INDIANA NEWSDESK IS MADE IN PART BY... COMING UP ON INDIANA NEWSDESK... DIVISION AMONG THE TRUSTEES AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

>> SOMETHING QUITE OF INTEREST OR CHALLENGING IS GOING ON HINT THE SCENES IF THEY'RE NOT ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> A NEW LETTER CASTS DOUBT ON WHETHER IU PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN HAS THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE BOARD.

CLEANUP CONTINUES ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA AFTER AN UNEXPECTED STORM CAUSED WIDESPREAD DAMAGE.

>> I LOOKED AT MY STEP-DAUGHTER AND SAID KIND OF FEELS LIKE WE'RE IN A TORNADO.

NEXT THING YOU KNOW YOU HEAR A CRASH, BOOM.

KIND OF LIKE A HORROR MOVIE.

>> A SPECIAL REPORT FROM DC WHERE ANTI-DEATH PENALTY ADVOCATES ARE CELEBRATING A DECISION THAT WILL MAKE IT HARDER TO EXECUTE PEOPLE ON FEDERAL DEATH ROW.

THOSE STORIES PLUS THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

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

THOUSANDS OF MONROE COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER AFTER A STORM RIPPED THROUGH THE AREA, KNOCKING DOWN TREES AND POWER LINES.

BENTE BOUTHIER LEADS OUR TEAM COVERAGE OF RESIDENTS LEFT PICKING UP THE DEBRIS.

>> ADRIAN KIMMEL WAS AT HOME ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF TOWN WHEN THE STORM BLEW IN WITH WIND GUSTS TOPPING 70 MILES PER HOUR.

>> I HAD LOOKED AT MY STEPDAUGHTER, AND I SAID, ‘KIND OF FEELS LIKE WE'RE IN A TORNADO,’ AND THEN THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, YOU JUST HEAR CRASH, BOOM, CLANG, ALL OUR DOORS SLAM SHUT, AND IT WAS KIND OF LIKE A HORROR MOVIE •.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT.

BUT IT BUSTED ONE OF OUR WINDOWS IN OUR OFFICE.

THERE WAS RAIN EVERYWHERE, GLASS EVERYWHERE.

>> A TREE IS ON TOP OF KIMMEL’S ENCLOSED PORCH.

WHILE THEY WAIT FOR AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE, KIMMEL SAY THEY’VE BEEN TOLD TO HOLD OFF ON REMOVING THE MASSIVE TRUNK.

THE SCENE IS SIMILAR ACROSS MUCH OF BLOOMINGTON.

CREWS HAVE CLEARED TREES AND POWER LINES BLOCKING ROADS, BUT ALL THE DEBRIS HAS HAMPERED RECOVERY EFFORTS.

>> VERY LARGE BRANCHES CAME DOWN, THAT COMPLETELY BLOCKED FESS AVENUE FOR A WHILE, AND THE NEIGHBOR AND I CAME OUT AND MOVED THE LARGER LIMBS TO THE SIDE SO THE CARS COULD GET THROUGH.

>> SANDERS SAYS THIS WEEK’S STORM IS THE WORST HE’S SEEN IN THE CITY IN THE 51 YEARS HE’S LIVED HERE.

DUKE ENERGY SAYS MORE THAN 46,000 RESIDENTS — ABOUT 70 PERCENT -- LOST POWER IN THE STORM.

DUKE BROUGHT 730 ADDITIONAL WORKERS INTO THE STATE TO HELP WITH REPAIRS.

>> STATEWIDE, WE HAD MORE THAN 95,000 CUSTOMERS AFFECTED BY THE STORMS THAT RIPPED THROUGH THE STATE ON TUESDAY, AND BLOOMINGTON AND TERRE HAUTE WERE GROUND ZERO, IN TERMS OF DAMAGE AND POWER OUTAGES.

>> SIMILARLY, THE UTILITIES DISTRICT OF WESTERN INDIANA WHICH ALSO SERVES PART OF MONROE COUNTY, IS WORKING TO REPAIR WHAT IT CALLS THE WORST DAMAGE ITS SEEN IN DECADES.

FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M BENTE BOUTHIER.

>> PAYNETOWN STATE RECREATION AREA AT LAKE MONROE IS STILL WITHOUT POWER IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE BIG STORM.

ACCESS TO PAYNETOWN IS BEING RESTRICTED TO THOSE USING THE BOAT RAMP, ACCESSING A BOAT AT THE MARINA, BOAT RENTAL, OR PICKING UP PERSONAL PROPERTY.

THE BEACH AND MARINA BOTH REMAIN CLOSED, AND THE CAMPGROUND IS CLOSED UNTIL JULY SECOND.

>>> TUESDAY’S STORM DIDN’T SPARE THE PRO-GAZA ENCAMPMENT ON INDIANA UNIVERSITY’S CAMPUS.

THE DUNN MEADOW LIBERATED ZONE, WHICH HAS BEEN ACTIVE FOR MORE THAN TWO MONTHS, HAD SEVERAL CHAIRS AND TENTS DESTROYED.

OTHERS, INCLUDING THE KITCHEN TENT, WERE BLOWN LIKE SAILS ACROSS THE MEADOW AND INTO THE CREEK.

THE PROTESTERS PREPARED BY TAKING SOME EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS SOLAR PANELS, OFF-SITE BEFORE THE STORM.

>> WE WERE PRETTY CLEAR TO OUR PEOPLE THAT WE DO NOT WANT ANYONE ON THE GROUND.

IF YOU’RE AROUND CAMP, GO TO A PORCH, GET INSIDE, GO TO THE IMU.

PROTECT YOURSELF .

>> GREENE, AN IU STUDENT AND ENCAMPMENT ORGANIZER, RETURNED TO CAMPUS MONDAY AFTER SUCCESSFULLY APPEALING HIS NO TRESPASS ORDER.

>>> THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES PUT OUT A STATEMENT SUPPORTING PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN AFTER A FACULTY NO CONFIDENCE VOTE IN APRIL.

ONE TRUSTEE SAYS NOT ONLY DOES SHE DISAGREE WITH THE STATEMENT, BUT SHE DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT IT UNTIL IT WENT PUBLIC.

ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS.

>> THE STATEMENT, PURPORTEDLY REPRESENTING THE ENTIRE BOARD, REAFFIRMED ITS COMMITMENT TO THE PRESIDENT.

SAYING “AS A BOARD, WE CONTINUE TO OFFER OUR FULL SUPPORT TO PRESIDENT WHITTEN.

SHE IS THE RIGHT LEADER AT THE RIGHT TIME PRECISELY BECAUSE SHE HAS PURSUED A FUTURE FOR INDIANA UNIVERSITY THAT WILL ENSURE THAT IT THRIVES IN ITS NEXT ERA.” ELECTED TRUSTEE VIVIAN WINSTON SAYS THE STATEMENT DOESN’T “TRULY CAPTURE A REPRESENTATIVE SENSE OF THE BOARD’S PERSPECTIVE.

THE STATEMENT IGNORED THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE VOTE AND DISREGARDED FACULTY CONCERNS.” IN AN EMAIL TO WTIU NEWS, SHE SAID SHE HAD NO ROLE IN CREATING THAT STATEMENT AND FELT SHE COULD “NO LONGER STAY SILENT.” WINSTON IS ONE OF ONLY TWO TRUSTEES WHO HAVE ATTENDED LISTENING SESSIONS WITH FACULTY AND VISITED PROTESTERS IN THE DUNN MEADOW ENCAMPMENT, THE OTHER BEING ELECTED TRUSTEE DONNA SPEARS.

EXPERTS SAY IT’S NOT ONLY UNUSUAL FOR A BOARD TO PUT OUT A STATEMENT WITHOUT CONSULTING ITS MEMBERS, BUT DIVISION ON BACKING A LEADER COULD BE A SIGN OF TROUBLE.

>> IT'S VERY RARE, WHICH IF I'M TRYING TO READ TEA LEAVES HERE TELLS ME SOMETHING QUITE RANCOROUS OR CHALLENGING IS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES IF THEY’RE NOT ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> AS A TRUSTEE IN THE MID-90S, CYNTHIA PEARL STONE SAYS SHE’S SEEN THE CULTURE OF THE BOARD CHANGE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THERE’S BEEN HIGH TURNOVER IN THE NINE-MEMBER GROUP.

ONLY TWO TRUSTEES NOW HAVE SERVED LONGER THAN THREE YEARS.

IN STONE’S TIME SHE OFTEN MET WITH PROFESSORS AND STUDENTS.

>> WE COULD LISTEN, AND WE COULD BE ENGAGED, WE COULD FEEL THAT THAT WAS WELCOMED.

AND THE AUDIENCE, THE PEOPLE THAT WE WERE SERVING, WELCOMED IT.

IT'S NOT WELCOME TODAY.

>> THE BOARD DIDN’T RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

STUDENTS AND FACULTY ON CAMPUS HAVE BEEN BOLDER WITH THEIR MESSAGING TO THE BOARD SINCE THE PRO-PALESTINE PROTESTS BEGAN IN APRIL.

AFTER POLICE ARRESTED OVER 50 STUDENTS AND FACULTY DURING PROTESTS, MANY SCHOOLS ON CAMPUS PASSED RESOLUTIONS CALLING ON THE BOARD TO REMOVE THE PRESIDENT AND PROVOST.

>> 43 EXPERIENCE WAS IF THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR, THE HERALD TIMES BACK IN THE DAY, CALLED ME UP AND ASKED FOR COMMENTS I WAS FREE TO GIVE THEM.

AND THERE WAS NO FALLOUT, THERE WAS NO CRITICISM, AND I WAS ONE VOICE OF MANY.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I’M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> WINSTON, WHO EMAILED HER LETTER TO WTIU, DECLINED A REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW.

IN HER LETTER, SHE CALLED FOR THE BOARD TO SEEK EQUAL INPUT FROM ALL ITS MEMBERS BEFORE FUTURE STATEMENTS AND DECISIONS.

>>> THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES THIS WEEK RELEASED A DRAFT FOR A NEW UNIVERSITY-WIDE “EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY” POLICY THAT WOULD PLACE NEW LIMITS ON WHERE, WHEN AND HOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN PROTEST.

ADMINISTRATORS INCLUDING PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN HAVE INDICATED THEIR DESIRE TO REPLACE IU’S EXISTING DUNN MEADOW SPEECH POLICY SINCE PRO-PALESTINE PROTESTS BEGAN IN APRIL.

UNDER THE PROPOSAL, EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITIES WOULD HAVE TO TAKE PLACE AT LEAST 25 FEET AWAY FROM THE ENTRANCES OF BUILDINGS AND PARKING LOTS.

IT WOULD ALSO BAN OVERNIGHT CAMPING.

THOSE RULES WOULD EFFECTIVELY OUTLAW THE ONGOING OCCUPATION OF DUNN MEADOW BY PRO-PALESTINE PROTESTERS.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND PURDUE ARE CELEBRATING THEIR NEW INDEPENDENT CAMPUSES, WHICH LAUNCH JULY FIRST IN INDIANAPOLIS.

BOTH SCHOOLS HELD EVENTS IN THE CAPITOL CITY THIS WEEK TO MARK THE OFFICIAL SPLIT OF IU-PU-I.

AUBREY WRIGHT HAS THIS STORY.

>> UNIVERSITY, BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS GATHERED AT MONUMENT CIRCLE THURSDAY FOR PURDUE’S INAUGURAL CEREMONY.

FORMER PURDUE PRESIDENT MITCH DANIELS SET THIS NEW CAMPUS IN MOTION IN 2022.

HE AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN AGREED TO DISSOLVE I-U-P-U-I AND END A 55-YEAR-OLD PARTNERSHIP.

>> SOMETIMES THE LONGER YOU WAIT FOR SOMETHING, THE LONGER YOU IMAGINE IT PLAN FOR IT,THE SWEETER IT IS, WHEN IT ARRIVES.

I'M GOING TO LOOK AT IT THAT WAY.

>> PURDUE IS WORKING TO EXTEND ITS WEST LAFAYETTE CAMPUS AND ESTABLISH ITSELF IN THE CAPITAL CITY.

PURDUE WILL RETAIN I-U-P-U-I’S ENGINEERING, COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS.

I-U INDIANAPOLIS IS KEEPING MOST OF THE FACILITIES, PROGRAMS AND STUDENT BODY.

IT WILL HAVE ABOUT TWENTY-THOUSAND STUDENTS.

>> I AM REALLY EXCITED TO WELCOME THE FIRST CLASS, BUT ALSO KNOW THAT AS YOU GO THROUGH YOUR PROGRAM, THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES.

AND AT THOSE POINTS, WE DON'T EVER WANT YOU TO FEEL LIKE YOU'RE ALONE IN THIS JOURNEY, BECAUSE WE'RE ALL HERE TO SUPPORT YOU.

>> THE CAMPUS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY ADMIT ELIGIBLE INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

LEADERS ARE CONFIDENT THESE UNIVERSITIES WILL IMPROVE THE ECONOMY AND HELP HOOSIERS EARN VALUABLE DEGREES.

>> TO HAVE, AGAIN, PURDUE UNIVERSITY AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY, BOTH ANCHORED HERE IN OUR CAPITAL CITY, TREMENDOUS ADVANTAGE FOR TEAM INDIANA.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I’M AUBREY WRIGHT.

WE ARE JOINED BY LUCAS FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, LUCAS.

>> HI, JOE.

>>> PEOPLE STAYING AT AN ENCAMPMENT NEAR THE RAIL TRAIL IN SOUTH-CENTRAL BLOOMINGTON HAVE UNTIL JULY 24TH TO LEAVE OR BE FORCED OUT.

THE ENCAMPMENT IS LOCATED ALONG THE TRAIL BETWEEN WEST COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE AND WEST GORDON PIKE.

THE CITY SAYS IT'S CLEARING THE ENCAMPMENT AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS OF FIRES.

IT WILL BE THE FOURTH ENCAMPMENT CLOSED UNDER MAYOR KERRY THOMSON SINCE SHE TOOK OFFICE IN JANUARY.

>>> A NEW V-A CLINIC IS COMING TO MONROE COUNTY.

IT WILL OFFER PRIMARY CARE, MENTAL HEALTH, PHYSICAL THERAPY, SOCIAL WORK AND MORE TO ABOUT 5,000 VETERANS IN THE AREA.

BLOOMINGTON CURRENTLY HAS TWO VETERAN CLINICS PROVIDING DIFFERENT CARE.

ONCE THE NEW CLINIC OPENS, BOTH LOCATIONS WILL CLOSE.

>> WHEN IT CAME UP FOR LEASE RENEWAL, WE CHOSE TO COMBINE THOSE SERVICES INTO ONE LARGER CLINIC IN THE AREA TO HELP STREAMLINE THE CARE OF OUR VETERANS.

>> THIS PROJECT IS PART OF AN ONGOING EFFORT IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM TO EXPAND CARE FOR VETERANS.

THE CLINIC IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN FALL 2025 AT A COST OF $7.5 MILLION.

IT WILL BE LOCATED ALTHOUGH STATE ROAD 46 BETWEEN BLOOMING PUN AND ELLETTSVILLE.

>>> A PROGRAM PROVIDING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF HOOSIERS HEALTH INSURANCE COULD BE IN JEOPARDY AFTER A WASHINGTON D.C. JUDGE VACATED A FEDERAL APPROVAL FOR THE HEALTHY INDIANA PLAN.

FORMER GOVERNOR MITCH DANIELS FIRST INTRODUCED HIP, THE CONSUMER-DRIVEN, COST-SHARING APPROACH IN 2007.

GOVERNOR MIKE PENCE DEVELOPED THE PROGRAM FURTHER IN 2015.

A SPOKESPERSON WITH THE FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION SAID THE AGENCY WAS REVIEWING THE RULING.

>>> CUMMINS IS UNDERGOING A ROUND OF LAYOFFS, CITING THE COMPANY’S COMMITMENT TO A ZERO-EMISSIONS BUSINESS STRATEGY.

CUMMINS MAKES POWER SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES AND OTHER MACHINES.

IT’S HEADQUARTERED IN COLUMBUS AND EMPLOYS MORE THAN 10,000 HOOSIERS.

A SPOKESPERSON SAYS SOME POSITIONS MAY BE ELIMINATED AS THE COMPANY FULFILLS ITS GOAL OF BECOMING NET-ZERO BY 2050.

>>> HUNDREDS OF INDIANA HOUSING ADVOCATES ARE CALLING ON THE GOVERNOR TO CREATE A COMMISSION TO ADDRESS THE STATE’S ONGOING HOUSING CRISIS.

THE CALL TO ACTION CAME IN A LETTER, LED BY PROSPERITY INDIANA.

THE GROUP SAYS THE GOVERNOR’S COMMISSION COULD BE MODELED AFTER A STATE PANEL THAT EXAMINES CHILDREN’S ISSUES — MADE UP OF VARIOUS AGENCIES, STAKEHOLDERS AND LAWMAKERS.

>> WE NEED A COMMISSION BECAUSE ONLY A GOVERNOR CAN BRING TOGETHER THOSE DIFFERENT STATE AGENCIES AND, FOR ONE THING, GET THEM SINGING FROM THE SAME HYMNAL SHEET.

>> BRADLEY SAYS A COMMISSION COULD ALSO HELP IDENTIFY REVENUE STREAMS THAT CAN BE BETTER ALIGNED TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING CRISIS.

>>> THE SYCAMORE LAND TRUST IS EXPANDING BEANBLOSSOM BOTTOMS TO INCLUDE TWO NEW WETLAND AREAS.

THE FIRST AREA IS 61 ACRES BETWEEN BEANBLOSSOM CREEK AND OLD MAPLE GROVE ROAD.

THE LAND TRUST WILL WORK WITH NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE TO DIG OUT THE LAND AND CUT THE DRAIN TILES TO HELP THE LAND RETAIN WATER.

THE SECOND AREA IS THE 26-ACRE JOHN ALLEN ENGLAND NATURE PRESERVE.

>>> DRIVERS TAKING I-69 THROUGH BLOOMINGTON ARE ABLE TO GO 10 MILES PER HOUR FASTER NOW.

THURSDAY, THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INCREASED THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE STRETCH OF HIGHWAY BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 112 AND 122 FROM 55 TO 65 MPH.

INDOT SAYS THE INCREASED SPEED LIMIT IS INTENDED TO HELP ENHANCE SAFETY AND MOBILITY BY ESTABLISHING CONSISTENCY ALONG THE CORRIDOR.

YOU KNOW THE SPEED LIMIT IS ACTUALLY 70 MILES PER HOUR ON I69.

>> GETTING THERE SLOWLY BUT SURELY.

>> THANKS, LUCAS.

COMING UP NEXT ON INDIANA NEWSDESK•.

A DECISION THAT WILL MAKE A LETHAL INJECTION DRUG HARDER TO OBTAIN HAS APARTMENT AT THE TIME BUILT ADVOCATES CELEBRATING.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY SWIMMING AND DIVING PROGRAM IS AGAIN SENDING A NUMBER OF ATHLETES TO THE SUMMER OLYMPICS.

THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT HERE ON INDIANA NEWSDESK!

>> FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS, VIEWERS HAVE TURN TO THE PBS NEWS HOUR FOR FACT-BASED JOURNALISM AND SOLID RELIABLE REPORTING THAT HAS MADE THE PBS NEWS HOUR THE MOST RESPECTED NEWS PROGRAM ON TELEVISION.

YOU CAN JOIN OTHERS IN HELPING TO ENSURE THAT VITAL TRUSTED NEWS AND INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON PBS FOR YEARS TO COME BY MAKING A GIFT OF THIS STATION THROUGH YOUR WILL, TRUST OR RETIREMENT PLAN TODAY.

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE A TERRIBLE SCANDAL.

>> ANYTHING INTERESTING?

>> IS THIS OUR CHANCE TO BE TOGETHER?

>> THE NAME SHERLOCK HOLMES.

>> WANT TO SEE MORE.

>> OH, GOD, YES.

>> SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THIS IS HAMLET!

>> THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

>> WE'LL GET ALONG SPLENDIDLY.

>> WELCOME BACK TO INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>>> IT’S BEEN FOUR YEARS SINCE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RELAUNCHED FEDERAL EXECUTIONS IN TERRE HAUTE AFTER A TWO-DECADE PAUSE.

UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THEY’RE ON HOLD FOR NOW AND, AS W-T-I-U’S GEORGE HALE REPORTS, A NEW OBSTACLE COULD MAKE IT MUCH HARDER TO START THEM AGAIN.

>> BILL BREEDEN IS A RETIRED UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST MINISTER, AND HE DOES VOLUNTEER MINISTRY FOR PRISONERS ON FEDERAL DEATH ROW.

HE SERVED AS “MINISTER OF RECORD” FOR PRISONER COREY JOHNSON AND STOOD NEXT TO HIM AS HE DIED BY LETHAL INJECTION IN 2021.

>> WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AFTER BUT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, COREY BEGAN TO FLEX HIS FINGERS AS MUCH AS HE COULD.

HIS HANDS WERE VERY TIGHTLY BOUND BUT I SAW HIS FINGERS BEGIN TO FLEX.

AND THEN HE SAID, I FEEL LIKE MY HANDS AND MOUTH ARE ON FIRE.

>> W-T-I-U OBTAINED AN AUTOPSY SHOWING JOHNSON SUFFERED FROM A CONDITION CALLED PULMONARY EDEMA, MEANING LIQUID POURED INTO HIS LUNGS WHILE HE WAS STILL ALIVE.

IF HE WAS CONSCIOUS, HE COULD HAVE EXPERIENCED EXCRUCIATING PAIN — SOMETHING AKIN TO WATERBOARDING.

EXPERTS SAY IT’S NOT UNCOMMON IN LETHAL INJECTIONS USING A DRUG CALLED PENTOBARBITAL.

>> I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY WERE USING TO KILL HIM.

BUT IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER TO ME.

THEY'RE TRYING TO FIND A HUMANE WAY TO COMMIT MURDER.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING.

>> WHILE WE’VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THE EXECUTIONS SINCE THEY ENDED IN JANUARY 2021, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MANAGED TO KEEP ONE CRUCIAL DETAIL SECRET: THE SUPPLIER OF THE PENTOBARBITAL USED TO KILL JOHNSON.

AT LEAST, UNTIL THIS SPRING.

>> WE’RE GOING TO DIVE STRAIGHT INTO OUR MAIN STORY TONIGHT, WHICH CONCERNS THE DEATH PENALTY.

>> ‘LAST WEEK TONIGHT’ HOST JOHN OLIVER SAYS HIS STAFF SPENT YEARS TRYING TO IDENTIFY THE COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURED THE CHEMICAL USED HERE IN INDIANA.

OLIVER SAYS IT’S A HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT-BASED COMPANY CALLED ABSOLUTE STANDARDS, INCORPORATED.

IT ISN’T A TRADITIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURER.

IT MAKES CHEMICALS FOR CALIBRATING OFFICE EQUIPMENT — NOT DRUGS FOR HUMANS.

>> BUT WE'RE PRETTY SURE THEY'RE MAKING EXECUTION DRUGS AS A SIDE HUSTLE, AND I THINK OUR CASE IS PRETTY STRONG.

>> CONNECTICUT ABOLISHED CAPITAL PUNISHMENT MORE THAN A DECADE AGO.

>> AND IT'S, A VALUE THAT OUR STATE HOLDS VERY DEAR, THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR STATE HOLD VERY DEAR.

SO WITH THAT IN MIND, IT WAS QUITE UNSETTLING AND CONCERNING TO LEARN THAT WE HAVE A COMPANY BASED OUT OF CONNECTICUT THAT IS DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

>> LAWMAKERS SUCH AS SAUD ANWAR, WHO CO-CHAIRS THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE IN THE CONNECTICUT LEGISLATURE, STARTED DEMANDING ANSWERS.

>> AND WE REACHED OUT TO THE COMPANY AS WELL ASKING FOR A MEETING AND OUR CONCERNS TO SHARE DIRECTLY WITH THEM.

THEY DECLINED, RESPECTFULLY.

>> AND THE LAWMAKERS WEREN’T ALONE.

ADVOCATES OPPOSED TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT SEIZED ON THE OPPORTUNITY AS SOON AS OLIVER’S SHOW AIRED.

>> THAT WAS A SUNDAY NIGHT AND I ENDED UP STAYING UP ALL NIGHT CREATING A CAMPAIGN THAT WE LAUNCHED MONDAY MORNING TO INVITE OUR MEMBERS TO CONTACT ABSOLUTE STANDARDS AND ASK THEM TO DECLARE THAT THEY WILL NOT DO THAT ANYMORE.

>> HE SAYS PEOPLE WHO REACHED EMPLOYEES DISMISSED ‘THE ALLEGATIONS’ AND SAID THAT ALL THIS HAPPENED A LONG TIME AGO.

>> UM, AND THAT JUST SORT OF STOKED US EVEN MORE.

ALMOST EVERY DAY WE'RE REMINDING PEOPLE, MAKE THE PHONE CALLS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SENT POSTAL MAIL, EMAILS, AND THEN WE WERE PREPARING TO GO AND DELIVER PETITIONS TO THEM DIRECTLY AT THEIR FACILITY IN CONNECTICUT.

>> WEEKS WENT BY WITHOUT ANY OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO STATE SENATOR ANWAR OR TO THE CAMPAIGNERS.

THEN THEY INVITED REVEREND BREEDEN TO GO TO CONNECTICUT AND CONFRONT THE COMPANY’S PRESIDENT DIRECTLY ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE WATCHING JOHNSON DIE.

>> YOU KNOW, CONFRONTING THIS COMPANY WITH THE REALITY OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH THEIR DRUGS.

WE WERE PREPARED TO DO THAT.

AND SUDDENLY WE, THIS LETTER SHOWED UP TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CONNECTICUT LEGISLATURE.

>> THE LETTER WAS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF ABSOLUTE STANDARDS, ADDRESSED TO ANWAR AND ANOTHER LAWMAKER.

IT SAID THE COMPANY STOPPED MAKING THE DRUGS USED TO KILL PRISONERS IN TERRE HAUTE AND HAD NO INTENTION OF RESUMING.

>> I WOULD HAVE BEEN EXCITED TO BE THERE AND WAS CONSIDERING DOING THAT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ABE COMES UP AND SAYS, WOW, THEY PUNTED, YOU KNOW, THEY DIDN'T PUNT, THEY TOOK THE BALL OFF THE FIELD.

AND I THINK THAT'S A CREDIT TO THEM.

>> IT’S NOT CLEAR IF THE GOVERNMENT HAS ANOTHER SUPPLIER LINED UP IF IT EVER DECIDES TO RESTART EXECUTIONS IN TERRE HAUTE.

FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I’M GEORGE HALE.

>> THE W-T-I-U NEWS TEAM HAS REACHED OUT SEVERAL TIMES TO ABSOLUTE STANDARDS WHILE REPORTING THIS STORY BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE.

WE ARE JOINED NOW BY GORGE REPORTING FROM WASHINGTON, DC.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTING ON THIS.

IT'S ABOUT THE SUPPLIER OF IT FOR THE FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY, BUT THIS WEEK WE ALSO HEARD NEWS ABOUT THE DRUG POSSIBLY BEING USED HERE IN INDIANA.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT, THIS TURN OF EVENTS?

>> YEAH.

SO ON WEDNESDAY, ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCED THE STATE OF INDIANA, AS OPPOSED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM DEPARTMENT OBTAINED ITS OWN SUPPLY.

SO WHILE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SEEMS TO HAVE LOST ITS PREFERRED LETHAL INJECTION METHOD, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STATE OF INDIANA CAN RESTART THERE.

>> THE GOVERNOR SPOKE OUT THE SAME DAY ATTORNEY GENERAL ROKITA FILED THE REQUEST FOR AN EXECUTION DATE.

WHAT DID HE HAVE TO SAY?

>> RIGHT AFTER HE SAW THAT, HE SAID NOW THAT THE STATE HAS FOUND A MEANS TO EXECUTE SOMEONE, THE GOVERNOR TO FULFILL THAT SENTENCE.

REPORTERS ASKED HIM YESTERDAY ABOUT THAT DRUG IN PARTICULAR.

SINCE THE STATE HAS NEVER USED THIS DRUG FOR AN EXECUTION BEFORE.

>> WE'VE TRACKED THIS PARTICULAR DRUG AND FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT NOT ONLY ITS THE RIGHT DRUG, BUT THAT THE PROTOCOL IS IN PLACE AND WE ARE PREPARED TO CARRY OUT OUR DUTIES.

>> HOLCOMB ALSO SAID THE DEATH PENALTY SERVED AS A DETER RENT AGAINST FUTURE VIOLENCE AND THAT'S SOMETHING THE CRITICS REJECT.

THEY NOTED THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF PROTECTING THE PUBLIC FROM PUNISHING THE WORST CRIMES.

WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE THE STATE HASN'T CARRIED OUT AN EXECUTION IN 15 YEARS.

>> WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE MAN THAT WANT TO EXECUTE?

WHEN AND WHERE DO YOU EXPECT THAT TO TAKE PLACE >> WE DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN.

HE'S IN -- DEATH ROW, CONVICTED OF MULTIPLE MURDERS IN 1998 AND ALSO COME TO LIGHT HE MAY BE SERIOUSLY MENTAL ILL.

DIAGNOSED WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA AND ACCORDING TO SOME CRITICS, THAT MAY BE HOW HE ENDED UP ON DEATH ROW IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THE STATE OFFERED HIM A LIFE SENTENCE IN EXCHANGE IN PLEADING FELT, TOOK THE CASE TO TRIAL ANYWAY AND WAS SENTENCED TO DEATH.

>> YOU'RE JOINING US THIS WEEK FROM WASHINGTON, DC.

WHAT CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT YOUR REPORTING THERE >> I AM INDEED, ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

THE CAPITOL BEHIND ME, OBVIOUSLY.

THAT'S -- SHE SUPREME COURT IS WHERE WE ARE STARTING LATER TONIGHT FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WILL GATHER HERE FOR AN EVENT THEY ARE HOLDING FOR ABOUT THREE DECADES THE CALL FOR AN END TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

>> GEORGE, I UNDERSTAND ONE MORE.

I UNDERSTAND YESTERDAY YOU SPOKE TO RELATIVES OF VICTIMS OF ONE OF THE MOST HIGH-PROFILE PRISONERS IN TERRE HAUTE.

CAN YOU REMIND US WHY DYLANN ROOF IS ON FEDERAL DEATH ROW, AND WHY ARE THESE VICTIMS IN WASHINGTON?

>> WHAT IS THEIR MESSAGE.

>> THE WHITE SUPREMACIST WHO CARRIED OUT A MASSACRE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

ALMOST -- BUT NOT EVERYONE IS GO GOING TO DIE.

SHE INITIALLY SUPPORTED EXECUTING HIM B BUT OVER THE YEARS BELIEVES HER MOTHER WOULDN'T WANT HIM TO DIE.

ONE OF THE MANY PEOPLE COMING TO DC TO TELL PRESIDENT BIDEN HE SHOULD SPARE NOT ONLY HIS LIFE, BUT EVERYONE ON DEATH ROW.

BY COMMUTING THEIR SENTENCES TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

>> THANKS FOR YOUR REPORTING ON THIS, APPRECIATE IT.

>> CERTAINLY, ANY TIME, THANKS, JOE.

>>> FIVE-TIME OLYMPIC MEDALIST LILLY KING WILL LEAD A CONTINGENT OF NEARLY A DOZEN CURRENT AND FORMER INDIANA UNIVERSITY SWIMMERS AND DIVERS TO THE PARIS GAMES NEXT MONTH.

NOW 27, KING SAYS THIS OLYMPICS WILL BE HER LAST.

>> I'VE ACCOMPLISHED EVERYTHING I'VE EVER WANTED TO DO IN THIS SPORT.

AND I DON'T THINK ANY -- I DON'T THINK VERY MANY PEOPLE CAN SAY THAT.

SO I'M VERY FORTUNATE.

BUT YEAH, I'M- I'M READY TO MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE.

>> KING WON TWO GOLD MEDALS IN HER FIRST OLYMPICS IN RIO IN 2016, THEN TWO SILVERS AND A BRONZE IN THE 2021 GAMES IN TOKYO.

THOSE GAMES WERE PUSHED BACK A YEAR DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC.

SHE MAY NOT BE AS DOMINANT AS IN THE PAST, BUT SHE STILL HOLDS THE WORLD RECORD IN THE 100-METER BREASTSTROKE.

>> ONE OF THE CHINESE THINK, TWO TENTHS OFF MY WORLD RECORD,WHICH IS - EEK - CONCERNING FOR ME.

BUT YEAH, WE'LL SEE.

WE'LL SEE HOW I RACE AND SEE HOW SHE RACES.

>> THE PARIS GAMES RUN FROM JULY 26TH THROUGH AUGUST 11TH.

HAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIU NEWS DOT ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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