>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," DUKE ENERGY IS PROPOSING A RATE HIKE THAT WOULD COST THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER MORE THAN $300 A YEAR.

>> I HAVE A BUDGET ANYWAY, BUT IT WILL BE A LOT OF SACRIFICES THAT WOULD NEED TO BE MADE.

>> AHEAD, DUKE MAKES THE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE INCREASE, WHILE BLOOMINGTON LEADERS SOUND THE ALARM ABOUT HOW THE HIKE COULD AFFECT LOCAL RESIDENTS.

>>> SOME RESIDENTS ARE SPENDING THEIR SUMMER WORKING ON THEIR READING SKILLS.

>> MOSTLY JUST SO THAT THEY ARE BETTER PREPARED FOR THE NEXT GRADE THAT THEY ARE GOING INTO, ESPECIALLY THEIR SPEED OF READING AND READING COMPREHENSION.

>> COMING UP, THE PRESSURE TO PASS THE HIGH STAKES THIRD GRADE READING ASSESSMENT.

>>> AND BUCKLE UP, IT'S BEEN A WILD WEEK FOR THE STATE'S REPUBLICAN PARTY.

OUR STATE HOUSE REPORTER JOINS US FROM THE LATEST AND HE TELLS US HOW THE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO SEIZE ON THIS TIME OF TRANSITION.

ALL THIS, AND THE HEADLINES HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, DUKE ENERGY WANTS TO RAISE ELECTRICITY RATES FOR THE SECOND TIME IN FIVE YEARS.

THE COMPANY SAYS IT NEEDS TO PAY FOR GRID IMPROVEMENTS, BUT A GROWING NUMBER OF CONSUMER ADVOCATES, POLITICIANS, AND RATEPAYERS SAY DUKE'S PROPOSAL IS TOO STEEP.

ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS.

>> AS A UTILITY DUKE MUST APPEAL TO THE INDIANA UTILITY REGULATORY COMMISSION BEFORE SETTING NEW RATES.

>> THOSE ENTITIES, THOSE MONOPOLIES ARE SUBJECT TO REGULATION THROUGH THESE REGULATORY BODIES, WITH THE IDEA BEING THESE REGULATORY BODIES, THE REGULATORY AGENCIES, ARE A SURROGATE TO COMPETITION.

IT'S AN UNCOMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE.

>> DUKE SAYS IT WILL USE THAT MONEY TO COVER GRID UPGRADES, REPLACING WOOD POLES WITH STEEL, THAT CAN BETTER WITH STAND STORMS AND EXFANNEDDING POWER TO 60,000 -- EXPAND POWER TO 60,000 CUSTOMERS IT EXPECTS BY 2025.

>> WE KNOW THAT UTILITY COSTS IS A MAJOR PART OF THE HOUSEHOLD BUDGET.

WITH HE HAVE HELD THE LINE SINCE 2020 ON DAY-TO-DAY OPERATING COSTS, WHILE WE HAVE MADE INVESTMENTS OF $1.6 BILLION IN IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR SYSTEM.

>> ANY INCREASE IS SUPPOSED TO COVER MAINTENANCE COSTS AND IMPROVEMENTS, BUT THE UTILITY CAN EARN PROFITS UP TO AN AMOUNT AGREED UPON BY THE COMMISSION THIS YEAR DUKE SEEKS ANOTHER $492 MILLION REVENUE INCREASE.

>> WE CAN USE THAT, FOR INSTANCE, FOR DIVIDENDS, TO PAIR OUR SHAREHOLDERS.

-- TO PAY OUR SHAREHOLDERS AS ONE EXAMPLE AND THAT RETURN IS REGULAR.

IT'S NOT GUARANTEED.

>> THAT RATE INCREASE WILL ROLL OUT OVER TWO YEARS IF PASSED.

THE COMPANY ESTIMATES A CUSTOMER USING 1,000-KILOWATT PER HOURS PER MONTH WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL $28.

BUT THE CITIZEN ACTION COMMISSION SAYS IT WILL BE CLOSER TO $42.

THE COALITION'S ESTIMATE LOOKS AT CURRENT BILLS WHILE DUKE'S NUMBERS ARE BASED ON BILL TRACKERS.

>> I'M NOT SAYING THEY ARE LYING OR DISINGENUOUS.

HERE'S YOUR BILL TODAY.

YOUR TOTAL BILL, TRACKERS INCLUDED, HERE'S WHAT DUKE ENERGY INDIANA WANTS YOUR BILL TO BE.

THAT'S THE $42 A MONTH.

>> THE PROBLEM IS NOT THEORETICAL FOR ELIZA CAREY.

SHE IS RAISES FIVE KIDS AT TEMPLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

HER ELECTRIC BILL WAS MORE THAN $230.

>> I TRIED TO BUDGET ANYWAY, BUT IT WILL BE A LOT OF SACRIFICES THAT WILL NEED TO BE MADE, YOU KNOW, LIKE HAVING FIVE KIDDOS, THEY EAT A LOT, YOU KNOW?

SO, YOU KNOW, LIKE NOT CUTTING THEIR FOOD, I WOULD SAY BEING REALLY BUDGET FRIENDLY.

>> SHE'S TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE INTEREST-FREE PAYMENT PLAN BUT SHE'S STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT.

CAREY ASKS HER KIDS TO KEEP THE LIGHT OFF TO SAVE POWER.

>> I'M TO THE POINT NOW WHERE, OF COURSE, THEY CAN'T GO ANYWHERE DURING THE SUMMER, BUT TRYING TO HACK, BASICALLY CUTTING MY POWER OFF COMPLETINGLY FROM THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AND JUST LEAVING MY FRIDGE ON DURING THE DAY.

>> SHE COULD BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE GRID IF SHE CAN'T MAKE PAYMENTS.

OTHER DUKE CUSTOMERS SPOKE UP THURSDAY AT A HEARING WITH THE I.U.R.C.

AT THE MONROE CONVENTION CENTER, ALMOST 60 SIGNED UP TO GIVE TESTIMONY TO BE ENTERED ON THE RECORD.

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S JUSTIFIED TO INCREASE THIS PROFIT MARGIN FOR DUKE, BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET THE EQUITY THEY NEED, BECAUSE IT'S A VERY LOW-RISK INVESTMENT.

>> MY SON AND I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO LIVE IN THE DARK IN 80 PLUS DEGREE TEMPERATURES IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THE CURRENT ENERGY COSTS AS AFFORDABLE AS POSSIBLE.

>> BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCILMEMBERS PENNED A LETTER TO THE STATE UTILITY COUNSELOR THIS WEEK, SAYING IT WOULD DECREASE THE STABILITY OF ITS CONSUMERS.

>> DUKE MADE OVER 25,000 DISCONNECTIONS IN ITS SERVICE TERRITORY LAST YEAR.

THAT CAN, OF COURSE, THEN TURN INTO DEBT COLLECTIONS AND OTHER ISSUES.

SO JUST HIGHLIGHTING THAT THAT'S THE CONTEXT THROUGH WHICH WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS.

>> THE LETTER GOES ON TO CRITICIZE THE SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS CALLING THEM TOO NARROW.

THE COUNCIL IS ASKING FOR A MODIFIED PROPOSAL.

BLOOMINGTON MAYOR KERRY THOMSON PLANS TO ADD HER SIGNATURE EARLY NEXT WEEK.

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

>> THE I.U.R.C.

IS TAKING WRITTEN COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC UNTIL JULY 5th.

AFTER THAT, IT RATE CASE PROCEEDS LIKE A CIVIL COURT CASE, WITH LAWYERS FOR DUKE AND INTERVENERORS -- INTERVENORS CROSS EXAMINING REGULATORY WITNESSES AND A DECISION IS EXPECTED EARLY NEXT YEAR.

>>> STATE'S REPUBLICAN PARTY IS IN A PERIOD OF TRANSITION.

TWO TOP PARTY OFFICIALS ARE LEAVING THEIR POST AND THINGS AREN'T GOING MIKE BRAUN'S WAY IN HIS ATTEMPT TO BECOME THE STATE'S NEXT GOVERNOR.

>> DELEGATES MET LAST WEEKEND TO PICK THEIR CANDIDATES FOR THE STATE'S TOP OFFICES.

MIKE BRAUN WANTED STATE REPRESENTATIVE JULIE McGUIRE AS HIS RUNNING MATE BUT DELEGATES CHOSE ULTRA CONSERVATIVE MICAH BECKWITH.

>> I WANT TO EXTEND AN OLIVE BRANCH.

I WANT TO BE A UNIFIER.

I WANT TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE ARE HEARD.

I THINK THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT, THE GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT THAT I'M PART OF, I THINK THEY FEEL UNHEARD OF.

>> THE CHRISTIAN NATIONALISTS BUILT HIS CAMPAIGN ON THE IDEA OF BEING A CHECK AND BALANCE TO THE GOVERNOR, AND HE SAYS THE CONVENTION RESULT FURTHER EXPOSED DIVISIONS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

LESS THAN 48 HOURS AFTER BECKWITH'S STUNNING UPSET, REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR ANN HATHAWAY AND EXECUTIVE DIRECT DIRECTOR JOE JOE ELSNOR SAID SHE'S STEPPING DOWN.

THEY ONLY AGREED TO SERVE ON THEIR ROLES IN A TEMPORARY BASIS.

DEMOCRATS SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPOSE WHAT THEY CALL CRACKS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S FOUNDATION.

>> WE CANNOT -- CANNOT TURN INDIANA OVER TO EXTREMISTS.

>> A FORMER REPUBLICAN OFFICE HOLDER AND SHE SAYS REPUBLICANS NOMINATING MICAH BECKWITH IS THE KIND OF THING THAT MADE HER LEAVE THAT PARTY.

McCORMICK FACES A HUGE FINANCIAL DISADVANTAGE IN THE RACE AGAINST BRAUN, BUT SHE SAYS RESOURCES HAVE BEEN COMING IN MORE EASILY SINCE BECKWITH GOT THE NOD.

>> BUT ALSO, WE ARE VERY STRONG IN A GRASSROOTS COALITION.

SO WE ARE RELYING ON THOSE FOLKS WHO WILL GO TALK TO THEIR FAMILY, AND TALK TO THEIR NEIGHBORS.

>> AND A LEAKED MEMO, CONSERVATIVE ATTORNEY JIM BOPP WARNED OF SEVERAL NEGATIVE EVENTS OF BECKWITH'S NOMINATION, INCLUDING CONCERNS THAT BECKWITH WILL CAUSE DIVISION AND CHAOS AND UNDERMINE BRAUN'S LEADERSHIP.

>> MY RUNNING MATE CAN SAY WHATEVER HE WANTS.

IF IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, IF IT DOESN'T RESONATE, REMEMBER, I WILL BE THE GOVERNOR.

>> NOW, BRAUN SAYS HE AND HIS RUNNING MATE ARE WORKING TO ALIGN THEIR MESSAGING.

NOW, MEANWHILE, JENNIFER McCORMICK HAS SELECTED FORMER STATE LAWMAKER TERRY GOODEN AS HER PICK FOR RUNNING MATE.

GOODEN IS A FORMER SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, AND TEN-TERM STATE LAWMAKER.

NOW AT THE STATE HOUSE HE VOTED TO BAN GAY MARRIAGE IN 2011 AND WAS A REGULAR VOTE AGAINST ABORTION.

NOW HE SAYS HIS GAY MARRIAGE VOTE WAS WRONG AND THAT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT'S REVERSAL OF ABORTION RIGHTS WAS AN ALL-OUT ASSAULT.

>> WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO RESTORE THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR OWN BODY.

>> NOW, GOODEN WILL HAVE COMPETITION FOR THE NOMINATION AT THE INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENTION.

TWO OTHERS BOB KERN AND CLIFF MARSILGIO HAVE FILED TO RUN FOR STATE LIEUTENANT.

WE ARE GOOD MORNING WITH MORE FROM BRANDON SMITH.

HI, BRANDON, SO BECKWITH WAS NOT BRAUN'S PICK AND HE'S BEEN HEAVILY CRITICIZED BUT REACTION TO McCORMICK'S PICK OF GOODEN HAS ALSO BEEN MIXED.

YOU HAVE INTERACTED A LOT WITH GOODEN OVER THE YEARS AT THE STATEHOUSE.

CAN YOU ELABORATE ON HIS EXPERIENCE.

>> WELL, THERE'S NO DOUBT, THAT TERRY GOODEN HAS MORE THAN ENOUGH LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE FOR THE ROLE.

HE SERVED 20 YEARS AT THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING A STINT AS THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER, BUT HE WAS ALSO PERHAPS MOST CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT THERE, AS WE POINTED OUT, A REGULAR VOTE AGAINST ABORTION RIGHTS, A VOTE AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE IN 2011, A REGULAR VOTE IN FAVOR OF LOOSENING GUN RESTRICTIONS.

HE'S CHANGING HIS TUNE ON SOME OF THAT, BUT NOW HE WILL HAVE TO CONVINCE DEMOCRATS THAT IN 2024, HE REPRESENTS WHAT THE PARTY STANDS FOR.

>> NOW, AS WE SAW WITH BRAUN, CONVENTION DELEGATES COULD NOMINATE SOMEONE OTHER THAN GOODEN, RIGHT?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY NOT A LOCK FOR SURE.

NOW, TWO OTHERS AS WE POINTED OUT SO FAR HAVE FILED TO RUN.

BOB KERN IS A PERENNIAL CANDIDATE WOULD RUNS FOR OFFICES ALL THE TIME.

I DON'T THINK IT'S BEING TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY, BUT CLIFF MARSIGLIO IS MORE OF A POLITICAL ACTIVIST.

HE RAN FOR MAYOR OF INTEREST -- INDIANAPOLIS AGAINST JOE HOGSETT.

I THINK THE WILD CARD IS J.D.

FORD.

HE'S MULLING A RUN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND HE COULD BE A REAL CHALLENGE TO TERRY GOODEN AT THE CONVENTION.

>> SO HOW UNUSUAL IS IT FOR CONVENTION DELEGATES TO SELECT A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THAT IS NOT THE GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEE'S PICK?

>> IT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN ANYONE'S MEMORY.

THE CLOSEST YOU CAN KIND OF FIND IS 1996 WHEN REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEE GOLDSMITH DIDN'T EXPRESS A PREFERENCE WHICH LED TO A FREE-FOR-ALL AT THE GOP CONVENTION.

OTHERWISE, THIS IS A REAL OUTLIER.

>> THE LEAKED MEMO FROM CONSERVATIVE ATTORNEY JIM BOPP SHOWS AT LEAST SOME MEMBERS OF THE GOP REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THE NOVEMBER ELECTION AND HOW THE BRAUN/BECKWITH TICKET WILL AFFECT OTHER REPUBLICANS ON THE BALLOT.

DO YOU FEEL THAT THERE ARE REAL CONCERNS THERE?

>> I THINK THAT SOME PEOPLE CERTAINLY HAVE THOSE CONCERNS, BUT I ALSO DON'T THINK IT MIGHT ULTIMATELY COME TO ANYTHING WHEN IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE.

FIRST OF ALL, BRAUN WILL BE AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET AND AS MUCH AS THEY SHINE A LIGHT ON MICAH BECKWITH AS HIS RUNNING MATE, IT WILL BE ABOUT WHAT BRAUN WANTS TO DO.

THE REALITY IS THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ONLY FINE WITH WHAT MICAH BECKWITH REPRESENTS AND ACTIVELY SUPPORT HIM SHH.

>> AND WHAT DO YOU THINK THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WILL LOOK LIKE IN THE NEXT FEW -- ON THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

>> WE WILL GET A SENSE OF HOW MANY BRAUN AND BECKWITH WILL WORK TOGETHER.

AND THEN TERRY McCORMICK IS GETTING GOODEN TO CONVINCE DEMOCRATS THAT HE'S ONE OF THEM.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," ARE SOME STUDENTS ARE SPENDING THEIR SUMMER WORKING ON THEIR READING SKILLS TO PASS THE HIGH STAKES THIRD GRADE READING ASSESSMENT.

>>> AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES THE JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY FOR A THIRD YEAR.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

INDIANA LAWMAKERS PASSED SENATE BILL 1 DURING THE RECENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT SAYS THIRD GRADERS WHO DON'T PASS IREAD CAN ADVANCE TO THE NEXT GRADE.

LITERACY RATES HAVE BEEN DECLINING FOR THE LAST DECADE, BUT AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS SOME EDUCATORS AND PARENTS WORRY ABOUT UNINTENDED EFFECTS OF THE BILL.

>> AFTER DINNER, IT'S TIME FOR CARDS, WHICH SEAN DOLTZ HER HUSBAND AND HER FOUR GRANDCHILDREN WHO LIVE WITH HER.

IT'S ALL FUN THIS EVENING, BUT SHE SIGNED THEM UP FOR ONLINE SUMMER SCHOOL, WHICH STARTS SOON.

>> MOSTLY JUST SO THAT THEY ARE BETTER PREPARED FOR THE NEXT GRADE THAT THEY ARE GOING INTO, ESPECIALLY THEIR -- THEIR SPEED OF READING, AND READING COMPREHENSION.

>> A COUPLE YEARS AGO, HER GRANT DAUGHTER, AN INCOMING FIFTH GRADER AT BINFORD JUST BARELY MISSED THE MARK TO PASS THE IREAD TEST.

THE MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SUGGESTED SUMMER SCHOOL THEN TO PREP FOR A RETAKE.

>> I JUST ARRANGED TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH HER AND THEN SHE WAS ABLE TO RETAKE THE TEST AND LUCKILY SHE -- SHE DID WELL WITH THE TEST, AND MOVED ON TO FOURTH GRADE.

BUT STILL, JUST READING COMPREHENSION WITH COVID, I THINK, HAS AFFECTED THE KIDS.

>> NEARLY 20% OF STATE THIRD GRADERS DID NOT PASS THE TEST THAT YEAR.

SENATE BILL ONE BECOMES EFFECTIVE FOR THE UPCOMING ACADEMIC YEAR.

THE THIRD GRADERS MUST REPEAT THE GRADE IF THEY DON'T PASS THE READING EFFICIENCY TEST.

IT DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR THE TEACHER'S INPUT ON WHAT THE STUDENTS LEARN OR THE TEST TAKING ABILITY.

>> THEY MAY DO WELL ON THEIR WORK LEADING UP TO THAT.

>> THEY WORRIES THE LAW WILL PRESSURE TEACHERS TO USE MORE CLASSTIME TO TEACH TO THE TEST ABOUT.

40 MINUTES DOWN STATE ROAD 37, 36 THIRD GRADERS GATHERED IN PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S LUNCH ROOM.

THEY RETOOK THE IREAD EXAM THIS MONTH.

IF THESE STUDENTS DON'T PASS THE SUMMER RETAKE, THEY WILL RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND RETAKE THE TEST IN FOURTH GRADE.

THEY ARE THE LAST CLASS WHERE THIS WILL BE THE CASE.

MOST STUDENTS WHO DO NOT PASS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ADVANCE WITHOUT A PASSING GRADE.

MOST SCHOOLS GIVE THE TEST STARTING IN SECOND GRADE AND THEN AGAIN IN THIRD.

THE STATE'S RETENTION POLICY GOES INTO EFFECT FOR INCOMING THIRD GRADERS THIS ACADEMIC YEAR.

>> STARTING NEXT YEAR, WE'LL BE VERY PRESSURE PACKED.

>> LEMONS TAUGHT ONE OF THE THIRD GRADE READING CLASSROOMS FOR NORTH LAWRENCE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

HE TAUGHT SUMMER SCHOOL READING FOR A LOT OF YEARS.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T PASS IREAD IN SECOND AND THIRD GRADE, HE SAYS READING COMPREHENSION IS NOT THE ISSUE.

>> A LOT OF THE WAYS THAT THE STATE ASKS THEM TO ENGAGE IN READING IS NOT FAMILIAR TO THE STUDENTS.

SO JUST KIND OF WALKING THEM THROUGH THE META COGNITIVETIVE APPROACH TO TAKING SOME OF THOSE TESTS CAN BE HELPFUL.

>> FOR THOUGH STUDENTS, PROBLEMS MAY INCLUDE FOCUSED TIME ON TASK OR TRAUMA-BASED FACTORS.

ALL FIVE NORTH LAWRENCE COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ARE TITLE ONE.

IN THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR, MORE THAN 84% OF ITS STUDENTS PASSED IREAD.

THE CORPORATION HAD A HIGHER PASSING RATE THAN SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.

TRICIA HUDSON CREDITS THEIR EDUCATORS SCIENCE OF READING AND THE STRONG SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM.

>> I FEEL LIKE ALL OF OUR ELEMENTARIES ARE VERY WELL ALIGNED IN THEIR EFFORTS, IN THEIR CORE INSTRUCTION AND REMEDIATION OR TEARED INSTRUCTION.

>> HUDSON SAYS HOLDING KIDS BACK RAISES FUNDING ISSUES.

DISTRICTS CAN APPLY FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE STATE.

IN 2015, MORE THAN 270 SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED IN THE STATE'S REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM.

40 SCHOOLS JOINED BY 2022.

BUT THE AVERAGE STUDENT TEACHER RATIO MUST BE 15 TO 1 FOR REIMBURSEMENT.

HUDSON SAYS THAT NEEDS TO BE SMALLER.

>> WE WOULD NEVER HAVE AN INTERVENTION GROUP DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR OF 15 STUDENTS TO ONE TEACHER.

THAT'S JUST UNHEARD OF.

SO USUALLY WE WANT TO KEEP THOSE GROUPS AT 4 TO 6 STUDENTS PER TEACHER IF WE'RE TALKING INTERVENTION AND THAT'S TRULY WHAT THE SUMMER SCHOOL WOULD BE, WOULD BE AN INTERVENTION.

SO THOSE GUIDELINES ARE REALLY DIFFICULT TO STOMACH.

>> HER DISTRICT SCALED THE SUMMER PROGRAMMING BACK TO ONLY THE PRE-K JUMP START AND THIRD GRADE READING THIS YEAR, BECAUSE OF FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS AND AN END TO COVID RELIEF.

BUT SHE CREDITS THE STATE WITH ALLOCATING $185 MILLION TO SUPPORT REGIONAL READING PROGRAMS IN SUMMER SCHOOL THIS YEAR.

ACROSS MORE THAN 80 COUNTIES.

SHE APPRECIATES GRANTS OFFERED BY STATE FOR THE SCIENCE OF READING.

IREAD SCORES FOR THIS YEAR WON'T BE RELEASED UNTIL AUGUST WHEN SUMMER RETAKES ARE DONE.

DOLTZ'S GRANDSON, AN INCOMING THIRD GRADER WILL TAKE THE READING PROFICIENCY EXAM THIS YEAR.

SHE'S CONSIDERING MOVING HIM TO CLEAR CREEK CHRISTIAN, A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

HE STARTED KINDERGARTEN DURING THE PANDEMIC TWO YEARS AGO AND SHE THINKS SMALLER CLASS SIZES MIGHT BENEFIT HIM.

>> SO THAT HE WILL BE PREPARED FOR A NUMBER OF THINGS, BUT DEFINITELY FOR THE IREAD THREE.

>> SHE SAYS SHE SUPPORTS THE STATE'SES TO RAISE SCORES, BUT DOESN'T LIKE THE ABSOLUTE OF HOLDING A CHILD BACK.

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

>>> AND NOW LUCAS GONZALES JOINS WITH MORE HEAD LINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE.

HI, LUCAS.

>> HI, JOE.

A JUDGE DEALT A BLOW TO THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO ANNEX A LARGE SWATH OF THE COUNTY IT APIES TO 1C, 2, 3, 4 AND 5.

THE CASE CENTERED ON THE AX ANNEXATION LAWS.

THE LANDOWNERS SIGNED THESE WAIVERS GIVING UP THEIR RIGHT TO CHALLENGE ANNEXATION BY THE CITY IN EXCHANGE FOR GETTING CONNECTED TO THE SEWER SYSTEM.

THE CITY ARGUED TO THE 19 LAW VIOLATES U.S. AND INDIANA CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS, PREVENTING THE STATE FROM BREAKING EXISTING CONTRACTS.

BUT THE JUDGE RULED THAT THE CONSTITUTION IS MEANT TO PROTECT PRIVATE PARTIES AND NOT GOVERNMENTS.

A SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON IS DECIDING WHETHER TO APPEAL.

>>> CENTRAL INDIANA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ARE WORKING TO ALLEVIATE MEDICAL DEBT FOR FAMILIES.

THIS WEEK THEY HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT THEY HELPED MORE THAN 112,000 HOOSIERS N. TOTAL, THEY RELIEVED MORE THAN $200 MILLION IN COMPOUNDING MEDICAL DEBT.

UNITED WAY WAS ONE OF THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

>> WHILE ONE-TIME INVEST WILL HAVE A RIPPLE EFFECT FOR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY, IT DOESN'T AGGRESS DRESS -- ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF MEDICAL DEBT OR FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.

>> THE ORGANIZATIONS PLAN TO CONTINUE ADVOCATING FOR POLICY CHANGES RELATED TO FOUR AREAS, STRENGTHENING CHARITY CARE POLICIES, LIMITING DAMAGE TO CREDIT SCORES, CONTROLLING THE COST OF CARE AND ADDRESSING BILLING AND COLLECTION PRACTICES.

A 73-YEAR-OLD INDIANA MAN WILL SERVE TWO AND A HALF YEARS IN PRISON FOR HIS ROLE IN THE CAPITAL INSURRECTION.

A JUDGE SENTENCED DALE HUDDLE OF CROWN POINT THIS WEEK.

IN ADDITION TO PRISON TIME, HUDDLE WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE THAN $3,600 IN DAMAGES TO THE CAPITAL GROUNDS AND SERVE TWO YEARS OF SUPERVISED RELEASE.

ACCORDING TO A POLICE SETTLEMENT, HUDDLE INJURED TWO OFFICERS WHEN HE STRUCK THEM WITH A FLAGPOLE.

>>> VOTING RIGHTS GROUPS ARE WORRIED ABOUT A PLAN BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO INCREASE THE POLICE PRESENCE AT POLLING PLACES.

DIEGO MORALES SAYS LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NEEDED TO PROTECT POLL WORKERS, BUT VOTING RIGHTS ADVOCATES WORRY PARTICULARLY ABOUT COMMUNITIES OF COLLEGE WHERE POLICING AT POLLS HAS A SINISTER HISTORY.

>> THERE WAS A TECHNIQUE USED FOR YEARS HERE IN INDIANA IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES WHERE IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPRESS THE VOTE, POLICE CARS WOULD BE PARKED OUTSIDE OF POLLING PLACES WITH THE HELP THAT THAT WOULD KEEP CERTAIN FOLKS FROM COMING INSIDE.

>> VAUGHN SAYS SHE AND THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HOPE TO MEET WITH MORALES TO DISCUSS OTHER ELECTION WORKER SECURITY OPTIONS, INCLUDING DEESCALATION TRAINING.

>>> AN INDIANA UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC CENTER IS COMING TO DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS.

STATE PROVIDED MOST OF THE FUNDING FOR $110 MILLION ATHLETIC CENTER.

THE CENTER WILL SEAT ABOUT 4500 PEOPLE.

I.U.

INDIANAPOLIS JAGUARS AND HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES CAN USE THE SPACE.

>>> AND JOE, I.U.

'S PRESIDENT SAYS THE PROJECT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROWTH OF THE I.U.

INDIANAPOLIS CAMPUS, AND HELP CONNECT THE SCHOOL TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE THAT GO UP DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS.

>> IT SURE WILL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ON JUNE 19th, 1865, THE LAST GROUP OF ENSLAVED AMERICANS RECEIVED NEWS OF THEIR FREEDOM AFTER UNION TROOPS LANDED ON GALVESTON ISLAND.

IT'S BEEN A HOLIDAY IN TEXAS EVER SINCE AND IN 2021, IT BECAME THE NEWEST FEDERAL HOLIDAY, AS GEORGE HAIL REPORTS, I.U.

'S NEAL-MARSHALL BLACK CULTURAL CENTER INVITED FOLKS TO THE BLOOMINGTON CAMPUS THIS WEEK TO CELEBRATE.

>> THE CELEBRATION AT THE BLACK CULTURE CENTER FELT A LOT LIKE ATTENDING A BIG OUTDOOR PICNIC.

>> I LOOK AT THIS AS A BIG FAMILY REUNION.

THAT'S ESSENTIALLY WHAT IT IS, A BIG FAMILY REUNION.

WE INVITE OUR FRIENDS, OUR NEIGHBORS, OUR CAMPUS PARTNERS TO COME AND CELEBRATE WITH US.

♪ >> THERE WERE GAMES, DANCING AND LOTS OF FOOD.

>> THIS CELEBRATION IS FOR BLACK PEOPLE, WHITE PEOPLE, ASIAN PEOPLE, IT'S FOR EVERYBODY.

WE CELEBRATE ALL TOGETHER, BUT THERE'S SOME TRADITIONS THAT ARE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY SUCH AS FOR JUNETEENTH, WE EAT BARBECUE.

YOU SEE A LOT OF RED FOODS.

WE HAVE RED VELVET CAKE, WE HAVE BARBECUE.

WE HAVE RED DRINKS.

>> ATTENDEES ALSO HELD A TRADITIONAL CAKEWALK, A GAME THAT'S SOMETHING LIKE MUSICAL CHAIRS WITH CAKES BAKED BY THE COMMUNITY UP FOR GRABS.

THIS YEAR'S EVENT HONORED ABOUT 400 NEW SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS WHO ARE ARRIVING AS FRESHMEN STARTING IN THE FALL.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M GEORGE HALE.

>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON HOSTED ITS JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS LAST WEEKEND AFTER OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGING JUNETEENTH FOR FIRST TIME LAST YEAR.

>>> THE BLOOMINGTON STARBUCKS ON INDIANA AVENUE IS THE LATEST IN THE STATE TO UNIONIZE.

WORKERS VOTED 15:1 TO JOIN STARBUCKS WORKERS UNITED.

THEY ARE SEEKING BETTER PAY AND JOB SECURITY.

THIS IS THE SECOND STARBUCKS LOCATION IN BLOOMINGTON TO UNIONIZE.

>>> THAT'S THE EDMONTON OF -- THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

OF.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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