSING, CAUSING INDIANA STUDENTS TO MISS OUT ON COMPETITIVE UNIVERSITY SPOTS.

>> THESE DIPLOMA TRACKS ARE GOING TO BE INADEQUATE FOR THE STUDENTS, FOR MY STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITY PURDUE THAT SITS THREE BLOCKS FROM MY BUILDING.

IT WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT.

>> INDIANA SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, KATIE JENNER, SAYS THAT HER DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO FEEDBACK AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PROPOSAL.

>>> MONROE COUNTY AND CITY OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO DEBATE A LOCATION FOR A NEW COUNTY JAIL.

TWO LOCATIONS HAVE BEEN REJECTED, AND OUR ETHAN SANDWEISS JOINS US FROM ANOTHER POSSIBLE SITE, JUST OFF HIGHWAY 46.

>> STANDING HERE AT THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED JAIL, MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HELD LISTENING SESSIONS THIS WEEK, WHERE THEY TOOK QUESTIONS, CONCERNS AND FEEDBACK FROM COUNTY RESIDENTS.

THE SITE IN QUESTION SITS BETWEEN ELLETSVILLE AND BLOOMINGTON, JUST OFF STATE ROAD 46.

OFFICIALS SAY A NEW JAIL IS NECESSARY.

A LAWSUIT BY THE ACLU SAID THAT OVERCROWDING VIOLATED PRISONERS' CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND CONDITIONS HAVE NOT IMPROVED SINCE THEN.

PHOTOS SHOWED BY RUBIN MARTIN SHOW THEM IN DISREPAIR, SHOWING INMATES USING CUPS AND TOILET PAPER AS PILLOWS.

>> WE ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A JAIL AND WE SHOULD PROVIDE ONE THAT'S HUMANE AND CONSTITUTIONALLY APPROPRIATE AND OUR CURRENT JAIL IS NEITHER.

SO WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

>> THE SITE THEY PROPOSED BOTH LIES OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS AND HAS ACCESS TO MAJOR ROADWAYS, WHICH PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED LOCATIONS DID NOT.

CONSULTANTS AND OFFICIALS ARGUE THAT RENOVATING THE CURRENT SITE WOULD BE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN BUILDING A NEW ONE AND WOULD NOT SOLVE OVERCROWDING.

A JAIL COULD COST BETWEEN 90 AND $150 MILLION.

SOME BULK AT THE PRICE TAG AND SAYING THE COUNTY SHOULD WORK TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE INCARCERATED ON MINOR CHARGES.

>> INSTEAD OF DOING, THAT THE COUNTY WILL INVEST JUST AN ASTRONOMICAL AMOUNT OF MONEY AND A SOLUTION THAT WE KNOW JUST DOESN'T WORK.

>> COMMISSIONERS SAID THEY WOULD WELCOME INPUT ON COSTS, BUT TRIED TO GUIDE THE CONVERSATION BACK TO THE TOPIC AT HAND.

>> OUR FOCUS TODAY IS REALLY ON THE SITE LOCATION, RATHER THAN THE COST OF SPECIFICALLY, BECAUSE THAT'S NOTHING THAT'S NOT WITHIN THE COMMISSIONER'S PURVIEW.

>> DISAGREEMENTS HAVE DELAYED THE PROJECT TIMELINE.

THE COUNTY HAD HOPED TO SELECT A SITE LAST SEPTEMBER.

THE COMMISSIONERS DROPPED PLANS TO BUILD ON COUNTY-OWNED LAND SOUTHWEST OF BLOOMINGTON IN FEBRUARY, AND COULDN'T GET THE CITY COUNCIL TO SIGN OPEN OFF ON A SITE NEAR THE I.U.

HOSPITAL.

>> OPPONENTS CHALLENGED THE COMMISSIONERS IN THE LAST COUNTY ELECTION FOR LACK OF PROGRESS ON THE JAIL PROJECT AND THE ACLU HAS ACCUSED THEM OF STRIVING FOR PERFECTION AT THE EXPENSE OF ACTION.

>>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY LUCAS GONZALES FOR MORE HEAD LINES.

>> THANKS, PERRY.

THE GROUP SUING THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON OVER ITS ANNEXATION EFFORT SAYS IT WILL APPEAL IF A JUDGE OVERSEEING THE CASE OVER AREAS 1A AND 1B DOES NOT RULE IN ITS FAVOR.

>> WE WANT TO APPEAL AND WE'LL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO APPEAL.

WE'LL JUST GET OUR GROUND SWELL TOGETHER, AND WE WILL APPEAL AND WE PROBABLY EXPECT THAT THE CITY WOULD DO THE SAME.

>> CLEMENTS JOINED SEVERAL DOZEN OTHER RESIDENTS OPPOSED TO ANNEXATION AT AN EVENT THURSDAY NIGHT HOSTED BY THE MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

THE EVENT TOOK PLACE JUST OVER A MONTH OVER THE FIVE-DAY BENCH TRIAL OF REMONSTRANTS TRIAL OF 1A AND 1B.

THEY HAVE UNTIL JUNE 17th TO RESPOND.

>> WE KNOW THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER.

THERE'S STILL LEGAL BATTLES TO BE FOUGHT BUT WE WANTED TO TAKE A BEAT AND THANK THEM.

THIS WAS A MASSIVE COMMUNITY EFFORT, GRASSROOTS EFFORT, LIKE I HAVE NEVER SEEN.

>> CLEMENTS SAYS SHE EXPECTS A RULING IN AUGUST.

>> THE BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL IS SENDING RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE MONROE CONVENTION CENTER PROJECT TO THE BODY OVERSEEING.

THEY WANT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD TO FOLLOW THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE AND TRANSPORTATION PLANS AND UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE AND CONSIDER SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS.

IT ALSO RECOMMENDS AGAINST SKY WALKS BETWEEN BUILDINGS AND SUBSIDIZING NEW MARKING FOR THE PROJECT.

D. -- NEW PARKING FOR THE PROJECT.

>> WE CHANGED WORDING VERY SPECIFICALLY TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE WERE REQUESTS AND THAT WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE ONE OF FOUR BODIES WHO ARE INVESTING IN THIS PROJECT.

>> THE C.I.B.

IS EXPECTED TO SELECT A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AND SITE FOR THE EXPANSION AT THE JUNE 12th MEETING.

THEY ARE NOW DOWN TO LEE OPTIONS FOR EXPANSION NOW THAT A NORTHERN EXPANSION WAS RULED OUT.

>> TODD ROKITA'S THREAT OF LEGAL ACTION AGAINST MONROE COUNTY CENTERS ON A MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE POLICY ON DETENTION OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

ROKITA WROTE TO SHERIFF RUBIN MARTE WARNING THAT HE WOULD BRING ACTION AGAINST HIS OFFICE IF IT DOES NOT RESCIND THE POLICY BY JULY 1st.

IT ALLOWS UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WITH LOCAL TIES TO BE RELEASED FROM THE MONROE COUNTY JAIL WHEN CHARGED WITH LOW-LEVEL CRIMES.

>>> THE UNITED STATES RANKS AMONG THE TOP COUNTRIES USING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, ACCORDING TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT ON THE GLOBAL USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY.

THE GROUP SAYS THE UNITED STATES WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR 24 STATE EXECUTIONS LAST YEAR, UP FROM 18 THE YEAR BEFORE.

THE UPTICK IS DUE IN PART TO COVID RESTRICTIONS THAT DELAYED SOME EXECUTIONS.

>> IN A LOT OF WAYS, THIS IS PLAYING CATCHUP, MORE THAN SPURRING SOME NEW EXECUTION SPREE.

>> THERE WERE MORE THAN 1100 EXECUTIONS IN 2023, A 30% INCREASE OVER 2022.

AMNESTY SAYS IRAN IS MOSTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCREASE, BUT THE U.S. REMAINS IN THE TOP FIVE ALONG WITH SOMALIA, SAUDI ARABIA, AND CHINA.

>>> THE U.S. -- >> THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER REASON WHY WE SHOULD BE RECONSIDERING THE DEATH PENALTY.

IS THIS WHO WE WANT TO STAND WITH.

>> THE U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HASN'T EXECUTED ANYONE SINCE 2021, WHEN THREE PEOPLE WERE EXECUTED AT THE FEDERAL CORRECT CORRECTIONAL COMPLEX IN TERRE HAUTE.

MERRICK GARLAND HAS SINCE PLACED A MORATORIUM ON FEDERAL EXECUTIONS.

>>> A NEW I.U.

HEALTH URGENT CARE LOCATION HAS OPENED ON BLOOMINGTON'S WEST SIDE.

LOCATED ON SOUTH LIBERTY DRIVE, NEXT TO KROGER, THE OFFICE WILL OFFER WALK-IN SERVICES FROM 8 A.M. TO 8 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, AND 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M. ON WEEKENDS.

PATIENTS CAN RESERVE A SPOT IN LINE ON ITS WEBSITE.

THE LOCATION WILL ALSO HOUSE AN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE AREA FOR INJURY TREATMENT, TESTING AND SCREENINGS AND RETURN-TO-WORK EXAMS.

>>> THE FREE -- THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID IS OPEN UNTIL JUNE 30th.

IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS HOSTING MORE THAN 100 EVENTS TO HELP STUDENTS FILL OUT THE FORMS.

THE FAFSA IS KEY FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND COLLEGE.

BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ROLLED IT OUT MONTHS LATER THAN NORMAL AND THERE WERE GLITCHES.

>> DON'T GIVE UP.

REACH OUT TO YOUR FINANCIAL AID OFFICE IF YOU ARE NEEDING ASSISTANCE AND HELP.

>> IVY TECH BLOOMINGTON OFFERS FAFSA ASSISTANCE.

STUDENTS CAN CONTACT THE PAM CUSS FINANCIAL -- THE CAMPUS FINANCIAL AID OFFICE AT EACH CAMPUS.

>>> THE ESCOOTERS.

THE CITY AND VIO RIDE DISSOLVED THE RELATIONSHIP IN FEBRUARY.

THE CITY SAYS VIO DID NOT PAY A REQUIRED $10,000 OPERATING FEE FOR 2024.

>>> AND A DAVE & BUSTER'S RESTAURANT WILL BE COMING TO BLOOMINGTON AFTER AN ALCOHOL PERMIT WAS APPROVED FOR THE FRANCHISE THIS WEEK.

SET TO OPEN IN LATE JANUARY, THE RESTAURANT WILL HAVE SOCIAL DAYS WITH DIGITAL DARTS AND A SHUFFLE BOARD AND IMMERSIVE ACTIVITY ROOM AND MORE.

THE RESTAURANT -- THE ARCADE RESTAURANT WILL BE IN THE OLD BED, BATH AND BEYOND BUILDING NEXT TO COLLEGE MALL.

>>> THANKS, LUCAS.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," AN HISTORICAL MARKER HONORING AN UNDERGROUND RAILROAD SITE ON BLOOMINGTON'S SOUTH SIDE WILL BE UNVEILED JUNE 19th.

>>> AND THE MONROE COUNTY PROSECUTOR HAS DECLINED TO CHARGE 55 PEOPLE ARRESTED DURING APRIL'S PRO-GAZA PROTESTS IN DUNN MEADOW: THESE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE MONROE COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE HAS DECLINED TO CHARGE ANY OF THE 55 PRO GAZA DEMONSTRATORS WHO WERE ARRESTED AT I.U.

'S DUNN MEADOW OVER THE TWO DAYS IN LATE APRIL.

ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS ON WHY NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED.

[ CROWD CHANTING ] >> CHIEF DEPUTY PROSECUTOR JEFFREY KERR DESCRIBES INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S RESPONSE TO THE PROTESTS AS QUOTE, CONSTITUTIONALLY DUBIOUS.

THE STATE POLICE ARRESTED ALMOST 60 AFTER THE UNIVERSITY MADE A LAST-MINUTE CHANGE TO THE ASSEMBLY.

KERR SAID IF THEY PROCEEDED IT WOULD BE UNLIKELY TO WIN THE CASES.

PROTESTERS SAY THEY EXPECTED THIS DECISION.

>> THE FACT THAT THESE CHARGES STEMMED FROM WHAT WAS ALMOST CERTAINLY AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL CHANGING OF THE RULES ABOUT FREE SPEECH, THAT SEEMED TO REALLY DELEGITIMIZE THE SCHOOL'S CASE FOR US BEING TRESPASSING OR VIOLATING THE RULES IN ANY WAY.

>> BUT NOT EVERYONE FEELS THAT WAY.

INDIANA STATE POLICE CHIEF DOUG CARTER SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THE PROSECUTOR CAVED TO POLITICAL PRESSURE.

HE BELIEVES, QUOTE, THESE KIND OF DECISIONS CAN LEAD TO LAWLESSNESS.

KERR REBUTTED THOSE ACCUSATIONS SAYING HIS OFFICE REVIEWS CASES WITHOUT REGARD TO PUBLIC OPINION OR OTHER INAPPROPRIATE CONSIDERATIONS.

>> IT'S INTERESTING THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING THEIR CHARGES DROPPED AND AS THE PROSECUTOR RIGHTFULLY SAID BECAUSE HOW CAN THAT BE UPHELD?

BUT I THINK IT'S ALSO JUST -- I DON'T KNOW, THERE'S A PART WHERE YOU'RE LIKE, I HOPE MY FRIENDS ARE DOING ALL RIGHT.

>> SOME I.U.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAD CHARGED DROPPED REMAIN BANNED FROM CAMPUS AX CORDING TO THE I.U.

POLICE DEPARTMENT, OF 56 WHO APPEALED THEIR BANS, 51 MAY RETURN TO CAMPUS.

GREEN IS AMONG THOSE WHO CAN'T.

HE WAS THE ONLY PERSON BANNED FOR FIVE YEARS AND IS PLANNING A HEARING WITH THE I.U.P.D.

>> THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ACTED THIS WAY IF WE WERE PROTESTING BAD FOOD AT THE DINING HALLS.

THEY DID THIS BECAUSE WE HAD A POLITICAL MESSAGE THAT OFFENDED THEM.

AND THE FACT THAT THEY REACTED TO HARSHLY IS PROBABLY GOING TO MAKE PEOPLE WANT TO LOOK INTO OUR POLITICS A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> UNIVERSITY SPOKESMAN MARK BODE TOLD WTIU THAT I.U.

WILL CONTINUE TO ENFORCE PRIORITY FOR SAFETY.

MEANWHILE MANY TENTS REMAIN IN DUNN MEADOW IN VIOLATION OF THE UNIVERSITY'S RULES.

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

>>> THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION IS SUING THE UNIVERSITY ON RESPONSE TO THE PROTESTS ON CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS OUR CLAYTON BAUMGARTH HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO THE EFFORTS OF ONE STATE ORGANIZATION TO PRESERVE AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORICAL SITES AND THE EFFECTS THAT THOSE PRESERVATION EFFORTS MAY HAVE ON SMALL COMMUNITIES.

>> INDIANA LANDMARKS HAS BEEN PRESERVING HISTORY AND PLACE MAKING AROUND THE STATE FOR SOMETIME NOW.

MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE BLACK HERITAGE PRESERVATIONATION PROGRAM HAS A NEW MARKER COMING NO BLOOMINGTON VERY SOON.

THIS MONTH, THERE WILL BE A NEW HISTORICAL MARKER IN SWITCH YARD PARK.

THEY HOPE IT BECOMES FIRST OF MANY HERE.

>> WE WANT TO HONOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE THESE CONTRIBUTIONS IN HISTORY, THAT WE HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT.

AND WE ALL KIND OF STAND ON THEIR SHOULDERS.

BLOOMINGTON IS WHAT IT IS TODAY, BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE HERE BEFORE US.

>> THE MARKER AT SWITCH YARD WILL COMMEMORATE AFRICAN AMERICANS IN BLOOMINGTON WHO ASSISTED WITH THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

>> A MAN THAT LIVED IN THIS AREA BEFORE IT BECAME SWITCH YARD PARK WAS SAMUEL GORDON.

HIS FARM WAS IN THIS AREA.

AND THIS WAS THE MAIN ROAD, SOUTH ROGERS WAS THE MAIN ROAD UP INTO BLOOMINGTON.

AND THEY MADE THEIR WAY HERE.

THEY WERE GOOD TO GO.

>> MITCHELL HAS PLANS FOR FOUR MORE MARKERS THAT SELL THE STORIES OF IMPORTANT AFRICAN AMERICANS.

ONE WILL REPLACE AN EXISTING MARKER IN BUTLER PARK, AND THE OTHERS WILL SHED LIGHT ON LONG FORGOTTEN BLACK COMMUNITIES.

>> THERE WERE FOUR BLACK COMMUNITIES HERE IN BLOOMINGTON DURING SEGREGATION.

THEY NO LONGER EXIST, AND NOBODY REMEMBERS THEM.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO HONOR THOSE PEOPLE AND THAT'S BUCKTOWN, HINSONBURG, CHANDLERVILLE AND THE WOODS OR THE WOOD YARD.

>> THEY ARE FUNDED BY THE CITY, AS WELL AS DONATIONS FROM RESIDENTS.

THE WORK BEING DONE IN MONROE COUNTY IS ALSO DONE IN PART BY INDIANA LANDMARKS.

THE GOAL IS TO UNCOVER, DOCUMENT, PRESERVE AND RESTORE BLACK HERITAGE SITES AND HISTORY.

>> THIS CAN BE A CHURCH, A MASONIC HOME, A CEMETERY, OR IT COULD BE JUST INFORMATION, THE STORIES THAT WERE OFTEN LOST BECAUSE NO ONE DOCUMENTED THOSE STORIES.

>> TROTTERS IS SHE USES THE SAME TOOLS ANY HISTORIAN WOULD USE TO LOCATE HERITAGE SITES.

>> THERE'S CENSUS AND PROPERTY RECORDS.

FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS, PRECIVIL WAR, THAT DOCUMENTATION IS OFTEN RELEGATED TO PROPERTY RECORDS BECAUSE AFRICAN AMERICANS WERE CONSIDERED PROPERTY.

>> TROTTER SAYS SHE WANTS TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM THROUGHOUT INDIANA.

SHE SAYS WE AS A STATE MUST WRITE DOWN OUR SHARED HISTORY SO IT WON'T BE FORGOTTEN BUT THAT WILL TAKE EFFORTS OF MANY PEOPLE.

>> WE NEED ALLIES HELPING US DO THIS WORK.

SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT THESE SMALL GROUPS THAT WE ARE FORMING AROUND STATE WHICH ARE BEING MENTORED BY EXPERTS IN THE FIELD, IN THOSE COMMUNITIES WILL GENERATE THAT CAPACITY THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR.

>> TROTTER HAS A STRONG GROUP BEHIND HER.

INDIANA LANDMARKS IS THE LARGEST PRIVATE STATEWIDE PRESERVATION EFFORT IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WE HAVE OFFICES ALL OVER THE STATE.

OUR CENTRAL REGIONAL OFFICE IS HERE IN INDIANAPOLIS AND THAT COVERS BLOOMINGTON.

AND OUR MISSION IS TO REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES AND RECONNECT US TO OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY AND SAFE PLACES.

>> AND THERE'S A SECOND.

THEY BECOME PLACE MAKING PROJECTS AS WELL.

PLACE MAKING IS A LARGE PART OF RURAL COMMUNITIES ESPECIALLY AS THEY REVITAL HISTORIC DOWNTOWN AREAS OR CREATE AREAS FOR THEM TO ENJOY THEIR HOMETOWNS.

>> IT CAN BE REACTIVATING AN ALLEY SPACE IN A DOWNTOWN AREA OR A PARK OR, YOU KNOW, JUST MAKING A PLACE MORE INVITING FOR, YOU KNOW, THE COMMUNITY.

>> MOST IMPORTANTLY, STANIS SAYS PRESERVING AND PLACE MAKING ARE ABOUT PRESERVING AND MAKING BETTER THE PLACES THAT MAKE UP THE STATE'S LAND.

>> A LOT OF TIMES WE TAKE WHAT IS IN OUR OWN BACK YARD FOR GRANTED.

WE JUST DON'T APPRECIATE, OH, SOMETHING EXCITING MUST HAVE HAPPENED HERE.

THAT WAS ALL IN THE -- YOU KNOW, BIG CITIES AND THINGS.

AND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE SO IMPORTANT TO TELLING THE STORY OF INDIANA HISTORY.

>> AS IT WAS PUT, WITHOUT PROPER HISTORY, PRESERVATION, MANY OF INDIANA'S MOST PROLIFIC RESIDENTS WILL BE FORGOTTEN.

I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>> THE MARKER AT SWITCH YARD PARK WILL BE UNVEILED JUNETEENTH CEREMONY, JUNE 19th AT 2 P.M. >>> INDIANA IS UNVEILING A NEW STUDENT SECTION FOR HEAD FOOTBALL COACH CURT CIGNETTI'S FIRST SEASON THIS FALL.

THE STUDENT SECTION WILL MOVE FROM THE NORTHEAST SECTION OF THE STADIUM TO A SPACE BETWEEN SECTIONS 13 THROUGH 24.

NOW THIS MOVE WILL FILL THE NORTH END ZONE SEATS, AND THE MARCHING HUNDRED WILL BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NEW STUDENT SECTION.

I.U.

ATHLETICS DIRECTOR, SCOTT DOLSON SAYS THIS WILL CREATE AN ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE ON GAME DAYS.

INDIANA'S FIRST GAME WILL BE AGAINST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY WITH A 3:30 P.M. KICKOFF SATURDAY, AUGUST 31st.

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

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

♪ "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE