>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE?

IN PART BY: GIGI >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," CYBER ATTACKS HAVE BEEN A CONCERN FOR SOME TIME, AND LAST MONTH ONE LIT CLOSE TO HOME, BRIEFLY SHUTTING DOWN MONROE COUNTY'S COURSE SYSTEM.

>> THIS, YOU KNOW, NOT MUCH UNLIKE OTHER ATTACKS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> ANOTHER ATTACK HAS PARALYZED GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN CLAY COUNTY.

INDIANA HAS LAUNCHED A NEW MEDICAID PROGRAM AIMED AT HELPING AIR GAVERS OF THE OLD LETTERLY, BUT IT'S LED TO MORE -- ELDERLY, BUT IT'S LED TO MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.

>> WE HAD SOME CASES THAT WERE ALREADY STARTED AND GOT STOPPED AND DENIED.

>> THE STATE SAYS THERE ARE MORE THAN 9,000 PEOPLE ON THE PROGRAM'S WAIT LIST.

>>> AND WE'LL TAKE A LOOK BEHIND THE NUMBERS IN THE LATEST ILEARN RESULTS WHICH CAME OUT THIS WEEK.

WE'LL HAVE THOSE STORIES PLUS HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

INDIANA STUDENTS MADE SLOW BUT STEAD E GAIN GAINS -- STEADY GAINS ON THE ILEARN TEST THIS YEAR BUT THEY STILL STRUGGLE WITH MATH.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE LATESTLEARN TEST RESULTS RELEASED ON WEDNESDAY.

IT MEASURES STUDENT PROGRESS IN MULTIPLE SUBJECTS FROM THIRD TO EIGHTH GRADE.

NOW OVERALL 41% OF STUDENTS SCORED PROFICIENT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS THIS YEAR.

OF 41% ACHIEVED PROFICIENCY IN MATH, BUT THE CURRENT PASS RATES FOR BOTH SECTIONS REMAIN LOWER THAN THEY WERE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

>>> FOR MORE ON THE RESULTS WE'RE JOINED BY INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING EDUCATION REPORTER KRISTEN ADIRE.

HELLO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

A LOT OF NUMBERS TO BREAK DOWN.

I HOPE TO MAKE THIS KIND OF EASY, BUT THIRD GRADERS, THEY WERE KINDERGARTNERS DURING THE PANDEMIC AND SEEN AS THE MOST VULNERABLE.

HOW WERE THEIR SCORES.

>> YEAH, SO THIRD GRADERS THIS YEAR, IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE THEY WERE SOME OF THE LOWEST AMONG ALL OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS SCORES, BUT THEY ACTUALLY HAD A -- THEY ACTUALLY SCORED HIGHER THAN OTHER GRADES IN MATH, EVEN THOUGH THEIR MATH SCORES DID NOT IMPROVE.

SO SINCE 2022, MOST OTHER GRADES HAVE REMAINED ABOUT ABOVE 40% IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS BUT THE THIRD GRADERS ARE A BIT LOWER THAN THAT.

IT'S BEEN KIND OF INTERESTING BECAUSE SINCE 2022, A OF THE -- A LOST SCORES FOR MOST GRADES HAVE BEEN STAGNANT.

THERE'S NOT BEEN MUCH OF A CHANGE ABOVE 2.6% IN MOST GRADES BUT IN THIRD GRADE SPECIFICALLY, WE ARE SEEING THE THIRD GRADERS REALLY STRUGGLING WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS WHICH IS VERY INTERESTING CONSIDERING THE SCHOOL'S PUSH FOR -- TO IMPROVE KIDS' LITERACY SCORES ON THE IREAD AS WELL.

>> HOW ABOUT MINORITIES AND OTHER GROUPS.

>> HISPANIC STUDENTS ACTUALLY SAW LOSSES IN BOTH OF THOSE AREAS.

THEN THE OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS WERE A LITTLE BIT MIXED BUT IT HAS BEEN -- IT HAS BEEN REALLY INTERESTING JUST TO SEE HOW STUDENTS HAVE KIND OF INCREASED OR DECREASED DEPENDING ON JUST DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICS.

BLACK STUDENTS ARE STILL PASSING AT A DISPROPORTIONATELY LOWER RATE THAN THE WHITE AND HISPANIC COUNTERPARTS.

THERE ARE DEFINITELY IMPROVEMENTS TO MAKE IN ALL AREAS, THOUGH.

>> TALK ABOUT GROUPS OR A GRADE THAT SAW SOME IMPROVEMENTS.

>> YES, ACTUALLY, SEVENTH GRADE SAW IMPROVEMENTS IN MATH AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS WHICH WAS A BIT SURPRISING.

THEY WERE THE ONLY GRADE TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS IN BOTH OF THOSE AREAS.

KATIE JENNER SAID AT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING, SAID THE SEVENTH GRADER HAD SEEN -- THEY STRUGGLED A LITTLE BIT IN SOME OF THE TESTING AND IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE THEM MAKE THOSE BOUNDS EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT INCREDIBLY SIGNIFICANT.

THEY WERE STILL A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> SO WHAT'S THE STATE NOW TRYING TO DO TO IMPROVE THESE NUMBERS?

>> SO THE STATE RIGHT NOW IS WORKING ON IMPLEMENTING CHECK POINTS IN THE ILEARN TEST ITSELF.

IT'S A RESTRUCTURING.

USUALLY THERE'S ONE SUMMATIVE TEST THAT GAUGES HOW STUDENTS ARE DOING.

INSTEAD OF DOING THAT, THE STATE WANTS TO IMPLEMENT THREE DIFFERENT CHECKPOINTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND THEN ADD A SMALLER SUMMATIVE TEST SO THAT STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS SPECIFICALLY CAN REALLY LOOK AT STUDENTS' PROGRESS AND SEE, OH, THEY ARE STRUGGLING IN THESE AREAS.

YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE CAN STEP IN BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR SUMMATIVE TEST AND PUT SOME PLANS IN PLACE TO HELP THEM SUCCEED MORE BY THE END OF THE YEAR AND HELP THEM MORE TO GET TO THE NEXT GRADE.

>> KRISTEN ADAIR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NOW IN MONROE COUNTY 4 IN 10 STUDENTS PASSED MATH AND LANGUAGE PORTION OF THE TEST, ABOUT THE SAME AS LAST YEAR.

LAKEVIEW HAD THE HIGHEST AVERAGE WITH 90% OF STUDENTS PASSING BOTH PORTIONS OF THE TEST.

>>> INDIANA STUDENTS ARE BUCKING A NATIONAL DECLINE IN FILING FOR FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID.

THE FAFSA FORM CAME OUT LAST DECEMBER.

THEY HAD TO WORK THROUGH MANY ISSUES WHICH WORRIED HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERS AND STUDENTS.

FEWER STUDENTS ARE APPLYING FOR AND RECEIVING THIS IMPORTANT FINANCIAL AID.

>> WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW, IF NOT MAYBE THE ONLY STATE THAT'S UP IN OVERALL APPLICATIONS.

>> STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME AND HIGH MINORITY HIGH SCHOOLS SUBMITTED MORE APPLICATIONS THIS YEAR.

THERE'S STILL TIME TO SUBMIT OR CORRECT APPLICATIONS.

S CAN REACH OUT TO THE COMMISSION OR THEIR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY FOR HELP.

>>> MONROE COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS RECOVERING FROM A RANSOMWARE ATTACK EARLIER THIS MONTH THAT SHUT DOWN THE COURTS AND DISRUPTED A NUMBER OF OTHER SYSTEMS.

ANOTHER ATTACK CURRENTLY HAS CLAY COUNTY SERVICES ON HOLD.

A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN HACKED LAST WEEK, BUT THAT APPARENTLY WAS NOT THE CASE.

SO AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, CYBER ATTACK ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE INCREASING AND MORE SECURITY IS NEEDED TO KEEP THEM ONLINE.

>>> COUNTY I.T.

STAFF RECOGNIZED THERE WAS UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO THE NETWORK ON THURSDAY.

THEY SHUT DOWN GOVERNMENT SERVERS AS PART OF THE SECURITY RESPONSE.

THAT FORCED THE CORE SYSTEM TO CLOSE AND TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN OTHER SERVICES.

THE COUNTY TREASURER AND AUDITORS FROZE THEIR BANKING ACCOUNTS.

>> WE COULDN'T OPERATE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE EMAIL OR ACCESS TO ANY OF OUR NETWORK DRIVES.

>> MONROE COUNTY SAYS BLACK SUIT PULLED OFF THE ATTACK.

THE RUSSIA-BASED GROUP HAS A HISSER -- HISTORY OF ATTACKING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

>> THEY ARE CONSISTENTLY LOOKING TO ATTACK LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND SO THIS, YOU KNOW, NOT MUCH UNLIKE OTHER ATTACKS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> RANSOMWARE BLOCKS ACCESS TO A VICTIM'S FILE, ESSENTIALLY HOLDING THEM HOSTAGE.

MONROE HAD ALREADY BACKED UP ALL THE DATA ON HARD DRIVES AND MANAGED TO RECOVER WHAT WAS LOST.

THE COUNTY IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THIS TO THE INDIANA OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE LAW.

>> THE PROCESS WE HAVE WORKED, AND OUR BACKUP WAS ALL SECURE AND WE WERE ABLE TO -- IT WAS RATHER IMPRESSIVE BY OUR I.T.

SERVICES TO GET US UP AND RUNNING.

>> ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT IS FUNCTIONING AS NOTAL -- AS NORMAL, THEY ARE WAITING ON THE RESULTS OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION.

>> WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT EMPLOYEE INFORMATION IS SECURE, AND OUR BANKING ACCOUNT WAS SECURE.

>> THE ATTACK OVERLAPPED WITH TWO OTHER CYBER SCARES IN SOUTHERN INDIANA, ONE REAL AND ONE PURPORTED.

CLAY COUNT COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS NO WEB SERVICES AFTER A RANSOMWARE ATTACK THAT TOOK OUT THE SEVENNERS ON JULY 9th.

THEY ISSUED A EMERGENCY DECLARATION, SAYING IT PREVENTS THEM FROM PROVIDING COURTHOUSE AND COUNTY PROBATION.

THEY DECLINED OUR REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW, SAYING IT DIDN'T WANT TO JEOPARDIZE THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION.

BLACK SUIT ALSO CLAIMED TO HAVE HACKED THE RICHLAND BEAN BLOSSOM ON A SITE.

THEY REPORTED THE ALLEGED HACK LAST WEEKEND BUT THE SCHOOL BOARD SAYS IT'S TAKING THE THREAT SERIOUSLY.

>> ALL OF OUR DATA HAS BEEN SECURE AND NOTHING GOT OUT OF OUR HANDS AND WE TOOK IMMEDIATE ACTION TO LOOK INTO WHAT WAS GOING ON.

>> DOCUMENTS EXTRACTED FROM THE ZIP FILE ON BLACK BEAR THE LOGO OF EDGEWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL IN NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND.

HE SAYS CYBER CRIMINALS USUALLY CAST A WIDE NET RATHER THAN TARGET A PARTICULAR REGION.

>> THE NOTION THAT A HACKING GROUP THAT A MALICIOUS GROUP OF ACTORS ONLINE IS SITTING AROUND AND THINKING, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE'RE GOING TO GO FOR MONROE COUNTY IS NOT WHAT'S HAPPENING.

>> MONROE COUNTY HAS CYBER INSURANCE, ALTHOUGH NO CLAIM BASEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO DATE.

IT TESTS EMPLOYEES DIGITLE AWARENESS.

INDIANA AND MONROE COUNTY HAVE STRONG SECURITY PROTOCOLS BUT IT WILL TAKE SUSTAINED IMPROVEMENTS TO STAY SECURE.

>> AS LONG AS WE DON'T MAKE CYBERSECURITY ONE OF THE FOREMOST CONSIDERATIONS IN OUR BUDGET AT A LOCAL LEVEL, WE WILL BE STAGNANT IN TERMS OF OUR CYBERSECURITY POSTURE.

>> WHAT WE'RE WAITING ON IS THE FORENSICS, AND WHAT WE'RE HOPING WILL "HOW -- WILL IDENTIFY HOW THIS EVENT OCCURRED.

WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY IT.

>> THE INDIANA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON CYBERSECURITY RECOMMENDS ANY HOOSIERS WHO WOMAN VICTIMS OF CYBERCRIMES FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO RESPOND AND RECOVER.

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

>> THE FBI REPORTS 60 HOOSIERS FELL VICTIM TO RANSOMWARE ATTACKED COSTING THEM OVER $300,000.

>>> WE'RE JOINED BY CLAYTON BAUMGARTH WITH MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, CLAYTON.

>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, BOTH PLANS INCLUDE ADDING BIKE LANES TO BUSY STREET BORDERING I.U.

'S CAMPUS.

BENTE BOUTHIER WAS AT TUESDAY'S MEETING AND HAS MORE.

>> THE CORRIDOR SPANS A LITTLE UNDER A MILE FROM SMITH AVENUE TO 10th STREET ON THE QUEST SIDE OF I.U.

'S CAMPUS.

IT COMES FROM PUBLIC FEEDBACK COLLECTED OVER THE LAST MONTH AND MORE THAN 200 SURVEY RESPONSES.

>> THIS IS OUR FIRST -- I WOULD SAY OUR FIRST ATTEMPT AT PUTTING SOMETHING PEN-TO-PAPER, PUTTING SOME KIND OF VISUALIZATION IN FRONT OF YOU ABOUT HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS BETTER BASED ON THE CONCERNS THAT YOU ALL COMMUNICATED TO US.

>> IN CONCEPT A., INDIANA AVENUE WOULD BECOME A ONE-LANE ROAD WITH A TWO-WAY PROTECTED BICYCLE LANE.

DUNCAN SAYS THIS IMPROVES STATE FOR PEDESTRIANS.

>> RE -- SAFETY FOR PEDESTRIANS.

>> REMOVING HALF OF THOSE LANES WILL INHERENTLY MAKE IT LOW STRESS AND RELAXING FOR FOLKS TO CROSS AND ALONG WITH THAT, AND IT WILL SLOW DOWN MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC AND THEN PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTED BIKE CONNECTIONS THROUGH OUR DOWNTOWN AND CAMPUS.

>> CONCEPT B CONVERTS INDIANA AVENUE INTO A TWO-OKAY STREET -- TWO-WAY STREET.

IT INCLUDES BIKE LINES FROM KIRKWOOD TO SIXTH STREET.

>> I'M OF THE OPINION THAT WE SHOULD BE DISCOURAGING BICYCLE RIDING ON INDIANA AVENUE BECAUSE THERE ARE MUCH SAFER ROUTE.

IN ONE DIRECTION WE HAVE GRANT, LINCOLN AND WASHINGTON THAT YOU CAN RIDE BICYCLES ON.

>> CONCEPT A AND B ARE PRELIMINARY IDEAS AND LIKELY TO CHANGE WITH FEEDBACK.

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

>>> THE PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOST ANOTHER PUBLIC MEETING IN AUGUST TO COLLECT MORE INPUT ON THE CORRIDOR.

>>> THE LONG SEARCH FOR THE LOCATION OF MONROE COUNTY'S NEXT JAIL COULD END IN AUGUST.

COMMISSIONER PENNY GIBBONS SAYS THE COUNTY COULD FINISH STUDIES AND PREDESIGN WORK NEAR I-69 AND STATE ROAD 469 BYPASS WITHIN A MONTH OR TWO.

IT WOULD COST AROUND $11 MILLION.

THAT'S MORE THAN THE OTHER SITES COMMISSIONERS CONSIDERED BUT FACTORING IN THE COST OF DELAYS IT WOULD BE A THIRD AS MUCH AS THE PREVIOUS CONSIDERATIONS.

>> I THINK IT'S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD.

I THINK IT'S TIME TO MAKE A DECISION ON THIS AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN WORK WITH OUR COUNTY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES TO GET SOMETHING DONE EXPEDITIOUSLY.

>> SHE SAYS FAILING TO CHOOSE A SITE QUICKLY WOULD BRING SIGNIFICANT COSTS.

THE COUNTY IS REQUIRED TO BUILD A NEW JAIL AFTER A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ACLU.

>>> AND PICKING UP DEBRIS FROM THE JUNE 25th STORM THAT TORE THROUGH BLOOMINGTON.

THE BOARD APPROVED A SECOND CONTRACT WITH WILLIAMS TREE COMPANY FOR $350,000.

THE FIRST CONTRACT WAS AGREED TO ON JUNE 28th.

THE CITY ESTIMATES ALMOST 50% OF THE DEBRIS LEFT ROADSIDE BY RESIDENTS HAS BEEN PICKED UP.

>> THEY HAVE REALLY STARTED IN THE HEAVIEST HIT AREAS.

SO IT WASN'T SURPRISING THAT THEY HAD THE HIGHER COSTS IN ANY EVENT WEEK AND A HALF.

>> HE SAYS THE CITY WILL SEEK REIMBURSEMENT THROUGH A FEMA DECLARATION.

>>> AMBULANCE SERVICE WILL PROVIDE BASIC LIFE SUPPORT AND TRANSFERS.

>> THREE, TWO, ONE.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THE AMBULANCE WILL BE STAFFED WITH TWO E.M.T.s, IT WILL SERVE AS BACKUP IN THE COUNTY FOR 911 CALLS WHEN ALL AMBULANCES ARE IN SERVICE.

THE COUNTY CURRENTLY HAS TWO TRUCKS BUT ONE WILL SERVE AS A BACKUP.

>> WE'RE NOT ABLE TO HELP TO PROVIDE ANOTHER ADDITIONAL SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT'S NEEDED.

WE SEE ALL OF THE TIME THAT THERE'S MORE OF A BURDEN ON THE E.M.S.

SYSTEM OVER AND OVER.

>> FUNDING HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FOR FOUR AMBULANCES IN TOTAL.

THE MONEY COMES FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

>>> FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW, INDIANA FARMERS HAVE SET A RECORD FOR MOST ACRES OF COVER CROPS PLANTED.

MORE THAN 1.7 MILLION ACRES.

COVER CROPS ARE PLANTED TO KEEP THE SOIL FROM ERODING AWAY WHICH CAN POLLUTE STREAMS AND LAKES AND THEY CAN IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE SOIL AND CONTROL PESTS AND WEEDS.

>> AND THEN ALSO FARMERS DOING THAT AND SEEING THE NEIGHBORS SEEING THE BENEFITS AND THEM SPEAKING TO THE BENEFITS THEMSELVES TO OTHER FARMERS WE SEE MORE AND MORE FARMERS WANTING TO TRY THEM AND HAVING SUCCESS WHEN THEY DO.

>> THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT GAVE MORE THAN $18 BILLION TO PROGRAMS THAT HELP TO OFFSET THE CONSERVATION PRACTICES LIKE COVER CROPPING.

>>> AND THE INDIANA BARN FOUNDATION IS RECEIVING $100,000 LANDMARK GRANT THAT WILL ALLOW THE NONPROFIT TO HIRE FIRST FULL-TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

>> THERE'S A LOT GOING ON WITH INDIANA BARN FOUNDATION, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY HAVE A PAID STAFF PERSON TO OVERSEE THAT IS BEYOND WHAT WE COULD IMAGINE.

>> THE FUNDING WILL COVER THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S POSITION FOR THREE YEARS.

INDIANA BARN FOUNDATION WILL BE TASKED WITH RAISING AN ADDITIONAL $80,000 IN MATCHING FUNDS HAD BY 2026 PER THE AGREEMENT.

THEY FORMED TO SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION OF ICONIC RURAL STRUCTURES AND BOOST FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR THE REHABILITATION.

>> I HEAR IS THERE NOT A MEETING COMING UP TOO FOR THIS.

>> TOMORROW, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

THEIR ANNUAL MEETING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA DEMOCRATS PICK THEIR GOVERNOR FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>>> AND A NEW MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR ELDERCARE GIVERS HAS BEEN MET WITH DELAYS AND CONFUSION.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

FORMER STATE LAWMAKER TERRY GOODEN EASILY SECURED THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR LAST WEEK'S STATE PARTY CONVENTION IN INDIANAPOLIS.

GOODEN HAD CAUSED SOME UNEASE WITHIN THE PARTY WHEN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE JENNIFER McCORMICK NAMED HIM AS HER PICK FOR RUNNING MATE.

AT THE STATE HOUSE, GOODEN HAD VOTED AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE AND ABORTION RIGHTS BUT IN THE LAST WEEKS GOODEN APOLOGIZED FOR THOSE VOTES.

>> I PRIDE MYSELF ON BEING A LIFELONG LEARNER AND I THINK TODAY'S VOTE IS PEOPLE'S CONFIDENCE TO DO A GOOD JOB.

>> DESTINY WELLS WAS CHOSEN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

SHE SAYS SHE WANTS TO RESTORE PROFESSIONALISM TO AN OFFICE SHE ORG ARGUE -- ARGUES HAS BEEN HYPER POLITICIZED.

NO DEMOCRAT HAS WON THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SINCE 1996.

>>> INDIANA U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE JIM BANKS USED THE PRIME TIME SPEECH AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION TO LAVISHLY PRAISE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

HE SPENT TO AN HOUR AND CALLED TRUMP THE GREATEST AND STRONGEST PRESIDENT OF HIS LIFETIME.

HE ALSO BRIEFLY MENTIONED POLICY FOCUSING ON IMMIGRATION AND MASS DEPORTATION.

>> IF YOU CAME HERE ILLEGALLY UNDER JOE BIDEN, YOU ARE GOING BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM UNDER DONALD TRUMP.

BANKS' OPPONENT ARE VALERIE McRAY AND LIBERTARIAN ANDREW HORNING.

>>> AND MEDICAID MANAGED CARE FOR PEOPLE 60 AND UP.

THE STATE LAUNCHED PATHWAY FOR AGING PROGRAM THIS MONTH WHICH INCLUDES TRANSITIONING SUPPORTS AND SERVICES TO MANAGED CARE COMPANIES THAT CHARGE A FLAT RATE INSTEAD OF THE PREVIOUS PROCESS OF FEES BEING SETTLED INDIVIDUALLY, BUT AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, IT HAS LED TO UNANSWERED QUESTIONS FOR CAREGIVERS, WAIT LIST FOR PATIENTS AND SKEPTICISM FOR PATIENT ADVOCATES.

>> FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THIS HAS BEEN MATT AND JASON HARDINGS ROUTINE.

EVERY DAY THEY GO TO THE HOUSE IN BEDFORD.

ONE COMES OVER EVERY MORNING FOR BREAKFAST.

THEIR DAD'S CONDITION IS DEMENTIA AND THEY ARE WORRIED ON MATT'S DAYS HE ARRIVES AROUND 5:30 A.M. BEFORE WORK.

>> WE GET HERE IN THE MORNING, GIVE MINIMUM HIS PILLS GET HIM SOMETHING TO EAT, GET HIM CLEANED UP.

AS OF RIGHT NOW HE'S GOT HOME HEALTHCARE WORKERS KIND OF THROUGH A REHAB PROCESS THAT COME OVER.

>> JOHN IS JUST ABOVE THE LIMIT TO QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID.

MATT AND JASON HAVE HIRED LEGAL AID TO HELP WITH THE PAPERWORK TO QUALIFY.

MATT SAYS HIS DAD NEEDS HELP BUT IS NOT READY FOR A FACILITY.

CURRENTLY, THAT'S THE ONLY OPTION JOHN HAS FOR LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES THROUGH MEDICAID.

>> YOU ARE KIND OF IN THAT MIDDLE RANGE, WHICH REALLY WHEN YOU APPLY FOR MEDICAID WORKS AGAINST YOU.

>> THEY CAN'T AFFORD OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS FOR ASSISTED LIVING WHICH RUNS AROUND $3,500 MONTHLY.

20 HOURS A WEEK OF HOME HEALTH AID COSTS AROUND $2,700 A MONTH.

THE HARDINGS ARE THOUSANDS OF HOOSIERS WAITING TO SEE WHAT INDIANA'S NEW PATHWAYS FOR AGING PROGRAM BRINGS SINCE IT TOOK EFFECT JULY 1st AND REPLACED THE AGED AND DISABLED WAIVER.

MATT AND JASON WANT THEIR DAD TO RECEIVE HOME-BASED CARE.

THEY HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THEIR AREA AGENCY ON AGING.

>> IF WE CAN APPLY FOR HOME HEALTHCARE, THAT'S GREAT.

>> IN APRIL, THE FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION CREATED A WAIT LIST FOR THE AGED AND DISABLED WAIVER, TO RECONCILE A BILLION DOLLARS BUDGET SHORTFALL IN MEDICAID.

>> THE STATE JUST STOPPED WITHOUT ANY ADVANCED NOTICE APPROVING WAIVER CASES.

AND THAT INCLUDED HOME HEALTHCARE AND ASSISTED LIVING.

SO WE HAD SOME CASES THAT WERE ALREADY STARTED AND GOT STOPPED AND DENIED.

>> THE S.S.A.

SAYS IT WILL START TO PROCESS THE MORE THAN 9,000 PEOPLE ON THE WAIT LIST, WHICH WILL TAKE NEARLY A YEAR.

BUT TRACE SAYS THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO CAN'T WAIT THAT LONG, AND MIGHT BE FORCED TO USE NURSING HOMES SOONER THAN THEY ARE READY.

THE PATHWAYS PROGRAM REPLACED THE STATE'S FEE-FOR-SERVICE MEDICAID MODEL.

THE STATE WILL INSTEAD PAY A FLAT RATE TO MANAGED CARE ENTITIES, TO HANDLE LONG-TERM CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

MOST OF THIS WAS MANAGED BY AREA AGENCIES ON AGING.

THEY WILL STILL HELP WITH INTAKES FOR MEDICAID PROGRAMS BUT COMMUNICATION WITH THE STATE AND MANAGED CARE ENTITIES IS MINIMAL.

>> WITH ANY TRANSITION, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THOSE MOMENTS WHERE YOU REALIZE WE OVERLOOKED THIS, WE OVERLOOKED THAT.

BUT IT REALLY FEELS LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF GAPS THAT WERE OVERLOOKED.

I WISH THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND FOLKS FROM THE AAAs HAD BEEN MORE INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING PROCESS.

>> SHE WANTS TO KNOW HOW AREA AGENCIES ARE MEANT TO NOTIFY A PERSON'S MANAGED CARE ENTITY THAT AN EVALUATION FOR THE MEDICAID WAIVER IS COMPLETE.

>> HOW SPECIFICALLY DOES IT GET TRANSMITTED?

AND WILL WE GET ANY FURTHER CONTACT FROM THE M.C.E.

OR IS IT JUST THAT WE PUT IN THAT MACE HOLDER AND WE'RE DONE?

WHAT PAPERWORK DO THEY NEED?

THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND OUR NORMAL INTAKE.

>> ANYONE WHO ANTICIPATES THEY OR A LOVED ONE OVER 60 WILL NEED CARE GET ON THE WAIT LIST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

SHE ADDS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED TO TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT ASSETS, MOVING THROUGH THE WAIVER PROCESS COULD TAKE MONTHS.

FOR AREA 10, WHICH SERVES MONROE AND OWEN COUNTIES, THERE ARE MORE THAN 180 PEOPLE ON THE WAIT LIST.

MATT SAYS FIGURING OUT CARE IN THE RECENTLY CHANGED MEDICAID SYSTEM FOR HIS DAD HAS BEEN EXTREMELY STRESSFUL FOR THE FAMILY.

>> THIS GUY TOOK CARE OF ME FOR 20 PLUS YEARS.

THIS IS LEAST I CAN DO.

>> NOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BENTE BOUTHIER.

>>> AND HAPPENS ROCK IS MOVING AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY MEMORIAL STADIUM.

IT'S PART OF NEW GAME DAY ENHANCEMENTS.

TERRY HEPPNER BROUGHT THE ROCK AND THE WALK, BEFORE HIS PASSING FROM BRAIN CANCER IN 2007.

THEY REMOVED THE 3-TON LIMESTONE TO THE EAST CONCOURSE OF THE STADIUM WHERE IT WILL BE PART OF THE WALK WITH PLAYERS, COACHES AND NOW FANS ENTERING THE STADIUM.

I.U.

KICKS OFF THE SEASON AUGUST 31st AGAINST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL.

>>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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