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

>>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA WILL HAVE A NEW GOVERNOR NEXT YEAR, AND VOTERS WILL DETERMINE IF IT'S REPUBLICAN MIKE BRAUN, DEMOCRAT JENNIFER McCORMICK OR LIBERTARIAN DONALD RAINWATER.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE THREE CANDIDATES LOOKING TO REPLACE TWO-TERM GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB.

>> THERE'S BEEN SOME POLITICIANS OUT THERE WHO FEEL THEY CAN SCORE POLITICAL POINTS, PANDER TO THEIR BASE OF SUPPORT BY ATTACKING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> THE 2024 ELECTION IS DAYS AWAY.

WHAT IMPACT COULD THESE LEADERS HAVE ON INDIANA'S PUBLIC COLLEGES?

>> AND THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM GOES FOR PROGRAM RECORD 9th STRAIGHT WIN TO START A SEASON SATURDAY AT MICHIGAN STATE!

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.

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, AND THE CHOICE IN INDIANA'S GUBERNATORIAL RACE IS SHARPLY DIVIDED ACROSS POLICY LINES.

REPUBLICAN MIKE BRAUN, DEMOCRAT JENNIFER McCORMICK AND LIBERTARIAN DONALD RAINWATER EACH CAST VERY DIFFERENT VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE STATE.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDON SMITH DIVES INTO THOSE VISIONS WITH THE THREE CANDIDATES VYING TO REPLACE CURRENT GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE CONTROLLED THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR 20 YEARS BUT REPUBLICAN MIKE BRAUN'S MESSAGE IS NOT NECESSARILY FOCUSED ON CONTINUITY.

RATHER BRAUN SAYS REPUBLICANS HAVE BECOME COMPLACENT.

FOR INSTANCE, ON ADDRESSING HIGH HEALTHCARE COSTS.

>> NO ONE REALLY WANTS TO TACKLE HEALTHCARE.

IT'S THE BIGGEST PART OF OUR ECONOMY.

THEY WRITE A LOT OF POLITICAL CHECKS.

ALL OF THAT.

I'VE GOT A TRACK RECORD WHERE I CAN DO IT AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> BRAUN'S PLAN IS FOCUSED ON PREVENTION AND WELLNESS, WHICH DEMOCRAT JENNIFER McCORMICK NOTES IS A MAJOR EFFORT OF GOVERNOR HOLCOMB'S HISTORIC PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM.

>> IT'S BEEN GOOD FOR HOOSIERS BUT IT'S AN EXPENSE BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT AS AN INVESTMENT.

>> EMPHASIZING BIPARTISANSHIP, BY ADOPTING GOP POLICY PROPOSALS IS A MAJOR PART OF McCORMICK'S CAMPAIGN.

McCORMICK WAS A REPUBLICAN WHEN HE IS SERVED AS STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

THAT DYNAMIC WORKS INTO LIBERTARIAN, DONALD RAINWATER'S SYSTEM, HE WANTS TO HAVE A TOTAL SHIFT IN HOW GOVERNMENT OPERATES.

>> I SEE THINGS THAT ARE BROKEN.

TAKE PROPERTY TAXES, ALL THREE CANDIDATES HAVE PLANS FOR PROVIDING RELIEF FROM HIGH PROPERTY TAX BILLS.

McCORMICK'S FOCUSES ON RELIEF FROM STATE INCOME TAXES.

>> WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOCAL FUNDING, WHEN YOU HAVE SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY AND POLICE AND PARKS AND THE LIST GOES ON THAT ARE BEING FUNDED THROUGH THAT AND I TALKED TO ENOUGH LOCAL LEADERS, THEY'RE LIKE, WE CANNOT SUSTAIN THAT.

>> BRAUN'S PUTS MUCH GREATER BURDEN ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

>> THE BILL IS ALMOST ABOUT THE FEATURE OF LIMITING INCREASES IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE THAT'S THE COMPLAINT THAT EVERYBODY HAD IS THEIR BILLS GOT SKEWED BY THINGS THAT HAPPENED FEDERALLY, THAT CREATED INFLATION.

>> BUT RAINWATER WANTS STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE THEIR PRIORITIES TO ACCOMMODATE A HUGE REDUCTION IN PROPERTY TAXES, A BIG PART OF THAT CHANGE ENDING TAX INCENTIVES USED TO LURE BIG COMPANIES TO INDIANA.

>> NOT OH, YOU ARE TAKING ALL OF OUR MONEY AWAY FROM US.

NO, I'M -- I'M SAYING THAT WE SHOULD TAKE THE MONEY AWAY THAT YOU ARE SKIMMING OFF THE TOP AND GIVING TO CORPORATIONS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CITIZENS.

>> RAINWATER'S PHILOSOPHY OF UPENDING THE STATUS QUO ALSO EXTENDS TO EDUCATION.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT THE 150 LEGISLATORS AT 200 WEST WASHINGTON STREET SHOULD BE MAKING EDUCATION DECISIONS FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

I BELIEVE THAT SHOULD BE PARENTS, TEACHERS, LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS.

WE NEED -- I BELIEVE WE NEED TO DECENTRALIZE EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

>> McCORMICK'S CENTRAL MESSAGE IS REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

SHE WANTS INDIANA TO UNDO THE NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN.

WE WILL EITHER HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO TRUSTS WOMEN OR WHO DOES NOT.

I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO HAS BEEN PREGNANT, AND I'VE GIVEN A LIVE BIRTH AND I UNDERSTAND FIRSTHAND THE COMPLEXITIES OF PREGNANCY.

>> BRAUN WAIVES ASIDE CRITICISM OF THE BAN, CALLING INDIANA A PRO LIFE STATE.

HIS SELLING POINT IS HIS CAREER BUILDING A SMALL AUTO PARTS DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS INTO A MULTIMILLION DOLLARS COMPANY.

>> I'M GONNA TRY TO FERTILIZE THE FIELD OF ENTREPRENEURS.

REMEMBER, I'M A MAIN STREET ENTREPRENEUR THAT WAS A SMALL BUSINESS, SCRAPPING, SCRAPING, JUST TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING TO SURVIVE FOR NEARLY HALF THE TIME I RAN IT.

>> MUCH OF WHAT DECIDES A STATE LEVEL RACE IS INFLUENCED BY NATIONAL POLITICS, SOMETHING THAT NONE OF THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR CAN CONTROL.

THEY HOPE THAT THE VISION THEY PRESENT TO VOTERS CAN HELP THEM CAPITALIZE ON WHICHEVER WAYS THE POLITICAL WINDS SHIFT THE RACE.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> AND WE'RE JOINED BY BRANDON SMITH.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE BEGAN, MIKE BRAUN WINNING APPEARED TO BE A FORGONE CONCLUSION, BUT THIS RACE FEELS TIGHTER THAN THAT.

WHAT'S CHANGED?

>> FOR ONE THING, THE SHIFT IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

KAMALA HARRIS BEING ELEVATED TO THE TOP OF THE POSITION, ENERGIZED A LOT OF DEMOCRATS BUT THERE'S THE WILD CARD OF MICAH BECKWITH.

JENNIFER McCORMICK'S CAMPAIGN HAS HIGHLIGHTED BECKWITH'S EXTREME BELIEFS AND PAINT IT AS TOO OUTSIDE THE HOOSIER MAIN STREAM.

>> DONALD RAINWATER, COULD HE BE A SPOILER IN THIS ELECTION.

>> ABSOLUTELY WHICH IS LIKELY WHY THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY SENT OUT MAILERS ATTACKING RAINWATER IN RECENT WEEKS.

RAINWATER GOT 11% OF THE VOTE IN 2020, WHICH WAS A RECORD FOR A LIBERTARIAN.

I DON'T THINK HE WILL HIT DOUBLE DIGITS, BUT IF HE GETS CLOSE AND THE BRAUN McCORMICK RACE IS TIGHT, THAT COULD HELP TO SWAY THE OUTCOME.

>> LET'S SWITCH OVER TO THE RACE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL, DRAWING A LOT OF ATTENTION, DESTINY WELLS HAS REALLY GONE AFTER TODD ROKITA'S MULTIPLE DISCIPLINARY ISSUES.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT RACE.

>> AND SHE'S DONE THAT AND THE NATIONAL ATTORNEY GENERAL ASSOCIATION HAS POURED MONEY INTO THE RACE TO MAKE SURE THAT TODD ROKITA IS NOT DRAGGED DOWN BY THE CONTROVERSIES THAT HE'S HELPED TO CREATE, BUT IT'S REALLY HARD FOR A DEMOCRAT TO WIN STATEWIDE AND PARTICULARLY HARD FOR DESTINY WELLS TO BREAKTHROUGH WITH HER MESSAGE IN AN ELECTION YEAR THAT'S SO MUCH OF THE ATTENTION AND THE NOISE IS EATEN UP BY THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE AND THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

>> AND THE REPUBLICANS, YOU KNOW, HAD THAT SUPER MAJORITY STATE FOR A DOZEN YEARS.

DO YOU SEE THIS YEAR'S ELECTION CHANGING THAT IN ANY WAY?

>> WELL, SO MUCH, AGAIN, DEPENDS ON NATIONAL POLITICS, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOWN BALLOT RACES, BUT DEMOCRATS HERE ARE TARGETING A SMALL HANDFUL OF HOUSE SEATS TO FLIP, ONE IN THE BLOOMINGTON AREA WHICH WAS THE CLOSEST HOUSE RACE TWO YEARS AGO AND THEN A LOT OF SUBURBAN DISTRICTS AROUND INDIANAPOLIS.

AND IF THEY CAN WIN FOUR OF THOSE SEATS AND HOLD ON TO ALL OF THE ONES THEY CURRENTLY HOLD, THAT WOULD BREAK THE HOUSE SUPER MAJORITY.

NOW FLIPPING FOUR SEATS IN ONE CYCLE WOULD BE A HUGE CHALLENGE, THOUGH.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS BRANDON.

I KNOW IT WILL BE QUITE A WEEK AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR COVERAGE ON ELECTION DAY.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

>> YOU CAN FIND ALL THE LATEST ELECTION NEWS, FULL INTERVIEWS WITH KEY CANDIDATES.

MORE ON OUR ELECTION PAGE, WTIUNEWS.ORG/ELECTION.

>>> THE LONE DEBATE IN INDIANA'S 2024 U.S. SENATE RACE WAS A SEDATE EXCHANGE BETWEEN JUST TWO OF THE THREE CANDIDATES.

AS REPUBLICAN JIM BANKS DECLINED TO PARTICIPATE.

BUT DEMOCRAT VALERIE McCRAY AND LIBERTARIAN ANDREW HORNING DID DISAGREE ON SEVERAL TOPICS, INCLUDING HEALTHCARE, GUN REGULATIONS, AND THE COUNTRY'S SUPPORT OF CONFLICTS IN UKRAINE AND GAZA.

>> WE NEED TO REPRIORITIZE WHAT WE'RE USING GOVERNMENT FOR.

THE FACT THAT WE ARE FUNDING EVERY OTHER GOVERNMENT ON THE PLANET.

WE ARE USING OUR ARMIES AND DOLLAR TO FORCE OTHER COUNTRIES TO DO WHAT WE WANT WHEN WE ARE NOT TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN PEOPLE HERE AT HOME, THAT'S RIDICULOUS.

>> BUT HORNING AND McCRAY NEVER ARGUED, RARELY EVEN ADDRESSING EACH OTHER.

BANKS WAS MENTIONED ONLY TWICE BY EITHER OF HIS OPPONENTS.

McCRAY REFERENCED HIM IN AN ANSWER ABOUT SUPPORTING FEDERAL LEGISLATION, TO SPUR TECH MANUFACTURING.

>> MY OTHER OPPONENT, HOWEVER, HAS TRIED TO BLOCK THESE BILLS, THAT WE'RE BRINGING INFORMATION, BRINGING MONEY, BRINGING TECHNOLOGY TO INDIANA.

>> McCRAY ALSO USED HER FINAL WORDS IN THE DEBATE TO SAY BANKS SKIPPED IT BECAUSE HE DISRESPECTS HOOSIERS.

>>> VOTERS ARE LISTING THE ECONOMY AND IMMIGRATION AS TOP CONCERNS FOR THE 2024 ELECTION, BUT THEY MIGHT BE MISSING A MAJOR ISSUE IN BLOOMINGTON'S BACK YARD.

HIGHER EDUCATION REPORTER AUBREY WRIGHT HAS MORE.

>> THANKS, JOE.

ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE A LOT OF POWER OVER INDIANA'S PUBLIC COLLEGES, DECIDING WHO SERVES ON OVERSIGHT BOARDS, HOW MUCH MONEY THEY GET AND WHAT LAWS THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW.

THESE LEADERS COULD PUSH INDIANA COLLEGES IN A NEW DIRECTION.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HAS SEEN A LOT OF CHANGE AND CONTROVERSY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

FREE SPEECH, DIVERSITY PROGRAMS, AND LEADERSHIP ARE AT THE CENTER OF PROTESTS AND PUSHBACK.

IN INDIANA POLITICS AND HIGHER EDUCATION ARE TIGHTLY LINKED AND ELECTED GOVERNORS, SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES HAVE A BIG IMPACT.

>> IF FEELS LIKE THIS IS A POINT WHERE ACADEMIA IS AT A CROSSROADS AND WHAT HAPPENS IN ELECTION AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS IN THE STATEHOUSE IN TERMS OF POLICY WILL DETERMINE WHERE WE GO IN THE FUTURE.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE A SUPER MAJORITY AND KEEPING IT AFTER THE ELECTION WOULD NOT BE A SURPRISE.

THEY PROPOSE CUTTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, ELIMINATING DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS, BUT NOT EVERYONE AGREES.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, HIGHER EDUCATION HAS BECOME A POLITICAL FOOTBALL.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME POLITICIANS OUT THERE WHO FEEL THEY CAN SCORE POLITICAL POINTS, PANDER TO THEIR BASE OF SUPPORT BY ATTACKING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> REPUBLICAN MIKE BRAUN AND DEMOCRAT JENNIFER McCORMICK ARE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR AND THE WINNER HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE, CHOOSING WHO LEADS INDIANA'S PUBLIC COLLEGES.

>> WHOEVER IS ELECTED GOVERNOR WILL APPOINT THE TRUSTEES UNIVERSITY, THE MAJORITY OF THEM, SIX OUT OF NINE FOR INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

>> ALUMNI-ELECT, THE OTHER THREE AT I.U.

TRUSTEES GOVERN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY, THEY ARE THE FINAL AUTHORITY ON ALL ISSUES.

THEY APPROVE THE UNIVERSITY LEADERS, INCLUDING PRESIDENTS AND THEY DECIDE COMPENSATION AND GOALS FOR THOSE PRESIDENTS.

>> IT'S KIND OF A CASCADING EFFECT.

SO IF YOU WANT TRUSTEES THAT WILL CHOOSE GOOD PEOPLE TO RUN THE INSTITUTION, IF YOU WANT AN ADMINISTRATION THAT IS GOING TO RESPECT FACULTY, YOU HAVE TO START BY BECOMING POLITICALLY ACTIVE.

>> VOTERS MIGHT WANT TO FOLLOW THE MONEY.

EDUCATION, ACCOUNTS FOR HALF OF INDIANA'S STATE BUDGET.

LEGISLATORS DECIDE HOW MUCH FUNDING COLLEGES GET AND OFTEN PROVIDE MONEY FOR MAJOR PROJECTS.

BUT NOW, COLLEGES COMPETE FOR FUNDING WITH TECHNICAL AND WORKFORCE TRAINING.

THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN REVENUE THROUGH TUITION.

>> THAT TENSION IS THE BASIC ARGUMENT OF WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR ECONOMY AND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES.

WE HAVE SEEN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES NOT CHOOSING TO GO TO COLLEGE AND OTHER ITEMS.

>> ELECTED OFFICIALS DETERMINE HOW MUCH THEY GAVE.

THEY GAVE I.U.

AND PURDUE UNIVERSITY $60 MILLION EACH TO BUILD UP INDIANAPOLIS CAMPUSES.

THEY BELIEVE IT WILL HELP MORE HOOSIERS GET VALUABLE JOBS WITH HARD SCIENCE DEGREES.

AT THE SAME TIME, LAWMAKERS CUT FUNDING TO I.U.

'S KINSEY INSTITUTE, WHICH SPECIALIZES IN SEXUALITY AND GENDER RESEARCH.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER LORISSA SWEET, LED THOSE CUTS AND FALSELY CLAIMING THAT KINSEY ABUSED CHILDREN.

>> THERE'S QUESTIONS ABOUT RULES AND REGULATIONS AND WHAT'S GOING ON.

A LOT OF TIMES THIS INTEREST, I BELIEVE, IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH THE FUNDING AND WHAT YOU ARE NOT DOING.

>> TENSION IS BUILDING AROUND FREE SPEECH AND CULTURE, AROUND THE COUNTRY VOTERS AND LEADERS ON THE RIGHT BELIEVE COLLEGE CAMPUSES ARE TOO LIBERAL, AND HOSTILE TO CONSERVATIVE IDEAS.

>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE THIS AS A MAJOR ISSUE, A QUESTION OF WHAT COLLEGE CAMPUSES ALLOW AND WHAT THEY PROHIBIT AND HOW THAT PLAYS A ROLE IN TERMS OF THE POLITICAL PARTISAN DYNAMIC.

>> LAWMAKERS ARE RESPONDING.

THIS YEAR GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB SIGNED SENATE ENROLL ACT, 202 INTO LAW.

IT FORCES FACULTY TO TEACH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, IF THEY COULD BE FIRED IF THEY DON'T.

IT WAS A MOVE TO MAKE CONSERVATIVE STUDENTS FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE ON CAMPUS.

INSTRUCTORS AND UNIVERSITY LEADERS, SUCH AS I.U.

PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN STRONGLY DISAGREED WITH THE LAW.

THEY SAY IT LIMITS ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND WILL WEAKEN COLLEGES.

>> THE LEGISLATURE IS REACHING DEEPLY INTO HOW THE FACULTY ARE EVALUATED AND WHAT HAPPENS WITHIN THE CLASSROOM.

AND I THINK THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF OVERREACH.

>> S.E.A.202 TAKES AIM AT D.E.I.

THEY HAVE TO GET RID OF STATEMENTS SUPPORTING DIVERSITY AND REPORT FUNDING AND PURPOSES FOR D.E.I.

PROGRAMS.

SIMILAR LAWS COULD BE ON THE BOOKS NEXT YEAR.

>> I THINK IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT IN THE UPCOMING SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL GO AFTER THE D.E.I.

FRAMES.

>> THIS COULD BE A TURNING POINT FOR INDIANA COLLEGES.

AT LEAST ONE GROUP SHOULD NOT BE COUNTED OUT OF THE CONVERSATION, STUDENTS.

>> THIS BEING A VERY EXCITING AND VERY CLOSE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, THIS IS WHERE WE COULD REALLY SEE THOSE YOUNGER VOTERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND TIPPING THE SCALES IF THEY TURN OUT TO VOTE.

>> AROUND INDIANA'S COLLEGE CAMPUSES, EVERYONE WANTS TO GET MORE PEOPLE TO THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY.

REPORTING FROM INDIANA UNIVERSITY, FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M AUBREY WRIGHT.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VISITORS DESCEND UPON BROWN COUNTY EVERY FALL FOR THE CHANGING COLORS OF THE LEAVES, INCLUDING NUMEROUS ARTISTS.

AND THE 13th RANKED INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM LOOKS TO CONTINUE ITS PERFECT SEASON THIS SATURDAY AT MICHIGAN STATE.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WE'RE JOINED NOW BY SHELBY FOR HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE.

I HAD SHELBY.

>> BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL VISITED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE PAY INCREASES FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT AND MANY POSITIONS ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTS ON WEDNESDAY.

THE SALARY FOR A FIREFIGHTER FIRST CLASS WAS INCREASED FROM ROUGHLY $54,000 A YEAR TO $78,000 A YEAR FOR 2025.

THAT WILL GO UP ROUGHLY $83,000 A YEAR IN 2026.

POLICE WILL RECEIVE A BASE PAY INCREASE OF $12,000 FOR OFFICER FIRST CLASS AND SENIOR POLICE OFFICER POSITIONS.

>> BASICALLY THE LAST QUARTER OF THE YEAR, WE WILL BE HIRING FOUR SWORN OFFICERS FROM OTHER AGENCIES.

SO THAT'S A REALLY GOOD SIGN FOR US.

>> THE RAISES TAKE EFFECT ON JANUARY 1st.

>> 15 INDIANA UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS ARE CLAIMING FANS LINED UP FOR ESPN'S GAMEDAY SHOW LAST SATURDAY MORNING AND IT BROKE I.

U.

'S EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY POLICY.

IT BANS GATHERINGS BETWEEN 11 P.M. AND 6 A.M. ESPN SET UP A SPECIAL GAMEDAY EVENT NEAR MEMORIAL STADIUM.

FANS AND STUDENTS CAMPED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT BEFORE HOOSIER FOOTBALL TEAM BEAT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON.

>> THE UNIVERSITY IS NOT ALLOWED TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITIES THEY ARE OKAY AND WHICH ARE NOT.

>> LICHTENSTEIN SAYS ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS, PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE A FOOTBALL GAME AND ATTEND A CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL.

AN I.U.

SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE ESPN EVENT WAS, QUOTE, SANCTIONED AND OPERATED WITH I.U.

'S CONSENT AND DID NOT VIOLATE THE POLICY.

>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON UTILITIES IS ALTERING ITS WATER TREATMENT PROCESS, AFTER RESIDENT COMPLAINED ABOUT ODOR AND TASTE.

TEMPORARILY USING A POWDERED ACTIVATED CARBON SOURCED FROM MORE COCONUT HUSK THAN WHAT IT WAS BEFORE.

>> WHEN WE STARTED TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THE COMPOUND THAT PEOPLE SAY TASTE MUSTY, WE STARTED TO SWITCH -- WE SWITCHED OVER TO THIS PRODUCT.

>> POWDERED ACTIVATED CARBON IS USED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CITY'S WATER TREATMENT PROCESS AND THEN FILTERED OUT.

IT HELPS ABSORB CONTAMINANTS THAT AFFECT THE WATER'S TASTE AND SMELL ALONG WITH PESTICIDES AND BIOCIDES.

>>> CLIMATE CHANGE IS LEADING TO MORE POWERFUL WEATHER EVENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE BUT VIEWERS WANTED TO KNOW IS IT TOO LATE TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTERS' REBECCA THIELE REPORTS IT'S A QUESTION THAT SPURRED A LOT OF SCIENTIFIC DEBATE.

>> INDIANA STATE CLIMATOLOGIST BETH HALL BELIEVES THE EARTH WILL RETURN TO THE NATURAL CHANGES IN CLIMATE THAT WE SAW BEFORE THE INDUSTRIAL AGE.

WHEN WILL THAT BE?

NO ONE KNOWS.

IF WE STOP BURNING FOSSIL FUELS, IT COULD TAKE DECADES OR 100 YEARS.

>> AND THEN WHAT DAMAGE WILL HAVE OCCURRED ON OUR PLANET OVER THAT LONG PERIOD OF TIME?

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE SEEN THE PEAK YET OF IMPACTS ON EARTH.

>> REGARDLESS, HALL SAYS WE NEED TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE RIGHT NOW, IN ORDER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO THRIVE.

>> CAN WE MAKE A DECISION THAT WE WILL NEVER SEE PERSONALLY OR PERHAPS OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WILL NEVER SEE PERSONALLY.

>> AND SCIENTISTS SAY EVERY DEGREE OF WARMING WE CAN AVOID MEANS A BRIGHTER FUTURE WITH A POTENTIAL TO SAVE MILLIONS OF LIVES AND KEEP MANY SPECIES OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS FROM GOING EXTINCT.

I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> SCIENTISTS SAY CLIMATE CHANGE CAN MAKE FLOODING, EXTREME HEAT, TICK DISEASES AND REDUCE CROP YIELDS WORSE IN INDIANA.

>>> THE INDIANA FEVER ARE BRINGING BACK FORMER PURDUE STANDOUT STEPHANIE WHITE AS THEIR HEAD COACH.

WHITE PLAYED FOR THE FEVER IN THE EARLY 2000s, AND COACHED THE TEAM IN 2015 AND 2016.

SHE SUCCEEDS CHRISTIE SIDES WHO WAS FIRED WEDNESDAY AFTER TWO SEASONS, AND DESPITE LEADING THE FEVER TO THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN EIGHT YEARS.

>>> THE KIRKWOOD CANDLE BAR WILL BE MOVING INTO THE BUILDING THAT HOUSED THE IRISH LION NEXT YEAR.

THE STORE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED IN THE NEARBY FOUNTAIN SQUARE MALL AND OFFERS CANDLE-MAKING CLASSES.

KOURTNEY O'ROURKE SAYS THE BUILDING WILL GIVE THEM MORE SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE LARGER GROUPS.

SHE SAYS THEY ARE PLANNING TO KEEP THE BAR TOP TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE BUILDING'S HISTORY.

AND JOE, THAT BUILDING DATES BACK TO THE LATE 1800s.

THE PICTURE OF THE BAR WAS ACTUALLY USED IN THE OPENING CREDITS OF "CHEER."

>> I WONDER IF THEY WILL ORDER THE BLARNEY PUFF BALLS.

>> THEY ARE AMAZING!

>> WHENEVER THE LEAVES START TO CHANGE COLOR, MANY PEOPLE CHOOSE TO GO TO BROWN COUNTY.

PEOPLE CAPTURE THE VIEWS WITH CAMERAS AND OTHERS HAVE PAINTINGS.

WE LEARN WHAT DRAWS PEOPLE TO THE AREA.

♪ >> THEY CALL IT CHASING THE LIGHT.

I STARTED DOING IT IN 2024 AS AN EXERCISE.

IT'S KIND OF SELF-TAUGHT, JUST THROUGH EXPERIENCE, BUT THAT'S ALSO MISLEADING BECAUSE I PAINT WITH SO MANY OTHER PAINTERS AND WE ARE ALWAYS TEACHING EACH OTHER THINGS AND GIVING EACH OTHER IDEAS.

>>> SEEING THE PAINTERS THAT HAVE -- HAVE PAINTED THESE SCENES BEFORE ME, I FIND A TON OF INSPIRATION IN THAT.

THIS TIME OF YEAR, THE PAINTINGS AT SUNRISE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE COLOR VARIETY.

IT MAKES PAINTING THEM MORE DIFFICULT, BUT I THINK THAT DIFFICULTY IS ALSO WHAT MAKES IT SO MUCH FUN AND CHALLENGING TO DO.

AND IT BECOMES HARDER TO LOOK AT THIS WITH FRESH EYES.

SOMETIMES THAT'S LIKE A HURDLE TO OVERCOME.

YOU KNOW, IF I COULD GO BACK IN TIME, AND FORGET EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT PAINTING OUT HERE AND START MAKING PAINTINGS FRESH AGAIN, I ACTUALLY WOULD PROBABLY DO THAT AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHAT THE PAINTINGS LOOK LIKE.

NOW FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, AND PROBABLY FOR BOTH OF THOSE, ALL OF THAT EXPERIENCE INFORMS WHAT I DO OUT HERE.

♪ >> I DON'T FIND A HARD TIME WAKING UP, LIKE IT FEELS A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKE CHRISTMAS.

I WANT TO BE OUT HERE PAINTING.

SO IT -- WHEN THE ALARM GOES OFF, THERE'S NO SNOOZE.

THE LIGHT THIS TIME OF DAY IS VERY FLEETING.

SO IT'S -- I MEAN, WE ARE SOMEWHAT ON THE CLOCK, EVEN RIGHT NOW, I MEAN THE COLOR HAS CHANGED QUITE A BIT SINCE WE HAVE BEEN STANDING HERE.

♪ >> THIS IS ONLY AN HOUR FROM 2 MILLION PEOPLE.

I MEAN, WE DID SEE TWO PEOPLE THIS MORNING FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

[ LAUGHTER ] YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

IT'S LIKE, WHERE IS EVERYONE ELSE?

IF YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN THE SUNRISE IN BROWN COUNTY, YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY COME OUT AND WATCH IT.

>> AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY WILL HAVE STARTING QUARTERBACK KURTIS ROURKE BACK FOR SATURDAY'S GAME AT MICHIGAN STATE.

HEAD COACH CURT CIGNETTI SAID THAT ROURKE TOOK EVERY TEAM WITH THE FIRST TEAM ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, AND LOOKED SHARP.

HE MISSED LAST WEEK'S WIN OVER WASHINGTON AFTER HAVING SURGERY ON HIS RIGHT THUMB THAT HE INJURED IN THE OCTOBER 19th GAME AGAINST NEBRASKA.

INDIANA IS LOOKING TO START A SEASON 9-0 FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.

>>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM.

OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

♪ >>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE