>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," IN 2018 THE GOVERNMENT LOOSENED REGULATIONS FOR GROWING HEMP.

BUT INDIANA FARMERS ARE FINDING FEW BUYERS FOR THE PLANT.

>> HERE WE ARE WITH JUST A CORN AND SOYBEAN ROTATION AND NO HEMP BECAUSE THE MARKET IS NOT THERE YET.

>> ONE BIG ISSUE IS A LACK OF HEMP PROCESSING PLANTS IN THE U.S. >>> WELL, COLUMBUS MADE A SPLASH WITH THE MULTIMILLION DOLLARS NEXUSPARK, PARENTS DON'T WANT THE CITY TO NEGLECT ITS OTHER PARKS.

>> WE HAVE 12 LITTLE PLAYGROUNDS THAT MAYBE THEY JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE.

>> REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE ONE HANDICAPPED-ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND AFTER 1,000 PEOPLE PETITIONED THE CITY.

>> AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT A NUMBER OF NEW LAWS THAT TOOK EFFECT MONDAY.

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.

CONGRESS REDEFINED HEMP IN THE 2018 FARM BILL.

THE GOAL WAS TO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE RED TAPE THAT KEPT FARMERS FROM ADDING THE CROP TO THEIR USUAL ROTATION OF CORN AND SOYBEANS, BUT SIX YEARS LATER, IT'S RARE TO SEE HEMP GROWING IN INDIANA.

AS CLAYTON BAUMGARTH REPORTS, SOME FORMERS LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT HEMP IS NOT WORTH GROWING IF THIS ARE'S NO MARKET FOR IT.

>> JASON STONECIPHER HAS A STACK OF ROTTING HEMP BALES IN COVINGTON, INDIANA.

THIS PILE HAS BEEN SITTING HERE FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS.

>> IT HASN'T WORKED OUT THE WAY WE ORIGINALLY PLANNED.

WE ARE ACTUALLY SITTING ON OUR 2022 CROP, BECAUSE OF THAT CHANGE IN PROCESSING AND THE WHOLE LOGISTICS OF SHIPPING THAT OUT, LITERALLY ACROSS THE NATION.

>> LIKE A LOT OF FARMERS STONECIPHER JUMPED ON THE HEMP BAND BAGON FOLLOWING THE 2018 FARM BILL.

HE SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH A HEMP PROCESSOR IN IDAHO WHO PAID HIM IN FULL, BUT MADE ONLY ONE PICKUP FROM THE CROP.

HE BARELY BROKE EVEN ON THAT CROP.

STILL HE WAS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC AND LAST YEAR HE DECIDED TO PLANT ABOUT 50 ACRES OF HEMP.

>> WE STILL HAVE OUR 2023 CROP THAT WE'RE SITTING ON AS WELL.

>> THOSE BALES ARE STACKED AND STONECIPHER HASN'T GOTTEN PAID FOR ANY OF THEM.

THIS YEAR WAS A NO-BRAINER, HE DIDN'T PLANT ANY HEMP.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, HERE WE ARE WITH CORN AND SOYBEAN AND NO HEMP BECAUSE THE MARK IS NOT -- THE MARKET IS NOT THERE YET.

DEFINITELY MY PLANS TORE GET BACK INTO IT AS SOON AS WE CAN.

>> FARMERS NEED TO GET APPROVAL FROM A STATE CHEMIST WHO INSPECTS THE THC CONTENT OF THE PLANT AND THEN THE FARMERS NEED TO PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK BY THE FBI.

>> WE MADE OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT KNOW THAT WE WERE RAISING HEMP, BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE MARIJUANA.

YOU NEVER WANT ANY SORT OF, I GUESS, MISINFORMATION, IF YOU WILL.

>> BY ALL OTHER MEASURES STONECIPHER HAS NOTHING BUT PRAISE FOR HEMP AS A CROP.

IT'S EASY TO GROW.

IT'S ORGANIC AND IT DOESN'T REQUIRE ANY NEW OR SPECIAL EQUIPMENT.

AFTER HARVESTING, HEMP CAN BECOME A NUMBER OF USEFUL THINGS SUCH AS ROPE FOR CLOSING, BIOPLASTICS, BUILDING MATERIALS, FOOD PRODUCTS AND IN ONE CASE BEING RESEARCHED IN TEXAS, BATTERIES.

>> IN LITTER LITERATURE, YOU CAN FIND PEOPLE SAYING THERE'S 25,000 DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS, 10,000 DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS AND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS.

WHAT MEANS IS THE PLANT IS REALLY VERSE FILE AND IT COULD GO -- VERSATILE, AND IT COULD GO INTO PLANTS WHERE WE'RE USING OTHER PLANTS OR SYNTHETIC MATERIALS.

>> HEMP WAS THOUGHT TO BE A GREAT PLANT.

POPULAR MECHANICS PUBLISHED A PIECE ON HEMP AND THE APPLICATIONS WHICH LED TO A RESURGENCE OF THE CROP AFTER WORLD WAR II.

>> THEN WE HAD PRODUCTION TWINNEDLE AND -- DWINDLE AND THE WAR ON DRUGS AND HEMP GOT LUMPED IN AS CANNABIS, AS AN UMBRELLA TERM, WHICH WAS HEMP.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LACK OF PROCESSORS AND LITTLE INFORMATION ABOUT GROWING HEMP ON A LARGE SCALE.

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DON'T KNOW AND WE ARE TRYING HARD AS RESEARCHERS TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS AND REALLY UNDERSTAND THE PLANT TO MAKE IT A VIABLE OPTION FOR FARMERS BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME, AND SOMETIMES I THINK THAT CAN BE CHALLENGING FOR PEOPLE.

>> ACOULDING ACCORD -- ACCORDING TO THE MIDWEST HEMP COUNCIL, THEY ARE BEHIND.

OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE GOTTEN THE PRICE DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> FLEX FORM UP IN NORTHERN INDIANA CAN BUY THEIR FIBER, THEIR HEMP FIRER -- FIBER FROM FRANCE, AND GET IT SHIPPED HERE AND INTO THEIR FACILITY AND READY TO USE FOR MUCH LESS THAN WHAT WE CAN DO IT.

>> AS IT EXISTS TODAY, GROWING HEMP IN THE U.S. IS NOT REALLY PROFITABLE.

AFTER TRANSPORTING THE CROP TO AN OUT-OF-STATE PROCESSOR.

>> THERE'S NO POINT IN GROWING IF WE CAN'T GET THEM THE PRICING THAT THEY NEED AND EVERYONE MAKE A PROFIT AS WE GO.

SO WE'RE WORKING REALLY HARD TO BRING THAT FACILITY HERE.

>> MANY OF THE PROBLEMS FACING THE HEMP INDUSTRY IN INDIANA COULD BE ALLEVIATED BY HAVING MORE PROCESSING PLANTS NEARBY BUT THESE FACILITIES ARE EXPENSIVE AND BECAUSE THERE ARE SO FEW IN THE COUNTRY THERE'S OFTEN A BACKLOG TO GET HEMP PROCESSED.

>> EVEN IF ONE OF US LANDED A CONTRACT, WE WOULD HAVE TO PARTNER WITH ANOTHER FACILITY TO GENERATE THE FEEDSTOCK THAT THEY NEED.

>> IN A TIME WHERE FARMERS ARE LOOKING TO DIVERSIFY THEIR INCOMES, HEMP IS IN A POSITION TO FILL THAT GAP BUT WITH ONLY ONE PROCESSING PLANT CURRENTLY IN INDIANA, FARMERS NEED MORE PLACES TO SELL THEIR HARVEST.

>> OUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN ARE TALKING ABOUT BRINGING BUSINESS TO THE STATE.

MY ADVICE IS LET'S GET SOME HEMP PROCESSING INTO THE STATE.

I THINK THERE'S A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR IT, WITH ALL THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS THAT ARE BEING LOOKED AT AND EXPERIMENTED WITH.

>> NOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>>> THE CURRENT HOUSE VERSION OF THIS YEAR'S FARM BILL INCLUDES A PROVISION THAT COULD ACTUALLY BAN THE GROWTH OF HEMP NATIONWIDE.

THE MIDWEST HEMP COUNCIL IS OPTIMISTIC THAT THE BILL WILL BE CHANGED BEFORE BECOMING LAW SOMETIME LATER THIS YEAR.

>>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY LUCAS GONZALEZ WITH MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

>> HI, PERRY.

ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM THE INDIANA STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, APPROXIMATELY 350,000 ACRES OF FARMLAND HAS BEEN LOST TO DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN 2010 AND 2022.

THE RESULTS SHOW THAT AGRICULTURAL LAND WAS MOST LIKELY TO BE LOST IN AREAS AROUND THE EDGES OF CITIES AND SUBURBAN AREAS.

>> THE REALITY IS THAT WE'RE LOSING QUITE A BIT OF FARMLAND AND IT'S SIGNIFICANT.

AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE OUGHT TO BE KEEPING AN EYE ON.

>> LAMB ALSO SAYS THAT MOVING FORWARD, THERE ARE A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS TO BE HAD REGARDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVING AGRICULTURE.

>> WE ALL WANT OUR STATE TO BE A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY STATE.

WE WANT IT TO BE SOME PLACE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO COME AND WANT TO LIVE BECAUSE THAT'S GOOD FOR ALL OF US, BUT AGRICULTURE DOES MAY A HUGE ROLE IN THAT.

>> DESPITE THE LOSS IN ACREAGE, YIELD DATA SHOWS THAT INDIANA'S PRODUCTION OF ITS CASH CROPS HAS INCREASED.

IN 2012, INDIANA PRODUCED OVER 597 MILLION BUSHELS OF CORN FOR GRAIN, AND IN 2022, YIELDED OVER 1 BILLION BUSHELS.

INDIANA BE PRODUCED NEARLY 219 MILLION BUSHELS OF SOYBEANS IN 2012 AND SAW THAT NUMBER INCREASE TO OVER 326 MILLION IN 2022.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY SAYS IT LOST ABOUT $1.3 MILLION ON ITS APRIL ECLIPSE EVENT AT MEMORIAL STADIUM.

THE EVENT FEATURED SINGER JANELLE MONAE, STAR TREK ACTOR WILLIAM THAT SHATNER AND MAE JEMISON.

THE UNIVERSITY SPENT 1.6 MERCHANDISE TO PUT.

-- $1.6 MILLION TO PUT ON, BUT ONLY GENERATED $280,000 IN REVENUE.

ONLY 3,000 TO 4,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE EVENT.

>>> THE SOUTHWEST BRANCH OF THE MONROE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OPEN AFTER A FROZEN PIPE FLOODED THE BUILDING IN JANUARY.

THE WATER DAMAGE AFFECTED ABOUT A THIRD OF THE LIBRARY AT A REPAIR COST OF ABOUT $300,000.

BUT AS OF MONDAY, PATRONS HAVE ONCE AGAIN BEEN ABLE TO CHECK OUT BOOKS.

>>> AND WE COULDN'T WAIT TO GET BACK IN AND NOW THAT WE HAVE REOPENED THE DOORS, THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN SO KIND, SAYING THEY ARE SO HAPPY TO BE BACK.

IT'S JUST A REAL GOOD FIELD GOOD MOMENT.

>>> THE SOUTHWEST BRANCH FIRST OPENED LAST JUNE AND IT IS THE MOST RECENT ADDITION TO THE MONROE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM.

>>> THE CHAIR OF THE MONROE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY SAYS SHE'S STEPPING DOWN BECAUSE SHE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD THE COST OF LOCAL HOUSING.

TAYLOR BRYANT'S RESIGNATION NATION IS EFFECTIVE JULY 25th.

SHE BECAME THE PARTY CHAIR AT 2021 AT JUST 18 YEARS OLD.

SHE WAS THE YOUNGEST COUNTY CHAIR EVER ELECTED IN THE STATE.

>> I WILL JUST BE AS INVOLVED AS I ALWAYS HAVE BEEN THROUGHOUT THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

I WANT TO SEE IT THROUGH FOR OUR GREAT CANDIDATES AND I WILL BE WALKING WITH YOU ALL IN EVERY PARADE, I WILL BE CHEERING YOU ON.

>> IN HER ANNOUNCINGth -- ANNOUNCED, SHE'S SUPPORTING ELLIS.

THEY SELECT A NEW CHAIR.

ELLIS SAYS HE HAS NOT DECIDED TO RUN BUT HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT BRYANT'S IS SUCCESSFUL.

>>> AND VICTORIA SPARTZ BROUGHT A HANDGUN THROUGH.

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICERS, CONFISCATED AN UNLOADED HANDGUN WHEN SHE WENT THROUGH SECURITY AT THE WASHINGTON DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

SPARTZ'S OFFICE SAID SHE DIDN'T REALIZE SHE HAD THE FIREARM IN HER SUITCASE AND CARRIED IT THROUGH SECURITY ACCIDENTALLY.

SPARTZ WAS ON HER WAY TO A SECURITY CONFERENCE IN ROMANIA.

>>> S CITIES CAN ENFORCE PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE SLEEPING OUTSIDE.

CITIES CAN ARREST, TICKET OR FINE PEOPLE FOR SLEEPING OUTSIDE, EVEN WHEN THERE ISN'T AVAILABLE SHELTER SPACE.

>> OKAY, NOW WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

LET'S -- NOW WE'RE EXISTING IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S NOW DECLARED AND CLEAR HOW WE -- HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD AND THE BEST WAY TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR PEOPLE?

>> KILROY SAID IT'S I WILLEL THERE SLEEP OUTDOOR IN PUBLIC PLACES.

THIS ENCAMPMENTS HAVE BEEN EVICTED.

IT CAN CAUSE A CIRCULAR PROBLEM RATHER THAN A SOLUTION.

>> YOU WILY THE SOLUTION TO -- ULTIMATELY THE SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS IS HOUSING AND IN SOME CASES, IT'S HOUSING PLUS THE SUPPORTS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO MAINTAIN THEIR HOUSING.

>> GILMORE SAYS AROUND 100 PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING OUTSIDE EVERY NIGHT WITH ONLY ABOUT 30 SHELTER BEDS AVAILABLE.

>>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON AND MONROE COUNTY WILL SELECT TREE AND VEGETATION DEPRIX -- DEBRIS FROM LAST WEEK'S STORM.

THEY PARTNERED TO SELECT DEBRIS FOR A TWO-WEEK PERIOD FROM HOMES WITHIN CITY LIMITS.

RESIDENTS ARE ASKED TO PILE THE THE DEBRIS NEAR THE ROADSIDE BUT OUT OF THE ROADWAY.

REQUESTS FOR SELECTION CAN BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE U REPORT AT THIS WEBSITE ADDRESS: TREE PICKUP WILL HAPPEN THROUGH NEXT MONTH, BEGINNING NEXT WEEK WITH PERRY TOWNSHIP.

>>> THANKS, LUCAS.

COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," HAPPY HOUR IS BACK IN INDIANA!

AND IT'S JUST ONE OF A NUMBER OF NEW LAWS TO TAKE EFFECT?

THE STATE THIS WEEK.

AND COLUMBUS OFFICIALS RESPONDED AFTER A NUMBER OF PARENTS PETITIONED THEM TO FIX UP SOME CITY PARKS.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK": OF A NUMBER OF NEW LAWS PASSED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE WENT INTO EFFECT MONDAY.

ONE MADE HAPPY HOUR LEGAL AGAIN IN INDIANA FOR FIRST TIME IN NEARLY FOUR DECADES.

AND AS PAT BEANE REPORTS, BAR OWNERS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO OFFERING SPECIALS AGAIN.

>> HAPPY HOUR WAS FIRST BANNED IN 1985 IN ANEST -- IN AN EFFORT TO CURTAIL DRUNK DRIVING.

BUT GOVERNOR HOLCOMB MADE HAPPY HOUR LEGAL AGAIN!

[ CHEERS ] >> BAR OWNERS SAY THIS IS A GOOD MOVE FOR THE STATE.

>> ANYTHING THAT GETS THE INDIANA LIQUOR LAWS MORE TOWARDS A CENTRIST POSITION WITH THE REST OF THE UNITED STATES IS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT.

>> FITZPATRICK SAYS BARS OPERATE LATER THAN TRADITIONAL HAPPY HOUR TIME.

THEY WERE ABLE TO OFFER ALL-DAY SPECIALS ON DRINKS.

>> RESTRICTING SPECIALS FOR ANY TIME OF THE DAY, WE WERE -- WE WERE FORCED TO ESSENTIALLY FIX OUR PRICES THROUGHOUT, AND NOW WE HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY.

WE CAN OFFER DIFFERENT PRICES AT DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE DAY AS WE SEE FIT.

>> THE BARS MAY NOW OFFER DRINK SPECIALS FOR UP TO FOUR HOURS A DAY AND 15 HOURS A WEEK, HOWEVER, THEY CANNOT RUN SPECIALS BETWEEN 9 P.M. AND 3 A.M. FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>>> THE BILL ALSO ALLOWS BARS AND RESTAURANTS TO PREPARE, SELL, AND DELIVER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FOR CARRY OUT TO CUSTOMERS.

>>> FOR MORE ON SOME OF THE OTHER LAWS THAT TOOK EFFECT ON JULY 1st, WE'RE JOINED BY INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATE HOUSE BUREAU CHIEF BRANDON SMITH.

BRANDON, SOME OF THE NEW LAWS THAT WILL IMPACT HOOSIERS ON EDUCATION, FROM READING SCORES AND RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION, TO CELL PHONES IN CLASS, CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT THESE MEAN FOR STUDENTS?

.

>> WELL, STUDENTS WILL REALLY NOTICE THE CELL PHONE CHANGE, IF THEIR SCHOOLS OR TEACHERS DIDN'T ALREADY HAVE THAT POLICY, ABOUT KEEPING THEM OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IS LIKELY FROM SENATE BILL ONE, WHICH DIRECTS SCHOOLS TO BE MORE DILIGENT ABOUT HOLDING BACK STUDENTS WOULD DON'T PASS THE THIRD GRADE READING TEST.

NOW PART OF THAT BILL IS ALSO MORE TESTING EARLIER IN SCHOOL.

SO THEY ARE TRYING TO IDENTIFY KIDS WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND GET MORE RESOURCES TO THEM TO GET THEM ON TRACK BEFORE THEY ARE THEN HELD BACK.

>> NOW, LAWMAKERS ALSO LOOSENED REGULATIONS FOR UNLICENSED CHILD CARE HOMES.

WHAT WILL THAT MEAN?

>>> RIGHT.

THESE ARE -- RIGHT.

THESE ARE HOMES THAT ARE CARING FOR RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF KIDS BUT THEY INCREASED THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO WERE ALLOWED TO BE IN UNLICENSED CHILD CARE HOMES FROM 5 TO 7 AND THE NUMBER OF HOURS PER DAY THAT THEY CAN CARE FOR THEM.

THE REPUBLICANS SAY IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO SOLVE THE CHILD CARE SHORTAGE, BUT THE DEMOCRATS WORRY BECAUSE IT FLIES IN THE FACE OF NATIONAL STANDARD.

>>> AND THERE'S A LYMPH -- A LIMIT ON LOCAL BANS ON DOGS AT DOG STORES.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, BLOOMINGTON AND 20 OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE WHOSE LOCAL BANS ARE NOW OVERTURNED BY THAT LAW.

THE LAWMAKERS CREATED NEW STANDARDS OF CARE FOR DOGS WHO ARE BEING RAISED BEFORE THEY ARE BEING SOLD AND IT REQUIRES THE PET STORES TO REGISTER WITH THE STATE BEFORE SELLING CANINES.

IT WAS PUSHED BY PET STORE CHAINS AND BACKED BY DOG BREEDERS SAYING IT WILL HELP TO ELIMINATE BAD ACTORS FROM THE INDUSTRY.

>>> HOW DID THE LAWMAKERS LIMB THE WEDLAND PROTECTIONS IN THE STATE?

>> WELL, THEY ACTUALLY FURTHER LIMITED THEM.

THREE YEARS AGO, LAWMAKERS ELIMINATED PROTECTIONS FOR MOST CLASSES OF WETLANDS AND NOW THIS NEW LAW GREATLY REDUCES OF NUMBER OF WETLANDS THAT CAN BELONG TO THAT CLASS.

THE ONLY ONE LEFT WITH SIGNIFICANT PROTECTIONS.

>> THEY ALSO CRIMINALIZED COMPUTER-GENERATED PORNOGRAPHICY.

CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE CONTEXT FOR THAT.

>> BASICALLY, THEY EXTENDED THE STATE'S REVENGE PORNOGRAPHY LAW.

PROSECUTORS SAY THEY ARE SEEING A REALIZE IN DEEPFAKES OR NUDIFYING AN IMAGE WHERE YOU TAKE A PHOTO OF SOMEONE IN THEIR CLOTHING AND THEN USE A COMPUTER TO TAKE THEIR CLOTHES OFF.

IT'S NOT A REAL PICTURE OF THEM, BUT IT'S SORT OF THING THAT'S CAUSING MORE PROBLEMS FOR LAWMAKERS BECAUSE THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN CRIMINAL BEFORE.

>> BEFORE WE GO, THE DEMOCRATS WILL HOLD THEIR STATE CONVENTION NEXT WEEKEND AND THEY WILL SELECT A ABSOLUTE GOVERNOR TO RUN ALONGSIDE JENNER McCORMICK.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE -- JENNIFER McCORMICK MICK.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE CAP DATES.

>> THERE ARE FOUR OF THEM, TERRY GORDON IS THE JENNIFER Mc McCORMICK'S PICK.

HE VOTED AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE AND ABORTION ACCESS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT'S CAUSED SOME CONSTERNATION.

HE'S STILL THE HEAVY FAVORITE IN THE CONVENTION.

AND THE OTHER IS CLIFF MARSIGLIO AND BOB KERN WHO IS A PERENNIAL CANDIDATE.

>> THAT WAS BRANDON SMITH, STATE HOUSE BUREAU CHIEF FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>>> MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, A TRAIN DERAILED IN EAST PALESTINE, OHIO, RELEASING TOXIC MATERIALS INTO THE AIR AND FORCING MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE TO EVACUATE.

THE ACCIDENT HAS LEFT MANY WONDERING JUST WHAT TRAINS CARRY ON A LOCAL LEVEL, AND WHEN HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MAY BE TRANSPORTED THROUGH TOWN.

ISABELLA VESPERINI HAS THIS REPORT.

>> FREE TRAINS CARRY EVERYTHING FROM CHEMICAL TO FOOD AND OIL, THE FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, REGULATE SPECIFICALLY WHAT TRAINS CARRY.

BUT BRIDGET HILL, STATE RAIL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR FOR THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAYS NEITHER THE STATE NOR LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCIES MONITOR EXACTLY WHAT TRAINS TRANSPORT LOCALLY.

THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DOESN'T REGULATE THIS EITHER.

THE RAIL'S PROGRAM'S OFFICE ONLY HAS ACCESS TO RAILROAD COMPANY'S TOP COMMODITY, WHICH THEY USE FOR INTERNAL PURPOSES ONLY.

SINCE THEY ARE PRIVATELY OWNED, THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE WHAT THEY CARRY.

AFTER A COMMUNITY WAS AFFECTED BY A PROBLEM, IT'S RAISING RED FLAGS.

>> THEY CUT CORNERS ON STAFFING AND INSPECTING THEIR EQUIPMENT BEFORE IT GOES FROM POINT A TO POINT B.

>> THE LINK -- THE LENGTH OF THE TRAIN IS ALSO A CONCERN FOR EDWARDS.

SOME TRAINS COME FROM MARATHON REFINERY IN INDIANA AND CARRY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SUCH AS BENZENE AND LP GAS.

EVEN TRAIN CAROLINARYS 30,000 GALLONS OF GAS AND MANY CAN STRETCH OVER 10,000 FEET.

>> THE LONGER THE TRAIN, THE MORE UNSAFE IT WILL BE BECAUSE YOU HAVE MORE MOVING PARTS AND YOU HAVE MORE FORCES.

A TRAIN IS LIKE A SLINKY.

>> THESE ARE WEAK SPOTS IN RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> THE TRAIN DERAILMENT ITSELF IS GOOD EVIDENCE FOR THE FACT THAT OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ISN'T PERFECT.

SOMETIMES IT SEEMS LIKE THE CARGO LIKE TRAINS THAT CARRY PRODUCT ARE MAYBE LESS WELL PROTECTED.

>> TRAINS CARRY A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF AMMONIA AND PHOSPHATE REGULARLY THROUGH TOWN.

AMMONIA GAS IS TOXIC AND CAN KILL SOMEONE IMMEDIATELY.

PHOSPHATE IN AKIDDIC FORM CAN CAUSE A HIGH CONCENTRATION TRACE OF ALGAE TO GROW IN THE WATERWAYS AND WORSEN WATER QUALITY.

>> ANY TIME YOU MOVE A CHEMICAL AROUND THAT HAS POTENTIAL IMPACTS THERE WILL BE ACCIDENTS NOW AND THEN.

SO THAT WILL ALWAYS REMAIN A CONCERN.

BUT, OF COURSE, WE RELY ON THESE CHEMICALS.

SO IT KIND OF HAS TO BE A CONCERN THAT WE -- A RISK THAT WE -- THAT -- THE BENEFITS OF WHICH OUTWEIGH THE HAZARDS.

>> A COLUMBIANA COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE SAYS NORFOLK SOUTHERN HAS ADDED ADDITIONAL HOT BOX DETECTION CROSSINGS AND CAMERA INSPECTION POINTS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ISABELLA VESPIRINI.

>>> POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE RAILWAY SAFETY ACT WHICH IF PASSED WOULD REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ISSUE MORE STRINGENT SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR TRAINS WHICH CARRY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

>>> A PLAYGROUND DESIGNED FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES IS FINALLY GETTING SOME MUCH-NEEDED REPAIRS.

JOE HREN REPORTS ON HOW A PETITION OF ALMOST 1,000 SIGNIFICANTS CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF COLUMBUS OFFICIALS.

>>> COLUMBUS MADE HEADLINES WITH ITS NEW NEXUSPARK FIELD HOUSE THIS PAST YEAR, A MULTI MILLION DOLLARS RECREATION INVESTMENT, TRANSFORMED A FORMER MALL.

SOME PARENTS ARE HOPING THE CITY WON'T GET ABOUT THE OTHER PARKS.

>> I JUST DON'T WANT OUR TOWN TO FORGET ABOUT THE LOWLY PLAYGROUNDS.

WE HAVE 12 LITTLE PLAYGROUNDS THAT MAYBE THEY JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE.

>> CAN YOU SHOW ME?

>> CAN WE GO LOOK AT THE ROCK.

>> ALLIE BURBRINK'S SON WAS BORN WITH APERT SYNDROME.

>> HE HAD HIS FINGERS FUSED TOGETHER.

HIS TOES ARE STILL FUSED TOGETHER.

HE HAS A DIFFERENT KIND OF GAIT WHEN HE WALKS.

YOU KNOW, HE'S AUTISTIC.

HE DOESN'T ALWAYS LOOK WHERE HE'S GOING.

>> THAT'S YOUR CAVE.

>> THEY GO TO FREEDOM FIELD BEHIND PARKSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, A PLAYGROUND BUILT FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES.

>> WE HAVE A LOT MORE OPTIONS FOR HIM, EVEN JUST THE BIG RAMP.

HE JUST WALK THE BIG RAMP, AND WHACK DOWN.

>> THE PARK IS SHOWING ITS AGE AND THE PARENTS ARE WARIED ABOUT THEIR KIDS -- ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR KIDS BEING HURT BY MISSING FLOOR TILES.

>> I JUST STUMBLED UPON IT, NOTICED IT, AND STARTED ASKING QUESTIONS.

TO HEAR OTHER PEOPLE SAY, YES, THOSE ARE SUCH A PROBLEM AND WE ASKED ABOUT IT.

>> SHE COLLECTED NEARLY 1,000 SIGNATURES AND THE MAYOR NOTICED.

>> WE SHOULD HAVE AND DID FIX THAT.

WE HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DESIGNER.

WE WILL PROBABLY BRING THEM BACK IN AND LOOK AT THE DESIGN.

IT MAY BE TIME TO KIND OF UPDATE A LOT OF PLAYGROUND.

>> LOOK, THEY FIXED IT!

THEY FIXED IT!

IT WAS BROKEN AND IT WAS FIXED.

>> THEY FIXED A FEW OF THE BROKEN TILES AND THEY HOPE THE CITY WILL DO MORE.

>> I THINK IT'S MOMS COMING TOGETHER AND DOING THAT.

IT WILL BE A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

WE WILL NEED TO RAISE SOME FUNDS.

>> BURBRINK SAYS SHE WILL FIND VOLUNTEERS TO HELP US.

>> IF YOU TRAIN US, GIVE US SOME PAINT BRUSHES, TELL US WHAT TO DORK WE'LL HELP.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M JOE HREN.

>>> A LITTLE INDEPENDENCE FOR KIDS.

THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE THROUGHOUT THE THE WEEK AS WE REPORT ON THE STORIES WHICH AFFECT INDIANA.

OF YOU CAN FOLLOW US AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

"INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: