>>> INDIANA NEWSDESK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY -- >> COMING UP ON INDIANA NEWSDESK, THE BLOOMINGTON POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS HAVE STRUGGLED WITH HIRING AND RETAINING POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS.

THEY'RE HOPING THE NEW FACILITIES AND INCREASED BUDGET WILL ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM.

>> WE'RE HAVING TO DO MORE WITH LESS.

>> THAT DOES RESULT IN ADDED STRESS ON THE OFFICERS.

>>> WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POISED FOR A SHUTDOWN, IT'S BECOMING MUCH MORE LIKELY THE 2016 FARM BILL WILL JUST BE REAUTHORIZED.

TWO YEARS AFTER IT WAS SET TO EXPIRE.

>> IT MEANS THAT AGENCIES LIKE OURS THAT ARE DEPENDING ON THAT FUNDING AND FOOD, DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GET.

>> DAIRY FARMERS WARRANT PRICE OF MILK COULD SKYROCKET WITHOUT A FARM BILL.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY HAS THREATENED AN EMPLOYEE WITH TERMINATION IF SHE CONTINUES WITH VIGILS AGAINST THE SCHOOL'S POLICY.

THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT NOW ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>> WELCOME TO INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M PERRY METZ, SITTING IN FOR JOE HREN.

>> CANDLELIGHT VIGILS PROTESTING INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY POLICY CONTINUE ON CAMPUS.

AND 18 PROTESTERS HAVE BEEN CITED FOR VIOLATING THE POLICY.

ONE OF THEM IS SPEAKING OUT ON THE SCHOOL'S THREAT TO FIRE HER.

OUR HIGHER EDUCATION REPORTER AUBREY WRIGHT HAS MORE.

>> PART OF THE POLICY BANS ON CAMPUS PROTESTS FROM 11:00 P.M. TO 6:00 A.M. OVER THE PAST FOUR WEEKS, HUNDREDS HAVE GATHERED AT THE SAMPLE GATES FOR LATE NIGHT CANDLELIGHT VIGILS IN DEIANCE OF THE POLICY.

SO FAR, IU HAS CITED 18 OF THOSE PROTESTERS.

WFIU/WTIU MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR HEATHER KOGGE IS ONE OF THEM.

>> I HOPE THAT MY VOICE IS SERVING AS A SOURCE OF EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ABOUT HOW, WHAT THIS POLICY REALLY IS, BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON CAMPUS DON'T EVEN REALLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF IT.

>> SHE RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING SHE'LL BE FIRED IF SHE CONTINUES TO VIOLATE IU'S POLICY.

SHE WAS TOLD THE UNIVERSITY IS TREATING PEOPLE EQUALLY, SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT.

>> THIS IS NOT THE CASE AT ALL.

NO ONE HAS RECEIVED A WRITTEN WARNING SAYING THAT THEY WILL BE FIRED.

>> SHE BELIEVES IU'S RESPONSE TO HER IS MORE SEVERE, BECAUSE STAFF MEMBERS DON'T HAVE PROTECTIONS LIKE TENURE OR A UNION.

IU OFFICIALS DECLINED TO COMMENT.

BUT PROVOST RAHUL SHRIVASTAV SHARED THE ADMINISTRATION'S APPROACH IN A PUBLIC BLOOMINGTON FACULTY COUNSEL MEETING THIS WEEK.

>> IF YOU'RE PUBLICLY KNOWN TO BE INTENTIONALLY VIOLATING IT, YOU SHOULD EXPECT IT TO BE ENFORCED.

>> IU PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN AGREED TO REVIEW THE POLICY NEXT SPRING.

>>> ISABELLA HAS A REPORT ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

>> WE FALL BEHIND ON SALARY COMPETITIVENESS, WE HAVE MIDDLE AGED FIREFIGHTERS LEAVING TO MAKE 20,000 TO $25,000 MORE THAN THEY COULD MAKE HERE.

WITH JUST A SHORT DRIVE UP I-69.

>> AT THE BUDGET MEETINGS LAST MONTH, A $5,000 INCREASE WAS APPROVED FOR THE SECOND YEAR, 15,000 FOR THE FIRST YEAR.

IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY.

OUTDATED FACILITIES HAVE ALSO MADE FIREFIGHTERS LESS WILLING TO STAY.

BUT WITH THE NEW TRAINING BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND RENOVATION OF A STATION UNDERWAY, KERR HOPES STAFF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION WILL IMPROVE.

>> GOES WITH THEIR OWN SLEEPING QUARTERS, THEIR OWN MORE PRIVATE ROOMS, CHARGES FOR THE CELL PHONES AND iPADS, ALL THAT STUFF HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

WE HOPE REATTRACT THAT KIND OF -- A MORE -- A YOUNGER GENERATION THAT STILL WANTS TO DO THIS JOB.

>> AFTER HIRING FOUR NEW EMT PERSONNEL, THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE FULLY STAFFED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS.

WHEN KERR STARTED WORKING IN 1988, THERE WAS FULL STAFF.

IN 2023, THEY WERE 20 EMPLOYEES SHORT.

THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED 5,096 CALLS.

SO FAR THIS YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED 4,096 CALLS.

>> IT BRINGS MORAL DOWN, PEOPLE GET TIRED OF WORKING.

THAT MAKES IT TOUGH, WHEN YOU PLANNED ON YOUR KIDS BIRTHDAY OR TAKING A FAMILY VACATION, AND YOU'RE TOLD, SORRY, IT'S YOUR TURN TO BORK, AND YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.

>> A FIREFIGHTER'S SCHEDULE NORMALLY CONSISTS OF WORKING 24 HOURS STRAIGHT AND THEN TAKING 48 HOURS OFF.

THE SAME FIREFIGHTERS COULD WORK UP TO 6 OR 7 EXTRA SHIFTS IN THE COURSE OF A YEAR.

>> WHAT PEOPLE DON'T SEE -- AS FAR AS OUT ON THE STREET, THE FIRE TRUCK SHOWED UP WITH THE SAME NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME.

IT'S JUST SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THERE LONGER THAN NECESSARY, THEY'VE BEEN THERE A COUPLE DAYS, INSTEAD OF JUST A DAY.

>> THE BLOOMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS 15 OFFICERS SHORT OF BEING FULLY STAFFED AT 105 OFFICERS.

>> OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS WE HAVE CERTAINLY STRUGGLED.

IT'S BEEN LONGER THAN THAT SINCE I CAN REMEMBER US BEING FULLY STAFFED.

THAT'S WHEN OUR STRUGGLES HAVE REALLY TAKING PLACE AS FAR AS LOSES MORE THAN WE'RE BRINGING IN.

>> LIKE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS LOSING OFFICERS AFTER TRAINING THEM.

THEY LEAVE FOR AGENCIES WITH MORE ATTRACTIVE BENEFITS AND SALARIES.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY POLICE OFFICERS RECENTLY RECEIVED A SALARY INCREASE OF $7,000.

A PROBATIONARY OFFICER IS PAID $70,000 YEARLY.

THE STARTING SALARY FOR PROBATIONARY OFFICER AT BPD IS $63,000.

OFFICERS HAVE HAD TO WORK THOUSANDS OF HOURS IN OVERTIME, WHILE ALSO HAVING TO DEAL WITH A MASSIVE INCREASE IN CALLS RECEIVED.

>> I DO NOT KNOW WHY I DON'T HAVE AN EXPLANATION FOR THAT.

THIS YEAR IS TRENDING RIGHT ALONG THOSE SAME NUMBERS.

WE'RE HAVING TO DO MORE WITH LESS.

AND THAT DOES RESULT IN ADDED STRESS ON THE OFFICERS.

>> CITY COUNCILMEMBER HOPI STASBURG SAID, EMPLOYEES MAY CHOOSE WHERE THEY WANT TO WORK.

>> IT'S SOMETHING TO LOOK AT IN TERMS OF OUR CULTURE OF POLICING, IN TERMS OF OUR CULTURE OF BLOOMINGTON, AND HOW BLOOMINGTON RESPONDS TO POLICE AND CONSIDERS PUBLIC SAFETY AS A HOLE.

>> PEDIGO ENSURES THAT HIS DEPARTMENT HAS A FANTASTIC POLICE CULTURE.

THEY'RE CLEAR ABOUT THEIR EXPECTATIONS FOR HOW OFFICERS PRESENT THEMSELVES AND INTERACT WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE WANT OUR OFFICERS TO POLICE WITH A SENSE OF CARRYING, AND IT'S NOT -- WE DON'T WANT THEM SIMPLY GOING FROM CALL TO CALL AND TRYING TO TAKE EVERY ISSUE, WE WANT THEM TO HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THE COMMUNITY FACES.

>> PEDIGO WANTS TO HELP OFFICERS DECOMPRESS AND GET OVERWHELMED BY THE DEMANDING WORK.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, OFFICERS SEE A LOT OF TIMES WHAT IS SOMEONE'S WORST DAY ON A REPEATED BASIS.

WHEN POLICE GET CALLED TO A SCENE, IT REALLY COULD BE THE WORST THING THAT THAT PERSON IS EXPERIENCED IN QUITE SOME TIME, MAYBE THEIR ENTIRE LIFE.

THAT REPEATED EXPOSURE IS -- THAT CAN TAKE A TOLL ON OFFICERS.

>> THE OFFICERS HAVE NEW EQUIPMENT AND ARE PERMITTED TO TAKE HOME THEIR POLICE CARS.

PEDIGO HOPES THEY CANNERY POND IS TO CALLS MORE QUICKLY.

>> THE PROPOSED RAISES IN THE 2025 BUDGET.

THOSE HAVE ALSO ALREADY MADE THEIR WAY OUT.

AND I HAVE RECEIVED.

I'M IN CHARGE OF OUR RECRUITING AND HIRING.

I STARTED TO RECEIVE SEVERAL INQUIRIES FROM INDIVIDUALS, BOTH FROM OTHER AGENCIES AND THOSE THAT ARE NOT OFFICERS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING.

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

>> IF THE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET IS APPROVED.

HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE AGENCY FULLY STAFFED IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY ETHAN SANDWEISS, FOR THE LATEST HEADLINES ACROSS THE STATE.

>> MIKE BRAUN RELEASED AN EDUCATION PLAN THIS WEEK THAT REVEALS KEY POLICY PROPOSALS.

KRISTEN ADAIR REPORTS BRAUN WANTS TO EXPAND SCHOOL VOUCHERS AND INCREASE TEACHER PAY.

>> INDIANA'S VOUCHER PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY CAPPED FOR FAMILIES WITH INCOMES HIGHER THAN $220,000.

SCHOOL CHOICE WOULD REMOVE THE INCOME CAP ALL TOGETHER.

BRAUN PLANS TO CONTINUE OTHER EDUCATION INITIATIVES LIKE IMPROVING LITERACY AND REWARDING SCHOOLS WHOSE STUDENTS GRADUATE WITH READINESS SEALS.

HE ALSO WANTS TO FURTHER LIMIT CELL PHONE USE IN SCHOOLS, AND ENSURE PARENTS HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR STUDENTS CURRICULUM.

THE PLAN ALSO MENTIONS DEVELOPING SAFEGUARDS AGAINST CRITICAL RACE THEORY, INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF SCHOOL LOCKDOWNS AND MASK MANDATES.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M KIRSTEN ADARE.

>> BROWN'S AUPON END JENNIFER McCORMICK SAYS INDIANA HAS LOST A BALANCE BETWEEN HOOSIER CITIZENS AND UTILITY PROFITS.

HER PLAN CAN HELP RESTORE THAT BALANCE.

A PART OF THAT PLAN IS APPOINTING COMMISSIONERS TO THE INDIANA REGULATORY COMMISSION THAT ARE MORE RATE PAYER FRIENDLY.

>> THEY FEEL LIKE THE IURC IS A RUBBER STAMP, AND THERE'S VERY LITTLE VOICE THAT IS CONSIDERED, AND THE LOCAL IMPACT ON BUSINESS.

>> McCORMICK ALSO WANTS TO RESTORE A PROGRAM UNDER FORMER GOVERNOR MITCH DANIELS CALLED ENERGIZING INDIANA.

IT REQUIRED UTILITY COMPANIES TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN EFFICIENCY, INCLUDING REBATES AND HOME ENERGY AUDITS.

THE MONROE COUNCIL VOTED TO CHANGE THE TAX HIKE TO FUND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW JAIL.

THEY DECIDED ON A .17% INCOME TAX INCREASE.

THE ACLU AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAY THE CURRENT JAIL IS UNSAFE AND BEYOND REPAIR.

>> I DO NOT WANT MONROE COUNTY TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I'VE SEEN OTHER COUNTIES BUILDING A JAIL THAT IS OVERCROWDED THE DAY IT OPENS.

YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

>> THE NEW RATE IS LOWER THAN THE 0.2% RATE THE COUNCIL REQUESTED.

THE COUNCIL PASSED THE AMENDED RATE 6-1.

KATE WILTZ SAYS SHE'D LIKE TO FIND A MIDDLE GROUND FOR INCREASING THE JAIL SIZE WITHOUT BURDENING TAXPAYERS.

SHE SUGGESTED A NEW JAIL BE BUILT WITH DIFFERENT COUNTY BUILDINGS AND SERVICES ADDED ON.

>> IT CAN BE PARTIAL FOR NOW, WITH ROOM TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND.

I JUST THINK WE NEED TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX ON THESE THINGS.

>> CONSULTANTS SAY CONSTRUCTION COULD COST AROUND $152 MILLION.

COUNCIL WILL HOLD ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 7th, BEFORE POTENTIALLY ADOPTING THE RATE.

SPECTACULAR AFFORDABLE AND AUTHENTIC ARE JUST A FEW OF THE WORDS RESIDENTS USE TO DESCRIBE THEIR CONCEPT OF THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.

THE MONROE COUNTY IMPROVEMENT BOARD HELD A MEETING TO UPDATE AND GET FEEDBACK ON THE PROJECT, WHICH HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING.

>> WE WILL HAVE FINAL DESIGN STAGES THROUGH THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR, HOPEFULLY BREAKING GROUND IN THE SPRING, SO I CONTINUE TO SAY THAT FOR GOVERNMENT WORK, IT'S MOVING AT WARP SPEED.

>> THE PROCESS IS IN THE EARLY DESIGN PHASE.

THE NEXT BOARD MEETING IS MEETING OCTOBER 9th AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.

>>> INDIANA'S CAREER SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS ARE FULLY FILLED MORE THAN A MONTH AFTER APPLICATIONS CLOSED.

200 HIGH SCHOOLERS SIGNED UP, AND HUNDREDS ARE ON THE WAIT LIST.

THAT'S A SHARP INCREASE FROM A LITTLE MORE THAN 200 STUDENTS LAST YEAR.

>> IT'S JUST GOING TO INCREASE IN DEMAND, BECAUSE INDIANA IS A BIG STATE, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF KIDS WHO -- YOU KNOW, SMART KIDS, HARDWORKING KIDS.

THEY'RE JUST, YOU KNOW, THE TYPICAL FOUR-YEAR CAREER CHOICE IS NOT WHAT THEY'RE INTERESTED IN RIGHT NOW.

>> THE CAREER SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS COVER EXPENSES FOR INTERNSHIPS, APPRENTICESHIPS AND CERTIFICATIONS.

THE PROGRAM PROVIDES 10th, 11th AND 12th GRADE STUDENTS WITH UP TO $5,000 A YEAR.

93-YEAR-OLD JOHN MILEY WAS ON HAND FOR A CEREMONY MONDAY AT THE IU MEDIA SCHOOL.

HIS VAST COLLECTION OF SPORTS MEMORABILIA WILL BE HOUSED.

HE'S BEEN COLLECTING FOR MORE THAN 70 YEARS, MORE THAN 44,000 VIDEO AND RADIO RECORDINGS.

>> WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO ALLOW STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS TO ACCESS THIS COLLECTION IN A WAY THAT THEY COULDN'T HAVE DONE IF IT HADN'T BEEN HERE.

>> THE MEDIA SCHOOL HAS SET ASIDE A LISTENING ROOM WHERE PEOPLE CAN VIEW THE COLLECTION AS IT IS DIGITAL ARCHIVED.

THAT WILL TAKE YEARS.

AND PERRY, A WTIU DOCUMENTARY ON MILEY, TITLED ARCHIVING AWARENESS IS AVAILABLE NOW ON THE INDIANA APP.

>>> FOOD BANKS, FARMERS AND DAIRY PRODUCERS ARE WARNING OF THE RIPPLE EFFECT IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T PASS A NEW FARM BILL.

>>> AND A PLAN TO STORE CARBON EMISSIONS OVERGROUND IN VIGO AND VERMILLION COUNTIES IS CLOSER TO BECOMING A REALITY.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO INDIAN IN A NEWSDESK.

A COMPANY 245 WANTS TO STORE ITS CARBON EMISSIONS UNDERGROUND IS CLOSER TO SECURING A CRITICAL FEDERAL LOAN FOR THE PROJECT.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING REPORTS, THIS WEEK THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ANNOUNCED ITS INTENT TO LOAN WABASH COUNTY RESOURCES UP TO $1.5 BILLION.

>> THE PROJECT WILL HAVE TO MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS TO GET THE LOAN, LIKE AN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

STILL, THE COMPANY SAYS IT'S A BIG STEP TO MOVE IT FORWARD.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HOPES THE PROJECT WILL REVITALIZE THE COMMUNITY THAT LOST SO MANY UNION JOBS WITH THE DECLINE OF THE COAL INDUSTRY.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY IS COMMITTED TO IS MAKING SURE WE ARE NOT JUST DEPENDING ON THE COMPANY, TO CHECK WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, BUT THAT WE OURSELVES ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO MAKE SURE THEIR CONCERNS ARE HEARD.

>> THEY FEEL THE GOVERNMENT IS IGNORING THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THINGS LIKE PIPELINE LEAKS, EARTHQUAKES AND THE CO2 COULD MIGRATE.

>> WE'RE THE IMPACTED COMMUNITY, THEY'RE GOING TO INJECT US WHERE WITH WE LIVE, OUT UNDER OUR HOUSES.

TO ME, WHEN THEY'RE TALKING TO UNIONS, IT'S JUST A PLOY TO PUSH THE JOB ISSUE.

THAT NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE SAFETY.

>> A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE ONLY OTHER LARGE CO2 STORAGE IN THE U.S.

IGNORED THE THOUGHTS OF A LEAK.

>>> OFFICIALS SAY THE ANNOUNCEMENT WILL HELP THE COMPANY SECURE THE REST OF THE PRIVATE FUNDING IT NEEDS FOR THE PROJECT.

>>> FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, IT APPEARS CONGRESS WILL NOT PASS A NEW FARM BILL, WHICH INCLUDES SNAP AND OTHER FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

THAT MEANS THEY WILL LIKELY EXTEND THE 2018 FARM BILL FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

CLAYTON BOMBGUARD SPOKE WITH AGENCY EXPERTS ABOUT AGAIN EXTENDING THE 6-YEAR-OLD PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> FOOD INSECURITY IS AN ISSUE FOR MILLIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

13.5% OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THE UNITED STATES WERE CONSIDERED FOOD INSECURE.

THAT'S A SLIGHT INCREASE OVER THE 12.8%.

STATISTICS LIKE THAT MEANS FOOD BANKS ARE ALWAYS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE.

>> WE'RE SUPPORTING A NETWORK OF OVER 90 PARTNER AGENCIES WITH FOOD THAT WE HAVE OBTAINED FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES, A LOT OF IT IS RESCUED AND DONATED.

GO TO RETAIL STORES, WHOLESALERS, COLLECT FOOD THAT THEY MAY OTHERWISE THROW OUT.

>> A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT NEEDS TO BE RENEWED EVERY FIVE YEARS, THE FARM BILL.

PART OF THE BILL FOCUSES ON AGRICULTURAL CURRENCY.

THE MAJORITY OF IT COVERS THE SNAP PROGRAM, FORMERLY KNOWN AS FOOD ASSISTANCE.

>> IN OUR PARTICULAR INSTANCE, IT PROVIDED ABOUT 25% OF THE FOOD THAT WE DISTRIBUTED LAST YEAR, CAME THROUGH USDA COMMODITY PROGRAMS AND FUNDING COMES ATTACHED TO THOSE PROGRAMS TO HELP COVER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

>> LAST YEAR A NEW FARM BILL WAS DUE TO BE CREATED IN PLACE OF THE 2018 VERSION.

INSTEAD, THAT WAS RENEWED FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

AS WE GET CLOSER TO ELECTION DAY, IT'S LESS AND LESS LIKELY A NEW BILL WILL BE PASSED.

>> I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME CONGRESS PASSED A BUDGET ON TIME, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT HAS A RIPPLE EFFECT.

EVERY TIME THEY KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD WITH A CONTINUING RESOLUTION, MEANS THAT AGENCIES LIKE OURS THAT ARE DEPENDING ON THAT FUNDING AND FOOD, DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GET, UNTIL THE FULL BUDGET IS ACTUALLY PASSED.

>> THE NEED FOR AN UPDATED NUTRITION TITLE IS HUGE, AS A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE 2018.

THE PANDEMIC SAW MANY FAMILIES BECOME FOOD INSECURE.

AND THAT NEED HASN'T GONE AWAY, THE PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THEM HAVE.

>> THE EXPANDED CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT, UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS.

ANTI-HUNGER INITIATIVES.

STAFF INCREASES.

ADDITIONAL COMMODITIES FOR FOOD BANKS LIKE OURS, ALL OF THAT STUFF HAS GONE AWAY.

THE NEED HAS REMAINED JUST AS HIGH AS IT WAS AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> HOOSIER HILLS IS FEEDING THE FOOD BANKS THAT FEED THE STATE.

IT'S TIME FOR THE 2018 FARM BILL TO BE UPDATED.

>> WE HAVE A STATIC FARM BILL, THINGS AREN'T NECESSARILY LINING UP WITH WHAT WE NEED FROM AN EMERGENCY HUNGER RELIEF PERSPECTIVE.

>> MANY PROGRAMS IN THE FARM BILL HAVE FUNDING LEVELS SET FOR THE COST OF GOODS BACK IN 2018.

THOSE PRICES HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THEN.

>> THE SUPPORT FOR COMMODITY FOOD AND WHATEVER FORMAT THAT MIGHT BE HAS DECREASED.

AND HAS GONE BACK TO STANDARD OPERATING UNDER THE FARM BILL.

IT'S REALLY NOT MEETING THE NEED.

OUR MEMBERS ARE STRUGGLING TO HAVE ENOUGH PRODUCT TO DISTRIBUTE.

>> TFAP PAILS IN COMPARISON TO THE SNAP PROGRAM.

>> OUR MEMBER FOOD BANKS DISTRIBUTE OVER 100 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD ANNUALLY.

THAT SAID, FOR EVERY ONE MEAL THE AFFILIATE FOOD BANK PROVIDES, SNAP PROVIDES NINE.

IT'S THE CORNERSTONE OF ANY NUTRITION WE HAVE AS A COUNTRY.

>> AS ANY PERSON WORKING IN THE AREA WILL TELL YOU, FOOD SECURITY IS STRATEGIC SECURITY.

THEY WERE COMBINED IN ONE BILL TO GET VOTES FROM THE REPUBLICANS ON THE AGRICULTURE POLICIES.

AND DEMOCRATS ON THE FOOD ASSISTANCE POLICIES.

>> THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE USING SNAP BENEFITS IN RURAL AREAS IS THE SAME AND SOMETIMES HIGHER IN URBAN AREAS.

ANY RURAL MEMBER OF CONGRESS WHO SEEMS TO THINK THAT THE NUTRITIONAL TITLE DOESN'T IMPACT THEIR CONSTITUENTS IS WRONG.

>> NOW, THE VERY THING THAT WAS LEANED ON, MAY BE THE THING THAT HALTED IT FROM PROGRESSING.

>> THE SYSTEM ITSELF SEEMS TO BE SO BOGGED DOWN IN THE PARTISANSHIP THAT IT MAKES IT HARD TO MOVE EVEN AN AG BILL FORWARD.

>> MANY OF THE ISSUES ARE ALSO FOUND ON THE AG SIDE.

>> NOW YOU'VE GOT THE FARM COMMUNITY THAT'S REALLY DEALING WITH LOW PRICES AND HIGH COST, SO THERE'S JUST BEEN SO MUCH THAT HAS CHANGED SINCE 2018, THAT THINGS JUST NEED TO BE UPDATED.

>> A NEW BILL MUST FIND MARKETS FOR AGRICULTURAL GOODS.

>> THE TRADING BALANCE IS GOING THE WRONG WAY FOR US RIGHT NOW, PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO THOSE EFFORTS, GIVING OUR PRODUCTS MORE OF A MARKET WORLDWIDE, MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

>> WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF NOT PASSING A NEW BILL.

FOR NUTRITION TITLES, MUCH WILL CARRY ON AS IT HAS, WITHOUT FUNDING.

>> THERE'S NO IMMEDIATE CHANGE.

WHAT WE SEE IN SEPTEMBER FOR OCTOBER HAS ALREADY BEEN FUNDED.

PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE AS LONG AS FUNDING CONTINUES TO BE THERE.

AS LONG AS THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AN ISSUE IN THE SHORT TERM.

>> THE AG TITLES ARE SIMILAR IN THE SHORT TERM.

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY, DAIRY IS ONE OF THE MORE SUBSIDIZED INDUSTRIES IN AGRICULTURE.

AND THE FARM BILL LEADS MOST OF THAT ASSISTANCE.

WE COULD SEE PRICES OF MILK MORE THAN DOUBLE.

>> MILK PRICES WOULD SKYROCKET.

WE WOULD SEE MILK PRICES WE HAVEN'T EVER SEEN QUITE FRANKLY.

>> THE UNPRECEDENTED WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN FOR THAT TO OCCUR.

>> IF WE CAN'T GET THIS DONE BY JANUARY 1st.

THEN WE START HAVING SOME MORE SIGNIFICANT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE DAIRY CLIFF.

>> A HOUSE VERSION OF THE BILL IS WAITING FOR A FLOOR VOTE.

A SENATE VERSION HASN'T MADE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE.

FOR ALONZO, ANY BILL WOULD BE BETTER THAN NOTHING.

>> THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT, GETTING A RENEWED FARM BILL AT THE SAME LEVELS IS BETTER THAN GETTING NO FARM BILL AT ALL.

SO HOPEFULLY THEY'LL AT LEAST GET THAT MUCH DONE.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M CLAYTON BOMBGUARD.

>>> THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM HAS ALREADY MATCHED LAST YEAR'S WIN TOTAL WITH A 3-0 START THIS SEASON.

WITH A WIN SATURDAY AGAINST CHARLOTTE, KURT WOULD BECOME THE FIRST IU HEAD COACH TO START HIS CAREER 4-0.

SATURDAY'S GAME KICKS OFF ON THE BIG 10 NETWORK.

>>> THAT'S ALL FOR THIS PROGRAM, OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AT WTIU NEWS.ORG.

THANK YOU.

>>> INDIANA NEWSDESK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY --