>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF I.U.

'S RESPONSE TO THE PROTESTS IN DUNN MEADOW IS OUT AND IT BACKS THE SCHOOL'S ACTIONS.

>> THEIR FINDINGS REALLY RESONATED AS ISSUES ON OUR CAMPUS AND I THOUGHT THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS MAKE GOOD SENSE.

>> THE FIRM BEHIND THE REVIEW, RECOMMENDS I.U.

APPROVE THE NEW EXPRESSIVE ACTION POLICY.

THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON AND MONROE COUNTY ARE TAKING FEEDBACK ON A TRANSPORTATION PLAN THAT WILL GUIDE THEM FOR THE NEXT TWO DECADES.

>> WE ARE RIGHT IN BETWEEN THE, LIKE, EARLY DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS PHASE.

>> THE INPUT WILL HELP TO DETERMINE HOW BEST FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING IS USED.

>>> AND MONROE COUNTY SCHOOLS UNVEILED ITS TIMELINE FOR EMERGING CHILDS AND TEMPLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

WE WILL HAVE THESE STORIES AND THE LATEST NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HAS RELEASED A REVIEW BY THE LAW FIRM IT HIRED TO LOOK INTO ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRO GAZA PROTEST IN DUNN MEADOW IN APRIL.

ETHAN SANDWEISS SPOKE WITH THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN AND THE LEAD ATTORNEY ON THAT TEAM AND HAS THIS STORY.

>> STATE POLICE ARRESTED 57 PRO GAZA PROTESTERS AT I.U.

IN APRIL AFTER I.U.

CHANGED AN ASSEMBLY POLICY IT LED TO LAWSUITS AGAIN THE UNIVERSITY AND THE FACULTY CALLS FOR THE PRESIDENT'S RESIGNATION.

WHITTEN ANNOUNCED SHE WAS HIRING A LAW FIRM, AT THE LAST MEETING AT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

>> IT CAN INFORM OUR DECISIONS GOING FORWARD, WE ISSUED AN RFP AND CONDUCTED A ROBUST SEARCH FOR AN INDEPENDENT FIRM TO COME CONDUCT A REVIEW.

>> COOLEY LLP SPECIALIZES IN CORPORATE LAW.

THE TEAM'S HOME PAGE SAYS IT CONDUCTS HIGH-STAKES INVESTIGATIONS IN GOVERNMENT ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, BUT I.U.

AND COOLEY SAY THE REVIEW WAS WHOLLY INDEPENDENT.

>> WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS IS WE FOLLOW THE FACTS WHERE THEY LEAD US.

WE FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED.

WE DO THAT BY REVIEWING DOCUMENTS, BY TALKING TO PEOPLE.

>> COOLEY COUNT THE LAST-MINUTE CHANGE TO DUNN MEADOW'S ASSEMBLY POLICY WAS PERMITTED LEGALLY AND I.U.

POLICY.

I.U.

BALANCED FREE SPEECH WITH CAMPUS SAFETY AND SENDING STATE POLICE WAS THE SAFEST OFFICE.

COOLEY RECOMMENDED CREATING A UNIVERSITY-WIDE SPEECH POLICY WHICH I.U.

IS PURSUING.

THEY RECOMMEND MAKING SOME CHANGES.

>> I.U.

SHOULD APPROVE A NEW EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY POLICY, COMMUNICATE CLEARLY ANY CHANGES IN POLICY, AND WHAT THOSE CHANGES MEAN, AND IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH CRITICAL CONSTITUENCIES ON CAMPUS.

>> DESPITE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY BY THE ACLU AND DISMISSED CHARGES BY THE MONROE COUNTY PROSECUTOR, THE REVIEW GENERALLY AFFIRMS I.

U.

'S LEGAL CLAIMS.

ASKED IF SURPRISED BY THE RESULTS, WHITTEN SAID SHE RECEIVED THEM YESTERDAY AND NEEDED MORE TIME TO GO OVER THEM.

>> BASED ON FIRST READ THROUGH, IT HITS THE MARKS.

IT RESONATES AS ISSUES ON THE CAMPUS AND IT MAKES GOOD SENSE.

>> WHITTEN TOLD WTIU THAT SHE WAS THANKED BY STUDENTS AND FACULTY.

MANY SAID THEY FELT THREATENED BY THE MILITARIZED POLICE RESPONSE.

WHEN ASKED IF PARENTS MADE THE POLICE PRESENCE MADE THEIR STUDENTS FEEL UNSAFE.

>> NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF.

>> AUTHORS OF THE 75-PAGE REPORT INTERVIEWED MORE THAN TWO DOZEN PEOPLE, INCLUDING 11 SPECIFIED ADMINISTRATORS AT I.U., OFFICERS FROM THE IUPD, AND THE MONROE COUNTY PROSECUTOR AND STUDENTS AND FACULTY.

THEY TRIED WITHOUT SUCCESS TO INTERVIEW TWO PROTEST LEADERS, WHEN ASKED SHE DIDN'T SAY SPECIFICALLY IF THEY HAD SPOKE WENT ANY PROTESTERS.

>> WE SPOKE WITH A NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO WERE THERE ON THAT DAY WHO HAD FRIENDS IN THE ENCAMPMENT.

>> I.U.

RELEASED THE REPORT ON THURSDAY, AND IT'S AVAILABLE TO READ ON THE WEBSITE.

>> WE ARE JOINED NOW BY ETHAN SANDWEISS.

WHEN YOU SPOKE WITH PRESIDENT WHITTEN YESTERDAY, DID SHE INDICATE ANY TYPE OF SECOND THOUGHTS?

>> SHE DIDN'T.

SHE SAID THAT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED IN THE SPRING HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE FALL BUT SHE STUCK BY HER ACTIONS.

>> THIS COMMITMENT TO SAFETY REALLY WAS THE NORTH STAR FOR ALL OF OUR DECISIONS, YOU KNOW, IN THAT SEASON.

AND I STAND BEHIND THE DECISIONS THAT WE MADE AT THAT TIME.

>> DESPITE CAMPUS UNITS CALLING FOR HER RESIGNATION, THE ACLU LAWSUIT, PRESIDENT WHITTEN SAYS SHE FEELS SHE WAS ACTING IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE UNIVERSITY.

I BELIEVE THE REPORT FINDINGS ARE GOING TO REINFORCE THAT BELIEF FOR HER.

>> WHAT ELSE WAS IN THIS BRIEF THAT YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO TOUCH UPON IN THE STOREY.

>> ONE OF THEM WAS THE BREAKDOWN OF THE EVENTS SINCE APRIL OF 2024.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN SO FAR IS NOT TERRIBLY REVEALING BUT IT SHEDS SOME LIGHTS ON THE BACKROOM PROCESSES THAT SHAPED OUT THESE THINGS UNFOLDED.

THERE'S MENTION IN THERE ABOUT A COMMITTEE THAT MET TO CREATE LAST-MINUTE CHANGES TO THE ASSEMBLY POLICY.

ONE MEMBER SAID -- WHO WAS INTERVIEWED SAID THAT THEY FELT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALREADY MADE THEIR DECISION BEFORE THEY GATHERED.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY DID, BUT IT GIVES US AN IDEA ABOUT HOW THEY SAW THEIR OWN ROLE.

>> SO THE REPORT SAYS THAT I.U.

HAD TO CALL IN THE STATE POLICE BECAUSE IUPD COULDN'T HANDLE THAT SITUATION.

WHAT IS COOLEY SAYING IN THIS REPORT ON HOW TO HANDLE THAT SITUATION?

>> WELL, FIRST OFF, THEY RECOMMENDED CREATING MORE EXPLICIT RULES FOR WHEN THE STATE POLICE CAN BE CALLED.

ONE THE THINGS THAT MAKES THE PROTEST SO CHAOTIC WAS A LACK OF WARNING AND CLEAR POLICY BY UNIVERSITY.

SECOND, THEY RECOMMENDED GATHERING THE IUPD, GETTING THE IUPD TO A LARGER STAFFING LEVEL.

I.U.

IS TRYING TO GROW THE DEPARTMENT, THEIR BUDGET WILL INCREASE BY $5 MILLION.

THE POLICE RECENTLY OFFERED OFFICERS A RAISE TO BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER INDIANA AGENCIES.

>> SO I DON'T KNOW, IS THIS REPORT GOING TO HAVE ANY TYPE OF CHANGE IN HOW THE COMMUNITY IS SEEING THE SITUATION?

>> I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF IT DID.

YOU REALLY CAN'T UNDERESTIMATE THE VISCERAL EFFECT IN DUNN MEADOW WHEN THEY SAW STUDENTS BEING TACKLED AND ARRESTED BY POLICE THIS IS LIKELY TO GENERATE SKEPTICISM.

THEY HIRED COOLEY FOR AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW AND COOLEY MAINTAINS IT HAD COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE.

THE FACT IS THAT'S NOT REALLY SOMETHING WE CAN PROVE OR DISPROVE WITH THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW.

>> ALL RIGHT, ETHAN.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTING.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS, JOE.

>>> SINCE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN BACKED OUT OF THE REELECTION CAMPAIGN, DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE QUICKLY LINED UP BEHIND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS.

INDIANA DEMOCRATS ARE NO EXCEPTION.

THE PARTY PLEDGED ITS DELEGATES AT NEXT MONTH TO HARRIS EARLIER THIS WEEK.

ETHAN HAS MORE ON THAT.

>> HARRIS SPOKE IN INDIANAPOLIS WEDNESDAY AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF ZETA PHI BETA, AN HISTORICALLY BLACK SORORITY.

IT CAME TWO DAYS AFTER SHE LAUNCHED HER PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN DESPITE INDIANA AS A RELIABLY RED STATE.

>> THESE EXTREMISTS WANT TO TAKE US BACK, BUT WE ARE NOT GOING BACK!

[ CHEERS ] WE ARE NOT GOING BACK!

>> CURRENT AND FORMER DEMOCRATIC OFFICEHOLDERS HAVE ENDORSED HARRIS' CAMPAIGN.

JOE DONELLY WILL LEAD THE DELEGATION TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN HAD CHICAGO NEXT MONTH.

>> I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE IN HER JUDGE.

SHE'S TRAVELED THE WORLD AND WORKING WITH OUR ALLIES.

SHE'S READY ON DAY ONE TO ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITIES.

THAT'S WHY I ENDORSED HERE.

>> AND MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATS FOLLOWED THEIR STATE PARTY COUNTERPARTS.

>> IT'S AN INTENSE TWO DAYS FROM STATE LEADERSHIP TO DISTRICT LEADERSHIP AND COUNTY LEADERSHIP.

>> BLOOMINGTON MAYOR KERRY THOMPSON AND NICOLE BOLDEN AND COUNCIL PERSON KATHERINE ZUWICK.

IN SOME RESPECTS HARRIS IS A CLEAR CHOICE.

FORMER VICE PRESIDENTS LIKE NIXON AND BUSH SENIOR AND BIDEN HIMSELF ALL WENT ON TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> THE INCOUPLE BENZY IS IS -- INCUMBACY IS CRUCIAL IN POLITICS.

>> SOME CRITICIZE THIS AS AN INSIDER PICK.

INDIANA DEMOCRATS PUSHED BACK.

>> IT WILL BE DELEGATES ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF INDIANA, NOT BY ANY ELITES, NOT BY ANY INSIDERS BUT BY THE PEOPLE OF INDIANA.

>> WE'VE LOST TRACK OF HOW CANDIDATES ARE PICKED FOR PRESIDENT.

WE STILL USE AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM.

POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE NO, MA'AM DATING CONVENTIONS TO -- NOMINATING CONVENTIONS TO SAY HERE'S THE CANDIDATES FROM OUR PARTY OUR TWO-PARTY SYSTEM AND I THINK WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING IS A LITTLE BIT OF A GROWING PAIN.

>> DEMOCRATS INCLUDING DONELLY, APPLAUDED BIDEN PULLING BACK.

>> PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ASKED IF YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN KAMALA HARRIS AND DONALD TRUMP, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE.

>> SHE DOES AROUND THE SAME AS BIDEN, A LITTLE BIT WORSE.

SO IT'S NOT A HUGE AMOUNT, BUT IT'S ABOUT IN THE SAME BALLPARK.

SHE'S NOT CLEARLY AHEAD.

>> BUT HENRY SAYS HE THINKS THAT WILL CHANGE.

>> A PINPOINT IN TIME, A POLL IN TIME DOESN'T TELL ME MUCH OTHER THAN IT IS GOING TO BE A CLOSE RACE.

I THINK AS THE DEMOCRATS SELECT OUR NOMINEE FOR VICE PRESIDENT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, I THINK IT WILL OPEN UP, WHICH PEOPLE WANT TO GO BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS.

>> HARRIS FACES AN UPHILL BATTLE IN INDIANA WHERE A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE HASN'T WON THE VOTE SINCE 2008.

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

>>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF MISINFORMATION ABOUT IF HARRIS CAN BE ON THE INDIANA BALLOT SINCE SHE WASN'T ON THE PRIMARY BALLOT AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.

BUT INDIANA LAW SAYS CANDIDATES ON THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT NEED ONLY TO BE CERTIFIED BY THE STATE PARTY CHAIR BY SEPTEMBER 10th TO BE ON THE BALLOT.

>>> MONROE COUNTY SCHOOLS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THE DISTRICT HAS BEGUN THE PROCESS OF MERGING TEMPLETON AND CHILDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

MARKAY SAYS THEY WILL EVALUATE BOTH SCHOOL FACILITIES AND COLLECT DATA AND INFORMATION ON SCHOOL MERGERS AND HOLD MORE THAN 30 ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS.

>> THOSE ARE THE THREE BIG COMPONENTS AT THE CENTER OF THIS DIAGRAM, YOU WILL SEE A COMPREHENSIVE MERGER PLAN.

AT THE CONCLUSION OF ALL OF THESE PIECES, WE INTEND TO HAVE A WRITTEN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS TO HOW WE WILL DO THIS IMPLEMENTATION EFFECTIVE FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEARS.

>>> NOW WINSTON SAYS THE DISTRICT WILL PUBLISH UPDATES ON INFORMATION AND PLANS TO MERGE THE TWO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ON ITS WEBSITE OVER THE COMING YEAR.

>>> MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT SAYS A NEW STATE LAW THAT RESTRICTS THE USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN SCHOOLS WON'T HAVE MUCH OF AN IMPACT IN THE DISTRICT'S CLASSROOMS.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE CORPORATION ALREADY HAS A POLICY IN PLACE TO RESTRICT DEVICE USAGE.

MCCSC DID TWEAK ITS POLICY, THOUGH.

>> THE POLICY WAS REVISED TO INCLUDE A COUPLE OF THINGS FROM THAT BILL.

SO DEFINITIONS OF WHAT A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE WERE AND INSTRUCTIONAL SPACES AND WHAT INSTRUCTIONAL TIME MEANT.

>> HENNESSY SAYS EVEN SHOW SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT INCREASED PHONE USAGE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, ONLY SO MUCH CAN BE DONE TO REGULATE HOW STUDENTS USE THEIR DEVICES.

>>> STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE AFTER 2029 WILL BE ABLE TO EARN SEALS ON THEIR TRANSCRIPT FOR ENROLLMENT, UNDER A NEW PROPOSAL BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THE PLAN WHICH COINCIDES WITH NEW GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS WILL ALLOW STUDENTS TO KNOW WHICH COURSES TO TAKE FOR EACH SEAL OR PATHWAY AND LETS COLLEGES AND EMPLOYERS AND RECRUITERS KNOW THE STUDENTS HAVE THE REQUIRED SKILLS FOR THEIR DETERMINED PATH.

>> HERE'S THE RECIPE.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> THE SEALS ARE BEING DEVELOPED BY THE COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE BLOOMINGTON-MONROE COUNTY METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION IS GATHERING INPUT FOR TRANSPORTATION PLAN.

>>> AND WE LOOK INTO THE BEHAVIOR OF HUMMINGBIRDS AND WHETHER THEY ARE FIGHTING OR PLAYING AROUND YOUR OUTDOOR FEEDERS.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY LUCAS GONZALES FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, LUCAS.

>> HI, JOE.

>> THE BLOOMINGTON MONROE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION IS GATHERING PUBLIC INPUT ON A 2050 METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN FOR THE AREA.

THE PLAN WILL SHAPE THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION IN BLOOMINGTON, ELLETSVILLE AND PARTS OF MONROE COUNTY.

>> RESIDENTS GATHERED THIS WEEK AT THE SWITCH YARD PARK PAVILION TO LEARN ABOUT THE PLAN AND SHARE THEIR IDEAS.

>> WE'RE ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE PLANNING PROCESS, BUT WE HAVEN'T ACTUALLY IDENTIFIED ANY PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS AT THIS POINT.

WE ARE RIGHT IN BETWEEN THE, LIKE, EARLY DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS PHASE.

>> THE INITIATIVE IS MEANT TO IDENTIFY WAYS TO IMPROVE THE AREA'S TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OVER THE NEXT 25 YEARS AND BEYOND.

IT WILL EVALUATE ASPECTS SUCH AS ROADWAYS, PUBLIC TRANSIT, BIKEWAYS, PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS AND FREIGHT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US ABOUT LANES ALONG 10th STREET AND THIRD STREET.

I THINK THOSE WOULD BE KEY TO MAKING TRANSPORTATION, LIKE, MUCH BETTER AROUND THE CAMPUS ESPECIALLY.

>> NIELSEN ADDS HE WANTS TO SEE A MULTIUSE PATH INSTALLED ALONG ARLINGTON ROAD, STATE ROAD 46 AND SMITH PIKE.

HE SAYS HE BIKES THOSE ROADS FREQUENTLY TO GET TO HIS PARENT'S HOUSE BUT HE OFTEN FEELS UNSAFE DOING SO GUSHON SAYS THE NEXT STEP IS COMING UP WITH PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> ANOTHER PUBLIC MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE FALL, AND IT WILL ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT ON A DRAFT PLAN.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY WILL SOON HAVE A NEW STATEWIDE POLICE CHIEF.

UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED THE HIRING OF ANTHONY WILLIAMS ON MONDAY.

HE'S CURRENTLY LIEUTENANT OF OPERATIONS AT NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THIS STEP IS A SIGNIFICANT ONE FOR WILLIAMS WHO WILL GO FROM DIRECTING OPERATIONS AT A CAMPUS WITH JUST OVER 10,000 STUDENTS TO A STATEWIDE UNIVERSITY WITH MORE THAN 90,000.

>> IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE, BUT IT'S A -- THAT'S OBVIOUSLY WHY I DECIDED TO TAKE ON, YOU KNOW, NEW THINGS, LOOKING FOR NEW CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.

>> WILLIAMS BEGINS ON AUGUST 1st, THE SAME DAY I.U.

PLANS TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY POLICY.

HE SAYS HE WILL SEE IF HE CAN GIVE FEEDBACK ON THE POLICY AND PLANS TO LISTEN TO HIS TEAM BEFORE CHOOSING ANY COURSE OF ACTION.

>>> I.U.

'S HEALTHY CITIES LAB HAS BEGUN INSTALLING SENSORS AROUND BLOOMINGTON TO MEASURE HEAT AND PREVENT RELATED HEALTH ISSUES.

DATA FROM THE 13 SENSORS WILL INFORM THE CITY WHERE TO FOCUS HEAT MITIGATION.

>> SO WE WANT TO SEE THAT TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION ACROSS THE STIR, AND THAT -- ACROSS THE CITY AND THAT WILL HELP US KNOW WHERE THE HOTSPOTS ARE AND TO DEVELOP COOLING STRATEGIES.

>> MYAH SAYS THESE STRATEGIES INCLUDE SHELTERING BUS STOPS AND CREATING COOLING STATIONS AND PLANTING TREES AND OTHER VEGETATION.

AREAS WITHOUT GREENERY CAN BE UP TO 20 DEGREES HOTTER THAN AREAS WITH FOLIAGE.

>>> CENTER POINT HAS PROPOSED A SETTLEMENT IN ITS REQUEST TO RAISE CUSTOMERS' RATES.

THE SOUTHERN INDIANA UTILITY WANTS TO RECOVER THE COST OF THINGS LIKE REPLACING POLES AND LINES, SMART METERS AND HANDLING ITS COAL ASH WASTE.

UNDER THE SETTLEMENT, THE UTILITY WILL GET 38 MERCHANDISE LESS THAN WHAT -- $38 MILLION LESS THAN WHAT IT ORIGINALLY ASKED FOR BUT THE AVERAGE RESIDENT WOULD SEE A $35 A MONTH INCREASE ON THEIR BILL.

>> IT STILL CREATES REALLY UNFAIR, UNBALANCED COST ALLOCATION AND FAVORS LARGE INDUSTRIALS.

AND THE COMMUNITY JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT.

>> RESIDENTS WITH CENTER POINT ENERGY ALREADY PAY MORE THAN ANY OTHER INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITY IN THE STATE.

>>> FINALLY, MONROE COUNTY IS PUTTING $240,000 MORE TOWARD CLEANUP EFFORTS FROM THE JUNE 25th STORMS.

THE MONEY COMES FROM THE COUNTY'S SHARE OF FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF DOLLARS.

THE COUNTY HAD ALREADY APPROVED TWO $50,000 EMERGENCY CLEANUP CONTRACTS.

BUT OFFICIALS EXPECT CLEANUP COSTS TO BE CLOSER TO $500,000.

>> WE'VE SPENT ABOUT $120,000 -- $120,240 AND MOVED 8,016 YARDS THE DEBRIS.

>> NIGEL SAYS THE COUNTY MAY BE REIMBURSED FOR A PORTION OF THE TOTAL CLEANUP COSTS.

>> COLUMBUS MAYOR TOLD ME THAT THEIR CITY ALSO SENT TRUCKS TO HELP CLEANUP.

THIS WAS QUITE A STORM, WASN'T IT?

>> IT WAS.

THE COUNTY THINKS THAT THEY STILL HAVE MORE THAN 90 -- I'M SORRY, 9,000 MILES LEFT OF DEBRIS THAT THEY STILL HAVE TO PICK UP.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THIS TIME OF YEAR IS WHEN HUMMINGBIRDS IN SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA ARE MOST ACTIVE.

THEY MIGRATE FROM CENTRAL AMERICA AND USUALLY STICK AROUND THROUGH THE END OF SUMMER AND IF YOU HAVE A FEEDER, YOU HAVE LIKELY SEEN THE ACROBATICS THE BIRDS PERFORM WHEN THERE'S MORE THAN ONE AROUND, BUT ARE THE HUMMINGBIRDS PLAYING OR FIGHTING?

JONI DUGGAN HAS THIS STORY.

>> ALEX BOUGHT A HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER LAST SUMMER AFTER MOVING TO BLOOMINGTON.

>> YEAH, IN 15 MINUTES, I WAS JUST STILL LIKE SITTING HERE AND HUMMINGBIRDS STARTED POPPING UP.

YOU KNOW, FIRST WAS ONE, AND THEN MULTIPLE AND THEY WOULD FIGHT AND CAUSE ALL SORTS OF DRAMA.

>> THE HUMMINGBIRDS ZIP AND DART AROUND IN THE AIR.

SOMETIMES THEY CHASE EACH OTHER, DIVE AND MAKE LOUD NOISES TO TRY TO SCARE EACH OTHER OFF.

>> I KIND OF THINK OF THEM AS, LIKE, FLYING MEDIEVAL KNIGHTS, YOU KNOW, WITH A LANCE BUT INSTEAD OF A LANCE, THEY KIND OF USE THEIR BEAK.

>> IT'S THE HUMMINGBIRD'S WAY OF DEFENDING THEIR TERRITORY.

THEIR DAY USUALLY REINVOLVE -- REVOLVE ONE THING, FINDING SOMETHING TO EAT.

>> THEY ARE CONSTANTLY SEARCHING FOR FOOD.

>> THEY HAVE TO EAT EVERY 10 TO 15 MINUTES.

ALL THEY THEY ARE NO LARGER THAN 3 TO 4 INCHES AND WEIGH LESS THAN AN OUNCE.

>> THE JOINT STRUCTURE, THE BONE AND MUSCLE STRUCTURE AROUND THE SHOULDER, ESPECIALLY, ALLOWS THEM TO DO THINGS THAT A LOT OF OTHER BIRDS CAN'T DO.

>> THEY CAN STOP IN THE AIR INSTANTLY OR START HOVERING, WITH PRECISION, THEY CAN FLY UP OR DOWN.

THEIR WINGS FLAP OVER 50 TIMES PER SECOND.

THEIR LONG CURVED BILLS ALLOW THEM TO DRINK NECTAR FROM TUBULAR FLOWERS.

IN A GIVEN DAY, A HUMMINGBIRD MAY VISIT AS MANY AS 2,000 FLOWERS.

>> HUMMINGBIRDS ARE REALLY TERRITORIAL.

THEY HAVE THE GOOD PATCH OF FOOD THAT THEY CAN DEFEND IT AND THEY WILL CHASE EACH OTHER OUT, THAT'S KEN KEFFER IN BLOOMINGTON.

THEIR OTHER NATURAL FOOD SOURCES ARE INSECTS AND TREE SAP.

THEY CAN HELP TO SUPPLEMENT THE NATURAL SUPPLY OF.

KEFFER SAYS IT -- DYE COULD MAKE THE BIRDS SICK.

THE BIRDS DON'T REALIZE THE FEEDERS WON'T BE DEPLETED AS QUICKLY AS THE FLOWER AND HENCE SOME OF THE INTENSE AERIAL BATTLES.

HE SAYS YOU SHOULD TRY TO KEEP THEM SEPARATE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN KEEP THOSE MULTIPLE FEEDERS SEPARATE, MAYBE MOVE ONE TO THE BACK YARD AND ONE TO THE FRONT YARD TO GIVE A LITTLE VISUAL SEPARATION TO HELP, BUT, YEAH, IT'S JUST THE NATURE OF HUMMINGBIRDS.

>> FROM MARCH TO AUGUST, MALE HUMMINGBIRDS ARE LOOKING FOR A MATE.

THEY MAY LOOK LIKE THEY ARE FIGHTING BUT THE BIRDS ARE PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS TO IMPRESS THE FEMALES.

>> MALE HUMMINGBIRDS WHEN THEY DO THEIR TERRITORIAL DISPLAYS THEY WILL DIVE BACK AND FORTH, YOU KNOW, TO HELP ATTRACT A MATE.

>> RESEARCHERS WHO STUDY HUMMINGBIRD BEHAVIOR DISCOVERED MALES DIVE TOWARDS FEMALES AT 40 TO 50 MILES PER HOUR.

THE WIND GOING THROUGH THE TAIL FEATHERS CREATE A WHISTLE.

THEY ALWAYS DIVE TOWARDS THE SUN.

THIS IS TO MAKE SURE THEIR FEATHERS UNDER THE BEST LIGHT.

IT TAKES 300Y MILLIE MILLISECONDS, THE TIME IT TAKES TO BLINK.

HE SAYS HE ADDED MORE FEEDERS AND THERE SEEMS TO BE LESS CONFLICT.

THE FEEDERS DO REQUIRE A LOT OF UPKEEP.

THEY SHOULD BE CLEANED AND NECTAR SHOULD BE CHANGED EVERY FEW DAYS TO KEEP THE BIRDS FROM GETTING SICK.

>> THOSE ARE KIND OF IMPORTANT THINGS KEEP THEM FRESH AND CLEAN.

THE HUMMINGBIRDS ARE DRAWN TO THEM.

>> WHILE THEY MAY BE EXTRA WORK TO CARE OF, IT'S A GREAT WAY TO CONNECT WITH NATURE IN YOUR BACK YARD.

>> WATCHING NATURE FOR A FEW MINUTES A DAY CAN GET RID OF STRESS.

WE FEEL THIS WHEN WE GO OUTSIDE, YOU ARE BETTER, HAPPIER, LESS STRESSED AND CALM.

>> WATCHING BIRDS CAN REDUCE STRESS MORE THAN OTHER JOth DOOR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS WALKS.

I'M JONI DUGAN.

>> HUMMINGBIRD SEASON LASTS THROUGH OCTOBER WHEN MOST MIGRATE SOUTH OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO.

>>> FIRST YEAR INDIANA HEAD COACH, CURT CIGNETTI SCOFFS AT BEING PICKED 17 IN THE NOW 18 BIG TEN.

HE CITED HIS HISTORY OF TURNS PROGRAMS AROUND.

AND THE HOOSIERS BEING ACTIVE IN THE TRANSFER PORTAL IS THE REASON FOR HIS OPTIMISM.

>> WE HAVE 22 NEW GUYS ON OUR TEAM, AND MULTICONFERENCE PLAYERS AND WE HAVE COMPLETELY FLIPPED ROSTER.

>> CIGNETTI SAYS UNIVERSITY'S PUSH TO IMPROVE NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS FUNDING SINCE THE CHANGE IN HEAD COACHES HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THE UNIVERSITY'S ANTEED UP.

YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THEM THAT WE GET FOOTBALL GOING AND THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY, YOU KNOW, LIMITATIONS ON WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH IN FOOTBALL.

>> INDIANA OPENS ITS SEASON UNDER CIGNETTI ON AUGUST 31st AT HOME AGAINST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY.

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

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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