>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," SUNDAY MARKS THE 10th ANNIVERSARY OF SAME SEX MARRIAGE BEING LEGAL IN INDIANA.

WHILE THE LAW HAS CHANGED, PERCEPTIONS OF SOME HAVEN'T.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO CHANGE MY FAMILY MEMBERS OR MY FRIENDS' PARADIGM ON THAT.

>> THERE ARE CURRENTLY AROUND 11,000 SAME-SEX COUPLES MARRIED IN INDIANA.

>>> INDIANA'S STRIVING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO ACCESS STATE PARKS.

>> AND IF WE PURPOSEFULLY EXCLUDE A GROUP OF PEOPLE, WE'RE NOT ONLY EXCLUDING THEM, BUT WE'RE EXCLUDING THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR FRIENDS AND EVERYBODY ELSE.

>> THE STATE D.N.R.

IS SEEKING GUIDANCE FROM HOOSIERS TO SEE WHAT NATURAL SPACES IN INDIANA NEED MORE ACCESSIBILITY.

>>> AND WE BEGIN A SERIES OF INTERVIEWS WITH CANDIDATES IN NEXT MONTH'S GENERAL ELECTION WITH THE STATE'S DISTRICT 62 RACE.

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.

ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO, ON OCTOBER 6th, 2014, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BECAME LEGAL IN INDIANA AFTER THE U.S. SUPREME COURT ALLOWED A LOWER COURT'S SUPPORTIVE RULING TO STAND.

BENTE BOUTHIER STANDS ON HOW OPINIONS ON THE ISSUE HAVE AND HAVE NOT CHANGED.

>> IN 2014, LOBBYIST MICHAEL O'BRIEN FOUGHT AGAINST A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT AIMED TO BAN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN INDIANA.

HE'S A REPUBLICAN.

>> I VERY MUCH FELT AN OBLIGATION TO, LIKE, TRY TO STEER THE PARTY IN THE DIRECTION I THOUGHT IT SHOULD GO.

AND IN THIS CASE, IT WAS, YOU KNOW, TO CELEBRATE GAY MARRIAGE AND MAKE SURE THE MESSAGE THAT THE PARTY WAS SENDING, THAT THEY WERE, YOU KNOW, WE WERE OPEN AND WELCOME AND, OH, MY GOD, WHAT A TEN YEARS IT'S BEEN.

[ LAUGHTER ] NOT GOING THAT DIRECTION.

>> HE SAYS OPPONENTS OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN INDIANA'S STATEHOUSE REACTED.

>> IN 2016, WE TRIED TO AMEND THE CIVIL RIGHTS STATUTE TO PROTECT LGBTQ HOOSIERS FROM BEING FIRED FROM THEIR JOB FOR BEING GAY OR TO BE EVICTED FROM THEIR HOUSING, WHICH FAILED.

WE NEVER -- WE STILL TO THIS DAY HAVE NOT PASSED THAT.

>> DESPITE CONTINUING POLITICAL BATTLES FOR LGBTQ RIGHTS, MANY COUPLES ARE THRIVING.

IN THE LAST DECADE, KEVIN HOWELL AND HIS HUSBAND, BUILT AND SOLD A BUSINESS TOGETHER AND ADOPTED TWO DAUGHTERS.

HOUSE SERVED IN THE U.S. MARINE CORPS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

HE SAYS HE LEANS RIGHT OF CENTER, ROBERTS IS RUNNING FOR THEIR COUNTY CORONER IN NOVEMBER AS A DEMOCRAT.

HOWELL SAYS HE'S NOT AS WORRIED ABOUT FULL RECOGNITION OF GAY LEGAL MARRIAGE.

>> ALL OF THESE THINGS I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT, THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF IT, THE TASK ASPECT, THE PARENTAL RIGHTS, STUFF LIKE THAT, THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY STILL IMPORTANT.

THAT JUST WASN'T SOMETHING THAT I EVER THOUGHT ABOUT 17 YEARS PRIOR TO THAT.

>> NATIONALLY, A GALLUP POLL REVEALED THAT IT'S MARKEDLY HIGHER THAN TEN YEARS AGO.

IN 2014, 55% OF PEOPLE SAID THEY BELIEVED SAME-SEX MARRIAGE SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED BY THE LAW WITH THE SAME RIGHTS AS HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGES.

THIS ROAR YEAR -- THIS YEAR, THAT WAS UP TO 69%.

HOWELL DOESN'T EXPECT EVERYONE TO SUPPORT HIS MARRIAGE.

HE HAS FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO DON'T BELIEVE IN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

BUT THEY STILL SPEND HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS TOGETHER.

>> I COEXIST WITH MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT MAY NOT AGREE WITH ME, BECAUSE I RESPECT WHEN SOMEONE HAS A -- I WILL USE A PARADIGM AGAIN OF GAY MARRIAGE, RIGHT, DON'T TRY TO CHANGE THAT PERSON'S MIND.

JUST TREAT EACH OTHER GOOD.

THAT'S ALL YOU GOTTA DO.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

YOU WILL NOT CHANGE SOMEONE'S PARADIGM.

I'M NOT GOING TO CHANGE MY FAMILY MEMBERS OR MY FRIENDS' PARADIGM ON THAT BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS, RIGHT?

THAT'S JUST HOW I VIEW THINGS.

AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO CHANGE MY PARADIGM, RIGHT.

>> ACCORDING TO THE 2020 U.S. CENSUS, INDIANA HAD ALMOST 11,000 MARRIED SAME-SEX COUPLES THEN.

STATISTICS FROM UCLA IN 2019 SHOWED THAT INDIANA ADJUSTED FOR POPULATION, HAD THE 32nd MOST GAY MARRIAGES IN THE COUNTRY.

MICAH BECKWITH THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR INDIANA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BELIEVES ALL PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR PARTNERSHIP LEGALLY RECOGNIZED, BUT HE WANTS CIVIL UNIONS NOT MARRIAGES FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES.

BECKWITH SUPPORTS ADOPTION FOR LGBTQ COUPLES BUT HE DESCRIBED PARRIED HETEROSEXUAL COUPLES WITH CHILDREN AS THE GOLD STANDARD.

>> WE HAVE BEEN LOWERING THE STANDARDS OF WHAT GOD SAID IS RIGHT, TRUE AND VIRTUOUS, AND WE GOTTA GET BACK TO THAT.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU ARE NOT WELCOME AND YOU DON'T HAVE A PLACE IN SOCIETY IF YOU HAVE DIFFERING OPINIONS BUT DON'T LOWER THE GOLD STANDARD BECAUSE AS YOU DO, SOCIETY WILL BEGIN TO BREAK DOWN AS WE ARE SEEING.

>> O'BRIEN SAYS PEOPLE ON HIS SIDE OF THE ISSUE NEED TO REMAIN VIGIL VIGILANT.

>> FIGHTING THE RIGHT FIGHT IS IMPORTANT, SO YOU DON'T SLIDE BACKWARDS.

>> A RECENT POLL FROM TARGET POINT CONSULTING SAYS 63% OF HOOSIERS BELIEVE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE SHOULD BE PROTECTED.

SINCE 2014, ABOUT 2 TO 3% OF INDIANA'S MARRIAGES HAVE BEEN SAME-SEX COUPLES.

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

>>> REPUBLICAN MIKE BRAUN AND DEMOCRAT JENNIFER McCORMICK DRAW SHARP CONTRAST IN FIRST TELEVISED DEBATE IN THIS FALL'S GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

ON THE DEBATE HOSTED BY FOX 59, CBS 4 IN INDIANAPOLIS, BOTH CANDIDATES SPOKE ABOUT THE POLICY PROPOSALS THEY HAVE RELEASED IN RECENT WEEKS FROM PROPERTY TAXES TO UTILITY COSTS, TEACHER PAY TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

BUT ON SO MANY OF THE ISSUES, THE BOTTOM LINE CAME DOWN TO THIS, THEY SAY IT'S THE OTHER PARTY THAT'S TO BLAME FOR ANY PROBLEMS.

>> WHEN I TRAVEL THE STATE, THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN RUN BY HER PARTY OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, AND WE HAVE GOT SOME OF THE WORST ECONOMIC RESULTS WE'VE HAD EVER.

>> INDIANA, THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY, THAT IS 47th IN THE NATION IN QUALITY OF LIFE, 41st IN THE NATION IN EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, YOU KNOW, WE CAN GO ON AND ON AND SOME OF THE STATISTICS ARE ALARMING IS BECAUSE OF ONE-PARTY RULE UNDER REPUBLICANS.

>> LIBERTARIAN DONALD RAINWATER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE FIRST DEBATE.

HE JOINED BRAUN AND McCORMICK LAST NIGHT.

A THIRD DEBATE IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 24th.

>> BRAUN SAYS HE'S REPLACING A DOCTORED IMAGE IN AN ATTACK AD AGAINST McCORMICK WHICH REASON AFOUL GOVERNING DIGITAL MANIPULATION.

THEY ALTERED TO FALSIFY THE SIGNS McCORMICK SUPPORTERS WERE HOLDING AS THEY STOOD BEHIND THE DEMOCRAT.

EXPERTS SAY IT CAN BE HARD TO IDENTIFY ALTERED IMAGES AND VIDEOS WITHOUT A DISCLAIMER.

>> IF SOMETHING SEEMS IMPLAUSIBLE OR IF IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S GETTING AN EXTREME EMOTIONAL REACTION, IT'S GOOD TO TAKE A BREATH AND STOP AND THINK.

>> THE McCORMICK CAMPAIGN CALLED THE ORIGINAL AD DISHONEST AND CALLED BRAUN DESPERATE TO DISTRACT VOTERS.

JOINED NOUN BY CLAYTON BAUMGARTH FOR THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE AREA.

>> CONVENTION CENTER LEADERS CONTINUE TAKING FEEDBACK AND REFINING THE EXPANSION DESIGN, THIS TIME WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

>> THE VERY NEXT PHASE IS DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND IT IS FOR EXACTLY WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S FOR.

IT'S TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND ITERATE THE DESIGN.

THERE'S A LONG WAY TO GO, BUT WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY.

>> THE REFINED DESIGN INCLUDES MORE LIMESTONE AND PUBLIC ART, IMPROVED PEDESTRIAN SCALE ENTRY AND A SIMPLIFIED ROOF LINE.

THE SHIFT IN THE FOOTPRINT OF THE EXHIBIT HALL ALLOWS FOR A SECOND FLOOR ROOF GARDEN, ACCESS ACCESSIBLE OUTDOOR GREEN SPACES.

NO NEW PARKING LOTS ARE PLANNED IN THE EXPANSION.

>> AS THE SURFACE LOTS BEGIN TO GET FILLED, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHERE ARE WE PUTTING CARS AND HOW DO WE GET PEOPLE TO THE CONVENTION CENTER.

>> THE BOND PROPOSAL TO PAY FOR THE ESTIMATED $52 MILLION PROJECT SHOULD COME BEFORE CITY COUNCIL DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR.

>>> BEACON IS OVER HALFWAY TO ITS FUNDING GOAL OF $20 MILLION FOR A NEW FACILITY ON THE WEST SIDE.

THE SERVICE AND SHELTER PROVIDER FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN BLOOMINGTON IS CURRENTLY ON SOUTH WALNUT STREET.

TUESDAY KICKED OFF THE PUBLIC PORTION OF FUNDRAISING.

THE GOAL IS TO RAISE $2.3 MILLION FROM INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES AND FAITH COMMUNITIES BY SPRING.

>> I'M NOT SURE IF I KNEW WHERE WE WERE GOING TO END UP IF WE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR US TO TAKE THIS ON, BUT -- BUT WE -- WE ARE DOING IT.

WE ARE GETTING IT DONE.

YES, WE WILL.

AND CAN.

>> THE NEW FACILITY WILL PROVIDE OVERNIGHT SHELTER AND SERVICES ON ITS FIRST FLOOR.

THE SECOND FLOOR WILL HAVE 30 APARTMENTS, FIVE OF WHICH WILL BE DESIGNATED FOR PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN WORK EXCHANGE WITH BEACON.

THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON HAS CONTRIBUTED $600,000 TO THE NEW FACILITY AND THE MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED $500,000.

>>> A NEW ORDINANCE REQUIRING ALL BLOOMINGTON BUSINESSES AND PUBLIC PLACES TO ACTIVATE CLOSED CAPTIONING ON TELEVISIONS WILL START JANUARY 1st.

IT'S SOMETHING THE INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF HAD BEEN TRYING TO PASS AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT PARTICULARLY WARMING TO THE IDEA, AND WE'RE JUST NOT GOING ANYWHERE WITH IT.

WE DECIDED WE WANT TO DO IT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND LO AND BEHOLD, BLOOMINGTON IS THE IDEAL CITY TO START WITH.

>> SHERMIS SAYS THE ORDINANCE WILL BE COMPLAINT DRIVEN, MEANING SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TO ENFORCE THE MEASURE.

THERE ARE NO FINES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY AND MANY CASES WILL BE HANDLED WITH A SIMPLE CONVERSATION WITH MANAGEMENT.

>>> CANDLE LIGHT VIGILS CONTINUE ON INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS AGAINST THE EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY POLICY WHICH LIMITS WHERE AND WHEN PROTESTS CAN TAKE PLACE.

ORGANIZERS SAY THE VISUALS WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT FOR THE PAST FIVE WEEKS INTENTIONALLY VIOLATE I.U.

'S CURFEW FOR DEMONSTRATIONS.

20 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CITED SO FAR.

ALUMNUS AND VIETNAM WAR ACTIVIST, GUY LOFTMAN SAYS THE UNIVERSITY HAS THREATENED HIM WITH A TRESPASSING CHARGE.

>> I THINK THEY ARE VERY HESITANT TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST ME, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T BULLY ME.

LOFTMAN IS NOT A FACULTY, STUDENT OR STAFF MEMBER AND HE SAYS I.U.

MAY NOT TAKE ACTION AGAINST HIM.

HE PLANS TO CONTINUE ATTENDING THE VIGILS.

>> SOLAR AND WIND FARMS HAD 425,000 ACRES OR 4.5% OF RURAL LAND ACCORDING TO THE RECENT STUDY BY THE USDA.

THE STUDY NOTED THE MAJORITY OF AGRICULTURAL LAND NEAR SOLAR AND WIND FARMS REMAINS IN FARMING DESPITE THE EXPANSION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS.

15% OF SITES WERE NOT BEING USED FOR AGRICULTURE AFTERWARDS.

FOR WIND TURBINES, THE SHARE THAT LEFT AGRICULTURE WAS 1%.

IT CAN COEXIST WITH AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN MANY CASES.

>>> COVID ISN'T GOING AWAY, BUT HOW ARE THE NEWER VARIANTS DIFFERENT FROM PREVIOUS VARIANTS.

THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE COMES DOWN TO HOW THE VIRUS INTERACTS WITH THE CELLS IN THE HUMAN BODY.

IT TRAVELS ALONG THE SURFACE OF THE CELL UNTIL THE PROTEINS COMBINE WITH RECEPTORS.

>> IT'S PRETTY INTERESTING THAT AS IT MUTE TATES -- MUTATES CHANGE, THE BINDING SITES CHANGE AND THE SYMPTOMS CHANGE.

>> THE MOST RECENT VARIANT OMICRON CAUSES MORE SORE THROATS, RUNNY NOSES AND ITCHY EYES.

THE LATEST VACCINES SHOULD BE SEEN MORE AS AN UPDATE SINCE IT TARGETS MORE RECENT UPDATES OF THE OMICRON FAMILY.

>>> A NORTHWEST INDIANA ORCHARD IS CHEERING ON THE WNBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR.

COUNTY LINE ORCHARD IN HOBART UNVEILED THE INDIANA FEVER STAR OF CAITLIN CLARK IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.

DAYNA MORE SAYS IT WAS A SLAM DUNK IDEA.

IT WILL BE OPEN UNTIL OCTOBER 31st.

>>> AND FINALLY, INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS CELEBRATING HOOSIER MUSICIAN JOHN MELLENCAMP WITH A PERMANENT ADDITION.

THEY WILL UNVEIL A STATUE ON OCTOBER 18th IN THE FINE ARTS PLAZA NEXT TO THE I.U.

AUDITORIUM.

HE LIVES IN BLOOMINGTON AND HAS AN HONORARY DEGREE FROM I.U.

AND BEEN A BENEFACTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY FOR DECADES.

CURRENTLY HIS PAINTINGS ARE FEATURES IN THE ESKENAZI MUSEUM OF ART.

>> SO CLAYTON, I KNOW "PINK HOUSE" IS JUST A NEW SCULPTURE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE INDIANA DNR IS WORKING TO MAKE LAND IN STATE PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS MORE ACCESSIBLE.

AND WE BEGIN OUR LOOK AT KEY RACES IN NEXT MONTH'S ELECTION, WITH THOMAS HORROCKS WHO IS RUNNING FOR THE DISTRICT 62 SEAT.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE DISTRICT 62 ELECTION FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE WAS AMONG THE MOST COMPETITIVE IN THE STATE TWO YEARS AGO.

DAVE HALL, A REPUBLICAN WON BY A MERE 74 VOTES OUT OF MORE THAN 26,000 VOTES.

BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS ON THIS YEAR'S RACE.

>> DEMOCRAT THOMAS HORROCKS, A PASTOR AT BEACHWOOD CHURCH IN FRENCH LICK IS A FORMER MILITARY CHAPLAIN AND POLITICAL NEWCOMER.

>> SO HAVING DONE THE WORK OF A PASTOR AND CHAPLAIN FOR THE LAST DECADE OR SO, IT BECAME INCREASINGLY CLEAR TO ME THAT CHARITY WILL NEVER FIX WHAT POLICY CREATES.

>> HORROCKS ISN'T SUGGESTING AN END TO CHARITY.

HE'S EXPLAINING WHY HE'S RUNNING FOR A SEAT IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

HE SAYS HE'S PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT ISSUES SUCH AS FOOD INSECURITY, MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE EXPENSES.

>> SO FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, I HAVE BEEN PAYING MORE AND MORE ATTENTION TO POLITICS, STATE LEVEL POLITICS, PAYING ATTENTION SPECIFICALLY TO STATE LEGISLATURES, WHICH I THINK HAVE A LOT OF INFLUENCE OVER PEOPLE'S LIVES WHICH I DIDN'T REALIZE BEFORE, A LOT OF POLICIES THAT COME FROM THE STATEHOUSE, EDUCATION, WORKERS PROTECTIONS, THE STATE CAN DO A LOT OR NOT DO A LOT TO AFFECT THE LIVES OF ITS CITIZENS.

>> DESPITE HAVING NO POLITICAL EXPERIENCE, HORROCKS BELIEVES HE CAN BE AN EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE DISTRICT, WHICH INCLUDES ALL THE BERN COUNTY AND PARTS OF MONROE AND JACKSON COUNTIES.

HE SAYS ISSUES SUCH AS LACK OF MATERNAL CARE IN SOME COUNTIES IS THE RESULT OF YEARS OF REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP.

>> THESE ARE THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE THE RESULT OF A SUPER MAJORITY THAT CONTINUALLY PRIORITIZES THE WRONG THINGS AND THEY ARE HURTING EVERYDAY HOOSIERS.

AND DAVE HALL IS A PART OF THAT, RIGHT, HE OFTEN VOTES RIGHT ALONGSIDE WITH THE SUPER MAJORITY AND EVEN WHEN HE DOESN'T, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ACCOUNTABILITY THERE.

>> HORROCKS IS ACUTELY AWARE THAT HALL WON ELECTION TO HIS FIRST TERM IN 2022, WITH 50.1% OF THE VOTE.

HE SAYS HE'S COMMUNICATING THAT TO VOTERS.

>> THIS PARTICULAR DISTRICT IS NOT ONE THAT'S SO GERRYMANDERED THAT -- THAT, YOU KNOW -- THEIR VOTE MATTERS ALL THE TIME, ANY TIME, BUT IN THIS PARTICULAR RACE, EVERY VOTE IS CRUCIAL.

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

>>> WTIU MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REACH OUT TO INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN DAVE HALL BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE.

THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW WITH HORROCKS IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> THE STATE OF INDIANA IS TRYING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE SAYS ACCESSIBLE PARKS AND TRAILS BENEFIT MANY MORE PEOPLE THAN JUST THOSE WHO HAVE DISABILITIES, AND THAT INCLUDES THE STATE ITSELF.

>> THIS IS WHY I BROUGHT YOU THIS WAY.

THIS IS THE FUN PART.

>> INDIANAPOLIS RESIDENT NANCY GRIFFIN SAYS SHE ENJOYS THE CHALLENGE OF MANEUVERING TREE ROOTS.

SHE'S USING A MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS PEGGY.

>> WHICH IS SHORT FOR PEGASUS.

I FEEL LIKE WHEN I'M ON PEGGY, I CAN FLY.

>> GRIFFIN CAN GET TO PLACES SHE MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BEFORE.

SHE WALKED ON THE BEACH THE FIRST TIME A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHILE SHE WAS IN FLORIDA FOR HER GRANDDAUGHTER'S WEDDING.

>> I WAS ACTING LIKE AN IDIOT BUT JUST HAVING THE BEST TIME BECAUSE I COULD GO RIGHT UP TO THE SURF AND COME RIGHT BACK UP INTO WHERE ALL THE UMBRELLAS ARE SITTING AND THE PEOPLE ARE, YOU KNOW, ENJOYING THEIR LITTLE BEVERAGES AND CHATTING AWAY.

IT JUST WAS THE MOST FUN.

I FELT LIKE I WAS 5 YEARS OLD.

>> THOUGH GRIFFIN HAS HER OWN CHAIR FOR TRAILS, THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES LOANS OUT CHAIRS.

HERE AT THIS NATURE CENTER, AN EMPLOYEE SHOWS HOW CAREGIVERS BRING THE CHAIR TO VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES.

THIS YEAR, THE DNR RELEASED A WEB PAGE WHERE YOU CAN FIND THINGS LIKE TRAIL CHAIRS AND ACCESSIBLE PLACES TO HIKE, FISH, HUNT OR GET IN THE WATER.

EDWARDS SAID HE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE AN ACCESSIBILITY WEB PAGE.

HE DIDN'T WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL LIMITED TO ONLY GOING TO CERTAIN TRAILS OR PARKS.

>> THEN I REALIZED THAT WE HAVE NOT DONE -- I HAD NOT DONE A GOOD JOB OF PROMOTING A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR YEARS.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE TRAIL CHAIRS.

WE'VE HAD TRAIL CHAIRS SINCE 2006.

>> THE NUMBER OF ADULTS IN THE U.S. THAT HAVE SOME TYPE OF DISABILITY HAS BEEN SLOWLY INCREASING OVER TIME.

EDWARDS SAYS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE LIVING LONGER AND THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY NATURE THE WAY EVERYONE ELSE DOES.

>> PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE COMING BACK FROM IRAQ AND IRAN, MILITARY SITUATIONS, WHERE, YOU KNOW, THEY WANT TO GO OUT AND EXPERIENCE THE SAME THINGS THEY EXPERIENCED BEFORE.

>> EDWARDS SAYS GETTING RID OF BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BENEFITS OTHER FOLKS TOO, PARTICULARLY CHILDREN.

HAVING LOWER RAILINGS AND WILDLIFE VIEWING AREAS CAN ENSURE SOMEONE SITTING OR A CHILD STANDING CAN BOTH SEE THE SANDHILL CRANES.

RAMPS ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIRS AND STROLLERS.

THIS BEACH MAT AT PAINT TOWN STATE RECREATION AREA MAKE IT SO WHEELCHAIRS CAN ROLL DOWN TO THE LAKE OR KIDS CAN KEEP THEIR FEET COOL AND OFF THE HOT SAND.

EDWARDS SAYS BETTER ACCESS IS FIRST AND FOREMOST THE RIGHT THING TO DO, BUT IT'S ALSO FINANCIAL SMART.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO REACH OUT TO ALL PEOPLE.

IF WE ARE EXCLUDING A GROUP OF PEOPLE, WE ARE NOT ONLY EXCLUDING THEM AND THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND EVERYBODY ELSE.

I WOULD SAY THAT'S CERTAINLY ON OUR MINDS, THAT THIS IS INCOME GENERATING BUT IT'S NOT THE PRIORITY.

>> THOUGH THE DNR HAS DONE A LOT TO MAKE THEM PHYSICALLY ACCESSIBLE, THERE'S STILL MORE TO DO.

HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE TACTILE EXHIBITS LIKE THE ONES AT FALLS OF THE OHIO STATE PARK WHICH ALLOWS SOMEONE WHO IS BLIND OR HAS LIMITED VISION TO FEEL MODELS OF THE FOSSILS UNDER THE WATT.

NANCY GRIFFIN SAYS SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE BRAILLE AND MORE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SENSITIVE TO BRIGHT LIGHTS OR LOUD NOISES.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A TRAIL WALK WHERE OR A BIRD HIKE HERE AT THE PARK SO SOMEONE IS AN INTERPRETER.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO HEAR THE BIRDS.

IF YOU CAN SEE THEM, YOU CAN STILL ENJOY THEM.

>> EDWARDS SAYS FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC IS THE MAIN WAY THE DNR PRIORITIZES PROPERTY FOR ACCESSIBLE UPGRADES.

EVEN HEARING FROM ONE PERSON CAN SOMETIMES TURN INTO ACTION.

THE DNR HAS PUT OUT A SURVEY TO FIND OUT WHICH NATURAL SPACES IN INDIANA NEED MORE ACCESSIBILITY.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO THE SURVEY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES RELEASED 25 ENDANGERED GROUND SQUIRRELS AT KANKAKEE SANDS NATURE PRESERVE.

REBECCA THIELE REPORTS PARTNERS IN THE PROJECT HOPE TO EVENTUALLY REESTABLISH THE SQUIRREL IN ITS ORIGINAL NORTHWEST INDIANA HABITAT.

>> THE FRANKLIN'S GROUND SQUIRREL LOOKS LIKE A CHUBBIER TREE SQUIRREL.

IT LIVES UNDERGROUND AND HIBERNATES HALF THE YEAR.

THEY ARE NOT VERY SOCIAL.

BRAD WESTRICH SAYS FARMING AND DEVELOPMENT DESTROYED A LOT OF SQUIRRELS PRAIRIE HABITAT AND FRAGMENTED THE POPULATIONS THAT ARE STILL AROUND.

>> BEING ISOLATED FROM ONE ANOTHER FOR SO LONG EVENTUALLY TOOK HOLD AND CAUSED SMALL POPULATIONS TO SORT OF WINK OUT OF EXISTENCE.

AND WHAT YOU HAVE HAPPENING THERE IS ESSENTIALLY A LOSS OF GENETIC DIVERSITY, WHERE THEY CANNOT COPE WITH CHANGES.

>> PARTNERS SAY IF SOME OF THE GROUND SQUIRRELS SURVIVE HIBERNATION, AND HAVE BABIES, THEY WILL CONSIDER THIS A SUCCESS.

>> RIGHT NOW HOOSIERS CAN'T GO OUTSIDE AND WONDER AROUND NATURAL AREAS AND HEAR THESE LITTLE CHUBSTER SQUEAK AND RUN ACROSS THE TRAIL.

AND I'M SUPER EXCITED TO BE PART OF THE PROJECT THAT'S GOING TO HELP FUTURE GENERATIONS AND KIDS IN THE FUTURE JUST SEE THESE GUYS.

>> FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> IF THE RELOCATION IS A SUCCESS, THE DNR WILL LOOK FOR OTHER INDIANA PRAIRIES WHERE THE SQUIRRELS CAN BE INTRODUCED.

>>> WELL, BEFORE THE SEASON STARTED, THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM WAS PICKED TO FINISH 17th IN THE 18 TEAM BIG TEN.

SO THE HOOSIERS CURRENTLY BEING 5-0 RANKED NUMBER 23 IN THE COUNTRY MIGHT SURPRISE A LOT OF PEOPLE BUT NOT FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH, CURT CIGNETTI.

>> I PRETTY MUCH TOLD EVERYBODY WHEN I GOT HIRED THAT THIS WAS POSSIBLE AND FELT STRONG ABOUT THAT WHEN WE BROUGHT IN THE TRANSFERS AND ADDED A FEW MORE AT THE END OF THE SPRING BALL AND SAW THE CULTURE COME TOGETHER THE WAY IT DID.

BUT WE HAD TO PUT IT ON THE FIELD.

>> ONE OF THOSE TRANSFERS PLAYING A BIG ROLE FOR I.U.

IS QUARTERBACK KURTIS ROURKE, FIFTH YEAR SENIOR FROM OHIO HAS THROWN FOR 1400 YARDS AND 11 TOUCHDOWNS FIRST FIVE GAMES.

HE SHOOK OFF HIS FIRST TWO INTERCEPTIONS LAST WEEK AGAINST MARYLAND TO LEAD INDIANA TO A 42-28 WIN.

HE DOESN'T SEEM TO GET FAZED BY A WHOLE LOT OF STUFF AND HE'S ON TO THE NEXT PLAY.

>> THE HOOSIERS ARE LOOKING TO GO 3-0 IN THE BIG TEN WHEN THEY TRAVEL TO EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, TO FACE NORTHWESTERN.

KICKOFF IS AT 3:30 ON THE BIG TEN NETWORK.

>>> 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.

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE