>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," REPUBLICANS HAVE HELD A SUPER MAJORITY IN THE STATE HOUSE FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, INCLUDING BOTH U.S. SENATE SEATS AND SEVEN OF THE NINE U.S. HOUSE SEATS.

SO DEMOCRATS FACE AN UPHILL BATTLE EVERY ELECTION CYCLE, ESPECIALLY IN DEEP RED RURAL AREAS.

>> JESUS CHRIST WOULD NOT HAVE A CHANCE IN DAVIESS COUNTY IF HE WAS A DEMOCRAT.

>> LIFE HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME ON CAMPUS SINCE LAST OCTOBER 7th AND THE SUBSEQUENT WAR THAT FOLLOWED.

>> WE ARE NOT HAVING THE SAME COLLEGE EXPERIENCE ANY LONGER THAT EVERY OTHER STUDENT IS ALLOWED, BECAUSE OF OUR IDENTITY.

>> PRO ISRAELI AND PRO PALESTINIAN GROUPS MARK THE ANNIVERSARY.

>> AND WE CONTINUE OUR SERIES OF INTERVIEWS WITH CANDIDATES WORLD TRADE CENTER U.S. HOUSE -- WITH THE U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT NINE.

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

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

MONROE COUNTY RESIDENTS WILL BE PAYING MORE IN INCOME TAX NEXT YEAR, AFTER THE COUNTY COUNCIL VOTED TO INCREASE THE RATE TO PAY FOR A NEW JAIL, BUT COMMISSIONERS STILL CAN'T DECIDE ON WHERE TO BUILD IT.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH HAS THIS REPORT.

>> RESIDENTS WILL PAY AN 0.015% ON THEIR INCOME TAXES NEXT YEAR.

THIS AFTER RAISING THE COUNTY INCOME TAX TO PAY FOR A NEW COUNTY JAIL.

IT WILL INCREASE COUNTY RESIDENTS $105 OF TAXABLE INCOME OF $100,000.

COUNCILMEMBER MARTY HOFF WAS THE LONE NO VOTE.

>> I JUST FEEL LIKE THIS IS ADDING SALT TO THE WOUND OF THE TAXPAYER TO SAY WE ARE GOING TO TAX YOU AND WE'LL LET YOU KNOW LATER EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH IT.

>> CONSULTANTS WOULD RECOMMENDED THE RATE INCREASE ESTIMATE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW JUSTICE FACILITY COULD COST AROUND $152 MILLION.

THE COUNTY IS REQUIRED TO BUILD A NEW JAIL AFTER AN ACLU LAWSUIT ALLEGING CONDITIONS AT THE MONROE COUNTY JAIL VIOLATE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

THE LAWSUIT FOCUSES IN PART ON OVERCROWDING.

>> WE ARE TAKING ACTION BECAUSE WE ARE UNDER A LAWSUIT THAT IS MANDATING THAT WE EITHER TAKE ACTION OR FOLKS WILL COME IN AND TAKE ACTION FOR US.

>> WHERE TO BUILD THE NEW JAIL REMAINS AN ISSUE.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HELD A LISTENING SESSION TO HEAR ABOUT FEEDBACK ON VERNAL PIKE SOUTH OF ELLETTSVILLE.

THE BLOOMINGTON AND ELLETTSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUPPORT THE VERNAL PIKE OPTION WHICH CAME UP.

>> IT'S NOT OUR FAVORITE SITE, AND WE ARE DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE.

WE'RE TALKING TO PEOPLE IN THE AREA.

THERE ARE A LOT OF HOMEOWNERS IN THIS AREA, WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IT'S NOT MY FAVORITE SITE.

>> SEVERAL RESIDENTS SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE VERNAL PIKE SITE DURING THE LISTENING SESSION.

>> I INVESTED IN THIS HOUSE TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE, TO SPEND MY GOLDEN YEARS.

SO I DON'T -- I DON'T WANT TO MOVE AGAIN.

I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THE HOUSE IF I HAD THOUGHT THAT MIGHT BE A -- A POSSIBILITY.

>> THE COMMISSIONERS WILL MEET OCTOBER 22nd TO DISCUSS OPTIONSES.

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

THE OVERALL TAX RATE IS 0.017%.

SOME COUNTIES IN THE RURAL SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE RUN A DEEP, DEEP RED.

BUT AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS DEMOCRATS DO EXIST THERE LED WITH PARTY OFFICIALS LEADING THE GOOD FIGHT AGAINST HUGE ODDS.

>> POLITICALLY INDIANA HAS MORE NO COMMON WITH THE SOUTH THAN THE NEIGHBORS IN THE WADEST.

OUTSIDE OF INDIANAPOLIS AND THE CHICAGO SUBURBS ONLY SMALL POCKETS OF DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION EXIST.

OF 97 COUNTIES FIVE VOTED FOR BIDEN.

IN DAVIESS 80% CHOSE TRUMP.

>> JESUS CHRIST WOULD NOT HAVE A CHANCE IN DAVIESS COUNTY IF HE WAS A DEMOCRAT.

THAT'S HOW BAD IT IS.

>> RON CRITCHLOW HAS ORGANIZED FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

IT CAN BE A THANKLESS ONE WHEN HE CAN'T FIND ONE TO RUN FOR THE COUNTY SEATS.

>> I PRETTY MUCH KNOW ALL THE DEMOCRATS IN THE COUNTY, AND IN THE NORTHERN PART, YOU COULD SET ALL THE DEMOCRATS ON YOUR FRONT ROOM COUCH.

[ LAUGHTER ] THAT'S HOW BAD IT IS UP THERE.

>> OF 100 SEATS IN THE INDIANA STATE HOUSE, DEMOCRATS ARE ONLY RUNNING FOR 75.

>> THE EXCUSE THAT I GET IS, WHY RUN WHEN I WILL JUST GET EMBARRASSED?

>> SOME OF THOSE WHO DO RUN HAVE SOBER EXPECTATIONS.

>> I WILL BE ECSTATIC IF I TAKE SOME MORE PERCENTAGE POINTS.

I WOULD BE OVER-THE-TOP HAPPY IF I WIN AND I COULD GO TO THE STATE HOUSE AND CHANGE SOME THINGS.

>> IN THE LAST ELECTION, HE POLLED AROUND 30% OF THE DISTRICT AROUND ON THE OHIO-STATELINE.

HE ATTRIBUTES HIS COMMUNITY'S ECONOMIC DECLINE TO ONE PARTY RULE.

>> WE HAVE A DOLL DOLLAR GENERAL, A POST OFFICE AND A BAR AND THAT'S WHAT IS LEFT IN OUR TOWN.

>> BARTLETT HOPES TO GET A BOOST FROM THE ENTHUSIASM BUILT BY THE HARRIS CAMPAIGN AND HE SAYS INDIANA'S NEW ABORTION BAN WILL GET MORE WOMEN TO TURN OUT FOR DEMOCRATS BUT LOCAL RACES HAVE A BIG IMPACT UP TICKET TOO.

INDIANA IS ONE OF THE ONLY SEVEN STATES THAT LETS VOTERS PICK ALL THE CANDIDATES FROM ONE PARTY BY CHECKING A SINGLE BOX.

SOMETHING CALLED STRAIGHT TICKET VOTING.

BY RUNNING A SINGLE DEMOCRAT DOWN BALLOT, OTHERWISE STRAIGHT TICKET REPUBLICANS MIGHT BREAK WITH THE PARTY ON OTHER SEATS.

>> IF YOU DON'T RUN SOMEBODY FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER, FOR STATE REP, OR FOR THE LOCAL OFFICES, THEN IT'S GOING TO BE HARDER TO GET FOLKS OUT FOR PRESIDENT OR GOVERNOR AND SENATOR.

>> THAT'S ESSENTIALLY THE STRATEGY FOR CANDIDATES IN RURAL INDIANA.

THEY'RE CAMPAIGNING ON LOCAL ISSUES SUCH AS SCHOOL FUNDING, PROPERTY TAXES, AND MEDICAL DESERTS.

AND THEY ARE GOING FOR REPUBLICANS.

>> IT TAKES ABOUT ONE HOUR TO GO TO FIVE FARMS.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE CANVASSING IN AN URBAN AREA.

>> WHITCOMB GREW UP IN SEYMOUR.

YOU KNOW WHEN JOHN MELLENCAMP SINGS ABOUT GROWING UP IN A SMALL TOWN, THIS IS THE ONE HE WAS TALKING ABOUT.

>> I THINK MY NAME RECOGNITION IN THAT WAY AND PEOPLE KNOWING MY FAMILY IN THAT WAY KIND OF TAKES THE EDGE OFF THAT MARGIN.

>> WHITCOMB IS TRYING TO WREST THIS FROM JIM LUCAS, A REPUBLICAN WHO WON BY A LANDSLIDE TWO YEARS AGO.

SHE'S DOING THAT THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY BY KNOCKING ON DOORS.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING, BARRY.

>> YES.

>> HI, I'M TRISH WHITCOMB.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> THE FIRST HOUSE BELONGS TO BARRY A RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER AND REPUBLICAN.

WHEN WHITCOMB ASKS HIM HOW HE FEELS ABOUT MERGING SCHOOLS.

THIS IS A BIG ISSUE FOR INDIANA DEMOCRATS AND ONE THAT THEY HOPE WILL SWING SMALL TOWN VOTERS.

>> THE COMMUNITIES TAKE SO MUCH PRIDE IN THEIR SMALL SCHOOLS AND THE LEGISLATORS LAST SESSION SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO PUT IN FORCED CONSOLIDATIONS.

>> WE VISIT FOUR MORE HOUSES THAT DAY.

OFF COUNTY ROADS IDENTIFIED BY NUMBERS.

WHITCOMB TALKS TO EACH VOTER FOR A LONG TIME.

SHE SPEAKS WITH FRANKNESS THAT GETS PEOPLE TO OPEN UP.

THIS IS A DISTRICT WITH 68,000 RESIDENTS.

THAT'S A LOT OF DOORS FOR A SMALL PARTY.

DO RURAL DEMOCRATS REALLY HAVE A CHANCE.

PROFESSOR HELMKE SAYS THE LAST TIME THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATS PAID SERIOUS ATTENTION TO THE INDIANA ELECTIONS WAS THE 2008 PRIMARY.

THEY WERE ONE THE LAST TO VOTE AND BY THE GENERAL ELECTION, A STRONG DEMOCRATIC COALITION WAS IN PLACE.

SOLID RED INDIANA WENT BLUE FOR PRESIDENT, FIVE OF ITS NINE CONGRESSMEN AND THE STATE HOUSE.

BUT DAVIESS COUNTY, THE PLACE THAT WENT 80/20 FOR ITEM M.P.

2020, ARE SUPPORTED -- TRUMP IN 2020, SUPPORTED JOHN McCAIN.

IN '98.

CRITCHLOW DOESN'T THINK THAT HIS NEIGHBORS WILL EVER CHANGE THEIR MIND.

>> I DON'T GET MAD AT THEM.

I GET UPSET SOMETIMES WHEN THEY START ARGUING BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST THE FACTS OF LIFE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN AND -- SANDWEISS.

>> EARLY ELECTION BEGAN ON TUESDAY.

AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY STUDENT GROUPS ARE TRYING TO GET STUDENTS TO THE POLLS.

THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT MANY STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE AND ORGANIZERS SAY THEY ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

AND THEY ARE ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO VOTE EARLY.

>> THE DAY OF ELECTION DAY, IT MIGHT BE HARDER TO GET TO THE POLLS.

YOU MIGHT BE WAITING.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO CAST YOUR BALLOT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> I.U.

IS AGAIN TAKING PART IN THE BIG 10 VOTING CHALLENGE WHICH REWARDS UNIVERSITIES THAT REGISTER THE MOST STUDENTS.

YOU CAN EARLY VOTE AT THE VOTE CENTER ON SOUTH WALNUT STREET.

EARLY VOTING ENDS NOVEMBER 4th, THE DAY BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

FOLLOW ALL OF OUR ELECTION COVERAGE AT WTIUNEWS.ORG/ELECTIONS.

>>> THE BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE 2025 CIVIL CITY BUDGET.

THE $151 MILLION BUDGET INCLUDES WAGE INCREASES FOR POLICE, FIRE, AND COMMUNITY AND FAMILY RESOURCE DEPARTMENTS, NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS ANNEXATION PLANNING AND MORE.

HOWEVER, THE BUDGET RECEIVED A TAXPAYER OBJECTION PETITION ASCRIBED TO TEN RESIDENTS.

THE PETITION TOOK AIM AT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD, SAYING THE BUILDING OF A NEW CONVENTION CENTER WAS A MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS AFTER LENGTHY DISCUSSION, THE COUNCIL DECIDED THAT THE PETITION DID NOT WARRANT A MODIFICATION TO THE BUDGET BECAUSE IT WAS RECEIVED TWO MINUTES LATER THAN STATE STATUTE ALLOWS.

>>> THE INDIANA DAILY STUDENT I.U.

STUDENT TELEVISION AND WIUX RADIO ARE ALL NOW OPERATING UNDER SHARED BUSINESS OPERATIONS.

THE I.U.

MEDIA SCHOOL ANNOUNCED THIS TUESDAY AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST IMPACTS WILL BE THE DISCONTINUATION OF THE I.D.S.

'S WEEKLY PRINT EDITION NEXT SEMESTER.

>> THEY WERE SO SHOCKED AT THE PLAN THAT WAS DESIGNED BECAUSE THE PRINT PAPER IS IMPORTANT TO THEM.

OBVIOUSLY NOT EVERYONE READS PRINT NEWSPAPER, BUT, JUST BEING ABLE TO HOLD A PHYSICAL COPY OF YOUR WORK IS MEANINGFUL FOR A LOT OF OUR STAFFERS.

>> THE DECISION IS A WAY TO ADDRESS THE DAILY STUDENT'S ANNUAL $300,000 BUDGET DEFICIT.

THE PLAN SAYS PRINTING ONLY SPECIAL EDITION PUBLICATIONS WILL SAVE THE I.D.S.

$65,000 EACH YEAR.

THE DEAN OF THE MEDIA SCHOOL SAYS THE PLAN WILL FIX THE PAPER'S BUDGET ISSUES IN THREE TO FIVE YEARS.

>> AND I JUST WANT TOKING ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PAIN OF GETTING RID OF A WEEKLY EDITION, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT, WE ARE JUST WHAT ELSE WE HAVE TO ATTACK THE DEFICIT.

IT'S NOT RESPONSIBLE NOT TO DO THAT.

>> I.D.S.

SENATORS SAY THEY ARE EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO PRESERVE THE NEWSPAPER.

>>> THIS YEAR MARKS THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HAMAS' SURPRISE ATTACK ON ISRAEL THAT SPARKED A WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

PRO ISRAEL AND PRO PALESTINIAN GROUPS ON INDIANA'S CAMPUS GATHERED TO MEMORIALIZE THOSE KILLED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CONFLICT.

WITH AUBREY WRIGHT, ETHAN SANDWEISS HAS THIS REPORT.

>> HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CAME TOGETHER MONDAY NIGHT IN AN EVENT BE HOSTED BY SEVERAL LOCAL JEWISH GROUPS TO SHARE THEIR STORES FROM THE PAST YEAR.

MORE THAN 1200 ISRAELIS WERE KILLED AND AROUND 200 HOSTAGES TAKEN DURING THE HAMAS ATTACK LAST OCTOBER 7th.

ORGANIZERS SAY THE CAMPUS JUST HASN'T BEEN THE SAME PLACE SINCE.

>> WE ARE NOT HAVING THE SAME COLLEGE EXPERIENCE ANY LONGER THAT EVERY OTHER STUDENT IS ALLOWED TO HAVE, BECAUSE OF OUR IDENTITY.

AND THAT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM.

>> WFIU, WTIU WAS NOT PERMITTED TO ATTEND THE PRIVATE EVENT AT THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.

>> I DON'T THINK ANY OF US EXPECTED TO BE DEALING WITH THIS THIS PAST YEAR AND I THINK LAST NIGHT WAS FOR FIRST TIME IN A VERY LONG TIME A NIGHT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER, BE TOGETHER, MOURN TOGETHER, AND JUST REMEMBER EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR PEOPLE.

OF.

>> SHAFRAN SAYS JEWISH STUDENTS HAVE FELT ISOLATED AND AFRAID ON CAMPUS.

SHE SAYS JEWISH STUDENTS HAVE BEEN HARASSED, AND HAVE THEIR ADDRESSES AND INFORMATION SHARED ONLINE AND TOLD THEY HAVE TO CANCEL EVENTS BECAUSE OF SAFETY CERTAINS.

>> -- SAFETY CONCERNS.

SOME MOURNED THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PALESTINIANS AND LEBANESE THAT WERE KILLED IN ISRAEL'S ONGOING MILITARY RESPONSE.

>> IT'S AMAZING TO SEE THAT PEOPLE FROM LITERALLY ALL DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE, JEWS, AND ARABS AND MUSLIMS ARE COMING HERE TO SUPPORT US.

>> 40 PRO PALESTINIAN SUPPORTERS CAME WHERE THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEs OFFICIALS WERE MEETING.

PROTESTERS HAVE DEMANDED THAT I. U.

END THE RESEARCH WITH THE CRANE NAVAL BASE AND THE D.O.D.

BECAUSE OF U.S. MILITARY SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL.

IN A SCENE RECOMMEND NECESSARIANT OF THIS SCENE'S DEMONSTRATION AT DUNN MEADOW.

THEY CHANTED SLOGANS SUCH AS FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA.

>> WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT ANY MORE PEOPLE TO DIE.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE REASON THAT PEOPLE ARE DYING IS BECAUSE ISRAEL CONTINUES ITS ATTACK.

AND HONORING THE VICTIMS MEANS POINTING OUT THAT REALITY IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS.

>> WITH AUBREY WRIGHT, I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>>> PRO PALESTINIAN DEMONSTRATORS OCCUPIED PART OF CAMPUS FOR 100 DAYS THIS SPRING.

SINCE THEN, I.U.

HAS ENACTED NEW RESTRICTIONS FOR EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WE SIT DOWN WITH TWO OF THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 9 SEAT, CURRENTLY HELD BY REPUBLICAN ERIN HOUCHIN AND THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM IS UNDEFEATED AND DRAWING NATIONAL ATTENTION AT THE HALFWAY POINT OF THE SEASON.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT ERIN HOUCHIN IS FACING HER FIRST CHALLENGE FOR THE U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 9 SEAT WHICH INCLUDES BLOOMINGTON AND ELLETTSVILLE AND STRETCHES SOUTHEAST TO THE OHIO RIVER.

WE SAT DOWN WITH THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE TIM PECK AND LIBERTARIAN RUSSELL BROOKSBANK TO TALK ABOUT WHAT ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM.

HOUCHIN DECLINED SEVERAL REQUESTS FOR AN INTERVIEW.

FIRST UP, TIM PECK A PHYSICIAN IN NEW WASHINGTON.

>> YOU WENT TO HOLY CROSS HARVARD AND N.Y.U.

BEFORE GOING TO SILICON VALLEY.

>> MM-HMM.

>> IT'S AN UNUSUAL ROUTE TO GET TO NEW WASHINGTON, INDIANA, WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO MOVE THERE?

>> SO I LIVE IN NEW WASHINGTON, SMALL, 500 PERSON TOWN IN RURAL CLARK COUNTY ON A 40-ACRE FARM WITH MY WIFE AND MY SON.

MY WIFE IS FROM NEW WASHINGTON, AND WHEN WE WERE DECIDING WHERE WE WANTED TO RAISE OUR FAMILY, THE MIDWESTERN VALUES AND OFF -- KIND OF A LITTLE BIT OFF THE GRID ON A FARM SEEMED TO BE THE RIGHT PLACE FOR US.

SO WE HAVE OUR 2-YEAR-OLD CASS WHO IS AT HOME, AND GROWING UP FAST.

AND LOVE NEW WASHINGTON.

>> SO THIS WOULD BE -- IF YOU ARE ELECTED, THIS IS YOUR FIRST ELECTED POSITION.

>> THAT'S CORRECT, YEAH.

>> DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU ARE IN CONGRESS?

HOW DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR EXPERIENCES PREPARE YOU FOR THAT?

>> I KNOW THE PROCESS IN CONGRESS AND IN D.C. QUITE WELL.

AGAIN, SPENT ABOUT THREE YEARS ON AND OFF THERE MEETING EVERY SINGLE CONGRESSPERSON AT THE TIME, ARE TESTIFYING BEFORE CONGRESS, UNDERSTANDING HOW THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE WORKS.

I UNDERSTAND MEDICARE POLICY, V.A.

POLICY, MEDICAID POLICY, EXTREMELY DEEPLY, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, OVER 20% OF OUR BUDGET.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT BETTER THAN MOST, AND HONESTLY, THERE ARE'S ONLY A HANDFUL OF PHYSICIANS AND OTHER HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN CONGRESS RIGHT NOW, AND I THINK IT COULD USE A FEW MORE WHO UNDERSTAND THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, BOTH FROM THE FRONT-LINE, AS WELL AS THE BUSINESS OF HEALTHCARE, AND HOW THE OPERATIONS WORK.

>> HOMELESSNESS IS A BIG ISSUE HERE IN BLOOMINGTON, IT'S GOT A LOT OF LOCAL IMPLICATIONS BUT, YOU KNOW, THE SOURCES OF THIS PROBLEM HAVE TO DO WITH LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL CAUSES.

YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU WOULD DO IN CONGRESS TO TRY AND ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS?

>> THAT HAS TO DO WITH COMPLEX ISSUES, INCLUDING US LITERALLY.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, PRINTING SO MUCH MONEY DURING AND AFTER THE PANDEMIC TO HELP US MAKE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T GO INTO A DEPRESSION AND NOW WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY CIRCULATING AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD PUT MONEY INTO THE -- INTO THE ECONOMY CAUSING INFLATION.

ONE OF THE KEY THINGS WE NEED TO DO IS WORK ON INFLATION, OR WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE HOMELESSNESS FOR US.

>> WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON ELECTIVE ABORTIONS.

>> MY POSITIONS COME OUT OF MY EXPERIENCE.

AS YOU SAID I'M AN EMERGENCY DOCTOR.

I HAVE TREATED A LOT OF WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN RAPED.

I TREATED GIRLS WHO HAVE BEEN RAPED.

I TREATED WOMEN WHO WOULD HAVE DIED UNLESS WE TREATED THEM WITH AN ABORTION.

NEVER ONCE IN THOSE EXPERIENCES DID I THINK WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO SAY.

I DON'T BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT BELONGS INTO MY EXAM ROOM.

>> I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU WOULD ASSESS ERIN HOUCHIN'S PERFORMANCE SO FAR IN CONGRESS.

>> I DON'T THINK SHE'S DOING A GREAT JOB OF HEARING WHAT HOOSIERS HAVE TO SAY, AND BRINGING THAT BACK TO D.C.

RIGHT NOW.

ADD THIS IN, THAT IT'S BEEN THE LEAST PRODUCTIVE CONGRESS IN MODERN HISTORY RIGHT NOW.

AND SO PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING THINGS DONE IN CONGRESS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE HAVE A FAR RIGHT AND A FAR LEFT PARTIES SYSTEM GOING ON.

WE NEED PEOPLE MORE TOWARD THE MIDDLE WHO ARE WILLING TO COMPROMISE, NOT SEE THAT AS A DIRTY WORD, BUT WILLING TO COMPROMISE AND MOVE THIS COUNTRY FORWARD AND THAT'S WHAT I WILL DO.

>> NEXT IS RUSSELL BROOKSBANK, THE LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE IS FROM CLARKSVILLE AND PREVIOUSLY RAN FOR AN INDIANA STATE HOUSE SEAT IN 2020.

>> DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE A CHANCE AT WINNING IN THIS ELECTION.

>> I THINK EVERY ELECTION, I HAVE A CHANCE.

AND LIKE I I ALLUDED TO EARLIER, IT'S ALL UP TO THE AMOUNT OF -- YOU KNOW, HOW FED UP THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE.

YOU KNOW, HAVE WE REACHED THE POINT WHERE WE'RE READY TO DITCH THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM AND TAKE A CHANCE AND -- AND VOTE FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

AND, YOU KNOW, EACH ELECTION CYCLE I SEE US GAINING, GAINING GROUND, AND SO, YEAH, I BELIEVE I CAN WIN.

>> SO I HAVE A NOTE THAT SAID YOU FOUNDED THE PRO LIFE LIB TEARION CAUCUS -- LIBERTARIAN CAUCUS.

IS THAT RIGHT.

>> YES.

>> DO YOU FEEL THAT IS CONTRARY TO PERSONAL FREEDOM.

>> I BELIEVE THAT ABORTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE NON-AGGRESSION PRINCIPLE.

SO IT VIOLATES ONE THE VERY BASIC TENETS OF LIBERTARIANISM.

SO WOULD I BAN ALL ABORTION?

NO.

BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE THAT A WOMAN HAS A RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE, AND IF A PREGNANCY IS KILLING HER, THEN SHE ABSOLUTELY HAS A RIGHT TO DEFEND HER LIFE.

I ALSO BELIEVE THAT IF A WOMAN IS RAPED, THEN SHE WAS IMPREGNATED AGAINST HER WILL, AND EVEN THOUGH I BELIEVE THAT TWO WRONGS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT, I DO NOT -- I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE FORCE SOMEONE TO -- TO CARRY A CHILD THAT HAS RESULTED FROM A RAPE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND DO YOU AGREE WITH FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR UNIVERSITIES SUCH AS GUARANTEED STUDENT LOAN PROTECTIONS?

>> NO, I DO NOT.

I THINK THAT THE GUARANTEED STUDENT LOANS HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT INCREASED THE COST OF COLLEGE EDUCATION.

YOU KNOW, THEY -- THE COLLEGES AND THE BANKS SAY, OKAY, WELL, WE KNOW WE'RE GETTING AT LEAST THIS MUCH.

AND SO WE'LL -- YOU KNOW, WE COULD AT LEAST CHARGE THIS.

AND SO, NO, I DON'T BELIEVE IN TAXPAYER-FUNDED COLLEGE LOANS.

OF YOU KNOW, IF I THINK THAT -- IF YOU WANT HIGHER EDUCATION, AND THEN YOU SHOULD GET IT.

I MEAN, IT USED TO BE THAT YOU COULD WORK A JOB IN THE SUMMER AND PAY FOR COLLEGE.

YOU CAN'T DO THAT ANYMORE.

AND WHY IS THAT?

AND I THINK IT'S BECAUSE OF THE GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY BRIEF CLOSING COMMENTS?

>> YOU KNOW, I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO VOTE FOR ME, BUT I DON'T CARE WHO YOU VOTE FOR.

JUST GO, PARTICIPATE.

LEARN.

AND BECOME ACTIVE IN THE PROCESS.

>> YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS ON OUR WEBSITE, WTIUNEWS.ORG/ELECTIONS.

>> AT THE MIDWAY POINT OF THE SEASON, THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM IS A PERFECT 6-0 AND RANKED NUMBER 18 IN THE NATION.

AS PAT BEANE REPORTS, THE HOOSIERS ARE DEFYING MOST EXPECTATIONS, EXCEPT THOSE OF FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH CURT CIGNETTI.

>> THERE WAS NO DOUBT HE COULD TURN THE INDIANA FOOTBALL PROGRAM AROUND WHEN HE TOOK THE JOB LAST WINTER.

>> IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE, I WIN.

GOOGLE ME.

>> AND HE HAS.

PICKED TO FINISH 17th IN THE 18 TEAM BIG TEN, INDIANA HAS ALREADY WON AS MANY CONFERENCE GAMES AS IT DID IN THE LAST THREE SEASONS COMBINED AND AT 6-0, THEY ARE OFF TO THE BEST START SINCE 1967, AND THEY ARE ALREADY BOWL ELIGIBLE.

IT'S ALL A BIT OUT OF CHARACTER FOR A PROGRAM THAT'S TRADITIONALLY NOT BEEN VERY GOOD.

CIGNETTI SAYS IT'S NOT A SURPRISE DUE TO THE VETERAN COACHES AND PLAYERS HE BROUGHT WITH HIM FROM JAMES MADISON.

>> THEY CAME FROM CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAMS AND WON 20 OF THEIR LAST 21 GAMES, OKAY?

AND A LOT OF OTHER TRANSFERS THAT COME FROM GOOD PROGRAMS, AND THE GUYS THAT STAYED HAD A CHIP ON THEIR SHOULDER AND SOMETHING TO PROVE.

>> SEVEN STARTERS IN LAST WEEK'S GAME AT NORTHWESTERN CAME TO INDIANA FROM JMU.

THAT INCLUDES QUARTERBACK KURTIS ROURKE, A FORMER MIDAMERICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR AT OHIO UNIVERSITY.

HE HAS THROWN FOR 1700 YARDS AND TWO INTERCEPTIONS THIS SEASON.

>> COACH CIGNETTI TALKED ABOUT THE CHIP ON THE SHOULDER.

I THINK IT'S WE HAD A GREAT FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON AND WE HAVE A BIG SECOND HALF.

>> THE SECOND HALF WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT.

IT INCLUDES BACK-TO-BACK GAMES AGAINST NUMBER 24 MICHIGAN AND NUMBER 2 I HAD HIGH STATE.

BUT WITH THE OFFENSE AND THE DEFENSE RANKED IN THE TOP SEVEN.

THEY MAY BE IMPRESSING THEIR COACH.

>> I'M PROUD OF THE TEAM UP TO THIS POINT, WHICH I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO SAY, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY IMPROVE A LOT MORE, AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH THE REGULAR SEASON.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>>> INDIANA HAS A BYE THIS WEEKEND.

THE HOOSIERS PLAY NEXT SATURDAY WHEN THEY HOST NEBRASKA FOR HOMECOMING.

I.U.

ANNOUNCED ON THURSDAY THAT GAME IS A SELLOUT.

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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