>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S STORYBOOK SEASON UNDER CURT CIGNETTI CONTINUES TONIGHT AT NOTRE DAME IN THE FIRST ROUND OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS.

>> MOST OF OUR FAMILY GOES MOST WEEKENDS ANYWAYS TO THE GAMES BUT WE'LL HAVE CRIMSON AND WHITE.

>> WE WILL CHECK WITH ELYSE PERRY.

>> JOSEPH CORCORAN WAS THE FIRST PERSON KILLED BY THE STATE.

>> HE WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE A LOGICAL DECISION.

>> THE STATE IS SEEKING AN EXECUTION DATE FOR ANOTHER DEATH ROW PRISONER.

>>> AND WE LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE TOP STORIES WE BROUGHT YOU OVER THE PAST YEAR.

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

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

WELL, I.U.

FANS MAKING THEIR WAY TO SOUTH BEND FOR THE FIRST ROUND COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME BETWEEN INDIANA AT NOTRE DAME, BUT SOME HOOSIER FANS LIVE RIGHT UNDER THE FIGHTING IRISH'S NOSE.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH WENT NORTH THURSDAY TO MEET ONE OF THOSE FANS.

>> HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT AN I.U.

FOOTBALL GAME WORKS AT THE LINEBACKER.

HE'S AN I.U.

GRAD FROM THE CLASS OF 1986 AND HE'S NOT THE ONLY I.U.

GRAD IN HIS FAMILY.

>> I HAVE TWO SONS AND ONE GOT HIS MASTER'S THERE AND THE OTHER ONE DID HIS UNDERGRAD THERE.

MY ONE SON IS MARRIED TO AN I.U.

GRAD.

MY WIFE'S SISTER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW ARE BOTH I.U.

GRADS.

A LOT OF CREAM AND CRIMSON IN THE FAMILY.

>> TURNOCK SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN THEIR LIGHT-HEARTED COMPETITION WITH FANS FROM BOTH TEAMS PLAYING THE FIGHT SONGS BACK TO BACK ON THE BAR'S JUKEBOX.

HE SAYS HE'S NOT SAFE FROM THE RIVALRY RIBBING.

>> I TAKE SOME GRIEF.

I TAKE SOME GRIEF, BUT, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY I SUPPORT THE IRISH AS IT RELATES TO THE CONTRIBUTION AND WHAT IT DOES TO THIS BAR.

I MEAN, THIS IS A NOTRE DAME BAR.

IT'S BEEN THAT WAY FOR YEARS.

AND, YOU KNOW, NOTRE DAME HAS A BIG IMPACT ON THIS COMMUNITY.

>> TURNOCK IS LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING THE NOW ELEVATED I.U.

FOOTBALL PROGRAM CONTINUE TO PLAY AGAINST THE STORIED NOTRE DAME TEAM.

>> I THINK THE LAST TIME I.U.

PLAYED NOTRE DAME IN FOOTBALL, I WENT TO THAT GAME.

I THINK IT WAS 1993.

SO -- AND I DO BELIEVE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PLAYING IN THE UPCOMING YEARS NOW.

SO IT WILL BE KIND OF NICE TO HAVE THAT RIVALRY AND GET BACK ON THE GRIDIRON AS WELL.

>> HE AND HIS FAMILY HAVE PLANS TO ATTEND THE GAME TONIGHT AND THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE GOING TO ROOT FOR.

>> WE GOT TICKETS TO GO TO THE GAME, OUR WHOLE FAMILY IS GOING.

MOST OF OUR FAMILY GOES MOST WEEKENDS ANYWAYS TO THE GAMES.

WE WILL HAVE CREAM AND CRIMSON ON THIS WEEKEND.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," REPORT FROM SOUTH BEND, I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>> FOR MORE ON TONIGHT'S BIG GAME, WE'RE JOINED BY REPORTER ELYSE PERRY FROM OUTSIDE NOTRE DAME STADIUM.

HI, ELISE.

IT'S STILL A FEW HOURS UNTIL KICKOFF, BUT CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF THE ATMOSPHERE THIS?

ARE YOU SEEING MANY I.U.

FANS?

>> HI, JOE, YEAH.

SO SINCE IT IS AN IN-STATE GAME, I'M SEEING A DECENT AMOUNT OF FANS FROM BOTH I.U.

AND NOTRE DAME.

THE ATMOSPHERE IS REALLY ENERGETIC.

YOU KNOW, THIS MORNING, I WAS TALKING TO SOME I.U.

FANS ABOUT THEIR EXCITEMENT FOR THE GAME, AND SOME NOTRE DAME FANS ACTUALLY CAME UP AND THEY STARTED DOING THEIR -- I MEAN, THEIR IRISH CHANT.

IT WAS JUST REALLY FUN BANTERING AMONGST BOTH OF THE FANS.

>> OBVIOUSLY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE.

WHAT ARE THEY EXPECTING CONDITIONS TO BE LIKE TONIGHT?

>> WELL, THIS MORNING IT WAS ACTUALLY SNOWING PRETTY HEAVY.

IT HAS SINCE STOPPED.

THE TEMPERATURE IS FREEZING AND IT'S JUST TO GET COLDER.

IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO START SNOWING AGAIN, BUT, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE VERY SIMILAR TO THE CONDITIONS WHERE I.U.

BEAT PURDUE 66-0.

SO I DON'T THINK CIGNETTI THAT WORRIED.

>> I HOPE IT SNOWS A FOOT AND A HALF!

WE HAVE A CANADIAN QUARTERBACK.

DID YOU SEE HIM THROW THE BALL AGAINST PURDUE?

I MEAN, THIS GUY GREW UP, LIKE, IN THE FRIGID NORTH!

>> SO WHAT'S NEXT NOW FOR I.U.

IF THEY WIN OR LOSE TONIGHT?

>> WELL, IF I.U.

WINS, WE'RE GOING TO BE GOING TO NEW ORLEANS TO PLAY GEORGIA IN THE SUGAR BOWL.

BUT IF I.U.

LOSES CIGNETTI HAS SAID THAT HE WILL START BUILDING ROSTER FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ENJOY THE BIG GAME.

THANKS FOR ALL THE REPORTING.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

>>> WELL, ONE OF THE HOOSIER FOOTBALL'S BIGGEST FANS WON'T BE ABLE TO WATCH FRIDAY NIGHT'S BIG GAME.

EYE VISITED WITH THE BLOOMINGTON MAN WHO IS FACING HIS OWN BATTLE WITH LESSONS LEARNED FROM A FOOTBALL PROGRAM THAT HAS TAKEN THE COUNTRY BY SURPRISE.

>> TODD REID HAS QUITE THE INDIANA HOOSIERS SPORTS COLLECTION.

HIS WORK OFFICE AT I.U.

SURPLUS SUPPLY STORE HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A MUSEUM FILLED WITH HOOSIER MEMORABILIA.

EACH PIECE WITH ITS OWN STORY >> AND EVERYBODY THAT COMES IN HERE, I TELL THEM WITH HAROLD MORROW AND HOW HE SIGNED THE FOOTBALL.

>> HE'S FROM GOODLAND, WHICH HE CALLS PURDUE AND NOTRE DAME COUNTRY.

HE GOT HOOKED ON I.U.

AS A KID AT THE LOCAL BARBERSHOP.

>> I COULD GO IN THERE ON A SATURDAY AND WATCH A FOOTBALL GAME ON HIS LITTLE BLACK AND WHITE TV IN THE 1970s AND JUST PICKED UP THE CONVERSATION AND THE RIVALRY.

IT WAS JUST GOOD HUMOR BETWEEN HIM AND THE FARMERS.

>> REID IS NOT ONLY A FAN, HE WORKS WITH FORMER I.U.

GREATS.

>> IT'S COME UP FULL CIRCLE FOR ME.

I PICK UP MY OFFICE PHONE AND HIS ANTWAAN RANDLE EL AND HE'S NEEDING HELP BUYING SOME SURPLUS EQUIPMENT FOR HIS VIRGINIA TECH.

>> REID WAS A SEASON TICKET HOLDER UNTIL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

>> I HAD TO QUIT GOING BECAUSE I GOT DIAGNOSED WITH LEUKEMIA.

SO -- SO GOING TO THE GAMES, I COULDN'T BE IN THE CROWD.

>> REID IS SCHEDULED FOR SURGERY TODAY, GAME DAY.

>> AND THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO NOTRE DAME AND PLAY, YOU KNOW, AGAINST TEAMS THAT I GREW UP AGAINST, THE FANS FROM NOTRE DAME AND PURDUE ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

I MEAN, I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> HE'LL BE IN THE I.U.C.U.

FOR A -- I.C.U.

FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND WILL BE HOPING FOR A HOOSIER VICTORY.

>> I PRAY I WAKE UP AND IN I.C.U.

AND SOMEBODY IS WAVING AN I.U.

PENNANT OVER ME AND SHARING THE GOOD NEWS WITH ME.

>> HE SAYS HE NEVER THOUGHT HE WOULD SEE THE STANDS FULL AND 11-1 RECORD OR CANCER BUT IT ALL TAUGHT HIM TO HAVE HOPE AND NEVER GIVE UP.

>> I HAVE THE SAME PASSION AND THE SAME FIGHT IN ME THAT THAT FOOTBALL TEAM DOES, TO BEAT THIS.

AND I'M 100% POSITIVE THAT I WILL.

>> AND NOW, FOR SOME HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

RICHARD ALLEN, THE MAN CONVICTED OF THE DELPHI MURDERS WILL SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN PRISON AFTER JUDGE FRAN GULL GAVE HIM 130-YEAR SENTENCE TODAY.

ALLEN RECEIVED THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF 65 YEARS FOR TWO COUNTS OF MURDER IN THE KILLINGS OF TEENAGERS ABIGAIL WILLIAMS AND LIBERTY GERMAN IN 2017.

THE OTHER TWO COUNTS WERE DROPPED DUE TO DOUBLE JEOPARDY.

SENTENCING IN CARROLL COUNTY COURT LASTED JUST OVER AN HOUR.

>>> BLOOMINGTON'S SHELLI YODER WAS ELECTED THE LEADER OF THE INDIANA SENATE DEMOCRATS ON WEDNESDAY.

YODER SUCCEEDS GREG TAYLOR AS THE MINORITY LEADER.

TAYLOR HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT BY MULTIPLE WOMEN IN THE PAST MONTH.

HE WAS DENIED -- HE HAS DENIED ANY WRONGDOING.

YODER, WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL WON HER SENATE RACE FOR DISTRICT 40 IN 2020.

>>> INDIANA LAWMAKERS SAY THEY ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE STATE'S FINANCIAL SITUATION, AHEAD OF WRITING A NEW TWO-YEAR STATE BUDGET.

THE FORECAST UNVEILED TUESDAY PROJECTS STATE WILL ADD ABOUT $800 MILLION ACROSS BOTH YEARS OF THE NEW BUDGET.

THEY SAY INDIANA'S MEDICAID PROGRAM WILL LIKELY TAKE UP A BIGGER AND BIGGER PORTION OF THE STATE BUDGET, WHICH MEANS HARD DECISIONS MUST BE MADE.

>> WE CAN'T BUILD OUR BUDGET ON THE BACK OF THE MOST VULNERABLE HOOSIERS, CHILDREN AND OUR SENIORS.

>> LAWMAKERS WILL RECEIVE ANOTHER REVENUE FORECAST IN APRIL, SHORTLY BEFORE THEY FINALIZE THE NEW BUDGET THAT TAKES EFFECT IN JULY.

>>> THE CURT MONROE CONVENTION CENTER LOAN DEBT WILL BE FULLY PAID OFF AFTER THE COUNTY COUNCIL APPROVED A MONEY TRANSFER ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS COMMISSION WILL TRANSFER NEARLY $425,000 FROM THEIR GENERAL FUND TO THE DEBT FUND TO PAY OFF THE REGION'S BANK LOAN.

IT PAVES THE WAY FOR A NEW BOND TO FUND THE EXPANSION PROJECT.

>> I REALLY FEEL LIKE WE ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK AND THIS IS REALLY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I REALLY, REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE WAS ON THE RIGHT TRACK BEFORE I RETIRE IN JUST A FEW DAYS.

AND THIS IS A VERY TANGIBLE STEP.

>> THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD IS THE FINAL DESIGN -- IS IN THE FINAL DESIGN PHASE OF THE $52 MILLION EXPANSION PROJECT.

CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN JUNE.

>>> ONE OF THE PLANNED TECH PARKS IN ELLETTSVILLE IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

TOWN MANAGER MARK FARMERS IS THE TWO PARTIES INVOLVED, DIGITAL RESOURCES AND UMBERGER FARMS COULDN'T COME TO TERMS ON BUYING THE LAND NEAR KEHE BY THE STATED DEADLINE.

LAND FOR THE TECH PARK HAS BEEN ANNEXED INTO TOWN LIMITS AND REZONED FROM AGRICULTURAL TO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, BUT SOME CITIZENS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY ON PROJECT SPECIFICS.

>>> BLOOMINGTON RESIDENTS WILL SEE FEWER CITY BUSES FULLY WRAPPED IN ADVERTISEMENTS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

THE TRANSIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS VOTED TO CAP THE NUMBER OF BUSES WRAPPED IN ADS.

THE GOAL IS TO INTRODUCE MORE ELECTRIC BUSES WITH BLOOMINGTON TRANSIT BRANDING.

>> WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, YES, YOU CAN FIND B.T.

LOGOS ON THESE WRAPPED BUSES, BUT THEY ARE COLORED AND SHADOWED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY ARE COMPLETELY LOST.

>> AND UNDER THE NEW POLICY, NO MORE THAN HALF OF THE FIXED ROUTE BUSES WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FULL WRAPS.

THE B.T.

ELECTRIC BUSES WILL NOT HAVE ADVERTISING.

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS HAS OPENED ITS FIRST EVER DRIVE THRU HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW.

REPORTER ISABELLA VESPERINI, AND ALANA DAVIS TOOK A DRIVE THROUGH THE MORE THAN ONE MILE CIRCUIT AND HAVE THIS STORY.

>> FOR MICKAYLA CARON AND HER FAMILY, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME GOING TO A LIGHT SHOW LIKE THIS ONE.

>> IT'S CLOSE TO HOME.

I HEARD GOOD THINGS ABOUT IT, AND, YOU KNOW, IT WAS A NICE DAY OUTSIDE.

AND WE ALSO HEARD SANTA WAS GOING TO BE HERE.

>> THE LIGHT SHOW SPANS 1.1 MILES THROUGHOUT THE FAIRGROUNDS, WITH OVER 150 LIGHT DISPLAYS.

>> MY DAUGHTER REALLY LIKED POINTING OUT, LIKE, ALL THE ANIMALS.

LIKE THIS WAS A TRAIN WITH LIKE THE GIRAFFE AND THE MONKEY AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

SO SHE REALLY LIKED THAT ONE.

MY SON REALLY LIKED, I THINK IT WAS LIKE KIDS PLAYING HOCKEY.

>> AT THE END OF THE LIGHT SHOW, THERE'S A SANTA VILLAGE WITH SANTA CLAUS, REFRESHMENTS AND LOCAL ART VENDORS.

A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IS ONE OF THE VENDORS CALLED CARCAR CREATIONS.

>> I MAKE BABY BLANKETS AND I PUT LETTERS ON THEM AND THEN I ALSO PUT LETTERS ON, LIKE, BIG BLANKETS AND TOWELS AND SWEATSHIRTS AND THEN I RECENTLY HAVE GOTTEN INTO DOING -- REPURPOSING OLD QUILTS.

>> SHE STARTED SOWING IN THIRD GRADE.

SHE THOUGHT THE LIGHT SHOW WOULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND HER CUSTOMER BASE.

>> I ONLY SELL ON FACEBOOK.

SO IT'S JUST LIKE A LOT MORE, LIKE, ATTENTION, A LOT MORE MONEY BRINGING IN.

>> THE IDEA OF PUTTING TOGETHER A LIGHT DISPLAY ORIGINATED FIVE YEARS AGO.

THE FAIRGROUNDS PARTNERED WITH NORTH POLE PRODUCTIONS TO SHIP OVER THE LIGHT DISPLAYS FROM FLORIDA, NEW YORK, AND TENNESSEE.

>> THERE'S NOTHING AROUND -- CLOSE BY, UNLESS YOU GO TO INDY OR LOUISVILLE, COLUMBUS, TO SEE ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

AND WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT TOOK ALMOST THREE WEEKS TO SET UP AND TEST ALL THE LIGHTS.

DISPLAYS INCLUDE A NATIVITY SCENE, A STEAMBOAT, DRIVE THRU TUNNELS, 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS AND MORE.

>> WE ARE EXPECTING TO DRIVE SLOW THROUGH IT.

IT'S ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE DISPLAY.

IT'S NOT LIKE YOU ARE LOOKING AT ONE SPOT THE WHOLE WAY.

>> HE SIGNED A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT TO RENT THE LIGHTS WHICH COST JUST OVER $50,000 EACH YEAR.

FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE COSTS COME FROM LOCAL SPONSORSHIPS AND MONEY RAISED FROM OTHER EVENTS.

OVER 500 CARS CAME TO THE FAIRGROUNDS DURING OPENING WEEKEND.

CONNARD HOPES TO SEE MORE.

>> I THINK WE WILL DEFINITELY COME BACK.

THIS WILL PROBABLY BE LIKE A TRADITION OF OURS EVERY YEAR.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ISABELLA VESPIRINI.

>> THEY WILL BE OPEN FROM FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY FROM 6 TO 10 P.M.

THROUGH SUNDAY JANUARY 5th.

THE COST IS $20 PER CAR AND $40 PER BUS.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK, INDIANA CARRIED OUT ITS FIRST DEATH ROW EXECUTION.

AND WE'LL BRING YOU THE STOP STORIES THAT WE WILL BRING YOU ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WHEN THE EARLY HOURS WEDNESDAY MORNING, INDIANA EXECUTED ITS FIRST DEATH ROW PRISONERS IN 15 YEARS.

OUR GEORGE HALE WAS IN MICHIGAN CITY FOR THE EXECUTION OF JOSEPH CORCORAN AND HAS THIS STORY.

>> AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.

>> A CATHOLIC GROUP FROM THE DIOCESE OF GARY HELD A LITURGY AS THEY PREPARED FOR THE EXECUTION.

IT WAS FIRST OF SEVERAL PRAYERS BY CLERGY AND OPPONENTS OF THE DEATH PENALTY THAT WERE MOTIVATED BY THE DEATH PENALTY OF JOSEPH CORCORAN FOR SHOOTING AND KILLING FOUR PEOPLE INSIDE HIS FORT WAYNE HOME.

LISA ANA GROSS BROUGHT HER CONGREGATION TO PRAY FOR CORK CORKAN AND ALL THE -- CORCORAN AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WORK ON THIS.

>> PEOPLE IN THIS PRISON HAVE BEEN ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN A KILLING AND WE ARE IN PRAYER FOR THEM AND CONCERNED FOR THEIR WELL-BEING AND HOW THE RIPPLES OF VIOLENCE AND THE CYCLES OF VIOLENCE ARE CONTINUING.

>> GROSS SAID THAT PEOPLE IN FORT WAYNE CAN STILL RECALL HEARING ABOUT THE DECADE'S HOLD MURDER THAT LANDED CORCORAN ON DEATH ROW TWO YEARS LATER.

>> IT WAS A SHOCKING CRIME AND VERY MEMORABLE FOR FOUR PEOPLE TO BE KILLED AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF SOMEONE LIVING WITH SUCH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS AND NOT GETTING THE HELP THAT THEY NEED, ALL OF THAT IS DEVASTATING ON SO MANY LEVELS.

>> ATTORNEYS FOR CORCORAN TRIED TO CONVINCE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS TO STOP THE EXECUTION ON THE ACCOUNT OF CORCORAN'S MENTAL HEALTH.

HE REFUSED TO TAKE THE PROSECUTION PLEA DEAL THAT WOULD HAVE SPARED HIS DEAL.

>> HE OFFERED, JOE, THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPARE HIS OWN LIFE, AND, JOE, BECAUSE OF HIS SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS, COULDN'T.

>> YEAH.

>> COULDN'T GET ON BOARD WITH THAT.

AGAIN, IT WAS SO FRUSTRATING.

IT'S FRUSTRATING NOW.

>> PROTESTERS WAITED OUTSIDE THE PRISON AS THE CLOCK TICKS TOWARDS MIDNIGHT.

THE EXECUTIONS MUST BE CARRIED OUT BEFORE SUNRISE ON THE DATE SET.

CORCORAN'S EXECUTION BEGAN BEFORE.

INDIANA IS UNUSUAL IN THAT IT DOESN'T GUARANTEE SPACE FOR MEDIA TO WITNESS EXECUTIONS.

NEWS OUTLETS CONDEMNED THE RESTRICTIONS IN A LETTER TO GOVERNOR HOLCOMB.

SOMETIME AFTER 1 A.M. CENTRAL TIME THRESHINGS INDIVIDUALS EMERGED AND WALKED PAST A GROUP OF REPORTERS.

THEY PLACED A STACK OF PAPERS INTO A CLEAR BOX, ATTACHED TO A NO PARKING SIGN.

ALL THREE PEOPLE HAD THEIR FACES COVERED AND THEY DIDN'T TAKE QUESTIONS.

THE PRESS RELEASE OFFERED LITTLE INFORMATION.

THE EXECUTION BEGAN SOMETIME AFTER MIDNIGHT, CORCORAN WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT 12:44 A.M.

SOME PROTESTERS SAID THEY WERE MOTIVATED BY THE SECRECY SURROUNDING THE EXECUTION.

>> PART OF THE FABRIC OF OUR COUNTRY IS WHAT OUR GOVERNMENT DOES WHICH IS WHY WE ALL HAVE TO BE WATCHING, WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADVOCATE SO THAT PUBLIC WITNESSES ARE PART OF THIS PROCESS, AND CAN REPORT OUT WHAT IS BEING DONE.

>> THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT SAID STATE LAW PREVENTED IT FROM OPENING THE EXECUTION TO MEDIA OBSERVERS.

THE DEPARTMENT DID ALLOW CORCORAN TO ALLOW A JOURNALIST TO TAKE ONE OF FIVE SEATS.

>> WHEN THE BLINDS ARE OPENED FOR US, HE WAS -- HIS EYES WERE OPEN.

WE COULD SEE HE WAS BLINKING.

THIS WAS BRIEF HEAD MOVEMENT.

HE WAS CALM.

HE DID NOT SEEM TO BE STRESSED IN ANY WAY.

>> CASEY SMITH SAID IT HAPPENED FAST, AND THAT THERE WERE NO OVERT SIGNS OF STRUGGLE.

>> THIS WAS NO CLEAR INDICATION THAT HIS -- HIS BREATHING CHANGED DRASTICALLY FROM MY POINT OF VIEW.

HE DID NOT SEEM TO SPASM AT ALL.

AGAIN, I COULDN'T SEE THE BOTTOM HALF OF HIS BODY.

>> CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS TELL US THAT CORCORAN'S BODY WAS LATER SENT FOR AUTOPSY.

AFTER THE EXECUTION, TODD ROKITA SAID THAT CORCORAN PAID HIS DEBT TO SOCIETY AS JUSTICE WAS PROVIDED TO HIS VICTIMS.

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

>>> THERE ARE NOW SEVEN MEN REMAINING ON INDIANA'S DEATH ROW, INCLUDING BENJAMIN RICHIE, CONVICTED OF KILLING A BEACH GROVE POLICE OFFICER IN 2002.

ROKITA HAS ASKED THE STATE SUPREME COURT TO SET AN EXECUTION DATE FOR HIM.

>> ONCE IN A LIFETIME ECLIPSE, A POLICE CRACKDOWN IN DUNN MEADOW, A CONTENTIOUS NATIONAL ELECTION AND PERHAPS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL I.U.

FOOTBALL SEASON EVER.

THOSE WERE JUST A FEW OF THE STORIES WE BROUGHT YOU DURING THIS PAST YEAR.

OUR CHIEF VIDEOGRAPHER DEVAN RIDGEWAY PUT TOGETHER THIS LOOK BACK AT 2024.

>> IT'S TIME TO MOVE PAST TERRITORIAL BATTLES AND MEANINGLESS FIGHTS.

IT'S TIME FOR PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS AND REASONABLE COMPROMISES THAT YIELD ACTION.

>> SAY NO TO CENSORSHIP.

SAY NO TO CENSORSHIP!

>> WE THINK IT'S A WONDERFUL UNIVERSITY WITH A LOT OF POTENTIAL TO DO GREAT THINGS, BUT IT'S FAILING TO LIVE UP TO ITS MISSION.

>> THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS CHOSEN NOT TO LISTEN TO THE HEART OF THESE HIGH SCHOOLS WHICH ARE THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AND THEREFORE MUST BE REMOVED.

>> I HAVE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH NEARLY EVERY INDIANA INSTITUTION TO GET THIS RIGHT.

IN IS TOO IMPORTANT NOT TO.

>> I THINK THE HARD PART FOR US WAS THAT THIS BILL ASSUMED THAT WE WERE ALREADY INCAPABLE OF DOING OUR WORK.

>> WE HAD A FEW THOUSAND PEOPLE IN SEVERAL VARIOUS SPOTS BROUGHT OUT AND LEAVING AND ARRIVING AT DIFFERENT TIMES.

IT WAS GREAT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT, GREAT EVENT.

>> AIN'T NOTHING HURTS MORE THAN WATCHING GROUND THAT YOU FARMED LITERALLY ALL YOUR LIFE, YOU KNOW, THAT YOU PUT A HOUSE UP, RIGHT ACROSS FROM, AND THOUGHT YOU WOULD ALWAYS WORK IT.

AND NOW YOU'RE WORKING THE DREGS.

>> I AM CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT THIS COULD BE SOMETHING THAT IS GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY, IN THE MERGER IS DONE RIGHT.

>> I CAN'T FATHOM ANY SITUATION IN WHICH PEACEFUL -- VERY CLEARLY NONVIOLENT DEMONSTRATORS ARE TO BE MET WITH SHIELDS AND POLICE BATONS.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THERM USING KILL -- THEY WERE USING TO KILL HIM.

IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER TO ME.

THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND A HUMANE WAY TO COMMIT MURDER AND THERE'S NO SUCH THING.

>> THIS WAS AN INVESTMENT IN US.

THIS WAS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR FUTURE.

THIS WAS AN INVESTMENT IN REALIZING OUR POTENTIAL.

>> THIS IS ABOUT CREATING JOBS AND WORKFORCE AND INNOVATION TOGETHER.

IT'S ABOUT ECONOMIC GROWTH.

>> STUDENTS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE ARTS HERE, THEY ARE VERY SCRAPPY.

THEY MAKE THINGS HAPPEN FOR THEMSELVES.

>> AND THIS IS TO MARK ON THE VERY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, TO MARK OUR DETERMINATION THAT THE SPUE ETCH THAT WE CHERISH WON'T -- THE SPEECH WE CHERISH WON'T DIE ON THIS CAMPUS.

>> IT'S BEEN A GREAT YEAR, BUT IT'S NOT TOTALLY SHOCKING TO ME.

I SAID EARLY THAT WE WERE CAPABLE OF DOING THIS.

WE HAVE.

>> WHEN YOUR VALUES DON'T ALIGN, THEN YOU ARE EITHER THE ONE COMPROMISING OR THEY ARE THE ONE COMPROMISING CONSTANTLY, AND THE CITY ISN'T GOING TO COMPROMISE.

>> WHEN I'M LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD POTENTIAL JOIN THE COLLECTION, THERE'S -- YOU KNOW, THIS IS TRIUMPHANT OF THE ARTIST ITSELF AND THEN A MOMENT IN TIME.

>> IT IS US WHO ARE HOLDING US BACK.

AND I THINK THE WAY FORWARD IS EDUCATION.

WE MUST EDUCATE THESE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN HELP THEMSELVES.

>> IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO LOOK BACK AT THE YEAR IN REVIEW AND REMEMBER SOME OF THE STORIES OUR TEAM COVERED.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU, THE VIEWER FOR INVITING US INTO YOUR HOMES AND FOR WATCHING "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

TONIGHT IS OUR LAST SHOW OF 2024.

WE'RE TAKING NEXT WEEK OFF SO OUR STAFF CAN SPEND THE HOLIDAYS WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

IT TAKES A LOT OF PEOPLE TO MAKE "INDIANA NEWSDESK" EACH WEEK, AND WE WANT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO A FEW OF THE FOLKS WHO WORK BEHIND THE SCENES TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

THE NEWSROOM TEAM WORKS SOMETIMES MONTHS IN ADVANCE ON STORIES YOU SEE IN THE SHOW.

THAT STARTS WITH OUR REPORTERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS TRAVELING TO ALL PARTS OF STATE TO BRING YOU ARE STORIES THAT ARE TIMELY, RELEVANT AND IMPACTFUL AND COVERING ALL THE LOCAL NEWS THAT'S IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY.

IN THE NEWSROOM WE HAVE A TEAM OF EDITORS TO FACT CHECK AND POLISH.

AND VIDEOGRAPHERS THAT PUT AUDIO AND PRODUCERS THAT TURN IT INTO THE PROGRAM THAT YOU SEE EVERY FRIDAY.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU.

AND SO MANY PEOPLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IN OUR CONTROLROOM, TO OUR DIRECTORS, GRAPHIC, TELEPROMPTERS, VIDEO AND LIGHTING OPERATORS.

THANKS TO OUR ENGINEERS WHO WORK MAGIC BEHIND THE SCENES TO KEEP US ON THE AIR.

AND TO OUR CREW WORKING WITH ME HERE IN THE STUDIO, THE CAMERA OPERATORS, FLOOR DIRECTORS, STAGING FOLKS, THANK YOU!

AND 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 HOLIDAY.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN IN 2025!

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