>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S NEW EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITIES POLICY WENT INTO EFFECT THIS WEEK, BUT SOME SAY IT GOES TOO FAR.

>> WHEN TALKING WITH SOME OF MY STAKEHOLDERS, TASKED WITH THE WORK OF ENFORCING THIS POLICY, I KIND OF CAME TO THE CONCLUSION IT'S TOO RESPECTIVE.

>> PROTESTORS DECIDED TO END THEIR ENCAMPMENT ON THURSDAY.

>> INDIANA FARMERS ARE FEELING THE PINCH AS PRICES FOR BUSHELS OF CORN AND SOYBEANS CONTINUE TO DROP.

>> THEY ARE ALSO HAVING TO PAY MORE ON THE OTHER SIDE, JUST TO GET THE CROP GROWN.

SO IT'S REALLY BEEN A CHALLENGE.

>> OFFICIALS AND FARMERS SAY HELP COULD COME WITH THE PASSING OF A NEW FARM BILL.

>> AND SEVERAL UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE STATE SAY INDIANA'S NEW DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS WON'T MEET THEIR ADMISSIONS STANDARDS.

WE'LL HAVE THESE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES PASSED THE POLICY MONDAY THAT CHANGES THE RULES FOR EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITIES ACROSS ALL I.U.

CAMPUSES.

IT'S BEEN REWRITTEN AFTER FEEDBACK, BUT AS ETHAN SAND WEISS REPORTS, THE COMMUNITY IS STILL SPLIT ON WHETHER IT PROTECTS SPEECH OR KEEPS PEOPLE SAFE.

>> THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES NEW POLICY DATES BACK TO JUNE.

ADMINISTRATORS DESCRIBED THE CAMP AS A SAFETY RISK WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IT INVITED STATE POLICE TO CLEAR IT IN APRIL.

ADMINISTRATORS BELIEVE CAMPING IS NOT A ABOUT PROTECTED FORM OF SPEECH AND THE NEW POLICY REFLECTS THAT.

>> WE HAVE TO BE NIMBLE, WE HAVE TO BE REASONABLE AND WE HAVE TO BE SMART ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING BECAUSE WE'RE DEALING IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO COUNTER ALL OF THIS.

>> THE POLICY REQUIRES AT LEAST TEN DAYS ADVANCED PERMISSION TO ERECT STRUCTURES LIKE TENTS.

IT PROHIBITS EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY WITHIN 25 FEET OF A BUILDING'S ENTRANCE AND HOURS OUTSIDE OF 6:00 IN THE MORNING AND 11:00 AT NIGHT.

SEVERAL TRUSTEES TRIED TO SOFTEN THE POLICY.

>> WHEN TALKING WITH SOME OF MY STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS CAMPUS, STUDENTS, IF A BEING CULLITY, STAFF, SOME -- FACULTY, STAFF, SOME OF THE FOLKS TASKED WITH ENFORCING THIS POLICY, I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IT'S TOO RESTRICTIVE.

>> TRUSTEES AND ADMINISTRATORS USE FINDINGS FROM A REPORT BY COOLEY LLP, THE LAW FIRM PRESIDENT WHITTEN HIRED TO INVESTIGATE THE PROTESTS IN DUNN MEADOW.

THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT CHANGE IN MONTH.

>> THAT WAS BEFORE COOLEY WAS EVEN HIRED.

SO, YOU KNOW, IF YOU PRESS ON THAT POINT TOO MUCH, IT -- YOU KNOW, THE -- I THINK A REASONABLE RESPONSE IS, WELL, IT SOUNDS LIKE COOLEY IS JUST VALIDATING WHAT YOU WANT IT TO DO ANYWAY.

>> I.U.

GENERAL COUNSEL ANTHONY PRATHER, ASKED STUDENTS, STAFF AND OFFICIALS ON FEEDBACK.

THEY RELEASED A TONED DOWN VERSION LAST FRIDAY.

>> THERE WERE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES MADE EITHER BECAUSE OF THAT FEEDBACK OR MAYBE OTHER LAWYERS LOOKED AT IT, OR SOMETHING.

BUT I DO THINK IT IS A -- A BETTER POLICY THAN THE FIRST SORT OF SLOPPY, I THINK, VERSION OF IT WAS.

>> IT'S STILL TOO RESTRICTIVE FOR CAMPUS ACTIVIST SUCH AS PRO PALESTINIAN GROUPS AND THE GRADUATE WORKERS UNION.

>> IT'S NOT INCONVENIENT.

I THINK IT'S MADE SO PEOPLE WHO OUR ACTION IS DIRECTED TOWARDS CAN BURY THEIR HEADS IN THE STAND, AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO IT BECAUSE IT'S NOT RIGHT THERE.

WE ARE INTELLIGENT AND WE WILL FIND ANOTHER WAY.

>>> THAT IS WHAT THE UNIVERSITY IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT.

I DON'T SEE HOW THEY CAN CLAIM TO BE FOSTERING AN EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT WHEN THEY ARE TRYING TO STOP EVERYONE FROM SPEAKING.

>> THE POLICY HAS ITS SUPPORTERS.

I.U.

FACULTY AND STAFFER ISRAEL RELEASED A STATEMENT IN FAVOR OF THE RULES AND THE PROCESS BY WHICH THEY WERE CREATED.

>> THE EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITIES POLICY IS A FIRST STEP TO CREATING A NEW FRAMEWORK THAT WILL ALLOW LAWFUL PROTEST, BUT PREVENT LAWLESS PROTEST.

>> LENKOWSKI SAYS ESTABLISHING CLEAR AND CONSISTENT RULES WILL PREVENT HAPHAZARD ENFORCEMENT AND ULTIMATELY ENJOY MORE ORDERLY SPEECH.

>> THAT WILL GIVE US A MUCH BETTER WAY TO GOVERN OURSELVES AND TO ALLOW AS MUCH PERMITTED EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY ON CAMPUS AS POSSIBLE.

>> THE NEW POLICY WENT INTO EFFECT THURSDAY.

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

>> DUNN IMMEDIATE DOE HAS -- MEADOW HAS BEEN GOVERNED BY ITS OWN SPEECH POLICY SINCE THE 1960s.

THE NEW POLICY OVERRULES THAT.

WITH THE EXPRESSIVE POLICY TAKEN PLACE ON THURSDAY, PROTESTERS LEFT DUNN MEADOW AFTER 99 DAYS.

ETHAN REPORTS THAT WHEN POLICE ARRIVED LAST NIGHT, ORGANIZERS ALLOWED THEM TO REMOVE THE TENTS.

>> THE UNIVERSITY PUT UP SIGNS ANNOUNCING THE POLICY AROUND THE MEADOW, AND I.U.

POLICE WALKED THROUGH CAMP TELLING PROTESTERS THEY WILL REMOVE THE REMAINING STRUCTURES.

>> OUR PLANS ARE TO LET THEM.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO DEFEND IT AND WE DON'T WANT TO ENOCCUR MORE INJURIES LIKE WE DID LAST TIME FROM THE INDIANA STATE POLICE.

>> MUCH OF THE CAMP HAD BEEN CLEARED BY THE AFTERNOON AND ONLY A FEW TENTS REMAINED.

PROTEST ORGANIZER BRYCE GREENE SAID ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE X, THEY ASKED THEM WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO WITH THE REMAINING ITEMS IN THE MEADOW.

>> DO YOU WANT TO COLLECT THINGS AND REMOVE THEM OR BE COLLECTED BY I.U.

EMPLOYEES AT A LATER DATE.

>> LAST STRUCTURES WERE REMOVED EARLY FRIDAY MORNING BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6:30.

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

>>> NOW, AN EMAIL FROM I.U.

FRIDAY MORNING SAYS THE UNIVERSITY WILL PLACE A FENCE AROUND THE MEADOW WHILE IT MAKES REPAIRS TO TURF AND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS.

>>> WELL, WE'RE JOINED BY LUCAS GONZALEZ FOR ONE LAST TIME FOR HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, LUCAS.

>> HI, JOE.

NEARLY HALF OF INDIANA COLLEGE STUDENTS GRADUATED ON TIME IN 2023, ACCORDING TO NEW DATA FROM THE INDIANA COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

AS WFYI EDUCATION REPORTER DYLAN PEERS McCOY REPORTS, THIS IS THE LATEST MODEST INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HOOSIERS WHO SUCCESSFULLY EARNED DEGREES.

>> THE NUMBER OF INDIANA PUBLIC COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE ON TIME HAS BEEN SLOWLY CLIMBING OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES HAVE MADE PARTICULAR GAINS.

ABOUT 24% OF STUDENTS WHO STARTED IN 2021 GOT DEGREES WITHIN TWO YEARS.

THAT MAY SEEM LOW, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY A HUGE JUMP FROM A DECADE EARLIER.

WHEN LESS THAN 5% OF INDIANA COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS GRADUATED ON TIME.

THE INCREASE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE INDIANA NEEDS MORE EDUCATED WORKERS.

THE STATE HAS SEEN A DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES ENROLLING IN COLLEGE AND IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS WHO DO ENROLL IS ANOTHER WAY THE STATE CAN EDUCATE MORE HOOSIERS.

I'M DYLAN PEERS McCOY.

>> BLOOMINGTON CITY OFFICIALS ARE APPEALING THE ANNEXATION RULING OVER THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE STATE'S 2019 LAW ON THE VALIDITY OF REMONSTRANCE WAIVERS.

THE LAW INVALIDATES REMONSTRANCE WAIVERS MORE THAN 15 YEARS OLD.

LANDOWNERS CHALLENGED THIS.

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

>> BECAUSE OF THE ANNEXATION, WHICH WE'RE, OF COURSE, CONCERNED ABOUT, BUT WHAT IT MEANS FOR CONTRACTS IN THE STATE, BY AND LARGE, BECAUSE IT'S -- IT'S CONCERNING THAT THOSE CONTRACTS WON'T STAND.

>> THE RULING APPLIES TO AREAS 1C, 2, 3, 4, AND 5.

AREAS 1A AND 1B WERE DISMISSED BY THE CITY IN THIS CASE, WITH A SEPARATE BENCH TRIAL IN MAY THAT'S AWAITING A DECISION.

WORK REQUIRED FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A REDESIGNED GATEWAY LANDMARK AT BLOOMINGTON'S MILLER SHOWERS PARK IS NOW ON TRACK TO START ON AUGUST 5th.

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS APPROVED A LAND AND ROAD -- I'M SORRY, A LANE AND ROAD CLOSURE REQUEST TUESDAY NIGHT, PUTTING AN END TO DELAYS ON THE PROJECT AFTER PUBLIC BACKLASH TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN LAST YEAR.

THE NEW DESIGN FEATURES HORIZONTAL GATEWAY MADE OF STACKED LIMESTONE AND BLOCKS AND METAL LETTERING SPELLING OUT THE WORD BLOOMINGTON.

THE GATEWAY WILL BE INSTALLED ON A MEDIAN NEAR COLLEGE AVENUE AND WALNUT STREET NEAR STATE ROAD 45/46 BYPASS.

>> I FEEL BETTER ABOUT WHERE THE PROJECT IS AT THIS STAGE OF THE OTHER STUDY THAN I DID WHEN IT WAS STILL VERY MUCH IN PROCESS OF EXPLORATION AND FEEDBACK.

>> THE CLOSURES ARE EXPECTED TO LAST THROUGH NOVEMBER 15th.

THE INDIANA -- THE INDIANA ARTS COMMISSION IS GIVING MORE THAN $3.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO OVER 300 ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THE I.A.C.

PROVIDES PUBLIC FUNDING TO CREATIVE AND ARTISTIC ORGANIZATIONS THAT ENGAGE WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

18 ORGANIZATIONS IN MONROE COUNTY WERE AWARDED FUNDS.

>> THEY REALLY JUST AIM TO HELP MAKE ARTS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO AS MANY FOLKS ACROSS INDIANA AS POSSIBLE, AND THEN THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DO IN OUR LITTLE, YOU KNOW, CORNER OF INDIANA, IN BLOOMINGTON.

>> WOMEN WRITING FOR CHANGE IN BLOOMINGTON RECEIVED A LITTLE MORE THAN $12,000.

THE ORGANIZATION HOSTS WRITING CIRCLES AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS WITH JAILS AND OTHER BLOOMINGTON ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS STONEBELT.

>> THOMPSON'S ADMINISTRATION IS PLANNING TO CLEAR OUT AN ENCAMPMENT ON SOUTH SIDE OF BLOOMINGTON NEXT WEEK.

THE CAMP OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS LOCATED JUST OFF THE RAIL TRAIL BETWEEN WEST COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE AND WEST GORDON PIKE.

THE CITY HAD PLANNED TO REMOVE THE CAMP LAST MONTH, BUT DELAYED IT BY TWO WEEKS.

>> THAT ENCAMPMENT HAS BECOME UNSAFE.

AND SO THE CITY IS WORKING HARD, OF COURSE, TO WORK ON PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY HOUSING SOLUTIONS SO THAT PEOPLE DON'T NEED TO BE SLEEPING OUTSIDE.

>> THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH ENCOMPMENT THE CITY HAS CLEARED SINCE THOMPSON BECAME MAYER ON JANUARY 1st.

>>> COLUMBUS OFFICIAL SAYS THE CITY EXPERIENCES A DATA BREACH LAST WEEK, THE SAME DAY AS IT EXPERIENCED AN INTERNET OUTAGE.

THE CITY DIRECTOR OF SECURITY WASN'T RISK MIKE RICHARDSON SAYS EMPLOYEES STATEMENTS AND PASSWORDS AND EMAILS WERE THE ONLY THINGS ACCESSED.

HE SAID IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED LIKE RANSOMWARE ATTACKS THAT AFFECTED MONROE AND CLAY COUNTIES.

ALL SERVICES ARE NOW BACK UP AND RUNNING.

>>> AND FINALLY, GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB SAYS INDIANA CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE HIM TAKE HIS FOOT OFF THE GAS IN THE FINAL FEW MONTHS IN OFFICE.

HOLCOMB IS SPENDING A LOT OF TIME OVERSEAS WORKING ON FOREIGN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

HE RETURNED EARLIER THIS WEEK FROM AUSTRALIA.

HOLCOMB SAYS HE HAS MORE TRIPS PLANNED AND WANTS TO CANTALLIZE ON NEW OPPORTUNITIES CREATED BY GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS.

>> CREATING NEW FRIENDSHIPS, NEW ALLIANCES, NEW SHIPPING LANES, NEW SUPPLY CHAINS, NEW SUPPLY LINES, AND FOLKS ARE DERISKING AND ARE LOOKING FOR PARTNERS TO GROW.

>> AND JOE, HOLCOMB'S TRIPS ARE PAID FOR MY PRIVATE DONATIONS TO THE INDIANA ECONOMIC FOUNDATION.

>> THIS IS YOUR LAST SHOW.

>> THIS IS MY LAST ONE EVER.

IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE.

IT'S BEEN A JOY.

A LOT OF HARD WORK.

>> YES.

VERY MUCH WORTH IT.

>> WE LOVE HAVING YOU.

BEST OF LUCK.

DON'T BE A STRANGER.

>> OF COURSE.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA FARMERS ARE STRUGGLING TO BREAK EVEN AS YIELDS FOR BUSHELS OF CORN AND SOYBEANS CONTINUE TO FALL.

AND I.U.

FOOTBALL COACH CURT CIGNETTI WEIGHS IN ON THE HOOSIER'S FIRST PRACTICES OF THE FALL CAMP THIS WEEK.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

INDIANA EDUCATORS AND RESIDENTS SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE STATE'S NEW HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA PROPOSAL DURING A PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION THIS WEEK.

MANY OF THE COMMENTS, CONCERN THE RIGOR AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW DIPLOMAS AND A LACK OF ARTS, LANGUAGE, AND HISTORY COURSES.

THE PROPOSAL FIRST UNVEILED IN MARCH HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

BUT AT LEAST ONE LAWMAKER IS ASKING IDOE TO PUMP THE BRAKES.

>> WE GO INTO SESSION IN JANUARY, WE HAVE ORGANIZATION DAY.

SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY CHANGES TO THE TIMELINE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY GET IMPLEMENTED.

>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING EDUCATION REPORTER KIRSTEN ADAIR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

SO WE HAD YOU ON, EXCUSE ME, A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND NOW A QUICK FOLLOW-UP ON THIS.

SO WHAT'S HAPPENING?

FIRST, THE PARENTS WERE UPSET, BUT NOW WE'RE ERR -- HEARING UNIVERSITIES ARE UPSET.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE RIGOR OF THE NEW PROPOSED DIPLOMAS.

THE G.P.S.

IS VIRTUALLY WHAT THE -- A REPLACEMENT FOR THE CORE HO BUT THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERNS THAT THE NEW PROPOSALS DON'T MEET THE STANDARDS EVEN THE CURRENT CORE 40 DIPLOMA.

AND THAT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES MIGHT NOT ACCEPT THEM.

>> SO THE PROPOSAL WOULD CREATE A GPS DIPLOMA AND A GPS PLUS.

SO WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE TWO.

>> YES, SO THE GPS IS VIRTUALLY, THE STATE'S REIMAGINED CORE 40 AND THEN THE GPS PLUS HAS SOME DIFFERENT WORK-BASED LEARNING PROVISIONS IN IT.

SO STUDENTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE MORE WORK-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES, BE OUT ON THE JOB A LITTLE BIT MORE, JUST HAVE MORE JOB TRAINING, APPRENTICESHIPS, INTERNSHIPS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> LET'S GO BACK TO WHAT PARENTS ARE ALSO UPSET ABOUT THIS.

>> YES.

YES, SO A LOT OF PARENTS ARE CONCERNED THAT THEIR STUDENTS, THEIR KIDS MIGHT NOT BE GRADUATING WITH THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO GO ON TO COLLEGE.

THEY MIGHT BE LACKING IN CERTAIN AREAS.

THE NEW DIPLOMAS HAVE, YOU KNOW, LESS SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS.

THEY TAKE OUT ARTS REQUIREMENTS.

THEY'RE JUST -- THEY'RE MORE HEAVILY FOCUSED ON WORK-BASED LEARNING, ARE APPRENTICESHIPS, PREPARING STUDENTS FOR AFTER SCHOOL.

I THINK PARENTS ARE CONCERNED THAT THEIR KIDS AREN'T GOING TO HAVE LANGUAGE CLASSES AND MAYBE CLASSES IN THE ARTS OR BAND, ORCHESTRA, THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> SO THEN LET'S GO BACK TO WHY IS THE IDOE WANTING TO MAKE THESE CHANGES?

OR WHAT SPARKED ALL THIS.

>> YEAH, SO THE IDOE SAYS THAT THE CURRENT DIPLOMAS AREN'T WORKING FOR ALL KIDS AND I THINK THERE'S ALSO A LARGE CONCERN THAT EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR STUDENTS WHO CAN, YOU KNOW, JOIN THE WORKFORCE, HAVE THESE DIFFERENT SKILLS THAT THEY NEED WHEN THEY GRADUATE AND THEY'RE LOOKING FOR JOBS.

THEY SAY THAT KIDS ARE LACKING IN EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> SO LAST I HEARD, THAT THERE COULD BE SOME CHANGES.

SO IT'S DRAFT MODE.

I GUESS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

CAN YOU KIND OF LAY THAT OUT FOR US?

>> YEAH, SO GOING FORWARD, THE STATE IS GOING TO TAKE THE SUGGESTIONS AND FEEDBACK THEY HAVE RECEIVED AND THEY'RE GOING TO CREATE A SECOND DRAFT, AND WE'RE EXPECTING THAT SOMETIME LATER THIS SUMMER IS WHAT THEY HAVE SAID THEY'LL HAVE IT READY.

>> OKAY.

AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT DRAFT COMES OUT?

>> THERE WILL BE ONE MORE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

SO THEY'LL BE TAKING JUST MORE FEEDBACK, THEY'LL BE LISTENING TO WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE SECOND DRAFT AND AFTER THAT, THEY WILL COME BACK WITH THEIR FINALIZED DRAFT.

>> SO HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO ANY OFFICIALS, PEOPLE, AND TRYING TO DECIDE OKAY, WELL, WHAT CHANGES COULD -- COULD MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY?

I KNOW YOU CAN'T MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY, RIGHT, BUT THAT THEY WANT TO TRY?

>> YEAH.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND INDIANA SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, KATIE JENNER ARE TRYING TO LISTEN TO WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING.

THEY HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH FEEDBACK.

SO I THINK WHAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY SEE COMING INTO THIS NEXT DRAFT, WE COULD SEE THE REQUIREMENTS LOOSENED A LITTLE BIT, MAYBE MORE FLEXIBILITY WITH LANGUAGE COURSES, GEOGRAPHY, WORLD HISTORY, THINGS LIKE THAT, KIND OF MEETING SOME OF THESE REQUIREMENTS IN WAYS THAT THEY DON'T CURRENTLY.

>> SO WE JUST HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT, BUT SCHOOL STARTS SOON.

I MEAN IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S AUGUST.

IS THERE ANY NEW PROPOSALS OR THINGS THAT PARENTS, STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW GOING INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR?

>> ABOUT THESE SPECIFIC DIPLOMAS.

>> JUST IN GENERAL.

>> OH, GOODNESS.

THERE'S SO MUCH.

>> YEAH, THERE'S SO MUCH.

MENTION TWO.

>> NEW LEGISLATION THERE'S THE THIRD GRADE RETENTION.

THEY SAY IT'S NOT A RETENTION LAW, BUT THIRD GRADE READING SCORES ARE LOW.

THAT'S A BIG FOCUS.

THE STATE WILL BE LOOKING TO HOLD BACK ANY THIRD GRADERS WHO DON'T PASS THE GRADE'S READING TEST.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOUR REPORTING ON ALL OF THIS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>>> WELL, AGRICULTURE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A DIFFICULT INDUSTRY TO OPERATE IN.

MARGINS ARE THIN, MOTHER NATURE RULES THE ROOST OVER WHETHER THE HARVEST IS SUCCESSFUL OR NOT, BUT THIS YEAR, FARMERS IN INDIANA HAVE HAD TO CONTEND WITH LOW MARKET VALUE OF THEIR COMMODITIES.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH SPOKE WITH INDUSTRY EXPERTS ON THE FINANCIAL STRUGGLES FACING FARMERS AND WHY THIS YEAR HAS BEEN CHALLENGING.

>> IF YOU WORK IN AGRICULTURE IN INDIANA, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE YOU WORK WITH THE STATE'S STAPLE CROPS.

>> WE GROW MOSTLY CORN AND BEANS, SOYBEANS HERE, ABOUT 2,000 ACRES OF EACH.

WE DO GROW A LITTLE BIT OF WHEAT FROM TIME TO TIME.

WE HAD JUST ABOUT A COUPLE HUNDRED ACRES OF WHEAT OUT THIS YEAR, AND THEN WE HAVE REAL SMALL OPERATION OF SOME COWS.

>> AND IT'S FOR GOOD REASON.

THE CROPS ARE EASY TO WORK WITH.

THEY ARE SOME OF THE MOST THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED NUMBERS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OUT THERE.

BUT CORN AND SOYBEANS HAVE RUN INTO ISSUES AS OF LATE AND IT'S CAUSING FINANCIAL STRAIN ON FORM -- FARMERS AROUND THE STATE.

>> WE ARE SELLING OUR PRODUCT FOR WAY LESS THAN WHAT IT TAKES TO GROW THEM BUT THEN WE'RE HAVING TO PAY MORE ON THE OTHER SIDE, TO JUST -- JUST TO GET THE CROP GROWN SO IT'S REALLY BEEN A CHALLENGE.

>> THIS YEAR, THE SELLING PRICE OF CORN HAS HIT A RECENT LOW.

IN 2022, CORN WAS SELLING FOR $7.20 PER BUSHEL, AND SOYBEANS FOR $15.70 PER BUSHEL.

THIS YEAR, CORN AVERAGED $4.35 PER BUSHEL AND SOYBEANS $11.50 PER YOU SHALL ABOUT.

THIS IS -- PER BUSHEL.

THIS IS BROUGHT ON ON TOP OF PESTICIDE AND FUNGICIDE MAKE IT CHALLENGING TO OPERATE A BUSINESS.

>> WITH THE MARKET BEING WHERE IT IS, YOU MAY PUT OFF THOSE DECISIONS, ANY SORT OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR FARM, WE'LL PUT A PAUSE ON ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND REALLY JUST BASICALLY TRY TO SURVIVE AND MAKE IT THROUGH UNTIL THE MARKET IMPROVES.

>> HEAVY RAINS AND FAIR WEATHER HAVE HAD A SOMEWHAT NEGATIVE EFFECT THIS YEAR AS WELL.

MOISTURE HELPS CROPS GROW BUT IN HIGH LEVELS BRING WITH THEM SOME CONCERNS.

>> WITH MOISTURE COMES A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, BACTERIA, FUNGUS, INTECT SECTS, THINGS -- INSECTS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

NOT ONLY ARE WE STRUGGLING TO BREAK EVEN, BUT YOU HAVE TO THROW MORE AT IT, MORE INPUTS AT IT JUST TO GET THE CROP TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE TO HARVEST IT.

>> LAST YEAR, THE FARMERS HAD TO DEAL WITH THE EXACT OPPOSITE, DROUGHT PROBLEMS, AND HIGHER PRICES AROUND $6.80 PER BUSHEL, MADE IT PROFITABLE FOR THE FIELDS THAT SURVIVED THE HEAT.

>> ABOUT 60% OF THE CORN AND SOYBEAN AREA LAST YEAR WAS IMPACTED BY DROUGHT.

THIS YEAR, THAT SAME GROUP, IT'S SOMEWHERE IN THE GOVERNMENT, THEY PAY OUT ABOUT 10%.

BIG DIFFERENCE!

>> A LOT OF OTHER FACTORS.

SOUTH AMERICA MADE HUGE STRIDES BY INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES.

THIS HAS CAUSED AN INCREASE IN WORLDWIDE SUPPLY AND DECREASE IN DEMAND.

>> AS THOSE INVESTMENTS GET MADE IN SOUTH AMERICA AND IT WILL SOME DAY, AND IT WILL CONTINUE, YOU KNOW, THEY WILL BE A LOT MORE COMPETITIVE PRICE-WISE TO THE WORLD MARKET.

SO IT IS REALLY A BONA FIDE CONCERNED.

>> AS LAND RENTS AND TAXES CONTINUE TO INCREASE EACH YEAR, THE FARMERS HAVE TO PAY THE OTHER BILLS THAT HAVE TO PAY WITH RUNNING FARM.

>> NOT ONLY THE INPUTS IN PAYING LAND.

YOU HAVE TO PAY THE BANKER ON MACHINERY.

YOU HAVE TO PAY OVERHEAD AND YOU NEED TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR THE FAMILY.

AND SO THOSE MARGINS ARE ALL GETTING TIGHTER.

>> DAVIS SAYS, THOUGH, THAT CONSUMERS ARE UNLIKELY TO EXPERIENCE PRICE CHANGES.

MOST OF TODAY'S CORN AND SOYBEANS COME FROM PROCESSED FOOD OR ETHANOL OR FEED FOR LIVESTOCK.

IF CONSUMERS SEE ANY PRICE CHANGES, IT'S ON THE PRICE OF MEAT.

>> IT'S A LAG, CHEAPER FEED WILL HELP REDUCE SOME OF THE PRICE IN THE MEAT CASE.

>> THE STRUGGLE IS ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S RADAR.

ON JULY 23rd, THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE HELD A HEARING TITLED FINANCIAL CONDITIONS IN FARM COUNTRY.

IN IT IT SAYS THAT FARMERS NATIONWIDE COULD SEE A DROP OF 25% IN FARM INCOME COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

>> WITH THE RISING INPUT COST AND THE LOWER COMMITTEITY PRICE -- COMMODITY PRICES.

THEY WORKED THROUGH THE WORKING CAPITAL AT A MORE RAPID PACE THAN ANTICIPATED AND ARE NOW BEGINNING TO LEVERAGE EQUITY THROUGH REFINANCING DEBT.

THIS HAS MADE AGRICULTURAL BANKERS FEEL LIKE THEY ARE LOOKING OVER A CLIFF IN REGARDS TO THE AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY.

>> WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP THE AG ECONOMY?

PASS A NEW FARM BILL.

>> I THINK THE FARM BILL FOCUSES ON FARM AND NUTRITION TITLE, BUT IN REALITY, THE FARM BILL IS REALLY A RURAL COMMUNITY BILL AND SO THERE'S A LOT OF TITLES IN THE FARM BILL THAT WILL HELP SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR AUXILIARY.

>> THE FARM BILL, WHICH MUST BE UPDATED EVERY FIVE YEARS MAINLY SERVES AS A FOOD ASSISTANT BILL FOR THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS BUT IT PROPS UP FARMERS TO HANDLE WHATEVER MOTHER NATURE OR THE FARM BILL THROWS AT THEM.

>> WE ALWAYS HAVE TO WHEN WE GET IN BAD YEARS AND DROUGHTS, AND SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WE HAVE TO HAVE SUPPORT AND KEEP CROP INSURANCE FUNDED SO THE FARMERS CAN SURVIVE THROUGH THOSE BAD YEARS.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>>> CONGRESS MUST SIGN A NEW BILL BY SEPTEMBER 30th OR THE PREVIOUS VERSION WILL EXTEND INTO 2025.

>>> INDIANA'S FOOTBALL SEASON OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF WEDNESDAY WITH THE START OF FALL PRACTICE, WITH FIRST YEAR HEAD COACH CURT CIGNETTI AND NEW QUARTERBACK, CURTIS ROURKE.

>> WE HAVE TO IMPROVE DAY IN DAY OUT AND WEEK THIS AND WEEK OUT, GETTING 11 GUYS TO DO WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO EVERY SINGLE PLAY.

>> INDIANA OPENS THE SEASON AUGUST 31st AGAINST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL.

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

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: