>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>> WE'RE CALLING EVERYBODY TO JOIN US.

AND FOR THEM TO -- WE FEEL THAT IF EVERYBODY COMES TOGETHER THAT THEY EVENTUALLY CAN'T IGNORE US.

>> THE INDIANA GRADUATE WORKERS COALITION KICKED OFF A NEW CAMPAIGN CALLED WHITTEN GOES, UNION GROWS.

IT TAKES AIM AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN.

AFTER IGNORED CALLS, THE UNION IS DEMANDING CHANGE.

>>> THERE'S STILL TREE FARMS IN SOUTHERN INDIANA WHERE YOU CAN GO CUT DOWN YOUR OWN TREE BUT ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ARE MAKING THE GROWING PROCESS A BIT MORE CHALLENGING.

I SPOKE WITH LOCAL TREE FARMS ABOUT HOW THEY KEEP UP WITH DEMAND.

>> AND THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM WILL FIND OUT SUNDAY WHO THEY WILL PLAY IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS.

THESE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK"!

>>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M JOE HREN.

THE INDIANA GRADUATE WORKERS COALITION IS RESUMING ITS PROTESTS AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY AND PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN.

THE COALITION SENT A LETTER TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON NOVEMBER 1st, DEMANDING WHITTEN'S RESIGNATION.

THE COALITION RALLIED OUTSIDE SAMPLE GATES THIS MORNING.

AUBREY WRIGHT HAS MORE.

>> HEY, JOE.

THE NEW CAMPAIGN IS CALLED WHITTEN GOES, UNION GROWS.

SO THEY WANT I.U.

TO FIRE PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN.

THIS COMES AFTER A LOT OF CONTROVERSY ON THE BLOOMINGTON CAMPUS AND MULTIPLE VOTES OF NO CONFIDENCE.

THEY ALSO WANT I.U.

TO REVOKE THE NEW EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY POLICY.

SO THIS POLICY WAS PASSED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES THIS SUMMER, AND IT CAME AFTER HUGE PROTESTS ON CAMPUS.

THEY ARE ALSO ALIGNING WITH SOME OF THEIR USUAL DEMANDS, WHICH IS REQUESTING FORMAL BARGAINING AGREEMENTS WITH THE UNIVERSITY AND HIGHER WAGES.

I SPOKE WITH UNION PRESS OFFICER DAVID GARNER AND HE SAYS THE UNION WANTS TO WORK WITH THE UNIVERSITY.

>> WE DO THIS EVERY TIME, AND THEY CONTINUALLY IGNORE US.

NOT ONCE HAS WHITTEN EVER RESPONDED TO ANYTHING THE UNION HAS EVER SENT HER.

>> SO IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE HEARD FROM THE COALITION.

CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE BACKGROUND, AUBREY ON THEIR DEMANDS?

>> MM-HMM.

YEAH, THIS UNION WAS FORMED IN 2019, AND THEIR DEMANDS REALLY HAVEN'T CHANGED.

THEY ARE STILL ASKING FOR UNION RECOGNITION FROM THE ADMINISTRATION, AND LIVING WAGES.

AND THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY TRIED TO APPEAL TO THE ADMINISTRATION.

SO THEY HAVE BEEN ON SOME PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL STRIKES BEFORE IN 2022, THEY STRUCK FOR WEEKS AND THAT WAS -- THAT LED TO HIGHER PAY FROM THE UNIVERSITY.

THEY ALSO STRUCK LAST SPRING, WHICH, AGAIN, THEY ASKED FOR HIGHER PAY.

SO NOW THEY HAVE THIS CAMPAIGN TARGETING PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN, THE EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY POLICY AND THOSE TWO THINGS.

>> OKAY.

AND BEFORE YOU GO, JUST WHAT ARE THE PLANS GOING FORWARD?

>> MM-HMM.

I THINK IT'S HARD TO SAY.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW RIGHT NOW IF THIS UNION WILL GO ON STRIKE AGAIN, BUT I'VE BEEN TOLD TODAY AND IN THE PAST THAT THAT IS USUALLY THE LAST RESORT FOR THE UNION.

IT HAPPENS AFTER A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS AND A VOTE.

SO TODAY DAVID GARNER TOLD ME THEY MAY RESORT TO OTHER WAYS OF ORGANIZING AND COALITION BUILDING.

>> AUBREY THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> WELL, IT'S GETTING HARDER TO GROW CHRISTMAS TREES IN SOUTHERN INDIANA DUE TO THE RISING TEMPERATURES AND DISEASES.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI JOINS US FROM TWIN H TREE FARMS.

TELL US HOW LOW GROWERS ARE STILL MEETING THE DEMAND.

>> THANKS, JOE.

EXPERTS SAY EVERYONE WHO WANTS A REAL TREE WILL BE ABLE TO GET ONE.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ARE MAKING THE GROWING.

THEY CAN ONLY GROW WHITE PINE AND NORWAY SPRUCE.

>> IT'S CLAY SOIL.

SO IT DRIES OUT LIKE CONCRETE.

>> TWIN H HAS GONE FROM GROWING 150 ACRES OF TREES TO 20 ACRES OF TREES SINCE THEY OPENED IN 1985.

>> YOU HAVE TEN YEARS TO PROTECT THE TREE FROM THE ELEMENTS.

AND IF YOU ARE LUCKY, YOU GET A SALEABLE TREE.

>> HOPWOOD PLANTS BETWEEN 1,200 AND 1,400 TREES EACH YEAR AND HARVESTS 300 TO 400 ANNUALLY TO SELL.

IT TAKES ABOUT 8 TO 10 YEARS FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE TO GROW.

>> THEY ARE SHALLOW ROOTED TREES.

SO I HAVE A LOT OF FATALITIES AS SOON AS WE GET A DRY SPELL.

IF I CAN GET THE TREE IN THE FIELD TO SURVIVE THE FIRST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, I WILL PROBABLY HAVE A SALEABLE TREE.

>> A VARIETY OF BUGS AND BLIGHTS, AS WELL AS DEER EATING THE TREES ALSO MAKES IT HARDER TO KEEP THE CROP HEALTHY.

HOPWOOD CAN USUALLY SELL 60 TO 70% OF EACH YEAR'S HARVEST.

HOPWOOD HAS RAISED THE PRICES OF TREES IN THE HOPES OF MAKING MORE MONEY.

DEPENDING ON THE SIZE AND TYPE, IT RANGES FROM $50 TO $350.

>> I CAN'T GET ENOUGH MONEY OUT OF THOSE IN THE FIELD TO MAKE A PROFIT.

>> WHILE SHE HAS AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF TREES SHE RELIES ON HER SUPPLIER FROM MICHIGAN TO MEET DEMANDS FOR LARGER TREES.

MICHIGAN IS THE THIRD LARGEST TROWER -- GROWER OF CHRISTMAS TREES.

HOPWOOD RECEIVED 1,500 TREES FROM MICHIGAN THIS YEAR.

ANN'S GREENHOUSE SHIPS IN TREES FROM NORTH CAROLINA, ABOUT 900 FRAZIER FIRS.

>> THEY ARE KIND OF CADILLAC OF THE CHRISTMAS TREES.

THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY WANTS.

>> PENNINGTON HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ENOUGH TREES THAT ARE 9 FEET TALL AND ABOVE.

HE WANTED FOUR OR FIVE MORE.

HIS TALLEST TREE THIS YEAR IS 12 FEET INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL 14 FEET.

THE DEMAND FOR TALLER TREES IS INCREASING.

>> IT SLOW TO GROW.

SO THEY HAVE BEEN PLANTING MORE, BUT IT'S JUST NOW CATCHING UP TO DEMAND.

SO -- BUT THE -- THE TALLER TREES HAVEN'T HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GROW YET TO -- TO HAVE ENOUGH.

>> YOUNGER TREES ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE TO THE ANNUAL TEMPERATURES.

ANNUAL TEMPERATURES HAVE INCREASED 1 TO 2 DEGREES BETWEEN 1979 AND 2021 AND ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO RISE ANOTHER 5 TO 6 DEGREES BY 2050.

HIGHER TEMPERATURES ESPECIALLY IN THE FALL CAN DECREASE SOME TREE'S ABILITY TO RETAIN THEIR NEEDLES DUE TO LOST OF MOISTURE.

>> A LOT OF TIME GROWERS WILL HAVE TO HOLD OFF ON HARVESTING UNTIL THE TREES HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME COLD WEATHER.

>> BUT THIS BECOMES HARDER TO DO BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE STARTING THEIR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS EARLIER AND EARLIER.

MAY'S GREENHOUSE GOT CALLS FROM PEOPLE AS EARLY AS NOVEMBER 1st, ASKING WHEN THEY WOULD START SELLING TREES.

STUDIES SHOW EARLY CELEBRATIONS AND THE SITE OF HOLIDAY DECOR CAN IMPROVE MOOD AND INCREASE DOPAMINE LEVELS.

95% OF HOMES DISPLAY AT LEAST ONE TREE AND ALMOST 80% OF TREES DISPLAYED ARE ARTIFICIAL.

AROUND 85% OF ARTIFICIAL TREES ARE IMPORTED FROM CHINA.

>> IT'S JUST A CONVENIENCE, YOU KNOW, INSTANT CHRISTMAS.

SO I THINK THAT THAT'S VERY -- I THINK THAT'S VERY -- I THINK THAT'S VERY POPULAR.

>> EVEN THOUGH ARTIFICIAL TREES ARE GROWING IN POPULARITY, WARNER SAYS NOT TO WORRY ABOUT REAL TREES GOING OUT OF BUSINESS, EVEN WITH DROUGHTS AFFECTING CROPS IN THE NORTHEAST AND PACIFIC NORTHWEST.

>> I THINK THE POPULARITY OF BOTH TREES IS STILL EXTREMELY HIGH.

WE DO SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE DECORATING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOME WITH MULTIPLE TREES, WHICH IS FUN.

>> AS CLIMATE CHANGE CONTINUES TO MAKE TEMPERATURES RISE, FARMERS WILL HAVE TO ADAPT AND START GROWING TREE SPECIES THAT ARE MORE RESISTANT TO WARM WEATHER.

CANADIAN FIR AND TURKISH FIR BOTH HANDLE HIGHER TEMPERATURES WELL.

>> WE ARE ACTUALLY ESTABLISHING SEED ORCHARDS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE WILL COLLECT AND CREATE OUR OWN SEED SUPPLY IN THE UNITED STATES TO GROW THOSE TREE SEEDLINGS OUT.

SO EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT NATIVE TO THE U.S., WE WOULD PRODUCE THEM HERE.

>> EVEN THOUGH HOPWOOD STRUGGLES TO MAKE MONEY OFF THE TREES SHE GROWS, SHE STILL SEES THE VALUE OF KEEPING HER FARM OPEN.

>> I JUST GROW 'EM BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE TO WALK THROUGH 'EM.

>> OTHER FARMS IN INDIANA ARE HAVING A HARD TIME GROWING TREES AND HAVE RAISED PRICES, BUT THERE WILL STILL BE ENOUGH TREES TO GO AROUND.

REPORTING FROM TWIN H TREE FARMS FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ISABELLA VESPIRINI.

>>> BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL IS PLANNING TO REVISE A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD MORE THAN DOUBLE THEIR ANNUAL SALARIES.

DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE ORDINANCE THAT SPARKED PUBLIC BACKLASH IS NOW SCHEDULED FOR NEXT TUESDAY'S SPECIAL SESSION.

COUNCILMEMBER SYDNEY ZULICH HEADED THE PROPOSAL IT WOULD HAVE RAISED THE SALARIES FROM $24,000 A YEAR TO $45,000.

SHE SAID AT WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S COUNCIL MEETING THAT THE RAISE WAS PARTLY IN REACTION TO PRESIDENT TRUMP PROMISE TO RAISE TARIFFS.

>> AFTER SOME REFLECTION, I NO LONGER BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST USE OF OUR MONEY IN THE FACE OF WHAT WILL MOST LIKELY BE, YOU KNOW, PRETTY DEVASTATING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> THE PROPOSAL ALSO RAISES MAYOR KERRY THOMSON'S SALARY BY ABOUT $13,000 TO $151,000, AND RAISES THE CITY CLERK'S SALARY BY MORE THAN $40,000 TO $130,000.

WELL, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY EMMA GLADSTONE FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, EMMA.

>> HI, JOE.

INDIANA'S FIRST STATE EXECUTION WILL GO ON AS PLANNED ON DECEMBER 18th IN MICHIGAN CITY.

IN A SPLIT DECISION ANNOUNCED THURSDAY NIGHT, INDIANA'S SUPREME COURT DENIED JOSEPH CORCORAN'S REQUEST FOR A STAY OF EXECUTION.

THE 49-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS CONVICTED OF THE 1998 MURDERS OF FOUR PEOPLE INSIDE A FORT WAYNE HOME CORCORAN'S LAWYERS SAID IT WOULD VIOLATE LAWS BECAUSE OF HIS SCHIZOPHRENIA.

>> GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN HAS RELEASED A DETAILED AGENDA AS HE TAKES OFF NEXT MONTH.

IT FOCUSES ON TAX RELIEF, EFFICIENCY WORKFORCE, DEVELOPMENT HEALTH, HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

PAT BEANE REPORTS.

>> BRAUN SAYS HE ISN'T WORRIED ABOUT TRYING TO TACKLE TOO MUCH IN HIS NEWLY RELEASED POLICY AGENDA FOR 2025.

BRAUN WHO OFFICIALLY TAKES OFFICE JANUARY 13th SAYS HIS DETAILED PROPOSALS INCLUDE SOME LOW-HANGING FRUIT, PARTICULARLY STATE AGENCY REFORM AND REORGANIZING THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

>> THAT I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PRAISE ABOUT BECAUSE I THINK IT GOT UNRULY.

IT WASN'T GOOD FOR TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, JUST GETTING THINGS DONE.

>> MANY OF THE DETAILS IN BRAUN'S AGENDA ARE DRAWN FROM PROPOSALS HE RELEASED DURING THE CAMPAIGN, NOTABLY HIS PROPERTY TAX CAMPAIGN.

HE WANTS TO REVERT PROPERTY TAX BILLS TO 2021 LEVELS.

MUCH OF HIS AGENDA REQUIRES LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL.

BRAUN SAYS HE WANTS TO WEAR LAWMAKERS OUT WITH COLLABORATION.

>> WORKING IN THE TRENCHES WITH LEGISLATORS ON THOSE KEY AGENDA ITEMS SO THAT YOU ARE NOT TRYING TO RAM IT THROUGH, TO WHERE THERE'S GOING TO BE A CONSENSUS AND A FEEL FOR WHAT IS PRACTICAL TO GET DONE OUT OF THE GATE.

>> BRAUN SAYS HE WILL BE DISAPPOINTED IF SOME OF HIS PLANS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ARE NOT ENACTED IN 2025, BUT HE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN HEALTHCARE WILL LIKELY TAKE MORE TIME.

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

>>> MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IS EXPLORING A NUMBER OF BIG CHANGES FROM REDISTRICTING TO MERGING OR EVEN CLOSING SCHOOLS.

INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT WINSTON HOSTED A LISTENING SESSION TUESDAY NIGHT AT FAIRVIEW EXPERIENCE.

SHE SAYS HER GOAL IS TO MAKE MONROE COUNTY THE NUMBER ONE SCHOOL CORPORATION IN INDIANA.

>> WE ARE ALREADY A LOST WAY THERE AND SO IN MANY WAYS, I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST EDUCATORS IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST TALENTED STUDENTS FROM ARTS FROM ATHLETICS, ACADEMICS.

>> SHE SAYS THE DISTRICT HAS A FEW CHALLENGES, INCLUDING REDUCING BARRIERS IN ITS CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES.

>> BRAD HAS BEEN MENTALLY COMPETENT.

MAGISTRATE JUDGE MARIO GARCIA MADE THE RULING TUESDAY AFTER A COURT HEARING EARLIER IN THE DAY IN INDIANAPOLIS.

BOMBA IS NOT A DEFENDANT IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED BY TWO FORMER I.U.

MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS.

I.U.

IS THE ONLY NAMED DEFENDANT.

THE PLAYERS ALLEGED THE UNIVERSITY FAILED TO MEASURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO PROTECT THEM AND OTHER STUDENTS.

>>> A STATE ENDANGERED SNAKE HAS BEEN FOUND IN SOME UNLIKELY PLACES.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA STYLE REPORTS REPTILE EXPERTS SAY FINDING MORE LOCATIONS WHERE IT CAN LIVE COULD HELP SPEED ITS RECOVERY.

>> THE KIRTLAND SNAKE IS A SNAKE WITH A BRIGHT RED BELLY THAT LIVES IN WET MEADOWS AND PRAIRIES.

THEY ARE WORKING TO RESTORE A WETLAND NORTH OF BLOOMINGTON, WHILE DOING AN INITIAL SPECIES SURVEY THEY FOUND KIRTLAND SNAKES IN A RECENT ABANDONED SOYBEAN FIELD.

THE SNAKES WERE ABLE TO LIVE IN CRAW FISH BURROWS THERE.

>> THEY ARE INTACT, WHERE IT WOULD CRUSH THE BURROWS AND THE CRAYFISH WOULD HAVE TO BUILD NEW ONES?

THEY FOUND SNAKES IN WETLAND IT'S THAT HAD BEEN RESTORED A DECADE AGO, WHICH IS EARLIER THAN NORMAL.

>> HOLY COW, THESE THINGS ARE STARTING TO USE THESE WETLANDS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY ARE BUILT.

AND THAT'S A REALLY GOOD SIGN WHEN THEY THINK ABOUT KIRTLAND STATE MANAGEMENT AND RECOVERY.

>> I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> AND AS FIREARM DEER HUNTING SEASON ENDED SUNDAY WITH 110,000 DEER HARVESTED STATEWIDE.

THAT'S ABOUT 60,000 LESS THAN IN 2023.

THE REDUCTION COMES AFT STATE IMPLEMENTED A LIMIT OF SIX DOES IN A SEASON.

>> MOST HUNTERS HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW MANY DEER THEY WANT TO HARVEST.

THE -- THE NUMBERS THAT WE ALLOW FOLKS, THOSE BAG LIMITS TO HARVEST ARE KIND OF RIGHT IN THOSE RANGES.

>> THOUGH THE FIREARM SEASON HAS COME TO AN END, THERE ARE STILL OPPORTUNITIES FOR HUNTERS TO HARVEST DEER THROUGH JANUARY, WITH MONROE COUNTY'S DEER REDUCTION ZONES.

>>> AND JOE, ONE OF THESE ZONES IS GRIFFY LAKE, WHERE 19 DEER WERE HARVESTED DURING TWO WEEKEND HUNTS LAST MONTH.

>>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, EMMA.

COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," TO MEET GROWING DEMAND, AVIATION ORGANIZATIONS ARE TRAINING THE NEXT COLLEGE PILOTS.

>>> WHO WILL I. U.

FACE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL?

THAT'S UP IN THE AIR.

>>> THOSE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

PILOTS REMAIN IN SHORT SUPPLY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

OUR OWN CLAYTON BAUMGARTH COMES TO US FROM THE MONROE COUNTY AIRPORT TO TALK ABOUT HOW THAT PROBLEM MAY BECOME EVEN MORE COMPLICATED.

>> FOR LAST FEW WEEKS, I HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH DIFFERENT AVIATION TRAINING PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT STATE ABOUT WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE MIGHT BE AND HOW THEY ARE WORKING TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF PILOTS.

ONE FACT IS CLEAR, SHORTAGES ARE SLOWLY STARTING TO IMPROVE.

IT WILL BE MANY YEARS BEFORE THEY GO AWAY ENTIRELY.

>>> SCHOOLS WITH AVIATION PROGRAMS AROUND STATE ARE ALWAYS FLUSH WITH STUDENTS TRYING TO GET INTO THE AIR.

>> YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT A GIANT PROGRAM, WE ARE NOT CERTAINLY SMALL BY ANY MEANS BUT WE WILL HAVE ABOUT 400 APPLICANTS IN ANY GIVEN YEAR, UP TO 400.

AND WE WILL SELECT LESS THAN 50 TO BE STUDENT PILOTS HERE.

>> AT INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY, STUDENTS CAN CHOOSE BETWEEN THREE DIFFERENT MAJORS IN THE AVIATION PROGRAM.

ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT, THERE ARE USUALLY 400 STUDENTS ENROLLED WITH 100 PRACTICING FLYING AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

AS CULBERT SAYS IT'S NOT A LARGE PROGRAM BUT MANY STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM THE I.S.U.

AVIATION DEPARTMENT, WORK AT MOST OF THE MAJOR AVIATION COMPANIES.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS GO TO REPUBLIC.

AND THEN REPUBLIC HAS FLIGHT CONTRACTS WITH ALL THE MAJOR AIRLINES.

WE SEE OUR STUDENTS WITH ALL OF THE MAJOR AIRLINES AT THIS POINT, AS WELL AS A LOT OF CARGO COMPANIES, U.P.S.

AND FEDEX BOTH, ATLAS.

WE HAVE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE.

>> PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE AVIATION IS A SMALLER INDUSTRY THAN MOST.

JUST UNDER 500,000 PEOPLE IN THE U.S.

CURRENTLY HOLD A LICENSE TO FLY.

COMPARE THAT TO ANOTHER HEAVILY TRAINED INDUSTRY, 1.3 MILLION LEGAL PROFESSIONALS CURRENTLY WORKING.

THIS SMALL INDUSTRY, FOLLOWS A CYCLICAL PATTERN OF HIRING AND FIRING.

>> THERE'S NOTHING HAPPENING IN AVIATION THAT HASN'T HAPPENED BEFORE.

THERE'S GIANT HIRING AND THEN THERE'S A SCARE AND THEN THERE'S FURLOUGHS, AND THEN PEOPLE WAIT AROUND AND THEN THERE'S GIANT HIRING AND THEN THERE'S SOME SCARES AND THEN THERE'S SOME FURLOUGHS AND THEN PEOPLE WAIT AROUND.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S GONNA STOP.

>> BUT SOMETHING BIG IS ON THE HORIZON, THE REGIONAL AIRLINE ASSOCIATION SAYS NEARLY HALF OF TODAY'S QUALIFIED PILOT WORKFORCE FACE A FEDERALLY MANDATED AGE 65 RETIREMENT IN THE NEXT 15 YEARS.

EVEN SOONER, 13.5% OF THE PILOT WORKFORCE MUST RETIRE BY 2029.

THIS SILVER TSUNAMI AS IT HAS BEEN DUBBED NOT ONLY AFFECTS PILOTS BUT OTHER JOBS IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY.

>> WE OVERSEE AND MANAGE THE INDIANAPOLIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

IT'S ELIGIBLE AT RETIREMENT AGE AT 2026.

>> THIS INCLUDES ENGINEERS, ON-SITE POLICE AND FIRE OFFICERS, FRONT-LINE STAFF AND MORE.

THE INDIANAPOLIS AIRPORT AUTHORITY HAS BEEN MARKETING SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTRACT YOUNGER PEOPLE INTO THE WORKFORCE.

THEY ALSO ADDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYEES TO GROW AND TRAIN WITHIN THE AIRPORT.

>> EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE DOING IS TO -- IT GOES BACK TO WHAT OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CALLS PUBLIC VALUE AND SO, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE HEARD THE OLD ADAGE, OH, IF YOU TRAIN THEM, THEY WILL LEAVE OR IF YOU DEVELOP THEM, THEY WILL LEAVE, AND HE DOESN'T STICK TO THAT MODEL.

>> NOT ONLY IS THE SILVER TSUNAMI COMING BUT GENERAL PILOT SHORTAGES HAVE ALSO CHALLENGES THE INDUSTRY AT LARGE, CAUSING FLIGHT LIMITATIONS AND INCREASED COSTS.

MUCH OF THE SHORTAGE HAS BEEN BROUGHT ON BY THE REMNANTS OF COVID AND THEN EXPLODED SHORTLY AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

AND THERE'S THE SHRINK AND GROW GOING ON SIMULTANEOUSLY.

>> STUDENTS GETTING IN WILL BE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.

THE STUDENTS WHO COME THROUGH IN 20 YEARS WILL BE SITTING RIGHT SEAT FOR A WHILE.

>> PROGRAMS LIKE INDIANA STATE AND PURDUE ARE TRYING TO GET AS MANY STUDENTS THROUGH BUT THERE'S ONLY SO MANY.

ONE CAUSE IS THE TIME REQUIREMENT NEEDED TO BECOME LICENSED.

IN 2010 A NEW LAW RAISED THE LOG OF FLIGHT TIME TO BECOME ELIGIBLE FROM 250 TO 1500 HOURS.

SOME HAVE ARGUED THAT NUMBER SHOULD BE REDUCED BUT SUCO SAYS IT'S A DEBATE OF QUALITY VERSUS QUANTITY.

>> AND WHAT IS THE QUALITY VERSUS THE QUANTITY OF THE FLIGHT TIME?

THEORETICALLY, YOU COULD HAVE 500 HOURS OF HOT AIR BALLOON TIME AND THAT COUNTS TOWARDS THE 1500.

WHAT IS THE QUALITY OF THAT TIME?

>> THEN THERE ARE OTHER PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE LIFT ACADEMY THAT FOCUS ON GETTING THE FLIGHT HOURS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

LIFT WAS FOUNDED IN 2018 IN INDIANAPOLIS BY REPUBLIC AIRWAYS AS A WAY TO GET MORE PILOTS IN THE COCKPIT SEATS FASTER.

>> WE COULDN'T REALLY RELY ON THE EXISTING SUPPLY, THE EXISTING PROGRAMS TO GENERATE THE VOLUME OF PILOTS AND THE PILOTS WITH THE KIND OF TRAINING WE NEEDED AT THE TIME.

SO IT WAS INCUMBENT UPON US TO TAKE IT ON OURSELF.

>> CULBERT SAYS A HIRING BOOM IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH WILL BE A HUGE HELP BUT THE SILVER TSUNAMI WILL MEAN THERE ARE MORE PILOTS NEEDED.

>> WE BELIEVE WE JUST NEED TO KEEP THE PACE THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD TO PRODUCE THE PILOTS THAT ARE NEEDED AT A REALLY HIGH LEVEL.

>> INDUSTRY SHORTAGES SUCH AS THIS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO AFFECT ALL LEVELS OF FLYING FROM INTERNATIONAL SIZED AIRPORTS TO THE ONE LIKE HERE IN MONROE COUNTY.

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

>> AND AFTER FINISHING THE REGULAR SEASON WITH AN 11-1 RECORD, INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S FOOTBALL TEAM IS ALMOST CERTAIN TO BE ONE OF THE 12 TEAMS IN THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS.

I.U.

'S POTENTIAL OPPONENTS ALL SHARE SOMETHING THE UPSTART HOOSIERS DO NOT HAVE, BEING TRADITIONAL POWERS, ELISE PERRY REPORTS.

>> THE FINAL PAIRINGS FOR THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SUNDAY AT NOON ON ESPN.

THE HOOSIERS APPEAR TO BE LOCKED INTO THE TENTH SEED, AND WOULD BE ON THE ROAD FOR A FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF GAME DECEMBER 20th OR 21st.

POTENTIAL OPPONENTS, ACCORDING TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL ANALYSTS ARE PENN STATE, OHIO STATE, GEORGIA, TEXAS, OR NOTRE DAME.

INDIANA WILL HAVE HAD THREE WEEKS BETWEEN LAST SATURDAY'S ROUTE OF PURDUE AND FIRST ROUND OF THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS.

>> NEXT WEEK WILL BE VERY SIMILAR TO A GAME WEEK.

IT MIGHT NOT BE EXACT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE WILL START PREPARATION IN EARNEST, YOU KNOW, PREPARATION ON THE OPPONENT, DEPENDING ON WHO THAT IS.

YOU KNOW, SOME OF THESE TEAMS WE KNOW ALREADY.

SOME OF THEM WE DON'T.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, NEXT WEEK WON'T BE QUITE LIKE A GAME WEEK, BUT IT WILL BE SIMILAR.

>> THE OUTCOME OF CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES TONIGHT AND TOMORROW WILL IMPACT THE PAIRINGS.

THAT INCLUDES THE BIG TEN CHAMPION GAME BETWEEN OREGON AND PENN STATE.

IT THE TOP RANKED DUCKS, I.U.

WILL LIKELY PLAY AT PENN STATE IN THE FIRST ROUND.

IF PENN STATE UPSETS OREGON AND TEXAS UPSETS GEORGIA, I.U.

COULD FIND ITSELF BACK IN COLUMBUS IN A REMATCH AT OHIO STATE.

LAST MONTH THE BUCKEYES HANDED THE HOOSIERS THEIR ONLY LOSS.

IF PENN STATE AND GEORGIA BOTH PULL OFF UPSETS, I.U.

COULD FACE TEXAS.

AND IT'S UNLIKELY THAT I.U.

COULD PLAY NOTRE DAME.

CIGNETTI IS NOT MAKING ANY APOLOGIES.

>> YOU KNOW, WHAT I WOULD SAY IS MOST OF THE GAMES WE HAVE PLAYED, WE HAVE HANDLED THE OPPONENT PRETTY WELL, OR WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY IN THE COUNTRY.

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

>>> AND NOW IN THE HOOSIERS CAN CONTINUE THEIR UNPRECEDENTED RUN, THEY WOULD PLAY IN THE QUARTERFINALS ON DECEMBER 31st OR JANUARY 1st.

THOSE FOUR GAMES WILL BE PLAYED AT TRADITIONAL BOWL GAME SITES.

>>> 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