>> Announcer: "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," CLOSING SCHOOLS.

IT'S ON THE TABLE AFTER MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL LEADERS RELEASED A REPORT THIS WEEK ON ENROLLMENT AND DEMOGRAPHICS.

>> YOU LOOK AT UTILIZATION PERCENTAGE THAT IS AS LOW AS YOURS, YOU HAVE TO ASSUME THAT THERE WOULD BE OPPORTUNITY TO CLOSE SOME SCHOOLS.

>> ONE THING THAT'S FOR CERTAIN IS THE MERGER OF CHILDS AND TEMPLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WON'T HAPPEN THIS FALL.

TWO MAJOR TECH PARK DEVELOPMENTS ARE IN THE PLANNING STAGES FOR THE WEST SIDE OF ELLETTSVILLE.

>> IT ALSO PROVIDES SOME ADDITIONAL HOUSING TO HELP SUPPORT THE EMPLOYMENT IN THE TECH PARK, THOUGH THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE EXCLUSIVE.

>> MORE ON THE TIMELINE FOR THE PROJECTS AND HOW THEY FIT INTO ELLETTSVILLE VISION FOR THE FUTURE.

>>> AND FAITH LEADERS ARE GRAPPLING WITH HOW TO SUPPORT DEATH ROW PRISONERS WITH EXECUTIONS EXPECTED TO RESUME UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>>> THESE STORES AND MORE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADERS ARE PRESSING PAUSE ON A PLAN TO MERGE CHILDS AND TEMPLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEXT FALL.

AT THEIR MEETING THIS WEEK, SCHOOL TRUSTEES SAID IT MADE MORE SENSE TO WAIT UNTIL THE DISTRICT COMPLETED A REDISTRICTING STUDY AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, THE POTENTIAL MERGERS HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL IN PART BECAUSE PARENTS SAY THE DISTRICT WAS RUSHING IT THROUGH WITHOUT RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT ON STUDENTS.

>>> THE POTENTIAL MERGER HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL IN PART BECAUSE PARENTS SAY THE DISTRICT WAS RUSHING IT THROUGH WITHOUT RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT ON STUDENTS.

THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED IN FEBRUARY TO STUDY THE POPULATION FOR REDISTRICTING WITH AN EYE TOWARDS BALANCING THE ECONOMICALLY SEGREGATED SCHOOLS.

RESULTS PRESENTED TO THEM ON TUESDAY, MADE THEM PUMP THE BRAKES.

>> I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE 2025 TIMELINE.

>> THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT PRESENTED FOUR OPTIONS FOR BALANCING SOCIOECONOMIC EQUALITY, AND MERGING TEMPLETON AND CHILDS BASED ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THE POPULATION REPORT.

A FULL MERGER OF CHILD AND TEMPLETON FOR FALL 2025, A PHASED MERGER IN 2025, A FULL MERGER IN 2026, OR A PHASED MERGER FOR FALL 2026.

>> I THINK THE -- WHAT APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM, OF ALL OF THESE, WEE KNEW THAT WE COULD DO -- WE KNEW THAT WE COULD DO ALL OF THESE OPTIONS BUT WHAT WE ALSO HEARD FROM OUR FAMILIES AND TEACHERS WERE CONCERNS ABOUT STUDENTS MAKING MULTIPLE TRANSITIONS AND WE DO KNOW THAT THAT IS A CHALLENGE AND WE KNOW WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS ABOUT THE MULTIPLE TRANSITIONS.

>> PARENTS WHO SPOKE WITH WTIU GENERALLY SUPPORT THE DELAY.

>> I'M IN BETWEEN WITH IT.

I MEAN IT'S OKAY FOR THE MERGER.

IT'S JUST MORE CONVENIENT FOR MY CHILD, OF COURSE TO STICK WITH THE SAME TEACHER FOOT BOARD DIDN'T VOTE ON THE CHANGE AT ITS MEETING.

THE STUDY ALSO FOUND THAT SOME ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ARE OPERATING BELOW OPTIMAL ENROLLMENT AND POPULATION DECLINE COULD MAKE INEFFICIENCIES WORSE.

THE DISTRICT MAY CONSIDER MORE THAN JUST MERGING TWO SCHOOLS.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE UTILIZATION PERCENTAGE THAT IS AS LOW AS YOURS, YOU HAVE TO ASSUME THAT THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITY TO CLOSE SOME SCHOOLS.

>> SMITH RECOMMENDED CLOSING URBAN SCHOOLS SUCH AS CHILDS AND TEMPLETON FIRST TO IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY.

THAT COULD SAVE A LOT OF MONEY BUT IT MIGHT MEAN A LOT OF STUDENTS TRANSFERRING.

APRIL HENNESSY, THE MCCSC BOARD PRESIDENT HE IS SHE WANTS TO AVOID -- SAYS SHE WANTS TO AVOID MULTIPLE MOVES FOR STUDENTS.

>> I HAD THAT REACTION AS WELL TO THINK, NO, WE CAN'T CLOSE OUR SCHOOLS.

WE LOVE OUR SCHOOLS AND WE, YOU KNOW -- BUT I DO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

I DO UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO RESOLVE ITSELF.

>> DECISION ON THE ROUTE FOR THE MERGER WAS SET FOR DECEMBER.

THEY AGREED THAT THEY NEEDED TO EXTEND THE TIMELINE AND WOULD LIKELY AMEND THE DEADLINE AT THEIR DECEMBER MEETING.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WITH BENTE BOUTHIER, I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>>> EARLIER THIS NO, WE TOLD YOU ABOUT A -- THIS MONTH, WE TOLD YOU ABOUT A TECH PARK IN ELLETTSVILLE.

THEY REZONED NEARLY 300 ACRES OF FARMLAND AS LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, ALLOWING BUILDINGS RELATING TO MANUFACTURING AND TECHNOLOGY.

NOW, THERE'S ANOTHER PROPOSAL THAT WOULD COVER ALMOST 250 ACRES ISABELLA VESPIRINI EXPLAINS.

>> THIS WILL BE ON THE WEST SIDE OF ELLETTSVILLE.

IT CALLS FOR MIXED MANUFACTURE, RETAIL AND OFFICE SPACE, AS WELL AS HOMES AND APARTMENTS.

IT WOULD BE BUILT HERE, OFF STATE ROAD 46.

IT'S NOT FAR ALONG AS THE OTHER TECH PARK.

IT STILL NEEDS TO GO THROUGH THE REZONING PROCESS.

DEVELOPERS WANT TO MAKE THE AREA ITS OWN SORT OF COMMUNITY.

PLANS CALL FOR HOUSING, OFFICE SPACE, POSSIBLY A WAREHOUSE, RETAIL SPACE AND BUSINESSES, SUCH AS A BANK AND RESTAURANTS.

THE RESIDENTIAL AREA WILL INCLUDE A VARIETY OF HOUSING OPTIONS.

>> SOUTH KOREA START OUT -- SO YOU CAN START OUT AS A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL IN AN APARTMENT AND MOVE UP TO A SINGLE FAMILY, SMALL STARTER HOME, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE, GET TO THAT ESTATE RESIDENTIAL PHASE AND THEN EVENTUALLY IF YOU WANT TO DOWNSIZE IN RETIREMENT, GO BACK AND STAY IN THE TOWNHOMES.

>> WHILE SOME OF THE HOUSING WILL HELP TO SUPPORT THE TECH SPOT.

THE DEVELOPMENT WILL HAVE 66 ACRES FOR A NATURE PRESERVE AND RECREATION AREA.

THE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE BUILT IN PHASES.

FIRST PHASE CONSISTS OF BUILDING A CONVENIENCE AREA WITH SPECIAL SPACES, SUCH AS A SUPERCENTER AND OTHER SHOPS.

THE TECH PARK PORTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT WILL POTENTIALLY HAVE AN ELECTRONICS LAB SPACE.

THE SECOND PHASE FOCUSES ON SINGLE-FAMILY LOT AND ESTATE RESIDENTIAL SPACES AND IT WILL FEATURE MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL WITH BOTH APARTMENTS AND TOWNHOMES.

>> SO ISABELLA WHERE, IS THE PROJECT RIGHT NOW?

>> IT HAS TO GO TO PLANNING AND ZONING.

>> WE HAVE THE TECH PARK AND THE OTHER ONE YOU REPORTED ON A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THEY ARE DIFFERENT AND SIMILAR.

>> IT'S UNCLEAR HOW MANY TECH PARK WILL CREATE.

THE SECOND ONE IS MORE A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY, BESIDES JUST HAVING A TECHNOLOGY SECTOR, THEY ARE INCORPORATING RESTAURANTS, SHOPS AND HOMES.

THE FIRST TECH PARK I REPORTED ON A FEW WEEKS AGO SEEMS TO BE MORE TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN BUT THE TOWN STILL HASN'T RELEASED MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THAT TECH PARK COULD LOOK LIKE YET, WHICH CITIZENS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

WE WON'T KNOW ANY INFORMATION ABOUT POSSIBLE TENANTS UNTIL THE DEVELOPERS BREAK GROUND AND START BUILDING.

>> SO THESE ARE TWO HUGE PROJECTS IN THE WORKS AT THE TIME.

TWO QUESTIONS HOW DOES IT FIT INTO ELLETTSVILLE LONG-RANGE GOALS AND CAN ELLETTSVILLE SUPPORT ALL OF THIS GROWTH.

>> THESE PROJECTS ARE SOMEWHAT RELATED TO THE ENVISION ELLETTSVILLE PLAN WHICH DOES AIM TO GROW THE TOWN.

WHILE BOTH PROJECTS AND JOB STUDENTS, IT DOESN'T INVOLVE ANYTHING RELATED TO ANNEXATION.

FIRST LAND FOR THE FIRST TECH PARK WAS ANNEXED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE SECOND WAS ANNEXED IN 2007 AND GEARED MORE TOWARDS ADDING NEW SHOPS, RESTAURANTS AND HOMES, WHICH THE ENVISION ELLETTSVILLE PLAN FOCUSES MORE ON.

THE TOWN IS PREPARING FOR THIS GROWTH.

THEIR POPULATION HAS INCREASED 4.3% IN THE LAST DECADE AND THEY HAVE BEEN BUILDING MORE RESIDENCES TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL OF THESE PEOPLE.

THERE IS ALSO A LOT OF SPACE AVAILABLE ON OUTSKIRTS OF ELLETTSVILLE FOR THE TOWN TO GROW.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS ISABELLA FOR YOUR REPORTING, LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING MORE AS THESE PROJECTS PROGRESS.

WELL, WE ARE JOINED BY CLAYTON BAUMGARTH FOR HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HEY, CLAYTON.

>> REPUBLICANS MAINTAINED THEIR SUPER MAJORITY AT THE STATE HOUSE.

THEY DISCUSSED THEIR PRIORITIES.

PAT BEANE HAS THIS REPORT.

>> INDIANA LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAY THEY LIKELY WON'T ENACT TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGES TO THE STATE'S TAX SYSTEM AND THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN STUDYING THE TAX COLD FOR TWO YEARS AN EFFORT INITIALLY AIMS AT ELIMINATING THE INCOME TAX.

BUT SENATE REPUBLICANS SAY THE FOCUS HAS SHIFTED LARGELY TO PROPERTY TAXES.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU WILL SEE REALLY BIG CHANGES HAPPEN THIS YEAR, MAYBE SOME TWEAKS TO KIND OF HELP THE PEOPLE FEEL A LITTLE LESS OF A PINCH THAN THEY HAVE.

>> HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS SAY ANY PROPERTY TAX CHANGES THAT AFFECT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WILL CREATE CALLS FOR REPLACEMENT REVENUE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE AWAY FROM ONE, HOW DO WE REPLACE IT TO MAKE SURE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN FUNCTION THE WAY THEY NEED TO.

>> HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERS SAY BIG CHANGES ARE NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRED.

>> WE ARE ATTRACTING PEOPLE, WE ARE ATTRACTING INVESTMENT.

PART OF THE REASON WE HAVE DONE THAT -- A LOT OF REASON WE HAVE DONE THAT, WE HAVE A GREAT TAX SYSTEM AND STABLE TAX SYSTEM.

WE'RE A RELIABLE TAX SYSTEM.

>> THE LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM BEGANS IN JANUARY.

I'M PAT BEANE.

>> THE MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS MET FOR FIRST TIME SINCE THE GENERAL ELECTION.

PARTY MEMBERS LAMENTED LOSSES IN STATE AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS.

DEMOCRATS CAPTURED LESS THAN A THIRD OF THE VOTE FOR MONROE COUNTY.

IT'S CURRENTLY HELD BY ERIN HOUCHIN.

>> AND IT'S SOMETHING WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT.

MAYBE THERE IS A BASELINE IN OUR DISTRICT THAT WE REALLY DON'T NEED MORE THAN 30 SOMETHING PERCENT OF THE VERY GERRYMANDERED 9th DISTRICT THAT WE LIVE IN.

WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT CANDIDATES, THREE VERY DIFFERENT LOOKS OVER A SECURE CYCLE.

>> TIM PECK, WHO CHALLENGED HOUCHIN IN DISTRICT 9 RECEIVED SLIGHTLY FEWER VOTES THAN THE PREVIOUS TWO DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES DESPITE RAISING NEARLY THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS THEY DID.

FOLLOWING THE RESULTS OF THE STATE AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS, ABORTION RIGHTS ADVOCATES SAY THEY ARE AFRAID OF HOUSE ACCESS TO REPRODUCTION CARE MAY BE AFFECTED.

INDIANA IMPLEMENTED ITS NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN NEARLY A YEAR AGO.

BUT THE CONCERN IS THE STATE COULD IMPLEMENT EVEN MORE RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL AND ABORTION.

>> WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN AN UPTICK AMONG FOLKS REACHING OUT TO RECEIVE LONG-TERM OPTIONS, LARKS, LIKE I.U.D.s.

WE KNOW THAT FOLKS ARE STOCKING UP ON EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVES.

>> BOWER SAYS ADVOCATES ARE ALSO WATCHING FOR POTENTIAL NATIONAL EFFORTS TO LIMIT TITLE NINE AND MEDICAID FUNDING WHICH COULD MEAN LESS ACCESS TO FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES, CANCER SCREENINGS AND S.T.

I.

TESTING FOR PEOPLE WITH LOWER INCOMES.

>>> ARCHITECTS ARE FINE-TUNING THE SITE PLAN IN THE FINAL DESIGN PLAN OF THE MOP ROW COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.

THAT INCLUDES ADDING WIDER SIDEWALKS THAT WILL DECREASE THE SIZE ALLOWING A MEDIAN FOR A BUS DROPOFF AREA.

THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD PRESIDENT WILL SELECT A NEW FACILITY NAME, SUBJECT TO THE REVIEW BY THE MAYOR AND PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

>>> AFTER SIX YEARS OF PLANNING, WORK ON BLOOMINGTON'S BICENTENNIAL GATEWAY ON THE NORTH SIDE OF MILLER PARK IS FINALLY COMPLETED.

THE HORIZONTAL LIMESTONE GATEWAY WAS REDESIGNED AFTER PUBLIC FEEDBACK CRITICIZED THE VERTICAL MODEL.

THE LIGHTS WILL GO ON FOR FIRST TIME TONIGHT.

IT WAS REOPENED EARLIER THIS WEEK.

>> I'M REALLY HAPPY TO HAVE THAT BACK OPEN, ESPECIALLY GIVEN ALL THE CONSTRUCTION WE HAVE BEEN SEEING IN TOWN AND HOPEFULLY RELIEVE SOME PRESSURE ON PEOPLE WHO WERE ABLE TO USE THAT ROUTE AGAIN.

>> AND JOE, A TOTAL OF $1.5 MILLION WAS EARMARKED FOR THE PROJECT WHICH IS GOOD BECAUSE I LIVE RIGHT NEXT TO THERE AND NOW I CAN TAKE MY ROUTE HOME THAT I USUALLY TAKE.

>> AND NOT TOO FAR FROM THERE, 4546, BACK TO FOUR LANES, TWO LANES EACH DIRECTIONS.

>> THINGS ARE LOOKING UP.

>> THANKS, CLAYTON.

COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," FEDERAL EXECUTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO RESUME UNDER A NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, AND FAITH LEADERS ARE SHARING THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT HOW TO SUPPORT DEATH ROW PRISONERS.

>>> AND I.U.

'S UNDEFEATED FOOTBALL TEAM IS DRAWING EXTRA ATTENTION TO THE UNIVERSITY AND BLOOMINGTON.

THIS WEEKEND, THE HOOSIERS FACE THEIR STIFFEST CHANGE.

THESE STORIES -- CHALLENGE.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE U.S. PENITENTIARY HAS A POSSIBLE LIBEL AFTER THE TRUMP ELECTION AND AS GEORGE HALE REPORTS, A SMALL COMMUNITY OF DEATH ROW SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY ADVISORS ARE STRUGGLING TO SUPPORT THE PRISONERS TO WHOM THEY MINISTER AND EACH OTHER.

>> ROSS TRIES TO LEAD A SIMPLE LIFE BY DESIGN.

HE MADE A COMMITMENT TO VOLUNTARY POVERTY.

>> SO I JUST SPENT PART TIME TUNING PIANO AS AS WAY TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILY WHICH IS GREAT.

I LOVE IT.

>> HE'S A MENNONITE AND HE SERVES AS A LAY MINISTER TO INCARCERATED PEOPLE.

>> I HAVE THE BLESSING AND THE BURDEN OF SPENDING LOTS OF TIME WITH LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOT A LOT OF BAGGAGE.

WE ALL HAVE LOTS OF BAGGAGE, BUT SOME IS MUCH MORE VISIBLE.

>> HE GOT A CALL FROM AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING A LITHUANIAN MAN SENTENCED TO A DEATH WITH A RUSSIAN CODEFENDANT.

THE LAWYER WANTED TO KNOW EILER.

>> I HAVE BEEN THE MINISTER OF RECORD FOR HIM.

HE'S A COMPLICATED GUY WHO DID SOME TERRIBLE THINGS BUT HE HAS -- AT LEAST AS FAR AS I HAVE KNOWN HIM, HE HAS AGED AND MATURED AND IS A KINDLY SOUL.

>> MINISTERS OF RECORD HAVE SPECIAL PERMISSION TO SERVE A PRISONER'S SPIRITUAL NEEDS, FOR THOSE WORKING WITH SOMEONE SENTENCED TO DEATH THERE'S ANOTHER COMMITMENT.

>> I HAD TO CONSIDER WHEN I WAS INITIALLY APPROACHED WAS CONSIDER BEING IN THE DEATH CHAMBER WITH HIM AND WHETHER I HAD THE SKILLS AND THE ABILITY TO NOT ONLY SURVIVE THROUGH THAT, BUT BE A LOVING AND PEACEFUL PRESENCE FOR HIM IN THAT MOMENT.

>> BACK IN 2021, EXECUTIONS WERE A DISTANT CONCERN.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ENTERED OFFICE AS FIRST PRESIDENT IN U.S. HISTORY TO OPPOSE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

LATER THAT YEAR, HIS ATTORNEY GENERAL ISSUED A MORATORIUM ON FEDERAL EXECUTIONS THAT.

FOLLOWED AN UNPRECEDENTED SPREE OF EXECUTIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

IN SIX MONTHS, THE ADMINISTRATION EXECUTED 13 AMERICANS MORE THAN ANY PRESIDENT IN A CENTURY AT A PENITENTIARY IN TERRE HAUTE WHERE ALL FEDERAL EXECUTIONS TAKE PLACE.

BUT GARLAND'S MORATORIUM DIDN'T COME AS A SURPRISE.

BIDEN CAMPAIGNED ON ABOLISHING THE FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY.

WITH LESS THAN TWO MONTHS IN OFFICE, THE CHANCES OF THAT HAPPENING ARE SLIM.

HE HAS OPTIONS.

FOR THE 40 MEN ON DEATH ROW.

ONLY HOPE IS A COMMUTATION OF A DEATH SENTENCE.

AS THE HEAD OF EXECUTIVE BRANCH, BIDEN HAS THAT UNFETTERED AUTHORITY.

HUNDREDS OF ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNIT ARE ASKING TO GRANT CLEMENCY TO NOT JUST INDIVIDUAL PRISONERS BUT EVERYONE ON DEATH ROW.

BIDEN IS AN UNPRECEDENTED PRESIDENT, BECAUSE HE'S THE ONLY ONE WHO TOOK OFFICE OPPOSED TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

>> WE KNOW SO MUCH MORE ABOUT HOW THE FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY HAS BEEN USED, PARTICULARLY IN THE WAKE OF THE 13 EXECUTIONS THAT OCCURRED DURING THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

>> THE EXECUTIONS UNDER TRUMP HAPPENED A RAPID PACE IN THE MIDDLE OF PAY PANDEMIC AND DESPITE UNRESOLVED ISSUES IN THE CASES.

COMMUTING THE SENTENCE COULD BE A HARD SELL FOR THE PUBLIC.

THEY INCLUDE DYLAN ROOF, WHO SHOT NINE PEOPLE AT AN AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCH.

AND ANTI-SEMITIC SHOOTER ROBERT BOWERS KILLED 11 PEOPLE AT A SYNAGOGUE IN PITTSBURGH.

DEATH PENALTY ABOLITIONISTS THINK THEY IDENTIFIED ONE ITEM.

PRESIDENT BIDE SEN A PRACTICING CATHOLIC.

THE CHURCH OPPOSES CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

>> I JUST WROTE HIM A LETTER.

I HAD SOME FRIENDS WHO SAID THEY WOULD GET IT BEFORE HIS EYES.

I EDITED THAT TO TRY TO PLEAD WITH HIM.

WHENEVER A HUMAN BEING HAS SOMEBODY'S LIFE IN THEIR HANDS, AND THEY DECIDE IF HE DIES OR NOT, THAT IS TO BE THE DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS.

LOOK AT THAT.

THAT IS IN OUR SYSTEM.

AND HE HAS THE POWER TO DO THAT.

AND THAT IF HE DOESN'T USE HIS POWER, TO SAVE LIFE, YOU KNOW WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN WITH TRUMP IN THERE.

AND SO I'M APPEALING TO HIM.

NOW IS THE TIME.

>> WELL OTHERS HOPE BIDEN WILL COMMUTE ALL FEDERAL DEATH SENTENCES.

ATTORNEYS ARE ASKING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO REVIEW AND MAKE COMMUTATIONS.

>> WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED UNDER HIS ADMINISTRATION.

IT WAS AN EXECUTION SPREE AT THE VERY END.

YOU KNOW, THEY KILL PEOPLE RIGHT UP UNTIL PRESIDENT BIDEN'S INAUGURATION.

>> PRISONERS NOW FEAR SOMETHING WORSE IS COMING.

>> FEDERAL PRISON, YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED FOR THIS CALL.

THIS CALL IS FROM... >> RAJAN TAYLOR WHO WAS SENTENCED FOR HIS DEATH IN THE MURDER OF A FRENCH CHEF IN GEORGIA CALLED HIS SPIRITUAL ADVISOR LAST WEEKEND AT HER HOME ON THE NORTH SIDE OF BLOOMINGTON.

>> HEY, RAJAN.

>> HEY, I'M SORRY.

>> TAYLOR IS AMONG AT LEAST 27 OF THE 40 WHO FILED FOR EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY: ACCORDING TO A REVIEW OF RECORDS BY WTIU.

TAYLOR SAYS HE'S BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY SO MANY OF THE OTHER PRISONERS HAVEN'T APPLIED.

>> HE TOLD ME THAT HE DIDN'T FILE BECAUSE HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE ALWAYS IN PRISON.

I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALIZE THAT EVEN LANGUISHING ON DEATH ROW WE ARE JUST EXISTING AND LIKE, EXTREME DEPRIVATION.

AND AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, IT'S LIKE WHAT AM I DOING IT FOR?

SOME GUYS SAY THEY CAME HERE TO DIE.

AND HE'S NOT TRYING TO FILE ANYTHING.

AND SOME GUYS ALSO LOOK AT IT LIKE THEY'RE INNOCENT AND THEY ARE NOT ASKING FOR NO MERCY.

THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG.

>> TRUE.

>> YOU JUST HAVE VARYING REASONS.

>> AFTER TALKING WITH TAYLOR, HE SAID HE HAD BEEN STRUGGLING SINCE ELECTION NIGHT.

HIS BEST FRIEND WAS AMONG THOSE EXECUTED IN 2020.

>> HE'S LIKE I CAN'T SEE THIS FOR MY COMMUNITY AGAIN.

I CAN'T GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN WITH THEM.

AND IT JUST REALLY -- LIKE, THE URGENCY OF EVERYTHING KIND OF SNOWBALLED IN THAT MOMENT.

>> SHE SAYS WHILE THE SMALL COMMUNITY OF MINISTERS OF RECORD BASED IN BLOOMINGTON ARE TRYING TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO HELP THE PRISONERS IN THE WAKE OF ELECTION RESULT, THEY ARE ALSO LEANING ON EACH OTHER.

AND FINDING WAYS TO FIGHT BACK.

>> WHAT CAN WE DO WITH THIS DESIRE IS FUNNEL IT INTO ACTION TO GET JOE BIDEN TO DO AWAY WITH DEATH ROW AND GRANT CLEMENCY.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M GEORGE HALE.

>> INDIANA IS RESUMING EXECUTIONS.

THE STATE PLANS TO EXECUTE JOSEPH COCHRANE IN DECEMBER.

HIS ATTORNEYS HAVE TILED A STAY OF EXECUTION, CITING THE PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIA.

>> WITH AN UNPRECEDENTED 10-0 RECORD, INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S FOOTBALL TEAM IS SPARKING A WAVE OF NATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION FOR THE SCHOOL AND A FINANCIAL BOOST FOR THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON.

ELYSE PERRY HAS THIS REPORT.

>> THE TELEVISION IMAGES SHOW SELLOUT CROWDS AND FALL FOLIAGE ABLAZE WITH COLOR.

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE SEE WHAT A PERFECT FALL DAY LOOKS LIKE AT I.U.

AND BLOOMINGTON.

TWICE THIS SEASON, THE POPULAR PREGAME SHOWS ESPN COLLEGE GAME DAY AND FOX BIG NOON KICKOFF ORIGINATED FROM CAMPUS.

THAT PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON EVERYTHING FROM THE NEW JOHN MELLENCAMP STATUE.

>> IT'S CREATING QUITE AN ECONOMIC IMPACT.

OUR TOURISM IS UP.

OUR HOTELS ARE GETTING BOOKED.

THE RESTAURANTS ARE PACKED AND THE RETAIL STORES ARE ALSO QUITE FULL.

SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED FOR -- FOR ALL OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> VISIT BLOOMINGTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MIKE McAFEE CALLED FOOTBALL THE KING OF TOURISM IN THE COUNTY.

>> I.U.

FOOTBALL, IN PARTICULAR, HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TOURISM EVENTS IN MONROE COUNTY, IN BLOOMINGTON, OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET UP TO 53,000 PEOPLE IN THAT STADIUM, THE IMPACT OF THAT IS INCREDIBLE.

>> LAST WEEKEND, HEAD COACH CURT CIGNETTI SIGNED A NEW EIGHT-YEAR $64 MILLION CONTRACT, MAKING HIM ONE OF THE HIGHEST PAID COACHES IN THE BIG TEN.

DAVID PIERCE, I.U.

INDIANAPOLIS DEPARTMENT CHAIR OF TOURISM EVENT AND SPORTS MANAGEMENT SAID THE CONTRACT IS A NECESSARY INVESTMENT.

>> I MEAN, FOOTBALL IS THE PREMIER SPORT THIS COLLEGE FOOTBALL THAT DRIVES EVERYTHING AND YOU HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVE.

AND YOU CAN'T BE AS GOOD AS I.U.

HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY AND THEN LET ALONE THE LAST THREE YEARS.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ELYSE PERRY.

>>> THE UNDEFEATED AND FIFTH RANKED HOOSIERS FACE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF THE SEASON ON SATURDAY, WHEN THEY PLAY A SECOND RANKED OHIO STATE.

THE WINNER WILL LIKELY FACE TOP RANKED OREGON IN THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP ON DECEMBER 7th IN INDIANAPOLIS.

>> IT'S A BIG GAME FOR US, BECAUSE IT'S THIS GAME COMING UP.

WE TREAT 'EM ALL ALIKE.

IF THERE WAS A BETTER WAY TO PREPARE, FOR A CERTAIN TEAM, WE'D DO THAT FOR EVERY TEAM.

>> INDIANA HAS JUST 12 WINS OVERALL AGAINST OHIO STATE, AND HASN'T BEATEN THE BUCKEYES SINCE 1988.

I.U.

IS ALSO A DOUBLE DIGIT UNDERDOG FOR THE GAME.

THESE HOOSIERS ARE HAVING A SEASON UNLIKE ANY IN HISTORY!

INDIANA HAS THE NATION'S THIRD BEST DEFENSE AND NUMBER TWO SCORING OFFENSE.

BEATING TEAMS BY AN AVERAGE OF 30 POINTS A GAME.

.

>> THE ONLY LIMITATIONS ON THIS FOOTBALL TEAM WOULD BE THOSE WE PUT ON OURSELVES.

AND BETWEEN OUR EARS.

BUT THIS IS A GROUP OF GUYS THAT -- THAT DO NOT THINK THAT WAY.

>> SATURDAY'S GAME KICKS OFF AT NOON ON FOX.

THE HOOSIERS WRAP UP THE REGULAR SEASON NEXT WEEKEND, WHEN THEY HOST RIVAL PURDUE.

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