>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS ITS 2025 SESSION NEXT WEEK, BUT IT WILL BE THE FIRST IN NEARLY A DECADE WITHOUT ERIC HOLCOMB IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> I DON'T REGRET ANY DECISIONS WE MADE.

WE WERE TRYING TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> MIKE BRAUN WILL BE SWORN IN AS THE STATE'S NEXT GOVERNOR ON JANUARY 13th.

>> THE ROAD IS TO PAD THE POCKETS OF WEALTHY TRUCKING COMPANIES THAT HAVE POLITICAL POWER.

>> TIER TWO STUDY FOR THE MID-STATES CORRIDOR HIGHWAY PROJECT IS WELL UNDERWAY BUT SOME RESIDENTS SAY THE PROJECT IS NOT NECESSARY.

>>> AND LAST MONTH, A SMALL TOWN IN VIGO COUNTY BECAME THE LATEST RURAL COMMUNITY TO DENY A PERMIT FOR A NEW DOLLAR GENERAL.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK"!

♪ >>> HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL CONVENE ITS 2025 SESSION WEDNESDAY AND WHILE CRAFTING A NEW TWO-YEAR BUDGET TO FINANCE THE STATE WILL BE A MAJOR PRIORITY, LEGISLATORS ALSO HOPE TO TACKLE ISSUES THAT AFFECT LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

REPUBLICANS ARE SIGNALING TO LOCAL LEADERS TO GET ON BOARD WITH ISSUES LIKE RENEWABLE ENERGY, WHICH SOME COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN RESISTANT TO IN THE PAST.

>> PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO ADVOCATE TO PUT SOME OF THESE RESOURCES INTO OUR STATE PROBABLY NEED TO CONTINUE TO BUILD AND WORK ON RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE SURE IT'S WORTH WHILE FOR EVERYBODY.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HUSTON SAYS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE IMPORTANT PARTNERS BUT THAT ANY PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE AND LOCALS NEEDS TO WORK IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.

>> WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN YOUR COMMUNITY TO FACILITATE WHETHER IT BE ENERGY, WHETHER IT BE HOUSING OR ANY AREA TO DEVELOP GROWTH.

>> THE GOP CONTINUES TO HAVE A MAJOR SUPER MAJORITY IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBERS.

FOR FIRST TIME IN EIGHT YEARS, SHE WILL BE SENDING LEGISLATION TO A NEW GOVERNOR'S DESK.

MIKE BRAUN WILL BE SWORN IN JANUARY 13th, SUCCEEDING THE TERM-LIMITED ERIC HOLCOMB.

HOLCOMB MEANWHILE SAYS HE HOPES HE WILL BE BEST REMEMBERED FOR HIS STEADY APPROACH TO LEADING INDIANA AS HIS EIGHT YEARS IN OFFICE COMES TO A CLOSE.

>> HOLCOMB SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THAT NOT EVERYONE VIEWS HIS TIME LEADING THE STATE FAVORABLY BUT HE SAYS HE HOPES PEOPLE WILL THINK OF HIS CALM DEMEANOR.

>> NOT TOO FAR UP, NOT TOO FAR DOWN, FOCUSED ON THE JOB THAT WE HAD, NOT MAYBE THE NEXT JOB.

>> HOLCOMB TOUTED THE ECONOMIC GROWTH DURING HIS EIGHT YEARS BUT AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF MUCH CRITICISM.

HIS CRITICS PARTICULARLY NOTE WHAT THEY VIEW AS THE STATE'S FOCUS ON LURING LARGE OUT-OF-STATE COMPANIES TO INDIANA, INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON EXISTING IN-STATE BUSINESSES.

HOLCOMB SAYS THERE'S NO TRUTH TO THAT CRITICISM.

>> IF YOU REALLY DIG IN AND LOOK AT THE FACTS, WHAT SOMEONE WOULD LEARN IS MOST OF THE BUSINESS THAT GOES ON IS SMALL, MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESS EVERY SINGLE WEEK WE ARE DOING THESE DEALS.

>> HOLCOMB SAYS THE BIGGEST REGRETS IN OFFICE REGARD SUPPORT FOR PREGNANT HOOSIERS AND HE TRIED TO PASS WORKPLACE PROTECTIONS FOR PREGNANT PEOPLE.

WHILE HE INSTALLED THEM FOR STATE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, HE COULDN'T GET ENOUGH REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS TO GO ALONG.

>> I WISH THERE WAS A WAY I COULD HAVE BEEN MORE PERSUASIVE ON THAT FRONT.

I WISH THERE WAS MORE THAT WE COULD DO TO BREAKTHROUGH TO IMPROVE.

>> THERE'S LIKELY NO AREA THAT HOLCOMB RECEIVED MORE CRITICISM THAN HIS HANDLING OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BUT THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE HAS NO REGRETS ON THAT FRONT.

>> I WOULDN'T HAVE RETREATED FROM ANYTHING THAT WE DID, AND I DON'T REGRET ANY DECISION THAT WE MADE BECAUSE WE WERE TRYING TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION EVERY SINGLE DAY.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE WERE MOTIVATED BY.

>> HOLCOMB SAYS HE BELIEVES THERE'S A SILENT MAJORITY WHO APPRECIATED HIS CALM, STEADY APPROACH TO HANDLING THE PANDEMIC.

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

>>> THE INDIANA D.O.T.

IS PLANNING NEW HIGHWAY IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE THAT WILL BYPASS HUNTINGBURG AND JASPER AND CONNECT TO I.69.

CALLED THE MID-STATES CORRIDOR, IT'S IN THE SECOND PHASE OF STUDY WHICH FOCUSED ON DUBOIS COUNTY.

BENTE BOUTHIER HAS THIS REPORT.

>> HI, JOE.

THE CORRIDOR IS SET TO CONNECT IN THE NORTH WITH I-69, WITH THE EXPRESSED PURPOSE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

DESPERATE THE STUDY MOVING FORWARD, SOME RESIDENTS ARE READY TO PUSH BACK AGAINST NEW HIGHWAY DEVELOPMENT IN THEIR AREA.

MARTIN AND DUBOIS COUNTY RESIDENTS GATHERED AT THE KLUBHAUS IN JASPER ON DECEMBER 5th, LARGELY IN OPPOSITION TO THE MID-STATES CORRIDOR SECOND ROUND OF STUDY, WHICH STARTED DURING THE SUMMER.

JACOB McCOY A LANDOWNER IN MARTIN COUNTY LED THE MEETING.

HE WANTS RESIDENTS IN THE AREA TO JOIN THE NEWLY FORMED PROPERTY RIGHTS ALLIANCE, TO CONVALESCE THEIR EFFORTS AGAINST THE HIGHWAY'S PLANNED ROUTE.

>> WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A NEED TO COME TOGETHER AS A GROUP TO TAKE CONTROL OF THIS ISSUE.

THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO BE UNIFIED.

>> THE ORGANIZATION IS AN OFFSHOOT OF A GROUP STORMED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, STOPPED THE MID-STATES CORRIDOR.

>> TO GET ACTUAL LEGAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

AND THE ISSUE WAS IN THE TIER ONE STUDY, THEY WERE NOT COMING ON OUR PROPERTY.

NOW ON THE TIER TWO, THEY ARE SHOWING UP ON OUR PROPERTY.

>> BEFORE THURSDAY'S MEETING, PROPERTY RIGHTS ALLIANCE HAD MORE THAN 20 MEMBERS, READY TO PUSH BACK ON LAND SURVEYORS FOR THE PROJECT GOING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.

THEY REPORTED NEARLY 200 MEMBERS.

>>> McCOY FOUND AN ATTORNEY, RUSSELL SIPES TO REPRESENT RESIDENTS.

HE SAYS THE GROUPS NEEDS FUNDS TO SUPPORT A DEFENSE TO DEMAND THAT THE STATE FOLLOW DUE PROCESS.

>> THEY WANT TO CITE INDIANA CODE THAT SAYS THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO COME ON OUR PROPERTY, BUT IF YOU READ DEEPER INTO THAT CODE, YOU SEE, WELL, THERE'S CERTAIN PARAMETERS THAT YOU HAVE TO ADHERE TO.

>> THE TIER ONE STUDY OF THE MID-STATES CORRIDOR DETERMINED IT WOULD FOLLOW AN APPROXIMATELY 50-MILE ROUTE NORTH ALONG 231 FROM SPENCER COUNTY TO I-69 IN GREENE COUNTY.

>> THE GOALS OF THE PROJECT ARE TO BUILD SOME OF THE CONNECTIVITY AND ACCESS TO MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION WITHOUT A CORRIDOR, THOSE GOALS WON'T BE MET.

BUT ALSO, THE PROJECT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO RELIEVE SOME OF THAT CONGESTION THAT YOU SEE ON 231.

>> THE TIER TWO STUDY LAUNCHED IN JULY CUTS THE MID-STATES CORRIDOR INTO FOUR CHUNKS.

FOR MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS.

THE AREA BEING EXAMINED NOW IS THE 2,000-FOOT WIDE PASS THAT GOES AROUND HUNTINGBURG AND EXTENDS TO HAYESVILLE IN DUBOIS COUNTY.

INDOT SIGNED A CONTRACT FOR MORE THAN $15 MILLION TO CONDUCT THE STUDY IN DUBOIS COUNTY.

A PUBLIC MEETING WAS HELD IN SEPTEMBER TO SHARE PROGRESS AND FINDINGS, LOCHMUELLER CREATED A COMMUNITY ADVISE OVERRY BOARD COMPRISED OF BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.

>> WE ALSO HAVE FIELD WORKERS WHO ARE OUT SURVEYING PROPERTIES, KNOWING WHAT THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT IS, LOOKING AT PLANT AND WILD LIFE SPECIES, LOOKING AT PROPERTY USES, HISTORIC PROPERTIES, ALL OF THOSE ACTIVITIES ARE OCCURRING RIGHT NOW.

>> THE LOCHMUELLER GROUP IS EVALUATING TWO OPTIONS TO SKIRT JASPER AND HUNTINGBURG, A TWO-LANE ROAD WITH A PASSING LANE CALLED A SUPER TWO OR AN EXPRESSWAY, A HIGHWAY WITH TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC IN EACH DIRECTION.

MINTON WITH LOCHMUELLER IS AWARE OF OPPOSITION TO THE PLAN, BUT SHE SAYS PEOPLE SHOULD PARTICIPATE SO THE ROUTE CAN REFLECT LOCAL NEEDS.

>> TALKING ABOUT WHERE A FACILITY MIGHT IMPACT THEIR PROPERTY AND HOW THEY USE THEIR PROPERTY, THOSE SORTS OF CONVERSATIONS WILL BE REALLY HELPFUL TO US IN MAKING DECISIONS.

>> DUBOIS COUNTY IS ONE OF 12 COUNTIES TO BE AFFECTED BY THE MID-STATES CORRIDOR.

>> DUBOIS COUNTY IS THE MOST POPULOUS COUNTY IN INDIANA WITHOUT AN INTERSTATE ACCESS DIRECTLY THROUGH THE COUNTY.

>> BETWEEN 2013 TO 2019, EMPLOYMENT GREW 7% IN THE COUNTY.

ACCORDING TO THE DUBOIS COUNTY ECONOMIC RESILIENCE STUDY, MANUFACTURING MADE UP MORE THAN 38% OF EMPLOYMENT.

THE AREA IS ONE OF THE TOP TURKEY PRODUCERS IN THE COUNTRY.

PIPENGER SAYS BUSINESS FARMING AND MANUFACTURING IN DUBOIS COUNTY GIVES IT A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.

LOGISTICS.

KEEP IT.

>> THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BUSINESSES THAT MOVE GOODS AND PEOPLE REGULARLY, NOTABLY THE GOODS THAT GET MOVED THROUGH OUR COUNTY WITHOUT ACCESS TO AN INTERSTATE.

>> HE SAYS THE COUNTY'S LARGEST BUSINESSES HAVE PUSHED FOR A CORRIDOR BECAUSE THEY ARE INVESTED IN THE COUNTY.

>> I DON'T THINK WE CAN FLIP IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE MONEY AND BUSINESS THAT THEY ARE MORE IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THEY ARE TRUTHFULLY NOT THAT IMPORTANT, HOWEVER, THEY ARE BIG BUSINESS EMPLOYS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHOSE LIVELIHOODS CAN BE AFFECTED BY THIS ROAD OR NOT HAVING A ROAD.

WE HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A LITTLE BIT OF THAT AS WELL.

>> THE CORRIDOR WILL AFFECT LANDOWNERS BUT PIPENGER SAYS IT'S NECESSARY FOR THE LONG-TERM GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY.

McCOY'S LAND IS IN THE PATH WHERE THE CORRIDOR COULD BE BUILT.

HE SAYS A NEW ROUTE IS NOT NEEDED.

HE'S SKEPTICAL OF POTENTIAL ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND HE SAYS LOCHMUELLER'S DESIRE FOR PUBLIC INPUT IS INSINCERE.

>> THE ROAD IS NOT TO INCREASE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN DUBOIS COUNTY.

THE ROAD IS TO PAD THE POCKETS OF WEALTHY TRUCKING COMPANIES THAT HAVE POLITICAL POWER.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH DREW ITS 2004 AND 2011 STUDIES FOR THE CORRIDOR IN 2014.

IT STATES DUE TO A REEVALUATION.

TRAFFIC INFORMATION, THE PROJECT IS NO LONGER WARRANTED.

THE ROOM WAS PACKED AT THE KLUBHAUS BUT SOME HAD CONCERNS OVER FEASIBILITY OF NONCOMPLIANCE WITH LAND SURVEYORS.

PEOPLE MAY WANT TO SEE THE GROUP GAIN TRACTION FIRST.

>> IN THE PRESENTATION, I TALKED ABOUT THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN DO.

THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AND THEN THERE'S WHAT YOU WILL DO.

THAT'S NOT REALLY UP TO ME TO DECIDE WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AND WHAT YOU WILL DO.

I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY CAN DO.

>> AND HE SAYS PEOPLE CAN FORCE DUE PROCESS TO SLOW THE STUDY DOWN.

THE LOCHMUELLER GROUP WILL HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING IN EARLY 2025 TO PRESENT NEW PURPOSE AND NEED FINDINGS.

>> THIS PORTION OF THE TIER 2 STUDY IS EXPECTED TO TAKE AROUND THREE YEARS.

REPORTING ON 231 FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BENTE BOUTHIER.

>> AND NOW FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

A RECENT TEST CONDUCTED ON MONROE COUNTY'S WASTEWATER SHOWS THAT FLU, RSV, NOROVIRUS AND SARS-COV-2 LEVELS ARE ALL ON THE RISE.

HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY LEVELS FOR NOROVIRUS, ALSO KNOWN AS STOMACH FLU ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

FLU LEVELS ARE NEAR PEAK AND ALREADY HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR.

>> AS YOU CAN SEE ON THAT WASTEWATER TREND LINE, IT'S GOING UP AND PERFECT TIMING IN TERMS OF WHAT VIRUSES WANT TO DO AND SPREAD AT THESE TIMES WHEN WE ARE INDOORS AND WITH EACH OTHER, AND IN CROWDS AND CELEBRATING.

>> McKEAN SAYS IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO GET A FLU SHOT AND TO ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY.

>> A NEW YEAR MEANS A FEW NEW FACES IN MONROE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

11 ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM COUNTY CORONER TO COUNTY COUNCIL WERE SWORN IN DURING A CEREMONY AT THE COURTHOUSE.

AMONG THE ISSUES ARE THE CONVENTION CENT EXPANSION AND ANY NEW JAIL.

>> IT'S ONE THING TO HAVE A TAX AND ANOTHER THING TO HAVE A LOCATION.

THEY ARE THINKING INTO THE WEEDS ABOUT HOW THEY WILL FIND ALL THE WRAPAROUND SERVICES.

>> NOW, ONE NAME MISSING FROM THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY WAS COUNCILMEMBER AT-LARGE CHERYL MUNSON WHO PASSED AWAY LAST WEEK AT THE AGE OF 80.

HER VACANT COUNTY SEAT WILL BE FILLED ON SUNDAY DURING A SPECIAL CAUCUS AT THE MONROE COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

>>> A NEW REPORT FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, REPORTS AN INCREASE IN STATEWIDE GRADUATIONS.

LOW-INCOME AND MINORITY STUDENTS ARE STILL STRUGGLING.

>>> SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS SHOWED IMPROVEMENT WITH ABOUT 84% GRADUATING THIS YEAR.

THAT IS UP FROM 76% IN 2023, AND STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED FREE OR REDUCED MEALS ALSO GRADUATED AT A HIGHER RATE THAN LAST YEAR, 93%, VERSUS 90%.

THOSE RATES STILL LAG BEHIND THE STATE'S OVERALL AVERAGE, A RECORD 90% OF STUDENTS GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN 2024.

IN MONROE COUNTY STUDENTS PERFORMED EVEN BETTER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE.

ABOUT 96% OF MCCSC STUDENTS GRADUATED IN 2024.

THAT'S UP FROM THE 2023 RATE OF 92% IN MONROE COUNTY.

THE GAP THAT EXISTS BETWEEN MINORITY AND LOW-INCOME STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE IS APPARENT IN MCCSC TOO.

WHITE, ASIAN AND MULTIRACIAL STUDENTS HAD HIGHER GRADUATION RATES THAN BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS.

LOW-INCOME STUDENT GRADUATION WAS 4% LOWER THAN STUDENTS WITH HIGHER INCOMES.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M AUBREY WRIGHT.

>>> STATE, LOCAL AND NATIONAL PARTNERS HAVE TEAMED UP TO PURCHASE NEARLY 4,000 ACRES FOR A NEW FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA IN SULLIVAN COUNTY.

IN ADDITION TO A PLACE WHERE HOOSIERS CAN HUNT, HIKE AND WATCH BIRDS, BUSSERON WILL BE PART OF THE SOUTHERN INDIANA SENTINEL LANDSCAPE.

IT'S A PROJECT THAT HELPS TO PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES AND MAKES THE AREA MORE RESILIENCE TO THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> WITH THE PRESENCE OF WETLANDS AND THE CREEK AND ALL OF THAT AROUND HERE, THIS CAN REALLY CONTRIBUTE TO BUFFERING, FLOODING INCIDENTS AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SEEN SOME PRETTY BAD FLASH FLOODING INCIDENTS THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN INDIANA OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> THE LAND WAS ONCE PART OF ANOTHER FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA CALLED MINNEHAHA WHICH CLOSED IN 2016.

THE DNR HOPES TO OPEN BUSSERON TO THE PUBLIC IN APRIL.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK,."

>> PEOPLE THINK DOLLAR GENERAL SHOULD BE HERE ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND DOLLAR GENERAL IS PUTTING DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM AND THE COMMUNITY.

>> RESIDENTS RECENTLY DENIED RIGHT FOR DOLLAR GENERAL TO BUILD HERE.

I LOOKED INTO THE SITUATION.

>> THESE STORIES AND MORE COMING UP RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WELL, A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE TOWN OF PRAIRIETON PROTESTED A NEW DOLLAR GENERAL BEING BUILT IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

OUR CLAYTON BAUMGARTH GOES INTO THE PROBLEMS THAT THE STORE CHAIN CAN BRING TO RURAL AREAS AND HOW PRAIRIETON IS ONE OF SEVERAL TOWNS TO REJECT THEM.

>> WAS IS BEHIND ME WAS THE PURPORTED SITE OF A DOLLAR GENERAL.

BUT THANKS TO A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT BY THE LOCAL CHURCH AND RESIDENTS.

>> THEY SPOTTED SIGNS INVITING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ATTEND AND AREA PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.

THE GOAL WAS TO REZONE PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND THAT SITS DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE METHODIST CHURCH.

>> SOMEONE SAW IT ON 63, WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO PUT THE SITE, AND IT JUST KIND OF BLEW UP ON FACEBOOK, WHAT IS THIS?

IT'S DOLLAR GENERAL.

>> WITHIN A WEEK, THE KEEP THE PRAIRIE IN PRAIRIETON GROUP.

THEY DIDN'T WANT ANOTHER DOLLAR GENERAL STORE IN THEIR AREA.

>> MOST OF US GO TO DOLLAR GENERAL ONCE A WEEK OR TWICE A WEEK.

WE HAVE ONE FOUR MILES UP THE ROAD AT SPRING HILL AND 63 AND WE HAVE A DOLLAR GENERAL FOUR MILES EAST ON U.S. 41.

>> THEY HAD OTHER QUALMS TOO, CONCERNS ABOUT TRAFFIC, THE FACT THAT ALCOHOL WOULD BE SOLD NEXT TO THE CHURCH, AND WANTING TO USE THE LAND FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES.

>> THERE'S OTHER THINGS WE COULD USE.

THAT LAND COULD BE SUBDIVIDED INTO RESIDENCES.

WE WOULD MUCH PREFER TO HAVE HOMES AND FAMILIES.

WE NEED HOUSES.

>> THE PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THE REZONE BUT VIGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WANT TO GIVE THE RESIDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS SO IN THE BASEMENT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH, 40 PEOPLE GATHERED TO SPEAK TO THE STORE REPRESENTATIVE, INSTEAD THE BUILDING REPRESENTATIVE AND THE ATTORNEY SPOKE AND WERE UNABLE TO ANSWER MANY OF THEIR QUESTIONS.

>> I HAVE TO LOOK INTO THAT.

I CAN'T OKAY ONE WAY OR THE OTHER ON THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> I REALLY CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

THAT WOULD BE A CORPORATE QUESTION.

I CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> THE FOLLOWING WEEK, THE VIGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DECIDED NOT TO GRANT THE REZONING REQUEST AFTER KEEP THE PRAIRIE IN PRAIRIETON PRESENTED A SCROLL WITH 1900 PEOPLE WHO SIGNED AGAINST THE REZONING.

>> THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THESE FOLKS' ISSUES IS THAT THERE'S NO DOLLAR GENERAL CONTACT.

THIS IS A PRETTY IMPORTANT ISSUE TO THESE PEOPLE AND NOT HAVING A DOLLAR GENERAL REPRESENTATIVE HERE.

EVENTS LIKE THIS ARE NOT UNCOMMON.

IN MONROE COUNTY IN 2022, THERE WAS A DENIAL OF A NEW DOLLAR GENERAL ON SAMPLE ROAD AFTER IT BOUNCED AROUND THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR SIX MONTHS.

>> IF WE ARE ADDRESSING A FOOD DESERT ISSUE, THEN IT SHOULD BE A FOOD EMPORIUM OF SOME SORT.

>> RESEARCH FROM UCLA AND UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FOUNT THAT DOLLAR STORES OFTEN HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON BRINGING MORE FOOD TO RURAL COMMUNITIES.

>> IF YOU HAVE THREE -- THREE OR MORE DOLLAR STORES WITHIN A THREE-MILE RADIUS, A LOCALLY OWNED GROCERY STORE WILL CERTAINLY GO OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> THEY NAMED EIGHT OTHER CITIES AND TOWNS IN INDIANA THAT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE DENIED NEW STORES FROM BEING BUILT FOR VARIOUS REASONS.

SMITH SAYS THIS SHOWS MORE AREAS HAVE BEEN EMBOLDENED TO DENY NEW DOLLAR GENERAL LOCATIONS.

>> I THINK IT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE MORE EXPERIENCE WITH THEM, MONTH ARE EXPOSURE TO THEM AND SO THEY HAVE SEEN, OH, YEAH, THESE THINGS DO GENERATE A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND THEY DO ATTRACT CRIME AND THEY DO PREVENT SOME SAFETY HAZARDS.

>> SMITH SAYS THAT BECAUSE DOLLAR GENERAL DOESN'T ACTUALLY OWN THE BUILDINGS THEY BUILD, IN LEASING, THEY ARE PUTTING SPACE BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.

>> THEY ARE COMMITTED TO SIGNING A LONG-TERM LEASE WITH THIS DEVELOPER.

THEY REALLY HAVE NO INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY, AND PEOPLE THINK DOLLAR GENERAL SHOULD BE HERE ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND DOLLAR GENERAL IS PUTTING SOME DISTANCE BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND COMMUNITY BY HAVING THE DEVELOPER BE THE ONE WHO IS THE FLASH POINT FOR ALL OF THIS.

>> SHE ALSO SAYS THAT COMMUNITIES HAVE GOTTEN CREATED BY CREATING NEW ORDINANCES THAT PREVENT NEW DOLLAR STORES FROM BEING BUILT AT ALL.

>> THERE ARE COMMUNITIES THAT REQUIRE DOLLAR STORES TO SUBMIT THEIR SHELF PLAN TO THE CITY PLANNING OFFICE TO SAY WE WANT TO SEE EXACTLY HOW MUCH LETTUCE AND EXACTLY HOW MANY CARROTS AND, YOU KNOW, EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE OFFERING HERE.

>> NOW, I REACHED OUT TO DOLLAR GENERAL WHY THEY WOULD OPEN UP A STORE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY.

>> THEY SAYS A NUMBER OF FACTORS GO INTO CONSIDERATION.

IT'S STILL POSSIBLE A NEW STORE COULD COME TO THE AREA.

IT MIGHT NOT BE ANY TIME SOON.

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

>>> COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS IS DOWN TO FOUR TEAMS AND WHILE INDIANA BOWS OUT IN THE FIRST ROUND, COACH CURT CIGNETTI HAS BEGAN A CULTURAL CHANGE AT THE SCHOOL.

PAT BEANE.

>> THERE WAS A HALF EMPTY STADIUM AND LOW EXPECTATIONS BUT AS THE WEEKS WENT BY AND THE WINS PILED UP, THE HOOSIERS BECAME THE TALK OF NOT ONLY BLOOMINGTON BUT THE NATION, THEY SOLD OUT THEIR FINAL FOUR HOME GAMES AND FINISHED WITH THE BEST RECORD IN MORE THAN A HALF CENTURY.

THIS WAS A TESTAMENT TO THE JOB THAT CURT CIGNETTI.

>> PACKED THE STADIUM AND MADE A LOT OF PEOPLE PROUD, AND HAD HISTORIC SEASON, RIGHT?

AND SO SET THE FOUNDATION FOR, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY WHAT IS TO COME.

>> CIGNETTI BUILT THIS YEAR'S TEAM PRIMARILY THROUGH THE TRANSFER PORTAL, BRINGING 13 PLAYERS WITH HIM FROM JAMES MADISON AND SIGNING KURTIS ROURKE, WHO WAS ONE OF THE NATION'S BEST IN HIS LONE SEASON AT I. U.

HE SIGNED FERNANDO MENDOZA AND APPALACHIAN STATE MIKAIL KAMARA AND D'ANGELO PONDS ALL CAME LAST YEAR FROM J.M.U.

THEY ALSO ADDED A PAIR OF LINEMEN AND BROUGHT BACK SAFETY LO MOORE FROM OLE MISS.

>> IT'S ABOUT RECRUITING AND DEVELOPMENT AND NOT ABOUT RETENTION, RIGHT?

SO EVERY YEAR YOU GOTTA START OVER NOW IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

IT'S NOT QUITE THE NFL BUT IT'S GETTING CLOSE.

SO YOU CAN CHANGE A LOT OF THINGS IN A YEAR.

>> WHILE THE ROSTER MAY CHANGE YEAR AFTER YEAR, CIGNETTI IS HOPING THE CULTURE OF WINNING THAT WAS INSTILLED THIS SEASON CARRIES ON FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

AND IT COMES ONE WHERE MAKING THE PLAYOFFS IS NOT THE GOAL BUT COMPETING FOR A NATIONAL TITLE IS.

>> THERE'S GOALS OUT THERE TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BUT THAT ONLY -- YOU ONLY HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE YOU CHANGED THE CULTURE, THE PRODUCT, THE RESULT, AND THE EXPECTATION LEVEL.

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

>> AND WHILE AN OFFICIAL POLAR PLUNGE WAS ICED OUT ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, BLOOMINGTON RESIDENTS STILL TOOK TO LAKE MONROE TO START OFF THE NEW YEAR.

THE BLOOMINGTON POLAR BEAR PLUNGE CANCELED THEIR EVENT WEDNESDAY MORNING DUE TO A FAMILY EMERGENCY, BUT WHILE THAT MEANT NO T-SHIRTS OR HOT CHOCOLATE, IT DIDN'T STOP A NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM TAKING THE LEAP INTO THE FRIGID WATERS AT THE PAINTTOWN STATE RECREATION AREA.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF FUN, JUST BEING ABLE TO START THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT WITH SOME FRIENDS AND FAMILY, JUST HAVING FUN AND BEING COLD FOR THE FIRST DAY.

IT'S WORTH IT.

>> ANOTHER POLAR PLUNGE IS SET FOR FEBRUARY 22nd AT THE HEN CIGNETTI HALL OF CHAMPIONS HOSTED BY SPECIAL OLYMPICS INDIANA.

EVERY DOLLAR RAISED WILL GO TOWARDS SUPPORTING ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS.

>>> WELL, THIS WILL BE OUR LAST SHOW FROM STUDIO 6 FOR A WHILE THE STUDIO UNDERGOES RENOVATION.

WE WILL BRING YOU "INDIANA NEWSDESK" FROM A STUDIO AT THE I.U.

NEWS SCHOOL.

THERE'S A WINTER STORM WATCH THROUGH MUCH OF THE STATEMENT, BLOOMINGTON IS EXPECTED TO GET 6 INCHES OF SNOW.

OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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